Okay, you were interested in checking on node goals?
Yes, let's do a debrief
Sure, go ahead and set up what you have in mind, I'll respond off of it.
"So, did things work out as I hoped?" Seira asks Ranbar once Moore and Xandra leave, Sanzha sent their way a moment later with a thought offloaded to Seira's avatar. "I bet on those flashes of inspiration you two get in and our of combat to be relevant for our quest. Was it on the money?"
"Well," Kascha says, "I did learn a lot. It makes sense that Creation has what I can only call a filtration system, doesn't it?" She sits, head resting on her hand as she hums to herself.
"We've always known it had a border," Seira agrees. "But this helped us shift our perceptions from a two-dimensional barrier into something with actual depth and different possible functions."
"We also know it can be defeated now," Kascha says, "We know other Far Realm creatures have made it past, and we saw how one might endure the defenses." She closes her eyes, as if taking a brief nap, head resting in her hand. She blows out a long breath before, "It's interesting, it's fascinating, it's illuminating: But is it useful to know right now? Our enemy is still Shar and she's of this Creation."
"It's crucial," Seira insists. "You know just why she is our enemy. Destroying all of Creation would be easiest by tearing down the barrier, and given her backing, it's certainly reasonable to assume she knows of its existence. Or did you think her plan for eliminating everything had her slay everyone personally, one at a time?"
"...yes?" Kascha says after a moment, "She'd enjoy that, wouldn't she?"
"I don't feel like that's the threat we're facing, but in the end it's my own interpretation of the available facts," Seira says after declining to voice her immediate reaction. "Since your words got me thinking, Kascha, does it mean you are interested in pursuing different matters? That's perfectly fine. Sanzha will come in your stead tomorrow. I merely ask that you attempt to form those chains here, to see that you can still manage it properly."
"Not at all!" Kascha gasps, "I've gotten such good lore from this. It's just that it's not going to help us with our immediate problems! Seira, how could you think to cut me off from something like this?! I want to write so much about it!"
"I honestly don't know what you want anymore," Seira says in good-natured exasperation. "Just form the chains, please. Show me that you can make them work even here, and if you can't, spend the rest of the day practicing. It'll come in handy one day."
Kascha focuses...and nothing happens. "It's much harder here," she says at last, "I haven't developed my will yet like you and Amaryl have. I'll practice on it, it'll surely help with that as well."
"Sure thing. And on reflection, why don't you take Oraga and go to Gates of the Moon to pay Emily a visit? Donald and Elle are there, helping out, so fill the three of them in while you can be assured of privacy."
"I'll do that, there's so much lore-"
A connection to Kascha, bright and sharp and strong. It's radiant as you feel it and...
Node update, go check.
Saw it
Seira nods at her, before glancing over at Ranbar. She'd asked her about Sylvie's shared memories before, and it would be interesting to hear the results.
As it happens Kascha smiles, "What a lovely reward," she perks up, "Thank you!"
Ranbar meets your gaze, "It's like a collection of observations and thoughts," Ranbar says, "All of Sylvie's experiences in a way, but not. Like they're chosen and curated to be the useful ones. A lot of it I already knew, some of it isn't applicable because we fight differently, but there are many helpful parts."
Seira wishes for a reward like that herself, deep down, but it can't be helped.
"Did it also include anything relevant to becoming One or the way to manipulate that dark blue energy?"
A shake of her head, "It doesn't touch on that or 21 at all." Ranbar considers. "Well no, there is one part about it - she tried to inspire 21 but she couldn't make it work."
"That's unfortunate," Seira notes. "Is there something more immediately relevant, to borrow Kascha's words?"
"Nothing immediate, it's helpful but it'll take time," Ranbar says at last. "I have a lot to reflect on now."
Seira nods. "As with Kascha, I'm curious whether you believe further excursions to the buffer zone would help you. If it won't advance you on the path while at the same time you have new skills to polish, it's possible for you to do just that."
"I don't think it will help me as much as others," Ranbar says, "I don't have divine will." With a bit of a smile, "Seira, take others if they'd gain more from it than I would."
"Seeing that place was important, and you did get a nice parting gift from Sylvie. Alright, then."
"Still, you think this will help stop Shar?" Ranbar asks, curiously. "Or at least something she might do."
"21 was explicitly made to analyze things for truth and to kill deities, so yes, the outcome of our excursion is very relevant. But I do think there's a very high chance of either Shar or Ao to try and end Creation by breaking the barrier that keeps Creation separate from the Beyond."
"Then it's extremely useful," Ranbar concludes.
Seira grins at her. "Pretty much, yep! And Sylvie, for all her faults, is a great hero on a planar scale. There is a finite amount of them, and she'd be firmly in our camp. Getting her back would have massive repercussions, beyond the good deed of helping someone trapped."
At that moment you feel it, a connection to Ranbar, blossoming.
Node update, go read.
Read it
Seira finds herself nodding once more, before tilting her head questioningly as she glances over at Amaryl. "Want to step over to Sylica with me and catch them up?"
"I'd love to," Amaryl smiles and rises, offering you her hand.
"Oh," Ranbar murmurs, "That still surprises me!"
"Play nice, kids~"
Taking Amaryl's hand, Seira transports the two of them to just outside Sylica where she proceeds to knock politely.
Yes, Seira?
It's nothing bad, but there is an issue of utmost importance we need to discuss with you.
Alicia's away, but Antenora and I are here. Is this serious or something fun?
The former, I'm afraid. Amaryl and I will make our way to the palace to meet the two of you.
Seira teleports herself and Amaryl afterwards, since she'd asked for permission!
It's not hard to get a private audience room with the four of you. Antenora is there as well, in armor and ready to go on a moment's notice. Syala stands by a window instead, as she always is. "Well, good news doesn't usually travel this fast," Syala remarks. "What is it?"
"I think it's important to share good news as soon as possible," Seira counters with a slight grin, after a cursory check that they aren't being spied on. "I brought Alicia in a while back about the notes Sylvie's son had regarding a ritual. I kept on working on it alongside Duke Moore's group in Celestia, finding that the ritual had to do with dimensional travel. We later became convinced it was to form a portal outside Creation. And today, we finally cracked the code! The portal I opened took us to the barrier keeping the Beyond separate from Creation and filtering out any invasions from the Beyond. Sylvie and 21 are there."
"Finally," Antenora says right away, "What's the situation there? What about barrier?"
Syala merely turns and nods, "Good," she says, "Tell us more."
"There is more," Amaryl agrees, "But it won't be as easy as to go in there and ask Sylvie to return."
"The barrier is quite interesting to see. As for the situation there, it appears that our sponsors have fashioned this as both an aide towards becoming One and a test, somewhat similar to the seals the God-King's ruins in Balmuria used to have. I've opened up my seal, and tomorrow I'll be going back with Moore to open his. There's one for Alicia, one for Io's choice and the last for that squid from Aurora. Moore and I are handling the contacts, naturally. Once we've opened all five, however, we should be able to retrieve both Sylvie and 21."
Antenora nods briskly, "Then we have a task once Alicia returns." The answer is to the point as she goes on, "The others will come and solve their tasks as well. 21 will be unfathomably useful, if..." Antenora takes a breath, "Even if we must tolerate it."
"We have no choice if we have a chance to take it," Amaryl agrees, "Even the hardiest, most fruitful grain must endure dung to grow strong."
To that Syala cracks a smile, "Lovely analogy," she notes, "We should take Oberuth as well, this is related to what he's been stuck with."
"I've considered it, but I'm already bringing a lot of people along. Maybe next time," Seira muses. "As for 21, I can't say just yet, but that place helps you understand how to use your power to contain and battle creatures from Beyond, so it might be possible to reduce the damage from 21 as well. I can't say if it's a thematic choice or not, but the Beyond is represented by the same color 21 is over there."
She shrugs. In the end, it could be a useful tidbit, but hardly the point of the visit. "What else.... Sylvie is being cryptic and depressing, but we've faced terrible odds before and came out on top."
"Alicia's occupied, but we'll go as soon as she's available," Antenora says, "Is there anything else to be said about this place?"
"Don't go towards the waves? You'll get it when you go there. Also, I'd welcome the chance to be there with you!"
"You'll have it," Syala says, "Also, I really must know: Did she explain what she was thinking with Calley?"
"Sylvie confirmed that she was behind it, but she avoided answering any personal questions and told us to first reach her properly at the end of the trials for the rest," Seira tells Syala apologetically. "Ah, but I did recall something. It's a working theory of mine that Anarch powers work as a discount version of our divine powers where it comes to countering the Beyond. With Moore, it's always possible the Words carry a stronger weight, but there's a chance that both parts boost one another. I did confirm that someone without either ability couldn't form the binding chains you learn to form there."
"So you think being an anarch helps?" Syala asks at that, "The similarities between Limbo and Beyond have crossed my mind."
"I'd hope they'd have better taste than that," Antenora adds quietly, "But I concede the point."
"Yeah, though it's a bit hard to prove. Anarchs don't exactly grow on trees, and I can't bring any I know outside Moore over there to test things."
"About that," Syala says, "We came into possession of an artifact that can create anarchs." Syala says it casually, like it's no great thing at all. "It can make virtually anyone an anarch is my understanding of it."
Seira blinks in surprise, before exclaiming, "That's so convenient! Can we make use of it?"
"Of course you can," Syala says, "I think we owed you a favor, or did we already settle that one."
"Does it matter?" Antenora asks, "Though I'm fairly certain the Cauldron owed us a favor. We'll help them regardless."
"I don't really count those, but I'm with Antenora on how it works for us," Seira cheerfully agrees. "Are you keeping this a secret, or shall I share the information with Moore?"
"He'll be told I think, but not yet. Let me talk to Alicia about that," Is Syala's answer.
"Sure thing," Seira agrees. "Can we give it a try now?"
I'd like to give it a try with Amaryl, and send the rest of my guys over after off-screen. Works?
Sure.
The Icon of Sensations is tucked away deep in Sylica, guarded carefully. Syala approaches it and gently taps it's side. It is of a gorgeous woman cast in gold, sensual and atop a jagged mound of pink crystals.
"The statue itself is a form of anarch, according to Baleruk," Syala explains as she stands by it. "It can be directed, but it takes a deft touch. A primitive sort of intelligence rests within - not sapient or even aware, but it has developed one."
Seira raises an eyebrow as she looks the statue over. "Is its origin what I expect?" she asks, coming up to it. Should she touch it and direct her will? She checks over with her magical sight!
Greater Arcane Sight, knowledges and spellcraft above 100 for relevant info
Icon of Sensations
This artifact is the work of a forgotten succubus queen. Exactly what it can do is impossible to tell, for pure, primal chaos is woven into it. It changes when you look, becoming impossible to discern. You are able to figure out the following: It increases the senses and the ability to sense greatly within approximately a half mile, ranging from minor to extreme (+5 to +50) bonuses to Perception and this can be adjusted. This bonus is alluring and addicting, through no magic of its own. Rather, the body and the mind naturally crave this, wanting it more and more.
To change the icon and the range it functions in, an opposed Charisma check is needed. While not intelligent, the icon has a certain sense of self that must be overcome to change it. Changing the icon is a full round action.
There's likely more powers to it as well. Seira's planar and magical lore suggests to her that with something to tame and shape chaos, you could probably learn more.
"I'm pretty sure I get how it affects the senses, but how do I force the Anarch aspect?" Seira inquires, unwilling to experiment with an artifact belonging to her friends.
"It takes guiding it carefully," Syala says, "I'll get you through it."
"Thank you."
It's like a few twitches deep inside you, a feeling of flexing and awakening, but little else. It happens quickly, smoothly.
"Interesting," Seira murmurs, forming a Beyond-shredding sword and a Beyond-blocking shield in her arms with divine will to see if it's easier now.
It's still hard - but perhaps a little easier.
"Yes, I think it helps!" Seira says cheerfully. "Though that place makes practicing such powers much easier. Thanks again!"
At this all of you...
Good to move on? Assuming so, say so and I'll move you over to the 21 topic.
Yes, please. I'll take Amaryl, Kascha, Ranbar and Sanzha with me (all Anarch'd).
Ranbar'll tag out unless you have a reason to take her, as she said she wouldn't get a ton from another trip as she is now.
Anarch to test our theory, if it still doesn't help once she's there I'll let her tag out.
Okay, to the 21 topic.