Mechalich
Planewalker
Faction: Mercykillers
Location: Tintibulus, Acheron
Posts: 136
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 Posted: Sun May 18, 2003 10:51 am Post subject: Inevitables |
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The
chapter regarding inevitables is complete at this point. It references
four new types of Inevitable that I have hypothetically created (stats
to be forthcomming I hope) The Alazaruts, Sedikhuts, Nasvaruts, and
Cebjekhuts bringing the total to nine. I also introduce the existence
of "ultimate inevitables" which fill a role similar to the Lords of the
Nine or Abyssal Lords, the Xekruts.
Some of the three authors may be recognizable from other pieces of mine.
Jyan "Sparks" Burnishedozone, a Mercykiller Sergeant
Thomas Ravenquil, a retired Guvner sage
Dr. Rev-Isgine, of the Anatomica Society of the Planes
Here it is:
Justice. You've heard of it
perhaps? Heard of it from Mercykillers like me no doubt. Well, I'm not
going to talk about Mercykiller justice, but the justice of eternal
creatures of order, the Inevitables. Mechanus is a plane of many
beings, but though inevitables spring from there it does not define
them. Nothing defines these beings but their concern for justice in the
rules they exist to enforce. Certain things must always be held to,
certain laws never broken. That is what the Inevitables do, in a sense
that is what they are, creatures who express the surety of a few choice
forces.
Order cuts harshly in the Inevitables. They are roving hunters
that destroy and remove those who have broken their rules, rules that
must remain for the continued existence of the multiverse, or so they
know. They are no bound to any one plane, not even Mechanus, they leave
the ultimate ordering of places to creatures like Modrons. Inevitables
have more pressing their duties.
Track down those who defy the great rules, punish them, never let
them escape, never let justice be denied. These are the duties of
Inevitables. They hold to differing laws, but they all hold to one
single axiom, the power of justice. The justice the Inevitables hold to
is one the supports the continuing function of the multiverse, they
know that if they should fail the whole multiverse would collapse. No
one can be allowed to break these laws, and the more dangerous the
offense the more power being the Inevitable that must stop it. The most
powerful Inevitables can enforce their justice by manipulating the most
base reality of the multiverse itself, that is how sure they are of
their duties.
But where does this devotion come from? Who set the rules that
Inevitables follow, and why do the creatures act as they do? These are
some of the mysteries we all worked to discover, the secrets we delved
to find. It's tricky, the Inevitables know that they must punish
mortals when they threaten their rules, but otherwise they generally
ignore us. From their perspective it is hard for us to contribute to
their order, our perspective is too limited.
Yet they do act logically, there are rules that Inevitables
follow, laws that govern their behavior. These come not from the
Inevitables themselves, but from other sources. The chant indicates a
level of power above those Inevitables we serve, and even though we
cannot currently know that power, we can see evidence of its existence.
Frankly, I think the best teacher is experience. Got find and
Inevitable and talk to it if you really want to understand them, they
might decide to supply some answers. Otherwise, we've discovered that
there is a numerical consistency to Inevitables, one consistent with
the Rule of Threes (big surprise) and the number of numerical digits.
Still, this book holds a lot of valuable chant by some truly skilled
researchers, it is the truth, as best we were able to discover, so use
it as you can.
-Jyan "Sparks" Burnishedozone, Mercykilller Sergeant
Origin of the Automata
Thomas Ravenquil
I have studied Inevitables for some time, in my various tenures on the
lawful planes they tend to crop up with surprising regularity. For the
past two decades I have put a lot of work into probing historical data
regarding Inevitables, and I believe I can offer coherent explanations
on many of their mysteries. Certainly no one else can truly offer you a
more complete or reasonably researched picture of these paragons of
order.
I will begin this study of the Inevitables with a look at the
history of the race, and attempt to explain how Inevitables came to be,
what some of their current actions have been, and their strangely
mission oriented function. We tried to probe at the laws and rules
behind the Inevitables, to see what laws the great enforcers of law
follow. That is what we sought to do. Here is presented what a group of
knowledgeable people managed to gather regarding the Inevitables.
Created? Or Eternal?
The origin of Inevitables seems to have been lost into the mists of
time. The earliest historical references I can find to them are in
Yugoloth texts and Modron documents. However, neither of these sources
expounds on anything more than the existence of mechanical creatures
carrying out missions for order.
The Inevitables themselves are surprisingly closemouthed on the
issue, for creatures of such great order. They do confirm that new
Inevitables are created all the time, and whatever process initially
created the creatures seems to still be going on. These processes are
maintained in the great factories where new Inevitables are born, but
contray to popular belief, the maintenance of these factories is not
controlled by the Inevitables themselves. So the mystery is great.
The precise time period of creation is also nebulous, as are most
matters that date back so far. However, it does seem to be supported
that Modrons have existed longer than any of the groups of Inevitables,
and likely the Yugoloths and Guardinals as well. Of course, this is
highly speculative. The Inevitables themselves say that they are simply
that, inevitable, which seems to imply that they have existed since the
creation of the multiverse, or at least Mechanus.
Some sources seem to indicate that the Inevitables are created by
various powers of Order, which might imply that those powers made them
long ago. Given the association of many Inevitables with the Hindu
pantheon Tavastri seems a possible candidate, though other powers of
mechanisms, and even Primus of the Modrons are possibilities. Along
with these spotty tales of creation by the gods, other sources say that
all of the known types of Inevitables are created by an even greater
unknown type of Inevitable, some sort of ultimate Inevitable. Whether
this is true, is simply false data is unknown.
Current Development
As most who study Inevitables know, the creatures are not created from
the souls of petitioners, and are not apparently the direct creations
of the powers (possible exceptions not withstanding). Though the
factories of their creation are known, it leads to much speculation as
to why such locations exist. Each Inevitable is locked into a single
form for all of its existence, and the creatures never age, grow old,
or die. They appear to be effectively immortal.
So some unknown force, the powers, some ultimate Inevitable,
Mechanus itself, creates these creatures, and baring mishaps they last
forever. However, Inevitables are occasionally destroyed by their
actions on the planes. When they are destroyed, they are destroyed
forever. This has been confirmed. These clockwork beings do not reform,
and no Inevitable splits to replace them. Since the number of
Inevitables, like that of Modrons, is held to be kept constant the
factories are creating new ones only to replace the old destroyed
Inevitables. This is also supported by no source ever recording an
inevitable referring to itself as more than four thousand years old.
Apparently there is significant turnover. This implies that whatever
ancient force originally created the Inevitables is still creating
them. Having duly reviewed the data I believe the evidence points
toward the ultimate Inevitable theory, that such beings do exist, and
their actions keep the race at constant numbers. Whatever the true
method to create Inevitables remain unknown.
Since Inevitables do not evolve from form to form as other planars
do, and they have true minds, it leaves the question of what happens to
experience they accrue. Inevitables do not seem to accumulate new
skills as they age, unlike some Eladrins or Guardinals, but they do
become more knowledgeable and experienced. This knowledge is used by
the Inevitables to further expand their consciousness but does not
change their physical capabilities. As they age Inevitables get
smarter, but they never change type, even though some types have
innately more intelligence than others. This leaves open the
possibility that when an Inevitables consciousness has advanced
significantly enough it does move into a new form.
Mission Orientation
A number of sages have proposed the theory that Inevitables do not have
true intelligence because of their absolute focus on their various
missions. However, this is a patently false belief. Though each type of
Inevitable possesses a single form of mission toward which it devotes
its eternal existence, this does not mean they do not have true
intelligence. Do Modrons not have true intelligence because they follow
the orders of their superiors exactly and without hesitation? Of course
not. The greatest among them are so intelligent as to make normal
planars seem like insects by comparison. In fact, they will even seem
more intelligent than they actually are, because unlike long lived
fiends Inevitables can instantly recall any and all of their memories,
no matter how long ago. This makes them almost impossible to fool.
The mission orientation of the Inevitables is peculiar, because
they must expect to carry out activities that are much the same for all
eternity. This doesn't dissuade them, however, it only makes them more
focused. Each and every Inevitable believes that if it does a
sufficient job with its task in existence eventually the multiverse
will become a place of perfect order and never require their presence
again. So they become very good at what they do. Inevitables have a
large amount of variety within their broad task descriptions, and may
have many different approaches and tactics. They do exercise
creativity, and will try to do things in new and novel ways; they are
not so focused as to be forced to repeat their mistakes.
The individual mission orientation of each Inevitable does not
preclude racial unity and cooperation between the groups. They all hold
an overall predisposition toward order and justice, and many of their
missions overlap. It is not uncommon to see a group of Zelekhuts
working with a far more powerful Varakhut on the same mission, even
though each enforces an entirely different mission.
In short, Inevitables are more than simply constructs with a
mission. They are true beings with their own individual personalities
and concerns, and despite their different forms and missions, they are
a united race.
When their missions are completed Inevitables withdraw to
nonthreatening locations and enter observation mode, during which they
generally do nothing but wait to learn of new crimes and find
additional missions. They will examine cases presented by others, or
act on what their own senses tell them, but an Inevitable never remains
in observation mode for more than ninety days, even if it is in an
utter wasteland. Once ninety days have passed Inevitables seem to
mysteriously receive a new task and immediately go to act upon it. The
source of these new tasks is unknown, but again, the interference of
ultimate Inevitables is postulated.
By the Digits
Dr. Rev-Isgine
There are nine types of Inevitable known to exist. No more, no
less. This is said to be, and this information is taken directly from
Inevitables themselves, as well as many other sources, because there is
one type of Inevitable for each numerical digit. However, this leaves
open the question of zero, the digit which is not a digit, but which is
also the ultimate digit. It is believes that this controversy is the
source of much of the speculation regarding the tenth type of
Inevitable, the Ultimate Inevitables that take an interesting place in
legends surrounding the clockwork creatures.
There are three categories of Inevitables, divided not by level of
power, but by what their missions refer to, as might be expected, there
are three types of Inevitable in each category.
Enforcers of Justice
Among the most common and well known Inevitables are those whose
mission deals in some fashion with the idea of justice. These include
the weakest Inevitable, the Zelekhuts, but also the rather more
powerful Kolyaruts and Sedikhuts. All are devoted to some form of
justice in their own way. These Inevitables are the most likely to work
with outsiders, often members of the three lawfully stilted planar
factions, and are also most commonly known to work together.
Zelekhuts are the weakest and simplest Inevitable, winged
clockwork beings who hunt down those who defy justice and punish them
with their spiked chains. For all that they are still quite powerful,
and could take most lesser fiends or celestials. They have formidable
magical powers to assist them in their tasks as well. It is the task of
a Zelekhut to punish, something they do without emotion, only according
to denial of justice. Justice is not a forgiving force however, and
those punished by a Zelekhut are likely to pay with their lives.
Kolyaruts are the most social of Inevitables, and are often
considered to be the spokesmen of the race. They tend to develop
distinctive planar personalities over time, and become both wise and
sage like and fierce and judgmental. The overseers of oaths work to
insure that those sacred bonds are always held, and that those who dare
defy law and justice by breaking them are suitably punished. They take
this sometimes complex task very seriously, and weigh conflicting oaths
carefully. Kolyaruts are odd in their excellent relations with mortals,
and many speculate that enforcing oaths is not their only purpose, but
that making planars aware of the importance and goals of Inevitables is
their secretive secondary purpose. Kolyaruts are the most likely to
lead groups of Inevitables, even though others often have a more
pressing claim and far greater power, such things do not matter among
these lawful beings. If a Kolyarut is present, it will be the leader,
regardless of other concerns.
Sedikhuts are fearsome and feared. While the Mercykillers,
Fraternity of Order, and Harmonium, not to mention the Modrons, are
usually allies of the Inevitables, such people may flinch and flee when
a Sedikhut passes by. These are creatures of justice absolute, and it
is their task to punish those who have failed or betrayed that cause.
These Inevitables are mighty in power, and their fearsome winged
appearance, which invokes both powerful fiendish and celestial images,
is calculated to terrorize. Many Sedikhuts seem to relish this dark
opinion others have of them, using it as a tactic to accomplish their
missions. Though Kolyaruts are the leaders of the Inevitables and the
Enforcers of Justice in particular, Zelekhuts obey Sedikhut orders
without hesitation, often dropping their own tasks to do so, and
Kolyaruts also put the tasks of a Sedikhut as more pressing than their
own. All Inevitables agree, justice cannot be mocked, failed, or
betrayed.
Insurers of Forces
This group of Inevitables is focused on the protection and
stability of certain essential concepts of the multiverse. These three
include rather powerful Inevitables, but not so powerful as the third
category, and Sedikhuts are stronger than all of these three. These
Inveitables are rather isolationist, and tend to work alone on their
missions, though if a task if especially difficult they will form a
group of their own kind, led by the most senior, to deal with the
problem. These Inevitables are in some ways truest to their name, for
they will not be daunted. Once a problem rears its head they will never
swerve aside from it, and will always continue to seek its end, no
matter the cost.
Cebjekhuts are the guardians of planar boundaries, and are the
weakest of this group. This distinction supposedly indicates that the
planes are supposed to slip a little from time to time, but no one says
that to a Cebjekhut's face, since the creatures are just as powerful as
even mighty fiends, and have no sense of humor. As defenders of
boundaries Cebjekhuts often find themselves slipping between such
bounds rather often. However, this moderate hypocrisy doesn't seem to
bother them at all. Apparently, as creatures of order what they do
takes priority, and they know how to do things in the proper fashion.
These are the most physically adaptable Inevitables, and the changes in
outside environment never seem to bother them, so they are found in
many strange and unexpected places. Cebjekhuts seem to regard mortals
as transient, irrelevant creatures, and have trouble talking to and
differentiating between such creatures unless they have accumulated
much experience.
Nasvaruts defend the sovereignty of the elemental forces, and are
sworn to prevent mixing and melding of such forces. Exactly what this
means is somewhat unclear, as the beings seem to have no problem with
para or quasi elementals, or even composite elementals. They do seem to
block those who try and change one element directly into another, but
they must have other aspects to their missions. However, these
Inevitables are extremely mysterious, and never speak to mortals
themselves, or form direct alliances with them. That their own form
seems to be a mix of forces seems almost to defy their nature, but
Nasvaruts are too powerful to question outright, as they do not suffer
questioners easily, and never give answers. Other Inevitables are
almost as tight-lipped about this group as the Nasvaruts themselves.
Finally, the Maruts, perhaps the most famous of the Inevitables,
and by some speculation the first group created. Whatever the case of
such ideas, Maruts are potent and frightening creatures. They defend
the sovereignty and absoluteness of death, and punish those who defy
it. In this aspect Maruts are more purely killers than other
Inevitables, for anyone they punish is destined to die, and they are
well equipped for this purpose. Maruts are social in a morbid way, and
prefer their targets to be aware that a Marut is punishing them before
hand. To some extent they even delight in allowing their targets to
make preparations and then smashing them aside. As the most powerful of
this group of Inevitables, and possessed or more raw physical strength
than almost any other creature known, Maruts are quite capable of this.
Preservers of Reality
The most powerful Inevitables are those that defend concepts
central to the makeup of the multiverse itself. These great and
overarching concepts apparently must be preserved and remain
unthreatened for the continuation of order in the multiverse. These
Inevitables are entrusted with incredible levels of power for their
tasks, including the ability to alter reality directly through the
powers of limited wish and wish. These Inevitables are extremely
durable and restore themselves with unimaginable speed, so that
permanently destroying one is a greatly difficult feat.
Quaruts preserve time and space itself, using the very powers they
accuse others of using to disrupt it. Though many accuse them of
hypocrisy similar to Nasvaruts, the Quaruts, which are surprisingly
sociable for their great power, seem to find no problem with their own
actions. They are direct and potent, and more than willing to use their
incredible magical abilities for their mission. Quaruts do occasionally
work with other Inevitables, especially Maruts, and Alazaruts, for
their targets are often guilty of crimes against all three. Many
believe Quaruts have used their powers to rewrite the history of the
Inevitables, obscuring their pasts and the secrets of their creation to
secure the race and allow the continuation of their missions.
Alazaruts, the second most powerful known Inevitable preserve the
processes of decay and formation, making sure both continue to take
place and neither one vastly outstrips the other. The Alazaruts seem
likely to conflict with the Doomguard, but these Inevitables say they
cannot be sure whether or not the Doomguard is correct, and that the
ultimate fate of the multiverse does not affect their mission. Those
punished by Alazaruts are often destroyed so forcefully and their
effects erased so completely that it is hard to tell whether they ever
existed in the first place. The oddly abstract forms of these
Inevitables, which seems to proceed from the Quaruts has spawned
theories that more powerful Inevitables grow increasingly abstract and
ordered, but with only the most powerful three Inevitables showing this
trend there is no proof.
The mightiest form of Inevitable known is the oddly abstract and
utterly inhuman Varakhut. These strange beings are the self appointed
defenders of all the gods, knowing that the destruction of any god
brings chaos on the multiverse and changes the balance of the concepts
that allow it to exist. The magical powers of Varakhuts are immense,
and they are well equipped to defy anyone who should challenge their
magical abilities. Varakhuts consider mortals to be strange creatures,
but just as important as immortals, for both groups threaten the Powers
just as often. Varakhuts are the undisputed masters of the Inevitable
race, and though Kolyaruts lead any groups of them, Varakhuts can call
together a group of Inevitables so that a critical mission is
fulfilled. With the power to change reality itself with ease, however,
these mighty beings of law rarely need any assistance.
Ultimate Inevitables
Xekruts, a name with a combined suffix that is the reported to
represent the ultimate form of the Inevitable, the creatures that
represent not one of the nine numerical digits, but 0 instead.
Supposedly there are only ten such beings, and they are responsible for
the creation of the entire race of Inevitables, and the process that
builds new Inevitables to this day. It is impossible to speculate on
the true nature of these beings, when their existence is little more
than a hypothesis supported only by a few scattered and suspect logs
and tales. If they should exist Xekruts are likely to be highly
abstract beings with powers so close to those of the gods they might as
well be gods themselves. Indeed, some believe Xekrut is simply what the
Inevitables use to refer to those gods that created them.
When asked about the hypothetical Xekruts no Inevitable will
provide any answer. It seems impossible to gain information from them
regarding their supposedly fabled progenitors. Therefore it cannot be
known if Xekruts communicate with the lesser Inevitables. However, in
the absence of any evidence for any other theory, the circumstantial
evidence for the existence of Xekruts seems to hold.
In the Absence of Promotion
Jyan "Sparks" Burnishedozone
You know many berks believe that just because the Inevitables don't
promote form one form to another that they have no hierarchy and that
this oversight somehow make them chaotic. Ha, I've worked with
Inevitables many times, and let me tell you, those sods are wrong on
both counts. They do have a hierarchy, it just doesn't come into play
much because each group has a specific mission that doesn't require the
assistance of others, and they could probably get fine just fine
without a hierarchy at all. Yet they do have, it's part of their lawful
nature. Just in case they do have a need to give each other orders, its
in place, though its rare to actually see the hierarchy manifest.
The hierarchy of the Inevitables is based of the powers of the
various forms, powers that reflect the level of importance placed on
the task of each Inevitable, since the number of each kind of
Inevitable is generally believed to be equal. 'Course it doesn't seem
that way because some of the more powerful kinds spend lots of time in
far away places and don't get noticed, and they work more slowly.
Of course, the Inevitables don't rely on the hierarchy alone to
dictate how they relate to each other. They have a standing provision
the Kolyaruts run all groups of Inevitables, regardless of hierarchy.
The Kolyaruts are prepared to deal with social issues, so they lead,
end of story. Even a Varakhut defers to a Kolyarut once a group is
formed. Of course, the Varakhut would only enter that group if it was
absolutely sure the Kolyarut had what it takes to lead the group to
success. Groups without Kolyaruts rely on the hierarchy to determine
leaders, but these groups are rare. Generally they only consist of a
powerful Inevitable with some Zelekhuts to provide assistance.
Rogue Inevitables
Thomas Ravenquil
While this is an extremely rare occurrence, the probability of it
happening is far rarer than that for a Modron going rogue, it does
occur. Yet the relative numbers Modrons vs. Inevitables, means that the
number of Rogues that do occur is extremely low, indeed no Inevitable
has been observed to go rogue in the past two decades. It is believed
that an inevitable can only go rogue if it comes to doubt its mission,
since their missions are so central to their existence and are utterly
orderly, this hardly ever happens. History does record rogue
Inevitables though.
The fate of a rogue is unpleasant, and even more certain than that
of a rogue Yugoloth (which might survive for a time if it succeeds in
masking its nature). For whatever reason, again the intervention of the
mythical Xekruts is the most common explanation, the Inevitables as a
whole know when one of their race has crossed the line to rogue status.
As with rogue modrons this sort of thing is almost impossible for
outsiders to detect, but the Inevitables apparently know, and the fate
is quite dramatic. History records that every rogue ever has been
instantly pursued by a small horde of Sedikhuts, and any other
Inevitable that find the rogue near their whereabouts. The result is
well, inevitable (pardon the pun), all rogues are mercilessly destroyed
by the Sedikhuts.
Of course the planes are well known for throwing up exceptions,
but scanning historical documents dating back for over four thousand
years there is not a single case of any rogue Inevitable surviving for
any period longer than three weeks. Indeed, it seems most rogues simply
await their fates quietly, or destroy themselves before the Sedikhuts
can arrive, rather than flee.
It is certainly unclear why the Inevitables pursue the rogues with
so much vehemence. They seem to promise no direct harm to the race, and
unlike Modrons, they are not stealing a part of any shared lifeforce
from the rest. Most sages who have studied the matter, and rogues are
so rare that this is a very small group, have come to the assumption
that Inevitables regard one of their kind casting doubt open it mission
as defying the entire race and the justice and order they stand for
itself, since the missions of all Inevitables are linked and they are
exist for the same ultimate purpose the failure of one is the failure
of all. Of course, creatures of such absolute order cannot allow for
failure or doubt of their ideals.
Clockwork Creatures
Dr. Rev-Isgine
Inevitables are quite obviously clockwork creatures, similar in
many respects of physical form to modrons. However, they are in fact
even more purely mechanical than those beings, which at least possess
something resembling a natural lifeforce. Inevitables are fully
mechanical, one hundred percent automaton.
That does not mean there are no differences to their functions, or
their physical makeup, but they are not like organic creatures. In fact
an Inevitable shares more aspects of internal anatomy with a being like
an elemental than with your standard planar race. So how do these
mechanical beings function? Well, I'll tell you, I've actually taken
the things apart (and sometimes put them back together again) to find
out all those mysteries. Inevitables are similar to what most people
would expect from clockwork creatures, but are not precisely the same
thing. There are overarching similarities, and there are portions of
form unique to each Inevitable type.
The most overarching similarities in the structures of Inevitables
are the tendency for their structure to be related to their mission,
and for increasing levels of abstraction as they become more powerful.
There would seem to be exceptions to this rule, but those are only skin
deep. If a body takes the time to look beneath the plating, the
Inevitables not only get more abstract, they get more complicated as
they grow in power. The truly powerful Inevitables are such a beautiful
scheme of tiny devices and mechanisms that they can barely be believed
when observed, much les understood by mortals. The intricacies of law
are so complex as to achieve a simplistic beauty.
Parts
The substances that make up Inevitables are widely varied. They are
more than just clockwork, made of metal, glass, and stone. Inevitables
are constructed of so many different materials are to be impossible to
catalog. Obviously, this sort of strange makeup precludes any
similarities to the normal structure of a humanoid being. While most
Inevitables have at least a vaguely humanoid form, their internal
organization is very different. Most have structures that at least
mimic eyes, ears, mouths, and limbs, but that is generally where the
similarity ends. For the most complex Inevitables, the Preservers of
Reality, even those features may be absent, though there are sometimes
facsimiles.
The few external similarities to organic life are nothing in
comparison to the Internal differences. Inevitables don't have organs;
they have no centralized structures such as a hearts or lungs. They are
often rather undifferentiated, at least at the level of observation the
naked eye is capable of, within. Most Inevitables seem to be made up of
a single type of internal structure, whether clockwork components,
stone, or hourglasses, there is little apparent differentiation.
However, this is another case where the observer must look deeper. Any
segment within an Inevitable has a function to perform. Indeed, if
liberated from the organism they often carry out functions on their
own. There is also a level of detail not apparent at anything less than
a greatly magnified level of examination. There are often strange
symbols written on the internal components of Inevitables, in no
language or rune structure used by known planars. Tiny components no
larger than a pinhead are often found to be minute gears or other
devices. The clockwork components of some of the heads we examined
where so small and complicated that we couldn't keep them strait,
despite our best efforts.
This sort of overwhelming micro-complexity makes it vary difficult
to analyze the anatomical function of Inevitables, but some legitimate
generalizations have been inferred, and I offer them to you now as
practical data.
Gender
As constructs Inevitables are naturally neuter. They cannot
reproduce and therefore the whole question of gender can be generally
deemed irrelevant. Most of the Inevitables met are impersonal and
recognize no gender-based distinctions. However, despite this lack of
gender most Inevitables dislike being called "it." The apparently
consider it to be degrading, though the least personal or experienced
among them generally do not care, so this must be an acquired
distinction. When names are not known it is considered common for
Inevitables to refer to themselves by type, with specific reference
being supplied by the article "the." Therefore if referring to a Marut
one does not know the name of, the Marut is the correct and accepted
term of address.
One exception to the genderless rule appears to be Kolyaruts.
These creatures adopt personalities over time that is far less
impersonal and distant from the planar norm. At some point them may
seem to speak of things with almost a similarity to gender. Though
physically neuter these Inevitables could almost be said to act with a
personality distinctively associated with a gender. Such Kolyaruts
always come of to those who speak with them as being male, never
female. Reasons for this selectivity are unknown, but it is theorized
that since Kolyaruts reputedly see themselves as judges, soldiers, and
executioners, if their missions were described in mortal occupations,
and these occupations have the tendency to be male dominated, Kolyaruts
gravitate towards being male.
Creation
Inevitables are not born, but made by some unknown process in the
great factories of Mechanus. There are exactly nine of these factories,
one for each type of Inevitable. The most active and well known is
Neumannus, responsible for creating Zelekhuts. They are created full
blown unto the multiverse, though without much experience in how their
actions must function, though they have tremendous knowledge from the
very beginning. It seems the Inevitables themselves have really no
control over the factories that create them. New Inevitables are
churned out to replace those that are destroyed, according to the
processes of the factories themselves, but these run without oversight
from any active Inevitables.
The number of Inevitables in the multiverse is apparently fixed and
finite, and each type is equally common. New Inevitables are created
only when old ones are destroyed. There is an exception to this rule
however. Certain gods apparently can create, or at least co-opt
Inevitables into their service. In this case the number of Inevitables
does increase, because those serving the gods must be replaced with
Inevitables serving their true mission. Gods known to do this include
several of the Hindu pantheon, Rudra and Tvastri being most notable,
Gond, gnome god of artifice, Golaime, a power of constructs, and Primus
of the Modrons. Whether these Powers truly create Inevitables on their
own remains dark.
Otherwise the same mysterious process that has created them since
their inception maintains the factories that create Inevitables. This
seems to require raw materials and magic, and most Inevitables seem to
know what components go into their creation. They cannot create more of
each other themselves though, and neither can mortals. All attempts to
do so have failed. Creating these beings is apparently sole province of
the progenitors of the Inevitables and the Powers.
Nourishment
Inevitables require no nourishment. Period. They are completely
self sufficient, the absence of no force, no even magic, can cause them
to starve (at least in measurable periods of no more than a decade).
Whatever their internal workings, they are apparently capable of
supplying all the energy the Inevitable needs to function, indeed well
in excess of it, for Inevitables heal at a incredible rate, wounds
closing within seconds of being inflicted.
It is not known whether the Inevitables magical powers are powered
by their internal energy supply, or simply by accessing the background
magic of reality. However, the former is far more likely, since
Inevitables have been known to use at least some of their spells in
dead magic areas. This does not allow them to penetrate anti-magic
effects though.
Prevailing theory suggests Inevitables are sustained by the forces
of justice and order themselves, and that their own order imposes
itself on the multiverse to such an extent that it powers the
creatures.
Rest and Sleep
Clockwork beings do not sleep, and Inevitables are no exception.
They never rest, and apparently never truly dream. In this they are not
truly living beings, but no one ever said they were. This trait does
allow them to function for every minute of every day. It is impossible
for an Inevitable to become tired, though it can push itself to a state
where it rapidly builds up strain in its internal systems. Periods of
extensive speedy flight are most likely to produce this, though it is
an extremely rare creature that can force an inevitable past this
threshold and still be functional.
Inevitables have been known to lapse into a motionless state for a
period of no more than a few minutes, apparently to correlate and
analyze vast amounts of newly acquired information. This most often
occurs after probing another's mind, or altering reality with wish
effects.
Powers
Jyan "Sparks" Burnishedozone
So, what can Inevitables do? Well, let poor Sparks here enlighten all
your (doubtless mostly criminal) near-do-wells. I've worked with the
beings on a number of occasions and they have a wide variety of powers,
and though they vary widely in power, not a one is weak. All of the
nine types share a few basic abilities, though these vary in level of
potency. Also they all have mystical powers as well. There is some
continuity in these too, but there's also more difference.
To begin with the physical powers. All Inevitables are pretty
resistant to spells cast at them, and are immune to all the same
effects as other constructs, as well as being durable like those
creatures. (All Inevitables have the construct subtype- Ed.) Even more,
Inevitables heal extremely rapidly, quicker and quicker as the grow
more powerful, to the point that a Varakhut bare seems to get hurt at
all. It also takes a magical weapon to harm any Inevitable, usually a
pretty powerful one for anything more than a Zelekhut. Furthermore, all
Inevitables are strong, and hit with greater than human strength, this
is something not always indicated by their forms.
As for the spell powers, well, like I said there's more variation
here, and some Inevitables are very secretive about their abilities.
Still, some things are held in common. All of them have the power to
inscribe a Mark of Justice, though more or less often depending on
type. Most possess some power to dispel the magic of others. They can
all use some variant of geas or quest as well, and hold person and hold
monster, to keep their targets from escaping. The greatest Inevitables,
the Preservers of Reality, also hold certain powers in common. They can
all use some form of wish or limited wish, can all teleport instantly
from place to place and planeshift when necessary. The can use true
seeing to reveal what is hidden, and time stop to act when others
cannot. Unlike fiends, or celestials, which tend use their reality
altering powers only at great need, the Preservers are so sure in their
missions they use them without hesitation.
Vulnerabilities
Jyan "Sparks" Burnishedozone
Well, they tapped me to explain how Inevitables can be easily
defeated. Ha! There's nothing easy about it. There are no special
physical weaknesses to Inevitables, just as they have no specific
immunities. They are only vulnerable to weapons blessed by the gods,
and chaotic weapons, which prevent their regeneration. Anyone trying to
destroy an Inevitable should probably use blessed weapons, chaotic
weapons are usually wielded by chaotic creatures, who Inevitables have
powers to counter.
Inevitables do have more general, strategic weaknesses though.
They have a single-mindedness about their task that causes them to
always focus on a single target, though they are not so foolish as to
ignore other impediments. Inevitables also have difficult forming
permanent alliances, because they see no reason to treat their allies
with kindness, because they see no purpose to kindness. This can cause
problems with the use of certain powers, Kolyaruts have been known to
drain their allies of life for their own restoration, and Varakhuts may
launch massive spell assaults that destroy any fragile allies. This
does not always endear Inevitables to their likely allies, and makes
aiding them a risky proposition at best.
Eliminating Inevitables
Dr. Rev-Isgine
Inevitables are destroyed when they have been damaged sufficiently
that their systems are overloaded. They have no especially vulnerable
points, and only extensive damage to their systems will destroy them.
As all Inevitables can heal their systems with incredible rapidity this
makes disposing of them somewhat more complicated. Though once
destroyed, an Inevitable is eliminated forever, they are not above
faking their own deaths and then rising up only moments later healed of
most wounds.
Additionally, even if the target manages to slay the Inevitable
pursuing it, well, rejoicing is perhaps not a good idea. At best said
person has likely bought only a brief respite. Additional Inevitables
will certainly be sent, perhaps even larger groups or more powerful
ones. The only way to truly escape the wrath of Inevitables once they
have been sent against you is through sincere repentance. Usually this
implies willful inscription with Mark of Justice or the voluntary
taking on of a geas.
This is not a matter of held grudges, Inevitables do not do such
things, indeed they do not even consider a person having destroyed one
of them to be especially significant, since that Inevitable will be in
due course replaced, but denial of their principles of justice and
reality is assured to constantly have their attention. Eventually they
seem to always suceeed. Certainly, there are no beings in the
multiverse in these days that speak of having avoided the justice of
these beings for extended periods of time.
Dealing with Mortals
Thomas Ravenquil
There is nothing in the working of Inevitables that prevents them
from working with mortals. Indeed, this is not necessarily a bad idea
if one has a predisposition towards law. Inevitables are powerful, and
frighteningly effective at their tasks. Joining one's cause to an
Inevitable can make victory significantly more likely, however, history
provides cautions and admonitions regarding working with these beings.
Even more so than the fiends, Inveitables are frighteningly
inhuman. Baatezu at least desire to manipulate and ruin you,
Inevitables simply have no care for your fate if you are not one of
their targets or impeding them. They never reward those who aid them,
and they do not provide for the welfare of those who assist them.
Inevitables do not try and manipulate, but they do not care to inform.
This has unfortunate results.
There have been cases when Inevitables have plane shifted
themselves and all their allies to new locations, only to have everyone
but themselves suddenly destroyed by the environment, or warped by the
inhabitants. If a Quarat shifts to the Abyss it might appear in the
middle of a blood war battle, and it won't both to provide warning.
Inevitables do not rest, or eat, and work tirelessly; any mortal who
cannot keep up will simply be bypassed and forgotten. Many Inevitables
wield the powers of Circle of Doom and Circle of Death, and have no
qualms about using them even if surrounded by mortal allies.
Ultimately mortals should perhaps avoid working with Inevitables
except on a limited basis. It simply requires a mindset nothing this
side of a Modron is likely to understand. Indeed, even for those
skilled beings who have proven themselves through association with
fiends are often surprised by the sheer lack of concern displayed by
Inevitables. A fiend usually wants its pawn alive (at least for a short
time) Inevitables don't place any significance on a mortal life unless
it defies their laws.
Summoning Inevitables
Despite the ignorance of many, this is not impossible. History records
a number of instances with valid witnesses where this has been done.
However, the method to summoning Inevitables is quite tricky.
Inevitables can be randomly summoned by an appropriately powerful
monster summoning spell, cast by a caster whose alignment is equal to
their own. The will generally serve according to the spells constraints
and then leave immediately. Only the spell ensnarement can by those not
of the Ineitables alignment for the purpose of summoning them. The
results, though are rather different than summoning a fiend or slaad.
Inevitables do not have true names. They may take names for
themselves, but these do not truly describe them, and are only used to
facilitate interaction with mortals. In the absence of true names, the
caster can only specify the type of Inevitable he wishes to summon. The
spell will generally call an Inevitable of that type, but the effects
on them are limited. The Inevitable will almost certainly immediately
try to dispel the warding circle and leave. They will not attack the
summoner if the dispel succeeds, but simply return to their duties.
If the Inevitable fails to dispel, it can be commanded to a single
task, but the summoner had best be very careful what form of task is
commanded. Any task that violates any of the nine principles
Inevitables enforce immediately frees the creature and causes it to
consider the caster in violation of that principle. Many a wizard has
attempted to use a Quarut to change time, only to find himself
imprisoned for all eternity. However, history has also shown that
Inevitables do not hold any grudges if their task is legitimate,
indeed, if called into a service involving justice they have been noted
to commend the summoner for bringing it to their attention.
Language
Dr. Rev-Isgine
While Inevitables can apparently communicate with some form of
telepathy between themselves, they cannot do this with mortals;
therefore they must rely on the tools of language. They are
surprisingly good at it. Inevitables apparently have some method to
rapidly assimilate languages, usually after hearing only a short
conversation or reading a single page of text they can understand a
language almost to the point of fluency. All Inevitables are taught
Abyssal, Infernal, Celestial, and the language of their initial target
(usually planar trade) in the short briefing they receive immediately
following creation. They learn additional languages as needed; some of
the more experienced Kolyaruts can speak thousands of different
tongues.
When speaking the voice of an Inevitable is extremely mechanical
and toneless. They generally speak seldom, saying only what is needed
to express their tasks and requirements of others. Kolyaruts may go
further, since they ape mortal pleasantries and interactions for the
purposes of their missions. Still, they always come of sounding
extremely flat. With highly musical languages, such as elvish, this
produces a sound that is almost foreign in nature, and difficult to
listen to.
A lack of subtlety in their own speech is not indicative of a lack
of understanding of such subtleties in others. Inevitables have been
known t pry coherency from the double-talk of greater Baatezu and
Yugoloths, and even sort the ravings of Tanar'ri into some semblance of
order. They simply chose to speak clearly themselves, because they are
creatures of extreme order and wish to avoid misinterpretation. When
speaking languages that have forms of authority or formality
Inevitables always use the most formal and authoritative forms they can
manage. This means that an Inevitable speaking Infernal uses the
connotations of a Pit Fiend, and considers everyone else to be
"expendable lesser" just by phrasing. This action makes Inevitables
excellent forgers, though they rarely undertake such actions. However,
forgeries of orders and passes by Kolyaruts have been known to be so
convincing as to cause thousands of Baatezu to launch attacks, or
commence searches.
Culture and Society
Jyan "Sparks" Burnishedozone
Okay, let's get it right now. Everybody's thinking 'how can
constructs possibly have a society?' Well, they can, if you know what
to look for. Inevitables are not without there bits of culture and
something of a society as well. It hidden, and takes some work to find,
subdued under all the outer order and the busy mission orientation, but
it is there. To take a look at it, the culture of Inevitables is an
extremely orderly thing, one that hinges on a few simple beliefs.
Nevertheless, they aren't nearly so soulless as others make them out to
be. Indeed, their culture, hidden though it generally is, is perhaps
the most mortal endearing facet of the Inevitables.
Essential Beliefs
A few simple beliefs govern the ways Inevitables do things in a
cultural sense. First, their missions always come first, so their
culture only expresses itself in odd moments, when nothing important is
happening. This means that the culture of the Inevitables is one of
travel, for their only spare time comes when tracking their targets
across long distances and nothing presses beyond moving forward. Being
immune to fatigue allows them to be fully active intellectually during
these pursuits, and it becomes apparent, if you can keep up.
The Inevitables have an ironclad belief in the importance of order
and justice, and also that they are linchpins of continued existence in
the multiverse. They believe that a greater force, which they, as well
as mortals, conceive of as the Xekruts, created them to preserve the
multiverse through justice, eventually cleansing it of all impurity and
making it perfect. When that day of perfect order comes Inevitables
believe their tasks will be finished and they will be allowed to rest
for the remainder of time. They also believe that they were given their
intelligence in part so they could learn and improve, both to
facilitate their missions, and so that they will be ready for the time
of perfect order. Self-improvement is important to Inevitables, and
they strive to always to so.
Individuality is not necessarily counter to order. This is perhaps
the most significant cultural belief that Inevitables have. They
believe that they can be individuals and still be perfectly orderly and
essentially the same as all their fellows. Being both an individual and
being the same is a strange concept, and one that they spend great
amounts of time contemplating and working towards. This brings me to a
discussing of the strange way Inevitables interact and pursue what
might be called "art" by other beings.
Golden Armor
No Inevitable is without some gold in its makeup. Most have some
form of armor made of gold or gold alloys prominently displayed. They
seem to think of gold as some sort of perfectly orderly metal, and have
a strange fascination with it, and also with silver to a lesser degree.
In spare moments they will decorate their armor with highly orderly,
but surprisingly original and artistic abstract designs. They take some
pains to compare their armor with other Inevitables when they
occasionally meet. The designs are often quite similar, but each one is
unique. Evidence that order takes almost infinite forms. Inevitables
may change their armor designs after meeting another.
One other strange tradition regarding armor. Inevitables who
encounter the destroyed remains of another will sometimes take a
portion of the armor back to Mechanus. They carve a single symbol onto
the piece when they do this, one of nine possible options, which
designate the type of Inevitable that fell. It is unknown whether the
do this to honor the fallen or for some other purpose. Inevitables say
that they take back pieces "only from those who have completed their
allotted duty." I'm unsure what that's supposed to mean.
This decoration of armor is the closest thing to art Inevitables
create. Sometimes it is even sold on the open market after an
Inevitable has been destroyed, though they frown upon this practice.
Architecture
There are constructions built by Inevitables. Most are modeled off
their great factories and are designed primarily for functional
purposes, but some of these structures are interesting in construction.
There seems to be a tendency by Inevitables to construct complex models
of the multiverse and machines to observe far off localities.
Inevitable architecture emphasizes some things other wouldn't expect.
While the most obvious emphasis is on functionality, words like
mobility, fluidity, and alteration tend to spring into mind when
looking at such buildings. They have the strange tendency to look like
they are good to pick themselves up, change into something else and
walk away, and that would be perfectly normal.
Religion
It at first seems very strange that creatures of clockwork would
possess what can only be described as strong religious beliefs, even
faith. Yet this is a key part of the nature of Inevitables. They all
hold a distinct belief in the existence and guidance of creatures like
them but beyond them. Though they will not confirm the existence of
hypothetical Xekruts, every Inevitable I have spoken to, or anyone else
has asked, has espoused the same rock solid belief in their existence.
This is apparently a guiding principle in the lives of these
beings. They know that some higher beings have given them a purpose to
work towards, mysterious though it may be. There is an absolute
certainty that these creator/watcher beings are wiser than they, and
that they should follow the directives they possess.
Inevitables do not try to convert others, or make anyone share
their beliefs, nor do they worship any Powers, though they show respect
to the Powers of law. Yet they hold well to this belief in some greater
beings of law, which would essentially be gods to them (though they
make it quite clear that they are not Powers). It is a quandary. Yet
this may be the reason why they are so willing to give up their lives
in the line of duty, even if it means forsaking eternal life. They know
they are part of a greater plan.
Comradeship
The rare groups of Inevitables that set out on missions together
rarely talk much amongst themselves, since the formation of a group
indicates a task of critical importance that requires total focus. At
other times they exhibit a great degree of comradeship. Though they do
not socialize, and have no hesitation to sacrifice those who aid (just
as they do not hesitate to sacrifice themselves should it be necessary.
Inevitables will aid their companions if there is nothing to stop them
from doing so. They will even display genuine remorse should a long
time ally fall. While they do not express grief, the death of others
holds no fondness for them.
In Summary
Thomas Ravenquil
Despite their limited numbers, the Inevitables are a
clockwork-hearted force for the preservation of order in the Outer
Planes. Armed with absolute surety of their missions' importance and
truly inevitable success, they press forward no matter the difficulty
or odds. I hope you now have a better understanding of these
mission-oriented beings, who thrive off the need to act, and the
opposition of others.
The City of Just Labors
Character: Work is pain, pain brings redemption, redemption brings
absolution, and absolution brings Justice. Justice is all. You have
been given a chance to redeem yourself, one chance only. Failure is not
an option. To work!
Ruler: The Kolyarut Fexihl 42 has overseen the city's operation for
the past thirty years, and barring the failure of his charge to
continue his repentance Fexhil 42 will rule for twenty years more. He
believes heartily in the function of the city as an instrument of
justice, and will insure everything goes smoothly. Interuptions from
the outside interfere with the punishments and redemption being
overseen within and are scarcely to be tolerated. Any threats to the
city can and will be summarily eliminated at the first sign.
Behind the Throne: Several other Kolyaruts and the occasional
Sedikhut control other matters of governance in the city, and at least
one representative from each of the other types of Inevitables is
active here. However, none opposes Fexihl 42's oversight in any way.
The command of the Zelekhut guards and overseers is the Kolyarut
Yitiach 8, who wields considerable influence from his position, but
considers only the actions of the prisoners important. Anyone trying to
manipulate him is certainly going to find themselves marked and among
the prisoners within minutes.
Description: Located on a nameless thick gear somewhere distant in
Mechanus, on the edges of the Modron territories, The City of Just
Labors is laid out in a square, with four internal square segments. The
entire thing is surrounded by a giant wall of iron fifty feet in
height, and covered in preventative spikes at several intervals. The
spikes are made of steel that never rusts or dulls. The walls are
topped with spires of gold at set intervals.
Three of the four segments are the same, great pits and diggings
fill them, going down hundreds of feet. These are the labor pits where
the prisoners are forced to mine into the incredibly hard stone of the
gear itself. Prisoners work twelve hours a day, every day, until their
sentences are upon. No prisoner has ever escaped, for no prisoner can,
each an every one suffers from a mark of justice and a geas that they
will serve out their sentences of hard labor here.
The laborers are forced to comply with justice and order. They
must work as a team, with precision, using a small number of tools. If
they do not work orderly and effectively they cannot meet their quotas,
and do not reduce time from their sentences.
The fourth square holds the camps of the prisoners, which are
simple huts. This camp is placed on great plankings, which go over the
diggings. The camp is rotated through each square whenever the diggings
get to far down into the gear. The gear beneath gradually regrows its
structure. Inevitables walk the walls or fly above, ensuring that the
prisoners work in an orderly fashion, and distributing food three times
a day, before work, after six hours of work, and when the work is done.
Food and water are amply supplied, and the workers are kept healthy,
indeed most are in excellent shape.
The mined stone is processed in the factories of Neumannus and
used to make new Zelekhuts, so by this the prisoners propagate justice.
Reaction among the prisoners to their fates varies, the
Inevitables are forcing them to learn order if they ever wish to leave,
and the work is so hard that it becomes impossible to fake compliance
over time, and no prisoner has a sentence of less than five years. No
one is placed here unless it was believed they might be redeemed by
justice, and this is the Inevitables harsh, but fair, way of
accomplishing it. Many do seem to learn to be orderly here, or at least
that there past transgressions were truly foolish. Many never learn
though, and make little progress against their sentences. Those are the
ones who grow old and die in the city. The Inevitables who oversee from
the walls do not care. They consider themselves to be extremely
generous to offer this chance to criminals at all.
Militia: There is no militia in the City of Just Labor. The
resident Inevitables can defend from outside attack if need be, or call
on the Modrons for aid in extreme cases. The prisoners to not have the
ability to rebel, it was taken away from them before they came here.
Should a prisoner prove truly unrepentant, and work to sabotage the
redemption of others, the Zelekhut overseers will simply kill the
offender.
Services: The City provides no services, visitors are not welcome,
and the prisoners are not allowed visits. They are sent to the Fortress
of Disciplined Enlightenment upon release, and must make there way from
there. The only thing the city can possibly provide is the disposition
of prisoners. An outsider can arrange to have someone committed here,
if that prisoner agrees to the sentence the Inevitables say they will
impose. No one is committed save by the will of the Inevitables. Fexihl
42 oversees all such cases himself.
Local News: There's a rumor among the prisoners that a powerful
mage incarcerated here has managed to secretly escape the influence of
his geas and survive. They say he or she might make a break for it
soon, and if the prisoners stage a revolt they might all break free.
Others say its so much screed, possibly even introduced by the
Inevitables as some kind of obscure test.
Another rumor says that the man Fexihl 42's here to watch over is
close to dying of old age, that he won't serve out the remaining twenty
years of his sentence, even though he repented his deeds long ago. Some
of the prisoners believe that this isn't fair and should be brought to
the attention of outsiders if possible. Others just worry that if
Fexihl 42 leaves then Yitiach 8, whom they fear far more, will take
over and halve them all killed.
_________________
"We
are all just swimmers in a dark sea. However, some of us can see
further into the depths than others."-Negriet, Negatai Necromancer |
|
