It's time.
Seira readies herself for this, inviting Ranbar as...
Okay, I'm going to give you some leeway here since this is your big crowning scene for the war. So we're on the same page, describe to me what you had in mind OOC?
She'd made a promise to all those people, and now is the time for Seira to show them that the trust they placed in her was not displaced. True, the freed slaves of the efreet will not see their captors broken in a daring raid to free them. However, what's important is to ensure their safety and help them recover from their travails rather than cater to any desires of revenge, however justified.
"This is it," she says clearly, the magic of the helm she's wearing allowing her words to carry across the barren gathering point in the center of the largest slave camp on Fire. A group of portals appear in a line behind her, a minor exertion of her will supplying the magic to keep them going. "You're leaving this place for good. At first, to my realm, the Cauldron."
An out of the way terrace of the Cauldron, at that, as the last thing these people need is to be paraded through her realm. Besides, the forest clearing she had chosen would be a welcome sight to sore eyes after spending much of their time on Fire, and temporary housing will allow people to rest and gather themselves in a more private setting, should they need to.
"And after--" Once they've had a chance to clean themselves up, perhaps to receive fresh clothing and eat their fill? For those who need it, a chance to rest and recover in a soothing environment that would ensure a dreamless sleep free of nightmares?
"And after," Seira repeats, "you can choose your own destiny once more. To stay at the Cauldron, to return home, to immigrate to a realm of your choice or be repatriated to your deities, all that and more will be amongst the options provided to you. So let's go, shall we?"
Ranbar, staying at her side, has been instructed to keep an eye on those who need immediate assistance. And while Seira hadn't told her such, participating in something like this is one of the most uplifting things possible. If Ranbar is feeling a bit down after her encounter with Shar's avatar, this should help remind her that they have their share of winning, too.
So many people.
So many souls look on at you.
Your words are heard as Ranbar is at your side, ready to act. Donald is as well, simply there in unspoken support. Elle is as well, overseeing them more directly, guiding them. Lady Sanzha stays back and watches, but comes forward as you speak.
"Slavery is done here. Let's go home," she seconds, a cool mist of water manifesting, washing over all as she strides through the portal.
Ranbar is working away, no sign of outward trauma at the moment. Yet every so often you hear her prayer, a simple, 'Seira, protect me,' passionate and simple, needful.
At first it's nothing. Then like a tsunami the cheers come, then the people. Noise and flesh, both racing ahead at your opportunity. The efreet stay well away, uttering not a word about this, faces schooled and expressionless. You feel is, so many souls cheering you, like a rush of bliss and rightness and victory in you, swelling up deep.
You feel as if you could challenge Asmodeus himself in that moment, everything about it right and clean and pure and triumphant.
One day it will be you, Seira thinks as she gazes at the efreet. You'll realize what you've gotten yourself into, and you'll ask for help, and at that time, when you finally want it, help will be provided to you.
As you make your silent resolution and prayer?
One day.
We do not give up on anyone.
Seira carries her eyes skywards with a smile.
Meanwhile, as Ranbar prays to her again, she responds.
Always. I'll always be there for you.
'Thank you, Seira' Ranbar sends back amid it all, 'I know how I'll use this chance now, even if...even if I'm scared. I know what I will do.'
It's only sane to be scared, given what we faced. But on the other hand, we gave a good showing there, and just look at what we've accomplished here with what we can already do!
A sense of Ranbar, a sense of her and a connection, shining at your response.
Node update, go read.
Done so
And I approve
Thus, as cheers fill you and so many march to freedom, as you triumph and watch a hard one victory's reward?
Okay, going to do anything else here?
Not of my own initiative. I outlined my plans, pretty much. I do think I need to do a similar scene on Earth, except with the Great Xorn there. Could you set it up? I'd like to settle that stuff too.
Sure.
In contrast, the Xorn simply await, the dao overlooking them with the same expressionless expressions, great hoards of them gathered in a cavern. They await you as promised, as planned, the Great Xorn with you. It is your stage to act, your stage to move forward and...
Go ahead, make a splash.
"It is your choice where to go, my friends," Seira tells the xorn. Things would be different with outsiders to Earth, and different yet again with sentient elementals who have had their share of being enslaved, but the xorn have a considerable population here. "I urge you to come stay at the Cauldron with the Great Xorn for a time, and decide on your next move. Be it establishing a small community over at my realm, spreading out across the planes or returning to Earth to build and strengthen your cities here, I have no doubt that you will thrive at what you choose!"
The same portals are there as well, although this time around the former slaves are united by a common race and tradition, plus an important cultural figure is there to guide them should the need arise. She glances at said figure, since his own contribution here should decide the course of these xorn, at least in the near future.
"Come with me!" Your speech is followed by that, the Great Xorn calling out.
At that moment all eyes focus fully on the two of you - and it's a lot of eyes - and begin to follow, begin to come to you. There's no questions, just Xorn following this command, this request.
There is little for her to do, and some might question why she's there in person. But Seira has to see it through herself, and make sure to leave no one behind.
Taking the Great Xorn was a good call, yeah. Okay, so for slaves and Xorn both that come to the Cauldron, your plan is to hold them, let them rest and help them sort it out?
Yes. They'll be cared for, but in moderation so that they're not overwhelmed. Due to a combination of black roses and divine will, their rest will be eased and what trauma they carry will be lessened. Ranbar will be in charge of providing guidance and administrating things, given it's one of her duties. While I doubt anyone is as bad off as the erstwhile Kesse princess, we'll follow that treatment routine for those who need it. Luckily, we can manage the bards and caretakers, being a heaven and all.
Those strong of will who wish to be repatriated to their deities or returned to their homes in good/neutral realms will be aided in that. Those who are strong of will and wish to join my forces/settle down in the Cauldron are welcome to do that. The rest can take their time to decide while being treated.
Sure thing. That's an easy wrap up on your end and doesn't need a ton of IC time devoted to it. Next move since I know you have a bunch stacked up?
Omni! It should be short, and I do want to see what any issues there are.
Finding Omni isn't hard - it's a trick to miss a giant elemental like that. He awaits you patiently and your questions, Lady Sanzha nearby.
"I understand you've made a further breakthrough, Omni," Seira tells him, smiling proudly. "Wanna fill me in?"
A nod.
"I can create them," Omni says simply, as if that explains it all. "With some limitations."
"Which are?"
"It is slow and there is a chance of failure," Omni says, "It also requires exact conditions carefully balanced. The speed and chance of failure both improved as I worked on them and are more manageable now."
Omni speaks clearly, carefully, slowly.
"Let's say we'll create a thousand All-Elementals," Seira voices. "How long would it take for the first, and what are the chances of failure? How long would it take for the last and those chances of failure? If you focused on that alone, while naturally taking regular breaks, how long would it take to create the entire thousand assuming no failures in the mix for easier counting? And speaking of failures, would any of them harm you or the created All-Elementals?"
"I am not certain how fast the process will become, but right now it is one week," Omni reports, "Auguries suggest the chance of failure is 10%."
Seira nods in response. "Please use the coming week to create an All-Elemental. Once we have tangible results, I'd like you to show them the ropes and work on on furthering our progress with the elementals."
"Yes," Omni agrees without hesitation.
Okay, so going to have him start that up, I assume. Next move then unless you have more here?
Sanzha is here, so let's have her update me on Salmon.
On asking, "He's clear," Sanzha says, "He's hardly celestial material, but he's not an enemy agent."
"You took care of all the attached strings?" Seira confirms. "What role do you see for him here?"
"They're cut," Sanzha agrees coolly, "He'll do well as a merchant, once he understands the realities here and how to help out."
"Luckily, we've got the time now, since we won our wars," Seira muses. "And that's another thing I wanted to talk to you about. In the interest of freeing millions of slaves and ensuring millions more would be safe from the efreet, I allowed that scum to live another day. It might be best to look into another worthy deed for your Apotheosis, I feel."
"It is unavoidable now," Lady Sanzha agrees, "My, I'll keep busy looking into it"
Lady Sanzha's node goal has changed. Go check it out, this is an interim one to have fun with while she does her homework.
Frustrating, but such is life.
"I'll do my best to keep an eye out for worthy goals, myself!" Seira promises to her.
Let's see Donald and Elle. It's time for exciting transformations!
Brutal honesty, I need a bit to decide exactly what she wants there. So have a chance to develop her or not.
Getting together with Donald and Elle isn't hard. It's over dinner - seafood, tasting just like many meals at Balmuria. Grilled fish on a bed of fresh greens, along with bread with a soft, garlic and herb cheese spread over it. "You know the farm that made that," Elle comments after a bite, "She said you liked her cheese the last time she visited, she's trying another one."
Donald's tucking into his meal, eating with vigor. After a big swallow of fish, "Besides, I need a full stomach before any blood infusions. That's just common sense."
"Abby's? Excellent choice," Seira agrees, in full agreement that erstwhile apprentices should be supported in all their legitimate ventures. She nods at Donald, adding, "It certainly can't hurt. In fact, I'm tempted myself, though I have a few other accomplishments I need to secure first."
Finishing off his bread and getting more, Donald goes on as he spreads cheese on it.
A moment really to look at Elle's kitchen. It's broad, big and high roofed. Copper and steel cookware hangs on the wall, while a broom moves along to sweep of its own accord. The cookfire is off, able to be activated with a moment's magical focus. The table is set for all of you while a pie sits covered on one of the counters - you can almost literally taste the sweet apples and chocolate mixed together, and could literally if you cared to use the slightest bit of effort.
After more food Donald adds, "It takes time to adjust and it slows you down in other ventures, but blood vigor's important."
"Blood vigor?" Elle says, voice entirely unimpressed. Pointing a butter knife at him, "You made that up."
"I did not. Akazula of Tarthos Rel used the term over 100,000 years ago," Donald smiles a bit at that, "He talks about in the Gynos Magicum, you know, the one with the blue cover and gold letters?"
After a breath, "The one I haven't gotten around to reading yet?" Elle retorts.
"I'm reading it when cooling down after practice." Donald waves it off, "It's good reading for that."
"I assure you that it'll be beneficial and with no truly adverse side effects," Seira tells Donald, eyeing the covered pie. "Though now that I think about it, perhaps we could discuss it over dessert?"
"Oh that? I got it as a gift from Nolar's," Elle says, smiling a bit as Donald is very obviously ignored, "I was thinking of saving it for tomorrow night. Then again...Donald, is that snow cream ready?"
"It should be," Donald gets up, "Oh, alright, I'll go get it," he trundles off as Elle levitates the pie on over.
"You know what you need?" Seira muses, her words drifting after Donald. "An amulet that does cantrips for you. All the cantrips. I've had one as a mortal and it was such a guilty pleasure, let me tell you! No need to conserve your spells, and any household magic is at your fingertips! Want to clear the air of terrible moldy smells? Want to spice up your food? Maybe call over a book from the bookshelf without needing to get up? So useful! I'll give you my old one when I find it back home."
She snorts, muttering, "Bet it's a legendary artifact by now...."
With a gentle laugh of her own, "Bring it over, I'll take a look. I do remember it." Elle says. "Tell me, what is Donald looking at?"
"If you mean right this instant, I respect your privacy," Seira says with a grin. "But if you meant a bit more metaphorically, prismatic infusions don't actually add fresh blood but excite the preexisting dragon blood in ingenious new ways. The process is rather quick now that we've got it down, and it stimulates growth in the mental areas, given that it's a dragon's traditional weak point. Some fresh magic that would come in handy against undead and a quirky defense against light are nice to have, and the breath is nothing to joke about. The most important thing, however? The defense is top notch, at the very edge of what exceptionally gifted mortals can achieve. Once Donald does this, he'll have a sturdier body than some deities!"
"Goodness knows he needs it," Elle murmurs, "Imix and his lackeys showed us that." Using a knife to serve the pie, all chocolate and apples and sweetness, "Somehow he held on."
"I was inspired to take the fight to Imix after seeing that," Seira agrees. "It happens, now and then. I all but gave up on fixing Ranbar's wounds with my power, especially with Selune available, but Marie reminded me there was more still we haven't tried. Working together, not giving up? It's made possible by you guys doing the impossible at my side, so I only wish for you to get even better at your specialties." She winks at Elle, drawing her slice of the pie closer. "That's why I think elemental harmony is for you. You'll become mistress of the elements, drawing upon an Incantatrix's talent for mixing different magics, with growth stimulated all across the board but focused primarily on combat. No unnecessary magic, as you already have all the spells you could need, but you'll gain an All-Elemental's defenses, which is rather impressive and turns you into a power to reckon with on the Inner Planes at a time when the Cauldron is ascendant."
The pie is spectacular, all coming together and where has this been in your life?
"Got it," Donald calls as he returns, bringing a bowl of snow white cream. He places it down as Elle adds a dollop to hers and then Donald's, offering you some.
"Also, I overheard," Donald says easily, "Dragon or elementalism progression, but probably not both. Hmm. Decisions, decisions."
"Even if you do go for both, I don't recommend doing it at the same time," Seira agrees, shaking her head at Elle at the offering of cream. "I was actually thinking that Elle would make a great mistress of the elements to keep your upcoming prismatic majesty in check."
"I don't know, I keep finding useful talents in draconic lore," Elle admits, "I'm loathe to give them up."
Donald tucks in, and after a few bites he hums, gets the cheese and tosses a few dollops on. "Well, you should-"
"What are you doing?" Elle says slowly.
"...advising you?" Donald says right back, having a cheesy, sweet bite of pie.
"Dragons don't fuck anything," Elle says bluntly, "They eat anything. Oh Donald," she shakes her head.
"I see the benefits outweighing the cons. Plus it's the best defense I can arrange for you guys until we find some actionable means of ascension. Having us rely on different methods will make it harder for our enemies to come up with a universal counter, too. But yes, the choice is yours, of course. I merely ask that you make it, whatever it will be, so that I know what we're working with."
Turning away from questionable food choices, "Let me see how it goes for Donald," Elle decides. "I'll make a decision after that."
"We'll do it after dessert, then," Seira says with a wink. "So that it's done on a full stomach~"
Okay, ready to do this or anything else to do here?
Donald's body is ready!
Okay, I will apply the template and review it overnight, get everything greased up. Anything to add to this or just going to do it and see the results afterwards, however he goes and chooses?
Since Elle said she'll wait on him, I'll check in once Donald's sheet is updated. For now, I'm going to meet with Marianne and Lyris, see how they're doing and offer them a new quest.
Cool. Where and how?
Please set it up in a palace room of their choosing.
Getting Lyris and Marianne over isn't too hard, and soon enough in a quiet back room you join them. It's peaceful more than anything else, cooled and away from the normal bustle of the mercentile layers.
"Enjoying your well-deserved rest?"
Lyris just nods a bit.
"What Lyris means to say is that she is," Marianne points out with a smile, "The poor dear's just tired of talking because I made her take singing lessons."
Lyris says not a word, but her look to Marianne is far from impressed.
"Oh, really?" Seira asks happily. "I've had an opportunity to sing a song myself while fighting Shar's avatar the other day! It's a very beautiful song, and one that actually fits you two as well."
To be exact, Seira feels that it fits any couple or group of close friends who support each other and reach ever-farther heights, but some do feel like they fit better than other.
"How about we sing it together?" Lyrics appear in golden fire behind her, dancing merrily in anticipation.
Lyris holds up a hand, "Please no," she says, quietly but firmly.
Marianne laughs lughtly at this, laughing into her hand. "Oh Lyris," she says. "Indulge her if you would, she's not gotten along with the fellow students at the lessons either, and her mood's been sour."
"We get along, don't we? Come on~"
"Ahem," Clearing her throat, Lyris asks, "Why did you invite us here, Seira? To sing?"
"I wanted to spend a bit of time together," Seira says with a pout, the lyrics fading. "But we can jump straight to business if you'd like. After all, there's always a fresh, worthy quest."
"I'm listening," Marianne cuts in, "What manner of quest?"
"I've been contesting a world with Auril," Seira tells Marianne without preamble. "Think Balmuria where Auril takes my place, except there is no Helm or Waukeen. The other deities making an appearance are neutral at best, and bloodthirsty at that. I decided to toss my glove into the ring because it felt on the cusp, and given exceptional heroism of the local mortals, going above and beyond any call of duty, Malana now has a good chance to recover."
At their side, a model of the Prime is created with illusion, before zooming in on the nation in question. "I've nominated a paladin to help the world along further, and Auril has pushed back. I feel at this point that striking with force will shift the situation even further even our favor. Doing so with the pair of you will present our frosty enemies with an out of context problem, which would be an added bonus."
"How long an investment of time is this? It sounds like no simple mission," Marianne asks, while Lyris sits back.
"It sounds like an investment of months to years," Lyris agrees.
"It's rather open-ended," Seira responds. "That the quest is worthy is without doubt. However, how to go about it is another thing entirely. Focused raids at random intervals are just as valid an approach as setting up shop, even if it means taking over a country. One of my people there is employing the latter strategy, in fact! Adventurers teleport all the time, so plane shifting is just as valid. You rarely see it happen between different Primes, but there's no logical reason preventing it."
At that Lyris nods slightly, "Tell us more about it," she invites, "About the world, about its problems, everything."
"The world is all but in Auril's grip. Her religion is dominant, her clergy everywhere and operating not just openly but entwined with the highest levels of government. The usual failures of nobility are on display, as well as exaggerated court intrigue while the peasants are taxed beyond their ability to pay and suffer through hunger and monster attacks. Malana is the largest kingdom, and its neighbors have their own issues. One of the nations is militaristic, and ruled by war-hungry empress. The state religion is one of Tempus, as might be imagined. And if that's all not enough, Auril tries to claim the entire world from time to time through global rituals that have been stopped at the last moment so far. There are ancient ruins with about the same level of reward and threat alike as the ones you are familiar with from Balmuria. At least there is no God-King to defeat, so that's our silver lining."
Seira claps her hands. "People, however, have not given up entirely. There is still hope, buried as it is under layers upon layers of doubt. They keep their heads down, but they follow a charismatic leader if one were to lead them to a better future!"
"Which you want to be you," Lyris concludes, "Who else has a stake in this land? I see you, Auril and Tempus so far."
"Which I want to be you and Marianne," Seira corrects Lyris. "And Annerose and Inari and Erad and Jannel. You wouldn't be alone, but no, the one inspiring the people has to be mortal."
Pursing her lips, she adds, "As for the other players on the divine level, Umberlee is there to little surprise. A few still remain and might be worthy allies, Lathander and Tyr's clergy amongst them."
"Umberlants," Marianne makes a face, "Fishy annoyances, little else."
With a half snort of laughter, "Fishy, Marianne," Lyris sighs, "I doubt our apperance will be left unchallenged. Do they have any grand champions who could oppose us?"
"Not you two, no. However, Auril moving resources to match you to a world she had considered owned a mere year ago is a win for our side, and you've overcome great odds before. Pull a win there, and it's the start of another legend." She grins. "The legends about an uplifted Prime are the best legends!"
"Are there any worthwhile rewards in the mix?" Marianne speaks up at this, "It doesn't sound like that powerful a world, Seira. How advanced is this Prime?"
"You must've missed the part about ancient ruins reminiscent of Balmuria's or the global reach rituals," Seira tells her brightly. "Luckily, I am here to repeat that!"
The two share a look. There's a pause before, "We'll think about it," Lyris says, quite firmly. "We're deciding what we want after this, we aren't rushing into anything. Give us..." A respectful nods, "3 days."
"Given! Come find me when you have my answer, then. Or if you just want to sing your hearts out together~"
Okay, since I need a bit of time to brainstorm on that for reasons mentioned in #elysium, ready to go to Donald?
Yes
It is done.
Power flows into Donald, a shuddering through him before the infusions are done. He lies on a table as Sanzha works, channeling the right names and making sure all the diagrams are perfect. When it's at last done there's a flash of colored light, multicolored wildly, before Donald sits up. He's nude for this save for a loincloth, his entire body having a slightly rippled effect, colors seeming to shift when you look at him and the light varies.
With a cough and then a burp of fire, Donald pounds his chest. "Tastes like carrots," he remarks. "Why'd it taste like carrots?"
"Shouldn't you be smarter, now? Figure it out!"
Donald grins at that, "I will one day," he says, "I feel better already."
Seira gives him a thumbs up sign. "Be on call, alright? I've got plans for us to travel in the next couple of days. Oh, and be sure to test out any changes to your draconic shape so you don't act clumsy in it."
Stretching at that, muscles rippling, "Where are we going?" Donald asks, as Sanzha murmurs a few words of magic, intensely looking him over as her eyes glow blue.
"It's a surprise for now~"
"Oh really?" Donald says, hopping up, "That bad?"
"That good. But first I've got to take a glance at the prophecy before I forget the feeling of facing off against Shar's avatar!"
"Yeah, you'll get it," Donald says, as...
Next move then?
Like I said, hitting the prophecy again.
Though isn't Donald's node goal hit?
You're 100% right.
"Oh, Seira," Donald calls as you move to go.
"Yeah?"
"I think my blood vigor's back," Donald says ,as you feel it. A connection to him, a growingness, a strength welling inside.
Node update. It's an update for your armbands, so check that out.
Done so.
"Nice! And I think I can spare you for a couple hours, so why don't you give Emily an invite to a celebratory dinner? We're going to have one this weekend. Might as well hand over the invitation in person."
"I'll do that," Donald says agreeably, and...
Okay, refresh me where you were at on the Prophecy research?
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104330.msg1153324.html#msg1153324
QuoteIt comes down to one factor: How weakened is Shar? Will this permanently weakened her and disrupt the entire thing, or is it a setback? You need information you simply don't have to go further.
I happily have more information now!
Cool. Between that and your level up, give me another round of checks.
21:26 <Seira> roll 1d20+66+4+18+4+1 researcher
21:26 <Penuche> Seira invokes Penuche's magic: < 107 > [d20=14]
21:26 <Seira> roll 1d20+20+3+2+20+4+1 int
21:26 <Penuche> Seira invokes Penuche's magic: < 60 > [d20=10]
Possibly. This hinges on all your data being accurate, so your thesis here is on shaky ground. You understand that first and foremost. If the underlying facts are wrong, it could invalidate this and anything springing from this.
But you...you think there's a real chance it may, as long as nothing changes beyond the control of even Primus.
She could challenge Shar's avatar and stay relevant, given that her strength is in her ties to others. And both she and her closest companions have grown stronger since, despite the briefness of time, while Shar herself hasn't. Selune and Moradin to stalemate Shar's true manifestation, while Seira and her friends deal with an avatar. Alicia's family could handle another. Sulia, too, perhaps. It can work!
As you think this, Amaryl peeks her head in. "Seira, are you still working on that?"
"Yeah, trying to get Primus on our side. What's up?"
Closing the door behind her, "Checking on you, ensuring you haven't lost track of yourself in your books." Amaryl walks over, sitting. "Did you find what you were looking for this time?"
"I think so," Seira says slowly, gently pulling on the prophecy until she highlights the section she had been focusing on recently. "See there? The assumption expressed here clashes with empirical data from actually fighting Shar. The combination of the God-King's Judgement and the Abolition War resolving in our favor allowed Selune to highlight the difference with her expedition into Shadow. It's not huge, and it's not a guarantee, but it's a chink in the armor. It's a possibility where none existed before, so as far as I'm concerned it's a hundred percent true!"
"Now to get the rest of Creation to agree," Amaryl says softly, reading. "If we can keep going and weaken her further while getting stronger, then...."
"I'm not going to Primus with this, I'll need to have another point of reference first. So once Selune or Lathander decide on a fresh expedition...."
Seira shrugs, leaning back. "I'll take the hint and give this a rest, though. How about we grab Kascha and ask her how her efforts at establishing a school in the Eastlands are going?"
Gimme a d100 real quick, sounds like a good idea, though.
23:04 <Seira> roll 1d100
23:04 <Penuche> Seira invokes Penuche's magic: < 100 > [d100=100]
You check and see Kascha is sitting in her room, in a simple nightgown of red silk. She's blushing, hands to her cheeks as a smile has fully bloomed on her face.
Seira manifests in Kascha's room with Amaryl in that moment!
No reaction, Kascha in her own world. She's humming softly as can be, "Oh, Madardal." she says in a dreamy voice. "The song is beautiful."
Seira tries to listen in! Surely that's how pantheons do it when it comes to prayer, and she has to start somewhere.
You can when it's a pantheon thing and she wouldn't resist you, sure. Important provisos.
A man's voice, a strong voice, singing a song of a delicate maiden. A love song, and at the end he says, "Dedicated to Kascha, a prayer to this new maiden who serves our minds."
Seira weighs the desire to tease her with the equally strong desire to see Kascha grow into her role, and quietly slips away with Amaryl. They can take a nice walk through the royal gardens and return once Kascha seems back to her senses.
Once you're away, "That was lovely," Amaryl says, "Did you hear it?"
"Of course! That's why I decided to let her enjoy it without needless embarrassment."
Smiling all the while, Amaryl takes your hand. "I just hope she doesn't get a crush on him. Well, a serious one."
"Crushes are the spice of life, so it's all good."
Amaryl smiles and it's not long until you return. Kascha is dressed now, "Hello, Seira," she greets, a smile firmly on her face.
"Hey there!" Again! "Since you're in a good mood, can we hope that it reflects your progress in the Eastlands?"
"Oh yes, it's going well," Kascha says, "We have sway there already, and people are taking to it well with a few nudges. It takes time, I can see that now, but it's going steadily. I do need one thing, though."
"If there's anything we can do, let us know! And if we can't do it, let us know anyway." Seira leans closer, whispering in a conspiratorial manner, "We can probably do the impossible for you~"
Blushing at that, "Ah...well...." Kascha fumbles several moments.
"Anything is possible," Amaryl goes to her other side and adds that in.
"How do you react to someone writing a love song for you?" Kascha asks, "I mean, a worshiper sand it's embarrassing and what do I do?!"
"Did you enjoy it? Were you flattered? Besides the embarrassment, did it bring a smile to your face?" Seira asks Kascha. "If the answer's yes, bring a smile to theirs, but in a non-sexual way. You hold the power to define your relationship, and there's nothing embarrassing between the love of a worshipper and her goddess."
Seira can't resist adding, "And if at a later date you decide to let that love grow into a more personal direction, there's still nothing wrong with it. You're single, after all!"
A deepening blush, "Of COURSE non sexual! I'm not Sharess!" Holding her arms over her bosom, as if hiding, "Don't put it like that."
"Seriously, though. Give the idea that you're flattered and you enjoyed the attention, and that you wish to see your mystery poet grow as an artist and person both. Just don't flirt back or get misunderstood, because you have to be clear with your followers."
"That could be devastating if you do," Amaryl agrees, "Be honest, be just in your dealings and be straight forward."
Kascha nods slightly, "Thank you, Seira, I'll try that."
"Great! And on that happy note, I think we'll leave you to mind the home while Amaryl and I stop by to see Oberuth."
Even as she speaks Seira wonders why Oberuth decided to return to Balmuria. Hadn't he meant to retire? Wasn't doing so in her heaven the best spot to pass the torch, given his last accomplishment there as her champion?
As you think about that? Gah! Kascha comes and hugs you, "Really, thank you, Seira," she says, all happiness and warmth.
The connection is felt, the resonation begun.
This one is a +5 competence bonus to either Seira or Kascha. Any preference? It's a competence skill bonus so it's not terribly rare, though Kascha would certainly like it anyway.
Kascha should benefit from it.
Done.
Go ahead and react.
Read it!
"We'll do a tour of the best planar sages soon, alright?" Seira promises, patting her on her back.
"I can't wait for it," Kascha agrees, "But I have so much to do - oh, I should get working away," she says. "I'll have to send that letter to Surru too, and then make sure Aurora gets everything I prepared."
"You made a care package for the Aurora crew?"
"Yes," Kascha says, "Cookies, a few books, bath boils, soaps, some candies as well." Smiling a bit, "There's a lot of dirty warriors there, give them more reason to enjoy the baths."
Seira snorts. "Dirty warriors, huh? Well, once you're done, perhaps you could go with Valar to deliver it in person? We're sending troops for the new Crusade since ours had finished and we can afford to."
"Oh! I'll do that, I hadn't heard yet," Kascha says, smiling. "Thank you, Seira."
"Sure thing! Give the brave heroes my best!"
She leaves Kascha to her preparations after that, intending to go see Oberuth with Amaryl and Elle.
As you go out, "She's doing better and busier," Amaryl remarks. "Don't you think? I think she's beginning to adjust to the changes."
"She's gaining in confidence," Seira agrees with her wife. "There's all kinds, and Kascha's always been bad at asserting herself. But she's learning now, as we always knew she would one day."
"You attract that type or the loud type," Amaryl muses, smiling now, "But she's..."
A moment. You fee it, that connection to Amaryl.
Node update.
Right
"I attract all types!"
"Most of all..." Amaryl murmurs, embracing you and keeping her voice low. "You attract me."
With a smile, Seira leans over to kiss Amaryl.
Ready to go to Balmuria now?
Sure. SeiraAvatar, AmarylAvatar and Elle
Thus you appear.
Balmuria is as you saw it as it grew and more. The city bustles, everything about it busy. You see the places of so many memories as you pass over, sending to Oberuth. 'The docks,' he sends, 'At the end of the last pier.'
Your temple is there of course, your inn, your home. Amaryl flies along as Elle points to a familiar hill, "I should stop in after this, I've been busy. Hopefully they haven't forgotten how to make an impression."
"I visited recently," Seira reminisces as they take the slow way over to take in and enjoy the sights. "It was fun!"
As you chat you come to the docks. Here amid the ships, the commerce and all of it? The last dock is out of service, a single man standing at the end. His curly blonde hair blows in the wind as he watches the sea. Commander Oberuth is there, waiting, clad in gear and yet unnoticeable, magic surely at play.
"Relying more and more on that thing you hate?" Seira asks, raising an eyebrow as she touches down beside him.
"What I want rarely matters with magic," Oberuth retorts. "Amaryl, Elle."
"Hellman," Elle says, taking in a breath of the sea air.
"I'm a bit surprised you chose to return to Balmuria," Seira voices. "Weren't you going to pass on the torch after finally settling our legacy and securing the safety of this world?"
"I already have." Oberuth says, "It's set up and done. There are dangers and enemies, but it's natural for my time here to be at an end. The city is strong, the Baronies are strong and the Crimson Guard is strong. They'll stand on their own and make their own legends in the future." As the sea wind blows, a cloudy day as ships come and go, "I once said goodbye to an empire. This second goodbye is harder. In my mind I can hear the whispers of the Deep Ethereal, calling me back even now to fight them. A purpose, a purpose I feel more every day that I was born for. That each time I face and defeat the nightmares that I'm fulfilling something more than relief from them."
Looking out at the water, "Old soldiers make for melancholy and maudlin sentiment, and I'm not even drunk."
With a snap of her fingers, Seira summons a bottle from her wine cellar, tilting her head questioningly. "We could get a little drunk, if you'd like," she offers. "Before you move on to the next great adventure, that is. Have you decided on the Deep Ethereal? There's a lot of good that you could do, guiding struggling Primes."
"I'll do some of that and...I'll wander, see the worlds." Oberuth finally says. "I can't afford to grow dull, not now."
"I know," Amaryl says, "None of us can."
Elle smiles a bit, "We all had to leave Balmuria behind." Turning back to take it in, "We did so much here, but so much more awaits for us ahead."
"We're doing our best, for this world and all others," Seira agrees. "Ascension hasn't changed that or made us forget. Elle upgraded the portal network on this Prime recently, and we're working through locals to ensure that knowledge spreads far and wide. The portals ensure mutual defense against attackers, swift delivery of aid and commerce and travel on an even greater scale than that which existed before. Eliminating scarcity is actually a possible goal, with how you censured Asmodeus and kicked Shar off-world forever."
Seira smiles at Oberuth. "Wasn't that part of why you called us here for a chat? Because you can see it already taking root?"
"I've seen it for a long time," Oberuth says, taking one last look back. "Let's go."
Seira takes the four of them away at that. Elle wanted to stop by for a visit at her old shop, and Seira herself was reminded of things to do on this Prime, but for now it would be best to give Hellman closure.
As you go, "...damn." Oberuth pauses, going up to rub his temple. "All this and I almost forgot while I called you in the first place."
"...eh?" Amaryl says, a twitch of her ears. "This wasn't all about that?"
"I'm all ears!"
"The portals first - they've been growing," Oberuth says, "I know you know that, but Oolu's been setting something up in his home to connect closer to them."
"He'll keep things safe and knows who to call if they grow beyond his ability to contain. He does know a few people in high places!"
"Secondly, we've been establishing more inns on the road, ones with a small, detached and trained militia to defend it," Oberuth says, "Safer roads agree with everyone, banditry's been low within the Baronies for years and it's dropping lower."
"Better to keep the armies and fighting men with a stable source of coin," Elle remarks, "I've been worlds where wars mean a decade of bandits and thieves after, because all the soldiers and mercenaries are suddenly uneployed."
"And best to keep a professional army on retainer rather than worry with conscripts and what happens to them after," Seira agrees, nodding at Elle.
"It is expensive," Amaryl says, "In peacetime, many may object to the cost. The money can be used better, or others wish to line their own pockets."
A shake of Oberuth's head, "We have good people working on this, reliable. We-they do," he corrects himself.
"The importance of money will shift within a generation," Seira predicts. "It'll have a different weight once it's used for luxuries and curios rather than daily life and sustenance. In fact, upkeep of a professional force might well become popular if a bit of prestige were tied to it. Perhaps some sort of sport or athletic competition that trained soldiers would be best fit to participate in?"
"That I don't believe," Oberuth shakes his head, "People will still want luxuries, still want things. Still want more."
Meanwhile, Amaryl clears her throat, "Regardless, it's good progress."
"Prestige gained from sponsorship and the resultant bragging rights are another luxury," Seira clarifies. Even the gods do it, so it probably is true for a sufficiently uplifted Prime. "Amaryl's right, in any case. It's all great progress and reflects well on your efforts to leave a prosperous nation and world behind."
"We'll see in a decade," Oberuth agrees, "They know I'll be watching. You'll be watching, too."
"We all will," Elle says, looking out over at Balmuria. "We all will."
"Watching and working from behind the scenes," Seira agrees, allowing Oberuth to add more information in case he wishes to share something else.
"Everything's set up to prosper." Oberuth finally says, "I've made sure your clerics, Alicia's clerics, Helm's and many more are in place to do as much good as they can. Like how the body can fight off disease."
Seira nods.
I think we can move on. My next move is that I want to visit a place with Amaryl in Pallanth.
One thing first.
Once back you take a few minutes to sort things - nothing dreadfully interesting, simply day to day upkeep. By the time you finish, Elle speaks up, "Seira," she says, "Are you done?"
"I'm never done! But I have a moment for you, always."
"It's about balance," Elle agrees, "I don't think I'll do what Donald did. I have enough and I have a balance with what I have."
"I'd say it's your loss, but you'll always find a way to prosper, Elle!"
At this Elle smiles and offers you her hand, "We will, won't we?"
Seira takes it with a grin.
At that moment you feel a connection with Elle, strong and blossoming, connecting to you.
Node update.
Read it. The math needs a quick fix: 3/5 available, 3/5 to next.
That's what it says.
Right, my bad.
Once Elle heads sightseeing in Balmuria, Seira transports herself and Amaryl to just past the mountain range named after her wife. "It's been a while since we both visited, hasn't it?" she voices, looking around while reflecting that even as a deity, coming here feels ridiculously cold.
Amaryl turns her gaze back on those mountains, "It's so bitterly cold even now," she murmurs. "Cold enough to freeze the heart."
"Cold but beautiful," Seira muses. "Still, I haven't brought you over to freeze in the middle of nowhere. This is where I resealed the death sword, Arondaaq. Can you tell?"
"I wasn't looking," Amaryl admits, "Are you going to try and use it now?"
"It worked by converting the wielder's life force into momentary flashes of divine energy dedicated to death and destruction. It was made by the gods, and knowledge of its creation was made anathemic. It was capable of wounding a deity, bringing one low without killing the wielder. It was said to have been made out of the concept of death, and its observed effects supported that story." Seira shakes her head. "Was it like 21, and made by one or all of the Incarnations? An attempt to copy that effort? Perhaps another divine collaboration, of the kind Lathander has often lead in the past? Even if it is merely the most powerful artifact Balmuria had ever seen, at the time I was already an archmage yet couldn't penetrate the sword's secrets. The time has come to take a second glance."
Even as she speaks, Seira uses her tie into the wards to bring them down so that she could gaze upon the sword anew. Her divine will shields the two of them from necromantic energy and life drain, just in case, while a wider circle is erected through her divine will to ensure that Arondaaq's influence doesn't extend past the original radius of the wards.
It may or may not matter and may or may not be needed, but give me a rank check anyway.
19:30 <Seira> roll 1d20
19:30 <Penuche2> Seira invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=15]
+3 is not the avatar but me
Arondaaq sits where you left it, sealed away and silent. It awaits you, a feeling of power from it blocked by your protective magics.
Seira takes a long moment to truly study the legendary death sword with the experience she had gained in the past two decades.
K:A, K:N, K:P and K:R taking ten for 122. Spellcraft 10 for 108.
This may be a reach admittedly, but do you happen to have the last results you got from it handy, as a refresher to both of us?
No chance, alas
A sword, a concept. Death made manifest, created into a blade. That is the first thing you get as Amaryl stays on guard, silent and still, bow and arrow readied. Her eyes drift back to Arondaaq constantly.
Something about this is transcendent. Not in the way 21 is, but there's something different about it. Some seed of power and potential deep within it, faded into it, only identifiable by the barest echo it left behind. It can main, it can kill, but it is not safe. Never safe. To hold death is a dangerous thing. Far less for you than a mortal you can tell, yet-
"It is not the first creation to be monstrous." Walking up to you is a tall man in full armor, not a hint of his body visible. You feel the presence immediately, an avatar of Helm is before you.
"Hello," Seira greets Helm, smiling at him despite their circumstances. "Since my chosen surprised me by destroying the heretical God-King without resorting to such means, I'm studying Arondaaq's suitability for dealing with Shar. Since 21 is beyond reach, it is the next available option I'm aware of."
A nod. Acknowledgement.
"Do you know if it will work?" Amaryl asks him, a bow of her head to the avatar in return.
"I do not," Helm answers, "It is my duty to guard and protect. Some things more closely than others," The avatar says, looking in the general direction of the blade.
"I'm fought her avatar while on Selune's expedition," Seira tells Helm, returning her attention to studying the blade. "It was a draw of sorts. If I had Amaryl and all of my most trusted companions with me, I'm certain we would've won. However, if I were to wield Arondaaq, I'm certain we can win without casualties on our side. Would you concur?"
The sword is simply death. Pure energy converted to it from that seed, resonating deeply within itself and full of power. You're sure it could wound almost anything. Its power is great indeed as Helm says, "No. Shar is weakened," Helm agrees "But I do not believe her to be so easily defeated."
"Are you kidding me?!" Seira exclaims. "Going along with Amaryl, Donald, Elle, Sanzha and Ranbar, you think I can't even take on one of Shar's avatars and win without several casualties?"
Helm is silent a few moments, "I don't disrespect you," Helm finally says, "But I've faced Shar. There's always more and it's always worse."
"Then we'll prove you wrong," Amaryl speaks up here, voice heated, "We aren't going to surrender to Shar because she has tricks prepared!"
"How about the next time a few of us make a move against her?" Seira asks, deciding to draw Arondaaq. "Will you come along?"
When you grasp the sword, it feels like the chill of death in your hand. At the same time Helm looks to you - and you get the distinct impression of a raised eyebrow.
"When will you go against her?"
"I expect it will happen within the month, though the exact date would be up to Selune. Since her leadership worked so well last time, why break up a good thing?"
Seira creates a simple sheathe for the sword with her power. It won't be enough like that, but she'll take the weapon straight to her specialized vault for such things, and it's capable of successfully sealing Todesurteil.
"Contact me," The avatar says, then is gone. Yet a few words linger, 'I will see what my duty is then."
Grinning at Amaryl, Seira takes the two of them back home by way of the secure vault for evil artifacts.
Next move then, assuming you're taking the time to ward that securely?
Correct. That said, given I made the previous warding scheme as a mortal, I can shape my divine realm as I wish and I already have a very secure vault that stops death effects and auras, this shouldn't take long.
My next move is taking Donald and the three prismatic dragons to the Astral Reds.
Sure, any prep for it?
We shall arrive as MAJESTIC DRAGONS
Thus you head into the Astral and...
Entrance and style are going to matter here. Go ahead and draw up your arrival, whatever and however it is?
A flash of divine power heralds Seira's arrival to the region the Astral Reds choose to live in. As golden fire rushes outwards in every direction, healing all it passes on its way, Donald appears at her side, while the trio of Golorodalas, Crowned Wyrm and Red Mountain materialize behind them in a semi-circle. The four prismatic dragons wait for the sole red in their midst to speak, and speak Seira does!
"My friends!" she calls out. "During my last visit here, you heard of my offer. You told me to prove my mettle, and you would follow. You had three of you bravely volunteer as proof of concept. Today, I am here to deliver!"
The three wyrms appear at your command, radiant with multicolored power. Donald is with you, as you feel them. Presences, so many watching, dozens and dozens into hundreds and hundreds.
There is an indistinct murmuring of voices, until one says a word that says it all, "Impossible. You succeeded?!"
Donald lets out a draconic snort at that, "I feel sorry for you if you doubted her."
"Join me, join Cauldron and follow my path," Seira repeats. "Let's be stronger together! You have your proof right in front of your eyes!"
Give me Diplomacy, +20 circumstance bonus.
19:05 <Seira> roll 1d20+74+14+20 (+2 vs men)
19:05 <Penuche> Seira invokes Penuche's magic: < 127 > [d20=19]
Your words draw the assembled presences silent, dragons mute before your declaration. You have their utmost attention, everything hanging on you in this moment.
Then..."I will come," A voice says, then another, "Prismatic power, the legacy of legends, only that damnable chaos dragon realizing it." Another. Another. Another. Voices begin to come and flow.
Seira spreads her wings wide, and a portal to the outer slopes of the Cauldron opens behind her. Those who wish to be part of this will come to her, and with that act she hopes that the balance of power on Astral will shift even a bit further in her favor. And the best part is that she will achieve that without taking away from Vlaakith or from outside the plane, so the gith shouldn't be too alarmed by it.
If the Astral Reds are living in a sort of demiplane or anything of the sort, I'd like to merge it with the Cauldron should all of them join up!
Thus they come. Red dragons following you, into the portal. More and more and more follow as...
'I sense them.' The voice of Ajan, speaking directly into your mind.
If you want to appear before them, to work with me to lead and guide them, I would be happy. If you'd prefer to enjoy your temporary retirement, however, we live extremely long lives and there'll be other chances.
'Not yet, but soon.' Ajan replies.
As you wish, my friend
Seira doesn't reveal Ajan's presence in the Cauldron to the Reds, and if his protections are not enough to keep him sufficiently hidden from them until he is ready, she will exert her will to help make that happen.
Are the Astral Reds actually living in a sort of demiplane or anything of the sort? And if so, can I merge it with the Cauldron should all of them join up?
Yes. You can if you want to - you can even make your own demiplanes in the Cauldron, so it's really up to you what you want to do there, or if you want to bother taking it.
Seira decides to join it with the Cauldron's outer layer, to make the place cozier and more familiar to her recent immigrants!
Done and done. It takes just a bit of time as you set it up and...
In the meantime, next move with this or something else?
Update 5: Berry reports that the Gith have requested a meeting with you.
I asked that Vlaakith's representative is invited to the Cauldron for a meeting, so let's have one now!
Cool, how do you want to frame this: Formal, casual, quiet, big or what?
Casual elegant.
Thus your throne room is set as...
Wonderful timing, Seira. May I join you from afar - just to watch for the moment, unseen by them.
You're always welcome! Seira assures cheerfully.
You feel Waukeen's presence, looming nearby and yet unseen. The room that you receive the githyanki ambassador in is pleasant, elegant luxury, wealth that's tasteful and to your themes and colors.
The githyanki that enters is yellow as any of them, clad in a rich purple cloak and plate armor. Ambassador Xa'dani, who you have met before. He bows to you, "May I sit?"
"Certainly," Seira agrees most graciously. Amaryl is at her side, but otherwise there are only a few attendants that are there to offer refreshments and other amenities before leaving the ambassador just with the pair of them and Oraga's comforting presence behind their thrones.
Amaryl smiles, made up. Her hair is in a braided bun, sitting straight upright and with her hands in her lap. "You sought an audience with us?"
Oraga looms, rumbling like the earth splitting in two.
"Queen Vlaakith wishes to inquire to the state of the war, its conclusion and any likely followup," Is the answer you get.
"We are happy to announce that the Abolition War has been concluded decisively in our favor," Seira tells Xa'dani. "There is no merit in gloating publicly, yet our goals have been achieved in full. All slaves held by the Dao and the Efreet nations have been freed, and slavery itself within their borders is... strongly disfavored, shall we say? We believe that Her Majesty will enjoy hearing that."
"We have no love of slavers, on that we agree," The ambassador agrees to you, "Queen Vlaakith wishes to pass on her congratulations on that victory."
"Thank you, and please relay our thanks to Queen Vlaakith," Seira responds. "As for the question on followups, we simply see no reason for further hostility. If the efreet and the dao hold to the written agreements, that will be enough. Should they hold to the spirit of the agreements as well, the peace will be lasting."
A nod, "Informally," The Ambassador asks, "Her Majesty has a keen interest in understanding if these terms will hold."
"Informally," Seira tells him, matching the ambassador's tone, "The phrasing of the accords was written by myself alongside Celestia's top lawyers. So long as they prevent slavery by all the players on the Inner Planes, they will hold. We believe that only the Hells are capable of pushing things, and they will be busy with their own schemes and unwilling to risk their gains by upsetting ours in the process. Naturally, if Queen Vlaakith ever hears differently from her many contacts, I would appreciate a friendly warning."
"I will pass your desires to the Queen," The ambassador agrees, "Ah," Clapping his hands after, an easy smile, "The Queen also has a message for you," He withdraws a sealed scroll, "To be read at your leisure."
"I see," Seira says, accepting the scroll. She'll read it with Amaryl and Oraga after this audience ends.
At this the ambassador smiles and goes on, "I'm not privy to what's in that message, only that my role in this particular matter is concluded once I have given it to you. By your leave, then?" he asks, rising.
"Safe travels home," Seira tells him, granting it.
Once he's gone Amaryl turns to you and says, "Do you have any idea what Vlaakith wants?"
"We are about to see," Seira says upon taking a look.
Amaryl scoots close to read it as you open it. Thus the two of you see...an arcane diagram. One of vast complexity, a seal to protect what is within. The seal must be dispelled properly or the seal solved, as a wizard's puzzle, to access the writings of the letter. Failure will destroy the letter utterly.
"What lies written here must be as important as the first day of spring," Amaryl murmurs, a finger reaching out to trace part of the seal.
"Strange that she'd be this circumspect, but at the same time... can't deny I like a good puzzle!"
She could brute-force the problem, but trying to figure out the puzzle would be more fun, Seira decides.
Do you want to skill check this or take an actual shot at the puzzle?
Let's take the actual shot and if things bog down we can always roll then.
It is a circle divided into thirty two equal sections. Each section is connected with tiny arcane diagrams and formulae, encompassing various properties and concepts. In each part of the circle a name is written in silver letters, rising up and off the diagram whenever your hand comes close to one. These names are:
1. The High One
2. Caim
3. Phoebe
4. The Adversary
5. Demedais
6. Yemimah
7. (Empty)
8. Sultan
9. Martinet
10. The Blind
11. Perith
12. Elyssa
13. (Empty)
14. Sasoliel
15. Lathander
16. Khan
17. Calamity
18. World Serpent
19. (Empty)
20. The Watcher
21. The Pale Mother
22. Whirlwind Throne
23. Chariot
24. Juiblex
25. The Queen and the Crone
26. Solitary Wyrm
27. LOSS
28. Ssendam
29. Padisha
30. Radalos
31. Earthmother
32. The General of Gehenna
As the names rise up, the diagrams around them seem to come to life, humming with arcane energy and tiny representations of what they are - of flames and wind, of magic and force, of dozens of other things.
Seira decides to refresh her memory on each of the listed figures.
Can I get a line each of desc, and a listing of what their representations are? Also, whether the empty sections have any representations.
The High One is said to be the leader of the Arch Angels and the highest celestial in Elysium. You know some of him, something few mortals can claim. He is reclusive and yet it is said those with insight can see his influence in a thousand movements, a thousand plans and a thousand better outcomes.
Caim is the Duke of Logic for Dis, a Duke of Hell. His main MO is to use is powerful mind to reveal flaws in his opponent's minds, to defeat them and bring them to Hell through logic. He's considered the most effective Duke at Dispater's command.
Phoebe you've recently met. She serves Selune and is said to have come from Selune's shed blood and the soil of Arvandor.
The Adversary is the relatively new Oinoloth. Little is known about him, though admittedly this is standard for most powerful 'loths. You do know he had a leading role in the Astral rift Aurora caused, but was chased away by several deities once his poisons were pushed away.
Demedais you obviously know.
Yemimah is the name of the Lost Chalice, whom you know and are having others investigate.
Empty is simply empty.
Sultan is vague - there's a lot of sultans out there, though in context it most brings to mind the Grand Sultan of the efreet.
Martinet is a Duke of Hell that serves Asmodeus personally. He is known as the Constable of Nessus and is the Lord of the Ninth's personal diplomat. Powerful, charismatic and utterly infuriating by all reports - including your own meeting with him.
The Blind is vague, there's been multiple beings called that or similar titles. Not enough to go on.
Perith is a familiar name - an old, discarded name of Sylian.
Elyssa you know as Gond's daughter, who you introduced Calley to.
Empty is simply empty.
Sasoliel is a little known but powerful fallen angel who has thrown in with the 'loths. The dark magic that comes from that cooperation is said to be able to drag a pure celestial's soul down into eternal damnation.
You know Lathander.
Khan is again just a title, though it does bring the Great Khan to mind.
The Calamity is known to be a massive golem the size of a mountain, a nation and world killer that defeated entire armies before vanishing. Little is known of it and divinations reveal nothing about it. It may exist or it may not, but it is said to be the greatest golem ever created.
World Serpent is Jormugandr, the serpent who oversees Ysgard's endless cycle of resurrections and rebirths.
Empty is simply empty.
The Watcher is a title for Helm, though it is sometimes used for other entities. Primarily it is used for Helm, however.
The Pale Mother is Pale Night, a being you know from schemes and plots.
The Whirlwind Throne is the throne of the djinn, seen as more important than whomever holds it at any given time. It's equal to the Great Khan, the Padisha of the Marid and the Grand Sultan, no matter whom sits on it.
Chariot is vague - you simply need more information.
Juiblex is the Abyssal Lord of slime, oozes and other disgusting things like that. It's hostile and hateful, though mostly self contained by the nature of oozes and slime.
The Queen and the Crone doesn't match anything - it seems an allusion to something or a pair of people.
Solitary Wyrm is an obscure title for Tor SALINUS. You know him and want to mount his stuffed head on your wall, I presume.
LOSS is almost certainly Shar.
Ssendam is the slaad lord of madness and other such things. His nature can vary somewhat, though obscure lore asserts he's had some role in limiting the Spawning Stone in some way.
Padisha could be many, but it brings to mind the Padisha of the Marid.
Radalos is an obscure, lost cleric of Tempus, said to have become a 'spirit of war', present at every battlefield according to the lessons of that faith. It oversees many battles for Tempus according to that, and serves his will directly.
The Earthmother is Chauntea. You know her.
The General of Gehenna is the lord of the Crawling City and said to be the greatest of the 'loths. Little is known of him, save that if he and his city ever enters the Blood War, it is said that they will end it at last.
Amaryl studies the names, "So many, so many ideas." she says aloud, a finger lingering over Chauntea's name. "Seira, do you think that...?" A thoughtful trail off. "Like to like, perhaps, or some sort of balance and pattern? Or we have to look closer at those little diagrams?"
"So we have representation of the four elemental thrones," Seira muses, having written notations in fire next to the opposite to be on the same page with Amaryl and Oraga. "Not by names, so it's their office that matters? Also of note is that too many are linked to me personally and to my recent pursuits. Demedais, Helm, Pale Night and Sylian, Yemimah and Caim, Phoebe. Unless it's confirmation bias on my part?"
"It could be," Amaryl admits. "Also, do you think the three empty ones tie to Shar and LOSS? The High One and the General are natural adversaries. Perhaps they need to be placed opposite one another?"
You notice one thing right off - none of the ones match who they are around. For example, the Pale Mother is surrounded by skies, holy light and water. As you do that Amaryl waves her hand. As she does, Chauntea's name follows her hand, hovering below it and leaving the previous section empty.
"Oooh." Amaryl muses, "Look at that."
"I thought that the emptiness might be related to Shar, but given that there's no feeling of loss or drain near those spots unlike what happens next to hers I'm inclined to think the empty spots are for us to rearrange the pieces of the puzzle. And, perhaps, to serve as dividers."
To test her theory, Seira attempts to move Demedais into the empty spot by the Watcher.
Done. Demedais appears there, the section he was in is now empty.
Amaryl smiles, "Good," she says, "That must be the intent of it - to know the figures and decipher on how they all must be moved together."
Seira nods slowly, trying to move Caim by Yemimah.
Done.
You notice the diagrams around The Watcher and Demedais are changing as you place Caim.
Changing right after I placed Caim's entry down, or were in the process of doing so already? And what is the change from and to?
They started as you moved it. One symbol becomes that of an eye instead of electricity, another transforms from fire into light and a third becomes a shield in place of darkness.
"World Serpent next to the Adversary, given the link via poisons?" Seira muses, glancing over at Amaryl.
And she's also curious whether the second pair she tried to match changed things up as well.
They haven't changed yet.
"Maybe...oh! We have to make pairings and I bet..." Snapping her fingers, "We have to make each one compatible with the other side, so two connections each, except for empties," Amaryl says. "I think you've figured it out, now we just have to establish the patterns and make the symbols change. "Try moving it like that, see what happens."
1. The High One
2. (Empty)
3. Phoebe
4. The Adversary
5. (Empty)
6. Yemimah
7. Caim
8. Sultan
9. Martinet
10. The Blind
11. Perith
12. Elyssa
13. (Empty)
14. Sasoliel
15. Lathander
16. Khan
17. Calamity
18. World Serpent
19. Demedais
20. The Watcher
21. The Pale Mother
22. Whirlwind Throne
23. Chariot
24. Juiblex
25. The Queen and the Crone
26. Solitary Wyrm
27. LOSS
28. Ssendam
29. Padisha
30. Radalos
31. Earthmother
32. The General of Gehenna
Seira decides to try and make a couple changes to see if they really are on the right track. The World Serpent moves to a spot beneath the Adversary, the Whirlwind Throne is sent into an empty spot above and Perith is placed in the freed one, by the Pale Mother.
As you begin to move the World Serpent, changes occur.
Steam next to Yemimah becomes chains. Between Yemimah and Caim earth becomes darkness. Next to Caim air becomes fire.
The first move hasn't happen yet, feel free to continue it and see what happens.
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. (Empty)
Force
3. Phoebe
Acid
4. The Adversary
Stone
5. (Empty)
Chains
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Martinet
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. Perith
Lightning
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. (Empty)
Sword
14. Sasoliel
Tome
15. Lathander
Claw
16. Khan
Fang
17. Calamity
Fire
18. World Serpent
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Shield
21. The Pale Mother
Gold Coins
22. Whirlwind Throne
Tears
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Solitary Wyrm
Breastplate
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Padisha
Wand
30. Radalos
Water
31. Earthmother
Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
Seira completes her planned move to take a look at the changes.
Done. No further reaction.
"So it changes after you make a move and then begin the next?" Amaryl muses, "So if we're doing that, our last move needs to be one that fits where it is already."
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. (Empty)
Force
3. Phoebe
Acid
4. The Adversary
Stone
5. World Serpent
Chains
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Martinet
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. Perith
Lightning
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. (Empty)
Sword
14. Sasoliel
Tome
15. Lathander
Claw
16. Khan
Fang
17. Calamity
Fire
18. (Empty)
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Shield
21. The Pale Mother
Gold Coins
22. Whirlwind Throne
Tears
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Solitary Wyrm
Breastplate
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Padisha
Wand
30. Radalos
Water
31. Earthmother
Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
"Yes, though that's not hard given we can move something to an empty spot and then move it right back," Seira responds, as the Whirlwind Throne is sent into an empty spot above and Perith is placed in the freed one, by the Pale Mother.
As you begin to move the Whirlwind Throne, changes happen.
Acid becomes poison, stone becomes sword and chains becomes mountain.
You place the Whirlwind Throne and then move to change Perith. As you do, wind does not change. Force becomes sky between the throne and Phoebe, while poison becomes moon.
Perith is placed.
"Now what?" Amaryl considers, "Look at Sultan. Fire has to be right, but snow is wrong. Can that be easily fixed?"
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Martinet
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Lightning
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. (Empty)
Sword
14. Sasoliel
Tome
15. Lathander
Claw
16. Khan
Fang
17. Calamity
Fire
18. (Empty)
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Shield
21. The Pale Mother
Gold Coins
22. Perith
Tears
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Solitary Wyrm
Breastplate
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Padisha
Wand
30. Radalos
Water
31. Earthmother
Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
"Maybe, though I want to take a look at water first," Seira muses, swapping the Padisha and the Earthmother.
"You're good at this," Amaryl says, following your lead.
As you start to move the next one, changes. Shield becomes a sword, gold coins become an eye and tears become a tome.
On trying to swap one with another, nothing happens. The Earthmother won't move, the light between it and the General glows brightly.
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Martinet
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Lightning
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. (Empty)
Sword
14. Sasoliel
Tome
15. Lathander
Claw
16. Khan
Fang
17. Calamity
Fire
18. (Empty)
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Sword
21. The Pale Mother
Eye
22. Perith
Tome
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Solitary Wyrm
Breastplate
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Padisha
Wand
30. Radalos
Water
31. Earthmother
Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
"In that case...."
Seira attempts to swap Radalos with the Padisha.
This move works, thankfully.
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Martinet
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Lightning
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. (Empty)
Sword
14. Sasoliel
Tome
15. Lathander
Claw
16. Khan
Fang
17. Calamity
Fire
18. (Empty)
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Sword
21. The Pale Mother
Eye
22. Perith
Tome
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Solitary Wyrm
Breastplate
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Radalos
Wand
30. Padisha
Water
31. Earthmother
Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
Seira moves Lathander to the empty spot under 13.
As you move it, there are changes around the Padisha. Wand becomes wave, water remains water and light becomes sapphire light.
Lathander is moved without incident.
"Sapphire light?" Amaryl reads the seal carefully, "That seems to have special rules, I haven't seen a change like that or a rejected move. Is Chauntea keeping watch on the General?"
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Martinet
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Lightning
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. Lathander
Sword
14. Sasoliel
Tome
15. (Empty)
Claw
16. Khan
Fang
17. Calamity
Fire
18. (Empty)
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Sword
21. The Pale Mother
Eye
22. Perith
Tome
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Solitary Wyrm
Breastplate
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Radalos
Wave
30. Padisha
Water
31. Earthmother
Sapphire Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
"No idea," Seira admits. "Perhaps we broke something? Or Padisha reinforces Earthmother?" Shrugging, she swaps the Khan with the Solitary Wyrm.
As you move, the symbols near Lathander change. Sun does not change. Lightning becomes dawn. Sword becomes light.
The Khan is moved without incident - and when you do, immediately Calamity moves to 18, leaving Solitary Wyrm surrounded by empty spaces.
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Martinet
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Dawn
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. Lathander
Light
14. Sasoliel
Tome
15. (Empty)
Claw
16. Solitary Wyrm
Fang
17. (Empty)
Fire
18. Calamity
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Sword
21. The Pale Mother
Eye
22. Perith
Tome
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Khan
Breastplate
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Radalos
Wave
30. Padisha
Water
31. Earthmother
Sapphire Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
"Yeah, no one likes you," Seira grumbles, switching the Calamity with Sasoliel.
"Why haven't we done something about him yet?" Amaryl says, "We're busy, but surely we're not that busy."
As you go to move, symbols around the Khan change. Steel does not change. Breastplate becomes chasm.
The Calamity is moved without incident.
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Martinet
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Dawn
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. Lathander
Light
14. Calamity
Tome
15. (Empty)
Claw
16. Solitary Wyrm
Fang
17. (Empty)
Fire
18. Sasoliel
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Sword
21. The Pale Mother
Eye
22. Perith
Tome
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Khan
Chasm
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Radalos
Wave
30. Padisha
Water
31. Earthmother
Sapphire Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
Seira swaps Martinet with Sasoliel. "Because it's personal, that's why. How could I justify indulging myself when Shar and fiends were on the rise? And now that we've kicked them both down a bit, keeping the pressure is important to ensure the planar realignment endures and becomes the new status quo."
As you move, but one symbol changes - tome becomes mountain.
In the meantime, Martinet is moved.
Oh! Is that a logic puzzle, Seira?
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Sultan
Snow
9. Sasoliel
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Dawn
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. Lathander
Light
14. Calamity
Mountain
15. (Empty)
Claw
16. Solitary Wyrm
Fang
17. (Empty)
Fire
18. Martinet
Eye
19. Demedais
Light
20. The Watcher
Sword
21. The Pale Mother
Eye
22. Perith
Tome
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Khan
Chasm
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Radalos
Wave
30. Padisha
Water
31. Earthmother
Sapphire Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
It is, Seira affirms. I thought the snow around the Sultan would be altered. Any ideas of how to fix that?
With a soft pop Kascha is there, "Could you explain what the rules are?" she says, "Amaryl mentioned it and it sounds like something I could help with."
Feel free to handwave the expo unless you wanna type it up.
"Yeah, you see--"
As Seira explains the rules they had managed to figure out together, she swaps the Sultan with Martinet, now.
"Hmmm..." Kascha says, "You're right, it's just a matter of getting everything to something that works."
As you go to move Martinet, you see changes. Fire remains fire. Sword stay sword. Light becomes an eye.
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Martinet
Snow
9. Sasoliel
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Dawn
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. Lathander
Light
14. Calamity
Mountain
15. (Empty)
Claw
16. Solitary Wyrm
Fang
17. (Empty)
Fire
18. Sultan
Eye
19. Demedais
Eye
20. The Watcher
Sword
21. The Pale Mother
Eye
22. Perith
Tome
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Khan
Chasm
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Radalos
Wave
30. Padisha
Water
31. Earthmother
Sapphire Light
32. The General of Gehenna
Bridge (Connects to 1)
Seira nods, testing their assumption that once a pair is solid it cannot be broken down, as happened with the Earthmother previously. That way, she can test which of the segments are actually in their proper place already.
Is that a move and I just don't get it, Seira?
When I tried to move Chauntea before I couldn't because the links it had didn't let me. Correct? If so, I want to try every number on that list, one by one, and see which ones can move and which ones can't. I will return each one to their original spot if they can move.
Like just getting them to follow your finger and show they'll move?
Yes
All of them move except the following: The High One, Earthmother and the General of Gehenna.
(Connects to 32)
Bridge
1. The High One (Immobile)
Wind
2. Whirlwind Throne
Sky
3. Phoebe
Moon
4. The Adversary
Shadow
5. World Serpent
Mountain
6. Yemimah
Darkness
7. Caim
Fire
8. Martinet
Snow
9. Sasoliel
Moon
10. The Blind
Water
11. (Empty)
Dawn
12. Elyssa
Sun
13. Lathander
Light
14. Calamity
Mountain
15. (Empty)
Claw
16. Solitary Wyrm
Fang
17. (Empty)
Fire
18. Sultan
Eye
19. Demedais
Eye
20. The Watcher
Sword
21. The Pale Mother
Eye
22. Perith
Tome
23. Chariot
Fruit
24. Juiblex
Healing
25. The Queen and the Crone
Steel
26. Khan
Chasm
27. LOSS
Void
28. Ssendam
Scroll
29. Radalos
Wave
30. Padisha
Water
31. Earthmother (Immobile)
Sapphire Light
32. The General of Gehenna (Immobile)
Bridge (Connects to 1)
I think it's time to try my hand at the dice.
No problem, you pretty much had at this point, just had to invest more time. Gimme either and Int check or any check relating to puzzle solving or gaming.
Int it is:
19:21 <Seira> roll 1d20+18+18+3
19:21 <Rei-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+18+18+3 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{48}
You should finish ruling on whether Profession: General applies to stuff like this, btw.
Incidentally, taking ten on that gives me 85.
I believe I did, I'll check nagging since the todo is done. Either way moot in this case, since half solved the DC's low.
It takes some time but you sort them. You were on the right track, it just takes some experimentation until it's done. When it is, everything clicks open and the seal is gone, revealing the message beneath.
Seira reads the message, covering it from Waukeen's eyes with her apology should her friend still be watching.
I'm also curious at what the solved pattern was, in case you have it handy.
I can work up one after session if you like. I don't have it prepped, because a lot of the positions are flexible as long as the diagrams between them work out.
The message reads as follows.
'I have obtained ancient lore about a seed. I seek one of these seeds, I shall pay any price to obtain one should it live up to the lore.'
Below it is a slightly off but still recognizable sketch of a divine seed.
Secrecy. Very well. That puzzle was mildly amusing, Seira.
Thank you for the understanding. My relationship with Vlaakith is built on trust, and when she requests something is kept for my eyes only I have to respect that, or there can be no true cooperation.
Seira glances at Amaryl before adding, Would you like to visit soon? Xera will be stopping by as well.
Kascha frowns as Amaryl reads.
Dearie, why do you think I came by besides to observe? Is that not a visit?
I was speaking solely to Waukeen, though I'm obviously fine with Amaryl, Kascha and Oraga reading.
An actual, in-person visit. We'll be having a family dinner! Donald's going to invite Emily, so it might be all of us!
Meanwhile, Seira asks those actually present, "Thoughts? I actually figured she had a divine seed, given Waukeen warned me before that Vlaakith had some divine traits."
"Really?" Kascha asks, "What traits does she have?"
Amaryl reads it again before, "I want to know if she's known or recently learned of it. It's extremely obscure and little known lore."
Who an I to deny my favorite nieces their aunt?
"Specifically, immunity to antimagic, although I believe she has displayed a couple more on occasion," Seira responds to Kascha. "As for how she might've learned of it? No idea, but if she knew then Kascha's ascension makes it likely I have access."
"It doesn't make sense. Whatever could she have that would interest you enough to give her one of those, if you had one?" Amaryl asks, "What could be worth empowering a lich like her?"
"Yemimah."
A pause at that, Amaryl breaking into a scowl.
"That would be," Kascha admits, "Do you think she could do it?"
"Doubtful," Seira admits. "However, she might have relevant information and clearly knows I'm looking for it. Vlaakith might believe that I'd be willing to trade access to a seed for a chance at a rescue."
How lovely! Vayley will make all your favorite dishes!
Okay then, next move here?
I'd like to stop by Mystra and handle a bit of loot resolution!
Sure, which part?
To purify the Sorrowful Sword, you must have Mystra cast a holy spell which you absorb into the sword.
Also, I want to ask about the cursed elven gear. Specifically, if there are ways to tracing down curses to their origins to figure them out.
Sure, we'll cover both there.
For most, meeting Mystra is nigh impossible.
For a fellow deity, it is more a matter of diplomacy. Mystra sits on a throne of tomes, in a library that rises high above you, shelves from floor to ceiling. It is dimly lit, a library of shadows reaching towards an immensely tall ceiling. "Seira," she calls, "Welcome."
"Thanks for hosting me," Seira responds, approaching. "I was hoping to ask for a small favor, as well as some esoteric magical advice."
"Your timing is good," Mystra says, "I need a small favor from Waukeen as well."
"I'll see what I can do," Seira promises, producing a sword almost as tall as she. Wielding it without much trouble, she says, "Could you please cast a holy spell at an artificially low power into it so that I might absorb and thus purify it? One of Shar's proxies had it, so it's for a doubly worthy cause!"
Mystra glances at the sword.
It isn't really the same as a mage casting a spell.
It's not quite like alter reality, either. It simply happens, a spell passing through the blade, holy energies tingling throughout your body as you hold the sword.
Trying to match Mystra's spellcasting while activating the sword's ability to absorb magic might be a bit too cheeky normally, but since Seira asked her to use a much lower power for the spell it should work!
I hope so, anyway. This was the original sword:
Sorrowful Sword: Large greatsword+6. Any damage this blade deals is vile damage. As a swift action, you may attempt to absorb a spell cast on you into the blade. Make an opposed caster level check, the sword has a modifier of 1d20+33. Success absorbs and negates the spell, failure has the spell unaffected. 350,000 gold.
The spell is absorbed...and in your hands the blade shatters into dust.
Yet another blade is in your hands, lines of purple running down the polished steel of the sword.
Loot.
"Thank you~!" Seira chirps, stowing it away again. "My advice request had to do with this set."
This time, three weapons are summoned over and she keeps them floating in mid-air off to the side.
"I assume they are a set, at least, given the same maker and the same final user, plus the curse. Now, I've tried legend lore and all the usual tricks, so that's how I learned of the evil they were used to slay and of how the curse was made by some force rather than hostile sapience. I hit a wall there, however. My first thought was to ask the Seldarine for insight into the last owner's final quest, but then I realized that I was thinking as a mortal. Instead of pursuing such knowledge personally, wouldn't it be more effective if I knew, as a goddess of knowledge, how to draw it to me? Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, a proverb goes; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Do you think you could teach me to catch a fish, Mystra?"
Do me a quick favor and paste the stats of those in here, would you? I'll need them for reference.
Here you go.
Qualles: This cloak of elvenkind grants a +15 competence bonus to Stealth checks and a +6 enhancement bonus to Dexterity. When worn by an elf, they gain a +2 bonus to Dexterity (stacks with the enhancement bonus), a +2 to attack rolls with long swords or longbows and a +5 bonus to saves against enchantment spells and effects. However, Qualles is cursed. Any who wear it suffer 4d10 damage per round and are nauseated (no save). As it is cursed, no price is provided.
Qualles was made by Ardunlan the Gold, an elven warrior who wore it for many adventures, including the slaying of Nolofar, the Plague from the Stones. The last owner is easy - Alumar Starwarden. Whatever cursed it wasn't a person - it was a force. Dark as these curses are, they weren't the result of an intelligent being.
Star Shot: Longbow+5, anarchic. Gains the ghost touch, holy and keen properties under star light or in the hands of a star elf. Star Shot is cursed. Whenever an arrow is fired from it, one of the wielder's fingers are sliced away by the razor sharp bowstring. This deals 3d10 damage as well as results in the loss of a finger. A DC 20 Dexterity check avoids this fate. This check must be repeated for each arrow and any result of a natural 1 always fails this check, no matter how the total. As it is cursed, no price is provided.
Star Shot was made by Ardulan the Gold, an elven warrior who wielded in many adventures, including the rout of the Twivel. The last owner is easy - Alumar Starwarden. Whatever cursed it wasn't a person - it was a force. Dark as these curses are, they weren't the result of an intelligent being.
Star Sword: Longsword+5, holy. Gains the ghost touch, keen and frost properties under star light or in the hands of a star elf. Star Sword is cursed. Any attack with it has a 25% chance to strike an adjacent ally instead. If there is no adjacent allies, the attack instead targets the wielder. As it is cursed, no price is provided.[/i]
Star Sword was made by Ardulan the Gold, an elven warrior who wielded in many adventures, including his last. It is said that he gave his life to defeat Rodal, The Ever-Night. The last owner is easy - Alumar Starwarden. Whatever cursed it wasn't a person - it was a force. Dark as these curses are, they weren't the result of an intelligent being.
Mystra examines each weapon, "So you wish a spell to understand their history better, superior to even Legend Lore?"
"If that's your advice to me to understand the reasons behind curses properly, then I would appreciate such a spell."
Mystra nods, "Understanding curses is no small undertaking, for there are more reasons and causes of them than bestow curse," Mystra says, "I suggest you get comfortable."
Seira summons a queen's ransom in golden coins from her treasury to sit down on, looking attentively at Mystra.
Mystra has the grace to look pleasantly amused by your choice of seat.
"What is a curse?" Mystra asks you to begin, "As you understand it?"
Mystra really has no place to judge, sitting on books! That's practically sacrilege, isn't it? At least gold is multi-purpose, and serves as a good bed or sofa!
"A magical effect like any other," Seira responds, giving no sign of her brief pique as she focuses on the topic at hand. "What makes it a curse is the detrimental and often hidden or ironic nature of the effect, such as protective gear cursed into making you a bigger target, or a magical force artificially lowing your cognition and decision making."
"True, it is a magical effect and part of the Weave," Mystra agrees, "A curse is at its core malicious magic, no matter how it is used. A blood or death curse may be justified for great crimes, but it is still a creation of malice. Malice..." A consideration here, "Malice poisons the soul, but fuels the desire for justice and revenge. Malice towards the one who wrongs you, manifested into a creation of magic."
"I've used curses in the past. It's very easy to lose yourself and go too far with them. And yet, the burden on one during a purification quest is in a sense a curse. Do you mean to say that one bears the malice of the evil item or its creator during such times, Mystra?"
"Yes," Mystra agrees, "Have you noticed how one usually bears some curse or drawback on such a quest?"
"Usually," Seira agrees. "In fact, that's why I believe that I can gain proper understanding from the curse. More curses arise from a quest in the original caster's mind -- or from a combination of that and the divine will purifying some form of evil, of course. Since the quests are thus thematically linked, it'd make sense the link extends both ways, wouldn't it?"
"It moves from a question of magic to a question of good and evil." Mystra agrees, "How such a base emotion of malice is used, interpreted and channeled. An evil soul embraces malice and those curses are dark, hateful things. A righteous priest may well turn malice into indignation, into a desire for justice to be done."
"What about when the guiding hand is that of some force and not a hostile mind?" Seira inquires, gesturing at her side. "Such as what happened with this elf. I'm at a loss of how to approach it, unless the answer really is that better Legend Lore variant."
"That's harder," Mystra says honestly, "Do you know what force it was?"
"Unfortunately no."
A nod at that, "I saw those curses - they are dark, but not driven by a mind. It's simplest to find more about what cursed them in those cases, to understand what happened. Ardulan the Gold gave his life to defeat Rodal the Ever-Night. A powerful thing could manifest as a force, a nonthinking expression of darkness from a being worthy of the name Ever-Night."
"The lingering wishes of Ever-Night, then? Their ghost, in a manner of speaking?"
"It could be," Mystra says, "A divination isn't a solution, but the Weave can lead to answers," here a faint smile shows on her face, "Thus why I made that offer. Curses are malicious things, and for a force to cause a curse, you have to understand where it came from. You are a deity of knowledge, as am I. I will teach you on this, as is only proper, should Waukeen be unable to."
"Please do! It's not a manner of able or unable, but of going to the right specialist."
Mystra nods, "Yes. I will show you the spell and result - in time, you will be able to master it and cast it on your own. It is a specialized tool for a specialized situation."
Give me Spellcraft real quick?
20:07 <Seira> roll 1d20+98
20:07 <Rei-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+98 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{105}
The divination is hyper focused - a powerful spell of 10th level, focused entirely on discerning the nature of a curse. It draws knowledge from the curse, from the victim of the curse, from myriad sources of knowledge and power, connecting to knowledge ever so faintly, in some of the same way as Bibliotheca Arcana connects to the idea of a library.
After following the magic, Seira asks, "Could you grant me the ability to cast it myself, now? It's one of the disadvantages of wizards, and returning tomorrow to keep discussing this would be pretty annoying."
"May I see your hand?" Mystra asks, holding her hand out.
It's a hand. Nice and clean and well-manicured. Seira extends it to Mystra.
List your 10th level spells, please?
Widened Enhanced Maximized Empowered Twinned Greater Fireburst x2, Seira's Unicorn Apocalypse, Widened Enhanced Maximized Delayed Blast Fireball x2, Celestial Valor, Bibliotheca Arcana
Bibliotheca Arcana already cast
Mystra simply asks, "Do you need both of those firebursts?"
"Not today."
The magic in your mind changes, one of them becoming a spell known as Discern Curse.
"Ah! I see...."
Eager to use her newly-found knowledge, Seira uses Discern Curse upon Qualles!
Qualles: This cloak of elvenkind grants a +15 competence bonus to Stealth checks and a +6 enhancement bonus to Dexterity. When worn by an elf, they gain a +2 bonus to Dexterity (stacks with the enhancement bonus), a +2 to attack rolls with long swords or longbows and a +5 bonus to saves against enchantment spells and effects. However, Qualles is cursed. Any who wear it suffer 4d10 damage per round and are nauseated (no save).
Qualles was made by Ardunlan the Gold, an elven warrior who wore it for many adventures, including the slaying of Nolofar, the Plague from the Stones. The last owner is easy - Alumar Starwarden. Whatever cursed it wasn't a person - it was a force. Dark as these curses are, they weren't the result of an intelligent being.
You understand.
The night crumples and falls, daybreak follows. As the Gold lies there, blood staining the earth, his eyes look up at once last sunrise.
Shadow.
The wartorn marsh is arrayed in shadows. From the broken Ever-Night they emerge, pieces of writhing dark flesh. They race to him...but they cannot touch him, for the Seldarine walks with him in this final hour, his blessing on his shoulders like a cloak.
Yet his equipment is not so protected.
You understand.
This malice, this hatred - an imprint of a slain foe, a death curse manifested into something more by a greater being's final breath. The means to dispel it are a true sunrise, held in the arms of a maiden who has never once known the touch of night. Something so fully of the sun and light that not even the deepest night can touch it.
"Oh! It's kind of like what I did that one time when the Sharrans overcame my champion-- ah, I suppose there was malice there as well, but against Shar that's surely allowed?" Seira shakes her head. "One of Lathander's girls or Donald could fix this, or I suppose my own divine power should be sufficient given the Seldarine repelled the curse at the origin and it didn't come from a deity so there won't be a contest?"
"Strong curses with time to grow can be harder to remove. Some grow stronger, like a grudge," Mystra explains. "Like any divination, it can be blocked. Only exceptionally strong magic will do, but it can be done. Otherwise, solve the curse how you see fit."
Seira nods slowly. "Is there a proper way to remove a curse by brute force? For example, a spell or a ritual you could also show me?"
To try it out, Seira uses her divine power to emulate Remove Curse on Qualles to see whether her guess is right and it'd merely require more power.
Caster level, just for reference?
21:43 <Seira> roll 1d20+35
21:43 <Rei-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+35 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{44}
You'll need something stronger - a curse this primal simply won't respond to this spell.
I just wanted your CL, not a check, since a high enough one unlocked the mention above. No big deal.
"I feel like I'm half-right," Seira voices. "A stronger spell, not just more power sent through the basic spell."
"Often a strong enough remove curse will suffice, but not for this," Mystra concurs. "The next step is break enchantment, limited wish, wish or miracle."
"Let's jump straight to Miracle," Seira suggests, indeed using her own with a luck-based booster for good measure.
Now this one I'd like a CL check on.
22:32 <Seira> roll 1d20+35+3+17
22:32 <Rei-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+35+3+17 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{67}
Actually -3, so 64. Luck booster spell and DvR added to the roll.
Maybe I'm being dumb here, but what is the luck based booster spell supposed to be, Improv or something like that?
Yes, exactly. If I can't apply it here, the result is 50.
Afraid not, but....
Under your power, before such magic and influence, the curse bends, shudders - and dissolves. No great snap, just the morning light banishing the shadows of the night.
"Interesting," Seira muses, turning her attentions on the rest of the set. "Is there any benefit in resolving the curse the way it's meant to be as opposed to this brute force method?"
"It depends on the curse," Mystra says, "For us, there can be, but our power is usually sufficient. What it gains is in blood, sweat and tears. You are familiar with this from how purified items can gain suitable powers from the effort at times?"
"Though it's often a necessity with the evil items, whereas a curse is usually just there to make a perfectly working one inoperable." She decides to uncurse the other two items in the set, telling Mystra in the meanwhile, "Thanks, I think I'm getting the hang of it. And I believe you wanted something from Waukeen?"
A nod to that.
"A man will come to Brightwater in three days," Mystra begins, "His name isn't important to be known, and there are magical reasons it is best for it remain that way. He will be known by a bundle he carries. It will radiate hidden but overwhelming evil. Waukeen won't miss it, but few others will be able to detect it. I need his stay in Brightwater to be unhindered, as well as fortunate. Should he trade, trades go his way. Should he gamble, he wins modestly but consistently. No creature is to bother him about the bundle and he is to be allowed to leave freely with the bundle."
After that, "Three days later, a woman will come with the same bundle. The same courtesies are to be extended to her. This one will leave via a portal after a night's sleep and that will be the last of it. It is a matter of great sensitivity that requires delicate handling of both the bundle's contents and the information of what lies within that bundle, and by extension the identity of those who carry the bundle. They will avoid giving their names, no creatures are to press this. It is a delicate situation, but one safe so long as what I ask to be done is done."
"So to see that I got this properly," Seira voices. "Three days from now, the first visitor will come to Brightwater. He will stay in Brightwater for three days. Then, six days from now a second visitor will come and stay for a day. She leaves seven days from now, and I presume so will the first visitor? Or will the first leave sometime during days four through six, before the second's arrival?"
"The first visitor will leave after three days," Mystra clarifies.
"Is the package in any way dangerous to anyone around it? Can it affect its holders negatively, whisper in their ears and make them unpredictable?"
"It's safe as long as they are not unduly disturbed," Mystra explains.
"I cannot agree to anything here in Waukeen's name, but I will certainly ask for her assistance in this matter," Seira assures Mystra. "Except for the gambling, of course, as Waukeen doesn't affect those outcomes."
"Waukeen will understand and see to it," Mystra says, "Inform me if she declines."
Well then, it feels like everything got covered. Seira gives Mystra a nod, deciding to bring this up with Waukeen once she's safely back home.
Also, better head home, I'm sensing a disturbance in the force.
Sure thing. Next move then?
I'm assuming that the family meeting won't be happening yet, given Donald couldn't return with Emily so far. So first I'll relay Mystra's request to Waukeen, and then I'll go visit the sages from the list Oghma gave me. I don't really feel the request needs to be IC.
It doesn't, though I will include a brief line.
On giving that request, there's a silence over the connection before Waukeen's voice is in your mind.
'You owe Mystra a favor, I see. Very well, she won't have to ask me for one directly then. Do honor it well - favors can be a type of currency, in their way.'
It feels harmless, though I avoided committing to anything just in case I failed to see something, Seira responds. I'm actually viewing this as a chance to bring us a bit closer together.
'Then good fortunes may arise from it yet.'
From there...
Okay, which sage or sages are you going to first?
Glorious! We're finally doing this.
This was where I made the original request: (http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104248.msg1137354.html#msg1137354)
Would you be able to provide me with a list of specialists in the field of making portals and transportation magic? Perhaps they would have a few interesting insights, and wouldn't be blinded by 21 like we regrettably are. In fact, is Aurora's creator, Medi, one of them? His fate always seemed vague, though here I am, thinking that you of all may well hold the answer to that. If he were still alive and kicking, I could either go to try and rescue him or approach him with an interesting research project. And the same goes for other accomplished wizards of his stature, of course!
This is where Oghma writes my list for me after I uphold my end of the bargain (Medi is mentioned in other posts). (http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104248.msg1137374.html#msg1137374)
Finally, here Kascha and I discuss during that same visit that our archmages might help not only with 21 ritual studies but also with looking into Yemimah in Dis, given their specialty into dimensional math and their gathered knowledge. Since Oghma couldn't tell me anything due to his agreements with Dispater but seemed amiable, this is a way for him to help indirectly. (http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104248.msg1137408.html#msg1137408)
Needless to say, Kascha would be going with me again.
Sure thing. Any prep?
Since we're working with a list that I know was posted but I can't lay hands on, any preferences on who you go for/where they are/loyalties/ect?
Someone who seems to share my ideals and would be happy to get recruited!
Ron Farlan
A former Hammer of Tempus who resigned his position and ultimately survived Tempus's wrath for his heresy. Best called a magma gnome, he has insights into portals from hundreds of thousands of years of work on his own nexus demiplane.
"Well," Kascha says, "We know his demiplane has a stable entrance in Magma," Kascha says, "I can take us close and we should be able to get past the portal guard - an elemental."
"Let's go say hi~"
Magma burns. Always a truism as the two of you appear atop a burning volcano, magma flowing out everywhere. You're on a small ledge jutting out from it, Kascha wasting no time on flying up. "Over here, atop the volcano."
Seira follows along, looking for any signs of occupation. A doorbell is so much easier to find in divine realms!
Perception 10 for 105, standard adventuring spells precast just in case
> roll 1d100 Seira in case it hit sso I can mentally plot while icing
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 Seira in case it hit sso I can mentally plot while icing --> [ 1d100=16 ]{16}
Alas, my shoulder icing times were uneventful with ways to random encounter Seira.
The trip up to the top is without incident. The only inhabitant is atop it, a peak jutting out from the magma flows. Here a large magma elemental awaits, impassive until you close in. "Okay," The elemental calls, "Yes, I am more talkative than a normal elemental, so skip it. Secondly, who are you and what do you want?" He calls, cupping two large hands to his lips, as if to amplify his voice.
It's strange that she isn't recognized, so Seira merely exerts her divine aura as her answer. "As for what I want, I'm looking for Ron Farlan on Oghma's recommendation. It seems like we might be able to do good work together on a dimensional transportation project."
That immediately gets the elemental's gaze to snap up to you, "Oh." He says almost flatly, "Ah...I'm sorry then, I didn't realize!" He gestures back, a whirling dot of energies spreading out into a portal. "G-go in. The master will see you himself."
"Thank you!" Seira tells him happily. Just as she is disappears into the portal (after making sure it's not one of the special portals) she tells the elemental, "I would've given out my name normally if you'd introduced yourself first."
It's the customary way, isn't it? And then she's through!
Spellcraft 10 for 108 on account of portals.
It's a normal portal. "My name is Beccaryn," he calls as you go.
A darkness. A place of nothing, save for light. Dozens of portals surround you, each one growing dim save for one ahead of you. "This way, this way," A quiet voice whispers, that one portal growing brighter as the others dim.
"Nice," Seira comments, following the instructions (and confirming the portal is safe as is her portal doctrine). Something like her original portal network hub?
Safe as well.
It is something like it, as you pass through. A comfortable home burrow, a sort of cave with stairs going up, sunlight spilling down them. It's cozy here - a hearth fire and food, tables and chairs. The seats are padded and soft as the scent of stew fills the air.
Sitting at the table is a short gnome made of reddish magma and black stone, garbed loosely in steel threaded robes. He's not setting everything on fire, instead sipping what looks to be a cup of tea.
"Hello!" Seira greets him. "Thank you for making the time to see me and my friend Kascha."
"I'm Ron," The gnome says to the point, as a floating set of bowls and silverwhere settle down at the table. "Help yourselves."
As he eats Kascha says, "That's Seira if you don't know."
"I know what you are, only a fool ignores you," The gnome says, no ill humor in his voice. Instead after a few more spoonfuls he adds, "I prefer to keep to myself, so you must be here because you want something from me."
"Like I told Beccaryn at the entrance, I'm working on a project with a great deal of dimensional math," Seira tells him, claiming a chair for herself. "In fact, there are several interesting projects I'm working on, but there is indeed one that caused me to seek out like-minded mages. I'm hoping to both advance my studies and check our compatibility in any future cooperation."
"So you want to hire me for a consultation on this?" Ron pushes away his half eaten food, hands resting on his stomach. "I've done some stray bits of paid work, I'll do it if the price is right."
Kascha tastes the offered stew once she sits, smacking her lips before having more. After that, "You're confident."
"You aren't going to force me," The gnome says, point blank, "You have morals, goodness. Terrifying you may be to any who are your enemy, but you are not the kind to be cruel to those who are not." He then lets out a heavy breath, "Am I right?"
"I was thinking that the research is mutually-beneficial, given we both share an interest in the field," Seira respond, uninterested in getting into a needless argument. "I'm able to pay for your insights instead, although I would like to come up with a contract that ensures any insights gained from the process would belong to me as your employer. Proprietary, let us say. If you would prefer this option, would you like to name your price?"
You get studied, a heavy, long breath blown out. "Mutually beneficial, is it?" he says, "Alright."
"Excellent!" Seira smiles at Ron, and then produces a binder with her copy of the Calley notes. "This is an incomplete portal theorem which is not fully rooted in the Weave. Actually cracking the true design would be priceless, but even a bit of studying the processes described within would advance one's dimensional knowledge and magics. How about you take a look through my interpretations, and then we could confer with your reference materials?"
Binder?
"Very well, elf-dragon," The gnome agrees, "I will read them and see."
I suppose we'll skip ahead to see what Ron thinks of our gathered research?
"Different," One all is read and considered, "Obtuse. Whomever made this ritual has a twisted sense of design."
"You'd need that to try and bypass the Weave," Seira agrees.
"It's imperative we find an answer to complete this ritual," Kascha says, "Can you help us?"
To this the gnome snaps his fingers, a small portal opening and books floating through, gently landing on the table around you. "These should all be helpful."
"Nice!" Seira cheers, taking a look through the topmost book. "Did you find it helpful for your own magic?"
"It's different," Is the answer, "I did find some things to study later."
"Good," Kascha smiles at that, taking a book of her own.
Go ahead and give me K:P, K:R and K:A here, along with Spellcraft.
19:01 <Seira> roll 1d20+112 K:P
19:01 <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+112 K:P --> [ 1d20=8 ]{120}
19:01 <Seira> roll 1d20+112 K:A
19:01 <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+112 K:A --> [ 1d20=14 ]{126}
19:02 <Seira> roll 1d20+98 Spellcraft
19:02 <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+98 Spellcraft --> [ 1d20=1 ]{99}
19:02 <Seira> roll 1d20+112 K:R
19:02 <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+112 K:R --> [ 1d20=4 ]{116}
The books do help - hours pass as you get more information, drawing more theories and lore together. Soon enough you get another sheaf of papers with diagrams and lore, sure to help once passed over. Getting all of that flows easily to you, information passing into your mind with ease.
"I know we kind of did this whole thing backwards," Seira muses, allowing the knowledge the settle properly in her head, "but what are you presently working on, if anything?"
"Sub Astral Links and resonations on the Malcheanian Order, as well as using them to properly sort energy patterns between two separate termination points in the Astral Pattern." Is his answer.
Roughly speaking and devoid of jargon, he's studying those sort of portals and how they do what they do.
"Not something I dabbled in, but if you want a safe spot on Astral that stays static throughout extended time, I can allocate a section by the Cauldron's borders," Seira offers.
"How big a section?" Is the question you get right back.
"As large as you need, really, though realistically anything beyond half a mile will be difficult to keep watch on and thus defend reliably on Astral."
"I could use another testing ground," Ron admits aloud. "Are there any obligations that come with it?"
"Only the obvious. It's for your use, not for any fiends or rival powers. Allied powers would just ask me instead if they wanted something along these lines, of course."
"Then an experimental ground is what I need," Ron rises, "There's always more research on the Astral to be done."
"Then... welcome, neighbor!" Seira tells him with a grin. "Kascha will handle all the details on our end."
A nod back at that, "I hear you have dragons," he says, "Lots of dragons. How many?"
"Lots," Kascha claps her hands together, a sharp sound, "Lots of dragons. I spend most mornings before breakfast talking to them."
"I am a dragon, after all. And unlike Tiamat, I'm willing to show others the way to becoming a prismatic."
"Dragons are always good for research," The gnome comments gruffly.
"I'll have to ask around if any are interested in that aspect," Seira muses. "Not to mention that I might have another curious project soon. How's your numerology?"
Clearing his throat, "Numerology is the work of dwarf addled simpletons who want to wet themselves in terror over numbers. Why, I had an uncle who was a Numerologist and he threw himself to his death over the numbers being right for it. Bah."
"I'm sorry," Kascha says, "I've heard it's a stressful field of study. I met one in a previous assignment on Aurora and he said most people forsake it or press it too far and suffer a mental break."
"By the boiling bones of Magma, you have to be a fool to get into that. I had a cousin who followed his uncle's footsteps. Ended up hanging himself in a room filled wall to wall with a formula 'proving' Shar would win. Bah, nothing but a malicious idiot driving him to madness - easily done with his field. The math wasn't even sound, his mind was gone." Here Ron slams a fist on the table, "I'd sooner let my daughter marry a yugoloth than a Numerologist."
Sighing at that, "How horrible," Kascha murmurs softly, "I've heard that's much of the problem, that the math is subjective instead of objective. That interpretation of great patterns is so easy to get wrong. Surru and I - that's a dragon friend of mine by the way - did some work on it the last time I visited. He tried to solve a strange demonic cypher with numerology, we both gave up on it as madness."
"You're wiser than my blood was," Ron declares, "My niece also went into the field, like her fathers." A beat, "A purple worm ate her. Not that the numbers caused it, but I bet they addled her brain enough to make her easy prey."
"Uh..." Kascha clears her throat, "Purple worms eat things no matter the numbers."
"Funny you should mention Shar, since one of the things I'm actually trying to do is disprove that hypothesis."
"Then I suggest a dose of common sense and reality," Ron says.
"I knew I'd like you!"
With a hint of a smile, "You have good sense - I'd hate to know a deity who put stock in that foolishness."
Seira grins back at Ron.
"Good," The gnome concludes. He stands at that, "So you said something about some territory?"
Yep. Let's handwave it, he can pick anything adjacent to the Cauldron so long as it's not too far or too large (since it'd be hard to protect by my patrols).
Next, I'm interested in trying to break the cypher Io gave me a hint for, since another pal I made on Fire gave me the code for it.
Sure thing. Refresh me on that and where you were at on it?
Here you go: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104313.msg1150273.html#msg1150273
I haven't actually tried it yet, Thurmar just gave me a copy of the cipher.
Okay, cool. How are you going to attack this, any prep or support for it?
I'll keep my usual combat buffs and have Elle and Kascha help me. Maybe we'll discover something fun!
Okay, you have the needed skill checks without needing to roll with the cipher. Gimme a general Int check to cover a few other things.
20:18 <Seira> roll 1d20+18+18+2+3
20:18 <Rei-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+18+18+2+3 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{60}
It takes hours and hours and hours even with a cipher, but you begin to decode it, begin to decode the changing locations. To work out coordinates, to work out what it's referring to. You believe you can use this, whenever you're ready.
"How about it, girls? Want to head out on a scavenger hunt in the morning? It's the last lingering thread from the Abolition War for me, so it'd be pretty great for closure and treasure alike!"
Elle smiles, "Let's go! Let's go show them how to make a splash."
Kascha nods, "Of course, Seira. What prepartions will we need and what should we expect?"
"We'll go with the standard battle prep, as always. Better be prepared for any defenses."
Okay then, so standard array and you three? Anything else I need to know or are we good to go?
We're good
Thus the three of you stand, ready to invoke the various coordinates and try and make this work.
Kascha's in her normal battlegear, Elle the same. They're waiting on you, "So can we teleport right in or will we need to hit multiple locations at once?" Elle asks, "Since I think that was the early theory for it."
You haven't actually told me!
...that's what I get for being a birdbrain. Okay, expanded results since I am not of the quickness.
It takes hours and hours and hours even with a cipher, but you begin to decode it, begin to decode the changing locations. To work out coordinates, to work out what it's referring to. You believe you can use this, whenever you're ready.
Each note refers to a particular location, defined by how it relates to the others. However, with the cipher you can discern those locations, and have people in the right places to allow entry into the vault. It'll take some setup, but the good news is your a deity who knows the elemental planes. That's hardly a slowdown at all for you.
"I think we can all try to go through a single location, you'll just have to match my speed. If that doesn't work, we can try more advanced positioning."
Let's try heading for one of those locations!
You can basically choose which elemental plane, any bias here?
Let's go with Fire, I can use my Fire domain to boost our chances of success, surely!
Flames.
Everything burns here, everything does. You appear in just the right moment, a split second of a shimmering field in front of you, a distortion as brief as a baby's sigh.
Chance to act here, Seira.
As time slows to a crawl, Seira studies the shimmering field!
Greater Arcane Sight should tell me everything instantly, then I'll act.
Quick check for clarity since it affects how I adjudicate this: It makes it sound like you time stopped. Did you?
No
It's a shimmering dimensional disturbance. It's part of a greater whole, something that leads somewhere beyond it. If gone into while those other parts are activated, it should work just fine.
Seira reaches out towards the elementals serving her and strategically placed at the key points, commanding them to activate the ritual magic! And like several keys placed into their respective locks and turned in sync, this solution should allow Seira to take Elle and Kascha through the portal!
In that moment a portal opens, swirling to life for one perfect, crystalline second. Go!
Now!
Seira moves through the portal!
It's bumpy - you're being jostled as the three of you pass through. It only lasts a moment until you stand within a gleaming lobby. Here all is made of gold, shining bright and polished. Even the floor itself, which gets Kascha to stop and murmur, "Goodness!"
Using her highly-trained dragon senses, Seira tries to confirm that it's all real gold!
True Seeing, Greater Arcane Sight, Appraise 10 for 108!
It all looks like real gold to you. Elle kneels and runs a hand on the floor, "At least a layer of gold," she remarks, "What's the main prize of this vault supposed to be, Seira?"
"So much gold," Kascha murmurs, a hand to her mouth. "It's like a dragon's dream home, only with less cave."
"I actually don't know!" Seira tells Elle cheerfully. "The current owners were a moderately-sized planar trading consortium with ties to fiends, but Io suggested this very place is a much older relic perhaps on par with the Cauldron at the time I first claimed it. Let's explore~"
Any magic, btw? My spellcraft 10 is also 108.
There's ambient cloaking magic, detectable from within. Very complex, very powerful. You went in the one hole in it.
You walk ahead. Ahead is a golden door, words engraved in it.
Lo, those who seek treasure.
Lo, those who seek gold.
Low, those who seek to steal.
Be true or be cursed here, for greed undoes those who feel it.
Seira whistles. "Wow, that must've been so hard to those merchants!"
And to be clear about this, tells Elle and Kascha, "This is an exploration. If we actually find something we want, we'll consider later whether dealing with curses is worth our while."
"The question is how strong a curse is it?" Kascha wonders aloud, "Can it affect us as we are now?"
Elle chuckles, "If someone made something this hard to reach, let's assume it can." Taking a breath after and straightening her shoulders, tossing her hair after, "There had better be a few spells worth risking it in here."
"I'd settle for a grimoire." Kascha says, "A good book or two." Smiling as she reads the door, "This would be an incredible refuge if we can make it fully safe for ourselves."
"I was just thinking that," Seira agrees. "And it has doors all over the Inner Planes at the very least. Imagine a capability similar to the Infinite Staircase! I'm pretty excited!"
She opens the door, exploring!
The door opens. Ahead are...vast chasms, golden walkways criss crossing above them. Below lie vast piles of gold, gems, jewelry, treasure and more. Weapons and armor are in heaps, magical trinkets and tomes all below. It goes on for thousands of feet, the far end visible in the distance. The walkways all interconnect, letting you see from above.
Kascha's gasp is followed by Elle chanting, working away.
Taking 10 on Spellcraft.
"There's curses here by the dozens," she remarks slowly, "No, the hundreds, no the..." she closes her eyes, "Too many curses."
Seira examines the curses herself. She can count better than Elle due to offloading some of the process to her avatar, and a better estimate is in order. Tens of thousands? Millions? Trillions? She also decides to check what the ten strongest curses are and how strong they are.
K:A and Spellcraft, this is definitely an occasion that calls for it. +5 bonus to both due to a recent talk with Mystra that happened to be on point.
K:A 10 for 142 (Divine Insight), Spellcraft 10 for 128 (Divine Insight)
There's dozens of curses laid over the ground - from weakness of mind and body to paralysis to bad luck to so many more. What's worse is that every coin, every gem, every treasure is individually cursed. There's a tremendous dark magic in the air, a malice that poisons everything here.
"This will be a great teaching moment," Seira muses. "Are you two needed elsewhere for today? My avatar will mind the regular business at the Cauldron, but I'd like the three of us to methodically map out the artifacts and curses to make a proper index. The main goal is to make sure there's nothing else hidden, and no presence keeping an eye out on things. Then, come tomorrow, I'll show you the spell Mystra taught me to properly discern the origins of curses. I doubt we'll ever get a chance to practice in an environment as diverse as this one. What do you say?"
I do want to know the strengths of the curses (both in general and for the strongest few), as well as whether any other magic is present.
A general curse here is CL25 and equal to greater bestow curse. It only gets worse from there. If this isn't the work of a deity, it's a work of an extraordinarily powerful creature or malice. If it's a force, it may be just as well for Creation that it stayed in here.
The worst curses are a few like this:
You will lose one hit point per minute until you return the items you took from the vault as well as items worth triple the value of what you stole in addition. Damage done this way can't be healed. A wish or miracle spell that succeeds on a DC 50 caster level check can undo it.
The moment you pick up the item to take it, you suffer 300 points of vile, searing fire damage.
When you are under this curse, you suffer a -16 penalty to all ability scores. This curse lasts until you return the item you took.
"This'll be great," Kascha says, taking out her book, "There's so much to be learned."
Elle merely goes to look down at the treasure, "I'd be a fool to say no. If we can claim even a fraction of this treasure, we'll be doing fine."
"Follow me, then! We'll map out this place and then split up."
Intention is to ensure there are no hidden doorways and so on, nothing concealed that true seeing and blindsight can spot, etc.
Also, a question. Are there any curses not tied directly to an item? Something 'global'? Are there any curses that trigger if the curse on one of the items is triggered or removed?
Yes. There's a handful that are global and a lot more that are individualized.
Feel free to ask for details or followups, and give me a quick Perception too.
As you go, Kascha adds, "Don't get too far, and we should look into protections. Are there spells that stop curses?" Kascha asks, "A strong curse can be hard to get rid of."
"I'm actually not sure, but it wouldn't be very exciting, would it? Kind of like warding yourself against every type of magic before going out to a duel~"
Seira winks at Kascha, adding, "Don't worry, I can break any curse here if I put my mind to it. It's just that it would be better to practice some and then find a way to remove the conditions that lead to the curse in the first place."
Taking 10 for 105.
How many are global and what's their CL? If there's less than a dozen, can you tell me in brief what each does?
There's six global curses.
1. Overwhelming guilt if you take something that isn't yours from here. This is the weakest by far, is mind-affecting and can be removed with remove curse.
2. Wrath: Once per hour you have a 20% chance of being assaulted by an iron golem. This golem is a construct created by the curse and vanishes if slain or otherwise incapacitated, or if an hour passes. This golem appears within 100ft of you. A remove curse that succeeds on a DC 25 caster level check removes it.
3. Ill luck. A -6 luck penalty to attack rolls and saving throws. A DC 30 caster level check with remove curse removes it.
4. Stillness. Each round in combat, you have a 75% chance of doing nothing. A wish or miracle spell is needed to remove this.
5. Forgetfulness. Each hour you have a 15% chance to forget what happened in the past hour. This loss is permanent until the curse is removed. The curse can be removed by a wish or miracle that succeeds on a DC 40 caster level check.
6. Hoarding Instinct. You now have an irresistible urge to hoard treasure in this vault and add to it. This penetrates even mind blank, but an epic level abjuration could stop it while active. The curse can be removed by a wish or miracle that succeeds on a DC 50 caster level check.
Kascha exhales, "I'm always nervous around curses. They can get out of hand so easily."
Seira nods slowly to herself. "The only thing that could be a challenge is a mind blank-penetrating curse. Can you think of any abjurations of the tenth circle or higher that might get in its way, Kascha? How about you, Elle?"
Thanks. Any hidden areas, monsters or doorways?
None that you can find. It looks like it really is what it is. Unless, that is, it's hidden beneath all the treasure. Disturbing those to check is obviously a risky venture. You can do it if you want.
That's okay, then. If Elle and Kascha don't know any relevant spells, let's skip ahead to mapping this out. I'll redo my spells with discern curse (lvl10) and superb dispelling (lvl11), and it'd be nice if Elle and Kascha loaded up on discern curse.
Sure.
Thus the next day comes and the three of you are here, ready to go.
Go ahead.
"These are the six global curses," Seira lectures, pointing each of them out so that she, Elle and Kascha are all on the same page. "Now let's try to start from weakest and build our way up, then pool the results and see where they take us!"
We'll uses Mystra's spell. Kascha for curses 1-2, Elle for curses 3-4, I will try to get info for curses 5-6. Let's try and figure out what common force/malice caused the curses and how they would be 'naturally' removed without brute-forcing it.
Overwhelming Guilt: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes, as well as something more subtle. A slight, hidden disinclination to seek means to cure it, obscured and lost in the guilt, but still effective. The curse can be removed from a person by remove curse. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Wrath: : This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. The curse can be removed from a person by remove curse that succeeds on a DC 25 caster level check. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Ill Luck: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. as well as something more subtle. Hidden in the bad luck is a biasing towards luck leading you to events that would push the cursed person towards suicide. The curse can be removed from a person by remove curse that succeeds on a DC 30 caster level check. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Stillness: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. This curse can be removed by a wish or a miracle spell. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Forgetfulness: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. This curse can be removed by a wish or a miracle spell that succeeds on a DC 40 caster level check. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Hoarding Instinct: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. This curse can be removed by a wish or a miracle spell that succeeds on a DC 50 caster level check.. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
"...well, we have a big lead," Elle finally says, "What the hell happened here?"
A person this legendary would have a legend to his name! As she hums noncommittally to Elle, Seira takes a glance with her divine power!
Miracle emulation of Legend Lore on Rhogarn and another on his wife, if she also works as a target.
Gimme a CL check? Something unrelated but tied to Rhogarn.
23:30 <Seira> roll 1d20+35+3
23:30 <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+35+3 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{57}
Rhogarn is a long forgotten human hero. An adventurer who battled a forgotten race of ethereal creatures known as the Gala-Jine and who married a princess who fought with him in that war. It was a story book ending.
Except there was one problem with that: It turns out that the love between husband and and wife didn't last. The legends vary, but ultimately it's said that the two did great harm to the world around them before being sealed away. Sealed away in a massive gemstone cast away into the ethereal, or so the legends say.
"Why not separate?" Seira mutters, before raising her voice. "So it seems that the pair were sealed together into a huge gemstone now floating in the Deep Ethereal. If they didn't hate each other enough before, it's bound to happen now. I think we should track them down and see if we can fix the situation some, but first let's take stock. Have you found anything of particular interest here?"
I'm looking for any epic items or artifact. Are there any, and if so how many? Also, I'd still like an estimate for the total amount of individual items. I don't need to actually count them all by hand, but a clearer ballpark than 'lots' would be very appreciated!
"A huge gemstone?" Kascha muses, "So did this gemstone end up here, Seira? Why else would the curses be tied to them?"
Meanwhile Elle peers down, "Yes, several," Elle agrees. "I've detected two artifacts and over a dozen items beyond mortal limits. There's likely more - there's certainly some hidden under things best not moved due to curses." Silent a few moments, "Enough to make this worth it a few times over, no matter how hard we struggle."
By items do you mean magic items?
"I actually imagined Rhogarn could've made this, but a valid interpretation," Seira tells Kascha, using a Miracle to try and find the path to the gem holding Rhogarn or his soul.
Yes. Also, please, can I just get a rough numerical estimate for all the cursed stuff here? I keep on asking, it's impossible for me to plan without one.
Roughly a few hundred.
You feel pulled ahead, towards a great heap of gem and gold.
"Huh. Let's take a look over here," Seira says, following the pull while trying to avoid triggering any curses. If it becomes impossible, her skills will end up being used!
It's in there - surely deep, and you'll have to move lots of cursed coins, gold and treasure to get to it.
Elle eyes it, "Over there? Buried, you think?"
"It has to be," Kascha agrees, "Unless the spell's being fooled."
"It wouldn't be the first time, like that time I was hunting those Purple Magic Cap Mushrooms." Elle remarks, "I ended up halfway to the Beastlands before I realized I was fooled."
"This situation reminds me of how the Crimson Guard reached the ruins through the back entrance by finding the wrong seal out of sequence," Seira muses. "Let's do this!"
She focuses her divine power, and then uses Miracle several times in succession to attempt to dispense with the global curses!
20:13 <Seira> roll 6#1d20+35+3 in order
20:13 <Kobot> Seira rolled 6#1d20+35+3 in order --> [ 1d20=11 ]{49}, [ 1d20=13 ]{51}, [ 1d20=13 ]{51}, [ 1d20=4 ]{42}, [ 1d20=13 ]{51}, [ 1d20=10 ]{48}
"It gives us an element of surprise," Elle smiles at that memory.
So you're trying to end the curses permanently or remove them from something or someone?
Tryng to remove them! All but the last should be removed!
There's six global curses.
1. Overwhelming guilt if you take something that isn't yours from here. This is the weakest by far, is mind-affecting and can be removed with remove curse.
2. Wrath: Once per hour you have a 20% chance of being assaulted by an iron golem. This golem is a construct created by the curse and vanishes if slain or otherwise incapacitated, or if an hour passes. This golem appears within 100ft of you. A remove curse that succeeds on a DC 25 caster level check removes it.
3. Ill luck. A -6 luck penalty to attack rolls and saving throws. A DC 30 caster level check with remove curse removes it.
4. Stillness. Each round in combat, you have a 75% chance of doing nothing. A wish or miracle spell is needed to remove this.
5. Forgetfulness. Each hour you have a 15% chance to forget what happened in the past hour. This loss is permanent until the curse is removed. The curse can be removed by a wish or miracle that succeeds on a DC 40 caster level check.
6. Hoarding Instinct. You now have an irresistible urge to hoard treasure in this vault and add to it. This penetrates even mind blank, but an epic level abjuration could stop it while active. The curse can be removed by a wish or miracle that succeeds on a DC 50 caster level check.
End permanently.
Okay, then this info from before is relevant.
Overwhelming Guilt: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes, as well as something more subtle. A slight, hidden disinclination to seek means to cure it, obscured and lost in the guilt, but still effective. The curse can be removed from a person by remove curse. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Wrath: : This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. The curse can be removed from a person by remove curse that succeeds on a DC 25 caster level check. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Ill Luck: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. as well as something more subtle. Hidden in the bad luck is a biasing towards luck leading you to events that would push the cursed person towards suicide. The curse can be removed from a person by remove curse that succeeds on a DC 30 caster level check. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Stillness: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. This curse can be removed by a wish or a miracle spell. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Forgetfulness: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. This curse can be removed by a wish or a miracle spell that succeeds on a DC 40 caster level check. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Hoarding Instinct: This curse came from the malice of Rhogarn, amplified by his suicide. You know what this curse causes. This curse can be removed by a wish or a miracle spell that succeeds on a DC 50 caster level check.. The curse can be ended by Rhogarn's wife uttering a heartfelt apology before the hoard.
Removing the curse when it's applied to something? Not too hard for you except the last, which'll take a decent roll. Getting rid of it for good will require the wife bit.
As you stand there a moment and consider, "How adaptive are the curses?" Kascha asks, "Do they latch on if we use indirect methods or a mindless creature, or a golem or some such?"
"Only one way to find out," Seira muses, attempting to summon an earth elemental that could that merely move aside all the cursed items in the way of the gem her find the path spell insists is buried underneath them.
It's not hard to get an earth elemental here with a bit of effort. It goes to push and moves it a bit, before curses cause it to burst aflame, freeze and altogether cease being anything but a glob of dead earth.
It did make headway, though.
"...well, it worked a little bit," Kascha winces. "The principle is sound."
Seira nods, telling her, "Save your spells, I'll handle the rest as well."
This time, two earth elementals are summoned to help clear the path!
"Hold on," Kascha says, "Hold on, Seira. Use your will to ensure they feel no pain? A summon that feels no pain is merely a projection that returns a few memories to the real creature."
"But it's a summons? They never-- I actually don't mind, I suppose." Rather than argue for the rights of summons in combat, Seira decides to follow Kascha's request. "You have a divine will as well now, remember? Next time you don't have to ask me."
That interlude of summoning ethics aside, soon enough heaps of treasure are moved. A red gemstone wide as a person and tall enough to reach your stomach is revealed, shining and brilliant.
Seira checks it for any curses, intending to remove them if they exist.
In case the gem itself is cursed, we could use my previous rolls as needed?
I'm also interested in knowing whether picking the gem up would curse me and any info I can get on it.
The gem is not cursed.
However, it's an absolute tangle of magic. There's dozens of auras around it, and they bleed into each other.
Seira looks closer to see if she can spot anything within the normal way. And takes the time to untangle all the magical auras, of course.
K:A 10 for 142 (Divine Insight), Spellcraft 10 for 128 (Divine Insight), Perception 10 for 105.
You don't see anything inside of the gem, at least not with your eyes.
You spend some time with the auras, Kascha and Elle doing the same. Your understanding is this: The magic is a hopeless mess because it's been tangled too long without being able to escape. It's melded together in places, which greatly muddies the entire situation. Most of it's various protective magics, but they're hit and miss due to this merging. Some of the spells are ruined by it while others are made new and stronger.
The deepest, underlying enchantment is a powerful spell to keep two souls within the gem. It's not the strongest magic, but it's gotten tremendously stronger from being melded with other magics.
Can I tell the alignments of the two souls, or tell them apart (ie to know which one is the husband and which the wife)? What sort of backlash can I expect if I touch the gem to shatter it to free the souls within or attempt to free them via other non-destructive means, aside from the global curses?
On the matter of freeing the souls, going by the Soul Collection note a deity only needs to touch a gem to extract the souls within. Does that apply here? Would such a removal be similar to how I used Wish to bring back Kascha or reincarnate Lagann in soul forms before cementing the results with a follow-up Wish? Are all the methods listed in Soul Harvest for freeing a soul from a gem applicable?
Can I tell to which deity/power each of the souls belongs? If not from here, is an application of divine will sufficient to find this out? I wouldn't want to use Shape Soul only to step on some divine toes.
Both souls are neutral and yes, you can tell them apart.
Breaking this much magic would be, at best, extremely explosive. It might be enough destabilize magic all around it, creating a destructive cascade that could get out of control.
Normally yes, but there's magic in place that would make that more difficult. You may well be able to do it anyway being a deity, though. You suspect you should be able to. Alter reality's fine for it, it's how deities work for that.
Yeah, you could use a trivial bit of divine will to find out where they're going, if so inclined.
Seira finds out the current destination for the souls, and then motions for Kascha and Elle to get back while she calls for her antimagic aura, one large enough to cover most of the inner space of the golden vault.
Both are bound to Limbo. Not out of their ethics, as they're neutral, but you can sense the souls are tainted by madness. That's pulling them to it as a tiebreaker.
Quick check, how big is the antimagic aura's radius?
As big as I need it. I will avoid hitting the walls.
Done. The antimagic aura is established.
Ball is in your court, feel free to go for it.
Seira draws the wife out of the gem for a little chat!
Combat spells are precast on the three of us, Kascha and Elle are at a good distance (let's say 100ft).
Can I tell what the wife's name is so I have something to call her?
If this works as Soul Collection, btw, let's go with Demand Service because that's the only option I see listed there that allows for a quiet chat without breaking the gem.
Sure.
Her name is Bethany.
The spirit emerges, an ethereal thing that watches you. A woman's spirit, yet washed out and colorless. She watches you with an inexpressive gaze, not a single reaction to her summoning.
"Hello, Bethany," Seira greets her, using a flash of her aura to introduce herself. "Do you remember how long you have been imprisoned within this gem?"
"Too long," Is her answer, "What need do numbers serve when you cannot count any higher?" Her voice is toneless, emotionless.
"Long enough that you no longer care about the situation that lead to your current condition, by the sounds of it," Seira muses. "I don't know just what you did, or why someone thought to curse you that way. But I'd like to offer you a second chance. Do you want to permanently leave your prison?"
"I don't care," Is the answer, "Do as you will."
Seira pulls the other soul out of the gem. She has an idea of how Bethany could be rehabilitated, so it's important to see if this is all a front or if she honestly doesn't care one bit about her mortal life or anyone from it.
This one...resists. A resistance, nothing to you, but you can feel it nonetheless. This ghostly figure is red and more substantial, glaring at you as it forms. "How dare you?" he asks.
"How dare I what?" Seira asks him curiously, even as she pays attention to the wife's reactions as well.
The wife's expression turns into a dead, tight look, nothing but open disgust.
"How dare you wake me?" he challenges, "Leave me be!"
"Are you some kind of vampire or lich, content to sleep forever?" Seira scoffs. "What's so good about wallowing in your suffering like an angsty teenager?"
Trying to particularly intimidate here or use godly presence?
Not just yet, I figured that would come later if he keeps on ranting.
"Go to Hell," The man snarls back, "Let me rest!"
Idiocy
Seira flashes her divine aura, telling him, Wake up, Rhogarn. You're not the first to encounter hardship. If you wish for final rest, I will grant it to you. Do you wish to give up and be no more?
Normally there's a save but he's not in a position to meaningfully resist due to his particular circumstances.
The soul freezes at your words - nothing comes out, but you shut him up completely. There's a pause, a long one of complete silence before, "I want to sleep and d-dream, but not like that." he finally says. "I'm tired of all of this. I'm tired of HER."
I apologize for troubling you in this way, Seira speaks to Morwel, even as she weighs her choices, But I have come across the soul of a hero of old that has fallen to madness. Even now, all Rhogarn wishes is to sleep and dream. Would you take him within your dream, Queen Morwel? I cannot rehabilitate both he and his wife at the same time, given their mutual animosity, and I intend to focus on helping Bethany first. At the same time, I feel that continued imprisonment inside a gem is not conductive to his recovery, and an eternity as a slaad on Limbo would ill-reward him for his successes.
You are one of the saviors of Androlynne. I will do it for your sake, but he must accept willingly.
Come, Rhogarn. Come sleep and dream if you wish to.
The soul is silent, but his head droops and his eyes close. "I'm so tired..." Rhogarn murmurs aloud.
Free his soul, Seira.
You had your heart in the right place once, and may one day find it anew. Go towards your dreams, Rhogarn.
Seira frees the soul, bowing her head in gratitude towards Queen Morwel. Her grateful feelings towards the queen are sent across clearly enough without a need to verbalize them.
The soul is gone, a ripple before it heads to what awaits it.
The woman's soul is still at this, no reaction and yet the glare fades, leaving her inexpressive once more.
Seira peers at the soul for a long moment. Bethany told her to do as she liked, had she? In that case....
The soul is reincarnated into a female star elf!
Since you have nothing better to do, you'll be coming home to the Cauldron with us, Seira informs us. Unless you have an objection, of course?
"Aaaah!" A cry as flesh forms and a soul is born into it, and...
Any preference on appearance or let it default to the norm for her?
Default to norm is perfectly alright, as if this were a regular reincarnation.
As Bethany appears before her, Seira doesn't let her stay unclothed and summons a flannel shirt and pants to cover her, with soft slippers to make walking comfortable.
Bethany is pretty in a plain sort of way - but taken to the limit. Everything's right without anything standing out. She has blonde hair, green eyes and a rather sharp gaze. She blinks once and then twice, a breath taking. "...Air?" she manages to say.
"Oh yes. Even elves need to breathe," Seira assures her. "Mortals are able to advance marvelously, before they get set in their ways as outsiders tend to, so better be one if you're going to reinvent yourself!"
Or rediscover, minus the insanity. Whichever works for Bethany, really.
Bethany breathes several more long breaths before, "I'm ..."
Silence.
"Why?" she finally asks.
"You remind me of Amaryl," Seira responds. "Had things gone badly for us after we saved our world, I would've wanted someone to help us find our ways again."
A deep breath is taken, again and again.
"What of Rhogar?" she asks then.
"I asked Queen Morwel for a favor, and she's accepted him into her dream," Seira tells her honestly. "Both of you can move on, from your past and from each other. I can't do much with someone who's constantly angry and just wants to retreat into the safety and comfort of a dream, but you... I would like to help you, Bethany."
She smiles at her all of a sudden. "I don't believe I properly introduced myself, have I? My name is Seira Aryn, and these are my friends over there, Elle Stronger and Kascha." Tapping her chin thoughtfully, Seira voices, "Now that I think about it, you could take my name, Kascha. How about it?"
Kascha blinks and calls over, "Eh? Take your name? Like Antenora did with Alicia?"
Meanwhile Bethany says, "A...alright," she says at last. "With newborn and new forged life."
I've made no secret of seeing you as a younger sister, and Amaryl considers you part of the family as well, Seira tells Kascha alone, so as to not confuse Bethany with her tangents.
"We specialize in that sort of thing," she tells the star elf with another smile. "For now, let's head back so that we could get you all settled?"
Seira drops the antimagic to confirm that no dangerous magical cascade reaction will occur.
Nothing like that happens.
"A-alright," Bethany concurs, "I will follow you, Seira."
"Let's go, then," Seira decides, waving Kascha and Elle over before shifting them all home.
Incidentally, did the curses remain with both souls no longer trapped in the gem?
Which curses? There's a whole lotta curses here overall.
The global ones.
They're still up. No apology, after all.
Right. We're leaving, but I'd like a few elementals to take up watch here and alert me (via praying, say) if someone tries to access this place. Works?
Sure.
As you go, Kascha slows down and shoots you a beaming smile. She offers you her hand.
Seira takes it!
Togetherness.
Together, Seira agrees with a smile.
Okay, what's your play here now that you're taking Bethany back?
Introduce her to Amaryl, then double back after magicking up to disguise myself as Bethany.
Amaryl meets her with a smile, "Bethany," she asks, offering her hand out.
"You are Amaryl?" Bethany asks, taking that hand.
Amaryl speaks lyrical elven, "Do you understand this?" After a nod, "Let's go have refreshments and we'll talk." Amaryl's aura is palpable, a gentle feeling of love, affection and comfort. "You can rest a time with me as we understand what has gone wrong."
Confident that she's made the right choice, Seira entrusts Bethany to Amaryl. If anyone can help her recover and find her place in the world, it would be her kind wife.
Thus Seira goes off and...
Walk me through this disguise plan, would you? I think I get what your aim is here, but gimme the full scoop anyway so we're on the same page.
Seira uses magic to look like Bethany, and uses her ample classical training to adopt her mannerisms. Then, it is a matter of using her divine powers to augment herself for the task and appear in the golden hall before letting the words flow.
"I'm sorry, Rhogarn. I'm sorry for what came to pass."
Stilted and awkward, as is Bethany's speech after being trapped in the gem for countless years. But earnest, too, and heartfelt, because Seira thinks of Amaryl and calls upon the apologies she had cause to give over the years.
Disguise 10 for 122 (disguise self, greater heroism, divine insight, improvisation)
Okay, first of all. Are you using any particular epic skill usage or skill trick here, or going for a raw disguise check?
I haven't actually used epic skills so whatever you think fits. I saw that epic bluff can spoof thoughts, and disguise clearly can make me appear like her in every way. UMD can let me emulate her race and alignment perfectly. Perform: Oratory should help me tailor the perfectly fitting apology which Bluff's Disguise Lies will ensure is heartfelt. I'm sure a combination of all this pretending will help.
Give me a Bluff and UMD check as well, then, along with any boosting used as needed.
Bluff 10 for 113 (greater heroism, divine insight, improvisation), UMD 10 for 113 (greater heroism, divine insight, improvisation)
You feel a resonation, as if your essence is in tune with everything here. Yet it's not quite right, it feels off, the sound of it wrong to your ears. You feel you need something a little more in that moment, something to put it above and beyond.
You have a round to act here to try and shore this up and see if you can pull it off, good luck!
She scowls. "It's never enough with you, is it? Always, you always have to--" Visibly stopping herself, she shakes her head. "The first step to letting go is forgiveness, so forgiveness is what you'll have. For my sake, not yours, because I'm going to start anew."
Interesting approach. Gimme another Bluff check, +5 circumstance bonus.
Taking 10 for 128 (using the +10 1/week bonus here).
There's a soft snap, and another and another. Slowly malice snaps and crumbles from this world, the overarching curses giving way before this confession. They fade, the treasure chambers seeming somehow brighter now.
Nodding to herself in satisfaction, Seira traverses the place while confirming that there are no remaining curses, either in this place or any part of the visible hoard. One day, Bethany will recover enough to wonder what they were doing here in the first place, and then she'll wonder if she received help for the sake of breaking the curse. Seira would be only too happy to assure her during such a time that their concern had nothing to do with it!
The six vault wide curses are gone. Some of the individual curses are gone, some linger. It varies wildly, but a good majority of it is gone, including almost all of the stronger ones. Most of the rest should be clean up, or items innately cursed to begin with.
Seira goes around, decursing the remaining, weaker curses through divine brute force and collecting the spoils. As fresh riches are uncovered in the process, she examines them, and repeats the same sweep over them in turn. Tedious work, no doubt, but her avatar has control of the realm and should something urgent come up before she's done Seira is only a Sending away.
Let's pick everything up!
Sure. Obviously, tallying everything is a DM task after session. Assuming nothing goes wrong here, what are your plans for all of this?
Once I make sure there's nothing left, no hidden magic or doorways and anything of the sort, I would like to see how leaving from this place works. Is it a demi-plane, except with entrances all over the Inner Planes? Does it have entrances similarly to the Infinite Stairway, or can I exit it into the City of Brass, say? Into the Sultan's palace?
Loot-wise, I'll split it with Elle and Kascha. If there's nice lore here, and there seemed to be, it should answer both of their Node goals! Which is nice.
This is all OOC stuff for the most part, so the next IC thing is having Donald bring Emily over for a family dinner, and hopefully having Xera and Zariel attend it as well, while Waukeen shows up as our guest.
It puts you out in a random place on an elemental plane. Study and testing suggests it doesn't hit anywhere important, but with infinite planes you certainly can't rule it out. Well, besides anywhere the leemental lord of that plane chooses to be unavailable, of course. Still, you think the odds of hitting such locations is low.
Sure, we can do the family dinner next. Go ahead and set up the scene for that and I'll roll with people arriving and all of that.
The banquet hall represents the gingerbread palace faithfully. Located near the top, it provides a clear view outside through wide, translucent sugar glaze windows, plush and comfortable marshmallow seats placed around macarons serving as tables floating above the orange candy bread floor. The lack of decoration on the walls is more than compensated by the rich hard candy mosaics placed carefully on the ceiling to depict grand battles from the Abolition War, albeit the windows offer an intriguing view of the Cauldron as well; one that changes ever so slightly as the room slowly turns clockwise.
At present, only one table has been set, enlarged lollypops set by the double white chocolate doors serving as signs to show the way towards it. The banquet hall is reserved for family tonight, after all!
A shame, I thought I could control it. To confirm, I can't control the exit point? I can't even dictate the plane the demi-plane will connect to? If so, is this something I could check with time and investment?
Time and investment, yeah. It's set up to be random, though it's possible you could adjust it in time. It is one hell of a thing after all.
Emily is the first one in, Donald just behind her. Emily comes to you, "Mom," she calls, "How are you?"
"Can't complain," Seira responds, waving her over. She gets up to close the distance and hug her daughter once she's approached, before showing her to a seat at her side. "Just wrapped up the last remnant of the Abolition War, so there's that extra meaning to the dinner. And yourself?"
It's a tight hug, "We're healing from a raid on a Sharran temple on Ash. We caught it before it established itself, but Ianvasah was tortured and Alyssa was maimed. Alyssa's recovered well, but Ianvasah..." Here Emily shakes her head, "She's still really upset."
Donald comes in and calls, "Hey, what are we having for dinner?"
"You should've brought her over," Seira muses. "Maybe not the family dinner, but to take a couple days off to refocus herself. That sort of thing scars you, and there's no substitute for getting right back in the saddle. Hitting back at Shar's jailers, striking back at her."
"Ianvasah's angry now," Emily admits very quietly, "She's lashing out. Bastian thinks it's a good thing, provoked her to do it, but I don't like it. All I got her to tell me is that there's a season for it."
Meanwhile, Donald goes to take a seat, not pressing the argument. Instead he adds, "Does she follow anyone?"
"You can probably share it with me without breaking her confidence due to my nature, but if you need it I can make sure Donald can't hear you," Seira offers. "I can't look in easily on what goes on in realms under the direct control of other deities, be they Shaundakul or Shar."
"It's..." Emily shakes her head, "I trust Uncle Donald."
"Thanks!" Donald chimes in cheerfully.
"It's that she's not telling me a lot. She's gone from withdrawn to angry," Emily admits, "I don't think it's healthy. She's lashing out, and I'm not sure with much control or caring who she lashes out at."
"It's not healthy," Seira agrees. "When it happened to me, my companions and Amaryl helped me get through it. And Lagann, of course. What did Ianvasah tell you?"
"Not much," Emily admits, "I remember the stories you told me about it," In a very quiet voice, "Was it that bad for you, Mom?"
Donald's expression darkens here, reaching over to put a hand on Emily's shoulder. "Not that kind of bad, but bad. Sit down already, kid."
"Not a kid," Emily murmurs, a hint of red as she indeed sits down.
"They tricked me, took all I had and were about to take out my eyes while my magic was all but expanded and I was exploring so far that no one from home was able to follow me. Forgetting the feel of those fingers on my eye wasn't easy...." Seira trails off, rubbing it briefly. She doesn't try to pretty it up for Emily, however. "I did hold back a bit in reserve, so I set them on fire and escaped. Found some clothes and a weapon, then grabbed Lagann and escaped off plane. Bonded with him, too, since the Sharrans sacrificed my familiar. And still, leaving the other prisoners behind was the hardest thing."
Seira shakes her head. "I couldn't have gone back after them on my own, but the Crimson Guard let me take the fight to the Sharrans again. I was able to rescue those poor souls, too, and worked hard on rehabilitating them. Then, your mother aided me on a quest to overcome my lingering issues that took us into Shadow and we ended up facing those monsters again, now undead. It's when I was finally able to put it behind me for the most part, though you'll find out for yourself that it never fully leaves you."
Glancing over at Emily, she asks again, "So what did your friend tell you? While not much, it should still be enough for a start."
'Dear,' Amaryl interrupts as Emily takes that all in, 'Xera and friends are here.'
Meanwhile Emily is silent, "I...." She leans forward and hugs you, no other words coming. "Mom." She holds onto you tight, "I think...what I don't want to say is that Shar let Ianvasah live so she could suffer. She had her and could have killed Ianvasah."
"That's not actually it, no," Seira tells her daughter, hoping that her hug provides all the comfort she can summon. "Shar is playing the long game, trying to get people to despair so that they'd turn to her service. It sounds unbelievable that someone she takes the effort to break would become one of her pawns, but her success rate isn't important so long as she remains prolific. Even if one attempt in a thousand gets her results, it all eventually adds up. Shar... she's probably hoping that no one manages to connect with your friend properly while there is still time to heal those wounds. Why don't you hop back and bring her over after all? It's not a strictly family-only event, you're allowed your plus one."
"Alright," Emily agrees, parting from the hug, "I'll go over and ask her if she wants to."
Seira holds Emily's hand, smiling at her daughter, and transports her to the entrance to Shaundakul's realm.
Emily had to step out, she thinks to Amaryl, but you could come over with Xera and our guests?
As she awaits Amaryl, Seira mentions casually to Donald, "So that's one easy goal accomplished. What was the surprise? Your actual visit?"
A handwave, "Something like that. Say, what ARE we having for dinner?" Donald asks, "I'm hungry."
"Everything today is candy."
Or looks like it, at least. Seira is confident Vayley will work miracles with the texture, smell and taste.
"All candy?" Donald says, "It'll go right to your body, you know."
"That's alright, I'll exercise. We can go punch some Sharran in the face after?"
"Yeah?" Donald smiles, "I knew there was a reason we get along!"
"There's plenty of reasons we get along! We like to fight Sharrans together," she responds, counting on her fingers. "And there's fighting slavers, devils, demons, other fiends...."
A connection as Donald smiles, strong and vibrant, felt between the two of you.
"There we go," Donald's smile turns into a grin. "Feel that?"
Node update, go read.
Yep
"There we go," Seira agrees with an easy smile. "How about you get Elle and Kascha? I'll bring Ranbar over, and we should be all gathered by then."
Donald gets up to do that - as Xera comes in ahead of the others, "Mother," she calls. "Are you well? The others are coming."
Xera gets a hug of her own as she comes closer! "Yes, it's a pretty great and conflict-free moment for the Cauldron. I'm glad to see you so lively as well!"
A warm hug back, "Thank you. We've been hard at work this entire time - besides that one time in Hilesville." Xera replies. "How's Emily and Mother?"
"Your mother has someone new around that she'll guide to a better life," Seira tells her daughter. Whether Bethany would become that apprentice and, with time, proxy that Amaryl had been searching for is up to the two of them, of course.
"As for Emily, you've just missed her. She was worried over a friend who suffered at the hands of Sharrans, so I told her to bring that girl over. It's not a strictly family dinner, after all, so a guest is welcome. And speaking of guests, how is Zariel?"
"She's doing well with a purpose. She's thrown herself into her task, often to avoid thinking too much about the choices she's made in my opinion," Xera admits as she goes to sit. "Or to think about them only in chunks she can deal with. Her load is a weighty one, and I believe she does not believe she can bear all of it at once, not yet."
"It sounds like the two of you are on top of things," Seira muses. "I presume she's with Amaryl at the moment?"
"Amaryl and Kascha and Ranbar," Xera says, "Are they all coming to dinner as well, Mother? It sounds like Mother invited Ranbar at least."
"Yes," Seira immediately affirms. "Although we'll have a family-only afterparty of sorts, past dessert. I got the feeling that you wanted to talk about something private, but it didn't sound very urgent, hence this setup."
Seira leaves the chance for Xera to correct her, of course!
"It's not," Xera agrees, as the door opens. Donald comes on back with Elle, Kascha trotting along with her. "Is it really going to be nothing but candy tonight," Kascha asks as they all come in, going ot sit down.
"The others are coming," Elle says, "Ranbar got to talking about games with Zariel." With an easy smile, "More for us, anyway."
"That's a culinary mystery," Seira demurs. Vayley will without a doubt make all their favorite dishes, but even Seira herself is excited to see how the head maid will interpret them with candy as the visual theme.
Emily, do you need a gate back? We're about to start.
'She's being stubborn, I'll be a little while longer.'
Ianvasah, was it? Has Emily relayed my invitation for dinner for the two of you?
She might as well be as direct as always and see if there's any red tape for her to cut through.
"So what sort of games are they talking about?" she asks Elle in the meantime. "Card games are pretty popular, and easy to arrange around a campfire, whereas word games and tongue twisters can be played on the go but do get old after a while. Or are we thinking something more involved, requiring an actual setup on the ground?"
"Strategy games like chess," Elle explains, "Somehow the conversation went that way."
Meanwhile your reply is simple - but from Emily. 'Alright, she just changed her mind. We'll be there soon.'
Seira relays her understanding to Emily, touched just a tad with amusement.
"Chess, huh? I've actually recently discovered this game called backgammon. It's pretty fun because it allows for two equally-valid approaches, strategy or reliance on luck. It's also interesting as a metaphore for the movement of armies, since Realm defense is highly important, but victory can never be achieved if you focus on that rather than on bold offensive plays."
On that note there's a knock before Ranbar enters, Zariel with her, "Sorry," she announces as everyone settles in.
Zariel strides in, a glance about before she sits. "Everyone," she says at last, a moment of awkward silence.
"Almost everyone, as it happens," Seira says cheerfully, not feeling any awkward silences! "I think we are ready to have the appetizers brought in, however."
Is everyone but Emily and her plus one here?
Yes.
After a few moments Xera says, "Everyone, you know Zariel."
Zariel's expression is coolly neutral as Ranbar adds, "Did you know we've read some of the same books? We both agree Gwinnan's Travel Logs are overrated." She smiles at that, "Though they're still good and well written."
To that Donald smiles a bit, "He's that one elf who gets into a prissy fit over something every few dozen pages, and uses big words about it?"
"You heathens just don't understand the joys of exploration, the subtle arts of describing the journey for those who might come after you! What other brave soul has taken up the mantle of creating traveler's guides for every remotely-hospitable plane except for Gwinnan?"
"Several," Elle speaks up, "Though most of them are dry as dirt or more magic focused, or overly affected by the planes themselves."
As food comes, Vayley working away, "Really?" Emily calls as she enters, Ianvasah with her, "You started without me?"
"Sister!" Xera rises and embraces Emily, "There you are!"
As Donald helps himself to what looks like a candied beef of some kind, Kascha calls, "Come join us, we're just starting."
"Vayley is just setting the table with appetizers, which don't count," Seira insists. "Come on, the two of you. We saved you seats~"
They sit as food is given. Emily scoops up some candies that look like potatoes, helping herself. As she eats, meanwhile Ianvasah looks at the food, "Is it all...candy?"
"Sort of, just try some," Elle insists, "It's not always what it looks like." Waving a forkful of candied lettuce, "This doesn't taste sweet or like lettuce. It's a surprise."
As Ianvasah makes a face but gets some nonetheless, "That reminds me," Kascha speaks up, "Vayley," she calls, "Make up a plate for Surru. I'm visiting him later tonight, before I get busy again. That dragon probably has his lair messy as can be, again."
"The pure candy is everything but the food," Seira says with a grin. "If you're in the mood for something delicious and sweet, feel free to nibble on your plate or take a bite of your fork or chair. It'll grow back!"
At Kascha's words, she tilts her head curiously. "Are you still doing that in person? Don't forget that you won't be able to keep at it once you grow into your powers properly, but for the time being as well as once you can maintain an avatar for travels to the Prime Material I do want you to bring someone along. At least one, Kascha, unless we have concrete threats."
"Oh, we have a safe location to use for times like that: Aurora," Kascha says, smiling.
"I feel like I have a third Mom," Emily murmurs, getting Donald and a few others to smile. "Aunt Kascha, you sound like he's your child to take care of. Bring him dinner, clean up after him."
"Hardly the worst archmage I've seen," Zariel interjects here. "Cosmic power does not mean a sense of responsibility."
"It's not like that," Kascha turns very red, "It's just...just..."
"It's just that he has very little common sense, given his young age."
"He does too have common sense," Kascha says, "Surru's a wonderful dragon and archmage. I just..." Kascha fidgets in her chair, all eyes on her.
"Wish to tie your tree to his?" Amaryl says plainly.
"Not like you said it," Kascha murmurs.
"It merely means you're a born mother," Ianvasah speaks up here, "This is well and good, as long as you use it on those who deserve it."
"I don't know," Seira muses. "Giving guidance to all but those who refuse to listen is actually better, in my opinion. The thing about deserving good treatment is that we're all living in glass houses to some degree, and we shouldn't toss any stones. I'd much rather try to see the good in most of those who cross my path."
"Mother is right," Xera speaks up as everyone eats, "Should mercy only go to the deserving, or guidance? Such a thing would mean there would be vanishingly little mercy to be found and what guidance could there be?"
"Still, taking care of a man means something," Amaryl smiles a little bit, "That's normally what a wife does, or barring that a mother. Misunderstandings can arise."
With a blushing uff and pout, "Then I'll worry about those if they ever happen." Kascha crosses her arms, looking away.
As Donald throws back his head and laughs, Ranbar stares, "She's..."
"It's a good look for you," Emily speaks up, "Isn't it?"
"It is in all truth," Ranbar agrees, "Do you agree, Seira?"
Seira takes a sip of red wine that looks like a milkshake, before voicing, "As far as teasing goes, I think it's gone a bit too far. It's not the first time, and while a blushing Kascha is adorable, in this case it really is an overbearing older sister and not one of the other options."
Thinking about it for a bit longer, she ends up adding, "On a related topic, I do think you should reconsider doing this once you properly grow into your powers, Kascha. It's one thing to have favored mortals, and I won't tell you to treat all your followers equally, merely to offer them all the same opportunities. But if you hold such a strong and visible attachment to someone, they may gain all your divine enemies. After all, if you are allowed to clean Surraruthru's room in person, couldn't Shar send over an avatar to do something much worse?"
With another huff at that, "If it goes that far, he can move his lair here," Kascha declares.
"...no escape from Kascha, is there?" Donald murmurs to Elle, who quickly has a hand in front of her face, trying to hold in a laugh.
Meanwhile you feel a knock - ah, that should be Waukeen now, you feel her presence.
"Yes, I suppose he could," Seira agrees, telepathically asking Vayley to show their guest in.
Amid the warm laughter of family and friends?
'Seira,' Amaryl sends, 'Do you want to talk about the Lost Chalice in front of everyone here?'
'Only if Xera or Zariel bring it up. Otherwise, we'll talk about it afterwards.'
"Everyone!" Waukeen sweeps in a moment later, clad in regal finery. She glistens with gold as she announces, "Xera, Emily! How are my lovely nieces?"
Xera stands and takes a hug from Waukeen, "We're well, Aunt."
A hug that is returned, "I still don't smell enough gold on you," she chastises lightly, pinching Xera's cheek before going to Emily. Another hug is given. "You I smell gold on. Storing it up?"
"Ah yes, we're going to make a magnificent crown but it's expensive," Emily admits.
"Oh?" Seira inquires, even as she gives Waukeen a hug of her own.
"I'll tell you all about it," Emily says, "It's Alyssa's idea."
"Well, if it's that big a project," Elle says, "Perhaps I can do some of it. I could use a new project to work on, I'm between them right now."
"Oh yes, we've cleared out a rather large cursed hoard recently," Seira muses. "And since Elle volunteered, that should cut the pricetag something fierce. Perhaps you could take her and Donald along for a quick look around later?"
Seira glances at the couple to see how receptive they are to the idea. Especially since no one is to travel alone!
Elle looks fine with it, Donald looking up midbite. He swallows first - thankfully as Amaryl lets out a very soft sigh of relief - before, "Yeah? We can help out a lot. Are they having it made or making it themselves?"
"We're having it made, for all our magic we're relatively short of crafters of powerful magic items," Emily blows out a breath, "A kingdom for Aunt Elle, or Afina of Aurora."
"I'll take a kingdom there," Elle waves it off, "A nice one, something by the sea. I miss the sea breeze in the morning."
"Hmph." Zariel declares, "The rich smells of the forest are superior, mortal."
Elle doesn't back away from that inhuman gaze, pointing at Zariel with her fork, "If I want to smell elves and elf farts-"
That gets a protesting cry from Amaryl, but Elle pushes on. Donald breaks into a big grin at that, putting an arm around his wife.
"-I'll go visit Pallanth."
Zariel meets Elle's gaze, the two silent for long moments.
"Not long ago you would have been flayed for that," Zariel reflects, "Kept alive and with your eternal soul screaming as it is just barely kept in a cage of mortal flesh, never to find escape until I deem it worthy to plunge into the Lake of Fire."
A bite of her food, as if her own words don't disturb her a bit. "Now I marvel at the same bravery that saw me saved. You and yours are brave without compare."
"If I can't face you down over dinner, I have no hope of facing down serious foes in battle," Elle says, "Frankly, I like you more than Antenora. Brave and true, but she's so...earnest." A sip of her wine, long and deep. "You feel more human, less like a purpose given form."
Zariel smiles - a thin smile, but she smiles. She raises her wineglass and clinks it against Elle's, "I'll accept the complement, brave mortal, this once. Antenora represents something that should have been represented a long time ago. It might have saved me centuries and centuries of torment."
"You still have less of a stick up your ass than her," Elle chuckles and drinks deep from her wine after.
"To both throw off evil's embrace and reach apotheosis is astronomically unlikely," It's Xera who speaks up here, "A risen fiend who manages that may be as rare as a snowstorm in Fire."
Amaryl stabs at her food, glowering at Elle all the while. Finally she says, "Elf flatulence?"
Throwing his other arm around Amaryl, Donald says, "It's called learning from the best," he grins, getting a few chuckles. "I couldn't have said it better myself."
Amaryl sighs ever so deeply. "Elffather help me."
"I humbly posit," Seira says not humbly at all, "that one needn't force herself to choose. A glorious kingdom will have the invigorating breath of the waves and the rich scent of the forest both, and many other wonders besides."
"That's rational, intelligence and boring," Zariel almost smiles at that.
"Speaking of intelligent," Emily speak sup, "Mom, how's your spell research? Have you invented any new spells?"
"Kinda sorta. I got Mystra to teach me about curses and purification quests for them, and I'm actually working on a useful spell I could share with you for use in the field. A couple weeks, I figure."
"A new spell?" Xera muses, "What do you have in mind, mother?"
"I'd like to know, too," Ranbar speaks up, "If that's alright."
Zariel glances at Ranbar, who quickly looks away from that gaze. "There are as many possibilities with magic as they are snowflakes in a blizzard. Speak of them."
"It's not exactly ground-breaking. It'd have the common utility of arcane sight to immediately identify the curse and the best methods of dealing with it, as well as some inspiration from legend lore to truly understand the situation. Finally, the spell could be discharged for a powerful, focused decursing. A convenient multi-use spell to have in the field, I think."
"Useful, if specialized," Zariel says, "I would know it, but I would also mostly leave it to underlings to perform."
"Of course, we have few underlings," Xera points out, "Better to know and to use, though we've had no great call for uncursing magics as of yet."
"I wish I could say the same," Emily murmurs, "But everything SHE touches may as well be cursed," A shake of Emily's head.
Ianvasah looks down at this, "What is the spell's name?" she asks, rather quietly.
"Uncursing, because it goes well with Unbinding?" Seira muses in response to Emily's friend. "Honestly haven't decided yet, so suggestions are welcome. Oh, and Zariel, consider a scroll or a rod containing useful but situational spells. It's an approach to combat I'm testing right now. Pay a bit more now, but when you need the spell, you get it at your full power and not a watered-down version via a follower."
"For when your own divine will won't suffice," Zariel agrees, "Minions, scrolls, it all ends the same."
Donald pauses his meal to say, "I think the point is that if you don't have support, you do get dead, in trouble or a trophy in some fiend's throne room."
"Such a dangerous life we lead," Ianvasah murmurs, voice picking up just enough to carry.
"And that does lead in nicely into my next point. I feel like you girls overprep. I'm hardly looking in, but from the spells used and their timing you're preparing like a deity, not like a wizard with finite resources. There's a lot to be said about the sort of hands on practice preparing for a specific enemy each time will net you, or of the risks in having an obvious set of magic precast upfront that enemies can take notice of and prepare for. Besides, magic of the perishable sort is best used offensively in battle, don't you think?"
Seira dips some bread in her beef and potatoes stew, adding to that, "It's clear where the crazy prepared approach is coming from, so I just want to ask the two of you whether you considered the pros and cons and agreed, or if you're just following orders."
You mean Emily and Ianvasah here, right? If I'm wrong say so and I'll revise.
"It really depends," Emily counters, "Energy Immunity is precious and worth the trouble. To a large degree it's..." Emily has a bite of her candy-like meal, "One half cooperating and one half our own choices. I'm covering some spells for Alyssa and I don't mind doing that."
Covering for Emily?
"Is it? Does it make strategic sense?" Seira muses. "I'm unconvinced, though you've no doubt noticed I haven't stopped you from figuring out your own approach to combat. All I wish is that you do have your unique way to plan out a battle against the usual enemies, the both of you, before you even approach squad tactics."
Even Amaryl has that weakness, after all, so it's enough if they think about it later.
"To get back to the subject of spells, I've been toying in secret with one to summon allies over. A variant on that Gate option, except with a dash of that duskblade magic," Seira continues, glancing over at Donald. "You know the one? Short-ranged teleport of allies?"
Yeah, just a typo. Fixed.
Emily is quiet as she surely considers your words.
"Yeah," Donald says, "It's useful, but too many serious enemies stop teleportation."
"I find comfort in that," Xera remarks as she eats, a pause for an add on of, "I doubt any of us would feel safe if teleportation was supreme over defenses."
"Tactically it's a limitation," Zariel says, "Far too much a one, but only prudent to address."
"The day is not far when such wards would have no hold on me, and that got me thinking. Mystra might allow an exception under certain limitations. If the spell were tactical in nature, if the duration were sufficiently short... perhaps if it were keyed to specific people the way Demedais had for his armor? If the focus is narrow enough, perhaps anti-teleportation measures could be challenged. Outside the constants of demiplanes and divine planes, of course. Would do you all think?"
Zariel considers that, "We've done a lot of research into that," she murmurs, "No." A scowl, "I mean Hell has, and all sides have. Overcoming teleportation defenses is difficult and usually requires local action."
"That's what I've found," Elle agrees, "Usually you have to dispel something or break a magic item, or deal with something that redirects your teleportation."
"Ah?" Emily murmurs at that, "I've...experimented." As Amaryl raises an eyebrow, Emily blushes. "I mean with teleportation magic! The mechanism of it is that you use the Astral momentarily. Going down that road only does so much when the road is cut off."
"Then we fly over the road," Donald says, "Duh?" Glancing at Emily, "That's the point of flying."
With an exasperated look, "No!" Emily says sharply, "It's a metaphor. There's...it doesn't work that way. Mom, you get what I'm saying?" She holds her hand, one hand going into her palm, "Like hitting a brick wall when you walk down a path. All you can do is turn around. You think you can get past those, Mom? You said you think those wards won't soon apply to you?"
"Well, incorporating something similar to a dispel into the Summon Allies spell would be one way to try and make it work, and it has the aspect of fairness."
Seira can't quite hide a disgusted frown at that. "I did come up with an alyernative approach. Basically, in a shielded area I cannot summon, call or dimensionally transport allies to my side in any way, correct? Yet I still need distractions for my enemies to get full use of my combat style. What do you think I did to overcome this problem?"
"Brought allies with you?" Xera speaks up, "It would be simple and practical."
A few smiles at that, while Kascha murmurs to Ianvasah, "Do you do that much? I've heard of druids who summon a great many monsters to aid them."
Seira pouts. "My allies would be underused that way. No, I animate what I need. A small elemental can follow simple command like flanking, and so could an animated object, except one of them can't be blocked by existing magic."
"Practical," Zariel notes, "If fragile."
"It depends on the on the object," Emily immediately points out, "Something made of steel would work better, or how about diamond? That would be extremely expensive, though."
"More to the point, what if I had someone possess a golem formed within a dimensionally shielded area? To my knowledge, diverting the course of a soul takes direct divine intervention, with Helm personally fighting the usurpation every step of the way. Yet if a sympathetic link was formed and the soul possession was done willingly, wouldn't we be able to have an ally possess this temporary body and fight at our side?"
Turning towards her erstwhile sponsor, Seira asks Waukeen, "What do you think?"
Waukeen pauses and dabs her lips with her napkin, "I do rather enjoy hearing you plan," she says, "I've seen tactics like that employed. It can work, but there are several complications. First, while the mind may be as sharp, the body is only as strong as what is possessed, for better and for worse. Two, while you can't divert the course of a soul?" Here Waukeen smiles, rather unkindly, "It's the most natural thing for a soul to move on, no matter how much you don't want it to. Merely provide a circumstance that stalls it and many souls, especially mortals, will move on as if their body died and leave behind an empty shell that yet breathes. Three, soul trapping magic can and does happen."
"...It's personal?" Elle asks, softer now.
"Old history with an old pest," Waukeen says, lightening, "I've seen that work and I've also seen it go on. Proceed carefully, there are risks to it and older, more experienced beings may be able to counter it."
"What about the mechanism behind summoning spells? They do bring a desired creature over, but return it unharmed at the expiration of the spell or upon death. To the best of my knowledge, nothing permanent can happen to the summoned creature... aside from possible mental trauma, I suppose?"
"Generally not," Waukeen agrees. "Summons are usually safe, though you can traumatize a creature in that way."
"Luckily," Seira says with a wry smile, "we've all been through incredible trauma and know how to pull through from it."
That gets a mixture of laughter and knowing looks.
"The fact we can all say that says a lot bad, mostly about Shar," Donald says at last.
"How about this," Emily raises her glass, "A toast to Shar: May she roast in fire and shit."
"Emily," Amaryl chides, "Language."
"Eh, let's not. A toast to triumph over Shar, one battle at a time!"
Either way there is a toast and...
Do you have other things to cover here, or things you feel need to be covered? Due to the extremely slow pace here due to falling on vacation, it's lost a bit of it's wind here. If you're good we can move it along a bit to freshen it up.
Anything we do in the next 8 days will be slow, to be fair.
I've dropped enough very heavy hints so if Ia-chan doesn't bite that's that. In that case we could proceed to a more restricted after-party. The invitees depend on whom Xera and Zariel wish to involve, it's entirely up to them.
If she does bite, with or without Emily, we can do that first while people are dispersing.
She plans to, just not out in dinner. I'll skip you on a little bit to that then.
Dinner progresses. It's drinks and mingling after, everyone in little clusters - except Ianvasah, who you find quietly approaches you after you finish a chat with Waukeen.
"Hello," Seira greets her, establishing an unobtrusive zone of privacy around the two of them. "Are you enjoying your visit of the Cauldron?"
"Yes," Ianvasah says quickly, "It is...whimsical." Her expression is faintly withdrawn, quiet, eyes occasionally darting to the sides.
"I decided my seat of power would have that, and then made it happen," Seira reminisces with a fond smile.
"I..." Ianvasah shakes her head slowly, quietly. "It's like the rules don't apply here."
"Well, it is a heaven, my dear. Perhaps not as obviously as Arvandor or Celestia, but different rules apply. There is no hunger or, indeed, scarcity to worry about."
A long breath out at that, "What about...other things? Like finding true love the that bards sing of so?"
Seira laighs outright at that question! "I've found that as a mortal! It's actually a pretty funny story, where I was drawn to Amaryl as I served as a diplomatic envoy to her nation. I found her interesting, but fate wouldn't let our paths cross for a while. Once we had met outside of political deliberations, we became friends and I invited her to visit a traveling circus near Balmuria. We kind of realized it was a date midway through, and things went from there."
Gazing fondly at her wife, Seira adds, "I'm skipping over a lot. We had to overcome opposition from her family, and there were other problems as well. She truly decided to stand at my side when I narrowly escaped from Sharran hospitality with my limbs intact, but little else. And in the end, here we both are."
A silent look at Amaryl, who laughs as she chats with Waukeen and Emily.
"...was it...that bad?" Ianvasah asks, quieter. "The Sharrans."
"I approached the local princess with a warning that her brother was involved with Sharrans. I've traveled alone, beyond the reach of regular teleportation spells, to chart uncharted lands and track him down after he directed an attack on us."
Seira sighs. "She was in on it, as was her other brother. The rest of the family were their victims, driven to insanity, hence why I gambled on her. Unfortunately, I'd used up all my top spells to discover that information and told her as much. They blitzed me, and I woke up chained in a dungeon without any of my things and a fucking Sharran trying to interrogate me."
She puts a hand on Ianvasah's shoulder to pull her closer, and brings her index and middle finger on her free hand together and pointed at Ianvasah's eye, so close that they're almost touching the retina. "That's when they decided I was too uppitty and I didn't really need my eyes."
That makes Ianvasah pale. Her color drains out of her in an instant, transfixed on your fingers.
"I might've used up my spells, but I had power in reserve. I set the Sharrans on fire, immolating myself in the process, and my bonds were burnt away. And then...."
Seira pulls her hand away, and places it on the girl's other shoulder. "I've hidden myself away. I waited for them to give up, held myself together as they sacrificed my familiar, and when I saw my chance I did what I could. I found clothes, and I found a dagger. I found the prisoners... I knew then that what I feared hadn't come to pass only because they wanted me awake for it, to despair. On the end, I escaped to another Prime, leaving those tortired souls behind, hard as it was. They almost caught me again, but I made it out with enough strength to collapse at a farm on some other world."
"Barely," Ianvasah murmurs, "She...." Closing her eyes, "She let me live so I could suffer and they could see me suffer."
"And that's why Shar will lose," Seira tells her firmly. "For all her power and insight into the mortal mind, she just can't understand the value of hope. Because we can and do recover from her mind games, while our broken bones heal. And when we're at our lowest points, our friends, companions, loved ones... even deities," Seira adds with a wink, "...we're always here to help pull those who stumble back up."
Her face grows hard. "Because I managed to return to Balmuria, and then I went back. I killed the Sharrans with my friends. I recovered what I'd lost with their invaluable aid. They got me going when I flinched back. And in the end, under the occupation of my forces that land and its people prosper, while the victims of the Sharrans received the care they needed."
"It's the same for myself," Ianvasah admits, "It not for them, I never would have survived." She looks away, "It makes me so angry."
"It took me a spiritual quest to truly put it behind me," Seira tells her. "In a way, the battles were the easiest part, and I kept myself busy trying to help the other survivors. But there remained this cloud, of wondering whether I was truly strong enough on my own to win and lead others to victory, and not only escape. I imagine you keep wondering whether you'll keep on needing to be rescued? Of whether you have the strength to escape on your own, or avoid capture in the first place?"
"...that and...sometimes something...it reminds me of it," Ianvasah says, "And I'm there again for a moment, running or suffering or screaming." Her voice is shaky, "Then I realize I'm not but my heart is still racing."
"Would you like my help?"
"I have to be strong. I...I...I'm supposed to be stronger, everyone's counting on us now and and and and and..." she gasps for air, "I'm angry and my heart's racing and I can feel it happening again." She looks to you, eyes wild. "It's supposed to get better with magic but it's not."
"Magic can't fix this," Seira says gently, squeezing Ianvasah's shoulders. "It is a battle over your soul. Shar has struck first, and it is now up to you to drive her out of your heart."
"How?" Ianvasah looks into your eyes, hopeful.
"It's a bit unconventional because you're not one of mine, but I can send you off on a spiritual quest similar to one I undertook to get a grasp on my fears and my strengths alike. And just as I took Amaryl with me, you'll be allowed a trusted companion to complete it. Will you challenge your fears in this way, Ianvasah?"
"...Yes," Ianvasah says at last, "Yes I will."
"It is customary to kneel at this point," Seira whispers to Ianvasah.
She summons a pair of chakram that draw all light to them like the darkest, deepest night; at times, a flash of purple can be seen within.
"I charge you and your chosen companion to take a chakram each and annoit them with sacred oils on the moon through securing a Lunatic's aid. A week later, the two of you are to each wield one chakram, and must work together to vanquish a Sharran powerful enough to challenge you on Ash. Capture him or deliver his soul to Shar to complete the quest."
Offering the chakrams, Seira warns, "For the duration of the quest, the two of you may only use these vile weapons in combat, and possessing them will weigh upon your souls, for until they are purified you will not be able to rest. Your dreams will be plagued by nightmares."
Original quest guideline:
To purify Dead Moons, the two chakrams must be placed on the living moon, anointed with holy oils and left there one week. Thereafter, they must be used in a quest to slay a creature of evil with both the fire subtype and at least 30 hit dice.
Ianvasah kneels. "Then I will," she says, "Are there any limitations on whom can come with me?"
"A deity will be frowned upon," Seira says dryly, before she gives a more serious answer. "The two of you must share a strong bond, one of sacrifice for each other but also the capacity for compassion and support. There is a time and place for tough love, but it is not here. Blind trust, too, would be invaluable."
A nod, "I know who I will ask," Ianvasah says, "I'll see that it's done."
"I will be at your side as you face your fears," Seira tells her quietly. "You will not be alone, so take comfort in that and prevail."
A flare of her divine power seals the matter, as she places her hope in Ianvasah!
Like that the quest is given, the bond made.
Anything else to add here while you're chatting with her, or would you like to move on?
She can pray to me for guidance later if she needs it, we can move to the Xera and Zariel show.
As everyone begins to leave, however, they find Vayley at the doorway bearing wrapped gifts, all smiles!
Emily pauses, calling back, "Mom?"
Elle smiles a little bit in the meantime.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"What's in the boxes?" Emily asks right back.
Seira picks one up ftom Vayley and unwraps it, revealing a snowman made of delicious frosting. Those with an arcane bent can see magic from within it, however. That magic comes from a scroll of Seira's newest spell, shielded from the confection via its wrapping.
So I know how to adjudicate it as needed, what's the plan here?
I'm using my 4,500gp limit to alter reality a present! A crafting feat cuts prices in half, so I can create scrolls costing up to 9,000gp ex nihilo.
The snowman isn't magical, it's just a delicious sweet to take home.
The scroll wrapping is similar to what is used to keep scrolls dry in water, nothing fancy.
Finally, the actual spell is one fitting these conditions. Ideally Uncursing, but it wasn't written up yet, and may end up going over the gp cap. Unless somwone is going to cast from the scrolls right now, I'd prefer to settle it later ooc.
What feat is that?
scribe scroll
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#scribeScroll
Okay, that actually does apply, I'd forgotten. My mistake. Anyway that's fine.
The gifts get cheers and smiles from everyone, as people leave and...
Okay, to brass tacks then. Who do you want around for this chat?
Once again, Xera and Zariel asked for this chat. I can only speculate it's about Dis. Thus, whoever they want to bring into this.
It's you, Donald, Elle, Kascha and the two of them.
"We've been making very slow progress," Xera opens up with, "It seems that everyone deeply in the know about this 'knows' that the Lost Chalice is there, but almost no one has a shred of proof. It's all ancient whispers and carefully preserved bits of lore. That's merely the parts that are reliable, so much legend is distorted and twisted as well, which may or may not have anything of value within it. Dispater himself denies having her as you know, and for various reasons the Triad do not make this information well known."
"We're confident she is there," Zariel says, "From what we've gathered, even if what we already knew didn't tell us that. She likely has handmaidens of some kind, nine brachina is what seems most likely. Beyond that, the best we have is somewhere in the Iron Tower. Which as a deity's personal realm, could be as big as a thousand Prime Material worlds, should Dispater will it, and without any astral links."
"How can we help?" Seira asks. "Are we at the stage where we're ready to try a direct assault? I couldn't infiltrate a divine realm, nor could Amaryl, Kascha or Zariel. Our presence will be immediately felt, as we've seen with Lixer."
"Not remotely," Zariel shakes her head, "We know she's in the Iron Tower, but that does precious little to help when it's Creation's foremost defensive hold."
"We need something more," Xera agrees, "Have you found out anything useful about Dispater, by any chance, mother?"
Here Kascha shakes her head, "Nothing helpful here. Those who try and infiltrate the Iron Tower rarely come back, nor do they speak of it."
"We're searching for anything that might help, any edge against Dispater or means to make him parley with us through a position of strength." Xera agrees.
"My efforts to pursue rhis matter through the Mercane have not borne fruit, which may well be a lead in itself," Seira muses. "Kascha, please make inquiries with the lillends of the Infinite Staiway. Take Oraga with you."
She purses her lips. "Aside from the Mercane, I've been considering just talking to Torm under parley. Is there a strong objection to seeing what he knows?"
"I will," Kascha says agreeably.
Zariel is silent before, "Ask the Triad first," she says at last, "They deserve to be consulted."
"We've talked to them before, though it's possible they didn't realize how invested we were. I'll make another attempt."
Looking over her friends, Seira asks, "Is there anything else we should be doing to advance this cause?"
"Not now, it's simply difficult," Xera says, "The root of the problem is the Iron Tower and Dispater, and over millions of years, no one's come close to solving them."
"Alright." Seira nods. "Donald, please check with Lathander to see if he has any discreet insights. Go with Elle, preferably before you stop by to give Emily a hand. I'll check with Celestia and the Court of the Stars after the Triad, and Amaryl will hit Arvandor. Sanzha will investigate our contacts on the Inner Planes. As of this moment, given the successful conclusion of the Abolition War, this matter is the Cauldron's top priority "
She looks at those gathered to ensure they're all on the same page.
"One point," Donald speaks up here, "Odds are we'll need to trade favors. Anything off limits?"
"There is a reason I haven't brought up approaching Asmodeus, even though he could deliver. We're not making any deals with Evil. As for our friends, anything and everything is fair game. Just don't sign away the Cauldron!"
"Really? I think Lathander could do something special with it," Donald cracks a smile.
Amaryl sighs at that, but adds, "Well, a good sunrise only hurts vampires and shadows."
"If in doubt just talk to me, but I doubt our friends will harm us. And this thing matters."
"Then forward," Amaryl agrees, and...
Anything to add here? If not, next move?
I would like to continue down Oghma's list. There was a Mercane on it, let's meet him. I'll bring Sanzha with me.
Sure, past the info you have on him here?
I'm on phone, can you please do it?
Sure, sec to look it up in nagging.
Rald
A mercane who recently left the Consortium and a long time master of portal magic. Is living quietly in a retirement of vast wealth in his personal demiplane, purchased ages ago. Bring money as a matter of general mercane principles.
This one?
yes
Awesome, do you have a location and how do you plan to pursue this?
Seira will contact him to arrange a meeting, and head out in avatar form along with Sanzha.
Sure thing, go for contacting and I'll sort it out.
Mister Rald, I am interested in a discreet meeting with you. If amenable, please provide me with the time and place.
The answer is polite and to the point, 'I'm enjoying my retirement, Miss...?'
Seira Aryn. I understand the importance of taking a break, but Oghma believed we might have something to discuss. It is up to you.
'Ah, Seira Aryn? That changes everything.' A pause, '2 hours from now, Maldyson's in Brightwater. Ask for Renshar Bolings.'
Seira sends a sense of acknowledgement across, intending to make that meeting with Sanzha.
Any prep for this?
Just the usual combat loadout
Maldyson's is deep in Brightwater. It sits atop a small hill, a building cast of solid gold. The skies seem to rain with golden flakes and coins, never quite reaching the ground or within anyone's grasp. Here only the richest elite walk - those of Waukeen's faith or those of great wealth - mostly a few mercane. There is no guard outside, only a small, simple antechamber. All is gold within, a decorated visage of a beautiful woman on the door ahead.
"My honored lady," The voice says, "How can we serve you, Dragon Princess and former Padisha?"
"Hello," Seira returns the greeting. "We have a meeting with Renshar Bolings."
"Then please, come this way," Is the invitation, the door opening.
Seira heads inside!
It is a wide open place. An elegant and smooth gold and metal bar, sleek. A large, empty place high up, a railing and below the sounds of music, chatting and dining heard. Here a single mercane sits - a little on the spindly side all told, slowly sipping and then sloshing about a shot glass of something dark and likely strong. He wears a silk mantle along with rich, fur lined clothes that are surely warm. He has large, dark eyes that dominate his face, a tiny little slip of a mouth and nose paired with it.
"Seira Aryn," The mercane rises, "An unexpected chance, I do not expect such meetings in retirement."
"Wouldn't you say that retirement is exactly the right time to make such acquaintences?" Seira muses, taking a seat next to him. "After all, we are no longer beholden to other powers but ourselves, granting us greater freedom to decide our parh."
"Pretty words, my Lady," Rald says, "But reality and words rarely match."
Sanzha sits as well, "How true they do not, as the tides and times forever erode and reshape us."
"Yet tomorrow is always more beautiful than today, until it becomes today." Rald finishes, "Hamazi Wetcloaked, the Doomed."
"Ah, a student of the classics," Sanzha smiles ever so faintly. "I've always felt it a sorrow that he didn't finish his Sixteen Sonnets."
"He had to live up to his title," Rald says warmly enough, "To anger a Padisha that blatantly, he knew what would happen. Subtle. Far more interesting than baring fangs and tridents."
"This is not the least bit hostile, but we have certain questions," Lady Sanzha says, "We would appreciate your help."
A nod, "We can negotiate terms, but know that certain secrets and knowledges I am bound by magic not to reveal." Rald says. He drains his glass and puts it down, which refills instantly. A barkeep is there, a stunningly handsome man in fine shape, a winning smile as he asks, "Can I serve either of you, my ladies?"
"Anything properly marid that isn't wine," Sanzha answers.
Seira merely inclines her head at Rald's drink, saying, "I'll have what the gentleman is having."
It's always nice to try new things!
...and regret can be an important part of life.
To get back on track, Seira voices, "I wish for our discussion to remain entirely private in a similar vein. What would you consider suitable compensation for the inconvenience?"
A glass of it right off, as Sanzha gets what looks like clear water.
"30,000 gold. Preferably in your local coinage - you use Brightwater Golds, I believe?" Rald says. "I'd like it held in your own bank services, available on demand or for trade."
"Done," Seira agrees. "If I might ask, what caused your retirement in the first place?"
The drink is strong and with a faintly bitter taste, though not overwhelming. It goes down smooth in spite of it. "A disagreement with certain changes in policy," Rald says at last.
"I have approached the Consortium with a request to provide me with actionable information leading to the rescue of the Lost Chalice," Seira notes in a conversational tone. "Yet, I've received nothing, which is a first for me. I also received no response to my proposal to limit dealing with slavers on the eve of yhe Abolition War. Combined with the recent change in management, I have to wonder whether an internal coup realigned with histile interests."
A long drink. "I couldn't begin to comment," Rald says. After a thought, "But hypothetically, losing a proposal about slavery I could see hypothetically happening. To lose one from, hypothetically again, a deity is more alarming." He looks down at his drink, "It indicates a more nuanced or politically messy situation, hypothetically. Unless it really was a clerical error of some kind. Legend says that even Waukeen once had a request lost. It's said that the mercane behind it are still paying her restitution."
"I offered a framework for what I considered suitable compensation," Seira states, frowning. "It could've served as a starting position for negotiations and was clearly framed as such. However, what truly made this exceptional is that the new management approached me, not the other way around. At the exact same time my good friend Alicia was approached by him, at that."
"Hypothetically," Rald goes right on, "I'd say that you're looking at behind the scenes disagreements, or different departments not being on the same spell. It's not impossible after a change." He drinks up, "In a hypothetical situation I wouldn't believe it but it's not impossible."
"The Consortium is effectively an enemy at present, we simply haven't clashed yet," Seira muses. "Unfortunate, but I don't see much in the way of chances to clear the air in the current climate."
"Step carefully," Rald says, "Though if I need to tell you that, it's already too late for you." He considers and drinks, "Hypothetically....I may have something to provide insight beyond what you have."
"Let's discuss this hypothetical information, and its equally hypothetical price?" Seira proposes.
"500,000 gold coins," Rald says without hesitation.
"You must have something of the most sublime value," Sanzha says slowly, a pause to drink, "Or you court disaster."
"Something you won't get any other way," Rald says, "I'm not supposed to know this name, so much that not even my agreements bind me on it."
Seira nods slowly. "Before we make any deals, I first want to confirm whether you might have actionable information on the Lost Chalice?"
There's a pause here.
"...forever and for all time," Rald murmurs, his expression closed off in an instant. "Forever and for all time."
It seems like a piece of lore I cannot look up on a phone. My knowledges are over 100.
Okay.
Forever and for all time? It's a little obscure to non devils but you know it. It's a typical closing Dispater uses for official communications. It's very much a closing line.
"Devil propaganda, in the end. We're getting her out, after all."
Rald drinks up, glass drained.
"I've met Dispater a few times," he goes right on. "Parties, meetings, the sort of thing that makes connections that moves countless piles of gold coins. Have you ever had the occasion?"
"Nothing comes to mind."
"You don't realize it at first. He's charming, urbane, witty," Rald lists off, "He'll make you laugh, draw you into the conversation. You'll chat away, have the time of your life. He'll know about you, what you have and know how to engage you. You find yourself agreeing with him more and more - and if you notice, it's like you can't move. All you can do is go along. Everything's so solid around him, like iron. When I realized that, when I felt that panic..."
A drink.
"That's when he excuses himself, and departs by saying that: Forever and for all time. He knows you forever and for all time. He will have his, forever and for all time. He will reign forever and for all time."
Another drink, a refill before he goes on - but Sanzha cuts in gently.
"That's not uncommon when you meet divinity," the former Padisha says, "If Seira chose to unleash herself, you would feel something equally powerful but different."
A third drink, down quick and smooth. "Thank you for not doing that," Rald's voice is quieter, shaky. "He has her. I know because I wondered when we talked once, wondered if someone so pleasant to be around could really kidnap her - and he merely looked at me. He didn't have to say it for me to hear it: Forever and for all time he'll have her."
"Even the lords of the Hells change, glacially as it may be," Seira muses. "Asmodeus could take her from him, and there was a time before he descended to rule Nessus. I will say this again, the Lost Chalice doesn't belong there and we will rescue her. Would you know of anyone who holds the plans to her prison, a map to her location, anything at all that might aid us in our task?"
"I may," Rald says at last, "I don't know for certain, but that person may know more."
"Together, that sort of information would definitely be worth half a million Cauldron Golds."
"I emphasize may, not will," Rald points out, another drink. He offers you his hand.
Seira nods her understanding, taking his hand.
"It's secure here, but if you want to take your own precautions?" Rald says, sitting back.
"I've been monitoring the grounds to make sure no one is paying us any undue interest, but now...."
An application of her will makes things properly private. True, a stronger deity could intrude upon her, but she'd know if it happens.
"Please go ahead."
"Eligaas," Rald goes on right away, "I hear that devil's made himself comfortable in the Consortium and gets along well with the new leadership. Official story mentions him as a renegade who ran from Lixer's Evening of the Dead, but that's mostly whitewashed."
"And under the circumstances, one might be forgiven for suspecting he had something to do with making it the new leadership in the first place?" Seira muses. "Is there any sort of proof of shady matters or his status in the Consortium?"
"Nothing conclusive, but I know how things work," Rald says, "He's up to his neck in something there."
"Is he actually protected by the Consortium if he takes a more direct hand and ends up on the losing side?"
"It depends," Rald says, "But if he's in favor right now, then he's protected at least until that ends. It's a point of good business to protect those who cooperate with us to that extend, no matter how it's twisted to be used here."
"Do you know who at the top are genuinely conspiring with him, as opposed to merely looking after their interests?"
A shake of his head, "That I don't know," he admits, "People aren't talking much - not about what matters, they're running tight on it."
"What would be the result of a hypothetical situation where I personally or Waukeen bring this to light amidst the leadership of the Consortium?" Seira inquires. "Waukeen's once explained to me why she preferred to present a neutral front, and I believe the same reasoning applies to the Mercane as well. So if such realignment with devils were brought into the light of day, could it bring about positive change?"
"If you had hypothetical, undeniable proof?" Rald reasons, "It depends on how far the leadership is corrupted, and if the rank and file would revolt or not, hypothetically."
"It's best to bring such matters to light whenever possible," Seira voices. "After all, I'm assuming your knowledge had a part in your decision to retire. People should always make decisions concerning their fates based on all relevant information."
It's a similar principle to spreading knowledge on a Prime, and helping mortals understand everything properly. The greedy and the short-sighted may not be affected, but there are all sorts of people.
"His shady dealings is one thing, but might you have conclusive proof that Eligaas is actually part of the Consortium?"
"I know but I can't prove it," Rald says, "You'll need to find that yourself. You know who to target, work from there."
"Very well. And the information on Dis?"
"Melcharda," Is Rald's answer, "He lives very quietly on Fire, in a free community of salamanders called Ssslar." A hissing name indeed, "He's an malebranche who had a messy divorce with Baator. He's not the slightest bit reformed, but he's tolerated because he extracted a favor of protection from Imix. He sells information to the highest bidder, and I know he has information about Dis. His information network is good enough that a few mercane houses come to him for purchases."
Seira nods slowly. "I understand. I'll have your payment delivered to a location of your choosing, now." She had intended to pay with gems, originally, but a some like that in gold coins would surely trouble the owners of the establishment were Seira to summon it here.
"In the meanwhile, would you be willing to lend your expertise on a dimensional travel ritual I've been reconstructing?"
Intention to hit him for the Calley notes research
"Winds of Profit will do, it's a few streets down," Rald says smoothly, putting aside his drink. "I could, depending on the project. I'd want an overview before I commit to it - any project enough to stymie someone like you is specialized knowledge."
"It's specialized knowledge, alright, but in the field of dimensional travel," Seira elaborates, summoning her summary of the purpose of the ritual for Rald to review. "I don't expect an investment beyond a few hours of your time."
It's looked at and looked at carefully, "Double the amount in your local bank and it's a deal."
"Alright," Seira agrees. "The same privacy proviso applies here, of course."
"Agreed," Is the answer. Paper is presented as Rald gets to work. As he does Sanzha sips her drink before, "What a charmingly productive meeting."
"Productivity is the world's best aphrodisiac, for it feeds success and wealth from the breast." Rald doesn't look up as he works, "Respect the hero who fights bravely, but honor the soldiers who handle his logistics."
"Temen Pal?" Sanzha ventures, "Or one of those ilk?"
"Mmm-hmm," Rald works away, "His biography motivated me in my younger days. Another good one: Heroism is but another commodity, always in demand but seldom in supply. A mercane who knows this cultivates heroes and trades them, like any other commodity."
"I prefer an outlook that sponsors the heroes, with the understanding that having more hope in the world is only a good and sensible investment."
"Another quote," Sanzha's lips quirk into an amused smile, "The darkness of the heart will pay anything for its desire. Learn to give what your clients desire and want, not what they need."
Rald keeps on working, but pauses a moment. "Heroes are stable investments, but the selfish and greedy are profit spikes. Temen Pal was wonderfully pragmatic. He understood how to play all sides to the best profit. Perhaps he said it best: Opportunity rarely knocks, unless you create it in front of your door."
"I find myself in disagreement about just how much darkness there is to be found in the heart of the common man," Seira muses. "A lot of missteps can be attributed to foolishness and shortsightedness rather than malice, after all."
"On that I disagree," Rald says, "I've seen too much money be made on the malice of others. I've seen spite overturn centuries of profit, hatred incinerate piles of gold in the flames of war."
"Malice...foolishness...both are problems inherent to the mortal condition," Lady Sanzha says, a clink as she places her glass down. With an elegant sweep of her arm she says, "But you know how to make money from everyone?"
"I'd hardly be a retired mercane if I didn't," Rald retorts right away. "In the end, it all comes down to providing what people want."
"Forever and for all time," Sanzha smiles ever so sharply, "Don't you think we could help treat that? The churches of Seira can do excellent work with mind healing."
Rald visibly pauses at that, "It is what I want," he admits, "But what I need is more gold."
"There is no reason to choose between one or the other," Seira notes.
"Regardless," Rald goes on, "Allow me to continue my work before we are too badly astray."
"Certainly," Seira agrees, gesturing at the documents.
It takes several hours, but sure enough...
"Here," Several stacks of paper are produced, "I don't need my own notes, I have a perfect memory."
"Than you for your time," Seira tells Rald. "And if you find the time to take Sanzha up on her offer, while we don't advertise it much we do specialize in that sort of help."
Good work. Next move as this part wraps up?
Let's try to see Hectarr XXXVII. He's booked for centuries, so I'll have Donald see about getting me a proper audience.
Also, I sent Kascha (and Oraga) to look into the Infinite Stair, so I'd appreciate if she also chatted with Trumainel. About that goal (Dis), and about the Calley notes.
I'll seek out Zonnas Brookmore in person unless Donald comes through immediately.
Sure. One question for DM side running: Are you sending Rald's notes to Moore?
I was hoping to stop by after the Celestia notes, but sure, why not. Moore can get the Rald notes and the Ron Farlan notes. Where does that bring us?
Considerable progress, but I'll need Moore to interface with them real quick. I'll give you an update when he deals with it, which should be promptly-ish.
Okay
"Seira," Elle calls as you peek in before your next mission. Books and scrolls are all over the place, Elle's normally well enough kept workroom an open mess. "There you are. Magic is being made!"
"Always!"
"There you are, we're working on what we got from the vault," Kascha says, "Are you busy?"
"I always have time for you two!" Seira responds with a grin. "Found anything unique in there?"
It might be a bit unfair to offload the work on them, but Seira did handle the decursing on her own which should help even out the odds.
"Yeah, a few spells," Kascha says, "We're deciphering and translating them now - would you believe one's written in pictograms the creator made for their own personal language?" Kascha sits at a table, a cross look on her face, "I can understand them, but it takes times to translate how he explained magical theories."
Seira nods in understanding. "Everyone needs a hobby. Any idea if the creator's passed on by now, or became one of those planar recluses with a demiplane?"
"Dead, I think," Kascha says absently, "According to a few auguries."
"Too bad, I liked his style," Elle sits back down, "It's unique. Insane, but unique."
"You know, you could always call him back and ask him if he likes it better."
"Depends on where he went, if he can even take a message," Kascha points out, "Do you really like his style that much?"
Elle shakes his head, "Not enough to resurrect him and the tangles it might bring. Well, maybe...whereever did he end up?"
"It does sound interesting, but I'll leave it in your hands, Kascha. You've got more power and experience to draw upon than I had at the time I called you, so it's your turn at the helm~"
"Of course, Seira. It'll be another project," She hums at this, "Well...actually..." A pause, "If he's insane, he might be in the Abyss anyway."
Inventing pictograms to code one's arcane research is a sign of eccentricity, not madness, but maybe Kascha has seen something in the work to suggest that. Seira shrugs, not deeply invested in the situation.
"Once again, up to you. Don't make it a huge project, just go with your gut and wing it!"
"Ahem," Elle cuts in, "Hang all of that, we have new arcana. Seira! I-"
It's then that you feel it, a connection to Elle.
Node update.
Read it
"You?" Seira asks with a grin.
"Again," Elle declares, "It's like being rewarded for advancing ourselves. I find myself fonder of it each time it happens."
"I'm glad that you feel that way, because I'm afraid the near future will keep you busy with forging rather than using all this great knowledge in a practical setting against acceptable targets."
"Really?" Elle asks at that, putting down what she's doing, "Do you have an order of note? I've been wanting to try some new things."
"Just a better version of my useful and boring ring, though you were going to help out that Alyssa woman, weren't you? I'm pretty sure you and Donald felt like helping Emily's friends out a bit."
A chuckle, "Then I'm going to be extra busy," Elle stands, "Good! I'll have to make a proper entrance to Alyssa and her friends. Do you think a flying spell shop would be too much, or too overdone?"
"She's a bit of a bore, so I'd really limit my interaction with her to the bare minimum if it were me. But do as you like!"
Elle tosses her hair, "Good, then I'll have to liven her up!"
"No, you don't--" Seira stops herself with a shrug. "You really won't succeed, but it's your time. Have fun! I'll recall you earlier if we hit a breakthrough on our project."
"Ahem," Kascha clears her throat, "Seira, I also want to talk about this spell lore. If you're, ah, done gossiping about Alyssa?"
"This really doesn't fall under gossip," Seira muses. "But sure, I'm all ears!"
"I've been working on my arcane lore with this," Kascha says, "I've made some breakthroughs and..."
A feeling, a connection with Kascha. At the same time Kascha murmurs, "Oh, that's it!"
Node update.
She got epic skill focus since she has skill focus for that feat already. Progress.
"So it is," Seira muses. "You'll get your chance at lore given your task!"
"Right," Kascha says, as...
Okay, with that set in motion, next move?
Let's try to see Hectarr XXXVII. He's booked for centuries, so I'll have Donald see about getting me a proper audience.
Also, I sent Kascha (and Oraga) to look into the Infinite Stair, so I'd appreciate if she also chatted with Trumainel. About that goal (Dis), and about the Calley notes.
I'll seek out Zonnas Brookmore in person unless Donald comes through immediately.
Sure. You have plates in the air that luck can impact, so gimme a d100 real quick first?
19:42 <Seira> roll 1d100
19:42 <Penuche2> Seira invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d100=82]
Donald will need ab it of time to wade through stuff.
How do you plan to approach Zonnas Brookmore?
Seira's avatar will travel to Celestia, specifically to Mertion. She'll quietly ask Celestia to guide her steps to Zonnas Brookemore, and then introduce herself upon recognizing him. I presume I have a basic desc that lets me figure out who these people are.
Sure.
Zonnas Brookmore has a tower, as perhaps many proper researchers do. It is a tower of silver, shining in the hidden little valley it resides in. There's no barriers here, no troubles - simply natural seclusion on Mertion.
Seira approaches the doorway and knocks politely.
Your knock is not a knock, for it sounds like a bell being run. A delicate, small hand bell. The sound is heard clearly in the secluded valley, followed by footsteps. Loud, heavy footsteps. The door is opened. An iron golem the size of Hanna or so is on the other side, who...smiles. His metal face shows the emotion clearly as he says, "A guest! Come in, come in, we don't get nearly enough guests here!"
"I suppose that's what you get, being so high up!" Seira chirps, all too ready to be shown inside.
"Come in, come in! Have you been traveling long? Do you need a chance to wash up and refresh yourself?" Inside it's all wood paneling and floors, clean. A small coat room is ahead, a few cloaks and the like hanging on hooks from the wall. "I can get a meal for you if you're hungry, or a room if you need to sleep first."
"Oh, that's fine! Thank you, but unlike the petitioners I actually came here to meet Zonnas Brookmore, so it would feel off if I happened to have a snack without him."
As you're lead in, "Well, do you want something sweet? I have snacks," the golem agrees, leading you in - to a general work room, one part library and one part some sort of arcane laboratory. It's pretty minor - just magical circles and such, nothing too colorful, but it looks well done. Amid it an old man in black and green clothing sits, bald. He slowly puts down his text, "Ah, a visitor?" he says, right to the point.
"Hello! I hope you don't mind, but I asked Celestia to let me pass to meet you," Seira greets him, approaching with her hand stretched towards him. "I'm Seira Aryn, and I was hoping to take up a bit of your time."
A handshake - he has a good, strong grip.
"Z-well, I know you know who I am if you came here," he says, as meanwhile the golem taps its chest. It swings open, a crackling furnace within. It withdraws a platter of freshly cooked pastries, "Snacks are ready," The golem announces.
"Thank you!" Seira tells the golem cheerfully. "And thanks for showing me in, too~"
To Zonnas, she says, "I do think some obvious things should be voiced, although in a casual setting such as this it probably doesn't matter. Is the golem of your making? I thought your field of research was in dimensional magics."
"He was a gift," Zonnas waves it off, "Yes yes, a gift from a pirate mage who owed me for saving his life. Well, more a privateer because he had an official writ from King Stephan, and he was targeting the Bleak Ships. He had the most ingenious system, a heavy iron ship reinforced with magic to be seaworthy. He had a handful of golems he'd use to check the ocean depths, along with beacons he could use to pull them back up when they were done. Horrendously expensive, but I'm told he made it all back in a year from treasures lost in the depths."
Your host takes a pastry and has a perfunctory nibble before putting ti aside. "He had a few that the beacon didn't work in, and he gifted me one to settle the debt. Then of course he gained intelligence in that incident with the Dragonheart, and an interest in self modification."
"Using golems to explore the bottom of the ocean? An interesting approach. Rather than retrieval beacons, wouldn't it be more fun to possess the golems or use some sense-sharing spell with a different sort of beacon for focus?"
"I told him that!" The golem turns, "I told him just that but he said he preferred to keep his attention elsewhere."
"Ahem," Zonnas clears his throat, "It's better than going down yourself. Have you ever had the occasion to explore the blackest depths of an ocean?"
"Yes, actually! I ended up discovering a sea elf village pretty close to the city I was living in, and they had a portal to Water. I fixed that up, and ended up traveling across Water-- well, my friend actually ended up on Astral because the portal acted up, which necessitated fixing it in the first place. Good times! That was before the mess with the ancient underwater ruins, of course."
"Mmm, deeper. Out into the deepest trenches of the ocean, where horrors and eyeless beasts stalk?" Is the answer you get.
"Deeper than Water?" Seira deadpans. "I've had my share of horrors on Prime, too, sure. Ended up running into a group of huge kraken this one time. It was the weirdest thing!"
"Deeper, it's-" He begins, but stops. "But you understand the difficulties, at least."
"Pretty much," Seira agrees. "And given all the followers I've got, I had my chances to see all sorts of environments I haven't traveled in before. That's pretty nice!"
"I find it troublesome to go down, most agree. Better to have a golem do it, if you can afford the money, or at least use remote spells to scry." Zonnas says, "But you didn't come here to discuss oceans?"
"I came to make a friend," Seira tells him cheerfully. "Although I did want to ask for your thoughts on dimensional travel research I've been working on. I'm trying to crack the ritual described in the snippets I've managed to track down."
"Research, eh?" A look as you're considered, "I could use something new to look at."
Seira is quite happy to present her research into the Calley notes. And hey! They're actually pretty far into unlocking the true ritual by now!
They are examined silently. As he works the golem comes up and opens up again, this time pulling out a steaming cup of cider. "Refreshments," he asks to you, "I don't think I've ever served a deity before - I'm doing good, aren't I?"
Who's a good golem? You are!
"It's pretty great," Seira agrees, quietly so as to not disturb her host. "Grouping us all together is probably a bad idea, so best is to be kind and polite and play things by ear. That kindness is either returned in kind, or you don't want to get to know the goddess better anyway, right?"
"Right," Is the agreement, "Who wants to get to know someone like...well...a lot of them?"
Meanwhile Zonnas works away, "What manner of deviltry are you working on?" he murmurs.
Seira gives the golem a thumbs up, accepting the delivered cider. At Zonnas's question, she hums. "This research is about finding unique applications of dimensional travels, as I've mentioned. Merely through my work reconstructing it, I've made advances in my understanding of the dimensional links and the way astral tunnels across them. Beyond that... let's just say that the Illuminated Heaven has a vested interest in having me bring this ritual back to life."
"I assumed so," Is all Zonnas says to that, getting up, "If you excuse me, please enjoy my hospitality while I work on this."
"Certainly!"
Going to do anything or just wait?
waiting's fine
Several hours pass before Zonnas returns, "I confess, some of this is outside of my areas of focus," he says, but passes over several scrolls. "But these are my observations and lore relevant to it."
"Thank you so much! I'm that much closer, now!"
"The gratitude of a deity is accepted," Zonnas says agreeably, if visibly tired, yawning after. "There's a lot of different work there."
"I believe it is time for me to get going, then," Seira voices, "and allow you to rest properly. Ah, entirely randomly, would you have any insights into Dispater and Dis?"
"I avoid devils," Zonnas says right away, "You live longer that way and your soul stays brighter."
"A very admirable approach! If only we all could do the same."
"If only," A twisted little smile at that, "Too many forget or are lured in."
"I'll stop by again! Though I'm always happy to host as well, if you two are ever in the area."
Good to wrap that angle up here, then? If so, next move?
Since I'm in Celestia anyway, let's stop by Dynosys, Authority of Pilgrimages.
Sure.
As you go out?
Seira!
Gond? Sure sounds like him!
That's me! What's up, did Emily finally stop by?
Tell me, has Elle ever dabbled in anything besides pure magic item creation? I sense her creation of a powerful item and her potential is impossible to ignore.
As a matter of fact, yes. Would you like to stop by and visit with her? She would be quite honored to discuss such matters with you!
I believe I will! That ring and that crown are both worth my attention: Expansive, ambitious and expensive.
I'm glad to hear it.
Seira's Avatar will return to the Cauldron to show Gond around, while she will go seek out the Authority in person.
Either path is valid here, so which do you want to focus on?
Gond.
You don't sense Gond.
No, you see a ship approach through the Astral. A great ship like the gith ships, but bigger and made of steel top to bottom. It soars through the skies, soaring to the Cauldron. As it does a hatch on the underside opens, and a figure emerges, plummeting down impossibly fast. Gond 'lands' just before the Cauldron in an instant, dusts his hands off and announces:
Seira, I've arrived.
I've noticed, she responds dryly. Gesturing at her realm with a smile, she calls out brightly, Welcome to my home!
"A fine home," Gond declares, hands on his hips as he takes it all in. "I can see the craftwork of the original and the improvements you've made."
"Not all of the improvements, I hope," she says with a laugh, leading the way inside and down towards her palace.
"I can see everything," Gond shares that laugh, "Aaaaah. Demiplane craftsmanship, such an involved art. You've really done wonders with the place."
"Thanks! I'm trying to give Amaryl and Kascha a chance to express themselves as well, though it's still a bit early."
"Forest craft would be to her tastes - it's built into elves," Gond says, "I'm sure she's made a lovely forest or two already. Ah, I remember when Corellon built the elves. I always thought he went a little too heavy on forestry preferences, though he got the variability and flexibility right."
"What about the way all elves look beautiful and vaguely female?" Seira inquires. "Intentional or a happy accident?"
Gond turns with arms crossed, "You have met the Elf Father, haven't you?" is all he says.
"Right, what a silly question. No accidents there!"
Gond throws his head back and laughs long and loud. When he's done he says, "Moradin and Corellon don't resemble their races, but the other way around. That's how it works for most races. Most outsiders too, if you go up the hierarchy far enough to whomever controls that entire race."
"Makes sense," Seira agrees. "Who would be the human overdeity, though?"
"There isn't really one," Gond says as you begin to go forward, "Think of humans as like the default and with the least modifications and craftwork into them. Humans are iron, elves are mithral and dwarves are adamantine. Each makes a fine weapon but is different from the others."
"Huh. So the Incarnations made humans and the Prime Material first? Then the original deities, then the planes, then the ban on magic that breaks causality?"
"You mean the Temporal Compact?" Gond asks as you lead him on, "No no, that was our work much later. The rest...aaaah, the beginnings." Gond says, "When everything was freshly made. I think it went something like that, a lot of things happened at concurrently, or time was a little strange. The Incarnations can meddle with time as easily as anything else."
"Oh? I was under the impression they decided on the Compact, and had it apply on them as well," Seira notes. "If time is still nonlinear to them, it just doesn't make any sense. When at any future point someone will come up with an Answer satisfying their criteria, that answer will be immediately available to them at the establishment of Creation. In that case, in their place from the very start I would either already have my answer or decide that it was unsolvable under the current conditions. Wouldn't you agree?"
And as the conversation turns even more interesting, Seira ensures that no one is able to casually overhear them.
"The only thing I truly trust about the Incarnations is that I don't understand them," Is what Gond says, "I don't think they'd go to all this if they could do that, or do it decisively or maybe they're bored?" A shrug of his shoulders, "Take Elyssa. They didn't give me what I expected with her, then the Incarnation of Chaos gave her to me anew."
"Things like that just make me wonder if maybe we've been misunderstanding what they wanted all along," Seira muses. "I have no idea how to actually ask Ao, or where to find the other two. And even if those who are actually allowed to time travel go back far enough, would either the Incarnation of Law or the Incarnation of Balance respond to them? Do you know if anyone's actually tried this?"
"Sure," Gond says, "It doesn't work - the Incarnations only see who they want to see, when they want to see them."
"I don't suppose you ever got a chance to talk to the other two and could show me what happened?" Seira asks Gond.
"I've talked to them before," Gond agrees, "I suppose you never had the chance, did you?"
"I came too late to the party," Seira agrees. "I don't suppose you could share a memory so I could try to get their measure? Something where you had a chance to interact with them individually, and not facing the three all at once?"
"I suppose I could, but you would owe me a favor," Gond says at last.
"So long as it doesn't go against my nature, sure thing," Seira agrees.
"Alright, then let's do this somewhere nicer and more private," Gond agrees.
As they reach her palace, Seira leads them to a drawing room she hadn't had a chance to use before in all its existence. Some rooms are only there as they await a special occasion, after all!
As you go?
Seira, Moore sent a message about his project. He's about 2/3rd of the way complete by his estimation.
I've been working on it as well, we'll push it even farther in a couple days!
Ah, we do have more. Want me to send it to him, my love?
Of course.
I'll see to it.
Meanwhile, Gond steps in and says, "Sit down, be comfortable," he invites.
Seira makes herself comfortable in a plush armchair, gesturing at another in welcome.
You remember.
It stands before you, in your hands. A solid, heavy sphere of lead. It looks utterly mundane, just the right size to sit in your big, calloused hand. You pick it up, regard it. Yes, you think. This will do as a core. A core no magic can touch.
It will not suffice.
"Master," You say, attention turn from the sphere, torn from your forges, turn from the great quenching barrels. He is everything and nothing, endless and encompassing all you can imagine. In him you see everything you could ever wish to know, yet it slips from you the moment you realize it.
You must improve lead, create a new material to suffice for your desired purpose.
"Master," You bow your head to him, "That is your will?"
There is no reply from the Incarnation before you, yet you sense his gaze. He watches you and waits.
You understand without another word. A test. It is not advice but a command.
Lead. Adamantine. Steel that will not rust. Blue ice. The essence of the runes of strength. A pint of blood from a mage slayer champion. Ten petrified eyes that will never see again. Unliving heartwoods. A droplet of your own blood, drawn from your own finger. All are tossed together into the forges, your hammer coming down on it again and again.
You sense his presence. He watches you.
You work. A metal as gray as the clouds of deep winter, lightless and bleak. A mere droplet sized pebble of it is made, carefully picked and held up to examine. Even forged roughly, it is smooth and without a single flaw to it.
That will suffice.
"Master?" You turn back to him, his presence still here.
Create. That is your share of seeking the Answer.
"Yes, master," You reply and yet..."But why this?"
It is necessary. Forge only this metal until you have enough to sheathe your entire forges one thousand times over. Cast it all as ingots and store it until my command. Until that time, you may use it but no other may.
You merely nod to that.
You have done well, Gond. The actions of Chaos have borne fruit, Elyssa contributes towards the Answer, and in that your own work improves.
At this Gond looks up, "Are we close?"
Yet the Incarnation of Balance is gone, as if he was never there.
---
"It's about like that," Gond rumbles, "Don't kid yourself into thinking they're friendly, or that they're hostile. They act according to what they seek and how that serves that purpose."
"Have you noticed any change in them at all over the years you interacted with them?" Seira asks curiously. "Changes in talking patterns or the like?"
What's that metal?
Nothing you recognize. Whatever it is, you're certain you've never seen or heard of it before.
"No," Gond says, "They've always been as they are. Some of us aren't even sure if they can change the same way we can change." He rubs his chin at that.
"I see. Hey, what was that metal you made? I can't say I recognize it, so it's probably still waiting for the right time to be used?"
"I never named it," Gond replies, "It's still waiting to be used. It stops magic completely, like an antimagic field in metal form."
"Did you run a field test against appropriate opponents? Make an armor or a shield from it and seen what happens?"
"Yes, it works flawlessly," Gond agrees, "It's a little fragile for a metal, just suitable to holding the shape of a blade or armor, but it does exactly what it should."
"Would you be willing to sell me enough of it for two suits of plate? It'd be nice for Elle and Lagann to experiment with something new."
"Absolutely not," Gond says immediately, "The Incarnation told me I may use it but none other may." With a frown, "You don't ignore the command of an Incarnation."
"Oh! So he didn't actually give the command to you yet!"
"He has not. It still sits, awaiting," Gond says, "To what end I don't know."
Seira shrugs. "Strange. Was the Incarnation of Law the same way?"
She did ask to see the two of them, and it would be useful to compare against Ao.
"Yes," Gond agrees, "They aren't terribly different in how they act."
"What do you think ever happened with those two? And actually, did Mechanus, Nessus or Chronias change any after they disappeared?"
"Not that I know of," Gond answers, "You lean towards that theory, do you?"
"It'd make a lot of sense, won't it? The way no one knows what's there, all the strangeness we see...."
"Which could be nothing at all and we're grasping," Gond says, then laughs. "Aaaaaah. It's always good to talk about on a slow night, though."
"Oh, always!" Seira agrees. "Though I've kept you enough. You wanted to say hi to Elle, right?"
"Yes," Gond agrees, "Her and her projects."
Seira gets up from her comfortable armchair, ready to lead Gond over to Elle's lab. After notifying her in advance, of course, and ensuring that Vayley brings plenty of refreshments over.
You find Elle at work. She is in one of her laboratories, working away. Right now she enchants several ingots of what looks to be gold, walking around them and intoning names of power. They lie in the middle of a large diagram, complex and calling on various powers and names of magic.
Seira has done her part and alerted Elle in advance. Now she's content to take a step back and let Gond chat her up about her recent projects!
Elle works away while Gond watches. Neither makes a sound until...
"Well," Elle turns with a toss of her hair, "Is that good enough?"
With a hearty laugh Gond walks forward, "Passable!" he challenges back, "Pre shaping through ritual energy channeling, I'd expect something advanced from you just like this."
Elle's pretty great, Seira muses. General Afina gained a lot of deserved fame across the planes, but Elle just happens to be one of those talented in-house smiths Seira imagines every self-respecting deity has in their inner circle. The quality of her work won't lose to anyone!
"Passable?" Elle challenges back, "Can you do better?"
Gond's smile grows, "Of course, but no, I won't show you in a fit of temper," he retorts. "I'll save that for if you come apprentice under me for a few decades. I have a few students who would be perfect to work with you."
"Unfortunately not, duties call," Elle's response is firm nonetheless, "Do you ask everyone to come train under you?"
"Only the ones with potential," Gond retorts easily, gesturing at your work with one big, calloused hand, "You have potential."
"I often find that recruitment offers fair better if you give the courted individual something as a gesture of good will to further entice them," Seira casually notes from the sidelines.
"My training should be enticement enough," Gond retorts, a smile on his face.
With one hand on her hip, "Besides, I'd rather do it myself. I don't learn by letting you do it."
"That's the spirit," Gond reaches out and clasps Elle's shoulder, "Now come over here and I'll show you something you're doing wrong when you pour those ingots."
Heathens! Friendly bribes really do help a lot!
Seira keeps silent, of course, allowing them to work as she contemplates picking up the craft once more. Shamal always had fun with it. Maybe once she's secure enough in her martial training?
Thus the two work - friendly chatter and lessons learned as you watch. They are absorbed in their own world, relentlessly working towards it. Greater and greater boasts of craftsmanship follow. Has anyone ever built a mountain personally, really? Well, besides Gond.
Seira often toyed with the idea of breaking a mountain, flipping it over and making it a flying base. But the Cauldron is pretty much a floating mountain already, and the challenge of doing it is lessened with the availability of genuine divine power. Perhaps in another life?
For now, she patiently gives Gond and Elle a chance to play to their hearts's content!
Okay, anything else yo uwant to get done in this part, Seira?
We're good! Let's go befriend Dynosys!
Cool. How you gonna make contact, huh?!?!?!
My avatar will just stop by.
Okay.
Thus you reach Jovar. Dynosys has a home here, a secluded temple. Yet when you arrive you find a solar stands before the entrance. It is indeed a temple, fenced in and crafted of the gemstones that adorn the hills here. It is a rainbow of glittering colors, a beauty that makes the draconic side of you want to stare and take, hoard it all.
The solar is tall and clad in golden armor, a sword of crackling lightning in hand. "My lady," he says as you approach, more light than form, a sense of love and power from it. All abiding, all patient. "The Authority is not in at the current time. I am able to contact the Authority of Portals if you wish for me to."
From above the light is endless. It makes the gemstones shine all the brighter, as of glistening in the light of a hundred suns.
"I wish to consult the Authority on a project I'm cooperating on with Celestia which touches upon his specialty," Seira tells the solar. "If Dynosys is able to free a few hours for this today, I would appreciate it. However, if lives depend on his current work, we could reschedule to a more convenient time."
The solar nods, his six wings radiant with light. There is a pause before, "He will arrive presently."
"Thank you for your understanding."
In moments there is a rush of air, a displacement. An old man with cane appears, walking slow. He is bearded and mustached, both rather bushy and white. He wears simple clothes, nothing more than a peasant would wear. "Dragon Princess," the old man bows his head to you.
Seira's avatar is wearing her adventuring outfit, of course! "Thank you for coming, Dynosys," she tells him. "I'm working on a unique project in the field of dimensional travel and portals, and I would appreciate getting your input." She takes a look around to see whether they are sufficiently isolated, or require additional privacy.
"Of course," The old man bows his head, "I would be honored to lend you the assistance you seek."
Seira provides him with all the notes, as well as the hypothesis she and Moore share on how the ritual would open a portal to a place not quite in Creation or Beyond.
They are taken and soon, "Ah, I see what you're doing," he says at last. "Ambitious!"
"Necessary," Seira comments. "And I feel we're close, so we're pushing for it."
A consideration, "Then it's necessary," he says without any resistance. "I will need time to compile notes and check lore."
"Of course. I'm perfectly fine waiting." She winks at him. "After all, there's always one of me doing something directly productive~"
"Then I will be back with more as soon as I am able, my lady." Is the answer you get.
I'll wait, then! Also, has Donald secured an audience with Hectarr XXXVII for me?
Working on it. Feel free to contact him for more details if you want them and an ETA.
I'll just wait to finish this bit of business.
Soon enough you are presented with papers and scrolls, "Here, my lady," The Authority bows deeply to you.
As she gives him her heartfelt thanks, Seira adds, "Actually, there is another reason I wished to consult with you. Do you know of anything that might make it easier for me to infiltrate Dis?"
A moment's nod. "Do not speak lightly of this, but the Iron Tower has a network of portals. However, my understanding is that they are mostly a meaningless diversion."
"So stealth is pointless, and the best option is to tunnel through the walls?"
"I don't know," The Authority admits, "I've heard rumors of a second network, as well as an entire city hidden in the Iron Tower."
"Do you know who might know more?"
"Besides Dispater himself?" The Authority reckons, a pause.
Aid her.
"I do, she may know more," Is the answer at last. "Look for Syrea in Limbo."
Seira offers him another grateful smile. "Thanks, I will!"
And then she decides to visit Waukeen. It's been a while, after all.
You have no problem getting to Waukeen. She's pacing within a room in Brightwater, lost in thought - until you are announced. Her face splits in a smile, "Seira," she calls, "Xera is a lovely, wonderful girl. If only she had a mercantile mind."
"Ah, but then you might poach her~"
A warmer laugh in this room - a lovely, opulent sitting room. A room to sit, talk and be seen. All is gold and wealth here, the walls sheathed in slats of clear, transparent gold, showing sturdy, rich marble beneath them A warmer laugh as Waukeen says, "She chanced on some scrap of lore related to what Emily destroyed, and sent it to me for her sister's sake."
Because said sister can't be bothered to actually do something about that debt, yes. Seira wants to smile and wince at the same time, opting for a snort in the end. "You know, once the means to reproduce those artifacts are available to us again, it'll be pretty revolutionary. The Incarnations never forbade everyone from making fresh rings, right? Just stopped the knowledge from being granted?"
Waukeen shakes her head, "Seira dear, before that. That was your snort of being torn."
Seira spreads her arms. "What can I do? Teaching someone leadership only works if they're interested in leading. So it bothers me, but what really gets to me is that I'm powerless to do anything about it."
"Coins and gems, I know," Waukeen consoles you, standing before you, "How often do we wish for someone to rise up and they seem content to follow another path? There's really only one solution to improve our mood now."
"Oh?"
"There's a sea that cheers me up," Waukeen says, "Give me your hand, Seira."
Gold, drink and a swim. Those were Seira's guesses, so it's time to see if she was right! She holds her hand out to Waukeen.
You stand on a platform in a great, vast building, the roof hundreds of feet above. On this platform are several chairs and a table, all set so you can view below at leisure. Below, stretching farther than even your divine sight can see in every direction is a sea of coins. A vast sea of coins, each coin glittering bright and golden. From above, occasionally ripples form and a rain of golden coins clinks down, adding more to the vast piles.
With a gesture beyond, "For when I need to sit back, relax my mind and watch the gold roll in." Waukeen declares.
"And sometimes sleep on it like a dragon?" Seira asks with a grin, claiming one of the seats.
"Oh no, I saved that for you," Waukeen says with a small laugh, sitting. "Feel free."
An instant later, Seira is resting on the coins on her back as she makes golden angels with her arms.
Waukeen's laughter is heard as you do that, "Aaaah, I thought you'd like this," she calls. "Isn't it lovely?" Amid the jingle-jangle of coins you lie, so many of them around you.
"It's delightful!" Seira calls back. "I often nap on my hoard, but it's a unique idea to make a spot for just gold and not as part of your prized possessions!"
"You're only the second dragon I've allowed here," Waukeen calls down, "Do enjoy it."
"Oh? Who's the first?" Seira asks, flopping onto her stomach, and then her dragon form takes its rightful place over all of this gold.
"A servant who I said I'd do any one thing for them," Waukeen calls down, "He's still around here somewhere."
Seira's laughter carries far at that. "Nice! All I usually offer my followers who do well is more of the same, or a better challenge. Maybe I should look into just pure rewards."
"He does enjoy it so," Waukeen agrees.
"Thanks for showing me this place," Seira tells Waukeen. "I'm almost sorry that I have to mix business with pleasure, now. Still, it's about time we did something about the Mercane situation, don't you think?"
"Mmmm?" A slow question, "Which part of it do you mean?"
"I recently discovered that Eligaas, one of Bel's trusted lieutenants, is part of the restructured Consortium, in tight with the new management. And I know I told you about how said new management approached myself and Alicia at the same time, asking to put a bank in our realms, but ignored my requests or any attempts to negotiate. My contacts with the Mercane suggest that a snubbing of that sort is quite rare. Of course, so are coups where the previous leader's soul is not even able to be retrieved...."
"I was there when Roelas dropped in," Waukeen notes, "The Mercane have been keeping quiet longer than usual this time." Slowly drumming fingers on her armrest, "He'd be protected, you'd have to go in heavy and expect hell as well as whatever Hell this devil provides."
"I'm just saying that I got no response originally beyond a stock one, sent Sanzha over some time after to get a response and couldn't manage to open negotiations... and hells, the war is even over by now but I haven't heard back from them. And knowing who they have running things, not to mention being protected by a bunch of contracts and secrecy agreements? That makes things clearer for a change."
Seira glances over at Waukeen. "I don't suppose you've looked into the previous leadership? How doable is it for us to restore them?"
"It's not, not unless the current regime had a serious...setback," Waukeen says carefully, "Though more likely another faction would take control."
"So we shouldn't put our energy into tracking down their souls," Seira muses. "Fair enough. Do you have enough clout to throw this accusation in their faces publicly?"
"I could," Waukeen says, "Which would lead to denials and likely a trade war and reprisals. No, the mercane are best not crossed lightly, Seira. Not without overwhelming proof, and with any practicality, in private. A public declaration will, even if it causes a change of administration, result in hostility. That sort of accusation undermines the image of the mercane and will cost them a great deal of money."
"But that's the kind of bold gamble I think we need," Seira voices. "At present, they are devil tools. Asmodeus has his claws in Acheron, and made some gains on Fire as well. If we're right about the Mercane Consortium, and I believe we are, they are our enemies. They are already operating against both of our interests, except behind the scenes, and the neutral players are likely unaware of the circumstances. The Mercane also provide a lot of discrete services and information, and now all of it is being provided with a hidden taint. Wouldn't we be better served by a hit to their reputation and trying to cause a change of administration, even if they would take offense?"
"Can you weather the mercane applying pressure to every merchant they can reach to not trade with you? Can you endure paid attacks in the shadows across the realms?" Waukeen says, "Can you endure every diplomat the mercane can manipulate speaking poorly of you, or working against your interests?" Here she looks over her treasures, "The mercane have power, Seira, and to challenge them directly will have consequences, win or lose. Even if you're right and you succeed, the next group will make an example of you and yours."
"They can't take you on," Seira insists. "It's ridiculous! Yes, it's a huge gamble if I call them out, but you're measured and impartial. The only reason you'd even speak is because they're tilting the balance. I believe that your very neutrality will be key to your unassailability."
"Oh, they can take me on," Waukeen says, "They'll lose," Her smile turns rather unkind here, "But they can try. The profits that will be lost on all sides are not insignificant. What you speak of is an option of last result, one that will leave scars and wounds on all of us. Brightwater included, you're close enough to us that this will be seen as something done with my support, unless I disown you for it."
"What would you prefer, though? Working in silence against the Mercane, the way they must be against both of us? Or are you willing to call them out yourself if I get you actionable proof?"
"Get stone cold, iron clad proof and I'll consider it," Waukeen says, "Proof that not even the most silken tongued fiend can lie out of. This fiend you know more of now, try and find him, talk to him, track this down."
"I can try," Seira agrees. "Could you try to find information about him as well, and pursue your own contacts in the Consortium?"
"Very well," Waukeen agrees, "Discreetly, though I have a suspicion that you're already known to him. Devilish planning and paranoia would account for you."
"Which is why you are the best venue to challenge them," Seira notes. "If you manage to counter them, or even just slow down their poison a bit, I might just have enough time to find all the proof we need."
At that, "Do you have a plan on how to find the evidence you want or otherwise stop this?" Waukeen asks.
"I got what I know from talking to the disaffected. It's time to approach those who support our causes in the Consortium, so that's the first thing I want to focus on."
A simple nod to that, "Do you have someone in mind first?"
"I figured I'd start with the contact you introduced me to and let Sanzha look into things for me," Seira muses. "Unless you have a better idea?"
"Start there," Waukeen agrees, as...
Okay then, much else to add here with your plotting and planning?
"I'd also appreciate," Seira decides to say, "leads into Dis, specifically to rescue the Lost Chalice."
"Xera asked the same thing," Waukeen declares, "It's much like the previous situation: Everyone in the know believes he has her, but proof is as ethereal as a ghost's tears." Drumming a finger on her armrest a moment, "How much do you know about the Iron Tower?"
"Not a great deal," Seira admits.
"You may think it's a tower. From the outside, you'd be right," Waukeen says, "If you walked in the front door or were escorted in, you'd be right. Were you hosted there in one of Dispater's elite parties, you'd be right. Yet it's not. It's closer to being a special demiplane from what I understand - there's far more than a tower in there. I've heard stories ranging from entire cities being within, to continents of solid iron where devils of iron rise from the ground at Dispater's command, all floating on seas of molten iron."
"Ideally, I'll find a shortcut via the Infinite Stair," Seira muses. "The most sensible thing would be to send agents that won't be automatically known to him, the way a deity would be, but a part of me is figuring some hands on action might be good here after all."
"Then good fortune with it," Waukeen agrees.
Any other questions or things to add here, Seira?
That's fine. Let's catch up with Donald and Kascha about their assignments.
You get them together at the Cauldron and...
Go ahead. Go ahead and lead, they'll respond since you have something in mind here.
"I think we're getting closer to decyphering this ritual," Seira muses as the three of them relax in one of the palace's sitting rooms. She gets drinks for them at the bar, glancing over at Donald as she says, "Let's start with you. Were you able to get an audience with Hectarr XXXVII, and did he have any interesting insights?"
"Eventually," Donald says, and makes a face. "He wanted to see someone less 'unpleasant'." With an unhidden roll of his eyes, "Antenora satisfied him, and I got some research." Papers are passed over.
Kascha frowns, "You mean someone more lawful?"
"Yeah," Donald waves it off, "Didn't want to waste time arguing with him. He tried to stall us, but Antenora's divinity was useful - most of them speed everything up for that."
"I'll find a suitable gift to send her as a thank you. Nicely done!" Seira turns to Kascha next. "Were things equally fruitful with Trumainel?"
"Eventually," Kascha says, "Here." More papers are produced.
"Nice! Did you get a chance to ask about our main goal as well?" Seira inquires. "Since he studied the Infinite Stair so much, it was possible he'd know something useful about Dis."
"He told me that most doorways into Dis are monitored," Kascha says, then quieter, "I'd assumed that already. He didn't have a magic arrow to solve the problem, but he mentioned someone who might know more."
"Oh? Who would that be?"
"Sarren, an old mercane who keeps to himself," Kascha says, "He resides peacefully on Arcadia."
That makes three. "We'll pursue this lead soon," Seira voices. "In the meantime, I would like the two of you to approach the others on my list. Gremee of Eldath for you, Kascha, and Lanal Marqez for Donald. Kascha, Gremee's husband might have interesting insights of his own for you, as you consider your future domains. And Donald, once you're done and have Lanal's insights, why don't you visit Emily with Elle? See if you can lend a hand, but don't try too hard if your help's unwanted."
"Aye aye," Donald agrees, "Want to me to drop these off by Hope's Landing while I'm going out?"
"Please do, along with what I've learned with the help of Dynosys."
As Donald goes, Kascha lingers. "Ah, Seira," she says, "Can I have your advice?"
"Sure! What's going on?"
"Someone prayed to me," Kascha says, "But it was for relief, simply calling on a name they heard that day. He suffered from some sort of distress, perhaps stones of the kidney or a similar affliction. What...what should we do in those situations?"
"Change the situation a bit. Say he'd used a Sending to you to make that request, what would you have done? How about while you were at Aurora, what if you overheard someone say it wistfully? What would your response be?"
"If I twas on Aurora, send them to a healer," Kascha says, "Otherwise..." Here she says, "But it's different because I'm different now, Seira."
"Does it have to be?" Seira asks her. "You had the power to heal them even back on Aurora, but you would direct them to the healer despite them dropping your name. At the same time, you wouldn't just ignore it. So you could send back a concept, a nudge in the direction of a suitable healer nearby. Or, perhaps, send a vision to one of your faithful in the area to try to help. It's all about how active you intend to be, but there's no harm in still being as active as before, is there? Proportionally, of course."
"Like that, then?" Kascha says, "That's something to think about, Seira," she turns to go and...doesn't even trip, gracefully moving along. "Thank you."
"We're always here for you, Kascha!"
Seira is happy to have helped. And now, she heads to meet with the Guardians of the Seal!
I'll call on them ahead of time and request a meeting. As the notes suggested, my divine status gives me favorable chances of said meeting happening.
The moment you begin to focus your will to call?
'They will see you,' Is the answer, a grandfatherly voice filling your mind. 'Lady Seira, you need only head to Elysium and walk forward.'
That's easy enough to do! Seira transports herself to Elysium and starts walking.
You appear amid the endless fields and green plains. Yet as you walk, you notice it's getting brighter. Brighter, brighter and brighter yet, brighter than the sun in the sky above. As if all was birthed and radiant in light, a light that makes your flesh shimmer like the scales of a golden dragon.
Seira continues heading forward, wondering how it looks from the side. Is she surrounded golden sparks and gradually fading from existence? Has she already crossed over? Or is that all an illusion her mind tells her, and nothing seems off until she'll suddenly disappear from those endless green plains?
Light. The light is growing brighter.
Incandescence.
So much radiance.
No further.
You come to a stop at words that are not words. A figure on the horizon, a figure of many wings, of many that gaze on at you. A woman seen in the glimpse of the light, "No closer," A whisper, yet it carries to you. "Not even you can return if you go farther. Those that watch the seal see and hear you. They approach."
"Thank you," Seira responds. "If you're keeping an ear to the ground, you must know why I'm here?"
Who do I think that is? My knowledge checks are ~120.
You believe the figure is Cantasa Alexandria, seen from afar.
"I know," The figure answers, "You search, but you are not the only one."
"Duke Moore's looking into it as well, and we've shared our notes with Alicia. Are there others actively pursuing this?"
Seira doubts any of those that collaborated on this subject have actually done so, but it'd be interesting to know what Cantasa Alexandria thinks.
"Those that you know," Is the answer you get, the figure of light radiant and yet hidden, just far away enough to be out of clear sight.
"Are there those I haven't mentioned that are pursuing this? Miscommunication kills, so please tell me in words that can only be interpreted one way."
"No, it is those that you know," Is the answer you get again, as you see figured begin to emerge from the light, radiant, seven more.
"Thank you," Seira responds, staying in place as requested until the angel coming to visit her arrives.
They are sevenfold - each one taller than you, looming figures with six wings and inhuman eyes. Eyes of sheer light - and yet after a moment blindfolds appear over each. As one they speak, "We hear you and obey, divine one. What is your bidding?"
"I've taken this unusual step in the hopes of advancing an important project of mine," Seira addresses them. "I have been researching a ritual designed to open a portal somewhere between Creation and the Beyond with my trusted companions, one we believed was created with 21's power. I seek your insights in the hopes of finally comprehending the ritual in its entirety, rather than the disjointed snippets that we currently hold, numerous though they may be."
Seira produces her research notes, ready to provide them for reference.
You see each hovers above the ground, feet tied together with lengths of silken rope. Seals and sigils are scrawled onto their feet, holy names engraved there, not a one touching the ground.
"We shall advise you and what we know and how we can help," Is the answer they give. "As you will it to be."
Seira smiles at them, the information painstakingly collected passed over to the angels.
"Thank you. Since I am already here, I also wanted to use the chance to ask if you have any information you could share with me on the Lost Chalice and Dis."
"You see the Lost Chalice." The voice of Cantasa Alexandria asks, as the seven others take your information, studying it. "Our vision is on things of holiness, not those of wickedness." A beat, "Yet some of this is known to us. We know she is held where none other save Dispater can reach, and we know that great lies and illusions and entire realms are there to fool seekers otherwise, all that ultimately lead to nothing. To reach her would require defeating Dispater in his citadel of his greatest strength."
"To be fair, defeating Dispater anywhere would be a tall order," Seira voices. "But do I have to defeat him? What if I could stalemate him long enough to escape with the Lost Chalice? I've heard that she is kept in his tower, which is a massive demi-plane filled with enemies. Thus, I need either a way to find her location, or the means to enter an enemy's divine realm without being spotted immediately. Or, perhaps, using my portal research as a launch pad to teleport across a demi-plane?"
"Should you have the power to oppose Dispater and overcome all his designs, then yes," Is the answer, "Yet you do not have that power, not as you are now."
"Does Torm?" Seira inquires. "Actually, as you see all good, do you still see any in him? How about the Lost Chalice? Is her will still strong after all these years in captivity?"
"There is still hope for Torm, and the Lost Chalice endures, though her will slowly erodes," Is the answer, as the seven murmur something as one, a stone tablet carved with words coming from the light, to lay at your feet.
"Thanks, again," Seira responds. "Ah, and I would be a terrible friend to Moore if I didn't ask. He thinks Sylvie is with you, of her own accord or thanks to 21. Can you tell me if she is?"
"That one will not pass to here," Cantasa Alexandria says, quite firmly. "Not by my hand."
Seira picks up the stone tablet created for her, before bowing deeply in her appreciation to Cantasa Alexandria and the other angels for their help.
"Continue to fight on for what is right," Cantasa Alexandria commands, "Do you have any other tasks for the those of the seal?"
"You're doing a good job. All I can ask is to keep at it," Seira responds with a smile, and then she returns to the Cauldron.
You got even more info. Want to toss that onto Donald and he drops it all on Moore, or do you have something else in mind there?
Yes, that's the plan. Donald will also tell Moore that I'm interested in a meeting at his earliest convenience.
Assuming it would take Moore a couple days to be available at the earliest, I will head to the Aurora with Amaryl and Ranbar.
Can do easily enough, but for my reference and prep here, what's your plan?
It would've literally been my first IC post, geez.
I'll ask to see General Jaela or anyone with knowledge of Brani the Elder Titan, then see whether Aurora is willing to make a quick detour to his place.
Aurora is as it always is, busy and hectic. The moment you step in, "Hello," Elena pops in, "Welcome to Aurora!"
"Hello!" Seira greets her back. "It's nice to visit again. I know it's terribly short notice, but would it be possible to see General Jaela?"
"She's not here right now," Elena says, "But I'll get you to someone else. Is it for Jaela in particular?"
"I've heard from Kascha that she had dealings with Brani, and amiably at that. I'm hoping for an introduction, so if there's someone else available...?"
"That was mostly Afina and Jaela, but I think there's a few others who met him," Elena says, "Hold on."
"Want to take a look at the home of one of the most important Crusades of our time in the meantime?" Seira offers to Amaryl and Ranbar. "If Elena doesn't mind the intrusion, of course."
"Thank you," Amaryl smiles to Elena, while Ranbar just takes it all in.
"Sure, this is the courtyard, "Elena begins, "Where people train, talk or import towers into. I'm told the last might get popular again soon."
"I've always been partial to towers," Seira affirms. "It's a wizarding cliche, but that's because it's true!"
"What is the appeal?" Amaryl asks, "For a wizard. Do the stairs keep them in good condition?"
"It's a massive monument that gives anyone pause, while not being quite as antisocial as a well-guarded fortress! You have plenty of space for different experiments, while they are separated without the need for advanced space-altering magic. And naturally, you have a secure position at the top in case of an assault. What's not to like?"
Seira grins. "Stairs are for scrubs, you're a wizard! That means you can fly! And teleport, but usually you fly in your tower."
"Uh huh," Elena agrees, "But they aren't good against assaults that can fly and bypass that - there's not as much depth as a fortress."
Ranbar looks up at that, "Oh yes, a ghost would have an easier time with a tower than a fortress, due to distances and the ability to fly."
"The classical wizarding appeal is about impressing peasants and knights," Seira says with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Dragons and undead are another thing entirely, nevermind fellow wizards. You don't need a fortress against them, anyway! You're a wizard!"
"Only until you catch an arrow," Amaryl banters back, "Then you're a corpse."
"Or a ghost who also is an archer," Ranbar suggests, "That would make a fearsome assassin, many mortals would have no chance against it, should a ghost's torment and regrets lead it to that path."
"Powerful ascetics can make themselves like ghosts for a little time," Here Amaryl considers, "I've known a few who have employed that to the same means, albeit without archery and with more bare handed fighting."
"The Master could do that," Elena chips in, "But he's not that sort, he's more the sort who goes in and takes care of something while you do something else. Same thing with that sword of his that he keeps hidden."
Seira decides not to let these poor souls know that a proper wizard can do all of that as well, and much better than the ghosts or archers or monks, at that.
"The Master sounds pretty amazing," she says instead. "Perhaps we should have a mock duel on Ysgard some time!"
You're lead around the courtyard as you talk - and to an old, familiar tower. Atop the tower of the Graceful Blow sits Hanna, 27 small sized and curled into her lap. She's taking it all in, sitting on the very edge of the rooftop.
"Hanna," Elena calls, "Have you met Brani?"
Seira gives Hanna a wave!
"A little," Hanna calls back. With one hop she scoops 27 up and she glides to the ground, "Seira, Amaryl," she greets.
"They're looking for information about him," Elena says, "So here you go." Then she's gone, as if she was never there.
"Well, I was actually hoping Aurora could make a brief detour over to Brani's home," Seira admits. "It would work out best for all of us."
"You know where he lives?" Hanna asks at that, as she holds 27.
27 eyes all of you before curling deeper into Hanna's arms.
"Kascha told me that Generals Jaela and Ithea dealt with him, and your lovely Elena added just now that General Afina did likewise. So when I asked for directions, she decided to bring me to you. It is rather disappointing that a breakdown in communications occurred, but luckily, it is easily fixed! Elena listens to everything here, doesn't she?"
"I can help you with what I know, but do you know where he lives?" Hanna asks back, again. "We can't go to where he is if we don't know where he is."
"How about we start where he received you guys since it wasn't a clandestine dropoff in the middle of nowhere and take it from there?" Seira offers with a grin.
"Well," Hanna begins, "The first time from what I understand, he came to us out of the blue," she explains. "He showed up, introduced himself and left after a little while."
"I see," Seira says, though it doesn't sound like she does. "Well, if we've made a mistake and you don't know anything useful about this matter, such is life. I'll be sure to come back after tracking him down and tell Elena all about it."
At this 27 stirs and eyes Seira. He sniffs the air before, "You are not like Hanna."
"Excuse me?" Amaryl says, an eyebrow raised.
"You are not like Hanna, either," 27 says. Then Ranbar is seen.
A blink. "Ranbar," 27 says, hopping out of Hanna's arms and to Ranbar. With a little yelp of surprise Ranbar catches 27.
"...hello?" Ranbar says cautiously.
"Yggdrasil is part of the path," 27 says. "But don't go too far. Yggdrasil is important, but it's not part of your story, nor is it part of hers. It's part of his, but it's a part he'll leave behind. She smiled when I told her that."
Is she? Yep. She's regretting coming here, now. Ah well, like Seira had cause to say recently she's never wasting time while there's one of her being productive and working back home!
"I think proper closure's important, but I'm not going to force anything," she voices. "For now, we'll take our leave."
They have committed troops to Aurora's Crusade afresh since the Abolition War ended, but all the same.... "If there's a particularly nasty vampire, let us know and I'll loan out Donald~"
As Ranbar holds 27, openly perplexed?
"Be careful," he warns, "Please."
Hanna nods and flashes you a smile, before, "Come along now," She chides, taking 27 away.
Seira leads the way outside, even as her will reaches out to Brani.
Elder Titan, I am Seira Aryn. Would you be amenable to a meeting?
'Mmm...I'm up, I'm up,' A voice responds into your head. 'What sort of meeting?'
I want to consult on portal knowledge with yourself and your friend, but mostly I heard that you were working against Shar and I'm interested in seeing what I could do to help
'I'll let you know an answer when I have an answer.'
"Some excursions happen this way," Seira says with a shrug. "Now we'll just wait for an answer."
She takes the three of them home, and decides to check in with Lyris and Marianne to see what their answer would be. She'd been patient, but it's about time to see if they're willing to challenge Auril and shift the scales of Malana or prefer a different employment. Or even true retirement, she supposes.
We'll begin that in a new topic, you're due a new one. Please hold.