[PDQ] The Grand Mythos Game Thread

[Dogmatic99]

Zareth 21 , 2​

Spoiler: Zareth and Isond

Evermoor seemed to rise to life as mist began to gather around the lonely Isond. A shrill wind filled the forest and with it came voices. Isooonnnd Isssooonnnd. The mist began to swirl around him and the voices only wailed louder, drowning out everything else. hands began to reach out at him from all around as if born from the ether. It was as if every soul who had ever met his steel had found him and was howling for his life.

Isond leapt back. Whatever the mist was, and whatever was in it, wasn't friendly. He swung his ax, attempting to drive it off, but it was insubstantial. It was no more effective than cutting the air.

He had expected many things when he first appeared in Evermoor. Rotting corpses, souls of the damned, possibly a death god angry that he had just barely escaped the scythe. Being torn apart by an angry mist, however, wasn't on the list. "I hate this place." He said.

The wails, the cries, the cold, it was rising, quickening and covering him until there was nothing left. Every wrong he had ever committed, every life he had ever taken was here. His entire life was laid bare before him, spread out, judged and found wanting. The dark had found him at last and it would take its due. The cold empty nothingness, the demons of his nightmares were coming for him, closing in on him, baying for his very soul. This was it. This was the end. He'd never leave here. He'd never see the light again!

Then he felt a slap round the back of his head and it all disappeared. He was standing in a calm summer field, beside him stood a tall man with horns, dressed in a smart tunic of black and grey. "Drama queen." The stranger tutted before walking off into the distance.

"What? Who?" For a moment he thought it might have been Vantric. It sounded like him, in manner if nothing else. Isond struggled back to his feet. The mysterious figure didn't seem to stop, and wasn't concerned with him. He looked about. No one else seemed to be around.

"Hey!" He called, stumbling after the man. "Who are you?"

Zareth glanced back out of the corner of his eye as the armoured figure ran after him, but he never broke stride. "I am the master of this house and you should have knocked first." Why does no one ever knock?

Isond slowed to a halt. The master of this realm... Zareth. Lord of the dead. "I...uh." He hadn't expected to actually meet the death god, at least not before Vantric arrived. "That is...I..." He looked around, squinting up to the sky for a moment. Isond needed something to say, so he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Vantric says hello?"

"And is that all?" He had no time for mindless pleasantries, this one seemed to have no idea what they were doing, something he would never expect in a servant of Vantric's. Over the distance he heard Flight call out to him. The phoenix flew to her master, who reached out an arm for her to perch on. The bird leaned into his ear, almost as if it was whispering. "Yes, yes I know." Zareth muttered along. "Go, keep an eye on things, this is far from over yet." And with that she took to the air again. Finally he turned to the newcomer. "Vantric rarely calls for idle chatter, what is your purpose here??

"That...That is a good question. One that deserves answering." Isond said, tapping his ax against his armor. If Vantric only told me what I was supposed to do. He thought. But he hadn't, that would have been sensible.

The phoenix seemed important to Zareth. That was worth noting. He wracked his mind for an acceptable response to the god's question. "My purpose here..." Why was it that not listening to Vantric was coming back to bite him in the ass? Unfortunately, he couldn't come up with some clever, deflective response. "Will be explained shortly. Vantric will be along soon. He said he wanted to meet with you. Something to that effect."

Well wasn't this one the master politician? "And until then you are what, a sightseer?" He stood on one of the rises in the landscape and looked out over the afterworld. For a moment he stood in silence, his body tensing up. The voices of the other gods were still coming thick and fast, refusing to leave his mind. he closed his eyes trying to will them out. He didn't even notice when the grass around him began to wither and die. All he felt was the impact of what was going on in the universe of life. The very fabric of Evermoor rippled out from him like water... and then was still.
"Well, you see, Lord Zareth," Isond began, trying very hard to not look at the dying grass. "I'm not exactly a sightseer I'm more like..." What had Vantric said before they left? 'Make friends or else?' Yeah, that sounded about right. "I've never really gotten a proper tour of this place and I was wondering... Is something wrong?" The death god did not look well, or rather; he looked a bit too calm.

Zareth slowly opened his eyes to the light of Evermoor's eternal sun. For a moment all he wanted was to snuff it out. To end the light and everything it touched. "Everything's wrong." His was voice barely audible.

That didn't sound good. "I think I've taken up enough of your time." Isond said. Damn Vantric and his plans. He was not staying for this. "I think I'll just take this opportunity to leave. It was a pleasure to finally meet you." And may it never happen again. He thought.

What was she thinking? What had she done? He hadn't sensed his brother's hands in this, there was none of the feelings of combat. This was nothing like what he had felt when Seith fell. But there was no mistaking it... she was gone. In a wave of, no it wasn't sadness, it was more like she was resigned to it. A sickening realisation came to him.

"Oh Eld... why did you do it? Why didn't you come talk to me, to anyone?"

What followed was like nothing he had ever seen. Hatred washed over him, over all of creation. Even his beloved Evermoor wasn't safe from it. No. He wouldn't let the final act she was remembered for be this. Things were tragic enough already.

Spoiler: Actions

Hinder Eldarwen's action: +6 Death +4 Age

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Ailish searched and searched for the surviving Horror in the celestial rubble. But the goddess found nothing, no body, no parts, no blood or ichor on the floors or walls, it was as if he battle had ended and all signs of death had been erased. Then she found something; Horror's naked body. She scrambled to Horror, shaking her in some hope she was still alive. "Wake up, Oiudls'llu! Please... wake up...

Tears flew freely from the goddess fearing the worst, before the grief turned to fury. The observatory turned purple with the amethyst tides that came from the goddess. A hand reached for an old weapon, one she only saved for enemies; and whoever did it they had made one of her.

Greetings fellow gods. You might not know me, but my name is Melanthios. Eldarwen just attacked me, without any kind of reason. I beg you not to aid this woman. And any help against this mad woman, would be appreciated and rewarded.

What? Eyes raised at this message. It went without saying that Ailish would help her, but why would she attack him?

Looks like the rabid beast has finally shown its claws. She will not rest until all is under her rule. I suggest for the good of the realm that you put this one down quickly.

Eldarwen, what have you done? Why are they wanting your death?? I will help you no matter what, but please explain this madness. After waiting for an answer she turned to Sonitunes for clarity.

Dear Sonitunes, are you aware that this Melethanios is bearing your queen ill will? I want to help you both, but this news is foreign to me. Do you know what is happening? Still no response? What about Auctor?

Auctor, I must ask you if anything has changing. I've heard of one god seeking punishment for your mother. Do you know what is happening? I want to help, but I must know. Still no response from her either...

Brothers and sisters, we have only recently lost one of own, a very small number to begin with, though some of you may think it too large. Such panic and hatred as there is now can only lead to mistakes, regrets, things that cannot be undone. I've learned this the hard way. If you call for war, so be it, but should we not first meet in peace, and see if there is not another way?

It was like everyone had something to say, and the fury in her eyes turned to sheer stress; not a positive emotion at all, but a subtle improvement than rage.

Aen... what in the Ideal Gods' names is going on here?? Why is everyone wearing their scorn on Eldarwen? Why can I not speak with Eldarwen or her kin? She had hoped Aen would answer her; she had desperately hoped the seeking god did not see her as a stranger as well.

They are trying to turn you against me, despite that I have not moved since I created another demigod. Soon they will be trying to turn you against each other and come after you one by one, until there are no more left than Vantric, Melanthios and M'endar. These are the enemy. If my words does not convince you, I trust that they will prove it in the future through their actions.

I do not wish harm upon any of you. I have not called for war. Nor will I. I have called for your attention, as I make my final words.... Ailish, if you believe you were reborn and will be reborn again as I believe that I will be, then I will be waiting for you on the other side.

She had felt relieved that the green goddess had finally spoken, but that catharsis was tempered with a new fear. Why would she say these things? Unless-

"No..." The fury returned to her. It had to be this Melethanios who killed her, him and whoever else had spoken these rumors. She could feel a change as fear and anxiety were settling. A mire was being made, and the goddess would have none of it; whispers of truth, hope, and righteousness would travel in the winds, urging all who heard to look to themselves for their resolve. There would be disquiet, fighting, maybe the tarnishing of souls, but that was all part of having these feelings; it was all part of joy and sorrow.

Her attention focused on the two other gods. Purgatory had claimed them both; they needed to be free. She would leave for the heavens to find something that would make them see.... Or at least that was the plan until a new figure appeared, one wielding Sonitunes' sword and armor that mimicked her disfigured appearance. to Ailish's confusion the warrior bowed down to her, and spoke of herself and her mother.

First came questions. "What happened to Oiudls'llu? There used to be another here." She asked. The answer that came was that of another demigod's creation. "You mean she was resurrected?" the demigod nodded.

At first she had very little to say. Fury boiled with sheer confusion and surprise. Her hand began to act on its own and lightly cupped the demigod's chin, urging her to rise. "I would be happy to have you." The words just came out, and Ailish had no idea what else could be said. She wanted company in this time of grief, but not like this; not like a tool to be used and disposed. Horror was... different - as she would survive the fusion and live on as Reolis, but Ailish did not want power. "When all this ends I have something to show you."

The goddess wanted to believe that a smile or look of relief came on the demigod's face, but her face looked very placid and distant. Did she know of the fighting as well?

<spoiler=action>
Speak to Auctor

Speak to Eldarwen

Sepak to Aen

Speak to Sonitus

Take in Venator

Aid in Eldarwen's defense [+8 Lore][+4 Love]

 

[Arrogancy]

Vantric: 20, 1

Evermoor was surprisingly quiet. He expected it to be quiet, obviously, it was a realm of death, but there was something more here, something deeper. It wasn't just quiet, it was silent. There was not a sound anywhere. Strange. He thought.

Isond should have been nearby, but Vantric couldn't see him. The trees were thick, but he thought it might just have let up enough for him to find his apprentice. "And I give him the simplest tasks." He muttered. All he had to do was be polite to Zareth and his demigods until he showed up. It didn't take long to find Zareth and his wayward apprentice. "I see you're getting along well." Vantric threw his arm around Isond. "It's been quite some time, Zareth. I see you've met my apprentice Isond."

He smiled. "We have some business to discuss you and I." He was about to get further into his pitch when he felt something. A powerful something. Someone was channeling an obscene amount of power, and he had a hint as to whom and for what purpose. "That can wait for a moment." Vantric said, summoning his own power. He took out the Luck of the Gods and flipped the coin, hoping for a favorable outcome.

Spoiler: Actions

Subvert Eldarwen- Effortless: (+6 Ambition) (+4 Secrets) (+2 Murder/Assassination) (+2 Luck)

 

[JoJo]

Roe - 20, 1 and Valerie 8

Valerie stood causally in a corridor deep in Oculus Obscuritatis, listening with an amused smile to the sound of children's voices arguing behind a door.

"you can't fight..."

"I don't want to..."

"...she's dangerous, I've got to!"

Finally Roe exited the room with a determined look on his face, carrying his diamond sword in one hand and wearing the whistle he had given Petal around his neck.

"Are you ready to leave?" Valerie asked him, unconsciously checking her own magical powers were flowing as usual.

"Yeah!" he replied eagerly and then the pair departed down the corridor, ready to face whatever would meet them at their journey's end.

Spoiler: Roe, Zareth, Melanthios and Ailish

Roe and Valerie flew down and landed on the steppes of Eld, overlooking the great forest below them. Standing opposite them was Venator, staring into the distance as if she had something on her mind.

"Hey!" Roe shouted and raised his sword defiantly. Valerie's orb that she had leant him weighed heavily in his pocket. "I've heard you're a bad lady! I'm here to stop you!"

Valerie raised her hands too, preparing her magic to attack or defend as necessary.

A gasp escaped Ailish, and she turned; she felt the demigod raise her sword, as if ready to defend. "No!" She shouted at Venator. "He's a friend." Reluctantly, the demigod sheathed her blade and stepped back but still kept an eye on both Ailish and Roe.

She came to the little god and gave him a hug. "How long has it been Roe? I thought you were gone since we opened the heavens." Her voice was not the lilt and emotional intones roe would remember, but she hoped that Roe would remember.

"Ailish?" Roe replied, she looked hideous now compared to how she had looked many years ago but he still remembered her well, "Why are you here? Has this evil lady kidnapped you?"

If she still had a mouth, she'd smile at that. "No. I'm fine." She answered before her gaze tured downward. "I've lost someone close to me here. I was too late, but there may still be hope..." Her gaze returned to Venator, making sure she still didn't do anything frisky. She still looked tense, almost afraid, but the demigod still did nothing. Turning back she saw the familiar Zareth, and bile began to build in her.

"If you want to make sure she does no harm, you can watch over her." She rasped to the god before turning his gaze back to the demigod, whose eyebrows raised at her charge's declaration. "They will mean no harm to you. I only ask that you remain calm." She felt her own stress recede, and returned her attention to Roe.

"Eldarwen had killed herself, and I fear that the rest of her children have done the same." Sadness came out of her mouth as she continued. "It shouldn't have happened.... She had her creations, her friends... But now it seems that others will not let that linger..." She trailed off, unsure what else to say.

"May she find peace in the next realm..." She said to herself.

Roe wasn't quite sure what Ailish was talking about other than that the bad plant lady had killed herself, which he already knew, but he decided it was time to act, "Don't worry Ailish, I'll rescue you!" he replied in what hoped was a valiant tone.

Her head tilted. "What do you mean?"

"That lady is really bad and mean," Roe replied, pointing at Venator, "I have to chop off her head before she hurts anyone,"

Her heart dropped at Roe's words. "Did the people who told you this also say that Eldarwen was going to attack soon?" Please don't know. Please don't know. Please don't know.

"Yeah," Roe said eagerly, "that's what Melanthios and M'endar said, they're my new brothers. Why did Eldarwen kill herself?"

A tear fell out.

"Why are you sad?" Roe asked anxiously, he wasn't sure what was going on.

"She did it... because she believed they were going to attack her and her people. She wanted to escape their retribution, and I don't understand what they even want with her." She couldn't believe the words that came out.

Zareth simply stood in the background with Flight perched on his shoulder. He had sent out the call to Carnivox a while ago, his son would arrive soon. Hopefully neither of them would be needed. For now he would watch.

"For all the time I spent on Eld, I saw nothing that was aggression from her. Whatever the two are planning is undue and spitting on what she's left behind."

The tear fell before staring right into Roe's eyes. "She's all that's left, and you now want to hurt her more than she already has."

Melanthios watched Roe, he wondered if the young god would stay true to the alliance. If he would, then he had proves his loyalty.

"But... but..." Roe stammered, "Melanthios said that she attacked him and Vantric. He's a nice god, I know he wouldn't lie..." he finished the sentence with a note of confusion since if Melanthios wasn't lying, did that mean Ailish was?

Melanthios saw tat Roe was worthy, he appeared before Roe. "You have lied and twisted his mind enough witch. We are here to give you 2 options, hand over Venator, or be destroyed alongside her."

"Melanthios!" Roe cried and briefly embraced the god, "Tell her that she's wrong Melanthios, she won't let me fight Venator," he added sulkily.

An eye raised. "I don't think he trusts you Roe." She said before turning her gaze to the new god. "You're not here to give me anything are you?"

This was getting ridiculous. Zareth was shaking and the world around him was slowly dying. Suddenly Carnivox was beside him. "Hey, what we doin'?" He was casual as ever, despite the situation or maybe because of it.

"There's no innocence left in the world." He hissed to himself.

Melanthios placed his hand on Roe's head. "It will all be alright brother. This witch is lying, she will stop at nothing to get what she wants." Melanthios then looked at Allish, his hatred for her was clear. "Shut up witch, and choose." Akladai and Maeglin appeared besides him.

"You know I'm ashamed of you. With all that you could do, you could've saved the heavens, our true home. You build these things with great purpose and intent, yet you squander them with this petty infighting! If you would only stop to think why you have such powers to begin with, maybe you would see your true purpose."

"We were all put here when the heaven broke, because WE WERE MEANT TO FIX IT!! Not squabble over purgatory!!"

"We should be working together out there. Not fight!"

"True purpose? Don't make me laugh. All you have done is unleash horrors upon us, and you... you... YOU TWISTED MY SONS MIND!"Black fire gathered around Melanthios. Valerie walked over to him and joined Maeglin and Akladai.

"Everything you've created further enslaves you to this land; your creations, your items, everything here is only for your sake."

"How dare you say that! You tried to turn my son into your puppet, and you made those things attack us. Which cost the live of a good god! but you don't care do you? Your delusions keep telling you, you are right don't they? How pathetic." Melanthios looked amused.

"Do you even love him? What is he to you? I give him the clarity to remember, and you consider that a curse? Do you not even think where he came from, or even venture to where he came from.?"

"Tell me why you are afraid of him."

"Shut up already!" Carnivox roared at her.

"He bled and bled so you may live, and you fear even that?"

"I wanted to give him a new live. I wanted to give him a choice to remember! But you took that away from him, I love him more then you and your twisted mid can ever understand. And I don't fear you, I just fair the destruction you will unleash next time." Melanthios didn?t try to hide his hatred.

"But do you fear him?"

"I do not fear my son! Why would I? I love him, and he loves me. You only fear your punishment, she-devil."

"You don't know what it was like! You think I don't remember that place? You think I don't remember it you who made us that way? We all had the chance at a new life in a new world and you threw it away!" Carnivox strode up to Aillish.

Akladai looked at Allish. He had nothing but contempt for her. "You took our chance at a new live away! Who were you to decided? Who gave you the right to decide who we should be?!"

Roe backed away from Melanthios and Ailish as their argument heated up, still holding his sword out protectively. He thought about lunging for Venator but held his ground, unsure of where the battle would go.

"If you hate it here so much just shut up and leave. If you want to fight then fight. If you want to die hold still and I'll oblige. Either way stop wasting everyones time."

The crease on her face deepened. "I know far more than what you may imagine Carnivox! Do you remember the mead hall before they broke? What about the many lovers you've had in your old life? I certain remember the feel of your skin before he broke you."

"I remember it all!" He roared baring his teeth for all to see. "But that person's dead. I am who I am now and I like it. I was chained and he set me free." He motioned to the silent Zareth. "All you have ever done is try to torture me with the ghosts of a past that's dead."

"And you! You were my first love. You taught me all you knew. I gave you every part of myself for you. For you! He broke you like he broke Carnivox."

Akladai walked over to Allish. He stopped right in front of her. "I could never love someone like you. You are nothing to me.. no you are less then nothing. You do not deserve to breath the same air as I do." Akladai's eyes were filled with hate.

"And someone else put us back together. Something you were too weak to do." The wolf sneered.


"IS ALL YOU EVER THINK ABOUT IS HOW PISSED OFF YOU ARE!?"

Carnivox let out a hearty laugh. "Now this is better. This I can respect. Come on, let it out."

"No I think of more then that, you just awaken that part of me. You see Melanthios is my father. He took me in, instead of killing me. He gave me clarity when there was only madness. He gave me a home when I had none, he gave me friends, and family when I was alone and scared. He is more of a person then you will ever be. The same goes for anyone else here."Akladai hatred seemed to grow as he spoke.

"Both of you!" He gazed at Melanthios and Zareth. "YOU SHAME YOUR KIN!! ALL YOU EVER TAUGHT THEM IS ANGER!! HOW TO BE MAD!!"

"I am calm yet you are screaming. It seems all you can do is anger people. Because you are here alone, and we are not. The only thing you ever did was anger people." Melanthios smiled brightly.
He turned to the demigod. "Do you not think I wanted to take you in? Did you know that they killed your sister?"
Now it was Zareth's turn to laugh. "Better souls than I have tried to teach Car and failed."

"Come on!" Carnivox goaded her. "Do something for once. MAke something happen. Cut loose and shake it up." He began dancing like a boxer in front of the raving goddess.

Akladai grinned. "I know, I helped them." Akladai's face showed determination. His old life was gone, his new life was now his true life.

Meanwhile, Roe crept around the edge of the conflict, clutching his sword in fright whilst Valerie and Flight guarded his heels. Part of him was screaming to run away and hide somewhere safe like Evalon, but he didn't want Melanthios to think he scared and besides Petal... how could he face Petal again if he had turned back when he could have fought for her? Newly emboldened, the young god saw his opportunity and threw himself with a small cry at Venator, slashing her with his short sword.

Spoiler: Actions

-Roe hinders Eldarwen's final action +6 Chaos and +6 Childhood.

-Roe attacks Venator with +7 Childhood (including +1 from whistle), +2 Orb of Infinity and +6 Chaos, Valerie and Flight defends Roe with +4 Arcane Magic and +4 (Flying?) respectively

 

[Pappytech]

Nivix - 16, 0

Bah. There was no need to trouble Ven, not with a task like this. Nivix changed his mind in the midst of his teleporation, as well as his destination. Instead of phasing back into reality deep beneath the earth, the god materialized above ground, somewhere in the middle of the Maroe Archipelago. He had always liked this part of the world, with its many islands and cultures only separated by a thin expanse of water. Beauty may not have been something he valued often, but the scenery here was... what was the word he was looking for? Peaceful? Relaxing? Inspiring?

...It was nice. That was a word simple and vague enough to work, even if it didn't capture the entirety of his feelings. Passable, if not ideal.

With a contented sigh, the god alighted on one of the many beaches that dotted the archipelago. Rocky and desolate, it wasn't exactly the prettiest spot around; the ground was harsh and jagged, the winds freezing and choked with salt, and the water was cold enough to chill a man to his bones. However, Nivix wasn't exactly looking for a vacation spot, now was he? Someplace this isolated would suit his needs perfectly.

With the barest hint of effort, the chemister summoned a stone slab of suitable size and toughness from underground. It was a simple matter to detect the metal within the rock, refine it, and infuse it with a few other elements. In no time at all, Nivix stood before a misshapen anvil, a ugly lump of steel strong enough to withstand titanic amounts of force.

But before he could continue, however, the god felt something tickling at the back of his consciousness.

"What are you talking about, Aen? I have not left my planet. I have not struck against anyone. If you take a look at them, do they even appear harmed? Have they lost anything? No, they have not. They are liars and decievers. Cowards that conspires in the shadows. You are all better than them.

"I will take my punishment for what I helped do against Seith, for I do believe he was as good as most of you. If a bit wrong in his head and his decisions towards the end. Perhaps he should only have spied on the true evil that waits and plans to strike against you, but when would he then have known when they came for one of you? However, the others who attacked him will never willingly take the punishment for doing the same. I will take the blame and the punishment for opening the portal in the garden as well, because I also have memories of a different universe that I come from. You can ask the ghosts of my past that lingers in Evermoor, if you want to know about it. Ailish was not the one who suggested it to begin with. It was I, even if she performed the action, but even then I aided her in doing so.

"They are trying to turn you against me, despite that I have not moved since I created another demigod. Soon they will be trying to turn you against each other and come after you one by one, until there are no more left than Vantric, Melanthios and M'endar. These are the enemy. If my words does not convince you, I trust that they will prove it in the future through their actions.

Nivix was unable to resist a derisive snort. So now Eldar sought to defend herself, to act as if she were a paragon standing tall among a group of evil-doers and villains? Just who did she think she was talking to? Infants? Fools? Tch, if she thought that a few fancy words were enough to erase the insults she had dealt to him, then she was sorely mistaken.

He could feel her action, her attempt to alter all of creation at once. His lips curled into a smirk, and he prepared to counteract her power with all of his own... But why should he? It wasn't as though she was lashing out at him, and it was true that Van, Mel, and M'end had been the ones behind sealing Seith away. Maybe some opposition would be good for the trio. Eldarwen would be unable to affect him, anyway; he would retain his sanity even if she stole everyone else's.

His course of inaction decided, Nivix turned back to the task at hand: Forging a new tool.

With a delighted grin spreading across his face, the god slammed the ingot, an entire world's worth of steel and flame, onto his anvil. The smile only stretched wider as he saw that his work had indeed succeeded; the earth beneath the anvil sunk a bit, but the chunk of metal itself remained strong. Yes, yes, this would work.

Raising his hand high, the chemister summoned a hammer from his laboratory, tightening his fingers around the tool as soon as it formed. Shaping metal like this was something he had done countless times before, but this was the first time he had ever attempted to use this much metal. If he was going to do this, then he should do this right, approaching the task with the proper amount of care and caution.

...On second thought, nah, that'd be too much trouble.

With a gleeful roar, Nivix brought his hammer down, slamming it into the metal with a thunderous peal.

The resulting explosion of superheated air and concussive force encompassed most of the Maroe Archipelago.

Spoiler: Action

Ignore Eldarwen's action: Effortless.

Forge a +3 Item: DC 17, 4AP, 1MP.
+6 Knowledge, +4 Destruction, +2 Magical Artifice.
Sacrificing the Maroe Archipelago.

Spoiler: Arm of the Destructor

These, but forming an entire left arm, not just a hand.

 

[Terratina.]

M'endaxius - 0/30 AP, 2/2 MP

Sounds echoed through Umbraculum - voices, footsteps and the sound of a sword being drawn. It seemed that they had abandoned the Hallowed Court for a more mundane meeting place. M'endar sighed, it would never get any rest with people here and nor with a time like this. With the imprisonment of Seith done with, it was content. However, other weren't. Eldarwen had chosen to show her discontent by forcing a wave of hatred over the world. But its brothers saw the folly of spreading irrational hate and had stood up against it. Their energies had dammed the tide. But... What was this alien influence? One god had chosen to bolster the hatred. With a few seconds of scrutinising the source was uncovered ? it was Ailish.

Ailish... The deranged god that had open the portal to unbridled chaos, to the wreckage of a ruined world. Melanthios only saw her as a witch that needed to be burnt, Vantric probably saw her as an obstacle to be removed. Zareth probably just endured her quirks, as long as she didn't break anything. Roe was probably doing want a child with a sword would do - playing around with it. Nevertheless, whatever the case, the Whispering Wyrm would stay in the depths of the underground caverns. There was nothing it could do. M'endar could only now spent a moment thinking on the matter of Eldarwen's exit from this world. She had finally crawled out of her garden only to find the isolationist approach had failed her.

It concluded the thoughts on one final statement, 'Farewell, Lady-of-Leaves. Know now that your garden will receive the uttermost care.' As the words formed in its mind, a hand formed into a fist. Then, motions were made the thumb and forefinger as M'endar remembered its first counter with the plants she was so keen on, and of Eldarwen herself. It wondered if anyone was so foolhardy to take Ailish's side in the upcoming battle. One name immediately lit up on its mind. But it would wait until the pieces made their appearance. A quick order was sent to its agent, 'Eld. Recon. Go.' Hopefully the Lady would be so kind to oblige, as she knew how important reconnaissance was, from her mortal life. Yes; she would make a fine agent, and would be watching from the shadows...

Spoiler: Actions

Send a message to Zs'Wua - DC = Effortless

Zs'Wua'Itzala - 5/8 AP

She had received too things that day, refuse of her wish and gruff orders. It was safe to say that the Lady of Shadows was not in a good mood. She had just been reminded of what weak she was compared to the full-blown gods. But there still were perks. With a thought she teleported to Eld and began to sulk in the shadows. Different gods were gathered there, and from the sound of it, battle lines were being drawn. What was the point in interfering just yet? She just had been sent to see what was happening for one, and she didn't even know the who, what or why.

Spoiler: Actions

Teleport to Eld - DC = Effortless

 

[Dogmatic99]

Zareth 21 , 2​

He only came to make sure Roe didn't get himself killed. One of the wraiths from the portal had knocked him around like a play thing, there was no saying what a being with Ailish's power might do to him. It was enough to let them work it out between themselves... whatever the damn problem was. Seemed it had become the general practice to cry war whenever someone even looked at you the wrong way.

Then as usual Ailish got into a shoutig match about something with someone. She said something cryptic and he half listened. For someone who preferred to have no mouth she certainly talked a lot. Carnivox seemed to be enjoying the confrontation at least. Good, he needed something to get excited about, the poor wolf had been stuck in a rut these past few years.

Then his brother turned up with his boys and the shouting match intensified. It was like a pair of brick walls screaming at each other. Why did they bother, why didn't they just get it over with leave each other alone? The, naturally, they all piled on. Why couldn't anyone just have a good old fashioned duel? At least there was an element of fairness in that. He had no interest in this. What could would his getting involved do? What good had it ever done? But what would happen if he just stood idle? Damned if I do, damned if I don't.

Then he heard the howl. Deep at the heart of it all was Carnivox, he'd lashed out at the rambling goddess. Instinct took over and it was as if Zareth's heart did beat for the first time in days. "Car, no!"

He dove drew Midnight from its sheath and dove into the fray. This world was taking all it could, let it try but it couldn't take his son.

Spoiler: Actions

Carnivox attacks Ailish with +4 The Hunt (because everything is prey)
Zareth Defends Carnivox with +6 death (trying to make sure Car doesn't die) +4 Age (withering the power that gets sent his way) +2 Combat (from Midnight)

 

[TheBlueShotgun0]

Pentar 26AP 1MP

Pentar stood in the meeting hall in the Hallowed Court admiring his hammer. This weapon would be his grand tool, the judges gavel to bring order to the universe. So engrossed in Gawmfust was he that he only half heard Eldarwen's message. But he clearly felt her action. How interesting. Pentar thought. So the nature goddess was against the trio after all. Pentar briefly wondered what had caused her to change her mind, but he decided that it could wait for later. He tried sending her a telepathic message of thanks, but found that he could not. "Odd." he said out loud. "Perhaps she has some kind of shield? No matter." Pentar reached out to her released energies and added his own power to it. "Message or no, that band of bastards will feel our wrath."

Spoiler: Action

Firstly, I forgot to mention in my last post that Gawmfust in a +2 Order item. Sorry.

Assist Eldarwen's action.
+4 Order
+2 Order from Gawmfust
+4 Justice
+2 Government

 

[Belmarc]

Aen 18/30, 2/2

Eldarwen was... dead... Aen couldn't help but look up and laugh bitterly. "There is no such thing as good and evil... things are only what you make them into..." He couldn't help but shed a few tears over the nature goddess. She may have been cruel, rude, and cold, but she still shouldn't have done this. "I promised to try and keep you in this world... guess I failed that one." There was no more reason to be here. She wasn't coming. She'd never come now. And from the sound of it... Melanthios had over-reacted. But now... she was trying to bring them down with some massive act of inspiration. Aen didn't care for it, yet it was none of his business. If it was meant to happen, it would happen. He doubted it would either way, but he at least would not get in the way of her final action. He'd now have to go to Eld soon, to grab something of hers for his ever growing collection. Speaking of it, though...

The battlegrounds was the same as ever. Still empty... only... now his new guardian stood as still and silent as everything else. She didn't really bring things to life, though he supposed that was to be expected. Aen dismounted Grix and walked over to her. "Finally awake, eh? Good to see the armor fits well enough. Sorry about the shabby conditions but I was working under short notice. Welcome to your new existence."

"..." She made no reply, and without facial clues or body language, it was proving difficult to gauge her reactions. Still, she hadn't struck him, melted down, or tried to feel, so he supposed that was some small victory.

"This will be your new home for now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or Grix. Grix, being the big lug over here." He patted the dragon on the nose playfully as he said this, then turned back to his new ally. "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Aen, and if it pleases you, you'll be working with me." Aen waited expectantly for an answer, but the armor made no move to reply. In fact, he was beginning to wonder if she was sleeping. With a shrug, he turned on his heel and walked over to place of honor he'd left Olek's sword. It was a weapon, and it was time he began using it as one, not simply a memorial. He plucked it up from where it lay, bare as the day he'd taken it, and took it to the Hall of Entertainment.

It had been a long time since he'd last entered this place, and the cheery atmosphere was barely enough to brighten his spirit. This is where he'd met Eldarwen, and though they'd all fought, it was the closest he'd ever come to hanging out with a group of friends. He pushed away his emotions for now; he could deal with them later. Standing before the brazier housing Tsuranote's final fire, he plunged the blade into it. Aen watched as the fire heated the blade, then poured his power into it, a set of runes filling his mind to shape it to his will. When the sword was finally to the shape he wanted, he retrieved it from the flames and laid it out. Conjuring a small dagger, he cut a new rune into his right hand and pressed it over the hot metal. Within moments, it was done. As it cooled, Aen felt a weight he hadn't known hew as carrying lift off of him. He finally felt as if he'd put the ghost of Olek to rest.

Suddenly, before he could wait for the weapon to be ready, Aen felt a disturbance in the shield he'd created on Eld. At first it was only Roe and someone he didn't know. That was nothing to worry about, perhaps the child had gone to pay his respects. Before long, however, more came pouring in, one after the other. Zareth, Melanthios, Carnivox, and more he didn't recognize. Definitely not well-wishers, if Melanthios was among them. Leaving his new weapon behind, Aen called to Grix across their link, asking something of him before meeting him on Eld. Then, with a flash, he was gone.

<spoiler=Actions>

Forge a +2 Item, DC 15, Cost 6 AP
+6 Combat, +4 Runic, +2 Chivalry

Grix 8/8

As soon as Aen left, the armor came to life. Without any kind of warning, it began to move, as if practicing. The dragon watched in bemusement for a time. It swayed when it walked and bumped into things here and there, but slowly and surely it grew into it's new body. Aen was to busy to take notice, and he made no attempt to alert him. There was no need, and this new partner would grow accustomed to him in time.

Grix was about to nap when Aen's frantic message awoke him. It wasn't over with the death of the nature goddess, apparently. He wanted to rush to Aen's side at once, but he had orders, something that might prove useful soon. However, when he lumbered over to the arena, the armor stood in his way. It seemed it wanted practice with it's new powers, too. So be it, he was no better off than it was. With a short message of what it needed, the dragon was gone, bounding into the air after his partner.

Ren 5/8

Cold. The metal was cold. It was a nice distraction from the burning inside of her, though. So much pain, remembering. Better to focus on the cold. Or better yet, on the task at hand. She did not know why she didn't trust the one who'd saved her, but she didn't, and that feeling was all she had to go on. So she did. Still, she would serve him, as she must. Whatever reason for her feelings, he was trying to help. She would do the same. She let her new powers flow from the armor and envelop the arena. The mists grew thicker and thicker, until she couldn't see into it. Then she hardened it into a shell. Inside, no soul would ever come to harm.

<spoiler=Actions>
Affect an area the size of a town, DC 9, Cost 3 AP
+4 Spirit

 

[JoJo]

Roe - 20, 1

Roe dived around Venator, swiping at the powerful demigod with his short sword. Flight and Valerie helped distract her whilst he found new openings in which to strike.

"Long live the Alliance!" Roe shouted with gusto as he dodged a blow from the angry demigod.

Suddenly he felt a wave of heat, coming somewhere from the sky in the direction of Evalon. In his mind's eye he saw a great fire spreading out across the Rowan's small archipelago; man, woman and child turned from flesh to dust in an instant. He silently cursed Nivix but now wasn't the time, instead he focused his energy on containing the blast so the devastation was restricted to just the small island it had started on.

Spoiler: Actions

Hinder Nivix's destruction of the Maroe Archipelago with +7 Childhood, +6 Chaos and +2 Orb

 

[JoJo]

The Storyteller

The Storyteller continued to recount the tale in his melancholy tone whilst he refilled his pipe, the children as attentive as ever.

"Yet again it seemed that the gods were on the brink of war, first I will speak of what else happened in that epoch. With a final act of sacrifice, Eldarwen attempted to inspire everything in the universe, from mortal to planet to stone, to stand against Vantric, Melanthios and M'endar. The Alliance's timely hinders were powerful to overcome even this final action and render it no more a puff of smoke upon Eld.

Vantric created a new demigod Aryx the Fallen from a mortal Grigori to add to the numerous and ever-growing number of their kind. The new demigod Ren finished Aen's arena in the Battlegrounds of the Hallowed Halls. Aen successfully made a magic item in prepartion for a possible battle, however Nivix was less lucky, whose attempt to sacrifice the Maroe Archipelago in order to create an item of great power ended in failure, however it left him with an item will slightly less power than he intended."

 

[Pappytech]

Nivix - 16, 0

"Well," Nivix managed to cough as he weakly struggled to his feet, "that didn't really go too well."

Through eyes swollen half shut from ash and pain, the god stared bleakly at his surroundings. The ground had been scorched pitch black and torn asunder, the boiling sea was choked with debris and dust, and the wind felt hot as an oven. Any animal or plant life that had been in the immediate area hadn't stood a chance, the flames that filled the air reducing them to ash in an instant. Even the sky seemed to have taken damage, as dark and ugly clouds began to fill it.

But the distressing change in scenery was the least of the madman's worries.

"Heh," he chuckled grimly, clutching at the bloody stump where his left arm used to be. "Was probably gonna happen sooner or later."

Self-harm was unavoidable sometimes; Nivix knew that better than most. He'd had to endure damage before, both intentionally and unintentionally, but he'd always managed to walk (or crawl, once) it off in a matter of hours. It didn't look like this particular injury was going to be that easy to overcome, however.

Besides a small stub of bone and muscle jutting roughly from his shoulder, his arm was simply gone, eradicated in the same burst of fire that had ravaged the landscape. A stream of golden ichor poured from exposed arteries and veins, his remaining hand doing little to quell its flow, dropping to the blackened ground where it evaporated with a harsh hiss. Yep, looked like he had made it acidic after all.

"Hahaha... Yep, that was a mistake."

His nearly ever-present grin fading away, Nivix looked up at the darkening sky overhead, ruefully ruminating on his situation. He had felt Roe's influence, there at the very end, and knew that the child had contained the devastation to this one island. If it hadn't been for him, odds are the forging would have destroyed the entire area. "Damn," he muttered mournfully, as a thunderclap slowly rolled through the clouds above him, "that did not go as planned."

Unmindful of the blood that stained his hand or that flowed from his wound, the chemister covered his eyes in an attempt to gather his thoughts. An explosion that powerful, and taking Roe's power into consideration... This entire thing had been a failure. He was dazed and wounded, had almost slaughtered countless mortals, and, most importantly, had lost his hard earned material. The odds of the ingot having survived all of that were astronomical, if not downright impossible.

The oncoming storm stirred Nivix from his reverie, peppering the god with a depressing drizzle. Another mournful chuckle escaping his lips, the madman clutched at his stump in another attempt to staunch his blood loss; he didn't want to know what losing more ichor would do to him in this state.

Slowly but surely, he began to trudge away, barely paying attention to his surroundings.

It was little wonder that he caught his foot and tripped.

With a muffled curse, Nivix flopped to the ground in a most undignified manner. Forcing himself back to his feet, he turned to offer his wrath to the log or rock or whatever it was that had tripped him up; he would see to it that the offending chunk of debris was reduced to little more than a loose... cloud of... atoms...

He found himself staring, shocked, at his half-finished project. Misshapen and lumpy, the chunk of metal had thinned and elongated, still glowed a dark scarlet, and was miraculously whole. He could still shape and define it, as well as finish infusing it with his power. This wasn't done yet, not by a long shot.

...And now that he thought about it, Nivix knew exactly what it was he needed to build.

[hr]

"Okay, okay... On the count of three."

It hadn't taken Nivix long to refine the crude shape into something that perfectly suited his needs: An artificial limb, a replacement for his missing arm, complete with a few hidden tricks and features. It was the perfect length for someone of his height and stature, and its various digits and joints were linked together in way that almost completely mimicked true flesh and blood. It was as close to ideal as he could get it, that much was for sure.

"One."

Biting his lip, the god ripped off the makeshift bandage that he had slung around his stump, discarding the bloodstained cloth without a second thought. At the same time, he focused some of his power onto the end of the arm, the point that would bind it to his body. The joint began to glow a light red, almost white, and the smell of smoke and burning air filled Nivix's nostrils.

"Two."

Grasping the arm's elbow with his remaining hand, the chemister awkwardly lifted the limb into the air, attempting to properly position it for this next step. He really, really didn't want to mess this up; he doubted he'd have the stamina to try this twice.

As steadily as he could, Nivix brought the heated end of the arm up to his shoulder, getting it as close as he could manage.

"Three!"

He pressed the limb up to his body. The smell of burning flesh and Nivix's pained roars filled the air, but there was no missing the deranged, delighted grin that was plastered across the god's face. This was going to be fun.

Spoiler: Action

Finishes shaping the arm (+2 Destruction, by the way), and burns it onto his body. Nearly passes out from pain.

The misstep in the forging process damaged Nivix fairly significantly; one of his ranks in Destruction is docked until the end of the Age.

 

[Arrogancy]

Vantric: 20, 1

The coin fell back into his hand with a dull thud, and he immediately flipped it onto the back of his left hand. He didn't look at it. He paused for a moment, breathing deeply before lifting his right hand and seeing what the coin had decided.

On its face was the symbol of an ax buried deep in a weeping willow. Vantric smiled, taking it as a good omen. Eldarwen had failed, and her power wouldn't curse the universe. Excellent. He thought. Then, he turned it over. What outcome did the other side foretell? Out of morbid curiosity he examined the other face of the coin. It was a burning vine spreading over a crystal. Curiouser and curiouser.

"Anyway, as I was saying Zareth..." Vantric looked up to speak to the death god. Unfortunately, Zareth was gone. "Isond, when did Zareth leave?"

The war god shrugged slightly. "A few minutes ago, maybe."

"And you didn't tell me because?"

"I didn't think it was my business." He eased his ax onto his shoulder. "Well, now that he's gone it doesn't seem like there's much reason to stay, right?"

Vantric rolled his eyes. "Clearly you're too incompetent for these tasks. Fine. Leave. There's someone I want you to pick up, anyway." The war god had a puzzled look on his face. "Go to Coelus. If you can't find what I want from that planet then we'll have to have a bit of a chat about your performance, you and I."

Isond glared but said nothing. "Good. Get to it then." Vantric said.

As the war god vanished he turned about, trying to sense where Zareth could have gone. It didn't take long for him to find the trail where his erstwhile companion had gone. In a wave of darkness, Vantric set off after Zareth.

Arriving at the location Zareth had evidently gone to Vantric immediately began speaking. "It's quite rude to leave a guest without saying 'farewell' Zareth." He then paused and surveyed the situation. Ailish and one of Eldarwen's plants were falling back as Roe, Melanthios and Zareth pressed in on them. "Ah, that explains things, somewhat." Melanthios had made his move, and evidently he had brought a lot of power with him. "Well, sorry about this, Ailish." Vantric said, drawing his blades. "Nothing personal."

Spoiler: Actions

Teleport to Eld- Effortless

 

[Floris2123]

Melanthios 14AP,1MP

Melanthios looked at Roe who attacked the demigod shouting "Long live the Alliance!" He smiled brightly, letting Roe join had been a very good choice. Valerie grabbed the orb and flew over to him to help. Melanthios then looked at Allish, he finally got to kill her. "She is mine." He said to his sons, they didn't object though Akladai seemed a bit unhappy. "You two defend Carnivox, do not let him get injured. I am counting on you two."

They both nodded, they knew what to do. Akladai flew over to Carnivox and formed a powerful shield around him. Maeglin also flew over to Carnivox, he gathered all the powers around him and made them move in the same direction making the defense much more effective. Black flames began to gather around Melanthios again, they washed over his body creating a new form. "NOW DIE WITCH!" Melanthios said as he made and magical sword an jumped towards her.

Spoiler: Melanthios' fight appearance

Spoiler: Melanthios' sword

Spoiler: Action

Akladai and Maeglin defend Car
Domains: + 4 Leadership + 4 Forbidden knowledge
Melanthios attacks Allish
Domains: +6 Arcane magic +4 Wisdom + 2 War

 

[Belmarc]

Aen 18/30, 2/2

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. Aen couldn't stop his heart from racing. He couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong, and as he came onto Eld, feeling the sudden influx of power, he knew he was right to think so. It wasn't hard to find the gods he was looking for. They were mostly standing around, when Roe lashed out at one of Eldarwen's demi-gods, the newest one. What the hell was that boy thinking? He sent out a call to Ren, who didn't respond. He would just have to hope she would listen. With the roar of a dragon mixed with the battle cry of a god, Aen and Grix burst into the battle. Leaping from Grix's back, Aen unsheathed his sword and parried at Roe's strikes, only blocking and never countering. "Why, Roe?! What reasons do you have to strike against this one, who has only just joined us?" From the corner of his eye, he saw Ren appear, and holding his new sword by straps. It seemed she did not wish to touch it. It mattered little. He held out his hand and she threw it to him. Brandishing it in his left hand, he adapted quickly to fighting with two weapons, and found blocking to almost be easier for him.

'Grix, cover Ailish for me! And... uhhh... I still need your name, but now isn't the time. I need your help to cover this one.' Grix roared, a mysterious wind springing up around Ailish. The armor, however, did not respond. It only stood on the outskirts and watched.

Actions

Defend Venator
+6 Combat, +4 Runic, +2 Chivalry

Defend Ailish
+4 Wind

 

[drmigit2]

Cassiel 25, 2

So many voices...something about a goddess named Eldarwen. He tried to silence them but they kept coming back stronger than ever. Everyone was asking for his assistance in killing her, and then more about Seith. The voices were just like the ones he was born with and they were maddening. Just as he was about to attack Eldarwen himself, they silenced. He could feel she was dead. But, with death comes new life. Everywhere on Coelus, little glass roses appeared. They had a strangely fresh smell despite not being technically plants. The barren outsides of the diamond planet weren't so barren anymore.

"That was...odd."

Then, he looked at the neighboring planet of Salustius, it unhinged itself from the rainbow bridges and turned into a war machine. Something terrible was inbound, Cassiel gripped his sword and expected it to head to Coelus. Instead, it made a move toward another planet.

"They aren't...they are!"

He didn't want to waste time with the planet, others would deal with that, Cassiel had to make a move for the worst case scenario. The life on that little gem had to be preserved. If he can save the Girigori, he can save the others too. The angel soared through space and right on to a forest a few miles away from the battle. He landed with a crash, sending dirt and debris flying everywhere.

"Everyone! We need to go now! There is no ti-"

A dart crashed into his wing, crushing itself and falling to the ground. Soon, dozens of Ekiruru surrounded the angel and charged him. Cassiel didn't want to hurt them, he was there to protect these creatures, but he wouldn't let them harm him. He swung his shield as lightly as possible, but several Ekiruru's faces went clean off, their bodies slumped to the ground. There wasn't any way to stop them without killing.

Cassiel reached for his sword and impaled two Ekiruru on it, lighting them ablaze, hoping to ward the others off. Soon, a mighty voice came echoing through the forest. It had a raspy but determined timbre.

"Stop! No more fighting!" At the sound of what seemed to be the only male voice on the planet, the Ekiruru quickly retreated into the brush. Trees began to shake and the ground rumbled, something was moving. Cassiel prepared his sword and said calmly. "Who are you?"

Suddenly, roots began springing from all directions, one flipped Cassiel over, who caught himself in mid-air. It was the largest tree in the area, mighty and vast. It was as tall as the largest building on Coelus, truly a marvel of nature. The tree opened its eyes, they were a glowing white, similar to the Girigori, and spoke telepathically to Cassiel.

"Why do you bring violence here Girigori?"

"I am no Girigori. I am Cassiel, a god."

"I have been here longer than any other mortal currently alive. I remember each of the gods. You were not among them."

"Seith is dead. I am his son."

"Is that so? He...created my kind all these ages ago. A shame."

"Quite."

"What brings a god here then? Are you trying to destroy us with our queen now dead?"

"There is a great war coming, I am here to evacuate you in case the worst happens. I know you might want to help defend, but if they destroy this place, then what will become of your race? I have a home in mind."

The tree stood still for a moment. It thought and pondered for seemingly hours, though it was really only a minute or two and said. "My job is to protect this forest. Not all of Eld. If what you say is true, then I will come with you. Besides, who am I to say no to the son of my creator?"

The Ent sent a message to all the Ekiruru, they were to be moved to a new planet, safer than their current home. With Eldarwen dead, a new protector could be helpful. He also added that any attacks on the Clankers, Mizzen or Girigori would be met with a strict punishment. He did not want them to be destroyed. Cassiel then teleported them to Coelus.

"Thank you, friend. We will talk soon."

There was...something else happening though. A large spectacle of lights was happening, along with an exchange of power and he could hear the faintest of yells. Cassiel carefully went in to investigate.

Spoiler: Action

Inspire a full forest and transport it to the bottom of Coelus, an uninhabited area.

DC=9 +4 Bravery, +1 Flames

Get within sight and hearing distance of the fight: Effortless.

 

[Arrogancy]

Isond: 8
Aryx: 8

As she flipped open the cover to the book, Aryx felt a great power well up from it. The acolytes didn't know what she was doing, but attempted to prevent it anyway, throwing all their power against her. The blasts fizzled away before they even got close to her. Aryx didn't notice, at that same moment a font of dark energy exploded from the book.

Aryx felt the life drain out of her. She couldn't see or hear. She tried to scream but failed at that too. Light seemed distant and fading. In those last moments, certain of her own demise, one thought ran through her head. Betrayal. Her people had betrayed her, her church, everyone who professed that she could place their trust in them. Why did she think a stranger was any more trustworthy?

The last light faded and Aryx was certain that the end had come. There would be no revenge, no rise, no key to unlocking her potential. But something happened. Devoid of light as she was, Aryx did not die, she did not feel her soul slip from the bonds of her mortal form. Rather, the darkness began enveloping her, almost swaddling her in their folds. Within it, she was held, sustained, it should have been frightening. It wasn't.

She felt a new power slowly draw into her. The light had gone out, and now darkness was seeping in. Darkness receded, her senses returned, and Aryx emerged, once more.

Uncertain on her feet after the ordeal, she stumbled, leaning against the wall for support. She was surprised to find black hair falling into her face, she was even more surprised to find that her clothing had changed too. Dark robes had replaced her white church garb. After a moment, she felt well enough to stand and surveyed the scene, recalling that she had been ringed by enemies.

Aryx looked up and found death. It was everywhere. Father Barteus. The acolytes. Dead. All of them. Only she had survived, book still in her hands. Unconsciously, she smiled. She bent down and examined the bodies. It was a strange sort of death, she considered. Some bodies were in perfect condition, seeming as though the life had simply left them. Others bore more grisly marks of death. Skin turning black. Blood rent from the body. Some simply had a face of unbridled shock and terror. So much death. She thought. Aryx had never felt more alive.

"Now that's disturbing." Came a voice from the doorway. "And I've seen a lot." She turned to face whoever it was. A warrior in full armor marched in. He had a helmet under his arm. It was a creature Aryx had never seen before and knew nothing of. It certainly wasn't a human, its skin was far too gray. "I'm going to guess you're the person I'm supposed to pick up?"

Aryx rose up, stretching her wings. She wasn't surprised to see the black feathers as they reached their fullest extent. "Who are you?" She demanded.

"Questions later. Leaving now." Was all the warrior said.

Aryx glared. Disrespect her, would he? She reached out her hand and felt a new power surge through her. The warrior guessed what was going to happen and attempted to run out of the way, but to no avail. Aryx caught him and ran him threw the pews, shattering the diamond benches. She marched up to the warrior. "Who are you, and who sent you?"

The warrior shook his head. "You little-" He began rising. Aryx smashed his head into the floor several times before letting him speak again. "If I answer your questions, will you stop hitting me?"

"Try answering me, then we'll talk."

He sighed. "I'm Isond. I was sent by our creator Vantric, Master of Treachery to retrieve you."

"And he sends such a weak messenger to get me?"

"Weak? I'll-" Isond was gagged by dark magic and slowly choked.

"If this is the help he hires, then it seems I'll need to up the standards." Aryx eased up the choking. "However, I need to pay my gratitude to the one who saved me. Take me to Vantric."

Isond got up, fists clenched. They glared at each other, eye to eye for a moment. Raw anger versus smug arrogance. Isond turned on his heels. "Follow." He ordered, teleporting away in a blast with Aryx close behind him.

Spoiler: Actions

Aryx

Teleport to Vantric's Fortress: Effortless

Isond

Teleport to Vantric's Fortress: Effortless

 

[JoJo]

The Storyteller

"Roe's hasty attempt to carry out Melanthio's request for him and Zareth to fight Venator lead to more than he had expected and soon five gods and many more demigods were facing each other down. Roe and Venator leapt around each other, fiery steel on diamond, but the intervention of Flight and Valerie on Roe's side and Aen for Venator meant that neither side were able to do any damage. In the end Roe was left crouching opposite Velenator, who stared intently at him as she regained her breath. Aen stood between the pair, disapproval written across his face.

Meanwhile Ailish clashed with Melanthios and Carnivox, blades and claws flashing through the air as the three fought bitterly. In the end both the gods ended sprawling on the grassy ground, whilst Carnivox managed to stay his ground with Zareth's help. Ailish had been docked four ranks and Melanthios had five knocked out of him."

 

[Belmarc]

<spoiler=Conversation between Roe and Aen>

Roe tumbled to the ground as Aen deflected his blows against Venator, the other god's words rumbling through his head.

"Why, Roe?! What reasons do you have to strike against this one, who has only just joined us?"

He looked up, indignant but unharmed. "She's bad!" he cried, "Why won't anyone let me fight her?"

With a sigh, Aen slung the straps on his new sword around shoulder, pulling it tight to his back. He had not felt it fill with power during the battle, so whatever reasons Roe had for doing this, the weapon thought him innocent. "Bad? How can she be bad? She's done nothing, Roe!"

"But.... um..." Roe stuttered, trying to remember what he knew about Venator and found himself stuck, "Melanthios said so!" he blurted out desperately.

Aen gritted his teeth. Of course. Melanthios. Aen sheathed his original sword as well, and went down to one knee in order to be on the same level as Roe. "I'm sure Melanthios doesn't like her. But think, Roe. Putting aside what he said, what do you think of her? What has she done to upset you?"

"I don't know..." Roe admitted, looking down at ground, "I'd never met her before today,"

Aen smiled. At least the boy would listen and answer honestly. "While it is important to listen to others, you should also take your own feelings into account."

"Do you mean that Melanthios was wrong?" Roe asked with a feeling on trepidation, he liked the god of magic but something didn't feel quite right.

Aen laughed. "If I told you, that would ruin the point. What do you think, Roe?"

Roe thought about Aen's question for a time, weighing up the options aloud.
"I haven't heard of her doing anything bad... but she was friends with the evil plant lady.... Petal said... I..." Roe hung his head in shame, "I'm sorry Aen," he said simply.

Aen ruffled Roe's hair. "Don't worry about, Roe. I don't blame you for this." Aen stood back up and turned to face the others. "Above all else, make sure you survive this. And should we both make it out of here alive... then feel free to stop by the Battlegrounds sometime. I wouldn't mind teaching you how to fight while you search for your own truth to fight for."

"Okay," Roe smiled briefly and wiped his hair from his face, "I just want to be a hero," he added, "it's so hard to know what to do though, I thought fighting someone would make me one. It's really confusing..."

"It doesn't get any less confusing, and unfortunately there is no one who can just tell you what you need to do in order to be one. But I'm sure that you'll figure it out Roe. I can tell that you've got what it takes."

Roe nodded happily in reply to Aen, though he couldn't quite shake the feeling of guilt over his attack. He stood up and walked slowly over to Venator. offering his hand to her.

"I'm sorry Miss Ven, I didn't hurt you did I?"

She grunted sternly in reply and then brought up her sword again. Roe gasped but then she turned away and strode coolly towards the battle between Melanthios, Zareth and Ailish.

Roe watched silently with his blade drawn, weighing up his next move.

 

[Floris2123]

Melanthios 14AP,1MP

Melanthios was thrown back against the ground, blood poured from a wound on his right side. He barely managed to lift himself up from the floor, Allish fought with a power she shouldn't have. He didn't know what power she was using but it was too strong to be her own, "You filthy *****." He said coughing up blood as he stood up. He then saw the reason for her survival, Aen had joined in her defense. It seemed he needed to destroy him after all, but not now. He was too weak and Zareth would probably turn on them before being able to fight his friend. Right now he needed to kill Allish and steal the items from Venator.

Melanthios jumped towards her again lifting his sword, but he was suddenly blasted back. He felt something grabbing and restraining him, He turned his head to see Akladai. "You can't fight again father, you won't be able to survive another hit!" He said holding him. Melanthios looked forward to see that Maeglin had blown him back, Valerie suddenly appeared before him. She stuck her hand into his chest, while holding the orb. He tried to break free, but he was far too weak to free himself. Suddenly he felt calm, the black flames began to fuse with him. His wound healed a bit as he was placed on his 2 feet, he had taken on his human form again.

He looked up to see his children standing besides him, Maeglin grabbed Melanthios arm and placed it around his neck. "I got you father, there is no need to risk yourself again." Melanthios nodded, he had regained his sanity as he looked at his children. "We need to destroy Allish, she cant be allowed to heal." he said mentally, his face betrayed the pain he felt. Akladai stepped towards him, he handed him an staff. Melanthios instantly recognized it, it had been the first staff he had ever made. Akladai seemed to remember what had happened too, Melanthios grabbed the staff and removed his arm from around Maeglin.

Spoiler: Staff

Spoiler: Conversation between Melanthios and Roe

Melanthios had finally calmed down, his normal appearance had returned to him. He looked at Aen, and heard the lies he told Roe. His anger turned towards him, but now was not the time for revenge. Melanthios flew over to Roe, he tried to hide his pain as he landed before the child god. "Ah.. That battle didn't go as well as we had hoped did it?" He asked forcing a smile, the right side of his robe was stained with blood.

"Melanthios!" Roe cried in alarm as he saw his ally's injuries, the young god touched his arm gently. "What happened to you?" he asked anxiously.

"Its just a flesh wound.. I decided to defend Carnivox but left myself open." Melanthios placed his right hand on his side, he was clearly in pain. "Still I am glad I did, I am only injured. Carnivox could have been killed, but enough about that. Are you injured Roe?" Melanthios asked sounding concerned.

"I'm fine," Roe replied, waving his arms around to show they were healthy, "Aen stopped me fighting Venator, he said I shouldn't do everything you tell me to,"

"I am glad to see that you are uninjured Roe. And of course you shouldn't do everything I say. But I never told you, do to everything I said, now did I?" Melanthios hand began glowing green, the pain slowly became less. "Roe you are a god like me, it is up to you to decide your fate. I can merely make suggestions, and ask for help. What you do with your powers is your choice, I just wanted to help you be a hero like you wanted."

"I know," Roe said quickly "It's just... I don't think I should have fought Ven. It's not nice to hurt people unless they do something bad and she hasn't done anything yet. Why did you ask me to fight her?"

Melanthios looked at the child god, it seemed Aen had influenced him "She is a creation of Eldarwen, And she was sent here to help Allish. Allish is very dangerous. If she gets more power, more people will get hurt." He said with an sad expression.

"Ailish used to be pretty and nice," Roe replied mournfully, "I don't know what happened to her..."

He looked past Melanthios to gaze at Ailish, the mysterious god was lying in the dust in a heap. Pulsating black slime seemed to pouring out of her and surrounding her body, slowing covering it completely.

"What is she doing now?" Roe asked with a faint look of disgust.

"She was corrupted, the portal or as she called it 'the heavens' took away her mind. I am sorry to say that saving her at this point is impossible. Though I can understand why Aen wants to try, you see I think he is in love with her. And just like you would never give up Petal, he will never give up Allish. And that is why he still wants to save her." Melanthios said saddened. He then looked surprised, "what are you talking about?" He turned around to Allish. "Oh no.." He said as his face turned white, he recognized the power.

"Is that of one of those things that came from the portal?" Roe gasped, remembering the monsters that he and Olek had fought many ages ago. He trembled as he recalled their flashing claws and gripped his short sword even tighter.

Melanthios summoned his new staff to him and took a defensive position, between Roe and Allish. "Yes that is one of the portal beings, it seemed she is far more corrupt then I feared. So what will you do now Roe? I understand if you don't want to fight her, fighting such a being is very scary."

Roe stared up at Melanthios, a look of defiance upon his face."I'm not scared of anything, let's get her!" he enthused and raised his sword in the air.

Melanthios smiled. "I hoped you would say that, it is what a true hero would have said. And I hope this shows that you can trust me, I never attack innocent people. I only attack very bad people, like the portal beings or bad gods." He said looking at Allish.

"Okay," Roe beamed at Melanthio's compliment, hoping the elder god wouldn't notice how much his hands were shaking. Behind the pair the slime had completely engulfed Ailish and a new being was rising from the pool, nothingness itself dripping off it's shapeless mass.

"Roe, I am afraid that I won't be able to attack with my full power. My previous clash with her, has caused me to weaken significantly. I hope that our combined efforts, will be enough to destroy this beast. But if I don't make it out of this alive, protect my children okay? I don't want them to be left defenseless you see." Melanthios said looking at Roe, his face showing concern and worry.

"You can't die!" Roe replied in alarm, and then composing himself slightly more, added, "I promise though me and Petal will help them if you do get killed. Please don't though, I like you,"

Melanthios smiled at Roe. "I like you too Roe, and thanks a lot." He said as he placed one of his hands on Roe's head. He then began coughing up blood, and removed his hand. He stopped coughing shortly after, but he still looked worried. "Listen Roe, you are the hero of this story. You will have to attack her, and I will keep you safe as best as I can." His three demigods appeared besides him. Akladai and Meaglin stepped forward holding their weapons. "We will aid your attack Roe." They both said sounding confident.

Roe nodded silently and gave Melanthios one last affectionate pat on the arm before turning towards the Ailish thing. He remembered Aen's words and briefly considered whether what he was doing was right, it was clear though that Ailish had been completely corrupted. He stepped forward and raised his sword in readiness. "My name is Roe, this is my spot so no being mean!" he shouted and without any further hesitation threw himself at the void monster.

Spoiler: Action

Attack Allish= + 7 Childhood + 6 Chaos +4 Leadership + 4 Forbidden knowledge
Defend Roe= + 2 Wisdom + 4 Arcane power + 2 Orb