The Game

The lithe figure runs his glowing crystal dagger along the inner surface of the Wall of Force, observing its properties, but you also realize he is speaking telepathically to his crewmates.

In a blink, the other three turn into purple mist and reform within the Wall of Force. They take up defensive stances, preparing for if the Wall should be lowered. However, his voice is utterly serene now.

"Very well, Khorvairans. It seems The Dreaming Dark has decided to teach us a lesson in humility today. I am A'an. These are Gurha'ak (with broad shoulders), He'el (the restless one), and Sula'an (the tall one). We are agents of the Sleeping Sword, defenders of the Unity of Riedra. The Unity is conducting sensitive experiments here and your primitive sorcerous devices will cause interference, like the previous vessel caused."

Tamara has heard of the Unity of Riedra - they are an advanced nation from the distant continent of Sarlona. Emissaries from the Unity are rare but not unheard of, and they always preach peace and cooperation. They are well-known as masters of psionics who eschew arcane magic. The Sleeping Swords don't ring a bell.

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WARP X is well-versed in the Riedran religion, The Path of Inspiration. It is the only permitted religion in Riedra and is so intertwined with the state that there is no discernable line between The Path and the state. The Path worships the Quori, extraplanar spirits from Dal Quor, the Plane of Dreams. They believe that the Quori saved the humans of Sarlona from a terrible conflict and united people in peace. However, the price of this unity is utmost conformity. Certain members of Reidran society called "The Inspired" are possessed directly by these spirits and possess great power.

WARP also knows about the schism in The Path. An offshoot is the Path of Light, which teaches the Quori spirits are embroiled in war. They worship a group of rebel Quori spirits who are persecuted and on the edge of extinction. The Path of Inspiration claims these dangerous rebels seek to destroy all Quori, but the Path of Light claims that the dark Quori have interrupted the natural cycle of light and dark to hold onto power indefinitely. The two religions are diametrically opposed.

In terms of Arcana, he knows that The Inspired and their priests are permitted to use divine magic but arcane magic is forbidden upon pain of death. Psionics is widespread and industrialized the same way magic is industrialized in Khorvaire, but even more advanced.

WARP X has also heard whispers of the Sleeping Swords - secret agents that are utterly loyal and amazingly skilled. They are charged with tasks that require ruthlessness and discretion.

A'an answers Brush in the same calm voice, telepathically, broadcasted for all to hear:

"Your first craft refused to cooperate. There was a battle, it was destroyed. You have seen the wreckage for yourself. However, we have rescued as many survivors as we could. We will reunite you with your people if you surrender your ship, and arrange for you and those survivors to be returned to Khorvaire unharmed."

"Our experiments are of utmost importance and must not be interfered with. Your first craft nearly caused a catastrophic reaction. We will accept no alternative solution."

It is clear that the wreckage is insufficient to account for the entire Aurora. Their story doesn't add up.

"Autonomy is such a foolish thing to cherish. It is an anathema to unity."

"I do not doubt you are excellent killing machines. My ancestors fought your progenitors, after all. But you don't even know who you are, or where you come from, do you? A creature so bereft of self-knowledge cannot stand prevail, no matter how many magic tricks you possess."

A'an gestures up to the stars above. "Do you think we are alone here?" A'an laughs. "Your entire existence is loneliness. In The Dark, the Inspired are never alone."