Thus you return to the Cauldron. Once you arrive, you get a message right away.
How did it go, Seira?
Strange. Inconclusive. We're waiting another day to see how things turn out.
Oh, how strange. The politics of it must be a pressure on him.
One does reap what they so, does he not?
At the same time, Oberuth's voice in your mind.
'It's time,' he sends, 'We're ready to go face the end of the ruins. If all goes well, soon we'll have reached the end of this at last.'
You go with my blessing, Seira tells Oberuth, voice a tad on the dry side before she grows serious. Give that petty tyrant his well-deserved judgement!
There's no response to that, surely Oberuth off to do exactly what he said he would do now.
Few tears will be shed for the Sultan if he does get overthrown, Seira muses, thinking to Amaryl. Just as we would be hard-pressed to find someone sad at Daavid's fate, which is being decided this moment. Meet me at the gazebo with Yandrazrt? He deserves to see this through.
I'll be there.
Sure enough, the three of you gather there. Your friend is intent, standing and waiting as, "It's finally time? Will we be able to see it?"
"I'll try," Seira responds. "My three chosen champions are proceeding with the test that I started with my two closest friends, and at that time my patron Waukeen was able to see and assist me as needed."
Having said that, Seira ensures absolute privacy and then attempts to share her senses of those events with Yandrazrt and Amaryl. At least she has plenty of experience with that aspect of it.
She also keeps an eye on the aquatic entrance to the ruins, asking Amaryl, "Could you make sure the main entrance to the ruins stays quiet and uncontested? If anyone tries to breach it, we'll send our avatars to discourage any mischief during the test in progress. I'll keep an eye on the water seal."
Amaryl closes her eyes, "...there's no need, it's already been done," she announces.
Meanwhile you can see that, Oberuth, Lyris and Marianne heading there. Nothing stands in their way, not this time.
Seira is there with them in spirit, reassuring yet sufficiently distant to allow the conditions of a judgement by mortals be fulfilled.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 86 > [d100=86]
They proceed into the halls you have not seen in decades. Into the halls you wandered so seemingly long ago, memories of your mortal past coming to the fore. Of battles for life and death, for battles not understanding what great threats lay here. Battles with friends past and present.
Amaryl watches, "Are Alicia and Demedais watching as well, Seira?"
"I was just about to let them know," Seira responds, and now that all the preparations on her side are complete she reaches out towards Alicia and Demedais.
My friends, it is time for Daavid's judgement at long last
I heard from the Commander. Bit of a shame it's not us there, but good luck to him all the same. I hope he judges wisely, and chooses wisely after.
You get an acknowledgement and greeting from Demedais in the meantime.
It's nice to have the acknowledgement of her erstwhile comrades. Rather than lose herself in nostalgia, however, Seira keeps an eye on the proceedings. And with luck, she'll get a chance to see how Ajan is doing these days.
Thus they head inward, further and further.
Until at last they come before the paths to the portals. Here Ajan waits, looming and silent. "It is time," he says, as if that say sit all. "Are you prepared?"
"As I'll ever be," Oberuth agrees, "Never thought I'd be the one, but history cares nothing for what men think."
"From the past to now," Marianne says, "There's a symmetry here, one I'll see through to the end. Yes, I am ready."
Lyris nods slightly to that, "I've been ready for this. Let's put this to bed."
She'll need to honor that deal with Ajan, too....
That's what avatars are for, Seira decides. She'll invite him to the Cauldron afterwards, and figure things out. She'll invite all of them!
"Finish this," Amaryl replies aloud to it, even though they can't hear her. "It's finally here."
Oh, are you watching, Seira?
We are all watching and hoping in the coming victory, Seira.
I put everything aside for this
A final door appears before them all, Ajan moving out of the way. "Go ahead," he says, "Beyond this lies the path to Kangap and Goldan."
Oberuth nods, blade and shield at the ready. He advances slowly onward.
Marianne smiles up at Ajan, "Seira hasn't forgotten you."
Lyris glances up at that, "You think she'd forget," she murmurs to Marianne. "Honestly."
Is it the Prophecy? She'd started the long path towards both goals at roughly the same time, so is it a coincidence that one is finally coming to fruition even as she had at last managed to make headway into the other?
Regardless, it is time for her first glimpse of the pair of the dragons of legend!
Warmth.
Amaryl takes your hand and smiles at you, all while Lagann calls, "About time! Go and finish this already!"
"Good things come to those who wait~"
Another portal. Everything blurs a moment as the three step through.
Here is a vast hall carved out of the stone of the deep earth. Light comes from the walls, which are rough and unadorned. Great banners fall from the ceiling dozens of feet up to the floor, each bearing a single holy or unholy symbol of a deity.
Prepare, those who have come this far.
A voice that is not a voice speaks, Oberuth sharply looking about. Marianne merely readies her blade with a thin smile and Lyris checks her darts. For a moment all is calm.
Then they emerge - monsters. Enemies. From the small and the simple, goblins lead by a face familiar and yet only seen so long ago.
Malmuthian soldiers, great battalions at the ready, gryphons soaring above, all lead by a long forgotten Emperor.
Devils. Devils of sand and fury. They are lead by a forgotten pit fiend, thought sealed away for all time for his evils and for whom he truly bows to.
Fey and pixies, the spirits of the forest manifest. They laugh along with a voice unseen, the laughter of children heard in the distance and yet from nowhere at all.
Liches. A familiar cabal, absently only one of their members, cloaked in the darkness of the deepest magics mastered by the passing of ages.
Shocker lizards, staring and unrelenting and so many, spreading about the walls and the ceiling, all gazes on the three. They are lead by a blue dragon, a phantasm from a long ago battle.
Celestials brave and true, lining up. They prepare as one, lead by a green skinned planetar once met before the temples of Balmuria.
Shadows. So many shadows, gathering faster and faster yet. Amid them are familiar figures, a royal family as rotten as filth leading them all.
The dead. So many of the restless dead, rising from all about, like a plague joining every force. Amid them you can see what once called itself Death, leading them on.
More. So many more. Memories of the past, of glimpses of battles forgotten in the flow of time ever forward.
"What?" Oberuth says, "Do you seek to drown us in worthless filth?"
"Aaaaah," Lyris smiles tightly, "Another test?"
Marianne merely gestures, cold gathering around her, winds of snowflakes and ice razors coiling before her. "It matters not, we won't be stopped."
Then prove yourselves against the phantasms of the past. Your nation has seen much conflict and turmoil in its short lifetime.
There is a moment after that, until Oberuth raises his blade and lets out a battlecry, before rushing forward. From there chaos erupts, the battle joined.
Don't let yourself be manipulated, Seira thinks to the figments of the celestials. There are undead and fiends present, who are your true enemy! Fey and pixies, too, are mischievous and even malicious at time, but they represent life. As such, the many dead are an abomination for them, while the flightier of the fey would play far more havoc with ordinary soldiers than with the champions Oberuth, Marianne and Lyris are!
If your thoughts reach the figments, nothing happens as a result. Instead...
> roll 1d100
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d100=70]
It is a battle. They fight as one, disparate memories waging war together.
Oberuth charges into the lines and stands firm, surrounded by a sea of foes.
Marianne takes to the air, cold winds and blasts scything into her foes. She stays above the majority of them, as the forces of the air flock towards her, looking to entomb her with sheer numbers.
Lyris is a blur. She runs to the sides as her hand works. Darts fly freely, seemingly appearing in throats and stomachs without warning.
"The hardest thing is to wait on the sidelines," Seira admits. "I know they've got this, but I still want to share the same risks alongside them. Not the vague risks of failure, but...."
She trails off unhappily, eyes kept on the battle.
"It should have been us," Amaryl finishes. "This was our battle. Look," she says, "So many of the Guard's enemies or the enemies you vanquished."
"Then again, facing off the Kesse monsters three times was plenty as it is." Seira shakes her head. "It should have been me. But it's not, and the feeling's pretty bittersweet."
"The path never found in the forest," Amaryl murmurs as she holds your hand.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d100=5]
It is like scythe before wheat. Foe after foe falls before Oberuth, fading away once his blade is done with them. What few wounds touch him heal in moments, never even slowing him down. His expression is simply one of determination as he goes on, another, another and another falling. He reaches Ferdi and with a clash of blades he shoves past his guard, taking his head in one blow.
Marianne keeps flying about, striking and evading. She bears wounds but none serious, focusing on her foes and trying to avoid being pinned. At the rate they're going down, she looks to be just fine. When Death comes for her, this time he meets a rapier point of arcane fire, piercing through his empty eye and beyond.
Lyris meanwhile draws away some of them and keeps moving, thinning the pack amid all the chaos. The goblin hordes in particular pursue her, but this time she is faster, stronger. Yezrut himself falls, clutching at a pair of darts in his throat.
Seira looks for Febras and Irenes, although she keeps an eye on the deaths of the Sharran royals. That sight will never stop feeling heartwarming.
You can see them in the melee - Febras has lost an arm but fights on grimly, while Irenes just got a dart to the throat.
It really is a send off to all of their mortal enemies. Perhaps this is how Aurora's leadership felt when they got the chance to end the duke that doomed their world?
> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=9 ]{9}
Fortunately, the fight's winding down. The foes are falling faster, the lines broken and the three standing alone, triumphant at last. Oberuth is unwounded, injuries healed. Marianne's bleeding from a few injuries and Lyris is limping, but it seems magic, speed and inhuman endurance have won the day.
"Who were they?" Lyris asks as she limps over, withdrawing a round black stone, about the size of a fist. As she holds her her wounds begin to heal, small bursts every several seconds.
"The past," Oberuth says, "Old enemies, from Emperor Ferdi to liches to worse. Just an echo of someone else's past." He's quiet here as the two heal, Marianne joining Lyris and using the stone. "It must have keyed to the others when they accomplished the first trials, and I'm close enough to those battles that perhaps I maintained it, rather than creating enemies more suited to our lives." He sheathes his blade a moment, adjusting his shield as he says, "Are you ready to go?"
"Not yet. Not all of us are immortal, invincible legends," Marianne turns her nose up, wounds still healing. "At least Seira and Alicia have the decency to call themselves divine. No human fights like you, Hellman."
Glancing back towards Marianne just a moment, "And you don't fight like any tarrasque I've heard of."
There's a moment of silence at that, before Marianne goes, "Hmph," and pointedly strides forward, "Rude."
With the faintest hint of a smile, Oberuth strides forward, Lyris rolling her eyes with her own amused look and following.
Seira decides, then and there, that she will share the Crimson Guard's stories with Marianne and Lyris once their trial is done. They should understand the path that the torch passed on to them made from the very start.
Onward.
At the end of this hall stairs descend deeper down. Grand and wide stairs as wide as the hall, stretching down farther than can be seen. Oberuth doesn't even pause his pace, striding ahead. Occasionally he's simply several stairs ahead in between the blinks of an eye. Marianne floats along, keeping pace just above the ground. Lyris brings up the rear.
Down these stairs, the light ever so slowly fading and dim shadows overtaking everything. The only sound is the sounds of boots on ground and the slight jangle of armor.
In time they descend further down, down to the bottom. Here is a cliff before a seemingly endless chasm in the ground, stretching into darkness in every direction ahead and down.
"It can't be a dead end," Marianne says, flying closer.
Oberuth begins to reply but stops. It rises from the ground - a hunk of stone, another and then another. They form a path leading ahead, into the chasm.
Lyris takes in with a cool gaze, hopping on and following.
As they walk, more and more stones, forging a path ahead, deeper into this place.
Ahead the stones form a large stone square, inlaid with a circle showing a pair of dragons in flight around each other, curling and chasing.
"The dragons that were a legend even millennia ago," Seira murmurs with interest, looking intently at them.
"Finally," Amaryl says, leaning forward as intently as Lagann is, the two transfixed.
Oberuth, Marianne and Lyris reach the circle, and the moment a foot lands on it? The entire platform rings like a bell.
Gold.
Fire.
Gold and red can be seen in the distance, like two tendrils constantly snaking around each other. They flow rather than move, becoming larger and larger as they approach. Two great dragons, one of shining gold and the other of bright crimson. They stay in orbit of one another, Oberuth slowly readying himself. Marianne breathes out, "Gold and red, perfectly vulnerable to cold." Lyris merely draws a dart as they fly closer.
"The hour is at hand," Two voices speak as one as they draw close, only slowly separating. Both are vastly larger than the slab, taking up all the space ahead utterly. "Ahead awaits the God-King, heroes."
"Yet you are not the heroes we had grown to expect," The red dragon declares, flames leaking out with every word from its mouth, "And you are far greater than you should ever have been, human, and the two of you should have passed ages ago."
Oberuth steps forward at that, "It was necessary." He meets their gazes without fear, "We will finish this task and render judgment."
If you didn't want me to stack the deck for all I can, you should've just let me finish the trial myself!
The two wyrms are silent after that, the two groups waiting. Tension builds, neither moving.
"You will have to get past us," Goldan declares, "There can be no other choice."
Oberuth readies his sword, darts prepared. Yet the dragons do no move.
"Prove to us that you are worthy to pass judgment," Goldan goes on, "You have come so far - yet we will not let you pass if you cannot do that."
Marianne's the one that speaks up, "I was once far more than I am now, and I apparently did terribly at it. I'm just another adventurer, another heroine in the city of Balmuria. A strong one, a powerful one, but still nothing that special in the grand measure of all things. I'm no wise sage or legendary angel that will speak words of profound meaning."
A moment as eyes turn to her.
"It's also why I'm the right person to judge, darling. The God King had power, then he gained too much and became a monster. Terrible things happened until he stopped. I understand too well his story, because I lived the same story."
A grand gestures, this time to Lyris. "Lyris as well, she lived it with me."
Another gesture to Oberuth. "A man who has gained more power than he ever wanted, all because he has to."
"Do you see now? We're his kin in spirit, we know what he's been through and why he would have made the mistakes he did. With all the power we've had and have, our ability to foster good and wreak mistakes grows. We've followed the same path as the God King, a path carefully set up both in life and now through these trials. It mirrors the mistake the divine made with the Fairest Star."
Marianne and Lyris are the best mortals to understand, Seira agrees with that. Lagann might have been just as suitable, but she has faith in the present team!
"It's been ages," Goldan finally says, "Wondering if we would be forced to battle the champions who came this far."
"We can finally rest, because you have shown both might and wisdom," Kangap says, "You need not raise your blade against us. Destiny awaits you beyond this point. There no going back now, go forward and fulfill your task."
Oberuth inclines his head as Lyris huffs. "Thank you," Commander Oberuth says. "Should you have your freedom after this, you are welcome to visit Balmuria. Another disguised dragon will hardly make a difference."
"Another?" Lyris glances rather sharply at the Commander.
"Go forward now," The two intone as one, sinking down and away. Stone rises rapidly, forming a path. Ahead is a stone temple, pillared and elegantly carved. It's quite large, the path leading to a single door leading within.
Disguised dragons are everywhere. After all, it's hard to interact with mortals properly in the grandeur of their true forms.
Would she have had a chance to invite them over, as Oberuth had just done? Would Kangap and Goldan have stopped by her inn, or chosen to settle down in the Cauldron as they decide on their future?
Rather than dwell on what might have been, Seira decides to just reach out to them afterwards. For now, however, her attention is focused solely on her champions and the impending judgement. And the first glimpse of the God King, of course.
A squeeze of your hand. "It's time." Amaryl says.
"Time to give him what he has coming," Yandrazt growls, a metallic sound. "They'd better not fail at the last moment."
She'll need to explore that unthinkable possibility while studying the Prophecy later. Had Primus accounted for such matters as well?
"It's time," Seira agrees out loud. "They will succeed."
Onward.
At last the temple is entered. Within is one grand room, smooth and cave like. Here in the center a great metal sphere floats. The moment it is seen, the metal begins to retract, beams of intense light radiating out.
"This is it," Lyris says, darts in hand, already moving to the side.
"For everyone," Marianne breathes, "For once I can do what I should've done a lifetime ago."
Oberuth merely watches ahead, "You're the reason for everything," he murmurs, "You'd damn well better be worth it."
What's worth it is your effort. Remember that, and remember what it is all about.
The sphere retracts into itself, revealing light. So much light. The light of a star unbound, the light of a world unbound. The three cry out and avert their eyes until from it a voice declares, rough and deep, "At last..."
Oberuth shields his eyes with his arms and peers ahead as best he can. "God-King."
Lyris looks as the light begins to fade, Marianne as well.
Slowly you can see him - a figure clad in armor head to toe, features completely hidden save for a beard. He is short as you'd expect, armor made of fine gold and jewels. Impractical, showy armor - yet it bears the marks of battle, scarred and scuffed, yet not broken.
"Serve me," The God-King declares, "I will reward you beyond anything you can imagine. The treasures of nations shall be yours, the legions of the earth and sky shall serve you. I am here to correct what has gone wrong with this Creation, to impose my will onto it. To impose a new order, a better order." He floats there, no weapon in hand, arms at his sides. He slowly raises a hand, reaching out to them. "To sweep away the arrogant and entitled."
"...I've seen what you think of other races besides the gnomes," Oberuth's voice is cold, "You may have a point, but I've seen this too many times now. I'll not parley with a genocidal monster, no matter how honeyed his promises."
"Oh....Oh dearie..." Marianne smiles cold and sharp, like the winds of a blizzard. "You don't really think filthy humans will have any interest in you?"
Lyris merely shakes her head. "Not again. Not this time."
The answer is power - a pulse of it enough to be felt even as you watch, seeming to shake all heaven and earth. "Then my first stop will be Balmuria," he declares, "A graveyard is not my desired throne, but it will suffice."
Oh, thank me Daavid is an idiot! Seira breathes a bit easier at that clumsy negotiations technique worthy of a balor.
"I believe the Duke of Destiny presented a similar argument to Aurora's leadership," she muses. "To save Creation from Shar, join Hell and sacrifice entire worlds."
She takes the God-King's appearance in, noting his lack of weapons. The Resorts were supposed to be important for this battle, but would Oberuth and the others rely on them? And wasn't there the Final Resort she never got to see before, come to think of it?
> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=13 ]{13}
And from there, chaos. A pulse of power shatters the temple instantly, debris exploding outward.
Oberuth ignores them, pierced a dozen times yet the stone falls out of his body, wounds gone before a single drop of blood is spilled.
Marianne surrounds herself in a shell of ice, curling up as she defends herself, untouched by the assault.
Lyris simply dodges, a shard of stone ripping into her side, blood falling as she hurls darts. They bounce off his armor harmlessly amid the storm of stone and shrapnel. She stays moving, leaping from chunk to chunk of stone as it collapses.
In a blink Oberuth is before him, sword coming - only for a spectral copy of the Second Resort to appear in the God-King's hand, a loud CLANG of a perfect parry.
Amid this Marianne escapes her shell and glides back, already chanting arcane words.
The debris begin to fall away and clear, only remnants of the temple intact, shards and ledges hanging in place in the aftermath.
Don't be so prideful, try the Resorts yourselves! Oberuth, you've talked of dual-wielding the Resort and your new sword, haven't you? Give it a go! Lyris, that underwhelming Resort dagger would be beyond deadly in your hands! And that bow was pretty good as well. And Marianne, if none of them suit you, a floating shield provides a very nice defense that gives you more time to focus on putting the God-King down!
She's not going to distract them with useless advice mid-battle, of course. If she cannot trust in the good judgement of her champions, they may as well give up now.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d100=75]
For a moment the God-King and Oberuth are locked, blade to blade. As they struggle, "Your sword's better than your words," Oberuth growls out.
"I'll not play in this rigged game, human," The God-King retorts, before with a push the two separate. A split second later Marianne intones in creeping, chilling words of power, "Glacier, collapse!"
From above a great glacier appears. Marianne grunts as it overshadows the God-King, slamming down - only for a single word to be uttered. In that instant the glacier shatters into a thousand needles of sharp ice, flying towards Oberuth. They clang against his shield, bounce off his armor, assail his body hopelessly. The few that wound him heal swiftly, cuts and gashes gone in a blink of the eye.
Amid all this Lyris becomes one with the shadows, leaping ahead and behind, past the battle and behind them all.
At this Marianne begins to chant again, words of rumbling power. At the same time Oberuth flips his shield onto his back, one fluid motion that undoes straps and supports, slotting it in place. His free hand draws another blade - the Second Resort.
Yes! Just like that! Maim and Spellruin were made for this! And hopefully Lyris is readying the Disjoining Shot with the First Resort, and should Daavid prove impervious to arrows of pure force as well, the Third Resort would definitely get through! It is its very nature to stab anyone, after all.
Don't wait too long before deploying the Fifth, either! What are you waiting for, a formal invitation? No, wait, is Oberuth using it? It's been a while... Seira looks for the ring as well, while she's at it.
"The Second Resort," The God-King pauses as everyone watches, his voice harsh.
Oberuth raises the blade in a salute to the armored gnome, vanishing and appearing, closing in once more.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d100=84]
Marianne grows mightier, the ghostly image of a tarrasque momentarily imposed over her. She is taller now, standing straight and ready. As this happens and Oberuth closes in? The God-King sails back, a leap as he turns and darts to back - right at Lyris, her eyes widening as his armored glove touches her arm. A scream from Lyris as that arm becomes a writhing green snake, writing and sinking its fangs into Lyris's neck, her own arm in open rebellion against her.
"Lyris!" Marianne calls, flying forward rapidly, but Oberuth is faster. He's there, blades swinging - and this time the God-King dodges fast, the moment the Second Resort is seen. Bands of glittering gemstone appear with nary a word or gesture, flying towards Oberuth. Yet with a swing of both blades, most of the bands are shattered, and only one survives to latch onto his upper leg. It bands on tight, cutting and barely drawing blood, pushed out as the wound heals.
"What the hell?!" Seira exclaims. "That's nastier than the spell that boils your blood within you. They need to hit him with dispels and curses right back, and the Resorts are perfectly made for that!"
"It's a good one," Yandrazt agrees, "Spreading Snake Sign. If that hadn't been undone, her other arm and then her legs would've transformed."
Meanwhile...
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 63 > [d100=63]
Amid the ruins of the temple Oberuth appears again, pursuing the God-King. He pushes him back, Second Resort slashing at him, dodged again and again. Meanwhile Marianne reaches Lyris and gestures quickly, a twisting wrench as her arm returns to normal. Lyris slumps to her knees, being noisily sick before rising, shaking, but rising.
"You have the others?" The God King sneers at that, while Oberuth just smiles grimly.
"I don't need your tools to end you, monster," Oberuth says, "But I'll let you see them one more time, when it's buried in your gut."
With a clash the two meet again. Phantasm on reality, magic against solid. Two Second Resorts meet, a loud whine of stressing metal as the two collide. The God-King again parries, hand going up and shining with magic - only to stop, spellfire fading from his hand. His hand goes up to catch a thrown dart, Lyirs glaring defiance at him.
"Stalemated," Seira determines with a frown. She doesn't really get why Oberuth and the others chose to face the God-King with this strategy, but it's their choice so that's that. In the end, the three of them working together will wear him down.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 77 > [d100=77]
Intensification.
There's no words this time, but the God-King blinks back and away. Dozens of bursts of gemstone bright light erupt amid the heroes, the soft, crystalline TING of gemstones being struck also heard.
Oberuth charges, taking his srikes. Parts of him are turned to shattering crystal, only to regrow as he goes, hale and hearty flesh returning. As he charges in, the rest of the bursts clear. A gemstone colored shield of ice crumbles away, revealing Lyris and Marianne behind it, untouched. In that moment Marianne utters a roar of magic, suddenly moving blurringly fast. She's like a dart at the God-King, her rapier alight with arcane fire. She lunges, so fast that her strike makes contact with his armor, thrusting in. It's a grazing shoulder wound, a sudden and furious charge of tremendous speed. A moment later there's a tremendous crackle of collapsing magic, a dispel ripping through the God-King.
As in the background Lyris leaps from debris to debris, closing in and staying away from the others? Oberuth darts in and raises the Second Resort in a sublimely fast slash, coming down. This time the God-King doesn't try and dodge. He bulls forward, the weapon only grazing his side. He reaches out and touches Marianne's chest.
"Wha-" Marianne manages, a soft cry. The sound of breaking crystal.
Chunks of crystal slowly fall from Marianne's chest, her chest and heart now nothing but crumbling crystal. Marianne's eyes go wide at this, a few gasped words, the beginning of a counter.
It's then that steel spikes follow up from within the wound. She is impaled a dozen times from the inside out, spike tips jutting out from her body all over. All Marianne can do is softly exhale one last time before she slumps and falls, plummeting away, her rapier still trailing spellfire.
You had a hero's death, Seira thinks, even as the memory of devils striking Donald down flashes in her mind. She wants to close her eyes, but forces herself to watch to the very end even as another part of her prepares to receive Marianne....
Yandrazt murmurs something in gnomish, quiet and to himself.
Amaryl's averts her eyes but then looks back, "I'll remember you for that, Marianne."
Meanwhile...
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d100=71]
A flash. Another dart? Lyris's gaze is deadly calm now as the God-King reaches up to snatch it - and the Third Resort stabs hard into his hand, through the palm and sticking out the other side. A grunt of pain from the God-King as Oberuth takes that moment, Second Resort coming for the God-King's arm.
Yet the gnome is too fast, dodging even in pain - and right into Oberuth's fist, denting his helmet's faceguard from fist and the hilt of Tears, his free hand going up to strike a blow. The bones in Oberuth's hand loudly break, but visibly begin to resume the proper position, healing away. This impact knocks the God-King back a step, head snapping back.
For that moment, for that one moment, Oberuth has the advantage. His foot comes up and he kicks the God-King back, boot connecting with armored stomach. The gnome is pushed back even further from that - until with a bright flash of light, Oberuth is momentarily blinded, a grunt of pain. The God-King dives back as Lyris shields her eyes - and passes by her. His hand lashes out, a sharp, large gemstone shoved into her ear, seemingly produced from nowhere.
A split second later a burst of pure sonic fury erupts around Lyris's head. A horrible curtain of blood, obscuring all...until it clears. Most of Lyris's left face is gone, blood pouring - but she's up, surviving eye glaring malevolently at the God-King.
Fighting under such conditions is going above and beyond the call of duty, Lyris. "I'll keep Marianne safe now," Seira voices, eyes fixed on the battle. "So fight with your all and avenge her. I believe that you can stop him from ever harming anyone else."
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d100=18]
That survival seems to for one moment surprise the God-King. He doesn't react, he doesn't move - and Oberuth is behind him. The God-King whirls, a blur of metal and magic, a word uttered. There is a hellfire inferno that erupts, blocking vision as it immolates everything.
When your vision clears, the Second Resort and Tears are impaled through the God-King's chest, one besides another. The God-King blinks back, sagging, bleeding - but even with his heart pierced, he does not collapse. Oberuth is burnt horribly, blackened all over, yet healing before your eyes. He relentlessly comes forward, vanishing cleanly, a dozen steps at once. With a slow cry, the gnome reaches up, pulling the Second Resort out of his chest. Blood pours but he stands in defiance, blade in hand at last.
Slowly the God-King raises the Second Resort up - only to bring it down, to bat away darts. Somehow Lyris is faster, somehow she's moving, anticipating it perfectly. Lyris charges in with a gurgling, wild scream, coming right at him. She makes no move to dodge the counter thrust, impaled straight through the chest. Yet she doesn't stop. With one half of a grimace her hand darts out, grabbing the Third Resort. She pulls it out of the gnome's hand, and even as her lifeblood pours out, stabs it into the side of the God-King's armored head.
There is a moment as the God King's hand slips off the Second Resort, all before he stumbles back. He falls, Lyris on top of him and flopping to the side as Oberuth reaches there. He picks up the Second Resort and without hesitation, impales the God-King once, twice, thrice.
It's over.
Oberuth drops the blade and kneels by Lyris. She manages to whisper something, unheard, before Oberuth gently places her down to the ground.
"It's done. The judgement has been passed," Seira whispers, turning to look at Yandrazrt. "Finally, it is all over."
"At last. All done." Yandrazrt agrees, resting back now with an unneeded huff of air.
"We'll have to see to them and ensure they're welcomed properly," Amaryl says, "They've earned their rest and every tomorrow after today."
"I've already prepared," Seira agrees, nodding at Amaryl. "And Helm wouldn't allow any mischief to befall our heroines in the interregnum."
She gazes upon Oberuth. "I guess it was a bittersweet victory for you as well, my old friend."
Oberuth rises and gets his blades back, sheathing them. In the silence the voice without a voice speaks.
It is done.
The body of the God-King is gone, leaving behind naught but one thing - a radiant point of light, which rises up and orbits Oberuth several times. In that light you can see all a world, unspoken and undetermined, a trillion possibilities in the blink of an eye.
Here Oberuth regards it, face tired as he blows out a breath. "You shouldn't have been meddled with. I've never wanted that sort of power. All I ever wanted was a world that made sense, not a world of magic where I'm a hero of legend. Not a world where everything was all about you and the fools who wouldn't let you be as you were meant to be."
A long moment.
"But there is one thing, since no one ever listens to what I want."
Oberuth reaches out to it, touches the Fairest Star. It is just for one moment before with a grunt he removes his hand and in a ragged, shaking voice he says, "...Go. Be born you damned thing."
In that instant the light becomes infinitely more and is then gone - save for one tiny fragment of it. One tiny fragment that lingers around Oberuth's hand, slowly rising up and dissolving into the air.
Lyris coughs, once and then twice. Her body is whole once more, breath drawn in and out.
Seira blinks in confusion. Lyris but not Marianne alongside her?
Oberuth exhales one more time at that, a sigh of simple relief.
"Lyris?" Marianne calls from below, flying up, "Hellman?"
At this Amaryl smiles, "I never thought I'd be happy not to welcome someone to our afterlife," she says.
Seira snorts. "We're still welcoming them, we'll just open a Gate for that. But yes, I think they would prefer the ability to return freely to Prime to see their friends whenever they wish over their reward."
"We won," Oberuth says as Lyris manages to rise and hugs Marianne, sitting down and watching. He rests for a few moments as the two share quiet words.
"The Fairest Star wanted me to use it," he says, sounding simply tired more than anything else. "The God-King had changed its nature." Looking up, "Rejecting it was part of this judgment so it could be born, wasn't it?"
The Fairest Star will be born. Now you three shall stand in judgment and settle this affair.
"Three to censure, three to banish, three to augment." Marianne agrees.
Choose.
Seira makes note of the world born through the Fairest Star. She will become one of its stewards, so that Auril or worse still won't lead it astray.
Most of her attention is kept on the judgement of the gods, however, and she can't deny an eagerness taking hold now that her champions are no longer in mortal peril! She's bound to gain a stronger position, and Shar will be both weakened and barred from her Prime of birth for all of time. That alone is a priceless outcome, and there are three choices each, not just the one....
You try and follow the Fairest Star, but you can't. It's just outside of your vision, beyond being seen.
"I'll go first, Marianne and I already decided," Lyris parts from the hug, "Banish Shar. Censure Shar. Enhance Selune." After a moment, "Because Shar is horrible, Shar is horrible and a Selunite is one of my close friends."
Both Alicia and Seira can feel it, a cosmic wave trembling across Creation. A shift, an adjustment as the voice without a voice utters but one silent word.
Done.
At this Lyris smiles, "Fuck you, Shar."
Fuck you, Shar, Seira echoes her. Get stuffed.
"Yes!" Amaryl shouts, cheering loud, as....
"My turn," Marianne says, "First, I'd like to banish Loviatar - her entire faith is distasteful," Marianne says. "Censure Malar, I have no use for bestial violence, not like represents. I did that in one lifetime." A moment, "Enhance Seira, she's the reason we've come this far."
A cosmic wave, powerful as the last, spreads.
Seira feels it, power surging in her. Like that Seira grows, exploding outwards, becoming more.
You've gone up to divine rank 3. Congratulations. This is unlike normal increases, it's a flat +1 rather than just filling you up to DvR3, so you're a decent ways along to DvR4.
Even as she cheers, Seira prays fervently, "Get Asmodeus, please get Asmodeus. Ban him and you ban every devil ever! Weaken him and Mephisto might make a play!"
Oberuth's last. Staying where he is, "Can I request something else?"
No.
"Damn that overeager thing," Oberuth mutters, "Enhance Helm. He's stood with Balmuria the entire time. Banish Pale Night, I have no need of her madness in my world. Censure Asmodeus."
A third cosmic wave that spreads far and wide, rippling out.
It is done. Thus ends this judgment.
In that moment all is remade. Oberuth, Marianne and Lyris stand near the shore - an unremarkable shore, no signs of an entrance, no signs of ruins at all.
A moment later, Seira's avatar is standing there beside them, Amaryl's avatar and Yandrazrt at her sides. And upon appearing, she grabs the victorious trio in a hug!
"You've done very well," she murmurs. "We're all so proud of your achievements!"
"Aaaaah," Lagann sighs, "That's at last done. Good work for humans."
Oberuth's expression is just...tired. Nonetheless Marianne returns that hug and Lyris says, "You're welcome," she says, "We should charge you the mother of all fees for this bit of problem solving, honestly."
"Charge away, you deserve it. Just as you deserve this for going above and beyond your duty to save this world and more."
Deific gifts are a thing here!
"I'd like you to take away what the Fairest Star did to me," Oberuth says plainly, "Can you?"
In lieu of an answer, Seira peers at Oberuth and studies him. Perhaps now, freshly-empowered, she will reach those insights?
You can see it. A spark of absolute life, instilled within Oberuth. The ability to recall life from the grip of death, to breathe vitality in what has perished.
Oberuth has gained the following ability:
Resurrecting Touch (Su)
At will as a standard action, Oberuth can touch a dead body (or a surviving part of a dead body, or a possession or image if no body remains) and restore it to life, as if by a resurrection spell. There's no cap to how long the creature has been dead and no chance of a mishap.
"Let me try," Seira decides. "We can do it at the Cauldron. I hope the three of you have time for a visit?"
And assuming they don't object, she will bring them home.
"Let's go," Oberuth agrees, the three following with you. Thus you return back, the Cauldron bustling as always, along with soldiers at the ready.
Marianne and Lyris stay close, "I think we'd like a chance to rest," Marianne says, "That ordeal was unsettling as was..." Here Marianne sighs, "He was so powerfully violent. I've felt powerful magic, but his was overwhelming. I couldn't resist it, it couldn't stop it." She looks down, coming to an awkward pause.
"Can I ask why you held back from using all the Resorts from the start?" Seira inquires, summoning a fist-sized diamond into her grasp. "Even if they were a trap, it might've been a good idea to find that out from the start."
"We'd discussed it," Oberuth says, "The plan was to test him, then draw the Second Resort and see what happens. Escalate, but the battle got out of hand faster than it worked." He follows as he gaze stays on the Cauldron's people as you go. "Flexibility to bring them in faster if it was needed, but the speed not to in case he had some way to fight against that."
The best laid plans of mice and men, was it?
The judgement on the God-King, Daa-vid, and on the deities that brought that situation about has been delivered, she speaks in the minds of all her faithful, while her voice sounds within all of her churches in Creation. The Champions of Judgement, Oberuth, Marianne and Lyris, were successful in putting that monster to final rest. They rebuked the enemies of Good, Shar and Asmodeus chief amongst them, while singling out Helm and Selune as friends of the faith. As they have chosen, so let it be! And let this date be a day of celebration for all of time!
Even as she establishes a holiday for her church from this year onwards, Seira rests her hand on Oberuth's chest. "Try to relax, old friend," she tells him. "I'm going to see if my power beats the Fairest Star on this."
Closing her eyes, she focuses on the the touch of resurrection and attempts to draw it out of Oberuth and into the gem in her other hand with herself as the conduit. One of the methods for creating spellgems is a massive celebration, and festivities all across Creation such as those she had just triggered would carry a power beyond imagination! That power will be channeled into this, filtered through the Hope that is at her core, and if the means to achieve this goal exists somewhere within the realm of possibility, that Hope will draw it out!
Cheers. Cheers and celebration at your words, while meanwhile...
Give me a rank check.
20:40 <Seira> roll 1d20+3
20:40 <Penuche> Seira invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=4]
You feel it, the radiant power of the Fairest Star. Just an echo now, but still sufficient to resist, to cling. A sense of eagerness, an impression, a moment to give the one who held it what he wanted, amplified many times over. Like a puppy, almost.
It's not going anywhere, not by your hand and perhaps not by anyone's hand short of an Incarnation or the holder of the Fairest Star.
Seira sighs, shaking her head. "I don't know if even Zaphkiel could remove it," she admits. "And to be honest, I think you make a good owner for that ability, Hellman. You brought Marianne and Lyris back, even though I wouldn't have let anything bad happen to them, because in the end you think a lot like me in these matters."
Giving him a crooked smile, Seira adds, "How about these roses?" The diamond disappears, and black roses replace it in a bouquet that she hands over to Oberuth. "They symbol new beginnings, and have a nice side effect of keeping your dreams pleasant."
"It's my own damned fault for using the Fairest Star. At least this I can blame on my own choices, rather than other things." Oberuth says stoically, expression controlled now. He glances over at Lyris and Marianne, "It was worth it."
"Thank you, Hellman," Marianne rises and bows, "What will you do with that gift?"
Lyris rises and bows as well, before Oberuth says, "The Gods have always held resurrection as a rare gift. I see no reason to change that." Looking down at his hand, "Ever since I saw that death smile in my dreams, ever since Sylian had his say over me, I've seen how magic and power change the world. I don't want a world where I'm a symbol of life restored, and cults and people gather around me for my gift. I care even less for those who would object, from the Inevitables to all those who worship death."
"I'm not enough of a saint to let my friends die, though." Oberuth finishes. His lips twist into a wry smile. "I won't be dragged away to a glowing mountain or an endless forest yet."
The roses are magically shrunk and pinned to the lapel of Oberuth's shirt, before Seira claps her hands with a smile.
"And now for the fun part! Once more, I thank you for completing the mission I have started so long ago. In that time, I've lost friends and companions to betrayal and duty, to death and retirement. In the end, Creation itself decided I was too much of a pain and saw it fit to restrict me from meddling in mortal affairs. So... for doing what I no longer couldn't, and doing it so well Demedais and Alicia could have no complaints... from the bottom of my heart, thank you, Heroes."
Seira bows before them to show her sincerity and gratitude alike, and even as she does so she extends her divine power to the three. Unlike most divine gifts, this time each of the recipients instinctively know the rewards being offered to them, and Seira lingers until she rises back to give them a choice. That should be a far more precious gift, especially considering what she had just said.
Oberuth is being offered a Con boost to the available maximum, which at his level would be +6, I believe.
Marianne is being offered an alternate form of a tarrasque (the 'ordinary', SRD one), and the ability to switch forms with a swift action. The Destroyer Shape ability would function like the Dragonshape spell, except with no time limit on duration.
Lyris is being offered an alternate form of a ghost (also the 'ordinary' SRD one as depicted in the Ghost template). Similarly to Marianne's offering, it is patterned over Dragonshape. A swift action would switch between forms and there is no limit on duration. Unlike Marianne's ability, Lyris would be able to use any and all abilities of the ghost form in her regular one if she so chooses, as a free action decided at the beginning of every round. This ability would not result in her being detected as Evil or Undead.
Sorry, I got wrapped up in Oberuth lining and forgot to react to the roses.
The roses are taken, a sniff, "If they help good dreams, thank you," he says.
Lyris accepts hers after a moment's thought, Marianne considering...and accepting. You feel your gift flow into them, form within them, power nestling deep within.
Oberuth is silent, "Not now. Maybe later," he says at last.
There's some mechanical fiddling Lyris and Marianne would need for their forms, but this is beyond the scope of this as they don't have B6 sheets at this time. There's no 'ordinary' SRD tarrasque, that's replaced wholly with the homebrewed version. I'd have to come up with something there when and if she gets a sheet for this game, but it's not mission critical right now.
That's fine, I wanted to relay my intentions. As in, there is no need to intimidate gravity into stopping working and there's definitely no (pseudo) dvr0 on offer. Tarrasques are bullshit as is~
"We'll have a proper celebration here later," Seira tells the three, beaming. "I'll bring your friends over from Prime and Aurora, combat missions permitting. In light of that, please enjoy the Cauldron's hospitality! I'd be delighted to host you at the palace, and should you choose to make it your new place of residence, I can only wish you well. After all, those friends I mentioned are always just a portal away."
At this Lyris and Marianne go to take advantage of the accommodations. Once gone Oberuth merely says, "Do we have privacy?"
Seira ensures of it and gives him a nod.
"I thought about taking it, just a moment," Oberuth admits, "To take the Fairest Star and try to crush Shar beneath my boot before she could react. It would have helped me do it like an excited child. It was an empty, soulless thought, as I also say the potentials in the world not yet born. It will be a strong world, a world of rugged heroes."
"I thought of it myself," Seira agrees. "Both would have been good choices, so we're in full agreement over this. Even though my power wasn't enough to track the Fairest Star to its destination, I'll find it soon enough and we'll help shepherd it."
At this, Oberuth draws the Second Resort. He offers it to you, blade pointing straight up. "Do you want this back?" The blade gleams in the light, no sign of the blood of its creator left on it. "A sword that's seen so much misery and bloodshed, and baptized in the murdered blood of its creator."
"It would make a nice weapon, and I'm going to have plenty of avatars," Seira agrees, accepting the sword. "This is something we actually disagree on. This sword is just a tool, and I never felt lesser for relying on the enemy's creations." Tilting her head, she asks, "What was the deal with the Final Resort? It was this vague thing we were told of for when all the original five were brought together, but never actually got to see. Did it reveal itself to you?"
Even as they speak of settling such matters, Seira decides to deliver two messages. One in particular really needs to go out as soon as possible lest she be found in default, and if there's one why hold back?
Ajan, would you mind stopping by the Cauldron? As the ruins disappeared, I presume you are no longer kept imprisoned
The other message is to Kangap and Goldan, saying, I grew up hearing of your legend, and even though seeing you in the final judgement put faces to the names I would still appreciate a proper meeting. If you would like to take me up on it, please visit my home.
"No, I know not what happened," Oberuth admits once you take the sword. "Lost in mystery or time, and I care little as long as it does not darken our doorstep for the worse."
'I approach.' Ajan's voice is in your head, two words saying it all. 'Kangap and Goldan will be later. They have another matter to see to first.'
Well, that's a bit annoying but she'll just ask Mystra about it later. Maybe she knows!
Seira nods at Oberuth, mentioning, "Ajan seems to be about to visit. I know you've just met, but would you like to meet him in a more casual setting than a dungeon?"
Rolling his neck and rubbing the back of it with his hand, "Alright," he says.
This visitor Seira intends to receive by the lake of lava, just outside her palace. She leaves the details to Vayley, opting to wait for Ajan's arrival there with Oberuth.
It is not long. Vayley appears just before. She lays out light refreshments for you, a meal for the Commander and several cows for Ajan - cows bedeckoned in jewelry in strategic places, shining gold and glittering gemstones.
It smells surprisingly good to your draconic side, something about them enticing. It makes you want to lick your chops.
"You are the best maid," Seira commends Vayley earnestly.
Oberuth sits down and tucks in - it's a meal of roasted chicken and vegetables. He looks over after a few bites as Vayley curtsies and teleports away.
"Why is there the jewelry?" Oberuth demands, gruffly.
"It's like gravy for dragons."
Oberuth is silent at that - what can you really say to that?
Fortunately, it's a short silence for soon the air stirs. From above he descends, a vast red wyrm descending down. He makes no great show of his arrival, instead coming with a steady pace downward, descending before all of you. Ajan is at last free, standing before you at the Cauldron.
"Welcome to my home!" Seira greets him brightly. "It's been longer than I hoped. I'm glad to see you free at last!"
"At last," Ajan agrees, "The past is finally put to rights."
"I trust the judgement was all you had imagined it to be through the millennia?" Seira inquires, before gesturing at the feast. "Ah, my head maid prepared some refreshments for all of us. There's no need to keep it formal between friends, so we can talk as we eat~"
Ajan's...aaaah! He's frightfully fast, a snap of his neck out and his jaws chomp down. In an instant one cow is gone, then another. Barely even time for a final moo for any of them.
"It was and it was not," Ajan admits, "It was unfortunate it was not the original Crimson Guard finishing the task - unavoidable by what you gained, but unfortunate."
"Oberuth, Marianne and Lyris allowed me to experience it vicariously, at least," Seira voices. "Such is life, I suppose. And yes, I did gain quite a bit! This realm, to begin with. Perhaps it is not what you originally imagined, but would you like to make your lair here? I've played with space a bit, so there's a great deal more of it than might seem, and there are plenty of isolated areas as well if you'd still prefer that." She can't help but boast a bit, adding, "In fact, the entire outer slope is uninhabited at present, and has many caves and tunnels filled with gold veins!"
In fact, that would probably be a great draw to the Astral Reds, now that she thinks about it.
"My avatar would be around to help for the time you asked as well," Seira continues. "I pay off my debts, and aid my friends without fail."
Oberuth pauses his meal a moment at that carnage, but tucks right back in and finishes it.
There is a consideration here, "What is your ultimate goal now that the judgment is over, Seira? You have gained much." Ajan asks.
"My ultimate goal is keeping Creation safe and leading it to what I consider to be the correct path," Seira immediately responds. She's unable to be explicit unless Ajan is proven to have some sort of protection from Ao, but she can definitely speak in more general terms. "I'm well on the way of leading an effort to ensure the Inner Planes are free of slaves and slavers, and once that campaign against slavery succeeds I'll devote more of my efforts to dealing with Shar and various evil undead. I'll challenge the evil deities in battles of ideas much like Alicia has been doing all this time, too, so that it's not just a string of martial successes. And through it all, I'll never cease seeking out draconic perfection. Bahamut and Tiamat have stagnated, so I've thrown my hat into the ring, as they say. The Astral Reds you've pointed me towards are coming around, and I intend to draw more and more dragons to my banner and present them an alternative to their current paths in life."
She grins all of a sudden. "I'll be sure to keep rescuing princesses here and there, too~"
The last gets Ajan to snort faintly, a hint of fire from within his nostrils. "You seem to prefer princesses," he says, "How many have you collected?"
Oberuth's lips twitch up at that, just a bit.
"It depends on how you define a princess," Seira muses. "However, rescue is one thing but I've only ever kept the one! Amaryl's my princess-- ah, I suppose Emily and Xera are my princesses, too?"
"Emily and Xera? Who are they?" Ajan asks back, eyeing you from afar.
"Her daughters," Oberuth speaks up, finishing his meal and pushing it away. Wiping his mouth with the back of his forearm, "She's done well for herself out here."
"Children can be our pride," Ajan agrees, "When they live up to their potential."
"You'll meet them before long if you stay~"
"Hmph." Ajan says, "I feel I owe you that much, for a time," he agrees, "You reached out to me when I was but a servant of a higher power."
"You have plenty of time to decide on your own goals," Seira agrees. "I don't doubt you've thought of them during your task, but freedom and actually having options changes things."
"I retain the gifts for my service," Ajan says, "The Arbiter freed us with his will, and said we may keep what we were given."
"May it not be an unwanted gift," Oberuth murmurs, more to himself than anything.
"You know, I've been wondering about the Resorts and this is a good chance to ask," Seira muses, ensuring that they are not overheard via divine will and being somewhat obvious about it. "Wasn't there supposed to be a Final Resort after the original five? And weren't they a magical set? Those tend to have fresh powers when you gather them all. We've chatted with the Arbiter, Oberuth and I, but didn't really get a clear answer on this. I don't suppose he told you anything interesting like that?"
"I am not certain of it, only that it was not used," Ajan says, "Why I do not know, nor what caused this change."
"Not knowing about it is the sort of thing that bothers you," Seira muses. "So all the Arbiter talked about was being free and keeping some divine gifts?"
Since subtlety didn't bear fruit, she'll try a bit of directness. An opening like that would likely be taken by someone as intelligent as Ajan if he's in the know.
"Yes," Ajan agrees, unperturbed by your question.
"I guess he wasn't very talkative," Seira says in disappointment. Still, given the outcome was all she'd wanted and more, there's no need to stay disappointed for long.
At this Ajan rises, "A lair. It has been a long time," he declares, "I will go find a suitable place."
"Good luck! I know there are great spots!"
Like I said before, the outer slopes of the Cauldron would have plenty of caverns and gold veins and such. Possibly some lava!
He'll figure something out. Okay, do you have anything else to do to wrap this up, since the war looms?
Waukeen wants to talk about that, but I'll stall that a bit on grounds of other people waiting for this to go forward.
That commander asked us to wait a day, so let's see what waiting a day brings. I'll be using my Fire domain sense to tell if there are large shifts on Fire, and given War and Knowledge I should hopefully catch on to any uprisings or coups.
Sure.
The day passes. You await news and at last - you get some. You feel it - Fire itself seems to resonate, a moment of shifting, of adjusting. The taste of war is thick in the air, like a miasma lapping at your lips.
It feels like you're being betrayed as we speak, Seira sends to the Sultan. Would you like to use this chance to defect?
There's no answer to that, perhaps predictably.
Seira locates Valar with a thought and transports herself over to him. "It looks like it's happening," she tells him. "How about we hit one of their largest slave camps while the efreet are busy?"
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 67 > [d100=67]
"As long as the truce is expired," Is Valar's reply to that, as you find him pouring over reports and maps in a quiet office.
"It has," Seira affirms. "We were asked to wait another day by the plotters of this apparent coup, and now that it's taking place using their infighting to our advantage seems like a good idea. Especially since even if they're ready to deal, a set of victories here would advance our negotiating position." She pauses, before telling Valar, "I need four targets. One for your army and another for Lady Honeydip's forces, and one each for myself and Moore of Celestia. We'll free up as many of the slaves as we can, and see about our next move then. And if we can manage this, I'd prefer my target to be owned by Akil."
"I'll see to it," Valar says, "Is there anything else?"
"No. This is our priority."
I will wait for it to either happen or to be contacted by a party from Fire.
Give me one moment to line something up since a reaction may change things. This won't be long.
Okay, Alicia's coming over to talk strategy. ARe you going to invite Moore or should I move him onto a related thing instead?
Okay, let's do this.
New topic time.