Legend of the Spellthief

Logan felt a swimming pool run down his face as he looked down at Xican for possibly three seconds longer than he should have.

How could someone have found out he was an Oracle? And why was Xican revering Logan as much as he did? Sure, the general populace saw Oracles as the bringers of new ideas, new eras, and typically amazing beings. But to this point, Logan had yet to find anyone who knew of him who didn’t want to cut him up. Aside from Marcus that is.

“I think you might be misled”, Logan began.

“Arrived 96 days ago, a few miles to the southeast of Tinte. No previous contact made, even with other travelling magi. No record of previous settlement visits or abodes. No family or friends”, Xican began reciting as he pulled out a commwatch, “I retrieved this from the belongings of Darius Monlod.”

Logan could have filled a lake with the water coming off him.

“I believe this excommunicated member attempted to make something from you, in the hopes of rejoining the MT?” Darius asked as he looked at Logan.

“And if he did?”

“Then I am sad I couldn’t have killed him myself”, Xican said as he stood up.

Logan kept his wits about him, but didn’t want to seem threatening.

“I pose you no threat, sir. As you’ve been revealed to me, I shall avail myself to you. I am a part of the group known as Orichalcum, founded some three millennia ago to aid the first Oracles.”

“You don’t look that old”, Logan teased.

“I am of the most recent generation. I would like it if you would allow us to aid you, as my group has done for so many before you.”

“What’s in it for you?”

“The advancement of all. And to keep another Oracle alive.”

“You have others?”

“I am not at liberty to divulge how many or few Oracles we may be working with.”

“What kind of ‘aid’ would you be offering?”

“To start”, Xican replied as he pulled out a book, “A full work-up of previous travels and locales, with several members who can back up the fabricated story. 26 years of history so that no others may find you as I did.”

“Who’d else look for an Oracle?”

Xican lowered his arm to his side, “Oracles have been assassinated, killed in combat, or lost to dungeons. This particular case, like a few before it, had the MT investigate suspected individuals.”

“You were sent after me by the MT?” Logan asked. “That would explain some of the repeated requests to join the MT.”

“That they did. At first, I did not suspect past a half-guess. But further investigations showed that I had to protect you, not lure you into the MT. I am glad you also declined, as our meetings previously were overseen by others.”

“I suppose that threw them off the trail, or at least hid that you’d be on my side.”

“It was the proper choice to make”, Xican admitted, “The MT paints a pretty picture, but it has only a few bars fewer than a prison. That’s not to say all the towers are bad, though.”

“Why show yourself now then?”

“The appearance of morphers, and the assassins that kill Oracles. You need protection, and I can’t do as much if I continue to act as a spy in your chamber.”

“If I was an Oracle, what do you think my breakthrough would be?”

“Teleportation. Is it not? As far as I have been able to find, outside of law reforms, you’ve planted yourself within the well of portal magics.”

“What else do you know of Oracles?”

“My group knows a lot. But it would be best to discuss it within one of our bases.”

“This could be a trap. But he almost died in his capture, and without him, I might not have won that court case”, Logan thought to himself. “Yes, I am an Oracle. Take me to your leader.”

A half-hour passed before Logan found himself in a tall tower within the royal sector of Gauntlet. So high up he could see the monarchy’s castle, Logan was sure he’d be out of earshot of almost everyone in the city.

Xican continued to lead his long-awaited Oracle to a large chamber near the top of the tower. Marble and stone interwoven walls created an ornate interior, as well as magical flames adorning braziers all around.

Finally reaching a large meeting hall with a lavish table within its centre, Logan sat at the head as several robed individuals sat on its sides.

A round of applause filled the room with adoration before they quietened down to let an elderly gentleman speak over the rest.

“A new Oracle to add to the thousand-folded blade of the Orichalcum. We welcome you, Sir Logan Hall.”

“You have me at a disadvantage, sir. You’re all hidden, while I am out in the open here.”

The man pulled down his hood, revealing wrinkles that were at war with dark sclera eyes, and long white hair danced down the material of his cloak. “I am Alvus. A progenitor of the vampire race.”

Logan gulped, he had heard of the power the progenitors had, if one led Orichalcum, it was powerful indeed.

“For over two thousand years, I have headed this organisation in the hopes of finding the Oracles who allowed my kind to live in peace, in place of my predecessors.”

“An Oracle was at Dracon?”

“That they were. If it was not for them, the non-vampires of the village would have more likely burnt all of us fifty at the stake.”

“Was that something Quayvan didn’t know? Though would he even have cared?” Logan thought to himself.

“All but divine, Oracles have had heavy hands within our history. I seek to have this be a continued act.”

“How many others are here?”

“Oracles? That will remain hidden. We protect all, and from discussions with others, it seems some of you war against one another.”

“Understandable”, Logan replied, “Do they also protect the below PCs?”

“As Xican would have informed you. Our aid comes in many forms. One being your intangibility to the sight of others.”

“I take it you do it just enough to not cause suspicion.”

“Trial and error has brought us to this point. While some Oracles have slipped our protective grasp, those that have entered into our dome find they have no worries for prying eyes.”

“Are there any other progenitor benefactors of the Orichalcum?”

“Only I. No others know of this organisation, as I was the partner of the Oracle who saved us”, Alvus informed with a smile.

“Do you know my most recent hunt was to stop the production of progenitor-killing arms?”

“It came to our attention. As such, we planted at least a hand’s worth of our members in your court case. Sadly we could not stop Quayvan before we found out his plans.”

“Oh. Then you have my thanks if that is the case.”

“Our members must be kept secret if their job is to be sufficient to protect ones such as yourself. Otherwise, truth magic of higher altitudes and torture methods would prove strong.”

“I can appreciate that.”

A robed woman at the side added, “You need not hold any worry for the cleanup of the AV Club and the attachment to Quayvan’s group. We have members dealing with that too.”

Another man at Logan’s left also stepped in, “We have already removed all traces of your blood and parts from all scenes too. In case anyone wanted to use them for misdeeds.”

A woman closer also slid across a bag to Logan, “As well as any left materials and armaments.”

Logan peeked into the bag to notice broken daggers and lost items during combat. “Quite thorough.”

Xican spoke up, “All of my reports to the MT have been made in a way to make it read as if you’re talented and lucky, but not exceptional. I have yet to put in a final verdict on your status, but it will read similarly. A negative response on your Oracle status, and any close to you.”

Alvus continued, “Depending on the outcome with the Ice King within 32 days, we will also handle any protection needed.”

Logan felt a pit of guilt in his stomach, “Sorry. But what if I was to leave Avanar?”

The room was quiet, not even whispers amongst the group.

“Is that your intention?” Alvus asked.

“It was. I have people I need to help elsewhere. But. I have grown an attachment to Avanar too.”

“You do not speak of the other continents. You speak of other planes”, Alvus calculated.

“Yes.”

“And if a way is open to return after you’ve helped those on the other side?”

“I…” Logan thought for a second, “I might just return to do what I can here.”

Logan had been thinking about it for a long time now. While this world was against him, he could do so much more. Many inhabitants were just trying to see another day, others wanted to make the day brighter, and then there was Marcus and even the Orichalcum.

If Logan could help, and in such a big way, he felt as if he was duty-bound to do so. There was also the fun that came with the power he had, and the money he held over what he had back on Earth.

Alvus replied, “Then we shall protect you till you leave. You are not the first Oracle to travel to another plane, and you won’t be the first to return after doing so.”

“What? Have others gone back to Earth and come back? Or just another plane in this place?” Logan thought to himself. “How many Oracles has there been exactly?”

“We’ve counted a possible 90, though we’ve bound to have missed a few. Some didn’t pass the 7-day death timer.”

“How many of those did you confirm?”

“Outside of published Oracle books, about a third.”

“If it’s a half split, got at least 45 below PCs against me. Ahren killed one, so 44. I just hope it isn't the same number on both sides, 90 would be troubling”, Logan worried in his head. “What else do you know of Oracles?”

“They appear within Avanar between the ages of 20 and 40, are always human, and alternate sex. Each one seemingly has a deific allegiance alongside an innovation to grant to our world”, Alvus described, a few of the robed members nodding in agreement.

“How do they appear?”

“It is unconfirmed as of yet. Few Oracles know themselves it seems. Do you know?”

“It is probably good to know they don’t see the correlation of lightning strikes”, Logan thought. “No, sadly I cannot add to your knowledge on that front.”

“As Xican theorised in our company and your mention of travelling the planes. Is that your deific path? To expand our comprehension of portal magic?”

“We could greatly benefit from such. An easier way to save our heroes would be most welcome”, a robed man added.

“Or even easier travel between the kingdoms”, a woman excitedly revealed.

“The other continents?” a man almost jumped out of his seat to mention.

“It is hard to tell. But I will say for now that this is my speculation”, Logan answered halfly.

“That is enough for us. All Oracles who lived long enough granted our world progress severalfold.”

“So, all you want from me… is to live?”

“Yes. And possibly aid us when we ask.”

“Can’t you handle anything that comes your way?” Logan asked, slightly bemused.

“While I am a progenitor, my focus is often elsewhere. I cannot show myself too openly due to the target at my back for my origin.

“I can’t just use Identification on everyone here. Their power is probably more in subterfuge and politics rather than just magical might. Except for Xican and Alvus”, Logan thought to himself.

“As an Oracle, your faster progression means you’ll outstrip many of us in a few months”, Alvus admitted.

“So, is this it?”

“Unless you have further questions.”

“How can I contact you?”

“We will teach you a spell to contact us. It is a travesty to track”, Xican replied.

“Are we going to exchange many services?”

Alvus answered, “This will be a clad-in-shadow arrangement. The least you know of our interruptions the better, that’ll make it harder for those we don’t want to know of this to find.”

“Will I always be watched over?”

“We’ll give you privacy within your room, as well as some of your further afield hunts and quests”, Xican answered.

“Do you need me to do anything right away?”

“You’ve already contributed a lot to this world’s safety”, Alvus started as he looked over his compatriots, “It might be overreaching to ask something so soon.”

“Alright then. I suppose we’ll be working together from now on then.”

“To that end”, Xican replied as he flicked through a book, “I will handle some of the exchange of items from the raids on Quayvan’s last locations. Any materials relating to teleportation will be handed into the Gerro Guardhouse, you may ask for them as your bonuses. This will make it easier to hasten your metamorphosis of our grasp of portals.”

“I shall inquire into more unique forms of translocation as well”, a woman added.

“As well as components for transposition trinkets and potions”, a man doubled.

“I know a few professors at one of the magical colleges, maybe an exam surrounding teleportation to stroke the student’s brains?” another man put forth.

The idea of helping an Oracle seemed to put the table into quite the discussion, healthy and vibrant. As far as Logan could tell of course. He could use all the help, it was just another way of gaining power without outrunning his level gap.

However, the hyper-focus on teleportation would make those who could disable it even stronger. At least he could spend time on other paths to power, while these people would bump that side of him.

“What of ways to ignore the blockage of teleportations?” Logan asked.

“A hard thing to do. A variance in spellforce and a few trinkets could help in that regard. I’ll send some materials to the guardhouse’s bonus list for you”, a man replied.

“Through the way of hunts and their locations”, Xican elaborated.

“I take it no one saw us come here?” Logan queried.

“We took a few roads to avoid that, plus teleportation. While I know of some means for scrying and how to stop such”, Xican assured.

“The Demonturtle Shell should make protecting you much easier”, Alvus put forward.

“And that will be up in less than a week.”

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