Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-17114085-20171226150054/@comment-17114085-20180319010441

Gwen frowned and said. "I am more than willing..."

"None of you are expendable." Athyis interrupted her. "There are less than a hundred of our kind living on Nirn. Each and every one of us is priceless for the survival of our people. However, the reason we've journed on this quest is because we will not survive more than a few generations with our current numbers. We need more people." He put a hand on the artifact. "The Star can provide our people a future, but now without sacrifice." He paused and added. "You're young, I know that it is much to ask of you to lay down your life when you've yet to live it. I won't force you as I've said. Though the success of this quest depends on it."

Aurora let out a breath bluntly. "I'm with Thynvil. Going on a dangerous quest for the artifact is one thing, but I won't be killing myself willingly."

Athyis nodded. "I understand." He looked to the others.

Faire spoke up first. She was the oldest there after the Arch-Paladin. "I will go through with it, sir. So Lilyarel, Serenarth, Mirtil and Edhebor didn't die in vain."

Sidanys nodded. "Edhebor was my own flesh and blood. To ignore his conviction would be shameful. I could never face him and our ancestors in the Eternal City then."

Nirilor shook his head. Like Mirtil and Aurora he had been one of the more skeptical ones on this quest. "I'm sorry, sir. But I'm with Thynvil and Aurora on this decision."

Athyis didn't ask Gwen, but she replied anyway. "Father, I will lay down my life beside you." She had been taught from a young age always to do what was best for her people. She wasn't going to turn her back on that now.

The Arch-Paladin smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud that you'd say so." but then said. "Thynvil was right, however. I forbid it. Call me selfish for this, but I know your only making this decision because of how I raised you. Like Thynvil you're young and you still had dream you want to accomplish. I know of the maps you keep in your knapsack."

"Those are..." Gwen thought she had hidden them well during their trip.

"Live your dream Gwenring, travel Tamriel and see sights our people have never laid eyes upon." Athyis urged her. "Thynvil, you and the others are exempt from the sacrifice, but I ask that after all is done you take the survivors safely back to the Vale and aid them in rebuilding." He then turned back to the Nords who were reluctantly waiting and watching their argument. "Faire, Sidanys and I will activate the artifact."