The duty to live

[Anastasia]

Syala's standing amid the thick forest, various animals all asleep around her. From deer and rabbits to wolves and jaguars, and many things in between. Her arms are crossed and her head is bowed in thought.

"About worth of a one on one fight with an astral deva," she says at last. "But not an experienced one."

[Ebiris]

"Any particular skillset you want prioritised?" Alicia asks, though the selection isn't huge at that tier anyway and most who are that strong are tied up in difficult local entanglements on account of their stature in the world. Still she can hopefully manage to pry someone loose for it.

[Anastasia]

"Magic would help," Syala says, "Versatility, too."

[Ebiris]

Alicia looks deep in thought as she goes over recent prayers and collated knowledge of her followers, then had to spend some time individually focusing her divine eye on the scant few candidates she has that are so strong before she finds one that might work.

"I've found one," she says at last. "He's got a vile weapon that he wants to redeem so I can work out something to send him in your direction for his quest. Could be like when I first went to Sulia's homeland."

Had to make someone up so I guess I'll add him to the list.

Batu Zhen, an orc ranger 16//cleric 5/ordained champion 5/soulguard 6. A hero to his people in the empire of Aserai where orcs live as slaves, Batu is taciturn and grim by circumstance, but fights and bleeds every day to see his people free, waging a guerrilla campaign against overwhelming odds but always staying one step ahead of those who'd see him broken as an example to those in chains.

Since Batu had recently recovered a suit of armour of great significance to his people, one worn by a legendary orcish hero in the past before they were made slaves in this world... it has the downside of having been used in the enactment of atrocity after atrocity for generations by the same empire that enslaved them. If Batu can make it right it would serve as a powerful symbol, and so Alicia will help him in redeeming it if he wears it and bears its blood-soaked curse to aid those who know nothing of his struggles.

[Anastasia]

"That'll work great, dear," Syala says warmly, "Send him over."

[Ebiris]

Alicia concentrates on Batu as he tends to a hidden campsite, currently away from any of his allies while leading the imperial authorities on a wild goose chase after having slain the general who previously wore that now unholy armour. He is given a vision of a grove surrounded by frozen wastes, dangers striking from the shadow much as he does with his own raids but with far more sinister intent. He is charged with donning that armour and using his skills on the defence, to show it can be a symbol of righteousness once more fit to inspire his people.

Should he accept, Syala's symbol will carve itself into the ground before him and he need only step onto it to begin his journey, a safe return promised upon his success.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100 low is good
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good --> [ 1d100=76 ]{76}

Batu is silent long moment before, "If that is your will," is his answer, spoken aloud. He rises, ready.

It is then that another vision comes to him, not of your own work. A vision of his cold corpse entombed in a block of ice, hung by great metal hooks. It is in a vast throne room, countless other blocks of ice with other figures within - including Yun.

Look.

From above they fall. Snowflakes, each one a golden coin in the shape of a beautiful snowflake. A great rain of them fills a large golden bowl that rises from the ground.

Turn away from this task and live, the money is yours with my blessing if you do. You need not throw away your life on a suicidal quest. Your people need you more than another world does, and they need the money as well. Do not let Alicia use you up for nothing, your people deserve better.

The presence you feel is that of air choked with blizzard snow and shards of ice. It is like being caught in winter's worst tantrums, let the only anger you feel leaves you numb. Her presence leaves you almost unable to resist her charms, emotions almost muted enough to simply accept her, to bow to her.

The Queen of Air and Darkness speaks, the queen of the dark fey stirred through means unknown to intervene.

[Ebiris]

It's true Alicia would be immensely sad if Batu were to die. He's one of her strongest mortal followers, skilled and brave and loyal. An exemplar to millions who is having a profound effect on the future of the world upon which he resides.

But growth comes through risk. This is a good chance for him to work outside his usual frame of reference, and perhaps make allies that will help in his struggle.

After this extremely blatant interrupt from the Queen of Air and Darkness she gives Syala a level look. "You didn't say you had her that upset with you," she says aloud, choosing not to say anything more to Batu or the fairy queen. Would Mystra have badgered her to resist temptations? No, she'd have trusted her and been right to do so. Alicia will trust Batu. He's had bribes thrown his way before by the decadent forces that he fights against.

[Anastasia]

"I didn't think she was that offended," Syala admits, a curious frown on her face. "What just provoked her?"

> roll 1d100 low is good
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good --> [ 1d100=79 ]{79}

Batu looks down at the gold and approaches it. An entire snowstorm worth of wealth before he kicks it aside, sending it away to scatter on the ground. "I'll not trade one tyrant for another," he declares, "Whomever you are, stand aside or offer yourself to my sword."

Oh, you wish to fight me, little orc? Let me show you my hospitality and make that wish come true.

"What?" Syala breathes in wide eyed amazement, already tense, "Is she going to send an avatar?"

[Ebiris]

Alicia reaches out to the Queen of Air and Darkness directly.

They've never spoken before now, quite simply they have nothing to do with one another, their spheres rarely touching, their followers rarely interacting. Now and then one of hers might get caught up in some Seelie/Unseelie conflict, but always as a bit part to the main affair.

What drives you to act so outrageously here? Who has stirred you into motion, Queen of Air and Darkness?

She has her own avatar suddenly tense and ready to move. Quite frankly if one of her mortal followers is unceremoniously slain by a divine avatar out of nowhere? That deserves an immediate resurrection. But she may intend to do worse than kill Batu.

[Anastasia]

Be silent, oathbreaker. Serenade me with your tears instead.

Batu draws his blade as suddenly snow falls. Thick and heavy as the sky is taken over by snowclouds. The temperature drops rapidly as Syala tenses, her own avatar surely at the ready. As snow falls in a near curtain of white, a great throne of ice forms itself in the air, 30ft above and 80ft away from Batu.

Know that your life ends and your soul is now owned by the Queen of Air and Darkness.

[Ebiris]

Take 10 for 69 on knowledge nature (or religion?) to know if this is a legit avatar. Or if I can sense it with divine knowing?

[Anastasia]

You can sense it's a real avatar. She's not being remotely subtle at all.

[Ebiris]

I'm gonna ask because unlike me Alicia is a literal god with expanded brainpower who would IC know things even if I've forgotten. Has she broken any oaths?

[Anastasia]

Not that she's aware of, let alone anything the Queen would care about. It makes zero sense to Alicia.