Eternal
While the temptation to just send your forces and invade the place is the logical choice, you have a feeling Semra is probably expecting you to do just that. While your current military situation isn’t the worst, you’ve still got most your Eternals locked up in Nyttrus right now and you definitely want them to be sent in if you’re going to invade Dokkrus.
“Okay, I’m thinking no invasion for now, however the svelk need to be stopped on what they’re planning to do, or rather at least what this group is planning to do.” You say.
“You’ll hear no argument from me on messing up svelk plans, but given your tone you sound like you already know what they’re planning which is something I was no able to gain knowledge of unfortunately.” Cassandra says.
“Those metal structures that have been mentioned in reports? Those are portals. You’re aware of the svelk named Semra aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am familiar with that name as Warrick mentioned her a few times. Former advisor to the former Emperor, former trainer to the first Eternals and all around treacherous bitch?”
“Yeah, basically. Well without going into a long story about it, I know that she’s trying to unify the numerous bands of nomadic svelk into another svelk empire. From what you’ve told me, she’s already busy doing that and as I said those metal structures are portals leading to who knows where. Probably all over the world. It’s probably how the svelk used to run their empire in fact. Obviously Semra’s trying to get the things working again as another step in rebuilding her overall goal.”
“If that’s the case then maybe you should invade.”
“No, I imagine Semra already is expecting that and you’re right in that it’ll be a nightmare to hold territory there. We just need to sabotage what she’s doing, and I’m thinking this is going to be more of a job for the Eyes since they’ve already been doing a good job there and I want you to lead this operation in Dokkrus personally.”
Cassandra wasn’t expecting that order.
“Of course I will obey my Emperor, but I’m going to need more details on this plan of yours and I’m concerned about the internal security here if I’m gone along with…well however many Eyes you intend to send.”
“Don’t worry about the security here, I mean its important as always, but the days of civil unrest seem to be behind us a bit. As for how many of your Eyes you want to take, well that’s up to you. I’d suggest that you take only the best and get by with as few as possible. You’re going to be relying on a lot of stealth and hit and run. Basically I want you to multiply the chaos there. Cause these little nomadic bands to remain at each others’ throats. Shouldn’t be too hard, but try to make sure it seems like Semra’s group is the one doing it. It’ll definitely make them pause before joining her.”
“So use their own nature against them. Got it. What about the portals?”
“Since Semra is the only one trying to get them to work, focus on stopping those efforts as well. Obviously that means sabotaging the mine, mines, or wherever the hell she’s getting the material to rebuild them. Killing the miners works too obviously. The best thing to do is to destroy whatever portal Semra is trying to fix completely. I imagine magic is going to be involved so it would probably be best if you took your Eye mages with you.”
“We don’t have too many of those left you know.” Cassandra says.
“Hrm, well if you need to, take non-Eye mages with you. There aren’t many of them left either, but it should be enough…in fact take Galen with you. Lazy whiner needs to be useful for a change. And he WILL whine, but other than myself, he’s the most powerful mage the Empire has, so don’t get him killed unless it’s absolutely necessary to the overall mission.”
“Is the overall mission to kill this Semra?”
You chuckle a bit.
“Heh, well if you have a good opportunity to do so, I certainly won’t condemn you for it. In fact if you DO manage to kill her and bring me her head I’ll grant you whatever you want within my means and that’s quite a large list I assure you. However I’d advise you NOT to even attempt to engage her if possible. She’s extremely dangerous and quite frankly will probably know as soon as we start hampering her mining operations that the Empire is involved and will make adjustments to her plans. Even with Galen, you most likely are not going to match an encounter with her so my advice is don’t fight her unless you have no choice.”
“So our main mission is just to sabotage her portal fixing attempts?”
“That’s only part of it yes. However the other part is just as important, if not more so. I WANT one of those portal structures.”
Now Cassandra looks at you as if you’ve given her the impossible.
“Emperor, from what I’ve heard those structures are…huge! I don’t see how we’re going to be able to move such things.”
“That’s because you won’t be, at least not initially. I’ll be travelling to Dokkrus at some point to oversee that part of the plan but I need to discuss with the engineers for a way to extend the airships’ distance so they can reach Dokkrus as well as carry one of those structures back here. Hmmm, I suppose it probably would be best to send a few engineers with you so they can report back and give an idea of exactly how best to move this thing without damaging it. I’d send Elam, but I’d rather keep him here to work on improving the airships. Maybe I’ll just send some gnomish engineers…of course the gnomes won’t like that, but fuck ‘em they get more than enough special treatment.”
You finish up telling what else you require of Cassandra and then make your next stop to speak with Klemto about getting some gnome engineers to go on this trip…
“But…can’t you just use Empire engineers?” Klemto asks.
“Last time I remember New Dessel was incorporated into the Empire decades ago. Your engineers ARE Empire engineers. If you’re asking why I don’t use human engineers, well let’s just say other than Elam, I still have more faith in gnomish ones. A testament to your peoples’ fine works. You really should be flattered.”
Klemto doesn’t know how to respond to such a remark so he continue to try to plead with you.
“But Emperor, please be reasonable! Most of my people ever really leave this city anymore and most have no desire to, and you’re asking them to go to a far away land with where sadistic svelk roam all over the place? We’re not fighters, I think our history shows that.” Klemto remarks.
“Heh, I dunno if that’s entirely true of a race that makes the deadliest weapons outside of the most powerful of magic. Not to mention you’re the only group that ever rebelled from the Empire at one time AND lived. I assure you though your peoples’ safety will be top concern. I need them the most for this part of the mission to succeed. They will have the best protection. As soon as it’s over, they’re coming back immediately. You have my word on that.”
“I…just don’t know.”
“Klemto, this is more of a courtesy visit as well as giving you the option of sending those who are…less resistant to the idea. You know the deal Klemto, you’re part of the Empire and you have to obey its leader regardless of how much freedom and leniency he gives this place.”
Klemto looks at you knowing that those words are more than just a polite threat. He sighs heavily and gives no more struggle.
“(Sigh) Very well, let me…” Klemto starts to say before he’s interrupted by a red haired woman dressed in a slightly dirty work outfit. She’s human to your surprise and doesn’t look like one of your Eyes (Let alone Elam).
“Hey uncle I’m just, oh!” the woman says when she sees you.
“Zana! I thought someone told you not to disturb me! I’m in a very important meeting with the Emperor!”
“Apologies uncle Klemto, but I left my lucky hammer over here when I visited yesterday and I don’t like being without it.” Zana says while smiling and nodding at you. “Apologies to you as well Emperor.”
You aren’t terribly offended of course, but you’re wondering why a non-Eye human is running around New Dessel until you suddenly remember meeting Zana a long time ago, she was just a teenager then.
“Emperor, uh you remember my adopted daughter don’t you?” Klemto asks.
“Yes, first time I made my visit to New Dessel. As I recall she interrupted that meeting to ask if she could fix some lighting problem you had at the time.” You say.
“Good memory! I’m surprised you remembered someone as unimportant as me!” Zana beams.
“Mm, well when you’re the Emperor, you have to try to remember everyone no matter what their status because under certain circumstances a peasant can rise to become a general. Besides, I also remember commending Klemto on raising a young lady with respect for dedication and hard work. Glad to see that you’re still at it.”
“Oh yes my Emperor. I work primarily with Elam, do you know him?”
“Elam? Oh yes, I definitely know him.” You answer.
At this point Klemto begins to get nervous and tries to push his niece out the door.
“Okay, Zana you’ve found your hammer, now the Emperor and I still have important business to discuss.”
“What kind?” Zana asks.
“Oh just something concerning engineers and a rather adventurous mission.” You say.
Klemto’s fears have just come true.
“Emperor…please I beg you…not Zana! I mean I’LL even go if you need me to! I’ll send ALL of New Dessel!”
“Relax Klemto, if Zana here is skilled enough to work next to Elam, I’d hate to break up the team. She won’t be going to Dokkrus.” You say.
“You mean the dark elf continent? Yikes. As much I want to serve the Empire, I do believe I’d be a liability at such a hostile place! I’m no fighter!” Zana remarks.
“Well you and your uncle don’t have to worry, your skills will be better served here working on the new airships I want Elam to build.” You say before Zana leaves.
After getting over his initial worry, Klemto says he’ll get that list of engineers to you immediately. You leave Klemto’s office and head to where Elam’s workshop is located. When you enter he doesn’t appear to be working on anything important, he just seems to be watching some rodents run around in a container, though they look like they have a small piece of metal on their heads with wires connected to them.
“What the hell are you doing Elam?” you ask completely startling him.
“Emperor! Apologies, but I get very engrossed in my experiments sometimes. I’ve been coming up with some theories on brains and how they work. Figured I should test animals first and then work my way up to more sentient subjects.” Elam answers.
“For what purpose? I thought you were building new weapons in here.”
“I am…but…forgive me my Emperor, I’m getting bored with just engineering technological devices and weapons. Lately I’ve been feeling a pull towards my old love of biology. I mean yes we can create machines and other wondrous devices to make life easier, but what about making a LIFE? Y’know when I was young and before I worked under Marik, I was kicked out of the physician’s guild by short sighted fools who couldn’t appreciate my ideas.” Elam says.
“Yes, I believe Kivan mentioned that to me when you were promoted to the Eternal Project.” You says.
“Sometimes I miss working on the Eternal Project. I think we could really make advances there.” Elam says.
“Hm, didn’t know you felt that way Elam. Did you have any particular ideas in mind for the next new batch of Eternals?”
“Oh several. For one, I was thinking of how to go about curing that sterility problem you all seem to suffer from…no offense my Emperor.”
“None taken. Your idea is certainly a worthy one, but I believe the magical process that’s necessary to create Eternals is the cause of that one flaw.”
“Yes, but I’m wondering if there isn’t a way to eliminate the magical process altogether.”
“I don’t see how.” You say.
“Well I didn’t say I had all the answers yet, but I really believe if I could focus my studies, maybe I could find a way we could create Eternals just using the technology and medical aspect.”
“Okay, sounds intriguing. Might be good given how few mages there are around nowadays. If you do come up with anything important feel free to let me know, but ONLY if you come up with something solid AND you don’t let it get in the way of your other work here.”
“Of course my Emperor. So what was it that you wanted to see me about?”
“Oh, I need you to make the airships travel a longer distance. Namely to Dokkrus.”
“I guess we’re bombing the hell out of that place next eh? Okay, I’m sure its possible; we’ll just have to go through our routine tests and that is still going to take time. Hope you don’t need them anytime soon though.”
“I’d prefer if this was done as soon as possible, but given the vital importance of the mission these airships are going to be going on I DO want it done right. Namely they’re going to be lifting up a large metal portal and carrying it back to Evigrus.”
“How big are these metal portals and what are they made out of?”
“Mithril I believe. At least those were the latest reports. As far as size, well they’re about as big as the front gates to the capital. Maybe bigger.”
“That large huh? You sure you can’t just put them on a ship?” Elam asks.
“That would require digging up their base and dragging the damn things across hostile territory and THEN loading them on to a mostly wooden ship which is at the whims of the ocean and the occasional large denizens that lurk within it. The only ship we’ve got that might be able to carry it without danger of sinking or capsizing is that giant vessel we captured from Mortimer before the Nakol War. And even then I’d still have my doubts.”
Elam glances at his rats again before continuing.
“Well you don’t actually think we’d be able to load one on an airship do you?” Elam asks.
“No, of course not, but the airships could carry the portal underneath it with strong chains and hooks. Also saves the problem of dragging it across hostile territory since it could just be pulled straight up off the ground. I’m thinking maybe even TWO airships could carry it while flying abreast each other.” You say.
“Well, that would definitely stabilize and help distribute the weight, it also means the airships are going to have to be smaller so they can even share airspace so close together…” Elam exhales. “But…it’s certainly doable. Like I said, I just hope you don’t need these immediately. I’ll need specific schematics of the portal as well, I mean exact size, dimensions and weight if possible.”
“I’m sending gnome engineers to Dokkrus, I’m sure after a suitable portal is found they will report such findings.”
“Okay. Good. Well I suppose my side experiments will have to wait a little longer. I’ll get to work immediately on this my Emperor.” Elam says.
After a few more words with Elam, you leave New Dessel trying to feel positive about the plan you’ve set in motion. You know there is going to be something that will inevitably try to hamper your plans, but you just try to keep in mind that this is one more step closer to immortality.
“Okay, I’m thinking no invasion for now, however the svelk need to be stopped on what they’re planning to do, or rather at least what this group is planning to do.” You say.
“You’ll hear no argument from me on messing up svelk plans, but given your tone you sound like you already know what they’re planning which is something I was no able to gain knowledge of unfortunately.” Cassandra says.
“Those metal structures that have been mentioned in reports? Those are portals. You’re aware of the svelk named Semra aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am familiar with that name as Warrick mentioned her a few times. Former advisor to the former Emperor, former trainer to the first Eternals and all around treacherous bitch?”
“Yeah, basically. Well without going into a long story about it, I know that she’s trying to unify the numerous bands of nomadic svelk into another svelk empire. From what you’ve told me, she’s already busy doing that and as I said those metal structures are portals leading to who knows where. Probably all over the world. It’s probably how the svelk used to run their empire in fact. Obviously Semra’s trying to get the things working again as another step in rebuilding her overall goal.”
“If that’s the case then maybe you should invade.”
“No, I imagine Semra already is expecting that and you’re right in that it’ll be a nightmare to hold territory there. We just need to sabotage what she’s doing, and I’m thinking this is going to be more of a job for the Eyes since they’ve already been doing a good job there and I want you to lead this operation in Dokkrus personally.”
Cassandra wasn’t expecting that order.
“Of course I will obey my Emperor, but I’m going to need more details on this plan of yours and I’m concerned about the internal security here if I’m gone along with…well however many Eyes you intend to send.”
“Don’t worry about the security here, I mean its important as always, but the days of civil unrest seem to be behind us a bit. As for how many of your Eyes you want to take, well that’s up to you. I’d suggest that you take only the best and get by with as few as possible. You’re going to be relying on a lot of stealth and hit and run. Basically I want you to multiply the chaos there. Cause these little nomadic bands to remain at each others’ throats. Shouldn’t be too hard, but try to make sure it seems like Semra’s group is the one doing it. It’ll definitely make them pause before joining her.”
“So use their own nature against them. Got it. What about the portals?”
“Since Semra is the only one trying to get them to work, focus on stopping those efforts as well. Obviously that means sabotaging the mine, mines, or wherever the hell she’s getting the material to rebuild them. Killing the miners works too obviously. The best thing to do is to destroy whatever portal Semra is trying to fix completely. I imagine magic is going to be involved so it would probably be best if you took your Eye mages with you.”
“We don’t have too many of those left you know.” Cassandra says.
“Hrm, well if you need to, take non-Eye mages with you. There aren’t many of them left either, but it should be enough…in fact take Galen with you. Lazy whiner needs to be useful for a change. And he WILL whine, but other than myself, he’s the most powerful mage the Empire has, so don’t get him killed unless it’s absolutely necessary to the overall mission.”
“Is the overall mission to kill this Semra?”
You chuckle a bit.
“Heh, well if you have a good opportunity to do so, I certainly won’t condemn you for it. In fact if you DO manage to kill her and bring me her head I’ll grant you whatever you want within my means and that’s quite a large list I assure you. However I’d advise you NOT to even attempt to engage her if possible. She’s extremely dangerous and quite frankly will probably know as soon as we start hampering her mining operations that the Empire is involved and will make adjustments to her plans. Even with Galen, you most likely are not going to match an encounter with her so my advice is don’t fight her unless you have no choice.”
“So our main mission is just to sabotage her portal fixing attempts?”
“That’s only part of it yes. However the other part is just as important, if not more so. I WANT one of those portal structures.”
Now Cassandra looks at you as if you’ve given her the impossible.
“Emperor, from what I’ve heard those structures are…huge! I don’t see how we’re going to be able to move such things.”
“That’s because you won’t be, at least not initially. I’ll be travelling to Dokkrus at some point to oversee that part of the plan but I need to discuss with the engineers for a way to extend the airships’ distance so they can reach Dokkrus as well as carry one of those structures back here. Hmmm, I suppose it probably would be best to send a few engineers with you so they can report back and give an idea of exactly how best to move this thing without damaging it. I’d send Elam, but I’d rather keep him here to work on improving the airships. Maybe I’ll just send some gnomish engineers…of course the gnomes won’t like that, but fuck ‘em they get more than enough special treatment.”
You finish up telling what else you require of Cassandra and then make your next stop to speak with Klemto about getting some gnome engineers to go on this trip…
“But…can’t you just use Empire engineers?” Klemto asks.
“Last time I remember New Dessel was incorporated into the Empire decades ago. Your engineers ARE Empire engineers. If you’re asking why I don’t use human engineers, well let’s just say other than Elam, I still have more faith in gnomish ones. A testament to your peoples’ fine works. You really should be flattered.”
Klemto doesn’t know how to respond to such a remark so he continue to try to plead with you.
“But Emperor, please be reasonable! Most of my people ever really leave this city anymore and most have no desire to, and you’re asking them to go to a far away land with where sadistic svelk roam all over the place? We’re not fighters, I think our history shows that.” Klemto remarks.
“Heh, I dunno if that’s entirely true of a race that makes the deadliest weapons outside of the most powerful of magic. Not to mention you’re the only group that ever rebelled from the Empire at one time AND lived. I assure you though your peoples’ safety will be top concern. I need them the most for this part of the mission to succeed. They will have the best protection. As soon as it’s over, they’re coming back immediately. You have my word on that.”
“I…just don’t know.”
“Klemto, this is more of a courtesy visit as well as giving you the option of sending those who are…less resistant to the idea. You know the deal Klemto, you’re part of the Empire and you have to obey its leader regardless of how much freedom and leniency he gives this place.”
Klemto looks at you knowing that those words are more than just a polite threat. He sighs heavily and gives no more struggle.
“(Sigh) Very well, let me…” Klemto starts to say before he’s interrupted by a red haired woman dressed in a slightly dirty work outfit. She’s human to your surprise and doesn’t look like one of your Eyes (Let alone Elam).
“Hey uncle I’m just, oh!” the woman says when she sees you.
“Zana! I thought someone told you not to disturb me! I’m in a very important meeting with the Emperor!”
“Apologies uncle Klemto, but I left my lucky hammer over here when I visited yesterday and I don’t like being without it.” Zana says while smiling and nodding at you. “Apologies to you as well Emperor.”
You aren’t terribly offended of course, but you’re wondering why a non-Eye human is running around New Dessel until you suddenly remember meeting Zana a long time ago, she was just a teenager then.
“Emperor, uh you remember my adopted daughter don’t you?” Klemto asks.
“Yes, first time I made my visit to New Dessel. As I recall she interrupted that meeting to ask if she could fix some lighting problem you had at the time.” You say.
“Good memory! I’m surprised you remembered someone as unimportant as me!” Zana beams.
“Mm, well when you’re the Emperor, you have to try to remember everyone no matter what their status because under certain circumstances a peasant can rise to become a general. Besides, I also remember commending Klemto on raising a young lady with respect for dedication and hard work. Glad to see that you’re still at it.”
“Oh yes my Emperor. I work primarily with Elam, do you know him?”
“Elam? Oh yes, I definitely know him.” You answer.
At this point Klemto begins to get nervous and tries to push his niece out the door.
“Okay, Zana you’ve found your hammer, now the Emperor and I still have important business to discuss.”
“What kind?” Zana asks.
“Oh just something concerning engineers and a rather adventurous mission.” You say.
Klemto’s fears have just come true.
“Emperor…please I beg you…not Zana! I mean I’LL even go if you need me to! I’ll send ALL of New Dessel!”
“Relax Klemto, if Zana here is skilled enough to work next to Elam, I’d hate to break up the team. She won’t be going to Dokkrus.” You say.
“You mean the dark elf continent? Yikes. As much I want to serve the Empire, I do believe I’d be a liability at such a hostile place! I’m no fighter!” Zana remarks.
“Well you and your uncle don’t have to worry, your skills will be better served here working on the new airships I want Elam to build.” You say before Zana leaves.
After getting over his initial worry, Klemto says he’ll get that list of engineers to you immediately. You leave Klemto’s office and head to where Elam’s workshop is located. When you enter he doesn’t appear to be working on anything important, he just seems to be watching some rodents run around in a container, though they look like they have a small piece of metal on their heads with wires connected to them.
“What the hell are you doing Elam?” you ask completely startling him.
“Emperor! Apologies, but I get very engrossed in my experiments sometimes. I’ve been coming up with some theories on brains and how they work. Figured I should test animals first and then work my way up to more sentient subjects.” Elam answers.
“For what purpose? I thought you were building new weapons in here.”
“I am…but…forgive me my Emperor, I’m getting bored with just engineering technological devices and weapons. Lately I’ve been feeling a pull towards my old love of biology. I mean yes we can create machines and other wondrous devices to make life easier, but what about making a LIFE? Y’know when I was young and before I worked under Marik, I was kicked out of the physician’s guild by short sighted fools who couldn’t appreciate my ideas.” Elam says.
“Yes, I believe Kivan mentioned that to me when you were promoted to the Eternal Project.” You says.
“Sometimes I miss working on the Eternal Project. I think we could really make advances there.” Elam says.
“Hm, didn’t know you felt that way Elam. Did you have any particular ideas in mind for the next new batch of Eternals?”
“Oh several. For one, I was thinking of how to go about curing that sterility problem you all seem to suffer from…no offense my Emperor.”
“None taken. Your idea is certainly a worthy one, but I believe the magical process that’s necessary to create Eternals is the cause of that one flaw.”
“Yes, but I’m wondering if there isn’t a way to eliminate the magical process altogether.”
“I don’t see how.” You say.
“Well I didn’t say I had all the answers yet, but I really believe if I could focus my studies, maybe I could find a way we could create Eternals just using the technology and medical aspect.”
“Okay, sounds intriguing. Might be good given how few mages there are around nowadays. If you do come up with anything important feel free to let me know, but ONLY if you come up with something solid AND you don’t let it get in the way of your other work here.”
“Of course my Emperor. So what was it that you wanted to see me about?”
“Oh, I need you to make the airships travel a longer distance. Namely to Dokkrus.”
“I guess we’re bombing the hell out of that place next eh? Okay, I’m sure its possible; we’ll just have to go through our routine tests and that is still going to take time. Hope you don’t need them anytime soon though.”
“I’d prefer if this was done as soon as possible, but given the vital importance of the mission these airships are going to be going on I DO want it done right. Namely they’re going to be lifting up a large metal portal and carrying it back to Evigrus.”
“How big are these metal portals and what are they made out of?”
“Mithril I believe. At least those were the latest reports. As far as size, well they’re about as big as the front gates to the capital. Maybe bigger.”
“That large huh? You sure you can’t just put them on a ship?” Elam asks.
“That would require digging up their base and dragging the damn things across hostile territory and THEN loading them on to a mostly wooden ship which is at the whims of the ocean and the occasional large denizens that lurk within it. The only ship we’ve got that might be able to carry it without danger of sinking or capsizing is that giant vessel we captured from Mortimer before the Nakol War. And even then I’d still have my doubts.”
Elam glances at his rats again before continuing.
“Well you don’t actually think we’d be able to load one on an airship do you?” Elam asks.
“No, of course not, but the airships could carry the portal underneath it with strong chains and hooks. Also saves the problem of dragging it across hostile territory since it could just be pulled straight up off the ground. I’m thinking maybe even TWO airships could carry it while flying abreast each other.” You say.
“Well, that would definitely stabilize and help distribute the weight, it also means the airships are going to have to be smaller so they can even share airspace so close together…” Elam exhales. “But…it’s certainly doable. Like I said, I just hope you don’t need these immediately. I’ll need specific schematics of the portal as well, I mean exact size, dimensions and weight if possible.”
“I’m sending gnome engineers to Dokkrus, I’m sure after a suitable portal is found they will report such findings.”
“Okay. Good. Well I suppose my side experiments will have to wait a little longer. I’ll get to work immediately on this my Emperor.” Elam says.
After a few more words with Elam, you leave New Dessel trying to feel positive about the plan you’ve set in motion. You know there is going to be something that will inevitably try to hamper your plans, but you just try to keep in mind that this is one more step closer to immortality.