Three Goddesses (IC) Thread #3

[PSinger]

Once the Rapture of the Three has occurred, Atareth will say to her fellow adventuresses: "We have heralded a new age of incredible change in the cosmos. Just as any single god has various aspects an individual or group might worship [think of Domains, or subsects of religion], this will not necessarily change.

"One Goddess, but all there is with love, passion, and lust has not gone away. We must understand the balance of these, I realize that, but I leave you now to go and aid those who need that balance. And when creatures, and jealousies, and hatreds, and those who would possess and not love become rampant, they shall find me ready. Otherwise, I should only act as herald and guide for this glory, and let the mortals understand for themselves."

[lostsole31]

Drisae will slink out into the darkness for awhile until the actual rapture. She will then come to an understanding of her place as one of the most powerful priestess' of the new religion (perhaps including more raw clerical power than Melinda). Still, the non-scholarly approach and darker side keeps her on the road as a striking arm.

Instead of her home city, she now ranges far and wide. She is the darker side, the bogeyman, the hidden danger of the Goddess. She is the avenger. She is the one who slays the pimp (male and female alike) who is too callous with his/her charges (male or female). She is the one who punishes unfaithful husbands nonlethally, but kills the ones with immoveable, stony hearts. She is also the one to collect when lust drives someone power-mad but none can stop that one; his body enjoyed one last time before his soul is consigned to the Abyss.
..........................................

Lildorrinene, on the other hand, has far higher powers at hand. Though firmly rooted in the concept of lust, her personal outlook is far more about having fun (though sometimes at the sake of a lover's expectations). Strangely for her religion, she rarely engages in sex.

[Depending on Melinda's outlook on being on the road or staying 'at home' to build...]

Lildorrinene is the ambassador of the faith. While Melinda is far better at receiving those at whatever place becomes the physical foundation of the faith, Lildorrinene's power at gaining followers rivals and exceeds that of the finest warlords [Leadership feat, +35 Diplomacy, 45 CHA]. There always may be some worry that Lil may decide to use that power against Melinda, but that never comes to pass. It is merely Lil's way to make sure that Melinda is ever watchful for the faith, not necessarily personally from Lildorrinene.

Just as Atareth is sometimes an emissary to the many Upper Planes and Ysgard, Lildorrinene also spends a lot of time as Melinda's arm to any of the other planes (she is a better diplomat, and less squeamish). She still enjoys mixing it up with dominated monsters against various enemies of the faith for fun, and usually publicly to press the point. Talbot is her eternal companion, and Melinda will come to realize that there is a strange rapport between the identity of the staff and Lildorrinene's lack of sexual appetite; in time, Mel sees that it strangely resembles not sexual repression so much as some form of "marriage."

Lok-Too-Loo-Baz remains as Lildorrinene's faithful sage and bodyguard. His powers of simultaneously and infinitely popping out mirror image and telekinesis make him a formidable bodyguard, including how his mind enhances his natural weapons. He still exceeds Toliudar in in historical, planar, and religious studies, and otherwise is a peerless sage. His uncanny ability to touch any object or be in any space and see as far back as nearly a millenium become much more controlled. This ability makes (or might not) him one of the primary archivists for the faith when Lildorrinene does not need his services, for these strange abilities can provide facets and particulars that not even legend lore can provide.

[MikelaC1]

When Taleira goes to check on the scroll of prophecy, she finds the tell tale shining of the prophecy line, "two souls must be found, one to live, and one to die". She also notes the line "the woman who is not a woman" is also shining, although she is pretty sure the group did nothing in that regard. It must be that others are working to tie up the loose ends. For now, the whole prophecy is laid open, and once the Ailenians are supportive of the faith, it will be complete.
She is also easily able to contact Desiria and make arrangements for the Kasians to take Melinda's share of the loot from the temple of Death. Although Desiria is a bit surprised at Melinda not taking her share, she understands what the First Priestess is up to, and she agrees to make the arrangements.
And as Tali is readying herself to rejoin Melinda, she does meet up with an old friend.

[Morcleon]

Ruffling through a haversack, Elijah chuckles at Sera. "Anything? Be careful what you say, my dear... Would you be free for a date tonight?"

"How many would you like?" He removes his hand from the bag with several small shimmering pearls. Holding them out teasingly to Sera, he gazes into her eyes curiously. "'True companionship? Care to share your revelation?"

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

"Of course I would. I suspect I will have quite a bit of free time, daaahling." She tries not to eye her prize, her own offering (48kgp) in hand. "Maybe we can talk about it over dinner tonight?" Sera takes a step closer, her frighteningly grey eyes peer into Eli's.

[Morcleon]

"Wonderful. Would 7 be alright?" Eli asks, simultaneously exchanging the three Pearls for the proffered gold. A small flicker of amusement flits across his face, and he steps forward, embracing Sera and giving her a small kiss on the forehead. "I'll se you tonight, then."

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

"Seven it is. I might put something on just for you." She gives a genuine-looking smile and returns the kiss. She then promptly slams the door in his face. She fingers the pearls and then places them in a pocket. "Shall we go?" She says nonchalantly to her companion.

[Morcleon]

Furude Setsuna

Glancing for a second at the now-closed door, Setsuna sighs and follows Sera. After a short time, she impulsively latches onto her friend's arm, whispering softly. "Sera... why...?"

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

Sera gives Furude a curious look. "What are you talking about, Furude-kun?" Her obliviousness could border on cruel at times, almost to the point of sociopathy.

[Morcleon]

Furude Setsuna

Looking back at Sera with two wide, sad eyes, Setsuna replies. "I mean your date. Why him...? Why-" She stops, glancing away, and continues in a much smaller voice. "Why not me...?"

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

Sera stands there, looking like she had been hit int the face with a sack of bricks. Dumbfounded for the first time in her entire life. For a person smarter than most Mind Flayers, having all of these answers was her job. It takes her a while to think of an answer. Given her response, this is justified. She made sure to remember every time she spoke with Furude.

"You never asked." She says.

[Morcleon]

Furude Setsuna

"I was going to ask." Setsuna murmurs dejectedly, a small sparkling tear threatening to fall from the corner of her eye. She tightens her grip on Sera's arm, and continues. "There's a meteor shower tonight, starting just before 9. I was going to ask you if you wanted to go watch it together..."

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

Sera suddenly wishes she knew the Simulacrum spell. She know that would lead to wacky hijinks, but that is rather preferable to the disaster that this is destined to become. The Rule of Dramas pretty say that this can not end well. Oh god she's crying. She shouldn't be crying. She's my friend. My only friend. I can't let her cry.

She does a great job at convincing herself to do this anyway. Her meager wisdom and crippled sanity were no match for the tears of the small girl before her.


"Setsuna, I would love to watch it with you. Just before 9. Meet me on the terrace."

[Kalirren]

With all the others having retired, and even Taleira having temporarily gone to Varstok, Melinda finds herself physically alone in the agora at Paramibo.

Melinda was almost never physically alone. She had become so accustomed to having others in her presence, whether clients or companions. To suddenly have privacy outside of her own mind was a deeply disorienting feeling for her. Her first instinct was to reach out with her presence, with her gaze, and draw someone in off of the street. But she didn't. Her typical appetite for attention just wasn't there.

Instead, she found herself fulfilled, and so very grateful. Lia might have found her soulmate in Myranda. Melinda'd call the succubus and raise her a casino magnate and an elder shadow priestess...how? Was this the blessing of the Three-as-One made manifest? Or was it a part of her duty to the same?

Maybe it was both, or neither. She was willing to accept the truth. From being loved came strength. From loving, ambition. And she would need plenty of both. Even beyond beginning to assume the responsibilities of being the sole vicaress of a newly unified Triune, it still lay in Melinda's future for her to confront the two ugliest things she'd done in her life.

The first was a family secret of one, currently inaccessible. But the second, and more immediately accessible of these two, was named Carlita. The group had discussed moving her to Varstok, but apparently had never actually done it, which meant she was still sleeping it off at the Star, and the First Priestess found her footsteps falling in a beeline to that fine establishment's front door.

**

[Morcleon]

Seraciel

Sera suddenly wishes she knew the Simulacrum spell. She know that would lead to wacky hijinks, but that is rather preferable to the disaster that this is destined to become. The Rule of Dramas pretty say that this can not end well. Oh god she's crying. She shouldn't be crying. She's my friend. My only friend. I can't let her cry.

She does a great job at convincing herself to do this anyway. Her meager wisdom and crippled sanity were no match for the tears of the small girl before her.


"Setsuna, I would love to watch it with you. Just before 9. Meet me on the terrace."

Furude Setsuna

Looking up in surprise, a faint smile appears through Setsuna's tears. "R- Really?"

She embraces Sera tightly, happily, before giving her a worried look. "But what about Elijah-san? If you stand him up, what will he do to you?"

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

"Do you honestly think he can do anything to me? I am just trying to stay in his good graces. He has items I want, and people complain when I steal things. I'll just have to cut my date with him short." She begins to stroke her own chin, pondering. There's no way this will end in an awful experience.

[lostsole31]

Drisae will depart the company of the sisterhood, seeming to have a mission ... be it devised by herself or from Dalcar. She seeks no teleport, however, and merely gets a horse and goes to travel where the Goddess takes her as needed.
.........................................

A familiar voice tepes to Melinda. "The first of the major meetings has been set in place, initial talks have been made, and now the sides have retired for the time being discuss things withing their own circles. Care for some company? It would be good to drag Lok' out of the library, and your knowledge is a fair match in broad-subject matters for fine discussion over drinks with Talbot. If so, let me know where you are."

[Kalirren]

Absolutely, Melinda responds eagerly. Come to where it all started, where we met. I've got a pot of coffee on the fire.

[lostsole31]

Absolutely, Melinda responds eagerly. Come to where it all started, where we met. I've got ...

*BAMF* as Lildorrinene pops in while Melinda speaks.

...a pot of coffee on the fire.

A second later ... *BAMF* as Lok-Too-Loo-Baz joins them, but in the form of a winged sand giant. He waits to speak until his liege does so first.

Lildorrinene crosses Talbot diagonally across her chest, upper above left shoulder, and lower across right shin, and she gives a slight bow. "I hear that the First Priestess has been successful on her first foray. Congratulations, Melinda ... or is there some title that goes with this? Like, your Most High Excellency."

The last is given with a smirk; no sense of malice, but playfulness. She looks to the server. "I'll have mine dark, hot, and thick. Make a reduction if you have to."

Lok-Too-Loo-Baz likewise folds his wings in and bends way down, still not quite being able to bow low enough to really go below Melinda's head unless he were to be off-balance.

"Your Sovereign Holiness," he says. "It is with great pleasure that my dreams are a reality within you. May the Goddess ever favor all of us through you."

[Insert any of Talbot's witty banter here...]

"So, what's the plan now?"

[MikelaC1]

TALBOT

Well, the high priestesses of Tishtina, Sabrina and Nocticula have always been referred to as Your Holiness. Of course, thats from members of the faith...there are some outside the faiths who have some more spicy names. You werent there clearly talking to Lil but the followers of Silescia have some real zingers...and while Michael wont refer to his sister as such, he wont pull punches with the others. Scions of Sluttery, Princess of Promiscuity, they can go on and on. From his tone of voice, Talbot obviously thinks its rather funny, and being a staff that would explode if he was to be manhandled, he can get away with quite a lot.

Looking around, Lil can see that all four priestesses are there with Melinda, Casandra, Katarina, Zanthia and Dalcar. The statues of the goddesses still have a faint glow about them, and Lil isnt sure if she is imagining it or not, but there seems to be just the faintest hint of a ghost image floating above and between all three of them.

[Kalirren]

Melinda has in fact afforded herself the privilege of serving the distinguished company before her. At Lil's behest, she whips out a small white, handleless cup, and masterfully pours golden-black coffee out of an ornate brewing vessel. " 'Holiness' will do, if you must. Drop the 'Sovereign.' I'm not a queen yet. Lil, you like it dark and thick? You're just in time for the bottom of the pot, then. It should be to your liking. And Lok'?"

"So, what's the plan now?"

"The plan is to show up at Ailena's temple, pay a visit to Clylious Foulisar, and see what his opening price is. And before you ask, no, I don't have the faintest idea what that might be. Neither did Tishtina II." She gives an unworried shrug. "And what about you? You should tell me how everything went with the Tishtinite and Sabrinite outsiders. Did you have fun?"

[MikelaC1]

The next morning, each member of the Trinity finds a letter on their nightstand. (There are no offensive auras on it, so dont bother with a ton of dispels and excessive paranoia about reading it). It seems that the letters you requested from the other high priestesses have been delivered to the Ailena temple, and a response is forthcoming. In flowing handwriting, the letter reads:

After due consideration of the request of our Sister Goddess high priestess Tishtina Bindar II, and our comrade-in-arms goddess high priestess Elinon Darasis-Domar, Clylious Folisar has agreed to a meeting with you to discuss the temple and heirarchy of the church of Ailena at least not opposing, and perhaps publicly supporting the Unification of the Trinity as prophetized by Cassiopia.
Please come, as a group, to the high Temple of Ailena, located in Aklantia, where we can mutually agree on the terms of any possible deal.

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

Sera has been awake for a while when she notices the letter. She doesn't know why her companion is not wearing anything. She doesn't know where the letter came from. She doesn't know her rats are fairing. Still, one thing at a time. She starts with the letter. A rat on her shoulder tells her not to mess around with it too much.

After reading it, she sits down on the floor, and ponders for a bit. She retrieves her spellbook from the Secret Chest and begins to prepare her spells for the day.

[Morcleon]

Furude Setsuna

With a yawn, Setsuna finally wakes up. Blearily opening her eyes, she notices Sera's absence, rolls over to see where she could have gone to, and promptly falls off her bed.

She lets out a small moan. "Stupid floor..."

Lifting her head off the carpet, she smiles cheerfully at Sera and begins to read the letter. "Hello Sera! Are you feeling better? Aren't you cold like that?"

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

Sera shakes her head. She gives Furude a look good, long look, and licks her lips before returning to her spellbook. "Aren't you?"


She gestures vaguely in the direction of the nightstand, her eyes sticking firmly to the pages of her book. Her face is rather red.

[lostsole31]

However the message arrived - in the form of some person or some spell - some agent had eyes-on-target. Lildorrinene senses the sender, at least on some level, and nods her head in respect to the (likely unseen and/or scrying) messenger.

She reads the letter with no haste, yet immediately. Not needing sleep, though, she says nothing until there is ruby-chatter from the mortals indicating to her that they are awake. It would be terribly discourteous of the outsider to start tepeing excitedly at two or three in the morning.

[Morcleon]

Furude Setsuna

Raising an eyebrow at the long stare, Setsuna winks at Sera. "Well aren't you just direct this morning."

She crawls over and glances over her friend's shoulder, chuckling at the embarrased wizard. She replies with a noncommital shrug, and looks over to where Sera had gestured. "Not really. I've sort of become used to the cold. What do you think about this letter that they somehow managed to sneak into my room?"

[Snowbluff]

Seraciel

"I don't like it. First of all, Setsuna-kun, you should keep your resting places better warded. It's dangerous to leave yourself undefended." Sera gives Furude another, and certainly less-approving look. "I would say this is all my fault though. If I was able to keep myself healthy, it would not have slipped my mind. As for the actual content of the letter, I will say the meeting is a trap, and they will call me paranoid. I would suggest preparing ourselves, and they will say that would be rude. This is all very troublesome. Alert the rest of the party that we will be joining." She frowns. "By the way, do you have a scroll of Explosive Runes I can copy into my spellbook? I would like a way to bring down the building down if the rendezvous runs south."

[Morcleon]

Furude Setsuna

"Hauu..." Setsuna wilts a little under the glare. "It's not your fault, I just didn't want to put up any of my normal defenses with you around. It would have hurt you..."

She reaches into her bag and shuffles around for a few seconds before pulling out a thick paper scroll and holds it out to Sera with a smile. "Here you go!"

[The Great Skenardo]

Coquika
Coquika does not sleep or rest in the way of mortals anymore. It was with minor puzzlement therefore, when she left her pavilion in her conjured temple to find the letter resting on the white gravel, ghostly white beneath eternal twilight.
Reading it carefully, she gazes up at the false stars above, thinking.
A summons, then. Odd that she should be asked to go as well; she hadn't really expected to hear from any of those erstwhile sisters of hers again, and certainly not for a mission of diplomacy.
Well, what will you. , she says to herself, and then begins dressing.