"Hostilities will pause, but my mana is kept close. I shall make myself less overwhelming now."
The towering behemoth rears backwards, its glistening armor sinks close to the ground. Its heavy maul attached to its right arm recedes into its crevasse, and its shield flattens out, parallel to the ground. The right arm pivots downward at an angle, the shield arm resting on top of it, near level to the height of the spherical dome at the top. A single mage throws open this hatch upon the top, and steps... almost tredges upon the shield arm.
His hair is brown, relatively well kept. His robes look like they were once elaborate works of a master tailor, in the color of brilliant red and black. Striking, however, is that one of his eyes has been replaced with a noticable optical implant. His limbs have been replaced with metallic strands and claws resembling hands, one of them gloves, with some metal and wire exposed close to the glove, but above his sleeve. The rest of his body is covered by robes, but there is a cut on the front of the lower part of the robe. A clearly metallic shine exists beneath it.
The man jumps down from the shield, clearly a one story drop, but effortlessly lands on the ground before the mages. His figure is imposing, as he is also fairly tall, with a relatively stone face.
He speaks to the mages.
Final Fantasy 6: The Emperor Gestahl
"I am Mishra. I am a representative of Lord Yawgmoth. I have come to establish the beginnings of a new house in this city for my master. Destruction may come as a small necessity. However, you mages may choose to be wise and join us, and not be trampled in my path. My master has given me new life, and he can provide the same."
At this time, 8 different colored orbs follow him from out of his hatch. One plows into the ground, flattening it. From another, a set of trees rises. From yet another, a spire rises. One more forms a bog to his side. Another forms a pool of clear water, floating above the ground.
The others form what appear to be landscapes of pure artifice.
Mishra scowled. "Your man in the woods has not yet joined us, and many of your companions retain connection to their mana. Give me one reason why I should not carry a blade by my side when five warriors surround me with blades drawn. I am in danger; I see no reason to give up my protection nor my power, especially considering that these negotiations will be for the terms of your surrender anyway."
Mishra's mechanical eye wandered from Tyler to Tyier, Wynn, and Kashani. "Get that sturdy Erol elf over here, with the rest of you. Those who bear knives with the intent to stab me when my back is turned will find a cloak of spears upon me that shall pierce their flesh."
Wynn sighed. This man was supposedly one of the best artificers in the entire plane, his work was well known. Surely there would be some way to form a compromise?
"Master Mishra, your reasons to keep connected to the land are very reasonable; I don't have any objections with it, I'd feel the same way in your place." She then called out Erol, asking him to come out and give his input, and not the kind that would involve trampling thier "guest" She turned back to the brother and resumed speaking.
"As for forming a house dedicated to mages of artifice, I can't really be a fair judge of its utility. I'm not one to appreciate metalworking, but that's becuase I've had several mishaps with it. If you want to establish a new house, we aren't the ones that you would have to talk to. Perhaps, a meeting with the city leaders would allow you to further that cause?" Wynn asked the mage with pleading eyes, so soft that one could almost beomce lost in them.
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Erol summons three more elves, then seeing that his comrades are actually trying to have a discussion with this abomination against nature, he is enraged, and utilizes this rage to turn his creatures into a horde of rampaging beasts. All of the elves, the four elephants, and the (now even more pissed) lizard swell to several times their normal size, and all of his allies except for two of the elves, who continue to channel mana, charge directly at Mishra. Such an unnatural existence cannot be allowed to live.
I drop land, two Rangers drop land, I summon a fourth Llanowar Elves and two more Thornweald Archers, and I cast Overrun twice, sending all of my untapped creatures at Mishra. That is four 9/9 Armodons, an 8/8 Rootwalla, and five 7/7 elves.
Hmm, the way I read it was that Mishra aborted said spells and became the cute and loveable figure we see right now...
OOC: Hell no. First of all, he deliberately fired off this fireshow as he saw what you were doing, as part of becoming OK with descending down. Being that he's aware of what you were planning as the result of the Baubles, there is no reason for the Pyroclasm to not have gone off. The plays were not retracted. Afterwards he came down. I think what you choose to do determines how Mishra will react. Still bringing forth some kind of small onslaught now that your elves have been levelled?
Also, loveable? Mishra?
EDIT: To add to that, Tyler is right that this man has mentioned plans for partial destruction to the city as per necessity.
Mishra seemed to hardly be paying any attention to Malley's words. "This talk is banter as long as that foolish and pompous elf friend of yours is bothering me. You will make him submit or I will make him submit."
He is very harsh and seems to care little about anything else but this elf. "Maybe I'll bother to answer your pointless questions when he is taken care of. Perhaps instead he would like the forests in which he resides to burn in hellfire?"
"And perhaps you'd like to join him? I'm sure our friend would be happy to oblige." Wynn shot back, an air of fury coming from her. She quickly regained her composure, though. No doubt their best chance to defeat him was while he wasn't in that behemoth of a machine...
"He's one of us, let us take care of it. The less bloodshed, the better. For both sides." She then went off to try to reason with the green mage.
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Placeholder'd. Still waiting on WoD, without reply it is assumed he assaults Mishra and does so in a way that is under my control.
EDIT: OK, time to take matters into my own hands.
Erol looks at what he has. A tremendous overgrowth of mana is still around him, and he looks upon Mishra with anger. His friends burned away, with the trees still standing, Erol began to gather his mana again and slowly recollects his power. Gone are his elephants, gone are his rangers, but he is determined to fight onwards. So he increases his mana reserves one more time.
With thirteen forests, he mounts another Llanowar Elves, two more Thornweald Archers, and one Rootwalla. This leaves a four forests open. Erol then signals his woodland friends that the attack will soon be nigh, and the vicious abomination will fall.
Plays:
Forest
Llanowar Elves
Thornweald Archer x 2
Rootwalla
Kashani looks on, not sure what to do. The soldiers from the castle lie dead now, burned to death by the flames of the eruption. He doesn't gather any more mana for fear of this man, this master artificer.
Mishra was scornful at the display of Erol. You have already recieved your warning, proud elf. You shall recieve your real demise on this day.
Mishra snaps his fingers, and his mana gathers into his body from his rotating spheres, all but from the flat land that he has by his side. Before he loses his connection to his landscapes of artifice, a single bauble of a design other than the previous ones floats alongside him. It seems almost to oppose his designs... it seems quite odd. The mana courses through him and he takes up a very small gem. He extends out his hand. A wave of scorching flame heads towards the elf, scorching the forces that he started to gather up. All of the creatures that Erol just summoned simply perish. He sees no use in guarding himself, but the natural trees catch flame and begin to burn. Erol himself tastes a bit of the flame, but managed to come out with only a single black burn as he puts out his flame. He roars with anger and pain, looking at the black flesh on his arm. He continues to scream in agony.
Mishra then calms down as he snaps his fingers again, and returned to his haughty face. "I assume no other objections. Brother of the flame; you were saying something about a negotiation tent?"
Mishra Status: Plains Forest (T) Swamp (T) Mountain (T) Island (T) Glimmervoid x 3 (T) (they managed to stay in play at first due to the machinery itself that was present with him, as well as his baubles previously) Urza's Bauble
...Waiting six hours between a "prod" PM is not long enough.
I've been really busy and trying to adapt to a new schedule which involves me getting up at 6-7AM every day, when I am used to avoiding mornings completely. It's pretty hard.
As such, I have not had the energy to post as frequently as in the past. I apologise.
Charm Master PM'd me as Wynn, and basically convinced Erol to stand down. He released all his summons, and was about to come out of the forest.
I was going to post this sometime yesterday, but I couldn't access MTGS.
After much consideration, I have decided to reverse my last post. I do wish that someone had informed me that Erol was coming out of the forest before 4 days elapsed with no activity, so let's make sure that things like this don't happen in the future.
Mishra stares cold and hard at Erol as he walks out of the forest. "Good. You manage to control your witless arrogance long enough to discuss surrender. Come now, mages of the houses, let us discuss... as you will prepare to pledge your allegiance to He that will perfect you all. Tyler, that tent of yours? Summon it."
Mishra was expectant, a little impatient, and clearly very direct. His sources of mana receded back, particularly the ones that had connections to the plains and the forest that he had under his control. He makes sure that he has at least one more mana than any of the mages who retained their links. Clearly, he will not let his guard down, and he makes it very clear to the mages that they know this.
Mishra steps forth, and the mana dissipates, flowing back into the construct that he emerged from, floating above it and flowing within.
Mishra remains vigilant and cautious, as he approaches the flap of the tent, and gestures for everyone else to enter first, and cause them to completely drop the link to their mana. "After all of you."
Mishra gazes upon the others. Kashani steps through. Mishra whispers something to him, and he cringes for a moment. He then decides to take another step forward, into the tent.
"To those of you who are here, you have the chance to join one of the most powerful remnants of an ancient and thriving plane. Lord Yawgmoth has sent me here to be able to force a new establishment to take place within Estark. Our priests in the nearby woods traveled here on a mission to convert those apt enough to listen on their own, but the stewards and leaders of your precious houses have interfered, and drove those stewards away. The orders are clear that House Yawgmoth is to take shape. Those who wish to assist in this will be rewarded…”
“…Wynn, for me to continue, I wish to have my entire audience facing me.” He then glances at Tyler. “I hunger not for wine, but I’m sure you all would prefer a drop. While we wait for them, why not present a glass?”
Wynn sighed. Again she had run into the option of talk of compromise or fight. Again it looked like she had made the wrong choice. Slowly, she walked into the tent, releasing her grasp on the mana, but reached in her satchel for her dagger. She didn't draw it, that would be suicide. She just made sure she coud get it out at a moment's notice if need be.
As she passed Mishra, she shot him a cold glare. Her green eyes, seemingly so bright and cheery earlier, had now become sharp and cold; a frightening stare of pure spite.
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(OOC: would one be able to reference to any part of the MTG canon storyline here, and if, up to what point?)
Wynn decided to speak up. She didn't like where this was going, and she at least needed answers.
"Mishra, at the very least explain this: You're renowned as one of the best mages in all of Dominaria, and likely all the multiverse. The only one who even compares to your skill is your brother. I know you two have had...a difference of ideas, but that doesn't explain why you're working as a common underling for this Yawgmoth person. Don't you deserve better?"
She spoke in a soft tone; her eyes still exresing displeasure at the situation, but nothing compared to the venom a short while ago. Frankly, she didn't know where the sudden courage came from. She'd always been the shy one in her home town, the one that avoided conflict. Now she had changed into a beautiful young woman, but still was just as shy until a short time ago...what was happening? Half of her attention was on the man, but she was also in deep thought, it was troubling her that she had changed so dramatically...
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OOC: This is not a world based on the Magic Cannon, it's a world which is VERY similar but not the same however there are clear differences (in the way magic works and planeswalkers for instance, also in race and planes relevent to the game world). It, to my knowledge, is a world where we see the same faces (the legends) but sometimes they are in different guises (think the PC legend changes). There was no Brothers War that's been noted in the back story and we have also seen some familar faces act out of character. Currently it seems that noted magic characters are more a character template than a canon representation. (Please delete this later if need be Arguas)
Who's to say this is not based on the canon stories? Still, the point stands that this story line is not simply my own.
Mishra accepts Wynn's cold glances returning with his own at first... but then she speaks up about his brother. At instant her words strike him, his face contorts into one of anger. He hardly even lets Wynn finish her thoughts when he nearly shouts almost mechanically, "My brother was a fool, who only reveled in power, and killed those who were important to me! His mind was weak, and his survival was complete luck. Yawgmoth gave me a second chance, gave me strength! How..."
A strange calm befouled him for a moment, as he continued to stare angrily at Wynn. "How do you know of my brother? No one here could possibly..."
A cold glare was placed on Mishra's partially metallic face. He stared at her features with a penetrating glance. "Don't doubt my reasoning. It is because of my lord that I even stand here today. Look at how I am improved! My body and flesh would have caused me to age into near death, but it has not consumed me. You can have the opportunity too... to preserve the beauty you have now for all of your life. Is that not something important to you?"
He turns away and desists the conversation very quickly, addressing the brother. "I am as aware as Yawgmoth is. The establishment of the house of truth has been rejected by your houses out of nothing short of stupidity and fear. Reckless he is not; For even if I fail, it will matter not, but it will cause your inhabitants to understand the power that they are casting off before giving a chance. More mages? Pah, without hesitation I can handle any force thrown at me by fools such as Tahngarth, or that fool Crovax. I am not here to level your city, foolish sorcerer. That would not suit my purposes... nor my lord's."
He turns with a slight bit of curiosity, but a bit of sarcasm apparent in his voice. "I do find it interesting that the one with a wine glass in his hand seeks to find answers beyond the bottom of his cup, while the steward of knowledge stands quiet. Although it doesn't surprise me that a member of a haphazard guild of drunken revelry would be able to call forth a tent with... such finery."
"As for the steward," Tyier said, stonily, "I have enough knowledge of the way the world works to understand one thing about your master, and all others like him. They promise all the power in the world, they'll make you 'special.' But the only thing that is not expendable to themselves, is themselves. And when a Master gives you power, he really takes much more. He takes your loyalty, which turns into your choices, which turns into your life. The steward of knowledge knows all he needs."
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I'll bet you wish you had a non-unglued/unhinged card that shared your first name.
Wynn snapped out of her pensive thought once the artificer exploded in anger, then shock. It seems she struck a nerve...
"I may be young, but my family made sure I was educated to thier standards. They are a line of historians, storytellers, and sages. My ancestors made it thier dream to discover the past, so the future would be brighter. I follow that dream; using knowledge of the past to prevent the future from meeting the same fate. That's why a young woman like me would know of legends like yourself and memnarch." she spoke strongly, not with an air of arrogance, merely one of confidence.
But even with this new sense of confidence, she wasn't sure of herself. Something had changed in her, but she didn't know how or why. Still, it was helping her cause, so she went with it...
"The heads of the houses are not around, but they would probably be the best people to talk to if you wanted to form a new house. I could vouch for you in front of Master Capashen, and I'm sure the other mages could do likewise. Am I right?"
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Mishra took in the words of each of the patrons within the tent, looking almost expectantly at Erol and Kashani, who remained quiet. A soft spot appeared to taint Mishra's hardened face for brief moments during the dialogue, and the speeches presented by each.
"Your not the first to assume me a drunk, and you shall not be the last. I would advise you look beyond what you think you see to the truth of the matter. You are not here to level my city you say? Then why come with engines of war? you speak of Your perposes and then of your Lords, surely this means your Master aspires to aims that are in some way different to yours. Tell me of your aims Mishra and I will show you finary beyond what you see in this simple tent. However I must ask you what you know of Tahngarth and why you call such a beautiful creature a fool? Also I ask simply why if your Master is so great you speak of failure as if it will come to pass for you? Are you nothing more to your master than a pawn in a game you do not understand? Clearly your Master has gifted you with what you consider to be great gifts, to live beyond the flesh is no doubt your ambition but yet you allow your self to be ordered to a place where you must know that your Masters orders may well end with your removal from this world. I have given you a option, leave here and return when you have spoken to your Master. If we are still at loggerheads then we shall fight on a field more suitable than the city it self if your claims of not wishing to level it stand."
"You are also representatives of that of greater strength than even you possess, are you not? Is not your guild one that is built on quenching the thirsts of the body, the machine with the weakness of emotional desire? It is in this that I comment on your drunkenness as well as your tankard. What you refer to as a beautiful creature is nothing more than a man who acts upon his instincts and hatred before any conscious thought. I was sent here when he was one of those who rejected my master's initial proposal.
Who does not want power, and what could you ever offer? You are an initiate, aren't you? Have you any inkling of the track record of your beloved bull? True power lies not in his emotions, or the emotions of any. Yes, indeed, my gifts are great. This city clearly needs to see the raw power of artifice, to establish the house of truth, for those such as Tahngarth, outraged at the 'disruption of balance' that my Lord... and I can bring forth. You say so often yourself, sorcerer, that you see what I have, and what I can do. A house to guide, to grant me strength, to be his eyes and ears... the one who allowed me to survive, and released me from torment to be able to have a second chance here!
I can't yet oppose he who bestowed power on me yet... but there is much that not even he has discovered yet. I am sure you know this. I have a pact with him that I will honor, or it will, at the moment, surely spell my own destruction. But, with this house, I could! No, Tyler, speaking with my master will not solve anything. I will simply be a failure in his eyes, and I shall return to a realm of absolute torture. Why would I just give up? Instead, you could join me, and gain in power yourself. All of you can. All of you and I can learn the lessons of what can happen when physics and magic can be combined together!" Mishras voice was raised in several occasions during his speech, impassioned and forceful... but perhaps brief flashes of uncertainty?
"As for the steward," Tyier said, stonily, "I have enough knowledge of the way the world works to understand one thing about your master, and all others like him. They promise all the power in the world, they'll make you 'special.' But the only thing that is not expendable to themselves, is themselves. And when a Master gives you power, he really takes much more. He takes your loyalty, which turns into your choices, which turns into your life. The steward of knowledge knows all he needs."
"Knowledge of the world is one thing. Manipulation through the promise of power is another, and upon a realm of ignorance. My master and I shall both grow in power and knowledge. But with control of a house,although information will filter to him, the greatest of which, including perhaps how I could break my pact and survive, will belong to myself and the house alone. You can learn, after my master improves you... I shall also improve you, and we can learn together. This is a form of knowledge that you do not possess... it is beyond knowledge of basic facts about the world, and what it contains. To not desire knowledge makes you misplaced within your house... Follow me, and you will learn more of real power, and true knowledge of the world."
"I may be young, but my family made sure I was educated to thier standards. They are a line of historians, storytellers, and sages. My ancestors made it thier dream to discover the past, so the future would be brighter. I follow that dream; using knowledge of the past to prevent the future from meeting the same fate. That's why a young woman like me would know of legends like yourself and memnarch."
"An educated and thoughtful paladin, a wizard who does not desire more knowledge, and a drunkard who speaks with actual wisdom that comes from his head. What an odd mismatched bunch. You have a very proud background then, noble mistress. If you have done that kind of research in the past, you would know then the travesties of my brother, and you above all else would see how I wish to end his travesties. If you follow the dream for a brighter future, you know that you will need great strength and perseverance to bring about the change you desire. Gain knowledge of machines, and use your strength to your advantage! Develop your wisdom, join me, and we together can rid this plane of injustice!"
"The heads of the houses are not around, but they would probably be the best people to talk to if you wanted to form a new house. I could vouch for you in front of Master Capashen, and I'm sure the other mages could do likewise. Am I right?"
Mishra seems to hold a particular disgust at the name of Capashen, based on the contortions of his face. "Capashen is too blinded by his immediate goals, and is not even aware that he goes off to his own demise, even now. He is being betrayed by one that he trusted to guard his doors. You may feel that you will advocate before him, but it would do nothing before a corpse. The man has already opposed my master, and now he meets the fate that I will avoid. No matter how much initiates will plead with the leaders of the houses, they will not sway from their paths... that is assuming that they aren't even dead. No, the time for change is now. We will lead a new era of light together, mutually gaining from each other's houses."
Mishra looks expectedly at Erol. He reads his silence, and moves to Kashani. "You I read great potential in. All of you I can see now, perfecting and controlling the machines that are your bodies. You two who stand in silence... you are the ones who actually emulate the values you seem to be defending. How funny that you are the ones to stay silent.
However, I am not surprised that the natural oaf has nothing to say."
Mishra laughs at himself a bit, and then looks back at Wynn. Somehow, a smile for the first time not only creeps onto his metallic face, but also sticks. "You remind me of someone I knew long ago, Wynn Aeros. Your interest in the past also intrigues me, and your hope for the future shining, if you place your efforts in the correct place. Your house's leader is most likely dead. Your steward has disappeared. What do you do now? Where will you go? The best option for a brighter future is to help me, and bring forth a new beginning."
Mishra sees the others begin to speak, but cuts them off. "Before you speak up, I would like to remind you of something. Tyier pointed out that those in a position of power have nothing to lose but themselves. Is this why they sent initiatives in their houses to deal with war machines outside their prized city? Off to die defending the city while they deal with internal turmoil and meaningless plotting themselves? Send a representative to the house, and find out for yourself the truth."
"..."
Wynn was speechless. She would have been flattered with Mishra's comment had the news of Gerrard's demise been left out. She stared wide-eyed at the man for several seconds, in total shock. Too much shock for her body to handle. With a slight gasp, her head slumped down as she fainted in her seat.
Even though she wasn't conscience, her brain was teeming with emotions and questions. She felt sad, she felt enraged, she felt confused, she felt...empty. The head of her house was dead, at the hands of the one he trusted to watch over it in his absense. Why did it happen? what caused this chain of events? Where could she go? Mishra had a point, she was essentially a hanin again, a mage without a home.
She didn't know. She didn't have any answers, and there were too many questions...she needed to make sense of it all...
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Mishra stood in the tent for a moment. If he was completely of the flesh, there may have been a look of shock in his eyes. He passed under the flap of the tent, looking at Malley. “If I were you, I would leave more than your attendants to the girl. Such a shame that we need to be on opposing sides. We have taken much time to have this discussion, and that is unfortunate. It may already be too late for you now; others have infiltrated your gates, and the seeds have been sown to have the house of truth rise, regardless of whether or not there is space to clear it. You made sure that the people were safe from harm, didn’t you, brother Tyler? How thoughtful of you.”
Kashani walks up to Mishra, and begins to speak. “I have thought about it Mishra. If your guild does indeed come to rise, as you say, I will consider joining. That is, if you can provide me with more information for when that time comes.” Mishra smiles. “You have made a wise choice, Kashani. I will cause it to be possible for your studies to continue as long as the warlocks will have you as well. There are men in the city square that will tend to you. Ask around for Teshin. He will guide you where you need to go. Leave now, and join the citizens. No harm will come to you… that is, if I know where to avoid.”
The messenger from the house returns, and approaches brother Tyler, while this conversation is taking place. “Sir, Tahngarth is not at the house! But, word spread quickly and people did indeed gather there.” Mishra stood, gazing at the soldier for a second, and then looked at Tyler. “I am not welcome here, and I have a task to perform. If people are still within the house of the hammerheim sorcerers, that place will be avoided for destruction. That gate is all I am concerned about at this point. If you oppose me, fine, but I hope your lives will not be squandered.”
Hearing this, Kashani makes his way towards the gate. Erol, on the other hand, clearly felt that he had enough. He begins to pull his hand into his satchel, and gather mana, preparing to cast a Skyshroud Ranger.
Two crossbowmen still stand at the tower. Guards are present around, looks like 4 of them remained around during the discussions. Do you wish to send any messengers?
I am officially sending pm's to the members other than Wynn who remain to help join you. This includes Erol and Tyier.
OOC: If no one minds my group makes a small cameo here.
As Tyler looks out over the battle line he can see a group of five mages on horses raceing for what seems the mountain path from where Mishra and his minions came. They are moving as swifty as the wind itself it seems.
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Originally commissioned through High~Light Studios
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The towering behemoth rears backwards, its glistening armor sinks close to the ground. Its heavy maul attached to its right arm recedes into its crevasse, and its shield flattens out, parallel to the ground. The right arm pivots downward at an angle, the shield arm resting on top of it, near level to the height of the spherical dome at the top. A single mage throws open this hatch upon the top, and steps... almost tredges upon the shield arm.
His hair is brown, relatively well kept. His robes look like they were once elaborate works of a master tailor, in the color of brilliant red and black. Striking, however, is that one of his eyes has been replaced with a noticable optical implant. His limbs have been replaced with metallic strands and claws resembling hands, one of them gloves, with some metal and wire exposed close to the glove, but above his sleeve. The rest of his body is covered by robes, but there is a cut on the front of the lower part of the robe. A clearly metallic shine exists beneath it.
The man jumps down from the shield, clearly a one story drop, but effortlessly lands on the ground before the mages. His figure is imposing, as he is also fairly tall, with a relatively stone face.
He speaks to the mages.
"I am Mishra. I am a representative of Lord Yawgmoth. I have come to establish the beginnings of a new house in this city for my master. Destruction may come as a small necessity. However, you mages may choose to be wise and join us, and not be trampled in my path. My master has given me new life, and he can provide the same."
At this time, 8 different colored orbs follow him from out of his hatch. One plows into the ground, flattening it. From another, a set of trees rises. From yet another, a spire rises. One more forms a bog to his side. Another forms a pool of clear water, floating above the ground.
The others form what appear to be landscapes of pure artifice.
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Mishra's mechanical eye wandered from Tyler to Tyier, Wynn, and Kashani. "Get that sturdy Erol elf over here, with the rest of you. Those who bear knives with the intent to stab me when my back is turned will find a cloak of spears upon me that shall pierce their flesh."
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"Master Mishra, your reasons to keep connected to the land are very reasonable; I don't have any objections with it, I'd feel the same way in your place." She then called out Erol, asking him to come out and give his input, and not the kind that would involve trampling thier "guest" She turned back to the brother and resumed speaking.
"As for forming a house dedicated to mages of artifice, I can't really be a fair judge of its utility. I'm not one to appreciate metalworking, but that's becuase I've had several mishaps with it. If you want to establish a new house, we aren't the ones that you would have to talk to. Perhaps, a meeting with the city leaders would allow you to further that cause?" Wynn asked the mage with pleading eyes, so soft that one could almost beomce lost in them.
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Also, loveable? Mishra?
EDIT: To add to that, Tyler is right that this man has mentioned plans for partial destruction to the city as per necessity.
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He is very harsh and seems to care little about anything else but this elf. "Maybe I'll bother to answer your pointless questions when he is taken care of. Perhaps instead he would like the forests in which he resides to burn in hellfire?"
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"He's one of us, let us take care of it. The less bloodshed, the better. For both sides." She then went off to try to reason with the green mage.
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EDIT: OK, time to take matters into my own hands.
Erol looks at what he has. A tremendous overgrowth of mana is still around him, and he looks upon Mishra with anger. His friends burned away, with the trees still standing, Erol began to gather his mana again and slowly recollects his power. Gone are his elephants, gone are his rangers, but he is determined to fight onwards. So he increases his mana reserves one more time.
With thirteen forests, he mounts another Llanowar Elves, two more Thornweald Archers, and one Rootwalla. This leaves a four forests open. Erol then signals his woodland friends that the attack will soon be nigh, and the vicious abomination will fall.
Plays:
Forest
Llanowar Elves
Thornweald Archer x 2
Rootwalla
Status:
Forest x 9 (T)
Forest x 4
Rootwalla
Thornweald Archer x 2
Llanowar Elves
Graveyard:
2 Thornweald Archer
4 Skyshroud Ranger
3 Llanowar Elves
4 Trained Armadon
1 Rootwalla
Kashani looks on, not sure what to do. The soldiers from the castle lie dead now, burned to death by the flames of the eruption. He doesn't gather any more mana for fear of this man, this master artificer.
Mishra was scornful at the display of Erol. You have already recieved your warning, proud elf. You shall recieve your real demise on this day.
Mishra snaps his fingers, and his mana gathers into his body from his rotating spheres, all but from the flat land that he has by his side. Before he loses his connection to his landscapes of artifice, a single bauble of a design other than the previous ones floats alongside him. It seems almost to oppose his designs... it seems quite odd. The mana courses through him and he takes up a very small gem. He extends out his hand. A wave of scorching flame heads towards the elf, scorching the forces that he started to gather up. All of the creatures that Erol just summoned simply perish. He sees no use in guarding himself, but the natural trees catch flame and begin to burn. Erol himself tastes a bit of the flame, but managed to come out with only a single black burn as he puts out his flame. He roars with anger and pain, looking at the black flesh on his arm. He continues to scream in agony.
Mishra then calms down as he snaps his fingers again, and returned to his haughty face. "I assume no other objections. Brother of the flame; you were saying something about a negotiation tent?"
Mishra
Status:
Plains
Forest (T)
Swamp (T)
Mountain (T)
Island (T)
Glimmervoid x 3 (T) (they managed to stay in play at first due to the machinery itself that was present with him, as well as his baubles previously)
Urza's Bauble
Graveyard:
Pyroclasm x 2
Flame Wave
Mishra's Bauble x 4
Former R&D Development Team W leader
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I've been really busy and trying to adapt to a new schedule which involves me getting up at 6-7AM every day, when I am used to avoiding mornings completely. It's pretty hard.
As such, I have not had the energy to post as frequently as in the past. I apologise.
Charm Master PM'd me as Wynn, and basically convinced Erol to stand down. He released all his summons, and was about to come out of the forest.
I was going to post this sometime yesterday, but I couldn't access MTGS.
Mishra stares cold and hard at Erol as he walks out of the forest. "Good. You manage to control your witless arrogance long enough to discuss surrender. Come now, mages of the houses, let us discuss... as you will prepare to pledge your allegiance to He that will perfect you all. Tyler, that tent of yours? Summon it."
Mishra was expectant, a little impatient, and clearly very direct. His sources of mana receded back, particularly the ones that had connections to the plains and the forest that he had under his control. He makes sure that he has at least one more mana than any of the mages who retained their links. Clearly, he will not let his guard down, and he makes it very clear to the mages that they know this.
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Mishra remains vigilant and cautious, as he approaches the flap of the tent, and gestures for everyone else to enter first, and cause them to completely drop the link to their mana. "After all of you."
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Mishra calls out. “I assume ‘Master’ Wynn wishes to step inside?”
Mishra’s impatience shows further.
"To those of you who are here, you have the chance to join one of the most powerful remnants of an ancient and thriving plane. Lord Yawgmoth has sent me here to be able to force a new establishment to take place within Estark. Our priests in the nearby woods traveled here on a mission to convert those apt enough to listen on their own, but the stewards and leaders of your precious houses have interfered, and drove those stewards away. The orders are clear that House Yawgmoth is to take shape. Those who wish to assist in this will be rewarded…”
“…Wynn, for me to continue, I wish to have my entire audience facing me.” He then glances at Tyler. “I hunger not for wine, but I’m sure you all would prefer a drop. While we wait for them, why not present a glass?”
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As she passed Mishra, she shot him a cold glare. Her green eyes, seemingly so bright and cheery earlier, had now become sharp and cold; a frightening stare of pure spite.
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Wynn decided to speak up. She didn't like where this was going, and she at least needed answers.
"Mishra, at the very least explain this: You're renowned as one of the best mages in all of Dominaria, and likely all the multiverse. The only one who even compares to your skill is your brother. I know you two have had...a difference of ideas, but that doesn't explain why you're working as a common underling for this Yawgmoth person. Don't you deserve better?"
She spoke in a soft tone; her eyes still exresing displeasure at the situation, but nothing compared to the venom a short while ago. Frankly, she didn't know where the sudden courage came from. She'd always been the shy one in her home town, the one that avoided conflict. Now she had changed into a beautiful young woman, but still was just as shy until a short time ago...what was happening? Half of her attention was on the man, but she was also in deep thought, it was troubling her that she had changed so dramatically...
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Mishra accepts Wynn's cold glances returning with his own at first... but then she speaks up about his brother. At instant her words strike him, his face contorts into one of anger. He hardly even lets Wynn finish her thoughts when he nearly shouts almost mechanically, "My brother was a fool, who only reveled in power, and killed those who were important to me! His mind was weak, and his survival was complete luck. Yawgmoth gave me a second chance, gave me strength! How..."
A strange calm befouled him for a moment, as he continued to stare angrily at Wynn. "How do you know of my brother? No one here could possibly..."
A cold glare was placed on Mishra's partially metallic face. He stared at her features with a penetrating glance. "Don't doubt my reasoning. It is because of my lord that I even stand here today. Look at how I am improved! My body and flesh would have caused me to age into near death, but it has not consumed me. You can have the opportunity too... to preserve the beauty you have now for all of your life. Is that not something important to you?"
He turns away and desists the conversation very quickly, addressing the brother. "I am as aware as Yawgmoth is. The establishment of the house of truth has been rejected by your houses out of nothing short of stupidity and fear. Reckless he is not; For even if I fail, it will matter not, but it will cause your inhabitants to understand the power that they are casting off before giving a chance. More mages? Pah, without hesitation I can handle any force thrown at me by fools such as Tahngarth, or that fool Crovax. I am not here to level your city, foolish sorcerer. That would not suit my purposes... nor my lord's."
He turns with a slight bit of curiosity, but a bit of sarcasm apparent in his voice. "I do find it interesting that the one with a wine glass in his hand seeks to find answers beyond the bottom of his cup, while the steward of knowledge stands quiet. Although it doesn't surprise me that a member of a haphazard guild of drunken revelry would be able to call forth a tent with... such finery."
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"I may be young, but my family made sure I was educated to thier standards. They are a line of historians, storytellers, and sages. My ancestors made it thier dream to discover the past, so the future would be brighter. I follow that dream; using knowledge of the past to prevent the future from meeting the same fate. That's why a young woman like me would know of legends like yourself and memnarch." she spoke strongly, not with an air of arrogance, merely one of confidence.
But even with this new sense of confidence, she wasn't sure of herself. Something had changed in her, but she didn't know how or why. Still, it was helping her cause, so she went with it...
"The heads of the houses are not around, but they would probably be the best people to talk to if you wanted to form a new house. I could vouch for you in front of Master Capashen, and I'm sure the other mages could do likewise. Am I right?"
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"You are also representatives of that of greater strength than even you possess, are you not? Is not your guild one that is built on quenching the thirsts of the body, the machine with the weakness of emotional desire? It is in this that I comment on your drunkenness as well as your tankard. What you refer to as a beautiful creature is nothing more than a man who acts upon his instincts and hatred before any conscious thought. I was sent here when he was one of those who rejected my master's initial proposal.
Who does not want power, and what could you ever offer? You are an initiate, aren't you? Have you any inkling of the track record of your beloved bull? True power lies not in his emotions, or the emotions of any. Yes, indeed, my gifts are great. This city clearly needs to see the raw power of artifice, to establish the house of truth, for those such as Tahngarth, outraged at the 'disruption of balance' that my Lord... and I can bring forth. You say so often yourself, sorcerer, that you see what I have, and what I can do. A house to guide, to grant me strength, to be his eyes and ears... the one who allowed me to survive, and released me from torment to be able to have a second chance here!
I can't yet oppose he who bestowed power on me yet... but there is much that not even he has discovered yet. I am sure you know this. I have a pact with him that I will honor, or it will, at the moment, surely spell my own destruction. But, with this house, I could! No, Tyler, speaking with my master will not solve anything. I will simply be a failure in his eyes, and I shall return to a realm of absolute torture. Why would I just give up? Instead, you could join me, and gain in power yourself. All of you can. All of you and I can learn the lessons of what can happen when physics and magic can be combined together!" Mishras voice was raised in several occasions during his speech, impassioned and forceful... but perhaps brief flashes of uncertainty?
"Knowledge of the world is one thing. Manipulation through the promise of power is another, and upon a realm of ignorance. My master and I shall both grow in power and knowledge. But with control of a house,although information will filter to him, the greatest of which, including perhaps how I could break my pact and survive, will belong to myself and the house alone. You can learn, after my master improves you... I shall also improve you, and we can learn together. This is a form of knowledge that you do not possess... it is beyond knowledge of basic facts about the world, and what it contains. To not desire knowledge makes you misplaced within your house... Follow me, and you will learn more of real power, and true knowledge of the world."
"An educated and thoughtful paladin, a wizard who does not desire more knowledge, and a drunkard who speaks with actual wisdom that comes from his head. What an odd mismatched bunch. You have a very proud background then, noble mistress. If you have done that kind of research in the past, you would know then the travesties of my brother, and you above all else would see how I wish to end his travesties. If you follow the dream for a brighter future, you know that you will need great strength and perseverance to bring about the change you desire. Gain knowledge of machines, and use your strength to your advantage! Develop your wisdom, join me, and we together can rid this plane of injustice!"
Mishra seems to hold a particular disgust at the name of Capashen, based on the contortions of his face. "Capashen is too blinded by his immediate goals, and is not even aware that he goes off to his own demise, even now. He is being betrayed by one that he trusted to guard his doors. You may feel that you will advocate before him, but it would do nothing before a corpse. The man has already opposed my master, and now he meets the fate that I will avoid. No matter how much initiates will plead with the leaders of the houses, they will not sway from their paths... that is assuming that they aren't even dead. No, the time for change is now. We will lead a new era of light together, mutually gaining from each other's houses."
Mishra looks expectedly at Erol. He reads his silence, and moves to Kashani. "You I read great potential in. All of you I can see now, perfecting and controlling the machines that are your bodies. You two who stand in silence... you are the ones who actually emulate the values you seem to be defending. How funny that you are the ones to stay silent.
However, I am not surprised that the natural oaf has nothing to say."
Mishra laughs at himself a bit, and then looks back at Wynn. Somehow, a smile for the first time not only creeps onto his metallic face, but also sticks. "You remind me of someone I knew long ago, Wynn Aeros. Your interest in the past also intrigues me, and your hope for the future shining, if you place your efforts in the correct place. Your house's leader is most likely dead. Your steward has disappeared. What do you do now? Where will you go? The best option for a brighter future is to help me, and bring forth a new beginning."
Mishra sees the others begin to speak, but cuts them off. "Before you speak up, I would like to remind you of something. Tyier pointed out that those in a position of power have nothing to lose but themselves. Is this why they sent initiatives in their houses to deal with war machines outside their prized city? Off to die defending the city while they deal with internal turmoil and meaningless plotting themselves? Send a representative to the house, and find out for yourself the truth."
OOC: That took a while to write
Former R&D Development Team W leader
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Wynn was speechless. She would have been flattered with Mishra's comment had the news of Gerrard's demise been left out. She stared wide-eyed at the man for several seconds, in total shock. Too much shock for her body to handle. With a slight gasp, her head slumped down as she fainted in her seat.
Even though she wasn't conscience, her brain was teeming with emotions and questions. She felt sad, she felt enraged, she felt confused, she felt...empty. The head of her house was dead, at the hands of the one he trusted to watch over it in his absense. Why did it happen? what caused this chain of events? Where could she go? Mishra had a point, she was essentially a hanin again, a mage without a home.
She didn't know. She didn't have any answers, and there were too many questions...she needed to make sense of it all...
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Kashani walks up to Mishra, and begins to speak. “I have thought about it Mishra. If your guild does indeed come to rise, as you say, I will consider joining. That is, if you can provide me with more information for when that time comes.” Mishra smiles. “You have made a wise choice, Kashani. I will cause it to be possible for your studies to continue as long as the warlocks will have you as well. There are men in the city square that will tend to you. Ask around for Teshin. He will guide you where you need to go. Leave now, and join the citizens. No harm will come to you… that is, if I know where to avoid.”
The messenger from the house returns, and approaches brother Tyler, while this conversation is taking place. “Sir, Tahngarth is not at the house! But, word spread quickly and people did indeed gather there.” Mishra stood, gazing at the soldier for a second, and then looked at Tyler. “I am not welcome here, and I have a task to perform. If people are still within the house of the hammerheim sorcerers, that place will be avoided for destruction. That gate is all I am concerned about at this point. If you oppose me, fine, but I hope your lives will not be squandered.”
Hearing this, Kashani makes his way towards the gate. Erol, on the other hand, clearly felt that he had enough. He begins to pull his hand into his satchel, and gather mana, preparing to cast a Skyshroud Ranger.
Mishra laughs, and returns to his war machine.
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I am officially sending pm's to the members other than Wynn who remain to help join you. This includes Erol and Tyier.
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As Tyler looks out over the battle line he can see a group of five mages on horses raceing for what seems the mountain path from where Mishra and his minions came. They are moving as swifty as the wind itself it seems.