Xylth and Arthryn

[Anume]

A some what accurate story of Arthryn and Xylth from Xylth's perspective. Loads are missing but it gives some what of an idea of the fun we had. Apologies to Arthryn if I missed some key point, I have a very poor memory and I never remember to log. I hope this gives people some of the interesting conversations and situations we had together.

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Xylth only ever had one objective; to secure the information demanded of it by the Elder Brains. Now over two thousand years old, Xylth was in its prime. Sent to the surface originally to decipher the link between the continuum and the Illithid psionic abilities, Xylth soon found its training in the necromancy arts lacking. Unable to control its zombies they ended up turning on Xylth. Mindless creatures that were immune to the psionic capabilities Xylth could utilize.. Xylth gave up on the study of death and began focusing more on the studies of mana, and its effects in life.

The psion's allowed Xylth the trials of the Minds Eye and it was not long before Xylth had risen in their ranks. At the twenty eighth tier it was approached by Judge Hepheus, and allowed to apply into ranks within the Empire. Xylth had second thoughts on taking up the offer, but after consideration, understood it would be an opportunity to bring it closer to its goals. Before long Xylth was sworn in as council member in the Empire, and was fashioning a Law to offer strength and security to the Empire by means of exile. Within months the Tribunal had risen as a Titan in the world of Aabahran, and Xylth had been forced into an important role.

During these times Xylth continued to study the effects of mana on the continuum and it's role in creation of all things magical, including those of undead and demon. Xylth began to comprehend more and more through experimentation, and at the time Xylth first heard of the orbs it was in position to understand and sense their power. At first Xylth had no purpose for them, and gave it no second thought. Until Myria. A crazed gnome had risen fast in the ranks, and then even faster as a psion. From what Xylth could understand, this crazy gnome had limited ability to traverse through planes, and possibly even see hints of the future. She addressed Xylth as Elder Brain.

There is no greater position to earn as Illithid. To evolve into an Elder Brain is to become a God. Xylth became obsessed with this motivation. To achieve such would require great power, and to gain power one must create a struggle, pain, and an enemy to defeat. When the enemy is defeated glory and power will be presented to the victor, and Xylth knew exactly how to make this happen. The first step was a Knight named Arthryn. So blinded by belief in some invisible God, so driven by his virtues, Xylth knew he would be easy to manipulate.

To begin Xylth needed the creature outlawed. Such was easy after the Law of Enmity had passed, but prior to this Xylth had to manipulate the situation. Arthryn became close with the Watcher, striking deals to spare the western cities in exchange for raids upon Miruvhor. With the eastern people in distress, Xylth was there to provide relief. Xylth flooded the sewers with orphans and children who had no parents. The poor and homeless were forced in as well, and Xylth kept the city looking and appearing to be in a functioning state. Meanwhile the Knight continued to be wanted for crimes of freeing the Watcher. When the Law of Enmity passed, Judge Hepheus offered Arthryn only one chance to amend his ways. It was only a matter of time.

The day came that Myria had stolen one of the orbs from Arthryn, and Arthryn had assaulted her in the city in effort to retrieve it. The exile came quick. Xylth had now created an enemy that was renowned for his strength, courage, and absolute dedication. To defeat such an enemy would bring only the greatest of rewards. The crusader never knew what hit him. He was not prepared for the assaults on his brain, and Xylth had quickly overcome him. Of course with the exile came threats of war from all of Knight. Xylth had not created just one enemy, but an enemy of the entire Crown. An organization that was full to the brim.

It was not long before Arthryn approached Xylth for terms of surrender. Arthryn demanded the Hamlet be released from Imperial control, and if it came to war, would take the city of Val Miran also. Xylth had managed to manipulate this crusader right into the palm of its hand. It could not have gone any better. Arthryn was now Elder, and had the power to start this war. Xylth mocked the crusader, knowing full well the war would come.

Arthryn did not stand well for the mocking. More prepared than ever to face Xylth, he rode into Val Miran and drove his weapon into Xylth. Xylth ordered the guards quickly to surround the crusader, and then to attack. Something was not right. The guards refused to obey. Instead they turned their weapons upon Xylth, striking it again and again. Xylth had to think very fast, and had no time to be surprised. Quickly Arthryn was dispelled of the self inflicted poison and locked into hypnotic state. Xylth severely wounded, thought about simply retreating. It knew very well it needed this war, and this battle could be key in starting it. Xylth began the nightmares that would inflict Arthryn with terrible physical disabilities, while resting from its wounds as best it could. When the nightmares ended, Xylth began assault with a guard bound by blood to Xylth. Arthryn quickly healed his ailments and ran to Sarana, a grand soldier of the Empire, known far and wide for her assistance of Tribunal members against any criminals who dare enter the Righteous Palm. Xylth, amused at how foolish Arthryn could be, flew in at full speed and began assault. Sarana, smiled, and moved towards Arthryn. Xylth, sensing near victory, began blasting Arthryn's mind. As the last of his strength began to fail, Sarana turned, and attacked Xylth. Arthryn was captured, but Xylth was wounded so gravely a mental shock and surge of adrenaline entered its body. Sarana was relentless, and Xylth barely managed to escape her final blow.

Xylth could not understand what had taken place. Was Xylth not a member of the council? Sworn into the Empire by oaths? Were these guards not sworn by the same standards? This would not stand. Xylth ordered the blood guard to carry a scroll to Tribunal, ordering the execution of one of the Val Miran guards as a sign to any of the rest who would betray Xylth. Xylth did not expect the resulting reaction however, and was discouraged to see the entire city had rallied to the Crown. A castle was being built in the Hamlet, and Xylth was in trouble of losing the power it had so carefully planned to gain.

Like Arthryn, who would never stop to fulfill his goals, but unlike Arthryn in which Xylth would DO anything to fulfill its goals. Xylth hired a hand to dress the Knights colors and put a dark poison into the water supply of Val Miran. Xylth, antidote in hand, then sent word to Aabahran that witnesses had seen a member of the Crown fleeing the scene, and how Xylth had alchemists already working on a solution. The city did not have time to react to the poison, and corpses mounted into a massive mound in the commons. Innocent and traitor guards a like. When the city was too weak to defend itself, Xylth had the fountains neutralized and mobilized the Imperial Guards from the Hamlet to reinforce the city of Val Miran.

With such successes taking place, Xylth was named Justiciar of the Empire, and continued to out play its rival Arthryn. There was only one problem rising up, and that was the matter of support Arthryn drew in. Like honey for flies, Arthryn's sheer aura inspired all those around it. Even with Shyith and Inslo abandoning their posts and the remaining Knights barely to be seen, Arthryn only gained more influence in the Hamlet. The people loved him, and although Xylth held Arthryn's life in its hands, Xylth knew to kill him now would only forever martyr him and create further unrest.

Arthryn motioned for peace in his final days, and in Xylth's mind, was desperate to leave behind a successful legacy. Xylth was not keen in surrendering the Hamlet, but was offered information to further the ambitions of Xylth. The war had created the opportunity to earn Highblood, and now Xylth had the power to end the war and in return receive the information it would need for something even greater.

*Insert Xylth's extremely dark deed here.*

Xylth was so confident in its actions, and had risen so powerful from the war, it had no fear of revealing its intentions to a dying Regent of the Crown, and because of that confidence Xylth had found itself in need of silencing the words of the Regent quickly. Unsure how much the Regent had gotten out to Judge Hepheus, Xylth moved quickly to end the Regents existence. As Arthryn sat on deaths row for the final time, Xylth stood over him in triumph. Amused for the last time would Xylth be with this elf, who could never quite out maneuver Xylth. With final words Xylth revealed a small insight to the future, and returned to the commons to prepare for what it intended next. As the executioner finished, Xylth moved quickly to cut the brain from his head, and preserve it in a jar of ooze, that appeared similar to that found in the Hive.

Two secrets were revealed to Xylth after Arthryn's death. Each remains to be seen, and the dark deed of Xylth, can it remain covered up? Only the future will tell that tale.