DM POST: The Cullers

His news would be received well and certainly with a matter of urgency so there was little time for formalities. He pushed his way through the large double doors his eyes glowing as two points of light in the gloomy hall. He pushed past the guards, ignoring their commands to halt as he made his way straight to the High Culler’s chair. Dipping a brief bow he delivered his message: “We have located another, sir. A proper and prompt response is necessary”

Azachinus sat back on his dais, the news evoking little or no response. Many had claimed that they had found another; few have ever proven substantiated claims.  Giving the declaration the proper amount of time he responded with an even tone. “You are certain of this”?

“Without any trace of doubt”

“What proof do you offer”?

“We have always kept tabs for the signs. Besides the usual presences detected on this plane, the Flayers, as well as those of less than exemplary power; we have found one that is strong—“.

“That alone is not proof. You know this. What else is there?” Azachinus interrupted him.

“Apologies, I should have begun with the proof first. He is human, we know this for certain. He is the only one with the gift in that region. He currently resides within the remote city, Zarcharis-Taoul.”

“A wretched place by all accounts”, huffed Azachinus, disdain clearly evident in his voice,  “Yet, this is still not verification; even if he be the only being manifesting the capabilities that does not prove anything. What of his lineage? Do we know his Sire, his Grandsire or any of his heritages beyond that? I have little confidence that one could be born in that city and possess the discipline necessary to achieve even a spark of psionic capability, regardless of their family, but let us hear it nonetheless.”

“In all honesty it is this information that should have precluded the rest and stands as the greatest example of our need for intercession”

Growing impatient with the informant, Azachinus heaved a great sigh before consenting, “Go on then”.

“Sir, he has no lineage”

“You mean to say that he has no parents, that he is simply an orphan?” His glowing eyes narrowed as he directed the next sentence directly at the informant, “Things of this nature can still be researched and determined with enough time and dedication”.

He hadn’t missed the insult directed at him. He knew well that he was beginning to annoy the High Culler, an act that was both incredibly difficult and somewhat dangerous to do. Still, he stood resolute and the informant shook his head profoundly, a motion that further intrigued the High Culler. “No. I mean to say he has no relatives here on this plane, or anywhere else that we can tell. We have inquired from sources in this plane and beyond, even summoning other entities to gather information for us. Nothing substantial could be found except a scroll that was addressed to the Council. We found it in a goblin warren, spoils of a long ago raid. Even this scroll seems to indicate that he appears to have just… manifested… for lack of a better word”

Further intrigued, Azachinus held out his hand for the scroll.

“The scroll also came with this, we believe, as we found the two attached within the goblin horde”. The informant held aloft a blue silk bag, sagging with what appeared to be a heavy object within. Azachinus sat in long thought, pondering over the scroll and the information presented to him. This news was indeed particularly interesting. Reports of this kind were not unheard of but nevertheless, rather rare. He leaned forward, his glowing eyes locking those of the informant as he waved his hand to indicate that he should continue.

Growing more eager with every passing second, the informant, no longer able to contain himself, pressed the point further, “He must be gathered. There can be no doubt of what he can be, even if there is doubt of what he is. He is strong; already he demonstrates great power, even without the rituals.”

Azachinus stood up from the chair upon the dais and descended. He placed his hand upon the informant’s shoulder before issuing his response, “Dispatch The Cullers to Zarcharis-Taoul. You, Teferil, shall lead them, since you seem so eager to see this come to pass.  Bring him back here to us and we shall see if this….”

“Ricin”

“An appropriate name, very well, we shall how long this “Ricin” will cling to his mortal coil”