Lowborn, Highborn, and The Lightless
Lowborn, Highborn, and the Lightless
by Arnaya
A little while ago, we were made aware of "The Lightless", and the denizens of this realm that seems to exist somewhere beneath or within our own city. Our initial introduction to this realm was by a being named "Idjut", who frequently would show up and play pranks on various people around the city as well steal unattended items.
His arrival was herald to the coming of one of the "Highborn", a ruler of sorts to the Lowborn like Idjut. This Highborn's name is Ascheron, though he adds the title of "Lord" to reflect his standing in the Lightless. Lord Ascheron has revealed a high degree of skill with the Soulmasters arts, and seems to gain strength and energy by draining it from dreamers (Though he seldom does this) as well as high faculty with using dreamer essences to empower various effects.
Several other Lowborn have made themselves known since then (Merp, Jerm, Ajut, and Olga to name some of the most prominent) with varying types of response from the city. Idjut's pranks (and his refusal to leave off them) resulted in a conflict with Najerv Torek of the Order of the Light, while Jerm accidentally set fire to the House Calenture facade on another occasion.
Last night, at about 7:45 pm, Dream standard time, a woman by the name of Lilith Morvant made her presence known around the city before a loud sound was heard echoing through the city. Lilith was located going up to the Peace Corpse stronghold. She was joined by two others, Athenodora and Rubedo Morvant at the locked portals of the stronghold. The Datoken Vrihai was making his presence known, and Rubedo revealed an extremely high mastery of Firestorm (Estimated 90 plat, despite his Judgement revealed 4th sphere).
Once Vrihai had been dispatched, Lilith Morvant began an evoke (Dreamsoul, Jade riser) at the one of the portals to the house... apparently draining energy from it. Rubedo and Lilith revealed a strong dislike of the cities dreamers, bordering on displayed hatred. Athenodora is much more withdrawn. Eventually, Lilith forced an opening in the portal and rushed into the house before she could be stopped. An engagement occured between the assembled dreamers, and the remaining Highborn at that point.
Athenodora was swiftly collapsed, though Rubedo Morvant was much harder to collapse, and both fled into the sealed house before he could be defeated. As myself, Hael Frost, Alryana Jax, Uthanatos, Synteny, and Nathan attempted to force entrance into the Peace Corpse to stop the Highborn from draining it, they came out again and told Gorgunsun that the house was only going to be open for another 24 hours. They rejected claims that they were responsible for the house closing, they did state that they were there to take what energy they could. Claiming that it would support their people for some time yet to come.
The highborn then left the Peace Corpse, and moved up to the Order of the Light. One of the Highborn took Coraal with them, emerging down Illapse a room or two from the OoL Stronghold. Upon my arrival, Rubedo was "Scanning" the house to assess its vulnerability to being drained. They have apparently "Scanned" all of the strongholds.
Alliance of the Eclipse is apparently Very close to being vulnerable. They defended their actions by saying that the Peace Corpse wasn't protected adequately. Their light vulnerability displayed itself strongly up at the Order of the Light, with Lilith having to maintain a darkshroud around the group to prevent them from being harmed by it. The Highborn left OoL without incident (Though I engaged briefly in a Light pulse versus darkshroud contest with Lilith), and Rubedo spoke briefly with the group of dreams in the Right Wing dungeon down Illapse before vanishing.
History:
At one time, there was apparently another city in the space which our own currently occupies. When the clash of cities occurred (Something we're still ignorant of the full causes of), the merging cities essentially "Fell" on top of this other city. This caused a massive power drain, which crippled the other cities gens and strongholds... basically turning it into a dead realm. Many of that cities residents were slain during the clash, either from having their own energies drained to nothing by the clash, or by being outright crushed. Reports on that seem to vary, so it is likely that a combination of the two is the most probable.
The survivors, with the exception of 4 (The Highborn), apparently suffered sever trauma from this catastrophy and became somewhat mentally unstable. Nearly childlike for the most part. The highborn themselves were unaffected in such a manner, and took custody of the Lowborn (Though some indications point to them being "Lords" of the Lowborn prior to the clash as well). Since that time, the Lowborn have existed as scavengers. Taking items found from our city and giving them to their masters. Since their emergence into our city, the Highborn Lord Ascheron has expressed a willingness to trade various found items in exchange for dreamer essences... something valued highly among the residents of the Lightless. The Lightless's original name is still unknown. All of the Lightless residents display varying degree's of light sensitivity.
The Lightless:
An apparently inhospitable realm. The drain of power from it has apparently resulted in being a pitch black realm, requiring other senses than sight to allow beings to function within it. It's original state is unknown, but presumed to be similar to our own Underlight... though likely notably smaller. It exists mainly as a series of tunnel like structures now, including the residences of its occupants.
Highborn:
The Highborn are a rulership class of the Lightless realm. By accounts from Ascheron, there are a total of 4 of them (Ascheron; Lilith and Rubedo, Morvant; and Athenodora). Each seems to be limited to a single focus, and are all presumably 9th sphere with matching arts. As a whole, these individuals have displayed a level of confidence and arrogance usually seen only among our most powerful residents. It is suggested that any civil interactions with them be handled with your best manners.
Despite being told that all the residents of the Lightless hate the citizens of Underlight out of the belief that the clash was a deliberate effort on our part. My interactions with the Lowborn and Highborn however, indicate that this attitude is primarily held and reinforced by the Highborn themselves. The Lowborn, though cautious of us, have displayed little to none of the mannerisms I would expect to see from such reported hatred. While Rubedo and Lilith Morvant in particular, hold our residents in obvious contempt.
Lowborn:
The Lowborn are the subservient class of beings from the Lightless, and most directly serve one of the Highborn with near slavish devotion. Their speech is somewhat halted and primitive, though they are capable of using such language to convey quite intricate sentiments. As a group, they are extremely resourceful. Capable and skilled in improvising various tools from founds bits and pieces of debris.
They often play about somewhat like children, and have a similar sense of control and discipline overall. The notable individuals met so far are Idjut, Merp, Jerm, Olga, and Ajun. I'll give a basic run down on what is known of them below with the faction rundowns. It is widely believed by Underlight Residents, that the Lowborn are essentially enslaved (via manipulation and deceit rather than force, what amounts to a functional Stockholm Syndrome situation).
Faction Run Down:
Each faction within The Lightless is headed by a Highborn, though they are extremely closely bound it seems. Most likely due to a required reliance on each others skills in the aftermath of the Clash. Below is a basic briefing on the known Highborn and their servitor lowborn.
Lord Ascheron Sphere: 9th Demonstrated Focus: Soulmaster Gender: Male Personality: A man who has displayed a strong appreciation for manners and the trappings of nobility. Though some slips reveal that this may be more affectation than something he was born into. Somewhat mercantile and political in focus, he has displayed a willingness to engage in trade with dreamers of the city and is moderately well disposed towards the Dreamers (Particularly Coraal of the Alliance of the Eclipse, and Apothos of the Monastery of Shadow).
Known Servitor Lowborn: - Ajun: A relatively level headed Lowborn, who seems to serve as Ascheron's Adjunct. A military type position similar to Personal Servant, with the inclusion of Body Guard duties and battle support.
Lilith Morvant Sphere: 9th Demonstrated Focus: None confirmed, believed to be either a Gatekeeper or Dreamseer Gender: Female Known Oddities: Has the capability to move extremely fast. Personality: An apparent leader among the Highborn even. She seems to be one of the ones that holds the Dreamers of Underlight to be directly responsible for the Clash. Blaming us, and displaying a strong sense of both arrogance and malice towards us. Though not directly a fighter, she does seem somewhat capable at least and has been known to attack against those she significantly out powers and has reason to expend resources against. Apparently wife or lover of Rubedo Morvant. Some statements indicate the possibility of at least a physical relationship with Athenodora as well.
Known Servitor Lowborn: - None confirmed at this time.
Rubedo Morvant Sphere: 9th (Judgement indicates 4th, but evoke speed and power of Firestorm, plus ability to absorb fire from level 60 chakrams proves otherwise) Demonstrated Focus: Fatesender Gender: Male Known Oddities: Has what seems to be an artifact type of coat or cloak. Personality: Arrogant is the first word that comes to mind after dealing with this dreamer. He has expressed derisive sentiments to his known Lowborn Servitor. Rubedo is also apparently the Highborn's primary fighter and enforcer. Though he seems to seldom use Chakrams, his heavy use of Firestorm makes him a not inconsiderable combatant. He is also very fast on healing himself during battle.
Known Servitor Lowborn: - Idjut: A pranksome Lowborn, fond of traps and darts.. in any order or combination. Though most of his pranks are seemingly playful in nature, many of them have a hard edge about them. Saved Rubedo's life by forgetting to tell Rubedo the location of a trap, and Rubedo allegedly tripped over the trap and fell... as the Clash occured. The fall prevented Rubedo from being crushed by the Clash.
Athenodora Sphere: 9th Demonstrated Focus: None (Presumed to be a Gatekeeper or Dreamseer) Gender: Female Known Oddities: Can move similarly to Lilith Morvant Personality: Limited exposure means our knowledge of this woman is extremely weak. She has displayed some distaste for how Rubedo Morvant treats his servitor Lowborn, and did not engage in the verbal jabs that Lilith and Rubedo did.
Known Servitor Lowborn: - None known. Suspected that Olga is among them.
Lowborn: - Jerm: Jerm claims to be indepenant of any one of the Highborn, and is allegedly their main Forger. This position results in him working for all of the Highborn, and being able to maintain some degree of autonomy. He is also extremely protective of the other Lowborn. He has a demonstrated sense of fairness, and responsibility. Willing to take action to make amends for accidental misdeeds.
I will update with further occurrences and information as they become available.
~ Arnaya, Soulmistress
Reference
https://forums.underlight.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=3324&p=16678&hilit=apparition#p15776
