The Errant Intellect

"I've seen this happen before; Guthix falls, a World Guardian rises, Sliske announces a game for the Stone of Jas, gods ascend or are defeated or slain. And the game ends the same way every time - the Stone is claimed by the winner, last ditch deals are made, and the Elder Gods awaken and the board resets. That is, until this time.

In the past, I have played this game. In some runs I have been the hot choice to win, sometimes even won, but it always ends at the Endgame in the Heart. This time seems to be different however. The Stone is gone, the world keeps on existing, but lives on a knife edge as the Elder Gods have made it clear that they will spare mortal races if they meet a certain quality. For the first time, it looks like the cycle could be broken.

But I cannot leave the fate of all our worlds to chance, action needs to be taken to prove we are equal of the Elder Gods, and I believe there is only one way to do that..."

The Errant Intellect quest series, which ties somewhat into the Arzonus story line, follows a genius without peer, who has been slowly consolidating his resources in the wake of a world that stands on the brink of war, but with no prize apparent. With more time on the clock than they first thought, this brilliant mind has plans for Gielinor that could lead to salvation or damnation - whichever it is, however, is irrelevant, because the only thing that matters is results.

Occasionally linking with other stories and quest series, the Errant Intellect pits the greatest with against the world.

Perhaps we should start by introducing our main character. May I introduce one Gideon Klaus;
Gideon has come to create a theory regarding anima, and sees Gielinor as the appropriate place to run some experiments, as well as procure what he needs to do it. Do not let his somewhat aged appearance fool you, he is one fierce combatant, agile, skilled, and very strong. Complimenting physical finesse is a brilliant mind that has been regarded as being without equal or superior - at least none have come forward to prove otherwise. But a large part of his intelligence is within tactical and strategy manoeuvres, and tales of him tend to involve him leaving any aspiring protagonist or antagonist left in a moral quandary over whether their actions have been their own, or part of his master plan.

Suffice to say, he serves as something of an anti-hero, with some quests being ones where you directly oppose him, and others where he can be your ally in your most difficult time - all you need do is ask.

One of Gideon's key discoveries in the quest series is a substance known as "Catastrophic Anima". Where most anima types seem to emerge from the world, and be used constructively, it isn't well known how or why Catastrophic Anima forms, but it seems to serve as a counter to most anima types, being an agent of change and chaos. It would be reasonable to suggest that Catastrophic Anima is the equal and opposite reaction to the action that is anima. As Gideon theorises, the Catastrophic Anima, in spite of its name, is not purely a force of destruction or devastation, but one that is simply a force of the change in alignment. Say for instance, you apply it to an environment where life flourishes. That little bit of chaos can disrupt the network of life, and cause it to fall into decay and slowly wither away and die, as the life cycles are disrupted and fail. But then you apply some more to the dead environment, and the ordered state of inertia is similarly disrupted, and life emerges as the chaotic upset of the order that was once death, and it comes back to life.

Such is the power of one of the fundamental anima sources in the universe, and that is the power Gideon wishes to experiment with. The question is, what will be his ends with it, and are their others hoping to capitalise on his discoveries for their own sake. Catastrophic anima could cause a lot of problems for beings who are rich with other anima types and exist in that fluctuating state of mortal and divine.

The quests of the series are as follows;

Avarice of Arzonus (ties into Arzonus series) - In the wake of Sliske's Endgame, new alliances are being forged between various factions, and Arzonus is being called upon by various entities, but none have been successful. It would seem that Arzonus may need to make it clear where their loyalties lie, but to do so, they need an elusive "game changer" to make it clear that they are not to be trifled with. Just what could the lycanthropes be in possession of that was so dangerous that they wouldn't have it in their own vaults?

Rift of the Godless - The Godless have become divided. Some are trying their best to make peace between the warring gods, but some have taken it upon themselves to sabotage and infiltrate the gods' armies and cause trouble from within. Members of the group have gone missing and unaccounted for, and it seems word is spreading of a new power rising that could kill gods. Just who is behind all this subterfuge?

Remnants of Divinity (ties into God series and Sixth Age series) - V is returning... again?! As he arrives in Gielinor, V is unaware of any events that happened to him or of anything since the beginning of the Sixth Age. In tow are some other deities thought long since dead, and also return with fragmented memories and distorted personalities. Just why are they here now, and for what reason are they shadows of their former selves?

The Tanngrisnir Simulation (ties into Xau Tak series) - A worried damsel in distress calls for the aid of an adventurer, who can help her in a distant location. Upon being taken there, they reveal that they are in fact part of a survey team, and the World Guardian is being examined for reasons unknown. As they demonstrate their worth in combat and quick wits, it soon becomes clear that they're being tested for something a whole lot more sinister.

Company of the Last - An ancient race is returning to Gielinor, one that has come in times of war with, bearing a power unlike any seen before - the power to restore species long gone extinct. Naturally, everyone who represents the last of their kind is seeking this power, and no doubt there will be conflict over claiming the power of the final specimen.

First City of Freneskae (ties with Nightmare series, Dragonkin series, and Elder God series) - Rendered docile by events that took place on Anachronia, Kerapac now returns to his lab to hopefully treat the infertility of his species, but his lack of equipment is a serious obstacle. Since little equipment remains of what he is familiar with, there might be one place that could still provide the technology he needs - the First City of Freneskae, a fabled place where it said that the beings of the last cycle of creation took shelter when they knew the end was coming for them. But he isn't the only one after that science...

Lord of Light (ties with the Arc storyline) - The errant intellect finds himself on the run from a being from his past that he has enraged in some way. The World Guardian needs to find them before the so-called Lord of Light reaches them first. 

Folly of the Gods (ties with Arzonus and Zaros quest series) - Zaros' ascension is imminent, and he seeks some components to help with it.

Age of the Gods (ties with the Gods series and Arzonus series) - The world has made the World Guardian their latest target. With enemies everywhere, it might be time to seek out an Elder artefact in the distant north that could be their only hope.

Time of the Otorlanyss - The people of the errant intellect have returned to the universe after being suspended in time for millennia. After making a pact with Guthix during the Third Age, they are convinced the world belongs to them, and are prepared to rub out any opposition to their occupation. Will the power of the World Guardian be enough to stop them, and will Gideon be able to stand against the people who led his ancestors to destruction?

The Ultimate Intellect - Time is up. The grand plan is about to be revealed, and a new prize emerges for this second god wars, but what ulterior motive does Gideon have for the challengers?