Lords of Creation: History of The Usurpers IC

[AgentIndy]

Oxonj looks at the Winter Queen,"I apologize, I will be unable to join you in your pantheon. I lack the required catalyzing energy, and I wish to keep my options open at the moment."

[Hamste]

Ashandra-Tor
Chemosh looked at Phaeton. He wondered how he got here considering he had left him to reincarnate in the wilderness and kind of forgot about him. He wondered who those people up there were. One appeared to be a god and the other a photon. He loved the blessing Rodlicus gave the Beloved. The skipping rope that Phaeton had was now way more interesting and it could skip by itself and everything.

Random town

Andrew the Beloved ran down the road of the town followed by a Policeman. "STOP YOU MISCREANT. COME BACK RIGHT NOW AND RETURN THAT TOY." The policeman yelled after Andrew. These Beloved constantly annoyed him with their petty thievery and unnatural beginnings. Luckily he will retire in a week and then he could move off into the country with his wife and never have to deal with these little beasts again. He finally caught Andrew after he tripped outside of his house. He grabbed the boy by the ear and was about to drag him off to jail for a stern talking to when he was tackled by something small. "Here's CHUCKY!" It yelled as it started stabbing the police multiple times with two butcher knives that were bigger then it was. After the police finally stopped twitching the doll looked up at Andrew and smiled a smile that showed it's blood covered teeth. Andrew smiled and picked up the doll. He cleaned it off and got rid of all the blood on it. If someone didn't watch the display brutality it just did, they would have looked totally innocent. Andrew then fled and so began what could be a long reign of terror on the country side.

[Tzer]

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"Well, er... son? Do you want me to call you 'son', or by your name? Anyway, we're in a prosperous merchant town right now, on the west of this world, which belongs to us. Well, not 'US' two, but rather 'us' as in the Gods. There are many, many more of our kind here." replied Rodlicus, aethereal spaghetti spewing from his pockets.

Quaestus gave his progenitor a small smile, chuckling softly. "I would prefer you use my name... but you may use any appellation you wish. As for now, I must go. There is work to be done." With that, he left the town to look overlook the world as it was.

From his vantage point in high orbit, he saw the different landmasses arrayed atop the planets crust, individual continents, all seemingly isolated, with no way to share and trade ideas, culture, and goods. He intuitively knew that controlling the only land route between these places would surely bring whoever owned it immense profit, so he decided that he must make one. The Exalted Broker focused a facet of his divine energy on the space between the continents, giving rise to a thin, but long landmass. As the millions of tons of displaced water washed over the sides of the land, they were replaced by an mix of arid desert regions, dry fields of clay, and an array of flood plains around the one, long, crystal blue river that ran through the continent.

Then, a thought occurred to him. Who would inhabit this landmass, to take advantage of its economically strategic locale? He was a God. Quaestus had no need for the material wealth such a location would bring. And just as quickly, he developed a solution. Sentient life, made in his image. This land would be his gift to them, their birthright. And so it was. He reached down from the stratosphere and scooped a heap of a rich, tan clay into his hand. For several minutes he shaped it to perfection, creating small facsimiles of himself that he scattered along the flood plains, which he determined to be a bountiful land for them to prosper. "I christen thee, the Cerebran. It is your divine right to own and rule this land. Grow in number, and take the bounties of this place as your own. I will be watching you."

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Let's, do the Geeeenesis, agaiiin!

Starting AP:15
-2 Create Sentient Life (the Cerebran, which, by the way, look pretty much like humans)
-2 Create Land (later to be known as Ketterik)
Remaining AP: 11

[AgentIndy]

Random Town

A Vanguard entered the town, his designation:Volt. He had been on a mining trip nearby, and had heard rumors of a murder. It had only happened yesterday, so he checked the crime scene. It followed another police officer around, and noted that there was a Beloved that recently disappeared.

Volt looked at the body,"Stab wounds...Indication that butcher's cutlery matches wound profile.Wound angle indicates either extremely short assailant, or impossible wrist motion. Subject was already horizontal at time of death...One Beloved has fled the city on date of murder...Recent reports declare that Beloved have 'golems' to protect them. Hypothesis:Beloved killed police officer. Contradictory evidence: Wound angles would suggest that wrist could not have possible done that, unless suspect was lying flat against the ground," Volt flipped the body over,"New Evidence. Calf muscles have been cut through to the bone. Clumsly, rather painful. Weapon appears to have cumbersome. Current suspect,Beloved that has escaped the area... Will pursue..." Volt said this with a finality. This was his new mission for the time.

Ketterik

Premier floated toward the new land mass, with Pioneer onboard. The Architect had been upgraded to the new second generation Architect specifications, so he had added mobility. He floated to where the Cerebrans were, and dropped a tendril to where the Cerebrans were. Pioneers lid down the tendril, and looked at this new life. Perfect for molding...And in the best location.Pioneer raised an arm,"Greetings...I am Pioneer, Envoy of the Architects of Smyth, Elite Vanguard. I come with a greeting...And an offer."
Pioneer points to Premier,"He is..."

"PREMIER, HE WHO BUILDS. I OFFER YOU GREATNESS, TECHNOLOGY BEYOND YOUR IMAGINING. THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO WILL TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU, WE WILL BE MUTUAL PARTNERS INSTEAD. I AM THE FLOATING-FACTORY, BUILDER OF CIVILIZATION. THIS PARTNERSHIP WOULD BENEFIT US BOTH."

[Tzer]

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Ketterik

Premier floated toward the new land mass, with Pioneer onboard. The Architect had been upgraded to the new second generation Architect specifications, so he had added mobility. He floated to where the Cerebrans were, and dropped a tendril to where the Cerebrans were. Pioneers lid down the tendril, and looked at this new life. Perfect for molding...And in the best location.Pioneer raised an arm,"Greetings...I am Pioneer, Envoy of the Architects of Smyth, Elite Vanguard. I come with a greeting...And an offer."
Pioneer points to Premier,"He is..."

"PREMIER, HE WHO BUILDS. I OFFER YOU GREATNESS, TECHNOLOGY BEYOND YOUR IMAGINING. THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO WILL TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU, WE WILL BE MUTUAL PARTNERS INSTEAD. I AM THE FLOATING-FACTORY, BUILDER OF CIVILIZATION. THIS PARTNERSHIP WOULD BENEFIT US BOTH."

Ketterik

The First Cerebrans looked at each other, silently conferring on these... machine's offer. They offered protection, but who's to say they wouldn't be the ones taking advantage of them? However, at that point the decision was made for them. The boldest among them, a natural leader, stepped forward. "I am Ismail. Your offer is enticing, but vague. What do you get out of this deal, I wonder?" His compatriots went to their apparent leader's side, nodding in agreement, however no one else dared speak up.

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AP:11
-3 Create Leader: Ismail
Remaining AP:8

[AgentIndy]

Ketterik

Pioneer spoke up instead of Premier,"Organics do not trust machines. We can make the wonders of the world, but we lack people to sell our goods. Intermediaries are what we need. A showcase for our greatest work, you would receive the benefit of our finest Architects, and we would receive raw materials that come to your door step. We will assist you in any way you want, and will create a symbiosis that will assist both of us. Our goods will not cost you anymore than the resources used to build them, and you can turn around and sell them to the other civilizations of the world."

[Tzer]

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Ketterik

Pioneer spoke up instead of Premier,"Organics do not trust machines. We can make the wonders of the world, but we lack people to sell our goods. Intermediaries are what we need. A showcase for our greatest work, you would receive the benefit of our finest Architects, and we would receive raw materials that come to your door step. We will assist you in any way you want, and will create a symbiosis that will assist both of us. Our goods will not cost you anymore than the resources used to build them, and you can turn around and sell them to the other civilizations of the world."

Ketterik

A few select Cerebrans, Ismail included, huddled in a small group on the flood plains to discuss this deal. After a moment, they seemed to have reached a consensus. Once again, it was Ismail that stepped forward to speak with the machines. "We see the mutual benefit from this partnership, and we will agree to it. May we both prosper from our continued business." At that, several of the Cerebran cheered. "First off... we require the tools and materials to build a city. Not only to act as a trade hub, but for protection, and the glory of our creator, Quaestus. We will erect mighty walls and temples in his name."

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Starting AP:8
-2 Create Advanced Concept: Epic Architecture (basically the engineering ability and mindset to build Troy-esque walls, large monuments, statues, etc.etc.)
Remaining AP:6

[AgentIndy]

Ketterik

Premier's metallic voice echoed across the Cerebrans,"WE SHALL PROVIDE." It lifted down dozens of crates of tools, and designs. Many tons of material were taken down via tendrils. The basis of a city was in place. Pioneer walked among the people,"We will have Vanguards to fend off the worst the planet has to throw at you. Remember, if you fabricate a design, we can reproduced it a thousandfold in a matter of days." Premier set down more materials, and set down Vanguards. THe second generation was sleek, and had less humanoid faces, instead curving into helmet-esque head piece. THere were spines sticking out of it, accenting the tesla colis jutting out at the joints.

[Tzer]

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Ketterik

Premier's metallic voice echoed across the Cerebrans,"WE SHALL PROVIDE." It lifted down dozens of crates of tools, and designs. Many tons of material were taken down via tendrils. The basis of a city was in place. Pioneer walked among the people,"We will have Vanguards to fend off the worst the planet has to throw at you. Remember, if you fabricate a design, we can reproduced it a thousandfold in a matter of days." Premier set down more materials, and set down Vanguards. THe second generation was sleek, and had less humanoid faces, instead curving into helmet-esque head piece. THere were spines sticking out of it, accenting the tesla colis jutting out at the joints.

Ketterick-Ziam

The first of the Cerebrans nodded, eyes and mouths wide open as they saw the near infinite amount of tools and materials before them. They quickly got to work, establishing some crude structures to live in while they built the foundations of epic homes, bazaars, plazas, libraries, universities, and all the trappings of an advanced culture. Most importantly of all, however, was the Grand Commercia, the true usage of which was yet to be known. It did lie, however, in the center of the city, which was henceforth known as Ziam.

[AgentIndy]

Ketterick

Premier kept supplying materials to Ziam, putting Vanguards on guard posts while expanding certain areas of the city to accommodate future people. Premier though, took a job on the side. He started building a framework for a new Architect, one that incorporated Ziam's designs into it. It would be the Cerebrans' personal Architect, and it was going to be a city unto itself.

Occasionally, Architects from Smyth would travel from their continent to Ziam, and unload goods, that were stored in extra warehouses Premier built. Crates of tools, clothing, sun amulets, even Vanguard bodies came in. All left more materials for the city, and built a few structures before returning to a new communal project, known simply as "The Grand Architect", in the center of Smyth.

[Tzer]

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Ketterick

Premier kept supplying materials to Ziam, putting Vanguards on guard posts while expanding certain areas of the city to accommodate future people. Premier though, took a job on the side. He started building a framework for a new Architect, one that incorporated Ziam's designs into it. It would be the Cerebrans' personal Architect, and it was going to be a city unto itself.

Occasionally, Architects from Smyth would travel from their continent to Ziam, and unload goods, that were stored in extra warehouses Premier built. Crates of tools, clothing, sun amulets, even Vanguard bodies came in. All left more materials for the city, and built a few structures before returning to a new communal project, known simply as "The Grand Architect", in the center of Smyth.

Ziam

The Cerebrans accepted the supplies, Architects, and Vanguards with open arms. They were already a generally accepting people, and they were extremely grateful and endeared to their machine partners. Ismail directed the building efforts from one of the newly completed palatial estates, standing proudly at the balcony as he watched the glorious city of his people rise before him. With the tools provided by the Architects, construction and work was going at a record pace. Plenty of food was being grown on the fertile flood plains, more than enough to feed the steadily growing Cerebran population. The people themselves were extremely organized, quickly establishing a democratic caliphate, in which Ismail was almost unanimously voted the Caliph.

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Starting AP:6
-1 Form Society - The Cerebran Caliphate
Remaining AP:5

[AgentIndy]

Ketterick

Premier continued work on the new Architect. He added a palace for the Caliph, in case he ever wanted to take up residence on the soon to be floating city. The Vanguards started to form a military force, dedicated to keep the monsters of the world away. Pioneer went to the Caliph,"Premier has asked that you name your people's Architect, it is a great honor."

Random Town

Volt continued to look into the murder in the town, as there was a faint trail of blood. Not much, maybe just a few drops here or there, but h e was a machine, tireless in his effort.As he followed, the blood trail stopped at a barrel. A rag was stuffed inside,"Sloppy," as he pulled it out, he examined how much blood was on it,"Soaked...Murderer was bloodthirsty..." Footprints left the scene, one set were child sized, the other...doll sized. "Hypothesis revision:Beloved's Golem was involved in the murder-" Volt looked down to see a knife sticking a bit out of the ground, poorly buried. He pulled out the bloodstained blade,"We have found the murder weapon..." Volt informed the local authorities, and then followed the trail of the boy and his killer doll.

[Tzer]

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Ketterick

Premier continued work on the new Architect. He added a palace for the
Caliph, in case he ever wanted to take up residence on the soon to be
floating city. The Vanguards started to form a military force,
dedicated to keep the monsters of the world away. Pioneer went to the
Caliph,"Premier has asked that you name your people's Architect, it is
a great honor."

Ziam

The Caliph thought for a moment as he signed off on some documents
related to further construction of the city, and flashed a smile at
Pioneer. "I would like to thank you on the behalf of the people of
glorious Ziam for this honor. I think the name Bezalel would be
appropriate in this situation..." Ismail said, nodding curtly. "Bezalel it is."

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Starting AP: 6
-1 Create Concept - Written Language
Remaining AP: 5

[AgentIndy]

Ziam

Pioneer nodded,"I will take this name to Premier. He will want to know of it. This Architect is one the finest crafted yet."

[Zhentarim]

XETHOS

Yanyeeku knew that having a mobile continent meant he could lawfully and morally be a competitor of the Caliphate. He formed a device he was fond of when he was feller, a gun. The gun made its own ammo by solidifying sunlight into sunstone the moment it left a tiny temporary portal to the sun domain. The trigger for forming the portal was also the gun's trigger. Besides this, though, it was a pretty common point and shoot gun. It was no relic, but it would serve a purpose for now. Yanyeeku fancied switching out this regular gun for a relic gun at some point, but that goal was towards the bottom of a long list of things he wanted to do. He made a blue holster for himself, and headed for the gardens. He would oversee food harvesting and gem snatching from now on.

ASHANDA—TOR

Through THE SHINING, Yanyeeku said unto Chemosh:
"That is Phaeton, twin brother of Helios. It is Helios that stands beside me now."

THE SHINING turned to Areon:
"I shall join soon. It currently occupies priority number three on my list of things to do."


Helios was so happy to see Phaeton, he hugged him. Helios was so happy, in fact, he cried tears of pure sunlight. After three minutes or so, Helios hugged Chemosh, then THE SHINING, then he ATTEMPTED to hug Aeron…

[Elemental]

Ashandra-Tor

"Perfectly understandable Noble Oxonj. Join when you are able."
Aeron smiled as Yanyeeku announced his intention to join. Everything was falling into place. She raised a hand as Helios approached.
"No Child. My touch would freeze your heart and render you as cold as the very darkness your kind shuns. I am afraid you would join your brother in Chemosh's embrace should that happen."
Not quite a lie, Aeron knew how to prevent her presence from harming others if she so chose. Actually... It might be time to put that skill to use...

[Hamste]

Farm Lands
The farmer smiled as he walked along. The grain was growing well and he could easily feed his wife and two sons through the winter. He noticed a child skipping through his grain. "Hey sonny, stop damaging the crops. You better get going if you want to get to your parents before it gets dark." The farmer said grinning.
Andrew looked up at the farmer talking to him to get away from his crops. He didn't even notice a slight slithering in the tall grain before something jumps up onto him. Andrew smiled and giggled as the farmer flailed around as he choked and sputtered being choked to death. After that was done Andrew looted the corpse and found nothing exceptionally interesting. He then went to the house. He quietly made a barricade with Chucky to keep the child and wife in. That done he went to the barn and took some oil from it that he spread onto the house. While in the barn he noticed a couple of Beloved horses which were often use for the fact they never got tired even if they carried less weight than average horse. He lit the house on fire giggling while doing so. That done he mounted one of the horses and rode off to the next interesting place.

[AgentIndy]

Farm Lands

Volt had been tracking the child for days now, and he felt that he was finally catching up with him. This was a farm...A horse with a child on it was fleeing, and a house was burning. Moral dilemma, as he heard a scream of a woman and child. Volt rushed over to the house, and kicks apart the barricade, "Organics, I am here to assist." As he swung is arm, and released a bolt of lightning to burst open a door. A woman was caught underneath a rafter, in response to this sight, Volt lifted the rafter, and grabbed the woman. He rushed her outside, before running into the building again. He found the child in a room full of smoke, and was hacking up chunks. Volt took the child out...He was dying. He lacked the medical knowledge to repair him. Taking a pail of water, he fed some into the woman, along with a bit of food,"Survive...I can not linger..." Volt started running after the horse that was long gone. His electrical aura flared, this family will be avenged.

[Zhentarim]

Farm Lands
The farmer smiled as he walked along. The grain was growing well and he could easily feed his wife and two sons through the winter. He noticed a child skipping through his grain. "Hey sonny, stop damaging the crops. You better get going if you want to get to your parents before it gets dark." The farmer said grinning.
Andrew looked up at the farmer talking to him to get away from his crops. He didn't even notice a slight slithering in the tall grain before something jumps up onto him. Andrew smiled and giggled as the farmer flailed around as he choked and sputtered being choked to death. After that was done Andrew looted the corpse and found nothing exceptionally interesting. He then went to the house. He quietly made a barricade with Chucky to keep the child and wife in. That done he went to the barn and took some oil from it that he spread onto the house. While in the barn he noticed a couple of Beloved horses which were often use for the fact they never got tired even if they carried less weight than average horse. He lit the house on fire giggling while doing so. That done he mounted one of the horses and rode off to the next interesting place.

Yanyeeku sensed a disturbance in the law and good continua. He sent an aspect of himself to investigate. This aspect looked just like the normal Yanyeeku.

He said to Andrew, the destroyer:
"HALT, EVIL DOER! PREPARE TO MEET THE FORCES OF LIGHT, GOOD, AND LAW AS THEY RISE AGAINST YOU!"

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

He saw the architect and gave it a temporary ability called "speed of light."

The name of the ability is self-explainatory.

[Tzer]

Ziam

Things were progressing well in Ziam. The huge, dazzling scope of the civil works projects were being realized with the completion of the first set of extravagant temples and universities, both being quickly established as places of culture and learning. The universities, in fact, were quickly put to good use, as the Cerebrans combined in-born knowledge, teachings from their god, and the things imparted by the Architects to create a new class and generation of learned scholars. Ismail, the Messenger of Quaestus and the First Caliph, was just finishing the first piece of literature in the universe, Fyth. It was half a history of the Cerebrans and the Caliphate, and half a book venerating their creator, Quaestus. In time it would be regarded as a holy text in his worship. This tome sparked a literary revolution, resulting in a flurry of new texts. Myths, tales, history books, treatises and collections of poetry were quickly written to fill up the massive libraries accompanying the universities.

The people were prospering just as much as their city, with the economy and government being quickly and efficiently established. Rudimentary guilds representing different economic sectors met to discuss issues, which currently had representatives from a sect of builders and masons, farmers, artisans, and the general merchants. More were sure to follow as the economy diversified. The Merchants had set up shop in the many bazaars and markets raised throughout the city, working closely with the Architects and more culture-oriented artisans residing in the city. However, each dearly wanted to expand their array of goods and markets, and anyone able to secure a monopoly on foreign goods would surely become very, very wealthy. Several exploration parties and caravans were sent out across the landbridge, to the far corners of the world. What they would find, none of the enterprising merchants knew. But profit would surely await them.

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Starting AP: 5
-1 Create Concept: Literature
-1 Create Concept: Universities/Education
Remaining AP:3

footnote: I will be expanding on the destinations of the caravans hopefully tomorrow, I am aware it's extremely vague right now. a bit pressed for time.

[CalPal]

The wind from the ocean blew gently across the beach, interrupted by nothing save one desolate creature, sleeping on the soft sand. Eventually, it stirred itself awake and, stretching all four limbs as far as it could, the creature eventually got up on its feet and looked around. There, it could see forests deeper in-land, but heard very little noise to accompany its arrival. Then it remembered how it got here in the first place, and it laughed.

"Oh, I am funny! I am Ayemfah 'Nyeh, Dog of Puns!"

Then Ayemfah remembered how lonely it was, and it howled to the sky.

"Oh, how lonesome these lands are! I see yet another naught where nought ought not to be!"

laughing at the words he formed, Ayemfah attempted to create a creature of his own image. His first attempt, however, nearly bit him and chased him around the beach until he found safety in his forest, where the creature lost him but learned to thrive on its own. However, it howled to the sky over the first meal it ever lost, and it displeased Coyote.

"How brutish that thing is, that sound, so unfitting of my creation! But it is smart enough to live in the forests on its own... Wolf, you have my blessings to exist. So go, you wild savage, be smart in your forests, for you are good only to bite the hand closest to you!"

Then Ayemfah tried to create another creature, this one less violent than the one before. Indeed, he succeeded in this aspect: his newest creation was loyal and friendly and licked Ayemfah's face, which made him laugh. But soon, he realized at what cost this friendliness came at.

"Bah, you useless tool! So loyal, so friendly, yet so ignorant and dumb! You are not my perfect creation; you are doomed to die in the forest, no doubt eaten by my Wolves! Oh poor thing, you must find a better place than the forests... why, that's it! You are dumb enough to live on a farm like I once did; YOU will run to the cities and be stupid with the other sentient beings - loyal and dumb, just what they'd want. They will be your gods, your masters, and you will be too dumb to see yourself the servant! Run along, now, and be stupidly useful in the world of the civilized!"

And so the dog ran to the cities and to the villages, to be the pets of humans and other civilized beings. But Ayemfah 'Nyeh was upset. He had created two creatures, neither of them perfect. The first was too violent but smart; the second was loyal but dumb as a rock. Ayemfah walked to the waters to mope, but instead found his own reflection in the waters. Upon seeing his face, he jumped around in glee.

"Yes, that's it! Of course! I should have done this in the first place! Why, who better to thrive on these lands than the a being designed in my own image?!"

And so, Ayemfah 'Nyeh's third creation was a perfect unison of the traits he admired in the other creatures: smart as a wolf, to survive in the forests, but gentle enough as a dog, to not threaten the people of civilization. This, he knew, was his perfect creation.

"Ah, you, my perfect creation, you I call my best! Coyote, you will be the greatest thing I put on this world: you will be smarter than the Wolf, to out-smart him and force him to eat the stupid things, yet gentle enough that, should one be smart enough, they will earn your loyalty, not like the dumb dogs of civilization! Yes, Coyote, where you roam, I will never be far behind, for truly I love you as my best creation. Where you tread, I call my home, for you are smart enough and perfect enough to live on that land. Now run, run into the world and out-smart the other animals, for I am thirsty and have to drink!"

And so Coyote ran into the forest, smart enough to live anywhere in the world, whether it be the dense forests fleeing from the wolves, in the thick of the city disguising itself as a dog, or even in the most barren of wastelands scrounging for its meals. Thus, Ayemfah 'Nyeh created the three canines of the world: the Wolf, the Dog and the Coyote.

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TOTAL AP: 15
AP Used:

- Create Mundane Monstrous Life (-3): The Wolf, the Dog, the Coyote

AP REMAINING: 12

Ayemfah then walked to the ocean water, and began to lap the water so he may feel satisfied. However, upon his first sip, he shook the taste off his mouth and howled in disappointment.

"Oh, how nasty this water is! So salty! Eww, who would make water so undrinkable?! Oh, I will die here, on the beach, unable to have a simple drink. Oh how cruel life is!"

[mystic1110]

Margareta and Kyth'ra

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Kyth'ra appeared hovering before Margareta and who he surmised was Baelor. "Greetings, Charcoal Virgin and Iron Tyrant. I bring information from The White Queen, Lady Aeron. She wishes to inform you that she is gathering a court, The Serene Court of Winter, for anyone who wishes to join it" he said most reverently while cooling the air around him. Gosh, these two sure knew how to make one hot and sweaty.

Baelor, still hadn't answered, he almost looked chastised shocked that his flames were under her control. It gave her a wry sort of amusement, not even the barest hint of a smile played upon her lips, but neither did she burn him alive or smother him in smoke.

The new god was different. He was not of fire, but he was still one under her purview, for she was the goddess of bondage, and this new lord was bound. He was bought, owned and used by another. His flesh, bones and spirit were not his own. The Virgin, saw the chains of bondage wrapped around him, entwined through his hair like braids and around his soft neck like an invisible collar. He moved as the chains moved, he breathed when the chains relaxed - his voice escaped his lips cause the chains that covered his mouth and constricted his throat parted.

The Virgin frowned. She remembered the chains her Husband used to bind her as wife, Red hot they had seared against her mortal flesh, but did not leave burns on it, instead they branded her soul.

. . . Very Well, I shall see your mistress.

And thus the Virgin left the Iron Tyrant in all of his impotence, to descend upon Tura-Ashandra. Descend was the correct word, for while others climbed the cliffs, or simply appeared at the White Queens court, legends state that the Charcoal Virgin does not vanish - she does not appear in clouds of smoke or fire - she simply moves. She traverses everything, unfailingly, to her target. And thus hen she descended upon the ocean to walk through the sea water- never touching for it steamed and committed suicide rather than get near her until she reached the frozen wave of Tura-Ashandra, then she simply ascended it, coming from below.

As she neared the frozen wave, the ice began to melt into water, and the water began to boil, but it had no time to contemplate its new state before it turned into gas and vaporized. The Virgin simply came through the wave leaving a circular opening in her wake, still steaming, the ice untouched a shiny hue for the heat was so intense it did not know what to do.

Thus the Virgin met the White Queen upon her throne: Tura-Ashandra now had a shaft of opening it the floors and rooms below the throne room, the throne room now had a whole to the the salty depths of unfrozen ocean. The Virgin floated above the hole in the floor, still radiating heat.

She spoke harshly, not because of emotion, but because the fire of her being still stung and burned her voice before it could escape her charred lips.

You have called upon me, White Queen?

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Alter Land: Tura-Ashandra, it now has a set of holes from the bottom of the frozen wave all the way to the throne room, due to the Virgin's heat. 3 AP

12 AP left

Yep I used AP for this

Gharda and Elizabeth

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Gharda was ia little bothered by this. He knew exactly what had happened. A spell of sympathy was cast everyday by Gharda, so in case something would happen like this he would know the cause of her pain. He looked sad. "Elizabeth, I'm so sorry." He hugged her and then let go. "I think it's time I finally let you know how much you are capable of." He stated.

"I can tell that reading these simple scripts takes your mind off the pain of your loss from so long ago. It's also time that I tell you the truth. Elizabeth, I am not a mortal man. I am one of the spiritual brothers of the Charcoal Maiden. I heard your sobbing from a high mountain and knew that it was time I try to do something to console the suffering in this world, even if I could only help one person."

Years pass, people grow old. Elizabeth is a fine woman now - yet strangely without a husband. Oh she had suitors and loves, she was no maiden, but she never tied the knot.

Instead she spent all her time with her grandpa. It took a while, five years in fact, but she read all the books her Grandfather had to offer. She read unceasingly. She read books of history and economics. She read poetry. She read of the Gods and of magic. She read about people. She read works that no mortal wrote, for mortals could not write.

She was The Reader, the first and the last, and in time, she would be a legend in her own right, her name forgotten her new identity her cloak. She still cried occasionally, but people would say she cried ink instead of tears - that was false of course, but she would be known as The Reader, the first Witch.

But at the moment she was simply Elizabeth, and she cooked a stew of rabbit and potatoes, waiting fro Grandpa to return from wherever he went.

[ArlEammon]

Gharda And Elizabeth
Now the time passed where Elizabeth was finally ready. Gharda came with his white robes and staff, smiling. He returned to the large house, the villag'es only notable site, since it was centuries more advanced than the rest of the architecture, and he entered the door. Noticing the stew. Sitting down at the table he began a conversation with Elizabeth. "So, Elizabeth, I'm sure you've noticed by now that I haven't been aging by the years. I've finally come to tell you why that isn't the case. Why people are dying so much younger than I, and I"ve come to tell you the secret of the literature and books I have all around the house. It is time for you to progress in your education."

[mystic1110]

Gharda And Elizabeth

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Now the time passed where Elizabeth was finally ready. "Gharda came with his white robes and staff, smiling. He returned to the large house, the villag'es only notable site, since it was centuries more advanced than the rest of the architecture, and he entered the door. Noticing the stew. Sitting down at the table he began a conversation with Elizabeth. "So, Elizabeth, I'm sure you've noticed by now that I haven't been aging by the years. I've finally come to tell you why that isn't the case. Why people are dying so much younger than I, and I"ve come to tell you the secret of the literature and books I have all around the house. It is time for you to progress in your education."

Elizabeth laughed a clear high note as she was laying out the bowls.

"I already know Grandpa, you told me before that you were the Brother of the Virgin. Every little girl knows that means you are a god. You can live forever."

She said the last line almost sadly. . . and she said the word Virgin with a hint of dulled fear, grown blunt over the years - yet heavy.

"And I've read your books, I know about the theories of Magic, but I tried to make a potion like one of the books said, but I ended up with just a very nasty stew."

She said the word stew with a smile as she . . . plopped . . . some into her Grandfathers bowl. It was hard to tell if she was being serious, or simply thought of the whole thing as a joke. Yet with her innocent smile and earnest eyes, and the knowledge that yes, she did read every book, probably made her grandfather think she was teasing him. It was probably a pleasant thought compared to the memories of her crying holding her knees.

[ArlEammon]

Gharda And Elizabeth
Gharda smiled. "Ah, good." He blushed. "Well, at least you know I'm honest and not just messing with you." He continued. "SO, the thing is, the problem with this is that even though magic works, trust me. . . it hasn't been introduced thoroughly enough in this plane of existence for mortals such as your'self for it to use it. I have used much of my power to bring about the energies of the planes for an afterlife for the mortals here. I also used much of my power to introduce magic to the mortal plane. Yet still I have little else to give. I have decided, though, to give you a birthday present. Congratulations Elizabeth, you are the world's first Mage. Not quite male or elderly, or even with a pointy hat and stick, but there you go."

"You will be able to use magic in a way that will astound your neighbors, and crush your enemies. You will learn everything you will need to become a proper, master magician, in every sense of the word, and you will learn the way to wield the most powerful destructive forces in existence."

"I thought that I should make it clear that you can visit me any time during your adventures on the Mortal Plane. I am your Grandfather, after all. But I will ask you to help me around with the world, just as I have asked you to help around with the house, from time to time."

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5 AP spent: Make Hero

[thedarkstone]

A man wandered around, looking at the various sights of the world. He was partially lost in memory the entire time he journeyed, remembering a world much different, a world from which he hailed...and a promise he made to a friend. "I declare that people can be Exalted, as of Exalted Second Edition."

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AP: 15
Cosmic Decree: Exalted is legitimate, yo
AP: 10 (15-5)

Wandering further, Jay found his way to the continent of Smyth. There, he discovered the Architects. "Hello, machine race. Have you ever heard of Dungeons and Dragons?" When their response was in the negatory, he responded with startlement. "What? Really? Well, then, let me teach you!" And so he sat down, pulled from his bag the books of 3.5 D&D, and began teaching a group of four Architects how to make characters and roleplay.

[mystic1110]

Gharda And Elizabeth

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Gharda smiled. "Ah, good." He blushed. "Well, at least you know I'm honest and not just messing with you." He continued. "SO, the thing is, the problem with this is that even though magic works, trust me. . . it hasn't been introduced thoroughly enough in this plane of existence for mortals such as your'self for it to use it. I have used much of my power to bring about the energies of the planes for an afterlife for the mortals here. I also used much of my power to introduce magic to the mortal plane. Yet still I have little else to give. I have decided, though, to give you a birthday present. Congratulations Elizabeth, you are the world's first Mage. Not quite male or elderly, or even with a pointy hat and stick, but there you go."

"You will be able to use magic in a way that will astound your neighbors, and crush your enemies. You will learn everything you will need to become a proper, master magician, in every sense of the word, and you will learn the way to wield the most powerful destructive forces in existence."

"I thought that I should make it clear that you can visit me any time during your adventures on the Mortal Plane. I am your Grandfather, after all. But I will ask you to help me around with the world, just as I have asked you to help around with the house, from time to time."

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5 AP spent: Make Hero

[/QUOTE]

Elizabeth didn't quite get the joke about old men and pointy hats . . . there were no mages in this world that she could have used as a reference. Although there was something in the language that her grandfather used that bothered her slightly.

"Is magic only destructive? Do I have to destroy and crush enemies?" She said the color draining from her face.

For while Legends would speak of The Reader as the greatest of all mages, they also spoke of The Reader's passivity. The Reader taught other mages, other mages searched for The Reader for a clue as part of their quests. They sought advice and help. The Reader would be part of many stories, but her own story was that The Reader read.

That is what the legends would say - but legends don't contain the whole truth and the truth of the legends themselves are in doubt. You know fairy tales after all.

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She's all yours now. As I set it up, your not forced to make her a hermit, thats simply how the legends will perceive her, go forth and have as many adventures as you want.

[ArlEammon]

Gharda and Elizabeth
"No. As Reader and the first Mage you will have much power. Your greatest powers would be the ability to fight. But as I said you have all the power you need to be a proper mage. There is no need to waste your other talents simply because you have a better knack for fighting. Now, Elizabeth, remember, take care of this village while I"m gone. You are more than a Mage now, you are Immortal."

[mystic1110]

Gharda and Elizabeth

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"No. As Reader and the first Mage you will have much power. Your greatest powers would be the ability to fight. But as I said you have all the power you need to be a proper mage. There is no need to waste your other talents simply because you have a better knack for fighting. Now, Elizabeth, remember, take care of this village while I"m gone. You are more than a Mage now, you are Immortal."[/QUOTE]

Elizabeth sucked in her lip - why would her greatest power be to fight? Why not to protect? What world had her Grandfather brought her into - would she have to confront other immortals? The images of fire burned behind her eyes.

But all she said to her grandfather was "Thank you granpapa, I love you and I will always protect this village." The last part of the sentence was a lie, for as the Legends state, The Reader would live elsewhere.

She smiled as continued. "Please bring back books, so I may learn how to wield the power you gave me"

[HopeHubris]

Tura-Ashandra

"Oh, most placating one, I will think on your offer, and return later" and after awaiting any possible response, he dismisses the shard in the castle of ice


Ignis Tor

Hubris split another fragment of his power, sending it to Ignis Tor to talk with the armoured man who thought to oppose him.
"Why have you sent your hideous minions into my territory? I demand your immediate surrender"