Emancipation

[Anastasia]

Lyris just nods a bit.

"What Lyris means to say is that she is," Marianne points out with a smile, "The poor dear's just tired of talking because I made her take singing lessons."

Lyris says not a word, but her look to Marianne is far from impressed.

[Corwin]

"Oh, really?" Seira asks happily. "I've had an opportunity to sing a song myself while fighting Shar's avatar the other day! It's a very beautiful song, and one that actually fits you two as well."

To be exact, Seira feels that it fits any couple or group of close friends who support each other and reach ever-farther heights, but some do feel like they fit better than other.

"How about we sing it together?" Lyrics appear in golden fire behind her, dancing merrily in anticipation.

[Anastasia]

Lyris holds up a hand, "Please no," she says, quietly but firmly.

Marianne laughs lughtly at this, laughing into her hand. "Oh Lyris," she says. "Indulge her if you would, she's not gotten along with the fellow students at the lessons either, and her mood's been sour."

[Corwin]

"We get along, don't we? Come on~"

[Anastasia]

"Ahem," Clearing her throat, Lyris asks, "Why did you invite us here, Seira? To sing?"

[Corwin]

"I wanted to spend a bit of time together," Seira says with a pout, the lyrics fading. "But we can jump straight to business if you'd like. After all, there's always a fresh, worthy quest."

[Anastasia]

"I'm listening," Marianne cuts in, "What manner of quest?"

[Corwin]

"I've been contesting a world with Auril," Seira tells Marianne without preamble. "Think Balmuria where Auril takes my place, except there is no Helm or Waukeen. The other deities making an appearance are neutral at best, and bloodthirsty at that. I decided to toss my glove into the ring because it felt on the cusp, and given exceptional heroism of the local mortals, going above and beyond any call of duty, Malana now has a good chance to recover."

At their side, a model of the Prime is created with illusion, before zooming in on the nation in question. "I've nominated a paladin to help the world along further, and Auril has pushed back. I feel at this point that striking with force will shift the situation even further even our favor. Doing so with the pair of you will present our frosty enemies with an out of context problem, which would be an added bonus."

[Anastasia]

"How long an investment of time is this? It sounds like no simple mission," Marianne asks, while Lyris sits back.

"It sounds like an investment of months to years," Lyris agrees.

[Corwin]

"It's rather open-ended," Seira responds. "That the quest is worthy is without doubt. However, how to go about it is another thing entirely. Focused raids at random intervals are just as valid an approach as setting up shop, even if it means taking over a country. One of my people there is employing the latter strategy, in fact! Adventurers teleport all the time, so plane shifting is just as valid. You rarely see it happen between different Primes, but there's no logical reason preventing it."

[Anastasia]

At that Lyris nods slightly, "Tell us more about it," she invites, "About the world, about its problems, everything."

[Corwin]

"The world is all but in Auril's grip. Her religion is dominant, her clergy everywhere and operating not just openly but entwined with the highest levels of government. The usual failures of nobility are on display, as well as exaggerated court intrigue while the peasants are taxed beyond their ability to pay and suffer through hunger and monster attacks. Malana is the largest kingdom, and its neighbors have their own issues. One of the nations is militaristic, and ruled by  war-hungry empress. The state religion is one of Tempus, as might be imagined. And if that's all not enough, Auril tries to claim the entire world from time to time through global rituals that have been stopped at the last moment so far. There are ancient ruins with about the same level of reward and threat alike as the ones you are familiar with from Balmuria. At least there is no God-King to defeat, so that's our silver lining."

Seira claps her hands. "People, however, have not given up entirely. There is still hope, buried as it is under layers upon layers of doubt. They keep their heads down, but they follow a charismatic leader if one were to lead them to a better future!"

[Anastasia]

"Which you want to be you," Lyris concludes, "Who else has a stake in this land? I see you, Auril and Tempus so far."

[Corwin]

"Which I want to be you and Marianne," Seira corrects Lyris. "And Annerose and Inari and Erad and Jannel. You wouldn't be alone, but no, the one inspiring the people has to be mortal."

Pursing her lips, she adds, "As for the other players on the divine level, Umberlee is there to little surprise. A few still remain and might be worthy allies, Lathander and Tyr's clergy amongst them."

[Anastasia]

"Umberlants," Marianne makes a face, "Fishy annoyances, little else."

With a half snort of laughter, "Fishy, Marianne," Lyris sighs, "I doubt our apperance will be left unchallenged. Do they have any grand champions who could oppose us?"