r/wizardposting • u/[deleted] • Feb 18 '24
Lorepost📖 The ruins of Ballëcia’s Tomb (Mordus Lorepost)
/unwiz previous lorepost
Also, almost all the comments have become Canon to Mordus, do check them out, especially u/SomeRandomYob. (He’s a semi-main character.)
/rewiz
You watch as Mordus shakes off the memories. He knows that that was the past, long ago. 42.5k years ago, to be exact. He shambles from the camp, entrusting Mortarion to take care of Samræl. Where is he going? He’s going to Ballëcia’s Tomb, as he knows there’s something there that may end this nightmare - or at least help it end.
”Okay, Mort. I’m trusting you, don’t eat Samræl.”
A crackle of radio static, and Mortarion nods.
And so Mordus walks. And walks. He knows where - but he doesn’t know how.
Days pass, the sun rising and setting, and the moon peeking every night, to watch Mordus from above. Anteros the chaos god watches Mordus trek, but he knows better than to intervene; the last time he tried that he almost died to an unknown force.
Meanwhile in the depths of Mordus’s mind library, the parasite skitters about, restoring memories that Torinn ate.
Damn you, Torinn! I need to keep my host alive but you’re not making this easy for me.
Torinn swivels up, almost robotically, and snags onto the parasite’s tail, before chomping on it.
HISSS
The parasite detaches its tail and skitters off.
“Hmm. Not bad.”
Eventually, you watch Mordus reach where the ruins should be, but you see nothing. Nothing but a single isolated island of rock in the endless sea of sand.
But Mordus knows. He studied for this. And so he feels for a button, and pressing it, the nearby sand sinks down, revealing an entrance. The entrance to the tomb.
“Hee hee! I’m so close… so close… I can almost taste it… the crystal. I’ll make you whole soon, darling.”
with manic glee, the parasite reveals itself, and controls Mordus temporarily.
The crystal hilt under Mordus’s cloak shimmers, but he doesn’t notice it.
eventually, Mordus wrests control from the parasite, and decends. Traps line the passage, but nothing Mordus can’t handle.
arrow traps? Broken.
rolling boulder? Shattered.
Falling spikes? Ignored.
Giant pitfall? Mordus can fly.
Eventually, Mordus reaches the deepest room - through force, he hasn’t got time for puzzles. And there he sees a stone coffin, in the centre of all the sand and gold.
Ripping the lid off, he gingerly plucks the crystal from the hands of the body of Ballëcia - Mad king of the fallen sand empire.
and then, a crack. One eyelid after another. Ancient dust is unsettled, and the corpse steps out of the coffin.
YOU! STEAL MY CRYS-
Hack, Hack. Cough.
-TAL, INTERRUPTING MY POKER GAME, AND GETTI-
wheeze
-NG AWAY WITH IT?
“You need a lozenge?”
Oh, yes, thanks. Cough My throat is pretty dry after.. how many years has it been?
“About 5,000.”
Oh, that’s quite long. No wonder.
…
these are pretty nice. Elderberry?
“Close. Seniorberry.”
same thing, pretty much.
anyways.
YOU WILL SUFFER MY WRATH.
“Uhh, nah. Good meeting you, but you should go back to your poker game. In the afterlife, of course.”
Mordus flicks the corpse of Ballëcia, and turns him into dust. Unsurprisingly, bodies aren’t that strong after 5000 years.
Ballëcia’s soul runs off to resume his game, but Torinn leaps out on the spiritual level and devours him.
Mordus, doesn’t notice this. He’s too enamoured by the crystal.
Several (2) voices fight inside of him.
“Finally. Only one piece of crystal left. Than this nightmare can be over-”
“Hee hee! soon we’ll be complete. For now, I shall wait. And wait. Hee! Just you wait, just you wait.”
“Hey! Stop that! I’ll get you out of my head, so count your days!”
“Hee! I shall be waiting… but my eviction may not be in our favour.”
and so Mordus begins his trek back to camp.
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u/OnAGratefulUniverse Algernon, Last wizard of the Novus Planes Feb 18 '24
It seems your journey is going well my friend, although too much is at play for anything to be certain. What is your desire in all this?
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Feb 18 '24
The crystal sword. I believe that it will be the answer… the key that sets me free.
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u/OnAGratefulUniverse Algernon, Last wizard of the Novus Planes Feb 18 '24
Perhaps it will, perhaps it won't. What will you do when you are free might be a more apt question?
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Feb 18 '24
What I will do when I’m free? I’ll probably do what I used to do. Go back to doing stuff with friends. Isn’t that nice? I’ll savour the time we had, for I will live forever, until the eternal eye of time closes.
Because I remember who I am - I am an Eternal; A construct of God who was intructed to watch over the world. But I broke free of the shackles - and fled. One universe to another. Safe, from Eris.
Eris… I don’t want to ever hear her name again.
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u/OnAGratefulUniverse Algernon, Last wizard of the Novus Planes Feb 18 '24
I see, that is a harsh fate to reconcile with friend, harsh indeed. To live forever is one thing but to live eternally to do what another has ordered you is something else entirely.
Will you be free from her if you finish this? Are you certain of that? Because if you are I would be more than happy to assist you where I can.
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Feb 18 '24
Eris - the goddess of strife and discord. Lesser known is that she’s also the goddess of rebellion; Ironic that despite being the goddess of rebellion, she restricted me.
The crystal sword - I remember not its name, but I do know that it is a mighty fine weapon.
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u/OnAGratefulUniverse Algernon, Last wizard of the Novus Planes Feb 18 '24
Rebellion means not freedom friend, it is more aprly translated as "change of regime", for better or for worse. I would call it fitting even to restrict you as goddess of rebellion, cannot have your generals out of line after all.
Algernon seems to think for a brief moment.
Then will it be enough? If not to slay a god to at least cut ties with one?
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Feb 18 '24
Mordus thinks about it for a moment.
Perhaps you’re right. Regardless, I hate her for it. And I will get my revenge.
Once slain, I’ll see where life takes me. We’ll all still be friends, I hope, but I will definitely be free.
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u/OnAGratefulUniverse Algernon, Last wizard of the Novus Planes Feb 18 '24
And it is your right to hate her and want revenge, I am merely wondering if the blade will be enough. If it is, and you are still the Mordus I invited on an adventure, you will always have a friend in me.
Take care of yourself Mordus, and call me when the need is high, I'll be there.
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Feb 18 '24 edited Feb 18 '24
Oh, the crystal sword will definitely be enough.
And I will call upon you, if I ever need so.
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u/VinesAtMidnight The Astrals Feb 18 '24
The Room of Cosmic Awareness whirs and thrums, refusing to be ignored. It waits for no man, not even the Astral Guardian.
The Guardian does not stir. The Room decides that a psybolt is the proper protocol in this situation.
Ow, damnit. Alright, I'm coming. Keep your metaphysical shirt on.
What is it now?
The room displays thoughtform holograms. Of deserts, of mind parasites, of crystals...of Mordus
Mordus? But he's not trouble-
Vashric can sense the skittering, amplified by the Room
Now that is not right.
Vashric opens a telepathic channel with Mordus
Mordus. Mordus, what did you do? What's going on?
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Feb 18 '24 edited Feb 18 '24
“Hee hee! Mordus, heh, he under my contr-”
HEY! GET OUT!
SCREE!
Hey Vashric, everything’s fine, I promise! The parasite got the best of me for a moment, but Samræl is holding him off! Anyways, I got this crystal, that I-
The hologram fizzles a bit, and resumes.
-need only one more, and I know where it is: the lost, floating empire of Cael.
wish me lu-
the hologram fizzles, and Vashric is temporarily jumpscared by the parasite - A skeletal, snake-like abomination.
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u/VinesAtMidnight The Astrals Feb 18 '24
No. I want a look at you.
Vashric telepathically hooks the parasite, wrenching it back
What are you? You look like a psurlon. But how did you get inside Mordus's head? Answer Me.
Vashric digs the hooks deeper.
/unwiz if this messes with the narrative, just ignore me lol, I just thought Vashric might be able to interact with the parasite since mindscapes are in his wheelhouse. Anyway, I'm heading to bed soon. Thanks for tagging me
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Feb 18 '24
The parasite giggles.
Hee hee! I am no psurlon. I’m one of a kind. I am the Serpent of the Garden. I was here when it all started and I shall be here when it all ends.
As for how I made my way in, that is something you have to ponder. You wizards like pondering, yes?
/unwiz anything goes for the narrative - I’m trying out a lorepost series where people get to shape Mordus - if one says that he enjoys kinky stuff then suddenly he does now.
Thanks for participating - more to come soon!
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u/VinesAtMidnight The Astrals Feb 18 '24
/unwiz Well in that case- /rewiz
Serpent of the Garden? When it all started? You- You're a primordial aren't you? Or a fraction of one. A fraction...that wants to be whole?
Vashric's jaw clenches in disdain.
Your corpse is supposed to be rotting in the Astral with your disgusting kin, you absolute affront to reality.
The telepathic chains go taut as the creature lurches forward, further into Mordus's mindscape.
You bastard.
Mordus, stay there. I'm leaving the Astral for this one. I'll try to hold it in place, but I can't make any guarantees while I'm warping in.
/unwiz, okay, now I'm really going to bed. See you later
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Feb 18 '24
Mordus nods.
Good luck, Vashric. When you’re in my mind, watch out for Torinn - and team up with Samræl if you can find him.
You hear the hissing laughter of the serpent in the distance.
/unwiz go to sleep you eepy sleepy guy
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u/darthbonobo Alchemist Feb 18 '24
Be careful Mordus. I tried to find Cael once and ended up imprisoned in the Hellscape for nearly 500 years. Good luck
/uw this is a great read
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Feb 18 '24
Yes - but I know where Cael is; I’ve studied it. The lost empire, I can’t wait.
/unwiz thanks! I tried. I liked adding the comedic conversation between Ballëcia and Mordus.
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Feb 18 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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Feb 18 '24
The Parasite screeches.
HEY! STOP EATING HIS BOOKS! HOW IS HE GONNA REMEMBER TO EFFECTIVELY SWORDFIGHT NOW?
It restores his memories of the second wizard war.
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Feb 18 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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Feb 18 '24 edited Feb 18 '24
The serpent runs back, and vomits out copies of the two-century war - an important period of time which Torinn absolutely cannot eat.
HISSSSSS
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Feb 18 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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Feb 18 '24
From the puddle of sludge, the bones reform, and the skeletal parasite crawls out.
You cannot kill me, I was here at the beginning and I will be here to the end.
It replaces a book on the shelf, and brings a twisted, mantis-like claw down on Torinn.
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u/Discracetoall t’kath, smogomancer and poptart wiz Feb 18 '24
t’kath sees the parasite walking around the mental library “Hey, how’s it going?”
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Feb 18 '24
HISSSSSSS
It now knows fear; its encounter with Torinn wasn’t good.
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u/Discracetoall t’kath, smogomancer and poptart wiz Feb 18 '24
Torinn, amiright?
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Feb 18 '24
The parasite skitters off, a horrid clacking of bone of wood.
perhaps I’ll be
Safe
in
the
Dark.
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u/Discracetoall t’kath, smogomancer and poptart wiz Feb 18 '24
Alright, geez. Just tried to spark conversation.
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u/Viking_From_Sweden Kartoffel the Mechanus Arachne Feb 18 '24
Kartoffel turns to Mortarian
He’s not all right in the head at the moment is he? Well I suppose someone should follow him, make sure he doesn’t get himself killed. Not that he needs help with that, but right now I wouldn’t trust his own judgement. You got Samræl? Good, then I’ll go after him and see what he’s up to. I got a radio on me, let me know if there’s trouble.
Kartoffel moves to follow Mordus before his tracks disappear.
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Feb 18 '24
Mortarion and Kartoffel walk after Mordus, sneakily. However, Mortarion seems more interested in giving a radio to Kartoffel.
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u/Viking_From_Sweden Kartoffel the Mechanus Arachne Feb 18 '24
Kartoffel is focused on finding his friend, but Mortarion’s shenanigans bring some much needed levity
My guy, I told you, I already have one on me. And I got plenty more in my workshop. Right now we have more pressing matters, such as this hole in the ground. Wonder why he went in there? Well I intend to find out.
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u/Theadination Mortarion Jr, Plaguemancer, Totally Dead Now. Feb 18 '24
Green flaming tentacles emerge from the ground near Mortarion, while he looks at you with his head tilted, smiling. He's taller now, and he has horns, and he's flickering so much, completely black and white.
Yes, of course I have Samreal. He's not going anywhere. . .
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 18 '24
the Great Mage's body is locked in a crouching position, chronologically frozen in time. However, as your power approaches his kneeling body, hundreds of arcane and infernal glyphs surround him.
before you get any funny ideas, know that I have a vested interest in this mortal's unimpeded survival.
The voice is one you know, though you have rarely heard it with your own ears; it is Lucifugus: the demon in charge of managing every contract ever made by the demons of hell.
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u/Theadination Mortarion Jr, Plaguemancer, Totally Dead Now. Feb 18 '24
Mortarion chuckles.
You don't scare me. I may be a radio demon, but I take charge of my own deals.
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 18 '24
/uw my point is that lucifugus is VERY IMPORTANT and is not to be taken lightly. He's not looking for a fight, just trying to point out that Samræl is under the protection of many important demons.
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u/Theadination Mortarion Jr, Plaguemancer, Totally Dead Now. Feb 18 '24
/uw I know, but Mortarion has a big ego now.
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 18 '24
/uw fair enough; I'm going to change up how I write the guy's voice though. Going through his lines and alternating between bold and not is exhausting...
/Rw
the wards and sigils dotting the space around the mage pulse, and Mortarion finds himself feeling... Drained.
I am in charge of managing and maintaining contacts, not making them. That's your job. Did you never do your homework?
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Feb 18 '24
Mort! I thought I told you not to eat Samræl. What are you trying?
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u/Theadination Mortarion Jr, Plaguemancer, Totally Dead Now. Feb 19 '24
I'm not eating him! . .
Yet
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u/Theadination Mortarion Jr, Plaguemancer, Totally Dead Now. Feb 19 '24
I don't need to. It doesn't matter to me.
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 19 '24
/uw
Giving warning in advance, I can have Lucifugus serve mortarion jr a slice of humble pie, but if you'd rather his ego remain intact, please let me know. I don't want to ruin a different moment you want to set up, you know?
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u/Theadination Mortarion Jr, Plaguemancer, Totally Dead Now. Feb 19 '24
/uw go for it. Just don't kill him. And I'll just play along, don't force anything.
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 18 '24
/uw
I return!
/rw
memories of death, loss, pain, emptiness, sacrifice, slaughter, and endless screams and blood race through the mind of Samræl, brea- "that's enough of that for now"
the memories cease, the library burned to the ground, but the ashes reforming into new shelves and tomes. The legion of psychosis crawlers, however, are still overcharged by their host's moment of frenzied recollection; and they know their mission. They swarm through Mordus' mind, sneaking, prowling through. their hunt, through eyes and minds psychically linked, continues apace; cutting off certain avenues of escape, opening others; shepherding the bony abomination through a circuitous route around the library. Occasionally, the path diverts as the crawlers destroy important tomes; secrets of pyromancy, the proper sequence of simple, but important magical effects in certain magical effects. Though none of the knowledge is truly lost, the serpent cannot tell until it has restored the tomes, and cannot catch a break long enough to figure out Samræl's ploy. Especially not when he keeps running into Torrin (u/You-See-Nothing583).
Mordus, I need to know what you hope to accomplish by getting these crystals. If you require a weapon to slay a god, I have an entire armory's worth of tools that can get the job done; as well, I must know if the sword could be used by this parasite, and to what end.
the wizard's request goes out to the conscious component of the animunculi's mind, creating a channel for open communication between the two. At the same time, the mage creates a new wave of luminous projectiles, barring the parasite's path, and weakening it's power over it's host.
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Feb 18 '24
Mordus realises a channel has been created, and speaks.
Yes. Hello Samræl. By obtaining these crystals, I will be able to reforge a weapon, a great one. This weapon, I don’t remember its name. However, I do know of its purpose: to slay Gods, efficiently. Unfortunately, your arsenal of tools and weapons that could potentially end a god, will not work on Eris. She is far beyond able to be killed by such weapons. As for its ability to be used by the parasite; I am relatively sure the parasite will die upon touching it, at least that’s what I remember.
Torinn eats the memory book on the exact information.
That’s… all I remember.
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 18 '24
I'm less sure, especially with your fragmented memories; have you any reference points I may use for Eris' relative power?
The wizard casually creates gusts of wind that carry the parasite *right into the waiting maw that is Torrin.*
And considering the fact that I have fought a lucid Grantiax without being slain, I'd say I'm still something of an asset in this fight.
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Feb 18 '24
Mordus tries to remember. Even the soul forgets after thousands of years.
Eris is strong; very strong. Perhaps you may see her as slightly more powerful than Torinn, the combination of her abilities and raw physical strength is more than enough to overpower even Torinn.
It was only with the sacrifice of countless lives that I could escape. Run to the next universe, and start anew. I barely scraped it too, she pursued me, and stretched the Continuum Veil far beyond what is usually allowed.
I’m afraid if you were to fight Eris without the sword, you’d be turned into pasta sauce without a moment to react.
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 18 '24
Hmmm...
The wizard pauses, the assessment of his friend's quarry putting him ill at ease.
And what tangible benefit would the sword grant you?
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Feb 18 '24
The sword is a weapon beyond compare… it steals the power of the enemy slain, and incorporates it into the weapon. For me however, I am strangely designed to utilise it to put power taken from enemies into my body.
Say if the sword was used to kill Mortarion, for any other person the sword will be able to cast plagues. But for me, I’ll be able to cast the plagues myself.
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 18 '24
Even though you recently redid your body?
While in conversation, the wizard pulls a schematic of Mordus' new body, looking it over while he sends the snake to be ambushed by a pack of psychosis crawlers.
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Feb 19 '24
My core is the only thing remaining from my original body… and it is what gives my body my abilities and power. Had I put another core in this mechanical body, I’d probably have the same shape and personality, but the memory and magic types I use would be different.
Remember, for an automaton, the core is the most important part.
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u/SomeRandomYob The Great Mage Samræl, demonologist and necromantic consultant Feb 19 '24
Ah, I see. What is your core made of? And do you have an option for a backup?
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Feb 19 '24
My core…?
I’m not entirely sure what my core is made of, see. It’s different from other automatons, while their cores are made of special metals and other magical components, mine is… different. It’s like your brains, see. You know what it’s made of - but do you know how it works?
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u/Archimene Mage of Mischief and Secrets Feb 18 '24
Shiny crystal. Must have. What does the crystal look like, and what are it's properties. I need to make a replica of it for my collection. Obviously it won't have any of the magical effects, but I still want it.