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Anuril/Logs/20250316 A Matter Of Perspective

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Event Name: A Matter Of Perspective
Event Instance: Prime
Real Date: 2025-03-16
Game Date of Event: 452-03-01
Point of View: Anuril
[Vela'Tohr Edge, Secluded Grove]

Quiet permeates this small glade, punctuated occasionally by sounds from the creatures of the night. Lichen growing along the branches and tree trunks cause the area to glow with a faint green light. You also see a ghostly white banner, Nadigo that appears rather calm and a narrow path.
Also here: a calmed Life Weaver Ysilda, a calmed Knight of Meraud Tirost who has a stony visage, a calmed Enelne's Champion Nawain who is shrouded in ghostly flames, a calmed Traim who is protected by a bright candlelight barrier, a calmed Lord Knight Hebion, a calmed Desert Blossom Zersha who is enveloped in a cloud of iridescent glitter, a calmed Forest Sprite Lileath and a calmed Nevali.
Obvious paths: none.

Zersha says to Hebion, "Thank you."

Lady of Elamiri Ayrell came down a narrow path.

You bow to Hebion.

Hebion says, "You're welcome."

You say, "Thank you for coming, everyone, I know that Kethrai is journeying from Crossing after wrapping up his own meeting, so I will delay a few roi."

Zersha nods to you.

Valiant Vaddon came down a narrow path.

You nod to Vaddon.

Vaddon nods to you.

Tirost smiles at Vaddon.

Vaddon says, "Hello."

Soul Surgeon Zynell's group came down a narrow path.

Tirost says to Vaddon, "Good to see you, Vaddon."

You nod to Zynell.

Zynell grins at you.

Vaddon says, "Glad to make it."

Gragnel takes a sip of his wine.

You say, "For those who just arrived, we are waiting a few roi to see if Kethrai can make it from Overhealer's."

Gragnel gives a slight nod.

With a waver like a mirage, Sarugar fades into view.

Miskton came down a narrow path.

Tirost smiles at Miskton.

Ayrell nods politely to Sarugar.

Miskton nods politely.

Gragnel pulls down the hood of his longcoat.

Sarugar gives a slight nod.

You say, "I gather there are a few with him who are not able to swim the fjords and scale the mountains."

Traim pats Miskton on the back.

Ayrell nods politely to Miskton.

Tirost says to Miskton, "Evening, Miskton."

You nod to Miskton.

Miskton says, "Good evening."

Tirost bows to Traim.

Vaddon asks, "Does anyone have a gate?"

Tirost says to Traim, "Good to see you again as well, Traim."

Traim says, "No moons."

Vaddon nods to Traim.

Traim says to Tirost, "You too, war mage."

Vaddon says, "Thanks."

Nevali says, "Gate would be good, too many people comin' down that path. Needs a fence, too."

Traim grins at Tirost.

You grin at Nevali.

Harurs del Cawna Warbrolus came down a narrow path.

Tirost smiles at Warbrolus.

Warbrolus smiles at Tirost.

Traim pats Warbrolus on the back.

Warbrolus snaps to attention and hails Vaddon with a crisp hand salute.

Defier of the Heralds Saragos came down a narrow path.

You glance at Saragos, a male Human.

Nawain waves to Saragos.

Tirost nods to Saragos.

Saragos gives a courteous nod and tips his hat politely.

You smile.

Gragnel hums to himself.

Ayrell raises an eyebrow.

You dryly say, "I should award Kethrai a medal for herding these folks on the ferry AND managing to catch the gondola."

Nawain chortles softly at some secret joke.

A leaf-green wave of light ripples outward from Sarugar. The surrounding vegetation awakens and stirs in response to Sarugar's call. Leaves and vines weave together, coalescing into a humanoid spawn that rises from the ground and readies itself for battle.

Swaying back and forth from its connection with its surroundings, a forest spawn watches the environment with a look of contentment.

You say, "Another few roi."

Nevali says, "Oh, no."

Nevali asks, "He took the gondola way?"

You ponder.

Nevali says, "Gryphons and invisible walls and kneeling through holes... this is a massacre."

You smirk.

Gragnel says, "And ice skating."

You nod at Gragnel, in complete agreement with his views.

Nawain nods in agreement.

You say, "He shall surely dissuade these folks from the adventuring life."

Nawain says, "Its the ice road thats going to drop most of them on their faces."

Nawain hums to herself.

Nevali says, "The ferries woulda been faster..."

Nawain asks Nevali, "They're empaths! Who has cash for ferries?"

Nawain grins at Nevali.

Gragnel says, "I took the Ain way. Got aboard the Damaris' Kiss and everything just felt right about it."

Gragnel smirks.

Vaddon chuckles.

Gragnel adjusts his leather longcoat into place.

Nevali says, "Perhaps a paladin could uh... banner up that place, where the lizard people throw fire at you..."

Nawain begins chortling at Gragnel.

A forest spawn appears stoic, with only its pulsing leaf-green glow betraying the violence that resides within.

The forest spawn is a mass of pine saplings, vines and soil woven into a vaguely humanoid form and crowned with a mane of leaves. A leaf-green glow seeps from between the tightly bound foliage, and though eyeless, the creature surveys the area with an air of intelligence.

Soul Surgeon Zynell went up a narrow path.

The vines and leaves composing a forest spawn slowly unravel and recede into the forest.

Wind Listener Sceth came down a narrow path.

You say to Nevali, "I'm... sure they'll be fine."

You ponder.

Nevali says, "Mass-a-cur."

Nevali offers Nawain a wedge of watermelon.

Nawain accepts Nevali's wedge of watermelon.

Nawain beams at Nevali!

Tirost says to you, "Sounds like Keth and a group are headed this way."

You nod at Tirost, in complete agreement with his views.

You say to Tirost, "Just so."

Nawain takes a bite of the watermelon.

Soul Surgeon Zynell came down a narrow path.

Strawberry Nurse Illiya came down a narrow path.

You nod to Illiya.

Tirost smiles at Illiya.

Illiya bobs a quick curtsy to you.

With a friendly smile, Zynell holds Gragnel's hand.

Legendary Cleric Mazilyn came down a narrow path.

Illiya smiles at Tirost, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.

You say, "Thank you all for bearing with the delay."

Nawain takes a bite of the watermelon.

You smile.

Nevali says, "Shoulda let me kidnap 'em all when there was still time."

Nevali nods to you.

You grin at Nevali.

Gragnel chuckles at Nevali.

Nevali says, "I'd only hold 'em for a li'l ransom. A wee fee."

Hebion stands near Zersha.

Tirost asks you, "This was the very place where Atuen got his face bit, no?"

Nawain says, "Neva Wee fee! That's adorable."

Nawain beams at Nevali!

You say, "This place is rather out of the way but, I chose it for... yes, Tirost, because it was the last place I saw a kather."

You smile.

Nawain chortles softly at some secret joke.

You say, "And I had some small hope they might deign to join us at some point."

You say, "But I am not counting on that."

Nawain asks, "Last place I saw Atuen, too. Did he skitter off to sulk about that?"

Nawain ponders.

You chortle softly at some secret joke.

You dryly say, "He tried to kill me while I was hunting the next andu so, not quite."

Nawain says, "Ahhh. Drat."

Nevali says, "If people I didn't like just off and vanished for good after getting their face bit, I'd never have time to wipe my chin."

Nawain grins at Nevali.

You smile at Nevali.

Illiya says, "Not just bit but removed really."

You quietly say, "They are on the mountain road now."

Tirost nods to Illiya.

Nawain asks Nevali, "It sounds like good work. Can I give you a list?"

Nevali says to Illiya, "I can work it."

Illiya grins at Nevali, her dimples flashing into view.

Nevali says to Nawain, "Nah, imagine the taste..."

Sceth casually runs the tip of her tongue over the point of one of her burnished steel fangs, somehow managing to appear both threatening and seductive at the same time.

You pace back and forth.

Tirost chuckles at Sceth.

Sceth chuckles.

Miskton nods politely to Illiya.

Zersha paces back and forth, smiling slightly to herself.

Illiya smiles at Miskton, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.

Nevali asks, "They made it through the hole?"

You nod to Nevali.

Nevali says, "Miraculous."

Nawain takes a sip of her fratvarit.

Tirost smiles at Nawain.

Nevali says to Saragos, "I get it now."

Tirost squints at Nawain.

Nawain grins at Tirost.

Tirost laughs softly, trying to hide his amusement.

Saragos raises an eyebrow in Nevali's direction.

Nevali says to Saragos, "Not caring if the world burns."

Illiya nods to Miskton.

Nevali says, "Only thing stopping me is she might still be on this planet."

Saragos nods to Nevali.

You grunt at Nevali.

Nevali slowly empties her lungs.

Saragos says, "I'd like to think that there's a bit more nuance to it, but yeah."

Nevali says to you, "From caring, not from burning it."

Tirost smiles at Nawain.

You nod to Nevali.

Gragnel sniffs at a bottle of elderberry cordial.

Gragnel takes a sip of his cordial.

Nawain takes a sip of her fratvarit.

The tips of Nawain's ears take on a slightly rosy hue.

You nibble on your lip.

Miskton pours himself a bottle of private reserve Ilithic apple brandy from his keg.

Nevali says to Saragos, "Yeah, you at least had some idea. You got messages. You know the last place she was at. You know the last thing she was doing. I got... nothin'."

Miskton takes a sip of his brandy.

Illiya asks, "Pardon my lateness, but have we done anything to ah, encourage the Kather to appear?"

Nawain takes a sip of her fratvarit.

You ask Illiya, "We have not, I am not.. quite certain what could be done?"

Nawain observes Tirost with fascination.

Nawain grins at Tirost.

Nawain just traced the outline of Tirost.

Nawain chortles softly at some secret joke.

You say to Illiya, "Certainly if you have any suggestion I am open to it."

Tirost blushes furiously!

Nawain giggles at Tirost.

Heart Tender Kethrai's group came down a narrow path.

Gragnel asks, "Never met a Kather, they got a favorite kind of food or something?"

You beam in loving admiration at Kethrai.

Gragnel raises an eyebrow.

Nawain lets out a hearty cheer for Kethrai!

Amabalis blinks.

You praise Kethrai's efforts, supporting him with your approval.

Aerilia praises Kethrai.

Zionna hugs Kethrai, who wraps his arms around Zionna with a warm smile.

Illiya says to you, "I am definitely not an expert at all but if I recall correctly Waydren had some sense of what actions would disturb them and tried to maintain a pristine atmosphere."

Leilanie says to you, "Sorry, we made it a journey for him."

You say to Kethrai, "Welcome, arn maite, and companions."

Zionna nods to Leilanie.

Illiya grins at Leilanie, her dimples flashing into view.

Tirost smiles at Aerilia.

Aerilia hugs Illiya, getting a smile in return.

Miskton says to Gragnel, "I'm not sure it's their favorite, but it's wise to be careful or faces can be on the menu."

Aerilia smiles at Tirost.

Ollythander says, "We didn't make it easy, that's for sure."

Kethrai says, "It's called an adventure when we do it."

Tirost says to Aerilia, "Took your time, I see."

You grin.

Majeskyr grins.

Ollythander offers Kethrai a cup of hot buttered rum.

Zionna grins at Kethrai, her dimples flashing into view.

Sceth says, "Maybe listen for their howls."

Kethrai accepts Ollythander's hot buttered rum.

Nevali asks Illiya, "I harvested some glowing lichen earlier, would that muck it up?"

Kethrai says to Ollythander, "Bless you."

Kethrai takes a sip of his rum.

Ollythander grins at Kethrai.

Aerilia says to Tirost, "It was quite the trek, with lots of hurdles."

Gragnel says to Miskton, "Yeah, that doesn't sound like a good time. I'ma try an avoid that."

Ollythander says, "I always have snack and drink on me."

Mazilyn beams at Leilanie!

Tirost says to Aerilia, "For the record, I told you to buy skates - certainly not just to put a healing plant in Hib..."

Kethrai says, "That was such an adventure that... I would take a moongate back."

Illiya says to Nevali, "I'm not even quite sure what that is.."

Nevali pats Kethrai on the back.

Miskton grins at Kethrai.

Nawain grins at Kethrai.

Ollythander says, "Oh I have no idea where I am, so I hope I DO get a gate back."

Ollythander laughs!

You say, "Alright, welcome everyone, thank you for attending. Let's get started. I agree with Illiya that there are certain actions that the kather seem to find distasteful. They are a reclusive nature-loving folk, who disdain city dwellers."

Majeskyr nods to Ollythander.

Aerilia says to Tirost, "I have skates! I could make the trip just fine! But keeping a group together the whole time is another matter."

Nevali says to Kethrai, "Took so long you just might get that wish."

Miskton says, "Going to be a bit until any moons are up."

You say, "I chose this spot, as out of the way as it is, because we have encountered one of their folk here before, early on in this current wild magic situation, but I am not dedicating this endeavour to seeking them again."

You say, "If they appear, I would welcome them."

Kethrai nods to you.

Illiya nods to you.

You say, "Instead I wished to speak to you of a matter of perspective on this current conflict, and my own thoughts and conclusions about it. As such, I would ask that you please refrain from spell casting other than native life mana spells for the remainder of this meeting."

Gragnel gives you a slight nod.

You say, "Those of you who were here the last time the kather Anmuva visited us will recall that they were as confused as we were by the wild magic situation we found outselves in."

Kethrai nods to you.

You say, "They could observe the effects as well as we could, but had no information to share on its causue."

You cough.

You say, "Cause."

You ponder.

Ollythander raises his hand.

You say, "In the time since we have learned many things, and the conflict has evolved."

You nod to Ollythander.

You ask Ollythander, "Yes?"

Ollythander asks, "I've heard that Sorcery and Wild Magic and Feral Magic are different?"

Primal Lady Zalinyar came down a narrow path.

Ollythander says, "Not familiar on the terms, just wanted to make sure I was up to speed on terminology."

You ask, "Aye that is true, I believe feral magic is categorized as sorcery that involves all spectrums of mana?"

Kethrai nods to you.

Miskton nods to you.

Ollythander exclaims, "Thank you for the clarification!"

Thinker Couri's group came down a narrow path.

Warbrolus says, "Without a cause apparently."

Ollythander waves to Couri.

You say, "Wild magic is the name for the phenomena we have observed within the past few years that made spell casting unpredictable and caused mana vortexes and such."

Couri waves to Ollythander.

Illiya flashes a quick grin at Warbrolus.

Saragos nods to you.

Zynell grins at Ollythander.

Miskton takes a sip of his brandy.

Tirost takes a sip of his rum.

You say, "I understand that some in the audience may have certain allegiances, or commitments that make them unreceptive to my message, but I would ask that they at least hear me out."

Ollythander nods to you.

Kethrai says, "And sorcery can mean magic that involves multiple different mana types, or just casting a spell native to a different mana type than your own."

Gragnel says, "Yes, I am here to hear."

You nod to Kethrai.

Zalinyar smiles at Gragnel, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.

Ollythander says, "Would be silly to come all this way just to be disruptive."

You say, "It is undeniable at this point that the immortals and the heralds are at war, we can all see it in the sky above."

You glance up at the sky.

The sky is clear.

The following heavenly bodies are visible:

The planet Penhetia is unobscured by clouds.

The Herald Elide is unobscured by clouds.

The approaching champions is unobscured by clouds.

The hiding scorpion is unobscured by clouds.

The Herald Issendar is unobscured by clouds.

The Herald Kirmhara is unobscured by clouds.

The Heart is unobscured by clouds.

Katamba is below the horizon.

Xibar is below the horizon.

Yavash is below the horizon.

Zersha gazes up at the sky.

Kethrai frowns.

Gragnel nods in agreement.

You say, "We ourselves have been drawn into this conflict."

Zionna hugs Zynell, getting a smile in return.

You say, "We first noticed it as a confusing set of phenomena that occured when casting magic, that grew in frequency until it became overwhelming."

You say, "Synesthesia, unpredictable mana streams."

You say, "We began to investigate this matter using all means available to us, including magical research that is akin to sorcery."

You say, "A practice that has long been illegal in the provinces, due in large part to past misuses."

Kethrai takes a sip of his rum.

You say, "During one of these investigations, members of our community were imprisoned, we now know by the heralds. At the time it was still unclear to us who, or why."

You frown.

Miskton rubs his neck.

Saragos clears his throat.

Kethrai trills softly at Miskton.

Illiya smiles at Saragos, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.

Tirost frowns trying not to glance toward Miskton and Ayrell.

You say, "What has become apparent to me over the past months is that we had become embroiled in a conflict that is ancient and far more esoteric than we had realized."

Ollythander nods to you.

You say, "The heralds acting against our compatriots caused many of us to essentially abandon our efforts to investigate the origins of the phenomena."

You say, "Our focus was locked on getting our people back."

You say, "I remember adventurers interrogating anyone they could get their hands on, where are our people, what do you know about our people."

You say, "Our perspective had shrunk to those we cared for."

Saragos nods in agreement.

You say, "And, it took us far too long to get them back."

You nod.

Tirost nods in agreement.

Nawain gives a slight nod.

You say, "But we were ultimately successful in that."

Nawain dutifully says, "Thanks to the Immortals."

Ayrell gazes off into the distance.

You say, "During that interim, some life magic users, rangers and empaths, co-ordinated with each other to attempt to speak directly to elanthia in order to get some context for this conflic we found ourselves in."

Gragnel nods at Nawain, obviously agreeing with her views.

Saragos says, "Point of fact - we weren't. I accomplished nothing, the Immortals brought them back."

Nawain nods to Saragos.

You say, "We all know the saying that every conflict has three sides, the two of those in conflict, and the truth of the matter."

Zynell says, "And how history gets written."

You say, "This is a way of saying that when investigating a conflict, one should seek a third party perspective. I submit that the perspective the life mana users observed, that of elanthia herself, is such a third party perspective."

Ayrell nods to you.

Saragos raises an eyebrow.

Sarugar gives you a slight nod.

Kethrai gives a slight nod.

Zersha nods to you.

You say, "I am not a life mana user, I am an elementalist, so I did not perceive this information directly, but many of you know my husband Kethrai who is a life mana user, and I was present at the time."

Kethrai holds a cup of hot buttered rum high into the air for all to see.

You say, "What I have heard I have heard from him and others who were there."

You say, "They beheld elanthia in a time goverened by the heralds, a time prior to the arrival of the immortals. There was a civilization here that spanned the region where the Crossing currently resides. A vast civilization."

You ponder.

Zersha quietly says, "It was very pretty."

Leilanie nibbles her lip thoughtfully.

Kethrai nods to Zersha.

Leilanie nods at Zersha, obviously agreeing with her views.

You say, "The beings who lived there existed in harmony with nature, and with the heralds."

You say, "A natural balance was in place that allowed all to coexist."

You say, "Our life mana users saw the widespread use of empathy, and life magic."

Kethrai nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

Harurs del Cawna Warbrolus went up a narrow path.

Ollythander cocks his head.

You say, "Elanthia viewed this time period as a golden age of balance. But, it was not eternal. Eventually servants of the heralds seeking more powerful magics breached the planar barrier in search of other sources of magic."

You say, "Doing so was perhaps the first sorcery."

You say, "This allowed extraplanar entities access to this world, and geat conflict came from it. That civilization, and others that followed a similar path, have all been wiped out."

Tirost gazes thoughtfully at Ayrell.

You say, "I believe the kather may be the descendents of one of those civilizations."

Kethrai gives a slight nod.

Aerilia tilts her head to one side.

Zersha nibbles her lip thoughtfully.

You say, "The heralds ultimately punished their servant who had caused this rift, and created new lieutenants to try and fight off the extraplanar forces, but it was barely sufficient."

Nawain curiously asks, "Do we know how they were wiped out? Did they destroy each other?"

You say to Nawain, "Extraplanar invaders destroyed them in a great war. Our life mana users saw this."

Miskton takes a sip of his brandy.

Kethrai says, "A war so costly that many of the Heralds themselves were wiped out, it seemed."

You nod to Kethrai.

Nawain asks, "Interesting. What happened to the invaders, then?"

Nawain frowns.

Nawain asks, "The Heralds removed them?"

Nawain glances at Kethrai.

You say, "I believe as our life mana users saw it, they were all destroyed along with that civilization. A great spell was wrought that annihilated everything."

Kethrai nods to you.

Nawain ponders.

Nawain gives a slight nod.

You say, "After this time period, the immortals arrived and brought with them a new source of power, their own source, the font of creation."

You say, "The heralds observed that the immortals were... beings that mingled mana, conducted sorcery, as a matter of course."

You say, "The act of doing so weakened the heralds, made it harder for them to effect the world and also to sustain themselves."

You say, "The act of sorcery, that is."

You say, "It is unclear what communication may have occurred between the heralds and immortals, but the heralds being greater in power at the time took steps to restrict the immortals."

A pained expression crosses Nawain's face.

Zionna nods.

Gragnel lightly touches his panther pin as he says a quick prayer.

You say, "I believe that this conflict we have found ourselves in stems from this time period, the very arrival of the immortals ages ago."

Leilanie turns her gaze to the sky for a few moments.

You say, "I do not know why the immortals persist in encouraging and making use of sorcery when it is harmful to the heralds. Kethrai has attempted to investigate this by querying the immortals and their chosen representative but has had little success."

Zynell quirks one ear sideways in confusion.

Gragnel sighs.

You say, "To the heralds this is an existential threat, to us mortals sorcery is a matter of convenience."

You say, "None of us need sorcery in our day to day lives."

Traim ponders.

Kethrai quietly says, "And to the Immortals, it seems, it is a matter of course in the use of their power."

You nod to Kethrai.

You say to Kethrai, "Perhaps."

You sigh.

You say, "This information, gleaned from elanthia herself, is what led me to give up sorcery."

You say, "Despite the cajoling of the immortals."

Gragnel rolls his eyes.

Kethrai takes a sip of his rum.

Zionna ponders.

Ollythander says, "That is a very...specific phrasing."

Gragnel nods to Ollythander.

You say, "If something that I do for convenience causes harm to another being, it is not the right thing to do."

Tirost nods to Ayrell.

Ollythander raises his hand.

Zionna nods.

You say, "But many of us are the immortals adherents, or are motivated by revenge against the immortals for things that have happened within the last few years."

You say, "Or, are those who view sorcery as a necessity to accomplish their own goals."

Kethrai says, "The heralds, maite."

You cough.

You say, "Yes, thank you."

You smile at Kethrai.

You say, "I meant revenge against the heralds."

You ponder.

Leilanie knits her eyebrows together in a thoughtful frown.

Nawain says, "Meh. You're insisting that all painters should refrain from using non-primary colors because historic painters were all color blind. Or something."

Nawain rubs her head.

You ponder.

Sarugar tilts his head to one side.

Ayrell ponders.

Avrenka says, "Let's fully hear out Anuril first."

Ollythander nods to Avrenka.

Avrenka wryly says, "Before we bombard him."

Avrenka says, "With questions, that is."

You say, "I am saying that given a wide enough perspective, we are not obligated to engage in this conflict, this coup attempt."

Aerilia smiles quickly.

Couri reaches down and rubs Avrenka's right hand.

Zersha grins at Avrenka, her dimples flashing into view.

You say, "The immortals have much to gain from overthrowing those who have restricted them."

Nevali says to Nawain, "Because mixed colors cause noxious fumes that killed civilizations..."

You say, "Let me conclude my thoughts and then I will open the floor."

Ollythander nods to you.

Majeskyr asks, "Did that old civilization have to die for our civilization to live?"

Nawain grins at Nevali.

Nevali gently smacks Nawain across the shoulders with her tail!

Nawain just tickled Nevali, making her laugh.

Ollythander says to Majeskyr, "I think our civilization came about much after that old civilization died...it wasn't one caused the other directly."

Majeskyr nods to Ollythander.

Miskton takes a sip of his brandy.

Kethrai gives Ollythander a slight nod.

You say, "The effects of wild magic have ceased, our people have been returned to us, there is no urgent cause that would force us to engage in this conflict, other than allowing the immortals to overthrow the heralds. There are those who claim that the immortals are more benevolent to us than the heralds, but that is ignoring a third of the immortals who are in fact malicious."

Gragnel gazes off into the distance.

Nawain takes a sip of her fire.

You say, "Existing under the heralds oversight requires only that we do not do something that is not vital to us anyway, sorcery."

Majeskyr ponders.

Ollythander raises his hand.

You say, "There are those who say that following the immortals is necessary because they provide us with a means of avoiding death. That itself is a perversion of the natural order, and a privilege enjoyed by only the barest few in the world."

Zersha gnaws on her lip.

Gragnel folds his arms across his chest.

Leilanie gazes thoughtfully at you.

You say, "When I look at the Crossing as it is now, with its inequality, pollution, and conflicts and compare it to the vision that elanthia showed us of the balance that came before, it is no comparison."

You say, "Thank you for listening, Saragos had indicated he had some things to say in response."

You say, "Please whisper me and I'll add you to a list."

You nod to Ollythander.

Zersha appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Saragos nods to you.

Gragnel says to you, "An interesting point of view, thank you for sharing regardless."

Gragnel nods to you.

Saragos says, "I have a couple of questions that I think cut to the heart of our differences."

You nod to Saragos.

Saragos says, "First, what evidence do you have that these visions from "Elanthia" are indeed a third party perspective? You talk about harmony with nature and the Heralds - that seems more like it's telling the Heralds' story. If you asked the wheat, it would probably tell you that the farmer was absolutely great, all the way until the "harvest when every last plant is dismembered, gathered for consumption, and the remaining stubble plowed under."

You smile.

Nawain makes a grunting noise.

Nawain gives a slight nod.

Zalinyar ponders.

Avrenka nods to Saragos.

You say to Saragos, "Many agree that the heralds view elanthia as a garden, while the narrative put forth by the immortals currently is that they seek to destroy the world. One does not destroy their garden, sustainability is the goal."

Zalinyar takes a sip of her rum.

You say, "As to whether the heralds controlled what the life magic users saw, I would have to defer to those who saw the vision directly."

You nod to Kethrai.

Nevali pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

You ask Kethrai, "Your impression of the origin of the visions?"

Tirost nods to Aerilia.

You nod to Hebion.

You nod to Nevali.

Kethrai says, "Asildu was present for one of these attempts, but not all of them."

You nod at Kethrai, in complete agreement with his views.

You ask Saragos, "Further comments?"

Sarugar says, "There was no vision, but memories woven in the spirit of Elanthia. Whether they were influenced by the Heralds cannot be known."

You nod to Sarugar.

Illiya says, "Aat least a few of the visions appeared to be from the perspective of 'guardians' or 'gardeners' that may have represented what we know as the Heralds or their predecessors."

You ponder.

You nod to Illiya.

Kethrai nods to Illiya.

Nawain asks, "Maybe not the best neutral third-party to lean into for judgement, then?"

Kethrai says, "From the perspective of the creature raised up by the Heralds, not from the perspective of the Herald doing it."

Nawain shifts her weight.

Kethrai says, "That creature was a mortal very much like us, before then."

You say, "Aye some of it was from the point of view of that original sorcerer."

Avrenka asks, "One was from the perspective of a banished Guardian, no?"

Saragos says, "To be clear, the visions don't need to be directly fed from the Heralds to still be telling their story. If I tell my kids constantly that the Heralds are pure garbage, and then you ask them, they're not going to be an independent third party perspective. But I'll move on, because I don't think there's any other evidence that it's not that."

You nod to Saragos.

You say to Ollythander, "Go ahead."

Kethrai says, "And one of the visions was from the point of view of a bird."

Saragos asks, "The second question is that you spoke of Sorcery being unnecessary. The current state of things has mana draining away. The rules of our plane are the confluence of all of the different planar influences upon it. We saw that with the death of Maelshyve. In other words, if there's no more mana, our world can likely no longer sustain life. Given that Sorcery is replenishing it, has Sorcery not have become necessary for our continued existence? Or have you any evidence that the Heralds will promise to leave some for us if only we will cease using Sorcery?"

You flail your arms about.

Saragos says, "Sorry, I said there were a couple."

You say to Saragos, "Ah, I'm glad you brought that up."

You say to Saragos, "One thing I forgot to mention that I had thought about was the effect of Kethrai's attempt at a pure mana casting gathering. An attempt that was quickly shut down by the immortals' representative. At the time, the effects seemed to get worse with the pure mana casting."

A few fluffy clouds move into the sky.

Zersha quietly says, "Wasn't really given a chance."

Zersha shifts her weight.

Saragos nods to you.

You say, "However, there was also the sensation of a great indrawing of breath or sustenance, and we have seen that the heralds are extremely empathic beings who commonly bleed over their sensations to us."

You say, "This makes me inclined to think that the effect was similar to cautions you may have heard about rescuing a drowning individual."

Tirost says, "Or dominate mortals, as in the case of Asildu."

You say, "They may pull you under in their urgency to get a breath of air."

Aerilia tilts her head to one side.

Nawain makes a grunting noise.

Zalinyar takes a sip of her rum.

Avrenka wryly says, "Or send drakes."

Illiya says, "'extremely empathic beings' is quite the thing to say.."

You say, "It does not make sense to me that giving the heralds what has been denied to them would drain the world, except perhaps as a reflexive action."

Hebion says, "There is also the overlooked point that there has been no word from the Herald's side to stop casting holy magic, which they apparently cannot feed from either, and directly is usable by the gods themselves."

You give Hebion a slight nod.

Saragos says, "We don't disagree that the Heralds like pure mana. I'm not questioning that part. I'm asking what evidence there is that they'll leave some for us so that we can live."

You say to Saragos, "So... I do not subscribe to the theory that the heralds consumption of mana is unsustainable."

Illiya gazes thoughtfully at Hebion.

Gragnel nods at Hebion, obviously agreeing with his views.

Ollythander ponders.

You say, "Rather I feel it is the action of the immortals in poisoning their mana sources that is causing them to have to consume larger and larger quantities to achieve sufficient sustenance."

Nawain wryly says to Saragos, "Don't worry, I'm sure there're nice unpadded rooms with wires waiting for all of us in the Null Prison. Heralds gotta eat, after all."

Nawain makes a grunting noise.

Sarugar says, "It is likely their energy needs will be unsustainable for as long as they must expend effort to restrain the Immortals."

Zersha quietly says, "It seems like both sides want to use us, and neither side wants to answer our actual questions."

Zersha gazes up at the sky.

Hebion nods to Zersha.

Leilanie gives Zersha a slight nod.

You say to Sarugar, "It is my sincere desire that the immortals and heralds find a way to coexist, lest an extraplanar threat destroy us in the aftermath of their conflict."

Majeskyr ponders.

Kethrai quietly says to Illiya, "To be clear, 'empathic' and 'empathetic' are not the same thing. The Heralds seem to have a direct effect on the emotional state of living beings, as if their own emotions are flooding out beyond their control."

Saragos says, "Well, we've got the Immortals saying that the Heralds will consume it all. Have the Heralds ever responded that they won't consume it all, either directly or through Asildu? I'm not aware of them ever refuting that."

Traim went up a narrow path.

You ponder.

Sarugar says to you, "It is unlikely they will alter their paths at this juncture. One side will prevail and seize dominance."

You say, "I am not aware of such a statement but again, the purpose of a garden is sustainability."

Leilanie turns her gaze to the sky for a few moments.

Zersha quietly says, "If someone said I was a pink Gor'Tog, I wouldn't really feel the need to refute that with words."

You grin at Zersha.

Illiya quietly says to Kethrai, "I took it to mean to have an understanding or sharing of the feelings of other beings, which did not seem to be the case for us."

Ollythander says to you, "Not all gardens..."

Aerilia says, "Asildu accused the Immortals of the same plan, if I'm not mistaken? During one night he was being questioned in Gaethrend's."

Gragnel chuckles at Zersha.

You ask Saragos, "Further comments or...?"

Avrenka asks Aerilia, "What plan?"

Hebion says to you, "May I jump the line a moment as what I wanted to say may provide comment to this question."

You nod to Hebion.

You say to Hebion, "Go ahead."

Aerilia says to Avrenka, "Wiping out the world and starting over."

Avrenka says, "Mm."

Kethrai quietly says to Illiya, "More like the other way around. They affect those around them. Perhaps knowingly, perhaps by accident. It's not unlike some of our own abilities, but at a much grander scale."

Hebion says, "Paladins have a direct connection with those things that are orderful, some call this the Bulwark. From everything observed, and stated by the god's representitive nothing is wrong with that force of rightness."

You nod to Hebion.

Hebion says, "Perhaps we are in a cycle that is natural and the fight between the two groups is something that has happened before and helps preserve the balance."

Zersha gazes thoughtfully at Hebion.

You say to Hebion, "But certain moon mage visions have implied there is a lurking threat beyond the heralds, in the void."

Illiya smiles at Kethrai, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.

You say, "And visions of Liraxes before their manifestation did not paint them as anything near an ally."

Hebion says, "I have not had an unease during all of this that even remotely compares to the wrongness I've felt when a portal was opened from our plane to another."

Zersha nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

You say, "All extraplanar representatives involved have seemed to be working towards providing themselves greater access to our plane."

Ayrell smiles at Tirost.

Saragos asks, "I don't mean to push too hard, but this is important. We have the Immortals and Liraxes saying they'll consume everything. If I'm understanding correctly, it seems that you think the Heralds are acting in a sustainable way because of the feel of the visions. Does that about sum it up?"

You say, "Which we know from the cycle elanthia showed our life mana users to lead to ultimate destruction."

Tirost bows to Ayrell.

Sensitive Leilanie went up a narrow path.

Gypsy Amabalis went up a narrow path.

Zalinyar takes a sip of her rum.

Saragos says, "Because if it's just a war, it's fine to pick sides. Undertandable. But if we're fighting for our world's survival, it's a different matter."

Nawain nods in agreement.

Ayrell nods politely to Tirost.

You say to Saragos, "Yes, one side of the conflict is saying the other side will destroy the world if unchecked. That other side has generally been shown to be benevolent in the visions elanthia provided."

Kethrai takes a sip of his rum.

Hebion says, "If there is something dangerous lurking maybe the Gods and Heralds will learn from Lanival's failure and the Dragon Priests."

Nawain says, "The other side has wiped out numerous civilizations that irked them."

Sceth takes a sip of her ale.

Sarugar says, "It is unlikely benevolence is a consideration in tending a garden."

You ask Sarugar, "Symbiotic?"

Avrenka nods to Hebion.

You say, "Ollythander wanted to say something."

You nod to Ollythander.

Kethrai angles his ears forward, gazing curiously at Ollythander.

Zersha quietly says, "I might note that a lot of Unaka's talk is about civilization, where as the other side seems to talk a lot about gardens. We can have both, maybe we all just stop casting all magic until they agree to kiss and make up."

Zersha gazes off into the distance.

Zalinyar says, "It might just end up that the side to pick is our own, and not one of theirs, and we remember what it is like to be self reliant and depend on ourselves and our friend groups, dig graves to retrieve our belongings upon a death instead of relying on the favor of a chosen immortal."

You smile at Zalinyar.

Ollythander says, "Hey hi, couple things if you'll indulge me...first I'm Ollythander, most call me Olly...and are you a booze drinker or non boozy drinker while I form my thoughts."

Zalinyar takes a sip of her rum.

Ollythander smiles.

You laugh!

Zersha grins at Ollythander, her dimples flashing into view.

Raising his hot buttered rum to Ollythander, Kethrai gives him a toast.

Nawain grins at Ollythander.

You say, "I enjoy alcohol."

Ollythander says, "I have some very itching thoughts."

Ollythander nods.

Ollythander gets a cup of hot buttered rum from inside his treasure chest.

Illiya grins at you, her dimples flashing into view.

You accept Ollythander's offer and are now holding a cup of hot buttered rum.

Ollythander says, "You spoke a lot, drink something."

Raising your hot buttered rum to Ollythander, you give him a toast. Cheers!

You take a sip of the rum.

Nevali says, "It's disgustin'."

You move a cup of hot buttered rum to your left hand.

Zionna grins at Ollythander, her dimples flashing into view.

You let out a sigh of contentment.

Tirost says, "The cruelst tyrant can tend a garden, for it is something they can control and beautify as they wish."

Nevali asks Ollythander, "If you're still working on your thoughts, can I share mine already?"

You smile at Nevali.

Ollythander says, "I have a few issues that I have...first is the empathetic side to the Heralds...I have never seen them be anything but aggressive."

Ollythander smiles at Nevali.

Ollythander says, "I'm good."

Ollythander says, "In fact, they did threaten to unmake me."

Ollythander says, "Specifically."

Kethrai takes a sip of his rum.

Majeskyr grins.

Sceth takes a sip of her ale.

You say to Ollythander, "As Kethrai mentioned, I mean that similar to our empath guild their... beings can effect others."

Miskton takes a sip of his brandy.

Saragos says, "Ok. So the visions that are quite possibly seeded by the Heralds, who kidnapped our people and dropped meteors to seal in towns in a tantrum because we tried to get them back, portray them as benevolent, and that's the reason to believe they won't eat us. Got it. I'll keep fighting like my and everyone else's life depends on it until I have any reason to believe that the Heralds aren't going to just harvest us like wheat."

You sigh.

Ollythander says, "Second, they don't seem the type to let any of us live, they really haven't discriminated."

Gragnel gives Ollythander a slight nod.

Nawain smiles at Saragos.

You say to Ollythander, "They are in a war for their very existence."

Ollythander says, "I for one, don't engage in Sorcery, yet, as stated previous...I was very specifically told I'd be unmade."

Ollythander says to you, "Aren't we all."

Ollythander says, "Third, you mentioned the darker aspects of the Immortals."

You say to Ollythander, "They have been poisoned gradually over millenia."

Ollythander says, "We are all, nuanced and complicated. Light and dark. We have all of those aspects in us, whether we act in them or not."

Gragnel nods at Ollythander, obviously agreeing with his views.

You say to Ollythander, "They view us as enemy combatants because when they sent a representative to communicate with us he was derided and people doubled down on the sorcery."

Ollythander says, "Additionally, I've seen what they do to their own followers...I'm still washing Asildu out of my armor for the offense of a conversation and a cup of tea."

Kethrai takes a sip of his rum.

Ollythander says to you, "My point is they don't discriminate, and it's very likely they will do the same to you."

You take a sip of the rum.

Tirost smiles at Miskton.

Ollythander says, "Also, there are still way more people in that prison if I'm not mistaken, not just our people."

Couri nods to Ollythander.

Avrenka says to Ollythander, "The Immortals do seem to know us by name and by person, on the other hand."

Ollythander says, "None of this really fills me with confidence that they will be kind and empathetic."

Majeskyr ponders.

Ollythander says to Avrenka, "I can only hope Glythtide knows me and my deeds."

Hebion asks Ollythander, "Like how the Temple treated people during the war with Lyras?"

Gragnel says to Ollythander, "He does."

You say, "It's not a good idea to go around randomly jailbreaking beings that other much more powerful beings have restricted when you know that those much more powerful beings were largely concerned with defending all of creation from extraplanar attackers."

Saragos nods to Ollythander.

Ollythander says, "I don't know actually, I wasn't around then."

Ollythander smiles at Hebion.

Illiya asks, "Should we not have rescued our friends?"

Ollythander says to you, "My point isn't that I think you're a fool, or silly, or otherwise...I just don't know if I can buy into the Heralds aren't the aggressors here."

Ollythander points up.

Ollythander asks, "Have you seen them?"

Ollythander says, "They answer any and all actions with Drakes and death."

You say to Illiya, "That depends on your interpretation of justice and your feelings on your own personal obligations, which I know from attending many paladin meetings are largely complicated and personal."

Kethrai says to Ollythander, "Aside from the fact that, well, they were here first."

Ollythander says, "Lastly as for our way of skirting death and being unnatural..."

Nevali slinks back and forth, like a restless predator on the prowl.

Ollythander says, "We aren't unnatural, we are a different cycle..Those who follow Urrem'tier and the other aspects of death will attest that none of us are exempt, we just take a different route."

Ollythander says, "Many have walked, many more will."

Sarugar says, "Though the Heralds preceded the Immortals, it is not certain that the Heralds did not succeed others."

Nawain exclaims, "I should get back to things and stuff. Good talk!"

You nod to Nawain.

Illiya grins at Nawain, her dimples flashing into view.

Saragos asks Kethrai, "They were here first... Are you trying to say that because we had the bad luck to be born after them, our lives hold less value?"

Illiya just hugged Nawain.

Valiant Vaddon went up a narrow path.

Nawain hugs Illiya, getting a smile in return.

Avrenka waves to Nawain.

Ollythander says, "I'm just saying it seems more they will unmake all of us and start over...this isn't a drwoning man, this is a gardener ripping out plants he thinks are weeds."

Kethrai asks Saragos, "Do their lives hold less because they had the bad luck to be born before us?"

Nawain says, "They were here before the Immortals. But they were not here "first"."

You say to Ollythander, "I beseech you to consider a wider perspective than your own immediate surroundings and what benefits you the most."

Enelne's Champion Nawain went up a narrow path.

Avrenka nods at Couri, obviously agreeing with her views.

Ollythander says to you, "And I beseech you to not forget that other worldly entities lie in a variety of ways."

Ollythander says, "Sometimes actions speak louder than words."

Avrenka says, "Hear hear."

You say to Nevali, "I think Ollythander has wrapped up, please go ahead."

Ollythander says to you, "Respectfully of course."

Ollythander nods to you.

Nevali says, "Otherworldly... right..."

You nod to Ollythander.

Saragos says to Kethrai, "This isn't some abstract question. They've kidnapped people, imprisoned town, and sent murderous drakes. Either we have the right to fight back against that, or we don't. When you say that they were here first, it implies that we don't."

Nevali inhales a great swallow of air.

Nevali says, "Don't forget another third party... Prydaen gods. The immortals up in the sky waging their very slow war glow gold when they come grace you all with visions, but the Prydaens' glow green. They're part of Elanthia. We're part of Elanthia. I don't know what our gods are, where they came from, how long they been here, but they're sticking to themselves in all this, aren't they? And they don't seem to be a target of the Heralds. And we got our own kind of immortality from it all, or something near enough that it don't matter either way. So ponder that tulip salad in your beds, bush chubs."

Nevali asks, "So you call Elanthia's visions suspect, you might just be calling the most benevolent, loving, and above-board gods suspect, while embracin' the words of some hag what comes 'round every year cullin' your cities, you got that one guy that's just straight cannibal in't he? Another one's a nasty piece of love-hatin' insanity, and ten others... real nice side... Ain't no light and darkness with the Triquetra. Just life lovin', tender, carin', nat'ral bein's of some non-dyin' sort that keep us flowin' in the river Wheel. And they is nat'ral, because that's Eu. Eu is Elanthia. What's more nat'ral than that? What's more WORLDLY than that?"

You say to Nevali, "That is an excellent point, about the prydaen gods."

Kethrai says to Saragos, "I was replying specifically to the idea of 'the Heralds are the aggressors.' That may be true if you look through a window that extends back five years. It may not if you look through a window that extends back ten thousand."

Tirost asks Nevali, "Have you spoken to Nawain about the message of the Rakash gods?"

You nod at Kethrai, in complete agreement with his views.

Nevali says, "Nope."

You guzzle down the rum.

Tirost says to Nevali, "It is well worth your time."

Mazilyn strides off, muttering prayers under her breath.

Nevali says, "Not hers."

Ollythander smiles at Nevali.

Ollythander asks Nevali, "I actually don't know much about the Prydaen or Rakash Gods, can you please speak to me about them later?"

Nevali says, "Ain't seen her since before the big festival. Said she was gonna tell me."

You say, "Thank you everyone for attending, and being patient with our late start to this conversation. I hope some will consider a wider perspective, and what the immortals are asking us to do."

Mazilyn arrives, her eyes on the sky above.

Avrenka waves to Mazilyn.

The sun slowly pokes its way through soft blankets of clouds as it sleepily rises to create the new day.

Kethrai says, "Do we have the right to defend ourselves from them? Maybe so. I won't argue against that. But I will argue that we have a responsibility to find a way to live with them, if we can, rather than exterminate them for our benefit."

You nod at Kethrai, in complete agreement with his views.

Zynell smiles at you.

Hebion asks, "Asketi tries to kill us most years and steals children, should we be fighting against her as well?"

Ollythander says to Kethrai, "I think as this conflict continues, more options may present themselves."

You nod at Hebion, in complete agreement with his views.

Nevali says to Ollythander, "Ask someone else, I came here because it was something different, and there's nothing keeping me interested in staying further."

Kethrai says to Ollythander, "I achingly hope so."

Ollythander smiles at Nevali.

Saragos says to Kethrai, "But they are aggressors. If absolutely nothing else, they kidnapped our people before we had any idea what was going on with them. They imprisoned towns, and they've killed innocent people with drakes that have never cast a sorcerous spell in their lives. They are either aggressors in those situations, or you have to make the case that it's ok for them to do whatever they like to us, and we just have to take it."

Ollythander says to Nevali, "Ok, I appreciate the information nonetheless."

Nevali says, "{olly Sorry to be blunt, I ain't dismissin' you, I just... I lost someone, and I ain't in the right way to be around without her."

Aerilia says to Kethrai, "The Heralds are welcome to sue for peace. Thus far, it's been nothing but rage and aggression and a demand for complete obedience."

Ollythander nods to Nevali.

Avrenka says to Nevali, "I'm not exactly sure what your point was ... I'm a bit confused on that."

You ponder.

Couri hugs Nevali, getting a smile in return.

Ollythander asks Nevali, "Loss is never easy, and if you find me in the future, I would like to hear about them as well. Would you like a drink for the road at least?"

Avrenka asks Nevali, "Are you saying some of the Immortals are evil?"

Nevali hugs Couri, who wraps her arms around Nevali with a warm smile.

You ask Avrenka, "Is there any doubt?"

Zersha quietly says to Avrenka, "I think her point was that Elanthia is the one we should be listening to, not the Heralds or the Immortals. The pieces of this plane not others."

Moza went up a narrow path.

Nevali says to Avrenka, "Kinda, y'all were yappin' so long I ended up comin' up with more than I meant to say."

Hebion nods to Zersha.

Moza came down a narrow path.

Nevali nods to Zersha.

You feel as though Elemental mana is behaving differently in ways you cannot quite interpret.

Hebion says, "We should ask the worms."

Nevali says to Zersha, "Yeah, that."

Zersha gazes at her earthworm.

Hebion nods to Zersha.

Nevali shakes Avrenka's hand.

Zersha asks, "What do you think, General Wormy?"

Zersha glances at a dark brown earthworm and grins.

The white banner fades out of sight.

Avrenka asks, "Elanthia ... and the Prydaen gods?"

Nevali says to Avrenka, "Missed you, by the way."

Avrenka nods to Nevali.

Avrenka says to Nevali, "Likewise."

Nevali says, "For all we know they're one and the same."

Zersha says to Avrenka, "I think she's implying that the Prydaen Gods are a part of this plane and not from another."

Ollythander offers Nevali a bottle of Imperial Rose wine.

Kethrai says to Avrenka, "One of the Prydaen gods is Elanthia, in a manner of speaking."

You nod to Zersha.

Avrenka nods to Zersha.

Nevali says, "I got a theory Prydaen are just another left-over civilization like the Kather."

Nevali declines Ollythander's offer.

Avrenka says, "Interesting."

Nevali says to Ollythander, "Awful stuff."

Ollythander nods to Nevali.

Nevali offers Ollythander a wedge of watermelon.

Ollythander accepts Nevali's wedge of watermelon.

Tirost says, "I must take my leave."

Ollythander exclaims, "Oh lovely!"

Ollythander moves a Taffelberry fizz to his left hand.

Ollythander moves a wedge of watermelon to his right hand.

You nod to Tirost.

Aerilia waves to Tirost.

Ollythander moves a wedge of watermelon to his left hand.

Ollythander moves a Taffelberry fizz to his right hand.

Ollythander offers Nevali a Taffelberry fizz.

Tirost stops teaching.

Nevali accepts Ollythander's Taffelberry fizz.

Nevali sniffs at a Taffelberry fizz.

Ollythander smiles.

Zersha quietly says to Hebion, "General Wormy thinks that people, and immortals, and heralds should all learn to play nice and share."

Ollythander says, "Sweet and fizzy."

Zersha looks at Hebion, obviously trying not to grin, but the dimples in her cheeks give her away.

Tirost says, "Take care, and safe paths."

Knight of Meraud Tirost went up a narrow path.

Avrenka asks, "So ... since the Prydaen gods have largely been silent ... we should be too, is what you were implying?"

Nevali nods to Ollythander.

Ollythander takes a bite of the watermelon.

Hebion says to Zersha, "It seems he's well up to date on his doing what is right."

Gragnel says to himself, "Oh, the burden of being a boring human..."

Gragnel gazes off into the distance.

Zersha nods at Hebion, obviously agreeing with his views.

Saragos grins at Gragnel.

Zalinyar grins at Gragnel, her dimples flashing into view.

Zersha quietly says to Hebion, "He's surprisingly smart for a worm."

Zionna grins at Gragnel, her dimples flashing into view.

Zalinyar pats Gragnel on the back.

Nevali says, "Whole thing was about listening to third parties. So, yeah, shush up a bit and listen, if the third parties ever want to talk more."

Nevali chortles softly at some secret joke.

Zalinyar takes a sip of her rum.

Nevali guzzles down some of her fizz and then smacks her lips and wipes them with her sleeve.

Avrenka nods.

Ollythander nods to Nevali.

Avrenka says, "Understood."

Miskton takes a sip of his brandy.

Nevali says, "'s funny."

Nevali asks, "Not funny, but kinda funny?"

You guzzle down the rum. Smooth and pleasant ... warms your throat!

You finish off the rest of it, and set the cup aside.

Raising her darkefire rum to Miskton, Zalinyar gives him a toast.

Zalinyar takes a sip of her rum.

Ollythander winks at Couri.

Couri says, "I think ye wise, but always hae."

You ask Saragos, "What more do you have to gain from pursuing this conflict further?"

Couri smiles at Nevali.

Nevali says, "Immortals saying this about the Heralds, Heralds not saying anything back - well, who's the messenger to tell them what the Immortals said? Their ears are all the way up there."

Zersha grins at Nevali, her dimples flashing into view.

Nevali says, "Communication problems all around, emotions runnin' high on all fronts."

Nevali guzzles down some of her fizz and then smacks her lips and wipes them with her sleeve.

Zalinyar nods to Nevali.

Ollythander takes a bite of the watermelon.

Avrenka says, "Communication indeed is problematic."

You say to Saragos, "The guild trains us to be weapons, but we have the ability to consider whether violence is warranted."

Avrenka says, "Since communication from greater beings results in mass distortions in our plane."

Zalinyar nods to you.

Ollythander takes a bite of the watermelon.

Saragos says to you, "Saving our world from annihilation. The Heralds have had ample opportunity to speak to us. They've done so directly, they've had a mouthpiece in Asildu. They've not refuted the idea that they're going to drain mana to the last drop. Liraxes and the Immortals both have told us that they will."

You sigh.

Nevali guzzles down some of her fizz and then smacks her lips and wipes them with her sleeve.

Nevali says, "Someone ought to ask directly."

Zionna whistles a merry tune.

Saragos says, "They've shown that they don't care in the least for our lives, so everything circumstantial points to them, yes, being willing to drink it all. Their own visions showed a Gardener willing to drink it all."

Ollythander says to Hebion, "It is very nice to meet you Sir. Hopefully we can meet again under different circumstances."

Katamba slowly rises above the horizon.

Ollythander bows to Hebion.

Ollythander takes a bite of the watermelon.

Nevali says, "There's Katamba."

Sarugar says, "The Heralds do not appear to perceive a need to explain."

With a few arcane words, Nevali's eyes darken unnaturally to a shade as black as a starless night!

Zalinyar asks Saragos, "So we poison their drain with sorcery?"

Nevali gestures.

An oozing pool of darkness collects at your feet.

You say to Saragos, "They destroyed that lieutenant."

You say to Saragos, "Their primary goal was maintaining the balance."

You say to Saragos, "And staving off extraplanar invaders."

Saragos says, "Look, if Asildu comes out and says, actually the Heralds are willing to coexist with us, or the Heralds tell us directly... well, then there at least will be something to think about it. But it seems to me that we have a lot of evidence that they're going to devour all mana, which will kill us, and some people just don't want to believe it because they don't like the idea."

Nevali says, "I'll stick around a while, anyone want a gate back to Crossing, think to me. But take your time talking it out here. No rush."

You say, "It's not that the heralds have to be willing to coexist with us, it's that the immortals have to be willing to coexist with the heralds."

Without fanfare, Nevali is simply gone.

More clouds move in above, almost obscuring the sky completely.

Kethrai says, "No, Saragos. It's because there's no evidence for that idea except those beings saying to trust them. And because there's evidence against that idea that we've gotten from Elanthia herself."

Avrenka chuckles.

Avrenka says, "Now I know how other people feel ..."

You nod to Kethrai.

Zersha quietly says to you, "Thank you for hosting this and allowing people to hear different view points."

You bow to Zersha.

Sceth says, "Not to mention they basically keep him "theirs" under their control."

Zionna nods in agreement.

Zersha quietly says to Hebion, "I think I'm going to go find and eat the biggest tart I can, then take a nap."

Zionna says, "Thank you, Anuril."

You bow to Zionna.

Ollythander says, "I agree, I may disagree, but that doesn't mean I don't need to hear it. Living in an echo chamber is dangerous."

Hebion nods to Zersha.

Hebion joins Zersha's group.

Hebion says, "Sounds like a plan."

Ollythander smiles at you.

Gragnel grins at Zersha.

Avrenka waves to Zersha.

Saragos says to Kethrai, "And because we've seen that pure mana casting increases wild magic. And we've seen that they don't care about our lives in numerous ways. And we've seen that Sorcerous casting reduces the problems with wild magic. And we have seen through other methods that the mana in this world has been declining for quite some time."

Zersha waves.

You smile at Ollythander.

Desert Blossom Zersha's group went up a narrow path.

Couri nods to Ollythander.

Kethrai says, "Okay, well let's talk about that then."

Saragos says, "Warrior Mages who sensed Zengmodaleth sensed a slow drain long before we ever dreamed that the Heralds might be involved."

A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges, which yawns open like a hungry maw.

In the blink of an eye, Sarugar disappears into his surroundings.

Zionna exclaims, "Thanks!"

Zionna hugs Kethrai, who wraps his arms around Zionna with a warm smile.

Veri Tervia Zionna went through a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges.

Kethrai says, "Let's say that you're correct the Heralds draining mana is the cause of wild magic."

Legendary Cleric Mazilyn went through a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges.

Kethrai says, "Our pure mana party generated additional pure mana that they then consumed."

Saragos says, "And we have two different sources, a being of conceptual Balance, Liraxes, and the Immortals themselves telling us. There's plenty of evidence that the Heralds want to drain everything. You just don't like it."

Miskton says to Kethrai, "Looking at that particular moongate, I can somewhat understand your hesistance."

Kethrai asks, "How could that have made the situation WORSE than the anlas when we were gathering and doing nothing?"

Ollythander nods to Couri.

Couri clasps Ollythander's hand tenderly.

Avrenka says, "That's one of the coolest moongates I've ever seen."

Saragos says to Kethrai, "Could you reword that? I don't understand what you're asking."

Couri smiles at Avrenka.

A flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges collapses in on itself.

You say, "Liraxes is a liar, there was no balance prior to wild magic, there was an accelerating slide into widespread sorcery. The balance if any existed prior to the arrival of the immortals."

Kethrai asks, "How did the problem get worse, if they ate the pure mana that we JUST created with our casting?"

Kethrai asks, "How was the balance of energy in that equation not... zero?"

You nod to Kethrai.

Saragos asks you, "Evidence for Liraxes lying?"

Illiya quietly says to you, "Thank you for hosting this discussion."

Illiya bobs a quick curtsy to you.

Avrenka waves to Illiya.

You bow to Illiya.

Illiya hugs Ayrell, getting a smile in return.

Ollythander says to you, "If you ever need a drink or a smoke, find me."

Illiya hugs Aerilia, who wraps her arms around Illiya with a warm smile.

Ollythander bows to you.

Illiya hugs Kethrai, who wraps his arms around Illiya with a warm smile.

Aerilia hugs Illiya, getting a smile in return.

Illiya bobs a quick curtsy to Saragos.

You grunt at Ollythander.

Couri beams at Illiya!

Strawberry Nurse Illiya went up a narrow path.

You hear the faint voice of Nevali emanate from the moonbeam, "Remember, ask for moongate, it opens when I got the mana back."

Zalinyar says, "If the heralds are consuming all mana, it sounds like we need to go a day without magic."

Zalinyar says, "Starve them."

Zalinyar takes a sip of her rum.

You say to Saragos, "Our life mana users saw the evidence."

Saragos says to Kethrai, "Look, we swim in the mana. Like fish in a pond. If the pond is getting lower and lower, fish probably don't notice. They only really notice when the water is starting to get too shallow to really swim in. At that point, small differences make a big impact on the fish. When the pond is fuller, small differences don't really matter."

Kethrai shakes his head.

Avrenka grins at Couri.

Kethrai says, "The claim is that the pond is refilled with energy when we cast. But that the sorcerous energy cannot be consumed by them while the pure energy can."

Couri shakes her head at Avrenka.

Kethrai asks, "Yes?"

Avrenka chuckles.

Zynell says to you, "I hope you will be at the next beseeching. I thought it was important we speak with her again, not just the louder folk."

Aerilia nods to Kethrai.

Saragos says to you, "We've talked about how reliable the visions are... but ok, great. Can you please quote me the part in the visions that proves something Liraxes said to be a lie? That would be something to consider."

Couri nods to Avrenka.

Avrenka says to you, "Thanks for hosting."

Couri curtsies.

Ollythander bows.

A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges, which yawns open like a hungry maw.

Thinker Couri's group went through a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges.

Majeskyr waves.

Zalinyar peers through the parallelogramic Moongate.

You ask Saragos, "If you accept that sorcery pollutes some of the mana as the immortals put forth then you have to also accept that no balance existed prior to the wild magic, that the system was trending toward total pollution?"

Primal Lady Zalinyar went through a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges.

Kethrai says, "So... if we cast a bunch of spells that generated pure energy which the Heralds immediately consumed... should not the result have been... nothing? Not an increased stability like with the sorcery parties... but also not a decreased stability. The 'level in the pond' should have been unchanged."

Majeskyr went through a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges.

You notice Nevali peering through the other side of the parallelogramic Moongate.

You say to Zynell, "The next beseeching of elanthia? I will try to attend."

Saragos says to Kethrai, "Right. Sorcerous mana seems to contaminate it so they can't drink it. So Sorcerous casting seems to create a little bit that remains in the bottom of the pond. When you add pure mana back in, it's immediately drinkable, probably because it hasn't mixed. So it gets slurped up right away, and we notice the fluxuation of the levels."

A flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges collapses in on itself.

Zynell nods to you.

Saragos says, "Because at low water levels, the fluctuations are more noticeable."

You ponder.

Gragnel says, "Simply put, nothing I've seen or heard has shaken my faith in the Immortals and my dedication to a life in service to them. They have been clear in their message on the use of Sorcery and they have been clear in their actions to save our people, our towns, and our way of life. The idea of anyone questioning them is beyond my understanding."

Gragnel shrugs.

Kethrai says, "If you have a pitcher with a pint of oil in it, and I pour a pint of water in it, and you drink the water, at no point does the level in the pitcher drop below a pint."

Saragos asks you, "Why do I have to accept that?"

You nod to Kethrai.

You say to Gragnel, "I understand that zealots exist."

Zynell says to Gragnel, "Folk question them daily. All we can do is try to help folk find peace in their quests."

Zynell glances at you.

Kethrai asks, "Unless you think it's the consumption itself -- not the low level in the pitcher, but the act of drinking?"

Zynell slowly empties her lungs.

You say to Gragnel, "They are 'saving' us from a situation they themselves engendered."

Aerilia says to Kethrai, "I think Anuril theorized that the Heralds may have drank more pure mana than was produced by the gathering. That would explain why the levels didn't even out."

Gragnel says, "Faith does not require zealotry. Though, I will admit to some fanaticism. It kinda goes hand-in-hand with the guild."

Saragos says to Kethrai, "Look at it this way. You've a pitcher with oily water, and you have beings that can only drink non-oiled water. But they drink it fast. There's not much left. So you pour in some clean water - it's immediately sucked up through a straw, because they're waiting for the clean water. They suck it up quickly, so it makes a disruption. We felt that disruption."

Natural Assassin Parned came down a narrow path.

Parned just hugged Sceth.

Sceth hugs Parned, who wraps his arms around Sceth with a warm smile.

You say to Saragos, "I had not considered this idea of 'turbulence', it bears further thought. But I largely agree with Kethrai's model."

You nod to Aerilia.

Kethrai says, "The idea of turbulence, and the idea of the drowning man gasping for air, both could have some merit."

Saragos says, "If you follow that line of reasoning, if we somehow convinced the Heralds to stop drinking, and cast pure mana, we would also see wild magic symptoms decrease. If you can somehow convince them to do that, and verify it, that would tell us a lot. But they've been actively hostile to our attempts to understand this."

You give Saragos a slight nod.

You hear the faint voice of Nevali emanate from the moonbeam, "Sounds like you need to fill the pitcher up so they drink so fast they get the tummy bends and need a lie down."

Gragnel nods to Saragos.

Sceth chuckles.

Kethrai snickers.

Gragnel chuckles.

Zynell gazes at you intently, clearly scrutinizing your aura.

Kethrai says, "Now, as for Liraxes..."

You smirk.

Kethrai says, "It has said that it wants to return us to a previously-existing state of homeostasis."

Saragos nods to Kethrai.

Kethrai asks, "I've asked it this question several times and never got even an attempt at an answer, so I'll ask it to you. When was that state?"

The sky becomes completely overcast.

Kethrai says, "According to its theory of the wild magic, the Heralds have been slowly but surely consuming unsustainable amounts of mana for the entire time they've existed."

Kethrai asks, "So what state is it trying to return us to?"

Saragos says to Kethrai, "My theory of what's going on is there in the wheat analogy. We have evidence from even the Heralds visions that they've moved from other places, yes? Well, I think they're farmers. They're not locusts. They plant the garden, they watch it grow. That's the homeostasis. And whenever they decide it's time to harvest, that's when it's no longer sustainable. Maybe they feed some beforehand, but they're waiting until its really ripe."

Miskton strokes his beard in thoughtful contemplation.

Aerilia says, "Something can be tipping over, but not yet fallen. The prior state, minus drain of the Heralds, would be what I assume it wants to return to."

Saragos says, "And I think they were tipping their hand, implying that earlier civilizations were destroyed. They planted another crop. Us. Only this time we're not going quietly to the scythe."

Kethrai says, "But tipping over isn't in balance. It's just not yet fully toppled."

You say, "The only reason they have issue with us is the sorcery."

You say, "And they have the same issue with the immortals."

Saragos says to you, "How do you know that? Saying, "Nothing personal, but it's time to eat you now," seems entirely consistent with how the Heralds have treated us so far."

You gaze up at the sky.

Kethrai says to Saragos, "That is an interesting theory but it doesn't align with what we've been told by the Immortals, Liraxes, and Valenal."

Parned says, "Doubtful. more likely that's the excuse they use to do as they will. more likely the Immortals have finally become a threat to their power so they are doing what anyone does whose power is threatened."

Kethrai says, "According to them, the Heralds have been slowly and steadily draining our mana, and we're only noticing the effects now because we're down to the dregs."

Kethrai says, "That's not the same thing as a time of planting, a time of harvest, and a time of leaving fallow."

Saragos says to Kethrai, "As far as I'm aware, we don't really have anything solid on why we've hit the crisis now. My theory is the best theory I've got that fits the evidence."

Kethrai says, "There's nothing steady about that."

You say to Saragos, "I believe they have been incredibly consistent on their messaging and the only dictum has been do not perform sorcery, and since the communion with elanthia we finally know WHY they have that dictum."

Saragos says to Kethrai, "If there's something out there that I've missed that proves my theory wrong, I'm willing to listen."

Aerilia says, "I assume that whatever happens to our plane will have repercussions on our neighboring planes, and ultimately what Liraxes and Balance want is to avoid major turbulance for the Plane of Probability."

Saragos says to you, "Again, we don't disagree that they like non-Sorcerous mana."

Saragos says to Aerilia, "That, or just... Liraxes or its master *can't& ignore it. They have to pursue Balance, because they're sentient representations of it, even if it's not the best thing for them."

Aerilia nods to Saragos.

Kethrai says to Saragos, "I'm not trying to say your theory is wrong. I'm trying to say it's incompatible with the theory shown to us by the Immortals, Valenal, and Liraxes."

Aerilia says, "Perhaps so. Conceptual beings are hard to wrap my head around."

You say, "The immortals are making a power play, the motive means and opportunity are there, extraplanar beings like Liraxes and the elementals inhabiting Valenal are making a play for increased access to our world."

Miskton says to Saragos, "That seems... likely to be the case. But we don't have much experience with any sort of peaceful interaction with conceptual manifestations to test their limits."

You say to Saragos, "You know the threat of extraplanar beings first hand."

Kethrai asks, "But if we throw out the theories shown to us by the Immortals, Valenal, and Liraxes... Why would we believe the Heralds' consumption of mana is the cause of the wild magic in the first place?"

You say to Saragos, "And that threat is backed up by what elanthia has shown us."

You exclaim, "It wasn't the heralds who destroyed those civilizations!"

Saragos says to Miskton, "What about the Traders? Or the story of the Arbiter in Darkness? They can be treacherous to negotiate with, but if you ask the right way, they can work with you."

Kethrai gives you a slight nod.

Saragos says to Miskton, "They gave that guy the strength to finally cry."

Kethrai says, "In the timelines shown to us in the visions, the localized extinctions of civilizations were caused by the influence of extraplanar forces. Forces the Heralds fought to oppose and contain."

Miskton says, "Yes, they've held up bargains... so far. And there's definitely evidence of them being very literal."

Saragos says, "I'm not saying that Liraxes is our bestest buddy. But we can trust it to be what it is."

Kethrai says, "We can trust it to be in support of the concept of Balance. We can't trust that we have the same understanding of what that will mean for us."

Miskton nods.

Aerilia says, "In any case, I'm a fan of applied experimentation when it's possible. If you want to host another pure mana gathering to observe the effects again, I'll participate."

You ponder.

Saragos says to Kethrai, "Anyway, I have to get running, but I don't think my theory is incompatible with the visions of the Immortals, or what we've heard from Valenal or Liraxes, because they've all been silent on the, "why now," question. If you can show me where that's wrong, I'll reconsider."

You hear the faint voice of Nevali emanate from the moonbeam, "I don't trust it's concept of balance is what's best for living things."

You ask Aerilia, "And will the immortals or their chosen representative allow that?"

Kethrai says to Saragos, "I'll have to consult my notes, but sure."

A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges, which yawns open like a hungry maw.

Zynell asks, "Since when do you ask permission?"

Zynell angles her ears forward, gazing curiously at you.

You laugh!

You nod to Zynell.

Sceth grins at Zynell.

Gragnel bows to you.

Reverend Gragnel went through a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges.

Kethrai says to Zynell, "I rather think he means that the last time we attempted it, the attempt was aborted by Unaka."

You take your rightful place beside Kethrai.

Aerilia says to you, "They were against it last time, so I'm sure they would advise against it again. But we'll learn something either way, in a way that just debating it won't."

Zynell says, "As i told Keth some weeks back, i would like to help host pure mana parties after this conflict so we can restore true balance to the magical... pool?? whatever it is."

Kethrai nods to Zynell.

Zynell says to Kethrai, "And it may very well be so again, but only one way to find out."

A flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges collapses in on itself.

Saragos says, "And anyway, when it comes down to it, the Heralds took my wife. The Immortals not only brought her back, they reached out to me before then to give me hope. Even if there were enough evidence that it's really just a planar slapfight that we have no stakes in (which I think is very much not the case), then I'm still inclined to take the side of the Immortals."

You say, "Waiting until afterwards to try and correct a mistake seems like more work than just not making the mistake."

Sceth says, "Wish id be at the next ife mana beseeching thingy."

Sceth sighs.

Kethrai takes a sip of his rum.

Saragos says, "Take care."

Saragos gives a courteous nod and tips his hat politely.

You nod to Saragos.

Kethrai says, "Safe paths."

Saragos just left.

Miskton says, "I should get going as well."

Miskton nods politely.

Kethrai asks you, "That went... ...well?"

Miskton went up a narrow path.

You laugh!

You say, "Aye."

The clouds part slightly, revealing bits of open sky.

A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges, which yawns open like a hungry maw.

Aerilia bobs a brief, respectful bow.

You notice Avrenka peering through the other side of the parallelogramic Moongate.

Sceth says, "Im off too."

Aerilia says, "Be safe."

Healer Aerilia went through a flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges.

Zynell says, "I made this analogy a while ago in support of the raccoon's non evil.... sometimes something needs to be broken or a project to be restarted in order to make the better item."

You notice Nevali peering through the other side of the parallelogramic Moongate.

Sceth says, "Raccoon."

Sceth chuckles.

Zynell says, "They are dark aspects, not evil."

A flickering ash-black parallelogramic Moongate flaking away at the edges collapses in on itself.

Kethrai says to Zynell, "Zachiedrek is one of the easier ones. Do Asketi or Trothfang next."

Wind Listener Sceth's group went up a narrow path.

Zynell says to Kethrai, "Aye, i am working on those. my life tends to move away from those."

Thin streamers of cloud float in a mostly clear sky as the sun rises high above them.

Zynell says to Kethrai, "Plus asketi and i have never been friends."

Kethrai says, "Oh, gods, I don't mean make an event to praise them."

Kethrai says, "I mean, explain how they're not evil."

Zynell says, "She is my least favorite."

Zynell says, "Aye i meant that as well."

Kethrai says, "Mine too."

Zynell says, "Showing some good in what otherwise seems evil is not an easy task, but there exist cases for most of the dark 13."

Zynell says, "So too do evil cases for the light."

Kethrai says, "The thing is... death is necessary for life. You don't need to tell me that. I work with that cycle every day."

Ayrell softly says, "Please, pardon me. I should be heading back home. Thank you for hosting. It was an enlightening discussion. I bid you all a good morning."

Zynell says, "But the point was, sometimes making the mistake is part of the process."

Kethrai says, "But cruelty isn't."

Ayrell curtsies gracefully.

Kethrai says, "Spite and hatred aren't."

Lady of Elamiri Ayrell went up a narrow path.

You nod.

Zynell says to you, "So perhaps in the end, the pure mana parties after the conflict will be what makes the whole product better."

You say, "There's no need to continue the conflict, it is not even moral to do so."

You say, "Talking about it as a foregone conclusion is... distasteful."

Zynell says, "They will end the conflict one way or another, the heralds and the immortals."

Kethrai says, "One way or another, for sure. But against all contrary evidence, I still foolishly hope for a solution that does not involve one side exterminating the other."

Zynell says, "I make no assertion as to the outcome other than we will be here to cast pure magics."

Zynell grins mischievously.

Zynell says, "Which frankly, given the visions, is a generous assertion."

Kethrai says, "Whatever happens, if I'm alive to help pick up the pieces, I of course will."

Zynell says to Kethrai, "I will look forward to assisting you."

Kethrai says, "But here's to hoping we can prevent a tragedy rather than recover from one."

Kethrai takes a sip of his rum.

Zynell says to you, "I truly do not mean to upset you. i appreciate your sharing your perspective and i hope we find better answers."

You give a slight nod.

Zynell says to Kethrai, "We never prevent them."

Zynell says to Kethrai, "Ever."

Kethrai says, "Mm. Maybe we should get better at the whole heroism business then."

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