Calling a Family Meeting – Orianna Èirigh – 16.11.2023
Apr 22, 2024 18:04:00 GMT
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Post by Orianna Èirigh on Apr 22, 2024 18:04:00 GMT
OBSERVATIONS & EXCERPTS from the JOURNAL of SECOND ASSISTANT ARCHIVIST ORIANNA ÈIRIGH of ASHKHA
I thought it would be as simple as gathering my family and going to the City of Brass. But no. Things are never quite so simple.
I did not write about this before because I just- The implications of what it could all mean are quite dire and hard to put to ink. But I must, if not for my recollection later, then for the purposes that maybe, one day, this journal could serve as advice and warning for future generations should anything ever happen.
Calla assisted Zola in ridding the Court of Sorcery of the scourge that was Glastor but it seems that the First Smoke’s true aim was hidden. Whilst the group were putting an end to Glastor’s treacherous deeds, Phystal was working and completed a means by which to control The Staircase, allegedly.
Instantly, my father went and fetched Henri as I knew he would like to know. But it seems my concern was for naught as Lord Jaezred Vandree had already informed him of what had happened. I was… not at my kindest. I think of the moment now in shame. My anger at Henri was to hide the near panic I felt at this news.
We asked Gerhard what this could truly mean. If Magdara and her ilk have access to the Behemoths then what does this mean for us? He… wasn’t able to assure us of much, but he knew that to get to where the Behemoths are — somewhere “outside of Time and Space” — they would first need a power source, preferably something familiar to them. Unfortunately, this could be anything from the Wellspring in the Court of Sorcery, to another Infinite (probably one much stronger than Andromeda), or an elemental force that we have yet to think of. All they need is one single piece of the Behemoths and then… it will be over. For everyone.
The one, small, blessing is that they still need the Keys to unlock the way. With three in our possession, they are not going to get where they want very easily, but that does not mean we can afford to wait.
Gerhard will try to rally the Infinite to help, though he is not sure how open they will be. The Infinite do not fear it, and because of that they do not think it is something to interfere with. But I have my doubts. Even those who observe are still part of the lives they watch, though they may not feel it is so. They are. Now, more than ever, I see the importance of this meeting…
As if the revelation from before was not enough, we were told something else revealing and equally concerning by the Archwyrms.
Kestrasz is Zari’s father. If, when Zari was in Phystal’s thrall had known this, he could have syphoned Kestrasz’s power through Zari, but because he did not know this, Phystal could not make that connection.
On top of that, Kestrasz had the audacity to say to Lucky he should not tell his husband — Kestrasz’s own son — about this connection.
Despite his desire to not tell his own son who he is, I believe Lucky will tell Zari. Keeping secrets never helped anyone in the long run…
The meeting went well enough. I think. It would have been better if more of the Primordial Incarnates were there. Those that were there were:
Only five of eighteen — four, if I do not count Calla’s patron coming because, well, she carries him everywhere. There was a moment when Meza realised who was there, where I thought we would not even get a chance to begin before everything fell apart. But Asteros was the one to save things. They are as adamant as we are that an alliance be formed, which helps those who are less sure to have something solid to hold onto.
Then, when bringing up the release of Mortus and Animus, it nearly fell apart again. Neither Primordial Incarnates nor Archwyrms were enthused by the idea. Certainly, Maldrosa kept mentioning “they were sealed for a reason”. But Asteros said, with direction and supervision — two things they volunteered to do themselves — the Primordials of Life and Death could be invaluable allies…
The First Life and the First Death speak in unison. Or rather, they speak in alternating sentences, their flow of words a to-and-fro, a cresting and falling wave that moves back and forth dizzyingly.
“You have freed us from our imprisonment-
“though it was you who put us there-”
“We thank you for this service-”
“Why have you freed us-?”
“We sense you need us-”
“You have something for us-”
“-a mission-”
“-a statement-”
“What is it you want us to do-”
“and why should we help you?”
The cold energy spreads out from Mortus, meeting and killing the plant life, insects, even the mammals created by Animus. A perfect line cuts across the entire volcano. One side of life, the other side empty. Orianna stands with one cloven hoof on either side, the Cradle of Starlight casting both in a peculiar, shimmery spotlight.
“Past decisions saw you caged,” she says in Primordial, speaking the oldest tongue of it she knows. “Current choices see you free. Your cousins wish to see all of you changed. One might say destroyed, or made anew. We seek your alliance.” She takes a breath, and her voice softens, becoming more sincere. “I personally released you because I would not see Life or Death changed. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing is truly eternal. There are only some things that are Infinite.”
The two Primordials look at each other, then at the other Incarnates.
Asteros steps forward. “It is not us who wish to unite us as we once were. We seek your help, our kin. She is correct. You are a part of this fight, and you are a part of everything. We would see you tick the balance in our favour.”
The two look at each other once again, then at Orianna.
“We agree-”
“For now-”
“Life and-”
“Death will be-”
“your allies in this fight-”
“We will not come running when you call-”
“We will not bow ourselves to you-”
“But we will be allies.”
Orianna lets go of the breath she was holding in. “It is a start — and a step in a direction I am very glad we are all taking.” Then she bows, low and respectfully to both…
Florian told me later that Maldrosa shared with him the one and only time one of the Archwyrms nearly died. Though they are timeless, they are not invincible. Not in the way the Infinite are. Mortus could permanently kill an Incarnate or an Archwyrm just as easily as anything else. We can assume that Animus can do the same, but for life. Which begs the question: Is their power combined strong enough to control The Staircase?
And if it is, did we just unwittingly help Magdara and her cousins get closer to their goal…?
I thought it would be as simple as gathering my family and going to the City of Brass. But no. Things are never quite so simple.
I did not write about this before because I just- The implications of what it could all mean are quite dire and hard to put to ink. But I must, if not for my recollection later, then for the purposes that maybe, one day, this journal could serve as advice and warning for future generations should anything ever happen.
Calla assisted Zola in ridding the Court of Sorcery of the scourge that was Glastor but it seems that the First Smoke’s true aim was hidden. Whilst the group were putting an end to Glastor’s treacherous deeds, Phystal was working and completed a means by which to control The Staircase, allegedly.
Instantly, my father went and fetched Henri as I knew he would like to know. But it seems my concern was for naught as Lord Jaezred Vandree had already informed him of what had happened. I was… not at my kindest. I think of the moment now in shame. My anger at Henri was to hide the near panic I felt at this news.
We asked Gerhard what this could truly mean. If Magdara and her ilk have access to the Behemoths then what does this mean for us? He… wasn’t able to assure us of much, but he knew that to get to where the Behemoths are — somewhere “outside of Time and Space” — they would first need a power source, preferably something familiar to them. Unfortunately, this could be anything from the Wellspring in the Court of Sorcery, to another Infinite (probably one much stronger than Andromeda), or an elemental force that we have yet to think of. All they need is one single piece of the Behemoths and then… it will be over. For everyone.
The one, small, blessing is that they still need the Keys to unlock the way. With three in our possession, they are not going to get where they want very easily, but that does not mean we can afford to wait.
Gerhard will try to rally the Infinite to help, though he is not sure how open they will be. The Infinite do not fear it, and because of that they do not think it is something to interfere with. But I have my doubts. Even those who observe are still part of the lives they watch, though they may not feel it is so. They are. Now, more than ever, I see the importance of this meeting…
As if the revelation from before was not enough, we were told something else revealing and equally concerning by the Archwyrms.
Kestrasz is Zari’s father. If, when Zari was in Phystal’s thrall had known this, he could have syphoned Kestrasz’s power through Zari, but because he did not know this, Phystal could not make that connection.
On top of that, Kestrasz had the audacity to say to Lucky he should not tell his husband — Kestrasz’s own son — about this connection.
Despite his desire to not tell his own son who he is, I believe Lucky will tell Zari. Keeping secrets never helped anyone in the long run…
The meeting went well enough. I think. It would have been better if more of the Primordial Incarnates were there. Those that were there were:
- Asteros, the First Flame
- Archravine, the First Mountain
- Ceraun, the First Spark
- Adai, the First Star
- Meza, the First Mineral
Only five of eighteen — four, if I do not count Calla’s patron coming because, well, she carries him everywhere. There was a moment when Meza realised who was there, where I thought we would not even get a chance to begin before everything fell apart. But Asteros was the one to save things. They are as adamant as we are that an alliance be formed, which helps those who are less sure to have something solid to hold onto.
Then, when bringing up the release of Mortus and Animus, it nearly fell apart again. Neither Primordial Incarnates nor Archwyrms were enthused by the idea. Certainly, Maldrosa kept mentioning “they were sealed for a reason”. But Asteros said, with direction and supervision — two things they volunteered to do themselves — the Primordials of Life and Death could be invaluable allies…
Mortus & Animus
The First Life and the First Death speak in unison. Or rather, they speak in alternating sentences, their flow of words a to-and-fro, a cresting and falling wave that moves back and forth dizzyingly.
“You have freed us from our imprisonment-
“though it was you who put us there-”
“We thank you for this service-”
“Why have you freed us-?”
“We sense you need us-”
“You have something for us-”
“-a mission-”
“-a statement-”
“What is it you want us to do-”
“and why should we help you?”
The cold energy spreads out from Mortus, meeting and killing the plant life, insects, even the mammals created by Animus. A perfect line cuts across the entire volcano. One side of life, the other side empty. Orianna stands with one cloven hoof on either side, the Cradle of Starlight casting both in a peculiar, shimmery spotlight.
“Past decisions saw you caged,” she says in Primordial, speaking the oldest tongue of it she knows. “Current choices see you free. Your cousins wish to see all of you changed. One might say destroyed, or made anew. We seek your alliance.” She takes a breath, and her voice softens, becoming more sincere. “I personally released you because I would not see Life or Death changed. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing is truly eternal. There are only some things that are Infinite.”
The two Primordials look at each other, then at the other Incarnates.
Asteros steps forward. “It is not us who wish to unite us as we once were. We seek your help, our kin. She is correct. You are a part of this fight, and you are a part of everything. We would see you tick the balance in our favour.”
The two look at each other once again, then at Orianna.
“We agree-”
“For now-”
“Life and-”
“Death will be-”
“your allies in this fight-”
“We will not come running when you call-”
“We will not bow ourselves to you-”
“But we will be allies.”
Orianna lets go of the breath she was holding in. “It is a start — and a step in a direction I am very glad we are all taking.” Then she bows, low and respectfully to both…
Florian told me later that Maldrosa shared with him the one and only time one of the Archwyrms nearly died. Though they are timeless, they are not invincible. Not in the way the Infinite are. Mortus could permanently kill an Incarnate or an Archwyrm just as easily as anything else. We can assume that Animus can do the same, but for life. Which begs the question: Is their power combined strong enough to control The Staircase?
And if it is, did we just unwittingly help Magdara and her cousins get closer to their goal…?