[PDQ] The Grand Mythos Game Thread

[DarkRawen]

Dåre 30, 2

"You are on the planet called Evalon. And these creatures did not answer you since they can't, they were created by M'endar an ally of mine. As for your other questions, this planet was made by Roe another ally of mine. As for the colors, I am afraid that explaining that would take very long. That large light thing in the sky is called the sun, and there is no need to apologize. I had to learn all these things when I arrived here too, which was quite a long time ago. And I am quite fine with my current colors, but thank you for the offer." The other god seemed to be nice, as well as knowledgeable.

"Too bad, I really think it would be delicious. Or, magnificent? Refreshing and uplifting? Woozy? Oh, excuse me for a short moment." Dåre turned around, looking upwards again. He made a motion with his hand, one of saluting someone who wasn't there, until one realized it was the sun he was greeting. With a swift movement, he turned around again, the jingles from the bells on his clothes becoming a sound one would associate with the young god. He then smiled to Melanthios, curiosity still clear in his eyes. "Who are Roe and M'endar, are they also gods? Are there more gods? And what is this you call an ally? Would you say it's a good or a bad thing?" He counted on his fingers. "And that's the same number of questions as last time, have to make sure something doesn't overload and go boom."

 

[Floris2123]

Melanthios 14AP,1MP

"Too bad, I really think it would be delicious. Or, magnificent? Refreshing and uplifting? Woozy? Oh, excuse me for a short moment." Daare turned around, looking upwards. He then made a motion with his hand, seemingly greeting the sun. He turned around again, making a t jingling sound. He then smiled at him, curiosity still clear in his eyes. "Who are Roe and M'endar, are they also gods? Are there more gods? And what is this you call an ally? Would you say it's a good or a bad thing? And that's the same number of questions as last time, have to make sure something doesn't overload and go boom." Melanthios was beginning to get intrigued by this god, he was an very interesting one.

He then spoke with an smile. "You don't have to worry about overloading me Daare, I can handle quite a lot. As for your questions, Roe and M'endar are both indeed gods. And yes there are more gods then you, me, M'endar and Roe. And an ally is an friend, who you make a promise with, to help one another when the other needs help or is in danger. And having an ally is a very good thing Daare. So tell me Daare, where did you come from?" He asked, trying to learn more about the new god. He was a bit worried about this god though, he seemed like a wild card. They already had quite a few of wild cards, still as long as he kept him away from Aen everything should work out.

 

[JoJo]

Spoiler: Close Encounters of the Dues Filli Kind

Not far from the west coast of Chama lay the great city of Manor, capital of the Kingdom and holiest citadel of the Rowan. A millenia had passed since the Child of Compassion had perished in the ruins of the old village and since then the city had risen like a moonlight phoenix from the ashes, it's street lined with colourful stone and wooden houses, it's people contented and their children plump from the many crops harvested each year from the bountiful farmlands that surrounded the metropolis.

At the centre of the city was the Royal Palace, rising far above it's counterparts with four giant red spires. There the King of Chama resided, entertained daily by an army of performers and concubines and occasionally consulted on matters of state, though his Majesty preferred to leave the specifics to his capable advisers. A scandalous rumour about a certain Changeling mistress was making it's way around the palace staff but otherwise it was business as usual on a day that few believed would change Rowan society forever when it began.

10 space whales were flying through space, on one of them the young Heron was riding. Even though he was only 18, he was already the smartest pupil of Kain. Which gave him an very high standing in his society, he was also the one leading the mission. The planet seemed quite peaceful, and also quite beautiful. Kain had told him to land very close to the giant city called Manor, which he could see appearing underneath him. "Prepare yourself men! We will be arriving shortly. "

As soon as they hit the ground they got to work. The mouths of the space whales opened, and the Dues Filli soldier jumped out. A couple of mages had joined the expedition, they instantly raised a stone wall. In less then 15 seconds a small stone fort had appeared, which was instantly occupied by Dues Filli soldiers with guns. They had taken along about 80 soldiers and 10 mages. Which should be enough to demonstrate power, but not feel like a threat.

Heron and his companion walked to the gate. His companion was named Kallen, he was also his bodyguard. Kallen was a Striga who had dedicated his life to perfecting his swordsmanship. "What do you think of these beings Kallen?" Heron asked the Striga. He shrugged and responded with, "They don't have much yet, but they do show promise." Heron nodded, he agreed with his bodyguard. He used a spell on him and Kallen making them able to understand their language, he then waited he was sure they would send men quickly enough.

The Dues Filli fort was spotted immediately by a number of guards upon the city's outer walls and within a few minutes, news of the landing reached one of the cities top administrators, Silky Tome. With trepidation he made his way into the King's chambers and requested an audience. Five minutes later he exited again, worried but determined nonetheless.

‎"Charter a troop to accompany me to the visitors, I want the best, you got me?" he told the nearest messenger and then retreated to his quarters to prepare himself for first contact.

The Dues Filli were very busy with preparing their fort. Pylons of magic were placed, and the mages had begun making magic shields around the fort. Heron had made a chair and he and Kallen were sitting down while waiting. The magic shields were invisible, but they should be enough to keep them outside. At least long enough for them to escapes, should that be needed.

The gates of Manor opened and out strode a group of about twenty Rowan soldiers with their shields in a circle, at their centre walked Tome in long flowing red robes, his mustache groomed even more carefully than usual. High above a pair of Kinderven riding Velociflies circled the party, keeping an eye on the proceedings.

"Greetings visitors," Tome called loudly once the party reached the fort, "I am speaking for His Majesty The King of Chama, Head of the Rowan and the One True Church of the Lord Roe. Who do we have the honour of hosting?"

Heron stood up and walked over to the man who had spoken. "Greetings representative of the king of Chama. My name is Heron, student of the great Kain and servant of the god Melanthios. I have been sent here to speak with your king, is it possible for me to speak to your king?" He asked the man, Kallen took a military stance behind him.

"I myself am Silky Tome, I am but a mouthpiece for His Majesty however," Tome replied with a flourish, "If you are willing to put aside your weapons then you may be granted an audience with the King, if he so pleases. If you permit me to ask, are you of the Dues Filli race? You resemble the tales that I have read from long ago whale-riders."

Heron nodded. "I am indeed a Dues Filli, and we will put away our weapons now." Heron and Kallen grabbed their weapons, and placed them on the ground. Two Dues Filli soldiers ran from the fort, and grabbed the weapons before running back inside. "And it is a pleasure to meet you Silky Tome." Heron said smiling, Kallen kept quiet.

"Please, call me Tome," the Rowan laughed and beckoned for Heron and Kalien to follow him, "It is most curious that we can understand each other perfectly despite originating from different planets, the wonders of the Lord Roe I suppose,"

Heron was happy about being invited this way, he and Kallen followed Tome. "Well that isn't completely true. I used magic to make us able to understand each other, you see. Normally we Dues Filli speak this language." He snapped his fingers, temporarily lifting the spell.

"Do you see what I meant, you can't understand me now can you?" He snapped his fingers again putting the spell back into effect. "We Dues Filli pride ourselves on our magical capabilities." Heron said sounding proud.


"Magic?" Tome replied in surprise, "our race does not practice such powers, we believe that godlike powers should be left to gods only, at-least most of us do. Are you ready to come with me to meet His Majesty?"

Heron looked a bit surprised, the fact that they didn't have magic surprised him. "Yes I am ready to meet your king Tome." Heron said following Tome.

"Excellent, follow me," the Dues Filli travelled up to the city with Tome, who pointed out various monuments and sights along the way, After journeying through several layers of palace checks and guards, the party finally reached the doors to the King's court. "Don't forget to always refer to the King as His Majesty, to do otherwise is a great offence. Refrain from asking his name either, it is forbidden for anyone except the Royal Family to utter a King's name while he still reigns."

Heron enjoyed his trip, he liked learning new things very much. And this world held so much new knowledge, and exiting things. The amount of checks showed that the king was a cautious man, something he could appreciate. "Thank you very much for the tour, and the advice Tome. I will be sure not to offend your king." Kallen remained calm and neutral as he always did, though even he seemed slightly interesting in his surroundings.

Tome smiled and then the doors to the court opened. Courtiers and scantily clad women lined either side of the chamber, at the centre sitting in a golden bath was the King himself. A man in his early thirties, aside from the long black hair typical of his race, his large gut was the most striking feature, made painfully clear by his complete lack of clothing.

"Your Majesty," Tome intoned ceremonially, "I present to you Heron and his company, Dues Filli from the planet of Salustitus who wish for an audience. Do you desire to grant them one?"

The King nodded silently, not turning his gaze for a moment from a pile of snacks balanced on the edge of his bath. Tome gestured to the Dues Filli to introduce themselves.

Heron looked at the naked king, he managed to hide his surprise. He suddenly understood why he was here, and not Kain himself. "Your majesty, thank you for granting us an audience." Heron said bowing his head. "My name as said before is Heron, student of Kain and servant of Melanthios. This here is my companion Kallen, a Striga who dedicated his life to perfecting his sword fighting." Kallen made a deep bow before the king.

"Melanthios?" The King replied, stuffing a handful of meaty snacks into his mouth, "Have you not heard of the White Flower?"

Heron looked up. "Might your highness be referring to Petal, or Roe?" He asked smiling. Kain had given him many lessons before he was allowed to go here, he had learned as much about them as he could.

An audible gasp spread across the courtiers, many of them looking at the Dues Filli in horror. Tome sidled up to the pair and whispered in their ear, "Remember you have to say 'Majesty', 'Highness' is a lower grade of title for princes or dukes!"

Heron cursed titles, his race had very few of them lucky. "Forgive my ignorance your majesty. I never wished to insult someone as honorable as yourself." Heron bowed before the king, showing regret. Kallen also bowed deep, joining Heron.

The King laughed and waved his hand casually at the Dues Filli. "We couldn't fault such interesting visitors for a slip, you are correct that the White Flower is to do with the Lord Roe and his bride Petal. It was the sign that showed our ancestor's the sacred bond between god and mortal, she was risen by his grace and indeed still lives to this very day, we can all receive this gift too if we have faith in the Child of Chaos. This is the basis of our civilisation."

Heron sighed relived, he had been afraid of some kind of punishment for a moment. He had to admit he still knew very little about their civilization, he looked back up again at the king. "Thank you very much for forgiving us, your majesty. And our society is based around the principals of our Father Melanthios, though a while ago a new god joined our religion. We have recently started to pray to Roe, he is one of the six gods we pray too." Heron said smiling.

"That is good to hear, you should really borrow a Book of Rowan from the Royal Library, I assure you it will be an interesting read," The King stood up and climbed out of his bath, a concubine ran forward to hand him a large red gown. He draped it around him and planted himself back on his throne, "What is your business here?" he asked, looking directly at the Dues Filli for the first time.

Heron was happy to hear that offer, maybe he could even grab a few more books he thought to himself. He didn't notice the king stepping out of the bath, until it was too late. He quickly moved his eyes up, looking straight at the kings face. "We were sent here by our king Maeglin the first, to speak to you about trade your majesty. You see our king was very impressed and interested in your country, that is why we were sent here to talk to you, your majesty." Both Dues Filli made another small bow.

"Ah trade," the King replied with a sigh, "Our people do make very fine silks and ornaments your people may enjoy. What do the Dues Filli produce that would interest us?"

Silk? Ornaments? Not really things they were that interested in.. still the mission was to trade with them. "We make all sorts of different things your majesty. What we came here today to offer you is this robe." Heron said grabbing a beautiful purple robe out of his bag. "This robe was made, using a special technique the Dues Filli designed. It warms the user when he is cold, and cools him off when he is too warm." Heron took a small step forward and held out the robe to the king, bowing his head again.

The King took the robe appreciatively and dropping his red one to the floor, wrapped the purple one around him. He sighed in pleasure.

"This is good," he intoned, "we have decided that your race's products are worthy of trading for, make a note of that scribe. The administrators of the state shall work out the details with you later, you may leave our presence now," he waved dismissively.

Heron bowed. "I am very grateful to you, your majesty." He was happy that things seemed to have gone well, he then returned to his camp outside the city.

 

[Arrogancy]

Vantric: 20, 1

With Aen and his odd apprentice gone, Vantric and Aryx waited for several moments after they left before speaking. "What do you make of them?" Vantric asked, finally breaking the silence.

Aryx snorted, "The god's a fool, and the armor is worthless as far as I'm concerned. Meeting with them was a waste of time."

"Appearances are often deceptive." Vantric muttered, going to one of the bookshelves. He took out one of his spare journals and turned to a blank page. At the top of the page he wrote the name Aen, followed by every detail that he could about their recent meeting, even going so far as to dedicate a page to Ren.

Ren. Now that was something to ponder. "What do you think of Ren?" Vantric asked, looking up from the book.

"I thought I made my position clear. She's fairly useless." Aryx replied, sitting in one of the armchairs.

"No, I mean in general. Her relationship to Aen, what do you think about her? What could you tell?"

She shrugged, "Not much that you didn't pick up on. She doesn't like Aen that much, she's quiet, possibly unable to communicate, and she was the result of remaking Sephariel." At the last word Aryx grimaced slightly. "Overall, it's a fairly uninteresting thing. Hardly useful."

"There's a time and place for every tool." Vantric responded, returning to his writing. "No, Aen has his plans, I'm certain of it. Ren has her part to play, it's just about figuring it out." He tapped his pen a few times against the book. "I think you might be making a new friend soon."

Aryx's eyes widened. "No. No, no no. You can't be serious. Friends with the suit of armor? Why not get Isond to do it? It's a menial enough task for him."

"I am, and you will." Vantric said, shutting the journal and replacing it on the shelf. "As I said, there is a time and place for everything. Isond will receive his orders, and you will accept yours. Ren was once Sephariel, perhaps she will open up to one who worshiped her."

"Do I have no say in this?"

"None at all." Vantric bent down toward the bottle on the table and grabbed it, there was still a bit of elixir left. He sent a telepathic message to the devils. A few moments later, one arrived bearing the jar. Vantric nodded, dismissing the devil. Pocketing the jar, he turned back to Aryx. "I think it's time we visited M'endar."

With that he teleported to Oculus Obscuritatis. From the looks of things, that party Melanthios had mentioned had started and ended. Probably for the best that he showed up after the fact. He was too busy getting productive work done to bother with things like this yet.

Vantric found M'endar and approached him. "M'endar, good to see you."

 

[Pappytech]

Nivix - 10, 0

He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there, in the halls beneath the surface of Obscuritatis. All he knew was that when he was finally shaken from his stupor, he was alone. The other party guests, the Verr, the food and drink, all had disappeared while he simply sat there in stunned silence.

"It is dead now Nivix..."

Dead. The Void Beast, the monster from beyond time and space, was dead. Before he had even known of its existence, it had already been taken away.

"Ailish had been lying to us all along, she was a void beast from the very beginning."

No, not just a Void Beast. Ailish. She was dead, gone, lost. Forever.

And no one had even bothered to tell him.

"Well she attacked us, and we fought back. She suddenly attacked us, and that is when she impaled herself on our weapons. And that is how she died."

...

"Lies."

Nivix's growl echoed around the empty chamber as he slammed his fist against the table. Wood cracked and splintered beneath the blow, and the madman rose to his feet with a snarl. "Lies, lies, lies, lies, lies!"

Who did Melanthios think he was talking to!? Did he really think that he was such a fool, that'd he'd blindly believe that Ailish had suddenly turned hostile and needed to be put down!? Idiocy aside, he was still a god of knowledge; it would take something much more than this pathetic attempt at deception to trick him!

...It was time for a little "chat" with Melanthios.

[hr]

Nivix slammed onto Evalon like a thunderbolt from on high, engulfed in a mass of flames and heat. Anger and rage coursed through his veins, and the air around him soared to unprecedented temperatures. Grass, plants, and trees withered and burned around him, the victims of his indiscriminate wrath.

Spinning around, the chemister scoured the horizon for any sign of his prey. There, over by that swarm of Shadowshrieks, conversing with some unidentified being.

Nivix let out another low growl as he began to stalk towards his target. "Melanthios..."

A growl that soon turned into a roar. "MELANTHIOS!"

Spoiler: Action

Teleport to Evalon: Effortless

 

[DarkRawen]

Dåre 30, 2

"You don't have to worry about overloading me Daare, I can handle quite a lot. As for your questions, Roe and M'endar are both indeed gods. And yes there are more gods then you, me, M'endar and Roe. And an ally is an friend, who you make a promise with, to help one another when the other needs help or is in danger. And having an ally is a very good thing Daare. So tell me Daare, where did you come from?" It seemed like an ally indeed was a good thing to have, and this god had several of them. Did that mean he was lucky?

Dåre shrugged. "Nowhere, and anywhere? The sun?" He laughed heartily. "I'm jesting, I'm not from the sun, that would be weird, as I didn't even know what it was before now. I'm from the cage of doves. I think there used to be someone else there, but they are gone now, yet not. They might be me, or they might be gone. Thinking about that makes me feel strange." He suddenly frowned, and sat down. Dåre was mourning something he didn't quite know what was, and he was suddenly silent for a while, an somewhat eerie silence from someone who seemed to be a chatty person. He just stared into the air. "I wonder how that is." The young god suddenly muttered. "How am I the god of Madness; because I certainly am." He suddenly jumped up, eagerly. "Oh, hi, hi, Mel, it's almost done!"

The creation seemed to nearly done, he wondered it if would be as useful as he had intended it to. "Just a little more now, a little more time and it will be here! Do you want to borrow it later? Since you helped making it, I mean."

Suddenly another god appeared, when had he done that? He seemed to not be in a good mood, as he yelled: "Melanthios..." and then he sounded even more angry "MELANTHIOS!"

Dåre looked between the two, this didn't seem to be one of Melanthios allys considering how angry he was.

 

[drmigit2]

Cassiel 22,2


Cassiel and Isond were staring each other down, Isond's gigantic ax ready to swing. Without a word, Isond came crashing down on Cassiel's shield, but unlike last time, Cassiel was ready and swung Stardust to parry. The two clashed and their weapons were caught in their opponent's. Cassiel bashed his shield forward and stabbed with Stardust, flames extending far beyond the reach of the sword but Isond dodged to the sided and hefted his ax in a horizontal slicing motion.

Cassiel turned around and fell to the ground, dodging the swing and the next one Isond aimed at the ground. Cassiel rolled back and got up while Isond got his ax out of the dirt. Isond spat on the ground and looked at Cassiel, ambition and fire in his eyes. There was always room for a dirty trick or two when raw strength failed. Isond teleported directly behind Cassiel and begun to swing his ax down, before an unfamiliar sensation reached him. It was warm, in fact it was burning.

Cassiel had figured out Isond's trick and had impaled the assassin on Stardust. He drew the sword out of Isond, letting his opponent sink to the ground. Cassiel would normally have been concerned, but the arena was designed to keep gods alive. Cassiel sheathed his sword and reached his hand out to Isond. "Here, let me help you up. It was a good fight. I would take you as a friend any day."

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

Cassiel left some time after the fight had ended. He had little concern for the other games scattered around and honestly stopped caring about Aen. Whatever he was doing, he wanted to make it happen alone and that was fine. Cassiel descended down to Evalon and went up to the mountains. He reached for his mask, still on the back of his head and not activated, and grabbed it. The bird looking copper piece held an insane amount of power, Cassiel knew it had to. He sighed and placed it on his face, allowing whatever was in it to finally make its move.

The second Cassiel put the mask on, voices, tons of them, all entered his head at once. "Hope, Observatory, Peace" All mixed with screams of sorrow. It seemed the horror would never end, Cassiel gripped the mask to try and remove it, but it was stuck now.

"What is this thing?" The god screamed at the top of his lungs.

However, as all voices seemed to, silence overcame the lament and Cassiel found peace again. The name Sephariel echoed lightly in his head, getting quieter and quieter leading to a final inquiry. "Lennonous...survived?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Soon after, Cassiel got up and shambled out of the mountains. The mask still refused to remove itself so he decided to make it at least into something more resembling himself and made it into a golden helmet, now encompassing the entirety of his head. It glowed an eminent gold and while Cassiel would normally be distressed from an event like this, he felt something else...hope. Was that his sister's old domain? He didn't know and something told him like many other things, the answers would not come easily.

In the distance, a large battle was under way. Ten Humans, half of them changelings, five Dwarves, six Lainir and five Verr and a Girigori were all trying to kill each other over some tipped over chest filled with gold. None of them had any weapons so Cassiel figured that it would get messy without his intervention. He spread his wings and descended from the mountain.

All of the combatants ceased fighting once his golden aura began to encompass them. It seemed the problem had been solved, but Cassiel knew that it was only fear driving them now. "I am not here to slaughter you all for insolence." The god of angels turned to the Girigori, "Though I am disappointed in some more than others for their actions. What is this all about?"

One of the Lainir spoke up first. "See, this 'ere chest fell over, we figured we'd take it for scraps ya know? Well, then all these jackasses came along and figured they'd take it too! We told 'em to stop, but they wouldn't so we fought! Soon more came in and well, 'ere we are."

"You intended to kill them over some gold?"


"When you put it that way..."

Cassiel sighed, he knew if he left that the problem would just reciprocate and destroying the chest would be wasteful. Someone had spent time making it and gathering the gold... Then an idea popped in his head. "Does this happen a lot here? I mean, are the five of you constantly trying to kill one another?"

One of the humans now spoke up. "No major war has broken out since Olek, but fighting does occur." Cassiel nodded and turned around. "I have a plan, and all of you are invited. It's a bit of a commitment, and you are welcome to leave, but it will make the lot of you immortal.

Many of the creatures stared at the winged referee. They knew when the gods had plans, it usually meant never seeing your family again and possibly a lot of cheese. After some debate, most of the fighters had simply gone home, but one of each race stuck around, more than curious about what Cassiel's "plan" was.

"I am going to make you immortal, but what you will stand for is what will make you unique." Cassiel turned around and madea bunch of patches with a shield insignia. "You will be Praetors, that is your new rank. All a part of the organization from here on known as the Vigils."

With that, Cassiel conjured a knife and a bowl and cut his palm, blood oozed and he then blasted it with fire. "If you drink this, your fate is now as a protector of the lands. You will be immortal to an extent, gold will still harm you, but from this sacrifice, you gain the power to defend your friends, families and races! The choice...is yours."

Cassiel lowered the bowl and vanished. Soon, all six of the remaining mortals drank, their eyes flashing brightly and soon returning to normal. They put their patches on and felt a new goal for life. Protecting people. A ceremonial knife was next to the bowl, with it, instructions how to use it engraved on the blade. Any of them can do exactly what Cassiel did to make more, but the gift has to be accepted, not forced.

Spoiler: Actions

Make an immortal strain: DC: 11 +4 Hope, +4 Bravery, +1 Flames

The Vigil: Immortals with a weakness for gold. Stabbing them with a weapon made of gold will kill them, a weapon with a bit a gold coat will stun them and touching gold will hurt them. Their prime goal is to protect, though few know the true meaning of that.

Change the appearence of the mask: Effortless [img=http://www.colourbox.com/preview/4413387-456422-iron-helmet-of-the-medieval-knight-very-heavy-headdress.jpg]

 

[TheBlueShotgun0]

Pentar 26AP 1MP

Pentar appeared in the Meeting Hall of the Hallowed Court in a flash of lightning and began pacing around the room. If the alliance was initiating it's end game, then he would need to act quickly. Beyond that, he would need help from the other Gods; Melanthios and Mendar might be weakened, but they would still put up a fight. Pentar knew that with Seith gone, he needed new allies.

Seith. The name tasted sour in Pentar's mouth. The alliance might be evil, but at least they had been upfront about it. Seith had betrayed not only Pentar, but all of Godkind. Pentar's pacing had brought him to Seith's statue, gold like all the others. But Seith was not like the others, so Pentar layed a hand on the statue and turned it to black stone. The new material was cracked and impure. Pentar thought it fitting.

He sat himself down in the throne at the far end of the table that dominated the room. It was identical to all the other thrones in the room, made of gold and coated in fine silks and gems. Focusing on the other Gods, Pentar sent out a telepathic message to them all except the trio of evil. Brothers, an alliance of evil threatens us all. If you wish to help me overthrow this wicked regime, come to my meeting hall in the Hallowed Court.

Auctor 7AP

Auctor appeared back in the subterranean labyrinth beneath Minas Kei. She heard coughing behind her and turned to Alectra having a fit. She rushed to the mortal and turned her on her side. She vomited all over the alter and floor, then slipped back to sleep.

"Welcome back, Lady Auctor." she heard three voices say in unison. She turned around to see the trio of synthetics from earlier. Apparently, they had stayed with her all day. One of them stepped forward and layed a hand on a machine next to the alter, which Auctor now noticed was connected to Alectra by several cables. "You can monitor the patient's life signs on this screen, my Lady."

"Thanks." Auctor mumbled, curious about the machine. She looked at the screen the synthetic had indicated and saw many glowing lights and words, though she couldn't tell what all of them meant. "What is this thing?" she asked.

"It is one of Alectra's concepts." the synthetic replied. "We retrieved it from her journal and built a working prototype, with a few modifications. Her hypothesis on electron flow was not entirely accurate, so we replaced the iron conductors with-"

"Alright, I got it." Auctor said, cutting the synthetic off. "How are things in the city?"

"Not good. The Ekiruru population has revolted. They've formed something of a horde and are currently raging throughout the city killing whoever they can touch. Large fires engulf every district. Estimated casualties number at 3,063 and climbing. My Lady, is Eldarwen dead?"

The question was sudden and delivered with the same indifferent tone that characterized the synthetic's speech, but Auctor's divine senses could hear a hint of uneasy in their voice. She took a deep breath before responding. It wouldn't be easy to spread this news, not even to the synthetics. "Yes." she said at last, fighting back tears at the thought. "She is indeed dead." Most likely, the Ekiruru had felt their mother's death and had gone mad as a result.

The synthetics bowed their heads in solemn respect. "Then let the Goddess of Nature bless us as she did in life." they said in perfect unison.

"For we will need it." Auctor said to herself, then addressed the synthetics again. "I need two escorts and the other to stay here to monitor Alectra."

"It shall be done, my Lady." they said, and the two not next to the machine took positions on either side of Auctor. "These units will protect you, Lady Auctor."

Units, is that how they see themselves now? Auctor thought,but now was not the time to ponder such things. Saying farewell to Alectra and the other synthetic, she stepped into the elevator and ordered for it to rise.

Thankfully, Auctor's party was able to avoid most of the fighting on their way to her palace. In the back of her mind, Auctor wondered if that was just luck or the work of the other synthetics. Eventually they reached the yard of the palace, where the palace guards were dueling a group of rebels. But Auctor could waste no time, and rushed past them into the palace. She ran up the stairs to her balcony, the synthetics right behind her. Once there, she summoned a scroll to magnify her voice so that everyone in Minas Kei could hear her.

From her balcony she could see the majority of the city, and the sight made Auctor cringe. Vast swaths of the metropolis were on fire, and all of the several million inhabitants were either killed or doing the killing. The once pristine water of the lake was now stained with the blood of thousands, to say nothing of the streets that were chocked with corpses.

Auctor steeled herself. It may be a city in ruin, but it was still her city. "People of Minas Kei, lend me your ears." she said, her voice ringing throughout the city. All the Ekiruru stopped their fighting to listen to their Lady, hoping for an answer to the feeling they all had. For the first time in a thousand years, Minas Kei was silent. "You are angry and confused, and I understand." Auctor said, nervous with all the attention on her. "You have all felt the same sensation, the feeling that Eldarwen, our mother, is dead." she felt a rustle of unease in the crowd. Auctor had not been wrong. She swallowed the pain in her heart and continued. "And I have come to confirm that claim."

As quickly as the city had fell silent, it again burst into cries and shouts. Some began weeping were they stood, others began cursing at Auctor for her heresy. Auctor let a single tear flow down her cheek before continuing. "But" she said, silencing the city yet again. "that does not mean we will dissolve into a horde of barbarians. With her other companions gone as well and Eld in shambles, we stand as her last legacy. So tell me Minas Kei, will we prove that Eldarwen's life was not in vain?!"

Spoiler: Actions

Pentar
Send message to all gods except Melanthios, Mendar, and Vantric = Effortless

Auctor
Inspire a huge group of mortals (the Ekiruru of Minas Kei)= DC 13
+4 Words

 

[JoJo]

Roe - 16, 0 and Petal - 8

Roe blearily cracked opened his eyes to the sound of laughter and found himself spread across a messy bed. His head felt like it had been pounded repeatedly with Gawmfust. He looked up to see Petal leaning over the edge of a nearby bathtub with a grin on her face.

"Ha, you're finally awake Roe. You were really sick last night,"

The young god looked down at his clothes and sure enough they were stained with crimson vomit. With a look of disgust he peeled them off and jumped into the bath next to his friend. Being a god he could cleanse himself in quicker ways of course but the warm water was pleasant and he hoped it might help with his headache. Petal continued to chat with him but he mostly tuned her out, replying only in monosyllables.

"...and it was really funny when I threw a pie in your face. Oh, can we go back to house today?"

"Uh, yeah,"

"Yay! Can we get a..."

"Shhhh!" Roe replied suddenly and cocked his head. Someone he hadn't spoken to for more than an age was sending him a message.

Brothers, an alliance of evil threatens us all. If you wish to help me overthrow this wicked regime, come to my meeting hall in the Hallowed Court.

"Evil?" Roe said aloud in confusion, he couldn't think of any gods who were evil, he had to check it out. He leapt out of the bathtub and summoned clean clothing to wear for the occasion.

"Where are you going?" Petal asked.

"There's going to be a big meeting about fighting bad people, I can't miss it," Roe replied as he buttoned up his shirt.

"Another meeting?" she said with a yawn, "Do I have to come?"

"No, you'd think it's boring. Go to our house once you've finished here and I'll meet you there later. Do you have the whistle?"

"Yes," the little demigod replied brightly and held it up for Roe to see. He saluted her with Skye and then ran out of the chamber, determined not to be late.

 

[Terratina.]

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

Spoiler: Conversation between M'endar and Vantric

The robed figure turned around and spotted Vantric right beside it. It was a change from the view of Evalon and the other planets from the surface from Oculus Obscuritatis. But would could this one want? The possibilities could range from a simple exchange of words to something more sinister. Even so, it would not do for M'endar to be uncourteous to this guest. With nod, it replied back, "Same to you, though it has been a long time."

"It has been. How have you been by the way?" Vantric asked, pacing about the room a bit. "I heard that there was a gathering here recently. Something about new members to our alliance."

"Ahhh yes... A party of some sort that Melanthios requested." Luckily for its guest, the vomit that been cleaned up an hour before by a Verr with strange tastes. Nevertheless, it still inspected that spot, making sure it was spotless. Happy, it continued, "If you wish to know of the guests, there was Roe, Nivix and Melanthis and myself, along with their demigods. Little was accomplished other than drunken revelry. Surely you wish to speak of other matters?"

Vantric looked out on the view. Something about the solarscape from the moon was quite moving. The planets stretching forward with the stars dotting the background. He listened to M'endar as he gave a brief rundown of the party. Roe and Nivix? Interesting, but not unexpected. As he thought, little had been accomplished.

"True enough, I didn't come here solely to ask about a party. I came about certain concerns I've been having." He faced M'endar. "I'm afraid that things are beginning to deteriorate rapidly. Olek was one thing, and Seith as well, but Eldarwen? Ailish? Things are getting out of hand. We need things to slow down, at least for the moment, especially as weak as we are at the moment."

M'endar nodded, for once it couldn't help but agree with the god of ambition. Now was the time for peace. It had only wanted Seith to fall into a demiplane with no hope of return. It could see that Melanthios wanted the same with Ailish. But why was Vantric counting Eldarwen and Olek among the slain? One did themselves in, the other was slain by the sword of Aen that had been sharpened by Seith.

The group only had the blood of two of the gods. But for Vantric to simply want the chaos to stop? That was odd. Surely with each death, his position grew stronger? M'endar was conflicted with feelings of both agreement and confusion. It voiced its feelings, "While that statement is true, tell me: why do you count the tree woman and the mad god of humans along the slain? They died of other causes, but you know this."

"Why?" Vantric asked. "M'endar, we are weak. You and Melanthios are crippled, and there are enemies still. Melanthios has made a poor move in making an enemy of Aen, and Pentar still lives. Then there's that grigori-Lenonous, Cassiel, whatever he wants to call himself. The more we war, the more we resort to war. We need to play things carefully. One false move and the others will not think twice about ending us. Our grip on power has never been more tenuous. If our enemies show any degree of competence, then they will look for our destruction soon."

"So they place the blame for their deaths on us..." M'endar muttered and went back into its thoughts. If Melanthios had acted poorly and earned Aen's ire, no doubt some of the other gods would follow him into battle. But that wasn't the only problem. The grigori was probably the 'bright one' Zs'Wua had mentioned and there was still the matter of Pentar... M'endar adjusted its hood. There was a simple solution to this: reconciliation, however temporary. The Deceiver spoke again, "Yess... Let us show them what we know of peace then? A truce may be possible."

Vantric perked up, "How would you propose we go about acheiving this truce? Cassiel doesn't believe a word Melanthios or I say, and I doubt Pentar would accept any bargain that I offered. Aen might acquiesce to a truce we propose, but He wants retribution on Melanthios. We aren't exactly in a position to dictate terms."

This was a bit of a dilemma, that much was true. But Vantric forgot one thing in the equation. It was risky, true. But if it would buy time... M'endar proposed its plan, "But those two know little of me but as for Aen, I would to like to think that I am in a position of trust." Then its thoughts went back to the battle between Olek and the god in question, "And there is the fact that Aen wouldn't dare attack Melanthios while he is injured. A question of honour..." Ideas ran through its mind, the whispers of words becoming a concrete plan, "Additionally, I believe that this 'Cassiel' has met my agent and had a favourable first impression." It tapped the palm of its hand with two fingers, "This is the crux of the plan: if myself and her can persuade them that we have no quarrel with them, peace may be possible."

Vantric nodded as he thought through the situation. Aen wanted peace, that much was true, but he also wanted Melanthios's head. Honor. He wasn't a fool, if Aen wanted Melanthios gone there would be no stopping him, honor be damned. It was all a part of the act, a shield to keep him on everyone's side. But if he could be called on the act? If they could force him into a corner where his only option was to keep up appearances? Yes...That might just work. If Aen could be disarmed then Cassiel and Pentar would be a problem, but both could be swept aside without serious firepower on their side. If they provoked anything Aen might have to attack them, being 'honorbound' or some such thing. And then...Yes.

"It just might work." Vantric said, half to M'endar, half to himself. "There is a meeting of some sort upcoming. We might be able to catch them off guard if we unveil our proposal there. I believe that between the two of us, we can pull together enough support for peace." He pulled out his coin, idly flipping it. They could do it. They'd just need a bit of luck...

The coin caught the light and shimmered as it fell through the air then a gloved hand caught it, as the words were spoken, seizing it. Was it time to seize the moment as well? M'endar smiled, maybe this haphazard plan could work. As for the meeting... Was that the one that Zs'Wua had mentioned? It seem long overdue. M'endar strolled up to Vantric and patted the god on the shoulder, flashing a smile, "Let us hope then, that the others grow tired of bothersome war and agree." However, the smile hid uncertainty and cautiousness. It would take more than divine power alone to convince the gods to lay down their arms and their quarrels...

 

[Floris2123]

Spoiler: Conversation between Nivix, Daare, Melanthios

"MELANTHIOOOOOOOOOS!!!!!"
Nivix tore across the landscape like a hellhound, rage blazing in his eyes and his body shrouded in flames. He was blind to everything but the figure standing before him, that vessel of arrogance and deceit that dared to call himself a god.

"How, DARE you?!"
Roaring out in fury, the chemister swung a fist towards Melanthios' face, putting enough strength to shatter a mountain behind the blow.

Melanthios looked shocked at Nivix, it seemed he had snapped again. He prepared himself for his attack, and focused. He needed to make him understand, that it hadn't been his fault she died. Nivix suddenly made a punching motion at him, he didn't have time to block.

The impact of the fist send him flying, he landed quite far away creating a small crater where he landed. He slowly lifted himself up out of the crater, blood pouring from his side. He cursed, the spell has been broken. He tried to talk, but instead threw up a large amount of blood.

"You bastard!" Nivix roared, stalking towards his downed foe. "What gives you the right to seal away not one, but TWO of the gods?!"

Daare watched as the newly arrived god punched Melanthios, and kept quiet. However, when Nivix yelled, he went over to the two, seeing Melanthios wounds. "Who are you?" He asked Nivix. "And why is Melanthios bleeding?"

Melanthios looked up at Nivix, there was regret in his eyes. "I didn't seal her away.. She killed herself.. Listen I always knew something was wrong with her. But a while ago I made a disturbing discovery. I discover that she was a void being, I didn't know what to do with that information. But when I saw that Eldarwen was sending someone to give her items, I couldn't allow it. I couldn't allow a void being growing in strength.." He once again coughed up blood, he was clearly exhausted.

Nivix only stopped when he stood just before Melanthios. If he had heard Daare's questions, he failed to answer them.
"And why couldn't you?" the madman growled. "What exactly makes you so qualified to judge who should and shouldn't be allowed to exist? Who made you the ruler of this world, the one who decides what is and isn't allowed?"

Bending down, Nivix clutched at the front of Melanthios' robes, lifting the god into the air. "When did everyone else get demoted to one of your playthings?"

Melanthios heard Nivix questions, he cursed him for being smart. Aen was a young fool, and Cassiel was a pale comparison of Seith. But Nivix was smarter then them, and he seemed to be out for blood. Melanthios was lifted up into the air, but didn't even struggle. "Don't you remember what the void beings did last time? Hell she was the one who killed the demigod send to help her, the void beings are completely insane."

He coughed and then continued. "I never said I held that right, I just wanted to stop her from getting the items. After that I wanted to discuss with the other gods, what to do with her. And nobody is my plaything...When have I ever inflected cruelty upon someone or something just for my amusement? I do not think myself above any of the other gods, but I was the only one who knew what she really was... What was I supposed to do?" He asked as he obviously slowly grew weaker.

They were discussing something Daare didn't know about. But he did realize that Melanthios were getting weaker, and that upset him. This god had been friendly, and helped him out. But he couldn't do much, he couldn't heal someone as far as he knew. Who was this other god? An enemy? A foe? No? Which of them? Both? Were they not the same? The area around him became distorted by madness, he didn't want to see Melanthios dead, but he didn't want to harm anyone either. "Please, tell me, what's going on?" He muttered. "Would anyone please explain to me? See me? Acknowledge my question?" Daare then said, louder.

Even as focused as he was, Nivix couldn't possibly ignore the distortions that slowly engulfed him. Though it was annoying, their source would have to be dealt with before he could continue.
"What's going on," he spat through clenched teeth, "is that this arrogant fool is finally getting what's coming to him. Seith I could handle, but Ailish? You do not slaughter the ones I like.

"And yes," he continued, turning to face the third party, "I can see-"
Nivix stopped talking. The flames that surrounded his body and scorched the very air died away in seconds, and the anger and rage that filled his eyes was replaced by an unfamiliar emotion: Shock.

Without a single word, the madman released his hold on Melanthios' robes, barely noticing as the god fell back to the ground. Slowly, as though his feet were trapped in cement, Nivix began to walk towards Daare, his mind struggling to form words. He'd seen this power before, back at the very beginning, there was no doubt about that. But... Could it really be...
"Maskelyne? Is that... you?"

"Maskelyne?" Daare looked around, but there were no one there. Was the god talking to him? He wasn't sure whether or not to walk further, or back off. He ended up just standing there. "Who is that? Is he another god? I'm Daare, god of madness."

Melanthios saw the anger in Nivix eyes. He was sure that Nivix would destroy him, until he looked at Daare. Suddenly he seemed at peace, and dropped Melanthios. He hit the ground only to look up, of course the flock of birds. He had heard about him before, from what he had seen he and Nivix had been very good friends. He slowly got up, using the same spell again. His wound closed and the pain vanished.

He looked at Daare and said. "Yes Maskelyne was the one who made the flock of birds, from which you came. You are probably what you could call his son, made from both him and his bride madness."

"Madness... You're their son?" Nivix was still lost in shock and disbelief; he could barely manage a few words.

Melanthios looked at Nivix. "From what Daare has told me, he came from the flock of Maskelyne birds. So I think it would be safe to assume that he is indeed their son. I just picked up his power a few minutes ago and went to investigate." He said as he stood up.

Nivix swung another punch in Melanthios' direction, barely paying attention to the injured god. "So... Is Maske still alive? Or is he... gone?"

"Their son?" Daare asked, but it seemed it was decided he was that. He didn't know what a son was, but he realized it was probably what he was. "I must be. I'm not sure myself." When Nivix asked whether or not Maskelyne was alive, Daare frowned. "I don't know. They are..." he pointed at himself. "Me."

Melanthios managed to dodge Nivix punch and nodded. "I don't think they are what you would call dead. I think they fused to form Daare, as he just said himself."

A, "Huh," was all Nivix could manage. He wasn't quite sure what to make of this new development. His friend was gone, but he had left behind his new god in his stead? Was such a thing even possible?

"Do you... Do you remember anything at all from before?" he asked, his voice taking on a slightly pleading tone. "Do you remember anything... about me?"

Daare stared into the empty air, before suddenly reacting. He shook his head. "I don't remember anything." His tone was sad. "I'm sorry. I'm Daare, I'm not Maskelyne."

Melanthios looked a bit pained, it was clear that Nivix hoped he did. But he knew that Daare didn't remember anything, so he remained quiet.

"Hmm. Gotcha." Sighing, Nivix rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes downcast. "Well, I probably should have seen this coming. Shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, in any case."
Still, when one door closed. "So," the chemister continued, taking a step back to better appraise Daare, "a new god, eh? What're you getting up to?"

Melanthios looked at Nivix, he seemed to have forgotten about him. Still he knew he couldn't just leave, so he walked a bit more forward and smiled. Nivix might want him to leave and ask it, but until then he would try to fix the problem between him and Nivix.

Daare looked at him, still feeling a bit sad, but he knew he couldn't do anything else than answer this question. "What I'm getting up to?" He suddenly forgot all the sad things, at least, he made it sound like that. He didn't want the other god to be sad, even if he had hurt Melanthios. It was better if they all got along either way, so there was no fighting, even thought he wasn't sure why he felt that. "I'm making a flying carpet. It will have so many different colors, like, blue, and red, and friele." Wait, was that a color? It had to be something. "And Melanthios was helping me. Also," he offered his hand. "I don't believe you told me your name."

"Oh, I didn't? Nivix," the chemister replied, happily taking Daare's prooffered hand, without a trace of sadness or anger staining his words. "A flying carpet? Sounds nice, I suppose."

Melanthios thought it was about time to show himself again. "Yes it is truly a beautiful carpet, and when I arrived here I started helping him to make it. And I also helped him with his many questions, he is very curious about almost anything." He was smiling, and hid any pain or anger he had.

"I'm not completely sure what it is yet, but it will be fun. And I can see the world that way, from the air." He looked at Melanthios, and added: "Well, I don't know much about anything yet, so questions are something I have to ask. Or, I guess I don't haave to ask them... But I want to."

"Oh, right. You're still here." With a melodramatic sigh, Nivix turned back to face Melanthios, noting the blood that flowed forth from his mouth and wounds. It wouldn't be that hard to just wipe him from existence, here and now, but still... He wouldn't sink to that kind of level. Not while he still retained whatever was left of his sanity, anyways.

"Once you've healed up, I'm going to come back, Melanthios." There wasn't a trace of rage, hate, or sadness in the madman's voice. He was stating a fact, nothing more. "And when I do, I'm going to break you. I will make sure that you can never, never, seal away someone again. Understand?"

His ultimatum delivered, Nivix turned back to Daare, a smile crossing his features. "Questions are all well and good, but if I could offer one word of advice: there is no better knowledge then the kind you find for yourself." Chuckling, the chemister waved at the new god as he prepared to cast another spell. "See you around, Daare. Have fun exploring."

 

[DarkRawen]

Spoiler: Conversation between Daare and Melanthios

Nivix had been so cold when talking to Melanthios, yet he was a lot nicer to Daare. Why was that? Well, that would be something he'd have to find out later. "Thank you, I will. Have fun doing stuff. Also," he said. "Next time I see you I might show you something else, perhaps a bit more interesting. Something... magnificent." He smiled. "Until then, Nivix." Then he went over to Melanthios, his face more worried. So that was why one changed mood, to interact with different people. "Are you okay?"


Melanthios felt a cold chill as Nivix stated he would destroy him. It seemed he had to heal as soon as possible, and ally himself with a few more gods. He was surprised to see Daare return to him, had he not heard that he had sealed two people away? A smile spread across his face as he answered "Mostly yes. I am afraid my fight from earlier has wounded me, but it is nothing to concern yourself over. Also Daare you have a lot of questions right? How about I help you answer them, I might have something that can answer quite a lot of your questions." He was still smiling, the pain was mostly gone.
Daare nodded, a lot of questions has surfaced. However, he didn't want to jump to conclusions. It seemed Melanthios had something that could answer these questions without having him do so, and thus Daare asked: "What would that be?"

Melanthios smiled as he snapped his fingers, a book appeared inside his hand. "Do you know what this is Daare?" He asked sounding happy.

He looked at it, the shape was familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Some sort of device filled with words and sentences. Words? What was words, if not useful? "A... story?" That was the only thing he could recognize it from, words were used in a story right? "Or something else? I'm sorry, I'm not sure."

He nodded. "You are correct it contains a story written down by someone. The story can have any subject, or reason for existing. For instance this book is a book about fire, and how it exist and what it can do." He said opening he book and showing it to Daare. "I have billions of these books, they answered many questions I had when I first arrived here." Melanthios then closed the book, and stretched out his hand Indicating that Daare could take it.

"I can have this?" He took the book, and looked at it. The inside of it was indeed filled with words from a story, and he realized he could read them without difficulty. "Thank you, you have helped me and aided me and given me this book. Is there anything you want me to do for you?" This was how it was supposed to work, right?

Melanthios smiled. "No Daare there is no need for you to give me anything in return. I do want to ask you something else though. " He stretched out his hand and looked into Daare's eyes. "I want to ask you to be my friend. Do you accept my offer of friendship?"

Daare smiled. Friendship was something good, right? Yeah, Melanthios had said that earlier. Friends helped each other out. He took Melanthios hand, and said: "Yes. Do I offer you the same thing, or is this how it's done? Oh, wait, no, that wouldn't make sense." Daare laughed, he was clearly not sure how this was done. But Melanthios was his friend now, which meant he was Melanthios friend. "Thanks," Daare said. "For your friendship. Now, about the flying carpet, do you want to try it out when it's done?"

Melanthios smiled brightly as the young god accepted. "I am very happy that you accepted Daare. And it would be an honor to try your flying carpet out. Also might I invite you to my library after that? A library is a place which holds book, and mine has billions of them." He seemed excited.

Daare nodded eagerly. "Yeah, I want to know what is out there!" He suddenly heard something, a voice he hadn't heard before. Another god? Brothers, an alliance of evil threatens us all. If you wish to help me overthrow this wicked regime, come to my meeting hall in the Hallowed Court. Wicked regime? Hallowed court? Had Melanthios heard the same? "Can an alliance be evil?" he asked, confused. What was evil? No, wait, wrong time to focus on that. "How puzzling." How puzzling that message was, indeed.

Melanthios smiled brighter as he accepted, but his smile faded as Daare asked about an alliance. "Daare what makes you ask that? Did someone say something to you?" He sounded worried, It was to random to be from Daare. And it was about an evil alliance, he had an idea who had said it.

Daare noticed Melanthios got upset when he asked. So he hadn't heard? "They-- I mean, someone did. Something about an evil alliance, and overthrowing of a wicked regime." He thought about it. "And a meeting hall in the Hallowed Court, or what that was." Daare frowned. "Is that a bad thing? Is it slightly problematic? Why didn't you hear that? I don't think the god was talking to me at all, because I didn't know him."

and overthrowing of a wicked regime That could only be Pentar. He had to play his cards smart, he didn't want Daare joining the other side. Melanthios nodded. "Listen Daare there is something which you have to know. I have enemies and friend, that message just now was from an enemy. It is quite problematic, and I didn't hear it since he doesn't want me to hear it. Listen Daare, the god who spoke to you is called Pentar. He is an strange god, who hates me and my brother simply for what we are." He sighed and looked saddened.

Daare frowned. "He does? That's an odd reason to hate anyone, are you sure?" But then again, it might be so. Between the helpful, knowledgeable, Melanthios, the very angry, yet suddenly friendly Nivix, and Daare himself, he had come to realize there were different gods. Was that a good or a bad thing? "He doesn't like your allies either?" Daare looked at Melanthios' wounds. "Is he too going to try to hurt you? I don't think Nivix is a bad god, but even he did. How strange, I wish I could understand more, because I know you aren't a bad guy either. Do you want me to help you?"

Melanthios looked surprised. "I am afraid he will try yes, and he hates my allies too... And well of course, I would appreciate any help. But I would not ask you to get into trouble on my account. Though your offer means a lot to me, it shows me what a trust worthy and friendly god you are." He placed his hand on the shoulder of Daare and smiled brightly. "I am happy that I met you Daare. And if you ever seek to join an alliance, you are free to join my alliance anytime. I am sure my friends would also be very happy to meet someone as friendly as yourself."

Daare smirked. "Thank you for the offer, but I don't think I could join any alliances at the moment, with as little as I know. And I want to travel the world. I'd like to meet your friends, though, and other gods." He looked at the newly finished carpet. "Are you going to see what's going in that one place? What kinda place is that, actually?"

Melanthios sighed. "That place is a strange place, made by someone who isn't here anymore. But I think I won't go there, everyone should have a change to choose their own fate. And besides, I really want to try out your flying carpet. That is if you still allow me to sit on it?" He asked sounding a bit uncertain.

"Of course I will, you helped make it. It should be big enough to take the two of us, as I'm not sure how to explain how to use it. You riding it alone might end bad, I'm afraid, I don't completely know." He stopped. "So, you have several friends, right? Do Nivix have any friends? Is he friends with the god who is your enemy, perhaps?" He remembered Nivix pleading voice when he wondered if Daare remembered him. "Questions, questions, you might get tired soon," he added. "But don't worry, I'll stop when you ask me to."

Melanthios laughed loudly. "Ask my anything you want. You know I have a son who is just like you, always asking questions. So don't worry about asking too many, I like answering them. And well I like new things, and I am not scared of a little danger so trying out the carpet will be fun. And I think Nivix has no real friends... not that he has enemies, but I don't think he has any real friend. And they might be teaming up now, but before this they weren't friends. And yes like I said before I have several friends, M'endar, Zareth, Roe, Vantric. And well my newest friend, you Daare." Melanthios said looking happy.
Daare nodded, and took a look at the book again. "And this will answer other questions. Anyways, So, you have many friends, and Nivix has none. But he might get some friends, who won't be friends with you. Does that mean I have to be enemies with Nivix? I don't like the sound of that, he seemed fun. And, another thing, what is actually a son? Because I was the son of this Maskelyne, but he is no longer here. However, you have a son, but you're still alive." Did it work in some odd way he didn't know? "Also, do you think people will hate me because of who I am as well? Or, who I was, or, where I was? Or for any reason that's not my fault? "

Melanthios made a motion with his hand. "Calm down Daare. Listen Nivix might make friends who are me enemies, but that doesn't mean you can't befriend them. Of course I would ask you too not attack me, and also help me if I am attacked. And well if a man and a woman love each other. And they do a certain action together, the woman can get pregnant. Then a baby is born from the woman, which is either a boy or a girl. And if it is a boy, it is called a son. And I am afraid Pentar will hate you for what you are, even if he hides it. He stands for a twisted form of justice and order, order and madness are polar opposites sadly. But other then that, I don't see anyone disliking you for an unfair reason."

"Pentar? Is that the god who sent that message? So, he would hate me, like he does with you, because of who I am?" Daare sighed. He looked around. "Madness never hurt anyone, madness is just a different way of viewing the world. Adding colors, I'd say, adding fun. Then again, I've never lived without it, as I have not lived for long. However, I don't hate order, nor do I hate this Pentar. How peculiar and frustrating this seems. Such an cruel idea, is it not?" Daare sat down. "I just want to know the world, I mean no harm. Do I? No, I don't."

Melanthios sat down besides Daare. "I know you mean no harm Daare, and I know madness doesn't mean anything bad. But some gods are just too blinded by their own ideas, and too close minded to accept certain things. I am afraid Pentar hates madness, and loves order. And yes Pentar was the god who sent you the message. But even though Pentar will dislike you for having madness, other people will like you for it. I for example like madness, and find it interesting and so do most of my friends." He smiled at the young Daare, he missed having these kind of conversations with other gods.

He nodded. "I don't mean any harm at all. I just want people to see what amazing things I see. They don't have to, but it's not a bad thing. I'm happy some people don't mind it, else I would never be liked at all. Madness go hand in hand with almost everything, a happy world, a friendly god, a show..." he trailed of for a short moment, before he continued; "But I know people do fear what changes their mind." Daare looked at Melanthios, his eyes trying to determine how the other would react. "Do you fear madness, Melanthios? And I don't mean being near it, but having it? Are you afraid it might turn you into someone you don't want to be?"

Melanthios smiled bitterly "I used to be what you can call insane... my eyes were opened only recently. But I know I made a mess out of quite a few things, that is why some people dislike or even hate me. But I do not fear madness, because I know it could never hurt me more then I have already done myself." He was surprised by himself, he had never told anyone that before.

Daare looked surprised. "Madness made you do bad things?" He looked as his own hand, examining it. "I'm sorry. Perhaps it is something to be hated, I don't know." Daare looked at Melanthios, he wanted to laugh, for reasons he wasn't sure of. Or was it cry? Those actions seemed the same to him, sometimes. "I'm sorry, I really am. Madness is perhaps not a good thing. Am I a bad god then? I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't want to be sad either. Tell me, do you know what I should do?"

Melanthios smiled, he turned to Daare. "Daare you did not make mistakes, I did. Everything I did was my own fault, and you are in no way responsible. If madness is used correct, it can help many people. So there is no need to be sorry or sad, be proud of being madness. You are a good god, with a heart of gold."

Daare nodded. "I can't do anything else than that, I am the god of madness. Apart from making carpets, it seems." he added, and showed Melanthios the carpet. Its form was whole now, although he wasn't sure it worked yet. "You want to check if it was made correctly?" he asked, handing it over to Melanthios.

 

[Dogmatic99]

Zareth 15 , 1

"And your certain there's no other way around it?" Zareth sighed.

"They've tried every other form of sealing but the two environments are too different unless we can find an new material or we bind the spirit to it permanently then they're going to keep falling apart." The dwarf said.

"Erik you have almost every smith in creation under your command. you're telling me that none of them can think of anything to keep the suits from destabilizing?"

"They can only do so much without your direct knowledge sir. I'm sorry but the worlds of physical construction and spiritual attachment were never meant to mix, not in the way you're looking for. It can't be done."

"It can't be done. Is that the attitude that united the dwarven clans and built a kingdom under the mountain? Is that the kind of attitude Pentar looks for in his chosen few?" The ghost father snapped, rubbing his temples in frustration.

"What Pentar asked for was doable, nor did it defy the laws of nature." Erik gruffled, he didn't care for being doubted.

"Perhaps if we combine the smith's work with the natural magics of the forests?" One of the Kami chimed in.

"Nothing biodegradable." Zareth stated. "I wont have us going through this much trouble again, not if I can help it."

One of his Ekiruru advisors weighed in on the argument. "In Minas Kei the departed goddess created things just li-"

"DON'T! Get me started on those things..." Zareth cut her off. He had seen the abominations that Eldarwen had turned her people into, what torture she had forced upon their immortal souls. It sickened him to even consider that one of his own kind could think of their creations that way. He had walked among the deceased plant people of his realm and heard the stories of the arena, how Eldarwen had made a public spectacle of beating her subjects to death and taunted them as she did so. As if she was a child pulling the wings off an insect. To think I mourned her. He grimaced.

"No, there must be a way. We just need to approach this problem from a different angle."

Brothers, an alliance of evil threatens us all. If you wish to help me overthrow this wicked regime, come to my meeting hall in the Hallowed Court.

"Oh well that's just perfect."

"Sir?" Erik asked.

"Someone's about to get murdered or... something. Keep at this I have faith in you. Erik, the charnel palace is open too you and so are my resources. Now if you'll excuse me, other matters demand my attention." Zareth strode from the council hall of his charnel palace leaving the mortal spirits to look on, perplexed.

After he had left they looked at each other in silence. Erik was the first to speak up. "Anyone fancy something to eat?"

They all burst into various sounds of agreement. "I know this great place in Nos." Hirot Kon said.

Moments later Zareth was stepping through the doors of the hallowed meeting hall.

 

[JoJo]

The Storyteller

The sun was setting as the children gathered around the campfire for the third evening in a row, the Storyteller as always appeared just as it's light vanished over the horizon. He lit his pipe and then continued the story.

"As gods partied and drank their cares away, peace seemed to be reestablishing itself in the latter days of the Third Age. A great surprise was in for the gods however as from the cage in which Madness and Maskelyne trapped themselves emerged a new god formed from the merging of his parents: Daare. This mad god would change the destiny of the universe forever, but he was not the only development to happen in that epoch.

Zareth finally created his own race upon the planet Salustutis who were destined to have a special relationship with death. Far across the universe, Daare summoned a flying carpet with the help of Melanthios that would serve as a magical vehicle. Below on the planet Evalon, Cassiel infected a group of mortals of six races with the Vigil strain, an ailment that would provide immortality but also confer a weakness to gold.

Meanwhile, Zs'Wua used her powers to see what lay in the past of the Armor of Hatred and saw it's full history, laid out in her mind not unlike a tapestry. Auctor was less lucky however, her attempt to inspire the Ekiruru of Minas Kei ended in failure."

 

[Arrogancy]

Isond: 6

His fight with Lenonous hadn't gone as well as it had initially. Whatever powered Seith's failed warrior was...unexpected. Cassiel had won due to luck and Isond's own poor judgment. They were things he could afford in a practice bout, but when the time came to kill the angel, he would be ready. He had learned much about his opponent in that last fight.

Overhead, the sun lightly skimmed the green surface of Evalon. Isond sighed. It had been years since he had last visited the Empire. Evidence of change was abundant. New factories were being set up, the ancient cities were being redesigned and slight signs of change were sprouting up. He looked off into the distance toward the capital. Gaerv Vantric. He would be sad to see the Empire fall. It might have been a boring place filled with backstabbing cutthroats, but it was still home. When its time finally came, he would shed a tear to the collapse of the universe's greatest civilization.

He walked through the forests several miles outside the properly civilized areas of the nation. Every so often, underfoot he would crush a glass flower. They puzzled him. They were growing everywhere like a weed and seemed completely inorganic, yet he watched them take seed, grow, sprout, and bloom. Whatever they were, they were becoming popular, he had watched several people venture out to collect them. In his brief walk through the capital, he had even seen some window boxes filled with the crystal plants.

Isond shook his head. He would need to report back to Vantric soon, which would inevitably lead to another confrontation with Aryx. Neither event he was looking forward to. He continued his trek into the forest. There was something oddly calming about forests, he considered. Perhaps part of that had to do with the fact that he had almost died in one, or perhaps it was in spite of that fact. He wasn't certain.

After a time, he stopped and rested against a tree. He shut his eyes and just listened to the steady thrum of nature. The wind in the leaves, the birds overhead. A while later, he opened his eyes again and found a small spider dangling from a thread just in front of his face. Isond frowned. He hated spiders, and every other lainir loved the things. The stupid bugs seemed to possess the perfect qualities that the Empire simply adored. They were quiet, subtle, and deadly. Isond had always preferred bigger animals. Lions, bears, beasts that could strike out and whom could fight. A spider that was seen was as good as dead, but a great lumbering bear had no need of caution.

The spider eased its way down and began crawling along Isond's armor. He brought the creature up to his face and examined it. To his surprise, the spider simply stared back at him, its various eyes all unblinking. He smiled. The little bug had just given him a great idea. Isond set the creature down carefully and raised his hand over it. Perhaps he could do something about the spiders of the Empire...

Spoiler: Actions

Alter a nonsentient species smaller than an elephant- DC 7+4 War) I'm making giant spiders, the Achttoten, a war beast for the lainir. Something great and powerful that can engage in fights and act as a supreme predator.

 

[Floris2123]

Maeglin 5AP

Maeglin was 'listening' to his advisors. They were all Striga renowned for their wisdom, but none came even close to matching his other advisor. When they finally left he sighed gratefully, he moved his hand over the throne he was sitting on. The throne was his just like his father has promised, and the Dues Filli were flourishing. He stood up from the throne and walked outside, the cities had grown significantly since he has been put in charge. He looked down on the street, he saw all of his subjects walking and living their peaceful lives. Suddenly the peace was broken, a man was dragged out of his house screaming for mercy. He was however being transported by two black guild members the normal Dues Filli on the street stared at him.

Most races would be disgusted or scared but not the Dues Filli, everyone who betrayed Melanthios would suffer the same fate. They began pointing at him and screaming at him, the guards took him with them while rocks were thrown at the man. He smiled as he continued walking towards his private studies, he wondered if his father had a new mission for him. When he entered his study he saw a purple letter on his desk, he ran towards it and smile happily as he recognized the writing. He opened it and read it. The orders were brilliant as usual, he turned and grabbed Amour and the Orb of Infinity.

He took both with him as he walked towards the engineering guild. It seemed that after the original 15 guilds a lot more were made, this one had always caught his eye. He opened the door, an young irritated looking Dues Filli turned around "What do you..." His face showed utter shock as he looked at Maeglin. "I am so sorry my king I didn't know that it..." Maeglin moved his hand indicating the man had to be silent. He then grabbed Amour and began playing a beautiful song with it, filling the entire guild hall with its sound. 480 purple ghost appeared and fused with the stunned Dues Filli, who didn't even seem to notice it.

He then turned around and walked away, "Wait my lord!" He heard from behind him, he turned around to see a surprised looking man. "What was the meaning of that beautiful music?" He asked sounding confused. "If you don't know that yet, then it has failed." He simple stated before turning around and leaving. He left the 480 Dues Filli with an idea, no with an new found passion. They would all seek to make the newest golems now, and they would all start working on a new project called giant. Maeglin smiled as he thought about what he had achieved, he looked up at the sky. He teleported both the items of power, knowing that his brother would probably need them with his assignment. He walked back to the throne room, he had a lot of other assignments to finish before the day was over.

Spoiler: Actions

Inspiring 480 Dues Filli
Usage: 3AP
Difficulty: 9
Domains: Music +2 (The music touches their spirit and soul making sure that the idea will never leave them.) Creation +2 (The purple spirits carrying the idea where created.) Leadership +4 (He lead a group of mortals to their destiny.)

Akladai 6AP

Akladai appeared inside the library of his father. He wrote down his latest discovery, he was smiling brightly. He was sure that his father would be very pleased with him, suddenly Amour and the Orb of Infinity appeared before him. He looked at both the items and picked them up. There was a small note on the orb, he grabbed it and read it. He grinned as he finished it, his father had finally agreed to his plan. He walked towards the workshop inside his fathers library, he had 'acquired' the key long ago. He opened the door and walked towards the forge, where he grabbed some of the precious magic stone. But not any magic stone, no this one would react to his masters soul. And if he wasn't completely loyal to either him or Melanthios he would die instantly.

He grabbed a nearby hammer and began forging a new weapon, sadly he lacked the power his father had. So creating an item for the gods was out of the questions, he could however make one for a very special mortal. His cruelty and loyalty had won his interest, he kept forging the scythe. He was sure that in his hands it would take on a very interesting appearance. Still he would forge it in an interesting shape too, there was no need to make it normal.

Spoiler: The Soul Scythe

Spoiler: Actions

Making an heroic mortal item: The Soul Scythe
Usage: 2AP
Difficulty: 7
Domains: Creation +2 (The orb fuels the creation of the scythe) Forbidden knowledge +4 (Using his forbidden knowledge he makes the weapon able to bind and destroy the wielders soul.)

 

[Dogmatic99]

Carnivox 8AP

The palace on Eld had become a battleground. The remnants of the royal guard had scrambled to form defensive positions and rally any other defenders they could. The walls were embedded with poison tipped spear arms and stained with the viral blood of the warriors who were brave enough to stand against the invader.

"We can't hold it back much longer!" One of them cried. Their captain grimaced, the situation was getting more and more desperate.

"We hold our ground." She said with grim determination. "Even if we have to pile our dead, the barricade does not fall!" For a brief moment their resolve hardened and they readied themselves to face the inevitable.

Their passion and dedication might have been even more inspiring if it wasn't for the nature of their battle. If their opponent even knew they were fighting. The guard looked out over their makeshift barricade into the darkened hallway. It hadn't made it that far yet all they could do was wait. Slowly but surely they could hear it getting closer. They leveled their weapons as something burst out of the darkness. One of the warriors threw their spear out of reflex and pinned the small lizard to the floor. The defenders let out a collective sigh of relief. But the captains peace was short lived as the sound of humming and idle chatter emanated from behind her. She slowly turned her head, dreading what she knew was there. Her blood ran cold as her eyes came to rest upon the unholy sight before her. How had it gotten past them? They had blocked off the portal, this was the only way into the throne room.

Carnivox stood with a vase under his arm, a relic of the second age. His gaze was scanning the throne room as he hummed a jolly tune to himself. The rest of the palace defenders turned to face him, their faces covered in shock and confusion. They looked to their captain for orders but she was at a lose.

All the while Carnivox sauntered around the room, picking up and fiddling with the various treasures he found. "Oh and this is mine." He said, picking up a decorative sword. Now that Eldarwen was gone he had free reign on Eld... and he was loving it.

One of the guards gathered their courage and charged him, her spar raised. "Stop!" The captain screamed, but it was too late. She thrust with her spear but the hunter side stepped her with casual speed and swatted her with the back of his hand as if she were an annoying fly. She was sent flying across the throne room and hit the wall with a sickening crunch. Her body fell to the ground, still and lifeless.

"That is totally mine now!" Carnivox laughed as he found one of Eldarwen's old goblets. It was as if he hadn't even noticed her. Then the cogs in his brain started turning and his eyes fell on the grand throne of Eld. He dropped everything else and grinned, baring his teeth for the world to see. "Now that... that is definitely mine." He walked up to the massive throne, he couldn't carry it out with him so there was really only one way to mark it as his territory.

He moved his loincloth aside and gave a sigh of satisfaction. "Aaaaaw yeah. That's some consecrated ground right there."

The Ekiruru looked on in horror as the stream of urine splashed off of their lady's abandoned throne. Grief stricken in the knowledge that there was nothing they could do to stop it.

Spoiler: Action

Difficulty: 9 Town Action Cost 3 AP
-Enchant an area the size of a town or small city +4 The Hunt (Because he is acting as a predator, marking its territory)

Animals in the surrounding area are attracted to the royal palace in the capital city, drawn by Carnivox's scent as if they recognised him as their "Alpha"

 

[JoJo]

Petal - 6

Petal thought there wasn't much point going back to the Hallowed Court until Roe had finished attending the meeting, so she decided to explore the planets she hasn't seen properly yet. After a short trip around Eld she found herself floating far above Salustitus, looking down with interest at the Dues Filli below. She was surprised by their apparent coldness, close to that of the Ekiruru she had seen earlier that day. Her gaze focused in on one particular orphanage, a small institution of not more than about forty children on the edge of one of the larger cities. The children seemed listless and bored: spending all their time in dull classrooms or a bare playground with a few rusty toys. They evidently had originally come from poorer families.

"I wish you could be happy and play outside, like properly outside," Petal sighed, before a thought suddenly hit her. "Of course!" She clicked her fingers and a Grigori Kinderven boy appeared before her, hanging by his feet.

"What? Ah!" he cried in alarm, covering his face, "Don't hurt me!"

"Don't be stupid, I'm Petal," she said with another sigh, "You know me?"

"Huh, you're real then," he said dumbly.

"Of course," Petal replied, "I want you to make the children in this orphanage into Kindervens. Can you do that?"

He looked bemused but nodded. Petal lowered him down into the courtyard and after a few furtive glances around he sneaked in through the nearest door. A few minutes later he returned with a triumphant grin.

"Done miss!" he exclaimed proudly. "Thanks," Petal smiled at him and then she teleported him back to Evalon. She gazed down through the orphanage building with satisfaction, the newly converted Kinderven looked a little frightened at their new powers but she trusted in time they would become used it. What if the grown-ups tried to stop them leaving though? The little demigod reached down and cast a charm over the new Kinderven, granting them the ability to avoid the gaze of others whenever they needed to. If that wouldn't protect them, she didn't know what would.

Spoiler: Action

Teleport Kinderven - Effortless

DC - 7, 2 AP - Affect(Bless/Curse/Inspire) a small group of mortals (less than 50) for life - Petal blesses the new Dues Filli Kinderven so they can avoid detection from DF adults using +4 Compassion (she acts because of her sympathy for them) and +1 Childhood (the recipients are children).

 

[TheBlueShotgun0]

Spoiler: Meeting in the Hollowed Court

With the invitation sent, Pentar leaned back in his throne to wait for his guests. Soon he would have i mighty team, he could feel it.

Nivix arrived in the meeting hall with his typical flair. That is, engulfed in super heated flames and accompanied by a thunderclap loud enough to deafen a man. As he shifted back into solidarity, he looked around for a moment before his eyes spotted Pentar on his throne. "Oi, Pentar," he called, raising a hand in greeting.

"Nivix, I'm glad you could come." Pentar said, returning the greeting. "Please take a seat. I'm expecting others as well." He beckoned to the throne to his left.

Roe sailed through outer space towards the Hallowed Court, eager not to be late for the meeting. He landed with a thud in front of Pentar and Nivix. "Hello!" he grinned brightly at the elder gods.

Zareth opened the grand double doors, holding them for Cassiel to step through. He paced silently into the room, giving polite nods to the others. He found what looked like a throne reserved for him and took his place.

"Roe, pleased to see you." Pentar said with a not-quite genuine smile. He remembered Zareth's bird had shown the child god fighting on the trio's side, but if he aimed to help, he would be welcome.

And speaking of Zareth. "Hello to you as well, Zareth. How are the dead kings in Evermoor?"

"Roe!" Nivix exclaimed in response, waving to child god. Zareth received a smaller gesture, while all Cassiel got was a curious tilt of the head.

"Where are the bad guys? I want to fight them!" Roe yelled at Pentar and Nivix in reply to their greetings and waved Skye around over his head manically.

"Irritable, for the most part." Zareth said, resting his head in one of his hands as he slumped into the chair.

Aen stepped foot into the hall last of all, then closed the doors behind him. Then silently, he inspected the room. Thrones and statues, one of each for all the gods. He shook his head at his appointed seat and instead walked over to where Zareth sat in his throne and stood beside him.

Pentar chucked at Roe's display. He was almost too eager. "Take a seat, Roe. All will be revealed once..." He trailed off as Aen entered. "Well, It seems we're all here. Now, if everyone could seat them selves, we can get down to business."

"Are we? Good." Nivix, ignoring his designated seat, began to pace around the room, his eyes inspecting the chamber and its occupants.

The death god looked up at the young warrior and gave him a tired smile that said: Here we go again.

"I don't want to sit," Roe replied, newly energized as he realized his headache had finally wore off. He bounced around the room to where Aen and Zareth were. "Hey Aen, are you going to fight too?"

Aen crouched down to be on Roe's level. "Maybe. Now be quiet for a little bit and let Pentar tell us all what we're here for, okay?"

"Now, I've called you all to settle a matter of great importance." said the God of Order, his tone darkening. "The alliance composed of Vantric, Melanthios, and Mendar have been making several moves of political gain lately. I fear they are putting in motion a plan to either kill or enslave us all." He let the words hang in the air.

"Can I sit in your lap?" Roe whispered to Aen as Pentar spoke.

"What makes you think that?" Nivix asked from the corner.

Aen sighed and sat down cross legged beside his friend's throne, then patted his leg to show the child god that he may sit.

Pentar cocked his head to face Nivix. Why can't he just use a chair? "They've been killing several of their foes. First Seith, and now Eldarwen and Alish."

"Eldarwen died by her own hand." Zareth said from his seat.

Aen coughed. "And I lead the attack on Seith myself."

"Didn't technically kill Seith, Eldar bumped herself off," came the chemister's reply. Nivix wasn't entirely sure why he was being so difficult; he had come here to hear Pentar's words, not contradict him.

Roe threw himself happily onto Aen and then began to listen to the conversation.

"Ailish was a monster too!" he added.

"Do you really think Eldarwen would just off herself like that? Clearly they had some influence on the matter." This was exactly what the trio wanted them all to think. "And was it completely your decision Aen?" he asked the warrior. "Did they not influence that choice?"

"Who are you even talking about?" Roe whined, having missed the first part of the conversation.

"Seith wronged me, and I struck him to teach him a lesson." said Aen. "I asked for M'endar's help, who gave it to me once again. When Seith attacked us again with full force, the rest showed up. It was Melanthios who decided Seith must be sealed away, once the battle was won."

With a burst of light, Nivix flashed next to Roe and Aen. "That'd be Van, M'ender, and Mel," he said to the child god.

"And did you not object to that ruling?" Pentar asked. "Did you really want Seith locked away?"

"Huh?" Roe replied with surprise, "the Alliance aren't bad, they're my brothers and they're all nice, especially Melanthios,"

Nivix couldn't help but scoff at Roe's response. "Nice. Riiiiight," he drawled, unable to keep the scathing bite out of his voice. Grumbling to himself, he resumed his restless pacing.

Pentar sighed at Roe's comment. Hopefully he could sway the child. "I'm afraid you've been lied to, Roe. The alliance only wants personal gain."

"Of course not! I tried to resist, and so did Nivix, but when even his allies did not show up to help him, what was I supposed to but to trust that they were right." Aen said.

"No, they are nice and kind," Roe said indignantly, "if they are bad then how come they helped me?"

"It is not your fault, Aen." Pentar said in a soothing voice. "You were not wrong, but nor were you completely right. Melanthios and the others are not to be trusted under any circumstance. But you had no way of being sure."

He turned to the child god. "Help you? How?" he wasn't sure the trio was capable of helping others.

Aen shook his head. "M'endar and even Vantric have never shown me anything but kindness. Melanthios, however..." Aen cut himself off. He didn't want to show Roe that hateful part of him again.

"If they're so damn kind," Nivix growled back, "then why do they keep sealing away anyone they don't like!?" There was a sharp crack as the madman slammed his fist into the wall, sending a series of fissures spider webbing through the stone.

"Melanthios helped me make Skye," Roe replied, "Vantric helped me fight Ailish too,"

"Exactly!" Pentar exclaimed at Nivix's wisdom. "All their supposed 'kindness' is only to serve themselves. But if you cross them, they clearly will not hesitate to strike you down, as Aen has seen."

Aen glared at Nivix. He understood his anger, but he was throwing a temper tantrum because of the words of a child.

Pentar bowed his head. Some wouldn't take this next statement kindly, but it needed to be said. "I'm afraid we've all been only used and manipulated by them. I fear that even I have fallen prey to this."

"So?" Nivix paused in his wanderings for a moment, turning to face the so called god of order. "Why call this meeting to tell us what we already know?"

Roe held up his hands in disagreement. "If those three are so bad then, what have they done?" he asked Pentar and Nivix.

"To organize against them." Pentar said, raising his head defiantly. "They see us as mere tools. But we are not tools, we are Gods!" he roared, slamming Gawmfust on the table. He heard Roe's question. "They have killed many of us already child, can't you see that?"

"What have they done?" Before he continued, the madman took a slow, deep breath, and covered his eyes with his metallic hand. "They tried to seal Seith away, to keep him from ever doing anything interesting ever again! I was there; I saw what happened. And, from Melanthios' own mouth, they slaughtered Ailish because she didn't fit into their schemes!"

"Ailish was a monster, I really didn't want to have to kill her but I had no choice," Roe replied with a grimace "I don't know much about Seith but I bet he must have done something really bad if they had to lock him away!"

"Roe... why did Melanthios say you had to kill Venator?" Aen asked the Child of Chaos, and an uneasy silence fell over them.
[
Roe turned to face Aen, "Um... he said that she was a bad lady that I had to fight to show how strong I was,"

"And you don't think that's odd?" Pentar asked the small god. "Why would a good person ask you to kill someone?"

Zareth turned his head slowly towards Roe. His face was blank. He said what?

Aen caught Zareth's eye. He didn't need to send him a message to let him know he wanted to talk later.

Roe cast his mind back to the day before, when he and Melanthios had spoken "Eh, he said he had found an opponent for me and Zareth and we should fight her." the young god recounted, "It's okay to kill people if they're bad," he added.

"Heh. Haha. HAHAHA!" Nivix was unable to hold back his laughter at Roe's remark. That was what had convinced him to blindly obey Melanthios!? Flimsy moral codes?! Ridiculous! "It's okay to kill people if they're bad, eh?! Then tell me, what exactly qualifies someone as bad?! Is it following orders?! Is it killing somebody?! Is it being born on the wrong side of a conflict?!"

"Terms like good and evil are meaningless!" the madman roared, stretching his arms up to the heavens. "Words used by liars to justify their actions! They are subjective, ever changing, POINTLESS! Never, NEVER allow yourself to be swayed by such petty arguments!"

"Um, I don't know..." Roe admitted, intimidated by Nivix's outburst. He leaned in a bit closer to Aen and looked up at the elder god, "Why are some things good and other things bad?" he asked.

Cassiel sat in Seith's throne, cast in diamonds and light, it was very flashy, a bit gaudy for his tastes but it wasn't worth changing yet. The gods were discussing the terms of Melanthios and Vantric and M'endar, people he was curious about. He decided to put a bit of his own words in. Coughing, his voice was a bit muffled from the helmet, but mostly clear and a bit echoy. "I haven't been around long, but what I have noticed is Melanthios and Vantric tell nothing but lies and half truths. While they may not be evil in those terms, they have a mindset that killing is the easiest way. That said, if the plan is to attack them, consider me out. I will never stoop to their level."

Aen looked down at Roe. "I told you Roe, there are some things that no one can tell you. You can only decide for yourself what is good and what is bad. It's different for everyone."

At last, more support. Pentar thought. Though Cassiel said he won't attack the trio, a supporting argument was a supporting argument. He heard Aen's explanation and spoke up. "But generally, those that lie and manipulate for personal gain are considered 'evil'." he added.

"...Am I truly surrounded by those blind to the way the world works?" Nivix asked, his voice quiet for once. "Are all of you deceived by 'good' and 'evil', 'lies' and 'truths'?"

Aen looked up and stared Pentar down. "Did you not hear a word of what I just said?"

"Indeed I did Aen, and I found it lacking." Pentar did not want an enemy in Aen, but he had to realize how the world worked. "I'm simply trying to enlighten him, and all of you."

"Hmmm...." Roe said thoughtfully, considering Aen, Pentar and Nivix's words, "It's just difficult to know what's good and bad sometimes. Petal is better at it than me. I don't think Melanthios is bad, he just seems too nice,"

"Keep your 'enlightening' to yourself. Or perhaps Melanthios is not alone in the way he operates."

"Enlighten me?" Nivix stared at Pentar, disbelief filling his gaze. "Enlighten me?"

Cassiel shook his head. "If you look at things in such black and white terms, then you will never move forward. There is genuine evil in the world, but it is not to be found here. Pentar, how much time have you spent with the mortals? Like, honestly spent with them, because I have spent most of my life with them and the world isn't cast that way."

"I'll have you know, Angel, that I have spent more time amongst the mortals than you have spent in existence." Pentar sighed. Perhaps he had misspoken. "Maybe I should have worded it differently, but there is no denying that they are against our well being."

"To hell with this. You've all deceived yourselves." With long, slow strides, Nivix made his way to the doorway, narrating his thoughts all the while. "Go on living in this world of good, evil, truth, and lies that you've built for yourselves. Keep pretending that you're so much better than everyone else because you have some kind of code that automatically makes you right. Continue to fester in this hellish existence for as long as you desire."

When he finally stood in front of the doors, the madman came to a stop. Though he did not turn around, his words still echoed around the room, simmering with rage. "But I will have no part in it. I will continue to live in my world of facts. I know what is correct and what is false. ...Apparently I'm the only one sane enough here to recognize this world for what it is."

"Nivix." Cassiel began. "I was on Evalon when you discussed your little future arrangement with Melanthios." He continued. "If you take that course of action, you will fall. That's all I have to say."

Aen burst out laughing, not bitter, but truly mirthful. "Man Nivix, you're certainly something.

Nivix stopped as he heard Cassiel's statement. "...You were spying on me?"

"Nivix, you are a silly god," Roe added to his friend's comments with a sigh.

Cassiel laughed. "Not quite. Everyone on the planet heard you. I didn't enter because I was more interested in the meeting, but I heard you plenty. It's also why I know exactly what this meeting will lead to. You and Pentar want Melanthios dead."
Nivix!" Pentar called, standing up. "Don't abandon us. You need help, just as much as the rest of us if you are to survive." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I admit I am not an open minded God, but when ever other being in existence tells me I'm wrong, I'm willing to change my views."

One moment, Nivix stood in front of the doorway, one hand grasping the handle. The next, he was in front of Cassiel's throne, hurling his iron fist directly towards the Gorigiri's smug face. "DON'T YOU EVER DARE TO SAY THAT AGAIN!"

Cassiel took the punch and stood up. He shook his head. "This is why I want no part in your meeting. You are the same as them Nivix. Violence, war, destruction. This will tear the entire universe into shreds. When you attack Melanthios, the others will want him sealed. After that, Vantric and M'endar will come in and they will fall too. Soon, more infighting will occur and then there will be one god ruling a pile of rubble and dust, soon to be destroyed by the next invasion of whatever comes from that damned portal."

"...You dare? You dare to accuse me of stooping to that level?" If Nivix noticed the flames that crawled across his body, he showed no sign of it. He had eyes for nothing other than the fool standing before him, mocking him with his words. "...Take it back. Now."

"Nivix." Pentar said, walking towards the pair. "Don't do this."

Cassiel showed no fear looking the mad god in the eyes. "You are going to be the cause of it. Even if unintentionally. Look at Aen, he killed my father in much the same way. What you are planning will be the death of us all."

"What?" Roe watched the argument from Aen's lap with alarm, he couldn't believe half of what was being said. Would Cassiel and Nivix really fight? Did Nivix and Pentar really intend to kill one of his brothers?

"Just as these things always end." Zareth sighed to himelf. Why did he even bother showing up?

Aen gently lifted Roe out of his lap and placed him on the floor, then got up and walked over to Nivix. He knew better than to touch the god or sneak up on him, so he simply coughed a short distance away. For good measure, he coughed again, louder.
There were only the barest hints of restraint in Nivix's gaze as he snarled his reply, and even those crumbled away. "I will never kill a god for as long as I still retain my sanity. NEVER. But I have no problem breaking them until they can never threaten anyone ever again."

"I spared Melanthios today because he was already injured. But you? You're nice and whole. So, I give you two options. TAKE BACK your insult, or face me."

"Nivix!" Aen shouted.

Take it back, take it back. Pentar thought. He had swallowed his pride, now he hoped the other would do the same

Roe couldn't let his friend be threatened any longer, once Aen put him down he ran up to Cassiel and stood besides him defiantly.

Cassiel had to knock some sense into Nivix, one way or the other. Even if he couldn't beat Nivix, he would try. "YOU ONLY THINK OF YOURSELF! The god of the angels roared. You act irrationally and with no pretense. If you took a second to think about this, you would realize how moronic you are acting! I did not come here to attack Melantios. I don't care if it this age or the next and I will defend anyone from an attack."

"TAKE it BACK!"

"Don't be mean to Cass, you're even worser than anyone here!" Roe shouted at Nivix.

Suddenly the chorus of shouts was joined by a high pitched screech as a black feathered phoenix flew in through one of the window. She circled and squawked at the collection of gods, flapping her wings frantically. Finally she was drawn to Nivix and his arm, since it was the shiniest thing in the room. She perched on his shoulder and looked the mad god in the eye. She seemed to be looking down her beak at him as if she was the most important thing in the room."Flight?" Zareth said in surprise.

"WILL YOU TWO SHUT THE FUCK UP AND FIGHT ALREADY?!" Aen couldn't take it anymore. If they were going to act this way, then beating the shit out of each other was the only solution. "If you'll follow me, I know exactly the place."

"BOTH OF YOU, END IT!" Shouted Pentar, his voice booming like thunder. "This is a hall of diplomacy. If you want to fight, then DO IT SOME WHERE ELSE!"

"What? The idea that an attack would end in death? Do you even know what fighting is for? I have seen nothing but massacres and blood since I ascended and now, I have a chance to prevent it." Cassiel turned to Pentar. "I am done fighting for a long time. I have had more than my fill. If anyone is going to attack, it will be Nivix."

[1/28/2013 6:57:02 PM] Pappytech: Nivix paid no mind to the bird on his shoulder, the distant words of Aen and Pentar, or the child standing beside his foe. All he could focus on was Cassiel's words.

And something snapped.

[1/28/2013 6:59:12 PM] Dark: Aen felt something in the air. He knew that feeling. He knew that feeling all too well. "Nivix, no!"

The bird seemed unphased by the anger that surrounded her. She simply tweeted happily and pecked at one of the bolts in her perch's arm, thinking it was a shiny worm.

"What are you doing here Flight?" Zareth said, ushering her to his arm. She flew to him with easy grace. and chirped in his ear. It was hard for Zareth to keep track with all that was going on. "Slow down I can't follow you." Flight seemed to sigh and started again. A moment passed and Zareth's face became a picture of pure unadulterated surprise. "What?! Stay here and monitor things for me." Zareth ordered the bird. "Make sure no one loses a head." He said before shifting his own form into one similar to Flight's and taking off through one of the open windows.

Flight, for her part, flew up onto the haed of Pentar's statue and watched over what followed with the sharp eyes her kind were known for.

Nivix's features contorted into a mask of unadulterated rage as he pulled his fist back, ready to slam it into Cassiel's face with all the force he could muster. He would not, could not, rest until this arrogant fool was crushed beneath his absolute force! Letting out an earthshaking roar, the chemister swung forward, ready to reduce the Girigori to dust. Only to be interrupted by another flash of light.

"And I think that's probably enough of that."

And Nivix stopped. Mid-stride, mid-punch, mid-roar, he simply paused, as though he had suddenly been turned to solid stone.

"I swear to... It's been half a damn day! Lyn doesn't give me this much trouble, do you realize that? You're worse behaved then one of the most psychotic Mizzen in the history of Nexus!"

As the remnants of his teleportation spell faded away, Ven continued his tirade to the motionless Nivix, either not noticing or not caring about the god's lack of response. "Is this going to be happening on a daily basis or something? Because, if it is, then we're going to have to talk about scheduling problems."

Letting out a telepathic sigh, the Mizzen turned to face the room's other occupants, offering an apologetic shrug. "Hey, sorry about this, everyone. Has he been giving you trouble?"

Aen blinked. Well, that wasn't what he'd planned, but it would certainly do. Nivix was... frozen, and some creature had appeared and started talking. It was certainly Mizzen-like, but it didn't look like any Mizzen he'd ever seen. "Well... yes, but it was fun, and no one got hurt, so I didn't mind. Besides, he told Cassiel he was going to do it." He moved to examine Nivix. "What did you do to him?"

"What? This?" Ven lifted one of his hands and rapped it sharply against the chemister's head a couple times. There was no response from Nivix. "Well, it's a little on the complicated side, but long story short I reduced the velocity of his personal chronological speed to as close to absolute zero as I could manage. He's basically moving through time at a drastically reduced rate. Maybe a centimeter every century or so?"

"Whoa! That's really cool!" He paused for a moment, then tried tugging on the chemister. "So, would I be able to move him fairly safely this way?"

"Sure, if you had to. Where were you planning on putting him?"

Aen grinned. "Well, if he wants to fight, I don't mind going a few rounds with him. Besides, I have a place where he can do all the damage he wants and it won't mean a thing."

Roe stood by Cassiel and sheathed Skye again as he watched the unfolding conversation with interest, he was just glad he hadn't had to carry on defending his friend from Nivix.

"Thanks for stopping him Mr... eh, Robot," he said aloud.

The Mizzen waved away the child god's thanks; he was just doing his job, after all. "No problem... Roe, right? Just trying to keep the idiot in check."

As for Aen's offer... "Sorry, but I think we've got some conflicting information here. You WANT him to fight?"

"Of course! Besides, do you really think he'll calm down any other way? Or do you just plan to keep him that slow forever?"

"Nah, just until he forgets why he's pissed. But hey." Ven offered a shrug. Who was he to question what the other gods wanted to do? "If you want to try to beat some sense into him, then be my guest."

"Great!" Aen turned to Pentar. "Well, it's pretty clear that your meeting did not go so well, but if you ever wanna go a few rounds or discuss something, feel free to stop by the Battlegrounds." Aen lifted Nivix up onto his shoulder, then paused and spoke to the child god."If you'd like to come too, Roe, there is always room for you. I'm not sure I can wear Nivix down on my own, in all honesty." With a laugh, he strolled out of the meeting hall.

"...Wonder how long it's gonna take him to realize he can't unfreeze him?" Ven wondered aloud. Or as aloud as one can wonder when they can only communicate telepathically.

Roe thought for a moment and then nodded in reply to Aen's offer.

"Yeah, I'll come along, I'm really good at fighting people," he exclaimed and skipped out of the meeting hall behind Aen.

"Yes...yes quite." mumbled a disappointed Pentar as Aen left the hall. "I suppose this meeting is adjured then. Thank you all for coming." Pentar said with a bit more life in his voice, though not much, and strolled back to his throne. He placed a his fingers on his temples. Things had not gone according to plan, but even a failed move had it's benefits.

If only Pentar could think of them.

 

[Floris2123]

Melanthios 13AP,1MP

No matter how hard Melanthios tried, the words kept echoing in his head. He couldn't allow them to meet without him knowing anything about it, he summoned the orb of infinity underneath his robe. He focused and made a temporary, one way link with the meeting hall inside the hallowed court. He then smile and responded to Daare, "The carpet looks perfect to me, I can't see a single flaw with it." He handed it back to Daare.

Spoiler: Actions

Scry the meeting room inside of the meeting hall in the Hallowed Court.
Difficulty: 5
Usage: 1AP
Domains: +2 Wisdom (knowing how to make a one way connection) + 2 Creation (Making a temporary link with an place.)