Lords of Creation III

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind, EverNight Forest

The Grind watched the world, and smiled. Change everywhere. The Grind heard the questions of the female divine. Always seeking answers from it, oh well. Maybe this could be helpful to the great changes.

"Sparklings, beings of light, creatures of life. They live shortly, or forever. Guide them. Teach them. They have spark, but less."

The Grind then went back to watching the world, satisfied with his answer.

[Rainshine]

Ehild, the Astral plane

The world turned. Ehlid stood. Stretching out a hand, he watched the Elemental Sea, the stirrings of chaos. Covered in pockets of civility, of ordered land. But bounded land. Ehlid watched, and was not satisfied. The world was filled with boundaries, and that was not something that sat well with him. If the world was not being to his liking, he would change it.

He had never exerted his will like this before. It was a small task -- trivial, really, he knew. All the same, it was difficult. Concentrating, reaching out... the feeling was beyond anything in his short life. A violent roar came from the sea, and from his own lungs, echoed the roar. Churning, frothing, then a small piece of barren land poked up, emerging as order from chaos, a source of life, where there was once none. Slowly growing, it was, but growing. Not a land of walls, of barriers, no. That was not the way of Ehlid. First barren, as he struggled to conceptualize, to make it so. It changed at his whim. He was doing it! He grinned, a toothy grin. He would show Kalmah true freedom. The land was growing larger, expanding outwards, an island of freedom in an ocean of chaos, a world of rules.

Once it had arisen, it required yet some shaping. First, here a few hills. A spread of trees, to supply lumber. He had a vision. This would be a refuge for those in the world seeking freedom from rules, oppression.. a place for people to live on their emotions. It was a start.

2-1=1 DP (Shape Land, creating plains)

[Innis Cabal]

The Amat

The tribes of the Amat stood at the edges of their land, the now floating forests and rivers, gazing back down to the ancient waves they had once dwelled. The small tribes holdings were expanding as their son’s took daughters and sired children, their provocative and detailed wedding dances loud and fast enough to shake the very ground they dwelled upon. Their clay homes stood in the sun, baked by the warmth their great god Ran Kang willed for them. The chiefs would meet at the zenith of summer, dancing and drinking, attempting in their way to contact their fickle and often times uncaring god. At these meetings the tribes would create their marriage arrangements to grow their people’s love and hate in equal measure. Each year a single tribe would be placed as the Amat’Ilal, a word of the Despised One’s to guarantee their people would never grow to despise their neighbors and erupt into war.

The Amat’Ilal would do their part by serving the entirety of the tribes, they would forge the bronze weapons and armor, would knit the clothing of the chiefs and paint the tribal masks that would stand to drive off the cruel and evil spirits that Ran willed to attack their people in the form of the storms of lightning and thunder, with quick mud and swamps and the diseases that fell many a mighty warrior without a single fight. Their warriors would stand as the enemy of the tribes, stealing and fighting the other tribes, showing off their prowess with guile and stealth at night and when Ran Kang’s eye sat high in the sky with brute force and music to drive fear into the many tribesmen. The women of the Amat would supplicant themselves at the end of the wars to take up the seed of the winners of these combats, siring the children and sacrificing their time and their own children to raise the warriors and chiefs of the new generation. The children in their own way would act as pages and servants to the other tribes, walking away with scars and stronger constitutions . And at the start of the new year when Ran Kang and his spirits dwelt in the underground realms a new tribe would be chosen, and the cycle of hate and contempt would start anew.

And in their own ways the other tribes known as Amat’Amon would give food to their tribesmen who took the sins and rage of their people on their shoulders, but would hide this act from them in dressing with the leaves and bark of the land, and would smear upon their masks and bodies the colors of the berries and mud which they were made, and come in the night as the beneficial Spirits of Flame that Ran Kang employed to aid his people from the darkness of the world. And they would carry torch’s to ward off the shadows, and would sing and scream in loud voices to scare the humbled tribesmen into their huts so they could not view their true human form. And this practice was known to all people, but their charity would never be truly turned down , and they knew in the way of Ran Kang he was proud of their generosity.

And the women worked the forests to bring forth fruit and vegetables, and the men would hunt the birds and creatures of their land to bring forth meat for the women to cook. And rice became a staple of the people, the starch being ground down into flour, and millet used to give weight to the light cakes that would be cooked in open communal fires, powered by the breath of Ran Kang himself.

And the chiefs would teach the children the Words of power that Ran gifted them when they were first born into the world, and would teach them their origins and the things learned by the previous generation. And they taught the children the myths of the world around them. At their start the Amat were but grass on the side of a bank, and a young man known only as Amat would chop them down and make huts from them, for who he could never speak. And that man one day walked upon a burning forest, the spirits made by The Grind calling out for help as they were chased by a powerful dancing form, crying out for the wood woman to return to his side so that they might bear him his children. And it was upon this he spied the burned naked corpses of several wood women, and cried out to the form hoping to save the young creatures. And Ran Kang, who called out his name and power to the young man gripped the man with his hands, and said he knew true beauty, and begged the young man to stay with him for all time. The man being crafty begged him to leave the forests alone, and Ran Kang begged harder, and consented that he would no longer burn the forests of the wood women down. And Amat stayed with Ran Kang for a thousand years, and was lavished upon by the godling. But soon Amat grew lonely, Ran Kang being out of his home for days and weeks at a time to dance with the world that dwelled around them. And he asked his lover for others to keep him company, and Ran Kang smiled with understanding, and scooped the reeds the young man once cut into huts, and bound them with clay and shaped them into the form of his love so he would forever be able to view what it was that drew him to this mortal creature and baked them and placed them into the old huts his mate had made years before. And Amat bid his lover farewell as the skies closed and dwelled with his people, showing them how to form buildings from the clay of the river banks, and how to shape weapons of bronze to hunt and fight against that which existed to kill them. And he then wrote down in the sands and clay the Words that Ran Kang would always speak and demanded all the young to learn these things, and live loving their first husband Ran Kang, and died a happy and content man.

And the chiefs would tells the story of how they began to dwell in the world in the skies. They would tell the children of the tribes that once, the god Ran Kang had done a deed so foul he had upset his own father, The Grind, and that it was so dark and foul that not even the other gods were aware of the deed itself. And for three generations the Fire God slept, and in his slumber he viewed his loved creatures still, and saw that in his time away they had grown far from the path that Amat, the great hero, had laid down before he died. And this enraged the Fire Lord, and he burst forth from his prison, and in his rage he lifted their homelands into the sky so they would be closer to his heart, and so that they could never forget what Ran Kang had done for the hero Amat. And the generation lived in fear of their once slumbering lord, and begged for a single generation his forgiveness, and he blessed them with the waters that would sustain their lives. And from then on the Amat would dwell in rememebernce of their grand lord. And the lake that he had gifted his people would be known as Ran’s Succor, and the tribes greatest villages would be placed there, and they would dwell alongside one another in peace, great moveable walls made to be placed around the Amat’Ilal tribelands.

And the final myth taught to the children of the tribes was that of Ran’s journey to make his Words. These words taught to all chiefs and to the strongest of the warriors of each tribe, its power capable of summoning animals and flame to fight for the tribe, and to summon the ice and elements that Ran Kang desired to teach his people. The journey of Ran took place before their ancient lands were made, when the world was young and only the Dreaming and The Creator dwelled in the space that all gods reside in. Ran Kang lonely and sad sought out his second lover, and it came in the form of a spirit of Flame he had made, and she would dance with him each night, and the Spirits of Fire were born from their coupling, and those that died in birth would be claimed as the evil spirits that even then Ran Kang loved and hated in equal turn. And he then sought out the liquid state of the universe, and he spoke to it in soft words, and the liquid became soft, and he grew angered by its easily changed nature and screamed at it so it would be frozen in fear, and he called this his second husband of Chill, and he then spit at its feet, and he claimed this new existence was Acrid, and gave it the Word, and he saw the storms that twisted in his realm and he called out to it and called it Rai, and it was his final wife. And with his husbands and wives the Fire God sat and sought out the mortal world, and was kept at bay by his father’s works, and claimed this to be Sin, and railed against it and gave words to the emotions he felt, and named them in all manner of words. And with this lexicon he spoke and the reality caved away, and he knew his Words had power that no god had created before him, and he laughed with joy, and promised to teach it to his true love, the Great Hero Amat, who would teach it to the children he dwelled with.

And the dead were burned by the fury of Ran Kang so that their soul would return to his seat and would learn how to better serve the world they were found in. And these ash’s would be placed in grand urns made of painted clay, and at the death of the next generation the ash’s of the old would be dumped from the side of their island, and the new replaced the old in a new cycle. And at the great journey back into the sapphire depths, a great festival would be held, to thank their ancestors for looking over them from the world that existed before time. And when their journey was finished they would live a week in mourning, and would do no work for that week to thank the old and new alike.

And at the newest generation, the Amat began to see their clothing as ancient, and sought to change their image to better reflect their new state, and wore the threads of the plants they dwelled with, and dyed them in greens and blues and reds, and put their masks to the ground and swore to gaze at the world with their own eyes, and promised to the sky and the birds that they would wear their masks when asking to look into the land Ran Kang dwelled in. And their weapons were polished, and new materials were found to strengthen the powerful weapons, and the chiefs still in power thought this was good. And the villages began to grow stronger and larger, the once simple huts growing into far better dwellings, clay walls replaced with bricks cooked in the sun. Food became plentiful, and with better teachings from the chiefs the Amat began to rear the birds of the sky so they would never grow hungry in the cold times.

Ran Kang

And Ran Kang watched his people grow stronger, and knew it to be good. And he smiled deep in his realm and knew soon he would need the other gods help…but not to soon.

The Amat City of Zutan

The tribal villages had grown close together, and the tribes had met at the center of the lake, where only a single island set. Here on this island a great steam room was built for the chiefs. All the tribes were present, from the grand magical Urum to the nearly savage Burra, the Fatsa Tribe was held currently as the Amat’Ilal. And it was here the powerful shamans prayed in their ancient tongue, the tongue of the Arcane Magics that their people wielded, and with the divine energies entrusted to them by their god, they summoned forth a small Spirit of Flame to power their steam house, and breathed deep the mist they held sacred as the tears of Ran Kang. And a week passed, and from within the structure a chant was heard by the warriors that sat at the shore, and with their voices they raised a song of return, beating upon their polished bronze shields a beat that made all but the buildings stir in their own way.

Spoiler

Show

The 6 tribes of the Amat
Ruta
Kali
Urum
Lahal
Burra
Fatsa

[shadowmage]

Deth

Deth picks up the rough form, that still has a unwork point where the head should go and spends sometime studying it. Turing it over in his hands looking at every detail. Laying it on it's "back" he reach over and pulls a carving blade out of the air and begins to carve into the belly of the model. He starts to carve small gears and springs, creating the clockwork insides needed to move the legs and tail. With each stroke the cave around him gives a small shudder that is not really felt so much as sensed, but Deth ignores the shudders of pain his creating is causing so deep inside the being of destruction. With a flick of the blade he starts the movement of the gears, with a touch here he causes a leg to jump, a touch there the tail flicks forward. Happy he closes a the belly of his incomplete creation.

Flipping it over he start to carve and refine the shape of the body. A carapace to protect, a broad back to carry, six legs to make traversing your home easier, a compact body to go where it will be harder for others to get. With each word, a stroke of the blade forms a part of the body forms. The carapace pieces of the back gain definition, the segments of the legs become more defined, the claws on the end formed good for gripping stones and so they can climb extremely well. The segments of the tail take form allowing of free and quick movements, the stinger at the end small, but still usable in a fight. As the stinger is finished a single drop of liquid forms on the tip, the will of the land forced upon all that Deth crafts while here.

Again he looks at the clockwork figure he has created so far, studying each minor detail, moving each leg checking it for freedom of movement and smoothness of action. Checking the body to make sure nothing rubs wrongly or binds. Causing the tail to strike at imaginary enemies judging how high he can make the next part that needs to be added. Setting it down on the anvil he breaths across the figure and watching as it takes on partial life of it's own and scuttles around the anvil top without direction.

(1DP=1-1 as I have 1 point left and was bored I invested the 1 point I have left from this week towards my race for next week.)

[Rainshine]

Ehlid, the Astral Sky

Still frothing, the sea beat against the shores of the newly emerged island, as if trying to claim it back. Succeeding, it was not. Ehlid watched. It needed more. It needed people. And it needed something.. unique. A creature, to embody the freedom that the land would come to represent. He gazed upon the world, and resolved to give this land something more. A creature, to be the embodiement of open freedom. With that in mind, he went to work, from the very dust of the land he had called up from the sea. Called. It would need a name...

First he formed the legs. The plains were wide and open, so it would be a creature that loved to run, and for that, it would need legs. Good, long, strong legs. He shaped them carefully, with a good thick bone. This was the first of his arts, and he knew how to do it, but not how he knew. The leg shaped, with thick muscles running up and down, to let it stride and surge. Larger and more well-muscled hind legs, to give it the power to propel forward. Above the legs, connecting them, was a body, lean and well muscled like the legs. Sleek, so that it can run fast. Ehlid stood back, eying what he had doubtfully. It seemed so pink, so boring... Nodding to himself thoughtfully, he swept a hand through the air, and from the body came out small fibers, a sort of black covering, to protect the soft flesh. Satisfied with that look, he resumed work. Longer body, to allow for the longer legs. Muscles. Circulation. So many things, pouring through his head as he worked, coming out from his hands. The creature grew larger, more streamlined. It needed freedom of senses.
Ehlid scorned the idea of the small, obvious protrusion that the humans used for their senses. No. Here, in his creation, it would be part of the body itself. He bent a part of the body up, making a sleek curve. A good nose, to smell the world. But sight... sight would be a bit more tricky. A hand passed over what was now a head, and eyes emerged. He would have to work on that later. The brain, he put back further, and widened it. The shape of the head would make it difficult to speak directly but... Grinning, he reached in, and opened the mind a little more. Perhaps it wouldn't need to speak with a mouth. It wasn't quite on par with the intelligence of some of the other creatures down there, but it would serve. Tapping and flattening, developing and curving, until at last he was ready to step back, give the creature a last pat, and looked at it. Oh. It needs life. He wasn't sure how to do that. Reaching out a hand, Ehlid said,"Live." Nothing. Hm.

It happened out of his mind, just like all the rest of it. Ehlid let go. True freedom. This time he did not reach out, but laid his hand on the snout of the creature. "LIVE! LIVE, LAERDAX, KING OF YOUR KIND!" An instant, and Ehlid sagged. The black fur rippled, quivered, and for the first time, a steed took breath.

1-1=0 DP (Create Animals: Horses)

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind, The Ever Night Forest

The Grind smiled on the world. This would be his greatest creation.

"Genius Loci, have children of your own. You will soon understand."

The Grind placed small humaniods on the back of the Genius, and in the sky above the great creature flew great birds, wings spans over thirty feet wide. They flew over the great Genius, looking to his children.

"They are only half as big as an elf, I shall call them halflings. Creatures of the Genius."

Genius Loci, Near the Drow City.

Genius Loci smiled as a great bird flew by his face, leaving a trail of plumage. He felt the Halflings walking over his back.

"Wow, children. I feel honored."

The Loci smiles and shakes, giving his children his blessings, fruits from Satu. A food for them to eat. His birds flying around. The ways of the world were new to the Halflings, but the Loci would protect them from danger forever.


The Elven, The Hall of Great Importance

The Eldern grumped, he was really upset.

"Idiots, bafoons. They DARE to vote for that...that...Haggard before me? I...I...BASTARDS!"

The Eldern Elder was violent today. Why did half the people vote for that monster? And now this...this...annoyance is running around his city? No. No more. First the Tyrant of Monsters, then the Pun lord.

"Where is the thrice damned Grind?"

The Eldern Elder came before his alter, the alter of the Great House Eldern.

"Oh Great Grind, the thrice damned Drow have came to worship the Tyrant King. Please, Oh Great Grind, help us. Show him how we deal with tyrants and traitors under your guidance...burn them to the ground...sink them into the chaos sea! WITH YOUR DIVINE MIGHT SMITE HAGGARD! HAGGARD THE EVIL MUST DIE! I am your servant! GIVE ME WHAT I WISH! GIVE ME WHAT I COMMAND!"

The Grind did not answer.

(0 = 3 Create Race - 1 Create Animals (Birds) - 4 )

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - Astral Sky

It was much easier to seperate himself from the visions of life after having spent some time focusing on learning it. Nephyr Tagae was now sitting in the astral sky, studying the world. Letting it revolve "under" him, watching as it changed from day to day. Seeing how beings were born, how they lived and how they died with both his visions and his own eyes.

He saw the great eruption shake the world, how it's ashes touched everything and how life reclaimed it's place among the ashes. Once again being born, living and dying. He saw how one day there were vast plains with new species on them and how the already existing species grew in their own lands.

He suspected he was not the only divine being but he had seen no other ones. He had seen their handiwork and the marvellous lands and organisms they created but not yet them. He could not see or feel through them with his visions, not that it mattered since all he could see through the visions was incoherent.

He had earlier found some sort of forest among the planes, perhaps there was a deity there. The great god of life rose and began travelling towards the ever night forest, trying to explore it to see if he could find a being of divine nature hidden amongst the trunks and foliage of it.

As he travelled he once again became aware of the squeaking sound coming from a hidden location in the background behind him. He could not find from where it was coming and it was driving him insane, always behind him and always that same high pitched tone. The god of life was developing a rather nasty headache.

[Xuincherguixe]

Kalmah was a god who saw the big picture. Where there is a mountain, one day there might be a road going straight through it. A forest a field, and a field a forest. Little things could have dramatic repercussions.

And sometimes, it's just good to invest. And it's time to collect some dividends.

There was a great light on the human lands, as carved stone blocks, metal ingots, ground wheat, and wooden planks began to fall into place at a controlled rate into the store houses. Burning light carved into the ground, forming numerous squares.

The farms seemed far more productive than they had been in the past. And it seemed easier to gather resources. While the supplies given were great, the land itself was giving more.

This was clearly a miracle.

Also, the fae were finding that it was easier to find berries, and occasionally a would be predator would suddenly explode before they had a chance to blow them up. It was very mysterious.

Another strange thing, is that they were starting to get the idea to copy some of the ideas from the humans they for some inexplicable reason they felt the desire to spy on. Though to be fair, they are pretty hilarious.

Still, the idea of Democracy seemed like a good one. For big pranks, it might help if a couple got together and voted on how to pull off various aspects of it.

Spoiler

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6 AP
Populous once again building more cities (+1 fp)
Exaltation, -(7-4 stored from artifact) - 3AP Blessing Humans for 7, Fae for 3
Teach Populous (Fae), Democracy -1 AP
Leaving 2

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahmkotept, Above the deserts.

"My original goals were to annoy, but this new threat makes me need to have some priorities, annoying priorities, but priorities anyway. Time to whip up a war-hoard!"

He descends as a dream upon the big head of the ahnklings, brukahns and knaarls. It shows him above a pile of bodies from all races, miles high.

"Annoyance only goes so far, my child" He says to the big head, "Now it is time for you to take advantage of their ignorance. They think we're all fun and games at Annoyance, Inc., But nooooooo, noooo we aren't. We're going to beat them with ugly sticks till they look like marylen manson, and we're gonna cut out their tounges so they talk like Ozzy Osbourne. No wake, and leave the greatest annoyance of a god in your wake: DEAD WORSHIPPERS!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!".

The Big Head of the Ahnkling's and their Kin whipped up his bruthers into a frenzy. They left everything behind, except their weapons, and went on the warpath, going from place to place bashing in people's heads. They would not be thought of as just a "Nuisence" again, especially when they picked up enemy technology and gave it an "Upgrade" by putting disease-ridden feces, like the kind they often threw at passersbys, onto their weapons, almost assuring casualties even after retreat.

Ahkmotept watched this all from his throne of Butt Jokes past, and chuckled to himself. "Let us indeed have some fun..."

Spoiler

Show

3=12-9 (Create Concepts: War-Hoard, Stolen Weaponry, Diseased Weaponry)

[shadowmage]

Deth

Deth reaches up with his regrown left hand and pulls off his left ear and a small part of his head and starts working it like clay in his hand. He works the gold into a rough humanoid upper body form. It has 2 arms a head and chest that ends at the waist. Flipping it over he reach out for his sculpting blade and cuts a small door in it's chest. He begins to carve the gears and springs and other clockwork needed to articulate the upper body. Again the world around him rebels but a little less then the last time, almost as it it knows that it is a losing battle. Hours seem to pass as he works on the clockwork till with a flip of the wrist he closes the chest plate.

Then he takes the blade to the outer shell, refining it to his liking. Five fine long fingers for manipulating things care first craved. Strong muscular arms and chest, good for carrying or wielding a hammer or a blade. Using his own body as a guide but knowing that it will never match his beauty or perfection but not as flawed as some of the creations that walled the earth already. The head he took the most care and time with. Hair short so as not to get in the way. Eyes just so to see well and focus on what is being worked on at hand. Mouth perfectly shaped with strong teeth. Deth looks at his work for a long time studying it for any flaw, but none can be found.

He reaches over and grabs the scuttling form, that stops dead as soon as he touches it. Pressing the two together they bond as if made for each other, which of course they had been. He studies he work for a while before setting it down and watching as the little figure slowly starts to walk then explore the anvil top. He studies it looking for any flaw in it's movement or gestures. Nodding to him self he picks it up and reaches over and pulls a scribe out of thin air. You will be called.... He scribes a name down the right fore leg. Your mate will be..... He carves another name down the left leg. Looking at the carvings he nods. You will be the first and all shall know it. Flipping the figure around and begins to carve in a spiral around it's tail it History, for a lack of a better term. The fact that they are the first.

Laying the tool down, it and the anvil vanish unable to remain in this land with out Deth's will to maintain them. He turns and carries the figure up the stairs. The door opening of it's own accord, knowing Deth's desire. Stepping into the castle proper he unerringly walks to the Room of Reflection. Stepping it he is caught by his own reflection. He stares as a time seeing all his flaws magnified a thousand fold. He is able to see some of his birth are already being fixed others are appearing to replace them it seems. No. That is not the reason I am here. I knew I must strive for Perfection and I have I can see that. I have other business here.

Holding up the figure he looks at it in the Mirrors studying the flaws revealed there. They were not as bad as he feared. They will give them something to strive for. Turning he walks out navigates the passages to a window over looking the waste and the world below.

Badlands

The sun slowly rose over the box canyon. Slowly heads begin to peek out from caves, from under rocks and out of gullies looking around. Their eye stand out as they pupils are silver with iris of gold or copper. Seeing each other they start to emerge, revealing well formed torsos. Their coloring, for the most part range from light tan with light brown hair to dark brown skin with dark brown hair, their skin tone carrying over to their hair. This carries over to the few that have a red skin tone that matches very closely strata of stone that run along the canyon walls, even more rare are those that have a midnight black skin and hair. None wear any form of clothing and none seem bothered by it at all. More surprising is what follows next. As the come out it to the open, it is revealed that the lower half of their bodies are covered in a segmented carapace with 6 long then legs that end in claws that grip the rocky ground with great ease. The coloring of the carapace matches their skin and hair coloring. A tail follows, long and supple it ends in a wicked stinger. Each turns to study their body or an others body near by, as if seeing it for the first time. The flex and shift their legs and tails as if practicing to see what they can and can not do. One scuttles up to a hoodoo and right up the side as if it is the most natural thing in the world, which is seems it is.

The tallest seems to be about four feet at the crown of his head the shortest female about three feet. The females seem no smaller on average then the males, it seems that just how things fell. One while looking at his body noticed some carvings on his foreleg. leaning closer. What is... He looks up in surprise. Hello? I can talk? How do I know this? I have not done this before, but i know it. Noise quickly fills the canyon as others try their voices. One feminine voice rings out I am Shar`na..... I think. It says so here on my leg. She points to her left leg. The others start to look and soon the males see their name is on their right lag and the females on the left.

Another calls out a male this time. We are the first. It says so here on your tail. Pointing to the tail of a tall female in front of him as he follows the scribing upward. It says, "We are the first children of Deth, created to strive for perfection. His chosen children. Loved by him, put here to be tested and to strive to always seek the next level of perfection. We are the Scorponar.

As the sun raises over them they settle down to discuss all that has happened on this their first morning.

(1=3-2 Beget Race Scorponar)

Edit: Updated the race discription a little.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Here's a post Innis wanted me to make while he was away:


Ran Kang

Ran stared at his fiery sons and daughters, the elements that made up what he was created to oversee, and saw no passion in them, no hate or terror, no reason to fear the demise that all things feel…and he grew annoyed. And with his words he cursed them with the fear of loathing, and of death and imbued them with the wicked spirits of his people, and their flame became dark and guttered as they stepped, and the stench of burning carrion hung about them as a cloud of reeking sin. And he used the Words of Beyond for this act, an act foul enough to blacken the air around him, and he laughed as they fell about the world spreading his ill intent, as his pure Spirits of Flame went to destroy them in a never ending cycle of war.

But his people would know of this, but had not the power to fend themselves off and built around the now floating island a chain of mountains, swinging his artifact as one would use a paint brush, laughing and raising powerful peaks to aid in the warding of his people, and providing them with a new defense, for they would not always be alone on that land…but they would be ready when the other races came, and would fight those that meant them harm with magics not even the world at large had seen. He went into the minds of the shamans and chiefs, and spoke the words of Beyond and the calling words of Home to them. And the shamans and chiefs in the steam house awoke from their slumber screaming at the visions Ran Kang had shown them.

And in the skies they spoke of the great heralds of their God, sinuous forms of scale and flame, serpent like creatures that could fly through the vaulted expanses even closer to their god’s eye, acting as if they were mortal ambassadors to the Amat themselves, and in time it was whispered these entities dwelled in the mountains that had slowly grown to outline the island. And they were dubbed the Daw’Long-kang, in the words of the Amat meaning Serpent of The Spires. And when one saw the creature, as they were in truth as playful and mischievous as their creator they appeared as long serpents with a great many arms and legs, scaled in emerald scales with a powerful mane sprouting from the back of their head. They had horns like tree branch’s and their breath could summon the flame’s of Ran Kang himself, powerful enough to burn even the largest hut to the ground. But they were kind to the mortal creatures of the floating island, and would teach the most potent and powerful chiefs and shamans the mystic powers they wielded. And in time, the Daw’Long-kang became legend in their own right for the people of the Amat. The myth going like this.

In time the great lord Ran Kang grew weary and sought sleep once more, but he feared for his people, and when the heavens unleashed their powerful rains once more on the night of the one thousandth full moon the edges of the island known as Kyushu stretched to meet them, and it was in this act the land itself birthed up the creatures that Ran Kang dreamed to look over his people. They went unknown for a generation, walking among the people in their own form. And they would leave presents to the powerful chiefs in the form of exotic fruits from the world below them, and in the metals of the sky. But in time, a young man known as Hisagi viewed one changing from a beautiful Amat woman, and chased her through the tree’s and rivers until he found her at her cave. And the beast did laugh at the young boy’s enthusiasm and spoke to him in a tongue he barely understood. And it is said that this young man Hisagi gave them the name of the Daw’Long-kang, and returned home to speak that any of the Amat could be them in disguise, and begged his people to remember to show kindness even to those in the position of shunning.

The Amat

And in the grand village the Amat had made, the warriors and chiefs returned, and showed the tribal city what they had learned, the ash of their ancestors now blessed with magic to fend off the evil spirits now dubbed Sin, so that they may not raise to become them, and so that they would safely return to Ran Kang for him to decide how they should return, if at all.

The Spirits of Flame and Sin

And the Spirits of Flame and Sin warred through the Astral Sky and the Elemental Sea, each seeking to prove dominance over the other, each trying to position so that they alone would serve their great lord Ran Kang. And their voices hissed as water leaving wood in a fire, and sparked and crackled with rage as their mighty forms clashed against one another. And in the confines of their world, the Sprits of Flame and the Sin began to change their forms, to better war against one another.

The Spirits of Flame grew to resemble the Amat in shape, but with two arms only. Their bodies of brilliant flames became sculpted like a wonderful statue, and it was only the writing colors that betrayed their true form. They wore no clothing, naked only in the powerful might of their very creation. And they rode into battle with powerful swords and large shields they would beat to make the rhythm of their pounding feet louder. And they loved one another, and gave honor and respect in battle, refusing to sneak like snakes through grass to wound their opponent with poison and unkind actions.

And the Sin saw the form of their elder brothers, and spat at them with even stronger venom. They despised the sculpted form their elders took, and saw them as weak in their age. And their forms took on a multitude of shapes and sizes, many merging with one another to form larger beasts, their screaming visages rippling through their forms. And their faces took on the appearance of death masks, broad and hateful, spite filled them and their flames turned a darker black.

Godly Actions
(Spawn Monstrous/Magical Creature -1 [Necromental-Fire: Magical]
Spawn Monstrous/Magical Creature -1 [Daw’Long-kang Spirits: Magical]

Teach Populous -1 [raise Tier to 2]: Teach greater Arcane magic to the Amat

Shape Land [From Artifact] -1
3 DP – 3 DP= 0
1 ADP – 1 ADP= 0)

[Servion]

Mut - Astral sky

Mut looked down upon the smoking crater that used to be a mountain, pleased with he change the volcano would bring. He witnessed the forest beneath the crater. The flames, those that were made from the molten rock, had began to settle and fade away,only some fires remained.

shame I can't look closer, it would be interesting to see what manner of changes my crater has brought.

There was movement in the burnt parts of the forest. Mut once more looked down trying to see what it was. It was one of the elven no a group of this elegant people struggling to get to safety, struggling to live. These elves confused Mut.

why are they still in the burning woods? have they not all fled?

Mut watched these elves and something grew within him, pity and guilt.
He had thought that they all had managed to get away, to flee back to the other houses, oh how mistaken he was. This group of elves gathered in a burnt clearing and Mut see now that they were of different tribes. Some were of Winsoon others of smaller unaligned tribes, they had all lost their way in the chaos that followed the fires and lava of the mountain.

Mut decides to help them, save them from the danger he made for them.
He watch them travel, leaving the forests and unto the plains beyond, Mut shaped the landscape for them to settle. He remade the ground to vast areas of rolling hills, covered in meadows of grass. The sun would cast it's light upon this new land and spread it's warmth. It was not yet finished, Mut also shaped rivers that would run between the hills.

Mut looks down upon these elves, He knew they would change on their own so he would not reshape them. Mut leave them for now, with his blessings.

Spoiler

Show

Beget sub-race: Léaram elves.
Bless populous: The Léaram. They now have an Fp of 2
Shape land:Plains and hills
4-(2+1+1)=0 Dp

[Shmee]

Haggard,the Ashen Bastion

As the harsh winds of the Wastelands of Duma continued to batter the Ashen Bastion, Haggard sat on his throne, alone. Indeed, save for Haggard and Deth the entire castle was empty, devoid of life. This annoyed Haggard to no end, what fun is there in wielding so much power, when you have no one to lord it over? Haggard was getting bored, his grand castle gave him no joy, and he had grown bored of torturing Duma a long time ago. This did not please Haggard at all.

"I've bided my time, long enough... the world is now brimming with new sentient life... lower life forms just begging for my authority... its time to put the next phase of my plan in motion..."

With that Haggard reaches for his staff, and rising from his throne, makes his way through his castle.

As Deth is minding his own buisness, all of a sudden, the room becomes cold, despite all the forges constantly working, as Haggard enters the premises.

"Greetings Deth... enough chit chat... stop fiddling with nonsense and prepare to work on a grand project... you are to build me... this..."

Haggard brings out a scroll, containing plans for a huge contraption. According to the plan, it was to be placed deep within the ground, close to the core of Duma. The plans were extremely complicated, but for one such as Deth, he could easily decipher the plans, what he couldn't know is what it's uses would be.

"I want this done as soon as possible... it is to become a testiment to my greatness... and of course to your ability... now... do not fail me!"

And with that Haggard hobbles off, only talking to Deth as strictly as necessary.

Malthrae, Undraeth

Deep within the catacombs of the great Ur-Priest city of Undraeth, Malthrae was holding a secret meeting with several chosen acolytes about dark issues. Malthrae nods his head, knowing full well that things were going as planned... Haggard's plan always had a habit of doing that.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

In the Mushroom Forest the new turtle-folk, the Tortroia had begun to tame the mighty Gargoralith, and now they had taken perhaps the most important step. The turtle creatures learned to strap large, sometimes multi-tiered platforms on the backs of these great beasts. These "Howdahs" allowed for their people to travel great distances in large numbers and bring much of their equipment with them, essentially creating mobile homes.

The Tortroia used this by traveling across the land within the forests, trading and learning from whoever they met.

Urus then gifted all of those who dwelled in the Mushroom Forest, the gift of Dream-Sight. Already he had gifted two of his followers specifically with the Dream-Shaping gift, beings whose whole race could mold the world with their minds, and he had given this gift to some in every race. Now, however, he gave those who sought it or were born with a talent for it, the ability to see more than they might so otherwise, in their dreams. They could reach across the world, to the past, to the present, or to the future. They could look in the realms of the gods, and stranger places still. Nothing might remain hidden from those gifted.

And, over time, the Illithids had used elf-thralls to worm their way by proxy into the sociey of elven kind, and had begun to slowly draw thralls, food, and beings to be turned into more of their kind from that fair, fey race.

2DP=3DP-1DP (Teach Populous, Dreams)

[shadowmage]

Deth

Hello Si.... OK..... it is.... I.... What.... Deth takes the scroll starting to study it. Ok. Nods as he is deep into study of the plans. As if there were ever any doubt. Deth is already see areas he can improve that will not effect the purpose of the device. OK. Deth is already turning away, reaching up he pulls a pen out of thin are and laying the scroll down on to a table that appears out of nowhere Fine gold clips at either end that stand open waiting to clip down to hold the scroll in place. A ball of light appears overhead as Deth leans close. The clockwork Scorponar climbs up the leg of the table and scuttles out on to the scroll. It seems to study the scroll as Deth makes note here and there of what materials to use. Soon the clockwork Scorponar is chasing the pen.

[shadowmage]

Deth

Finishing his notes he picks up the clockwork Scorponar and the scroll, putting the away in the hole in the wall that appears to hold it and sets the clockwork on a ledge that appears and runs completely around the room to make sure it stays safe while he heads up stairs for a bit again.

Deth heads up into the castle climbing higher and higher till he comes to the tallest tower and look out over the cold, dead land. Looking farther out, he looks deeper. Reaching out he grabs a bit of the Astral Realm and works it in his hands applying his will to it and it slowly changes keeping it's silvery hue it gains strength but remains as light as the fog as it looked like. Soon he holds a large sphere of Mithril in his hands. Setting it aside he reaches out again, this time into the starry sky with one hand and into the Black Sun with the other. Drawing a little bit of the essence of each, he mixes them in his hand. The resist his will at first, but no metal can resist him for long and soon the start to merge and become a black heavy strong metal that will resist normal metal working. But with enough skill such items could be crafted as will be rarely seen on the world. He then sits aside the sphere of Adamantium for his needs.

Then looking down on upon the earth and reaches again into each of the lands for a bit of their essence. Drawing on the plans, the ground below the forest, from even the Desert and the islands in the elemental seas, finally he draws deeply from the Badlands. Starting to mix the essences metals of all kinds begin to form in the sphere he is working in his hands. Swirls of iron, copper, nickel, gold, silver, lead, and any other terrestrial metal imaginable forms a swirl in the sphere. Picking up the other two he heads back down into his "workshop".

The anvil and a rack of tools already await him as he walks back down the stairs. Plans already forming in his head on how he will do this. Sitting the three spheres down he pulls a piece of parchment and a pen from the air and start to write out a note.

Sir,
I am making some modifications to your plans. Better materials and improvements here and there that will not change the function of the parts as I see how they should work. I am going to create an access tunnel in the room next to the Grand hall on the opposite side of the Room of Reflection. Two rooms south from the Workshop entrance. If there is someone place else let me know, but I think that is the safest ground to work with and offers the easiest access for my Clockworks that I will create to help me with the job. He makes a gesture toward the clockwork, who scuttles over as Deth looks down at it. I really should name you as you will be around for a while. I will call you.... Dor`nath or assistant in the tongue of the Scorponar. Now take this to King Haggard and await a reply. Death ties the note to the back of Dor`nath and watches him scuttle up the wall of the tunnel toward the castle.

[Rainshine]

Ehlid

Freedom. A small word, yet so potent, and full of meaning. The word ripples across populations and worlds... Recently, the use has picked up. It travels from person to person, lighting sparks in hearts, and kindling sparks already there into roaring flames. The roamers of the world hear the word and listen carefully, disbelieving of what is said. A land of freedom, of open space, untouched. It must surely be myth, a story. Then the portals were. No one knew where they came from, or where they would be, they just were there. People went through, and didn't come back. There was nothing to say they were sent to the land of freedom, but it was known to be true. The people who went through the portals were always the roamers, the nomads of the area. They had few roots to hold them down. Some were exiles, all wanderers. Some human, some elves, some gnomes... The desire to roam freely is bound to no race or area. A small smattering of rumors, one or two people gone, became five, then ten. The migration had begun.

From every corner of the world, people left for a new destination. A few animals from flocks and herds vanished. All coming together, on their own little island of freedom. The various imported animals -- free runners all -- began to reproduce and roam. Perhaps most importantly, Laerdax and his queen had multiplied as well -- hoofbeats could be heard on many parts of the island, herds galloping from place to place, revelling in the freedom of life.
The people who came there had virtually nothing, but then, they did not need it. Things weighed them down. Most were used to living with what they carried. They set about the island -- finding one another, banding together into tribes, pooling skills and resources. Practicing. Being free. Much of the vegetation was foreign to them, so they had to learn what was food, what could be used for other resources. That they would do, and do well, for they had their lives for themselves, and a world to roam. They knew not who had bequeathed this gift to them, but they shall...

3-2=1 DP (Create subrace/culture, nomads -- 1 FP)

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - Astral Sky

Nephyr Tagae had returned yet again to the astral sky, disappointed by his lack of progress in finding another deity. But he was confident there would be more opportunities to find them. The astral sky was only so big after all. Once again the god of life once again turned his attention to the living mortals of the world. He studied them living their lives. Watched as they were born and how they grew up. Human, Drow, Elf, Illithid... he saw and felt how they grew old and eventually how they died.

What is happening to the souls after they die?

Once again that annoying high pitched sound reminded him of it's existance, humming in the back of his hearing. Nephyr Tagae took a deep breath, closed his eyes and renewed his focus on ignoring the sound. He then focused, as he had practised, but instead of on an aspect of life he focused on the dead. Trying to see through the eyes of the dead souls.

Interesting... I am seeing myself... from behind

Once again the annoying sound made itself reminded. Once again nephyr Tagae gathered his focus.

But this time he listened to it, he tried to make sense of it. At first it was the annoying noise he knew it to be. But eventually he started to pick out voices, hearing that what had been annoying his for so long was voices calling out for help.

He slowly turned his around, keeping his focus on the voices and as he shifted his vision to his own he saw a legion of souls hovering before him. All demanding the help from the great god of life. To the lifeless he must appear as a great beacon of that which they had lost and urged for.

Particulary one soul was prominent, it was standing before all the others. Leading them in their chanting, unlike most others he was not asking but demanding. He looked over them all and then bellowed with his booming voice echoing across the skies.

Silence!

The great crowd of souls huddled against one another for protection and support, frightened by the enormous god before them. Even the daring leader quieted down before the god with the burning white eyes, seemngly afraid of what would happen.

Thank you. Now, you souls of those who have passed, what is it that you wish? Only one speaker please

The leader approached before him, seemnigly gathering his courage and stood tall before the god. Tiny yet defiant

I am First Helvi'rahel of the Drow! I demand that you return us to life so I can reclaim my throne. Obey!

Nephyr Tagae studied the little mortal in silence, amused at the defiance and confidence of the dead mortal. One would have thought that if anything teaches humility it'd be death, but apparently this was not the case with this one.

Obey or I will destroy you!

The great god of life looked at the tiny mortal. It had started as amusing, now it was starting to grow tedious.

I do not believe you appriciate the gravity of the situation mortal, I am the god of life and you are the dead. I am under no obligation to obey you nor assume responsibilty over you.

The drow was beginning to speak, but the god of life drew a thin line in the air with his left index finger and the mouth of the drow sealed itself shut. As if it had been stitched together by an invisble force.

But I will oblige you, little dead. Just like all life will eventually die, so too will I make the dead to be born again.

The drow looked at him in disbelief and then, as Nephyr Tagae, allowed him to speak again he raised his arms in triumph.

But I will not allow you to carry your memories and experiences with you as you enter the cycle of life again. Just as you did the last time you will begin with nothing, not even a name. Instead I will use your experiences and deeds throughout life to judge you and place you in a body you have earned.

The good will be granted a easy life with power so that you can guide the rest of your kind to better futures. The wicked will have to live in a life with hard labour and servitude, so that it will make a impression upon you and you will never harm beings in your future lives.

The drow looked disappointed that he would not remember, but he also looked assured that he would earn a life of luxury and power over the drow. Before himself, Nephyr Tagae created a great bowl and a teacan both in oerfect porceland and then he moved his hand over the drow and picked his tiny little heart out. The god of life put the heart in the teacan and with a clap of his hands filled it with water that boiled, turning into a tea.

He then lifted the tea and drank it, savouring the taste and thinking to himself.

I have decided drow-man, your life is one of many misdeeds and as such I have decided that you shall be born again as a Sahuagin of the lower castes.

The drow opened his mouth to protest and curse the god, but as the great being waved with his hand he started to forget who he was. In a instant his memories, experiences and skills vanished and he felt how everything turned dark around him. Soon he would be born again, in all but essence a completely new being and he would lead his life as a Sahuagin servant, completely unaware of his previous existance.

The great god of life proceeded to judge each and every one of the souls that had come to him, judging them and sending them to a new life to be reborn. Some as heirs to great houses, some as servants. Some as animals and some as monstrous beasts. They would live their lives again and upon their second death they would die and he would judge them.

Even if they forgot Nephyr Tagae believed they would always take some emotion or experience with them, slowly becoming better individuals until the day he would not have to judge them ever again. But that day was far off in the coming millenias.

He sat and smiled to himself as the last of souls was reborn, soon more would come he was sure. He would judge them and give them new births. But for now he resumed his search for the other gods, for no reason other than curiosity.

Spoiler

Show

Create concept: Reincarnation
4 DP - 4 DP = 0 DP
0 DP

[Xuincherguixe]

Seeing how quickly the humans were advancing, the thought occurred to Kalmah that really what these people need is something to drive them forward, and make themselves better in facing adversity. They needed challenges.

Removing his helm, he strikes his own forehead with his golden glove of power. Drawing blood. With a flick of the wrist, he states, "My own blood, drawn through suffering. Rise up and walk this space without surface. Travel to the stars, and inspire greatness in others.

(That's your queue Mworag)


A few moments after the last soul has been reincarnated, there is a sudden crash, and flash of light.

"So, I got to thinking..." Kalmah states, as his form manifests in the light.

"It's not that I particularly mind reincarnation and all. And those who wrong others should have to face consequences for their actions. But what this all seems kind of arbitrary, and very subject to opinion.

Good, Evil? What do these words really mean anyways? I mean, it's all pretty subjective.

And no offense, but don't you think it's a bit much to declare yourself supreme arbiter of right and wrong? Every culture is a little bit different. Every individual is a little bit different.

Seems to me that you need someone who can look past themselves, and make decisions without bias. A judge in otherwords.

Not me of course. I am pretty biased. But I can leave you a few."

[Xealot7]

Mworag

From the spark of Kalmah did Mworag spring, as the droplets of blood were scattered about the Astral. From Law was Mworag created, and from Law would he pursue his agenda.

"But, first I must observe the others, to see their motives, to determine what makes them so powerful."

And watch he did, for what would seem an eternity were not the Astral timeless. When the time had come that Mworag decided to let his presence be know, he transformed from the tiny spark that he had been, into a Magnificent, Powerful, creature. A creature of nobility and of strength. A creature of cunning and great endurance. Mworag took on the likeness of a creature never before seen in this world, and that form was good. A Minotaur, Mworag thought, for truly this is the only form, worthy of a god.

And with a Mighty roar from his new body, Mworag proclaimed to all;

"I have watched you, and observed, and I have found that we are all the same. We are all of the same spark, thought it may draw upon different powers. I will prove myself before you all. However, what is success, if obtained through deceit?"

Mworag could not contain his eagerness, he was many things, but patient was not one of them.

"Before I create the perfect race, I must have the perfect place for them to dwell."

And with that Mworag raised his muscular arms and to his left a hilly expanse of forest was formed, and to his right, gentle plains.

Shape Land x2: 0DP = 2DP-2DP.

[shadowmage]

Wastelands of Duma

Setting the Mithril and Adamantium to the sides he selects a hammer as he picks up the sphere of mixed metals and studies it for a time, looking to see how the shapes lay in the sphere, already about ten strikes into the forging in his head. Nodding to himself he sets the sphere down and strike. Sparks fly with each strike, streaking across the Astral into the night sky.

Mortal World

Down on the earth races world wide look up into the night sky watching the meteor shower streaking across it. Many thinking it is some portent and study it looking for a hidden meaning to the sudden appearance of the shooting stars.

Wastelands of Duma

With quick sure perfect strokes a form start to take shape, Larger then Dor`nath but of the same form, it still only comes up to about Deth's knee. Another strange thing is the sphere never shrinks a bit no mater how much of the new figure forms. Soon a fully formed Clockwork Scorponar stands besides the anvil. Deth does not even stop before starting to form the next one, just nodding to the side where the clockwork move to stand awaiting the next order. So it goes till Deth has a force of 20 clockworks standing to one side awaiting orders. Setting aside the first sphere he picks up the Mithril sphere and begins to forge handles for the coming tool.

Mortal World

Down on earth as dawn approaches the meteor shower intensifies. as metals seeds all the lands, the metals of the first sphere common through out the lands, but most abundant in the Badlands where his people live. The Mithril rarer through out the lands, even though once again there is more to be found in the badlands then any where else, it is still rare and will require great skill to mine and work.

Wastelands of Duma

Deth begins to work on the Adamantium tool heads. Each stroke forming a perfectly balance work of art. So he has 20 tool heads laying beside 20 tool handles. With quick deft moves he assembles the tools and hands each work of art to a clockwork. With out a word from Deth the start to climb up the stairs.

Black Sun

For once like enters this land as a meteor shower crosses it's sky. Not as bright as the one that filled the sky of the world, but all the brighter for lack of light. Few seeing the meteors of silver and black that struck the land and any that would come after would not notice the new scares on the land. So Deth gave the gift of Mithril and Adamantium to the Black Sun. Mithril would be as common as in the Badlands, which is not to say there would truly be much, But even more rare and only mine able and workable by those god taught by Deth him self was even rarer. Left in the sky were meteors of Adamantium, left there for chance or destiny to pull to earth. Who knew when it might be needed.

Wastelands of Duma

Deth followed the clockworks into the chosen room and watched as they began to dig, carving a stair as they go. Deep in the castle Haggard knew the construction he demanded had begun as the Wastelands began to rebel against the act of creation. Wastelandquakes shook the castle but did not seem to bother the clockworks as they clung to the tunnel walls. Some deepening the shaft, others coming behind strengthening the walls and 2 following behind carving scenes of Deth at work in his forge to strengthen the walls even more with the images of creation in progress, besides what one creates must be more then just useful to be perfect, it should also be pleasing to look upon.

(0DP=1DP-1DP Shape land: Create metals)

[Greystone]

Lustrianna awoke and sat up. She had no idea from whence she came but knew what she was, and that she was on the material plane. The blue woman stood and looked around. A desert surrounded her. A frown quirked her lips, this simply would not do.

A blue glow shimmered around her and lush jungle and verdant rivers and grasslands jumped up around her and began to spread. The work was difficult, especially with her mind still muddled from... the nothingness.

She shrugged and smiled slightly, she would soon be a mother and her children would need a place to sleep...

Spoiler

Show

I use 1 DP to make the surrounding 100 miles a lush Rainforest, complete with River. Will animals automatically be added to the forest?

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion

Deth's assistant, scuttles to Haggard, At first Haggard was about to swat it away, when he realizes that it is carrying a message for him. He quickly grabs Dor`nath and unbinding the message proceeds to read it. Behind his mask, Haggard's eyes narrow as he considers the message... Deth had made alterations to his plans? Haggard makes a mental note that he would have to double check the project to ensure that Deth didn't somehow make an alteration that would affect the contraption's nature... or even worst... sabotage. Haggard throws Dor'nath away, not really caring if the ingenious little helper would be damaged in anyway.

Without saying a word, Haggard gets up and slowly makes his way through the castle, to the room where Deth had prepared what Haggard had ordered. Upon reaching the room, Haggard looks at the finished project in amazement, truly, he had not expected to be so magnificent. Haggard silently congratulates himself for being able to dream up such wonders. In his mind it had nothing to do with the fact that Deth had put all his effort into its creation, and had actually perfected it with his alterations.

The contraption was large, as it dwarfed Haggard himself, filling the room which could easily fit thousands of people. What was the most remarkable was the huge arc-like structural which dominated the whole room, and several pipes which led deep into the ground. After making sure that everything was ready, Haggard chuckles to himself.

"Now then... let us start this thing up!"

He points his staff towards the machine and barks out the word of command which would get it to start, a word only Haggard knew and wouldn't reveal to anyone. All of a sudden, the contraption comes to life as runes all over start glowing in ominous colours, and ghastly noise which sounds like wailing fills the room. All of a sudden, there is a massive earthquake which rocks the Ashen Bastion to its very foundation. Indeed, even outside in the Wastelands, the ground was shifting violently, as if reacting to Haggard activating the contraption.

As the earthquake continued to rock the entire wastelands, Haggard starts laughing to himself

"Not so pleasant having a part of your soul ripped out, is it Duma? Don't worry though fool, I only took a small part of it to get this thing started. You should be feel honoured though!"

After, several minutes of violent shaking, the earthquakes are finally over, giving Haggard some time to think

"What should I name this? Hmmm.... perhaps a nice sinister name... after all it is a tradition for great deities to give such names... but then again... Haggard does not follow trends... he makes them... thus no fancy name is needed for this... machine..."

(DP 4= 9-5, Create Artifact, The Machine, a blesser)

Haggard looks at the Machine in wonderment, and behind a mask he gives a grin.

"Now then, the Machine may have been activated, but it needs far more power... I do believe it's time for me to initiate the next phase of my plan..."

Malthrae

It had been several times that Malthrae had met secretly with the acolytes deep within the catacombs of the great city of Ur-Priests, today was going to be the last time. Malthrae looks at the half dozen acolytes and says coldly

"Are you sure you weren't followed?"

"Have we ever failed you? No, you trust us, which is why we are here... Lord Haggard..." says one of the cocky acolytes

"Silence fool or I shall shut your mouth for you... remember , if you are caught revealing that I am a god, you will also be arrested for heresy, however it will be your word against that of your king."

Indeed, Malthrae had been spending time sinking his influence deep within the Ur Brotherhood. Already he has corrupted the brotherhood to such extent that Malthrae has slowly started to reveal his true identity as Haggard to people which he found he could sway to his cause, in return for power of course... silly mortals always craved power. These new batches of acolytes were pretty easy to sway, those who weren't, met unfortunate accidents.

"My apologies... lord Malthrae... anyway, we did your bidding, and those within the Brotherhood who opposed your authority... found an unfortunate end..."

"Yeah poison within their food would do that..." chuckles one of the acolytes

"Good good! You have served me well! And those who serve me well will find themselves handsomely rewarded. So tell me, when we first met, I had offered you the possibility of having power and immortality... do you still want it?"

All the acolytes nod their head in agreement

"Good... but before we start... I feel the need to congratulate you on a job well done... drinks for everyone!"

All of a sudden, golden goblets appear in the hands of each acolytes and that of Malthrae. Grabing his goblet Malthrae raises it towards the others and says

"To my glorious reign!" and knocks his drink back

The acolytes reply the same, and do like wise. All of a sudden, the acolytes find themselves writhing on the ground as they find their bodies failing them. Malthrae had poisoned them.

"Come now, the more you resist it, the more you extend your suffering. Oh don't give me that look, I did not betray you, I will keep my promise to give you power and immortality... but first I need you to shed your mortal body... don't worry I shall be there to greet you on the other side!"

With that Malthrae walks out on the dying acolytes and returns to his office, as if nothing had ever happened. While the glorious Drow nation was still floating on the Elemental sea, the land they had still did allow them to expand.

(Drow use Tier 2 action, Build City, raising FP to 5)

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion

Haggard waiting besides the Machine. Soon his plan would be complete. The souls of those foolish Drow acolytes would soon be arriving, and he would fulfil his promise of giving them power and immortality, by feeding their souls to the Machine as fuel. Thanks to these foolish mortals, Haggard calculated that within a few hundred years, his Machine would give him unlimited power, to the extend that everyone, mortal and deity alike would have to kneel infront of his magnificence. The only thing missing was those souls, who should be arriving here any minuite now.

... any minuite now...

... any minuite now...

"Abyss! What is taking those idiots so long!" Yells Haggard as he gets tired of waiting. Naturally, Haggard had no way of knowing that another meddling god had created the concept of reincarnation, or that the Drow souls had gone to Nephyr Tagae for judgement.

"Did they get lost along the way?" Haggard asks himself, as he focuses into the Astral Sky, and finds it strangely void of any souls which used to wander around aimlessly there. Behind his mask Haggard frowns, seems there were some unexpected complications with his plan.

"This is not good at all! I need to get to the bottom of this..." he mutters to himself.

Malthrae

Sitting in his office, Malthrae is busy reading certain scrolls. All of a sudden, he rings the bell for his servant to come. Obediently, the servant enters the room and says nothing, only bowing low and waiting for Malthrae to give him a command.

"Tell me... did you have a good meal?"

The servant is taken aback by the question and repies

"Y-yes my lord..." his answer is cut short as a beam of energy goes through his head, killing him on the spot.

Malthrae, still having his raised finger smoking, folds up the scroll and says

"Good, you were a good servant, and I didn't want you to go with an empty stomach." Malthrae looks at the body. Shame really, he was a good servant, but at least he would now serve a greater purpose than brining him food and drink, as Haggard watches the soul of the dead servant leave its body and head its destination.

The Astral Sky

As Nephyr Tagae and Kalmah are talking about judgement, the air around the Astral Sky becomes bitterly cold, as the surrounding area always does when ever Haggard arrives.

"What is the meaning of this? Who dares meddle with what belongs to me?"

Demands Haggard, his eyes seething with anger.

[Xuincherguixe]

Kalmah, Astral Sea

"I was wondering when you'd show up shouting. Really, you're like a small spoiled child. One of these days you're going to have to accept that not everything belongs to you."

He pause a moment, "Oh, and I may as well respond to your inevitable claims that everything does in fact belong to you. Really, it doesn't.

I'm going to hazard a guess and assume that you are infuriated that the souls of the people you have manipulated, lied to, threatened, abused, and harassed have thanks to some small mercy escaped from you."

Looking towards Nephyr Tagae, "Huh. Interesting side benefit. Also I pretty much just explained why we really do need some kind of review system here. Doesn't seem particularly fair to have someone reborn an ugly prostitute because this guy over here made him kill and eat his parents." without facing him, Kalmah points a thumb at Haggard.

[Shmee]

Haggard, with Kalmah and Nephyr Tagae

Haggard is seething that Kalmah dared to turn his back at him. Haggard slowly hobbles behind Kalmah, and whispers in his ear

"I do not claim everything... quite the opposite... I only claim one thing... power! You can keep all the rest..."

Kalmah could not help but feel the cold radiating from Haggard. With that Haggard walks in between Kalmah and Nephyr Tagae.

"And I ask, you accuse me of manipulating people... and yes.. I admit it... I lie, I cheat, I steal and get what I want... but aren't you the ones manipulating souls, regardless of their free will? Aren't you the ones who steal souls which don't belong to you? I claim the authority which rightfully belongs to me... what authority do you have to judge? Is it only because you say so? Why, it seems to me, that at least I am honest about my true nature, while you two youngsters still haven't discovered yours..."

[Xuincherguixe]

Acting as if Haggard hadn't said a word, Kalmah states, "So yeah, that's pretty much how I see it. It seems to me that we should address the problematic aspects of reincarnation sooner rather than later. The longer they persist, the more harmful it is likely to be."

[Shmee]

Of course seeing that Kalmah wasn't answering was getting Haggard very angry, no one ignores him and gets away with it.

"Very well, you choose to ignore me. You ignore Haggard at your own peril. Let us see then. Perhaps I should bring so much suffering onto the world... yes... pain and suffering of unparalleled proportion. You wish to give these poor unfortunate souls a measure of mercy."

"Lets see how merciful you will look when by death the mortals seek to escape the fear and dangers the world... only to find themselves being sent back... again and again... oh I can see it now, the very mortals you seek to protect will spit at you and curse your name. And I will take exceptional pleasure in seeing your precious humans turn against you."

Grinning behind his mask he concludes

"I shall see to it... personally... let's see you ignore that..."

[Rainshine]

Ehlid... Ehlid left his people to freedom. His mind had other plans, and so his hands were working them. But the people were not still.

Isle of Nomads
The people did not have an easy time of it, by any means. For first matters, when one met with another, there was no guarentees they could speak. From all around the world, there were different dialects. There were elves, who spoke completely differently. No, the early days were not easy.

But they perservered. Strangers met and joined forces, camping at night. Two became four, four became eight. As people grouped, leaders emerged. In the first year of the people, there were many leaders. In the east, there rose one. He had been the first to make a nightlight, a term used for a sort of sign of hospitality. A nightlight was made by burning a certain type of rock dust, it produced a red tinted smoke that could be seen for quite some distance. After that, the red smoke meant a camp that was accepting visitors. His camp quickly grew into a band, which grew to be the largest on the island, slowly treading their way. People came and left, but the man, called Kem-nath, lead the people. He noticed skills and talents that sometimes the people themselves did not even know they had. When an argument over watch duty or anything else arose, it was Kem-nath who cooled heads, arbitrated, and led. No one knew his history, and no one asked. That was the way of the Isle. Past was past, and you were free. When his small band first encountered an elf, Kem-nath sat down and began to work. Food and water, then pointing and words. The band was open to all who came. Soon, the elf began to learn the tongues of human, and several humans started to understand the elf. It was the start of something far larger, and a case of something that would happen all over the Isle.

Then, the Gift was found.

[shadowmage]

Badlands

The Scorponar are going about their life. They had chosen that the young shall be raised by the community. This had been decided due to the first births. It was a time of great celebration with dancing around the fire and singing, until someone looking closely noticed that the new baby that it was not born with a name scribed on it's leg, nor any history on it's tail. There was much sadness then for none had been able to add anything to their own shells. The first was thought to be malformed till others were born and they were all the same.So they had come to the understand that even thought all lived in a cave alone, that they would work as one toward the good of the community, that started with the raising of the young. This proved to ease the burden of everyone.

They used very crude tools and weapons. Little better then sharp sticks and stones they had picked up. They were hunter gathers, having a natural knack for building small traps to catch some of the prey, most of which were small scorpions. But one day a lone hunter named Rath`nacnar ranged father then any other had before and ran into a creature he had never seen before. It only had 4 legs and no carapace but hair over all of it's body. It had a rather large body with a big hump in the back and a long neck. It did not seem to be intelligent for it roamed into areas that he knew one should be more careful of. Climbing up the side of a cliff he slowly worked his way down till he was over the big brute that was at least twice his size before dropping down on it. Striking with his stinger and sharpened stick. Surprise is the only that that let him get the kill.

Pulling a sharpened rock out from a small shell pouch he had he started to clean his kill and packing as much of the meat on his back for the trip back. Thinking he would need to figure out a way to carry more stuff on his back. He did come up with the idea of using the skin to wrap the meats up and that would help for now. Again there was much celebration for never had anyone returned with so much meat before.

Then one day disaster struck, the first illness struck the Scorponar. At first a rash appeared down the left side of a few. Covering most of their arm and front to legs, soon after then lost strength and were confined to their caves cared for by others.

Ashen Bastion Basement

Deth stands down in his his workshop, the Clockwork Workers all standing against one wall when he hears a noise. Looking over he sees Dor`nath coming down the stairs, his left arm and 2 front left legs broken. Walking over he carefully pick it up. What happened? Did the Dumaquake cause this? It must have. Walking over to anvil Deth pulls out a small hammer and begins to work on Dor`nath. Quickly repairing his legs and arm, with fine sure confident strokes.

Badlands

After a few weeks of bed rest the sick started to rapidly gain strength. They are forever weaker then they were before the illness as if something lingered still. They were also forever looked down on for not being as good as they were once. Nothing was never spoke out loud about it, but their option never carried as much weight nor were they able to earn the respect of others nor did they get to mate again.

Ashen Bastion Basement/ Astral Space

Finally finished with Dor`nath repairs, Deth feels the need to go and see what other gods and goddess have been up to. He walks through Ashen Bastion toward the entrance hall. Stepping out to the Wastelands he looks around before willing himself out into the Astral. Looking around at the gray mist he wills a flickering flame to appear above one shoulder. Casting a flicking red forge like light around him, that can be noticed from a long distance off. He begins to wonder to see whom he will run into and what he can see of the world below.

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - The Astral sky, close to Haggard and Kalmah

The god of life studied the pair arguing back and forth from his sitting position, looking back and forth between them as they spoke. He had been right when he suspected he would meet the gods sooner or later, he just did not expect that him reincarnating the unwanted souls would have been the trigger. As they both quieted down with the threat from Haggard Nephyr Tagae stood up in one motion and held out his hand as a greeting to the eldest of the two others.

Greetings, sir. I am Nephyr Tagae, the cycle of life.

He waited for a moment for Haggard to respond to the greeting before he turned to Kalmah and offered him his hand.

Greetings, sir

He then straightened his back and with a flick of his hand the porcelain teacan and mug vanished. He then brushed his robes slightly and then gazed at them with his burning white eyes.

It is indeed a rather interesting situation for me to meet two of my elders. Doubly so since you both arrived as I assumed responsibility over the dead that has been gathering around me ever since my creation completely ignored by any other divine beings.

The god of life was certain the irony would not be lost on the two elders. He looked between the two before he calmly turned himself to Kalmah

To begin with your concerns, I do not judge completely arbitarily, as the souls arrive before me. I take their hearts and judge them based on their own memories and experiences.

For example a man who would steal food from his neighbour to feed his starving family after carefully having exhausted his other options will not be judged as harshly by some other souls would.

I can understand your concerns that it would be unfair and biased. But I ask you, would not all judges be biased in some way? I do have the benefit to witness and feel the position of a mortal through the merit of my powers.

The god of life then turned towards the latter arrival of the two.

To adress your concerns, sir. I did not take what belonged to you. They came to me since they had been abandoned long after the end of their lives. Most of them had been following me around ever since I was born.

They sought my help to return to life and I gave it after some consideration, giving them a second chance in life after having removed every memory and experience.

All of those of your people that I judged and gave new births died a long time ago, I suspect it takes the dead some time to locate me. The astral sky is not easy to navigate in even as a god, a mortal would have a even greater challenge.

During all this time they searched for a fate after death you did not aid them in their search, so they seem to have sought the only thing that reminded them of life.