Tag: angel goldeneyes

#Lore24 – Entry #348 – Sci-Fi Month IV #13 – Waning Magic, Growing Technology

Transcribed From the Personal Recording Implant of Andra Ganim, Chronicler of the Codex Infinitum

AG:  “Can you comment on the state of magic during the period leading up to and following the development of the TK-Drive?”

RV:  “Obviously the use of magic overall had greatly diminished during this time.  As technology advances, magic wanes; it’s been a consistent trend across the galaxy.  Knowledge not utilized is quite often knowledge forgotten.  The gods, much to their chagrin, I’m sure, were losing followers in droves by this time as technology supplanted everything.  Nothing remarkable or unexpected, just a natural course as what was once magical became mundane and easily distributed via a technological or scientific replacement.”

AG:  “Were you negatively affected by this change?”

RV:  “I’m quite stuck in the old ways.  I had to adapt to certain things, but overall, no, my abilities remained undiminished compared to much of Andyllion’s younger arcanists and other mystics.  There were plenty of worlds that remained, and yet remain, in a state like that of Andyllion before its advancement within this galaxy, which the gods and magically inclined may seek to continue their traditional paths.  All things change in time; it’s inevitable.  One must simply learn to adapt and change if one wishes to survive.”

AG:  “Did the development of the TK-Drive and related technologies of exploration advance your research into the ancient dragons more rapidly than before?”

RV:  “Unfortunately no, at least for some time yet.  I found plenty more ruins as the decades and centuries passed, but they were usually in a state comparable to most of those upon Andyllion, offering me little more than crumbs of knowledge.  I did learn that the earliest such discovered sites were of a comparable age to those of Andyllion, though, meaning that it was very likely that this region of space was visited by the dragons at roughly the same time.  I even learned that, at one time, they possessed the power to link worlds through the use of portals and gateways, though this network was long since defunct.  Discoveries made much later would reveal newer sites, and eventually, much older ones than those upon Andyllion, but it would be some time before I would find those.”

AG:  “Your name, as it is now, or even your full original elvish name, doesn’t show up during this period of expansion, and wouldn’t appear in the history books until approximately fifteen hundred years after the first TK-Drive was developed, when you first founded DSM following the collapse of the Great Elvish Imperium.  Were you involved in the formation of the Great Elvish Imperium that would attempt to seize control of the many new worlds that Andyllion had discovered?”

RV:  “I wasn’t directly involved with the formation of the Elvish Imperium, no.  I had my eyes well beyond Andyllion by this point, and was absorbed in my research, translating the High Draconic records and trying to find some clue as to where they could have gone after Andyllion and surrounding star systems.  I cared little for politics at the time, and had paid little attention to anything going on that didn’t directly affect my continuing research.  I wouldn’t become aware of its formation for nearly a century after it had claimed control of Andyllion and its surrounding systems and had begun to spread further and claim more worlds under its banner.  I honestly didn’t think that ambition like that of Orzius Halaxaes existed in the galaxy anymore, aside from myself, of course.”

AG:  “Had you known Orzius Halaxaes before he declared himself emperor and created the Great Elvish Imperium?”

RV:  “Briefly.  He was young, only a handful of centuries in age, during the Age of Legends, and had spent time studying the arcane beneath me, and knew something of the draconic history I had uncovered to that point. He was nothing remarkable when I knew him, but in the intervening centuries, it seems, he had grown quite ambitious and resourceful indeed.  Once I had become aware of the development of the Imperium, I remained in the shadows, watching how he manipulated the elves of other worlds to join this new Imperium and bend other races to his will.  I must also credit him for using my concept of a sky fortress, never actually implemented upon Andyllion, as the basis for his space citadels.  The influences were obvious once I had seen them in person, the blend of technology and arcane power was quite inspired, honestly.  Were it not for the many worlds already under his control, and the high amount of resources they contained, such vessels would have remained quite impractical.  A pity that his insistence upon reestablishing elvish control of other races, only on a much grander scale, would come to cause me great frustration in the coming year.  I daresay had he not riled my anger, the Great Elvish Imperium may still exist to this day.”

#Lore24 – Entry #347 – Sci-Fi Month IV #12 – Andyllion Advances Towards the Stars

Transcribed From the Personal Recording Implant of Andra Ganim, Chronicler of the Codex Infinitum

AG:  “The period of roughly a thousand years following the Age of Legends saw an incredible change upon Andyllion as technology and the sciences advanced.  Was this due to the influence of the demons upon the world, the Elvish Dominion, or both perhaps?”

RV:  “Both.  The demons preferred their method of control and would have seen the world come under their thumb in one way or another through their control of powerful individuals throughout the world, likely duplicating the kerryn blood curse that kept them sustained on all the races should they have spread further. 

We elves, on the other hand, knew well how to manipulate the other races without need of cursed magic and had much longer-range plans for how we would guide events forward.  This ensured that we would see the outcomes we wanted, even if generations of the lesser races passed before we attained what we desired.  We can be quite patient in that way.  Technology would have advanced quite a bit faster than it had to that point had we previously allowed it; when the dwarves or gnomes or even the drakonae pushed too far, stood upon the cusp of some great advancement, we would either make a most spectacular display of how dangerous and unstable such technology was, and see to it that the knowledge was buried deep, or simply eliminate those responsible for its development and erase their mark in history.  That, of course, had been our way for time immemorial, long before I was even around.”

AG:  “But you pushed them away from this mindset and allowed such advancements following the Age of Legends.  Was this purely to further your own interests?”

RV:  “Mostly, but not entirely.  I was possessed of a drive few of my kind would understand, of course, and as I stated previously, I needed many more eyes out there searching for the secrets of the dragons that yet remained.  It was simply the most logical step to take, allowing the world to advance and reach into the heavens in ways never before conceived, at least not that the Dominion would admit to.”

AG:  “Was there pushback from the leaders of the Elvish Dominion on this?”

RV:  “Oh, absolutely, however briefly.  When necessary, I would involve myself in matters and see to it that any obstacles in my path to the stars were eliminated.  They learned soon enough that my will was not to be denied.”

Note:  The coldness with which Rivalle made that statement has sent a chill down my spine.  Her reputation for ruthlessness is undoubtedly well earned.

AG:  “The advancement of Andyllion through its industrial phase to that of the space age is considered to be remarkably fast when compared to that seen upon other planets, even those that attained space and faster-than-light travel well before the people of Andyllion did.  Some accounts of certain technological developments have been attributed to divine inspiration or uncovering long-lost documents that detailed the previous steps in their development, while others remain mysterious.  Was some of this your doing?”

RV:  “Perhaps not directly, but that is my guidance at work in many cases, yes.  Even before the Age of Legends, I had visited worlds in which technology had advanced to the space age, with much of what we are familiar with today, and could have, if I had wished it, brought Andyllion completely to heel using weapons and devices I found upon these worlds.  I suppose it was something of Marcon Shadowmist’s influence upon me in that regard; though I was bound by no such agreement with the gods, I likewise did not wish to draw their attention upon myself, and would keep my interference in matters subtle and indirect, let the people themselves think that they were the ones wanting to make these great leaps forward.”

AG:  “Were you responsible for the development of what became known as the TK-Drive?  It’s development was an absolutely unprecedented advancement in the known galaxy, and its origins are cloaked in mystery.  Did you know Tonzura Koite?”

RV:  “Sadly I cannot claim credit for that, aside from being one of the largest financial backers of the project that would lead to the drive’s development.  The figure of Tonzura Koite is entirely mythical; they were, in actuality, a team of researchers led by two strong personalities, one a kerryn named Renji Koite and the other a dusk elf by the name of Tonzura Viejra.  The two were constantly at each other’s throats over how the proposed drive would function, Koite being a classically trained arcanist and Viejra being a highly educated scientist, each often proposing the same thing from opposing approach vectors.  I daresay I could not have set up a better conflict of personalities if I had tried, though I had absolutely no reason to do so since it went against my desires.

The need for the drive was, as history suggests, accurate.  The rapid advancement had left no small portion of Andyllion’s resources exhausted and much of the planet contaminated by pollution and other industrial wastes, and space travel to that point had barely begun exploring the Andyllion solar system, let alone beyond it.  The world had settled into several major powers that roughly resembled the ancient continental powers, and it was only a matter of time before war broke out over the remaining resources, and at this time, magic-infused explosives, not unlike those I had developed long before, were quite common.  It likely would have been a level of destruction equal to, if not greater than, the Great Cataclysm, had Koite and Viejra not had their breakthrough.”

AG:  “So it is entirely true that the TK-Drive saved Andyllion, then?”

RV:  “Absolutely.  Once the team had conducted their tests and proven that their combination of magic and technology worked, the first ship to utilize the drive was constructed by another team of dwarves, gnomes, and drakonae, and, though exceptionally slow-moving by today’s standards, in a matter of hours following the first test flight, the first communications from beyond the solar system were received.  It was almost immediately practical to begin resource-gathering operations in the Andyllion system, so the resource war was averted.  In a matter of weeks following the deployment of the second version of the drive, Andyllion reached the next nearest star system, and so on, and so on.  The first new draconic ruin would be discovered within a handful of years, and I would again continue my passion project.”

#Lore24 – Entry #346 – Sci-Fi Month IV #11 –Pinnacles of Power, Destruction of a Demon Lord

Transcribed From the Personal Recording Implant of Andra Ganim, Chronicler of the Codex Infinitum

AG:  “What were your observations about the state of the world leading up to the destruction of Suzu’reitani, as you saw it from your position above and away from most of the major players in these events?”

RV:  “I saw potential for great things, or absolute destruction.  I would not sit idle during this period, for I was quite busy preparing myself for the worst outcome, either another Cataclysm or a renewed surge in the demonic forces upon Andyllion.  While they had been struggling to survive, Suzu’reitani had found a way through the planar rifts, just as I had, and was slowly bringing more of her kind onto Andyllion again, their very essences at least, if not their physical forms, which she implanted with the mazoku and certain others within the Imperium, notably the line of Emperors who ruled the land, and many of the kerryn slaves themselves.  She was actually hiding within one herself, the “favored slave” of the Emperor, in fact.  And the slave knights known as the Stellae Illustris?  Each and every one who attained full membership were possessed by a demon, completely loyal to the demon lord.  It wasn’t the emperor they were letting see through their eyes, rather Suzu’reitani herself.

In the area of Arcavarlon, and that side of the world, things were much less chaotic, which is why I was able to devote so much time to my research and preparations.  Though there was plenty of political strife, I would urge those below me to maintain a mostly neutral stance, keep things as stable as possible, while we waited for the situation to further develop within the Imperium.  I would also encourage the spread of propaganda against the Imperium on our side of the world, focusing as much discontent as I could there.”

AG:  “Would you say you wished to see the demonic hold upon the Imperium broken, the demons driven from Andyllion?”

RV:  “Absolutely, yes.  Their very presence would eventually lead to a corruption upon the entire world, as had started before the Great Cataclysm.  And of course, they were the final major blemish upon the history of the Elvish Dominion, and my own in particular, that I had not managed to erase.  It had become something of a personal wish to see them eradicated, mostly for my own satisfaction, though I would not become involved too obviously, of course, lest my involvement in their original summoning be revealed.  I suppose enough time has passed since then that I can say such a thing.  I’ve certainly built up many more things people would hate me for over the intervening years.”

AG:  “Did you witness the final battle between Shibaru Sukimono and Suzu’reitani?”

RV:  “Indirectly, yes.  By the time the final battle loomed, any plans that I had implemented were finalized, as were those of Marcon Shadowmist.  We actually watched the battle together from his manor house within his swamp, sipping on wine and sampling a rather modest assortment of foods, much as one would watch a video stream today, though through scrying instead.  I have every confidence that had he applied himself, he could have ended the situation on his own, but Marcon is bound by a non-interference pact with the gods, or something to that effect.  Nothing direct, mind you, and nothing too obvious, just a subtle nudge here and there, though that trick he pulled with Lila Darius and the divine essence of Saressh, that skirted the line, I’m sure.  Not the only time he’s done something like that, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

I have to say, for one so young, Sukimono handled herself magnificently in that battle.  I suppose that’s something of her past life as Shibari Sukimori coming through, for she was very nearly as instinctually aware of the nature of magic as I am, even without my advantages.  Maltizar fended off the demon lord’s top general in the body of the Emperor at the time, as well as any others who tried to interfere.  I could sense Suzu’reitani’s desperation growing, but then Sukimono made her fateful feint, taking the demon lord’s spear into herself to guarantee a killing blow.  For all of Suzu’reitani’s superior ability to read mortals, she didn’t see Sukimono’s final maneuver coming.  It was entirely an aerian trick, sacrificing yourself to take out your enemy.  They are such a fatalistic people…

Anyway, we were on the edge of our seats at this point, as Marcon’s vision shifted beyond the physical realm to the spiritual realm, where the battle continued in the very demi-plane that had served as Saresh’s prison. I couldn’t predict who was going to come out on top then.  But, we know the outcome now.  I can say proudly that I’m one of the handful of beings who witnessed the utter destruction of Suzu’reitani, her very essence seared from this reality.”

AG:  “What did you witness upon Suzu’reitani’s destruction?  What was the immediate aftermath?”

RV:  “Most immediately was the release of Saressh from her bonds and the destruction of that prison, which freed the entirety of her power and ended the blood curse upon the kerryns.  All of those who were possessed by demons at the time were immediately freed from their influence as the goddess’s Soulfire burned through them and seared their very essence from Andyllion.  Sukimono’s spirit was returned to her body then, which was healed by the goddess, and I suppose you could say it was a happy ending, however bloody an affair it was.  Oh, there would be decades of fallout and tumult as the kerryns learned to reassert themselves as a people on that part of the world, the aerians starting breeding programs to see to it that their race was restored to its former glory, that kind of thing. 

Another momentous occasion had come and gone upon Andyllion and I remained quite well off, free to continue my research into my own nature and that of dragonkind.  It was a rather…boring time if I’m being honest.  The power of the Elvish Dominion would wax and wane, as would all great empires, but the influence of the demons had ended.  The mazoku themselves would remain, for they had become a race unto themselves well before this time, though a lingering suspicion would always remain about their nature and intentions. 

With the end of the demon lord, Andyllion could finally move onward.  I suppose I could have stopped the world from advancing for a while longer yet, to maintain the Dominion’s control in a more tightfisted manner, but my eyes were far beyond Andyllion in the centuries following Suzu’reitani’s demise.  My research had reached a dead end, you see, all that I could learn of the dragons upon Andyllion had been learned, and that meant that I must travel to other worlds.  I would do so myself, of course, using the methods I had used for ages by this point, but I could not hope to find all that I needed on my own.  For that I would need help, and for that, Andyllion as a whole had to seek the stars and the countless worlds that lay amongst them.”

#Lore24 – Entry #345 – Sci-Fi Month IV #10 – The Age of Legends

Transcribed From the Personal Recording Implant of Andra Ganim, Chronicler of the Codex Infinitum

AG:  “Was there anything specific that you sought within those ruined draconic cities?  And how exactly did these events jumpstart the Age of Legends from your perspective?”

RV:  “Knowledge of course was my primary interest, though of course, along with that came further power.  I wanted to know all that could be gleaned about the mysterious race that had so shaped the world and then mysteriously vanished.  You could say that I felt a certain affinity with the dragons, something I realized even then, given my vastly superior understanding of magic compared to others in the world.  I daresay that without my studies following the Great Cataclysm, magic would have stagnated for a thousand years or more as people tried to relearn it.

I say that these expeditions were so very important because of one of the most prominent of the legends to emerge, the one you serve now.  Were it not for the human then known as Angeliqua Cartacustos and her meticulous study and research into these sites, she would never have found the path that led to her ascension to godhood.  She was but the first such legend to attain that mysterious spark that allowed her to reach such a lofty position during that time, and the first to do so.  Though this too was the will of Marcon Shadowmist, for he was somehow aware of the danger that lay before Andyllion and had nudged Cartacustos on a path that would see the world saved.”

AG:  “Could you explain that more?  I have never heard of this.”

RV:  “Oh, you wouldn’t have, my dear.  For as good a job as your order does at recording history, you can’t exactly record it if it never happened, though I suspect that if you dig deeply enough, you may in fact find some recollection of the event.  It was a bit of a paradox, you see, and once Cartacustos had figured it out and remedied the situation, time itself was altered into the timeline we currently exist upon.  I don’t have all the details, mind you, but I do know that our world, at the very least, would have been doomed, the very source of magic, even that which the gods grant to their followers, sucked dry.  It’s…almost like a dream, you see, how I remember it.  I know that it never happened, yet I also know that it did, for I lived through it to the bitter end and witnessed her actions for myself.  I suppose my…unique nature…has kept me aware of these events, when all others who may have experienced them have forgotten them.  Don’t trouble yourself too much over it; if you wish, I can discuss it more later.”

AG:  “Yes, I would very much like to delve deeper into that subject.  Back to my original questions…you seem to have been curiously quiet during the Age of Legends, for your name doesn’t appear in many accounts of the era.  Was this intentional on your part?  What were you doing during this time?”

RV:  “Study and research, mostly.  I poured over all the details gleaned from Cartacustos and her order, and several others I had working on the project.  I kept my interference to a minimum and had mostly divested myself from the Elvish Dominion’s leadership by this time.  My intentions were carried out as I had wished them to be through my lesser that I left in charge, and they handled their duties satisfactorily.  I had far greater ambitions than mere political power then, for I would come to understand my truest nature, and something of what had happened to the dragons themselves through my experiences.  In this, Marcon Shadowmist and I were alike, quietly guiding events while we performed whatever machinations we would behind the scenes.  I can tell that you’re itching to know what I’m alluding to, but you’ll have to be patient  a while longer yet.”

AG:  “You certainly have a way of teasing things, Ms. Volcari.  During your, I suppose I’ll call it a sequestration during this time, did you encounter any of the others who would be considered Legends of the Age?”

RV:  “I would, yes, however briefly our interactions may have been.  I met Korvalis Nightrunner before he became the Right Hand of Mausolus, and for a wonder, this legendary assassin was never sent after me.  I daresay he would have been the one person who would have been able to slay me during that time.  I would regularly convene with the likes of Marcon Shadowmist and Azalina Fang during this period. Yes, that Azalina Fang, the very one that the academy was named after, though her growing instability meant that it was only a matter of time before she was dealt with for a final time. 

I may have…nudged Shibaru Sukimono in her direction when I refused to teach her the arcane arts after she had escaped her bondage, before she began her true task of freeing the kerryns from their bondage within the Imperium Draconis, knowing that their personalities would clash to the point of violence, and that Azalina would seek to rip that special power Sukimono had been granted from the goddess she would eventually free.  I could sense Sukimono’s power then, knew that she was destined for greatness.  I’ll admit to being rather surprised that she had managed to find the single remaining aerian upon Andyllion as well, Maltizar Skyrider, and was even more surprised when he didn’t try to kill me upon our first meeting.  He’s a hard one to put down, and one of the few beings in this galaxy that rivals me for age; thankfully for me, his memory is terrible”

Note:  A peculiar frown, a look of distaste, passed over Rivalle’s face then.

“Then there was Lila Darius…that would be my first encounter with the woman who I still absolutely cannot stand to this very day…the bumbling fool somehow managed to tap into a remnant of Saressh’s power that remained from before the goddess was captured by Suzu’reitani and resurrected over a thousand aerian warriors before the final battle with the demon lord.  I suspect Marcon had something to do with that little feat, though I have no proof of it.  How she has vexed me ever since she awakened her true blood back then…”

AG:  “Her true blood?”

Note:  I was beginning to form an idea of why Rivalle’s assistant looked like Lila, and why the poor girl looked worried when Rivalle’s mood darkened.  I’m not sure if there’s someone I can alert to her situation who would actually be able to do anything about it, no matter how much I want to.  Rivalle has resumed her more pleasant demeanor with my latest question.

RV:  “Ah, yes…well, we’ll be getting to that later, for it is something we have in common.  We can’t all have the blood of gods within us, but close enough.

Continuing on, I did have occasion to meet Mantok Badaxe before he ascended to godhood for his people as well.  He was quite brilliant for an orc during that time, though no less a great warrior, and even I will credit him with evolving his people through shear force of will.  This was before his clan would turn against the Draconis Emperor and fight alongside the kerryns during their uprising, again due in so small part to the interference of Lila Darius.  I daresay she did more for the kerryns than Shibaru Sukimono did, though it was ultimately Sukimono who slew the demon lord and broke the blood curse and the power that bound their goddess.  Had Darius kept to that, I might not hate her so…

I would have a brief encounter with the mysterious Yasraena Onimatsuri during this time as well, though it was more random chance than anything when she happened to emerge, cut her way through a battlefield and two armies, just to keep walking as if it were nothing for her.  Her family, her mother specifically, had been one of my apprentices during the time before the Cataclysm, and had taken to her own unique studies of the arts, seeking power to perhaps rival my own.  Yasraena was, and still is, I suppose, wherever she may be now, a unique case to say the least.  Even though I was vaguely aware of her comings and goings throughout the centuries and millennia, she always kept to herself.  It’s almost like she never grew out of her “brooding teenager” period, honestly. 

I do believe that was the last notable encounter with those who would be considered Legends, though I did briefly meet a handful of others…let’s see…Naiya and Shank Serana come to mind.  Did you know that Shank’s adoptive father also adopted Lila Darius?  It’s how that family name came to be a kerryn name, in fact.  Curious that link…  Then there was Shibaru Sukimono’s vampiric clone who came to me seeking a remedy for her condition at one point; you’ll have to track down her reincarnation if you want the details of that story, for I couldn’t be bothered to delve into it myself.  There was the legendary gnomish craftsman Fitzgerald; I commissioned some work from him and would use his superior artifice in my creation of several golems.”

#Lore24 – Entry #344 – Sci-Fi Month IV #9 – A Growing Discontent

Transcribed From the Personal Recording Implant of Andra Ganim, Chronicler of the Codex Infinitum

AG:  “Ah, yes, of course I understand what you’re getting at.  Our passion gives us purpose.  So you would focus most of your time on your studies of the ancient dragons and their ruins once some stability had come.  Were there any particular challenges you faced, aside from just finding the sites and relics you studied?”

RV:  “Plenty of them.  Competition, of course, was always an issue.  Treasure hunters were always looking for a profit, and while I was certainly willing to pay exorbitant amounts, they would not always seek me first, and sometimes relics would go to what I will generously call my rivals.  Eventually I would get what was due to me, though, through whatever means I may have had to take.  I believe it was during this period that I first recall having assassins sent after me, too.  The earliest ones very nearly succeeded, though I was quite flattered that I rated so highly as to have them called in to attempt to slay me.  Though the price on my head went ever upward, tales of what I did to those who survived my retaliation spread, and eventually only the best of the best would dare face me.  That much hasn’t changed to this day, in fact; you should see the collection of would-be assassins I’ve collected over the centuries.”

AG:  “Your…collection of would-be assassins?  You mean in prisons?”

RV:  “Something like that, yes.  We’ll call them private prisons for the sake of brevity.  I recall, as the Age of Legends approached, I had even taken to holding competitions with them, sometimes under the guise of simple thievery from one of my strongholds, others with specific instructions to slay me.  The ones I was most impressed with I…recruited…to serve as deterrence for any others who would seek to harm me.  One of my most fond kerryn pets came from their ranks, in fact.  I do miss Sei-Sei quite a bit sometimes when I’m feeling nostalgic.”

AG:  “I see… Can you tell me something of how the world had come to be following the Reforging, and in the period leading up to the Age of Legends?”

RV:  “I could tell you quite a bit, and would ask you to be more specific, but I’m certain I can tell you what you wish to know.  Though stability had once again come, and had been for roughly a thousand years, perhaps, discontent was looming once more.  Though remarkably stable up until then, the Imperium Draconis was showing signs of decline and coming collapse, even with the guiding hands of the demons and the mazoku.  They had perhaps overextended themselves, or had grown discontent with simply existing, and sought to expand their power.  Rebellions against the empire were starting to grow more frequent, even amongst the kerryn slaves.  The Emperor’s loyal orc clan, the Badaxe, who had taken up the study of the aerian tactics and kept their traditions alive, were even growing restless, being used for little more than bodyguards and as a special police force. 

On my side of the world, things were not quite so unified, but there was plenty of restlessness to be seen.  Refugees and escaped slaves from the Imperium had been coming to our land more and more, spreading word of the atrocities committed by the Emperor.  Much of it was blown out of proportion, certainly; I visited the land regularly and saw little of what they described.  I even spent quite a few months in their Great Library during the course of my studies, and aside from the cracks that had formed, the Empire itself remained remarkably stable for its age.  Still, seeds had been planted.  Though we had refined our methods at the time, the Elvish Dominion was beginning to be looked upon most unfavorably by the other races, so the few elders who remained began to see the possibility of another war breaking out. 

I remained mostly disconnected from it all, though, intent upon my studies.  It was during this period that I would make my most significant discovery relating to my own nature, a nature shared by a select few known individuals throughout history, and many more who would remain undiscovered.  I’ll save discussion of that until later, though.”

AG:  “Very well.  What would you say is the starting point for the Age of Legends?  Historians can’t seem to agree exactly upon what marks the start of this period.”

RV:  “I would say that it was my drive to study the ancient dragons and their remaining relics and sites that ultimately kickstarted the Age of Legends, specifically with the funding I provided, however indirectly, of several major expeditions at once.  Most significant of these were two, namely at the ruins of the ancient draconic city upon the Dragontail Isles, and the discovery of another draconic city far to the west of the Imperium Draconis, which would ultimately be handled by the researchers and archeologists of the Great Library.  That one was led by a most important individual, one of your ancestors, perhaps…what was her name back then… ah yes, Angeliqua Cartacustos, the humble librarian who would ascend to become the Goddess of Knowledge and Storytelling, the Goldeneyed Librarian, Guardian of the Codex Infinitum herself.  She was quite astute for a human, a credit to your kind, especially during those days.  I can’t take sole credit for her ascension, certainly, but I would like to think I played some small part in it by starting her down that path with my expedition into what was known as the Wildlands during that time. 

Once these draconic cities were uncovered and their secrets plundered for study, the Age of Legends would start in earnest, with some of the most recognizable heroes and villains in history emerging to once again reshape the world, though, thankfully, nowhere near as drastically as had been seen during the Great Cataclysm, even though Marcon Shadowmist would again show himself and guide events to favor his own machinations.”

#Lore24 – Entry #335 – Fantasy Month IV #30 – Return to the Great Library

From the journal of Angeliqua “Goldeneyes” Cartacustos

It took us much longer to return home than it took me to reach the Wildlands when I first began my journey, for we could not make use of the teleportation circle that Lady Armenia had first used because of the size of our procession, but once we approached Draconis Magna, I felt a growing delight at being so near to the Great Library once again.  I said my goodbyes to Risai and Kovalis as we passed the city, promising to try to catch up with them again in the future.  Within a few more days, I would once again see the towering visage of the Great Library, feeling a wonderful sense of relief and joy as I once again returned to my home.

Mother Felaria was the first to greet me upon my return, and I was glad to once again see and embrace her.  I had never been away from the Library for so long.  I would spend much of the rest of that day greeting my brothers and sisters as I oversaw the safe unloading of our new study materials.  I would spend the rest of the day catching up with my family, though it would take much longer before I would truly be caught up, for the work must come first. 

I was surprised to find Aishi still lingering around me as evening came, figuring she would be returning to the Emperor’s side now that I had been seen safely home, but she told me then that she was to remain with me for the foreseeable future; the Emperor had been very pleased with my work and wanted to make absolutely certain that it would continue.  She seemed to be quite pleased with the development.  I could only wonder if this would be a blessing or a curse…what had I done to warrant such a close watch by the Emperor’s most loyal guardians?

That was not the only surprise I would have that evening, though.  Following dinner, before I could retreat to my room for a much-needed rest, Mother would deliver to me a letter and a small, wrapped box from Lady Armenia.  The letter expressed her delight for my companionship during our time together, that she and Yurisaya had been quite pleased with my willingness to participate in their fun.  She expressed a desire to see me again once my work allowed me to do so, and that I had a standing invitation to visit her estate.  Likewise, she had sent me some gifts that I could enjoy as I saw fit, the keys to which were inside the box.  Even though I had surmised what the gifts she spoke of were before I even opened the long crate that sat in my floor, I was still completely shocked when I opened it, for the chastity armor and hobble dress were not the only gifts she had sent me.

Inside the crate was none other than Ryona, the kerryn slave that had been so eager to please during my time as Alekos’s tutor, secured in not only the very hobble dress and chastity gear I had once worn, but additional leather straps that had her securely restrained inside the crate, and she had been fitted with a feeder gag harness and wrapped with silken ribbons, tied in several bows.  I could already hear the buzzing of the various devices upon her, could smell her intense arousal, and she stirred, looking up to me with pleading eyes, moaning and whimpering as she wiggled inside the crate. 

Several questions raced through my mind as I stared at her, dumbfounded.  How long had she been trapped in there?!  Why had she been given to me?  How could I possibly get any work done with her here?  What had happened to Alekos?  How would Aishi take to her being there?  How would Ryona take to Aishi?  Would I even be able to find the rest I had so very much desired upon my return to the Library now?  I was finally drawn out of my state of shock when Aishi came up behind me and started laughing at Ryona’s state, looking quite pleased at the lesser slave’s predicament. 

Maybe I could divert Ryona’s attention by encouraging Aishi’s attention upon her?  It was a terrible thought to have, perhaps, but I was too tired and road-weary to give it much more thought.  I knelt beside Ryona and inquired as to her condition, and she answered that she was doing well in spite of the restraints and buzzing accessories.  Feeling my fatigue crashing into me, I nodded, promised her that I would take care of her in the morning, and promptly closed the crate, heading back to my bed for the first time in over a year, where I fell into it and fell asleep in a matter of moments.

And so my strange journey to and through the Wildlands and back had come to a close.  Though this was the end of this tale, there would be plenty more to come, for I would find little in the way of rest during the following days.

But that’s a story for another time.

#Lore24 – Entry #334 – Fantasy Month IV #29 – Parting of Ways, Leaving the Wildlands

From the journal of Angeliqua “Goldeneyes” Cartacustos

It has been some time since I last wrote in this journal, for I have been immensely busy with my work in the ancient Cathedral of Eminent Tranquility.  I would spend nearly a month within the chamber working on my initial studies of the chamber, with the rest of my party rotating out to make supply runs to Vindinium and report our success to Commander Asselin and Lady Armenia, as well as deliver my messages to the Great Library.  It did not take long for the Emperor himself to learn of the discovery, for by the end of that first month, the army would establish a secured route between Vindinium and the ruins, with more than enough soldiers to keep the area quite safe, as well as escorting many of my brothers and sisters from the Library to the site to assist with cataloguing the many documents and relics I had found.

Lady Armenia and Commander Asselin would join us for a time, though I was far too focused on the work to recall much of what we discussed.  I daresay I was possessed by a need to know all that I could that I had never felt before.  I do recall Lady Armenia pulling me away for at least a night, though, making sure that I ate properly and got at least one proper night’s rest.  She likewise released me from my “armor” and restored my body to its original state, her fun having been had, and recognizing that I had found something that even she could not tear me away from.  She was quite pleased with the outcome, and we would remain friendly with one another in the coming months, though I would see little of her, as she would leave the area to return to her duties within Draconis Magna, leaving another priestess in charge of the temple she had created for Yurisaya.

I would remain within the region of the ruins throughout the winter, well into the next year as I led the Library’s researchers in our work, though I would be forced to deal with the Emperor’s own arcanists and archivists as well.  I’m told I became quite snippy with them at times, refusing to yield to their “authority” and, as I recall, blatant stupidity at times; for a wonder, I was not chastised for my actions, though I’m sure I will likely have to deal with some of the consequences in the future.  Being diplomatic and working my way through the Imperial political machine is not where my skills lie.

With summer in full swing now, I have finally come to an end of my time in the Wildlands.  Thanks to the work of the many archivists Mother sent to me, we have completed the initial phases of our work of cataloging the scrolls and books and have packed them for transport to the library.  I will be overseeing their safety along the road, though I doubt anyone would dare attack with the size of the Imperial guard that has been set to escort us.

I said my goodbyes to the Heroes of Vindinium, who had, in the time since our plunder of the vault, grown quite famous locally for their investment in the town itself.  Shassk would be remaining in the area, with many of his clan joining him to continue safeguarding the draconic ruins.  Gresilda would stay on as the leader of the growing Erisayan presence in the area as a new temple was constructed, and Ellisar was even staying, feeling that there was much more to learn from the region, even starting his own fledgling arcanist school.  It seemed that civilization was indeed coming to the Wildlands.

Risai and Korvalis were growing quite restless, though, and would be traveling with us back to the Empire until they decided exactly where they would adventure to next, though Risai said she would visit Lady Armenia before setting out. 

It also seems that I have earned the Emperor’s attention as well, for I learned, upon the day we would begin our return journey, that Aishi had been assigned to safeguard me on the way and for the foreseeable future while another of the Stellae Illustris would be assigned to Commander Asselin.  I can’t say I was pleased with this development, though at least some of her interests in me have waned in the months since I was last in the redoubt, the loss of my chastity gear and magically altered anatomy making me less appealing to her now, though she would continue her teasing and belittling of me in that smug way she had about her. 

It would undoubtedly be a trying journey back to the Great Library, but given the focus I had developed over the last few months, I had every confidence I could continue to withstand her attempts to have me begging her for release, which I no longer craved every moment of the day.

For now, though, I will finally allow myself a chance to rest.  I think I’ve earned one.

#Lore24 – Entry #333 – Fantasy Month IV #28 – Treasures of the Ancients

From the journal of Angeliqua “Goldeneyes” Cartacustos

After our brief meal and rest, finding no more bandits around us, we made our way to the vault entrance.  As we descended the massive steps to the door, the runes that had been placed upon us began to glow and hum, resonating with the energy within the complex.  Unfortunately that meant that my accessories did so as well, but by this time, I had such a narrow focus on reaching our goal that I was able to ignore the steadily increasing vibrations completely. 

Approaching the massive doors, the magic within them stirred, glowing lines of golden light tracing through the many draconic runes inscribed upon them.  Shassk took the lead as we reached the bottom of the stairs, calling out to his ancestors in the draconic tongue asking for their blessing and permission to enter, recounting our perilous journey so that they would be aware of how much we had struggled to seek their wisdom.  He knelt before the doors, and we all followed suit, holding our breaths as his voice echoed over the growing power. 

Finally, with a creaking of hinges that could very well have been the sound of a dragon’s roar, the doors swung inward, a rush of ancient air blowing out as if it were the breath of a massive being.  As we looked up, ancient arcane lights ignited along the walls, following the contours of the massive chamber beyond.  As the golden light began to grow, we saw that it illuminated what had once been the ancient dragon’s private chambers, and the literal treasure trove that lay within.  Piles of gold and gems mixed with various relics of an ancient time littered the central area, sizeable enough to earn gasps from most of my party, and though I knew it was only the tiniest fraction of what had once been there, the remnant that was left behind when the ancient dragons had left this world, it was more than they could have possibly imagined.

My attention was drawn to the much more important and valuable items within, though, for as the light continued to grow, I saw completely intact wall panels that were covered in draconic script, detailing the history of this land from ancient times, saw the blank panels from where the histories had stopped being recorded.  I likewise saw stacks of ancient scrolls and tomes, carefully stored and preserved, though likely still fragile even with the preservative spells that warded this chamber.  It was these that I approached reverently, only guessing at what knowledge could be found within.  Never before had a vault been uncovered that contained so many written records that were still intact!  My mind was already working on a plan of just how I would go about cataloging all of this knowledge, of the steps I must take to record absolutely everything that we found inside. 

I was momentarily overwhelmed, and soon realized that I would need help, and for that, I must get word to Mother back at the Great Library.

I knew not what this discovery would mean for the region known as the Wildlands, but I knew with certainty that our discover would change the region forever.  I was just as certain that I had far too few parchments, blank journals, and writing supplies to do what I must.  My true work was only just beginning, though I had just survived an adventure I could never have imagined I would ever have undertaken. 

What a time to be alive.  For this experience, I am ever thankful to the gods for their many blessings and those of the ancient dragons that were here before me.

#Lore24 – Entry #332 – Fantasy Month IV #27 – Battle for the Vault

From the journal of Angeliqua “Goldeneyes” Cartacustos

I must admit that I had hoped for a relatively peaceful return to the temple site, to simply open the doors and examine the space beyond with the eye of an attentive archaeologist.  I should have known better, given our experiences thus far.  Perhaps it was simply me wishing to be clear of the horrors we had encountered within the swamps and still feeling fatigued after the unnatural sickness had threatened to overwhelm us.

Regardless of what I may have hoped for, it was not our fate to have a peaceful return.  As we approached the temple site, Shassk alerted us to the fresh tracks that lay ahead of us, and in moments I could see them myself, footprints of a large number of men and perhaps a half dozen horses, perhaps a day or so old, with no efforts to hide their tracks.  Shassk and Korvalis scouted ahead, returning in only half an hour perhaps, with word that two dozen bandits at least had taken up position around the entrance to the temple, not to camp, but waiting to attack.  Worse, they’d spotted some of the other adventurers who had gone missing working with them, leading them in fact.  There was plenty cause for worry since they had an arcanist and priest of their own amongst their number. 

Somehow, they had gotten wind of our quest and had decided to take our hard work for themselves.  I’ll admit it got me rather angry; my companions were in no mood for mercy at this point either.  So, we formulated our plan of attack against the much larger force, deciding to camp well away from the valley and rest ourselves, take stock of our supplies, and make the effort to attack when they would least expect it, in the darkest hours just before sunrise; only Risai and myself would be greatly disadvantaged in the dark as we were human, but not for very long.  Ellisar had since managed to recover a few charges into his wand of fireballs, and would have a few more he could cast into the crowd prepared; Shassk and Korvalis would go ahead of us, taking out any sentries they came across as silently as possible, while Risai and I would move into the confusion Ellisar caused to deal with the bandits in the main camp, with Gresilda keeping behind us to provide support; I had learned that though she seemed delicate, she was an accomplished warrior in her own right when the need arose.

That would not be all, though; Korvalis insisted that he would deal with the arcanist and priest himself.  We tried to talk him down, of course, but he was absolutely convinced that he could sneak in through the camp after he and Shassk had seen to the sentries, then make his way to the other party and strike from the shadows when they lest expected it.  We all knew what would happen if he were to get caught, but he was set on his own devious plan, and however reluctantly, we would allow him to follow it.  Given his success with the druids, I was inclined to think he may well pull it off.

We rested, then, and set out an hour before the deepest night would settle in, in the hours before sunrise.  The sentries were dealt with in short order, and Korvalis disappeared into the gloom without a word, Shassk shaking his head, but admitting that he had lost sight of him within a matter of moments.  “The very shadow of death, that elf,” he had said with some amount of awe in his voice.  From our position amongst the rocks and remnants of the temple to either side of the valley, we waited, giving Korvalis the time he needed.  After another half hour or so, with the night at its deepest, we began our attack, with Ellisar opening up with a fireball, quickly followed by another that I launched from his wand. 

Fire, smoke, and screams filled the night, and after another pair of fireballs, we descended into the chaos we had caused, me leading Risai against the disorganized mob of panicking bandits, dancing amongst them to create openings which she exploited with deadly force from her dragon-steel blade.  Though scattered and burned, the bandits were still numerous, if unorganized.  Another dozen rushed out from the temple entrance to add to the defense with bows, but their arrows were turned away from us with a prayer from Gresilda to call up a defensive wind barrier, with Ellisar scattering them from the shadows with a rolling ball of fire that he sent careening through their line. 

As we ascended into the temple entrance, the last of the bandits, the leaders of the band, greeted us, along with the remaining members of the opposing party of adventurers.  We saw no sign of their spellcasters amongst them, and their warrior seemed to be struggling to move, showing signs of having been wounded already (I would learn later that Korvalis had stuck him with a poisoned dart).  As we engaged them, Korvalis would reappear as if by magic, striking when their attention was fully upon the rest of us, driving his daggers into their flanks to open a bleeding wound, then darting back into the shadows.  The look I saw upon his face was, for lack of a better word, terrifying, a sadistic, predatory glee. 

With their leaders dispatched, along with the opposing party of adventurers, the remaining handful of bandits fled into the predawn gloom.  As quiet settled in around us, save for the crackle of burning tents and bodies around us, we stood victorious atop the temple entrance, bloodied but far from the worst we had experienced.  It seems the gods were with us this night.  As we regrouped and looked through the dead for any treasures and supplies we could use, we would find the bodies of their arcanist and priest, both still upon their bed rolls around the camp they’d set up in the open chamber we’d used the first time I’d come there, slumped over and bled out from wide cuts across their throats, caught helpless as they had prayed and meditated for their power. 

I for one was quite glad that Korvalis was on our side and would hope he would remain so for the foreseeable future, though now that the fighting was done, he seemed quite cheerful and every bit as friendly as he usually was.  We would rest for a while as dawn came, helping ourselves to some of the foodstuffs the bandits had with them, before making our way to the vault door and what lay beyond.

#Lore24 – Entry #331 – Fantasy Month IV #26 – Averting Disaster, and A Very Messy Final Ritual

From the journal of Angeliqua “Goldeneyes” Cartacustos

A wealth of knowledge is, more often than not, a blessing, though in this case, I feel perhaps it was more a curse, for it turns out I was very correct in my speculations before we delved into the swamp.  Our journey into the depths was slow and fraught with dangers, from diseased trees and plants animated by the foul magics of Malvaxor, to lizardmen and other creatures of the swamps, driven mad from their diseased state, and horribly mutated so that their bodies would literally explode into a mess of diseased pus upon death.  Gresilda worked furiously to ensure we were not severely affected by these diseases, though I admit that none of us were entirely immune to feelings of great nausea and general discomfort during our trek, and all of us would begin to feel the effects of the sickness as we delved ever deeper.

Still, through our determination and no small bit of bravery, or stupidity, perhaps, that only adventurers tend to possess, we pushed deeper and deeper.  Towards the center of the swamps, the land grew thankfully firmer, and we started seeing signs of draconic ruins, which had been used by the lizardmen as their home for some time by the look of them.  Here too began to encounter the cultists of Malvaxor, diseased like their victims, only not suffering from them, rather, drawing strength from their foul god through his afflictions.

The cultists had surrounded the site of power and were absorbed in an extended ritual of infusing their god’s foulness into the standing stones as I had feared, the very essence of the god’s foulness already blighting the lands around us, its reach growing steadily wider.  Their numbers were many, and we had to resort to hit and run tactics to deal with them, but ever so slowly we whittled their numbers down until we could approach the standing stones and the leader of the cult and her closest acolytes, her body already consumed to the point of basically being a living vessel of disease itself, perhaps having become some form of undead creature.  I won’t relate the details of the battle; suffice to say we were pushed to our very limits, and very nearly met with disaster due to our weakened state, our infections growing worse seemingly at the will of Malvaxor’s priestess. 

In the end, though, we triumphed, stopping the cult and ending their ritual before it could be completed and could corrupt the standing stones.  The power of the infection, magical in nature, began to weaken almost immediately, the primal essence of the ancient stones at the heart of the swamp acting to cleanse the immediate area within their aura of Malvaxor’s influence before more slowly spreading throughout the rest of the swamp, though we would be long gone from the area before it would begin to heal.

We would rest in the center of the standing stones after cleaning up what we could of the mess, what wasn’t cleansed by the stones themselves, and would complete our final ritual the following day once we had recovered from our ordeal.  This rune appeared upon our chests, resonating with the others already upon us, signaling that we had proved our devotion and would be allowed into the ancient dragon’s vault. 

We didn’t even consider returning to Vindinium, for we were only a few days travel from the ruins in which we started our journey and were quite anxious to see what treasures lay within.  Following another day of rest, we set off, back toward the ancient temple with renewed vigor, the end of our quest in sight.