Enter Alyssa

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa shifts a bit uncomfortably, but nods.

[Anastasia]

It feels like nothing more than a momentary daydream, thinking about indistinctly. Shaundakul is silent after that, striding along and staring at the horizon. His face is neutral until he finally says, "It seems your destiny is even more interesting than I imagined."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I don't suppose you're willing to enlighten me beyond saying it'll be quite the journey?" she quirks a smile at the old god.

[Anastasia]

A warm smile at that, the Rider of the Winds nodding. "I will, because the journey you will begin from this will be a long one indeed. That is no mortal dragon you saw, no matter what airs it put on or what you believe. The dragon in your memories is identical to a form of Io, the long lost Father of All Dragons. He has been gone a long, long, long time, though dead or forever asleep. He did something I thought impossible, even for us. Your advancement...there are reasons we do not simply make our chosen ones great heroes like he did for you. It is beyond even our powers to elevate so fast and so far, advancement has to come from your own efforts."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa's eyes widen and she suddenly feels like she was caught in her father's forge as a child again.

"...Io?" she whispers... Then slumps.

"No wonder Malcanthet and Shar are moving about me. It's a wonder it's only them. I can't imagine that they, you, and the Red Knight are the only ones watching me... By the Hells, they're not. Though... This attention... I wonder if I could use it to have them keep each other in check and busy for a while..."

She takes a moment to consider... "I... Wonder..."

She focuses on the energy of Shaundakul and tries to compare it to whatever scraps of the power used to advance herself remain.

[Anastasia]

Spellcraft.

[Iron Dragoon]

> roll 1d20+42 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=10]

[Anastasia]

You aren't sure, and have a distinct feeling you're out of your depth.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa grunts in dissatisfaction.

"I had wondered if Io had planted some sort of... Seed of divinity or the like in me. Something feeding into my potential directly, but the power of divinity is beyond my knowledge. In any case, you said you had questions as well, Lord Shaundakul? Ask. A question for a question, traded fairly."

[Anastasia]

"Can you think of any reason why you would be blessed with this?" Shaundakul asks you.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa looks baffled. "None. I've asked myself that question many times. All I can think of is that it was a reward for making it through that labyrinth. Maybe that was some sort of test? But if so, why weren't the rest of the group so rewarded? Perhaps some sort of... crucible? Maybe... Since it was a forgotten and lost incarnation, it did it autonomously? Maybe it implanted its power in me to keep from completely being lost? There's so much I don't know about divinity that I can't really narrow the possibilities down; I don't even know or understand what the possibilities are."

[Anastasia]

"Then I know a destination of your next journey," Shaundakul says, "Search to understand divinity, and perhaps in that you will find answers."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "That will be a difficult path. Perhaps in Oghma's Library..." she trails off, making mental notes before shaking her head and turning back to the old man.

"Earlier, in my search for you, I came upon a field of moonlight and flowers. A... power spoke to me. At first I thought it Selune herself, but it spoke of Selune, and in the third person. I imagine there are many eyes on me, but the possibilities in this realm must be limited. She said we'd meet outside of Selune's field of flowers. Ideas?"

[Anastasia]

"It could be many, some of Selune's servants enjoy pranks and mysterious guidance," Shaundakul says, "Whomever it was meant you no harm - that is the nature of this place, unless you are allied with their enemies."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, waiting for the next question.