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ArchMagus Orodalf -> (WF) αωε (12/11/2011 14:57:39)
Comment thread: Here. This is going to be a story, rather than a quest. Perhaps because I never finished my quests. >.< Without further ado, I present: αωε Prologue Scene: The Omniverse. Time: Mu. In the beginning, the Elemental Realms were as One. From the One, Lorithia, the Great Creator, shaped the world of Lore and presented it to Her Brethren, and it was a vast land of great beauty. But though there was the Shaping, so was there the Breaking. For in Creating, there is also a Defining, and the Elemental Realms were become separate. And the land’s varied climates held the Elements in Balance and Harmony. From the Water and the Earth of the land were born the Energy and Wind of the Sky, and from the Light of Day and the Darkness of Night were born Heat and Cold. And so were the Elemental Lords: Creation, Whose Power ruled above the Others, Water and Earth, Light and Darkness, Energy and Wind, and Heat and Cold. But though there was Harmony and Balance, so was there Discord and Imbalance. For the Water ever quenched the Energy and so was the Water ever electrolyzed. For the Wind ever eroded the Earth and so was the Wind ever tainted. For the Light ever pierced the Darkness and so was the Light ever shadowed. For the Heat ever dispelled the Cold and was ever warmed. Lorithia felt alone, and looking at Her Brethren Who were paired and Who had Children Who were also paired, sought to make for Herself a Consort from Creation. She imbued of Herself the Energy of the Gods to Her Creation so that the Two were of One Power. But though They were of One Power, so were they ever different. For the Consort was the Consuming Entropy... The new Lord found no interest in the Creation and sought instead to live among the Gods in peace. The youngest of the Brethren, The'Galin sought to learn and grow... Scene: The Chamber of Knowing, in the Chambers of the Gods. Time: Mu. “The Engine has manifested in Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2. My Lords, you know what to do.” Scene: Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2. (In other words, Outer Space. In a galaxy. Somewhere.) Time: On Lore or the destroyed Unai, the time would be known as “60 years ago.” On Protus, the time would be known as “4 cycles ago.” On Gerendor or Balen-5... There was nothing, for it was empty space. Then there was the Engine, for it was empty space. The Engine of Creation was a construction the size of an average moon. Despite its age and wear, it looked newly wrought—its joints rotated smoothly and its exterior shone as though polished and buffed. There was the Engine in empty space. Then there was an explosion. Or there would have been if the locality were somewhere where the fabric of reality was not nearly devoid of Elemental mana, for Eight Avatars of the Elemental Lords had just been manifested. Quietly, for it was space, the Avatars channeled Their powers through the Engine. Quietly, for it was space, a new planet was coming into existence. Quietly, for It was stealthy, a Something, unseen by the Avatars concentrating on their work, incorporated Itself into the still-forming sphere of Elemental energies... Scene: The Chamber of Knowing, in the Chambers of the Gods. Time: Mu. “And so it Begins once more.” Lorithia sighed. “Do You remember Our very first Creation?” the Lord of Darkness asked. “It is ever in My heart.” “And ever in Mine, my love,” the Light Lord said to the Her Mate, “for it was First.” “And it was the most complete,” the Earth Lord added, “for it was First.” “And it was the most pure,” the Lord of Wind continued, “even as it was First.” “And as it was First, so shall it be Last.” This Voice came from above. It was a toneless Voice, as ever are the voices that come from a different level Creation altogether... Scene: USS Unai, on course to Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2. Time: On Lore or the destroyed Unai, the time would be known as “60 years ago.” Is that enough? Unaga Mage Mor^Ek could be described as “content,” insofar as an Unaga could be described as having “emotions.” In charge of the Magitech operations of the Unaga Space Ship Unai, Mor^Ek saw that everything aboard was moving swimmingly. And not just on board the ship. The Unaga had colonized seven worlds in the past 240 years, and they numbered a strong 6 billion. They were on their way to another world now, one that their systems read as magical enough to support their life—perhaps even more than magical enough. “Mage Mor^Ek,” Terraformer Tar^Ik called, “there appears to be something strange happening to the planet our systems detected.” “How so, Terraformer Tar^Ik?” There were exactly sixteen Unaga on the ship—the limit and the norm. Mor^Ek was the Mage and Tar^Ik the Terraformer. There were also a Pilot, a Healer, a Sacred-friend, a Linguist, and Ten Warriors. Each performed its job to the utmost. The Mage kept the systems going; the Terraformer read the systems and used them to terraform any habitable planets (duh); the Life-keeper Lar^Uk was in charge of the health of all aboard the ship, the schedules of their procreation, and the care of any young; the Sacred-friend Sur^Ok was a specialist in understanding and communicating with any Sacred Ones the ship might encounter; the Linguist Lek^Ur communicated with any un-Sacred ones the ship might encounter; and the Ten Warriors fought any especially un-Sacred ones the ship might encounter. (None of this, of course, was in their official job descriptions.) They were each of them satisfied (insofar as an Unaga could be described as having “emotions”) with the roles they were meant to play. “When the planet first entered our range, the field produced was read to be around several thousand MegaElems, many times the necessary threshold of 50 MegaElems. But...” “Continue, Terraformer Tar^Ik.” “Yes, Mage Mor^Ek. But... it seems that significant portions of the planet disappeared, taking with them significant amounts of magic. Its field is now holding steady at 75 ME...” “Holding steady? Have you already corrected for distance and our warpspeed, Terraformer Tar^Ik?” “Yes, Mage Mor^Ek. Do we proceed?” “Hold, Terraformer Tar^Ik. Review the system log at the point in time in which we discovered the planet.” “Yes, Mage Mor^Ek.” Tar^Ik closed its eyes, concentrating on the functional nexus of the ship’s systems. “Today’s date is Day 250 of 400, Year 240 AUD... Time ‘15 minutes ago...’ Planetary Magic Reading: 75 ME.” Tar^Ik opened its eyes, startled. “Terraformer Tar^Ik, it seems you misread the systems at Time ’15 minutes ago,’” Mor^Ek said, dissatisfied (insofar as an Unaga could be described as having “emotions”) with Tar^Ik’s error. “The Unaga will proceed to this planet as planned.” “Yes, Mage Mor^Ek.” Fifteen minutes later, they had both forgotten the contents of their discussion. Scene: The Chamber of Knowing, in the Chambers of the Gods. Time: Mu. “And as it was First, so shall it be Last, Haunted as ever by its broken past. The Mage will be called to reprise his role, And the End of Ends shall consume all souls.” The Voice concluded its Prophecy, leaving the Chamber silent. “So the Masters speak... and so it is Doomed,” Lorithia sighed. “Perhaps We should manifest Nine to save Lore...” “Lore? You spoke of Lore?” “Yes...?” Lorithia was shaken by the Voice's sudden inflection. “Whoops, wrong Prophecy, wrong planet, wrong set of time-strings. Let’s try another one: Planet new In Quadrant Two Will turn blue. Sacred One Eats the sun Life begins anew. It is true.” “...” The Powers were speechless. Then Lorithia Creation-Mother, Patron of the Creation of Poetry, spoke: “Never deliver Prophecies in that meter again.” THE END (Of the Prologue.)

ArchMagus Orodalf -> RE: (WF) αωε (12/16/2011 22:47:18)
Chapter One: In which a strangely-named being learns about a planet on which he is investigating a mystery and a Council is contacted Scene: Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2, on the planet currently known (to its Creators) as Ar-Khai Time: Soon after the Unaga landed. Upon landing, the crew of the USS Unai had learned that the planet that their Terraformer Tar^Ik had discovered was a most warm planet. Rather than taking the easy way out and orbiting around a central star, the small globe was orbited around by several sunlets—eight, to be precise. By way of Mor^Ek’s magiscence, they had found that these sunlets orbited in such a way that there was never a spot of night anywhere on the planet. Perfect for snake-beings like the Unaga. They had also found that the eternal day was perfect for other beings, like the being currently facing them in the forest of twice-Unaga-height (fourteen-foot) trees. To be precise, the being was a Bellephant. “Don’t shoot,” Mor^Ek said to the Warriors. “We don’t know if it’s sentient, we don’t know if it’s threat to Unaga, and we don’t know if it truly wishes us harm. Let us back away. Slowly...” The Bellephant raised its trunk and made a succession of discordant sounds rather like those that would come from a glockenspiel played by a three-year old. “Must be a defense mechanism,” Lar^Uk said, “which means it must want us to leave it alone...” Scene: Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2, on the planet currently known (to its Creators) as Ar-Khai Time: Soon after the Unaga landed, but after they met the Bellephant in the forest. Hans— Not a typical name by far, but insult his name to his face and he was likely to yell at you about the Terran origins of his name. Regardless, it was the name he chose to take in this plane, several companion ones, and in fact, most of the Omniverse. Hans Morgenstern— Though his name may be atypical, his features were anything but. If anyone were to attempt to describe him without his image right in front of their eyes, they would stumble, stutter, and altogether fail. Perhaps the Gods permitted him to weave a spell of forgetfulness about himself, but he asserted that his physical form never stayed in anyone’s mind only because there are no observant mortals. Hans Morgenstern stepped— Or perhaps he simply obliterated any mortal who stared at him too long. Hans Morgenstern stepped away— Oh, no interruption this time? Hans Morgenstern stepped away from the stunned Bellephant, not wanting to get his perfectly manifested form and clothing dirty. “Hmm...” Hans said, “it seems as though it was stopped mid-charge.” Morgenstern knelt down to further examine the unmoving body. “It must have been shocked,” he continued, “by some sort of energy weapon. Judging by the rather disturbing after-images left in the air... an energy weapon that shoots pink particles.” Hans closed his eyes and directed his thoughts elsewhere. What exactly am I dealing with? And a Voice spoke into his mind: This planet is newly created as of a few minutes ago, from Our points of view. In-universe, I believe it’s been in development for several billion years. No sentient beings have evolved yet, though there are many multi-celled organisms like the one you’re looking at right now. Hans rolled his eyes. That was rather obvious. I was talking about the ones who stunned this thing. They are Unaga, from the no longer extant plant Unai. The planet was created several thousand years ago, near the beginning of the creation of the universe, and imbued it with a core of very concentrated Elemental Magic. In-universe, I believe that it has been around 240 years since its destruction—the star of the system went pulsar. Hans slipped his hands into newly-formed pockets in his jeans. And yet You still say nothing to answer what I’m asking. Your rudeness will be forgiven— — Hey. I am doing a job for You. Exactly. The Unaga are an extremely advanced reptilian race, built very similarly to the Ophidians of Terra, save that they have arms. They command powerful Elemental Magicks and equally powerful technology that they have integrated for amazing effects. You see the results of the combination before you—a precise weapon that discharges precise amounts of energy for precise effects. One hand came out of a pocket and moved up to rub the chin in puzzlement. My understanding of this universe says that the void between the planets is nearly devoid of the Elemental energies necessary to fuel Elemental Magicks. Surely their innovations can’t be too useful? Well, there are two answers to that. This planet is magical, and so Elemental Magicks can, in fact, work upon it. This is, of course, why you’re there investigating. Quite. And what an oddity it is that the planet should be magical despite the fact that You gave it no magic. And the second answ— Ah. I see. A finger had, at this point, risen from the rest of the hand. Yes. Now, are you fully briefed, Extra Greater Power of Knowledge of the Unified Multiverses of Terra? All formal now, are we? Heh. Now the hands fell and the back bent in a mock bow. I am, O Ye mighty Lesser Powers of the Elements, commonly called the Elemental Lords, of the Associated Multiverses of Lore. Scene: Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2, on the planet currently known (to its Creators) as Ar-Khai Time: After the events presented in “Chapter One.” People DO tend to write chronologically. After the incident with the Bellephant, Mor^Ek erected an illusory field around them. Composed mainly of Light and Wind, the field disguised their scents and appearances to allow the Unaga crew to travel unhindered. They came through the trees to a clearing and there stopped. “Checks one and two are complete, Mage Mor^Ek,” said Tar^Ik. “The planet is sufficiently magical and warm. In fact, check three is complete, too— the animal we met seems to be of a species plentiful upon this planet, and they do seem at least palatable. Should I alert the Council?” “There is no need, Terraformer Tar^Ik. I have already opened a communications channel— thank Unaga for the magic here.” They had not long to wait before a panel spread in front of them and the faces of the Eight Representatives of the Council of Unaga sitting at an oblong table. “What news, Mage Mor^Ek?” asked the Unaga at the head of the table. “We have discovered a planet suitable, Chairman Chur^Ez,” said Mor^Ek, “and it seems that no sentients have yet evolved. Permission to terraform and colonize requested.” “Permission granted, Mage Mor^Ek. Expect the arrival of seven ships in twenty minutes.” Scene: Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2, on the planet currently known (to its Creators) as Ar-Khai Time: It hasn’t changed, you know. The Extra Greater Power of Knowledge of the Unified Multiverses of Terra stood in an adjacent clearing (recently cleared), wearing a considerably more effective illusory field. To be specific, he stood in disbelief. “What on Earth!” he exclaimed. “What kind of a people are these things? They speak so formally and politely that I’m surprised they can even bend to move. What happened to them in the intervening two centuries and two-fifths that made them like this?” They have spent the “intervening two centuries and two-fifths,” as you put it, colonizing as many planets as they can find. The nature of warpspace in this world makes it so that they can only properly examine planets when outside of it, in the purely four-dimensional construct of three-space and one-time. As such, they have only found seven planets to date. Eight, including Ar-Khai. “They seize planets from their owners? What kind of—” Don’t jump to conclusions. They are well-mannered, as you have seen—they negotiate for and purchase planets from sentients, though they do just “seize” planets that lack sentients. “Have they a culture?” Their entire culture is given to making sure that they survive. Their ancients promised themselves and made their descendants promise to never let their race fall to extinction. They are atheist, and the few theist races they have encountered seem strange to them. “Amusing that you allow them to be atheist. I know of a few multiverses in which—” Those sorts are beneath Our notice. Such a terrible thing, to be in a universe built without free will. “It’s not like these— mushrooms—” the word was spat “— exercise any free will. They’re like viruses, replicating for the sake of replicating!” Focus on the task at hand, Hans. A sigh escaped from the mouth. “Yes, Lords.” Though I’m sure someone out there agrees with me...

ArchMagus Orodalf -> RE: (WF) αωε (12/18/2011 18:19:19)
Chapter Two: In which a threat is found Scene: Outer space, nowhere near Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2 Time: 10 minutes after the events of Chapter One. Far from Mor^Ek and his crew, several more Unaga ships on the planet known as Parthen-5 were preparing to leave for the newly discovered Ar-Khai (as yet unnamed by the Unaga). They were filled with Unaga perfect for colonization— workers, Warriors, architects, cooks, hunters, and so on. Final preparations for the five-minute journey through warpspace were being made. Are all of the stores for the journey prepared? Do we have twice the amount of food and water necessary? Are the Warriors well-equipped? In short, everything satisfied the Unaga maxim: “The most logical way to treat a possibility is as a probability.” Finally, everything was ready. The fleet of sleek white and red Unaga spacecraft engaged their regular solar-powered engine drives and flew into outer space. The route the colonization fleet intended to take through warpspace ended a mere fraction of a lightyear from Ar-Khai. When they reached a safe distance from the Parthen system, the ships engaged their warp-travel drives. Five minutes later, they were stopped in normal three-space by a very large Cor-Dem lightship. Scene: Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2, on the planet currently known (to its Creators) as Ar-Khai Time: 20 minutes and 1 second after the events of Chapter One. “They’re late,” Mor^Ek said. Scene: Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2, on the planet currently known (to its Creators) as Ar-Khai Time: 20 minutes and 30 seconds after the events of Chapter One. What’s happening? wondered Hans. Closing his eyes, he shifted his nexus of co-location and so vanished completely from the face of the planet. He re-appeared miles outside of the exosphere, watching the action unfold. Scene: Flagship USS Parthen of the Parthen-5 colonization fleet Time: 21 minutes after the events of Chapter One. “Stop, Unaga Captains!” cried Captain Cur^Ak. “A spaceship approaches and is attempting to establish a communication link. Mage Mar^Duk, please open an ion channel for conference among our fleet Captains and the representative or representatives of the ship of unknown allegiance.” “Channel opening, Captain Cur^Ak,” said the eager Mar^Duk, “in three... two...” “Greetings, Unaga. I am Minister Jira-Kev of Protus, quadrant representative of the Network of The’Galin.” Scene: Miles outside of the exosphere of planet Ar-Khai Time: 30 minutes and 27 seconds after the events of Chapter One. “Oh dear,” said the rather startled God of Knowledge, “He has played His Hand at last.” Scene: Spiral Alpha-Omega-Epsilon, Quadrant 2, on the planet currently known (to its Creators) as Ar-Khai Time: 40 minutes after the events of Chapter One. Mage Mor^Ek was perplexed. The colonization fleet was very late— twice the amount of time specified had already elapsed. There was nothing in protocol that could explain what was happening and nothing to explain what the Unaga should do. “Mage Mor^Ek,” said Tar^Ik, “perhaps it would be wise to contact the Council of Unaga?” “There is nothing in protocol, Terraformer Tar^Ik,” said Mor^Ek, “so perhaps you are right— we should contact the Masters of Protocol.” Mor^Ek turned again to the communication device on his belt— and stopped, for right in front of the sixteen Unaga was a strange apparition: a humanoid with features unmemorable and indescribable. “Unaga,” it began, “you are in terrible danger.” Scene: Flagship USS Parthen of the Parthen-5 colonization fleet Time: 31 minutes after the events of Chapter One. “Greetings, Unaga. I am Minister Jira-Kev of Protus, quadrant representative of the Network of The’Galin,” said the odd-looking humanoid that appeared on the screen. It seemed to be equipped with an armor woven of silver fluid. “Greetings, Minister Jira-Kev,” said Cur^Ak. “As you evidently know, we are Unaga. We have questions of you. Will you answer in truth?” “I will answer any questions you will have in truth, Unaga,” replied Jira-Kev, “but I have something to request of you first. Acknowledge my request and we may both profit. Refuse— well, know that the Network of The’Galin is a Multiversal alliance of many races brought under the banner of a deity so powerful that your entire race could be wiped from the face of Creation before it ever began.” A smattering of protesting noises erupted from the Captains on the channel until Cur^Ak began to speak. “Silence, Captains!” When all had calmed down, Cur^Ak continued. “Minister Jira-Kev, know that Unaga will never accept terms involving threat of fire. Do not presume to threaten our race, for Unaga are mighty. No army or false ‘deity’ has ever overcome Unaga.” Somehow, the featureless head-analogue of the Protean managed to make itself look threatening. “Know that we are mightier still. Regardless, let us abandon this avenue of threats, for I see that it will go nowhere. Instead, listen and respond to what I ask of you.” “Very well. Please continue, and we will answer in a manner consistent with our thoughts and actions.” The “face” toned down its appearance. “What I want is very simple. The planet you are currently on your way to colonize, which we call Ar-Khai, is a planet that I would like to have in my possession. In addition, I have recognized much power and potential in your race. Join me, and the Network will be able to expand your power to no bounds.” “Unaga do not ally or treaty in any way, though we do make trades,” said Cur^Ak. “This planet— Ar-Khai— it can be yours, provided that you offer something in return and that you will not in any way endanger Unaga by owning the planet.” “You misunderstand me, Unaga. I will not negotiate for your planet. It and your race will be mine, or you will perish. Think about it this way: you number five billion Unaga. We number a number so many times five billion that an estimate of our size could not possibly be made.” “Your evasiveness in your statement of size suggests that you are lying, Minister Jira-Kev,” asserted Cur^Ak, “and if not, you have little control of the billions you suggest, for you do not have their exact number. We will not become slaves to your will and we will not give you a planet for nothing, especially because you evidently wish us harm. This conversation is over, Minister Jira-Kev. Do not approach Unaga with such rudeness again.” “You will regret—” began Jira-Kev, but he was cut off as Mar^Duk closed the channel.

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