Comatose

Hey guys! I'm still here. If you haven't noticed, I've only been online on weekends, because I don't have a computer during the week because of my job. Thanks for being patient! I'll keep trucking away. I'm still uncertain which direction I want to take River in. I can either head towards redemption, or make his demons grow until they overwhelm him. We'll see which one I choose Edit: And don't worry Eerongal, I would never even think the presume to even talk about killing your character unless we had a long conversation about it first, and you would have had to be the one to bring it up. River will continue to see Eero as an enemy, but I have no idea what will happen from there.

But then I won't be able to secretly down vote all of you... all of my carefully layed plans ruined. And it's all thanks to you meddling kids and your dog too.

River: What matters, sir, is power. Whoever the benefactor was, he was exceedingly powerful. Even if he used conventional means to find all these spheremorphs, the cost of such a network of informants would be staggering. The 'certain connections' Piscun spoke could very well be several different networks involving hundreds if not thousands of people. "And I am very grateful for that opportunity. I have certain enemies, that is all. And however thin, if there is a trail for one man to follow, others may follow it as well. While this time, my being found seems to have worked in my favor, next time I might not be so lucky." An opportunity greater than I can imagine? I think I have a pretty good imagination. Wealth and power for one. Wherever spheremorphs gathered, those two things were close behind. If I could obtain a more powerful grid, or spheres like the ones Piscun and Jezebel had already displayed, even Artur would not stand a chance against me. Then, whatever I want will be mine. But what do I want? The first thing that comes to mind is power, but somehow that seems uninspired. Power is merely a tool, and all the power in the world is worthless if you have no use for it. I take another bite of my toast to give me time to think. With this thought in mind, my goal of power alone seems awfully uninspired. Most only desire power as a means to get other things that they want, but I have been chasing power itself. I realize I've been going through life without any direction since Riverheart. Finding power enough to protect myself was only supposed to be a place holder. When had it become my primary goal. You're a better person than you pretend to be... Robin's voice whispers in my head. I haven't thought of her... no, I haven't allowed myself to think of her since I left. She betrayed me. I think. What would she know of being a good person? In the end, Robin turned out to be even more cunning than both my sisters combined. "What kinds of opportunities?" I hear myself asking.

River: I shrug and shift into a more relaxed posture. "At the time, it seemed like a wise precaution. Now, it seems unnecessary as I am already known here. Besides, with these fancy doors and the lists, my name would have been discovered soon enough. Especially since I am seated to compete first." I take note of Jezebel's quick wink over my shoulder. Someone watching us? Or just a friend? I resist the urge to turn around. I plan what I say carefully. One wrong step with these two will put my in hot water, I'm sure of it. "It's quite something, a tournament of spheremorphs. Just gathering us here was a feat. I had thought myself well hidden when your little invitation found me, and you already seem to know who everyone is. I'm curious as to how you managed it. A scrying form perhaps?" I watch their reactions carefully as I continue. "Feel free not to answer. Your secrets are still your own. I'm just curious."

River: Their laughter grates against my nerves. They might be important, but even still, who are they to treat me like a child. Nonetheless, I nod to each of them in turn. Of course they've been here a month you fool! Did you think this tournament started with you? "I won't insult you by assuming you don't already know my name. I'm pretty sure you two know everything that goes on around here. "However, out of courtesy, it seems it would be best to make introductions anyways. I'm River, and I'm glad I've managed to make Lady Jezebel a little richer and provided amusement for you both." I speak casually and without any bitterness to the sleight they have given me. My sisters taught me how to swallow my pride when needed. I pause for a moment to take a bite out of my breakfast, and use the time to organize my thoughts. Playing them false won't work. I'll just have to be honest. "So," I say as I swallow. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you two come to be involved in the tournament?"

River: The first match... interesting. I step away from the bracket. I am unfamiliar with Peter's skill level, but am fairly certain I should be able to take him in a fight. Still, I decide I had best find out some information on what spheres he has if possible. I ponder my strategy all the way to the showers and back. Perhaps if I can find him before I see the bracket I could get him to disclose... All thoughts of that doddering drunk are banished the moment I see the man and woman chatting over breakfast. They don't need the entire table to themselves to show their power, any more than the man needs his armor. I am faced with a dilemma. If I approach them now, I could very well blow my chances of ever joining their circle of power, however if I take the risk now, perhaps I can capitalize on an opportunity before anyone else has a chance. I debate with myself as I appear to go through the breakfast line absent mindedly, discretely checking in on the pair whenever I can. What am I supposed to do? I ask myself. Finally, I begin to saunter across the room, looking for a table. Most others are fairly full, and I pretend not to notice the eyes of others as they trail towards the two seated there. Smiling, I wave to no one in particular, and sit down without really looking at either of them. "Is this seat taken?" I ask casually as I begin to meticulously spread some jam on my toast.

River: The sounds of Jay-El waking up banishes any sleep from my body. I am instantly alert, and I listen as he and, a little later, Ambrosius leave. Taking note of Eerongal's position, and ensuring all my possessions are secure, I dress, pack up and make for the showers. On my way, I notice a gathering around the bracket and look up my slot.

River: After tailing several groups, I come across the room I've been looking for. Eerongal Jay-El Ambrosius It would seem that 'Varius' has played me false as well. I suppose it doesn't matter, given that my deception will soon be completely revealed. Perhaps I should choose a different room... I discard the thought. These three will know my true name soon enough, no matter which room I choose. By sharing with them, at least I know what to expect from my roommates.

River: As Peter leaves, the crowd around me begins to scatter and disperse. I flare my bronze. There aren't many transformed spheremorphs, but there are some. I try my best to take note of as many faces and abilities as possible. For all I know, I could be facing one of them on the morrow. As I do, I eye the space where the balcony once was. No trace remains, just untouched stone. What is this place? My head is practically spinning from all the variables in play. I need more information, that's for certain, but how to get it? No on in this hall seems to know anything, and the people who do seem to be intent on keeping the rest of us in the dark. I feel... helpless, and I don't like feeling helpless. When I was a boy caught between my scheming sisters, I was helpless. When my house came to ruin, I was helpless. When Robin betrayed me, I was helpless. I told myself I would never lose control of my situation in such a way ever again. And yet, it seems I have. I find a corner, and watch the crowd, listening with both my ears and bronze to glean whatever I can. There will be time to sleep later, but I plan to get as much information as I can before I do.

I'm confused. What exactly was asked?

Two hundred and fifty six types of twinborn seems a little bulky to me though. There are already sixteen types of each. This is just speculation of course, but I do think there has to be SOME sort of pairing restriction. Perhaps it just has to be a pulling metal and a pulling metal. When I originally heard of Twinborn, I thought they would all be double of one sort of metal (I really like the possibility of an Iron twinborn who, while filling wieght, could pull him/herself up to something super light, or a double zinc... mental speed and rioting? That would be frightening I think). Since Wax proved this to be untrue (thanks for the spelling chaos ) I still think there needs to be some sort of pattern. Looking at it again however, it seems this friend of Wax's memorization of all the different names is seen as an accomplishment, which might support there being 256, but it still says which combinations are possible which still makes me think not all are...

Let me get this straight. Now that the characters are created, we're free to improvise dialogue? Or is that not what you are saying??? I'm confused.... Sorry, I'm stuppid tonight...

We don't know if every metal can be combined with every metal. What I was wondering is if they are always paired opposites, one feruchemical, and one allomantic. Iron and Steel, like Wex (or Steel and Iron, like I'd want to be ). Pewter and Tin, Brass and Zinc, etc. In the chapter, it says he knows the names of all possible, which led me to believe not all combinations are. This is just speculation of course, so we'll need more information before this can be proved right or wrong.

Sayuri: Once she was ready to leave, Sayuri was just about to follow the page out the door when she came face to face with an Earthshell. Strange things are indeed happening... She heard the young man nattering some sort of apology as he ushered the Earthshell into the inn, and then gestured for Sayuri to follow him out. "Greetings Earthshell," she said with a polite bow. In her career as an Academ, she'd only met an Earthshell once, and that was during her travels. When she spoke, she kept her voice soft. She'd heard the timid creatures could be even more sensitive than the Leyari. "I hope your stay in the city is pleasant." She would have loved to converse with him more. The reclusive race of mountain dwellers interested her far more than other Xanethi, whose concerns all seemed so petty. She followed the page out into the street, and was soon on her way to the palace, wondering what in the world would be waiting for her there.

River: As soon as the wall begins to warp, I drop my conversation with Peter and shift into my Sympathist form. The twenty seconds are agonizing, but whatever happens, I want to be ready. As they tick by, the wall forms a balcony and a man appears. I note the black note book, obviously some sort of form appliance, but one I am not familiar with. He has begun speaking by the time my transformation, but as soon as he does, I flare bronze and feel... Something. Focusing, I hone in on the source of the strange pulses, only to find they are coming from behind him, not from him. My own Necromancer form has made me familiar with subterfuge. I feel no pulses from the man himself. That's four strange spheremorphs now, I think to myself. Three who I can sense nothing from, and one who I can sense but can't see. I stop the shivers before they can run up my spine. Four sphere morphs within half an hour, and all appear to be more powerful than me. I start to wonder if it was a mistake to come here. I catch the thinly veiled threat in his words. The details of food, drink, and resting places are distractions I file away for later. His true message is plain. We are all in his power, and will be dependent on him for survival. That woman and the man in black armor seemed to know each other... I wonder, are they in cahoots with this man and his invisible companion as well? It seems likely, if they are all involved in the organization of this tournament. There are powerful people pulling strings here, and if I want to succeed, it would be beneficial if I could somehow work my way into their circles. The strange man and his bronze pulse tail vanish as suddenly as they came. I lean over to Peter, hoping to get some information. "You have any idea how to contact our mysterious hosts? They seem to come and go at will with that warning or this instruction, but I still feel horribly uninformed."

Some things I found interesting: -Apparently some of the old noble families still hold sway (the Tekiels) -Now I think this may have been revealed before, but Wex seems to be a descendant of Breeze. -As a Twinborn, he uses steel and iron. I wonder, if all twinborn use matched pairs of metals... Can't wait for this to come out

We didn't happen to save all that, did we? Haha, because it was awesome! Also, I love this comic, especially the beat where he looks knowingly into the camera in panel 3.

River: Curses! I should have reckoned there'd be a defender here before I decided to give a false name. I'm not sure if Varius heard or not. Perhaps I'll just say River is my false name... but what about Peter here? I eye the man carefully from behind a false smile. He's a defender of Riverheart, so he's bound to be tough, but I don't need my memory to know his weaknesses. A woman to buy his friendship, a few drinks to dull his wits, and a knife to finish the job should suffice to finish this one off. Between my three forms, I could even make the death look natural. Can I risk it though? I wonder, thinking of our armoured host, and his strange female companion. As if summoned by my thoughts, he returns to break up a fight. They certainly seem to know how to keep the peace... Perhaps it would be wiser to make use of Peter. Varius can hardly fault me for using a false name when he's plotting against Eerongal. If anything, he should understand my situation. Eerongal and Jay-El might prove difficult, but I'm sure that, with time, I should be able to win them over. I make a show of eyeing the group Peter has just left. "A stranger group I have never seen, my old friend. At least, not since leaving the defenders." I give him a moment to respond to my jibe and continue. "Jokes aside, it is good to se some true blooded defenders. I was beginning to worry I was surrounded by free riders. How about you show me where you got this wine, and we'll share a bottle while you tell me how you came to be here."

River: I smile as I enter the crowd. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Varius walk away. It seems I have lost my tail, so much for Eerongal's supposed orders. Whether Varius thought me not worth watching, there were no such orders, or I convinced him to side with me over Eerongal, I do not know. What I do know is, I should now be free to do as a wish, without having to worry about someone tailing me. Now let's see what these other spheremounts have in store for me.

River: I nod thoughtfully as Varius relates his story. The whole thing has the reek of folk lore. Seven demons, seven sins, the whole thing sounds far too neat and tidy for my taste. Real life is messy. Nonetheless, Varius seems to believe it, or at least wants me to think he does, so I keep my peace. "Say what you want of my character, Varius, but I am no Paladin. I never wanted to be enemies with any of you, and yet Jay-El seems set against me already, and I have no idea where this Eerongal stands. We've come to a dangerous place, and I'd rather have someone who understands no one can be trusted at my back the one who believes there is any honor left in the world. I have met Paladins before, and it seems to me their honor is as worthless as anyone elses. If you ever feel like sating this hatred of yours, I'm sure I could help you out." I give Varius a smile. "At any rate, we'd best get mingling. Our friends have already made a start of it, and I wouldn't want to get left behind." I begin to walk away, but after counting a few steps, I turn back. "Think about what I've said. I would hate to see your talents go to waste." Giving a friendly wave and a slight bow, I move down towards the crowd, not watching to see if he continues to follow me or not. A room full of Spheremorphs... where to start?

Oh wow. I totally thought it was your turn to post. Jeez, sorry. Cutting the convo short is fine by me, but if you want to continue, I can post now. Just let me know.

This seems mighty interesting, and creating the Leyari made me fall in love with civilization creation, haha. Questions: From what I've read on site, this world is non-magic. Is this correct? Also, how many civilizations usually participate? EDIT: Nevermind that first question. Just read your post in the Creator's Corner. EDIT: As for biome selection, if we are beginning with a tribal people, what is the policy for nomadic groups?

I really like Maestra. EDIT: So I slipped it in, to see how it looks. I think Maestra or Maestrus work nicely as honorifics, and the official title can still be Master of ______.

See, ______ [NAME] is what I'm looking for. "Sayuri, Master of Mathematics" sounds great to me, but for some reason "Master Sayuri", or just "Master" when referring to her does not.