Completed Breakout

[Leo Varniak]

Timestamp: 38th day of Fall, 512 AV Leo flicked through the pages of his book, by now more than half filled with prose. He made sure none had taken damage or had otherwise become illegible. Later on, he would see about making copies if at all possible. Finally, there would be the matter of distribution, but no reason to put the cart before the horse just yet. The goal, despite the danger it brought to his person, was to make it available to the public throughout Mizahar. The more people knew about the twisted power game behind the Valterrian, the more it would weaken Rhysol, who thrived on discord, ignorance and division. How did one go about spreading the word, though? He would have to consult with someone on the matter. He estimated it would take him another couple of days to finish spinning his tale, if he started now. He had planned the general outline over the past few days. All that remained to do was to actually get it on the page. The sun was still high on the horizon when Leo Zaital put down the first word in the final chapter. - - - - - - - - - The spring ripened into summer before I even realized the full implications of what I had done. So much for quietly, gradually growing my power base the way Glav had suggested. I had gone in, somehow killed my enemy, and left the place in a hurry. What is even worse, the warehouse turned gambling hall was practically next door from our base. I had this big target sign painted on my back and a crossbow platoon taking aim from the shadows. Soon enough, I would have to vanish. Where to? This, I truthfully did not know. I had never been to any other city but Syliras. I knew the wilderness to a small degree, but had never made it even as far as Zeltiva. I may have few friends where I was, but at least I had a certain familiarity with the place. Elsewhere, I would stick out like a sore thumb. I had grown paranoid, too. Either I was locked in with the Naryn keeping close watch, or I would only go out at night and through highly selected neighborhoods. From my windows I would scan the crowd for pupil-less eyes like Raven's had been. I also kept some things hidden from T. and S. I told them about the events at the warehouse and the Black Hand (it was not as if I could easily conceal the fact my hands had turned pitch black overnight; even the least curious fellow in the world will fear the condition being contagious), but the finer points of Ivak's release and the vision I had received stayed within the walls of my heart. I still do not know exactly why I did this to them. Was I jealous of my special role? Quite possibly. Was I trying to protect them from a task that was mine and mine alone? Just as possible. Then, one day, wheels once again started turning regardless of my intentions. I was studying the world from my window when I noticed a man posting a notice on a wall just across the street. I could not read the contents from my room, so I cautiously made my way downstairs and then outside. I could scarcely believe what I read on the posted. Glav Navik was having posters put up all over the city, advertising his intention to leave Syliras for a distant town far away on the other side of the continent, Wind Reach. I barely knew that such a place even existed. Glad was issuing a call for volunteers to accompany him on the journey as bodyguards, sages and scholars. It was a one-way voyage. I ran then, ran like I never had before. Totally out of breath by the time I barged into the temple, I was still clutching the poster after I had ripped it off the wall. I remember showing it to him half-accusingly as soon as I was in a condition to speak. At first I was incredulous, but a single look confirmed the truth of what had been posted. All of Glav's worldly possessions lay in perfect order on the Temple floor, packed, wrapped and ready to be loaded on the ship that would take him to Wind Reach. There was no doubt as to the fact that he would soon depart. The thought that he may be abandoning ship touched me, but why not go about it a bit more discreetly then? It felt strange for him to be advertising his decision so openly. I was also afraid that we would end up losing our most resourceful protector in Syliras. I owed him much of my success. Without Glav, I would have died long ago, alone and ignorant. His reply was interesting to say the least. He said that a certain source I am not allowed to mention had spoken to him, revealing that a major divine conflict was underway. Not ten years from now, but in the present. Also, he had spoken with a man from Wind Reach, an Inarta as they are called, and found it extremely strange that he had no knowledge of the Valterrian. Glav had spent an entire day explaining those events to the man, only to discover that he had forgotten it all come the next day. While simple trauma could account for this, Glav had met another Inarta years earlier, and he had showed exactly the same behavior. The Alvina had paid little attention to the fact the first time, but this ruled out the notion of coincidence. These Inarta could not retain any mention of Ivak and his role in the Valterrian. Glav was right: the matter warranted further investigation (hence why he was calling for scholars, most likely). Besides, the city had been getting a little dangerous for him, too. Suddenly, he asked if perchance I wanted to join him on the expedition. I thought it over and remembered all the days I had spent in my room, afraid to even show my face outside. If Glav was right and the battlefield was indeed changing before our eyes, my talents would be required elsewhere. I nodded and accepted his proposition. He could use someone handy who was in this for something other than the coin, after all. This left me with the unpleasant task of explaining things to S. and T., but they approved of the development if it helped Ivak's cause. Thankfully, they made no offer to come with me. Someone needed to garrison the fort while I was away on duty, after all. I packed my meager belongings and waved them goodbye. I abandoned them. I have not seen them ever since. Later events have changed me so that I cannot fear anything anymore, but if I could, I would dread returning to Syliras and finding that building empty once more. Having severed my commitments with barely more than a word of farewell, I returned to Glav. Unfortunately, the method by which he selected which of us would be joining him on the expedition must remain a secret for reasons outside my will. Suffice to say he was far from a fool, and none of the bodyguards and scholars embarked on the ship - the Blue Horizon - who had not been thoroughly tested for virtue and integrity. Of those who joined, I must spend words for three. They were companions for a time, but because they never shared my goal I do not greatly endanger them by mentioning them by names. Torc was a large man with Isur blood running in his veins. Despite his size, he was very much a pacifist and a crafter, rather than a destroyer. In fact, he had joined as a scholar as opposed to a bodyguard. Likewise, Sharn was a... what do you call a Jamoura adult other than 'man'? The word certainly does not suit these simian creatures. As kind as he was imposing, he had a quiet demeanor and never jumped to conclusions. Of Ulric, a fisherman with an axe, I know now that he was much more than he chose to reveal. He was a kindred soul to me in that we would never live normal lives, and perhaps it was because of it that we disliked each other from the start. It is also interesting to note that the famous Akvin Kultra, Syliras' best magecrafter and a dear friend of Glav's, joined him on the ship. Gods, but I hate ships.

[Leo Varniak]

What's not to hate about them? They are entirely made of flammable materials and still manage to be surrounded by foul-tasting poisonous water. From the moment you walk up the gangplank you consign yourself to the elements. You lose all control and just pray for the best. I boarded expecting nothing good to come of this. For once, the events proved me completely right. Captain Finn looked competent enough, but I just felt unsafe with all these strangers on deck who had never met before embarking and now were expected to work towards a common cause. Also, we were sharing the ship with all kinds of merchants and traders, some of whom had brought sheep and horses on board. A retinue of four Syliran Knights had followed us for unrelated reasons. Living space was cramped to say the least. The nights were better, with a splendid view of the starry sky unimpeded by the presence of city lights. At night, you could almost forget you were on a piece of floating wood sailing to the extremity of the known world. It was nice then, and I could have enjoyed myself if not for the constant rocking and rolling motions. I was constantly on the verge of feeling sick, but not quite sick enough to ask the ship's healer Minkala for assistance. I ate as little as I could manage without losing my strength, and counted the days before our eventual landing. Unfortunately, our journey had barely just began, when the first sailor was forced in bed by a nasty cough. It was the fifth day. You can imagine how this thing progressed. A second sailor got the same persistent cough, and then a third. Minkala did what she could for them, but to no avail. Their conditions worsened, until they started dying from the disease. More and more of the crew caught the mysterious ailment, and morale quickly spiraled down into widespread fear. The healer shook her head and said the root cause of the disease was not natural. She was a marked of Rak'keli and would have been able to help in that case. The captain, looking very pale and sounding suspiciously like he was developing the cough himself, gathered us in his cabin to discuss the situation. I sat as far away from him as possible. Ulric insisted that we must search the ship for any sign of someone actively spreading the plague before it was too late. I agreed with his view and mentioned my previous experience with Vayt's Shroud and their ability to spread disease in many ways. If they had infiltrated Syliras once, it was entirely possible that they could do it twice. Torc felt confident he would be able to use his peculiar powers to inspect the ship. He called it a 'gift of connections' and I can only theorize he was referring to some gnosis power. My own suggestion was that we should inspect everyone for suspicious gnosis. Chances were, if there was a plague bearer on board, we would recognize them by their mark. Sharn supported the view that we should try both approaches at the same time. We did have nothing to lose, after all. The captain suggested that we split up and each dealt with the ideas we had proposed. I was in charge of inspecting all passengers on the boarding manifest, together with Minkala the healer. Torc went about checking these connections he had spoken of. Ulric and Sharn went down to the beast hold to begin their examination of all animals and property on board. We were determined not to leave any stone unturned in our search. My work was less than pleasant. Minkala and I admitted the crew into the captain's cabin, one by one, and had them strip naked to search them for suspicious gnosis. The captain had a mark from Laviku, most of the others had nothing but tattoos. Glav was reluctant to disrobe, but I calmly explained that it was a necessity. Everyone was on the edge, jumping at shadows. His refusal would have put all of us in a very bad light with the crew. For once, he had to capitulate to my logic - which pleased me more than a little - and took off his priestly robes. The reason of his embarrassment was plain to see as his body looked like an incredible tapestry of gnosis marks from so many different deities, I could not even begin to fathom who some of them belonged to. None looked suspicious, though, just as we expected. With that, I had to take care of something that had been nibbling at my mind from the very start. Who was in a position to spread a disease undetected? Who would be able to hide in plain sight, so perfectly above suspicion that none would ever dare raise an objection? I am a hunter at heart, but I did not really want to pursue that particular avenue. I really did not want this person to be the culprit, but the old Leo Varniak who had been judge, jury and executioner chided me on my softness. This was no time for hesitation or denial. And so, I suggested to Minkala that we should check each other next. I apologized that there were no women above suspicion on board to conduct the search on her, but I promised to keep her honor in the highest regard. And still, she refused, which sent a spike of sadness through my heart. Deep down, I knew I had found the one. Then the sadness receded and the merciless judge of men moved to the forefront. I resolved myself to use my Azenth powers once more. They had been disastrous the first time in the gambling hall, but I tried to conserve focus to direct them on Minkala alone. I succeeded in limiting the scope, but I was unable to dose the strength of the effect. I wanted her to feel fear, to feel guilt, to know I was watching her. This way, perhaps, I would get her to confess, to surrender. Instead, her eyes widened under my attack. I felt her guilt right then, and knew for certain that she was the one. But there was no true evil in her, nothing like the Black Hand. Her hate was not directed me at me, but at herself. She hated herself for becoming a tool of death. Before I could do anything to stop her, she had taken a razor in her hands and had slit her throat, falling in a pool of her own blood. She was no healer of Rak'keli, just a normal medic. She died with a smile of relief on her lips. Glav rushed to her aid, but could only acknowledge her passing. He looked at me with that infuriatingly soft gaze of his and said I may want to work a little on this ability of mine. Lying on that floor, she looked just like my mother had. I slammed my fist on a table in rage. I had won, by the gods! They had tried to kill us and I had killed them first! Then why did it sting so much? Asserting a little control over myself, I explained to the captain that the threat was extinguished, though I made no assurances about those who were still sick. Then I excused myself. I was in need of fresh air on deck. There were further mysterious events to be witnessed on that day. Ulric butchered the entire beast hold for no apparent reason, driven by killing fury. Sharn succumbed to the disease; it is too bad, so much potential lost. In the brief time I had known him, he had struck me as an individual of deep wisdom, never obvious in his ways. He ended up feeding the sharks with the rest. May he also be remembered on these pages. Torc and I witnessed Ulric confront the goddess who was at the root of his unthinking rage, and eventually somehow force her to retreat. Ulric is a dangerous man. I do not understand him but I know he contains light and darkness both. Just like me, which makes him annoying. But I repeat myself. At the end of the day, I felt empty like never before. Victory tasted like ashes. Even though nothing else of note happened en route to Wind Reach, if this was a taste of things to come, it did not bode well for the future.

[Leo Varniak]

If you have never had the chance to see Mount Skyinarta, I am afraid any description I can offer will come awfully short of the truth. Travel is difficult in these troubled times, and I reckon most of the world's population gathers in the Syliran cities. You may have been taught about the occasional "mountain" in Sylira, but truly those are no more than wrinkles, meaningless lumps of rock next to the true mountains of Kalea. The Eastern half of Mizahar has nothing but gentle hills once you take a look at the full picture. Mt. Skyinarta stands out even among the royal peaks of Kalea. It seems to pierce the sky itself like a gigantic thorn thrust from Semele's skin. I could scarcely believe anyone had made that place their home. Surely there must be more convenient locations? Yet Glav assured me the Inarta had survived the mountain ("thrived" would have been something of an exaggeration) for several centuries. The only reason they have been able to do so is thanks to their peculiar symbiotic relationship with a unique raptor only to be found in the area, the Wind Eagle. A natural born predator, the Wind Eagle is large and intelligent enough to be mounted by a grown human, especially those slim of build like the red-haired Inarta. I have never witnessed one close enough to comment on the truth of what I was told - namely, that the eagles are sentient and communicate telepathically - but it would not surprise me if it was true. The human and his mount become one thing as they hunt for prey throughout the warmer seasons. There is nothing to hunt in the winter: they have to stockpile enough food to make them last till the world thaws once more. Having spent part of the winter in Wind Reach, I can tell you they do not always succeed at this, and they solve the problem by letting their lowest social classes starve. The harsh environment they live in has shaped their society into one of deep inequalities, more so perhaps than any other I have heard of. There are five castes, from the Endal or eagle riders who provide for the settlement and sit at the top, to the Dek who have no special talents and exist at the mercy of their betters. They are a fascinating study in anthropology, a society of passionate risk-takers who ordinarily die while still young but are not any sadder for it. I do not mean to bore you with scholarly details, but I do wish for their peculiar traits to be known. They reminded me of Ivak as soon as I saw them, their flaming heads like torches in the night. They are loud, bold, forward, with a love for life that reaches into their bones and felt so much like that vision of Ivak and Kova's baby. It was difficult to believe they could bear no relation to the fire god, and despite that they knew literally nothing about him. We had been right going there. We felt certain almost right away, as soon as we cleared the treacherous mountain pass just in time before it was closed down for the incoming winter. Whatever our business here, we would be trapped in Wind Reach until spring. The city is more like a maze of halls and corridors stolen from the rock. It takes time getting used to. First thing, any foreigner needs to request an audience with the city's top bureaucrat to be assigned a caste for the duration of their stay. While it is possible to move up and down the caste ladder, the Inarta are extremely strict in enforcing the system. I remember being very upset at the slavery I felt was taking place here. The Dek go through abuse and inhuman amounts of work. What little sleep they get is stolen in bits and pieces, inside communal rooms with nothing resembling beds. Strangely, however, and very much unlike my expectations, there are no feelings of rebellion brooding in the Dek. They wish they could improve their standing, of course, but they do not question the setup. I do not know what to make of this. The mountain-born do not think the way a city-bred man does, this much is for sure. I was made an Avora, which is the second highest caste below the eagle-riding Endal. It is the caste of skilled artisans, those who have an important ability to offer. Once I made my Reimantic abilities known, I was immediately set to work with the glassblowers. Glass - a product of fire and rock. Mount Skyinarta being itself a volcano, it is somehow very fitting. The Inarta make the finest glass art in the world. Glass windows are uncommon even in Syliras, but these cave-dwellers can craft masterpieces of colored glass putting most painters to shame. They have my utmost admiration as artists. The problem with their society is that most foreigners stick out hopelessly, making it almost impossible to blend with the natives. Still, the bureau tried its best to assimilate me into the community. They even assigned two Yasi - the children's caste - to work under me. I taught them nothing about Reimancy. They did not look very interested anyway. All the while, I was learning what I could about Wind Reach and its history. I know Glav and the others were busy doing their own investigations; I trusted Glav to be able to pave the way for our search with his usual discretion, whatever it was we were searching. I was not disappointed. One night, I woke from a dream of fire - a dream of my father. I instantly knew it had been no illusion of the mind as I had relived a piece of Alvias' boyhood and the fire that had already walked with him back them. When I opened my eyes, I felt the rock around me heavy with power and pressure. A haunting melody was calling to me, and I found its source in what could be called the Inarta's lounge bar, where Akvin Kultra and a local musician, an old man called Cedar, were playing drums and strings. Cedar was, I believe, far more than just an old man, but I digress. Glav was there, too, and they had indeed summoned me with music. Apparently, they had finished investigating the situation in Wind Reach and had come to the conclusion that this was Ivak's prison. Very unsurprising, if you only stop to think about it for a second. Well off the beaten path, located in an unaccessible place, with unwitting guardians who could not retain any information on the one they were keeping under custody. Yes, it was the ideal location. Have you ever wondered why Morwen, Izurdin and the others did not kill Ivak but instead imprisoned him? It is, after all, much safer to just slay someone than try and capture them alive. They went to great lengths so the fire god could rest in a cubicle from which escape was very difficult, yet not impossible. Consider this. The very condition of the Inarta, unable to remember Ivak's name and the Valterrian, is it not an arrow pointing their way? It certainly had been for us. So is it not possible or even likely that the gods actually wanted for Ivak to be found and freed in the end? They did not bury him deep in the bowels of Semele where he would forever lie, alone and forgotten. Instead, they placed the door of his prison in a town where people lived. It makes you wonder how long this game of chess has been going on, and who is actually winning. We talked for a long time. We faced all that had remained unresolved between us; I agreed to liberate Ivak, my previous doubts cast aside. I had spoken with him. It was as much proof of his sanity as I could possibly get, and it would have to do. Glav surprised me by mentioning that we would have to change plans in case Ivak had effectively gone mad. In the worst case scenario, Ivak might have to be replaced for the world to survive without him. On my part, I simply reiterated my stance: I was going to free him, blood of my blood. I would take the entire burden upon my shoulders, and face the consequences of my failure if I had made an error in my judgment. It had taken me a long time to make up my mind on this, and I was not going to give up now. Glav - and Akvin, no doubt; he was a scholar and must have helped immensely - explained that I would need a very special key, an All-Key they had had forged. I suspect Torc was involved in its making, but it is a story I shall never know in full. Also, I would need an escort to accompany me into Wind Reach's lower tunnels where most Inarta did not dare to go: the Underground Forest, as they call it. I was introduced to a young Dek, of all people, who was willing to assist. His name was Taln. He was a poor thing, malnourished and weak of sight, but a brave soul nevertheless. He pledged himself immediately, the way Dek do. They possess this fatalistic world view that their own death is not all that important in the greater scheme of things, but if they die while being of help to someone they can call their life a success. He was a worthy man, regardless of his birth. Glav did not exactly tell me why he and Akvin could not come with me on this quest, but I understood it had to be me. Certainly, Ivak's prison would not respond to anything but his own flesh and blood. Not that anyone knew where I would find it. As far as people knew, the passages had been fully explored by the natives, with no fiery cell in plain view. I could only hope it would make itself obvious to me. I gathered my belongings and, armed only with a rough map and my resolve, I asked Taln to take me to the Underground Forest.

[Leo Varniak]

The Underground Forest is not a place that any amount of mundane spelunking can prepare you for. Compared to most caves, it is both far larger and more complex to traverse. It is also home to many an odd creature and natural phenomenon, not least of which a certain glowing fungus that provides a faint, but distinct illumination and gigantic bats that would not turn down human morsels if driven desperate enough by hunger. In spite of this, the upper levels of the Forest are relatively popular with the Inarta, who go hunting, mining or searching for other things beyond my purview. The deeper you go, as it is to be expected, the less traces of human passage you will find. The rough map I had in my possession showed many exotic names for the bigger caves, though there are many more without names or landmarks of interest. If one were to explore every nook and cranny, it might take the occasional traveler many days. Taln and I were prepared for a long stay; we had an abundance of food, rations and other supplies. Other than falling down to our deaths in some uncharted chasm, the place itself does not offer any terror beyond the normal harsh life of the mountain dwellers. Planning our route was of paramount importance. Just when I thought I had nothing to go by, my eyes caught a name on the map I certainly did not expect to find there. A certain cave bore a name that could not have been simple coincidence. Lina Cave. I was left with an overwhelming feeling of puzzlement that must not have escaped even Taln's myopic vision. There I stood, trying to figure out whether my mother had been named after the cave or the other way around. The cave had been around for a long time, though, far longer than my mother should have been alive. Taln had no idea what the cave was named for, except it was, quite obviously, a woman's name. On top of that, none of the other caves had been named after a person. There was a Western Cave, a Gold Cave that had no actual gold in it, a Green Tree Cave with no actual trees in it, a Needle Cave with no actual needles in it, but no other usage of proper names. The only theory I could come up was that my mother had been named after a major landmark in the quest for Ivak, so as to pass down its knowledge in an inconspicuous way through the generations. It was a weak theory with many flaws and unexplained sides, but I could not - cannot - think of anything else. Ignorance did not justify inaction. I informed Taln that we were going to explore Lina Cave as our first destination. He may have mentioned there was nothing much to see there, but I was unmoved. I do not know how long it took to get there. Without sunlight to go by, without a regular sleep schedule, it is difficult to even make a rough guess. A few days, possibly. We went through many other smaller caves - at some point, we even crossed what passes for a thrilling ride among the Inarta. They call it Drop Off, and it is a very long cave with a strong downward slope. True to their daring nature, the Inarta leave gunny sacks at the upper end of the cavern. Those who find it amusing it in any way (which I do not) can spread out the sack, sit down upon it and just push themselves down the slope, hoping not to snowball all the way down. I survived the ride somehow, and I remember it as being in many ways more unsettling than the Black Hand's grin. Apparently, I am made for solid ground, unless I am the one doing the shaking. Prior to reaching Lina Cave, the scenery started changing. So far everything had been according to Taln's recollection of what each cave was supposed to contain. In other words, the search had come up with nothing worthy of note unless you had an interest in gems and ores. The cave immediately before Lina, however, differed sharply from what it should realistically be. A large stone circle, obviously of unnatural origins, lay in the middle of the cave. It could have been perhaps fifty feet across. As soon as I stepped inside the opening, the circle flared with blazing fire and showed itself for what it was, a product of magic. Cardinal points were marked in flames and the outer perimeter was encased in the powerful symbol of the serpent swallowing its own tail. I could feel relatively confident this was not how the usual look and feel of the place. I quickly established that we could not get to Lina Cave without crossing the circle first, but the wall of fiery energies seemed to be impassable. I was hesitating a little, uncertain what to do next, when I felt a pebble being tossed against my head. I turned and saw nothing but the vague impression of serpentine shapes in the darkness, but a word echoed through the cave. The word was 'coward'. Someone, an invisible presence, was insulting me from the safety of anonymity. I felt a dull rage at that... I am no coward, for all that I have many other flaws, as this book must have proven. Before I could reply, however, Taln had spoken in my defense, accusing the hidden presences of being cowards themselves. That a Dek should do this much for me, unasked, came as a surprise to me. My rage was gone then. I accepted the insult for what it really was, a push in the right direction. I spoke in turn and asked them to reveal themselves in Ivak's name or leave us alone. Apparently, I did the right thing mentioning Ivak. His name was the key that was required to proceed. Quite ingenious, really: the one name the Inarta could never have spoken by themselves. The circle flared, illuminating a proverbial writing on the wall. Our instructions, as it were. I took the liberty of jotting them down later, on our way back, thinking they might become important at some point. I am glad I did so, for the message can now join my limited memories upon these pages. The words read as follows. "It is the truest secret of all that nothing dies, not really. Peace fell, but within death He did not linger. Instead, changed, He rules here still. Can you feel Him? Can you feel us? Fire has not died either. For all the warmth and emotion would have gone from the world. Both will return. Both must return. Immortal hands slew. Mortal hands will breathe life. Here you stand before a window of sight, sound and knowledge. You are looking in. Things look outward. Opportunity persists. They gather, powerful in their knowing. What you do is not just what you do. Actions have consequences. One goes free. One once dead lives again. Others want want want. In Death Death Captured. Sanity Questioned. Power Contained. Will you answer the Questions? Will you play the Game? Can you move just one piece without setting the whole board in motion? The way lies east and then down, so far down, so profoundly wet, no fire burns. More than one key is needed. Blood. Breath. Will. Faith. You will be asked to cross over and pay a price. Are you willing?" Two masks lay now inside the circle, bearing our facial features. One for me, one for Taln. For a split second we caught a glimpse of the serpentine presences that had thrown the pebble at me and called me a coward. I did not immediately recognize them from the tales, as they reminded me more of the Dhani, but later on I would find that they were Velispar, creatures of myth that belong in the real world.

[Leo Varniak]

If these events seem to be too arbitrary, too whimsical to be true, you should think again. Every last word is the truth. We really met Velispar in the Underground Forest, and in fact these creatures crossed our path once more before the end of this tale. If adventure has taught me anything, it is that extraordinary events never come in isolation. Ivak's prison was like a power nexus, bending the natural laws of reality and attracting all sorts of bizarre things to itself. The Velispar themselves were, I think, guardians of a sort. I know they had a connection to Sylir, as strange as it may sound. Bereft of their god, they must have gravitated near the prison of one of his best friends. They chose a sad existence for themselves, but one that ended up playing a crucial role in our quest. 'Our'. By now, Taln was an integral part of the search, too. The masks we received proved without a doubt that he was also invited as a guest of honor. He may have been a mere Dek, worth next to nothing to his society, but others above must have valued his qualities tremendously. Together we moved into Lina Cave, where a choice awaited. The writing on the wall had told us as much, but the method still leaves me puzzled to this day. For, you see, the cave bearing my mother's name gave us statues. Statues. Six of them and more writings, shorter this time, simply instructing us to choose whatever help we wanted from these six. Each carried an orb in its hand, the implicit meaning being that if we wanted help from that individual, we would have to take the orb from their statue and keep it with us through the remainder of the journey. Some of the statues held the likeness of familiar people: Glav and Akvin, I recognized immediately. The realistic look to their faces and bodies surpassed the work of even the most legendary sculptor. There was one more whose identity I ignored, but whose body stood out clearly in my mind. It was the misshapen creature from the Black Hand's dungeon - my father, yes even though I did not know at the time. All I saw was a monstrous-looking winged being that would not have looked out of place in a nightmare. The other three, I had never seen before. One was a beautiful lady wearing a blindfold. Another was a proud warrior-king of obvious Isurian origins. Yet another one, the final statue, was a monster as well, albeit of a different type, horned and leathery but reading a book all the same. A mysterious group to be sure. Tasked with a choice, and not knowing what the future held, my initial instinct would be to choose none. I have always hated owing anybody even a copper Miza, and this time was no exception. I did know, however, that Glav needed to ascend as a byproduct of Ivak's liberation. In the end, I suppose I swallowed my pride My egalitarian spirit won out and I simply gathered the orbs from every statue. None had ever done me any harm that I knew of, and I needed all the help I could get. I did not ask for Taln's advice and he gave none. This is important. The later events were my doing and mine alone. I realize now that these consequences had been planned long in advance, that higher powers had rehearsed their moves as they placed their pawns on the board. Still, if you want to blame someone for what happened on that day, you can blame me, for all the good it will do you. With the orbs safely in our possession, we left Lina Cave and made our way to the last cavern. It was called Deep Lake, and for once it was true to its name. The cave housed the shore of a large subterranean lake, so deep one could not see the bottom past the first few feet. The back wall looked like it had been made by intelligent creatures. Together with the presence of stone pillars emerging from the water, it gave us the impression of a sunken place of power, maybe a temple or even a fortress. Also, there were absolutely no instructions for us here. We simply found ourselves alone with the timeless waters. As the writing had foreshadowed, it was the time for sacrifice. I knew what I must do, of course. We were to put on our masks and walk into the lake, driven by indomitable faith and certain that we would incur no harm. If only it had been that easy. I am a man of fire, and the sight of such a body of water frightened me on a primal level. I stood and hesitated once more as I confessed that I had never learned to swim (something that has not changed since that day). Taln then spoke to me and gave me a lecture on the ways of the Dek. He said I needed to think like a Dek in this. They are trained from an early age - as soon as they stop being Yasi - to do what is required of them regardless of their personal feelings. A Dek can not suppress fear any more than the next man, but he will not let it interfere with his mission. When they receive a task, they just do it. They achieve their ultimate excellence by nullifying themselves. I remember thinking it is perhaps the mark of the true sage to see the world with a Dek's left eye and an Endal's right eye. To grasp life from opposite perspectives... was it not what Taln and I had done all along? Now we were going to learn each other's view. I was going to have to think like a slave, whereas he would have to face epic greatness beyond anything he could even imagine. I nodded and thanked him for bringing things into focus for me. I was ready to show them how good a Dek I could be. We entered the gelid waters of the Deep Lake, wearing our masks and wielding the All-Key Glav had entrusted us with. Knee deep, waist deep, neck deep, until we disappeared under the surface. I chased away all thoughts that we were about to drown here like two fools. I believed with all my heart and will. I believed we would not fail, and then it happened. How to explain this? Words fail me now, just as I feared they would. Hear me well. There is a world inside the world that has a secret life of its own. It is a body with veins of rock where lava flows like blood, breathing steam and vapors and drinking from the deepest reservoirs. It lives in harmony and does not care about us. We are beneath its notice. Taln and I were granted an unprecedented honor as we dissolved into the Deep Lake and were allowed to become a part of this hidden cosmos. We were one with the elements, at peace with them and ourselves. Our sense of self all but forgotten, we flowed with the magma, rose with the air, joined in with the water and crystallized with the rock. We were undone and remade endlessly, mere droplets in a sea in perpetual motion. We were free. I swore I would never judge anything again the cruel, superficial way I had done thus far. Our consciousness stretched beyond human possibility. Time became meaningless, just a background noise like the rapping of rain against a window. We stayed there, united with the core of the world, for about four hundred days. Four seasons elapsed and four elements we went through. In the end, we started regaining our minds, and with them returned the purpose of our task. As if on cue, our bodies gradually grew heavier and separated themselves from the incessant stream of all things. Remade one final time, we stood like statues of rock from which our new bodies of flesh emerged, born anew from Semele's eggs. My hands were no longer black. We stood in a prison of flame, just like I remembered it from my vision. Ivak, flaming in his greatness, was right in front of us, watching. I spoke to Ivak and announced we had come to win his freedom. If I had learned forgiveness, then the planet he had wounded with the Valterrian could forgive him as well. I introduced Taln to Ivak and gave him the All-Key. He reminisced briefly on the old times, before his imprisonment, when he used to live alongside the other gods in simplicity. I knew then that he had never been insane, just distraught with pain. He, too, would have to atone for what he had done, but he had served his time here. He was needed elsewhere. Then he turned the key and the door just opened. As he did, however, the six orbs we were carrying shattered one by one, summoning the Six into the cell. Everything happened incredibly fast. Before I knew what happened, the beautiful lady had removed her blindfold and was staring at us with pupil-less eyes and a manic grin. Like the Black Hand, but far, far more. For she was Mileena Vos, known as the Voice of Rhysol; his champion and lover, malicious beyond words. Had it not been for Glav and Akvin, perhaps she might have killed us all right away before we had chance to react. But they rushed to our side and shielded us with their bodies. What happened instead was an immense release of energy from Ivak's cage into the outside world. It would have killed us mortals instantly, but Glav and Akvin absorbed those forces as if their bodies were made to contain them. Neither of them was a mortal. Within seconds, they were not Alvina anymore, but full gods. As was the Voice, sadly. In a corner of the room, the creature who had held the book also gathered the immense energies being unleashed; it did so for its master, a god I simply know as Xhyvas. I do not know how I received this information. I simply know it is in my head. I know he is the god of possibilities and transcendence, once slain but now reborn. He was the only one who did not enter the battle. The others were immediately upon the Voice -- now Ssena, goddess of fear -- and a titanic fight broke out. I only remember bits and flashes from the fight. I remember the Isur going down, decapitated by Ssena, and know that he was King Sultros, sovereign of Izurdin's chosen. I remember several of the gods marking us for one reason or another. Glav marked me, Xhyvas marked me as did Ssena herself. I suspect she would have given me more marks than one, given the incredible favor I had done her, but Ivak made me blossom with his marks and prevented her from giving me any more. Almost as if in a trance, I watched Taln charge recklessly at the goddess, the bold Inarta way. He was killed instantly, but I watched Akvin do something to him that somehow resurrected him... as a Velispar. No, no such thing as true resurrection really exists, the rules forbid it. I think Akvin merged his departed soul with one of the Velispars from before, making them as one and saving him. With my newfound abilities from the dark goddess, I was perceiving all the fears around me. Everyone but Ssena was afraid of something, and the misshapen creature in particular was afraid that I would never recognize him... as my father. But just as soon as I called out to him and addressed him as father, Ssena stopped his heart and killed him with her fear. I will never know if he heard me before he died. I can only hope he did. I stayed in the back, knowing the battle itself was outside my power to fight directly. Akvin hadn't been able to save Alvias, meaning that there were no more Velispars around for him to use. If I had attacked, I would have died for good. Instead, I released Ivak's power like never before, soothing their fears, driving my allies to overcome them and destroy the goddess at the root. To Ivak himself, I shouted as best I could about my vision of Kova at the wishing well. It seemed to shake him into focus, and it was him who eventually delivered a crippling blow to the goddess. Bleeding, she hissed words of hate and fled the confrontation like a thunderstorm drifting away. And so it was that Ivak was freed at my hands and those of a Dek. A massive Djed storm hit the world on and after the first day of spring of 512 After Valterrian. The storm originated from Mount Skyinarta and was a consequence of our opening the door to the fiery prison and releasing centuries of pent-up energy. It caused great suffering and death, which further add to an already long list of casualties. I am saddened, but I have no regrets. I leave you with no conclusion because my tale is, itself, far from finished. I have never again met any of those present at the battle, but I remain confident that our paths will cross again. Just as I was a newborn champion, they were newborn gods, in need of adjusting to their new station. Ssena is now my mortal enemy, and perhaps she will turn out to be a thorn in Rhysol's side as well, because she is clearly out for herself and herself alone. If you have been reading this far, I only have one piece of parting advice to share. If you fail to take a stand, you are actually standing with the stronger side, that of our enemies. There is no worse evil than indifference in the face of this great and mysterious world. Close this book, stand up and go make a difference. We may all be pawns to higher powers in the end, but there is greatness to be found even in the humblest of pieces. I will be out there, burning for as long as my flame lasts, blazing for someone else to see. Who will see yours? - - - - - - - - - - Three days after he'd begun penning the final part of the tale, Leo sighed in contentment as he placed the last question mark at the end of the book. His hand ached like something evil, but it was good pain. Like a birthing pain.

[Gossamer]

Character: Leo Varniak

Experience: Writing +5, Philosophy +2, Psychology + 3

Lore: Keeping Secrets From Your Triad, Self-Awareness: Recognizing Jealousy, Glav’s Discovery of the Inartian Gias, The Blue Horizon’s Cast and Crew, Self-Awareness: Hatred of Ships, Recounting Good People Used For Great Evils, Eliminating Suspects in Mysterious Circumstances, Killing With A Gnosis That Was Never Designed To Kill, Sharn’s Death, Ulric’s Madness, Writing: Trying To Describe The Indescribable, Wind Reach: A Visitor’s Perspective. Wind Reach: Ivak’s Prison and Why, Being Asked To Free A God, Self-Awareness: I Do Not Like Fun Rides, Following Poetry or Prophesy, Magic Masks, Even Ghosts Can Throw Stones, Making Blind Choices, The Orbs Of Lina Cave, The World Is A Living Thing, Self-Awareness: Blind Faith, Watching First Hand The Ascension of Alvina to Godhood, Offering Advice To Readers.


Additional Note: I think you have successfully written a book. This thread brings back tons of memories and makes me smile at the same time. What an epic life Leo is leading. May it continue to be so.

I do not know what you want to title your book, but feel free to add the contents of these threads to the wiki under the book category under whatever title you pick. You can get copies reasonably made of it from the Valkalah Library. They would ask that you leave a copy there as well for others to read.

Also, I gave you less XP in this thread. Feel free to argue with me about it. I think you spent a whole lot less time examining events here and instead just simply recounted them. I understand why you did this. Who can really examine the actions of Gods? But I find that was an interesting observation that you had no trouble sort of breaking down the motives and actions of your fellow humans but you backed off on this practice when it came to the Gods.