What are they thinking? What's their motivation? What do they want to say? What are they saying behind your back as you try to steal from them? Read the winning community stories that delve into the Minds of the Fabled Luclin NPCs.
Bardtalk featuring Lord Inquisitor Seru
Written by Community Member glowsinthedark From the network that brought you the Stanos Scandal it's Bardtalk. *Seana Marsinger*: Hi, I'm Seana Marsinger and welcome to Bardtalk. Today we have a very special guest all the way from Luclin. The man that single handedly shattered the Combine empire, General Seru! *Seru*: Ahem, General was my title when I was a pawn of the combine. My official title now is Lord Inquisitor Seru. *Seana Marsinger*: Fine, Fine, "Lord Inquisitor" Seru. So Seru, I think that what everyone really wants to know is how does a man as old as you still look so young? *Seru*: Well, I can't comment of specifics, but I have a very dedicated team of alchemist that have come up with some really remarkable advances since we relocated to the moon. In fact we are just about ready to start distribution of out product. I had my illusionist cook up a vision for your audience if I may. *Seana Marsinger*: Cast away. (Illusionary scene of a beach with waves breaking and gulls cawing) For those times when the only one you can trust, is yourself... Inquisition, for Men. *Seana Marsinger*: Wow, that was... interesting. But tell us, what was the real issue between you and Tsaph Katta? Were you always such bitter rivals? *Seru*: I'm glad you asked that, and the fact is, that before Tsaph betrayed me we were the best of friends. *Seana Marsinger*: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Betrayed you? Everyone knows that you were the one that betrayed him. You know, the whole poisoned glove at the Conclave to admit the Dark Elves into the empire? *Seru*: That's a common misconception Seana. The first betrayal came much earlier. I was Tsaph's strong right fist. He sent me out to destroy his enemies and I did it, and did it well. Tsaph was one of the most charismatic leaders that Norrath has ever seen. It's really too bad that he didn't have the sense that the gods gave even ogres. *Seana Marsinger*: What do you mean? *Seru*: There he was, the ruler of the largest empire on Norrath in Milenea, and he wanted to throw it all away. You mentioned it earlier yourself. He wanted to invite the dark elves into the empire. *Seana Marsinger*: So what does that have to do with you betraying and trying to murder him? *Seru*: Everyone knows that dark elves are not to be trusted, if they had joined the empire it would have only been a matter of time before they dragged it down from within. I was dumbstruck when Tsaph first brought the idea up to me. It had only been a handful of years since our last campaign against them, and now he wanted to have them join us? I would have destroyed the empire myself before I let that happen. *Seana Marsinger*: Well, you pretty much did. *Seru*: I tried for months to get him to see the error of his ways, but he just wouldn't listen. His military commander's advice apparently didn't carry the same weight as it once did. I suspect that his newest "advisor" was working against me in this. And by advisor I mean "wench". Lcea had his ear, amongst other things, and my years of faithful service didn't count for anything anymore. *Seana Marsinger*: Lcea Katta? Wasn't she his daughter… or wife… or something? *Seru*: No, of course not, she was his latest and she only took his name after the "incident" to cement her leadership over the few loyalists that Tsaph still had. *Seana Marsinger*: Let's back up a minute. So Katta was going to invite the dark elves into the empire and this was a big deal to you, but was it really a big enough deal that you had to try to kill him? You just said that he was your friend after all. *Seru*: had lost count of the number of good men that had died defending the empire from the dark elves. Men that I had sent to their deaths for the glory and protection of the great Combine Empire. And now Tsaph wanted to go and throw it all away, to spit on the sacrifices that those men had made. I wouldn't allow it. *Seana Marsinger*: While a commendable sentiment I still think that your actions were a little bit overboard. *Seru*: I don't have to justify my actions to you. I did what had to be done. *Seana Marsinger*: But still, he was your friend. *Seru*: He was dead to me the moment he was committed to having the dark elves join the empire. I did my mourning for him then, and then I did what was necessary. My only real regret is that the poison acted a bit too quickly. If he had taken just a little longer into the evening to succumb all of the priest would have been too deep into their cups to cast that cursed stasis spell on him. He was supposed to die quickly and relatively painlessly so that I could step in and assume control. Instead he only lies there like a corpse and the empire collapsed into chaos. But even after all of this time, I don't blame Tsaph for what happened. He was only a man, and like all men fell to man's greatest weakness. Woman, in this case Lcea. *Seana Marsinger*: There really is a lot of bad blood between you two, isn't there? *Seru*: She beguiled my friend and turned him into someone I no longer knew and forced me to kill him. What do you think? *Seana Marsinger*: I think that in the end, it was still your choice to kill him. I know that this is not the first time for a woman to break up two men's friendship. Ok, next topic, what have you been up to recently? *Seru*: Mainly just holding down the fort up on Luclin. The war with Lcea's bunch has gone pretty cold, there is still the occasional skirmish, but nothing major in years. Occasionally there are groups of adventurers that attempt to assassinate me for her. Although they generally aren't very subtle about it. Something about having to bring a horde of allies just to take down one man doesn't seem very sportsman like to me. I usually just play with them a bit then "Die" for them and they take some minor trinkets and run off to brag to their friends. I lie low for a few days and then am up and about again as if nothing really happened. There were a few groups back near the beginning that almost got me for real and they made off with some very nice items. Luckily I was able to get a couple of my sorcerers to curse the items. Deserves them right for breaking my skylight. As a more permanent measure to that I also had them increase the gravity with in Sanctus Seru's walls by 15%. Makes everyone that lives there just a little bit stronger and also prevents flight and levitation type spells from working. *Seana Marsinger*: Well it definitely sounds like you have been keeping busy. We are almost out of time, but before we go, I want to bring out our surprise guest. *Lcea Katta*: Hi Everyone! *Seru*: YOU!!! DIE WENCH!!!!! *Seana Marsinger*: That's all we have time for this week. Be sure to join us next time on Bardtalk.
The Source of Power
(A.K.A. how the heck did the mobs get powered up and get better items)
Written by Community Member Blindheart_ She watched silently and unnoticed, safe from the hoards that had traveled across her land. She watched as her children built their great cities and temples to rule over the land in her name. She watched as the Shissar retreated onto her lands and buried themselves into an airless tomb. She watched as the Ancient Combine arrived and claimed the world as their own, building their own city's to rival those of her children. She watched as the great upheaval upon Norrath thrust the Kerrans to her world where they survived and thrived as never they had before. She watched as the ages passed safely from her Plane of Shadows. Luclin, The Maiden of Shadows, let her world grow and develop, free from the direct influence of the other gods. This was her treasure and she kept it sealed away for many, many years. The solitude of her world was eventually broken when the people of Norrath appeared within the Nexus. These people intrigued her so she did not act, but allowed them to roam free and interact with those she now claimed as her own. And interact they did, these new adventurers swept across the world creating strife and unrest growing stronger and more confident by the day. Soon they found the doorway to the planes of the gods themselves... but never did they learn the way into her Plane of Shadows. She left the people of Norrath alone and soon they became less and less interested in her world. Ever cautious of her world, she began to watch over the world of Norrath as well. She saw how the other gods had let their guards down and allowed their own people and creations to become more powerful. She watched as they abandoned their world to punish those who stood up against them. She feared that the people of Norrath would begin to seek her out as they had no others to oppose. But soon the armies of Discord appeared and allowed her a moment's reprieve. She watched the war from behind her veil of shadows until it passed into Discord itself beyond even her vision. She grew worried ever more as she watched the people come and go into Discord, returning more powerful each time. Still she remained convinced that her plane would remain untainted, but still she watched. Soon she spied one creature who appeared at times to be stronger than any other, but never had she seen it venture toward Discord. In fact, this being seemed to come and go from places none had ever gone before and then vanishes to someplace even she could not determine. These actions worried her, and rightfully so, because the people of Norrath soon began to follow this same path. They ventured into the Ancient Dragons nests and ruined them growing themselves ever stronger. They found passages into the depths of Norrath itself and found a world she never knew existed... but how could this be? She looked to the places the other gods had hidden themselves and saw them appear as confused as she. A hidden world below the surface cloaked from even the eyes of Brell was unthinkable but there it was. And as she looked back at the people, she knew their strength... no, their lust for power was leading them to ruin. Luclin had done enough watching. The other gods, though confused, still seemed disinterested in Norrath. She however knew something terrible was coming and would likely not limit itself to Norrath. But just as she was about to make her move, it came. There are no mortal words to describe the birth of a god, if birth is even the right word. The worlds of the gods literally shook apart as Mayong ascended. His immortal bloodlust thrust him into the heart of the pantheon. And as Mayong ascended Luclin retreated to the deepest part of her Plane... still hidden, still safe. She stayed deep in her realm, keeping her gaze upon only herself for the first time. Watching to make sure she would not have to face this threat of Mayong as he accreted his newfound power. Much time passed as she waited but soon the Planer Realms realigned themselves... and the other gods reclaimed their hold on Norrath as best as they could, knowing now the mistakes they made for their absence. Luclin felt the worlds balance once again so she returned to the place where she could view the mortal realms. First she looked upon her Moon, her world and saw a frightening change. The sun where visible was covered in a haze unlike anything that she had known, turning to Norrath the world was even harder to see as the rays of the sun were blocked out in many places. This was a frightful discovery for the Maiden of Shadows. Without light there can exist no shadow. A world bathed in only darkness would only die... and as that thought entered her mind, she saw the dead begin to rise and amass under the clouded sun. She redirected her gaze to the Plane of Flame to seek out Solusek Ro but it was abandoned, probably because of the recent events of Mayong's ascension. Quickly she turned back to her world and sure enough the undead who had hardly ever gotten a grasp on her world were suddenly amassing. It was then that she heard her people talking of long forgotten ancestors and their incredible city under the seas of Norrath. And so she looked across the world and found the ancient city hidden deep within the waves. She had never paid much attention to the seas for Prexus was as reclusive a god as she, and she honored that. But now her world and children were in danger so she plunged her vision down through the darkness. What she found completely amazed her. It was very similar to her own world but the evolution was different. On her moon the Combine and Shissar had room to grow and flourish, but down here they were slowly dying out. Looking down into this world she quickly discovered what she already knew. Solusek protected them in some way, and since he was missing their protection was fading. Through her years of watching however, she easily learned that these Shissar knew more than they said. Following their leaders soon helped her locate what she needed, the location Solusek's current whereabouts. Luclin looked toward this new plane, a Stronghold created by Solusek to counter the new threat to the gods. She dared not enter though, for the armies of Mayong were already aware of this place and she dared not reveal her presence until it was absolutely necessary. Retreating back deep into her Plane, the Maiden of Shadows began to formulate a plan on how she could save her moon as well as assist Solusek without drawing attention to herself. She did not control any creatures powerful enough for this task, and creating ones would take to much time. But there had to be something... She laughed as she suddenly had an idea. Why not use the people of Norrath as her tools or war? But she couldn't very well let them into her plane to provide them with the extra boost of power could she? They would just turn on her and would draw to much attention. She looked back on her moon as she thought... and then she saw her answer. The nexus suddenly grew dark and cold as the Black crystal it was build upon began to pulse. A deep dark shadow began to spread out from the hall, growing bigger and stronger as it spread out through the caves and cities to the surface. It continued to spread until the whole moon was covered in a blanket of shadows. Most of the creatures seemed unaffected... but some of them began to react strangely. Their powers grew, their minds sharpened, and their equipment became enchanted and more durable. The Akhevan's knew their god's wishes instinctively and slowly spread rumors of legendary power and fables of past glories and new riches across the lands. Emperor Ssraeshza ordered his minions to prepare for war as he received visions of his long lost brothers still upon Norrath. Lord Inquisitor Seru awakened suddenly with the knowledge that Tsaph Katta was still alive, although in a coma, and this did make him furious with rage. The great powers of Luclin were revitalized but for what purpose? The rumors of power spread to the people of Norrath who were just beginning to hear the tales of Katta Castrum, the Shissar, and Solusek's new home of Solteris. The fear of Mayong and the darkened sun helped fuel the people of Norrath into seeking even greater power... and the tales of easy pickings upon Luclin was suddenly too good to pass up. From deep within the Plane of Shadows Luclin smiled. Her plan seemed to have worked. The people were taking the bait and going after the "free power" she left for them. She hated to sacrifice her people like this, but she knew that in time they could recover as they always had. Distracting the strongest of them with thoughts of revenge and hate for the people on Norrath would make them easy prey for those who could assist in the battle ahead. Now with her meddling completed she sat back to watch how things would unfold. She would not directly interfere right now. Maybe one day, if needed, she would join the fight, maybe one day she would reveal her presence to the people of Norrath. For now she would watch... just watch...
