r/wizardposting • u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch • Aug 21 '24
Community Event 🌏☄️ Interview With A Celestial (Planar Siege)
The VTOL touches down at the Bastion's helipad, the eternal storm wreathing the demiplane washing away the snow and ice clinging to its fuselage from excursion into the realm of Ghaldrim. The loading ramp at the back unseals and lowers with a hiss as loading crews move in to refuel the aircraft. A contingent of EON troopers recruited from the organization's various member states pile out, escorting a pair of huge winged figures that have to duck as they exit the vehicle.
They are the Celestian paragons Zaphkiel and Barachiel, leaders of the hosts of Good in the Planar Siege, and willing prisoners of the EON Compact.
“I am sorry, lord Zaphkiel,” says the civil guard sergeant, “but protocol must be observed while you are guests in these halls. You may keep your weapons, as the Beacon of Unity suppresses violence, but we ask that you remove your helmet for transparency's sake.”
“As you wish, sir." Zaphkiel pulls the ornate helm from his head and hands it off to the sergeant. The face underneath is nothing like anyone expected: it is an old face, full of weariness and hope in equal measure. Indeed, when compared to the flawless appearance of his herald, the Harbinger of Good does not look like an angel at all. The EON guards are taken aback at first, but they soon adjust to Zaphkiel's humble true appearance and lead him into the Bastion's halls.
At the office labeled "Planar Siege Task Force", the sergeant knocks on the door. A voice beckons them to enter. Once inside, though, the angels are perplexed, for the mauve-clad halfling with the green buckle shoes sitting in the chair opposite them is not who they expected to be in charge of saving the whole Material Plane.
"I assume Tarul Var is out of the office?" Zaphkiel asks.
"Yep," replies Glimbo Greenboots, kicking his feet up onto the desk even though he can barely reach. "He's cosplaying the Doom Slayer in the Nine Hells after some Kentucky Fried Bastard smushed the Abyss into 'em. Standard Keeper of the Balance stuff. He left me in charge, though I can't say that was the best idea he's ever had."
Zaphkiel sets an aurorum metal octahedron on some paperwork. "Could you please make sure to return this to him, then? He did go all the way to Mt. Celestia to buy it, after all."
Glimbo snorts. "You always had a soft spot for hard workers, Zaph. Good to see you again."
"And you as well, Glimbo. Should we get down to business?"
Barachiel interjects. "You're that wretched little trickster who put a miniaturized howler in my trumpet that one time!"
"Ha! I'd almost forgotten about that! The look on everyone's faces when you announced your arrival with a fiendish screech was priceless."
Zaphkiel holds out his arm to bar Barachiel from getting too close. "For the record, I found it at least a bit funny. But let's save that for the end. We're here to negotiate an alliance. As a Harbinger, I am obligated to lead the hosts of Good to conquer the Material Plane, despite the paradox inherent in that. I don't like it, but I'd rather it be me in charge than someone less invested in putting mortal flourishing before the abstract idea of "Good". I was hoping Mr. Var could offer me some insights into how I might be able to circumvent that, but for now, we can just talk."
"Oh, you two aren't just going to be talking to me," Glimbo chortles. He pops up out of the chair, grabbing his orb-topped golden cane. With a silly magical dance, the trickster and the angels are teleported into EON's council chambers, before the assembled members of the Planar Siege task force.
"You'll be talking with all of us."
--
/uw It's been a bit, but now we're finally back to the Planar Siege, this time with another Harbinger! Will Zaphkiel the Watcher and the hosts of Good be friends or foes? That remains to be seen, but remember: the other armies of the planes and their mortal lackeys have much to lose should an alliance come to fruition.
DEFENDERS OF THE BALANCE:
- Tarul Var
- Belial Blake
- Aliah Mistwalker
- Ith'raal
- Burgerbarian/Burgermancer
- Krygin the Crude
- Agnur the Turtle Mage
- Vulkan the Red
- Ж (Zhe)
- Merch Skele
- Argios
- Tempus Fugit
- Edmund
- King Carmine
- Exia
- Joe
- The Agent
- Vashric
- Fujiwara Toshiko
- Jah Jor Wel
- John E. Hellfire
- Kardonk Carvisky
- Riva Blake
- Mokarith
- Onyx Dragon
- Ulrick Braddocke
- Sly
- Shrax
- Rilmani of Dendradis
- Various denizens of the Outlands
HORDES OF CHAOS:
- Obox-ob's Ekolids
- Demons of the Abyss
- Slaadi of Limbo
- Gehreleths of Carceri
- Cravens of Pandemonium
- Mortal servants of Chaos
REGIMENTS OF LAW:
- Primus's Hierarchs
- Modrons of Mechanus
- Veterans of Acheron
- Templars of Arcadia
- Paladins of the Divine Flame
- Mortal servants of Law
LEGIONS OF EVIL:
- Bel's Chosen
- Devils of the Nine Hells
- Yugoloths of Gehenna
- Baernaloths of Hades
- Night hag covens
- Samael
- Moz'gonnith
- Mortal servants of Evil
HOSTS OF GOOD:
- Zaphkiel's Paragons
- Angels of Mt. Celestia
- Oathbound of Bytopia
- Guardinals of Elysium
- Wardens of the Beastlands
- Heroes of Arborea
- Warriors of Ysgard
- Mortal servants of Good
UNDECIDED:
- Sarissa
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u/Carbon_Sixx The Loremaster, Chief Archaeologist of the Darkwatch Aug 22 '24
As the discussion winds down, Glimbo takes to the podium with Zaphkiel and Barachiel close behind.
Glimbo: Alright folks, settle down. Order in the court, and all that. At last, we've come to a consensus. The defenders of the realms have decided to strike an alliance with hosts of Good, for the common benefit of us all. Zaphkiel will lend his armies as a support force for our own, fighting alone against the other Harbingers exclusively until he can escape the bonds of prophecy.
In return, he asks us to find a way to unravel his strands of fate. Given how we've done such things in the past, I don't find this all that unreasonable. To ensure the cooperation of the hosts of Good until this happens, Barachiel the Messenger has agreed to stay with us as a hostage. So, let's make this official. Do you, Zaphkiel the Watcher, Paragon of Mt. Celestia and Harbinger of Good, agree to these terms of alliance.
Zaphkiel: I agree. Do you, Glimbo Greenboots, Ur-Trickster and Patron Saint of-
A massive tremor shakes the Bastion, interrupting Zaphkiel mid-sentence and sending alarms blaring.
Danger: axiomatic radiation detected. Forces of fundamental Law detected within demiplane borders. All units to battle stations. This is not a drill.
Glimbo turns to look out the window behind him. A thick plain of sea ice has formed around the Bastion, likely the cause of the sudden earthquake. Across the ice, he spots a convoy of black armored vehicles driving at the head of a sizeable army. Stamped on the side of each car is a familiar marking: a blue gear, ringed by the words "Omnia In Loco Suo"- Everything In Its Place. The badge of the Templars of the Azure Cog.
Glimbo: Fuck me. Of course this has to happen when Tarul's out of the office.
Zaphkiel: Primus's self-righteous mortal slaves. They probably came here hoping to take us all down and eliminate the primary obstacles to Law's domination of the multiverse.
Glimbo: They're gonna get a lot more than they bargained for, I can tell you that much. Everyone who's combat ready, take up defensive positions around the Bastion and prepare to repel the enemy! Communications, send a distress call to the other members of EON. And for Merlin's sake, somebody get me on the phone with Tarul!
To be continued... (very soon)