The War Without End – Episode 1.1

A mysterious figure, who calls himself Hallam, draws together three strangers: Shilaze Newdawn, Sir Massingleigh Grange and Ebon Mordain. Hallam convinces each of them to embark upon a journey to fulfil their destiny by passing through otherwise mundane doorways that glow with a magical blue aura. On doing so their travels lead them, first to one another and then on to the mysterious city of Sigil.

It is a place unlike any other, built within a torus that floats at the centre of, and yet outside, the Multiverse. Its narrow sprawling streets and alleyways are home to creatures of all shapes and sizes. There are wonders and curiosities there, yet danger lurks around every corner. The only way in and out of the city is via the portals, and watching over it all is the Lady of Pain, an alien unfathomable being. Even the gods do not trifle with her.

It is an unpleasant place; the air is foul and murky with smog, and a fine corrosive drizzle falls from overhead. Simply negotiating the city streets without falling foul of its denizens proves to be a challenge, and within minutes they have been involved in two minor altercations; the first with an argumentative pot-seller and the second with a Lupinal, a dog-headed being a little taller than a man, who violently threatens a young street urchin until Shilaze and Ebon intervene.

More trouble looks to be on the way until a young woman they have never met before, arrives to spirit them away. She introduces herself as Fallana and informs them that the Hallam has sent her to take them to Jysson’s shop, to get a book, so they can take it to Heiron in Automata. This generates a lot of questions but Fallana brushes them off, testily announcing that it is not the time and that Heiron will explain everything later. Doubtfully the three companions follow her.

After collecting Kai, another new arrival in the city, Fallana brings them safely to Jysson’s shop and introduces them to the only occupants, a talking book and a talking cat. Then she leaves.

Shilaze, Massingleigh, Ebon and Kai then listen as the book, who bears the title Ledger 23, explains that he is the property of Heiron Lifegiver the wizard. And that some years ago Jysson borrowed him from Heiron, vowing that he would return him. Unfortunately before he could make good on his promise Jysson got himself “written in the Dead Book” (dead). Subsequently, due to his particular spiritual beliefs, Jysson has come back as a cat, and now he needs them to help him complete the vow and return the book to Heiron. This would be simple but for the fact that Heiron has fled his enemies in Sigil, predominantly an organisation called the Doomguard, and gone into hiding in Automata, a city close to the plane of Law.

Having heard the improbable tale, the companions are no less confused than they were before, but they all agree that since Heiron is reputedly the one person who knows what’s going on, they will help to find him and deliver the book in order to get some answers.

And so a short while later, Ledger 23 guides Shilaze, Ebon, Kai and Jysson through the streets toward the portal to Automata, in search of Heiron. Massingleigh does not go with them because Fallana needs a volunteer to assist her with another errand.

On the way the group believe they are being followed and, as they near their destination, two members of the Doomguard attempt to waylay them. During the ensuing confrontation Kai is injured, but Shilaze and Ebon manage to drive the men off and the companions escape before any reinforcements show up.

Shilaze and Kai have a slight difference of opinion over the fact that Kai breaks in through a window so that they can reach the portal to Automata.

The portal takes them to the outskirts of an orderly city. All the roads are straight and the buildings regular. Unfortunately it’s hardly possible to breathe there without having a permit. They spend two days filling in forms at the Office of Visiting Entities in order to obtain the necessary papers to enter the city. And, after all that, when they do get in and find Heiron’s shop, it is boarded-up and empty.

Their prospects of finding the wizard don’t look good but, predominantly thanks to Shilaze’s diplomatic skills, they manage to track Heiron down to the basement of the Office of Visiting Entities. The only question then is how do they get in there?

Shilaze proposes that a lawful means of entry may be available if they peruse the laws of the city, and so they all head off to enquire how visiting entities get access to the laws. Ironically the answer turns out to be that the laws are on public display in the basement of the Office of Visiting Entities. And so the problem is solved.

Proceeding to the basement they find Heiron hiding there as they had been told. And he is delighted to be reunited with Ledger 23 and his old friend Jysson. Once the happy reunion is complete Heiron turns to Shilaze, Ebon and Kai and says grandly, “I am a guardian, a part of the Second of the Twelve and proudly wear their mark”.

Without thinking Ebon replies, “I am a lost child of the Second of the Twelve and have made my choice to return and accept my birthright”

And Kai follows with, “I have been pledged to join the Second of the Twelve and wear their mark with honour”

Neither of them have any idea why they just said what they did. Everyone looks puzzled except for Heiron who smiles knowingly. The moment is interrupted by the arrival of some previously invisible intruders. Sensing them just in time, Heiron shouts a warning and then casts a spell that magically transports everyone outside the city in an attempt to reach the portal back to Sigil

Unfortunately they are followed. An instant later a female Tiefling materializes, accompanied by some kind of sorcerer and four armoured warriors. They are obviously after Heiron or the book or both. A battle ensues. Ebon and Kai manage to take down the sorcerer and then they and Shilaze do their best to hold off the warriors while Heiron and the Tiefling, Jezrene, duel back and forward with magic bolts. Very slowly the battle swings in their favour, until Jezrene, shocked by something she sees approaching from the city, pulls out a scroll and teleports away. The lone surviving warrior falls on his sword cursing them with his dying breath and saying “The Doomguard will conquer you all”

With the battle over they are all able to see the hundreds of mechanical constructs, Modrons that are marching past them along the road from Automata. Heiron is deeply concerned by this and explains that without exception, every seventeen cycles the Modrons march out of Automata but that on this occasion they are 189 years early.

Finally, as the old wizard watches the Modrons march off into the distance, he whispers, “Now I will teach you what it means to be Med-Jai – Warriors in the War Without End”

Notes:

First appearances of Ebon Mordain (Colin Farrell), Shilaze Newdawn (Jeri Ryan), Sir Massingleigh Grange (Owen Wilson), Kai (Andy Lau), Fallana (Reese Witherspoon), Heiron (Max von Sydow) and Jezrene (Michelle Pfeiffer)

We are left to wonder why Shilaze was the only one not to reply when Heiron said, “I am a guardian, a part of the Second of the Twelve and proudly wear their mark”.