The White Goblin; The Spirit
Spirits can rush like the wind, blazing a path through all the physical world as if it were not there at all. Obstacles are irrelevant to one who does not exist in this realm, and even space or time may become malleable. They live behind a one-sided mirror.
That is the core power of Mysticism- the power to convert one's soul into an ethereal form, pull it
out of the body with the aid of a Seeing-stone, mix it in with magic to anchor it to this plane if existence, and look through it at will.
This, of course, is how one uses the fabled farsight, and it is the method in which the White Goblin first intended to "visit" the Idolized Tower.
He watched- through his crystal eyes- the rolling, twirling tides of the coast. The absolutely massive blue-and-white structure could be seen in the distance, dominating the landscape. Worn about it was a distinct feel of regality, of power, of destiny. It's spires leaped for the sky like claws, and it's foundation- the Mystic could tell- burrowed deep within the earth.
But despite the intimidation and fear the appearance of the Tower shown, the whole scene was somehow serene. Doves flew in circles around the it's peak, plants grew with more health than the sun alone could provide, deer gathered at it's immaculate white and gold gate to rest...
beautiful.
Thousands of miles away in his cave, he blinked his two eyes, and now instead saw the doors of the Tower. They were already easing open to reveal a female goblin servant, who's unrelenting smile seemed to pierce directly into him.
It made him smirk slightly; Crystal felt strangely revealed that his presence was known. A normal man or spell could never have detected the nearness of a mystic, but here it was obvious that even they could not hide. Interesting.
"Welcome, dear Xulemuzti." The servant spoke with the same gruff tone of most goblins, but added with a bit more poison, "We would of hoped you could of arrived in your physical form, but I suppose this will function well enough."
How dare she! Crystal screamed within his own mind,
I must ask the Prince about her.The wind suddenly stirred out of nothing, catching up loose blades of grass and what little dust was permitted outside the tower in it's wake. Taking shape, the dust seemed to create an actual body, one which grew eyes of white, hair of starlight, and skin of night.
The newly-born body lifted it's downcast head and met the stare of the servant. It spoke with a faint but stern tone,
"Do not tempt me, mundane creature. Take me to the Prince at once. I am the spiritual form of the White Goblin, sent to you as an embassy in place.""I, um, I apologize, but I cannot take you to the Master. Rather, I must show you to your assigned room, even as a spiri-" Her voice was cut off by a signal booming through the grounds like the ring of a great bell. Both of them, the mystic and the servant, knew without being told what it meant. It was time.
Crystal's spirit pushed past the goblin in it's way and flew like a ghost up the stairs, through the halls, and to the doorway of the Prince's chambers.
But then it stopped. Being both a mystic and a spirit, he saw past the massive wooden double-doors, and watched those within. Under normal conditions, he would not even have bothered halting in the face of such a strange gathering- he had seen weirder- but one was there he feared to meet again.
Crompter! He thought,
Why is that old drunk drifter here? He had no idea whether he should rejoice or simply run now. Wizard Crompter was the Alterist who originally merged the Seeing-Stones into his eyesockets, starting Crystal along the path that led to where he was today.
But still, the drunkard had never been fond of him, and it had taken a good bit of begging and persistence to have him perform the transformation. A few times, Crystal had found himself being slashed with broken beer bottles, having old ale spewed on him, or otherwise just being treated like trash.
But he had come to far toonsimply turn back now. The Spirit sighed and entered the room.
At the exact same moment that Crystal phased in without so much as opening the door, the Prince marched in directly after. He was cloaked in fine blue robes that matched the tone and eloquence of the ocean, but sparkled and shone with the essence of magic. If one started at them too long, they could easily get lost in all the intricate details- etched in white were little lines along the clothing, forming complex root-like patterns and interconnections designed to channel both spells and the attention of others.
Every guest who had thus far made it into the Tower was there, sitting or standing around an ornate and shining, black, metallic table, which boasted legs of gold. The table only held room and chairs for two when Umbrix first arrived- the Prince and himself- but with each one to find their way in, it grew in size and furnish to accommodate them.
The chairs were made each of the most flawless shining silver, trimmed with the same mysterious black metal as the table was molded of. Not only that, but each chair was special; the moment a guest took their seat, it grew some feature to reflect it's host.
For example, when Crystal sat his chair faded somewhat, becoming more ethereal like his ghostly form. Etchings of eyes appeared on the back and arms of it.
But enough on that. Now was time for the Prince to at last deliver his message. Looking out onto the field of guests he had collected, he spoke:
"My friends, I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you all here, and treated you to such strange and illustrious furnishings. Indeed, I would be doing the same in your position, and I cannot honestly blame you for the curiousity. I beg your forgiveness for the wait, but now the time has finally come for our task to be revealed." He took a breath and seemed to brace himself for what was to come.
"As I'm sure you know, my predecessor was one of the greatest mages- perhaps the greatest mage- ever to be born. He sought after many things both known and obscure during his seven-hundred-and-twenty year life.
That long life, in fact, is largely why you're all here now. Primus was a human. Not an elf or a dwarf; a human. So how could he achieve a number of years as such to bring about jealousy in even the Elven kings? Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, where has he gone? I find it hard to believe he could have simply died without a word or sign of his passing, and he only looked like a man in his twenties.
When I inherited this Tower, I found several areas, libraries and, indeed, even portals that are inaccessible to any but I, as the Master of the Tower. Inside one of these was the Primus' own personal journal, detailing his findings and goals. And I won't lie to you: I find much of it far beyond me to understand.
Although I do understand one thing: The Primus went in search of the Ultimate Secret.
The Primus went in search of ever-lasting life, and we must follow him."Seadus allowed that to sink in for a moment.
"Yes, you heard me right. I cannot allow my inspiration and- forgive the pun- my idol to go off on such a dangerous quest alone. He may be the Primus, but even he said in his own journal that it was unlikely he would ever return alive.
Therefore, we must find him wherever he may lay, and join him in the search. I know it is strange and mysterious to suggest such a thing, but, I beg you, believe me. All of you have been invited or accepted because you are some of the best wizards in existence...
...so there it is, friends. Those who chose to join me shall be given greater detail and, when this is all over, rewarded beyond your dreams.
Those who refuse may leave unharmed. I will not hinder you."
