All of you gather - Afina, Moore, Skye, Crystal, Ilsenine and all of Aurora's fey court. You gather outside of Aurora, Elder Magi Tepen joining all of you. He clears his throat, "I will now open a portal to the Gloaming Wood," he announces. "By your leave, Queen Ilsenine?"
Queen Ilsenine is clad in beautiful finery, a robe of colors and radiance. She stands at the head of the fey host and declares, "Do so. It is time to finally return home."
Afina's wearing one of her old outfits, all clashing oranges and purples and blacks arranged in various simple geometric shapes over her figure with a short but flared skirt accentuating her hips. She's still fully armed of course, twin swords set snugly across her back below her wings should she have any need for them. "Thank you Tepen," she says courteously for the wizard's help here.
In truth she'd have rather flown or walked to the Gloaming Wood in her own time to see more of Lifasa, but she isn't about to refuse Ilsenine on this. She doesn't plan on staying long though.
Moore's wearing one of his more formal outfits as he waits around with the others.
This isn't his first time to the Gloaming Wood, but... it's the first time he remembers, anyway, so it's more or less the same thing.
Crystal is clad in her full weapons and armor, staying at Afina's side.
Lady Skye attends Queen Ilsenine, clad in marginally less colorful clothes than her and a matching hat.
Thus amid cheer and anticipation, the Gloaming Wood is seen once more. It sits atop a high plateau rising from a forest, a primeval forest atop the plateau. It is as if Afina never left, as if the devils never came. As more of the court comes forth Ilsenine comes to a pause, staring ahead at a home thought lost forever.
Afina flutters in the air looking out over her old home, her entire world once upon a time. "Never seen it from the outside before," she whispers to Crystal. "It seemed so much bigger from the inside."
"...we've grown, it hasn't shrunk," Crystal says, looking over it long. "...I..."
Part of him wants to sing -- to add to this occasion -- but he stays silent. It's enough to see the smiles and adoration of this place on everyone's faces.
Besides, he'd be overshadowed by the individuals coming.
Soon enough all come through and Queen Ilsenine says, "Come. Come and follow to our court," she commands, heading into the forest, leading the way.
Afina doesn't press Crystal to elaborate on her thoughts, flying after Ilsenine into the forest, finding it more familiar as she goes.
Of course parts of it were considerably more dangerous under the rule of Ilsenine's rivals, but they're all gone now aren't they?
Moore flies along himself, mostly in the back as he takes in scenery.
Indeed. All that's left is memories as you fly deeper and deeper in.
Past ancient grounds, places of feuds and forgotten history. Of laughter and tears, of days long gone. In time you go deeper and deeper, towards Queen Ilsenine's territory. Here the forest is thick and yet so familiar to Afina, as if she never left. Soon will be the grove and castle where Ilsenine held court.
"We're almost there," Queen Ilsenine declares, "Soon we will be home."
Crystal keeps on flying and finally continues. "Have we...outgrown this?" she murmurs to Afina, barely audible.
"That's how I'm feeling," Afina whispers, nodding her agreement to Crystal. She idly wonders if her old sword might still be here, the one she put aside to hastily grab one better suited for slaying devils, the original Hywelbane. But a cold iron blade like that was probably claimed by devils to use against demons, and as trusty as it was in her many killings on Ilsenine's behalf, its magic is weak compared to what she carries with her now.
When she thought of Lifasa, held memories of home close to nurture her through dark days, this was what she imagined. But she knows there's far more just in Lifasa to be seen, far less the rest of Creation. And ultimately, here is a place where she existed solely to serve.
Moore continues on, through the unfamiliar yet strangely nostalgic forest.
"We won, but we're called to higher things now," Crystal murmurs, "I don't think I can stay. My Queen will have need of me. I know...there is so much more beyond this. So much more to see and do. Oh Afina," Crystal's voice is rich with emotion and feeling, "Truly, we have grown."
Afina can't quite muster the same sort of rich emotion. Honestly she just feels a bit numb. Empty.
After spending years filled with fire and fury for the Crusade, that's all drained out in the wake of victory and nothing yet's crept in to fill the void.
"We've seen too much. We're no longer innocent in the nature of reality." Not that her murderous life back here was 'innocent' by most definitions, but she certainly was ignorant of how the world really was in many respects. It makes her cringe a bit, the smug condescension she held towards eladrin before discovering the truth.
Crystal nods to that as you fly on - and you see it ahead. The grand grove, vast and empty, and behind it Ilsenine's castle. It is perfect, undamaged by the preceding nightmare.
For your Queen awaits, a collective gasp before the avatar of Titania, the collected fey stopping, kneeling. "My children," Titania's voice is rich, "Thus as the world is newborn, I walk amid it, a mother tending to her child. This is a time when many of us shall walk amid you all."
Crystal immediately kneels, head bowed. Queen Ilsenine follows suit, as does Lady Skye.
Afina drops to the ground and kneels, head lowered in subservience to a facet of her queen. Lathander dropped in, now Titania, yes it's going to be busy.
Of course she needs to offer recompense to them for their aid against Tiamat, Titania, Lathander, Auril, the Triune, and Bahamaut. Not yet though, she'll take the time to visit their realms and offer her service in due course. That debt will be honoured, but she's not going to interrupt whatever statement Titania has here with her own petty business.
Moore flies down and offers a proper, deep bow to Titania's avatar as he then moves down to properly kneel.
Regardless of where his faith lies, it's proper decorum. Especially for her help earlier.
Queen Titania cups her hands together, and in it a tiny seed can been. It glows with a steady, luminous light. "This is the heart seed of an Elder Treant." She announces, "A supreme guardian of forests." The seed floats to Ilsenine, surrounded by a glow, "It will protect your court and kingdom, Ilsenine. Use it wisely.
"Moore. Afina. Crystal. Rise and approach me." Titania commands next.
Smoothly rising to her feet, Afina walks over to Titania and stops within arms-reach for the much larger figure. "What would you have of me, your Majesty?" she asks.
He can't hide a look of surprise from showing on his face as he rises to move to stand with Afina and Crystal in front of Titania's avatar!
Crystal rises and approaches, kneeling once more before her.
"Crystal, I am pleased with your courage." A slender branch appears in Titania's hand, tapped to each of Crystal's shoulders. "I create you Duchess of Gloaming and give you this world's fey to protect. Should evil ever threaten Lifasa's fey again, you shall ride forth and crush it."
"Thank you, Majesty," Crystal says, "I shall not fail you."
Then Queen Titania turns to Moore, "Moore, kneel."
Did he really forget to that in his stupor?
He acquiesces to the demand regardless and does so.
Taps to your shoulders, "I create you Duke of Songs, and that you ensure Lifasa's songs stay happy ones. Should evil ever threaten the joy of Lifasa's music, I command you to stop it."
"As you command, Your Majesty." Moore answers.
Then to Afina, "Kneel, Afina," Titania commands.
Afina dutifully kneels, resting both hands on one knee, the other on the ground as she lowers her gaze.
A tap on both shoulders, "I create you as Queen of Rainbows and give you this world's skies to protect. Should this world's wonder and beauty be challenged, I expect you to be there to stand bravely and truly, as you always have."
Moore can't help but smile at that and gives Afina a reassuring nod.
Queen, now? She really has gone up in the world.
"You will not find me wanting, your Majesty," she swears, resolving to tackle this charge with the same energy she brought to the Crusade.
"It is done," Queen Titania declares, "To this new court - live and live well. Your world is new, but I caution you not to fall back into isolationism. Hold to your ways as you see fit, but do not hide from the rest of the world. You cannot now, do not fall into old thoughts thinking it can be so."
Afina nods and takes heed that warning. She doesn't think it possible she could ever see the world the way she once did. Only by staying active throughout Lifasa, and making Lifasa known and important to the rest of Creation, can she be sure of preventing the same fate all over again.
Moore offers another bow, since words need not be shared for this sort of occasion.
"We will learn and obey, Majesty." Ilsenine says.
Queen Titania raises her arms up and the sun shines brighter. Warmth fills all of you and she is gone between one instant and the next. Once gone Ilsenine stands, "I command all of you to celebrate. I have been given a great responsibility that I must see to," she says, holding the Elder Treant seed.
Afina doesn't have to take any commands from Ilsenine, she's a Queen in her own right now!
A Queen without a kingdom but that'll change in time. Still, for now she can join in the celebrations a little to help get things moving again here.
He'd be remiss if he failed to assist with this sort of thing, so Moore gets to setting up a proper venue for a performance!
He'll help by doing some sort of oral / music performance that even Titania will be impressed by.
Okay, that answers the next question for you, Moore. Afina, how are you participating? Just joining in or anything in particular?
Just sort of mingling and chatting people up. Since most people here aren't actually from this part of Lifasa she can tell stories about the place.
Perform check, Moore.
Any relevant skill, Afina?
Knowledge (nature) or diplomacy?
She'd take 10 for 60 or 47 in either case.
[12:35] <Nephrite> roll 1d20
[12:36] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{9}
+13 (luck), +15 (insight) +55 (skills, vest, etc) +10 (skill focus)... 102 for the Oratory part, the string instruments would be +5 higher, for 107 if you want one check for both.
Forgot the Lifasa bonus! That adds... 13? to everything, so... 106 and 111.
Moore's music and song is sublime, framing the party around it. It is a festive celebration as Afina tells stories of days long gone, while Crystal aids Afina at times. Hours slip away in celebration, until Afina finds herself momentarily alone while Moore takes a break. The celebration is going full swing now and...
Ball's in both of your courts.
It's time for Afina to go, there's nothing else for her here. She'll of course go tell Ilsenine of her departure first, so she goes to find wherever her Queen has hunkered down with her treant seed.
Hopefully everyone watching from afar was moved by the song -- that's all he can hope for, anyway.
He's content to just enjoy some time to himself for now -- he's had no time to reflect on anything with everything going on.
A nice, quiet moment... maybe too quiet, for his liking, though.
Afina finds Ilsenine behind the castle, kneeling in a small clearing. She is slowly burying the seed in dirt, pausing as you come over. She rises, "Afina," she greets, "Congratulations."
Moore rests a moment, reflecting and recovering. You won't find her, but you will meet her again before the end.
"Ilsenine," Afina returns the greeting, feeling a bit strange to be talking to her as an equal. But that's what she is now, she's not going to mess around with Majesties and titles here between two Queens. "I'm going to go back to Aurora now, to finish up some of my business there. After that I think I'll spend a few years exploring this world outside of our forest that I fought so hard for."
So searching on his own won't help, but it'll happen anyway? Is that good enough for him?
...Well, he found the others without actively searching... Maybe that's where she ended up?
All right. He'll wait, then -- he's got time, after all.
"Did you predict all of this was going to happen?" He asks no one in particular as he sits up. "Destiny is a funny thing..."
"I wish you good fortune, then." Ilsenine approaches you and firmly hugs you, "I'm only going to make you blush and suffer awkwardly through this once, Afina. Thank you. You became Lifasa's hope and savior. Everyone owes you more than we can ever repay." Parting from you, with a wry smile, "Thank you for tolerating this old queen that's lost her frosty exterior in Hell's flames."
Moore rests, no one answering him aloud. Go. Finish your affairs. This isn't the end, only the end of the beginning.
"Don't worry, I know. You've always got your eye on me -- all of you. Even the ones I haven't met yet." He pulls himself to his feet. "I've got way too many things to keep me busy to worry." He stretches once and fixes his hair.
"I'll be back, Your Majesty. Uh... all of you." Moore corrects himself, since there are multiple here now... ah well. Maybe he ought to sit down and talk to Kascha about things one of these days... He'll add it to his list of things to do with his spare time.
For now, it's back to that list of things... Ilsenine will have her hands full for a while, so he can handle his own affairs.
Afina does blush a little to be hugged, prismatic hues burnishing her cheeks. "Be happy with Moore," she returns. "When we next meet I'll be a Queen in fact and not just title." She takes off her hat and smiles one last time at Ilsenine before she turns to go. She stops by Crystal on her way out though.
"I'm going back to Aurora now. Do you want to come with me or are you staying here longer?"
"Let's," Crystal says, "This is wonderful, but this is not where the stars guide me to be." Rising with you, "Let's go home, Moore' sjust about to go, we can catch a ride with his spell."
Both of you going back to your own things now?
Yar. Of Course, Afina gets a traditional 'Contact me if you need any help with anything' line.
Likewise.
Most of Afina's todos are put off by 'explore Lifasa' so there's really not much left to her story. She'll hang around Aurora a while longer helping with the drawdown of forces and dealing with any new stuff that crops up, say further goodbyes, but she's basically done now.
I concur. I have a thing or two more for Afina but not right away. There's a bit of staggering going on with the todos.
Did you want to take a crack at talking to Westwind, Moore?
Sho nuff
New topic for Moore.
In case this is Afina's last topic - thank you, Afina. You've done great.