Relief

[Nephrite]

"I have a feeling the spell may have simply identified the lowest fruit available to it." Moore says, not intent on chastising her for her actions. "Anything useful to us?"

[Anastasia]

"Some." Sylvie says, "To answer a few questions, he doesn't know who is grandsire is. His mother enjoyed confusing him about it, but what do you expect from demons?" A look of disgust as she dusts her hands off, "As far as he understands it, he just finds information. He's a savant and has some supernatural talent that attracts him to it. He's mainly ruled by the fact he's mentally broken, his mother ruined his ability to feel anything but apathy as a result of extreme emotional torture."

That gets a pause, "It reminds me as poorly as I did, I'm still far from the worst mother out there."

Going on from that, "Do as little as possible, drift through, satisfy those vile urges he feels. What he does to women as a displacement for what his mother did to him isn't worth mentioning, but with his will down, I left some measures against that. His mind will function much more like a mortal's now. He may even make something of himself, and if he insists on reverting to form, he'll regret it."

Then with a grimace, "But enough of him. As far as Zquujaj, he's learned solid lore. He told us the truth about his tactics at least. Short version - distract him with some devils and hit him so fast and hard that he can't turn the tide or retreat. Of course..." A moment for will to spread, privacy.  "I'd rather not fight him considering he's tied to the Pale Mother. At least not until all of this is settled. So in a pinch a devil distraction will more than do."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "I don't like the idea, but we can ask Gathgorian or Bel to help us if we... must." A small sigh at that. "Actually, Bel may be a good choice, he probably doesn't need to be given much of a reason to get some revenge there, if the legends are all true. Regardless..."

His divine will cleans up the mess of bottles and glass.

"Perhaps we'll see Guhl walk into Hope's Landing someday, intent on being a better person." A small smile. "We still have more planning to do, so let's get back."

Next step will be to speak to Domiel w/r/t Orcus.

[Anastasia]

"That's my idea, call in a favor with Bel. I hate it too, but if we -have- to cooperate with them on this, we may as well use it to our advantage." Sylvie says, "We don't let him know it's about a divine seed, though. We don't have to be that foolishly transparent."

Ready to move on now? Just a quick check in case Sylvie's reply changed anything.

[Nephrite]

Yep, he'll reach out to Bel after talking to Domiel.

[Anastasia]

Okay go ahead and do or elaborate how you're getting in touch with Domiel and I'll roll with it.

[Nephrite]

Lord Domiel, we have an operation we are currently planning that we believe Orcus and his followers, most notably The Cursed Wretch may try and hinder. May I speak to you about this?

[Anastasia]

A soft voice, a reflective one. As if someone at peace and pondering a great mystery.

'You may. I listen, Moore.'

[Nephrite]

'We seek to solve the conundrum of the Hectatoncheires.' Moore begins. 'In doing so and planning for this operation, we believe Orcus may try and interfere with us. My divinations pointed us in your direction, either for the most sound advice on how to mitigate that potentiality or possibly more. I can explain the plan we have if you believe it may help.'

[Anastasia]

'Please explain,' Is the answer, 'This feels as the will of Celestia.'

[Nephrite]

'We have one known as the Grand Master. He has taken a Vow of Peace, and through him, we wish to enact the will of Celestia and the Archangels of Elysium. Our goal is such that he will parley with the Hecatoncheires and lead it to Elysium. There, we will be waiting - with memories of those who have been saved, with memories of those who have been betrayed and sought to overcome it, and with memories of one who touched the form of an abomination and yet still lives in service to Good.'

He pauses here a moment, as if going over his own plan again.

'It is there that I believe the Hecatoncheires will be able to see the light of hope in itself and for itself, and on that moment a great wrong of Creation will be righted. What it chooses to do after that will be up to it.'

Another pause.

'It is in this first action with the Grand Master that we believe Shar to interfere - should she, we will be on hand to handle her. We cannot predict what those in the Abyss may do, but our divinations suggested interference form Orcus' lot, as well as the Knight of the Pale Mother. We will be... making a request of those familiar with those demons to distract them from our operation in tandem with whatever you may provide us about Orcus.'

[Anastasia]

'Orcus hates, but he is also defined by his sloth. It takes a great deal to rouse him.' Domiel begins, 'He will rely on minions unless his anger is kindled. The best and most direct way to deal with him is to ensure he doesn't reach that level of anger. Do not respond overly hard, and preferably when his ire is directed elsewhere.'

[Nephrite]

'Do you have any information about one of his followers - The Cursed Wretch? Our divinations suggest that was the strongest of those who may hinder our plan.'

[Anastasia]

'Yes,' Is the straightforward answer. 'Do you know how he may intervene?'

[Nephrite]

'I do not have many specifics at present, but my guess was they'd try and attack the Grand Master in some fashion, or simply ruin our attempts to try and get the Hecatoncheires off of the Abyss.'