Niborkerese: City of a Thousand Hazes.

Niborkerese: The Interworld Zone.

Niborkerese: The Thief with Fifteen Knives.

Three tall towers, dark monoliths guarding a purple city, stand as a mockery to the Valley of the Ten and to the Conclave. The houses range from slums to grand mansions to industrial factories and everything in between. Alleys, streets, ways, they all twist together, forming a wicked maze that many don't escape. The homeless trade freely with the rich, the damned with the sacred, and rebels walk the streets freely. Those species not deemed suitable for membership within the Conclave seek safety within the walls of Niborkerese, and are given sanction. Casinos, drug dens, brothels, bars.. open all night.

Drugs run flower than water here. There are more psionic users within Niborkerese alone than in everywhere else in the Realms. Banned technology from Earth finds is for sale, here, as do people, dreams, desires, wishes, narcotics, demons, freedoms, whores, extraterrestrial slaves, assassins, teeth, magic..

The only thing that is not traded here are the Conclave Stones. The only true law within the City of Anarchists is this: those who support the Conclave, or carry it's coin, are to be killed.

Niborkerese was once three Realms, united together by powerful magic through the actions of three powerful Gods. Two of those Gods passed away due to political confrontations, and Lord Macento the Dust, master alchemist and expert underground pharmacist, rules supreme. He is the last God of the three. Every town square bears his image through a myriad of statues, and his narcotics are at once the finest, most amazing and most illicit in the Realm Supernatural.

(.. "Wanna telepath? Wanna metacrate? Wanna 'port? Sniff some o' this, man, and open your mind..")
("What do the pills do? You don't know.. ? You never traveled? Never seen Layrad? Never been to Eeyho? You missin' out..")
("I took the beer and saw the Emperor saw the Emperor saw the Emperor saw the Emperor saw the Emperor..")

Here lies the Isubanite Shrine - an entire tower dedicated to the fanatical death-cult that has lived for over a thousand years. Here lie the True Sons of Metatron, peddling thoughtsmear and trading in psionic gifts. Here, allegedly, lives Msonus the Creator, building for eternity.

Here lies Free Market Pjah, where anything can - and is - traded for.

Restriction: One cannot be, for obvious reasons, in both the Valley of Ten Towers and the City of Niborkerese at the same time. Similarly, even visiting Niborkerese is a Grade I offense. 

Near the mighty entrance gates of the city of Niborkerese, a minor rift in reality opened up, flaring up brightly for a moment, then fading out into nothingness once more. In the short time it existed, a small, gear-like object fell through it, dropping onto the stones below with a faint clunk and spinning around for a bit before coming to a rest. It lay there for a short while, utterly motionless and ignored by all those that passed it by as if it were some worthless piece of junk - which it technically was.

However, it was not too long before the gear came into motion once more, springing back onto its side and rolling uphill into the city. More junk, all of the metallic variety, seemed to gather around it from out of nowhere, slowly creating a sizeable orb of rusty steel that rolled through the streets. It eventually halted near the centre of the city, at which point the components realigned themselves to take on a large yet vaguely humanoid shape. The moment it finished doing so, a red orb flared into existence within its head, and the components reshaped themselves once more, distorting their forms until Chalybis' second body was completed. It was an exact replica of the original one, complete with all of the mechanism that worked within Him.

The Book Of Connections
I: At Last I Have Arrived

He looked around Himself, trying to discover where exactly it was that He had arrived. His appearance here had been based upon a strange sensation, a dubious 'feeling' that told Him this place had something which He desired, although He had no idea what that might be...

Chalybis was in a large, purple-tiled bathing area, with steam a strangling cloud and naked bodies - human, divine, other - everywhere. No one paid him any attention. There were deals being cut in the corners of the bathing area, for drugs and other illicit things.

'This place is... awful...'

Chalybis was not too pleased to be surrounded by these beings, especially considering their non-metallic - organic even - nature which was an insult to the perfection which His progress brought into the universe. This was however not His realm to command - yet - and He would be overwhelmed by their sheer numbers in this place, so their continuing existence would have to be tolerated - for the time being. Of course, if He were to come upon such beings alone or in smaller groups during His presence in this realm, He would 'remedy' their unfortunate status immediately to expand His rule and simultaneously bring this place one individual closer to perfection.

Deciding that this place was not likely to contain anything that He would consider of any value to His plans, He turned around and looked for an exit. This wasn't an extremely difficult task, considering He had left quite a trail of filth and grime behind as a ball of steel - not to mention the fact that He was still oozing and fuming all sorts of pollutants in His normal form, slowly replacing the friendly white steam by a much darker and nauseating substance.

The exit wasn't difficult to find - the baths were open, heated by powerful sentient fire-stones, and while naked bodies fluttered everywhere Chalybis soon spotted a woman that appealed to him slightly more - her breasts were metallic, her many legs pistons, her body shining with steel. Her eyes glittered with the intelligence of an engineer. She smiled at him a little when she saw him.

Grumblar entered the realm, his stone legs and arms tripping over the uneven soil.  Deep within him Raelis whispered the word FIND and concentrated hard before directing Grumblar towards his goal.

Chalybis stopped in His tracks - quite literally as His tracks were puddles of sludge which were gradually spreading around until they dried up again - upon witnessing another mechanical being in this place. Although He could not quite figure out why such a being would have come here, it was a 'pleasant' change of view from the pathetic organic beings that were still swarming everywhere around them. Interaction with this being would be somewhat difficult though, as it had been a very long time since He had spoken to something as more or less equal, and decreeing that it ought to obey Him was probably not going to end too well - considering its physique appeared to be in a better shape than His own.

II: I Am Colourless Hallowed Leord Chalybis the First of the Lesser Remnants Of Telluratus, Returned God and Fragile Ignorant of Industrialization
III: Please Identify Yourself

Grumblar stumbles through the swathes of people, down small lanes much too tiny for his large frame, and across deadly streets. He eventually finds himself at a shabby building signed as the "Inn of the Serpent-Totth", where he knew to find Badh, the Spider of Logic. Above him rose a huge statue made of silver in the image of a great, tired-looking God - the Sign of Marcento, ruler of this place.

The street outside was reasonably quiet compared to many others in the Free City. To Grumblar's side sat a withered beggar, holding his money-pot out expectantly.

--

"My name, honey," said the woman, smiling excitedly, to Chalybis, "is Queen Laddua, Spider of Instinct. I'm a bath-woman, and you look like you need a bath. For a price, I can clean you up, make you glitter in the sun."

She seemed sincere.

Grumblar considered the beggar calmly, his rock face seemingly incapable of showing emotion then his arm moved to point at the beggar and the money pot flew out of his hand to fly down the street.  (Use of MOVE)  Grumblar watched the pot for a second before turning and entering the inn and walking up to the bar.

"I seek a spider."  He hissed quietly.  "I would feel less inclined to burn your bar down if I was to be directed to him now but currently I feel very interested to see how this place would burn."

'Bath? Spider of Instinct?'

Chalybis recognized neither of these terms, so He was somewhat confused. The latter appeared to be some kind of title which she bore, although it was clearly one of a lesser standing than His own, whilst the former appeared to have some relation to the activities that took place within this building. Although most of these activities did not appear to be the type in which He wanted to engage at all, having the glory of His corporeal shell at least partially restored sounded rather attractive, and the being did look as if it had sufficient knowledge about maintenance to actually do so.

IV: What Would Such A Price Consist Of

"A Spider?" said the tavern-keep, his face expressionless, his arms under the bar table. "Be more specific than that, stranger. There are Spiders everywhere. You looking for a friend, maybe? For maybe someone to spend the night with? I know an eight-legged brothel, runs cheap down here. Could set you up. No need for threats."

His face still did not betray his emotions.

--

"What do you have to offer, my darling friend? What would you care to pay? I do an extremely good job."

"I was told there was a spider of instinct here.  Bahd I think the name was.  I would very much appreciate being shown to his room now - no need to tell him I'm here, he doesn't require that information."

Chalybis considered the dubious offer in silence for a short while. What was He willing to give up to have His shell restored? And would anything done to it in this place even carry over to His other self that remained within Telluratus? There was no real sense in giving up anything just so that an effigy of Himself within this place might look more polished for a while. He was beginning to feel inclined to simply refuse the offer, but He did not do it quite yet. There were some things He needed to know about this place first...

V: I Must Know What Is Considered To Be An Acceptable Currency Within This Place
VI: And Above That I Must Know The Name Origin And Nature Of This Place In The Broadest Sense Possible

Tcyhe appeared here (which happened to be right next to where Chyalybis was) and sighed. "Fucking Systemarch!" He said a bit louder than he should have before looking around. Just the memory of his narrow escape from the Temple still made his head ache. "I really hate doing that..." He repeated, though of course the systmarch wasn't there to hear it this time. He looked for what was around him.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Wed 09 Sept 2009.

'And what do we have here?' Chalybis thought to Himself as something made a rather flashy appearance in His vicinity. As He turned His gaze from the metallic female to look down upon the being, He noticed that it was an organic one - what a shame - yet it appeared to be wearing clothing, the first one He had witnessed doing so within this place. More importantly, its choice of words indicated that it had recently encountered a Systemarch, and that this encounter had come to a less than desirable ending on its own part, which might be somehow related to its rather sudden appearance here. He continued to stare at the being for some time, casting a red glow over its physique whilst wondering whether or not it was going to do something now that it had arrived in this place.

While the area around Tyche turned red from Chalybis' staring he looked back at the machine, his fist instinct was that it was some kind of giant gaurd, but then he realised that the thing was divine. "Umm... sorry, um, no offence ment... I'll be going now." He began to walk casually away from things deathly red glaze trying to find a gambeling game of some kind.

VII: You Will Not Leave Until You Have Explained What Your Reason For Dealing With A Systemarch Was Chalybis declared, even though there was nothing He could do within this realm to prevent the other divine being from leaving - apart from killing it instantly. The latter might still be necessary, if He found out that it was an ally of the Systemarchs despite its earlier outcries. Chalybis' gaze remained firmly upon the being, narrowing down until the light surrounded the being in a thin yet bright beam.

"Listen... I don't want any trouble. We just got into an argument is all, and he tried to have me arrested." There was no way he could over-power this thing, lessoned learnd, keep your mouth shut.

'Trouble?'

The other being appeared to be under the somewhat-mistaken impression that Chalybis was something to fear - and He saw no reason to alter that viewpoint for the time being. Extracting the information He desired from the being was a lot easier that way. Right now, He wanted to know where that Systemarch had been, and more importantly, how to get there. Although it was somewhat ahead of schedule, an opportunity to vanquish one ore more of His enemies should not be wasted for any reason.

VIII: In What Location Did You Encounter This Systemarch And How Many Of Them Are There In That Location?

"Well.." he looks around. "Listen, I'm not going to get caught saying stupid stuff in this place. Is there somewhere else we can talk... if its even possible for you to whisper?"

The woman had walked off a while ago, bitter expression on her face. As she wandered off, she cursed Chalybis and Gods and Speciesits.. she went to find work elsewhere. The steam within this place was suffocating.

Chalybis was vaguely aware of the fact that the 'female' engineer had left not too long ago, insulting Him in the process. That was a real shame, as He might have learned a lot from her presence if this outsider God had not chosen to attract His attention with a flashy appearance, and He might even have began to appreciate her existence, something which not many creatures could boast. But if she was to insult His divine stature, He would have to visit her again later, and that would not be for idle conversation...

IX: There Is No Need To Attempt Secrecy Concerning The Systemarchs Within This Place For They Are Not Present Anywhere Within This Locale Although We Could Relocate This Conversation To A Less Crowded Location If You So Desire He then declared to the other God, not answering its question directly, although the implications were obvious. Chalybis had lost the art of silence - or more precisely, never gained it in the first place - and felt no need to make any attempts at it. Still, this appeared to be one of the more crowded places in this Realm, and the conditions were probably not optimal for such an organic being.


OOC: Aww, I'd hate to have to kill her too...

Raelis takes the man's silence for insolence and renews his FIND and then follows it to his destination completely ignoring the barkeep and promising to set his bar on fire when he returns.

Tyche frowned and then looked at Chalybis.

i: Yes, This Method Has A Potential To Function

Although Chalybis was not one who really approved of such 'direct' communication, the other god apparently desired it greatly - as it seemed to be hurting itself by doing so - so He accepted it for now. The responses His thoughts formulated were just as much decrees as His spoken sentences were, and they echoed through Tyche's head just as loudly as the latter ones. The sole difference in this case was that apart from him and Chalybis Himself, nobody else would be hearing it. He continued to stare at the god intensely, and waited for what it would 'say' next.

He winced as Chalybis very loud though came out.

This was a peculiar situation for Chalybis, as He appeared to have come across another being that disapproved of the Systemarchs and the Conclave. Although He would have preferred to rectify the unfortunate organic state of the god immediately, it might just prove itself to be worthy enough to allow it to coexist with Chalybis - at least until the Systemarchs had been wiped out. He did not know what it could do yet - apart from engage in mental communication and instantaneous travel - but if its abilities were of any value, He could probably be persuaded to consider it an 'ally' in His campaign against the Systemarchs and the Conclave that unduly protected them.

 The slight buzz in his head ment he should talk normally now, "Just keep thinking your answers, I'll talk if I can. But I mean there is not much I can do about it, just look at their numbers and even some of their individuals are more powerful than me..."

Although Chalybis did not understand either of the concepts the other god appeared to embody - 'gambling' was an unknown term to Him and the eradication of 'magic' within His realm during His previous incarnation was so long ago that His memory was unclear at best - this meant it could be useful to fill in for something that was missing within the range of His own abilities instead of needlessly over-lapping with them, thus granting it a semi-permanent right to exist as long as it was on His side in this matter.

Tyche had a smile on his face. He could not take this seriously... but it was increadibly fun.

Whilst the last thought could be interpreted as being a bit harsh, Chalybis could not formulate it any other way - or at least not in one that sounded any more friendly. The pair of thoughts would hopefully get the gist of the plan across to the other god - that He was not intent on personally invading the places that contained the Systemarch all by Himself, but that He would be taking an appropriate force of divine constructs with Him to exterminate that vile race once and for all. Although He remained utterly motionless during this 'conversation', it was clear that there was some kind of hatred radiating from His form whenever He mentioned the Systemarchs in His thoughts.

Tyche nodded ending the mental link, since it was starting to give him a slight headache. "Very ture, and it seems Chalybis has the numbers part taken care of as well. But" he shurgged "Tyche is always looking to improve his self. That reminds Tyche that he came here looking for objects that might just do that, or to gain some currency which would allow for Tyche to do so." He says, just trying to get the hang of third person talk.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Thu 10 Sept 2009.

X: Chalybis Entered This Peculiar Realm For Similar Reasons But This Building And Its Occupants Do Not Appear To Be Capable Of Delivering Either The Means Or The Information Required To Further His Intentions And He Is Intending To Depart For Another One Soon For This Very Reason

If He had been capable of smiling, Chalybis would have done so right now, as the other god - apparently called 'Tyche' - had eventually understood how to make proper statements and was now using them correctly in its speech. Perhaps there was something likeable in this being after all - not that much though, as it was still sickeningly organic instead of mechanical. It appeared that the conversation was over - at least in this place of steam and sins - so He set His body in motion again, creaking and oozing again like He had before. He continued His path towards the exit of the bathing house again, glancing back exactly once to see if Tyche was following behind Him.

Chalybis / Tyche

Chalybis soon found the exit of the bath-house - it was a hard thing to miss, even as obscured with steam as it was, a huge gaping hole of a gate embedded in the wall. Outside it was cool and dark. Twin moons rose in the night. Chalybis noted that it must have rained recently - the streets were wet with fresh water, as were the sides of the purple buildings.

--

Raelis

(Raelis's quest is currently in a state of stasis due to him going on vacation: Let the record show that when he returns he is speaking to the systemarch Badh)

"Would Chalybis mind following Tyche while he gains some currency. Tyche is looking for something to hide his self from being detected." He said talking like that for the fun of it. It was like learning another language except you knew all the vocabluarly. "Or does Chalybis already know how he can acquire something to use as currency or commodity. Tyche beleives that things listed on the Conclave currency exchange would be used as currency here." This last time he even tried keeping a monotone through the entire sentence.

XI: Unfortunately The Other Residents Of This Realm Appear To Be Incapable Of Divulging The Desired Information Concerning The Currency Used Here Chalybis declared, hinting at the other metallic being that had suddenly left without answering His questions first. He did not quite understand Tyche's obsession with not being detected or keeping conversation's private - He was a powerful god and there was no reason to hide His presence from anything. Perhaps Tyche's personal weakness was the reason for this behaviour, and it might even be considered 'wise' by some to remain hidden from that which one cannot overcome.

XII: As There Does Not Appear To Be Any Location That Is Clearly More Likely To Contain The Desired Items, Chalybis Is Inclined To Accept The Offer Of Travelling In The Same Direction As Tyche And Accompanying Him There

"Tyche will lead only because you follow his direction." He said not wanting to touch on the things ego if he had one. He then went down the road taking in the cool evening, going to find something that looked like a "general shop" if such a thing could be found around here. He also kept an eye out for anything like a casino or gambleing area.

The street, while narrow, was long and went a far distance. Many alleys twisted away from it, going their own path. Tyche spotted the lit windows that signaled a gambling den - the rain had forced many of the lighter-hearted inhabitants of Niborkerese inside for cards and dice.

Soon he the two came upon a shop labeled The Knife. It had various, mostly exotic, weapons showing in it's windows, including a musket made of diamond and a strange, green ball.

This gived him an idea. "Chalybis... I, or Tyche has seen a similar weapon to that which is inside the window of that shop. The Weapon which tyche refers to though is made of metal and seems to shoot out a projectile. Does Chalybis think he could create such a weapon on a small scale for Tyche to have?" He thinks a bit. "Or sell."

He raised an arm. "Hold that though, need some magic ingredients." He began looking for a vendor who sold Opium or something of the like.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:04, Fri 11 Sept 2009.

XIII: Whilst Chalybis Does Not Currently Possess Enough Information About The Nature Of This Object To Create Replicas Of It Most Likely Due To Its Invention Taking Place Before His Return This Flaw Can Be Swiftly Corrected If Tyche Were To Deliver An Individual Which Does Possess This Information To Chalybis Which Can Presumably Be Found Within This Building

The projectile weapon sounded like a very interesting concept, and Chalybis was intent on acquiring the means and knowledge required to create such items. In the end, He might even actually grant Tyche one of these items if he proved useful in assisting Him with the gathering of the above. That should be sufficient to keep the lesser god happy for a while - a gift that was effectively no more than a mundane killing device. For now, He continued to stare at the items that could be seen in the display, wondering how such a thing might actually be supposed to work. It didn't matter if He succeeded or not, for He would know it all soon enough...

Soon, Chalybis's analytical mind figured that somehow the projectile would be forced out, possibly by some sort of gas or miniature explosion.

Tyche easily found an opium dealer. In fact, it was almost too easy - he was there in the streets selling the stuff. "Soul a kilogram," said the addict-God. "Soul a kilogram."

As Tyche appeared to have wandered off to acquire a strange white powdery substance from a street vendor, Chalybis decided that He had to locate the knowledge Himself. It seemed logical for the creator of these arms to be found within the same building that apparently sold them, which was the one He was now standing in front of. After glancing one last look at Tyche, He stepped into the building, somewhat impressed by its great size - even to His own standards. Inside, He looked around for any individual that might be somehow related with the manufacturing of firearms - for now...

((Hey Chalybis... I don't remember him every saying the place was big enough for you :P ))

Tyche went back to the metal god. "They were asking too much, but Tyche has discovered useful information. The people selling things here seem to deal in souls."

XIV: Tyche Has Made A Very Interesting And Useful Discovery Indeed For The Acquisition Of Souls Does Not Seem To Be A Task Of Any Considerable Difficulty

Chalybis slowly began to remember that the use of souls as currency between divine beings - and basically anything else that could gather said souls in one way or another - had been rather normal before His disappearance, and it would certainly be a very convenient one to use once more. Or at least, it would have been if He had still possessed the amount of souls that were available to Him in the past. Right now, it meant He would have to go out of His way to 'acquire' them in another way, presumably by locating hordes of insignificant mortals and taking their souls by force. But if that was what He had to do to trade for suitable resources, then so be it...

Tyche, now inside the weapon shop began looking around at the exotic weapons trying to find a nice (or not so nice) looking dagger.

The shop-keeper wandered over. A short, fat man, with a massive mustache and red-blue glasses.. his coat was tinted green, and he wore an Earthborn firearm. Blazing iron - much rarer, and thus more sought, then hot plastic.

"Hey, hey," he said, pointing at Chalybis, "You're messing up our floor! Out, get out. We don't serve your kind here, Systemarch."

Crap... "Chalybis, Tyche thinks it would be best if you did not respond with violence, as the man is just mistaken." He says to Chalybis actually getting between him and the shop-keeper, then addresses the man. "Sir you are mistaken, we are both Gods, and my friend here has as much a hate for Systemarchs as yourself, if not more. Now to consider the situation, how would you like to be called a Systemarch, its not very nice... now I suggest you retract calling him that, or... well what would you do if called a Systemarch and denied weapons because of it? As for the floor, we'll shop somewhere else if your still worried about it."

While he spoke out loud he linked to Chalybis' mind. "Peace and calm, think towards future objectives. Do not kill those who can further Chalybis' goals despite initial meeting... Chalybis can kill him after the systemarchs. Priorities you enemies to achieve maximum efficiency."

((I am increasing the Shopkeepers chances of not getting injured.))

Chalybis remained silent and motionless for several moments, apparently thoroughly considering Tyche's suggestion concerning the live of the infidel.  Although He was not pleased with it at all, it did make sense and the man would be of more use to Him alive, for now at least. However, this did not mean He would let the mortal off without an immediate punishment - He had been insulted too gravely by this mortal to merely postpone His wrath until after the Systemarchs had been exterminated.

XV: Chalybis Shall Spare Your Life For Now Foolish Mortal Although This Shall Not Be Done Without A Tribute In The Form Of All Knowledge Concerning The Creation And Operation Of These Firearms He decreed, and the red of His gaze faded into a bright green as it rapidly narrowed until it was a single line of light focused on the head of the shopkeeper. Pulses of white light began to appear on the man's forehead, travelling rapidly through the line into Chalybi's unblinking 'eye'. Now, it would only be a matter of instants before He would have the knowledge He desired - and the man would not. This was to be His punishment for now, and if the man resisted, Chalybis might have to break His promise to Tyche after all...

Tyche sighed and made sure he was out of the way of whatever Chalybis was doing... allowing chance to move back to its normal flow (power disengaged). "Sir please do not associate me with his actions, I am not involved. I tried to keep things peaceful, all I wanted was to buy weapon." He says putting his hands up and walking away from the two.

"Hey, whatta fuck do you think.."

The man cried, collapsed a little, picked himself back up.

"What the fuck was that? What was that?" he yelled, slamming his fists against Chalybis's chest. "I oughtta rip you to pieces, you filthy robot!"

XVI: If You Prolong Your Hostile Activities Against The Form Of Chalybis, He Shall Be Forced To Reconsider The Sparing Of Your Pitiful Existence And For This Insolence You Shall Be Taxed All Your Knowledge Concerning The Systemarchs

Chalybis realized fully that this was a vicious cycle - He would punish the mortal, which would in turn react by angering Him further - but it was ultimately one which benefited only Him. He had already acquired all of the information He desired concerning these mortal weapons - enough to allow Him to craft a divine variant thereof after the Iconoclast in His realm had been removed from existence. These weapons could greatly enhance the destructive powers of Himself and His Servants in battle, but it would take some time, something which He did not currently possess. Right now, He would extract more information from the mortal, to see why it accused Him of being a Systemarch

Ignoring Tyche's remark - Chalybis could not fail - He focused His gaze upon the mortal once more, and once again the thin streak of green light shot from His eye and pierced into its mind. Although it seemed to be working slightly slower for a few moments - presumably due to the fact it had already been used on this mortal second ago - it quickly flared up again, and it was not long before the bright pulses of light, pure knowledge given form, were extracted from the mortal mind again and sent into His consciousness.

Tyche sighed and begin setting up an illusion at the windows of the store, anyone looking in would just see the place darkened with a closed sign on it, sighing and shaking his head at the irony of this. God of Chance seems to have the worst luck... he though only to himself as he consentrated on maintining the illusion.

The illusion was imperfect: the image flickered, as if unsure whether to exist or not. Tyche had neither the time nor  the tools for proper illusion magic. Still, no one wandered inside. If they saw the hideous crime being committed against the humble shopkeeper by the Realm Supernatural's equivalent of Robo-Hitler, they showed no sign. It was the City of a Thousand Hazes, after all, a City known for murders and thievery..

Chalybis suddenly realised he knew how to operate Earthborn, Supernatural, and Systemarch firearms.. there being many major differences between the three. Supernatural firearms were basic, primitive things made of black sand and heavy wood, built in the technological struggle - when the Realm Supernatural was trying, futilely, to match the firepower of the Earthborn. Earthborn firearms were highly sophisticated, and Chalybis gleaned to information as to how they were created: he knew only to pull the trigger, follow the psychic commands, and how much they were worth. Systemarch firearms.. alien and strange.. the shopkeeper had seen one, once. It had destroyed an entire continent.

The man screamed, fell to the ground, unconscious. His mind couldn't handle the strain. He twitched occasionally, as if his body was still in psychic agony.

Chalybis felt the man lose his mind. He knew there was a connection, now, and that information would soon start to flow back to him..

Tyche sighed and let go of the illusion, he would have to work on his intant-magic. "Does Chaylbis mind sharing part you learned?" he said figuring quite well what he had done seeing as what Chaylbis had said and feeling the metal energies pass between them. "Atleast about the things in the shops and how to use them. And any traps set in the place." He begins useing his magical senses to sense for anything here as well.

Chalybis heard Tyche's request, and after an instant of due consideration, decided to grant him the information He desired - or at least a large portion of it. He would not quite send all of the information though. The existence of Systemarch weapons - which were almost legendary in scope even by His standards - was best kept from Tyche, as he might be scared off if he knew of the fire power his enemies possessed. The rest of the knowledge was free for him to know however, and it would not be long before it was in his possession.


The thin streak of light flickered and blurred for a moment, after which it split in half and one of the lines turned away from the unfortunate mortal. Instead, it aimed for Tyche's forehead, and it was not long before the pulses of light began to flow through this line too - although they were now flowing from Chalybis to Tyche instead of the other way around. This was the most efficient way of teaching him what the firearms did and how they were to be operated, and Chalybis would not waste time using any other - less efficient - way. If Tyche refused, then so be it, but He would not make a second attempt at sharing the information.

Tyche was stunned at first, but as he saw it was a "directional beam" going away from Chyalbis and also his very quick words, reassured him and he drank in the knowledge while useing his own mental magic on himself to "ease" the "power-learning" and oragnise it.

Tyche soon knew everything Chalybis had gleaned about firearms, barring the Systemarch tradition.

Tyche sensed no traps, but that was to be expected: no tools, no rituals. It was safe to assume that something was in place to bar thieves, however.

Chalybis soon felt a sensation within his own mind, almost going against the current of information flowing towards Tyche.. and he knew what the shopkeeper knew of the Systemarchs: how they were rumoured to spend decades on a single perfect artifact, crafted of their own hands.. how they were rare in Niborkerese, their natural tendencies towards law and government forcing most of them to join the Conclave - the reason why they were typically distrusted and treated with suspicion in Niborkerese, though familiar faces soon were accepted as their own.. they were rarely seen, and known as 'robots' - the derogatory name given to them by the Earthborn - in Niborkerese, due to their mechanical features.. how they thought in order and systems, in numbers and patters.. a dozen legs, fifteen eyes, too much hair.. the shopkeeper, despite his prejudices, fucked - fucked, the shopkeepers word - a Systemarch once and then freaked and tried to shoot her.. he couldn't stop thinking about her for years, not until the Earthborn surgeons helped him.. are their teeth psychic? That's the rumour.. Marcento hired a Systemarch to design his most exotic narcotics..

A lot of truth, a lot of lies.

Tyche blinked a bit. "Nice." He looked around the shop, haveing the shop-keepers knowledge of the place he went to find a dagger and a hand-held firearm (preferable earthen). He now wondered about the properties of the fire-arm he had seen in the window.

XVII: This Was All The Information Chalybis Required And He Shall Now Spare Your Existence And Depart Forever After Acquiring An Item He Desires Chalybis decreed, instantaneously breaking the mental link after He had done so. The green beams disappeared, and after an instant of darkness, His 'normal' red gaze had returned to its full strength. He would keep His promise and leave the man alive - for now - and not make any further attempts at destroying its psyche unless it provoked Him again. However, He was not above taking advantage of the situation for His own improvement, and decided that this place could offer Him more than knowledge.

After going through the information He had stolen from the gunsmith in an instant, He cast His gaze over the different racks and cabinets of arms, searching for the best one. Moments later, He decided that even the best one would not be capable of satisfying His needs, and realized that there was a much more efficient way to improve Himself with the plethora of weapons found in this place. As He stood motionless, a swarm of thin tendrils formed out of His body and extended away from Him, slithering over the floor and ceiling like a perversion of worms or snakes. They spread over most of the interior, crushing glass covers, consuming steel locks, and ultimately attempting to absorb every single weapon within the store into His body...

As the weapons began to move towards Chalybis, the two Gods heard a deep ringing sound from within the storeroom of the shop - like the deep groaning of a church bell - and Tyche noticed that the glass windows begun to tint themselves black. The door slammed shut, and several clicks and whirs gave the impression that it was locking itself. Still, the dark ringing continued..

Chalybis didn't take ammunition from the place - it was held, presumably, in the store-room with the strange sound.

Chalybis's mental processes, enhanced with his recent acquisition of the knowledge of firearms, gave him a rough stock take of what he had within him:

x8 "Supernatural" Muskets
x3 "Supernatural" Dueling Pistols
x1 "Supernatural" Blunderbuss

x3 Diamond "Earthborn" Levall Revolver
x5 Plastic "Earthborn" Google Handgun
x1 Diamond "Earthborn" Google Gotd Rail-gun
x2 Diamond "Earthborn" Disney Assault Rifles
x6 Plastic "Earthborn" Disney Assault Rifles
x1 Iron "Earthborn" Smith & Wesson Revolver
x2 Iron "Earthborn" RIOTRIOTRIOT Shotguns
x1 Plastic "Earthborn" Lest Plasma Rifle
x1 Diamond "Earthborn" unmarked Sniper Rifle
 

XVIII: Too... Soon...

As He acquired the entire inventory of the store, Chalybis could feel that something was not going how it should be. His original form - the one which had remained within His own realm - had disappeared from existence, apparently slain by the Iconoclast even after it had been destroyed. This meant that it would not be long before His existence here would come to an end as well, and He already felt that part of His body was beginning to collapse from the inside out, falling apart into a nigh-infinite amount of minor components which faded into nothingness themselves.

Although there was nothing left He could do to stave off His demise - for it had already happened to Him elsewhere in the past, and this was merely the universe erasing His existence to comply with reality - He would not go without finishing what He had started. Even whilst He was falling apart on all sides, He continued to draw the weaponry towards Him, until it became one with Him, and started to fall apart itself. As the cone of light itself began to dull, Chalybis cast one last look at Tyche - the one sentient being He had begun to accept during His time here, wondering whether He would ever see him again.


And then, He was gone - disintegrated into a cloud of rust that faded away into the void beyond...

Tyche frowned at the first sign of the alarm of course there was a trap that he didn't sence even when he looked for it. Tyche focused... hard. And dissapeared.

As Chalybis disappeared, so too did the weapons held within him, cast ever into the void.

--

Tyche found himself on the roof of the shop, overlooking the lower slums of the city.

Tyche took a moment to clear his head from the teleporting and then began to walk/teleporting short distences when needed just getting away from the area... he would then leave the city for now. With no friends in sight and someone mostlikly seeking revenge of somesort for Chalybis actions, he didn't think he would stay.

As Tyche left, he saw an explosion behind him - at the shop.

That was the self-defense system: cleansing fire.

Tyche appears near the enterence to the bath-house he had left. He looks around the make sure the place is safe(ish) and to see if there are any interesting characters here.

Everyone was an interesting character in Niborkerese.

Of especially interesting note was the young man with purple dragon-tattoos inked on his back; the Systemarch woman who had affronted Chalybis, currently 'servicing' another God; an elder man with a long gold cane; a man with a large frown, round glasses, and bright clothes; and a floating orb of silver.

Tyche not seeing Chalybis dissapears.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Thu 17 Sept 2009.

Niborkerese cared little.

Grumblar walked into the room and seeing his target smiled grimly.

"I am Grumblar and I am here to revenge myself on your kind for the indignities you have inflicted on me."  He yelled loud enough to be heard in the inn below.

He leaned close and whispered, "I work for Raelis, play along until we get out of here" before sending a stool flying across the room to smash against the wall.

"No, no, no!" cried Bahd, hands rushing to his head for protection as he scrabbled about the inn. "I told you, I told you, I don't know what happened.."

He screamed a little, ran sideways into an adjoining corridor, the stench of his fear lingering in the room..

Grumblar/Raelis is given an alien thought.. Meet me, then.. third door on the left is my room.

Grumblar smashes a few other items for good measure and stumps along to the room indicated, feet pounding the floor heavily.

"Come here spider and let me squash you."  He bawled.

Grumblar comes upon a wooden door - the door he knew Bahd to be behind. Within he heard a sort of bawling. The other patrons of the Inn gave them both a wide berth. This was obviously some criminal revenge killing or something - something they, wisely, didn't want any involvement in.

Come in..

Grumblar hurls the door open and strides in, slamming the door behind him.  Raelis slips out of his chest cavity and smiles briefly at Bahd while grumblar holds a loud conversation with himself to confuse listeners.

"Hail Bahd, I am Raelis of the Conclave.  I was told to find you and I am here."

"Lovely, lovely, lovely disguise!" exclaimed Bahd, arms fluttering with excitement. "Yes, I am Bahd, and hello, Raelis. Hello. What would you care - care to do tonight? We can get straight to business, or maybe, maybe you'd like to see the sights of the Banned City?"

He was a deeply eccentric creature, and his speech patterns were a little difficult to understand, but he radiated warmth and friendship.

(OOC: And it's very good to have you back, Raelis.)

"Semi-sentient construct is always a good tool to have.  I am afraid I would like to get straight to business.  My interests here lie with sorting this matter out before it becomes more serious than it already is."

He raised one arm and looked hard at Bahd.

"I would like to know the answers to these questions now however.  Do you know how many guards he has?  Who is his normal supplier of intoxicants?  Do you know anytrhing about the layout of his dwelling?"

(OOC : Good to be back - nice holiday though!)

"Marku has, has many individual guards - mostly, yes, spherebound Gods, brother Spiders, and, and humans. As well - as well, rumour has it that he - he has access to a creature creature from the Abyss below.. below, which could be incredibly dangerous.. Marcento, yes, supplies his narcotics. He buys straight from the source.. and is close, yes, close friend of the Lord of Niborkerese."

Bahd wrapped his hands around each other, as if stressed.

"I, apologies, I apologize, sorry, I don't know the layout.."

"Not a problem.  Lets get moving.  While we're going can you think about a suitable patsy for me to use among his servants to blame the poison on."

He slips back into Grumblar, lifts the spider over one shoulder and then stomps out of the inn laughing loudly.  Once outside a whispered FIND sets him on his way to the place he was going to get modified.

Bahd slumps across Grumblar's shoulder, eyes closed, breathing eerily regular; to any casual onlookers, he's unconscious, but Raelis still felt the influence of the Spider in his mind..

Yes, not too far now.. close.. go left, it's faster that way, yes.. aha!

They were within a small, dark alley - almost too tight for Grumblar to walk within. The alley was empty except for the rats scurrying about Grumblar's feet, and the only illumination was a series of electric candles outside illuminating a single sign: DICK'S PARLOR.

This was where Raelis needed to get the surgery, he knew. There was a small door up a flight of three steps - Raelis would need to leave his mythcrafted creation in order to enter.

We're here.

Raelis considered carefully. He was going to need to time this exactly right.  Grumblar threw Bahd onto the steps as gently as possible and then turned and raised his hands.  Raelis mouthed BREAK at the electrice candles and in the flash as they went out he open the hatch, closed it again and charged up the steps.

The Spider screamed as hit hit the steps. There was scrambling and cursing in the sudden darkness - a tinkle of glass - and Raelis was inside the Parlor. Dick, a young, bearded Earthborn looked at him expectantly.

"Raelis, right?" he asked. "I haven't got anyone else on schedule. C-booked, we are. Hah. Now.. wasn't there going to be a Spider with you?"

He peered behind Raelis. What little light their was - coming from a handful of lamps inside - glinted against his goggles.

"Ah, there we are."

Raelis grimaced.

"The spider's behind me.  I'm running a slightly complex scam currently.  If you happen to get a chance please tell the story of how a horrible stone god nearly killed a spider just outside your door before leaving him for dead.  Rumors that he was interogating him for information about the conclave spiders would be of assistance but do rememeber to say the spider knew nothing."

He shakes his hood gently.

"Can we get on with this quickly, I have horrible worries about what's happening in my realm."

"Yes, yes, of course," said Dick, nodding. "We'll get right to it. Of course I'll pass on your story - C-business, yeah?"

He kept using the prefix 'C' as if it were some kind of top-secret word that added an element of danger and sexiness to every sentence he used.

"Must say, it's good to see a Divine who's actually, you know, good with plans. Most of them just rock up, waste a life, come back smashing shit down. Uncouth, especially for the C-business - especially for Niborkerese. We Earthborn think cleverer, I think, sometimes.. but then, we can't exactly emulate your abilities, aheh.."

He nodded again.

"Yeah. Well. I've got the chip all ready. We'll just plant it into your head, just quickly like, and you'll feel the change straight away.. oh, this is illegal stuff, alright.."

Raelis nods and waves the man to continue.

"I am a god of words and that means that I have to be able to manipulate those words.  My powers are shall we say, significantly more flexible than those of most gods.  General is the term I tend to use.  But mostly they are effective when applied properly.  I've got a dispensation for this technology and it'll help with this ruse so I'll use it.  I fully intend to remove it as soon as possible."

"Ah, yes, yes.." said Dick. He worked with some machinery, glittering in the darkness. There was a moan from outside. "Could you, uh, drag your friend in? I'm trying to work.."

Raelis lifts a hand and motions to Bahd to MOVE into the room.  He then asks him to HEAL and be CUREd and generally stop moaning and making a mess on the floor.

Bahd's minor wounds were cured, but he was still unconscious and splayed on the floor. Systemarchs, it seemed, were fragile.

"Okay, we're all set," said Dick. "Now, you want the short and easy - but painful - way, or the long way?"

"I'll take painful.  Could I ask that you make sure Bahd isn't hurt after I leave but is seen to be unconcious?  That will improve my reputation as an opponent of the spiders which I am trying to build on."

"Oh, yes, of course. He had orders to lie low here anyway, until the job was done, so that won't be a problem. I've got more than enough space.. and maybe we can talk about some of the things I've always wondered about, like quantum mechanics or the Chain of Anvils.."

He drifted off.

"Okay. Sorry. What we're going to do is, you're going to lie down on this bed," he said, pointing to a squalid, flat surface nearby - were they blood stains? - with chain straps at the neck, legs, and arms, "And I'll install the 'wavechip. It's an illegal one. You'll feel some interesting sensations."

"Oh, yes, of course. He had orders to lie low here anyway, until the job was done, so that won't be a problem. I've got more than enough space.. and maybe we can talk about some of the things I've always wondered about, like quantum mechanics or the Chain of Anvils.."

He drifted off.

"Okay. Sorry. What we're going to do is, you're going to lie down on this bed," he said, pointing to a squalid, flat surface nearby - were they blood stains? - with chain straps at the neck, legs, and arms, "And I'll install the 'wavechip. It's an illegal one. You'll feel some interesting sensations."

Suddenly, an alien thought made itself known to Raelis within his own mind, not unlike the speech of Bahd: Low Lord Raelis, a message from Associate Aesin, via Hermes Messaging: "Sir Raelis, I request permission to access the restricted areas of the archives for my own personal use in the quest against the enemies of the Conclave.

Raelis lies down and nods decisively.

"Proceed.  I have little time.  I must speak quickly to one of my underlings so will be splitting my attention but I have very little in the way of a body or pain receptors."

Dick nodded, strapped Raelis in, and picked up a sharp blade. Raelis, even with his limited pain receptors, felt a strange, invasive sensation.. there was some playing about with the inside of his mind.. for a long while he couldn't speak, had forgotten his own name, and believed himself to be a small lamp .. and then Dick stood back up after an hour's work.

"We're done, Raelis. How do you feel?"

He unstrapped the God of Words, who'd regained all of his mental functions.

"Good - I'm eager to get this finished.  How do I activate the implant and will someone be able to detect and determine the exact source of its use?"

Another swirling portal - undoubtedly just one of many - appeared before the gates of Niborkerese, shedding a foreboding red light over the immediate area. The light went out - no, was blocked out - and a torrent of scrap metal came forth from the portal, gathering in a large pile beneath it. It's exact origins were unclear, but it strangely resembled a congregation of filth that had been seen within the city some time ago, in the form of a ball that rolled through the streets. This time, it appeared to be bigger however, twice as large as it had been before and free from rust. But it was here once more, and that could mean only one thing - Chalybis was returning to Niborkerese...

As the portal stopped belching out scrap, the red gaze returned, going over the pile of metal below it. Almost instantly, the pile began to stir, twisting and reforming itself to form an ever-growing metal figure. It was not long before it had reached its full size again, twice as large as it had been during His previous presence. The portal faded out and became an orb of red light, floating up to embed itself into the head of the construct and become its eye. Everything stopped for a moment as the construct completed itself, but not much later it came into motion again, lifting up a massive feet and stepping calmly through the city gates.

'i: And Now, Chalybis Will Find An Earthling...'

Dick grinned. "It's already active. You'll find the whole thing unwieldy at first, but in an hour or so it'll be second nature. Don't worry, it's a subtle thing, and unless they crack your skull open or have some sort of BlackZootSUIT they won't be able to get a trace on you. This stuff is pretty heavy. The best for the C."

He nodded enthusiastically.

"You have the ability to SCAN certain objects. Just mentally think 'I SCAN such and such' and it'll hit the Information Vaults and give you a summary of what you need. You can also scan people. This chip'll also give you two very, very illicit abilities: the ability to read minds being the first, and to shift your electromagnetic imprint (and thus all of the associated physical properties) with it. Telepathy and teleportation in layman's terms. Both aren't that solid, so be careful with them."


His grin was broad now.

"But while teleportation chips aren't legal for any except the Councilled Earthborn, they're not what makes this thing a real piece of art. No. No no no - what makes this thing great, you listening, is the Golden Apple Protocol.. the GAP to us tech-types, but to you and to the world, the software that allows you to take sphereoaths without worrying. That is to say, you can be bound to the Callisti three times," he raised three fingers, "thrice, without having to worry. The chip'll take the metaphysical oath and store it under the theoelectromagnetic profile of 'Lassinth, God of Fury', some idiot who messed with the Conclave one time too many. But this stuff is hush-hush, we're talking top-secret. So keep it down."

He blinked, took a deep breath. That was a lot of words.

"Questions?"

--

Chalybis - out of subconscious habit, perhaps - appeared, once again, in the baths. Wisps of steam rose dreamily from the public washing-pools, and the place was abuzz with people, all rushing around, cleaning. Public nudity was rampant; the people didn't seem to care.

Upon His appearance, Chalybis realised that there was a small yet fatal flaw in His current plan. Whilst He was intent on finding an Earthborn gunsmith, He did not actually know what one of these Earthborn was supposed to be or how to find one of them within this city - both of which were rather crucial information. He would have to acquire this first before He could actually begin tracking down the Earthborn, but this should not prove to be much effort. The place around Him was riddled with other beings, each more pathetic than the next, and one of them had to know what an Eearthborn looked like and where in Niborkerese they were usually found.

'ii: Now Which Of These Pathetic Beings Knows What Chalybis Desires To Know...'

He gazed down upon the filthy beings that were beneath Him - in more ways than one - trying to find one that looked somewhat knowledgeable yet mostly exhausted or otherwise incapacitated by the inappropriate activities that were conducted in this place. When He had done so, He focused His gaze on the being as He had done before with the divine gunsmith, attempting to extract all usable information He could get about these 'Earthborn'. He would be merciful and allow the being to retain its knowledge, as He decided that this being could not possibly hold any information that was of such importance that it would be worth being kept only to Himself.

Raelis shook his head and then stood.  He raised a hand and attempted to speak directly into the thoughts of Dick.

"I see no reason to question this further.  I believe this will assist me in the future.  Can I disable the illegal abilities without disabling the SCAN function.  This would be an asset in the future if I could retain it.  Is it possible to disable part of the chip without disabling the whole?"

Dick seemed to get the message easily enough.

"Unfortunately, it's beyond my incredibly capable skill to remove the illegal functions, and the C-orders regardless say that it must be removed," he said, "But if you want to pass me two hundred Conclave Stones on your return, I'll happily install a fully legal version for you. Two hundred's a bargain. Hell, make it a hundred fifty."

--

The man in front of Chalybis stared at him coolly. He was, Chalybis soon realised, no mere mortal. He was dressed in elaborate silver silk, silver chains hanging from his neck, and bore a rod made in a similar fashion. His shoes were expensive, and his hair was finely cut. His hands were covered in strange-jeweled rings. But it was not these aspects that made him truly different.. it was his eyes. They were specked with silver, as if they had stared into the face of the stars themselves, and besides this were a piercing green.

"Ah," said the being. "A malicious God. I see. Leave, Godling, before I crush you."

He raised the stave menacingly, as if to swat an irritating insect.

A sudden pop, and a message appears between the two:

*Chalybis!*
*Big fight going on In City of Dreams*
*Earthen Soldiers + High Tech Weapons*
*Lots of Fun! Oh and don't look at in eyes!*
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:35, Mon 28 Sept 2009.

"Very good."

Raelis heads out and re-enters Grumblar and then sends him towards the nearest source of the narcotics Marku is addicted to using FIND to locate them."

Chalybis ignored the letter - noticing that it was identical to the one He had already received within His own realm - and continued to stare at the being that dared to defy Him. For some reason, the beings that inhabited this plane had a tendency of doing so, presumably because the criminal nature of the realm was most inviting to the rebellious types of beings. This would be their downfall though, for Chalybis was not one to be defied, and He would now make another example out of this silvery being. Even if it was not a mortal, it would not stand before Him and survive.

I: Foolish Mortal If You Truly Believe That Such A Pathetic Instrument Would Be Capable Of Harming The Mighty Chalybis He Shall Take It And All Other Such Objects Away From You As A Punishment He declared, raising His right hand above the man. A host of thin tendrils sprouted from the palm and soared downwards, heading for the many pieces of silver metal that the man carried on his person - including the stave he was so threateningly wielding. It would not be long before Chalybis would absorb all of them into Himself, stripping the man of whatever weapon he wanted to threaten Him with...

The command was too general; Grumblar would lurch off towards the Free Market, looking for drugs, but the specific items were not easy to find. There was no context.. thousands, tens of thousands of narcotics were sucked, snorted, smoked, ingested throughout Niborkerese. It was a wild maze of smoke and sand, and a difficult one to navigate.

--

The star-eyed man stared coldly towards the Machine-God. For whatever reason, the tendrils refused to touch him, and his silverware did not move. He smiled bitterly.

An invisible struggle was occurring.

Raelis gave up and used FIND on Marku's himself.  It appeared he would have to do this the hard way.  He keeps using FIND until Marku is either in sight or he's certain which building he's in.

Chalybis was resisted once again - something which He was growing rather tired of by now - by this inferior being that stood before Him. Apparently it possessed some metaphysical capabilities which He had not been aware of before, but that was something He could easily remedy now that He knew about it. Of course, it did mean the being was somewhat mightier than He had originally expected, but it would still never be a serious threat to His divine form.

He blinked, and His divine gaze took on a new blue hue of light, revealing the magic that was shielding the being. It seemed to be a rather potent effect - and the being itself appeared to radiate an immense amount of magic as well - but Chalybis was not impressed by this. He had spent aeons practising the destruction of magic during His previous existence, and would not be defied by something that was barely above a mortal. The gaze began to draw the magic away from the being, consuming it in an attempt to destroy the barrier that kept His tendrils at bay.

Grumblar stumbles across half the city before reaching the Tower of Marku, where Marku lived and worked. It was a tall, sombre thing, made of dark blue stone. Outside, iron furnaces blazed, vomiting their smoke to the world. Raelis noticed the presence of several silver orbs floating around the place.

Heavy stone gates - adorned at the top with spikes of steel - protected the tower.

--

"Clever," said the man. "But a mistake, Chalybis of Telluratus."

With that, he vanished.

Grumblar smiled at the stone of the gates.  This was something he knew and could handle.  He lifted his hand and smashed it down on the gate trying to summon someone to speak to.

(Chalybis, do you plan to post?)

OOC: Yes, but if you get to be slow about it, so do I. :P

As the offensive being disappeared from below Chalybis' Gaze, the steel tendrils that had been held back by its existence shot forward into the ground beneath. Although they managed to pull out a fair amount of piping - undoubtedly related to the clouds of steam that were everywhere - there was no trace to be found of the star-eyed man or its possessions. Chalybis was not really concerned about it though, for there were plenty of other beings around to question - if it were not for the fact that He had already seen a few humans in the City of Dreams now, and thus knew what they were.

Ignoring the damage He had done to the building - which was probably angering several of the patrons - He stepped out and cast His gaze over the rest of the city around Him. There had to be an earthborn gunsmith around here somewhere, and He would find it. With that in mind, He set off into the depths of Niborkerese, searching for a place that seemed to have a higher than average concentration of humanoids. If there were any human stores, that is where they could be found.

Grumblar's knocking paid off. The gate soon swung open, and Raelis was met by a tall, dark-skinned, bald man in fine purple clothes. He bore a wooden staff, and smiled towards Grumblar. His teeth were sharpened in the likeness of blades.

"I am bound by oath to introduce myself," he said to Raelis. "I am Liktomarsensis, or Likt, or the Devourer of Parensvolus. I am an example of the multifractal energy being loosely called a 'demon', and I have protected this place for just on seven years. Name and purpose, please."

--

Before Chalybis could come to any conclusions, he felt a familiar process.. pain. Staccato gunshots filled the air. Behind him.. back in the ruined spa.. someone was shooting at him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:38, Wed 07 Oct 2009.

Raelis stares at the daemon.

"I am called many things but most call me Grumblar, God of Stone.  I wish to speak to Marku, I believe he can help me obtain certain information about the spiders that I need in order to revenge myself on them.  I do not come empty handed and can pay for the information I wish."

Deep within Grumblar Raelis whispered FIND looking for Marku's drug store.

Chalybis gaze spun around within His head, ending up behind Him. Apparently there was another mortal there that dared to defy Him, and He would not accept such a thing - or at least not twice.  If these beings insisted on being troublesome every single time He did anything within this place, it was time to end their insolence once and for all by obliterating every single mortal and immortal that had the nerve of standing up to Him. After they had been massacred, the rest of the inhabitants of this realm would know better than to invoke His wrath...


II: Let All Those Amongst These Pathetic Beings Dares To Question The Authority And Might Of He Who Is Chalybis Make Themselves Known Now And Accept Their Fate For He Shall Be Forced To Resort To A Disproportionate Divine Retribution If This Does Not Happen

The demon returns Grumblar's stare coolly.

"I'm afraid that - if you aren't a personal friend of Marku, or have a registered appointment with myself - you'll have to leave a message. I'll happily relay, in good faith, anything you leave, I am bound, and cannot act otherwise."

Raelis knew, suddenly, that Marku kept his drugs in a hidden third level beneath the ground - beneath even the 'basement' of his tower mansion.

--

Nothing manifested. The shooting stopped. All that remained behind Chalybis were the ruins of the spa.

"Of course.  Please tell him I called and that I wish to speak with him.  I will return later when hopefully he will have given me permission to make an appointment."

Grumblar turns and wanders off round the side of the building looking for a nearby building that looked deserted or at the very least unoccupied.

As Chalybis prepared to invoke His wrath upon those within the ruined spa, it suddenly dawned upon Him that something like this had happened to Him before, upon His unfortunate demise within His own realm. The effects that struck any of His incarnations were transferred to all of the others, but with a short delay, almost as if they were ripples in reality itself that spread through existence. He had been shot in the City of Dreams rather recently, and perhaps this was the backlash that had happened because of it? Still, He could not turn back His words now, even if this was the case. He had made a statement and would have to follow up on it no matter what.

III: Very Well Then It Appears That Those Responsible Are Too Cowarldy To Admit Their Sins Against The Infinite Might Of Chalybis And Have Thus Condemned All Of You To Suffer A Premature And Definite Annihilation By His Hands

Within His gaze another silver lance was formed, similar to the one His other incarnation had used in the City of Dreams not too long ago. It was not quite identical though - for it never was the same thing twice - writhing and pulsing with divine energy as it shattered into dozens of smaller shards, each of them quickly taking the form of a smaller lance. They shot forward, each of them unerringly seeking out one of the beings that remained within the ruins and infecting them with His deadly influence. Of course, it caused only minor harm right now, but in a few seconds, they would learn to fear the - misplaced - wrath of Chalybis...

Tyche appears here at random trying to tap into his abilities as he sends this self forward.

Raelis

"I will do that, sir," said the demon.

Grumblar rumbled off, and Raelis soon found - several blocks down in a shabbier district - the shell of a once-grand building.

Chalybis

The silver lances struck a few targets, and their screams came up into the night sky. Chalybis had caught a few, then, but the fight was not nearly over.. the idiocy of shooting off into random targets would not be ignored. Gunfire, again, from somewhere within the ruins of the spa, struck Chalybis. This time, he could be sure that it would continue..

Of course, the metamorphosis had begun, and soon enough the Machine God's enemies would be forced to turn on one another.

Tyche

Tyche appears in a small, rundown bar of sorts. The barkeep, a small, skinny man, looked at him suspiciously. No one else was drinking within.

"Drink?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Wed 14 Oct 2009.

Grumblar walks into the shell and moves around inspecting the ground. When he has determined the most stable looking area of ground he starts diging a pit straight downwards heading for the depth of a certain nearby cellar.

"Whats the payment?" He asks. "Don't have much..."

Chalybis stood before the spa without flinching, not concerned with the minor holes that were created in His body by the barrage of fire for they were no more than pin pricks to His magnificent form. Although He would normally have waited without taking additional actions against His victims, He was fully aware that Paradox was coming after Him once more, and that a large amount of damage would strike Him soon. Because of this, His adversaries had to be gone before this happened, if only to quench any foolish ideas that they had harmed Him before they could arise.

He fixed His gaze upon the crater inside the structure - where He had struck with His tendrils not long ago - and saw the network of pipes and boilers that ran underneath it. It appeared to run underneath the entire building, making it the perfect tool to use against these infidels. His gaze dulled slightly as He willed it to live, but as it did so an eerie red hue formed over the network of steel, infusing it with a tiny fragment of His own power and forcing it to awaken under His command.

Formerly rigid steel began to shiver, twisting and warping into new forms as the pipes tore themselves loose from their stone surroundings. The boilers raged with infernal heat, filling the network with a supernatural steam that surged out from cracks and endings. The pipes pierced the floor tiles above them like groups of steel tentacles, spraying their scalding hot steam everywhere as they flailed about blindly within the remainders of the spa.

Chalybis knew that whilst the steam was hot enough to sear away flesh and other living tissue with ease, the perfect steel that made up His new minions would not be affected by it in the least, giving them another edge to use against the pitiful resisting creatures. With the steam boiling organisms alive, the thick steel pipes grasping at creatures and crushing them to death, and the horde of steel minions that was steadily arising to serve Him, this would be over soon...

Raelis

Grumblar's powerful hands soon meet cement and stone - the cellar. It would be a simple, if loud, matter to gain entrance.

Chalybis

There were shouts of rage, followed by screams of agony, and Chalybis saw the clouds of once-highly pressurized steam rise, as it boiled his quarries alive. There was gunfire, but it was pathetic, and nothing hit Chalybis. Now, steam rose menacingly in the sky, a momentary monument to deadly bastard that was the God of Industry..

Although His victory over the recently created - by himself no less - resistance was undeniable and imminent, Chalybis was not quite pleased. This futile event had wasted far too much of His precious time and had been a - minute - drain on His powers, something which He did not like. Fortunately, there was a positive side to this situation, for it appeared that those who had dared to defy Him had possessed firearms of some kind, which were - although presumably of supernatural origins and therefore weak - something He would gladly strip from their corpses or new steel bodies.

He stepped into the spa - or whatever remained of it - again, and cast His red gaze through the white steam clouds, shedding an eerie light over the gruesome scene. Dead or dying bodies lay between the debris of the building, flesh seared beyond recognition, limbs mangled by crushing steel pipes, and torsos bleeding as they were perforated by the hail of silver needles, all of them slowly turning into mechanical abominations as they lay helpless within the ruins. Of course, some of them still refused to give in, fighting back the corruption until their last breath - a futile effort that only prolonged their agony as their inevitable demise crept closer.

Chalybis let out a host of thin tendrils which slithered over the warping carcasses that were scattered around Him, seeking out the weaponry that had attacked Him and absorbing them into His body. It was interesting to see how many of these pathetic beings were apparently in the possession of such lethal weaponry, allowing Him to add them to His arsenal without having to deal with any significant resistance - a very convenient situation for Him to be in.

Now that the battle was all but over, it was almost time to reclaim His power, but He would still wait for a while, preferring to let Paradox strike Him first before absorbing the remainder of the spa, so that the pipes and boilers might contribute to the restoration of the damage that inevitably came with the ripples of reality that formed the Paradox. Meanwhile He could observe the forming of His new minions in great detail, viewing the last agonizing moments of His former adversaries with disturbingly great interest. Of course, none of them had actually been His enemy before He attacked them, but that was not of any consequence right now...

Raelis informs the stones of the cellar that they need to MOVE aside for him as he doesn't fele much like smashing them.

Raelis

Unfortunately, the concrete-enforced stones could not move, bound as they were by the cement. They seemed a little sad at this.

Chalybis

A ripple in space-time.. suddenly, he was assaulted with pain as great blows and mighty strikes threw themselves upon him.. he felt himself stagger.. paradox. While this was occurring, however, the God of Industry saw no problem in assimilating the metal spa around him, and the pain stopped as soon as it begun - he was fully healed. It would now only be a matter of time until would be recreated in Telluratus..

Raelis yawns and then requests that the concrete will BREAK apart so that the bricks may MOVE.

After He had drowned out the damaging influence of Paradox with surges of new steel, Chalybis had been restored to an impeccable condition again, also getting rid of the minor bullet holes the resistance had caused. He still failed to see why all of these creatures had chosen to defy His might, as their resistance had been utterly futile and had only prolonged their suffering at His hands. If they had fled in time, they might have survived, but now they were all dead, doomed to turn into one of His steel servants soon. Now they could become part of what they had been fighting off as their bodies were warped beyond repair, and their minds were enslaved to His rule.

Chalybis waited for this process to complete itself before continuing onwards through the streets of Niborkerese. Although the new minions paled in comparison to Him, it meant He was no longer 'alone', and could dispatch them to deal with any further defiance - meaning He would not have to waste time on it Himself. There were several other things He was intending to use them for this time, but that was something He would test after He had acquired what He was looking for...

Raelis

The concrete breaks, shifting apart, shattering. The stones move.. and Raelis is presented with a dark whole leading into a cellar unknown, still much to small for Grumblar to enter.

Chalybis

Chalybis is restored. The bullet wounds mend, the bleeding oil stops, the tears in his great iron frame are healed.. he is restored again. The nicks and dents disappear. The worrying sounds of machinery failing and gears getting caught are silenced. His clockwork automatons follow as Raelis wanders down the street..

Where a familiar face soon manifests.

The man with starry eyes..

"Chalybis," said the man, his voice dripping with spite. He carried a cane made of wood and inscribed with all manner of sigils and eldritch markings. "You destroyed the entire spa. Why would you do that? Why? Now I will have to destroy you, see."

Raelis opens the hatch and orders grumblar to guard the hole before lowering himself inside.  Before he does so he picks up a small rock and orders a very small part of it to ENFLAME in order to give him light in the hole.

Chalybis remembered this creature, knowing it as the only humanoid that had so far managed to actually stand up to His wrath without being reduced to a mindless automaton or a mangled corpse. And now it had returned to mock Him once more, actually threatening Chalybis as if it actually stood a chance against Him. However, this time Chalybis was fully aware of the magical powers possessed by this defiant, and had received some time to prepare the battle in the form of His new horde of mindless automatons. The sorcerer would perish before His might, crushed beneath the automatons that had once been his friends.

IV: If You A Pathetic Mortal Being Were So Emotionally Attached To The Destroyed Building That You Feel The Need To Threaten Lord Chalybis Because Of Its Destruction Then Your Fellow Patrons Might Be Capable Of Convincing You To View The World From The Correct Perspective So That You Might Join Them In Their Eternal Servitude

The automatons shambled and crawled onwards on their steel limbs, heading towards the sorcerer with a murderous intent glaring out of their mechanical eyes and scraping their razor-sharp nails past each other as they approached him. Chalybis Himself simply stood there, returning the stare at the mortal as His gaze was slowly shifting into the magic-disrupting blue hue which He had used to disable the sorcerer during their last encounter. Once His adversary had been deprived of its pathetic magical prowess it would be an easy prey for His minions, ending his defiance forever.

Raelis

Gas.

The explosion was violent in the extreme. The flame lit huge reserves of some form of gas, exploding outwards and immolating Raelis. He stumbled, fell, as he burned.. could feel his essence unraveling as the cloak was damaged.. felt his non-existent leg break as he was thrown to the ground, the roar filling his ears with a ringing he would have for the remainder of this life..

Chalybis

The man grinned, facing the automatons head on. He seemed completely ready for conflict. The wooden stave was raised as if t was a viable weapon. As the clockwork creatures clattered and clanked towards Sasocles, the magician raised the weapon with a self-righteous smirk..

... and nothing happened.

He grimaced, pointed again.

The same results.

"Interesting," said the magician, and threw the staff - which he'd spent two days crafting - aside, as if it were nothing.

He raised his hands, showing pure white gloves. Combat gloves.

"Come now, Chalybis, and let's see if you can handle Sasocles, Master of the Blazing Fires of the Pit of Nabor!"

Chalybis gazed upon the mortal with a certain curiosity now. Did the fool really believe that it could threaten Him with physical power now that He had taken away its eldritch might? Either there was something about this mortal that He was not yet aware of, or it possessed great delusions of grandeur of its own. Although the latter seemed to be more realistic considering the situation, He was fully aware that He could not risk the former being truth and being defeated in single combat by a mere mortal. Because of that He resisted the rising urge to simply raise a massive foot and stomp down upon the mortal, going with another method that did not involve actual contact instead.

V: You Cannot Make Any Demands To Me Foolish Mortal For Your Titles Abilities And Equipment Are All Meaningless Now That Your Pitiful And Insignificant Existence Is About To End At The Hands Of Those You Once Cared About And Who Have Now Fallen For The Might Of The Great Chalybis As You Are About To Fall As Well

As the horde of mechanical constructs continued its unhindered advance upon the sorcerer, Chalybis Himself raised one of His giant arms and pointed it at His adversary. The armour around the fingertips of His hand gradually began to peel away, revealing diamond-covered gun barrels - the weapons He had taken from the earthlings in the City of Dreams after He had vanquished their bodies there. They looked somewhat off now, altered to match with His own structure and infused with the divinity that coursed through His body. They had been powerful weaponry before, but inside Him they had become even more.

Energy crackled around the weapons as a powerful charge built up within them, empowering the projectiles within them and readying their attack. Chalybis pointed the fingers at the surrounded sorcerer with some care, waiting for His automatons to surround the man before He unceremoniously willed the weaponry to fire, sending a hail of red-glowing diamond shards soaring towards him. Although these weapons had not been that effective against His own form, He was certain that their effect upon a lesser being would be capable of pleasing His desire for its extermination...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Fri 16 Oct 2009.

Raelis muttered HEAL as quickly as he could before climbing back into Grumblar and awaiting those who would  come to investigate the explosion.

Raelis

His body reformed, easily healing the burning damage. The flames were doused. Raelis was weakened considerably, but not damaged in the least. It was then that he saw the humanoid figure crawl out of the hole, white ggloves smeared with black..

The man twinkling eyes - eyes that, it seemed, contained the cosmos - and a strange look about him, as if he knew more than he could ever tell. His grin, as he nodded curtly towards Raelis, was one of self-restrained arrogance. He was wounded in the shoulder - firearm bullet, Raelis hazarded - but with a casual gesture of his hand the wound disappeared.

"Hello," said the being. "Welcome to my, aheh, humble abode. Why would a Divine bother digging into my cellar? Were you trying to steal something? Are you a thief?"

In the distance, a thin pillar of smoke could be seen..

Chalybis

The clockwork automatons surrounded the magician, blocking any chance he had to escape. The guns were readied. The automatons, Chalybis knew, were excited in their simple way, eager to take the kill..

Sasocles spontaneously combusted. Before Chalybis could react, the magician had burst into a blue-white flame, cackling as Chalybis saw his body turn to ash. The guns were fired, many missing their mark and piercing the fragile clock-zombies.. the flame was gone as soon as it had started. Smoke rose from the point where the magician had once existed, and from a point in the far distance.. the cackling remained.

Too simple. Chalybis knew that the chances of Sasocles committing suicide instead of fighting were slim.

This was simply the way the trickster fought.

It was far from over.

Grumblar laughs at Raelis's command.

"I am no thief and have no interest in what is contained in your cellar.  I was seeking to get to a certain depth.  A rock god must still eat and this place has little in the way of uncontaminated rock for one to feast on.  I thought this building abandoned and therefore choose to dig in this place.  Who are you and what was that that exploded, I assume the torch I was using set it off?"

As the flames died out again and the sorcerer disappeared into a wisp of smoke, Chalybis and His minions were left behind in the streets. Several of the minions had been shattered completely, torn apart by the earthborn weaponry Chalybis wielded, and the others were quick to 'devour' the components that remained, adding them to their own bodies in an attempt to grow stronger. Chalybis allowed this to happen, not concerned with such minor casualties amongst the insignificant creatures. The sorcerer was His primary concern right now, as it had managed to elude Him twice by now and there did not appear to be an obvious method of stopping him from doing so again. Although the mortal attacks had not been any real threat, the idea that these could take place at any point in time or space was somewhat concerning and had to be dealt with immediately.

After retracting the earthborn weapons into His form, He noticed the staff that had been left behind by the sorcerer. The mortal had seemed quite convinced that this magical object would have been capable of affecting Chalybis with its powers, so it too had to be destroyed, if only to be on the safe side. He fixed His gaze upon it for a short time, tearing away whatever magic it contained and turning it back into what it had once been, an utterly mundane and powerless fragment of dead wood.

With that threat removed from existence, Chalybis turned back to the issue of the sorcerer who continued to escape Him. Apparently He would require more minions to dispose of Him, enough to spread out through the city and track down the sorcerer whenever it fled away using his powers so that it would not escape Him again. Of course, that did mean He would require further mortals first to change into automatons - His own Servants were far too important to be used on these things - which might become an issue of its own. With the spa lying in ruins behind Him, His gaze - still blueish in colour - went over the surrounding area, attempting to locate another densely populated building for Him to claim.

Raelis

"Perhaps it was the torch," said the being, but his eyes showed stars and Raelis knew that it was he, the humanoid being, who had caused the explosion. "I am Sasocles of Alkan. Rock god, if you forgive me, I doubt your name is Grumblar - and I doubt that is your true being. What is your name, friend? Who are you, truly?"

So he was a Sorcerer of Alkan - the greatest magicians on Yggdrasil.

Chalybis

Chalybis spent an hour stripping the wood of its magical properties.. and even then, he wasn't entirely sure that it had all disappeared. It was a strange, wondrous thing - the kind of the thing the God of Industry despised.

Chalybis soon found a tavern filled with people having a fun time. Because Chalybis hated fun, it might be perfect.

Raelis looked more than a little surprised.

"I am certainly called Grumblar.  However I am not alone in this place.  A god accompanies me for reasons of his own.  He calls himself Raelis, god of words.  He has no interest in you either - he is interested in another god in this area and was asking me to dig as part of a plan."

Chalybis was somewhat alarmed by the sheer power that radiated from the fragment of wood, and even more so by the fact that He could not dispose of it that easily. Unwilling to simply leave it now, He encapsulated the staff in a small cavity within His body, incapable of truly assimilating it as its wood was an organic compound with which He could not work. Although there were obvious risks associated with carrying it around within Himself, it was the best place to keep it until He could have it disposed of properly within Telluratus - nothing survived the eternal forges and a magical piece of wood would be no exception...

Fortunately, His minions had made somewhat better progress with their own simple tasks, and had lead Him to another building of inferior design which appeared to contain a lot of mortals. The ones in here appeared to be engaging in activities that were similar to those at the spa, apparently intoxicating themselves with several types of liquids to bring some enjoyment to their insignificant and pathetic lives. Now He had arrived here, it would not be long before those lives would be ended, rapidly being replaced by a more powerful and worthy form of existence under His control.

After allowing His minions to gather around the building - this would be over far faster if the resistance had their organic lives ended during the transformation, preventing them from attempting to fight it - Chalybis called another silver lance into existence, shaping it into a swarm of arrows that quivered silently in mid-air, otherwise hanging motionless within His gaze, seemingly eager to launch themselves forward into the building. As both the silver arrows and the minions below were now ready to commence their attack, Chalybis proclaimed another decree, the last one the occupants of the tavern would ever hear.

VI: Chalybis Hereby Declares That All Existence Within This Building Now Belongs To Him And Him Alone And All Of It Will Be Liberated From Its Organic Coils To Meet His Standards As Mechanical Entities Immediately He spoke, and at the final word, the arrows sped forward, perforating the roof and wall of the tavern as they headed for its occupants. Simultaneously, the horde of minions was released from their restraints and surged forward into the tavern, eager to shed blood for their master Chalybis...

Raelis

"Hrrnh," said Sasocles. "Forgive me, my friend, but I don't believe that. You've been named, but you're nothing more than rock, thought.. and the will of another. I don't what made this - or you - but if you desire a real life, I can give that to you. All I ask is that, if you've ever heard the name Chalybis, and if you know the being personally.. and have something of his.. that I have it. I can give you life for my vendetta, and more. I believe you have something of his. If it is not independent existence you seek, Grumblar, I can assist in other ways."

His eyes twinkled magnificently. This was a deeply mysterious an individual.. one of the fabled Sorcerers of Alkan, the greatest magicians in the universe and the keepers of the mysterious Realm Sorcerous.. his eyes were a smattering of stars, reflecting the night sky. His grin was powerful, all-knowing.

"I won't haggle for it, and I won't bargain, but I assure you - my need is absolute," said Sasocles. "Chalybis has wronged me, and wrongs must be avenged."

Chalybis

The windows of the tavern were blasted with the shrill cries of the victims within. Several ran out of the tavern wailing and waving their hands in agony. These were cut down efficiently by the clockwork servants. Blood was spillt; a little oil, but not much. Chalybis himself was personally untouched. The tavern was trashed. The fight didn't last long.. and soon the tavern itself was up in flames, no doubt the result of spilled lanterns.

A shot hit Chalybis - something familiar and painful. Gunfire. Another rang out. And another.. he was being shot out, but the combination of smoke, fire, the night-time and clever positioning of the gunmen made them extremely difficult to find. One to the north.. another to the south? Or was there one exceedingly quick one? Chalybis couldn't tell. He was bleeding oil.. another shot rang, hitting him in the arm.

Chalybis felt an invisible pressure descend upon his mind. Godling.. it said. You will pay for your crimes against Marcento the Mighty. The pressure deepened.. something psychic.. and another shot pierced Chalybis's leg.

Raelis stepped forth from his hiding place.

"He doesn't know of Chalybis and has nothing of his and will confirm that if you are interested.  I am the enemy of Chalybis and I have taken something from his realm and have it stored within mine.  If Grumblar wishes sentience and free will I will give it to you for that gift to him.  If not you may have it for free if you will aid me in finding my own history.  I was known in ages past as Raelis, god of words and I seek the tale of my death in a previous life.  I cannot find aught that tells of my death and the records in my own realm were destroyed seemingly at my own order.  I seek those who have sufficient knowledge of divination to assist me."

He motions to Grumblar.

"Speak, if you wish sentience and free will ask and be free in the answering."

Raelis then turned back to Sasocles.  "I've just been told that Chalybis is attacking the realm of a god that I am allied with with a form of realm changing corruption.  Would you consider assisting with this?  If you could turn the corruption back on Chalybis that would be a most suitable revenge no?"

As Chalybis was shot at again from various angles, He began to consider the idea of simply leaving this place for now - apparently every single being here insisted on defying Him with their insignificant powers. He decided against this option though, for He was not intent on giving in to the powers of mere mortals and other lesser beings. If this meant that He had to exterminate every single living creature within this place to enforce His will upon it, then so be it.

Until this moment, He had only liberated the organic adversaries from their pathetic bodies and turned them into beings that were closer to perfection than they would ever have come on their own, but the time for mercy was now over. As He moved back slightly and ordered His minions - both the newly created ones as well as the older ones - to go forth and exterminate the ones that defied Him, the impeccable metal armour that covered Him began to turn a filthy brown again, covering itself with a thick coat of rust within an instant. A thin brownish mist rose up from it, polluting the area around Him with its vile influence.

As the next bullet came, it withered away rapidly, becoming nothing more than an utterly decayed husk of itself in the instant it travelled through the cloud and harmlessly disintegrating upon His surface. Whilst the cloud persisted, these pathetic mortal weapons would not be capable of seriously affecting Him any further - if the previously caused damage could be called serious at all - allowing Him to ignore these persistent yet cowardly attackers until He had come up with a suitable method of dealing with them.

There appeared to be something else going on though, for His mind was feeling heavier each moment, as if something was attempting to force its way into it without His knowledge. This feeling was confirmed when a disembodied voice - much like the psychic communication Tyche had possessed - resounded within His head, alerting Him to the presence of some other being. It seemed He was faced with yet another attacker who did not dare to appear before His might in person, and attempted to attack Him from a safe distance. This pitiful attempt would be in vain, for there was no distance far enough to escape Chalybis' wrath...

i: If You Are Intent To Tamper With The Workings Of Chalybis Mind Then Their Full Magnificence Shall Be The Final Thing You Witness Before Being Reduced To Nothingness He thought strongly over the mental link to whatever was attempting to break into His mind. Instantaneously, the mental connection began to alter itself as His mind opened itself to the invader; not as a collapse of its defences, but as an metaphysical void that attempted to draw the attacker into it. If He succeeded, His adversary's mind would be erased, its knowledge becoming merely another fragment of that possessed by Himself. This was the fate that had befallen the iconoclast Matthias, the fate it had attempted to condemn Chalybis too, and it would be the one to befall any others that dared to attack Him mentally.

Raelis

Grumblar spoke.

"I.. would.. like to live.."

His crafted eyes, slits against stone, were eager with hope. Sasocles patted him on his rocky side.

"And so it will be done," said Sasocles. "As soon as we get somewhere where I can have a little more.. privacy .. for my rituals. I will happily assist you in your endeavors against Chalybis. And when that is complete, I will - in return for the pieces of robotica that you have acquired - give Grumblar life."

He seemed pleased with himself. Synchronicity, coincidence, fate.. all were the tools of the master magician.

Chalybis

Chalybis felt one of the psychic attackers break, sucked into the mental void, to be a hollow wreck for the rest of his life.. but he was being attacked by one more individual. The attackers backed off a little, though, escaping Chalybis's imperfect grasp. They did not strike again. The cost of psionic attack was too high.

The cloud of rust surrounded Chalybis, and the metal fixtures about him began to rust. Nevertheless, while the bullets seemed miss more often, three more still struck Chalybis - made of hot plastic, perhaps, or of diamond. These burned with a higher fury. Chalybis felt physically sick. Something had exploded within him - acidic rounds, likely - and he could feel the groaning and popping of his internal engine. He was in pain. Something had to be done.

Raelis nods decisively and a portal to Litheris opens.

"Grumblar, I thank you for your service, there will always be a place for you in Litheris.  However it is your choice to return or not.  I will send you through the portal to Litheris.  There you should collect the pieces of the robot and return.  With those you and our friend here can exchange services.  Know I am grateful for all you have done for me."

Then turning to Sasocles he opens another portal.

"Through this portal lies the realm of Xi where my friend Max is under attack from Chalybis's taint.  I believe I can stop the taint but with your magics it might be possible to turn the taint back on Chalybis and turn his realm from metal and machine to flesh and blood.  I can think of no greater punishment for him than that."

ii: And Now That Your Soul Belongs To Chalybis You Shall Inform Him About The Nature Of Yourself And The Organization Which Is Currently Attempting To Destroy Him Chalybis thought to the mind He had just absorbed within His own. Of course, it was not really necessary - the soul that belonged with the mind had been utterly destroyed, removing any semblance of individuality and adding its knowledge directly to its own - but He felt that if something else was still listening into His thoughts, they deserved to know what had happened to their colleague and what would happen to all others who invaded His mind.

Although the last time Chalybis had taken a mind this way - the one of iconoclast Matthias - the information gleaned from it had proven to be fatal but ultimately vital to Him, He was certain that the current being was of a far lesser importance - something which was proven by the ease with which He had destroyed it - and could safely extract all it knew without bringing harm to Himself. Soon enough, He would know what He was fighting here, after which He could take the 'appropriate' measures to deal with it...


Right now, He still had to deal with the invisible attackers that had taken to the use of non-metallic weaponry in an attempt to bypass His defences. This was undeniably effective, causing vile caustic fluids to eat away at His body from the inside where He could not stop it - or at least, not with this power. With the persisting resistance despite His change to a more defensive stance, it became clear to Him that His previous thoughts had been correct - He had to eradicate all life within this place if He was to proceed with His plans. These fools would feel the wrath of Him - no, of His realm - and share its dreadful fate.

Chalybis form began to shiver visibly, letting out a rattling cacophony as individual components wrenched themselves loose from His body before falling apart into a strange mixture of black dust and green liquid. None of them were vital to His existence, and they would be the catalyst for His vengeance, mixing with the rust cloud that already existed to form a swirling vortex of decay that surrounded Him completely. His own body became the focus point of the vortex, drawing in and expunging the vile influence until it seemed that He had become one with it, a red orb of divine light within an impenetrable cloud of pollution.

The vortex expanded rapidly, and within an instant, the street around Him was torn apart, the stone tiles shattering apart as the effects of aeons of pollution - countless noxious gasses, streams of caustic fluids, and of course, the all-devouring teeth of time itself - took hold of it. As Chalybis stepped forward, heading in the direction from which the sorcerer's laughter had come some time before, the Vortex remained focused around Him, still slowly growing and casting a dark shadow of death and decay everywhere it went. The decay that had struck Telluratus during His absence had come to this place, and was catching up to the realm around Him in a matter of moments. And now, all that opposed Him would finally perish...

Raelis

"Grumblar, remain in Litheris until we are done," said Sasocles. "It will be a lengthy operation, the ritual that give true life.. and I wish to deal with Chalybis first. Perhaps this taint, if it is truly borne of the metal womb of Chalybis, will suit my purposes. I am not sure rather I could twist it and make it flesh and blood, but I could certainly do something worse. I could turn it into a taint of rust, for example.."

He trailed off. Grumblar nodded and entered Litheris, the portal closing behind him.

"I will travel to Xi with you, Raelis. Hopefully this may cement any seeds of friendship that have been planted."

Chalybis

As Chalybis absorbed the broken tatters of whoever'd attacked him, he felt the man meagre banks of knowledge add to his own.. he knew that Marcento's headquarters were to kilometers to the east, next to the ludicrously named royal gardens.. knew that two young Systemanarchs - apparently the followers among the anarchist movement currently popular within the Systemarch underground - were still high in another nameless tower, attempting to break his mind.. knew that five snipers, using illegal Earthborn nanoadaptor diamond rifles were laid strategically to destroy him.. knew that Blue, the newest narcotic on the market, had a mortality rate of ninety percent but had the amusing magical effect of simulating the illusion of life within it's victims, even for months on end.. knew that the spa he killed was a front for Marcento, and the loss of it not something he took likely..

The street about Chalybis turned filthy, old, unused and unloved - the streets were becoming almost derelict, little more than rubble and dust.. the vortex of decay about the Machine God ruined everything in it's path, including two nondescript bandits that had protested against his actions..

Chalybis was shot, and shot again, and again and again. The diamond rounds, filled with some form of acidic compound, were wrecking his insides.. he felt himself slow, felt consciousness become fickle and weak..

Raelis grimaces.

"I'm already there or at least another version of me is.  Gods and paradoxes eh?  You never know what's going on."

He attempts to rotate the portal until it shows himself seated on the ground concentrating on his magics.

It appeared that one called 'Marcento' had been behind this, sending mercenaries with earthborn equipment after Him whilst remaining within the safety of his own lair himself. Although it was a contemptible and pathetic way of fighting, He could not deny its effectiveness, and Chalybis would soon be forced to depart from this realm or risk another destruction. However, He was not intent on letting the occupants of this realm get away with their defiance even after His departure. No, they would suffer for this...

Under the cover of His own Vortex, He prepared one final strike against this realm, forming another lance of silver within it and launching it directly downward, easily breaking through it and disappearing into the rock below. With that, Chalybis felt He could do no more here, and over the course of several seconds, the light - His light - within the Vortex faded away, disappearing completely as He left the realm without ending up anywhere else due to Paradox. The Vortex remained for a short while, then calmed down as well, leaving a thick but relatively harmless cloud of pollutants.

As the brownish smog thinned out and vanished, only one thing remained within the crater that He had left behind upon His disappearance, a silver banner surrounded by red arcane glyphs had grown out of the surface, quivering slightly under the influence of non-existing winds. Where it had embedded itself within Niborkerese, the rock itself began to take on a similar silver hue, slowly transforming into more of the divine metal. This was Chalybis' curse, for even though He might have been forced to retreat personally, His vile influence would linger on and destroy this place from the inside out...

Raelis

"Heh," grinned Sasocles. "Yes, Gods and Paradox indeed.. Do you wish for me to jump through and have a look?"

Chalybis

And so Chalybis the Bastard Coward ran away from Niborkerese, silver acidic bullets and spider psychics following him, corruption and Corruption in his wake..

Raelis nods.

"Please do.  I want this finished as soon as possible.  There are other matters that concern me at present and I want to mount Chalybis's frozen motor on my wall."

Raelis suddenly freezes.

"Osiris-Ra is attacking my realm.  I need to leave Xi and face him.  There are explosive devices which will destroy the realm in something over an hour.  If you can help I will try to return as soon as possible and aid you but I cannot be sure when I can do this."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:22, Wed 21 Oct 2009.

Sasocles grin froze. His face turned pale.

"Osiris.. Osiris-Ra? Your Realm? But - how? Why?"

He suddenly nodded.

"I'll get to Xi. See what I can do. Please leave the portal open.. I'd like to be able to get back if it's a lost cause, and explosives aren't my forte.."

Raelis's robe seems to turn white.

"If there is anything you can do to restore my memories I beg you do it now.  Osiris-Ra has just identified my as his teacher.  I can't imagine why I would ever have taught someone like him but the answers have to be contained within my sealed memories.  I'll pay whatever you like but I feel I'm flying in the dark currently.  I need to know what I did in my past life.  It may be all standing between the tree and destruction.  I'll hold the portal open from here until I can return to Xi you have my word on that."

"I require full citizenship in your Realm, including protection from me enemies - which include the Conclave."

With that said, Sasocles drew a fine silver dagger - its blade as thin as a scalpel - and took Raelis's hand. He muttered a few unintelligible chants above the hand, and then proclaimed to the dagger: "I, Sasocles of Alkan, demand that you give back what rightfully belongs to Raelis.. incannu nofat do .. I demand it!" There were another few moments of chanting, and Raelis felt a rushing sensation..

Raelis curled over, his mind in intense agony. He felt a small trickle of memories flush through - chains - the First - everything to nothing to everything to energy - the young Dread Lord - Marduk Marduk Marduk..

It came flooding back, threatening to break Raelis's mind, but it was as slippery as water.. it came but he couldn't remember any of it..

Suddenly, Sasocles was above Raelis, silver dagger in hand.

"In order to keep your memories, you must die, God of Words.." he said, his words ethereal and strange. "But when you are reborn, you will be whole.. do you consent to the operation?"

It was now or never. Raelis could resist the memories and keep a life of ignorance, or he could accept them and die - like the phoenix, being reborn whole.

He felt the death scream of Eridu rip through him and walked once more for the final time to the council chamber.  He saw the blade ultima disappear into energy and felt it flow through his veins.

"I consent for the Black Council."

The lashed down - once, twice, thrice - and it was done. Raelis was killed, and as he died his head was filled with images, thoughts, emotions.. a thousand things and more about his hidden past..

He saw the regal Miska, fanged mouth declaring dominance over all Divinity, his pale white hands trembling with suppressed rage.. saw the strangely cold Marduk drag him to the Black Council and demand the truth.. saw Miska, pride in his eyes, swear honestly that he believed himself to be the greatest among them..

Raelis flinched, even in death, as he saw himself chained and placed above the Chambers of the Council as a terrible symbol shown to all who would defy their might.. heard the words 'Izat' chanted over and over.. felt invisible pain as the cold chains lashed his skin..

Eridu! He saw Eridu! The greatest city of all, the archetypal City to rule all cities.. Tushmuthut a vague, if determined, reflection of the original, the Valley of Ten Towers and Niborkerese paling in it's light..

Saw Osiris.

Raelis was dead, and he saw more besides as he was reborn.

The last words he heard were from Sasocles: "It is done."

Raelis stood.

"We have a problem.  Osiris-Ra seeks to destroy the tree and knows that I once wielded the power to do precisely that.   If he gets that power he will use it for what twisted purposes I know not.  I should never have taught that bastard any of the principles of my magic and if I am forced to I will erase him from time itself.  Tell me - I give you my protection but would you prefer to be reconciled with the conclave or just to hide from it?"

Sasocles nodded. He didn't understand the particulars of what Raelis was saying, but it was no far stretch to imagine Osiris-Ra needing to destroy the Tree, and all Sorcerers of Alkan had heard the legend of the lawful Lis, Master of the Final Word..

"I see. I will assist you in any way possible, Lis - Raelis. It is my wish to exist independently of the Conclave, so I can continue my experiments without fear of persecution .. or of my secrets being stolen."

Raelis suddenly laughs, an evil sound that echoes throughout the city.

"I remember Miska and I talking in much the same terms before the council declared us apostate.  My protection and word you have.  I will however make you a further offer.  I seek to recreate the Black Council.  A grouping of gods that ruled in the dawn of time and ruled with love and fairness.  Join with me and I will aid you as I can.  The council offered one chance to serve it, no tests, no questions and unending retribution if the chance was failed.  Any who had no wish to serve were allowed free access to the lands of Eridu and the council on the understanding they harmed none.  Of all living now only Osiris has sworn the council oath and given his acts he has undoubtedly broken it.  I offer you the chance to take it and help me restore what is lost.  The oath is threefold.  To serve all who need your aid, to seek the truth and to administer justice.  This oath is not forced as with a callisti oath and you are free to live in and use Litheris whatever your decision.  What is coming is worse than what has come before.  The worldtree itself will shake before Osiris and I are finished with this fight and the weapons that will be forged in the fighting and the magics that must be wielded will need all of good heart to stand together.  If you have concerns speak of them to me now."

Sasocles swore to the oath.

"As long as Chalybis is destroyed, and I am safe from tampering, I will happily submit myself," spoke Sasocles.

Raelis smiles and nods.

"Here is a portal to litheris.  If you head there my paradox there will meet you in."

He suddenly pauses before shaking his head in amazement.

"in Naelfgir.  It's Eridu reborn, I created my new ciy like Eridu of old and didn't even realise it.  However the obelisk does replace the pillar.  We'll plan there.  When I can get it built I'd like you to take over the tower of Domuvoi, it was the centre of magical research in Eridu and should be again."

He opens the portal to Litheris.

"I.. I will take the tower. I thank you, Lis of the Final Word."

He stepped through to Litheris.

Raelis turned and peared down into the cellar the explosion had come from.  He needed to determnie if it was safe to use to deal with Marku.  He carefully instructed a rock to MOVE and then HEAT in order to provide a slightly safer light source.

It was a small laboratory of some sort, belonging once to Sasocles, undoubtedly. It was a large, stone-floored room, with a huge pentacle in the center - where Sasocles would appear in a flash of flame. To one side were several bookshelves, crammed with tomes, and to the other beakers and advanced alchemistrical equipment. There were also stairs leading above.

Raelis drops neatly through the hole and stands straight on the floor regarding the wall facing Marku's cellar.

A few BREAKs and MOVEs he had cleared a small hole in the wall and then raised his hands and started to sing quietly.  He sang of the motion of the stars and the laws of the world and through his song he reached out with his order magics seeking any form of ordered magic that might be guarding the cellar of Marku.

Raelis feels magic here, but it isn't of Order.. no, it is something wickeder. A glyph, scrawled in red paint, marks the stone entrance to Marku's cellar.

But what was it.. ?

Raelis gives a small smile and starts MOVEing earth aside to create a tunnel to the edge of the cellar without actually entering the cellar.

Soon the tunnel was complete, but the cellar itself remained untouched.

Raelis smiled slightly.  He lifted both hands and began to sing gently.  His song was completely tuneless and random, a mere tool for gathering magical energies together rather than an active power use in itself.  Through the song he reached out to the power of chaos and began to summon a small amount of chaos power to his will.  Then he attempted to hurl the assembled chaos energy right at the symbol on the door in an attempt to cause it to misfire.

The gathering of the energy was a slow and treacherous process - doing any magic casually, especially of the field of Chaos, was difficult. Raelis knew that he would get serious result within the hour - but did he have the time to spare? Chaos could do this, he knew, but it would be expensive in terms of time..

Raelis felt he had the time.  This place was the domain of a friend of his and even if he was found he could hide the tunnel easily enough.  He concentrated merely on building sufficient chaos for his ends.

Forty minutes passed.

There was a large cracking sound -

And nothing happened.

The magic, as anticlimactic as it was, was complete. The sigil was spent.

With a slight smile Raelis BREAKs open a small hole in the wall of the other cellar and then attempts to summon the most minor daemon he can possibly think of into the cellar.

Crailek appears in quite a subtle manner, barely even noticed by anybody nearby. He looks around quietly to get his bearings.

Raelis

There are no minor demons.

There was a hole created upon the cellar, and no magic exploded or otherwise harmed Raelis.

Crailek

Crailek knows that if he is spotted here by a Conclave spy he would become a known criminal..

He finds that he is within a small, tight alley. To his right, a bustling street of some kind; to his left a dead end. There were rats and filth upon the ground.

Raelis shurgs and uses FIND to locate the drugs he is interested in.  He then attempts to MOVE a small amount of the drug out to him and MOVE the poison into the cellar to replace it.  He then uses MOVE to mix the drug so that the whole appears to be undisturbed.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:20, Wed 04 Nov 2009.

Crailek heads to the right, to see what all the movement is about, and if it is for any particular reason.

((Just a note, but if Crailek is inside his Tower... how can he be here?))

((I am technically in my own little space, as well as being here. The Conclave has no domain over my tower and thus, no friction arises. If I leave the tower, however...))

Raelis

Raelis, having experienced much of the stupidity of the Master Divine, knows that it would take a few minutes but that he could call an extremely small demon to serve him if so desired.

Crailek

There was a reason: people need to get to places, and the best way to do that is to walk via the street. On certain corners, merchants were selling their wares, but the street itself looked much like any average city road.

Raelis summons a small daemon and orders it to replace some of the drug in the container withe an equal amount of the poison and then mix the two together as best he could before returning the extracted drug to Raelis.  He then turns and heads back to the front gate with the drug hidden in his robe and knocks on the front gate.

Crailek walks over casually to see what the merchants were selling, and looks around as wel, to see if there were a majority of people going a certain way.

Raelis

It was done.

The gate opened: once again, the demon.

"Yes?" asked the demon. "I see you have returned."

Crailek

It was mostly fruit, but Crailek realized that the fruitseller was also selling powders of various colours - narcotics.

Some people went up the street, some people went down. There was no real pattern.

Crailek looks at the powders closely, then looks back up at the merchant. "What do each of these powders do?"

Raelis smiles tightly at the daemon.

"I am Lis of the Final Word.  I have come to see your master regarding the ultimate blade.  You will inform him I am here and then bring me to him.  Failure to do so will result in your demise and the demise of your master and all he holds dear.  I have returned."

Raelis

The demon looked at Raelis for a moment.

"Lis? Of the Final Word? How can that be.. Liskasraeiss of the Word of Ruin! You have been too many centuries dead to be returned! I do not believe it.."

He shook his head, as if he disbelieved the God of Words.

Crailek

"They'll get you high, brother, they'll fuck you up," said the merchant. "They'll do things to your nervous system that'll make you go wild - they'll do things to systems you didn't even know you owned. Hundred souls a bag for this stuff, but I've got something finer if you're willing to pay.."

"And if I did not die?  What if I merely left this plane of existance for a period.  Call out one of your pathetic Callisti if you must but I am Lis and I will do what is needed now.  However right now I wish to ascertain the fate of Ultima and I have selected your master to assist me in this.  I believe he is a powerful mage no?  Do whatever you have to but bring me before him.  I am already tired of your bleating."

Raelis

The demon looked at Raelis, shocked. Then he shook his head.

"Unfortunately, Liskasraeiss Highest, I cannot. I am bound by oath. You are to tell me how to access the Word of Ruin, or I will be forced to destroy you. Forgive me, but higher obligations exist."

Crailek

(repeat)

"They'll get you high, brother, they'll fuck you up," said the merchant. "They'll do things to your nervous system that'll make you go wild - they'll do things to systems you didn't even know you owned. Hundred souls a bag for this stuff, but I've got something finer if you're willing to pay.."

"Oh - you want to know how to use the last word?  You'll need to be an aspect god for starters or at the very least have a significant understanding of the law aspect.  Secondly you'll need manifested energies from at least six of the other eleven aspects.  The precise number and which ones you need depends on what you wish to use the last word on.  Unfortunately the aspect gods are gone except for four and that assumes the other three survive.  Lastly you'll need to study the theories of divine power I developed for a couple of hundred years.  Now the only source of multiple essences in the same place is the ultimate blade.  Tell your masters that if they want the last word they need to assist me in finding it which is why I'm here.  Of course it may well have been destroyed.  In which case there is one other way to get the needed essences.  That complete enough for you?"

Crailek nods to the Merchant. "Perhaps at some other time, but at the moment, I am simply looking." He then begins walking in the same direction as he had to get  to the merchant, to see what else is of interest.

Raelis

"That is quite sufficient, thank you," said the demon. "It fulfills my oath - however, I am still curious. How would one manifest such energies?"

Crailek

There was a public sauna/brothel - actually, Crailek noticed there were several. There were fruit merchants and merchants that sold pure water and slavers and a weapons shop.

Raelis sighed.

"It's not an energy manifestation technique in the normal sense.  No god could ever channel that much energy.  If you want to learn from me come to Naelifir.  I have reborn Eridu in its walls and like Eridu all who seek and do not wish to harm will find peace within its walls.  Now can I see your master?  My time is not unbounded here and I have much to do before I am ready to fufil my destiny."

Crailek heads to the Weapons shop, to see what they had to offer.

Raelis

"You may," said the demon, "And I thank you for enlightening me. Unfortunately, until the final death of Marku, I am bound in service. Such is the price I pay for such knowledge, such freedom - or I would happily travel with you. Would you care to see my master now?"


Crailek

The shop was dark and cramped, the shopkeep old and crippled - he was missing his right hand. Crailek found himself surrounded by exotic weapons - knives, long blades, firearms, high-tech tasers, and so forth - and also realized that he was in the direct sight of two turret-guns, watching him with a mechanical curiosity from the roof.

"Can I help you?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:52, Sun 15 Nov 2009.

Raelis nods.

"There are matters of great import I need to discuss with him.  Time is of the essence."

He makes a clear gesture of impatience and awaits developments.

Crailek shrugs. "At the moment I am simply looking. Is there anything else, besides what is shown here?"

Raelis

The demon nodded. "I shall take you to my master," he said, and led Raelis through a series of exotic and lush hallways and dining rooms. They came upon a large oak door, and the demon knocked.

"There is a guest here to see you," said the demon. "No appointment, sir, but I give you my personal oath that he will be worth your time."

There was a rasping sound from inside - words: "Take him to the common room. I'll meet him in a minute."

The demon shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, but he must be busy.. would you care for a drink? Name your poison.."

Crailek

"Not much else that I can sell you. Have a rocket launcher, plenty of grenades, a few stolen rail-guns.. nothing else, sorry."

Raelis simply raises his voice.

"Marku.  This is Lis of the Final Word.  If you don't believe that have one of your pathetic Callisti verify that for you.  I wish to sp[eak to you now.  I have no wish to speak to you in a minute.  Entirely your own choice but if you like this house in one piece or indeed in this realm of existance you might want to reconsider."

Raelis

There was a small silence. It sounded as if whoever was within was scrambling, reaching for something. Then -

"Your business, Lis of the Final Word?"

Crailek

(repeat)

"Not much else that I can sell you. Have a rocket launcher, plenty of grenades, a few stolen rail-guns.. nothing else, sorry."

Raelis laughed, a flat an emotionless noise.

"My business is the Final Word itself.  Specifically the blade Ultima and its current resting place.  I am told you are a magician of no little skill that might be able to assist me in its location.  I intend to take no action against you and bear you no ill will.  I wish merely to speak and determine if your aid is what I seek."

Crailek nods. "Alright, thank you. Perhaps I shall return soon." He then heads out and continues along the road.

Raelis

"Ah. That is acceptable, Lis of the Final Word. Demon, you may leave."

There was a silence - the demon left - and a clicking sound from within.

"Come in. Open the door. Let us speak business."

Crailek

Crailek knew he was in a narcotics district - there were sellers, junkies, sorcerers, addicts, whores..

Raelis extends his order magics briefly to ensure that he is not walking into a trap before entering the room.

"Hail Marku.  You know now of the subject of my visit.  Can you assist in the location of Ultima?  The blade is of some importance to me.  Of course you have no reason to trust me do you?  As I will point out I have no reason to trust you.  I propose a solution.  You will no doubt fear I belong to the conclave and I have some concerns that you will attempt to wrest my secrets from me by force.  I believe you like this narcotic?  I have brought some and would suggest that we take some together as a sign of goodwill.  Since you are no doubt highly supicious of my arrival and motives I will take from my pouch and I presume you have your own supply?  That is an action no agent of the conclave would undertake no?"

He pulls out the pouch and shows its contents to Marku.

Crailek ignores the stuff here for now, and continues along to see what was beyond this area.

Raelis

Raelis didn't get to make his speech.

As the door was opened, there were boomings - once, twice, thrice - and Raelis fell to the ground, shot by a powerful pistol. Marku sat grinning at his desk, smoking pistol in hand. Raelis writhed in agony.

"Now, I don't know what you want," said Marku, "And I don't know what you need. But I know that name - Lis of the Final Word - and I know it's a name I shouldn't trust. You'd dare call yourself after the patron?"

Crailek

He soon came upon a cleaner, busier area - almost certainly residential, though a few fruit sellers were around.

BREAK HEAL.

The power words (aimed at the gun and Raelis himself respectively) were almost instinctive as Raelis attempted to roll sideways out of the line of fire to gain time.

"Patron, what nonsense is that? I was never a patron to anyone outside the council and very rarely there.  Those who could claim I was their patron are long dead.  I agree however it isn't a name you should trust but no one who claims me as patron would shoot first and ask questions later.  If you know even the bastardised version of the truth that has come this far you know what my return forfends.  Stick your neck outside this door or attempt magic and your death is certain.  Talk to me and make your own decisions, not those of stories that are millenia old and inaccurate as the lies of Balast."

Crailek looks around for a moment, then frowns, and begins to head back to the weapons shop.

Raelis

The gun turns to dust as Marku steps back. Raelis feels himself recover, heal, the wounds mending as a similar word of power is invoked by Marku. Suddenly, chains made of steel whip out and lash towards Raelis, lashing across his legs and arms, freezing Raelis from any further movement. There were five chains in total, of strong make.

"Ahahahah," said Marku, nervous. "You are unaware, then, of Lis of the Athanor, the Master of the Cold Voice. Perhaps it is best. You cannot possibly be who you say you are."

Crailek

The shopkeeper welcomes Crailek back with a gruff smile.

"Yes?"

Raelis laughs quietly.

"I can't possibly be Lis of the Final Word?  No particular matter.  Let me be whoever you want me to be.  I am here for one reason and one reason only - to find Ultima.  Call me whatever you please but are you willing to negotiate with me for your services in its location?"

MOVE echos out between the two gods as he finishes trying to push the chains off him.

Raelis


The chains rattled, thrown by the force of the word, but remained tight. There was magic, there.. enchanted steel.

"Ultima - you, too, seek Ultima? The perfect state?"

Marduk was shocked; he remained motionless.

"Tell me, "Lis", how can a man who is not a Brother of the Athanor both know the name of our ancient occult patron and the title of the Great Work? How can you refer the Final Word? Are you a great alchemist, the fabled Hermes of old?"

Crailek

The shopkeeper welcomes Crailek back with a gruff smile.

"Yes?"

OOC : Yup - right in all particulars but how about Pha-hu's realm?

Raelis stops dead.

"I feel I need to know your version of my story or as you would term it the story of Lis.  I will try to engender trust by telling you my version and then I hope you will trust me by telling me yours.  Many eons ago I walked this world along with eleven like me.  When we fell out a weapon was forged to allow us to beat each other, Ultima - the perfect blade.  I wielded Ultima in combat against one of my brothers but after my victory it was taken from me and given to another and to my shame I lusted after that blade until that lust destroyed me and I turned against my fellows and used the last word to destroy them utterly.  The blade was infused with the essences of eight of my fellows and I used that infusion against them.  It has been a long time but the tree has called me back to finish what I started all those eons ago.  To do that I need what I had then, Ultima.  I can give more details if you wish about this story but I must know what you know."

"What is your longest-ranged firearm?" Crailek asks simply, looking around again at the weapons idly.

Raelis

"I.. see," said Marku, unsure. Raelis felt that the sorcerer still trust or believe him, but was open-minded enough to consider the story a vague possibility. "If you are who you say you are, then we have a lot to talk about.. I am Marku, Callistisomn, magus, and Fourth Canticle alchemist of the Athanor. The Athanor is divided into two major circles, each idealising a mythical deity.. one the messenger Hermes, who gave us Art, and the other Lis, who gave us Law. "Ultima", to the alchemists of Lis, is code for the refining of the soul.."

Crailek

"If you've got enough to trade, we have two Mark XVII Disney Earthborn Sniper Rifles, which are nano-sealed, shoot diamond rounds, and have a maximum range of about four thousand meters. Cost you the equivalent of twelve-thousand souls, or best offer."

"Law, you think I gave law?  I was the aspect of law then, law embodied as you might say.  But I didn't bring law I brought chaos.  Who taught you of Lis's actions and deeds?  I must know who else survived Eridu's death."

Raelis attempts to turn and is brought up sharp by the chains.

"This is unbelievable.  The next thing I'll be meeting Balast, Miska and Gzzar for tea and cakes.  This is frankly impossible."

Raelis

"Impossible..?" said Marku. "No. Not impossible. The Alchemist told us of your teachings, the Prince of All, and he passed them down to Marcento and to I and to others.. the Alchemist, you see, had watched and had studied long before the rise and fall of the first ages of divinity."

Crailek

(repeat)

"If you've got enough to trade, we have two Mark XVII Disney Earthborn Sniper Rifles, which are nano-sealed, shoot diamond rounds, and have a maximum range of about four thousand meters. Cost you the equivalent of twelve-thousand souls, or best offer."

Raelis cocked his head thoughtfully.

"So this Alchemist choose me over the others then?  Interesting if true.  Does he mention the other eleven and warn of those that remain?  Does he know of Izat and Domvoi?  I would like to meet him if at all possible.  A being predating the twelve would be of immense interest to me.  We were unaware of any other beings before Marduk walked.  What else does this Alchemist teach?  What does he believe should happen to the tree?"

Raelis


"Ah, yes, the Alchemist speaks of the Nameless Eleven," said Marku, "'Izat' is the name by which we call the process of self-destruction, the shackles of fate and destiny and of self-loathing... but this is enough. Tell me, if you are truly Lis of the Law, then why have you come here?"

Crailek

(repeat)

(Crailek, if you don't post very soon I'm going to bounce you from the thread)

"If you've got enough to trade, we have two Mark XVII Disney Earthborn Sniper Rifles, which are nano-sealed, shoot diamond rounds, and have a maximum range of about four thousand meters. Cost you the equivalent of twelve-thousand souls, or best offer."

"Honestly?  I need to find someone.  One of the eleven and an old adversary of mine.  I was one of those who imprisoned him many years ago and I need information only he has.  His name is Balast and as I was law he was destruction.  He was the first master of Osiris in an age long past.  I also need someone to work with me to trick him to achieve certain goals but I can provide that individual myself."

"I.. I see," said Marku. "I still do not, forgive me, feel completely comfortable in allowing you to go free. I still do not understand why you are here, wishing to speak to me."

"Oh why you?  Well when I returned I joined the conclave and they gave me a mission to assassinate you.  I really wouldn't partake of the drug in your cellar unless your life doesn't mean much to you.  At that stage I hadn't got my memories back so I was doing it out of a belief that an organisation was better than none.  To be honest the conclave is my intellectual heir and the Athanor is the intellectual heir of the black council."

He gestures to the symbol on his chest.

"My intellect legacy is destruction, chaos and the single greatest weapon ever forged.  I represent one of the  greatest threats to the tree ever.  The black council stood for order, stability and justice in its truest sense.  With my memories back I chose the council over myself.  To understand that is going to be difficult I suspect.  But think of it this way.  I have been returned either to destroy the tree or to save it.  I am Lis which is a shortening of my true name, Raelis.  The conclave's insistence on law will destroy what they seek to save in the way I did all those millennia ago as they cannot survive my reaveling.  Can you imagine what happens if a callisti announces that Lis of the Final Word has returned?  True order in true chaos?  True life in death?  I'm not a player in this game, I'm a catalyst.  I have no confirmation but I suspect the tree wishes to end this in one way or another and what better way to return to existance someone whose legend is that of ending uncertainty.  I will have to support one group or another - I taught Osiris, My teachings are revered by the athanor, I was a member of the conclave's precursor.  I may have links to the other major cults of this time I am unaware of.  Only you and the conclave honestly wish to save the tree.  I have no wish to destroy more than I have to so it would make sense to ally with the more sane of you?  Which given the conclave is attempting to destroy the tree by revealing me isn't them.  I need to find Balast to rid me of the callisti oath.  He is the aspect of destruction and I was one of those who imprisoned him in ages long gone."

Crailek leaves for now.

((actually thought I did already... shit. >.>))

"Ah," said Marku. "Things are a lot more complicated than even we could possibly imagine.. I'm not entirely sure what else to say. I know this could be one great elaborate con but.. no, the information you have is too precise."

He waved a hand; the chains fell, slack.

Raelis pulls out the pouch with the unpoisoned drug and throws it Marku.

"That's untouched drug.  Feel free to check it.  I replaced that amount with Thor's Bane that the conclave gave me.  I still need to find Balast and urgently.  I am trying to use a hole in the callisti oath to remove its hold on me and I need his help.  I said he was one of the eleven and as I was law he was destruction.  If you scry for a prison I created you should find Balast.  I was only one of those that forged it but it is the only prison I have ever created."

Raelis stopped and considered.

"However I would like to talk to one of your callisti about the oath.  The method I am currently considering will work but it is somewhat destructive.  I may be able to find other holes in the oath if I can talk to them.  I would welcome your insight into this if you would permit it."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:10, Wed 09 Dec 2009.

"Thor's Bane?" asked Marku, obviously rattled, as he took the pouch. "Evening the Blackening could not.."

He attempts a smile, and fails. A grimace is formed in its place.

"Powerful stuff. Rare. Expensive. When it comes to toxins, friend, you have good taste.."

He looks up, suddenly, on then registering what Raelis was asking.

"Oh, yes. Hmm. I can help you there.. but I'd ask a price. I wish to hold some of your blood. Nothing big, just.." he trailed off. "Would you prefer to consult the Callisti first, or shall we get on with the divination?"

"Essence?  If you wish.  I'm not sure how much help it will be to you though.  I am completing a transformation now to change my very aspect to another of the twelve.  If you take this then the conclave will be able to use it to scry on you as it will be the only bit of me left.  Rather strange don't you think.  In my first life I was no alchemist and now I'm undertaking the greatest form of alchemy ever - to transmute myself."

He lifts the silver blade he obtained from the Osiris cultist and cuts himself.

"Take quickly, I do not know how much longer this form will endure.  And then if we could complete the scry.  I'm going to need to absorb the essence of another aspect to return my powers and Balast is the only one I know the defenses of."

The sorcerer takes a large clear vial - diamond, Raelis noticed - and waits until it is filled with the strange blood of the God.

"Thank you, Raelis," said Marku, "And may your transmutation be swift and unrelenting."

He smiled, gestured to the doorway, locked the vial away.

"Come with me, to the scrying room. I will lead you."

Raelis follows Marku, his body beginning to twinge as the first signs of the change come over him.

Marku looked at Raelis, not bothering to hide his concern.

Speaking a few powerful words over a similarly potent door - unlocking four individual locks as he did so - he lead Raelis into what he'd labeled the Temple of Divination. Esoteric glyphs and strange markings dominated the room, as did powerful lines laid in gold and silver. There was an alter made of alter, a single silver blade upon it, and in the center the various lines of the room converged to make several protective rings.

In the center of the circle quivered a single, bright Callisti.

The change came slowly.  First spikes thrust themselves through the robes that were Raelis, then the robes themselves hardened into metal and the entire form went wild.  Seconds later the five legged, six armed form of Balast stood before Marku breathing heavily.

"Good, the callisti oath has no more hold on me.  However the process has drained my strength.  Could I request we continue quickly.  I need to drain Balast soon."

"Yes, yes, yes.." said Marku, trying to concentrate on the Callisti. He drew the silver blade, pointed it at the Callisti. There was a moment of tension in the room as the Callkisti quivered - Marku commanded much raw power.

"A question for the divination.."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:50, Fri 25 Dec 2009.

Sura appears. To the markets...

"What is the location the prison forged by nine aspect gods to imprison the aspect of destruction?"

BOOM.

Lighting struck down from sky, striking a lightning rod; and when it was gone, Maxilita stood balanced on the rod's tip.

Leaping from the roof, she landed in the streets and looked around, suddenly aware that such an entrance might have not been the best idea.

Balast

Marku coughed, and then, "What is the location the prison forged by nine aspect gods to imprison the aspect of destruction?"

The Callisti hovered for a moment. Quivered. Marku raised the silver blade, directed it towards the Callisti, and Balast experienced something rare: he heard a Callisti scream. A screeching, almost crooning sound, at once beautiful and menacingly horrific, it seemed to shatter the spirit of the room..

The Callisti, typically an orb of shimmering metal, burst into a dozen directions, spikes piercing the air, the cacophony reaching even higher..

Marku went about this for what was almost an hour, asking and asking until he'd broken the Callisti entirely.

Roses at your - at your - feet, Sorcerer.

"Ask.. ask your question once more, Raelis," wheezed Marku, his energies spent.

Sura

There were several Markets in Niborkerese: The Pennyfellow Market, which specialized in souls and slaves; the Free Market Ptah, run by the Apotheosis Circle and specializing in non-Conclave goods; the Gunfield, specializing in illegal weapons; the Divinitus Yathor, which specialized in Divine items; and a handful of minor markets, perhaps not worth mentioning.

Max

Max was lucky - it was midday, and she was not noticed. She stood precariously atop a purple-cobbled roof.

Balast stepped forward and looked at the Callisti.

"What is the location the prison forged by nine aspect gods to imprison the aspect of destruction?"

He waited only a second before continuing.

"I am the tree's knight, its champion, and I need this to assist the tree in its desire!"

She smiled, and leaped from her perch into the street below, keeping a hand on the hilt of her sword. This place was dangerous, especially for a girl. She didn't even know why she was here- she just had this gut feeling something big was happening here, and she need to pull a Big Damn Hero move and stop it, quick.

Feeling around with her intuitive senses, she judged which path to take.

Sura headed to the Pennyfellow Market and looked for a slave trader.

Balast

"What is the location the prison forged by nine aspect gods to imprison the aspect of destruction?" the Callisti mimicked, shattering and rebuilding, screaming all the while.

Sorcerer

He has been hidden beneath the Shrine of Nothing at the Gardens of the Sealed Gate of Alkan. He has been bound with the severest of sorceries, trapped with certain words of power, and guarded by the very Floods which rule the universe..

Sura

There were many, many slave traders. Sura could not suppress his admiration at the market - a huge, open courtyard filled with slave traders and buyers. Each slave trader carried a wand of a certain colour, spanning the entire spectrum, and this, in combination with their lush garb, displayed their profession. Each slave trader - and there were easily four or five dozen - was surrounded by what Sura knew to be hardened warriors, not all human, and above them..

Above them, seventy or eighty great, opaque spheres, each one stained, very lightly, with the colour of a stave. They hovered in the air, like giant Callisti, some small and some large, most filled to bursting with their cargo - slaves, strange beasts, and the like. Some of them were orbited by tiny moon-orbs, glowing darkly in the night, and Sura knew these to be the orbs that contained the immaterial souls.

Max

Max knew that the Tower in front of him contained some great evil within - possibly Balast. It was, however, heavily guarded, both by strange clicking-machines in the sky and by human soldiers below.

Balast shook his head.

"The Alkanites do seem to like their names don't they?  Shrine of Nothing.  Just the place to imprison destruction.  However it does sound like the prison is still of power words and I doubt any have come whose skill there could equal Raelis's.  I need to get there as soon as possible.  What are these floods that guard him?  I was never one for magical lore at the best of time and if Domvoi mentioned them I do not recall."

Sura addressed the trader closest to him. "You, tell me who runs the slave trade around here." Sura was counting on there being a king pin character who he could discuss dealings with.

Mmm. She had no long- ranged weapons, and he armor was purely ceremonial.

She also realized that no place was purely evil. There must at least one virtuous vagabond vigilante within this township.

He- or she- would be there when she returned.

DOOM.

A bolt of lightning arced back into the sky, and Maxilita with it.

Balast

The Callisti said nothing. It had gone from shining silver to a hollow grey.

"Friend, it's done," said Marku, placing a hand on Balast's shoulder. "Callisti-work is easily the most accurate form of divination, but it is also the most trying on the tools. They were created, I feel, to hold information, not to give it. Surely you have your answer."

Sura

"Why, I do," said the slave trader, a thin man with a wicked grin. "What do you need? Humans, beasts, something a little more exotic? Raw souls?"

"True but I still need to get there and from the little I know of the Alkanite's city it's not easy to reach.  I know the defences around Balast well enough but I have no idea what other defences might exist.  Can I reach that location with Methodes gate and is there one I can use or can a portal get me there using my essence to focus the location?"

Sura sized the man up. "I would like human slaves. However, i would like them on a regular scheduel. Do you think we can reach an arrangement?"

Balast

"I currently operate a Portal of Shatters, though it is a pricey thing, built on the deaths of my slaves, and I cannot spare such a cost at this moment. I do not own a Gate of Methodes, unfortunately."

Sura

"Hmmmrmm," said the slave-trader, stroking his magnificent beard. "That depends on how many you need, how frequently you need them, and what you're paying me for it."

"I will be needing 10 each week for now. A price can be reached im sure - be it my wealth or my service."

"So I'm walking to the City of Alkan?  I doubt even I'll make it with the entire conclave out looking for me.  And it s not like I have much to offer now, knowledge of some things, secrets of the age I come from but no resources.  Is there anyone in this place who has one that I might be able to bargain with?"

Balast

"Hmmm," said the sorcerer. "Marku owns one or two, as head of the Athanor. I could arrange a meeting, if you like. Besides that, I'm not so sure.."

Sura

"Ten a week will be fine, as long as the payments are made a week in advance. What, exactly, was your offer?"

"What would you accept as payment? I have gold. Otherwise i can offer you something you need?"

"I probably ought to speak to him I suppose regarding other matters.  The Conclave is betrayed.  Roid has for some unknown reason decided to betray it to Osiris-Ra and Osiris is seeking a way to destroy the tree.  The real problem is there is a weapon he can use to do so and the knowledge to let him wield it exists.  I can't stop him, that was never my role and Raelis's role was as judge not participant.  He must not be allowed to destroy the tree using that method.  Marcento needs to know all that and much more which even I do not know."

Balast

"Brhhhg," spat Marku, "The Conclave are a collection of worms and jackals. There is no honour there, only the vaguest semblance of order. So they are betrayed.. bah. They cannot destroy the Tree, and neither can Osiris-Ra. They are both blinded by hubris. Only the Tree can commit that murder. I can arrange a meeting with Marcento, as I've said, but he might not be so impressed with your claims. I - I accept your existence as Lis, but you are raving."

Sura

"Gold? How much gold? Pure? I can accept gold, yes. Ingots? Artifacts? Magical, theoelectromagnetic, otherwise strange properties..?"

The man suddenly seemed eager. He was filled with questions. Desperate for answers.

"Don't tell him about my claims then.  I just need one trip through the gate and I have memories of an earlier age and I knew Lis.  Tell him that and say I offer knowledge to him rather than confusing issues with who I am."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:34, Fri 15 Jan 2010.

Sura was taken aback by this mans desperateness. "The amount of gold i own is irrelevent. Know that i have enough. It is pure gold, yes."

Sura took another look around at the slavers, hoping to eye a more figure head type - he doubted this man.

Balast

"I can do that," nodded Marku. "When would you need the gate? As soon as possible? It might be difficult to obtain the audience of Marcento, is all.."

Sura

Sura saw another, bulkier man, wearing ornate jewelry and laughing loudly with another slaver - perhaps this was who he wanted.

"Pure gold, eh? I can work with that. Yes. When would you like the slaves? Can we say, five kilograms of gold per ten slaves?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:35, Sun 17 Jan 2010.

"Ideally yes - as soon as possible.  Anything I can do to speed up the process I will do."

Sura walked off on the man without a word and approached the bulkier man.

Balast

"Hmmm. We shall try."

Marku led Balast down to the lower levels of his tower, through the alchemical athanors, labs, cellars, storage rooms, Callisti torture-pits.. eventually they reached a solid oak and silver door, chained, which Marku unlocked. Behind the door was a long, dark tunnel.

"This is a direct tunnel to the Athanor's mansion, where Marcento should be. If you'll come with me.."

Sura

Sura continued walking as he heard the slaver's angry cries, eventually reaching the larger, wealthier man.

"Yes? Can I help you?" asked the second slaver.

"I am Sura Al'Amun, who are you?" he simply stated.

Balast followed, his eyes eagerly trying to remember the route.

"Lead on, and let the tree guide us in this."

Balast


The tunnel was damp and dark, but designed with efficiency and speed in mind; even though a great distance had been traveled, only twenty minutes or so passed.

They soon came upon a door of a similar design to the one they entered, but in red and gold. Marku knocked. A gruff voice was heard within. Marku unlocked the door, and nodded to the man inside. The man was thin, wiry, and was studying over ancient documents on a solid desk.

"Danovan, brother, I've brought a friend," said Marku. "He wishes to see thee Great Adept."

"Hrrmmph," said Danovan. "Better be a good reason. You know what he's like when it comes to interruptions.."

"Is he transmuting? In prayer?" asked Marku.

"No, no, simply writing, but.."

"Then we'll see him. Come, Raelis."

Sura

"I am Brors, slaver and trapper of rare beasts. I see you've upset my, uh, friend over there.. heh, what'd you do to get him rolling?"

Balast followed wordlessly.  He had nothing to add and no reason to seek to assist his guide who was more knowledgeable in such matters than he.  His eyes flickered around looking for the symbols of the first age trying to determine any hints of the alchemist's identity as he followed Marku.

"I didn't like him." Sura said simply. "I'm looking for a business partner. I require slaves on a regular basis and perhaps even these rare beasts you contain. Tell me about these beasts you trap."

Balast

There were no immediate signs of the First Age, or of the Concave; most were vague alchemical symbols that Balast had seen before. The Egg and the Sword, the Furnace, the Philosopher's Stone..

They soon came to the tall, wide, locked red doors that marked the private chambers of Marcento, Greatest Adept of the Athanor and High Lord of Niborkerese.

"We'll just, uh, knock," said Marku.

He rapped twice.

There was no answer; Balast could hear a clattering, crashing sound from faintly within. He could hear heavy breathing. Coughing.

"Come in, you bastards," said the rough, savage voice from within..

A familiar voice.

It couldn't be -

Aesin.

Sura

"A business partner, eh? Well, no offense, lad, but I might be a little out of your league. Brors is the greatest rare beast trapper the Realm Supernatural has ever seen, and one of the top five slavers in this world - and that is a more recent endeavour. Still, if it's slaves you need, I can provide them - for a price."

Brors suddenly seems overly proud.

"Interested in a pet or two, huh? A guardian? That's my field, lad, and there's none who could come close to matching me. Hell, I've recently finished my magnum opus, captured the beast that has thwarted my efforts for close to two entire decades.. I have a live, and biting, Howling Slaughterbeast of Yhast! It's for sale for more than you could possibly afford, but take a look at these.."

Bror rolled out a length of old, weathered parchment, showing a great thing that was a cross between a cat and a lizard with eighteen eyes and the nastiest fangs Sura had ever seen - but it was the tail, the tail that split into two dozen great lashes, each with a great scythe at the end, which drew his admiration. There was a tiny speck below it, barely visible - Sura first assumed it to be a trace of blood or mud, but to his surprise saw that it was a tiny - oh, so tiny - figure of a human.

"Yeah, to scale. Beauty, isn't she?" asked Bror. "I've got others, too. I've got the Nameless Stalker of the Deathly Swamp, the Phoenix of Danth, and.."

Bror stops for a moment.

"Say, you wouldn't happen to be looking for work, are you? I've got a job that's difficult to fill.. I've been requested to capture, for a massive price, the Kraken of Jormungandr, but the task seems difficult - Conclave's watching the sea tight, y'know, and I need someone not immediately known to them.. I can't risk operations here, see. The fee is six hundred and fifty thousand souls, but if you capture it we could go half-half. What do you say? You look like a man of resources - business partner?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:15, Mon 18 Jan 2010.

Balast's face smoothed out flat as he heard the voice.

"Hmmm - that sounds like a conclave low lord I know.  One who is unlikely to have turned.  He won't know this shape and I literally am not Raelis now so there should be no risk.  Could I suggest we enter and discuss matters."

"Perhaps." Sura stated. He was curious, that was for sure. Yet his face would be known just as much or even more the Brors - even through his mirages. "Tell me all you know of this Krakken, and how you would catch it."

Balast

Marku looked at Balast as if he were mad - or worse, allied with the panting warrior within - and slowly opened the door. Inside, Balast saw that there was blood everywhere - all over the walls, the rugs, the smooth floor, the furniture - and that the butchered corpse of Marcento lay at the feat of warrior. Aesin was dressed in silver and white, red staining his formal battle garments, the Seal of Odin pinned to his chest. His sword was in his hand, and while Aesin looked a little ill Balast gathered that this had been a surprise attack, for he wasn't injured.

Suddenly, Balast staggered as he was struck with the strange paradox of time - a pain in his right arm declared that the arm was missing, bleeding, and he felt burns and blisters burst all upon his body.

"The Great Work!" cried Marku. "What have -"

"Silence," said Aesin. "You have both been declared as enemies of the Conclave. Prepare to meet your death."

Sura

"The Kraken is a great beast, rumoured to be the size of this entire slaving pit, if not larger. It is a fearsome thing, with bone tentacles capable of sinking a dozen ships at once, and it is said that it secrets a poison from it's mouth capable of killing a hundred men! As to how I would capture it, I do not know.. perhaps, aheh, I would begin by draining the ocean in which it sleeps."

Balast's mask stared straight ahead, its eyeholes concentrating on Aesin with almost unbelievable calm.

"How nice - would that be the same conclave that has no regard for its own laws, MURDERED Raelis using its callisti and has within its ranks people who can ignore callisti oaths?  Raelis said you were a god of order Aesin.  There you stand over the murdered body of another god slain on the word of those who have no respect for the truth.  I am an enemy only of those who oppose the tree.  If I am an enemy of the conclave then the conclave are enemies of the tree and that is the truth.  Are you an enemy of the tree?  Do you seek its falling into dust?  Do you oppose the path laid down at the creation of all things?  Are you true to the order of things as they should be or merely a murderer obsessed with law?"

"Hmm. Well i cannot undertake this task immediately... I have urgent matters to attend to. However i do not want to sacrifice a prospective business partner like yourself. I will attempt to catch this Kraken."

Balast

The huge warrior-God snarled.

"You are a worm, a pathetic bastion of filth and disorder, in league with whores and drug barons.. death is too good for the likes of you."

With that, Aesin threw himself and his heavy blade towards Balast, murder in his eyes.

Sura

"Thank you.. sorry, what was your name? When you can get me the beast, alive, I'll sell it and we'll split the profits fifty-fifty."

OOC : this seems familiar - law god charging at Balast with a sword.  Where has that happened before.... :)

The scene before Balast shifted abruptly  and Raelis charged with his silver blade.  Balast leapt in towards the god of words and attempted to wrap his limbs around the law god as the scene changed back and he found himself leaping in towards Aesin in an attempt to get inside his sword's reach.

"Marku, infuse this area with chaos."  His voice sounded strange even to himself as the two gods hurtled together.

"You will know my name when we establish trust between us. Unless you have any suggestions on how to capture this beast then we need to discuss human slaves."

Balast

Balast, delusional, threw himself at Aesin. He saw that he was striking against the God of Order with his sword, but a flash of rationality revealed that the God of the Hungry Dark had no sword - he had no right arm. It was gone, a bloody stump where the arm once was..

He heard Marku chanting, invoking various forces of chaos, and felt the whole room slip sideways as if turned on its head. Various gravitational fluctuations hit Balast, causing him physical agony, and the room filled with a cacophony of wild colours. Aesin grabbed the God of Destruction and flung him to the side, screeching in agony, rage.. Balast saw Aesin's muscles twitch, throb, increase in size and knew that he was in extreme danger..

Sura

"Okay, okay, no need to be so pushy, sandman. Slaves it is. How many do you need, how often, and how much are you willing to pay? Human slaves, I take it?"

Balast seized the nearest heavy object and hurled it at Aesin's torso and followed it with as many more as he could.  He needed to buy time as much as possible for the chaos to render Aesin's order weak enough for he and Marku to finish this.  He cast a quick eye at Marcento's body trying to determine if it had a weapon he could use or if the body was ressurectable.

"Yes, human slaves. I need them at least every fortnight. - perhaps 10-15. I only have pure gold to trade with."

Balast

The body may have been respectable - Balast wasn't quite sure, but Marcento did wield a heavy, ornamental saber - it hung at his belt. As the room curved, and the lights started to meld into one another, Aesin growled, storming through the hail of books, glasses, and small furniture, and through himself upon Balast. Balast felt a hideous pain as something sharp - the sword - stabbed at his stomach, and he saw his own blood..

Sura

"I can do fifteen a week for three kilograms of pure gold per slave, assuming the gold isn't enchanted or otherwise supernatural. Sound like a deal you'd be interested in?"

The pain helped clear Balast's head somewhat.  His remaining arm reached out for his opponent's throat and tried to throttle him.

"You're no order god.  Marku, use whatever you can to knock him out.  We need this one alive and able to answer questions."

"Deal" Sura said, "But i expect the price to lower once i get this Kraken for you."

Balast

As Balast gripped Aesin's neck, feeling the throbbing veins and having full view of the sneering, livid face of the God of Order. Spittle whipped his face as he throttled the dog of the Conclave, but Balast felt his strength leaving him, his resolve fleeing, his hands shaking and growing weaker as the horrible pains within his stomach grew worse.. finally, felt a crashing sensation all about him as he was robbed of his consciousness and his life.


Sura

"Get me the Kraken and I can pay your share in five hundred thousand slaves," said the slaver, eagerly.

"Its a deal. I expect great profit in working with you. I will take my leave." Sura took a slight nod and left the markets.

When Sura met the outer streets of the market, the city was quiet, a little foreboding, bathed in the light of a thousand false stars.

Balast reappeared in Nibokerese and tried to hide as quickly as possible.  He needed the Athanor to save the tree but right now he really didn't need to be seen.

Sura, now out of the markets, wonders around the city.

Balast

Word of the death of Marcento hadn't yet spread - the City of a Thousand Hazes was still  in it's relative state of calm. Criminals and noblemen alike wandered the streets, traders in illegal weapons mingled with fruit-sellers and narcotics dealers, and private guards walked the streets.

Balast felt a small twinge of apprehension when he realized that he recognized one of the visitors to Niborkerese: it was a tall, flowing creature made entirely, it seemed, of sand.. Sura. The God of Sand had stopped to watch Balast.


Sura


As Sura walked the streets of Niborkerese randomly, he saw a familiar, if not friendly, face: the shifting, black-clothed God of the Hungry Dark, Balast.

Balast looked around him and then started running for Marku's house and the tunnel.  If he could just get to Marcento's quickly enough this might still be salvageable before the entire tree was imperilled.  He saw Sura and gave him a wave but moved away from him quickly.

Sura continues, not giving a second thought to Balast.

Balast

Balast ran past an open bath, through two winding alleyways - filled with rats and rogue Dhaal - through a small, nondescript market.. eventually, he reached the tall, gated tower of Marku, dominating the immediate horizon. Two guards at the gate looked at him suspiciously.


Sura


Sura walked, as casually as he could manage, past several steaming hot-springs, filled with naked flesh.. he wandered down a thin, cracked vein of an alley, filled with rats and strange mechanical insects..

He stopped. He'd failed at whatever he'd tried to accomplish.

Balast swore under his breath at the sight of the guards.  The daemon he could have convinced.

"You two, I need to speak to Lord Marku immeadiately.  I was here earlier and spoke to his daemon guardian and need to give him more information.  I mean him no harm but have little time.  Contact him and tell him Raelis needs to rejoin him."

Raelis

"Uh, well, sorry, friend, but we'll have to clear that with old pointy.." the guard told him. A few moments passed as one of the guards rushed inside, but the demon soon returned.

"You.. I do not recognise. Have we met? The guards claim we spoke."


Sura

(repeat)

Sura walked, as casually as he could manage, past several steaming hot-springs, filled with naked flesh.. he wandered down a thin, cracked vein of an alley, filled with rats and strange mechanical insects..

He stopped. He'd failed at whatever he'd tried to accomplish.

"In a sense we did, in a sense we didn't.  I appeared somewhat different before, robed in red and black.  Then I was law, not I am destruction.  You are a daemon, you should know of the twelve and the nature of the aspects.  I need you to contact Marku and tell him I have returned.  He has ventured into the palace of Marcento where I was slain and it is important that I return.  I cannot prove who I am but I can answer any question and I can describe Eridu and the function of the Armagedshon vowel to you as well."

Raelis

"I see." The demon seemed convinced. "We made a bargain and the bargain still stands. I'm afraid the lord isn't in at the moment, however. He might still be with Marcento."

Sura

(repeat)

Sura walked, as casually as he could manage, past several steaming hot-springs, filled with naked flesh.. he wandered down a thin, cracked vein of an alley, filled with rats and strange mechanical insects..

He stopped. He'd failed at whatever he'd tried to accomplish.

Balast cursed.

"How many men can you assemble quickly.  We need to move to reinforce your master now.  This is important.  Marcento has been killed and the entire Athanor is in danger of falling into chaos.  If we can sieze control of the central organs of Nibokerese quickly we might be able to stave off disaster."

Raelis

"Disaster..?" asked the demon, but he sensed the truth in Balast's words. "Of course. Marku had a detachment of Niborkeredic soldiers at his command. I will rally them. Come with me, Aspect-God."

The demon led Balast, as quickly as he could, behind the tower, where a humble barracks had been built out of tin and stone. Within, soldiers and fighting men were playing cards, talking, drinking, and otherwise having a good time while their master was in mortal peril.

"All rise!" roared the demon. "Know this, O Men: the Lord of Niborkerese, Marcento, has fallen by the blade of the Conclave. This man, Balast of the Aspect, brings us such news, and it rings with truth. Gather your guns, your poisoned blades, your wits and your courage - quickly! We are to rush the Palace of Marcento before Niborkerese crumbles entirely!"

Sura

(repeat)

Sura walked, as casually as he could manage, past several steaming hot-springs, filled with naked flesh.. he wandered down a thin, cracked vein of an alley, filled with rats and strange mechanical insects..

He stopped. He'd failed at whatever he'd tried to accomplish.

Sura went looking for something to peak his interest.

Balast nods quickly.

"Send messengers to get as many of the senior Athanor to attend the palace as you can.  We need to move quickly to maintain our grip on Nibokerese or the entire city will become a war ground.  This fight is going to determine the survival of the Athanor in the long term and the security of this city in the short term - don't do this for me or for Marcento do it for yourselves, survival is key."

He turned to the daemon.

"Let us go - if Marku is still alive he may even have captured the assassin."

He leads the way at a run to the tunnel and thence onto the palace.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Fri 05 Feb 2010.

Raelis

The soldiers followed. The demon, professing his distaste for martial situations, rushed to gather the other leaders of the Athanor.

When they reached Marcento's palace, following through the system of passages employed by the Athanor, Balast saw that the snide man who'd guarded the tunnel previously had been slain. Further on, and there was no sign of Aesin or Marku. Gore covered the floor and walls, however, and this wing of the palace had been trashed. Inside the room where Balast died, he felt lingering traces of chaotic energies.

"Alchemist assist us," breathed one of the soldiers, taking in the carnage. The guard moved to secure the wing.

Sura

Sura walked the streets, and as he did so he passed many interesting places: a garden filled with fruits and herbs that brought upon hallucinations, several drug dens, an 'Athanor-accredited' weapons merchant selling items stolen from a Conclave shipment, and finally a tall - if fairly small, width-wise - old manor, a small bronze sign at the front gardens declaring it to be THE HYDRATHAPOLES CLUB. At the gate to the Club was a tall, thin servant. Sura recognized the servant immediately: it was an old associate of his, the commendable Marthak, demon of the higher orders and once a servant of Sura.

The demon smiled when he saw the Lord of Sand.

"Lord Sura," he bowed. "I wondered when Yggdrasil would return you to our midst. How do you do, sir?"

Balast cursed quietly.  He turned and walked over to Marcento's corpse and knelt at its side (or where it was if its gone).

"Is there a heir to the Athanor?  Someone who can lead in this case or does this mean an internal conflict.  The senior Athanor should hopefully arrive soon and I would appreciate all you can tell me about them."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:40, Mon 08 Feb 2010.

Raelis

Marcento's corpse was recognizable, but only by his ornate, ceremonial armour and deep-red cloak; his face was a mess of gore and smashed bone.

A lower-ranked Athanorian was on the murder scene, keeping an official eye on Balast - who he didn't trust - and the soldiers, who he believed needed managing.

"I cannot tell you who Marcento wished to be the next Lord of Niborkerese, let alone Lord of the Athanor," he said. "I understand his son, Mordalahi, was being groomed as Lord, while the two other members of the Athanor ruling, Bralel and Jormung, have never gotten along - it could mean all out war, over Niborkerese and our society."

Sura

(repeat)

Sura walked the streets, and as he did so he passed many interesting places: a garden filled with fruits and herbs that brought upon hallucinations, several drug dens, an 'Athanor-accredited' weapons merchant selling items stolen from a Conclave shipment, and finally a tall - if fairly small, width-wise - old manor, a small bronze sign at the front gardens declaring it to be THE HYDRATHAPOLES CLUB. At the gate to the Club was a tall, thin servant. Sura recognized the servant immediately: it was an old associate of his, the commendable Marthak, demon of the higher orders and once a servant of Sura.

The demon smiled when he saw the Lord of Sand.

"Lord Sura," he bowed. "I wondered when Yggdrasil would return you to our midst. How do you do, sir?"

"I am well, Marthak. It has certainly been a while - yet Yggdrasil could not take all my memories from me. Sura studied the manor. "What is this place and why do you guard it?"

Balast nodded.

"In that case can someone get a callisti to assist with the handover of power.  We're going to need their truth abilities."

He bent down and began murmuring a rite of passing over for a god over Marcento's body.

Raelis

"We have plenty of Callisti at our disposal, and broken to our will," said the Athanorian. "It is our greatest strength. At any point you need one, simply ask. I carry several personally."

Sura

"This place is a club for certain gentlemen who wish to acquire a certain education, often within certain fields, some of which might be considered objectionable," said Marthak in the typical manner of the demon race. "I guard it because I have been asked to do such a thing, of course."

Balast smiled grimly.

"Good, get them to verify this.  I am in some senses the being you call Lis.  I carry his memories and his responsibilities and was entrusted by him with my duties.  I knew he whom you call Lis in the distant past before his death and worked with him and warred with him at various times."

"I see," Sura began. "And how does one gain access to this 'club'?"

Raelis

"Lis!" cried the Athanorian. He had a Callisti in his hand as Balast spoke; it thrummed with the words. "What you say is truthful enough," said the Athanorian, "Though it may be that you believe it and that they are the delusions of a madman. We cannot force the Callisti to give us the experience of truth.."


Sura

"Donation and scholarship are the prime methods," said Marthak. "If you are a scholar of exceptional learning, a gentleman of a certain pedigree, or are simply wealthy enough to support the Club, they will accept you. You must also swear an oath upon acceptance, and swear it on the Callisti."

"True.  However that is a decision you have to make for yourself.  What matters here is avoiding internal conflict.  Where Lis was a teacher that is not my role and though I have taken the buden of his responsibilities upon myself I cannot lead as he might have led.  My personality and powers are more destructive in bent.  Right now we need to get ready for the arrival of the senior Athanor and prepared to negotiate a new leader to this city."

"Will you allow me entrance then? I believe i meet these requirements."

Balast

"There are several senior Athanorians coming with haste to the palace," said the Athanorian. "As to which one will inherit the title, I cannot be so sure. It is.. not for me to decide."

Sura

"Perhaps you do, sir," said Marthak. "Would you be willing to submit an application to the Hydrathopoles Club? I can have our Grand Magister meet you, of course."

Balast clenched his teeth hard.

"Look, just find a room and set out twenty or so chairs in a circle so everyone feels that they've been placed equally.  Then get a glass of water for each chair and leave the rest for me top handle.  Show each senior Athanor into the room as they arrive and ask their servants to remain outside - no exceptions."

"Yes, i would like to submit an application."