Role

Chapter 13

After speaking with the doll about the nature of Loss, Kytria is re-energized.
She now feels confident in her ability to gain the trust of her fellow
adventurers and to manifest Lost in a world filled with non-believers. She
struggles with the gifts of her guild - it is easy to keep others alive, and
she enjoys the feeling of being needed. The warning given to her by the doll
sits in her mind, and she tries to always have a plan, though she often fails
in ways she did not anticipate.

Her memories of Conren falling in service to the Empire push her to action,
and she hopes that her pain with echo in the walls of the Palace. She has
tried convincing the Shadow Lord, Ceva, to abandon the cabal. The assassin is
too dedicated, so Kytria has pivoted and is now trying to start a coup by
beseeching Vimalg and Ceva to rid themselves of the unstable Empress. She
reminds them that their reputations are tied to Sadeha, and that the Empress
has not hesitated to punish those who displease her.

Kytria also works with Dichael, counseling him as he seeks the path to
righteousness. While she is unconvinced that he has what it takes, she is
eager to see what will become of the curious shaman if he abandons the
wickedness in his soul. There is no losing - he will experience Loss with
whatever choice he makes - or if he makes none at all. He trusts her, and has
told her of one of his darkest secrets - that he initially planned to offer
his soul and part of the Spirit of the Refuge to the demons of hell.

Her work at the Inn continues and she has learned to paint portraits in order
to remind the living of what they no longer have. Her first work was a
painting of Odren and Atrissa together, which he seems to cherish. Every
Herald she has adventured with has fallen, save for Zicci, but she struggles
with guilt after the fact. Is the Loss they experience truly helping them? Can
she still remain part of the family even as she hurts them?

Lastly, Kytria plans for a roast at the Inn. With no adventurers or dieties
excluded, she hopes that the jokes will cause strife between the cabals and
their members. The jokes will be true, but the paper-thin skin of the
adventurers will surely be wounded when they hear how they are perceived.