Lords of Creation: A Time Forgotten IC

[Razade]

The Dead Return
[The City of Greylith]

Jakov spent a moment trying to sputter out a response before the sound of wood sliding along stone was cut across the winds of the early morning. King Ramesh walked out from under the wall, passed the captain and stood in front of the Speaker. The guards watched from a distance, as well as two figures dressed in dark chainmail, their faces concealed by black cloth.

The king looked weary. Bags had grown under his eyes and new age-lines on his face and hands had appeared. His hair was greyer than steel, and when he blinked, a hollow stare flashed against the dawn like iron in the sun.

He raised his hand and took the geode from the Weaver's grasp, examining it. "What a curious little gemstone," he said. "Very pretty. Let's talk business. What do you call this? Where can it be found? What value do you expect us to derive from it? And what do you expect in return?"

The questions were thrown off one right after the other, in quick succesion. The king locked eyes with the weaver, then looked back at the gem, chuckling. "Sorry, perhaps I was too fast. I'm just so exited to see a friend..." His eyes shined red in the light of the gemstone. "I can restate that slower, if you like."

The Speaker doesn't seem to notice or concern itself with the Guard's reaction, it's free hand clicking fingers as the King approaches. "Brood Leader Ramesh does not look well. Hive Greylith is not maintaining you." it states though lets the gem be taken as four inky black pools regard the aging human. "We do not name the things within the dirt for it has no meaning to Al'Anzur. They only make digging harder. Al'Anzur will give Brood Leader Ramesh these things." The Speaker seems to twitch, one of the Bone Weavers stepping forward to upend a bag between the Undead and the King, rocks riddled with raw minerals pooling on the ground. "The Brood Leader will give Al'Anzur four breeding pair. They will return to Hive Greylith in twenty cycles of the Bright Eye Above. That one will be part of it." The Speaker motions to Jakov. "It seems to wish to know more of Al'Anzur."

[thethird]

For a price.

But was it worth it?

Anātman. The word came to the elven leader even if she didn't know it. As she spoke it she thought a little less and much more. She was gone. She was for all intents and purposes as good as dead. Frozen now or frozen latter it wouldn't matter. She didn't try to deny it, there was no anger left, nor any chip to bargain, her tears had frozen long ago and wouldn't flow. She accepted the finality of the moment. She was no more.

But she was more than herself. At her core there was still a wheel. An engine pushing forward. Never retreating. Only in death does movement end. And she might not be. She might be as good as dead. But she wasn't dead. She was only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive.

She moved.

"We will keep going until we die. Stop us or give us a way. We don't care which. We are tired and don't have much time nor life left to waste. Take your toll and let us keep going."

[AvocadoAvenger]

"Jorgs be lookin' at joor's bodies." said the young Ork in a very blunt manner, subtlety definitely wasn't the Ork way. "Joo be... differnt from Ork girls."

He continued to stare at the curiosity and confusion in his beady little red eyes more than anything else.

"Ha. Ha," Jeyne exhaled, somewhat incredulous at his forwardness. "Why don't you try being more blunt about it next time," she jeered.

Georgiana's face reddened and her hands shot down, then quickly returned to where they were crossed on her chest. "We're more than just our bodies, you know!"

Jeyne looked at Jorg's body and then back at her sisters, making a big deal about the motion. "Actually," she continued sarcastically, "wait, are we different? I hadn't noticed that in the slightest."

[Wilkowsky]

Men Outside the Walls

And so it was that the land of Tixial was dangerous and deadly for centuries past. Full of predatory creatures both living and undead, both material and spiritual and gods merciful and cruel. Outside the walls of the great City of Greylith life was brutal and unforgiving. Great lizards and spiders forced men living out there in the wilderness to constantly move from place to place, avoiding preying Rexes and lurking Juresh. And yet Men outside the Walls endured. Still breathing. Still strong.

Perhaps it was their tradition that kept them going. Their belief that the World although harsh and cruel could be bargained with. Surrounded by fabled beings so much closer to their gods they developed superstitions upon superstitions. They began to see the divine not only in those glorious figures miraculously shaping the universe but also in the creatures and forces of nature around them.

South of the The Glorious City of Greylith a tribe struggling for survival worshiped the idea of fortune. They embodied this capricious aspect of reality in form of The Three Headed Deity - Tryglovoi they called him in their native tongue.

It had a single mouth-less head - representing the deity as a whole - and two heads or faces growing out of each of the major head's cheeks - one female that spoketh unto misfortune and one male that spoketh unto fortune. It was a capricious deity embodying the cruel reality of their world, a deity that sometimes blessed with a rich quarry and other times cursed with sharp teeth of ever hungry reptiles.

The birth of The Three Headed God

And so it happened that he Phoenix Lord, Faust once flying over the southern jungles of Tixial witnessed the rituals of the followers of Tryboh. Knowing well that he had no such sibling and that the desperate prayers of a superstitious tribe were unto vain. He felt for them and decided to show them mercy. The Phoenix flew down to men prostrating before a fetish of their deity, grabbed their prayers as they were about to offer them, rose again to heavens and took three feathers out of his tail. The feathers immediately burned and turned into ash. Faust then mixed that ash with prayers and created the oily mold of divine essence. He then descended again to men amazed at the sight of magnificent Phoenix and anointed the Three Headed fetish which they worshiped.

And thus Tryboh came into being.

"I shall open my mouth and speak unto Fortune for you and your children. And I shall make you into a great nation" proclaimed Tryboh. "You worshiped me loyally and now I shall reward you!"

And the Phoenix Lord circled three times above the newborn deity, before he vanished in fiery aurora.

This is a story of the birth of Three Headed Deity as told through generations of his followers. How much truth is there to it? Only those who told it first may know, if they still remember.

Spoiler

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Tryboh is born!

Just an entry story, no points spent yet.

[mystic1110]

Anātman.

Yes, although in this world such a state of detachment - of cold immortal logic and reason - where the only thing the body sees is reality as it is, shall be called the Vanite.

The Cathedral kept on rotating, seemingly content with the Elves answer. For they were correct. If they showed deference or awe, it would have had to teach them that these emotions were like any other. There was only existence and the price.

Your price shall be a life of service to Economy. You will be cold arbiters of contracts and the makers of hard choices. For you have learned on the Mountain that commerce is not petty coins, but life itself. Each life has a price.

You shall be judges and ascetics. Rulers without a people, and yet there will be those who will pay for your judgement. You will train others in your art, and then send them to train yet more.

The elves spent years in those halls - till they learned the secrets of the Vanite. As their minds became like perfect crystals themselves so did their bodies. As they trained they could perform feats of endurance and strength none could have thought possible. If they could have felt amazement - they would have. They could go out naked in a blizzard and not only feel warm - but suffer not the bite of frost. They could climb the ice wall which proved so deadly before blindfolded and with one hand tied behind their back. They could balance on a finger - they could starve themselves for months. They were more than what they were - and much less. But they were at peace for their is no more perfect peace than the Vanite.

And part of that peace is the price they paid - for they were to teach others of what they have learned. And so they left the Glass Cathedral without a word of farewell and descended the mountain. The journey down was far easier - for they could run down cliffs of ice and jump on snowflakes. Before long they reached the frozen carcasses of the slaughtered moose.

Here they used the moose bones and skin - along with carved blocks of ice to erect the first Monastery. It was an austere building. It was not impressive or formidable. It was merely four rooms - a place for sleeping, a place for eating, a place meeting and a place for meditating. Most of the training would take place in fresh air of the deadly mountain. To complete the training a Monk would have to climb to the Glass Cathedral and spend a year in its halls. Or at least that would be the training here - at the Ice Moose Bone Monastery.

Eventually, in the future when students come here to train; After they master the Vanite; After they become Cestrim, the name the monks had chosen for themselves - meaning Never-ending Wheel. After all this the Monks would journey outward - to the other continents and islands. To other races. And set up their own Monasteries. And there they would be their own abbots, and would all try to achieve and train for the Vanite in their own way.

But not yet - now, the five Elves elected their leader the First Abbot, and left her alone and silent in the Monastery as they left to the northern elvish tribes to see if their were any among them interested in becoming Cestrim.

Of giving their life to the Economy of Winter.

Spoiler

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AP: 8

AP 1 Society: Cestrim Monks. Monks train for years at any Cestrim Monastery learning the secrets of the Vanite. The Vanite is basically a zen state, but with an added ruthless calculation. The Monks don't have any goals, their only creed is to train for a vanite. However, once trained they are charged to set up their own Monastery elsewhere.
AP 1 Bless: Monks have an aura of cold around them equal to 10 ft per level and as long as they remain in the Vanite.
AP 1 Create: Ice Moose Bone Monastery

[Mynxae]

Spoiler: Raxmos

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The Amphitheatre of Aptitude
Raxmos watched the combat happily, This is pretty good. I wonder how T-Rax would do against these guys. The other T-Rexes prolly wouldn't stand a chance, but that T-Rax is a resourceful fellow. Hmmmm. Raxmos spoke, "Who is responsible for this glorious arena? I've taken a liking to it and would like to know who I should thank for this fabulous entertainment."

Faelan glanced up, amused at how the fighting was going, and twirled around with a swish of his cloak, disappearing and promptly reappearing in front of Raxmos. "Greetings brother. It is I, Faelan. Glad you like it" he said with slight glee as one of the Darklings below had its throat torn out with a triumphant shriek.

[AvocadoAvenger]

Tixial: The Depts of the Forests

This could only ever have gone one of two ways.

Specifically, the new appearance of jungle creatures, Juresh in particular, could only either make the lives of those in the forest harder or make them easier. Pisceanas saw fit to make this work in her favor. It only made sense that the people of nature should know the beasts that they share nature with and be able to use them to their advantage. They just needed a little help in that regard when it was beasts as ferocious as or more ferocious than the Juresh that they were going up against.

And so, with a little help from the divine will of Pisceanas the Fae were able to gain some favor with the animals of the natural world. Now, Juresh will not prey on Fae, and Fae may tame the Juresh to a reasonable degree. If a Fae and a Juresh share territory for a reasonable amount of time, a Fae may be able to ride a Juresh, though it is not common. Fae are capable of harvesting web and venom from Juresh, and will involve Juresh in their traps if it helps nature. This extends not only to Juresh, but to all bestial life native to Tixial currently in existence and that may come to exist. The bless does not affect Dryads and Nymphs specifically, only true Fae, although it may apply to anyone who lives in harmony with nature (not exclusive of Dryads, Nymphs, and others; all Fae live in harmony with nature, so all Fae are affected). This bless is specific to Tixial.

Spoiler

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Starting with 2 AP
Bless- Nature Empathy, Fae and others are not threatened by basic life, may tame specific members of basic life species: -1 AP
Ending with 1 AP

The Amphitheatre of Aptitude

Spoiler

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The Amphitheatre of Aptitude

Faelan appeared below in the Amphitheatre on a special podium that had been erected for himself and the Darkin Executor and shouted "Greetings to one and all on this most glorious night!" as the crowd of Darkin that lined the Amphitheatre cheered, some even so excited that small bursts of flame shot from their mouths. "We have a group of Darklings ready to prove their worth in society!" he roared as they filtered out of the gates on either side of the arena, some clutching rudimentary weapons, others just relying on tooth and claw. As soon as they were all inside and had spread out somewhat, the gates slammed shut behind them.

"BEGIN!"

Some of the Darklings began to roar and shriek in an attempt to intimidate their foes, while others pounced upon their adversary, tearing at them with their ferocious teeth and clawed hands, even going to the extent of breathing their inner flame to blind their enemy.

The Bottom of the Ocean: The Mantle Throne

When Pisceanas awoke, she sat down, and the floor of the ocean rose to make her a suitable chair. This throne of mantle formed near the deepest trench in the ocean where she could watch the Sea Serpents. Her subjects gathered around her when they saw she had returned. She smiled, "Magnar," she said, addressing one of the most large and ancient Sea Serpents she saw gathered before her, "what news do you have to report from while I was gone?"

Magnar nodded and replied, "well, we had a day of darkness and a message from the god who made it so that it would be so monthly."

The Sinister Mystery looked inquisitive "Hm," she said, "I will have to thank him. This night and day cycle was such a bad idea, I'm glad someone has the salt to oppose it." Of course, she had no idea other than what was hear in the voice. "Anything else?"

And now, for the next thing on my agenda: to find the god who gave us a day of darkness and find out if he is as like-minded to me as I suspect he might be.

The Sinister Mystery donned her dress of darkness and veil of shadow that she had wrought from the darkness of the abyss and set out. She figured that the darkened area would be a good place to start; even if it didn't yield the god who made one day dark out of every month, she liked the style. Pisceanas slunk into the coliseum and tried to fade into the background, although it would be plausible that another divine presence could detect her nonetheless.

[Mynxae]

Spoiler: Pisceanas

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The Amphitheatre of Aptitude

And now, for the next thing on my agenda: to find the god who gave us a day of darkness and find out if he is as like-minded to me as I suspect he might be.

The Sinister Mystery donned her dress of darkness and veil of shadow that she had wrought from the darkness of the abyss and set out. She figured that the darkened area would be a good place to start; even if it didn't yield the god who made one day dark out of every month, she liked the style. Pisceanas slunk into the coliseum and tried to fade into the background, although it would be plausible that another divine presence could detect her nonetheless.

While watching the fighting below with his brother, Faelan sensed yet another divine being amongst his Darkin. "And this must be the Mother of the Serpents who terrorize any of my Darkin foolish enough to approach the seas" he said, directing his voice below with a manic grin on his face.

[Markadelf]

Faelan glanced up, amused at how the fighting was going, and twirled around with a swish of his cloak, disappearing and promptly reappearing in front of Raxmos. "Greetings brother. It is I, Faelan. Glad you like it" he said with slight glee as one of the Darklings below had its throat torn out with a triumphant shriek.

"Hehehe, who wouldn't appreciate such a lovely establishment. My favorite part has always been that moment when they come to the sudden realization that they've lost."

While watching the fighting below with his brother, Faelan sensed yet another divine being amongst his Darkin. "And this must be the Mother of the Serpents who terrorize any of my Darkin foolish enough to approach the seas" he said, directing his voice below with a manic grin on his face.

"Oh, quite beautiful beasts those ones are. I wonder if we could make some sort of underwater arena," Raxmos said as he began forming a blueprint in his head. I can see it now. Oh yes, I'll go make it after I'm done here.

[AvocadoAvenger]

The Amphitheatre of Aptitude

"Ah, I see my reputation proceeds me. It is a pleasure to meet both of you," Pisceanas said, and she curtseyed. The Sinister Mystery smiled, although it wasn't necessarily a happy smile, somewhat like Faelan's smile. "I assure you that me and my Sea Serpents have nothing personal against you and your Darkin. I merely... like my secrecy. I'm sure you, out of all of us, understand."

Turning to Raxmos, continuing the general thought, "as such, I would see underwater arenas as an inconvenience to my privacy. Besides, my Serpents are already savage enough, the youth don't need violent entertainment, it'd mess with their discipline and do them no good."

[Hatter]

"Ha. Ha," Jeyne exhaled, somewhat incredulous at his forwardness. "Why don't you try being more blunt about it next time," she jeered.

Georgiana's face reddened and her hands shot down, then quickly returned to where they were crossed on her chest. "We're more than just our bodies, you know!"

Jeyne looked at Jorg's body and then back at her sisters, making a big deal about the motion. "Actually," she continued sarcastically, "wait, are we different? I hadn't noticed that in the slightest."

Jorgs blushed at the teasing, he grumbled a bit before saying "Jorgs jus' sayin' what Jorgs sees."

He looked around then back at the two merwomen "Joo not has ta stay in water like fish?"

[SpeedWitch]

The Speaker doesn't seem to notice or concern itself with the Guard's reaction, it's free hand clicking fingers as the King approaches. "Brood Leader Ramesh does not look well. Hive Greylith is not maintaining you." it states though lets the gem be taken as four inky black pools regard the aging human. "We do not name the things within the dirt for it has no meaning to Al'Anzur. They only make digging harder. Al'Anzur will give Brood Leader Ramesh these things." The Speaker seems to twitch, one of the Bone Weavers stepping forward to upend a bag between the Undead and the King, rocks riddled with raw minerals pooling on the ground. "The Brood Leader will give Al'Anzur four breeding pair. They will return to Hive Greylith in twenty cycles of the Bright Eye Above. That one will be part of it." The Speaker motions to Jakov. "It seems to wish to know more of Al'Anzur."

The Dead Return
[The City of Greylith]

Kind Ramesh smiled—a smile calling back memories of the Speech Weaver's first attempts at facial expressions. He let out a puff and another chuckle at the Weaver's comment of his health, responding "Oh, don't worry about me, I feel better than ever."

When the Weaver had awnsered his questions, Ramesh spoke "I accept these terms, though will not act on them here. Tonight my servants will meet you at the edge of the woods. Don't worry about not being seen, they will find you. There the exchange will occur. Excuse me if I'm confusing you with all this secrecy... but I imagine you must remember the fear in the eyes of the other soldiers at your request just a little over two months ago?" He peeked back at the guards on the wall and at the gate. "Strange how some don't see the importance of survival for our kind. Ahh, but don't worry about the public eye. I will make sure you are seen as friends of my kingdom... or at least, not enemies."

He turned to the figure on his right. "Take your pick from the Sacred Servants. Four men, four women, as diverse in stature and appearance as you can manage—oh, that's right, you wanted Jakov." Ramesh looked back at the Weaver, then at Jakov, who was standing several feet behind next to the wall. "Three men and a certain whiny Captain, then. Have them ready by sundown. Go." The figure dashed out of sight, leaving one dark warrior at the scene. "Oh, I can't wait to hear back from them. To visit Al'Anzur will surly be a wonder. Wish I could go, but I have a kingdom to run." With a smirk, the King tipped his crown to the undead, as if it was a trendy hat.

[AvocadoAvenger]

Jorgs blushed at the teasing, he grumbled a bit before saying "Jorgs jus' sayin' what Jorgs sees."

He looked around then back at the two merwomen "Joo not has ta stay in water like fish?"

Georgiana replied, "No, of course not, silly. We're not fish, we're Merwomen! If we stayed in the water all day, however would we get to hear ourselves sing?"

"Do you have to stay strictly on land?" Jeyne asked. It was hard to tell whether or not this was another quip.

[Hatter]

Georgiana replied, "No, of course not, silly. We're not fish, we're Merwomen! If we stayed in the water all day, however would we get to hear ourselves sing?"

"Do you have to stay strictly on land?" Jeyne asked. It was hard to tell whether or not this was another quip.

Jorgs nodded "Mostly we be doin' so, ya. We gots Da Fishin' Boyz dat be doin' da fishin' but dey not be stayin' an' breathin' in water like joo be doin' on land. We not be goin in water longer dan we need. Dem serpents be eat us up!"

The Ork put his hand under his layered chin. "Say, Joo peoples be havin' things ta trade? Why joo not come trade wit' Orks? Joo bring stuff Orks not has an' Orks brings joo stuff joo not has!"

[Razade]

The Dead Return
[The City of Greylith]

Kind Ramesh smiled—a smile calling back memories of the Speech Weaver's first attempts at facial expressions. He let out a puff and another chuckle at the Weaver's comment of his health, responding "Oh, don't worry about me, I feel better than ever."

When the Weaver had awnsered his questions, Ramesh spoke "I accept these terms, though will not act on them here. Tonight my servants will meet you at the edge of the woods. Don't worry about not being seen, they will find you. There the exchange will occur. Excuse me if I'm confusing you with all this secrecy... but I imagine you must remember the fear in the eyes of the other soldiers at your request just a little over two months ago?" He peeked back at the guards on the wall and at the gate. "Strange how some don't see the importance of survival for our kind. Ahh, but don't worry about the public eye. I will make sure you are seen as friends of my kingdom... or at least, not enemies."

He turned to the figure on his right. "Take your pick from the Sacred Servants. Four men, four women, as diverse in stature and appearance as you can manage—oh, that's right, you wanted Jakov." Ramesh looked back at the Weaver, then at Jakov, who was standing several feet behind next to the wall. "Three men and a certain whiny Captain, then. Have them ready by sundown. Go." The figure dashed out of sight, leaving one dark warrior at the scene. "Oh, I can't wait to hear back from them. To visit Al'Anzur will surly be a wonder. Wish I could go, but I have a kingdom to run." With a smirk, the King tipped his crown to the undead, as if it was a trendy hat.

"This one is incapable of worrying." The Speaker answers though offers another bow. "Al'Anzur is not Brood Leader Ramesh's enemy, it asks only to learn. Brood Leader Ramesh is free to take the place of one of these priests. This one will return it sooner." The speaker moves a hand, returning the gesture with it's wig before the Weavers scuttle off to the edge of the forest, leaving the bundles behind.

[AvocadoAvenger]

Jorgs nodded "Mostly we be doin' so, ya. We gots Da Fishin' Boyz dat be doin' da fishin' but dey not be stayin' an' breathin' in water like joo be doin' on land. We not be goin in water longer dan we need. Dem serpents be eat us up!"

The Ork put his hand under his layered chin. "Say, Joo peoples be havin' things ta trade? Why joo not come trade wit' Orks? Joo bring stuff Orks not has an' Orks brings joo stuff joo not has!"

"That sounds lovely," Georgiana said, "although I'm not sure what we have that you might want. I mean, my sister has her flutes and fish bones, but I came up here with nothing."

Jeyne clutched at her necklace as if she didn't want to part with it. "I guess there's no harm in looking. Perhaps we'll notice something you don't have that we do, or visa versa," she said hesitantly, then reluctantly slid out of the shallow water and onto the shore with her sister.

"That's the spirit!" Georgiana seemed like a lively girl, full of energy, while Jeyne was more prone to brooding and sass.

[SpeedWitch]

"This one is incapable of worrying." The Speaker answers though offers another bow. "Al'Anzur is not Brood Leader Ramesh's enemy, it asks only to learn. Brood Leader Ramesh is free to take the place of one of these priests. This one will return it sooner." The speaker moves a hand, returning the gesture with it's wig before the Weavers scuttle off to the edge of the forest, leaving the bundles behind.

The Dead Return
[The City of Greylith]

The king's interest peaked at the Weaver's parting words, but he sighed and shook his head. "Perhaps one day..."

The military of Greylith watch the dead depart, some relaxing, others tensing up at their sudden leave. After a moment the king turns to the men and says "The undead have given us their treasures as a token of friendship. Let us not have this day forgotten. An outdoor feast at the stairs to the cathedral will be held in their honor!"

The men cheered while the king reflected on what he had said, mumbling in a low voice. "Otch, maybe I should have invited them... no, no, baby steps there, Ramesh old boy." With the cloaked warrior at his side walked back to the gates and commented to the captain "Jakov my old friend, get ready for the vacation of a lifetime. Oh, and someone pick up those bags...!"

Later, while happy and confused citizens alike took part in the celebration, nine shadows slid down the walls and scurried off into the woods.

[Elemental]

Spoiler: Morgorach and Namiranzul on the Sun

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Out of the illuminated blindness of the sun's surface came a kaleidoscopic figure. Morgorach smiled at his brother's honest impatience. He spoke not with his voice, for it was too loud even besides the roaring furnace of the sun.

The voice came from a dreamed star so small it fit snugly into Morgorach's hand. "I found many of these. Small, stunted things that are the dreams of creatures that have never seen the sun or don't dare look directly at it. All they ever want to be, these small poor things, is to be just like your sun, brother."

The dream god handed out the small fragile thing to Namiranzul. It felt like dying embers, burning bright but not as bright as they could burn. "Careful" it said in his gargantuan fiery hands "It breaks easily."

Inside the minuscule star Namiranzul also saw a world without a sun, without stars. A world filled with mockeries and mimicries, but hardly the real deal. "It is a sad truth that people hardly dream of the sun as the sun should be; imperious, oppressive and ever present. They think of it as a natural annoyance and do not feel the adequate gratitude towards its presence. Even on the Darkest Day, all they do is hang up nightlights... Is that alright with you, brother? The greatest creation beside ourselves is misrepresented and underappreciated in the eyes of mortals."

"Of course, there is a smooth solution to this complicated problem. That's why I am here. Would you care for it?"

Namiranzul gazed into the offered "star" and saw into the world of dreams. A place for the most part unworthy of his attention.
"You are correct, it does not sit well with me. My Light gives warmth and life to the world of mortals, it is only proper that they give reverence towards it and me, both in the waking world and the world of dreams."
He looked back at Morgorach.
"What is it you propose Brother?"

"So your secret test of character was to not move? To stay put? In one place? And you reward the winner with prisons of stone and high walls around them? Really?"

She looks quite baffled as she hadn't even considered that a sane thought.

"You misunderstand Young One. The test was to see who would build and make the desert their home rather than the place they travelled through. Your Elves would simply leave for more hospitable climes should the water dry up or the vegetation die out. I see in these Orks a greater potential."
Namiranzul rises to his full height and weaves from his own flames a vision of a glorious nation. Aqueducts crossed the Ashlands turning what was desert into lush fields, lines of trees kept the desert winds at bay and at its centre was Raelzun on the shores of its glittering sea. A place more garden than city built around gleaming temples. The fiery image dissipated into the air as he started to speak again.
"You see a prison. I see a place of protection where one can rest and grow strong. As they are your Elves could never accomplish this. They are at the mercy of what misfortune befalls them with flight their only recourse.
"However, you should you still continue to feel differently, I will devise a new test for them."

[Markadelf]

The Amphitheatre of Aptitude

"Ah, I see my reputation proceeds me. It is a pleasure to meet both of you," Pisceanas said, and she curtseyed. The Sinister Mystery smiled, although it wasn't necessarily a happy smile, somewhat like Faelan's smile. "I assure you that me and my Sea Serpents have nothing personal against you and your Darkin. I merely... like my secrecy. I'm sure you, out of all of us, understand."

Turning to Raxmos, continuing the general thought, "as such, I would see underwater arenas as an inconvenience to my privacy. Besides, my Serpents are already savage enough, the youth don't need violent entertainment, it'd mess with their discipline and do them no good."

"No good? No good!?" Raxmos was clearly enraged at the foolishness he had heard, "How can they be prepared to survive without honing the skills of the body!? What will they do when others conquer the tide and come hunting? Will you protect them yourself or do you expect them to figure out the ins and outs of combat all at once when the moment of truth is already at hand!?"

[Hatter]

"That sounds lovely," Georgiana said, "although I'm not sure what we have that you might want. I mean, my sister has her flutes and fish bones, but I came up here with nothing."

Jeyne clutched at her necklace as if she didn't want to part with it. "I guess there's no harm in looking. Perhaps we'll notice something you don't have that we do, or visa versa," she said hesitantly, then reluctantly slid out of the shallow water and onto the shore with her sister.

"That's the spirit!" Georgiana seemed like a lively girl, full of energy, while Jeyne was more prone to brooding and sass.

"Good! Good!" Sad Jorgs as he rubbed his chubby little hands together. "Joo go talks ter othas too! Joo let dem be knowin' ta come trade!"

The Ork grinned a wide grin as he took a seat on a nearby rock with a grunt. "Ma name be Jorgs. Ah be a Assistan' Banka." He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch and rubbed it between his fingers a little bit.

Shadowy Meetings
Shadow Isle
Illnara

Illnara appeared on the shores of the Shadow Isle. She moved down and among the Isle's inhabitants. She observed the raw savagery and the destruction wrought by their kind both against each other and the environment that surrounded them.

These were definitely not her Orks. These creatures did not live in balance, they lived in the extreme of darkness.

She came to a stop when she looked up and saw the Amphitheater. She heard the roars and the cheers. The goddess remained relatively still and watched from a distance.

[thethird]

"You see a prison. I see a place of protection where one can rest and grow strong. As they are your Elves could never accomplish this. They are at the mercy of what misfortune befalls them with flight their only recourse.
"However, you should you still continue to feel differently, I will devise a new test for them."

Karaziemia shakes her head and waves at the image conjured by the sun god. She changes it, making it blossom into more. At first it shows the image borders, showing still rocky desert beyond the kept gardens. The desert then grows out of focus turning small as the vision now encompass the whole continent, with lush green at the south, desert at the central north, the swamps, the inner sea... The image keeps turning larger as it now encompasses the nearby islands. The sea is now depicted too, and the other continent and large landmasses. Soon the world is fully pictured. But it doesn't stop there, it keeps going, the sun itself becomes small when Karaziemia shows the sun god the galaxy, the universe, or at least so many stars to make the point moot. Nothing can be seen anymore of the desert.

"You think so small for someone with such a mouth. Elves were born at the south, within forest, lush and green. They won't depart the desert for greener pastures, they hail from them. They won't turn the desert into gardens, as elves aren't fit to staying put nor deserts are fit for gardening. It is their nature. And they shall be loved and respected for their nature. In what you are right though is that some elves will ultimately depart. The desert breeds strength and character, teaches speed and survival. Those are necessary skills and the elves do partake on them. They will raise many young among the desert to ensure they learn well. But if you expect my children to be kept from creation you will need to jail them."

Ice Moose Bone Monastery
Cestrim, Rabten

The excitement upon the initiates was a hard contrast with the more callous bearing of the acolytes. Yet the acolytes strict overcompensating frowns had nothing on the cold frugality of the cultist. And those cultist couldn't hold a candle in impassivity against the now ordained monks.

Rabten had been an initiate, an acolyte, a cultist, and was soon to be a monk. His back was bare, exposed to the inclemences, his skin was pale much whiter than the desert elves, his hair was being shaved by a fellow monk's blade. The cut wasn't perfect and at some points blood would trail if it didn't freeze and clot immediately. Pain was inexistant. His back was being marked, two older monks were lavorously scraping precious gold leaf into him. The nascent tattoo was a wheel, with eight spokes, always moving.

Rabten was fortunate, he didn't felt so for emotion hold little sway in his thoughts, he was marked as one of the first group of priests that would embark on the long journey. He along with eighteen other monks would go to the desert elves.

[Messy Lamaniera]

The Waking World, The Sun

Namiranzul gazed into the offered "star" and saw into the world of dreams. A place for the most part unworthy of his attention.
"You are correct, it does not sit well with me. My Light gives warmth and life to the world of mortals, it is only proper that they give reverence towards it and me, both in the waking world and the world of dreams."
He looked back at Morgorach.
"What is it you propose Brother?"

Morgorach smiled wide and open. The dreamed star spoke again. "Just that you bless the Dreamlands as you blessed the waking world. All I ask is that you dream of a sun like the sun is supposed to be." The Mosaic then offered his hand to Namiranzul and he knew that shaking hands with the Dreamer God would seal the deal.

Spoiler: Cmon Namiranzul

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Shake this poor sinner's hand.
Only a small quantifier, 1 AP to shape the dreamscape, giving it scorching sunlight in the proper way, not the pathetic dreamed type by mortals. But the one dreamed by Burning God itself.

[AvocadoAvenger]

The Amphitheater of Aptitude

"If such an unfortunate event should happen, I expect them to know their territory better than the invaders," Pisceanas replied diplomatically enough, but without hesitation. "A single Sea Serpent swims many miles in a single day, and as of now, access to the watery domain remains limited to outsiders. I assure you my creations are quite defensible." Have I said too much? The Sinister Mystery wondered to herself, I wouldn't want to jeopardize any of my defensive stratagem or make myself more of a target in speaking. OF course, she was probably just being too concerned with preserving her own mysteriousness. Diplomatically, she continued, "It's not as if they don't spar with each other and dance recreationally. I'm sure survival mechanisms are far different on land, and I respect what you must do to benefit your creatures, but the ocean is a different world altogether in many ways."

The Coast of Raelzun

Spoiler

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Merfolk do not have a concept of money. I guess you could call their current system communism. They could also probably benefit from architecture to some degree I think, and both could probably do well to learn the fishing techniques of the other; for Merfolk, "fishing" is more like "hunting." They can probably offer novelty items like musical instruments and art, as well as weapons.
Merfolk can go on land, so you can invite them up to the city if you want.

"I'm Georgiana, and this is my sister, Jeyne," Georgiana chirped. "Sure we can get others-"

"but what do we say to them?" Jeyne chimed in, finishing her sentence. "And what's in the bad?" She sounded more skeptical about this than her sister. She fingered a few of the bones on her necklace passively, considering which she could trade if something interesting enough were to come to her attention.

[Hatter]

The Coast of Raelzun

"Joo show dem dis." Said the Ork as he dug into another pocket and pulled out what appeared to be living wood. It was a bundle of roots and vines wrapped together in a beautiful knotted design that appeared to thrive on it's own without outside influence.

"Da Druid Boyz be makin deze. Dey be made wit magics for healins" he tossed it to the merwomen.

[AvocadoAvenger]

The Coast of Raelzun

"Joo show dem dis." Said the Ork as he dug into another pocket and pulled out what appeared to be living wood. It was a bundle of roots and vines wrapped together in a beautiful knotted design that appeared to thrive on it's own without outside influence.

"Da Druid Boyz be makin deze. Dey be made wit magics for healins" he tossed it to the merwomen.

"Sure," Georgiana said, eager to examine this new object.

Jeyne detached a slightly larger hollow fish bone flute from her necklace and delicately handed it to Jorgs. "In return, you can have one of these. If you blow into it, it makes music."

"Some of the sweetest sounds," Georgiana added with enthusiasm.

[Hatter]

"Sure," Georgiana said, eager to examine this new object.

Jeyne detached a slightly larger hollow fish bone flute from her necklace and delicately handed it to Jorgs. "In return, you can have one of these. If you blow into it, it makes music."

"Some of the sweetest sounds," Georgiana added with enthusiasm.

Jorgs tried blowing into the fish bone but he had absolutely no skill at all. Still, it did not deter his absolute joy when he discovered the possibilities. "Aha! Joo makes good trade! Jorgs likin' dis!"

The Ork quickly pocketed the bone before turning to the merwomen. "Jorgs tell joo what! Joo go get others an' meet Jorgs at da coast by da city an' we can be tradin' more. Jorgs go ta gather Da Boyz an' we be openin' big trade!"

[Wilkowsky]

Tryboh, South-West Tixial

The first thing a newly born deity did was establishing his cult. Serkyev Tryboha (The Church of Tryboh) was no longer a primitive cult of a hunter-gatherer tribe, but a full-fledged religious system. The followers of Tryboh would build temples and educate priests, who acted as an intermediates between the Deity and it’s believers. As Tryglovoi was considered the god of Fortune his priests would be present in every aspect of a life of both an individual and a community. They would be there to bless the newborn and ask for a good afterlife for the deceased, they would bless marriages and curse enemy kings during wars. They would be there to spiritually oversee every new enterprise of their community and it’s members.

Dawn of the Southern Kingdoms (musica!)

After establishing his religion The Three Headed Deity immediately began to work on crafting it's promises into being. He took the most beautiful Fae on the continent and lied down with her in the highlands to the south and east of the City of Greylith. And she was so pleased she could never get up again and she petrified there as eons went by, creating Lyubavnicne Wzgory (Lover Mountains) that had their beginning a dozen of miles to the south and east of Greylith and ran down to the south, down to the ocean, shielding The South from any reptiles that could come from the Colosseum to the east.

A river springs high in the mountains somewhere in the upper part of the range and ran down south through the highlands at the feet of the mountain range to about halfway to the ocean where it turns west and flows through the whole country up to the ocean, splitting The Southern Region to two sub-regions.

Tryboh stood on the northern side of the river and blew at it, immediately creating a multitude of minor rivers running south. He lowered the south-westernmost lands which caused them to be overwhelmed with rivers turning the land into swamps. Throughout the rest of the southern South he lowered grounds in a dozens of single spots, creating all sorts of lakes and ponds.

The deity then crossed the river and stood at it's southern side. Now he turned north and blew again, this time at the trees of the northern South. Thinning out the jungle so it could later be entirely cut out, if needed, for the crop fields.

The Three Headed God ascended to the clouds above The South and from there spoke with his male mouth unto blessing. He blessed all of the female Fae in the region giving them extended powers over nature in the land. They now not only guarded it but could control it to some extent - they could change the weather and control fauna and flora in their domain. The powers of each Fae would be limited to their territory. They would rule over forests, lakes, fields, swamps and so on, and each Fae would be known as a Lady of her realm. So there would be Lady of the Green Lake, Lady of the Western Forest, Lady of the Crop Fields and so on.
Every sentient being that would like to settle in their domain would have to bargain with the Fae to receive her blessing, if they’d like to flourish in the land.

Tryglovoi opened his mouth again and once more spoke unto blessing. He blessed the land of The South to make it safe for his followers, causing the great reptiles and Juresh to migrate out of the region. Now there would only be small populations of those creatures deep within the forests.

And then through subtle guidance of men’s fortune Tryboh multiplied his followers throughout the whole region, leading them to establish villages. With time some of those villages would grow in wealth and power, becoming cities - building walls and training militia. The leader of such settlement was called knyaz (king) and would subjugate nearby villages, taxing them and levying militia, thus creating his own kingdom. Sometimes one of the city-states would be powerful enough, perhaps even subjugating another kingdom, to be called a vysokey knyaztvo (a high kingdom), and it’s leader would be known as a vysokey knyaz (a high king). In the future perhaps one of the kings would conquer all of The South, becoming a vsyeh knyaz (the All-King).

Spoiler: AP expenditure

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Starting APs: 15

Create society: Serkyev Tryboha (The Church of Tryboh) - 1 AP
Alter land: create The South - 1 AP
Bless: give female Fae powers over nature in The South - they can change weather, control fauna and flora, they are known as Ladies of their respective environments (Lady of the Lake, Lady of the Western Forest, Lady of the Golden Crop Fields etc.). Sentient races settling down in their domains must bargain with them to acquire their favor and prosper in their lands. - 1 AP
Bless: Juresh and Rexes migrate out of The Southern Kingdoms (only a minor populations deep inside the jungle remain) - 1 AP
Create society: Yuzhne Knyaztva (The Southern Kingdoms) - multiple city-states in The South, each ruled by a knyaz (king), the most powerful city-states are known as vysokey knyaztva (high kingdoms) ruled by vysokey knyaz (high king). If there would ever be one king to unite all of The South he would be known as the Vsyeh Knyaz (the All-King). - 1 AP

remaining APs: 10

[AvocadoAvenger]

The Coast of Raelzun

Georgiana and Jeyne disappeared and returned later that day with their friend Burne, a strapping young Merfolk lad who had gotten off work early and carried a bag of stuff slung over his shoulder and held in his left hand and a shining trident in his right. There were a few other groups of Merfolk that had come along decorated with whatever they could wear, find, or carry that foreigners might be interested in. There was one squad of police that tried to keep to the center to try to make sure everything went smoothly. Buryne stayed somewhat close to them, but Jeyne and Georgiana were never too far away from them. He was a few years older than either of them, but the three of them lightly flirted in their conversation as it seemed Merfolk have a way of doing, particularly youth.

[Markadelf]

Ampitheater of Aptitude
"Well, nice talking to you guys. I've gotta go make sure T-Rax doesn't kill all of the other T-Rexes when I'm not there to see it. Feel free to visit anytime." After finishing his statement, Raxmos left.

Tixial
Ok, it appears Raxmos only killed two people without me. And the T-Rexes are all fin--- "What the hell is this! By the creator, who has brainwashed my people and kicked them out of half their land!?" Sigh, It matters not. 'Whoever' has clearly renovated our fine land of Tixial to serve his own purposes. The nerve of some people! To do all this, most likely to protect his people!!! What people have the right to live instead of any other people? Only the strong! It is something they must earn themselves or it is meaningless. I'll just have to apply new challenges to them. Raxmos took the idea of a sea serpent and warped it to suit his purposes. Then he spoke to the entire southern region of Tixial, "Listen up, people of the south. As you have driven out the T-Rexes and the Juresh, I will give you a new adversary to defend yourselves against! Be warned, the worms are coming!" Then he unleashed this warped creature unto the land.

Spoiler

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Start AP: 6
Alter action: -1 AP: subrace: purple worms
End AP: 5

Purple worms: Effectively, sea serpents that have lost their sentience, are purple, can dig, and breathe oxygen from the air. They mostly eat humans, subterranean critters and anything smaller than they are. They mainly inhabit the southern section of Tixial, but might be seen further the north. All purple worms return to south western Tixial to create nests and mate. Edit: This isn't due to a special property of the land itself, it is merely that they go back to where they were born. Since they were all born there, no other nest can exist without some explanation of how it got there.

[Hatter]

The Ocean
Somehwere between Norian and Tixial
Illnara

Illnara stood upon the waters of the great Ocean as she looked down into it's depths. There were creatures who sought to murder her children within these waters and she would see them for herself and perhaps even learn why such mindless killing was necessary.

She took a step and the two steps across the water as she peered down into it's murky depths in search of a serpent.

Raelzun Docks

When the merfolk arrived at the City of Raelzun they were immediately greeted by a throng of Orkish merchants and skilled craftsmen waiting to trade, be it in the form of goods, food or even knowledge. The Orks were all part of Assistant Banker Jorgs' inner circle.