On History & Equality (Otherwise Known as Lilein Gives a History Lesson and Survives)

Lilein

History Presentation, 18th of Khepary, 491 MA

Context:

Lilein was assigned by @Ayukazi to study some historical events, and, after presenting her results, she was assigned to present it to @Iosyne, including the many illusions that made the presentation memorable. However, the Goddess was not the only one in the audience...

If you haven't already, I recommend reading this post as well, as it details how Lilein got Lati and Barry'eyr.

Agony wracks you for an instant as Iosyne's words bestow the gift of Pain upon you, "You owe Me a live performance."

You blink.

Letting the arcane ether carry your voice, you tell Iosyne, "Ah, indeed I do, Lady Malevolent."

"Does She mean now?"

A black whip of shadow energy snakes into the room, slithering up into a corkscrew shape and falling away to reveal the form of Iosyne.

Lilein inclines her head politely to those around her.

Lilein says, "Greetings, Lady Malevolent."

"...She definitely means now."

Iosyne grins knowingly at you.

You ask, "Would You prefer this be a private performance, or would You rather it be open to the public, Lady Malevolent?"

(Congregation): Iosyne says, "I have a matter of utmost importance to attend to, General, Inciter. But in time, we can use this idea."

(Congregation): Ayukazi says, "Of course, Malevolent."

Simply, Iosyne, the Malevolent says, "It is your presentation."

"...matter of utmost importance?"

"Well..."

"No other members of the Collective awake..."

"The General has already seen it..."

"So..."

Lilein says, "In that case, please do follow me, the presentation is best done before the tapestry in Your alcove."

You notice the Goddess is already following you, uncomfortably close.

Alcove of the Malevolent.
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Dripping black ichor, a heaping skeleton of bone creates a construct from the earth here. Twin onyx figures of the Malevolent hold aloft a tapestry. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground.
You see a single exit leading southwest.

Lilein looks about the alcove, before nodding to herself once, pulling from a horn from her belt pouch, while two of her tendrils gently set down Lati and Barry'eyr.

Prowling on all fours, a towering abomination enters from the southwest.

Its steps shaking the earth, a massive winged creature stomps in from the southwest.

Lilein removes a miniature quadrupedal amalgamation.

Lilein drops a miniature quadrupedal amalgamation.

Lilein removes a tiny winged bipedal creature.

Lilein drops a tiny winged bipedal creature.

"...I'm surprised they could fit into the alcove..."

Lilein clears her throat, before inclining her head towards the two much larger amalgams, "Greetings, Semomti, Eggward."

A towering quadrupedal amalgamation sheathed in cartilage prowls expectantly to stand beside Lilein. The amalgamation stretches out luxuriously, lying upon its belly in anticipation.

"Right, the Division..."

Lilein starts to wield a horn of bone in her right hand.

Lilein uses Halloween Spooktune.
Lilein begins to play a spooky tune upon a horn of bone - around you, you begin to hear the earth stir.
A skeletal guard claws its way out of the earth with a shriek.
A skeletal guard claws its way out of the earth with a shriek.
A skeletal guard claws its way out of the earth with a shriek.
A skeletal guard claws its way out of the earth with a shriek.
A skeletal guard claws its way out of the earth with a shriek.

Lilein ceases wielding a horn of bone in her right hand.

Lilein says, "Skeletal Platoon, Order Of Knowledge Division, greet the Malevolent!"

The skeletal guardians, each dressed in a different costume, slam their crossed fists against their chest in salute to Iosyne.

A winged bipedal creature wreathed in crackling energy's entrance is less enthusiastic, the gargantuan creature taking its place beside the Malevolent Goddess. It harrumphs in loud annoyance, as if forced to be there. But it is clearly paying close attention.

Lilein says, "Lati, Barry'eyr, greet your parents!"

Lati bounds towards Semomti excitedly, the smaller amalgam letting out an excited squeal.

Barry'eyr inclines his head towards Eggward, letting out his own gentle harrumph.

Iosyne watches in amusement, acknowledging the guard with an open palm. She waits there expectantly - after a while of no others appearing, She speaks. "Order of Knowledge Division. Where are the other Divisions?"

Lilein says, "Currently, this is the only Division I have access to, and I named them as appropriate for assisting me in my work."

A towering quadrupedal amalgamation sheathed in cartilage wraps a tentacle fondly around its smaller replica.

A skeletal guard strikes a pose that can only be described as mathematical, crying out, "For SCIENCE!"

A skeletal guard strikes a pose that can only be described as mathematical, crying out, "For SCIENCE!"

A skeletal guard strikes a pose that can only be described as mathematical, crying out, "For SCIENCE!"

A skeletal guard strikes a pose that can only be described as mathematical, crying out, "For SCIENCE!"

A skeletal guard strikes a pose that can only be described as mathematical, crying out, "For SCIENCE!"

A winged bipedal creature wreathed in crackling energy rudely kicks the smaller creature to send it bouncing back against your legs.

Lilein says, "...particularly as their enthusiasm for our work matches my own."

"Now to hope they don't lose stability at inopportune moments during the presentation..."

Barry'eyr lets out another harrumph as he returns to Lilein's side.

You ask, "Now then, if we are all settled... Are we ready to begin?"

In petty one-up-manship, Eggward lets out a deafening HARRUMPH, so loud it shakes the the very alcove.

A skeletal guard collapses into dust as the magic that held it together fails.
A skeletal guard collapses into dust as the magic that held it together fails.
A skeletal guard collapses into dust as the magic that held it together fails.
A skeletal guard collapses into dust as the magic that held it together fails.
A skeletal guard collapses into dust as the magic that held it together fails.

Note: I won't be repeating every time the skeletons decay and have to be resummoned, as it does get arduous.

Lilein glances between Eggward the piles of dust that remain of the Division, before stating, mostly to herself, "Note, sounds of sufficient volume can cause early destabilization..."

You ask, "Ahem, apologies. Are we ready to begin?"

Unphased by the sound, Iosyne gestures for Lilein to proceed.

Lilein nods once, before beginning.

Lilein steps to one side to gesture towards the tapestry, "The General assigned me to learn of the events portrayed upon the tapestry for the competition for the Spire of Arts, and to understand the inherent teaching of Equality within each."

Lilein says, "The tapestry itself shows these events in the order they occurred, from top to bottom..."

The figures upon the tapestry begin to move slightly in place of their own accord, snow falling to the city below.

A towering quadrupedal amalgamation sheathed in cartilage perks up in attention as the presentation starts, a low purr emanating from the amalgamation.

Lilein says, "Starting with the end of the War of Night..."

The image of the rift in the sky above Spinesreach pulls from the tapestry to grow and hover in the air above.

A winged bipedal creature wreathed in crackling energy yawns loudly and rudely.

Lilein says, "The War of Night was one of the greatest tragedies of Sapience, a third of the population of the country being lost, either directly in the conflict, or the side effects thereof..."

Lilein says, "The War began to truly end with a few actions..."

Lilein says, "The consumption of the beast Ati by the Progenitor, and the final fight in Sterion, certainly, but among those important actions was the Malevolent's role in the War..."

Lilein says, "The rift that had opened above Sapience was that of one straight into the Shadow Plane, and from it, Shadowbound spewed forth across Sapience..."

The shadeling and skeletal guards gather about the rift, illusory costumes cloaking them in dark fabric.

Lilein says, "As the War continued on, the Lady Malevolent began to tire of it, and rose into the sky towards the rift to fight the Shadowbound that had been pouring from it."

The illusory form of Iosyne, the Malevolent, forms in Her half-spider, half-woman shape, to charge the costumed skeletons.

The illusory Malevolent begins to batter the skeletons and shadelings away with a series of claws and blades.

Lilein says, "After fighting through their hordes, and sustaining great injury, Her Malevolence was able to reach the rift, and seal it using Her own control over shadow..."

The illusory Malevolent strikes away the last of the skeletons, which crumples over at the hit, before She reaches towards the rift.

The rift begins to be pulled shut, silver threads crossing it like a spider's web.

Lilein says, "The fight in Sterion, and the defeat of the Shadowbound General followed after the Malevolent's fight to bring the War of Night to a proper close."

The costumes dissipate from the skeleton's forms.

Lilein says, "The next events portrayed on the tapestry are somewhat... Intertwined, and will require some history to explain."

Lilein says, "Firstly, the Albedi God Jox, who was trapped within a prison of nightmares by the Nightmare Herself..."

Lilein says, "The prison itself kept in check by a number of seals."

A circular symbol made from venantium forms on the floor.

Lilein says, "Also trapped within this prison was another entity... Which we know of as the Leviathan."

The seal fades to be replaced by the vague form of the Leviathan, the beast snarling at the room.

Something halfway between smile and snarl spreads Iosyne's lips at the mention of the Nightmare, Her gouged eyes glowing fiercely.

"I figured She'd be angry at that Thief...."

Lilein says, "The creature itself was trapped by the Nightmare whilst engaged in combat with the ancient Ankyreans and Dreikathi..."

A number of miniature figures wielding a variety of weapons meet in battle with the illusory beast.

As the battle wears on, a large net suddenly appears and drops atop the beast, along with the soldiers fighting it.

The seal reappears below the trapped beast and armies, and they all sink into the floor.

Lilein says, "Thus subjecting them to the same nightmare prison as the beast, and the Albedi Divine."

Lilein says, "Still, that is ancient history, and we look now to more modern times, relatively."

Lilein says, "The seals of the prison had begun to weaken, an act that allowed fragments of the armies that hat had been trapped within to escape..."

A crack forms in the seal, slowly spreading across its surface.

Lilein says, "Though only as half-dead versions of themselves, minds broken by nightmare."

One of the soldiers from before pulls itself from the crack unsteadily, dragging itself onto the floor.

Lilein says, "These beings were known as the dreg."

The soldier throws its arms to either side, and lets out a screech, more crawling from the crack in the seal.

Lilein says, "Still, they were not the only, or biggest threat of the time..."

One of the Dreikathi gestures, and the dreg charge off, dissipating into motes of light.

Lilein says, "Their escape heralded concerns for the strength of the seal, particularly the possibility of the escape of the Leviathan..."

Lilein says, "And the seal's weakening brought questions as to what could have happened to allow them to escape."

The crack in the seal pulses slightly with unknown energy.

Lilein says, "Including one Vyxsis, the last leader of the Indorani."

Lilein says, "It was then she learned that one of the seals was powered by Chaos energies, specifically that taken as life force from the Chaos Lords."

Lilein says, "She was warned to not inform the Court by the twin Divine, the Manipulator and the Unbound, for telling them would spell disaster."

Lilein says, "But the Indorani held great loyalty to the Court, and thus informed the Emperor."

Lilein says, "The once-Emperor Golgotha was enraged by the news, and came to Sapience to challenge the Divine."

One of the skeletons stands forward, dark armor cloaking its form, along with the mask of the ex-Emperor, Golgotha.

A skeleton dressed as Golgotha yells, "WORMS OF SAPIENCE, KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT DOOM UPON YOUR OWN HEADS."

Lilein says, "The Manipulator strode forth to battle against Golgotha to stop the destruction his arrival brought, though He asked His Brother to conserve His strength for the fight against Leviathan."

A shadeling strides towards the Chaos cloaked skeleton, one of its arms dissipating as a pair of horns grow from its head.

Lilein says, "However, the other Divine of Sapience would not let the Manipulator fight alone."

One of the skeletons steps forward in the garb of Ethne, the Rekindled, to flank the shadeling.

Another skeleton flanks the shadeling, costumed to appear as Sylphe, the Maelstrom.

With a small grin, Lilein says, "Of course, much of our interest lies with two other Divine that were involved in this fight..."

The fourth skeleton vanishes from sight, before rising from the floor in the guise of Ivoln, the Earthen Lord, a dark figure in its grasp.

"Please don't eat me for this..."

Iosyne moves conspicuously closer to you as the mock Earthen Lord appears.

A skeleton costumed as the Earthen Lord yells, "GO FORTH, SISTER!" Before throwing the figure in their grasp.

An illusory Malevolent unfurls from Her thrown position to latch onto the skeleton dressed as Golgotha, clawing at all in reach.

Lilein says, "Her Malevolence was used as a projectile by the Earthen Lord in this, the first fight with Golgotha."

Iosyne's jaws unhinge, opening wide as the re-enactment of the catapulted Goddess plays out.

"Please don't eat me until we get to the good part..."

"Particularly for... This part..."

Lilein says, "However, this original strike did not do... Too much..."

The skeleton dressed as Golgotha pulls off the illusory Goddess, and throws Her unceremoniously to the ground.

A bit quickly, Lilein says, "Though, the other Divine used the distraction to hit at the Emperor with all of their might."

After throwing the Her to the earth, the skeletal figure is struck by the combined forces of fire and water, knocking him backwards.

- and laughter rolls off Iosyne. "Quite the team, We were," She says, jaws snapping shut once more with a loud click. "Rare that My Brother displays such creativity."

Lilein smiles softly at the Goddess's laughter, before continuing her narration.

Grinning slightly, Lilein says, "Their attacks also brought him into the Malevolent's trap."

The skeleton being knocked into the gigantic web that had formed behind him, trapping him in place.

Lilein says, "It was here he was pushed to retreating... Only able to escape with the aide of the Indorani, who offered up their essence to assist the Emperor on the orders of Vyxsis."

Tendrils stream from the floor towards the skeleton, who had been stabbed and beaten by numerous Divine weapons.

Lilein says, "After escaping Her web, the Emperor was able to escape to the Chaos Plane..."

The skeleton steps back, vanishing into a giant rift as the other skeletons' costumes dissipate.

Lilein says, "His escape was immediately followed by the Manipulator gaining His revenge upon the Indorani for betraying Them by destroying their guild hall with a vast blast of planar shadow."

Lilein says, "The first fight had been won, yet the Leviathan still loomed, and the Chaos Emperor had sworn to return again."

Lilein says, "His return would be known as the Chaos War, another conflict that occurred after the Leviathan's rise and fall."

Lilein says, "Though, speaking of the Leviathan... We move to our next and final event on display from the tapestry."

A miniature quadrupedal amalgamation bounces excitedly in anticipation, before standing very still.

A tiny winged bipedal creature lets out a harrumph, crossing his arms over his chest.

Lilein says, "The creation of the guardian amalgams."

Lilein says, "The dreg were still swarming Sapience after being freed from their prison, and were led by Daimoxoth, the Dreikathi polemarch."

The skeletons and shadeling stand to one side as the last of their costumes dissipate.

Lilein says, "As for fighting the dreg, an adventurer could fight a dreg and win..."

Two figures form, one a Dreikathi, the other a Carnifex, each clashing their weapons in combat.

Lilein says, "But, if one encountered a group of dreg..."

Additional Dreikathi move to assist their comrade, soon beginning to overwhelm the Carnifex.

Lilein says, "You needed a group to fight them."

A few other figures in miniature rush to join the Carnifex, carrying scythes, whips, hammers, and staves.

Lilein says, "Still, a better defence was required to wipe out this invading force..."

Lilein says, "The cities of Spirit found their own methods, but... The guardians of our cities were gifted to us as creations by Her Malevolence."

Once more the illusion of Iosyne, the Malevolent forms, two large eggs beside her.

With one of those eggs happening to perfectly form about a miniature quadrupedal amalgamation...

...and the other perfectly forming about a tiny winged bipedal creature.

Lilein says, "Each of these eggs were gifted to the cities, with orders to feed them to hatch the guardians within."

Miniature figures begin to bring corpses to each of the eggs.

A towering quadrupedal amalgamation sheathed in cartilage rises onto its feet as its miniature replica is enveloped, leaning forward with excitement.

Lilein says, "Which they did hatch..."

The two eggs begin to crack open...

Lilein says, "It revealed the two guardian amalgams, formed by the corpses which they were fed."

Lilein says, "The Spirean amalgam was named Semomti, meaning Hungerer in Kalsu..."

One of the eggs cracks open to reveal a miniature quadrupedal amalgamation, who lets out a fierce, but high-pitched, screech.

Lilein says, "And the Lochian amalgam, which was named..." The Consanguine pauses a moment before continuing, "Eggward."

The other egg cracks open to reveal a tiny winged bipedal creature, who looks over the room around him.

Lilein says, "With their new forms, the guardian amalgams began their duty to fight off the dreg."

A small army of miniature dreg form across the floor.

The quadrupedal amalgam looks out over the horde with an excited, dangerous glee in her eyes.

The bipedal amalgam gives the horde a haughty, disinterested look, though his eyes betray him.

In her best attempt to imitate her mother and the violence of her Grandmother, Lati charges the hordes.

Holding out his hands before him, swathes of elemental energy move out towards the horde.

Letting out a gentle giggle, Lilein says, "And that was the birth of the guardian amalgams."

Lati leans back on her hind hoofs, letting out a triumphant cry as she throws about illusory dreg.

Barry'eyr extends his wings to either side as he watches the hordes be burned away.

A towering quadrupedal amalgamation sheathed in cartilage claps two tentacles in applause, a third snaking around Lati proudly.

A winged bipedal creature wreathed in crackling energy crosses its arms, apparently unimpressed. Though you notice it seems to be flexing quite hard. It rewards Barry'eyr by lowering its leg, granting reprieve from another kick.

Smiling softly as she turns to regard her audience, you ask, "Any questions before I get to the Equality analysis?"

Iosyne settles back upon Her arachnid abdomen. "Yes," She says, the word dragged out.

Breaking the long silence, Iosyne mimics the tossing of something unceremoniously to the ground. "Did you have to include that part?" She admonishes.

Lilein grimaces slightly, "Well, that was necessary to show the entire fight, and it is part of my Equality analysis..."

Iosyne taps an arachnid leg against the floor of the alcove, loud click echoing through the glassy stone. "So it was. Continue."

Lati nuzzles against her mother's tentacle before she bounds back towards Lilein, bouncing about in glee at the destruction she had caused.

Lilein nods once, her eyes turning towards the two amalgams.

Lilein carefully gathers a miniature quadrupedal amalgamation into her arms.

Lilein gently picks up Lati, the small being letting out puffs of happy ice breath from her position in the Consanguine's grasp.

Barry'eyr returns to Lilein's side as well, crossing his arms before his chest, before one of her tendrils reaches down to pet his head.

Lilein says, "Now then, the concluding analysis, my assigned task when I sought this information out..."

Lilein says, "To learn the lessons of Equality inherent in each event."

Gently stroking the top of Lati's head, Lilein says, "At first... I didn't see it."

Lilein says, "There was the manipulation of a rift after fighting through hordes that no mortal go through, a literal battle between Gods and other immensely powerful beings, and the creation of new entities who have immense strength of their own..."

Lilein says, "How could anyone not Divine measure up to that?"

"How could... I... Ever measure up to that..."

After a moment, Lilein says, "Then... I saw it."

Lilein says, "Her Malevolence closed the rift between us and the Shadow Plane, but..."

Lilein says, "Each Sciomancer opens a channel between the Shadow Plane and themselves on a regular basis, closing it when they no longer have need for its energy."

Lilein says, "What She did wasn't something completely unique, it was a stronger version of what we could do."

Lilein says, "In the first battle with Golgotha, the Lady Malevolent was thrown at the Emperor to fight him..."

Lilein says, "In the final battle of the Chaos War, he was brought down in part by mortal beings being thrown onto him and distracting him."

Lilein says, "Even the guardian amalgams..."

Lilein gives a miniature quadrupedal amalgamation a tight hug.

Lilein says, "The Lady Malevolent created their eggs..."

Lilein says, "But it was us, mortals, who fed them, grew them, and prepared them."

Lilein says, "And even now, those who helped during that time care for a miniature of the guardians."

"Or otherwise end up in their good graces such that you're allowed to care for their children..."

Lilein says, "The events, at first glance, seem entirely out of reach."

Lilein says, "They are the battlefields and actions of a Goddess... Yet..."

Lilein says, "Equality teaches us that we are equal to Them."

Lilein says, "And in each of these events, after analysis..."

Lilein says, "I don't find something unique, or incomprehensible..."

Lilein says, "I find... A practiced hand."

Lilein says, "The same kind of feeling from when I, as a Nightstalker, watched other Consanguine fight."

Lilein says, "Actions that, though incredible to me at the time, strength beyond any I had known before..."

Lilein says, "Were the same practices, and the same arts that I knew as a Nightstalker."

Lilein says, "It was the same actions, mastered and improved."

Lilein glances towards the tapestry, "And I think these three events show that same lesson."

Lilein says, "Not something beyond our ability to understand or use..."

Lilein says, "Just... Our arts, mastered and performed by Someone stronger than us."

Lilein says, "But... Not a level of strength that is unreachable."

Glancing towards Iosyne, Lilein says, "...because we're all equals."

Lilein inclines her head slightly, signifying the end of her prepared presentation.

At the end of the presentation, a winged bipedal creature wreathed in crackling energy sizes up a towering quadrupedal amalgamation sheathed in cartilage, apparently ready to test that very notion here.

A towering quadrupedal amalgamation sheathed in cartilage rises onto its haunches, adopting a wary stance as the massive creature approaches.

Lilein looks between the two large amalgams somewhat nervously, before stating, "If you're going to test strength, I might recommend somewhere besides the alcove..."

"I'm not sure the Spire of the Gods would survive..."

A wordless gesture from Iosyne settles both creations from tearing apart the area. She rises from Her seat, rewarding you with a wide, fang-filled smile. "Eloquently performed, Congregant. I look forward to seeing you live My Rules."

Prowling on all fours, a towering abomination exits to the southwest.

Its steps shaking the earth, a massive winged creature stomps out to the southwest.

Lilein watches the two amalgams leave, quietly musing aloud, "I hope those two don't hurt each other too much..." Before the Consanguine turns back towards Iosyne, and inclines her head, "Thank you, Lady Malevolent, it was my pleasure to present my findings to You."

Iosyne lays a clawed hand upon Lilein's cheek before warping into tendrils of shadow that quickly slither away.