He blinked in surprise at hearing that Remi had been seeing Ludo so much, though given what he'd heard of the alchemist's history with the god he wasn't particularly surprised at the offer of death. At least it had been up front this time, rather than cloaked in illusion and trickery. Hearing that it had offered the other man a purpose though, sent a little twinge of envy through the bard's heart that he tried to quash as he listened. His lips quirked into a wry smile that held more sadness than humor as he gave a little shake of his head. "Ludo hasn't asked anything of me, really," he admitted, glancing down to his own long-fingered hands folded on the table. "I was the one who asked Ludo if I could try to collect those souls that had become too lost or recalcitrant to return to Mort. It was just kind enough to allow me to pursue that." He looked up at Remi again, eyes grave. "That being said, if my purpose seems noble, it was because I was the one who came to Ludo with it, rather than the other way around. If it wants to give you a purpose, to ask something of you because of its own desires... I don't know whether 'nobility' will factor into it at all." Or whether such a term could be applied to the gods, anymore than good or evil did on this world.
In some ways Remi's description of Northaven sounded painfully familiar. Something had to break for something else to grow from it; in this case, the trust in those tasked with ruling the land to do so wisely and well had broken. Finding out that they were selfish and venal - or worse, the puppets of some darker power - could change the course of a life indelibly once that illusion was shattered. The bard nodded slowly at the alchemist's words, then took a deep breath as he considered the questions posed. "That is a frightening thought," he admitted, a touch rueful but mostly sobered at the possibility of cosmic chaos. "Though I have to wonder... does there need to be a Great Plan? The gods we know of each have their domains that they tend, but aside from making sure that the sun rises and life finds a way, and souls have a place to go at the end of their days... should there be some great goal that they work towards, with us as their pawns - or helpers?"
In some ways Remi's description of Northaven sounded painfully familiar. Something had to break for something else to grow from it; in this case, the trust in those tasked with ruling the land to do so wisely and well had broken. Finding out that they were selfish and venal - or worse, the puppets of some darker power - could change the course of a life indelibly once that illusion was shattered. The bard nodded slowly at the alchemist's words, then took a deep breath as he considered the questions posed. "That is a frightening thought," he admitted, a touch rueful but mostly sobered at the possibility of cosmic chaos. "Though I have to wonder... does there need to be a Great Plan? The gods we know of each have their domains that they tend, but aside from making sure that the sun rises and life finds a way, and souls have a place to go at the end of their days... should there be some great goal that they work towards, with us as their pawns - or helpers?"
