Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

I need a sec to plan, so go ahead and set up Marie when she's ready to go.

The next day after that party Marie can be found in her and Antenora's room, looking at herself in the mirror and running her fingers through her hair, a prestidigitation spell smoothing and cleaning it slowly with each pass. She could do it all at once but there's something nice and restful about doing it this way, like using a hairbrush but better. And it's nice to admire her new body and how well everything fits together - not that she's going to get self obsessed and vain about it, but this higher state of being is her reward for a whole lot of hard work and risk-taking, so she doesn't feel at all guilty for giving herself some proper appreciation!

Of course that's when her sharp ears pick up a familiar pair of footsteps approaching, and she knows cogs aren't far behind.

Antenora is clad in her armor and gear, smiling. "Hello, dear," she drawls, "You look lovely."

Marie isn't wearing her starlight gown, now that she's empowered directly by Alicia that can be reserved as a fancy occasion only piece of attire. Though she is wearing a dress, a burnt orange thing with gold embroidery showing loops and whorls around her long skirt, strappy sandals worn below. "All orderly and regimented! Wouldn't want to catch my hair in the gears, right?" she smiles back at Antenora, standing up from her vanity.

"Oh yes, I've heard stories of naughty eladrin having that happen," Antenora drawls, "All because they didn't wait in line like good girls. She offers you her hand, "Shall we? In all honesty I have a place selected that I think you'll like."

"You got us diplomatic immunity but not a pass to skip the lines?" Marie asks with a hand on her hip. "Oh wait of course, the lines are part of the charm for you aren't they?" She smiles and walks over to take Antenora's hand.

A wink and the two of you are gone.

You stand in an arid desert with the night sky above - for merely a split second. A teleport and now you appear on a gear barely big enough to support the two of you. Below you is a cascading trail of gears, each one no bigger than a smallish island. Each has a different theme - one is an ocean, another is a forest, at hird is a city, a fourth is open plains, a fifth is hilly highlands, a sixth is a swamp, a seventh is a beach and so on and so forth.

"This place is known as Aryvinwatch," Antenora says, "An endless cascade of small gears that each is a small environment. They float alone, so the music of the greater gears can be heard freely, if you only concentrate. More importantly, most chaotic creatures who have reason to stay in Mechanus and the ability to teleport or take portals reside here. The variety is soothing to the chaotic soul. Each island has its own rules so long as they do not violate the rules of Mechanus and is ruled by a minor Inevitable. Ones that are usually fairly reasonable to suggestions if you argue properly."

"Aww, you didn't have to go to this trouble for me," Marie says, hugging Antenora's side. "I know you wanted to go to the part where everything looks identical and all the surfaces are gleaming metal."

"Oh, that can be a later visit," Antenora returns that hug, an arm around her. "Since we'll have to come back again and again, naturally." Smiling as she looks down, "Let's go find a gear you like and see about having fun on it and meeting who rules it?"

"Unless we get thrown out," she whispers slyly, before more loudly and pointing down at the city gear. "That one!"

It's a traditional city - albeit unnaturally clean. Wide streets with drainage and underground sewage, buildings of stone and wood dominating. It's nice enough, perhaps half the size of Balmuria, and arraigned in a circle. The roads are a spiral throughout it, winding around and around to the edges of the gear. People come and go - people of all kinds, a planar mishmash at a glance, but with a large quantity of Inevitables and other such things. In the center of the gear is a tall building, made of shining steel.

'Really,' Antenora drawls, 'I figure the fun will be getting whatever rules we want passed if we can find the right Inevitable ruler. That will be quite fun, don't you think?'

"And they called me subversive?" Marie gasps. "Maybe there's hope for you yet. Lets try getting some of the local colour first though," she says, hunting around for a tavern to get a drink and some local gossip.

Diplomacy check.

[20:02] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+48 eladrin diplomacy
[20:02] <+Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d20=18]

The city is named Rayville and is home to about 50% natives and 50% off plane visitors.

It is ruled by Raymand XI, a new Inevitable that is learning the rules. The rules are fairly simple right now - no fighting, no littering and no using magic above the third circle in town (and within 200ft of it) except for teleportation and similar magics. Violating these rules results in expulsion and banishment from Rayville.

There's some local industry but it's mostly visitors living here short to long term.

Right now the big news is...

- Simande, a harvester devil, is in a feud with Kacka, a half elven priestess of Hanali Celanil. They just don't get along and argue excessively, nearly coming to blows several times. Both are popular and well liked, resulting in cliques that don't get along.
- Rags, a strange creature with a floating head and who wears what his name suggests, has set up a small shrine to Ilmater. He's competing against Sir Penning, a dwarven knight who serves Empress Sulia and offers much of the same services. They really don't like each other - both religious rivalry and flat out bad personal chemistry. It's less obvious and more simmering than the previous two, but it's a flash point.
- Octomar the Bold, a wizard tiefling, has opened a small magic shop in town. His wares are generally thought to be high quality and he's getting a good reputation.
- Rumor is a traveling circus will visit Rayville in the next few weeks.
- Raymand spends most of his time reading reports about Rayville in depth, but it's about time for him to come out and see what's going on. He sometimes passes new laws after he does, so everyone's waiting on that.

"Oh yes, that's why I don't like Mechanus, they tolerate devils here," Marie says, making a face as she hears about that harvester devil, leaning against bar so clean she can see her reflection in it and gesturing with a mug of frothy alcoholic liquid at Antenora. "Also why ban magic above the third circle? Are they aiming for the same theme as Alicia's world had before they started breaking those seals?"

"We could ask," Antenora has a long sip of water, eyes closed as she does. 'Is this the one you want to make a play in?'

Meanwhile around you are people drinking and eating. It's a fairly decent crowd - besides a hezrou, eating in the corner and with people giving the smelly demon a large berth.

'What sort of play are you thinking?' Marie asks back in telepathy. 'I think shoving a devil in to be ground up in the gears might stretch your diplomatic immunity.'

'I was thinking of play, not work,' Antenora says, 'But there's an obvious loophole. Teleportation and similar magic aren't banned. We get him to accept a spell somehow or another with us elsewhere and deal with his evil.'

A pause to drink water, then raise her glass, "Some of those cheesed potatoes, please, and juice with them."

Once ordered, 'But we may want a city or a gear with a bit less evil for pure play.'

'Or we lend Kacka a hand so she can deal with him?' Marie suggests as she sips her drink. 'You've got to start acting more indirectly now you're a goddess, Antenora. Lets do that so you can get some practice then we'll find somewhere more laid back to relax?'

As laid back as Mechanus will ever get, anyway.

'Mmm-hmm,' Antenora drawls, 'So we're going to do it indirectly, love? Then again, maybe I should follow my own instincts instead of submitting to your will? ...but no, I do so enjoy following your lead, Marie.'

"That's no good," Marie says out loud, reaching over and patting Antenora's forearm. Then back in telepathy, 'You're a goddess, you're One. Don't second guess yourself, follow your instincts.'

Antenora turns and raises an eyebrow, "Really? You aren't fond of cheese and potatoes?"

Then in your mind, 'I'm not second guessing myself. I am realizing how much I adore you and like following your lead, Marie. I don't second guess the love I feel for you.'

"It's very bland and stodgy," she says aloud without missing a beat. "Put some spicy beans on there at least."

'That's lovely, but I wouldn't doubt your love just because you didn't follow my advice all the time. So tell me really how you want to handle things here.'

"Say, if spells above third circle are illegal, is that to have them or to cast them? My daily wards are all above that," she adds thoughtfully.

"Add those," Antenora says and then waiting, 'Smite the devil, sort things out and then find somewhere to have less work and more fun.'

'Then lets do that. After you eat your potatoes anyway,' Marie sends back, having a drink of her watered down ale.

The server, a mechanical creature like an Inevitable but shorter, merely says, "According to Raymand, the casting is. There is nothing in the law said about spells already cast."

"Hmm," Marie looks at the helpful inevitable. "That's good for me at least. Still makes it a poorly written law to have that big a loophole though."

"I agree. Raymand is learning," The creature says, voice stiff, metallic. "He will be great one day, but he must learn the arts of the law himself."

'Whether it's before or after we do the devil thing, lets stick around for when Raymand comes out to talk about his laws so we can give him a hand fixing them? Now I just feel sorry for him,' she sends to Antenora.

'Mmm-hmm,' Antenora agrees.

Next move here?

Probably easier to deal with the devil and then look at fixing the laws, so I'll follow Antenora's lead for how she'd prefer to go about that.

As you go out, 'Let's go meet the devil, see if we can easily coax him into a fatal mistake,' Antenora sends to you.

Marie nods and heads to where gossip suggests Simande's stomping grounds are!

Simande resides in a comfortable ale house, where the clientele drinks and talks quietly. Dimly lit, comfortable indeed. Deep, soft chairs, warmth from a fireplace and the scent of food and books fills the air. Simande himself is sitting at a table, enjoying a glass of ale and reading some papers. He's a classical harvest devil, save for a pair of spectacles.

'Well Antenora, going to walk up and stab him good?' Marie asks as the pair of them walk in through the front door and look around. 'Or have something more cunning in mind?'

'Nothing like that. I'm going to befriend him. He's intelligent,' Antenora remarks, 'Unusually so for a harvester devil. I think I can coax him to see the error of his ways. If I'm wrong, well, diplomatic immunity is a useful tool.'

Antenora strides right up and takes a seat opposite him. She smiles as he looks up and says, "Miss....I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting?" he says, wearing a rich green robe with pants glimpsed below. He smiles is natural one, all easy, debonair charm.

"Antenora Reynes, Opal Angel of Redemption," Antenora offers right back, a server coming over with ale, placing it before Antenora. She has a sip and settles in, smiling back.

"I can't say I'm familiar with you," Simande says, "But I do focus on more...mortal matters, you understand." An almost sheepish look, an aw shucks sort of smile that wouldn't melt a snowflake.

"Nor am I familiar with you," Antenora sips away, "But my own focus is on cosmic events of titanic importance, such as chastising the new Lord of the First or seeing that Shar is held in check. Important matters, I'm sure you understand." Her own smile is ever so slightly cutting, the two exchanging a long look.

"It seems we move in entirely different circles," Simande concludes, putting his papers down and taking off his spectacles, letting them fall atop his papers with a casual flick of his wrist.

"We do. You are in the circle that is commonly mistaken for vermin. Whenever I step about, I crush them understood with no effort whatsoever." With an even sweeter smile free of any malice at all, Antenora meets his gaze.

> roll 1d20+47
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+23
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=15]

Force helpfulness used.

Simande hesitates one moment, visibly so. Antenora pauses to drink as the harvester devil rallies himself and then continues. "Duke Agares was a powerful opponent, but is now forgotten into the annals of Hell. Have you heard of Natara? A powerful soldier who served Abigor, yet who came in second best against my spear." Antenora taps her weapon down for emphasis, the dull thunk of the wooden shaft echoing in the increasingly silent bar.  "Lixer, Abigor, Bel, the Spark Hunters. So many opponents who utterly failed."

Simande's color drains as Antenora focuses on him, a shaky smile that's fading altogether, "Ah, I see, I see," he manages, voice a little too quick. "T-then shall we negotiate for your purpose here, Antenora?"

"A lovely idea," Antenora flashes him a real smile, "I'm here to get to know you, make you a friend. A friend who stands to profit immensely if we get along."

Simande blinks one moment at that, his color brightening as he takes a breath, "Now you're touching on my specialty," Simande says,

"But first," Antenora pauses, "Let me introduce you to my wife, Marie. Say hello, Marie."

Marie listens along to Antenora's spiel, rather enjoying how impressive it all makes her sound, until she's dragged into the conversation. "Hello," she raises a hand and waggles slender fingers in a wave. "I'm Marie. I don't really have a long list of impressive deeds and vanquished foes under me, unfortunately. I'm more of an assistant to the really impressive people like Antenora. I hope we can get along!" she gives a nice friendly smile to keep on the same wavelength as Antenora.

"Ah yes, she's only done a few things," Antenora doesn't miss a beat. "Recently, she was with me and others as we stormed a demonic fortress on Limbo, crushed all who opposed us, slew the Radiant Sister of Malcanthet who ran it and then dealt with the aspect of Chourst who came to play." A pause as she sips her ale slowly, "Trivial things for us, really."

"Hel..." Is all Simande gets out, freezing at Antenora's words.

"Ah, I understand." Antenora says, smiling, "Worry not, we won't further badger you with events you can scarcely imagine and scarcer accept."

"...perhaps that would be wise," Simande admits, "You're rather above my own experiences." He goes for his own mug of ale, drinking deeply. Marie can spot his hand shaking as he does so, ale sloshing before being gulped down.

"Yes, I've experienced things of a richness you can't begin to understand, not yet. I'd like to help you with that, help you profit beyond your wildest dreams. Simande, what have you been doing here?" Antenora leans forward at that.

> roll 1d20+47
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+23
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d20=14]

A pause. The two stare eye to eye before Simande gulps. "Field work, ma'am," he says quickly, "Mortals here who are not sworn to Mechanus are likely well suited to my efforts, because they are lawfully inclined or sympathetic to lawful causes."

"I see." Antenora sits back and closes her eyes a moment, as if considering. Her voice is slightly sharper now, "Show me all the contracts and soul pacts. Now." There is an undercurrent of authority in her voice, something that makes Simande sit straight up.

"Yes, m-ma'am," Simande gets up, fumbling in his robes for something as he hurries off.

"Oh, and Simande," Antenora's voice is softer now, friendlier, "I'll take it as a personal failing if you decide to run off. You don't want to let me down, do you?"

"N-n-no ma'am!" Simande hurries off even faster, running to the back of the tavern, all eyes on you.

Marie drops herself into a seat next to Antenora then pushes a foot against the table-leg to rock her chair backwards, balancing it precariously on only two legs. "I'm still building my reputation," she says cheerfully on the topic of her recent adventure.

"We'll see it rise up yet," Antenora concurs.

'Now he should understand I am a superior to him. Our telepathic conversations have further cemented this.' Antenora sends, 'Like this, my words likely cannot reach him. He is too evil, too prideful. But to position myself, give him the shock he needs to truly listen? It will be the first step.'

'Sounds like a plan,' Marie responds telepathically. 'Going to go through all his contracts to get them annulled?'

"I wouldn't want to shame Alicia by not doing so," she agrees aloud on the subject of raising her reputation. She's a proxy after all, that has expectations!

'Mmm-hmm,' Antenora sends right back as she drinks more. 'Would you like a mug? It's high quality. Simande has good tastes and a good brewer.'

'Oh go on, I figure we'll be here a while,' she responds amiably.

Surprisingly not. Simande hurries back, an armful of parchments and papers. He places them down quickly, "Here, ma'am," he says, breathlessly.

"Fantastic," Antenora puts down her ale and examines the first. Not for long before she holds it up, "Unacceptable."

> roll 1d20+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=10]

The parchment bursts into hellfire, crumbling into dust in seconds.

Simande stares, "My contract!" he wails, "That was worth two souls!"

"It is worth no souls now," Antenora's voice is sharp, lapsing into Infernal, "You think this impresses me, Simande?" Antenora reads the next, this one passed to you. 'Put it away for later, this one is deep enough that the victim will need to atone.' The third is read and held up, bursting into hellfire as well.

Simande stares, paler and paler as Antenora goes through them all. By the end Marie has three contracts in hand, the rest dust on the wind.

"You have utterly failed," Antenora continues, "Do you see that now? Your foolish strutting has attracted the attention of a superior, who took the time from her own work to instruct you on your failures. All your work here is meaningless. MEANINGLESS!" Antenora rises, slamming a fist down on the table. The wood cracks and snaps from her blow as she gazes at Simande, who cringes back.

"None of that has any meaning compared to this!" Anteora says, meeting the cringing devil's eyes.

> roll 1d20+10
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=15]

Antenora glows with a faint opal light, the hope of heaven spreading throughout the tavern.

Simande falls back, dazed. He stares at nothing at all, Antenora's expression softening. "But you see that? There is hope for you and every other creature in Creation." Her voice is softer now, "Take my hand and we'll begin to travel towards that. It won't be an easy trip, it'll be the hardest thing you've ever done, but the reward there is beyond anything Hell could ever give you."

Marie neatly folds  up the parchments Antenora gives her, otherwise sitting still through her haranguing of the devil. She doesn't even lean her chair back, not wanting to be disrespectful when her wife is in such fine form!

> roll 1d20+54 (+7 circumstance)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=11]

The devil looks on - and stares up in shaking, quivering defiance, "I can't," he says, voice strained.

"...I'm sorry, then," Antenora stands up, spear in hand. "Remember - it will be available as long as you live."

> roll 1d20 1 check
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d20=3]

Not bothering with damage here, she blew a smite so it's academic against a low level creature.

In a flash Simande is impaled, turning to ash in seconds, which dissolves into a foul, green smoke that lingers in the air. Antenora sighs and shakes her head, "Even then, changing the heart of a fiend is hardly the work of moments, no matter how strongly you persuade them. Come on, Marie, let's go before we get ejected. We'll find a better gear."

"It was fun while it lasted," Marie stands up and smooths out her skirt. "Sorry for the interruption everyone," she says to the others at the tavern, leading Antenora out of the door and then flying up into the air to leave this cog behind.

Rather hurriedly, as robotic Inevitables are heading to the tavern. But you're faster and smoother, Antenora not stopping, "It was a fun try," she agrees, "So, now for the vacation part of this. What sort of gear do you want, Marie?"

"Lets try the forest one?" Marie suggests, pointing it out and teleporting closer.

As the two of them go there?

Meanwhile...

Alicia's work is never ending. Right now she watches the beginnings of her realm's navy. Naeys is there, magic woven to construct long, low ships in moments, others watching. Celestials and mortals both, taking in his work. The boats are unadorned, unremarkable - and solid as can be, real things created.

'Alicia,' Emmaline's voice, a prayer, 'Can you hear me?'

Alicia smiles as she watches the work proceed, answering Emmaline's prayer not with words but with a warm sensation of encouragement, the recognition that someone is listening and she's not just shouting into the void.

'Does it ever get easier?' Is the message you get back, a voice full of longing.

That deserves an actual reply, and Alicia gives it to her.

Time is a great healer. The sadness, the pain, those sharp-edged feelings do round themselves off in time. You focus on the happy memories, the good moments grow easier to recall instead.

'Time,' Emmaline responds, 'How do I endure the time when I hurt so? How do I endure the sharp edges when they cut into my soul? I'm not strong enough.'

I didn't think I was strong enough either. I distrust any that would claim otherwise. While you will have to find your own answer, for me? It was distracting myself. Keeping my mind and body busy with other tasks so I didn't spend all my time dwelling on the wound in my heart.

'What can I do, then?' Emmaline asks, 'Food grows as it is needed here and money is a luxury. What is there to do here, Alicia? What can I do?'

Where are your skills and interests? You have a talent for magic? You can refine that, learn more - or teach what you already know to others. Or you can put that talent to use more directly, as I used my skill at sword and spell to protect the innocent and slay those who would inflict such loss on others.

Take heed my warning if you countenance the latter path, it can be a lonely road soaked in blood. Having trustworthy comrades and friends can make all the difference in the world.

'...I'd like to teach someone,' Emmaline finally says. 'Someone who can keep up with me.'

Alicia sends a feeling of warm encouragement and approval for Emmaline's choice there. There are many potential students here in Sylica. I will see that one finds their way to you.

After all, she has people pray to her for help in improving their magic all the time, it shouldn't be hard to find a promising candidate with a sweet personality to send over to Emmaline.

Go ahead and make up and send someone, there's plenty of people so you should get close to something that lines up to your desires.

Alicia resists the urge to do something trite like sending an orphan to Emmaline so they can be surrogates to one another. Instead she chooses a young tiefling mage with a brilliant mind and lots of potential, but a rather lacking physique that he nonetheless refuses to let hold him back from the battlemagic he wishes to master for the benefit of protecting others and making the planes a safer place. Not out of any tragic backstory or anything, just out of firm morals and an unyielding belief in the goodness of the human spirit beating any stain of fiendish ancestry in his bloodline.

Orakio Chernorn may only be a teenager, but like Seira he's already a powerful one, and played a minor role in supporting the final battles for Lifasa. Inspired by what he saw of the heroes that saved that world, under Emmaline's tutelage he might even rise up to match them.

Done and done. As Alicia sets that up?

Meanwhile...

Antenora and Marie land in a thick, verdant forest. The song of birds is heavy in the air, underlaid by a gentle click-clack of gears. "Mmm, a forest and I don't sense any intelligent minds nearby," Antenora says, "How do you plan to vacation here, Marie?"

"I thought the whole point was you'd be showing me all the delightful well-regulated and orderly activities one can enjoy on Mechanus," Marie returns, having a look around. "I mean I like a nice walk in the woods as much as the next girl, but we can do that anywhere."

"I suppose I can, but that's hardly any fun for you," Antenora admits, sidelong looking over at you. "I want you to be happy, Marie. I know that if we sit there and listen to the song of the gears for hours you'll be miserably bored."

"Mmmph," Marie makes a soft little exhalation. "I was hoping we'd do those well-regulated activities and I could inject a little subversive fun into the mix, not just sit around on our bums listening to birdsong and clockwork."

"Marie," Antenora comes over and takes her hand, "Do you really want to drive Inevitables to irritation the entire vacation?"

Marie squeezes Antenora's hand. "I don't care about the inevitables, I wanted to needle you a bit though," she admits honestly, looking up at her. "Just a bit of playful mischief, see if I could make you laugh, that sort of thing. Are we really that bad at taking vacations?" she asks bluntly since nothing seems to be going to plan for either of them.

"...I think we have both failed vacation taking," Antenora says solemnly.

"Lets just go home and hole up in our room for a couple of days and not let anyone disturb us," Marie nods firmly. "If we're meant to be in Mechanus that's just as good as far as Alicia and the rest know."

Antenora matches that nod, "We'll just be quiet and keep ourselves company, personally. I'm sure we can keep each other occupied for a few days."

"Sounds like a plan!" Marie agrees, plane-shifting them back to Sylica. And how nice that she can just do that instead of having to go to Ysgard then walk in through the gate now!

Thus with her proxy and fellow deity occupying themselves, Alicia has to keep herself busy. As things are fairly quiet at the moment though she monitors how Ox is doing on Lifasa. As the subject of her competition with Auril she ought to keep an eye on him, though the lack of any desperate prayers is promising.

At the moment Ox is training, learning. Both physically and spiritually, practicing at one of your shrines.

You sense Auril's presence near him, watching as well.

Well, why not say hello? Keeping an eye on the Competition? she asks Auril.

Winter watches and waits when summer blossoms, waiting to see what shall be frozen under snow and ice.

How charmingly poetic. It actually inspires her to respond in kind.

We'll see then, if he's an evergreen pine that can outlast the seasons.

He is not. None can stand against winter.

Time will tell.

There's really no point arguing about it, all she can do is wait and see how Ox handles whatever travails Auril intends to put in his way, but he won't have her hanging over his shoulder for all of that.

Don't have anything else pressing right now, so barring interrupts I guess timeskip a bit to Zariel feeling up to talking more?

It's perhaps half a day later that you hear Jessica's prayer. 'Sister, would you come to the bakery. Zariel has appeared here.'

And it's just a second later that Alicia appears within arms-reach of her sister!

Zariel is sitting on one of the chairs inside, watching Jessica and family work. She's slowly eating a roll, a few people lingering and watching, but things mostly empty otherwise.

"Alicia," Zariel and Jessica say at exactly the same time. They blink and Zariel pushes forward first. "I thought some food would be nice."

She smiles and raises a hand in greeting to Jessica before drifting over to Zariel. "Wanted something more processed than what the wilds provide?" she asks. "I don't blame you. My sister's husband is a wonderful baker - I'm particularly partial to the elven bread. Nothing at all like real elven bread, it's a human corruption of the recipe, but it works as a treat."

A slight nod, "Hell did not lack in feasts for those who rule it," Zariel begins, "Yet here, I am reminded of Hell's failing. The truest children of Hell are lemure, who are often thought as little more than ammunition. Indeed, the Dark Ministry classifies lemures as ammunition officially." Her gaze is on Jessica's children, helping out as they can, running to and fro.

"I think the feeling is that the truly talented will still survive, but all lemures are mindless identical things and their survival is down to the whims of chance in the chaotic throes of battle they're funnelled into," Alicia muses, keeping their conversation from anyone but herself, Zariel, and Jessica's ears. "How many sublime mortal tyrants end as a mindless fleshy mass sundered on a demon's claws while a crooked loan shark could survive until promotion and claw his way up to the higher stations of the pit instead?"

"Few." Zariel says, "Do not think such things are not tracked. Those truly sublime are put on a different track, protected away from the battlefield. Every soul in Hell is catalogued and understood, Alicia. The veneer of fairness Baator puts forth is its most heartbreaking illusion." Her voice is sour, venomous. Her lips twist downward, "The truly sublime of course make pacts and avoid ever becoming a lemure, or are raised to the nobility and transformed without dying."

"Ah," Alicia says, feeling a mite foolish. Of course she knows about contracts like that - Beth made one, albeit it's one she and Antenora argued was invalid on its core premise. "I suppose that is a thing that happens." She and Jessica were themselves raised in a similar manner by Mystra without needing to die.

Jessica glances over at that but keeps her focus on the children.

"At the bottom of Hell is supreme evil - and distortion, I think," Zariel says, "Distortion into whatever Asmodeus desires. Into whatever tool he desires. All bow to him, the one and supreme of Baator. Everything else, every other glory is a lie predicated on making him seem more prestigious, more glorious, more perfect."

"I've heard Antenora often espouse similar sentiments," she says, back on more solid footing. "That Hell is singularly bent around Asmodeus's will, to a degree that you could call it all an extension of him. Even the other Lords schemes against him all tilt towards his own secret ends."

"A shrine to one soul's egotism," Zariel scoffs, a sour and ugly sound. "The rigid needs of order, subverted and twisted into a mockery."

"That's what evil does though, doesn't it?" she asks. "Primus could be said to fulfil a similar role in Mechanus, and yet he is bereft of ego. His role is but the largest cog in a grand design where everything plays its part. Asmodeus represents the corruption of order into tyranny."

Zariel's gaze is on you as she asks, "Then what of Celestia?"

"Chronias, which all seek to one day join with?" she muses aloud. "It's the commonality of purpose and desire - the promise of harmony so long as one keeps striving to reach it. You can break it down thematically that way. Pure law is perfect synchronisation. Everything in its place without having to think about it. Mix in evil and that synchronisation all spirals around a single individual's dominating will. Mix in good, and that synchronisation becomes the harmony of many individuals striving in concert."

"Individuals - worthless pawns and yet I can no longer believe that," Zariel says, closing her eyes, looking away. "I remember too much more. I want to be more again."

"Under that system you were but a worthless pawn of Asmodeus, as casually tossed aside as any lemure," Alicia nods. "Whatever glories or flattery he heaps on one, they will never be more than a pawn to him." She lifts up her hand, a piece of powdered elf-bread appearing in it as she has a bite and chews on the baked confection. "Mystra recently asked me where I see myself in a century's time. It's a useful thought exercise for considering one's goals and priorities. Where do you see yourself with the passing of a few decades and your freedom, Zariel?"

"...I don't know," Zariel replies slowly, eyes down cast. "Right now I'm not sure what I want."

"Mmm," Alicia hums, eating a bit more elf bread before she offers Zariel a square. "There's going back to the familiar past, or trying something new. Obviously Torm isn't relevant here, but before that? Did you follow an archangel, or one of the hebdomad?" she asks.

The square is taken, a bite and a grimace, "I've never liked overly sweet things," she says, putting it aside. "Too much sugar."

"You'd probably prefer the original recipe then," Alicia says apologetically, a twisted knot of more savoury bread appearing in her hand which she offers to Zariel by way of recompense.

A bite of it and then another, the two of you silent a short time. "Raziel in principle and theory, but in reality was a free agent. I didn't fit neatly with any of the Hebdomad."

"I'm fond of Raziel," Alicia says. "We're kindred spirits in many ways. So going back there is an option - there's nothing wrong with a retreat to familiar ground when you're unsure of yourself. But if you didn't fit in then, it's going to be less so now. So that leaves finding something new." She finishes her own imitation elf bread, dusting her fingers off afterwards.

"There's no rush of course. What's a few months or even years between immortals? Still, leave it long enough and that search for meaning becomes it's own meaning, and you'll end up a navel gazing philosopher more than anything else."

"I have an impression Antenora has tendencies towards that," Zariel remarks, as the bustle and hustle of the shop is resuming, people giving you a respectful berth.

"Her mind is sometimes a tangled web," Alicia confirms with a nod, herself and Zariel fading from the awareness of others in the bakery, not invisible just not so attention-getting. "She's very goal-oriented. Point her at a problem and she'll solve it expediently, leave her to her own devices and she meanders in her own thoughts. Marie serves well to keep her from getting too lost in it, and they enjoy spirited debates on the merits of law versus chaos."

"Antenora would be at home amid old sages endlessly arguing about the same pedantic concerns," Zariel says, giving you a look. "Tell me I'm wrong, you can't."

"You've already grasped her character most adroitly," Alicia says, hiding a smile. "Repeating the same well-trod arguments between Law and Chaos with Marie does seem to be one of her main joys in life."

"You see fond of it," Zariel remarks neutrally, no particular inflection to her voice at all.

"It has a certain benign pettiness to it that amuses me," Alicia says honestly. "But I'm fond of Antenora, which includes all her foibles."

"Is she available? A debate, a simple discussion strikes my fancy," Zariel asks.

"Let me ask," she says, knowing full well that Marie and Antenora barely lasted half an hour before scurrying home from Mechanus.

Antenora, do you have some spare time to spend with Zariel? She's interested in debating with you.

...Yes, I can spare some time.

She'll feel better when she has an avatar to delegate things to.

We're in Roald's bakery if you want to come pick her up. Or should I send her to you?

Antenora appears besides both of you, "I'm here," she says, meeting eyes with Zariel. The two exchange a look, silent otherwise.

"She didn't specify a favoured topic but I'm sure you can find something worth discussing," Alicia says, excusing herself from the pair and going over to join her sister.

"Busy day, hmm?" she says casually to Jessica.

Jessica flashes you a smile at that, "Oh yes, even that aside. Also, isn't Antenora back early?"

"I don't think Mechanus lived up to anyone's expectations," Alicia says softly, a little shake of her head.

That gets an ever so soft and rich laugh, "How could it, with how they used it as a fencing foil for decades?"

"That's the saddest thing, Antenora won't be able to threaten her with it anymore," Alicia smiles a little. "The dream is over. Though... maybe she'll just swap over to using Arcadia next."

A warm, sisterly chuckle at that, "Poor Antenora and Marie. They'll find something else, I'm sure."

"Marie'll have time to think of something since I dragged Antenora away to talk to Zariel," Alicia nods. "I think they're annoyed at me for cutting into their private time, but they were planning on spending a week holed up in their room and not seeing else, that's not healthy."

"I personally think it's romantic," Jessica glances over at Roald and sighs, "Some days I'd take 5 minutes. Say Alicia, can you spare an evening to watch the kids this week?"

"I don't mind, whenever suits you best," Alicia says with an agreeable smile. "Between my avatar and I one of us can keep them suitably entertained for you two to have some alone time."

Meanwhile, Antenora and Zariel seem lost in conversation - telepathic conversation, not a word uttered aloud. They gesture here and there, as if having a normal discussion.

She assumed they'd go elsewhere to talk, but so long as they're not disturbing anyone. "Just let me know," she says to Jessica before vanishing from the scene.

She decides to check in on how her first proxy is doing by monitoring Ebony's situation on Aurora. Though they've scaled back since Lifasa was liberated Sylica still has a commitment there and she'd like to see it's being used appropriately.

d100 real quick.

[19:59] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[19:59] <+Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d100=45]

Ebony is with Hanna at the moment. The two are overlooking soldiers training, in the middle of a quiet conversation.

"...and even then, I worry," Hanna says. "A single ubalukk is bad enough."

"Yes, of course," Ebony replies, hood up as she watches brave soldiers prepare, single man vs man practice fights. "Blood madness is not to be taken lightly."

Any knowledge for what an ubalukk is?

K:P.

[20:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+84 buffed up knowledge check (greater heroism, guidance of the avatar, divine insight)
[20:36] <+Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 93 > [d20=9]

Ubalukk are a type of obyrith. They are known as fiends of blood madness and destroy the 'sanity of blood'. Injury from one causes part of the victim's blood to become an alien entity, emerging as a head that attempts to devour the creature. Most are also powerful sorcerers specializing in corrupt magic and mind-destroying spells.

They're notable for having a pact with the First Vampire, something you recall from Ebony's Aurora reports.

Of course she can wait for Ebony's scheduled reports, but since she's paying attention now... Ebony, how fares the new crusade against the First Vampire?

Ebony bows her head and murmurs to Hanna, "A moment, please."

Then in prayer she responds, 'We are beginning, but there are omens of trouble ahead. Ubalukk obiyriths are active and returning in numbers not seen in countless ages. Dark omens are seen and menace looms over us.'

That at least suggests Aurora's on the right track. Go with the light of Sylica. Latha can be sent to aid you if the situation is ever vital enough to require her strength.

'I understand. Thank you, Saint Alicia.'

Alright, so things are stable enough with Ebony. Her other proxy isn't doing anything important. She'll go check in with Strength of Light next and see how things are going with preparing the expedition to Daun.

Gimme a d100.

[21:13] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[21:13] <+Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d100=50]

Soldiers are preparing, training. All underwater and swimming, practicing at that and drilling. Strength of Light watches them and shouts commands as needed.

Go ahead.

"How are they shaping up?" Alicia asks as she comes over next to Strength of Light, looking over things herself.

"Alicia," A warm smile graces Strength of Light's face, "First of all, congratulations. Second of all, steadily. We're not strong with aquatic tactics, but the timing of this is good. They're making progress."

"Thank you. Zariel's even proving to be worth the effort, it seems like," she smiles at his congratulations. "I wasn't so much thinking of Daun when I expanded Sylica this way, but it is a helpful happenstance to give us a better training ground for the battles we're likely to see over there."

A slight nod at that, eyes on you. "It still has worked out well. How soon until we deploy?"

"Four more weeks at minimum, longer if we need it. While Sulia needs the help, we can't afford the losses we'd take actually learning in hostile territory. Get everyone as prepared as you can for aquatic combat here before we risk them in battle," Alicia answers. "We've got a wealth of experience from our Lifasan veterans, I want to make sure they can pass it on before they see battle again."

"We may need longer," Strength of Light confirms, "How good is good enough here?"

"I'd want them at least as comfortable fighting underwater as in the air," Alicia says. "I believe the on-Prime resistance for Lifasa was forced into the seas by Hell and that's where most of the fighting took place before Aurora's final push. I'll see if I can find some extra trainers from that side."

If I have any worshippers who were in Makaril's resistance I'll tap them. Otherwise I'll call in a favour with Aurora to point me at someone helpful via Makaril.

You'd have a few, sure.

"We have a few and I can get more with favors," Strength of Light says, "Those fjords aren't just for decoration, there's as much combat below the waves as above them in Ysgard."

"Call them in, and I'll do the same," Alicia nods. "The situation on Daun is bad but it's stable. If our forces are to make a difference they need to be up to the job."

Okay. Anything else you want to do here?

That basically covers my intentions.

Soon enough you hear in your mind, 'Zariel and I had a long talk, and among other things, she wishes to visit the Cauldron now. I feel she's made strides, though she has some way to go.'

Why don't you take her over then? I think Seira will be thrilled to play hostess, and I'm happy to let Zariel travel as she pleases.

Whatever progress remains, she's quite confident Zariel isn't a terrifying threat to everyone around her at this point.

I shall. Sometimes a glimpse of light is what is needed, once pride is broken down and sorrow is all that remains.

And sorrows Zariel has to spare. Thank you, Antenora.

I will see to her. I know not what her future holds, but it is brighter than it was before this.

I don't really need to reply to that, so yeah best wishes to Zariel at the cauldron!

Anything else you're doing right away?

No, things are kinda quiet right now. Just doing goddess things, looking after Sylica and all that!

Gimme a d100.

[19:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[19:35] <+Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d100=17]

It's not long until you sense it. A small roadside shrine of yours, a traveler's shrine made by one of your faithful in Malmuth. On a quiet, dusty path. You feel her presence - the presence of Shar, through a worshiper of Shar. An offensive presence, a dreadful thing that rattles in the back of your teeth and the center of your stomach.

Well that's unpleasant. Alicia devotes her full attention to monitoring what's happening there, and gives Marie a mental prod in case it's something that requires the attention of her proxy.

She can let some petty vandalism or the like go by with just telling her worshippers in the region to look out for the culprit, but if it's something more sinister she'll respond forcefully.

The shrine itself is a little statue of you, perhaps two feet tall. It's crude but done lovingly, a few offerings of flowers and food before it from previous passerbys. The man before it is a slightly plump merchant, wearing fine if worn clothes. He gets off a horse and eyes the shrine, a rather wicked smile as he takes out the unholy symbol of Shar, closing his eyes and beginning to pray.

You can tell the spell he's casting - desecrate.

That's distressing, but it's not really worth sending a proxy or avatar over. Besides if it's a concerted campaign to overextend her and lure one of those into an ambush, Shar has a lot more to throw around than she does.

Intending to nudge one of her priests in this direction to fix things up later, she settles for cursing the Sharran priest.

Alter reality to hit him with a custom bestow curse that makes it impossible for him to tell lies. Assuming it works off the same DC as limited wish then it's either DC 31 will using my normal casting DCs, or DC 43 will using the DC set for my divine SLAs.

> roll 1d20+9
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=12]

Do you want the curse to be obvious at all or come with any sign, or simply be subtle?

Subtle, he can figure it out for himself.

Done and done.

An eye for an eye, Alicia?

Oh hello Shar, how we've missed your dulcet tones.

Was that a cry for attention?

No, a warning for those too foolish to see danger when they court it.

Yes, it was rather reckless of your priest. If you have any others in need of instruction I'll be happy to oblige.

I find I crave your instruction, Alicia. Come. Come to my realm and instruct me. I'm sure we will both find it...remarkable.

This went in a direction she was entirely unprepared for.

Still, there will come a day when she does face Shar in her realm, hopefully to put her down for good.

I will remember that invitation.

A flicker of images in your mind's eye. The soft cry of a woman's passions, the gentle feel of a feminine body against yours, the intoxicating scent of the truly beautiful. Shadowy flashes in your mind, as much darkness as a true image.

I await you, Alicia. We will have such marvelous...battles there.

Shar's laughter, soft and mocking, echos in your ears before fading away.

What a thoroughly strange and unpleasant experience.

She needs a kitty-consult!

Sharess, Shar just flirted with me. How do you deal with something like that?

Warm laughter fills your mind.

Ah, Shar can certainly use her wiles and beauty to ensnare. Don't forget she can be the Dark Dancer, a figure of allure and temptation. You ignore it if you can and go and deal with the, ahem, tension if you can't. That is what you keep Syala around for, isn't it?

Don't let it get to you. She uses it as another weapon to advance her agenda. Strengthen yourself against it as you must, for those who succumb are ultimately consumed into nothingness by her touch.

Well it didn't really get to her like that and she doesn't want to do anything intimate with such thoughts fresh in mind, so ignoring it works!

Okay, I just wanted to check if it was something others have to deal with as well. That's not the sort of special treatment I'd like to receive! I'll just put it out of mind, yes.

She uses it on occasion on us, but she mostly aims it at mortals. We're usually too wise to fall for it. Unless she felt she could needle you over it or strike a weak point.

I think it's just her needling. One of her followers vandalised a minor shrine of mine and I cursed him. She spoke to me afterwards and after I got a good one in our verbal sparring she resorted to strange flirtations. Thank you for putting my mind at ease, Sharess. I'll go find a cat to pet.

And she does, Alicia appearing in one of Liberton's alleyways where somebody's feline familiar is catching a sunbeam on a window-ledge. "Good cat," Alicia says, taking off her gauntlet to pet the cat's warm grey fur.

The cat purrs to the touch, a distinct sense of happiness from it at the attention.

"Mrr," The cat yawns and purrs, "Momma says that she's happy you got a good in on her, whatever that means."

"It means that you're a good cat," Alicia reiterates, giving her little tribute to Sharess by scratching the kitty behind its ears.

"I like being a good cat," The grey familiar purrs away as sunlight streams down. "Momma says you should adopt one of my sister's kittens now, too."

Alright Sharess.

She's not looking for a new familiar but a pet she can handle. "Well then, why don't you lead me to your sister and her kittens?" she asks, ceasing her scratching.

Done. The cat leads you to a third floor window of a building nearby, a sunlight window. Here kittens play around the room, all gray and black in varying amounts. Nearly a dozen of them, a mother cat watching them all and lying down. Looking in, you can see saucers of milk and food are there, though no sign of anyone but the cats in the room.

It's easy enough to dimension door her and her guide into the room, at which point Alicia kneels down and holds her bare hand out on the floor palm-up. The first kitten to approach her clearly loves her the most and will be adopted!

d100.

[19:58] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[19:58] <+Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d100=53]

A cute black kitten comes right over, smiling and meowing cutely as it nuzzles against your hand. A male on a glance.

"Hello little boy," Alicia says, gently rubbing her finger against the upper side of the kitten's head. "I suppose I'll be taking care of you now. I'll call you... Martin," she decides.

Alicia is one of those people who likes to give animals people names.

"Meow," Martin says, and you feel it. Untrained, raw and decidedly unfeline. The cat has a spark of mental power, instinctively touching your mind.

Touching the mind of a deity is an easy way to have it shattered for most creatures, luckily Alicia sees it happening and makes sure to be gentle in turning aside that instinctive probe. "You're a clever boy, aren't you?" she reaches under Martin to pick him up. Given that they seem to be on solid food it should be safe to take him away from his mother now, and she looks at that resting dame. "He'll have a good home with me," she tells her, teleporting her guide cat back to his sunny ledge before she and Martin teleport to her and Syala's room in their palace.

Martin meows softly, reaching out to bat at a bit of debris kicked up from your teleport. He bats it around and then brings it back in the general direction, a direct and crude application of telekinesis.

Alicia's eyes glow blue as she watches Martin play with the flower petal.

Using Arcane Sight SLA:
If you concentrate on a specific creature within 120 feet of you as a standard action, you can determine whether it has any spellcasting or spell-like abilities, whether these are arcane or divine (spell-like abilities register as arcane), and the strength of the most powerful spell or spell-like ability the creature currently has available for use.

Martin is a natural psionic. He's using unformed psychic powers, essentially the natural lash-outs of a sentient creature growing up and into the beginnings of power.

What a cat is doing with that potential is anyone's guess.

Reaching out to stroke Martin's fur as he exerts his psionics, Alicia looks at his mind next.

Detect thoughts, mainly to see his int score.

His Int score is 2, but you can also sense potential there. Latent for now, but potential.

Interesting. Well, she's not an expert at this sort of psionic business but it's a type of magic so she'll do her best to nurture Martin's growth, even if nothing much is expected of him beyond not scratching the furniture or fouling the carpets. For now she'll just play with him a bit to bond with her new pet.

It's pleasant. A thoroughly mortal thing amid divinity, as you also concentrate on prayers and miracles.

Far away, a warrior battles on the rooftops of Kelara, crossing blades with a dogai. In that one moment Davodel of Arad battles the devil, forced out into the light of the sun. You hear his prayer, an instinctual plea for your protection.

Two lovers, one calling your name as they unite for the first time on their wedding night. An earnest plead, a desire for so much in the coming days, months and years.

A tired acolyte, Jeremy Sparran. He practices magic missile again and again, struggling with the phrasing, yet never stopping save to request your guidance.

Amid all of them, Syala appears at your side. "Cute." She smiles, kneeling to pet Martin, "So what did Sharess do to get you to do this? I'm pretty sure these cats were going to be a surprise for me, not you."

Prayers are still handled as usual even while she waggles a rush for Martin to bat at with paws and telekinesis.

Davodel she aids subtly, a bit of extra insight on when to dodge or parry helping him along.

The lovers, well she just thinks fondly of them. She's not really that kind of goddess but it's nice of them to think of her!

For Jeremy she tries something new and hands that one off to Marie so she can nudge him a little with her expertise in that iconic spell.

"His name's Martin," she says aloud when Syala appears. "A Sharran desecrated one of my shrines, and after I cursed him for it Shar spoke to me. It got oddly flirtatious so I asked Sharess for some advice. Being nice to a cat afterwards seemed fair."

Syala pauses at that, "You flirted with Shar so you asked Sharess for romantic advice? Is that right?"

"No," she makes a face. "Shar flirted with me, so I asked Sharess if that was a thing that happened and how to deal with it because it was so unexpected. I'm more used to seeing the monstrous torture and murder side of Shar so it threw me off balance, which I think was the whole point. Anyway, if anyone's an expert about things like that it would be Sharess, so I got her thoughts on it."

With a warm laugh, "Ah, Alicia. Yet another reason I love you." A soft kiss to your cheek follows, "So what did Sharess say?"

Alicia smiles in a vaguely indulgent manner as her cheek is kissed. "She said it's a thing Shar does, playing up the Dark Dancer thing of beauty and allure to ensnare, but it's something she usually only does to mortals. She said just to ignore it, which makes sense. I was just so thrown off I felt like talking to an expert."

"Good." Turning back to Martin as he bats at the rush, "Sharess knows I tend to collect and give homes to unusual animals after you got those phase spiders. I'm pretty sure she set it up so that the mother got pregnant from a visiting mage's familiar."

"That's quite a degree of feline micromanagement from Sharess there," Alicia says, not sure whether to be impressed or not at her arranging pairs from random cats in Sylica.

"Sharess gets involved, she's not the kind to sit on her paws all the time." Syala chuckles, "Most of it, but not all. I'm not sure if psychic cats are a good idea, but Sharess knows best." Reaching out to pet Martin's head, "Also, why Martin? That's a person's name."

"He looks like a Martin," Alicia replies straightforwardly, before asking the cat. "Don't you, boy?"

Then rather than obfuscate further she says plainly, "I just think there's something charming about animals with human names."

"If you say so, dear," Smiling back to you, "I was going to suggest Cantenora."

Alicia laughs. "Oh, I like that one. Mention it to Marie and she'll have a cat of her own in no time."

Syala laughs and quietly sends to Marie, 'Marie, is Cantenora a good name for a cat?'

Marie takes a break from helping someone master that most sublime of arcane projectile spells to send back, 'I love it! Did you have any luck with making a behemoth then?'

Holding up a hand to Alicia, Syala replies. 'Marginal, it's as much the right method as finding the right rare talent to even become one. We did find some promising leads for other things, though. Also, Alicia's adopted a cat.'

A second later and Marie appears in the room with them. "Oh, she's adorable! Hello Cantenora!" she coos, stretching out a delicate long-fingered hand towards the feline.

"His name is Martin," Alicia corrects, looking up at her former familiar and now proxy.

"So are you going to make him your new familiar? You always said you could've had a cat," Marie asks, unperturbed.

"No, he's just a pet for now. I'm not looking for a new familiar quite yet."

"Hi there, Cantenora," Syala coos, petting the kitty as well. As he meows happily at it and rubs against both of your fingers, "Well, let him grow up first, but he'd make a fine familiar."

"Martin," Alicia insists as the cat is pampered with affection, before adding, "Cantenora is a girl's name."

"Cantenora," Syala smiles, "Don't you agree, Marie?"

Meanwhile in your mind, a prayer. 'Alicia,' Latha sends, 'A high representative of the Mercane has appeared through the Felic Gate and is requesting an audience.'

"It's a name that transcends gender," Marie nods to Syala with a warm smile on her lips.

Do you have a name for this representative?

Alicia hasn't really had much of any dealings with them, so unless it's someone extremely high up they're not going to rate an audience with a goddess in person.

As Syala nods right back?

'His name is Roelas and his title is Head Banker. Of the entire Consortium, or so I gather.'

What do I know about this guy?

[19:15] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+80 planes, divine insight, guidance of avatar
[19:15] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+80 planes, divine insight, guidance of avatar --> [ 1d20=11 ]{91}

Head Banker is a legit rank, but last you heard, Roelas was merely a Secondary Banker, a rank just below that. Sort of like being a prince versus being a king. The Head Banker you know is Jalaran. Admittedly, Mercane tend to keep internal politics to themselves so it's hardly that huge a surprise to have this sort of thing happen.

Well, the mercane are a big enough deal in planar politics that she won't lose face by talking to their leader.

"We have a guest from the mercane. Roelas who seems to have claimed the top spot or so he says," she stands up. "Marie, you look after Martin while we're gone? Lets go see what this is about, Syala."

Escort him to Liberton, I will see him in the throne room.

Thus Alicia relocates to the throne room of Liberton, an expansive chamber with high vaulted marble ceilings and adorned great banners of her and Syala's holy symbols, a new space put between them for Antenora's to go up when she decides on it, along with various trophies of their battles. There's no cover to be found here from pillars and the like, everything open so that if a fight occurred there'd be no place to hide.

There's no real courtiers or the like in attendance, as they don't really 'hold court' the way mortal kings might, it's much more of an aesthetic choice for Alicia while the actual running of Sylica occurs via more mysterious and divine means. But she does have a battalion of ceremonial guards, all veterans from Benfal enjoying a rest rotation where little is likely to ever threaten them but if something does happen their skill at arms is formidable... for all that anything capable of threatening Alicia or Syala would cut through them like a hot knife through butter. Still, they look disciplined, well drilled and with obvious care shown for their equipment.

Syala sits and waits, letting the business of your cat aside for now.

It's not long for the doors to within to open, Latha striding in. A soldier by the door announces, "Latha, the Diamond Angel of Radiance and Roelas, Head Banker of the Mercane."

The mercane in quest is tall and clad in rich purple, fingers long and body lean. He walks with a slow, ponderous gait, hands folded together in front of him as he walks. Once Latha stops he does the same and bows deeply, "It is an honor to be received by the both of you, Your Majesties."

She'd feel more comfortable if she had Marie or Antenora standing at her side as well, feeling a bit exposed up on the thrones with just her and Syala. Still, Marie seems to be having fun with Martin and Antenora's busy with Zariel... and both are ostensibly on vacation anyway.

"Thank you Latha," she says, sitting in her own high backed throne atop the raised dais at the back of the throneroom, a solid construction of mithral and adamantine. "First of all congratulations on your recent promotion, Roelas. Has Jalaran retired from the stresses of his office?"

"Thank you, Your Majesties," Roelas returns that with a shallower bow and then straightens. "Unfortunately, Jalaran is no longer with us due to misadventure. A high level trade deal with a group of yugoloths went wrong and he did not survive the hostilities."

Syala listens to that, "Unfortunate in the extreme. As he is a spirit, I presume that means the yugoloths hold his soul? I cannot believe the money of the Consortium could not buy sufficient protections if held at the Consortium."

"Unfortunate," Alicia agrees with Syala, not offering any more while her wife asks a follow-up question.

"Unfortunately, you are also correct, and negotiations to purchase his soul are unproductive." A click of his tongue, "We mourn and have chosen to release his pension and investments to his widow."

"Well, be that as it may, what brings the Consortium to Sylica?" Alicia asks.

"Trade, of course." Roelas says smoothly, "As you may be aware, recently the Consortium has invested in certain trades to Baator, ones we have reason to believe you are cognizant of."

"I understand the Consortium does an enormous amount of business with Baator, yes," she says, leaning forward. "If by more recent business I presume you're referring to Lixer's purchase of necromantic spell components in vast quantities?"

"Precisely," Roelas has a ghost of a smile on his face, "A regime change is always good for business. So is expansion," He gestures, "With your victory there, you have shown that you are here to stay. So perhaps we can discuss trading deals, and in turn, discuss renegotiating and reducing Baatorian trade, if the price is right."

Hopefully they won't offer the same sort of lop-sided deals as they offered Aurora. "Sylica is not without its markets and opportunities. Broadly then, what sort of goods would the Consortium be interested in trading for?" She's not sure she can offer nearly enough to make them meaningfully cut down their Hellish commerce, but still she's happy for trade to happen here so long as the terms aren't objectionable.

"Anything with value," Roelas explains, "My main goal is to establish a Consortium bank here and ascertain the status of your own fiduciary enterprises, if you have established any. Of course, trade is such a vital part of this that I simply must begin here. As your lands have recently expanded, I would not presume to tell you what valuables for trade you have available. So if it pleases you, please tell us what resources you have."

"Spell components, alchemic products, magical arms and equipment, and objects of art are Sylica's primary trade goods and are typically sold by individual residents or cooperatives as the product of their own labour - we don't trade in bulk and we're never going to be a planar hub," Alicia answers. "That's why I'm trying to better understand your interest, since this sort of mundane trade can easily be handled at a lower level. While geography has made reaching Sylica less convenient until recently, we've never turned away merchants looking to do business here."

Syala holds her piece to that for now, watching.

"Well, trade is incidental and beneficial to establishing a Consortium bank here. As a bastion of Mercane civilization and finance, we can offer many useful services to all of Sylica. It ensures that even if your realm will never be a planar trading hub, it will not be left behind and isolated. It ensures a steady flow of goods and travelers - which are, of course, exposed to your ideals and faith, which in time will net converts."

It occurs to me that this might be a good opportunity to back Seira's anti-slavery program. Does the Consortium deal at all with trafficking slaves?

Gimme K:P here real quick.

[18:25] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+80 planes, divine insight, guidance of avatar
[18:25] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+80 planes, divine insight, guidance of avatar --> [ 1d20=15 ]{95}

It's a little more complicated than yes or no. It requires understanding the base line mechanics of the mercane and how they organize the Consortium.  You see, the Consortium is the central authority of the mercane, but beyond what boils down to guild fees, many mercane have a great deal of independence. While the official Consortium tends to stay out of anything too controversial, which mostly comes down to slaves, certain types of magical items and the like, many independent mercane are not so scrupulous. On paper it's not allowed by dues paying members, but in reality there's a large degree of flexibility.

Additionally, slaver operations tend to be specialized. It's often more work to acquire slaves than other trading goods and requires keeping them alive and transported. This can be highly challenging, which requires more resources and tends to make mercane who go into it specialize in it. Not exclusively, but a mercane who gets deeper into it only gets out by making a clean break. So while less ethical mercane may dabble in a few slaves here and there, anything beyond dabbling requires specialized operations.

From what you know, there's a lot of behind the scenes maneuvering, bargaining and bribing that goes on in these matters, too. You've heard hints and whispers, the mercane keep it in house as much possible, but information still leaks out.

In the end the Consortium can't be held responsible for the actions of all mercane, only those that are specifically in its ranks. And while she might take issue with who else they do business with, they still serve a useful role as neutral merchants.

So without that to object over, Alicia says, "We have no objection to the Consortium maintaining a small presence in Sylica to look after the interests of its members and provide specialised services within its field of expertise. Space can be made available in Mercia to develop as you see fit."

"Thank you," Roelas says, "Additionally, may we speak privately, Your Majesty?"

Syala smiles a little bit here. "Oh really? I have no objection."

[18:57] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+81 buffed up sense motive
[18:57] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+81 buffed up sense motive --> [ 1d20=19 ]{100}

Is this a prelude to an assassination attempt?!

You don't get any sort of lethal intent from him, but you get the feeling he's hiding something.

"Very well," Alicia raises a hand to dismiss the ceremonial guard. "Latha, Syala, please excuse us?"

Latha steps back as commanded.

Go ahead and describe where you're taking Roelas.

I'm staying here, I'm clearing everyone else out of the room.

Once gone Roelas says, "It is said that diplomacy, merchantry and intrigue are all heads of the same hydra. We have touched on diplomacy and merchantry, but now let us touch on the third head. Tell me, do you have an information and intelligence service?"

"Of course I do," Alicia answers. "And while I'm sure the Consortium deals in information as much as tangible goods, I could hardly trust all my eyes and ears to a mercenary group."

"Naturally. We do offer information services of course, but we also offer training and aid for existing services, as well as helping create ones from scratch," Roelas says, "Officially, no mercane spies. Unofficially, any mercane here will see what they see and tell of it if the price is right. I mean no offense," he adds right after, "But to state what is understood plainly. Trade and mercantile efforts are inherently part of intrigue and spying, and one cannot help but fuel the other." Spreading his hands out, "Thus I make this offer if you are inclined to take it, as well as ensure you understand that well sell information - and buy it as well."

"I'm not naive," she says dryly. "I know that sometimes there will be no other recourse than to purchase information from a mercane, and that the fact of my interest in said information will then become a commodity for someone else to buy. That doesn't change my willingness to allow Consortium trade here, but understand I won't be taking anyone from it into my confidence."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Roelas merely bows to you, "Nor did I intend that. Only to be sure you fully grasp the depth and breadth of what we offer."

"We understand each other," she nods her head slightly. "Was there anything else you wished to discuss while you have my attention?"

"Yes, a free tidbit of information to show the quality of what we can obtain," Roelas says, "Recently, Malcanthet, though a known series of proxies in the non-divine sense - established a bounty of 100,000 gold for Antenora or Marie's head and 1,000,000 for your or Syala's head. I believe she is rather miffed with all of you."

Syala smiles softly, "We can bear her annoyance with endless fortitude."

"As well she should be, though the bounties are miserably small for the task required," Alicia says. "Still, that is interesting to know, and I thank you for the knowledge. I'll consider it a down payment on the land I'm setting aside for the Consortium's establishment here."

Roelas bows, "Then, by your leave?" He asks.

Alicia nods, manipulating Sylica directly to create some extra space on one of Mercia's main thoroughfares and leaving it empty and waiting for development. Roelas receives a mental impression of the land now set aside for the Consortium's use and she says aloud, "Thank you for visiting. I look forward to seeing what breadth the Consortium will add to Sylica's trade."

A bow and Roelas leaves. Once gone Syala glances over at you, "If this was an effort to simply get a food in the door, I'm both insulted and amused about his direct honesty."

"It did seem a strange trip just to open up trade, we've never been closed off to start with," Alicia agrees. "I'm rather insulted by Malcanthet's bounty though. I used to enjoy seeing my 'worth' to Hell go up in various rewards for my head, but that was as a mortal adventurer. No amount of money can buy a deity's head."

"A pity to pixies and fairies across the planes," Syala smiles, but sits back on her throne. "You're right, though, it was strange. What are they playing at?"

"I wonder if the Consortium had a bigger setback than just losing their former head banker and this is them scrambling to find new opportunities?" she muses. "Might be worth asking Seira or Waukeen if they've heard anything."

"By all means, I'll ask Sharess first if you want to ask Seira? Sharess can get plenty of gossip fast from Brightwater," Syala says. "Assuming that story they told us is even true. It seemed rather a polite way of saying he lost a power struggle."

Alicia sends a word off to Seira. Seira, I was just approached by Roelas of the Mercane Consortium looking to open trading links with Sylica and offering to integrate Consortium intelligence services with our own. Have you or Waukeen heard of anything strange occurring in the Consortium lately? The whole thing is passing strange.

'The Head Banker Roelas is here at present,' Seira responds to Alicia. 'Brought by Waukeen herself, so his identity is not in doubt. Is he actually over there as well?'

Is he still in Sylica or has he gated/plane-shifted out?

He's still here.

How curious. He's still here. I'll have Marie intercept him.

"Roelas is presently speaking with Waukeen and Seira at the same time as he's still walking out of our palace," she says to Syala as Marie receives her instructions and teleports off to catch the mercane!

"Interesting," Syala draws, "I think I'll help her, just in case this goes ugly." With a smile as Blessing of the Twelve appears in hand, Syala vanishes.

"Please be delicate in case there's a reasonable explanation here," Alicia asks as Syala goes off.

Going to watch or just wait it out, Alicia?

I trust Marie, especially with Syala backing her up. I'll watch with deity's watch.

Thus Syala and Marie catch up as he walks out through the halls, passing others and...

Go ahead, Marie.

Catching Syala's eye, Marie smiles at her before she falls in step with Roelas. "Hi, Roelas, right?" she asks. "Bit surprising for a head banker to come out on a trip like this without an entourage or bodyguards. Is that faith in Sylica's safety?"

Seira sends to Alicia, 'Roelas is about to explain matters to me.'

Roelas pauses and nods, "It is. Additionally," he spreads his arms out, "Look at where I am. If you or Alicia has umbrage with me, no amount of bodyguards will be anything but a trifling thing. For any other disruption, I am capable of protecting myself."

"That's good," Marie nods. "Speaking of though, she was curious about recent disruptions in the Consortium that could have led to this approach, so she asked her good friend Seira who is better versed in matters of trade. You can understand her concern that Head Banker Roelas also happens to currently be a guest of the Cauldron even as we speak?"

'He admitted to being in Sylica and in other, undisclosed locations as well. Strange. Waukeen seemed surprised,' Seira relays to Alicia.

"Ah, of course," Roelas merely inclines his head deeply to both of you, Syala at your side.

"Which means details. Now." Syala's voice is short, "Explain this."

"Suffice to say I am also in the Cauldron and in other locations. Beyond that I'm afraid this is a private business matter, though I assure you that I am myself and my other is myself." Roelas replies.

[19:00] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+81 buffed sense motive for Alicia
[19:00] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+81 buffed sense motive for Alicia --> [ 1d20=7 ]{88}

He doesn't seem to be lying.

Marie pauses a moment as Alicia talks to her. "I see. The one in the Cauldron vouched for you as well. Alright then, so long as nobody's an imposter we've got no reason to complain."

At that Alicia contacts Seira. The one here vouched for the one in the Cauldron as well. Strange but it's his own business I suppose. Doesn't seem to be a simulacrum or avatar.

"Why thank you," Roelas says pleasantly, "Is there anything else?"

"Not that I can think of," Syala says, "Do have a good trip home."

"We're good!" Marie agrees, stepping away from him.

Roelas promptly departs.

Once gone Syala turns to Marie, "Now then, I believe Cantenora needs you," She says with a gentle smile.

"It's important that he imprints on the proper name early so he doesn't get confused!" Marie agrees with a mischievous grin before she teleports off for more cat-time!

Once Marie is gone, Syala waits a beat or two and then speaks to Alicia.

I've heard it's theoretically possible to mimic an avatar in some ways for a mortal, with the right magic of vastly high circles. Is Roelas that powerful and formidable, do you think?

I'm unsure. I didn't examine his magic in detail, but while I'd expect the head of the Consortium to have some degree of personal might, that is perhaps stretching it. Maybe an artifact is being used?

[19:50] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+80 buffed arcana check
[19:50] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+80 buffed arcana check --> [ 1d20=5 ]{85}

Do I know of any artifacts that could fit the bill?

There's a few that could.

The Twin's Right is a bracelet said to be able to make a copy of the user in harmony with the original. It was lost ages and ages ago, said to be destroyed when a demon attempted to challenged Barachiel. He lost, but it he put in a good showing before falling to the First of the Hebdomad.

Myrral's Cloak is said to 'make duplicates' but has been lost for even longer than Twin's Right. Lost in the Blood War, so who can say where it is?

The last is Alagora, a twin-blade said to be a perfect reflection of the numerology of 2. A work of an archmage (accounts vary on which, but you recall Medi's one of the ones who it is sometimes attributed to), it allows two bodies or more, according to the lore.

There's other artifacts and such, but few can project bodies far away, let alone across the planes.

Was Roelas wearing a cloak or bracelet or sword that might fit any of those descriptions?

He did not.

I can think of a few artifacts that might have done it, but nothing Roelas was wearing seemed to fit. Of course he could have changed their appearances, but I wouldn't want to presume so without any evidence.

Ah politics. What is said is less important than what is unsaid and implied.

And what do you think was implied from all of this?

The mercane are strong, capable and we want them as a friend. Oh, and we can't simply boss them around or overwhelm them with our power. They want to be seen as peers, helpful peers but still peers. Along with the unstated reality that if we become their enemy, they're capable of fighting back effectively.

A cogent analysis, Alicia agrees. I've no desire to rely on them, and of course understand that anything their branch discovers in Sylica can and will be sold to our enemies. But similarly it'll give us an option to purchase knowledge picked up on the other side, as well as provide another avenue for the trade of material goods in and out of Sylica.

So they want us to play the game. Fine. We'll play it. We'll just have to win it and come out ahead. Even all of this posturing aside, we can gain from this if we handle them properly. Perhaps we can even convert a few and learn more about them.

Perhaps. Either way, the Consortium is a useful resource and not worth spurning if they're going to the trouble of approaching us like this.

Another goal. Now, onto something just as important: Cantenora is a far better name than Martin.

Alicia vacates the throne room and returns to see to said pet, finding Marie there already.

"Who's a good boy, Cantenora! Oooh, who's good little boy!" the eladrin coos while delivering belly scratches before looking up with guilty wide eyes at Alicia's arrival.

"Martin is a good boy," she says firmly. Leaving aside the bad pun/reference, it's too long a name. Pet names should be short and snappy.

Syala appears, smiling, "Cantenora is the best kitty," Syala says, "Want to bet that Antenora will agree with that, Alicia? A small, friendly wager?"

"Fine, Antenora can decide the name. You ask her - if Marie or I do it we'll incite bias," Alicia says, crossing her arms.

Hopefully she won't go off on one about Martin being too close to Martinet and picking the stupid joke name because of that.

With a working of magic, "Antenora?" Syala speaks aloud.

"Yes? I'm rather busy with Seira, Waukeen and a mercane right now," Antenora's mental voice is heard aloud.

"This won't take long. Alicia's adopted a cat. Which is a better name for the cat, Martin or Cantenora?" Syala asks, voice perfectly neutral.

A moment later...

You adopted a cat? What did you name it? You can hear Antenora in your mind.

I owed Sharess a favour. Answer Syala's question please? Be honest.

She doesn't want anyone saying she influenced the judge later!

As you wish.

"That depends. I defer to Alicia, as that's her cat and her responsibility." Antenora says back.

"You should have just asked her which name is better without the context, we'll never get an honest answer out of her now," Alicia says with a smile. "That's fine though, it means Martin is here to stay." She leans down towards the kitten.

Which makes Marie whine, "Noo, but Cantenora is too cute!" She frames her hands around his head. "Look at his little face! Doesn't he look like such a Cantenora?"

Syala sighs, "Now I'm glad I didn't insist on a bet beyond that." Shaking her head with a wry smile, "Let it go, Marie. You'll just have to go adopt your own psychic cat and name her Cantenora."

Marie sags downwards, deflating as Alicia scoops Martin up and pets him. "What a lot of silliness, aren't we glad we're past all that Martin?" the goddess of battle asks her new fluffy companion.

With that done, gimme a d100.

[03:47] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100
[03:47] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=63 ]{63}

A few hours later and you've had kitty bliss.

'Oh, sister!' Jessica sends to you in prayer, 'Commander Oberuth is here and you should see how he looks!'

I'm on my way.

So Martin is left in the much better behaved now care of Marie while Alicia goes to drop in on her sister and former commander!

Oberuth is outside of Mercia, sitting on a tree stump as he eagerly tears into some bread. Jessica's there and smiling. You notice it immediately, the dark circles around his eyes are better and his posture is sharper, stronger.

"Sister, Hellman," Alicia greets them both as she walks over. "You're looking much heartier. Did you have a breakthrough?"

Bread is devoured swiftly before Oberuth draws a waterskin and drinks deeply. "Yes, Seira helped me with a breakthrough - both of you did. I've been in the Deep Ethereal. Horrors from my dreams spawn there and I slay them, over and over, with blade and stranger things. I've been sleeping better even with the nightmares since then."

"Interesting," Alicia says. "Honestly I was clutching at straws when I suggested that, so I'm glad to hear it worked. But what do you mean slaying them with stranger things?"

Jessica smiles, "I'm glad to see you feeling better. The last few times you've looked like death warmed over."

Oberuth finishes his bread, "Part of my training is about keeping a blank mind. It stops enchantments and the like from latching on, they slide right off. Sometimes I feel like I can push it out when I'm fighting them. Like it can be outside of me. When I do, the horrors recoil or go still. Or sometimes my anger and frustration over all of this boils over, and I express it with a word, and it devastates them."

Taking a breath, "Or when I stand true and unmovable, my foes grow immobile, unable to easily move away from me, like they were the mountains and earth as well."

Alicia nods in agreement with Jessica. "You do seem far more your old self. But hmm... when I was outside of Creation recently, Syala and I did battle with beings there. We didn't use sword or spell, rather we imposed our will and the concepts of Creation directly upon them. It sounds rather like you've been doing the same thing."

"Seira had the same conclusion, as did I," Oberuth concurs, looking to you. "Now, lately, I can see their weak points. No matter what form they take, I can see how to strike them and how to sever them. I can only come to one conclusion: Whatever's coming will involve the Beyond intensely. A soft grunt follows, "Sylian's turning me into a warrior to slaughter them."

"It's a strange coincidence with how Antenora achieved her divinity Outside as well," Alicia hums. "Just what does Sylian know?"

"Too much," Oberuth finishes sourly, "But I seem to have found what's intended to be done with these nightmares."

"And so you're rewarded with proper rest," Alicia nods. "Perhaps next time Syala and I have reason to travel Outside we'll look you up and see how that training handles the real thing? I don't want to go just to test that, but if we have another reason we may as well take extra advantage."

"Like a dog being trained," Oberuth's voice is still sour, but he goes on. "No matter. We're all whims of the supernatural, it seems."

"For now," Alicia bows her head. "The future may bring upheaval, Sylian will yet receive his own due. But for now such things are beyond our reach."

"For now," Oberuth seconds. "Are there any battles that need me right now?"
Yes, hurry to him. Hurry to my wonderful child. I'm so tired. It's been almost too long to bear.
Jessica shakes her head, "Racing to another battle already?"

"Things are quiet right now. We're training our forces to help on the demon-infested world of Daun - it's mostly aquatic so offers new territory for our forces, and otherwise just watching over things back home and on Lifasa and Benfal," Alicia explains where things currently stand. "We recently provoked Malcanthet something fierce, and Lixer just before that, but so far we haven't seen meaningful reprisals. And of course Shar's able to cause trouble at any time."

"Then I'll stay here a day or two," Oberuth says, "Balmuria doesn't need me that urgently, and perhaps a battle will come."

"If not a real one there'll be plenty to practice your blade against around here," Alicia nods. "I'll let you know if anything occurs." Then she teleports away back to Liberton to see to... goddess stuff.

This is mostly going to be a chance ot do any small odds and ends you have before we pick up with plot after vacation. Do you have any little to dos?

Honestly don't. I'm good until we get back after next week and things kick into gear!

Sounds like a plan.

Locking thread for new one.

Never forget Cantenora.