Turn 4: The first test
Yzarc
The Spark of Madness
Colchis - 831.M30
As Corax struggled to find his footing against the overwhelming words of the Daemon Primarch, you stepped forward, your figure cutting through the oppressive atmosphere like a blade. The air crackled with energy, and the very shadows seemed to recoil from your determined stride.
"You speak of enlightenment and power through Chaos, but your words are empty," you declared, your voice steady and filled with righteous anger. "You are nothing more than a phantom, a shade of your former self, a mere puppet to forces that seek only to consume and destroy."
The Daemon Primarch's gaze shifted to you, a mixture of curiosity and disdain flickering in his eyes. "And who are you to challenge me? What do you know of the true nature of the universe?"
You met the Daemon Primarch's gaze unflinchingly. "Who I am is not important, only that I know enough to see through your lies. I know not of this Imperium you speak of and, in truth, care not. The reasons to oppose that which you call master are clear. It is opposed to all life, from the smallest seed to the greatest leviathan. The spirits themselves defy you and those you name Truth."
Lorgar's form flickered, his expression shifting to one of resignation. "You are misguided, a man who sees not the sky, clinging to your primitive beliefs."
"Misguided?" you scoffed, your voice rising in defiance. "It is only by worming its way into hearts and souls like a parasite that Chaos endures. If your masters are so concerned with freedom, so inevitable, why did they cling to Dharok so desperately, so greedily? They fear true freedom, the freedom that comes from unity and resilience."
The Daemon Primarch's eyes flared with dark energy, but you pressed on. "Be the rule of one flawed man or a flawed nation, men can break it and build anew, into something better. But be your masters triumphant, there can be no improvement, only the false change of eternal transformation, as the yapping of dogs is to the speech of men."
Lorgar's form wavered, the chaotic energies that swirled around him seeming to falter. "You speak boldly for one who knows so little. The future is written in the stars, and Chaos will reign supreme. It is inevitable, I stand before you, proof that it is so."
You shook your head, your expression resolute. "The future is not written. It is shaped by our actions, our choices. And I choose to stand against you and everything you represent. Your so-called masters thrive on despair and destruction, but they will never understand the true strength that lies in hope, in unity, in the indomitable spirit of life."
Corax, now regaining his strength, stepped forward to stand beside you. "Well said," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude and newfound resolve.
But before the Daemon Primarch could respond, the younger Lorgar stepped forward and stood beside you, his face unmarked by the corruption that twisted the Daemon Primarch's features.
Corax's first reaction was visceral. Hate and disgust welled up within him, memories of betrayal and chaos flooding his mind. He took a step forward, fists clenched, ready to lash out. But then he paused, his eyes narrowing as he truly looked at the younger Lorgar. This was not the corrupted monster before him, but a figure filled with potential and unfulfilled promise.
"By the Emperor," Corax breathed, his voice filled with disbelief and a flicker of hope. "Lorgar...?"
The Daemon Primarch's eyes also turned from Corax to the younger version of himself, his expression shifting from a sneer to a frown. For a moment, there was a flicker of something almost human in his gaze.
"What is this?" he demanded, his voice less certain, as if seeing something in his untainted self had momentarily shaken his conviction.
"Brother," Corax spoke, his voice a low, rasping whisper. "This younger version of you... he is different."
The Daemon Primarch's gaze was filled with emotions as he observed his younger self. "Indeed, Corax. He is... different."
The younger Lorgar turned towards them, his eyes blazing with a rebellious fire that seemed to scorch the air. There was a wildness to him, an untamed spirit that resonated more with Corax's own nature than the dark, corrupted path the elder Lorgar had chosen.
Corax felt a flicker of something akin to hope. This younger Lorgar, with his defiant stance and unyielding grace, embodied the potential for a different future. He was a stark contrast to the Daemon Primarch, who had surrendered his will to the dark gods.
A sense of kinship stirring within Corax. This younger Lorgar, with his unyielding spirit and defiance, was more aligned with his own ideals than the corrupted figure before him.
"Then perhaps," Corax said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, "there is hope yet."
"Young Lorgar, the path you walk is one of ignorance," the Daemon Primarch said, his tone polite and patient. "The gods offer us the means to ascend, to become more than the pawns we are in the Emperor's game."
The younger Lorgar listened, his brow furrowed in thought. He had always been a seeker of truth, a philosopher at heart. Yet, the words of his future self filled him with dread.
"You speak of power and destiny, but I agree with your brother, Corax," the younger Lorgar replied, his voice steady. "What you offer is not enlightenment but enslavement to beings that care nothing for us."
The Daemon Primarch realized then that no words would sway his younger self. The seeds of doubt had not yet been sown in Lorgar's heart, and his loyalty was unshakable.
"Then, let's put your resolve to the test. With my Brother's presence, your guides are assembled. Then let this test commence." the Daemon Lorgar declared.
"Just remember, we all carry the weight of our choices," Corax said, his voice a mere whisper against the wind. "But today, young Lorgar, you must face your past to understand your future."
Daemon Primarch Lorgar's eyes glowed with an eerie light. "The past is but a chain, young one. Break it, and you will be free."
You intervened, sensing the tension. "This is not about breaking or clinging to the past. It's about understanding it. Only then can we move forward."
The younger Lorgar nodded. "I'm ready," he said, determination evident in his voice.
The desert around you shimmered, reality warping as you were drawn into the vision. The sands shifted, revealing a scene from Lorgar's early years. You found yourselves in the heart of the Colchisian desert, where tribes had gathered around a ceremonial fire. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the murmurs of ancient prayers.
Kor Phaeron stood before the gathered tribes, his presence commanding and sinister. He was here to claim the child Lorgar, to mold him into a weapon for his own dark purposes.
"This is the moment," you said softly. "When Kor Phaeron first tried to take you from the tribes."
Young Lorgar's eyes widened as he watched the scene unfold. "I remember this," he whispered, radiating fear and shame.
The vision intensified. Kor Phaeron's voice boomed, declaring his intentions. He pointed a finger at the young Lorgar.
"You will come with me," Kor Phaeron commanded. "Your destiny lies beyond these sands."
All of you see Lorgar taking Kor Phaeron's hand and accepting his offer, to your shock and dismay. To further add to the pain, you see your wife and children, hale and healthy.
As you see Lorgar entering the caravan, shots ring out over the camp, accompanied by the blur of arrows and slingstave bullets. Larger projectiles crash into the canopies of your tribe's tents, causing chaos and destruction.
Turning your attention to Lorgar, you expect to see shock or fear, but the child remains remarkably calm, showing no signs of distress. If anything, there's a slight hint of regret in his expression, as if he anticipated this violence. His demeanor is far beyond his years, almost unnervingly so.
You watch the scene unfold, torn between the bloody spectacle of your tribe and family being slaughtered before you and the enigmatic presence of Lorgar. His reaction, or lack thereof, leaves you wondering and questioning many things.
As the vision faded, you found yourselves back in the desert. Young Lorgar looked to you, Corax, and the Daemon Primarch, a mixture of emotions in his eyes, shame and regret chief among them.
There is a silence as you take a deep, calming breath, forcing yourself to push aside the overwhelming emotions that threaten to consume you. Opening your eyes, you find yourself back in the desert, standing alongside Corax and the Daemon Primarch Lorgar. The younger Lorgar looks at you with a mixture of emotions, clearly affected by the vision he just witnessed.
Daemon Lorgar's voice breaks the silence, his tone gentle yet firm. "That was the first test. This is my past, when I willingly let the tribe die... as you almost did."
You did not need to read your son's mind to know that he was feeling a surge of guilt and shame over that comment. Nonetheless, you were glad when Corax placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his eyes filled with understanding.
"We all have moments of weakness and doubt," he says softly. "What matters is how we choose to move forward."
You nod, grateful for his words of wisdom. Turning to the Daemon Primarch, you see him watching the younger version of himself with a look of determination.
Your son shook his head, his voice deep with regret as he began to recount his tale. "I stood at a crossroads," he said, "where the path of loyalty to my tribe, who at the time had yet to accept me and the allure of the truth offered by Kor Phaeron."
"He sought to use me and pave the way for his dominion," Lorgar continued, his fists clenched at the memory.
"It was then that I realized I had to choose," Lorgar whispered, "between the unconditional love of a father and my desire for the truth." Lorgar admitted. "I nearly let the tribe die for I saw it in my dreams and accepted it as truth. I am no different from my future self." Lorgar said as he openly weeped in shame and regret.
No one spoke once again, unsure of what to say. No one but the older Lorgar.
"......Fan Morgal. It is you." Daemon Lorgar murmured in quiet realization.
CHOICE:
[] Write in
Younger Lorgar has had his past action thrown in his face. He is in a vulnerable state. You rolled willpower and got 4 sux so you can intervene now. But you need a stunt to do so. You will be contesting Daemon Lorgar to influence him and Corax will assist you.
As Corax struggled to find his footing against the overwhelming words of the Daemon Primarch, you stepped forward, your figure cutting through the oppressive atmosphere like a blade. The air crackled with energy, and the very shadows seemed to recoil from your determined stride.
"You speak of enlightenment and power through Chaos, but your words are empty," you declared, your voice steady and filled with righteous anger. "You are nothing more than a phantom, a shade of your former self, a mere puppet to forces that seek only to consume and destroy."
The Daemon Primarch's gaze shifted to you, a mixture of curiosity and disdain flickering in his eyes. "And who are you to challenge me? What do you know of the true nature of the universe?"
You met the Daemon Primarch's gaze unflinchingly. "Who I am is not important, only that I know enough to see through your lies. I know not of this Imperium you speak of and, in truth, care not. The reasons to oppose that which you call master are clear. It is opposed to all life, from the smallest seed to the greatest leviathan. The spirits themselves defy you and those you name Truth."
Lorgar's form flickered, his expression shifting to one of resignation. "You are misguided, a man who sees not the sky, clinging to your primitive beliefs."
"Misguided?" you scoffed, your voice rising in defiance. "It is only by worming its way into hearts and souls like a parasite that Chaos endures. If your masters are so concerned with freedom, so inevitable, why did they cling to Dharok so desperately, so greedily? They fear true freedom, the freedom that comes from unity and resilience."
The Daemon Primarch's eyes flared with dark energy, but you pressed on. "Be the rule of one flawed man or a flawed nation, men can break it and build anew, into something better. But be your masters triumphant, there can be no improvement, only the false change of eternal transformation, as the yapping of dogs is to the speech of men."
Lorgar's form wavered, the chaotic energies that swirled around him seeming to falter. "You speak boldly for one who knows so little. The future is written in the stars, and Chaos will reign supreme. It is inevitable, I stand before you, proof that it is so."
You shook your head, your expression resolute. "The future is not written. It is shaped by our actions, our choices. And I choose to stand against you and everything you represent. Your so-called masters thrive on despair and destruction, but they will never understand the true strength that lies in hope, in unity, in the indomitable spirit of life."
Corax, now regaining his strength, stepped forward to stand beside you. "Well said," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude and newfound resolve.
But before the Daemon Primarch could respond, the younger Lorgar stepped forward and stood beside you, his face unmarked by the corruption that twisted the Daemon Primarch's features.
Corax's first reaction was visceral. Hate and disgust welled up within him, memories of betrayal and chaos flooding his mind. He took a step forward, fists clenched, ready to lash out. But then he paused, his eyes narrowing as he truly looked at the younger Lorgar. This was not the corrupted monster before him, but a figure filled with potential and unfulfilled promise.
"By the Emperor," Corax breathed, his voice filled with disbelief and a flicker of hope. "Lorgar...?"
The Daemon Primarch's eyes also turned from Corax to the younger version of himself, his expression shifting from a sneer to a frown. For a moment, there was a flicker of something almost human in his gaze.
"What is this?" he demanded, his voice less certain, as if seeing something in his untainted self had momentarily shaken his conviction.
"Brother," Corax spoke, his voice a low, rasping whisper. "This younger version of you... he is different."
The Daemon Primarch's gaze was filled with emotions as he observed his younger self. "Indeed, Corax. He is... different."
The younger Lorgar turned towards them, his eyes blazing with a rebellious fire that seemed to scorch the air. There was a wildness to him, an untamed spirit that resonated more with Corax's own nature than the dark, corrupted path the elder Lorgar had chosen.
Corax felt a flicker of something akin to hope. This younger Lorgar, with his defiant stance and unyielding grace, embodied the potential for a different future. He was a stark contrast to the Daemon Primarch, who had surrendered his will to the dark gods.
A sense of kinship stirring within Corax. This younger Lorgar, with his unyielding spirit and defiance, was more aligned with his own ideals than the corrupted figure before him.
"Then perhaps," Corax said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, "there is hope yet."
"Young Lorgar, the path you walk is one of ignorance," the Daemon Primarch said, his tone polite and patient. "The gods offer us the means to ascend, to become more than the pawns we are in the Emperor's game."
The younger Lorgar listened, his brow furrowed in thought. He had always been a seeker of truth, a philosopher at heart. Yet, the words of his future self filled him with dread.
"You speak of power and destiny, but I agree with your brother, Corax," the younger Lorgar replied, his voice steady. "What you offer is not enlightenment but enslavement to beings that care nothing for us."
The Daemon Primarch realized then that no words would sway his younger self. The seeds of doubt had not yet been sown in Lorgar's heart, and his loyalty was unshakable.
"Then, let's put your resolve to the test. With my Brother's presence, your guides are assembled. Then let this test commence." the Daemon Lorgar declared.
"Just remember, we all carry the weight of our choices," Corax said, his voice a mere whisper against the wind. "But today, young Lorgar, you must face your past to understand your future."
Daemon Primarch Lorgar's eyes glowed with an eerie light. "The past is but a chain, young one. Break it, and you will be free."
You intervened, sensing the tension. "This is not about breaking or clinging to the past. It's about understanding it. Only then can we move forward."
The younger Lorgar nodded. "I'm ready," he said, determination evident in his voice.
The desert around you shimmered, reality warping as you were drawn into the vision. The sands shifted, revealing a scene from Lorgar's early years. You found yourselves in the heart of the Colchisian desert, where tribes had gathered around a ceremonial fire. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the murmurs of ancient prayers.
Kor Phaeron stood before the gathered tribes, his presence commanding and sinister. He was here to claim the child Lorgar, to mold him into a weapon for his own dark purposes.
"This is the moment," you said softly. "When Kor Phaeron first tried to take you from the tribes."
Young Lorgar's eyes widened as he watched the scene unfold. "I remember this," he whispered, radiating fear and shame.
The vision intensified. Kor Phaeron's voice boomed, declaring his intentions. He pointed a finger at the young Lorgar.
"You will come with me," Kor Phaeron commanded. "Your destiny lies beyond these sands."
All of you see Lorgar taking Kor Phaeron's hand and accepting his offer, to your shock and dismay. To further add to the pain, you see your wife and children, hale and healthy.
As you see Lorgar entering the caravan, shots ring out over the camp, accompanied by the blur of arrows and slingstave bullets. Larger projectiles crash into the canopies of your tribe's tents, causing chaos and destruction.
Turning your attention to Lorgar, you expect to see shock or fear, but the child remains remarkably calm, showing no signs of distress. If anything, there's a slight hint of regret in his expression, as if he anticipated this violence. His demeanor is far beyond his years, almost unnervingly so.
You watch the scene unfold, torn between the bloody spectacle of your tribe and family being slaughtered before you and the enigmatic presence of Lorgar. His reaction, or lack thereof, leaves you wondering and questioning many things.
As the vision faded, you found yourselves back in the desert. Young Lorgar looked to you, Corax, and the Daemon Primarch, a mixture of emotions in his eyes, shame and regret chief among them.
There is a silence as you take a deep, calming breath, forcing yourself to push aside the overwhelming emotions that threaten to consume you. Opening your eyes, you find yourself back in the desert, standing alongside Corax and the Daemon Primarch Lorgar. The younger Lorgar looks at you with a mixture of emotions, clearly affected by the vision he just witnessed.
Daemon Lorgar's voice breaks the silence, his tone gentle yet firm. "That was the first test. This is my past, when I willingly let the tribe die... as you almost did."
You did not need to read your son's mind to know that he was feeling a surge of guilt and shame over that comment. Nonetheless, you were glad when Corax placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his eyes filled with understanding.
"We all have moments of weakness and doubt," he says softly. "What matters is how we choose to move forward."
You nod, grateful for his words of wisdom. Turning to the Daemon Primarch, you see him watching the younger version of himself with a look of determination.
Your son shook his head, his voice deep with regret as he began to recount his tale. "I stood at a crossroads," he said, "where the path of loyalty to my tribe, who at the time had yet to accept me and the allure of the truth offered by Kor Phaeron."
"He sought to use me and pave the way for his dominion," Lorgar continued, his fists clenched at the memory.
"It was then that I realized I had to choose," Lorgar whispered, "between the unconditional love of a father and my desire for the truth." Lorgar admitted. "I nearly let the tribe die for I saw it in my dreams and accepted it as truth. I am no different from my future self." Lorgar said as he openly weeped in shame and regret.
No one spoke once again, unsure of what to say. No one but the older Lorgar.
"......Fan Morgal. It is you." Daemon Lorgar murmured in quiet realization.
CHOICE:
[] Write in
Younger Lorgar has had his past action thrown in his face. He is in a vulnerable state. You rolled willpower and got 4 sux so you can intervene now. But you need a stunt to do so. You will be contesting Daemon Lorgar to influence him and Corax will assist you.