A Hunt For Ravens!

[*Selebius]

"My curse was broken by my return to the plane I was born. Celestia."

She smiles opening her arms in an encompassing gesture.

"As for the others returning them to their homeplane will break their curses as well. Curses this powerful often have an escape clause and the Prince of the Lower Aerial kingdoms thought we can never escape his little prison plane."

Sitting down on one of the benches she crosses her legs, looking up at him.

"As for my story... it is a story of love, ambition and betrayal. I regret getting the angels into this situation.. but looking back I cannot have acted otherwise."

[*StarSight]

Verdant takes a seat on a different bench. "Ah, for a moment I had hoped you had a few insights on breaking it another way...but no matter. I am listening, I suppose, if you wish to share your story."

[*Selebius]

"My story is nothing I am proud to tell." She seems annoyed but at a glance at the Deva and the Aasimon's encouraging nod she goes on.

"When I heard about Queen Morwel gatheting volunteers in Arborea to strike at the demons again I volunteered.... eager to lead them, eager to make a difference. I also asked a.. good friend..", she shakes her head, correcting herself, " no... a lover to come with me. I was a fool. And it was he who betrayed us. Instead of Androlynne we arrived in some different layer where Pazuzu and his minions awaited us. We were tortured, humiliated... made to... " , she pauses for a moment, struggling with her memories then goes on. ".. when we broke, when we were close to death he placed a curse on each of us to remain in this plane, a place with no way out, bound into the shape of a raven. When we saw this sudden portal only a few of us could escape. We are all ashamed we failed... but I will have to atone for my foolishness."

[*Selebius]

"Juliana Guillaume.", she says with a nod, smiles at the Deva and whispers a 'thank you' in celestial.

"I am surprised news of my return have spread already. What can I do for you?"

[*StarSight]

Verdant listens and nods. "I see. My apologies for dredging up unpleasant memories, but for whatever you may think it worth, it sounds me that your crime, if there was one at all, was merely trusting the wrong person. I assure you, for whatever comfort it may bring, you are far from alone in that."

"What few questions I have would be if there is some way to rescue those who could not escape through the portal you did, and if you know a route to Arborea."

"To be honest part of me wishes to know what became of your betrayer, but I do not wish to dredge up more painful memories."

[*Selebius]

"Getting them to Arborea is no problem. If you bring them here we can do it with a Gate or Planeshift spell."
She smiles at Verdant and the Deva, but then her smile vanishes again.
"Freeing those still captured in the Abyss will be complicated. Spells will not get us there, we need another way in and leaving might be even more difficult. This is why we needed Paladin Thurr as a guide."
She sighs.

"Which brings us to the last of your questions- he should be dead by now. He was granted eternal life by Pazuzu... but this gift was linked to my curse. When my curse ended so ended his life."

[*StarSight]

"I see, well I shall do that post haste then, I imagine they are eager for their curses to be lifted. One thing they told me though, is that they will need to spend a year in Arborea for the curse to be fully removed, and that departing the plane before then would see the curse return." Verdant replies, wishing to make sure Julianna is aware of that caveat to her broken curse.

[*Selebius]

The woman nods in agreement. "Their souls must heal. However as my curse was different this limitation does not apply to me. My soul was healed as his soul faded."

She frowns at this thought, shakes ahead as if she tries to shake off a still lingering nightmare.