Khelil on Marlu

 

Khelil quietly says, "Since none others stepped forward initially, I was asked to speak tonight of the one known as Marlu."

Khelil quietly says, "I have not yet traveled far in my lifetime. Most of that which I know of Marlu comes from the lore passed down in my tribe and from the lore brought to us by traders who manage to navigate the shifting dunes.

(Khelil keeps his gaze levelled on those assembled.)

Khelil quietly says, "Marlu is the most feared and the most enigmatic of those called Arkati."

Khelil quietly says, "The traders who bring lore from the Empire do not dare to say Marlu's name aloud often, instead using a gesture or a whispered."

(Khelil chuckles lightly.)

Khelil quietly says, "To call upon the name of Marlu is to call upon misfortunate, for he is also named the Destroyer and is associated equally with demons of other worlds and with the forces that herald this world's passage into Chaos and Oblivion."

Khelil softly says, "The sands are unforgiving enough without the added curse."

Khelil quietly says, "These traders like the form of Marlu to that of a demon called the Vruul, and for that they are wary of those creatures with webbed wings or blackened, sinewy forms."

Khelil furrows his brow.

Khelil quietly says, "They also associate a shape such as this with him."

Khelil lightly brushes his fingers over his tentacled star symbol in a reverent gesture.

Khelil coughs.

Khelil quietly says, "A starburst formed of spiraling arms, sometimes curving as with this, or sometimes angular as with the hawthorn bush, and always numbered six in total, is the mark correlated to Marlu."

Khelil tilts his head down.

Khelil gazes thoughtfully at the tentacled star symbol.

Khelil quietly says, "At times, this shape is bound in an unbroken ring."

Khelil quietly says, "The meaning of this ring seems to vary, as some traders say that this is the mark of the Sorcerous Arts from far in the south and is borne by those who seek to tap into the realm ruled by Marlu in a controlled manner."

Khelil tilts his head up.

Khelil quietly says, "Other traders say that this is the mark used to protect the self against misfortune and the notice of Marlu."

Khelil chuckles to himself.

Khelil quietly says, "Others yet have no opinion on the ring."

Khelil quietly says, "My own tribe also uses the six-armed star to refer to Marlu."

Khelil quietly says, "The ring is only added to it to mark one who is given or claimed by Marlu."

Khelil quietly says, "This is an unlucky mark."

Khelil nods.

Khelil surveys the area.

Khelil quietly says, "The giantkin who occasionally pass through the desert never speak aloud of Marlu."

Khelil quietly says, "Or at least I have not heard them do so."

Khelil tilts his head down.

Khelil taps the tip of his black staff on the ground.

Khelil quietly says, "I once drew in the sand the twisted star for an Araime man who came to trade with us, and he quickly shook his head and erased the mark with his hand."

Khelil grins slowly.

Khelil quietly says, "He whispered to me to never make that mark or to utter the name of its owner aloud, for six years of misfortune would fall upon myself and my family."

Khelil tilts his head up.

Khelil quietly says, "He then he refused to speak with or look at me again during his stay with our tribe."

(Khelil's lips twitch upward at the corners, forming a slight smile.)

Khelil quietly says, "Marlu is known the demon's demon, and many say that Marlu is one of the Great Demons, or Ur-Daemons as they are called in the Empire, that came to this world and held battle against its creators, generations ago."

Khelil quietly says, "My tribe believes this."

Khelil looks lost in thought.

Khelil quietly says, "There are many tales that are ingrained into the memories of the children of my tribe so that they are never forgotten, and some deal either directly or indirectly with Marlu."

Khelil quietly says, "I will tell one of them this evening."

Khelil clears his throat.

Khelil quietly says, "There is a common saying among some of the tribes: 'What was born from fire shall end with fire'."

Khelil ponders.

Khelil quietly says, "Fire scorches and consumes and destroys, and fire also cleanses so that a new existence can be made."

Khelil quietly says, "In the hot months, the oases wane in number and the steppes are parched by the unyielding sun until all vegetation is turned to dust."

Khelil places his hand on his black staff.

Khelil quietly says, "Yet in the spring, there is a brief reprieve with the flow of water and plants once again grow and bloom where once there was only a dry, desolate land."

Khelil quietly says, "The cleansing flames of the summer sun permit it to return."

Khelil chuckles.

Khelil quietly says, "Though these pockets of desert do not cover Elanthia, this world also exists by the same principle."

Khelil quietly says, "The Great Spirits that molded this world together did so out of a vast nothingness, for it was what they did, and they had done so since time began."

Khelil quietly says, "However, this is not the first time that this world was formed by their hands, nor will it be the last."

Khelil surveys the area.

Khelil quietly says, "There is one with whom the Great Spirits of creation do not speak, for this one remains in isolation until such a time that the world comes to an end and needs to be unmade."

Khelil quietly says, "It is then that this one manifests and sets aflame all that is and ever was, burning it all until only ash and emptiness remains."

Khelil quietly says, "Then this one returns whence it came, and the Great Spirits emerge again to make a new world, sometimes similar to the first and other times vastly different."

Khelil looks lost in thought.

Khelil tilts his head up.

Khelil quietly says, "The Great Spirits usually do not resent the Flame Bearer, without the cleansing fire the world would stagnate, and they could not remake it into something greater."

Khelil quietly says, "However, there was one time where the Great Spirits became very fond of their creation and they did not wish the Flame Bearer to come and unmake it."

Khelil chuckles to himself.

Khelil shakes his head.

Khelil quietly says, "They banded together, all of the Great Spirits and their children in their current world, vowing to act as a single force of opposition for when the Flame Bearer arrived."

Khelil grins wryly.

Khelil quietly says, "The Flame Bearer did come, for it was time for the world to be unmade once again, and was met by the Great Spirits."

Khelil quietly says, "The Great Spirits first pleaded with the Flame Bearer, asking that the endless cycle already pushed on through time be concluded with this current world, but the Flame Bearer maintained a silent refusal."

Khelil shakes his head.

Khelil quietly says, "Then the voices of the Great Spirits rose, and they threatened violence if the Flame Bearer did not agree to their will."

Khelil cocks his head.

Khelil quietly says, "For they were many and the Flame Bearer was but one, and they believed that they held the upper hand in the confrontation."

Khelil quietly says, "Even still, the Flame Bearer remained silent and unrelenting."

Khelil breathes almost without making a sound.

Khelil quietly says, "Finally, one among the Great Spirits who was brash and foolhardy rushed forward and attacked the Flame Bearer, its claws raking through its adversary with no resistance until the Flame Bearer had been torn in two."

Khelil shakes his head, clucking his tongue.

Khelil surveys the area.

Khelil quietly says, "All of the Great Spirits then paused in shock, for the two halves of the once-whole Flame Bearer seemed to quiver and then pool outwards from where they were slashed until two identical Flame Bearers stood side by side."

(Khelil's lips twitch upwards at the corner to form the same half-smile from earlier.)

Khelil quietly says, "The pair rose up high, each of their six wings unfurled and six tails lashing and six eyes alight with the fires that they held within, and they spoke in unison with the roar of a blazing inferno, their words chastising the Great Spirits for their foolishness."

Khelil quietly says, "Although momentarily cowed, the Great Spirits were still resolute in their decision to stand against the Flame Bearer, and they all rushed forward to attack."

Khelil shakes his head.

Khelil quietly says, "The battle that followed lasted for countless years, and, while the Great Spirits were strong, in the end many of them died and they failed to defeat the Flame Bearer."

Khelil quietly says, "Just as it seemed one incarnation of the Flame Bearer were split asunder, more would form out of its shredded form until the Great Spirits were far out numbered and overpowered."

Khelil cocks his head.

Khelil quietly says, "Finally, those that remained standing admitted defeat."

Khelil nods.

Khelil surveys the area.

Khelil quietly says, "The Flame Bearer's now-many forms began to shimmer and then melt, pooling together onto the broken ground and then reforming into a single one that stood before the Great Spirits."

Khelil quietly says, "Only a single word was then spoken by the Flame Bearer: 'Go'."

Khelil slowly empties his lungs.

Khelil quietly says, "Those Great Spirits who survived the battle complied and departed from this world, leaving the Flame Bearer behind to conclude his work."

Khelil tilts his head up.

Khelil quietly says, "Once again, the fires scorched the world until nothing was left save ash and emptiness, and when it was finished the Flame Bearer retreated to whence it came."

Khelil quietly says, "..And once again, the Great Spirits, now many fewer in number and much weaker in power for their folly, emerged to rebuild the world."

Khelil softly says, "'What was born with fire shall end with fire'."

Khelil tilts his head down.

Khelil quietly says, "They knew these words to be true and vowed to never again interfere with the cleansing flame."

Khelil quietly says, "All things are unmade in the end, just as the wind blows away even the most elaborate of sand paintings, and it is this fleeting nature of existence that gives worth to those who survive despite inevitable destruction."

Khelil clears his throat.

Khelil quietly says, "From what I understand, the scholars of the Empire refer to this war as one between those they call the Drakes and the Ur-Daemons."

Khelil glances around the area.

Khelil quietly says, "I am mostly unfamiliar with how other cultures view Marlu."

Khelil quietly says, "If any among those gathered have anything to contribute further, you may do so. Additionally, if any have any questions regarding Marlu, I will answer what I am able to."

Khelil places his hand on his black staff.

You ask, "Does any'un ha'e any questions fer Khelil?"

Uniana nods to you.

Uniana turns to face Khelil.

(Khelil shifts his gaze to Uniana.)

Khelil quietly asks, "You have a question..?"

Uniana says, "Do you feel that there is a desire by the Destroyer to have worshippers? Is it even fair to call them that? I must profess that this ---I do not even think I can call him a patron, he is vastly interesting."

Khelil quietly says, "Marlu is something beyond the simple comprehension of mortals. I cannot even begin to presume to understand the will of Marlu, save that it is."

Uniana agrees with Khelil.

Khelil quietly says, "Certainly those who claim to worship or serve Marlu serve a purpose, yet in the end even they will be consumed by Marlu's flames."

Uniana asks, "Do you find...a benefit in giving him reverence?"

Khelil quietly asks, "Myself, specifically?"

Uniana nods to Khelil.

Uniana says, "I would not wish you to answer for others."

Khelil nods to Uniana.

Uniana smiles briefly.

Khelil quietly says, "Nor would I wish to answer for them."

Khelil quietly says, "Marlu is merely that which is and will be. It is my duty by my tribe to bend to that will whenever it is necessary."

Khelil quietly says, "If it means to hasten the next scorching, then so be it."