the mystery of randomness

For Tranos and its Tribute Cities
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the mystery of randomness

Post by time »

Balthoron closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. Seated at his bank manager's desk he had completed interviews with all present and previous bank staff able to be found. He had no idea of the day, let alone the hour. What he did know was his neck hurt, his back hurt, his mind was a scattered mess of thoughts and he was hungry. Sensing a presence in the doorway, he blinked his eyes and reclined in his chair, turning it to face the visitor.
A shadow stood, still and resolute just beyond the door. It seemed to drift from extremely dark to an almost translucent outline, then shift again. Of course, he could just be seeing things, but he felt he recognized the owner at once.
"You look tired," came a familiar voice and Balthoron smiled. He let a slight chuckle escape and motioned the figure to a chair in front of the desk.
"I suppose I do," he replied. As the visitor sat and adjusted his robes, Balthoron summoned a page and sent orders for food and drink. "I cannot recall the last I saw you, old friend. How are you?"

Time pulled his hood back and reclined, resting his boots on the large mahogany desk. "I'm not unwell. You? I see from the damage to the lobby the information I received is accurate. Anything of import missing?"

A servant arrived and placed beverages on the desk. Another arrived promptly after and set out plates of roast and potatoes. When they were gone from sight the Baron leaned forward and picked up his silver cup. "Things of import are never missing, only misplaced," he replied and leaned back again. "Are you curious of something in particular?"

Time folded his hands across his chest and stared at the ceiling -more precisely he stared toward it- and yawned a response, "You know exactly of what I am curious. Have you been to see him?" He could hear Balthoron picking at the food and moving restlessly in his chair. "I'll take that as a no." Time closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

Time had received word of incredible booming sounds originating near the Wyrm Spine Mountains while he was on the dinosaur isle. A few weeks after he heard mention of devastating storms ripping through Norland, with no apparent relation to weather patterns. Taking a charter he arrived at Zir's island and consulted with the astrologers, but, though they had received the same news as he, they had no ready idea as to what was happening. And then, while making his way back home, Lord Silk had been found with some sort of delusion that he was presently in his past, that these storms were seemingly making this delusion real and that Silk was once more Baron of Devardec. The chaos had also drawn in Streen and Balthoron and their fates had become linked with Silk's. As if these things weren't incredible enough, Dagda had been returned as well!
Time no longer had a clue what he would arrive home to find, but presumed nothing could startle him anymore. There was absolutely nothing more odd that could possibly occur.

Then, Tranos Trust exploded from within.

And he realized he could not have been more wrong.
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the mystery of faculties

Post by time »

Time felt the room shake and blinked himself awake. Tremors. This wasn't a good sign. He left the bank and made his way to the Warlock Guild, hoping his concerns were unfounded. But he doubted it. The Red Eagle Guard had found evidence in the sewers that the explosions that rocked Tranos Trust had also caused structural damage under several city blocks of shops and houses. Engineers were working with construction crews to stabilize the damaged areas and hopefully prevent further fractures, but the storms which had been distressing the lands had already created damage and limited the city's resources and ability to recover. The situation was amplified tenfold now.

The fact Balthoron was once more running Tranos was a chaotic fluke in itself. Essentially, due to the storms effects on Silk, Tranos had been placed back into the hands of one of only three people cognizant of the greater threat now pending. Which provided a better chance at stopping disaster, provided they could contact the Sorcerer.

He'd heard Balthoron addressing guards earlier, sending scouts far and wide. While his old friend's efforts were understood, Time doubted the searches would prove fruitful. When a person does not wish to be found, they rarely are, and this was an individual who most certainly did not wish to be located. But powerful folk always leave traces and Time believed he knew exactly where to look.

He spoke at length with the Guild's Caretaker of Knowledge, discussing events current and historical. So much had changed in his absence. It seemed to him that, through success or failure of his present quest, the Guild would be forever changed. Sometimes a purge was necessary. But feeling the power the walls still contained and for the blood pumping through his veins, he would do all within his control to ensure success. What true Warlock wouldn't? As he turned to leave, the Caretaker offered a passing observation: "One more thing, Time. As I recall he seemed to enjoy viewing portals."

Before Time could respond, the Caretaker wandered away once more among the pools.
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the illusion of control

Post by time »

Jurik nodded his head respectfully and moved from the alcove. Time generally enjoyed speaking for hours with his mentor, but today's discussions brought no relief to his uneasy mind. The situation was becoming more complicated each day it seemed. At least, after several conversations with various guild instructors, he had managed to narrow down the Sorcerer's location and had sent missives.

As if on que a massive tremor shook the guild and he almost lost his footing. Servants ran through the guild halls resituating fallen items and checking for damage. The Tutors remained ever calm. He made his way to the upper portals and headed back into the city. Balthoron was going to have to change his focus quickly if they were to contain this catastrophe.

The sky above Tranos was growing very dark, very fast, and Time understood other forces were pressing in from all directions.
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the illusion of calm

Post by time »

The tremors Tranos had been suffering had not only increased, but had become more intense. The initial damage had been contained to the northeast part of the city, but now storefronts and houses from nearly every part of Tranos were spreading metal and stone rubble across roads and yards. Cracks through cobblestone streets were beginning to spread and not only were sewer inhabitants wandering above, but things were beginning to fall through gaps.

Time had managed to wrangle the Baron from a room full of complaining citizens, but progress to their meeting point was proving extremely difficult due to sinkholes and shaking grounds. He felt it had taken too long to gather the supplies. He was very anxious that the situation was too dire. But they had to try once more.

The dungeons and adjacent catacombs below the city had shifted and been altered by construction over the last 250 years, but the rooms he needed to find were well hidden and untouched. A few well placed illusion walls and a spell of protection here and there had kept them safe to a degree, but as he had been hearing through his nightmares for the last few weeks, "Spells fade, Time." He had nodded and started to walk away before Azul-mar had caught his arm and made his point further, "Never forget. Spells fade."

One massive one seems to have done just that.

Balthoron had slowed to a stop and was staring curiously at one wall. Time walked back to him, and together they managed to uncover a small section near the top to reveal guide runes. Balthoron dug about in his pouch and held up an oval shaped, reddish blue gemstone. As he moved it toward the runes, the third one glowed faintly. Time nodded and Balthoron placed the gemstone against the rune, muttered a few words, and they both pushed the wall. Stale air drifted out as the wall sank several feet revealing a passage to their right. The two moved along into the passageway and the wall slid back in place.

Balthoron said, "Not much farther now, let's hope the others made it."

Time agreed and in the flickering light of the torch he held, the two made their way forward.
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the illusion of progress

Post by time »

Though centuries had passed, Time and Balthoron were finding their way relatively unhindered. At points they met seeming dead ends, but producing the correct crystal, choosing the correct reveal spell and adhering to the runic directions allowed them progress.

Time could hear, and at times feel, the roaring from shadow dragons streaming through the rift. The floors here weren't shaking even though they were close to their destination. The walls, however, were threatening cave ins as the screaming forms erupted more and more violently from the growing portal.

Spiders had been only a nuisance thus far, but they were becoming larger farther into the catacombs, frustrating Balthoron immensely. He detested spiders and was therefore even less happy as they grew. The spiders seemed to notice. Time was keeping them at bay to a great degree but the passageway was narrowing and casting spells in small areas was less than safe.

Thankfully there was only a short distance to go.
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the illusion of deliverance

Post by time »

Time and Balthoron pushed aside the final door and peered into the chamber. Onyx stalagmites to their left and right pushed several stories upwards from the smooth as glass floor which reflected shafts of indigo and violet mixed with sharp blasts of the brightest white beams they had ever seen. A jagged separation in the floor near the center of the chamber was awash in violent, swirling colors spewing forth from it as shadow dragons and abominations of all types fought for freedom. The roars and cries from myriad creatures echoed deafeningly from every direction. Two figures, almost invisible in the distortion, stood across the gap near an altar. One of the figures motioned to them and pointed to a dimly lit alcove behind a stalagmite just to Time's right. He tugged at Balthoron's cloak and they moved into position.

The alcove was lit by red crystals embedded into its ceiling. The crystals formed a rune pattern Time recognized but couldn't recall from where. Balthoron knelt beside a dais near the back of the alcove and chose an amethyst from his pouch. He brushed dust from a spot on the side of the step and pressed the gem into a slot next to its twin. He stood as the center of the dais opened and a lectern rose from beneath. He took a dusty spellbook from his pack, placed it on the lectern and flipped through several pages until he seemed to find the one he needed.

Time turned from Balthoron and watched as the two faint silhouettes moved about their tasks across the chamber. The screams of defiance and rage seemed to grow ever louder and being this close to the chaos was more than unsettling. "I don't remember it being this loud before," Time whispered. Balthoron glanced up and asked, "What?" Time just brushed the remark away and walked next to the lectern.

Balthoron handed Time 7 stones and nodded toward the altar against the wall of the alcove. Time moved to the altar and began situating the gems into a simple pentagram pattern with the 2 larger ones resting next to depressions in the altar's surface. Balthoron retrieved an iron dagger from his pack and placed it next to his spell book on the lectern. Now they just had to wait for the others.
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the illusion of confusion

Post by time »

Time and Balthoron watched as the two figures completed work at the ceremonial altar and made their way around the rift. Their path was almost impossible to traverse now that the jagged rip in the floor almost completely bisected the chamber. Shadow dragons shredded their way up from the rift, creating a magnificent prism of colorful rage.

Once Sethra and Telamarch arrived at the alcove with Time and Balthoron, Time moved back to the blood altar. He took the larger gems and slid them into the depressions, causing an immediate reaction from the rift. Deafening screams grew even louder as several of the escaping dragons and abominations turned from their upward trek and headed directly toward the quartet.

Sethra and Telamarch cast a shield around their group while Time and Balthoron moved back to the lectern. Fitting the gems into the blood altar had opened small drawers to either side of the dais containing golden circlets. They each took one and placed it on their wrist, turning back to the altar.

Time and Balthoron knelt and placed their wrists with the circlet upon the altar. Suddenly the circlets tightened and a hollow needle from within each pierced their wrists. As their blood touched the surface, Balthoron was blown backward through the air, slamming against the wall and falling against Telamarch's feet. Time tried to react but the altar would not release his bond.

Telamarch looked over Balthoron as best he could without releasing the containment shield. He allowed that Balthoron was most likely just unconscious, but they couldn't wait for him to wake if that was the case. Sethra motioned for Telamarch to see to Balthoron, so the Warlock stopped casting and raised the Baron into a seated position against the alcove wall. Since blood had touched the altar, the abominations trying to get at them had become more violent. Sethra made it clear they weren't going to be able to remain shielded much longer.
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the illusion of desperation

Post by time »

Telamarch was unable to wake Balthoron.

Time instructed him to take the circlet and come to the altar in Balthoron's place. After several attempts, Telamarch informed Time the band was not removable, and that all he seemed to be accomplishing was covering the floor with the Baron's blood.

Telamarch dragged Balthoron to the altar and rested him near its base, then switched roles with Sethra, allowing her to concentrate on their dilemma. "What is left to do?" she asked Time.
He barely heard her as he tossed the situation about in his mind. Another voice from the past kept interrupting his assessing, "..in the end it's all about the blood."

He replied to Sethra, "Grab the spellbook from the lectern and bring it over." Once this was done, he elaborated," I'll keep his hand on the altar while you complete the spells. It should work so long as his blood is offered."

Sethra agreed and looked to the ancient book in her lap. As Time placed Balthoron's wrist against the altar once more, Balthoron was again launched across the alcove and a flame burst from the wall behind the altar and removed all traces of his blood.

Time cursed and looked to Sethra for an answer. She simply stared back into the book. Telamarch lost his footing for a brief moment and a dragon made its way around their shield. "Haste would be appreciated!" Telamarch stated, and Time began defending against the dragon. "Casting while tied to an altar isn't helpful, Prophet."

But Sethra just stared at the pages in her lap.

Eventually, as the shadow dragon fell behind her, she stood and walked to Balthoron.
"I don't know if this is by design or confusion, but probably the former."

"What are you gibbering about, Prophet?" asked Time.

"The circlet will not release from Balthoron's wrist," she said.

"Yes. I believe we established this already," smirked Time. "What we need now is a plan."

"There is only one means of completing this ritual," she turned to Time. "Read the bottom of the page."

Which he did; twice.

"Well isn't that just exactly what he would do.."
time
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:09 pm
Guild: Warlocks

the mystery of redemption

Post by time »

Sethra walked to Telamarch's side. After a brief discussion, Telamarch smirked and whispered, "I see no other way."

Sethra read the passage again, "The blood of Warlocks must be offered."

Sethra brought Balthoron back over to the altar. He was breathing, barely, and very laboured. She clasped his hand, nodded to Time, and spoke an ancient and hallowed incantation. Time placed the Baron's hand once again onto the altar and felt the click as his circlet locked into place.

The altar began to glow a hypnotic crimson from their blood. Sethra grasped the spell book and began to read.

Tatrian chanted over and over but was being pressed backwards from the dragons digging at the shield. The altar started to dim, and more and more creatures spilled from the rift towards the group. "We need Balthoron awake for this, Prophet. He's just being drained and we're not going to last," said Time.

Sethra finished the spell and placed her hands on Balthoron's head. As she chanted, she moved her fingers in circles on his temples. She was seeing no result. Time rested his free hand upon Balthoron's arm and began chanting as well. Slowly the Baron's breathing became stronger, but he was still unconscious. And Telamarch had now been pushed back almost completely against the others.

The screams from the creatures was too much. Their shield was barely surrounding them. Telamarch dropped his shield, turned, placing his arms around the group. Together, he, Time and Sethra cast all their energy on healing Balthoron and powering the altar.

Shadow dragons shot toward them and abominations filled the alcove.

With one, last, focused force, a massive ball of energy shot from the quartet disentegrating everything within the chamber except for the group.

As the ball of energy circled the Chamber of Eternity, the raging creatures were being pulled back into the portal. The rift was sealing itself. As the last traces of the jagged hole disappeared, the altar went dim and the circlets disappeared.

The ball of energy turned a brilliant dark purple and shot through the ceiling and into the clouds.
Purple Rain fell from the clouds and all tremors under Tranos ceased.

When the group turned to face Balthoron, he had somehow changed...

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