Three Goddesses - IC (Thread #2)

[Toliudar]

Dot glances down at her shrunken frame, and gets a look of wonder about her.

"OOh, that's right. Have you had call to run the Hessian Blue scam at a table before? A mother-daughter duo would...but I suppose that that would be impolite to our most gracious hosts."

[lostsole31]

"Prussian Blue, dear," corrects Lildorrinene as if to a young girl. "Prussian Blue. A fine gambit, but that would be less beneficial to Mr. Benedick and even less so for ourselves, I assure you."

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I am more familiar with Prussian Blue (a type of lubricant that is blue-colored) than most who are, like me, in no way any kind of machinist. Along with other things in the gauntlet, let's just say that Prussian Blue was part and parcel of my Bluenose Ceremony .... back before they outlawed the "hazing" part of it.

[Toliudar]

Dot smiles, impressed.

"Ah, you know the northern variant on the scam, then? You've gotten around."

She weaves a simple enchantment to 'age' herself slightly, now appearing as a young woman of approximately eleven, in a prim but elegant party dress.

"Now...who else is in for some cards?"

[Telasi]

Taleira Ulharvyth

Having already demurred to accompany the casino trip, Taleira instead sets off in search of old Patricia. She does, after all, have a certain promise to keep.

@Debbie D

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This is in reference to Tali's second conversation with Melinda via PM, when Melinda made this suggestion:

"You, on the other hand, are a different story. You're an Amazon by birth. You love like any Tishtinite, but you've got a Nocticulan head on your shoulders. And all you want for, now that you've got a true friend," she jokes, "is some fellowship. Fellowship we of Sabrina can provide." With a tactical smile, Melinda's forearm brushes her coffee mug aside, laying bare a worn, well-used etching of a game board into the wood of the table. "Breaking into my Fellowship requires that you have a story about being set up with your first client. There are also other requisite qualities that keep many women out. But you of course possess them. So if you do want to explore this, go talk to Patricia at the temple. You'll recognize her by her age, she's old. She's been the one in charge of placing clients here for many, many years. I'm sure she would find an excellent and memorable opportunity for you."

At the time, and subsequently, Tali told Melinda she would do this next time she was in Varstok, and there she is. It's been a while since that was written and you certainly have a lot to keep track of, so I quoted the bit above just to make sure you'd know what's up. I don't know if you'd care to play that conversation out or not, but it's what Tali is up to for at least the first bit while the others are in Kroy.

[lostsole31]

Lildorrinene says to Dot, "Come with me my dear. If Mr. Benedict has given you ten grand in chips like the rest of us, I am sure he has no problem with you on the floor. If anyone else does, I'm sure he will smooth the path."

She then uses her natural telepathy to Benedick, but includes Dot, Lucky Tooth (Lok), Tasha, and Zippy.

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"Mr. Benedict, again, thank you for your kindness. I shall repay in kind ... with interest. By that, I mean that any net losses you incur from myself, Dot - or if they should play, our staff - shall be tripled and afterwards paid to the house through you; we keep what is won from patrons. None of us are really gamblers, but we each have 'different skill sets.' I am hoping for no interference from your security's 'detection detail.'

"To this end, I hope to increase gain by an acceptable, but not ridiculous margin. We shall not use any visible spells, but natural powers for obvious reasons, and only those that are not normally detectable - detect thoughts, suggestion, telekinesis used on an extremely small scale - sorry, Dot, but mage hand still requires casting. We shall sample different games, patrons, and tables. This is not only that no single patron feels really bad about winning - just not the best day for them - but also minimizes detection if the win-streak otherwise would be held suspect. We will obviously include losses, again, to keep things a little more realistic, but all-in-all we will be just be having a lucky day at the casino and little more. We will also primarily stay at games that have small house percentage wherein the majority of play is player against player.

"If you do not like the triple-return from what house would've lost, I understand. Also, if you'd like to set a win-cap to be sure things don't get out of hand, please let me know. Is this an acceptable business arrangement? If not, that's fine. The chips you have given us will simply be a way for us to pass the day with interaction and entertainment."

EDIT: Tepe to Melinda via necklace,

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"Eldest and wisest? Tut, tut. You shouldn't point a lady's age out, even her suggested position of age such as 'eldest.' But after at least 800 years as a succubus, not counting how many years spent in pre-promotion demonic forms, I'd have to say you're right on that one.

"But my confidence, mistaken by some as arrogance, concerns my skills. I appreciate you would tout me as 'wisest' but that is why Lok' is my counselor. Yes, he's barmy, but whereas I must solely depend either on luck or intellect, his insight really is downright uncanny. And intellect? No, Dot is far, far above my own, and I acknowledge this. In the group, only Lok's intellect might be close to her own, and his historical and theological studies likely exceed hers, though I am sure she is more well-rounded, and definitely far more advanced in spell theory and arcane studies.

"Though I am better in large group leadership positions wherein goal and background are relatively similar, what is my wisdom is to be able to recognize these skills in others and to motivate them to use their gifts to the utmost, rather than believing that I hold all the keys.

"I mention this specifically to you, because now that you are the Priestess Prime - the original matriarch of the new religion - this skill will be of utmost importance. It is not enough to evangelize and convert the non-believer. Those new believers must be given actual purpose with that belief. Whatever thoughts of interesting studies you had for yourself are no longer your path. You must devote your immediate efforts to understanding leadership and motivational techniques, not just getting by on smiles and song, and I will help you with that.

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What she means is, that if you want to learn the Leadership feat ... considering your new position, and regardless of 'interesting' bardic or adventuring feats ... she will teach that to you. No amount of spells, skills, or class abilities can quite make up for this fundamental concept for a matriarch without actually bending wills. The most ardent followers are those that from the ground up follow a cause of their own conceit.

"Thank you for the compliment, however."

[Debbie_D]

Lil may have made her living to this point by being able to read people like a book, but Terry is an entirely different story. His look is still like ice, but then again, he seems to be that way always.

If that is how you chose to spend your time, how could I turn down the chance to make some of my money back. Your plan is a bit ambitious for someone who admits to not having a whole lot of gambling knowledge he looks at you carefully but then again, I would guess you are planning on other ways to win. Its still bad form to wish you luck....so break a chip.
And the rest of you?

[Kalirren]

"Thank you, Terry. You've been amazingly generous to me and to my friends." Her voice and manners are just full of gratitude. "Is there anything else I can do for you while you're here? I was just making some drinks for my fellows."

Lil

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Would you have preferred that I introduce you fully as an Emissary of Nocticula? You'll forgive me if I don't know whether or not you still are. That last thought is delivered with some measure of coldness without hostility. Not that he would have appreciated that slap in the face, anyway. The Nocticulan casinos are his main competition for the high end of his clientele, you know. And I've got enough to deal with, riding this line I do. I'm half expecting to be arraigned for corporate treason in the next meeting of the Board. I won't be able to sing my way out of that one.

If getting along with smiles and song truly is what it appears to you that I do, then I am doing something wrong, or clumsily, and I would very much appreciate your tutelage. I don't know what I have in return to offer you. I do have a mission to propose to you, if you're willing to hear me out.

OOC: I had considered taking Leadership during character creation, but decided against it then. Ever since my last high-ish level game I'd been of the opinion that there shouldn't be a tradeoff between powers and assets represented by a finite number of feats shared between them. Still, for all her talk about it, Melinda hasn't been building much of a ground-level following. Lia has been doing more. Taking the Leadership feat could represent a change.

So while Lil and Dot are off having fun with money, Melinda checks up on the girls she brought to Kroy. They've been there a week now, and I hope they've got a decent sense of place and direction by now? (OOC: Honestly, this is rapidly moving outside the extent of my personal experience. I won't belabor the main thread with my inevitable failures at playing SimSabrinite - tell me in our private thread if something significant emerges, or goes awry.)

Once she's overseen her venture, and scried New Kroy and visited the site there briefly, she preps her own chamber to receive guests that might straggle or be dragged through the mirror. Then she'll make her appearances at Varstok, Erandol, and the City of Gardens.

(Did we lose Tallesin and Ireth? I'm so sorry if we did.)

[lostsole31]

Lildorrinene says, "Thank you, Mr. Benedict."

Melinda

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There is something akin to a telepathic laugh. Of course, such a thing has to be manufactured for what is intrinsically a corporeal sound, but this mental construct of the same seems genuine. "No, no, that was discretion well-played on your part.

"And, as for your worm in the water, neither am I. But I am of the basic tenets. I like the concept of the others, but while love changes destinies, and passion can change natures, I have lived too long and I see that the thing which changes kingdoms is lust ... or at the very least, sex as a weapon or a tool of power. This does not negate the ability of the other two assets, and they in fact have greater abstract power. But the most earthy of the three is what is currently Nocticula's porftolio.

"But, in so demonstrating my focus to the Three-in-One, I don't think I can be anyone's Emissary without intrinsically favoring Nocticula over the others ... which Lok-too-loo-baz has convinced me, to his rare credit outside of his armchair knowledge ... is that this by its very nature this singular worship tends to undermine the fabric of what we are doing. He says that what is really happening is that we had to learn for ourselves in this journey that it would be impossible to continue this mission with the same concepts of competition between faiths. That in trying to see 'which faction comes out stronger,' despite having a sense that we were supposed to do that, we actually had to realize that regardless of the facet of physical pleasure, they had to be equal. Otherwise, the Three-in-One would be as weak as its weakest chain.

"Believe me, being a far greater rhetorician I mentally shut him down. But his fath is like a tarrasque's hide. But as the days have ticked by, I am plagued by the fact that his insight and wisdom might be better than just an armchair scholar's. I have come to see that, unless proven otherwise, this must be the case.

"And that is what is embodied in yourself. Do you feel lopsided because you have taken on Nocticula's veneration? (Note that word instead of worship.) By being priestess of the One, despite the Three, you venerate the individuals and worship the One. Or, do you feel whole, complete, and balanced?

"When I said 'songs and smiles,' this is no different than 'beguiling witchery' for myself. All of that individualized power - however effective for a time, however deeply instilled in individuals, especially those in places of power - true leadership is rare ... and at this time in our faith, desperately needed.

"After my fun in the casino, what is this mission of which you speak?"

[Debbie_D]

Terry politely declines the offer of drinks.

I have some appointments that I have to take care for today, and some that I have to take care for tomorrow so that my night can be clear for you. Of course, the casino and the staff are at your disposal, yours and your compatriots

He takes his leave.

@Melinda

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The girls that she brough to Kroy have settled in nicely, as Melinda suspected, a small power structure has formed with them, as they have organized themselves according to their areas of skill. She is also pleasantly (?) surprised to see that they have even managed to garner one or two converts to Sabrina, girls who were working there before under their own auspices. And theres even rumour of one less pimp in the city. But that might only be a rumour.
The site in New Kroy is undisturbed, with Melinda's new allegiance, she can now see it clearly. The protection laid on it by the Tishtinian priestess still holds, jsut because some of the party could see it, did not dispel its protection. The other churchs, particularily those of Melias, remain blissfully unaware of it.
The apppearances at Varstok, City of Gardens and Erandol go off splendidly. At each site, you are greeted with applause, cheers and well wishes. All of the current followers seem excited about the ordination of the first priestess of the Triune.

[Debbie_D]

Lil is the first member of the group to take her gift to the floor of the casino, and puts her plan into action. Its a good thing for the other patrons of the casino that Lil is not "out for blood" because the success she has gambling would probably drain more than a few pockets. As it is, over all the tables that she visits, her success is consistent and by the end of her self imposed limit, she finds that she has taken her stack of coins to 25,000. She could probably chose from any number of proposals for more adult entertainment as well.

[lostsole31]

The higher the profile, the better. A girl's gotta keep her status up, y'know.

[Toliudar]

Since Lil is clearly fully capable of taking care of herself in gambling, Dot opts to head down on her own and simply brazen out any reactions to her size. Settling at another poker table, she carefully sets out Terry's chips and taps the inner pocket where she keeps her own stash of gems. Just in case.

Glancing around, she decides that this will be an opportunity to experiment with a kind of reverence for Tishtina. As the first hand is dealt, she pulls a hand away from her pouch, and opts not to use any magic to augment her play. Perhaps, perhaps this is what that goddess would want.

With a smile, Dot contemplates what she might do that evening to honour Nocticula. Perhaps something could be arranged in her room for later.

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I started to look at all the spells and abilities that Dot could use to pump up her chances. But I think that, once she's used a stilled Arcane Sight to confirm that no one else at the table is cheating, she'll play it straight. That means Profession Gambler +13, Bluff +29, Sense Motive +29.

[PSinger]

Atareth flies a bracing and enjoyable, non-hustled, 80 miles in the day, bringing her total down to 91 miles remaining. With a +23 K-Geo modifier and being very familiar with the Prime, her course is unerring, though she might have some curvature to actual overland.

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Rus, when you get back and look at this .... didn't you tell me that actual long-distance travel is NOT shortest by straight-line or something? I don't know if you want to explain that OOC or not for the DM.

She listens in casually to the full-party broadcasts that the others make, but makes none of her own. She is in the air - not her element quite like an elemental - but being free and open is far better than being squashed by avarice, compulsion, and decadence.

She understands its appeal, even to other Tishtinites. But for her, similar rapturous joys in a life's existence best bring out their passions. If people do what they love and are moved to do with their heart, rather than cling to the bitterness their intellect may have learned in life (such as greed), they will be truly open to the best love and sex and passion possible.

[lostsole31]

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It's referred to in navigation as "Great Circle Route". If you've ever noticed airline plots for air traffic controllers on movies for long flights, it's never straight lines ... it's always in a big curve. That's because even if you try to move away from mercator projection (the normal map view you're used to seeing) into as close to 3D as possible no 2D image - no matter how much it tries to be like a sphere - can accurately represent that "straight line."

There is another reason for Great Circle Route navigation that goes far beyond my knowledge skills. (I was a sonarman, not a quartermaster.) There we start dealing with compression of distance due to unequal distances in lat/long, mostly of which no longer assumes the "square" you are used to seeing in mercator.

Lil's stack of coins, minus the starting 10K, is 15K.

She gives Terry 6750 gp.
She ends up tipping extremely well for 2250 gp.
She gets to pocket 6000 gp.

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With this and her own money, and considering Lok's considerable, unboosted insight, she is willing to front the 16K it takes for a periapt of wisdom. It is better, however, to commission to have that added to his amulet of mighty fists +2.
1000 gp/ day @ 16000 gp total costs = 16 days.

That's quite awhile, but she is thinking the investment might be worth it. Besides, while it will diminish his combat capability, that is already far from what an 'exceptional' (read 'classed/ gestalted') would be anyway. He is more physically capable than most vrocks ... but only by a little, and doesn't seem to be any better in combat. His advantage is his vulturine nugget.

Lildorrinene discusses this with Lok,' who is thinks it is just a dandy idea, and they take Terry's best advice on where to go to commission such an enhancement (though she doesn't quite say what the current enchantment happens to be).

Oh, and yes .... as above, she will take a high profile person for 'entertainment.'

[Debbie_D]

Dot's preliminary scan reveals that no one at her table is using any sort of spells to cheat, and so she feels confident about doing the same. Her sense motive tells her right off the bat that her appearance inspires overconfidence in the other gamblers, how can an 11 year old girl compete with them? Unfortunately for them, appearances can be decieving as Dot not only knows how to gamble (did you really take skill points in that????) but she's also quite good at reading people and uses those skills in her playing. After several hours of consistent play, she has transfered her initial stake of 10,000 coins into 17,500.

[lostsole31]

When the party is together again .... breakfast(?) ... Lildorrinene breaks the news to them. "Melinda is a fine evangelist, but her best skills - for now - are in the field. Her bardic abilities are crucial for uplifting a small group to amazing levels of prowess in times of stress.

"On the other hand, I am the one best suited for conducting negotiations among the various faiths, and then to bring together an actual foundation for the Tri-Faith until such time as others come along. So, at least for now, I shall be leaving the Sisterhood. However, when it comes to such a point that you need my help beyond compare, I have my ruby necklace. With Talbot's plane shift and my teleport, then I can pretty much get to anywhere within about 20 seconds.

"In the meantime, Dot's intellect is mighty and Melinda's lore can help, but sometimes you can't know anything off the top of your head. Lok-Too-Loo-Baz will go among the major libraries as needed to research using those vast resources. You have merely to let him know of a query you wish him to research, and that is what he'll do. Dot by now should know between the two of them who is best at a given field of study, and the aid of one of the great libraries is incalculable.

"I understand that Dalcar will be sending a replacement to make sure that the Nocticulan faith is still well represented."

[Toliudar]

Leaving a gratuity for the dealer, Dot heads off to seek out Terry, thanking him for his extraordinary hospitality and level tables. She returns his credit of 10,000, and leaves him her card, should he ever have the need for the services of a shaper and crafter of custom magics.

She doesn't end up spending the night at the casino at all, but is back, not quite bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, in time for breakfast. Her eyebrows arch upward at Lil's news.

"I'm sorry to hear that you're stepping away for a time. You have had great insights, and it has been invaluable to have your breadth of experience with us. I will hope you will be rejoining the quest soon."

"As for Lok, if he could continue to bend his research talents towards compiling possible interpretations of women who are not women, that would be very helpful."

She nods to Clyde, who settles next to her at the table.

"I trust, Melinda, that everything went well last night, and that Clyde was well behaved?"

Stopping after a single slice of toast, Dot pushes the rest of her plate away.

"As for the rest of us, I'd suggest that we continue to pursue the thread of making the 'fire' our friend. Unless anyone else has other preferences."

[Kalirren]

Having basically come straight from celebrations in the City of Gardens to breakfast in Kroy because of the time difference, the first priestess of the Triune looks exhausted. Melinda has had the decency to clean herself, but her presence still exudes a sensual and thick, if tasteful, layering of scents.

She first addresses the departing demoness. "Best of luck and love, Lil. We've lost so many. Elise, Leanne, Szer, Pauline, Arcaneous, Lystara, Lia, Bea...I'm not remembering them all. And now you're off...Please do plan on coming back. It's not going to feel the same without you here."

She then turns to Dot, and anyone else who has regrouped here. Atareth, Tali, Tallesin, and Ireth get pinged by necklace, and get pulled through a mirror if such expedition is called for. If not, the general broadcast simply crescendos until it is telepathically audible.

"Last night was...surprisingly smooth, Dot. Thank you for asking. I honestly expected a bit more passive aggression from the big players. But if they want to be mean, they're not doing me the favor of letting on.

"I am in favor of moving on the mission to Ailena's church. Before, I had thought our mission to Ailena was going to be a mission with primarily evangelical dimension, so I was in favor of postponing our mission there until I had a better idea of what this unified faith might become, so that we knew what we were going to be selling. Well, now it's later, and I think we all have a better idea of what we stand for in the Triune's name, but our situation vis-a-vis the three of them has also changed a bit. It's become more political. And maybe more urgent.

"Glendira and Tishtina were fellows in adventuring before the Godswar. Lysindra was a marilith whom Tishtina redeemed, and the three of them adventured together for some time. Lysindra eventually succeeded the goddess Kali. The Lightning Sword, Glendira and Lysindra together, are inclined to approve of our undertaking because of that old rapport.

"Now where does the Fire enter into this? Glendira and Ailena, as both fury-goddesses, of lightning and of fire, have maintained a sort of friendly rivalry even into their churches. Their followers constantly try to one-up each other in their achievements. Together with Lysindra, those three faiths are a natural bloc, and have historically been on great terms with each other. Only when we get all three of them behind us will we have a credible base of support among the deities.

"This has become more urgent because of what we have already accomplished. I believe our window of opportunity is now, and that such may not come again.

"If what Talbot says is right, and we have somehow cosmically diminished Kotep Arasin through our incursion into His sanctum, then these next few years, months, whatever between Glendira and Ailena and Lysindra are going to be very important. As deities of spellcasters, they would all have potential to move into whatever space that Kotep no longer occupies. Lysindra especially is going to be angling for this, since Kotep hates Her and everything She stands for.

Melinda concludes emphatically. "Our challenge is to intervene in this nest of relations in such a way as to take advantage of the rapports that exist and build Ailena's support for our quest, while not losing Glendira's or Lysindra's support."

"I prepared this little token. It's a little something from last night." She takes out a tray in the form of an equilateral triangle, with three braziers of almost equal size, but for their different decoration. Hot coals burn within them. "These are the three fires, from the sacred fires of each of the high temples. The presentation needs work. I'm debating whether to include a fourth in the middle. But more than this, we need a plan of action. I propose we go visit Lysindra's and Glendira's churches so that when we go to His Excellency Clylious Foulisar, we know exactly what we want to propose. I have a dinner appointment with Terry tonight, but we can still talk to people today."

[PSinger]

Atareth slows Sword as she sees the mirror. She pats Sword and says, "Oh, well, my friend. It seems your romp across the midlands must come to an end."

She turns towards the mirror and the waiting Melinda and clops through (ducking her head low and bringing her wings in tight). She sets up Sword to have food and water before coming to the meeting.

Atareth says nothing about Lil's departure. It's tough to tell if she approves or not, considering all that has happened and Lil's usefulness. Atareth is less unsure about her obvious disdain for the meddlesome vrock "prophet" and is happy he'll be out of the way researching.

After Melinda's speech, Atareth says, "I protect the talkers, but I am not a 'talker' myself."

[Toliudar]

Dot takes an experimental sip of tea, and walks around the table, looking at Melinda's trio of braziers.

"I like the symbolism. Three of them, three of us. The flame mirroring the magical and elemental nature of their influences. Subtle and brilliant. With colour, shape and size, we can make sure that each seems prominent, without suggesting that that they are all the same. I can add in some magical flourishes if you like, once we know what we want the final look to be. Once we visit the churches of Lysindra and Glendira, we'll know more about how to nuance the look for a final presentation.

She settles in her seat again.

"I think you've already alluded to the answer to my next question. In any negotiation, it's crucial to have a ready answer for the inevitable 'what's in it for me'. By supporting the triune, all three goddesses receive support in turn for their movement into Kotep's portfolio. By associating themselves with the victors of the recent struggle, they take on strength by association.

"This is well thought out, Melinda. Congratulations. I'd be ready to head out as soon as everyone is finished breakfast."

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And as soon as we know who 'everyone' is in this context. Who wants to come along? If the conversation goes poorly, it might be good to have more of us along as a show of strength and unity.

[Telasi]

Taleira Ulharvyth

Taleira enters on foot, apparently having spent the night in Varstok. She looks none the worse for her adventures the previous day, and those paying close attention can see a golden rose symbol has been woven in with her ruby necklace since the group separated the night before.

Lildorrinene's announcement elicits an accepting nod from Taleira, who looks to be of two minds in the matter. When conversation moves to planning, Tali gives her own thoughts on the subject."I can't fault the logic there. I agree that we should go as a group, both because everyone here was chosen for a reason and to show unity of purpose. Given their historical relationships with Tishtina, we need to make sure they understand that She has given personal, direct blessing to this whole process. We're already polarizing enough without alienating anyone." Tali pauses for a moment.

"I suspect we'll have a relatively easy time with Lysindra; between the rather sharp blows we've collectively dealt Kotep and the skillsets of certain members of this group, we should be able to earn at least a modest degree of respect in our own right. If we can parlay that into open support, then we also strengthen our position when we move to deal with Glendira because we'll then have two allies supporting our cause. I know I'm not the best diplomat here, but that seems like the best way to go about this to me." As she finishes, Taleira glances around the table, watching reactions to her suggestion.

[Kalirren]

When Taleira enters, Melinda carefully (well, more carefully than usual) looks her up and down for a second, and then lets a smile creep around the corners of her mouth. It only lasts a glance. The bardess tenderly winks both eyes at the amazon before returning her gaze to the matter at hand.

"Allying themselves with the victors, taking on strength by association," she repeats. "I like the sound of that. Perhaps I like it more than I should. It's ambitious, but warranted." She purses her lips. "I think I like the undertone more than the message, though. If we push this victory angle much further, we're starting to sound like we should be worshipping Silescia Domar. Without an idea of what we really stand for, we'll be just one more lucky adventuring party to the world, a party whose members all worship one or a few of the sex goddesses, a party that happens to be driven by a cryptic prophecy involving all three of them (which just happens to be true. But on this level that's not really relevant.)"

"We of the three faiths may be satisfied with pursuing the Unification on the strength of our own presumption that the Triune shall be greater than what has come before. But She Who Is To Be must serve something beyond Herself in order for anyone else, any other god, to truly accept Her, to accept us as a Fellowship in Her name. And so that issue of what she represents really comes right back to us. What's the shift that we aim to achieve in the world, that we can tell others our triumphs are directed to serve? We know it's away from what Kotep represents, away from what Rohdan represents. But what is it that we move towards? Justice?" She shakes her head, clearly not quite at home with the idea. "...Hope? Still not quite."

"A community of love? A global community of love?" And what import might that have for nationalism, colonialism, imperialism? "I think I'm losing it," she chuckles.

"I suspect we'll have a relatively easy time with Lysindra; between the rather sharp blows we've collectively dealt Kotep and the skillsets of certain members of this group, we should be able to earn at least a modest degree of respect in our own right. If we can parlay that into open support, then we also strengthen our position when we move to deal with Glendira because we'll then have two allies supporting our cause. I know I'm not the best diplomat here, but that seems like the best way to go about this to me."

"Sure," nods Melinda in approval of Tali's idea. "That even gives us an order. I was blanking on a reason to visit one or the other of them first. Now we have one." She withdraws a bit of her presence back into her chair, clearly enjoying a new sense of comfort. "Dot - the arms and armor we took from Kotep's sanctum. You haven't sold or exchanged them yet, have you? Magical spoils from our expedition would probably make good commemorative gifts for Lysindra's church. Now I'm blanking on what we should give to Glendira's church, but we can table that discussion."

[Debbie_D]

"Dot - the arms and armor we took from Kotep's sanctum. You haven't sold or exchanged them yet, have you? Magical spoils from our expedition would probably make good commemorative gifts for Lysindra's church. Now I'm blanking on what we should give to Glendira's church, but we can table that discussion."

@ Dot

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4 long swords +5
4 sets of chain mail +4
4 shields +3

[Telasi]

Taleira Ulharvyth

"Not love, that's not really what we stand for as a whole. Some of Tishtina's followers, maybe, but there's more to us than that. Sabrina is all about will to power, at the core. Economics are the usual focus, yes, but it boils down to getting what you want out of someone. The Nocticulan way is about temptation, about bringing someone absolutely under your control, and laughing as they understand exactly how you brought them there. Or better, tempting someone who already knows to damn the consequences anyway. It's not just about having any particular kind of power, it's about having the all the power. Funny thing is, did you ever really have a power if you never used it?" Tali lets that rhetorical question hang for a moment before pressing on.

"Philosophy aside, the thing all three have in common is passion. Not just love, though that's one kind of passion. Sex isn't the only thing, either. Just about everyone feels lust, which makes it important, but it's not everything we include. That's why the gods styled as Lawful hate us; we represent what they want people to forget about and ignore. We remind people about their desires, and we even offer ways to act on some of them. That's what we stand for! We are desire, and we are fulfillment." Taleira, having stood at some point during her speech, looks around at each of the others gathered at the table in turn before resuming her seat.

[PSinger]

Atareth's lips give a slight purse sideways, as one does when holding in a joke, "While I still like to play that Ysgardian carnival fave with my hammer - 'Whack a Suc' - her beguiling ways and tongue have snared me (damn you). Yeah, Passion. I think on some level we all understood that anyway."

[Telasi]

Taleira Ulharvyth

"My 'beguiling ways and tongue' could help you understand it on a different level, if you like," Tali purrs back at Atareth with a smirk. "Airborne, maybe. Our last flight was cut a bit short."

[Kalirren]

"You're showing your origins here, Tali," Melinda pokes. "I thought passion was already Tishtina's domain. I've called the three faiths 'love for passion, love for power, and love for sale' before." She tilts her head. "Maybe that's why she has the largest following."

"Let's run with it and see. Passion is a person's potential for change. It is where desire meets commitment. It transforms its own-begotten suffering to glory. It gives meaning to fulfillment. To share passion is the greatest exchange, and to live it, the only true life."

"Those ordained have an additional mission. We are who we are through others. We embody desire and fulfillment so that we can kindle passion in others. In so doing we shape the world around ourselves."

"Is it perverse that I'm now imagining officiating wedding ceremonies?" She laughs. "I think this will work, Tali. And I have a feeling it will more than work. It's the right sort of tempting truth to endure. It's something people will be tempted to believe in long after we're all gone."

[Toliudar]

"Dot - the arms and armor we took from Kotep's sanctum. You haven't sold or exchanged them yet, have you? Magical spoils from our expedition would probably make good commemorative gifts for Lysindra's church. Now I'm blanking on what we should give to Glendira's church, but we can table that discussion."

Dot nods.

"It was a busy day yesterday, after all. And I think you're underestimating the value of these objects not as tools, but as symbols of dominance over Kotep. We could offer each church a set gained from one of Kotep's elite guard. If they are each seeking prestige and power over Kotep, the ability to freely display such a trophy would certainly go a long way towards doing so."

Dot gives a dimply smile and gives a shadow of a salute to Taleira.

"Perhaps I've been hanging around Nocticulans too long."

[PSinger]

"Ha!" laughs Atareth. "Of course not. Sure, leave it to a Sabrinian to find the profitable side. But the basic sense is that it is a gift to curry favor. Some would call it a bribe. But since it is more of a hope and not a currency, that is more like us Tishtinians."

[Telasi]

"You're showing your origins here, Tali," Melinda pokes. "I thought passion was already Tishtina's domain. I've called the three faiths 'love for passion, love for power, and love for sale' before." She tilts her head. "Maybe that's why she has the largest following."
-snip-
"I think this will work, Tali. And I have a feeling it will more than work. It's the right sort of tempting truth to endure. It's something people will be tempted to believe in long after we're all gone."

Dot gives a dimply smile and gives a shadow of a salute to Taleira.

"Glad we've got a plan. I've got to be useful for something now and again, and it can't always be bladework. I made the connection because I spent yesterday keeping promises and learned a thing or two in the bargain. As for showing my origins, now I'm wondering which way you meant that. I could take it to mean my origin in terms of the fellowship or where I was born. So, Nocticula or the City of Gardens?"