Lords of Creation - What Shall Be (IC)

[Malfunctioned]

There was the void. It was all there was and filled every part of existence that there could ever be and yet it never existed at all. It was everything that ever could be and everything that could not and from the void rose Tasrif. He saw the void and it was not to his liking. He willed himself to change and he did. He felt his self becoming real, corporeal.

Tasrif became real. As his own material formed it flowed, it then spread outwards, forming a vast flat ring in the void. That was when Tasrif found out his mistake. He could not exist as both body and soul but he couldn't not bring himself to destroy what he had first created. To solve his problem he did the only thing he could at this point, he released his soul. His aspect, the parts of him, left the sphere. Some of them shot like rockets through the void, others flowed like water and some merely came to be.

These were all his children.
These were his aspects.
These were gods.
They are you.

[Emperor Demonking]

Sam, The Void

Sam floated in the void not conscious of what was going around him as a bench started to come out of nowhere to prop Sam up. The bench started to get larger until eventually is started to encase him. Those that were looking from the outside would see a quite normal ship floating in space and hurtling towards the planet. Sam, on the other hand, had no idea at all of what was going on.

AP = 17 = 20 -3 (Airship Artifact.)

[Kogan Urufu]

Aevum, the Void.
Aevum slowly became aware of his surroundings, he had no idea of where he was or how he came to be there. Around him, all he could sense was deep, dark emptyness. He looked at himself and saw only raw, primordial energy, swirling masses of reds, golds, violets, all colours of the rainbow and more. Focusing his conciousness the energy coalesed into something more substantial, a body, strong and tough. Humanoid in stature but with the visage of a noble beast. He opened sky-blue eyes and looked around, there were others like him in this void, and yet, they were different, unique.

Exploring his abilities he found that he could move through the void as he wished, the raw primordial energy that had spawned his being was still thick and flowing, easilly malleable with but a simple thought. He gazed upon the barren empty ring that made up the only substantial feature in the void. Smiling to himself he saw the potential in such a place and set to work.

First, he would need some light to work by and to warm the ring, focusing on the aether around him he formed in his hand a tiny spark, burning with a bright light and growing ever more intese with each second. Carefully he set the ball to move around the outter edge of the ring, lighting the land and bringing warmth to the void.
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Okay, first action is to create a sun, stop those stupid "Before the Sun" things with the elves.

AP: 20-3 (I'm guessing the sun would count as a major artifact) = 17 Left.

[Emperor Demonking]

Sam, The Void

The Airship suddenly turned and started to move towards the newly created sun. The turn caused Sam to bump his head against the wall and awake. He looked around at his surrounding and smirked. Picking up a harpoon, he started to make his way to the deck. On deck, the first thing he spied was the sun. "We're going to catch that we will. Go faster ship, all sails to set sail."

Looking around, he noticed that there was nobody to follow his will, though the ship itself followed his will to the letter. Not letting it phase him he merely got ready with his harpoon. As his eyes focused on the sun, he started to smell the scent of burning wood. Looking down, he noticed that the front of the ship was getting charred. He continued for a moment, but eventually realized that at that rate gthe whole ship would be in cinders, he merely threw his harpoon at the sun and then turned towards the planet.

The harpoon flew true at the sun but merely going through it (Its divineness allowing it to survive) and hit the planet. When Sam got to the planet, he noticed the harpoon and decided to land there. The Airship still flew but it was tethered to the harpoon.

[Vulaas]

Algidus, the Void

Shivering.

It seems a bit ignoble for the first thing a newly formed god to be doing is to notice how damnably cold it is, but there it is. However, something felt...right with the cold, how the chill of the disc permeated the realm. A strange creation was noticed, though, along sky, some sort of ship floating through the planes.

"Curious," thought Algidus.

Then the sun appeared, a bright orb hanging there, causing most terrible pains in his eyes. Algidus blinked, drew breath, created a flute for his convenience, and let forth into the void the first song, naming Clouds, and forming a light snowstorm over the lands to help preserve it from the harsh light of the sun.

Actions:
Start: 20AP
Create Artifact "The Twisted Flute" (3AP)
Form Weather: Snowstorms [Form land?] (1AP)

End: 16AP

[Emperor Demonking]

Sam, the Planet

Sam looked at the sky and saw the clouds. He noticed them and approved of them, for the most part, but it was important that this spot, Sam's Spot, would not be covered by clouds and should be seeable by Sam however far away he was. Not wanting to disturb the work of a fellow god. He tapped his harpoon and the biggest mountain was formed, towering over thye clouds themselves.

From the mountain he noticed that he couldn't see the rest of the world. Still not wanting to have a direct affect he created the great Dire birds to pierce the louds. Also for appearence sake he created the normal birds.

AP = 12 = 17 - 1 (shape land) - 2 (Dire Birds) - 2 (Birds)

[BloodyAngel]

Asharra: The Void

For ages, it had been nothing. Felt nothing. It was one with the void and the void one with it, as it all should be. It basked in the sensation of being part of all of existence at once, and let itself be gently rocked on the ebbs and flows of utter nothingness.

Then something changed, and the void began to take shape... reminding it of a time when it too had a shape. For a time, it seethed, resisting the change for as long as possible. It did not want to remember. It did not want to perceive. It wanted the bliss of oblivion for all of eternity. As more and more changed, it could not help itself. It was nothing... the cast off remains of creation that had never been... but once again, it was taking form. As the blazing sun formed of the nothing, it could not resist any further. It screamed across the void as the light burned it, and it was forced to allow her to return.

She looked across the reborn world and decided it did not suit her. It would make for a fine toy, but for her it was not home. As creation took shape, she reached to the void and caused a tear... creating a smaller, separate place untouched by the will of any but herself. A lightless worth of writhing darkness given form... where the light of the sun could not stray. In this world she could exist as she was meant to... and plan.

OOC notes

Spoiler

Show

Sunlight is anathema to Asharra's normal form, so she's making the abyss. The abyss is something like one might expect the realm of Dagon, or the deepest parts of the ocean. (In fact, the deepest parts of the ocean might be places that connect to the Abyss, but I won't step on the toes of the sea god)

The Abyss will be a thick, lightless sea, full of monstrous almost formless creatures that exist outside creation. It is the only place Asharra can take on her true form without reality itself railing against it... and it will be where she births all the horrible abominations she's going to make. But, one thing at a time.

And you have no idea how tempted I was to call it Ry'leh

Deity Action: Create plane - The Abyss 3pts (Down to 17)

[Kogan Urufu]

Aevum, the Void.
Aevum watched as the odd shaped object flew across the void and cast some object, a harpoon was it? at the sun, which laughably flew straight through the other side. He watched as the ship hovered near the place where the harpoon landed and heard the first trace of sound.

The melodic tune seemed to create vast clouds and snowstorms, cooling the land beneath his harsh sun. He nodded slightly in approval, the world would need protection from the sun's radience afterall. Stepping forwards he approached the veil between the void and this new world, finding the going difficult, reality warped and bent as he tried to move, the feeling like walking through thick marshland. Looking around he stepped back, realizing the world was yet too fragile for him to step directly upon it he watched from afar.
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OOC: That's how he worked out Lesser Deities can't manifest on the material plane XD

No AP Spent though, still 17.

[Moose Fisher]

The Planet

The black void conceals much from the eyes of creation. A slab, nearly as black as the void, sped toward the fresh world. The light of the sun reflected off its surface, and the colors of existence revealed the foreign object.

A stream of fire and the sound of cracking earth filled the span of a few seconds, leaving dust to settle. The force of the impact dented the world, creating the Valley of Legend.

The slab stood erect in the center of the valley, and will stand for ages. Light reflects off its angles, water and grime sliding down its surface. The forces of nature cannot wear down the slab, the strange etchings remaining crystal clear.

A prophecy was written on the slab. The letters are strange, carved by unknown hands. Those who look upon the slab know the meaning of it's words:

"One shall rise and face force known as god. Through the Great Hero shall mortality be known."

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3ap (Create Artifact: Slab of Prophecy)
1ap (Shape Land: Valley of Legend)
16ap = 20-3-1

[BloodyAngel]

Asharra Valar - The Abyss

Yes. Here it could dwell as it should. Untroubled by the forces of creation outside her new abyssal home, Asharra thought. It had been so long since she had been free to do so. What was more, she remembered... thinking back to a time before. This was not the first time she had awoken... nor would it be the last. While her fellow gods concerned themselves with creation, she set herself to another task.

In the darkness of her new home, Asharra forced life from herself. The creatures were small at first, and perfectly suited to their dark home, but they would grow. They would be her memory, never forgetting... always seeing, and learning. Passing all that they knew to their offspring, and when they perished, all that they knew would pass to her. The firstborn creatures slid forth into the abyss and swam, their eyes scanning the eternal dark as they moved through their new world.

You are Aboleth. The firstborn. She told them, though she yet had no voice, And you will ever serve me by existing.

Letting her children wander and explore, she set about creating another race that would suit her. They would slip amongst creation unseen, and they would serve her from amidst the very heart of that which she did not control. She did not yet know what the other gods would create, so she gave her new creation the power to wear the flesh of others, and walk amongst creation in their guise. The small creatures emerged from the bulk of their mother's unfathomable form, and she spoke to them as well.

You are Tsochari. She told them in her wordless voice, You will spread far and wide, wearing the husks of others... but always will you serve me. Through you, I will control even that which is not mine.

The small creatures scattered to their task... though there was nothing yet for them to claim as theirs. That would come soon enough. While they wandered, she resumed her task of creation. The last race she created would bear a form like the one she had once worn... but more suited to her new purpose. They emerged into existence as a cloud of the tiniest creatures... small tadpoles tipped in writhing tendrils. Soon, they would be more however... as their very existence would depend on others.

You will be the Illithid. She told them, You will grow and you will spread, but you will ever depend on others for life. You will control the dark places, and you will claim for me the other beings that the gods create, so I may study them. And when I am done... you may feed.

As they swam forth into the abyss, Asharra paused to rest. Outside, the world had grown in her absence. Perhaps, it was time to explore it.

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God Actions!
Create Populace (Aboleths, Tsochari and what will eventually be Illithids) 2 pts

Remaining AP: 15

[Lady Tialait]

Darrmoon, the Void

The void was a thing of nothing. Nothing was there not hunger, not joy, not even breath. The void was nothing. It WAS nothing, the actions of Tasrif created a purpose to the universe, an order. There could not be a 'nothing' there had to be something. The Void's nature was brought into question. Reality would reel, however, it did not. The fragments known as the 'Gods' went to start their projects, save one. One fused with the void and felt the power of nothing....and the void hungered.

A maw emerged from the void two rending claws ripping reality and grasping for material. A mass of pink and red spewed forth, it was Darrmoon. The creature's maw gaped for food, for something to fill the hunger left to the void. His inheritance was hunger, to starve for all eternity.

The Abyss

Darrmoon walked the Abyss' depths looking for something to eat, seeing an Aboleth taking it into his hungry maw the creature's slime dripping down the sides of the monstrous God's chin. A scream was forced from the creature as Darrmoon closed his mouth and then swallowed.

"More!"

Darrmoon glared about looking for another creature to eat. His hunger over-took his mind as he feasted on all the creatures he could grab.

[Ganurath]

Artis

The goddess simply observed, at first. This ring had so much potential, potential that could be tapped into. It was like a blank canvas, patiently awaiting the inspired mind that would cast a work of art upon it. There was more potential than even a deific mind could comprehend... So, she would make more minds.

First, however, she would need to make a land for them to inhabit. A vast expanse of ocean made an ideal location to begin from, coming down to the ring to float in the air, observing the flow of creation around her. Pulling out a paintbrush and summoning a series of floating paint jars, she began her work. Where she painted, land was made, suspended in thought until willed into reality.

The currents of the waters flowed westward, the warmth of dawn daily driving the air on with the expansion of heat. A mountain range was painted along the western shore of the new continent, hooking along the north to catch the moist air and keep it inland. A forest was painted along the northern half amidst hills, drawing sustenance from the trapped current. The excess water would flow among the hills southward, branching into a delta in the warmer southern plains.

Upon completing the portrait, the goddess smiled, and the image was willed into reality. She would let the inevitable inhabitants give it a proper name, in time. For now, however, she would call it... Hope.

((Action: Create Land, Nourish Land
AP: 17))

[Goglas]

Enki, Hope

The water god was born in motion and sleep. Shooting out of Tasrif, the world-god, he flew across the water with immense speed, never stopping, unaware of his surroundings, or even himself.
Time moved on, every second like a life-time of dreams, until he hit the first earth, hard.

Rubbing his head in an effort to numb the pain, Enki stood up and stretched his limbs. "That was a very good rest!" he proclaimed to the world.

Looking around, he saw a great big patch of earth in front of him, with a large river cutting through it, nourishing the plains and the forests beyond. Behind him, above his endless oceans, he saw a woman, clad in leather and iron, painting, giving form to the beautiful creation in front of him.
He walked upon this earth, right beside the river, and drank of it deeply. His beard got soaked in water, and dozens of small water-drops fell to the earth beneath his feet.

From these drops, more beings came to be. The first were blueish-white, formless, floating across the air and into the river. The second took form, like Hope's maker, only (PG13: mostly) naked, their skins green or blue, and played with the spirits.
The third took many forms, some wearing armor, some nothing at all, and swam deep into the rivers of Hope, calling them their home, gaining power from Enki's water.

The water god smiled, and turned to the woman with the brush. "Come and join us," he called out, waving.

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20 - 2 = 18 AP left.
Create populace: Water Spirits, Water Nymphs, River Gods.

[Emperor Demonking]

Sam, the Planet

Sam looked at what the other gods were doing to the planet from his perch at the top of the mountain. He looked down and noticed that along with his giant birds he also created the Griffon and the Arrowhawk. He was content with the Griffon, despite its four legs but was most intrigued by the Arrowhawk, and how it never appeared to touch the ground.

Sam decided that those who he favoured would do likewise. They would live on his ship from birth to death. He untied the ship and moved it closer to Hope, leaving his giant beasts behind, to look at the water creatures created by Enki. He shook his head at the sight of them not deeming them worthy.

AP = 12 (Creatures paid for in last turn.)

[Ganurath]

Artis

The woman raised a brow at the bearded man, bringing inhabitants to Hope. They weren't the sort of beings that she had intended for the continent, but their contribution to the land wasn't an unwelcome one. She saw the creator of these beings waving her down, and she held up a single finger. "In a moment."

Continuing her work with the paintbrush, Artis began adding communities to the forested areas. There were buildings on the ground in clearings, but most of the facilities were treehouses connected by walkways. As she painted, she let flecks of green land where they would in these communities. When she willed the towns into being, these green flecks became a people, the Faeli. Nodding in approval, she was suddenly at the bearded god's side. <Greater Teleport.>

From her new vantage point, she would observe the interactions between her devotees and the bearded god's spirits. The Faeli were herbivores, so they wouldn't have aggressive instincts beyond the need for self defense, so odds are the interactions would be peaceful. "I've been calling it Hope for now, but ultimately the choice of name falls with the Faeli. I'm Artis, by the way."

Actions: Create Populace, Nourish Populace
AP: 14

[Shmee]

Something, the Void

None can tell for sure where life and consciousness begins, yet for this one, its own life was an unforeseeable side affect of the initial creation. However, even an event such as existence was not enough to fully awaken this entity, and so it remained in stasis as the deities continued to morph existence in pure bliss.

Upon the material plane, the world continued to morph, with new land being born, and new creatures being created. Until one fateful day, a simple dove, amongst the first creatures, reaching the end of it's cycle, fell from the skies and landing on the ground, remained motionless, as its soul left the body and raced to the Void.

An insignificant event in the grander schemes of things... except that the violent sundering between the physical body and the soul sent a shock-wave, silent and undetectable to all but something residing within the Void.

It seemed liked a fine colourless mist, floating aimlessly in the vast void, when all of a sudden, it felt the little bird's passing. At first, one could have detected the slightest of trembling within the mist, as its colours started to change at a faster rate, until the mist had turned into a red cloud. From within the cloud, a noise could be heard... almost as if it was speaking

"That feeling... so exhilarating..."

Hardly able to contain itself, the entity turned its gaze towards the material plane, and seeing the world filling with life it says with a shivering voice

"More... I demand more death!"

Thus spoke the living incarnation of death.

[BloodyAngel]

Asharra: The Abyss

Moving amongst it's new home, the massive thing was pleased with it's work. No sooner had it finished however, then it felt the presence of another, as one of it's new children was snuffed out. The sum of it's memory passed to her, what little that it was... and she felt the monstrous beast that had devoured it moments before the creature's life ended. Then another and another fell into the cavernous maw. Moving it's massive bulk effortlessly through the darkness, the dark queen sought out the thing that had slain it's children. Such a trespass on it's realm could not go unanswered.

OOC: (PM for you, hun!)

[Kogan Urufu]

Aevum, the Void
Aevum gazed upon the others moulding the new world, his arms crossed before him as he stood upon the edge of the veil between the void and the material plane. Something, he suspected, was stopping him reaching the world, yet there were others who walked upon the plane with little difficulty. He closed his eyes, thinking and concentrating, he could feel thier power resonating through the primordial void, each of them different but similar all the same. The ones upon the land were fainter than his own, but powerful nonetheless.

He opened his eyes suddenly, behind him he felt a ripple in the silence of the void, clear as a pin dropping. "Another player to this game it seems..." He mused, stroking his chin, "One of no small amount of power either, very close to his own..." He closed his eyes, and focused again, a tear opening in the void as another plane expanded beyond, a tear through which he stepped.

Aevum, Heliopolis
He looked around the new plane, locking the portal behind him to all with evil intentions. Everywhere he turned was clear, blue skies, above there was a brilliant burning sun. Below him a vast sea of white clouds. He found his powers were stronger here, he could mould this plane without exerting my strength. Smiling, he waved a hand as the clouds formed into land upon which he stood, right now, it was only a round plaza of stone, collossal pilars of marble around the edge holding up a roof which offered shade and respite from the sun's rays. A large fountain in the middle of the plaza spilling crystal clear water endlessly and a large golden throne sat atop a flight of marble stairs at the end. Behind him, was a 20ft. tall golden archway that seemed to go nowhere, only the vast sea of clouds beyond. Taking a seat on the throne, he smiled and summoned a large vertical gold ring, a silvery membrane stretched across its surface. He waved a hand and the silver clouds within the ring parted to reveal the new world.

"This place needs it's own guardians however..." Concentrating he formed the first creature from the light of the sun, humanoid in stature like himself, the being was over 15ft. tall, it's skin a pale porcelain white. It's face was handsome and human-like, eyes of radiant gold and hair of luminous silver, a pair of wings coming from it's shoulders like the doves of the material plane. The first of his celestials, the Angel, he called it, but yet more appeared around the new guardian, each of them powerful as the first but each one different, skin, hair and even stature varying between each individual, the took thier place at his side and around the outside of the plaza, thier wings allowing them to move through the air with ease.

The next was more bestial in appearance than the first, standing at over 10ft. tall on all fours the creature had snow white fur and sapphire eyes. It's body was as a cat, only more powerful, it's head was as his, a ferocious lion with a golden mane. On it's back were two white wings like the Angel but folded close to it's body. Though it looked as a beast, it was calm and loyal, but ruthless in battle. More of the creatures appeared similar in colour but slightly different, each one unique. "You, the Celestial beast shall be the guardians of my gates." He motioned to the large golden archway through which he stepped, the portal dormant for now. The beasts moved off to take thier place as thier creator nodded.

The last was the smallest of the creatures, a being of pure light. Barely larger than a softball, the glowing orb of light hovered about 5ft. from the ground, illuminating it's surroundings. "You," Aevum spoke, "the Archon, shall be my messengers to the other planes, you will guide and watch over chosen mortals, protecting them from evil and illuminating the darkness." As he spoke, more of the creatures came into being, thier lights all spectrums of the rainbow and more. They spread out as Aevum breathed a sigh of releif, turning his attention to the disc beside him and watching patiently, creating a plane and life took a lot of his powers.
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Spoiler

Show

OOC: Okay, wow that was quite a bit
Okay, let's see...
Actions
Create Plane (Heliopolis, Strongly Good Aligned, Mildly Lawful Aligned, Divinely Morphic) = 3 AP (Also Claiming this Plane as my own and as Aevum's Home Plane)
Lock Plane (Only those of Good or Neutral can pass, No Evil) = 2 AP
Create Land (Heliopolis is Divinely Morphic) = Free
Create Artifact (Scrying Disc) = 3 AP
Create Populace (Solar Angel, Celestial Dire Lion & Lantern Archon) = 2 AP

AP: 17 - 10 = 7 AP Left

[Goglas]

Enki, Hope

Enki looked in awe as the woman continued her work, this time creating creatures much like his Nymphs. He wondered whether he could ever paint others into existence like that, or if he was doomed to his water-drops and chance forever.

He looked up to the sky, and saw strange creatures with wings flying about, and another creature like himself, standing inside a great floating wooden structure.
He raised his arm and called out to this being, to know its name and learn of its creations, when one of those creatures, a small one, covered in white feathers, fell to the ground.

He picked it up just as the woman with the brush appeared before him.
"Artis," he said. "I'm Enki. Look at this," he presented her with the dove's lifeless body. "It had life, but now is nothing more than a husk. The real dove disappeared. I wonder where it went..."

[Ganurath]

Artis

The green-tinged woman tilted her head at the bird, moving closer to the bearded deity and gently taking the dead creature into her hands. Such a fragile thing... What had happened to it? Drawing from the muses she felt she was made of, the goddess came up with a story.

"It was mortal... It had mortality. A living thing is a work of art, the greatest work, but at the same time delicate. The longer any creation persists, the more effort to maintain. Eventually, it takes more effort than the creation can achieve, and... mortality."

The goddess sighed, then looked toward the ground. Her Faeli would have such questions in time. Not so soon as the bird, but by the standards of the divine it would be soon enough. Using her free hand, she cast a simple spell that slowly worked to part the earth. <Mage Hand.>

As she mentally dug, Artis turned her attention back to Enki. "With the effort toward maintainence gone, the creation will break down more rapidly, and fall to pieces. If the broken creation is buried, the parts can be used for the maintainence of plants, and old creations may be used to enrich new ones. What do you think?"

[Shmee]

The Void

The red cloud continued to swirl around the void. In some way it was pleased. The world was slowly being filled with new life... indeed, that pleased the entity greatly... and yet...

"This will not do..."

The entity craved for more death. With each soul passing to the Void, the entity would experience ecstasy of unparalleled proportions... and yet...

"This will not do at all!"

... the natural cycle was just too slow for the entity... it needed to find a way to speed to the process...

"... hmmm ... "

Looking at the souls of the dead that were gathering in the Void, it got an idea...

"Listen to me, souls of the deceased! Do you intend to remain here in the void for an eternity? Abandoned by the ones who created you, barred from entering the world of the living simply because you have died! What a tragic fate! But I am here! And I wish to help you. I shall give you the ability to return to the world where you came from. From there you will be able to reunite yourselves with your loved ones, your creators may have abandoned you to the Void, but you shall find me to be much more caring, for I shall never decline to full fill what you mortals desire the most!"

Feeling that the souls were agreeing to its terms, it says

"Very well..."

For an instant, the cloud starts to shine brightly as it ejects the souls from the Void and back to the material plane. However the souls, not belonging in this world, and in affect unable to return to their past lives, would in fact go crazy, turning into evil spirits that haunt and feed off the living in a desperate attempt to once again be alive.

Spoiler

Show

OOC

AP 18= 20-2, Create Populace; Vengeful Spirits, Ghosts, Banshees, Wraiths etc..

Back in the Void, the entity grinned... that is as much as a cloud could grin... as the spirits of the dead began to spread chaos amongst the mortals. Of course it could have simply created an eternal resting place for all those souls, but this was proving to be much more fun!

[BloodyAngel]

Asharra: The Abyss

The creature she found was cavernous in it's hunger... sending her children fleeing it's mindless wrath. The first few had tried to slow or stop the creature with the abilities their mother had given them.... but to no avail. This was not a creature born of her... and she sensed in it power not unlike her own. She wondered if it had a will of it's own beyond it's hunger. Concern for her children a secondary thought beyond testing the limits of this new beast, she decided that she would test it.

Her huge form moved effortlessly through the abyss, approaching the one who had entered her realm. Not certain if it would understand her, she sent to it visions and images... testing if communication with it was even possible. Her voice rippled through the abyss around it, seeming to come from everywhere at once.

What are you? It asked from everywhere at once, This is my home. You are not welcome here.

[Moose Fisher]

Hope

The vengeful dead wreaked havoc on the world, filling it with unpleasantness. The living were assaulted, and death continued to grow. The sad sight of ancestor tormenting descendants became too common. Hope wavered at the onslaught.

A Faeli stood against the tide of despair. Known by her kin as Nedain, the brave soul placed two branches upon her brow with cried:

"We shall not be ruled by the demons of our past! We must fight these interlopers!"

And Nedain led the charge against the vengeful dead, casting them back to the void. The dead hissed and howled, but they would return to haunt the living. The Faeli knew this as well, but Nedain removed their fear as she said:

"Nature shelters us and provides. We must wrap ourselves in its warm embrace."

The Faeli shifted the forest to their wills, creating walls of living trees and split wood. The walls held the vengeful dead at bay until they were excised once more. It was an uneasy living, but the Faeli were able to live within nature.

Nedain called to Artis:

"Shaper of our lives, deliver us from cruel fate. Craft a haven for our dead, so they do not intermingle with us."

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Raise Mortal Hero (Nedain)
3ap Create Concept (Martial Combat) (Fighter, Barbarian)
1ap Teach Faeli (Carpentry)

13ap = 17 -3-1

[Kogan Urufu]

Aevum, Heliopolis
Aevum sighed sadly, shaking his head as he watched the shadows of the past wreak havoc upon the world. Although the Faeli fought bravely, he knew there would be those who would side with the dead, and the shadows would keep coming as more creatures passed on. Stroking his chin thoughtfully he gazed at the other gods. Those who had helped shape the world were fighting hard to preserve it. His sun was weakening the dead, and they fought valliantly, soon the dead would outnumber the living.

Closing his eyes he crafted a new body from the light, this one appearing almost exactly as he did, humanoid but where he had the head of a beast, this being's head was human, a long mane of crimson hair and a beard giving it a slight resemblance to himself, but also close enough to pass for one of the Faeli at a glance. Simple clothes appeared on the body of the being as Aevum nodded slowly. Closing his eyes, he transfered his conciousness to the new body and imbued it with a portion of his power. In this, weakened state, he would be able to walk upon the land as the others did. Opening a gate to the material world, the avatar stepped through, appearing on the outskirts of Hope.

Aevum (Avatar), Hope
Aevum had appeared on the outskirts so as not to attract too much attention. It was an odd feeling, taking physical form. Unlike the void he found moving on the material plane to require a little more effort than simply willing it. Taking a few minutes to get adjusted to his surrondings he looked around, amazed by the beauty of it all. He hurried to where the others were, staring at those fighting the dead. "This won't work..." He spoke softly, his voice deep and commanding, but gentle at the same time. "Though they fight bravely, they've no way to stop the spirits they destroy from simply returning, and in greater numbers."
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OOC: Create Avatar = 2 AP

7-2 = 5 AP Left (I'm running low...)

[Moose Fisher]

Nedain, Hope

Nedain struck down the last vengeful dead, the motions memorized within her limbs. She sought out the one with the commanding voice and held him by his crimson hair.

She said, "What would you have us do, lie down and die? We fight for our kin, we fight for our Hope. How are you to protect what is loved?"

[Kogan Urufu]

Aevum (Avatar), Hope
Aevum was surprised to find that she had grabbed him by the hair, to her he simply looked like another of her kind. Smiling as he faced her he spoke softly, placing a hand on her wrist as he forced her to let him go. "I am not saying for you to stop fighting, only that you are not fighting the right way." He turned calmly as the alarms rang out again, more of the creatures appearing.

Aevum raised an eyebrow as his eyes glowed, light radiating from him towards the creatures, turning many to nothing and forcing others to flee in panic. "Only your goddess can help you, by learning to channel her power you shall be able to protect your kin and ensure that the dead can rest peacefully." He knew however that kind of power came from faith, and only Artis could grant that power to the Faeli.
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OOC: Epic Level Paladin, Turn Undead

[Moose Fisher]

Nedain, Hope

Nedain looked on in shock. This Faeli possessed great power, capable of saving more lives than she in a fraction of the time and effort. Nedain scanned the quiet field, and turned to the unknown Faeli. Her anger flowed from her eyes. She said:

"You who hold power to save, yet are slow to act, you sicken me! Where were you when the threat first arrived?! Why stand back, and wait until we suffer before offering salvation?! Do not taunt the weak with such displays! Teach us to call upon the power of Artsi!"

[Ganurath]

Artis, Hope

"The sun's movement is slow, yet inevitable. If nothing else, it has brought light to the matter at hand." Artis arrives with an abrupt teleportation, wooden holy symbols floating in the air about her. With a waving gesture, the icons fly out amidst the Faeli defenders most devoted to the ideals Artis lives by. "To those that would teach the beliefs I embody, I grant the power to create, the power to protect, and the power to bring ruin to the creatures of darkness."

Artis turns her attention to the approaching wraiths, and summons flames with a snap of her fingers. Taking up soil from the ground where a Faeli warrior had died, she begins to craft a simple clay sphere. Simple, at least, in appearance. Still glowing red after the kilnfire faded, the goddess thrust the orb toward the living dead and sucked them in, each spirit consumed sending out a harmless pulse of energy.

After the invaders immediately present were vanquished, the orb continued to take on a dull yellow glow. "The Sphere of Reconstruction will allow that which was good in the departed to be rekindled in lives yet to be born. The wicked may still return as the restless dead, but the strength I have given you shall be enough to preserve the lands."

Actions: Teach Populous Divine Magic, Create Artifact (Sphere of Reconstruction)
AP: 10

[MasterofMockery]

Kaleth, The void
The cycle began once more, and there were still remainders of the cycle before. One of these sprang in to existance, the desires ambitions of a million souls gathered together into a sentient mass. Now with the world having begun once more there was a near unlimited potential to what he could do with this universe, or maybe for it, or maybe to it. It began it's journey to see it's fellow gods.

Kaleth, Hope
"Perhaps I am not as alone as I thought."
He saw his fellow gods looking down upon their creations locked in a vicious battle. There were green skinned creatures, and beautiful nymphs and river gods, and they were locked in combat with the restless spirits of their dead. The mortals were holding out honorably, yet every warrior struck down joined the enemy ranks. It was a pity that these mortals suffered as nothing but the mere playthings and pawns of gods and goddesses. Perhaps there were someway they could circumvent them. But first he needed a place of his own.

Kaleth, The Void
Kaleth summoned the forces of creation around him and began to mold it into a new plane.

Kaleth, Valorum
From the ground rose a fortress, brought force by nothing by his will. It was designed to be impenetrable and self-sufficient. The walls were unguarded and it was filled with an eerie silence, but he had to be cautious with his power. He was surging with divine energy but if used incorrectly it would soon be gone. He walked up to the top of the central tower and sat down in a newly made chair to ponder his next moves

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Create new plane= 3ap
Valorum, The Divine Fortress. Unaligned, Magically Morphic
It is not so much a plane as it is a city sized fortress. It is designed to weather any siege, whether mortal or divine. It is carved into the side of a cliff, and is made of several rings of walls, with buildings becoming more and more important as they near the Tower. The tower is a beautiful arcing thing which contains a magnificent dining hall at it's base and Kaleth's room at the very top.
AP= 17= 20-3

[Goglas]

Enki, Hope

Enki pondered Artis's words for a very long time, focusing intently on the patch of earth the bird was now buried in. "A good and honorable end for the husk, but what of the soul?" he whispered. Only then he sensed Artis's Sphere of Reconstruction.

He ran and jumped into the Great River of Hope and made his way north, to the Faeli and their maker.
"Is this it?" he asked, stepping out of the water and approaching the goddess of the Faeli. "Is that what the souls of your children can look for? A short life, an end, and then begin all over again?"

Only then it occurred to him that his children were immortal, as he and the others like him. He smiled. "Let me give them another option."

He took the Sphere in his hands, and submerged it in the waters of the Great River. When he pulled it out, the Sphere of Reconstruction was engulfed by the Ring of Choice, a circle of flowing water suspended in mid air, around the Sphere.

"When the souls of mortals separate from their bodies, they shall be pulled here. Although," he said, looking at the Undead of Hope with his divine eyes, "some would surely resist."
"Upon entering the Ring, they would have a choice: Stay as they are in their spirit form, maintaining their mind and memories, or enter the Sphere, and be reborn into a new Material life."

He walked over to Artis. "Although the question of where these souls shall roam if they decide against a new life is still to be decided, it is better than being forced into a life they may not wish for themselves once more."

He smiled again, showing no ill-will towards Artis, and greeting for the first time Nedain and the avatar of some god.
"So, where would you like to keep this Artifact of Life?"

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Create Artifact: Ring of Choice.
18 - 3 = 15 AP left.