Garuk - First Vision

Garuk’s sleep was interrupted firstly by the sound of rushing air, or was it water…Then, by an image of an old Gith, seemingly meditating, floating in nothingness. Garuk recognised Zerthimon, as his image was on nearly every monastery wall. Indeed, you would not have to look hard to see his image on any githzerai structure. He was dressed in finely made but simple clothes. He seemed to be gazing into the unknown. Suddenly, Garuk was ‘pulled’ into the great Gith’s mind. Garuk looked upon an open expanse of shimmering light; understandably feeling discombobulated, he struggled to make much sense of the sight: depth was impossible to discern, orientation was also difficult to gauge, other senses were significantly reduced…Finally, it became clear; Zerthimon seemed to be focussed on the actions of a party of Githyanki. More precisely one in the midst of eight. He was a little taller, a little thinner, but otherwise unremarkable. He had the same two-handed sword, which was stowed across his back, the same overly decorated armour, the same beautifully manicured hair and nearly the same opulent jewellery. Nearly the same…That is where Garuk first noticed a difference. This Gith – the central one – also wore a thick metal chain around his neck with two black stone squares at the end. Each was but two inches or so square and both were covered in golden lines and shapes – too difficult to see clearly at this range.

As Garuk watched, the central Gith reached into his leather pouch, which was hung from a gem-encrusted black leather belt, and produced a 3-inch diameter, flattened sphere. This was what Zerthimon appeared most interested in, as the vision enlarged in Garuk’s mind to expose the object’s detail more clearly. The spheroid was smooth copper on one side and highly detailed, gem encrusted metal on the other. The Gith placed it carefully in his palm, smooth side down. It had five indents into which the Gith’s fingers and thumb easily slipped, enabling it to be gripped firmly. A sixth indent appeared to house an elaborate silver button, which itself was perched on top of a tiny, highly decorate orb. There were six corresponding raised edges around the spheroid; on one of which was a small serpent, again in exquisitely carved silver, which seemed to be hinged in some way. In the Centre was a shimmering dome of silver-blue light which swirled and twisted and was shot through, on occasion, with white and lilac. Garuk was reminded of the artists he had watched blend and mix new colours which produced a similar consistency, although he knew he watched light, not paint. Around this centre dome were set 6 pale-purple highly polished, stone spheres. As Garuk watched intently, the Gith used his left hand to twist the upper half of the oblate spheroid, dividing it into two equal halves with the smooth-bottomed half remaining in his palm and the upper half sliding free. The lower hemisphere had 6 indents or settings, which corresponded to the upper part. Between each setting was a smooth, black square into which gold lines had been etched. Gripping the bottom firmly, with the top still connected at a hinge, near the ‘button’, the Gith removed two of the purple gems and placed them into corresponding settings on the bottom half. He then slid the top back in a counter-clockwise direction to ‘close’ and reform the oblate spheroid. The centre light shimmered bright-silver momentarily before turning black.

Garuk’s mind was then taken to the edge of a mountain, looking across a deep valley to an enormous ridge on top of which was a huge building. All around were sulphurous pools, vents of dark liquid, and steam which seemingly issued forth from every crack in the surrounding rocks, shrouding much of the landscape. The opposite ridge rose ominously from the black river that flowed down the valley between them. Its top was cracked and broken like a dragon’s lower mandible. The Gith were gone; replaced by something much worse…

Garuk can still see the demon. Eyes burning with malice as it rose from a vent in the surface as if levitating. Once its massive, black bulk was clear of its confines, the demon stretched its huge bat-like wings and, with one downward stroke, lifted itself high above the valley. Its body suddenly turned to flame and it bellowed so loud that Garuk thought his hearing would never be the same. Others rose then: many, many more shot forth from all manner of holes, vents and pools. (Even those Garuk suspected to be highly acidic.)

Thankfully, Garuk’s vision cleared and he was brought back to a dream state by a conversation in his own tongue.

“Ah Lendo, hail, His return is prophesied,” a young female Githzerai spoke confidently, looking up from writing on a parchment. “Hail Mindra, He will come among us,” replied a male in the customary way that Garuk knew meant they were Zerths. Both wore comfortable-looking clothes in drab browns and greens. Of similar stature, the female was actually quite handsome, thought Garuk - long neck, thin face and high cheekbones. “The next decree is nearly complete; this one is particularly interesting as it is for Zaerith himself; or rather, through a host of intermediaries, I have it on good authority that our Prince is taking a keen interest.” Mindra, was obviously delighted at the authority vested in her. Garuk thought her verboseness less appealing than her look, as did Lendo, clearly. “Yes, Mindra, may I see it?” This was not really a question and Lendo’s demand was reinforced by an outstretched arm. “Of course, forgive my exuberance.” Mindra actually looked embarrassed. Lendo took the offered parchment and read it swiftly before handing it back. Without another word, the male turned and walked purposefully out of the small room and into a corridor. Garuk thought Mindra looked a little crest-fallen, which improved her charm even more. Tearing his eyes from her, Garuk’s vision followed the male. Lendo’s long, resolute stride, simple garb and perfectly tonsured hair marked him clearly as a Zerth. Indeed, all these things – together with their fighting skill and reputation as outstanding mages – drew Garuk to the cult. He often asked himself, in moments of reflection, how sure he was of the return of Zerthimon. It mattered little now though, of course… At last, Lendo turned a corner and Garuk instantly recognised his teacher, Grinwire. He was said to be over 200 years old and still going strong. His grey hair flowed from his face and scalp, neatly braided and threaded with a few brown-coloured beads. His huge forehead dominated his otherwise compact physiognomy, resting on his brow like and enormous lintel. They must be in Zerth'Ad'lun, although many of the austere rooms the Githzerai lords had crafted looked identical. Master Grinwire would not normally leave the college or his students for that matter. He was dedicated to their teaching as much as a Attala was dedicated to routing out their hated foe.

“At the end of the Great War, our leader returned to the depths of the Astral, looking for our new home. He was shunned by many and still more he would not tolerate for they were frivolous or mean of heart…” the old Gith spoke earnestly, before looking up to acknowledge his old pupil.

“Lendo, hail, His return is prophesied.”

“Hail Master, He will come among us.”

“What brings you here?”

“I have seen the decree.”

“And?”

“I wish to lead it”

“No, Lendo, you are needed here.”

“Master, I have all the skills…”

“You do, Lendo, but so do others. This mission requires more than skill with weapons and dweomer.”

“Master?”

“This requires ruthlessness and subtlety. Absolute confidence and no conscience.”

“Master?”

“Lendo, this may mean sacrificing a team to get on the inside. You are not able to do that.”

“No; who is?”

“Mardhan.”

It was clear that it was not only Garulk who knew that name – Lendo’s eyebrows shot up. The teacher noticed Lendo’s surprise, “He will not hesitate to sacrifice for the greater good.”

“He is not known for self-sacrifice, Master.”

“No, but he will sacrifice his team to get inside.”

Garuk began to understand the hasty assault and the seemingly unplanned charge. So where had Mardhan gone?

“Once there,” began Lendo, realising the truth in the Master’s words, “what then?”

“He will discover their plans, specifically why they are on the Prime, helping the Kharash.”

Garuk, woke suddenly, as if the rest of the conversation was not meant to be overheard.