Adornments of Glory

Read Adornments of Glory Storyline:

After the "Atlantis thing" the advanced beings: elves, dwarves and select humans, left Terra to live on idyllic Diluvia, leaving the primitive mass of humanity to develop on its own, free from the corrupting influences of the golden isles. Such were the terms of the Compact. A few dissidents stayed behind, to observe and meddle in small ways. The Diluvian councils assigned a handful of Justices to keep an eye on matters and occasionally, report back. Then, for the most part, Diluvia forgot about Terra. Unregulated, humanity on Terra burgeoned and developed. The thrashings of social change produced literature and music an orderly world could never create. Mozart and Shakespeare's works were imported and became mainstays of Diluvian culture. More from Diluvia visited Terra: to help, to hinder, or to cut loose and do things that, back home, would get their souls recycled. So what if a few Terrans got hurt or killed? It's not like there was any shortage. And all that turmoil produced great art. On Diluvia, a debate simmered. From the histories of many worlds it was clear Terra would self-destruct. Some thought Diluvians should work to prevent that end. Others were in favour of pushing Terra over the edge. And, of course, there were those who sought to wallow in the glorious chaos. On balance, it was decided to abide by the terms of the Compact... do nothing... and, perhaps, assign a few more Justices to keep outside influences in check. And, of course, send back items of interest. A feed from the new Terran Internet to the Diluvian Backbone made keeping informed so much easier. Then the Adornments of Glory were stolen, and taken to Terra. Their power, if tapped, could tear open the tightly-regulated portals between the planets. Overnight, the menace posed by Terra became clear. If the portals were opened, Diluvia could be swamped by Terran soldiers and squalor. Something would have to be done. But first, the Adornments must be returned. Who to trust? Anyone who'd ever had dealings with Terra was suspect. The factions bickered and babbled and finally came up with a compromise that made no one happy, least of all the ones chosen to undertake the quest.