Re: RP PUBLIC V10T: The Hall of the Sun
Ruse shakes his head, and replies,
"Well...that is sort of correct, councilor. As you probably know, I am very closely connected as a special operative for Embalmer's Reach, which means part of my official duties are to tackle anything dealing with Osiria-Ra. I think that you and I can help one another though quite a bit, given your connection to all things Alkan. What I'm about to propose to you is highly sensitive, which is why I needed to see you in person."
Ruse then had a momentary fit of coughing, but after about 10 seconds regained composure.
"You see councilor, I am actually a dying man. Even now, my own magic seeks to undo me. I did actually head to Alkan to try and stop the chalybis attack. Unfortunately I was a moment too late and everything had come to pass - Chalybis was killed but the flood was unleashed. However, as I have an appreciation for magic like you do, as well as the tree of life, I tried to use my power to reinforce a mysterious ward that was the only thing holding the urge back entirely. It did work a bit, although in doing so i had to drop my guard and the urge entered into me in a way most profound. I thought I was a goner, but somehow my body adapted enough to survive, and instead I was able to escape Alkan. However, I contracted entropomagical poisoning as a result. It would seem that while the urge spared my life for the moment, that it would not let me go so easily. I made a sacrifice of my own health to buy Alkan some time."
He coughed again, and sighed,
"I have since learned that my poisoning is a form of magical cancer, but it is no ordinary cancer. It is less a true cancer and more like I'm being eaten slowly by spirits of the urge that are inside of me due to my high connection to magic - I'm a Grand Magus after all, so must be making for a fine meal indeed."
He looks at Laharazed whimsically, with a hint of opportunity in the twinkle of his eye.
"But this is where the interesting part comes in. Most individuals who are directly touched by the urge like I am are killed outright - the 100,000 deaths in Alkan should be proof of that. Man, sorcerer, and god alike usually cannot stand up to the urge's touch. However somehow I survived. This means that technically, I have one of the closest connections to the urge out of just about everyone there is. I am aware, due to my job duties, of a certain crown you have recently acquired. I know you wish to ultimately use it against Osiris-Ra, which is where I come into the picture. I know the crown is dangerous, and even someone as learned as yourself is risking much by using such a thing. I do not want you to die, councilor, so instead I volunteer myself to use the crown instead. It would be a sad day if you were to die - you are one of the more upright councilmen and your death would be a terrible loss to us all."
Ruse smiled, and added,
"You see, with me using the crown, not only would you not be at risk of death, but with my connection to the urge there is an increased chance of our success. If I fail, then I will die and you will still have the crown. If I succeed, I may be able to save Alkan while also assisting you against Osiris-Ra. Either way, you will survive as the risk will be on my head - literally."