Island raiser

[Iron Dragoon]

Nah. I'm doing a bit of rework on my spells, but nothing else, unless you want to do the armor smithing thing. Dunno if that'll fit time-wise though.

[Anastasia]

Okay, let me know when you're done with that reworking.

We'll do the armor afterwards.

[Iron Dragoon]

Ready.

[Anastasia]

Great, the four of you going straight to Arborea, then?

[Iron Dragoon]

Sure.

[Anastasia]

Arborea is lush around you, the forest thick, rugged.

Emily's already smiling, heading on ahead. Jarem lingers a moment as Lord Melweather looks about, "It's...it's....I expected paradise to be more civilized." He finally says.

"Well, it's only one. A lot of elves come here along with various kind hearted free spirits, particularly those that are good but struggle to overcome their vices. There's another paradise or two for those better at overcoming and improving themselves like that. Like a kindly glutton who never really loses weight or stops overeating might be inclined to end up here by their morality, while the kindly glutton who gets in shape and controls themselves would be less inclined." Jarem explains, reaching over to pat Lord Melweather's back. "It's complicated."

[Iron Dragoon]

"It is, and they all have their own rules. I can point you towards some books on it, if you want. Let's get going while we talk."

[Anastasia]

"Yes, yes," Melweather takes a breath, getting it together. "I'll not cower like a conscript." Dusting himself off as Jarem nods slightly in the meantime, he begins to walk.

"Good man," Jarem agrees, "Hey Alyssa, I haven't asked, does your Guild do a planar studies course or anything like that?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"There are studies for it, but it's something addressed inside the branches, and by the masters."

[Anastasia]

"Privileged information," Lord Melweather declares, "Not the first time wizards have kept lore to themselves."

"Won't be the last," Jarem agrees, scratching his chin, "Plus most mortal sources have an agenda, I find. Talk to a knowledgeable priest of the Seldarine and you'll hear about where we are and Arvandor, but vanishingly little about other places. So," Following along after Emily, "Alyssa and I will go over basic planar knowledge to pass the time. Finding the passage to where we go takes time - it's not in any spot, it's a magical sort of thing. We'll have some time to kill as we walk."

[Iron Dragoon]

"It's more about keeping the over eager from causing problems. Imagine a mage new to the spells deciding to go visit his favorite succubus summon or something equally stupid. Going to find an angel directly."

[Anastasia]

Jarem cracks a little smirk at that, "There's a reason one of our specialized corps deals with that particular need for our warriors. It's one of the oldest and truest maxims of war: The only thing that gets a soldier into more trouble than his sword is his cock. An angel may be better than that, but not all of us are angels."

"Uncouth," Lord Melweather says, "Especially in front of a Lady." He's frowning now.

"Yeah, it is. Also so completely true," Jarem retorts.

[Iron Dragoon]

"I've had to deal with it already. It's not rampant in the Order, but it does happen."

[Anastasia]

"Let me tell you a story," Jarem says, "His name was Ranald. A good, strong warrior who died a martyr of the faith, using a gambit that cost him his life so that the rest of his chapel could rally and defeat an attack from Garagos's berserkers. Died a hero, was personally congratulated by the Red Knight and made into a spirit with full honors and memory, the entire tarrasque of honors for a mortal who died well. Nice guy too, smart and quiet, had that insight that the Crimson General so approves of."

A beat as you all wind past some foliage, Emily leading on.

"Anyway, so he's basically made in eternity. Except...he could not keep it in his pants. Pretty valkyrie? Time for one on one sword practice, and she's not using her sword. Brave warrioress? Time for a lance charge right into her. In three months he managed to get two valkyries, a monadic deva, a good handful of spirits, an erinyes and one of a visiting delegation from Arcadia pregnant. Then of course they all find out about each other and..."

Jarem lets it hang with an amused little smile. "I'm told he was made to take responsibility for all of them. Smart enough to defeat an entire berserker charge, but the moment his base nature gets into it..."

Laughing a bit, "Also, not that the female warriors don't have the same problem. Most female warrior types are less, uh, traditional about relations than your typical peasant wife, and by that I mean they're assertive and aggressive. They manage to make plenty of their own trouble, too."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Yes, some of our female adventurers spend a decent amount on potions to... Clear things up."