Walking to Rosewater

[Ebiris]

She shakes her head, it's not something she's ever felt necessary to grant. "I remember when you rewarded me with wings after we killed Zetsuboku," she says. "That's not the sort of thing that happens every day..." she trails off and smiles faintly. "Or maybe it does for you, you have a very large faith after all."

She sighs and shakes her head. "Rewards and graces are one thing, but in Rosewater I saw something far less caring. Mercantile and streamlined, skills duplicated over and over to benefit the unworthy while the one who'd built those skills was trapped and immiserated in Styx-water."

[Anastasia]

"You did well to put a stop to that," Mystra praises, "A reward is earned. To turn power into a merchant's work leaves me cold. The Weave's powers are better used than that."

[Ebiris]

"It's disruptive," Alicia concludes. "If such magic became common, what would be the result? Anyone with talent, anyone with a rare skill, they'd be hunted down and used as grist for the mill, the ones controlling such magic bestowing it to their favourites so they can better hunt more targets. Someone growing up in that sort of world would have no incentive to train or better themselves - and every reason not to, when it paints a target on their back. Better instead to simply cosy up to power, and be granted it instead."

[Anastasia]

"With an indolent succubus atop it all," Mystra finishes, "Well done, Alicia. Well done."

[Ebiris]

"Yes, but it could be the same with anyone in charge really," Alicia says. "A cabal of wizards, a mercantile guild, a king. Power would gravitate to whoever controlled that magic and it would warp society under it. It's just this particular example came through Violet's mastery of the Styx. If there are other ways, they're rare and hidden for good reason, aren't they?"

[Anastasia]

Mystra merely smiles at that, "I don't need to answer that question when you already know the answer."

[Ebiris]

"I suppose I have enough to worry about," she says ruefully. "Well... back to Malcanthet. All that power she's gained from her unwitting donors, it's left a fracture in her soul that demands to be taken advantage of. My magic doesn't really touch on such things however, it's usually focused on physical effects. What sort of spells do you think she'd be particularly vulnerable to now?"

[Anastasia]

"Being a deity patches many of those holes," Mystra says plainly, arm still around you. "Magic to attack the soul is rare. Still, are you familiar with spell Smite Soul?"

[Ebiris]

She narrows her eyes as she recalls that one. Though despite the name it has a slightly different effect. "That's one that Eblis spread around, it hampers clerics and druids."

[Anastasia]

"Yes," Mystra says, a scroll on your lap now. "It is the most basic step towards that. It attacks something connected to the soul."

[Ebiris]

She picks up the scroll with her free hand to look at what Mystra's provided her with on it rather than just her own recollections. Perhaps it does call for a new spell for the occasion.

[Anastasia]

As you do, Mystra murmurs, "You've met Duke Moore of Celestia?" she asks. "He seeks an audience. Yet I have no desire to let go," she admits, "I so miss warmth and contact like this."

[Ebiris]

"Isn't that what avatars are for?" Alicia asks, pausing but also squeezing Mystra against her side. This is Mystra's home so she can't really tell her how to run her business or organise her audiences, though she's perfectly happy to leave if it's required. She wouldn't want to hold an audience with Marie sitting on her head for instance, even if she's perfectly happy allowing that in private. It's not that it's rude or improper, it's just something she keeps for those she's close to.

[Anastasia]

Mystra rests against you, shutting her eyes a moment as she does. "Erathaol asked me to treat Moore's requests as high priority. He said he'd consider it a personal favor. To see him in person when possible...but this makes it impossible," she concludes. "It's been millenia since I last took a nap."

[Ebiris]

"I remember what you told me when you last visited Sylica," Alicia says, her tone becoming firm. She squeezes Mystra again and then lets go, straightening up in the air. "Give Moore his audience, he wouldn't be here if it wasn't important. I'll return this avatar to Sylica and come over in person with Martin - he's a kitten I'm thinking of making my familiar when he's older. Then you'll show me the cosiest spot in Elysium and the three of us will enjoy a nice pleasant nap."