Editing Announcements - 2002/03 - Persuasion (section)

== Teaser ==

{{Microsoft Zone
 |  Link = <nowiki>http://www.zone.com/asheronscall/news/ASHEmarch02teaser1.asp</nowiki>
 |  Date = March 8, 2002
 | Title = Persuasion
 |  Text =
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The collection of crystalline body parts lay jumbled together on the rocky ground. The sun was high overhead, passing its way over the west coast of Dereth, glinting sharply off the faceted edges of the slumbering golem.
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The man concentrated briefly. The disparate parts rose and assembled, a hulking man-shape of crystal.
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Perfect. A minor part of the plan to be sure, but as in the art of demiurgy, small things, when organized in the right fashion, can have devastating effect.
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He smiled. Soon.

__________
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The stone slab, once a chalky rough white, was now streaked through with deep russet stains, haloed by lighter reds and pinks.
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Nuhmudira looked around the dank, dark room. It stank of death. And yet so much good had come out of it. Thanks to these sacrifices she was able to harness the flow of magic to her desire. Every day new and potent weapons and armor and jewelry were being harvested by Isparians battling to clear Dereth of the beasts that walked their land.
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Her first sacrifice not even two months ago had opened the door to items of even greater power. And this next one would set the bar even higher.
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Yal ibn Rab walked into the room. Not so long ago she would not have known he had entered, but with her current power she had been aware of his presence ever since he had come through the portal to this lair.
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He had been the first of the Zharalim to swear to her and her alone. He had recognized the Empyrean threat when she had explained it, promising to do whatever she deemed necessary to thwart any future invasion.
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She had used him hard over the past few years, and never harder than these last few months, when she had finally discovered the road to achieve their goals. At last she could provide the Isparians with powerful tools that would help to ward off the Empyreans: blood magic.
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Together they had decided that some of his renegade Zharalim comrades who had sought refuge in Marae Lassel would make the perfect sacrificial targets. Already twice-outcast, no one would miss the scattered followers of Hamud ibn Rafik's ruined Tenebrous Edge order. No one would mourn their loss.
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"It is done, Mistress." He never used her name. It was always Mistress, or Malika. Queen. In some ways so formal, and yet at other times he would come dangerously close to insouciance. He had definitely not approved of her decision to take on her new apprentice. He had even dared suggest that they would be better off were he to dispose of the man.
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For the first time ever Nuhmudira had called him a fool. He had just stood there, silent, as always. She had felt no need to explain all the doors that this apprentice, both intentionally and not so intentionally, was opening for her. Ibn Rab had never questioned her orders before, back when she had only the power of persuasion. She would certainly not suffer intransigence from him now.
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She nodded her head for him to continue. "The new oil has been created. Bloodhunter oil. The archers can begin applying it immediately."
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As always, he had performed his tasks successfully and efficiently. For the briefest of moments she wondered whether this was something she had to do. He had been the first supporter.
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But the apprentice had been clear. The statues needed a quickening agent of great power. The sacrifice required was immense.
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She walked to the small table besides the slab, and poured two cups of tea. She took one of them over to ibn Rab. "Sit and share this moment with me, my Zharalim." He bowed slightly and took the cup and they sat opposite one another at the table.
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He brought the tea to his lips. There was the faintest of pauses, his sky blue eyes resting lightly on her, and her heart began to surge with fear. She would have to move quickly to--
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He took one sip, then put down the cup. He exhaled slowly, and deliberately straightened his dusky robes. The eyes, blue as robin's eggs, found hers. "Why, Malika?" he said, quietly. "I would have done this willingly. All you needed was to ask." He said no more, but watched her mutely.
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The paralysis spread quickly with this blend, and soon he wouldn't be able to talk. She was glad there would be no more words. He slumped quietly.
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With a strength that would have been impossible a few weeks ago, she took his comatose body and put it on the slab. She wondered whether he truly would have volunteered. But her apprentice was right, this way was quicker. Less risk. Nothing could delay the salvation of Dereth.

__________

''Analysis process unclear. Prior loci of power have been established and then overrun by human agents. Nothing has been changed in this establishment to indicate different results.
<br><br>
Martine ignored the voice. There had been a time when he could make it shut up. Why couldn't he make it stop anymore? No, don't think of that, concentrate on the work.
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''Query: That is the intention? Query: You desire failure? My brethren were similarly afflicted. They labored to create the new Singularity. But I think they were afraid of success. Change is safe when it occupies the realm of the mind only. But to actually change. . . Back in the Singularity there were no distinctions between mind and body. To think was to be. Here. . . very scary.
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He found himself thinking of the woman more and more. He could not stop thinking about her. Maybe he should introduce himself. Maybe she actually was his wife, but just dressed up to look different. There was the power to do that over here. He certainly looked different than when he had lived on Ispar. Maybe if he opened her up, he would find his wife underneath. She was so beautiful. He had visited her almost every night.
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''Illogical. She is not your wife. Query: You wish to place the creature there? Interesting choice. Perhaps if you placed it nearer the wall, it would kill more of the humans as they came through the door.
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Martine growled.
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''I am just attempting to help. You seem more distracted than usual. Perhaps attempts to assist at this moment are not efficient use of time. I will try again later.
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The voice was blessedly silent. Martine resumed finalizing his plans for this new dungeon structure. And thinking about flaxen-blonde tresses draped softly over silken pillows.
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'''Unlike any other gaming experience, the world of Asheron's Call continues to evolve. Last month saw the return of the Hoary Mattekar and Shadowhunter Armor. For March, the changes and additions taking place will all soon be revealed. Join us when the ''Persuasion'' event opens. Be sure to continue your part in this incredible ongoing story, and we'll see you in Dereth!
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