(IR) The 1st IC-thread of the 1st Turn of the 5th IR

[Kalanyr]

Morwel looks up in sudden surprise from her place in the court
Impossible!


And then focusing her divine energy she views the place form which the disturbance in the very balance of good and evil has come and looks into the Great City itself.

Turning to the queen.

"My apologies, your majesty, and to your court I am afraid something unbelievable has occured, perhaps you should send some clerics to the drow embassy ? I think they will be needed. I will return shortly."

And then without another spoken word she is gone in a shimmer of starlight.

For a moment the area brightens as if the stars shine softly overhead and then Morwel appears, Faerinall, and Gwynharwyf by her side, accompanied by a small force of Ghaele and Firre Eladrins. (15 Elite PL, taken in even percentage from where they are stationed and 2 Epic PL and Morwel).

Seeing the conflict between Ellisterae and Iuz (and the Tempest (assuming both of us arrive in time), and Rhynnon's speech, she raises her hand and a brilliant rapier formed of starlight, crackling with positive energy appears in her hand, as she moves to stand by Ellisterae's side.

"The Dark Maiden is known to me, and I will not see her destroyed or harmed any further. Cease these attacks on my ally! She has done no harm here. "

Serpenteye:
The clerics of the Miranda Alliance and the remaining Eladrin there will take care of the drow embassy to the best of their abilities, given their limited access to divine magic. However the eladrin do have many healing spell-like abilities.

 

[Bugbear]

With the Arrival of Tempest, Rhynnon gives up his attempt to stop the battle and instead turns his attenton to the semi-concious Eclavdra. Carefully, he lifts her up and teleports her to the safehouse in the heart of the Great City.

 

[Kalanyr]

Seeing Rhynnon's departure, Morwel gestures for the Elites that accompanied her to try and protect and heal the drow in the city, since they are unlikely to make a difference in this battle.

 

[Kalanyr]

Nippon and Zindia are duly welcomed into the Miranda Pact.

 

[Creamsteak]

With the servitor beings massacred at the hands of the remaining illithid overlords, Yug'rig'noth of the temple of physical power now loomed over Thul and Istigon. Istigon was the first to become aware of the observer, but he was unable to discern what he was seeing. It had the superstructures of an illithid, but its body was not trapped into a shape, it was moving about freely without flesh or muscle.

Thul, in his recent victory over the masses of lesser beings, saw Istigon of the highest house distracted. As Istigon looked above, Thul tried to throw together his most powerful binding ritual. Thul conjured a tiny cube, one that occupied a space so small that it was unobservable to the naked eye. The cube took on additions "sides" as it bended and shaped outward. It reached to the planes of astral, shadow, and ethereal. It then shaped around the bindings, which connect those planes that still could be reached from Oerth, and became a genesis into itself. The cube became a prison, one that could seal any being that lacked the power of a god. The cubes space in the material plane was extended, shaped, and formed so that it could fit the exact mass of Istigon into itself from its space on the material plane, and trap Istigon forever in his own infinite dimension.

Istigon, still distracted by the being above, finally became aware of Thul's psionic device and tried to throw up a barrier around him. All this accomplished when Thul sent the trap into Istigon's body and soul was to cause a colorful explosion of rippling psionic energy as Istigon was sealed into Thul's trap. Thul would laugh with victory for the rest of his existence as he watched his superior slowly be drawn into his own demiplane to be trapped for all eternity, had Thul not suddenly been dropped upon by a monster beyond his expectations.

Yug'rig'noth, having watched the binding ritual and the battle before came down upon Thul'hur'mca in a single instant. He broke the illithid's strength with his massive power and he broke the illithid's mind with only his horrid (even to an illithid) visage. Yug'rig'noth, paralyzing his prey with the touch of the ooze that enveloped his flesh, slowly opened his body and flesh to devour Thul whole. Yug'rig'noth, in his vile form, slowly entrapped the powerful illithid within himself, stealing all of his strength, mind, and pain in one slow meal.

As Thul's personality and abilities were absorbed into Yug, his hunger was shared between them. With an understanding of Thul's binding ritual and Yug's insatiable desire to eat, they set upon the dimensional portal in which Istigon had been sealed. Yug ripped the invisible barriers between dimensions with his incredible strength while still using the powers of the shaper to rip apart the seals, which Thul had only just placed. As their entwined abilities broke the barrier and the writhing mass of tentacles and terror came into the demiplane that had interned Istigon, the imprisoned illithid screamed in terror.

Istigon put up his barriers as the invisible walls crumbled around him. He raised every mental defense he has available, and sent out every domination attempt he could muster. The creature in front of him, however, was far too powerful. Istigon's defenses slowed the creature only a step, and when it was upon him it devoured him as well, absorbing his powers, strengths, and knowledge. Yug'Thul devoured Istigon and became Yug'Thul'Gon, the mass of the three most powerful Illithids on Oerth. Using Thul's power he gave his body a shape, that which would appear to most to be an aberration of three formed illithids. Using Istigon's mind, the three thoughts were given cohesion and rendered into one form capable of three simultaneous or distinct thoughts. Last, using Yug's power their body was given the ability to continue to devour and hunger for all other creatures, and to desire greater and greater power.

The monster finally turned its thoughts to its missing god again. As the three minds roiled in a bit of ordered chaos, they realized what they must do. Three became one, one which would forever desire to increase its own strength. As the chaos of the world became known to Yug'thul'gon, he sought to gather what remained of the illithid empire, and reinforce it with a show of power to the lesser races which were most nearly related to his now inferrior kin.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Back.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

POSTED BY RIKANDUR

OOC: Iuz heard that ! And figure out why.
And I repeat, again. Only, and only First Maid, entered Aliador borders ! Demons stayed on the border of the Country. They make faces and gestures, that were clearly reckognisable as nothing more than childish bickering by all standards of sane races. Drow probably felt gravely insulted and all, but as long as they under delicate heel of Elcavdra, all they can is to cry to their pillows and whine about unfairness of life. And I doubt thatthey would tell anyone about this "humilation", imagine all drow nation making laugh of them ... Maybe someone accidentally spill the gossip ?

FROM EDENA

Ok, the demons remain outside Aliador? Noted.
The Guardians watch the demons, but do not interfere with them. They are, after all, with the ambassador, the First Maid.
The Guardians, Norns and Nymphs, are unphased by the behavior of the devils. They have no reaction to it at all.
The Elves of Aliador, deeper within their realm, do not see the antics of the demons.

The drow who are humiliated vow revenge at a later time. (this, of course, occurs before the Withdrawal, and their incapacitation.)
Eclavdra most certainly does not care if some of her drow are humiliated. Eclavdra, prior to the Withdrawal, has no capacity to care about anything, in that sense of the word.

-

RIKANDUR POSTED

IC:
Ruling Pair's Sanctum, Aliador.
*Elven servant gently disturbed seclusion of Royal Pair.*

My liege, something appeared on the border ... it's horrible beyond words.

*On the border of Aliador a cage of blackened iron appeared, inside is something ... mutilated almost beyond reckognision. Pathes of furry skin torn out by some claws, disfigured limbs with broken bones extending from the flesh. It is one of the demons that were escorting elven emissary of Iuz. And he murmurs, whines from excruciating pain and screams desperately. Horrified elves could see that spikes from the cage are opening new wounds, while power emanating from the cage heal them ... apparently in very painful fashion. Guards could barely reckognize him as one who farted.*

I'm sooorry ! I'm sorryyy !!! I'mmm SORRRYYY ... AGGGH ! I'm sorry. Aaa.

*Elven runes are carved on the back of the creature, writer surely was a violent and aggresive person.*

You should. Light only blinds. Sadness is hipocrisy. You abadoned Your most precious property, for nothing.

FROM EDENA

The Guardians, Norns and Nymphs, are the ones who see this.
They aren't happy about it, but because doing something about it would be a direct interference with Iuz, and possibly cause trouble and even war, they still their hands.
The Lord and Lady also, after seeing this spectacle, do nothing.
The Elves of Aliador do not see the spectacle of the tortured demon.

-

Yes, they are hipocrites. And even toy that You send Us didn't understand them well. Big are chances that they will betray their ... honor, and attack Me ?
And, Eclavdra ... my favorite maiden, You were slighty wrong. She's weak and submissive beyond all training that she recived. Wich slave gazes at it's master with bare devotion ? Without even slightest hint of normal emotions ? I let her go as she pleases ... and she stayed ! it scared even me ...

FROM EDENA

Since this happened prior to the Withdrawal, Eclavdra answers thusly:

Elves are unwise, but we will enlighten them. Hopefully. Before the worlds' reality destroys them.
You and I, Iuz. We will bring wisdom to the elves.
My gift to you displeases you? Perhaps I should send another? I will be happy to wreak vengeance upon her for failing you, your Majesty.
She stayed with you because I trained her in obedience. She knows full well the fate which awaits disloyalty.

RIKANDUR POSTED

*Asked Iuz with irony while spelling the word honor, and Eclavdra noticed him almost invisible in shadows. Realisation that he just gave in her hands fate of one elven nation was a pleasant aftershock. And that Iuz didn't understand elf-toy ... was very, very funny. He will never understand women.*

FROM EDENA

Again, as this is prior to the Withdrawal, Eclavdra is amused - and has long been amused - at Iuzs' way with women. But she doesn't say anything. She simply takes dark delight in watching Iuz try to deal with the feminine sex.
Eclavdra is very happy to know of the secret of Aliador! Obviously. And she intends to take advantage of that knowledge.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

PAXUS POSTED

The Wolf God will, of course, move as swiftly as possible to consolidate this torrent of new worshippers, while preventing them from provoking a war with those that used to be drow. The methods such a task requires are certainly brutal, killing many of those who were once servants of the drow, but brutality is a task with which the Wolf God has long familiarity. Fortunately, these servitors are accustomed to drow sadism, and many find the Wolf God's rational, predictable tyranny to be a far more comfortable alternative than either their previous slavery or the uncertainty of independence, especially in the absence of their own gods.

OOC: I imagine such a pacification project is best handled through the infiltration rules?

FROM EDENA:

Serpenteye must rule on this. I have relinquished control of these humanoids.
What they do is now in the DMs' hands.
Personally, I'm guessing many go over to you, Paxus, but that's just a guess.

-

MELKOR POSTED:

Edena! Serpenteye!

My Nosferatu are teleporting across the Drow cities of Underdark, looking for those Drow that denied Eclavdra. They have a cure for what`s happening- the gift of Vampirism!

FROM EDENA

Since Serpenteye has allowed that the Withdrawal is happening, the drow in the 99 abandoned cities are in NO position to offer ANY resistance to what Melkors' forces are doing, anymore than they can offer resistance to the Rampage of Iuz (for those who do not remember, Rikandur specifically stated his minions swept through the cities, taking treasure, killing some drow, and inviting others to join Iuz.)
If other powers wish to do something about this, it is up to you.
If NOTHING is done to stop Melkor and Iuz, a race of SUPER EVIL drow will be created. They will be as evil as Vecna himself. Of course, with vampiric powers, they'll have might to match their evil.
Eclavdra takes NO position on the matter, as it concerns the TEC Pact. Eclavdra is in no position to, since she is incapacitated by the Withdrawal. But the evil Eclavdra, would have said: go ahead and take the rubbish, and do as you please with them.

Remember that I am going through your posts one by one, folks, and responding as I read them. I haven't read the latest posts you've put on the boards.
So bear with me: I'm writing out my responses in response to each of your posts as I get to them. And I've got 4 pages to go through.

Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith

 

[William Ronald]

The hand of friendship ....(again)

(OOC: Serpenteye, my actions are essentially the same as earlier. Trying to diffuse the conflict.)

Al'Akbar, tired of waiting for the devils, goes to the aid of the drow in the Malkuvah Baklunim. His clergy and those of the remaining Baklunish pantheon, such as Azor'alq, attend to the dark elves.

As he sense the presence of the avatar of Ellistrae, he smiles and realizes what she is doing.
"I thought the drow could change, but that Eclavdra would not. In the absence of the hatred and evil of the Queen of Spiders, the drow could not cope. So, they have collapsed and someone who truly loves them stands with them in their hour of greatest need. Now, I have a promise to keep to the Mordheil and to Eclavdra. However, I am keeping it under conditions I had not imagined." The demigod gathers a small force of celestials and djinn with Daoud by his side.

A bright light fills the cavern as Al'Akbar appears with a throng of celestials and djinn. (10 elite PL accompany Al'Akbar)

"I swore to Vesharess Eclavdra that if her people were overcome and threatened with annihilation, I would aid her. Also, I swore to aid her against the Whispered One. Ellistrae has aided me in the past. The Whispered One comes. I suggest that all prepare for the struggle to come! I believe that many have come here to ensure that the strength of Vesharess Eclavdra and her people will be with Oerth in the struggle to come. As well as to honor our respective commitments."

Daoud and a strike force of celestials search for Eclavdra. They check the place where Al'Akbar secretly meet with Eclavdra and the great city. (Daoud and 2 Elite PL.)


"Lord Gallador, Emperor Iuz, the Tempest, Queen Ellistrae, Queen Morwel, let us cease fighting. The Whispered One comes soon. Indeed, it may be that he is coming sooner than we thought. Shall we cease all conflict here to fight our true foe, one who would see all of us destroyed? It is said that only a fool fights in a burning house. I do not see any fools here, only those devoted to their respective people and principles. We will need all the strenght that we can bring to bear against our common foe. I believe that we can all agree that Eclavdra and her people have a role to play in the coming conflict."

Al'Akbar will try to prevent further fighting.

(OOC: Al'Akbar's ambassadors in Aerdy no doubt hear the speech and report it to him. Not a slam against Knight Otu or his faction. )

Al'Akbar, and if Ellistrae is willing, leaves with the Baklunish forces travelling with King Seth Rhynnon.

In the city of Ekbir, Caliph Xargun announces that Nippon, Aliador, the Theocracy of the Pale, and the Miranda Alliance have been admitted into the Treaty of the Ataphad Isles. (OOC: I initially called it the Araphad Isles, confusing a Greyhawk name with a real life Persian dynasty.)

 

[William Ronald]

The forces of the Baklunish Empire collect the helpless drow underneath their lands and take gates to the surface, where it is bright daylight.

The Baklunish Empire makes the governments with which it maintains diplomatic relations, such as the Empire of Lynn, the Miranda Alliance, Orcreich and the Khanates, of what is transpiring under their lands, offering to help if requested.