Editing Volume Two: The Adask War Wizard (section)

====<big>Stone Trolls & Troll Stones</big>====

*'''Michael James Watson'''
Realmer feels a warm wind smelling of honeysuckle surround him and he is standing beside Fort. A sense of satisfaction fills Realmer that he knows is not his emotion. There is a sense of a overly devoted extremely large animal unaware of its size.  Fort nods, and steps back. Ahead are thousands of creatures of all discriptions; elves brownies, nixies pixies and other creatures of the Fey.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer stands tall, his Bone and Vine Staff in his left hand, the Kalota Clan Blade clearly hanging from his left hip, and his pair of NP Daggers plainly on his belt. He Casts a Low Order Magery Spell of the 1st level: Sound Amplification upon himself to amplify his voice so all can clearly hear him without him having to raise his voice.  "Denizens of the South, I am the Arch Mage Relmopator Barimen, Master of the South Wind and Lord of Fire. I am the son of Satura and Hagalta, the Grandson of Verna the Primal Adask and Dworkin of Amber and Chaos."  "Emiliesa, whom you all know as Queen Titiana and her husband Caine, whom you know as Oberon, have had a great fight and he has left this Realm for his home in Amber. Emiliesa lost her Love Bond with her husband, the Bond with some of her People... possibly some here now, and she lost control over the South Wind and is currently raging across the Realm in anger and despair."  "I came here to claim the South Wind, which I have done, claim the Leadership of the lands of the South Wind and bring stability to the Region. And to warn and prepare the denizens of the South for a battle coming to your, to our lands, even now. War Chief Krelat of the Odaraxta Clan Shaxta comes here to kill anyone that gets in his way of trying to claim the South Wind... and he has already crossed into the lands of the South Wind; this I have seen."  "I already have the support of King Julian, the Master of the West Wind and Lord of Stone, Lord Trualta the Master of the East Wind and Lord of Air, and the Odaraxta Banner Lord; Xorit of Clan Trixta. Clan Kalota is already on the way to the South, as well as other Clans of the Odaraxta, to help with the problem that is Clan Shaxta."  "I ask for your fealty, your loyalty and your help with the coming battle with Clan Shaxta. I will be meeting with representatives from each of the Peoples and Clans of the South Wind shortly."  Realmer cancels the Sound Amplification and turns to talk to Fort.  "I need to secure this Stair before I do anything else. Then we can look into Tesa and Bob, then begin greeting the long procession of representatives, and then workout some other plans."  Realmer moves to the door of the Tower and removes the Key from within his Robe.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"Hold Wind Lord of the South." A centaur for woman prances forward, armed for war. with bow and spear.". We acknowledge you as Wind Lord.  We came to deny the wind to the foul Orkind. But the stair holds our people. The dark one may strip the powers from the wild queen but he can not take that we have freely given. Our oath and pledge. Stay the stair till the field is secure and words maybe given. If you break the seal, we shall know more of you then just great names.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer stops and turns around then nods to the centaur woman. He listens to her words and considers her request.  "I will honor your request, Warrior; my forces will help secure the field of battle before I attend to the Stair. This is my Second in Command; Fortunadas, my Military Advisor; Sir Gangdis and the King's Military Advisor; Sir Carston." Realmer points to each as he introduces them. "If you could advise us of the current military situation, the number and types of forces on both sides and your name, that would be a great start" Realmer says with a sincere and pleasant smile and a nod of his head to the centaur warrior woman.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
She steps back, "My war leaders will confer with yours. The foe seems in hand to the song of peace but one must be sure."  She canters over to fort, goes to her knees and lowers her head to the ground before him.
Fort steps back, "No! Do not say it! I take no fealty today. As the Wind Lord hears you and pauses, so should you refrain from actions not easily taken back. Give me no cause to regret coming among you and yours, Great Lady."  She rises, looks at Fort seriously, then to Realmer, then back, "We shall bide for the day. Be clear soon, Oath Keeper."  She waves and several elves on Centaur back come forward. One of the elves says, "The Orc klans seen calmed and the one who heard not the song fled. Save the Stone Trolls. A branch of a hundred come from the east. They will not fall to the song of Peace as the Oath Keeper knows. He bears mighty stones so he has fought them before."  Fort, "How many is a branch?"  A centaur says, "10 branches of 5 and 12 Bonded groups of 3."  Fort and Carston look at each other. Carston says, "Could they truly be Stone bearers?"  Venki floats over as if he is pushed by winds, his fingers lightly tapping the strings of the magnificent harp. The Centaurs and elves all start to bow but stop at a hand sign from their leader.  Venki says, "Hey, there is a crapton of Stone Trolls coming from the east! We can't effect them musically of course. Any one have any spare atomic weapons with them?"  Fort runs a hand over his forehead and a flap of skin fades away. a 4 colored stone appears and a 5 color beside it, each an inch across. Venki reveals a 5 color stone and an Orc bard with him reveals 5 single color stones.  Fort says, "Venki would not mistake them. Not since Paradox fallen have we fought Stone Trolls.  To find them here is ... unfortunate. These beasts are massive, house sized, and immune to blunt weapons, damn hard to hurt with edge weapons, and are immune to nearly all magics. They will channel powerful elemental attacks; lightning, fire, cold, concussions with stones, clouds of acid."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
One of the Centaurs says, "Acid and lightning we believe. The beasts are known in the south."  Fort nods. Venki says, "Swell. Ready regeneration magic. Fort, it may be blade work for you and I since we are immune to those attacks.  Grezik too, Wind Lord, many common protections against acid and lightning may fail against these. Think of other stratagems."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
He nods his head pauses a moment and taps his chin with the index finger of his right hand, his head tilting slightly to the left, the look in his eyes is far away.  "We could use Levitation, Reverse Gravity, and/or Whirlwind type Magics to get them off the ground to take away some of their combat effectiveness... perhaps we could even Summon some Air Elementals if needed."  His eyes narrow and his brows lower and knit as slight smile hits his lips.  "Heavy gusts of wind could be used to blow the acid clouds away from our troops and back onto the Stone Trolls, not that it would affect them, I'm certain. We could also use simple chemistry to counter the effects of the acid by using a strong alkaline substance, a liquid or power would be most effective I think, once someone is exposed... mostly as a triage thing, but it might help."  His eyes widen as he has a sudden thought.  "A great metal and/or magical lightning rod could be placed on the field of battle to draw away some or all of the lightning attacks... Orrrrr... one of you whom is immune to their lightning might have to act as that Lightning Rod; attracting the electrical attacks to keep them from the other more vulnerable troops... just a wild thought."  Realmer shrugs his shoulders, then he looks contemplative again, strokes his chin a moment then asks generally of those assembled, but mostly Fort and Venki:  "When you say 'immune to nearly all magics', are you talking Low or High Order Magics? And does that include Magic Weapons as well as Spells? And what type of Magics or Spells might affect them? I'm guessing the standard stone affecting spells, such as; Stone to Flesh, Rock to Mud, Passwall, etc.... would be ineffective? What about a Disintegrate Spell?"  Then Realmer smiles broadly and says, "You also mentioned that only edged weapons have an effective, perhaps I have the perfect sword for the job."  Realmer has his Robe deliver the 'Sword of Colossal Excavation' from a pocket within, to his outstretched right hand, via a wide pocket opening on the lower edge of the right sleeve; the sword is still sheathed. Realmer releases the Bone and Vine Staff with his left hand, but it does not fall, and then the draws the Sword to show its wide and unusually long rectangular blade to all present.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Venki and Fort laugh. Fort says," Carston, take the excavation blade.Venki has one too. I suspect Wayfinder will function on them. Stone trolls be bound to the earth. Won't fall, won't be torn from in. I saw one using A tree as a weapon"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
"Can they be bargained with? Reasoned with? Are they even capable of reason or are they mindless brutes? Are they susceptible to mind affecting magics, such as High Order Compellings?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Venki says, with a lilting musical quality to his voice that make people tap their feet rhythmically unconsciously when he talks, "They are not very social creatures, more forces of nature. They echoed the ur-vile in that they had greater intellect in groups with the one at the tip of the wedge having control of the movement on the mass. If the tip is slain the intellect and guiding light goes to another rather then be extinguissssed. Alalaldadalalaldalaaqada!"  Fort says, "Though...Tolknor used assumption magic against them at the Battle of the Gorge. I wonder if High Compellings of A High Order would work?"  Gangdis says, "You two talked blades, lets talk numbers. How many are we talking about and how soon? 10 branches of 5 and 12 Bonded groups of 3? How does that mean they are arrayed? " He holds the excavation blade as if eager for its use, like holding an item of legend.  The Centaur commander says. "10 groups of 5 in a wedge. 12 bonded groups of 3, 1 and 2 behind. Casualties will be high, and soon."  Venki and Fort look at each other, but Venki sings the question, "Classic. Can they be here? Stone Trolls? Sky Wedges? Graboids? Maybe Ur-viles?"  Fort says, "Break the bonded groups. They will fire in unison. The branches will fire independently with the tip directing them. Lady commander, if we can, scatter them rather then try and fight them. Wind Lord, your idea for high compelling is sound. Beyond that if the wind can move them scatter them, Keep them away from buildings. Crumbling structures, loose stone heals them."  Carston says, "The legends of the worldly speak of Great Zatonic throwing them."  Venki laughs musically, "Yes! He grabbed them manfully and through them high into the air, to be taken by flyers to great hights. Time to fall distances from the wedges."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer nods his head up and down slowly, a look on his face that Fort and Carston recognize from their time on Adledross and Gangdis recognizes from their time traveling; a look that says he has an idea... perhaps even a plan.  "Before any attacks or scattering attempts are made, I'd like to try my Compellings first; if the first set works the second set is sure to and we may not have to fight them at all and I may gain some powerful allies. And since they are a collective intelligence lead by the Tip, then it would stand to reason that I should direct my Compellings at the Tip and if the Compellings are successful they could affect all of them."  "If the Compellings fail, I have a powerful combination of High Order Spells I would like to try against them... it may or may not damage them initially, but it might make them more susceptible to damage from physical attacks. Since the 12 bonded groups of 3 will attack in concerted efforts, I will direct the most damaging part of my Spell combo upon them."  "However, I will need the field of battle cleared of Friendly Forces before I try either. Once the Fireball detonates, send in the Forces in to Attack and Scatter the Stone Trolls."  "Before I leave to meet the Tip of the Branch, I have two Spells to bestow upon any and all that will on be the battle field; an Improved Bodily Defense initially designed on Adledross to defend against Elemental Energy Attacks from Dufiro; such as fire, extreme heat & extreme cold, lightning, and with a small tweak, I can include acid... should only take a minute or so. The second is a Haste Spell; doubles movement speeds, attack speeds and rates of fire for thrown and fired weapons... non-firearms. Each lasts about an hour."  Realmer brings up the Pattern and goes to the Bodily Defense Spell Hanging there and makes the necessary adjustments, including changing it to area of effect, then he targets the best spot to get as many to the troops as possible, including himself and his Team, then focuses on the Mandalay Stones which boost High Order Magics before resetting the Lynchpins. Then he drops the Pattern, focuses on his Ring and resets the Lynchpins on the Haste Spell Racked within, also boosted by the Stones and also effecting as many as possible.  Realmer floats about a foot of the ground using his Robe of Flight and as he hovers he looks over everyone then looks to his Team.  "Any advice before I fly off... possibly to my death?" He chuckles with a smile, but the smile does look slightly grim.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Venki looks at Fort, "We can't hold the haste spell, can we? And Wind Lord, fire based attacks may not effect them."  Fort says, "Skip the haste for the Tosians. Myself, Venki, the Lullaby league. pity sleep won't work on them. Be prepared for the compelling to work on one then have the guiding intellect leave it. These creatures were created for fighting wizards, if they be truly stone trolls. But take the ones that it works on. Make them walk always from battle rather then try turning them. Their own magical attacks won't effect them.  Carston says, "The haste won't effect me?"  Fort says, "Carston, my friend, you were not one of the front rankers in the Paradox wars. You aren't addicted to spice. You didn't take the urvile haste potions. Your might came after we arrived in Amber and you took service with Lord Realmer. You don't have to concentrate on walking and talking slowly like some of us do."  Fort says to Realmer, "Haste the rest. The protections can't hurt. Then fly, Wind Lord"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer looks to Venki: "I would agree that a regular Fireball would have no effect on these Stoney Monstrosities, great and wise Bard, but it is Elemental Fire I will be hitting them with... or something very nearly Elemental... or even Primal, perhaps. Plus, it is not the Fire itself I am hoping will damage them, it is the extreme cold and then the combination of extreme cold followed by extreme heat that I am hoping with affect them. It's my intent to launch a Deep Freeze Spell first, lowering the temperature in the area of effect, and all within, to Absolute Zero... then end the effect and launch the Elemental Fireball upon the Bonded Groups in the rear. I'm hoping that the extreme cold will weaken them all enough to make them more vulnerable to physical attack... and that the shock of one extreme temperature to the other on the Bonded Groups may actually damage them... perhaps making them even more vulnerable to physical attacks."  Still floating a foot off the ground, Realmer turns to look out to the gathered Fey Warriors, making eye contact with many before slowly rising higher in the air, then shouting in a very loud voice:  "ALLOW MY MAGIC TO PROTECT YOU!"
He pauses, then releases the Improved Bodily Defense Spell upon the gathered horde.  "ALLOW MY MAGIC TO ENHANCE YOU!"  He pauses again then release the Haste Spell upon the Horde, excluding Fort, Venki and the Snooze Squad.  "WHEN THE FIREBALL CLEARS, MOVE OUT! ANY STONE TROLLS THAT WANDER AWAY FROM BATTLE ARE NOT TO BE ATTACKED."  A slight pause as he looks upon their faces and rises higher into the air... words of wisdom from Rasak come to mind:  (actually, part of the below is paraphrasing Sun Tzu in RL)  "'ON OPEN GROUND, KEEP A VIGILANT EYE ON OUR DEFENSES.' FIGHT EFFECTIVELY!"  Realmer flies off to the East, at a height above the ground of about 50 feet giving him the opportunity to search the land below and far out ahead more effectively.  ~Bob, I know you're out there somewhere; I may need you and your powers at a moments notice, but until then, keep watch over Tesara and keep her safe.~  The Wind Lord of the South continues flying East heading for the Stone Trolls; his plans set, his spells ready, his Staff in his left hand, his other weapons at his belt. It is time to test his mettle, test his magic and perhaps even test his metal.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer brings up the Sigil of the Pattern, a Lens before him, some of his most powerful Spells Hanging upon it. He takes a moment to check the first two Spells to be tried against these Stoney Monstrosities and adjust their Lynchpins for faster Casting. First, the Friendly Compellings attempting to get as many as possible from the front to the back.  [Compellings; Friendly: This Spell releases a set of completed Compellings urging strong feelings of Friendliness and Friendship upon one or more Beings. The first part of the Spell includes a mental image of Relmopator, followed by the Compellings. Any Being with a mind capable of understanding can be Compelled to be Friendly to the Caster of this Spell, in this case, Relmopator. Most Compellings require an hour of focused Will to be effective and long-term, but Realmer poured two hours into each Compelling of the Friendly package listed below.  Friendly Compellings Package: (7) Relmopator isn't a threat to me, I don't want to hurt Relmopator, Relmopator is my friend, I am Relmopator's friend, I like Relmopator, I believe Relmopator likes me too, Relmopator respects me.]  Then, if the first set of Compellings are effective, Realmer will follow it up with the Loyalty Compellings upon the same group.  [Compellings; Loyalty: This Spell releases a set of completed Compellings urging strong feelings of Loyalty and Trust upon one or more Beings to be under Realmer's command. The first part of the Spell includes a mental image of Relmopator, followed by the Compellings. Any Being with a mind capable of understanding can be Compelled to be Loyal to the Caster of this Spell, in this case, Relmopator. Most Compellings require an hour of focused Will to be effective and long-term, but Realmer poured three full hours into each Compelling of the Loyalty package listed below.
Standard Loyalty Compellings Package: (7) I trust Relmopator, I respect Relmopator, I believe in Relmopator's ideals and goals, I am loyal to Relmopator first and foremost, I will obey Relmopator's commands first and foremost and without hesitation, I will protect Relmopator first and foremost unless ordered by Relmopator otherwise, I will use any and all of my abilities and powers in the performance of my duties and to carry out commands.]  Without dropping the Sigil of the Pattern, Realmer focuses his attention back to the land before and below him, readying for the Stone Trolls, hoping to see their power and weakness through the Lens of the Pattern before the Spells must be released.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Coming over the rise flying south he sees the force moving rapidly to the towers. Massive of body at 50', muscles looking carved from granite. They have no external genitalia and crude facial features that don't seem functional either. They move in exquisite concert. In their foreheads are a glowing stone the size of a basketball.
They seem on a direct course for the Stair.  Looking on them with the pattern lens he sees great lines of magical energy connecting them to each other but also leading deep into the earth. As they move he thinks the lines might connect to the center of the world of Adagalasck's core.  Behind him he hears Fort, flying. "Yep.. Those are the fuckers. Acid and Lightning. Look, do anything you like. I have to fight them. If Wayfinder can't cut them I'll pull out. Don't take too long. The Colossal Excavation blades chew these things up good. It's yet to be seen what pattern blades can do to them. If the compellings don't work, don't linger. Someone will be guiding them. Their magic will connect to the trolls at the base, at the center of the world. Their force comes from pulling all the natural forces of the planet. Their orchestrator will be pushing his control through the connection at the core of the world.. I hadn't expected these beasts. I may have to leave Adagalask to go to Tosa and collect a few tools to use if this shitbirds are going to be around. CHAD has about a thousand excavation blades and Alex has a few thousand more. I'm going to raid his supplies and he can bitch me out later. Asking for them would just make him want to come. Bad enough im going to get a couple experts while i'm at it. A warrior, and an artificer. Good luck!"  Fort dives down, blade out for battle.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer's shock at seeing the massive Stone Trolls causes his eyes to widen and his mouth to drop open. The Arch Robe Godfried the First senses Realmer's shock and slows its flight speed.  As Realmer studies the Stone Trolls and their power connections through the Pattern Lens his mouth drops open even further and his Robe slows their flight speed a bit more.  "By the Powers of the Universe!" he exclaims aloud.
When Fort catches up and begins relaying information, Realmer listens intently but still continues to stare at the Stone Trolls and their incredible power connections to one another and the Land itself. Realmer has never seen anything quite like this before; even the Earth Elementals of Oerth were nothing compared to what he is seeing now. And their connection to the land, to the world's core is just astounding... but knowing that someone or something is controlling them is even more concerning to Realmer.  He shakes his head slightly to clear away the shock and amazement, he focuses his mind back on the task at hand and then dives in close, but not too close. He focuses his mind through the Mandalay Stones to amplify his Psyche and boost the power of the Magical Spells. He releases his Friendly Compellings upon the main body of the Stone Troll horde as he flies by. Then he circles back and releases his Loyalty Compellings upon the same group.  "Loyal Followers; leave the main group and await my instructions!" Realmer calls out to the Stone Trolls after the Compelling Spells have been released.  He flies by and circles back again, flying at them head on as he prepares to launch his next Spell Combo.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Realmer feels his compelling slip off the trolls like oil, leaving a stain but no effect. However he senses the compellings running down the power trail to the earth's core and out to the controlling power. It flutters and he feels it briefly cause a distraction in the controlling entity. The 2 of the unified bands separate into 6 individuals.  The 50 in the branches turn and focus lighting bursts filling the air around Realmer, bashing into him like an avalanche, reaming him with surrounding abrasive acids like to melt flesh.  He feels the regeneration power of Satura's ring rush to heal him as his skin is scoured. He feels his bones exposed in place by direct electrical energy rushing from the core of the planet, and the acid tearing chunks off him as the lighting breaks it lose.
He feels the purple mandalay stone surging to keep him together and he feels himself torn apart.
He feels himself wrapped in winds as the spiral reaches out to protect its new Lord.  Realmer feels pain unrivaled. without thought he puls the Kalota blade in the middle of the acid lightning nightmare and sees a portion of the lightning running into it and sparkling around the place.  The whole attack took just a moment but he feels like years of pain was pushed into that moment. Falling, he feels the blade granting free falls so that he lands on his feet.  Fort is where he lands, Throwing his arms around him, as the second wave of lighting strikes him in the back. Realmer gets a fraction of the attack in the second blast but hears Fort screaming in anger and joy.  He screams..."WE KILL ONE NOW AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!! YOU NEED ITS STONE!!!!!!!KILL ONE THEN FLEE!!!" He turns, his fine clothes destroyed leaving only bare unharmed skin and magical items, He wades into a group of three grabbing one ant slamming Wayfinder against it as the others turn and fire lightening at him.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer releases a High Order Disintegrate Spell upon the closest stone troll. If that does not work he will use his Clan Blade in an attempt to kill the creature and secure its Stone.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The disintegrate hits one near the one Fort picked to attack. He sees the beast crumble into sand, not the elimination he had expected. He sees the sand combining in moments but a flash of reasoning makes him think it might take a few minutes to reassemble. Wind comes to his mind, almost unbidden and blows hard on the falling pile of sand.. scattering it and making the minutes to reassemble become hours. In the pile he sees a glowing stone hot as near molten glass.  Fort rains blows in a flurry that shows just how many attacks he can get in a round if not restrained by the arbitrary masters of Adledross. Realmer is reminded that for all his magic and bardic chatter he was a quad, so he grew to power as a fighter as much as anything.  He sees the chunks Fort strikes off fall to the ground and start slithering back into place as he takes another round to hack more off. He reaches up and pushes his hand into a rocky crevice carved by the blade in its head and strikes a quarter of the head off, including the stone. When the stone is pulled away the troll crumbles to gravel.  Realmer sees that and reaches to grab the molten stone. Pulling it from the sand, the sand stops moving and lays like dirt.  Fort turns, grabbing realmer to his chest and launches into the air. The next Electrical attacks, several rounds of bursts all hitting him mainly but tearing at Realmer in places Fort's small body can't block.  Fort flies fast. The stone trolls only minutes away as he lands back at the Stair.  He looks to Venki, "It will have to be you. Relmopator and Carston. We have two stones.  Venki looks in horror at Fort. “No!! NO!!!! Call my father! Call Digan!!!! They have the talent for it! I've only done it a few times! You do it!!!!”  Fort says, “We don't have time to call and explain it and have them take their time getting here. And I need to keep them in place and you know it!!! So, suck it up, my sweet Lord of Song and Wind. I'll hold them down. You cut.“  Carston looks at Fort, “Wait! I didn't volunteer for tha....” he stops as Fort puts his full attention on him. He steps up and helps Carston to the ground, sitting astraddle on his chest, holding his head in both hands, putting the basketball sized stone on Carston's chest, between his own knees.  Venki steps up with a angry weeping look on his face. Pulling a small short knife he falls with his knees on either side of Carston's head.  He says, ”First stone-Left position...”  He slams the knife hard in the the left side of the forehead, and with a twist, takes an inch of skull out, exposing the brain. Carston's fear and pain is controlled by Fort but is felt by all those present watching the operation. The Centaur leader is wide-eyed seeing something out of ancient legend before her eyes.  The Master of Song and Wind takes the troll stone and places the giant thing on the new hole soothing it with a whispered melody of acceptance and harmony. It immediately shrinks to fill the gap in the skull. Venki then surrounds him with healing magic as the stone connects to the brain. Fort mentally releases Carston who screams in pain.
Fort leans back, pulling Carston to a seated position with Fort sitting over his legs. He holds his head, turning it to face upwards, “Carston...Hear me.. Think at me.. You have a itch on your forehead.. You have no hands. Itch that bitch with all your thoughts...”  Carston screams and a bolt of acidy lightning shoots a yard into the air, dripping green around the bright white electricity.  Venki says, “Its a start.. But the protections are the important thing right now.”  Fort stands, leaving Carston to fall limp to the ground, panting.  He looks to Realmer and the basketball sized stone in his hands, “Next.”
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer watches what Fort and Venki do to Carston with the interest level and clinical Detachment of a surgeon watching another surgeon at work. Where others may be cringing or squirming at what is happening to him, Realmer observes the process without showing any apparent emotions.  Realmer clutches the Troll Stone to his chest and lays down on the ground while looking Fort in the eyes. He takes a deep breath, grits his teeth and says "DO IT!" Then he prepares for the extreme pain.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort straddles his chest and slams his Psyche into Realmer's. Oddly, with this direct assault, Realmer feels that he and Fort are evenly matched in Psyche. Letting Fort in he feels his body controlled as he looks up in to Venki's eyes ,looking into his own.  "First stone-Left position..."  After that is pain. His body is already shredded from the lightning and acid in it and he can feel the acid digging away at his flesh.  The frontal skull opening is just another piece of ongoing excruciating pain.  Suddenly he feels like he is riding lightning. Electrical contacts across his body. He smells the sour scent of acid ruining meat.  Then the pain from the lightning and acid disappears. The pain in the head remains but the difference takes his breath away.  He feels himself sat up, held againts Fort. in his mind he hears; "Realmer.. you saw Carston. You have an itch on your forehead and you have no hands. Think at the itch as hard as you can."  When he does he feels a sense of electricity coming from all over his body to his mind. A scent of the bile, puss, and digestive juices and contents flowing out his nose. He thinks and a feeling like a satisfying fart erupts, like a migraine instantly going away.  Venki says, "Nice! Nice control. thats about 40 meters.. He'll get it quick but the protections are in now.. Get some healing in him.  Fort slips back, smiling a little too flirtatious a smile, "That was quite a shot you fired.. So manly...Listen to my song. You won't sleep.  Carston; get the blade and get to the front, damn your hide. Scowl at me later. Venki; go with him. They will be here in moments. He used a Disintegrate spell from a high order frame. Stone Trolls are going to hate that. Madam Centaur; you and your forces follow them, herd the Trolls to them till Realmer and I can get there.  We will need 5 minutes."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer gets to his feet slowly, rolls his head around as though he is stretching out his neck then rolls his shoulders, then his entire body shutters for a moment.  "Wow, that was excruciating. Fort, when I attempted to lay the compellings upon the stone trolls I could tell that they were being controlled through lines of force coming from the core of this world. I felt someone or something at that core controlling the stone trolls. A mind of some sort. Perhaps we can use that to our advantage. Maybe if we were to combine our psychic might and attempt a Mind Touch to that mind at the core through the lines of energy going through the trolls perhaps we can stop this whole process and gain control of the trolls or at least stop the controlling mind and get them to scatter more easily."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort looks at Venki who nods, "Ok, do we have time to call Zatonic and Digan now?"  Fort shakes his head. "Go start the fight. I'll use one of the priority summons on Zatonic and Geata. Realmer, do you have anymore disintegrates hung?"  He pulls out a deck of cards, pealing off one from the top. The face is blank. "Zatonic and Geata."  Moments later a gigantic man, though not a titan like Alexander, but a massivly muscled man, and a small angry looking woman arrive. They are holding large chunks of meat. Clearly they were disturbed in a meal. THe man looks and says, "Fort, this better be important. I was busy."  Fort says, "Relmopator, this is Duke Zatonic and his charming wife Duchess Geata. This is Relmopator of Amber. We are in Adagalasck. Realmer here just got that stone in his head."  Geata says, "There are Stone Trolls here?" Fort nods.  Zat smiles. "Arm up then. Boots and saddles."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer bows his head respectfully to the new arrivals.  "Duke Zatonic.  Duchess Geata. Well Met and welcome. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and shall be rewarded."  Realmer turns to Fort.
"Unfortunately, that was the only Disintegrate Spell I had Hung; if I had more time to.........."  Realmer trails off, a distant look in his eyes. Then a sly smile slowly spreads across his face. Then his smiles disappears and his eyebrows go up, then the smile returns.  "Bob." He says, drawing out the name. "He can Disintegrate; a power of one of his eye stalks.... he can use it several times per day... though it is not quite a powerful as my Spell; he couldn't disintegrate them completely, but certainly their head, freeing the Stone from the body and making it easier to snatch up. Give me a few moments."  Realmer focuses his Psyche and reaches out for his Familiar. ~Bob; I need you and Tesara at my side, now.~  Without waiting for a reply, Realmer redirects his Psyche to the Spiral of the South Wind, the Consciousness that seems eager to please. He exudes gratitude for the assistance with the Stone Troll battle. ~Thank you~ he thinks in words.  Then Realmer thinks in images to the Spiral, showing himself disappearing from this place in the Main Realm and then Realmer reappearing in another Realm, doing many things very quickly, showing the passage of time moving very fast, and then an image of Realmer reappearing back in the same spot in the Main Realm and barely a minute has passed. ~Can you do this?~ he thinks in words. ~Respond in words, if you can, but do not make happen what I just requested~
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Zatonic nods, appearing two mauls with barrel heads the size of barrels. Geata withdraws a bastard sword as tall as she is running with wicked runes and a large portion of an inscription he is sure is the pattern of York. On each of their foreheads appear from hiding, a collection of stone troll jewels. Realmer thinks of stories Fort has told and remembers that Geata's full name was Geata Rockbreaker.  Fort says,"That way.Find Sir Carston Brak."  Zat says,"Sir Carston? I think I had a drink with him once. Come along, dear. Plenty of rocks over this way."  Fort chuckles.  "I doubt Bob's disintegrate will have the juice but can't hurt to try."  Bob and Tesara arrive.  The spiral doesn't speak but feel companionable. When you think of the idea of a fast time place it eagerly provides several, one that seems like a minute here might be a week there. It shows him exactly which stairs in its companion tower they are on. It questions why you have not claimed the stair?
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer shows the Spiral an image of the Stone Trolls killing all the people here, if he had gone to claim the Stair; he conveys great sorrow at the loss. Then he shows the destruction of the Towers by the Stone Trolls. ~I must stop them first, before claiming the Stair.~ He shows an image of him fighting the Stone Trolls to protect the people and the Towers.  "Bob, Tesa; excellent. Tesa remain here and guard the Tower but do not enter. Bob, you're coming with me, into battle. Let's find out if you can Disintegrate a Stone Troll."  He turns to Fort: "You said you needed five minutes with me, so... what's the plan? You are certainly more experienced with fighting these Creatures than I, so I defer to your wisdom."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Realmer feels a warm wind and something connected to the stone trolls that amounts to being told to have fun and be home soon.  Bob floats over ready for battle.  Fort says, "You felt the controlling agent through their link? Don't try to wrest control from it. Controlling them will take hours to do and years to do well. Torch the mind. When you feel it draw hard on me, ill push my psych to you and drag Venki and the Lullaby League's as well. Don't try compelling. Try burning it down. Someone went to great effort to get these beasts here. Vargus could control thousands. Jeremy controlled 50 Dozen of different combinations at the Battle of the Gorge. 50 wedges of 12 of the brutes. I was able to raise 3, once. We don't know how many might be coming. Hit hard and hot, leave a brain dead corpse at the other end. Savvy?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer nods his head.  "Yes, I felt the Mind that is controlling the Stone Trolls... It faltered slightly when I tried the Compellings. And thank you for advising against attempting compellings and controlling; I was going to try both. So the plan is to attack and destroy the mind of the Controlling Force. Once we are in range I will attempt the Mind Touch Spell. Be prepared to assist at my signal and we will slam our Psyches into the Mind of the Controlling Force like a hot sword into the heart of an enemy."  "Bob, your job is to protect us from physical attack while we mentally attack the trolls' Controller. Disintegrate any that attempt to attack us. Since your power is not as significant as my own, aim for the head."  Realmer turns to those that are still close by.  "Once a Stone is freed from the body of a Stone Troll, snatch it up quickly, so the creature cannot regenerate and reform. Let's move out before they get too close to the Towers."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Bob says, "Got it, boss!"  Realmer flies up to see the battle. Zatonic and Geata are battering the Branch groups. Venki and the Orc Bard with Carston and breaking the 3 troll teams. The electric acid bursts rushing over them harmlessly though spectacularly. Zatonic's rearden armor flowing over him like a metal snake.
The centaur and the warrior group with her are dodging around the blasts of lightning and acid leaping up to kick at the trolls. They are taking terrible damage but are managing to keep rock particles from returning to heal the trolls.  Seeing Venki he is assured that how ever fey and nervous the thrice crown bard is he can also fight. His excavation blade chunks trolls each strike.  The lullaby leauge stands out of the way, playing music to encourage the battle. Realmer sees two look up and nod preparedness to him.  After determining that his disintigrate ability does not effect them, Bob waits till he sees Zatonic chunk a stone to the ground. As Zat moves to another the gravel tries gathering around the stone. Bon pops in and takes the stone and blinks away. THe rock stills once distance is achieved. The battle continues.  As the Centaurs see Bob's effort they change tactics to run near the heros and grab the stones when they are knocked loose. One great blast hits the Centaur commander she cradles a stone against her chest as she crawls clear of battle.  Realmer feels Fort beside him in the air. He presses his psyche into Realmer as he draws his blade and descends.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer descends as well, flying alongside Fort, keeping him close. He clutches his Clan Blade in his right hand and his Bone and Vine Staff in his left. He brings the Pattern to mind once again and looks through its Lens at the collection of trolls, focusing on the Lines of Force that connect them and continue on through to the core of the world. He focuses his Psyche upon those connections and those lines going back to the world's core and he releases his Mind Touch Spell he has Hung upon the Pattern. The moment he feels that the spell is successful and he has reached the controlling mind he screams at the top of his lungs, "NOW!!!!!", and awaits the rush of Psychic Energy from his companions. He forces his Psyche deep into that of the controlling mind like a hot metal wedge, burning through any defenses. Once he has breached the mind's defenses he will bore in deep and begin destroying the Mind Within with furious anger and Psychic Might.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
The connections to the earth controlling the stone trolls is powerful and when he gets to the core he see 6 other paths to the surface that break in to 5 branches and 3 trios. All less then an hour away.  He touches the heavily shielded mind, unable to break past its formidable strength.  Summoning the Psyche he feels Fort's familiar presence fill him, followed by a feeling of wind and rain and song and perfume, and love making, and rapturous joy from Venki.  As he feels it he senses Venki do something unexpected. He raises his blade in one hand, a harp, playing on its own, in the other and somehow seems greater. His song more potent and demanding of peace though Realmer is outside its demand. He realizes from his conversations with Fort that he has raised his godly aspect and is wielding his godly attribute.  He gets a sense of annoyance from Fort about Venki showing off and a bit of surprise that such powers work here, away from Tosa/York.  His Psyche seems to multiply by a factor of 4 or 5. Coming with his Psyche is the far less powerful Psyches (Amber rank to 10 pips) of the 20 of the Lullaby league. He gets glimpses of the adventures they all have had, including the Orc Bard who oddly enough is an Elf Friend.  He punches the burning wedge of the massive Psyche behind him through the controlling mentality and feels it howl in pain and despair, shriving and unraveling and fleeing, leaving a shelled rind with a Mind pushed into a tight sealed ball.  The Stone Trolls earthquake. Falling to the ground... the stones disappearing as well save for 4 that had been hacked free before the earth failed them.  One is under the foot of Zatonic as he howls in triumph. One is picked up by Geata who had broken it free. One is laying loose. One is held tightly to the chest of the grievously wounded centaur war leader. Her skin and hair burned nearly off, but her will power keeping her barely alive clutching the stone.  As Realmer withdraws his mentality from the controller he sees a collection of fairies and sprites and pixies and brownies coming to the aide of a brain burned Emilisa.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort lands beside the Centaur, feeling her near death.  She looks up to him, raising the stone.  "Oath Keeper........ do...... it...."  Fort looks wildly at Realmer, then Venki.  She reaches a hand and slaps him, grabbing his hair. "Do it, Oath Keeper."  He says,"You'll die."  She says,"Yes... happy... now."  Fort looks up angrily.."Ok bitch...."  He calls on his aspect, and those around him learn.  He hears Realmer's words.."very well. First stone-Left position."  He draws his NP blade and slams it down hard, cutting an inch opening.  He pressed the stone forward and it shrinks to fill the hole. She inhales in glory.  She whispers, "I pledge my service, Oath Keeper..."  Then dies.  Briefly.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer had suspected that his Cousin Emilie MIGHT have been responsible for the Stone Trolls arrival, but now that it was confirmed and Realmer knowing what he had done to her and seeing the results... he hangs his head low and closes his eyes; his sorrow is great and can be felt through the Psychic Connection by all who participated in the Psychic Battle. He knew it had to be done, but still wishes it could have gone another way. He doesn't allow himself to wallow in pity and self doubt; he steels himself knowing the decision was made for him when Emiliesa acted as she did.  His mind focuses back on the here and now. He dives down towards the Centaur War Leader and at a thought Satura's Ring knows what must be done; it turns into a mechanical Wolf Spider and upon landing the Ring/Wolf Spider leaps from Realmer's hand and lands upon the Centaur's shoulder near her neck, then turns into a Mithril Torc; Nordic Dragon motif with the Mandalay Stone held within the Dragon's mouth. Satura's Ring instantly conveys it Regeneration and Tireless Stamina Powers upon the brave Leader.  Realmer pulls a flask from one of the pockets of his Robe and pulls the stopper then pours the contents over the Centaur's wounds; a powerful numbing 'potion' that should help ease the pain considerably.
Realmer looks Fort in the eyes after the centaur leader makes her request and nods his head.  "She has earned it; even if it kills her. Let it be her Dying Wish, if you will."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Between the two efforts, the stone glows as fort pulls half her body up and says, "You have a terrible itch, a spider biting, and you have no hands. Scratch the itch."  A spark an inch long comes out and fort laughs.  "Oh it's going to hurt."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer chuckles.  "Fort, I know you 'saw and experienced' what I did, so you know who that was and that this was just the first group of Stone Trolls. We need to send scouts to assess if the other Branches were also eliminated. Also, let's see to the 'clean up' and triage, then I need to secure the Stair as soon as possible, after which I will need some rest... it's been a couple of days since I've slept."
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"Really? You need sleep? Amberites....."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer laughs. "Ok, you caught me. I probably don't really need the sleep, but I do need some time to Hang some Spells and think a bit... and maybe take a nap. I shouldn't be gone long... already have a fast time Realm in mind. But we still have a few things to do here before I can secure the Stair. How fares our patient?" Realmer examines the Centaur War Leader.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
"Her wounds were from attacks and damage that no longer effect her. That leaves residual wounds that will heal under spell and song. She's coming around. She's no spell user so the discipline to adjusting to not casting lightning bolts When she sneezes is something she'll have to develop. Other then that....Ah...Well, Zat?"
Zatonic and Geata walk up, smiling. "You sure know how to disturb a mans meal! I'm out of shape and out of practice. Its been ages since I slammed the hammers like that. I've been an administrator too long. Those were summoned and maintained. Who ever did that really had their head wired on tight. Stupid. He won't make that mistake again. The next will be summoned and stabilized like Jeremy used to do.  Geata says, " They will have to dial in their intellects better too. Those were stupid. I remember commanders meetings before The Gorge where we had Jeremy's stone trolls giving tactical advice. Those guys couldn't have given shit."  Venki lands. looking looking glory and song about him. Zat yells, "Turn that off, Buttercup!!! You're scaring the fish!!"  Venki says, "Those were Maintained. That's a lot to maintain.. someone must have been wicked pissed off at you Sir Realmer."  The Centaur leaps up from in the middle of the conversation. Looks around wildly, still covered in healing wounds, sees open sky and blasts off a wicked lightning bolt into the air. Zat, Geata, Venki and Fort all laugh. In turn they follow suit shooting fire balls and cold balls and lightning and gravel bursts in succession.
Zat pats her on the shoulder, his own shoulders nearly her height. "You tell them, Pony! It takes time to not blast your partner when your fucking too. Geata and I can't have flammable beds and pillows anymore!" He laughs.
Geata growls at him, "Nor any books or breakables in the room either you big mastodon.. Fort...What the hell is going on here? Who has Stone Trolls? Are Ur-viles here too?"
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Fort thinks, "I only summoned Stone Trolls a couple times. As I understand from Jeremey maintaining them takes more energy then making them Sustained but gives you more tactical control of them. But maintaining over 350 of the brutes? Makes me wonder if Emilisa doesn't know how to Sustain them. If she doesn't then maybe there aren't Ur-viles."  The Centaur finishes prancing and stands, "The night black beings rising from fields of poisoned earth? They live.. Dark wizards from the Ojak have been summoning them for centuries. Stone trolls as well. The region was always worshipful of Emilisa.. She was always a dark priestess but we served her...Lord of Wind, Master of Fire. We of the Wild Lights give our service and support. Will you accept that instead of devoted fealty at this time?"
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer listens to Zatonic, Geata and Venki's assessments of the Stone Trolls and their Controller. He nods his head and looks as though he is going to respond when the Centaur jumps up, Realmer smiles and is pleased that she is recovering quickly. When everyone begins launching Lightning and Fireballs and such into the air, Realmer will join in as well, but not to show off, but rather as practice launching Lightning at Will and with Control.  Realmer continues to listen and learn, and when the Centaur Leader addresses him, Realmer devotes his full attention to her; looking her in the eyes with interest.  "I will gladly accept the Service and Support of the Wild Lights; I know that devotion comes with time and trust, as does fealty. I came here because of a sense of responsibility to Adagalasck and her Peoples, not just to acquire Power. I felt a need to keep the stability of the Region and keep it from the hands of True Usurpers with dark agendas. I understand that I must serve the peoples of the lands as much as they must serve me as the Wind Lord." Realmer bows his head to her in respect and acceptance of their agreement.  Realmer turns to Venki: "Emilisa was the previous Mistress of the South Wind; Dworkin stripped her of her Imprints, leaving a Power Void which I have filled to keep the stability of the Region. She was so enraged at the loss of her Imprints, Powers and her Lover, that King Julian had to 'put her on ice' at the request of Ninaaratres, the Mistress of the North Wind, wife of the King and sister to Emilisa. She escaped and took my move as hostile, thinking me a Usurper. Though it is Dworkin she should truly be angered at, it is me she is taking it out on."  Realmer turns back to the Lady Centaur Leader of the Wild Lights.
"And now that we have fought together, Brave War Leader, may I know your name? And may I now enter the Tower of the South Stair and Claim its Powers? Hopefully before any more trouble arises."  
*'''Michael James Watson'''
She canters over with Realmer as he speaks., " I am Fore Foot Opasen Vrag. I am daughter of 20 generations of rulers of the Wild Lights. We now serve the South Wind again and the Master of this stair."  She hops over in front of Fort. "I do not offer fealty Oath Keeper, as you request. We have time to know each other. But in the years to come i will not have the history of this day say that i did not put my head to the ground before you"
She quickly kneels and presses her forehead to the ground in front of Fort.  Fort frowns, "Very well, the histories will so show.. Now.. Realmer.. to the stair."
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer moves to the entrance of the Tower of the South Stair while withdrawing the Key that Caine gave him as he approaches the massive door. He 'uses' the Key to gain entrance and climbs the almost certainly spiral stair case to its top and the Spiral waiting above.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
As he walks he feels the spiral of the south winding him. Each step of the far larger inside then outside tower gives him glimpses of worlds, shadows, kingdoms. empires, forests woods, and such things. He also realizes that the realms in the Stair are not necessarily exclusive. They have openings to all the other major stairs, and a few of the minor ones, and these shadows are often shared.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
As Realmer climbs the steps of the South Stair, he lets the images of the other Realms and the information about them flow into him like water. He pays particular attention to the Step and the Realm that the Spiral of the South Wind pointed out to him at his request; the fast time Realm. He continues on, step by step, Realm by Realm until he reaches the top.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
Reaching the top, he reclines for a long winter nap.
*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.'''
Realmer resists this unnatural urge to sleep with all his willpower, with every fiber of his being.
*'''Michael James Watson'''
When he wakes up.....three days have passed.