Mythopoeia: RP of gods and nations (game thread, closed)

[drmigit2]

Lysei, Ajivha

These lands?were strange to Lysei, who had grown so accustomed to the luscious jungle within the Raptor States, and the tropical atmosphere in Aurora. This?desert as it was known, was alien to the fire god, though not hostile. Lysei had earlier organized two very important meetings, and they both were to occur here. Gangari would probably be happy to know that another god was making use of the university, but Lysei hadn't come to exchange pleasantries. Fact was, he would soon return to the Raptor states, and then later Aurora, but not before his project could be put in motion. One month ago exactly, Mistress Nelind, and one of Khyber Kraai's associates had received messages to meet within Ajivha's university if they wished to learn more about their powers. Nelind could not afford to leave her estate, but had managed to send a few servants, while Kraai's man came himself. The stage had been set as they entered the grand halls of Gangari's private study. Lysei would soon be able to initiate phase two of his master experiment. The god cracked a few of his knuckles and prepared to make his move.

An Ajivhan prison

Five men sat in the dark, the only light emanating from the darkest deepest pit the Ajivhans could make. This dungeon was designed specifically for traitors to the great nation, and rarely held an individual for more than a few months. None had escaped, none ever would. The blackness often consumed individuals, driving them mad, enduring suicide and stripping what little dignity these prisoners may have had. Lysei viewed it an abomination, the Vazin ruled with absolute authority, and was generally good, but this treatment of those who would defy him?he could not abide. The first experiment was being conducted in these halls. Five men, each with a different crime, would show the world the true power that Lysei's followers commanded. These men had their freedom stripped from them, and soon it would return.

Two of these men, Vasha and Relind happened to be cellmates. They had both been thrown into the dark together. Typically the cellmates would destroy one another, part of the Ajivhans methods of breaking the worst prisoners. However, these two got along famously, keeping their relationship secret from the guards who would only venture down to deliver them food. Vasha was a large man, a great worker, he avoided paying the Vazin's taxes and when summoned, attempted to flee. His crimes slowly began to escalate until he was forced to kill a guard with his bare hands. His strength was his own undoing. Relind was a stout, but sturdy man who, unlike his cellmate, had a full head of curled black hair. He was on duty, shooting flames into the stone beneath him. It was a small piece of a great puzzle, him and Vasha often shared this work. They would craft a small piece of a creature, and a few rats would come and drag it away eventually. Sometimes they carried messages, such as the ones that brought the group together. Reading them would normally be impossible, but their leader cut the words into stone, allowing them to be read with a touch. They had never met him, but knew him as the Great Emir.

"Is it all ready then? Are you sure it will work?"

"Of course it will work. The gods have truly favored us with this gift."

"But I don't even know the plan!"

"Yeah you bloody fool, that's the point. Only the Emir himself must know. His execution is the main attraction after all, the rest of us the Vazin views as trash."

"I know, but I just hate all these secrets. I allowed myself to come here for my own honor's sake, I don't like any of it."

"Just hold on a moment, soon we will touch the skies as only our god can, and then we shall know true paradise!"

"I hope so?"
----------------------------------------------------------------

It had felt like a century to Relind, but the Death Fairies as he had come to know them came once again. He had long finished the last piece and had received a final pebble, it read "We will meet soon, paradise is coming." The guards cuffed his arms and had him walk for the first time in months out of his own cell. Vasha followed behind and at least ten other men soon met in the darkness. WIthin these twelve, Relind knew his allies were shuffling. The walking intensified as he realized they were not simply going back up the way they came. He asked the guard "Where are you having us taken?" The guard did not reply.

It was at that moment, that Relind felt a slight brush against his arm. It was a pebble, Emir was next to him. The pebble read "It's our salvation" and Relind nodded. He could see the light quickly approaching. The cave was ending, he would be free of this country one way or another.

---------------------------------

The world had color once again to Relind. He was waiting again, this time in a small room surrounded by the others. To his right sat Emir sat. It was strange how Emir was built. Relind had pictured a great and powerful man, but Emir looked very casual, he sat in his rags with cold black eyes and was entirely without muscles. His eyes too were a bright green and he looked up at Relind and smiled. For the first time, Emir spoke, asking "Have you ever heard the story of the great Sand Hawk?"

Relind shook his head, the Ajhivans had many stories of great beasts that once roamed the earth, but he had spent little time wondering of them. His duties as a soldier came first and he was not very well read. Emir reached out his hand, touching Relind's and said "There once was a great hawk, with a wingspan capable of spanning entire camps. He would prey upon those who were unjust, grabbing them with his great talons and dropping them into the dunes below. Rumors say it would even help innocents in need. This great bird flew free, high above the humans who fought and enslaved one another." Emir leaned forward and said "The stories say that this bird eventually was killed by the first Vazin himself. He intended to make it a trophy to legitimize his rule, but the creature turned to sand right before the man's eyes!"

Relind's eyes grew wide and he chuckled. "Would sure be nice to have one of those right about now." The rest of the men and women in the room similarly laughed. Most of the twelve felt doomed, Still, Emir kept his smile on and said "They will be coming soon. Prepare yourself" and like clockwork the guards came shuffling in. One after another they dragged out the prisoners into a massive stadium. Hundreds had come to watch the traitors be hung, it was a spectacle like no other. Relind dodged a few pieces of rotten fruit as he walked to the gallows. Fifteen nooses hung looming over the prisoners, beckoning them to their deaths. A few feathers were scattered along the platform, and Relind smiled as he stepped up.

A few men in black hoods approached them as a priest of Gangari began to read to them. "You twelve, stand against the great order of our nation, for one reason or another, you found it appropriate to conspire against the state, and have betrayed the Vazin himself. For this, we hereby sentence you to death. May the gods watch over you in the next life, and may they have mercy on you for your heinous crimes." The priest was a young man, with straight hair and a well kept set of rags. Emir whispered over to Relind "This one is new, I suppose they are taking these new gods very seriously. Wouldn't it be funny if Gangari himself was our benefactor?" Relind had never considered it, Gangari did not waste his time on the mortals when it came to matters such as these. He had read about one god of fire somewhere, his name was hard to pronounce, Leesay or something along those lines. He had stirred up a large fiasco in Aurora, and Relind had his money on the fire god being responsible.

As the executioners approached the twelve, Emir yelled out. "Citizens of Ajhiva! What you are about to witness, is the crowning achievement of our evolution! We are truly blessed to be here today." Emir's eyes began to glow a bright green, and Relind took that as his que to follow suit, even if he had no idea what he was channeling his own powers towards. Soon, Vasha and two others participated and the ground began to shake. The priest of Gangari looked to each side and said "Everyone, keep calm. It is merely the gods speaking their displeasure against these traitors! It should probably cease soon."

Yet, it did not. The sands themselves began to shake and take form. Thousands of bones flung themselves from the ground and the gallows began to rise. The executioners quickly ran off, but the prisoners found themselves trapped. Six massive talons wrapped themselves around the wooden platform and in a massive burst of light, a hawk the size of a building took flight, ripping the gallows from the ground and taking the prisoners far away. Relind could hardly believe what Emir had organized. Dozens of rats were also on board, likely creations of Emir himself. If he wasn't so exhausted from completing the spell, the man may have commented on how small Ajhiva looked from afar.

Within hours, the massive bird found itself on a far away island to the north. There it took rest, and the fate of the men it swooped away seemed much brighter than only a few days ago. Relind had just remembered the name of that god the Aurorans found themselves worshipping. It was Lysei. That had to be the one.

----------------------

Lysei

As Lysei watched the great sand bird fly away, he began to unleash his own creation upon the world. Or rather, its codigen. The mortals would have to first decipher the codigen if they wished to understand it, but Lysei gave instructions to scholars within the great university and made it very clear who the recipients were to be. It was then, that he decided to see how the slaves had been faring in Aurora. He wondered what Kaius might do with them, he hoped the Emperor would show some degree of improvement after all this time.

As Lysei flew to Aurora, he saw a curious sight, statues of Jikashi were being brought in with extreme haste and quickly being put to worship. Lysei figured Kaius knew little of the water god and decided to turn around and confront the Emperor on the issue, but strangely enough, he had no idea where the Emperor was. This had never happened before, he certainly wasn't dead, that much Lysei could figure out, it was as if he had stopped existing all together. Lysei turned to the coast and thought on it for a moment, then turned to the sky and sighed. Kaius was hiding from him, and he had done it without informing Vallous. Lysei could only take this as a betrayal, and he knew what had to be done. As Lysei flew away from Aurora, he looked down at Wrath and grumbled. "I did not expect it to taste blood so soon."

The god of fire realized that his own power might be at risk under these circumstances, he would need to call upon a favor. To Khyber Kraai of the Black Feathers, Lysei sent a vision of himself granting the powers that gifted his family. Then, Lysei showed Khyber the burning of Ber Sam and that it was indeed he who did it, and no one else. The vision would end with a series of statues and Krakari worship, followed by new creatures the Krakari had never seen before. He would reveal his name and request worship in return for the powers bestowed.

Lysei looked homeward, it had been a long time since he saw the shores of Aurora, and Jikashi wished to disrupt the betterment of his own home. This outrage could never be forgiven. He had hoped to show mercy to Jikashi and allow reforms, but of all the crimes a god could commit against him, Jikashi corrupting Lysei's own homeland was inexcusable. It appeared as if Gangari was right. Lysei contained his rage and took a seat on top of a mountain so high, that no nation had managed to enter. He made a call to those who he may consider for allies in what was about to come. He summoned Gangari, Qartoq, and despite his better judgement, he also sent for the god of pacts to join him, Cyth'raul.

He sent the gods this message. "Hello, I am Lysei, and I have stayed in the shadows for far too long it appears. I urge the gods to meet at once, many of us share a common enemy who must be dealt with before he corrupts the lands and further leads the mortals astray. If anything, knowing one another would be preferable at this current moment." Lysei allowed the other gods to feel his presence and sense his location for the time being. Just long enough for anyone interested to come and the meeting to commense.

Spoiler: Actions

Teach a new technology to the mortals offering moderate benefits: DC 9 +4 Flames (Codigens are forged personally either by Lysei or a Genner).
The unknown Codigen is to go to Aurora (including Nelind and the government), Ajivha, and the Raptor States


Communicate with Khyber Kraai

Send a message to Cyth'Raul, Gangari and Qartoq

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Gangari, Ajivha - 7/15 AP
During their sleep runes would begin to appear on the visitors to the university, Gangari hoped this would cause them to want to learn his arts as well, but if it didn't it was still a step towards a long goal in the future.

Over the course of weeks Gangari and his Demiurge would teach the Luug that came to him his arts, hoping that in the new lands it would go to it would bring prosperity to his students and their family.

But then Lysei spoke to him over a great distance. He had been half expecting to hear from him for weeks now.
He materialized himself near Lysei, lowering his hood and nodding to the other god while he prepared to wait to see if others would arrive.

Spoiler: Actions

- Spoke to Mortals
- Listened to Prayers
- Altered his Avatar again

- Blessed The Dean of the University and the four most promising students with the gifts of the Arch-Artificer.
- Blessed The Twenty Ajivhan Scholars given the Divine Spark by Lysei with the Rune of the "Artificer of the Forge."
- Blessed The Fifty Ajivhan Villagers given the power of Waterbending by Jashiki with the Rune of the "Artificer of the Deep."
- Blessed the Leader of the Luug Expedition (Haakan) to the University with the Rune of the Arch-Artificer.
- Blessed the rest of the Luug Expedition to the University with the Rune of the Artificer.
- Blessed the Leader of the Krakari Expedition to the University with the Rune of the "Artificer of the Ether."
- Blessed the rest of the Krakari Expedition to the University with the Rune of the "Wright of the Ether."
- Blessed the Necromancer of the Krakari Expedition to the University with the Rune of the "Artificer of the Ether."
- Blessed the Waterbenders (that remained at the university) of the Ray-Das Expedition to the University with the Rune of the "Evoker of the Deep."
- Blessed the rest of the Ajivhans in the University (that he can out of the 500 he is blessing this turn in total) with accelerated learning potential and clarity of mind so they can better research the Runic Arts for themselves.
(Should be difficulty 9, with a cost of 3 AP. Total domain bonus applied to the roll should be +4.)

- Modified Runic Magic System

Spoiler: Runic Magic

Runic Magic

Gangari: Deity level powers clearly. If he was killed or banished the system would cease to function until another deity took his place and restored it.

The Demiurge: The Common Features of a Demiurge are eyes that glow slightly blue not unlike Gangari and pieces of golden metal (in the shape of eight spirals connected by their tails at the centre) bonded permanently to both of the backs of his hands (if an attempt to remove it was made, it would be found that it is attached to the bone, if it was torn off from the Demiurge's body the mark would disappear from the the piece that was torn off and reform on another piece of the Demiurge's body assuming he was alive). They are enhanced from their original forms to be stronger and faster without it outwardly showing. Their minds are made keener and their lives are lengthened in the process of their rebirth.

If he was killed those below him would lose power until another Demiurge is created. There is only a single Demiurge at a time and through him powers are filtered down from Gangari to the others. In terms of power he is equivalent to a mid to high level Pathfinder Mystic Theurge and is the most knowledgeable rune smith second only to Gangari.

The Demiurge is the lorekeeper and sage of the system. His duty as intended by Gangari is to collect, record, and teach what he can about the Runes and perhaps some day other forms of magic.

Artificers: On both of the backs of their hands is a tattoo created from specialized inks applied by The Demiurge or an Arch-Artificer. The tattoo is of seven spirals connected by their tails at the centre. If all of the artificers were killed those below them would lose power until more were created. They receive their power from the Demiurge and it is filtered down from Gangari through him. In terms of power and skills they are equivalent to mid level D&D artificers, they are knowledgeable rune smiths.

The Artificers are the scientists, scholars, and true specialists of the system. Their main duties regard experimenting with the runes and creating powerful objects and weapons relating to their craft of choice.

Arch-Artificers: On both of the backs of their hands is a tattoo created from specialized inks applied by The Demiurge. The tattoo is of seven silver spirals connected by their tails at the centre. They receive their power from the Demiurge and it is filtered down from Gangari through him.

The Arch-Artificers are intended to be Overseers and Head-Researchers. They occupy a position of power between the Demiurge and the other Artificers inside Silver-root. In a military analogy they would be the officers. They manage the affairs where the time of the Demiurge would be wasted and the talents of the general Artificer would be inadequate.

Runewrights: On both of the backs of their hands is a tattoo created from specialized inks applied by an Artificer. The tattoo is of four spirals connected by their tails at the centre. If all of the runewrights were killed the evokers would lose power until more were trained. In terms of power and skills they are equivalent to low to mid level D&D magewrights, the majority of them are apprentices of Artificers.

Evokers: On both of the backs of their hands is a tattoo created from specialized inks applied by a Runewright. The tattoo is of a single spiral contained within a circle. Evokers receive the least amount of power and are only capable of producing what would be considered cantrips in D&D. They are capable of runesmithing but their runes tend to fade over time and therefore produce only temporary and minor effects. They are incapable of inscribing runic tattoos onto others and any attempts merely lead to dead marks.

The Evokers are usually servants of Artificers and Runewrights, however the honour has been granted to others as well.

Spoiler: Variants

Artificers of the Forge: A variant of the Artificer with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of the Divine Spark. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of both the power of Runic Magic and the powers given by their Divine Spark in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Orange.

Artificers of the Ether: A variant of the Artificer with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of Necromancy and Alchemy. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of the powers of Runic Magic, Necromancy, and Alchemy in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Bone White.

Artificers of the Deep: A variant of the Artificer with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of their Water Bending. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of both the power of Runic Magic and their Water Bending in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Turqouise.

Wright of the Forge: A variant of the Runewright with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of the Divine Spark. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of both the power of Runic Magic and the powers given by their Divine Spark in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Orange.

Wright of the Ether: A variant of the Runewright with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of Necromancy and Alchemy. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of the powers of Runic Magic, Necromancy, and Alchemy in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Bone White.

Wright of the Deep: A variant of the Runewright with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of their Water Bending. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of both the power of Runic Magic and their Water Bending in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Turqouise.

Evokers of the Forge: A variant of the Evoker with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of the Divine Spark. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of both the power of Runic Magic and the powers given by their Divine Spark in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Orange and tied to Fire.

Evokers of the Ether: A variant of the Evoker with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of Necromancy and Alchemy. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of the powers of Runic Magic, Necromancy, and Alchemy in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Bone White and tied to Air.

Evokers of the Deep: A variant of the Evoker with powers adapted to and blended with the powers of their Water Bending. They are intended to focus upon the utilization of both the power of Runic Magic and their Water Bending in a synergistic fashion. Their tattoo is Turqouise and tied to Water.

Untrained Sentients: No runic tattoos unless dead marks or blessings are counted. They are unable to scribe runes but they are capable of utilizing most items enchanted with runes. These are the average people of the lands.

Runes: Marks upon objects that draw power into an object to power an enchantment, there are many and their effects vary based upon the rune itself, the object in question, other runes upon the object, and their position in relation to other runes upon the object. Their strength is determined by the creature that scribed it.

Dead marks: Simple Tattoos with no effects. This term is usually used to describe a failed rune.

The Spiral based runes scribed onto mages are what allow them to use magic. Each spiral is representative of an alchemic element: Air, Earth, Fire, Mercury, Salt, Sulphur, and Water. The eighth is only scribed upon the Demiurge for it is representative of life, the soul, and the mind. It is what sets him apart from his peers and connects him to Gangari above all else. Artificers are inscribed with all but the eighth. The spirals of runewrights are connected to Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. The spiral of the evoker is connected to a single element which could be Air, Earth, Fire, or Water.

- Made contact with Lysei.

- Should have 4/15 AP at end of turn

 

[Terratina.]

Cyth'raul, Channel Isle → Ajivha - 9/15 AP

The deity sighed as it watched violently-inclined mortals decided to ignore a god over yonder. Mere ticks sucking on divine goodwill. Just as Cyth'raul was going to make good on the previously made promise, a message flew through the air and joined the other whispers in the Pactforger's head. Words that reeked of smoke. However, Cyth'raul was intrigued by the invitation. In a few minutes, the deity reached the meeting places and pulled out a book, giving off a bored air all the while.

 

[IFS]

All

Winter began to fade, the snow melting where it had fallen and the harsh storms fading into memory. Spring had always been a time of growth and renewal, how much growth would soon be revealed by the various nations censuses. Even the gods felt their powers renewed once more.

(it is now spring, there is no longer any penalty to military actions. God's AP is restored, wealth income, population growth, and food changes will be totaled up later when I have more time, likely tomorrow but this weekend at the absolute latest)

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Qartoq

Failure again! Perhaps she needed more practice at altering the living, at any rate the lizards received the alterations only in part. Their scales became black and they grew wings, but they were small and vestigial, of no use for flight. Their eyes remained untouched by her power, and they spat up the remains of their last meal rather than any sort of dangerous acid.

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Jashiki

The god's power washed over the emperor, and the burning visions faded from the man's mind. His small connection to Lysei was neatly severed, and the emperor could not help but sigh with relief. He might still dream of flames, but it would be his own dreams not some forced revelation.

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Lysei

There were flaws in his design, whatever knowledge of the codigen Lysei attempted to pass on it did not meet with mortal comprehension. His teachings fell to pieces, little more than garbled nonsense, scattered embers from some burning source of knowledge.

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Gangari

Gangari was a practiced hand at delivering his blessings by now, and each settled nicely into place, each rune affixed to the flesh of its chosen bearer. The powers of runes were well known by now, at least among the Ajihvams, and this new blessing would only spread the knowledge of the art.

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Ray-Das

The Krakari spy seemed to have gone to ground, rumors of sabotage or theft persisted but no one was able to turn up the culprit. The agent remained in their lands, possibly acting against them at this very moment, but more than that was unknown to the Ray-Das. Meanwhile the work on Lot-Vos proceeded quickly, the Ray-Das had grown skilled at building quickly, and the new construction would hold well against any siege.

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Krakari

The necromancers plied their skills on the burned corpses that had been left behind, and soon met with success. Mercenaries held little in the way of loyalty after death it seemed, and secrets were soon gleaned about the Ray-Das defenses. They would likely only be useful once before the halflings wizened up, but any edge would be useful.

(the knowledge gained will grant one die to an attack action against the Ray-Das, though the knowledge can only be used once)

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Deep Tribes

The university was a vast and almost alien place to the Luug, but they swiftly learned to make use of the numerous texts contained within. Surprising many who took the Luug to be dimwitted they soon produced a thesis on new methods of scientific research that many could benefit from, if only the proper funding was put into place.

In the meantime the nimble scouts of the Luug searched quickly and thoroughly through the lands surrounding the manner. They marked down useful sites, pockets of loose earth that would be easily excavated, and even drove off miscreants and brigands. With luck their efforts would pave the way for the settlers success.

Perseverance paid off, the Luug's patience finally outmatching the maggots stubbornness and ill tempers. Wos was confident now that his people could break enough of the beasts to prove useful as manual labor, and alongside the maggot queen they would no doubt be immensely useful for paving the way for new settlements, all he needed was for the other tribes to chip in so that the fruits of his labors could pay off.

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Sammah

The knowledge of runecrafting spread throughout the land, most had heard of it long before now but only with the investments and efforts of scholars could the magic, no the art, spread to the common people. It was still a difficult and advanced craft, but the Ajihvams excelled at all manner of crafts and it was only a matter of time before they mastered this one as well.

The trade of technologies went perfectly, though each side would need to invest resources to implement their new gains. News from the university reached the Vazin's ears as well, of all people the Luug had pioneered some new scientific techniques, and some of their own scholars were developing interesting theories on the nature of all substances. It was no doubt a chaotic time, but also a time of great discovery and advancement, of progress.

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Aurora

The agreement was signed and the fleet dispatched, the Aurorans would no doubt profit greatly from this arrangement in the future. The Emperor had other things to attend to though, including a ritual to conceal him from the gods. It was ancient but common knowledge, said to have been invented by the first emperor in defiance of the old gods, though other nations no doubt had their own stories for how the ritual came to be. Soon it was completed, and the emperor held a lump of warm grey stone, concealing his very existence from the divine unless he wished to be revealed.

It seemed he was not the only thing now hidden though, the new lands revealed by the lowered sea proved difficult to scout, the strange new currents around them were especially unpredictable and some navigators were angry at the thought of having to make such drastic alterations to their charts that they refused to even acknowledge the new lands existence, with predictable results.

 

[JoJo]

Emperor Kaius III, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia



"Tell Octavius to get out of his office, the baby is here," Kaius told a slave, who hurried off. With that business dealt with, he returned to admiring his newborn daughter, tiny and precious in his arms. He'd never seen anything quite so beautiful in his life. The family were beginning to gather, his mother and brother looking on admiringly from one corner, his other two wives sitting sulking in the other, no doubt jealous that they hadn't been the first to bear the Emperor a child. Prima herself was splayed out in the best infirmary bed, exhausted after a gruelling first labour.

"What are you going to call her," his mother asked.

"Aelia," Kaius replied, "After her maternal grandmother... and I like the name,"

"It's pretty," Prima added, "Like Mama used to be, Father rest her soul,"

At that moment Octavius burst through the door, giving the newborn a cursory glance before turning his attention elsewhere in the room.

"You called your Imperial Majesty? My commiserations on the baby, still maybe you can marry her off to Maximus one day!"

"Ugh, no way! She's my niece!" the child replied with a look of absolute disgust.

"You think that's close my boy, have you never heard of the 5th century Emperor Talos, whose mother was also legally his aunt? Then again, that may have been the explanation behind his reputedly oversized tongue..."

At this point, the Emperor had already mentally tuned out the elder man and was focused only on his new daughter, marvelling at how small her hands and feet were.

"I don't care what he says," Kaius whispered in the baby's ear, "You're perfect and I'll look after you as well as a man can, I promise you that."

.​

High Prince Octavius and Lysei, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia


Octavius walked back into his office and shut the door, after a moment's thought locking it behind him. He needed some alone time to write and the last thing he needed was to be disturbed. He had to admit, despite what he'd said earlier he was rather pleased to see a new infant in the family, even if it was only a girl.

Lysei had been watching Octavius carefully ever since he met Kaius. Kaius was fairly weak willed, and Lysei knew that Octavius liked to pull strings. He had been planning to rid himself of this man had he tried anything, but now with Kaius having gone rogue, plans had to change. Lysei appeared in front of Octavius without ceremony and sealed the door shut behind him. Not a soul could hear what would happen in this room.

"Octavius, I have been watching you for quite some time now." Lysei created a chair for himself and sat in it, with a cavalier attitude towards the mortal who just witnessed a god appear in front of him.

"Wha... who the hell are you?!" Octavius half shouted and instinctively he reached for a poker in the nearby fireplace and grasped it, holding the metal stick in front of him like a weapon. "How did you get in here?"

Lysei laughed and smiled. "Attempting to attack a fire god with fire will do you no good I'm afraid." He leaned back in his chair a bit and said "I am Lysei, god of flames and protector of the lands. And you, are Octavius, mastermind behind the throne and commander of the military, if I am not mistaken?" Lysei clapped his hands and said "Well then! It seems introductions have been made. If you wouldn't mind putting that toy away before you burn yourself, we could get to business."

"Huh," Octavius said, slowly dropping the hot poker back into the fire. "You are real then... and to think I was about to write 'religion is the whale oil of the masses'," he remarked, crossing out a couple of lines on the parchment lying before him. "Are you the Father as Vallous says?"

"I am many things" Lysei began. "If you wish to call me the father, then that is perfectly fine. Some would call me a destroyer, others the slayer of Ber Sam. Some give me no name at all, likening me to a force of nature sweeping up the corruption in the nobility one by one. The name I have given myself, however, is Lysei."

Lysei looked deeply in Octavius' eyes. "I haven't revealed myself in order to convert you, however. There are pressing matters which I think you could help me with."

"I am a mere mortal, albeit a well-connected one," Octavius chortled to himself, "What could you possibly need me for?"

Lysei took out a simple looking dagger with runic inscriptions on it. It shimmered unnaturally near the fire and rattled a bit. "I had hoped Kaius would serve better as Emperor than he has. It has come to my attention that he is hiding from all gods, while inviting the war god of the barbarians here. I need someone in the government by my side, working to help improve Aurora. Kaius has proven that he is unwilling to help, and may go so far as to stand against me. I am offering you, Octavius, the power only a god can offer, if you will do two things for me."

"And what things are those?" Octavius asked hesitantly, eyeing the dagger uneasily.

Lysei placed the dagger on Octavius' desk. "This dagger does not cut the same way any sword would. It curses those who are stabbed and causes their life to end the same day. The assassin is impossible to implicate, and is entirely safe. You could become its owner for a time, but its first target is going to be Kaius, and you shall be the one to use it." Lysei then put two fingers up. "The second task I require from you, is to appoint Vallous as Maximus' advisor. You will continue to serve as regent, with the assistance of myself, and I will personally see to it that Maximus does not make the same mistakes as his brother."

"You want me to kill my own nephew?" Octavius replied in a horrified tone, "What sort of man do you think I am to murder my own flesh and blood. I promised my brother Kaius Senior that I'd protect his two sons as I would my own on his deathbed, what has young Kaius done to deserve this?"

"It's fairly simple, actually. The current state of liberty in Aurora is unacceptable. The underclass lives in absolute squalor without any rights as the nobles step on them. I have been seeing to it that those who commit the worst acts are punished, but the system itself must change. I could begin radical restructuring via mass killings and freeing of those who find themselves impoverished. But that would result in far too much death, and is not the best option. The best option is to have an Emperor who is willing to change things. I made Kaius see what was happening, and he has failed every test I have given him. Under his current rule, he will only preserve the status quo. That much he has made clear. I need someone on the throne willing and able to make the changes our country needs. I was born in Aurora, I care too much about its people to not try and reform the system that hurts them. I have thought about this for a long time, and hoped it would not come to this, but it has."

Lysei reached out his hand to Octavius. "You have a choice now, join me and we can help this nation reform, bring justice to the people. Such a noble act would come with rewards. Or, you could simply stay as you are, and eventually be phased out of history."

Octavius remained silent for a while after Lysei's speech, before finally speaking.

"It is true that I and Kaius do not always see eye-to-eye, and that he has already undone several of the reforms which I instituted before he reached his majority. I have been studying the works of the Father and I believe he would not support the inequality in Aurora. But killing the lad... I don't know how I could live with myself." He thought for a moment before slamming his fist down onto the desk in excitement.

"Wait a minute, what if we just make everyone think he's dead?" he said excitedly.


Lysei thought about this for a second. "That sounds risky. Kaius has possibly allied himself with the god of the Ray Das. It's possible the two could end up working together to reinstate him. What method do you wish to use to make people think he died?"‏

"I know a priest who can brew a poison that causes unconsciousness and slows the heart, so much that anyone who drinks it will appear dead to the casual observer," Octavius replied with a crafty smile, "by the time Kaius wakes up, his 'body' will have been spirited away to one of my private homes where he can live under guard and out of sight." He looked around and then added "Besides, what is this power you offered me earlier in return for helping you?"

Lysei quietly grabbed his dagger back and shrugged. "My powers are fairly infinite. Aside from your position of power being secured, I could grant you wings and make you fly, I could have you bend the forces of flames, I could give you powers over the wills of man. I could also give you the power to create life itself, as I have given to others. If you aid me in this endeavor, I could give you just about anything within reason."

"That sounds... perfect," Octavius muttered, his eyes widening at Lysei's description, "there's so much I could do with those powers, so many lives I could improve." He shook his head and offered out his hand to the fire god.


"Do you consent to my plan?"

Lysei shook hands with Octavius and smirked. "I shall watch carefully over this. Best of luck to you." And with that, Lysei disappeared. The door became unsealed and Octavius sat alone, though how alone he truly was, would be impossible to discern.

 

[EmperorZuma]

Highcrag-Den of Jugaan

Jugaan couldn't help but be in a good mood as a trusted messenger brought two tablets in front of her. The first was the report from the scouts she sent north, and the other from Wos, finally reporting success on the experiment to tame the maggots. The recent turn of fortune helped ease the pain of the failure to colonize the northern pass, something she hoped to rectify with this new information.

However, just as she sent out the necessary funding to supply the new "school" of maggot taming, the vibrations of a sudden arrival drew her attention to what appeared to be a fuming Budraal. "How dare you!" The Supreme gave one swift bash to the wall of the Den, caused the entrance to collapse. Were Jugaan not so surprised she was sigh with frustration, carving a proper entrance would take hours. "Not only have you spread this heresy through the capital, but you dare employ my Luug so that you can make a land grab without my orders?!"

Jugaan was about to respond in her usual stressed calm, but a tight fish flew from Budraal and caught her right on the crag above her shoulder, causing it to shatter like glass. The rough skin underneath split open from the force of the blow, and grayish, muddy blood started to ooze up from the wound. The Chieftain waited to see if another blow would come, but when it didn't, she staggered up to a respectable pose. "I make use of the resources of have...my Supreme." Budraal snorted a weak chuckle at Jugaan weak attempt to appear loyal. "I say nothing of Therax, I do not tarnish his name, but where is his guidance? The Pale One died ages ago, and we have been left to ourselves ever since. However, the Pactforger is real, I've spoken to it, seen its power with my own eyes. What wonders it can bestow upon us if we just say the words!"

Budraal's stance became aggressive once more, but he did not try to strike Jugaan again. Instead, he paced around her, letting each fist hit the ground with a strong thud. "I do not care if the Gold Tribe strays from Therax's teachings, for it is yours, but you converted Mud and Moss as well. How I can I be certain you will not sway the others as well?"

"My pact was to bring twice my Tribe's number to Cyth'raul's..." Jugaan's uterring of the Pactforger's name made Budraal growl, causing loose dirt to fall from the ceiling. "...side, in return, we were given a great blessing: a Maggot Broodmother of great side will now follow our commands!"

Budraal brushed aside the reward of Jugaan's loyalty to the Cythraul. "And if you make a new pact, one that makes you bring all of the Tribes to this...being's heel?"

"If I could do that, we wouldn't be having this conversation..." Jugaan let the implications of her words hang in the air, tensing up wit the expectation of another blow. However, Jugaan felt no attack.

"One day, Jugaan, your actions will catch up with you..." Budraal move back towards the entrance, clearing the earth that had moved to block the passage with one swipe of his claw. Outside, two Luug of the Gold Tribe stood, backing away in surprise at the sight of the Supreme. "Employ any of my followers again and I will kill you, and personally make sure none of your remains find their way to a spawning pool." With that, Budraal left, leaving Jugaan and her aides to tend to the Chieftain's wound.

Ajivha University

After diving head-first into the ample knowledge of the University, Keplar was happy to find that his idea was viable, if just in need of some refinement. While he was a bit unsure of sharing his information with the natives, he did figure that it was a fair trade given that they had given access to all this knowledge.

As he readied his notes and prepared to venture back to his homeland, Keplar stumbled upon Haakan and his now-Artificers practicing their art. "Silver one..." Keplar politely got the Chieftain's attention, bowing when Haakan looked at him. "...that is an interesting power. Who taught it to you?"

"Gangari!" Haakan boomed with amusement as he proudly displayed the Arch-Artificer's mark on his back-crag. "Isn't it amazing?"

"It is...odd..." Keplar trailed off as he looked around. Haakan waited for a continuation, but then returned to his work as Keplar moved away. He had not seen this "Gangari", but he had seen that sort of knowledge being passed around, and people avoided him as they perused texts that gave them the same powers Haakan and his group displayed. Out of curiosity, Keplar resolved to seek out this same knowledge.

Spoiler: Actions (2/3)

1. Implement Maggot Taming
2. Implement Scientific Method

 

[JoJo]

Emperor Kaius III and Jashiki, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia

Sitting in the middle of the ocean listening to the prayers of the many people praying to him Jashiki looks to the north as one prayer seems to swell and take over any other in Aurora. 'May the Emperor's child be healthy.'

Smiling at the thought that there's birth in such a place now Jashiki stands and materializes inside the Auroran palace. Stopping for one second then after finding the nursery appears there half a second later. Standing in the corner out of sight of anyone in the room Jashiki steps out and stands in the open.

"You had a child."

"Eh?! Oh, it's only you," Kaius breathed a sigh of relief, "I thought you were Lysei for a minute there, you have to stop sneaking up on me like that. And yes, meet my new daughter Aelia," he stood up and passed the baby over to the god of water. "Isn't she adorable?"

Blinking in surprise and taking the child Jashiki holds it in the crook of his arm. Looking down at her he changes his claws to fingers so as not to scratch her. Looking at Kaius and nodding at his chest.

"With that bauble i don't believe he could find you. And only me?" Smiling slightly Jashiki chuckles, looking at the newborn.

"Its not sneaking, its your security. Well, its very hard to keep a god out. She is adorable. When she is older what will you be doing with her?"

"Marrying her off to Maximus, probably" the Emperor chuckled in reply, "No, not really. I don't know, just raising her as a princess of the court I guess."

Stroking the baby's cheek for a second Jashiki hands the back back and his hands and arms turn back into their scaled and clawed form. Looking at the baby still he raises an eyebrow at Kaius.

"Why don't you teach her how to rule? there's no difference from males and females, and given the proper training she would be good at it, probably."

Looking around and walking over to the crib Jashiki puts his hands over the tip and slowly stretch's the top, when part of it is over where the baby will sleep he changes whats between his hands to wood and shape it to stars and boats and little sea creatures. then walk back over to Kaius.

"Haha," the Emperor laughed heartily, "a female Emperor? Now that would be something to see, I can't imagine the great Father choosing such a body to inhabit though. I don't know how much you know of our customs, but I have no more choice over my successor than you do. The Imperial Throne can pass to any male-line descendant of Matthias, before me it was my great uncle Sirius II for example."

Looking at Kaius in the eye and shaking his head Jashiki says.
"I'm not going to try changing your way of life, but i don't see any difference between a male and a female ruler. And the Great Father, between us, i don't believe he is looking over this plain anymore."

Looking down at the baby Jashiki smiles.
"If you don't know what to do about her and can't think about anything than send her to my island when she is a bit older. She can learn and study there."

"A man and a woman have different roles in a family, the man is always the head of the family," the Emperor explained, "In a sense, our whole nation is a family and so it's head is always a man, or at-least will become one with time. That is our custom here. Still, I will keep your generous offer of schooling in mind," he added with a smile.

Nodding and setting his clawed hand on the baby Jashiki rests it there for a second then lowers his hands and steps back.
"Good, the wave master will love to have someone I'm sure will be very bright to teach. she is adorable, call on me if you are worried about her.

Smiling slightly at Kaius Jashiki disappears from in front of him and goes back into the ocean.

~​

Some time later, the Emperor returned to his chambers to rest alone after a busy day. He sat down at his desk and absent mindedly poured a glass of wine, sipping it as he began to sort through the pile of letters in front of him. He noticed his hands going numb, and at first assumed it must be tiredness but then he began to lose feeling in his arms and legs too he realised something was wrong. He turned and looked around the room, his eyes falling on the bottle of wine which now he came to think about it hadn't been there when he left earlier that morning...

Poison!

"Help..." Kaius gasped but the word barely passed through his lips as he began to choke, not nearly loud enough for the guards stationed outside to hear. He collapsed onto the floor and writhed on the rug, trying grip something, anything. "Not now, Father, not now!" were his last thoughts before he fell still and the room became silent again. By the time two men came to move Kaius' body onto his bed and to remove the wine bottle, there was no signs of life from the young Emperor.

 

[drmigit2]

Lysei, meeting of the gods.

He had waited enough, Qartoq was late, but they could catch her up if she decided to show. Lysei turned to Cyth'raul and Gangari and said. "Fellow gods. It is good the both of you came. It appears as if Qartoq may not be coming, but that is fine. Some of us are not yet acquainted, so before we get to the matter at hand, I suggest we go ahead and make introductions. I am Lysei, god of fire and protector of Aurora. It is good to see you came, Cyth'raul."

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Gangari, meeting of the gods.

He looked at the two infront of him, slightly disturbed by the appearance chosen by the pactmaker Cyth'raul, though he did remember that the gods of old being rather eccentric so it wasn't shocking that some would appear so now.
"I am Gangari, god of magic, keeper of wisdom, and patron of Ajivha."

 

[Terratina.]

Cyth'raul, Meeting of the Gods - 15/15 AP

The deity looked up from the book and cast a careful eye among the other, "I am Cyth'raul; guidance is my domain; protector and patron of none and all."

The Pactforger conjured up a inked quill and began scribbling various things in various tongues, though, mostly minutes. However, there wasn't much to write as of yet.

Noticing Gangari's discomfort, the deity whispered, "A wise man once said: do not judge a book by its cover. Yes?"

 

[drmigit2]

Lysei

Lysei scanned the two and was happy the introductions went well. Still not entirely sure about Cyth'raul, he asked the god "Gangari and I are familiar with one another from before, so I have a question for you, Cyth'raul. What is it you want from this world? I feel that all of the gods want something in particular, I for instance, seek equality for mortals. What is it you seek?" This might prove important for later, Lysei still had no reason to trust Cyth'raul, but he hoped the meeting could change that.

 

[Terratina.]

Cyth'raul, Meeting of the Gods - 15/15 AP

There was a humble bow, "Only to guide the mortals to prosperity."

"However, they can be rather frustrating sometimes." The Pactforger then looked towards the newly created island in the centre of the continent with a sad look. "'Tis a shame. If only they would grant me the curtesy of listening."

There was a pause and a slight chuckle, "Speaking and listening, the most basic of Pacts..."

 

[drmigit2]

Lysei

"Speaking and listening, the most basic of Pacts..."

Lysei nodded a bit and sighed. "I suppose I should cut to the point. I have not revealed myself for the sake of exchanging pleasantries. One of us has taken an active approach in hampering our ability to guide mortals. He leads a group of barbarians who only seek to raid and pillage, and now he has invaded my home. Even as we speak, he spreads his corrupted influence. I can not abide this, Jikashi, god of the Ray Das must be taken down. I understand you work under pacts, Cyth'raul, and the pact I propose to you is thus. Aid me in defeating Jikashi, and you shall have him at your beck and call. We shall ensure he serves you." Lysei stared emotionlessly into Cyth'raul's eyes. He did not like doing this, but having Cyth'raul on his side would nearly ensure victory.

 

[Terratina.]

Cyth'raul, Meeting of the Gods - 15/15 AP

Cyth'raul met the fierce god's stare, though the deity's eyes were alit with interest rather than anger.

"And how would you do this?" The Pactforger asked, enjoying the taste of delicious irony about the proposal. Cyth'raul then added, "And... why? Why would a god who values equality take the freedom away from another of his own kind?"

The deity let the questions hang in the air.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Gangari, meeting of the gods.

Gangari stood silent as they spoke, thinking. But he heard something worth questioning as Cyth'raul had.

"Are you proposing we hold a blade over his head or are you proposing we bind him?"

 

[JoJo]

Prince Maximus, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia

"We gather today to mark the passing of our late Emperor, His Imperial Majesty Kaius III."

A week had past since that chaotic morning but young Maximus still hadn't come to terms with the loss of his brother. He'd awoke to bells ringing, people shouting and the last cry he'd expected to hear; 'The Emperor is dead, the Emperor is dead!' He's burst into Kaius's room to find his family gathered around the still body of his brother, horribly pale and cold. Maximus couldn't recall how long he'd cried and screamed and pleaded with Kaius to wake up again before he was bundled out of the room by a nursemaid and taken back to his room.

Now seven days later, the traditional imperial funeral had begun. Nobles from all around Aurora had arrived and filled the pews of the great temple that stood in the centre of the capital. At the back stood a giant obsidian statue of Father Matthias, identical to the one which stood in the palace, flanked on either side by smaller and newer marble figures of Lysei and Jashiki. In front of the three statues stood a wizened old priest who blathered on in a ceremonial tone about the late Emperor's short reign.

"He was young, but his wisdom knew no bounds. Guided by the hand of the Father, he lead us through many reforms and tribulations, before suddenly succumbing to a mysterious fever. Alas though..."

The priest droned on for quite a while longer, Maximus stopped listening very quickly, it was nothing but meaningless platitudes anyway. None of it was about the real Kaius, the one who'd thrown him up in the air and carried him on warm summer days in the palace gardens, the one who had taught him to write his first word, the one who had stepped in for the father he never met. His thoughts drifted to Prima and little Aelia who sat silently in front of him, he wondered briefly what would happen to them now.

After the ceremony finished, the mourners stood up and accompanied the grand golden-laced wooden coffin out of the temple. It was then placed on a carriage and slowly drawn down the capital's main streets, where Aurorans of every class waited to pay their respects. Many bowed their heads as the coffin passed, some threw white flowers in front of the carriage. Finally they reached the sacred hill just outside the city walls, where Emperor Sirius I was supposed to have had a vision of the Father almost half a millennium before and who had told him to build a new capital on the plains below. There the coffin was unloaded and carefully lifted on top of a prepared pyre. A flaming torch was thrown into the middle and the mourners watched as the great wood pile went up in flames. To Maximus it felt like a piece of himself was being burned on the pyre with his brother.

Maximus rested his head on Octavius' thigh, who put an arm around his shoulder. A single tear rolled down the boy's cheek.

"I'll miss him, so much," he whispered.

"Me too, Max, me too," his uncle replied solemnly, "We'll get through this, I promise you that," The young boy turned to look at the flames again, not seeing a quick grin flash across Octavius' face before his mask of solemnity was regained.

 

[drmigit2]

Lysei

The god of flames did not break his stare as he explained. "If I could kill him, I would. I have doubts on my ability to do this, however. I know of few ways that we can truly be harmed, and this has to last. Putting him under service is in my mind, the simplest means for this. I do not wish to have a slave, and you would want something in return for helping, I imagine. So that is why I am making this proposal."

Lysei turned to Gangari as the god questioned how this would be done. "I imagine he would have little choice in the matter. However, I think the servitude could be enforced magically once we defeat him. I did not wish such extreme measures, but he has invaded my home and undermined my work there, he can not be allowed to roam freely." Lysei then positioned himself in such a way that he could look at both gods at once. "Are these terms fair?"

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Priestess Solaire, the University

"For she is ours," Solaire called out and the small group responded.

"And we are hers." They all said, ending the prayer. The group of scholars began to walk away from the small shrine she was allowed to put up in the name of Qartoq although this new God was impressive as well. He appeared to them and told them to leave their prejudice aside to focus on studying instead which they felt obligated to agree with. Not only that but he bestowed powers onto them as well. Runic tattoos were painted onto their skin and feathers that marked their powers. Solaire looked at hers then noticed others scholars from other nations with tattoos as well but with different colors.

The leader of the expedition, a scholarly Krakari by the name of Gylen, had the same tattoo as she did. So far, the tattoos helped with her necromancy but also with her alchemy as she learned alongside the scholars and helped them with their progress. Here, she learned more than she did anywhere else and filled her head with wonder.

As she tidied up the small shrine, Gylen approached her with a letter and a Krakari she hadn't recognized among the scholars. The Krakari was tall, gaunt and with pitch black feathers of the Kraai. It wasn't hard to distinguish the major families and none were so distinguishable as the black of the Kraai. He wore armor and sheaths hung from his hip but the swords were missing. No doubt he had to hand them over when he came.

"Ah, Priestess Soliare." Gylen said coming with the new arrival in tow. "This is Kyros. He comes to join our wonderful company."

"Priestess," Kyrod bowed. "I come here on the behalf of our elders for a special mission."

"I pray it's not to cause trouble I hope." Solaire joked. "You an air of a seasoned soldier about you. I feel safer already."

"He is not here to protect us, Priestess." Gylen butted in. "Show her. Oh, the other scholars are going to love this."

Kyros fetched something from his leather bag that was slung at his side. It was hard to see at first but something moved in his bag as he put his hand inside.

"Come out, little one." Kyros urged with a soft demeanor despite the Krakari's rugged exterior. Finally something emerged from his bag. It was a tiny creature about the size of his hand and with beady but curious eyes. It looked skinny and bony as it clung to Kyros' hand as he brought it up. Its skin was leathery and its arms were tucked underneath its tiny body. It looked at them but lingered on Solaire and so did she on it. It was a fragile and curious thing but it was unlike anything she had seen before.

"It took me some time to get it all together. It can't fly yet but I'm working on it. That's why I'm here." Kyros finally said as he looked at his creation. The tiny creature flapped in his hands but its wings were too weak to bring it up.

"W-when did you find this power?" Solaire mumbled as she looked at the creature with an unbroken stare of wonderment.

"During the winter, priestess." Kyros said as he ran a finger down the creature's spine. It let out something that might sound like a purr. "Me and a few others were given this wonderful power."

"Given? By whom? Qartoq?" Solaire asked quickly.

"We wondered that as well until Khyber told revealed to us who it was. He said the God came in his dream and revealed himself as the one who burned the wretched-" Kyros caught himself. He looked around and continued in a hush voice. "The Ray-Das and the mercenaries. He was the one that burned them all and now he give us this. Khyber's been spreading the word all throughout the Kraai." He nudged the creature once more but it stood there in his hand. "Not very smart, I'm afraid."

"No... no need to be afraid." Gylen said as he looked to at the creature with prying eyes. "This changes everything."

"What is the God's name?" Solaire asked vehemently.

"Lysei, the God of Fire."

Spoiler: Actions

(Minor)Send Krakari with creation powers to university
Retry(Major)Research creation powers for greater effect-use university bonus
(Minor)Assign quarter portion of worship to Lysei, (8 to Qartoq, 4 to Lysei)

 

[booksv2]

Jashiki, Aurora, 15/15AP

Looking down at Aurora and watching the funeral Jashiki could not understand what was going on, even though they all claimed he was dead Jashiki could clearly feel the presence of Kaius a few hundred miles to the west.

Shaking his head and turning in the direction of where he can feel Kaius life energy still burning he moves to that place, going invisible and staying that way. Floating above the mansion where Kaius is Jashiki drops down and lands almost on the ground, moving along quickly and avoiding everybody. Many large and scarred men walking around the mansion he slips through the walls into a room with only one man, the one he came to see.

Moving to behind where Kaius is meditating Jashiki sets his clawed hand on his shoulder softly and talks normally, the room they are in soundproof now from anyone outside it.

"Your funeral was beautiful, if undeserving. The nation weeps for its emperor and calls out in agony at your absence. Well, most of them do."

Kaius flinched at Jashiki's touch, gingerly he turned his head to the water god.

"Ah, you got my prayer. Good to see this is working as intended, since you found me," he took the grey rock that shielded him from unwanted divine attention out of his pocket and threw it up in the air, catching it deftly and returned it to his pocket.

"So, from how long the boat that took me here travelled and the direction, I'd hazard a guess that we're in Nova Aurora correct? The guards here have been tight-lipped about who they work for, but they forgot this."

Kaius held up a vase next to him, on the bottom was a small shield engraved into the wood.

"Insignia of the House of Turin," he mused, "Now, there's only one well-connected noble from that Princely Family who'd be able to pull off something like that and I think we both know who he is. The question is, was he working alone though?"

Looking at the insignia and letting Kaius's shoulder go Jashiki sits down in a chair and leans back slightly.

"I wouldn't know. I can look in peoples minds but I didn't at the funeral. I can think of one person who might want someone out of his control out of the way, but if its him I'm surprised your alive."

Looking around and closing his eyes Jashiki reach's out with his mind and brush's against some of the guards minds. Most were just hired muscles who didn't know or care who hired them. But there was one who was sleeping at the moment who knew most of it, and after looking in his mind for a second Jashiki opens his eyes and looks at Kaius again.

"The Duke of Pesh is what the man who gathered the muscle who are acting as your guards works for. Now, if who I think is behind this is than your nation is in trouble. With the way he thinks you are looking at mass slave freedoms and civil war from angry ex slaves and those who don't want to give them up, a three-way civil war."

Sighing softly and shaking his head Jashiki puts his head back and looks at the ceiling.
"I was really hoping to not have to interfere with this nation for a while."

"Lysei?" Kaius muttered, "It's impossible to tell at this point, it does seem suspicious that I was deposed mere days after you removed his curse from me. I have to admit I never thought Octavius would go this far though, what could have driven him to such madness?"

He stood up and began pacing the room as he thought aloud.

"If there is a chance of the god of fire being involved, it could be very dangerous to escape and return to Nova Verde now. No doubt he wouldn't take any-more chances and next time I would lose my life as well as my throne."

At-least Lysei doesn't know about a little surprise I left him in-case something like this happened, Kaius thought to himself smugly.

"Yes, going back is much too dangerous. I don't know why you're still alive but next time you won't be."

Watching Kaius pace back and forth Jashiki rubs his palms together and shakes his head.
"I can move you, and probably scare the guards and others enough to hide that you're gone for a while. But you never know, one of them may grow a little spine and figure loyalty to their leader is worth more than what I could do to them for eternity. Which I wouldn't, I'd just kill them."

Standing and walking over to the sparse desk he moves some of the papers about absently.
"It's your nation, it would be up to you what you want done."

"That is a fair point," Kaius admitted, "if they wanted me dead, they easily could have fatally poisoned me last week. Still, they could easily change their mind and then I'd be a sitting duck."

He picked up the vase again, studying it's leaves carefully. He hoped his family and friends back in the capital weren't suffering too badly, at the present moment though it was simply too risky to let them know he was alive. Anyone in the court could be a spy. Well, not Maximus or Aelia, but the former wore his heart on his sleeve and might accidentally give his elder brother away, whereas the latter wouldn't even understand a message if he sent one. He turned back to Jashiki, his mind made up.

"There's an old friend of mine named Lord Cassian, he retired just last year from diplomacy. I believe he lives here in Nova Aurora, in the town of Vance. Any chance you could get me there?"

Snorting and sitting back down Jashiki looks Kaius in the eyes for a second.
"Of course I can. And no one would know how you left here or where you went. But there's still the little matter of your guards, unless you believe setting a nice little fire or something here to hide who is and isn't dead is worth it."

Rubbing his palms together Jashiki shrugs.
"I am a god."
Rolling his shoulders and smiling thinly.

Kaius shook his head in response.

"As tempting as it is, Octavius isn't stupid, if there's no body he'll assume I'm still out there somewhere. Unless..." he thought for a moment, "Would it be in the remit of your powers to create a fake corpse that looks like me? We wouldn't even need a fire, it could be a desperate suicide following my imprisonment."

Kaius grinned at the idea.

"Two can play at this faked death game,"

Looking at Kaius or a second Jashiki disappears for a few seconds before he is back holding a dead body in his hand. Holding the body double that had been dumped and killed when Kaius had been poisoned he takes some of the clothes from the closer and puts them on the body, cutting the hair to more like how Kaius had right now.

Looking between then and smiling at the similarity Jashiki looks around and sets the changed dead man on the bed. Making a noose out of the silk sheets and hanging it on the large post of the bed he outs the man in it and lets him hang there. Looking over his work and then at Kaius.

"How does it feel to have 'you' hung?"

Kaius shuddered at the sight of the hung corpse.

"I feel like I'm outside of my body, like a ghost looking upon my mortal remains. I suppose I am, in a sense. Good work though, lets get out of here before any of those brutes notice there's two of me in here."

Pointing at the desk Jashiki stays where he is.
"First write a note, something that will explain why you're dead and will give credence to it. No one will disturb us."

Looking at the corpse Jashiki sets his hand over the throat of it and using the water inside the body breaks open the blood veins inside to make it look like he had been strangled.

"Fine," Kaius grunted and sitting down at the room's desk, began to write a short note.

Octavius,

You may have done your best to hide it but I know this was your doing. It's clear from what your foolish guards told me that you have no intention of letting me go free again, so I have decided to follow the example of the great Sirius I and take my own life rather than live in indignity. You know what happens to the souls of those die by their own hand, I suggest you keep an eye out when darkness falls because I'll be watching you from the shadows, always.

May the Father have mercy on you and all those who murder their kin and kith, because I won't.

Emperor Kaius III

Kaius signed it off with a flourish and then folded the note in half.

"Now if that doesn't give him nightmares, nothing will," he chortled.

Taking the paper and crumpling it slightly Jashiki puts it in the hand of the hanging man and then grabs Kaius' shoulder, both of them disappearing from the room and seconds later into the bedroom of a sleeping man and woman. Looking at them and waving his hand Jashiki soundproofs the room so no one outside it can hear what's going on inside. Then letting Kaius go and nodding at them.

"You may want to wake them and tell them what's going on."

"This isn't going to be easy," Kaius whispered back. He crept up to the sleeping man and gently jostled his shoulder. One scream later, his suspicions were confirmed.

~​

"I really thought you were a ghost then," Lord Cassian laughed an hour later as the four shared breakfast in the old couple's homely kitchen, "I mean, what would you think if the lad who's death you heard about only the day before suddenly appeared at your bedside? You're lucky me and Lady Cassian were too far away to attend your 'funeral', otherwise we wouldn't be here at-all!"

"Would you like some more eggs dear... eh, I mean your Majesty?" Lady Cassian asked kindly.

"It's fine," Kaius chuckled, "Yes please, that would do nicely,"

"How about you, Jashiki, more eggs for you too?"

Looking down at his still full plate Jashiki shakes his head.
"No, i don't believe so. Other than doing this for Kaius i have other things to see to."

Looking at Kaius and tapping the table softly Jashiki points at him.

"Stay out of sight, and you may want to think of some way to get Octavius off your chair."

Standing and looking at the three of them Jashiki smiles slowly.

"It's refreshing to see loyalty like this in a nation more used to backstabbing and death. Is there anything else you wish to say to me while I am here? I may be a tad busy for a little and want to make sure you have said all you want to."

"About Maximus and Aelia," Kaius asked, "I don't see any reason for Octavius to hurt them, but keep an ear out prayers, if you can. They can't know about me yet, it's not safe." He sighed, "Other than that, have a safe journey until we meet again. Thank you for your help Jashiki, I owe you my life."

Nodding and smiling at the three of them Jashiki sets his hand on Kaius' shoulder and squeezed softly.

"Safety and success to us all. I will keep an ear out about those two. If you are worried about them find a way to send them to Bender village."

Stepping back and nodding at them Jashiki disappears from in front of them and appears back in the ocean, floating slowly along it and thinking over why humans have such a hard time together. Shaking his head and closing his eyes Jashiki goes back to listening to the prayers to him and for him.

 

[JoJo]

Prince Maximus, Nova Verde, Isle of Maia

A day after the funeral which had gathered together Aurora's nobles, their next meeting was convened. In the consecrated section of the palace the most important of the upper class, every male of the eleven Princely Families, sat together in a great dark chamber made from clean white marble and furnished with hard wooden seats. By tradition the chamber was only opened during the election of an Emperor and so despite the cleaning that had gone on frantically since yesterday, a faint damp small remained in the air.

Maximus paid little attention to the proceedings until the chamber suddenly became silent. In walked Vallous, dressed in the white robes of a high priest and holding an ancient calved whale bone staff, supposedly one Father Matthias himself had possessed. The prophet seemed considerably fatter than when he had first arrived at the Imperial Court and he walked with an almost arrogant swagger.

"Today," he told the awaiting crowd in a reverent tone, "I sense the spirit of the Father is among us, one of us to be particular. This individual has been chosen by Father Matthias be the next Emperor and he is ever so close. This staff will guide me as if I am his hand to find who that person is."

Vallous began to waddle around the room, jostling past Princes and Dukes whilst muttering mysterious chants under his breath. Maximus wondered whether the last Emperor-electing ceremony had been like this, he'd been too young at the time of the last one to remember it. He was brought back to reality by Vallous standing in front of him, so close he could see the bristles on the prophet's poorly shaved chin.

"This one," he said simply, pointing a single finger at the boy.

"Me?" Maximus gasped.

"Yes, I sense the Father chose the brother to finish the task he started," Vallous replied dramatically and gestured to a group of slaves to come forward. Quickly they thrust gold-laced red ceremonial robes over Maximus' white tunic and placed a silk cap on his head. Both were somewhat on the large side, he had to lift up the hat so it didn't fall over his eyes. Octavius materialised besides him and lead him by the hand out of the room.

"Where are we going?" Maximus asked his uncle.

"You'll see," Octavius smiled. Together they walked out onto a balcony overlooking the central square of Nova Verde. Below lay a seemingly endless crowd, murmuring and talking amongst themselves as far as the eye could see. A mighty cheer rose when the two came into view and Octavius lifted Maximus so he could be seen better.

"Who are they cheering for?" the young prince asked, dazed by the attention.

"They're cheering for you, Maximus, they want you!"

Vallous appeared from inside the tower carrying a book, he looked solemnly at the boy.

"Prince Maximus, Duke of Verde, do you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the Isles of Maia, Pesh, Tian, Samosa, Kashim, and Toro and of Nova Aurora and the other Territories of the Holy Auroran Empire according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I do!" Maximus exclaimed, the enthusiasm of the crowd was infectious, for the first time in over a week he felt himself smiling.

"And, do you swear to uphold the teachings of our Father, Matthias, and to protect his ordained Auroran religion within all the afore-mentioned lands?"

"I do! I do!"

"Nova Verdians, I present to you His Imperial Majesty Maximus, by Grace of the Gods, Thirty Sixth Emperor of Aurora, King of Kings, Light of the World and Son of Heaven."

An even louder cheer arose from the crowd at this pronouncement, so loud the very earth seemed to shake. Vallous produced a shining gold crown from somewhere in his robes and placed it carefully upon the new Emperor's head. Octavius lifted his giggling nephew even higher as the Aurorans below continued to chant.

"Maximus! Maximus! Maximus!"

Spoiler: Actions

(Major) - Scout areas newly revealed areas near Aurora for colonisation.
(Major) - Fortify the capital city Nova Verde as a citadel.
(Major) - Send orders to Oilean Uisce to build a trading post on the Auroran part of the island, as per agreed earlier with Jashiki.
(Minor) - Note that as per increased population, worship in Aurora is now assigned as follows: 8 for Jashiki, 7 for Lysei.
(Minor) - Send letters to every other nation informing them of Kaius III's regrettable demise and of Maximus' succession to the Imperial Throne. Note that all existing treaties and trade agreements will continue as they did before.