Baldir Post-Yarlug

BWXXXIV - Baldir’s Vision in the Astral Room

- 4th Age based on the fall of Malek? possibly 6th Age based on resurrecting Rantor?

- in which we learn of the Astral Ring (Maedus) and Negative Ring (Balem now Malask of the Derro)

- the moment when the Duergar come to exist as servants of Anubis

Baldir was blinded by a brilliant white light and his head immediately began to hurt as if he had been struck by a well-aimed blow to the back of his skull.

“I have seen Lastar’s desired destination – it is a place of magic and wonder,” a voice (Yagrik) said triumphantly, doing nothing to dull Baldir’s pain.

“Have you my friend?” a dwarf’s (Rugnar) deep tone, which filled Baldir’s head, replied, “Did you go there unbidden?”

“No Rugnar,” the first voice chided, “I was asked by Anubis himself.”

“Why?” said the dwarf unconvinced, “I mean, why did he reach out to you?”

“The Deities of the Underworld wish to understand more of the Prime,” the first voice answered confidently, “Evidently, Lastar provoked their interest.” The brightness in Baldir’s mind suddenly disappeared into a void, as if he now stared into a hole of utter blackness. The pain remained.

“Really?” Rugnar remained unconvinced, “I thought he merely provoked them.”

Seemingly ignoring the dwarf, the first voice – that Baldir began to understand from his vision belonged to the Gnome, Yagrik, continued, “It would seem that these Deities need souls of Prime dwellers to maintain their dominion.”

“What have you agreed Yagrik?” asked the dwarf, resignedly.

“That we would serve the Underworld; our folk have outgrown their usefulness on the Prime. We have the necessary understanding to manipulate the growth of the Tree, whose roots control everything.”

“And you wish to have my help with the ‘influencing’ Planes – is that not what you need, Yagrik?”

“Of course, without Maedus’ Ring, we cannot have total control of the Tree, but with your Ring, we can influence its growth.” (NB Maedus implies Astral)

“And you want the Underworld to succeed?” the dwarf asked, without revealing his thoughts.

“It is those, greatest of all Deities, that have promised the most;” extolled the gnome, “All tell of the end of the Prime, when some Gods will be reborn and flourish again, and we will be exalted.”

“And what of the other lower Planes, the deepest of all?” Rugnar asked.

“I know of your interest there,” confirmed the gnome, “Of course, while they deliver souls to the Lords of the Underworld, our intentions are aligned. It is not control of the Prime that the Deities seek, only greater dominion over and within their own Pantheons.”

“Then help us bring back those that we have lost, as the Drow have done,” argued the dwarf forcefully.

“The Demon Princes suffer the same penalty of banishment as the most powerful of the lower Planes.”

“I know,” yelled the dwarf, “that must change!” Rugnar, more collected, continued, “There are some whose presence on the Prime would serve both our causes.”

“I agree Rugnar,” the gnome said calmly, “and you would become Derro, would you not? Esteemed Prime dwellers, favoured by the lowest Planes, equal of the Drow?”

“As you would be Duergar, favoured by the Hells, equal of both Drow and Derro.”

The gnome ignored the banter, as he was mulling over a more important question, “But what of the ‘other side’ of your Artefact?”

“Well, my father understood it to be suppressed whilst it remains with us,” the dwarf said plainly, “the only difficulty is with the natural cycle that Lastar and the sylvan elves managed to track – if not control.”

“And?” pressed the gnome.

“His understanding was that, whilst the powers of negativity remain in ascendance, the Ring can be wielded for our cause. Should we allow it to turn, we would lose much of our power – which is why, at this moment, we need to bring back to the Prime those most valued by us.”

“And control of Zundar?”

“Remains with us, at least until the wheel completes its turn…”

“And the powers at Malek?”

“Lost…”