[D2 LE, Temple of Eilistraee, Open] Silver Like Her Hair

[Illiam'iira]

"Not gonna lie: Unless you've got a pretty unique talent to market, making a decent living mostly by yourself in Sigil is not going to be easy. The city and its people have many needs, but there's also quite the competition within the workforce."

"I've noticed!" She nods. "I don't plan on staying forever. I just... don't know how to get back. The portal I came through isn't there anymore."

[Fyne]

Fyne doesn't really have any knowledge of Illiam'iira's personal circumstances regarding her family, so he can only shake his head and shrug.

"It's definitely not easy," he agrees. "But it also depends on how you want to live. As Eilistraean's we're taught to care for others and community as much as taking care of ourselves. I don't think I know any Eilistraeans that are rich. Some better off than others but we take care of each other and the communities we call home. Which, in my experience has led to friends sharing bread when in need."

"But I'm here indefinitely."

[Illiam'iira]

"It's definitely not easy," he agrees. "But it also depends on how you want to live. As Eilistraean's we're taught to care for others and community as much as taking care of ourselves. I don't think I know any Eilistraeans that are rich. Some better off than others but we take care of each other and the communities we call home. Which, in my experience has led to friends sharing bread when in need."

Fyne's words set the small drow at ease. "Yeah. It's -- uhm -- do you mind if I explain?" She looks between the two of them, waiting for permission.

[Dare Shah]

Dare wasn't sure who the question was for, but courtesy never failed in such cases:

"Sure, please do."

[Illiam'iira]

"Sure, please do."

She smiles brightly, bouncing in place! Yay! This is one subject Illiam'iira loves talking about. "We Ilythiiri have a long history, one of communities built up --" The drow raises a hand, "And shattered," Her hand falling. "On our world, we once were a proud people until we were driven underground, all Ilythiiri exiled for the crimes of some... mostly leaders... this shattered many old ways which were replaced by ... less than ideal new ones. Noble houses that rise and fall on the whims of chaotic madness, with everyone who is not born lucky flesh for the Spider. It is a rough life, one many cannot escape from. Those who can leave often leave with nothing -- in many circumstances they abandon everything and everyone they've known to live in a world they were taught from birth was beneath them, that actively hates them and in many places wants them dead."

The drow then holds up a finger, beaming with pride.

"That's where Eilistraee comes in! By her doctrine we build community, not just for ourselves, but for everyone. It's part of mending a broken world. We learn to grow our own food, butcher our own animals, hunt, prepare meals, forage, anything and everything that sustains life, and we share it with anyone who needs it, always making sure to have enough not just to survive but to give." Her hands clasp together with a smile. "Though we don't just feed the body, but also the spirit. That's why we sing and dance and hunt together."

She's obviously delighted to talk about it, practically squirming with glee, a rainbow halo beginning to form on her crown as she continues.

"A lot of this stuff is interconnected. By showing kindness to others, you often learn to be kinder, and being shown kindness from others often lets you learn how to be kinder to yourself. It also forms connections you can call upon in dark times. Sometimes, life is hard, and you need help, and the people who care about you -- or who you even just helped once! -- will help you. For Underdark-raised Ilythiiri that's a pretty difficult concept. They're taught by both word and deed that the only person you can truly rely upon is yourself. It takes time to undo that, and for some, it's a really painful lesson, one that takes decades or centuries to learn. But it truly does help heal the world one person at a time."

Illi then laughs nervously. Oh, Illiam'iira, you talked someone's ear off again.

"...sorry, I didn't mean to ramble so much. I just -- I feel the same principle applies here in Sigil, too. I might not live lavishly while I'm in the city, but by showing kindness to others, I may get more kindness shown to myself. Small allies are still allies, and small kindnesses are still kindnesses, and even if bad things happen, I can still make the most of it."

"Does that make sense?"

[Dare Shah]

"Oh definitely. I'm honestly not sure how the Underdark society as you laid it can even function in the first place. The very principle of civilization is being able to rely on each other when problems arise. Even the strongest human, or Ilythiiri in that case, is little thing on their own against the wrath of nature.

On the pragmatic side, does that mean this very temple offer services to drows, and maybe even non-drows, in distress? Free meals, temporary lodging, that kind of thing?"

[Illiam'iira]

"On the pragmatic side, does that mean this very temple offer services to drows, and maybe even non-drows, in distress? Free meals, temporary lodging, that kind of thing?"

Illi looks like she really wants to give Dare a hug. She Understands. Maybe someday they could talk about the terrible logistics -- wait no. That would be really depressing actually.

"Mmhmm! So long as you work and there's a free bed and food to give. Even sometimes when there's not." She smiles. Oh, how she misses home, but here is close enough. "I'd stay here myself, but, well, my companion is not an Eilistraeen, and he acts like a bit of a baby anytime he's expected to behave like one, so we've found a place in the Guildhall Ward so he doesn't have to acclimate to strangers and their expectations." The drow pauses. It would probably be rude to ask Dare Shah if she needs any help... but maybe... "If you're ever in any need, please feel free to come to us, okay?"

[Dare Shah]

"Sure. And likewise. You never know when a reversal of fortune might strike."

[Illiam'iira]

"Sure. And likewise. You never know when a reversal of fortune might strike."

Illi nods, smilingly brightly. "Thank you, Lady Shah." Her eyes turn to Fyne -- poor man's been drowned out by her excited rambling.

[Fyne]

Fyne seems more than okay with everything that has gone on in the conversation. He's definitely not as perky and cheerful so he imagines it would have been a bit less boring to have him explain these things.

"I'm happy to echo the sentiment. We help people in need when we can."