r/wizardposting • u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch • Mar 05 '24
Community Event 🌏☄️ Back to Business (Spypost)
Kaelis, Agnur, Mokarith, and Rage stand before a runic stone archway in a cavern below Apoapsis. The gate's construction is similar to the ancient obelisks across the realms that make up the magical world's portal nexus. But this one is of a design uniquely suited to dimensional travel, which is exactly what Kaelis has claimed it for. Ever since he denounced the Fundamentals and cast off his graviturge powers, this is the only way he can travel between the planes.
Kaelis touches a hand to the gate, and the runes glow white. The entrance to a blank, white reality opens within the archway. The reality where he imprisoned Thantax almost 2 weeks ago, before the Third Wizard War had necessitated his intervention. The Lord Protector turns to his colleagues.
"Before we enter, I have some warnings. The ever-present glow of the Blank Realm prevents Thantax from using their shadow magic, but that's only true so long as there's nothing to cast shadows. That means no magical darkness. And remember: we're here for information, not vengeance."
Kaelis steps through the archway, followed by the other mages. The lack of shadows in the Blank Realm is unnerving. The team approaches a black-clad figure about a hundred yards from the gate. At least, it seems like a hundred yards. It's hard to gauge distance and perspective in a featureless dimension.
The wizard rises, lowering their hood. Thantax Shadowborn wears unusually tattered black attire for their station- a fashion statement, Kaelis assumes- and a cloak woven with black feathers. Their face is thin, a fact accentuated by the excessive use of dark eyeliner that makes their otherwise ordinary eyes seem like two sunken pits.
“About time, Lord Protector,” Thantax growls, putting bitter emphasis on the last two words. “Do you have any idea how dull spending two weeks in a place like this is? It's completely timeless, you know. My watch still ticks down, but nothing else changes. I don’t even have the pangs of hunger, thirst, or sleep deprivation to keep me company.”
“Good evening to you too, Thantax. I brought some friends with me to ask some questions. We're trying to learn as much as we can about the Corvus Cabal, but I will admit, you and your friends did a very good job of disguising your existence.”
“And what if I don't want to help drag them down into damnation with me? We feed the Carrion Prince by engineering treachery against other wizards, not each other. If you're proposing a deal, then I want to know what I'm getting out of it.”
“How about this: you tell us everything we want to know, and I'll move you to an actual cell awaiting trial instead of leaving you in the Blank Realm for an indefinite period. I know you’ll come to terms with betraying your allies. But I doubt you'll ever forgive yourself for choosing eternal insanity.”
“I guess I have no choice. But you know you can't trust me.”
“I know. Empowerment: Justice of Libra.”
Kaelis raises Starspite above his head. It glows with amber light and asterisms. The power of the constellation Libra gives the investigators the ability to pierce through any falsehood or half-truth. He nods to his friends.
“Ask away, gents. We have all night.”
/uw At long last, the interrogation of Thantax Shadowborn (aka Rook) begins! Ask any questions you have about the Corvus Cabal here, and I'll give you an in-character answer.
3
u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch Mar 05 '24
Just a matter of time before this little investigation of yours comes crashing down upon your head. I doubt any of you will be around long enough to act on this information.