In which a young god and an old witch have much to discuss.

<>

HER <HERALD> Avenar: The Celestial of Retribution
To: consortium
I have heard some reports of strange creatures in the lands. It is no
coincidence that these reports began on the dawn of the Celestial of
Retribution. The walls between the realms are weakest at this time and it
seems that as we approach the end of this Celestial, they will grow weaker
still. I encourage you all to remain vigilant for the source of these
creatures is unclear.

Avenar, Oracle of the Stars

<HERALD> Avenar : 'Greetings, greetings.'
<HERALD> (High Herald) Valindra : 'Hail tidings to the oracle.'
<HERALD> Avenar : 'It has been a few renewals. Has much transpired?'
<HERALD> (High Herald) Valindra : 'Define much.'
<HERALD> Avenar : 'Visiting another plane?'
<HERALD> Avenar : 'Constructing a reality in which an ancient civilization worships you as their god?'
<HERALD> (High Herald) Valindra : 'I am interested in all of those hobbies, yes.'

Avenar walks in.

Office of the High Herald
*| The door to this room is partially blocked by a giant
|| bookshelf, the first of a dozen or so placed around the
W-* * *| walls of the room. In the center of the mess and half
| | || hidden by another large bookshelf, is a grand desk with
@-*-*| a tall and softly padded chair. A large soft rug fills
|| the floor of the room, with a smaller mat intended for
*| shoes, so that visitors won't track mud all over the already
| cluttered floor. Two fine oaken doorways open to the north
| and east. A painting of the High Herald is hanging on
---------+ the wall.

[Exits: north east]
A desk covered with soft leather rests here facing a window.
A glass cabinet is mounted above the desk containing a golden parchment.
Avenar the Oracle of the Stars is here.
(Charmed) A tiny wisp hovers here, shedding its essence as it bobs in the air.

Valindra looks up from her stack of correspondence.

Avenar says 'I let you arrive first.'

The imprint of Valindra's lips begins to smoke on both of Avenar's cheeks.

You say to Avenar 'You spoil me, but I like it.'

look avenar
A brilliant aura of radiant gold emanates from the esoteric form before
you. The enveloping sun-touched mist cascades down slowly like a cloak,
glinting with flashes of resplendent yellow light. On occasion, silent
bolts of golden lightning arc through the mist, stretching from his body to
the ground in a wondrous discord of sublime luminosity. The form is
humanoid, outlined against the surrounding mystical haze. His body is
muscular and unnaturally refined, like a sculpted statue whose lines flow
with effortless grace and uniform tranquility. His unblemished arms and
hands reflect this sleek cumulation of ethereal form. Long auburn hair with
a golden sheen flows down near his shoulders, moving ever so slightly in a
current of air that seems slower than possible. He stands with precise
balance and forthright posture, imbuing his presence with purpose. Every
motion is practiced and slight, reflecting a mastery of intrinsic grace and
unveiling a display of otherworldly serenity. Like gemstones set magically
aglow, his gleaming golden eyes cast a luminous gaze outward. They peer
from behind a pale and pristine visage that while seemingly expressionless,
contains the subtlest warmth.
Avenar is in excellent condition.

Avenar is using:
<worn on head> a pair of red-tinted spectacles

Avenar says 'It seems we fast approach the time of year where ghouls and goblins might gather.'

You remove an emerald-green spired helm of hardiness from your head.
You wear a pair of wire rimmed spectacles on your head.
You are now affected by detect_evil.
You are now affected by detect_magic.
You are now affected by detect_good.

Valindra adjusts her spectacles.

You say to Avenar 'Let me see yours.'

Valindra gestures impatiently to your red-tinted spectacles.

You are carrying:
a crumpled page
(Magical) (Humming) the Ask an Orb
(Glowing) the Light of Immortal Favor
(Glowing) (Humming) the Gem of Anger
(Magical) a solid box (empty)
(Glowing) (Humming) an emerald-green silver-grey collar
The Serin Mystique, Volume 15, Issue 4
(Glowing) (Humming) an earthen silver-grey collar of the mountains
(Magical) (Glowing) an emerald-green spired helm of hardiness
a meteoric runed amulet of invokation
(Magical) (Glowing) a gold scarab ring
(Magical) (Glowing) a thick, scintillating gold bracer
(Magical) a pale blue stone
a mysterious bag of the Magi (open)

Avenar says 'How...are you aware of those?'

You peer intently at Avenar.

You say to Avenar 'Should I not?'

Avenar says 'Ahh yes. I forgot about these.'

Avenar removes a pair of red-tinted spectacles from his head.

Avenar says 'I must admit I have been assisting Kesaria in her latest endeavor and these are quite...important.'

Valindra wiggles her stubby, emerald fingers greedily as she gestures toward you.

Avenar says 'I'm afraid I can't reveal anything. I am sworn to secrecy.'

You say to Avenar 'If I poke you full of holes, will you spill out secrets? Or sand?'

Valindra croaks consideringly 'Or godsblood.'

Avenar says 'I know you don't deal well with secrets being kept from you. And that is the understatement of this age.'

Valindra muses 'I could use all 3 for a spell, I suppose.'

Avenar says 'Why would it be sand...'

Valindra appraises you as she drums her nails upon her desk. They look sharper than but a few moments ago.

ask orb Should I skewer Avenar?
You have asked about your future.
You whisper your question, then shake the orb for your answer.
There is a flow of magic across the orb, but no answers form.

You frown at the Ask an Orb.

You put the Ask an Orb in a mysterious bag of the Magi.

Avenar says 'Do you have plans to attempt an escape from the room of the past?'

You say to Avenar 'I will have those spells, Avenar.'

Avenar says 'I thought you might have such motivations.'

Valindra adjusts her spectacles once more as she peers at you from across her desk.

You say to Avenar 'Fine. Keep your spectacles and your secrets. I just thought they'd look divine against my emerald skin.'

Valindra concludes 'But my beauty requires no augment. As ever.'

Avenar looks at you.

Avenar says 'As ever.'

Valindra shimmies her shoulders as if in slow motion . . . coyly . . . toadily.

Avenar says 'Do you know what you are going to do with these spells?'

You say to Avenar 'Witchcraft, I suspect.'

Avenar says 'Yes but what does your mind's eye tell you about their purpose?'

You toss the coin and catch it out of the air.
The coin lands on heads!

You get a set of mystic bones from a mysterious bag of the Magi.

You cast the bones of the mystic for a reading.
The bones rattle on the ground and settle into position with a hip bone prominent.
You get a sense of safety from the position of the remaining bones.

A breeze begins filtering through the window. Valindra's eyes have gone white.

Valindra intones 'Powerful spells of protection.'

Valindra looks down to her desk.

Avenar says 'I can see such a purpose. But protection from...'

When she looks up once more, Valindra's eyes are black.

Valindra croaks 'And destruction. Of course.'

Avenar says 'What do you know of Serra's journeys to Acadia?'

Valindra's black eyes narrow.

You say to Avenar 'You first.'

Valindra looks out the window. The black leeches from her eyes, if slowly.

Avenar says 'Well I knew little, but after my ascension, I learned all I could.'

Valindra swings her head so that it collides with the little wisp upon her shoulder, startling the creature from sleep.

Avenar says 'Serra describes a great purge that took place, where the Overlords of that realms were forced to purge life and begin anew to remove the source of corruption.'

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity awakens with a fright before narrowing her bantam eyes at Valindra.

You say to a tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity 'Listen. This may concern you.'

Valindra nods, her chins wobbling.

Avenar says 'I have been looking into Kesaria.'

Avenar says 'She was captured by the demon prince of Acadia and held somewhere outside the realm.'

Valindra drums her fingers against the desk so aggressively that she leaves the impression of perfect half-moons upon the wood.

Avenar says 'Thus she avoided the purge, but she is from a much more ancient version of Acadia.'

You say to Avenar 'How did she free herself?'

Avenar says 'When the demon prince attacked Serin and was destroyed by the Consortium, she was set free.'

You say to Avenar 'A sloppy curse undone with one's death.'

Avenar says 'But little is known about an entity this ancient. She may be the only one of her kind.'

Valindra thumbs through her notes 'Will she sit for an interview with her High Herald?'
Valindra's lips twitch as if hinting at a smile.

Avenar says 'It's possible.'

Valindra arches a pus-white eyebrow.

You say to Avenar 'I only meant to tease you, but make it so if you can.'

You say to Avenar 'Though I am certain she will speak in ellipses and riddles. Perhaps a fashion of ancient Acadia.'

You smirk.

Avenar says 'Her schedule is quite her own, I hardly know where she goes.'

You say to Avenar 'Can I communicate with her?'

Avenar says 'Perhaps. But notice how different her language is from those currently in Acadia.'

Avenar says 'It is much closer to our own.'

You say to Avenar 'The gods sometimes hear their names upon my tongue if I speak them correctly.'

Avenar says 'If you believe you have a method to summon her...'

Avenar says 'By all means.'

You yell 'KESARIA!'

Avenar lets out a hearty laugh.

You say to Avenar 'Worth a shot, dear.'

Avenar says 'She either cannot hear or is ignoring you.'

You say to Avenar 'The latter, I am certain.'

Avenar says 'I wonder where she learned the common tongue.'

You peer intently at Avenar.

You say to Avenar 'Cantrips for comprehension are well within her reach. Her original tongue probably sounds like a rooster fucking a cat.'

You say to Avenar 'Or can you tell what she speaks?'

Avenar chuckles politely.

Avenar says 'These are not mine.'

Avenar says 'They are hers.'

You say to Avenar 'She seems awfully possessive of her toys: spectacles, spells, tongues.'

Azerayhna murmurs slyly 'Hey stranger, anything I can do for you?'
Azerayhna runs her tongue along her full lower lip.

Avenar says 'I think that is about to change.'

You say to Azerayhna 'Leave us, dear.'

You say to Azerayhna 'But do not be late with your report.'

Avenar says 'Report?'

Avenar looks at a tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity.

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity launches herself from Valindra's shoulder, buzzing about the rafters. She gets wisp essence EVERYWHERE!
A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity lands upon the young god's head. She falls asleep quickly.

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity snores loudly.

You say to Avenar 'Yes, dear. Report.'

Avenar says 'I am perhaps unaware you are expecting a report.'

You say to Avenar 'I was not aware you observed my communiques with the maid.'

Avenar says 'Oh I thought you were directing that at me!'

Avenar says 'Ahem.'

You say to Avenar 'No, dear. I was speaking to the maid.'

Avenar scans east.

Avenar says 'Of course.'

Avenar says 'I must have known.'

You say 'But -- the pull of spells I understand. My father taught me hand on hand what death is. Life asserts -- best take it like a man.'

You say 'I cursed a dove--the common sort--and mourned not life but life so short that gazed from Death as if unhurt.'

You say 'And I had nothing to report.'

Valindra looks down to her papers, disconsolate.

Avenar says 'This is always why the prospect of you learning something new, something powerful is...interesting.'

You say to Avenar 'We'd certainly have fun.'

Valindra winks or blinks her button-sized eye.

Avenar says 'I am still wary of this process. The introduction of new spellcraft to mortals is not without hazard.'

You say to Avenar 'You gods are so self-serious. I invent new spellcraft daily.'

Avenar says 'I suppose that is true on a level.'

You say to Avenar 'But my cantrips cannot eat the realm.'

Valindra adds softly 'Yet.'

You put a solid box on a leather covered desk.

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity snores from her perch upon the young god's head.

Avenar says 'Hold onto that.'

You say to Avenar 'My box?'

Avenar says 'It may become more central.'

Avenar nods.

You say to Avenar 'I never leave home without it, dear.'

You say to Avenar 'It is my most prized possession.'

Valindra fingers the black band of her wedding ring.

Avenar smiles happily.

You say to Avenar 'I set it down only to remind you.'

You say to Avenar 'But it does have a flaw.'

Avenar says 'And what is that?'

You say to Avenar 'It does not accept rare items.'

You say to Avenar 'How ever am I to fit the Gem of Souls in here?'

Avenar sits down and thinks deeply.

Avenar says 'You seek to place the gem inside?'

You say to Avenar 'Not necessarily.'

You say to Avenar 'But I have tried.'

Valindra tries to wedge the Gem of Anger into her memory box.

You say to Avenar 'A world without anger? Perhaps they'd name me a saint.'

Avenar says 'The Gem of Anger and the Gem of Souls have nothing in common.'

Avenar says 'The Gem of Souls is a different type of object entirely.'

You say to Avenar 'I meant only to practice.'

You close a solid box.

You get a solid box from a leather covered desk.

You say to Avenar 'Do you remember what you said when you first attended me this Renewal?'

Avenar says 'That I let you arrive first?'

You cackle gleefully.

You say to Avenar 'That the time of ghouls and goblins approaches.'

You say to Avenar 'What am I, dear?'

Avenar says 'Oh yes, I did say that rather on purpose.'

You say to Avenar 'At least you have style.'

Avenar says 'I can feel the walls of ether grow thin.'

Avenar says 'The barriers between the realms.'

Avenar says 'Something is coming for certain.'

You say to Avenar 'You're not the only one.'

Valindra shows you her arm. Stubby and emerald, it bears little motes of flesh standing at attention.

Avenar says 'Why am I not surprised? I had thought you would know as well.'

You say to Avenar 'Should we not be excited? Or scared?'

Avenar sits down and thinks deeply.

Avenar says 'I think both are necessary.'

You say to Avenar 'As ever.'

You say to Avenar 'Perhaps that's the title of my next book.'

Avenar says 'That is fitting.'
Avenar says 'Do you not still have a book in progress?'

You say to Avenar 'Two, in fact.'

You say to Avenar 'Only one yet in the queue, but two.'

You say to Avenar 'Two is one, and one is none -- after all.'

Avenar says 'When it comes to publishing, this is true.'

You say to Avenar 'Enchantment, actually, but sure.'

Avenar says 'Tales of the Old Witch. Is this a memoir?'

You say to Avenar 'It is only a retelling.'

You say to Avenar 'Sometimes I think I stayed in this body too long.'

You say to Avenar 'I do not think I will travel to the next one.'

Avenar seems caught in a moment without words.

You say to Avenar 'Do not let it trouble you.'

You say to Avenar 'I have buried all my friends. I will probably bury you, dear. I have a talent for it, after all.'

Avenar says 'Interesting that you have had the same realization as I, in my Immortal rise.'

Avenar says 'I look around and already recognize so few faces.'

You say to Avenar 'Enough remain.'

You say to Avenar 'I must transcribe some things to the Mystique before they wash away forever.'

You say to Avenar 'But I cannot decide where to put Ilromie's poem.'

Avenar says 'Several matching sections?'

You snicker with him about your shared secret.

Avenar says 'As the High Herald, I doubt your decision will come under scrutiny.'

You say to Avenar 'I do not care about scrutiny, dear.'

You say to Avenar 'I care about what is right.'

Avenar says 'How noble.'

Avenar says 'The Knights would be proud.'

Valindra pinches Avenar with her exquisitely manicured nails. She comes away with a little flesh, and then smells it.

You say to Avenar 'I am not noble. What I should have said was -- I care about what is correct.'

Valindra eats the flesh of Avenar from her fingernails. It is kind of disgusting.

Avenar brushes off the wound and the skin regrows.

Avenar says 'Apparently paid a price for a jest.'

You say to Avenar 'Always a price, dear. But I only wanted to see if you would make me float.'

Valindra is indeed levitating at least three inches off her chair. She fluoresces softly.

Avenar says 'The effects might be...unpredictable.'

You burp loudly.

You say to Avenar 'Where is Terrance?'

Avenar says 'Hiding out I'm certain.'

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity snores and mumbles something in her sleep.

You say to Avenar 'She has been sleeping on you a long time.'

Avenar says 'Is that...normal?'

You say to Avenar 'She has been sleeping a lot.'

Avenar says 'I noticed that. I wonder if that means anything.'

You say to Avenar 'Who can say?'

Valindra adds softly 'Only the wind.'

Avenar walks north.

Avenar walks in.

You say to Avenar 'That's my bedroom, dear.'

Avenar says 'Yes, I know.'

Avenar says 'I thought I heard something.'

You say to Avenar 'Did you, or did you only think you did?'

Avenar says 'Nothing out of the ordinary that I can tell.'

You say to Avenar 'Of course the Rest is haunted.'

Avenar says 'I have been getting reports of creatures.'

Avenar says 'I needed to be sure.'

You say to Avenar 'Many spooky things have happened to me here.'

You say to Avenar 'What kinds of creatures, dear?'

Avenar says 'Creatures long dead.'

You say to Avenar 'The veil thins.'

Avenar says 'A skeleton, a shade, a zombified corpse...'

Avenar says 'I was just checking your closet for such things. I only found the ones already there.'

Valindra nods, her chins wobbling.

You say to Avenar 'Why did you not bring your chair?'

Avenar says 'Oh I accidentally incinerated it.'

Avenar says 'When things are not so chaotic, I will think to remake such items.'

You giggle.

You say to Avenar 'You are an agent of chaos, dear.'

You say to Avenar 'The element of storm.'

You say to Avenar 'You will never escape it.'

Avenar says 'This is another thing I am contemplating.'

You say to Avenar 'As you should be.'

Avenar says 'Kesaria...the barrier...'

Avenar says 'Are these agents of my ascension into the Storm?'

You say to Avenar 'If the catapult fits.'

Avenar's eyes drift to the window for a moment of contemplation.

You say to Avenar 'You can talk to me. If you need to.'

You say to Avenar 'I see your glory coming, Avenar, and it hurts my eyes. But I will be a testament to it.'

Avenar says 'Glory, hmm?'

Avenar says 'It is a future of much change.'

Avenar says 'That is all I know for certain.'

You say to Avenar 'And I don't even know that!'

Avenar says 'I hope you are here to see it.'

You say to Avenar 'I see all, tell most, and eat more than my share.'

Avenar says 'Well that sounds like a future worth exploring to me.'

You say to Avenar 'I will come with you for as far as I can.'

Avenar says 'It would be unfair for me to ask for anything further.'

Valindra's eyes might look wet if one caught her gaze, but she looks down quickly. They are clear but a moment later.

Avenar looks at you.

You say to Avenar 'Do you like what you see?'

Nuqx tells you 'Grant me some chips I will make you some earrings.'

You award Nuqx the quest 'for making me earrings'.

Avenar says 'You are like the avatar I imagine for poetic existence.'

Avenar coughs and takes a step backward.

You say to Avenar 'My understanding of the award command's syntax has been really poetic.'

Avenar says 'I mean, certainly.'

Avenar says 'And your awards have been quite intriguing.'

You say to Avenar 'Nuqx is making me earrings.'

Avenar says 'Any inclination to joining the Heralds, as a Bard?'

You say to Avenar 'I have tried to court her before.'

You say to Avenar 'She flooded the Rest with vermin.'

Avenar says 'Oh I see. But now you are, on better terms?'

You say to Avenar 'She offered to make me earrings. Who am I to question a gift like that?'

You tell Nuqx 'Will you finally join me as a Herald?'

You tell Nuqx 'I have waited so long for another sister.'
Nuqx tells you 'Nope.'

You tell Nuqx 'Just the earrings then. Fine.'

Avenar says 'You've never questioned a gift, this is true.'

Avenar says 'I suspect even if it flooded the Rest with vermin.'

You say to Avenar 'You'd suspect correct.'

Outside the Hall of Archives
* | You have now reached the top floor of the Inn. The second
| | floor looked wealthy, but this is amazing! The paintings alone
* * * | must have cost a fortune, and all the furniture is chunky,
| | | | solid and expensive looking. Some of the treasures resting
W-*-@-* | on tables in alcoves are probably the rarest things you have
| | ever seen. The wood panelling on the walls is of some type
* | now lost to the world, being very light but silky to the touch.
| The rugs covering the highly polished wooden floor are of
| the very best material and cut, and would in all likelihood
---------+ fetch a king's ransom at any auction. You guess the owner
of the inn herself must live up here, for who else could afford such a place?
A brightly lit passageway full of books extends to the north. To the west is
a set of large open double doors that lead to the High Herald's personal quarters
and office. To the south is a small quiet alcove.

[Exits: north east south west]
(Red Aura) Nuqx the Mistress Historian is here.
(White Aura) Calram the Moo Herald guards the entrance to the Heraldic offices.
(White Aura) Keeb, the halls curator, snoozes here peacefully on a hammock suspended from the ceiling.
A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity flies in.

You say to Nuqx 'Welcome, dear.'

Valindra smiles as a toad might, maw gruesome.

Nuqx gives you a whimsical earring of a fat pink unicorn stuck halfway through.
You are zapped by a whimsical earring of a fat pink unicorn stuck halfway through and drop it.
A whimsical earring of a fat pink unicorn stuck halfway through dissolves into smoke.

Nuqx dances wildly before you!

Nuqx shows her approval by clapping her hands together.

You say to Nuqx 'What a show.'

You say to Nuqx 'I came for dinner, but stayed for that, I suppose.'

You say to Nuqx 'Will you make me another?'

You say to Nuqx 'I could find a lot of use for a gal like you.'

look nuqx
A woman's upper torso with monstrous limbs. Posture bent slightly
forward to compensate for large leathery wings. Wings so large they
partially drag behind her. A skin tone of amber topping bare shoulders and
flowing with the smooth skin that ends near the bend of her arm. Her
forearm looks more yellow as it transitions into a scale-like appearance.
Those scales end with talons tipping knotty fingers on elongated hands.
Stained as those hands may be, they look capable of fine movement. Looking
into her coal-black eyes it would be easy to forget her legs with their tiny
black feathers ending in more talons where toes should be. In fact, even
with ratty black hair she is still a beauty by any standard.
She has unlocked many secrets of the world.
Nuqx is in excellent condition.

Nuqx is using:
<used as light> (Glowing) a ruby-red guild-issue lantern
<worn on finger> an onyx-black guild-issue ring
<worn on finger> a dragonblood guild-issue ring
<worn around neck> a ruby-red guild-issue amulet
<worn around neck> a dragonwing guild-issue amulet
<worn on head> an onyx-black guild-issue helm
<worn on torso> a dragonwing guild-issue breastplate
<worn on arms> a pair of dragonblood guild-issue sleeves
<worn on hands> a pair of dragonblood guild-issue gloves
<worn on legs> a pair of dragonwing guild-issue leggings
<worn on feet> a pair of onyx-black guild-issue boots
<worn about body> an onyx-black guild-issue cape
<worn about waist> a dragonwing guild-issue belt
<worn around wrist> a dragonwing guild-issue bracer
<worn around wrist> a ruby-red guild-issue bracer
<wielded two-handed> (Glowing) (Humming) a chaos-bound staff
<floating nearby> (Magical) a lavender and green stone

Nuqx says 'How did I do.'

You say to Nuqx 'I loved it, dear.'

You say to Nuqx 'Do you want a treat too?'

Nuqx agrees absolutely.

Valindra examines the contents of her bag before selecting a treat for the harpy.

You say to Nuqx 'I think this should do.'

You give the Gem of Anger to Nuqx.

Nuqx retrieves a lavender and green stone from next to her and puts it away.
Nuqx releases the Gem of Anger to float next to her.

Nuqx beckons for everyone to follow.

You say to Nuqx 'Where are we going?'

Nuqx says 'Gambling tarot.'

You now follow Nuqx.

Nuqx draws a tarot card and reveals [ Moon ] to you.
The softness of the moon shines down on you...

You are affected by the following:
Tarot: [ Moon ] : lasts for 24 hours
: modifies hitroll by 5 for 24 hours
: modifies damroll by -5 for 24 hours
Spell: detect invis : lasts for 1 hours

Valindra crows 'The moon. There are three, you know.'

Nuqx says 'How did we do?'

look sky
Nunitari is rising over the southwestern kingdoms.

You say to Nuqx 'Intuition and the guidance of dreamscapes!'

Nuqx pulls out a tarot card for herself.

You say to Nuqx 'Do you want to meet a god?'

Nuqx shakes her head.

You say to Nuqx 'Fine.'

Nuqx grins evilly.

Nuqx waves at you cheerfully.

You wave at Nuqx.

You say to Nuqx 'Come back soon.'

You say to Nuqx 'I like you.'

Nuqx bows before you.

Valindra shows her approval by clapping stubby, emerald hands.

You get a leather-bound book titled 'From Whimsy to Paper: Compiled Thoughts on Bards by One' from a mysterious bag of the Magi.

You give a leather-bound book titled 'From Whimsy to Paper: Compiled Thoughts on Bards by One' to Nuqx.

Nuqx thanks you heartily.

Valindra capers up to reach Nuqx's cheek. She plants a sloppy kiss there. It begins to smoke.

Valindra purses her lips like the strings of a pouch, drawn shut.

You say to Nuqx 'Please call on me again soon.'

Nuqx bows before you.

You say to Nuqx 'And think about my offer!'

Valindra capers toward her office.

You say to Avenar 'I tried to recruit the harpy.'

Avenar says 'Worth the effort.'

You say to Avenar 'I made a nice dent actually.'

Avenar says 'Remember it took you three times to get me.'

You say to Avenar 'The best ones always take three.'

You say to Avenar 'I gave her the Gem of Anger.'

Avenar says 'How thoughtful.'

You say to Avenar 'I am known for my consideration, of course.'

Avenar says 'Consideration, flavorful language, vengeance...a few things.'

Avenar smiles at you.

You say to Avenar 'Our storied friendship, among others.'

Avenar says 'Will they tell stories of it one day?'
You say to Avenar 'I do not question the power of myth.'

Avenar says 'Trillian would smile at those words.'

You say to Avenar 'He is a deft Master Scribe.'

Avenar says 'Head strong, but true.'

You say to Avenar 'Perhaps someday he could ascend this office. I hope he lives long enough.'

Avenar says 'I wonder if he would ever seek that type of leadership.'

Avenar says 'But let us stop imagining a world in which you are not present. I cannot.'

You say to Avenar 'I shall make you wait a long time to mourn me, dear. Do not fret.'

You say to Avenar 'But now I must away.'

Avenar nods.

Avenar hugs you.

You say to Avenar 'Thank you for a lovely time, as ever.'

The imprint of Valindra's lips smokes upon both of Avenar's cheeks.

You hug him.

Avenar says 'As ever.'

Valindra squeezes you tighter than is strictly necessary.

<HERALD> Odile the Crier gossips: 'Farewell Valindra, may the winds guide you to a swift return.'
You have escaped from the Abandoned Realms.