Ruin's Dawn: Ascension

[Nir'wei]

There was no greater force he could attain in that moment. He acted as one, wolf after wolf and being after being slamming against her with strength multiplied over and over. It was a clarity he'd never experienced that he unleashed in the heat of the moment, caution all but thrown to the wind.

She brushed each and every one of them aside and dispatched them all with just a few gestures that cleaved the strongest of his wolves apart in just a few seconds, clearing enough room that he knew then and there that he'd lose if he kept moving forwards. His eyes bulged, struggling and simply failing to understand. Had she simply seen it all and known? Was he simply not enough? It was just as well that Karem dragged him backwards and away from the conflict, the remaining un-butchered wolves regrouping around him to escape the furious exchanges of Raskalarn and Valtharn, or he likely would have been next to be eviscerated. Raskalarn at least seemed more fit to match swords with Valtharn and held her own, but even despite Karem's sharp words he itched and snarled as they clashed, neither gaining an upper hand. They should have been helping. He knew they should have, yet he could only watch in horror as the fight ended with Valtharn... escaping. Vanishing through a portal before they did the same, bringing a swift and terrible end to the exchange.

He didn't understand the significance of what came next, only that Karem's grip tightened and there was a brief but sharp lurch as they were teleported across Idalos to somewhere else.

In that moment, they'd eradicated seven of the most evil, enigmatic, and disastrous Immortals of Idalos. Yet somewhere deep in his chest, Nir'wei couldn't help but feel they'd suffered a horrible loss.

Thrown back into what seemed an informal meeting room with comfortable chairs and amenities, Nir'wei dropped straight to the floor the moment Karem's grip eased on him. Greyhide's gravely-wounded form spread out before him and both arms wrapped around his neck, Cold, Squeak and Castile still lingering at his sides with whines and barks and noise. He needed a moment to catch his breath, though really, his head was just spinning. How could this have happened, how could they have let her escape, what could they do now, what would she do next... over and over more questions bubbled from questions, hardly soothed at all by the panicked noises of the other voices in his head. He wasn't the only one, though. Just looking a little to his side, he found Daia looking equally shaken. Reaching out a hand and resting it on her knee, he looked down, surprised at how much she was shaking. It wasn't her.

Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't hear the arrival of the others and didn't realise how crowded the room had become until the inevitable questions started to be voiced, and he stood slowly with the help of Cold at his side. "It's more than that." His voice was grave and defeated, and he licked his lips and raised his voice a little higher when Raskalarn finally asked them directly. "Kata summoned us after... something happened. When we arrived, there were already three corpses on the ground. Immortals. One was Aelig, the others... I'm not sure. Faldrun wasn't dead but he was covered in these cracks that weren't healing, his leg and his arm looked like they were just dust. Kata told us to kill him. But it was clear there was something wrong and we attacked her instead... with Faldrun's help." He was skipping details, but his mind wasn't in the right place, events still slowly coming into sharp relief again. "Kata killed them, I think. Wanted us to kill Faldrun too, because she was taking their power for herself somehow. Audrae and Syroa helped her, but Daia and Cassion arrived, we fought back together." Things grew hazy there. Like a fog. A red mist. "Audrae was driven off, then driven through. Syroa was torn up and burned with fire. Varlum brought down a wrath of fire I've never seen before and Kata was burned to cinders by it, but at the moment of victory, she--" He hadn't really known who she was, but he could hazard a good guess now with a head nod towards Raskalarn, "your daughter. Killed Faldrun and used it in the same way. Stole it somehow. Stole them all, must have."

It didn't sound right, so he cleared his throat and drew a deep breath. "Valtharn has stolen the power of seven Immortals for herself. Kata, Mastes... Syroa, Audrae, Aelig... Faldrun, and more besides." When spelled out in such a way, it really did show just how spectacular their failure had been. Instead of killing Kata and stopping the rise of a new evil, they'd simply consolidated into an even bigger and more unknowable evil. "She needs to be stopped. We need to, we... we need to hunt her down with everything we have before she starts building something up next, gathering an army, or discovering what powers she can unleash next," he started to unload, frantically looking to Karem as if she held the key to hunting down their newfound prey, and then to Qylios, remembering their past arrangement and the powers of Bonds they could perhaps use to set a new trap... "Her power needs to be stripped. Down to the last scrap, scattered, burned. Something. Before she brings down both Suns from the sky or sneezes a new Heart of the World into existence in the middle of the Southern Continent."

[Varlum]

As he prepared for a fight, Oram approached his side and offered him some grapes, Varlum looking to him with a moment of confusion but nodding his head, taking them into his hand. Without knowing much of them beyond the restoration they were supposed to give, he took them one by one into his mouth, stopping when he had been fully healed. Any leftover he would hold on to for the moment, as he watched Zoro step forward, refusing to back down as he prepared an assault, then Nir'wei did the same. There was a moment of relief, knowing he would not fight alone, that he still had his team at his back no matter how much they had done.

Yet he was caught off guard.

Valtharn spoke and Varlum's advance paused, looking to the new Immortal as she told him she had no plans of destroying their world, then thanked him for what he had done. It was respect, that of a warrior to another, showing appreciation for bravery. Had it been any other situation, perhaps he might have bowed. Yet before he could say anything to her words, the others attacked, Varlum taking a small step back as his body healed, looking forward to Raskalarn through molten eyes. Even as his team fought on he lowered his shield, watching as they helplessly pushed forward in an attack against a woman that they couldn't seem to beat. The battle raged and as he watched all his hope faded, too fatigued to fight any longer.

The violence inside of him wanted him to fight, the flames of Faldrun still burning thick around his scales as he looked to Falkia dropping to her knees and he lowered his head. A part of him knew his attempt to draw in Faldrun's power had failed, as he felt nothing coming to him. Allowing his shield to shatter in his hands, he limped to Falkia as his body continued to recover, finally feeling better thanks to the grapes Oram had given him. There were few words he could say now, the flaming man dropping to one knee over Faldrun. "He deserved better" he admitted, eyes looking down to his fathers body. "Whatever I felt about him. Whatever side I was on. He deserved better than this. But we need to go. Whatever you think of me, we need you alive, and we need to go. Don't die now."

Slowly, the Ithecal looked up, watching as Valtharn fought off every enemy she could, even as other Immortals joined the fray before she finally grabbed Cad and used a portal to get away. As Raskalarn yelled for them to leave the Ithecal felt Daia grab him and Falkia, as well as his axe, pulling them out of the place as it collapsed and being teleported somewhere else. After what felt like a brief moment he arrived in a palace hall, giant windows looking out to the city and chairs all over, a meeting room of some sort. Varlum realized he was back to his usual height thanks to Daia, and yet even as he dropped the flames of Faldrun he could move. There was pain, but it didn't take long for Varlum to realize Ethelynda was responsible, eyes looking up as he saw the immortal of serpents approach and sit by him, Varlum deciding to stand despite the exhaustion, head lowered and breathing heavy.

As Ethelynda asked what happened, and mentioned Falkia, Varlum looked over to the still sobbing Champion as a small tear formed in his eye and he looked down to the ground. Raskalarn said her piece and then it came to the group, the room quiet for a moment. Nir'wei said his piece and Varlum listened, before stepping forward with a look of pain on his face. "We killed them. Kata, Syroa and Audrae had found a way to betray the other Immortals as Nir'wei said. So we killed them" he said simply, his voice cold as he let tears pour down his cheeks. His eyes stayed down at the floor, not wanting to meet the gaze of the Immortals. "And when I killed Kata, I gave Valtharn the chance. To take all the power Kata had taken, to do what Kata had done and ascend. So she killed Faldrun, with some help. She took the power, and she left."

"And there was nothing we could do" he hissed angrily, his eyes looking up for a moment as he glanced around the room, his emotions overwhelming him as he felt the tears pour harder and faster. All of the anger that had swarmed him earlier turned to sadness and pain in his heart. "We weren't enough. If it wasn't for Faldrun giving in to my prayer I could have never killed Kata. If it wasn't for whatever the hell happened to Zoro they would have killed him. If it wasn't for the people at my back I would be dead and there was nobody there to stop it" he snarled under his breath, looking to the people in the room for a moment before taking a small step back, using his hand to wipe the tears from his eyes as he breathed in, wanting to calm himself down before he said something he would come to regret. Then his eyes fell to Ilaren, then Ethelynda.

"I have fought for Arcs. War after war, time after time. I have fought Liches, I have fought creatures of flames, I've fought mages. I've been stabbed, I've been beaten, I've been thrown to the floor and I have never given up. Even when everything I fought for was gone, when the person I could come home to was no longer here, I fought" he spoke with a deep hurt to his voice, looking around at every Immortal present with tears still flowing, his voice shaking as he put his stone hand to his shoulder and let his gaze fall back to the floor. There was so much more he wanted to say, so many other things.

Instead, he paused for just a moment, letting out a small sob as his hands covered his eyes, taking a deep breath in as he looked with pained eyes around the room. "Where were you? When they dragged me out of the rubble trying to save a village on the outskirts of your city, where were you?" he asked with a look to Ilaren. Then his eyes turned to Ethelynda. "I prayed to you. I have prayed to you for Arcs, I have dedicated my wars to you. I have struck down your enemies and I have vowed to you that I would protect Idalos no matter what it cost me" he shot to her, his breathing heavy. "And if these people hadn't stood at my side, and jumped at Valtharn the moment they got the chance, then I would have died doing it by myself."

Quiet for a trill, he caught his composure for a moment, before turning to Ethelynda. "I love you, as I love my own sisters. I respect you more than I respect any other on Idalos" he started with a shaking voice and a sore throat from the roaring he had done. "But I have lost almost everything I have fighting, and not once have I had your shield to keep me safe from it. Even as I fought Gods, and monsters that the world had never seen before, I fought alone" he said, letting the tears keep pouring as his heart ached deep inside his chest. A part of him felt guilt for blaming Ethelynda as he did, loving who she was and all she had done simply by blessing him, by telling him about the Dragons and by encouraging him to do more. But it wasn't enough. When he had needed her most he had been alone, broken on the floor.

"If those words mean you have to remove the power you give me, then I will continue to worship you until I can't any longer, for all you have given me" he said through the tears. "But I can't keep waking, knowing I might die alone. That I might never be the Uncle I promised I would be. That the people I have lost will never be avenged" he confessed with a weakness he had shown nobody before, finally looking up from the ground as pained eyes met the Immortal of serpents, showing nothing but desperation.

Once he had said his part, he took a step back and leaned against the wall, lowering his head to mask the sobs as they left him, heart pounding in his chest.

[Oram Mednix]

You had to be there, man!

Oram never did get Cad’s ax. Too many other, baffling, unexpected things had happened that made his intent pointless. From his kneeling position next to Cad, the stupid ax now forgotten, the hunter could only marvel at what he saw and heard. His one impulse to action, in all that followed, was a brief attempt to rise and join Cassion in attacking whatever that thing was that Zoro had tried to attack. And that did not last long.

More Immortals appeared, Karem and another warrior woman type. Perhaps Raskalarn. Nir’wei’s wolves attacked Valtharn and were cut down like grass. Karem pulled Nir’wei back and Valtharn fought with the newly arrived warrior. The power and skill with which they fought made Oram’s head spin.

And then, when Other Warrior Woman struck the Ascension in half, it began to fracture, releasing beams of white light as fissures crazed its surface, to the general alarm of even the most powerful beings there. It was suddenly time for all of them to leave. Valtharn grabbed Cad and then something happened. Cassion grabbed him and something else happened…

They were all in a new place. Everyone except Cad and Valtharn. Good, Oram didn’t want to be someplace with those two right now. New persons were also there. Saoire, Qylios, U’frek, others who were doubtless also Immortals although Oram didn’t immediately recognize them. Were there any Immortals the traveler hadn’t seen this trial? Not Pier and Pre, at least, not Vri, nor Famula, and those were all good Immortals not to have seen today.

The room they found themselves in was comfortable and peaceful, a place to sit and talk. Oram sat, but didn’t say anything for awhile. Instead he just sat and breathed, waiting for his reeling mind to slow and settle into something manageable. He was obviously not the only one there shaken. One of the female Immortals Oram didn’t know asked what had happened, why those in the room were in the state they were in. With a start, Oram realized that he *had* seen her, in the vision he had had in that cave before Audrae’s shadows had taken him.

Raskalarn repeated the request that they explain what had happened. Then Nir’wei spoke, followed by Varlum. Oram frowned as he listened to them and his thoughts gradually settled. Those thoughts were still a jumble, like papers blown about by a gust of wind through a window, but at least they had settled. Both Nir’wei and Varlum spoke as much about what they believed and how they felt about what had happened as about what had actually happened. Rosser Hopkins would have pulled out his hair trying to debrief them.

When he felt his turn had come to speak, the traveler glanced at Cassion and sighed. ”I started as part of another party," he began. "We were summoned from our lives, from all corners of Idalos, to fulfill some errand, supposedly that of some Immortal. A being who looked and sounded exactly like Cassion, and who said it was, had gathered us. We found ourselves in a mountainous region where an enormous being our Cassion impostor called “Abanaxus” slept nearby. The impersonator told us that we needed to stop the Aukari Occult from collecting certain artifacts and drawing power from them.” He looked around at the other Mortals and Mortal-born in the room. ”I do not know whether the others here experienced similar things.

“We eventually found ourselves in a large room, tended by a flock of large, golden-winged geese that contained a pool of water that conveyed visions, and which contained golden eggs of some sort. At one point, something made a loud, bell-like tone, and we all had a vision that involved a dragon giving its eggs to…” he glanced over to Ethelydna, ”well, to you.”

The traveler paused a moment, then shuddered. ”Just after that, my own shadow started to grow up around me, and the next thing I know, Audrae has summoned me and the others here to yet another treacherous errand. We find ourselves in that ruined place, with Kata floating above the platform already ‘Ascended’. Syroa and Audrae are there, and Faldrun and Falkia. Nir’wei told you most of the story about what happened next.”

He fell silent at that point. After a trill, he looked back at Cassion and shrugged. ”Sorry for being a sucker,” he apologized. He slumped and thought another trill, frowning. He looked up at the other mortals. ”Nobody but me mentioned anything about dragons or dragon eggs. Did anybody else here have an experience like that? And if so, could that have anything to do with all that’s happened this trial?”

Oram fell silent once more, this time for good, his gaze resting finally on Varlum. The ithecal seemed to have healed, at least physically. He did not know Varlum’s history, but it was obviously one filled with deep tragedy and pain. He found himself wishing he had grapes for that.

[Cad Revel]

Timestamp: 35th of Saun, 721
Location: Somewhere Spooky

Oram's words, spoken so calmly and clearly, did wonders to sooth away the mess of emotions that were flying rapidly around Cad's blackened heart. An unnaturally good job really, but there was little time to consider the implications of what that meant when so much else was going on. Before Cad could work up a proper response wolf-boy took the initiative to attack, triggering one more fight that was as brutal as it was short, and Cad scrambled to reclaim his axe from where Oram had discarded it as the battlefield kicked into life once more.

Valtharn was a beast in a fight. An efficient, logical beast. Every attack was met not with flash and grandeur, but with a simple and effective counter. It was sheer martial prowess backed up by the power of a god, and as such despite being outnumbered Valtharn was clearly dominating the fight. At least she was until Raskalarn showed up. As mother and daughter crossed blades the air around them seemed to crackle with lightning, and Cad could not help but distantly notice how similar the two looked as they glared into each others eyes. Here was one Immortal at least who seemed to be a match for Valtharn in combat prowess.

Luckily Valtharn, just as she'd claimed, wasn't blinded by arrogance like Kata had been. After the next clash of blades she jumped back over to him, stating that she wasn't dumb enough to fight it out with her mother when she stood to gain so little. A second later her hand had grabbed him by the shoulder, and with an ungraceful squawk of surprise Cad was dragged through a portal like a sack of turnips.



The next thing he knew Cad was lying on his back across the rug of his living room, staring in befuddlement at his own ceiling. Had he dreamt all of that? No, he was still holding a bloodied axe in his hands, which meant he'd either become a sleepwalking serial killer or the events of the last few hours really had happened. Baby dragons were real, many Immortals were dead, and one newly-minted super Immortal was currently...

Making herself at home in his living room. Of course.

As Valtharn began speaking Cad staggered to his feet, propped his axe up against the wall, and sat down on another seat across the table. Never once did his eyes leave the new Immortal; half because he was genuinely interested in what she had to say, and half because he still suspected she might lop his head off it she thought he was being rude. The more Valtharn spoke, the more Cad's understanding of her expanded. Unlike what he'd assumed for someone who'd just achieved apotheosis, Valtharn really didn't seem interested in acting like some royal divinity. No, she was far more rough and ready. She certainly demanded respect through her actions, but didn't seem like the kind who cared for grovelling or flowery words. That was useful to know. She was also an unashamed villain and seemed to hold no delusions of being evil for the sake of a higher purpose.

When she offered Cad the position of her first follower, Cad couldn't hide the eager grin that spread across his lips. Oh thank whatever gods hadn't died earlier this afternoon that he wasn't going to have to beg. As scary as she was, Cad could spot a once in a lifetime opportunity when it came his way, and he'd already set his heart on chasing it. If following Valtharn was the path to his dreams then sign him up!

"First of all thank you for getting me out of there." He replied, resisting his first thought of bowing in a flamboyant gesture of flattery in favour of a clear and respectful nod. Keeping it short and clear seemed like the best way forward with Valtharn. "And I appreciate you honouring an agreement made on Faldrun's behalf. I'd offer you a drink, but I'm afraid I don't stock any. There's not much point when you have a body like mine."

And as for being evil, when I certainly make no plan to hide it." Cad announced, standing up and swooshing his cape dramatically as a little of his usual blustery enthusiasm returned now that the thick of the danger had passed. "I am the master of maliciousness! The shrewd sorceror! The creator of cruel contraptions! Soon all of Scalvoris will bow before my glory, and then I shall turn my eyes upon the rest of the world! Mwahahahahaha!" He laughed maniacly for a good few second, then visibly deflated. "Or at least I will be, just as soon as I set up a proper lair and hire expendable minions. It's a work in progress. But with your reward I shall have all I need to put my plans into action soon." He sat back down again and returned to being serious. "So if your power and backing will help me achieve my dreams then yes, I will serve you. A hundred times over. I have little to offer in terms of combat skill, but by the looks of that little spat earlier that's something you have in abundance anyway. What I can offer you are my skills as a craftsman, magician and scientist, towards whatever goal you desire." He raised an eyebrow curiously. "Come to think of it, what do you plan to do with your newfound power, if you don't mind my asking? What would you have me do in your service?"

At the question about the latex Cad grinned impishly. "To build a gigantic inflatable sea monster with. Real giant sea monsters are hard to come by and would be wasted as a distraction, but I figured that with my necromancy or a clever bit of puppetry I could make a fake giant sea monster that looks convincing enough. So long as nobody thinks to poke it that is. Who'd poke a giant monster?"

Magic/Abilities/Items Used

None

[Zoro Astrian]

Zoro had a feeling of grim satisfaction when he struck at the Ascension Machine. Daia and Cassion had joined the attack, however the blade reverberated in his hand and at best he was rewarded with a dull thud. But he needn’t have worried because an armour-clad Immortal with a mightily big sword arrived at that moment, as if by magic, and she cleaved it casually in two.

“That’s how you do it!” Zoro exclaimed feeling relieved and surplus to requirements all at the same time and he added with a slightly hysterical giggle, “I probably cracked it for you!” This whole situation was beginning to fray Zoro’s nerves. He was not a hero like these people, he was not used to situations like this and although his silver biqaj blood pounded in his ears and roared in exhilaration at the adventure, his sphincter muscles were equally agitated and he was – in all ways – tense.

It was going from the sublime to the ridiculous in the naïve biqaj’s eyes when Karem joined the fray. She pulled Nir’wei back like she was house training a puppy and Zoro’s eyes widened as the big bad first took a second to monologue some more and then disappeared with the very strange-looking human. If he had woken up with a hangover at that point, or surrounded by the strangely-scented plants in Uncle Zeb’s garden, it would have made more sense.

Breathing in, Zoro tried to calm himself but his head was reeling and then, he realised that he had been teleported somewhere, by someone. Fear grasped him for a moment, but then he saw the familiar face of Oram and the others and he breathed out. Cassion and Daia were there, too, and Zoro looked around and considered that the last time he’d been in the presence of so many Immortals, they’d been visiting tables and sharing a meal in Daia’s realm.

Qylios came over to sit with him and Oram and Zoro smiled gratefully at her. Relief flooded him as he recognised the Immortal of Bonds and Courage and Light. They were asked to explain the events that had just occurred and Zoro was quiet for a moment as he listened to the words of his companions. It gave him time to try and calm his frantic mind and begin to make sense of the experience he had just had.

The others all replied and Zoro was struck by how each of them spoke from their hearts with complicated and heartfelt emotion. First the ithecal and then Nir’wei spoke with passion. Oram tried to give a more measured account of what was happening and mentioned the dragons, something which had been overlooked until this point.
When it came time for him to speak, Zoro breathed in and looked at Cassion. “In your name, I will tell what meagre tale I can to do justice to this most incredible of stories.”

Zoro took his role as marked of Cassion very seriously and he was faced with a choice. Rather than sit and cry or shake or descend into an absolute blubbering wreck, Zoro decided he would tell this tale. He stood, lifted his chin and puffed out his chest and he spoke.

“A group of us were taken and found ourselves in a strange cave which became an underground labyrinth. Although I am the only one from that group who came here, they all played a part in this tale.” He was quite determined to make sure that everyone who had taken part got the credit for their actions. “In my group, as we travelled the labyrinth and were tested room by room and place by place, there were five of us. Woe, Xander, Gennadiya, Mab and myself. Mab quickly left us, but the four of us who remained travelled the labyrinth and worked together to face it’s challenges. They were brave and honourable and they deserve their names to be part of this telling.”

Zoro explained further. “There was a voice, and then an injured child. Gennadiya was healing her and, just as Oram said, there be dragons. My shadow ate me and I appeared with these brave folk,” Zoro gestured around the room. “When we arrived, Faldrun was injured, Immortals lay dead and Kata invited us to kill Faldrun. We did not.” He was proud of that, Zoro’s chin lifted a little more. “We fought instead against Kata. We were aided by Faldrun, by Cassion, by Daia, by Xiur and I have no doubt by many more. Audrae disappeared into the shadows and I used the light granted to me by Qylios to find her and Xiur’s power enveloped my sword and his star dragon wrapped around me and I slew her.” Zoro’s voice shook at that, the enormity of what he had done weighing heavily on him. “Syroa too, was slain, by Oram and Nir’wei and then this brave man,” he gestured to Varlum, “gave more than any could have expected and he bested Kata. But then, that … that… I don’t know her name but she monologued a lot and she murdered Faldrun and then hurt Cail” Zoro sounded angry, and he was. “She seemed to feed somehow on the death around her and she used the machine to further power herself. I tried to break that machine, but it would not fall to my blade. Then, quite literally, the cavalry arrived and the machine was destroyed by an Immortal blade.” Zoro’s voice had not stopped shaking throughout the telling, but he did his best to remain in control. However, in his next words, his voice rang out with absolute certainty.

“All of us there, Cassion, Daia, Nir’wei, Oram, Cail, Varlum, each of us gave of our hearts and souls to do this. This task, if such it was, was given to us without our knowledge, consent or understanding and still, you are all standing in the presence of the bravest people, mortal and Immortal both, I have ever met.” Zoro realised that he sounded like he was telling off the Immortals who’d dropped them here and left them to it until the very last moment. Then, Zoro realised that telling them off was exactly what he was doing. “I will always do my best and what is right,” he said, firmly. “but these people – all of them, from Woe and Gennadiya and Xander to those of us standing here. We were pulled from our lives into extreme danger without any thought that we should consent or even be informed.” He frowned a deep frown. “When Oram and Nir’wei and Cassion and Daia and I stood with many others in the Heart of Scalvoris and we balanced the Induks, it allowed you, the Immortals, to change. It is a poor captain who does not tell their crew the destination, and that ignorance makes the navigation all the harder for those who swab the decks. “ Zoro looked around the room at those who had stood together. He smiled slightly, although his whole body was shaking as emotion overwhelmed him. He swirled shades of pink. “I’m just glad we all survived the journey.”

And with that, Zoro Astrian sat down.

[Cail Qy'Jihai]

Cail Qy'Jihai


Thread Name
Time Stamp

Cail fought to try and get feeling back in her legs while watching everything that was going on before her. The way the bottle was going there was no way that they would not end up bringing down the whole place. The last thing she wanted was to be carried out by someone because she was not smart enough to pay attention. The woman watched as several immortals and many of her now companions lept to attack the new immortal. Yet there was no strike that would have wounded her. In fact, Valtharn decided she wanted no part of the battle and jumped over to Cad grabbing him before leaving.

A gasp left her lips when it was declared time to leave yet she still had no feeling in her legs. A squeak came from her when Cassion grabbed her and Oram before taking off out of the ascension hall. Or at least that is what Cail was going to call it given that its real name was a loss to her. The woman looked around glad to no longer be where they were before. The beautiful black stone was amazing to look at as it did not absorb any light and make the room any darker. The light made it clear to see as the woman looked around seeing Falkia crying and Daia upset trying to hold it together as well.

When Cail felt her legs once more she would move over to check on Falkia if the woman would allow her to. It was not long before other Immortals began to appear as well. The most notable to Cail was U’frek her people’s patron Immortal over the seas. She moved to the side some out of the way and bowed before him in respect.

“Lord U’frek,” Cail said gently as well before righting herself at the next question of an explanation.

The woman let everyone explain where they had been and who they had been with before appearing at the Ascension. Her heart ached for Varlum when he bared all his pain to the Immortals that he had prayed to for so long. It was a cruel reminder that even with the greatest devotion the Immortals thought it better to let one face trials alone. Until she took in Paige when she found the girl a float with Oonah, the woman had very much been alone in a crowded world. Yet nothing seemed to change the emptiness she felt missing the ones she loved and called family. As each of them gave their stories the woman realized it was her time to tell what had happened to her as well.

“My name is Cail Qy’Jihai. I was one member of a group that was brought to Yaralon in search of an artifact. We soon found ourselves talking to an old hag that appeared to be guarding the secret to the way to the artifact. I am no fighter, nor will I pretend to be one, a ghost challenged me to a fight in order that I win information to the vault. My companion Praetorum stood by me knowing the Yaralon culture helping me avoid a fight I would have surely lost. He was not the only one who stood by me, Natalie, Yeva, and ShI’Drei was there as well. We took to the sewers in order to find a safe passage and perhaps stop those who had went in search of it first. There were strange things there something called Fractures. We had to stay along the edge of the walls to keep from touching a strange mist like substance till we came to a place where we could hear them ahead of us.”

Cail took a moment to catch her breath before continuing, “we found a strange opening as we made our way to the noise and passed through. A frog was protecting what appeared to be eggs, but I cannot say if it was dragon eggs like Oram found in his group. All I can say is that soon I was taken away from Natalie and Prae by my shadow as well. Along the way Yeva and ShI’Drei left us. I do not know what became of my companions only that I hope they are safe. I feel like I have failed everyone here by not fighting, but I did learn some things before Faldrun was killed.”

“I went to try and figure out how the three Immortals were killed thinking perhaps we could use the same thing to draw the power from Kata without killing her. Faldrun stood by with your daughter my lady to help protect me while I examined the body. Lord Faldrun explained that the Ascension had stolen their powers from them and given them all to Kata. The bodies were nothing but dried out husks. When I asked if we could use the Ascension to take the power from Kata, your daughter made her move and killed Faldrun with help from one of us. Then stole the powers Kata had obtained, she hit a pressure point leaving me unable to move to try and help,” Cail bowed her head when her story had ended hoping she had explained more to help them make their next plan.

Biqaj Female

23 Arc old
Long Brown Hair and Eyes
5' 8" Tall

Clothing Style
Green Cloak

“Part of the healing process is sharing with other people who care.”
~ Jerry Cantrell

[Basilisk]

The Immortals all listened quietly as the five heroes gathered explained what had happened and vented their emotions and frustrations. There was no judgement in them for the recriminations, or the demands that they do something, only a sort of bone-deep weariness, a weariness that only seemed to deepen when Oram and Zoro explained about the Dragons. Even Cassion looked worn as the tale continued and, in fact, only Raskalarn and Daia looked any different. Daia looked like she was on the verge of tears, and was borderline non-response, only issuing monosyllabic grunts when spoken too. Raskalarn looked grim and almost detached, but there was something behind her eyes. She was as affected as the others, but there was a guilt to her that the others lacked, but she was holding at bay.

When the tales were all told, there was a long silence, one that Ilaren broke first. "You ask a hard question, Varlum. You're a knight of Rharne, one of our best, and there is a correctness to your questions, and so I will answer, for all of us here." she said, her normal exuberance all but worn down. "Our Blessed are our agents, chosen to wield our powers in service to either our specific cause, or the grander causes that unite so many of us. The are our most trusted allies and most capable followers, by all logic, the ones who frequently deserve our help the most." she said, before letting out a heavy sigh. "But they also the ones who need it the least. The stronger a Blessed is, not just in the Blessing, but in all aspects, the less they need us." she said, before looking over at Karem as the Immortal of the Hunt rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Ilaren, you are taking the long way around." she said, her tone calm. Ilaren raised an eyebrow at her, but didn't speak. "I am the most direct about it, but the truth is, the people we Bless are the people who do not need us. We do not give Blessings to those who beg our assistance for every hardship, but to those who don't ask for it except at greatest need. You asked why we are often not there to help? The answer is because you are there." she said, nodding at all five of them. "We are where you aren't because that is where we needed. Keeping people calm, saving lives, and yes, for many of us, running governments. Right here, right now, that may seem a weak answer, but it is a true one." she said, sitting back down.

Ethelynda raised an eyebrow at her little sister, then turned to Varlum. "A bit more direct and harsh than is necessary, but true." she said, before sighing slightly. "We lean on our Blessed because we have to. Because without you, we would accomplish nothing." she said, before reaching up to place a gentle hand on Varlum's cheek. "But it does mean that we cannot be there for those who serve us best, because those who serve us best are those who need us the least. It means they suffer while we save someone else, or while we make sure they have a place to rest safely." she said, her tone gentle. "I cannot promise I will be there, Varlum, because there are those weaker than you, those who cannot bear a hundredth of what you do, that I must shield. But you have never fought alone. Even were you the only one on the battlefield, you carry not just the power of those who believe in you, but their hearts and will as well." she said, before smiling slightly.

"It is the nature of people to leave something of themselves with everyone they meet, for good or for ill. You spoke of your sisters, and do you really mean to tell me that when you fight, their teachings do not help you? That love for them doesn't spur you to greater heights?" she said, her tone gentle. "Do not misunderstand me, you have suffered much this day, and in days prior. The strain of what you have done has weighed heavily on you. You need rest, bearer of my Shield, and I do not make light of that. But you are much less alone than you seem to believe." she said, her tone gentle.

Then Karem stood and pulled something out of her pocket, a wolf shaped whistle. Or rather, five of them, which she handed out to the others. "That said, I would not have those who defended the world be without aid. Blow that when you truly need aid, and it will come, in whatever form is needed." she said, before sitting back down. Karem was notorious for, among other things, her dislike of offering unnecessary aid. She believed people needed to survive on their own. Evidently, what they had done, or perhaps what they had said, had transcended that dislike.

Then Raskalarn stood up and looked at Zoro. "You asked why you were not told the destination, nor the goal. Since I was overall in charge, I can tell that none of us knew what was going to happen at Anox's Folly, or even that it could happen. If we had, I assure you, we would not have bothered sending people to interfere with the artifacts. As for why we were so direct about pulling you in, it was to prevent the end of the world, something I'll happily say you succeeded at, even if you don't think you did. I acknowledge we could have been more polite about it, and I take full responsibility for the fact that we weren't. But I will explain why we were so direct." she said, and gestured around the room. If anyone looked at Raskalarn herself, however, they would notice that she had a piece of the Ascension in her hand, and it was beginning to warp and break apart as she spoke.

"Korlasir, the seat of my empire, is made of this black stone. I did not do this because I like the color, however. Once, long ago, the Immortals fought each other directly. In our fighting, our powers raged, and the world died. Quite literally, the world died. When the combatants looked up from their war, they saw what their devastation had done and we all banded together to revive it." she said, though there was some bite to her voice. If anyone looked, they would see that Ilaren, Qylios and U'frek looked rather shamefaced. Karem and Ethelynda had a more annoyed look, as if the pair of them wanted to knock some of the more shamefaced ones upside the head. Cassion and Saoire, however, looked rather depressed at the memory.

"But not all the world was revived. A part of it, a single mountain, remained dead, the stone blackened by the ending of the world." she said, waving her hand at the black stone of her city. "This was not accidental. I left the mountain dead, and I built my capital from it. We signed the Oath to prevent another such end, but Korlasir will forever stand as a reminder of our failure, a reminder of why I walk the path I do, and why I stand apart from the Immortal factions." she said, her tone regaining its usual determination. "But as you saw with Kata, some of us chafed under the oath, and would have seen its end this day, a return to the days when Immortals fought each other directly, to the risk of the world as a whole. That is what you prevented this day, another outbreak of the Immortals War, and another potential ending of Idalos." she said, before she opened her hand, the piece of the Ascension she had now formed into five rings.

The rings flew from Raskalarn's hand and to the five heroes. "I have my reminder of why I keep moving forward. My hope is that these rings will serve as yours. Some idiot or another will come along and try to end the world again, of that I have no doubt. But if you, and people like you, are willing to stand up to them and refuse their mad ambition, then it is my belief that we can prevent a fourth ending." she said, her tone serious. But there was something underneath it, a pride in all of them for their courage and their deeds. Raskalarn saw herself, perhaps arrogantly, as standing against the end of the world, and in those five, she saw kindred spirits.

Then she looked at Nir'wei. "As for tracking Valtharn, we have no idea where she's gone and she's kept out of notice for decades." she said, her expression grim. "She's always known that the best way to keep trouble off her doorstep is to keep it from noticing you. We don't know where she bases, we don't know where she took Cad, we don't know where she plans to go next. And she's not stupid enough to tilt at us with untested powers and no plan. She'll keep laying low until she's ready and she won't make a peep that can be traced to her until then." she said, before shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I truly am. But right now, we have no way of finding her. She has full access to Emea now as well, so she's even harder to find than before."

Karem, however, looked at Nir'wei and smiled gently. "Do not take your loss to her too hard, Nir'wei. Valtharn was fought both alongside and against not only my Champions, but also alongside and against me. The truth is, she knows more about Velduris than almost anyone alive, and almost certainly knows how to fight it better than anyone else. It wasn't weakness or lack of skill that put you so backfooted against you, but experience. She will be the toughest for you to deal with unless you can find a way to use your powers she can't predict. " she said, her tone gentle.

Falkia, who had stirred sightly when Cail checked on her, finally stood up and walked over to the healer. "Don't beat yourself up, ma'am. Valtharn was always a wild card, but she always delivered what my Lord paid for. Even I wouldn't have thought she was that evil." she said, her tone polite. "There will be fall out from this, not the least being what will happen to the Aukari with my Lord gone, but you've done nothing wrong. You were tryin' to help, not your fault there were traitors in our midst." the Champion of Faldrun said, her voice saddened, but surprisingly gentle.

Then of course, there was the matter of the Dragons. Ethelynda spoke first. "Now for the Dragons. Yes, that was me on Iulure, with my father, Luesco. I was entrusted with the souls of the fallen Dragons and the task of ensuring their return. After the Shattering was the wrong time, they would have been blamed for it, especially by those who were were most desperately seeking someone to blame." she said, before wincing slightly as the general atmosphere of the room took a sudden plunge. The Immortals, all of them but Raskalarn, Ethelynda, and Daia, suddenly put some distance between themselves and Karem, who was looking borderline murderous.

Raskalarn and Ethelynda moved over next to her, and Daia shook herself aware at the motion. All of them put a comforting, and perhaps restraining, hand on the Immortal of Wolves, who eventually huffed and snarled something that had all the Velduris wolves in the room give her a positively shocked look, but she subsided. "Sorry. I didn't mean to bring that memory up." Ethelynda said, getting another snarl from Karem, though she didn't seem mad at her sister. "After the revival of Idalos, I decided it was time to revive them. I thought they came back as the Ithecal, but apparently it was much more than that." she said, shrugging slightly as if the return of Dragons and her part in it was no big deal.

Raskalarn gave her a flat, borderline unfriendly look, but she let it drop after a moment. "Well, that explains why the Ithecal look like lizards and not snakes." she said, before shrugging. "Not that I can complain, the Ithecal are a damn fine bunch. Still, Dragons in the world will change things." she said, before shaking her head. "That's for another day. For now, enough has been done and you all deserve rest." she said, before waving her hand as six portals appeared, each of their homes, including Falkia's, visible through one of the portals. "Go home, and rest. Or you can stay the night here and I will send you home in the morning. You have all earned whatever rest you desire, and more." she said, her tone as gentle as it got.



Valtharn nodded when Cad thanked her for saving him and honoring Faldrun's deal. When he accepted her offer, she nodded and then shrugged when he asked her what she was going to do with her newfound power. "Master it, first and foremost. My aunts failing was that she tried to loose new and untested power and I am not such a fool as to tilt at some of the mightiest heroes of Idalos with powers that I don't know. After that, we'll see." she said, shrugging slightly. "As for what you can do, you can get stronger. I'm sure I'll have some use for you in the future, but for now, I want you to become an even better villain." she said, laughing slightly.

When he explained the latex, however, she gave him a slightly amused smile. "Perhaps no one would be keen on goin' to poke it, but you can bet there would have been archers who were shootin' at it." she said, giving another slight laugh before she stood up and approached Cad. "Well, let's try this." she said, reaching out to touch him, her hand brimming with power. However, no power entered him and she looked at her hand in frustration before reaching out to touch him again, to the same result. "Well, now that's just embarrassing'. It would appear I don't actually know how to go about grantin' a Blessin'." she said, her frustration clear in her tone. "Guess I need to find the manual to my new powers." she said, before shrugging.

"Well, I can't just be leavin' you all empty handed, now can I?" she said, before she snapped her fingers. "Wait, I know." she said, before she concentrated and a key formed in her hand. "Use that on any door, like you're turning a key. It'll lead you to your new lair. But give it a day, I want to put some housewarmin' gifts in there for you, as a way to show my appreciation." she said, her tone genuine. "Now, I best be gettin' for now. You use that key tomorrow evenin' and you'll see what I mean though. And don't worry, soon as I figure out how Blessin's work, I'll pop around and see that you get mine." she said, before she opened a portal and stepped through it, vanishing from Cad's house.



REVIEW

Varlum

Comments

Poor Varlum! This was the hardest day of his life so far, and that's saying a lot. He needs to go visit his sisters and take a lot of rest. Hopefully he's not too mad at the Immortals for their answer to his question.

Points

EXP: 25
Renown: 30

Knowledge

Defiance x 5 (please choose 5 knowledge and name them)
Discipline x 5
Combat (Axes) x 3
Combat (Unarmed) x 4
Endurance x 5
Strength x 3

Loot

Champion Al'deurn: Varlum was given Faldrun's Blessing and boosted all the way to Champion. While this wasn't intended to be permanent, Faldrun can't remove it any more. So Varlum gets Champion Al'deurn, which I am not copying down here because it's way too long.

Blanket of Calm Ethelynda gives Varlum a really big, really fluffy blanket that gives him a sense of calm and peace while he wears it. His life may be violent, but now he'll always have something that can keep it at bay and give him some peace. It's also really comfortable.

Pillow of Good Sleeps Ethelynda also gives Varlum a really soft pillow. When he uses it, it keeps any bad dreams at bay. It also gives him a really good rest, with three hours of sleep being equal to one full nights sleep.

Wolf's Howl: Karem gives you a wolf shaped whistle that, when blown, lets out an ethereal wolf call. This whistle can be blown once per cycle, and only when the user truly needs help. However, when they blow it, the help they need will come.

Ascension's Fall: Raskalarn gives you a ring made out of a broken piece of the Ascension, given just enough juice by the Immortal of Conquest to have a limited effect. The ring drains Immortal Ether, making it more difficult for them to use their Domains, though it doesn't affect physical ability, knowledge, or skill.

Sacrifice and Glory: All five heroes absorb Belaera's fallen Sacrifice Domain. They have to PSF a power, and they have a shared space in Emea that they can open a door to with an outline of a door drawn in blood.

Nir'wei

Comments

It's been a rough day for the Floofbutt! Still, he came out pretty uninjured, barring some trauma from facing down so many powerful opponents. Karem is very proud of him, however, even if she's not the best at showing it.

Points

EXP: 25
Renown: 30

Knowledge

Combat (Ranged) x 5
Combat (Unarmed) x 2
Discipline x 5
Endurance x 5
Strength x 3
Tactics x 5

Loot

Champion Velduris Karem is very pleased with Nir'wei and makes him her Champion! Powers are in the wiki, this review is running late and would run later if I copied them down, sorry. >_<

Rest of Favored Telka Saoire rounds out the remainder of his Favored Telka Blessing, taking him all the way up to the full nine Favored Telka powers.

Rest of Favored Nalos Same as above, but for Xiur and Nalos.

Friend Stone A pair of stones given by Saoire that act as portable Gateways. Nir'wei can give one to another person and keep one himself and they'll always be able to visit.

Wolf's Howl: Karem gives you a wolf shaped whistle that, when blown, lets out an ethereal wolf call. This whistle can be blown once per cycle, and only when the user truly needs help. However, when they blow it, the help they need will come.

Ascension's Fall: Raskalarn gives you a ring made out of a broken piece of the Ascension, given just enough juice by the Immortal of Conquest to have a limited effect. The ring drains Immortal Ether, making it more difficult for them to use their Domains, though it doesn't affect physical ability, knowledge, or skill.

Sacrifice and Glory: All five heroes absorb Belaera's fallen Sacrifice Domain. They have to PSF a power, and they have a shared space in Emea that they can open a door to with an outline of a door drawn in blood.

Oram

Comments

Oram did really well in this thread. Honestly, his storytelling during the fight was incredible and his bravery was an amazing thing to see. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in future events.

Points

EXP: 25
Renown: 30

Knowledge

Combat (Polearms and Staves) x 5
Leadership x 5
Endurance x 5
Storytelling x 5
Strength x 2
Tactics x 3

Loot

Adored Ziell Ziell is pleased with you and gives you the first five powers from Adored Ezere, plus any you're missing from Favored Ezere.

Adored Cassion See above, but with Cassion and Sojourn.

Gifted Bracelets Daia gives you a pair of Bracelets that have the same powers as the Companionship Bracelet power of Daianya.

Demon's Claw A remnant of Syroa that Cassion gave to you. It allows take on the demon bear form she used to fight Cassion once a trial, for no more than a break.

Wolf's Howl: Karem gives you a wolf shaped whistle that, when blown, lets out an ethereal wolf call. This whistle can be blown once per cycle, and only when the user truly needs help. However, when they blow it, the help they need will come.

Ascension's Fall: Raskalarn gives you a ring made out of a broken piece of the Ascension, given just enough juice by the Immortal of Conquest to have a limited effect. The ring drains Immortal Ether, making it more difficult for them to use their Domains, though it doesn't affect physical ability, knowledge, or skill.

Sacrifice and Glory: All five heroes absorb Belaera's fallen Sacrifice Domain. They have to PSF a power, and they have a shared space in Emea that they can open a door to with an outline of a door drawn in blood.

Zoro

Comments

I was honestly shocked by how well Zoro did in this thread. He's a very new PC and he's already making such big contributions. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of him in future events.

Points

EXP: 25
Renown: 30

Knowledge

Combat (Blades) x 5
Endurance x 5
Discipline x 5
Storytelling x 3
Strength x 4
Tactics x 3

Loot

Adored Cassion Cassion is pleased with thee and upgrades you to Adored Sojourn. You get the first five powers of Adored, plus any you were missing from Favored.

Adored Xiur See above, but for Xiur and Nalos.

Starblade Xiur has decided that you need a better weapon if you're going to take a swing at an Immortal already. Thus, you are given the Starblade, a sword that appears to be forged from starlight. The Starblade is a Tier 8 Masterwork sword, in the style of your choosing, that glows brightly in the dark. The light from the blade banishes and can even cut through shadows, meaning that not even beings of pure shadow are safe from Zoro's blade.

Favored Qylios Qylios was impressed with Zoro's use of her powers and gives him the first six powers of Favored Celarion.

Wolf's Howl: Karem gives you a wolf shaped whistle that, when blown, lets out an ethereal wolf call. This whistle can be blown once per cycle, and only when the user truly needs help. However, when they blow it, the help they need will come.

Ascension's Fall: Raskalarn gives you a ring made out of a broken piece of the Ascension, given just enough juice by the Immortal of Conquest to have a limited effect. The ring drains Immortal Ether, making it more difficult for them to use their Domains, though it doesn't affect physical ability, knowledge, or skill.

Sacrifice and Glory: All five heroes absorb Belaera's fallen Sacrifice Domain. They have to PSF a power, and they have a shared space in Emea that they can open a door to with an outline of a door drawn in blood.

Cail

Comments

Poor Cail, getting taken out by Valtharn must have hurt! Plus she gave the villain the idea that turned her into a much bigger threat! Don't worry though, she is back on her feet by the time the meeting starts and Valtharn isn't gonna come after her.

Points

EXP: 25
Renown: 30

Knowledge

Detection x 5
Discipline x 5
Endurance x 3
Medicine x 2
Research x 5
Stealth x 5

Loot

Favored Koriel U'frek is very pleased with your bravery and gives you the first six powers of Koriel. They'll go well with your new schooner!

Favored Xypha Yvithia is pleased with Cail's smarts and gives her the first six powers of Xypha. May they help Cail achieve even great feats in the future.

Autopsy Glasses Moseke gives Cail a pair of glasses that help her perform medical autopsies, specifically they highlight things that are out of place on or in a dead body. Cail still has to interpret what she sees, but these will help her get started.

Ruin's Favor A few days after the events of Ruin's Dawn, you find a necklace sitting on your desk, with a note that says "Thanks again for the idea." The necklace will make impossible for someone to paralyze Cail in the future, thereby preventing even Valtharn from taking her out like that again.

Wolf's Howl: Karem gives you a wolf shaped whistle that, when blown, lets out an ethereal wolf call. This whistle can be blown once per cycle, and only when the user truly needs help. However, when they blow it, the help they need will come.

Ascension's Fall: Raskalarn gives you a ring made out of a broken piece of the Ascension, given just enough juice by the Immortal of Conquest to have a limited effect. The ring drains Immortal Ether, making it more difficult for them to use their Domains, though it doesn't affect physical ability, knowledge, or skill.

Sacrifice and Glory: All five heroes absorb Belaera's fallen Sacrifice Domain. They have to PSF a power, and they have a shared space in Emea that they can open a door to with an outline of a door drawn in blood.

Cad

Comments

And now we come to the villain of the party. I gotta say, I wasn't expecting him to take a swing at Faldrun, especially so late in the game. But now he's got a new villain to work with, and some new villainous toys to play with. Looking forward to seeing his nefarious schemes in the future.

Points

EXP: 25
Renown: 30

Knowledge

Combat (Axe) x 2
Deception x 5
Discipline x 5
Necromancy x 5 (please choose 5 knowledge and name them)
Stealth x 3
Tactics x 5

Loot

Favored Al'deurn When Faldrun died, Cad absorbed some of his Blessing energy, getting a full Favored Al'deurn set. He can't upgrade the Blessing though, and is stuck with just the first nine powers.

Promised Valtharn's Blessing Since Valtharn's ascension was super not-planned, her Blessing isn't ready to go yet. But as soon as it is, she'll pop by and give him her Blessing, just like she promised. Seriously though, I do apologize for the delay on this.

Ruin's Disguise The heroes of Ascension will recognize Cad, which would be bad for him. Valtharn gives him a ring to interfere with that recognition so that he isn't immediately exposed as a notorious villain while he's still growing his power. It only interferes with the people who were in Ascension, and only interferes with their ability to recognize him from Ascension. If they know him from elsewhere, they'll recognize him from those circumstances, just not the events of Ascension.

Traitor's Blade - Valtharn enchants Cad's axe, making it a Tier 8 mastercrafted axe. The axe boosts both Cad's Strength and Combat (Axes) skill by one tier while he wields it, allowing him to use the axe more effectively than he otherwise would. This power comes with a cost though, and he needs to make sure the axe is bloodied regularly, or it will lose its enchantment until it gets bloodied again. He can use his own blood or someone elses, the axe isn't picky about where its fuel source comes from.

Cad doesn't get the group rewards due to his allegeince, he gets his own rewards from Valtharn instead.

Agony's Call: Valtharn gives Cad a horn that he can blow once per cycle. Once blown, the horn calls every savage monster, animal, and wicked Mortal within a mile to the blowers position. These won't necessarily listen to Cad, but they won't attack him either.

Ascension's Rise: Valtharn gives Cad a necklace made out of a part of the Ascension, still humming with her own power. While he wears it, any injury he inflicts upon another will restore his own stamina, and can even heal wounds, though an injury will only heal of wound of equal or lesser severity.

Ruin's Key: The Fallen Immortals all had their Emean Realms. Valtharn doesn't need them, she'll make her own, but she crafts a key for Cad. If he presses it against a door, any door, and turns it, that door will open into Kata's Realm. It probably needs a touch up since her death, but it's a better supervillain lair than almost any he could ask for.

!	Message from: Basilisk
	That's the end of Ruin's Dawn. Thank you all so much for playing, and I look forward to writing with all of you again in the future. And that goes for every player who took part in this event and every moderator who helped make it awesome. You're all some of the best writers a snek could ever hope to write with.