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Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 1965709" data-attributes="member: 1210">To the Isle of BattleThe cosmos is like a body.  It sprawls in ways unimaginable to a cell within it.  The many planes are like different orders or structure within the body- think, perhaps, of the astral plane as the body’s nerves, the ethereal as the body’s blood, the inner planes as the skeleton, the outer planes as the flesh.  It is an imperfect simile, but it is useful for making an example in this case.But if the cosmos is like a body, can it get sick?  And if germs attack it, where can they be from?  If the multiverse is the body attacked, what is outside?The holes the worms are using are like cankers on the lips of the cosmos.  They swarm like germs, burrowing through the heart of reality to emerge in Cydra.  The ormrs, awakened decades ago when their obelisk was unearthed on Pesh, have been sending forth cautious expeditions time and again, probing the upper world to see what is out there.  Now their great master slithers forth to implore these new, primal worms to aid them in bringing back the glory of Na’Rat.Na’Rat, the Chaos-Bringer.  Na’Rat, the Worm-Wright.***7/30/370 O.L.G., 2 p.m., over the island chain called the Serpent’s Tail, far to the northIn the vaporous form provided by a wind walk spell, our heroes whip through the sky at extraordinary speeds, Horbin in the lead.  His find the path spell will lead them to where they must go.The Isle of Battle.  Proto, as the warforged calls itself, teleported the group first to Balramamos, then to Dorla (where they encountered an extraordinarily foul-mouthed harbor mistress named Bentricle, who appeared to know Horbin from years ago).  Then Horbin took over, for none of them knew exactly where they were going, even though Horbin had been there before, years past.Below the group, the sea churns and spray constantly lashes the air.  The waters here are shallow, too shallow for most boats.  The Serpent’s Tail is extremely dangerous for ships; Horbin remembers being here before, years ago, and escaping only with the aid of a captured ship of steel.  But that was long ago, and his powers have grown. Horbin smiles.  His find the path will serve the group well.  He can already feel it leading him down, to an island a few miles distant.  And at this speed, a few miles is only a few minutes.Whizzing over the Isle of Battle, the party sees a few small villages on the rocky coast, but no real sign of ships.  They can see the great battle itself, though.  Great masses of troops, arrayed in neat lines, push hard against a chaotic horde.  Men, elves, dwarves, angelic figures, devils and more are arrayed against similar stock.  Even a few dragons seem to be on each side.  “Impressive,” comments Inoke as the left wing of the dwarven army of Law collides with a regiment of trolls and giants.  The carnage is terrible.Looming above the battlefield is a fortress flying the banner of Law.  Thick walls, bristling with defenders, seem to dare the forces of Chaos to approach.  Great war machines within the walls hurl stones and great barrels of oil into the enemy lines.  “The Bastion of Law,” says Proto dramatically, but in a tinny voice“What the hell are we doing here?” asks Veil.  Steam rises from his ears.  The touch of Chaos is strong upon him.“Good question,” Horbin mutters.“My masters at the Delphinate believe this is the pivotal battle.  They seem to think that you would know what to do.”“I don’t even really want to be involved in all this,” Horbin answers.“No kidding!” Gerontius inserts.“If you do not strike at Law, you are simply giving them the initiative,” Proto retorts.  “Some would say the Great War of Ethics is about nothing, but it is really about principles and the right to have your own way of life.  Forinthia will take that away.”Horbin sighs.  “But how?  What do we do to make a difference here?”“Maybe the citadel has to fall,” offers Inoke.“Or maybe we can take out the main general of the Lawful army,” suggests Veil.“Hmm... or snatch him and make him negotiate,” Horbin muses.***The AbyssOh, yes, Chaos is strongly upon him.Law has a lot invested in this, thinks the demon prince Graz’zt.  Chaos- well, Chaos never moves as one.  The episode with the fleet was an interesting anomaly, one that he would love to see repeated.  He smiles a sly smile; the smile of a cat who just drank the milk out of your cereal bowl.  He taps his twelve fingers together, steeples them, then jumps up and paces back and forth.  He looks again at the pool holding Veil’s image.  They will be in the right place, at the right time; to do some Very Great Things for Chaos.  They may be able to slay one of the accursed Arrows of Law.  Graz’zt has foreseen it.  Which one, he cannot say; but... surely that is a cause worth aiding.And, of course, in doing so he will aid his own cause as well.Graz’zt causes the shield of Graz’zt to be brought forth.  It is a circular shield of heavy black iron, and spiked through the palm to the boss is a six-fingered hand.  As Graz’zt watches, it twitches.  He smiles that sly smile again and turns back to the scrying pool.Next Time: Aggressive negotiations with the Army of Law!</blockquote>

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