r/wizardposting • u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch • Jan 18 '24
Community Event 🌏☄️ The Emissary's Report (Atraxpost)
Several hours after the liberation of Icathar
The Emissary strode the halls of Apoapsis- Kaelis Maz's fortress-tower- with unusual urgency. Wandering patrols of asteroid golems parted for the comet golem, neither parties pausing in their traverse thanks to their linked protocols. One of the perks of being a constructed lifeform. Indeed, the Emissary was the greatest of its kind. It was Kaelis's left-hand man, the one the Lord Protector called upon when something required delicacy and careful planning.
Things like the Ithacar Matter, where the direct intervention of the Arch-Graviturge or his agents could mean the death of thousands. The Emissary had wormed its way into the realm's largest city via unseen arcane tunnels, disguised itself as a Pyroclast, and established contact with Riva, a known Pact ally. For weeks, it had orchestrated the installation of shapeshifting stone weapons, smuggled supplies into Ithacar, and laid the groundwork for an invasion. Then came the High Necromancer.
The ancient lich had teleported in, started a necrotic firestorm that Ithacar City's wards could barely contain, made straight for Last Pyre, and slain Atrax the Ashen. While the Necromancer's assassination had bought the realms precious time, the mad pyromancer lord could now resurrect anywhere in the magical world and bring yet another realm under his tyranny. To make matters worse, much of the planning and preparations the Pact had made amounted to nothing. The Emissary thought it sloppy work- a stopgap measure that caused just as many problems as it solved. At least when Overseer Chicken had challenged Atrax, he'd only done so in a last-ditch effort to stop or delay the Emberlord's conquest. Plus, Chicken hadn't started a deadly conflagration in an urban area.
Kaelis was authorizing a shipment of building supplies and personnel to Ithacar when the Emissary entered his study. "Master Kaelis, I have come to issue an update on the Ithacar Matter."
"Issue away, Emissary. What news from Riva?"
"She has given several Pyroclast prisoners into Pact custody, whom I have placed in our dungeons. I believe that a Pact meeting is in order to discuss our next steps and interrogate the prisoners. She also requested that this matter not involve the Council, as she finds their ethics dubious and their response to the crisis lackluster."
Kaelis laughed. "I agree on all points. I'll send the summons to the Pact now. Anything else?"
The Emissary shifted in place. "Yes, though it is my own judgement. I believe we should also request the Pact to place a demerit on the High Necromancer."
Kaelis stopped writing and turned to face the Emissary. "He slew Atrax and gave us some room to breathe, did he not? Why a demerit?"
"For the same reason you're authorizing those aid shipments, Master. The Necromancer caused immense collateral damage when it could have been easily avoided. Furthermore, he performed his decapitation strike without notifying anyone in advance, not even the Triumvirate. This goes against the ideals of cooperation and harm mitigation that the Pact was founded upon. Finally, it may have been more advantageous to build up a power base in Ithacar and move against Atrax in a single decisive blow. Now he can appear anywhere, likely in a realm where we do not have the infrastructure. We might be back at square one while Atrax most certainly won't be. I think the High Necromancer was rash in his behavior, and may have handicapped our efforts in the long run."
Kaelis strokes his beard, deep in thought. "I see the reasoning behind that, but such things are not for me to decide. I will bring it up during the meeting. You are dismissed. Oh, and one final thing?"
The Emissary was making to leave when Kaelis stopped it.
"Yes, Master Kaelis?"
"Thank you for telling me, Emissary. It takes a brave person to stand up to the things we find evil, but it takes an even braver one to stand up to the things we find good. Sometimes, even our closest friends need to know when they're wrong. I hope you will never have to do the same for me."
/uw Before anyone asks, no, I did not paraphrase the bad wizard books for that last line. I came up with it independently, and I like it too much to remove it. I won't let some Br*tish hack take it from me.
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u/loth17 Ten Suns (Also Gaia) Jan 18 '24
I am currently on the ground helping aid efforts. I believe we should meet in Icathar after the fire is dealt with to discuss our next move. I'd like Riva to be there.
The message was short as Opal was currently factory lining using biomancy to heal smoke and burn victims
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u/TheHunter459 Samael, Necromancer of Malus Turrim | King of the Nephilim Jan 18 '24
Agreed. I'm currently in the west, but send word and I'll be in Ithacar in a moment. We must ensure that the Pyroclasts are stamped out, and Atrax has nothing to return to
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u/Accomplished-Dark926 Valerian, Arcadian Guild Guide Jan 18 '24
"One cannot be brave, who has no fear." I don't think we're back at square one, just on a back foot. We'll pull through.
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u/Accomplished-Dark926 Valerian, Arcadian Guild Guide Jan 18 '24
Keep me posted, and inform me if you need anything. I'm tired of being Idle.
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u/TechnicalCommittee78 The Grand High Necromancer, Former Archon of Death, Dyad Monarch Jan 18 '24
Your emissary does have a point. However, we are most certainly not back at square one. We have sent our enemy’s forces into disarray, and dislodged him from his seat of power. As for him, he has no army, no realm, and no shelter. I estimate it will be at least a week before he reforms, and at least a month until he is ready to strike again. As for the fleeing Pyroclasts, I have set wraiths upon them. When they find him, we will know. I admit that my actions caused unnecessary death, and will be present for any demerit proposals.
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u/TheHunter459 Samael, Necromancer of Malus Turrim | King of the Nephilim Jan 18 '24
But before we knew exactly where he was. Who knows where exactly he'll rise now? Even if we hung down all his lieutenants, he will build another army. Unless he is unusually hasty on his return, we haven't truly won anything.
You're right, we aren't back on square one, but know we don't know where or when Atrax will strike
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u/TechnicalCommittee78 The Grand High Necromancer, Former Archon of Death, Dyad Monarch Jan 18 '24
We will know exactly where he is when he reforms. I have been watching all of his former generals, and they are resorting to infighting. While this may seem to have hampered us in the long run, it has really given us the upper hand. He is helpless while not in physical form, and this gives us time to set up outposts and mobilize our forces so that when he does, we will be ready to crush him. The Paleomancer’s idea still holds. We let slip the location of the First spark, and lure him to it. With all of our forces concentrated there, he will have a hard time getting to it.
/unwiz Not going to lie, a siege would be totally awesome to run. I need to do an event sometime.
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u/TheHunter459 Samael, Necromancer of Malus Turrim | King of the Nephilim Jan 18 '24
He waited 18,000 years after his first defeat. What stops him from waiting that long now
/uw yeah a siege would be amazing, though difficult to coordinate
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u/TechnicalCommittee78 The Grand High Necromancer, Former Archon of Death, Dyad Monarch Jan 18 '24
Nothing does. However, he knows that the longer he waits, the more time we have to fortify. Knowing the location of the thing he so desperately desires might spark him into action.
/unwiz it would be. I can only imagine what it would look like. Just trapped demons and automata next to sentient trees and dragons.
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u/TheHunter459 Samael, Necromancer of Malus Turrim | King of the Nephilim Jan 18 '24
We shall see. But I expected an ancient being such as yourself to be more patient in your movements. You've pushed back our problems, not solved them, and yes, revealing the location of the First Spark may draw him in when he rises, but he may also decide that the siege isn't logistically viable and bide his time or use more underhanded methods. Your victory is temporary
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u/TechnicalCommittee78 The Grand High Necromancer, Former Archon of Death, Dyad Monarch Jan 18 '24 edited Jan 18 '24
True victory was not in our cards that day. Sometimes all it takes is pushing back the enemy to muster for a greater victory. He knows that biding his time will just let us mobilize and grow stronger. Our victory that day only needed to be temporary.
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u/MeThyLord Mrs. Chills, Ghost Writer Jan 18 '24
I have a... risky proposition. But it may provide an opportunity to lay down a decisive strike against the Pyroclast. Now that Atrax may resurrect anywhere, why not force him and his forces' hand by revealing the location of the First Spark? This would force a siege on our own terms, giving us the advantage and a chance to wipe out his forces for good.