Crailek bleeds on the floor. Also, he wonders at the chances of managing to cripple his leg twice in a row actually were, as he had just met that level. About the second thought he had was quite similar to the next few, which were more of 'concentrating on not bleeding out and dieing' then real thoughts.
For the moment he bleeds, and doesn't move or think too hard.

Ruse

"Damn it," said Roid. "Damn it damn it damn it.." He banged his hand, hard, against his desk. DAMN IT.

The psychic roar gave Ruse another shock - even with his own potency in the area of psionics, the power of a fully-toothed Systemarch was considerable indeed. He noticed the iron-reinforced roof, the door with three locks, all of them undoubtedly magical..

The siren continued to wail.

Roid wandered over to the door, slowly, and opened it. He looked outside - peered into the darkness - and closed it again, locking all three locks.

"How much fighting experience have you had?" he asked Ruse, dead serious.

Crailek

Sand lashed his cheeks.

Crailek woke to a horrible feeling: being slapped hard in the face when your cheeks were already rubbed raw was painful. Then, of course, everything else hit, and he keeled over and began to throw up.

"You," said a Conclave soldier wearing an elaborate iron mask and wielding a diamond rifle. He gave Crailek a light kick. "Get up. You're the only survivor. We wonder just why that is."

Sura

Sura, unfortunately, had exhausted himself with the sandstorm of death. All that he could manage to conjure was a sandstorm that obscured himself from his immediate enemies - the spikes and whatnot were too difficult. He felt another few bursts of pain as he was shot twice in the chest. He staggered. There was yelling in the distance. The sand couldn't protect him from much longer.

He made his escape, but it was a dangerous thing. He was shot several more times, and Sura knew that the Conclave had gotten his identity. He would live the rest of his life as a 'Mad God', without, amusingly enough, being Mad..

Msonus

The siren continued.

The eyes were blind. There wasn't enough light for them to function properly.. nevertheless, they detected a huge amount of confusion and panic within the halls.

Soon, the Systemarch picked himself back up. Bludt frowned.

"What - what happened? What.. did you do?" he asked groggily.

Ruse's form pulsed a bit, and he replied,

"I am not a direct warrior like Aesin or those types. However, I learned much from his vigilante-ism. Yes, much indeed. I tend to hold back a lot of my full potential, although in these dark times I am willing to utilize exxessive force to both defend myself, as well as defeat the enemies of the conclave and the tree."

Ruse swirled around a bit, deflecting a small piece of debris away from Roid as he did so.

"My specialty is stealth - I could probably assassinate someone easily, as well as survey a scene and gather intel. I have direct experience with sneaking into a heavily fortified location and sneaking out again undetected. I am now able to stand up to warrior-types as well, by using vision-control tactics. And of course I have not even dented the full extent of my "trick."

The mist pulsed with some whimsy now, and Ruse asked,

"Is there someone or something you'd like me to fight or sabotage, councilor?"

"I have done little," Msonus says, calmly, watching Bludt . "As you were starting the test, a siren occurred, and our dear administrator gave the order to lock the door behind him. I have done so. It is not clear what has happened outside, though the lack of light indicates something particularly nasty has gone on. It seems a nightmare of life, where the unexpected comes to shatter dreams... And yet the dark obscures that which we care to know.

Ah, but manners once again elude me.  Bludt, are you injured?"

Crailek clutches at his stomach painfully, and forces himself up onto his feet. "I don't know, you tell me. Maybe I'm semi-immune to sand and glass flying at me?" He spoke rather well for someone with such wounds, but the pain showed in his face and in the way that he seemed about ready to fall down and die. He also spoke with more then a touch of irritation at being kicked and talked to in such a way, just for not dieing.

((Sorry, it would seem I'm an idiot. Nat, label your posts better!))
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Thu 22 Oct 2009.

((Frank... you died... did you not read the post that killed everyone?))

He returns quickly having died so suddenly was very unpleasant and not something he wished to have happen again, but there was something here. He came and looking about he tried to observe the situation for what it was. A good time to escape not ask questions and definitely not get involved.

...

Crailek! ... dumb foun, really really dumb
He rushes to crailek as quickly as he can ready to fight anyone who was idiotic enough to harm him.

Ruse

"No," said Roid. "Be quiet. Don't talk. Head hurts."

He walked confidently towards a hidden switch in the side of the stone wall. The wall seemed to shimmer and disappear, becoming a glass case with the word ATTAINMENTS scrawled above them. Within, Ruse saw the strange clicking-gun Balverstus had wielded when they first met, and a small, fairly mundane-looking ring, and a long pulsating sword..

"I wanted to know if I could trust you with Savernasuram -"

He stopped for a moment.

"Oh god," he said, falling back a little. "Balverstus.. Balverstus is dead.."

Crailek & Foun

The soldier gave him another small, lighter kick to the side.

"Hrmmm," said the soldier. "Nothing could have survived that sand blast. Are you wearing a powerful magical enchantment or something similar? If you don't give us a satisfactory answer, we'll have to take you.."

Suddenly, the tall white-haired sorcerer - Foun! - rushed up to the soldier. He took dying rather well, all things considering.

"Who are you?" demanded the soldier. Foun could see more soldiers walking towards them, guns in hand.

Msonus

"No, no.. I don't think so.." he stopped for a moment, tears appearing in his eyes. "Balverstus! Balverstus, how? How could you have..?"

He slumped down again, as if crushed.

The ring immediately caught Ruse's attention before the gun or sword did. Rings were symbols of lords and sorcers - both of which Ruse was. The gun was of secondary interest, given his growing exposure to various technologies, and the fact that he recognized it from his systemarch encounters. The sword didn't interest him much, given he had a vibro-blade and a living sword. These observations weren't really terribly important, merely first impressions.

What really made Ruse curious though was where Roid was going with all of this.

"Councilor, you can trust me with anything at this point. I am willing to use whatever means necessary to avenge the fallen."

Ruse knew that he had to say something...anything to comfort him about Balverstus. But in Mistellan fashion, it had to have both style and flair. And be meaningful while also making impact.

"Lord Roid, do not greive so much about Balverstus. Of course, I was actually quite fond of him too and am upset by his death. However I already have a plan for him, although it is fairly long-term. But you see, I am a growing sorcerer of sorts, and life magic is something that I am capable of using. Right now I am but a conjurer and my talent with it is not great, but one day I will be a Thaumaturge, and with some sanctified white gloves as a tool I...I can revive Balverstus to healthiness once more. Not a necromantic mockety but true life!"

I am Grey Purjopiarre Foun the Second of the Isles of Penta, Returned God and Slight Dabbler of Magiscience and Truth, Heir to the Metaphysical Tower, Traveler Beyond the Tree, Teleportationist Extraordinaire you like hearing all that correct? Well I am here to protect the one who was my beloved and may still be. To speak on his behalf and swear to you that he has done nothing wrong. We both I believe where here to aide the conclave when we were. Although not as skilled as he is I died in that attack. My quickness to return was for his sake and a skill I achieved from feeling death several times. He puts one hand protectively over crailek eyes burning.

Msonus sits down with Bludt, but he doesn't know who Balverstus is, and says little. As he sits, he idly directs his eyes to fumble their way through the halls further, looking for any location with light or other things that they could sense.

He watches Bludt with his three real eyes, curiously but with care. The systermarch was still a stranger, a foreign being, and yet there was no doubt that he was in anguish.

"I am sorry...," he says quietly. " What happ--"

He stops suddenly, taking time to think in the middle of his words. "... who was Balverstus?"

Crailek closes his eyes, listening to Foun. He detected within that small speech some things the guards would probably not take too lightly. He stays silent, and concentrates on lessening the pain he felt by simply ignoring the wounds. He also concentrates on making sure he had enough energy left in him for what may well become a fight. He would end the fight rather quickly, if he only had enough energy to attack, let alone enough to stand up.
Getting crushed half to death, sliced half to death, with a bad headache on top of that was not very good for his own welfare. In fact, he was fairly amazed he wasn't dead, what with the two halves of death flying at him.

Ruse

Balverstus looked towards Ruse, shock evident on his face. He hadn't expected the outburst.

"It.. Systemarch bodies are notoriously difficult to resurrect," he said, softly, "Because upon death.. the Attainments fade and become useless. If I die," he said, gesturing to the items, "The Ring of Cashmathar, Savernasuram, Liktoborea.. they would be destroyed. Utterly useless. There's something more than weird science in these things.. and the death of one of them is enough to send a Systemarch into a decade of depression. Suicide is not uncommon. If he returns.. he'd be changed."

Tears formed in his eyes. A single drop streaked down his face.

"But thank you for the attempt. A Systemarch funeral is in order.. I will organize it. But first, I think I must travel to Litheris. Then, I think, to Desolace.. and perhaps Tushmuthut. I have divined that above is safe.."

He drifted off. Roid was not his usual composed self. He was a shattered thing.. something that scared Ruse. The siren stopped it's wail.

Crailek & Foun

Crailek didn't have the physical energy to stand up, let alone throw a bolt of deadly psychokinetic energy. Soon, he might be able to rise, with the assistance of Foun.. but he hurt so much, all he wanted to do was to stay still and bask in his own misery.

The guard looked at Foun.

"Heir to the Metaphysical Tower? What in Odin's name are you talking about?"

He looked Foun in the eyes, saw the raw determination there, and shrugged.

"Look, this is a sealed area. You've got to take him somewhere else. Get him fixed up. Whatever. Just leave, now, before I take you both in."

Msonus

"Balverstus was a kind friend and the finest warrior," said Bludt. "I.."

The lights switched back on - electrical. A generator was up. The siren stopped.

Bludt picked himself up.

"I'm sorry friend, but we will have to put off your psyche evaluation. I can come and visit your Realm personally if you'd prefer but.. but we're in no state to do it right now. My apologies."

Msonus heads to unlock the door, but looks back.

"It is understandable, Bludt. Dreams become nightmares, and plans change. But now it seems that I should be concerned for you, and not the other way. My own needs were on a whim, and yours, yours were forced upon you. Tell me, please... How can your pains be soothed? "

He pauses, and shakes his head. "No, I should not force more unto you, even aid. If you need a comfort, a service or a dream, it shall be easy enough to find me. But here," he says, ripping off a piece of cloth. He holds it in his hands for a moment, and his eyes flash almost unnoticeably. "Break it if you need me to see you.'

 He hands the cloth to Bludt, and walks out into the hallway. Using the eyes that he had already sent out earlier, which should now be able to see with the lights on, he navigates his own way back out of the Hall.

Ruse sighs a bit. The attainments disappearing would prove to be slightly problematic...for the unprepared magi of course. Ruse, though, had other plans.

"Councilor, I may still be able to save Balverstus. I am thinking of combining a ritual of life and time magics - I may be able to find a tome or something on the topic in the market or something, or even requisition one in the name of the conclave. The time magic could mitigate the dissapearance of the attainments, and with that accomplished the life magic could work on reviving Balverstus himself. It's certainly a long shot but worth the effort. At the very least, it can't hurt for me to look into it. I will notify you of my progress on this, my lord councilor."

Ruse then decided to shift back onto the topic at hand - what Ruse could do for Roid, and Roid do for Ruse. anything with helping Balverstus or even thwarting Osiris would be almost impossible right now if Roid and Ruse didn't complete their alliance. Most importantly, a promotion from Ruse accepting Roid's offer, as well as him being the steward of one of the attainments. With these tools, Ruse would best be able to help not only himself, but Roid and the tree too.

"My Lord Councilor, before you leave...please allow me to refocus us back to what we were discussing earlier. Despite all that had happened, I am now only more firm and committed to accepting your offer of being your personal inquisitor. I will also - with great honor by the way - accept the stewardship of one of your attainments as well. I personally would probably be most effective with the ring or gun, as I already have two swords...plus sword fighting defies my preferred combat style of ranged sneaky fighting."

Crailek stays on the back, then. He looks over at the Guard oddly, and smiles. "Thanks. And don't worry about the Metaphysical tower. It has nothing to do with you."
In his head, however, Crailek thinks about how much the odd lag effect with how paradox was now really sucked. Also something about horribly evil squirrels, but that was a common theme in his thought process, for some reason, and had nothing to do with the current events and problems.

He puts his hand on crailek and smiles, Where to? My realm or yours? Or anywhere else you feel may be safe to discuss things of the past. After all we have a great deal to discuss.

Crailek nods. "I shall head to your realm. I believe I can appear there, healed."
With a smile, he sinks into he shadows and dismisses this self.

He nods standing up he surveys the area one more time and in his thoughts he has a strong rage boiling towards Sura. Then he dissappears as he leaves this realm as well.

Ruse

"Time .. and life?" said Roid. His eyes showed his confusion, but caught on quickly. He was simply dazed. "Clever.. very clever. Please make sure to consult his Dhaal before you attempt anything of the sort, though.. some sacred relationships shouldn't be crossed. He might wish to rest easy. Just.."

He stopped.

"Just consult them. Please."

Again, he glanced towards his three Attainments. The Ring of Cashmathar, glinting in the soft light.. thirty years. Savernasuram, the Scalpel of Redemption.. fifty years. Finally, there was Liktoborea, the Clicking Death, Voice of the Last, Son of Purandomnol.. eighty years. A hundred and sixty years worth of work sitting softly in the darkness.

"I would have you," said Roid, looking at Ruse a little wearily, "Take the Ring of Cashmathar. Liktoborea is my own personal weapon. That is, if you comply.. and swear on the Ring of Cashmathar to my cause - to the resurrection of Yggdrasil and the destruction of Osiris-Ra. I understand your personal abilities to evade such oaths, but believe me.. the ring is a little harder to escape. Forgive the distrust, but it would kill you on the spot if you tried wearing it otherwise."

Msonus

"I.. thank you, Msonus."

Bludt smiled thinly, but it was sincere.

The Halls were dark, but linear enough. Soldiers and other members of the Conclave dashed past him as he wandered through.

When he emerged, the sun blinded him for a moment - and then he saw the devastation that had wracked the Hall of the Sun. Glass had been smashed everywhere, in the process of being cleaned by various soldiers. Sand scattered everywhere. Corpses littered the shattered marble floor, and were being removed solemnly by the soldiers. A few grey cloaks wept as they identified the bodies.

A soldier approached Msonus.

"Sorry, mate," said the soldier, "you'll have to leave immediately or return below. Restricted area."

His diamond rifle shined in the sun.

Ruse nodded at Roid, and replied,

"Fair enough - on both accounts. I will consult Balverstus' Dhaal before any revival attempts. I just wanted to perk you up a bit by letting you know there is still at least a possible way to fix this. As for the ring..."

Ruse drifted over to the ring and materialized. He picked it up from the case and held it in his hand. he said boldly,

"I am Ruse, Zealous god of Mist and Lord of the Valley of mist, as well as an associate of the Conclave. I here do by swear upon Cashmathar that I seek both the wellbeing of the tree of life, as well as the downfall of Osiris-Ra and any other entity that would harm and torture the tree through their actions. I take you in my hand as a steward in place of Roid, Spider of Hammers, in good faith."

Ruse gave his oath to the ring, and was truthful about it.

Msonus is rendered speechless by the devastation, but even the absent-minded god was shaken to his senses by the barrel of a gun.

"Of course," Msonus says, leaving the area surrounding the hall. He walks quickly, moving away from the scene while looking down; suppressing his instincts, he does not manifest more eyes, but instead heads towards the market area.

     Having seen destruction being involved and possible conflict, Desafon bursts into the Hall of the Sun, looking about, "Where's the fight? I'm here to assist in the protection of innocents!" He calls out, searching for any culprits that might be in need of a duel. "And what has happened?" He ponders for a moment.

Ruse

"Then let the Ring of Cashmathar serve you well," said Roid. "Now.. I need to reach Litheris. There is much work ahead of us. What are your plans?"

He looked towards Ruse suddenly. "Actually, no, scrap that. Your plans are irrelevant. Would you like me to promote you to Low Lord? You'll have to gather intelligence .. our Estranged friends are tied up with Tushmuthut, and I need to know.. need to know where Sura is. Yes."

Desafon

"I'm sorry, sir," said one of the plated soldiers, approaching Desafon. "I'm afraid this area is a restricted zone. You'll have to leave."