Gold rush

[Anastasia]

A single word carries on the storm, delivered by thunder and illuminated by lightning.

"Why?"

[Nephrite]

We wish to understand the truth of what happened and why it happened.

[Anastasia]

Another word, brought to you with the storm and fury.

"Elaborate."

[Nephrite]

If you wish it speak of, then so be it. The jar.

[Anastasia]

The Storm Elemental beckons you forward, and then begins to fly towards the fortress.

[Nephrite]

'Do you think it's actually an elemental, or just some sort of elaborate construct he's controlling?' He asks as they go along.

[Anastasia]

"An elemental," Xandra says with conviction, confident. "Useful and simpler to train one than to build something for it."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods and will follow dutifully along!

[Anastasia]

You are lead within. The fortress has a large, oval shaped entryway blocked by a stone wall, which slides aside as you approach. Within the noise of this plane is silent. A simple, plain hallway that leads further within. To a comfortable dining hall, with good wood chairs and paintings of the natural world on the walls. Here unseen servants scurry to lay out a great feast of grand foods, of roast pig, of sides of beef and lamb, of vegetables and soups, of fresh bread and gravy. Fried potatoes and mushrooms, delicate, multilayer cakes of fluffiness and body that suggest only magic could be behind them.

At the head of the table sits a gith. Youthful, young, sharp eyed. His skin is barely the yellow of their race, almost flesh toned. His gaze is calm, a small, polished stone in one hand that he constantly attends to. He polishes it without pause. He wears a wizard's robes but his head is bare.

Without a word he gestures at the feast before, "Even here I've heard of the Godsrush and the Aurora. Help yourselves, you must be famished."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods and will fly over to take a seat.

"Before anything else, I realize you can only take my word for this, but we are not allies of Queen Vlaakith." Moore says as he seats himself. "Honestly, it was... more of a coincidence we even got involved in this, so you can look at it as just being very unlucky, if you'd like." He offers a small smile at that. "I already introduced myself - this is Xandra, and this is Canderella. I am going to guess you're Kel'und?" He asks.

He pauses after that to look up and down the table. "You didn't have to go through quite this much trouble, unless you're expecting other guests? We're the ones imposing ourselves on you, after all." He asks with a bit of a smile.

[Anastasia]

Jetina also smiles, "And I'm Jetina."

You all seat yourselves. "I know what you are," The gith says plainly, "I'll not be accused by the divine of poor hospitality!"

[Nephrite]

Whoops, my bad on missing her. Getting old.

Moore smiles and nods his head. "Of course. Your hospitality is appreciated." He says.

His question wasn't answered, though...

"I have several questions, as you might imagine." He says, leaning over to take a piece of bread - he won't be the type to refuse the food of someone who's offered it, after all, "But I'd like to just understand the facts before I dive too deep into them, so would you please just answer this: what is the jar and why did you see the need to take it in such a way?" He asks.

[Anastasia]

The food's quite good. Definitely a cut above most mortal fare, whomever made this is skilled and has good ingredients. That or magic.

I need to know for something: Did you lie there at all?

[Nephrite]

Every word was truthful as far as Moore is aware. He knows other people have sense motive or magic for detecting lies!

[Anastasia]

Instead of an answer, a question. A thoughtful one as he helps himself to a bit of cooked beef, while Canderella goes for a beef, onion, mushroom and cheese melt over bread. Jetina gets a drink from another servant, some sort of blended juice.

"What would happen if Vlaakith grew more powerful?" The gith asks you back instead, "As is her reach is far and she presumes to rule over every githyanki, no matter if they wish her to be their Queen or not." He keeps his tone polite and respectful, "Is it not the duty of any free thinking man to see the denial of power to her as a morally mandatory and righteous act?"

"This is good," Jetina murmurs, "Complements to your chef." She sips deeply and then helps herself to the fried potatoes and mushrooms, as well as pork. "But you also didn't answer the question." Jetina smiles just ever so slightly, a moment where she is more. A sense of Jetina fills the air, and in an entirely pleasant voice, "Is it not the duty of the divine to gently correct those who seek to play at sophistry and misdirection?"

"Not that we disagree with your sentiment," Xandra continues as she goes for Canderella's choice as well, "But let not one truth distract from other truths. We're quire good at seeing within the blinding light of the truth."

For a moment the metallic clank of silverware is your reward, the sounds of a meal shared. "A message," Is the gith's answer after a contemplative few moments, "Simple, pointed and direct. Those gith who have no use for her will not sit by and let her play at divinity. With the Godsrush, any dreams she has of apotheosis have to be larger than ever. I don't doubt she suspects me as one of the few who could do it. She may even have discerned I did already. With that, the message is delivered."