Endless rise above

[Anastasia]

You think that mortal can do anything?

Brine. The salt spray of the sea. You smell the sea breeze as Umberlee's voice is heard in your mind.

That little mortal speck, who ran from a nearly dead ogre?

[Nephrite]

Perhaps the same could have been said of the 'little mortal specks' from Lifasa. I'm sure everyone who gave up hope for that were quite surprised to find out what happened.

Better to live and learn than to fall into a trap. Surely even you can see wisdom in that.

Moore wonders what smells he'll eventually annoy other deities with. Hmm. He'll have to think about that.

[Anastasia]

My followers will find this mortal and they will kill him. Shall we Compete and see if there is any hope to be found against the fury of the storm?

[Nephrite]

Even if he says no, it isn't like she'll just go away... But he can't simply sit idle with a threat like that.

I can't say I have a great deal of desire to Compete against you, Umberlee. You have your domain and I have mine. However, if you wish to threaten my followers, I will protect them from yours.

[Anastasia]

Then let's find out how long it takes for your little favored soul to drown.

[Nephrite]

He'll have to spend extra attention helping Nalrar out, but perhaps this is a good learning exercise for him in making sure he bands together with others.

Very well.

If she decides to be underhanded, though... he'll have to make sure he's ready.

[Anastasia]

Thus it is done. Nalrar flees the burnt village as forces above him conspire, as a wounded ogre stumbles away from the town and back towards his tribe. Pieces move on this Prime, yet another battleground to be had.

"Eh?" In the meantime you find Sylvie alone with a book, open on her lap as she reads. "Now what in the Astral?"

[Nephrite]

"We're going to find another one of CRIMSON's siblings." Moore explains. "Oh, right." He nods. "Mystra asked that we only feed CRIMSON things we make ourselves. I'm sure it's not going to be terribly happy about that, but we're working on finding a solution to the problem..." He clears his throat by coughing into his hand. "Which, by the way, is going to involve turning CRIMSON's creator back into, uh... not the... Beyondian he's turned himself into."

[Anastasia]

Sylvie blows out a long breath before, "Do you plan to get into these absurd tangles or is it a talent?"

[Nephrite]

"I was just wondering about that when I talked to Mystra!" Moore exclaims with a gesture over at Cresiel, as if he's going to nod along. "I think I am just blessed to be able to fix these long-standing mysteries of Creation. Besides, you know you're at least a little curious what all of them can do together."

[Anastasia]

Cresiel nods when prompted, as if he expected it.

"Enough to know it's a bad idea," Sylvie retorts, "This isn't remotely any of our business. But I also know you won't let up."

[Nephrite]

"It became our business when we found CRIMSON." Moore says. "It doesn't sit right with me to leave sentient creatures out there, alone. I think we can do good in Creation by fixing all of this, and it's a good experience for all of us to have together."

[Anastasia]

"I thought you'd say something like that," Sylvie's book is gone as she hops up, "Let's get ready to do this."

Prep?

[Nephrite]

They can just do the Blessing Stone. If they run into more trouble, Moore can cover the buffs they need.

[Anastasia]

Okay, where exactly on the Astral are you going?