With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

[Agent Orange]

We see a lot of Nazi Girl and even that angel (?) possessed Supergirl occasionally but we barely see any of the real deal. Where is she these days and what is she doing?

 

[Darko]

We see a lot of Nazi Girl and even that angel (?) possessed Supergirl occasionally but we barely see any of the real deal. Where is she these days and what is she doing?

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Angelika is spending some time in Dakota with Raquel.

Noriel is probably spending a lot of time with Zauriel learning less violent ways of doing things.

 

[Mr Zoat]

We see a lot of Nazi Girl and even that angel (?) possessed Supergirl occasionally but we barely see any of the real deal. Where is she these days and what is she doing?

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Working for KordTech.

 

[Agent Orange]

Working for KordTech.

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Aha! So can we expect Super Beetle this time around?

 

[Darko]

Aha! So can we expect Super Beetle this time around?

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I know you're probably joking, but it is unlikely that she'll get anywhere near that thing.

 

[Agent Orange]

I know you're probably joking, but it is unlikely that she'll get anywhere near that thing.

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You never know. She's surrounded with stone age tech (from her perspective), a nice piece of hypertech might catch her eye. And it's in blue! No El worth their name can resist it. It beats cheerleading/cape combo she was rocking in comics.

 

[Cuchulin]

No, it always explodes, that's why it's electron degenerate matter.

It's basically the same problem you get with Neutronium.

To the dumb and simplify the issue down a lot, the material is already exploding, it's just the stars intense gravitational field counter acting that explosion that keeps it from actively doing so. Hence if you were to somehow remove a small piece of that matter from it's gravity field it would go boom.

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Comic books dude! This is the same universe where you have people running at the speed of sound, flying around under tier own power with out even flapping their arms, A woman who fought in WWII but doesn't even look thirty and ridiculously human robots created by a guy from the first half of the 20th century. Your logic and common sense has no place in a world of Time traveling bug people, Alien invasions and flying jet pack apes!

 

[Gantradies]

Comic books dude! This is the same universe where you have people running at the speed of sound, flying around under tier own power with out even flapping their arms, A woman who fought in WWII but doesn't even look thirty and ridiculously human robots created by a guy from the first half of the 20th century. Your logical and common sense has no place in a world of Time traveling bug people, Alien invasions and flying jet pack apes!

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i mean, after you spend 10-15 minutes looking up the physical laws the Flash(s) have to violate to not level everything within miles of their passing/break the planet with some of the stuff speedster's alone can do, you stop questioning things as much unless its massively jarring-
like you said, at the absolute low end, you have people going supersonic under their own power without as much as shattered windows in their wake, OL doing something that almost broke local spacetime/the entire planet making that Nth metal,the casual redefining of out understanding of thermodynamics/heat transfer that the good (hopefully if he gets that doctorate, and he stays clean and goes legit!) Doctor Snart's technology manages with mostly-conventional materials/circuitry...

not forgetting that a Domino mask or glasses can constitute a near-foolproof disguise here!

 

[Darko]

i mean, after you spend 10-15 minutes looking up the physical laws the Flash(s) have to violate to not level everything within miles of their passing/break the planet with some of the stuff speedster's alone can do, you stop questioning things as much unless its massively jarring-
like you said, at the absolute low end, you have people going supersonic under their own power without as much as shattered windows in their wake, OL doing something that almost broke local spacetime/the entire planet making that Nth metal,the casual redefining of out understanding of thermodynamics/heat transfer that the good (hopefully if he gets that doctorate, and he stays clean and goes legit!) Doctor Snart's technology manages with mostly-conventional materials/circuitry...

not forgetting that a Domino mask or glasses can constitute a near-foolproof disguise here!

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I think Snart already got his doctorate, and he has offers from several companies.

There was also this bit on the trivia page on TV Tropes that says Mirror Master is going to lead the rogues, which is something Snart typically does, so he'll most likely stay reformed.

As for the mask thing Obloquy gave an explanation in his fic that says people on Earth 16 have inferior facial recognition skills compared to us.

Not exactly all that difficult to imagine, seeing as they also have the ability to gain powers from things that would kill us.

And Superman has some slight facial differences compared to an average human that allows him to get away with just wearing glasses and not being recognised.

 

[Senevri]

Hence if you were to somehow remove a small piece of that matter from it's gravity field it would go boom.

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Well, clearly based on your link this sapient piece of white dwarf matter is a piece of white dwarf matter as much as Captain Atom is a piece of earth matter.

 

[Coda]

As for the mask thing Obloquy gave an explanation in his fic that says people on Earth 16 have inferior facial recognition skills compared to us.

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I don't think it's so much that they're inferior as it is that we're fairly easily distracted.

A real-world crook once said that he always made sure to have some readily-identifiable (but useless) item on his person, like a banana sticking out of his pocket. People see that and that's what sticks out in their minds instead of the criminal's face.

Is it really so hard to believe that a bright costume, a conspicuous mask, and some reasonably good acting skills would make it hard for people to accurately identify someone's face like that if they didn't already have a reason to make a connection? Keep in mind that the glasses aren't the biggest factor in Superman's disguise -- Superman is taller than Clark Kent and has visibly beefier shoulders... because Clark slouches.

 

[Cuchulin]

Is it really so hard to believe that a bright costume, a conspicuous mask, and some reasonably good acting skills would make it hard for people to accurately identify someone's face like that if they didn't already have a reason to make a connection? Keep in mind that the glasses aren't the biggest factor in Superman's disguise -- Superman is taller than Clark Kent and has visibly beefier shoulders... because Clark slouches.

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Not if you know that Norma Jeane Baker used the same kind of tricks to transform into THE Marilyn Monroe!!

 

[Lord Ernest]

I'm not sure if somebody posted this video in our community before or not, but while I think the glasses and the domino masks are dumbs, this scene always comes to mind when this debate pops up:

Spoiler: Real Disguise

 

[Stsword]

Thanks for linking. I didn't remember that.

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That stuck with me because it reminded me of a Superman storyline I read.

Superman's science pal Doc Hamilton went insane and became a supervillain.

When caught, the cops transporting him in the back of a truck asked him what exactly his beef was with Superman.

"Superman doesn't passively absorb sunlight, he's actively killing the sun!"

"Wow, really? When will the sun croak?"

"Billions of years from now, but totally earlier than normal!"

"Oh so you're just completely insane, cool cool cool."

DCeased actually proved him right, zombie Superman is freaking eating the sun.

 

[Darko]

That stuck with me because it reminded me of a Superman storyline I read.

Superman's science pal Doc Hamilton went insane and became a supervillain.

When caught, the cops transporting him in the back of a truck asked him what exactly his beef was with Superman.

"Superman doesn't passively absorb sunlight, he's actively killing the sun!"

"Wow, really? When will the sun croak?"

"Billions of years from now, but totally earlier than normal!"

"Oh so you're just completely insane, cool cool cool."

DCeased actually proved him right, zombie Superman is freaking eating the sun.

Click to shrink...

The sad thing is that there are actually people who believe solar panels are killing the sun.

 

[Mr Zoat]

2nd May
01:34 GMT -5

A glowing two-dimensional blue-white fence surrounds our campsite. Abednego's eyes are glowing a similar colour as he writes in a journal. I did volunteer to take the watch myself, seeing as I can go without sleep for long periods without any negative consequences, but when he said that wasn't a good idea I decided to bow to his experience.

Empathic vision turned up maximum comfortable levels I scan our surroundings again. Nothing yet.

No one responded to Abednego marking the monolith, but he didn't seem to find that unusual. If most contacts between warlock-breed and witch-hunters results in a to-the-death fight it's hardly surprising; the sensible thing to do would be for both sides to cordially avoid one another. And if they just avoid us until we get to the original settlement… Whatever state it's in, that's technically a success for us.

I'm particularly looking forward to getting a look at Melmoth's remains. Confirmation of what the Sheeda of the future look like and not merely their hybrid descendants will not only allow me to fine-tune my scanning but perhaps work out how to turn warlock-breed back into regular.. witch-breed..? Would that be the word?

I walk quietly over to 'quiet conversation' distance with Abednego and sit down. He looks up and sets his journal down… He picked up a biro from our parallel. Didn't buy a history book but-. Picked up a biro from the Hall of Justice.

Practical.

"If the people we're going to see are warlock-breed, what are your people called?"

He shrugs. "Men. I take your meaning, that we are not men as your people are, but a more accurate name… Well, what would we call ourselves? Sheeda-breed? Sheeda-kin? T'would be unthinkable for most."

"Witch-breed?"

"To be a witch is to use magic, and the warlock-breed use magic more freely than we do."

I nod. "Are they Christians too, or have they left the faith?"

"I… Be unsure. Some settlements have crude buildings with crosses affixed, but… Oft times the cross is not a simple-" He makes the sign of the cross with his right forefinger. "cruciform, but has other additions. It could be meaning something else."

"Why would their buildings be cruder than yours?"

"Fewer people to work upon them and carry the knowledge, methinks. Warlocks of the first generation did oft change when they are on their own, flee on their own, and may be slow to be accepted by others of their kind even if they find them."

"How do you personally feel about warlocks and the law surrounding them?"

"I be not one who puts obedience next to godliness, but such rules as our people have exist for goodly reasons, for the most part. Warlocks do not come to be for trivial or trite reasons. But neither do I believe that any act is unforgivable, should they honestly and truly repent for it." He looks down for a moment. "How do your people deal with such crimes?"

"Depends. Most nations on Earth don't have a significant number of magic users, so there generally aren't 'separate' magic crimes. Minor magic users can generally be dealt with easily enough by the normal criminal justice system." I smile. "We've actually adapted a prison to be able to hold powerful demons who commit crimes in the material world, and so far it's working surprisingly well."

"You arrest demons?"

"What should we do, kill them? Their spirits just return to Hell to regain their strength. Binding them in a sacred place would work, but there's a history of the people guarding them suffering 'piety failures' and the maleficent entity escaping. There are pagan gods who wouldn't mind taking custody of them, but transferring prisoners from one country to serve their sentence in another is… Legally difficult."

No matter how much more sense it would make for Satanus to be bound in Tartarus than Belle Reve, Congress wants to get its money's worth. Senator Knight said that he'd revisit the issue if there were any escapes, but I think he was mostly trying to get rid of me at that point.

Themyscira has been at peace for three thousand years. Cronus has been bound in Tartarus for at least twice that. A few European ambassadors I've spoken to sounded somewhat interested, but Mr Churkin said that Russia was happy with its current arrangements. Which means they've made a pact with someone, because I've met what passes for Russia's magic corps and they're a band of barely competent ritualists. Goodness only knows what China's doing.

"You keep demons in your land because imprisoning them elsewhere gives your lawyers trouble?"

"I got a law passed which gives equal recognition to all intelligent beings. Banishing a demon that hasn't done anything else illegal is fine, but if they commit crimes then we have to punish them in the same way we would a man." I shrug. "Not my best idea."

He draws himself up slightly. "Do demons.. openly walk your lands? I confess, I was not looking for such creatures when I visited."

I think about the Praexis Demons.

"Not openly, but there are a few around. Weak ones, mostly. The stronger ones draw attention from people who can actually fight them reasonably quickly, and they struggle to manifest on Earth even with help. Is demon summoning a problem here?"

"Only twice in all our history has a warlock been condemned for treating with demons. Neither time did they go so far as to summon one bodily onto Earth. Malevolent spirits are far more common."

"How many warlocks do you actually get?"

"Perhaps one every five years, on average." He shakes his head. "Nowadays it is more likely to be small groups falling to corruption over decades, rather than one man or woman more frequently."

"But if they're doing that, why don't they just… Leave? Load a cart up with the materials to start a farm, take a team of grundymen and head off?"

"Why thinks you that they don't?" He shakes his head. "Our witch-signs tell us if a man or woman breaks their vows where they are planted, but they do not tell us what comes after or what occurs further away. If they are far away, we'd not know it."

"'By definition, we can only study failed criminals'."

He smiles faintly. "That's a fair way to put it. Though if your embassy goes well, we may prevail upon you and your comrades to look around for us."

"Is that a good idea? We wouldn't want to start a fight."

"Unless they be in league with the Sheeda. As I have told you, the warlock-breed are descendants of those who broke their vows. If there is a chancellery of malefactors elsewhere in these lands, that is a just concern."

"I suppose we could have a look around. It-."

"Oh, could-"

Ring showing nothing vision showing nothing armour construct armour.

"-you now?"

Without rising, Abednego tips his hat in the direction the voice came from.

"Pleasant evening, Mistress Butler."

"I'd not be so quick to say that."

A patch of the darkness takes a new texture as a humanoid figure appears, and -ow- I start getting meaningful returns. Rather than the grey-blue of the witch-folk, the person has skin which shades from grey to sandy yellow. They also have the Sheeda's elongated ears, and… Either heavy scarring or.. some sort of skin growth. Their forearms are long enough to reach the ground and they're broader than a normal human could be. It puts me a little in mind of Klarion's monster boy mode, but more… Unhealthy. Like he made it to a plateau of power and this 'Mistress Butler' fell well short and was left unfinished. Her clothing consists of a cloak made of reptilian skin and a dress of pale blue wool.

"But rather you than another. You and your people will be wanting an escort, I take it?"

Abednego nods. "If it will not trouble you too greatly. They have news which concerns us all."

"Aye, well." She comes a little closer, the barrier repelling her for a moment before Abednego waves his right hand to drop it. "As you have news for us, so we have news for you."

 

[Darko]

to regain their regain their strength

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remove one 'regain their'

 

[Tzeentch]

I wonder if the Warlock-breed Witch-folk have turned to the holy trinity of The Three-In-One, The Hecatae, for salvation since they've been exiled by their puritanical brethren.

 

[Darko]

I wonder if the Warlock-breed Witch-folk have turned to the holy trinity of The Three-In-One, The Hecatae, for salvation since they've been exiled by their puritanical brethren.

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That's assuming they somehow know of any other gods aside from the Abrahamic one.

 

[Mr Zoat]

remove one 'regain their'

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Thank you, corrected.

 

[Stsword]

That's assuming they somehow know of any other gods aside from the Abrahamic one.

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The bible mentions several gods by name, actually.

Nabu, as Nebo, is one of them in fact. "Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed." "Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden.
The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary."

Yeah, Dr Fate got trash talked in the Bible.

Baal, Nergal (Constantine's old pal), Dagon, Marduk, Moloch, Astarte, Inanna, etc.....

Although since Zoat seems to be going with the Sandman "Gods are just stories that gain enough power to be real" origin of deities, I imagine any hypothetical religion created by the Warlockbreed would probably make totally unrelated deities with the same name rather than extend the terran gods here.

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

2nd May
01:34 GMT -5

A glowing two-dimensional blue-white fence surrounds our campsite. Abednego's eyes are glowing a similar colour as he writes in a journal. I did volunteer to take the watch myself, seeing as I can go without sleep for long periods without any negative consequences, but when he said that wasn't a good idea I decided to bow to his experience.

Click to shrink...

Probably a matter of trusting his own ability to ward the camp, rather than OL's already shown to be unreliable Spectrum-based senses.

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

Empathic vision turned up maximum comfortable levels I scan our surroundings again. Nothing yet.

No one responded to Abednego marking the monolith, but he didn't seem to find that unusual. If most contacts between warlock-breed and witch-hunters results in a to-the-death fight it's hardly surprising; the sensible thing to do would be for both sides to cordially avoid one another. And if they just avoid us until we get to the original settlement… Whatever state it's in, that's technically a success for us.

Click to shrink...

Or they weren't home, and there's no way to leave a proper message beyond the obvious 'someone poked this spell' after-effect. If they're having trouble with Sheeda critters running around too, they might have been busy.

I'm particularly looking forward to getting a look at Melmoth's remains. Conformation of what the Sheeda of the future look like and not merely their hybrid descendants will not only allow me to fine-tune my scanning but perhaps work out how to turn warlock-breed back into regular.. witch-breed..? Would that be the word?

Click to shrink...

I would just go with 'Columbians' or maybe 'Columbines'. I doubt they have any special name for themselves other than nationality.

I walk quietly over to 'quiet conversation' distance with Abednego and sit down. He looks up and sets his journal down… He picked up a biro from our parallel. Didn't buy a history book but-. Picked up a biro from the Hall of Justice.

Practical.

Click to shrink...

And a nice little bit of hypocrisy. 'Thou shalt not steal', after all. Unless he somehow paid for it? And I doubt the Hall sells books on Christian history.

"If the people we're going to see are warlock-breed, what are your people called?"

He shrugs. "Men. I take your meaning, that we are not men as your people are, but a more accurate name… Well, what would we call ourselves? Sheeda-breed? Sheeda-kin? T'would be unthinkable for most."

Click to shrink...

Yeah, that'd be like humans calling ourselves ape-kin, based on our ancestry. Though there is precedent, cultures or subcultures adopting previously derogatory names as a sign of pride...

"Witch-breed?"

"To be a witch is to use magic, and the warlock-breed use magic more freely than we do."

Click to shrink...

On top of using proscribed magic. I bet that's left a mark on their physiology and psyches. After all, magic changes the caster as much as the caster changes the world.

I nod. "Are they Christians too, or have they left the faith?"

"I… Be unsure. Some settlements have crude buildings with crosses affixed, but… Oft times the cross is not a simple-" He makes the sign of the cross with his right forefinger. "cruciform, but has other additions. It could be meaning something else."

Click to shrink...

Lightning rods, perhaps. A practical reason why many churches, with their tall spires, had metal things attached to them. They were often the tallest thing in towns, and during storms, well...

"Why would their buildings be cruder than yours?"

"Fewer people to work upon them and carry the knowledge, methinks. Warlocks of the first generation did oft change when they are on their own, flee on their own, and may be slow to be accepted by others of their kind even if they find them."

Click to shrink...

It's also unlikely fellows with practical jobs like carpentry would need to turn to proscribed magic for any reason. It'd also be hard to get carpenters and blacksmiths to come to your lands if you're known as a warlock.

"How do you personally feel about warlocks and the law surrounding them?"

"I be not one who puts obedience next to godliness, but such rules as our people have exist for goodly reasons, for the most part. Warlocks do not come to be for trivial or trite reasons. But neither do I believe that any act is unforgivable, should they honestly and truly repent for it." He looks down for a moment. "How do your people deal with such crimes?"

Click to shrink...

There's also the question of whether their children are innocent of the crimes of their fathers (or mothers, yes.) Sure, they'd not be treated well in Columbian communities, but should they be forced to be exiled simply because of their lineage? Then again, most of them have only ever known the life they have now...

"Depends. Most nations on Earth don't have a significant number of magic users, so there generally aren't 'separate' magic crimes. Minor magic users can generally be dealt with easily enough by the normal criminal justice system." I smile. "We've actually adapted a prison to be able to hold powerful demons who commit crimes in the material world, and so far it's working surprisingly well."

"You arrest demons?"

Click to shrink...

One thing to blame OL for. It's a thing. Though it is more practical than simply killing or banishing them, because...

"What should we do, kill them? Their spirits just return to Hell to regain their regain their strength. Binding them in a sacred place would work, but there's a history of the people guarding them suffering 'piety failures' and the maleficent entity escaping. There are pagan gods who wouldn't mind taking custody of them, but transferring prisoners from one country to serve their sentence in another is… Legally difficult."

No matter how much more sense it would make for Satanus to be bound in Tartarus than Belle Reve, Congress wants to get its money's worth. Senator Knight said that he'd revisit the issue if there were any escapes, but I think he was mostly trying to get rid of me at that point.

Click to shrink...

Okay, OL does have regular contact with Senator Knight? Amusing that Paragon and Renegade are sort-of backing different prospective candidates...

Themyscira has been at peace for three thousand years. Cronus has been bound in Tartarus for at least twice that. A few European ambassadors I've spoken to sounded somewhat interested, but Mr Churkin said that Russia was happy with its current arrangements. Which means they've made a pact with someone, because I've met what passes for Russia's magic corps and they're a band of barely competent ritualists. Goodness only knows what China's doing.

Click to shrink...

China probably relies on Ghost Fox Killer, though you have to wonder what happens if she retires or dies. Russia? Might be worth looking into...

"You keep demons in your land because imprisoning them elsewhere gives your lawyers trouble?"

"I got a law passed which gives equal recognition to all intelligent beings. Banishing a demon that hasn't done anything else illegal is fine, but if they commit crimes then we have to punish them in the same way we would a man." I shrug. "Not my best idea."

Click to shrink...

Hey, it benefited your synthetic-intelligence friends and allies. I'm sure Red Tornado and his siblings are enjoying their proper citizenships.

He draws himself up slightly. "Do demons.. openly walk your lands? I confess, I was not looking for such creatures when I visited."

I think about the Praexis Demons.

Click to shrink...

Best not to mention them. Or the other Construct-lanterns. He might have issues with them.

"Not openly, but there are a few around. Weak ones, mostly. The stronger ones draw attention from people who can actually fight them reasonably quickly, and they struggle to manifest on Earth even with help. Is demon summoning a problem here?"

"Only twice in all our history has a warlock been condemned for treating with demons. Neither time did they go so far as to summon one bodily onto Earth. Malevolent spirits are far more common."

Click to shrink...

Sensible. Spirits are a lot easier to control than Devils and Demons, even if they're not as smart.

"How many warlocks do you actually get?"

"Perhaps one every five years, on average." He shakes his head. "Nowadays it is more likely to be small groups falling to corruption over decades, rather than one man or woman more frequently."

Click to shrink...

Small communities or family groups, walking into corruption gradually without realising it? A bit more tragic, really.

"But if they're doing that, why don't they just… Leave? Load a cart up with the materials to start a farm, take a team of grundymen and head off?"

"Why thinks you that they don't?" He shakes his head. "Our witch-signs tell us if a man or woman breaks their vows where they are planted, but they do not tell us what comes after or what occurs further away. If they are far away, we'd not know it."

Click to shrink...

Which raises the question of how many such groups have quietly left, claiming a patch of land on the borders, and subsequently fallen... Especially out where Witch-Hunters rarely visit.

"'By definition, we can only study failed criminals'."

He smiles faintly. "That's a fair way to put it. Though if your embassy goes well, we may prevail upon you and your comrades to look around for us."

Click to shrink...

Perhaps look for any dangers far beyond the borders of Columbia and the Warlock-breed's lands. Who knows what's going on half a world away, when twenty miles is a vast distance for most folk?

"Is that a good idea? We wouldn't want to start a fight."

"Unless they be in league with the Sheeda. As I have told you, the warlock-breed are descendents of those who broke their vows. If there is a chancellery of malefactors elsewhere in these lands, that is a just concern."

Click to shrink...

True enough. What of some indigenous folk far away, who haven't run across the Columbians yet? What if they have better technology or better magic? That kind of encounter rarely ends well for the weaker party.

"I suppose we could have a look around. It-."

"Oh, could-"

Click to shrink...

...That isn't Brother Abednego, is it? Danger, OL, danger!

Ring showing nothing vision showing nothing armour construct armour.

"-you now?"

Without rising, Abednego tips his hat in the direction the voice came from.

Click to shrink...

Oh, for... He was expecting this? Damn, man's a natural troll.

"Pleasant evening, Mistress Butler."

"I'd not be so quick to say that."

Click to shrink...

To be fair, anyone who knows OL can say that when he's around.

A patch of the darkness takes a new texture as a humanoid figure appears, and -ow- I start getting meaningful returns. Rather than the grey-blue of the witch-folk, the person has skin which shades from grey to sandy yellow. They also have the Sheeda's elongated ears, and… Either heavy scarring or.. some sort of skin growth. Their forearms are long enough to reach the ground and they're broader than a normal human could be. It puts me a little in mind of Klarion's monster boy mode, but more… Unhealthy. Like he made it to a plateau of power and this 'Mistress Butler' fell well short and was left unfinished. Her clothing consists of a cloak made of reptilian skin and a dress of pale blue wool.

Click to shrink...

Damn, OL's got to work on his ability to pierce magical concealment, this is getting ridiculous. Also, getting a strong cryptid vibe from the lady...

"But rather you than another. You and your people will be wanting an escort, I take it?"

Abednego nods. "If it will not trouble you too greatly. They have news which concerns us all."

"Aye, well." She comes a little closer, the barrier repelling her for a moment before Abednego waves his right hand to drop it. "As you have news for us, so we have news for you."

Click to shrink...

So, Sheeda creatures running riot?

So, we finally meet a member of the Warlock-breed. And now I see why most Columbians are loathe to tolerate their presence. A literal ugly reminder of what breaking their self-imposed rules will do to you (though I'm sure mistress Butler is an attractive example of the folk...) I'm sure most would prefer not to have them around for that reason alone...

 

[Handlewithcare]

They really lucked out with Abednego here. God guy.

 

[thebishop8]

Conformation of what the Sheeda of the future look like

Click to shrink...

Should "Conformation" be "Confirmation"?

 

[Mr Zoat]

Should "Conformation" be "Confirmation"?

Click to shrink...

Thank you, corrected.

 

[Ganurath]

They really lucked out with Abednego here. God guy.

Click to shrink...

Is that a typo or a pun?

 

[Darko]

And a nice little bit of hypocrisy. 'Thou shalt not steal', after all. Unless he somehow paid for it? And I doubt the Hall sells books on Christian history.

Click to shrink...

The League may have let him have it, or gave him some spending money and he bought it.

They were probably allowed to walk about the outside world as long as they didn't cause any trouble.

Yeah, that'd be like humans calling ourselves ape-kin, based on our ancestry. Though there is precedent, cultures or subcultures adopting previously derogatory names as a sign of pride...

Click to shrink...

Yeah, and something like that has happened in this story.

According to Blackfire Tamaraneans weren't always called that, but they had their species name changed to that by the Psions.

I doubt it was complimentary.

They may have previously been called Okaarans, since if I remember correctly that's where X'hal came from, and it wouldn't be the first time in fiction where two different sapient species can evolve on the same planet, the humanoids that became known as Tamaraneans and the big blue Okaarans.

One thing to blame OL for. It's a thing. Though it is more practical than simply killing or banishing them, because...

Click to shrink...

He may have proposed that a law that allows non human to have the same rights as regular humans be made, but I doubt he had much say in what was included in it, and I also doubt he had much political influence to stop them from including demons in it.

Okay, OL does have regular contact with Senator Knight? Amusing that Paragon and Renegade are sort-of backing different prospective candidates...

Click to shrink...

He may not have all that much contact with him honestly, though I could be wrong.

I also don't think he's really backing Knight like the renegade is backing Horne, but is just giving him some bits of advice from time to time.

China probably relies on Ghost Fox Killer, though you have to wonder what happens if she retires or dies. Russia? Might be worth looking into...

Click to shrink...

They may get another Ghost Fox Killer from the society she comes from.

Best not to mention them. Or the other Construct-lanterns. He might have issues with them.

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He may have issues with the demonic ones, of which there is only the wraith now after Agony and Ecstasy killed the praexis demons when Paul first went to Hell.

As for the others, well paragon may only have Morrow now for his non demonic constructs, and the Puritans do n=bind people after death to serve them so he may not care all that much about it, though I can't say for certain.

Sensible. Spirits are a lot easier to control than Devils and Demons, even if they're not as smart.

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Though most demons aren't exactly all that developed in the intellect department.

Small communities or family groups, walking into corruption gradually without realising it? A bit more tragic, really.

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Are you getting any Hereditary images now?

True enough. What of some indigenous folk far away, who haven't run across the Columbians yet? What if they have better technology or better magic? That kind of encounter rarely ends well for the weaker party.

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Would be pretty ironic that people that belong to a group that once played a part in the destruction of a less advanced society are themselves destroyed by a more advanced society.

...That isn't Brother Abednego, is it? Danger, OL, danger!

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Run Will Robinson!

Oh, for... He was expecting this? Damn, man's a natural troll.

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No, he's a part human part Sheeda.

To be fair, anyone who knows OL can say that when he's around.

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She may have precognitive abilities that allowed her to see how he would act and now knows the shitmire she's going to step into.

So, we finally meet a member of the Warlock-breed. And now I see why most Columbians are loathe to tolerate their presence. A literal ugly reminder of what breaking their self-imposed rules will do to you (though I'm sure mistress Butler is an attractive example of the folk...) I'm sure most would prefer not to have them around for that reason alone...

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OL may not be all that picky.

I mean he once pleasured a giant spider.

 

[Coda]

descendents

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descendants

Sensible. Spirits are a lot easier to control than Devils and Demons, even if they're not as smart.

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Even if... or because?

 

[Mr Zoat]

descendants

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Thank you, corrected.

 

[Handlewithcare]

Is that a typo or a pun?

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Let's pretend it's the latter.