(IR) The 3rd IR, Turn 7 (thread 4)

[Zelda Themelin]

"Lord, I didn't want to wake you up, but we just heard something, that might be of utmost importance."

Ergoth-Nog rose, put his robe on and followed Askal to Hall of Stars. Nerisa from Druid's circle, Marog from Mage's House, 3 warleaders and Katha the Witch were there waiting for him.

"So, what are the news?"

"Prince Ergoth-Nog, we have heard news. whispers in the winds, that our ally Kalanyr has decided calling on The Taraakian's or
the Militant Fair as they are called by unenlightned."

"Never heard of them? Are they some angelic race? Why would Kalanyr's summon for allies concern us?"

"No, they aren't angels, they are... powerful aliens, their true nature remaining unknown to us. They are creatures of good... but there is something unnerving in stories we have found concerning them. They are said to uphold very high principles..."

"In another words lord", sais Marog "they might not be all that nice".


"Wind is, wind blows, wind comes, wind breaks. As it has been once, it shall be again."

Mutters Katha to herself.


"So, you are wary that such in many levels unknown new group gets involted here. Though I doubt Kalaryr would be doing
unwise decision. Calling help from good creatures of great power in situation like this one doesn't sound such a bad idea to me.
Do you have knowledge on this Ancient One?"


Katha giggles softly at Ergoth-Nog's words.

"My answer, young one, is not asnwer you are looking for. But I say this... it is a superior fate by far, to be tortured by 'evil', than to to be judged by 'good' for not being good enough. Oh, but young one, you should take your changes, that's what life is for... it is for living. Living and learning and doing. I am just old woman, and I've grown wary of powers both evil and good. This old, it's getting harder to tell them apart. They are just two sides of same coin. And I've seen this all before, and even more.. more than you ever wish to see."

"Times of old Suel Empire you are referring to, Ancient One?"

"Oh, that too. And times way before that. Long before I was born as this Suelian witch."

"I've made my decision. We accept Kalanyr's decision for this calling, and shall not interfere."

"Ah, young one, these are interesting times indeed."

"Sad times rather."

"That too, sad... interesting and happy. Oh yes, and when this is finally over, however fate wills it. I think I take a long trip."

"Long trip?"

"Yes. Since the Wanderer waked me with his little tantrum, I've started remembering more things. And that won't do at all.
I think I might go pay Melkor visit in his realm."

Katha smiles at other's disapproving and wondering faces.

"You know old Katha is quite mad, yes? But I am still very helpful, aren't I? No, dear ones, I've got little ritual to perform."


((Um, what does that "summoned from within"-part mean, nothing you have said here later, Edena, quite expains that one.))

 

[William Ronald]

Well, as it seems we will likely continue, I will say, let us do so.

Kalanyr, I was thinking the same thing about the Taraakians. Possibly they can save us from the worst of the destruction. I just want everyone not to blame each other and Edena for anything that may happen.

The Kevellond League, the Baklunish-Esmerin confederation, and their allies such as Orcreich, Erypt, and Suhfang, will send their civilian populations to the 100 demi-planes. This will hopefully give them more of a chance of survival by being away from the worst of the solution. The UC of Toril will do so as well.

In the temple of Rao in Veluna City, Hazen and Gwilym Raonul kneel in prayer.

"You are resolved to this action, President Hazen?" Gwilym says as they rise and sit on a long pew before the altar.

"I support Lord Kalanyr's actions and I have deduced a way to tell the Taraakians all that has transpired here. Perhaps they shall not judge us too badly for our actions. I will let them know that I am willing to personally suffer any judgement they might make against me and also take on any judgement for my people."


Hazen falls silent. He reaches deep within his being, to the core of his emotions. He sends forth the images and feelings he has had since the Wanderer's Message, the wonder at the technology of the Lortmils, the horror at the destruction Vecna wrought, the good feelings the Oerth Alliance generated, the joy of seeing the Angels and having them come to Oerth, the horror of expecting a horrible lashing and the wonder of being given a form and powers like that of an Angel, the terror of the bombardment of fusing hydrogen from the sun, the desire to make peace to save lives, the outrage at the attacks on other worlds, and the joy of seeing the Oerth Alliance trying to prevent them, and his fears and worries about the near future. He also shares his willingness to take upon himself for any punishment for his people. He sends an urgent feeling asking them to come, his minds eye showing pictures of the peoples of many worlds, races, and lands pleading for help amid their fears. There is curiosity about the Taraakians, respect for their achievements, and hope. He also sends the horror he thinks he will feel if all is thrown into ruin. The last feeling can best be translated in to words as 'Please come, now.'


"It is done," Hazen says. "They should see my true feelings for the worlds and what has transpired. Messages need not be sent in words to have meaning. I pray that the Taraakians will prevent us from destroying ourselves."

OOC: Phasmus, it is good to hear from you. The UC of Toril, which I am now playing, will move civilians away from Toril to demiplanes. I will try to save as many neoillithid as I can.

 

[Serpenteye]

Life, life and power devoured the world around him as he merged with the being formerly known as Solea Teprices, the High Matriarch of the Church. For an instant that seemed like an eternity Cydian and Cydian God were united in one form and when they divided again they were three. The God Emperor sent a quick telepathic greeting and blessing to his newest half-demideity daughter and then he threw himself back into the breeding, this time with a former Githyanki sorceress of remarkable talent, and so a son was created. Back into the breeding. Faster and faster. Devouring power to rival a hundred suns. Thousands of couplings until he felt the rising tides of chaos intruding upon his consciousness. A fraction of a second to center himself once again and then back into the creation that took place all around him, until the Director of Espionage entered the huge spherical chamber looking rather troubled.

"My Lord, I have urgent news for you."
"I suppose you have a very good reason for interrupting my breeding. My time is far more precious than your life."
"By my soul and eternal salvation you speak the truth, my Lord, and this news is of utmost importance.
The buro of espionage has for a long time searched the Multiverse for suitable worlds to colonize. On one of these worlds we encountered a seemingly unimportant civilization, now destroyed by the actions of Phibrizzo. Before the end of that world our agents found conclusive evidence that members of an immensely powerful race of beings had for a short time visited the planet and allied with the primitive civilization there. The magical residue suggested that they possessed magic of the 12th tier. Since that kind of magic is currently unattainable for us here on Oerth they were naturally intrigued by this phenomenon and they set out to learn more. The visitors hadn't bothered with concealing their origin to a sufficient degree to hide it from us, it would soon become apparent that they had no true reason to since their power vastly exeeds the power of any race or empire in our multiverse.
Our agents managed to follow their tracks to an alien infinity of darkness, a mostly empty space strewn with dust, gas, and the occasional star and planet, a single continuum of Time and Space, undivided by planes and phlogiston. A separate universe.
There they encountered the strangers and could for a time study them from afar. The agents vanished a few minutes ago, seconds after they had sent us their information on the species and their universe. Most of the information was damaged beyond our ability to repair but some fragments have been reconstructed.
The species calls itself Tarrakians, they are fanatical in their devotion to 'good' and uncompromising in their crusade to eradicate whatever they consider 'evil', which is apparently most things and peoples. They are feared and respected trough out their universe and they have apparently rejected all Gods, probably out of self sufficiency and contempt for their 'lessers'. Their pride and arrogance is apparently overbearing but is, just like with the Angels in our multiverse, hidden behind a mask of justice and necessity. They are more dangerous than any enemy we have yet encountered and they are coming here to cleanse our worlds with fire and death."
"Truly, important news." the God Emperor teleports out, leaving his legion of quickly growing children behind.

 

[William Ronald]

OOC: Serpenteye, nice to see the Union still views any powers of good as self-righteous hypocrites. Not that many people were buying your faction's purported switch to neutrality.

The Taraakians are coming to cleanse with fire and death? Trust me, I don't think there will be much left for anyone to clean up after.

 

[Anabstercorian]

Anabstercorian is prepared to give himself freely to the Taraakians if they'll spare his people, I'll say that much.

 

[Serpenteye]

OOC: Serpenteye, nice to see the Union still views any powers of good as self-righteous hypocrites. Not that many people were buying your faction's purported switch to neutrality.

The Taraakians are coming to cleanse with fire and death? Trust me, I don't think there will be much left for anyone to clean up after.

Ooc:

I got the impression that the Taraakians consider us all sinners who must be burned at the stake for the greater good of all the universes. They are much like Mercykillers, only far more powerful.
Perhaps Hazen will be spared, he has probably never even considered thinking evil thoughts, but most of the oerth Alliance might be in for an unpleasant surprise. Who (else) among you is without sin?
Destruction at their hands is in no way preferable to destruction at the hands of the Dark Powers or the Red Goo.

_________Zelda Themelin wrote:

Katha giggles softly at Ergoth-Nog's words.

"My answer, young one, is not asnwer you are looking for. But I say this... it is a superior fate by far, to be tortured by 'evil', than to to be judged by 'good' for not being good enough. Oh, but young one, you should take your changes, that's what life is for... it is for living. Living and learning and doing. I am just old woman, and I've grown wary of powers both evil and good. This old, it's getting harder to tell them apart. They are just two sides of same coin. And I've seen this all before, and even more.. more than you ever wish to see."
________________

 

[Kalanyr]

Anabster: Yeah, thats what Kalanyr was going to do, ask them to spare his people and take him instead.

Serpenteye: Perhaps, perhaps not. The Dark Powers and the Red Goo would allow none to survive the Taraakian's will spare a few at least.

 

[Zelda Themelin]

OCC: None but Edena truly knows how the Taraakians turn out to be if they come and who they judge, if none. My npc:s have their opinions of course, and as player I have few guesses.

Katha's words might hold truth or then not, it remains to to be seen, as she actually sort of stated herself.


______________

Oh, but our people are not going to hide away. It might not be wise, but it's how they see best way to be.

Life is very wise my friends, it is wiser than us.

 

[William Ronald]

The difference between the Taraakians and the Domains of Dread is that even if the Taraakians are as bad as Serpenteye portrays them, most of Oerth would survive in some manner. In Ravenloft, we would be under the rule of Lord Melkor. Last I checked, the God Emperor was not exactly Melkor's favorite person -- especially after the Red Armada hit Oerth.

Even if the Taraakians are the self-righteous prigs some view them as, they will likely let some people live and remain free. Do you honestly think any of the Dark Lords of the Domains of Dread would do so. Also, if they can keep us from destroying ourselves, it gives us more options.

Besides, I consider the survival of a people far more important than the survival of their leaders. New leaders can always emerge. However, no new leaders can emerge if a people are utterly obliterated.

It remains to be seen what the Taraakians are like. As for Hazen, he has had more than a few dark thoughts from time to time. He is not meant to be a cardboard cut out saint.


Hazen addresses Gwilym Raonul.

"Can you arrange a discussion for me with Alustriel and her husband about the Taraakians and their interaction with other worlds, especially Neith? It might be useful."

"I will also ask the Angels about their knowledge of the Taraakians."

"Some people seem to be skeptical of their good intentions," Gwilym said. "I just do not know what to make of them. I hope that they remember their own principles and do no punish the innocent with the guilty."

"We can hope. In the end, all we can do is hope. If the cost of saving several billion lives would be my own life, I would consider it a bargain," Hazen says somberly.


"I will try to greet them personally. I will ask an Angel or two to join the delegation. I have tried to not prejudge others. I think we should try to give others the same benefit of the doubt that we would ask for ourselves."

"Also, I have been wrong about people before. Initially, I thought Lord Kalanyr was a demon who did not wish redemption. He has lead his whole people forward into goodness and freedom. I pray that the Taraakians will hold that in his favor."

"What of their faith?" Gwilym asks.

"Perhaps they worship that power which the Angels serve. Let me tell you of Earth and its faiths...."

A three hour lecture on Earth's religions and comparisons with the faiths of other worlds begins. All spies of non-good alignment must make a Will DC save of 500 or fall asleep.

The Kevellond League, the Ulek State, and the UC of Toril contact the celestials of the upper planes and the elemental, quasielemental, and paraelemental powers of good for aid in this hour. I will also see about disbursing some of my civilian populations among them all.

 

[Serpenteye]

A three hour lecture on Earth's religions and comparisons with the faiths of other worlds begins. All spies of non-good alignment must make a Will DC save of 500 or fall asleep.

Well, I must have failed my save, I'm going to bed. Don't sell Oerth to the aliens while I'm gone.