Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

The Cauldron bustles as the two of you come on, your cargo getting wide-eyed looks as the two of you pass. Amaryl smiles to people and waves as she answers in your mind, sidestepping kneeling worshipers and giving the murmured comments. 'I suppose everything must grow, and it is time then for us to grow,' she concurs.

Seira's will ensures that the massive raven doesn't trouble anyone, such as dripping all over or even smelling badly! At least the Cauldron is set up so that she could easily pass through in her dragon form, and she doesn't need to do any remodeling on the fly.

'We should call Emily and Xera over for dinner,' she muses. 'With the way things are picking up pace, we might not have many more chances in the near future.'

She's wavering between taking Amaryl to Arvandor and hitting up Zaaman Rul for an attack on Akim, though recent events will ensure she stays home for at least a couple days.

You get cheers as you pass, cheers and prayers heard in your mind. Calls of thanksgiving, for victory, for success, for wealth. All echo within your mind as Lady Sanzha approaches. She gives you a curtsy before speaking, "Welcome back, Seira and Amaryl. This way," she offers.

"Of course, Sanzha," Seira agrees, before glancing over at the raven and sending it to her positive energy research laboratory where it would be kept in stasis until she needs it.

Once away from the crowd, Lady Sanzha begins, "Emily's incurred you a bit of a cost with Waukeen," she begins, "She borrowed something called the Ring of Delaros from Waukeen and promised you'd pay for the rental."

"What," Seira flatly asks, but her shocked calm doesn't keep. "Why?!"

K:A, K:P and K:R 10 for 81 for the Ring of Delaros.

You've heard of it. Something made that allows powerful outsiders to stay on the Prime safely. Waukeen got a hold of it a long time ago and occasionally rents it out. How it was made is a pretty good question, but the odds are it's expensive.

"She found some mage she wanted to investigate and go visit," Lady Sanzha softly exhales, "So she got that and ran off to visit them."

After a beat, Amaryl says, "She did WHAT?!" A gasp, a hand to her mouth, "Why?!"

Seira closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. A myriad of thoughts runs through her mind, and she dismisses the rash courses of action while also, much to her regret, tabling the issue of repaying Waukeen. Her friend knows there's no rush there.

Instead, she turns her attention on Elle's location and then shifts herself there along with Sanzha and Amaryl.

Assuming Elle isn't showering/with Donald/etc

> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=94 ]{94}

Elle is found deep in a spellbook, while Donald isn't around right now. On your arrival she glances up, "Seira, how was Air?"

"Total victory, beat YanC so hard he offered me a mutual defense pact against Shar, also beat some weird manifestation of Shar and unlocked the secret to behemoths-- none of that matters right now!"

Crossing the distance, Seira looms over Elle. "Emily! She lied to Amaryl and I, put me in debt to Waukeen over borrowing a priceless artifact and ran off to some Prime to visit some mage." Leaning closer still, Seira repeats with great emphasis, "She lied to us!"

Elle blinks, blinks again and then gapes, "Emily lied? Well...she is a teenager," she offers, finally. "Wasn't she supposed to be doing some business in the elemental planes?"

Lady Sanzha scowls, "It seems her education did not wholly take. It can be corrected, but we really must get her back here."

"Shar attacked Air and Sylica, I wasn't worried for the kids because Celestia is safe and an attack on another Inner Plane would be dumb, but a Prime's another thing. Elle, I know this is zero notice, but I need you to fetch that idiot kid of ours and tell her-- fuck, tell her it's the first time I've felt disappointed in her. And if I weren't on call over Sylica and to defend the Cauldron itself, I'd be the one going."

Elle nods and takes a breath out, "Alright. Also, what in Mystra's name did Emily borrow from Waukeen?" Getting up and closing her book, "Where is she, precisely?"

"I have the details here, it's a mage guild built around a spell pool," Lady Sanzha says.

"The Ring of Delaros! Instead of talking to us and asking me to make her a proxy, or any myriad of ways to visit!" Seira exclaims. That tight rein on her anger is a lost cause, and that's likely for the best, she muses as she uses her power to reach out to Oraga. 'I have need of your services,' she relays, intending to summon her towards them upon receipt of an affirmative reply.

Then Sanzha's words catch her attention, and she sputters. "A Spellpool? She went to look at one? Why not go see mine back on Balmuria?"

"How should I know?" Lady Sanzha sighs, "I never WAS a teenager. I was spared that foolishness."

Elle meanwhile goes into the next room, grabbing her sword and gear, getting ready. She calls back, "The Ring of Delaros?! Is she trying to cost you a fortune? I've heard Waukeen only loans it out for enough money to make a dragon lusty!" Coming out, carrying sword in one hand and a spell component pouch in the other, "What was she thinking?!"

Amaryl facepalms, "At least Waukeen's motives are clear. She's never one to turn down a sale. Hopefully she'll be understanding."

"I never seem to find gold when I head out recently, either," Seira admits, face falling. Still, the distraction from her righteous anger can only work for so long!

"No one is heading out alone in this climate, so I'm having Oraga come with you," she tells Elle.

Oraga appears in a ripple of air. The elf body he wears is stern faced, looking faintly displeased with everything. Nonetheless she kneels to you a moment, "You called?" she asks.

"She did," Elle says, "Emily has decided to pawn her good sense and act like...like...Donald!" Snapping that off with a scowl, "Honestly!"

"Amaryl and I are not happy with Emily at the moment, but with Shar acting out we have to first consider her safety," Seira tells Oraga. "Elle will fill you in, and I'm only a focused thought away though with your skills I have no cause for concern."

She uses her powers again, this time to open a portal to just outside the Cauldron so that Elle can handle their transportation easily, without going through the entire realm first.

The two go without another word. Once they're on Amaryl goes over and sinks into Elle's chair, hands on her face. "Why oh why did she decide to do this now? She's a paladin! She knows better than this! Even if she's twisted into some justification where she didn't lie, why? For goodness sake, Elle called her out as acting like Donald and she's right!"

Lady Sanzha sits back, a wave rising from the ground to support her like a chair. "Well," she says slowly, "Perhaps a distraction is in order. A tour of my laboratories and our progress after the Afina project would do nicely."

"I-- you know what, Sanzha? That sounds perfect. Thanks for doing this, we'll go on the tour. Come on, Amaryl, it's out of our hands for now, and Elle and Oraga won't let us down."

"Let's," Amaryl agrees, as Lady Sanzha leads you out on a walk to the laboratory. As you go through the Cauldron's inner caves, "By all measures, the Afina Project was a complete success. While I don't believe it remedied her underlying depression, the elemental fusion was a success."

"Saving her homeworld and being pivotal in revitalizing it might've had a hand in curing said depression," Seira says dryly. "You helped her do that just that little bit better, so that alone would've made it worthwhile. But the implications from success...."

"That and Omni are proofs of success," Lady Sanzha agrees. The laboratory is much as Afina saw it, if expanded even more in size. "I have the notes right over here, would you like to see them?"

"Of course," Seira readily agrees. "I know the general terms, which is how we arrived at Omni's creation, but that very success is a great reason to revisit the finer points and see about streamlining our process for both non-elementals and our elemental friends alike."

The notes are fairly complex. As you dive in Lady Sanzha sits back, "Such things I've learned here," she remarks, "I wonder what else can be found"

It's at that moment you feel it. A connection between you and Lady Sanzha, glistening and bright. You feel a resonation, like a bell being chimed.

"Oh!" Amaryl gasps, "Seira, it's happening again!"

Lady Sanzha's brow furrows, "What?" At the same time a rusted, pitted length of iron rises from amid the various tools. It flies to Lady Sanzha, twisting in midair. Old iron becomes new silver, pits become filled with tiny, delicate aquamarines.

Node update, go read.

Diadem of Alchemy: Provides a +20 competence bonus to Craft (Alchemy) checks.

Seira giggles. "It is, isn't it?" So her hypothesis might be correct, or at least on the right track.

"Sanzha, I have good reason to believe that as I grow in power as a goddess, that divinity allows me form deeper bonds with my closest friends. You've felt something just now, haven't you? Something that responded to the feelings of wonder you've been having about our work here?"

"That's new," Lady Sanzha says, "I've not heard of that before, nor did I have such a thing as the Padisha." She gives you a look, then reaches up to touch the diadem on her head, eyes looking upward. "Yet this is undeniably real."

"It might be a gift from Celestia, or from other sources," Seira muses, thinking of the Arbiter. "Perhaps it is only being granted to me so that I could oppose Shar better. But it manifests as my divine power, and just as I can feel the prayers made to my name, I can vaguely sense that the sense of wonder is being slowly subsumed by... wonderlust? Something like that, I think." Smiling at Sanzha, she asks, "How about that? Right again?"

A start of a reply, stopped, paused mid-word.

"She's right," Amaryl says, "Tell us."

"I just thought perhaps it's time I re enter the grander planar stage," Lady Sanzha admits, then claps slowly, "Bravo. Whatever this is, it's not trivial."

"It's actually a lot of fun to finally be getting into the swing of things on my end," Seira muses. "And it seems pretty obvious that as Amaryl and I rise, so do you all alongside us." She snorts. "Not that it's the main reason I think all of you will stay at my side, but it's a nice thought."

Humming to herself, Seira says, "I've been mulling over a plan to act on a planar scale, as it happens. Donald brought word of the Xorn rallying against Dao slavery, and of a powerful efreet noble being on shaky ground. I intended to have Donald and Elle work with the Xorn to free them of their chains, and attacking Akim with Oraga and Antenora, pending Alicia's approval. The idea is to do this publicly, and send a clear message that slavery is no longer allowed or tolerated across the Inner Planes. And it occurs to me that Donald and Elle would appreciate help on Earth, if you're interested in making this your return to the planar stage."

Lady Sanzha smiles rather grimly at that, "We marid have no great use for efreet and dao slavery," she concurs, "I think that's a lovely idea - but I must warn you. If we press too far the Sultan of the Efreet or his counterpart with the Dao could declare war on us. That is a war we may not be able to win lightly, without plunging things into a greater war and hoping our allies are enough. We need to strike firmly but also within bounds they can accept, until we are strong enough to stand on our own."

Seira nods, her smile dimming at Sanzha's words. "I will not be making demands or threats to the Sultan. That alone would make him lash out to avoid losing face. No. Instead, what I will do is kill that vile efreet slaver and then simply state that this was the reason he died. I will do this while accompanied by Alicia's right-hand woman, while Zaaman Rul strikes in tandem with me to free Akim's slaves. And coincidentally, Celestia's trading consortium and Brightwater's main trading houses will state their opposition in dealing with slaves... or those who deal with slaves. With luck, I'll be able to court enough of the Mercane Consortium as well, and then actual financial pressure will come to bear." She snorts. "I understand greed, and efreet are similar to dragons in that sense. We can accomplish much by cutting off their main link to devils and the slave trade with the Hells while subtly threatening their profits."

"That could work," Sanzha says, "But understand that efreeti politics are passionate. In the heat of passion, what seems like a carefully calculated gamble can explode into far more of a response than you gambled on. That was often a thorn in my side as Padisha, even when we were relatively getting along. Sometimes court intrigues ran high and turned a minor thing into a major deal. Be prepared that if you make this play, you may get unlucky. Do it, but make sure you know how to deal if the dice come up droplets."

"The situation on Fire right now is uniquely favorable," Seira responds. "Akim is hated by all except the Sultan himself, and there has already been an attempt to take him out. He also has Razalim, so that would cause many of the locals to blame the situation on the curse and Akim. Finally, I'll be honest with Zaaman Rul, as he is the only one truly at stake here. That said, Aurora clashed with the efreet over their slaving not long ago, and while drawing the efreet into the devil camp had been a concern, to hear Kascha speak of it, their enemies would end up choosing our side in the process. And the efreet will also find that being in bed with the devils is not as rosy an existence as they might think. Finally, with nothing much to lose, celestial forces may well raid their slaving camps en masse, leading to a shift on Fire."

She frowns. "It's not ideal, but the current situation is intolerable. If we enter an age of changes, let's set in motion those we would wish to see rather than watch helplessly as our enemies do it to us first."

"Then let's," Lady Sanzha agrees, "To that I don't think there's any question of all...just be ready if it goes afoul. It may save you being sealed away for eons."

"If it happens, you'll come rescue me, won't you?" Seira asks, her grin returning in force. "So this just leaves your part in it. Which role would you like, Sanzha? Securing support on Water? Liaising with Zaaman Rul? Handling the Earth side? Or something else entirely, after all?"

"Let me consider. How soon are we moving on this?" Sanzha asks back, instead.

"Within a week, since I don't see the need to wait," Seira responds. "We just need to make sure Shar's offensive isn't the prelude to something larger. I'll probably first take a trip to our neighbors, the dragons, and spend a few days on research." Producing Yan-C-Bin's book for Sanzha to look through, she says, "This looks interesting."

Lady Sanzha nods and takes the book, flipping through. "Behemoths. I've heard of them - freaks of nature is my understanding of them. Something of a vanity project, though undeniably useful as targets or enduring guardians. Virtually invincible against lesser heroes and mortals, as they can't damage them fast enough."

"Guardians are the main draw," Seira agrees, "although the applications of positive energy have interested me for a while. Could we apply these insights to our harmony project? Or use the positive energy to counter Shar's agents, by providing a natural defense?"

"I don't know. Ask me after some time to experiment and read all this," Sanzha says, flipping through the pages.

"Sure. In the meantime, do we aim to replicate our feat with Omni, or prepare the ground for Elle? We'll need to detail the changes carefully so she could make an informed decision on a possible transformation."

"Ask her how fast she wants to take this." Not even looking up from the book, "Forcing a decision on archmages is usually more trouble than it's worth. Speaking of, are they back with Emily yet?"

"I wouldn't think of forcing my friends," Seira responds, frowning as her daughter's situation is brought up again. "No, and I'm not going to look in on her. Elle and Oraga have my full trust. Anyway, I'm pretty sure Elle is looking for something like this. It's actually difficult to figure out, since her thoughts are filled with dragons and Donald." Wincing, she mutters, "Pretend I didn't say that in front of them, please."

Lady Sanzha just chuckles as Amaryl turns a very, very, very bright shade of red.

"I won't say a thing," Lady Sanzha says, agreeably enough.

"In other news," Seira says in blatant change of subject, "Alicia found a naked woman inside the massive shadow-spewing storm and managed to get through to her. That's one loss for Shar, and another entry to our library on Shar's minions."

'Antenora, Syala and now her. What is with Alicia and naked women?' Amaryl sends to you, voice curious. 'I certainly understand admiring beauty, though.'

"Good news," Lady Sanzha says as she reads, "Antenora did turn out well, after all. How promising is this one?"

"No idea, but she'll fill me in eventually. Hey, now I wonder whether Ebony was naked when she met Alicia!"

Amaryl blushes anew while Sanzha looks up, "Did your line of thought regress?" she asks, curiously. "I don't see how that follows from that."

"It's Amaryl's fault."

Amaryl manages a choking sputter and little else, Lady Sanzha chuckling anew.

Anything else to do here? We're in a spot of waiting on Elle's rescue mission here, so if you have any RP things to knock out that don't take a ton of time IC, now's a great time.

I was actually hoping to gain insights into both elemental harmony and the positive energy/behemoth thing, and finally on possibility of merging the two. We already talked about it some, but I want more actionable details.

If that doesn't work, let's chat with Omni.

Reading on further, "I'm going to need time," Sanzha finally says, repeating herself. "I'm also going to need several dozen animals of various types, I'll write up a list. A shard of positive energy, small, as well, you should be able to create that yourself. Now, the elements and positive energy aren't directly linked. Life springs from the positive and death from the negative, they essentially balance out unless you're in a quasi-elemental plane. In theory, you could say Afina's already tilted to life, but if she died and was raised as a zombie, she'd be tilted to death then."

Seira shudders at the prospects of zombie Afina. "They're unrelated, yes, but are they mutually exclusive the way positive and negative energy are? Like you said, positive energy coexisted with the elemental powers in Afina, and the sum was definitely greater than the whole. Perhaps she was simply that exceptional, but even accounting for that won't our forces benefit from this?"

"You misunderstand - positive energy is in every creature that lives, while every creature that lives while dead has negative energy, Lady Sanzha explains. "That's all. You can have one or the other." Clicking her tongue, "Directly imbuing creatures with positive energy is extremely difficult. We," A tap of her chest, "Hold more positive energy naturally because we're stronger and more than a typical creature. Likewise, a powerful lich holds more negative energy than a mere skeleton. The core reason why a behemoth creature is hard to make is because adding positive energy to a creature tends to quickly be explosive. It takes an unusual talent or quirk to be able to be productive that way."

"Say you figure out the quirk, or manage to manufacture it under lab conditions," Seira muses. That's what all the animals are for, after all. "Could we augment our target animal with positive energy and elemental energy as well, either in parallel or afterwards?"

"Possibly," Sanzha says after some consideration, "I'd have to see if I got that far. This is unexplored territory."

"Exactly!" Seira says cheerfully. "As for the purely elemental conversions, I'd really like to have a squad of others like Omni ready. Should we repeat our success, or will it be possible to work out a more reliable alternative? Thus far, the process is very volatile."

"Well, no time like the presents to start researching," Lady Sanzha says agreeably. "Omni's more likely, though even then, I imagine the process will take time to perfect."

"Could you arrange for observers on Magma, in case we have another suitable condition?" Seira requests. "We'll follow up on it then. For now, I think I'll go say hello, since he's had time to acclimate to the Cauldron." Turning to Amaryl, she asks, "Would you like to come as well, Dear?"

"Ah! I would," Amaryl blinks, looking up sharply. She's still blushing, "Let's go see how Omni is doing."

Thus Seira sets off to see Omni with Amaryl!

Omni is deep in the Cauldron. A large cavern, where he sits and watches a fountain flow. Nothing too special, just seemingly absorbed in the movement of the waters.

"I'm partial to water, myself," Seira muses, coming over to sit next to him. "I spent many year in a port city, and I never got tired of looking out at the waves."

"Water moves," Omni says, "It always moves. Earth stays still, but water moves. Fire moves, air soars."

"Ah, but what about still water?" Seira asks. She gestures to her side, saying, "My wife, Amaryl. And Amaryl, this is Omni."

Amaryl gets a look, "Are you of fire? Your cheeks are red like fire."

Amaryl's blush resurges again, "Ah. No. Though I do use fire to fight my enemies."

"We lean towards fire," Seira responds, for her part. "The dragon that set things in motion the most for me was, and then I learned to wield a purer fire from Kossuth. I don't discriminate against the other elements, however. In fact, that's why I've worked all these years to bring them all together, along with my friends."

Omni's attention turns to the stone ground he sits on. "Stone does not move. But stone is strong. Stronger than fire, water, wind. It is solid."

"It is rigid, waiting with infinite patience for the right moment. It protects without fail, and once the moment to strike comes, acts resolutely."

"You learn from all of them," Omni says, less a question and more a statement.

"The silent strength of stone, the liveliness of air, the tireless flow of water, the boundless energy of fire," Seira agrees.

"All together," Omni finishes, "Even if they fight. Is that the unity of law?"

"I like to see it as the unity of balance. Law and chaos are extremes, after all, but it is while considering both that a proper argument can be constructed. The elements are the same way."

"Balance," Omni rumbles, "Like me." he reaches out and pounds his chest, then adds, "Balance."

"Balance," Seira repeats, reaching over to tap his upper arm. "The various strengths you learned from the elements, working side by side. And in doing so, cover the individual weaknesses of each element. Isn't that beautiful?"

"Yessss," Omni says, and with his gaze on you, "It is all so beautiful, Seira. It is all beautiful."

"That's all I ever hoped for," she says, smiling happily. "For you to see that this world is beautiful."

"I'm happy. The world is beautiful." Omni pats the ground, "Everything is good here. But there are bad things in other places? Like how good kindling can be mixed with wet wood?"

"I won't lie. There are. Just as there is law and chaos, beauty is balanced by ugliness. Evil exists, from Shar who wishes to destroy everything, to petty tyrants that enslave others for profit, or simply because they can. I oppose them."

"Good. Good. That is good and it is Good." Omni agrees with that, going silent.

At this Amaryl perks up, "You understand about good and evil, Omni?" She approaches and sits next to him, resting one of her small hands on his huge arm.

"I understand." Omni agrees. "Things are clear as air here. There are good people, like Seira, she gave me a home. There are bad people who wouldn't do that."

Aww, that's so sweet!

"And speaking of making your home even more inviting, would you like anything else?" she uses the chance to ask Omni.

"A wife," Omni says, "Wives look like fun."

Amaryl starts to say something, stops and just shuts her mouth, smiling.

Seira taps her lips. "You'll need to look for one. Wives are fun! But they're also your best friend and the person you think about the most, and those things only come from spending time with them and getting to know them properly. If you take your time and get to know the Cauldron's residents, if you befriend them, I believe that in time you would find the one just for you."

"Like a scavenger hunt? I watched one yesterday," Omni says. "You look until you find the prize?"

"The part about making friends? It can be like that. But the second part, about finding the right one for you? That's a bit of a misnomer, since you don't actually do the finding. It's something that happens when you don't look for it, like how time seems to pass quicker if you're having fun and slower if you're bored and just waiting on something."

"So if you don't look for it, how do you find it?" Omni asks, tilting its head to the side.

"You embrace earth here, at first. Patience and belief that the moment will come. Then, if you think it has, fire and water. You flow in pursuit of your desires, follow your passion and don't get discouraged too easily by the first setback. You overcome them, as air streams across any obstacles in its path, while maintaining that lively aspect all along. That, too, could be what draws others to you even as you exercise your patience."

Seira glances over at Amaryl. "What do you think, Dear? Anything to add from your perspective?"

"No, I think you managed all of it," Amaryl's smiling and trying to hold it in, "You said it very well."

Omni merely nods at this, "I will learn from it. I will find friends and a wife."

It's alright to find a husband, too!

"Why don't you start by meeting my commanders?" Seira offers. "Lumenbur is free right now, so he's available, and he could direct you to the others in turn."

Omni nods, "Yes," he concurs.

From there...

You're in a situation where you're waiting on Iddy, so lemme get that done tonight and get you rolling with it Monday. I may toss you a post this evening to establish things, depending on how quickly Iddy's thread works it out.

As you walk out and back to your duties? You hear a particular prayer from Elle.

'Seira help us, Emily managed to break the Ring of Delaros somehow.'

'Is she safe from Shar?' Seira sends to Elle. 'Alicia repelled the attack, but Shar's a real go-getter.' Grimacing, she adds, 'Don't panic, get all the facts. We'll decide our response after that.'

'It seems that she is. I'm not seeing any sign of trouble, besides what Emily's going to tell Waukeen. Right now she's wondering how long it'll take her to repay Waukeen. Or how long it takes you.'

'That's up to her,' Seira responds. 'Adult choices, adult responsibilities. If she thinks she's mature enough to go on some Prime, lie to us about her whereabouts and know better than us about precautions to take about it, she's mature enough to shoulder the blame for her own mistakes and own up to them.'

'Working on it. Have you tried talking to Waukeen?' Elle sends back.

'I'm not going to do that, Emily needs to make things right on her own.'

'Alright, they have someone cursed by Shar, so we're going to take a look,' Elle says, 'See what information I can get about the mess Emily's gotten herself into. She wants to stay, I think.'

'Why is she avoiding dinner with Amaryl and I so much?' Seira sends, giving up on trying to understand. 'Please ensure the locals can provide an adequate defense before approving any of that.'

To Amaryl, she says out loud, "This is growing more stupid by the minute, so want to go to Limbo? I want to have a reason for not going after her myself at this point, so we might as well do something useful."

"How stupid is it?" Amaryl asks, face a mask of polite dread.

"Judging by Elle's words, Emily broke the ring. Reading between the lines, she stole its magic since she still wants to stay and Elle isn't panicking over a Prime's local laws being overwritten. Also, Emily's response to our invitation to have a family dinner is to follow in your footsteps and elope," Seira says, her voice not bothering to hide the confusion she's feeling at the moment. "Not in the romantic sense, at least."

She sighs. "So I told Elle to make sure she's safe, and of course Shar's already got her eye on that place and cursed a few people present-- still, Elle and Oraga are there, so the two of us are going to forget all about that and go to Limbo. If Emily is safe, she can have fun explaining this mess to Waukeen herself."

Amaryl blinks, blinks and then blinks a third time. "What is that girl thinking?!" she gasps, "She's eloping...with a guild? Seira, I don't understand any of this!"

"Elle is not leaving until assuring me it's safe enough, and I don't want to think about this more. So, Limbo?"

"Alright," Amaryl relents at that, "But you're sending an avatar over there if there's any sign of that going wrong."

"We'll both go and give them hell," Seira agrees.

Cool, just going to go into Limbo or do you have a place in mind?

Donald told us to look up Vayley, who is a white slaad! Let's go to the last spot he saw her (?) and take it from there.

Did he mention where he saw her?

It wasn't covered IC, but he did give me various knowledge that wasn't explicit, such as scenes of battle on Magma, and I was able to follow up on those to get Omni.

If this is not possible, I'll plane shift randomly with Amaryl, emulate a divination to give me a direction and distance and greater teleport there.

If thwarted, I will use a Sending to Vayley saying, 'Hello. This is Seira, I have a job offer for you I would like to present in person. Where can we meet?'

For the sake of ease here, let's just run with the sending, if you don't mind. Any objection?

I specified the options because I don't mind! Let's please do it!

Seira uses a Sending to Vayley saying, 'Hello. This is Seira, I have a job offer for you I would like to present in person. Where can we meet?'

Oh, I just wanted to make sure you didn't mind skipping right to it is all.

> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=78 ]{78}

'This is Vayley,' The voice responds, 'I am accepting such an offer. I will tomorrow come yesterday and appear before you. When is good?'

'Now is best,' Seira sends, deciding to shift herself and Amaryl to the entrance to the Cauldron. Even if Vayley can actually appear before her by crashing through all the wards, she'd rather not see it happen.

The white slaad that appears in the Silver Sea is...well...white. A hulking white slaad with sharp eyes - literally, blades dancing within. AS if his eyes have dozens of tiny blades within it, endlessly moving about in there.

Vayley sniffs the air, "I smell dragons, teenage angst and cucumbers. I'm hungry. Your job offer comes with a generous food ration?"

"We have dragons living here," Seira affirms. "But linear time must be observed during the job interview, which is what this is. We must detail the job for you to choose it freely with foreknowledge of it, and then we must determine your suitability in turn."

Vayley agrees with a nod, "Do you mind if I eat during this? I'm starving. Go on and describe the job, it's not every day that a deity offers you one. Chourst only comes by once a week, after all."

"I'm a real deity," Seira mutters, but doesn't really get upset over the comparison. "The job is about being a combat maid," she finally gets to the main part, ensuring that no one can overhear their conversation should they have senses similar to her own ridiculous ones. "Ostensibly being in charge of the maids our palace, but the main part divides in two. The first is actually functioning as a secretary to keep me up to date on current affairs, threats, my schedule and the like. The second is about serving as a final line of defense were someone to challenge the palace by preventing their entry while keeping the more mundane staff free from harm."

She glances over at Amaryl. "Would you like to add something to this, Dear? Oh, and eating is fine, so long as it doesn't object to being eaten."

Amaryl just smiles politely, "No, I think Seira's saying it all. Besides, like a tree swaying in the wind - action will reveal you, not words."

'I'm more watching in case it goes insane and attacks us,' Amaryl sends back, 'It is a slaad.'

"I'd like an entire roasted cow, please," Vayley says, morphing. It's like watching white clay reshape itself, a red haired and green eyed maid appearing before you. "Is this form sufficient, ma'am?"

"It looks very serviceable," Seira agrees, using her power to adjust the uniform so that it presents her symbol. As the golden dragon proudly flies within the confines of the triangle set upon Vaylay's breast, a roasted cow materializes before them, turning over in the void as if upon a spit.

"Competence, discretion and loyalty are inherent parts of the job," Seira says next. "The position can be terminated during formal negotiations similar to these, but neither side would act against the other upon information gained during the course of the employment. If need be, this would be enforced with divine magic." Spreading her arms as she shrugs, Seira elaborates, "I'm hoping for a permanent position, here, but to be fair I'm presenting a suitable escape clause and non-aggression pact to protect all the parties to this contract."

GULP!

Vayley's jaw distends as her mouth expands massively, swallowing the cow in one huge gulp. Not even a bulge going down her throat. "Mmmm....beef." The slaad licks her currently human lips. "I only have one question: what about cheese? There's cheese here, right? Oh, and onions and carrots and peppers. Oh, and lead dipped loaves of bread, those are good too."

Amaryl watches on calmly, "Oh, and if you can eat like a normal human, that would be lovely."

"Actually, Amaryl might be onto something here. Eating that much cow as a human would take quite a bit longer, allowing the enjoyment of the food and process of eating to extend. Something to keep in mind." To answer the actual question, Seira responds with, "As head maid, part of your duties would be to choose the dishes under most circumstances. Therefore, if we don't have a rare ingredient at home, we could take action to secure it."

"I accept," Vayley agrees right away, "On one condition."

"Which is?" Seira asks pleasantly.

"You show me your secret treasure," Vayley says, "All deities have one."

"Of course," Seira agrees right away, gesturing at Amaryl.

Amaryl smiles and blushes, "Seira," she murmurs, taking your hand in hers.

Vayley sniffs in Amaryl's direction, "Then I accept." Licking her chops, "I should start planning dinner right away."

"Excellent! Say hello to Donald as you settle in, and I'll prepare a list for you later that I expect you to turn into a proper itinerary for me, Vayley. Welcome aboard~"

As Vayley comes in, you hear a voice in your mind.

'Seira,' Waukeen sends to you. 'I believe I need to come visit you. There are things to talk about, as well as a recent faux pas your daughter made. Dearie, is 20 minutes enough preparation time for you?'

'Twenty minutes is fine,' Seira responds, appraising Amaryl of the situation as she does so. 'Expect a unique culinary experience.'

Any prep or good to move along to Waukeen dropping in?

We're good to move, although Vayley will be told that Waukeen is coming for dinner.

As Vayley gets to cooking?

Waukeen arrives in a golden carriage, pulled by teams of snow white horses. She proceeds in, attracting attention as she descends down to your palace and...

Goa head and set up.

A rush of daffodils twist in mid-air to form a path for Waukeen's carriage, spiraling all the way to the lake of lava before Seira's gingerbread palace! To its sides, winged serpent sculptures rise, forming fountains that shower the carriage with golden coins as it passes.

At the end of the woven path, Seira and Amaryl await. This is a private business, so Seira's decided to forego the formulaic parts of the formal reception while keeping the fun ones.

Waukeen emerges, every inch the merchant queen. She wears a dress of white and gold, walking forward, "Seira, Amaryl, good to see you. Let's go inside," she says right away.

It hasn't been that long for Seira, although an avatar just isn't the same. "We'll talk in the dining room," she agrees, leading the way inside.

The main dining hall is rather cosy, given that Seira can enlarge it though an extension of her will if she ever needs to entertain more guests. The centerpiece is the large wooden table, oval and solid, while the room itself is adorned with expertly-carved wooden frescos of Seira's adventures along with her friends on her Prime of origin.

Waukeen makes a show of studying all of the decorations, lingering on a fresco of your battle against the Dark Six. "I remember watching as all of you fought them," she remarks, a finger going to trace the details of the piece. "It's always hard watching favored followers fight something like that. You know that if things go wrong, you may never see them again, their souls a grotesque trophy in some hell hole."

"It's terrifying," Seira agrees. "You tend to remember such battles long after they had been resolved, more often than you do your greatest triumphs."

She gives Waukeen a crooked grin. "Then again, from a certain viewpoint, they are such triumphs, given the stakes."

"Terror is a wonderful way to remember anything," Waukeen agrees, "But true, true, and besides, enough worrying about the past." Turning to you  now, "Congratulations on your all-elemental."

"Thanks! Sometimes, things align just right. That it was a culmination of all our efforts makes it sweeter, and Omni's intelligence and curiosity are most welcome!"

"Everyone relies on luck, sometimes," Amaryl opines, going to have a seat.

Waukeen joins her, "Well done regardless. You've grown strong and are beginning to make a real impact on Creation, Seira. It's time we had a talk about that and how you can advance."

"I was planning on making a play at the Inner Planes, and was going to talk to you about your support, so this is great timing," Seira notes, taking her own seat at the head of the table.

"Good. Deities increase in power, from tiny increments to rises in the divine hierarchy. Unfortunately, you can't buy your way to this," Waukeen says with a hint of annoyance in her tone. "There are two components. Your personal strength must continue to rise. You will advance this and grow on your own as always. This will grow as you do, and must be sufficient for the rank you progress to. It may be higher but it may never be lower than what you need. The second is as you accomplish things and more powerfully represent what you are, through ideals and deeds. The Competition is the main means to do so, though many things can happen beyond it to help you, such as claiming your first all elemental."

Here Waukeen pauses as dinner is brought in. Vayley floats in trays of food - a roasted goose, vegetables, stuffing and wine. A classical, rich meal to be sure. She puts it down and then bows to all and departs, not a word. Waukeen glances at her, "You finally got one, hm?"

"I'm so proud I could cry!"

Amaryl laughs, "She really is, she's wanted this for so long."

Waukeen merely smiles, "Then I'm glad. ...and you did remind it to only cook things we can eat easily? Biting into a pastry with a core of molten platinum is an experience, but not one I recommend."

"We covered the part where something that can object to being food cannot be food, and made strong suggestions that food should be consumed as mortals do, but otherwise it's an exciting surprise!"

It's good - well seasoned and prepared. After a short pause for everyone to have some, "Now then, back to the subject at hand," Waukeen says, "Seira dear, every deity wants to advance - well, most, there's a few exception. But the higher you get, the harder it is to advance. Each advancement harder than the previous. Sulia's already advanced somewhat, but finds the next steps even more difficult."

"I will keep on facing stronger opponents and gaining in personal might and making accomplishments," Seira muses. "But standing for Hope even more would be harder the closer I get in people's minds and hearts to my ideal. Also, I'm not going to be underestimated after my next play on the planar scale, which makes winning harder. Is that what you mean? Or are you referring to a build-in glass ceiling?"

"You have to accomplish more and more powerfully, because you grow to represent more," Waukeen explains, "Imagine you get strong enough to lift 20 pounds by lifting 5 pound weights day in and day out. Then you try it again and the 5 pound weights aren't enough, so you need 10 pound weights to lift 30 pounds."

"I did get that part, but what I'm asking is whether the deeds must be judged as more important by some impartial, objective system, or whether it's the subjective perception of others that decides whether I've accomplished something outstanding," Seira elaborates.

"Both," Waukeen says, "It's as much impact as what you do. It's an art deciding which, though at times far past, the Incarnations would directly judge certain matters."

"Ao, the Arbiter and a third that, apparently, split himself across the Lawful realms?" Seira affirms. Her powers are enough to assure the three of them are not overheard by any means without contesting her directly and making her aware, so they can move onto more sensitive topics.

"The Incarnation of Law, the Incarnation of Balance and the Incarnation of Chaos. The Incarnation of Chaos is Ao," Waukeen begins to lecture as you eat, voice slipping into regal, instructive tones, capturing your attention. "The Incarnation of Law's fate is unknown as he vanished long ago, and the Arbiter may or may not be the Incarnation of Balance. They have not told us, though it is entirely possible that it is the Incarnation of Balance."

"Do we have special privileges and special duties, where it comes to them?" Seira inquires, pacing herself as she eats. It would be unseemly to inhale the meal after what she and Amaryl had told Vayley. "I was prevented from dealing with the God-King after my ascension, but it was the one limitation I've hit thus far that was directed at gods." She frowns, adding, "No, the first. The second was the conceptual weapon wielded by Aurora's Sylvie. I'm asking as much to learn of this as to know whether I could approach Ao or the Arbiter, and what the response would be in such a case."

"You don't really approach them, not anymore," Waukeen says, "They approach you when they choose." More eating, a lull in the conversation.

"They sound distant," Amaryl remarks, "Like a far away stag fleeing from a hunter."

"They are, these days," Waukeen agrees. "Simply do anything the Incarnations tell you to do. That will suffice, though there are a few special duties as well. Tell me, Seira, what is the purpose of Creation?"

"But what if I do?" Seira asks stubbornly. "Can I even go where they are, or where an avatar of theirs is observing? If I tried a Sending, would I get slapped down by a giant hand reaching from the sky?"

"They are beyond where we can reach, usually," Waukeen says, "An attempt to teleport to them would uniformly fail. A sending would be ignored." Taking a sigh at that, fingers gently rubbing her forehead as her fork rests on her plate, "Imagine them as faraway teachers, observing but rarely choosing to make themselves known. It's rather vexing, as at the beginning, it was far easier to find one or interact with them. They're grown rather withdrawn as the ages pass."

"So it's not forbidden by decry or anything of the sort?" Seira muses, thinking that the Arbiter, at least, should respond to her given his expectations of she and Alicia.

"In any case, to answer your question as well, the purpose as I understand it is to decide between Law and Chaos in some metaphysical way. Also, possibly with Good and Evil as well? That wasn't clear, since the ethics came from people and the question existed before people. Is that generally correct?"

"Yes," Waukeen nods, taking another bite before going on. "Back then, dear, the Incarnations decided they wanted an Answer to the question of law and chaos. So Creation was made, and we brought them the question of good and evil, which became part of the Answer they seek. For you understand the point of Creation is to find an answer to these questions. It may seem like a simple question to you, or most anyone who has strong beliefs. Yet, how many oppose you? How many choose another way, from a minor divergence to a complete opposition to the way you live?

"And yet, people are generally good. Not give my last shirt to the beggar good, but given a choice between harming someone and cooperating, they choose the latter reliably," Seira states. "That is the very basis for most societies on Primes, and any society going against this model is kept by outside forces. Often, literally by force. As people band together naturally and work together in small things, that shows the way things truly are. But the Outer Realms are different. They're exactly opposed, of equal strength despite the way most souls must avoid the grasp of evil. It's artificial." Seira nods to herself. "This always bothered me, and it can let most those in the know get discouraged as they try to plug an endless leak. But if it's all by design, then things make sense!"

"Really? Optimistic." Waukeen notes, "How many people cheat on their spouses, steal 'just a little here and there' or merely eat too much so another goes hungry? Not all evils that lead to the Lower Planes are great, titanic things heroes have to overturn. Not all people are give your shirts to a beggar good, but nor are all people kill and slaughter an entire village evil, too." A sip of wine, an excellent vintage chosen by Vayley. "But you're also not wrong about that last part. Creation is designed."

"It was an oversimplification," Seira concedes. "We could go into the specifics another time, but I'm confident this is correct. And not just because game theory points that way, or due to my observations from my explorer days. Once I know more about the rules we're constrained by, about this design, perhaps I could tailor my proof better?"

"Go on, what do you want to know?" Waukeen invites.

"How did Creation come to be? Why did the Incarnation of Law split himself? Did the concepts of Law and Chaos and Balance exist before Creation? Do they hold more power, more realness to them than the ethical aspects?"

"As far as we know, the Incarnation of Law hasn't split himself," Waukeen says, answering the questions readily enough. "The concepts of Law and Chaos had to have existed, as the Incarnations pre date Creation...though that is an interesting thought exercise."

"Is Balance inferior to any of them, or just as equal? Were you there, at the start? Why is time travel banned? Why can everyone come together to prevent its spread or to stop those from Beyond, but not for anything else?"

"Balance is Balance. The Incarnations are equal, as far as we know, it's a valid choice," Waukeen says, thoughtfully, a hand to her chin, "I was at the beginning, but a question at a time." Waukeen says. "To begin with the question of time because it's the simplest: Are you familiar with the Temporal Compact?"

"I know it exists and is enforced by everyone, but not the specifics. Would you mind filling me in?"

"Oh, that! That scandal, that fiasco," Waukeen sighs grandly, "Of course, Seira dear. Long, long ago mortals discovered the secrets of Chronomancy, a rare sort of magic meant to be used sparingly. Naturally, this was discarded as it was used more and more. Chronomancy isn't dreadfully hard in the Weave, in fact, it's an entire school akin to transmutation or divination.A 9th circle spell can travel thousands of years in the past, and greater magic even farther."

A pause to eat, Amaryl piping up with a thoughtful look on her face. She hums aloud, "Is it because the Incarnations aren't bound by linear time? I remember a report from Aurora talking to a creature created by the Incarnations, he was not bound by linear time."

"That's right, dearie," Waukeen agrees, and with a grand wave of her fork, "Oh, at first no one abused it. For a long time, as we were the ones who knew it and we are immune to temporal manipulation. Why, Shar herself could go to the past and slay you as a mortal, yet you would still be here. The Incarnations did not desire the main shepherds and keystones of Creation to be so casually changed, so they made it so it could not be so. Besides, it's terribly bad for business when the results keep changing. You can hardly predict market swings and trends when reality is shifting itself every five minutes!"

"So," Amaryl says, "If we aren't able to be changed, but others can be?"

"Precisely and precisely the problem. In time, mortals used temporal magic more and more, and all other creatures matched them. Results would change wildly with each intervention. I would be talking to a newly arrived soul, then it was never there mid word, until I sent a servant to counter the forces the changed its final fate. Then I'd resume the conversation, only for a minute later the soul not being there, because it died ten years ago in a massacre of its village. Again! Again! Again!  Do you know how tiresome it is to live in a reality where the past is constantly being altered? I daresay the Incarnations did not choose wisely there, but as this was after they had largely withdrawn, it fell on us to fix the problem."

"So we all got tired of it, enough to put aside the normal quibbles and decided to do something about it," Waukeen continues onward, "We had a grand meeting, the Convocation of Time. After a lot of negotiation and bickering, we all agreed to ban Chrononmancy. Even to ourselves, through - that reminds me. I am permitted to teach you some basic Chronomancy and how to mimic it with alter reality, though using it beyond that is utterly forbidden. Anyway, we made quite the force to enforce that on all sides. Aurora ran into one of them, Grandfather Time. They're known as Keepers of the Pact and are backed by quaruts from Mechanus, eladrin servants from Queen Morwel - she was instrumental in getting the pact agreed to, but that's a whole other story - and forces from all of the ethos and forces. They make sure the magic stays forbidden and they're extremely good at the task."

"I remember that report from Kascha," Amaryl admits, "About the Guardian as well as Grandfather Time. Was it truly so terrible to require those measures?"

"Worse," Waukeen says, "Near the end, there was a day that had over ten thousand temporal changes, each cascade unique to a time traveling past. Mystra herself agreed to limit her Weave to stop it." A resigned, tired sigh at that, "Dears, even thinking about those days gives me a a headache, and it shouldn't be possible for me to have one. Lathader was tired of adjusting newborn life to all the changes, with a new spread each change. Oghma grew weary of chronicling the changes each time the past was altered. I was fed up with my bottom line and profits being in flux, I couldn't invest confidently in anything! Even Asmodeus admitted he was sick of planning around the changes. It's simply had to go."

"Besides," Waukeen points out, "Shar was the main force against the change during the Convocation of Time, so this may have been one of her annoying plots. That or she was taking advantage of it, choose whichever you prefer. It really only got out of hand for about five millennia, rather rapidly in fact. I've always wondered about that, but no one can prove anything. It's tempting to assume it was one of her gambits, but it's also a mistake to think she's perfectly planned every mishap she takes advantage of."

A beat at that, a lull for wine to be enjoyed. A pause as Vayley comes through, replacing the main course with dessert - a confection of syrup, fruits, cream and cake. Once she's gone, "Of course, the changes to magic as a result are without a doubt a loss, but an unavoidable one. Did you know haste was a far more powerful spell before this, allowing far more accelerated action through temporal manipulation? Or that a spell of the 6th circle could allow temporal revision to a body hours in the past, undoing harm and calamity? Tragic, but for the best."

"Why weren't just the harmful spells banned?" Seira asks curiously. "In fact, aren't there a couple spells that undo immediate harm to a person, along the lines of Fortunate Fate or Contingency? I cannot see the spell that returns the body to an earlier state as more debilitating, assuming it was kept under those same guidelines of immediate action rather than traveling hours into the past."

"We decided to be through, to remove any chance of the line being blurred," Waukeen says, "Better to remove an infection entirely, rather than to give it a foothold to recur." Sampling the dessert and making a pleased little noise, Waukeen pauses to have more. After several bites, "Also, most of us were wary of others abusing any latitude we left in. It wasn't going to be agreed to otherwise, so we took the agreement we could all accept."

Carefully finishing a strawberry cheesecake, Seira asks Waukeen, "So what are we allowed to do, then? Something along the lines of divination, heading into the past to observe events?"

"As I said, nothing, beyond teaching you the basics," Waukeen says, "Which is more for self defense and knowledge than practical use. Stick to the magic you know- divinations to view the past, that manner of things."

Does Shar have to ruin everything fun?!

Seira can't afford to be petulant for long, however. "Are there any other agreements or convocations that are hidden from everyone?" she asks. "In fact, what else is hidden from people? Anathemic knowledge? Secret planar layers?"

"Anathemic knowledge..." Waukeen trails off over her dessert, "Those are the main things that we've discussed. The Hidden Layers of Arborea are the other - Morwel offered them as dominions for the various functionaries of the Temporal Compact, and gained some dominion over time as a result. Other things? We all have our secrets, Seira. Secrets we ward ourselves, little things and big things alike. The mysteries of Chronias are but a well known example of that. Not even I know what awaits up there."

"Or below, at Asmodad's place," Seira agrees with a nod. "Hells, I don't even know what the elf deities are up to, so hopefully it's not a junior goddess thing but a pantheon-wide secret thing."

Shaking her head, she asks, "Arborea is the only plane with hidden layers? Wait, that can't be, doesn't Elysium have at least one? I think I heard that in relation to anathemic knowledge."

"Oh the Se-" Waukeen pauses at that, "Wait, Asmodad?" she asks, a twitch of her lips up. "Seira, are you telling me something about your parentage?"

"As if! You know my parentage. I just don't want to say his name and this is a funny alternative."

A chuckle follows at that as Amaryl joins in.

"Certainly, dear. No, the elves are keeping their current issue in house, whatever it is. They do that sometimes." Waukeen admits, "Versus with Moradin, who can be hard to get ten words out of, so it's always like that."

"I won't take it personally, though. A shame, too, Amaryl really wanted to visit."

"We can still go," Amaryl says, "Perhaps we can get them to tell us, talk to us."

"I wouldn't at all. We all have our secrets, Seira," Waukeen says, "We cooperate, but we are not obligated to share everything, nor is that wise. Besides, knowledge can be valuable so long as it's rare." With a bit of a smile, "I've made plenty of coin with the right secret at the right time."

"Maybe we will," Seira muses. "Before we drift too far into travel plans, however, I really want to wrap my head around anathemic knowledge. Its origins, its purpose, its weaknesses."

"You understand there's things that are best not known by others?" Waukeen says, "Secrets best kept away for various reasons? That's it's purpose in simplicity. Take the Hidden Layers of Arborea. They were hidden as part of the Temporal Compact - and also a move to hide Yggdrasil, which happened at the same time as the fey and eladrin split, which a story of its own. They are hidden so time cannot be easily found and manipulated by others. To leave that open leaves open others falling afoul of the Temporal Compact, which saves lives lost to curiosity."

"So a powerful conceptual secret was needed, and someone, probably Mask, came up with this? In that case, am I immune to that defense? Is Amaryl?"

"Mask is one of the best with it, but any of us can craft it, as can superior magic beyond mortal magic," Waukeen agrees, "The concept itself was created by the Arch-Angels of Elysium or the yugoloths, depending on who you ask. I put my money on them both developing it at the same time, both of them use it extensively. It's possible to make anathemic knowledge with different requirements to remembering it. It varies - but we're generally able to overcome most mortal anathemic knowledge, and much of divine anathemic knowledge does not apply to the divine. It's harder to apply to us, since we know so much and have such an information flow. Should a worshiper overcome anathemic knowledge we have not and continue to reference it to us in prayers and deed, we will overcome it as well."

"So if I wanted to place a concept within a riddle, I could make it anathemic knowledge?" Seira nods slowly. "Does it rely on the language of creation, or its lower counterpart?"

"No, it's work with alter reality. Precise work and time consuming," Waukeen notes, "A few notes. Someone who knows something already won't forget it once it's made anathemic knowledge. It took all of us to largely wipe knowledge of the Hidden Layers away for instance, though even then, some powerful creatures shrugged it off. Once a secret it out it's far harder to return to being a secret, so it's best used for things still secret. Things known widely known simply can't be made anathemic. You can't make the sun or the concept of trees anathemic knowledge."

Amaryl frowns, "I was waiting for that, I thought of making the concept of fiends anathemic knowledge."

"Far too broad," Waukeen concurs, "Dearie, it works best focused."

"I'm merely thinking of proprietary spells kept secret, outside of select worshippers. Would it work, Waukeen?"

"It's been used before," Waukeen notes, "Not commonly, but it's been done." Considering it, "The sole problem with it is that anyone you grant it to can't be affected by it, and if they choose to spread and try and break it, you can have a problem - or if they use in the presence of someone who can overcome anathemic knowledge. That aside, it should work."

"It's meant to be a nice perk for my most trusted servants," Seira elaborates. "I'm not Torm, I won't break if one of them disappoints me. I just want these spells to stay as secret as possible for the longest time. I'm experimenting with divine rewards, see? I've finally nominated a proxy, and I'm going to reward Kascha once she returns. Actually, it makes me wonder if I'm ready to make a second avatar. Do you, like, know when it happens? Or just keep on trying until it works?"

"You'll know as you grow," Waukeen says, "Don't worry, I think you and Alicia are both close - oh, don't tell her I said that, Mystra told me that in confidence." A smile after that, warm and conspiratorial.

"Sorry, I probably will," Seira apologizes. Waukeen knows her quite well to guess at that, in any case. "Ah, just one more question about divinity, if you don't mind. We're pretty sure Amaryl is close, but what we've tried so far has failed. Do you have any advice?"

"Keep trying. It's something that Amaryl herself has to do in the end," Waukeen says, "Dear, you're close, and it'll happen when it's time. It's not helpful I'm afraid, but it's something you can't force unless you're one of the Incarnations."

"Since I learned that divine sparks were transferable, I've been wondering if maybe... but alright, you certainly know best," Seira reluctantly agrees. "I have a lot of questions, as always, but we should probably talk about the reason I've been intending to see you?"

"Mmm-hmm, Emily showed up and begged me for something to let her go to a Prime safely," Waukeen says, "Not that I blame you, children will do as children do." Waving a hand, "I wasn't going to bill you for it, I let her believe that without saying a word after she promised. Still, how did she break that ring? It's irreplaceable, it's magic that was forbidden by the Incarnations not long after Creation was born. When they started forcing us to be more away from the Primes, they soon found magic could largely circumvent the limitations they set on this. So they modified the Weave directly so it cannot do so on that level, but allowed a few trinkets to survive. That was one of them."

Amaryl gasps, a hand to her mouth, "It was that old and valuable?"

Seira sighs, deciding that this conversation could do with more wine. And it wasn't even one she had intended to bring up, but they're all in now.

"I can see where you're coming from, but maybe enabling our teenage daughter in making a dumb mistake was the wrong move? We spent much of today fighting Shar, and Alicia did it even more, so just as Amaryl was wondering whether Shar had another plan we learn to our surprise that Emily isn't where she is supposed to be, but instead exploring some Prime on her own that Shar's got her eyes on. To our luck, nothing happened on that front. I guess even Shar can't be everywhere, all past evidence to the contrary."

She doesn't feel right only chiding her biggest supporter along the divine, especially one who was trying to do a nice thing for their family. "If it were me, I'd charge her with retrieving a priceless, ancient artifact. Something equal in worth to this or 21. Give her a few hints, and send her on her way?"

Waukeen waves a hand, "I didn't think she'd break the damn ring," she sighs, rubbing her forehead, a little shot glass of fine booze in her hand. She shoots it down before going on. "It was an artifact and it could only be destroyed by putting in the core of a dying world and then slaying it. Perhaps that was Shar's game, but I don't see why or how. I don't even blame Emily that much, it's simply unthinkable, as is the money I'm going to lose for not being able to rent it out any more."

Sitting back after as you enjoy some wine yourself, "She'll have something to do from it, as will the wizard she's latched onto for who knows what reason. I thought she'd make a simple dalliance, I'd watch her as I watched the ring and she'd get out of her system safely and could be lectured at leisure when she gets home. Besides, I'm supposed to spoil my nieces."

"Fair," Seira concedes, raising her glass in salute before downing the shot. More is poured for her through her control over magic, though she makes an effort to refill Waukeen and Amaryl's glasses herself. "I did think that she might've been sneaking off to meet someone on the Inner Planes, so it's not that big a leap. That wizard better not jerk her around, though, or there will be fire and unicorns!"

"That there will be," Amaryl promises, drinking as well.

A pause for everyone to drink, "What I want to know is how they broke that damn ring, and how I can copy it." Waukeen adds. "I have them presenting themselves to an avatar, hopefully shortly."

"Toss any knowledge about that my way, and I'll see if I can stealthily help Emily on the quest you'll send her on? Assuming you're taking my advice there, anyway. As for that wizard, Elle and Sanzha's information makes me think she's the one that might've had an encounter with Io, and there's only so many possibilities to begin with. Maybe it's all his fault somehow. Celestia was certainly up in arms about his supposed sighting. Perhaps you could confirm it one way or the other?"

"I cer-" Waukeen stops you cold and says, "What, did you say IO?!"

Amaryl nods, "She did, Io. The Father of Dragons, right?"

"It's only a rumor at this point," Seira stresses. "But the name carries a lot of weight. From what I got off my contacts in Celestia, the wizard seems like a good candidate. I was actually going to look into this myself soon enough, before the present situation muddied the waters. I'm no longer sure I even want to make contact, so I might just have to rely on you, here."

That level of surprise, however.... "Io is not a facet of one of the Incarnations, is he? I thought it possible, with the name and what we know of the mythology... actually, could you tell us what you knew of him, from before?"

"No, no," Waukeen says, calming quickly. Breathing out, "He's the Father of Dragons. He's to the dragons as the Elf Father is to the elves or Moradin to the dwarves. He disappeared a long time ago and from what I gather, left commands for Bahamut and Tiamat. Aurora ran afoul of that, as I recall hearing. Anyway, I always imagined he spent too long studying himself and draconic perfection and lost track of time forever. He was always studious."

"His kids are terrible but he sounds pretty nice," Seira muses. "Anything you could tell me of his old haunts? Likes and dislikes? Good ways to approach him?"

"Oh, give Bahamut a chance. He's a little stuffy and sometimes terrifying in that way only dragons can be, but he has a noble heart." Waukeen says, "Also one that appreciates the value of gold. I've made good money bartering with him before."

From there, "Io used to have a divine realm that traveled the planes, essentially a highly improved demiplane. He usually visited various dragons and kept himself out of local politics. A little like Aurora, I always wondered if Medi got inspiration from it from Io's divine realm."

"Is the realm itself lost? Could I go there?" Seira inquires, perking up. Taking inspiration from it wouldn't be a bad thing, given what she heard from Kascha about Aurora. "Do any records exist that you could toss my way for my own improvements based on it?"

"It vanished with Io," Waukeen says, "Nothing concrete, he always hoarded his secrets."

Seira breathes out a mou of disappointment.

"I suppose we'll know soon enough," she says, nibbling on a pear. "In the meanwhile, would you like to hear about my goals for the Inner Planes?"

"By all means, dear!" Waukeen says.

Go ahead and elaborate as you like here, Seira.

"Donald's discovered during his tour of the Inner Planes that the xorn of Earth appear to be gathering under some Great Xorn figure, planning to free their brethren from dao slavery," Seira says, discarding the pear's core in her plate. "Meanwhile, over on Fire, Akil bin Faheem has fallen out of favor with the other efreet nobles."

She steeples her arms on the table, leaning forward. "I see it as an opportunity, Waukeen. Air and Water have no use for slavery, while supporting the Great Xorn should allow us to push back against the dao slavers. As for Fire, I intend to take action and slay Akil bin Faheem openly, and tell the efreet exactly why it came to pass. If we prepare the ground properly, we could usher in an era of emancipation across the Inner Planes!"

"I'm in, especially if they're free to buy and sell," Waukeen says, "That sounds like a lovely plan you have going."

"I thought you might like having an expanded customer base, even pretending to ignore it's the right thing to do," Seira tells her with a grin. "The plan is a bit more elaborate, of a sort I haven't run in a long while, and this is where it truly does need your expertise. I want to pressure the Inner Plane locals, the efreet chief among them, to cease from the slave trade. And I want to do it through sanctions, or an embargo if need be. They simply don't have the pull to maintain their rich and pleasant existence if you ensured your trading houses didn't deal with slavers and slave owners, or even if you put up exorbitant tariffs on deals with such people. Celestia's trading company will support us, I know without asking. They might not have the sheer volume of Arborea's individualistic trade, but they are a monolith. And with the introduction you provided me to the Mercane, I might be able to negotiate something with the Consortium. Then, to round up the key players, I'll see about pulling on Kascha's experiences and my own to deal with the lillends of the Infinite Staircase."

Barely able to contain her excitement, Seira says, "If we coordinate this, there would be no time to rally. No one could step in, not at zero notice, not with access to the special goods in play, which excludes the Hells. They might be upset, but the most basic of approaches, using a carrot and a stick, gives us good chances of success."

"Yes, but you can bet a good dozen blocs will be waiting to swoop in to the opportunity," Waukeen says, "A golden rule for you -  profit left behind attracts merchants like treasure attracts heroes." Leaning forward just a little bit, "Do you have a plan to keep the profit hungry at bay, Seira?"

"In a sense," Seira agrees. "Perhaps I wasn't clear enough due to talking in general terms. People tolerate a great deal when the situation changes over time, but do something big and they might be up in arms. So we aim for a gradual change. Say I bring enough forces to kill a few slavers and threaten the efreet to shut up and take it, they'll actively work against me because they don't want to be next. But if I merely kill the most hated of the slavers and make no apparent attempts on the lives of others, well, that's the curse of Razalim at play. And if slave merchants no longer have your favor, or find all sorts of doors closed to them, they have a very simple choice, continue to deal in slaves and forego the specialty goods of the heavens and your favor, or regain both at the price of reorganizing their business. And even if the traders balk, what business is it of the slave owners themselves? They are not barred from purchasing those luxury goods, so long as they purchase them from traders that avoid dealing in sapients. Perhaps there will be some tariffs or special taxes, but not so much that they would be insulted. Rather, it might well raise the value of the goods in their eyes."

Seira gestures at the table, where her power draws several tiers of Fire natives, and indicates each in turn. "We treat them differently, preventing the lot from banding together under common grievances. We always keep an out for them, an easier way of doing things rather than breaking their reality and forcing them to act to protect their way of life. Once we've managed to get the majority to accept this new reality, however... perhaps, soon enough, they get another nudge forward? This time, through bribes and the power of positive reinforcement? Meanwhile, I will establish a city on Fire where escaped slaves are automatically freed. So long as I don't strike at any of the slave farms overtly, the way Aurora had and the way Akil bin Faheem's holdings will be, it should be tolerated as the better alternative to what the efreet know will happen otherwise, were I not constrained by this little game. Of course, our agents will be working in the shadows, enabling as many slaves as is feasible from escaping through a network of safe houses and hidden routes."

"I fear our main problem is the Sultan of the Efreet," Amaryl says, thoughtfully, as you outline your plan. "Waukeen, you mentioned that and I'm worried they may push back, hard. He can sidestep the entire plan by simply taking direct action, if he decides to."

"Hell as well, they have an interest in efreet," Waukeen remarks as she listens, "Also, killing bin Faheem is harder than you say, he's an old hand at this game and powerful. Alleged curse of Razalim or not, he's powerful, well connected and smart."

"But the plan's more than worth it, slavery is vile," Amaryl looks to you, "Let's do this, Seira. We can make the inner planes better that way."

"I'm certain I can get bin Faheem," Seira states. "From what I know of his powerset, he seems stronger, and he does have allies from Hell to call on. But I can still take him out with planning and allies." She frowns. "In fact, I'm confident I could make any single part of this plan work. But I'm just as confident that it would be a bad idea to try and do it all on my own. If I spread myself so thin, word might get out and ruin my chances of a decent ambush. Not to mention that others might be better-suited for some portions of the plan, such as negotiations with the Mercane Consortium or the lillends of the Infinite Staircase. The Sultan, too, is a concern I think best left to another. Zaaman Rul has long opposed Akil bin Faheem, and I'm a known ally of his. With Zaaman Rul's agreement, I might try to present him as a target for the Sultan, diverting him from opposing the actual change we're trying to bring about."

She snorts, then. "In the end, I wonder how much of the plan will survive contact with the enemy. I bet we'll all need to think on our feet and improvise. But are you all in on this, Waukeen? And if so, would you like to take an active role in some of the social interactions? Sanzha might be a match for me at this stuff, but there is only one true master of negotiations."

"I'm in on this, but not all in," Waukeen replies, then with a smile, "I want to see you do this, Seira, without me doing much of it for you. It'll mean more gain for you that way, and I need to see my investment in you shine. Besides, if this goes all wrong, it leaves me in a position to offer my services for peace with more credibility."

"I can't force others to gamble like I do," Seira responds, accepting her choice. "What can you provide me, aside from ensuring your trading houses and your faithful fall in line? Levers I could use with the Consortium? A better contact at the Endless Staircase? Helping the Sultan accept the new state of things if I succeed in all else?"

"Meetings are trivial to arrange," Waukeen agrees, "Dear, that's pocket change to make them. A few words and I can get you meetings to anyone who would foolishly ignore your request in the first place."

"Leverage it is, then," Seira muses. "I'll work through Elegy with the Mercane, though it would help to know who might oppose this and what it is they wish for, to gain the upper hand in negotiations. It's better to come prepared with a decent plan from the start. And the same would be good for anywhere else I might approach, in case you feel that would serve my goals. Does that suit you?"

"Elegy can make the contacts you need there," Waukeen concurs. "I suggest you win big here - because if it goes wrong, it can go badly wrong. I want to see you profit, Seira."

"That's the plan," Seira agrees. "What is your advice on Earth? Assuming supporting the Great Xorn works, that's all we need to do? And nothing official on Water or Air?"

"That depends on the dao, and they're playing their cards close right now," Waukeen remarks, drumming her fingers on the table, "Nothing official, the Padisha is mercurial at times but the Whirlwind Throne is reliably anti-slavery."

"It would be a chance to show the marid as superior to their opponents on the other planes, and I doubt she'd let Chan outdo her," Seira muses. "Maybe I'll have Kascha inquire with them unofficially, to test the waters, while she secures fresh trading contracts for us."

"I like that," Amaryl says, "What else can we do? What about the para and quasis? Well, which ones even care at all."

"I'm not aware of strongholds of slavery across other elemental planes," Seira admits. "Kascha will visit all that will receive her, so is there something I've overlooked?"

A headshake and...

Okay, next move?

I'm avoiding large moves until the Emily thing is resolved, so I'd like to talk to Lathander and to Mystra. I'll contact Lathander and see if he's willing to see me, then tackle Mystra if he's busy.

Sure, go ahead and contact away, we'll roll from that.

'Hi Lathander, this is Seira,' she sends to him. 'I would like to discuss Donald with you, and also get your thoughts on the Competition. If you are available, where could we meet?'

'Seira, good to hear from you!' Lathander sends back, 'Give me ten minutes, let's meet somewhere different. Chateau Brouillard on the Deep Ethereal, aim for the viewing room.'

'Thanks! I'll be there!' Seira affirms. This is something she feels she needs to do alone, so she'll leave Amaryl to mind the internal affairs of the Cauldron and transport herself to the viewing room in question. Spending ten minutes there observing is just an added benefit.

It is a grand, wide open viewing room, a glass wall letting you see the Deep Ethereal. Deep, comfortable stuffed chairs are around it, as unseen servants scurry about, cleaning everything up.

The view shows the mists of the Deep Ethereal, churning and moving without any shape to them, at least right now.

Perhaps she'll venture into them afterwards for a little jaunt, Seira muses, making herself comfortable in one of the chairs. Would there be an echo of their battle on Avernus? Or of Lixer's takeover, perhaps?

As you ponder such things, lost in your own thought sand the flows of worshipers and prayer?

Lathander is simply there, sitting next to you and looking out at the mists. "Seira! I thought you'd still be busy chasing around Lixer's tail!"

"I stabbed him in his inner sanctum, he ran, I took away his most precious thing," Seira responds with a shrug. "What else is there left to chase?"

"Well, he is a dickless son of a bitch," Lathander says, quite brightly, "So you have a good point!" Gesturing out as you see the fog churn and twist, images glimpsed for split-seconds within, "I doubt you came here to talk about Lixer, though."

"Not really, unless you'd like to hear the full story," Seira brightly agrees. "And I do think the same way. Aurora's officers were pretty insistent about this, apparently."

Keeping her eyes on the fog, she says, "Waukeen visited me, helping ease me into my duties as they expand, and it brought up old memories. How did that situation on Valar's Prime come into being? With just you and Bane in competition? In Competition, rather."

"Aaah. Yes, you may not have been told that yet," Lathander muses, then laughs. "Relax, I'll explain my cryptic comment." As he watches the images, "It has to do with Prime Material worlds and how they're born. Most Primes are open to anyone who comes. Some deities are more invested in a particular world than others, through attention, resources and the vagaries of war. Though once the main powers on a prime are established, it's harder for new comers to get in...aaah, but I'm getting off topic."

Clearing his throat, "You haven't been invited to see the birth of a new world yet, have you?"

"I've started plotting for getting involved on several Primes to which I have certain ties, and I wanted to do it right--" Seira's train of thought halts, then. "I haven't," she tells Lathander. "Does it still happen all the time? I thought the last world was made millennia ago."

"Mmm-hmm," Lathander says, "We all have enough on our plates. Now take a world and - ah, as I was saying," A pause for Lathander to rub his chin, "Most worlds are open, but a few aren't. These worlds are focused between a few deities, essentially a large scale Competition."

"Do invite me over when a new world is about to be born?" Seira asks, not bothering to conceal her excitement. "I think I'd like that very much." Growing more businesslike, she continues with, "I understand it's about reaching a point where the others have been weeded out, but not the mechanics of how such a thing comes to be. Except for that one world that Auril apparently won by killing everyone with a Prime-wide snowstorm? But I can hardly cast a Prime-wide surge of hope, and that's not how I work anyway...."

"Here's a secret," Lathander says, "Auril won that way because she'd already basically won. That snowstorm was confirming facts on the ground, the same way an eternal noon happens in a world when I win." Reaching over and patting Seira's shoulder, "The rituals aren't even that hard, because part of it comes down to 'You've won' as a component. It's the final masterstroke, not the abomination Taelfagn managed for Lifasa."

"Aha. That's why I drew the wrong conclusion, too. Alright, so now that I'm no longer worried a terrible deity will hurt people worldwide by casting a spell, how do I establish myself on a Prime as a contender? And how do I push my enemies away once I do? Also, what happens if we work together? Do we get a world of eternal noon and hope? Or we'll be forced to fight it out once the others are out of the way?"

"Get there, get your followers and mortals going and win victories. Worlds aren't won by us fighting over them in person, Seira," Lathander says, "Remember the wastelands in your world? We rarely fight head on for a variety of reasons." Reaching out to tap your forehead with a single, shining finger, "It's always worth remembering that the mortal worlds are for mortals. The occasional avatar and flagrant display happens, but how many avatars did you face on your world in combat, Seira?"

"So there are rules governing our conduct on Primes, and the way our enemies escalate in return to our actions," Seira muses, rather than recall the horrible things that might as well have been avatars and she was forced in facing back during her mortal years. "And there's another set of rules regarding how we Compete for the hearts and minds of a world's people, with considerable overlap between the two. I might be able to cure a Prime of hunger, but if I do it in person it doesn't help with the latter. Whereas if I inspire my clergy to work together on such a spell or arrange for a world-spanning network to deliver the necessary supplies, it does? And either case, Shar might show up to mess it up, because she's Shar?"

"She could," Lathander says, "Generally, it works best when the mortals have earned it - a reward. Your Balmuria earned that celestial grain by your valor and the Crimson Guard's valor in advancing what was right. Pah." Looking out again, as images of the sea form in the fog, churning waves and pristine beaches, "We're shepherds, or so that's what the Incarnations called us at times. We guide and reward them when they earn it. If we want to fight personally, we have the rest of Creation for it."

"I like to think I've got some leeway in that, given my roots," Seira muses, turning to look at Lathander curiously. "How about you? Were you there from the very start? I've wondered for a while, how many of us were elevated in some way. Alicia and myself, our wives, Sulia... but who else came before us?"

"The Red Knight is the most famous," Lathander says, "But she wears it as a point of pride." A chuckle follows, "It's a good idea if you ask me, but she knows how to get up and do something. Very vigorous, that one. Especially when she gets grabby."

"I don't really care about that," Seira assures Lathander. "So us six? That's it? There wasn't even anyone elevated to replace the god that died fighting Daa-vid?"

"Nonsense, I wasn't finished," Lathander smiles, "Merely remembering. I really should visit her again soon..." A trail off at that, "Ah. No. The most common are in the Abyss, almost anything can rise to be a Demon Lord. Too often, something has. Morwel began as a mere eladrin and not divine, she earned her position on her own, though she does not like to advertise it. Ah, I remember when she was an eladrin with an appealing dream and nothing more. It was a good idea to visit her, it was a fun time for everyone."

Did all these women sleep their way into power? Seira wonders if they're having two different conversations here, but bravely presses on all the same. "The Abyssal lords are pretty limited, at that. Did you know I could've become one? It's not even that hard. I imagine the Celestial traitors that ended up bending knee before Asmodad would also count. Is there anyone else?"

"Empress Sulia, you know her," Lathander says, "Azuth, but that's not well known. Velsharoon as well, but he's an interesting story. Most of Morwel's lovers as they pass through, speaking of her. Thard Harr is an obscure one, he's dwarf god watching over jungle dwarves. Rare, he's one on an unusual Prime made good. He's fairly weak after all this time, since what he focuses on is so narrow. He's a good example of overspecialization in the divine, but he's happy where he is. He slipped in, for whatever reason Ao approved him. Maybe it's because he's not going to upset any sunny days for anyone unless they mess with jungle dwarves."

It does raise the question of what appeals to Ao, but that's hardly a new one.

"Who's the oldest, then? The first god that wasn't there at the start?"

"Amitrix," Lathander says, "Promoted a century or so in, died two years later. Something of an experiment," Lathander says, "Back then, the Incarnations were trying all manner of things to find the Answer."

"Unfortunate. So how do we die? Someone like Shar decides 'fuck it, I'm gonna storm the Cauldron and kill Seira there today' and repeats it until it sticks? Or there are other Incarnation-made trinkets like 21 unclaimed out there?"

"No, not that I know of," Lathander says, "Unless you're slain in your divine realm, it's meaningless. You'll reform there instead, much faster but in the same spirit as an outsider slain off their home world." Rubbing his chin, "If a mortal is the one who slays you in your divine realm, it's also meaningless. They can't kill a deity by themselves. If another deity does it, you'll have one final clash of will. If you win, you'll survive and reform. If you fail, it's over.  If anything comes next for a slain deity, the Incarnations never bothered to tell us."

Kicking back now, watching as the ocean view becomes a grassy, sunny field, "It's part of why most of us never perish. It's hard enough killing one of us, let alone at home, after all the battles before it and then managing to make it stick. The Incarnations made it hard for us to actually die for good."

"Nice to know there's no surprises on this front, at least," Seira says with a grin. "Unless whatever Lixer was doing in Avernus is relevant for us? Something about keeping outsiders from reviving by trapping their spirits and raising them as undead minions?"

"I doubt it," Lathander says, shaking his head, "Maybe his father could, but it would invite everyone teaming up on them above the normal rules and relationships. Anyone who can break that pattern is an instant threat to us all." Now with a tighter smile, "Auril, Bane, Cyric, Malar, Mask. Horrible one and all, but we can cooperate when something threatens us all."

"It does make me wonder. Even the Hells want Shar gone, and her only allies will likely be from the Abyss. So why haven't we all banded together against her yet? What's stopping us? Don't tell me the idea hasn't been around since long before I was born!"

"She's powerful, for one thing. Selune's been doing her level best to kill her since the beginning and she's still going," Lathander says, with a bit of a frown,"The Prophecy of Primus seems to be at least partly right - Shar's strong and getting stronger.  Plus...not everyone wants to fight her in the same way. Remember Agares? You should, you put him down for good. Additionally, not everyone wants to kill her. Then again, we also have so many Hells that I think it's safe to say there's lunatics who like her."

"So if I wanted to send envoys to... oh, I don't know, Celestia, Morwel, Mechanus, Arvandor and Nessus, they wouldn't come to the table to discuss taking her out? And if they do, it won't be enough?"

"It's that we need more. That's why we're promoting deities, to help fight Shar," Lathander points out, "They'd answer in their ways. Let me tell you a simple secret: Right now, if we attack Shar's realm, we lose." Taking a breath, "She's grown strong, Seira. Dreadfully strong. We're Competing against her with all we have, preparing, raising a force to fight her, but we're not ready yet. If this Prophecy is true, we're going to stop it. Have hope, we will stop Shar. But as it stands, we aren't ready. You're part of the army we need, Seira."

"I do have hope," she tells him, the corner of her mouth quirked into a grin. "I am hope! And sugar and spice and everything nice, I shall have you know!"

Her own inclination would be towards leading a special forces unit to kill Shar rather than an army to face an endless horde of shadows and various horrors, but that's a matter for later. If Lathander doesn't believe they would win, then it's too early to make any waves in that direction.

"You mentioned the Competition just now," Seira notes then. "I've been meaning to ask you about that as well. Who do you have in the running for the Daa-vid judgement? I've started to push for a decision recently, and it would be well to coordinate with you. Alicia's out, as you might know, and Mystra, Helm and Waukeen should be out of the running due to the way they sponsored us and Demedais. I'd like my champion to work closely with yours-- and it does bring me to an earlier question, of what happens if the two of us remain the only ones in contention after we beat the rest during a Competition. Do we both claim the world? Or in this case, the prize?"

"Hope, sugar AND spice!" Lathander laughs at that, "Not only are you a majestic dragon, but you can make a wonderful cake with that!"

Calming a bit as you go on, "A few prospects, nothing major. Your Oberuth's the main contender, I think? He could probably do it, he's not as old as everyone there wants to think."

"If you cheat, go all out. If you gamble, go all in. That's how we like to do things, don't we? Do let me know if you find a good prospect soon, since you're the easiest to work with, as far as I'm concerned."

It seems like it's a good time to breach the topic she's most worried about raising, though that sort of apprehension never stopped Seira before. "And speaking of those, I didn't realize it at the time, but I've made a faux pas where it came to making Donald my proxy, haven't I? Sorry for that, but at the same time it got me thinking, once I realized this. If I made to steal him away by offering him the choice, how upset would you be?"

Lathander answers by grinning and laughing. He lifts you up into a rough hug, "Mad? You finally adopted him!" Guh, he's STRONG! Your ribs! He spins you around a few times before putting you down, "You need Donald, Seira. It's why I sent him back when he died fighting with you. It's why I kept making sure he ended up in your camp. Yes, that's normally a huge faux pas and possibly a reason for a serious conflict, I was hoping you'd do something like that."

Gesturing out, as the Deep Ethereal changes, changes into flickering images of, Donald and you, of past adventures in a hazy, dreamlike way. "You need someone like him, someone loyal to you, someone who for all his faults, is strong and brave and willing to lay his life down for you. Someone who is a bit of a misfit, willing to make their own way in life with you."

Still smiling quite a bit, "Now in any other situation, you'd have a furious deity on your hands for what you did, I have no objections in this case. Just don't get into making it a habit."

Her draconic constitution is not for nothing! But if she were just her old squishy wizard self, there would be bruising!

"Glad to hear it!" she says enthusiastically. "We really do fit great. Why don't we work more together?"

"That's a great idea, I'll send Donald some ideas for that," Lathander says, "Have to keep him busy, too, and decide on some good joint opportunities."

"Nice! And also, keep an eye out on Fire in the next week or so while waiting for a chance. You'll know it when you see it," Seira tells Lathander with a wink.

Actually, that brings her to the last thing she wanted to talk to Lathander about, so she might ask. "I understand that the form of Goldenfire Kossuth taught me is incomplete, at least where it comes to what you wield," she notes. "Do you have some advice for me on how to improve my skills with it? Or how to grant the ability to those who've earned the reward?"

"I can teach you," Lathander says, "But grow a little more first. You're close to gaining some divine power, come back to me after that and it should work."

"Will do!" Seira promises. "Thanks for today, for everything!"

She'll go out into the Deep Ethereal to look for anything interesting, but if nothing happens in a few hours and she doesn't get recalled to the Cauldron, Seira will attempt to contact Mystra.

Okay, roll 1d100.

[04:10] <@Lisa> roll 1d100
[04:10] <Serith> Lisa roll for Serith < 54 > [d100=54]

You realize something right away. This segment of the Deep Ethereal seems oddly soft, oddly malleable. While not quite Limbo to an anarch, it seems unusually suggestive to mental willpower, let alone divine will.

She'd gone there to try and see if there are any echoes of the Lixer takeover of Avernus and his battle with Bel, so Seira nudges the Deep Ethereal into that direction.

Make a Charisma check, +20 circumstance bonus.

18:55 <Lucille> roll 1d20+10+20+2+1
18:55 <Rei-chan> Lucille rolled : 1d20+10+20+2+1 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{38}

You see it - flickering memories at first, dreams. Of the green fire, of the flames. Of betrayal, of chaos.  Of the Brass Citadel, of the conflicts there, sloooowly narrowing in.

Imbuing herself with the magic to shift the malleable fabric of reality better, Seira follows the echoes of true events in Avernus!

Improvisation, to be used if I need it.

Also miscalc'd, so should've had 41 in the roll.

Gimme another check with that, sure.

[20:17] <@Lisa> roll 1d20+10+20+2+1+15
[20:17] <Rei-chan> Lisa rolled : 1d20+10+20+2+1+15 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{55}

You see it. Flickering images. Of battle, of Lixer and Bel. Of a war between two, indistinct but recognizable. They're trading spells and blade, the two locked in combat.

Seira follows the events while keeping an open mind. Whether things go the way Lixer had shown to her or not keeps her curious, especially where it comes to Bel's ultimate fate. And perhaps it is even tied to how he managed to have an avatar made so quickly? That would be a boon for her to see, even if the knowledge is merely academic!

It's going on and on until suddenly you feel heat all around you. Fire, fire that burns, not fire that you merely ignore. The profane heat of hellfire all around you.

Seira counters in the best way she knows! As magic is violently suppressed all around her, she focuses her will on parting the hellfire with goldenfire!

Antimagic Zone will deflect all non-deity level magic, and deity-level magic will be countered by my divine rank or my reshaping of the malleable reality, whichever fits here.

I want to see what really happened! And not burn to death if possible.

Rank check.

[21:23] <@Lisa> roll 1d20+1
[21:23] <Rei-chan> Lisa rolled : 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{20}

> roll 1d20+32
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+32 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{42}

You withdraw. You have no choice. The power is overwhelming, only one power who could do this. The sheer, grand majesty of the Lord of the Ninth.

But it is not for naught. You see one final image as you retreat, one thing that perhaps makes it worthwhile.

An image of Bel rising, defeated and yet not finished off. Instead, another comes. A looming pit fiend, a Nessian so much more than a mere Nessian.

K:P check.

[21:39] <@Lisa> roll 1d20+52+15+4
[21:39] <Rei-chan> Lisa rolled : 1d20+52+15+4 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{90}

The devil that strode through is Aesmadeva, the Grim Fiend. The personal attendant and bodyguard of Asmodeus, as well as the leader of the Ashmaida.

That's... actually pretty lame, Lixer is a lying liar that lies. Seira tries to see if she can tell what happened with Aesmadeva, but doesn't bother fighting against echoes of Asmodeus's will. If the stolen fragment doesn't develop further, she'll return to the Cauldron and seek out Amaryl.

You see a smidge more - just the beginning of the Grim Fiend saying, "So it is-"

That's it.

Time to return, then! Seira sends herself to her and Amaryl's rooms at the Cauldron before any attempt to look up her wife. She might as well clear the taste of hellfire out with that trip Amaryl keeps wanting to go on.

> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=41 ]{41}

Huh, that's new. Yoshi's gotten in here and he's curled up on the bed, snoozing away. He's also chewing on one of your pillows, acid having largely destroyed it.

Seriously? Well, it's not like she was going to sleep any time soon....

Deciding to leave Yoshi to his rest, Seira extends her senses throughout the Cauldron to find Amaryl, transporting herself to just outside the room she would be in.

Amaryl is bathing away, soaking deep in warm waters. "Come in," she calls after you knock, "Seira, right?"

"Shouldn't the order on that be reversed?" Seira asks with a grin, teleporting herself inside. "I've had a change of heart and feel like taking you to Arvandor. We'll see if the Seldarine are still playing coy when we show up in person~"

Amaryl is curled up in a bath, a dragon-clawed tub made of white stone, steam rising from the waters. "Mmm," she looks up and yawns, "I mean, I felt you outside. I'm still working," she says. "That sounds lovely, Seira."

"You're lovely," Seira corrects her, summoning a pillow floating in mid-air to sit on. "And you'll get there pretty soon. It's just a matter of practice."

"I hope to ask them for aid," Amaryl says, "One of them may have the insight I need to finish this." Smiling at your complement as...

'Hi. Ooops?' Emily's voice in your mind. 'Um, Waukeen was nice and I'm really sorry, okay?'

'I'm afraid sorry doesn't cut it this time,' Seira responds to her daughter, tone carefully neutral. 'Reflect on why that is until we call on you.'

"That works," Seira muses out loud, not showing the way her mood has taken a dip. She'll just distract herself until it fixes itself.

No response from Emily at that as Amaryl shows no sign of noticing.

"Mmm..." Amaryl makes a pleased sound, "I can't wait. Events are moving faster again. Soon, maybe," Amaryl murmurs. "When it's all done, after Shar...I can't wait for what a world we have to look forward to."

At least she can learn. Telling her off more bluntly in the heat of the moment would likely do more harm than good, but Seira's not sure she could stop herself in time. Not with that much lack of care about how much they worried about her.

"What we want to make with it," Seira responds, spreading her arms. "It wouldn't even need to wait until she's gone. That's part of what we are, to push for our vision of Creation. And it's part of who we are, in that we were offered the chance and seized it."

Amaryl nods, "I'd like to think we can make a happier Creation, that one day we won't need to fight anymore," Amaryl says. "I've love to see a Creation that's reached that far."

Seira... finds that she disagrees. Is it because an existence like that might invite stagnation, and the defenders would grow weak against any enemies, from within or without? Or just because she likes the combat? Perhaps adopting the domain of War changed something in her thinking, or brought it more to the fore?

"A Creation without needless conflict or suffering is my goal," she voices.

Amaryl smiles in spite of the disagreement, "Needless, hm? The call of battle still stirs within you?" Looking over to you slowly, resting her head back and lolling it over the edge of the tub, "You and Alicia are both mistresses of war, are you not?"

"Different approaches to war, but yes," Seira agrees. "And don't tell me you want to do away with Ysgard~"

"Mph," Amaryl smiles and makes a non committal noise.

Let's go see the elfgods~

Any prep for it?

I shall lead by good example and we'll precast the following onto us two: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104109.msg1115887.html#msg1115887

Cool. Aiming anywher ein particular or just generic Arvandor?

If I know where the edge of their realm is, I'll appear just outside it and do the polite divine knocking part. If not, random.

On knocking, a single word follows. "Enter." It is from the Elf Father himself, purpose clear and voice warm, "You are welcome here, those of elven blood."

Well then! Seira happily transports her magically-clean self and a naturally-clean Amaryl over the boundary and heads out to meet the elven deities!

Arvandor is beautiful. It is pure, natural forest, untouched and untamed. It is a sylvan wonderland, the natural world in full blossom and bloom.

As you begin to walk, you hear the sound of a harp being played in the distance.

Seira offers Amaryl her arm as they follow the music!

Amaryl takes it, leaning into you as you walk.

Ahead is a stream with flat, broad stones on either side. An elf sits on one, tall and with long, silver hair. He (she?) is young and old at once, masculine and feminine together to be undecidable which is which. She (he?) wears robes of mist in gray, blue, green and white, the colors swirling together. The elf strums the harp, beautiful music coming from it, his one good eye closed, the other covered with an eyepatch.

Seira approaches the elf with Amaryl, smiling in greeting.

K:P and K:R 10 for 81 on who this is, having a mental blank

This is Labelas Enoreth, the elven deity of history, time and the moments of choice. He is the elven historian as well as had some domain over time (but this has slowly lessened since the Temporal Compact, you note). He is a natural philosopher as well as a historian who chronicles the history of the elven races and the Seldarine.

Greetings, Friend and Lord of the Continuum, Seira writes in the air with her power, rather than rudely allow the sound of her voice cut into the playing of the harp. My wife and I were hoping to vacation for a time, and perhaps seek out counsel on Amaryl's ascension as well.

The music continues undisturbed, yet your words seem to be seen in spite of his closed eyes. More words appear in the air, glistening.

Sit and enjoy the music. Meditate. Wisdom comes from consideration within, philosophy is that expressed outwards.

Seira arranges for a blanket for herself and Amaryl to sit on and follows the advice, closing her eyes and meditating.

Easily enough done. Around you is nature, gentle and relaxing. Where elves gow hen they pass, to an eternal paradise built for elves.

As you rest here...

Wis check.

20:27 <Lucille> roll 1d20+5+3+2+1
20:27 <Rei-chan> Lucille rolled : 1d20+5+3+2+1 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{28}

Amaryl has +2 morale from Good Hope on her, and if she wishes to use the 1/time boost, +15 luck from Improvisation as well.

> roll 1d20+25 Amaryl
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+25 Amaryl --> [ 1d20=7 ]{32}

Great post there, Cor, that's sincerely helpful.

The meditation calms your mind, letting you listen to the prayers that constantly bombard you all the easier.

A prayer for wealth, so that his family can get into a bigger house that doesn't leak.

A prayer for safety, as she leads a caravan through the territory of gnolls.

A prayer for love, as a man seeks to woo the only woman who's ever made him happy.

A prayer for wisdom, from a woman who seeks to rise above what she is.

A prayer for revenge, so that he can find the goblins who did this and stop them for good.

A prayer for joy, so that the newborn babe has a blessed life.

A prayer for forgiveness, so that the stain of his blood doesn't drown his soul into the Hells.

Wealth is important, especially when used to support the economy and increase commerce. Hard work will ensure he gets there, Seira plants the thought in the man's mind. She will ensure that no outside interference gets in his way.

She's present in spirit with the caravan guard. Her talents lie in avoiding the gnolls altogether, and she suggests such an approach here as well, to better get the drop on any enemy that wouldn't be scared off by the procession.

A smile in response to the prayer of love, and a gentle admonishment to be earnest and not give up at the first obstacle in his path.

The request for forgiveness draws her attention next, and she shares it with Amaryl through their link. It would take a more personal touch, for none are beyond saving and it is doubly so for those realizing their situation and reaching out for help.

That delegated, she shares in the joy of newborn life, recalling such moments from Emily and Xera's births.

Revenge dulls that somewhat, and solemn now, she wishes success along with a reminder that justice is a righteous cause. Stop them from hurting others, but take no pleasure from it. Revenge tempts, but always feels hollow.

And where could all this reflection lead but to wisdom? She looks in on the woman seeking to rise above.

Amaryl is floating off the ground, glowing radiantly. Her hair moves in an unseen breeze, more and more. You can feel power within her, resonating with yours.

The harp music continues all the while, soft and gentle.

You feel your divine power in the meantime, answering prayers as you saw fit, a feeling of satisfaction within you.

Seira seeks out the wisdom-seeker with her divine power! She has the utmost trust in Amaryl, and should one of the mortals react unexpectedly to her slight nudges she will follow up on that!

The wisdom seeker is right besides you.

That's one question Seira had been wondering about answered. Definitely engaged in this pursuit of wisdom, she looks across the planes towards the would-be atoner. Should Amaryl need her assistance, Seira would be there.

Amaryl needs a Charisma check. What boosters does she have, Seira?

+2 from Good Hope. That said, since I've been actively involved in this before I even realized it was Amaryl, do I get a support action here? If so, I'd like to recast Improvisation on her for the extra +15 on the check.

Sure.

> roll 1d20+25
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{32}

Amaryl concentrates more and more. More and more, more and more.

"Past, present, future. All are one of the same, unbroken river," Labelas Enoreth declares softly. "Look and understand."

Power, more power, growing within her, like a bonfire about to blaze bright.

"All travel through it," Seira guides her. "But unlike all others, we can stop at various points, even at the same time. It gives us unparalleled perspective, and with that power we gain the ability to help all those who cross our path. Take the first step."

You can feel it. Amaryl on the very edge, teetering on it. Perhaps the slightest push, if she can make it just a little more.

Labelas Enoreth's one eye opens now, intent on Amaryl, a swirling pool of colors that seems to go on forever.

Seira has an epiphany of her own, then. Perhaps, contrary to what every facet of her being wants to keep doing, what Amaryl needs is pure knowledge rather than encouragement. She's been encouraging Amaryl, certainly, and the feeling of pride, trust and belief in her will never stop.

But didn't Amaryl pray for wisdom? Seira had tried taking Amaryl's perceptions along for the ride before, while responding to the faithful, and Amaryl had gotten close enough to hear a few words. But this presents a unique opportunity for Amaryl to see the channel between deity and worshipper from both ends! After all, this is a chance to show Amaryl how the supplicants approach the deity, how the deity receives said plea and how they respond, capping it with the reception of the response on the worshipper's end. A complete process, from start to finish, still undergoing so she could examine various parts of it at leisure and made possible through their telepathic link, the decades of relying on it and Seira's divine power providing the means to expand it for this purpose.

And in that instant, all is more and more is all. A flaring burst of pure power, vast and overwhelming, emanates from Amaryl.

Labelas Enoreth merely says, "It is time."

You feel it. More and more, you feel it. She's doing it! You remember your own full ascension, the same feelings, the same power roaring through you.

She's doing it! She's really doing it!

Amidst the pride and excitement, Seira can't help but wonder which color will suit Amaryl best.

Okay, we're going OOC briefly here for a few things.

Amaryl Gaial
Titles go here
Rank goes here
Symbol:
Home Plane:
Alignment:
Portfolio:
Worshipers:
Cleric Alignments:
Domains:
Favored Weapon:

This must now be filled in, domains chosen and all of that. Suggestions?

My suggestions follow, feel free to pick and disregard at will:

Amaryl Gaial-Aryn
Demigoddess
Home Plane: The Cauldron
Alignment: Neutral Exalted
Portfolio: Good, support, protection, hard work, apotheosis
Worshipers: Scouts, rangers, elves, good elementals, hard workers
Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, CG
Domains: Celerity, Community, Elf, Good
Favored Weapon: Cauldron's Blast (longbow)

These are the gimmies.

Amaryl Gaial
Titles go here
Demigoddess
Symbol:
Home Plane: The Cauldron
Alignment: Neutral Exalted
Portfolio: Good, support, protection, hard work
Worshipers: Scouts, rangers, elves, good elementals, hard workers
Cleric Alignments: CG, LG, NG
Domains: Celerity, Community, Elf, Good
Favored Weapon: Cauldron Blast (Longbow)

Apotheosis is out of bounds, no deity has dominion over that, as that's the privilege of the Incarnations. She needs a symbol and titles. Beyond that, let's see, it's 3 + Good.

Celerity is basically automatic, she was going that way anyway. Community makes sense, as does Elf. Okay.

Suggestions for SDAs to take? Extra Domain's an option if I see a fifth one I like, I'm going to go look now. She gets 3+1+1=5 SDAs.

Maybe something about raising yourself above your station, or undergoing a makeover like that in portfolio? Reinventing yourself to find happiness? Can't really find a term or short phrase to relay that.

For SDAs....

She sadly doesn't qualify for Banestrike or Divine Archery due to BAB+24 or Divine Ranger due to choosing to focus on Scout (unless she has some class feature or feat that lets her stack levels from ranger and scout or somesuch?). There is no Divine Scout, so if you don't mind the extra effort of making one, that's a given since she has 21 levels of scout.

Supreme Initiative is second.

Divine Dodge is third.

No epic spellcasting for her just yet, so all of those SDAs are irrelevant. Leaving that for now, Alter Size is interesting. Alicia's shown how it can be effective and visually impressive, though for Amaryl it could work in the other direction. Go tiny, make a smaller target of yourself while increasing your to hit alongside your AC. The base damage will take a hit, but most of Amaryl's damage is from skirmish which won't be affected. Also I've seen Ant-man recently and she would make an adorable Wasp.

Divine Radiance might be decent, given our anti-Shar stance and given she doesn't have any decent anti-undead means without spending magic on it. She could also use skirmish on that attack, btw, and if she could have it apply at larger range like from another power or spell or item or what not, then that would be even better. It's a standalone SDA at present, but given the B3 light into weapons mechanic she might in time learn to use it against non-undeads as well (perhaps with another SDA).

Does she qualify for Final Rest? Maybe it's time for the Cauldron to have something like Herald of Celestia, Knight of the Pale Mother, Morwel's Dream and so on?

Lemme think about that for portfolio.

I may make a divine scout later, but not right now. Maybe tonight.

Supreme Init makes sense, as does divine dodge. Both tie to her well through celerity.

Lemme run some numbers on alter size shenanigans, but I don't have any real objection to it, just the math involved.

Divine Radiance works, that's third.

She does not qualify for final rest, as it requires the life domain.

Humility's an option for a domain through Extra Domain. It would be an interesting contrast with Seira there.

Nobility domain's an option that fits her thematically.

Thoughts?

Let's see. Amaryl was miserable, both with her old family and with her job. She changed both and not only found true happiness, but forged it with her own hands. Like Seira stands for Hope in a general sense, I think being the ideal to strive for and call upon for people in these bad situations would be something fitting for Amaryl.

I'd really like her to go for Alter Size, since it would be interesting. Thanks for confirming that Final Rest had two prereqs, not a list of two possible prereqs to choose from. I don't think Amaryl needs an extra domain, I thought hard about this before for Seira and you never really run out of domains that could fit. Best to just stick to what we get, as it'd grow as we gain more divine ranks.

This means Amaryl only needs one more SDA, and I'd recommend either a Divine Scout or a Cauldron special. The former is probably easier and faster, and we could take our time to consider the latter together, then. If you really want to pick something now, Dragon Ascension would work for Amaryl.

I'll work up a divine scout tonight, then. This'll do for mow, go ahead and paste what I did last for her deity stat block plus the decided suggestions to nagging for me? Thanks.

The light, the glow, the radiance. When it finishes Amaryl looks at her hands, aglow with radiance.  No words, just marveling silently.

Their audience doesn't matter, because Seira draws Amaryl into a kiss~

Amaryl rests on you, a moment of bliss and transcendence, as...

Soon enough, a voice clears his throat, alerting you to a world beyond the two of you.

"This is already the best vacation!" Seira says breathlessly, pulling away from her wife. "In the top five, wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah..." Amaryl says slowly, voice faraway.

"Ahem," Another throat clear before the elven deity goes on, "Congratulations."

"Thank you!" Seira responds, turning towards Labelas with a silly grin on her face. "It just makes sense, doesn't it? For an elven goddess to be born in Arvandor?"

A slow nod to that, "So it is. Welcome to Arvandor."

"It's good to be here," Amaryl says, rather soft-voiced. "Did you foresee this?"

"I saw it may happen," Labelas Enoreth slowly stops playing his harp, "It was Amaryl's trial to master."

"But you provided the best possible aid for that, so once again, allow me to thank you," Seira says much more formally, now. "And now that it's come to pass, I say this deserves a celebration. Do you mind telling us what the local protocol is for that?"

"Come, we will celebrate and show you, " Labelas Enoreth rises, his harp gone in an instant.

Taking Amaryl's hand in her own, Seira is more than ready to follow!

It is dancing in the forest.

It is music and song, all beautiful.

It is a feast and celebration.

It is elves dancing in the skies in triumph.

It is eladrins at revel, celebrating.

It is games, it is childhood, it is happiness.

All the forest seems in celebration, vast and endless.

Go ahead and set up what you're doing and I'll move along with a relevant line of what's happening and/or who is meeting you.

This is Amaryl's day so I will be supportive but defer to her. And despite more than my share of dances with her, I'll arrange for situations where she could talk to the members of the Seldarine as an equal without me hovering over her shoulder.

That means that I'll happily drink with Hanali in celebration and ask her for current gossip while Amaryl interacts with Corellon Larethian and Sehanine Moonbow.

Fruit wine and giggles.

Hanali Celanil is gorgeous, gorgeous in a way that is beyond anything you've seen. Pretty, blonde, elven and beautiful, she captures the world around her, focusing them on her. She sips her wine as you get a glass, "Congratulations," she purrs, "What a journey for both of you!"

It's the one downside of being friends with her, but Seira just takes it in stride. It's not like they can contain their divine natures, and even if they could, why bother? It's literally what they are. At least Amaryl won't misunderstand given their longstanding friendship!

"I couldn't be more proud," she agrees, nibbling on the piece of pineapple adorning her fruit punch. "We've tried a few times before, here and there, but I realized that this was where we needed to be." Leaning over to whisper, she adds, "That, and I know Amaryl really liked our last vacation here, so either way it would've been great!"

The two of you stand in the shadow of a vast oak tree, enjoying a few moments of solitude.

"Amaryl is a child of the elves, of course she needs to be here. You? You're independent," Hanali purrs, eyes meeting yours. "She needed that final boost."

"You make it sound so edgy!" Seira returns with a snort. "It's not like you guys invited me back then so I had to go and establish a place for myself in the Planes. Man, looking back on those days is making me wince. All that caution and wariness, right?"

"Mistakes are made to be overcome," Hanali says, resting a hand on your shoulder. "But let's talk about more pleasant things than mistakes."

"Gossip? Is it gossip? I've been wondering why you didn't really respond when Amaryl contacted you earlier about coming over."

"Oh, we've been working on something," Hanali Celanil smiles, a silky and alluring thing, like the soft feel of a feminine nightgown brushing your thigh. Her breath is on your ear as she leans in and whispers breathily, "We're preparing our own plan if that annoying prophecy is true."

"The prophecy is true, in the sense that things lead there if we do nothing," Seira voices, as her thoughts go off on a tangent of what her own voice and presence is for others. Is it like suddenly getting a second wind, or similar to how she saw the colors turn so rich after a mishap with the Deck? "We would like to help."

"We were hoping you'd say that," Hanali says, then hugs you tight to herself, yet somehow not splashing her wine. "How lovely!" She's smiling at that, all alluring cheer.

"Then you should've asked instead of being coy again," Seira says with a grin that should take any sting out of those words, using the hand not holding her drink to return the hug.

"But it's no fun if you're all up front about it," Hanali retorts, "There's fun in making the trees sway towards you, rather than coming to them."

Seira giggles, squeezing Hanali closer before letting go. "If there was a portfolio for adorable directness, I might've gotten it! Which is actually pretty funny if you think about where many of my talents lie." Taking a sip, she asks, "Even though I've ruined your fun, do you want to share some of the details with me? I'll fill Amaryl in later, since it's her moment now."

"It's a secret," Hanali whispers back, "But it involves the essence of elves, nature and life."

"How do we help? We've got one and a half elven essences, give or take~"

"A drop of your blood," Hanali says, her mirth fading a little bit. "The power of that blood, properly purified, will further enhance the weapon."

Seira nods slowly. "I don't see the problem. Just tell us about the idea behind it? I just heard about Lathander's idea for weapons the other day, and yeah it probably required an outsider's opinion for quality control."

"Mmm," Silence surrounds the two of you before she goes on, a slow, sensual purr, "A weapon that can strike true as it is the distillation of all elves are. Of life, of time, of reality. Something Shar has never had an answer to."

Seira nods again, and this nod is in approval of how you can't be too careful, even where they are.

"Sentient and sapient, I take it?" she muses. "Nothing to force compliance or servitude, of course, since we can't make any slaves. A conscience and the understanding of righteousness? And we do have the means to destroy the weapon if it Falls, like pretty much anything Good in Creation is capable of?"

"It's not intelligent," Hanali says, "Hmmm, tempting, but no. It's a weapon, not a being."

"Not by design, then. But it might get there due to the situation," Seira posits. "Still, given all elven deities live in a heaven, wouldn't it make sense to make Good a part of it?"

Other than that, she doesn't really have any comments. By keeping things simple the Seldarine have already limited the vast majority of accidents waiting to happen in such situations, after all.

"Just one more question. Can it be stolen and used against us? Or against, say, Celestia?"

"It should not be, hence why we're keeping it secret," Hanali says, "It's a trump to overcome. So keep it quiet, Seira." She bats her eyelashes at you at that, smiling, "Please?"

"Just Amaryl and I, no one else," Seira affirms. "It won't go further, not even if you annoy Amaryl with your flirting~"

An airy giggle at that, "Oh, she'll live. Besides, maybe I'll flirt with both of you," she says, then slowly parts and slips away.

"Don't be a stranger~" Seira calls after her. "Stop by more often, Hanali!"

She finishes her drink, then, and replaces it with a fresh one before seeking out Amaryl.

Roll 1d100.

22:59 <Lucille> roll 1d100
22:59 <Rei-chan> Lucille rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=81 ]{81}

As you go, Hanali pauses, "Mmmm," she says, pondering something obviously, making a show of thinking, bowing her head.

"Yeeees?" Seira drawls, snagging another drink that she brings over to Hanali. "Miss me already? I couldn't ignore such an obvious cry for attention from a friend~"

"Oh, just thinking of how cute you are when you're proud," she purrs, reaching out to pat your head. "Shoo shoo now, Amaryl's waiting for you."

Blowing Hanali a kiss, Seira practically skips over to Amaryl!

Amid all of the festivities is a table. Here three sit. The first is Amaryl, drinking deeply from a glass of fruit wine, as bards gently fill the air with unearthly, beautiful music. The second is the Three-As-One, the Triune Goddess. Clad in armor and with her spear nearby, she sits at the Elf-Father's side, who pauses what he is saying as you draw close. "Welcome, friend of the forest and sister of the forest." Corellon Larethian greets you.

"I'm honored to be greeted such by the Preserver of Life," Seira responds demurely, curtsying, while her drink drifts in the air next to her. "And beyond all, I'm glad that Amaryl and I could share this experience with the Fellowship."

"Come," Corellon concurs, "Join us." A plate of food and a glass of fruit wine appear before you, the smell of it a delicate medley of flavors.

The Triune inclines her head, "Rest for a time, brave warrioress. Congratulations - you may even keep up with my Jaela if you keep this up."

Seira takes the proffered place. She might already have a drink, but why turn down more? She'll just as easily finish them both! She gives Corellon a grateful smile and winks at Amaryl, before telling the Triune with a crooked smile, "I know enough to not compete with Jaela where her talents lay. Happily, we seem to occupy different niches that best embody our philosophies and approaches to combat!"

Mulling over Kascha's stories, she adds, "A shame about her spotty luck, though. True highs and great lows with no in-between, wasn't it for her? If I come across a suitable soul in need of rescue, would you mind if I guided her towards it? That sort of quest often has tremendous knock-on effects, I've found."

"Go ahead," The Triune agrees, " I have no objection."

Meanwhile, the Elf-Father drinks and listens, "A question, Seira. What will you do now that Amaryl has ascended?"

Amaryl finishes her own drink and smiles widely, "What can't we do? There's so much that can be done."

"I plan to liberate the Inner Planes," Seira responds, even as her will ensures that none overhear her, much like Hanali had done around them previously. "The vile practice of slavery will be eradicated from them by both pen and sword. I will deal with the worst offenders on Fire personally, and Amaryl will take care of Earth. All the major trading companies amidst the planes even remotely within our sphere of influence will make the practice too expensive to bother with for the greedy, and current slaves will be aided in escaping their masters."

"A laudable goal," The Elf Father raises his wine glass to that, "The efreet leave nothing but ash behind while the dao cover in caves like dwarves."

"It won't stay an economic fight," The Triune declares, "Be ready for war, bloody and brutal." Yet she also matches Corellon's toast, "To victory."

"It will be bloody, but I cannot abide by the status quo any longer," Seira asserts. "And with Amaryl at my side, we can do much."

Feeling entitled to ask a question of her own, she voices, "One of my trusted friends and a member of my court is the former Padisha of the Marid, Lady Sanzha. I have no enmity for the Citadel of Ten Thousand Pearls, so there would be no pointless battle to help her regain her lost power. Yet are there means available for her to do so? Perhaps by reinventing herself on the planar stage?" Smiling at the Triune, Seira adds, "After all, three is a very important number."

"In truth, I am not certain. Is she still any form of divinity?" Corellon asks, putting his vine down. "If she is, then yes. If not, I am not certain."

"She holds a divine spark, much like Amaryl's prior to its realization earlier today," Seira responds, taking a sip of her drink. "Any lead for her to follow up on would be appreciated."

"More importantly," Argharradh interjects, "What does she want to represent?"

Corellon agrees with a nod, "My Lady Wife speaks truly. What she wishes to be matters paramount."

"She is originally of Water, but she's adopted my philosophy of elemental harmony. Perhaps she could be its patron?

"Bring her here so she can speak for herself," Corellon commands, "Let us not disenfranchise her in such an important matter."

"I sometimes let my excitement get the better of me," Seira accepts the rebuke, focusing her mind on a message to her friend. 'Sanzha, Amaryl and I are with the Seldarine. I asked Lord Corellon for advice on helping you regain true divine power, and the Seldarine are willing to help. You are cordially invited to our side.'

A mental image with sufficient dimensional coordinates accompanies the missive.

'I will be there shortly,' Sanzha sends right back.

"She's coming over," Seira reports, earnestly adding, "Thank you for your assistance in this."

Sanzha soon arrives - in a flash of water and a gush of a wave, simply there as desired. She smiles, "Corellon, it has been a long time," she says, a small smile on her face, speaking perfect elven. "Are you well?"

"As well as the forest full  of healthy trees, as well as the wind that blows freely," The Elf Father answers, "Join us, Lady Sanzha."

Happily, a seat next to Seira is open, and she waves Sanzha over with a smile.

The seat is taken, Sanzha giving you a look. "You're strong today, Seira," she remarks, "I feel better just sitting next to you. More energized and hopeful."

Seira's grin widens. "There's plenty to celebrate today, but we don't get to just rest on our laurels. Not when it's possible for us to go even further, don't you think?"

"Mmm," Lady Sanzha says, "So, Seira, Elf Father, Angharradh?" she asks, having a sip of fruit wine, the glass appearing as she reaches for it.

"And Amaryl," Seira cheerfully adds. "In any case, we asked you to come because it seems like there might be a shortcut to restoring some of your divine power, and the Seldarine are not averse to helping us with this. But your intent, what you represent... that is the most important component. I could suggest being the architect of elemental harmony, but that's just words unless you like the concept enough to stand behind it and own it. Thus... what sort of goddess do you think the future you should be, Sanzha?"

Lady Sanzha merely sips her wine and smiles. There's no immediate answer, only considering.

"The question is cogent," The Triune concurs, "Think wisely, answer sharply."

"In all truth, I have not decided. A patron of music in some form, perhaps of the elements as well." Lady Sanzha finally says, "What of you, Seira? What do you think beyond elemental harmony?"

"I think having a key concept to build yourself around is best," Seira asserts. Giving the gathered deities an apologetic look, she says, "I know that seems to go against common sense, with how much overlap there is. And even I have that, because I can't ignore important parts of me just because someone was there first, or because there is a god that represents those aspects even better. But what you felt when you came near me, Sanzha? That hope? That's what I am, at the core. Every other aspect, important though it might be, ties back into how it fits with it."

She pauses, gathering her thoughts while observing Sanzha. "In the end, you are a prodigy with music, but it has always been a passive talent. On the other hand, the way you've done your research, the way you've advanced the cause of elemental harmony with Afina and those that came before her? That was active, that was significant in the sense that you were stepping out on the planar stage and saying 'Hello Creation, I have something new to offer'. I've never seen you attempt to do that with your music, or with anything else."

Corellon nods ever so slightly as you speak, watching the back and forth as he drinks.

Lady Sanzha merely smiles again and says, "Do you feel the same with you and your hope, Seira? Does it put you beyond merely another dragon power?"

"It exists to save people. From a desperate situation, from inevitable failure, from an unacceptable future. It gives people locked into two bad options a third one. During your darkest moments, Hope is the sliver of light to chase the darkness away! It is a weapon against Shar and her ilk, but also so much more, because it leads to a brighter future. I devour knowledge mundane and magical, I lead armies to victory, I sneak past the guardians of the Hells without them being the wiser, I shine alongside the Seldarine and the Hebdomad, I wield the might of the dragon and I learned the secrets of dragons... I do all that and more, but what is all that without the Hope I bring with me wherever I go? That's how it is for me."

Throw in a Diplo check here, how powerful your words are here will have a bit of an impact to something.

[19:26] <@Lisa> roll 1d20+65
[19:26] <Rei-chan> Lisa rolled : 1d20+65 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{80}

+2 vs men!

Sanzha merely considers at that, slowly drinking her wine. "Define yourself," Corelleon declares, "All else will follow."

"Mmm, yes," Sanzha finally agrees, "It is a question of how you define yourself and how you wish to be, more than anything else. A weighty choice not to be made lightly."

"What is the first thing that comes to mind, when you think about that?" Seira asks Sanzha. "What do you want to be for the rest of Creation, from impressionable children all the way to your equals? How do you want to lead others? What ideal do you want to represent? What legacy would you like to leave for those that follow in your footsteps?"

"Who am now or who I was?" Sanzha says after a pause, "The past left behind rekindled, or a new wave for a new future?"

"We remember our past, but our home is more about the future," Seira responds. "The route we took to the present affects us, having turned us into the people we are, but we don't let it bind us. My advice is a new wave, although don't feel like you need to adhere to my tastes."

After all, Sanzha's past was defined by others due to her position, not to mention by her station. This is her chance to actually be what she would've been without all those outside forces.

Sanzha considers for a time more, "Yes, I do believe I have an answer," she says, a faint smile showing on her face.

"Do tell," Corellon says, "What path will you choose?"

Seira looks at Sanzha expectantly! Such a tease, she'd surely get along well with Hanali!

With the faintest bit of laughter, Lady Sanzha merely says, "That, my dear Coronal of Arvandor, would be telling. Why, sit back and wait for it to become apparent and be properly introduced to it."

I think we're good to move on, unless you have something else?

Have anything to add to this Arvandor meeting yourself?

I presume we either donate blood our arrange to have it happen later, so that's done. Amaryl's been honored, so that's also done.

I think it'd be good to conclude with Amaryl sharing her thoughts on the whole thing, since even though she was there she was all quiet again. To dip into meta for a sec, I think it'd also handle her Node goal?

Sounds good on all points.

Thus you return home with Amaryl. Once back there's that moment of relaxation after a long trip away, everything spent and ready to unwind. It's you and Amaryl on a couch, watching the fire crackle. "So much," Amaryl murmurs to break the silence, lost in her own thoughts until then.

"I always had faith in you," Seira says, running her hand idly through Amaryl's long locks. "It was a long journey, but now we can finally stand on even ground."

It's definitely one of the happiest days of her life, up there with their marriage and the birth of their children!

How does Amaryl's divine aura come across?

Amaryl's divine aura is steady for now, strong. Also restrained, focused inwards.

"We finally can," Amaryl murmurs. "We finally can. We're a little closer to saving everything now, too. That made all of this worth every challenge we went through."

Seira murmurs her assent, adding, "I know it won't match the rush of the initial celebration in Arvandor, but we're doing something special here as well. An entire week of festivities!"

Already, statues of golden dragons entwined in flight with forest green ones form all over the Cauldron's public areas, and all the archways have been changed to form such spirals. She'll ask Sanzha to handle the entertainment and put Elle in charge of the decor, which should play well with both of their talents.

I meant the 'feel' of the divine aura, same as how Hanali came across, for example.

Just to be clear, link me to the post of Hanali that you found edifying here?

Just to use a couple from this thread alone:

http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104171.msg1117540.html#msg1117540
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104171.msg1117556.html#msg1117556

It's what happens when we get briefly overwhelmed by pretty much every deity or powerful individual.

Just needed to be sure.

Amaryl is more to you. She is...alive, there, vivid. A vividness, a feeling of strength comes from her. Of speed, like the wind blowing past you, full of aerial power.

"An entire week, huh?" Amaryl nudges, "I thought you'd go for a month!"

"A week stays fresh in the mind, and we can do exciting new events each day. A month is where the days start blending together, won't you say?" Seira snorts. "Besides, we're not taking that long of a break from our duties! There's a Crusade to consider, after all!"

Amaryl starts to speak, but a pause. You feel it, the bond between thet wo of you, growing stronger. It ripples throughout you and...!

Node update, go read and let me know you read it.

Roger, read.

"Hmm? Yes, that sounds like a fine idea," Seira muses, nodding slowly. "Come to think of it, it sounds like Celestia is hosting someone with such obvious and overt outside interference. Weird that they've played so coy with Alicia about it when telling us that others were caught up in this little game as well."

"Stop a moment," Amaryl holds up a hand, "I felt that connection and I lost track of the conversation. Say what now?"

"Like I said before, I can sort of sense the innermost desires of those closest to me," Seira obliges her wife. "I could tell when there was a shift in yours, and while I'd pursue an avatar first it's not like they're mutually exclusive. Thus, saying it seemed like a good idea."

"No, the part about Celestia. Elaborate that?" Amaryl says, "A lot's gone on today, did I miss something?"

"Romiel invited me for a few, so I stepped out and met a Duke of Celestia he was hosting. They're going to be working closely with Lumenbur for the near future."

"Ooooh," Amaryl murmurs, "Anyway, we do have that...but let's celebrate today," she says, leaning in and...there are celebrations, indeed.

Next move?

Seira wants to know whether Valar can leave his post for a few hours, and where Kascha is on her tour (and whether she's at a good point to pop back in for a few hours as well). That can be ooc, the next IC action is helping Donald with magic.

They both can. To Donald then, unless that changes things?

To Donald!

Cool, go ahead and set up how you wanna do spell learning with him. I'll roll off of that.

Seira commandeers one of her laboratories for her planned spell research with Donald. Usually used to test out prototypes, it draws upon the holographic principles of the most unique piece of loot Seira had ever found during her adventuring days. Containing a massive repository of magical principles and recorded spells, the room even comes with an anthropomorphic index in the form of a helpful young woman; nowhere near at Medi's standards, but capable of emulating a person quite well even across sessions to give things a more engaging touch.

"Evie, let's start us off with Conjuration," Seira says as she sees Donald enter, and as the elf projection draws the symbols for the various subschools in mid-air, she reaches for the middlemost to tap it. Her finger is pushed back upon encountering the icon as the simulation provides tactile sensation, and she smiles upon selecting teleportation.

"Oh there you are," Donald strolls in, "Teleportation, huh? Looking to get away from the celebrations already?"

"A part of me is celebrating as we speak!" Seira brightly responds. "I just wanted your opinion on a spell I came up with before we started on your own set."

There is a library of relevant spells in a translucent list off to the right, and Seira selects Gate, Teleportation Circle and Legion's Gate from it. As miniature representations of them appear, she manipulates the interface to move the Teleportation Circle to the center and then beckons Gate over. "See, it's about time to improve upon my signature spell from our Balmuria days," she tells Donald, breaking Gate apart into its components with a flick of her fingers. "At the time, we were limited to the original design and keeping things simple was cheaper and more reliable, but now we can mix and match with impunity. For example, it is indisputable that Gate's entry/exit aspects are far more comfortable to use for the travelers, and the swift look at your destination eases the mind before the journey."

Seira plucks that part of the Gate spell, dumping the rest of it, and replaces that section of Teleportation Circle with her selection. "Won't you agree?"

"Well yeah," Donald says, "It makes perfect sense. Higher spell circles than 9th give us the flexibility to do that."

Seira snorts. "I'm actually asking if the aesthetics are better this way. I think the visual and psychological aspects are more hospitable to the casual user, now." She beckons Donald over, displaying just the entry/exit surfaces of both Teleportation Circle and Gate in three-dimensional space. "See?"

Meanwhile, her mind reaches out towards Elle, asking, 'Would you like to DO MAGIC with me and Donald? We're working on new spells at the spell research laboratory with Evie!'

Donald studies in, leaning in close, "I see what you mean," he finally says.

'On my way,' Elle sends back.

"We could probably make a more user-friendly variant for Plane Shift, too, while staying firmly on the side of mortal magic. But mortal magic often prioritizes brutal utility and puts aesthetics at a distinct second, which is fair since metamagic is often used to fill in the gap," Seira muses to herself, summoning ghostly spells to her as she speaks and dismissing them almost as fast.

"Aha!" she exclaims, drawing a hexagonal sphere next to her dissected spell. "Following an orb pattern like that, we can calculate the optimal distance from the caster to the event horizon. Given Legion's Gates is the inspiration, I rather think eight horizontal transportation planes should be our goal, but we'll leave the option for advanced users to place yet more diagonally above or below them. Then, a mild application of flight or a set of fairly decent legs would carry them through. I'm actually kind of tempted to put in a secret destination now...." Seira trails off, looking like she's trying to convince herself. "No, I really shouldn't...."

Your meanderings are broken by a puff of flame. Elle walks out of a momentary bonfire, dusting her hands off. "Oh, there you two are. What was that about secret locations?" Her and Donald share a quick kiss in the meantime.

"Don't you feel the urge to put in a secret destination into a multiple-target teleportation spell? That sense of wonder, like in 'The Lady, or the Tiger'?"

Please don't reference real world fiction and writings like that, it breaks the 4th wall.

"It depends on what the purpose of the spell is," Elle fires right back, "So are you working on a teleportation spell?"

It is a fictional setting that isn't tied to the real world in any way, and the culture wouldn't be out of place on Fire or in our regular medieval Primes such as Balmuria's own Desert Fiefdoms rather than something modern, what is the problem?

"There!" Seira exclaims, slotting the final component of multiple targets inspired by Legion's Gate into her spell. "Evie, run the simulation, please. Source is Balmuria's Temple of Waukeen, caster is a very rich me, destinations are Malmuth's capital, the Citadel, the Fiefdoms and Kesse."

Done done and done. It looks to be working just fine, at least on a glimpse and...

Goa head and describe the simulation.

After a lovely animation of a tiny Seira casting the spell before a tiny replica of the Temple to Waukeen, recognizable to those present as the one in Balmuria, Mia walks into a sphere that appears to be made of translucent panels. Once she is in its center, four of the vertical panels arranged around her light up with scenes from the destination. While the simulation doesn't open its own portals to show the live image, it certainly simulates the changing view outside other temples to Waukeen at the destinations, which are presently serving as anchors to Seira's established portal network.

"The name is Seira's Portal Network," she tells Donald and Elle. "A more expensive and difficult, but also far more elegant solution towards connecting key cities across a Prime. I'm not going to hold it a secret, but I doubt it would see much use given you need to transcend mortal magic to cast it, and by then you've either improved your Prime already or transcended its affairs altogether. Ah! But I do want to use it on Lifasa!"

"Lifasa," Donald rubs his chin, "That would work. Your avatar could go do it easily enough, huh?"

Elle nods along, "She could, or even one of us. Lifasa is entering a new golden age, the time to strike is ripe."

Seira grins. "You've read my mind! Elle, I want you to do it. It's just a step down from me, but an important one. Waukeen and Lathander think that while it's an important step towards improving our standing in the Competition on that world, it won't result in a deity directly challenging me. And you could deal with anything short of one trying to interfere."

Of course, the main reason is to help both the natives who have gone through a lot, and any immigrants being drawn to a world so elevated with so much promise. But that goes without saying.

"Unlike on our Prime of origin, we'll keep the travel free and only collect a fee for caravans and from traders," she voices. "We'll pick a few spots, and connect them all together through the portal network. The thematic spots important to Lifasa where pilgrimage could be assumed to take place, with my own university town included in that number, as well as large population centers after negotiating with the locals. We'll provide protection from the Cauldron's forces, just in case. Finally, we'll look into connecting our town to the Cauldron for easy trading, though that would be a far more restricted venture to ensure the separation of Prime and the afterlife."

"Mmm-hmm," Elle murmurs, "That's all sound. Got any other spells being readied?"

"Or train locals and use that to help spread the word," Donald points out, "Why not make our own faithful there, Seira?"

"Amaryl and I made our pitch, and actually my avatar's there a lot. I'm helping build everything, which goes better with my power. The more mundane, arcane power, rather than just altering reality, I mean," she responds to Donald.

Elle's question makes her eyes glitter. "Actually! Evie, display my secret spells! The Visage series, side by side!"

Elle smiles at this, "I've been waiting to see these! Show me and I'll show you my notes on new spells," she offers.

Go ahead, these are your babies, have some fun describing them.

Three ghostly women are projected side by side, displaying Seira in different outfits!

One wears simple homespun robes, an inner glow to her that is the very image of piousness. Translucent wings erupt from her back as the golden glow within her reaches a crescendo! It explodes outwards, forming a pair of twenty feet rings around the image that start orbiting around her, crisscrossing as they pick up speed. She would definitely stand out in a crowd!

Her neighbor shifts as well, her features borrowing from Alicia until she looks closer to Seira's daughter than Seira herself from all the cosmetic changes, albeit one dressed in Seira's adventuring outfit. She lacks an obvious aura to her, but even in a simulation those watching cannot help but be drawn to her much like how mortals are to Seira's divine presence. Fire plays across the gems adorning her, casting her features in sharp definition. She'd like to see someone try to block those flames!

The third is dressed in a quintessential monk's outfit, with exaggerated draconic features prominently displayed. "It's not my habit, since I've had a lot of bad experiences while growing up," Seira offers by way of explanation here, "but not everyone has those same associations. And I don't hide this side of me from others, and certainly not from my most trusted followers who would receive these spells." Somehow, despite looking the least like Seira normally does, the image it projects feels closest to her distilled nature.

"In any case, that's three aspects of me in handy spell form! Three's an important number, so that's how I divided them."

"Three Seiras?" Donald shivers. "Still, those look good. Powerful, too, if I don't miss my guess."

"All past the 9th circle?" Elle watches, "You didn't aim small, did you? Can they be combined and is it worthwhile?"

"You realize there will be three of me whenever I manage another avatar, or if I form one from snow and ice, don't you?" Seira asks Donald with a half-lidded look. Elle's question makes her think, however. "Yeeees, technically the Majestic and Glorious Visages could be combined and have decent interactions. One provides fire, after all, and the other blesses it into goldenfire. But I think that any cleric of mine that feels the need to draw on two thirds of my essence might as well pray for divine intervention. I could just proxy her if it's that important. As for the Draconic Visage, I actually made it with Kascha in mind. She likes dragons but isn't one, so it could be just the experience she needs. And if she decides she likes it, I could turn her into one later, when a good chance for rewards comes up."

"Clearly," Donald retorts, " I need to make my own avatars somehow."

Elle pointedly ignores that whole side show and listens to you. "I talked to Kascha about that not long ago, actually. I don't think she'll bite on a transformation, she sees herself as an eladrin much too strongly. She spent so long as part of Arborea, I think it comes down to that."

"They fit, you know? Divine power and draconic blood? Still, it's a pretty powerful spell, and she's my second choice for a recipient. You're the first, of course," Seira says, muttering after, "Even though you follow Mystra."

Snapping her fingers, she tells Donald, "That reminds me, Lathander is okay with me poaching you. He said it's about time and all that. I like him a lot, why don't I spend more time chatting with him, again?"

Donald makes a show of thinking about it. "Because Amaryl does things with her tongue that Lathander doesn't?" he says, completely honestly. After a few moments, "The way she can talk to you is unreal, the two of you are so good together."

Elle facepalms, burying her face in both hands.

Actually, given Lathander, Seira is sure he's more than capable of anything he sets his mind on doing, and that covers a large and diverse group of topics.

Saying any of that out loud is just begging for things to devolve, however, and she sends the trio of spells closer to Elle with a wave of her hand before summoning two more and beckoning Donald over. "I don't know whether you could learn them, though I might reward you with one if you do something really great that symbolizes me in one of those three ways I've chosen. It's a built-in divine limitation, so I can't just hand it out otherwise. Still! You wanted to come up with a useful spell, and I figured Flux Grasp might be good for that. I've recently made Blazing Radiance with it as the inspiration." Pulling her hands apart, she extends the links between the various parts of the spells to expose the similar core in both. "What do you think? Can you manage either? How about getting the inspiration for that spell of yours? The base concept should be within your grasp."

Donald studies them a little while, thinking. "Yeah, yeah I think so," he says, "I can see how Blazing Radiance would work, and I think I could cobble together Flux Grasp. Yeah!" Nodding now, firmly, "I see it, I think I can."

Blazing Radiance is already a duskblade spell but remind me about Flux Grasp when level ups come around. I don't wanna pause session to take the time to make it a duskblade spell right this sec, so punting with a nod towards that later.

No problem.

"Excellent!" Seira cheers. "Also, I think I heard something about how you were discussing making a spell of your own while I was trying to sneak past Lixer? Wanna get my input on that?"

"Sure," Donald says, "I'm still debating the name, got any ideas?"

"Pyroclasm Grasp wasn't bad," Seira muses. "Maybe Pyroclastic Catharsis, to return the holy aspects to it? Or Pyroclasm Baptism, to preserve the touch aspects?"

"Let's stick with the first," Donald finally says, "I like that one, keep names simple."

"Simple, huh? Then just go with Pyroclasm Smash!"

"Right," Donald says, "So let's see, holy fire touch. That's the idea," Donald finally says. "The problem is I don't really work with holy magic.  I'm hoping to find some way or another around it. Suggestions?"

Elle says, "Well, that can be hard if you're an arcane student rather than a priest, but I know Seira's been working in that general area."

"Cauldron Smash?" Seira goes on to suggest. "That kind of flows, plus all this home pride!"

As Donald's question refocuses her, she purses her lips. "It's been occupying my mind, which went to how metamagic was adjusting mortal magic to shape it into all manner of desired forms, and how both mortal and transcendent metamagic options turned your arcane spells holy-- and then it hit me! Sanctification! You've heard of such spells, I trust? They carry a sacrificial component, but aside from that you could design a spell that doesn't take an archon to activate and then you're golden! Even literally, if you draw inspiration from goldenfire!"

Talking past Donald as she catches Elle's eye, Seira voices, "With Donald it's got to be a sacrifice of wisdom, won't you agree?"

"Oh, that's perfect," Donald hums, "I'd have to reform the spell patterns of course and use different names, but it should work."

"Here, take a glance at these two concepts for spells," Seira suggests to Donald, manipulating the interface to produce a second circle Radiant Burst and the ninth circle Exalted Fury. "Both are Evocations, so that should fit for your spell. Conjuration occurs far more often, but would probably require larger reworking. Ah, but the important thing is that they're effectively holy spells that allow arcane mages to blast evil!"

She retrieves another spell from her private library, and tosses it towards Elle and the three Visage spells. "My Arcane Thesis. It's not exactly a secret spell, though I wonder whether I want it out there or merely don't mind it heading out into the wild. And hopefully it'll give you some ideas for your own unique spells, too?"

Delaying node update one post to give you something to chew on, since this sort of thing is due.

As Elle reads, you receive a prayer.

'Seira, Champion of the Golden Lady,' Mia prays to you, 'Bless this offering. Grant us purity today, for we go hunting Sharrans. We go forth to conquer, to triumph and to drive them into the ground, where the worms will eat them and they will be forgotten memories consigned to ignominy. Grant us all your courage and fires this day, so that not a single Sharran survives."

'Call my name when it is time, my friend, and I will watch over you,' Seira's voice whispers in Mia's mind in response to that prayer. Such an occasion would suit her new spell's debut.

As Seira hears confirmation...

She feels it as Donald works, a sense of connection, a sense of power. It grabs Seira's attention as Donald looks up. "Again?"

Node update. Notably, I'll work out the sanctified fire touch spell tonight so that reward is briefly punted.

"You should stop underestimating me by now~" Seira returns in sing-song, silently promising to keep an eye out for him.

Elle looks up as you feel a stirring between you and her as wel, expanding out. "What-" is all she gets out as...

Node update 2. Mythical Cast's bonuses to Spellcraft rise by 5 to +25.

"My powers are tingling~" Seira cheers. "Elle, I look forward to seeing the spells you come up with. And Donald, promise to show me the first time you smack someone terrible with yours!"

She leaves the simulation running in case either of them needs to run a few tests and reaches out to her closest friends and family, Kascha, Valar and the kids included. 'I have something I would like to discuss,' she relays to them, 'which would take no more than an hour of your time. Please meet me in the library in fifteen minutes.'

For those coming from another plane it would cut things pretty close, so she intends to keep an eye on the Cauldron's entrance and establish shortcuts for them as they arrive.

Does that include Emily right now?

Yes. But to clarify a bit more, this is less 'attend me!' and more 'important extended family counsel, please come'. For Kascha and Valar, I cleared it with you earlier OOC that they can be available. It summons everyone in my node, my kids, Yandrazrt, Valar, Oraga, Na'lith, Lumenbur, Gulpan and the other two elemental commanders (which are all pretty much minor allies).

Easy enough with one exception.

'Um,' Emily sends back. 'I'm about to go on a quest with my friends here? We're about to go to a library, maybe in Warrior's Rest or somewhere else.'

'I'll give Amaryl your regards,' Seira tells her. 'Be sure to congratulate her when you return.'

If Emily can't find an hour's time for a quick visit, things probably advanced enough she's already en route. Thus, Seira decides to make the best of it and start without her.

Okay, this is your baby so go ahead and set it up and I'll roll with it.

The Cauldron actually has more than the one library, but Seira was certain that her closest confidants would understand her request. The hall where she receives them is a circular chamber, its walls lined with bookcases while the middle is a large, open space. The second floor has quiet study rooms in between the bookcases, and those circling the open space have a great view of the room and of the large projection of an old-fashioned clock tickling away in the center. It is on that ground floor that Seira awaits until Valar slips inside, the last of their number.

"Emily is otherwise occupied," she announces, as her magic closes the door behind the priest and her will ensures the chamber is sealed from the outside. "Let's begin. First, you might have realized as much from passing through the Cauldron, but Amaryl has ascended in earnest!"

This gets various sorts of applause and cheers as Amaryl smiles and waves.

"Here, here," Donald calls, "Congratulations!"

All of thos eflow like water, Xera in particular coming up and hugging Amaryl.

"Things are changing all over Creation," Seira continues. "Some of them, by our own hands. From what I hear from those who were there, this is a time of possibilities that did not exist since the beginning of linear time itself!" She grins. "We're not letting this chance pass us by. Myself, Amaryl, Sanzha. We've held power before, but it was limited. Now, Sanzha is ready to follow in Amaryl's footsteps, but I want to ensure she's not the only one. We'll make an attempt at forming our own pantheon right here, at the Cauldron!"

Amid all of it, the words and cheering? Valar meets your gaze - his face weathered with age and yet firm, giving you the slightest nod.

Lumenbur burns brighter, you swear.

Lady Sanzha merely smiles, nodding when looked at but little else.

"You all know the stakes," Seira says, nodding to each of her friends in turn. "I won't think any less of you if you don't want to risk it, and prefer to contribute in other ways. But I would like those of you who wish to travel this path with us to think about what makes you worthy of ascension. Corellon Larenthian's advice had been to decide for yourselves what best defines you, and to that I will add that I find it best to pick the most unique aspect at the core of your being. Tell Creation what you are bringing to the party, because even after we take down Shar, there will still be an entire Creation to shepherd!"

"That's a heavy game you're talking," Donald remarks casually, then grins. "Good thing we can handle it."

Some more cheers to that, loud and hearty.

"Those of you who'll rise up to this challenge may not have a couple decades to mull over it, however," Seira says, an answering grin playing across her lips. "We're going to be launching a few new programs across the planes to solidify our presence and establish ourselves. The first part concerns what the gods refer to as the Competition, which is a name for a clash of ethics between us. I won't say it doesn't feel nice to win, but the real reason is that a win for us means winning for the mortals as well! I've decided to focus on the three Primes where we've had the most influence so far. My plane of birth would come as no surprise. It's been receiving the excellent stewardship of Valar," she continues, nodding at the priest, "and I believe it is time to expand our public works upon the plane. Just as we've connected the nations, so too must we help collate the knowledge, including the detailed maps of it drawn by my apprentice, Abagail. We hold the ability to make the world a good and decent place, one where none go hungry. Such a simple thing for any of the heavens, but a great task to be undertaken by those who further our cause there."

Seira takes a sip of celebratory ale, giving those gathered a few moments to consider this task, before she proceeds. "Lifasa, a Prime liberated from the Hells by our courageous friends upon the Aurora! Where we might work with a shred of plausible deniability upon my plane of birth, here we should move openly! Already, an academy town is under construction to gift this renewing world the gift of knowledge. It must be connected to other cities through a planetary transportation network, we must establish trade properly to ensure Lifasa's people lack for nothing, and we must remain involved, lest those like Auril try to tilt the scales. We cannot let that pass, not after what Lifasa and its people have already endured."

As this ended on a more solemn note, Seira doesn't linger as much before proceeding onwards this time around. "Because if Auril were to draw closer to success, the result would be not unlike the third Prime we will focus our attentions on. I have an agent of change in the nation of Malana, but to say the world is set against her would not be an overstatement. To avoid escalation from Auril's side, we need to work on a smaller scale there. Less grand battles with evil, and more nurturing, protection and education. Less global infrastructure projects, and more grassroots movements."

She claps her hands. "I'm sure there are those of you better suited for one aspect of the plan than the others. Pick the one that coincides with your inclinations, and come see me later in private. We'll coordinate our efforts then."

Nods at all of that, cheers.

Valar merely inclines his head to you again, while Amaryl adds, "This is a chance to do something, mean something. To save so many, to bring ab etter tomorrow, the next day and all the days beyond that!"

It sounds like you want everyone choosing worlds here? More after I get an answer to that.

I'm throwing quest hooks for NPCs for a change! I have a default plan of 'I want this to happen' and I intend to get my people to do it. Of course, if they have a better idea of what to do with my general guidelines, that's even better and should advance their node goals/ascension concepts/etc.

"For those of us here with a trouble of setting foot on the Prime Material, worry not!" she proclaims. "The elevated world of Benfal is one where we could support and make a showing at, much like how Kascha is currently flying the flag at the Inner Planes." Winking at the ghaele, Seira adds, "Not right this instant, of course, but we're all allowed our brief breaks." Gesturing towards the doorway symbolically, she goes on to say, "Those planes, where the cause of Evil and Good is in such contention, offer a great many opportunities for us to act. And finally, the Silver Sea itself. The gith are the undisputed power of Astral, yet the Cauldron is likewise here to stay! We'll keep on building our trade routes and alliances, but keep an eye on strengthening our position here as well, and that's just one more goal on our filling plate."

"We advance," Lumenbur crackles, "That is what you are saying."

"Of course it is, and many areas to choose from," Elle agrees, "I intend to focus on the Primes, myself."

"We all have things to do," Amaryl speaks up, "Now, who will go where and do what?"

That's cool. How much do you wanna go into planning IC or OOC here?

There is one more aspect she hadn't spoken of, but that's because she wants it to be a pleasant surprise. As Amaryl takes over the organizational part, Seira gravitates towards Sanzha while using her powers to ensure her private conversations will remain private for the time being.

"The more confidential part relies on you," she notes, holding out another glass of ale to the other woman. "Have you decided whether you'll help me negotiate favorable terms and a united front with the planar trading houses, put pressure on the efreet of Fire or take a more active role in things on Earth?"

Let's cover a few aspects IC, and switch to OOC where needed.

Sanzha politely declines the ale and respons, "I have little reason to be fond of the efreet," she says, "I do think that's the only logical choice, isn't it?"

"And a good one, at that," Seira agrees, even though it does feel like one made in the middle. Sanzha would stand out and act more, but not commit herself fully. It does suit her personality, but would that be enough for her ascension? "Romiel provided us with a group operating out of Celestia, and I asked them to handle the details of the underground network of escape routes and safe houses for runaway slaves. His son's in it, and it's lead by a duke. Lumenbur will liaise with them, but you'll also be able to divert slaves in tough spots towards them as well as have final call on whether to have them strike in a more overt fashion. I'll leave coordinating with Zaaman Rul to you as well, if that's agreeable?"

"Agreeable enough," Lady Sanzha smiles faintly, "That should be no great difficulty."

"Don't go anywhere alone," Seira warns her. "Travel with either a capable lieutenant or an entourage, be it ours or Zaaman Rul's. Even I'm going to stop acting solo outside of true emergencies."

She returns Sanzha's smile, then, and drifts towards Valar.

"I'm hoping to get a progress report," she asks of him. "Not just of Kesse, but of the entire Prime and our projects there. Depending on how things are going, I think there might be a better use for your talents. Perhaps even for Agathaiel's, unless she's the only capable administrator in Kesse you can trust."

I want to know the general state of things, as well as the status on these things as Valar is my main asset on the Balmuria Prime:
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,101068.0.html

-The progress of EARTH converting the Wastes into arable land (Saul's mages should be keeping an eye on things here).
-Mapping out the known world (mostly Abagail's project) and looking after the newly-liberated peninsula's lost knowledge and resettlement (mostly Kascha's project).
-Adjusting the old hideout of Sa'grim in Kesse to allow for better dimensional travel (Val, Amaryl's crazy pal is doing this).
-Kesse, which includes the distribution of aid and propaganda (Agathaiel) and military defense, deprogramming and central planning (Valar).
-Spying, be it coordinating with Sylica's projects or training our own agents to blend into the countries of Prime (Donald, strangely enough).
-My inn on Prime, which will serve as a place people could turn to me (my bard's keeping the reigns there for now).
-The magical academy, which I really should improve upon some day. Want to keep an eye on things so that if they need anything or whatever, I could devote time and resources. Specifically, they have an elven kid there that Latha and I tried to save, and I'd like to hear how he has been doing from time to time.
-Pallanth, and the various matters there, such as if the fey are abducting people again contradictory to the understanding we've reached with the Seladrine and the resident fey powers.
-Pallanth, specifically our own House Aryn. We took in orphans and many of my friends, and even if everything has been working out alright it'd be nice to get confirmation for that.

My itinerary largely covers the need for this, so it's a good chance to figure out where we stand, what's been done (I imagine the Wastes were restored by earth elementals working for me and teleportation network connects everything):
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104172.0.html

-Balmuria, extending my faith and the cause of Good through overt support via powerful but mortal avatars
--Public works projects throughout the known world
--Exploration and mapping out the entire world
--Libraries of readily-accessible information about the world
--Mythal over Balmuria
--Magical academy near Balmuria
--Clergy-driven scheme to eliminate global hunger
--Opposing everything by Shar

Valar has grown, aged. His gaze is still firm even now as he sits back, magic granting a private conversation, shutting out the others.

"Where would you like to talk about first, since we have many projects?" Valar asks.

Go ahead and guide this, there's enough going on that you focusing the discussion to what yo uwant would be better than me writing several huge expo bomb posts.

"Let's start with Kesse itself," Seira decides, placing the extra ale glass on the small table usually used for books during shared study sessions. She's sure Vayley will keep it spotless despite this abuse! "Do they lack for anything? How is the internal situation? Is Shar still trying to surge back, now and then? How many are even receptive to that these days?"

"Well overall," Valar says, taking the glass of ale and having a long drink. "It's the work of a generation, but we're seeing changes, adjustments. The internal situation is steady, with a new King on the throne and Shar's rebound efforts held at bay. Cyric has made some inroads, but we are keeping them in check. Far less than a generation ago are open to it."

"It's been a generation, yes," Seira agrees. "That success is your legacy to Kesse, for countless generations ahead. Have our efforts at easing the previous queen's life born fruit? If she suffers still, I might be better-placed to help her. And what of the bureaucracy you've established there? Is Agathaiel essential to it, or can we attempt a shift in the guard? I think our true success is measured by whether things keep on working with new faces continuing down the same path."

"She's passed," Valar says, "A mercy in the end, let her move onto something better. Agathiel," Rubbing his chin in thought, "We could spare her if you need her and want to train more. That is the final test of institutions, surviving past the old guard."

"I would like her to guide my idiot daughter," Seira admits. "If she managed to help you change the hearts and minds of Kesse's people, she might help Emily get a bit of common sense. And I think it's time for us to see how Kesse does without such a tight grip at the reigns." Taking another sip of her drink, she asks, "What of Kesse's neighbors? Has there been any further strife?"

"Wait," Valar says, "What did Emily do? That aside, relatively little with proactive action and diplomacy. There's still border skirmishes, but we're doing better there."

Seira sighs. "I don't really want to talk about it." There is a brief silence, but rather than let it turn gloomy, she asks in a blatant change of topic, "I take it that making use of the portal network and all we can offer is better than trying to settle generation-old grudges, at least for the younger folk? Actually, is there a nation on the Prime that decided to be a recluse and closed its borders to organized magical transportation?"

"Ah." Valar lets the subject of Emily go, sitting bcak instead with the faintest grimace. "It's working best with the newest generation, breaking the cycle. The older generations are often too set in their ways, like paths made by many feet."

A pause, a drink of ale. "No, no one who's resisting the portal network yet, but we haven't pressed too far beyond yet, though that gets into greater geography."

"I'll be sure to go over cartography with Abby," Seira muses. "So! We'll keep advisers and our agents will keep discreet observations of the older guard, but you'll find a suitable successors to serve as the king's council." It's strange that she hasn't been coordinating well, but such things are easily fixed and their time is infinite. "Perhaps we could have this change coincide with you announcing a new project, the construction of a grand library that would serve as the repository of knowledge for Kesse's people? Not just a library, now that I think about it, but a monument as well. A museum complex, preserving the lessons from the terror of war and its assorted ills while avoiding demonizing the people or nations involved. While people should look to the future and towards cooperation, it might help to keep in mind just why peace is preferable to the alternative, and we'll do that by giving the visitors a taste of that alternative."

"Yes," Valar says, then exhales. "Seira, I'm old now...and the people have done well to change, but it will take more time yet."

"You've more than earned your rest," Seira tells him quietly. "Valar, only Lathander knows how much you've helped the cause of freedom. How much you've helped me step more firmly on my path."

The unvoiced question is whether Valar wishes to either retire or be reborn in the heavenly realms, or if he's up for the next challenge.

Valar smiles, meeting your gaze. "I'm old, not tired."

"We're abolishing slavery across the Inner Planes," Seira tells him solemnly. "Only our closest allies know. The details will be told in due time, but this is the true reason I wish to recall you, my friend. It's time to break those chains."

"I'll be there," he says, "I only hope I have a few days to rest - tired or not, this body has its own ideas of what it needs anymore."

"The opening strikes will be localized violence and diplomacy," Seira assures him. "Stay for Amaryl's celebrations."

I'll see Kascha next.

Kascha's to the side, writing away in her book and lost in it. She hums to herself, a light and airy tune as she scribbles away.

"How's your trip going so far?" Seira asks her with a grin. "Won any hearts and minds?"

> roll 1d20+3 Kascha (-5 surprised)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+3 Kascha (-5 surprised) --> [ 1d20=4 ]{7}

So lost in her writing, Kascha doesn't even react until you speak. "AAAAAH!" She startles, fumbling her book before it crashes to the ground.

With a gesture, the book flies into Seira's hands in pristine condition. She takes a look, humming to herself. "Writing something shameful about the guest of honor?"

It's a series of mathematical equations and numerology.

"Oh no, I just had an idea I wanted to write down," Kascha says quickly, dusting herself off.

"We'll get you blushing yet," Seira promises. "So how're things at our neighbors's places?"

"About the same as always. Elementals and the like aren't big on changing," Kascha admits, "It's always earth this, fire that, wind now, water good."

"Oh, come on! You're on a goodwill trip for the Cauldron! I can't recall the last time we held one of those for our neighbors! And at such a portentous time, even aside from Amaryl's ascension or our recent accomplishments. Please tell me it's fun and that you've won a few over with your adorable nature." Seira winks at Kascha. "Please?"

"Well..." Kascha draws it out before giggling. "Of course I did. I made friends and made good impressions."

"That's my girl!"

"See, I can take care of things," Kascha says, leaning in. "I checked in on Surraruthru, too. He's doing well, if a bit focused on his hoard and magic right now."

"Did I give you that impression, at any time?" Seira asks her. She certainly hopes not! And she's rarely subtle with her friends when something bothers her, having seen the effects of miscommunication many times during her life. "Don't worry, my power's making sure no one can hear us."

"Oh Seira, I'm teasing," Kascha smiles at that, reaching out to muss your hair. "Everyone seems to like teasing me, but you're fun to tease, too."

Seira snorts, reaching over to pinch Kascha's cheeks. "You're adorable and nothing will change that!" she insists.

"Ow!" Kascha says as she blushes, "Seeeira!"

There's that blush!

"Alright, alright," Seira relenets, grinning happily. "Let's talk about your trip, then. Does anyone want something, like Chan that time Donald came across her? Was anyone receptive to elemental unity?"

"Zaaman Rul could use a favor," Kascha says, "He could use someone to retrieve something of his lost in Astral, but it'll require some potent magic to track it down."

"What is it?"

"A magic tome," she says, "The Burning Arcanum, a collection of fire magic. A minor artifact made by Bristis Pel, his mother."

"If he has any leads, we can look into things," Seira assures her. "I just have something to do on Fire myself, and then we're good." Making a mental note to add it to Vayley's itinerary, she asks, "How about the trip itself? Do you need anything else? More bodyguards to appear more impressive as you arrive?"

"Maybe Xera, if she's free," Kascha says, "Someone else to help out, and she could use the experience. Since Emily...er..." A pause there, a shuffle. "Is she?"

"I was going to send her off with you originally," Seira affirms. "Instead, she's bullying apprentices on a Prime by existing. Go figure, right?" Considering the request, she finds herself more and more amenable to the idea. "I wanted her to be our contact on Benfal, but this works just as well. In fact, how about we go invite her now?"

Let's invite Xera to the groupchat~

Getting Xera isn't hard. She comes on over, magic parting to let her through. "Mother," she greets you warmly, your daughter smiling, "Aunt Kascha."

"It's good to have you back," Seira welcomes her with an answering smile. "Has Celestia been kind to you?" That smile turns teasing as she asks, "Met anyone there, by chance?"

"It has been, yes," Xera meets that look quite calmly. "I've practiced my meditation quite a bit. I believe it is called 'Dodge of Motherly Aspirations.'"

"In that case, I've got something to make you a master at it," Seira tells her happily. "Kascha has requested your services as a bodyguard, and how can you refuse this adorable face?"

"Then I will," Xera says without hesitation. "What is the nature of the threat that requires a bodyguard?"

"We've recently tangled with Shar and Lixer," Seira reasonably tells her. "Besides, I'm always active on the Inner Planes."

She doesn't plan on getting into the details now; the two of them will hear all about it if she succeeds on the first try.

"Yes, mother," Xera lets it go at that, "I'll protect Kascha with my life."

That makes Kascha frown, "Don't die! I've died before, it's not something to enjoy."

"Yes," Seira affirms. "The goal is not to bravely die, but to work together to delay any actual threats long enough to get away. And call on me if it actually happens, both of you!"

"I promise," Kascha says, and...

Anything else to add here?

Seira would like to collect Oraga and go to Sylica.

Sure thing. Planning something in particular?

Seira will arrive at the entrance, knock politely and tell Alicia that she would like to talk to her and Antenora.

Sure, I'll move you on over there shortly. Locking this thread.