Editing Aerbax (section)

=== Prodigal Children ([[Favored Sons]] Story Arc) ===

After the defeat of [[Grael]], Aerbax returned to the story, featured as the major villain in the [[Favored Sons]] story arc. Aerbax hatched a plot to dominate the creatures of Auberean by crafting prodigal versions of several selected different races.<ref name=PackAerbax/> To obtain this goal, it planned to use its new knowledge to create "Prodigal"<ref>2007/10 [[Masked Memories]] - [[Announcements - 2007/10 - Masked Memories#Rollout Article|Rollout Article]]</ref> creatures, which would serve as leaders for these selected races.<ref name=ObservationsHarraag>2007/05 [[Prodigal Sons]] - [[Observations: Harraag (Unattuned)]]</ref> One of the results of the experiments is that Aerbax is linked to and "feels" his "Children, especially the [[Paradox-touched Olthoi Queen]], [[Bonecrunch]] the prodigal Drudge, [[Harraag]] the prodigal Banderling and [[Bragara, the Chosen One|Bragara]], the prodigal Mosswart <ref name=OlthoiExperimentLog>2007/07 [[Intelligent Designs]] - [[Olthoi Experiment Log]]</ref>, thereby creating a new Quiddity, one very similar to the Quiddity of the Virindi that Aerbax had separated himself from. This Quiddity is an amalgamation of the memories and powers of all the beings that are linked to it. It is a shared consciousness, the perfect apotheosis of all the spirit-walking, mind-sharing rituals that the [[Tumerok]] tapped into so primitively and incompletely.  And [[Aerbax's Quiddity]] is made entirely of beings created and more or less controlled by Aerbax's own will.<ref name=RheagaJournal>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Rheaga's Journal]]</ref>

The first noticeable activity was the creation of the simulacrum Tusker [[Mudmouth]], who was sent to [[Oolutanga]] as an adviser, but who was in truth slowly poisoning and weakening the Tusker King.<ref>2007/07 [[Evolution]] - [[Bobo's Medicine#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> Mudmouth fled, and was later discovered in a cave, together with [[Dark Bobo]].<ref>2007/08 [[Corrupted Sovereigns]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Tusker]]</ref><ref>2007/07 [[Intelligent Designs]] - [[Tusker Experiment Orb]]</ref>

One of its experiments was on a young Olthoi Queen, captured by the [[Tanada]]. <ref>2007/03 [[Ancient Enemies]] - [[Directives]]</ref><ref>2007/03 [[Ancient Enemies]] - [[Tanada House of Water Quest#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> The results of its experiments are the [[Paradox Olthoi]]<ref>2007/08 [[Corrupted Sovereigns]] - [[Announcements - 2007/08 - Corrupted Sovereigns#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref> and the [[Paradox-touched Olthoi Queen]].<ref>2007/08 [[Corrupted Sovereigns]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Olthoi]]</ref> As was expected, the altered Queen destroyed the Tanada, and This was one of the experiments Aerbax regarded as a success.<ref name=OlthoiExperimentLog/>

To obtain subjects for its experiments, sentient beings were kidnapped throughout Dereth. This included a [[Hea Tumerok]], a [[Banderling]], a [[Drudge]], an [[Isparian]] and [[Claude the Archmage]].<ref>2007/03 [[Ancient Enemies]] - [[Missing Persons Investigation]]</ref>


Another of its actions was the establishment of an imposter of [[Lord Kresovus]] in [[Linvak Tukal]]<ref>2007/04 [[Strange Sightings]] - [[Bur Recall Quest#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> and the alteration of Lugians into Shadow [[Lugian]]s <ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Hidden Note]]</ref> and therefore, indirectly, the kidnapping of [[Balor]].<ref>2005/02 [[Infiltration]] - [[Coda]]</ref> The [[Shadow Kresovus]], the Prodigal Lugian, was discovered and the real [[Lord Kresovus]] was rescued from the tunnels below the fortress city of Linvak Tukal. Balor's pelt was found below the city, but the fate of the beast was still a mystery. <ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Lugian#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>

The experimentation on Drudges resulted in a significant higher intelligence and planning<ref>2007/04 [[Strange Sightings]] - [[Drudge Plan]]</ref> capabilities, such as their occupation of the town of [[Cragstone]]<ref>2007/06 [[Evolution]] - [[Announcements - 2007/06 - Evolution#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref name=ProdigalTeaser>2007/05 [[Prodigal Sons]] - [[Announcements - 2007/05 - Prodigal Sons#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref name=ProdigalRollout>2007/05 [[Prodigal Sons]] - [[Announcements - 2007/05 - Prodigal Sons#Rollout Article|Rollout Article]]</ref><ref>2007/05 [[Prodigal Sons]] - [[Jarvis Hammerstone#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> and the creation of the [[Drudge Fort]], the base of the Prodigal Drudge, [[Bonecrunch]].<ref>2007/05 [[Prodigal Sons]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Drudge]]</ref> The drudges were also holding Monougas captive to be used in Aerbax'experiments, <ref>2007/07 [[Intelligent Designs]] - [[Monouga Laboratory#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> These experiments were not meant to create a leader of the altered creatures, but a champion destroyer of its forces.<ref>2007/07 [[Intelligent Designs]] - [[Monouga Experiment Log]]</ref>

Another result was the creation of [[Harraag]], the Prodigal Banderling.<ref>2007/04 [[Strange Sightings]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Banderling]]</ref><ref name=ObservationsHarraag/> Though it seemed the altered Banderling adapted well, the Banderling themselves were highly resistant to following any being perceived as different from or from outside their species, and this included [[Harraag]]. The Banderlings gathered large numbers to drive it off, and [[Harraag]] retreated to a physical cave, and, surprisingly, "ripped a hole into Portalspace*" in which to escape. Because of its unanticipated abilities, Aerbax did not perceive this experiment as a total failure, but decided to leave Harraag for now. <ref name=ObservationsHarraag/><ref>2007/04 [[Strange Sightings]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Banderling#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>

Also the Mosswarts showed an increased degree of organization and besieged the town of [[Kryst]], directed by [[Bragara, the Chosen One]], the Prodigal Mosswart, who was supposed to inspire a kind of "worship" amongst his kin.<ref name=PiecePaper/> <ref name=ProdigalTeaser/><ref>2007/05 [[Prodigal Sons]] - [[Mosswart Townsfolk Kill Task#Lore & Dialog]]</ref><ref>2007/05 [[Prodigal Sons]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Mosswart]]</ref> The experiment was considered a partial success, since while [[Bragara, the Chosen One]] was able to unify a force of Mosswarts, they were fraught with dissension in the ranks, they were inclined to believe a range of things, which sometimes made sense and sometimes didn't. They were inclined to be confused, and would not have worked as a stable organized force to conquer the neighboring human town.<ref name=PiecePaper/>

After a relatively quiet period, the [[Prodigal Harbinger]] was discovered underneath the town of [[Old Yanshi]].<ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Harbinger]]</ref>. [[Ler Rhan]]'s experiments instigated by Aerbax<ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Translated Shadow Artifex Shard]]</ref> resulted in the creation of a Prodigal Shadow Child by the name of [[Kirienne Palacost]].<ref name =PulsatingLump>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Translation of the Pulsating Bony Lump]]</ref><ref name=Scrap>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - Description of [[Scrap of Shadow Essence]]</ref><ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Shadow]]</ref>

[[Claude the Archmage]], the Virindi who was abducted from Ayan, returned to his shop. He had been twisted by Aerbax into his Prodigal Virindi, but Claude acted as if he had never been taken and altered at all. Leopold, the other Virindi of Ayan, was concerned by his companion's change, and sent adventurers on a quest that would take them into the very mind of Claude.<ref>2007/10 [[Masked Memories]] - [[Delving into Claude's Mind]]</ref> 

An experiment to alter a [[Hea Tumerok]] further<ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Letter to Nomea]]</ref> did not have the desired result, since the altered Tumerok kept a mind of his own and had no desire to meet, let alone unite or enslave, his brethren. Nor did he care to wage any kind of war, by arms, sorcery, or guile, against humankind.<ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Tumerok#Lore & Dialog]]</ref><ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Announcements - 2007/11 - Children of the Prodigal Lord#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref name=RheagaJournal/>

Another of its actions was the alteration of Lugians into Shadow [[Lugian]]s <ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Hidden Note]]</ref> and therefore, indirectly, the kidnapping of [[Balor]].<ref>2005/02 [[Infiltration]] - [[Coda]]</ref>

Based upon its experience with [[Martine]], Aerbax had high hopes for the alteration of the Human, and thought this one to be the most promising of his Children.<ref name=ObservationsSangi/><ref name=RheagaJournal/> The experiments on the kidnapped human, [[Dojiro Sangi]], performed by [[Demerax the Sculptor]] in the [[Hidden Laboratory]], could not be finished before being interrupted, and the subject itself was resisting and kept a will of his own.<ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Prodigal Human Investigation]]</ref><ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Human]]</ref><ref name=ObservationsSangi/>

Aerbax summoned his Children (amongst them Bonecrunch, the Paradox-touched Olthoi Queen and Dark Bobo)to the desert near [[Yaraq]], where during a Live Event the Isparians fought a long and hard battle. Aerbax goal was not so much to defeat the Isparians, but it was supposed to be a test of the creatures' power. <ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Miniature Hollow Minion Chest#Notes]]</ref>