[center] [h1][color=yellow][b][u]Karamir[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [h2]&[/h2] [h1][color=DarkGray][b][u]Abanoc[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] Karamir did not know how much time had passed. He walked until he could not walk anymore, and when that happened, he allowed his red-feathered cloak to lazily levitate him a few inches off the floor. Eventually he would reach a point where he could not even manage that, and so he would pass out… only to wake up who knows how much later, and continue walking. Karamir had thought that Arryn, the Avatar of the Hunting God, would have found him by now. He had deliberately slown his pace while flying in order to allow that to happen. But he found no such luck. He tried to count how many times sleep claimed him, assuming each time he passed out was the equivalent of one day, but he eventually lost count. On and on he slogged, his eyes glazed over, his feet dragging. With each ‘day’ he began to lose hope. Had his curiosity been his downfall? It was a question he kept asking himself. Was this kind of fate what Arya or K’nell had tried to warn him against? Endlessly walking, endlessly searching, with no hope? Then, suddenly, the world began to change. His weary eyes, fixated on the floor, did not even register it at first… until he looked up and saw that there were no more spikes. The scenery of the Maze was replaced by the night sky lights, with no ground or walls in sight, but still he found footing. He should have stopped there, but his body was too slow to obey his command, and suddenly there was no more ground to stand on. And he fell, and fell and fell as if there would be no end to it. But before he knew it he had landed on a marble platform surrounded by pillars of the same pearly white. [color=DarkGray]“What have we here.”[/color] A voice came from the center of the platform, from a throne atop a row of stairs. [color=DarkGray]“A visitor.”[/color] Karamir was on his knees, hands pressed against the cold, hard floor. He gazed up at the seated figure. His throat burned with thirst, and his stomach gnawed with hunger. [color=yellow]”Spikes… why were there spikes…?”[/color] he croaked through cracked lips. [color=DarkGray]“Hmm… You must’ve come from Eurysthenes’ plane. The architecture there can be...intriguing sometimes.”[/color] The man in robes stood from his throne and walked down the steps to reach Karamir. [color=DarkGray]“And you must be Karamir. Kalmar’s creation.”[/color] He said as he knelt down in front of him and handed him a cup with water and a fruit. No time for more questions. Not when he was starving and thirsting. Karamir wasted no time in gulping the water down, and then his teeth viciously tore into the fruit as if it was the last morsel he would ever get his hands on. He chewed, and then swallowed. [color=yellow]”Who are you?”[/color] he asked, his voice less weak than it was before. [color=DarkGray]“Abanoc, the god of Recording. And I have observed your journey through galbar, as well as all others’.”[/color] He stood up and offered Karamir a hand. [color=DarkGray]“And I know you seek answers.”[/color] Karamir set down the cup, and looked back up at Abanoc. Answers? Yes, that was what he wanted. And he could still remember the questions. He took the god’s hand. Abanoc pulled Karamir up to his feet. [color=DarkGray]“I cannot promise to answer them all, but sharing what I do know is of no burden. What knowledge do you seek?”[/color] [color=yellow]”What is this place?”[/color] Karamir asked, taking another look around. [color=DarkGray]“My realm. The Sphere I merely call the Observatory. As with all other gods in our conception, I too crafted a world of my own. From here all of Galbar is visible.”[/color] He pointed at the mirror atop the pillars. [color=DarkGray]“That is how I came to know of you. And this book holds the information the mirror shows in its pages.”[/color] Then he showed the Archive. Karamir raised his eyebrows. A book? He had seen books in the Palace of Dreams. Some had been barely legible, or downright confusing, but others had contained wealths of information. There were more pressing concerns on his mind, however. [color=yellow]”I was travelling with the Avatar of Kalmar - a bird named Arryn. Do you know where he is?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“He entered Eurysthenes’ Maze looking for you. I have a limited vision of his domain, but I unfortunately can’t quite discern its patterns. If you can reach out to Eurysthenes himself he could show you the way if he was inclined to it, but I feel he wouldn’t. As the master of enigmas he wouldn’t so easily tell one the solution of his works.”[/color] So Arryn was in the maze? And Karamir hadn’t met him. He could be anywhere. [color=yellow]”Do you know how long I was in there?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“I have not seen your path through the Maze in its entirety, but from the moment you entered to now would represent about ten days in Galbar. You have a remarkable endurance to have lasted so long without nourishment.”[/color] Ten days? How had thirst or hunger not killed him? Then again, Arryn did tell him that he had been made more resilient. Perhaps that explained it. If Arryn was in the maze, Karamir likely would not find him, and he did not want to risk going back in. Hopefully the Avatar would find his own way out, but Karamir couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt for making Arryn go there in the first place. He pushed the feelings aside. He could not change a decision that had already been made ten days ago. [color=yellow]”So if you can see all of Galbar, and you record that information… does this mean you know everything?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Not quite, I’m afraid.”[/color] He replied with a grimace. [color=DarkGray]“At first I was only able to see half of Galbar due to my lack of power at the moment. That has been remedied since long, but I lost parts of the creation of land and life. That and I also have no vision of the Spheres beneath Galbar’s surface and I can only see parts of the neighboring Spheres.”[/color] [color=yellow]”What can you tell me about the Architect?”[/color] Karamir suddenly asked. [color=DarkGray]“He forged Galbar before we gods were. He pulled our souls, and many others, from the various planes of existence and gave some of us the title of gods and Galbar for us to work with. He’s a quiet observer, much like myself, and his purposes aren’t clear to us. He sits above all of us inside a domain of his own, a moon, orbiting Galbar. That is all I know of him.”[/color] Nothing Karamir had not been told already. It was almost disappointing. Still, there were other questions. And one particularly interesting one came to mind. [color=yellow]”You say you record all that happens on Galbar. For who - The Architect? Yourself? Other gods?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Other than power, The Architect imbued us with purpose as well. I was simply ordered to monitor Galbar, but I know he does not need me for that. Although I was not told to do so, I also intend to share what information I have with others. Due to the nature of my work, however, I cannot leave my Sphere unattended for long, even if my Archive also stores information. You also happen to be my first visitor, so I had but a single opportunity to share my knowledge so far.”[/color] He was the first? Really? His eyes widened slightly at that. Suddenly this encounter felt so much more important. [color=yellow]”So you intend to share your knowledge with others?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Yes, though I was not able to as of lately. Long ago I gave the first Dreamer the means to reach my level of knowledge. It was the first time I taught someone anything, and though I hoped she would spread the seeds of her learnings through Galbar, she has done well to teach her children so far.”[/color] He said with a faint smile on his face, the first change from his ever present deadpan expression, but it quickly faded away. Karamir, meanwhile, began to frown as he suddenly recalled a conversation. [color=yellow]”I do not think that knowledge will spread beyond Tendlepog,”[/color] he suggested. [color=yellow]”K’nell is very protective of his people; he discourages them from leaving, and both his ‘Warden’ and his Dreamers are wary toward outsiders. From what I heard, only one of them was willing to leave, and the rest could not understand why.”[/color] His frown deepened. [color=DarkGray]“Regrettably us gods have very different goals that we seek to achieve. We may find union at times, but only among a few of us. For whatever purpose The Architect willed this discordance to be, but as his own goals are a secret I do not know why he did so. My own goals are to record events and share information, and as long there are developments in Galbar I will have purpose. I could not foresee K’nell would intervene with the Dreamers as he did, but in doing so he hampered my own goals.”[/color] Karamir nodded slowly. [color=yellow]”If the Dreamers do have this knowledge, then whatever it might be, it doesn’t seem fair that they keep it to themselves only. Would it be possible for you to share it with more people?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Certainly, but I will not reap their knowledge, even if they err in hoarding it. I hoped more would find their way here throughout the ages, but alas you were the very first. As we speak there are many people growing in Galbar, people that could make use of my knowledge. I will soon have to take matters into my own hands to remedy that.”[/color] [color=yellow]”What can you tell me of these people?”[/color] Karamir asked curiously. [color=DarkGray]“There is much to that question to answer summarily. Come here.”[/color] He directed Karamir to the Archive and, upon approach, golden glyphs appeared on the pages. [color=DarkGray]“I highlighted the information regarding Galbar’s population on these pages. Though reading them may exhaust whatever energy you have left, it’ll be burned to your memory as if carvings on a rock’s surface.”[/color] Karamir looked down at the glyphs, and it was as if information was flowing directly into his mind. He learned of the watery servants of Shengshi. The Ihokhur, stone-men of Ohannekeloi. The Jotundar, fiery soldiers of Sartravius, scattered and dispersed after decades of battle. The Selka; seals who had been granted sapience by the Blood God Kirron. The Pygmies, creations of the ape, Anu. The Nebulites, recently made by the God Orvus. The Kostral, cannibalistic spawn of Narzhak. The Luminous Ones, children of Asceal. And the Dragonborn, of which there were still only two. With each new piece of information, his eyelids began to droop, and energy began to drain from him. His legs grew unsteady, he could no longer keep his eyes open, and before he hit the ground he had already fallen asleep. [hr] He awoke some time later. [color=DarkGray]“You’ve come to, I see. I suppose that was too much for a recently starved man, even if of divine origin.”[/color] Abanoc’s voice could be heard from below. Karamir realized he had been placed on Abanoc’s throne. [color=DarkGray]“Not the best place for one to rest, but it is what marble can offer.”[/color] [color=yellow]”All those people…”[/color] Karamir spoke softly, rising to his feet. He was still hungry and thirsty, but the sleep had restored a great deal of energy. [color=yellow]”They’re all down there, scattered across Galbar?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Yes. Were your sight the same as mine you would see them for yourself through the mirror. They all have their own nurturing deity, and though I wish not to interfere in my siblings’ goals, I am compelled to uplift them all to some degree.”[/color] He turned to face Karamir, now at the same level as he was. [color=DarkGray]“Would you like to learn more?”[/color] Karamir nodded, this time without hesitation. [color=yellow]”Yes,”[/color] he said, unable to prevent eagerness from creeping into his voice. [color=yellow]”Although…”[/color] Karamir then hesitated. [color=yellow]”Some of these things I would like to discover in person. It’s one thing to learn about it here, it’s another thing to go and experience it with my own eyes. Someday I would like to go and see all these different people for myself. But the world is dangerous; do you know of any ways I might become more powerful, so I can defend myself?”[/color] Abanoc smiled upon hearing that. [color=DarkGray]“There is a power recently discovered by a child of gods. Mana, energy flowing through all of Galbar, its Spheres and the gods that made them. It is made manifest through the elements of fire, water, earth and air and, should you learn to manipulate Mana, you can bend these elements as you will.”[/color] Abanoc sparked a flame in his hands as a demonstration. [color=DarkGray]“I am no stranger to this energy, however. My own world before this one had energies all too similar to Galbar’s. But as you were born in Galbar you are held to its limitations of Mana. Take a seat, this could take long to pass on to you and I’m afraid you cannot learn from the Archive in your current state.”[/color] Karamir obeyed, taking a seat on one of the steps instead of the throne. [color=yellow]”Alright,”[/color] he said. [color=yellow]”I’m ready to hear this.”[/color] Abanoc started his lesson with no further ado. He explained that mana can be found in fires, huge bodies of water, gusts of wind and lands filled with plant life or rocky formations. He also told of how mana acts in these particular cases. Abanoc made more demonstrations on how manipulating raw mana into specific ways makes it manifest in the various elements and that it can be expended, but recovered over time after it had been manipulated extensively. And throughout it all, Karamir soaked in every single detail. Mana was everywhere, and with it, he could do anything… well, maybe not [i]anything[/i], but the possibilities on what he could learn seemed nearly endless. [color=yellow]”So if I work hard enough, I can bend this mana to my will… how long do you think that will take?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Perhaps you can already perform the basics. Merely knowing of something can have a huge impact on things. But to master this will take time. It could be months, years, decades. Your talent and dedication will be the determining factor.”[/color] Karamir nodded in understanding. [color=yellow]”Then I should get started as quickly as possible.”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“I wish you luck in your future endeavours. Before you leave, however, I have but one request of you. Wherever you go share whatever knowledge you can spare with the people you meet.”[/color] Abanoc approached Karamir and laid his hand upon his shoulder. [color=DarkGray]“I will give you one last power before you leave. The people of Galbar speak different languages and write in different words. You will need to understand them if you hope to meet them yourself.”[/color] And through that touch he taught Karamir how to understand the spoken and written languages of Galbar. Once more, information seemed to flow directly into his mind. His eyebrows widened in surprise. He recalled one of the books he had found in the Palace - the one where only a handful of glyphs were decipherable - and wondered if he would be able to read it all, should he somehow go back. It was unlikely that he would, but still - who was to say he wouldn’t find other books in his travels? [color=yellow]”Thank you, Abanoc.”[/color] he said. [color=yellow]”But is there a way to get to Galbar without going back the way I came?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Step over the boundary of that gate and you will find yourself in Galbar again.”[/color] He pointed at an archway directly beneath the mirror. [color=DarkGray]“You can use the same path to return here should you desire.”[/color] Karamir approached the archway, looked back, and nodded. [color=yellow]”I would like to return some day, if that’s alright. Thank you again.”[/color] And with those words he stepped through the gateway. As soon as Karamir had left the Observatory, Abanoc returned to his throne. He could already see Karamir next to his stone book at the top of the Kick’s mountains. With a satisfied sigh, Abanoc returned to his duties. [hr] Karamir blinked at the sudden sunlight. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust, but when they did he saw that he was in front of a stone book, near the top of a mountain. He turned around and was confronted by an impressive view. From this vantage point, he could see a vast distance. The landscape looked somewhat familiar, and he felt as if he had seen it before. It was not Kalgrun, it was not Dragon’s Foot, and it was not Tendlepog… which meant it had to be that thin continent he once passed over with Diana. He breathed in the fresh mountain air, which came as a great relief after his time in the maze. He was still hungry and thirsty. He needed food, and water. But first… Abanoc had told him about mana. How it was everywhere, and how it was possible for him to harness it if he could figure out how. And so, he began to concentrate. How much mana was in the area right now, he wondered, being so close to the gateway of a sphere? His focus deepened, and he imagined a ball of fire appearing in his hand. Then a tiny spark leapt from his finger, and he nearly jumped in surprise. It worked. Not quite the way he hoped, and far from impressive, but it was something. Alone on the mountaintop, he smiled to himself. Though perhaps he should have tried something less dangerous than fire… [hr] [hider=Abanoc should invest in marketing] Karamir wanders through the maze for several days, losing all track of time while becoming increasingly hungry and dehydrated. He barely even notice when he stumbles into Abanoc’s sphere, and winds up falling off the edge… only to land back on the sphere itself. Abanoc is fairly welcoming, giving him food and drink, and offering to answer any questions Karamir might have. Karamir asks Abanoc about the Observatory, about where Arryn might be, about how long he was in the maze. He then moves on to deeper questions, such as Abanoc’s purpose, who is the Architect, who Abanoc is recording all this information for, and whether or not he intends to share it. Abanoc tells him about how he shared knowledge with Hermes, and how she then went on to share some of that knowledge with the Dreamer species - but has yet to show it to any other species. Karamir suggests that it may never be shared, due to how the Dreamers have no wish to leave Tendlepog and are wary of outsiders. Karamir claims it is unfair that they would keep this knowledge to themselves. Abanoc agrees, but does not believe in takesies-backsies, so the Dreamers get to keep the book. Karamir then asks about the other intelligent species of Galbar, so Abanoc shows him the Archive - which immediately proceeds to download the relevant information directly into his brain. Unfortunately, in his exhausted state Karamir can’t quite handle it all, and soon passes out. [i]Karamir.exe[/i] has stopped working. Anyway, he wakes up. He and Abanoc continue to talk, and Karamir wants to learn more… but then decides that absorbing all the world’s recorded information through one single book isn’t quite the learning experience he was hoping for. Some things he would be better off experiencing for himself, so the next thing he wants to learn is how to accumulate more power - so he can defend himself in his travels. Abanoc approves, and then proceeds to tell Karamir about mana, giving him a quick course on how to use it. Karamir then heads back to Galbar to begin practicing, but not before Abanoc delivers a Praise which allows him to understand and read any language. Anyway, Karamir appears outside the Stone Book, and immediately begins trying to harness mana. He is able to generate a small spark of flame, which lets him know he is on the right path. Though he quickly realizes that, in hindsight, starting with fire could have been a very bad idea. [/hider] [hider=Might Summary] [u]Abanoc[/u] [b]Beginning MP:[/b] 17 [i]No MP used[/i] [b]Beginning FP:[/b] 8 -1 FP to teach Karamir how to manipulate mana -Teaching Kalmar how to read other languages discounted to 0 through Abanoc’s Portfolio [b]Ending FP:[/b] 7 [/hider] [hider=Prestige Summary] [u]Karamir[/u] [b]Beginning Prestige:[/b] 13 +1 for minor role. +1 for major role. +1 for collab. [b]Ending Prestige:[/b] 16 [/hider]