The First Land Herald/453-02-36
| Article Number: 123 |
| Dateline: 453-02-36 |
| UNAKA'S VISIONS: CIVILIZATION, GODS, AND THE LOOMING CONFLICT If you remember our last encounter with Unaka at Arhat's Tower (See FLH article from 450-09-05), you might recall the fierce determination she showed as she fought alongside us to rescue our friends from the Null Prison. Since then, her story has unfolded in ways that invite us not just to witness, but to reflect deeply on what is at stake -- not just for her, but for all of us. ~ Sermon at Truffenyi's Green ~ Several months after the Hollow Eve Festival, Unaka summoned adventurers to Truffenyi's Green on Ratha. There, she delivered a sermon centered on civilization, the creative gift of mortals, and her vision of Truffenyi as a quiet, guiding father. She sculpted a miniature model city out of clay despite the playful interruptions of the fountain's spray -- an oddly fitting metaphor, I thought, for how our own civilization builds itself amid constant noise and distraction. She spoke of our civilization’s growth and the Immortals' role as allies, contrasting this with the behavior of the Heralds. "The Heralds did not keep the Plane well, and the Immortals do, from what I have seen. The Immortals work with us, love us even, and the Heralds are ready to discard us." A lively discussion followed, with attendees sharing personal perspectives. Though some remained cautious, all affirmed their commitment to resist the Heralds. The gathering closed with a unified resolve to face future challenges. ~ Visions of Civilization's Dawn at Truffenyi's Shrine ~ Some time later, Unaka gathered a crowd at Truffenyi's Shrine, now visibly adorned with a new golden halo. She spoke of the many visions she had received through her profound connection to Truffenyi, which she would attempt to share with us. As the assembly knelt and offered prayers, the growing devotion caused Unaka's halo to flare brightly, and she invited selected individuals to experience direct, tangible visions. The first to receive a vision was Urbaj, who saw a stream of visions of the blossoming of civilization, oiled by the flow of coin. It began with tribal groups meeting lone emissaries and trading handfuls of goods, with shocked looks as individuals tasted sugar for the first time. Covered caravans etched roads underneath their wagon wheels, pulled by stalwart oxen. Trading posts sprang up along routes, and cities bustled with travelers, flashes of coin apparent as they finished their haggling and handed over their goods. He viewed a street of craftspeople and heard the whirring of the potter's wheel, the singing of the forger's hammer. As he passed by one smith, the smith looked down at him with a slight nod, just as a pair of oxen rumbled past on the street. Within the forger's tongs, he saw a shining golden coin. Next, Ollythander received a vision of idyllic, rolling hills of green grass, berry bushes and gnarled oaks tracing the landscape with peaceful ease. After what felt like ages passed, he noticed a small people traveling in on ox-drawn caravans, circling them and singing beneath the trees. Time moved more quickly, and he saw them dig into the hillsides, embracing the curve of the earth as they burrowed like moles, capping their homes with brightly colored circular doors. His gaze settled on one group relaxing with pipes, a much taller man seated among them. The man smiled indulgently at them, popping his pipe out of his mouth to say something that he couldn't quite catch -- and they all laughed. The man turned to seriousness, pulling out a leaf and showing it to them, then beginning to put it into a new pipe. Their eyes opened with interest as they leaned forward, but then the vision ended. Then, Zynell received a stream of visions of the blossoming of civilization and the channels of darkness that sprang up in between. At first, the tribes gathered around fires, almost consumed by the darkness around them, round golden eyes watching them from a perch in the pitch black. As the people began to transport goods, till the ground with their oxen, and erect their towns, the dark shrank behind torches and lamplights, yet she could see those who hovered in quieter spaces, slipping beyond notice. Subtle hands flicked into pockets, silent warriors hid with their bows among the trees. As the bustle of the streets grew, she saw the undercurrent rise of those who found their hiding places among the crowd. When it was my turn next, the vision struck differently. As Unaka's large hand touched my forehead, my vision was overtaken by a golden flash. As the haze dissipated, I found myself surrounded by a verdant forest, the lush growth appearing both guided and natural. I wandered peacefully, idly touching unfurling leaves and taking in the pleasant, floral scents. After a time, I came across what appeared to be three people working at the soil, bent over the ground near the roots of a magnificent tree. Yet when I went closer, I viewed their true work: they tore and pulled at the roots, finding the largest and twisting it apart. A shimmering liquid seeped from within, and they hungrily drank it down, completely ignoring the damage they had done. The scene left me with an uneasy feeling. Next, Ghust experienced a stream of visions centered around the magnificent progress of magic. At first, tribal mages began their etchings of runes into pieces of bone. Slivers of moonlight sliced the night air. Then, scholars gathered and whispered together, gesturing in arcane patterns. Weapons and battlefields ignited. A great tower stretched into the sky, an influx of robed mages gathering about a lecturer demonstrating an aetheric image of a sparkling ox bowing to a majestic wolf, who bowed in return. He felt a sense of charge building against his skin, and a chill overtook him as he noticed a hooded man standing beside him. The man gave him a slight nod, as if urging him to go on. A unique moment occurred when Unaka touched Nawain, and the vision unexpectedly spilled over, with everyone present sharing in a collective experience. Within this shared vision, I found myself trekking across a tundra, a sense of exploration welling within me. Although sparse, signs of life were all around me, from tiny birds feeding on the low-lying plants and insects to the occasional smattering of mountain goats on distant peaks. Suddenly, I stopped, observing a creature that felt new to me. Small beings walking on two legs. Quietly, I continued to observe as the beings warmed themselves by the fire. Still stunned, I found a feeling was warming in me as well. Eventually, the beings laid down to sleep, and I continued to watch over them, the warmth in me growing. I silently placed a few rocks around the fire for them to help shield it from the wind, and tucked their hide blankets over them carefully. Then Ryeka saw a stream of visions of the blossoming of civilization, accompanied by the paeans of the godly. At first, she saw tribal chieftains acting simultaneously as conduits to the gods. Then she watched as a single monk trekked the roads, an ox by his side, prayer beads shifting between his fingers. Minor shrines sprang up and, as people gathered there, she sensed the warmth of huddled bodies and saw relief on their faces as they began to break bread and share together. Larger temples in all shapes and sizes began to mirror the faces of the many gods. A glorious sphere sat at the center of a magnificent city, its shining dome a testament to the work of the Holy. As she gazed upon it, she noticed a tall man beside her, admiring it with her, and in his hand appeared to be rolled up architectural plans. After Ryeka shared her inspiring vision of civilization and faith, Unaka, drawing on renewed strength from offered refreshments and supportive magic, called upon Klausette. Klausette's vision was distinct, showcasing a vantage to view a breathtakingly foreign city, its structures built in towering proportions, post and lintel construction creating formidable buildings that pile atop themselves and overtake the landscape in a vast sprawl. From within, an army of Gorbesh soldiers dressed in unfamiliar vestments emerges, approaching what appears to be another group of Gorbesh soldiers standing at the border of a great pine forest. Suddenly, she was close, witnessing the leader speaking to one another, Gnomes appearing at the feet of each group and staring at one another with eyes both canny and wary. One tall man stepped forward from the group on the side of the pines, raising a giant hand and speaking stern words she couldn't quite catch, a look of anger upon his face. Those in his group nodded to him in agreement, shooting looks of disdain at the army, then melted back into the pines. With her energy waning, Unaka made her final selection, calling upon Saragos. His vision was arguably the most disturbing and revelatory. Saragos found himself entering an opulent suite, magnificent marble walls supporting windows with a sweeping view of a wild, verdant jungle teeming with life. Lounging upon cushions in front of him were three stunning beings of a race alien to him, each with his or her own otherworldly beauty, with bright white hair and long, colorful nails gracing each fingertip. They smirked at him, an obvious newcomer, and one of the women offered him a goblet filled with shimmering liquid, nodding to him to drink. As she languidly draped herself back on the cushions, she took a sip of her own drink -- and simultaneously the floor began to heave and shake. Her companions laughed and raised their glasses too, and with each sip, the shaking seemed to increase. Saragos glanced through the windows and watched in horror as the trees withered before him, branches dropping, dessicated. Cracks appeared in the floor and walls, snaking through the building -- yet the alien beings continued to laugh and laugh, drinking ever deeper. Anger boiled in him, he took a step forward toward the beings and dashed the liquid of his goblet in the woman's face. Suddenly, he found himself the size of a mouse, gazing up at their towering forms above him. The brittle woman reached down and swatted him aside, and he hurtled away helplessly. Unaka, visibly weary but satisfied, announced that she was finished but expressed willingness to continue in the future if her strength returned and the demand remained. ~ Seeking Answers at the Eye of Truffenyi ~ Several days later, we once again met Unaka at the Eye of Truffenyi in the Crossing temple. She said that she has been working on two questions: how we can best support the Immortals to achieve victory, and why the fight is happening now and not hundreds of years ago. A lively debate ensued among the attendees, with initial counts split evenly between the two questions. Ultimately, after a final poll, the group decided to focus on why this is happening now. Unaka chose Lupdels to receive the first vision. As Unaka's large hand touched his forehead, Lupdels saw a stream of visions of the blossoming of civilization, set to ever more complex melodies. At first, simple hide drums were paired with stamping sticks in circles of tribal dances. Then he watched as a minstrel trekked the roads, an ox by her side and a lute strapped to her back. He saw a luthier bend over the form of what may become a violin, delicate strips of wood held in her steady hands. By her side stood a tall man smelling of tilled earth, one thick finger gently pointing to the curvature of the instrument, a few words whispered into her ear. Next, a musician pored over leaves of sheet music, scribbling furiously into the night, testing sounds upon an oboe. The delicate shifting melodies of a concerto rang in his ears as the visions faded. Unaka, however, sensed that this vision thread was not the direct answer for their pressing question and vowed to try again. Next, Tirost bravely accepted Unaka's gift of Truffenyi. He saw himself "kneeling by the side of an enormous black wolf, his shaggy body flopped on one side, breathing weakly." The he found himself kneeling by the side of an enormous black wolf, its shaggy body flopped on one side, breathing weakly. The wolf turns toward him, amber eyes full of intelligence, brows furrowed in an expression of pain and pleading. He reached out and gently stroked its head and neck, a sense of pain and compassion shooting through him. The wolf slowly dragged itself to its feet, and the two continued onward, on what felt like the continuation of a very long journey. Grimacing in pain and breathing staggered, Unaka vowed to try again realizing that this was not the answer sought. Next she chose Relay, who found himself standing amidst a vast array of stars, swathes of twinkling lights layered so thickly that it looked as though he was surrounded by milky clouds unfurling, gentle colors blushing at their edges. Strangely, there was solid ground beneath his feet, and his legs ached, as if he were resting from a long journey. Just ahead, looming above him, was a place of emptiness, a space completely devoid of light and stars, and it seemed to be in the shape of -- a man? He approached, feeling both a sense of familiarity and trepidation, and he watched as the shape seemed to crouch over something. Oddly, he found he could walk towards the nothingness, and he begin to notice the outline of its cupped hands pouring forth a stream of liquid stars. Awe and fear overtook him, and the vision faded. Despite her growing exhaustion and the pain evident on her face, Unaka firmly declared that she would continue. She asked the adventurers to pray for her. Her halo glowed brighter, burning in a fiery circle above her head, filaments of light piercing the air. Looking around the room at each person intently, she finally pointed at Mazilyn. Agreeing to accept the gift of Truffenyi, Mazilyn found herself looking up at what must have been an enormous glass bowl, so large it seemed to overtake the sky above her. A strange, shimmering liquid rested in the bowl, and as she watched, the level lowered before her eyes, sinking down until only dregs remained. Harsh, cruel laughter echoed around her, and while she searched for the source, a thunderous CRACK sounded. She looked to the bowl above and saw the side was marred by a gigantic fissure, and myriad tiny fractures began feathering away from it. Panic filled her and she raced forward. The laughter increased, cutting through her like hot knives. "There. That was it, I know it," Unaka said. Adventurers identified the shimmering liquid as pure mana and determined that the Heralds were draining the world's fundamental life force. Unaka, drained but resolute, expressed her willingness to continue, her entire body tensing as she clenched her fist. The gathered adventurers began to pray and Unaka inhaled deeply, exultant, her arms reaching toward the ceiling. Her eyes burned brightly with golden light, her gaze intense upon each person present. Unaka's halo burst with golden light, sending brief showers down around her, and her eyes flared brightly enough to be blinding. She pointed at Aerilia and called her to step forward. As she reached out to touch Aerilia, there was a brief golden flash and Unaka fell to one knee, clutching her head in pain. Her eyes became glassy, and she shuddered, the muscles of her face contracting involuntarily as she forced her eyes shut. She lifted her head to the sky, eyes widening, her pupils dilating inside bloodshot eyes, before collapsing, unconscious, to the ground. After a moment, Unaka's eyes reopened and her wounds were healed by the Empaths present. We were all worried, seeing the toll it was taking on Unaka. Meanwhile, Aerilia described what she had experienced. She felt a swelling inside herself, a sense of preparation and tension, her arm drawing back, hand restlessly upon the firing lever of a trebuchet. She took a moment to glance down and saw an enormous landscape spread beneath her, tiny lights scattered in clusters across it, the winking of civilizations far beneath her. A feeling of hope and urgency welled within her. One by one, the twinkling lights rose from the landscape, floating like aimless fireflies, yet climbing inexorably until they reached her feet, circling her calves, her waist. They landed on her, at first just a few, then coming in droves, and with each one, relief filled her -- your heartbeat slowed, her arms and legs stilled, and she was awash with renewed strength and purpose. A roar built in her throat, and the vision faded. As Unaka departed for much-needed rest, the next critical question was set: what transformed the Heralds from dutiful caretakers into uncaring, cruel parasites? We were now faced with not just what is happening, but the profound mystery of why the Heralds changed, a question that promises to delve even deeper into the history and nature of this existential conflict. ~ Visions During Cleric Tributes and Prydaen Communion ~ Over several months, Zynell, Ectheleon, Gragnel, and other Clerics held a series of events, each one a tribute to a different Immortal. Many attendees were graced with Unaka's visions, which were in the same theme as the ones I already detailed from the earlier gatherings, vividly depicting the rise of civilization, the Immortals' love for us, and strongly encouraging the practice of sorcery. "In a time when drakes threatened our land and strange threats from the Heralds began to stir, Clerics gathered in faith to seek the guidance of the immortals," Ectheleon said. "Many among us were granted visions: glimpses of spear-wielding figures, oxen yoked to destiny, and fragile emblems of civilization's promise. Those prophetic sights filled me with both awe and unease, reminding me that the Immortals still walk beside us, shaping our path in ways both mysterious and profound." Kethrai led a communion with the Triquetra in which several Prydaen participants shared stories, songs, or thoughts on the Prydaen gods, Kin, and history. Amidst this, the Prydaen attendees experienced two profound visions. The first vision featured an ancestral Prydaen figure who encouraged them to embrace a "weapon" that could ultimately save them all. The second, more unsettling vision, showed luminous, cold-gazed beings interacting with a cosmic wheel, causing it to slow and life to wilt and die, before they returned their focus to the stars, leaving the viewers with an inexplicable sense of sorrow. "We've seen golden light associated with the Immortals, and in this case the light we saw was mostly golden, but tinged with green," Kethrai said. "My belief is, that's because Eu is of a different nature than Demrris and Tenemlor. Eu is all of nature -- basically, Elanthia itself. We were being visited by the triune form of the deity, so the light was green-tinged gold, the immortal nature of the god siblings combined with nature." ~ A Glimpse at Guildfest ~ Even prophets of Truffenyi need a break now and then -- yes, even Unaka. Our favorite Gor'Tog Paladin took some time to tour Guildfest with a few adventurers, including Allye, Ysilda, Aerilia, and myself. After the months filled with visions and prayerful gatherings, it was a pleasure to see her enjoying herself playing the Feats of Strength game and sampling cupcakes at Hunka's Delights. Then, she asked to share a vision with those gathered at the Imperial Pavilion. A golden glow erupted from Unaka's halo, and my vision was overtaken by a blinding flash. When the haze dissipated, I found myself lurching through space, though I didn't recognize what sort of space it was. Searing lines stretched beyond my sight, hard and winnowing, then suddenly shrank to pinpoints until, after several long moments of disorientation, I recognized around me the stars of the night sky, a throng of silver-clad warriors behind me. I inhaled deeply, a sense of finality and purpose filling me, and then raised my hand to point the way ahead. A cry rose up around me as the warriors drew their weapons, a golden glow emanating from them. We moved together, slowly at first, as if caught in honey, but I could feel myself at the precipice of something, straining to speed up. Up ahead, directly where I was marching, loomed three furious figures, their weapons turned in readiness. "Now is the time to enjoy the festival," Unaka said. "Tomorrow is the time to start preparing." Unaka's painstakingly shared visions have illuminated a path that is both clear and daunting. Each glimpse, from the enduring value of civilization and the Immortals' unwavering love to the stark revelation of the Heralds' destructive consumption, has sharpened our focus on the overarching conflict and the immense stakes involved. As we stand at this crossroads, it's clear the time for questioning is giving way to the time for action. All we can do now is prepare for the coming battle and place our unwavering belief in each other to face what lies ahead. Together, Illiya |
| Real Date: Unknown Date |
| Subject(s): Wild Magic |
| Author(s): Illiya |