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- Handing an immaculate stone basin to you Aeldra says, "Do fill it with the waters of this font and
- drink. Then let us discuss what you see." With that she places the large basin into you hands.
- Aeldra gives an immaculate stone basin to you.
- Endless cascades of water and light flow into this luminous pool, enchanting in its celestial glow.
- You think to yourself: "It will be good, to see these memories again, with a better grasp of my
- Lady."
- You fill an immaculate stone basin with water.
- You take a long draught of water, hoping to quench your thirst.
- The luminous, sparkling waters bring a calm clarity to your mind as you receive a vision of the Lady
- Lantra:
- "I envy you," you sigh to Rhapsody as the winged Goddess holds you in Her arms. "There are many
- times I wish for your gift to uplift spirits with words alone. I... rarely know what to say to those
- who despair." You shudder at the memories of the bodies on your healing mound, mangled beyond all
- recognition by the Soulless. What comfort could you or anyone offer those left behind? As if sensing
- your distress, Rhapsody draws closer to you and silences your doubts with a kiss. "You are the Light
- of My Soul," She says with conviction. "You uplift Me every moment of each day. If I am able to lift
- the hearts of others, Lantra, it is surely due in part to the love you bear Me! Do not doubt
- yourself." Even now as She smiles at you, Rhapsody makes it appear so effortless, this genuine
- outpouring of compassion that cannot be taught, no matter how diligently you study. You marvel at
- Her, that such a selfless Goddess would love you.
- Aeldra watches you, hovering in the air next to the basin, waiting quietly for your reaction, hands
- folded.
- You think to yourself: A bittersweet wrenching of his heart, the paired emotions of sorrow and joy
- twisting at either side of his soul. "I think You underestimate Your ability to raise the spirits of
- others with words, my Lady."
- Lowering the basin, Avaris studies the Font for a time, his manner pensive. His
- voice is yet subdued, the hue of his eyes still a deep, rich blue. "I...Did not realise the memories
- would change." Turning to regard Aeldra, he asks, "Do you think the Lady still believes that She
- cannot lift the hearts of others, as Her love once did?"
- Aeldra taps her nose thoughtfully at you question, "I am uncertain, but I do think that She can see
- that impact She has upon us mortals, Avaris." She nods to the basin, "As for the memories, yes, you
- will see different things every time you drink. What insight were you gifted with?"
- A gentle scraping sounds hisses forth as Avaris runs the edge of his plated thumb
- along the rim of the basin, the motion slow. "A most poignant one, given what I have experienced
- today. Our Lady in Her love's arms, being reassured."
- Aeldra smiles softly at you and nods, "I am sure it has been a rather insightful memory." She points
- at the font, asking "As this is the font of purity, would you draw any relation between the memory
- and the tenet?"
- Lapsing into silence for a brief span of time that is filled with mute
- contemplation of the Font, Avaris studies the statue of the Empyreal, the crimson lines of his
- antennae stirring faintly with life once more. "Naturally. There is the Purity of Their love for one
- another, of course. The Purity of our Lady's desire to heal, to grant succour to others even in
- matters of the heart. So, too, in the Lady Rhapsody's desire to do so for our Lady, and to cleanse
- the doubt from Her. They both have such a strong, Pure intent to help others, to heal, in Their
- way."
- Aeldra nods softly at you, "Thank you for sharing your insight with me. Shall we proceed to the next
- font, then?" she inquires, "Or do you wish to linger a bit?"
- Avaris frees his lower left hand from where it supports the basin, gesturing gently
- for Aeldra to continue. "I can return here after. Please, go on."
- Aeldra nods at you, encouragingly "Please, do drink from the font of Purity as well, dear Avaris,
- and tell me what you see." She flutters next to the font, "And how you feel it would result in
- purity. It is always interesting to see what fresh eyes see in the memories shared with them."
- The Font of Devotion.
- The refined elegance of Lantra, the Blessed Mother is made manifest in this beautiful alabaster
- font, the sculpture's eyes aglow with adoration as She stands upon a marble pedestal with hands
- pressed to Her heart. Her gaze falls upon the Supernals of Celestia whom watch over these blessed
- waters, each sculpted into the chamber's six surrounding columns. A shimmering aureole surrounds
- Elohora, her hands extended upwards in a sign of benevolence to the Goddess while Shakiniel guards
- her sister's left, her gold-embossed shield raised and sword in hand. To the right stands the noble
- Methrenton, his armour imbued with a soft iridescence; Raziela follows, her slight form shown
- singing beneath an arbour of yellow daisies. Japhiel emerges from the next pillar, his stern gaze
- fixated upon the heavy gilt tome held in his hands. The final column resembles a faint masculine
- figure, though its face is faded, as if lost to memory. Golden lotuses stand serenely at the base of
- each pillar, illuminated with motes of starlight that cast luminous ripples across the room. Yvai,
- the battle sheep dwells here, antler-bearing head raised proudly. Head bowed, an anointed urn-bearer
- of water and light holds aloft the blessed vessel here with a reverent, stoic grace. She is
- surrounded by a deflection bubble.
- You see exits leading east, southwest, and northwest.
- Avaris dips his chin in a small nod, stepping forward to fill the basin from the
- flowing waters of the Font.
- You take a long draught of water, hoping to quench your thirst.
- The luminous, sparkling waters bring a calm clarity to your mind as you receive a vision of the Lady
- Lantra:
- How long had it been you drifted upon clouds of white, watching as Mother drew Rhapsody into form?
- How many aeons ago did you watch Her grow, small at first, calling you Elder, though you were so
- young yourself? How long ago was it She departed Her creche, shedding off infant essence and form,
- molting into a beautiful young Goddess? And when had She first begun to mimic Mother's song, and
- learned to sing it so sweetly? All the other Keepers of Song have left Celestia, having failed to
- restore the Supernals with their chorus of the Song of Creation. She alone has not abandoned you.
- "Do not give up hope, Lantra," Rhapsody says, pressing a kiss upon your cheek. "I have faith in
- you." The warmth of Her touch lingers long after.
- You think to yourself: "Ah. I think there is much of Rhapsody in my Lady's tenets, and Her choosing
- of them. She has coloured Your soul, and left an indelible mark upon Your heart, Lady, and for that
- I am eternally grateful."
- Aeldra tilts her head, quietly listening for your answer.
- Kneeling before the statue, Avaris places all four of his hands around the
- circumference of the basin, encapsulating the vessel in a barrier of gleaming white. "There is, as
- in the other memory, layers to how it relates to the Font, I believe. Their Devotion to one another -
- Our Lady, watching over Lady Rhapsody as She grew. Our Lady's Devotion to Her Mother's creations,
- and Her own task of nurturing Them. Her Devotion to the Supernals. The Lady Rhapsody's Devotion to
- Her, and to the task of restoring the Supernals. To each Other."
- A hint of a smile passes over Aeldra's face as she listens to your words. "I do remember that memory
- well. It is a lovely one, one that already reflects the bond that forms between the two of Them. It
- gives one a lot of insight into the very depth as far as devotion may go." She nods quietly to the
- basin in your hands. "If you're ready, let us continue."
- Avaris nods readily, rising easily to his feet once again. "I am. Please, proceed."
- The Font of Fortitude.
- Cold, argent light filters through this chamber, which is upheld by stark white pillars illuminated
- by starry torchlight. The frescoes painted upon this water-filled chamber are haunting in their
- black-and-white shading as they depict the horrors of the Elder Wars. Here, countless Elder Gods
- hold Their ground before the likes of Kethuru, Crazen and Zenos, held in proud formations perfected
- by the Second Circle. Yet the wounded and dying have begun to pile up behind Them, and while many
- faces which grace these walls seem familiar, far more are blurred, as if the memory of Them has
- finally begun to fray. A statue of Lantra, the Lady Mediatrix looks upon all these images in
- silence, surrounded by startlingly bright red lotuses which blossom at Her feet and crown Her regal
- brow. A single crimson lotus blooms eternally in Her outstretched hands as water and light flows
- forth from beneath its sanguine petals, as if stained with blood. Yvai, the battle sheep dwells
- here, antler-bearing head raised proudly. Head bowed, an anointed urn-bearer of water and light
- holds aloft the blessed vessel here with a reverent, stoic grace. She is surrounded by a deflection
- bubble.
- You see exits leading northeast, south, and northwest.
- Aeldra flits over to the Font of Fortitude, landing on the ground next to it and looking up at the
- tall kephera next to her. "You've gained a lot of insight into our Lady and Lady Rhapsody already
- today, I am curious what memory the fonts will reveal to you now. Fortitude are often very important
- but at times, also very grim memories from Her life."
- Rather than look down upon Aeldra, Avaris turns his head slightly aside so that the
- diminuitive figure remains within his field of view, his left antenna leaning down towards her. "I
- have indeed. I will treasure the memories of my Lady's joy, even as I will cherish this glimpse into
- who She is, even if it is dire."
- Lady Aeldra Ladyn, of Cerulean Waters says, "Yes, indeed and each of them gives us a glimpse both
- more about who She is as wells about what She seeks to teach us."
- You think to yourself: He will accept all the facets that make up the peerless jewel that is his
- Lady - Even if they are sharp, or jagged.
- "Drink," a calm, feminine voice echoes through the chamber, "and know of Hope, and that strength
- which refuses to be extinguished by despair."
- The luminous, sparkling waters bring a calm clarity to your mind as you receive a vision of the Lady
- Lantra:
- Meridian's screams of anguish pierce the air as Eventru and Carsini stand transfixed, lost to the
- spectacle of horror that is the slaughter of Their Circle. Amberle, the gentlest of the Firsts - no,
- your First - has fallen. Everything slows as your body glides on pure instinct towards Meridian,
- calling for the other Hamadhi to tend to Him at your side. Your leaders have gone. Like Aslarn, you
- must ascend to Their place. As you reach for Meridian, you receive a glimpse into His link with
- Amberle; with no healing mound, His raw pain is absorbed as your own. A primal terror fills you as
- the Soulless's endless hunger flashes into your mind, vast and insatiable. Long after, you weep in
- Rhapsody's arms, still unable to shake this infinite dread and sorrow that is not your own.
- The fingers that grip the basin grow tense, Avaris squeezing down upon it in a
- reflexive gesture even as his shoulders tauten, his posture turning rigid. A confusion of colour
- whorls in the pools of his eyes - blue, dark as the depths of the oceans, blending and twisting with
- threads of vivid red - of the same hue that burns in the glaring eyes of his wings, with an
- intensity and brightness to rival the raging sun. The chitin of his fingers groans in protest at the
- pressure it endures, the pointed tips screeching along the basin's surface as he struggles to master
- himself. His breathing is harsh, and ragged - but with tangible effort, it grows steadier, smoothing
- out in tandem with a dulling of the blazing sanguine light. At length, hands trembling faintly, he
- lowers the basin and lifts his hands to press them to his face, silent.
- Aeldra flits over to you, concern clearly visible in her eyes, as she alights gently on the
- kephera's shoulder "Avaris?" she asks quietly, "What did you see that disturbed you so much?"
- With that Aeldra she instinctively reaches out and wraps her arms gently around your neck for a
- moment, before senses comes back to her, pulling back and instead watching you with worry.
- You think to yourself: A flood of surging, overwhelming emotion - That of his Lady's, of what She
- felt through the connection to the agonised Lord Meridian, and his own. The immensity of the
- combination is fit to drown him, the sheer, infinite depth of the sorrow, the horror born of the
- Soulless' hunger carving a deep groove into his heart. There is, of course, rage. A fury of vast and
- terrible light, that She has suffered so much - Was Her own pain not enough, that She had to take
- that of others within Herself?
- Avaris's answering nod is a jerking, shaking motion, his shoulder shivering briefly
- beneath Aeldra. His voice is a strange thing to hear - Not at all as smooth as normal, but formed
- from ragged edges of lingering horror, jagged rage, and a straining note of sorrow. "I..I felt what
- She felt. When..." He shudders again, curling his hands into fists. "Lord Meridian. The Soulless."
- You think to yourself: A quelling of the maelstrom, a gradual restoration of balance as the foreign
- emotions ebb away, leaving only his own to master. Aided by the concern of his dear friend, by the
- strength he felt through the brief embrace, he grows quiescent within once more, applying his will
- with the inexorable pressure of gravity.
- Aeldra frowns and nods, "I knew what happened back then, Avaris, long before I've shared that memory
- of Hers" she remains seated on your shoulder, still looking very worried. "And yet, it did not
- prepare me to actually feel it through the eyes of our Lady." She shudders, "The first contact with
- the soulless, the loss of Lady Amberle" she sighs, "It is a hard memory to bear, but also an
- important one. It reminds us as to why we have the tasks we do have." She taps you shoulder lightly,
- sympathy shining in her eyes "Remember that you share this memory with all of us and that we bear it
- together dear, every one of us." Her voice grows a tad stronger, losing a bit of its softness "It is
- no idle choice that She shows us this below Fortitude, for there is a lesson within, Avaris. What do
- you take from having been gifted this memory?"
- You think to yourself: He focuses upon the question, the purpose. Fortitude, in this, as in all
- things.
- Visibly steadying, the tremors that run sporadically through Avaris diminish until
- he is as solid and unmoving as is his typical fashion. The light within his markings dims down to
- faint embers of baleful red, while his eyes grow closer to their usual hue - losing all traces of
- the invasive crimson as they glimmer with a few fitful sparks of light when he turns his head to
- Aeldra. "It is harrowing. But we endure it, for Her. It is, no doubt, but a fraction of the burdens
- She carries. I will not be undone by this." Exhaling softly, he considers the query for but a small
- time, before responding, his voice smoother, calmer. "There are many displays of Fortitude within
- this one. The Lady does not break, despite what She sees, what She is forced to feel. She does Her
- duty, even in the grip of the horror of what unfolds. She has the Fortitude to act, and to take Lord
- Meridian's agony, even as She carries Her own." A pause, and then there is a slight burgeoning of
- light within his eyes, a handful of brighter motes joining those that dwell within the azure depths.
- "And, of course, Lady Rhapsody displays Fortitude when She supports Her love. She is a pillar for
- our Lady to lean upon, in Her time of need."
- Aeldra smiles at your words, her emerald eyes sparkling brightly as she sees resolve grow within
- him, "Yes, indeed. I can wholeheartedly agree with you on this, Avaris." She nods, tapping your
- shoulder lightly before lifting up to over in front of you. "This is one of the memories that will
- linger with you the most, but it'll also remind you why we walk the path, we as an order, we as a
- city, we as a people." She points down to the font and then, with a wide gesture back to you "And
- with you, we have gained one more member who understands, who knows, who feels, why it is important
- to hold on, to carry out our duties, to move forward and ensure something like this may never happen
- again." She clasps a glass ampoule of bottled starlight around her neck, "And in thus, to cleanse
- and heal those that have suffered like our Lady does, to provide reprieve and mending from the
- suffering the Soulless and those corrupted them have caused."
- You think to yourself: A quiet ripple of the heart. He has depthless admiration for healers, such as
- his Lady, and Lady Aeldra before him, but he knows, in his soul, that he is not one. The best he can
- manage, in his eyes, is to excise the corrupted flesh before it infects the whole. To burn away the
- rot, purge the sickness and bring purity with the clean, sharp edge of a blade. He is not a healer.
- He is a sword - But swords can protect, even as they cut.
- Unfurling to reveal their starry hearts, radiant lotuses bloom upon these waters with a stoic grace.
- Avaris listens with acute attention to Aeldra's words, his reinvigorated antennae
- leaning in Aeldra's direction as he watches intently. He nods, though the gesture is a slow one. "I
- will do what I can, Aeldra. I do not think that I can mend, or bring succour, as you or our Lady do,
- but I will serve Her however I can." He extends his upper right hand, the motion gentle, and lays
- the tips of his fingers upon Aeldra's arm - his touch cool, but not cold, and hard. The kindly
- contact of a marble statue. "Thank you, Aeldra. I did not miss your gesture, even in the grasp of
- the memory. You are very kind to me."
- Aeldra smiles softly, resting her hand briefly on top of your saying "maybe you can not, Avaris, but
- my friend, you are still doing a lot. Your very presence inspires the people around you." Her eyes
- grow a little distant as she continues speaking, "It is often that those that suffer or struggle
- seek comfort in those who stand unmoved and stern against the tides that crash against the shore.
- Those that would stand in the fields of battle, may they be of physical struggle, of faith or mental
- nature." She turns her eyes upon you, letting go of your hand "You have this strength Avaris, by
- your demeanor and your very presence."
- You think to yourself: "Ah, Aeldra. You see what I yearn to be, I think, not what I am. It is my
- very dear wish to be as you describe, someday. I fear I sinpire very little, as I am now."
- A brief, scintillating scattering of motes glimmer to life within Avaris's eyes,
- though there is a note of something faintly sad in the melody of his voice. "Thank you, Aeldra. That
- is very kind of you to say. I will aspire to be worthy that." Lifting his hand from her, he lifts it
- to run the sharp tips of his fingers through the feathers of his right antenna, the gesture
- distracted. "Shall we move on?"
- Aeldra nods softly at you, "I have no doubt you will. Let us do so, then."
- Aeldra alights on the rim of the font of Wisdom, saying to you "And last, but not least, we arrive
- on the Font of Wisdom, Avaris." she nods towards its waters, "I am sure what you shall find revealed
- will be equally enlightening."
- A bright, almost starkly white figure in the shadowed alcove, Avaris steps forward,
- nodding to Aeldra before he fills the basin with the waters of the font.
- The statue of Lantra, the Empyreal shines with muted light as an immaculate stone basin slowly fills
- with luminous waters from the Font of Wisdom.
- "Drink," a calm, feminine voice echoes through the chamber, "and know of Truth, and that which
- pursues knowledge with humility."
- As the waters quiet, an immaculate stone basin vanishes in a flash of blessed light, returning once
- more to your hands.
- You take a long draught of water, hoping to quench your thirst.
- The luminous, sparkling waters bring a calm clarity to your mind as you receive a vision of the Lady
- Lantra:
- "Compromised." That was the word that Meridian had used. Your heart stills; you didn't intend to
- eavesdrop upon the Exalted's conversion, but you cannot unhear what has been spoken. And you cannot
- bear to leave. Eventru's warm, golden voice murmurs, "We do not share your concerns, Meridian. We
- believe that Lantra would be an asset to such a gathering." There is a deep sigh. "They are not My
- concerns, Eventru," Meridian says at length. "But it is Lisaera's wish. You are the only member of
- the Hamadhi She trusts. There have been too many... miracles." Once more, Eventru invokes your name,
- stubborn and unyielding. And once more, Meridian denies Him. "We both know Lantra has changed since
- Rhapsody's death," Meridian says quietly. "And Lisaera will not take any risk." You do not chase
- after Meridian for an explanation, nor do you follow the Lord Exalted to ask what He knows. When the
- tears come, you only ask yourself what you could have done differently.
- Aeldra watches you with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
- Again, red. Again, the markings within his wings burgeon with light - but this time
- it is a slow, gradual seeping of roiling, dark crimson that flows and throbs through the glaring
- eyes that adorn Avaris's wings. Again, the basin is subjected to terrible pressures as his grip
- contracts with the inexorable, unhurried force of a coldly burning star. The texture of his
- displeasure is much different, as he appears very much to be in control of himself - this is
- obviously not the reflexive, primal reaction of the previous font, but a deliberate, dreadful anger
- born of intelligence, of awareness. His voice is as cool and perilous as icy water, flat and hard as
- a blade - a judge, damning someone to the gallows with a single, uncompromising word. "Faithless."
- Aeldra's eyes shine with sympathy as she nods in understanding. "You've seen one of those where She
- is just discarded, locked out, out of mistrust, is it not?" she asks, her voice dark and rich with
- anger, "I do remember those well and they are hard to bear." She looks up at you, "Or ... it could
- be that you've seen the ones that ... I hope not, not yet." She tilts her head sideways, "What did
- you see, Avaris?"
- You think to yourself: How dare They judge Her? How /dare/ They suspect Her, when She has done
- nothing but give all that She is in the name of others? Spineless, faithless wretches, abandoning
- Her so easily, when She has shown unwavering Devotion, an unending charity of spirit.
- You think to yourself: A note of concern flicks within the dread star of cold anger, pulling his
- attention aside. "What memories await that she would speak so?" How much has his Lady suffered?
- Endless cascades of water and light flow into this luminous pool, enchanting in its celestial glow.
- You have emoted: The fell quality of his voice remains, as empty of understanding as the Void is of
- light, of warmth. Avaris's grip upon the bowl eases, if only marginally, as he answers, "You
- inferred correctly. They shunned Her." He studies Aeldra for a time in silence, the quality of his
- voice softening a shade, "Do the memories grow more terrible still, Aeldra? Is there no end to what
- pain She has endured?"
- Aeldra nods softly at your "You have yet only glimpsed the terrors of what the Elders' endured and
- why the Twelve of them are so shunned and why it is so horrifying that They have aligned themselves
- with Magnagora and ... Glomdoring." She taps her nose thoughtfully, "I am unsure how deep your
- knowledge of the annals of Mugwumpois go, that tell of the Elder Wars?" She inquires from you, her
- eyes still fierce and determined "Some of the memories here tell of the tale of a Healer that
- betrayed Her art, witnessed from our Lady's very own eyes, Their name Malmydia."
- You think to yourself: The abrupt, clear image of a statue, the figure thin, slashed and stabbed in
- the grip of a terrible anger. "Ah. I see it, now."
- Shaking his head fractionally, Avaris responds, "I have been distracted from
- reading through them, with the matters of the Wyrd." He frees a hand, the upper left, and uses it to
- indicate in the direction of the Isles. "The sunken building. The statue that has been marred.
- Malmydia?"
- Aeldra says to you, "My dear friend, I have to leave you here for a bit, as much as I would wish to
- hear what you have to say of this. I have sworn duty to the city and there are things to tend to, as
- a time quake has manifested itself. Let us finish this as soon as I am free, yes? I will tell you
- about Malmydia then."
- Avaris dips his head in a curt nod, lowering his hand again. "Of course. Do not let
- me keep you, Aeldra. Fight well, and see clear. I will be here."
- Luminous waters dance about Aeldra and carry her away in a stream of light, taking with them a
- glissade of water lilies which drift along to the west.
- Falling into a light trot, Yvai, the battle sheep trots out to the 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, "I wonder. What Wisdom do you find in such a
- vision as this?"
- The sanguine curves of Avaris's feathered antennae snap to attention at the sound
- of the voice, and he immediately lowers himself to one knee before the statue. "My Lady. I..." He
- grows silent, the straight lines of his antennae curving forward and down. "This is a difficult one
- to derive Wisdom from, my Lady. There are, I believe, many ways one could interpret it."
- 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, "Perhaps. And yet you need only express one."
- The rounded bottom of Avaris's smooth face dips down in a nod, brushing against the
- dense white of his fur. "I think that, of all that I could take from this, my Lady, I feel that it
- conveys that no matter how much of yourself you give to others, no matter how hard you work, how
- good you are...People can always spurn you. But that does not matter - It is the good that you do
- that matters, not the recognition, not the love or praise you might get. Even if it hurts."
- You think to yourself: "Especially if it hurts. Being good, and kind, is not always easy. And there
- is the Wisdom of why You are so guarded, now, my Lady. Ah, how You have been wounded, time and time
- again. You did not deserve any of this."
- Caressing your ear, the voice of Aeldra whispers, "I think this won't take too long till we can
- continue this."
- 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 pity that what is right and what is easy
- rarely align, is it not?"
- You tell Lady Aeldra Ladyn, of Cerulean Waters, "Take your time, Aeldra. Our Lady speaks to me. I do
- not lack for company."
- White water lilies glide in from the west upon a flowing stream, their gentle procession heralding
- the entrance of Aeldra in a burst of water and light.
- Avaris's voice is firm, but not cool, or unkind. "It is, my Lady. If they did, the
- world would be a much brighter place. One of the greatest advantages that evil possesses, is how
- easy it is to fall within its grip. The choice to be good, to do the hard thing, is not one made
- often enough."
- Aeldra exhales, as she flits in, panting "Uh... Am sorry Avaris. Forgive me for having to leave you
- so suddenly." she says as she catches her breath.
- 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, "Forgive Me, My Immaculate, for continuing in your
- absence."
- Aeldra smiles softly and shakes her head slightly, "Nothing to forgive, my Lady. For after all,
- these are the things You taught me and You have a lot of insights to share that I can only hope to
- still learn." She curtseys gracefully.
- From where he kneels in reverence before the statue, Avaris's antenna flicks in
- Aeldra's direction - though he does not turn to face her. "You have nothing to apologise for,
- Aeldra. I would be content to wait, even if our Lady was not present."
- 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, "On the contrary, it is My Avaris whose insights
- have been shared. Tell My Immaculate what you have told Me, child."
- Aeldra turns fully to you, curiosity plainly on her face as she quietly listens for your words.
- Avaris bows his head in immediate and unhesitant acquiescence. "Yes, my Lady."
- Shifting the angle of his head so that Aeldra can see his profile, he does as he is bidden, and
- speaks, "In essence, that acting in a good and right manner is rarely easy. It does not always bring
- friendship, or trust, or faith - but that does not matter, in truth. It is the good that you do that
- matters, whether those you help laud you for it or damn you." He lifts his lower left hand, turning
- it to encapsulate both Aeldra and the statue of their Lady. "No matter how it hurts, we must endure.
- We must do good, no matter the cost to ourselves."
- Aeldra nods solemnly to you, "yes, the right path is seldom the one that is the easiest to walk."
- She shakes her head slightly, "I would say that this is, in part, why the people within the basin
- look so strangely upon us. Not that I can say that all our decisions are right, but that is another
- decision entirely." She flutters a little higher bringing herself onto the same height as you, "You
- however have shown from your first steps after the portal that you have the conviction to do what
- you know is just and right, despite the costs in popularity it may bring you."
- You think to yourself: "Popularity means little to me, my friend. The warmth and love of others is a
- good and fine thing - But it is nothing, if the cost is permitting goodness to fade, or the Light to
- grow corrupted. I would become the most reviled creature in all of creation, for the right cause."
- 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 well know that it is a lonely path to walk,
- indeed. And yet you do not walk alone, do you, My Avaris? For you walk in the radiance of the Light,
- and among Mine."
- Aeldra nods softly in agreement with the Goddess' words, "We do stand with him, yes."
- Lowering his head in quiet acceptance of Aeldra's words, Avaris returns his
- attention fully to his Lady as She speaks, placing both pairs of his hands upon the natural armour
- of his chest. "I do not, my Lady. I have the Light with me to guide my way. I have those of Yours
- that see clear and true. I am grateful for it."
- You think to yourself: "And I have You, my Lady."
- 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 look forward to seeing where this path leads
- you, My Blessed Avaris."
- The voice echoing in the Font of Wisdom quiets, until all that can be heard in the stillness is the
- susurrus of running water.
- "Yes, my Lady. Thank You." Avaris responds, maintaining his kneeling posture for a
- time even after the stillness descends - both within the chamber, and upon the kephera himself.
- Lady Aeldra Ladyn, of Cerulean Waters graciously grants you entrance into the the Divine Order of
- Lantra, the Empyreal. Congratulations, and may you serve your God well.
- In a flash of Divine power, a glass ampoule of bottled starlight appears in your hands, marking you
- a member of the Divine Order of Lantra, the Empyreal.
- (The Avowing): Aeldra says, "Welcome Avaris within the Avowed of the order of our Lady Lantra."
- (The Avowing): Faragan (from a temporal rift) says, "Be welcome young one."
- (The Avowing): You say, "Thank you, both. It is beyond an honour, sincerely."
- Stirring at the light that leaves the ampoule within his upper left hand, Avaris
- turns the long, chitinous appendage over and unfurls the cage of his fingers so that he can study
- the glass with fascinated wonder.
- The translucent glass of this fragile ampoule has been blown into a small, spherical vial, its
- delicate shape fitting perfectly into the palm of one's hand. Within the glass vessel, a luminous
- swirl of argent light and mystic waters coalesces to form bottled starlight in an effervescent and
- sparkling elixir. At the apex of the vial is a platinum seal wrought into the likeness of a sacred
- star lotus, its immaculate petals gleaming as the flower unfurls above a fine chain of enough length
- to secure the vial loosely about the neck. Cradling the vial protectively is a round celadon
- receptacle, the smooth jade jewelled with the image of two pearlescent koi fish, one a stark white
- and the other a dark ebony, encircling the ampoule in a graceful dance of duality. A celestial light
- suffuses the glass ampoule with a soothing glow, emanating a sense of inner peace and calm.
- Aeldra smiles softly at you, "I left you with a lot of questions, Avaris. When you're ready, I'm
- most certainly willing to answer them."
- Lifting the bottled starlight, Avaris presses it against the cool, unyielding
- surface of his carapace, just over his heart. He holds it there for a long moment, then rises,
- turning to Aeldra with a nod. "If you would not mind, Aeldra, I would greatly appreciate that."
- Aeldra nods at you, "Of course. Maybe lets change scenery though? There are many places within this
- tower."
- Avaris nods decisively, falling into step beside Aeldra.
- A balcony overlooking the Vanishing Isles.
- The vast panorama of the Vanishing Isles stretches before this balcony in a limitless expanse of sea
- and mist. Only a delicate balustrade of marble and glass protects against the steep fall from the
- ivory tower to the world below, which seems at once beautiful and insignificant from these heights.
- The water gardens of the Isle of Polaris sparkle enchantingly beneath the ever-present starlight of
- this place, as does the bruised ocean, which shimmers like black glass under its quiet light. Every
- so often, a distant island can be made out as the veil of mist parts to reveal gold and silver sands
- on the horizon, beckoning beyond the temple's safe confines. Head bowed, an anointed urn-bearer of
- water and light holds aloft the blessed vessel here with a reverent, stoic grace. She is surrounded
- by a deflection bubble.
- You see a single exit leading south.
- Aeldra turns to you as she enters, looking up to the kephera beside her. "How about here, what do
- you think?"
- Each step giving rise to a click-clack of hard chitin and talons impacting upon
- marble, Avaris makes his way over to the balustrade, the breeze stirring the thick fluff of his mane
- like dense, tufted cotton. Placing his upper pair of hands upon the barrier, he gazes out over the
- expanse that spreads out below them, and nods slightly, his tone warm and peaceful. "Perfection. I
- come here, sometimes, to meditate."
- Aeldra flutters up and sits herself on the the edge of the balustrade as she begins to speak "Do you
- know, anything at all, about the Elder Wars, or would it be better if I would give you a general
- overview, Avaris?"
- "I know quite a bit, in broad strokes, but if you wish to set the scene, by all
- means." Avaris shifts his lower set of hands, bringing the left to the flaring chitin that guards
- his hip. Pressing the point of his index finger above where it has been pierced through to secure
- the loops of his scabbards, he stabs the sharp digit into the gleaming surface, puncturing it with
- no small amount of effort. Wiping the modest flow of blood from the hole, he takes the fine chain of
- the ampoule and loops it through with great care, cinching it tight. After checking that the glass
- does not have sufficient freedom to bounce against him with enough force to shatter, he settles it
- reverently back into place, and listens.
- You slip into a glass ampoule of bottled starlight.
- Celestial light pours forth from a glass ampoule to anoint you in the name of the Empyreal Goddess,
- dancing about you in rivulets of mystic water and rays of argent white. As divine energy ripples
- about you, a soothing calm purges all doubts as you receive the sacred blessing of Her Anointed.
- Aeldra nods gladly "I am glad that you have a general idea as to what has happened. But then, Alarin
- did decide to take you under their wing, the y wouldn't have let of off to anywhere without a broad
- idea of history." She nods firmly, her expression darkening. "The particular incidents we're
- referring is about Lord Krokano and... about the one of the traitors that is now known as the
- Machine." she pauses for a moment, "Both are names familiar to you, Avaris?" She dangles her legs
- over the edge of the balustrade, watching the scenery below.
- A faint note of humour slips through Avaris's words as he says, "This was
- unprompted, as it happens. I am inclined towards arming myself with knowledge by nature, and more so
- now than ever - The pursuit of Wisdom. You understand." The subtle levity fades in its entirely, his
- mien growing sober as he dips his head in a nod. "They are."
- Aeldra turns to look at you, her expression turning lighter for a moment "You know, Alarin is my
- father in law and the only father I have left, even if by extension. I'm very used to his, well,
- particular way of approaching things." She winks, before turning more serious again, straightening
- her posture as she begins to summarize "In short, Avaris, Malmydia is the one that twisted the art
- of healing, using the accursed Elixir that the Masque and His accomplices devised from the essence
- of the soulless Nemach to 'cure' and 'strengthen' the Elders from the Soulless assault. She used
- this twisted, accursed thing to treat the wound of Lord Krokano's eye, resulting in immense
- suffering to Him and in that twisted eye His shards now bear." Her left hand clutches her right,
- around the ankles, the white on her knuckles coming forth for a moment, before she forcefully
- relaxes. "And she molded the remains of the god the Machine used to be into the traitorous thing He
- now obviously is, that has earned Him this name."
- You think to yourself: A throb of anger as the memory of a spear being buried into Her brushes
- against his mind, summoned by the talk of the Machine. "I hope His twisted prison pains Him, for all
- that He has done, for hurting Her. It is the least He deserves."
- The stylised depictions of eyes that flood Avaris's wings, as well as adorning his
- brow and either shoulder, fill with a low, sullen light - not a blazing fire, but the quiet heat of
- embers that burn on and on. "That explains much. I have no doubt that turning the healing arts
- towards such abhorrent ends is anathema to our Lady, and to you."
- Aeldra nods seriously at you "Many memories you'll see, Avaris, will reveal to you parts of this
- foul corruption of the healing arts. Some of it is visible from the beginning too."
- Avaris lowers his head in a somber nod of his own. "I am certain that they will
- bring much Wisdom, though I feel that there will be much pain in them, for our Lady. What...Happened
- to Malmydia, Aeldra? I have not read that far, I confess."
- Aeldra gazes out over the balustrade, speaking in a muted tone "They were rounded up and condemned.
- There were twelve all and all. They were judged by three of the third circle, chosen to speak
- judgement over them. Lord Hoaracle, Lord and Lady Mysrai and Lady Jadice were chosen to speak their
- judgement. The twelve were rounded up and sent for the void beyond the first world." A hinge of
- sadness seeps into her words, "Eventually, that was a fate that would befall all elders, though not
- in punishment, but in desperation. Those that did not splinter left for the void beyond our world."
- She looks back now at you, turning her body to better see you as she sits on the edge of the
- balustrade "There are memories of how it was for Her to be in the void, those are memories that will
- give you a new understanding of nothingness my friend."
- You think to yourself: He strives to imagine what that might be like - Suspended in an endless
- /absence/. No heat, no light, no sound. Nothing at all. She would have been alone, would She not?
- "How terrible it must have been." Never again, would She be so bereft, so alone. Not so long as he
- remained.
- Tilting his face up towards the firmament, Avaris gazes upwards for a time, a hand
- drifting upwards to brush at the dense fluff of his mane. "Is Malmydia still within the Void, do you
- think? Might She return sometime, or has She been devoured?"
- Aeldra shrugs softly to the question, saying "I do not know, Avaris. I doubt that even the Elders
- know."
- Avaris's fingers curl slowly about the balustrade, gripping tightly. There is an
- edge to his voice, a touch of cold steel in his words, as he replies, "We must remain vigilant,
- then. She will no doubt seek to harm our Lady, if the wretch ever does return."
- Aeldra nods seriously at you "And we'll be there to aid and defend Her, however way we can." She
- nods seriously at you. "For now, however, I need to seek rest. I am pleased that I was able to teach
- you about the song of Lady Rhapsody and guide you into the order proper. I'll see you soon, my
- friend."
- Freeing the railing from being subjected to the pressure of his grasp, Avaris turns
- to offer Aeldra a bow, tucking his right pair of arms against his abdomen, while settling the left
- set against the small of his back. "Thank you, Aeldra. I deeply appreciate the Wisdom you have
- shared with me. Rest well."
- Lady Aeldra Ladyn, of Cerulean Waters smiles and says, "It has been my pleasure, Avaris."
- Rising slowly from his bow, Avaris returns his gaze to the vista that spreads out
- before him, his manner serious.
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