Crushed Slavers

[Corwin]

"And speaking of listening, sending a conjured up creature to scout for you beyond mysterious portals is often a good move, especially when time is not of the essence. I recommend celestial monkeys, myself," Seira tells Laurenal to set the mood a bit less informal than it currently is.

[Anastasia]

"Sometimes, one has to have faith." Laurenal declares, "I have faith you would not allow someone to lead me astray, not there."

[Corwin]

"And because I trusted in your faith, I said nothing until you've chosen to take that first step," Seira agrees. "Laurenal, I've invited you here today because I intend to change things up a bit. We've been working as nomads, trying to spread the cause of good and distribute knowledge everywhere, standing in the center where we must and working in the shadows where few would expect us to. However, I have decided to establish a proper structure for us going forward. Just as I've spent much of my youth building temples for Waukeen, I would like you to take over for this effort on your Prime. What do you think are the reasons behind this change?"

[Anastasia]

"Because you want us to grow stronger and more established, my lady?"

Laurenal's reply is quick, head bowed to you in respect. "Because as society grows, the ways of the nomad are left behind and civilization is built, and with that greater trade?"

[Corwin]

"That's part of the answer," Seira agrees. "We can do that via Waukeen's temples, the way we have been. And we do lose a bit of flexibility in having what are essentially big fat targets for our enemies to strike at. But it's all worth it, because being more established gives us places to operate out of. Laurenal, I've chosen our world to pioneer a new welfare program. Our goal is a post-scarcity society, and once we have the temples we will be within reach of it."

[Anastasia]

"Post scarcity?" Laurenal asks, "Could you explain that further?"

[Corwin]

"It is better if I demonstrate it to you," Seira responds, and at her gesture a fountain forms to Laurenal's left. It is an elegant affair, the image of a dragon in flight with water gathering out of nowhere in its joined front claws and spilling into the basin below, which never seems to overflow.

She then gestures again, this time to her priestess's right, and a nondescript barrel that might nevertheless be familiar to her more devout faithful appears there.

Finally, Seira draws her hand through the gap between them, and a schematic for her improved portal spell displays itself there.

"Do you understand now?"

The barrel is a copy of my barrel of copied and refilling food, the fountain is the infinite create water item, both under 4,500gp in cost from the price I received in the loot thread and thus under the limit of magical items I can create at will with divine power. The spell is Seira's Portal Network.

[Anastasia]

Laurenal studies them a time, "I see," she says, then, "What of the trade of grain and fruit, what of all the trade of those sort of things? Yet to see no one go hungry or to perish from a bad harvest..."

[Corwin]

"Things change. New technologies and methods appear, and the old ways are often found wanting," Seira responds. "I understand that, and I wouldn't want to harm decent, hard-working people. You job would be to convince the nation leaders that it is a good change, one they want to get behind. To follow through with the local leaders, and the communities. To ensure there is no graft or disruption. And then to do it over and over again."

She pauses a moment before continuing. "My vision sees a world where basic amenities are taken care of for everyone, human, elf or goblin. To eliminate the crimes that people commit because they are too hungry, or their children are. To make a thing of the past the worse crimes, when overwork simply to eke out a living or a severe drought doom entire families. In that world, there are still farmers, but they have switched over to sericulture, to vineyards... to anything we might call a luxury. There will be plenty of opportunities for trade and profit, and even Waukeen understands that aspect of my plan and supports me. But I want to see where our people can reach, if they no longer have to worry about the next meal."

Seira smiles at Laurenal. "And this is merely the beginning. More Mythals are not in the cards, but we'll tackle disease once we get this done. Not to mention that we'll be expanding our existing programs. Travel between our temples will make things even easier than under the current system, and we'll take a charge from the trading caravans while letting people travel with merely a symbolic fee. Knowledge of the world and its truths will continue to be spread; we can start with the free distribution of maps drawn carefully by my apprentice, Abagail. We'll put branches of the Balmurian magical academy throughout the lands, with extensive libraries to round out the education of the willing -- and there should be more time for the pursuit of knowledge, once we take the struggle for survival off the table. It is an ambitious vision, and I want you to be the public face for it."

[Anastasia]

"I see," A long consideration of that, "That is how you wish me to serve you, My Lady? It is a magnificent plan."

[Corwin]

"It is the barebones, yes," Seira responds. "I would like you to visit the world of Lifasa before you start. Learn about its history from the locals, and see where that world is now. There is a portal in the university town connected to our planar hub, and another connection from the Balmuria link. You will have proper access to those. It is my wish to bring your world closer to Lifasa's present state, by having you add your own personal touch to my overall plan. Now, if you have any questions that would help make that task easier or suggestions along that vein, I'm all ears."

[Anastasia]

"Who will oppose us?" Laurenal asks after a moment's consideration, "We'll be opposed, everyone is. Will the Crimson Guard be helping us directly? What about other regional powers? Have any signaled they oppose this? Additionally, is there any way the magic can go wrong or be perverted, corrupted or otherwise ruined?"

[Corwin]

"Since I am not acting directly, there should be no divine intervention to stop you, either," Seira assures her. "Our behavior is governed by certain laws, and there are consequences to divinities and powers breaking them. Were Shar to send an avatar, for example, that would open the door for all my allies to respond in person. Therefore, you should expect our enemies to work through proxies as well. Outside of Shar and fiendish powers, I don't have any enemies who are invested enough to attack something merely because I'm advancing it. Auril might throw a wrench into the works, or the efreet, but we shouldn't expect the sort of all or nothing behavior that Shar or devils would use. As for mortal allies, you have all of my faithful on the Prime to rely on, and while I don't advertise that fact, Balmuria holds a select few who surpass the Crimson Guard. Should the need arise, I will have them repel off-plane influences. For anything truly native, however, I would prefer it if you were to take the lead with local support."

The other question is more complicated, and Seira mulls it over for a while before answering. "It's possible for any magic to be corrupted, and since I am purposefully keeping the magic simple to ensure any divine response sticks to the same level you should make plans to counter that. In fact, I am only cutting away the need to slowly finance your efforts by providing you with the items in question. I don't believe there will be an attempt to corrupt the whole, so the focus would be on individual fountains and magical granaries, I would imagine. However, those would be located at our places of power, the temples that you will build, headed by people you will pick for the task and connected to others via the portal network. The connections in question would allow you to inspect any concerns swiftly, and to shuffle forces around as needed. The design is as follows. Smaller temples to on a local grid, akin to a barony. Then, each one will have two hubs that connect to the national network, and finally a third, global grid will be linked to three prominent hubs in each nation. Of course, the Balmuria portal will remain connected to the planes, with suitably restricted access."

[Anastasia]

"That's much to consider," Laurenal finally says, "Can I have some time to think all of this over, my lady?"

[Corwin]

"By all means," Seira agrees. "Would you like to have a nice brunch with us, or you'd be more comfortable back home?"