Tasks

Misty wisps of light beckon you in hushed shades of blue to the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine
voice whispers, "I would speak with you, My Enduring."

Avaris's antennae flit up, as he dips his head in a low bow. "Yes, my Lady."

The Font of Wisdom.
This shadowy, water-filled alcove is filled with the gentle susurrus of running water, for cascading
waterfalls rain over its smooth stone walls in a symphony of aquatic sound. A procession of water
lotuses, each lit by a single, luminous star, raise their stems high above the surface of sparkling
water as they surround a statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, Her inscrutable expression veiled from view
as She folds Her hands in quiet contemplation. Seven starry jewels crown the Goddess's brow,
mimicking domothean crystal as they emit an eerie light that dapples the shimmering walls. From
where the light touches stone, faint constellations twinkle into view, drawing a sidereal path
across the walls that leads through the Void-black stone to the west, as if charting a way back to
the Basin of Life.
You see exits leading northeast, southeast, and west.

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Light's blessings upon you, My Avaris."

Lowering himself gracefully to one knee before the Font, Avaris places his hands to
either side of the star lotus that rests over his heart, lowering his head in a gesture of
reverence. "Light's blessings upon You also, my Lady. It is, as it ever is, a joy to hear Your
voice."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Much has transpired in recent months, indeed. A
relief that My voice has not yet begun to tire all of the Basin of Life, given how much I have been
forced to speak to all and sundry."

Endless cascades of water and light flow into this luminous pool, enchanting in its celestial glow.

The sanguine sweeps of Avaris's antennae flick down and forward in a swift frown,
mild indignation simmering in the paladin's layered voices as he insists, "Your voice could never
become tiresome, my Lady! You could speak every moment of every day, and it would still be as the
sweetest melody." A low, almost offended tone vibrates forth from him, before he allows, "Not that
You would enjoy such. Have You had much opportunity to rest in relative peace, since?"

A faint ripple of amusement threads itself through the waters of the Font of Wisdom, stirring the
star lotuses upon its surface ever so slightly.

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "You have already changed the course of the
conversation to My wellbeing. I am well, yes. My energies are not so consumed as they were, with Li-
varili now no longer under My protection or healing. Whether that portends good or ill, indeed."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Regardless, I do not bring you here to speak of
Myself. Rather, I would ask you of how your path of Wisdom currently manifests."

You think to yourself: The slight amusement stirs a quiet pleasure within his heart, which falters
for a moment at the observation - chastisement? - that he has steered the topic awry. Was not Her
wellbeing the subject of paramount importance? The direction of his thoughts comes to an abrupt halt
at the topic of Wisdom, a flush of guilt seeping through him.

The points of Avaris's clawed fingers trace minute, back-and-forth motions atop the
gleaming surface of his breastplate, his gaze averting to one side. "Ah..." A faint vibration from
his throat, as if seeking to clear it. "It...Does not, my Lady, in truth."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Indeed? What holds you back, I wonder?"

The vast cloak of Avaris's six wings draws tighter against him, as if seeking to
ward him from the Goddess' perceived displeasure. Fingers curling in upon themselves, so that their
knuckles rest against the unyielding plating of his chest, the kephera's voice is heavy with shame
as he confesses, "I...Suppose that I do. I lack even the Wisdom to know where to begin, or how to
move forward in acquiring it, Lady." The great wedge of his head lowers further still, the
expressionless visor turned down to face the floor. "I am sorry."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "It is a difficult virtue to embrace, I find, and
thus it is the last vow I ask for Mine to complete."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Tell Me, Avaris. What do you think the virtue of
Wisdom entails, in essence? For I have found many view the same tenet through a different lens."

The deep red lines of his antennae twist and writhe in a slow, liquid dance of
uncertainty as Avaris considers the question at length. "It is not something that I find easy to
define, Lady. It is a combination of learning from experience, of possessing the judgement to act
and behave in the correct manner. Neither letting pure logic, nor unfettered emotion drive your
decisions or course, but a balance."

You think to yourself: "What I do know for certain is that I do not have it. That much is clear."

The domothean crystals that crown the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal bathe Her in a strange, eerie
radiance as your confession resounds hollowly in the waters.

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "It is not an incorrect answer. Wisdom is defined
by how one wields knowledge and experience, making it strange to prove, indeed, without a place with
which to apply its understanding in practise."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Tell Me. Do you believe My Tenets are well
understood by the Order? For though vows are sworn, they do not in and of themselves prove
comprehension."

The set of Avaris's shoulders shifts subtly, the vast cords of muscle beneath the
dense chitinous plating tensing as if bracing for a blow. The tautness that lifts the metallic
carapace does not ease or diminish at the Lady's response - Indeed, if anything, they wind more
rigidly tight still. Despite this, the resonance of his voice is level, almost neutral as he
responds, "I do not believe so, Lady. I think little of You is understood, even by the Order."

You think to yourself: Should he say so, so baldly? Who was he to criticise the understanding of the
others, when he himself just admitted that he did not possess it? Likelier by far that they
understood Her far better than he ever would, and it is his lack of comprehension that twists his
perspective. Was it not often the case that the lowest, the least of an organisation, would decry
those of higher station due to a lack of comprehension?

You think to yourself: He did not, if he were to be true to himself, know how he had even gotten so
far in Her Order. Her kindness, likely, to permit him to proceed despite his piteous efforts.

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Do you suppose it is I who makes Myself and My
tenets so unknowable?"

"It is not the fault of the star that there is a gulf between where it rests in the
heavens, and where those who seek it stand, Lady." Avaris replies steadfastly, before pausing,
lingering in a moment of hesitation before he speaks again - This time far more carefully, as if
treading upon a thin sheet of glass. "I will not lie to You, Lady, in that You...Obfuscate Yourself.
You draw back often, and the mists are hard to navigate. That does make it difficult to know You." A
slight rise of his left shoulder precedes, "As for the tenets, that is a mortal failing. You
Yourself have often observed how limited we are. Some, however, do not even make the attempt with
any sincerity, or put forth a paltry effort, and believe that they know all there is to know of
them, and of You. It is disgraceful."

As if illustrating your point, the veiled sculpture appears all the more impassive as the starlit
luminescence of the Font shimmers upon the cold, white stone, reflecting no emotion as your words
are weighed and measured.

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Let Us put the matter of My own obfuscation, as
you call it, aside. You have diagnosed a mortal failing as an affliction upon My Order. What is the
remedy you propose?"

The silence that descends upon Avaris is one of steadily increasing wariness, as he
turns the question over, examining it for a time. Cautiously, he says, "I am not a healer, as You
well know, Lady. I can recommend only what any common fool would, but I will noy deny You an answer,
nonetheless." The talons of his feet scrape quietly along the ground as he shifts his weight,
antennae drawn down in a severe frown. "The core of the issue is threefold, in essence, to my eyes.
They do not strive diligently enough to comprehend. They are overconfident in their knowledge,
despite how erroneous it may be. They may not even be truly aware that they are incorrect."
Engrossed in the process of analysing the problem, as one might be one poring over a particularly
vexing campaign map, the paladin's hand drift aside in absent gestures as he speaks. "They need to
be confronted with the incorrectness of their assumptions. They need it to be spelled out to them as
directly as is possible - Though I feel You have already done so, in truth. They need to be
motivated to seek knowledge of You, and Your tenets. This may flow from stung pride, a feeling of
inadequacy, shame at having misunderstood You, or realising that they are not so close to You and
Your tenets as they believed."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "So lack of diligence, overconfidence, and
unawareness of such are the afflictions, and shame provided as a potential antidote."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "We are agreed that motivation is paramount to
overcoming such a flaw."

The sharp point of Avaris's chin stabs down in a decisive, emphatic nod. "Yes,
Lady. You have summed it up succinctly."

The misty lotuses that surround the Font of the Empyreal begin to dim slightly, their light hushing
as the flowers appear to wilt and fade into the water. "Shame is a powerful poison," the calm,
feminine voice says, watching as the very life of the lotuses appears to eke out from it in
glimmering motes of gasping light. "Spread too thickly, and it dowses any attempt to restore
oneself, miring all in paralysis."

"Shame is far more successfully applied like a knife, or a scalpel, swift and precise in its
excising of the rot," the calm, feminine voice continues, as one of the lotuses shudders, a single
stained petal clipped by an unseen wind to render it perfect once more. "Most, I find, respond far
better to encouragement, however. Uplifting that which is done well, tilting like an eager flower
might towards the life-giving sun."

As the Goddess's words ripple, it is as if new life is breathed into the star lotuses of the waters,
and they return once more to their former brilliance.

Though his natural gaze remains fixed unwaveringly upon the ground beneath him, the
glowing eyes of Avaris's wings witness the apparent death of the flowers, the lines that form them
bending in a mix of consternation and concern. He listens in silence as the Goddess speaks, his
attention as keen as the most finely honed blade. The harsh blades of his layered crest glint as he
jerks his chin down in a short nod, offering no contradiction.

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Even so, give a flower nothing but light and
affection, and it will be unaware of entering a drought until the last of its petals falls, dry and
parched, from the stem. There is a balance. Perhaps I have given more of one than the other."

The angle of Avaris's jaw shifts slightly, as if he moves to lift his head in
surprise, before catching himself. The dense spray of pristine, shimmering white of his mane drifts
gently, as if stirred by the faintest of touches as the lines of his shoulder loosen minutely. "You
are a most nurturing soul, Lady. I do not think it is a black mark against You, for You to lean
towards indulgence, with those You view as children. Discipline is not a trait most parents enjoy
instilling in their young, I think."

Again the waters ripple with something akin to amusement, flickering faintly with motes of celestial
light as the lotuses sway with the sound of laughter.

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "No, I suppose it is not. Though My stance towards
the half-formed may not have been shared by all of the Hamadhi, in truth. It is My tendency, I
think, to see the potential in all Life."

The tip of Avaris's chin rises and falls in small, rapid motions as he nods
earnestly, saying, "Oh, yes, my Lady! You are unsurpassed in Your desire to see all things grow to
their fullest, and Yours is a gentle hand, and a touch that is light as air. You are a very fine
Mother, indeed."

There is a puzzled note to the distant laughter that lingers in the Font of Wisdom, though the
waters shimmer faintly in its wake.

The celestial waters of the Font of Wisdom begin to blur as the ripples undulate outwards once more,
though this time, there is no mirth in them. Instead, the sunken temple beneath the Vanishing Isles
is reflect in its all rubble and decay, like a mausoleum ripped apart in a cruel storm. "My Tenets
are not inherently kind, My Avaris. I believe many think them so, or wish them to be, for there is a
simplicity in such. That Purity is only to be innocent. That Devotion is only to hold great love for
another. That Fortitude is merely bravery, or Wisdom to feel knowledgeable about a great many
things. All this, however, is born in the fires of resilience. They are ever under siege in a world
that seeks to undermine the path of righteousness." Then the water ripples once more, smoothing its
surface like glass to reflect only you and the statue looming overhead. "In this, I ask for much
from Mine."

Growing still, in contrast to the shimmering surface of the waters which he regards
in sober silence, Avaris absorbs the image of the sunken temple and the Goddess's reply at length.
Eventually, he lowers his head in a slow, almost regretful nod of acknowledgement. "I know, my Lady.
Please do not mistake my adoration of You for blindness to the struggles You have endured, or the
gravity of the lessons You would have us learn." The long, sharply jointed fingers of his upper
right hand flick aside in a small, dismissive motion. "You ask practically nothing of us, Lady. It
is, in fact, often my wish that You would ask far more of us."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "You wish for a task, then?"

Without a flicker of hesitation, Avaris states, "Always."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "You who are called Enduring have completed vows
of Purity, Devotion, and Fortitude. As you approach Wisdom, consider it in equal measure. I would
ask you to compile your own understanding of My Tenets, that it might serve as a light to guide
those who wander before the veil of My Order. And in return, I shall consider what Wisdom is for
you, and allow you the opportunity to prove your understanding of it unto Me."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Is this task one you wish to undertake, My
Avaris?"

You sense a quiet, unseen presence watching you here, at once both calming and disquieting.

As still as a statue forged from polished gold, Avaris awaits with the patience of
stone, appearing content to remain in his positiong of kneeling reverence for as long as his Lady
desires. His silence persists, however, for a time even after the task is offered to him, though the
texture of it is that of one struggling with some inner thought. Eventually, as if each word is
lifted from a mire of clinging tar, he says, "I...Would dearly wish to, my Lady, but...I would feel
that I am misleading You, if I pretend that I am confident in my understanding of Your Tenets. I do
not wish to have my fitful, dim light as guide for any, let alone those You hold so dear. It would
only lead them astray."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "I note that doubts have not stopped others from
attempting such."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "However, if it weighs upon you in such a fashion,
I would offer My Immaculate Nabithia as a counselor to you in your task. She may speak with you of
your understanding of the Tenets, and guide you if she feels you have wandered astray."

The spires of gleaming chitin that rise up from Avaris's haloed shoulders lift in a
small shrug. "That does not mean I wish to share in their failures, my Lady." At the mention of
Nabithia, however, a spark of hope seems to kindle within the kephera, albeit tentatively so.
"That...Would be most helpful. Immaculate Nabithia is very Wise, and I do not fear trampling upon
her feelings as much as I do others. Thank You, Lady. I will do this, to the best of my limited
ability."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "It pleases Me to hear so."

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you say, "I am glad to have pleased You, then, my Lady. I
shall strive to continue to do so."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Is there aught else you wish to speak of to Me,
My Avaris, before I turn My attention from realms?"

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you say, "No, my Lady. I will not keep You from Your rest.
Thank You for indulging me with this task, and for gracing me with Your presence."

Luminous star lotuses brighten the flowing waters of the Font of Wisdom as a calm, feminine voice
emanates from the statue of Lantra, the Empyreal, "Then may you walk in the Light, as ever, My
Enduring."

Endless cascades of water and light flow into this luminous pool, enchanting in its celestial glow.

Avaris places his hands on either side of the crimson lotus that sits against his
chest. "And You, my Lady. Light's blessings go with You."

Then the statue of the Empyreal Goddess goes still, and the waters of the Font of Wisdom go silent.

Rising, Avaris's antennae remain turned down in a troubled frown as he walks away,
his steps slow, demeanour thoughtful.