RuneScape Forum Archive | Draconic Interactions (3)

Darlantan

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The ritual within the circle of stones seemed to be some sort of paganistic worship. Perhaps a dozen or so humans, garbed in black robes and painted in various colors (wherever skin was visible) stood around the dolmen in the center of the circle, spreading various herbs and incense over its surface as well as painting various arcane symbols on the smooth stone. They murmured quietly until one exclaimed, pointing at the Sparkstar as it became visible over the horizon. At this point they all raised their hands and began chanting in some esoteric language.
There was one man away from the circle, dressed in worn, brown robes and seeming to be watching the ritual intently. He appeared to be tied to a tree.

10-Aug-2014 15:49:46

Basileus257

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"A powerful tool, and one that can backfire if not used correctly or properly. It still might be worth attempting to control Nihil using his name. If we succeed, then we control what is argueably the most powerful threat to life as we know it. If we fail, then one person is controlled. It's cruel, but defeating Nihil is going to require sacrifices. But any sacrifice is better then the alternative, wouldn't you agree?" Matt asked.

"So if I understand you right, an ancient begins as little more then the physical embodiment of the force they represent and slowly gains sentience and thus the capacity for freewill over time. This is different from mortals who are born with the capacity for freewill and only need to concern themselves with developing it, rather then concern themselves with losing it. That's how I am percieving what you are saying anyway. In that case, I completely agree with you. Killing them would only make things worse for everyone. I still advocate for controlling them. At a later time, would you be willing to help me and my kind to learn their names? I know it is a strange request and I understand if you want no part in it. But any help you would be willing to offer us would be much appreciated." Matt said.

"He's near the Imperium? That is not good. Reaching him is going to be difficult at best. They will kill the rest of you (with the possible exception of Rhen) on sight. That's if you are lucky. You do not want to know what they will do if you are not lucky. But if that is the only choice we have then I guess that the Imperium is our next objective. Did you happen to hear the name of a town or city that was close to where this individual was spotted? The Imperium is massive so we need a location to start our search. Also, is there anything else that could help us? I'm referring to things like the direction he was travelling or things he might have said or... anything like that?" Matt asked.

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

10-Aug-2014 22:48:12

Basileus257

Posts: 1,584 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"It looks like there are twelve heathens in total. They are painting some sort of vile art upon the circle. I also see a prison. I cannot determine if the prisoner is a man of virtue or a willing sacrifice. He is tied to a tree. No doubt the heathens plan to perform unspeakable evils." One of the men with a sniper rifle murmered. "Understood brother. What else do you see?" The one referred to as Brother-Captain replied. "They are chanting something now. They have seen the comet. I cannot understand what they are saying but I suspect it is a prayer to their false gods. I have what I believe to be their leader in sight. Do I have permission to send the scum to hell, Brother-Captain?" "Denied. Our Emperor has ordered us to let them complete their ritual before attacking. He, in His infinite wisdom, suspects that some dark force will appear shortly and He wishes for us to know what it is."

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

10-Aug-2014 22:58:37

NarBloodwolf

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With Matt's reaction to the relative location of the mortal the group now sought Rhen went into thought. Based on what Matt had told him about the Imperium the others in the group would be in the most danger while he himself might just get by. There were several options Rhen could think of to traverse the Imperium but most would not bode well for Forlirn and the other dragons.

''From what Matt has told me and by his reaction.....we have a few choices on how to proceed. Matt and I could act as Imperium forces escorting 'Prisoners' to where ever the one we seek is. Not the best plan but it is something. Another option would depend on if Umbra can pull off what I have in mind from his soul stone. If you can mange Umbra....I do not doubt your mastery over shadows but forgive my words.....you are not what you once were but could you cloak us in shadow as we traveled? It is a large request I know but it is one of the few options we have that do not involve the charade of our friends acting either as prisoners or dead.'' said Rhen breaking his silence.

11-Aug-2014 03:44:47

Darlantan

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"Perhaps. But Nihil is extremely manipulative," Umbra replied. "It would not be a stretch to imagine him controlling a single mortal could lead him to controlling a hundred or more. Manipulation is how he still influences the world... and he likely has far greater influence than many ancients without any direct control over any of his 'subjects.' Give him a mortal to essentially act as his avatar... well, he'd be capable of far more than he already is."

"That is close enough. However, I would not aid you in learning their names. Even if an ancient could teach a mortal a Name in a way a mortal can comprehend- which I do to be possible -utilizing any of their names would be extremely risky. Fail once and you would likely send all four into a frenzy far deadlier than the genocide you were attempting to avert; they may very well ensure your kind does become fully extinct if you attempted to control them so. They may even rouse other ancients to their cause; if mortals not only knew about Names but actually knew the Name of an ancient, the others may agree the best course of action is to wipe your kind from the earth. Failing to avoid provoking them would destroy your society and culture, but angering them in such a way would likely mean the end of your very race. Should the latter occur, I want to have taken no part in helping it occur."

"From what I have glimpsed, this mortal has only been sighted on the northern border where dragons and humans seem to skirmish," Animus stated, tilting his head slightly. "Most sightings were by dragons without knowledge of many human settlements... but the most recent sighting was by a human. Based upon what I've seen from your memories and the memories of other humans... I believe the sighting was approximately a one to three day flight westward from the city you last stopped in. Umbra should be able to locate the mortal if you near his location; he is like a void in the natural resonance of the world to our sight."

12-Aug-2014 15:19:04

Darlantan

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"Perhaps the greatest physical aspect of shadow is illusion. Mortals generally mistake it for darkness, but shadow is as much darkness as it is light. Truely it is a force representing the interplay between light and darkness," Umbra said, nodding his head slightly. "My influence on the physical world may be limited... but I can exert some influence within the vicinity of my soul stone, even outside of my temple. Cloaking you in shadow would be effortless. So would hiding your forms beneath illusions. Perhaps not especially effective on the other half of the world... but as this half lacks magic, there shall be no mages capable of detecting an illusion. In shadow, your greatest difficulty would to not bump into anything. Under illusions, it would be to act to your illusion properly... and again not to bump into anything."

The ritual seemed to be accomplishing a lot of nothing, though the cultists seem unphased by that fact. Like Thlorian's, the ritual was meant to complete at the Sparkstar's zenith. However, as the comet approached through the sky, magical energy did seem to be building in the circle. Of course, only those with an innate ability (or trained ability, though that was rather doubtful) to sense magic would detect any change at all.

12-Aug-2014 15:39:50

Basileus257

Posts: 1,584 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"But at the same time, his avatar would be someone who is being watched closely and constantly for any sign of being taken by Nihil. If we were to attempt something like this then it would require vast amounts of resources and support. Knowing the consequences, monitoring the individual who actually attempts to control Nihil is only logical." Matt replied.

"Fair enough Nihil. I can't say that I blame you for feeling that way. I still intend to get my race to try this though. I don't like the idea of those four being able to exterminate us at any time. If we can control them (and I fully believe that we can) then we no longer need to worry about them. The risk is great, I know this, but I don't see any alternative. They'll come to destory us eventually. We might as well try to fight back." Matt said.

"That sounds like a plan. Like I said, the news was going on about a war breaking out in that area so using Umbras' abilities is the only way you can move around that area in any amount of safety. I just hope that the mortal from another world will not be caught in a crossfire of some sort. I just have one proposal i'd like to raise. Why don't I remain visible? I am an Imperial subject. I was born and raised in the Imperium. I know it's ways and I am somewhat well known throughout the nation. If we need to purchase something or something along those lines then I know what to say. Plus, Caelidorus and I have a mental bond. I can communicate to you through him. It might make things easier. Rhen can come with me if he wants, though I would recommend that I be the one doing the talking." Matt said.

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

13-Aug-2014 02:22:14

Basileus257

Posts: 1,584 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

One of the other men took out a camera and snapped a couple of photos of the ritual. "If nothing else, we have at least obtained pictures of the ritual in progress. The damn comet hasn't stopped my camera from working just yet. Brother-Captain, I will try to take more pictures should something interesting arise. I cannot guarantee my success however." The man said. "Understood Brother. I recommend turning the camera off to prevent harm from coming to it or the pictures inside." The leader replied. "I will do as you say, Brother-Captain." The other whispered. The rest continued to scan the ritual site for anything of interest. "The comet should be as close as it is going to get within a few minutes. We will wait for this to happen and then we will proceed with our attack." The leader said. "As you will, Brother-Captain." The others replied in unison.

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

13-Aug-2014 02:36:18

NarBloodwolf

Posts: 8,239 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

''I know earlier that you said I might be able to travel the Imperium human but that it was a slight chance. But considering the condition my arm has progressed to.....unless we can make an excuse then the odds of my walking through the Imperium scotch free are even lower now. If anything I would not need much of an illusion to hide as I really only need one to cover my corrupt arm. Other than that I do agree that we have a solid plan.'' said Rhen.

''And since we may be here a while long yet. I have one question off the current subject Umbra. How is it in the ruins of your kingdom that there is magic where there should be none on Nueva? The though intrigued my mind since we first arrived in your lands as none of us though it would be possible. And this is my last question.....is there a way to replicate the circumstances that allow magic here elsewhere in Nueva? Because if there is then other Watcher Exiles will have a place to call home and a community of their own outside Kagrenzel.'' said Rhen glancing over to Umbra.

13-Aug-2014 15:19:03

Darlantan

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"I suppose that would mitigate the risk, but you would essentially have to watch this mortal for the rest of his or her life. Nihil would have full access to the mortal's mind, including every memory. Like most ancients, he is patient beyond mortal comprehension. He could easily wait fifty years before acting. Or fifty centuries... if your kind live that long. Which I doubt."

"Umbra... do not call me Nihil..." Umbra hissed softly with a hint of annoyance. "They will not necessarily destroy your civilization... but that would require your kind to find peace with other races. They are not fond of mortals... but they do not strike until they believe the mortal race in question has become too destructive for redemption. That they have not attacked yet means they do not believe you have reached that point. If you were to change, they would leave your kind be. You may think that task impossible... but I can guarantee you it would be far easier than taking control of the four."

"I believe it would be reasonable for you to retain your true mortal visage, as it appears it is your nation you fear is most dangerous to the task. It may draw attention from dragons, as all the illusions might... Not particularly dangerous with my presence, but the dragons recognizing me for what I am... could complicate matters. Greatly."
"The mortal appears to be sighted most often by dragons," Animus added. "He would likely be more toward draconic territory than the Imperium. Dragons do not impose such strict laws and goverance upon their territory as humans do upon their land. He would likely have realized he would be more tolerated in draconic territory than among humans, if Anima's description of his physique is accurate."

18-Aug-2014 00:10:59

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Draconic Interactions (3)