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[ZEITGEIST] The Continuing Adventures of Korrigan & Co.
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<blockquote data-quote="gideonpepys" data-source="post: 7598338" data-attributes="member: 79141"><p><strong>Session 224, Part One</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>A last-minute change of heart</strong></p><p></p><p>Ashima-Shimtu’s blood magic brought them to a secluded cove just down the coast from Alais Primos. They were surprised to find the demoness was still with them. She was able to wade towards the shore unaided. Wading out of the water, they immediately fell to discussing what to do with her, shouting over the breakers that crashed noisily against the pebble beach.</p><p></p><p>“Is she harmless now? Can we do what we like with her?” asked Quratulain.</p><p></p><p>“We should take her back to Risur and contain her,” said Uru, and some of the others nodded their assent. </p><p></p><p>Then they noticed that Ashima-Shimtu had stopped walking and still stood in knee-deep water. Without moving her lips, she said, “Ashima-Shimtu is grateful for her freedom, but will not exchange one prison for another. She considers it best that she continue her journey alone.”</p><p></p><p>Leon wondered if that might not be best, as entering Alais Primos with her in tow could mess everything up, but Uriel and Uru were both concerned about leaving her at large, unguided and unrestrained. Still, that seemed to be the way that things were tending. No one showed any sign of wanting to stop or restrain her.</p><p></p><p>“Before you go,” said Leon, “will we be able to speak with you? In return for our help, we ask that you agree to have a conversation with the King of Risur.”</p><p></p><p>“Ashima-Shimtu would of course consent to speak with the king. She is keen to do so.” With that, as enough drops of her blood spilled into the sea, she vanished.</p><p></p><p><strong>Pre-trial Prep-work</strong></p><p></p><p>Returning to Alais Primos, they saw plumes of smoke curling from the caldera of Enzyo Mons, lit up from below in lurid reds and oranges. Over the Plaza Hyperion, dark grey storm clouds flickered with ripples of black lightning, a sure sign of ominous portent obvious to even amateur skyseers.</p><p></p><p>With just over twenty-four hours to go until the trial, they decided their best and safest option was to return to the Family restaurant. There, they heard about a recent, high-powered assault on Vitus Sigismund and his supporters. The attempt had been led by another godhand supported by more angels. Angel had fought angel in the air above Alais Primos. Sadly, the uprising had failed. Would the attack have weakened the zealots, or strengthened their resolve?</p><p></p><p>Putting that matter aside for now, they secured some quiet, private space through the Family’s auspices, and settled down to study the Biography of Triegenes in depth, and prepare their arguments in detail. Gupta pointed out that this was more of a show-trial, and logic and hard proof would be secondary to showmanship. Uriel would study the biography; Leon would present their case.</p><p></p><p>While Uriel buried his nose in the ancient text, Leon went to Trekhom to collect Rumdoom. He and Korrigan had met with the Drakren political leadership and agreed a truce, much to the annoyance of Ob loyalists on their high council, provoking a particularly long speech by Von Hastenschrieft Willimarkanova (who Rumdoom had encountered before on Mutravir in the guise of Kiov Hetman; a protracted conversation that still gave him nightmares). But their actions in saving Mirsk won the day. Ironically, arriving late and failing to save Bhad Ryzhavdut had actually worked to their advantage: Komanov’s threat had been clearly illustrated, and her defeat outside Drakr’s second largest city was all the more public and dramatic. (The dwarves did not yet appear to know about the vsadni in the tower just yet; at least, they didn’t mention it.)</p><p></p><p>Invasion off, Rumdoom was able to return to Alais Primos and support the rest of the unit, in case of trouble. Korrigan, however, had to return to Risur, where vital kingly duties awaited him. He was mildly perturbed (though sanguine) about the release of Ashima-Shimtu, but gratified by the rescue of Linia. For now, she was lying huddled up and only semi-conscious, in a comfortable bed in Leon’s Dream Palace (renamed, now that it was formed of more than one chamber). Her physical wounds had been entirely healed by Uriel and Gupta. As soon as he was able, Korrigan would attempt to heal her fractured mind. But for now, there were more pressing matters:</p><p></p><p>By the time Leon arrived back in Alais Primos, Uriel had read the biography and – after an initial, breathless summary (“He wasn’t a God!”) – provided the following, lengthier synopsis:</p><p></p><p><em>Triegenes’s autobiography, much like the mortal man himself, is simple and unassuming. Its nine chapters are less than two hundred hand-written pages, and could be easily read in a couple hours. A fish hook made of crude iron keeps the leather band around it in place. He originally composed it as a long epistle to his followers, wanting them to know who he was since he was expecting to die in his battle against the leadership of the Demonocracy.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>He discusses the ups and downs of his early life, referring to events involving cultures and politics long since vanished from the world. One day he was caught in a storm at sea and barely survived. Though he couches it in compelling metaphor, the core of the story is that he nearly died, realized that he was nearly forty, wife dead and he with no child, and he didn’t think he had been kind enough to others, so he vowed to challenge himself to do better. Due to local events, he ended up leading people into battle against conquerors from across the sea.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Several chapters are devoted to lessons he learned leading people in a war to establish a nation. He spends an entire page extolling the importance of getting enough sleep. A recurring theme is knowing that the purpose of power is not simply to gain more power. After several great victories he had his own nation, but he wanted to defeat the Demonocracy. He was worried that perhaps his ambitions were arrogance, but he defends himself as being motivated to help the slaves of the demons, people who were denied a chance to make more of themselves.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>From the writing, it is clear that Triegenes did not trust some of his closest advisors during the campaign against the demons. Some suggested he take a more authoritarian and rigid approach towards ruling the lands they conquered. One passage includes a section that is underlined: “Their desires for power and comfort cannot come at the expense of the people, and I will not allow a new Demonocracy to rule in my name, no matter how pretty the clothes it wears or the masks it hides behind.”</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>The final chapter explains that he has learned how to gain the power of a god, but that if he dies with that power, so too will die those who believe in him. He has always challenged himself to become greater, and this would be the pinnacle of that goal. But if he has this power he fears he’ll become a tyrant, and he doesn’t want to risk the lives of his followers. He ends with what reads as fatalistic humor. “I have the greatest catch on my hook, but I’m not sure I want to eat it. After all, I’m only fighting horrors from the Abyss. I probably won’t need it. If I die in this battle, better it be as a man, not a god. I suppose I have enough power already.”</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>The revelation of his biography, then, is that he never used the sacrament of apotheosis. He defeated the Demonocracy with his own power, and died in the process. Tales of his ascension to divinity were mere stories told by those who took power after him.</em></p><p></p><p>No wonder they wanted this book suppressed!</p><p></p><p>Uriel was bowled over. This book confirmed everything he had long suspected, ever since his time as Malthusius. (He couldn’t help but be curious. If they failed, and the sacrament was performed, what would happen? Who or what would be summoned? What form would Triegenes take?)</p><p></p><p>Gupta observed: “To think that all of these good intentions led to the most fascistic regime in all of Lanjyr.”</p><p></p><p>“So far…” said Uru. (Whose opinions on the direction Korrigan should take Risur were well documented.)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="gideonpepys, post: 7598338, member: 79141"] [b]Session 224, Part One[/b] [B]A last-minute change of heart[/B] Ashima-Shimtu’s blood magic brought them to a secluded cove just down the coast from Alais Primos. They were surprised to find the demoness was still with them. She was able to wade towards the shore unaided. Wading out of the water, they immediately fell to discussing what to do with her, shouting over the breakers that crashed noisily against the pebble beach. “Is she harmless now? Can we do what we like with her?” asked Quratulain. “We should take her back to Risur and contain her,” said Uru, and some of the others nodded their assent. Then they noticed that Ashima-Shimtu had stopped walking and still stood in knee-deep water. Without moving her lips, she said, “Ashima-Shimtu is grateful for her freedom, but will not exchange one prison for another. She considers it best that she continue her journey alone.” Leon wondered if that might not be best, as entering Alais Primos with her in tow could mess everything up, but Uriel and Uru were both concerned about leaving her at large, unguided and unrestrained. Still, that seemed to be the way that things were tending. No one showed any sign of wanting to stop or restrain her. “Before you go,” said Leon, “will we be able to speak with you? In return for our help, we ask that you agree to have a conversation with the King of Risur.” “Ashima-Shimtu would of course consent to speak with the king. She is keen to do so.” With that, as enough drops of her blood spilled into the sea, she vanished. [B]Pre-trial Prep-work[/B] Returning to Alais Primos, they saw plumes of smoke curling from the caldera of Enzyo Mons, lit up from below in lurid reds and oranges. Over the Plaza Hyperion, dark grey storm clouds flickered with ripples of black lightning, a sure sign of ominous portent obvious to even amateur skyseers. With just over twenty-four hours to go until the trial, they decided their best and safest option was to return to the Family restaurant. There, they heard about a recent, high-powered assault on Vitus Sigismund and his supporters. The attempt had been led by another godhand supported by more angels. Angel had fought angel in the air above Alais Primos. Sadly, the uprising had failed. Would the attack have weakened the zealots, or strengthened their resolve? Putting that matter aside for now, they secured some quiet, private space through the Family’s auspices, and settled down to study the Biography of Triegenes in depth, and prepare their arguments in detail. Gupta pointed out that this was more of a show-trial, and logic and hard proof would be secondary to showmanship. Uriel would study the biography; Leon would present their case. While Uriel buried his nose in the ancient text, Leon went to Trekhom to collect Rumdoom. He and Korrigan had met with the Drakren political leadership and agreed a truce, much to the annoyance of Ob loyalists on their high council, provoking a particularly long speech by Von Hastenschrieft Willimarkanova (who Rumdoom had encountered before on Mutravir in the guise of Kiov Hetman; a protracted conversation that still gave him nightmares). But their actions in saving Mirsk won the day. Ironically, arriving late and failing to save Bhad Ryzhavdut had actually worked to their advantage: Komanov’s threat had been clearly illustrated, and her defeat outside Drakr’s second largest city was all the more public and dramatic. (The dwarves did not yet appear to know about the vsadni in the tower just yet; at least, they didn’t mention it.) Invasion off, Rumdoom was able to return to Alais Primos and support the rest of the unit, in case of trouble. Korrigan, however, had to return to Risur, where vital kingly duties awaited him. He was mildly perturbed (though sanguine) about the release of Ashima-Shimtu, but gratified by the rescue of Linia. For now, she was lying huddled up and only semi-conscious, in a comfortable bed in Leon’s Dream Palace (renamed, now that it was formed of more than one chamber). Her physical wounds had been entirely healed by Uriel and Gupta. As soon as he was able, Korrigan would attempt to heal her fractured mind. But for now, there were more pressing matters: By the time Leon arrived back in Alais Primos, Uriel had read the biography and – after an initial, breathless summary (“He wasn’t a God!”) – provided the following, lengthier synopsis: [I]Triegenes’s autobiography, much like the mortal man himself, is simple and unassuming. Its nine chapters are less than two hundred hand-written pages, and could be easily read in a couple hours. A fish hook made of crude iron keeps the leather band around it in place. He originally composed it as a long epistle to his followers, wanting them to know who he was since he was expecting to die in his battle against the leadership of the Demonocracy. He discusses the ups and downs of his early life, referring to events involving cultures and politics long since vanished from the world. One day he was caught in a storm at sea and barely survived. Though he couches it in compelling metaphor, the core of the story is that he nearly died, realized that he was nearly forty, wife dead and he with no child, and he didn’t think he had been kind enough to others, so he vowed to challenge himself to do better. Due to local events, he ended up leading people into battle against conquerors from across the sea. Several chapters are devoted to lessons he learned leading people in a war to establish a nation. He spends an entire page extolling the importance of getting enough sleep. A recurring theme is knowing that the purpose of power is not simply to gain more power. After several great victories he had his own nation, but he wanted to defeat the Demonocracy. He was worried that perhaps his ambitions were arrogance, but he defends himself as being motivated to help the slaves of the demons, people who were denied a chance to make more of themselves. From the writing, it is clear that Triegenes did not trust some of his closest advisors during the campaign against the demons. Some suggested he take a more authoritarian and rigid approach towards ruling the lands they conquered. One passage includes a section that is underlined: “Their desires for power and comfort cannot come at the expense of the people, and I will not allow a new Demonocracy to rule in my name, no matter how pretty the clothes it wears or the masks it hides behind.” The final chapter explains that he has learned how to gain the power of a god, but that if he dies with that power, so too will die those who believe in him. He has always challenged himself to become greater, and this would be the pinnacle of that goal. But if he has this power he fears he’ll become a tyrant, and he doesn’t want to risk the lives of his followers. He ends with what reads as fatalistic humor. “I have the greatest catch on my hook, but I’m not sure I want to eat it. After all, I’m only fighting horrors from the Abyss. I probably won’t need it. If I die in this battle, better it be as a man, not a god. I suppose I have enough power already.” The revelation of his biography, then, is that he never used the sacrament of apotheosis. He defeated the Demonocracy with his own power, and died in the process. Tales of his ascension to divinity were mere stories told by those who took power after him.[/I] No wonder they wanted this book suppressed! Uriel was bowled over. This book confirmed everything he had long suspected, ever since his time as Malthusius. (He couldn’t help but be curious. If they failed, and the sacrament was performed, what would happen? Who or what would be summoned? What form would Triegenes take?) Gupta observed: “To think that all of these good intentions led to the most fascistic regime in all of Lanjyr.” “So far…” said Uru. (Whose opinions on the direction Korrigan should take Risur were well documented.) [/QUOTE]
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