[Pine]
Pine had been thinking, deeply, as they made their way through the Mere towards the lizardfolk's camp. Much about what had been spoken of with Ularan had left him somewhat confused and uneasy considering his own agreements and understandings. The question of the boon was still hanging over him. It could be anything: a tactical advantage like Effie and Arya had chosen, knowledge that Siax had requested, or even personal growth like Idris. But none of those stood out to him as meaningful enough.
He had hoped to learn how to fix those broken souls. That had stood out as the most important at the time from someone who was far more knowledgeable of magic, and of that skillset than him, and he had been left bereft. Deeply disappointed. In the wake of that, little but his agreements seemed important.
So it was that, now knowing Ularan far better, having seen him, spoken to him, understood him better, he felt far more confident about reaching out with 'Sending' to speak.
"Your offered boon. I would have the Three be made whole. I cannot deviate. My path is already set, and your plans are malleable."
[DM]
The sending spell connects, it seems encountering Ularan in that strange realm counted for the needs of the spell. However there was a moment of sluggishness, a few moments before you fell it worked [You can make an arcana check if you'd like to see why].
Ularans's voice sounded in your head, still having that otherworldly timber but sounding somewhat annoyed. "You know the stakes, hesitation could be our undoing... So be it, that is our path."
You feel like there was more but the familiar limitation of the spell constrained whatever was next.
[Pine]
Pine would burn another spell slot, continuing:
"The Three have this planned. They commanded, and I'm to fulfil it. There is no hesitation. You are not alone in dealing with it now."
[DM]
"That is true. Then the finding of Merdelain becomes a necessity. I had hoped to uncover a way here but that will not suffice."
As the answer resounds in your mind a message is sent by Ularan.
"Then let it be so. For your boon I swear to pursue the restoration of the three as long as it is possible. You have my word"
[You are now under the influence of Ularanss sending meaning you have no word limit]
[Pine]
There had been no bragging, no ego heard in Pine's voice, just facts as he saw it. Perhaps that was all that was needed for not only did Ularan agree to do it, if possible, but swore he would. What was a trinket or a bauble compared to reinstating a God?
Although Pine's own voice was unsettling, it would likely be nothing to someone like Ularan, and so the nuance of Pine's relief would likely be easier to be heard.
"Good. That's good. I doubt it will be easy, none of their tasks are, but they gamble to win, and sent me here to you.
"You never mentioned why the Three were so muted in the Mere. On Icespire Peak their presence was considerable."
[DM]
"Are you sure you wish to know? I sense a great faith from you and do not wish to be it's downfall."
[Pine]
"Even lessened as they are, they are still far more powerful than I am. Thousands put to rest in the blink of an eye. I have faith in their skill, cunning, and planning, because they have proven that, not only in recent times, but also in the past. I am driven by my agreement with them, but my faith is not typical for a cleric perhaps. My faith is practical. They are more than I am, and have proven to be. I could not have stood against their wishes, and my agreement binds me. I would rather know the practical concerns that impact the path I am now on."
[DM]
"It is interesting that you say so. What remains of the Three is... Complicated. The Divine shards we possess hold echoes, the shades that are them. But simply existing isn't enough for them to manifest, rather it is through the individual holders will that they take shape and act. Those thousands put to rest you mention may have been through their power but you played a large role, if perhaps unwittingly.
"It is I who keep the Three silent in a way to. The closer the shards become, the more the shades residing in each become less defined, like shadows under the midday sun. All the shards taken together contain enough of their essence to see them as they once were - but as long as the shards are separate they cannot join together.
"Enough theological debate however, I find that it is much preferable for one to learn with one's own eyes than being told. What is important is what you believe and your relationship with the Three. And we can do what must be done. Even now I am raising forces to better withstand the Taloists."
[Pine]
"They tested me, in Axeholm. They said they were trying to find out who I was at my core, so one of them could claim my soul. But they never did, as far as I know. In recent communications they have mentioned me only as working for all three of them, rather than one. Perhaps I failed their test, or my lack of traditional clerical faith is a hinderance. I do not know.
"They named me their priest, but how can I be if they are not gods, as you say? My place has always been on the mountains putting the dead to rest there. Nothing like what I've been tasked to do since then. Much of it has been beyond my understanding or skills, much as I do not truly grasp your explanation as to their silence, other than you have been stopping it to retain their individuality somehow. I am not like a wizard who has such knowledge. I was a nomadic hermit doing my duty for the dead on the mountains.
"My duty is different now, through the agreement with them that I made. Had I met you before that time, I would have aided you in whatever you felt was best to regain the balance of the world, but I can no longer offer that. I tied myself to the Three's plans in order to do what I thought was best with the information and situation I had at the time, and for right or wrong I am on that path and must do it to the best of my ability. I do not seek to be at odds with you, and I know well from your words that I have made things more difficult with the offered boon, but shades or not, I made that agreement and must stick to it."
Overall, Pine's voice would come out largely devoid of emotion, as was his standard, but there was, despite the restoration Ularan had done for him, a sense of weariness there that had not gone with that rot. With someone as perceptive as Ularan, he would likely note just how worn the former tabaxi was. Without the agreement, he might well have given up on all this and returned to the mountains, or given up entirely.
[DM]
"So be it. What you describe is beyond what mere shades would do, perhaps the fragment that you hold held something more. But I believe our conversation on the topic is finished for the time."
There's a pause that feels charged like Ularan was contemplating what to say. When his next words came they seemed to hold more weight, a slight emphasis more on each syllable.
"I can sense your weariness. A man needs more than obligation to be able to make the next step. This is as vital as is food and water to most others, perhaps more to beings like us. A creature without a purpose is worse than dead. It is a shell that occupies space best used by others. Do you understand Pine? If you truly want to bring the Three back find out why it matters to you and then use that conviction to change the world to make it happen.
"...I've seen too many fall for lack of conviction."
[Pine]
Emotions could not be heard through 'Sending', not normally at least, but Pine's words still held with them an echo of the feeling of a man shaken by the truth, ones that must surely be running through him to be so heard.
"Duty to the dead has always driven me in my adult life, and agreements made should be kept. This holds both, but I will think on your words. I know myself to be floundering in these new circumstances and challenges."
[DM]
"Speak to Emberlost and perhaps you can glean some wisdom from that spirits madness.
I bid you farewell.. Priest of the Three."