When a Goddess speaks, we must listen.
Orin tries to sound sincere, but he is afraid of what information might be coming.
Naladoria smiles, taking the cautious statements as signs of assent, "We want you to general our armies and lead our forces to victory. In round terms, your objective will be to reclaim every island in this archipelago - either voluntarily or by force. After that, well, my cousins may wish to make a bid to reclaim the mainland but that is still being debated and, naturally, you won't be obliged to agree to that as part of the pact you make today. I should tell you - you will be rewarded handsomely for your assistance."
Ushari is silent, communing with her own deity. She does pay attention to every word spoken by Naladoria.
"It sounds to me as if you speak of a divine war, a war against the Gods in addition to the mortal war you propose."
"Dear Ushari, it is more than a proposition. The war has already begun. It began the moment my brethren rejoined this world." She looks up at the blue vault of sky as if she can see what she describes, "Forces already marshall across the planes. The Heavens tremble as Gods on both sides gather their heroes, muster their strength, and contact their mortal agents through dreams, omens, and prophecies. Oh, yes, the wheels are well in motion, now." She turns her attention back to the cleric, "But this isn't two wars - Divine and Mortal. It is all one war... for the strength of Gods is in their determination, their power, and most especially in their mortal servants. If you win us the Great Southern Isles, you win us the war."
With a large smile, she adds, "And you've already helped us so much in that regard."
Ushari nods slowly in response. "As one who follows another deity, albeit one who is more...fun-loving, I understand perfectly what you are saying, about the war for the souls of those who inhabit the Isles." She looks over to her companions. "While I am certainly predisposed to helping you Naladoria, I would wait until my companions have all spoken their minds first."
Straehan is focused on the conversation and misses the half-elf's reaction.
Ushari notices Jofram's reaction to Naladoria's story and lays a hand on the ranger's arm. "What is it Jofram?"
"My... wounds - I fear the battle took a stronger toll than I realized."
The ranger walks a bit away from the others, to sit on the sandy shore while he drains a waterskin.
There is a split second of hesitation before Ushari replies, "I understand Jofram. That battle did leave us with many scars."
As Jayse listens to Naladoria speak, he watches the… beings … sweep out of the abyss of the portal, trying to watch them closely for any clues as to what they are and how they function… strictly trained mind already seeking weaknesses to potential targets.
As he watches and listens, however, a few other things begin to seep up through his consciousness… memories. Memories that had been gone -- or maybe suppressed -- until moments ago. Rumors and legends that he and his friends had discussed in hushed tones in warm taverns begin to manifest themselves as actual memories in his mind. Violent, bloody memories.
One hundred and fifteen sets of unblinking, unseeing eyes stare at him from the deep of his mind. One hundred and fifteen. Or, more accurately, twelve and one hundred thirteen. Jayse -- or rather Blackstone -- had been so proud of that number. And among his brothers it would have been a truly impressive number were it not for the other, much larger number. Racking up twelve contract kills over a few short years had given Blackstone a reputation. So few had ever done it before. But his brothers whispered about -- and resented him for -- the other number. The one hundred thirteen.
In his memory, Jayse could hear the hissing voice of Tummal, one of the few brothers confident enough to confront Blackstone. A voice thick with scorn and resentment… possibly hatred.
Blackstone, you make a mockery of every one of us! Our art is one of subtlety! Of precision! What you do is… wholesale murder! We kill the target, AND THE TARGET ALONE!
Twelve targets successfully eliminated, and one hundred thirteen murdered simply because of their proximity to the targets. Collateral damage. Blackstone had always been about cold, ruthless effectiveness.
And once again it left Jayse feeling… empty. There was no remorse at the killings. No revulsion about the killings. Just… nothing.
Suddenly lost in a sea of faces with lifeless, staring eyes, Jayse watches the conversation with an exhausted passivity.
Naladoria smiles, taking the cautious statements as signs of assent, "We want you to general our armies and lead our forces to victory. In round terms, your objective will be to reclaim every island in this archipelago - either voluntarily or by force. After that, well, my cousins may wish to make a bid to reclaim the mainland but that is still being debated and, naturally, you won't be obliged to agree to that as part of the pact you make today. I should tell you - you will be rewarded handsomely for your assistance."
Even as Jayse watches passively, his mind begins to seek the cracks between the words, for evidences of half-truths, omissions, or deceptions.
And as the Lady of the Mists chats with Ushari about a war on the Isles and eventually the greater locations of the world, Jayse can't help but look at Ushari with incredulity. "And here is where I part with my friend Ushari. I have never understood our agreement to its fullest, Naladoria. It's bothered me from the beginning, but I complied because your desires seemed ernest and -- for the most part -- nondestructive." He pauses for a second, and when he continues, it's seemingly on a serious tangent. "We've given much to help you, so please speak plainly and truthfully. Are you or those you work for or with responsible for the loss of our memories?"
Even as he asks, he catches Jofram's reaction to the situation, catching the half-elf's eyes and asking a non-verbal question of his own, 'what's wrong?'
"We've given much to help you, so please speak plainly and truthfully. Are you or those you work for or with responsible for the loss of our memories?"
Upon hearing Jayse's words, Jofram's fists clench into the beach below him. Slowly relaxing them, five fingers dig into the sand, outstretched toward Ushari, Orin, Jayse, Straehan, and Isolde.
"Yes! She did this to us! She is the Debtkeeper!"
Ushari is shocked by Jayse's words. Her mouth drops open as his doubting words struck her as being full of ingratitude. She starts to turn to Jayse and sees the emptiness in his eyes. The second part of his statement, the question about the missing gap in her memories after Despairs Daughter's death until that day on the ocean caused her mouth to close and her brow to furrow in thought.
What does Naladoria know of our lost memories?
As she waits for the newly freed goddess to respond, she hears words in her mind...
...and his message strikes her like a blow.
What? How?? It cannot be...why...WHY?? She feels tears starting to form in her eyes and hurriedly blinks them away. How could I have been SOOO foolish? Why did I believe her...why did I WANT to believe her?? She reflects on the reasons why she WANTED to believe the goddess so much, to follow her on her crusade against the peoples of Miir. Was it the power offered by her? Yes...but not completely. Was it the chance to aid the causes of freedom, to help the people, to do good? Yes...but again not totally the truth. Finally the complete underlying truth hit her. It started with first her father, then her mother abandoning her. Then the man--her one TRUE LOVE--abandoning her love like it was nothing to him, like SHE was nothing to him. When she saw him in that tavern wench's arms, she knew at that moment Ushari died and Despairs Daughter replaced her. The truth was nearly unbearable and yet there it was...She was looking for some one to LOVE her, since she did not love herself.
Naladoria says she would reward her should she help the goddess, and Ushari realized whether or not that was the case, she knew the goddess would, one day, abandon her should she fail in her task....like her long lost love abandoned her that fateful day so long ago.
She looks back at her friends and knows what she believed then is no longer the case. They all loved her. And she loved them....and herself. She now knows she would stand with them...all the way until the bitter end if need be.
As she turns back to Naladoria, she waits patiently for her to answer Jayse's question.
Due to her own self-reflection, Ushari misses the second part of Jofram's message.
Jayse rolls back the scene in his head on the sudden appearance of the Fallen Gods and what Naladoria has said, referring to them as 'cousins' and 'brethren'. It seems quite likely they are all exiled lesser Gods (now returned) from the pantheon that fell to the Shaudran Lords. Further, it seems they were a pantheon of deep aquatic Gods who must have had - and clearly retain - aquatic followers. So their weaknesses, if any, would likely be things the same as aquatic creatures... resistance to cold and possibly vulnerability to fire. Given their undersea nature, it makes the monk wonder what will happen when they 'reclaim' an island.
"...It's bothered me from the beginning, but I complied because your desires seemed earnest and -- for the most part -- nondestructive." He pauses for a second, and when he continues, it's seemingly on a serious tangent. "We've given much to help you, so please speak plainly and truthfully. Are you or those you work for or with responsible for the loss of our memories?"
The Grey Lady glances at Jofram as Jayse speaks. She waits politely for him to finish. "And I've given much to help you as well - I've saved your lives more than once and let's not forget the unprecedented powers you enjoy. Do you think that was easy to arrange or without cost to me? As for being 'nondestructive', I wouldn't think you'd take issue with that, Blackstone, given your past. No insult intended - my cousins admire your career. It's why you were selected for this mission."
She thinks a moment, "But I will speak candidly and plainly, it is my preference... Yes, it was a regrettable necessity to accomplish our ends that your memories were temporarily hidden from you. Without it, we could never have achieved this."
The Goddess conjures a large globe of solid fog in her hand. As it did in the White Room, the mist clears a bit and the orb shows many sights - a scrying device. The heroes see Forestal, Badger Lope, Bartleby's Cross and other communities where they righted wrongs and rescued people. In each one, they see small monuments being erected, shrines really, featuring four or five small statuary figures that look like themselves.
Naladoria wipes a hand across the scene, distorting time, and they see lay priests standing before the shrines and reciting stories of the great deeds of the heroes. The word 'saints' is carefully and subtly dropped by the preachers... Naladoria wipes her hand again and the ball vanishes in a flowing mist.
"Your memories were hidden to remove the blocks that prevented you from being heroes - heroes that would prove beneficial to our cause by helping to sway people to our side. With you heading our forces, some may decide to join us, or at least, will find opposing you difficult."
Isolde listens with keen interest to the conversation, watching the reactions of each of the heroes in turn.
Naladoria tacks, "The lies were unfortunate but wouldn't you rather know how you'll profit from assisting us further?"
Jayse's expression doesn't change, but his body language shifts ever-so-subtly. He hadn't liked what he'd heard in her answer. "I asked for openness and truthfulness, and you respond with half-truths. Half-truths aimed at manipulation, no less, unless I misread the situation."
"And I've given much to help you as well - I've saved your lives more than once and let's not forget the unprecedented powers you enjoy. Do you think that was easy to arrange or without cost to me?"
"But it was never about us, Naladoria. The price you paid and the gamble you took was always for your own benefit. I'd ask that you stop suggesting otherwise… again, for the sake of openness." He doesn't comment on the second half of her comments regarding Blackstone's career.
He listens impassively to her comments about regret and necessity, and even as she shows the visions. "I think you mean 'will never have achieved', correct? These visions -- at least part of them -- are not of what is or will be, but what could be." He delivers a statement, but his look clearly shows he intends Naladoria to confirm or deny it.
"Your memories were hidden to remove the blocks that prevented you from being heroes - heroes that would prove beneficial to our cause by helping to sway people to our side. With you heading our forces, some may decide to join us, or at least, will find opposing you difficult."
"You have not once told us the full story of who you are, who you are allied with. This is partially our responsibility for not asking. But you were content to twist the perception of who you are and the intent of your actions regarding us… giving us half-truths and masking our knowledge so that we would be predisposed to want to help you without really understanding the scope and ramifications of our actions. Is this true? And once again, I ask that you be open, honest, and answer with the whole truth." His tone is not necessarily accusatory in the sense that he seems upset, more of someone trying to get to the heart of the truth.
"The lies were unfortunate but wouldn't you rather know how you'll profit from assisting us further?"
"I'll admit I'm intrigued."
"But it was never about us, Naladoria. The price you paid and the gamble you took was always for your own benefit. I'd ask that you stop suggesting otherwise... again, for the sake of openness."
She nods, taking the warning. "Of course! But credit me with some honesty, please. I've never disguised the fact that I had my own agenda. I believe I told you once that giving you a 'second chance' was incidental to my larger purpose of getting back in the game. What I wasn't honest about was who else wanted 'back in' and what our plans were after that. So have I lied and misled you... yes. But you've profited by it just the same. We all got something from the arrangement. But I am being honest about what we want now."
He listens impassively to her comments about regret and necessity, and even as she shows the visions. "I think you mean 'will never have achieved', correct? These visions -- at least part of them -- are not of what is or will be, but what could be." He delivers a statement, but his look clearly shows he intends Naladoria to confirm or deny it.
Nala shakes her head. "These things have come to pass. Visit Forestal and Bartleby's Cross and you will see the shrines. My lay priests have been dogging your path, building on your reputations. Admittedly, they haven't swayed as many people as I'd like - but some are listening. I didn't think you'd come so far so quickly which forced me to speed up my schedule. I was planning to give you more time to build your reputations and spread your good works across many islands before I started sending my servants in your wake. It would seem more natural that way. As it is, I had to move quickly so it is a bit of an up-hill battle."
"You have not once told us the full story of who you are, who you are allied with. This is partially our responsibility for not asking. But you were content to twist the perception of who you are and the intent of your actions regarding us... giving us half-truths and masking our knowledge so that we would be predisposed to want to help you without really understanding the scope and ramifications of our actions. Is this true? And once again, I ask that you be open, honest, and answer with the whole truth." His tone is not necessarily accusatory in the sense that he seems upset, more of someone trying to get to the heart of the truth.
She shoots from the hip."Yes and no. Did I tell you everything? No. But I also couldn't do so without ruining our plans, in which case, there would have been no point in involving you. Did I let you make assumptions? Yes. Did I have your knowledge masked? Yes. Did I do it to make you predisposed to help me? Not really. That was an incidental benefit.
As for who I am and we are... I am Naladoria, exiled Lesser Goddess of Mists of Fogs. I am herald to what remains of our exiled pantheon. We are eight in total - none above a Lesser God. We ruled this world when it was mostly water and just a few islands. Our servants led vast undersea kingdoms... some still do. We fell due to our complacency as I told you once. The victors in our last struggle were the Shaudran Lords. While we couldn't defeat them - and are ourselves Lesser Gods - we feel our odds of winning against the current pantheon are quite good. Our chances are even better with you leading our forces."
Before Jayse can respond, he feels the firm grip of Isolde's calloused hand on his arm. She looks at him earnestly and struggles to explain. "She isn't lying, Jayse. It isn't about getting you to like her. She's a... a gardener and you are her plants. She has grown you to your purpose - guiding where you grew, the direction of your stalks, and when you blossom. She needed you to be heroes, to help people, to gain support and followers. To do that, she had to hide the kernel of who you were, your memories. Evil can only masquerade as Good for a short time. Any mask can be seen through eventually. So she needed you all to be Good for the first phase of your growth. But, she also needed people who would be willing to overthrow the Gods, people who would be Evil enough to enslave a world and kill those they had befriended. So, now, your memories are given back to you, the knowledge of who you were and could be again." She turns to the Goddess, "Oh, you are a patient gardener. Now you hope to have them blossom into Evil."
The Goddess doesn't even blink, "Yes. I'm not overly fond of the crop-based analogy, but it is essentially accurate... and they will profit greatly by it." She mentally dismisses the Oracle and turns back to the heroes. "I can see you are intrigued by the possible rewards. So let me describe them for you..." she says with clear relish.
Naladoria smiles, "How would you like to become Gods? Well, Demi-Gods, to be more accurate. Of course, that is the reward for your final victory. In the meantime, we plan to be very generous with you as a reward for your services to date and to prepare you to lead our armies."
"How would you each like another skill-set to draw upon? Or perhaps another mastery within your current talents? We can make that possible for you. Jayse, you could learn Sorcery or master the arts of the Hungry Ghost monk. Jofram, you might compliment your archery skills with study as a Fighter-Archer, or even an Arcane Archer. Many things are possible."
She turns to Ushari, "And we would be willing to help you personally as well. When we come to power, we can halt the phase-shifting of Oxex - enabling you to rescue your poor father. Wouldn’t you like to find him? To find out what drove him to leave in the first place?"
She smiles at the gnome, "And your sire... finding dragons, particularly a specific dragon, is difficult at best. We can help you with that, arm you, and prepare you. Wouldn’t you like to inflict the misery your mother suffered on that execrable abomination?"
Finally, she looks at Jofram and Orin, "And what would you gentlemen want? Money, power, rare artifacts, glory, knowledge? All that and more could be yours for the taking, if you agree to serve in our cause. Think of the possibilities."
She sums up, "That is what we have to offer - and I think you’ll agree it is generous, particularly when we are asking you to do no more evil than you would have done had we not interceded in your lives. Only this time, you profit more greatly from the work."
She looks briefly from face to face, hoping to see agreement in the 'heroes' eyes. "Come now... why have loyalty to Gods who don't reward you? You have heard our offer while your own Gods offer nothing. Why not profit by your efforts?"
The cold and calculating part of Jofram's brain cannot help but weigh her words. His returned memories crash in his brain, clashing with those of recent weeks.
The temptation of wealth and power is powerful, palpable. The memory of a betrayal, and a thousand cries of pain and death carries it's own great heft.
"And what would you do with this world, if you win? What of the mortals, here?"
"Every island that we reclaim will sink back down - where it belongs. Those mortals who follow us or join us will have new lives in our underwater realm. Those who don't... will either die in the battles, drown in the sinking, or become slaves or servants to the Aboleth and our other followers."
"Ironically, as a Goddess of the ocean's surface, my power is greatest on islands and my followers have never been creatures of the deeps. Sinking all of the islands will diminish me... so I have negotiated the right to retain islands that I prefer." She puts on a look of sympathy that clearly isn't genuine. "I understand that you had friends on Amador. I can imagine that sinking that island might sting your consciences. So I'm prepared to declare Amador as one of my islands. It will stay above the waves, if you like... but it will have to be pacified."
She turns to Ushari, "And we would be willing to help you personally as well. When we come to power, we can halt the phase-shifting of Oxex - enabling you to rescue your poor father. Wouldn’t you like to find him? To find out what drove him to leave in the first place?"
Naladoria's words are like a tall glass of water offered to a soul dying of thirst. "My father..." Confused, fragmented memories of him flooded her mind, along with a desperate need for answers. Along with a burning desire to extract a horrible revenge on him for leaving her and her mother. Indeed the rage she felt when she thought of him was eerily similar to that she felt against all the men who wronged her. She knew then she was indeed Despair's Daughter as much as she was Ushari Velnokal. To say she wanted to find him was an understatement.
Naladoria's words bring her back to the present. "Yes, how much leeway would we have in determining the fate of those who oppose us?"
"So have I lied and misled you... yes. But you've profited by it just the same. We all got something from the arrangement. But I am being honest about what we want now."
Jayse nods, "So long as we understand each other, and as you said before, any profit I enjoy is incidental to you and your goals." He listens through her other answers and rebuttals, turning to listen to Isolde when she interjects.
"It isn't about getting you to like her… So she needed you all to be Good for the first phase … But, she also needed people who … would be Evil enough to enslave a world and kill those they had befriended."
Jayse barks out a laugh, "I'm not now -- or ever have been -- concerned with liking her. And talk of Good and Evil is better used on someone with the moral sense to understand it… I wouldn't know morality if it pinched me."
He turns back to Naladoria, waiting for her to finish with her offers before responding, "You know who I was, Naladoria, so it goes without saying that promises of wealth and power are completely wasted on me. But we both know that's not the angle you're playing… not with Blackstone." He stops and pauses, considering what has been said and how to proceed, looking down at the sand. Finally, he crosses his arms and looks back up at Naladoria, "What were your words … you hid my memories 'to remove blocks that prevented us from being heroes…' There's something I find so very interesting in that. You suppressed my memories -- who I was -- to give freedom to my ability to reinvent myself into someone of purpose and use to you. When you suppressed Blackstone, though, you also suppressed those things in my past that drove me to become Blackstone."
Once again Jayse takes one of his massive subject-changes. "Here's something I've learned about the Isles, Naladoria. You seem to have a lot of information, so maybe this isn't news to you… maybe it is. Back on the mainland, the people of the Isles are largely known to be criminals, pirates, smugglers, outcasts… misfits." He shrugs as if to say 'maybe that's true.' "In my short time here, though, I've learned something about them… gained some perspective… maybe even thanks to you suppressing the preconceptions that clung to my memories. Almost to a person, they choose to be here. The Isles means something to them. It's freedom. It can be hard living here, its true. But the people who choose to be here live every day knowing that they are their own person who sets their own fate." His blue eyes hang on hers, then sweep wide to take in her shell and seemingly all the lesser gods who swept through just minutes before. "You and your cousins would deny them that."
Another series of faces float up in Jayse's mind. Buli, Milaflora, Kilcrist, the Warden Captain, Hetmon Aidep, Rashgari, a village of miners… people with whom Jayse had relationships. Whether intentional or not, they were people who'd gained his loyalty to some degree or another. "We had a contract with you. Despite lies and misinformation, we've upheld our end. But my loyalty -- ironically because of your efforts to suppress Blackstone's influence on my actions -- is to the people of the Isles. Maybe not all of them, but enough of them that I won't see them forced into subservience or death because of my actions… unwitting or not. Unless you can convince me that your success in this war guarantees their lasting freedom and survival, we may be at an impasse."
"Yes, how much leeway would we have in determining the fate of those who oppose us?"
"There is little leeway. An island that returns to the depths does not negotiate. Those who cannot flee and will not submit, will die or be captured for servitude. On my islands, there is perhaps room for a few who choose a middle course - if they neither submit nor actively oppose our take-over. But any who raise arms against us or incite others to do so, they must die."
Orin watches the back and forth of the conversation, thinking long on the goddess' offer. While it is flattering to be given such a position of honor by a deity, and promised godhood among other rewards, the nature of the request gives him pause.
He speaks to Naladoria calmly and softly: I have no taste for deception, nor desires of wholesale slaughter. So please, if you would, answer this: the individuals who provide no resistance--those who willingly join you and your kin and are promised a place in your new world--will their quality of life then improve over what it is now? Will there be advancements in technology, learning, medicine? When the conflict is over, will there be lasting peace and prosperity? I don't wish to deceive people into giving up their way of life, but if things will be better for everyone in the submerged world, then it might justify the necessary evils of war.
He folds his hands, watching the goddess carefully and listening closely.
Naladoria is about to respond to Jayse when Orin throws out his measured question. "Their lives will be much as they are now. Farmers will still tend crops - merely different sorts. They will have to adjust to living beneath the waves. There are as many hazards below the surface as above - sharks in place of orcs - but less sickness in general. Their lives will be different - but 'better' or 'worse' is a matter of perspective. I would say 'better' but what else would I think? Prosperity, like here, is something they will have to seek for themselves. As for peace, it will last as it may. While our forces are united for the foreseeable future, after victory and a period of time they may grow envious of one another. It is in the nature of mortals to squabble and envy what their neighbor has."
Naladoria almost looks deflated at Jayse's final statement. "Win or lose - I can't guarantee their freedom or survival. No God could. War will come, regardless of your choice here. Some will live, some will perish. By taking our side, you may be able to save some that would otherwise die. And you can guarantee that Amador will not be reclaimed by the sea - saving countless thousands of lives you seem to value."
She thinks briefly and glances at Ushari, seeing the want in her eyes, before turning to Jayse again, "I rather hoped your loyalty would be stronger for your friends close at hand rather than the folks you've met in passing. Perhaps we are at an impasse... at least regarding your choice. Your friends, naturally, are still welcome to join us even if you don't."
"But before you commit to such a hasty decision, consider what you stand to lose. think about what happened to Fin. I'd hate to strip you of all that you've gained. Or, to alert your assassin brethren where to find you."
You all hear the lie in the phrase even as she utters it. Recalling a conversation awhile ago with Isolde, you recollect that the Oracle said there were universal rules even the Gods couldn't break. Once given the power you have, Naladoria could not strip you of it.
The not quite concealed scoffs from some of your group and the grim smile on Isolde's face, tell Naladoria all she needs to know about that bluff's failure. She quickly shifts gears and tackles the subject from a different perspective, "Alright. We can't take back what was given but we can slow your progress if you oppose us. Consider another option - leave the Isles and do not oppose us. Gather a boat and save all those you care about - your fishwives and Hetmons. If you do so, we will leave you to increase your skills as you presently do."
Straehan, who has been remarkably quiet until now, looks to Isolde. "I've never had much love for divinity - especially now - but I have to ask: Are they ignoring us? I'd think the current crop of Gods have a vested interest in this discussion."
Isolde looks unsure. "They are silent but I doubt they are absent. Sometimes..." She looks sad but determined, "it is hard to serve them. But I have faith that they have not abandoned us."
I've seen many more worlds than this one. And yet in this small corner of one world, you fight for so long to return to existence, and for what purpose? To kill and enslave people that have wronged you in no way. I'd think that Gods would be above such petty motivations.
Orin now, for the first time, looks Naladoria in the eyes. You offer us riches, knowledge, power, but we both know their will be countless deaths on both sides. Even if we survive, what need do I have for riches and power in my last days? I'd just as soon read a good book. And why should I want to be a god when my time here is at an end? I'd rather go off to face whatever awaits in the great beyond, than carry out the whims of capricious gods, who care nothing for the souls that inhabit 'their' realm.
The teacher takes a deep breath and exhales, saying firmly: Books don't keep underwater, and aboleths are poor conversationalists. I reject your offer, and denounce your plan to destroy this world.
The teacher takes a deep breath and exhales, saying firmly: "Books don't keep underwater, and aboleths are poor conversationalists. I reject your offer, and denounce your plan to destroy this world."
"Denounce if you wish... but will you leave this world for one of the others you've visited or do you plan to oppose us?"
I haven't been here long, but I rather like this world. I won't leave to see it drowned. You should abandon this plan. You're a goddess, you're immortal. You've waited this long to be brought back to this realm--why are you in such a hurry to conquer it? Why not take your time and seek to gain followers through spreading the tenets of your faith and actually answering people's prayers? Starting a war is rash and counter intuitive to your goals of ascending in power. You said it yourself--mortal belief fuels divine power. Why kill off your own power source instead of harnessing it? Instead you demand what's yours right NOW, like an impatient child.
But if you insist on continuing along this path, I will oppose you. You've been defeated once, you can be defeated again. Who better than us to stop you? We destroyed the most powerful of the race that banished you in the first place. Without us, you'd still be barred from this world. Please reconsider your war plans, or leave now while you still can.
Ushari is quiet as she hears Orin's refusal of Naladoria's gift. In her eyes the conflict still rages in her heart and her soul. As she continues to search for inspiration, she notes with a trace of bitterness even her deity has been silent. She has only herself to guide her. And yet she did not know WHO she was...Ushari Velnokal or Despair's Daughter?
As she delves deeper into her soul, her memories of all the evil acts she perpetrated against innocent men (although certainly not angels themselves), a memory surfaces in her mind. A song...sung by her in a small town many miles from here. She recalled perfectly the notes and pitch she voiced. She remembers the note of hope embodied in the song, banishing Despair. That song was the key. It told her she did not have to choose despair. She had a CHOICE.
Then the words of a strange gnome merchant echoes in her mind:
He whispers..."Your past is past. It isn't your future unless you choose to make it so. Remember that - you always have a choice. Sometimes, that's the only thing any of us has."
She remembered the exact moment he had told her that, right after she had learned of Despairs Daughter's death.
He is right...sometimes a choice is all we have. If I choose to follow Naladoria now, it will be the last choice I will ever have the freedom to make.
Her mind made up, she glides over next to the man she had known but a short time, but already sure of his convictions. She bows one time in respect to the Lady who DID give her that second chance and gazes into her eyes. "Naladoria, I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for the chance you have given me. Few ever get a second chance as I have. However, I have finally figured out who I am. I am both Despairs Daughter AND Ushari Velnokal. And I have a choice." She takes a deep breath, her gaze shifting to those who until now were her comrades yet may soon become implacable enemies.
"I choose to stand AGAINST you, Naladoria."
Orin's speeches
Naladoria's expression grows cool as Orin keeps talking. Her response, when it comes, is almost a snarl. "You should have stopped at denouncing me, Orin. You know nothing of being an immortal, patience, my goals, or the alliances and agreements it took to bring this plan to fruition. Spend fifteen millennia trapped in a black void and then you can tell me about patience. Moreover, you are in no position to take the ethical high ground. You called me petty and accused me of being capricious, blood-thirsty, uncaring, and childish. And what were you when you talked those young students in your care to duel to the death for your vanity and petty amusement? Manipulating children into slaying each other... What lofty purpose drove you to that, I wonder?"
Her smile is merciless. "We have both 'played god'; The only difference is - I actually AM one and many of my followers have benefited from it."
"I choose to stand AGAINST you, Naladoria."
The Goddess takes the news stoically, "That's... disappointing. I thought we might have some fun together. You will be missed."
She turns her attention to Jayse, Jofram, and Straehan. "Gentlemen? Your decisions? I am hoping, Jayse, that you've re-considered."
"And I've given you the conditions under which I'd even consider it. You still intend to take freedom away from these people. I won't see that happen."
"Unfortunately, your conditions can't be met." She looks to Jofram and Straehan, the only heroes remaining who haven't weighed in.
Isolde moves closer to the heroes who have declared their intent to save the Isles. She watches the others and the formerly exiled Goddess closely.
Jofram stands, slowly walking over to Orin and the others.
"No, Debtkeeper. You may not have these people. You still have a choice - bless these island people instead of trying to dominate them, and you could earn their devotion. Even after your deception, I'd rather not be your enemy."
"Two pantheons cannot simultaneously rule. When we crossed back into this world, the war began. Your Gods will not turn a blind eye to our presence nor will they allow us to simply gather followers quietly. Sooner or later, we must clash... and they will see no profit in waiting for our strength to grow. Their survival hinges on our destruction - as ours depends on defeating them. We do not war as mortals do. Extinction or Exile is the way."
She turns the the gnome, "Your decision?"
"I would be remiss not to thank you, Nala, for the gifts you gave - regardless of your motivations. So, 'thanks'."
Straehan considers his choices for a moment, "Knowing who I am and who I was... I've done more than my share of foul deeds. It's pretty clear I've never had too many 'rules'. I think the other Straehan would have taken this offer with both hands. Of course, the other me had some SERIOUS 'daddy' issues which made him an emotional cripple. I figure I can settle up with my Sire, or not, without your help. But that isn't why I'm declining your offer...
I've bedded a few women here and, as I said, I've got few rules but I do have ONE:
I make it a point not to kill, enslave, or convert into fish any woman I've slept with. It's just rude. Moreover, there are still some women on these islands I'd like to bed - tall women with long legs and slender feet. And, frankly, flippers and gills just don't do it for me. So I figure I've got a pretty good shot at bedding those lovelies if I become a hero here and kick your deceiving divine asses to the gutter - no offense."