The Borderlands | Dalkaria

Along the great borderlands of the Dalkarian Empire is a megalithic temple ensconced within the clifface of the Allura caverns. Here, the sage Kiyoltik Masurai meditates before the panoramic threshold of the Fallharian Deadlands.

In the foreground of this scene, a consul of the royal court enters the ellipsoidal chamber, adorned in simple shades of thick fabric, the intrinsic geometric patterns of his flesh illumines a phosphorescent white. “Erethrendai, Gran Keltea Masurai.”

The Gran Keltea, firmly planted in his lotus posture, nods his head and gestures to the cushion beside him. “Erethrendai consul Vilhahn. Welcome.”

Vilhahn shambles into the indicated seat, shuffling his garments around as he makes himself comfortable. Meanwhile a servant enters with a ceramic tea set and places it noiselessly before the Gran Keltea.

The elderly man begins pouring tea for the consul member. “How fares my nephew?”

“His exalted is in good health,” Vilhahn begins. “However, I am afraid recent audience with the Gran Celestial has unsettled him.”

Setting the kettle down, Masurai hands the cup to Vilhahn. “All things in the world perturb those in authority.” The elderly man raises his cup in unison with the consul. “Good health.”

The two sip in silence for a time. When both their cups are lowered Vilhahn speaks. “The Gran Celestial Kalakurik of Zastaesia has informed the council of recent activity involving the ancient pillars.”

Before his response, Masurai ruminates for a moment. “Such a shard is beyond destruction and construction, as it appears, it will disappear. This deifacted artifact is not swayed by natural law.” He sips from his cup. “Those were the words of Eldaeon’s progeny; Ketroas.”

“Even in modernity, daeitik shards of such technological make and advancement are yet to be realized.” Vilhahn comments. “However, there is no denying the anomalous impact of the ancient pillars.” The consul considers something before continuing. “We’ve accounted for all deifacted shards on record, yet none encapsulate the nature of the pillars.”

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Masurai refills their cups. “If such a record exists, it will not be in possession of the Cultural Heritage Repository.”

“If not the repository, where else might one seek out this information?” Vilhahn brings the steaming cup to his lips. “Surely not the Euridian records?”

Masurai blows the steam from his cup. “The scholarly sages of Euradai are deeply rooted in Alvarrian methodologies.” He sips. “Consider the particular emanation of the pillar's Daevik and Sattvik infusion.”

The consul’s eyebrows raise in mild astonishment. “You’re not suggesting… “ he pauses, reconsidering his thought processes. “It does stand to reason…” he mumbles to himself. “Daskalania?”

“Of this I cannot be certain, however, nowhere else does Daevik energy deeply root itself outside of Dalkaria.” Masurai sets his cup down.

"Regarding these Dalkarian matters Gran Keltea, his exalted has petitioned your wisdom on a particular daeitik artifact."

The elderly man indicates his full attention with a nod.

"There are whispers among the Drahstrahelion ambassadors, of a thief in the night whom acquisitioned, quite skillfully, the Dusk Shard." Vilhahn settles his cup with a reverb that dominates the soundless atmosphere.

Gran Masurai does not speak until the contents of his cup is drained. "Your thoughts?"

Vilhahn's gaze pores over the wasteland. "This time I am in agreement with his exalted's perturbance. Kalakurik is not one to assert the potentiality for danger without proper reasoning and deductions.

"Before my departure from the capital, the little doubt that persisted were erased when celestials from Eujehanim shared news of Drahstrehl's sudden, unannounced self-isolation."

"Such self-isolation is not totally unheard of." Masurai responds.

"Indeed, however, in times of peace..."

"Times of peace exist only alongside those times without."

"What do you suggest, what shall I confer with his exalted?"

"Observation for the time being. I will present myself to the appropriate authorities of the world on my nephew's behalf, and in time I will make an appearance to my nephew himself. Advise him that Dalkaria will not interfere in this particular affair."

In that light of the panoramic threshold, the Gran Keltaea rises from his lotus posture.