Proposal Unproposed
Log Info
- Title: Proposal Unproposed
- Place: Society for Progressive Arcanists, Study Room Four
While it's not uncommon for Seldan to get requests to consult with the Society, perhaps it might be interesting enough that this request in particular, come bearing the name 'Magpie,' the chattery gnome who'd accompanied the expedition into the sewers. It seems she's asking to discuss the events in the sewers, and propose a plan of action.
'Lunch will be provided.' was the last item on the request, so... At least if nothing else, there'll be a meal?
The request also notes to ask the front desk about 'Study Room Four,' and a key will be provided.
This was one request that Seldan had been expecting, if one is honest. One does not see something like that, and have questions. Still, he has news for this one as well, and so he is relatively prompt, asking the golem at the desk about meeting "Magpie" in "Study Room 4". As is his usual wont when dealing with the Society, the heavy armor is traded for shirt and trousers beneath a blue and silver embroidered open-front robe, and no visible weaponry, only the knapsack.
The directions are fairly easy to follow, and upon opening the door to the massive table, Seldan is greeted with... a sight.
It seems the gnome in question took the 'proposal' part of this proposal seriously. Perhaps too seriously. At one end of the room is a large rolling blackboard, covered in equations and sigils and the occasional doodle of a monster face going GRRRR, flanked by piles of books in a system that has a passing nod to organization. On a rolling ladder, Magpie herself is writing on the only blank corner of the slate. On the side fo the table nearest the board, three plates bearing piles of baked goods, a self-heating teapot, and a magically-cooled ewer of water, with two mugs of equal size next to them.
Looking over her shoulder, Magpie grins as Seldan enters the room. "Oh hi, you came! Awesome! I was *hoping,* but I would have understood if you were busy, there's a lot of weird stuff going on and I appreciate you taking the time."
"Her light upon your path," Seldan greets, inclining his head and closing the door behind him with a quiet *click*. He pauses, then, surveying the arrangements, the blackboard full, the plates full. "You have arranged for quite the gathering," he observes with no heat and a small smile. "Still would I hear your thoughts, although I, too, bear news on the matter."
He makes his way towards the chairs and table, those few steps, and sets his knapsack down next to the table. "This matter is of great import indeed."
At the remark, Magpie colors, though it's difficult to tell if the flush is out of embarrassment or pleasure. "Well I mean... Honestly, Ser, Iunno if you're aware, but like... you're kind of a big deal, to some of us. It comes and goes, but you've got *fans,* and you're probably the most famous person I've ever talked to." Shrugging, she gesticulates vaguely toward the room and the available material. "...So I'm taking this seriously."
"Anyway, grab a plate, I didn't know what you liked so there's a little of everything there, and I'm planning on handing out whatever we don't eat anyway so don't feel obliged to eat everything! Also, I wanted to reassure you; what I'm about to propose is a bad, weird idea, and I understand that. But like... I *know* it's not a great idea, which if you've dealt with wizards for any length of time, you know I've got a head start on making it *safe,* right?"
Seldan draws a deep, slow breath and lets it out, his eyes lowering. "That do I know. I strive only to make use of the fact to aid who I may. I am - not so great as many would believe." He seats himself on the chair and takes one of the pastries, with a small, almost shy smile, taking a small bite out of the corner. "It is well that you regard this seriously. Let us hear your proposal, though I bear tidings that may change your plan.'
"...That's a whole other argument I'm not really prepared to refute," Magpie says after a beat, Seldan -- predictably, considering -- downplays his own achievments. "But anyway, the sewer circle. I'd had this idea, that if we could map it out and study it, we could decipher exactly *how* it's constructed. At first, I was planning on maybe taking it down, but when we learned how *big* it was, well... There's a non-zero possibility that obliterating it would break something structural, and drop the whole city into the Sewers, and that's... not a consequence I'm comfortable risking, right? But, turns out it regenerates. And, well, I guess it regenerated an entire *guardian,* so, like... *That's* something that needs fixing. But a thought occurred to me; if it can fix itself, it has to have knowledge of its entire structure, right?"
"Even so. Go on." Seldan continues to nibble at the pastry. From the way he eats, it's very clear that the man was gently raised. He catches crumbs in his hand, takes small bites, and takes his time with it.
"So if it knows its entire structure... What if we could *change what it knows?*" Magpie says... honestly not even really gesturing toward the blackboard at all, leading to the suspicion that none of it is there to do anything but look complicated and impressive. This is a gnome who has *definitely* prepare a grant proposal at least once.
"If we can figure out how to do that -- And I'm not gonna lie, I'm gonna need way better minds than mine working on it -- but if we can figure it out, we could do *so much.* Currently, there's a really big problem with a demon lord I'm trying to help a friend of mine solve, and like... a binding circle that would suck him into a marble the moment he stepped foot on city territory sounds *really* helpful."
"Then do I fear that I must disappoint you." Seldan's smile has faded, and he finishes the last bite of his pastry, although he has listened carefully. "For well do I know this circle, its intent, and its maker. Will you hear my tale? Some of it is new, for but recently did I venture to speak with its maker on the matter, and some things did she reveal to me, of its nature."
He does not take another pastry, instead regarding the gnome with a steady, even gaze.
At this news, the gnome blinks, then again, and once more. "...Oh," she says, excitement fading from her voice. "Oh wow that sounds bad. Um..."
Hop. Hop. Hop, and onto the floor she lands, toddling to the chair across from Seldan and scaling it. Reaching across the table, she grabs an egg-and-bacon hand pie, and pours herself a mug of tea. "Okay... lay it on me."
"The original creator of the circle you have discovered was the fae queen known as the Endless Winter, who took command of a tower that permitted her to travel back in time. Thus did she build the circle even as the city itself was being built. to span the whole of the city. This did she do as part of an alliance with the Duke of the Hells known as Eclavdran, whose likeness you saw in the sewers." Seldan's storytelling is steady in tone, but thoughtful, and a touch distant, as one remembering - no, reminiscing.
"I ventured to speak with her, recently. Few did I speak to of this venture, for the village where she resides fears mortals, and a large group would have frightened them. I am known to her, and to them, and thus posed but little risk. In truth was I uncertain that I could not be attacked on sight."
He pauses, then continues. "She tells me that Eclavdran bade her create that simulacrum as a blank canvas, that he might shape it and give it power as he willed. It is built of her power, of a part of herself. She has given her word that she will release the circle, will make it no more, and this is she capable of doing, but she cannot unmake what Eclavdran has done. This have I told her that I shall do in return, that her power might be returned to her."
His eyes lower. "A summoning circle must be built to one purpose, or to the other, when it is scribed, and cannot be altered once chosen. This, too, would I have you know. When the circle is unmade, anything summoned using it will be unbound and unnamed. Know you whether it has ben used?"
"Oh... Oooooh," Magpie says during the explanation, and it's clear from the way her eyes flick back and forth, that she's working through the ramifications of everything she's being told. "*Oh.* Well. ....Well, dammit." Loosing a long and disappointed sigh, the gnome removes her copper headdress, and rakes a hand through her hair. "I don't... *think* it's been used? But if that's the case..."
Taking a deep breath, she looks up, and tilts her head. "You've heard about the Nightmare cults running around, right?"
"That I have. I know something of the totems, though I no longer hold one." Seldan regards Magpie steadily and with sober consideration, and a small smile of understanding. "It is a matter to which I have not been able to turn my attention. But, you mentioned a friend opposing a demon lord. Is this connected?"
"Hoo boy, yeah," Magpie says, tipping her head back and working hard to empty her mug for a few moments. "So... turns out the cults are, like, trying to pull in an avatar of Caracoroth onto the world. And the demon lord I'm talking about? He's working for a patron, who apparently wants to *possess the avatar* the moment it comes into the world. So, like, think about that for a second; a demon of unknown identity or provenance, known only as V, with the power of the God of Nightmares."
Seldan's answering smile fades, but he does not flinch. "A prospect not to be considered," he murmurs quietly. "How may I be of aid to you in this?" His eyes lower. _I thought She said others were looking to this. No matter. I shall do as I must._ His eyes lift again, and he waits for the answer.
For a long, long moment, Magpie sits back, seriously considering the answer to that question. "...Honestly?" she says, upon the demise of a second pastry, "I don't know. We've got a lot of people working on this, and I don't have all their information. So anything I told you right now would be incomplete, and that's a *bad* idea. So... keep a look out, I guess, and would it be okay to call on you if things spin *way* out of hand?"
Seldan inclines his head, internally letting out a breath of relief. "You are wise indeed, to so state. Do not short yourself. This shall I offer you, in the matter of conquering a demon lord. Strike no deals, and think not that you will trick them, for too oft are their webs within webs, and it is all too easy to find oneself ensnared. This error have I seen others make, and this error did I myself make. Only through much effort and risk, and with the aid of Tanithariairisixchel and others, do I sit before you now," he explains. "Eclavdran was a foe not lightly destroyed, and yet do his minions pursue me." This draws a quiet chuckle. "It is not in my mind that there shall be an end too such. In the service of the Light does one make enemies. So be it. The price is small enough."
He picks up a second pastry. "Share, then, with those with whom you stand. The circle shall be destroyed, but the guardian will need a separate effort. That shall I myself lead, and until it is done, the sewers remain unsafe. A - loose end of my war with the Endless Winter, and that am I pleased to unburden you from. I would have you and yours be watchful of anything that the circle's unmaking might release."
He pauses a moment, then adds, "The circle does indeed regenerate those tied to it, and the Endless Winter explained why that is so. A leftover magical effect from her attack upon Alexandria."
"...'Those tied to it?'" Magpie echoes, brow furrowing. "So just that echo, or... Oh boy. Does that mean there's more than one thing down there? I... no, no, that's just curiosity. Stay on task, Magpie... Okay. Okay. *Okay.* Yeah. Don't worry, I don't plan to have much at all to do with demons of any kind. Mostly because I happen to know a master diabolist -- mostly on the research side, mind -- and what happened to *him* is a great cautionary tale."
Sitting back, the gnome sips at her tea, considering. "So in the meantime, I'm gonna go over to Explorer's, and let them know to make the sewers off-limits until you're done. I mean, if absolutely nothing else, it'll be best not to have us little baby ducklings underfoot while you're working, right?" This, said with a self-deprecating grin, and an utter lack of rancor. Just a funny little joke at her own expense! "...And now I think about it, my idea was *super* bad considering it'd be hijacking a Fae Queen's power. I'm... not that reckless that I want to see how *that'd* fall out."
"It is my hope that it is but the one." Seldan's self-deprecating smile is gone. "That will be quite enough. Do I learn that there are more, you shall know." He pauses, a moment. "It comes to me that the demons that destroyed Lord and Lady Lupecyll-Atlon's house may be one such, for once were they likely minions of Eclavdran themselves. They knew myself and Mal far too well to be otherwise. That shall we learn."
The joke, though, earns her lowered eyes. "I mean no insult. Eclavdran was among the very mightiest of archfiends, one of the Lords of Hell. Never could I have hoped to best or destroy him with force of arms. This simulacrum is much diminished in power, and even so do I not regard it lightly. Never would I pit anyone against a foe I know to be beyond their strength, for naught do we learn by a journey to the Halls. Instead would I have you take on other challenges within your strength, and learn and grown, even as I did."
"Oh no, that's no insult!" Magpie rushes to say. "I mean, like... down in the sewers? Simony and I were *terrified,* there was no way we were ever gonna be able to handle that thing. I just don't want you guys to have to worry about splitting focus, you know?"
Trailing off, Magpie gets an unfocused look in her eyes for one moment. "Wait... Eclavdran was a Lord of Hell. And he's dead, right? Like, super-all-the-way dead?"
"Even so." Seldan inclines his head, taking a bite out of the second pastry. "Not lightly was he destroyed, but I angered him enough for him to attempt to catch me in a soul trap. In so doing did he expose himself, which made it possible for my allies to turn the soul trap upon him, and destroy his soul utterly. The victory was not without price, and yet do I think it complete." Again, he downplays what it must have taken to do that. "He is no more. His minions are yet troublesome, and that, I think, shall always be so."
"Again do I think you wise, for not demanding to attempt that which is beyond you. I do not doubt that there are yet other dangers in the sewers, and a demon lord is no light foe. Think yourself not small for opposing one." A moment's thought, and he adds, "You may be best served to locate the demon lord's summoners. Demons have no means of reaching this plane on their own."
"That's what a lot of us are doing," Magpie says, bobbing her head. "Mostly my job is to try and figure out ways to make sure Jal'goroth, the Lord I was talking about, is put down just as completely. You said you turned his soul trap against him... You wouldn't be able to sketch out *how* you did that, would you?"
Seldan closes his eyes, and lowers them. "He corrupted an artifact of Eluna and used it to attempt to trap me," Seldan murmurs. "Soul-to-soul contact with a demon lord - is not without price. I - had atonements to make, for that. Never would I ask or suggest that any other willingly do so. I - used his trap against him. It may be that this demon lord of which you speak - might be similarly arrogant, but - not in the same way. This would I suggest to you. Learn as much of his strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes as you may. No two of these demon lords are the same, and in that wisdom might lurk an answer."
"...Hm," Magpie says, frowning. "No, that's a good point."
By this point, she has a notebook out in front of her, and is scribbling away madly in what *must* be shorthand. "Honestly thanks anyway, it's best to rule out anything *completely* stupid unless it's absolutely desperate. Which it's not, yet. So... hm. I... can't think of any other good questions at the moment, but... Seriously, Ser Seldan, you have *no idea* how much I appreciate all of this."
This is hardly the first time that someone has broken out the writing tools while listening to him, and so Seldan merely waits patiently while she does this, letting her write what she will. "What form does this creature take? Do I spot it within the walls, I shall engage it, for so am I called to do."
"So far as we've been able to determine," Magpie says, putting the stylus down and tipping back the last of her tea, "that's another point this gets weird; he's a gelugon, an ice devil, and he's commanding devils *and* demons. Which makes you wonder, literally what in the Hells is going on there? And he's not even the *boss* in all this!"
That earns Magpie a _stare_. "One creature is commanding devils _and_ demons?" he repeats, very slowly, lowering the pastry he had been eating. "Tread with caution, indeed, for any who can keep them from setting on the other is a mighty one. Such is written in the ancient lore." His eyes lower. "You have no small task before you. Such cannot be taken down by force of arms. Seek what information you may on them. Learn their weaknesses, and means by which they may be caught un awares.
"Defintiely," Magpie agrees, bobbing her head with vigor. "But dammit, it's a *worthwhile* job all the same. The problem is, this one is just *slippery,* it's hard to find out anything about him specifically. Working on it, though! Just need a real lead. I've got my teeth in it though, don't you worry."
"Good. Call upon me, if I may be of aid, and I shall assist as I may. My work takes me away from the city at times." Seldan, sensing dismissal, starts to rise from his chair, pastry still in mind. "Would you aught else of me?"
"I'll be sure to," Magpie says... and then climbs up on the table to cross over, and extend her hand and smile at the paladin at eye level. "Nothing else I can think of right now, and I'll let you know if that changes. And... Seriously. Thanks. This means a lot to me, and I'd be *crushed* if I'd found a way to go ahead with this plan and have the whole circle dissolve underneath me. It was an honest pleasure to talk to you."