m_d
Fascinated by storytelling
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"Self-deprecating", or at least, that's what I was brought up with. It could be a regional or generational thing.
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"Self-deprecating", or at least, that's what I was brought up with. It could be a regional or generational thing.
You're probably right, but logically, 'humor that reduces your value' makes sense so I think Grayven's just mistaken."Self-deprecating", or at least, that's what I was brought up with. It could be a regional or generational thing.
See the eyeball at the top of the chapter? Tap it once and one time only. From here on out, all invisitext on the website will be converted to spoiler text (discord-style spoiler, not typical QQ style).Hmm. Invisitext seems to be unreadable, at least on mobile.
I can highlight it to show that something is there, but it doesn't make it visible.
See the eyeball at the top of the chapter? Tap it once and one time only. From here on out, all invisitext on the website will be converted to spoiler text (discord-style spoiler, not typical QQ style).
I spent somewhere in the range of 5-6 months copy pasting invisitext from this story into WhatsApp so I could read it. I feel your pain, for it is my own.You are a gentleperson of the the highest taste, and scholar of boundless renown.
Shame he doesn't have the love stick anymore because all he would need is another ring and a gaudy hat. If he's going to pimp out Alan he should look the part."Alan, I know it hasn't really come up before, but how would you feel about…? Dating?"
Next chapter starts with "I'm flattered, Paul, really, but I don't play for that team.""Alan, I know it hasn't really come up before, but how would you feel about…? Dating?"
Despite the fact that Queen Artemis rules an entire world, her throne is a simple wooden affair set in an alcove at the far end of the room
reasonably attractive but not stand-out attractive…
Though, again, that could be a miscalibration on my part.
. "I have long since grown tired of off-worlders who do not understand that our magic makes us perfectly capable of defending ourselves
currently occupying me we do maintain a link. Would that have done it?"
Lantern Hieronymous recommended his own homeworld over Zerox or M'arzz or… Anywhere else."
"Most of my Lanterns are from a species of insectoids with seven sexes. Ah. But if you wanted me to select one as a model of heroism
Alan, I know it hasn't really come up before, but how would you feel about…? Dating
It's a shame that we won't get to see the planet that was taken over by Mordru in the Renegade timeline. Also, can we get the name of the planet that Artemis rules, because I don't think anyone has mentioned it?"We were employing those of my own home, but there's only one country that is really focused on magic, and their government just recalled them all. So we could either train up their replacements from scratch or go to one of the handful or worlds that also use magic. Lantern Hieronymous recommended his own homeworld over Zerox or M'arzz or… Anywhere else."
Perhaps they were checking the two of you out via scrying spells to try and get a read on your character and origins. I mean, you are probably right in their uncanny valley strike zone, and Hieronymous is, well, blue.7th May 2013
03:06 GMT
We arrived fairly early in the local day, but it's later morning before we're summoned to the throne room. I don't know exactly how good that is where speed of monarchy is concerned. Naturally we couldn't send a message in advance; they don't have radios or other technology-based forms of communications. With Green Lanterns, they're supposed to have a good enough relationship with the governments in their Sector that there's a way for them to get an audience with someone when the need arises. In our case I'm not sure that Lantern Hieronymous would get an audience even if they knew who he was.
I have to wonder if he has any arcane defences at all. I mean, surely he has something, but they might be as durable to an attack as paper, especially from his local wizards.So we send me, a senior Corps officer. And I have enough arcane equipment that they're unlikely to simply dismiss me as a chancer, and the authority to offer just about anything they could want, up to and including their own Lanterns. And there's Hieronymous, who clearly isn't up to defending himself against truth compulsion spells from local archmages if they decide that they want to test my story.
Well, it;'s rare that OL is so lost for words, even in his inner monologue.
It's like an advanced civilisation cosplaying as medieval. Then again, given their supposed arcane power, it may well be magitech rather can mundane scientific developments.Despite the fact that Queen Artemis rules an entire world, her throne is a simple wooden affair set in an alcove at the far end of the room. The main floor of the throne room is made of bare flagstones, though the stone making up the 'royal platform' appears to have been fused into a single mass. The windows are designed to resemble leaded panes, though they're not using lead but rather… Wood? Some sort of magic-enhanced superwood? Seems like it would be more of a fiddle than just enhancing the glass. Purple drapes cover the walls of the royal alcove, and a mirror that is blatantly used for scrying is attached to the wall within convenient using distance of the throne.
Perhaps magicians above a certain level of power develop certain physical quirks? Oddly coloured skin, peculiar features. I suspect you'll need a larger sample size to determine that.Queen Artemis herself… Blonde and pink hair, pink and rose dress, a silver diadem on her forehead and… Odd… Antennae..? Things..? Sticking out of the corners of her eyes before rising up above the top of her head. None of the other locals appear to have those. Might be an age thing? Or like Hieronymous odd skin colour, maybe a proportion of their species just looks a bit odd? Or maybe it's just the magicians? Otherwise there's not a lot about her that sticks out; average height, musculature, reasonably attractive but not stand-out attractive…
That's what comes from hanging around ladies who are usually a minimum eight out of ten.Though, again, that could be a miscalibration on my part.
I approach to what I think is a respectful distance and bow to a forty-five degree angle, waiting to be acknowledged.
Yeah, Hieronymous really should have had something prepared to brief him with. Or at least written something down during his induction way back when."Ritual supplication is not required, though I do appreciate your willingness to be polite." I straighten up, smiling apologetically. "I have long since grown tired of off-worlders who do not understand that our magic makes us perfectly capable of defending ourselves."
"I apologise for my ignorance. This trip was arranged at short notice, and there wasn't a compatible diplomatic packet for me to absorb. I understand that I activated some sort of alarm when I arrived, and I apologise for that."
Ah, the Ophidian link. Yeah, I suppose to many arcane senses, he'd look like some manner of daemonhost."The alarm was intended to detect people being used as hosts for powerful demons." She regards me suspiciously. "Do you know why it might have reacted to you?"
"Are you familiar with the Green Lantern Corps?"
I mean, it's not impossible they have multiple sapient species on one world. Especially given how otherwise RPG-like this place is."I have met our local Lantern. Neither they nor-" She wiggles her right forefinger at Hieronymous. "-whatever species he is triggered it."
"I was born here."
So ultimately not a danger, just an annoyance. Presumably the ward would have to be reset anytime he goes past it."Each colour has their own Embodiment; a powerful elemental creature comprised of the corresponding emotion. I have served as the host of the orange one, and though she's not currently occupying me we do maintain a link. Would that have done it?"
She nods, relaxing slightly. "Yes, that is most likely the issue."
I'll bet they noticed his tattoos. Being basically invisible to arcane scanning and scrying would definitely be noted."If you'd like to meet her, that can be arranged. For an Embodiment of Avarice, she's surprisingly quiescent at the moment. Of course, that would require that you travel to Maltus, and I know how difficult interstellar travel is when your civilisation is magic-focused."
"Yes, I noticed your concealment spells. You world uses magic, then?"
Ah, well, there's the rub..."Yes. Not as much as I'd like, but yes. That's… Why I'm here."
"I'm curious why you wish to employ our magicians rather than those of your own home."
And really, even if the Atlanteans do get permission to continue serving, best to have alternates."We were employing those of my own home, but there's only one country that is really focused on magic, and their government just recalled them all. So we could either train up their replacements from scratch or go to one of the handful or worlds that also use magic. Lantern Hieronymous recommended his own homeworld over Zerox or M'arzz or… Anywhere else."
Still safer than Warhammer 40k's equivalent. At least this Hell is willing to tolerate transits.She nods. "Of course, I would have difficulty confirming that for. As you say, travelling between the stars using magic is very difficult."
Oh? "You actually have a way to do it? The best I could come up with was opening a portal to Hell, travelling through and then punching a hole out. I've even got good enough relations with a senior demon lord that he'd probably enable it if he got a cut of the proceeds, but I haven't had time to really experiment. Is there another way?"
And OL sucks his breathe in through his teeth. That might be a step too far.She looks taken aback. "Your education impresses me. Most visitors regard magic as a source of wonder or amusement rather than a serious technological path for an advanced civilisation. In answer to your question, yes, though we have not yet reached the point of taking our knowledge beyond the theoretical. Hell could indeed be used as you describe, but my thought is that the Dreaming would be safer."
A pity dolmen gates require functioning thaumospheres to connect. Imagine if they were able to develop a magical Stargate equivalent.I shake my head. "I've been through a dreamstorm. I wouldn't recommend it for a large inanimate object. And I don't think that Morpheus would approve of his realm being used as a shipping lane. Have you considered-?" I know that it was a Mother of Mercy induced hallucination, but from what I've been able to tell the theory is sound. "Artificially expending the worldsphere? Or artificially joining two separate ones? I had a team researching the possibility but that's been closed down as well."
Yes, negotiations. Though I'm sure magical knowledge would make a good payment option.She leans forward. "Do you have their records?"
"Some of them, and I'd be happy to share, but I fear that I've gotten off-topic."
Dangit, OL. Do you realise how much those would have been worth in trade?Actually….
I raise my right hand and transmute copies of… Just about everything. Professor Sephtian's books, the Dream research, what the Atlanteans on Maltus worked out, my own notes… And deposit them on the floor.
Ah, good point. Different magical systems, they might not be able to adapt any of it."A token of my esteem, one researcher to another. I'm not sure how useful it will be to you, but I do hope that it will be some."
A couple of servants approach to gather them up as the queen nods. "I shall look forward to examining them. But as you say, to return to the topic: why do you need to replace your researchers so swiftly?"
...You could say that."We're involved in a rather large war. Using magic in certain ways has given us a very useful edge, and while I think we'll win anyway, a great many more people would die doing it."
"And I take it that those you fight are black-hearted villains?"
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. But they might only believe so much."My last mission against them involved rescuing people before their brains could be cut out to use as computers. Our foes -the Reach- habitually mind control and then exterminate those they conquer, while we recreate extinct species whose worlds we liberate. You can confirm that with your local Green Lantern, who should be able to access the reports we send to Oa. Or I can convey you to Maltus to speak with anyone you want there."
True, compared to them, the Reach are rookies.She smiles. "You make them sound like the most black-hearted villains in all the galaxy."
"No, that's still Darkseid and Apokolips. But they're trying really hard."
Ah, Xor tied the knot? Good for him.She looks thoughtful. "Tell me, are you married?"
"Affianced." I shrug. "Sorry. If you're thinking about a marriage alliance with the Corps, ah… I'm not sure that it's a good idea. Clarissi Dox considers emotion a weakness, Illustres Xor is happily married, Senior Lantern Ragnar only cares about fighting and no one else is really notable enough."
I mean, the 'seven sexes' thing doesn't really rule that out, but I do suspect she'd like something a bit more physically compatible."I am more concerned with a man's character than his rank. Who amongst your fellow Lanterns stands out to you for their valour and heroism?"
"Most of my Lanterns are from a species of insectoids with seven sexes. Ah. But if you wanted me to select one as a model of heroism…"
...Goddammit, OL. You'll have half of Themyscira on your ass about messing with the Dialan ship.7th May 2013
03:22 GMT
"Alan, I know it hasn't really come up before, but how would you feel about…? Dating?"
of the handful of worlds"We were employing those of my own home, but there's only one country that is really focused on magic, and their government just recalled them all. So we could either train up their replacements from scratch or go to one of the handful or worlds that also use magic. Lantern Hieronymous recommended his own homeworld over Zerox or M'arzz or… Anywhere else."
He did play for that team for a while.Next chapter starts with "I'm flattered, Paul, really, but I don't play for that team."
Preety sure this is a recent retcon, from an era of comics Zoat doesn't like
Dangit, OL. Do you realise how much those would have been worth in trade?
I mean, the 'seven sexes' thing doesn't really rule that out, but I do suspect she'd like something a bit more physically compatible
Goddammit, OL. You'll have half of Themyscira on your ass about messing with the Dialan ship.
He's from the forties and knows that the SI's in a happy relationship. It wouldn't even occur to him that that could be what he's suggesting.Next chapter starts with "I'm flattered, Paul, really, but I don't play for that team."
No, I think that's okay.
Thank you, corrected.
No.Also, can we get the name of the planet that Artemis rules, because I don't think anyone has mentioned it?
Thank you, corrected.
I really wish DC would stop trying to make Alan Scott, a man who was happily married twice and had two children through heterosexual intercourse, gay. Literally anyone else in the JSA is a better gay ray target.
oh shit sorry. delete inc
And the other half going «Γιατί όχι και τα δύο;»...Goddammit, OL. You'll have half of Themyscira on your ass about messing with the Dialan ship.
Because Alan is physically in his prime, and when the SI thought 'most heroic Lantern' Alan's was the first name that came to mind.Wait, why is he trying to pimp out Alan if the thought is that the Queen would want a marriage alliance? He isn't associated with the Orange Lantern Corps. And wasn't he against unnecessary political engagements?
Because he wants her to want it.He already gave them records of some really advanced magical research and the negotiations are just beginning.
The Illustres really has some weird thought processes.
As a level 20 Cleric when I say "my god is with me" it is in no way metaphorical or hyperbolic."Each colour has their own Embodiment; a powerful elemental creature comprised of the corresponding emotion. I have served as the host of the orange one, and though she's not currently occupying me we do maintain a link. Would that have done it?"
How very 40K of him."You actually have a way to do it? The best I could come up with was opening a portal to Hell, travelling through and then punching a hole out. I've even got good enough relations with a senior demon lord that he'd probably enable it if he got a cut of the proceeds, but I haven't had time to really experiment. Is there another way?"
Given their magic tech base there is an outside chance she actually knows who that is.She smiles. "You make them sound like the most black-hearted villains in all the galaxy."
"No, that's still Darkseid and Apokolips. But they're trying really hard."
Have been wondering how he was getting on. And whether he has bothered to put together a Blue Central Battery yet."Alan, I know it hasn't really come up before, but how would you feel about…? Dating?"
He's from the forties and knows that the SI's in a happy relationship. It wouldn't even occur to him that that could be what he's suggesting.
Alan is nothing like good enough to do that. He might get to the point -if he found someone he thought would make a good Blue Lantern- of trying to see if any of the Guardians or Controllers were interested in switching teams, but that's a 'maybe'.Have been wondering how he was getting on. And whether he has bothered to put together a Blue Central Battery yet.
Poor Koriand'r I guess. Shame too, she seemed like she took well to the Blue when she tried it.-if he found someone he thought would make a good Blue Lantern-
Remember, this version of Paul is a goldfish, he'll forget caution or what he's working on the moment something shiny catches his eye.YOU HAVE KNOWN THE QUEEN FOR LESS THAN AN HOUR. What if she has a band of assassins at her beck and call, hidden from the nonmagical public records you'd be able to scan? Or what if her world gets purged by faeries from the far future!
Paul. Dadgummit. Where did this matchmaking urge even spring from…? Is it just solving the problem of loneliness from those in your inner circle? Have you given up on Diana and Alan?