Pentathax Invitation

“Good morning, Retvik, Litvir, good to see you both up and in a better mood!” Vikalos smiled as the two young Thantir leaders headed into the main office at Savepoint. “We have something… interesting today.”

“Good interesting or bad interesting?” Litvir immediately asked. “Because, lately, things have been veering towards bad interesting and it has not been fun. In fact, it has been very stressful.”

Vikalos grunted, not really sure himself. Instead, he just led Retvik and Litvir inside, to a very large box that was taking up most of the waiting room. Also present were Itaviir and Galyn, who both seemed as concerned as Retvik and Litvir now were.

“We have post. And a summoning…” Itavir started to explain. “Another sect wishes to communicate with us. But how they do so is troublesome – they want us to send a representative to a specific location, and they have sent us a teleportation pod to do so.”

“Which sect?” Retvik asked. “Because I am pretty sure the Phantai would just call us, and Lord Kengana would probably pass a message to us from the Justar. And while we do actually have a contact with the Alsyr, they do a job similar to the Phantai except against Corruption instead of Voidborns.”

“That is the troubling thing…” Vikalos was more hesitant than usual. “This request comes from the Pentathax. They are calling a meeting between sect leaders.”

Everyone glanced at Vikalos. Vikalos quickly realized that no one else present knew who the Pentathax were. This realization was proven true as Litvir asked that exact question.

“So, I assume the Pentathax are a Decay Lord sect, but who are we dealing with here?”

“They are a massive, mobile military sect, led by a Named Trio called the Doom Drums. The Pentathax are dedicated to destroying all Corruption, and have actually driven a couple of strains to extinction. But their main targets are the Hungering Indifference and Unending Ancient One strains, and considering we have seen both here lately, it is possible that the Pentathax want information or temporary assistance.”

Galyn though seemed to disagree with that last statement. “Actually, if they wanted assistance, they wouldn’t have sent a solitary teleporter pod. They probably just want to meet the sects that are within the Pentaclusters and sectors they are about to visit, to arrange alliances and safe passage. Also, there was a letter that came with the box.”

“And you have not read the letter?”

“It is addressed to the ‘Leaders of the Thantir’, i.e. not us old Tattered Navigators any more…” Galyn handed the letter to Retvik, who swiftly opened it up and showed it to Litvir so they could both read it together.

Dear Leaders of the Thantir Decay Lord Sect,

We are the Generals Supreme of the Pentathax. We will shortly be passing into the Phevonic Eniapent, which contains the Patagenic Pentacluster within which your sect’s territories lie. Because of this, we are contacting your sect and other nearby sects, in order to arrange a meeting between leaders.

This meeting will consist of a Q&A of what we do, as well as discussions about what your sects do and how we can assist each other. While the Pentathax are a military sect, we understand that not all sects are set up for greater military manoeuvrers, and we want to facilitate safe environments for non-combatants.

The meeting will be located in a neutral territory, namely Ancient Deathven Territory Base D-Ypsilon-3, in the Chrysanth Lea, within the Kentarasa Pentacluster. A teleportation pod for one person has been provided, and teleportation pods to return home will be supplied upon conclusion of our meeting. Accommodation and other needs will be provided for, as we intend to make a lasting impression on smaller sects.

The teleportation pods are on an automated timer, and will automatically teleport away at a specific time, i.e. 50 hours after arrival, unless triggered manually early.

We request that one of your highest ranking leaders, ideally one of your Sect Trio members, be the one to accept our invitation, but any highly ranked member from your sect would be appreciated, even if you do not send one of your leaders.

The Pentathax mean no harm, we only require information, and will supply information of our own to assist you in your own duties. We do not wish to interfere, only to make sure we can work together, cleanly and efficiently. And no, we are not running any recruitment drives currently, so do not fret about that either.

Thank you for your considerations. We shall hopefully speak soon, in person.

Warm regards,

Pentaflame, Permafrost and Galeforce

The Doom Drums

“Huh…” Retvik muttered. “This sounds… interesting.”

“And probably rather good!” Itaviir smiled. “We work as purifiers, they kill Corruption, we have plenty to share. My only concern is having to send one of us.”

“I wonder if they contacted the Phantai and the Justar?” Litvir queried, before pausing and pulling out his communicator. He swiftly sent a message to Psehon, better known as Soulblade, one of the leaders of the Phantai. After a couple of pleasantries, Litvir directly asked if they’d received communications from the Pentathax, and Psehon immediately replied with a “yes”, that he was the one planning on going, and that they had a message from the Justar leaders asking them the exact same thing. “So, uh, yes, they did contact the other local sects. Psehon just told me that he is the one accepting their invitation.”

“Are we going to send anyone?” Galyn asked. “I mean, I feel we should, but I admittedly do not want to go, I am not much of a diplomat, nor are Vikalos, Itaviir or myself the leaders of this sect.”

“That is somewhat why sects are lead by trios…” Vikalos added. “Someone in a Sect Trio is always a diplomat while one leads and one fights. But there are only two of you and it is unfair to split you up. Also, neither of you are particularly experienced, even if you are both rather diplomatic.”

Retvik shrugged. “When I was not busy being an adventurer, my job was mostly that of a diplomat, working between other races.”

“Your family also spurred nepotism!” Litvir teased.

“That is unfair. We did not know Elkay was related to us until like… 10 years ago. And, frankly, looking at him, apart from the red eyes, he looks nothing like me or Rethais.”

“He also used to be shorter?” Galyn added. “All three of you Rethans have grown since you became Decayons. Elksia has too, but she is a Time Drake so that does skew things.”

Retvik shrugged again. “I guess. Either way, I am happy to go. It would be a chance to meet some new vok, perhaps make some new friends and allies and it would be a good learning experience for me.”

Litvir raised a finger. “You did not ask me if I wanted to go.”

“The last time you left this base, you brought back a giant, telepathic snake that tried to eat you.”

“… Good point…” Litvir frowned briefly, but then started smiling. “Also, I would not want to strain Eksi and Tahvra by leaving them alone in their work. Either way, you might enjoy yourself. I have these three ancient folks to help me if anything happens… I do want one thing though.”

“Hmph, what do you want, dear?”

Litvir smiled some more. “I want a souvenir or two. You are going to a completely different pentacluster, I want you to bring back something from there.”

“That is reasonable!” Retvik smiled too. “I should… probably pack some belongings then. Question is, do I take my fancy gold armour or some more casual armour?”

Vikalos snorted. “Hah, you silly boys and your armour. There’s no such thing as casual armour.”

“There is, we just wear less of it, or lighter parts…” Galyn tutted.

Retvik and Litvir both nodded in agreement.

“Either way, I need to get ready, I want to get going as soon as possible, get there early and make a good first impression. Litvir, dear, mind letting everyone else know what is going on?”

“Of course,” Litvir smirked. “In the mean time, Galyn, do you mind helping me unpack this teleporter and helping me see how it works? Vikalos, Itaviir, feel free to go back to your normal duties. Retvik will meet us back here when he is packed.”

Everyone nodded and set off to work. Galyn picked up the massive box and carried it outside, while Itaviir went back to his guard duties, and Vikalos prepared for his shift as main Flame for Corruption removals.

“You do not seem nervous at all, dear,” Litvir noticed as he followed Retvik out of the office.

“No, actually. This might be fun. At the very least, it will be interesting.”

“Well, I hope you have a good time!” Litvir smiled as he gently pecked Retvik on the cheek. “Pop me a thought before you are completely ready. I would like to… discuss one or two things before you head off.”

Retvik glanced at Litvir then smiled back. “Sure thing, dear.”