The six beings reconvened in the large meeting room and sat at the table. Fenlauch seated himself at the head of the table and looked from Sanria, to Vorcet, to Kineada. "So, do you three feel you could aid us in our task?"
Sanria smiled broadly. To her, it was the beginning of a new mode of living, a new beginning that she could not have anticipated being placed before her. "Of course," she replied. Kineada leaned back in his seat with a smirk, his hands folded loosely over his lap. "I suppose a new adventure is in order." Vorcet gave a nod, reminiscent of a solder. "I admit I am beyond intrigued, and what you have shown me may very well help me understand even more of this realm."
"Then it is settled," Fenlauch replied with a nod. "Now, we will entrust the three of you to set to rights the imbalances within the realms. You will do it not for power, not for fame, but for the assurance that balance is the way to ensure a measure of peace and knowledge and, above all, truth. You'll need a name. Something for those of your realm to know you by."
Sanria looked toward the table in thought while Kineada merely shrugged, "Names aren't quite as important to me," he replied.
"I'm not certain what we should consider ourselves," said Sanria.
Vorcet leaned forward, his face concentrated, his gaze focused. "I believe we should call ourselves the Keepers of Balance."
"Simplicity I can appreciate," Kineada said with a nod.
"As can I," replied Fenlauch with a smile.
Sanria nodded as Fenlauch rose from the table. He looked at each of them. "Go forth and gather your fellow keepers. Let us stabilize this period of time, and every day into the future."
Sanria's eyes welled and her heart filled with pride. She finally had a new place to call home, and a way to bring others to a peace she had no doubt she would soon find.
Books
After turning the last page, Ror closed the tome and put it on the pile on the right of him. He crossed the name out on the papyrus scoll before him and picked up a book from the pile on the left. "Magic: Technical Details on Lifeforce Manipulation," read Ror on the cover and he grunted. The theoretical ones on the topic of magic were always a bit on the dry side. Good writers were rare among wizards and the like. He placed the book in front of him on the TriPower crest, opened it and started to read.
How many books were left to go? He had no idea, but he knew that sooner or later, he would have read them all in this library and then training would be complete.
How many books were left to go? He had no idea, but he knew that sooner or later, he would have read them all in this library and then training would be complete.
Of Demigods & Dirty Old Men
"Sir...Kineada...my eyes, they are up here..." Enmach said in a peeved tone.
"Hmmm? Oh yes, yes, you have lovely eyes my dear..." Kineada replied, pretending to be distracted by Enmach's not-entirely-unpleasing figure, and ample bosom.
In reality, he was trying to take in as much of his surroundings as he could. Kineada had learned long ago that when being given a guided tour of a place, it was quite often the things that were NOT pointed out were of the most interest.
As it was, his chance encounter with Sanria was proving to lead to quite the adventure indeed. He had travelled the Realms far and wide, yet never heard of nor encountered any beings such as these 'Rilmani', and he was quite curious to learn what he could of them. He just preferred that such learning be on his own terms...
"If we could carry on, there is much still we'd like you to see," Enmach said, the tone of her voice beginning to take a slight exasperated edge.
"Indeed, indeed...feel free...I shall be looking at your behin...err..I mean, I shall be right behind you," Kineada deadpanned, sweeping his arm out and the rest of him presenting her a low bow.
"Yes, well, as you can see over here we have..." Enmach began speaking again as Kineada nodded his head and did his best to appear attentive to her words. Kin couldn't shake the feeling that life, his especially, was about to get a lot more interesting.
"Hmmm? Oh yes, yes, you have lovely eyes my dear..." Kineada replied, pretending to be distracted by Enmach's not-entirely-unpleasing figure, and ample bosom.
In reality, he was trying to take in as much of his surroundings as he could. Kineada had learned long ago that when being given a guided tour of a place, it was quite often the things that were NOT pointed out were of the most interest.
As it was, his chance encounter with Sanria was proving to lead to quite the adventure indeed. He had travelled the Realms far and wide, yet never heard of nor encountered any beings such as these 'Rilmani', and he was quite curious to learn what he could of them. He just preferred that such learning be on his own terms...
"If we could carry on, there is much still we'd like you to see," Enmach said, the tone of her voice beginning to take a slight exasperated edge.
"Indeed, indeed...feel free...I shall be looking at your behin...err..I mean, I shall be right behind you," Kineada deadpanned, sweeping his arm out and the rest of him presenting her a low bow.
"Yes, well, as you can see over here we have..." Enmach began speaking again as Kineada nodded his head and did his best to appear attentive to her words. Kin couldn't shake the feeling that life, his especially, was about to get a lot more interesting.
The Floating Island
Vorcet walked in silence next to the large golden man, taking in the sights of the opulent castle it seemed he may be shortly moving into. "For someone who had questions, you are relatively silent wizard." Garlech said without looking at him.
"I've a multitude of question I would love to ask but it's very difficult finding a place to start after learning so many things you diddnt know could exist." Vorcet explained. "I have studdied the ruins of Myth Drannor for longer than the average mortal lifespan. I gave up my mortality to be able to continue to do so as I knew there was a lesson in there somewhere. I've fought the Lich thats entrenched in the temple there. However, in all of this time, not once have i ever heard of the Rilmani." Vorcet eyed the gold skinned giant as they continued their walk.
"We have had countless millenia to perfect watching without being seen Vorcet." Garlech said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "The demons themselves coming through their gates is actually what allows us to pass into and out of the prime material plane. Also, I believe that what I am about to show you will explain things a bit better."
Garlech lead Vorcet through an archway and onto a balcony overlooking the island below,and the edge pf the island where it dropped away completely hundreds of feet straight down. "This island floats?" Vorcet asked with more than a bit of confusion. "Indeed" responded Garlech. "But... That means... There is a Mythallar here. But all of those were lost when Karsus tried to steal the power of a god."
"All but one of the Netheril cities was lost. And we Rilmani have agents on all planes of existance." Garlech responded as he looked out over the island. "Have you given thought to our proposal?"
"I had already made up my mind about that before we left the meeting room Garlech. However, this conversation has just cemented that that for me. It apears as though I have more to learn than I had even considdered." Vorcet responded
"Real wisdom is knowing that there is always more to learn." The golden man said around the smirk on his face. "Let me show you the rest of the castle and your quarters."
"I've a multitude of question I would love to ask but it's very difficult finding a place to start after learning so many things you diddnt know could exist." Vorcet explained. "I have studdied the ruins of Myth Drannor for longer than the average mortal lifespan. I gave up my mortality to be able to continue to do so as I knew there was a lesson in there somewhere. I've fought the Lich thats entrenched in the temple there. However, in all of this time, not once have i ever heard of the Rilmani." Vorcet eyed the gold skinned giant as they continued their walk.
"We have had countless millenia to perfect watching without being seen Vorcet." Garlech said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "The demons themselves coming through their gates is actually what allows us to pass into and out of the prime material plane. Also, I believe that what I am about to show you will explain things a bit better."
Garlech lead Vorcet through an archway and onto a balcony overlooking the island below,and the edge pf the island where it dropped away completely hundreds of feet straight down. "This island floats?" Vorcet asked with more than a bit of confusion. "Indeed" responded Garlech. "But... That means... There is a Mythallar here. But all of those were lost when Karsus tried to steal the power of a god."
"All but one of the Netheril cities was lost. And we Rilmani have agents on all planes of existance." Garlech responded as he looked out over the island. "Have you given thought to our proposal?"
"I had already made up my mind about that before we left the meeting room Garlech. However, this conversation has just cemented that that for me. It apears as though I have more to learn than I had even considdered." Vorcet responded
"Real wisdom is knowing that there is always more to learn." The golden man said around the smirk on his face. "Let me show you the rest of the castle and your quarters."
Among the Gardens
Sanria walked alongside Fenlauch in awe of the castle he showed her, finally, when he took her outside, he escorted her to a small hill and offered a view of the realms that took her breath away. "We're - on a floating piece of land?"
"A floating island," Fenlauch said, striding to her side. "Yes."
"Incredible," Sanria whispered. "How did it, I mean, how does it-"
"A mix of technology and magic. A balance." He smiled. "So, tell me of your meditations. Have they revealed new insights?"
Sanria leaned against the railing that hung out over the realms below. She furrowed her brow and let out a long sigh. "Well, I realize I haven't ever had balance in my life. I thought I did, but never had it. I've hoped for it, but never actually tried for it."
"Never?"
"No. What I thought would bring peace in my life was the opposite of what I should have been doing to bring it," Sanria said. She looked over at Fenlauch, who now stared at her with bright eyes. "Much of what you said makes sense."
"I've had a long time to dwell on it," Fenlauch replied with a chuckle.
"I suppose so."
Sanria let out a deep sigh and looked back over the realms. "Do you think it's possible to bring about balance? Truly?"
"It has been done in many other places. It takes courage, resolve, fortitude - but balance can absolutely be attained and maintained."
"I find that such an appealing prospect. It's... almost unreal."
"When balance is maintained, it is a good feeling. The knowledge that comes with it is tremendous, as well as the freedom that springs from it. Some might wish to see evil abolished, just as evil wishes good dismantled - but one without the other-"
"Cannot exist," Sanria finished with a smile.
"So it is," Fenlauch said with a nod.
Sanria looked up at the huge man. "You would really let us use this place to help in bringing about balance? To bring others here?"
"Indeed. Though my advisors were initially against the prospect when I discussed it with them, they came to my point of view when Garlech agreed. They also agreed knowing they would be your advisors as well. Having a hand in the making of a balanced material plane appealed to them."
"I hope Vorcet and Kineada see it that way."
"An interesting group, nearly a perfection in balance. You with an open heart, willing to learn and read to grow, one who fairly brims over with magical ability, and one who keeps his heart deep within and guards it with his blades. You did well in bringing them. I think each of you has something genuine."
"I don't truly know how it happened so fast..."
"I've been around long enough to know that nothing happens by chance. When you think thoughts, as the unseen forces of the magnet, what you desire comes to you. Call it the law of attraction, Gods, ether, but it will be as it is willed."
Sanria stared out over the realms for a long moment, looking at Westbridge far in the distance. Perhaps what she needed to do was stop dwelling on what she didn't want in her life. Perhaps she simply needed to shift her mind and start to dream once and for all. "Happiness," she whispered, and though said so low it was barely audible, Sanria felt the universe shift just a little bit.
"A floating island," Fenlauch said, striding to her side. "Yes."
"Incredible," Sanria whispered. "How did it, I mean, how does it-"
"A mix of technology and magic. A balance." He smiled. "So, tell me of your meditations. Have they revealed new insights?"
Sanria leaned against the railing that hung out over the realms below. She furrowed her brow and let out a long sigh. "Well, I realize I haven't ever had balance in my life. I thought I did, but never had it. I've hoped for it, but never actually tried for it."
"Never?"
"No. What I thought would bring peace in my life was the opposite of what I should have been doing to bring it," Sanria said. She looked over at Fenlauch, who now stared at her with bright eyes. "Much of what you said makes sense."
"I've had a long time to dwell on it," Fenlauch replied with a chuckle.
"I suppose so."
Sanria let out a deep sigh and looked back over the realms. "Do you think it's possible to bring about balance? Truly?"
"It has been done in many other places. It takes courage, resolve, fortitude - but balance can absolutely be attained and maintained."
"I find that such an appealing prospect. It's... almost unreal."
"When balance is maintained, it is a good feeling. The knowledge that comes with it is tremendous, as well as the freedom that springs from it. Some might wish to see evil abolished, just as evil wishes good dismantled - but one without the other-"
"Cannot exist," Sanria finished with a smile.
"So it is," Fenlauch said with a nod.
Sanria looked up at the huge man. "You would really let us use this place to help in bringing about balance? To bring others here?"
"Indeed. Though my advisors were initially against the prospect when I discussed it with them, they came to my point of view when Garlech agreed. They also agreed knowing they would be your advisors as well. Having a hand in the making of a balanced material plane appealed to them."
"I hope Vorcet and Kineada see it that way."
"An interesting group, nearly a perfection in balance. You with an open heart, willing to learn and read to grow, one who fairly brims over with magical ability, and one who keeps his heart deep within and guards it with his blades. You did well in bringing them. I think each of you has something genuine."
"I don't truly know how it happened so fast..."
"I've been around long enough to know that nothing happens by chance. When you think thoughts, as the unseen forces of the magnet, what you desire comes to you. Call it the law of attraction, Gods, ether, but it will be as it is willed."
Sanria stared out over the realms for a long moment, looking at Westbridge far in the distance. Perhaps what she needed to do was stop dwelling on what she didn't want in her life. Perhaps she simply needed to shift her mind and start to dream once and for all. "Happiness," she whispered, and though said so low it was barely audible, Sanria felt the universe shift just a little bit.
Discussions and Decisions
Fenlauch seated himself at the head of the table, Garlech at his side. "You have done well, Sanria," he began in a rich baritone. "Now, I suppose for the sake of your assembled company, I should begin by telling you who we are?"
Sanria looked across the table at Kineada, who seeming busy contemplating Fenlauch. Vorcet, by contrast, seemed to patiently wait for the introductory speech. She looked back and nodded. "Please."
"We are Rilmani, from the outer planes. We've been in this place, your material plane, for a very long time. Ever since the fall of Myth Drannor and the rapid appearance of demonic forces there."
"You mentioned that before," Sanria said. "Why?"
Fenlauch looked at her with a patient smile. "Balance. With an influx of evil, we had to come in order to keep watch and ensure that their forces could not gain a foothold and tip things out of order. We've noticed, however, other troubles since the Gods have gone missing, and it is this new threat that causes us to counsel with you."
"You've been here a long while," Kineada said. "You've never sought anyone out in all that time?"
"No," Garlech said. His voice matched Fenlauch's, but his demeanor was much more businesslike. "We had no reason to interfere as there was not enough of an imbalance to reveal ourselves."
"I've been concerned with the void left by the Gods as well," Vorcet said.
"Indeed," Fenlauch continued, "there are troubles that concern us. Extremes, if you will, that aren't exact opposites, but are not in balance and harmony. We prefer not to make appearances if we can help it, but I'm afraid our time for anonymity is at an end. Unless you are willing to help our cause?"
Kineada sat back and Sanria frowned. It was a pitch. "What cause?" Vorcet asked.
"You are all here because you seek balance, correct?"
"Yes," Sanria answered.
"We will teach you how to gain that balance, provided you take that knowledge to others in the realms in the hopes of evening out the growing polarities. We will aid you by lending you our castle, our advisors, and even our libraries." Both Sanria and Vorcet seemed to perk at the mention of books. "We do not wish to be the driving force to the point we reveal ourselves fully. But if lead by their own kind, I cannot fail to see how the material plane and its citizenry would respond."
Sanria looked across the table. To learn to balance her own life, to spread that ideal to everyone, what an incredible world it could be. Something she'd chased, being right here, offered to her, it was too much to pass up. "It would require each of you to make a commitment," Fenlauch replied.
"Certainly," Sanria chimed without hesitation. Her heard fluttering with excitement.
"I'd like to ask my own questions, if you don't mind," Kineada said.
"Yes... I also have a few of my own," Vorcet said.
Fenlauch smiled and nodded. "I assumed you might. Why not ask as you take in the castle. Garlech, could you take our guest, Vorcet and walk with him? You," Fenlauch said, looking at Kineada apprasingly, "Seem to respond best to those of the fairer persuasion. Do you not?"
Kineada's face relaxed a bit as he gave a chuckle. "You see through me."
"Enmach," Fenlauch called, and in an instant, the beautiful silver-skinned woman was at the side of the golden man. "Take Sir..."
"Kineada," the WuJen replied, a smile on his features.
"Kineada on a tour of the castle. Answer any questions he might have."
"As you wish," she said with a bow of her head.
"And Lady Sanria, you will come with me and tell me of your meditations."
Sanria looked across the table at Kineada, who seeming busy contemplating Fenlauch. Vorcet, by contrast, seemed to patiently wait for the introductory speech. She looked back and nodded. "Please."
"We are Rilmani, from the outer planes. We've been in this place, your material plane, for a very long time. Ever since the fall of Myth Drannor and the rapid appearance of demonic forces there."
"You mentioned that before," Sanria said. "Why?"
Fenlauch looked at her with a patient smile. "Balance. With an influx of evil, we had to come in order to keep watch and ensure that their forces could not gain a foothold and tip things out of order. We've noticed, however, other troubles since the Gods have gone missing, and it is this new threat that causes us to counsel with you."
"You've been here a long while," Kineada said. "You've never sought anyone out in all that time?"
"No," Garlech said. His voice matched Fenlauch's, but his demeanor was much more businesslike. "We had no reason to interfere as there was not enough of an imbalance to reveal ourselves."
"I've been concerned with the void left by the Gods as well," Vorcet said.
"Indeed," Fenlauch continued, "there are troubles that concern us. Extremes, if you will, that aren't exact opposites, but are not in balance and harmony. We prefer not to make appearances if we can help it, but I'm afraid our time for anonymity is at an end. Unless you are willing to help our cause?"
Kineada sat back and Sanria frowned. It was a pitch. "What cause?" Vorcet asked.
"You are all here because you seek balance, correct?"
"Yes," Sanria answered.
"We will teach you how to gain that balance, provided you take that knowledge to others in the realms in the hopes of evening out the growing polarities. We will aid you by lending you our castle, our advisors, and even our libraries." Both Sanria and Vorcet seemed to perk at the mention of books. "We do not wish to be the driving force to the point we reveal ourselves fully. But if lead by their own kind, I cannot fail to see how the material plane and its citizenry would respond."
Sanria looked across the table. To learn to balance her own life, to spread that ideal to everyone, what an incredible world it could be. Something she'd chased, being right here, offered to her, it was too much to pass up. "It would require each of you to make a commitment," Fenlauch replied.
"Certainly," Sanria chimed without hesitation. Her heard fluttering with excitement.
"I'd like to ask my own questions, if you don't mind," Kineada said.
"Yes... I also have a few of my own," Vorcet said.
Fenlauch smiled and nodded. "I assumed you might. Why not ask as you take in the castle. Garlech, could you take our guest, Vorcet and walk with him? You," Fenlauch said, looking at Kineada apprasingly, "Seem to respond best to those of the fairer persuasion. Do you not?"
Kineada's face relaxed a bit as he gave a chuckle. "You see through me."
"Enmach," Fenlauch called, and in an instant, the beautiful silver-skinned woman was at the side of the golden man. "Take Sir..."
"Kineada," the WuJen replied, a smile on his features.
"Kineada on a tour of the castle. Answer any questions he might have."
"As you wish," she said with a bow of her head.
"And Lady Sanria, you will come with me and tell me of your meditations."
Meetings in the Mists
Sanria walked with her two companions westward and back into the deeper Haon' Dor. The travel was rather quiet, punctuated more with bird calls and squirrel chatter than amiable conversation. It suited Sanria well enough, her preference was silence in the wood, allowing nature to create its own symphony without her input. There was always enough talking when one visited the city or had company.
They had walked in silence until the large, marked trees greeted them. "It's just up ahead," she offered and rounded a few large oaks. There, the tails of mists slithered along the ground and she stopped to point it out. "We'll go in there and I'm certain he'll be along."
"Interesting," Kineada offered, his face otherwise unreadable.
"He lives in the mists?" Vorcet questioned.
"No, not exactly. He finds you in the mists... he lives... somewhere else."
Sanria walked ahead, going deeper into the mists, breathing them in. They had the distinct scent of lake water, but there wasn't such a place to be found, nor a source for their rise. She could feel the two men behind her, walking closer so as not to lose her in the deepening blanket of fog. "Hello?" she called out and no sooner than she called, the mists parted, revealing a man who was not Fenlauch, but looked nearly identical, save the blinding white light that shot from his eyes.
"You must be lost, traveler. I will send you on your way once more -"
"Wait," called the familiar voice of Fenlauch. "Garlech, these are my guests."
Sanria smiled and turned to see the faces of both Kineada and Vorcet rather frozen with what she could only assume to be awe and confusion. She turned back to Fenlauch and gave a bow. "I did as you asked. I brought others to learn."
"Now, wait," Kineada said in a low voice, "I never said I would go to learn, just to meet this man."
"Just... trust me, please," Sanria said.
"Vorcet Thopen, at your service," Vorcet said, approaching Fenlauch with a bow.
"Fenlauch, and my colleague, Garlech," both the huge golden men bowed, their impressive golden armor clinking. "Shall we?"
"Shall we..." Sanria began uncertainly.
Fenlauch chuckled and waved a hand. In an instant, they were in a beautiful meeting room, a fireplace burning at the end of the table. Globes of fire drifted on the air, not unlike Sanria's home, and tall windows gave a stunning view to beautiful gardens beyond. Fenlauch held a hand out to the chairs.
"Please. Be seated."
They had walked in silence until the large, marked trees greeted them. "It's just up ahead," she offered and rounded a few large oaks. There, the tails of mists slithered along the ground and she stopped to point it out. "We'll go in there and I'm certain he'll be along."
"Interesting," Kineada offered, his face otherwise unreadable.
"He lives in the mists?" Vorcet questioned.
"No, not exactly. He finds you in the mists... he lives... somewhere else."
Sanria walked ahead, going deeper into the mists, breathing them in. They had the distinct scent of lake water, but there wasn't such a place to be found, nor a source for their rise. She could feel the two men behind her, walking closer so as not to lose her in the deepening blanket of fog. "Hello?" she called out and no sooner than she called, the mists parted, revealing a man who was not Fenlauch, but looked nearly identical, save the blinding white light that shot from his eyes.
"You must be lost, traveler. I will send you on your way once more -"
"Wait," called the familiar voice of Fenlauch. "Garlech, these are my guests."
Sanria smiled and turned to see the faces of both Kineada and Vorcet rather frozen with what she could only assume to be awe and confusion. She turned back to Fenlauch and gave a bow. "I did as you asked. I brought others to learn."
"Now, wait," Kineada said in a low voice, "I never said I would go to learn, just to meet this man."
"Just... trust me, please," Sanria said.
"Vorcet Thopen, at your service," Vorcet said, approaching Fenlauch with a bow.
"Fenlauch, and my colleague, Garlech," both the huge golden men bowed, their impressive golden armor clinking. "Shall we?"
"Shall we..." Sanria began uncertainly.
Fenlauch chuckled and waved a hand. In an instant, they were in a beautiful meeting room, a fireplace burning at the end of the table. Globes of fire drifted on the air, not unlike Sanria's home, and tall windows gave a stunning view to beautiful gardens beyond. Fenlauch held a hand out to the chairs.
"Please. Be seated."
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