An Immortal's Guide to Tarth Read online

  An Immortal's

  Guide to Tarth

  A Handbook for Immortals

  Relocating to the

  Tarthian Empire

  Kayelle Allen

  www.romancelivesforeverbooks.com

  My life's Work is in These Pages

  I literally spent my life creating the material in this book. I've worked on the details of these characters since I was eighteen. I'm over sixty now. This book represents my dreams. I wrote it to share, but I hope readers will respect my artistry by not placing this book on sharing sites, or giving it away. Those who go to work every day expect that when payday comes, they will be paid. Thank you for supporting me by protecting my work.

  Copyright ©2015 Kayelle Allen

  Published by Romance Lives Forever Books

  http://romancelivesforeverbooks.com

  Released in the United States of America

  Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrival system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright holder and the publisher of this book.

  Cover art, cover design, and book layout by The Author's Secret http://theauthorssecret.com

  Original art by Jamin Allen of Nimajination Studios https://www.youtube.com/user/Nimajinationstudios/about

  Acknowledgements

  The game Peril and its trademarks "Peril -- it's more than a game. You'll be dying to play it."™ is the sole property of the author. http://peril.me

  Disclaimers

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination, or are used in a fictitious situation. Any resemblances to actual events, locations, organizations, incidents or persons – living or dead – are coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

  Reviews and Quotes

  To request copies for review, or for permission for quotes and all other inquiries, contact the author via email at [email protected] or via the website http://kayelleallen.com

  Dedication

  There are so many I would like to thank. My son Jamin, who helped me create the Tarthian Empire, and my son Joel who helped with much of the science behind it. My husband, who supports me one hundred percent. A huge thank you to my critique partners at CWC, and my wonderful beta readers Jean and Barbara.

  This book is dedicated to my friend Houston Havens with whom I share entrepreneurial ideas, good characters, fun stories, and a love of SciFi. Walking through the world with her as my friend makes me feel I can take on anything. Here's to many more books from us two Irish lasses. Live in the now. I'm in the blue bubble with you, all the way.

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  http://kayelleallen.com/bro/

  Abbreviations used in this Book

  KITL: Known in this life

  PGP: Preferred Gender Pronoun

  TSY: Tradestandard System

  BPSS: Because Pietas said so

  Greetings, Fellow Immortals

  Welcome to the Tarthian Empire. This book is a guide to the people, places, and possibilities you'll find here. A list of immortals and their roles in Peril is also included. All Sempervians are welcome here. This will be your home away from home. To those immortals who have joined us in our glorious exile -- please know you are our honored guests. We are pleased to share the bounty of the Empire with you.

  I'm Joss Avaton, your guide. A little about me. I'm telepathic (which most of us experience and understand), and a scripter, which means by touching you I can discern your abilities and gifts. Contrary to popular belief, scripters cannot tell your past or your future. We can only tell about your present: what gifts you possess now.

  So that neither of us has any illusions, I will tell you up front that I am serving Penance. For those of you new to the game of Peril, that means I lost a game and must pay for it. In my case, it was a technicality, and the gamers in my session had nothing to do with my loss. I lost by my own mistakes, and take full responsibility. The gamer opposite me (Nanchonta) I would trust with my life, and have, many times. However, I would carefully watch the lead player in my support team (Akaghe) and never turn my back on him. Not for one moment. He is not based in the Tarthian Empire, for which I'm thankful. But enough about the past. I'm here to help you in your future with us.

  While we are more than glad to welcome a fellow immortal into the Empire, you should be aware that the relationship between Mundanes (mortals) and ourselves is not an open one. To that end, let's dive straight into the ironclad rules.

  Rule Number One: This Book is for Immortals Only

  By order of Pietas ap Lorectic, Lord of the Immortals, the Impaler, Hammer of God, Marauder, Soul Ripper, Destroyer of Worlds, Slayer of Innocents, Hound of Hell, you are ordered to set aside this book if you not immortal. Put down this book, walk away, and no one will get hurt. Should you decide to disobey this directive, that assurance is void.

  With that warning in mind, you may proceed at your own risk.

  Rule Number Two: Immortals Don't Exist

  Of course, immortals do exist. The fact that you are reading this book proves that. We are referring to what the non-immortal Mundane population thinks. They (other than the Chosen) are never to know of our existence. The rule regarding how much to reveal is simple: nothing.

  We do not discuss immortality.

  We avoid any mention of immortality.

  If asked directly if we are immortal, we lie.

  There are no exceptions to this rule.

  The answer to "Why can't we tell them?" is also simple: BPSS (Because Pietas said so). If you don't know who Pietas is, we refer you to Rule Number One.

  You will no doubt find yourself exasperated by the sheer number of Mundanes present in the Tarthian Empire, especially humans. They have overrun it and multiplied like rats in a pestilence. Which brings us to Rule Number Three.

  Rule Number Three: Live and Let Live

  By order of Pietas, humans and other people groups may not be killed for sport. That does not mean you can't annoy, manipulate, and use them for your own purposes. However, the rule about killing is strictly enforced. You can be banned from the Empire for killing even one Mundane. Justifiable homicide must be proven in Mundane courts as well as before the throne of Pietas.

  It has nothing to do with their inherent worthiness. Mundanes have none. However, we must coexist here and the worlds in the Tarthian Empire are filled with these creatures. They farm, raise fish, cattle, sheep, and other animals used for food, create cities, technology, transport, and other items which we find useful and helpful. Since we take full advantage of these things, it behooves us to let them exist. Therefore, the golden rule is "Live and let live."

  We cannot stress strongly enough the need to remember the golden rule when it comes to Mundanes, and especially humans. They tend to bring out the worst in us, so guard yourself against rash behavior in their presence. Pietas does not permit a "temporary insanity" defense. I know this chafes. You must learn to deal with it.

  Dating Systems in the Tarthian Empire

  Unlike many empires in the galaxy, where every planet has a unique system for dates, times, measures, currency, etc. the Tarthian Empire is based on our own system. After all, the Empire was founded by Dessy, the twin sister of our leader, Pietas. One could expect no less. The tradestandard system standardizes all currency, time, measures, weights, and other figures based on the units found on the planet Tarth. It is abbreviated as TSY. This will make recording dates and figuring money much easier. There ar
e no local exchanges, except on worlds which hold treaty-relationships with Tarth (Notidisia and Felidae).

  Peril

  Most of us need no lessons regarding Peril or our people. For the newbies, those who have either finally decided to stop fighting and join us, and for those who did not know Pietas had been freed from imprisonment, here are the basics of Peril's history.

  On Earth, in the 4400s AD (referring to Terran dating system), humans were filled with fear at what we Ultras (ultra-advanced genetically enhanced warriors) could do. And well they should be. When they created us, they intended us to be no more than slaves designed to do their bidding, to remove their bodies from harm's way, and to fight their territorial wars. Our bodies regenerated from injury so fast we could not be killed. They did not mean to make us immortal.

  That realization frightened them, but the real terror came when we created other sentient beings (such as the Kin and Tyrans who dwell on this side of the galaxy). When Pietas announced the creation of Roglnites, a feral, feline humanoid race far more barbaric than the Kin, humans pitched over the edge of terror and into panic mode. The idea that we might create our own armies and fight against humans initiated a daring plan of attack.

  They called for a truce and said they would submit to the demands of equality for our kind made by Pietas and his father Mahikos. Instead, some of our own kind betrayed us. As we arrived, in good faith I might add, we were trapped like animals, herded into pods, and put into stasis. It took until 4536 to trap half a million of us, including Pietas and his family (his father, mother Helia, and sister Dessy). They then ferried us across the galaxy, dumped us on Sempervia, and abandoned us.

  Some say that originally, only Pietas and his family were intended for this isolation. While I would not dispute that humanity found his family the most dangerous of all Ultras, the fact is the rest of us are also powerful.

  Among those exiled on Sempervia were warriors capable of creating light without use of heat or fire, and their opposite, the darkness-casters. Phase-shifters could move invisibly by altering their bodies at the molecular level to enter different dimensions. Thousands possessed precognition to see what would happen within a short timeframe in the future, and some used pheromones to control and sway opinion. A few could enter dreams and direct them.

  Some say the most dangerous ability was what we call "wilt" the ability to make others submit to our will simply by... well, I don't possess that gift. I don't know how they do it, but you'll meet a powerful Sempervian here in the Tarthian Empire who is a master. If, after meeting Cyken (known as Luc Saint-Cyr), you find yourself changing your mind about previous decisions you've made, you might want to reconsider before acting on them. A full list of our abilities is listed elsewhere in this book.

  Therefore, I doubt the rumor that Pietas and his clan were the only ones targeted for Sempervia. To humans, all of us pose a threat.

  In the end, those of us who call ourselves Sempervians are the ones who left that accursed planet. Those who remained behind on Sempervia refer to themselves as Reborn. To the naysayers who insist our exile from our own people was a sign of failure, let me tell you this. Pietas engineered our exile to suit his purposes. How can one wreak vengeance on humanity from a planet on the edge of the galaxy, isolated from every living creature? No, mankind intended Pietas and the rest of us to spend eternity there. We decided to take the galaxy into our own hands.

  Being exiled from our people was necessary. It took them centuries to gather the courage. When they finally exiled Pietas and his followers, we who had supported him threw a going-home party. We were leaving for good, and going back where we belonged, to rule mankind.

  What cruel irony to discover that after thousands of years away, mankind had forgotten we ever existed, while we had spent all those eons dreaming of their downfall. We will restore their collective memory before we take our long overdue vengeance. That will take time. Fortunately, we are immortal. We have all the time in the worlds.

  In the meantime, Peril is a role-playing game we created to keep ourselves from growing bored while we wait. It is played in real time, with a goal of forty years spent in each lifetime, never more. There is one notable exception. One player has won a perfect game and is allowed to play until he wants to stop.

  If you have guessed that this player is Pietas's favorite, you are correct. Cyken is currently in a game in the Tarthian Empire without limits of any kind. Be careful of him. He is more than powerful, and he has allies within the game who would harm you without hesitation. Oddly enough, he also has strong allies among Mundanes. If you think to make an enemy of this man, you would do well to reconsider. I rather like him.

  Here are the players, the rules, and the supporters of Peril.

  The Chosen

  For those new to Peril, the Chosen are a secret society of humans and non-humans who serve us.

  Vow of the CHOSEN

  We are Called to serve

  We are Honored to protect

  We are Obedient to the vow

  We are Safeguards of the truth

  We are Enablers of life

  We are Neutralizers of threats

  The Chosen serve in exchange for protection and wealth. They provide cover details to aid us in moving between worlds (and lives), and create background data. For example, if a college degree is needed to fill a position, a Chosen-owned (or influenced) university can provide it. The Chosen influence businesses involving banking, education, background checks, data verification and transfer, security, etc. They are legion, and they are devoted to us. Why not? We provide them with power and protection.

  Chosen may never be harmed by us. We are their protectors and guardians. Should a Chosen break one of the rules of their order, it is up to the Chosen Council to deal with it. Pietas has promised swift and violent retribution to anyone who harms a Chosen.

  I regret, however, to inform you that most of the Chosen are humans, with few other people types involved. These Mundanes, for the most part, know their place among us. You will find them (more or less) subservient and/or submissive, although there are notable exceptions in the Empire, as you'll see.

  Levels within the Chosen hierarchy are; Initiate, Novice, Debutant, Fledgling, Apprentice, Journeyman, Artisan, Adept, Maven, Virtuoso, Master, and Remort.

  If you are not currently assigned a Chosen, apply for one through the Chosen Council. In the Tarthian Empire, the Council is headed by Tonio deLaney.

  One other comment. You should know that the Chosen Chronicles allow them to pass information to one another. If you have been naughty in another life, the Chosen here will learn of it. How do humans put it... oh yes. Be sure your sins will find you out.

  Current Assignments among the Chosen

  The following Chosen are well known among the current immortals in the Tarthian Empire, or hold positions of distinction. There are hundreds more not listed. You might need a scorecard to keep up with the Chosen in this empire. They are unlike any others you will find in the galaxy.

  Name: Shohn Lexius (Under Consideration)

  Gender: Female

  Type of Being: Kin

  Level: Uninitiated

  Assigned to: Cyken

  Special Notes: Per Pietas, tread lightly with this one. She is a favorite of Pietas's favorite. Cyken has requested she be assigned as his Chosen. She is an executive with idBot (the top security company in the Empire), and as such, serves as the senior security liaison to Cyken's Luc Saint-Cyr persona. We know she assists him on covert missions, and is highly trusted by him. This Kin female has far-reaching abilities and can set watchers on you that you will never see coming. Be careful how you treat her.

  Name: Tonio deLaney

  Gender: Male

  Type of Being: Human

  Level: Remort

  Assigned to: Neutral

  Special Notes: As the Grand Master of the Thieves' Guild, and Head of the Chosen Council, this special friend of Cyken's warrants close attention. He has been the mentor
to Cyken's adopted HalfKin son and his adopted human sons.

  Name: Jawk Brighton

  Gender: Male

  Type of Being: Kin

  Level: Apprentice

  Assigned to: Dessy (was Harmyn)

  Special Notes: Per Pietas, Jawk is not to be trusted. Jawk was a waiter at a restaurant on Tarth called Batchelors, which is owned by two humans long associated with Cyken. Jawk studied at Tarth Technical College, and distinguished himself with excellent grades. After taking the job at Batchelors, he engaged in a brief relationship with Cyken and Cyken's Chosen at the time -- Wulf Gabriel. Jawk then had a brief but apparently torrid affair with Cyken. When Jawk's true loyalties were later revealed, it triggered a massive change in alliances within the Chosen. Jawk is currently assigned to Dessy, and as a result of other changes, Wulf was reassigned to Alitus. (Did I not tell you that you'd need a scorecard here?)

  Name: Wulf Gabriel

  Gender: Male

  Type of Being: Human

  Level: Apprentice

  Assigned to: Alitus

  Special Notes: Wulf is Cyken's former lover. After Cyken's affair with Jawk Brighton, it was revealed that Wulf was having an affair with Alitus Vivaldi, who at the time was Dessy's Chosen. Wulf is now married to Alitus, who as it turns out, is a Changeling. Look for information on him in another section.

  Roles within Peril

  If you are not currently assigned a role, apply for one with Uurah. You will be asked to roll the requisite dice. Each player is assigned a major and a minor role.