Revelations on Zvoltz's Whereabouts

Maligorn · June 2015

(out of left field, waiting for my flight at the airport, chatting. I know I throw a lot of IC shade and even some OOC shade on you @Mysrai but this was a pleasant and awesome surprise)

Reality blurs between ephemeral paradigms as Mysrai emerges from thin air.

Mysrai points a massive wand studded with cold diamonds and void-black stars at you.

You tilt your head curiously.

Mysrai's eyes gleam, stars shifting swiftly within the Void-black orbs.

You say, "The Doom of the Spires, hmm?"

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "MHA SZI AA."

You say, "What I wonder is if you mean Zvoltz's city or these, here."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "RHO SZA MHAAAA."

You have emoted: Maligorn's ears flatten.

He is a radiant immortal and less a star-shaped, skin-made figure and more a statue. Abstract, smooth lines of lightless black suggest arms and a torso that float together, joined by soft-glowing motes of coppery energies in the empty spaces. Strange mantras trace over the forearms of the God, graven deep into the surface. The face is alien in its places, the cheekbones both too smooth and too pointed for any known race. Within the pits of the sockets, the eyes are black and empty, save for the faint, frail lights of a handful of stars. Only by the suggestion of a smooth, broad chest is the gender expressed: this Aspect is arguably male. He is wearing aubergine robes of contorted voidcopper filigree, a reforged crown of gleaming voidcopper and a votary icon of the Void.

Mysrai gestures with the wand, outlining a vast circle. Coppery energies trail from the diamonds, and strange energies alight within.

Glancing at the circle, you say, "I do not believe I understand."

Mysrai taps you on the head with the wand, pressing down slightly.

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "DZAAAAAAAAAAAA."

You have emoted: Maligorn ducks away from the wand, backing up sharpishly.

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "SZA III SZAAA IKIL ARR RHA."

Mysrai gazes upon you with black-shimmering eyes. Cold pinpricks of light and whirling constellations sparkle with Mysrai's eyes as they regard you with unnerving, unseeing focus.

You say, "I do not appreciate Your touch."

Mysrai glides forwards, feet limply brushing the ground as He floats towards you.

Warningly, Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "RHAAAAAA."

Mysrai extends the wand once more, His eyes glowing with strange, alien stars.

Frown deepening, you say, "Oh, very well. Do it."

Mysrai sketches a Seal in midair - the Seal of Justice, and points with one unnaturally elongated finger at it.

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "DZAAAAAAA."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "III MHA NIIII."

Leaning forward, you say, "Yes, Lord Zvoltz...you have information?"

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR RHA ZVAA."

(Hallifax): You say, "Mysrai is, is trying to communicate something. I think we need to head to the Seal of Justice."

(Hallifax): Pejat says, "Understood."

Mysrai shakes His vast, stony head slowly.

(Hallifax): Tremula says, "Any clue as to Their desire?"

(Hallifax): You say, "Well."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "MHA RHO III IKIL ARR HA."

Mysrai's eyes gleam, stars shifting swiftly within the Void-black orbs.

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "DZAAAAAAAA."

A droning buzz fills the empty interior of the God as He floats, utterly still, above the pavement.

You say, "I see. We will redouble our efforts to free Lord Zvoltz. I have a representative heading there now."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

You scratch your head in confusion.

Crossing his arms defensively, you ask, "Is that what You want?"

Mysrai's eyes gleam, stars shifting swiftly within the Void-black orbs.

Mysrai flickers around the edges, His form becoming vague and dreamlike.

You say, "Even You feel the void the Stormfather leaves behind, I suppose."

Maligorn · June 2015

(Ran to Seal of Justice)

The Cave of Justice.
Banks of clouds roil about here. The Seal of Justice slowly spins in the air here, humming with latent power. A bouquet of icy, withered flowers lies upon the ground, a tiny note tucked within its shrivelled petals. Wheezing heavily, a lank-haired, irritable war goat with curving rainbow horns waits here. Smoke curling from her nostrils, a pure black nightmare paws impatiently at the jet black clouds roiling beneath her hooves. Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias floats here with a dream-like quality, her form shrouded in a perfumed, lavender mist. She wields a golden whip of the pious in her left hand and a violin of serrated bones and tendons in her right. Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir is here. She wields a sparkling star sapphire violin inlaid with fractal imagery in her left hand. Mysrai, Doom of Spires floats here, surrounded by twisting manifestations of half-realised paradigms. He wields a massive wand studded with cold diamonds and void-black stars in His left hand. Chairman Pejat Shevat is here, the notes of a breathtaking symphony weaving complex refrains about his form. He wields a petite mandolin scribed with a historic libretto in his left hand. Shedrin Shevat is here, shrouded. He wields a steely falconine escutcheon shield in his left hand and an amethyst aetheric amplifier in his right.

Coppery energy alights between the floating components of the God, arcing between the curve of a shoulder and the arm.

You say, "I've made it."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

Tremula Windwhisper raises a single finger to her lips as you enters, glancing back to Mysrai and the Seal with a curious smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

You crease your brow in a frown.

You murmur, "Let us watch for cracks in the Seal. If Lord Zvoltz returns, let it be without breaking the Seal."

Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias murmurs to you, "I highly doubt that He would willingly break something He worked so hard to save."

Rather than responding, the floating obelisk of a God simply begins to buzz loudly, shaking from within with strange vibrations.

Chairman Pejat Shevat says, "Still. We must work to aid in His Design."

You murmur, "Zvoltz might not, but Mysrai may extract Him unwillingly."

Her sevenfold eye beginning to spin faster, Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias says, "Let us see what They do, then."

The God does not stir, but a sense of vast, alien disapproval strikes your perceptions. You gain the sense, somehow, that you are behaving offensively towards the floating obelisk.

Chairman Pejat Shevat says to you, "And please keep your words as polite as possible."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

You have emoted: Maligorn purses his lips, attempting to contain what might be mirth.

Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias says, "Perhaps...there is one of Their order who would be in tune with this paradigm, able to understand Their words?"

Mysrai flickers around the edges, His form becoming vague and dreamlike.'

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir whispers, "Ikil arr ha..."

Nyxx ponders the situation.

You say, "Just let Them proceed."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

Mysrai turns very slowly, all at once, limbs unmoving as He rotates, feet dragging against the floor.

Face blank and unmoving, eyes devoid of stars, Mysrai drifts through the cavern slowly, unhurriedly towards Nyxx.

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

Nyxx shifts her eyes suspiciously from side to side.

You move to stand before Nyxx, valiantly shielding her from harm.

With the smallest flick of His finger, Mysrai sends you flying headlong into the depths of the Astral Plane.

(pant, pant)

(Hallifax): Tremula says, "Note that They hold the form of the Doom of Spires, an Aspect that is rather newly discovered amongst mortals."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

Her voice melliflous as she echoes Them, Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

Grumpily, you say, "Ikil arr ha?"

(Hallifax): Pejat says, "Also note that the Lord Zvoltz' realm is the City of Spires."

(Hallifax): You say, "Remember that "doom" means only fate, despite its negative connotations."

Mysrai vibrates from within, the coppery motes between the disconnected pieces of limb becoming brighter. A strange, hot wind manifests, scented of sand and strange things.

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

Almost joyously as she studies the new developments, Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias intones, "IKIL ARR HA!"

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir intones, "IKIL ARR HA."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKIL ARR HA ZVAAAA."

You say, "The incantation may strengthen Lord Zvoltz's return. Let us join in harmonious chorus."

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir intones, "IKIL ARR HA ZVAAAA."

Mysrai floats unmovingly, legs and arms loose from its monolithic construction.

(Hallifax): Shedrin says, "I do not trust this."

With operatic force, Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias intones, "IKIL ARR HA ZVAAAA."

(Hallifax): Nyxx says, "There is no way to know what will happen unless we see it through. We are strong enough to handle any consequences."

Mysrai turns slowly, rotating, still unmoving till They come to stare blankly at Shedrin.

Mysrai points a massive wand studded with cold diamonds and void-black stars at Shedrin.

Quietly, you say, "IKIL ARR HA ZVAA."

(Hallifax): Pejat says, "You are the highest authority when it comes to Lord Zvoltz and Security. I will default to your wisdom, High Exemplar."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKL ARR HA."

(Hallifax): Shedrin says, "I.. unfortunately I do not know the answer."

You have emoted: Maligorn eyes Shedrin expectantly, crossing his arms nervously.

Mysrai begins to float towards Shedrin, eyes empty of stars.

Imperatively, Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKL AR AH."

Shedrin glances about, his body turning a hazy shade of grey.

(Hallifax): Pejat says, "That is why I chose the word wisdom rather than knowledge. In this situation you must make a decision without all the facts present." (boom)

Tremula peers at Shedrin unscrupulously.

Imperatively, Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKL AR AH."

(Hallifax): You say, "If there is any living Elder we had to trust regarding Lord Zvoltz, I'm afraid it would have to be this One."

Mysrai floats unmovingly, legs and arms loose from its monolithic construction.

Shedrin takes a deep breath as the crystal surface of his face softens and shifts in colour, a muted glow appearing within.

Tentatively, Shedrin Shevat says, "Ikl ar ah."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKL AR A."

You urge Shedrin onwards.

Rather than responding, the floating obelisk of a God simply begins to buzz loudly, shaking from within with strange vibrations.

Brushing his fingers across the surface of an icon of the Stormfather, Shedrin recoils as icy white sparks burst from the image. With a brief convulsion, his eyes fill with orbs of unfathomable energy that burn with a cold white glow.

Nodding firmly, Chairman Pejat Shevat states, "IKL AR A."

The energy surrounding the icon fizzles out.

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir intones, "IKL AR AH."

Mysrai gazes upon Shedrin with black-shimmering eyes. Cold pinpricks of light and whirling constellations sparkle with His eyes as they regard him with unnerving, unseeing focus.

Imperatively, Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKL A RA."

You say, "Lead us, High Exemplar."

(Hallifax): Shedrin says, "It may be that this can free my Lord."

(Hallifax): Shedrin says, "If so, I must try."

(Hallifax): Tremula says, "You have my support. I always did want to meet Him."

Shedrin reaches out and grips Pejat's shoulder as electricity crackles in their eyes.

Pejat thrusts his fist skyward as sparks of electricity crackle within his eyes.

Shedrin exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from his lungs.

Shedrin Shevat intones, "IKL AR AH."

Mysrai rotates once more and floats across the floor of the cavern, feet trailing limply against the ground.

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir intones, "IKL A RA."

Flapping his wings, Chairman Pejat Shevat intones, "IKL AR AH."

Mysrai, Doom of Spires intones, "IKLARA."

Gritting his teeth, you say, "Iklara."

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir intones, "IKLARA."

Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias intones, "IKLARA."

Mysrai gazes upon you with black-shimmering eyes. Cold pinpricks of light and whirling constellations sparkle with Mysrai's eyes as they regard you with unnerving, unseeing focus.

Mysrai pats you in a friendly manner.

Mysrai flickers around the edges, His form becoming vague and dreamlike.

The obelisk vanishes abruptly.

Gripping his phylactery, Chairman Pejat Shevat intones, "IKLARA."

Shedrin Shevat intones, "IKLARA."

You say to the Seal of Justice, "IKLARA. Is that where you reside, Lord Architect?!"

Glancing back at the congregation, you say, "Is he trapped? Is Iklara a realm? We know the Dreadform supposedly is "of it"."

Briefly, you smell a hot desert wind, and glimpse broken, crystalline spires amongst purple sands. Something brilliant flashes across the sky, something arcing like lightning. As the vision fades, you find blood trailing from your nose.

You say, "Purple...sands."

Wiping his snout, you say, "Did you all see that?"

Chairman Pejat Shevat states, "I did not."

Nyxx shakes her head.

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir says, "See what?"

You say, "I saw purple sands, and broken spires, and arcing lightning."

Chairman Pejat Shevat states, "Please continue everyone, until we receive evidence that we should stop."

Waving his hand forward, Chairman Pejat Shevat intones, "IKLARA."

Her eyebrows raising slightly but her attention on the Seal, Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias says, "IKLARA."

Closing his eyes, as if to remember the vision, you say, "I think I already have, Pejat. An arc of lightning in a strange realm of purple sands."

You say, "That must be where Zvoltz is."

Strange, hooded figures move between the spires, moving across the purple sands. Stars glitter within their robes, and the broken spires, crystalline, look all too familiar - and yet, inescapably alien. The sky is a ruined, seething thing of black stars, and - serpentine - something many-limbed, many-toothed, roiling through the sky.

Hmm. Why does your head hurt so badly?

You say, "Ohh, my head."

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir says, "I only know of one place with purple sands..."

Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias says, "I wonder..."

A vast wave of dizziness overcomes you, and weakness, as the visions drain entirely from you.

Clutching his skull, you say, "There's..."

Chairman Pejat Shevat asks, "Where is there purple sands?"

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir says, "The Gaudiguch Nexus Realm."

There is only the droning buzz: "IKLARA".

Chairman Pejat Shevat says, "Then I will make a request to visit there."

"IKLARA".

You say, "It's not there...it can't be. Iklara."

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir says to you, "You must tell us more."

It echoes inside of your skull, joined by the maddeningly overlapping voices of your citymates. "IKLARA. IKLARA. IKLARA."

Nyxx blinks.

Blood gushes from your nose as the pain in your head crescendoes.

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir says, "Mysrai left..."

Trying to stifle his nosebleed, you say, "Ugh."

Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias says to Nyxx, "They have quite the schedule. You cannot expect Them to conform to ours."

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir says to Tremula, "I merely meant I hadn't noticed."

You say, "I still see purple sands, and broken crystal spires. I see black stars, a broken sky, and...the Dreadform."

Tremula blinks.

Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias asks, "Black...stars?"

Quietly, gritting his teeth through pain, you say, "I see no more."

You say, "Only Iklara."

Kallista Aedonis Tremula Windwhisper, Potnia Orphnaias says to you, "Everything you saw, in detail, for the purposes of clarity. Fight through the pain and recall as much as you may before it slips."

You say, "That's it...wait, no. There were hooded figures among the ruins."

Chairman Pejat Shevat says, "I will be heading to Gaudiguch. All who are not currently enemies may follow."

You say, "It is a populated place."

You say, "Pejat, wait."

Grand Libretto, Nyxx Ysav'rai of the Crystal Choir says, "Iklara was... destroyed with Ays Onid though... turned to crystal..."

You have emoted: Maligorn stumbles forward, his nose and front flowing with blood, to grasp Pejat's shoulder.

Nasally, you say, "Please be careful."

Pejat Shevat turns his head curiously to you as he stalls.

Stifling his nosebleed again, you say, "I need to rest. My head hurts."

Chairman Pejat Shevat says, "I wish to inspire cooperation within that city."

Chairman Pejat Shevat says, "Rest well, dear Opus."

(cue outro with Tremula and airport things).