The mystery of Benfal (Moore, Tryll)

[Anastasia]

"A religious retreat. I follow Pistis Sophia," The elf explains, and with a gentle smile, "She teaches that material things are unneeded - even clothes." A delicate cough into her hand, "It is extremely difficult to live a material-free life in other places, so I will begin to try it there."

[Nephrite]

Moore smiles and nods. "I understand, that can be a real challenge. I suppose you could always try magic, but I suppose that defeats the, ah... moral of that particular path." He chuckles at that. "I know someone in Aurora who has vows like that -- ah, not quite to that extreme, but both of poverty and silence, so I understand the strong sense of morals you must have to want to pursue such a task, I have great respect for someone who can."

[Anastasia]

"Thank you," Ella says, "Speaking of it, I have tarried long enough. I must be off." She rises, "Solania awaits."

[Nephrite]

"Of course. If you ever wish to visit Aurora, please feel free to do so." Moore says and waves Ella off.

One final check on that knight...!

[Anastasia]

Still reading.

[Nephrite]

Rushing along didn't get him anywhere before, so he settles back in to wait for a little while.

He'll wait what he assumes is an hour or so and see if he finishes.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Space_Cat rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=85 ]{85}

No such luck - he's absorbed.

[Nephrite]

Ah well, no harm done. He's had time to relax and eat, so he picks himself up and heads for the door.

"Thank you for the meal. I hope I can stop by again." He will say before departing and continuing on.

[Anastasia]

Now that you're on the right level, plans?

[Nephrite]

Well, his goal is still Xiranthador, but he knows better than to try and get there directly. He'll just continue on forward and see what the mountain wants to show him.

[Anastasia]

The path soon leads you to a small stream, where the path ends. The stream burbles along as far as the eye can see, deeper into Venya.

[Nephrite]

"You really should consider signposts." Moore says to no one in particular as he turns to follow the stream.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Space_Cat rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=96 ]{96}
> roll 1d100 subtable times
<Rei-chan> Space_Cat rolled : 1d100 subtable times --> [ 1d100=21 ]{21}

You soon see the stream widen to being a real river. You follow it for an hour or two, until you come on an angel. A deva of some kind, perhaps a movanic or monadic deva. A male, clad in a loincloth and watching the waters while fishing. He raises a hand in greeting as you approach.

[Nephrite]

"It's always quite a sight to see a celestial doing something rather mundane." Moore says with a smile as he approaches. Wait, do devas even need to eat in the first place...?

"Moore, of Aurora. Biting today?"

[Anastasia]

"Not today," He smiles back to you, "I suppose the lesson one hast to learn is sometimes it's not what you seek, but the experiences on the way. Perhaps what you seek can't be obtained, or you aren't equipped to get them."

He then pats the ground next to him, "Take a load off, rest."