Events post #271: A Call to Earth

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10/23/2021 at 17:36
Anonymous
Everyone
A Call to Earth

For near two decades, the elements of the Prime Material Plane have lingered in a state of imbalance, deprived of sufficient earth to effect an equilibrium. For longer still have the Sorcerer-Kings of Azvosh Rakar endured lifetimes of torturous imprisonment, bound in eternal torment to the Pillars of the Earth. In darkness they dream, screaming into the uncaring void as they strive against the manacles of bone and blood that form their prisons.

As the City of Bloodloch sought to quell rebellion in El'jazira and reassert their dominion, the Sorcerer-Kings saw opportunity. Broken under the invasive onslaught of Bloodloch, weak undead roamed the desert village, their strength of will shattered in the wake of violent conquest. Lacking the presence of mind to reform, the incorporeal spectres became little more than vessels, conduits through which the Sorcerer-Kings could exact their own will. As resolve diminished, madness flourished in its place - that gibbering insanity which touches all with a connection to Azvosh.

Efforts to destroy the shades through a ritual, carried out by the Teradrim with the support of the Carnifex and Archivists, elicited little but speculation from those present. As they interrogated one of the spirits and tasted madness for themselves, whispers began to spread of the Devourer, that ancient horror whose hunger yearns for whole worlds to swallow in its jaws. Though the ritual failed and suspicion rose, the shades continued to wallow in their dissipated misery, and the Kings continued to grasp for freedom.

It was Gribbit of the Teradrim - a grookish noble of dubious aristocratic lineage - who first sounded the alarm as gibbering whispers grated in the depths of his mind. Madness sheared away the sanity of the Teradrim as the weeks wound on, until eventually it became overwhelming. Accompanied by Almol and Yettave of the Order of Ivoln, Imperator Fyrren, alongside Macavity and Gribbit of the Teradrim, sought counsel from Earthwarden Uzgrol.

The guardian spoke to them of the Earthen Dirge, the eternal song that binds the memory and lives of the Earthen as one psychic bond, and of the Apocalyptia, the holy text that makes up its solemn verses. Through this primordial bond, the five were granted a gift of memory, transcending time to attend Trial in Azvosh Rakar. Their interrogations of the accused Sorcerer-King garnered only scorn and contempt from the prisoner, until - together - they pronounced a unanimous verdict of guilty.

As they carried out the sentence and subjugated the prisoner to their will, the memoryscape shattered and they returned to Uzgrol's side. Resolving the imbalance of earth and laying the shades to rest was beyond their power, he explained. But it was not beyond the might of the Earthen. Sending out an indelible call to conclave, Uzgrol marshalled Earthcaller Khuzrol to his side. At first the Earthcaller refused his aid, requiring a demonstration of strength from those present.

Each took upon themselves the burden of the Harrowing, a trial in the tradition of the Earthen way. Stripped of their name for the duration they bore a tiny pebble of unimaginable weight, forced to walk the earth in a pilgrimage across the land. They returned victorious after the laborious task, and Khuzrol consented to assist. Fully cognisant to the extent of the problem, the Earthen charged those present with constructing five monoliths to more closely anchor earth to the Prime.

For two weeks the forces of Shadow toiled without relent, amassing materials in incalculable volumes to fill the amphorae that now stood in wait. The Mhojave Desert was the first site to reach conclusion, followed swiftly by the Vashnar Mountains and the amphora in Bloodloch itself. Soon after, the vessel in the Teshen Caldera was filled, and only the Mamashi Grasslands yet hungered for greater tribute. Pouring the last of their efforts into this final location, the earth at last claimed dominance, driving the blight of nature out of the location.

With the monoliths constructed, Khuzrol now demanded blood sacrifice in order to slake the thirst of the earth and empower that which had been built. Led by Macavity and Gribbit, those gathered fanned out once again, eager to shed their blood in an act of libation. None showed hesitation, with Tetchta V. Mesis, Mjoll Seirath, and Alela of the Thousand Eyes demonstrating particular enthusiasm for the act.

Offering after offering after offering was given unto the earth, until the holy verses of the Apocalyptia spilled out across the stone in sanguine script. Its thirst slaked, the imbalance of earth had begun to repair itself, and desert now consumed the pine grove in what once was lush grassland.

Yet the Sorcerer-Kings continued to stir. Demonstrating brutal efficiency and merciless resolve, the adventurers marched with purpose into El'jazira and brought their might to bear against the weakened shades. Beating them into submission, they brought each one before the monoliths and subjugated them to their will. As the jaws of Azvosh swallowed the weak, pitiful apparitions, the earth rumbled its assent in a quake that shook the entire continent. Madness had been averted at last.

Khuzrol departed to the Mhojave Desert where he bellowed aloud a call to conclave across the land, inviting all to attend him as he proclaimed the Dogmatic Verses. Once more it was Gribbit whose voice rang out first in hearkening reply as the Earthen gave his fervent homily, calling for enhanced vigilance against all that would threaten the Pillars, and inciting lust for war in all who bore witness. With assent from the Teradrim, the Earthcaller declared his intent to remain upon the Prime, and to share knowledge of his arts.

Penned by my hand on Falsday, the 9th of Midsummer, in the year 498 MA.