Lords of Creation: Vicious Betrayals

[TsukikoJ]

Yatel - the Lunaeri & the Onari

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Entering into the Queen's courtroom, they find the floors laid of polished stone and the roof some fifteen feet above supported by granite pillars. Of walls, however, they see nothing, for the court is in the open air.

The queen sits on the edge of a throne upon a raised dais, two large, young banths flanking her. Her long, black hair falls gracefully across her red shoulders, hiding her breasts from sight. Her beauty seems to fill the very air, and all the Onari about her are in obvious awe of her. She smiles faintly as the Lunaeri kneel and bids Callassandra to approach the dais, escorted by two armed guards.

What brings you to our city, child?

Intimidated by the majesty of the queen and her court, the Lunaeri girl keeps her eyes cast downward as she approaches the dais. "Thank you for welcoming our people into your city, Your Grace. I am Callassandra. My retinue was sent out by the Lunaeri people to establish relations with neighboring peoples, and, well, now we're here. Though we appear young and our race is fairly new compared to your own, we long for a place in the world for ourselves. The wisdom of our father, Gazardiel, has taught us to treasure all things that are beautiful. This city of Yatel, its people, and its queen are surely that. I can only take it as a sign from our father that we were meant to be friends."

The Citadel - Gazardiel & Alorn

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Alorn, the Citadel

Alorn watches the world, seeing the comings and goings of the mortal races, sensing the impeding conflict.

He call to his ally, "Gazardiel, how fare your people? I fear they may have to prepare themselves. Though it may be yet distant, war is coming. I can feel it. The mortal races will mirror their patrons and the powers are ever ready to shed blood. Our fellows have taken steps to prepare their people, it would be wise to learn from them."

"My friend. I thank you for your advice and your warning. I have neglected to teach my children in the ways of defending themselves, and one day they will need to whether it is to defend themselves or the creations of our allies.

There is much to be done."

With that, Gazardiel enters the Void, traveling close to the Vale. When he arrives, he observes his children continuing to build their city. The shaking of the world has hindered their efforts considerably, though at least it had come while the work was still being done and not after the city was completed.

They needed his help more than he had expected, especially with war brewing.

The Lunar Vale - The Lunaeri

The Lunaeri are not numerous in number. Fortunately for the construction efforts, those they do have are young and able-bodied. But the earthquake had shaken them to the core. Having recently recovered from the influenza, the Lunaeri are more troubled than ever with another setback such as this. The work on their city continues nonetheless, nearing completion.

One day, a young Lunaeri man can be seen approaching the city. He enters the Vale from where the Tears of the Mother exit it and walks beside the great river as he makes his way to the city. Groups of Lunaeri gather on the nearly completed ramparts, much to the dismay of the workers. Though he is still a good distance from the city, he draws the eyes of all. The Lunaeri seem to possess some sort of inner light, a gift from their creator. This individual, however, shines with a radiant silver light that cannot be missed, even with one's eyes closed.

He is led through the city's gates but unable to move further. A large crowd of curious people has gathered out of curiosity and block the way. Before the crowd, the radiant Lunaeri kneels in respect, speaking as he rises to his feet. "Brothers and sisters, my name is Maedro. While I am of your image, I am not technically born of the Lunaeri people. I have been created by Gazardiel, yet I am Gazardiel. I come to lead and guide the Lunaeri-kind so that together we might carve out a place in the world that can be made beautiful for all to share."

The Lunaeri treasure physical beauty as is their nature and their purpose, yet differences among them are considered to be rare and that much more interesting and beautiful. Maedro appears as an adolescent, as the Lunaeri oft do. But he has pale golden, wavy hair that falls to his shoulders. In a way he even resembles the Lunethi, with golden skin and warm green eyes. He towers over the crowd but is not physically intimidating; he is taller than most, yet his muscular body is slender and moves with grace. But more noticeable than his breathtaking image is the radiant light that shines from him. From his first entrance into the city of the Lunaeri, he is nicknamed "The Shining One."

None other than Gazardiel could have created such a being, so there was no doubt among the people as to Maedro's words. Within a few days of his arrival, he is named High King of the Lunaeri and begins making changes. He makes the glass Sept of Gazardiel his palace, dictating advice and law to his newly appointed advisers. The populace is sorted into five houses based on their lineage from the time the Lunaeri first walked the earth: House Vanyar, House Corbryn, House Rhysill, House Galastrion, and House Draemon and those who follow each of the original families. The lords of these houses would work with Maedro to run the city and guide the people.

On the day of Maedro's official coronation, he stands on the marble steps of the Sept that functions as his palace. A crown of silver, crystal, and amethyst sits on his head. "And now, a gift from Gazardiel," proclaims the King, beckoning to the mountain range that surrounds the Vale. Foliage can be seen sprouting from the earth, even high in the mountains towards the colder peaks. "The Gardens of the Moon." Trees are a part of the Gardens, though the majority of the foliage is made up of mosses and low-growing plants. The plants flower during the night, drawn to the light of the moon, not unlike the Lunaeri themselves. The day of Maedro's coronation also marks the more-or-less completion of the first Lunaeri city. "And now, may we enjoy a fortnight's worth of festivities to celebrate the completion of our city, Tamriel. Then we must continue our work."

Once the raucous festivities come to an end, they return to their regular work. Additions are continuously added to the city while others explore, harvest, and walk among the Gardens of the Moon. A few dozen members of House Galastrion visit the Sept and the High King regularly. Gazardiel has bestowed the gift of metalworking on the Lunaeri people to teach them to defend themselves. House Galastrion would primarily make up the smiths of the Lunaeri, skilled with their hands and with an eye for detail. Unlike other peoples, the Lunaeri's metalworking habits place more focus on well-made armor though weapons are produced as well. Crude weapons and armor have no place among the moon children for each is made with care to both serve its purpose and to decorate its wielder. They are tools of war, but also serve to identify each man who bears them. Weapons and armor become works of art, each precious and prized to the Lunaeri who makes them.

The Citadel - Gazardiel

And now his work was done. He would continue to guide his children using his alternate form. My children are not the only ones who need to learn to fend for themselves.

With the new kingship of his avatar, the Eternal Youth had further cemented his relationship with his children, making the guidance of them one of his own domains. His works were beginning to become an important part of the world and his days of being a minor godling were beginning to wane. Gazardiel's body begins to arch in his throne as he is filled with greater power and the strength of the warrior.

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Beginning AP: 10AP (8AP/2PAP) [7AP + 3AP (3.29.12 Rollover)]

Gain Portfolio Element [Lunaeri-kind]: 1PAP

Gain Divine Level [Warrior]: 2AP

Create Avatar [Maedro, High King of the Lunaeri, the Shining One]: Lunaeri-kind Portfolio Discount + 2AP

Mold Land [Gardens of the Moon]: Beauty Domain

Teach Populace [Metalworking - The Lunaeri]: Sept of Gazardiel Utility Artifact

Gain Domain [Lunaeri]: 1PAP + 1AP

Ending AP: 3AP (3AP/0PAP)

Beauty Domain: Exhausted
Preservation Domain: Available
Lunaeri Domain: Available
Sept of Gazardiel: Exhausted

Here's the breakdown of my actual AP spending to gain the portfolio, level, and domain:

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Lunaeri-kind Portfolio:

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Create Race [Lunaeri]: 1AP & Beauty Domain
Create Utility Artifact [Sept of Gazardiel] (Teach Populace Artifact): 2AP & Beauty Domain

Lunaeri Domain:

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Create Race [Lunaeri]: 1AP & Beauty Domain
Create Utility Artifact [Sept of Gazardiel] (Teach Populace Artifact): 2AP & Beauty Domain
Create Concept [Grace Magic]: 2AP & Preservation Domain
Create Avatar [Maedro, High King of the Lunaeri, the Shining One]: Lunaeri-kind Portfolio Discount + 2AP

Divine Level:

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Create Race [Lunaeri]: 1AP & Beauty Domain
Join Pantheon [Guardians]: 1AP & Preservation Domain
Create Utility Artifact [Sept of Gazardiel] (Teach Populace Artifact): 2AP & Beauty Domain
Create Concept [Grace Magic]: 2AP & Preservation Domain

For my own sake:

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Actions:
Create Race [Lunaeri]: 1AP & Beauty Domain
Mold Land [Lunar Vale]: Preservation Domain
Join Pantheon [Guardians]: 1AP & Preservation Domain
Create Plane (with Guardians) [The Citadel]: 1PAP
Create Utility Artifact [Sept of Gazardiel] (Teach Populace Artifact): 2AP & Beauty Domain
Create Concept [Grace Magic]: 2AP & Preservation Domain
Teach Populace [Grace Magic - The Lunaeri]: 1 Free Teach Populace Action
Gain Portfolio Element [Lunaeri-kind]: 1PAP
Gain Divine Level [Warrior]: 2AP
Create Avatar [Maedro, High King of the Lunaeri, the Shining One]: Lunaeri-kind Portfolio Discount + 2AP
Mold Land [Gardens of the Moon]: Beauty Domain
Teach Populace [Metalworking - The Lunaeri]: Sept of Gazardiel Utility Artifact
Gain Domain [Lunaeri]: 1PAP + 1AP