The room spun down as time scraped to a standstill.
Shrouded by confetti, falling balloons, streamers, and who knows what else, the gnomes had no idea what I was about.
The chain, however, knew its business.
The manacles smashed into the viscous well of force guarding the huge diamond with a terrible shattering grating sound, as if all the goblins in the Undercity had simultaneously scraped their claws on every blackboard covered with gnomish diagrams and equations in existence. Power jumped from the energy field to the chain as the manacles smashed into the colossal gem.
I whistled for Gruke to return.
Thankfully, he did.
“No!” shrieked the midnight-robed gnome as he turned toward the crystal, realizing what I had done.
He was too late.
The limpid jewel exploded in a blinding flash of shredding crystalline fragments and blazing power.
The shards tore through the air, popping all the balloons, mincing all the confetti, and slicing all the streamers to ribbons. Any unshielded gnomes shared the fate of the balloons.
I curled protectively around Gruke as I lay on the floor so he could safely crawl back into his pouch, and fiery fragments of agony tore into my skin as the diamond’s fragments ripped into my flesh.
The cataclysmic blast of power that followed the scything, gnome-killing jewel shards took care of most of the rest.
The Not End
A mountain had collapsed.
On me.
I felt the weight of the world on my chest.
Literally.
I could not move.
I could not even open my eyes.
I probably did not want to open them now, anyway.
I was pinned in place as completely as an insect in amber, one fossilized in place for millions of years.
Except I was not dead yet.
But I was going to be stuck here until I either starved or suffocated.
Wherever here was.
Had the Undercity collapsed on me?
Had someone taken my brother’s blanket?
I really should put a warning on the side of my pouch.
I remembered trying to go home, but that was about all I could recall.
I tried to wait patiently and let remembrance come to me.
After all, I was not going anywhere.
From the vast emptiness within my head, thoughts floated into my mind’s eye.
Beer.
Bacon.
Butter.
Beer.
Bacon.
Butter.
This could go on forever.
I supposed that if I had to die, happy thoughts were the best ones to have.
Another recollection began to coalesce, slowly clarifying amidst the images of swirling mugs of beer, heaping plates of bacon, and giant melting pats of butter.
Cretus had dropped me on my head.
Again.
How many times had this happened?
I was certain of that, at least.
In fact, my head still ached where it had smashed into the ground.
Or maybe that was where the mountain had smashed me.
Was I still buried in the ground from that fall?
Had no one noticed me stuck head-first in the dirt like some bent pole with my bottom stuck in the air?
I would be hard to miss.
No, that wasn’t it.
I had made it home, hadn’t I?
I remembered reaching for the door…
Yes, I had made it home.
But not really.
I had been tricked again by ANGST!
Those steaming piles of günda!
They had stopped me from going to the bathroom at the King’s Crown, and they had prevented me from going home.
No wonder I was so tired.
Were these gnomes ever going to leave me alone?
Just because I had helped ruin their plans for citywide destruction did not mean they needed to keep hassling me.
I had let them sleep!
Maybe I could use my time trapped here to catch up on some sleep of my own.
Everything came back then: the crazy battle in ANGST’s secret lair, me being battered, sucker-punched, and turned polka-dotted while my brother tore into mobs of gnomes with gleeful abandon. The joy in my brother’s eyes as he inflicted mass trauma on anyone and everyone in his way warmed my heart almost as much as the detonation that had destroyed everything here except me and him.
We had done well, far better than I would have guessed when I first took this case.
It was good to be alive.
Even if I couldn’t drink anything to celebrate.
My thirst gave me reason to live.
Postscript
“Dizzywhig Goldsnout reporting for InAction News, live on the moon.
As the camera panned away from a close-up of her well-manicured face with its artistically arranged eyebrows, Dizzywhig swept her hand toward a heaping pile of blasted boulders in the near distance that once might have been a mountain or a large hill. “As you can see, the terrible blast that was visible on Unea and leveled this mountain was, in fact, not a volcanic eruption.
“Initial assessments indicate that a powerful arcane explosive device was triggered beneath the mountain.
“There is some speculation that this might have been a test for the latest ANGST superweapon. However, despite the traction this rumor has gained in light of recent events, the Home Guard are dismissing this speculation and asking for patience while further investigation is completed.
“Preliminary analysis, in fact, indicates that this might have been an ANGST base that was destroyed in a cataclysmic explosion.
“The cause of this explosion is not yet confirmed. But, given the magnitude of the destruction and the etheric traces of living beings that remain, the detonation appears to have been accidental.
“At present, however unlikely it may be, the Guard are searching for potential survivors and additional clues onsite.
“The Guard have asked that anyone who may have information regarding the accident come forward.
“We will keep you apprised of any changes here on the ground as events unfold.
“More at 11:00.
“Back to you, Cogpulley!”
The image faded away from the gnomish reporter and the blasted mountain range to the far tamer studio.
“Thanks, Dizzywhig!” Cogpulley’s gleaming teeth and immaculately coiffed eyebrow hair steadied the viewers’ gaze and helped reassure the reeling public.
Or, that was what he hoped.
Cogpulley’s face was a study in seriousness as he addressed the audience. “There you have it, first from InAction News, the latest from the moon.
“As more information breaks, count on InAction to deliver.
“Until next time, have a pleasant evening and a bright tomorrow.”
With a brief partial salute, Cogpulley signed off.
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Glossary of Terms
People, Places, and Things
Abstract – see Aspect.
Abyss – a general name often used for extradimensional regions home to daemonic creatures of Darkness and despair. Also called nether realms.
Adamantium – an
exceedingly strong magical metal.
Adrael the Black – an ancient black dragon slain by Ithilieon while wielding Duraeleon.
Aerie – a name commonly used for the peaks and summits claimed by dragons as their homes.
Aeromancy – the study of the air and its currents, the manipulation of its energies, and the fashioning of airships.
Aerya – literally, ‘light’ or ‘air’. An elven term for the living energy of the universe. The concept of Aerya encompasses all forms of magical energetic expression in a single totality from the universal source to the personal creation—both chi and Yuan-chi. See also chi.
Aerya Etherum – literally, ‘highest air’ or ‘highest breath’. Alternatively, ‘first breath’ or ‘source of breath’. An elven term for the source of the Aerya, the formless, boundless Void, source of limitless potential.
Age – any extensive period of time. Typically thought of as representing one thousand years, though events of particular significance may also define its limits.
Airfoil – a small, often personal, airship.
Airship – magically powered ships in as many shapes as the mind can imagine, found plying the air currents and trade routes throughout Ea’ae and beyond. See also aeromancy.
Alchemical – Paratechnological study revolving around understanding the higher chemistries of the macroverse’s functioning. Just as physical laws govern natural phenomena and metamagical laws govern magical occurrences, alchemical laws govern the interactions between the two.
Alldrassil – the world tree at the heart of the cityship of Alyon.
Allomorph – a being capable of taking on various shapes and guises, potentially augmenting its own intrinsic abilities, while retaining its primary core awareness, sense of self, and intelligence. The Jira S’al Alann are one example.
Alyon – a large, diverse city on the planet of Unea. Also, the city’s original floating cityship in the sky.
ANGST – Anti-Negentropy Gnomes Strike for Truth. A group of gnomish terrorists bent on creating disorder.
Antientropics – the study of creating energy and adding energy back to systems, devices, and entities.
Anubaraëthi – literally, ‘spawn of the shadow’ or ‘shadow made manifest’. A general elven name for greater, sentient daemons. Sometimes called Dread Lords.
Anubavaeri – literally, ‘spawn of the flame’ or ‘spawn of the fire’. An elven name for powerful daemons of flame.
Anuvaerya – literally, ‘children of the light’. An elven name for those elves who have willingly left the bounds of the body to explore the realms of the mind and spirit. The existence of Anuvaerya is a closely guarded secret, known only to a few elf-friends outside the elven people.
Anuvatali – literally, ‘children of the dawn’, or ‘children of the new morn’. An elven name for the half-elven children of men and elves born on Ea’ae.
Anuvatari – literally, ‘children of the sun’. An elven name for those elves who first came to Ea’ae.
Anuvatari’aliana – literally, ‘of one voice with the children of the sun’ or ‘friend-kin of the children of the sun’. An elven name for those people of any race taken in by the elves and taught something of their ways or those who are trusted and respected as elf-kin.
Archfiend – a general name for a daemon, particularly in reference to powerful daemons who have usurped dominion over lesser representatives of their own kind.
Archlich – a particularly powerful lich, often a powerful deceased practitioner of magic. See lich.
Archmage – a highly accomplished or powerful magician.
Archmathematics – higher order mathematics, modeling, and cognitive frameworks used in Paratechnological studies.
Arcwhistle Tangleknot – a gnomish Paratechnologist in Alyon.
ARMED – Allomorphic Recombinatorial Multidimensional Extravehicular Drones. A flexible, multi-faceted, shapechanging drone system invented by Spreesprocket. Also called sentry drones.
Art – a calling, particularly one magical in nature.
Aspect – a fragment of the Construct. Used to perform specialized duties for the larger Construct in cityships. Like a hologram, an Aspect is a smaller, self-aware representation of the whole functionality of the Construct contained entirely within the larger system but granted broad freedom, flexibility, and independence. Often given to and used extensively by Citizens of cityships. Also called a Fragment or Abstract.
Baera – ‘Brendle the All-Father’ in the tongue of the dwarves.
Baera’Dur – literally, ‘Brendle’s bulwark’ in the tongue of the dwarves. Called dreadnaughts by men.
Baeradun – a legendary dwarven hero known to burst into flames. Sometimes called ‘Burning Beard’.
Beyond – a general term for other dimensions in the multiverse, often in reference to the nether realms. See Abyss.
Biomimetics – an area of Paratechnological research focusing on the understanding of biological functions, their governing principles, improvement, and alteration.
Blade Master – a highly proficient teacher of hand-to-hand combat in the Home Guard.
Blade Singer – see Caer’collas.
Bor’Banna – literally, ‘bearded demon’. A name for the dwarven masters of the axe, imbued with the remnants of power from Brendle’s fire.
Bot – short for robot, particularly with regard to Paratechnological clockwork devices made by Tinkerers that may or may not manifest synthetic intelligence capable of independent thought.
Brendle – the All-Father. Dwarven god of the forge and, in the eyes of the dwarves, the creator of the known universe. More often than not, the brunt of Slate’s curses. Called Baera in the tongue of the dwarves.
Brendle’s Flame – see Brendle’s Spark.
Brendle’s Spark – the remaining embers from Brendle’s original flame and forge when Brendle first wrought the universe under hammer, anvil, and flame. The remaining embers even now bring forth life and magic into the universe. Also, the fires at the heart of the Daerdaana’Duin, the Bor’Banna’s highest known skill, where the exponent merges directly with Brendle’s flames. Also called Brendle’s Flame. An analogue to Aerya and Yuan-chi in dwarven cosmology.
Brendle’s Tears – the finest of dwarven ales. Reputed to be so wondrous and flavorful that Brendle himself cries tears of joy and amazement with each sip.
The Cabal –A sinister alliance of dark mages, fallen priests, extradimensional beings, and other creatures of might bent not only on domination but on power. Known by many other names, including the Order of the Lidded Eye, the Fallen, the Light Fallen, the Order of the Burning Eye, and the Order of the Hooded Gaze. Called Liúxīng Làngrén by the priests of K’un Lun. Often symbolized by a blazing sigil of a closed eye.
Caer’collas – a Q’sharian blade master. Often called Blade Singers by those who watch their masterful interplay of magic and blade work.
Center City – the central portion of the city of Alyon, located in the valley between two mountain ranges holding the Undercity and Undermount.
Champion of Light – a general honorific for those who have earned great esteem fighting the forces of Darkness. Also, a title for one of great accomplishment within the Dalaren Ka.
Chi – Qi; breath, air, or vapor of particular significance in Taoism and Eastern medicine. From a Taoist perspective, the chi is the vital energy or life force that enlivens and pervades all things. Chi gung—chi kung or qigong—are exercises to build and strengthen chi flow. Along with shen and ching, one of the Three Treasures essential to human life. A less subtle and refined form of the Yuan-chi, the universal potential. The fire that does not burn.
Citizen – an individual who has earned the right to permanent residence in a cityship. This privilege comes with many benefits, including free passage in the city, a permanent dwelling, access to the Construct and the city’s resources, and the right to travel with the ship should it change locations.
Cityship – a floating cloud c
ity often able to travel through space and interdimensionally. Alyon and Tellanon are but two examples.
Clockwork – a general name for a particular branch or type of Paratechnology focusing on magically animated contraptions of any shape, size, and function, often resembling machines and robots but not limited to any specific shape. A particular specialty of Gnomish Paratechnological Tinkerers.
COG – the Construct Organization Group. The Paratechnologists in COG have direct responsibility over the Construct and its attendant artificial intelligence subroutines, including the various Aspects and other specialized intelligence engines in addition to the management of the Construct’s subordinate functions.
Common – see Common Tongue.
Common Tongue – a universal language used across Ea’ae to facilitate nonmagical communication. Also called Common.
The Construct – a powerful, centralized, multi-faceted sentient intelligence created by the Paratechnologists used to oversee, understand, envision, and facilitate activities in cityships. Administered and overseen by COG.
Craft – higher magical skills. An umbrella term inclusive of various branches of magic, including unique talents and abilities native to particular races, guilds, and tribes.
Cretus – a goblin airfoil pilot.
Cube Gnomeberg – a complex Paratechnological device composed of many seemingly random parts that link together to have surprisingly unexpected, and often visually interesting, outcomes.
Customs House – a focal point of commerce and exchange on Alyon’s docks.
DADD – Dwarves Against Drunk Dragons. Also, Dragons Against Drunk Dwarves.
Daemon – a general name for extradimensional creatures with hostile intent or for those otherworldly creatures that feed and prey upon the energies of the living. Also called infernals.
Daerdaana’Duin – literally, ‘to become the heart of fire’ or ‘to become the heart of the forge’. One of the highest skills of the Bor’Banna, wherein the practitioner wreaths himself in the flames of Brendle’s forge, becoming a direct manifestation of Brendle’s power and one with its heat, energy, and vitality. In times of old, these warriors cloaked themselves in flames, striking down foes directly with Brendle’s might. See Brendle’s Spark.
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