Lord Tannenbam Colicor stood on the circular floating speakers dias, looking over the assembled masses. Today was his first day of office as Imperium Ars Magican of Omnispace, and he planned to make certain his opening comments were the most important to ever be uttered.
He stood there, a small, almost frail man, but all knew he was now the most powerful man in the sphere. With Lord Monitor's complete disappearance, Lord Colicor was the most powerful magi. None would dare challenge him, especially since all knew his specialty. Magi, while they can learn any spell, have a devotion to one specific school of magic. It becomes their life's obsession, the driving force behind their abilities. It was rumored that some magi would do anything if it involved their study. Lord Colicor was like the rest, but all feared him since he was a student of Necromancy, the magics of the dead.
Lord Colicor eyed the assembled mages, administrators and council through narrow eyes. He knew they all feared, hated or simply mistrusted him, but he didn't care. He held the power over all of them, he thought, and he planned to use it. Clearing his throat, he waited for assembled to take the hint before speaking.
"Friends, sentients, gentlebeings. Thank all of you for coming today, on this monuments occasion. I only hope that my tenure over this esteemed body will be half as fruitful as that of my predecessor, Lord Monitor."
There was a slight pause as the gathered applauded quietly.
"However, Lord Monitor is gone. Times are changing, and we must change with them. For too long, we have been limited with what we can accomplish. For too long, we have had to suffer with time consuming needless wastes. I stand here before you, ready to move Omnispace into our future."
"I am certain all of us remember the tragedy on Tropika, a year ago today, wiped out so many innocents due to that mysterious plague. So many lived could have been saved, but were lost, simply because our spelljamming ships could not reach the moon of Maclear fast enough. The disaster took so many lives, but because no ships could be gathered quickly enough, lives were lost.
"Like you, I have wept over that loss of life. And, like you, I have sought ways to change the system by which we conduct our business, our commerce, our travel. Spelljamming is wonderful: To sail amongst the stars, linking our planets and our lives has enriched us. But, I am sure all of you out there will admit, Spelljamming is not the most efficient way of moving around.
(Some murmurs began to float up from the crowd.)
"I wish to announce today, the beginning of a new era for Omnispace, one in which we can forever lift the binding chains of spelljamming ships and delays in our precious time travelling between planets. Today, Omnispace is ready to begin moving into the future!"
"Over the past few weeks, since assuming this revered office, I have been in contact with Te'Ess-Arr, the esteemed head of the GATH Arcane house. He has heard my problems, and has come up with a solution!
"Omnispace, ever at the forefront of magical technology, is going to become the test sphere for the Arcane's newest development: Planar Travel!"
(The gasps and murmurs begin to grow louder.)
"Please, my friends, I know this is coming as a shock, but let me explain."
Above Lord Colicor, a magical holographic image of the sphere begins to form. The planets appeared as little blue and green dots; the sun as a larger yellow dot near the center. A few seconds passed, and then thin red lines began to connect the planets.
"As you can see, the trade routes are complex and numerous. Some of them take months to complete. There have been occasions, as you all know, badly needed supplies took days to reach some planets, as was the case with Tropika. I am sure all of you agree with me that another solution is needed!"
Above, most of the redlines began to disappear.
"With the new dimensional links the Arcane are willing to provide us, we can eliminate most of the unnecessary trade routes. Certainly, we will not completely abandon our spelljammers: to most, they are their lifeblood and their livelihood. But I tell you this, with our new interdimensional gates, we will have instantaneous transportation with every planet in this system!"
"And, if we find the system reasonable, the arcane tell us this system can be linked to planned systems in such spheres as Greyspace, Krynnspace, Vodanispace and beyond! Months, years of useless travel time will be lost! We will be able to span distances long considered impossible in mere minutes!
"Join with me, friends, as I introduce our new Benefactor. Sentients, please allow me to introduce the Great Te'Ess-Arr!"
Below Lord Colicor, a pair of arcane appeared. One, taller than any Arcane ever seen, wore colorfully decorated robes. He bowed slightly, hands linked in front of him to the applauding masses before him. He smiled, his large blue face beaming with pride. An assistant stood a step behind him, looking over the masses. He leaned forward to whisper into Te'Ess-Arr's ear.
"It would appear," the assistant began, "that we have made a sale."
"Ever the observant, aren't you," Te'Ess-Arr replied. He smiled and bowed before the now-standing masses, all applauding. Above them, Lord Colicor held his arms outstretched, edging the gathered on louder and louder. Te'Ess-Arr's assistant leaned forward to whisper to his superior once more.
"This, then will be the first sphere, sir?"
"Do not speak of that now," Te'Ess-Arr cautioned, although still smiling. "Some may be able to hear you. But yes, Omnispace will be the first sphere, but I tell you, it will not be the last."
