A voice for calm and hope
Gwilym rushes over to the lost child and helps her find her parent or guardian. He is loving and protective.
Hazen prays to Rao and all the powers of light that he can reach through to those who need to hear this message on Oerth, on Toril, and beyond. He prays that the Angels will aid his efforts and reach out to those in pain. He prays that the Angels or an Angel will stand beside him, if they will. He prays that people will listen.
“Peoples of Toril, of Oerth, and many worlds, I humbly and respectfully ask to address you.” There is a look of love, compassion, and understanding in his face. He appears in the form that he has been given, that of an Angel.
“Perhaps I should explain the political nature of Oerth to the good and reasonable people of Toril and Realmspace.”
“I am president of the Kevellond League, a group of nations in the west central Flanaess. I am also President of the Oerth Alliance, also referred to the Alliance of Oerth. Many of the neutral and good nations of Oerth stand with me. The Baklunish Confederation, The Lortmils Technomancy, the Pomarj, The Union of Light and Shadow, The Sky-Sea League, the Peoples of Ishatarland, the Alliance of the Northwest Crescent, the peoples of Telchuria and the Thrillonian peninsula, The Rising Sun Alliance, and many other nations are members of the Oerth Alliance. We are many nations who are allied together, believing that together we can protect the sovereignity, the dignity, and the rights of our peoples. Humans, elves, half-elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings, half-orcs, and humanoids are valued members of our alliance.”
“We are not a super government, but rather a coalition of like minded people. At this peace conference, we have vowed to treat all here with respect. Although it is obviously difficult at times. I am providing the media with information on the Alliance, and on all powers that have interacted with Oerth.”
“Anabstercorian is allied with Mina, a native of Krynn. She is a follower of the One God, who is worshipped on Krynn.”
“Lord Melkor and Lord Iuz are members of what they call the Pantheon of Glowing Darkness. It seems to worship darkness as the primary part of the cycle of life. I am still trying to understand the meanings of Iuz’s words under their fair cloak. I ask you to judge all of us by our actions which I will now detail. A wise man once said that the truth will set us all free. I shall share all that I know with you”
At this point, Hazen will tell EVERYONE of what has happened in the IR to the best of his knowledge. He provides information on the worlds, cultures, nations, and personages involved in the IR and their actions and words. (Obviously Hazen is not telling them how to contact the Dark Powers. He will offer the same explanation that he did so earlier for not doing so.) He will also use his abilities to show people what has happened. He even shares how he was willing to be tortured for the good of Oerth and its peoples. The people watching this message shall hear and see what has transpired in the IR.)
“People of Toril, I urge you to find peace and reconciliation. Forrester and Ian Payne and many others fought hard to build a better world for all of you. If Forrester has said something ill of the elves, I ask that you consider pardoning him. Even the greatest of mortals must grapple with the darkness inside themselves. And Forrester is truly among the most remarkable persons I have ever known. For my part, I have been his friend and a defender of his character. I have prayed fervently for his well being, his return, and for Toril and its people.”
“Did I criticize Forrester for some of his actions? Yes. Good people, even friends can disagree. Good people, great leaders, can make mistakes and be wrong. The elves and the humanoids of Toril have made a remarkable peace, a peace that honors the greatness of their peoples and the memory of Ian Payne. Embrace each other and reconcile. Perhaps Forrester has left you to confront his own inner demons and doubt. We all have them. However, my heart tells me that Forrester would not wish to see the United Commonwealth of Toril split asunder or Toril at war with itself. I pray that he will return to you in greater majesty and wisdom than he has shown before. Ian Payne, were he among you, would counsel the peoples of the UC of Toril and Realmspace to reconcile, to recognize their common bond, their heritage, and their desire to protect what they hold dear: Realmspace, their peoples, and nations.”
“There are many who share both humanoid and elven blood. Do not quarrel among yourselves, people of Toril. Do not make these wonderful children – intelligent, wise, swift, strong, and beautiful – chose between mother and father. Love one another. Respect one another.”
“I prepared weapons of Oerthblood – which you know now can counteract the Red Waste for use by your soldiers. Forrester chose another tactic than I anticipated, but only he can explain his actions. I say again that I can forgive a repentant heart.
“For my part, the Oerth Alliance and I stood with the UC of Toril. We treated its soldiers and citizens as honored guests. We have defended the good name of Toril and Forrester from those who spoke ill of them. We stood side by side with your sons and daughters who fought to protect those who saw the glory and goodness within them. I am eternally in their debt
“There is a statue of the brave soldiers of Toril who defended my people from the rampage of robots. My people are eternally grateful to the people of Toril, especially the United Commonwealth of Toril. Many of the Oerth Alliance fought side by side with your sons and daughters. We are honored by their heroism.”
“At this peace conference, I have tried to give everyone respect even when I doubt their words and their actions. I am trying to behave in a civilized and courteous manner to those whom seek to destroy me and my people. For while I am at this peace conference, I shall not fight save to defend myself or protect the innocent. If war comes, I am prepared to fight for my people and my world.”
“However, I consider the people of Toril to be friends worthy of respect and honor. You have truly built a remarkable civilization. I humbly ask you to reconcile with your neighbors. We are all akin in the great family of being – whether we call ourselves human, elf, humanoid, phaerimm or another name. We are all brethren – whether we are citizens of Oerth, of Toril, of Athas, of Mystara, of Krynn, or other worlds.”
“Lord Kalanyr’s statement was that he agreed with Anabstercorian’s statement that Melkor uses his speech and those reasons merely to decieve he has no intention of peace merely a desire to let us become weak before he strikes. Lord Kalanyr has shown us by his example how any soul can rise from darkness and despair into light, hope, love, and joy. He is not an ally of Anabstercorian. Nor am I. I have told you of Anabstercorian’s actions. I ask Lord Kalanyr to further explain his position.”
“Lady Siobhan Silivrenur, Leader of the Union of Light and Shadow, has stated ‘here are some factions set on the destruction of Oerth..those people must change before any lasting peace can arise with them. It's to nobody's benefit for the Dartk Powers and the Mists to claim Oerth.’ The same is true for Toril, Athas, Mystara and Krynn. I have told you some of the histories of many worlds.”
“You may ask what is Krynn or Athas of Mystara to me? Yet from what I have told you, there are lives which would be honored by your greatest heroes. People of Toril, consider what I told you of Goldmoon, a woman of principle and courage. I believe I can safely say that Ian Payne and Goldmoon were they among you would recognize each other as kindred spirits. Both saw the power of love being greater than hate. Faith greater than doubt and courage to be greater than fear.”
“Each of us has the power to shape our own destinies, to chose between light and darkness, good and evil, love and hate, hope and despair. Whether we call our home Toril, Oerth, Athas, Krynn, Mystara or by another name, we all have that choice. Each of us is capable of the ultimate enlightenment and the ultimate in heroism.”
“Ian Payne at one time thought he was a man without power. But he had the power of his heart, his mind, and the courage of his convictions. Because of his love for all of Toril and its peoples, the Angels themselves, in their holiness, beauty and might, descended from the Seventh Heavens. They stood soldier to soldier with the people of Toril to save a great and wonderful world and its peoples equally great and wondrous. In the four decades since Ian Payne left behind his mortal coil, and I believe, went to the side of One whom before the Angels kneel and fiends tremble, the people of Toril have labored to fulfill his dreams. He would be proud of what you have achieved and distressed at the dissension in a world he loved with all his heart, all his soul, and all his might.”
“I pray to all that is sacred and holy that he can speak to the world that he loves. If he does not, then I pray listen to his words, his teachings, and observe the actions of a most remarkable life.”
“I believe that the people of Toril and all worlds have the power to make a destiny truly worthy of their peoples. The wisdom is within our cultures, our faiths, and in ourselves. We can chose what reality we make, whether it is to fall into the Dimension of Dread or rise to new possibilities of hope, love, civilization, goodness, and enlightenment. The choice is yours. It has always been yours.”
“Today, I am pleased to announce that the Kevellond League and its allies and the Baklunish-Esmerin Confederation and their allies have agreed to unite as a single great nation. We are currently drafting a constitution to ensure a representative form of government. We have decided to call ourselves the United Federation of Oerth. Each of our members will keep their own laws and customs, and their nobility if they chose. Indeed, we are working on a tri-cameral legislature with a Congress, a Senate, and a House of Lords. We believe that what unites all of us is far more important than what divides us. Our members include Esmerin, Orcreich, Erypt, and Suhfang. We are one and many. Unity and diversity in all their glory made manifest in our government and society. All shall enjoy the protection of their civil liberties and all people shall be free to forge a greater destiny. Our Constitution in part is modeled after that of the United Commonwealth of Toril and that of some of the nations of another world, Earth. I shall speak more of Earth shortly.”
“In my remarks, I briefly referred to a world known as Earth and a friend Arthur MacKeppoch. I am including all the knowledge that he gave me of his world, its faiths, its history, and cultures. At its peak, its peoples had achieved more with what they had than Toril has achieved. Their achievements at the least equaled and probably surpassed that of the City of the Gods, whom the top scientists of Oerth and Toril now research. I asked MacKeppoch to address Oerth when nuclear weapons were first developed. Perhaps the wisdom of Earth shall help Oerth and Toril and other worlds gain new wisdom. I give this knowledge freely as a gift. Perhaps their knowledge and wisdom shall help save us all. Hear the words of my friend, Arthur MacKeppoch of Earth. I pray that our worlds will avoid a fate like his world suffered.”
(OOC: Yes, I did search through the boards for my Gamma World post, which I reproduce here. I spent well over an hour constructing this post, and pouring my heart and mind into it. As should be apparent to all, Hazen is trying his utmost to save Oerth, Toril, Krynn, Athas, and Mystara from a horrible fate. In the absence of Erica Lesage, Hazen is doing his best. This speech is likely taking a very long time but Hazen will try to do all that he can for Oerth and all the worlds. Even if it kills him.)
THE GUARDIANS OF EARTH SPEAK: A WARNING FROM GAMMA WORLD
Archcleric Hazen stands in an empty field at twilight, flanked by the demigods Mordenkainen, Heward, Keoghtom, and dozens if not hundreds of dragons. Emperor Cho-Je Paser and Empress Taizu are there, as are their ghostly predecessors Emperor Pa-ser the First and Empress Kuan Yi. Gwilym Raonul, Lord William Ronald, Murghtom the Old, and Fand Dyvyr, druidess of Beory, stand by him.
Before him sits a device of technological manufacture. It is perhaps three feet high and cylindrical.
“I warned of the peril to Oerth from the use of nuclear weapons. It would seem that some people are still unconvinced of the peril they represent. So, I contacted an old friend. “
“Some decades ago, I was gone for a considerable time. I journeyed not just to distant lands of Oerth, but different worlds, different realities. In one, I encountered a devastated world where the inhabitants knew nothing of magic. It was only with some difficulty that I returned to Oerth. I spoke with my friend last night. He wishes to address our world.”
“I beg you to consider the words of a man who lives in a world without magic, where nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction were used to horrific effect. He and his brothers-and-sisters-in-arms have fought for their world as boldly as any have fought for Oerth.”
Hazen presses a single button. Above the heads of the dragons, an image forms.
A world much like Oerth. Large portions of it seem to be barren and devastated. Still, tropical jungles, rainforests, forests, and trees can be seen. There are only very small ice caps at both poles. The scene swishes to ruined cities of steel and glass. A few towers still stand, a mile high, but shattered. Most of the buildings are shattered and burned beyond all recognition of what they were some time ago. Humans and what seem to be altered humans and animals are fighting in the ruins – against each other. They are using swords and bows. Machine guns. Energy weapons. A small band of beings of all races, including something looking like a treant, are trying to tend to the wounded, and call for peace.
The image shifts, then focuses on an island. A man stands on the shore. He is tall, pale of skin and with a serious, haunted face. He is dressed in armor of a type never seen on Oerth before. It is a technological armor far beyond anything seen in the armies of Toril or even on the robots of the City of the Gods. He walks to a hill, where he is joined by many figures.
Men and women of many shapes and colors. Some of the figures seem to be altered from the standard human form. One looks almost elven, save for his antennas and bat like wings. Others look like anthropomorphic wolves, lions, horses, dolphins and other creatures. Some even look like treants or myconids. Two appear to be robotic. Several of the non-robotic figures have obvious cybernetic parts. One or two look quite horrific, with faces that seem like melted wax, shaped by crude hands into a mockery of a face.
Several of the figures stand by the man. A woman grasps his hands tightly.
“Greetings, people of Oerth. My name is Arthur MacKeppoch. The people with me are members of the Guardians of Earth. Earth, my world, is much like Oerth and Toril. However, there is a key difference. Magic was never a part of this world. While many of us honor a deity or deities, we do not derive power from them. Indeed, our civilization – and what is left of it – is based on science and technology. Additionally, we were all of the same species. Homo sapiens. Wise man. A name that proved to be ironic, if not a bitter joke.”
“I have lived centuries. I was born after the first use of atomic weapons, to end a horrific war. I saw the nations of the world unite to solve their common problems. The weapons were disassembled or put aside. We thought war was banished forever. We were wrong.
“Behold my world at its height:
Cities, more marvelous than the City of the Gods appear. A crowd is standing in front of a giant video screen in a great city. They are indeed a diverse lot. No illness or infirmity is seen in any of them.
An image of a starship in orbit of Earth appears. It begins accelerating away from the planet.
“The Starship Warden is on its way to its maiden voyage to colonize the worlds of the Alpha Centauri A and B system. The first interstellar journey of humanity will reach their destination in 8 years.”
The crowd cheers.
Other images appear. Flying ships. Orbiting space stations. Cybernetic implants. A man steps on a silvery pad and vanishes, appearing on a similar pad a 100 feet away.
“All needs of the people of my world were meet by an advanced society and a benign global government, which its member nations formed. Within a few decades of what you saw, we even found a way to move ships at speeds faster than light. Except for one ship, they were never built. Disaster struck.”
An image is shown of people protesting and police officers separating two separate groups of protesters. A blinding flash is seen. Smoke rises, and the shadowy outlines of where bodies once were are seen. Others are burned and mutilated almost beyond recognition. A few horribly disfigured people.
“My wife Sarah died that day. Only Hazen’s actions - impossible by anything but the magic your world and others possess - brought her back. I doubt many of you know what is like to love someone for centuries, raise a family, and work towards building a better world. I pray that none of you ever know what it is like to have that torn from you.”
“The peoples of the world, their physical needs meet began to squabble amongst one another on many issues. Who had the best culture or economy? How should the world be governed? And of course, there were ancient hatreds that were only half buried. They fought amongst themselves. Terrorists bent on the destruction of the world struck and fanned the flames of war.”
“I sought to be a force for peace. Peace failed. The global missile defense system was sabotaged. One nation attacked another. Within hours, billions of people died. Hatred destroyed my world.”
Images appear of weapons far more horrific than the City of the Gods exploding. Cities and civilians vanish, are mutilated and burned. People howl in pain, as they are burned alive and others vanish. Mountains collapse. A sea boils. Forests burn. A cloud of dark soot, smoke, and ash covers the globe. Later, a few people huddle in ruins over a darkened sky. Their faces are portraits of terror. Many are badly burned.
“Many of the survivors perished in the cold and the dark. However, radiation proved a lingering threat for many. As did hunger.”
An image is shown of a newborn lying down in a crib in a brightly lit room. Where its mouth should be is a third eye, overly large, turned 90 degrees from where it should be. A woman howls in grief.
Another image is shown of a ruined building in a darkened sky. It should be noon, but it appears to be twilight. Haggard survivors desperately dig through the rubble, until one screams in delight at finding a single can of food. The survivors are seen fighting each other, the faces a mixture of shame, anger and joy at finding food. One man lies dead as his companions eat the canned food, and some eye the body with hungry expressions.
“Millions more died. Many births were altered by radiation, and people died young of cancer and other diseases. As was written in my youth, the living envied the dead.”
Images are shown of horrifically altered people, plants and animals. Some beings are barely recognizable from their ancestral stock.
“ In time, some beneficial mutations showed up. Telepathy, the ability to gather and use energy as a weapon, and even stranger abilities manifested among people, animals, and even plants. Sentience blossomed riotously through out the wreckage of the world. The price was only the deaths of more than 95 percent of all living things, and the destruction of a civilization that took millennia to build. Some of you may consider that a small price for such power.”
“Slowly, new nations and tribes formed. Of humans, mutant humans, animals, and plants –even androids, artificial life, that is. They fought amongst themselves and wondered at the remnants of a lost world. New threats emerged.”
“In time, I and my allies secured a continent and began world wide operations to rebuild what was lost and restore the dignity of Earth. Our work has taken centuries and will take centuries still to complete.”
“In a time of darkness, when the survival of Earth was imperiled, Hazen and several of his allies appeared. They did things that we believed were impossible. They resurrected people from ash. The best our science could do was to try to revive the recently dead. Because of the efforts of some people of this world and Oerth, was Earth spared.”
“Therefore, I urge you to consider the course that lies ahead of you. The antimatter bombs that destroyed many of your great cities were clean of the deadly and mutating radiation that struck the cities of my world. Please, for the sake of your world, we urge you to have great care with these weapons. They may be used mistakenly or seized by terrorists.”
“We cannot help you, only advise. Your world faces many perils, many of your own devising.”
“There are some who would ask all “off-world” powers to leave, even those that originally came from Oerth. It is our suspicion that this is being asked so that a great empire – now calling itself the Union of Oerth - can merely move against its weakened neighbors, conquering all. Indeed, the only decision that would be left to that empire would be whether or not to attack another world. The presence of the Angels of Hope Island may deter this. We are uncertain of claims by some of having reformed are true. Let it be proved by deeds, not words. I should let you know that I have been active in politics, military strategy, and science for centuries. The plans of the powers of your world are rather obvious. Also, I played chess against Kasparov, Karpov, Fischer, Zhou, and Hawthorne – and won against each.”
“The Solistarim are racists, seeking to conquer and annihilate all. Anabstercorian seeks to build a force to take revenge on his native world – for not fighting his vision of what it should be. And to rebuild the Illithid Empire, which never touched our universe. And never will.”
“Acerak seeks to conquer and devour all. His claims of devouring souls to save them from damnation sounds like a bad public service commercial. I suppose it soothes what is left of his conscience – and completely justifies any actions. How convenient.”
“The Church of Shade seeks domination of all. We find their attempts at diplomacy almost amusing. If you were not so hateful, we would forward the book “Diplomacy for Dummies” to you.”
“You are also threatened with the break up of your own planet. If you cooperate with the one power left on your world with 10th level magic, and help him achieve 11th level magic, you may survive. We suggest that you cooperate. It is your decision.”
“I find the claims of some factions to be all powerful amusing. Power. None of you have any idea of what power is. Evil. I know of an evil that makes the Illithid Empire of old seem like a band of schoolyard bullies and Lord Melkor a paralyzed tyrant on a life support machine.”
“There are powers for good and evil beyond your comprehension. One of those powers of good shields our universe from yours. They also oppose a power of evil that has destroyed worlds and suns. Had they encountered the Illithid Empire, they would have enslaved it or killed it depending on their whims. The same also for Acerak or Lord Melkor, or even Ilsenine himself.”
“That power is far greater and more evil than any power ever known to Oerth and Toril. Perhaps that threat is what Toril faces now. In which case, I believe Acerak, Anabstercorian, and the Church of Shade should pray that Toril triumphs. If not, Oerth is likely to be the next target.”
“Sometime after Hazen left, we found a ship that could swiftly reach the stars and found one of the powers opposed to the threat that I believe now faces Toril. That power shields Earth, allowing us to rebuild. I suggest you do not try to provoke them by attempting to come here. You will be hurled back to your world in pain.”
The next message is sent telepathically, the voices of thousands, if not millions ringing as one in the minds of all the people of Oerth. Any mind bent towards hatred of Earth or a desire to possess it feels pain beyond belief:
“It is up to you to choose your own destiny. Choose wisely. We of Earth wish you well. This is likely the only time you shall here from us for quite some while.”
The image vanishes and the device disappears.
Hazen speaks as a frown forms on his face.
“The door between universes is closed again. I suggest that none attempt to pry it open.”
“It is up to us to choose what to do with these weapons of mass destruction. I would urge all to consider not using them. I do not dictate, but merely advise.”
“Kessel Gnomeworks is as a brother to me. I will respect his decision, even if I disagree with it. We must be cautious even in considering the construction of these weapons, let alone their use. However, I fear there are those who would use such weapons brazenly. What do we wish for our world? To take our people to the stars, in power, glory, and nobility of spirit, or to fall further than we did long ago.”
“The choice is yours. The hour is late. The multiverse is waiting.”
A gold dragon weeps by Hazen’s side. “This is worse than what I saw in my youth. How could they survive such catastrophes in a world without magic?”
“They almost did not survive. Only through courage and great sacrifice were a handful of Earth’s people saved. Let us pray that Oerth does not share the fate of Earth, a world some call Terra, and some have even called Gamma Terra, that is Gamma World. The third world, a world of wonders amid great sorrows.”
“People of Toril and of Oerth and countless other worlds, I have shared all that I know with you. You are wise, and deserve to know the truth in order to chose your own destiny. I have shared what little wisdom I possess with you. I dedicate myself to the good of Oerth and all worlds, of life itself. You can choose the future of your world. You have the power to rise to the goodness of an Ian Payne or of a Goldmoon. Or you can chose to descend into darkness and hate. You are better than that. I know you. I have walked at one time or another through Oerth, Toril, Mystara, Krynn, and Athas and other worlds besides. Each of us has the power to love, to forgive, to understand, and make a future worthy of our ancestors, of our own potential, and of our posterity.”
“I love my world dearly and I am very concerned about the fate of worlds that I know and love. There is much that is good and remarkable in all your cultures. Please, I beg of you to chose Light over Darkness, Good over Evil, Love over Hate, and Forgiveness over Enmity. You have this power, we all do. I am honored to have spoken with you, and for a brief time to have shared my life with yours.”
“I have tried to show my willingness to sacrifice for the good of others. Each of us is capable of such goodness if we listen to what MacKeppoch has called the angels of our better nature. If you find it hard in your heart to forgive, call out on the powers of good and light. Call upon the Angels to minister to you and strengthen you. Peoples of Oerth, Toril, Athas, Krynn, and Mystara and all the worlds, know that you are loved and respected. If each of us chose to do so, we can build a future that honors the best in us all. I thank you for your time, my friends, my brethren.”
Hazen bows to the audience in a gesture of respect. Even with the powers granted unto him, like to that of an Angel, he is weary and it shows. There is a look of hope and love on his face.
