[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/Svvasvb.png[/img] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7f28c785-bb7c-4826-8dbd-4f45a4e28f0c.png[/img] [color=Peru][b]The Great Artisan, Divine Mason, Builder of Civilisations Level 5 God of Crafting (Masonry, Carpentry, Smithing, Alchemy, Armaments)[/b] 26 Might & 2 Free Points[/color] [i]BBeast and Muttonhawk[/i][/center] The only porcelain figure attending the centre of Cornerstone today was a regent. Amongst the rhythmic construction of various kaolokinetic constructs was Majus, standing straight, tall, and glinting in the sun. In one hand was a smaller set of armour pressed securely to its shoulder; the figure of Minus. In its other hand was a wriggling and writhing fleshy lifeform, desperate to pass on the programmed message in its bulbous brain. Next to Majus was the only thing that looked more vertical than the avatar's posture. Its longhammer, perched upright on the floor. The unearthly scene was added to by the sudden, golden-lit entrance of Teknall. The aproned hain held in his hands another swollen brain robed in thin flesh. [color=Peru]"Toun, have you seen this?"[/color] Distress sat under Teknall's voice. Majus' head creaked to regard the odd-hain-out before him. Before the avatar could speak for itself, a lump grew on the featureless porcelain centre of its visor. The lump bulged, split, and opened to reveal an intense blue eye gazing down at Teknall. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Brother,"[/b][/colour] Toun's voice vibrated from Majus' body. His mood was hard to immediately gauge. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"I have been busy hunting the murderer. Is this message from Jvan so important if she decided not to send it by a medium wrought of weak matter?"[/b][/colour] Majus shook the wriggling brain-message for emphasis. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"I assumed it to be some fanciful song or poem or other diversion."[/b][/colour] Teknall seemed briefly flabbergasted. [color=Peru]"You mean you didn't notice? Goliath could see the signs of the battle from [i]orbit[/i]."[/color] He shook his head and proffered the brain. [color=Peru]"This message is vitally important to your mission. Xos has struck again, this time against Jvan. She survived, thank Fate, although Xos left in better condition than her. This is a recording of the battle."[/color] The eye stared silently for a strongly mulled few seconds. Just as suspicions raised that Toun may not have been listening, the eye sucked itself back into Majus' visor, smoothing the split it made and leaving no trace of its presence. The air cracked beside Majus. One frame of Teknall's senses saw a thin white line leading vertically into the sky above. The next frame saw that line disappear, replaced with Toun and a curling wave of displaced air. Toun's robes settled. He held a new clay spear loosely in his right hand. His eye bored into Teknall as if it were the very same blue orb that bulged from Majus' head. Without breaking eye contact, Toun stretched his free hand to pluck the fleshy creature from Majus' grip and curled his arm in front of his face. His eye flicked to the brain. Minimal signs of scrutiny showed on Toun's smooth face. In the pause he took to read Jvan's message, Teknall noticed something off about Toun's very essence before him. Though his physical body stood just as flawless as ever, he read in Teknall's senses with welts and gashes, blemishing the power he radiated. He looked sore. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Damn you, sister,"[/b][/colour] Toun muttered. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"We could have gathered then. We could have struck. You stubborn, airy, boil Jvan..."[/b][/colour] He sped his mumbling. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"At least Jvan's prod at Xos' physicality corroborates an...insecurity of the shade."[/b][/colour] A tile of Cornerstone flung up, opening to a shadowy porcelain cavity. Toun tossed the brain-creature inside before the tile clacked shut. He then returned his regards to Teknall. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Well?"[/b][/colour] Toun asked impatiently. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"What do you make of it, brother?"[/b][/colour] [color=Peru]"I have observed that Xos is mobilising against Galbar. It isn't just Jvan. The elementals are at war with each other, half of them declaring loyalty to Xos and the rest resisting the shade's authority. He is seizing the assets Zephyrion has left behind; first the Celestial Citadel, killing Ventus who had succeeded Zephyrion, then the rest of the elementals. Vetros is a possible target if this pattern continues, especially since they have the King's Law, although his actions once there are uncertain. The Ogres are another potential race he could target. "As for the battle in the recording, I'm sure it contains valuable data for analysing and potentially countering Xos' patterns in combat. Especially valuable are the observations of the use of that spark of power. Aside from the obvious, it appears that Xos might be exercising some restraint with the spark. The last blow being charged from it was far more mighty than the previous uses, even though such excessive force used at the beginning would have seized him a definite victory. Considering Xos' activities with the elementals, it appears possible that Xos has placed some value in keeping Galbar intact. This does not mean Xos won't destroy Galbar if he deems it necessary, such as under threat of defeat. "We also observe some of Xos' personality and motives from the dialogue. He despises us gods, and has no qualms about killing us if we fail to cooperate, although this we could already suspect. He mentions a specific vendetta against Jvan and her creations. This hints at potential future targets. He could return to fight Jvan again, but considering that this yielded a stalemate he's more likely to attempt different targets of value to Jvan. Ovaedis is an obvious one, although he might target any other large distinctly Jvanic thing, such as the city of Metera, the island of Julia or the decontamination towers. The Sculptors and the rest of Jvan's creatures are mostly too dispersed to be sufficiently valuable targets."[/color] Teknall took a breath as he concluded his observations. [color=Peru]"What of you? Any further observations? You seem to have been quite busy."[/color] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Yes..."[/b][/colour] Toun's neck tensed and his shoulders shuddered ever-so-slightly. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"The elementals' conflict has not escaped my investigations. Lesser djinn driven mad. Fleeing into climates ill-suited to their forms."[/b][/colour] Toun waved his spear to plant it's blunt end on the floor with a sharp [i]cring[/i]. He spoke low, as if fatigued. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Jvan provoked the murderer. While this suggests the attack was made upon opportunity, his servant's intervention below our sister smells of premeditation. Still, the way he spoke, the way he acted...I think he targeted Jvan to gain favour with other elementals. His hate for her is not a unique one."[/b][/colour] Toun rolled his head, inspecting the sharp point of his weapon. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Why Xos requires elementals? That would be enlightening indeed. Perhaps they guard from a threat to him. Perhaps they are required to enact his destructive plans. Perhaps he likes the taste of flickers. Perhaps there are traces of sentimentality for Zephyrion's creations. Any number may be true. I believe they are more your concern than mine, brother."[/b][/colour] Toun gave Teknall a brief look. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Preserving mortal civilisations are [i]your[/i] project. Not mine. Of course, this is excepting one detail. The King's Law. Do you know its whereabouts?"[/b][/colour] [color=Peru]"Unless something has happened to it very recently, it is in the possession of King Heru of Vetros,"[/color] Teknall answered. Toun's eye flashed. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Then if Xos knows of it and its location, he would have taken it already."[/b][/colour] [color=Peru]"[i]If[/i] he wants to take it. Xos already wields a weapon of unimaginable power, so the King's Law is not as valuable to Xos for personal use. He likely has priorities other than the King's Law. For all we know, he might want to keep Vetros and the bloodline of Primus in power, although at this stage we can only speculate."[/color] With his eye relaxing, Toun's head lifted just enough to show a cynical brand of amusement. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"My speculation shall not overestimate Xos' hubris. As a matter of my own knowledge, he is aware he is being hunted now."[/b][/colour] Teknall cocked his beak and gave Toun a slightly cynical look of his own, silently telling him to continue. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"He knew I was following him. Even before we encountered on the fifth planet in this system. Lazarus' wretched hybrids named the algeous sphere [i]Soul Aonair.[/i] It is the only name I know it by."[/b][/colour] Toun shook his head. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Nevertheless, we fought. I weathered the spark as much as I could. Without Logos, I was forced to withdraw."[/b][/colour] Teknall's eyes widened. [color=Peru]"You fought him?"[/color] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"He has grown in power,"[/b][/colour] Toun gravely intoned to his closed fist. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"He will continue to grow."[/b][/colour] [color=Peru]"Were you unable to call for Logos?"[/color] Teknall queried. Toun's hands clenched harder. The fingers around his spear shaft creaked against the porcelain surface. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Had I...called...for Logos..."[/b][/colour] he explained, seething. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"I would have lost...my opportunity...to take the spark from Xos' hands. It was a trap sprung almost back against him. We committed [i]mutual[/i] failure."[/b][/colour] His voice regained. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"I have his trail now. I have seen him fight and we have sparred before. This new information only seals Xos' fate. I shall be calling upon Logos and we shall soon end this murderer's plans."[/b][/colour] Teknall nodded. [color=Peru]"Very well. Once Xos is gone we can breathe a little easier."[/color] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"There is more, Teknall."[/b][/colour] Toun straightened and stepped up to Teknall, kneeling down to look level at his hain eyes. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"I need you to do something."[/b][/colour] [color=Peru]"What is it, Toun?"[/color] His voice was low pitched. Devoid of anything but warning. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Xos will kill one more. See that it is not you. See that it is not any of the children. And as far as you can act, see that it is none amongst our siblings."[/b][/colour] Teknall swallowed. [color=Peru]"I will be vigilant."[/color] Toun's eye softened. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"This is no bluster or pride, brother. I have...seen this outcome for myself. [i]Promise[/i] me you shall be vigilant. Please."[/b][/colour] Teknall dipped his beak slightly. [color=Peru]"I will be vigilant, I promise."[/color] Teknall raised his eyes back up to look more squarely at Toun. [color=Peru]"And you must be vigilant too."[/color] The soft blue eye closed as Toun's shoulders relaxed. Standing up like a floating silk, Toun stepped away. He clasped his wrist behind his back, letting the spear be held horizontally, and bowed his bald head to look at the polished floor. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"The murderer has fooled me only once."[/b][/colour] His acerbic tone returned. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Such shall remain [i]only once.[/i] His chances are spent. All he holds now is the rapidly narrowing length of time before I see him again."[/b][/colour] Teknall nodded again. [color=Peru]"I should leave you to continue your work. Although..."[/color] Teknall turned his head to Majus and cocked it curiously. [color=Peru]"What happened to Minus?"[/color] From behind Toun, Teknall saw his bald porcelain head lift and recline. Toun paused for long enough for a few answers to spring up in thoughts around his silence. None of them likely to align with how he himself would explain it. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Damage during the battle for Xerxes,"[/b][/colour] he stated flatly. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"A minor malfunction. I shall repair it soon."[/b][/colour] [color=Peru]"A [i]minor[/i] malfunction?[/color] Teknall said incredulously. Teknall stepped up to Majus and poked the arm of Minus' armour. [color=Peru]"The armour is [i]empty[/i]."[/color] Majus was the first to react, turning its large helmet to the armour over his shoulder as if he had only just noticed it. Toun answered. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"I know."[/b][/colour] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]"Father,"[/i][/b][/colour] Majus intoned. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]"Minus objective is unfulfilled-"[/i][/b][/colour] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"I know!"[/b][/colour] Toun was more firm to his avatar. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"It is too late now. Every reason for retrieving the body is now moot. Minus shall be retrieved when its skills are next required. It can take care of itself until then."[/b][/colour] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]"Understood, father."[/i][/b][/colour] Toun half-turned to look down on Teknall. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"As I said, Teknall, I shall repair Minus. There remain other priorities this day."[/b][/colour] [color=Peru]"Of course. It was merely a strange sight,"[/color] Teknall said apologetically, waving a hand at Minus' armour. [color=Peru]"I shall leave you to your work, Toun."[/color] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Take care, brother."[/b][/colour] Toun turned away again. His tone was dismissive, yet the words had a weight to them. Teknall teleported away. An empty moment passed. Toun slid silently around to face Majus. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Put down the shell,"[/b][/colour] Toun ordered. Majus took Minus' armour in both hands and lowered the limp carapace to the floor. That was when Toun spun the butt of his spear at Majus' helmet. The clay bell-toll struck with a force that made Majus' bulk seem like nothing. The avatar flipped back onto its shoulders with a dull crack on the floor. Its legs landed afterwards with two more similar sounds. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Can I not depend on my servants to capture their own!?"[/b][/colour] Toun shouted. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Could you not foresee such an idiotic ruse!?!"[/b][/colour] Majus sat halfway up before Toun's spear spun and struck it violently to the floor once more. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"The [i]cape[/i], Majus! Your twin has a [i]cape![/i] You were meant to prevent this outcome, Majus! You failed me!"[/b][/colour] Majus' next attempt to stand was slower, and clearly showed struggle. This time, Toun took the blunt end of his spear and pushed it down on Majus' neck with both arms, forcing it to the ground again. He [i]clink[/i]ed one porcelain foot on Majus' chest. Toun hissed. [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"You are unfit to pursue Minus. Your mission has failed."[/b][/colour] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]"Understood, father."[/i][/b][/colour] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Assume a new mission. You will defend Cornerstone in my absence. Do not let harm come to it or your fellow servants."[/b][/colour] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]"Understood, father."[/i][/b][/colour] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Elementals may attack. Drive them away, make examples of their folly. Are you fit for this objective?"[/b][/colour] [colour=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]"Yes, father. A djinni cannot hide as Minus can."[/i][/b][/colour] [hider=One Last Interlude] Teknall has received Jvan's message recording her battle with Xos, and goes to talk about it with Toun. Toun has been busy, and hasn't read his mail. Toun reads the message, then Teknall and Toun exchange observations. They try to make sense of the connection between Xos and the elementals, and to elucidate his motives. Toun reveals that he had recently battled Xos to attempt to steal with Primordial Spark. Toun looks beat up. Toun delivers a grave warning to Teknall, that Xos will kill once more, and he urges Teknall to ensure that it is not himself or any of the children or, if possible, any of the siblings. Teknall promises to be vigilant. Majus with Minus' armour was here all along. Before leaving, Teknall inquires about Minus, and openly states that the armour here is empty. Majus is surprised, although Toun is not. Once Teknall leaves, Toun gives Majus a beating for being incompetent, then reassigns him to the defence of Cornerstone. [i]No Might spent[/i] [/hider]