Mirrors (Episode 1)

Stepping up to the first landing, everyone can see that the enormous chamber continues on, with two more massive mounted statues and a second set of steps. More of the hovering orbs are visible in key positions. While a high-backed throne is seen situated at the center of the path on the second landing. Floating slightly above the seat is a large silver orb.


"There is only one Lord Orb I can assure you, m'Lord Falken." Chamberlin replies to Lucian. "These are some of his Elite Sentries. I would think twice before agitating them."

The silver orb turns slowly, as Radu approaches. He can see a slightly distorted image of his own face reflected in the mirror-like surface.

"Only the eight Champions may follow me up the approach to the throne." He states, continuing toward the second stairs. "Companions should await down here on this level."

Kris whispers to Blue. "Make yourself scarce for a little while, buddy. Okay?"

The monkey nods and slowly fades into nothing, while the young woman soldiers on with the other seven.

...Following...

Taj glides along a foot off the floor, listening to the sparse conversations, and moving forward all the while. She turns to Jael, with a reassuring nod, when Chamberlin announces that only she and the other chosen champions are allowed to continue up to meet with Lord Orb.

Radu squints at the orb then nods, near imperceptible, at the odd floating orb. He turns and heads to the center of the middle platform and turns to this companions. "Rubie, Rosie, stay here as commanded. I will return shortly."

He follows Chamberlain to the upper platform. "Lord Orb, I presume," he says loudly and clearly. He bows his head. "I have come a long way to be here. I look forward to what you have to say."

Lucian takes Chamberlin's words at face value, if not to heart. He has no reason to doubt them then and no reason to test them. Motivation was key in things, and he didn't have any for that sort of thing. When they are told to have their companions wait he and Useless comply, even if disliking it. Even if he didn't turn to watch, Lucian knew the little dragon would be as close as he could be to the invisible line and have eyes on him the entire time. While he assumed the big orb was Lord Orb like Radu, he just moved to the upper level without questioning. Radu seemed like a talker, so he saw no reason to not let him handle it until his own words were needed.

A silent message passes between the large muscular Fire Goliath and his concubine, as he continues as instructed up the second stairs and onto the dais where the large orb floats on the throne. Typical for the Chaos warlord, Killian observes all but says little along the way.

"Welcome my honored guests..."

The voice is instantly recognizable as that of the whisperer in your dream. The syllables seem to resonant through you all and quicken your heartbeats in their rhythm.



"May I proudly present Orb: High Lord of the Eternal City, T'Lorn." Chamberlin announces.

With the simple honorific presentation, the large orb appears to fade away before your eyes and a tall male figure fades in to replace it; settling upon the cushions of the throne. He is nearly the height of Killian, but more wiry than bulky. Like a predatory feline or the apex predator that he might certainly be. His eyes are penetrating and filled with untold knowledge and wisdom far beyond many lifetimes.



He nods to Radu. His regal head slowly turns to regard each of the eight Champions before him.


"I am pleased to meet each of you face-to-face finally..."

Radu bows his head deeply but otherwise stands resolute and proud. "I fear you have me at a disadvantage, my Lord. The way you say this, it sounds as if you have been waiting a long while, yet you only just came to my dreams but days ago." He looks around. "Though I suppose you do not meter time the way I, or any of us, do."

"Apologies for keeping you waiting, and thank you for the meal," Says Keltos with a slight bow "Now that we are here, I am curious. Why us? Why now?"

Tajuri bows respectfully before their host. She can feel the immense power Lord Orb's aura gives off.

Kris is fascinated and in awe of the place and the Lord Orb is no different. She is amazed at his visible transformation from the large silver orb to his humanoid form. She bows when he addresses them all. It is almost too much for her to look directly at the ruler of the city. His presence is overpowering.

Lucian bows before he simply waits for whatever information Lord Orb is willing to share. While he has to admit to himself that the transformation was interesting and awe worthy, he kind of missed the idea of him being just a sentient magical orb. His more...'normal' form now made him a bit more relatable. Perhaps that was the goal.

Lord Orb raises and hand, with palm toward the assembled Champions. "I will attempt to answer some of your questions and concerns. First and most important of all, is the WHY."

He pauses for a moment and glances over to Chamberlin before continuing. "On an average of every two thousand years the fifteen planes of man go through an upheaval—an apocalypse. These cycles of great change are invariably tied to the influences of Law and Chaos and their respective effects on those realms. Unrest and turmoil then levels out, as the Balance is again found and the multiverse continues on."

"At the forefront of these world-changing events are individuals known throughout history as the Champion Eternal. These champions are influenced by one side or another, but ultimately retain their own free will to act in these matters of their own convictions. Few of these Champions ever survive the climactic events of their purpose."

"We here within the Eternal City have sensed something unlike the multiverse has ever known, save possibly its own creation. In all fifteen planes of man this great cataclysm has aligned to happen at the same time. The fate of the multiverse is hanging in the balance of these events."

"As to all things of major import, as there are great champions, there are also their opposites in the scheme of the multiverse. Their actions, if successful, would tip the scales and obliterate all that is known in the multiverse. The hordes of these Anti-Champions even now surge across the planes of man. Yet, no true Champions Eternal have arisen to curtail their rampages designed to destroy all civilizations."

"This his where each of you comes into our story." He looks to each of the eight Champions before him. "Our oracles have foreseen these events for eon and we have searched for champions to come now to the aid of the multiverse. Fifteen potential Champions were instilled with my dream: One originating from each of the fifteen planes of man. Besides the eight of you, four arrived at The Great Eye corrupted by unnatural forces and were destroyed, and the other three have vanished from our means of locating them."

"You each are here as potential Champions Eternal. such gatherings have occurred in the long past with varying numbers of Champions coming together to fight for a great cause. The current situation is most certainly the greatest cause of all. Existence."

"Here, we hope to hone each of your skills and abilities. To this end, the Inner Council wishes to observe demonstrations of your individual prowess in different situations. These will include sparring matches between you, to assess where we might help to improve your chances of succeeding in the missions to save the multiverse."

Radu's gaze dances across the faces of those present. "This is well and good, Lord Orb. The existence of the multiverse - all our realms - is high stakes indeed, but what precisely would we be training to face? What is it we would be training to face?"

Resting his elbows on the cushioned arms of the great chair, the ancient being steeples his fingers together in front of him. "The enemies are many and take many forms for as many realms they seek to conquer and destroy. Barbaric Mabden hordes, legions of fiends, armies of the undead, menaces from beyond, and more."

"And we are the ones poised to stop it." It could have been a question, but he poses it as fact as he comes to terms with it. "It sounds as if we are doomed if we stand by, doomed if we don't. I don't suppose we have much to lose. You mentioned few Champions survive these trials - what becomes of those that do?"

With some skepticism Keltos crosses his arms but does not otherwise interrupt Lord Orb. Keltos is aware of the probabilities of a system breaking down but the entire multiverse? Not likely. Additionally since this has never happened according to Lord Orb, how could he even speculate that it would happen with no precedence for guidance?

Never the less, Keltos’ reason for being here has nothing to do with restoring this so-called balance. His curiosity and desire for knowledge has brought him here. If working with Lord Orb can satiate that curiosity and save the multiverse, well so be it. Behind his mask, Keltos smiles at the silliness of it all.

"Lord Orb, sir, I must admit I am beginning to like the idea that I might be a Champion Eternal." Kris speaks up. "I will do whatever is necessary to prove myself and face these insurmountable foes you have described, but I wonder...do we have to save all the fifteen planes? There's one in particular, Etharis, that I would as soon never existed at all." She looks down at the floor with this admission.

The slightest hint of a grin creases the corners of the majestic lord's lips, as he hears the words of the young woman. His red eyes shift back to Radu and he answers, "Each surviving Champion has chosen their own path after. The sanctuary of the Eternal City has hosted a few of these over the millenniums. While others assumed positions of power in their home realms." He glances once more to Kris. "What if the denizens of Etharis remaining were to come to worship you as a goddess, a hero, and an immortal savior?"