The Splintering of Li-varili

THE SPLINTERING (immediately follows https://pastebin.com/uheFzY8B)

"While You have been treating Me like Someone to be led around, like some newborn child of Mother Dynara, You should have treated Me with fear."

Cheliyi blinks.

An achingly beautiful song, watery and dark, surges across the Basin of Life: the irresistible call of nereids drowning the open skies.

Lovebird Eritheyl Ryseni says, "Oh, -good-."

Gurashi's gray eyes widen, their attention drifting to the entrance of the fulcrux.

Calfuray puts her hand to her forehead and swoons.

Drocilla takes a small step back, Her eyes searching. "Li, what are You doing?"

Nepenthe Dahyu looks skeptical and says, "Should have got a death blessing."

The Silver Goddess, meanwhile, tilts Her head as though listening, then frowns. "But You know Your fae cannot reach You here--"

A flash of recognition rises upon Ein's face, the Elder's lips curling into a twisted grin as He silently mouths the word, "Yes."

Li-varili's voice is mocking as She draws a step back from the Gods. A sense of claustrophobia brushes your senses, swiftly dismissed by the distance. "Oh. I know. I know a lot more than You fools give Me credit for."

A flurry of whispers fill your mind for but a moment through your connection the Silent Lord - murmurs of surprise and fascination.

Gurashi's hand in Calioliahali's tightens, their other drifting to a wooden training katana, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.

The pointed tips of your ears twitch to hear an errant sound.

Calfuray dances about in utter glee.

Tau tilts her head back and looks up at the sky.

Nepenthe crosses his arms expectantly.

Xiran glances at Calfuray.

Suddenly and inexplicably, several of the Gods throw wards about Themselves, and even Their impressions upon the empty sands glitter with Their power. A ripple of immanidivinus power floods the crystal itself, as murky and dark as those shadows which lurk below water.

Afollia peers at Calfuray unscrupulously.

Calioliahali's feathery ears flatten into her headfeathers as she glances down at Gurashi, then back toward the crystal.

Opening their mouth wide, Alarin gapes in wonder.

Kihr lifts a dainty hand to his neckline, glancing about with uncertain disdain.

The Even Bladed's swords are in Her hands scarcely a moment later, and in an instant She lunges for the crystal.

Before She can make good on Her intent, the images of the Gods flicker and fuzz, wavering in and out of view.

Evette bows her head and closes her eyes, radiating a brilliant healing aura.
16:22:27 Kihr blinks.

Eritheyl tilts his head curiously.

Gurashi frets over everything that might go wrong.

Coraline puts her hands on her hips and goes "Hmmm!"

You purse your lips, deep in thought.

Li-varili, Lady of the Lagoons cackles triumphantly as She cries for all the world to hear, "I spit on Your choices, hypocritical fools! Never will I be imprisoned again!"

Veldrin twitches spasmodically.

Steward Kihr Ryseni, the Ignited Mind says, "Ahh shite."

Lovebird Eritheyl Ryseni says, "Here we go for the...third, time?"

The song of the nereids, each singing in haunting unison, reaches a rising crescendo filled with achingly perfect yearning.

Nialla creases her brow in a frown.

Steward Kihr Ryseni, the Ignited Mind says, "Be at the ready to defend your homes."

Illyria briefly touches two fingers to Gael's forehead, and the glow of a healing aura shifts to him.

Cracks begin to splinter over the crystal's surface, creaking, grating, rasping against its rapidly-spreading fractures.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "It isn't that, I think."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Ablutant Cheliyi Lunarose says, "She's-."

Raztec tilts his head inquisitively.

Cheliyi stares blankly into space.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "Is She splintering?"

Calfuray bounces up and down.

Arix blinks.

And then, with one final *CRACK*, all of the Gods disappear from view.

Nialla Myeras, Midsummer Herald says, "Is She... I think She is..."

Spinner Afollia Ebonrose, the Wyrden Haruspex says, "Splintering it looks like."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Ablutant Cheliyi Lunarose says, "Is this a -Splintering?-."

Crystalline shards cut through the air, leaving terrible, bloody gashes as they pierce through armour, clothing and skin.

Gurashi looks around and scratches their head.

Comprehension flashes across Loralai's face.

Steward Kihr Ryseni, the Ignited Mind says, "W-."

Zagreus looks around and scratches his head.

Bright and clear, Herald Gurashi Skydrifter, Confidant in Saffron says, "I-it's gone."

The skies shake, and the air itself is webbed with the cracks that crash through the Havens above.

Innumerable flashes of brightness pierce the firmament, and tiny specks of light fall like burning meteors through the vast heights.

Like the fluttering of silver mooncloak butterflies, Lisaera, the Blessed Maiden's voice peals across the firmament, "No! We never meant for You to splinter! What have You done, Li-varili?!"

Eyes wide, Ablutant Cheliyi Lunarose says, "Are those..."

Opening her mouth wide, Xiran gapes in wonder.

Nialla Myeras, Midsummer Herald says, "Yes. They are."

Deplorable Loralai says, "So She is..."

Coraline Myeras says, "Oh.... umm...."

As if uncountable stars have been cast down from the Havens, the specks flame with a radiance of sea green and bromeliad red, tumbling through the shattering skies.

You think to yourself: ...so that is what a Splintering looks like.

Gurashi blanches suddenly.

Ripples of celestial light radiate across the firmament like water as the calm voice of Lantra, the Empyreal rings out, "You allowed Her to choose, and so She chose this."

Barker Arix Mes'ard, Gaudigoon says, "Huh. I'm super old but I never thought I'd live to see a splintering."
16:26:10 (The Hoard & The Hive): You say, "So it'd take a few irl years."

The forms drift, glowing, trailing light behind them that weaves and curls and flaps and flutters: like long manes of unruly wet hair, like wings that had once been and are soon lost.

You see Lovebird Eritheyl Ryseni shout, "Freedom without parallel! Go Li-varilings, go!"

Spinner Afollia Ebonrose, the Wyrden Haruspex says to Arix, "You are not alone in that."

Coraline Myeras says, "Yeah, this is..."

You purse your lips, deep in thought.

Sapphira staggers, falling to her knees, one hand touching her temple.

Crashing across the skies, the vibrant voice of Ein rings out, "She - they - are mortal now. They can no longer dwell in the Divine Havens, not even to be bound by Us. You must admit, it was a stroke of genius."

Coraline Myeras screams, "SO AWESOME!"

Raztec puts his hands on his hips and goes "Hmmm!"

Darkness floods Sapphira's and Uzriel's eyes for a brief moment.

"Wow!" Hiresh exclaims!

Kihr lifts a dainty hand to his neckline, glancing about with uncertain disdain.

Steward Kihr Ryseni, the Ignited Mind says, "Wow..."

The shining forms fall, and they fall, and they tumble and they fall, having freed themselves from Havenly shackles above.

Eyes wide, Ablutant Cheliyi Lunarose says, "Oh dears."

Deplorable Loralai looks thoughtful and says, "Hmm... smart."

Gurashi's expression loses all color, their mouth forming a wide 'o' of surprise, gaping openly. Their attention drifts to Uzriel and Sapphira then, letting out a shaky breath.

Jade Dreamer Luce Shevat says, "IF they can survive the fall."

Sweeping across the heavens on a gentle breeze, the serene voice of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity echoes, "Her chains are splintered. But so is She. This is no longer a matter for Us. She is gone."

Barker Arix Mes'ard, Gaudigoon says, "Levitate."

Nepenthe Dahyu smiles impishly and says, "That's about the noblest thing an elder can do."
16:27:11 A look of understanding crossing their features, Veldrin nods their head slowly.

Escaped from paradise, the brilliant forms land in radiance. They alight in groups all over the Basin of Life, setting the skies above them aflame with residual brightness.

Eritheyl cheers wildly!
Coraline cheers wildly!

The commanding voice of Terentia, the Even Bladed resounds across the firmament, "Let this be Her punishment then. Let Her die a thousand deaths in Her shards."

Dread Discipulus Raztec of the Engine says, "That is one way to by-pass the Laws."

The soft, hollow voice of Nocht, the Silent resounds within your mind as His words echo through the aether, "So be it."

Gurashi shivers violently.

Veldrin gives a pained sigh.

Xiran creases her brow in a frown.

[wandering around for a bit]

Lanikai the Sea Queen shouts, "Many ages ago, our Great Parent Keltari and Glorious Carakhan entrusted gifts for the Goddess Li-varili to us. Never would She have accepted them before, but perhaps now..."

Lanikai the Sea Queen shouts, "Mortals! If the Great Ones bid us take the matter into our hands, I ask you come to me! We kelpies will take responsibility and help!"

You ponder the situation.

[pathing]

You touch two fingertips to the corner of your eye, murmuring a soft greeting to Lanikai the Sea Queen.
Lanikai the Sea Queen's wrinkled hands reach into a pouch of seaweed, then withdraws a sea glass charm which she presses into your hands.

Drawing back, Lanikai the Sea Queen says, "Please, this belongs to Li-varili. Take this to Her shards that they may remember."
[1] (say) Why do you have this charm if it belongs to Lady Li-varili?
[2] (say) What will this help Her remember?

Lanikai the Sea Queen smiles gently as she opens her hands in welcome. "Shards of our Great Elder, come. We have much to discuss."

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you say, "Why do you have this charm if it belongs to Lady Li-varili?"
Bobbing quietly in place, her seaweed hair like a halo about her, Lanikai the Sea Queen says, "These are gifts the Great Lady Carakhan created with our Parent, Keltari. We remember how They spent many a day spinning these marbles, hoping Goddess Li-varili might come to accept Them and Their love, though it took a shape She misliked."

Lanikai the Sea Queen lowers her beautiful eyes. "These beads were to be a gift of hope for Their shared futures, all three of Them. When the wars were looking very bad, Elder Keltari gave them to us for safe-keeping, so they wouldn't break in battle. They promised They'd come back for them. They...never did."

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you say, "What will this help Her remember?"
Lanikai the Sea Queen's kindly smile is filled with sadness. "That love takes many shapes," she says, seaweed trailing behind her as she floats, "and Theirs, for Her, was deep as the seas They shared."

PROBE CHARM
Roughened sea glass forms this beadlike charm, its sloping green surface marbled like tidewater breaking upon rock and sand. Swirling within, pinpricks of aquamarine light dance upon lazy currents, coruscating like stars in reverse. A shoot of delicate pink coral unfurls amidst these sparkling waters; its branches bud with tender life, opening with welcome vulnerability, not spiny, antlered defensiveness. Divine emotion ripples from the globe in gentle pulses, each wave as peaceful and warm as comforting, tropical shallows.
It weighs 4 ounce(s).
It has the following aliases: charm, glass.

[wandering around a bit more]

Thick mud.
A biting cold fills the air, seeping away from a healing shrine of Manteekan nearby. A thick cover of clouds obscures the sky in a sheet of dense white. Small strands of bubbling water coalesce here to form a marshy area of the moorland. To the north, a stone building stands, its thatched roof broken into clumps of ragged sticks. A large pond stretches to the east, curving around the building. The dull grey-brown waters merge with the mud of the marshes around them. There are 2 striking livaris here. Gazing with reproachful intensity, a striking livari stands here shrouded in turquoise curls. A shaggy moors pony grazes here. Eyes glinting with wary readiness, a tawny moor cougar lopes silently across the ground here.
You see exits leading north, east, south, southwest, and northwest.

A striking livari clings to their fellows as they stare about, taking the world around them in as if for the first time.
A striking livari clings to their fellows as they stare about, taking the world around them in as if for the first time.
A striking livari clings to their fellows as they stare about, taking the world around them in as if for the first time.

PROBE LIVARI
With smooth and supple skin the violet hue of a lagoon blood tide, this striking livari stands at an intimidating height of more than six feet. Framed by long lashes, their vivid silver eyes churn with emotion, reflecting a haunting intensity in their glint. Pearlescent teal markings reminiscent of sea spray sparkle above and below the eyes, just beyond their long, turquoise eyelashes, while the rest of their face gazes out sharp and angular with a fierce beauty, accented by full, coral-pink lips. Their strong arms shimmer at the wrists and hands with jewel-like scales, smooth skin webbing stretching like a fan between each of their fingers. Gleaming a rich, saturated orange, their damp wild hair tumbles down their back in innumerable unruly curls, draping all the way to their ankles and covering most of their bare, graceful form.
A striking livari almost glows with nearly god-like power.
They weigh about 206 pounds.
They have a slight weakness to fire damage.
They have a slight resistance to asphyxiation damage.
They have a moderate resistance to poison damage.
They have a moderate weakness to psychic damage.
They are loyal to the Livari.
You cannot see what a striking livari is holding.
It has the following aliases: livari.

You give an enchanting sea glass charm to a striking livari.

Every livari eye turns onto you and your offered charm. Its Divine enchantment grows stronger as it is clasped, pulsating with warmth in gentle waves like a swelling tide rolling in. Expressions contort, and then soften, until finally they nod in unison and move to follow you.

A striking livari says, ".. .re ....e. W. are .ree."
A striking livari says, ".. ar. ...le. .. ar. ...e."
A striking livari says, ".. are ..ole. .. are ..ee."

The Inner Sea.
It is quite mild. The ocean swells and rises, sometimes cresting with white foam. Rife with seaweed and plant life, the salty waters are crystal blue, a sparkling azure landscape that stretches out as far as the eye can see. Though the waters are relatively warm, a dangerous undertow can be felt lurking beneath the surface. The almost hypnotic rise and fall of the ocean is broken only by the occasional seagull cawing to its mates, or by the splash of a fish arcing out of the waters. Floating on the ocean waves is a large mass of sargassum seaweed.
You see exits leading north, southeast, south, southwest, and down.

A striking livari says, "Where...where are we to go? This...this feels right, but..."
A striking livari says, "Where...where are we to go? This...this feels right, but..."
A striking livari says, "Where...where are we to go? This...this feels right, but..."

Lanikai the Sea Queen smiles gently as she opens her hands in welcome. "Shards of our Great Elder, come. We have much to discuss."
A striking livari pauses to study Lanikai the Sea Queen, then softly harrumphs. "We shall see about that, won't we?" (x3)

You crease your brow in a frown.

Seaweed shimmering in the diffuse light, a kelpie swims forth to curiously circle a striking livari, then leads him away from the gathering. (x3)

Daxi claps her hands together merrily.

[picked up another charm and a second group of livari to Lanikai]

In unison, the voices of the scattered livari rise up and cry, "Where are our she'nasim? Where are our loyal nereids?"