Author's Note: Hey, guys. This chapter is just filler until I finish the next big chapter. It's basically an appetizer, and has no plot relevance at all. I'll try to get the next big chapter (Which will be Noveria) out next week, but no promises, as I have to write down the sequence of events and dialogue choices straight from the Mass Effect games for chapters that actually happen in ME canon, and my Xbox doesn't want to co-operate with me. Anyways, enjoy.
Chapter Five: Lore-Master
Dâgalûr was still very confused as he tried processing the vision of the Dark Lord. He didn't understand what had happened, but thought it might've had something to do with Sauron's Palantír. His state of confusion was short lived, however, as he was interrupted by Liara. "Do you think I could speak to you for a moment?" Dâgalûr was drawn from his confused state. "What is it?" he said, slightly irritated. "Was I interrupting something?" "No, I'm just trying to figure something out." "Is there any way I may assist?" "No. It's no simple problem, let's just leave it at that. What did you come down here?"
"I would like to know why you,... I'm sorry, I do not think I ever caught your name." "I am Dâgalûr, known by many titles, but just address me as Dâgalûr." "Anyways, Dâgalûr, I wanted to know why you, being a human, claim to be immortal. I find it completely unbelievable." "I guess I'll have to explain everything AGAIN. Have a seat." Liara sat next to him on the floor of the Storage room.
"I'm not a just a human. I'm a hybrid between a Black Uruk and a human, but there is more to my immortality than that." "A 'Black Uruk'? In all my years of research, I have never heard of such a species, extinct or otherwise." "That's because my kin aren't from this galaxy, or even this universe." "If you are not of this universe, then where did you come from?" "I came from some interdimensional rift, but my origins lie in the universe of Eä." "Eä?" "Yes, Eä. It is the universe of Eru Ilúvatar, the creator, The Father of All. It is his prized creation. Most orcs and Uruk don't speak of such things, they speak only of the Lord Morgoth."
"What is your universe like? Where did it come from, where did you yourself come from, and where did you get your powers?" "My universe was created by Eru, who used the Flame Imperishable to create the Ainur, children of Ilúvatar's light, angelic beings older than time, and Eru divided them into two categories, Valar and Maiar. The Valar are very powerful, only number fifteen, and are each responsible for a key aspect of Arda. The Maiar are not as powerful, but are numerous, and each serve one or two of the Valar." "Your religion sounds fascinating." "It is not a religion, it's history. My world doesn't follow the same logic and laws yours does."
"How do you know so much, and where do you fall into this grand scheme?" "I cannot tell you that now. Nobody here must find out yet." "Are you hiding something?" "Yes. Nobody must find out yet. But I will tell you that I hold the power of a thousand suns, and that there is a reason I'm able to control all manner of fire. I digress, however. Is there any one specific thing you'd like to know about my world?"
"How did your planet's cultures form?" "For the Ainulindalë, the music of creation, was sung to form Arda, which is our planet, Eä, which is the universe, and the heavens. Melkor, the most powerful of the Ainur, however, wanted his own song of creation, and so during the first theme, Melkor began to sing his own theme, which disrupted the harmony and created that which most know as "evil". Ilúvatar stood, smiled, and raised his hand, which signaled the rest to begin singing a second theme, which Melkor began to disrupt once more. Ilúvatar stood sternly and raised his other hand signaling a third theme, which Melkor again tried drowning out. He could not drown this one out, and was scolded by Eru for his disobedience." "This sounds very similar to a few human religions."
"Anyway, Melkor, now known as Morgoth, began to draw Maiar to his cause, including my master, Sauron, and seven of the spirits of fire, who became the Balrogs, demons of fire and stone. He began making mockeries of Eru's creations to amass for the takeover, he had the spider-demon Ungoliant destroy the Two Trees, and after a few other events, namely the theft of the Silmarils, which were jewels of fate and the most prized creation of the Elves, eventually the War of Wrath began."
Dâgalûr continued to recite the history of Middle-Earth, starting at Morgoth's defeat in the War of Wrath and his banishment into the Void, and went through various events such as the formation, prosperity, and destruction of Númenor, the Battle of the Last Alliance and the downfall of Sauron, the Sweating Sickness that ravaged eastern Middle-Earth, the Battle of the Five Armies, the rebellion of the Gravewalker, all the way up to the time he left Mordor. Liara asked constant questions along the way.
"By the Goddess! I cannot believe such events could ever happen outside of a work of fiction." "Well, you better believe it, because I ought to be enough proof that everything happened." "If you speak the truth, then there is an entire continent of beings that can be introduced into Citadel Space! All we need to do is find your planet and-" "There is no way you'll find it, since I got here through a rift." "Oh, yes. I forgot about that part." "Is there anything else you'd like to know?" "No, but you might want to get into contact with an author or historian. You might be able to get your histories into the eye of the galactic community." "I might, but not now. We've a rogue agent to catch." "That was all I was curious about. Farewell, Dâgalûr." "Farewell." Liara returned to her original spot, and Dâgalûr began to evaluate his vision once more.