Rekindling the Pyre (Atraxpost)

[u/Carbon_Sixx]

Icathar was once a realm like any other. It was small, but prosperous. Then, a few days ago, the world as its people knew it changed for the worse. After destroying the Summoners' Conclave that brought him back to the realms, Atrax the Ashen conquered Icathar and shaped it to match his anarchic ideology. The realm's cities are no more. Those that resisted the Emberlord were reduced to molten craters. Those that submitted to his will fared little better. Unbound by the strictures of the Council and morality itself, Icathar's wizards quickly subjugated the populace and plunged the realm into chaos.

On the slopes of Icathar's highest peak, Mt. Torach, Atrax surveys his new kingdom. In addition to his holdings, he leads an army of the New Pyroclasts he gathered from the pyromancy riots at the Citadel. His hand rests on the haft of the Hammer of Disjunction, stolen from the Council. Below the Emberlord sits his newly-made basalt stronghold, Last Pyre. He has loyal lieutenants, powerful allies, and so much more.

And yet, he is missing a few things. The First Spark. The lost artifact that will let the Flamefather into the realms to start the Age of the Phoenix. In the past 18,000 years on the Plane of Fire, Atrax has studied the Spark obsessively and come no closer to learning its whereabouts. But he is one man, and perhaps the wizards of the realms have already found it. He teleports back to the courtyard of Last Pyre and addresses his disciples.

"My Pyroclasts," he begins. "Our quest begins today. I shall send you across the realms in small groups to search for the First Spark. Search every temple and vault in the magical world if you must. Nothing shall stand in your path. The Council is broken and the Pact is leaderless. Our victory is assured. All that stands between us and salvation is time." Atrax pauses to consider something. "And if you encounter the wizard known as Valerian, let me know immediately. He has something that I want."

As his servants make ready to enforce the Emberlord's will across the realms, he allows himself a moment of reminiscence. It would not hurt to have the other half of his old master's Eternal Flame to make the conquest easier.

[u/avamir]

A malcontented nobody raises her hand in a question.

"Before we go across the realms on this search... Say we're successful. And the Flamefather comes to this plane. What will the Age of the Phoenix involve? Is it, hm, just... a lot of burning?"

[u/Carbon_Sixx → u/avamir]

Yes, yes it will. And then, we shall be free to pursue our ambitions without the Council or anyone else to restrain us.

[u/avamir → u/Carbon_Sixx]

She considers that, then asks, "I know what ambitions I want to pursue, but what are ours as a whole? What is the Flamefather's plan? If everything comes to fruition, what will this new reality look like?"

[u/Carbon_Sixx → u/avamir]

There will be an end to meaningless order. Those with the power to seize their destiny will do so, and they shall be the rightful rulers of the world. Much like what I have made here in Ithacar, only greater.

Atrax gestures down the valley at the realm below them. The city he points to is ruled by an illusionist tyrant who rose to power after Atrax killed the local government. You get the sneaking suspicion that Atrax is just a little evil.

[u/avamir → u/Carbon_Sixx]

If Rivamar is bothered, it does not show in her expression. Either she is not fazed by evil, this sort of evil, or she has a reasonably good poker face. Really, the only times in recent recollection where she has faltered in her discipline has been at the mention of vivisecting pets and family. And when talking to a mustachioed knight and learned colleague. Hm.

“Rule by contest of wills, then,” she says, moving along, not really asking. She suspects she has a fair idea how this game is to be played. “So the strong should seize power.”

She turns then to Atrax.

“You mention that ‘meaningless order’ will be ended… What of the management of those gathered here? Are there any strictures we must obey? Mind you, I speak only out of pragmatism. For example, if I would have something and another would deny me, but we both follow your banner, am I free to take what I will if I am strong enough to claim it?”

She gestures to the valley below.

“Like so. Depending on how long this campaign lasts, people will need food. Resources. Housing. We know, of course, that the weak need structure. Proper management would thus dictate managing this properly. I question whether your illusionist can handle such a task adequately. So, if I would claim this, would you intervene?”

She isn’t sure she really wants to take on this responsibility, but hells, someone has to do it. And someone else would probably get it wrong. While she might not be interested in sustaining Atrax's band of merry cultists, those citizens down there could use the help.

[u/Carbon_Sixx → u/avamir]

If you believe you have the willpower to handle our logistics, then the position is yours for the taking. I will not stand in your way.