A Warping of the Blood

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Not I. My future is as dark as my trusty Ebonfall; the only brightness left to me is the light I can bring to others in need. I am Vayj Rubyflame, Jaaviin be praised, and once I was somewhat famous for my idiosyncratic runic research at Se-Heton..."

"What is yours?" he asks quietly.

"My name is Soevi Goldendancer," she says softly, her dark green eyes full of compassion. "Tell me about your research. I'm always interested in hearing about runes, and maybe I might know something you would want to hear," she says gently.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Green eyes...an interest in runes...Vayj can't take it any more. He starts quivering in discomfort as if he is about to burst and bursts into tears again. Struggling mightily, he manages to choke out.*

"I...I...I'm sorry. You...remind me of someone I...used to know...Painful memories."

*He closes his eyes and pushes all the memories away, drawing runes over and over again on the table with his little finger, concentrating only on the runes so that nothing else exists any longer. His voice becomes steadier, mellifluous and calm as he floats adrift on a sea of runes in his own little world, pontificating on his passion like an excited professor to a room full of students, instead of to the girl sitting next to him who he doesn't seem to see anymore as an individual.*

"It all began with my study into the effects of runes onto the magic of magisters, something that few believe to be worthwhile, as they consider it the domain of runethanes. However, I combined the arts in a daring thesis, discovering a melding between the two that produced more powerful spells. Then I began to research what I can only call 'metarunic' influences in our world...It is somewhat hard to explain...perhaps an example: One would think that it would be far easier and less expensive to create magical glasses that did *not* have strange restrictions and abjurations that forced their users to put the liquid in their mouth, since it would seem to take far less magic to do this, and it is not as if one or the other is usable more times per day or for a longer duration. And yet, it still costs less to make the restricted glasses, which runs against common sense. Why? Metarunic influences! Metarunic influences work in our world as a force similar to the Thermodynamics that increase entropy at all times, except that Metarunic influences work to quantise the real-world effect of magic in such a way that it becomes more difficult or expensive to create or enspell something that will be more useful, even if the less useful magic seems to be more magically complicated. It is fascinating, really! It indicates a group of metagods, who exist beyond the realms of the normal gods. Here:"

*He uses his ability from the flavour-text of the Runic Template to draw glowing runes in the air, using the space in front of him as a blackboard*

"This set of runes, represent our world."

*He draws more runes and connects them in a complicated orrery*

"And these are the planes of the gods and other worlds, like the ones from which the alabasts originate."

*Now he draws a sphere around the orrery and places some other runes outside the orrery*

"These are the metarunic influences, led by the elder metabeing that I have termed Ko'Ocet-Nom the Balancer. The metarunic influences that exist as vassals to The Balancer are something like guardian angels, in a way, but masters of destiny as well. Ever wonder why heroes are sometimes able to do something really incredible when the day must be saved, never to reproduce this stunning feat of bravery or magic again? This is because a metarunic influence was smiling upon them, for each hero has a guardian who seeks to weave their destiny properly among the runes."

*Vayj frowns a little but doesn't relapse*

"Mine is hardly a guardian though, seeking only sorrow and despair for me...Those who are not heroes must deal with the divided attentions of the other metarunic influences, which is a mixed blessing and a curse. It does mean that they cannot perform truly heroic feats, but on the other hand, it frees their destiny from the tangled webs of wicked influences like that which controls mine."

*His eyes seem to come back to the present location*

"I'm sorry, was I boring you with that?"

*Then he realises to whom he is talking and looks away hurriedly, letting his runic images fade.*

 

[Erekose13]

Scinathar continues to observe the procedings nearby. Satisfied that atleast the tiny non-mojh is harmless and entirely too talkative, the mojh approaches the dracha and says, "Excuse me. I couldn't help but notice you when you entered the city ahead of me. I am Scinathar and I would like to ask you a few questions if you can ssspare me the time." The last comes out in a bit of a hiss.

 

[Jolmo]

Ke'ch'rhal, Dracha

*Ke'ch'rhal focuses on his food while Vayj questions the maid about the workings of the glass, finishing his first serving.*

It works, that's what matters.

*When the sprite starts drawing runes in the air, Ke'ch'rhal watches in fascination while starting on a second plateful of meat. He doesn't understand much of the sprite's arcane words, but seems impressed with his apparent knowledge.*

So easily distracted though, that would be his end in combat.

*When the mojh approaches, Ke'ch'rhal looks up with a slight suspicion on his face. He hadn't seen many of it's kind before but had heard that they were somehow related to the evil dramojh. Still, he didn't know with certainty, and it wasn't hostile, so his answer was polite.*

"I am Ke'ch'rhal. I will hear you."

 

[Erekose13]

"I am from the North where we have had little news or contact with the dragons or their servants upon their return. I would like to know why the dragons have returned and to what end?" replies Scinathar. His cloak remains over his head, though the dracha can clearly see the reptilian features.

 

[Jolmo]

Ke'ch'rhal, Dracha

"Certainly, that is for all to hear."

*Ke'ch'rhal raises his voice enough for anyone paying attention to hear him clearly.*

"The dragons have returned to invoke the pacts making this their land, and thus reclaim it from the giant's stewardship. They will make the land prosper, and its people safe."

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Vayj is busy striving mightily to ignore the combination of feelings evoked from what is to his troubled mind a Lyana simulacrum, depressed, attracted, and repulsed all at the same time. He is lost in a swirling maelstrom of nostalgia and memories. Thus, he does not immediately process the Dracha's proclamation, despite the volume, though his subconscious stores it methodically in the back of his mind for future reference when his mind is ready to focus back on reality.*

 

[ender_wiggin]

The giant looks up from his food. Swallowing, he says, "Reclaim it? And they believe that it will be handed to them peacefully? The stewardship, although not without its flaws, has binded this world for centuries. Such an abrupt change of power would cause more harm than heal."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"It all began with my study into the effects of runes onto the magic of magisters, something that few believe to be worthwhile, as they consider it the domain of runethanes. However, I combined the arts in a daring thesis, discovering a melding between the two that produced more powerful spells. Then I began to research what I can only call 'metarunic' influences in our world...It is somewhat hard to explain...perhaps an example: One would think that it would be far easier and less expensive to create magical glasses that did *not* have strange restrictions and abjurations that forced their users to put the liquid in their mouth, since it would seem to take far less magic to do this, and it is not as if one or the other is usable more times per day or for a longer duration. And yet, it still costs less to make the restricted glasses, which runs against common sense. Why? Metarunic influences! Metarunic influences work in our world as a force similar to the Thermodynamics that increase entropy at all times, except that Metarunic influences work to quantise the real-world effect of magic in such a way that it becomes more difficult or expensive to create or enspell something that will be more useful, even if the less useful magic seems to be more magically complicated. It is fascinating, really! It indicates a group of metagods, who exist beyond the realms of the normal gods. Here:"

*He uses his ability from the flavour-text of the Runic Template to draw glowing runes in the air, using the space in front of him as a blackboard*

"This set of runes, represent our world."

*He draws more runes and connects them in a complicated orrery*

"And these are the planes of the gods and other worlds, like the ones from which the alabasts originate."

*Now he draws a sphere around the orrery and places some other runes outside the orrery*

"These are the metarunic influences, led by the elder metabeing that I have termed Ko'Ocet-Nom the Balancer. The metarunic influences that exist as vassals to The Balancer are something like guardian angels, in a way, but masters of destiny as well. Ever wonder why heroes are sometimes able to do something really incredible when the day must be saved, never to reproduce this stunning feat of bravery or magic again? This is because a metarunic influence was smiling upon them, for each hero has a guardian who seeks to weave their destiny properly among the runes."

*Soevi seems very interested in Vayj's research, and hangs on to each word.*

"That's fantasitc! I'd love to expand on these theories... it could open up a whole new branch of magic! I practice rune magic myself, and only a few times have I touched such things as you're talking about, I thought they were just isolated incidents, but with your explainations... Oh, this is wonderful! Are you adventuring to help prove your theories," she says, saying the last compassionately, to give him an elegant "out."

"Certainly, that is for all to hear."

*Ke'ch'rhal raises his voice enough for anyone paying attention to hear him clearly.*

"The dragons have returned to invoke the pacts making this their land, and thus reclaim it from the giant's stewardship. They will make the land prosper, and its people safe."

*The dracha's words provoke a rolling grumble in the tavern. People mutter amongst themselves darkly, and when the giant speaks up, another answers.*

"What, giants can't take their own medicine? How you think we humans felt when you lot just took over? But now that the shoe's on the other foot you're complaining?" an older human man says, standing up and taking a beligerant stance.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Vayj becomes more alarmed and uneasy than ever when he notices that she is so entranced iby his research*

--She's interested in my theories?-- he thinks --But...there was never anyone outside of the Academy of Se-Heton who really cared about them-or understood them, even if they asked, except....No, I can't dwell on such things. Happy thoughts, Vayj! But...I know that I am considered quite long-winded when it comes to explaining my research...in fact no one would even bother to hear me out to the end except....except...Nooo!!! Varyzan, Glespyrak, Zarynel!--

*He tries to wipe his thought process away by concentrating on runes, but it doesn't work very well now. His mind becomes a bit feverish, whispering to him that perhaps some kind of demonic presence was teasing him with this. Perhaps another metarunic influence? He clutches at his locket with one hand to steady himself, feeling a peaceful feeling of love sweep through him as usual. He feels that he is able to continue speaking, at least for now.*

"I have many reasons for adventuring, though none as happy as in the days of my youth. Certainly proving my theories was one of my initial reasons to venture forth, and helping those in need, as my martyred father had done before me. Then there was a wanderlust, and, more importantly..."

--Steady Vayj. You can handle this. It has been over 10 years now; the wound is hardly fresh-- *He clutches the locket tighter*

"...Camaraderie with...travelling companions who shared in my joys, and perhaps convinced me to more mischief than I should have partaken."

"But no longer. Now, I must search for Ra-Pharod, who holds the key to what will be my salvation or my damnation. Tales of the great steward have reopened a deep wound in my heart that I had hoped to begin healing. I must find him! I must before I die from the tension warring inside my heart. And even if I do find him, his tidings may simply mean that my fate is to die, entwined with his. Ah, cruel metarunic guardian, what a sick sense of humour you have! If I had just been a simple skyship merchant, not a magister or a would-be-hero, how happy and carefree would my life had been? Why am I here now, bereft of everything that has ever mattered to me, with so little in exchange?"

"I'm sorry...pondering my past and the metarunic influences can often bring me deep anguish."

*At this point, he is clutching the locket in a near-deathgrip, his arm trembling and shaking with the strain, but he tries to bring himself to laugh*

"You should count yourself lucky though. Last time I gave that speech of my theories as a guest-lecturer in Se-Heton, they made me lengthen it to 80 times as long, with just the same material, only more filler space and examples, and then they charged 500 queens entry fee to any who would listen, and called it a bargain. Not that I saw almost any of the money, of course. But the condensed version is much more elegant; it is the heart of the theory. That puts you in a group whose only former members were some forty or fifty of the top minds at Se-Heton who heard me speak on this theory and...and...the best person in the entire world, quite an honour, I would think! Of course its mostly because whenever I begin to talk of it, most folk find the effect soporific and begin to doze. There are very few who appreciate the intricacies of runic magic at all, let alone metarunic influences."

*Vayj seems oblivious to the argument that is brewing in the tavern*