With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

[Darko]

Hopefully they're at least free somewhere in the city, and not confined in a slave camp or something. Alternatively, If Ahri'ahn is acting as prime minister or something, he might have Orin and Mera making the rounds of the cities on a publicity tour, or something.

Click to shrink...

Or they're being brainwashed.

And why the heck is he so jolly about OL? The Maltusian contracts? OL's promotion of Atlantean magical proficiency amongst the surface nations?

Click to shrink...

Well Paul did bring Atlantis into global prominence.

Make a note, let Giovanni see to it. Balewa's presence here might put him at risk of being 'persuaded' as it is.

Click to shrink...

I doubt Giovanni would be able to do much.

Balewa is probably one of the few magic users that can take on Ahri'ahn and whatever he can throw at them.

Though Giovanni was a host to Nabu, so he may have some knowledge of uber-powerful magic that others lack.

I would think that would be up to the sorcerers themselves. What is some of them don't want to return

Click to shrink...

Then I'm guessing they're going to be exiled and forbidden from talking to any friends and family, and if they step foot, or fin, or tentacle on Atlantian territory then they're either going to be imprisoned or executed.

And I doubt any of them are going to refuse since they just found out that their home is okay.

 

[Ngamer11]

We know from the Renegade timeline that he apparently traveled to that Middle Eastern kingdom Dream took, and that he apparently traded with its leader, so he already knows a but about the functions of the Dreaming.

Click to shrink...

Paul's interaction with Dream Baghdad might have prevented Ahri'ahn from making any deals with the Caliph.

Also it's been awhile, so I don't recall if it's a case of Not Necessarily On Earth-16, but in canon Sandman, remember that Destruction quit.

Click to shrink...

He's gone. When Paul asks Hinon if any of the other Endless have disappeared, she replies that Delight and Destruction have. She went into a coma before Delight became Delirium, so she might know that now, but Destruction has definitely already quit.

 

[Stsword]

Ahri'ahn doesn't appear to have traversed these eras with a similarly long-lived spouse. What sort of traits could explain that?

Click to shrink...

Since Arion here isn't an old man who lives in a rent controlled apartment he pays for by hustling tourists with three card monte (yes that was actually a DC storyline), he's probably a time traveler here rather than someone who has survived tens of thousands of years personally.

The NY Arion story had some amusing elements, like he ate lunch at the Atlantean god of chaos's deli every single day. And he never ever tipped!

 

[Mr Zoat]

Ahri'ahn gets up out of his chair and walks around to me,...

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

 

[Bud-E]

While Ahri'ahn is bigoted to foreigners and those he views as lesser he is also the inventor of the pureblood Atlanteans. He could probably make other non-purebloods into purebloods. Maybe even give it out as a prize for being useful or being a "good" Atlantean.

 

[Chaoswind]

While Ahri'ahn is bigoted to foreigners and those he views as lesser he is also the inventor of the pureblood Atlanteans. He could probably make other non-purebloods into purebloods. Maybe even give it out as a prize for being useful or being a "good" Atlantean.

Click to shrink...

Helping the lower caste blend in with their betters? I think not.

 

[Bud-E]

Helping the lower caste blend in with their betters? I think not.

Click to shrink...

I doubt he'll do it for all lower-caste Atlanteans but maybe for "one of the good ones" or the ones he deems as tokens

 

[Steelplaza]

The SI should probably ask Arion (yeah, I'm going to keep writing it that way) to clarify his position in Atlantean government next update, if Arion doesn't do so himself.

I mean yes he's obviously taken over in some capacity, but it seems likely to me that Arion would prefer to work through the formal structure of Atlantean government. My guess is that he's pulled an Augustus and had himself given a half-dozen formal offices that amount to "power to do whatever I want to do" with "and of course I'm sure you'll give my suggestions all due consideration" to paper over any holes between the offices.

 

[iamnuff]

You should... probably ask what happened to the king and queen?
I guess he's just trying to drag things out to get the maximum amount of information before things devolve into inevitable face-punching?

 

[WereDragon]

Dr. Balewa is sitting just across the ovoid table from him, and in as much as I can read his body language he appears to be relaxed. Diana looks a little more pensive

Click to shrink...

Odd that Paul doesn't address either of them and that neither utters a word.

Ah-okay, now we need to check literally every government for magic subversion. Marvellous.

Click to shrink...

Starting with yourself, then the Justice League, then Atlantis, then everyone else.

"Good, good. I will expect all of them to return." Oh dear. "They may put their affairs in order, complete their current projects... You employed them under contract with the High King of course, it would be improper to simply snatch them back." Most of his good humour vanishes from his face. "But I do expect all of them back."

"I'm not sure that I understand. Has the Orange Lantern Corps done something to insult you?"

Click to shrink...

Strangely passive. I would have expected him to ask why Ahri'ahn believes he has absolute dictatorial authority over all Atlanteans at this point.

 

[Ngamer11]

Odd that Paul doesn't address either of them and that neither utters a word.

Starting with yourself, then the Justice League, then Atlantis, then everyone else.

Strangely passive. I would have expected him to ask why Ahri'ahn believes he has absolute dictatorial authority over all Atlanteans at this point.

Click to shrink...

Paul is going with wait and see since his opponent is a powerful archmage, something he would struggle to effectively fight. He's also confident that Wonder Woman and Doctor Mist can protect themselves from any mental influence.

 

[NightmareWarden]

Paul is going with wait and see since his opponent is a powerful archmage, something he would struggle to effectively fight. He's also confident that Wonder Woman and Doctor Mist can protect themselves from any mental influence.

Click to shrink...

He's also worked with them enough that they aren't going to throw the first punch. Paul is quite good at pivoting and easing tensions, and he has more experience rehabilitating modern supervillains. Better safe than sorry, when the Archmage's personality is such a mystery.

 

[Mr Zoat]

4th May 2013
14:02 GMT -2

He smiles faintly. "Paul. It is good to see you."

A frock coat? It makes him look like a pirate. He hates pirates. Why is he wearing a frock-?

I briefly consider Ahri'ahn's likely impact on Atlantean surface-fashion, and inwardly wince.

I think back to last time I saw Kaldur. The 1st of April, and… Whatever that was. Since then, I-. I've only checked in at the mountain a few times, and he hasn't been there. Huh.

"I thought that you were King Orin's.. squire?"

"My king assigned me to assist Lord Ahri'ahn, and he in turn has been kind enough to provide me with instruction in magic. My… Skills are not so advanced as those of my friends Garth and Tula, and I have benefited from his teaching."

"You..? Were already here?"

He nods. "Batman assigned me to the team working on gaining entrance to Atlantis. Lord Ahri'ahn created an opening to bring me inside. I have been here for several weeks."

"Ah. Well, mission accomplished, I guess." I generate a bound copy of the reports I've received from Venturia and float them over to him. "Get to filing, apprentice."

"The role of Apprentice to the Royal Archmage is not quite what you imply, but I will-" He takes the file. "-review Venturia's work." He looks to Ahri'ahn. "If that is all, Master?"

"Yes, for now. You should catch up with your friend later."

Kaldur… Bows, and leaves the room.

Huh. I guess I can be a little less concerned about King Orin now. Kaldur wouldn't be anything like that calm if anything untoward had happened to him.

I turn back to Ahri'ahn. "I realise that you don't want anyone not sworn to the Atlantean crown to do that sort of research, but I hope that you continue with it. I'd rather not have to fly through a dream storm again if I can possibly-."

"You-?" He stares at me… Hungrily. "Flew through a dream storm?"

I smirk at him. "Very few people can appreciate what that means."

"Do you mean a small one which you entered by accident? That I could-."

"No. Big one. I had to break into the Tower of Fate. Morpheus owed one of my colleagues a favour so it was difficult rather than impossible, but I nearly got erased towards the end."

"Oh, you must tell me-"

And my eyes are on fire again.

"-that sto-."

His eyes widen, this time in shock, and he waves his hands through a series of sigils to stop the burning.

"I-. I'm sorry. That-. Ward shouldn't have-. We can grow you replacements-."

"No, don't worry about it. The same thing happened before I arrived." I disintegrate the remains of my eyes and create new replacements. "I don't know what that ward is supposed to do, but it's probably a bit too aggressive towards passive observation attempts."

A flick with his fingers, but it's too quick and… He's almost certainly using the magic equivalent of a notarikon, a single gesture standing in for a series of gestures that a lesser magician might have to use but with him have become so engrained that it's no longer necessary. I'm familiar with a lot of Atlantean spells, but I've got no idea at all what that was.

"My apprentice told me that you… Interact with magic in an unusual way. I can see that you require a special approach."

"If I'm allowed to visit, I'd appreciate it."

"No, I mean, the defence that you triggered is supposed to be fatal. You should not have been able to trigger it quite so easily, but from the point of view of Atlantean security I'm more concerned that you're alive."

"Generally, it's considered fine to kill people poking at sites of national importance when they're inside your country, but not so much when they're outside of it. And a little advanced warning would have been appreciated."

"A ward thet easy to activate would be considered an attack, not eh defence."

Ahri'ahn glances at Diana, who doesn't exactly seem impressed either but is perfectly aware of my regenerative abilities.

"Perhaps if I studied your own defences, I could discover why you set it off at all?"

Since no actual magician could use my tattoos without losing their facility for magic, that's not exactly a security risk. And since we need to find out what's been going on, any excuse for hanging around is worth taking. Why not?

"Certainly. If you could let me know when you're likely to have the free time? It's going to take the Clarissi a while to review everything, but I'll be able to feed back as soon as he has."

"I was going to give Doctor Mist and Wonder Woman a tour." He glances at Lantern Stewart. "If you can breathe underwater, you're both welcome to accompany us."

Lantern Stewart nods. "Power rings can handle gas giants. We can handle getting wet."

He seems kind of clenched for some reason. Is this supposed to look a lot more threatening than it seems to me, or is that just how he handles missions. I haven't ever gone on one with him, and he unclenched during breaks in sparing.

I don't really know him very well.

Ahri'ahn stands, and Diana, Dr. Balewa and I follow his example.

"Please allow me to show you Poseidonis. I'm very pleased with what we've done with it."

He leads the way into the corridor outside, and then towards… What used to be an exterior balcony. Diana takes the opportunity to walk closer.

"How were you able to protect everyone from the Anti-Life?"

He glances at her. "Are you a student of magic?"

"Not of the Atlantean school."

"Which school, then? If you studied under Doctor Mist, even to a primitive level, I could probably explain it to you."

"I have studied the mysteries-" And because I'm watching for it, I see the flicker of absolute contempt in his face before he covers it. "-of Hekate, and the rites of many gods."

"Then… Consider that it is not possible to simply walk into the demiplanes which the various spirit beings associated with the Earth make their homes. I was able to create a similar division."

"The gods used something similar to protect Themyscira."

"No they… Didn't. What happened to Themyscira is that it was brought into a new realm. I used a new realm as a barrier while all of Atlantis remains on Earth but apart from it."

That… Sounds plausible. Then the barrier wasn't so much a barrier as a place where the universe in effect doesn't exist. It would be difficult and extremely energy intensive, but that's the sort of thing a magician of Ahri'ahn's power could do.

"Could such a spell shield the entire Earth?"

He thinks for a moment as we emerge back into the sunlight. "Yes, I believe so. Would such a thing interest you?"

"Given all that the Earth has suffered at the hands of alien enemies, yes, it would."

"Then we can certainly look into it." He leads us out onto the balcony and towards the Gate in holds. "But for now, the city."

 

[Ngamer11]

He nods. "Batman assigned my to the team working on gaining entrance to Atlantis. Lord Ahri'ahn created an opening to bring me inside. I have been here for several weeks."

Click to shrink...

That should say 'me'.

Huh. I guess I can be a little less concerned about King Orin now. Kaldur wouldn't be anything like that calm if anything untoward had happened to him.

Click to shrink...

It might be a little too soon to say that, depending on how sneaky Ahri'ahn can be when it comes to controlling or manipulating others.

"You-?" He stares at me… Hungrily. "Flew through a dream storm?"

I smirk at him. "Very few people can appreciate what that means."

"Do you mean a small one which you entered by accident? That I could-."

"No. Big one. I had to break into the Tower of Fate. Morpheus owed one of my colleagues a favour so it was difficult rather than impossible, but I nearly got erased towards the end."

"Oh, you must tell me-"

And my eyes are on fire again.

"-that sto-."

Click to shrink...

I suppose Paul's ability to gather unique pieces of information is one reason as to why Ahri'ahn wants to work with him.

"I have studied the mysteries-" And because I'm watching for it, I see the flicker of absolute contempt in his face before he covers it. "-of Hekate, and the rites of many gods."

Click to shrink...

Hopefully Ahri'ahn can keep his contempt for gods and the like in check.

 

[Darko]

Huh. I guess I can be a little less concerned about King Orin now. Kaldur wouldn't be anything like that calm if anything untoward had happened to him

Click to shrink...

Unless he's terrified of Ahri'ahn and is wearing something that conceals his emotions, or he's just being mind controlled.

dream storm again if I can possible-."

Click to shrink...

"if possible" or "can possibly"

Oh, you must tell me-"

And my eyes are on fire again.

"-that sto-."

Click to shrink...

Guess Paul is different enough that certain spells will have that effect on him.

Since no actual magician could use my tattoos without losing their facility for magic, that's not exactly a security risk.

Click to shrink...

Unless Ahri'ahn can figure out a way.

Lantern Stewart nods. "Power rings can handle gas giants. We can handle getting wet."

He seems kind of clenched for some reason. Is this supposed to look a lot more threatening than it seems to me, or is that just how he handles missions. I haven't ever gone on one with him, and he unclenched during breaks in sparing.

I don't really know him very well

Click to shrink...

Well Stewart may have met Ahri'ahn before you did and saw that Ahri'ahn is a racist.

I think a Circe interlude chapter has her mention him and that he apparently disliked talking to non-Atlanteans that weren't at least Greek.

Diana is Greek and Mist may be someone he respects as a peer, but not Stewart.

Even if he was polite to Stewart, John would have been able to see through it because he probably has experience dealing with racists.

 

[BlackCoat13]

He seems kind of clenched for some reason. Is this supposed to look a lot more threatening than it seems to me, or is that just how he handles missions. I haven't ever gone on one with him, and he unclenched during breaks in sparing.

Click to shrink...

Paul: *Was nearly killed 'by complete accident' by an incredibly powerful wizard / sorcerer whom the group doesn't have sufficient reason to view as anything better than tensely neutral with them who is currently being very sus and dismissive, and is absolutely going to either betray them immediately, in the near future, or try and subvert them*
Paul: "Huh. I wonder what Stewart's so tense about?"

 

[Darko]

Hopefully Ahri'ahn can keep his contempt for gods and the like in check

Click to shrink...

It might not really hurt his position.

Aside from Diana, none of the others there may revere the gods. Even Paul is technically more of an equal to them.

Plus, Diana has been living in a mostly Christian country for decades, so she may be used to people disliking her gods.

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

4th May 2013
14:02 GMT -2

He smiles faintly. "Paul. It is good to see you."

I think back to last time I saw him. The 1st of April, and… Whatever that was. Since then, I-. I've only checked in at the mountain a few times, and he hasn't been there. Huh.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, for folks who were vital to you remaining sane early on, they've kind of fallen off-screen at this stage. Some of that is the circles you move in changing and them growing up, but this isn't like losing touch with dear schoolmates after graduation...

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

"I thought that you were King Orin's.. squire?"

"My king assigned me to assist Lord Ahri'ahn, and he in turn has been kind enough to provide me with instruction in magic. My… Skills are not so advanced as those of my friends Garth and Tula, and I have benefited from his teaching."

Click to shrink...

Well, how gracious of him. I can't help but be a little suspicious.

"You..? Were already here?"

He nods. "Batman assigned me to the team working on gaining entrance to Atlantis. Lord Ahri'ahn created an opening to bring me inside. I have been here for several weeks."

Click to shrink...

And I suppose the trip was one-way? Couldn't have left a note or something before going in?

"Ah. Well, mission accomplished, I guess." I generate a bound copy of the reports I've received from Venturia and float them over to him. "Get to filing, apprentice."

"The role of Apprentice to the Royal Archmage is not quite what you imply, but I will-" He takes the file. "-review Venturia's work." He looks to Ahri'ahn. "If that is all, Master?"

Click to shrink...

Well, at least that tells us he hasn't taken over outright. But the absence of the High King or his Queen is still worrying.

"Yes, for now. You should catch up with your friend later."

Kaldur… Bows, and leaves the room.

Click to shrink...

Duty calls, I suppose. Hopefully OL will get a chance to do that poking around after this.

Huh. I guess I can be a little less concerned about King Orin now. Kaldur wouldn't be anything like that calm if anything untoward had happened to him.

I turn back to Ahri'ahn. "I realise that you don't want anyone not sworn to the Atlantean crown to do that sort of research, but I hope that you continue with it. I'd rather not have to fly through a dream storm again if I can possibly-."

Click to shrink...

...Unless Kaldur has been mind-whammied as much as Orin might have been. I wouldn't put it past Ahri'ahn to grease the wheels with some subtle mind-control.

"You-?" He stares at me… Hungrily. "Flew through a dream storm?"

I smirk at him. "Very few people can appreciate what that means."

Click to shrink...

And not alone, either. Still, the sheer insanity of that, I can't tell if Ahri'ahn is impressed... Or horrified.

"Do you mean a small one which you entered by accident? That I could-."

"No. Big one. I had to break into the Tower of Fate. Morpheus owed one of my colleagues a favour so it was difficult rather than impossible, but I nearly got erased towards the end."

Click to shrink...

Any one of those things would be impressive to those who know, and OL is just stringing them together into a killer combo.

"Oh, you must tell me-"

And my eyes are on fire again.

Click to shrink...

Better dial back that empathic vision while you're here, OL. If even passive detection is setting whatever that is off...

"-that sto-."

His eyes widen, this time in shock, and he waves his hands through a series of sigils to stop the burning.

Click to shrink...

Good to see Ahri'ahn is so shocked at what I presume is his handiwork.

"I-. I'm sorry. That-. Ward shouldn't have-. We can grow you replacements-."

"No, don't worry about it. The same thing happened before I arrived." I disintegrate the remains of my eyes and create new replacements. "I don't know what that ward is supposed to do, but it's probably a bit too aggressive towards passive observation attempts."

Click to shrink...

That's like a sensor that deafens anyone who overhears a particular voice. At least OL is being polite about it.

A flick with his fingers, but it's too quick and… He's almost certainly using the magic equivalent of a notarikon, a single gesture standing in for a series of gestures that a lesser magician might have to use but with him have become so engrained that it's no longer necessary. I'm familiar with a lot of Atlantean spells, but I've got no idea at all what that was.

Click to shrink...

Magical shorthand, eh? The thaumaturgic equivalent of a text editor macro. Shows just how skilled he is, at least.

"My apprentice told me that you… Interact with magic in an unusual way. I can see that you require a special approach."

"If I'm allowed to visit, I'd appreciate it."

Click to shrink...

'Unusual' kind of undersells it. I can't help but wonder if Ahri'ahn was a little confused as to why he couldn't locate OL without direct visual targetting - Presumably he found him earlier by focusing on Stewart.

"No, I mean, the defence that you triggered is supposed to be fatal. You should not have been able to trigger it quite so easily, but from the point of view of Atlantean security I'm more concerned that you're alive."

"Generally, it's considered fine to kill people poking at sites of national importance when they're inside your country, but not so much when they're outside of it. And a little advanced warning would have been appreciated."

Click to shrink...

It's also a little rude when it's someone you invited in to meet with them. Maybe give them a little warning with pain first?

"A ward thet easy to activate would be considered an attack, not eh defence."

Ahri'ahn glances at Diana, who doesn't exactly seem impressed either but is perfectly aware of my regenerative abilities.

Click to shrink...

Oh, he is concerned he's looking like the bad guy, isn't he? That pre-bronze-age mentality of 'Life is cheap' proving a little too much for modern morality.

"Perhaps if I studied your own defences, I could discover why you set it off at all?"

Since no actual magician could use my tattoos without losing their facility for magic, that's not exactly a security risk. And since we need to find out what's been going on, any excuse for hanging around is worth taking. Why not?

Click to shrink...

It's not only the tattoos, OL, it's the empathic vision. From the looks of it, his spell is taking your sight as a hostile scrying attempt, and since it can't identify you because of the tattoos... 'Poof' go your eyeballs every time.

"Certainly. If you could let me know when you're likely to have the free time? It's going to take the Clarissi a while to review everything, but I'll be able to feed back as soon as he has."

"I was going to give Doctor Mist and Wonder Woman a tour." He glances at Lantern Stewart. "If you can breathe underwater, you're both welcome to accompany us."

Click to shrink...

Might be a good plan. Ahri'ahn's too much of an unknown to leave people relatively alone with him.

Lantern Stewart nods. "Power rings can handle gas giants. We can handle getting wet."

He seems kind of clenched for some reason. Is this supposed to look a lot more threatening than it seems to me, or is that just how he handles missions. I haven't ever gone on one with him, and he unclenched during breaks in sparing.

Click to shrink...

OL, I think it's because your eyes just caught on fire twice in an hour. Ahri'ahn might also be setting off some red flags with him for reasons.

I don't really know him very well.

Ahri'ahn stands, and Diana, Dr. Balewa and I follow his example.

Click to shrink...

A subtle power play there. Standing first makes it feel like he's in charge, forcing everyone else to follow suit.

"Please allow me to show you Poseidonis. I'm very pleased with what we've done with it."

He leads the way into the corridor outside, and then towards… What used to be an exterior balcony. Diana takes the opportunity to walk closer.

Click to shrink...

Presumably to give them an initial view of the city.

"How were you able to protect everyone from the Anti-Life?"

He glances at her. "Are you a student of magic?"

Click to shrink...

That is a good question. I would assume she had the most basic education in Themysciran traditions. But she's too much of a warrior to play well with the arcane studies.

"Not of the Atlantean school."

"Which school, then? If you studied under Doctor Mist, even to a primitive level, I could probably explain it to you."

Click to shrink...

'Primitive'? I hope he just means a beginner's level of knowledge. Otherwise that really sounded haughty.

"I have studied the mysteries-" And because I'm watching for it, I see the flicker of absolute contempt in his face before he covers it. "-of Hekate, and the rites of many gods."

"Then… Consider that it is not possible to simply walk into the demiplanes which the various spirit beings associated with the Earth make their homes. I was able to create a similar division."

Click to shrink...

Well, not unless you're invited. Or are strong enough to kick the door in without hassle. Also, not a fan of gods, is he?

"The gods used something similar to protect Themyscira."

"No they… Didn't. What happened to Themyscira is that it was brought into a new realm. I used a new realm as a barrier while all of Atlantis remains on Earth but apart from it."

Click to shrink...

So more like the previous thing, but with a second layer? Like the equivalent of being wrapped in insulation.

That… Sounds plausible. Then the barrier wasn't so much a barrier as a place where the universe in effect doesn't exist. It would be difficult and extremely energy intensive, but that's the sort of thing a magician of Ahri'ahn's power could do.

"Could such a spell shield the entire Earth?"

He thinks for a moment as we emerge back into the sunlight. "Yes, I believe so. Would such a thing interest you?"

Click to shrink...

If it worked reliably at that scale, yes. And what happens to the other realm, then?

"Given all that the Earth has suffered at the hands of alien enemies, yes, it would."

"Then we can certainly look into it." He leads us out onto the balcony and towards the Gate in holds. "But for now, the city."

Click to shrink...

Ah, rapid transit. I hope the League's eagerness to defend Earth doesn't make them rush into this.

I don't know if it's just the way he's behaving or actual subtext, but something about Ahri'ahn just makes it feel, to me at least, like he's talking down to everyone. It certainly fits with his known sense of superiority, and I can see him treating outsiders like that without even realising he's doing it. Still, at least he's not being openly hostile...

 

[RoninSword]

I turn and-.

"Kaldur?"

What is he wearing?

Click to shrink...

4th May 2013
14:02 GMT -2

Click to shrink...

I notice you never actually tell us what he is wearing.

 

[Signaller]

This seems like something Constantine should have been watching from afar?

 

[Darko]

Yeah, for folks who were vital to you remaining sane early on, they've kind of fallen off-screen at this stage. Some of that is the circles you move in changing and them growing up, but this isn't like losing touch with dear schoolmates after graduation

Click to shrink...

Or they just gave up because they saw that it was a losing battle.

And I suppose the trip was one-way? Couldn't have left a note or something before going in?

Click to shrink...

He may have thought that he wouldn't get another chance.

Oh, he is concerned he's looking like the bad guy, isn't he? That pre-bronze-age mentality of 'Life is cheap' proving a little too much for modern morality

Click to shrink...

Honestly, ancient Atlantis may not have had that mentality.

Remember, they were an incredibly advanced civilization with access to a lot of resources and powerful magic.

The factors that would have lead other civilizations to adopt a brutal mentality, like lack of resources, being surrounded by roughly equal enemies, lack of medicine, would have been practically absent in Atlantis.

It honestly wouldn't be surprising if in a story someone went back in time and went to a hidden advanced civilization, like Atlantis or Wakanda, and found them to not only be more magically and technologically advanced than modern civilizations, but also socially.

A subtle power play there. Standing first makes it feel like he's in charge, forcing everyone else to follow suit

Click to shrink...

Or he was just the first to stand up.

That is a good question. I would assume she had the most basic education in Themysciran traditions. But she's too much of a warrior to play well with the arcane studies.

Click to shrink...

Plus Hekate may not have wanted to teach her.

Any serious study would have probably required more devotion than her other patrons would be comfortable with since Hekate and the other Olympians don't seem to get along.

 

[Lord Ernest]

This seems like something Constantine should have been watching from afar?

Click to shrink...

I'm actually surprised he hasn't shown up or communicated with the Illustres, or viceversa, in some way already. I imagine that, besides Doctor Mist, he's probably the only other magic user in Ahri'ahn's weight class associated with the League in some way.

 

[WereDragon]

Huh. I guess I can be a little less concerned about King Orin now. Kaldur wouldn't be anything like that calm if anything untoward had happened to him.

Click to shrink...

Until you have compelling evidence to suggest Kaldur is not under mind-control him being calm is not a reason to worry less.

 

[Mr Zoat]

That should say 'me'.

Click to shrink...

"if possible" or "can possibly"

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

Well Stewart may have met Ahri'ahn before you did and saw that Ahri'ahn is a racist.

Click to shrink...

Ahri'ahn isn't a racist in the modern sense. He'd have more respect for Calvin Durham than, say Lex Luthor.

I notice you never actually tell us what he is wearing.

Click to shrink...

Basically, robes of a sort that wouldn't really work underwater.

 

[Darko]

This seems like something Constantine should have been watching from afar?

Click to shrink...

I'm actually surprised he hasn't shown up or communicated with the Illustres, or viceversa, in some way already. I imagine that, besides Doctor Mist, he's probably the only other magic user in Ahri'ahn's weight class associated with the League in some way.

Click to shrink...

Constantine may still be looking for someone to pass his powers onto.

Or he already passed them on and now he can't do much against Ahri'ahn.

Plus, this is Constantine we're talking about.

Bringing him on board may cause more trouble.

Ahri'ahn isn't a racist in the modern sense

Click to shrink...

I didn't mean him being bigoted against Stewart because of his skin color. More on the fact that Stewart is non-Atlantean.

He'd have more respect for Calvin Durham than, say Lex Luthor.

Click to shrink...

Would that be because Calvin became an Atlantean citizen?

 

[Vaermina]

Huh. I guess I can be a little less concerned about King Orin now. Kaldur wouldn't be anything like that calm if anything untoward had happened to him.

Click to shrink...

To reiterate a point others have made.

You can say that after you've had him checked over for maligned influences.

 

[Bud-E]

I don't know Ahri'ahn's history very well why does he have disdain for the gods?

 

[CTrees]

"Perhaps if I studied your own defences, I could discover why you set it off at all?"

Since no actual magician could use my tattoos without losing their facility for magic, that's not exactly a security risk. And since we need to find out what's been going on, any excuse for hanging around is worth taking. Why not?

Click to shrink...

There are two other, major dangers, even if he's not going to use OL's tattoos himself. First, replicating them on non-magicians. Giving them to some Atlantean assassin/black-ops types would be a significant upgrade. Second, and more importantly, letting a magician of Ahri'ahn's caliber study your defenses is a good way to get a bypass discovered. Might not be possible, but Ahri'ahn is one of the few who has a chance. He's not an ally, so giving him the opportunity to potentially find a way around your unique defenses is a pretty terrible idea.

 

[Darko]

I don't know Ahri'ahn's history very well why does he have disdain for the gods?

Click to shrink...

I don't think he has that hatred in the comics, seeing as in some comics he himself was a god, or at least a demigod.

And in this story it may be because of pride and not wanting to depend on other beings for power.

Though I don't think we ever got an explanation for why he hates them.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Would that be because Calvin became an Atlantean citizen?

Click to shrink...

It's more than that. Calvin provided information to King Orin on one of his enemies, married a local woman, learned the language and customs and raised his son so well that said son saved the king's life. That's 'nearly one of us' level stuff.