Gaming W/Jemal: Planar Quest IC (Prologue)

[Shayuri]

"You didn't bring us here to delay," Mei-Ying prods. "And we didn't come here to. You yourself mentioned how important the book was, and how vital it was that it does not fall into the wrong hands. You've already come this far. Don't stop now."

 

[Binder Fred]

Used to the Legion's schizophrenic approach to info-gathering, Ur simply turns to the old elf for his question: "Grandfather?"

<Reponse William?>

 

[Scott DeWar]

Darrian scowls and looks away. "I was hoping to delay that for as long as possible. That thing creeps me out and that's before," Damian air qoutes here. "My 'paranoia' about its construction kicks in."

" what do you find disturbing of this statue's construction?"

 

[Jemal]

"It's Titan-forged." William says quietly in response to their questions. Darrian disappears for a moment at the words, as though he expects someone to hear. "not really a statue, but a creature created by the Old Titans, a being as old as the Gods. One of few remaining, barely able to move and speak anymore! He's forgotten more than all of us combined will ever know. And as far as delaying, there's still a while yet before we'll be able to speak to him. Raven's Divine power will be replenishing and peaking soon, and then you should speak to Wade. I told him to invite you early, I figured we'd need time to sort through whatever mess was made of things." He grins and winks at Mei-Yin.

"I don't think we've left anything important out.. though after a few centuries, you'll forgive me if my mind isn't as snappy as it once was."

His look sours at Ur's comment "Yes, and look at what it brought on him. Madness, death, and the destruction of a vast and beautiful empire. You're the first in Millenia that have been able to hold any semblance of the Power near you without problems. If you've the will to hold yourself together while wearing even those minor fragments, then you're our best shot. Whether you like it or not, you know that getting the book yourselves is better than letting it fall into other hands."

He stops and coughs a few times, then starts pacing. "You don't trust us, have no reason to, except that feeling telling you to do it. The same feeling that led you to overcome racial animosity to forge a peaceful alliance; that helped you flee the land of your birth, travelling far and wide until you could right the wrongs perpetrated against your family and clan." He looks from Tutek to Mei-Ying, then turns to Ur "The feeling that told you to continue helping these people even after you were free of your slavery." He stops in front of Gerard and Braham "The reason you started your League in the FIRST place! Because you knew it had to be done."

He stops, suddenly realizing that his voice had been rising as he ranted, and moves to sit down, coughing again and waving away any offered help "Bah just an old man getting too excited. But you know I'm right!"

 

[Scott DeWar]

"besides, if this were a trap, We would be dead by now. May I have more wine please?" Gerard looks contemplative for a few seconds then says, "So, this statue is actually a construct, made by the titans to hold information? but holds a clue regarding the item of discussion amongst a vast store of knowledge? Have you considered cataloging the not so volatile information? perhaps the historical knowledge? maybe even creating a new one to transfer the remaining knowledge?

 

[Binder Fred]

His look sours at Ur's comment "Yes, and look at what it brought on him. Madness, death, and the destruction of a vast and beautiful empire. You're the first in Millenia that have been able to hold any semblance of the Power near you without problems. If you've the will to hold yourself together while wearing even those minor fragments, then you're our best shot. Whether you like it or not, you know that getting the book yourselves is better than letting it fall into other hands."

Ur smiles a small, mirthless smile, one brow raised as he shares a look with Tutek, Braham, Gerard, Mei Ying: has that ever been in question...?

No, he didn't think so.

"There have been others besides Iridex," is all he says to William though, doggedly pursuing his earlier idea. Images emerge in his mind's eye: the long-ago sages of Ying's sect, the dormithian Queen and her Orb of Chaos, all five of the fell dragoons they have faced so far... "Is the Power sealed -- really sealed? Or are there cracks in the prison's ancient walls?" Even if the statue refuses to talk or isn't all it's cracked up to be, even if the book proves elusive...

<Response William/Darrian?>

"I don't think we've left anything important out.. though after a few centuries, you'll forgive me if my mind isn't as snappy as it once was."

Ur considers... Then nods: "I will ask the statue," is his conclusion. A little shiver of excitement runs through his corded muscles at the very thought: listening to something that old; to hear the stories of Gods and Titans told by one who has seen them unfold; to see the workmanship... Anything else would pale in comparison.

And yet the dwarf waits as patiently as ever, sitting back on his heels and thoughtfully running his hand up and down his mighty beard, listening to matters unfold. The world is still young after all.

 

[kinem]

Braham perks up a bit when talk turns to the 'statue'.

"This is probably not a trap" he admits "but a responsibility can be even more dangerous.

Does this Wade ... like having company?"

 

[Jemal]

William shares a glance with Darrian before returning his gaze to Braham as an invisible servant serves more refreshments.
"You could say that. Wade is.. odd. Knows way to much, and it all gets jumbled in his.. er.. 'brain'.

"There have been others besides Iridex," is all he says to William though, doggedly pursuing his earlier idea. Images emerge in his mind's eye: the long-ago sages of Ying's sect, the dormithian Queen and her Orb of Chaos, all five of the fell dragoons they have faced so far... "Is the Power sealed -- really sealed? Or are there cracks in the prison's ancient walls?" Even if the statue refuses to talk or isn't all it's cracked up to be, even if the book proves elusive...

"Yes, the 'dragoons' as you call them. That Queen's magics are powerful indeed." William scowls and swears in elven "Fortunately, as far as I can tell she didn't know what she had accidentally tapped into, at the very least she hasn't tried again - And believe me, I've been watching! As far as cracks in the prison.. It's not that the POWER itself is locked up. It exists everywhere, we could no more lock it all up than we could LIFE itself. They hid the... 'directions' if you will.
Imagine If magic had been lost for millenia.. no mages, no magic items.. Even a ring of sustenance or the most simple of magical daggers would be considered an Artifact! Rarely someone will be born with a bit of magic - perhaps cantrips, and they would be viewed with awe! That is the equivalent to what the Queen of Dormith has done.
Now Imagine that there is a Spellbook remaining that could teach you how to cast spells.. Any and All spells..
If someone were to find that book and learn Meteor swarm, Polymorph, Wish.. Even a simple fireball... and bring that into a world bereft of any magic... " William trails off and finishes his cup as he lets the thought sink in. "THAT is what is hidden."

 

[Shayuri]

Mei Ying frowns ever so slightly, troubled by a thought.

"But if that's so, is it just to seal it away? For all the terrible things magic can do, it makes wonders possible as well. I would not say magic should be locked away as this other power has been. And more, magic is part of the world, for better or for worse...it is something we must come to terms with, like sun and sky, earth and water. Is this 'Power' the same?"

 

[Scott DeWar]

Mei Ying frowns ever so slightly, troubled by a thought.

"But if that's so, is it just to seal it away? For all the terrible things magic can do, it makes wonders possible as well. I would not say magic should be locked away as this other power has been. And more, magic is part of the world, for better or for worse...it is something we must come to terms with, like sun and sky, earth and water. Is this 'Power' the same?"

"Ah, but what we know and use is naught but cantrips to this 'true' power. This book is a teaching toll so any ca learn it and any magic. Am I right William?"