Thus the two of you return to the Cauldron. When you appear there, you feel it. The realm surges with energy, burns with vitality. You can feel it, surging through you as your own powers surged with your victory over Zariel.
"No time like the present for that expansion," Seira muses. "What do you think, Darling?"
"I think it's time," Amaryl agrees, taking your hand. "I'd like my own church and...what else shall we add?"
"The core will remain as it is, and so will the outside," Seira proposes. "The space in between the two, however, will become quite exciting! We'll do away with the cavernous, trapped to the gills paths to the surface. The currently public inner areas will extend through two-way portals to environments from the Inner Planes. The main four, the demi-planes where they meet, the quasi planes that are offshoots of them... even the ridiculous planes like Salt or the unique experience that is Ooze will get their own mini realm. The portals themselves will be more like Felic's Gate than Aurora's portals, and require that the traveler is capable of surviving within through a similar magic that tests a summoned creature could exist in a target environment, although we'll have the faithful in adjacent booths offering guided tours with the aid of planar protection magic."
She grins, adding, "We'll leave a few blank, fertile spots for the forests Zariel could grow for us. So if you agree with that, all we need is to decide on your church! What did you have in mind?"
"That sounds lovely," Amaryl murmurs, closing her eyes, voice distant. "I imagine a great forest cathedral, built into the trees and part of the forest. A place of solitude and peace, where the winds can blow through as fast as they fancy to. Here my clergy will live and live in tune with nature, understanding the fundamental elven nature. Those who are not elves will be granted an elven body on death and the time to adjust to it. A community, a Pallanth away from Pallanth."
"Perhaps in a great ring surrounding the second to last layer?" Seira proposes, which would have Amaryl's forest cathedral circle her temple of the golden flame. Given the planned expansion, it would have as much space allocated to it as Amaryl believes is needed.
"That would be nice," Amaryl says ever so softly, "Can you imagine it, Seira? We can make it a reality now."
Seira indeed can! And she finds it appropriate to make it happen at that moment!
Okay, this is your baby, so feel free to describe this and let things expand as you want. Play it up, it's your moment in the sun.
I want it exactly as I just said to Amaryl!
All the ways into and out of the Cauldron will be sealed off aside from the main entrance (the volcano top one). The terraces and the outside of the Cauldron will remain unchanged, but the space between the ending of the terraces and the outer walls will expand drastically, becoming much bigger on the inside than seen from the outside.
There will be two-way portals similar to the entrance to Sylica on every terrace which would lead to a demi-plane based off one of the elemental ones, be it the main ones, the blended ones or abominations like Salt or Ooze. Some of the demi-planes in question will be empty in preparation of growing lovely forests in them.
The entrances to them will require that the traveler is capable of surviving within through a similar magic that tests a summoned creature could exist in a target environment. There will be the faithful manning booths adjacent to the entrances, offering guided tours with the aid of planar protection magic.
The top ten layers will remain unchanged, served for defenses. The demi-planes connected to them will contain... yet more defenses, and reinforcements, and will be one way (from the demi-plane into the Cauldron's terraces on that level) without direct intervention from myself or those in my Node. Level eleven will be where the portals will be redirected, functioning similar to Aurora portals. They would lead to my trading partners across the planes, to the Primes of Lifasa and Balmuria, and to my allies. The permissions to access each one will also be handled similarly to Aurora's, so the trading portals will be usually open to all travelers while the portals to allied realms will require certain clearance.
The lowest layer will remain unchanged, as will the Cauldron's prison deep within the magma. The second lowest layer will be expanded, and the demi-plane connected to that terrace will contain Amaryl's envisioned forest cathedral.
Oh, I think you misunderstood. I meant doing so IC. It's your divine realm, your chance to play it up and shape it just so. Like get dramatic with it, have some fun, have it blossom how you want. It's your divine realm so you have tons of latitude and leeway there.
A phantom collection of bells rings across the Cauldron, gaining the attention of its residents and visitors alike. "Your attention, please," Seira's voice sounds across, once everyone is more attentive.
"Planar travel will be unavailable for a few moments while the planar links reconfigure themselves," she announces, as her power rearranges the portals where they all wink out only to form circling the eleventh layer one after the other. And this time, with automated security that will be run by Silver, an automata modeled after a certain Balmurian fairy. "New environments are being established on terraces twelve through one hundred. If homesick, or merely interested in a touch of the exotic, please feel free to inquire about them from the stewards."
Said stewards, of course, are already at their posts and ready to do their jobs having been drawn from the pool of reincarnated souls who chose to have a non-combat role in their afterlife, the relevant information granted to them by Seira.
"To all those who were looking for a way to offer thanks to Amaryl in a more formal setting, a cathedral had been established on the last public terrace."
She nudges Amaryl with a grin, letting her conclude the announcements as the changes take hold all around them.
Amid the sound of bells magic spreads, your realm reshaping itself to your will. Amaryl is there as well, eyes closed as she focuses, drawing in more and more power.
Terraces expand, portals appear and realms grow. To your power all seems to shift and grow, becoming more and more. As it happens you feel it - a resonation with Amaryl, a connection to her.
Node update, go check it out.
Done so!
"The portals are active once more," Seira announces, to the sound of bells that conclude the message.
Naturally, the increase to the Cauldron's defenses or sealing it off properly weren't made public, nor did she feel like publicizing the expansion of their laboratories. Her closest friends would know, and that's enough for Seira at this point!
"Now," she tells Amaryl, even as she wonders when Kascha will come home, "you wanted to invite our foolish daughter to dinner?"
This deserves a brief OOC interlude. Odds are Alyssa will come along as Emily had that in mind. OOC this is a little challenging due to how your times line up, so I'd like to do that as a weekend session and knock it out in one go. How does Saturday or Sunday sound to you, Cor? I'm also going to nudge Iddy into here real quick and get his comments on it too.
This is a lot more viable if we can take care of it in big blast.
I've got smithing in the morning but nothing planned for afternoon/evening. Sunday is open.
Saturday is preferred.
Okay, I'll sit down with Iddy (or he can reply if he sees this soon and see how that lines up timewise for us. Iddy ,what time will you be back and able to game from blacksmithing?
"Yes," Amaryl agrees to you, "She contacted me and wants to talk. Hopefully she's thought over what she did and is willing to be sensible about this." A sigh follows, Amaryl slumping, "What got into that child?"
"She'll get over it," Seira says philosophically. "We've got eternity. Any chance Xera contacted you too about her progress with Kascha? It could be nice to see the three of them together."
"Yes, they're due back later this evening," Amaryl says, "They're just finishing up some business in Chan's court, they had to stop by."
"Chan owes me a cool spell that suits me, you know! Maybe that's part of it!"
Amaryl smiles and...
Next move?
I'd like to either confirm a few things or set them in motion.
Did Sanzha decide what she's doing out across the planes? Since we're pushing back against slavery on the Inner Planes, has she chosen Fire or Earth? Diplomacy, stealth or direct confrontation? I'd like confirmation that she's acting rather than waiting on me, and if so what she's going for so we don't get any crossed wires.
Did Elle and Donald set off for Earth to support the Xorn from the shadows? The idea was that they would contact their legendary Xorn leader and offer help in freeing the enslaved Xorn. If not, what are they waiting for?
Is Zaaman Rul starting rumors on my behalf re: Razalim and Kassim so that I'd have a chance at striking against Akil bin Faheem? Is there any need for my involvement at this stage?
Did any of those invited to the unveiling of the Cauldron's intermediate goals feel like taking up a task? I'll let them come to me, if so, and figure out suitable ways to let them contribute.
I asked for Valar to ensure the new guard is taking over in Kesse and to come, so when is he expected to wrap things up?
Sanzha has chosen Fire. She's working direct confrontation and basically setting things up and waiting for the big push there.
Elle and Donald are busy with that, as expected. Feel free to reach out and get info from them if you want an update.
Zaaman Rul is doing so, you confirm it with a quick message.
Valar will be done in a few weeks - there's a lot of transitory things, authority and the like takes time to fully settle. Even in a peaceful handover of power, sometimes particularly a peaceful handover. There's institutional knowledge to pass on, ensuring that things won't immediately go off the rails and helping the new guard acclimate to the situation. These things aren't the hardest task ever, but it is time consuming.
Excellent! BTW, Amaryl and I have an open proxy slot at present, correct?
After she's had a chance to catch up on things, Seira reaches out to Mystra and asks, 'Would this be a good time to visit? I was hoping to follow up on something from my trip to Avernus.'
Correct. You have 2 and one is invested in Donald. Amaryl has 1 and none invested.
You may come when you are ready.
Around the Cauldron celebrates anew, a joyful chaos that's seems to consume your entire divine realm. Amaryl is nearby, talking quietly with several faithful, who look on in intent joy.
'I'll be back,' Seira promises to Amaryl, and after a quick stop to pick up Oraga she leaves for Mystra's realm!
You appear within a mystical circle, in a room of creamy white stone interwoven with elegant orange quartz. A dim glow comes from everything, providing sufficient light to see by.
Before you is a half dragon, scales a greenish copper. He's tall and has elven features, expression nothing but perfect grace. He wears light metal armor, covering much of his body. "My lady," he says, "I am Adararos the Third. Lady Mystra bade me to welcome you and escort you to her."
"Thank you for the warm welcome," Seira responds, gesturing at her side with a smile. "This is Oraga."
The two exchange a look - short and sharp, Oraga rumbling behind you.
"Greetings. This way," Your guide says, "Is there any other business you have in Dweomerheart besides seeing Lady Mystra?"
"Not at this time," Seira demurs. "I've been meaning to look into a few esoteric matters with Mystra, so since we were both free I figured I'd take the chance."
Okay, want to chat at all or just go onto to Mystra?
Let's Mystra!
Mystra is found standing atop one of the many towers of Dweomerheart. She looks over her divine realm,a faint breeze stirring her hair. The city below is like a glittering jewel, magical radiance coming from every building, every street, everything. It is like watching a thousand stars spread out on the city below, all interlinked.
"Seira, welcome," Mystra says, "You and Alicia have triumphed again."
"We've taken a few steps down an uncertain road," Seira muses, joining Mystra at the top. "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Still! That was the catalyst for seeking you out like this. I felt like I would be able to grasp a few more things once I gained more power."
"Then ask of what you desire," Mystra says, "Merely allow me to savor the breeze while I do so."
"You told me that you knew of ways to allow those normally affected by anti-magic to cast normally under such conditions, but that it would take more than a few moments of instruction," Seira says, taking Mystra up on her offer. "Is that a method you could show me now that I'm no longer in the midst of a battle?"
Could you refresh me on what precisely she said, preferably with a link? It'll matter here and I didn't think to notetake that particular comment.
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104153.msg1112462/topicseen.html#msg1112462
'Mystra, I don't suppose you're willing to show me the using magic while under dead magic trick and help make things even for Jessica?'
'There are ways and means, but none you can realize so quickly to matter here.' Mystra's voice is a gentle pulse in your mind.
"Those means are not simple," Mystra says, "But they are not secretive. You know the first - your proxies need not worry about such a thing."
"Obviously," Seira agrees. "Where my power touches so directly, these means of holding back our magic fail. But if Lixer can teach his loser minions to do the same, I want to be able to share the means with my friends."
"An artifact can do so," Mystra says, "Artifacts are not subject to antimagic, after all." Looking out, "Properly made, one can allow others to ignore anti magic as well."
"Can any deity make artifacts, though?"
"Those gifted in magical creation can, and others can in time with practice, though on a much more limited scale, save for their personal equipment," Mystra says, "Are you talented there?"
"I'm afraid not. I left this stuff to Lagann and focused on my strengths instead. Does it mean I need to give up on giving Oraga something like this as a trump card?"
"There is one other way," Mystra says, "Allow me to show you a possibility."
"Please do," Seira requests, quite attentive!
"I can grant those who serve me the ability to ignore antimagic, but I rarely give it out," Mystra asys, "I can bestow it on those that do not, but only as a reward for a great service done." Turning to you fully now, "Thus I could Oraga, if he does a deed worthy of it. As the Weave is mine to administer, I can allow exceptions."
"That's a very generous offer!" she notes as her eyes widen. Seira urns towards Oraga with a grin, asking him, "Interested in rising up to this challenge?"
Oraga rumbles, "Challenges are made to be crushed beneath your boot."
"That's a 'Thank you for your gracious offer, Mother of all Magic, is there a task you need handled at present?' that I just heard, isn't it?"
Mystra smiles at this, "I will withhold the smiting this time. Oraga," Suddenly her voice brooks no discord, the elf shutting up and going still. "Go. Go where you are needed in my name." A flare of power and Oraga is gone.
Seira giggles. "The whole concept of proper manners is still very much a work in progress, I'm afraid. I do value honesty...." She trails off with a shrug. "I'm glad you gave Oraga the opportunity. It would be her first solo task in forever."
"We will see if she triumphs, it is not an easy task," Mystra concurs with a slight nod to you.
Seira returns that nod, before asking, "Would you mind another question? I've looked in on Balmuria, given its importance to me -- actually, I went with Marie! There is a child blessed with knowledge of magic equal to an archmage's, by all appearances. I was wondering whether you might've heard about this from Marie and Alicia, or merely due to seeing all magic?"
"Calley," Mystra says, "He is known to me. I cannot tell you how he did, for it was not done with any power of the Weave. As his mother holds 21, the conclusion is obvious, for the tools of the Incarnations are beyond even my understanding." Here she turns back to look out over Dweomerheart, "I do not like it, but I will not counteract it."
"I don't like it either, although for different reasons," Seira muses. "A kid won't have a happy childhood like that. It's not even the power, but the expectations from all around him and the attention he draws."
"I pray his mother knows what she's doing," Mystra says, as motes of purple and silver rise from Dweomerheart, slowly starting to blanket the night sky. "That there is a reason for this, a need worth the sacrifice Calley will endure. I am no stranger to necessity and will not condemn her for something done for reasons beyond her control."
A pause at this, "One such as Sylvie should have been far better. I have seen her kind over the ages, those blessed with a mind so ferocious as to consume and master everything with nary an effort. A great polymath destined for deeds wonderful or terrible, for that potential seldom withers away unused. Yet grief wounds, grief distorts as surely as pride, hatred or avarice."
"Some things can't be helped," Seira agrees. "Say, do you think that the tools of the Incarnations come from Beyond?"
"Of course they do." Mystra says as her hair is blown back, the breeze increasing as the motes of light continue to rise up. "The Incarnations came from Beyond. They made Creation. Their works are not part of Creation unless they will them to be. It's only logical."
"So anyone brave and foolish enough to take a little side trip might end up finding or creating an artifact of comparable utility?" Seira follows that train of thought. "And that's where the lich Sylian seems to be, too."
"I doubt it," Mystra says, "Those few who return from Beyond rarely come back with such things. Do not think it is so easy, or that the Incarnations did something you can match. Were it so, others would have done so already." Here she exhales out, "I have tried myself, but mere will is not sufficient to make a working like that."
"What else do you think is needed?" Seira asks curiously.
"I don't know."
Mystra says that and then begins to rise up, "The Incarnations hoard their secrets and rarely deign to tell us anything of them. My role is the Weave, I am not empowered or informed of things beyond it. But...we are all creatures of Creation. We are all within it's metaphorical frame. How could we create something that operates beyond its rules?"
"By thinking outside the box, of course, as the human saying goes," Seira instantly responds. "A better question is, just what is stopping us?"
"A box we're chained to because we know nothing else. How do you perceive the creatures of the Far Realm?" Mystra asks of you, "Madness and impossibility. How do we change ourselves to approach that? That is what is stopping us."
"Different, but not so much I can't interact with them," Seira responds to that. "Unpredictable except in that they're a menace and coexistence is impossible, but the same is true of demons just as much. We can face them, we can kill them... we can train to kill them, the way Sylian is training my champion on Balmuria. The latter strongly implies two things, Mystra. That understanding them is possible for those born of Creation, and that Sylian who also hails from here managed to do enough of it while remaining relatable himself."
"Perhaps," Mystra concedes, "But I will believe when I see such a tool wrought by one that is not an Incarnation. Do you think you can manage it?"
"I believe I can, yes," Seira responds immediately, not needing to think it over. "Whether I should is something I'm struggling with. The risks are quite considerable as well. Do I really need to bet everything on an out of context solution? Wouldn't that actually mean I'm not as certain in my answer within the rules?" She flashes an embarrassed grin at Mystra. "I start going in circles like that and just delay taking any action there."
"You're still so young," Mystra says, coming over to you. "Growing into your power, growing into your perspective. You stopped aging as a teenager and in many ways you are still but a child as a divinity." Her smile is warm, human, "The answer to those is time and consideration, there's few ways to cheat time's ability to make us grow."
A beat.
"I've seen some try and the results are so often mixed. Sometimes violently."
Seira makes a noise of agreement. In a sense, she'll always be a kid to these deities who have existed since the birth of Creation. Not that there's anything wrong with that!
"Do you mind if I jump topics again and ask you for advice on Oberuth's plight?" she voices hopefully. "Sylian seems to think it's necessary to have him besieged by nightmares of fighting creatures from Beyond, but I'd like to put a stop to that. If it's that important, Sylian can explain his reasons properly, and even then it should be Oberuth's choice, no one else's."
"Do you think you can? If Sylian has found a way to channel the power of Beyond and do it in a way stable to Creation, I know not if it can be countered," Mystra says, "It should be his choice, just like Calley should have a normal childhood."
Seira winces, though she is not discouraged so easily!
"Speaking of Calley, I received a copy of the notes he made. It seems to be some sort of involved ritual, but I can't tell what the bigger picture is from the fragments I have. How about you you? Perhaps we could try to affect either matter through analyzing what we do know and understand, rather than resorting to extreme measures right off the bat?"
"Let me see them," Mystra agrees, "No mysteries of the Weave are beyond me."
Seira produces her binder with the notes she copied from Josa's records, offering it to Mystra!
Mystra takes the notes and skims through them, flipping through them like a book. Yet after a mere handful of moments, "I can't read them," she says, expression darkening, "There's no doubt now that this is the work of 21 or a similar thing. No magic of the Weave could stop me from reading this."
Her interest peaking, Seira offers, "How about I tell you my conclusions? This appeared like an incomplete thesis at first, but as I tried to discern its purpose by looking at these three sections, a bigger picture began to emerge...."
How about I walk her through it, telling her what I see? Maybe Mystra can K:A and Spellcraft on that alone, and figure out more!
Mystra doesn't meaningfully use K:A or Spellcraft, but the point is taken. Make checks of your own for it, though.
19:21 <Lucille> roll 1d20+54+15+20+16 K:A
19:21 <Penuche> Lucille invokes Penuche's magic: < 119 > [d20=14]
19:21 <Lucille> roll 1d20+54+15+20+16 Spellcraft
19:21 <Penuche> Lucille invokes Penuche's magic: < 110 > [d20=5]
You explain things to Mystra, who listens. She makes some useful observations as well as...
"Parts of it aren't part of the Weave," she finally says, "It's well done, but it's woven together that you need those alien parts to understand the whole." A scroll appears in your hands, "This will help, but the parts that are not of the Weave are beyond me to easily understand."
"Thanks!" Seira chirps. "Oh hey, about Oraga... did you send her off on long quest?" She rubs the back of her head, laughing awkwardly. "I just realized that I'm not sure if I'm supposed to wait for her or what."
"Oraga will be some time," Mystra says, "Don't wait for her on my account. Besides," Mystra faintly smiles, "Sharess and I have a party to drop into."
"Right! Then just one last question, if you don't mind? Mystra, Lixer totally cheated with the avatar creation times, didn't he? I was wondering whether you could give myself and Amaryl a hint about how to do that, too!"
"That question is one I can answer," Mystra admits, looking up as a great cascade of motes of light rise from the city, purple and silver cascading into the sky in a seemingly endless rain. "Blood relations are a powerful force, one even the Incarnations acknowledged. Long ago the idea of deific children was discussed. The Incarnations made certain concessions to allow parents to aid their children that were also divine."
"So if my daughters ascend, we could help them," Seira muses. "But until then, we're out of luck? We can't ask Waukeen or the Seldarine for a favor, since there are no ties of blood?"
A shake of Mystra's head, "I'm afraid not," she says, "Deities are meant to work on a longer time scale. Even at the beginning, a year is meant to be nothing to them. To those rising fast, those still mortal in mind, it can seem forever."
Seira shrugs. "It's mostly because things have started moving again at a fast pace, and who knows how long we really have?"
A nod to that and...
Anything else to add here?
I'm good! I'll just thank Mystra again for everything, and seek out Lathander unless someone is getting back to me (like Sanzha re: dragon trio or Zaaman Rul re: Akil plots or Syala re: visiting).
As you go?
Oh Seira, you wanted to talk to me? We're having a beach party on Sylica, is this a good time for you?
Sure, let me get to Sylica.
I'll see you soon.
I'll close this topic and move you over to there.