Volcano's Land - A New Beginning

Game Master Miner Cotren

"Ah, the process of celerity creation starts precisely at bright each day, do you see? You'll have to wait for tomorrow, eh?"

Seeing Sequoya staring axes at him, Ky La turns to her. "Cat got your tongue?"

"I'm with Ibinu. I think seeing the Celerity would be a good call." volunteers Inam. "As for the meal, it's not terrible. I wouldn't have thought to try it on my own. Thank you."

Away from redbrick houses of alchemy, the Inquisitor's sure footsteps take you from cobbled streets to smooth ceramic. Gray sylphs wearing gray clothes go to and from their gray jobs. A few more blindfolded orators walk the streets, blathering nonsense poetry.

The alabaster Spires have some kind of aura, or field, about them, something that puts the teeth slightly on edge as you approach. You see red celerity traveling down the wires high above, sylphs the size of ants crawling about on insulated ropes that parallel the wires, repairing the lines as they go.

The true height of the Spire finally becomes real as you draw adjacent to the structure. Ky La begins to walk around the circumference. There is no apparent entrance.

I'll be doing a few of these over the weekend. You will know when to respond.

You walk around the Spire at least twice, the ugly music from the southern part of town now fading, now rising again. You suddenly come upon an arched doorway, lately appeared by either magic or mechanism.

"You see?" says the inquisitor. He goes in, smiling robes swishing.

Inside, it is quiet. Sterile. White, polished floors. The corridors you walk are well-lit by incandescent bulbs powered by celerity. A medical facility of some kind, but without the stench of death. It is a clean place.

Muffled noises come from behind the iron-braced doors on either side of the hall. You see several sylphs, doctors perhaps, pass by. They all give deeply respectful nods as they pass Inquisitor Ky La, scuttling down a side passage without a glance backward.

The inquisitor breaks the silence. "Did you know they lost their own way of making celerity, right at the same time that Hearth lost its steam?" Ky La laughs woodenly. "But we found a different way, a better way, you see?"

I'll update tomorrow or next day perhaps? Anything to say to this last remark?

Ibinu raises an eyebrow, "Sure, different can be better. Or worse. It depends on the cost and the results. Plus, long term vs. short term outcomes. There are a number of factors, really. I do think the elevation of the steam slums to a more valuable location will definitely be an improvement."

Seeming to ignore you, Ky La says, "What is worship, Ibinu Cauldronslave?"

He thinks for a moment, "Interesting question. Probably a combination of faith and acts?"

"What cost does their new method have?" inquires Inam. "As I'm sure you know, everything has a cost. Be it sacrifice of time, energy, sylph...or simply a sacrifice of resources or money."

"Some costs are simply too high to accept."

Looking around the sterile room, she can't help but smile. 'It does warm my heart though...they seem to genuinely care about the health of their flock.'

"What if worship were just a...feeling in the heart of the worshipper? A state of mind?" Turning to Inam now, "And what if it could be...induced? At virtually no cost?"

One of the several doors in the passage opens smoothly, an attendant in white garb peeking their head out. Sounds escape from inside. Elen sounds. Pain? No, something different. The attendant looks at Ky La, who nods. "May we come in?" the inquisitor asks sardonically.

A small room, with more elens in it than is strictly comfortable. All sylphs, all reclining in cushioned chairs, eyes blind to the world, wires attached to their skulls. With your various magical Sights, you catch glimpses of the illusions that dance before their eyes - food, drink, dance, pleasure, love, and more, all cavorting before them, enchanting them and binding them in ecstasy.

(no evil detected)

...In worship. Worship of the self, of pleasure, and the instruments of pleasure. Worship of smiling, and the Smiler. Blue celerity, dark and rich, arcs out of the wires now and again, as the sylphs shudder and convulse and grin and drool. This goes on for a few seconds before any of you react. Surprisingly, they seem none the worse for wear- a few sylphs even get up and leave.

Ky La smiles congenially at them as they go. "Do you see now? Worship more pure than any of your barbaric altars or loud songs could ever hope to produce, eh? And do you see the real beauty of it? That we are just making their dreams come true?" He sniffs the air, savoring the ozone odor of fresh celerity going down the heavier wires. He sighs contentedly.

Those sylphs have now found their way to an exit of their own, to waning peaklight in the dim afternoon. Back to gray lives. Thinking of when they might dream again. Walking indifferent ceramic streets. Back to gray jobs.

Under a Waxing Moon.

feel free to add in one last thought, comment, parting shot here.

Ibinu shrugs, "I mean, its great. Honestly. But I'd wager it only works for one god. Maybe someday that will be all of us, but it'll be well beyond my lifetime." His insides do not reflect his calm demeanor.

F%+% F+#@ F%!+ITY F$!+!!! Well shit, ain't nothing that could compare to that. Alright, memorize the shit outta what they are doing. Not necessarily to copy it or destroy it, but damn. We gotta know if there is a way to do it without the smiler.

He turns as he leaves, "Many promise perfect Utopia. All have failed. You may think you have this worship deal in the bag, and it could certainly take over the world. But one thing I know for sure is that the end comes to everything, always sooner than you expect." He sighs and rubs his eyes, "But if you can uphold your promise and bring safety to Elkind, I don't know if I have a reason to stand in the way."

The tall sylph suddenly looks much older than his number.

Watching with intrigue, Inam inquires "Do they have a choice? Can they choose to not be a part of this?"

Watching for a few more moments "Also, is there any last effects? Are they depleted of happiness when they leave?"

'There MUST be something I'm missing here...NOTHING comes without a cost...perhaps the cost isn't to these sylphs specifically...but SOMEONE...SOMEWHERE must be paying the price...'

Glancing towards Ibinu, 'I sure hope you are able to figure this out.'

"I suppose it appears to be harmless...but it just seems too good to be true. I would love to be wrong...but my experience shows nothing is free. A cost is paid in some way."

"I can't see any fault here though. As long as that remains, and if those that partake do so of their own desire, you have my blessing."

Offering a curtsy to Ky La, she smiles wearily. "It has been a pleasure to see you again and I am thrilled our previous experience with the Sm...you know the one. Anyway, thrilled our experiences in the past were misguided from the truth."

'Or was it? I'm just so tired...and I miss Edoardo.'

Turning away from the sight and looking towards what she believes to be the embers of Volcano in the distance 'Warrior? Are we done? Did we do good? Are you pleased?'

Slowly shaking her head, she turns back to Ibinu. "I've seen enough, if you have. Thank you Ky La."

"Would you believe me if I said you are most welcome?"

End of Chapter 25.