Tribulations of Wrath, part VII: Talgruv
Disinterested in chasing the elusive Sholayu, Talgruv – once-prisoner of the Demon Blade’s Infernal Durance – paid little heed as two faithful agents of a scheming god closed in on them, a lurking threat yet to stake their claim. Instead, the goliath of a Golban priest examined their freshly claimed prize with keen eyes, its burning emanations casting the glow of raw, compressed arcana upon the Prelate of the Helm’s sacred mask. Basking in the mute wonder of their Triune Masters, the ancient servant wondered at the thing’s power – and how it would be useful for the three tasks set before them.
As they did so, a crowd began to gather – and that crowd of adventurers did as they are wont to do, peppering the mysterious figure with all manner of questions.
Stingy with their words, the Prelate preferred to communicate through fantastical tapestries of illusory images and vividly evocative music; those familiar with Chaos magic felt the unmistakable signs of that plane’s deepest secrets at every turn of these cosmic miracles, to the point that they perturbed even the most gifted in those esoteric realms. Questioning the towering figure yielded little clue to their intentions regarding the Eye, though many theories shared a commonality: that it would be used in work for the Helm, and after that, the relic’s fate was uncertain. When adventurers attempted to glean more details about this work, the Prelate was characteristically silent; their communications became more esoteric and abstract, revealing the vast weight of what the acolyte would now need to undertake… and little else, aside from vividly imaginal imagery that came in threes. This led some to believe that the Prelate sought to free the Helm, while others contended that Talgruv would instead perform duties on Their behalf.
Ultimately, none could agree on a proper and clear interpretation – something that openly amused the mysterious holyman.
Throughout the interaction, it became clear to those present that Talgruv was very old, dating back to a truly ancient Albedi age, and that they were some kind of priest who worked on behalf of the Helm – either for war or peace. The Golban figure was a worker of myriad miracles, even of the casual variety, weaving shadow and light to enhance all their answers with startling clarity and fidelity, as if contracting planar power were as natural to them as breathing. Other lines of inquiry failed with the Stone Prophet, or were otherwise interrupted by colossal bouts of violence betwixt Duirani protecting the Ithmias and Theocratic spies seeking to understand the machinations of a servant of Odravh. Those clashes that erupted around them seemed to comfort them rather than concern them, bringing palpable amusement despite the giant figure’s silent demeanour. Those who drew too close to Talgruv during these scuffles found themselves obliterated by the sorcerous relic in the Prelate’s possession, leaving little doubt about the Prelate’s safety during their travels throughout Sapience. After another brief showing of their seeming mastery of all elemental magics in which they forged a sword through magic alone, the Prelate of the Helm departed for parts unknown, leaving the realm with questions as to this new presence wandering the lands.
The Prelate went missing for several weeks, leaving half of Sapience to prepare for a storm whilst the other half recovered…
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Summary: An ancient figure known as Talgruv, a Prelate of the enigmatic Helm and former Demon Blade prisoner, appeared in Sapience bearing the Eye of Primordial Lust, claimed forcefully from Sholayu 714. Uncommunicative by nature, the Prelate offered only cryptic visions and music in place of answers, hinting at tasks they had to perform on the Helm’s behalf before departing for parts unknown.
Penned by my hand on Tisday, the 21st of Omeian, in the year 17 AC.