Due to a convenient arrival of the sky island of Caroban over the desert of the Himaat, the College Esoterica has finally mustered its resources to send a contingent of mages of various spheres – Earth and Life most prominent among them, and at the very least some Chaos and Spirit mages as well – to handle the considerable task of bringing an ancient wizard back from a magical stasis from which he was never meant to be revived.

Earth Mage Envoy of Lothrhyn, who has been instrumental in the exploration of the Tower and in putting forth the idea of even trying to revive this mage – Barabbas – is a high-profile attendee, although her magical contributions have been only on the fringe of importance to the success of the rituals themselves.

It would be impossible to fit all the mages involved – some thirty or so, plus apprentices and attendants – into the small chamber at the top of the Tower … and considering the very nature of that chamber itself, it might be unwise to do so regardless.

However, Envoy is one of those mages present in the uppermost chamber to observe the fruit of the rituals being formed below, along with Mage Iona (also of the Sphere of Earth), Dean Faust (of the Sphere of Spirit), and the new head of the College of Life, Dean Bright.

Envoy keeps relatively close to Iona while still trying to stay out of the way. Being in the presence of two Deans has put her on her best behavior – which in this case meant being very quiet and respectful towards the senior mages. Most of her attention is focused on the cracked statue that is Barabbas.

Iona looks to be fairly nervous herself, in light of the magnitude of this experiment … and the predicted very real probability that it might just be one big colossal failure. There was the very slight possibility – blithely mentioned by an absent-minded Chaos Mage – that the magicks used in this ritual might cause this chamber of the tower to collapse, even with everyone still in it. Other mages downplayed the risk, but it certainly wasn't very reassuring.

The buzz of magic is almost tangible in the air, and Envoy's horn seems to have developed a faint halo. Focii of magical power, such as Dean Bright's staff and an amulet worn by Dean Faust, sport similarly faint halos.

The rituals seem to be reaching their climax, and the sounds of music can be heard below – not an essential part of magic, necessarily, but part of the method used to try to establish a rhythm for the rituals, and make sure that the spells are all completed with just the right timing.

Using her magic sense, Envoy watches for signs of strain or other unforeseen effects. There isn't anything she can do about them should they arise, but it could be important later.

There is a great deal of magical strain on the physical structure of Barabbas' statue … but that was a predicted and very risky part of the whole procedure. What Envoy can discern of the ripples and fluctuations of magic within the rituals, however, seems to be remarkably orderly and organized … but then, this was something that the College had been planning for quite some time. It's not only that the revival of this ancient mage could shed new light on the nature of magic centuries previous … but it could also win the College Esoterica considerable prestige with the Emir.

The strain seems to increase … then steady … but Envoy can't help but sense something going on within the statue of Barabbas. Even without any active sensory spells focused on the statue, there are so many other spells going on at once that she can't help but be recipient of a few of the sensations being passed about. And right now, the predominant sensation is that something is happening … changing in the statue.

The cracks in the surface grow less distinct … and the statue seems to lose some of its shine, going from a glossy to a matte black. Slowly, bits of color seem to be forming within the wells of blackness that comprise the silhouette that is the statue of Barabbas.

Envoy focuses completely on Barabbas now. She checks to see if the lesions and tumors that afflicted the ancient mage are receding as the aspect of life returns.

No, it seems that the malformities and signs of degeneration, if anything, are becoming more distinct, as the features of Barabbas in general return to life. He is most certainly transmuting from stone to flesh right before Envoy's very eyes. He is a most curious creature, having a head like that of a Zelak, a hunched back that suggests that of a turtle's shell, and six appendages in addition to his legs – one pair looking like tentacles, another pair ending in wicked pincers, and the third pair shaped like more or less usable hands.

Just as Barabbas' form seems to be chimerical in construction, the coloration on his form – where it is not obscured by robes oddly fit around the various protuberances of his body – is a collage of colors as well, as his shell has panels suggesting that of a "painted turtle", his pincers are a bluish hue, the tentacles are a sickly green, the insectoid head is a reddish brown, and the hands are more of a dusty orange.

Dean Bright, a human woman with auburn hair tied back in braids and interwoven with glittering strands of zolken thread, raises one hand, whispering to the air – and a few mages listening in magically – "Now."

Tensing her legs, the Aeolun keeps an eye on Barabbas' stability, so that she can rush in to support him if there's danger of him falling over at the close of the ritual.

Envoy can immediately feel the building up of Life Magic, as rituals that were "on hold" conclude, and the pent up energies are released. Barabbas' standing – but still – body is awash in a faint glow that focuses on visible signs of his advanced afflictions.

This process continues for quite some time, as the exact passage of time seems uncertain … but, at last, the lesions and painful protuberances lessen their swelling. The magic of the ritual subsides… and so does the glow.

Iona nods to Envoy, and heads forward toward Barabbas' still standing body … but it seems like his body is not standing of his own accord, but some lingering effect of the magic that will probably fade in mere moments.

Envoy picks up a canteen of fresh water, and goes to stand with Iona. After a few centuries of being turned to stone, she imagines Barabbas might be thirsty.

Barabbas' form wavers and starts to sway forward, and Iona reaches out to help steady him. The insectoid mandibles shudder as the creature takes in a raspy breath that sounds like air rushing out of a long-sealed dusty tomb. But as morbid as the sound may be … Barabbas is quite obviously alive, and in the flesh, as hard to follow as his form might be.

Envoy opens the canteen and offers it up to the Mage's mouth-parts. In Khattan, she asks, "How do you feel, sir?"

Iona grunts, struggling to keep the Nohbakim upright. Dean Bright and Dean Faust stir from their positions to either side, and footsteps can be heard coming up the stairwell from below.

Barabbas seems disoriented for a bit … but then eagerly consumes the water, fumbling with one of his tentacles to support the canteen.

The Exile tries to help support Barabbas from the side opposite Iona, getting an arm under the Nohbakim's uppermost shoulder.

He's heavier than he looks … but between the two of them, Envoy and Iona are able to keep Barabbas more or less steady. He gestures with one of his pincers toward an old and dusty (but still fairly sturdy) chair. "Please," he rasps in Nohbakim-accented Khattan.

Envoy uses her tail to dust off the chair some, before helping guide Barabbas into it.

Barabbas' rounded shell fits rather neatly into the oddly structured chair, and he lets out a long sigh … then kicks off his boots and wiggles his toes. He cocks his insectoid head as he looks at his own feet.

A number of mages come up the stairs, but watch in hushed awe, keeping their distance while Iona and Envoy tend the chimerical mage. Iona asks, "Do you understand us?" in Rephidim Standard.

Envoy blinks and stifles an urge to giggle. Of all the possible recovery scenarios she had run through her mind, toe-wiggling had not played a factor in any of them.

Barabbas seems to pay no heed to Iona's query, instead muttering to himself in what must presumably be Nohbakim … which may bear some remote similarities to Khattan, but, alas, not enough that Envoy can really make out just what he's saying, even with her exposure to the written forms of the Zerda/Nohbakim tongue.

"Are you feeling any ill effects, sir?" Envoy asks again, using the more familiar Khattan.

Barabbas rasps something back to Envoy in Nohbakim … then breaks off suddenly, and starts again in Khattan, "Tired. But no … no ill effects. None at all. What has happened?"

"The Mages of the Collegia Esoterica have revived you," Envoy explains. "The year is RTR 6104; you have been asleep for several hundred years, as best we have been able to determine."

The Zelak-headed mage falls back in his chair at the news, his antennae twitching momentarily … but then he nods. "Yes … yes, that sounds about right." Then, he looks around at the chamber, his antennae bobbing about. "Where … are my … friends?"

"We moved your preserved creations to a safer place," the Aeolun says. "There was a risk that the magic would destabilize things."

Barabbas nods, his antennae relaxing. "Good, good. There was one other time during my … stasis … that I was disturbed … and I feared that something was amiss … that my creations would fall into the hands of those unable to care properly for them."

Envoy nods. "The first successful expedition to your tower did not have a mage with them. They awakened some of your friends, and attempted their best to maintain things, but some of the animals were lost. We moved most of the still preserved ones to the city of Abu Dhabi, where a larger environment can be created for them to live in."

Barabbas' antennae droop at the word "lost", but he nods again at the mention of the environment. "Abu Dhabi. It is a city now?"

"It is the seat of the Khattan Trade Empire today," Envoy relates. "The Emir is creating a zoological garden there, where animals and plants from all over the globe can be brought together. It was he who commissioned another expedition to recover your tower."

Barabbas' antennae lift several degrees. "Splendid! It sounds like a dream come to life! Can I see these gardens?"

Envoy can hear a bit of murmuring in the background. A Khattan Life Mage quietly translates into Rephidim Standard for those less linguistically skilled.

"It was hoped that you would take a hand in designing them, sir," Envoy says. "They are still in the planning stages, and it will take many years to develop the complex. The Life Mages of this time have been able to cure you of your illness, so you should have the time you need to complete your researches and teach a new generation to follow on."

Barabbas looks down, wiggling his toes again. "So they have, so they have … Let me meet these Life Mages, and I'll kiss each and every one of them personally." His antennae wiggle.

At the translation into Rephidim Standard, a few of the Life Mages in question gasp at the prospect.

Envoy grins, and points out Dean Bright to the Mage. "Many Spheres united to aid in your revival. There are also many scholars here who can help you catch up on things, and who will no doubt have endless questions about the times you lived in."

Barabbas starts to get up from his chair when he sees Dean Bright … but collapses back down again. "Ah. Perhaps when I have had time to regain my strength, I shall express my gratitude to my benefactors."

"My name is Envoy," the Exile says. "Is there anything you need right now? Are you hungry, or is there some pet we can bring you to help you recover? Do you have any questions for us?"

"En-voy," Barabbas repeats. "Thank you, Envoy. I think … I think we have met before. Yes. Thank you … I think … I think I'll just get some … rest … " The mage's antennae droop lazily … and the bug head droops forward, though are no eyelids to close. Somehow, despite the insectoid head, Barabbas manages to snore.

Envoy blinks at the comment about having met before, but doesn't say anything. She whispers to the others, "He's asleep. Are there any examinations you need to do now, Dean Bright?"

Dean Bright nods to Envoy. "Yes, and thank you. We can all be proud of our success here today … and thank you, Envoy, for lending your diplomatic skills. In all the planning for this ritual, I don't think much thought was given as to what exactly should be done once Barabbas had been revived. We'll do our best to make sure that he stays healthy. By the First Ones, this will be a Unity Day that will go down in the history of the College Esoterica!" She smiles enthusiastically.

"I am happy to have served, Dean Bright," Envoy says, smiling. "I hope to begin studies within your Sphere soon, if possible. Barabbas has so many exciting discoveries that make use of Life and Earth."

Dean Bright smiles. "Maybe that can be arranged, Mage Envoy. For now … " She turns to address the others, "Those tending Barabbas, please take care of him. The rest … back to Caroban, for a special Unity Night celebration." Some of the apprentices look as if they're about to cheer or applaud, but a stern look from Dean Faust quickly silences them … punctuated by a loud snore from Barabbas. Chastised, the apprentices and mages file out, heading back down the stairway, while a five Life Mages remain with Mage Bright, to tend to Barabbas.

Envoy stands clear to give the Life Mages room to work, and looks around the workshop. "It should be safe to return the animals here now. I will see to it that everything it put back the way it was, and make sure that Barabbas' bedroom is ready for him, if that is all right?"

Mage Bright nods. "That would be wonderful, Mage Envoy." And with that, she walks over to preside over the ministrations of the Life Mages.

The Exile smiles and heads down the stairs to the main tower. She's happy with the way things have turned out so far, but still worries about a few things. How will Barabbas treat me once he finds out what I am? she wonders. Can a biologist see past the biology, or will he think of me as an interesting specimen instead of a person? The Aeolun also ponders how soft the bedding should be for someone with an exoskeleton.