A flying Japanese-style castle. Within, there is a central altar room where incense is offered and meditation is performed by the thirty fox girls (Some more girl (Just ears and tail, some more fox (fully furred, digitgrade, muzzle.. whole deal) who populate the castle. Food is eaten and prepared in another room, another room houses the unused but well-maintained armory, another is a rock garden, another is a green house where food is grown (tended by an Earth mage) and another where water is stored (maintained by a Water mage). The keep is always comfortably warm, except in the lower rooms which are cool. There is a residential wing (with a special room for their god, when he appears) where they sleep, and several other wings which are unused.

Max opened his eyes, his nostrils instantly filled with the sweet scent of incense. He sat up, then looked down to find himself ona wooden altar covered with a red silk cloth; he also noticed he lacked clothing. He glanced to his left to see thirty foxgirls in meditation.

"Not to interrupt you all, but, um.." he said, unsure of himself and blushing vividly. He was used to having dreams that involved foxgirls and him nude, but this was not exactly his usual fantasy. For one, what was he doing on an altar? And for two, He'd never been that big down there before. And three, Why on earth were there THIRTY foxgirls, and why were they clothed? This was an exceedingly strange dream.

One of the foxgirls, a buxom, large-breasted girl, blinked.

"Yes, master? How can we be of assistance?"

Some of the foxgirls towards the back of the temple giggled. The foxgirl who just spoke shot them a glare and returned her innocent stare to Max.

He pinched himself. It hurt.  "Well, I would certainly like to know you name, and if possible the names of these other fine ladies who are currently in this room. In addition could you please inform me as to how I can get some clothes? I'm rather uncomfortabe in this.. bare condition." He said, wondering so many things that he simply accepted that he was in a japanese-style building with a foxgirl referring to him as master. He had never realized before that he had never given the fantasy girls in his dreams names, or voices..

.. Was this heaven, maybe? Had he died in his sleep? That is useless speculation, max, and devoting energy to the asking of such questions is a waste. Adapt to the current situation and forget the past. Considering his current situation and the fact he couldn't remember the past that sounded like a good idea.

The eldest girl smiled. "We are to be named at your pleasure, master," she said. "At your.. pleasure."

She glanced towards another girl, waved her hand, and clothes were brought.

Max put on the simple clothing. He then turned to the foxgirls. "Eldest, your name is Sophia, which means wisdom. Energetic girl who greeted me, your name is Karina, meaning pure maiden. As I get to know you all, I will name you as befits your personaility." He said, noticing his use of the word 'befits'. He then addressed the Foxgirls at large."Do I have complete power here? Can I do anything I want to you all with no consequences whatsoever?" He was uneasy about the prospect of these girls being slaves. Consent was important to him- involuntary actions were much less appealing to him.

"Of course, master," said Karina. "Anything at all. Anything you desire. We are yours. Yours in spirit, in mind, and in body."

Geez. At least they are willing, happy slaves. Yet.. There's got to be something else I'm missing. "Well.. would anyone like to show me around this place? Also, could someone tell me why I'm your master? I mean, you just met me.." He knew he mostly wanted a tour for the sole reason that it would give him some privacy with one of the foxgirls, though he was also curious about his new home.

The girls looked confused.

"You're our master because.. you're our master. We've been waiting for this day.  Waiting for you - waiting for a very long time."

Sophia nods.

"I can show you around, master."

 He felt something very strange, now. He had the strangest feeling that.. he possessed their souls. They really were his, every one of them.

He nodded to Sophia. "I will folllow your lead, vixen."

Do they love me.. or are they just utterly loyal? Or both? he wondered.

In the next hour Max is shown around his own temple. He is shown the eating chambers, shown the sleeping quarters and living wings, shown the kitchens and the baths. He is shown the training rooms, the libraries, and finally.. he is shown the greatest thing of all: the Gate of Methodes.

Max looked into the mirrored bottom of the pool. "It's beautiful.. so this can take me to any realm I know of safely? And I'd like to look around in the armory.. I know it's unused, but I think I'm supposed to go there.." He said wonderingly. The intial shock and doubts had begun to ebb away. He had intially thought this was a wet dream made real, but now, staring into this pool.. he realized this was something far more grand.

"Any realm you know of and any you don't," replies the foxgirl. "The armoury? This way, master."

She took him to the armoury. There wasn't much there. Blades, spears, armour... but wait: there was something. A sword. A beautiful, beautiful, sword.

Max turned to Sophia. "Can I have a hug, Sophia? I mean, if that's okay with you.." He said. He needed one right then.

"Of course, master."

Sophia moved towards Max, and her arms found their way around him. She was very soft.

He broke away from her after a few seconds, then strode over to the blade. "A long time, blade.. a very long time. Now I understand everything." He picked up the sword and drew the sheath, the hilt fitting perfectly in his hand. The blade awoke in his land, infusing itself a shimmer of divine power. He sheathed blade and belted it over his back. Walking over a nearby trunk, he opened it find more suitable clothing for the task at hand. He donned the outfit swiftly.

"The beginning of a fantastic adventure.."

He turned to Sophia. "When I sleep here, I expect both you and Karina to share my bed." He said, smiling. In truth, he meant this in the most innocent way possible; they were both very soft and warm and would be nice to snuggle with. Knowing the Foxgirls, Sophia would take it the wrong way and Karina would not even think of him meaning anything but snuggling.

He then walked past her, waving goodbye, as he headed to the Gate. "Where first? Hrm.. Dagorlad sounds good."

And with that he leapt into the pool, transporting himself to Dagorlad, where Metatron ruled.

A flash - memories, a thousand of them - a great tower - a greater realm - land, eternal - dazzling lights - and Max was there.

(Resume play in (Metatron) Dagorlad)

Max shook his head, bewildered. "Okay.. let's try this again. Litheris." He then entered the pool.

(Sorry about that.)

A thousand flashes - a feeling like lightning, but more - ten spheres - a dying tree - a history reversed - blackness -

and he was there.

(Resume play in Litheris)

A stranger enters the region of the Temple..

Max returned, blade drawn and ready to get dangerous if the stranger intended to harm his foxgirls.

The foxgirls, it seemed, were waiting on the stranger; when Max found them he was receiving a back massage and eating grapes. He was a dark man, with agile eyes and wild hair. He looked at once fully relaxed and extremely tense... it unnerved Max a little. He wore black, and with it the Seal of Odin.

The blade shone with divine power; Max's stance was confident. "I trust you have enjoyed the hospitality of Xi? You are here to speak with me concerning an oath, correct?"

This man's arrogance angered Max. This was his home.

"Correct."

The man had a sort of swagger about him. He reminded Max, just a little, of James Bond.. what, wait? Who was James Bond?

"My name is Alan of Nuyaark, Recruitment Officer and Inquisitor (Earthborn Weapons) 0008/002 respectively. Red band. I'm here to give you your oath-sword, or to offer you a sphere-bound unbreakable oath (if you so desire it), as well as your Seal of Odin and details on what to do next. Right?"

Max nodded. "Yes. Could you please give me more detail on the oathsword's function and purpose?"

"Of course. It is a small, silver blade which must be worn at all times. It is sentient, but will not act in any case except for one where you yourself are working against the Conclave's wishes. It may also impart advice in certain situations."

He nodded.

"You also have the opportunity, if you so desire, to take the unbreakable sphere-oath of the Callisti."

"All times? I cannot remove under any circumstances? Also, as for the oathsphere, I appreciate the offer but must decline."

"No problems. Completely voluntary. You will, of course, have to take it if you ever desire to become a Low Lord.."

He nodded.

"The blade should stay on at all times. It's been crafted as not to be in your way - soon you'll even forget about it's presence."

"Would it stab me in the neck if I were to break a law of the conclave?"

"It would do something that is arguably worse, friend."

"Which is?"

"Spontaneously combust, leaving you a wreck of fire and ash."

"That is, in fact, arguably worse. I believe our business is concluded, as I will consent to neither oath nor oath-sword. Good day." Max said it in a tone that would brook no argument. His intuition told him that the conclave was not an organization he would wish to be allied with unto death.

"Ah, but friend, I think there's a misunderstanding.. you've already signed to consent to one or the other. You're an Associate now regardless."

His tone was equally as flat.

"Foxgirls, retire to your rooms immediately."

He then redirected his gaze to the wild-haired man.

"You have entered my home, overextended your welcome, and defied the master of the house. I will not consent to either oath or oath-sword. Good day, Sir." He said firmly, with an edge to his voice.

He also tossed the Conclave discs casually to the side of the chamber.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:50, Tue 08 Sept 2009.

"One more time," repeated the man. "You do not want to refuse. You would be as an outlaw."

He clothed his eyes, seething. He could not afford outlaw status. Not for something so small.
"I will accept the oath-sword, provided that I may remove it at any time without either immediate death or gaining Outlaw status."

"Of course. We're not chaining you up. You will need to wear it while on Conclave Business. Understood?"

He nodded, and held out his free hand. "Black and white, clear as crystal. Any time I serve the conclave I will have it with me."

"Good. Here is your seal," said the man distastefully, passing the Seal of Odin to Max. "And we are done."

With that, he was gone.

Max stretched, then sheathed his blade. He headed up to the beds, where he had sent the the foxgirls that had been serving the stranger.

The Foxgirls were all up there, frightful and nervous. They looked ashamed - had they done something wrong? Had they angered the Master? When they saw him enter, they froze a little.

He smiled, then stepped forward and hugged them both. "I'm sorry about that. I thought he might harm one of you, so I sent you out of harm's way." He said sincerely. Of course they would have attended to the visitor- the foxgirls were kind by nature.

"Th-thank you, master," one of the girls said, a little fearfully. "Was he a bad man?"

"Not bad." He said, </blue>"Simply dangerous. I have to go now- I love you both. Farewell."</blue>

He then turned and strode away, heading to Gate and leaping into it, transporting himself once more to Litheris.

A flash of lights - sound - words - letters - paragraphs - meanings and symbols -

It was done.

Max appeared here once more, then went through his gate to the realm of Desafon, for the purpose of exploration and adventure.

A storm - greater then it's parts - endless see - archipelago - vicious tribal wars - grinning gold, sparkling skulls - a ship -

And it was done.

(Obviously, resume posting at Desafon's Islands)

Somewhere in Xi, a point of reddish light appeared, crackling with the arcane energy of teleportation. A rush of air could be felt around it as a thin swirling mass came from the point, winding around it as a misty orb. The orb grew and grew, until it became large enough to contain a small building. The moment it stopped growing, the surface of the spherical cloud hardened and smoothed in an instant, forming an opaque red shell that took a small bite out of the ground. And in a final flash of light, it was gone, taking its contents away and replacing them with a cloud of black smoke.

As the smoke diffused into the air around it, a titanic shape became visible within it, and the screeching sound of churning metal pierced the skies. Where the orb had cut into the surface a moment ago, it had replaced the natural surface by a pool of rusting steel, on which six massive mechanical legs – each one as thick as a tree but made from an array of powerful pistons – rested. These legs, somewhat similar to the armoured legs of insects but harder, edgier, and infinitely larger, supported a nigh-featureless metal torso, shaped like an immense olive and made entirely out of steel. Within a single circular maw at the end of the torso, countless rows of steel teeth swirled around on circular jaws, nothing more but a faint blur due to their dizzying speed. Behind them, a swirling disc of red mist could be seen, identical in structure to the orb that had brought this.

The Harvester had arrived, and it was hungry.

Max flew out of the pool, rolled as he landed and took off at a run for the courtyard, drawing his blade. "EVERYONE! go down to the portal room, and stay the hell away from the courtyard <orange>(Or wherever the thing is, but the courtyard is where it would appear most likely)</orange., no matter what you do!" He yelled to foxgirls who were likely grouped together in meditation.

He was running as fast he could to wherever the intruder was. He could smell smoke.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Wed 23 Sept 2009.

Most of the foxgirls, scared, huddled into the relative safety of the portal room. A few - three - moved towards their Lord.

"Lord, we are warriors, and we wish to fight. We wish to vanquish whatever evil has befallen our land."

They had swords and knives and one carried a bow.

Max realised that the thing was outside the temple; on the back face of the mountain itself.

--

The Harvester ripped raw minerals out of the ground, assimilating tons of soil and rock into it's being - only to spit it out later, within Telluratus - but it quickly hit richer currents of metal.. iron, bronze, a little silver.. the lighter minerals on the top face of the mountain. A hole was steadily being bored.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:35, Thu 24 Sept 2009.

(What mountain? It's a Sky Castle!)

(I assumed there was a rocky, mountainous base beneath the flying castle, as a kind of base for it to float on. I didn't think just a straight up castle would be very smart either way, but if this is a real problem we can retroactively change it, no worries. Sorry.)

PM

(Yeah, but it's more than sheer, it's a sharp inward diagonal slope- the Harvester would just fall.)

See:

(Weird.. the character sheet mysteriously returned..)

I'll rule that the Harvester appeared, instead, on the lowest level - within the deepest catacombs - of the castle,  and began digging down. It still found lots of soil, rock, iron, copper and silver.

(I have catacombs? Cool! Well, then I'm right above it, right?"

(Yep!)

"Strength and Honor!" He yelled, leaping into pit with his sword held over head, the blade glowing white with divine power; plunging the sword into the Harvester, he tore a great rent from it and blasted the exposed insides with arcane flame.

Max's blade whips into the side of the Harvester, cracking it's iron-hide open for the universe to see. It turns, however, faster than one could imagine something of that size moving. Max felt a hideous suction, as if he were being plunged into the Void, and then white - glorious white - pain. Pain everywhere. He couldn't keep his tears from flowing as he saw the skin be ripped from his left leg, then the muscles, then the bone..

The Harvester made a great whirring sound, a coughing that signalled it's sickness. Max had dealt a great blow. He'd lost his leg, however - it had been taken before he could move out of the sucking vortex of destruction. He just wasn't fast enough. But he wasn't doomed - not for as long as he had breath in his body. His Divine Master Sword screamed with fury.

Smoke poured from the Harvester as gears fell from it's metal wound; likewise, blood flowed freely from the stump that remained of Max's leg.

Max cauterized the wound with a flick of flame, then used air magic to support the missing leg, essentiall making part of himself fly.  He cut into the thing with heavy, powerful strikes, in areas of it's body that had yet to be smote; for this burrowing beast threated that which he held dear, the lives of his people, and consumed his very world. It would not live.

Max typically isn't proficient enough in the magical arts to cauterise wounds or to enable him to fly with a thought - but the situation is dire, and he is - after all is said and done - a hero. While he most certainly cannot fly, he was able to keep his balance easily enough. He summoned enough heat, too, to stop the bleeding. Need dictated his ability. He was the scourge of Evil and of everything that stood against what he believed in, and the Harvester would be crushed..

Until Max made a dreadful mistake.

Max struck the thing thrice, and it wheezed smoke and bled oil. The Divine Master Sword showed no signs of blunting, even after doing combat with such a machine, and the Harvester itself was beginning to slow and show signs of a sort of wariness.

And then Max decided to deal the killing blow.

Underestimating the vortex of the machine-beast - which Max had instinctively assumed would be disrupted due to the violent gash on the Harvester's side - he was drawn towards it, a violent pull which couldn't be resisted. He flailed with the Sword, and it was flung wide - far outside of his reach. It landed on the far side of the catacombs. He felt his body drop, his concentration waver, his skin graze against the harsh stone.. and his left arm, to match the leg, was thrown into oblivion.

There was left only a stump.

Luckily - if it mattered - the machine's vortex interacted badly within his magic, throwing Max to the relative safety of the side, and he was flung gasping onto the cold floor. His face streamed with tears - his body was dusty and matted with blood and oil. The Harvester turned slowly, creaking as it did, and descended upon him.

Max felt the familiar pulling of doom.. felt the first layer of flesh be ripped off his remaining leg.. and then..

And then -

A scream.

A scream of fury.

Something was upon the Harvester. A black blur - glinting red. Too many legs. It was some sort of strange spider.. a spider's body, anyway, with the face and arms of a human. It held in it's hand a large, steel-and-silver hammer. It was using this hammer to smash the Harvester, breaking it's outer case and laying into it until it was a lifeless scrap of metal upon the oil-slicked floor. The life in it faded, and the spider descended from it's back, satisfied.

The spider-thing wandered towards Max, and he saw that it had too many legs and a great, iron-red beard. It also had too many eyes, but two large eyes were protected by goggles. It was heavily built. Muscle rippled throughout it's body. It flashed a grin at Max.

"Fine Day," it said, in way of greeting, "to go machine hunting. How do you do? I am Balverstus, Spider of Hammers. Lucky I was down here exploring your catacombs, huh?"

He looked concerned. "You alright? Should I take you up to the higher levels? What a strange coincidence, you being attacked by a mechanical demon just as I, the mighty Balverstus of the Hammer, Machine Hunter, happened to be wandering through. Actually, had a feeling I'd find something here. Had a feeling.. you'd need a hand."

Max didn't know if he was dreaming or hallucinating or what, but what was evident for the Fates to see was that he had just been saved by his first companion. His power, it would appear, was paying off at last.

"There are times where I wish I had as many legs as you, Balverstus. I owe you my life, and the lives of my people."

He pushed himself up onto his one elbow, then sat up. He extended a hand to the the Systemarch, smiling. "Would you mind helping me up?"

"Of course."

Balverstus raised the hammer fully in one hand while offering Max the other. He was incredibly strong, iron muscles rippling down his body, and he picked up the boy-God's entire body with ease. Slinging Max over his shoulder, he peered down at the wrecked gears and twisted metal. The thing was very dead. He was glad.

"Are you the God of this place, friend? I hope my presence here does not break any sacred laws. I am simply a wanderer, searching the Realm Supernatural for iron fiends to send to their rightful hell. I've been camping down in these catacombs for the past week. Had a feeling in my teeth that something'd come, something nasty."

Ruse appears here as a bundle of mist, and streams most quickly towards Max, the flying palace being no deterrent. It wouldn't take him long to find the high god, given the relative smallness of Xi.

"Yes, I am the god here, odd as it is to be worshipped. I fear there are far more machines where that one came from, however."

Max was a bit bemused about being picked up in such a manner, reflecting on how little he really was. He sat on Balvarien's shoulder. </b>"There is an outlaw God, Chalybis, who has declared war on the Systemarch race."</blue>

Balverstus nodded. "You are in trouble. I like this place. I would not like to see it harmed. I would not like to see it's equilibrium dashed. Chalybis.. the name sounds familiar.. Machine-God?"

His words rung with disgust. They reached one of the living wings above, and Balverstus placed Max within pure white sheets. Here, he could rest.

There was a sudden gathering of mist.. and Ruse was here.

Ruse looked onward with skeptical and critical scrutiny, especially upon seeing Max's mangled form. It never ceased to impress Ruse how damage that would be just rediculously egregeous to  mortal and maybe even other tier 1 races was merely an inconvenience to a god. Despite the fact that it was waning, Yggdrasil seemed to be able to still produce its most wondrous children.

"Max, is this systemarch related to the harvester, or is he an ally? I have come to watch over you while your divine body regenerates."

A cool voice rang out from the corners of the room as the mist got thicker. Then, suddenly, a gorgeous and graceful pale figure materializd and stepped forth from one of the misty banks, looking out to the room thoughtfully.

"Has the harvester been beaten?"

From the comfort of his bed, propped up on silk pillows stuffed with down, Max spoke. "This is Belverstus, Spider of Hammers, Machine Hunter. I owe him my life and the lives of my people. He is a formidable ally, or at the very least a exceedingly welcome guest in Xi."

Ruse curtseys gracefully, and replies,

"Greetings Spider of Hammers, I am Ruse, lord of Mist. I thank you for assisting my comrad. Speaking of which, do you happen to know anything about the godrealm of Telleratus? It is a place filled with machinery, and as a machine hunter, I figured you might know something. We have...aggressive conclave business there soon."

Balverstus grins, bows in return. "I am Balverstus, Spider of Hammers, Slayer of Things that go Tick. It was no problem.. happy to help in any way I can. A dead machine is, as they say, a good machine. Good to meet you, Ruse, Lord of Mists. Telluratus.. I may have heard something.. I have methods of finding these things out. Give me time, and I will glean information.."

He chuckled.

"Now, you wouldn't be very popular with the Conclave, would you? Not with what you're hiding."

His grin was magnificent.

The pain in Max's body started to ebb away. He wasn't healing, not yet, but his body was absorbing the trauma.. it'd be a long while before he could manage to mend his broken limbs.

Ruse looked onward at Belverstus, considering what course of action to take. For now, he'd play cool and take things as they came.

With a slight forced chuckle, like something a noble would do in court or something, Ruse replied,

"Why, I have no idea what you're talking about. I am a member in good standing, and the technology that I own is also both legally mine, as well as legally liscensed since I am an Associate. It's not like I'm hiding anything else - I'm a simple god really, to be honest, with few powers or really any interesting traits besides my good Mistellan looks. The conclave should have no issue with anything...not unless they did something very, very bad, or are hiding something."

Ruse then laughed and looked onward with bemused eyes, and continued,

"But I could never even think to question the most ethical nature of the conclave, so surely that'd be impossible, yes?"

And wow did Ruse ever appear to be truthful right now. He was also lying through his teeth - he knew the conclave was both conspiratorial and unethical if it needed to be. Unless the spider truly knew something for sure, Ruse's story would seem legit.

But by the primordials was Ruse hiding so many class M things at this point. But thankfully that was his forte, and unless the conclave came out and admitted its unethical nature, no one would have a legit case against him right now.

"So I apologize my good spider, but I honestly do not know what you are referring to. Perhaps you mistake me for someone else?"

Ruse was gently caressing the spider's mind at this point, trying to read its surface thoughts to see what it was exactly referring to. He wasn't doing any sort of forceful mind rape or anything of that nature, but he did need to know what exactly this spider thought he knew. His teleathy was extremely subtle in its implementation, even for a Systemarch. A sort of "sneak in sneak out" sort of deal.

Max sighed. "I'm going to be here for a while. Ruse, so could you put those Mistellan good looks and humble manner to use and make sure the Foxgirls know it's safe to come out now? And inform them of my condition, as well. I don't mean to be rude, it's just that I'm incapable of doing it myself, and I'm afraid the Foxgirls have never seen a Systemarch before and might be terribly frightened if they saw him in their current condition. They shouldn't be hard to find- go to the altar room, take a left, then a right, then head into the central courtyard. Cross it and go through the open main archway on the other side. Try to look harmless, the guards will be very suspicious."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:20, Fri 02 Oct 2009.

((Max nobody except possibly Charles - who knows since Ruse called him on his psychic manipulations - knows Ruse is telepathic. Not even you. Nobody knows right now, although he would probably tell you if we formed a major cult together or something. But yea you have got to edit that post lol.

Also, Ruse hears your request about the fox girls but I am waiting for Master Divine to post the systemarch's response to what he just said, in case you wonder why I'm waiting - besides the fact that I'm at work right now lol.))

((You've spoken in my mind, and you've dug into it before- I let you in, remember?)

((LOL! You never LET Ruse in. He WALTZED in like he owned the place! :P

Message #95 in the divine valley thread is when he probed you, and he was speaking to you verbally. I ALWAYS depict telepathic speech in italics (unless he's whispering or thinking to himself lol), and Ruse's words were clearly in normal case.

Oh and Nat, do carry on. ^_^ ))
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Fri 02 Oct 2009.

(Edited, okay.)

"I'm referring," said the Systemarch, "To your Grade Eight psychocommunicative abilities. Telepathy, that's the one. No use hiding it from me," he smiled, showing rows of gleaming silver teeth, "Cause I've still got my fangs. I'm not neutered, like those Conclave dogs. I know the tricks."

His eyes blinks. Still, he grinned, like some sort of giant spider-skeleton.

"As I said, your secret's safe with me. I've got nothing against the Conclave - except what they do to most of us when we, uh, consent - but I'm not about to register myself. I work best quietly."

Ruse couldn't glean any information from the Systemarch's mind. It was as if it were a solid brick wall; he knew it was there, and it's general shape (benevolent), but not what was on the other side.

"This may seem off-topic, Belverstus, but what is- or what are- Dhaal? I really know next to nothing about Systemarchs, and it's good to know things about about your friends."

He then glanced towards Ruse. "Ruse, I know why you hid your ability from me, but I just want you to know you never have to hide anything from me. I know you are a good person. I think that's an intrinsic thing to being a Zealous God."

Ruse sighed a bit. It seemed that systemarchs having their special teeth improved their psychic abilities to a point that rivaled even his own. Ruse was able to sense the very "outskirts" of the spider's mind though, which tells him that he probably could affect the spider a little bit if he really used a burst of effort, but he didn't want to. In all honesty, Ruse was impressed by the spider's resilience since he was able to affect most other systemarchs in the conclave. Now, though, was how to do damage control.

He momentarily thought to SUIT.

COMMAND: Who is Belverstus, spider of Hammers.

COMMAND: Tell me all about the properties of systemarch fangs, especially their psionic-related ones and neurological ones, like the estranged associate testing and conclave coin imprinting.

COMMAND: What are the grade category levels for mental abilities? What is the number range, and where does eight fall on the spectrum?

Ruse looked confidently at Belverstus, and replied,

"I'm sorry...psychic abilities do not exist. For me to say so violates Conclave law as a class M offense."

He winked, knowing all too well what was real and what wasn't, and continued,

"But with that said, if they say...hypothetically did exist, not tht I'm saying they do but if they did, then I am incredibly surprised and impressed that you'd notice such a thing. Although I would warn you that my capabilities are not...average, even at the divine level, so you would do best to keep your insights about this quietly to yourself, as I do value my privacy."

It was sort of a threat, but also an appeal to ethical confidentiality. The spider did not need to know that Ruse could - if pressed - force his way a little but further into his head. The lord of mist did not either feel hostility towards the spider, or want to make him an enemy, but he did want his business kept secret. Why play your entire hand to someone who isn't even hostile?

Ruse's face than lit up as it switched modes, and he said,

"But anyways...why worry about that? We are not enemies nor do I wish us to be, so I'll not 'warn' you any further. You seem like a reasonable man Belverstus, and with those fangs of yours I'm sure you also understand the value of privacy, yes? Certainly you'll forgive me for being firm about this. I don't need the Conclave interfering with my agenda any more than it already is, especially since my actions may very well save everybody from destruction."

Ruse drifted over to Max, eyeing him piercingly as mist of different colors trailed in his wake. He looked at the god of Fantasy, and said,

"Well Max, I had as might as well tell you...since it is either that or wipe your recent thoughts. I am a true god like you are, but I am of the rarest sub-type of god there is. I indeed am a Zealous god, and while I may not always act ethically or with pure goodness, my purpose is to protect the tree of life from forces that would seek to destroy it. I am not evil...not like Chalybis, although I am arrogant: I am a god, I am linked to the aloof Mistella, and I also am a Zealous god, and all of the few Zealous gods that exist have excessive regalness in them. It is a part of our nature, for unlike even other gods we have the capability to bring about a state of true enlightenment and perfection in a society. So close is our connection to the tree of life. So while I may act dubiously, I veil the tree from those that would harm it, not the other way around, and my secret agenda will always be for the good of Yggdrasil."

And so Max now knew the truth about Zealous gods and their link to the tree, among other things. Ruse waited silently...cool as wafting vapors on a pristine morning, assessing both the reactions of the spider and of Max. If they took the truth well, Ruse would have to do little...perhaps no, damage control. If they took it bad, then Ruse would have to resort to other solutions, but he sincerely did not wish to harm either the spider or the high god if possible and prayed to the primordials that they both remained benevolent toward him.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:52, Sun 04 Oct 2009.

Max raised an eyebrow. "Already knew that, though I'd contest the "rarest variety' title since I've never seen another High God. And stop tip-toeing around like a cat.. The conclave freaks me out to be honest, it's obviously just a way for the Council to keep power by restricting everyone's freedom, and I honestly plan to destroy the conclave at some point and replace it with a government that respects the rights of individuals.. Speak freely here, Ruse. And you have nothing to fear form Belverstus."

Balverstus smiled.

"Oh, I completely understand," he said, showing his teeth once more, "I, too, am an agent of Yggdrasil. I wouldn't dare dream of outing anyone to such a group of people as them. Some of their methods are downright horrific.. but remember, my friends, the walls have ears. Keep whatever treasonous thoughts you have to yourself or in the quieter places of the world."

He fingered his hammer, now, and the two Gods noted it's supreme beauty; inlaid with a sort of flowing metal, crafted - by hand - with the utmost of care, it seemed to have been built out of no less than half a thousand individual parts, all weighted and meshed together in a way to give it supreme durability.

"Anvildramadum," said the Spider, noticing their stares. "Took me fifty years to build, but it's practically indestructible - I faced off against a Machine-Lord who could channel the black energies of the void, and while I was partially obliterated my child was sound. It also contains an electromagnetic series of charges, for when things get really rough, and certain other qualities all of which.."

He trailed off.

"Sorry. I can't help myself sometimes. Yes, I will keep knowledge of your abilities safe, Ruse. I consider you a friend. Just be careful.. there is, I hear, a new Hound in town. God of Order. Nasty fellow, if I hear the stories correctly."

His smile was grim.

"As for the Dhaal.. they are my servants and spies, my hands and eyes. Would you care to meet them?"

--

QUESTION: 'Who is Belverstus, Spider of Hammers?'
ANSWER: Also known as 'The Machine Hunter', 'The Hammer of Broken Steel' and 'The Fire of Anvildramadum', Belverstus is a young, radical Systemarch with only one registered attainment: Anvildramadum. He used to work as a Spider-Associate for the Conclave, rising all the way to High Lord, but quit over a dispute regarding his Anvil - rich in exotic flowing metals, the Conclave wished to sustain a mining operation there. He quit the Conclave on negative terms, and while not officially an outlaw he is considered a threat and is monitored as such: he also keeps all his teeth, in violation of the Conclave laws, but moves around often enough for it not to matter. Due to some unseen agreement - and friends in the higher ranks of the Conclave - Belverstus has not yet been hunted, and a warrant for his arrest or death does not exist. His hatred for machines is legendary, and he is one of the few practitioners of the Bhaalnovid Systemarch martial art, which relies on momentum and weight-force and, strangely enough, forbids any metal implants to it's practitioners.

QUESTION: 'What are the properties of Systemarch teeth?'
ANSWER: Systemarch fangs are psychic, and known as psychisms by the Conclave. Under Conclave law, a Systemarch can only have a hundred teeth at any given time, though a Systemarch may grow anywhere up to a thousand. The more teeth they have, the stronger their abilities in psychic phenomena - telepathy and the like. This is to assist them in their attainments. Systemarchs with a hundred teeth barely qualify as psychic, while a fully mature toothed Systemarch is a deeply powerful being capable of rivalling - and, in most cases, exceeding - the psychic Divine. Two common uses in Conclave of the teeth include 'coin imprinting', the practice of psychically marking Conclave Stones to avoid counterfeit activities, and 'psychic testing', where an individual's entire mind is laid out for the Systemarch to see, faults and all. Both require the sacrifice of a tooth, known as a hit in Systemarch culture. Systemarch's can sacrifice these teeth for many different effects.

QUESTION: 'What is the grading system of the Systemarch people?'
ANSWER: The Systemarch rates psychic phenomena on a scale of one to fifteen - one to ten, it is assumed, only being attainable by semi-mortal beings - Divines, Systemarchs, etc - while eleven to fifteen are only attainable by cosmic forces and their manifestations, such as Dhelvanians. A grade of eight means an extremely adept psychic in their chosen field.

Max nodded. "I'd like you to meet the people you saved, as well. If you could please carry me, Belverstus?"

It was strange, entrusting himself to another in order to move in this way.. it reminded him of an elderly relying on the compassion of others. He smiled. I will find a way to pay you back for your kindness, Belverstus.

Ruse facepalmed himself, and closed his eyes. To observers, he was doing nothing but possibly meditating, or just resting his eyes. However in reality, Ruse was implanting some subliminal changes into Max's oath-sword, so that it would disregard what he just said (and his thoughts) about the conclave, and not blow the god of Fantasy to bits.

Ruse smiled, and replied,

"Very well... I understand you completely, and also feel that you speak the truth. I would be interested in having a friendship with you as well, although at this time I am not prepared to act directly against the conclave. I actually would like to see if I can't posibly join the council of 10, or perhaps even go higher than that, and try to reform the conclave into a true protective force for the tree of life. For all it's shady dealings, I do see many positive aspects to it as well. but those are very long-term plans, and currently I am electing to rise through the ranks based purely on merit. If the Chalybis invasion goes as planned, they should begin viewing me as a true asset and not just a potential threat."

Ruse was surprised by Balverstus' assessment of his psychic abilities. On one hand, he was nearly top of the line among all divines and systemarchs. On the other though, there was still a ton of growth after that still. The lord of mist wasn't sure if he should be proud of his capabilities, or dismayed. However, on the plus side his abilities were increasing all the time and he could only go up - having much room to improve still.

Max then said something, at which Ruse shot him a very stern glance and said,

"Max! Shush! You can't say things like that with the oath-sword on your person. Don't worry I took measures just now to stop it from exploding, but try to be careful next time. Like Belverstus said those are thoughts you have to keep to yourself. I'll pretend that I never even heard what you said."

Ruse then mocked a whistling sound, feigning innocence. All the while, he followed them around while thinking a few commands to SUIT.

COMMAND: What are Dhelvanians?

COMMAND: What are cosmic forces?
This message was last edited by the player at 10:57, Mon 05 Oct 2009.

Balverstus, holding the hammer in one hand, picked up Max on the other and placed the God on his exceedingly broad shoulders.

"Absolutely, Max," he said. "But I was going to ask.. is it acceptable for me to dwell here? I've been looking for a semi-permanent home for a while.. and I need a place to set up a miniature Anvil. Those catacombs are perfect.."

He drifted off a little, and looked off towards Ruse.

"Ah, I like a man with strong aspirations," he said. "I was once a High Lord of the Conclave, and I still have many friends - though few would admit it! - in the higher ranks of government. I am blood-brother of Roid, if you've heard of him.. he's Councilman Roid, now. The work didn't suit me. I didn't like the control they had over my destiny.. and so I quit."

He shrugged a little, and Max rose.

"As for the oath-sword.. I've got a little secret for you," he said. "As long as I'm around - unless you are an enemy of the Conclave - you don't have to worry about it recording. My teeth warp the informational patterns. Feel free to say what you like, but.." he looked about, "In my experience, there are always spies. Always. Nanotechnological, if you've heard of them, they fly about.. tiny machines.."

((OOC: MD, you missed the SUIT commands, so I'll repost them here.))

COMMAND: What are Dhelvanians?

COMMAND: What are cosmic forces?

Ruse looked at Belverstus warily for a moment, then was worried about something else. Several things actually. Not the spider himself, but influences around him. The lord of mist knew that Roid was conspiratorial at the very least, and the nano-machines made him wary too.

Ruse scanned the area, both with SUIT and his mind, for the presence of Nano-spies. If he found any, he would first overwrite their programs so they would report that nothing suspicious had taken place, and then he would destroy them with small, targeted acidic wisps of vapor.

"Belverstus, what do you know about Osiria-Ra, a plague, a nano-cure, and spider involvement? I have a feeling that you know something."

Ruse made a mental note to himself if this question changed Belverstus' mind from benevolent to something else, or if it stayed benevolent.

Max smiled. "Yes, across this courtyard." Max said to Belverstus; they were heading to the portal room. "You may stay as long as you like; the catacombs are yours. It'll be nice having you here, especially with my involvement in destroying Chalbyis. I expect he will throw more machines at Xi in the near furure, or after we slay him."

Aesin arrives and starts looking for Max and Ruse.

Upon sensing the divinity entering Xi, Ruse contacts both Belverstus and Max telepathically, and gently too (just communication, no probes or such silliness).

Okay shhhh...you can respond to my questions just by thinking your answers to me. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a certain god of order who's been snooping around awefully close.

He then continues waiting patiently for both SUIT and the gods' replies.

The SUIT picked up no nanotechnological traces, but spent no time informing Ruse that most nanotechnological spies had no traces and thus, apparently, could not be traced. Ruse himself found no spies.

"Osiris-Ra?" the Spider's face furrowed darkly. "Are you accusing me of something, Ruse? I haven't heard that name since the fall of the Fifth Anvil.."

He spat at Ruse's feet. His saliva was black as tar.

"I spit on the name of Osiris-Ra, and on those who would league me with him."

Balverstus raised his head.

"I thank you, Max, for your generosity. I will enjoy my stay here, I know it."

Max, I sense a presence also.. a Divine, by the looks of it, in silver and gold.. eyes of cold..


--

Aesin found himself within an empty chamber. A fire burned to the right - to his left were very comfortable couches. There were staircases leading up and down within the room, and a large rug in the center. A table displayed the remains of a previous meal.

Aesin stopped for a bit. He thought for a moment and went with his gut on which way to go.

((OOC: MD, you missed the SUIT commands again, so I'll repost them here again. Lol.))

COMMAND: What are Dhelvanians?

COMMAND: What are cosmic forces?

Ruse shook his head, and remained silent. Silent to all but Max and Belverstus.

No no no. I wasn't accusing you of anything - sorry it came off that way! I was just asking if you knew anything about such things. Please, do not misunderstand! Although I do apologize for the confusion. It is very important though that we communicate if you do know anything though, since I believe he is trying to revive himself once again.

Ruse rolled his eyes a bit, and then added with a mental sigh.

Yes, that sounds like Aesin. He's been snooping around my realm for a while now, and he must have come back. He is loyal to the Conclave and has taken the callisti, so watch what you say guys because I don't want to hurt him if possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:10, Mon 05 Oct 2009.

Max nodded. "He is a guest in Xi.. if he is polite and does not touch a foxgirl, he may stay for a while. Is he likely here to lend assistance to us."

(MD, are we in the portal room yet?)

((I'm going to wait for Nat to post a response here, since my last post was very important.))

QUESTION: 'What is a Dhelvanian?'
ANSWER: Dhelvanians are a type one species of being hailing from the Realm of Void. They typically manifest upon this earthly plane as black scars upon reality. They exist outside time and space, and a Dhelvanian is theoretically impossible to kill.  When they choose to manifest, Dhelvanians give off an aura that, if not properly contained, sucks thoughts and emotions from a being. It is thought that this is how Dhelvanians eat. Dhelvanians speak a tongue that requires three decades of study to properly master, and as such very few Dhelvanian scholars exist. Dhelvanians remain the most mysterious of the Conclave ten.. even more so then their contemporaries who deal solely in mystery, such as the Magicians of Alkan.

QUESTION: 'What are Cosmic Forces?'
ANSWER: Cosmic Forces are defined as beings such as the Dhelvanians, who boggle even Conclave understanding and thwart every attempt to rationalise them. Examples include the mythical Primordials. They often contain immense power, and are tied to the fate of the cosmos itself.


--


Hrmmmm, said the Systemarch mentally, It is unlikely that he would be able to defeat the three of us in combat. By the Anvildramadum, it is barely likely that he could defeat me!

He looked towards Ruse.

Callisti are bad news, friend, especially for you.. they can monitor psychic powers. Aesin, if he has taken the Callisti, will know this.. he'll know, even if he can't fight it, when you invade his mind. I would suggest you flee, little mist-God.

His smile is grim.

"Max, I have heard stories of this Hound of the District.. he isn't the kind of man who visits for pleasure."

--

Aesin can sense an enemy of the Conclave, in word if not spirit, below; a Systemarch. It is assumed that he is pacing towards the enemy. Aesin travels through stone corridors and wooden temples, finally getting lower and lower within the castle until he reaches the bottom most catacombs.. where were the guards?

Instead of heading below, he dashes to a side corridor, finding himself in a large infirmary dressed in light blues and whites.

He has come upon his quarry: a tall, mighty Systemarch, with a hammer shining with deadly technology; a mist-God, obscure and vague, difficult to see; and the boy-God hero protagonist, bloody stumps for a left leg and arm..

The Callisti hums approvingly.

"Well, hounds are only dangerous if they've got your scent."

He turned, greeting the armoured god with and smiled. <blue>"Welcome to Xi, Low Lord Aesin. I assume you have business with either me or one of my friends? I've recently seen battle, so kindly forgive me for the late greeting. If you are here to fight, you will be slain; if you are here to inquire, then kindly show me the warrant or other official document that grants you the authority to conduct an investigation."

He looked to the Callisti, with a brighter smile. <blue>"Oh, hello there! I'm Max. What's your name?"

Aesin's expression maintains neutral as he ignores Max completely. His unblinking stare was fixed upon Ruse. "Brown Purjopiarre Ruse the First of the Balanced Valley of Mist, Zealous God and Fragile Dabbler of Mist, Lord of the Invisible Tendril, Aggressive Associate to the Conclave." he spoke. "You are under suspicion of having psionic powers. These claims are quite serious. To void these claims, you are required to swear your loyalty to the Conclave by taking the Callisti Oath. Upon doing so you will have to swear you have no such powers - lying is hazardous to your health."

Aesin looks at the Callisti. "Notify my of any psychic activity."

He then looks back at Ruse. "Will you take the Oath?"

PM

(while waiting for Ruse)

Ruse looked at Aesin very sternly, as if greatly insulted. The truth was that he was slightly insulted. He had done nothing to jeopardize his loyalty to the Conclave, or especially the tree of life. Nothing obvious that is.

Shaking his head, Ruse replied,

"I will not. I do not know on what grounds you make this claim, for I do not have psychic powers. Psychic powers do not exist. You have committed a class M offense, god of Order, although worry not for I choose not to report you. But seriously though, there are no grounds for your accusations and I will not take the sphere oath. I'm sure that my mind has been scanned from afar by the Conclave, and I'm sure the results will be most neutral. And then there is my oath sword. Notice how it han't blown up yet? But most important is that once again, psychic powers simply do not exist - I read about them in the archives actually, and they are a theoretical phenomenon at best that pop up now and then in historical literature."

Ruse's noble face remains rigid and stoic. There is no indication of him lying what so ever. The evidence certainly cannot convict him of anything, but even his body and mind make no indication of lying. He does look offended though, a feeling not totally false. In truth it was mostly about the callisti though.

"Plus, I already told the Conclave a long time ago when I signed up that I will not be taking a sphere oath ever. I believe in proving my loyalty and gaining social rank in my own way, through the merit of my actions and the grace of my intentions, not by some artificial loyalty from an artifical oath. The Conclave knows this and approves, for I am a member of good standing. So once again, you overstep your bounds, god of Order, on top of the class M offense of course, but worry not I utilize my right not to press charges."

Ruse then stopped looking at Aesin all together, silly and preposterous as the god of order was being, and looked at Max.

"Max, we do not have much time to waste now. I will go let him know that the invasion preparation is in the works, and that we will begin our operation soon. I will go notify him myself, so that you can focus on a quick recovery. The enemies of the Conclave will not be allowed to continue their reign of evil for much longer."

Of course Max knew who Ruse was referring to, since it was his mission too. He wasn't sure how much Aesin knew of the mission, nor did he care, as long as the mission wasn't interferred with. Ruse looked quickly at Aesin once more, and said,

"I kindly ask you once again to stay out of my way, god of order. We are in the process of conducting a very delicate Conclave operation on an authority much, much greater than your own, against a threat that could potentially do astronomical harm to you, me, and the rest of the conclave if not stopped. If you do anything to interfere with my mission, I will report you."

Ruse was deathly serious about the last statement. He did not want to hurt Aesin, or even legally file against him. It was one thing to make psychic accusations and Ruse would never report against that, but Ruse would be genuinely pissed if Aesin did something that hurt his ability to take down Chalybis.

Ruse gave a regal curtsey, and portaled away.

Belverstus nodded towards Aesin.

"Might be best you leave, friend," he growled. Anvildamadrum, his mighty warhammer- forged in five decades - was held menacingly in his hands. His mouth was slightly open in a typical Systemarch display of aggression. Aesin could see his thousand silver teeth.

THE QUARRY HAS GONE. The Callisti hummed. ORDERS, HOUND?

"Report on Ruse - if he was truthful or not. Tell me also if anyone else here lies."

Aesin ignored the Systemarch and turned to Max now. "Do you know if Ruse has psionic powers, Max?"

He didn't seem phased at all about anything Ruse said.

Max shook hid head. "No. I do not. And like ruse said, psionics simply don't exist. Leave Xi now, please, I need my rest."

THERE IS AN ONE HUNDRED PERCENT CHANCE THAT MAX IS LYING.

The Callisti hummed violently now, throbbing.

"Max isn't relevant in your investigations," said Balverstus. "Hound, I know this is your role, but he is innocent. Let him be. Hunt Ruse, if you must, but let Max be."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:31, Wed 07 Oct 2009.

Max sighed. "I gave an honest answer and will speak no further. Leave Xi, Hound. Good day."

"Brown Purjopiarre Neoacadem Max the First of the Lesser Temple of Xi, High God and Slight Conjurer of Fantasy and Adventure, Aggressive Associate to the Conclave, Friend to the Machine-Hunter, The Protagonist Hero, you have been found lying to a Conclave official as well as protecting a Psionic user. On account of these charges i will be escorting you to Conclave isolation rooms. Any attempt to escape, be it by your will or someone else, i will activate your oath sword to explode, killing you instantly."

Aesin never broke eye contact with max.

"Do you understand?"

"Bind Max, Callisti."

"Brown Purjopiarre Neoacadem Max the First of the Lesser Temple of Xi, High God and Slight Conjurer of Fantasy and Adventure, Aggressive Associate to the Conclave, Friend to the Machine-Hunter, The Protagonist Hero, you have been found lying to a Conclave official as well as protecting a Psionic user. On account of these charges i will be escorting you to Conclave isolation rooms. Any attempt to escape, be it by your will or someone else, i will activate your oath sword to explode, killing you instantly."

Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..

DO YOU ACCEPT THE TERMS AS LAID OUT BY THE HOUND OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH META-DISTRICT?

Aesin noticed that several of Balverstus's eyes were twitching. His grimace - almost a macabre grin - was filled with malice.

"Aesin," he said, "I will repeat myself only once more. Stop. Now. Or I will destroy you."

Aesin's eyes darted to the Systemarch.

"An attempt on my life will result in a guaranteed death of your companion. Do you wish that upon Max, spider?"

"Calm yourself, Belvarien. It is necessary for me to leave this realm.. should Chalybis attempt another invasion, you are the only one I can trust to defend what is my home and is now your home as well."

Max turned to Aesin. "Aesin, I apologize. I would gladly go with you, but you see I am currently on a mission for the Conclave. I thought that you were attempting to sabotage our mission as I have recently been attacked by Chalybis-" Max motioned to his lost limbs-"And if I left with you it would endanger the entire mission. I have spoken with my superiors- both me and you are to go to Litheris to meet with Ruse and Raelis to take care of this matter. A Conclave representative will be along shortly. If it is not too much to ask, could you carry me, Aesin? I' can't walk or use a crutch."

Aesin smiled slightly. The first sign of real emotion hes shown in some time.

"I will see personally to Chalybis's destruction, there is no need to worry about him.

Aesin then lifted Max upon his shoulder, so that he was in a seated position. "We'll now head to Litheris."

Max nodded. "Thank you."

Belverstus - for that was his name, not Belvairien, and if Max makes another mistake the Systemarch may have to become a little concerned for their friendship - smiled at Max.

"I think, Max, that I will stay here," he said. "I'll see if I can get into contact with an old friend of mine, a lawyer of sorts in Conclave politics.. you'll forgive me, I hope, Aesin, for this, but it is Max's right. I thank you for carrying my friend to Litheris, and I hope that you will treat him with the kindness he deserves. This is a severe situation, yes, but it is Ruse who has caused this.. not the boy."

Max appeared here, sword in hand. Deja vu didn't begin to cover the feeling he had. Like a dream that's slightly different the second time around.. the a sarcastic, chastising voice appeared out of nowhere.

<ryellow>Heroics? I suppose losing an arm and a leg wasn't a big enough hint you're inept?</yellow>

Max stumbled, surprised. What? Who are you? he stuttered.

I'm the one who casts the spells that makes the peoples fall down. Listen, we're going to be great friends. Now give me control of your body.

No! Max said mentally, shaking his head an effort to clear it of this intruder.

Fine, be that way. You'll give it up eventually..

And then the voice was gone. Max blinked, then looked around for Belverstus.

Max immediately felt danger below, in the catacombs.. he heard clanking and ticking o n the edge of his auditory perception and felt the edge of a battle, of some ferocity, below..

--

Chalybis appears in the dank, shadowy catacombs of Xi, Harvester and clockwork zombies in tow. The large room where he had manifested was empty.. but Chalybis could see blood stains - and oil stains - on the stone floor, as well as the desiccated remains of the first Harvester. How would he proceed?

After arriving in the underground caverns by His usual means, Chalybis found Himself standing on a thick sliver of Telluratu's surface, now placed within a - to His standards - rather cramped space which appeared to be somewhere below the High God's domain. It was obvious though that this was where the battle had taken place, for the wreckage that remained of His original Harvester lay here. Although its materials were 'recovered' by the second Harvester within seconds, Chalybis was still feeling extremely wrathful towards whatever being had done this to His creation.

It did not matter though, for He was here personally this time, and none would stand before His invasions, especially not one of these pathetic High Gods that could not rule over more than a single building. After ordering the Harvester to begin its consumption and placing His new slaves as guard around it, He stood motionless again, forming another silver lance within His gaze. This one grew longer and thicker than the previous ones, shaping into some kind of rod as it did so. The almost liquid-like metal grew prongs from which a thin sheet of silver extended, creating a huge banner of living metal.

Upon its completion, it began to spin around rapidly until it was suddenly launched forward, spiralling into the catacomb's floor and eventually grinding to a halt in a perfect upright position. The banner quivered with divine power as the stone beneath it began to take on a similar silver hue, steadily changing into more of the mysterious metal as the moments ticked by. The process was rather slow when compared to its normal use on creatures, but if it was left unchecked, it would eventually convert the entire realm, transforming it into another mechanical citadel.

Book Of Conquest I: Chalybis Hereby Declares That This Realm Its Pitiful Inhabitants And All Matter Of Any Kind Therein Now Belong To Him And Him Alone He declared, and red runes that spelled out His message came into being on the surface of the formerly plain banner. Now the invasion had begun properly, with His might altering the very structure this insignificant world into something that was useful to Him, and His Harvester dealing with everything that was not part of the realm itself - inhabitants, items, anything not part of the bedrock itself. It would only be a matter of time before the ones that had fought His first Harvester would show up again to defy His will, but He was prepared for that, and waited...

Within Max's mind, a swirling red mist- riding a gryphon- manical laughter- many children- a frozen river - a deserted building next to a dusty road..

Images berated through max's mind, alien images, memories of another being.

Max was running at a breakneck pace out of the infirmary, circling down the spiral stairs to the bottom of the Catacombs, where his ears and divine sense told him the monsters were..

All whom you love will die. Your realm will taken from you. All for your personal pride. Give me control of your body, and I will stop all this.

No.. his mind whispered back weakly.

As Max rushes down the halls, caught in a schizophrenic haze, he almost bumps into the grandest Spider Xi had ever seen: Balverstus the Machine Hunter, dressed in a Xi-like male battle-kimono and wielding Anvildamadrum, his great hammer. Behind him, possibly to Max's dismay, were several score of fox-girls, bladed and dressed in light leather..

"Friend Max!" exclaimed Balverstus. "The Dhaal are mad with fury. Fifty-two machine intelligences within the catacombs.. where my Anvil was to be set, and where we last destroyed the harvester-machine. I have readied your beautiful warriors, and Anvildamadrum is rigid with fury. We are ready for combat. I suggest we strike fast, but if that's dangerous, I have a plan.."

His voice became a whisper..


--

First and raw metals reversed at an immense speed into the gaping jaw of Harvester II, the mechanical zombies stood motionless, ready to guard if necessary. The sound of the devouring was a screeching thing, as if the Realm was in pain.. and it was. It was slowly - extremely slowly - being transformed into a metal monstrosity, much like Telluratus, and the Realm was panicked..

There would soon be battle. The Machine Lord knew this; Max knew this; Balverstus knew this; and, finally, Xi knew this.

Max looked to Belverstus. "If I fall, do it! If any machines make it past, destroy them, and then do it! Right now, I need your help- deal with the Harvester and whatever is hurting my realm while I combat Chalybis!"

You've got spirit, kid, I'll give you that. But you need more than just courage. You need wisdom, and power. I can give you both.

<I>If you are so wise, Oni, then you will know when to give me that power.

Max's scarlet cloak billowed out behind him, the winds of Xi caressing the fabric. His shield-bracer shone, his blade had been cleaned and polished so often it had become mirrored. He charged into the fray, and felt a strange tingle as divine strength filled him. He hoped it would be enough.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:18, Sun 11 Oct 2009.

It was not long before Chalybis became aware of footsteps coming down the stairs, a humanoid that was apparently intent on fighting off His invasion alone. Although He could not be certain that this was the same one that had destroyed His previous Harvester, He was not intent on risking that possibility and would see to it that this being was annihilated before it had the chance to damage the new one. The Harvester was the only one of His servants that mattered here, for it could finish the destruction of the realm alone after the resistance had been silenced. As soon as the being - Max - entered the catacombs and became visible, Chalybis exclaimed another decree, ordering His servants to attack the intruder.

II: This Unworthy Being Is Currently Defying The Decree Of The Supreme Ruler Chalybis And Must Therefore Be Erased From Existence By His Might To Punish It For Its Insolence And To Serve As A Powerful Example To All Other Lesser Beings Who Would Dare To Defy His Absolute Rule Over This Realm

The fifty mechanical humanoids that surrounded the Harvester turned away from it and charged forward to intercept Max and fight him with their sheer numbers and inhuman resilience - not to mention razor-sharp claws, mechanical strength, and all the other benefits machinery had over the weak flesh. Still, Chalybis did not expect them to defeat His adversary if it was truly the one that had slain His Harvester, but this was never His plan. These expendable minions - imperfect machines that were merely replicates of pathetic organic beings - meant nothing to Him, and all He would require them for was to buy time, for time was on His side in this battle. The longer this went on, the weaker His opponent would become, whilst He would only grow stronger as more and more of the realm was changed into metal.

Simultaneously, the thin sheet of silver metal that made up the banner began to shiver as small fragments were drawn out of its surface, forming into thin silver needles. They were launched from the banner, showering the area Max was in with silver so that he too would be afflicted with the curse of steel that was currently ravaging this realm. Such was the power of the inevitable wrath of Chalybis - everything, no matter how large or powerful it was, would eventually be consumed by the silver metal and be changed into steel itself, becoming merely an extension of His own realm.

Chalybis Himself remained silent after His decree, not feeling any urge to engage in physical combat with such an inferior being. Right now He was monitoring the situation from behind the horde of minions, predicting how the events would logically unfold and preparing His next move accordingly. This could be over soon, but if there appeared to be any difficulties, He had another deadly surprise waiting for whoever was intent on harming His Harvester. This one would not go down as quickly or easily as the last one had done. No, this time, the Harvester would be the one destroying His enemies in battle...

PM o' Death
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Sun 11 Oct 2009.

The feelings within Max had not yet reached their climate; his fierceness hadn't reached their peak.

Still, the rage within him was enough.. as if by some supernatural force, he flung himself up into the air. The metal darts vanquished nothing as they flung under his darting form, piercing only the stone wall behind him. He flew above the mechanical automatons and landed on Chalybis's back, his Divine Master Sword screaming in rage as is cut through Chalybis's - nothing more than the equivalent of a flesh wound for the God in Iron, but annoying nevertheless..

Max, after glancing Chalybis, was flung to the back of the catacomb, over the rest of the slow-thinking mechanical beings. The Harvester, he saw, had continued it's digging, and was carving into the rocky base of the castle..

Aesin arrives and heads straight to Chalybis and Max, his power showing him where they are.

He arrives and uses Mandatory Sentence on Chalybis and attacks full might - the chaos boosting him.

Max rolled as he hit the ground, turning swiftly towards the harvester. Gathering the might of wind around his blade, he swung it diagonally, producing a razor-sharp crescent of air that would have the same same effect on the harvester as a direct strike from the blade.

(What is Belverstus doing?)

Wait.. the God of Order was here? No. NO! This was his kill, his realm, his people! He'd KILL that sonofabitch!

"LEAVE XI, AESIN! GET THE F*** OUT!" He roared.

It appeared that the vermin that was pestering Chalybis was indeed capable of inflicting damage upon His corporeal form - how inconvenient. If this continued, He might be forced to actually engage in physical combat Himself, something which He did not consider an appropriate use of His might. Right now, it would probably be sufficient to support the Harvester, amplifying its infernal power as it fought the vermin. Right now, the Harvester quickly turned to face Max, attempting to draw the surge of divine wind into its maw where it would be obliterated without harm. All He would have to do now, was touch the Harvester.

But something was wrong, for He suddenly became unable to move and another divine presence appeared within the catacombs - presumably responsible for His immobility. This meant the vermin had one or more allies that were more capable that itself - something which adequately explained why His first Harvester had been lost within this realm. It could easily take down one of these pathetic beings by itself, but it was ill-prepared to deal with multiple gods at once - something which would have to be remedied in future versions. Still, it meant that He too had to deal with multiple enemies right now, something which required a certain change in approach.

Whilst He remained utterly motionless - whether this was due to the effect or His own will would remain uncertain - something else stirred within Him as the noxious black smoke that belched from His back increased in volume rapidly. Mechanical pipelines came to life as steel serpents, slithering through His body and burrowing deeply into the ground, emitting their own clouds of ink-black smoke as they did so. Within seconds, the entire catacombs were filled with the poisonous substances, drowning out all sight and making breathing a chore for the organic beings at the scene.

Naturally, this did not conceal Chalybis position in the least, fixed as it was upon a single spot, but this was not His intention. He cared not for the pitiful attacks upon His body, preferring to eliminate His adversaries before they could become a serious threat and capable of restoring the damage dealt to Himself within seconds if it became too severe. Fortunately, this did not appear to be the case yet - the damage He had taken was little more than a scratch on His surface - so He could continue as planned whilst ignoring the feeble attempts to harm Him.

After sight within the catacombs was limited immensely, He concentrated upon the process of creation once more, this time with a hostile and deadly intent. What He was imagining was extremely simple, so this would only be a minor drain upon His mental powers. High above Him, in the nigh-impenetrable darkness of the smoke clouds that hung over the battlefield, dozens of faintly glowing lines appeared, forming into cubical shapes that littered the air. In an instant, the cubes solidified into a dense reddish metal and for a single moment, they hung silently within the smoke. Then gravity - as if it had only just become aware of the cubes and wanted to make up for the lost time - pulled down upon them and all of them came crashing down in the area around Chalybis like cubical meteors.

Naturally, this attack would destroy a sizeable portion of His mechanical slaves, but they had proven themselves to be utterly useless so He cared little for their existence. What mattered now is that the vermin which dared to oppose Him would be caught unaware by the suddenly appearing cubes and would be crushed into oblivion along with them...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Mon 12 Oct 2009.

The Harvester turned toward Max. The boy-god felt the familiar pulling of the Void.. and then nothing as his invisible strike struck the metal beast. The slash had hit the Harvester on its face, breaking the suction-portal, twisting it.. shattering it. The portal twisted, ripping the metal flesh of the Harvester's back from it and plunging it into Telluratus as the portal spun about wildly, the vacuum spinning about as the machine devoured itself..

Balverstus was smashing the mechanical automatons when the cubes fell, but dodged most of the crushing blocks. Many other of the machine-zombies were destroyed in the process. Cubes fell, and things died.. only a few remaining clockwork shamblers remained, most of them having been broken and spilled on the stone floor.. the fox-girls worked hard to finish off those who still flailed.

The smoke filled the room, obscuring vision, and Chalybis felt that he had made a terrible mistake: the confusion and chaos of the oily, black room would only intensify Aesin's rage. As if to validate these thoughts, Chalybis felt - rather than saw - a traumatic attack on his shoulder, and felt the entire arm fall, severed cleanly. Aesin was only a vague silver and gold blur in the darkness..

It was difficult for anyone to see anything now.

Max was good enough in a combat situation to avoid being crushed to death by the blocks, but had to constantly keep moving to avoid such a fate; any distraction could ruin him.

He ducked and weaved, evading death, his blade deflecting cube that nearly struck him. He was moving toward the lance, towards the sting that was still pumping it's corruption into his realm. It had to be destroyed..

III: This. Ends. Here.

As He saw His second Harvester in ruins and became aware of severe - yet still utterly insignificant - damage to the extremities of His corporeal shell, Chalybis had decided that it was now time to finish this battle on His own terms. This pitiful realm was far too small to physically fight in, and it lacked any serious quantities of metal - apart from those His corruption had created during His short presence here - so He would have to take the battle back to His own realm where these things would no longer be an issue. Fortunately, getting there would be only a minor effort for Him.

As He decreed the end, portions of the black smoke near Him turned a deep red, instantaneously engulfing Chalybis and His nearby adversaries within a solid orb of red mist. The orb flickered for a moment, then was gone, leaving another sliver of Telluratus' surface behind as it was exchanged with an identical orb in that realm. But Chalybis was gone, as was everything and everyone else which fit within the orb around Him, transported to the realm of the Machine God to finish what had begun here.

However, the silver banner had remained outside of the orb - or at least most of it had - and was still standing upright within the remainders of the catacombs. Of course, the banner itself was inconsequential symbolism by now, as the corruption had already infected the realm and did not need the banner to sustain itself. Far more severe measures would be needed to halt the steadily growing patch of steel within the realm, measures which were likely beyond the capabilities of these pathetic godlings. So even though He had fallen back to His own realm, a place where He could defeat His adversaries, Chalybis Had Been Victorious...

OOC: You wanted a boss-battle? Very well then, you will have one and be consumed by it...

(This won't work, big boy. Tyche did the same thing on ONE cockatrice and he got wasted. And Tyche had Sharp Psychoportation! You can have fun in your realm, I'll be busy saving mine.)
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Thu 15 Oct 2009.

Silence, partnered with the wretched black haze, filled the room. Chalybis had successfully escaped to his Realm - but the Harvester, alas, did not follow, and a single flashing strike by Aesin finished the thing. There were no remaining clockwork servants, but their guts had been spilled across the room.. cogs, wire, shrapnel.. broken bronze and tarnished steel.. the remains of seemingly innocent arms and legs, forever absent gazes from decapitated heads..

Huge metal blocks had shattered much of the stone about the catacombs, and many filled the room. A great hole had been drilled by the Harvester, leading to the depths below, and dirt and filth filled the room, decorating the floor alongside blood and black oil. Balverstus, a grand figure even in the murk, smashed his hammer against the twisting head of an automaton and wandered over to Max.

"We're done, thank the Anvildramadum. That's the last of the treacherous bastards.."

"Not entirely the last," replied a calm, strong voice from within the murk. Shining silver, a deadly sword.. Aesin.

The silver banner, rather subtle in the gloom, continued its mission: to convert the Temple of Xi into a clockwork realm under the command of Chalybis. Neither Balverstus nor Aesin had paid much notice to it.

Max nodded to Belverstus, who would easily be able to tell how heavy the debt he owed him was; He had protected his people and in max's mind a person could gain no greater honor from him than that.

He then bowed to Aesin. "Thank you, Lord Aesin. You have my gratitude, and that of my people."

He walked over the corruption, and drove his blade into the center, channeling divine energy. "As Divine of Xi, I consecrate this ground."</blue.

Swirling blue flames burned the banner to ash, spreading like ripples over the corrupted steel and returning the metal to stone and earth; Xi began to heal it's wound once he had cauterized it.

<blue>"You may stay as long as you wish, Aesin. I value the protection your person offers, though I daresay Chalybis would be a higher priority."

He looked at Belverstus. "Belv, Would mind tossing the harvester scrap metal into the grave it dug for itself? Foxgirls, toss the bodies of the evil servants in the pit as well. Could one of you get the Earth mage? Her abilties will be rather useful."

(An earth mage tends the greenhouse/arboretum where food is grown)

The metal banner melted easily enough, but it was far from finished - the corruption was deeper than that. Xi would still be completely destroyed if something more drastic wasn't attempted. The Realm was sick, filled with corruption..

"Max," spoke Aesin, "You would do well to keep silent when you are about my presence. I know that you are a traitor to the Conclave, and that you keep company with.." his sword flashed, just a little, towards Balverstus, "the enemy. After this is over, I will be coming for you. Order shall be served in blood and the screams of the guilty."

With that, he disappeared into the murk, to a destination unknown - presumably the Realm of Telluratus.

Balverstus spat on the ground Aesin had once occupied. "I'll get to the metal.. bastard.." he said, beginning to throw the scrap into the hole drilled by the Harvester, keeping his eyes on the melted banner. "I don't trust that thing, Max," he said, concerned. "It's bad news.. I've seen poisons like it before."

Max shook his head. Ruse wasn't psionic and thus he couldn't have 'harbored' him, and he was excused personally by Councilman Roid besides. Aesin wasn't very respectful of the law.

<blue>"I can feel my realm screaming in agony.. no, I'm not going to trust it any time soon. But.. if you've seen this corruption before.. how can I get rid of it? Is it like necrosis, where the only option is to amputate?"</blue?

"We can use the explosives," said Balverstus, as the fox-girls continued the work, "Or we can do something.. more personally drastic. I could give up Anvildramadum. It would cleanse the Realm.."

he blinked, shocked."Belverstus.. I could never ask you to do that. I've done nothing for you to sacrifice something like that for me. It's your choice... this place will be you new Anvil if you cleanse it, or we can use the explosives like you said and save our home that way. However.. I'm sure that I can repair my realm in due time.. Keep your hammer, let's use the explosives."

"Foxgirls, once you're done cleaning go to the mediation room and cover your ears. There's going to be a very loud boom."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:39, Fri 16 Oct 2009.

"No, no," said Balverstus, waving for the foxgirls to return. "I've rigged the explosives, and there's an eighty-five percent of minimal damage above, but we should really use your Gate of Methodes to travel somewhere safer while they explode. Anything could happen.. especially with the corruption. Before, I'd be confident in my abilities to amputate the catacombs without further trouble, but now.."

His teeth hummed with rage.

"That bastard Chalybis!" he roared.

"We'll kill him soon... We don't have much time- lets get everyone to a safe place, Belv."

He directed the foxgirls to the portal room, and from there took them to the realm of Litheris, the safest and most comfortable realm he could think of. He went first, and Belv went last as he had to set off the explosives.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Sun 18 Oct 2009.

Balverstus nodded, set up the explosives to go off in two hours, and walked through the Gate of Methodes towards Litheris. There was a blur - a gushing pool - deep logic - the tavern -

And he was there.

Raelis entered the temple and looks around for the contamination.  "I'm going to see if an aquiantance of mine is interested in helping out here.  He's more likely to be able to return the corruption to its original state that I am but he will also be very interested in doing so in such a way as to harm Chalybis.  He seems to dislike him slightly more than me."

Max arrived his realm shortly afterward. <blue>"Sounds good. I've done all I can already."<blue>

Tickticktickticktick..

In roughly an hour and forty minutes, Xi would explode.

Raelis sits on the ground.

"Feel free to leave and return to Litheris.  Your aid would be of great help but please do not risk your life on my behalf.  I am going to seek to understand the contagion before I strike at it and I have asked for help from a Sorceror of Alkan."

Raelis starts by seeking with his senses for life within the contaigon trying to see whether it is alive or merely a programmed process.

Max left, returning to Litheris.

Max disappears.

Raelis feels as if something unnatural, something clockwork, is growing within.. but he can't pinpoint it's exact nature. He is sure, however, that it originated with Chalybis.

Raelis stands and trys to halt the progress of the infection in a small area with a targeted CURE in order to slow its progress until his ally can assist.

A tiny amount of the infection, Raelis felt, was destroyed.. only to return a second later. He would only tire himself out if he continued like this.

Raelis next tried to use WOUND to split the corruption off from the untouched rock to stop it spreading any further.  Then suddenly turns and portals back to Litheris!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:22, Wed 21 Oct 2009.

The banner was struck, but itt did not halt the tide of corruption..

Sand - Lord of Dread - a burning star - words, final story - the Last Word - a hero damned -

He was in Litheris.

Ruse appears here, but sighs as he gets the bad feeling of ticking and corruption from his portal.

With a loud sigh, he facepalsm himself as he recalls the ticking. Oh the familiar ticking. He says,

"What is it with me and bombs? I should be ruse god of bombs or ticking balls or something, not mist. Well let's see if I can't clean up Max's mess."

COMMAND: SCAN the palace, starting from the lower levels where the bomb would most likely be, and then work your way up. If the ticking is actually a bomb like i think it is, display the detonation timer, with a ten second delay ahead of the actual time, so that I can escape if necessary.

COMMAND: SCAN the palace for any signs of corruption, with mechanical finters as well as the norm due to Chalybis having been here recently. Display the data.

Ruse senses for divinity as well, and if there is a decent amount of bomb timer he heads for the corruption source, greeting Max if he happens to be around as well. If the bomb is about to blow though, he exits back to his godrealm.

SCANNING..
EIGHT CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES. EARTHBORN.
FIVE IN CATACOMBS.
ONE BELOW CATACOMBS.
TWO ABOVE CATACOMBS.

.. 27:03 minutes remaining.

SCANNING..
Essence of Machine found in CATACOMBS.


There was roughly half an hour remaining.

Ruse heads down to the lowest catacombs, not divining the presence any Divines, and soon comes across a shattered silver banner - the source of the corruption, and obviously a memento given by the over-generous Chalybis.

Ruse looks at the banner curiously, and puts two and two together and figures out that Max most likely is the source of the explosives, given the positioning of the bombs in relation to the banner (they are sandwhiching it in really). Ruse wonders if he can't fix this though and save the catacombs. At the very least he can try, and if not then he's out of there.

If this was from Chalybis, then it most likely had a mechanical component. Perhaps it was entirely mechanical. Either way, if he could stop part or all of this , then maybe he could cause the entire corruption process to backfire and dissappear.

COMMAND: Suit, SCAN the banner and corruption it is spreading, and archive the information gathered.

Ruse then looks at the corruption, and tries something.

SCAN COMPLETE.

Unfortunately, the corruption didn't have a mind and could not be psychically attacked by Ruse.

26:48.

Ruse considers something else.

(Okay, my apologies.)

Ruse spends the next fifteen minutes mentally interacting with the corruption. It is a horrible thing, twisting, bladed, a labyrinthine creature.. and Ruse sweats freely as he grapples with it. Still, however, he quickly overcomes its psychic defenses, and soon the corruption had slowed, slowed, finally stopping with a groan..

11:30.

((No problem <3 ))

Ruse sighs with relief about the corruption. It was quite tricky dealing with the pseudo-mechanical aspects of so small a level like that, and was happy it was finally over. He ordered the corruption to withdraw back into the banner and go inert, and then had to deal with the bombs.

COMMAND: SCAN the bombs and archive a file of their schematics. Then identify the procedure for how to disarm such a thing, drawing from library files if necessary.

COMMAND: Precisely locate the location of all bombs.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:47, Wed 28 Oct 2009.

Ruse had psychically destroyed any 'mind' the corruption could be said to have, and it would not obey any further orders. It was dead. It would not continue to grow, but neither would it retract.

SCANNING..

Bombs of Earthborn make.

Accessing data..

The SUIT informed Ruse on how to diffuse the bombs, but the process was much too lengthy for the small amount of time that he had.

ALL BOMBS LOCATED.

Ruse then knew the location of all the explosives.

Ruse decides that, after much consideration as well as Max's own request, that he will depart Xi and allow the bombs to go off as planned. At the very least, halting to corruption would make the bomb plan have a greater chance of success.

He would return to the valley of mist, and check up on the progress of the scouting party to see if they have made any headway. He opened up a portal and exited Xi for his own realm.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:39, Sun 01 Nov 2009.

There was a tragedy returned - a thousand, more, deaths - a recovering mist - wet - very wet -

He was in the Valley of Mist.

Max opened her eyes, her nostrils instantly filled with the sweet scent of incense. She sat up, then looked down to find herself on a wooden altar covered with a red silk cloth; she also noticed she lacked clothing.

She also noticed she was now a she. Shivering, she stepped off the altar and walked through the vacant halls, into the courtyard. She looked up into the sky.

Snow was gently falling. Winter had come to Xi. She headed quickly back inside, conjuring a mug of hot cocoa with cinnamon. She headed to the armory. Maybe there would be clothing for her there?

Entering, she saw her sword had returned to it's rightful place; and that this time there was no bundle of special clothing for her. The foxgirls were dead..

Tears froze on her cheeks, crashing to the floor with a bell-like tinkle. She left, heading to the Foxgirl's quarters on the third floor, hurrying across the icy courtyard and up the stair, fearing hypothermia. She headed into the first set of rooms. She to the third bed on the right, and reached underneath the pillow; she found a few sheaths of paper, covered in handwriting. It was Sophia's, the eldest of the foxgirls and the only one he could read and write.

Max looked them over; they described her joy in being named, in getting to touch her master, guiding him around.. the terror when they were attacked, how they met the spider-beast, the first time she had donned a battle-kimono.

Max quickly put them back where they belonged before she could taint the papers with spilled tears.

She went back to armory, and found a battle-kimono, donning it and the underclothes that went with it. It was warm enough, especially when she chanted a very minor fire spell that would warm the air within her clothing. She took her sword; her hand flared, burning with agony. She screamed, then opened her eyes to look at her hand.

The sigil of Yggdrasil had been burned into the flesh of her left hand, glowing with emerald light. She picked up her sword, focusing on it. "Divine Master Sword... we haven't spoken in a while. You've changed form twice since then. How do you feel? What do you want? What can you do?"

She knew next to nothing about her blade, except that it was very good at cutting things. She wondered about the strange mark on her hand, but she couldn't exactly ask the mark what it was.

The sword was beautiful. It radiated perfection.

It could also speak.

"Friend," said the Divine Master Sword. "You are.. you are changed. The wand has turned to the chalice."

Maxine smiled. "You have changed as well, blade. When I first discovered you, you were mundane in appearance, as was I.  When I became enraged, you became a greater blade; a odachi. Then, when I fell, you became your current form. But as you have observed, I have changed once more. And so must you, for you are my soul."

The blade in her hand flashed, morphing into a ornate military sabre with black adamantine blade; yet, at the very edge of the blade, a thin line of flowing rainbow energy was easily seen.

"You have no doubt grown in power, as I have. If both of us are to survive, I must know you as well as I know myself."

She swung the sword, feeling it's weight. even at such a slow speed, a whoosh could be heard. As he strength had grown, so had the blade. It was very heavy, yet she wield it with ease.

"I am your friend, but not your servant," said the sword. "I have warmed to you, Lady.."

The sword suddenly stopped.

"There is an intruder within the Temple!"

"I have no idea why anyone would enter my temple.. after all, you are the only valuable thing here. Let us see what manner of fool has decided to grace Xi with his presence today." Maxine said, keeping the blade at ready and walking calmly towards the entity that dare trespass here.

The being, a tall, skinny man with a bald head, was in one of the main halls, helping himself to some cold preserves. He was dressed in a long, rippling series of robes, definitely something a little exotic, and when Max appeared he looked up, mouth full of food.

"Hey - what?"

Approaching swiftly, she kept the blade in hand. "Welcome to Xi." She said politely. "Are you an invader, visitor or messenger?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:42, Sun 08 Nov 2009.

"Perhaps a little of each," replied the man. "Forgive me. I am Dxacku of the Wanderers, Friend of the Stars and Astrologist Immortalist."

Max felt that there was something wrong - perhaps he'd forgotten something?

(Hello? Girl? *She'd* forgotten something)

Max nodded. "I see. It is nice to meet you, Dxacku. My followers were recently slaughtered by Osiris-Ra for no particular reason, so I apologize for the lack of hospitality."

(I thought Max was now a guy stuck in a girl's body.. and thus the 'he' would be appropriate.)

"It's quite fine," said Dxacku. "Sorry about the loss. If I may be candid for a moment, however, Max, I have come here just for that - see, I'd heard you'd had a visit from Osiris-Ra, told by the stars I was, and I wanted to ask you how that was. What a thrill it might be, spitting in the face of the Dread Lord himself!"

He seemed excited at the prospect of near-certain death.

(He is surprisingly adaptable to his present situation)

She thought for a second. "Meeting him is watching a tornado run by you and utterly destroy your home and family before turning away and leaving you alone, alive but shocked beyond comprehension."

"Ah, yes," said Dxacku. "I heard he walks beneath the Ruby Star. That makes sense. Tell me, fair maiden, when were you brought to existence? Under which sign do you walk?"

Suddenly, the Divine Master Sword screamed out: "Danger-danger-danger Max danger help danger!"

Oh. Right. Explosives.

"Sir, I would highly recommend we leave Xi immediately, before I answer that question. You see, it is about to explode."

"I see," said Dxacku. "A pity that such a wonderful place should be brought so low. Where would you have us go?"

"A valid question. To the realm of Armanthor would seem safe, and I wish to speak with that god anyway."

Max opened a portal to Armanthor's realm, then stepped aside to allow her visitor to enter.

Dxacku followed.

The clashing of blades - a king gone - a place of stasis - a hundred thousand soldiers -

And they were there.

Max appeared back at home, in the meditation chambers.

He turned his head to left, Kaie flying out. "Hey Kaie, could you do something for me? Please go to Eulyshia and tell Dxacku that it's safe to come back now."

Yes, friend, said Kaie.

An hour passed - and Dxacku had returned, heavy case behind him.

"You okay, kid?"

She shook her head. "Not really. Can you stay here, please? I don't want someone coming here and stealing.. I need to go to the valley of mist."

"C'mon, Kaie, we've got places to be!" She said, opening a portal to Ruse's realm and going through, Kaie following after her.

"Sure.." said Dxacku, grabbing a flagon of wine from the table.

There was mist - and mist and mist and mist - and a healing hand - a liar and a king -

He was there.

Balast arrived, the darkness of his portal opening and closing leaving him standing with palms visible in the most non-threatening pose he could manage.

Balast's form was conjured into a dining room of sorts, filled with food and drink, a hearty fire warming the room. There was a tall, thin, wise-looking man sitting at the table, eating as fast as he could. There seemed to be no end to the man's appetite.

"Curm'nn," said the man. "NyahmsXacku ernd frond've'Ax's curhm'n'eeet!"

Balast smiled.

"Thank you good sir.  I'm not a friend of Max yet but I hope to be one.  Is he not here?"

He sat and pulled a leg of meat across and started to devour it.

Dxacku finished what he was eating before he answered, taking a sip of wine in the meantime.

"No, not yet, went to the Valley of the Mist to run some errands, I think," he said. "I'm, uh, Dxacku the Unkillable, greatest dancer Yggdrasil has ever seen. Be merry and eat. The food is free."

Balast smiled gently.

"Good - I need to talk to him after he has spoken to Ruse.  I would prefer not to find our plans clashing and he is unlikely to believe me without Ruse's confirmation of the threat.  So tell me about yourself Xacku?  I assume if you are unkillable you have entered the abyss and survived or is that pleasure still to come.  It has been some time since I walked its pathways myself of course and even longer since I walked the voidways but the memories still remain.  What did you think of the Abyss?"

"I have not yet traveled to the Gnarled Abyss, though I have once sailed across the stars of the Void," said Dxacku. "I consider it a pleasure, aheh, to come."

Balast sat back.

"I was born in the void - a very long time ago.  I came here following a call of sorts.  Tell me of yourself and your history.  Mine own is of limited interest I am afraid."

"I am of the Lineage of Farsamn, and the gifts given to us are mystery and the ability to project ourselves through time. I am of the Wanderers, a sacred astrologist and cunning musician - and small-time weapons smuggler. Besides that, there's not much else to tell. I'm here because of the view of the illusionary stars. It pleases me. Now, friend, who are you to be born in the gaping Void?"

Balast sank forwards as paradox hit him.

"Dust.  That really is it.  I can't stop it and I don't think anyone can now.  How the conclave could have let this happen I don't know - they're insane or completely out of control.  They have to know they have started a war at a level they can't hope to win or for anyone else to win."

Standing he bowed to Dxacku.

"Tell Max that Raelis is dead.  He was forced to die by Ruse's actions to attempt to save the conclave from something much worse than that their own actions have unleashed.  The tree is doomed unless the conclave can be stopped but I lack the power to do it.  Marcento has been assassinated by the conclave and war is at hand.  The kind of war I remained with Marduk to prevent.  Osiris has the last word in his grasp and no-one even understands the risks that entails.  I am Balast, Voidborn aspect of Destruction.  Yggdrasil's bane and the Last to Die.  Have you travelled back in time ever to the beginning?  To when the twelve worked together to build the world?  To the breaking where three broke from the council?  To the end where Eridu died in dust?  That is the fate of the tree now unless someone can be found to stop it and believe me that is not in my power even if I had my full power."

"Hey, man, please," begged Dxacku. "It's cool talking metaphysics and Yggdrasil and all with you, man, but it's all suddenly gotten a bit heavy. Relax, have a mug of wine. It's good, I promise."

Balast laughs bitterly.

"Pass my message on.  If Max wants me he knows where to look if he thinks clearly enough.  If he wishes to remain in the conclave I have no interest in speaking to him.  The conclave is evil and my duty to the tree is to destroy it before it destroys the tree.  For yourself you will have to choose.  I have no ill-will to anyone who wishes to remain outside the war that comes but this tree is my responsibility and unless a miracle occurs I will raise the abyss to perform my duty.  Consider this - your existance and very being may now depend on your willingness to act rather than your love of inaction.  Destruction is the final fate of the tree, dust is not.  Oh and remember this Dxaku, Lis has returned and despaired on repairing the tree.  This is the end of time unless something happens and that something is not in my hands."

The portal opens around him and the dust of Litheris swirls through it.

"Sure thing, uh, boss," said Dxacku, grinning nervously.

There was a storm - a soul incarnate - final words - a death -

And Balast was in Litheris.

Maxillita returned, slightly worse for wear. She smiled at Dxacku, walking over to the table. She selected a sushi roll from what was laid out, put a little wasabi on it, and her eyes went wide when her nose burned. Once she had recovered, she spoke. "Sorry I took so long coming back! Where we we? Right! I was trying to procure some Earthborn weaponry. I'm currently.. 602,246 conclave stones conclave stones in debt, so I can't pay you that way.. perhaps a favor?

"Ah, welcome back, Max," said Dxacku, sipping at a bottle of wine. "There was a God here wanting to speak with you. Scary fellow. Black eyes. Left a message. Someone called Rayles is dead. Ruse killed him. The Tree is going to die, we're all doomed, boohoo.. um. Osiris knows his words.."

Dxacku chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry, I can't remember the rest.."

He nodded.

"Weaponry, huh? Well.. maybe we could, um, dance for it?"

She blinked."I've never danced before.. I mean, I've seen the Foxgirls dance, but I don't really know how.. what do you mean, 'dance for it'?

"Best dancer wins the lot. I'm thinking of getting out of the game, personally. Maybe floating towards a pilgrimage of sorts. As for the dancing.." Dxacku grinned. "You do not learn 'dance'. You feel dance. Dance is in the heart; it is in the family. If you have it, you have it."

"Hmm. Alright. Fierce, you know the score."

A hologram of Fierce fizzled into appearance; he was wielding a wicked eight-string guitar.

Maxilita centered herself as he began to play, a light tune like the wind..

Stars have died, planets.. have aligned, with new friends..

She moved swiftly and with grace, wind swirling around her and her sword, which she wielded as an extension of herself.

.. and in this time we have met again, are we new friends?

She swung the heavy blade, pulling herself into a tight spin balanced on one foot.

We're aligned and you're telling me it's not coincidence.. that we are the same as the stars, i don't agree.. but i like it.

She slipped out of the spin, holding a hand up towards the sky.

Fierce was focused on the guitar; but he has creating more sounds than just that. He was an entire band unto himself.

Your eyes are still black, you can't help that, I think it makes you easier to look at.."

Her movements became subtle and swift, stealthy rather than the bold movements of before.

Dark colours absorb any light that shines, like your body was built to be soft.. on my.. eyes...

The music ended, but she continued, in another world now.. one of shadows and stars, beacons of light- a spreading darkness- a flicker- standing stark against the shadows- a gathering flame- an inferno..
This message was last edited by the player at 14:28, Wed 03 Feb 2010.

Dxacku had laughed when he saw the apparition of Fierce appear to play the guitar, and had danced with Max. The Wanderer danced strongly, sharply, with all the skill expected of a species that prided themselves in their dance. The music hummed, and Dxacku blurred as he danced. The song sped up, and the two danced until Dxacku fell on his back, panting and laughing.

"I'm not sure who won that won.." he said, grinning.

"The one who won was the one who had the most fun. Honestly, I think FIerce won- he's still playing!"

The low reverberations of Fierce's rapid base solo could still be heard. He was enjoying this little bit of freedom.

"Hah, yes, I agree," said Dxacku. "Well, you've certainly impressed me. You may take the weapons. I've been looking to get out of the business for a long while, anyway. I think I might like to see the stars again.."

Maxillita recovered herself and walked to the case, gently opening it. "Oh, stick by me. I tend to get into fun situations."

Dxacku laughed. "Perhaps, perhaps. Nevertheless - take the guns. Tell me, friend, what is your plan now? Are you inviting me to stay with you, perhaps, in this fair floating castle?"

"It's pretty much open lodging- you can take a room in the guest quarters. My plan is to destroy Osiris-Ra. That's pretty much it." She said clearly.

"I see," said Dxacku. "You wish to destroy the Dread Lord of Force and Fire. A noble, if foolish, task."

Maxillita grinned. "A fool I am. Common sense is for commoners, after all! Unfortunately, I've got to head over to Anik's realm, under penalty of death as usual. See ya soon, Dxacku."

Maxillita disappeared, and a flock of white doves flew from where she had stood, disappearing into the heavens.

Dxacku shrugged, sitting back down to eat.

There was a storm - the eyes of a tiger - fifteen mechanical spiders -

And he was in Bounty!

A flock of doves flew from the the skies towards the ground, coalescing into the form of the Heroine.

Blade in hand and shield at ready, she strode towards the main dining hall where she expected Dxacku to be.

"Dxay! We have to slay a great evil attacking Alkan and trying let loose the Floods and destroy the tree or something! C'mon, it's an adventure!" She shouted, heading back across the central courtyard and heading to the most secure room of the castle, where her Methodes Gate lay in the form of an elegant pool.

Assuming Dxacku arrives and comes along, she throws a self into the pool, to Alkan.

She would then go the central altar, and place her sword there. She went to her knees.

"Divine Master Sword- the name by which I christened you what may be my last battle approaches. If we are to survive, I must know your full power and how to use it. What must I do?" she said with complete sincerity. With one hand on the blade, she awaited it's reply.

"I am prepared," said Dxacku, and he was. Dressed in glimmering, shining armour, of a deep ceremonial blue, Max felt envy at the protection - it was more finely wrought than anything else he'd ever seen. In his hands was a long blade made of the same blue metal, also crafted to perfection. Engraved upon its blade were the words: Rest in Yarkhrakash, my Brother.

They fell into Alkan.

"I speak to all metals, and command the winds and the waters," said the Divine Master Sword, once again falling silent. "I belong to you, but you are no hero."

"If I am not the Hero, then let me stripped of my strength; and let the world die for lack of a savior. I have no purpose other than being a Hero. It is my essence and my truth. I am not a True Hero; no, I have not yet earned that honor. I haven chosen, but I have yet to fulfill my destiny. Without you, I never will." She said.

"If it is your intention to quit at being a hero," said the Divine Master Sword, "Then quit. Stop playing at games larger than you can possibly imagine. You have patrons. You are lucky. You might still succeed if you can purge yourself of arrogance."

Suddenly, Max realized that paradox couldn't allow him to be in Xi and Alkan, and he disappeared, the Divine Master Sword clattering to the ground. He would have to fight this battle without it.

(Max, please try not to cheat paradox. If this was an honest mistake, okay, but  come on..)
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:31, Wed 21 Apr 2010.

(ALKAN is an RP PUBLIC, isn't it? I mean, it's an event.. if that's so then I suppose I don't talk with the Master Sword)

(Nope. You spoke to the Sword, but Paradox caught up.)

(it's going to shatter soon, anyway.)

A flock of doves flew from the the skies towards the ground, coalescing into the form of the Heroine.

Blade in hand and shield at ready, she strode towards the main dining hall where she expected Dxacku to be.

"Dxay! We have to slay a great evil attacking Alkan and trying let loose the Floods and destroy the tree or something! C'mon, it's an adventure!" She shouted, heading back across the central courtyard and heading to the most secure room of the castle, where her Methodes Gate lay in the form of an elegant pool.

Assuming Dxacku arrives and comes along, she throws a self into the pool, to Alkan.

She would then go the central altar, and place her sword there. She went to her knees.

"Divine Master Sword- the name by which I christened you what may be my last battle approaches. If we are to survive, I must know your full power and how to use it. What must I do?" she said with complete sincerity. With one hand on the blade, she awaited it's reply.
----------------
Why would I lose the sword? why would it clatter to the ground? I had it in my hand, after all. Even if I did make an honest mistake, I should still have the sword. Even moreso because, as you have stated yourself, It's part of my theoelectromagnetic field.

(Consider it punishment for cheating paradox. Extra incentive to get it right, next time. I'll also remind you that it isn't a real punishment at all, since, "With a full action - roughly ten seconds - the God may have it recreated or summoned to his side with ease." Discussion closed.)

Maxillita awoke in her bed, cast back to to her fragmented realm. Sitting up, she dressed in a red silk robe decorated with tigers and left the room, blade in hand as always.

She wondered what had occurred in her absence.

The tables were empty, as was most of Xi. Dxacku - Lord Xakuu - if he survived, hadn't returned. It was quiet and lonely.

Max stumbled a little as she climbed a flight of stairs, feeling a hideous - sudden - pain in her right leg. What was that.. ?

She looked down at her leg, mystified. If nothing important was there, she continued to the mediation chambers. If there was, she removed the source of the pain and healed the wound.

She settled on one of the mats, lit the candles, and began. Snow continued to drift in from outside.. Xi was freezing.

This is a cold world. One of frozen logic.

Life is the bright fire, the defying of the cold,

it is hope and faith in the strength of oneself and of others.

There is no reason to it's existence beyond it fervent desire to be.

With the powers given to me, I create life, a divine action;

not from my womb, from the sancity of my mind.

A goddess of fantasy, I begin the mythcraft.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Fri 21 May 2010.

Eight hours passed before Max felt the world spin about her as a terrible pain reached her spine. She fell back and the one-sixth of a Masterwork Diamond fell to the floor, shattered. It was freezing. Max awoke a small time later, her hair and mouth covered in vomit. The remnants of the Masterwork Diamond had evaporated, returned to Max - power she needed. It was so very cold.

She wiped herself clean, then huddled together on the floor, in pain and freezing, alone.

Tears froze on her cheeks. She closed her eyes and gave up.

Draft
This message was last edited by the player at 04:23, Fri 28 May 2010.

The floor was very cold, the night aggressive in its deep chill. The Temple of Xi was empty, and Max was alone.

As she had always done, she unconsciously channeled fire magic to warm herself. The last time she had done this she had been but a Conjurer, and now as a full-fledged Grand Magus..

Death had lost it's sting. She laid on her back, and then pushed herself up into a sitting position. Drawing in a breath, she calmed herself, then stood. She did not have the luxury of surrender. She was fighting for others, not herself, and such a course of action was selfish.

She left Xi without her customary extravagance, leaving for two realms;

The First, That of the Isles of Perigo;

The Second, that of The Valley.

There were a scattering of doves - a beautiful morning - gunshots in the mist - the laughter -

And Maxilita was in Perigo.

I returned wearily to my home. Had Dxacku returned? If not, I headed up to my chambers, where I fell once more into blissful slumber.

Max could not find Dxakuu the Immortal, but did find his bed. It was warm and he slept for what seemed like hours. He awoke, however, to a feeling of deep unease and anxiety. He could swear that somewhere, just within his field of perception, he could hear whimpering, crying. He felt a moment of cold fear.

A shimmering blade of light materialized in my hand as I woke. I sought out the disturbance. Whom dare intrude upon the ruins of my kingdom?

The weeping continued, and Max hurried on. Through winding tunnels and hallways unseen by the God who held authority over them, past empty treasure rooms and libraries, alchemical labs long gone sterile and sleeping quarters, he came upon a large, wooden chest.

The chest was locked with a silver chain. Inside, the whimpering grew louder. There was something locked in there.

I carefully sliced apart the chain, let it drop to the floor, and threw open the chest.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:46, Wed 28 July 2010.

Inside was a single foxgirl. She had been tied and gagged. Her eyes were open, still, and her supple, pale flesh was covered with bruises. Some bones were damaged - her arm was bent at a strange angle indicative of a break. Her hands had been tied.

She was not breathing.

Every fiber in my being screamed. How could one have survived? How could I have left her here?

I immediately lifted her from the chest, removed the gag and the bonds, and began to perform basic first aid- an aura of life surrounded me, healing her, as my power over the wind helped me restore her breath with standard first-aid techniques. I moved her her bones back into place, healed them, restored her.

I'd already gone through the pain of losing my people so long ago. I wouldn't lose them all over again.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Fri 30 July 2010.

She was dead.

She had been dead for a long while.

Max could not save her.

She whimpered no more; she lay perfectly and utterly still.

She was dead, and had been dead for a long while.

Max could not save her.

I twitched, then shuddered, then shook. Flames leapt from my hands, consuming her. I collected her ashes together, and dispersed them to the four winds, in the traditional manner of Xi.

I returned to my altar room, numb. I passed from there to the armory.

I went to the spot where my sword had lain, and placed there the sheath of the shattered sword.

I fell to my knees, and looked within myself, contacted that ancestral sword that now ran in my veins.

Have I not suffered enough? Will you not grant me the strength to protect them? To avenge them? To end the threat, that no other may lose their loved ones to the Dread Lord? Please.. show me how to wield you, now. Fight beside me at last. What myriad powers hath you hid from me?

Max was consumed with thunder and light, a surge of visions, and he was swept away by them.

In these visions he saw Xakuu fighting against a threat he couldn't understand in the furthest, highest and coldest peaks of the Realm of Anvils. Butterflies, shifting in the wind, their symmetry the doom of any who sight them. He had been reborn, sans Attainments. He could no longer change form - he had sacrificed all for immortality. Not even his Dhaal would speak to him. Consumed by silence and anger, he had become one of the Hakhadhaal, the hidden and holy warriors of the Systemarch.

But his cell.. they were losing. Soon they would be dead.

It was so cold in the Realm of Anvils. So cold.

He saw the Dragon stir. Further layers of intrigue. Deep beneath the coldest mountains of the Realm of Anvils. There was no name.. not for a long time. No function. Hunted. Once a creature of the frost, now.. taken by the thing. Taken. A prisoner. The spider-folk would understand its plight.

The Butterfly Man whispers.

All is washed away in a sea of sound..

And Max awakens, knowing that one of the functions of his mystical blade is that of visions.. perhaps even prophecy.

Before I thought, I was running- like I had run when my realm was under attack.

My mind caught up as I leaped into the portal, just in time to think- Realm of Anvils: where my friend is.

And then I hit the water.

There was a crashing of light - gunfights in the snow - reminds you of the past - chaos from the smallest -

And he was there.