The radiant boundary hangs within reach, a golden veil trembling above the clouds. Astraya slows beside it instead of crossing, her white wings holding station as Dyanara rises beneath the pillar.
Dyanara's black wings beat unevenly. Her glaive remains below, lost in the vapor, while her red eyes stay fixed on True Dave through the thinning storm.
The Winged Aasimar
What power was that, traveler? It was no common spell, nor any blessing I recognize.
Astraya Orlaith
Dyanara, you can ask your questions after the finish. The course is still moving beneath us.
For a breath, the storm falls quiet. Only the pillar's low radiance and the strained rhythm of wings remain, leaving the three suspended above the cloud sea.
The Winged Aasimar
You wield forbidden force as though it were born in your hand. Tell me whether it serves tyranny, or defies it.
Astraya Orlaith
Stray star, the next horn will end this pause. Cross when you are ready, but do not mistake my waiting for surrender.
✓ Quest Accepted
Give Dyanara an honest reckoning about the Force
“I explain that there is a force within the galaxy that flows through and connects all things. That some of us have a deeper connection to it, allowing us to channel it towards great feats. That some, as Dyanara suspect, use that force for tyranny. And that I use it as I see fit.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -1)
True Dave
The galaxy is threaded by a force that flows through and connects all things. Some of us touch it more deeply, and can channel it toward great feats. Others use it for tyranny. I use it as I see fit.
The explanation takes precious breaths from the race. The golden pillar remains open, but another horn trembles somewhere beyond the storm, measuring the time True Dave has spent speaking.
The Winged Aasimar
A force flowing through all things, yet answering more readily to some. That accords with what I witnessed, though it does not tell me whether your judgment is worthy of it.
Dyanara's black wings steady beneath the pillar. Her suspicion does not vanish, but her glaive remains lost below, and the ascent is no longer contested.
Astraya Orlaith
A splendid lesson, stray star, but the race has charged you interest for every word. Cross now, before the next horn declares us both late.
The wind shifts beneath True Dave, tugging at his bruised shoulder as the course begins to carry him past the suspended pillar. The finish waits within immediate reach.
Quest Complete
Give Dyanara an honest reckoning about the Force
“I also mention that there are some really chill dudes with green light sabers who use the force to protect nature and such. But never trust the ones with blue light sabers. They're wannabe space cops who kidnap children and turn them into other wannabe space cops.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -1)
True Dave
There are chill Force users with green light sabers who protect nature and life. But never trust the blue-bladed ones. They are wannabe space cops who kidnap children and make them into more wannabe space cops.
The explanation stretches across several precious heartbeats. The golden finish waits beside him, while the distant horn sounds again and the moving course begins to carry him beyond the pillar.
The Winged Aasimar
You divide them by the colors of their blades, then judge the blue ones by the children they claim to train. That is a grave accusation.
Dyanara's black wings hold her beneath the radiant pillar. Her suspicion sharpens into careful attention, while Astraya glances toward the finish and then back to True Dave.
Astraya Orlaith
Stray star, your history lesson has cost us another horn. If the blue-bladed tyrants are elsewhere, let them wait while we finish this race.
The Winged Aasimar
I will remember this distinction, traveler. Cross the finish, and afterward you will tell me how you learned it.
The route ahead remains open, but the pillar's glow begins to slide behind him. Astraya beats her white wings toward the boundary, leaving Dyanara to follow beneath it.