Okay, you want to approach the sea elves. Any particular strategy here?
He will simply open them openly! If they recognize him, all the better!
Open them openly?
Wow... approach them openly.
The sea elves are, as you'd expect, underwater. Beneath the waves is a trade house, a large space for various aquatic races to trade. Here sea elves, mermen and other travelers of the waves come. It's a large, open space with many buyers and sellers about. The waters are still and the distorted sounds of aquatic languages is thick in the air.
A little magic makes it easy enough to communicate with them, even underwater!
He raises a hand in greeting to them as he approaches. "Greetings! I hope you're all finding something interesting here."
I do not recall offhand if there's a 'sea elven' but if there is Moore would use that.
That seems to get attention. Conversations stop and attention turns on you, looks of open surprise by many as you make an entrance.
"I thought I'd come and visit and see how things are." Moore says. "Thank you all for visiting! I actually do have a favor to ask of all of you, if you'd be willing to spread the word of this place?"
He looks at all of them with a bit of expectancy and a smile.
A few moments of silence follow before?
"Yes, sir!"
"Of course, Duke!"
"I would be honored!"
A dozen congratulations and yet one figure stays back. A sea elf who wears scale and shell armor, a trident on his back. He's strong and tall for an elf, yet still slender despite that.
"Thank you very much." Moore says, as a few books (protected from water, of course!) will appear in the hands of those who agreed. "These are my scriptures. I only ask that you take them and give them to anyone you think would benefit from them. I am not at all interested in taking followers or believers from other faiths, but if there are those out there that wish to follow me, I would be humbled by it. You're always welcome here, whether you follow me or another faith."
A smile to all around before he glances towards the back and smiles again - he may as well see if this is perhaps their bodyguard or something else, so he decides to approach him!
The sea elf meets your gaze as you approach, only to avert his eyes after a moment's time. "Duke Moore," he greets neutrally.
"You have me at a disadvantage, it would seem." Moore says.
I mean, assuredly he can figure out who this is, but that's not fair!
After a beat. "Do you mind if I ask what brought you here? I'm making it a habit of getting to know my neighbors better to be a better... well, neighbor, as it were." He explains with a bright smile.
"You don't tax them," Is his answer after a moment, "You do know how merchants are?"
"I am familiar, yes." Moore says. "There's... a fine line, I think, between wealth and greed, and I think most people don't really understand the fundamental difference. It isn't my place to tell people how and what to do with money they earn... I think it makes the most sense for people to have enough that they can spend it freely. When you give someone the freedom to go good things, rather than forcing them to do good things, I think that creates the fundamental for inspiration and hope for others."
Give me a Diplo check here, would you? You said something right.
Take 10 for 136.
Your words are considered before the warrior responds at last, "An eternal optimist, like everyone here."
"That is the foundation of hope, or one of them." Moore says with a smile.
"Merchants suffer from greed. They take, take, take and take more. They take every coin they can." He says to you, "You can find hope in them?"
"You can find hope in anyone." Moore says. "I could give you countless stories about merchants than I've met who only wish to do business fairly and use their profits to better themselves and those around them. Of course, you can find people who suffer from greediness... just like you can find people who suffer from anything else. This place was founded with hope and inspiration in mind, and I am certain that the merchants here will do right by their own without my forcing them to do anything."
A longer pause before, "You believe that," he murmurs, sounding a mix of stunned, awestruck and amazed.
"I can't deny that some people will see it as naive." Moore says with a smile. "But it's my job... my role in Creation, to show people what they can do with hope and how they can inspire people around them."
"I've heard...people speak about that," A pause again before he says, "Is it true?"
Moore smiles. "I can only speak for myself and what I've seen, and I can tell you that it's true."
A mere nod of his head then, no argument. Instead he says, "If that's what you will."
Moore holds his hand out, and one of his books of scripture appears.
"Here, why don't you read this?" He asks. "I think it'll help give some framework for everything. You're, of course, welcome to stay here as long you'd like as well."
The book is taken with a nod, "I'll read it," he agrees quietly, quieter than before.
"I'm glad we met." Moore says. "Oh... one thing, since I didn't catch it, do you mind if I ask your name?"
"Ysvodel," Is the answer once the book is taken.
"Well, Ysvodel, you're always welcome here in Hope's Landing. Feel free to stop by any time you'd like." Moore says and offers him a nod of his head.
I believe the last group that was here was some traveling merchants. If they're still around Moore will say hi!
Sure. Any prep for it?
Nah, he'll just go say hello like he has so far!
Since there's decent odds you'll need one, just give me a Diplo check now while I set up and get going.
Take 10 for 136.
You find a group of unaffiliated merchants on the beach. In particular around a driftwood fire. In the light of Chronias they share a round of drinks and talk away.
The first is a human. A big human, but not fat. Muscled and heavily so, scarred and in his middle years. A massive broadsword rests besides him, sheathed. He wears fine travel clothes, of a cut and make to suggest money. Arcadian designs if you don't miss your guess. He has thinning brown hair peppered heavily with gray.
The second is a dwarf. A dwarf shaved bald but with a long, heavy red beard. He wears light armor and over it tan colored robes, a full face helmet on the ground besides him, along with a warhammer. He knocks back his drink and nods along as the third speaks.
The third is a celestial. A movanic deva, tall and made well. Strongly so, though he wears a simple tunic, hose and boots. However, his belt buckle is golden and stands out from the rest of his gear. He carries on weapon with him and his wings are tucked in and back. "...and still, I hold that it's best not to trade with him. The profits, any kind of profits, just aren't there."
Moore will fly slowly over, raising a hand in greeting to them as he approaches. "I admit, I'm pretty sure there are a few jokes that start with 'a human, a dwarf, and a celestial all walk into a bar'..." He says with a bright smile. "Welcome to Hope's Landing."
The human looks over and after a moment, "Either there's more than one pixie in Celestia or..." He trails off and finishes off his drink in one gulp.
The deva rises and bows, "Lord Moore," he says, "How may this one serve you?"
The dwarf merely meets your gaze, stony and unrelenting. He gets up and marches towards you, not a word spoken.
"I heard there were some merchants visiting, and I wanted to do my part to greet all of you and welcome you here." Moore says with a smile. "Also, surely, there's at least -one- other pixie up here..." A grin as he turns to the dwarf and meets his gaze in return, though in hopefully a warm and welcoming way.
The dwarf doesn't look away from your gaze - if anything, his gaze is weighty, deeply so. The weight of the ages, the weight of eons as he meets your gaze with his own.
Moore holds his ground! He's not looking to be intimidating, but he understands the value in meeting and holding the gaze of someone else.
Perhaps (THE GREAT AND MAGNIFICENT) Baleruk's most important lesson?
Give me a Will save?
[21:53] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+61 will
[21:53] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=1]
Thankfully I don't fail on those anymore!!!
Oh, actually it should be +15 higher, so that's... hah, 77.
Yet you withstand that gaze - a gaze of the ages, a gaze far from mortal.
Then, as if such a thing was unremarkable, the dwarf nods back to you and sits back down.
"Sure there are, Lord Moore," The human agrees, "But I doubt I'd come across them when there's a known one to meet."
Moore smiles and nods. "At any rate, did you all find what you were looking for here, or are you still searching?"
"I did," he says, "I'd heard of Hope's Landing and it was more than expected."
Moore nods. "I'm very happy to hear that. I want you all to know you're certainly welcome here at any time you want. I'm trying to find ways to spread word of this place right now." He says. "It's important for me to start the process of diplomacy with my neighbors, after all."
"Thank you, Lord Moore," The human bows his head to you in gratitude.
"It will be as you will," The deva agrees with that. "Shall we spread your word?"
"I don't expect that you'd do it freely." Moore says, as some of his books appear in front of the three of them. "Either in spirit or in practice. Whatever I or Hope's Landing can do for you in return will be done. Don't ever hesitate to ask of me to return the favor to you."
The deva bows and takes what is given, then flies off as if on a mission.
The human takes one as well, cracks it open to read.
The dwarf merely stands and begins to walk, only a glance at you as he does.
Moore beams with some amount of pride over all of this.
Is this how everyone got started? Surely they had to take a more active role in some things, didn't they...?
Well, for now, this is a good start.
He's happy to handle any other event flags that have popped up.
Follow me.
You hear that as the dwarf walks away and you make no move to follow.
Moore will turn and dutifully follow!
Hello, Lord Moradin.
You walk without response to that, until the human is left behind.
So it's all of you now?
Yes, that is correct. We have a lot of work ahead.
It seems to be Zaphkiel's will.
We have been blessed to have many allies in our fights. I intend to return as much of that to the rest of Celestia as best as I am able. This place was a home to me long before any of this happened, and I don't intend to forget what I learned as I climbed the Mountain.
You'll fit in well, like a stone in a quarry.
Moore smiles at that.
You honor me, Dwarf Father. Were you just here to size me up, or is there something more specific I can do for you? I have no doubt you and yours can handle yourselves, of course. We have a lot of building to do ourselves, and what better way than by helping our neighbors?
For now, grow. I'll watch.
Moore simply nods, no words need be said in response to that.
Thus he walks away and...
Next move now?
There's nothing immediately pressing on his list of To-Dos, though for whatever it's worth, after we level, Moore's next place to go will be Forsaken Heart Citadel in the Negative Energy Plane. It is time to finally go rescue Syllen.
Okay then, anything to do on the homefront for the moment?
Hmm, sure, there are a few loose ends that he could probably tie up, at least as it pertains to setup, depending on how you want to go about it or if it's something you want to wait on for later, since it's all sort of realm building stuff.
I cannot for the life of me find his name, but we've got the Lathanderite diplomat who may have some updates.
Check in with Sapphire of Silverbrow to see how things are going there.
Check in with CRIMSON.
Sure, whichever you want to do first.
Let's go in reverse order and see how CRIMSON is doing.
You find CRIMSON with Sylvie and Calley. The latter watches CRIMSON while Sylvie casually feeds it bottled potions. They're in a comfortable interior room, deep and plush chairs, tables and the like all about. Homey almost, really.
"How is our friend doing?" Moore asks.
Hm, he should probably use his spell to find out more information about it.
Calley turns, "It's hungry," he says, then with a scrunched up little look of interest, "Is this what they mean by someone with expensive tastes?"
"I wonder." Moore says. "Do you think it could feed off of something like a spellpool, or some sort of persistent magical effect?"
"It might, but I don't think the spellpool would survive," Sylvie admits, "But I'm not that familiar with them. Give me a few minutes and I can find out."
Moore nods and will wait!
Sylvie works away on a bit of paper from nowhere as Calley watches, and adds, "What about - oh there," he leans in, as Sylvie writes.
"Always remember to account for magical degradation aspects and durations," Sylvie agrees, "To answer your question, it might last for a little while, but long term the pool gets consumed."
"Hmm." Moore taps his chin. "What else could we use, besides just feeding it constantly? I feel like some sort of perpetual thing would make the most sense."
Down another potion goes. Another and another, gone like that.
"It would, but it would also be able to survive the breakdown of the system," Sylvie points out, "Perpetual and eternal is one thing, but resiliency is another. It's like the troll meat problem."
"Ew," Calley says, "They smell nasty!"
"They do smell horrible," Sylvie says with a little smile to Calleigh, then to you as she pats his head, "The troll meat problem is an old bit of magical theory from the past of my world. You're alone on a deserted island with a helpless troll. It is the only food source. The theory is that you can consume it forever, but it doesn't work out. Something that consumes part of a system requires replacements into it or the system will collapse. The troll will ultimately die of starvation, which will destroy the system."
"Let's pretend you were a mage who could make food for the troll, but not for yourself. Does that chance the theory?" Moore asks.
"It depends if you could keep up with it. Trolls eat a lot," Sylvie points out, "Which gets to the point again: If you could make food, you could feed yourself far easier than going through the entire problem with a troll. But since you can't..." A glance at CRIMSON there.
"Then maybe the solution is to 'teach a man to fish'?" Moore asks. "Perhaps we can teach CRIMSON how to generate magic for themselves to feed off of? I don't know, I'm not happy with the idea of just feeding it forever -- and I don't mean to make it sound like it's a burden, it isn't."
CRIMSON is content with his meal for now at least.
Sylvie shakes her head, "The troll meat lesson, Moore. I doubt any solution has CRIMSON to create his own food from himself. Imagine a troll consumed itself with no other food. It wouldn't work long term, it would lose more than it gained."
"If the troll could use magic to make food, isn't that the same thing?" He asks.
"The point is," Sylvie nods slightly to acknowledge the point, "CRIMSON consumes magic and magic items. How do you think that using that same magic to feed himself is going to go?"
"Maybe the solution isn't magic, then." Moore says. "I don't think we can teach CRIMSON the Words of Creation, though. But... still, I'm not content to just let it be like this. I mean, in your example, sure, that makes sense, assuming magic itself was a finite thing, but it isn't, right? I mean, we can't exactly just... go digging and find a mineral vein full of 'The Weave,' and I don't think Mystra would take kindly to us feeding that to CRIMSON, but... my magic, your magic, it all recovers over time. Why is this any different?"
"Got an idea, then?" Sylvie asks, crossing her arms.
"The Words of Creation can create effects that mimic magic, but aren't magic." Moore says. "So... maybe something similar to that? I suppose we could always just make a trip to Dweomerheart at some point and do some research in Mystra's..."
He blinks, then snaps his fingers. "I forgot all about that! That library of hers and that... Amalgam thing."
"That," Sylvie says shortly, "What did you end up doing with it?" Her expression is less than thrilled, but she simply says, "Well?"
Calley hums at that but keeps silent, perhaps wisely.
"It's in Aurora, last I heard." Moore says. "I wonder if it changed any with your return."
"I'll find out later," Sylvie says, "The point is though, that we still have a feeding problem."
"Hm." Moore taps his chin. "Let's pretend for a second we were stronger deities and could make stronger magic items. Does that 'solve' the problem, or just prolong it? I think it just prolongs it. We really need to find something permanent... hm. Maybe the solution isn't focusing on the 'magic' part, but maybe finding a way so that CRIMSON can just absorb energy around it without destroying it? Something like... an antimagic field that suppresses magic rather than a staff that's run out of charges?"
"If it can be done," Sylvie says, "There's also a second theory to consider. Namely, what if CRIMSON is growing into something else and will achieve that once it consumes enough magic?"
"That's certainly possible." Moore says. "I'll use my spell to see if I can learn anything more about CRIMSON and we can take it from there. In the meantime, let me know if you run into anything with it."
Let's go check on our Silverbrow folks.
I'm having a dumb moment and I don't have those notes handy. Refresh me real quick?
Silverbrow Consortium sent Sapphire here: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104384.msg1167782.html#msg1167782
Basically, help establish trade as well as help with diplomatic endeavors with new allies and old alike.
Sapphire is found in Hope's Landing. She is in conversation with an aide, sitting at a table with parchment and ink before her.
"Mmmm-hmmm," Sapphire says, "Tell him that he's welcome, pending an explanation in person for that behavior. I'm sure Moore will give him another chance."
"Someone decide to step too much out of line?" Moore asks as he flies up, smiling.
Sapphire turns, "Duke Moore," she inclines her head to you a moment, as the aide steps away. "A minor merchant got drunk and then grabby with a few of the serving ladies. Perhaps excusable in some parts of Creation, but unacceptable here. Nothing that would sully their honor, but enough of a sin that a hound archon was not gentle with his correction of the merchant." Sapphire steeples her hands together, "Moreso when the merchant assaulted the archon unprovoked. The archon took him by the scruff of the neck and banished him to whence he came."
A shuffle of a few papers, a scan of one, "He claims it was drunkenness and a lapse of judgment caused by stress." A gentle press of her lips together. "He must have been mightily drunk to be able to contemplate such deeds in this light. That matter will be yours to decide."
"Goodness." Moore says as he leans back slightly. "I'd almost say someone put something in his drink, but this was likely just extremely bad judgement fueled by even worse judgement. Yes, it sounds like he has a few things to atone for, I can see to that easily enough."
"The hound archon," Another paper is checked, "Zaye is his name. Zaye has offered to personally oversee atonement, and if he is willing, would sponsor his return for those ends." A scan of another paper before, "In his words, better to correct the problem here than to allow him to go on elsewhere in Creation."
"Yes, I agree." Moore says. "If Zaye is able to to verify the truth of the matter, either with kindness or with magic, then let's make sure that this merchant does want to be an upstanding member of society and not... what he was."
Papers are put aside, and more are taken, "Next is the question of diplomacy. Unofficially, there's quiet feelers from various deities and camps on the lower part of Creation. I suspect most are little more than to see how you react. Less unsavory realms have been more interested. I have official communications from Arcadia, several groups of angels in Elysium, a guild in the Beastlands, Arborea and Arvandor for as little as that difference matters, the House of the Triad, the House of Nature, the House of Knowledge, Dweomerheart, the Court of Stars and far more." A large stack of envelopes are presented to you, "Most boil down to platitudes and well wishes, as well as the expected courtesies."
"Prioritize the Court of Stars and Arcadia, as well as Dweomerheart, but I will respond to all of them. Or, perhaps I should say we can respond to them all." He says. "Unless there are any you think we should politely decline?"
"That is your choice," Sapphire says, "Read them before you make judgments." She passes them all over to you.
Moore nods. "Is there anything else for right now that I need to see to?"
"Nothing that requires your personal touch, sir," Sapphire says, "I'll send the important things to you, of course. Treasure the ones that matter - and speaking of, we've been collecting offerings and gifts sent. It's a small but pleasant pile of treasure."
Moore nods. "Please feel free to pay yourself and your staff with it. I don't expect you all to work without some sort of compensation." He says with a smile.
"Our compensation is spoken for, but thank you," A nod, a hint of a smile with teeth far too sharp and white is glimpsed.
Moore can't help but laugh at that. "I suppose it'd be unlike him to not have that taken care of. Very well."
Let's go speak to our Lathanderite and then he'll get to all the letters.
It's not hard to find him. He sits in prayer outside, head bowed and mouth silently mouthing words. His eyes are closed, focus inwards. A quiet little interior courtyard, secluded away from most everything, the ground grassy and with a few small plants, but otherwise not developed yet.
Moore will wait patiently!
If it seems like it's taking a while, he will read one of his letters.
It takes perhaps 5 or so minutes. "Oh," he says, "There's never a bad time to pray, is there?"
"I've never regretted spending the time, no." Moore says with a smile. "Still, it always feels like I'm intruding, no matter where I wind up finding someone doing it."
"I am here to work," Is the answer, and with a hint of a smile, "What do you require?"
"I haven't had the time until recently to really dedicate myself to improving my relations with everyone." Moore explains. "So if there was any business that had come up recently or that we hadn't had time to speak of, I have that time now."
"I sent most that to Sapphire, she's taken to handling anything that goes to you," Is the comment you get. "She seems to relish it."
"That seems to be the Silverbrow Consortium way." Moore says with a bit of a grin. "Well, if there's anything you need me for, don't hesitate to ask."
Totally unrelated to this, but if I don't write it down I will forget.
It is time Moore makes good on this: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,103953.msg1090153.html#msg1090153
It's been too long since I completely forgot all about it. I'm sure it will be A Thing.
To live up to that promise is a thing, yes. At least you didn't put a time limit on it.
"She can have it," Is the answer, "This isn't a work for glory or prestige."
"Of course. If you or Lord Lathander have any requests of me, please let me know." Moore says.
That was pretty much it at this point. My next thing will be using my Commune with Knowledge spell to get some answers on a few things.
Sure, go ahead.
I get 18 questions and cannot fail the check, so, just moving on here.
'Who has Ronyn's soul?'
In hindsight, I realize that there may be multiple people named Ronyn, so if Moore would know he needs to clarify 'son of blahblah' or whatever then I can do that.
For my own reference to have on hand, paste the spell in here?
Commune with Knowledge
Divination
Level: Brd 11, Clr 13, Sor/Wiz 13
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Concentration
This spell contacts the platonic ideal of knowledge itself to obtain answers. This spell functions as contact other plane, except that the chance of a true answer is 1-96, the chance of a random answer is 97-100 and the Intelligence DC to avoid Intelligence and Charisma loss is 18, it lasts 1 day and a natural roll of 1 always results in a failure, no matter the total*. Certain questions, such as those that seek the secrets of deities, anathemic knowledge or knowledge protected by epic abjurations cause this spell to return a result of unknown instead of an answer. Unlike with contact other plane, the answers may be as long as needed and not only one word.
You'll need to blow a second question on specification, yeah.
Okay, that's fine, he'll use #2 to specify.
'Who has Ronyn's, descendant of Malasgar soul?'
"Leonar, Duke of Cania."
'Where in Caina can Leonar be found?'
He's pretty sure it won't work, but he may as well try.
3/18
"Unknown."
Yeah, odds are a Duke of Hell runs some protections from that sort of seeking or is somewhere to block that.
Well, he can't do much else for right now, so he'll move on.
'Who created CRIMSON?'
"The Empty Knight."
'What was CRIMSON created for?'
5/18
"The consumption of energy waves created from magical emanations - the consumption of magical items."
'To what goal?'
"The consumption of the Anathem."
'What is the Anathem?'
7/18
"Unknown."
Hmmmm.
Well, he may as well try...
'What could feed CRIMSON perpetually?'
"The Anathem."
Interesting...
'Who knows the most about The Anathem who would actually share knowledge about it with us, if anyone?'
May as well be hyper specific...
"ORCHID."
Oh... he didn't even think about that.
'What is ORCHID?'
"A magical system made flesh that enacts the creation of various magical patterns, formula and energies."
What the actual...
'Where can I find ORCHID currently?'
"Within BLUE."
How many questions left?
This is 12/18.
okay...
'Where is BLUE?'
"The Astral Plane."
So this is mostly OOC, but I assume Moore would know: There are 'locations' in the Astral Plane, correct? I.e. landmarks, or something, so if he asked 'where specifically' he wouldn't just get 'In the Astral Plane' assuming it was near something?
Yes.
'What is the closest landmark in The Astral Plane to where BLUE is?'
"The Broken City."
'Is BLUE in the Broken City?'
14/18
"No."
Hm... Well, he at least has some leads, now.
It's probably not going to work, but...
'Is the former Grand Sultan of the Efreet still alive?'
"Unknown."
Well, that's not a 'no'...
This probably won't work either, but let's try!
'Is there anything, besides just getting stronger, that could help free prisoners from The First Prison?'
16/18
"Unknown."
Rats.
Well, may as well make use of this.
'Besides the book I have, who else can instruct me in more ways to enhance my Bardic music?'
next one is last
"Lliira."
You're not wrong, spell, you're not wrong.
'Who would be able to teach me the most to enhance my bardic music who is not a deity?'
Last one, spell is done.
"Mazana."
His spell finished, he rubs his forehead.
He has quite a bit of work to do.
But before that, he's going to go find Sylvie again and explain what he's discovered about CRIMSON, ORCHID and BLUE.
Oh, and The Empty Knight.
Ugh, and really, that poor soul is in Cania? He's going to have to ask Antenora for some help on that one...
Take 10 for K:P for 118 on The Empty Knight in case that's like, someone he should know.
Okay, as we're hitting end of arc territory and level ups loom, is there anything you need to urgently do before that?
There is not.
Okay. It's not quite time yet, I'm not going to start that until Seira's end of it is done and I get Alicia to a pause point, but fundamentally you're about there. Free free to get started on level 36.
I will do some research.
Cool. Going to lock this now.