=========================== Turn Seven (Part II) ========================== Guy and Raem both look quite smug. Leoshi says ``do we think it is a *good* idea for *everyone* '' as she gestures meaningfully at Raem and Guy ``to get their wish?'' The Dragon Emporer says ``Leoshi, have faith. There is more at stake here than I knew.'' Miriya waves her hands in arcane passes and states ``I **WISH** that Tarkis, Styles and the Wandering Tien walked once more amongst the living and were here with us, and I **WISH** that all those who wished to be were reunited with their families.'' A disembodied voice replies ``As you have wished so shall it be, if not now, in eternity!'' The Dragon Emporer leers at the Invisible God and states ``you really *are* sappy, aren't you!'' Tarkis, THE Tien and Styles appear next to the party. Tarkis looks amazed. Styles whirls around, reaching for the middle of his back, and the Tien looks around the chamber in a deliberate way saying ``well, it is good to be back amongst friends!'' Cragspider and the Invisible God both bow their heads slightly. The Tien says ``I think I'm the only one that all of you know directly! Is that the case?'' ``So it would seem'' says the Invisible God. ``Did I carry out your wishes in the way you anticipated Cragspider?'' asks the Tien. Cragspider says ``It took millenia, but indeed, the world machine was restored and my precious creatures have been spared.'' The Tien says ``I'm confused about several things though...'' ``Me too!'' Phineas interjects and goes on to ask ``If I'm not clever enough to understand the whole meaning of the world, then why don't you explain as much as you can? Frankly, saying that we couldn't understand sounds like you're trying to weasel out of the question. How are we supposed to know the right way to recreate the world if we don't even know what it's for it the first place? I wouldn't even plan a tower without knowing its purpose, much less an entire world. Why did you let evil, chaos and void in the world?" The Invisible God looks through Phineas a moment and answers in warm tones ``Phineas, the answer to some of your question lies within you. You had many healthy children with Anna. Still, you did not know why you created boys or girls. Perhaps you will understand a martial analogy. Consider a proving ground. As a commander, you loved your soldiers. Still, you sent them out to be injured and occasionally maimed to improve their skills, to separate the gold from the dross. Yet, you gave them a choice. They were never forced in your training to do something. Even more so, I have given some creatures a measure of freewill. They were free to do as they chose. From my vantage, all things were known. I put the dust in motion and the sun across the sky. In its fullness, my plan was my garden, lovingly tended. Within the design, you saw only parts. As you moved from day to day in your journey, your choose your own paths, and you created your own destiny. Many in your party have seen the wisdom of having challenges in your lives. So, my creation provided you with existence and a measure of accomplishment. I did not need creation. I do not hunger for worship. Still, the worlds have brought me something akin to pleasure. Chaos and Void have their places too as you shall soon see. Evil is the antithesis of my scheme for creation without free will. Good is *the choice* to do what I have requested. Without choice the universe is amoral, not good. This is enough to ponder for now. There will be time enough, and you'll have more to consider shortly. You have seen and still don't believe; blessed are those who have not seen and still believe.'' Phineas undaunted asks ``Why did the Invisible God need other deities as intermediaries? And why were so many of them travellers from other dimensions?'' The Invisible God says ``Phineas, you have served me well in this world, and you too shall be rewarded.'' The Invisible God stops for a moment and appears to be musing at a private joke. His eyes twinkle and a hearty laugh sounds across the room before He says ``Phineas, some day a child will ask you why you live for so long, why you talk of other dimensions and why you were chosen to do so. When you answer that question, my answer will be complete.'' Phineas goes on and says ``Why all the smoke and mirrors about the connection of this world with Branham's universe? Why did everyone call it the "Real World"? Seems to me this world is real as any other. And what about all those other planes, like Limbo?'' The Invisible God reveals near infinite patience and says ``the world where each is born *is* the most real world to them. Through the centuries have you forgotten your dear Aunt Hatty, Hewey, Dewey and Lewey or the Barony of the Festering Swamp? I know you have not...'' Phineas interjects ``I've *tried* to!'' The Invisible God chuckles again and says ``you truly have chutzpah Phineas! Because I worked through other agencies does not mean My Hand was not behind them. Did you not feel my gentle kiss in the wind or see my glory in the blooming of the trees or flowers? Could you not see the reflection of my wisdom in your marriage to Anne? Together, men and women reflect my image. It is natural that you should think that failure to do something given the opportunity is the same as the inability to do so, but such is not truly the case.'' Balinor attempts to stop Phineas, but Phineas dodges and blurts out ``why couldn't Cragspider destroy the world? What are "type one" and "type alpha one" objects--and all the other things that Cragspider was blathering about?'' The Invisible God says ``Time grows short Phineas, but I shall answer this in a way I think you can understand. Cragspider is not the Creator, and she is not allowed to destroy the world. The other terms are things Cragspider associates with this world, because truly she lived in another place before she knew My Glory. This was the place you knew as Branham's universe. Still, all things are the work of My Hands and Will. Cragspider will answer these questions for you.'' Trahk Chi and Leoshi lunge for Phineas in attempts to quiet him, but the old Death Master is too sly for them and sidesteps them both. Phineas says ``One more question . . . how are Death, Man, and Void different from the other Runes?'' The Invisible God answers ``There are other Runes similar to the three you mentioned, but you never became aware of them. I will answer the question you intended. Death, Man and Void each carried in them a measure of free will. These Runes were part of that choice that is so much a part of you, all sentient creatures and Good and Evil. They symbolize the ability to step outside of a rigidly defined creation. One of my creatures Ossirri known to you as Grandfather Mortal brought these things from a place that was apart but still within My Ken. From the beginning I knew these Runes would come into the world, but they were not part of the original motives I placed within it. Death offers annihilation, not merely a surcease. Man offers free will. A tree is just as alive as a Morokanth; still the Morokanth has something that the tree does not, free will. The Void offered a chance to visit other planes. On those planes, those other deities of who you spoke earlier ruled. Their will shaped the very substance of the "universes" they ruled. More will be revealed in a few moments.'' Phineas pauses for a moment, filled with a spirit of introspection, and the party breathes a collective sigh. The silence is broken by Miriya who says ``Lord, I have a few questions myself.'' The Invisible God says ``Miriya, in a short time you will be with me for all eternity. The questions will all be answered then, and you shall soon see from whence your ancestors sprang.'' The Tien says ``it seems an inopportune time to ask additional questions, but I *am* most curious.'' The Invisible God says ``I knew you would be.'' The Tien asks ``first, where is Hrothmir? You promised that he would be present for the final confrontation.'' The Invisible God says ``he is here. Your remaining questions must wait faithful servant.'' A tall man wearing a crown of gold and silver filigree, draped in a cape of purple steps from the shadows of the room. The cape is embrodiered with all the runes, and they seem to dance around the fabric as the party glances at them. At the man's waist is belted a sword, and Kaliban Keen-Eye gasps and says ``the sword of Hrothmir!'' The man says ``I am Hrothmir.'' The Tien runs forward and clasps Hrothmir. The Tien weeps unabashedly and says ``please forgive me dear friend.'' Tarkis says ``father?'' Hrothmir pats his old friend's back and says ``Lord, I am here. I have learned much from toils in the underworld. I am prepared to atone for my folly. I trusted in my own wisdom and the wisdom of mortality. You were right to work through Cragspider and send Carrastinian and the Tien to upbraid me.'' With slowly measured actions, Hrothmir turns to the Tien and says ``I absolve thee of all wrongdoing. You are forgiven Tien.'' The Invisible God says ``spoken true and well Hrothmir. You shall atone, but it shall be a glorious atonement. Your sin was one of hubris, but you have learned. There come others who have atoned lo these many millenia.'' The chamber grows suddenly cold, and the smell of brimstone and foetid vapors fill the room. Sounds in the chambered are dampened, and the light grows dim. The walls and ceiling of the chamber become a dull black. Two figures enter the room, and deep vibrations churn the guts of the party members. Though the two stride forward together and appear human, they are as different as two can be. The first is tall and impossibly pale. His noble countenance is punctuated by a set of cold, black eyes having pupils so large they seem to suck in the light and life around them. Haughty lips part ever so slightly to reveal teeth which are far too sharp for a human grin. His hands are corded with apparent strength, and his will beats against the party in a palpable wave. He wears close fitting shirt, pants and vest which appear to be made of black silk and velvet. Sewn into his clothes are innumberable small silver Void runes. He ignores the party as he strides toward the Invisible God. Balinor says ``Lord Eldar!'' The second, but the none the lesser, is short and squat. His red eyes twinkle as he surveys the party. Each party member blushes as they remember a forgotten sin or mishap. His clothes are done in the colors of passion and hang heavily with the weight of pins, bangles, gems and jewels of all shapes and varieties. He holds in his left hand a scepter topped by a ruby carved into a likeness of the Rune of True Power. His scarlet tummy protudes slightly from under his shirt, and his barbed tail swings to and fro as he gathers up his pants and pulls up to cover his ample paunch. Still, he has an incredible charm about him, and visions of eager followers swarm to mind in his presence. He seems to promise all. It is difficult for the party members to resist the urge to throw down their arms and follow him. He blows a wide armed, theatrical kiss to the party and turns to face the Invisible God. He laughs a jolly chortle as he bounds the distance to the Invisible God in four steps. Raem prostrates himself and mummers ``the Lord of the Seven Hells.'' The Invisible God states ``nearly all the players are here, but there is another. Let two became ONE greater than their parts!'' A noble elf looking for all the world like Vorondil enters the chamber. The elf shuffles forward with a general lack of purpose. Suddenly the elvish ghost hovering near Huvis shoots forward to the zombie, and the zombie's flesh melts into a pool of pure light. Even the Dragon Emporer turns away. The walls of the chamber become clear once again, revealing the floating former inhabitants of Zhalindor and the legion of gates to the outer planes. The mist and smells vanish and are replaced by stillness. When the light vanishes, Lord Eldar says ``Arch-magnus Lichtadon?'' The elf stands proud and regal. His crystal blue eyes scan the Control Complex, and he states quietly ``I am Lichtadon. I have been to this place before and stolen things which were not meant for me. For this, many millenia I spent osscilating between the mortal realm and the underworld. I was wrong and am prepared to atone for the error of my ways, now and forever.'' The Invisible God says ``so shall you.'' The Dragon Emporer says ``Lord, what would you have us to do?'' The Invisible God says ``Cragspider, tell Phineas, Miriya and Cragspider what they seek to hear.'' Cragspider begins her tale . . . Long ago, in a universe not so far away, there was a race of humans who lived on a world called the Earth. The Earth was in `Branham's Universe' millenia before Branham's great-great-great grandfather was born, and it was a place not unlike Zhalindor in someways and quite different in others. Earth had a sun, but it was not a god. It was just a fiery ball. It burned with the power of nature, not magic. Our world had but one moon, and it was a ball of rock and dust, not a goddess. Still, people played, lived and died on this Earth. Mankind was not content with his lot though, and I suppose that is not so different than here on Zhalindor. (The Lord of Hell laughs aloud at this point, shaking his head emphatically.) Man saw other worlds from his vantage, but you could not get to them using magic or psionics or runes. We had something that was man's alone, and we called that thing technology. It was different than magic in that everyone could use it or abuse it. The dwarves have (or had) something like it here, but our technology was even more soul-less than the dwarves! (Trahk Chi says `such a thing is *IMPOSSIBLE*!') First man put things above the sky called satellites, and eventually mankind expanded to other worlds and moons close by. The place man found was harsh, cold and airless. (Balinor whispers to Branham `ah! I understand more now!') Man had to use ships to get where he went, but they weren't the kind of ships you travel around in here. These ships were more like metal cans. They had to hold our air as well as our food and water. They had to travel for days or weeks or centuries depending on when they were built and where they were going. My ancestors grew tired of the Earth and longed to possess the stars as well. It was man's birthright in the church of technology. My ancestors built something grand called a world ship. It was tens of leagues on a side, and they carried not only people, but animals and plants of all types and description. My ancestors were culled from the best and brightest of the Earth at the time, and once they were in space, which is what we called the place between the worlds, they became even more selective in who was allowed to have children. Soon the entire population from the smallest child was as smart as the wisest sage. My ancestors discovered secrets buried in the fabirc of the universe itself. By the time we arrived at a habitable world, not all of them were you know, my ancestors did not even need a world anymore! They built their own out of the fundemental building blocks of the universe and cast a mocking eye at thoughts of anything greater than mankind. My ancestors did wonders then. They created new worlds and destroyed old ones. They generated new species and then destroyed them. They created small universes and populated them. My ancestors did find evidence that something *had* existed prior to mankind with a high level of sophistication. While my ancestors toiled on their projects and dipped even further into the recessess of the universes treasure trove, mankind at large expanded. Eventually man had found a way to travel across the cosmos in weeks rather than years, and mankind travelled to the final frontier to colonize it. Mankind found something interesting. Man was not alone. My ancestors discovered this as well, but they chose to ignore the other species. My ancestors cloaked their star and themselves so as not to interupt their vital research. Still when humanity entered into the sector of space where my ancestors had created their home, my ancestors took an interest in mankind's affairs and began to monitor their messages to one another. Mankind discovered that there were species that looked like elves and centaurs and slith out there. Men theorized that life was transported across the galaxy by a race called the Ancients. There was evidence on many worlds of a great war, and men believed that the Ancients destroyed themselves. Even more incredible, there seemed to be living members of the Ancient race, but these Droyne were pitiful farmers who had little interest in expanding outside of their small enclaves. [continued]