Killing the Wizard God and conquering his land
A chorus of dissonant footsteps grew closer toward the boundaries of node 22. Tireless offspring marched through dusklight, purposely timed so that their approach might be masked by the blackness of night. Above the horde rode not Grym but Peninal aboard an anxious Akky, who mingled rather stealthily with the night sky. Peninal, now with a gaping hole in his chest, had been placed strategically in the air with his spear while Grym (still disguised as Monica) marched with Dorian at his side.
A few dozen ‘flyers’ accompanied Peninal in the air. They were grotesque winged offspring with spacious gular like that of a pelican and, were it not so dark, one could see each of their pouches were brimming with swarmers. Various forms of grounded offspring made up the remaining bulk of Grym’s reserves. Despite their unbecoming appearance the offspring had organized, with Grym’s guidance, into a deliberate military force. At the front were about two hundred bombardiers, who were ranged specialists capable of dispatching volleys of infectious projectiles; behind them stood the meat of infantry, totalling roughly seven hundred offspring of various close-range combat types [Juggernauts, Thralls, Rushers, etc.]; and hidden from plain view were some hundred Stalkers that covertly burrowed beneath the ground.
Offspring had been advised to kill and infect fleeing mortals the further they advanced toward the heart of Brey’s land. Refugees from node 22 would have probably made the resident God aware of node 23’s invader, but they wouldn’t be permitted to spoil this surprise visit. Grym had sent the rest of his warriors ahead with a single accompanying Stalker, to scout their path and utilize the Stalker to communicate relevant information. They were advised to maintain a low profile and take post as close to the heart of Brey’s settlement as possible prioritizing the gathering of relevant information until the assault force caught up.
When the invasion arrived it would be surprised. The technology level of Node 23 was modest, to say the least, but there seemingly hundreds of thousands of people in the Great Library’s city. The City of Molbrew’s soldiers were armed with copper tipped arrow bodkins, but the bows themselves were very well crafted. The people had brass knives and were armed surprisingly well for such technologically backwards folk. But that was not what was the most off putting, nor was the fact, the Wizard God brandished his magical axe in the anticipation of an assault.
The defenders also had fliers. Many thousands of Mages flew through the air, capable of unleashing devastation on enemies, far in excess of their technology level, with weaponized spells that were far superior even to ranged weapons that would be compared to flint lock muskets. In the mean while, there was an army stationed in the enchanted library. These magicians unleashed magical illusions to confuse the monstrous, corrupted swarms to attack each other. Brey, from his observatory, came down from his study and immediately alerted the defenses. Illusionists from the safe walls of the library could unleash their spells from the windows.
Magical illusions of auditory and visual hallucinations would assault the invaders. The infected would be surprisingly vulnerable to these spells, as their minds were dulled. More ever, healing mages, enchanters, and all magicians knew the arts of Alchemy. Healing potions, poisons, sleeping potions and others were ready to be unleashed.
Finally, enchanted wards were set up to alert the city folk when the invaders entered. This way mages could be alerted to intercept them in case any managed to get through the defenses.
Although the Node was not enchanted with a message of alert, it lay in the heart of the city, inside the Great Library, and possessed an enchantment that blinded any with ill intent inside the grounds. Any that would make contact with the walls technically counted as being inside.
These were not the only preparations Brey had laid on the city and particularly it’s library. Enchantments would make it difficult to set fire to anything. Lastly, not only was the city of Molbrew very surprisingly large for it’s level of technology - the fact remained that there were tens of thousands of mages ready to strike.
Reports from the city walls revealed it to be far more structurally fortified than initially expected. He had to commend the resident God for preparing so quickly, though the offspring thrived in situations where warm bodies were so heavily concentrated. Upon approach, Grym stopped some 500 yards outside the walls before continuing to the foot of the with only Dorian at his side.
He cleared his throat in a ceremonious manner before letting his steady voice boom through the entire node realm. “I am Monica of the northern alliance. I came here seeking Brey. If I cannot speak with him, I’ll reduce your city to rubble.”
It was a quite the threat. His attitude toward this incursion had shifted in wake of this node’s advancements. Perhaps killing Brey would be a disservice. All the more reason Grym hoped his grand gesture would draw Brey out, if only to respond to the incredible threat at first.
The large wooden, double doors open, and out came the powerful Archmage, Brey. “Come inside. I have been expecting. . . something like this for quite some time now. I give you my word. There will be no trap waiting for you inside.” The Wizard God was serious, but surprisingly hospitable.
Not killing the Wizard God and, in fact, deciding to leave peacefully
While Grym’s stiff mug could not show it, it was offputing how nonchalantly Brey had taken his appearance. The elderly man had opened the door, greeted him, and invited Grym in with his back turned. Was it gross naivete or explicit confidence; he couldn’t say. It was only when a current of red danced in his peripheral that Grym reeled himself in, turning to look just as Dorian had wound up. The giant of a man had cocked one arm back with an open palm, materializing what looked like an enormous ballista bolt he was primed to drive forth like a piston straight through the geezer’s chest. Grym stepped in the line of fire, shaking his head frantically and waving his hands.
“But I thought you said to go for the kill first chance we g-” Dorian’s response was muffled by Grym physically using his hand as a muzzle — the sensation of a rotting hand suddenly cupping Dorian’s mouth did evoke a few stifled gags. Panicked Grym does a double take, praying Brey hadn’t noticed the almost assassination. Thankfully, the old coot kept walking.
“I’ve changed my mind.” Grym whispered.
“Just now?” Dorian matched the whisper.
“Just now.” He confirmed.
“Why?!” Dorian’s tone became harsh that it nearly echoed through the tunnels of this large doorway. He was justifiably frustrated.
No answer Grym mustered would paint his whimsical decision in a better light. Brey’s ingenuity had intrigued him, so he wanted to see the rest of the city before deciding. It was an understandable position, had he the forethought to consider it ahead of time. Instead Dorian scolded Grym like a troubled child and threw his arms forward in unison. “Lead on, then.”
Giggling in near silence, Brey snapped his fingers once again, revealing blue shimmering energy surrounding him as a force field. He continued to walk to an open space, surrounded by book shelves, but with a long table with delicacies and various foods on it’s surface. Brey’s famous honeyed fish and venison lay there, awaiting the hungry mouths of whoever would eat.
“It’s normally inadvisable to be serving a feast during battle, but this food is enchanted with healing properties. However, since there is no need for them right now, the spell also enhanced the food’s flavor.”
“Should you feel the need, sit, and eat. The wizard god sat at the far end of the table. “So. . . I have questions for you. I assume you have questions as well.”
Grym gladly sat at the table, while Dorian stood a ways back from the table staring daggers. He reached for the honeyed haddock and yanked the whole fish off its plate, waving it indicatively at Brey before tearing a chunk out of its midsection.
“I think my -gulp- initial intention is pretty obvious,” Sputtering bits of fish flew from his jaw as he spoke. “But your library and your knowledge interest me. Your mortals also appear quite capable; I’ve not heard of mortals who can employ divine magicks-” Just then, it hit him that he had still been slobbering over haddock still dressed as Monica. He dispelled the illusion, revealing himself, and smacked his chest to clear his throat.
“I am Grym, at your service. Disregard my previous appearance, as its intended purpose no longer applies. I was not present during the birthday party, but I suppose I am a divine. My goal is to understand the Crucible in its entirety and I have recently met someone who may be able to bring me closer to that goal. Now that I’m here I understand your proficiency for knowledge and its acquisition, which I now believe is worth preserving. I’d like to share ideas and tell you what I’ve learned, but I need to know if we can be friends, old boy; if you are amicable to cooperation in spite of our rocky introductions.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“ I have a proposition. You can join my little cadre of deities, and in return, I will tell you everything I know.” Brey smiled at Grym, nodding to Dorian as he spoke. “Your friend is not a polite dinner guest.”
“Oh, Dorian? He’s actually just mad at me, for reasons.” Grym elected not to elaborate more than that. Dorian did not react to being thrown under the bus and instead took a seat at the table, snatching the haddock out of Grym’s hands for himself.
“Fool needs all the help he can.” Dorian mumbled inaudibly before digging into the exquisite feast.
“Your cadre, huh?” Grym leaned back in his seat, stewing in the implications of Brey’s proposal. “Might I be so bold as to speculate this coalition includes your neighbors, Vatarr and Asvarad?”
“Yes. That is a very accurate assertion.” Brey confirmed. “We are not fools that we would forsake such a powerful ally.”
“Let me be transparent with you, Brey old boy. I know of these individuals, but I do not know them. I think you and I have much to discuss, between your knowledge and my learnings of the Crucible’s true nature. I think there is something to make of our commonality. I would like to tentatively agree on an alliance and set terms with you specifically, with the stipulation that I should meet with these others first before officially cementing the pact. That we, you and I can set terms now and I will uphold my end of the bargain to introduce myself hereafter.”
“This is acceptable.”
“Wonderful!” Grym rose from his chair and skittered over to Brey’s side of the table where he sat down again. With a momentous clap there lay a full and ripe watermelon plopped into existence upon the lavish hickory table.
“Then let’s get boring terms out of the way so you and I can move onto the fun stuff!” Using one of the steak knifes to slice even wedges, he distributed a succulent slice to Brey and Dorian both — and then one for himself of course.
“My primary request is that you share permission of your node and future nodes with me, while I will do the same in return. I would like this to be true of Vatarr and Asvarad as well, which I will voice during our meeting. This only benefits the progression of our unified strength by permitting each of us to advance our territories regardless of however many nodes we individually own. In addition, I would request a number of magi from your reserves. I ask this for a few reasons: to bolster my current forces, to employ them as teachers of divine magicks for my own people, and to utilize your peoples’ overall knowledge to expedite the development of my territories. In exchange, I would guarantee your protection and my military aid in the event of an incursion. You will also be supplied with a sort of ‘messenger’ that would allow you to contact me, or anyone else in our coalition, instantly through my Cradle’s information network. I hope my long-windedness didn’t spoil your melon, but please give your honest opinions in regard to these two conditions.”
“These are acceptable if we are to be allies. In fact, this is most equitable. I might request permission to keep access to Node 23 and work on the land. Other than that, these are fine conditions.”
“I will grant permissions to 23 upon my return and I hope you will be able to do the same for 22 for myself. That much is fair. In addition, I would also request a trusted delegate from your court to act as an arbitrator in my dealings with Vatarr and Asvarad. I don’t exactly come off as trustworthy, you see. Having someone that can vouch for your endorsement and the agreements made here will hopefully soothe any misgivings they harbor.”
“You may have my most competent apprentice, Duncan as your delegate. All other conditions are in agreement with me.”
“Then I believe we can settle things for now. I’d like set aside time for us to discuss future logistics such as trade routes and general interactions between our peoples, but for now I’m content. Now then…”
Grym reached around to cup Brey’s shoulder in a half-embrace like they were old schoolmates. “Let me tell you something interesting, Brey old boy. Do you remember the memories our dear Pops showed to us before his death?”
This question had clearly piqued Brey’s interest and Grym bombastically recounted the event of Garravar’s revival and the conversation that ensued, detailing possible secrets of the Crucible that yearned to be discovered; all except for the deal with Garravar. Now that conditions had been discussed and agreed upon, Grym finished his dinner in Brey’s hall. Toward the end of the encounter one of the thralls was brought into the dining hall. Its malleable organic body morphed into a static monolithic receiver. Any of the Cradle’s offspring could fulfill the duty of communicating, but Grym didn’t want to spook Brey nor draw concern by having a thrall wander the domain; so he jury-rigged this particular offspring into an innocuous sort specifically tailored for communications.
"Duncan, come along." Grym beckoned like one would lost pup. "Gather 500 of your scholars to make the journey with me to 22. I promise my hospitality and will grant your permissions to the node upon my return. We’ll be in touch~”
Three days past before Brey could prime and muster five hundred of his best to accompany Grym. They were sure to be skeptical of being sent to serve a mysterious new ally. In the meantime Grym apologized to and filled in Nea's group who had been left on watch for hours in "enemy" territory during his little soiree.
"Dorian, I cannot believe you left us outside that whole time." Nea fumed.
"Why are you mad at me?! I went in thinking we were going to kill the geezer and split! I nearly did, but-"
"BUT then that moron changed his mind; I know. You still stuffed your face and brought fuck all for the rest of us."
"Master Grym did exit rather abruptly-" Duncan softly interjected before being cut off.
"Shut your hole, Duncan." She snapped and stormed off.
"Don't take it personal, lad. The big guy drives us all to madness, he do." Dorian snickered and gave Duncan a hard slap on the back, causing the timid mage to shuffle forward from the impact. When their faces met however, Duncan's expression only looked more concerned than before.
Once preparations had been completed, Grym left with his lot back to node 23.
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