The laughter of oblivion

[Ebiris]

Marie gasps. "Do you two see that?" she asks, Alicia looking up as well.

[Anastasia]

Alicia sees the momentary glimpse, as does Latha.

Latha comes to a halt, "...was that?" she murmurs.

[Ebiris]

"A memory of what was," Alicia says softly.

"Did Daa-vid come here? Did he do something terrible to all of the spirits of gnomes who came before him?" Marie asks.

"In my world so much history is lost, what we do have is all of the war. Of the gnomes who fought under Daa-vid's banner. But even then there were those who opposed him, like Yandrazrt. They were a people as diverse as humans or elves... and with a history going back almost to the beginning of Creation. Yet all of it's gone now," Alicia reflects on it, glad she avoided having a giggling fit here.

[Anastasia]

"We've lost so much, did we lose all of that?" Latha's voice is barely a whisper, almost inaudible. "Has Creation already been wounded so grievously?"

...Could Ao have grown bored with the gnomes?

[Ebiris]

You remember Ilyn? The Incarnations grew bored of his people and so they were simply left to rot in that forgotten stairway. No, what we're seeing here is an injury Creation has inflicted upon itself. The Fairest Star and everything Daa-vid did with it was an idiotic game of the gods. As you take your own place among divinity never forget that.

[Anastasia]

So much sorrow and loss that Bytopia mourns. So much sorrow that it wants no one to comfort it in its time of grieving.

I will never forget this, Alicia. Our mistakes are as great as our triumphs.

[Ebiris]

Will the wound ever heal? Will we preserve Creation for eternity with this lingering sore?

That's a question for tomorrow. For today, we observe, and we remember. If the wrong cannot be undone, it must at least be marked.

[Anastasia]

I will undo it. One day this will be made right. True, it is tomorrow's problem, but we will not pretend that it must not be healed.

[Ebiris]

Alicia smiles at Latha, and though there's sadness it's a true smile of pride for her friend, not simply a reaction brought on by tickling or teasing.

"Good," she says aloud. "That's why we're here. That's why Creation needs us."

[Anastasia]

"Then we'll be the medicine Creation needs," Latha vows, "Together, Alicia, Marielle."

[Ebiris]

"That's our job," Marie agrees as Alicia simply nods.

[Anastasia]

Thus you fly on and...

Refresh me on your Perception, it may matter.

[Ebiris]

Alicia: Perceptions: Arcane sight, 3 mile tremorsense/blindsight/scent perception +81
Marie: Perceptions: Greater arcane sight, 1 mile tremorsense/blindsight/scent perception +80

Spoiler: ShowHide

Alicia HP: 724/724
Active spells: Many moments of prescience (CL 35), extended mind blank (CL 36), extended nondetection (CL 36), greater heroism (CL 35), extended ray deflection (CL 36), epic mage armour (CL 35), sensual blessing (CL 35), foresight (CL 35), keen edge (CL 35 on sword)
Defences: AC 71, CMD 93, spell resistance 50, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), nondetection (DC 51)
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills/attack/saves, +10 armour AC, +25 competence perception, +2 insight AC/ref
Perceptions: Arcane sight, 3 mile tremorsense/blindsight/scent perception +81
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/15/8/9/15/9/8/6/8/7/6/7/5
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/21/11/7/14

Marie HP: 665/665
Active spells: Moment of prescience (CL 35), extended mind blank (CL 35), extended nondetection (CL 35), greater heroism (CL 35), extended ray deflection (CL 35), epic mage armour (CL 35), greater arcane sight (CL 35), sensual blessing (CL 35), bibliotheca arcana (CL 35), perinarch (CL 35)
Defences: AC 83, CMD 86, spell resistance 50, energy immunity (fire and sonic), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), nondetection (DC 50)
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills/attack/saves, +25 perception, +15 insight knowledge
Perceptions: Greater arcane sight, 1 mile tremorsense/blindsight/scent perception +80
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/10/10/9/8/9/9/8/8/7/7/5/6/6/4

[Anastasia]

You fly on.

Flickers.

Burrows. Families. Lives.

Glimpses as you fly on, above and below. An echoing of nostalgia and sorrow, deep enough to drown in.

Ahead. Onward.

Amid the sorrows, amid memories of days long gone - a shudder.

Flames. Magic. The light of the Fairest Star. "Then if you will not bow?" Daa-vid's voice, a memory, like a white hot brand against your soul.

[Ebiris]

Alicia and Marie both slow as they see this, when Daa-vid turned heaven into a nightmare.