Post by Slartucker on Nov 19, 2008 19:23:16 GMT -5
As the year drew to a close, Slartucker summoned the membership of the League of Mages to assemble in the great hall of the Cathedral of Chalesm, where he had built his Refuge. Besides the members there were a few stray warlocks who came because they expected to hear something interesting. The warlocks whispered quietly to one another while they waited. Soon enough Slartucker stepped up to the pulpit beside the shrouded altar, and the room fell quiet.
"I have called you here today," he said, "to tell you of the true purpose of the League. Some of you might have wondered how we have been able to control the laws of magic and restrict your gestures, while you battled in this little corner of the hell-plane.
"Through a thorough strategem, I have obtained an orb of power once possessed by the goddess Eris. Do not ask me how! For great warlocks made great sacrifices in order to secure the orb.
"I could not pass up the chance. I've pondered modulating the laws of magic for too long. For that is the power of the Orb! It takes magic apart, and weaves it together in a new pattern."
"It reweaves it?" asked Derfel.
"It does," replied Slartucker. "I don't have any idea what gives it this power, but it can reshape our spells, or cancel them entirely. It can even twist our fingers, so infused have they become with magical energy. But its power is slight. It is not an orb of conquest, or of dominion."
"What is it good for, then?" ExDeath peered forward from beneath a shadowy hoodie.
"It can help us to learn, and it can shake up our time-worn grimoires. It can make things more pleasant," Slartucker responded. "You know, I want to make the hell-plane a better place." Several of the assembled warlocks chuckled and cackled. "I do not pretend to think that I can improve the laws from their natural state on my own account; but perhaps someone else will be able to."
"That's why you set up the League, isn't it?" said BioLogIn.
"Yes. But not a league of mere mages: for the purpose of the League is not in the binding and casting of spells, but in the weaving together of new magicks. The league is a mechanism whereby the energy and the willpower invested in our fighting can be channeled into the Orb, to activate its powers.
"And for that purpose I decree that, beginning in January, the prize of directing the Orb will fall not to an individual warlock, but to a clan of warlocks. For the power of the Black Orb is more easily roused by groups than individuals."
"Black Orbs? Clans? Spell Weavers? That's great, Slarty," called out Dubber. "Are you sure you're not making this up as you go along?" Xade nodded and wagged his finger in a circle.
"Behold!" spoke Slartucker, as he cast aside the altar shroud. Beneath it there sat, indeed, a large, black orb, glittering ominously.
"Are there any further questions?"
"I have called you here today," he said, "to tell you of the true purpose of the League. Some of you might have wondered how we have been able to control the laws of magic and restrict your gestures, while you battled in this little corner of the hell-plane.
"Through a thorough strategem, I have obtained an orb of power once possessed by the goddess Eris. Do not ask me how! For great warlocks made great sacrifices in order to secure the orb.
"I could not pass up the chance. I've pondered modulating the laws of magic for too long. For that is the power of the Orb! It takes magic apart, and weaves it together in a new pattern."
"It reweaves it?" asked Derfel.
"It does," replied Slartucker. "I don't have any idea what gives it this power, but it can reshape our spells, or cancel them entirely. It can even twist our fingers, so infused have they become with magical energy. But its power is slight. It is not an orb of conquest, or of dominion."
"What is it good for, then?" ExDeath peered forward from beneath a shadowy hoodie.
"It can help us to learn, and it can shake up our time-worn grimoires. It can make things more pleasant," Slartucker responded. "You know, I want to make the hell-plane a better place." Several of the assembled warlocks chuckled and cackled. "I do not pretend to think that I can improve the laws from their natural state on my own account; but perhaps someone else will be able to."
"That's why you set up the League, isn't it?" said BioLogIn.
"Yes. But not a league of mere mages: for the purpose of the League is not in the binding and casting of spells, but in the weaving together of new magicks. The league is a mechanism whereby the energy and the willpower invested in our fighting can be channeled into the Orb, to activate its powers.
"And for that purpose I decree that, beginning in January, the prize of directing the Orb will fall not to an individual warlock, but to a clan of warlocks. For the power of the Black Orb is more easily roused by groups than individuals."
"Black Orbs? Clans? Spell Weavers? That's great, Slarty," called out Dubber. "Are you sure you're not making this up as you go along?" Xade nodded and wagged his finger in a circle.
"Behold!" spoke Slartucker, as he cast aside the altar shroud. Beneath it there sat, indeed, a large, black orb, glittering ominously.
"Are there any further questions?"
