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[ZEITGEIST] The Continuing Adventures of Korrigan & Co.
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<blockquote data-quote="gideonpepys" data-source="post: 7524235" data-attributes="member: 79141"><p><strong>Session 204, Part Three - “Contribute!”</strong></p><p></p><p>“It’s heartening to see so many gathered in one place, meeting in peace and willing to discuss how we can work together and set aside old differences. Before I get into the meat of things, I want to take a moment to thank you for showing me that my long faith in people’s capacity for good was not misplaced. My name is Nicodemus.” He paused to light up a cigarette and smiled. “An old nickname from my monastery days. More recently, though, I have devoted myself to leading an organization on a dangerous path. We hid most of our actions because we knew our ultimate goal would be opposed by many people in power. People like you, if I may be honest. It would be easy for governments to assume that our aim was to take power for ourselves. It’s a sad fact of the world that it’s hard to believe that someone’s intentions are benevolent.</p><p></p><p>“But I knew that once we accomplished what we set out to do, it would place before the world evidence of the common sense of the matter. Already changes are happening that are so positive that they must command the assent of those who witness them.</p><p></p><p>“You’ve no doubt read by now the generalities of how we enacted this change, and I’ll be glad to give you more technical specifics later if anyone has any questions. But I want you to understand that our ritual was sabotaged just before we could finish it. Operatives on order from Risur detonated a bomb that killed many of my friends and could have had catastrophic consequences. One particularly brave friend named Borne was able to continue with the ritual, but he was killed before he could secure it.</p><p></p><p>“It’s a flaw of my character, I feel, that I empathize with the leaders of Risur. I can understand why they’d fear to lose their power. For two centuries they waged war with Danor and tried to crush this nation before its industry could be strong enough to challenge their magic. But I wish Risur’s ruler were here today so we could show that cooperation will benefit us all.</p><p></p><p>“My organization tried to save the world, and Risur nearly doomed us all. It will be months before we’ll be able to fix their sabotage—and I assure you we will; I miss the sun as much as you—but between now and then our foremost goal should be eliminating the threat Risur poses. I have personally met some of the agents of Risur’s Homeland Constabulary, and they’re dangerous people.</p><p></p><p>“Danor’s navy, sadly, is very depleted, but thankfully Risur’s is as well. I’ll call upon Minister Duffet in a few minutes to explain the invasion plan, but I hope we can count on your nations to lend their ships for a full-scale invasion of Risur in one weeks’ time.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t want to focus on the spectre of war. This symposium is for looking forward, and I’d like to propose a comprehensive agenda where we talk about positive changes. We can determine how our nations and philosophies will best cooperate to deal with international challenges such as long-standing grievances, constant military build-ups, and territorial disputes, as well as local challenges like alleviating poverty, negotiating with and integrating rebellious populaces, and most intelligently making use of natural resources.</p><p></p><p>“I think you’ll find that in the new world we have brought forth, it will be much easier for us to agree on paths that are a net benefit for everyone.”</p><p></p><p>At this moment, an advisor leaned in and whispers in Nicodemus’s ear, then backed away.</p><p></p><p>“Right,” he says with a smile. “We’ve all heard or even seen the worrisome ‘hivemind phenomenon’ – an unfortunate consequence of Risuri sabotage of our ritual. We understand the mild risk we’d have with everyone focusing on solving the same problems, but don’t worry. We have guards and magical wards set up to detect any precursor energies that could lead to a hivemind. You’re all perfectly safe. Unless an element of risk is intellectually stimulating, in which case by all means, panic a bit.</p><p></p><p>“Again, it is an immense honour to stand here among you, and to see the first steps toward a better, united world. Before I call up Minister Duffet for her invasion presentation, does anyone have any questions?”</p><p></p><p>The first reply came from Chancellor Takhenova. The large dwarf voiced Drakr’s support for the Obscurati, and talked about how she looked forward to a new future alongside them. She would be glad to rally her nation’s military might to use against Risur. Nicodemus was pleased, smiling calmly.</p><p></p><p>Prime Cardinal Banderesso was the next to address the crowd, citing Crisillyir’s current turmoil and the need for immediate order. The Cardinal said that he was initially worried that there was a plot against his religion; he found it suspicious that so many of his colleagues recanted their faith and killed themselves at the exact moment the Obscurati took power. However, he agreed the invasion plan for Risur should benefit the Clergy – and the Crisillyiri people, he added as something of a reflex afterthought. He was willing to direct his people to work with Obscurati, but he was concerned that not all of his nation would recognize the clear logic of this war. He offered to contribute to the war effort if the Obscurati were willing to work with his nation in quelling the more rebellious elements of society, particularly the lower class.</p><p></p><p>Nicodemus seemed slightly taken aback, but before he could reply, the Drakran chancellor voiced her support. She already had agreements with other leaders in her nation to undertake grand industrial projects, but there were concerns that they would meet opposition from the working classes. She was sure that the war effort against Risur would be more efficient if these dissidents could be persuaded, rationally of course, to contribute. </p><p></p><p>Nicodemus interrupted and said that the Obscurati changed the world so that everyone could prosper. Yes, military production would need to increase temporarily, but people would be more enthusiastic to work the factories if they could share in the prosperity. Rather than maintaining existing power structures, he believed that the overall quality of life could be improved if those gathered here were willing to consider more unorthodox social structures.</p><p></p><p>Lord Kulp from Nalaam asked if he meant communal ownership and wealth redistribution. Betronga of the eladrin scoffed and said of course not. He heard rumours about the Obscurati conspiracy, and they would kill those who got in their way. That’s why he and the eladrin representatives came. He wanted to show that they were willing to change, and to help however they could to make life better for those willing to contribute. (That word again. Sokana Rel turned and looked at him quizzically, then touched his arm and whispered something which he shrugged off.)</p><p></p><p>Sagu Jacksdotter of Orithea agreed, and vigorously. She came because she hoped to get help with violent warbands who roam what were once the Malice Lands. It was too great an issue for Orithea to tackle on its own, but eladrin hunters and Drakran soldiers could make quick work of them, if they would contribute.</p><p></p><p>Chancellor Takhenova clenched her fist in support. Those who will not contribute would be destroyed, she said. “They’re ultimately just a net drag on society anyway. This new world only wants people who contribute.”</p><p></p><p>Nicodemus cleared his throat and gently admonished his guests. “Now, now. You’re all starting to sound like a hivemind.” He was ignored. Vlendam Heid tried to speak up too, but was cut off. A representative from a minor state asked if this was the sort of unorthodox social structure Nicodemus was suggesting. “Nicodemus said to share the prosperity, and obviously some people don’t have much prosperity to contribute.”</p><p></p><p>Cardinal Banderesso agreed. “Some people are simply inferior. They’re a net drag on society. We could easily remove them. This is a cause to which I could gladly contribute.”</p><p></p><p>“Contribute,” murmured a dozen people in unison.</p><p></p><p>Nicodemus stepped away, looking concerned, and conferred with his fellow Ob officers. While the rest of the crowd continued to speak in synch, Nicodemus shouted to the auditorium – to anyone who might be unaffected. “We took precautions! There should not be a hivemind here. Can anyone see it forming? We need to destroy it!”</p><p></p><p>With Brakken’s permission, Uru took over his senses and focused on piercing whatever veil had been thrown over the symposium. Overhead, he spotted a swirling hivemind – a fleshy ball of tentacles pulsing with brilliant blue-white light as the fervour of the delegates began to empower it. Something must have been hiding its formation from all but the most active and percipient of observers.</p><p></p><p>Brakken then declared with complete calm that he felt something taking control of his thoughts, and that he was being compelled to contribute to the discussions. They could sense his muscles beginning to freeze. Across the room, Heid fell to his knees and clutched his head. Lord Kulp struggled to cast a teleport spell, but he fumbled the words. Sokana Rel tried to wrest Betronga away from the group, but he resisted her, throwing her to the floor, where she curled into a foetal position. Uriel channelled Jannick, and lent his immunity to mental domination to Brakken. At his urging, he had Brakken begin to forge his way towards Kulp, but the minotaur’s limbs were leaden and the going was slow.</p><p></p><p>Nicodemus started to back out of the room, shouting to his fellow Obscurati officers to flee. Bert Facie and Xavier Sangria did as they were told, as did Lya – only pausing to wait for Nicodemus. But Eloise Duffet stood still, and even as Nicodemus shook her she did not respond, save to chant, “Contibute!” along with the others.</p><p></p><p>“You sons of bitches,” Nicodemus spat. “I give you the chance to do something wonderful, and this is what unifies you? This is who you really are, ha? Am I the only one power hasn’t corrupted?" By now he was screaming in fury. "Let this madness take you! You’re a cancer upon civilization, and I’ll cut you out like I should have from the start.”</p><p></p><p>At the urging of Lya Jierre’s ghost, he left the room just as the massive hivemind became visible and began to surge downward.</p><p></p><p>Vicious white light flared. The air itself seems to peel open like the petals of a flower. Tendrils unfurled throughout the hall, growing outward from random points to connecting the people caught up in the hivemind. Each tendril was thick, fleshy, and segmented, like an arm at an elbow, but with a new joint every few feet. When connected, the victims’ eyes begin to glow blue, and tiny arcs of energy streamed up and down the tendrils.</p><p></p><p>Brakken found his way blocked, first one way, then another. He was trapped, afraid to touch the tendrils. As more and more connections formed, the arcs and glowing eyes grew brighter, and the speech of the assembled delegates faded out into a thrum and drone that heaved across the room like waves. The web of skin and nerves began to spread across each person in the hivemind, rooting them to the ground and leaving only their mouths and their glowing, catatonic eyes exposed.</p><p></p><p>Guards began to lumber in from outside the chamber, zombified, and they too were quickly consumed. The open roof was covered by a spreading mass of thoughtflesh, and the entire building began to shake and heave upward.</p><p></p><p>In the midst of all this, a figure revealed itself, casting aside a psychic cloak that made it impossible to perceive. The creature – a blue-gray humanoid with tentacles around its mouth and four slits of black eyes – stepped into Brakken’s field of vision, purposefully and gazed into his eyes as if peering through a keyhole. This was Sijhen, the gidim wayfarer they had sought to thwart four years ago. </p><p></p><p>A thought resounded through Brakken’s mind:</p><p></p><p>“I can see you in there! I know you! The role-reversal – you in another body, trying to learn secrets so you can get back your world – it is a complex, ironic, and delicious thought. Whatever was done to this planet, it has made you so temptingly vulnerable. Behold what lies in store for your world. You have seen a hivemind, but now you shall witness a Godmind. I urge you not to despair. The Gidim shall consume your world, and the more you struggle, the more I will savour the challenge of defeating you.”</p><p></p><p>With that, the Gidim reached a hand into Brakken’s face.</p><p></p><p>Brakken began to spasm and a searing psychic pain drove his passengers out of his mind. The last thing they saw, before they were forced back into their bodies, was Sijhen step away from Brakken and vanish in a flash of blue-white light.</p><p></p><p>From their parked airship ten miles away, they could just barely see the top of the hill of the Danoran Congress. The entire building was moving, crawling along on massive tentacles that flickered with blue-white light. After a moment it disappeared behind the hill, heading towards the slums of Cherage.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThSF2bEhhf4" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThSF2bEhhf4</a></p><p></p><p><strong>End of Session</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="gideonpepys, post: 7524235, member: 79141"] [b]Session 204, Part Three - “Contribute!”[/b] “It’s heartening to see so many gathered in one place, meeting in peace and willing to discuss how we can work together and set aside old differences. Before I get into the meat of things, I want to take a moment to thank you for showing me that my long faith in people’s capacity for good was not misplaced. My name is Nicodemus.” He paused to light up a cigarette and smiled. “An old nickname from my monastery days. More recently, though, I have devoted myself to leading an organization on a dangerous path. We hid most of our actions because we knew our ultimate goal would be opposed by many people in power. People like you, if I may be honest. It would be easy for governments to assume that our aim was to take power for ourselves. It’s a sad fact of the world that it’s hard to believe that someone’s intentions are benevolent. “But I knew that once we accomplished what we set out to do, it would place before the world evidence of the common sense of the matter. Already changes are happening that are so positive that they must command the assent of those who witness them. “You’ve no doubt read by now the generalities of how we enacted this change, and I’ll be glad to give you more technical specifics later if anyone has any questions. But I want you to understand that our ritual was sabotaged just before we could finish it. Operatives on order from Risur detonated a bomb that killed many of my friends and could have had catastrophic consequences. One particularly brave friend named Borne was able to continue with the ritual, but he was killed before he could secure it. “It’s a flaw of my character, I feel, that I empathize with the leaders of Risur. I can understand why they’d fear to lose their power. For two centuries they waged war with Danor and tried to crush this nation before its industry could be strong enough to challenge their magic. But I wish Risur’s ruler were here today so we could show that cooperation will benefit us all. “My organization tried to save the world, and Risur nearly doomed us all. It will be months before we’ll be able to fix their sabotage—and I assure you we will; I miss the sun as much as you—but between now and then our foremost goal should be eliminating the threat Risur poses. I have personally met some of the agents of Risur’s Homeland Constabulary, and they’re dangerous people. “Danor’s navy, sadly, is very depleted, but thankfully Risur’s is as well. I’ll call upon Minister Duffet in a few minutes to explain the invasion plan, but I hope we can count on your nations to lend their ships for a full-scale invasion of Risur in one weeks’ time. “I don’t want to focus on the spectre of war. This symposium is for looking forward, and I’d like to propose a comprehensive agenda where we talk about positive changes. We can determine how our nations and philosophies will best cooperate to deal with international challenges such as long-standing grievances, constant military build-ups, and territorial disputes, as well as local challenges like alleviating poverty, negotiating with and integrating rebellious populaces, and most intelligently making use of natural resources. “I think you’ll find that in the new world we have brought forth, it will be much easier for us to agree on paths that are a net benefit for everyone.” At this moment, an advisor leaned in and whispers in Nicodemus’s ear, then backed away. “Right,” he says with a smile. “We’ve all heard or even seen the worrisome ‘hivemind phenomenon’ – an unfortunate consequence of Risuri sabotage of our ritual. We understand the mild risk we’d have with everyone focusing on solving the same problems, but don’t worry. We have guards and magical wards set up to detect any precursor energies that could lead to a hivemind. You’re all perfectly safe. Unless an element of risk is intellectually stimulating, in which case by all means, panic a bit. “Again, it is an immense honour to stand here among you, and to see the first steps toward a better, united world. Before I call up Minister Duffet for her invasion presentation, does anyone have any questions?” The first reply came from Chancellor Takhenova. The large dwarf voiced Drakr’s support for the Obscurati, and talked about how she looked forward to a new future alongside them. She would be glad to rally her nation’s military might to use against Risur. Nicodemus was pleased, smiling calmly. Prime Cardinal Banderesso was the next to address the crowd, citing Crisillyir’s current turmoil and the need for immediate order. The Cardinal said that he was initially worried that there was a plot against his religion; he found it suspicious that so many of his colleagues recanted their faith and killed themselves at the exact moment the Obscurati took power. However, he agreed the invasion plan for Risur should benefit the Clergy – and the Crisillyiri people, he added as something of a reflex afterthought. He was willing to direct his people to work with Obscurati, but he was concerned that not all of his nation would recognize the clear logic of this war. He offered to contribute to the war effort if the Obscurati were willing to work with his nation in quelling the more rebellious elements of society, particularly the lower class. Nicodemus seemed slightly taken aback, but before he could reply, the Drakran chancellor voiced her support. She already had agreements with other leaders in her nation to undertake grand industrial projects, but there were concerns that they would meet opposition from the working classes. She was sure that the war effort against Risur would be more efficient if these dissidents could be persuaded, rationally of course, to contribute. Nicodemus interrupted and said that the Obscurati changed the world so that everyone could prosper. Yes, military production would need to increase temporarily, but people would be more enthusiastic to work the factories if they could share in the prosperity. Rather than maintaining existing power structures, he believed that the overall quality of life could be improved if those gathered here were willing to consider more unorthodox social structures. Lord Kulp from Nalaam asked if he meant communal ownership and wealth redistribution. Betronga of the eladrin scoffed and said of course not. He heard rumours about the Obscurati conspiracy, and they would kill those who got in their way. That’s why he and the eladrin representatives came. He wanted to show that they were willing to change, and to help however they could to make life better for those willing to contribute. (That word again. Sokana Rel turned and looked at him quizzically, then touched his arm and whispered something which he shrugged off.) Sagu Jacksdotter of Orithea agreed, and vigorously. She came because she hoped to get help with violent warbands who roam what were once the Malice Lands. It was too great an issue for Orithea to tackle on its own, but eladrin hunters and Drakran soldiers could make quick work of them, if they would contribute. Chancellor Takhenova clenched her fist in support. Those who will not contribute would be destroyed, she said. “They’re ultimately just a net drag on society anyway. This new world only wants people who contribute.” Nicodemus cleared his throat and gently admonished his guests. “Now, now. You’re all starting to sound like a hivemind.” He was ignored. Vlendam Heid tried to speak up too, but was cut off. A representative from a minor state asked if this was the sort of unorthodox social structure Nicodemus was suggesting. “Nicodemus said to share the prosperity, and obviously some people don’t have much prosperity to contribute.” Cardinal Banderesso agreed. “Some people are simply inferior. They’re a net drag on society. We could easily remove them. This is a cause to which I could gladly contribute.” “Contribute,” murmured a dozen people in unison. Nicodemus stepped away, looking concerned, and conferred with his fellow Ob officers. While the rest of the crowd continued to speak in synch, Nicodemus shouted to the auditorium – to anyone who might be unaffected. “We took precautions! There should not be a hivemind here. Can anyone see it forming? We need to destroy it!” With Brakken’s permission, Uru took over his senses and focused on piercing whatever veil had been thrown over the symposium. Overhead, he spotted a swirling hivemind – a fleshy ball of tentacles pulsing with brilliant blue-white light as the fervour of the delegates began to empower it. Something must have been hiding its formation from all but the most active and percipient of observers. Brakken then declared with complete calm that he felt something taking control of his thoughts, and that he was being compelled to contribute to the discussions. They could sense his muscles beginning to freeze. Across the room, Heid fell to his knees and clutched his head. Lord Kulp struggled to cast a teleport spell, but he fumbled the words. Sokana Rel tried to wrest Betronga away from the group, but he resisted her, throwing her to the floor, where she curled into a foetal position. Uriel channelled Jannick, and lent his immunity to mental domination to Brakken. At his urging, he had Brakken begin to forge his way towards Kulp, but the minotaur’s limbs were leaden and the going was slow. Nicodemus started to back out of the room, shouting to his fellow Obscurati officers to flee. Bert Facie and Xavier Sangria did as they were told, as did Lya – only pausing to wait for Nicodemus. But Eloise Duffet stood still, and even as Nicodemus shook her she did not respond, save to chant, “Contibute!” along with the others. “You sons of bitches,” Nicodemus spat. “I give you the chance to do something wonderful, and this is what unifies you? This is who you really are, ha? Am I the only one power hasn’t corrupted?" By now he was screaming in fury. "Let this madness take you! You’re a cancer upon civilization, and I’ll cut you out like I should have from the start.” At the urging of Lya Jierre’s ghost, he left the room just as the massive hivemind became visible and began to surge downward. Vicious white light flared. The air itself seems to peel open like the petals of a flower. Tendrils unfurled throughout the hall, growing outward from random points to connecting the people caught up in the hivemind. Each tendril was thick, fleshy, and segmented, like an arm at an elbow, but with a new joint every few feet. When connected, the victims’ eyes begin to glow blue, and tiny arcs of energy streamed up and down the tendrils. Brakken found his way blocked, first one way, then another. He was trapped, afraid to touch the tendrils. As more and more connections formed, the arcs and glowing eyes grew brighter, and the speech of the assembled delegates faded out into a thrum and drone that heaved across the room like waves. The web of skin and nerves began to spread across each person in the hivemind, rooting them to the ground and leaving only their mouths and their glowing, catatonic eyes exposed. Guards began to lumber in from outside the chamber, zombified, and they too were quickly consumed. The open roof was covered by a spreading mass of thoughtflesh, and the entire building began to shake and heave upward. In the midst of all this, a figure revealed itself, casting aside a psychic cloak that made it impossible to perceive. The creature – a blue-gray humanoid with tentacles around its mouth and four slits of black eyes – stepped into Brakken’s field of vision, purposefully and gazed into his eyes as if peering through a keyhole. This was Sijhen, the gidim wayfarer they had sought to thwart four years ago. A thought resounded through Brakken’s mind: “I can see you in there! I know you! The role-reversal – you in another body, trying to learn secrets so you can get back your world – it is a complex, ironic, and delicious thought. Whatever was done to this planet, it has made you so temptingly vulnerable. Behold what lies in store for your world. You have seen a hivemind, but now you shall witness a Godmind. I urge you not to despair. The Gidim shall consume your world, and the more you struggle, the more I will savour the challenge of defeating you.” With that, the Gidim reached a hand into Brakken’s face. Brakken began to spasm and a searing psychic pain drove his passengers out of his mind. The last thing they saw, before they were forced back into their bodies, was Sijhen step away from Brakken and vanish in a flash of blue-white light. From their parked airship ten miles away, they could just barely see the top of the hill of the Danoran Congress. The entire building was moving, crawling along on massive tentacles that flickered with blue-white light. After a moment it disappeared behind the hill, heading towards the slums of Cherage. [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThSF2bEhhf4[/URL] [B]End of Session[/B] [/QUOTE]
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