To avenge (Everyone)

[Anastasia]

Word spreads through Aurora like a lightning bolt: Morniel has returned. All of Aurora's commanders and powerful figures gather in the meeting room. It's packed, everyone coming to hear the announcements and Morniel's information and plans.

In one corner stand the ladies of the Graceful Blow. Misalea and Mirima are deep in conversation amid themselves, while Canderella stands nearby with Ebony. Those two aren't talking, but instead waiting. Sitting at the table are Stille and Balyss, a muted discussion of Selunite liturgy passing between them while they wait. Balyss is tense and almost terse, while Stille is smiling and at ease. He waves at people as they enter, occasionally pausing to share a few words with others.

Arrel and The Jarl take up a hunk of space to the side, joined by Tannin. It seems he's returned, hanging back and sharing occasional, lazy barbs with the two. A little past them sits Queen Ilsenine, flanked by Crystal and Lady Skye. Crystal stands at attention, in her armor and with weapon ready. Lady Skye is the opposite, seemingly defenseless and leaning in to listen to Queen Ilsenine's quiet commands.

Vivantha sits alone, face steely and unyielding. Gone is her look of joy, the beauty that could inspire as a muse muted by a slow burning fury. 27 kneels next to her, occasionally being petted by the lillend. A few seats down, Hanna and Mirajane sits next to one another. Priest stands behind them, solemn and waiting for things to begin. Sylvie sits next to them, doing her best to look at anyone but Balyss - who returns it, the two quickly looking away the one time they catch each other's gaze.

As other filter in - Mei going to join Hanna and Priest, Drena to come in and hover near the ceiling, Kascha to sit against Arrel after murmuring something into his ear - the mood is anticipatory, waiting for Morniel to arrive.

Go ahead and intro yourselves, PCs. Note that I may not post for a day or two, depending on how this cold goes. I'm getting this up ahead of time if you want to chat and to give you a chance to set the mood further.

Before anyone asks, the Lathander reinforcements are first on the agenda.

[Nephrite]

The last time he was in a room with everyone, Moore didn't really think he fit in very well -- the mood was a lot different then, too, wasn't it?

Either way, he will fly in and move to stand slightly behind Crystal and to her side -- not closer to Illsenine. He figures this way will show some solidarity for now. He'll do his best to follow Crystal's example and look expectantly forward, inwardly wondering if he should try any of his new spells after this to get guidance on what's to come.

For now, he'll wait for the others and listen to what's going to be said.

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh flits like a moth, zipping from person to person and doing her best to get everyone to lighten up just a tiny bit. She cheerfully chatters with Tannin a short while, speaking with Dana and Rosa, marveling at Arrel, and staring at 27.

Those able to see his true form see Tryll placidly floating above them, tentacles gently waving as though underwater. His form reacts physically to no one in particular, though he converses telepathically with any who address him directly.

[Corwin]

Jaela smiles at Mirima as she walks in the room. She passes next to her family, lingering by Mirajane for a few moments with a murmured greeting and a pat on her shoulder, before settling into the chair by Vivantha's side.

[Ebiris]

Afina is here as general of Aurora rather than baroness Devilsbane, so she eschews the company of her fellow fey to sit by Ebony and Canderella. She doesn't disturb their silence, merely waiting with an air of predatory anticipation.

[Merc]

Ithea grabs whatever open seat catches her eye as she enters the room, sitting down and giving a small wave to the others present, in particular Stille who's waving at all the others still filtering in.

[Anastasia]

Iddy's extremely waylaid by work right now, so I'll add Surraruthru so we can get this moving.

Surarruthru enters and takes a place, floating near Kascha for now.

Adrian and Elder Magi Tepen come through the portal, joined by Sage Vul'lath and Morniel. The Master slips in right after them, smoothly taking a position against the wall. Meanwhile they all take a seat, save for Morniel. He looks about, nods and turns to address the assembled. "I return with glad tidings and good news. We know where to hit Lixer to make him hurt. Know that all the seers predict fierce battles, for he knows we are coming." He leans forward, placing his hands on the table as he looks about. His gaze is relentless, "Know that this will be no trifling matter."

A pause, Morniel bowing his head. "The Lord of the Ninth stirs. His son's prestige has been marred and he cannot stand it. Those who study the Pit assure me that it is so and auguries support this. We will face Hell's mailed fist, from legions of common devils, to elites, to the Necrolytes, to Nessians and other threats yet undreamed of. The coming battles can only be described as apocalyptic. Destiny itself opposes us in the guise of Duke of Destiny, while the shadow of Gathgorian and Bel looms over this battle. Even The Lord of the Sixth cannot be discounted, for to succeed where her brother failed would be a great coup for Glasya."

"But we do not fight alone. As I arrived, I found Lathander has sent reinforcements. He has sent squads of astral devas to support us and a leader to command them. They will bolster us at a time where we sorely need it."

[Corwin]

"What's the target?" Jaela asks into the pause Morniel leaves for exactly such questions. "Do we know if Lixer will be there in person?"

[Ebiris]

"Targets, hopefully," Afina says, emphasising the plural. "Attacking on multiple fronts gives him less room to work with. But," and here her voice hangs heavy, "If Taelfagn is to take the field we cannot attack without a counter to his powers of Destiny."

[Nephrite]

Moore looks over to Afina and nods, but doesn't say anything. He has a feeling Morniel will have something to add about Taelfagn.

[Anastasia]

"It'll be targets," Adrian confirms, arms crossed as he listens. "We'll have no shortage of battles ahead."

"Good, bring them on!" The Jarl calls over, "I'll send the dead back to sleep." He slams one huge fist into his hand, the slap of it loud as thunder. "This time, they won't get back up."

Morniel holds a hand up, silence returning. He stands and addresses all, "All the information I've seen suggests that Lixer will not. In general, fighting a devil of his stature directly is rare. While he may not have avatars or aspects like the Lords of the Nine, he is noted to have the ability to puppet the creatures he creates. I do not expect him to face Aurora directly when they are on the attack, nor do I expect the Lord of the Ninth to allow him to do so."

A few mutters at this, Mirima's mutter of, "Coward," the loudest.

After clearing his throat to get silence once more, Morniel continues. "I do not deny that, but all of my sources remind me that even facing the Duke of Destiny directly was surprising. For Hell's true nobility to face combat, save for those on the frontlines of the Blood War, is extremely rare."

"It should be, and I doubt he'll try it again right away. 21 destroyed his chains as easily as anything else evil." Sylvie speaks up, "If we do face him directly, I'm confident he can't do anything about 21, no matter how he tugs on fate."

"Precisely. In the event we do face him again, 21 will be our trump card for now." Morniel turns to Afina at this, "All I consulted with did not consider it likely the Duke of Destiny to do so again, moreso after seeing 21's light first hand. So while it is a concern, it is not our most pressing one. Now-" Morniel pauses as another figure comes on through the portal.

She's rather short, barely over five feet tall. She has an unruly head of bright red hair, unreal with its sheer intensity. She wears full plate armor colored white and decorated with golden suns on the breastplate and joints. "Hi, sorry I'm late. I'm Moonlight," From her non pointed ears and generally human appearance, she doesn't look like an elf, despite the name. As if sensing that, "No no, my parents just thought elves were neat. I have a brother that got named Oak Tree. Yeah." She claps her hands and smiles, "Considering who I serve, that made my name really ironic. Anyway, Parai had something come up so I'm taking this position instead."

"Ahem," Morniel coughs into his hand, "Please have a seat. Introductions will be after the briefing."

[Ebiris]

"Welcome to Aurora," Afina says to Moonlight but doesn't make a big to-do about it when they're in the midst of planning. "We'll want Sylvie to be present at wherever the most pivotal battle is just to be safe, but we can leave the first embers for a little while longer in that case. What targets do you have lined up for us?" she asks Morniel.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods to Moonlight. He has a few questions, but for now he'll wait until the end of the briefing to ask.

[Corwin]

"How many of his creations can Lixer puppet?" Jaela asks. "At once, and one after the other? Are there any limitations, Morniel, as far as you've been told?"

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh zips toward the newcomer, flying roughly a foot and a half before jolting to a halt. She hovers a moment in the air, wings motionless and looking thoughtful, before nodding and taking off on her own power at a more sedate pace. The entire event is silent, and Calleigh says nothing. Instead, she hovers over 27's head, sneaking glances at him and Vivantha.