One step forward and many to go

[Anastasia]

Oberuth says quiet, but murmurs, "The Father of Dragons, sailing amid the profane and insane."

Amaryl meanwhile listens to your comments, "I like Bahamut's faithful," she speaks up, "They're generally fighting the good fight when they saw him. I don't understand how Bahamut can be such a...such a....Donald. Like an oak that refuses to bend in the wind, even to avoid a forest fire."

[Ebiris]

Alicia looks sharply towards Oberuth at his comment. "Something from your dreams?" she asks. "Could that be where Io's been gone all this time, outside the bubble of Creation?"

[Anastasia]

"I remembered that clearly the moment you spoke of Io," Oberuth opens his eyes, "I don't remember that until just now, but now I remember that part of the dream vividly."

[Corwin]

"I could approach Eblis," Seira muses, concealing a wince. "He had the air of an honorable adversary, though I'm really punching above my weight there. With Shar on the horizon, however...."

She trails off, deep in thought, until Alicia and Oberuth's exchange brings those thoughts full circle. "Outside Creation? My first thought was the Abyss. Might be my bias, of course."

[Ebiris]

"Insane and profane fits yes, but given the overall tone of Hellman's dreams and Sylian being their source... well, that leads me to the Far Realm," Alicia says. "I can handle Eblis if you look into Io, I just wanted your thoughts on how to approach him. Looking for information not a fight, after all."

[Anastasia]

"We have to bear in mind we may not be able to trust the bastard," Oberuth rests his head in his hand, "Verify. Even if he's opposed to Ao, he may want a different final outcome to that, one that we don't want."

[Corwin]

"How about gaining his interest with a Competition?" Seira proposes. "He seemed to like following heroic mortals to corrupt, so you'll be helping them out while getting your audience. If you don't falter, that's quite the win. But a gamble all the same."

That does bring the matter to Oberuth, and she asks, "How about we look into your situation once more, with more urgency? Would you like that?"

[Anastasia]

"I'm exhausted." Oberuth says plainly, "Anything that helps I like."

[Corwin]

"We'll do that," Seira promises. "And we'll call our markers, too. We've gained enough friends in the heavens over the years, and if we don't rely on them now, then when?"

Have we sought out Sulia or Ilmater with regards to Oberuth? How about Lathander or Mystra?

[Anastasia]

I presume not for the sake of this, so go ahead and assume it's things you can call in and avenues to explore.

[Corwin]

"Yes," Seira states, half speaking to herself. "If our research is not quite up to par, there's no shame in going to the experts." Quirking her lips in a smile, she asks, "Unless you'd like to rock rainbow hair? I think you could make it work."

[Anastasia]

The look Hellman gives you is flatter than Donald's tact after a dire elephant sat on it.

[Corwin]

"In all seriousness," Seira protests, raising her hands to ward off his anger, "it's a valid path if you wanted it. There is powerful magic in Creation, and some of it is itself in conflict. Dragon blood overrides your own, that sort of thing. It's the same with our in-house research into the elements, I'm sure of it! We'll be able to get Sylian's worthless teeth out of your soul if the other methods don't bear fruit!"

[Anastasia]

"Good. Though I wouldn't mind being unkillable," Oberuth admits, "I'll need it by the time this is all over."

[Corwin]

"Speaking of that, it's time for me to get into the God-King competition in all earnestness," Seira muses. "I've been meaning to ask you if you were interested in being my Champion, Oberuth, though I hadn't realized you were this exhausted until Elle spoke of it the other day."