Log:The Poet Realm-Killer

2021/07/30 Artemis Apostate 1

Apostate has finished gathering up the rocks that he set out in a circle. He has them in a mesh bag that he ends up slinging over his shoulder.

Artemis walks over after answering what questions she could, a broad smile on her face. "Wherever did ye find such stones capable of binding Gods in place?"

Apostate shakes his head, "It's not the stones that do such. It's the power used to link the stones. Other circles could be used, but it's a matter of attunement."

Artemis is fascinated and amused at the same time. "Ye be a most impressive sorcerer. And ye have my thanks for finding a way to summon those Urthen Gods," she smiles, planting her hands on her hips. "And thy offerings were most impressive and thought out! I be most curious of what thy mind conjured to appease them so they would listen. I knew not that ye were sorcerer, academic, -and- poet!"

Apostate chuckles. "I am not a tremendous poet, I'm afraid. But...certainly better than I am a fletcher. I suspect he appreciated that I wrote it by hand."

"Aye, 'tis a small gesture of commitment, but such things are a measure of devotion, however small," Artemis smiles. "So, Apostate in the debt of one Goddess: Ye now have a Goddess in debt to thee," she intones ceremoniously. She reaches a hand to a pouch on her belt and draws out a single golden coin, not of earthen origin. Extending it to him, she says, "An Ashildr coin is a promise. For thy favor to me, ye need but call my name, pray for aid, and I shall be there. When the promise is fulfilled, thou shalt return the coin to complete the contract."

Apostate takes the coin and looks it over. He hesitates, considering refusing it, but he thinks better of it. Perhaps it would seem as an insult. "Thank you, Artemis. That is very kind of you." He thinks about it for a moment, "It would require me to be in the same dimension as you?"

Artemis thinks on that. "Ye know...I knew not of mortals capable of traversing to other realms before Urth, and of those precious few who hath earned my favor, none had such a gift. I suppose we shall see. If I be capable of coming, I shall arrive. If I do not whilst thou art in this realm, I may be bound, or my physical vessel too wounded to hold my essence on the material plane."

Apostate nods, "Thank you again. This is very generous of you." He pockets the coin, and starts to turn to head out, but he stops, and says, "This brings up something I was curious about. When I last visited Radical, he mentioned something about a stone that he had acquired. A relic of some kind? Able to control time? Do you know anything about that?"

Artemis regards Apostate thoughtfully. "I hath not seen it in his possession, but I know those who claimed he had it in his holdings. I know of the gem. Krul coveted the thing long before he became known to Urthers, though when I was with him, he did not yet possess it. As I understand Krul's claims, Radical did thieve away his gem and kept it hidden. Kept it safe. And in doing so, nearly brought Krul's wrath and armies here," she says conversationally, like telling a story and reminiscing. "The stories Krul told me of it while he was still searching were of a gem that could rewrite time to ensure he would be the victor of his battles. Which makes me wonder how this Radical managed the feat of stealing it. Mayhaps he be more powerful a sorcerer than I gave him credit." After reminiscing and gazing skyward almost longingly, she turns her attention back to Apostate. "What be thy interest in it?"

Apostate blinks. "Ah. Nothing in particular. Mostly curiosity up to this point. I didn't know much about it. My world has already been...repaired through the use of time travel, so I'm not sure I would be able to use it for any real purpose."

Artemis smiles. "I know the Time Gem be too dangerous for mortals to use without a heavy toll. It saps away time. Life essence. Thy cycles would be reduced with each use. Little concern to a God, but for a hooman? I gather thee would not be able to use it much to thy benefit before draining the last of the life essence away," she says with kind pity. "I think the time gem alone hath not the power to rewrite entire destinies. But in tandem with other gems? Perhaps."

Apostate nods. "Mmm. Thank you. That's all...very informative. It sounds like it would be too dangerous for me to use."

"What would you hope to gain from using it? You spoke of thy world being repaired...did the dark fae and Winter Queen try to rewrite thy world as they have this one?" Artemis asks.

Apostate shakes his head, "Oh...no. I...destroyed my dimension. The tine travel was to go back in time...and keep my younger self from making the same mistake that I did. And it was successful. But there is now a version of me living in that timeline..and I have no home of my own, other than the sanctum where you found me." He sighs, "I wasn't sure if the gem could help my situation or not. But it sounds like it would not."

Artemis stares in surprise. "Realm-Killer...Never hath I met one before," she says in awe, not realizing who she gave her coin to until too late. "What situation would ye change? Ye be already capable of time travel from thy tale. Thy world saved." She studies for a moment, and she might already know the answer. "Ah...of course. Ye wish a home. To be part of it once more instead an exile. Ye call thyself Apostate, and now I am left to wonder exactly why ye chose that if you wish to return." It's odd, the things she says may sound condemning, but her town is a merciful and kind one.

Apostate shakes his head, "I'm not capable of time travel. One from this world was the one who achieved the time travel. Timewarp is her name." He chuckles quietly, "My name has much to do with my past. And my choice to ignore my family's....birthright."

Artemis nods slowly. "So...this Timewarp fixed thy world, and left ye adrift?"

Apostate chuckles. "She enabled us to do so, yes. And I am adrift of my own choice, at least for the time being. I am unsure what I wish to do. I could choose another dimension as a home, but...I do wonder if I should pick a place that does not have a version of me in it already."

Artemis smiles at Apostate warmly. "This planet be quite sizeable enough for thee to have a home and not intrude upon thy Other. And whole dimensions be so much bigger. Thee would have any world of thy choosing in any dimension. Ye be a poet...mayhaps ye should consult what thy heart truly wants and meditate upon it."

Apostate nods, "I will...certainly give it some thought. I do owe my counterpart here a debt of gratitude for helping me. So...I did not want to intrude overly."

Artemis nods thoughtfully at his comments. "If he hath helped thee much, I think he will not take offense or consider it an intrusion if he truly be a hero. My own Beloved, Wayne, is an artificially created twin of mine friend Victory. And they both reside in this very city and get along as brothers. 'Twas helpful for Wayne to adjust to his existence by being around familiar places and those he recalled from his memories. It gave him...I believe you Urthers like to call it 'roots'. Mortals cannot thrive in a vacuum or utter isolation forever. Ye should be with friends or lovers."

Apostate nods again slowly, "Your words are wise. I am able to live in seclusion...but not indefinitely. I will need some kind of contact. Perhaps...perhaps...I could explore other dimensions."

Artemis smiles at that. Maybe he's just flattering a goddess, but that is acceptable. "Aye, that ye can, from what I hath seen. Should ye ever need contact, I may be found most times on this planet and within this city when I am not exploring. I am most certain ye will find a place for thyself."

Apostate nods. "Well...thank you for the words of encouragement. I do appreciate it." He indicates the bag he's carrying. "I'm intending to determine who else to contact...and prepare for it. What are you intending to do to prepare?"

Artemis takes a deep breath and sighs with heavy though. "I had considered seeking other pantheons here or across the stars. I know that the Gods Nyx and Erebos and their pantheon know of the threat, so ye need not contact them. The Outsiders could penetrate this reality from anywhere. If only we had some idea of what sector that may be, we may be able to better prepare. There are those who hath been driven mad or fool themselves into thinking the Outsiders will grant them power and rule when they arrive, and work to enable their entrance to this world. It would do to seek them out and stymie their efforts."

He nods again. "Humanity generally is pretty weak willed when it comes to resisting the call of creatures from beyond. If I were to wager, I would think this planet is the most vulnerable. But...I am not as widely traveled as you likely are."

There are definitely weaker willed races. The Keftuans have literally bred some slave races, for example. But many of those do not have the variety that humanity does.

Artemis thinks on his words. "Hmmm. Aye. And yet, some hoomans be surprisingly strong willed and resilient," she smiles, thinking of a few. "But hoomans be not psychic by nature, and thus would be vulnerable." She looks to the sky, searching for something. She has a revelation or two as realization dawns upon her from Apostate's words. "There be plenty of weaker willed races than hoomans. The Keftuans and others have bred whole races to serve as slaves. Strong willed do not a good slave make." She frowns at this, trouble. And then goes on. "No. No, ye be right. I think if I were to place a wager, I too would bet on this world as being a weak point for the Outsiders to enter. Their technology and magic hath breached the walls between Realms that it hath been worn thin and ripe for the Outsiders to make this their point of entry."

Apostate nods. "That does make sense. And I'm sure my appearance in this realm did not help much. I did damage the dimensional barriers quite a bit upon my initial arrival."

Artemis tears her gaze from the starts, head snapping to Apostate. "It did? And I was the one to ask ye to come and perform the ceremonies!" she laments.

Apostate nods. "My gear's flaws have been corrected. That's part of what I owe Radical for."

Artemis thinks on that, relief slowly returning. "Then...the damage be done already and shall not happen again. That be something." She rubs her chin in thought. "Though if we think the threat truly will come to this world, where are there most likely to be those who will aid them in preparing the way for their entrance?"

Apostate shakes his head. "That...I do not know. That might be a question better asked of someone native to this world. But...I would think that they fall into the category of cultists, primarily. Or the mad. Probably both at once."

Artemis nods slowly. "They must have worshippers somewhere on this world. I will ask the native mortals I know, that we might seek them out!"

Apostate nods. "That seems like a good next step."

"Mayhaps mine followers can be asked to listen for whispers of the Outsiders. Though I doubt any who would worship me would associate with such," Artemis comments. She smiles to Apostate. "Again, ye hath my gratitude. Thy work will help us unite powerful forces should the Outsiders make their way into this world."

Apostate nods. "I...certainly hope you are correct. Thank you again for your help."

Artemis smiles. "For my aid? What hath I done to help thee? The favor performed this day was by thee."

Apostate chuckles. "Encouragement. And the push necessary to do this."

Artemis smiles and goes to clap Apostate on the shoulder. "Of course! As a Goddess, 'tis part of mine path to encourage and guide mortals to achieve their greatest selves." Apostate may not be prepared for a hearty Godflora level clap on the shoulder, even with her restraining herself.

Apostate does end up having to take a step forward when she smacks his shoulder. He rolls that shoulder afterward. "Umm...yes, thank you."

Artemis chuckles warmly at the steps needed to be taken. "My apologies, Apostate. I do try to be mostly gentle with mortals."

He chuckles. "I...am not overly tough. Just knowledgeable."

"Noted. I shall treat thee more tenderly in the future," Artemis smiles.