Aphonion Tales (New posts 6/13, 6/15, 6/19)

[Cerebral Paladin]

As usual, Dame Brionna pushed to get down to business. “What can you tell us of the Master Unbidden?”

The Harlequin raised one eyebrow as he thought about what that question implied. “You must be doing well indeed to ask that. In terms of physical prowess, he is the mightiest of us. In terms of complexity of thought, he is, or at least might be, the least of us, even counting all twenty of us.”

“We understand he’s tougher than the rest of you,” said Kit, “but how powerful is he in absolute terms?”

The Harlequin thought about the question for a long time before answering. “I do not understand. How can power, especially prowess in battle, be assessed except by comparison?”

“Well, how many could he take in a fight?”

“How many? Of whom? The number of your average guards that he could defeat would be many more than the number of us he could best.”

Dame Brionna responded, as much to deal with Kit’s rising frustration as for any other reason. “You were captured by the grey elf who serves as the captain of the Eldar ambassador’s guard. How many of him could he best in battle?”

“Ah.” The Harlequin thought, but analyzing the idea rather than the words, as before. “He could defeat perhaps a half-dozen warriors of the same skill as that grey elf. Perhaps as few as four if he were sufficiently enraged before the fight, as he might make mistakes.”

Kit thought about that. That sounded bad, but maybe not so bad… “How would you have compared him to the Fist of the North?”

“Would have… You have done better for your liege than I would have thought. But to answer your question: the Fist of the North would never willingly engage in a fair fight. But if he were stripped of his tricks, his elementals, and the other forces he has… he would be equal to perhaps two of the grey elf captains. In a straight battle, the Master Unbidden would have been able to defeat him with ease.”

 

[Cerebral Paladin]

Dame Brionna smiled, glad that they had deprived the Fist of the North of his elementals through Stythus’s efforts. “What of his fighting style? What weapons does he use?”

“By preference, he fights with two longswords, although any two weapons of equal length would do just as well.”

“Do his swords have any particular properties?”

“Indeed. He brought three sets with him. His first set is a pair of powerfully enchanted weapons, his favorite longswords, that were made from the teeth of a mighty daemon. His second set is a pair of unenchanted rapiers, in case he had the opportunity to fight an honorable challenge. And the final set is a pair of cavalry sabers, in case mounted combat is called for. He brought no mount, mind you, but he thought that he should have the swords in case he needed to fight on a mount.” The Harlequin’s tone suggested that he thought that the sabers had been an example of the Master Unbidden’s mental limitations.

“He brought rapiers for dueling? Would he accept a challenge to a duel?”

“Without question, and without even thinking about it. His honor would require it of him, and he would believe that he could triumph against any duelist--certainly against any duelist who might challenge him in a human land.”

<<Our job just got easier…>> sent Kit to Alistair.

<<Sorry, I can’t lie about that. If I challenged him, I would have to fight him. It would hurt our diplomacy too much if we lied.>>

<<I am so not suggesting that you challenge him.>>

<<Oh. Good. I thought you might be thinking about setting up an ambush.>>

<<Well, yes. But not having you be there. Maybe we could have an illusion of you challenge him--it would at least get him down to rapiers from those demon longswords.>>

<<No. If we set up a challenge, it has to be real.>>

<<But it can’t be you.>>

<<I wonder if Lord Davion could take him. And I wonder if he would.>>

<<Oh. There’s a thought.>>

While Kit and Alistair strategized, Dame Brionna continued gathering tactical data. “Does he poison his blades?”

“The Master Unbidden uses poison on his longswords and cavalry sabers, but not on the rapiers.”

“What sort of poison?”

“A powerful toxin from Krashmere, infused with negative energy and magic. There is no specific antidote.”

“What about his defenses? Is there anything notable?”

“He wears ancient crystal plate armor. It is not as wise a choice as other armor could be, as he lacks psionics and cannot empower it, but he is very attached to it. It once belonged to a grandmaster coercer, but the Master Unbidden is immune to coercion--probably because he is too simple to have enough of a mind to be affected, but he believes that it is a special blessing from Morgrath.”

“Does he have any powers of regeneration?”

“No, at least in the sense of true regeneration. If he is slain, he will remain dead. But he does heal very rapidly--much more rapidly than I ever did.”

<<Ask if he thinks the Master Unbidden would bite at a rumor that I was in a specific place,>> suggested Alistair.

“Would he follow a rumor to the Archduke’s location?”

The Harlequin thought it through aloud. “Except for the Master of the North, he is alone, and you may have even done away with the Master of the North based on how you have spoken. He well might. If the Master Unbidden is alone, he will fear that the mission is in danger of failing. That would make him tend towards fast action. Attacking a rumor may not be the wisest of strategies, but there is a significant chance he would do so anyway. Our strategist was supposed to guide him and keep him in check, but you took our strategist early and slew him before we realized how dangerous you were.”

<<So much for being a good strategist.>> Kit chuckled silently.

<<Indeed.>>

 

[Cerebral Paladin]

With no further questions, the Council regrouped in their meeting room to formulate a plan. “I see two options,” began Alistair. “We could have a proxy challenge him to a duel, or we could try to lure him to a secluded location and then use the skyguard’s energy lances to destroy him. I was thinking that we could say that I was going to the Vale of Tabewatha for a vigil. The Vale isn’t significant except for traditional reasons, and there would be no one nearby. Nonetheless, a duel would be the cleanest way to deal with him, if we’re confident that our champion would win.”

“Perhaps we could ask Lord Davion Aufaugauthal’arim to serve as your grace’s champion?” suggested Dame Brionna.

Kit smiled. “That was exactly what m’lord suggested. And then we might be able to have some hidden mages cast a few spells during the duel to make sure it went smoothly.”

“No, Kit,” said Alistair firmly. “As I said before, if he is challenged to a duel, we have to do everything by the book.”

“Of course!” said Dame Brionna. “Anything else would be highly dishonorable.”

Kit responded, “But it’s my duty to make sure that Canberry is safe, even if we have to use dishonorable means to do it. A lot of what the Mouth does isn’t the sort of fair and honorable things normal knights do. That’s part of the reason we have a Mouth.”

“We know,” said Alistair, “and we’re not angry at you. Under many circumstances, leading an enemy into an ambush through a challenge to an honorable duel would be an excellent strategy.” He ignored the look of horror on Dame Brionna’s face. “But here, it would not be effective in dealing with the bigger picture. Even if Lord Davion were willing to tolerate interference in his duel--which he would not be--it would create a political disaster. No other countries would trust us again in diplomacy, we would lose support among our vassals, and we might even alienate the elves. You did the right thing in watching all the angles and suggesting a way we could gain an advantage. But if we set up a duel, it has to be fair.”

“I understand, m’lord,” Kit grumbled. “I just want to do everything we can to make sure we stop the assassin and keep you alive.”

“Believe me, I completely agree. Now then, we need to set up a meeting with Lord Davion to discuss the possibility.”

Dame Brionna nodded, “I’ll send a messenger to ask him to attend on you.”

“I wonder if I should go to him? We’re seeking a great boon from him.”

“You can’t, your grace. We can keep you safe from most threats within the palace. But if you leave the protection of these walls and your entire guard, an assassin could reach you.”

Kit nodded vigorously. “What if the Master Unbidden attacked us on the way to Lord Davion’s quarters? It would defeat the whole point, and I’m not certain there would be anything we could do to stop him, especially with the Eldar still badly injured.”

“Fine. I don’t like it, but you’re right. We’ll send for him, but be as respectful as possible.”

 

[Cerebral Paladin]

Within the hour, Abigail entered to announce the arrival of “Lord Aufaugauthal’arim the Forsaken and someone named Arrrgggghhhhsnap.” Arrrgggghhhhhsnap remained in the antechamber while the Noldar lord entered, wearing the colors of his allegiance to Gateways. He inclined respectfully to the Archduke, who responded with the same degree of formality and respect traditionally given to an Eldar. Lord Davion smiled, pleased with the compliment.

“You summoned me, your grace? And may I congratulate you on eliminating the Master of the North?”

“Thank you, Lord Davion. And it is well that you mention the Master of the North. We seek your advice on dealing with the last of the Harlequin assassins, the Master Unbidden.”

“Ah, they sent him, did they?”

“You know of the Master Unbidden, Lord Davion?” asked Dame Brionna.

“He is their strongest physical combatant. I do not know much of this one directly, but I am familiar with his title and its history.”

“We currently have but a few ideas for how to deal with him,” continued Alistair. “We are considering luring him into an ambush and using our vollers’ energy lances against him.”

“You would take collateral damage if you used the artillery,” replied Lord Davion.

“He could stand against energy artillery?” asked Alistair in horror.

“Not forever, but long enough to do significant damage. He wears master coercer armor, which would redirect most of the energy away from him, at least until it was overwhelmed. It could work, but the costs would be high.”

“What more can you tell us of the Master Unbidden?”

“As I said, it is the title that they give to their strongest warrior. I knew more of the previous Master Unbidden. He was a half-drow, half-shadowelf warrior. But he reached the point of Elevation, and had the honor of being slain by Algaroth himself in personal combat, his lifelong ambition. The current Master Unbidden would be his successor.”

“Half-shadowelf, Lord Davion? I’m not familiar with the shadowelves,” said Alistair.

“Ah. The shadowelves are rarely seen outside of Krashmere. They are offspring of the Noldar, like the drow, but less numerous and more accepted. They are perhaps analogous to the high elves.”

“To the high elves? I would have thought that the drow were their equivalents.”

“In magic, perhaps, your grace. But not in numbers or in fertility. If the shadowelves are like the high elves, than the drow are like the grugach.” Lord Davion paused for a moment as he thought about unpleasant memories. “All of the Houses, even my own, accept their shadowelf offspring. Each great house has a shadowelf cadet house, whereas almost all of the Morgothian drow belong to cadet houses beneath House Moriquenda’rim--only the lone cadet house of House Cuniri’rim serves another house. The rest of the great houses routinely expose their drowan children--it was the exposure of my sister that caused me to forsake my people.”

“We are sorry for your loss, Lord Davion.”

“Thank you, your grace, but there is little point in dwelling on it. It is the way of the Noldar, and is why I turned to the Light.”

 

[Cerebral Paladin]

“Lord Davion… we were wondering how you would fare in a duel with the Master Unbidden. That is the other means we have thought of to deal with the threat, if you were willing.”

“Ah.” The Noldar lord smiled. “An interesting question. He would be quite a challenge, like none I have faced in many years. I should say that I would have an eighty-five percent chance of winning. If I lose, of course, your life would be forfeit. But I believe that he would abide by the terms of an honorable challenge. If I prevailed, it should end the threat from that quarter.”

“Eighty-five percent?” asked Dame Brionna. That was not as good as she had hoped. “Where do the risks come from?”

“There is always the opportunity for stupidity on the part of myself or any other fighter. If anyone tells you they never make mistakes, do not believe them. They will have just given you a reason to question their veracity or their judgment, or both. The chance that I will blunder represents perhaps a five percent chance of defeat. There is also the possibility that he will demonstrate great brilliance. I understand that he fights with two weapons; I do as well, but he uses matched blades of equal length, which will provide him a small advantage. The chance that he will outperform his reputation is a second five percent chance. Finally, there is blind luck, which enters into all battles to a greater or lesser degree. That accounts for the last five percent.”

“Do you distinguish between fate and luck, Lord Davion?”

“Of course, your grace. If I am fated to win, there is no risk, and vice versa.”

“Perhaps then we could seek the intervention of the Lady of Fate. She is Lord Glor’diadel’s daughter and may be amenable to aiding us if we beseech her through the Church. Would you have any objections to that?”

“None, your grace. I have devoted myself to the Lord of Light and could hardly complain about prayers for His support, or that of His Family. I merely ask that my personal chaplain, Bishop Berry, be included in any such effort.”

“Of course, Lord Davion.”

“We know his weapons aren’t enchanted, and he has no psionic abilities. Would that help you?” asked Kit.

“I assume that we would gain some advantage from that. Magic is forbidden, but I can activate my armor with psionic power, although casting a spell or directly harming him with psionics would not be permitted. That will give me some advantage, as my armor has some fortification effect, while his armor, though powerful, will remain inactive. Indeed, perhaps the chance of defeat is as low as ten percent.”

“Do you know anything of a substance called dust?” asked Dame Brionna. “We do not know but believe he has used it to augment his abilities.”

“Ah. If he has taken dust, that would move it back to fifteen percent. It is a powerful substance, though vile.”

Alistair mulled over what they had been told. “If we asked you to challenge him on our behalf, would you be willing to? I would not think of trying to order you to do so, but it would represent a tremendous boon.”

The Noldar looked intently at his face for a few moments. “If you ask me, I would do this. I would see my adopted homeland have a successful rule, although your reign will be short in any event. I had never seen a monarch live less than a millenium until I came to these lands, but even reigns such as your grandmother’s, accounted long by the standards of humans, end in little time.”

“Thank you, Lord Davion,” replied Alistair, “although we cannot be sure yet that we will ask you to duel him. If we could find a safer way, without the risk to you or the danger of failing… But he is so dangerous.”

Lord Davion nodded his head politely. “Indeed. He has perhaps half of my overall ability, but all in combat. He is a Drow, and thus not truly ancient, so he has not reached the highest levels of skill. But he is very, very strong, and in the millennium or two that he has lived, he has become a master duelist. Fortunately, so am I.” The characteristic arrogance of the great elves crept into Lord Davion’s voice as he said the last, with a smile.

“Is there anyone else who could duel him? Who might make the odds better?” asked Dame Brionna.

“No one else in the Kingdom could possibly win,” replied Lord Davion with confidence. “The Eldar is too much of a bard and not enough of a warrior. He demonstrated that yesterday, although his victory over the Master of the North was impressive. No one besides the Eldar and myself would have even the slightest possibility of victory, and he would have only one chance in a thousand or worse.”

“Lord Davion fighting the duel could work,” said Kit thoughtfully. “And we could have the Archbishop resurrect m’lord if you lose, and you as well, if your body was intact?”

“Impossible. The life being forfeit would prevent any possibility of resurrection. It is the Law, and the two great gods enforce it. The number of duels that have been fought on behalf of a member of one of the lesser races numbers less than a half-dozen, but the two great gods would still enforce the terms. I have forsaken Morgoth’s worship, but he still binds my blood and is tied to my very essence. Know full well that if I challenge him on the Archduke’s behalf and lose, it will be the end of the Archduke.”

Despite the gravity of the speech, Alistair almost smiled when Lord Davion mentioned how few such duels had ever been fought. He could hear clearly that the Noldar Lord was eager to become one of the vanishingly few who had taken on such a task. “We thank you for your willingness to assist us in so serious a matter. We will inform you quickly if we wish you to issue the challenge, but we must discuss the possibilities among ourselves first.” Lord Davion nodded gravely. “Would your companion--Arrrrgggghhhhsnap, was it?--wish to meet us while he is here?”

“He would be most honored, your grace. We were together when we received your summons, and it seemed easier to allow him to accompany me than to explain that it was for me alone.”

 

[Alratan]

Another interesting set of updates

Is there a rogue's gallery for the SH, anywhere, for those of use who are curious about quite how ludicrously stronger these Eldar are than the PCs.

Another question, how's this rather arm's length, strategic rather than tactical play managed. Do the PCs play out the combats, controlling their allies, or is it all done by the DM?

 

[Cerebral Paladin]

There is not yet a rogue's gallery--I'll try to post one at some point soon. At this point, the party is about 8th level. Lord Davion is something ludicrous like in the 80s. The Master Unbidden is probably something like Ftr20/Bbn20, but that's just a guess. It's worth noting that the critical hits system that the DM uses makes groups of low-level characters fighting one or two high level characters more dangerous for the high level character--if you get really lucky, you could get a one-shot kill. But one of the things you learn early in this campaign is that you need to choose your fights, or be prepared to lose characters.

As for how the strategic level control of combat is handled: we don't play it out. Typically, the DM has us roll a d20, or sometimes a couple of d20s, for how well the fight goes, based on what the odds are like going in. He then narrates the outcomes. So if we chose the duel, what we would expect is to be told to roll a d20, with a 1, 2, or 3 meaning Lord Davion lost, and a 4+ meaning he wins. Pretty good odds, but scary with death without resurrection on the line.

----

The Council accompanied Lord Davion into the antechamber, where Arrrrgggghhhhsnap was waiting. The uruk witchdoctor was contorted over a chess board. He appeared to be playing both sides, but with a dubious, at best, understanding of the rules. The position of the pieces was highly improbable, if it were even theoretically possible, and as the Council approached he made a move that was as devastating as it was illegal. He looked up excitedly and began fawning, literally rolling on the ground in front of Alistair. Alistair told him to rise and thanked him for his loyal service, and the uruk rose to its knees, grasping at the hem of Alistair’s clothes. They thanked him for his loyal service to the Archduchy, producing a proud and tusk-filled grin, and Lord Davion led him away. Dame Brionna carefully scrutinized the motley assortment of talismans and totems that he wore for any that would indicate evil. She was pleased to discover that no evil entities were represented but the sun disc of Glor’diadel featured prominently.

After Lord Davion and his friend had left, the Council resumed discussing how to deal with the Master Unbidden.

“We cannot take the risk involved in the duel, your grace. There simply has to be a safer way.”

Kit nodded vigorously. “Fifteen percent is far too high a chance.”

“I don’t like the odds more than either of you, but I’m not sure we have much of a choice. I don’t know if there’s any other way we could kill the Master Unbidden.”

“He did not say that using artillery would fail, your grace, only that it would involve collateral damage.” Dame Brionna paused, thinking. “Perhaps we could use the remaining knights and guards who wear black armbands to stop him?”

“If he is as powerful as Lord Davion says, I don’t think eighty or a hundred elderly knights will be able to defeat him.”

“But they don’t need them to, your grace. If we lure the Master Unbidden out to the Vale with rumors that you are at a vigil, we could send the black armbands as an honor guard. When he attacks, they would only need to prevent him from returning to the City while the voller attacked with its energy lances.”

“They wouldn’t be able to hold him for long, though. And I don’t know how they would survive the first barrage.”

“But they might not need to hold him for long, m’lord,” responded Kit. “They only need to keep him out of the city to keep the people safe. And as for surviving, they’re planning on killing themselves anyway. I’m not saying that’s good, just that it’s true, and they would probably prefer dying in a last burst of glorious heroism.”

“I don’t doubt that. Let’s see whether Reverend Canon Toddle can tell us anything about how that plan would work. We need to contact the Archbishop and the priests of the Lady of Fate anyway to try to make sure fate favors us with either plan.”

Kit nodded. “But we have to be able to do better than a fifteen percent chance of you dying.”

 

[Cerebral Paladin]

The Council sent a message to the Cathedral of the Sun, asking the Archbishop to come to the palace with Reverend Canon Toddle and the senior priest of the separate but allied and subordinate priesthood of the Goddess of Fate. They bypassed Bishop Hoggsworthy completely; even if he could be trusted, involving him offered no benefits. Within the hour, the Archbishop and Reverend Canon arrived. The third priest, Father Percy Mondaven, arrived somewhat later, on foot. He was a slender man with a somewhat scholarly mien, who looked to be in his early sixties. Father Mondaven also wore distinctive vestments: with grays instead of the white and gold of the Glor’diadelian robes, and with scales worked into the pattern.

The Reverend Canon began talking before the Council even had the opportunity to say why they had asked the priests to the palace. “He walks in the lowest quarters, you know.”

“Oh, he’s started moving?” asked Kit.

“Yes. Just recently, based on when he returned to my vision, but he is definitely moving now.”

“What is he doing?”

The diviner paused. “In my vision, he distributes food to the beggars and the alcoholics in the poorest quarters, and he weeps.”

“Do the beggars then die?” asked Alistair, expecting some sort of treachery.

“No… No…. They do not die. He buys food for the poorest from any venders on the street, using sums of money they have never seen. Some do die, though--he wreaks havoc in ways he does not understand. When first I awoke, he gave a diamond, pried from a ring on his hand, to a young girl. He had not gone a block when she was slain. It has passed hands four times by now.”

“What does he think he’s doing?” asked Kit.

Father Toddle shrugged in response to the question.

“Trying to create chaos?” speculated Alistair.

“Helping as alms, I would say,” said Father Toddle.

While the Council thought about this, they turned to Father Mondaven. “We must soon act against this Drow assassin, the Master Unbidden. Do you think we can gain the favor of the Lady of Fate?” asked Alistair.

“The Lady hears Her children, and the place you bear in the skein She weaves is important to Her,” replied Father Mondaven. “I believe She would intervene to aid with luck, but you cannot change your place in the skein once it is woven.”

“All the more reason to try divinations to see what may happen,” said Dame Brionna, with a nod to the Reverend Canon.

“Would you pray for my fate in the coming days?” asked Alistair. “We may have a more specific request soon, but I would like to ask a few more questions of Reverend Canon Toddle first.”

“Of course, your grace,” replied the Archbishop.

Father Mondaven nodded as well. “If I may use the main chapel?” When Alistair nodded, Father Mondaven headed off confidently in the direction of the main chapel, despite never having been in the palace before. The Archbishop went to the private royal chapel to conduct his own prayers.

 

[Cerebral Paladin]

“Foolish guard…” muttered Reverend Canon Toddle. “A city guardsman has tried to stop it. How odd… the Harlequin has picked up the body and is walking purposefully away. Ah, I see now. He heads to the guardsman’s house.”

Dame Brionna looked to Kit in concern. “We need that house cleared. I don’t want the guard’s family meeting his killer.”

“I believe he means to compensate the family.”

“Even so,” said Kit. “Maybe especially so. I’ll have some of my people clear it out.” She quickly discussed the house with the Reverend Canon until she could identify its location, then snapped open her fan and sent a message.

<<Yes, lady, I obey. He will meet no one when he gets to the house.>>

<<But don’t hurt them… we’re trying to protect them.>>

<<Yes, lady, all safe. We will keep them safe.>>

A few minutes later, Reverend Canon Toddle nodded again. “He has laid out the body in the house, with great respect. He now places some coins and a note by it. He is leaving.”

<<Go back to the house. I want to see what was left there.>>

<<Yes, lady. I serve well, you’ll see.>> A few minutes later, the message continued. <<There is a body here, along with a note and these coins… I do not know what they are.>>

<<What does the note say?>>

<<I’m sorry, lady, I do not mean to fail you lady, I can find out…>>

<<I’ll see through your eyes.>> Kit reached out her mind and was suddenly in the room. The body had been killed with a single, perfectly accurate stroke that had shattered through the guard’s armor and pierced his heart. She looked at the note, which had been written in painstaking, block-letter Common--a relief since it made it easier for her to read.

The note was short and direct. “Dear family: I am sorry. I had to kill him.”

The coins were stranger. There were three, all of a strange smoky crystal. Each coin was octagonal, with a strange sigil that Kit did not recognize stamped on them. Kit relayed the information to her friends.

“I’m not sure what exactly those coins are--laen of some sort, I would assume,” said Alistair. “But they are surely enormously valuable. They are almost certainly more valuable than either mithril or even adamantium coins. The question is whether they are worth thousands or tens of thousands platinum.”

Kit boggled briefly. “Thousands of platinum? In a single coin?” She shook her head in disbelief, and then returned to the matter at hand. “I’m going to have my agent take the note. It won’t help the family right now.”

“Best to have him take the coins as well,” Alistair added. “We’ll be able to give them a fairer payment for them than any moneychanger would, and it will be less troubling to them to receive a pension from the Archduchy.”

“Right, I’ll have him grab both and bring them to us. And then I guess I’ll have him inform the family.”

“No, don’t do that,” interjected Dame Brionna. “We have protocols for how to handle the deaths of guards. We’ve needed them enough recently. Contact the local guard posts officer of the watch. They’ll take care of the body, and handle informing the family.”

Kit relayed those instructions to her agent, who quailed mentally at voluntarily going to a guard house, but agreed.

 

[Cerebral Paladin]

Alistair looked thoughtfully at the diviner. “Reverend Canon, you described time as like a river which forks occasionally. The main channel now presumably runs through Lord Davion challenging the Master Unbidden to a duel. Can you see another fork, where we lure the Master Unbidden into an ambush and use the vollers’ energy artillery?”

“There is such a fork, but I see it ending in disaster. Thousands dead… The ships exploding in plumes of energy… The armor returns the energy to its source, and then radiates in concentric circles.”

Alistair closed his eyes and lowered his head. “That’s it, then. We have to have him fight the duel.”

“But if he loses…” said Kit, not really disagreeing but still upset.

“What choice do we have? Are we supposed to risk thousands of lives to prevent a small chance of my death? I never wanted to be Archduke in the first place. I only came back to prevent the loss of many lives in a civil war. I’m not going to inflict them through cowardice.”

“No one is suggesting that you would or should, your grace,” said Dame Brionna, with surprising gentleness. “We just wish there were a better way. But I fear you are right.”

“He speaks!” Father Toddle said suddenly. “He speaks of ancient times, he speaks of rapid movement in his mind and sinews; things of which he rapidly loses control. He seizes a priest, and presses a great sum of platinum on him. He says to the priest, do good now, make up for what you have done before.” The diviner looked a little dismayed as he said the last--the notion that any engaged in charity would view the work of the priests of Glor’diadel as something that had to be made up for offended him deeply.

“Rapid movement in his mind and sinews?” asked Dame Brionna. “He must have taken the dust already.”

“He burns, burns brightly. I do not think he realized that his greater strength and drive would cause the burn to happen that much faster.”

“Then he might not live to the coronation,” reasoned Dame Brionna. “I wonder if we could speed up the flow of time for him somehow?”

“I know there are psionic effects that can slow or stop the speed of time,” said Alistair. “It might be possible to reverse those processes. We would need to ask the Eldar.”