Scene 14, closed: Golemachy
Two days after the fun in the temple, and things seem back to normal. At least, no one's come after anyone yet.
Moll is competing today in the under 30lbs division. Her strategy is pretty straight forward: a small metal homonculus, heated till it glows red, which she will control. She heard that her opponent, a transmuter, was going to be trying a light but hard wood for a material to give his golem a size advantage.
Varian is, of course, taking bets. He has the odds as 3:1 in favor of Moll.
68 comments:
ooc: seeing as there is no thread specifically for me... I'm posting here.
ic: Resting for a good deal of the first day, Ionjae spent some time out of his room on the second, but after much more rest he begins to feel like himself more. Summoning to him a few of his spiders, he demands to know more about the events that occurred at the temple after they all left in a hurry.
Hmm... I have no idea what to do with such a betting pool.
And I had intended that this would be a good opportunity for non-life-and-limb-risking mingling and character interaction. We do still have a character wandering about with nothing to do with the rest of you. Still, the spiders can run in the background. They'll get back to you.
Just arriving back from the training grounds, Canas heads to the Golemachy fights to get a first hand look at what some of the more creative students put together. He's about to look for Garett whan he hears Varian. He looks up and slowly recognizes Varian as a student he saw a number of times in the illusions department.
"Guy from the gargoyle fiasco, huh? looks like I've made quite a name for myself. Just because Gurg has it in for... Oh, right, the bet, well normally I'd have no problem placing a wager, but... my resources aren't what they once were, I can barely afford the books I want" Canas finishes with a slightly awkward smile.
"I'm also forced to wonder why you're collecting bets, I've heard you speak of your aristocratic background often enough, you can't be wanting for money."
"Ah, I guess I can't say I blame you, after all, I understand a set amount of money not being enough better than most others. And after my... incident with the gargoyles, I don't get great jobs from Gurg, but what else was I supposed to do with evocation against a hoarde of gargoyles?" Canas realizes he had began to rant, and calming himself down, finishes "anyway I guess what I'm trying to say is if you have any lager money making schemes than a betting ring, and you need help, let me know."
"it's no surprise you don't recognize my lineage, I come from a pretty isolated area, near a gate to the the elemental planes. My family has guarded the gate and information on some of what lies beyond for generations," replies Canas, with a little bit of pride.
"I assume your family is a little more central... but enough on that, where do your talents in magic lie? I know I've seen you walking out of a higher level illusion class... I can do a little bit with illusion too, but nothing special."
Wandering down to the golemachy matches, Ionjae scans the crowds before setting his eyes of Varian and some unknown student.
Ionjae quickly scales the seats toward the two, his long legs easily taking the stands two-by-two. As he nears, Ionjae calls out, "Varian, good day for Golemachy matches, don't you think?"
"Oh, Moll? Yeah, I didn't realize she was getting this serious with her creations. Cansas... can't say I do know you, but then again I spend far to much time in the libraries doing research, though if you ever need help finding something, don't feel bad asking me... I seem to have a penchant at uncovering hidden things."
After a split second, Ionjae continues. "Varian, I am feeling much better, thanks. I'm just happy I didn't dissipate any of, or our things. Don't think I'll be doing that spell anytime soon again, unless I need to."
Ionjae sits next to his classmates, and scans the crowd for his conjuration professor to give him the good news of his successful pact-making.
Taking the flask, Ionjae lifts it to his mouth and glances toward Canas sitting between he and Varian, pausing for a moment he asks, "Canas, what is your speciality?"
He takes a swig, and furrows his brow. Passing his hand over the mouthpiece a brief beam of light escapes the opening before passing it back down the line. "Blagh, please never suggest that stuff could possibly pass as wine. Behold the power of a fairly well-timed party trick spell. You'll find that a better vintage, a little more bite but worth it, as it only exists in the deepest parts of the Underdark. Dark Elf Blood Wine, but drink up... that spell won't last forever."
Canas happily takes a sip of the wine, before passing it back.
"It's been a long time since I've had anything other than what essentially amounts to water." Canas turns to answer Ionjae's question, "as for my talents, I specialize in evocation, since I don't have much real strength. I can also do a little illusion, but not with any real degree of skill. I'm actually a little surprised I haven't met you before, I also spend much of my time in the library, more for enjoyment than research though."
Xillik'kea is in attendance, mingling with a group of professors.
The announcer is walking towards the main platform, probably to announce the first match, a minor one of no particular interest to anyone. No betting to speak of except between the friends of the two competitors. Moll's match is the main event, and won't be for a little while.
"Canas, I too am surprised we haven't bumped into each other as well. I've focused myself on Conjuration and Evocation, perhaps we have separate class schedules. But I find, regarding the library, that once you learn how to conjure items... it's not to difficult to call forth a book from the gloomy, dusty shelves of the often traversed halls of knowledge."
Spotting Head Master Xillik'kea, Ionjae excuses himself and heads toward the gathering of professors.
"Excuse me, Master Xillik'kea? Do you have a moment?"
"So, another book worm, eh? I suppose I can relate, I like to read too, but I don't spend that much time in the library."
"Ladies, gentlemen, and assorted others..." pause for laughter... "Welcome to today's Golemachy events. Today promises to be an interesting one. Our first competition is between two newcomers, a first meeting of freshmen. Beshnin, the bariaur enchanter, brings his first creation to measure it against the first offering of Severn, the gnomish necromancer. Direct your attention to their encounter."
Into the pit at the center of the stands walk two medium sized golems. The necromancer's seems to be a fairly standard bone golem. The enchanter's is made of sand.
Ionjae's eyebrows peak at the presentation of the golems, he knows very little regarding golem matches but he nods slowly as his eyes detect the faint shimmer of sand and not stone like he had originally decided Beshnin had made.
Drawing his eyes back to Xillik'kea, waving his arm, he calls again. "Professor!"
"Ionjae. Hello. I was just telling Prof. Nicobar about your choice in the matter of pacts. He seems to think you ought to choose something else, the neutral evil plane being a bit more unsafe than usual just now."
The sand golem, just as expected, is somewhat flexible in shape, and its substance simply gives way each time the bone golem pierces it with a sharp bit of bone. However, this same feature prevents it from getting any good hits of its own. Apparently its creator has a bit more to learn. The crowd quickly loses interest in the fight once the initial strategies are clear. Now everyone is just waiting to see which golem will run out of energy and fall apart first.
"Good day Professors," Ionjae turns his attention towards Nicobar, "are there things occurring on the Neutral Evil plane? I hadn't really noticed much a few days ago."
Stepping closer to the two instructors, Ionjae speaks again. "Professors, I wanted to share the good news with you, I was successfully in making a significant pact with the phase spiders. I will continue to research in complimentary entities that exist out there." He ends his sentence with a little flare, but raising his hand and waiving it brushing motion from his chest to over his shoulder.
"Professor Nicobar, please, I'd like to know a little more about what might be happening regarding the Phase Spider's plane. Obviously, if something cataclysmic is occurring my pact may not remain for much longer."
"You've already gone and returned? You move quickly, boy. Good job; you'll do well. What was it you were telling me, Nicobar?"
"Oh, nothing cataclysmic, just some crazy people running around. It doesn't really matter since you're already back, but there are rumors that someone attacked the private realm of a minor group of gods. Apparently, despite the risks involved, they actually killed one or more of the gods. The cosmology department is abuzz with it. Quite unusual, but I doubt your phase spiders are at risk."
The sand golem fell apart. Apparently it took more energy to hold it together than Beshnin had expected.
Next up is a very specialized fight, of little interest to anyone but enchanters. Two upperclassmen are facing off, both with spheres of stone. They're just trying to outmaneuver each other with the originality of their enchantments. No one in the audience except the enchantment profs has any idea what's happening, nor will they until one sphere falls to the ground.
"Murdered gods, as in plural? That's... incredibly, absolutely amazing. Forgive my ignorance, but what happens when a god dies? Does another being step forward to take the last's postion?"
OOC: Sorry it's been so long, I've been in the health center since Friday.
IC: Canas slowly slips into boredom as he watches two golems hit each other ineffectively. He is about to reach for a book in his coat when he hears Varian speak.
"huh? Oh, yes I completely agree, that sand golem had no attack without being able to turn to stone. Too bad, that could've been a much quicker battle otherwise. As for that scheme you might have, you can count me in."
"Do you know anything about the later matches? Hopefully they'll be a little more... interesting."
"Yeah, just some basic stuff though. I am taking bets after all. Moll's fight seems to be the big event, apparently she's quite talented. That should be interesting, we'll get to see her metal creature pummel the wood golem to pulp."
"Sometimes a new god will rise, sometimes another god will take over the previous god's interests.
"It depends on a number of factors. How many worshipers the god had is central, although it is very difficult for a popular god to be killed in the first place, even by another god. How basic the god's domain was is also important. There is immense pressure for the existence of a god of death, or storms, or love. Of course, weak gods don't get control of those important things, so again there's this self-fulfilling aspect.
"It also depends on the nature of the religion. If the god's personal identity was central, then no, nothing will replace it exactly. Odin will always be Odin, and if he were to die, there might be a cult that still worshiped him, but he'd be dead. Still, given long enough or enough worshipers or powerful enough sacrifices, he might come back.
"Basically it comes down to this: belief is power, and the gods are the physical manifestation of that power. The Outer Planes are the manifestation of the fact that ideas are real, and so they're the place where belief wars with itself. Just because a thing is believed in, doesn't mean nothing can change it. Sometimes the belief will change to match the new reality, and sometimes the belief will simply end.
"Now, if you were asking what will happen to those gods that were killed just now, then I'd predict that they're gone, and their bodies floating in the Astral Plane. I'd never heard of an active base of worshipers for them, and their interests have not much overlap with any other deities I can think of, so they'll probably stay dead.
"And there you go, another lesson. Ask a professor a question and expect a lecture. Looks like Trask won that one. I think the main event's up next." Nicobar's attention returns to the arena.
Thanking the professors, Ionjae returns to his fellow classmates. "Err... Varian, we may need to talk about our last trip a bit when some free time comes up. Some new developments have presented themselves to me."
"Yes, yes... that's fine. But, perhaps afterwards this match we can vacate the area for a few moments. It turns out what we thought was happening was happening much much more." Ionjae looks a bit concerned as he struggles internally about recalling his spiders to ask them what they have learned.
As the match begins, Ionjae nods and says, "Yes... that will do fine. It seems that the crowd is finally getting it's due reward for waiting."
Moll's golem walks out onto the sand. It's short, but very sturdy, and its metal glows red hot.
Her opponent definitely got his size advantage. His golem is over 10 feet tall. Thick limbed, not spindly. Spiked metal caps on its feet, so no subtlety as to his strategy.
As soon as the announcer lets them begin, Moll's golem goes straight for its opponent's leg, which promptly winds up to kick. The metal golem goes tumbling, but leaves a black scorch mark on the wooden shin.
They continue in this fashion for a few exchanges, Moll looking nervous as her golem develops deep gashes. Soon though, the metal shoe falls off of the wooden golem's foot, revealing the extent of the burns. Its entire foot is a cinder. From there, it takes only moments before it falls to the ground, unable to support itself.
Moll's opponent concedes the match.
"I wasn't expecting a mighty oak from what I'd heard people talking about. What an interesting match... it's too bad that Moll's competitor couldn't have encased her golem's legs in boots instead of slippers."
"I agree, that wasn't the rout I'd expected it to be after hearing about how good Moll was. On the other hand, the heat enchantment was amazing, only momentary contact was enough to burn away at the other golem's leg so thoroughly. And, wait... what exactly is happening that has you two so concerned?"
"Well, Canas, I had to complete an assignment for the conjuring class. I needed to make a pact with any creature-type of my choosing. I decided to pick the Phase Spider, for a few reasons, which I certainly won't bore you with now. But to make a long story short, we witnessed some events occur on the Neutral Evil plane that none of us were prepared for."
"I see, any chance of me learning what exactly these events were? I understand if you won't tell me, some secrets are better off untold..." Canas brings his voice down to a loud whisper, "I would just like to know, were there artifacts of power or knowledge involved, particularly the latter."
“I’ll be right there, I just want to talk to Moll first.” Varian goes to Moll. “Hey, congratulations, the crowd seemed to really like the fight. So what happens now, are you in a tournament or something?”
Glancing at Varian and then back to Canas, Ionjae nods imperceptibly. "You are welcome, perhaps you are knowledgeable in something that neither of us are. Please, follow me this way."
Ionjae points to the end of the bleacher and as he steps into thin air, a rift opens below his feet and he vanishes as gravity takes over.
The rift grows faint... but continues to hover. Canas can just barely make out what is on the other side of the mystical portal... it seems to be a distant version of a standard dormitory room.
Canas steps into the rift, feeling the magic transport him quickly toward the dorm room. A few moments later he appears in the dorm room.
"Ah... transportation magic really is a very useful thing. Convenience, among other things is always a plus, thank you."
"Certainly, once you can figure out how to conjure something to you... it's not too much harder to figure out a way to conjure yourself to some place else. Although, I wouldn't suggest teleporting between plains... that is an exhausting and fairly scary procedure." Ionjae sits comfortably at his desk, and motions for Canas to make himself comfortable.
"Excuse the clutter, but my roommate and I find cleaning can usually get in the way of a brilliant idea. Varian and Ruz should both be here momentarily... I'll give them both about five minutes and then see if I can't conjure them up... out of thin air as it were."
Moll to Varian: I hope I qualify this year. That'd be great. Still, the regular semester matches just provide the qualification and seeding for the tournament. Haven't you paid any attention to golemachy at all?
A spider is waiting in the room. What exactly had you sent it to do? Where had it looked and what had been its instructions?
Ruz walks in. "How'd you like Moll's fight? Pretty good, huh? I hate crowds, so I left just as soon as it was clear she had the match. Think your sister will benefit from any reflected glory?"
"No, I've been...busy. I've gotta run, Ionjae had something he wanted to talk to me about. Good fight, that last guy had no idea what hit him."
After saying his goodbyes, Varian walks into Ionjae's room. "Okay, what did you want to talk to me about?"
OOC: I wanted to learn more about what had gone down at the temple, see if the spiders may have any leads on who may have attacked the gods.
IC: Ionjae smirks that no one reacts to the large and monstrous spider hulking within the small dormitory.
"Gentlemen... er, Ruz, this is Canas. He's, apparently, a friend of Varian and may be able to shed some light on what's going down." Ionjae points over towards Canas who stands as his name is spoken.
"Allow me a moment please, something may have come from my initial investigations." Turning to the spider, Ionjae gives it his full attention and thanks his stars that these creatures were known for a slightly enhanced intelligence.
"We explored the temple. Nothing was alive. The gods are dead. They were weak anyway, but their absence leaves a power vacuum that our Queen may expand into. She will decide. No trace of the attackers was found, but their trail led back to Sigil. After that it went cold."
"Dead gods? Are you telling me that those...that someone is powerful enough to kill, not only one, but several gods? You'll forgive me if I find that a little hard to believe."
Ionjae lowers his head at the news his spider scout gives him, allowing the monster to return to his plain.
"Amazing, simply amazing! I spoke with a few of the professors today, and apparently it is true. The three gods that inhabited the temple were destroyed and while they were unimportant for the most part, it could bode badly for us. We're going to have to be a little subtler about how we use our spoils in the coming months as the killers are now somewhere in Sigil and may know about the massive find that we removed. I just wanted you each to know what's going down, so you can take this information however you wish and do what you want with it, but something doesn't feel too right about this to me."
"Hmmm... kill gods huh? Even if the gods were on the weaker end, that's still unbelievable power. Frankly the whole thing sounds a little unbelievable, but it doesn't sound like you made this up. I guess the best thing to do would be to look for imformation, see exactly why these killers would want to off a few gods." Canas pauses for a moment, "permit the lack of segway, but massive find? I should join you on your next little adventure."
"Er, yes, well. The massive find was a golden orb the size of a small goat. It must have weighed at least a ton or more." Ionjae smiles at the others who were involved in the classic heist.
"Listen, Canas, you're always welcome in our next adventure. I've got a little more research to do about it, but I'm rather excited about my next pact. Have you ever seen an Ice Wurm?"
Ruz: It isn't that unbelievable. They were weak gods. Fading already. That's the only reason we thought we might get away with stealing from them. Still, maybe we should keep a low profile for a while. Oh, and we have a little less gold than we thought. When I finally got it melted - and that took a long time, my evocation isn't very good, I resorted to fire wood to keep the heat on - I found that the center few inches was actually shit. I figured out what that magical residue was you found. I think we stole a central object of their theurgy. A ritual corruption from value to waste. Still, we only lost a little bit to that, they'd only just started it. Your share is where you wanted it, Varian.
So? Ice Wurm? Is that what we're doing next?
"Maybe, maybe not. That are mighty and massive, and could you imagine me using one to protect my most secretive places? Anyhow, I just don't know. I need to figure out what an ice wurm would find desirable enough to agree to a pact. But, heck I guess I'm glad we took that globe when we did. What a ultimate waste those gods were going to make by converting gold into filth."
OOC: My ice wurm, I really meant Frost Worm: http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/monstersEtoF.html#frost-worm
"Alright, there is something I wanted to mention...or rather, didn't want to, but it seems important now. I think I know who killed those Gods. I've been spying on a group, and when I got back I learned that their goal was to, big suprise, kill a god. This is actually what I had planned for you Cansas, I had a few ideas to use them to further my own ends. As for the frost worm, go ahead, but we're trying to keep a low profile, aren't we?
"Yeah, a complete waste. If I find that anyone survived that slaughter, I might be inclined to help the prophet out a little."
ooc: What would motivate such a beast? And what do you intend to use it for?
Ruz: Prophet? I assume this is that group you think put the shine on those gods. Why don't you tell us about them, and do you think they know who we are?
ooc: By the way, we're going to assume that most people bet with the odds, but that enough bet against them for Varian to break even. So the betting just becomes flavor, not actually important.
OOC: I have no idea what's it's motivation would be. Self-preservation? It's susceptible to fire, and I like fire. See where I'm going here? Heck, that would be one of those things that I'd only need to summon like once a year or something, heck... probably even less. Like a hundred feet above whomever pissed me off!
"The prophet, huh? I've heard that term thrown around before, but I didn't realize he had such plans. You certainly do keep yourself up to date on current events. So, I'm also interested, who is this prophet, and what exactly is your 'plan?'"
ooc: Well, you could do that without any pact. All the pact does is get you willing servants. If the thing can be counted on to do what you want it to without giving it anything, then why bother?
ooc: ahh, I see. that makes sense. perhaps I will look into something else, that is unless people need some very large tunnels built in a very short amount of time.
"The prophet is some upstart Gith, calls himself "The Prophet of the Empty Heavens". Seriously, who came up with the name? These doomsday cults are terrible. Anyways, he wants to kill a god, and he's working with the defiers. Basically I planned on selling him out. Long story short, I'd eventually kill and replace him, with your help, and then stage a coup, killing off all important members of the defiers in one quick hit. Then I'd sell them out to their enemies, offering to kill the current leaders, or give them control, for a good sum. I figured I could make a million, maybe more, and get rid of some troublesome gith in the process. I'd even thought about setting myself up to be some great and powerful god-killing creature, using your powers to simulate the abilities a god has, then staging its death by my hands. Then I'd work my way into the prophet's good graces, slit his throat in the night and replace him. Problem is, if they're powerful enough to kill gods, I might have my work cut out for me. "
Ionjae's eyes have grown wide at Varian's simple and easy-going pitch.
"Wha... are you sick in the head? Varian, the man you speak of, he was able to destroy not one, not two, but three gods! And they weren't too insignificant as our professors are discussing the possible ramifications that these actions may have on the very pantheon itself! Our best bet would be to not only throw this 'Prophet' under the wagon - as it were - and tell the professors but also attempt to warn the Queen herself of this treacherous action! She certainly wouldn't house a killer of gods, even lesser ones!"
ooc: I doubt that plan would have worked, even with lots and lots of really good illusion.
also ooc: By Queen, do you mean the Lady? As in the Lady of Pain, ruler (sort of) of Sigil? Cause I don't actually think she would mind terribly what people did outside Sigil. If she thought that he was likely to draw the wrath of some god down on the city, she might do something about it, but seeing as the gods in question are dead... He's probably safe this time.
Ruz: I agree. We want nothing to do with these people. They're a danger to themselves and those around them. Feel free to do what you want Varian, but I'm out. Canas, don't let him get you killed.
"The point is moot now anyways, I was expecting to have to deal with one gith, maybe two, at that point, not whatever God killing force he has at his disposal. Also, seeing as The Lady is responsible for the death or near-death of, not one, but two gods, I suggest that we keep her out of this. I don't want to get "mazed" anymore than the next guy."
"Anyways, this guy can't be all that powerful, I've managed to spy on him for a few days now and I'm no god. Though I'm not sure how viable an option just letting them be is for Ionjae. Doesn't your power originate from these beings? What happens if their next target is a slightly more powerful God, say one who's taking advantage of the power void they've created?"
ooc: huh, wait, what? are you asking my character if his power originates from gods? I had to read that like three times (and I don't think you miswrote) I'm totally perplexed as to why Varian would think that. Huh. Oh! Is it because of the birthmark? Good for you for remembering that. You're a good guy Jeremy, brownie points for you, sir.
Huh? Birthmark? I can't find anything about a birthmark...okay, so I only checked one place, but no, that's not what I had in mind. I was more thinking because you just made a pact with a God, and intend to do so again, it might be important to you...
ooc: heh, nope not a god. just the queen of the phase spiders (as I undertand it)
btw: forget I mentioned the birthmark.
Yeah, not a god. A powerful planar being, but not a god.
"Wha, no... I don't get my powers from gods. But I'd rather not get myself dead because of a guy who has the power to kill said gods. Perhaps mentioning it to the Lady isn't a good idea, I would think drawing any attention to ourselves about what we know would be detrimental to our health and further enrollment in this academy."
Ionjae looks about for a moment and turns to Varian quickly, "Oh, geez, before I forget. Here, take the helmet, but if I find out you're using it to spy on the Gith, then you've got to be careful."
Taking the horned helm from it's place of display, Ionjae hands it to Varian. "So, since we're all here, and Canas didn't realize what he's getting himself into. Is there anything that we're interested in working on for the near future? Journey, assignment, etc?"
"Oh, thanks Ionjae. I'll be done with this in about a week, maybe a little less. Don't worry, I'm just using it for a little gambling thing, I'm tired of my opponents trying to read my mind to see if I'm bluffing."
"So, what should we do...we could see if Gurg's got any more jobs for us, make a little coin, but the payoff isn't so big for those sorts of things. I'm probably gonna head back home sometime in the next couple of months, I've got some stuff to buy with my new gold once I've turned it into cash, you guys are welcome to come if you want. Or we could try another raid, I'm sure that there are tomes our magical items out there powerful enough to warrent our interest."
Ruz mutters "I just want to pass my midterms..."
"well compared to all this talk about god killing, I'm all for looking for powerful tomes and items. Actually, I'm up for searching for tomes and artifacts anytime you guys want, I'm not sure how much I'm paid for workng in the alchemical garden, but I doubt it's enough to cover books alone. Besides, if you guys are selling things clearly not from that gods temple, it'll look less suspicious if you're selling some of the gold with it.
"Ruz, my friend, take heart in knowing that those midterms will come and go, and I'm sure you'll still be here. However, if you feel that sitting out and getting some studying done instead, I completely understand. However, I believe that Varian has a good point, allow those of us interested, to speak Gurg and see if there is anything going on. After which we can determine how we want to proceed."
"Alright, I'm sure that he'll have something interesting for us. He always does."
"I'll join you after you speak with Gurg, he and I... don't really get along very well, I guess more than two years of asking for odd jobs finally got to the poor little guy.
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