Testify Before The Conch

A ripple of immanidivinus power reverberates across the firmament, like thunder - heavy with foreboding and anticipation both. For but a bare instant, all across the Basin of Life, the wind holds it breath, leaves still their shivering, and all sound hushes.

You blink.

The commanding voice of Terentia, the Even Bladed resounds across the firmament, "Mortals, the time for Li-varili's judgment is nigh. Before We proceed, We have reached an accord among Ourselves."

Ripples of celestial light radiate across the firmament like water as the calm voice of Lantra, the Empyreal rings out, "We would have you give Us your memories of Her actions among you. Testify to those crimes you have witnessed. Share with Us what you have seen of Her good."

Sweeping across the heavens on a gentle breeze, the serene voice of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity echoes, "Without you, She would have made an offering of the Basin of Life to the Leviathan. Without you, She would not have been released from Her imprisonment at all."

The soft, hollow voice of Nocht, the Silent resounds within your mind as His words echo through the aether, "So speak, mortals. We will give you the means."

Woven through with the distinct auras of different Divinities, a spray of power bursts across the heavens above Avechna's Peak.

Like a shimmering aurora born from colours unimaginable, the tapestry lingers for several heartbeats, and then popples in a tumbling cascade toward the foothills below.

[pathing, pathing]

The torrent of light collides near the tree cover above peacefully cloistered tents, and then it dissipates and all is still once more.

Under the canopy of an ancient oak.
A strong breeze whistles over the ground. Providing ample shade even in broad daylight, a magnificent oak spreads its enormous branches in all directions with no regard for the spruces that otherwise dominate the landscape. Old and heavy enough, some of the branches have bowed to the ground and then continued to reach further and further. Covered in moss and ivy, the tree dominates the small clearing where a makeshift camp beckons with enticing scents. Tents of various colours and materials make up this impromptu pilgrim's rest, its site peppered with numerous cookfires, clothes lines, and fallen trees used for seating. Lovely coltsfoot carpets the forest floor. A sedge of galingale is firmly planted in the forest floor. A marjoram bush flourishes here, spreading its delicate scent. Sprays of chervil cover the forest floor. An oak sapling clings tenaciously to the ground here. Emanating the soft susurration of oceanic waves, a gargantuan conch shell rests here atop a basalt pillar. A creature of starlit shadow is here, blending in with the ambient darkness. Nothing more than a puffball with cerulean eyes, a seal lynx point ragdoll kitten lies here lounging languidly. A leopard lurks in the shadows, curiously watching anything that moves. Trailing swirling eddies of flower petals, the evanescent form of a nimble dream phoenix lingers here, wings made of lissome shadows cascading behind her. Fanning out an impressive frill of silky orange lily petals, a spore-laden vinestalker twitches curling fiddlehead fronds here. Emanating a soft, scintillating light, a shimmering portal hovers in the air nearby. Luki "the Seahound" Bowtail leans here on his peg leg, baring his fangs in a canine grin. A strange spherical entity stands here on four legs that extend from its exterior shell. Tikina "Tink" Brightwing flutters at the mast, her dainty feet strapped into iron boots as she peers through a telescope. A huge, dusky black crow flies here with wings spread. A somnolent-hued nightingale perches here, its fine-feathered breast arched in preparation for an enchanting litany. He are surrounded by a deflection bubble. Swirling clouds of purest white meld to outline the ghostly figure of a stormy air elemental here. The shadowy form of a Daughter of the Night stands here, exuding wyrden power from within swirling black robes. Frosted crystals gently fall from the form of an egregiously beautiful Ice Angel, cooling the area here noticeably. A hooded figure from the Circle of the Deep silently watches here, one hand resting upon their gem-studded sword hilt. He are surrounded by a deflection bubble. Umbral Evoker Gael An'Ryshe, Acolyte of the Idols is here, shrouded. He wields an octave mandolin of wyrden flora in his right hand. Disciple of the Tah'vrai, Akuno Nightshade is riding on a huge, dusky black crow. He wields a mystic cudgel in his left hand. Clad in matte black leather, a golden-eyed savage lingers here like a living shadow. Listener of the Silent Knell, Illyria An'Ryshe is riding on a crepuscular dream phoenix with wings made of lissome shadows. Lips curved in a cruel smile, a sadistic artist spattered in paint and blood muses here, contemplating her next macabre masterpiece. She are surrounded by a deflection bubble.
You see exits leading southeast and through a shimmering portal.

PROBE CONCH
Subtle flows of divine energy caress this gargantuan conch shell, giving off the faint susurration of oceanic waves. Fully three metres wide, the shell shimmers with vibrant and riotous colours, blushing pinks and dusky purples intermixed with deep sea blues and florid streaks of red. Resting on its side with the opening facing the entrance to the tents gathered here, the conch awaits any who wish to divulge their testimonials. The jagged pillar supporting the conch looks to be ripped straight from the sea floor fathoms below and pressed into service as support.
It weighs about 16250 pounds.
It has the following aliases: shell, conch.

Striding in on his peg leg from the southeast, Luki "the Seahound" Bowtail bares his teeth in a canine grin.
Flitting in from the southeast, Tikina "Tink" Brightwing peers through a telescope at her surroundings.

Tikina Brightwing lowers her spyglass with a firm nod. "This'd be the place, Seahound."

Akuno doffs a black crown of crow to Xenthos.

"Aye," Luki Bowtail says with a sniff through his great snout, staring at a massive conch shell of scintillating energies with intense blue eyes.

Her shimmery wings flashing as she flies nearer to examine, Tikina Brightwing says, "Think They'll listen? They'll really, really listen?"

Lawrence shakes his head.

Illyria reaches out to lace her fingers into Gael's, watching silently with vivid interest.

Luki Bowtail's peg leg thuds against the earth as he strides nearer to a massive conch shell of scintillating energies, still staring at it. His wolfish nostrils flare, and his fingers flex at his side before he growls, "No reason They'd do this if They're not at least thinkin' about it. Besides. The Even Bladed did right by our Captain, as right as could be done."

Sapphira inclines her head politely to Kailanna.

Kailanna nods her head at Sapphira.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "What is this proposal being pondered?"
Tikina Brightwing's eyes skip to Xenthos, and she flashes a merry grin. "Why, you heard Them shouting, aye?"

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Indeed. Offering our memories of what happened. But to what end? You had something in mind, clearly."

Xenthos tilts his head curiously.

Sapphira exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from her lungs.

Lawrence curls his lip and sneers arrogantly.

Tikina Brightwing's grin fades, and she looks to Luki Bowtail, suddenly - and rarely - serious. "For justice. For the Cap'n." She wings nearer to a massive conch shell of scintillating energies and perches at the edge of its basalt pillar, kicking her feet.

Kailanna rolls her eyes.

You hum thoughtfully.

Studiously avoiding the eyes of everyone else gathered as he approaches, Luki Bowtail says, "For the Cap'n."

After pursing his lips thoughtfully for a moment, Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "I have noticed that 'justice' means very different things to different individuals."

Qoivhae suddenly inhales deeply.

Arae folds her hands watching with polite interest though a clueless one.

Tikina Brightwing shrugs helplessly at Xenthos.

Sir Heinrich the Sanctifier of St.Loathys says, "But what it is remains the same."

Tinged with aristocratic lilt, Dilettante Arae asks, "A word?"

Sir Heinrich the Sanctifier of St.Loathys says, "An absolute."

Luki Bowtail bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show his respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Luki Bowtail.

Sir Heinrich the Sanctifier of St.Loathys says, "People twist words to their own end. Absolutes are just that."

Luki Bowtail closes his eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of his surroundings.

Startled, Tikina Brightwing suddenly leaps off the pillar as its light brightens, then wings nearer to Luki Bowtail's side.

Tau lifts a dainty hand to her neckline, glancing about with uncertain disdain.

Luki Bowtail says, "I was there beside the Stormfury every step of the way. We all were. We were 'n we know the lengths she went to and the sacrifices she made in the name of family. We were her family, You see, near as much as her lost son was. Anyway, we killed in the Goddess's name and made others do the same, all to grow Her bloody coral. We found spell bottles what had saltwater weirds in them and salted the seas at Her command. Won't deny our role in everything and neither should no one. But we did all that, and She gave us nothing promised. And now our Captain's dead and gone and our family's lost its heart. If my words reach Anyone, just... just know that She's a liar, and don't feel bad for Her when making your choices. That's all."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Luki Bowtail's words, storing them within. His speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Tinged with aristocratic lilt, Dilettante Arae asks, "But if justice is as malleable as it changes with each individual, is it absolute?"

Qoivhae suddenly inhales deeply.

Sir Heinrich the Sanctifier of St.Loathys says, "Who is a liar?"

Sir Heinrich the Sanctifier of St.Loathys says, "It isn't, it does not change."

Tau the Twilit says to Heinrich, "I know where I would begin my list, but I might upset present company."

You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "We are here discussing the Lady of the Lagoons, Li-Varili."

Sir Heinrich the Sanctifier of St.Loathys says, "Ahh."

Tikina Brightwing's shoulders sag as though Luki Bowtail's words have either lifted or placed a great weight upon them. She places a gentle hand on Luki Bowtail's shoulder, then draws back and raises her spyglass high. "Come now, everyone! Let's show our respects and give testimony to what She did!"

Heinrich ponders the situation.

Gael nods his head approvingly at the honesty of Luki Bowtail.

(Glomdoring): Nocht says, "Ah, dearest Glomdoring... I see many have already found the shell. I will be listening. Perhaps your words may sway some of My Cousins."

You have emoted: Esei's wings shift, drawing in close around themself as they consider the conch.

Qoivhae bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show his respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Qoivhae.

Luki Bowtail exhales through his wolfish nostrils, then bows his head once more and steps back with a slow wag of his tail.

(Glomdoring): Gael says, "Aye, my Lord. We have not forgotten Her treachery in stealing the Eye."

With a soft flickering, a massive conch shell of scintillating energies returns to its base state, no longer listening for testimony.

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

Accompanied by a rhythmic flapping of gills, Magister Qoivhae Vivalde, the Royal Curator says, "You can bow then testify."

Tau the Twilit says, "I... think some of us are trying to collect our thoughts on what exactly to testify to."

To no one in particular, Lady Grey Sapphira d'Vanecu, Ensanguined Aesthete says, "I wonder if we will have some time to consider our testimonies?"

Tau nods her head sagely at Sapphira.

Kethaera's eyes sparkle with amusement at Qoivhae.

Xenthos bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show his respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Xenthos.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "I recall a Spirit desperate, afraid, crying out in pain. I remember those who are completely and utterly opposed to Nature - those who have assaulted the Maeve, torn Her essence apart for their own pleasure, and unleashed horrors upon the Faethorn and its denizens reveling in this pain. Corrupting what should be a moment of coming together, something special, and twisting it to their own selfish ends. She gave them another avenue to torture the Spirits of Lusternia, and they leapt to the call without hesitation. There is no justification for the atrocity She delivered, and no mercy required."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Xenthos's words, storing them within. His speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

"I hope so," Tikina Brightwing says in response to Sapphira, voice soft. "I hope the other Contelli crew come forth as well."

Illyria bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show her respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Illyria.

In a hushed, melodic murmur, Listener of the Silent Knell, Illyria An'Ryshe says, "Bitter, hurt, confused and wounded... She was a Goddess in pain. But at the start of that pain was treachery, and it only led to more and more. She resented her healing, resented sympathy, resented opposition - resented the world. And while that is no crime, She sought to destroy it, and nearly succeeded. It is certain that She would try again. All that may have been good of Her is long lost, and any further chances given to Her could doom all of us. She is selfish, power-hungry, and rotten to the core."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Illyria's words, storing them within. Her speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

You bow before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show your respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from you.

Softly, you say, "I was there when She attempted to Awaken Sister Sea... I cannot claim to know much of Awakenings, for all that I follow One myself, but I do know that it was more or less torture. The deepest parts of me know that Awakenings are not meant to be like that - not full of fear or grief from the spirit Awakened. Indeed, nor can I stand aside now and say that I condoned Her treatment of the Great Spirit of the Sea afterward. A child cannot choose their parents, this is true, but at the same time, a parent should not force their child into being what they want them to be."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up your words, storing them within. You hear your speech echoing inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Tikina Brightwing flits nearer as the last words are spoken by Illyria and you and bends her ear to a massive conch shell of scintillating energies, listening.

Xiran murmurs softly to herself.

Tikki inclines her head politely to those around her.

Luce wraps an arm around Tikki's waist, his tail finding her ankle and coiling tightly around it.

Illyria lays her head gently on Gael's shoulder, entwining her fingers with Gael's.

You fold your wings around your body, wrapping yourself in a feathered embrace.

Tikina Brightwing motions to Luki Bowtail, then gestures to a massive conch shell of scintillating energies, whispering, "I can hear everyone's words in here."

Luki Bowtail swivels his ears about, trying to focus on some errant sound.

Alarin crosses their fists over their chest and offers a slight inclining of their head in respect.

You nod at Alarin.

Evette purses her lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as she carefully gathers her thoughts.

Luki Bowtail draws nearer to a massive conch shell of scintillating energies, his peg leg thumping mutely against the earth, and leans in, listening for a moment.

You tilt your head to listen to the testimonies that echo within a massive conch shell of scintillating energies. Slowly, a voice rises above the rest, and the words become clear against your ear: "I was there beside the Stormfury every step of the way. We all were. We were 'n we know the lengths she went to and the sacrifices she made in the name of family. We were her family, You see, near as much as her lost son was. Anyway, we killed in the Goddess's name and made others do the same, all to grow Her bloody coral. We found spell bottles what had saltwater weirds in them and salted the seas at Her command. Won't deny our role in everything and neither should no one. But we did all that, and She gave us nothing promised. And now our Captain's dead and gone and our family's lost its heart. If my words reach Anyone, just... just know that She's a liar, and don't feel bad for Her when making your choices. That's all."

You idly twitch your tail.

Alarin's eyes widen and grow slightly cloudy as the peaceful look dissipates.

Tau bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show her respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Tau.

Tau the Twilit says, "The Elder known as Li-Varili did betray the trust of her Cousins, by taking that which did not belong to her. I witnessed with my own two eyes the betrayal of the St-.. of Lady Maylea, and Lord Nocht. By bartering a truce she did not intend to fulfill, she took the Eye, an item which was never hers to take in the first place. She sought to use the eye to bring about her selfish at any purpose. Such actions endanger all of us, by attracting the attention of Things We Should Not Attract attention to. She's nothing better than a thief and a liar, and this I have seen with my own eyes. She deserves the same judgment as the Traitors."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Tau's words, storing them within. Her speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Tau nods her head affirmatively.

Alarin nods their head at Tau, showing their acceptance.

Qoivhae suddenly inhales deeply.


Kailanna bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show her respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Kailanna.

Warlady Kailanna n'Kylbar, Matriarch of Jackals says, "I have no love or loyalty for the Lady of the Lagoons. She turned on my city with little thought to every Magnagoran who aided Her, and none who cross Magnagora shall do so without consequence. That being said, She is what was made of Her. Opposed at every turn by Those who would have preferred a safer, cleaner version of Her, who imposed their wishes upon Her against Her will and choice, who took from Her because They felt They knew better. It is a farce of a trial that holds blameless the Others whos acts led directly to the outcome, and without which there may very well have been an entirely different end."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Kailanna's words, storing them within. Her speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.


You have emoted: Esei's fingers curl into Ilistala, an enormous leopard's fur as they stare emptily at the conch.

(Glomdoring): Xenthos says, "Lord Nocht - and the other Divine - have requested our presence here at the foot of Avechna's Peak. We are speaking our memories of what transpired with Lady Li-Varili. You can Listen to the conch to hear the memories already spoken."

Tau gently squeezes her nose, offended by some scent in the area.

Xiran cradles a shot glass in contemplation.

Gael bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show his respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Gael.

In a quiet, lilting voice, Umbral Evoker Gael An'Ryshe, Acolyte of the Idols says, "I saw for weeks on end the state of the Basin in the wake of Her selfish acts. Roads flooded in the storms, Her nereids tearing the young and the unprepared apart ruthlessly, all for Her own selfish desires. She turned down every offer for an ally or chance for aid, and even after She was healed She -still- sought only Her own single-minded purpose. She has shown time and time again that She cannot change. She is beyond redemption, and utterly undeserving of any more chances."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Gael's words, storing them within. His speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Huskii bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show their respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Huskii.

Huskii Myeras of the Misty Vale says, "I remember Friends lost, and wounds deep to the heart. I remember those lost and desperate, who struck with fear. Wounds heal, but we carry the scars and we remember. She didn't care for the Basin, and She cut it deep. We carry the burden of Her betrayal, and while I wish She heal, it would be careless to forget the Knife that caused the wound."
20:57:55 A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Huskii's words, storing them within. Their speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Luki Bowtail glances over at Tikina Brightwing, his tail giving another slow wag. "Are you going to give testimony, Tink? Or are ye going to wait a few months to give yours?"

Uzriel bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show his respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Uzriel.

Voice muffled by his mask, Necrochemist Uzriel d'Vanecu, Demagogue of Dissonance says, "I wonder, what would a mother do for their child. If that child were stolen from them, should the mother not do anything to have it returned, unleash whatever wrath they are capable of upon the thief? Indeed, this was Captain Stormfury's motives even. Yet in the Lady of the Lagoon's case, it is the very ones judging Her that are the ones Who stole Her child away. Those who judge Her will do so regardless of what is said, but none are without sin."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Uzriel's words, storing them within. His speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Luki Bowtail absently scratches behind his ear, which attentively swivels toward an unheard sound.

Alarin ponders the proceedings quietly, stroking their chin with one of their furred paws.

Softly, Listener of the Silent Knell, Illyria An'Ryshe says to Gael, "A weak, overused argument. Her actions would have killed the child they claim She loved so much."

Gael nods his head at Illyria.

Tikina Brightwing hovers at Luki Bowtail's shoulder, her brow furrowed as she weighs a massive conch shell of scintillating energies, considering. "The others in the crew can come 'round when they're ready, however many months they take. Surely it's not being taken from us this very month after such a showin'."

Lady Grey Sapphira d'Vanecu, Ensanguined Aesthete says, "None of us commented on your words, have some similar respect."
Sapphira glances askance.

Kethaera inclines her head politely to those around her.

With a pleasant smile, Listener of the Silent Knell, Illyria An'Ryshe says, "That was your choice. Your words are public, and can be publicly remarked upon."

Tikina Brightwing flexes her fingers around her spyglass as she contemplates a massive conch shell of scintillating energies. With little warning, she suddenly darts closer and squares her shoulders back.

Tikina Brightwing bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show her respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Tikina Brightwing.

Tikina Brightwing exclaims, "I'm good at watching and not so good at being watched, so I mostly stayed out of everything. I watched Lady Li-varili give us all hope, though - we've never bargained with a Goddess before, and we were those what found Her in the first place. She had no reason to hurt us. She had no reason to hurt the Cap'n's son, neither, and I watched Her take our hope away when he died. I watched her try'n kill everyone, all of us. I hate Her. I know that's blasphemy but I don't care! I hate Her and I would curse Her myself if I knew how!!"
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Tikina Brightwing's words, storing them within. Her speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Tikina Brightwing chokes on an angry, red-cheeked cry as she draws back, her fingers gripping her telescope so tightly that her arms shake. Wordlessly, she turns and flees, her shimmering wings beating fast at her back.

Akuno raises an eyebrow questioningly.

Luce bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show his respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Luce.

Jade Dreamer Luce Shevat says, "Lady Li-Varili seemed hurt and confused. Some horrible wrong hurt Her in the past, and then She was left to brood over that wrong so that Her wound festered and became something vile. She spurned mortals and Elders alike, and sought to undermine the fabric of Creation for what was essentially a Divine temper tantrum. That madness, whether it was born of Her wounds or was Hers all along, cannot be suffered to exist unchecked and unchallenged. If She cannot be healed of it, then it must be contained. There is too much at stake for a Mad Elder."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Luce's words, storing them within. His speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Luki Bowtail's blue eyes flash with sorrow as he watches the faeling's flight. Much more slowly, purposefully avoiding the gathering's eyes, he follows after.

Voice muffled by his mask, Necrochemist Uzriel d'Vanecu, Demagogue of Dissonance says to Sapphira, "People who can't accomplish anything themselves think they're somehow scoring points, when we know they are incapable of real action. Pay them no mind. We'll just kill daughters later."

Huskii slumps down dejectedly.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Sapphira's lips as she glances at Uzriel.

Xiran frowns.

Evette bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show her respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Evette.

Heartless Scourge Evette Stormcrow, Chieftainess of the Tribe says, "The Lady Li-Varili reminded me of someone. Someone very few of you met. Her selfish actions in the end seemed to match only this one person, Xynthin. He was focused only upon His one goal, above all else, caring nothing for what it would cost. This, too, was the failing of the Lady of the Lagoons. For His actions, He was lost forever, dissolved in the stream of time. Should Her actions, even more destructive than His, have any lesser outcome?"
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Evette's words, storing them within. Her speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

You glance askance at Xiran.

Disciple of the Tah'vrai, Akuno Nightshade says to Uzriel, "The wyrden wood, will remain while the planes of Nil and earth crumble to ash, and you will be nothing more than a False memory we shall tell our young in generations to come, now please be quiet and Let me listen."

Kailanna gives a trillingly melodic laugh.

Like a peal of chimes, Xiran's voice echoes in your ear, "** Silvery aethers shimmer coal-red, barely banked at passing threat to Fae **."

Your soft voice reaches out to Xiran Stormcrow, Scribe of the Woodbine, tickling their ear, "** Darkness stirs in response, with a familiar low, thoughtful hum. The mental image of a child lashing out flashes across the aether. **."

Voice muffled by his mask, Necrochemist Uzriel d'Vanecu, Demagogue of Dissonance says to Akuno, "Tell your own to do the same."

Huskii Myeras of the Misty Vale says to Alarin, "Thank you. Our first hunt helped show me that She didn't leave us all alone."

Alarin nods their head at Huskii.

Akuno gives an icy stare in Uzriel's direction before flicking his tongue out, releasing a small amount of smoke into his face.

Uzriel spits in his hands and firmly grips a reinforced waraxe of experimental alloy. With a great swing of the waraxe, Uzriel whacks into the trunk of an oak sapling.
An oak sapling sways back and forth, then crashes to the ground.
Thick, oily smoke pours out of the mouth of Uzriel and creates an ankle-deep carpet of seething black fog. As the smoke is soaked into the ground, the area turns putrid and foul. This location is now tainted.

You raise a slender brow.

Tau the Twilit says, "Xiran I am sorry for your oak."

Tikki sucks thoughtfully on candied prayer beads of the Lord Epicurean.

A wry smile spreads across Akuno's face.

You take a drink of white tea from a ceramic bottle decorated with faintly luminescent purple flowers. <- awkward tea sip
Illyria sips green tea from a twilight nightshade tea cup.
Tau sips black tea from a celadon bottle depicting a riverside willow.
Gael sips green tea from a twilight nightshade tea cup."
Akuno empties out a lacquered ebon tea cup of Crow into his mouth.

Xiran raises an eyebrow at Uzriel.

Xiran shakes her head.

Alarin ponders Prayer Beads of Ein thoughtfully, looking it up and down.

Tikki gives a pained sigh.

Tikki bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show her respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Tikki.

With hints of sibilant hissing, Tikki says, "Much like the mortals that followed along with her plans, Lady Li-Varili is more than simply the sum of her actions. It's a fine shade of grey, neither black nor white, the path that She carved. Right things for the wrong reasons? Wrong things for the right reasons? Bound, betrayed, broken, and beaten, it's little wonder that She was slow to trust and quick to turn those same pains back onto others. When it becomes all you've received, it's all you can give. Many of her actions are unforgivable, but even without forgiveness I do not believe that anyone, Divine or mortal, is beyond hope. Beyond redemption. Nor are they above repercussions for their actions either. Punishment for her actions is only fair, only just. I don't believe that the two, justice and redemption, are mutually exclusive. It is my humble belief that She should be tasked to tend to the wounds that She inflicted upon the Basin. Heal the world that she wished to bring to ruin. Call me an optimist, but in this I hope She could find redemption and heal Her heart, so tattered and torn."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Tikki's words, storing them within. Her speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Evette nods her head at Siam.

[a fair bit of time with nothing]

Their voice a cheerful baritone cadence, Alarin Ka'liati says, "I'm just listening and wording what I want to say carefully."
Alarin glances askance.

Your soft voice reaches out to Alarin Ka'liati, tickling their ear, "Try not too word it -too- carefully, now..."

Tikki blinks.

Tikki hums a happy tune.

Thaldorn Thornfist says to Kamalei, "...250,000 gold says the Lagoon Lady goes free and drowns everyone a second time."

Alarin gives Thaldorn Thornfist the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

Tikki inclines her head politely to those around her.

Tau the Twilit says to Thaldorn Thornfist, "You think that will happen, or not?"

Thaldorn Thornfist peers about himself unscrupulously.

Alarin nods their head at Shango.

Their voice a cheerful baritone cadence, Alarin Ka'liati says, "Aye, I did the same."

Voice muffled by his mask, Necrochemist Uzriel d'Vanecu, Demagogue of Dissonance says, "Death is a good teacher."

Thaldorn Thornfist nods his head at Uzriel.

Thaldorn Thornfist says to Uzriel, "Try telling HIM that."

Thaldorn Thornfist points accusingly at Alarin.

Alarin gives Thaldorn Thornfist the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

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

Voice muffled by his mask, Necrochemist Uzriel d'Vanecu, Demagogue of Dissonance says to Thaldorn Thornfist, "You're just not doing a good enough job teaching the lesson."

Thaldorn Thornfist ponders the situation.

Thaldorn Thornfist says, "...you're probably right."

Sapphira curtseys gracefully before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, you whisper to Thaldorn Thornfist, "I do not suppose you happen to know anyone who may be able to help with that."

Sapphira creases her brow in a frown.

Sapphira bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show her respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Sapphira.

Lady Grey Sapphira d'Vanecu, Ensanguined Aesthete says, "I would like to see an Elder who has never had Their own plots, Their own plans, Their own desires, and pursued them despite what others may think of them. I would like to see a single Elder who has endured the same endless suffering and torment, who responded to the world with joy and compassion and not with anger, hurt and bitterness. Countless eons trapped in endless agony - it is no wonder She clung to the one thing that remained to Her - Her child, the Sea Spirit. Imagine if She had been approached with some patience and understanding. Imagine if She had been aided by Her divine peers in Her endeavour and did not feel Her only option was the path she chose. If it can be agreed She likely was still suffering mental anguish and a lifetime of hearing whispers from a deceiver, then the onus on having more care, more consideration, more patience and making an effort to regain Her trust falls on everyone else. She is perhaps the greatest victim of all and should not simply be treated as a malicious miscreant."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Sapphira's words, storing them within. Her speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Thaldorn Thornfist says, "I might! He's still not talking to me after I mistook him for his wife though."

Thaldorn Thornfist shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.

Their voice a cheerful baritone cadence, Alarin Ka'liati says, "...to be fair, I made the same mistake myself."

Alarin glances askance.

Shango coughs softly.

Thoughtfully, Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "If only Lord Nocht had offered to help Her... oh, He did."

A wry smile spreads across Xenthos's face.

Gael nods his head sagely at Xenthos.

You shrug helplessly.

Kamalei says, "Trust me, you no like know."

Kamalei glances askance.

Siam bows before a massive conch shell of scintillating energies to show his respects to the Divine. The shell hums and brightens, a soft light limning its surface, shimmering with the power of immanidivinus. An expectant silence falls, as if the conch were awaiting words from Siam.

Siam, of the Thorned Distaff says, "The Elders are so few already and you would turn away one who has been found again? Set Her free - let the Wyrd embrace Her."
A massive conch shell of scintillating energies shimmers with the power of immanidivinus, and the halo about it takes up Siam's words, storing them within. His speech echoes inside the shell, growing softer and softer, subsumed into a sound of waves.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard gives Siam the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

You glance askance.

Alarin gives Siam the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Tau's lips.

Thaldorn Thornfist says, "Sure. And when She tries to drown the First World again, we'll just blame you."

Evette momentarily loses control of her body as it begins to keep time to the soft spoken song of the Shadowbeat.

Illyria ponders Siam thoughtfully, looking him up and down.

Tau the Twilit says to Thaldorn Thornfist, "As if the Basin does not already try to blame its troubles on the Forest."

Their voice a cheerful baritone cadence, Alarin Ka'liati says, "...Thaldorn, be nice."

You think to yourself: ** Bubbles, barely reaching the surface of a dark, endless sea. **.

Thaldorn Thornfist says to Tau, "...a fair point."

You incline your head politely to those around you.

[begone!]