Relief

[Anastasia]

"If," Sylvie calls as you all settle in. "So where are we at now, Moore?"

[Nephrite]

"We have secured aid from Celestia in the matter." Moore says. "Master Palodes will help us. What we need to do is figure out what that means - and how we accomplish it." He says.

He clears his throat to gesture, causing some simple renditions of the current scenarios to appear in the air.

"So, our goal is to bring the Hecatoncheires to Elysium. I do not believe that to actually be the challenge here - but I'll get to that." He says. "No, it's figuring out what we even intend to do. Let's pretend for a moment, somehow or another, we're able to get it to come to Elysium and it speaks to Master Palodes. What then? What do we do?" Moore asks.

Another wave of his hand to demonstrate some possible scenarios. "It's possible that if I were able to talk to it, without being seen, or... something of that nature, I may be able to get through to it. I think our ultimate goal is to try and convince it to let go of its rage and despair, to let go of its anger, and to become its own creature." He says. "But I don't know how that part is accomplished. We also have to factor in Shar - she will absolutely try and ruin this, so we need to plan on how that's dealt with."

[Anastasia]

"I can provide some further insight," Sylvie speaks up as everyone listens. "Abominations are the cast-offs of divinity, such as the Neverborn or the Hecatoncheires. One aspect they all share is a curse, which is a source of torment to them. For example, a hunefer has a broken mind and cannot reach the divine it seeks, no matter what it does. That's a factor we need to understand as well."

"This isn't a battle, is it? At least not one of swords," Kaja scowls in thought, "It's easier when it's just a war."

[Nephrite]

"No, this is a battle for a soul." Moore says as he looks rather pointedly at Sylvie.

"I think the power of Elysium could remove the curse that we speak of... but I think it's going to be a matter that requires the Hecatoncheries to renounce its ways." Moore says. "I know... there is one thing there in Elysium that could tip things in our favor, but... if we don't have to use it, then I think we shouldn't try and rely on it."

Since it may not be clear, he's referring to the Gate itself. I assume Sylvie will know this, but the others may not.

[Anastasia]

"No." Sylvie says immediately, "That's a gamble that could cause unthinkable consequences if we make a mistake or it goes wrong. Absolutely not, Moore. The Empyrean Gate is not a resource to be used like that. I'm not sure Cantasa Alexandra wouldn't smite you for it, and if she does, things go even worse for us."

Cresiel looks to Sylvie at that, "Are you that certain?"

"Certain enough to remind Moore. It might well work, but some risks aren't worth it. If you're trying to gamble to save your house from debtors who want to tear it down, you don't gamble your house on lesser bets." Sylvie gently but firmly stamps her foot down. "Absolutely not."

[Nephrite]

"That's why I said we shouldn't rely on it." Moore says with a smile. "And, if I'm being honest, it was used to save Benfal from being destroyed. How many primes have fallen to the Hecatoncheires? I'm not trying to debate this or argue with you about it - I don't intend to ask her to do that unless something really does go so catastrophically wrong that we don't have any other options." He says.

"Which brings us back to the original question. Is this just a situation we have to simply believe in hope for?" He asks. "I don't know what else we can realistically do to tip this in our favor or to help assure it works out."

[Anastasia]

"That's the catch," Xandra says, "Even if we have a plan now, I feel like we're missing a critical component of it."

[Nephrite]

"Well, we have the barebones of a plan..." Moore says. "So let's walk through it from start to finish and fill in what we need to fill in from there. So, with that in mind, what is the first step? Getting Palodes to talk to the Hecatoncheires, yes? Does he do that remotely, or does he need to find it in person?"

[Anastasia]

"In person," Kaja says, "I doubt it would take some random voice seriously."

"He has a point," Jetina reckons, "That could just be the Abyss or a demon tormenting it."

"Being remote gains that psychological edge if used properly," Sylvie muses, "But will it profit us to destabilize the Hecatoncheires further, even as a calculated gamble? I doubt it."

[Nephrite]

"So he goes in person. Do we have any way of keeping this information from Shar?" Moore asks. "Or do we need to perform some actions elsewhere to get her attention?"

[Anastasia]

"It depends on how tightly Shar watches," Xandra says, "If she's devoted to this, likely not and there's little we can do about that. A distraction may be prudent."

"Dangerous though," Sylvie remarks, "And before you say it, an attack on Shadow is not in the cards for this."

"I think it's a strong idea," Cresiel disagrees, "But too dangerous for this. The simple truth is that we know what deities are capable of. If Shar puts attention on this, we can't stop her from at least noting what happens there."

[Nephrite]

"Well, I was invited to come talk to Mystra." Moore says as he waves the letter in the air. "Perhaps I should see what that's about. If it has something to do with Shar, then maybe we postpone this until that operation? If we were involved in an attack on Shadow, then that would assuredly keep Shar's hand out of this matter."

A pause. "But if we are involved, we couldn't help with the resolution of this, which I think we need to be involved in." A sigh after that. "So perhaps we still focus on this matter for now."

[Anastasia]

"For the best," Sylvie agrees. "Let's stay focused."

"What does Mystra want?" Is the question back, "If it's not urgent, then a simple inquiry shouldn't be ruinous," Jetina reasons.

[Nephrite]

"I don't know what it's about." Moore says. "I was going to go speak to her after this was done. For now, let's put the matter of Shar on the side and simply continue discussing this. So Palodes reaches the Hecatoncheires... and then what? Is able to somehow convince it to come to Elysium to talk?" Moore asks.

[Anastasia]

"To see that what it's doing is fruitless," Cresiel states, then leans forward. His mass overshadows you as he speaks, illuminated with the light of Chronias behind him, from a nearby window. "He has to understand that and know there's something better, that no matter how many times he rages and destroys, he will never succeed. What happened to him was wrong, but it doesn't justify his actions. That the one he truly wounds is himself. If he can't accept that small seed of possibility, it's pointless. You can't save someone who refuses to be saved."