Zalika frowns slightly at the kobolds words about light and darkness, although she feels a trifle amused at his description of good and bad. "I highly doubt that I am one of those rays of sunshine you happened to see within that wave of darkness you saw, and even if I was, I don't fully believe in your vision...things are rarely as cut and dry as they appear to be. "
Personally, Zalika hated the us vs them approach. In her experience good creatures could have less than honourable intentions and vice versa, she hated the blanket system, believing it far too close minded. Her musing is interrupted by the entrance of the large man, and his offer.
"You don't need to escort me anywhere" Zalika responds softly but firmly. "I know where I am staying, but don't intend to arrive there at this minute, instead, I'm on my way to the religious sector of the city, something I don't need a tour guide for".
Triel doesn't say a word as Maximo shakes hands and the newcomers converse. ...well, they haven't started anything yet. And from the sound of things, they're headed in the same direction as us.
"Are you certain he is not just... hungry? Have you considered a leash of some sort?"
"I fed him. If he's still hungry, I'd be surprised."
"At any rate, I am Triel." She relaxes her posture and folds her arms. "And as our guide and Maximo have said, the three of us have been seeking out the meeting place for the conference--and someplace to stay until it happens."
The day was only getting more absurd. Katya was more than used to intelligent and magical animals, though she did have a somewhat difficult time imagining this weasel as a divine emissary. And Maximo certainly had a different sort of worldview, if he believed everything was as simple as that. Then again, some of the things he’d said seemed awfully convenient… Light amongst dark… Though perhaps the Priestess was right to have doubts.
The large man cut off her train of thought. “Lodging has already been arranged.” She replies simply before turning her attention towards Triel. The drow wasn’t hostile, but she was certainly the most cautious of the group, compared to her rather optimistic and friendly companions. “I’m Katya. And I imagine many are. It’s bound to be an… interesting meeting.” Once again, “interesting” was probably putting it rather lightly.
'Interesting' isn't quite the word either of us would use.
"Mmhmm." Triel nods. "Keep a wary eye & ear about--this conference is too important to let your guard down now."
Irrisen, Qadira, Galt, and who knows how many other nations all sent delegates here. You couldn't ask for a better opportunity to raise chaos.
"So, shall we get going, then? I don't think it'd be too much of a hassle to accompany us to where we're going until we have to part ways." The drow extends a hand in the direction Aramus was leading them.
They look important enough that keeping company with them is likely to pay off in the future. Might as well see where this will lead us.
"Oh no, the vision is real. That, you should believe in. My interpretation, however, could be completely wrong. Maybe the darkness is really people in need and the light is evil sticking out like a sore claw. Or maybe I'M the darkness, I don't really know. I've only been the Talon of Apsu for..." Maximo paused as he looked down at Ryx, holding up fingers and apparently carrying on some kind of silent back and forth before nodding and holding up two fingers. "Yeah, about 2 weeks. I could be wrong about this whole 'prophetic portents of darkness' thing."
Ryx slunk his way from around Maximo's legs and crept towards the priestess, rubbing against her leg and growling. "But I trust Ryx. If he likes you, you can't be bad. I know he'll come back... he saved my life years ago, and our divine task is our leash. I just wish he'd let me know first..."
Turning back to their guide, Maximo nodded. "Master Aramus, could you take us to the conference? Or at least show us where to rest our heads until then? I still need to speak with the city leaders... somehow... whether good or bad, something will be happening here very soon. Of that... I know for certain."
'The little one seems quite sure of himself, and that little weasel of his. Best to keep him close until I can work out just how crazy this little kobold is.' Jonathan coughs once, clearing his throat with a raspy grunt. "If you are all heading towards the Court, I would be pleased to accompany you."
"!" Aramus cheers, pumping a fist in the air and spreading his arms wide. "Ahh, you folks won't regret this a bit, even for a moment. I think a hug is in order, but sometimes visitors don't like that, so I won't." He folds his massive arms and nods. "Well then, let's be off to the Ascendant Court! Right this way!"
"You don't need to escort me anywhere," Zalika responds softly but firmly. "I know where I am staying, but don't intend to arrive there at this minute, instead, I'm on my way to the religious sector of the city, something I don't need a tour guide for."
Aramus frowns for a moment, then grins and shakes his head. "Even if you know the way to your destination, you still might not know about all the sights you're missing! See, it's ALWAYS best to have a hotspur on your side!"
So saying, the large man sets off through the streets, asking the others their names and homelands, and describing the various places they pass and a brief history of the city.
Though not grossly in-depth, and definitely more focused on a local's view of the city rather than academic knowledge, it's clear Aramus knows a fair bit about his home, and he quickly steers the group toward their collective destination: the religious district of the city.
With that, the enthusiastic guide leads the group of unexpecting acquaintances through the city streets. The road leads straight north and you find yourselves passing through an overflowing merchant's district, with stalls and shops every few feet. The cries of vendors of every kind hawking their wears fills the air and the crowds surge in every direction trying to reach the various sellers, causing everyone to get jostled once or twice by some passerby. Aramus's size helps clear enough room for the party to walk and the people seem to begin to give you a bit more room as a few recognize your clothing styles, Osiriani wealth, fine Jadwiga silks, and the grim grey of Galt.
"And so here we are in the Coins, the stalls of the world where anyone can buy anything! Wishes and dreams come true here in the city, and who knows what you might find if you only open your eyes to see it! A simple bauble or trinket to remind you of your stay, or a priceless artifact of great power?" The big man winks at the group. "Only time will tell!"
"And so here we are in the Coins, the stalls of the world where anyone can buy anything! Wishes and dreams come true here in the city, and who knows what you might find if you only open your eyes to see it! A simple bauble or trinket to remind you of your stay, or a priceless artifact of great power?" The big man winks at the group. "Only time will tell!"
Triel rolls her sun-battered eyes and puts herself in the cutpurse's path after he runs into Zalika. "You left out the pickpockets trying to help themselves to your purse, Aramus."
Maximo squints in the light, barely following Aramus - were it not for his booming voice, he may have lost him. As such, he doesn't notice the man who tries to make off with Zalika's money, too enthralled by the sights and (especially) smells of the market to notice.
Ryx, however, halts in his path and sniffs at the air, before snarling angrily and hissing at the pickpocket, pinning him between himself and Triel
"Hmm?" Aramus turns at Triel's comment and then frowns deeply at the pickpocket. His face shifts into a new demeanor, turning from happy-go-lucky candor to narrowly bridled rage. He steps up toward the young man and folds his arms, subtly flexing the muscles as he does so. "How about you give the lady her money back, before I do it for you," he growls, his eyes narrowing.
The pickpocket sighs, realizing that he's been caught. "Fine, fine. Worth a shot. With all you ritzy nobles and diplomats around, we've had the pick of the liter around here." He pulls out a small pouch containing Zalika's money and tosses it back to her. A peak inside reveals that he somehow managed to get about 50 gold off her person. Somehow. "You all have a good day then." He tips a non-existent hat and steps around Triel to be on his way.
"Thank you" Zalika responds, lightly catching the pouch and settling it back on her person once more. Privately, Zalika itched to give that pickpocket an object lesson, especially as she believed he was just going to hang around and try it again on someone else, but she shakes the thought aside and lets the man go freely. "Many thanks for this everyone", she says quietly, flashing a grateful smile at all present.
Triel shrugs. "You're welcome."
Well, that was easy.
She pets Ryx on his fuzzy head before turning back to Aramus.
Aramus, for his part, turns to Zalika and bows deeply. "My deepest apologies, milady!" He stands again, a sorrowful frown etched deep on his face. "I'm so sorry for that. It usually doesn't happen, at least when a hotspur is guiding you, and especially with me. Truly worrisome times these are, when the innocent are preyed upon by cutpurses and thieves! But at least everything ended well, huh?" Instantly, he snaps back into a bright mood. "Yup, I'd say things are definitely looking up! Nothing but clear skies ahead!"
Triel groans on the inside.
So my eyes are still going to be trying to kill me. Joy.
Ryx purrs affectionately as Triel pets his head, before rejoining his companion at his side. Maximo looked back, frowning a little... mostly at the fact he was quite impressed by his deft hands. "Is theft a common issue in Absalom? Things must be scarce in these times... all the more reason to restore order." He turned back, following Aramus and keeping a more careful eye out... well, as much as he could under the sun's glare.
Katya’s eyes wandered through the crowd as they walked, though there was little to really discern from the chaotic mass of people. The Coins were more than a little crowded, and she wasn’t particularly fond of crowds, preferring to have a little space for herself. That being said, she seriously doubted she would find much of that in the city. She kept a careful eye on Esfir though, making sure that she stayed within their little group. Her fox been rather independent today, and Katya had no desire to try and track her down if she got lost in the crowd looking for trouble.
Aramus seemed almost painfully optimistic, or perhaps naive was a better word. Regardless, she wasn’t all that disappointed when Triel cut in, that was, until she learned why. Her eyes narrowed at the pickpocket, though in the end she wasn’t sure what surprised her more: Aramus’ change in demeanor or the pickpocket’s casual treatment of the whole situation. Then again, it probably wasn’t hard to “persuade” people when you towered over them, and to say that Aramus was muscular was probably putting it rather lightly. But she still hadn't expected that from her first impression of the man. Perhaps she’d misjudged him slightly.
Her eyes follow the pickpocket until he disappears into the crowd again. “Surely this isn’t common around here?” She asks. The idea that people would single out visiting nobles and delegates as pickpocketing targets seems almost absurd. Granted, trying to pickpocket nobles in Irrisen generally wasn’t the wisest choice.
'She did not notice her purse being stolen? But the drow did... must have keen eyes to spot that even with the sun in her eyes.' Jonathan stays silent through the confrontation with the pickpocket, just watching the scene unfold. 'Still no confirmation the Irisseni is a witch, though. I find it unlikely our intelligence in faulty, but if only there were some way to make sure...'
"I would venture a guess it is as common as anywhere," Jonathan finally interjects, eyeing the pickpocket as he moves off. "To put it lightly, you are clearly an outsider here. You do not dress like the citizenry of Absalom, nor do you carry yourself as such. To a pickpocket, especially on a day such as today, you are an obvious target. Even if you saw him, he could make a dash for the alleyways and you would never see your coin purse again." He takes a deliberate pause, letting his words sink in, before continuing. "The risk of you being able to stop him in his tracks pales in comparison to his potential gain, when looking for a mark. An outsider, well-dressed, led by someone they likely know to be a guide? A prime target, all things considered."
"And yet he failed to get away with it." Triel observes. "Clearly, he's less competent than he'd like to think."
She glances down at the group's pets once again. Ryx was a friendly enough sort (if a bit greedy and too curious for his own good), but the fox trailing next to Katya? She had no idea what to make of the little one. It didn't seem inclined to just walk up to her and say hello to anyone.
"I meant to ask this earlier, but I got rather sidetracked--what's your fox's name?" She tilts her head as she looks at the white-furred fox.
"If he had just kindly asked me, I might have been more willing to just give him the money he might have required", Zalika responds thoughtfully, before shrugging her shoulders, indicating that she didn't entirely care that things had turned out differently. "As it is though, he is lucky I didn't toast him for his sheer rudeness."
Aramus sighs at Maximo and Katya's question, and rubs the back of his head. "Well... We're in the Coins, so, unfortunately, yes." Some of his zeal and zest have disappeared, and he seems genuinely perturbed by having to admit this. "It's not so bad as it could be, and expected for a city of this size. But truly, there is always a golden ray of sun behind the clouds. And that's coming up now!"
The man spreads back into a grin as he faces the party, walking backwards, but here he spins and raises his arms wide, facing the new region of the city the party has reached. "Welcome to the Ascendant Court!"
As you're led into the Ascendant Court, you find yourself on a long, slightly winding street that leads almost straight north. At the end of the road, you can see the white and gold spire of the Starstone Cathedral rising into the air. As you walk down the street, you find that this road is as littered with shopkeepers as every other street in Absalom. Yet here shopkeepers do not sell trade goods but signs of faith. Holy symbols of almost any god you can image hang from stalls in every material from cheap wood to shining platinum along with holy texts and vials of blessed water and wine. Oddly, you also see people selling slips of paper with names embossed on them in ornate lettering.
The shops are only interrupted by groups gathered around street preachers. Some recite hymns or prayers to existing gods while others preach for the future, speaking of new gods rising to face the darkness that creeps in from all corners of the world. A few instead preach doomsday. Some seem almost... reverent, speaking the words of gods like Groetus as they praise the coming of the end. Other simply seem to be reveling in the chaos. A woman with a horribly scarred stomach preaches the glories of demons only yards from a priest of Iomedae who tries to comfort the crowds.
The arrival into the Ascendant Court was a sobering experience for Zalika, seeing just how chaotic the entire area was. "Everything is indeed out of joint" Zalika mummers faintly to herself as she slips through the crowds, although she carefully makes note of anyone within the crowd who looks like trouble, the last thing she really wanted, was a riot breaking out in such a holy part of the city. Such a thing could easily spiral out of control.
Triel and the Priestess’s comments caused Katya’s lips to twitch slightly into something that could almost pass for a smile, if only for a moment. The drow’s response had been a tad blunt, but also accurate, and there was something nice about the simplicity of it. And the Priestess was a curious sort of person, seemingly equally disposed to generosity and punishment. Katya was still trying to decide what exactly to make of her, but she was certainly of interest.
That trail of thought soon faded into the back of her mind, however, as Triel went on. The fox in question perked up slightly, watching the drow with new interest. It wasn’t often that she got much friendly attention from anyone besides Katya, and as of yet, she seemed to view Triel as something of a friend. “Her name is Esfir.” Katya replied, watching her companion’s reaction. “Why do you ask?”
Katya only spares a short time to admire the view ahead. Her eyes soon wander to the crowds, a little more on guard after the small incident in the Coins. Ironic, that someone would praise demons in the street just before the conference. She thinks as they pass. It seemed that every sort of person would be in this crowd, from heroes and healers to demon worshippers and doombringers. Suffice to say that it was less than encouraging.
“Her name is Esfir. Why do you ask?”
Triel shrugs. "I didn't know her name. And considering how I've been treated by small, furry creatures lately..." She spares a glance at Maximo's pet, Ryx. "...I might as well learn her name if she decides she'd like to become better acquainted."
By the way, Vindir, don't you say a word.
She doesn't miss the twitch on Katya's lips in response to her earlier comment. It looks like she appreciated my... bluntness.
The walk up the Ascendant Court isn't of much interest to Triel until the party reaches the street preachers. Doomsday, repentance, brighter days are ahead, blah blah blah, et cetera and all that nonsense. I wonder if these so-called preachers have actually done anything in service to their gods instead of just offering words.
Then she reaches the preaching woman with the scarred belly.
Her fists just clenched tightly enough to crush coal into diamonds.
That mantra. That damned mantra.
Triel doesn't listen to the scarred lady's words glorifying demonkind, but the mantra she preaches sticks out in her mind.
'Praise Be The Mother.' To Hell with the 'Mother'.
His amusement dies when your eyes drift over the scarred woman. You feel anger matching your own and you can hear a low growl at the back of your mind.
Zalika, scouring the street, immediately picks up on the reaction from Triel and raises one eyebrow out of interest. "Is there cause for concern...miss?" Zalika asks quietly, eying the drow with a questioning look.
Triel keeps glaring at the preacher with one hand twitching towards the hilt of her scythe.
I should just cut her womb out and show it to her right now. Can't do it here, though--too many witnesses--
Then Zalika speaks, derailing her train of thought. "Hmm? Oh, it's nothing. Just suppressing the urge to put her down like the rabid dog that she is." She lets her hand fall back to her side. "Let's just say that Lamashtu and I... don't have the most pleasant history together."
"Ah, one of those urges then", Zalika replies calmly, switching her gaze toward the scarred lady in quiet observation before redirecting her attention back at Triel. "If you wish to start something against her then by all means...I'll even help you if you want" the priestess responds, the hint of amusement behind her slight smile indicating that she is only really half serious.
"That said, I'm not entirely sure such a response would result in an excellent impression, hours before the start of the conference. Far better I think to channel that urge in some other direction."
"I know. I know." Triel sighs before turning away from the gathered crowd. "Let them figure it out for themselves--it's the only way some of them will learn."
Don't risk it now. The fact that she's preaching openly is proof enough that acting now would just ruin everything.
Although the big man doesn't notice Triel's reaction to the Lamashtan, Aramus does turn around at the conversation between Zalika and the drow. He shrugs and prepares to just continue the tour, hoping to usher the group past the source of distress, but at Zalika's comment of starting something, he shakes his head. "Ah, that would be a bad idea. And I mean really, regrettably bad!"
He waves his hands around. "See, this is the Avenue of the Hopeful. It's a hotspot of all the religions in the Inner Sea, and a gathering place for the followers of all faiths. Just about every form of worship is allowed in Absalom, so all can feel welcome and live in peace together. At least that's the idea. So, even if you don't like what somebody's saying--and believe me, I've got my problems with it--you've got to let them be. Understand?" He folds his arms and raises his eyebrows, clearly wanting an affirmative response. "This is important, especially with the meeting here, right? Everybody needs to get along."
Zalika snorts "Well, thats a wonderfully optimistic view as to how the meeting will turn out. This gathering is of huge importance, and you can bet some factions are going to use it to set the stage for manipulations of their own choosing, or to settle old scores. It probably won't be me doing those things, but I am certain that others might not be quite so noble"
Triel says nothing as Aramus & Zalika speak, but finds herself agreeing more with the priestess than with the muscular guide.
"This is important, especially with the meeting here, right? Everybody needs to get along."
"Were it so easy these days." The drow scratches behind her ear. "But I can make an effort, for now."
More perceptive members of the group will note that one of their companions has wandered off... and not alone this time! As the Lamashtan woman speaks her mind, someone else from the crowd pipes up during a pause in her speech.
"You know nothing!" Crowd goers part as a familiar kobold moves closer to the speaking platform, a snow white weasel nearly bigger than him by his side. Maximo knew getting involved was probably a bad idea... but he had not come so far to have someone spout such heresy and drag down the morale of the world's last hopes! "The demons are not ushering in some new era! Demons don't make! They couldn't make a coherent thought if someone forced it into their minds! All they do is destroy!"
Ryx circled his partner slowly, keeping his eyes on the Lamashtan woman as Maximo argued. "I... I may not be the greatest cleric... or holy figure. But I have bowed my head in worship to both Apsu and his son, Dahak! The Endless Destruction himself! And I know that without creation, there is no destruction! But demons don't create! They ruin and wreck with no sense of what to make in its wake! Even Dahak, the harbinger of ruin, created something of his own: kobolds! My kind!" Maximo pointed a clawed finger at the woman. "They call us monsters... but even we know that demons should be held in check!"
The priestess smirks rather dismissively at the kobold. "You speak of your own species' birth, yet you know nothing of my own mistress. The Demon Queen is a destroyer. I have not denied this. It is in her very nature to tear down the world around her, to rip away the disgusting purity" She pauses and spits at the word. "That lesser gods tout as an achievement. But she is also the creator. For is Lamashtu not the Mother as well? Has her womb not birthed countless species? The faithful gnolls, among her favorite children, were born from the Demon Mother. And as the mother's power grows, the world will crumble. But for a new world, a world where everyone can be touched by the mother's grace, will be born from the ruins! Lamashtu does not seek oblivion, but rebirth!"
Maximo paused for a moment, glowering back at the woman before finally speaking up. "...this world is just fine as it is." Maximo placed a claw on Ryx's head as the weasel brushed against his hip. "Dahak, the so-called Endless Destruction, stood alongside his father, Apsu, to prevent Rovagug from devouring all existence. Even the first god of devastation saw no reason to destroy this world."
Maximo looked down at his companion, smiling, before turning back up to the priestess. "I know full well of Lamashtu... the 'goddess of monsters'. She is no goddess of me, or my kind, monsters though we are." He tilted his head a little as she studied the devout woman, before huffing a chuckle and shaking his head. He wasn't sure where this stream of defiant inspiration sprang from, but he could not restrain it. "And you... I pity you. I cannot appreciate your features as others may... but Apsu made you special. Gave you something inspiring... and you seek to destroy his kind work. How sad..."
Triel blinks when she sees Maximo accost the cultist, and the cultist firing back.
Great. Time to get involved, I suppose. Now, I hope you're all watching, because I'm going to dismantle this raving lunatic with a few choice words.
"You know..." She steps forward, though not too far forward that she's out of Aramus' reach. "...the kobold has a point. You just admitted that your goddess is one who destroys everything she touches." She snorts. "Now, I don't know about the rest of you..." She turns to address the gathered crowd. "...but a goddess who destroys all things good around her and defiles the survivors with her touch isn't one that I'd ever put my faith in."
"Tell me, ladies and gentlemen--which god appeals to you more?" She fights the urge to smirk. "A goddess who sees you as nothing more than easily-replaced meat to be consumed or tainted for her mad designs... or a god who isn't as strong as her, but is both good-hearted and actively working to fix the mess the world is in?"
Bold words. And not ones she'd normally have spoken if Vindir wasn't with her.
"You speak as if fighting the rough beast makes your god unique. Every god in existence fought against his madness. For who would truly seek for the annihilation of all? It is senselessness to seek oblivion with nothing beyond it." The priestess turns her nose up at his declaration. "I assure you, your dragon god played no part in my birth. I was born to a different purpose, and the blessings of my mother's womb guide me on my own path."
"You speak as if this world of 'goodness' is best for everyone. But who is more suited to survive the harsh times that we face? The flawness human who must rely on magic and armor to survive the wilds or the hyena, who may be ugly and savage, but thrives in chaos and hardship? You see your 'good' as a goal, but it is a weakness, a veneer of order that makes you weak and helpless when the hardships of the world. The mother's children are not kind, they are not peaceful, but they are strong. And it is the strong that will survive the war and hardship that is consuming this world."
The crowd shifts, looking between the two arguing factions. While religious disputes are nothing new in the Ascendant Court, the fire in both parties' eyes makes everyone caught in the middle look a little uncomfortable.
Maximo felt something snap inside him - something lit up, and it was familiar, but banished. Something he had forced himself to give up years ago in his training. He knew full well what it was something he shouldn't indulge in, but her words had ignited it once more.
Pride.
"...how pathetic. Truly! I find it deplorable that someone as ungrateful as you would be created with such gifts! Apsu made you with such influence, and you squander it like a hatchling turning down good food! My kind would hold sway and accomplish great things, but you... you waste them." Maximo drew his sickle with a metallic *SCHWING* as Ryx crouched, hairs on end as he hissed, anticipating a fight.
Maximo bore his fangs as he pointed his weapon at the priestess. "My kind are seen as weak! Cowardly! Craven! Yet we survive, despite our lack of strength! If your words carried any weight, I would not be standing here, disproving your claim! If you are so strong, seek out your 'brethren' and preach to them! Perhaps you could actually put your gifts to use for a chance and inspire them to action!" Maximo pointed his sickle down the street, but held his glare on the female. "Now take your heresy and leave, before I demonstrate how strong your devotion to that withered excuse of a goddess truly is! This city may tolerate your ramblings, but I will not! My purge of the darkness that would take advantage of this gathering begins with you!"
Triel was about to respond...
...uh-oh.
...then Maximo snapped.
"Maximo. Please, put the weapon away. You're going to get us in trouble." She whispers, putting a hand on the kobold's shoulder. "If you strike first, the law will side with her, and everything will get that much more difficult for us."
If anything, the priestess looks amused. "How arrogant, to think that your god is responsible for creating all life. Perhaps your kind were made by the dragon god, but if you believe he played a hand in my birth, then you are as delusional as you are pathetic."
"You have impressive force of will little lizard, and a sharp tongue. Now I would advise that you hold that tongue before I carve it out." One hand goes to a heavy single-edged sword across her back. "It is the duty of those who have seen the mother's power to spread her word to those who are... less enlightened. As it is the duty of any mother to teach her children how to survive in the world."
"Typical." Triel speaks up with a derisive snort. "A kobold refutes every point you make, effortlessly so, and you prove you have no answer for him by resorting to violence. I DO hope you understand you're only proving him correct here."
"And don't flatter yourself by claiming to have truly seen a goddess' power. You bear the scars, but none of her true 'gifts'. In her eyes, you're little more than a maggot."
Seriously--Qilué and Talice had serious mutations by the time they defected to Deskari. Until they turned traitor, they were far more fanatical--and favoured--than this nameless fool could ever be.
"Who do you think made your goddess to begin with?" Maximo growled back, Ryx hissing even more as the woman moved her hand to her blade. At Triel's hand on his shoulder, he snapped his yellow eyes up at her for a moment, before straightening up and lowering his sickle. "Please... I would not strike first, especially against a female... not even a gnoll's harlot."
"Ah, how typical of the 'righteous'. You threaten violence and decide to... what was it again little lizard? 'Purge the darknes' I believe. But when I threaten to defend myself, I am the one who started the conflict. I do not know why I expect anything beyond hypocrisy from the so-called righteous." She sneers dismissively down at you, but her hand leaves her blade.
She smirks. "Are you so sure dark elf? I can tell from your tone, you have never known the joy of motherhood. I cannot say the same."
Her eyes drift back to Maximo and she outright laughs. "My goddess was born from the pure fabric of the Abyss, just like all the demons lords that she overcame to claim true godhood. Perhaps you should study your own god's lore more closely little lizard. He formed many gods, but my lady obtained her power entirely on her own."
"Are you so sure dark elf? I can tell from your tone, you have never known the joy of motherhood. I cannot say the same."
"A fact that I'm grateful for every day of my life. I've seen women with limbs twisted into demonic mockeries of what they once were--arms replaced with unholy claws, legs born from nightmares, and too many more that I care to remember. If Lamashtu really favours you so, you wouldn't hesitate to reveal what she has granted you. If anything, you'd revel in showing the world." Triel retorts, clearly unfazed.
Her tone is completely even.
The priestess laughs. "I am older than I look darklander. My son is grown and serves the mother in his own right. It is not my place to drag him around as an example of the demon mother's grace. He has his own duties to fulfill in other lands. What is the term... letting the chicks leave the nest?" She sighs wistfully. "He was truly a glorious child. I didn't have this when he was born you know." She touches her stomach. "His first act in life was to use his claws to tear into my flesh as I took him in my arms for the first time. An act the mother inspired to show her happiness in birthing such a wonderful child."
Triel arches an eyebrow.
"Just one?"
"Three. My eldest is the only one who still lives." The woman's face falls and you can see pain in her eyes. "I have devoted myself to spreading the word of the mother since my second born died and have had no more children since."