Elemix was split off from the others and given a room. The light from the window illuminated the room. Outside he could see fields among the ruins that were recently planted and dozens of diminutive people tending those fields. Small houses dotted the nearby hills interspaced with ancient columns and ivy and moss-covered masonry. The old elf said someone would be here to answer his questions and soon enough there was a knock and a man entered carrying a plate of food and drink.
“You must be Magus Elemix of the House Dungaroon of the Thalassan branch. Yes? I am Golan.” The man was perhaps fifty, with a dark olive complexion not unlike the pirates of Aquilon. “I see you accepted our invitation to Eternity and I must apologize for the suppression of your magics. We simply cannot allow them here. That said, how may I help you?”
“I appreciate the invitation. I understand that it is important for my cousin and I to travel with Tifane and aid her when she travels north again, but is there another reason we were invited?”
Golan said, “that is the primary reason. A secondary reason is that it was judged to let you know a bit more because in your case, you cannot stand a lack of understanding and will pursue that knowledge until something terrible happens or when you are satisfied. Not for the Guild or the Library, but for your own edification. Morgan felt you deserved to know what you were getting into. She believed your loyalty to Sidonius transcends your loyalty to anything else, including the Guild.”
“The guild, our very society would not exist were it not for he.
I know you can not tell me much, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. What more can you tell me? Can we overcome the threats which plague thalassa and the periphery?”
Golan thought for a moment, “I would hope so. Nothing is certain and the very definition of ‘overcome’ is uncertain in and of itself. I cannot tell you exactly what will or will not happen in any kind of specific – even if I did know for certain. I do not. I can say that Thalassa has a lot going for it and the signs are good. But Thalassa and its allies together must overcome the threat you speak of. Alone they will fall. But Sidonius knew that.”
“On a more personal note then, I want to say that I believe the work you are doing to be of utmost importance. I once met Sidoneous and I believe he was genuine in using his gifts for the betterment of those he could by trying to orchestrate a better future. By my limited estimate he has succeeded so far. Thalassa is mostly peaceful and dedicated to the preservation of knowledge to benefit all. It is threatened though, and I want to do my part to ensure it goes on long after I am gone. Anything you could tell me that would help in that effort would be appreciated.
Beyond that though, I do have many questions. As fellow followers of Sidoneous’ vision, would you permit me to return to this place in the future now that I know how to get here?”
Golen said, “That is not up to me. We are not generally known by anyone and that is a good thing. You, your cousin, possibly the girl, and perhaps a dozen others have any knowledge of us. Almost no wizards. It is better that way. I do believe that if you are allowed to journey back and forth it would only be as a member of us. I do not know if they intend to invite you or not.”
“May I be allowed to visit your library?”
He laughed a little, “I’ve heard of your desire for knowledge. It is refreshing. Our library is not what you think. If there is some particular ancient knowledge you seek, you can ask me and I can see what I can do.”
“Is there anything more I can do to help you or your fellows?”
He responded, “Keep the secret. Nearly a hundred years ago, certain wizards learned of us – thinking we were a part of the Ancient Order – and launched an attack upon us to destroy Eternity. Luckily we had warning and were able to divert their attention and convince them we were destroyed at great cost of life. There are some in your Guild who have an agenda separate from Sidonius’ dream – we are a threat to that.”
Elemix nodded. “I shall keep this secret. In any case, most would not understand.
As for knowledge I am always wanting to learn. In practice though I am usually severely limited in the time I can devote to any specific subject.
There are three specific questions I would greatly appreciate if you could answer or provide guidance as to how I could learn more. (OOC: I will put all three at once below for ease of communication)
The first relates to a substance known as ghost-steel. It exists in both the etherial and material planes. I recently had to forgo the small sample of it I had, but I would very much like to find more, and ultimately forge a magical staff from it. Do you know how I might be able to do such?
Secondly, near the great forge of the ancient city of Azenkuul it is said something or some group of things of ancient and terrible power exist. I hope to one day explore the depths of that ancient city, but anything more I could learn of it outside of the extensive knowledge my friends, family and I have obtained would indeed be useful.
Finally, I have always had a particular interest in draconic lore. I know that one day we will likely confront the ancient frost dragon known as Vercerticrux (ooc forgive the mis-spelling). From my understanding it is both a terrible and evil force. Is there anything more you can tell me of it, or draconic lore in general? Something that perhaps I would not have learned in the great library?”
The first relates to a substance known as ghost-steel. It exists in both the etherial and material planes. I recently had to forgo the small sample of it I had, but I would very much like to find more, and ultimately forge a magical staff from it. Do you know how I might be able to do such?
“I am not aware of it personally,” said Golan. “Most of us don’t so much study such things. Unlike Thalassa, which focuses on magic, material, merchants, and ministry; we focus on consciousness, communications, choice, and consequences.” He added, “We look inward to the consciousness of life itself and see the threads of the weave as having a certain inertia. Not fate so much and the will of us all. Now, there are some of us – highly gifted ones such as the one you call Morgan – are gifted with an awareness or ‘sight’ to draw lore to them. When you have spoke to her, have you experienced that?”
“I have. It is as though she knows the same things as us, but not until we discuss it. It is an interesting trait indeed.”
Golan nodded, “Yes, she is on the edge of enlightenment few have achieved and some have only learned madness. She can learn legends, lore, and skills from any that are around her; for a time. If you had some of this ghost-steel, perhaps she could give you the history of the piece you had. Or perhaps if she was in a place of great learning, she could borrow knowledge from the masses. You would have to ask her; however, as this is out of her mission and she has played somewhat on the edge of interference and helping your group already.”
Elemix nodded, “Good to know – I may have further questions for you and her. Now, secondly, near the great forge of the ancient city of Azenkuul it is said something or some group of things of ancient and terrible power exist. I hope to one day explore the depths of that ancient city, but anything more I could learn of it outside of the extensive knowledge my friends, family and I have obtained would indeed be useful.
“Sadly the people who would know the most about Azenkuul of lore are lost – but your path will eventually lead to them for good or for ill. Azenkuul of today I’m afraid your knowledge would be as much as we know. You likely know much more. Morgan has explored it in a limited fashion but likely not for what you seek. I doubt she even understands why she was drawn to there.” Golan said.
Elemix nodded his understanding. “I see. Perhaps I will speak with her more about these things in the future, but they are as I said strong interests and nothing urgent.”
With that said, Elemix added, “Finally, I have always had a particular interest in draconic lore. I know that one day we will likely confront the ancient frost dragon known as Vercerturix. From my understanding it is both a terrible and evil force. Is there anything more you can tell me of it, or draconic lore in general? Something that perhaps I would not have learned in the great library?”
Golan thought a moment and then said, “I have never seen the legendary Great Library of Thalassa, but I’m sure it has deep lore on dragons large and small, good or evil. Speaker Ahrian Kellenor, the venerable one you first met, he knows a great deal about dragons; more so than any single person I know of. Even the First or Second speakers do not match his level of lore, though they know a great deal. For myself, I know little of them in detail, save that some ancient magic once bound dragons and man together into one, birthing sorcery. For good or for ill. Now, I know stories. Not deep lore. I can speak of the Birth of the Draacar clans and their fighting drakes, the great worm Skeksis and his horde, the wasteland of K’kathicrux the Cruel, and the legendary Betrayal of Vexis the Radiant. But for specific lore, Kellenor is the right person.”
“Very well. If his time allows, I would welcome the chance to meet with Speaker Kellenor and discuss?”
“I will check with him,” Golan said. “Is there anything I can do further?”
Elemix had many questions, but he knew Golan could not answer them. Still, he had great respect for this place and the mission these people had chosen to undertake. He hoped they would continue to be successful in the years to come. Perhaps in some small way his own achievements would benefit the larger plan.
“Thank you for your time, the knowledge you have shared, and the trust you have placed in me to keep this place secret. A final question, where is this place in relation to Thalassa?”
Golan replied, “this was once the center of the world. Three hundred years ago, Eteria fell and this city burned in a firestorm. From those ashes, we live here. But also not here. Eternity is anchored in old Eteria, but is not part of it completely.”
“Long story short, we are some two thousand miles away from your home. Give or take.” He added.
“Fascinating,” replied Elemix.
It had been the first time he used teleportation on his own, and he had brought not only himself but several others over 2000 miles in mere moments. That he had command of such powerful magic was inspiring. He was briefly reminded of the excitement he had felt when he learned his first cantrip, and later when he had summoned his first elemental. He was not gloating, but rather somewhat awestruck in his own capabilities and how far he had come. He loved magic and was as eager as ever to continue his journey to learn more. He wondered what capabilities he would have in several more years – assuming he survived.
For the first time in his life he felt the desire to share what he loved so much. Perhaps now, he thought, he was ready to take on an apprentice.
“Magic is truly a wonder to behold.”
“It is, truly. But it is also seductive. It can corrupt as well as inspire. Look outside.” Elemix could see the ivy and moss-covered ruins, broken bridges, fallen statues, trees and plant life reclaiming what was once civilization. “Magic created that, and magic brought it low. Magic raised civilization and magic warped nature to unspeakable things. Magic allowed us great knowledge and magic opened gates to worlds that should never be known – and let their denizens know about us. Magic brought people together…and magic tore us apart.” Golan said with a measured tone.
“The place you speak of, Azenkuul. It was magic that destroyed them. Tens of thousands of dwarves murdered because someone could bring a mountain down upon them with magic. Do not think Thalassa is immune. You Guild knows this well, yet even within there are those who are reckless, arrogant, and see magic not as a good for all, but a form of control, intimidation, and conquest. Be inspired, but be good and watchful for those who are not. It is a tool, not an end.”
Elemix nodded. “You speak with wisdom. Magic is indeed a tool, not an end.
Thank you for your time speaking with me today. It has been a good conversation.”
Golan nodded. “I’m sorry we don’t have an extensive library of the kind you are used to. However, I’ll ask Speaker Kellanor to visit you.”
Some time later a young woman entered the chamber where Elemix stayed. “Magus Elemix, I am Wanda. Golan is arranging a meeting with Kellanor, but while you wait, he sent me. He said you are a wizard. Would you be able to answer some questions for me?”
“That depends on the questions,” replied Elemix. “But I will answer what I can.”
She smiled, “Do you believe you were destined to be a wizard? Or do you believe it was chance?”
“That is a loaded question. To answer that you would first need to know if I believe in destiny.
Do I believe that my life is somehow preordained to the minute detail and that I am meant or am not meant to do a specific thing? No I do not. What I do believe is that there is some powerful force that we cannot fully comprehend which guides reality. Call it a God, or gods, or something else. That force, of which I believe that which we call Aurith is a part, sets the groundwork for sentient beings such as you and I to exist. I also believe that force is a benevolent one in that it tries to influence us mortals to do that which is good.
Was I meant to be a wizard? I honestly don’t know. Nor do I think that any otherworldly power ordained such for me. But I can tell you magic has always been a part of me. I imagine if I didn’t become a wizard I may have pursued magic from a purely scholarly perspective.
I believe the necessary circumstances have been put in place on this plane of existance which has offorded me the opportunities to learn that which I need to know to do the most my potential would allow. And that potential I hope has been generally used for good.
Does that make sense?”
She nodded, “So you believe some circumstances were arranged for you, pre-ordained so to speak, but you could have ignored those opportunities should you have chose? But, regardless you believe you would have been drawn to magic?”
“I do think so. Yes. Why do you ask?”
Wanda noted, “Fair question. I’ve rarely met wizards, though I’ve met sorcerers, warlock, priests, and more. Why people make decisions concerning powers is of interest to me.”
“Oh? What are the answers you have received from others? We’re they drawn to magic as well?”
She looked somewhat sad, “Most seek power for power’s sake. They seek control over their destiny and imposing their control onto others, or willingly serve teh wicked to advance their own agendas. Most are selfish, arrogant, and in the end cause great suffering. Not all, but I can say without reservation most. The wizards seem the least susceptible to this.”
“I can see how that would be true. Wizards learn their powers through decades of study and practice. We are trained from masters who have undergone the same training years earlier. We are educated in the ideals of society and that magic is a tool meant to be used for the betterment of all. We all belong to a guild which helps to keep us grounded and which does effectively police its own members to ensure no one is stepping out of line. Now, how well we do that is a point of debate, but the structure and understanding is clear.
All of the other warlocks, and sorcerers either obtain their powers from service to others in the form of some kind of binding pact, or through blood. Neither of those paths comes with decades of study and instruction, and both are somewhat self serving in nature.”
She nodded and then said, “all types of power corrupt eventually unless there are check and balances to that power. Sidonius broke the Order’s monopoly on that power. The Guild is better, but yet they too seek control of others. Let me ask you this – what would be better? A world where everyone could use magic or a world where no one could?”
“I think taking something away would only lead to a demand for it. So if there was no knowledge of magic and no one could use it that would be one thing. But if people knew it existed but were somehow forbidden to learn it, that is something else entirely.”
Wanda nodded, “the ancient Order made it forbidden for those not of their ilk to practice magic. In the End Times, before the Great Sack and the Great Burn that followed, they killed anyone who knew of it other than themselves. Anyone. Luckily Sidonius’ arcane formula science – what you call wizardry – was first done some generations prior to that. Sidonius had to flee and was jailed; however, for merely practicing a cantrip.”
“One opposite,” she added, “was the ancient realm of the Silurians. All descendants of dragon-kind, magic was as common to them as reading is to a Thalassan. They destroyed themselves and their lands now are haunted. Another are the elves, who being descended from the fey, are inherently magical albeit superficially compared to sorcery.”
“Magic is a part of this world for good or for ill. It is a tool that must be accompanied by one with the wisdom to use it or not. And like any other tool it can cause great harm or great benefit depending upon how it is used. In the end, it comes down to the wielder. I think that is where the order proves itself most effective.
They only train so many so as to keep the numbers manageable and balanced. Then there are years of study where students are routinely scrutinized and weeded out from continuing on. The final trials one takes before being named a wizard involve that candidate using his or her knowledge in the real world – casting spells or not, depending upon the situation and what that person learned in his/her training. Only some of those trials are successful.
Every step of the way the student is scrutinized. Even once one becomes a wizard his or her actions are still scrutinized and even challenged by the guild. It is a good system. However, like all systems established to limit and control power, in time it can become corrupted. As the guild grows larger and more diverse, it inherently becomes more difficult to manage all of its members activities and hold them in check when needed. I can only hope that which we learned in our training will continue to bind us together. All wizards should be watchful for signs of a fellow straying from the path.”
Wanda then asked, “But they do. Morgan told me of Skall. He not only gave into greed but also to revenge and hate. He directly caused great suffering. What of him?”
“Skall was kicked out of the guild. His spellbook was destroyed, and his access to magic was denied – at least within Thalassa and the surrounding territories. Obviously he was able to obtain magic via alternate methods and was no doubt twisted further in his dealings with Hugo and Hate.
For my part, Skall was dealt with almost as soon as it was known he was still alive, albeit indirectly. He died in our encounter with Hugo, but not before he caused significant suffering as you have said.
I don’t know if the guild kept tabs on Skall after he had been kicked out of the order. If they didn’t, they certainly should have done so.”