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[ZEITGEIST] The Continuing Adventures of Korrigan & Co.
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<blockquote data-quote="gideonpepys" data-source="post: 7600258" data-attributes="member: 79141"><p><strong>Session 224, Part Three - A Final Act of Zealotry</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>A Final Act of Zealotry</strong></p><p></p><p>After a meditative ascent, they reached the cathedral. Vitus waited at the balcony, flanked by templars, monks, and angels. Legate Tullius advanced and briefly whispered to Vitus. He contemplated what he had heard for a moment and then asked for closing statements.</p><p></p><p>The prosecution went first, and Legate Tullius spent three minutes rehashing her accusations,, and then looked up to the top of the cathedral as she finished. “All of these failures,” she says, “are symptoms of this god’s original sin. He has lied to us. He promised us divinity, said he would guide us to godhood. But in the thousand years since his ascendance, no other mortal has become a god. The closest to that are these very trials, wherein we the people’s tribunal have bound the gods to mortal flesh so they could be punished for abandoning us.</p><p></p><p>“Like the corrupt hierarchs and cardinals, Triegenes rose high, and he looked down at us and sniffed in disdain. In his arrogance, he decided his lofty position was for him alone. We could be gods, he said. But he kept that secret for himself.</p><p></p><p>“We have executed many of our deities for abandoning the pact they made with us. As founder of our faith, Triegenes is responsible for all those beneath him. As we found them guilty, so we must do for him. This liar god must be punished. To the fires with him. Burn away his evil so he may no longer lead us astray.”</p><p></p><p>Aulus Atticus shook his head at this, not out of fear for himself, but in disagreement, but many in the crowd howled for blood. </p><p></p><p>Then it was Leon’s turn to speak. He turned to the crowd, and held up the Biography of Triegenes. “Triegenes did not become a god,” he said bluntly. “This book, written by his own hand, tells us as much.”</p><p></p><p>There was a sharp intake of breath. He hadn’t softened the blow; the crowd were not yet ready to hear this, and Leon could sense that he had lost them.</p><p></p><p>Uriel could sense it too. He muttered a powerful spell – Undo – and rewound time just a few moments, for Leon to try again. This time, he began more carefully, told the story of the book’s rediscovery, and how the clergy had hidden it from the world for fear that it would expose the hyprocrisy and falsehood of their ‘interpretation’ of Triegenes’ teachings. And what were those teachings? Leon reminded all those who could hear of the powerful central tenets of his doctrine, and of the simplicity and humility of the man, before contrasting him with the greed and corruption of the clergy. This done, the audience was ready to hear the revelation and absorbed it in a silence so complete it almost muffled it.</p><p></p><p>The silence lasted until a lone voice cried, “Innocent! He is innocent! Free him!” Others joined the call and Sigismund’s followers looked to him for his response. Some seemed personally affected by the revelation too.</p><p></p><p>Vitus looked at the mob in disbelief, then shoved Aulus Atticus towards them. A moment later he yelled for everyone to back away, and even his allies and the angels gave him room. Then he pulls open his shirt to reveal that he had already painted himself with blood for the sacrament.</p><p></p><p>He roared, “They’ve tricked you, as I suspected. You’re all impure! Deceived by pleasing lies. Triegenes, you have failed me, and I have failed my people. I shall become you, and together our failure will burn away the lies and reveal a glorious truth!”</p><p></p><p>There were tears in his eyes. He began to chant for the sacrament of apotheosis - “Before I was nothing but words. Now I am all that is believed. I am faith made flesh. I am flesh made a god.”</p><p></p><p>Uriel saw the imminent catalyst of his earlier vision: whatever form Triegenes manifested, his death would sunder the wards around the crater of Enzio Mons, and release centuries of accumulated, molten evil into the world. In a flash, he saw it crawling out of the crater, belching pyroclastic bile and consuming Alais Primos. At once, he summoned a pillar of holy light to trap Sigismund, just as he had Grandis Komanov. But the godhand spoke on; the holy light did not affect him.</p><p></p><p>Neither Gupta nor Leon shared Uriel’s vision, but they feared the death of Triegenes would kill almost everyone in Crisillyir.</p><p></p><p>“Can’t you see that now is not the time?” asked Gupta. Sigismund froze, then pushed back against her spell. But by then, Leon had hit him with a Curse of Mouthless Muttering, and the threat of the sacrament was over.</p><p></p><p>Sigismund fell to his knees, then onto his side, and sobbed like a child.</p><p></p><p>His allies did not move. They stared at their fallen leader in shock – all except Legate Tullius whose eyes roamed around, assessing the situation. Before she could even attempt to take control of it, Leon stepped in, and handed the Biography of Triegenes to Aulus Atticus. Aulus took the small book in his huge hands and thanked him. Then he turned to Advorel and said, “The God Trials are over. Are you content to help rebuild this city, or will you fight to uphold the tenets laid down by this man?”</p><p></p><p>Advorel bowed his head and held his sword out to Aulus Atticus in an offer of service. </p><p></p><p>Gupta spoke to Advorel. “The leaders of this land believe they have the right to guide the angels. But if you truly seek to protect this world, know that it is under threat from a cosmic evil.” She told Advorel and his host about the gidim.</p><p></p><p>Suddenly, there was a commotion in the sky. More angels came blazing in from above, led by Hezophiel the Reaper, who landed in the cathedral with a clang. He pointed an accusing finger at Leon and announced that he must pay for his deceit, and for freeing Ashima-Shimtu from her prison.</p><p></p><p>Uriel said, “We relinquish judgement to this angel,” indicating Advorel. Hezophiel turned to look up at Advorel. Clearly there was a moment of communication, which no one else was party to. Advorel’s eyes blazed red. Then Hezophiel knelt before him and laid down his scythe in submission.</p><p></p><p>“Never again shall angels slay their brethren in the service of the clergy,” said Aulus Atticus. </p><p></p><p>“So who’s in charge here now?” asked Uru.</p><p></p><p>Uriel pointed at Atticus and said, “He is.”</p><p></p><p><strong>End of Session</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="gideonpepys, post: 7600258, member: 79141"] [b]Session 224, Part Three - A Final Act of Zealotry[/b] [B]A Final Act of Zealotry[/B] After a meditative ascent, they reached the cathedral. Vitus waited at the balcony, flanked by templars, monks, and angels. Legate Tullius advanced and briefly whispered to Vitus. He contemplated what he had heard for a moment and then asked for closing statements. The prosecution went first, and Legate Tullius spent three minutes rehashing her accusations,, and then looked up to the top of the cathedral as she finished. “All of these failures,” she says, “are symptoms of this god’s original sin. He has lied to us. He promised us divinity, said he would guide us to godhood. But in the thousand years since his ascendance, no other mortal has become a god. The closest to that are these very trials, wherein we the people’s tribunal have bound the gods to mortal flesh so they could be punished for abandoning us. “Like the corrupt hierarchs and cardinals, Triegenes rose high, and he looked down at us and sniffed in disdain. In his arrogance, he decided his lofty position was for him alone. We could be gods, he said. But he kept that secret for himself. “We have executed many of our deities for abandoning the pact they made with us. As founder of our faith, Triegenes is responsible for all those beneath him. As we found them guilty, so we must do for him. This liar god must be punished. To the fires with him. Burn away his evil so he may no longer lead us astray.” Aulus Atticus shook his head at this, not out of fear for himself, but in disagreement, but many in the crowd howled for blood. Then it was Leon’s turn to speak. He turned to the crowd, and held up the Biography of Triegenes. “Triegenes did not become a god,” he said bluntly. “This book, written by his own hand, tells us as much.” There was a sharp intake of breath. He hadn’t softened the blow; the crowd were not yet ready to hear this, and Leon could sense that he had lost them. Uriel could sense it too. He muttered a powerful spell – Undo – and rewound time just a few moments, for Leon to try again. This time, he began more carefully, told the story of the book’s rediscovery, and how the clergy had hidden it from the world for fear that it would expose the hyprocrisy and falsehood of their ‘interpretation’ of Triegenes’ teachings. And what were those teachings? Leon reminded all those who could hear of the powerful central tenets of his doctrine, and of the simplicity and humility of the man, before contrasting him with the greed and corruption of the clergy. This done, the audience was ready to hear the revelation and absorbed it in a silence so complete it almost muffled it. The silence lasted until a lone voice cried, “Innocent! He is innocent! Free him!” Others joined the call and Sigismund’s followers looked to him for his response. Some seemed personally affected by the revelation too. Vitus looked at the mob in disbelief, then shoved Aulus Atticus towards them. A moment later he yelled for everyone to back away, and even his allies and the angels gave him room. Then he pulls open his shirt to reveal that he had already painted himself with blood for the sacrament. He roared, “They’ve tricked you, as I suspected. You’re all impure! Deceived by pleasing lies. Triegenes, you have failed me, and I have failed my people. I shall become you, and together our failure will burn away the lies and reveal a glorious truth!” There were tears in his eyes. He began to chant for the sacrament of apotheosis - “Before I was nothing but words. Now I am all that is believed. I am faith made flesh. I am flesh made a god.” Uriel saw the imminent catalyst of his earlier vision: whatever form Triegenes manifested, his death would sunder the wards around the crater of Enzio Mons, and release centuries of accumulated, molten evil into the world. In a flash, he saw it crawling out of the crater, belching pyroclastic bile and consuming Alais Primos. At once, he summoned a pillar of holy light to trap Sigismund, just as he had Grandis Komanov. But the godhand spoke on; the holy light did not affect him. Neither Gupta nor Leon shared Uriel’s vision, but they feared the death of Triegenes would kill almost everyone in Crisillyir. “Can’t you see that now is not the time?” asked Gupta. Sigismund froze, then pushed back against her spell. But by then, Leon had hit him with a Curse of Mouthless Muttering, and the threat of the sacrament was over. Sigismund fell to his knees, then onto his side, and sobbed like a child. His allies did not move. They stared at their fallen leader in shock – all except Legate Tullius whose eyes roamed around, assessing the situation. Before she could even attempt to take control of it, Leon stepped in, and handed the Biography of Triegenes to Aulus Atticus. Aulus took the small book in his huge hands and thanked him. Then he turned to Advorel and said, “The God Trials are over. Are you content to help rebuild this city, or will you fight to uphold the tenets laid down by this man?” Advorel bowed his head and held his sword out to Aulus Atticus in an offer of service. Gupta spoke to Advorel. “The leaders of this land believe they have the right to guide the angels. But if you truly seek to protect this world, know that it is under threat from a cosmic evil.” She told Advorel and his host about the gidim. Suddenly, there was a commotion in the sky. More angels came blazing in from above, led by Hezophiel the Reaper, who landed in the cathedral with a clang. He pointed an accusing finger at Leon and announced that he must pay for his deceit, and for freeing Ashima-Shimtu from her prison. Uriel said, “We relinquish judgement to this angel,” indicating Advorel. Hezophiel turned to look up at Advorel. Clearly there was a moment of communication, which no one else was party to. Advorel’s eyes blazed red. Then Hezophiel knelt before him and laid down his scythe in submission. “Never again shall angels slay their brethren in the service of the clergy,” said Aulus Atticus. “So who’s in charge here now?” asked Uru. Uriel pointed at Atticus and said, “He is.” [B]End of Session[/B] [/QUOTE]
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