Tag: mazoku

#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 #343 – Sci-Fi Month IV #8 – Empires Come and Go

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

AG:  “Did you return to the forefront of the Elvish Dominion once you had again mastered the arcane?”

RV:  “In a very limited capacity.  The political machinations of my people were a secondary concern.  They would ask my opinion on certain things and I would give it, or I would learn of something that needed to be addressed and would nudge them in the correct direction, usually relating to matters of dealing with the other races.”

AG:  “Historical records during the earlier period of the Reforging are very scattered, much like the people and lands themselves.  Were there any particularly notable events of the period that you would say impacted what was to come?”

RV:  “Well, outside of my own people, it seemed a new country would rise and fall almost daily, though I’m sure it took them somewhat longer, likely a few decades, to go through that cycle.  It was mostly the humans of course, short-lived and short-sighted as they are, who drove these changes.  They’ve made some improvements since, but back then they were still rather primitive in their ways, dividing themselves into one faction or another over the most asinine of reasons and generally being a nuisance to the other races, which, indeed, had become more insular, seeking to rebuild themselves first, and worry about forging alliances later. 

I suppose the greatest change came across the newly formed ocean, back on the side of the world where the planar detonation had occurred.  I had suspected that the entirety of the land was a burnt-out wasteland and couldn’t exactly prove otherwise due to the unreliability of divination magic then, and the more limited range at which it functioned.  But we would learn, oh, maybe five hundred years or so after the Cataclysm, that a new empire had been founded, and was actually flourishing under the joint rulership of humanity and the mazoku, which were much more numerous on that side of the world.  I believe you’re somewhat familiar with it… the Imperium Draconis, and their impressively large capital, Draconis Magna? 

I will admit to being somewhat impressed that humanity could create such a stable government after what I had witnessed on the other side of the world, though that I think was more the influence of the mazoku and their demon masters who still lingered and hungered for control than any sudden human enlightenment.”

Note:  When Rivalle addressed me regarding knowledge of the Imperium Draconis, she showed a rather odd look upon her face, which till then, had been mostly locked in that pleasant, no-nonsense corporate mask that she is always seen to wear.  It was almost to say that she knows something that I don’t, perhaps.  Or at least, that is the impression it gave me.

AG:  “I am curious about the relationship between the elves of the new world and the kerryns.  We know quite well that the Imperium Draconis enslaved them from their inception, for, they believed, the good of the world, though as you alluded, that was mostly the influence of the demons that remained.  How were they viewed by the Elvish Dominion which had previously been at war with them?”

RV:  “Time heals all wounds, as they say.  We only saw them as enemies then due to their steadfast alliance with the Aerians, our mortal enemies.  Had we been able to break that alliance otherwise, likely we never would have resorted to calling the demons at all.  But, with the aerians extinct upon Andyllion for the time being, we let the kerryns do as they wished, and they saw mostly to t themselves, though their goodly nature tended to mean they would continue being friendly and offering aid to others in need during the Reforging period.

I myself actually became quite fond of them during this time and kept several around in various capacities.  Some were research assistants, others playthings.  I liken them to pets, really, for being the second longest-lived race in the known galaxy means I can actually grow attached to them before they grow too old.  These days I tend to keep at least one nearby, as my dear Lila here can attest, as a stress-relief measure.  She’s quite talented, you see, and I have taught her much to improve her since she became my personal assistant, some of which would make an Erisayan blush and a Yurisayan envious.  Would you care to see for yourself, Ms. Ganim?  Lila has served my guests many times.”

AG:  “Perhaps later, Ms. Volcari…I would, um, prefer to keep the interview on track.”

Note:  I am certain this kerryn is not Lila Darius, though she looks exactly like her.  She seems eager to please, but I can’t help but observe a timidness about her as she remains ever ready to jump when Rivalle gives the command, though with a certain air of unease, perhaps that she may displease Rivalle, and is fearful of what may come of it.  I daresay that her behavior very much reminds me of accounts of how kerryn slaves would act to please their masters.

AG:  “Did you have a particular area of study during the Reforging period that you focused upon?”

RV:  “Oh yes, I became quite fascinated with history during this period, for much of it had been lost, as you know.  Ostensibly, I did it in the name of preservation and to maintain the power of the Elvish Dominion, for if we controlled the past, we could easily manipulate the future, and having powerful relics from before the Great Cataclysm would ensure that control.  But, my focus fell upon an even older period, when the great dragons ruled the world.  In some instances, the reshaping of the world had served to uncover long lost draconic ruins, while others that had been known were again lost.  I made it my goal t o uncover as much of their lore as I could, to attain as much of their remaining power as I could. 

I learned that I shared many characteristics with the ancient dragons, at least, some of them.  Ambition, instinctive mastery of the arcane arts, a drive for power, a tendency to hoard vast wealth and attain more.  I suppose it was only natural that I would eventually come to found and reign over the single largest corporate entity in the galaxy.  I could say, it was almost as if I was, and still am, driven by a power beyond even myself.  You can relate, I’m sure, being as devoted as you are to the Goldeneyed Librarian and filling the Tome Which Cannot be Filled.”

#Lore24 – Entry #342 – Sci-Fi Month IV #7 – Rebuilding the World

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

AG:  “What were the greatest challenges you and the world faced following the Great Cataclysm?  Did you participate in the rebuilding process or focus more upon your own development during the Reforging?”

RV:  “For the first few years, it was simply survival.  Thanks to the preparations I had made, House Volcari and our allies were mostly intact, but we found ourselves upon an entirely new continent, our arcane abilities severely hindered, and nature itself in an uproar as the world changed around us.  Though we remained relatively close to Arcavarlon and the Isle of Fang, the city itself was mostly a rubble-filled ruin, and the geography had changed significantly; in fact, we were on the other side of the world, what had once been a massive central continent was now hidden beneath a vast ocean. 

Even with all the changes we faced, the Elvish Dominion, perhaps not as great as it had once been, would remain the driving force behind rebuilding civilization upon our side of the world.  The majority of elf communities would find their way to us in time, though a not insignificant number would remain on the other side of the world, forming their own societies that I would have little to do with.  For many years, we and the other surviving races would work to tame this new land we found ourselves part of, learning its layout and ways, learning to trust each other again.  Oh, the shorter lived races were just as susceptible to our influence as they always had been, and soon enough we were guiding them from the shadows as we had always done, to our benefit, but one could simply call that the natural order, from a certain point of view.”

AG:  “An elvish point of view?”

RV:  “Indeed.”

AG:  “How would you say you shaped the world as it was rebuilding?”

RV:  “I didn’t involve myself more than I had to.  As I said, I was busy trying to relearn magic during the first few centuries.  Once we had stabilized our own people and started guiding the other races to something that resembled proper societies, I remained focused upon regaining my previous power and studying exactly what had changed not only upon Andyllion, but in the realms it was linked to and those that I had previously traveled to.  Planar travel remained very dangerous for many centuries, and it was rather a lost art until the Age of Legends came about.  Magic overall had grown weaker, I would discover, making the traversal to other realms either impossible or much more intensive than they previously were.  What once could be achieved in a single planar jump could take a half dozen smaller jumps, for example. 

I would avoid the realm of demons, of course, for it was quite thoroughly blocked by Marcon’s plan.  You could say that what separated our realms then, and to a similar extent now, is akin to the barrier that separates us from the Demon Sector; anything that tried to pass through was utterly destroyed, or, if you were fortunate, only nearly so.  Hence why the surviving demons had to adapt and change their ways upon Andyllion; they would fight to survive just as hard as anyone else.

To summarize, I would mainly serve to reestablish the arcane disciplines during this period, disseminating what I would to the lesser arcanists under me, who would then teach the other races what we would allow them to know.  The interdimensional and interplanar communication and traversal had provided their own challenges for those who served the gods, so their power was likewise diminished for a time.  Those of a more primal, druidic slant would also find their power had waned, if only due to the immense chaos within the world as the massive upheavals slowly settled down and a new normalcy prevailed.”

#Lore24 – Entry #341 – Sci-Fi Month IV #6 – The Great Cataclysm of Andyllion

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

AG:  “History is rather dubious about Marcon Shadowmist to say the least.  On the one hand he was reputed to be something of a boogeyman, living deep within the Shadowmist Swamp where his manor house served as the bane to many an unwary adventuring party.  On the other, testaments and evidence have been uncovered that paint him in a more benevolent light, his machinations serving to better the world.  What was your impression of him?”

RV:  “I was young enough at that time to have been rather awed by him approaching me.  I’d heard tales of him going back centuries; he was a legend even in those times.  I suppose I was rather intimidated by his presence upon our first meeting, for I could sense a particular power about him that was at once frightening yet…somehow familiar.  He seemed to know more about me upon our first meeting than even I knew at the time; it was actually our working together in this that would lead me to my future studies, in fact.  He was a dangerous man, a dangerous entity, but if you treated him with at least some respect and didn’t attempt to invade his domain, then likely you would never run afoul of him.  I am fairly convinced that most of the rumors swirling around him were in fact created by him and his loyal followers just so that he could enjoy some peace and quiet.  I can absolutely relate to such methods’ effectiveness, for I have used them from time to time when I wished for privacy.”

Note:  The historical record relating to Marcon Shadowmist still remains mysterious and incomplete, and there are theories that certain details have been either omitted or removed intentionally.  I would like to press Rivalle more about him, but must tread carefully, and remain on task in questioning her about her past.

AG:  “Could you elaborate more upon the plan that he had come up with to save Andyllion?”

RV: “Well, if you can call it that, certainly; some would argue, especially those who lived through the Great Cataclysm, that what we did was hardly saving the world.  But yes, his plan was quite inspired, honestly, and I still don’t know how exactly he managed to perform his side of it.  My task was much simpler in comparison; I and those I trusted… imagine using a word like that with my people at the time… was to create a series of linked, arcane matrices filled with as much energy as we could store in them and align their resonance to the demons’ home realm.  That was the rather simple part; the more difficult part was distributing them around Shinsei Daitoshi and other demon-controlled areas without their knowledge.  Still, a brilliant mind loves a challenge, and I certainly was intrigued by his proposal.  Given the arrangement which he proposed for setting out these devices, I could immediately see what he had planned.”

AG:  “Which was?”

RV:  “Oh, it’s rather simple, if you think about it for a moment.  We created a network of transplanar bombs, my dear girl, which would, when detonated, rip the very fabric of reality asunder, with most of the power being funneled directly back through the planar rifts and into the heart of the demon realm.  Of course, it meant that severe damage would result on our side too, but all things considered, it would be relatively minor compared to what the demons would see on their side.  Our hope was that the explosions would only devastate our world, not completely destroy it, you see, for dealing with demons once they have a foothold in your world is much more difficult than even I understood at the time. 

Their very presence is not unlike a virulent cancer once it has set up in a world, corrupting and twisting everything to their own nature, and this happens faster and faster the more there are physically within our realm.  You can get away with summoning a few of them at a time and sending them back, but once they’ve established a foothold, it’s much more difficult to handle.  And they had quite the foothold on Andyllion back then.”

AG:  “I see… So the destruction off the kerryn capital was actually due to the bombs you helped to create, at the behest of Marcon Shadowmist?”

RV:  “Not entirely, but mostly, yes.  There were other factors in play, for Marcon had several teams working on fixing that particular mess, placing dominoes all around the world that would topple once the fuse had been lit and the transplanar explosions began.  It was the fuse that I found most fascinating during all this, for it is that factor alone which I still cannot clearly comprehend how exactly he did it.”

AG:  “And what was the fuse?”

RV:  “The very divine essence of Saressh herself, born from the suffering of her and her people, distilled into raw, angry power.  It could only have come from the goddess herself after she had been deposed and captured by the demon lords, so how Marcon Shadowmist obtained it, I can only begin to surmise.  Regardless, he gave this to her chosen upon Andyllion at the time, one of the younger members of the kerryn royal family by the name of Shibari Sukimori, who had, at that time, was married to the aerian prince Maltizar Skyrider.  Though we had been at war, even I was struck by their willingness to do what must be done, for they ventured into the very heart of the demonic invasion to face its leader, Suzu’reitani directly.  Upon Shibari’s death, the detonation occurred, as did the detonation of all the bombs my people had created and secreted away. 

Though I was on the far side of the continent at the time, it was not far enough away.  I still witnessed the explosions even at that distance, still felt the world shake as it was torn asunder and reformed.  I had intended to relocate myself to another realm for a time, but by then planar travel was far too dangerous even for me, so I had little choice but to endure.  Deserts became oceans, mountains became as plains, entire cities vanished and reappeared on opposite sides of the world, others were lost forever, while the deepest dwarven strongholds were thrust upward into the sunlight.  It was a wonder that we survived at all, really, but survive we did.  Only those closest to the site of the main detonation were lost, the remaining aerians were wiped out, for they were absorbed in a futile battle at the kerryn capital to assist the heroes who faced the demon lord, and we would not see their kind upon Andyllion again for a long time.  The kerryns themselves gained their rather unique ability to reincarnate themselves during this time, I believe, for I had never heard of such a thing previously, possibly due to the blood curse placed upon them by the demons, possibly an alteration brought on by the eruption of Saressh’s power, perhaps a combination of both. 

The demons themselves would be mostly obliterated, seared away by the power of an angry goddess combined with my arcane brilliance, though quite a few would remain behind, their physical forms destroyed, their dark essences still intact and safely hidden away inside mortals they would possess, not the least of which was Suzu’reitani herself.  They would be the least of our concerns for a long while, though, for we had a world to rebuild, civilizations to reform, though their corruption would remain a permanent feature on Andyllion, specifically with the mazoku, well, they are usually called succubi these days. 

I essentially had to relearn how to use magic during the first few centuries as well, for the very essence of the mystic forces that fueled Andyllion had changed.  It was an…interesting period, I would say.”

#Lore24 – Entry #316 – Fantasy Month IV #11 – The Heroes of Vindinium and the Journey to the Ruins

From the journal of Angeliqua “Goldeneyes” Cartacustos

As it happened, I was back in Vindinium when the heroes returned, sampling some of the local cooking and chatting with one of the town’s hunters about the geography around the town when the call came from one of the watchtowers that the adventuring party had been spotted coming along the road.  I hastily finished my lunch and the conversation and headed toward the westward gate which connected to the road leading deeper into the Wildlands to await their arrival.  I hoped that I wasn’t fidgeting too much, for the cage, plug, piercings had been particularly active today, and my changed anatomy was particularly sensitive and engorged inside its tiny enclosure.  How Lady Armenia expected me to perform in my expected role in surveying these ruins with these distractions remained a mystery.

The party rode through the gates without much in the way of fanfare, rather a series of friendly greetings and waves from friendly villagers and the handful of soldiers on watch duty.  They made their way quickly toward the town’s tavern, the Drunken Hog, without even pausing to clear off the dust from the road.  They had the look of seasoned adventurers about them, their gear worn but well-cared for, sporting a handful of scrapes and bruises that hadn’t yet been healed by their healer, friendly banter between themselves, that sort of thing.  I decided to give them a little time to settled down from their trip before I introduced myself.

After about half an hour, I made my way into the tavern, drawing their eyes immediately as I came inside.  The drakonae with them leaned in, whispering something to the dusk elf arcanist, who nodded affirmatively and whispered something back, and made some quick movements with his fingers, to which the purple-haired dawn elf nodded, flashing a rather hungry grin by way.  As I would come to learn, the drakonae was their scout, going by the name Shassk Darkscale, certainly an apt name given his pitch black scales.  The arcanist was Ellisar Chaeynor, dressed in common explorer’s clothes, his stark white hair tied back in a short tail, bore several charms about his person, along with a pair of wands upon his belt, as well as his staff, which, to my chagrin, was a Staff of Many Bindings.  The dawn elf, a remarkably beautiful man, whom I very nearly assumed a woman at first, had long purple hair, a lascivious smirk, and wore pants so tight that could only marvel at how he fit into them at all given the roundness of his rear and wideness of his hips (a most remarkable feature of his, I must admit); I knew at once he could be trouble, for he was not shy about his attraction toward me.  This was Korvalis Nightrunner.

The two women amongst the party were no less remarkable.  The first had given me a start when I’d first witnessed her riding into town, for she was very nearly the exact opposite of Lady Armenia.  She was a mazoku, named Gresilda Nazaria and bearing the holy symbol of Erisaya, her skin a deep blue color, hair of gold, her horns curling around the sides of her head, her eyes bright amber shade, and upon seeing her out of her armor, she tended to wear white and other brighter colors, if not so fine as what Lady Armenia wore.  The other woman came in a moment later, nearly having to duck to enter from the rear entrance from the stables, for she was well over six-feet tall and possessed of a huge, muscular build and a wild mane of fiery red hair, her tattoos indicating that she was of the barbaric tribes that roamed the northern reaches on the edges of the Empire, though she bore herself as much more civilized than her initial appearance would indicate, her speech decidedly that of a lifelong citizen of the Empire.  This was Risai Morningstar.

I introduced myself and began telling them of my reason for approaching, and they bid me to sit at their table, and we spoke for some time while they enjoyed drink and food, though I did not press them too hard on the details of the ruins they had found.  That we would save for that evening, after they had had time to rest and recover, for they had been invited to dine with Commander Asselin and Lady Armenia to discuss the coming exploration.  They seemed a little suspicious of me, understandably so, for I was indeed an outside among them, but friendly enough, though Shassk and Risai weren’t the most conversational amongst us.

I would have plenty of time to get to know them better on our journey to the ruins.  Following our discussions at dinner that night, they would resupply the following day and set out in the early morning the day after, with myself traveling with them this time.  Thankfully the night before we set out, Lady Armenia removed the accursed plug from me, even if she didn’t remove the other pieces of my “protection”.  She did give me the dildo I had both practiced my oral abilities upon and had used upon me, though, “just in case food is scarce” she said.  I was no less frustrated than I had been, of course, and would be greatly more so once I had experienced riding on horseback with my new anatomy; how men manage to do this at all is beyond me.

With my gear and equipment ready, I joined the party and we set off; the journey to the ruins would take about four days, assuming we didn’t run into any trouble.  In spite of their work so far, there were still plenty of tribals out there looking for blood, as well as a multitude of bandit groups who were still out roaming out there, many disaffected former citizens of the Empire, some supposedly former soldiers who had once fought in the Res’Taringal rebellion and went into exile, others from the elvish-held lands beyond the Wildlands and beyond.  I would learn that there were signs of cult activity in the area as well, for they had encountered at least one instance of a ritual sacrifice in the wilderness, and several people had gone missing from Vindinium.  Worse, perhaps, there was at least one party of adventurers who had come into the region and turned bandit and may be interested in the ruins as well.  No shortage of dangers to be wary of, certainly.

We would encounter a perhaps two dozen orcs, an armed raiding party, during our travels, which, thanks to Shassk’s expertise, we were able to ambush, leaving only the three or four who ran off alive.  There were other dangers along the way as well, for we encountered a pack of rather ravenous wolves, came dangerously close to some giant spiders that had found their way out of a section of woods to hunt, and even a rare fire-breathing drake that had attacked us from the skies, looking for food.  I held my own during these encounters, and though I was hardly as attuned to the surroundings as the rest of the party, I would quickly learn their ways and work with them as we went. 

A severe thunderstorm struck late on the third day, delaying our travel by a day while we waited for it to pass, but soon enough we would arrive at the site of the ruins, and my work would begin.

#Lore24 – Entry #273 – Fantasy Month III #30 – The Path of Truth

As Told by Larissa no Synstralia de’Cordova, Confessor of Yurisaya

“I spent some time in personal contemplation of this particular case after my last interview, before I compiled my notes regarding the whole affair.  I won’t deny that previous meditations on the matter had given me some insights into the nature of the conspiracy which these women have become a part of, and that those insights were leading me to the exact things which were suggested by Eri and Hatae.  The Dark Lady is urging me to join them, to root out those who would seek to do harm to her faithful and perhaps even the Church itself.  There is undoubtedly a greater threat in the shadows, and the only way to combat those of the dark is to take that darkness away with a greater light.

I have been contemplating the makeup of this party, and though there are undoubtedly some in the city council who would disagree vehemently with my decision, I have placed my faith above my duties to the city, and will be accepting the invitation to join forces with them, so that the greater conspiracy may be revealed.  As it stands, we will have three faithful to Yurisaya, or close enough in the case of the mercenary, one who remains more or less neutral in her reverence to nature, and two faithful to Erisaya, or close enough regarding the bard.  I am not too proud to admit that I am quite curious as to her true nature; another mystery which I must uncover.

So, with that in mind, I do indeed know of an arcanist whom I think will be rather fitting for the party.  Though his talents are of the arcane, he was trained in the enchanter’s school here in Arcavarlon and is a devoted to Erisaya.  I have worked with Tsukasa Matsubara before on several investigations relating to city affairs, and he has proved quite capable of capturing our targets alive.  We make a good pair, he capturing them through enchantment or magical bonds, and I handling the interrogations once they have been further secured.  His personality should be a good addition to the group dynamic, I think, bringing us into something of a harmonious balance. 

Or at least, I can hope; I have no doubts there will be a period of adjustment to our presence, and no small amount of disagreements, but such is the nature of adventuring parties, as I understand them.  Even though our faiths are aligned and set upon a common goal, we are our own people, after all, and our personalities will undoubtedly clash.  I find myself growing unusually excited by the prospect of another adventure after the last few years working at the behest of the city, whatever challenges we may face.  I daresay we will stand a greater than average chance of seeing this through, for our faith is strong, and I can sense the resolve of both Eri and Hatae in this matter.  I know not where our path will take us, but I am certain that we will get to the truth of the matter, however long it takes, and however many enemies we must face. 

In the names of Yurisaya and Erisaya, we will root out the conspirators and see them brought to justice, and I will oversee their divine punishments with a most zealous vigor.  Thus, I am resolved.”

 

SPECIAL NOTE:  The Path of Corrections

So, along about the middle of June, I got my entry numbers out of whack, classic off by 1 error (on the Wrathful Spirits entry as it turns out…Wrathful Spirits of organization, perhaps…).  Soooo…instead of going back and correcting months worth of entries through the WordPress interface, which would be tediously time consuming since I’d have to edit not just the page title, but the title in the text area too, I’m making a note here that I’m not short an entry, the numbers are just off.  SO, starting on October 1st, the CORRECT entry number is 275 for the start of the next month.  You didn’t miss one, I did!  Maybe one of these days I’ll correct it, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. 

#Lore24 – Entry #272 – Fantasy Month III #29 – Guidance of the Gods

As Told by Hatae Ulla, Exotic Entertainer, Dedicated of Yurisaya

“Though we must use our own judgement, of course we must look to the guidance from our goddesses too.  When I visited Yursiaya’s temple, it was the first time that I’d experienced her voice so clearly.  Though I am not of the clergy, I cannot deny what it was that I felt, and I’m certain it’s a sign from not only her, but Erisaya as well, that all of us have been brought together as we have been.  Though they are not as strongly faithful as Eri and myself, I have no doubt that Siduri and Teelsa show their respects in their own ways.  Kazumi is a bit of a, well, wildcard, but where she comes from, kerryns aren’t supposed to worship gods, and she’s had a hard time coming to terms with that, I think.  Not that she really speaks of it much…regardless, her heart is in the right place. 

There is something bigger looming that we’ve simply not uncovered yet.  You see it too, I’m sure of it!  You’ve spent time praying to Yurisaya since this whole interrogation began, right?  Don’t you get the impression that there’s something threatening her faithful, and those of Erisaya?  Eri and I spoke about it briefly following our visits to the temples, and I think she would agree.  We don’t know who else is involved beyond the two factions we’ve encountered thus far, but I’m sure there’s someone, or something, else just waiting to be discovered there, behind it all!  Maybe it’s another demon?  Maybe it’s the forces of another god?  Maybe its something else entirely?

All I know for sure is that we aren’t getting anywhere wasting time stuck in here!  Though they haven’t attacked us here yet, they’re no doubt looking for the perfect opportunity to strike!  If we can but complete our task for Lochlan, then we can return to Lady Jade and dive into this conspiracy fully, and begin rooting out the truth of the matter!  Though I’m not only voice in the party, certainly, I would hope that you would be agreeable to joining our cause, sister Confessor!  I’m sure there would be some complaints, but you can feel it too, can’t you?  Surely you do!  That looming sense of dread beneath it all?

And of course, to see to it that those you work for within Arcavarlon’s government are properly convinced, you’d be there to see to it that we are kept in line, especially Eri and myself!  I’ve been thinking about the situation and have to ask…do you perhaps know a talented arcanist who would be willing to work with us?  Perhaps one you know personally and can trust?  Not that I’d be plotting against a fellow Yurisayan, but it would be another friendly set of eyes for you and the city, and the Dark Lady knows that we’re severely lacking on the arcane talents amongst us!  Teelsa’s illusions are helpful, but we need someone to help with defeating the scrying that’s been vexing us throughout this whole affair.

Think it over, at least, please?  I’d certainly appreciate it, Confessor.  And I’m sure the others will too, even if they don’t know it immediately.  Right now, we need all the help we can get, and I’m not too proud to seek it from people I’m willing to trust.”