[PDQ] The Grand Mythos Game Thread

[Dogmatic99]

Zareth 15 , 1​

One of Evermoor's countless gates was in complete disarray. The Wardens were at a loss and nearby spirits were either running for the hills or gawping at the bizarre sight in front of them. What appeared to be a blue giant had stepped through the gate and was ranting and raving at everything in sight. The average resident of Evermoor wasn't used to this kind of violence, at least not since they died.

When Zareth arrived on the scene he was greeted by a cacophony of roars and shouts. What was this creature? He'd never seen anything like it, it was as if one of the Filli had gotten pumped up on drugs. But that wouldn't shape the soul, the thing was dead how could it still be like that? He peered at it in curiosity. No the aura's all wrong, this isn't a Filli it's something else... it almost feels like- His thought was interrupted as the newly deceased ghost sent a dwarf flying past his head. Alright it's time I step in.

He didn't need to approach the thing with caution as its fists simply passed through him. "Now sir if you'll just calm down." He said but the spirit didn't seem to care, it just flailed and shouted in a harsh, guttural sounding tongue that Zareth had never heard before. "Look... just... you need to." It was hard to get a word in edgewise, the spirit was going so wild. "Just slow down would you?!"

Then like a shot it was off back through the gate and into the world of the living. "Oh- Oh that's just perfect!" Zareth barked, it was just one thing after another these days.

He followed it out the way it had come and after trailing it through the winding nexus that was the pathways of Evermoor. The two of them came out into the blistering winds of Salustuis' coldest continent. The spirit showed no signs of slowing down as it ran, full pelt into the snow. It was hard enough for Zareth to see through the storm and he was forced to take on a less corporeal form in order to make his way through the snow. How did it end up here? He followed the sound of the spirit's howls, easily audible to him even through the racing wind. The sound grew and grew as the spirit's inner light shone all the brighter. This build up grew and grew until, like a firework, the spirit burst into a shower of light. It rose up on the breeze before fading away completely.

He followed the sense of it as far as he could. Up to the climax of its great outburst of emotion and the sense of peace and tranquility that followed it. The aura of the creature faded away, it might have been lost to Zareth forever if not for what happened next. In its final moments before it was gone, its essence changed, its sound changed. Out in the storm a baby was crying. What could be born out here?

He flew over the wastes, following the source of the sound. below on the ground he could see things moving, blue and grey figures trudging through the snow. Hundred, thousands of them. Some of them had even crafted igloos to shelter in. The ingenuity they'd taken in making any kind of settlement in a place so hostile to life. And in one of those igloos, one of those blue women was giving birth. She was crying out in pain of her own as the others around her looked on in shock and confusion. A new born was fighting its way into this world and burning brightly within it was the soul Zareth had tracked there.

Zareth looked on in abject fascination until he couldn't hold it in anymore. He burst into nigh on hysterical laughter, he almost bent over backwards, clutching his ethereal ribs. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "I'm not even-" He struggled to get the words out through his aching breath. "I'm not even mad... that's... that's just impressive." He applauded the the screaming infant. "Well don! Bravo, bravo!" Through sheer strength of will that soul had thrown itself into the reincarnation cycle. It had raged against its death so fervently that it couldn't become one with the next world, yet its fighting spirit had been so strong that it wouldn't give into despair like so many other poltergeist. Instead it had turned back to life and dived right in for round two.

He wasn't sure how much time passed in the mortal world while he wandered unseen through these new people. But enough for Zareth to get a good feel for them They were violent, stubborn, ignorant and spent most of their time feeling confused. Not unlike most mortals then. But these ones were SO young. Their race was taking their first steps in this world, they were only just learning how to use rocks as tools. It didn't take Zareth long to work out where they had come from. Any of the others would have announced this new creation, would have made their power known as they went about carving out a place to live for them. No... his own anger and foolishness had lead to this. Accidentally or not he had brought these creatures into the world and he had a responsibility to make sure they had what they needed.

"Such crude things but they have potential." He said to himself. The surrounding area commonly struck by snow storms and the kind of cold that could given even a Sharulk hypothermia but none of that seemed to bother them. The snow and lakes seemed to give them an ample source of water, the caves and igloos they had made gave them shelter and the pine trees would supply them with lumber once they had grasped how it was done. No what they really needed was food. Phoenixes were the only animals on Salustuis and few if any made their home this far north. Plus there's not much eating on them once they're dead. And these new residents didn't seem to have any knack for magic like their Filli neighbors, there was no way they could grow crops here. Not yet anyway. What they needed was game, a source of meet and fur. Some were already looking at each other with eyes full of hunger and their patron god wasn't about to let that happen. Cannibalism has rarely proven a solid long term plan.

Despite how morbid their situation was Zareth still couldn't wipe the grin off his face. He just kept thinking of the gall that soul had had in order to deny death like that. There was no doubt about it, he had to make sure this race survived to grow and prosper. If that one was anything to go by then they were too interesting to let fade away.

Zareth stood in the air high above their make shift living grounds. He spread out his hands and started to prepare the place for a the introduction of new life. In his mind they took shape and by his will the ebb of time began to flow faster around them. He didn't have time to let them evolve like the creatures of Evalon. By days end the continent would be swarming with adults and their spawn. Beasts of land, sea and sky. But this kind of project was beyond his lone power. Zareth had tried his hand at the occasional animal but it was never his purpose to create on such a scale.

But he knew people he could call for help, who had done this before. He would give them shape... they would give them life.

He sent out a wave of intention to the other gods, just as Aen had shown him before however above that intent, that plea for help, lay one important worded message.

You've got to come see this! You'll love it!​

Spoiler: Actions

Travel to Salustuis - Effortless
Ask Aen, Roe, Nivix and Pentar for help - Effortless

DC 15 Continental action (I assume, this is happening over a continent.) AP6
Create a host of winter wildlife to inhabit the northern continent of Salustuis. Ranging from animals of the land, air and sea. Lets add in some fish, foxes, bovines, a few big 'oll snow monster! I am open to discussing what kind of animals turn up and what twists any gods that help want to throw in.

+2 Crafter (I'm using this in a biblical sense, as zareth is CRAFTING a shape for the various creatures he is making here.)

+4 Age (He is speeding up the aging process around them so most of the creatures will come out fully grown or as adolescents. Aint got no time for all that evolution malarky!)

 

[DarkRawen]

Spoiler: Conversation between Daare and Melanthios

Daare beamed at Melanthios' words, and laid the carpet down for them to sit at. It didn't actually touch the ground, only hovered above it. "You want to try riding it? I want to be in the front seat, because I know how it works. I could explain it, but it'd be easier if you saw for yourself. It's... a bit odd." He sat down on the carpet, it seemingly being able to handle a lot more than his weight without getting closer to the ground.

Melanthios looked at the carpet, he was interested in how it worked. "I would love to try it out, and I don't mind sitting in the back seat." He stood up and took a seat on the carpet, it felt strange sitting on it.

When Melanthios had placed himself on the carpet, Daare laughed. "Hold on, this might make you a bit... Well, I dunno, I've never flown before!" As he willed it, the carpet started hovering even more. "You ready?! We're soon going to fly really really fast!"

Melanthios laughed at the excited god, he had to admit he was getting excited himself too. "I am ready Daare, just try not to crash against anything okay?" He asked jokingly.

"I'll try! Strawberries! Wait, those need to exist first. Anyways, time for adventure!" In less than a second, the world around them were reduces to blurriness and colors due to the speed of the carpet, and with loops and sharp turns, they rode above the grassy fields, everything changing as they passed different areas with an amazing speed. Daare laughed, and found himself unable to stop laughing, as they passed over a village of some sorts, making the mortals wonder what it was that was going.

Melanthios looked around fascinated, he had never traveled like this before. Daare seemed to enjoy the ride even more, and he wondered what mortals saw when the carpet passed. A rainbow perhaps? Or maybe just a quick blur?

Daare continued to laugh, and made a loop in order to make the mortals see them once more, as well as to be able to take a closer look at them. He was curious as to what they were. When above the village, he made it so that the carpet slowed down and got closer, for a short moment. When he had taken what one could call a peak, he suddenly made the carpet go at full speed again, before slowing slightly down again further away. "Who are they?" he asked Melanthios. They had some weird houses, made of trees. How strange. "Are they the creation of another god?"

Melanthios had been smiling until he recognized the beings. They were Ekiruru, this spoiled his mood a bit. "They are the Ekiruru, daughters of Eldarwen. Though she is not with us anymore, she killed herself. She first helped us by fighting an bad god, and then turned against us and killed herself. She was a very strange women." He said as he seemed to think it over.

"Oh, I see. That's puzzling, for someone to take their life like that. Also, it's sad." Daare turned to look at Melanthios, and frowned, before turning back to see what was going on ahead. He increased the speed, but only until they saw a large, flying creature, a whale of some sorts. Wait, what was a whale? And somehow, weren't they supposed to be in the water? It didn't matter, right now, all he wanted to do was to keep flying at high speed, them going further up until the flock of doves was right above them. "Look, it's the doves!" he yelled, laughing. They looked strange like this, slightly moving, white stripes. "Should we follow them for a round?!"

Melanthios nodded, he didn't find it sad but it was puzzling. Suddenly a space whale appeared, those were very interesting creatures. Daare then yelled about the doves, and he looked up to see them. "Sure let's follow them, I wonder where they are going." He said smiling.

"Yeah!" He took the carpet even higher up, slightly above them, and rode at high speed, following them until they got closer to what Melanthios had called the sun. Daare then decided to ride at full speed towards this bright light, wanting to see it on closer hold. "Let's see the sun!" he laughed as they approached the big, glowing ball.

Melanthios looked at the sun. "Daare you might not want to do that! There is a reason nothing lives close to the sun, it is so hot anything that comes near it burns alive!" He sounded stressed.

They got closer, but when Melanthios spoke, Daare turned to him, slightly. "What?! But it's so beautiful!" He looked towards the sun, and continued. "I'm not feeling warm yet, I'll stop when I'm burning up!"

Melanthios looked at the young god, he had seen something like this coming. He picked up some blood of his robe, and used his latest developed blood shield spell. An invisible shield was cast around them, protecting them from the heat of the sun. "Daare, I just cast magic to keep us safe. But don't touch the sun okay?"

Daare looked around to see if he could see the magic, but he could only feel that it was there. Melanthios had told him not to touch the sun, and Daare nodded ecstatic. "Just see, no touching, got it!" He looped the carpet once for fun, and set up the speed, until they were as close as a meter to the sun. "WOW!" Daare exclaimed, examining it. It did hurt his eyes, slightly, but what an amazing creation! How bright and burning and probably really dangerous thing it was!

Daare kept getting closer and closer to the sun, Melanthios felt a bit scared but he also trusted his own abilities. "It is magnificent isn't it? Nivix was the person who made it, along with all the other stars." He said moving his arm to the right, pointing at the stars.

"He did?! That's amazing! There are so many of them!" Daare turned around to look at the stars, he had already been fascinated by them the instance he started existing. "What do they look like on close hold? Like the sun?" He turned back to the sun. "Does the sun have a name?" Daare remembered having borrowed the name of one of the stars, he was sure that was how it worked, at least. He could even pin-point that exact star, having remembered it as one of the brighter one out there. "Or is its name the sun?" He avoided the instinct he had of wanting to touch the sun due to Melanthios warning from before.

Melanthios nodded. "In the beginning it was almost like we had more power, creating something of this scale is impossible now. But yes this one is called Niv, after well Nivix. And the others probably have names too, I don't know them all though." Daare seemed really exited, he wondered how he would react to his planet. "You know I also made something quite impressive too, a planet to call my own." He said smiling.

"You have?! Which of them?" Daare took another look as the sun, before deciding he could always watch it some other time. "Where?! I want to see it." He laughed, happily. "There are so many things for me to see! I just want to keep exploring forever!"

Melanthios laughed "I am sure that it won't take that long, but my planet is the one over there." He said pointing at Salustutis. "Its name is Salustutis and on it live the Dues Filli, my patron race." He said smiling.

Daare smiled, a less childish smile, one would say. It was a second of him having a clear head, or perhaps, showing a side not quite as young as he was. "I'm sure there will always be something new for me to see out there." He then chuckled. "And, if there should be any lack of it, I'll just make something myself." Daare then set the course towards Melanthios' planet, reaching it in what could be said to be a short while.

Melanthios chuckled, it seemed Daare had a more serious and mature side. They quickly arrived just outside the capitol, he changed his appearance to that of a normal Dues Filli. "I am guessing you want to explore the city?" He asked the young god.

"I can?!" Daare had quickly reverted back to his curious side. He looked around, and back at Melanthios, the other god seemed to have changed his looks for some reason. Then again, Daare mostly recognized others by colors and essence, his vision sometimes blurred from a madness as old as the universe. It was for the most part the other gods that seemed to look strange, if very interesting, in his vision. "Do I have to change my appearance like you did?"

Melanthios seemed to think. "Well that depends. You see this planet has only Dues Filli living on it, those look like what I look like. You don't have to, but it would be much easier and you would get to see their normal lives." He finished looking at the curious young god.

"Oh, that's okay then. Now, how do I do this..." He changed his appearance, with him now looking like a Dues Filli with Daare's features. "Is this good enough?" Daare looked at the carpet. "What do we do about this one, then? I forgot to make it capable of not flying."

"That looks excellent Daare, and the carpet is safe. The shield I cast around it, makes it impossible to detect and touch for mortals. Now if you want we can go into the city, but remember to try and stay calm. And don't use your godly powers, or you will attract attention." Melanthios said as he stepped off the carpet, and glanced at the main gate.

"Attracting attention is bad?" he asked, but he listened to what Melanthios said, even if he didn't necessarily agree. He jumped off the flying carpet. The carpet rolled itself up, and hovered just behind his back, as if he was carrying it. It did this, as it had been constructed in order for Daare to make it do almost anything he wanted it to, apart from... well, pretty much everything that didn't include flying and moving in the air. "If you say so... Let's go then!"

He nodded. "Attracting attentions isn't always bad. But if you want to see the Dues Filli living their normal lives, we don't want to attract too much attention. Because that way we will be discovered, and then we can't see them live their normal lives." He said as he walked over to the gate. There were a lot of guard stations who were busy checking people to see if they could join. Melanthios took a stance in the shortest row, it only had two people in front of them.

"Understood!" Daare said, and followed Melanthios. He wasn't sure what was happening now, but he watched as the mortals in front of them were talking to the other mortals. The gate was a big one, and he wasn't sure why they didn't just teleport inside. What was actually god-powers, and what was common stuff? Couldn't mortals talk? Change appearance? Create items? Why were they different? He was about to ask Melanthios this, when they suddenly were spoken to by some of the mortals. "Huh?" was all he managed to say, he didn't understand what they wanted from him, even if he understood what they said. Daare looked at Melanthios, the other god had to know what they were supposed to do.

A large guard looked at Daare and Melanthios. "Name and reason for being here please." He said sounding stern. Melanthios lifted his hand and showed him the black ring he wore, the mans expression changed. "I am sorry lord Striga, do keep on walking." He smiled and looked at Daare. "Let's go." He said as he walked into the busy streets of the capitol. They were filled with all kinds of different Dues Filli, and also stalls which sold all kinds of things. The golems were marching through the streets too, all of them looking busy.

Daare looked around, looking at everything and everyone. His mind couldn't settle on one thing, every experience and aspect took its place in it. It took a short while before he managed to word any of his questions, which he then did with the same eager as he did most other things. "Who is lord Striga? What is that big thing? What are they selling, no, wait, what is selling? Why are there so many mortals? What is this place? How... how did you make all this?" His questions were fairly loud, causing several of the closest Dues Filli to glance at them, surprised, but they didn't seem to be bothered enough to actually consider what he said. Questions of a madman, no less, no more, they seemed to think.

Melanthios looked at Daare's face with great joy, he once again reminded him of Akladai. He moved his hand, and the mortals around him seemed to blur a bit. "In here we can talk without them noticing. " He took a deep breath, and then started answering his questions. "Lord Striga is a title given to the smartest and strongest Dues Filli, who are then allowed to enter a special guild called the Striga. That big thing is an building, just like all the others around us. That is a mana crystal, used by mortals to make their magic stronger. And that is a toy, something children use to amuse themselves. There are so many mortals because this is a city, a place where many different mortals live together. This place is the capitol the largest city on the whole planet. I made a beginning, but they did the rest. I made 300 mortals, who in time got children and eventually started to grow in numbers." He explained, not even seeming a bit bothered by his questions.

"Intriguing! They are so many now!" He looked around. "Can we interact with them?! You'd have to remove the--- magic around us, but I want to talk to them! Ask them how they made all of this!" Daare laughed, and then he remembered what Melanthios had said about being calm. "I mean---" He cleared his voice. "It would probably be best if you lead the conversation, I'm not sure I'd be able to contain all my questions for them on my own. Probably very unsettling questions, for a sane mortal."

Melanthios laughed. "Well the Dues Filli are very curious creatures, they will just think you are acting a bit childish. But if you want I can take you to a Striga, he would be happy to answer your questions. And he can probably answer them better then me, about things like how they did it and when. So do you want to go and see him?" He asked him smiling brightly.

"Do I even have to answer that?" Daare asked, and let Melanthios lead the way.

Melanthios lead the way through the busy street. He made his way towards the palace, when he suddenly saw a magic pylon. It was an almost 15 meter high pylon, made out of pure magic stone and runes. It gave off a calming and refreshing aura. He sighed relived as he touched it, the magic was growing everyday.

"What is that?" It had an odd look to him. Distorted, it seemed to be different in his eyes than Melanthios. He got closer, and touched the pylon, and noticed there was some kind of magic in it, but didn't see why it was that interesting, not when he could be asking a mortal all kinds of questions! "Melanthios! The Striga! Weren't we headed to talk to one of them?!"

Melanthios nodded. "We will, this magic is just very refreshing. I needed a little break from my spell casting, I am sorry." He said with friendly expression, before continuing onward. The palace was massive compared to the building below, there were hundreds of guards surrounding it. "Pretty impressive don't you think?" He asked as he walked up to the gate.

Daare nodded, it was the largest building he has seen so far. "It is! Do we need to talk to the guards again? Let me take care of it!" He urged Melanthios forth, and when they got close to the guards, the mortals reacted stiffly. "Don't worry, he's a Striga!" Daare said, and lifted Melanthios' hand up, showing off the ring.

The guards looked a bit surprised at each other. "Uh okay. Good morning lord Striga." They both said as they made a small bow. Melanthios could barely contain his laughter, he entered through the door. "Good job Daare." He said chuckling to himself.

"I think so myself. Indeed I do," he laughed, and looked around, trying to see if he could spot someone interesting. "Now, where are we headed? This palace of yours is large."

Melanthios shook his head. "This is not my palace, this is the palace of my son Maeglin. But we are going to meet someone else names Kain, also known as the first Striga." Melanthios walked on, after quite a while they arrived at a large door. He opened it and behind it was an large throne with on it an impressive looking man. "Who are you two?" He asked standing up.

Daare looked at the Striga, and then at Melanthios, not sure what he was going to say. He pointed at Melanthios. "He's a Striga." He then pointed at himself. "My name is Daare." That was about the safest thing he could think about, not revealing that either of them were gods.

Kain looked at them both. He then saw the ring on his hand, he shook his head smiling. "Never thought I see you so soon again, so what are you doing here Melanthios?" He asked as 2 chairs appeared. Melanthios smiled as he took a seat on one of them "This is here is a new friend of mine, a new god. He has some questions for you." Kain nodded and looked at Daare, he then smiled and made a gesture to the other chair. "Please sit down, so what questions do you have for me?"

So, this person he could act as a god with? Interesting. "Mortal--- no wait, Mr. First Striga, I am Daare, the god of madness. I want to ask you about everything there is to ask about this place. I'll start with a few easy ones. How did you make those pylons? What does the people want to do here? What would you say is the best dish? When did you become a Striga? What kind of magic do the mortals poses?"

Kain looked at Melanthios, he looked amused. "Well my name is Kain, I have been personally chosen by Melanthios to lead the Striga. It is nice to meet you Daare, and you can just call me Kain. And I designed the pylons, but didn't make them myself the building guild did that. The people here just want to live their lives, have a family, learn new things, make friends all those kinds of things. I personally like phoenix steak, I became an Striga at the end of the last age. As for the magic that mortals posses that varies, those that study and dedicate their live to it know a lot more then those that can't. But none of them could come close to what you could do." He said not even bothering to take a break in between.

"I see, that's a lot of questions brought up. What is a phoenix? And a building guild? And how does the magic vary? What kind of age was the last age? Thinking about it, what age is this? When does an age start and begin? What is a toy, and why is it for children? What is the female equivalent of a son?" Daare took a break. "Why do you have so much power in the city? Why are some people guarding and some selling, and some just walking around? "

Kain sighed and then said. "A phoenix is a certain type of bird, just like the doves. A guild is a group of people who work together to reach certain guilds, the building guild specializes in building things. Magic has all kinds of different natures, and ways to use it. The last age was peaceful, unlike this one. An age is how we Dues Filli divide the time that has passed, we are in the second age now. An toy is something that is harmless and most of the time cute or fluffy, which means kids likes it and can use it without risk of hurting themselves. A daughter is the female version of an son." Kain took a deep breath and then continued. "The people respect me for my connection with Melanthios, as well as my superior magical abilities. And well everyone has certain jobs, if we all had the same one we would quickly die. I mean you need someone to defend your homes at night, someone to build it, you need food, and much more then that so people choose different jobs."

"I see." Was this getting tiresome for the Striga? It seemed to be. Daare bowed deeply, not because of rank as he was a god, but rather as a gesture of respect and said; "Thank you, that answered some of my questions." He remembered that Nivix had mentioned that gaining experiences for himself was important, and the best kind of knowledge. He had a lot of time, not every question needed to be answered this day by someone else, and Melanthios had already helped answer a lot of them. "Now, do you have any questions for me?"

Kain looked surprised, he glanced at Melanthios who lifted his shoulders. "mmhhh that is an interesting thing to ask. Yes I do have a question for you, what is it like to have all that power? To be able to shape worlds out of thin air? To be able to change the laws of physics at will? To be able to create mortals with the snap of your fingers?" He snapped his fingers, indicating what he meant.

Daare smiled, but it was also a puzzled smile. To him, and probably to every other god, it was as natural as seeing, and sensing. "It's marvelous," he began. It was. "I can create so much, there will always be something new to experience. To me all the things the other gods have created are so incredibly wonderful! It makes me want to create something myself!" He reverted into his usual form for a short while, taking off one of the bells, and crushing it in his palm. When he opened it, small, glimmering particles flew out of his hand, and to the closest entrance of the palace, spreading. Daare turned to them. "I hope these plants will find a place to grow. They are a gift, to the Dues Filli."

Kain looked surprised, he smiled at Daare and bowed. "Thank you very much Daare, I have not often met or heard of a god as friendly as you." Melanthios then spoke. "I think it is about time to leave here Daare, we wouldn't want to keep up Kain for too long now would we?" He seemed happy.

"Yeah, we probably should leave," Daare said, and then he turned to Kain. "Goodbye, it was refreshing meeting you!" He then went outside, barely remembering to change to the Dues Filli appearance before he was seen. How would the mortals react if they knew he was a god? The thought was interesting, and somewhat amusing. He chuckled, as he waited for Melanthios. When the other god was close enough, he asked; "Where to now? You mentioned a library..."

Kain stood up and bowed his head. "It was nice meeting you too Daare, feel free to visit me anytime." Daare walking outside, and Melanthios followed him. "Yes but not just a library, he first and the biggest library ever made. The library of the gods, but we need to go somewhere else first. Because it isn't on this planet."

Daare looked at Melanthios. "The library of the gods? Is it really that grand?!" He looked towards the sky. What little calm he had kept was gone. "Should we head there now?!" Daare was about to revert back to the other form, when he remembered the mortals around. "Oh, wait, not with them around. Shall we head to the gate?"

Melanthios nodded. "Yes let's go, but we can't fly from here." He placed his hand on Daare and teleported them both outside the gate. "And yes the library is really that big. I made it, and all the books inside it." He looked proud.

"All of this is truly amazing, and impressive! I wonder if I one day can say the same about my creations." The carpet flew from his back, and unfolded itself in front of them. Daare stepped onto it, and sat down. "You'll have to tell me where it is, else I'll probably get us somewhere far away!" he exclaimed, and the moment Melanthios got on, it struck up like a reverse lightning-bolt. A bit further up, where they could see the other planets better, Daare asked: "Which way?"


Melanthios smiled. "I am sure your creations will be even grander, because I am not done yet you know. They will be even more impressive, some day." He hoped onto the carpet, and held on tight as they flew up. "That way friend, the library is over there." He then felt Zareth making a lot of different animals on his planet for some reason, he didn't mind that much. He send Zareth a message "Greetings brother, I do not know why you are making these animals. but I will help you to the bets of my abilities." He teleported the orb of infinity to himself, and then helped his brother with the orb combined with his own power.

Melanthios 13,1

Spoiler: Actions

Assisting Zareth with his species creation
Domains: + 2 Creation (creating the species) + 2 Knowledge (Knowing which species to make, and how to make them)

Dåre 24,2

Spoiler: Actions

Creating
Strawberries (Nonsentient)

DC9 AP 3

+ 6 Madness

Mentioned several times, now appearing for the first time! Originally, the intention was to just make them delicious, as well as making five of them enough to remove the hunger of a typical mortal. However, Daare ended up using his Madness domain by accident as well, causing everyone who eats them to temporarily speak in tongues. Not even other people who have eaten them understand the others, as it's actually just gibberish.

Spoiler: Strawberries!

They look like large strawberries, but since they were created from a small bell, they also have some of them on the leaves.

 

[TheBlueShotgun0]

Pentar 26AP 1MP

You've got to come see this! You'll love it!

The message jolted Pentar out of his silent thoughts and brought a smile to his face. When Zareth left the meeting early, he had feared that the Death God was lost. But now, Pentar had the chance to show him his goodwill. But why was he creating an ecosystem on Salustuis? Certainly, he did have to see this.

He appeared in the skies above Salustuis next to Zareth. At first he couldn't tell what Zareth had been talking about, but the he noticed the activity below. The primitives were still simple minded people, not as culturally advanced as the other races, but they clearly had potential. Focusing his power through Gawmfust, he added it to Zareth's own to help him.

Spoiler: Action

Assist Zareth
+6 Order (the ecosystem will be more stable and less prone to collapse)

 

[Terratina.]

Zs'Wua'Itzala - 1/8 AP


The information flooded her mind, visions of unfamiliar feminine figures, the link this item had with the First Folly. Zs'Wua scoffed, with the new knowledge she concluded that the armour was a wretched thing. It was a beautiful thing yes, glimmering with a dark polish, but it was the embodiment of hatred itself. Somewhat disgusted she reached for the pauldrons in order to rip the metal suit off and cast it into the portal where all of those wretched things lay, however she stayed her hand. The portal and its gaping mouth didn't deserve such a grand meal. Her thoughts now turned to her surroundings, the Hallowed Court, and came to the conclusion that the world of mortals was more interesting than the playpen of the gods.

She dissolved into shadow and arose somewhere to the north of the Chama Peninsula where her ancestor once stood, and where some Verr still stood. Too stubborn to leave the overcrowded planet, what was it they said in response to the Great Migration? 'Here we stand...' Her thought were interrupted by watching some Shadowshrieks fly across the sky, with their chorus of high-pitched sound. She began to follow them, it was a whimsical choice but what else was there to do other than remembering a throwaway line? Soon, she came across some strange humans. Well, they seemed human at first, but she could see that the gods had made their mark upon them. Some even had tails! Nevertheless, unlike her, they were limited to one form.

A roar from above shook the trees, a dragon with an open maw scooped up the Shadowshrieks and ate them with a mighty chomp. She sighed again. They were such noisy creatures, always hunting or roaring or burning something somewhere. Not to mention with no natural predators, the dragons overran the skies, leaving the Shadowshrieks defenceless in their wake. The armour caught the sunlight and it glinted almost like a shining smile that reflected Zs'Wua's. She knew what to do. The idea had been tried once, but now she had the power of the armour - the power of hatred. She drifted towards the Maroe Archipelago, to the cave where she had awaken after crossing the line between mortal and divine. She would try again, but this time, she had more power.

Spoiler: Action(s)/OOC

Creating or altering a non-sentient species smaller than an elephant - DC = 9

- Create the broodmothers. Basically make the females much larger than the males. About big enough to ride, matching the size of the dragons.

Bonus(es):

Shadows [+4] - (

Infusing the 'shrieks with shadow energy to change them

.)

Hatred [+2] - (

They will have a hatred of the dragons and will become their predators.

)

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

It had quieted down on the moon after the party and Vantric's arrival now it was somewhat alone. Perhaps this would be the right time for its slumber. However, something disagreed and the voice of Zareth coursed through its mind covered with the intent of requesting help, but that was hidden beneath a taunt to catch the gods' interest. Too much was going on anyway. M'endar sighed and began the walk the passages of the sanctum, with one hand touching the walls as it did so. The price of slaying Seith was heavy... But at least the Deceiver did not share his fate. As quickly as the message was transmitted, a reply was sent,

"Apologies, I am not in a position to aid you, thought I wish you the best in this endeavour, brother." ​

Spoiler: Action(s)

Send a message to Zareth - DC = Effortless

 

[Arrogancy]

Aryx: 1

Vantric was gone, and Aryx was left to her own devices for a moment. She walked the halls of the fortress, every so often passing one or more of the devils as they tried to navigate the massive structure. To be honest, she could probably have used the help herself, but at least she had the power to move instantaneously. She shut her eyes and teleported to the front gates of the Grand Ascension. Something about the act of teleporting was invigorating. It was such a simple thing, but even the greatest mages in the history of Coelus hadn't managed such a feat. Aryx smiled, but then, she had surpassed them all long ago.

In the canopy overhead, making up the sky in the Hallowed Court, the planets and stars swirled around in the endless expanse of existence. Centered directly above the court was the view of the solar system she lived in as a mortal. Coelus was easily recognized, but the other planets circling about Niv were unfamiliar to her. She had always known her world was small, even on Coelus it was rare for anyone to move any great distance. The other planets though, other worlds. It occurred to Aryx that she still didn't really know what Isond was, or where he was from. Perhaps it was time she explored the greater world she had never known.

She inspected the worlds carefully before making her choice. The world nearest the sun was very green. She could only guess it was teeming with life, probably the plants she had read about in the occasional report that was sent back to Coelus from the outside world. Second from the sun was another green world, though less so than the first. The majority of its surface was taken up by a great mass of blue. What it was, Aryx could only guess. Possibly another type of plant that she had never read about, or it might even be something else. Then there was the last world, revolving just before Coelus. Unlike the others, it wasn't green, but it didn't have the reflective diamond surface of her homeworld either. It was strange and appeared to be moving toward the outer reaches of the sun's orbit, and Aryx's curiosity was piqued. Once more she summoned her power and teleported, willing herself to the new world.

Aryx arrived in a city, invisible to its inhabitants. She had rendered herself incorporeal for the purposes of this visit. The city was radically different from Coelus, not that that was difficult. Most of the buildings were made of stone or wood with an affinity for smaller, more condensed dwellings. Where grigori buildings tended toward the tall and imposing, this city tended to be shorter and more spread out. There were also new beings here, she observed. In many ways, they resembled herself; two arms, two legs, head, torso, they were somewhat taller and had pointed ears, but otherwise were almost disappointingly similar.

For a time, Aryx drifted among them, observing their lives, and there found more profound differences between the grigori and the others. These people were exceptionally clever, with a particular affinity for magic. That was useful. Perhaps these people could be harnessed somehow.

Slowly, carefully, Aryx made her way through the city, observing and selecting people. She chose them carefully, the discreet, the watchful, and the ambitious, and drew them along invisible strings. The largest building in the city was the central library, a central repository of arcane knowledge, and she chose the location as a gathering place, tugging on those she had touched. They came in small groups or singly, almost indistinguishable from the rest of the crowd, the constant stream of people entering and exiting the massive building.

They gathered on one of the library's lower levels, in a long forgotten area. There were few books on the shelves, and those that were there bore a thick layer of dust, accumulated over decades of disuse. The group was quiet, all looking about the room, but few talking to each other. They only knew that they had been summoned, not by who or what, and hoped that they would soon find out. Fear kept them from leaving or speaking, fear and curiosity.

Aryx walked among the group, taking their pulse, and was soon assured that the people she had chosen were the right ones for what she had planned. She raised her hands and, in one motion, touched the minds of every person in the room while in the air at the front of the assembly, in a ball of dark fire, a book came into being. It was part instructions-part philosophy. Meanwhile, Aryx began molding the minds of the group, she gave them a mission: they would strive to learn the dark arts. They would study and articulate and refine the powers she had come into so recently. They would spread her message across this world.

Spoiler: Actions

Create a small quantity of anything (book): Effortless

Affect a large group of mortals (500) for life- DC 9: +4 Curses (Aryx is inspiring them to take up the dark arts, after all.

 

[Belmarc]

Aen 18/30, 2/2

Ven was right. Nivix was still moving, albeit extremely slowly. However, it wasn't fast enough for them to fight fairly.

"Nivix... Nivix... Nivix! Wake up!" He snapped his fingers in front of the god's face a few times before giving up. He was about to send a message to Ven when Zareth called for his attention. Zareth has really been busy lately, huh? Forgetting Nivix for a moment, he came over to see what all the fuss was.

Pentar was already there when he showed up, but he didn't mind. He was just glad to see what the death god wanted to share with him. "Whoo boy Zareth, you have been busy!" Aen grinned and let a bit of his power flow into his friend's workings. Whatever he was making, it was gonna have to fight for survival up here, and he'd make damn sure it could do it.

Before he moved over to talk to Zareth about his creations, he sent a message to Ven, asking him to help with the frozen Nivix problem once he got back.

<spoiler=Action>
Assist Zareth with +6 Combat (survival of the fittest, fight to survive, strong creatures)

 

[JoJo]

Roe - 16, 0

Roe was following Aen and Nivix absent-mindedly when the booming voice of Zareth came across the divine airwaves.

You've got to come see this! You'll love it!

The young god still owed his elder a debt for helping him rescue Petal and Aen seemed to be responding to the message too so he happily followed along.

"Hello Zareth, I'll help!" he called eagerly when they reached Salustutis and he directed his powers towards the animals taking shape beneath them.

Spoiler: Actions

Assist Zareth with +6 Chaos, making the wildlife the death god creates chaotic and difficult for any mortal to control

The Storyteller

The Storyteller continued to tell his tale whilst taking the occasional drag from his pipe, the children attentive as always.

"As the gods discussed and debated with each other, or listened with magic in Melanthios' case, their demigod brethren were not quite so idle. Isond created the giant spiders known as the Achttoten for the Lainir, whilst similarly Zs'Wua made the female shadowshrieks broodmothers, bats that could rival dragons in size. Akladai forged the heroic mortal item the Soul Scythe but his peer Carnivox was less fortunate: his attempt to charm Eldarwen's royal palace lead to nothing but an unpleasant smell.

Meanwhile the Dues Filli particularly were influenced by no less than three demigods: Maeglin inspired almost five hundred of their number to create the newest golems, Ayrx inspired a similar number to take up the dark arts and Petal gave a protective blessing to a smaller number of their young so that they could avoid detection by adults in their new Kinderven forms.

Still, some of the gods aside from Melanthios did act. Zareth created wildlife upon the frozen north of Salustutis with the help of Melanthios, Pentar, Aen and Roe to help support his newborn race the Stryfe. Still fresh to the world, Daare summoned up a new red fruit that would cause madness to any who consumed it, the strawberry."

 

[Pappytech]

Nivix - 10, 0

Spoiler: Conversation between Nivix and Cassiel

Cassiel watched as Nivix was teleported away and shook his head. "He is still going to fight Melanthios. This isn't good." At least Nivix would be down for a little bit, the god in gold walked over to Ven and asked. "Is he still able to communicate telepathically? If so, I need to talk to him."

"Yeah, of course. What, you didn't think he'd give me a way to shut down his head, did you?" The Mizzen took a second to loop the Girigori up and down; he didn't recognize this god. "You're the one he was getting ready to beat the crap out of, right? Mind if I ask what you did to annoy him so much?"

Cassiel laughed. "He stood no chance. He thinks of himself as much more than he is, granted I wasn't going to attack him after, but it would have been awkward. Anyway, I told him he was wrong and that his plan was stupid, which it is." Cassiel walked over to the edge of the court, figuring he would talk to Nivix. "I assume that he doesn't like being wrong much."

"That he does not."

Cassiel teleported to the battlegrounds. Blood was still spattered from his battle with Isond. He chuckled a little bit, fair fights were always fun, besides, Isond came out alive. He waltzed over to Nivix and said telepathically, "Do you wish to know why I disapprove of your plan?"

"Do you wish to know what order I'm going to break your joints in?" came the decidedly grumpy reply.

Cassiel laughed. "See, the thing about your attack, is while it may be semi well intentioned, I don't think you thought it through. Kind of like trying to attack me. You don't want Melanthios sealed away right?"

"I swear by Niv itself, if you accuse of that again, there is not space in all of creation to keep me away from you."

"I never accused you of wanting to seal him. It's the others who will. I am willing to work with you on this, come up with an actual plan that won't have unwanted side effects. He is probably building allies right now in preparation to attack you. You need myself, Pentar, Aen and the others."

"I need... Tch, you're Seith's bastard, aren't you? Sound just like him.

"Don't think for a second that I need you or anyone else, fool." Nivix's thoughts were doing an impressive job of communicating his rage, considering that they couldn't hold the inflection his voice could. "I'm more than capable of fighting my own battles, and crushing those who try to impede me."

"I am not Seith. Seith would have simply left you to stew here and contemplate or something. The point is, what you are doing is going to end badly. If you get into a fight, you both will probably end up down and out, leaving the others to decide Melanthios's fate. Do you want Pentar deciding what happens with Melanthios? Aen wants him sealed more than anyone else! My goal right now, is to keep everyone alive through this...Did you see what happened to the stars when Seith died?"

"Yes, I saw. His blasted interference left them. And why should I care if you want to keep them alive?"

"His interference being removed almost destroyed them. The sword I hold now restored most of their power but when we are sealed, our creations are damaged too. I fear that if a war breaks out, we will tear our universe apart entirely. Your reaction to others being destroyed seems to say that you do care about the others. I agree Melanthios needs to be stopped, but not this way Nivix. At least not without Aen and Pentar being unable to seal them."

"Shut. Up. And get out of my head."

"I am going nowhere. Your demigod has made sure of that much. Why did you give him the power to freeze you anyway?"

"None of your damn business, you bastard. And if you don't get out of here, then I'll show you exactly what kind of horrors lurk in my mind."

"I wasn't the one who locked you up, he was. Are you unwilling to accept that perhaps rushing in like a madman and attacking the leader of a large alliance that has killed three different gods could possibly be a bad idea?"
"Who said anything about rushing in? I told him exactly what I was going to do; that's all there is to it. I will fight him, and I will stop him. Forever."

"He is going to plan, M'endar and Vantric will be there to stop you along with all of their demigods. What will you do then?"

"I'll think of something. It won't be that hard to counter, even if it does happen."

"These aren't mortals Nivix! They are gods! They are equal to you if not stronger now because they have been focusing on attaining power. They will seal you away at the first chance they get now, do you understand? They want to destroy everything you have made now. You can't not plan."

"Get. Out. Or I will crush you with all of my force."

"So this is it then? I am worried because you made Niv. If you die, that star will probably die too. The loss of life will be terrible. I am trying to help you here. You can't do this alone."

"GET OUT! I DON'T NEED HELP, I DON'T NEED NIV, I DON'T NEED LIFE, I DON'T NEED ANYTHING! GET OUT! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7t8jqlSrprw#t=112s]"

"THEN WHY DO YOU WANT TO STOP MELANTHIOS?"

"BECAUSE NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE WORLD LESS INTERESTING!"

"YOU ARE ABOUT TO WIPE EVERYTHING INTERESTING OFF THE MAP!"

"Ya know," Ven cut in, appearing directly behind Cassiel in a flash of silver, "they say that people best remember a lesson when they learn it the hard way."

The Mizzen crouched down behind the Girigori, idly staring at his back. "You're not supposed to poke at caged animals, you know that, right?"

Cassiel shook his head. "He is going to destroy Evalon at this rate. A war is going to happen and he will be the reason. This could be done diplomatically. There will be so much death soon. I have to try."

"Fine, fine, do what you want." Sighing, Ven rose back to his feet. "Look, I've got some projects I need to get back to. Why don't you talk to Nivix face to face?"

Cassiel shrugged. "How do you want to accomplish that?"

"Pretty easy, actually." Ven snapped his fingers.

And Nivix slowly stood up, the air around him beginning to shimmer with heat.

Cassiel quickly sighed. The area around him ensured that no real damage could be taken, but he had a feeling Nivix might try to find a way around that. Oh well, it's worth a shot. He raised his shield and prepared to beat back an enslaught of rage.

"Come at me then, if you think you are better than me, attack! Show me that you can overcome any defense!"

As Ven teleported away, Nivix's expression changed. Rage and hatred disappeared, transformed into the utmost glee. "With pleasure."

Lucky for the angel, they were already within Aen's battlegrounds. Nivix wouldn't be able to inflict any truly lasting damage on him, not here.

Of course, that wouldn't keep the chemister from enjoying every last instant of this little beatdown.

Flinging his arms wide, the madman let out an exuberant roar, a battle cry loud enough make the room itself tremble. "Come on, you arrogant sap!" Nivix shouted, coating his entire body in roiling flames. "Let's test out this defense that you're so damn proud of!"


Lunging forward, Nivix tore across the battlefield like a wraith cloaked in the fires of hell itself. Cackling madly, he swung both of his fists towards the ascended demigod, his iron left seeking out Cassiel's face, his flesh and blood right hurtling into the angel's side, just below the rib cage. "Can your armor stand up to my flames!?"

 

[drmigit2]

Cassiel


Cassiel saw Nivix's pretty obviously telegraphed moves. He wasn't trying to outsmart Cassiel, simply overpower him. Cassiel however, had experience in battle, even if it was in a past life, he had led armies, he was a warrior at his heart. This battle wouldn't go so easily to the mad god of knowledge.

Cassiel moved his shield to block Nivix's punch and parried the iron fist with stardust. "Perhaps not, but I have flames of my own. I intend to win this, for the universe itself!"

"You think yourself its defender, do you?!" Nivix roared in reply, a manic grin stretching across his features.

His fist bounced off of Cassiel's shield without leaving so much as a dent on the flawless surface, its knuckles torn open and oozing golden ichor. It would take more than simple flesh and blood to penetrate that defense, it seemed. His artificial limb, however, was more more lucky. Though the blow itself was parried aside by Stardust, the chemister saw his opportunity, and took it.

Lashing out with his iron hand, the madman wrapped his fingers around the blade, clutching the brilliant steel as though his life depended on it. His arm, bending and twisting at angles impossible for bones and joints to replicate, tried to wrench the sword out of the angel's grasp.

Meanwhile, Nivix's foot struck forward as well. Sweeping out, it slammed into Cassiel's leg with incredible force, attempting to knock the Girigori off balance.

"Then show me, demigod, the strength you will use to protect it!"
Nivix's arm was impressive to say the least. Cassiel had underestimated the ability it had and had assumed wrongly that it would simply be a metal stick, he wouldn't make that mistake again. Nivix's foot came crashing into his leg and Cassiel fell back, missing a chunk of flesh from his leg. Stardust came flying out of his hands as well but he had a new plan.

Cassiel used Nivix's opening to slam at his body with full force. Shield at his front moving at a speed no mortal would even be able to see.
He hadn't seen that coming, that was for sure. Nivix grunted as Cassiel's shield slammed into his chest, driving the air from his lungs and cracking a few of his ribs in the process.

The chemister was sent flying backwards, bouncing off the ground like a ragdoll a couple times before he finally managed to get his feet back under him. Bracing himself, the god slid back a few more yards, his feet and hand leaving furrows in the ground. Stardust clattered to the ground off to the side; it had been knocked from his grasp in the impact.

Straightening himself and taking a deep breath, Nivix stared across the battlefield at his foe. "Heh, not bad," he muttered shakily, his lungs slowly reinflating. "But it's going to take more than that to lay me low."

Lifting his mechanical arm, the madman leveled it so that its palm pointed directly at Cassiel. A high pitched whine filled the air as the limb began to glow a bright red, and the iron hand folded back to reveal a hole in the arm's wrist. A hole that was apparently ready to fire something.

With the roar of an erupting volcano, a slug of molten steel and fire exploded out of the arm, hurtling towards the angel at roughly a third the speed of light.

While Nivix gathered himself, Cassiel reached out towards Stardust, now embedded in the dirt. The sword came flying out of the air and right into Cassiel's hand. It lit ablaze with the power of one of the largest stars in existence.

"You call me a demigod Nivix, but I am more than that. You won't beat me, not today!"

Cassiel put all of his power into Stardust and swung at the red hot beam from the arm. Light began to envelop the entire arena, resulting in a massive explosion. Any mortals near this would have been vaporized in an instant. The entire hallowed court was sent alight, flames enveloping every single structure before finally settling down.

With a sweep of his arms, the madman gathered the surrounding flames around himself, until only the barest traces of his bdoy could be seen through the blazing conflageration.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, son of Seith!" Nivix shouted back, swinging his arms forward in a clapping motion. "The future is ever changing, ever in flux! We will see how this all ends in due time!"

The fire that coated the chemister's arms flew forward, dancing through the air like a pair of whips. Curving, the two tongues of heat lashed towards Cassiel's sides, while Nivix himself charged towards the angel's center.

While Nivix absorbed the fire, Cassiel absorbed the light, he was soon brighter than Niv and all the other stars combined. He wasn't Lennonous anymore, he wasn't Seith, he was simply light incarnate, a small shade appeared in the middle commanding it.

"I am not Seith! I am Cassiel! I will not stand in the shadow of my father anymore! This is my time! My light and I will not allow anyone to put it out!"

Cassiel condensed the light into a singular focal point around him and charged directly at Nivix, allowing the flames to engulf him but putting every bit of his power into a singular strike, using Stardust as a matrix for his passion.

"Heh." Nivix couldn't resist a grin as the brilliant bolt arced towards him. "Now that's more like it."

Dodging the blow would be impossible at this range and speed, but blocking it? Certainly doable. Angling his body ever so slightly, the chemister brought up his metal hand, placing it directly in the beam's path. Then, with all the will and strength he could muster, he braced himself.

The light slammed into his hand with all the force of an expoding star, nearly tearing the limb from Nivix's body. As it was, the arm held, even if just barely. A trio of metallic fingers, blown off by the attack, clattered noisily to the ground.

"No, you're not Seith!" the madman roared, resuming his headlong charge, albiet at a slightly slower pace. "You're so much better!"

The flames began to catch up to Cassiel now, he wouldn't have much time. This was it. He moved his shield right at Nivix's hand, now more energy than anything else, the two colided at full force. Light versus fire, a pillair of energy came off the planet, shattering the windows of the Entertainment Hall, Rocking the Meeting Room, Obliterating the Observatory, casting all of Melanthios's books everywhere, illuminating Vantric's fortress. The entirety of the universe was enamored by the spectacle.

It was like fireworks, impossible to discern but amazing all at once.

"And that," Nivix said, spitting out a couple of teeth and globs of golden blood, "is how you fight like a god."

There was no point in lying to himself; he knew that he was barely standing. But, whether through force of will, the strength of his pride, or sheer idiocy, Nivix refused to fall. Not here, not ever. Not to Cassiel, not to anyone.

Staggering forward, the chemister slowly closed the distance between himself and the angel, his body leaking ichor from countless wounds and cuts. Raising a shaky fist, the god weakly swung it towards his foe's face. This wasn't over. Not just yet.

At this point, most of the flesh on Cassiel's body was seared off. He could hardly discern what was happening, but his skin was cracking with light. Most gods bled with an ichor, but Cassiel's true form was of a simple light.

"Shadows be damned." Casssiel dropped his shield and hobbled at Nivix to return the punch.

The two gods slammed into each other at the same time, their fists finding their targets at the exact same instant. Nivix felt his jaw crack a little more, while Cassiel's eye swelled even further shut.

Still not done, they went for another exchange.

Then another.

And another.

"Seith," Nivix panted, struggling, and failing, to raise his arm for another blow, "sure as hell wasn't this tenacious, I can tell you that much."

That was it, the last punch. Cassiel couldn't do it anymore. He was only standing up barely, a really strong wind could probably take him to his knees. The good news was that it seemed Nivix was about done too.

"Seith would never have come here at all."

Glass shards of the observatory rained down on the court, a few large pieces fell into the battlefield. The giant orb casting a shadow on Cassiel was broken.

"True..." Nivix paused to gulp down some air. "Enough, I suppose."

Unable to keep his legs straight, the god fell back, collapsing onto the broken floor. "Jeez, I really need to train more often."

Cassiel fell forward, rolling on his back and observing the battlefield. The whole area was a mess. The once even plane was now a jagged rocky mess. Cassiel was pretty sure it wasn't made for that.

The angel coughed "That was probably the best fight the universe will ever see."

"Hey." Ripping off another of his artificial fingers, Nivix tossed the digit towards Cassiel. It fell far short of its target.

"What did I just say about the future? Don't spoil the moment."

 

[Dogmatic99]

Zareth 9 , 1​

The coastlines were swarming with a grey and brown rainbow of walruses and seals. The scattered forests were humming with the bloody dance of stags and wolves. Beneath them in the undergrowth, foxes the colour of snow and woolly coated rabbits scurried and burrowed. Out in the ice fields, bears, cats and larger things trekked through the endless white. The air teemed with bushy feathered buzzards and hawks and the ocean buzzed with schools of fish, while in between those two worlds, were the penguins. They radiated Roe's influence but Zareth had to admit they were amusing.

"I don't think that could have possibly gone any better." Zareth beamed at the assembled gods.

He descended for a moment and walked unseen among the blue skinned mortals. A few of them had already built up the courage to approach some of the larger creations. Zareth looked at them and saw all the possibilities, they could be farmers, ranchers, they could keep the penguins as pets! Then he saw one of his people approach one of the larger animals. It snapped him up in its jaws, shook them like a rag doll and threw them to the herd.

They might need a little help with that. The death god mused to himself. He drifted through one of the larger crowds of blue skins, whispering in their ears. They had already worked out how to hammer and cut things with bits of rock, it wouldn't take more that a nudge to show some of them how to put those rocks on the end of sticks and make spears, how to move as a group to bring down a larger foe. All he had to do was whisper the instructions to a few and the rest would follow their example.

All things in time, they don't need me holding their hands all the way.

He was done in moments, how long those moments lasted was uncertain. Days had passed for the simple minded mortals below and yet they passed in the blink of an eye to the gods above.

Zareth stood before his fellows. "Thank you, all of you. They're young but I know they will do great things some day. If there's ever anything I can do in return." He didn't have to say more.

The message from Melanthios hadn't gone unheard. But there was no mention of his accidental creations, had they escaped his attention? Hopefully it would stay that way for a while. If his brother noticed them then the Filli would surely follow and this race was still too young for such matters. No doubt there would come a time when the two would meet but until then these cold people would need to find their own way. I really do need something to call them. He went over a few ideas but none of them really seemed to fit them. No, let them find their own name. It wouldn't be as much fun if he did everything for them and forced his own ways on them.

Besides there were more pressing things to think of. What had happened on Eld. What Roe had said about Melanthios. And what the others might do about it. He remembered the moment Roe had told them about it in the hall, perhaps there was something he do about it or part of it at least."

"I still haven't seen these battlegrounds you're so proud of." He said to Aen. "And my sword arm IS starting to get a little lazy."

Spoiler: Action

Affect(Bless/Curse/Inspire) a small group of mortals (less than 50) for life: Inspire/Bless a group of Stryfe with the knowledge of how to craft tools for hunting and all that entails.

DC 7 AP 2.
+6 Death (Because he's teaching them how to make things DEAD so they can be eaten for their delicious meat at a later date.)

+2 Crafter (Teaching them how to CRAFT the weapons and tools needed to kill, skin and prepare these delicious arctic animals YUM)

 

[Belmarc]

Once Zareth had his help, and accepting his offer to come train with them later, Aen led Roe back to the Battlegrounds. "Alright Roe, we've fought before but I didn't get a very full impression of your style. So this time, we're gonna go all out," he said with a motion towards the arena.

"Okay, will we really not get hurt in this place?" Roe asked eagerly as he followed Aen, drawing out his shining diamond sword from his belt.

"Well, I haven't gotten to test it out much but it should be f--" Aen stopped short, both from walking and talking. "Nivix? You finally unfroze, huh?"

"Oh. Hi Aen. Roe." Nivix nodded up at the two gods from the ground. "Yep, finally got out of that. Now I just need to get this thing back in working order." He waved his mechanical limb, still missing a few screws and fingers, to puncuate his point.

"That thing looks pretty beat up... wait... did you fight someone and I missed it?"

"You have a metal hand," Roe told Nivix with a curious expression.

"Yeah, Cassiel had it coming. Not sure where exactly he got off too; he was here just a minute ago...

"And yes, Roe, yes I do. It's pretty neat!"

"Why do you have it?" Roe asked.

The madman gave a noncommital shrug. "I blew off the other one by acctident."

"I think I can guess when, too. I heard about the incident in the Maroe Archipelago. The mortals still don't understand why it happened or how the blast was contained, but I don't think they are complaining."

"You could just regrow it again," Roe replied, waving his own hands around in the air to demonstrate.

Aen looked at the scars on his right palm, which he left uncovered. He thought he might understand why Nivix hadn't regrown his arm.

"True," the chemister agreed, rising up to a sitting position. "But what's the point of just healing any injury you ever incur? Sometimes it's good to leave a few nicks and scrapes; they tell stories that regular, whole bodies can't!"

"I suppose," Roe said uncommittedly, "once I was in a trap as a fox and a man cut my tail off! It really hurt so I grew it back and put a spell on him..." Roe smiled as he recalled the tricks he'd played on his unwitting aggressor.

Aen laughed and messed up the little god's hair. "No one can you make you do it, Roe. Sometimes people just like to have reminders. Though perhaps Nivix thought having a metal arm would also be interesting."

"Also that, yes." Nivix nodded enthusiastically, before going back to his work.

"Well, if you get it fixed up, feel free to join us. I need to go a few rounds with Roe, but the more people he can practice fighting, the better."

"Yes I want to train now!" Roe yelled and bounced around Aen excitedly.

"Yeah, yeah, sure." Waving his hand dismissively, Nivix rose up and walked to the edge of the Battlegrounds, where he could work in peace. "I'll join you once I've got this hunk of junk back up and working."

Aen drew his blade, careful not to hit Roe. He was glad to see the child in such high spirits. "Alright, we don't start til we enter, got it?"

"Okay," Roe replied with his best attempt at a serious expression and he followed Aen to the Battlegrounds. "Will it hurt if I get hit?" he asked.

Aen shrugged. "I don't know that yet. Never used this place. You can go back and ask Nivix if you want."

"I think he's busy," Roe said with a shrug, "can we have a sword fight first?"

He grinned. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

The pair entered the Battlegrounds and Roe brought out his sword with a mischievous grin, "I'm going to cut your butt off!" he chortled.

"I certainly hope not. I'd be a laughing stock of gods and mortals alike." He drew his second sword. "I guess I'd better not hold back on you then."

"I won't beat you too hard," Roe laughed and held his sword before him, facing Aen across the arena. "Can we fight now?" he asked.

"Bring it."

Without any further warning, Roe leapt at Aen with Skye held high, aiming for the upper half of the elder god's body.

A little surprised at Roe's outright attack, Aen brought up one sword to block, turning into it and swinging at his opponent.

Roe bounced off Aen's timely block and landed on his feet. He bounced back and held his sword defensively again.

"You are quick!" he exclaimed.

"And you've got a lot to learn!" Aen feigned with his left-handed sword and swept at Roe's feet with his leg.

Roe leapt over Aen's leg and skipped around his fellow god, taking a few steps back. He stuck out his tongue at Aen.

"Ha ha, you can't get me!" he taunted.

Aen grinned. "You're just too tiny, is all."

Roe's smirk dropped and he pointed an accusing finger at Aen.

"It's not me that's too tiny, it's you that's too big!" He bounced forward again and aimed this time for Aen's legs, hoping to cut his opponent down to size.

"Of course you would do that," he said with a laugh. He swung for Roe's sword, hoping to throw the child's grip off balance.

Aen's blow hit Skye hard and almost knocked the weapon out of Roe's hands, he was thrown to the side and skid along the dusty ground but managed to hold on to his blade. He leapt up and found himself staring at Aen from the side. A grin spread across his face and he threw himself at the elder god, his sword aimed squarely at Aen's backside.

Aen didn't move quite in time, and ended with a nasty cut along his rear. "You little--!" He brought both swords down on the little brat.

"Ha ha, I cut your...." Roe started but he never finished his sentence as Aen brought down both his swords at once upon the young god. He deflected one blade but the other cut deep into his shoulder, steel biting deep into the bone. Roe fell back with a cry, tears filling his eyes.

"You alright, Roe? It seems this place only numbs the pain, not removing it completely." He felt an itch as the area began healing his wound already. He supposed that meant the fight counted as over.

"Ouch, that hurt!" Roe cried, clutching his bleeding shoulder in horror. The pain quickly evaporated though as the wound healed itself, leaving the child tear-stained but unharmed.

"Sorry, Roe. I suppose I shouldn't have been so rough. However... other enemies are really going to try to kill you, and it'll hurt even more. You have to be prepared for that if you're going to fight." Aen crouched down to look at the child's wound to make sure it was healing properly before even the clothes covering it were stitched back together. Ren had done a good job making this place. He wondered why Nivix's arm took permanent damage, though.

"It's not fair, I wanted to win," Roe pouted as Aen checked his wound, though his sulkiness evaporated as quickly as the pain when he remembered the fight, "I did get to cut your butt though, even if it didn't fall off," he added with a grin.

"Yeesh. I didn't think you would actually try to do that too."

"You're funny Aen," Roe laughed, he wiped away the last of his tears and pulled himself to his feet. "That was a good fight, next time I'll win though."

"The more practice you get, the better you'll be. So I don't doubt it... if you train enough that is."

"I'm going to become the best hero anywhere," Roe replied, "just wait, one day,"

 

[Arrogancy]

Spoiler: Peace Talks: Part 1- Bad Blood and Other Divine Diseases

After several moments, Vantric felt like he had mapped out the meeting well enough. There were certain obstacles to overcome, certain people to placate, and certain lies necessary to tell, but he thought he could pull it off. Now then, all he had to do was wait for the meeting...

Then he rethought that position. He and M'endar had a basic strategy in hand, and a plan to put in motion. Waiting until Cassiel decided to summon them all only gave their enemies the advantage. Well, if Cassiel wanted peace, then they would get it in a meeting set on his terms. A telepathic message went out to every god. I am calling a meeting at the Hallowed Court. All are invited to attend, and indeed, encouraged to do so. We will be discussing matters of paramount importance to all of us.

There, hopefully that would be enough to draw the others. With a nod to M'endar, he teleported to the Court, waiting for the others to arrive.

M'endar followed Vantric's lead, to the Court. Even though it was a little nervous about the meeting. It wasn't that most of the gods would be there, it was because of what may happen because of the number of gods in the same room and what may result from that. It went over the plan it and Vantric had gone over as it awaited the others. Vantric had made the first step, now it was up to M'endar to take the second.

There was a sound of thunder and flash of fire, and then Nivix stood in the meeting hall, his arm finally repaired and his injuries healed. "Van, M'ender."

M'endar nodded, but still stood in its place, "Glad you could come, Nivix. I hope you enjoyed the past celebration."

Vantric turned toward the explosion, and the mad scientist that it brought. "Nivix. A pleasure, as always." He went forward to shake the god's hand, his real one. He took careful note of the mechanical limb. So, that's what he was making... "I'm glad you could attend."

Roe sat quietly on a wall of the Battlegrounds, thinking back over how his training with Aen had gone. Suddenly he heard a voice booming in his ears. He recognised it as Vantric and remembered the meeting that had been called the day before. He got up and leapt back over to the meeting hall, landing with a crash in front of the other gods.

Melanthios stopped in his track, the meeting was called after all. He put on his new hat, and glanced at it. It looked quite weird, but if that is the way he wanted it. He appeared besides Vantric, and simply nodded at him. He had a strange purple, orange top hat on his head. He looked around the room, and said "Greetings to all of you."

"Roe, Melanthios." M'endar said as it nodded, "Glad to see you, brothers."

"Hello," Roe said brightly to his elder gods and let out a cry when he saw Melanthios. He ran up to the elder god and gave him an affectionate hug.

It was strange that Vantric had been the one to call the meeting. He thought that it had been Cassiel's idea. Still, he would go. He stepped through the meeting hall's doors and looked around for Zareth. He was disappointed not to find him and so instead walked over and stood around Nivix.

Vantric nodded in greetings toward all the new arrivals. People were attending. The wrong people. Nivix, Roe, these were not the people he had planned to speak with. He had expected that the more partisan members of the pantheon would arrive soonest, having the best interest in the situation, but then, perhaps his vagueness had been counterproductive in that. Well, nothing to do about it now.

At that moment, Aen arrived. Vantric gave a slight smile. Perhaps things would pick up a bit now.

Melanthios placed his arms around Roe, as he smiled brightly. "I am very happy to see you again Roe. How have you been?" He asked sounding excited lowering himself on one knee.

"It's good to see all of you." Vantric said.

M'endar nodded again as Aen arrived, "It has been a long time, welcome."

"Yeah, yeah," Nivix replied, waving to the various gods that had gathered. "Now, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are we talking about here?"

Aen nodded at Vantric's smile, and again at M'endar's welcome, though his mind was elsewhere. It wasn't like Zareth to not show up early for this kind of thing. He began to think of leaving to go look for him, but thought that the god would have called for him if he'd needed him.

It let out a simple word in reply to Nivix, "Peace."

"I did training with Aen and we had a fight and I cut his butt in half!" Roe replied to Melanthios with a mischievous grin, "though he did win the fight," he added.

"Ah, yes, the reason we are here." Vantric said in response to Nivix, pacing about the room. He nodded as M'endar gave the simple response. "Yes, peace. I believe it's something we all wish and I wish to help author it's existence."

"Peace?" Nivix tilted his head to the side, an expression of utmost confusion creeping across his visage. "Why the hell do we want peace?"

Melanthios nodded smiling excited, he then moved his hand to Roe's head and began turning his hair into a mess. "I am sure you will be able to win next time."

"Peace for peace's sake." M'endar said, puzzled, "Surely that is not a bad thing?"

"..." That response was...unexpected, but then, he was dealing with Nivix. Vantric let out the slightest sigh he could. "Because we are destroying ourselves, and for what purpose? Eliminating one threat is something I believe we can all agree with, but the destruction of so many? So soon? No, this only highlights the need for peace."

"Eh, fair enough. I can see the need to talk about a few limits when it comes to killing people off." Nivix paused for a moment, his eyes locked on Melanthios. "But full-blown peace? Yeah, I get the feeling that's not going to happen."

"I'm going to win lots of fights, you'll see," Roe replied as Melanthios rustled his hair and he turned his head to listen to the debate between Vantric and Nivix.

Vantric suppressed the desire to nod in agreement with Nivix, instead pursing the diplomatic response. "We can at least be somewhat optimistic." He said, "If we make no effort to peace, we might as well destroy ourselves now."

"Is that an option?" Nivix perked up at Vantric's "suggestion". "Because that might actually get some stuff done."

Vantric's previous response was more eloquent to be sure, nevertheless, the next one was somewhat lacking. It was best now to speak in simple terms so that the words may not be twisted. But Nivix had clearly gotten the wrong idea. "Nivix, we are not talking about rigid laws here, but a simple agreement. Go destroy yourself if you wish, if you feel a simple agreement is too restricting."

"No." Vantric said. Dealing with Nivix was like...Dealing with Nivix, he supposed. There was no more apt comparison.

Melanthios smiled one more to the child god, before standing up. "I regret my actions of the past, all I seek now is peace. I do not wish to hurt someone again." He said sounding apologetic. It seems Nivix is as crazy as ever.

"Fine, fine," the madman muttered, a little disappointed. Resisting the urge to kick at a non-existent rock, Nivix reclined against the wall, crossing his arms. "Let's hear your proposition then."

"Peace until the bell tolls the end of two ages." M'endar said with a wave of a hand, "As simple as that."

"I think we should all be nice to each other and not kill people unless they do something really bad," Roe added to the discussion.

Aen coughed to cover over his laughter from Nivix's shenanigans, though it died in his throat when he heard Melanthios speak up. He resisted the urge the stare daggers through him as he listened to Vantric proposal.

"It's simple," Vantric began, glad that he was beginning to get a hearing, "We make a simple agreement. Anyone who breaks the peace is an outlaw, to be hunted and brought to trial before the rest of us." He added to M'endar's suggestion.

"That sounds like a good deal, I agree with it." He said nodding, he wondered when his hat would show its true form.

"Two ages, huh?" Stroking his chin, Nivix considered the idea. If they all agreed to not fight for that long, and assuming that people actually stuck to their promises... Well, it'd certainly keep people around for a while, in any case.

Of course, that was the problem. Assuming the best of people, especially when they were gods, rarely worked out. "I don't think I've got much of a problem with the basic idea," the chemister stated. "But what happens if an entire faction decides to break the agreement?"

"And what exactly are we defining as 'peace?'" Aen's fingers clenched. If only they'd made this deal earlier.

"A trial?" Roe asked with trepidation, he knew about trials from his time spent among the Rowan. "That sounds boring, why can't we fight gods who do bad stuff?"

Aen was acting strange, and strange feelings rose up from inside M'endar. But with Nivix's words, they were brushed aside. It looked to Vantric to come up with the answer. Nevertheless, there were other things to address. M'endar said to them, "Then they are all outlaws? Why are you asking this?" It stroked its chin and turned to Aen, "Peace as in no one attacks each other."

"Oh, and one more thing." Nivix extended his artifical limb, pointing a single finger at Melanthios' chest. "Mel and I are going to have a little stand-off, once he gets back up to full power, anyways."

"I will be the first to admit that this deal is not to my taste." Vantric said, steepling his fingers. "If an entire faction breaks the agreement then the others will be obligated to destroy them. Our current factions only number so many, and they are made up of individuals. There are cases that must be addressed on their own merits. What qualifies as breaking the peace? What are the circumstances? We cannot plan for every possible eventuality, only create basis on which we might rest peacefully for a time before letting the lid off of things. The point of the trial is the debate of the circumstances, which we can do at length after such an event has happened."

Melanthios looked at Nivix. "If that is what you wish, I will fight you. Just name a place and a time." He said sounding calm.

"And what defines an attack? Affecting another's mortal race? Your race attacking theirs? Direct confrontation? How will it all balance out?" Aen shook his head. "Peace is a great thing to strive for, but it's too broad a term for something like this."

"Again, what I say when I mean this deal is not to my liking." Vantric said, "We will limit 'peace' to mean a direct conflict between gods, as that is what my principle concern is. We cannot stop mortals from quarrelling, as mortals are wont to do. And we cannot stop from interevening in their lives, but that is where our battles should be fought, with mortals, not with each other."

M'endar sighed, must there be definitions and conditions. Peace. It was a simple thing. Were they fishing for terms? It reminded M'endar of the Devils, and their way with contractions and legal documents. It turned to Vantric and said, "Surely we must write these conditions down, like, say a Writ of Peace. There will be never be satisfaction."

"I can do that." Vantric said, then rubbed his chin for a moment, thinking, "Better yet, I know just the group of people to do that. Hold that thought." He teleported away, then returned a moment later with a group of ten devils all of which held parchment and pens. "These are some associates of mine, they will be writing down our terms for peace and keeping the minutes of this meeting starting," He looked to the devils, "Now." He pointed to them and they began writing.

Heh, that I can do." Striding forward the chemister allowed a broad smile to stretch across his face. "I'll go ahead and make us a nice little battlefield right after this, alright? No traps, no tricks, just an empty world where we can go all out without worrying about mortals or treaties."

Nivix came to a stop just in front of Melanthios, and extended his hand. "We start the instant you get your strength back. 'Kay?"

Roe groaned when the other gods kept talking over him using long words, he stamped his feet on the ground impatiently.

Melanthios' hat began moving a bit, it seemed like Daare wanted to join in with the conversation. He sighed as he placed the hat on the floor, he wondered how the others would react. He then smiled at Nivix, as he shook his hand. "It will be fun 'lab partner' but if you use that arm, I will also use an item, just a warning."

Aen turned toward Roe, who he'd been avoiding due to his proximity to Melanthios. "My apologies Roe. Say what you wish to say."

The hat started moving, and suddenly a figure stood up, wearing the hat. "Hi, I'm Daare, god of strawberries. Anyone want some madness?!"

"Call me that again," Nivix replied as he shook Melanthios' hand, a grin still stretched across his face, "and I'll rip your head off. And don't worry about the arm; I'll remove it just for you."

"Why do we have to write boring rules?" Roe asked Aen, "I don't want to follow any stupid idiotic stuff that people have written!"

Cassiel flashed into the meeting hall with a blaze of light. He had been late but it wasn't a huge problem. The meeting was probably still not past introductions. He let out a sigh and said "Excuse my lateness, some business had to be attended to. "

Vantric had scarcely returned when another god had arrived. It seemed this was the source of the strange power he had felt earlier. The figure reminded him of someone, but he couldn't quite place it. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Vantric." He extended his hand to the one called Daare.

Cassiel casually walked over to Seith's old seat and asked. "What has been discussed so far?"

"You make a good point, Roe." He looked over to Vantric. "And to those of us who do not agree to these rules? What about them?"

Melanthios grinned brighty. "I would like to see you try chemist. I might not look it, but I am stronger then you think."

Daare took Vantric's hand. "Hi, I messed up a bit. I'm the god of Madness, Daare, born in the Cage of Doves. How are you doing?"

"Oh, undoubtedly. So let's make it a fight to remember, eh?"

"The deal is compulsory." Vantric said definitively, taking his hand back from Daare. "I would like it to only apply to those of us currently here in agreement, but given the nature of what we discuss, I must insist that it be all-encompassing." He then processed what Daare had said, "Wait, what?" He turned back to the mad god.

So this was Cassiel, the 'bright one'. He reminded M'endar of Seith and sat in Seith's old seat and radiated the same sort power, yet different. M'endar ignored the newcomer and went to the other one, "Welcome, please have a seat."

Melanthios grinned. "I have just the thing we can use to make the fight even more impressive. If you are interested that is." They were still shaking hands, it was like it was a competition who would release their hand first.

Nivix was more than happy to keep his hand moving. "Oh? What's that then?"

"That's stupid!" Roe cried in reply to Vantric's answer, he stamped his feet on the ground again, "I don't want to follow rules and no-one should be forced to do anything!"

Vantric was looking at him, asking him what he had said. "I'm the god of madness, born in the Cage of Doves. I'm the son of Maskelyne, apparantly. How are you?" He turned to the other people, and stopped at Nivic. "Hi Nivix!" He looked back at Vantric. "Did you hear this time?" He then noticed another god. "Hi, thanks."

Melanthios responded still shaking his hand. "Something the Dues Filli are working on right now. You will have to see for yourself, once they are done building them."

"Compulsory...? Unfortunately, Vantric, that's just not something I can agree with. I'm with Roe on this one."

"Hi Daare!" Nivix shot back in reply. "How's it going?"

Turning back to Melanthios: "'Them'? Now you're just being intentionally vague, aren't you, you cheeky bastard?"

Daare answered Nivix. "I'm fine, thank you! How are you?! Did you do something fun?!"

Melanthios smiled even brighter. "Wasn't I always Nivix? And won't the curiosity fuel your passion even more?"

"Then we shall debate it." M'endar turned to Aen, "It can be a simple arrangement, or complex one. Your choice."

"I...uh." Vantric was rarely at a loss for words. Maskelyne, now that was a name that Vantric hadn't heard for a long, long time. "I'm well." He said simply. It was best to leave the mad alone so long as they weren't killing anyone or messing things up. He instead turned back to Roe and his objections. "Would you prefer death instead? That is our only alternative. I wish it were otherwise, but alas, it isn't. Peace or death. Rules or oblivion. It's the only choice we have."

"Cassiel and I beat the crap out of each other! It was pretty enjoyable!" The chemister shouted over his shoulder. "Heh, fair enough, Melanthios. I guess I only have to wait a couple thousand years, right?"

"Hey Nivix, how's the hands?" Casisel yelled over jokingly. The whole ordeal seemed as if it was going over interestingly. Nivix was certainly more calm now. That was good.

Melanthios nodded. "Have fun with that Nivix." He said as he released his hand. He then walked over to Roe, and placed his hand on his shoulder.

Aen sighed. "I didn't want to have to do this." Aen walked over and tapped Nivix on the shoulder.

Since Vantric had turned to a smaller god, Daare turned his attention towards Nivix again. "You did? How odd? Who is Cassiel?" then decided to look around, see if he could something interesting. He knew it had been a meeting, but it seemed chaotic. Not that he minded.

Nivix stared at Melanthios' retreating back for a moment, before jumping when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, hey Aen. Wassup?"

Spoiler: Peace Talks: Part 2- Of Endings and Carpets

"That's not true," Roe cried indignantly in reply to Vantric, "We don't need rules to stop fighting, we just need to be nice to each other like me and Melanthios and M'endar and Zareth and Petal are!"

"According to Vantric, if you don't agree to this deal of theirs, they'll just kill us. Now how does that sound to you?" Aen said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Calm yourself Roe, please just for a moment." He said looking at him, he then turned to Vantric. "I will talk to him Vantric, there is no need to concern yourself with Roe."

Another of the gods had yelled, and Daare answered: "It sounds like this is about to get really interesting!" He then added; "But killing gods isn't a good thing!"

Vantric couldn't hold back a sigh. Roe might be a god, he might be as old as any of them, but he was still a child and thought with a child's mind. "But what would happen if you stopped being nice to each other?" Vantric asked, trying to deal with the child. "Now then, were that to happen-" He was cut off by Aen loudly claiming something. That cunning bastard.

"I never said anything of the sort." Vantric countered. "I said that everyone should be bound by the deal we make today, both in obligations and protections. Were it otherwise, then the deal would have no force."

"Gotta be honest, that sounds like a pretty crap deal." Nivix stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, trying to decide on the best choice of words. "Forcing someone into something against their will, and then killing them just because they don't like it? Yeah, pretty sure that's kind of the worst thing ever."

M'endar sighed again, this was going nowhere. "Peace is a 'crappy' deal?"

"Nope, just a boring one."

"He's being mean though," Roe replied to Melanthios while giving a thankful glance to Aen, "It's not fair, I don't want to do what he says!"

Of course. Vantric thought, Dealing with Nivix.

Melanthios took a seat before Roe. "Roe would you call us two friends?" He asked petting the head of the young god.

Stretching, Nivix attempted to further explain his views. "You seriously expect everybody to just get along thanks to a few words and regrets? Heh, and they call me crazy. Conflict's a part of life; it's impossible to fully get rid of it."

"It is possible to reduce it though." M'endar said in reply to Nivix's remark.

Cassiel coughed and tried to get his point out. "Need I remind you all, why we are here?" Cassiel walked over to the middle of the room and made a small star model as an example. "When I was born and a god sealed, this was happening to what seems to be keeping the mortals alive." The star began to flicker and dim, seeming more unstable. "Fixing it wasn't simple, ask Roe about that one. These deaths are threatening to rip the universe apart. Promising death to those who disobey the rules will only cause problems."

"I'm a practical deity, Nivix." Vantric said, addressing the mad god...The first mad god. "I don't expect this deal to last any longer than the day it states, but isn't that some victory in itself? If we can save ourselves destruction for a time, isn't that worth pursuing?"

"Then you're not looking for peace," Nivix replied, turning on M'ender with a grin. "You're just looking for less violence."

"Peace, less violence." Vantric waved a hand, "I'm not particularly picky."

"Of course," Roe cried, "I like you Melanthios, you like me don't you?"

"If that is what is regarded as 'peace', then yes." M'endar said with a grin to match Nivix's.

Melanthios smiled brightly. "I like you a lot Roe, you are among my favorite gods. Now would you attack a friend Roe? You wouldn't right, I mean who would attack a friend?"

"And you wish to buy this peace with threats you can't back up." Aen strode to the center of the room and looked around. "Who here would kill me for trying to prevent anyone from being bound to this contract, by force, under the threat of death? Go ahead, be honest."

Daare realized he didn't have much of a presence, as most of the gods already had issues with each other, and were friends as well. He went up to Melanthios, and the small god, but he didn't say anything. Just watching, it seemed odd to him. They seemed to be further away from peace rather than closer. "Wouldn't it be better if people calmed down? I know madness when I see it, and this is pretty akin to that," he told Melanthios. He then smiled to the small god.

"Eh, fair enough," the chemister replied, trying to keep both Vantric and M'ender's conversations straight. "But I'm gonna have to disagree with you, Van. Destruction isn't something to be feared or discouraged. Not in the slightest. True, I will never, EVER, support killing or sealing away a god, not peremently anyways. But damage, destruction, loss? These are vital elements to immortals and mortals alike."

"Nor are my domains, Nivix. We only wish a lull, that is all." M'endar responded.

"A lull in destruction? Then what's the point of creation?" Nivix refused to let the issue drop.

"No, I wouldn't hurt a friend, that would be mean," Roe replied to Melanthios. He saw a strange god smiling at him and returned the smile, though he was focused on his brother god.

"Who has issued a threat here?" Vantric said, responding to Aen. "I certainly didn't. I said that we needed peace. I said that we should be bound to a deal to peace, and I said that I wanted everyone here to help construct that. You were the one to speak of the threat of force, I spoke only of compulsion. The difference is not lost on the learned in this room. I appreciate that this deal is far from palatable, but it is preferable to nothing."

"Two sides of the same coin, destruction and creation. Took me a while to figure it out, but I got in the end," the madman continued, a cheeky smile on his face. "If there's no risk, then the action is pointless, meaningless. Doing something with 100% chance of success? Tch, boring as hell."

M'endar thought about it a bit. "Would you want this place to end up the same as the land beyond the portal?"

Listening to Nivix's response, Vantric considered his own position again. "So long as we agree on the principle point of peace for the moment, I couldn't care less about the details." Vantric said. "You want chance, you want destruction? Do as you will, but I will be looking after my own existence as long as possible."

"Well there you have it. Now why wouldn't you attack a friend? I mean there is no rule that says that. But you sill do it, that is because there is an unspoken rule. This will be one of these unspoken rules, and besides." He leaned in closer. "All the baddies are dead there is no need to fight anymore." He took his head back a bit smiling. He then looked up at Daare. "Some people have some emotions bottled up, better to let them out now to make sure they don't cause problems later." He was still smiling.

"Yes. Yes I do." Nivix strode up to M'ender, his expression shifting to one of the utmost seriousness.

"Can you imagine it? This world going on forever and ever, without end? Is that truly what you want? If something is to have a point, to have meaing, then it must have an ending."

M'endar noted that response down mentally. But outwardly it raised its voice and said, "And there it is. Now, who else wants this place to end up the same as the land beyond the portal?"

"If it was an... eh... unspoken rule, then it might not be so bad, "Roe intoned to Melanthios, "but Vantric was saying he wanted to write down rules that we'd have to follow!"

Aen shrugged. "The universe will end some day, just as the one before ours did. That seems to be just the way it is."

They were loud, and it seemed to be as Melanthios had said. However, he didn't like all the sound, not when they were fighting like this. He already had enough noise in his head, more fighting only made it worse. "I don't like this," he told Melanthios. "Why won't people be silent?"

"The universe will end, as will the sun and all the stars. Perhaps even we ourselves." Vantric conceded, "But is that the same as deciding that we should end our existence so soon? Is the end truly what makes the journey?"

Nivix only needed one word for his reply. "Yes."

Melanthios smiled at the god. "What are a few words put together Roe? You will never see that paper again, so just put your name on it. It will all be fine, I promise." He then turned to Daare again. "People always want to voice their own opinions Daare, I am sorry that it is this loud. If you want you can have these earplugs." He said offering him 2 purple ear plugs.

"I don't know..." Roe replied, Melanthio's explanations had only made the young god more confused. He remembered Aen's advice on the battlefield the day before and straightened himself up, looking Melanthios firmly in the eye.

Daare shook his head. "It's not the sound. It's... well, something. Something, something something. So thanks, but no thanks. You wanna ride my carpet?" He waited for a short moment, it flowing through the hall and right by his hand. He then jumped on it. "I think it's better a bit higher up. Not that... dark. Weird? Stuffed?"

"I had thought it might be the voyage itself." Vantric replied. It was tough arguing with the madgod. First madgod. Damnit, why did Daare have to be mad as well? It made characterising Nivix slightly more difficult. "If we only exist to end, then why exist at all? If our lives are all about the end rather than the journey we embark on, then what is the point of living? Is it merely the interlude for the pinnacle experience which gives us meaning?"

"Heh, well Van, that's an easy one!" Nivix stretched his hands up towards the ceiling, barely resisting a laugh as he continued to explain. "It's so that, when it's all said and done, we can tell the best story anyone's ever told! The end is what gives existence meaning, but it's the existence that's the interesting bit in the first place!"

Melanthios looked up at Daare, "How about later Daare? I understand if this is a bit much, but leaving right now would be rude for me. I will join you later though, and we can have another carpet ride if you want." He then turned back to Roe. "If you don't want to Roe then don't. I am sure the other gods are fine with you not singing one stupid paper." It was important to keep Roe and Daare calm, if either of them would snap everything could collapse.

"I really like you Melanthios " Roe said firmly, "I can't agree with you though.. I just know that some of the gods will use those rules to make everything boring and they will hurt anyone who breaks one, even if it's a stupid rule."

"I'm not leaving, I'm simply trying to go up." He pointed at the ceiling. He thought about it slightly, but put a hand on his head, and frowned. "I'll be watching from up there." The carpet took Daare higher up, to a place where he could watch it without his head hurting... no, buzzing so much.

They had missed the point. Wasn't the land beyond the dark portal a place akin to the stuff of nightmares? Had they forgotten the First Folly? M'endar sighed yet again and sat down. They went on about the meaning of things and journeys... All meaningless conjecture. This meeting was meaningless, all was meaningless... Maybe it was time for a more informal approach. It muttered, "Why not have a more general agreement than all of these forms and papers? That is fine."

Melanthios smiled. "You don't always have to agree with me Roe. We are friends, friends can disagree you know." He placed his hand on Roe's head and smiled again. "But you won't attack another god on your own right? I mean why would you?" He then looked up at Daare. "I will be with you after the meeting Daare." He said before looking back at Roe.

Vantric looked over the room. It seemed that things were getting off track. "If I may have your attention!" He called. "Forget about the deals, forget about the contracts, forget about the rules. Can we all merely agree that we will not directly attack each other for at least another age?"

Roe looked at Melanthios and smiled. He then spoke loudly in reply to Vantric's question so everyone in the hall could hear. "I would agree not to fight anyone unless they try to hurt me or any of my friends or anything I like."

Suddenly Vantric had yelled, leaving Daare to watch more interested. It seemed like the god had a clearer purpose now, perhaps easier to decide on. "What is kind of agreement would that be? One bound by honor? By relations?" He didn't yell it, but spoke loud enough to be heard, even from where he was.

"We'll base this pact on faith. We demand it so much of the mortals, we might as well demand some from each other." Vantric responded.

M'endar chuckled and turned to Roe and quietly muttered, "Exactly."

Daare let the carpet take him a bit closer. "Sounds like a wild idea, might be fun." He then laughed. However, he suddenly stopped, and added: "And I wouldn't like to hurt anyone either way, because it hurts to be hurt."

Melanthios stood up pleased. "I agree with peace as well, and it seems no one objects." It seemed he would be safe for now.

Aen suddenly spoke up. "Hold on. Since we're all gathered, how about some payment for past crimes?"

Melanthios looked at Aen. "It seems you still seek a fight. Why can't you simply let go off your anger?" He sounded saddened.

"If you'd been able to let go of yours, there would be a lot fewer dead deities." Aen shot back.

M'endar just lowed its head and said, "We have agreed to peace, but at the moment we do, you break it. Is that not a crime?"

"Besides," Aen grinned. "It would be good to practice a trial for later wrongs."

Roe walked over to Aen and put his hand on the elder god's knee. "Please don't fight Melanthios, I like both you,"

Melanthios looked at Aen. "I know and I know I was wrong. But talking about the past it useless right now. Let us embrace this new agreement, and bury the hatchet. Won't you agree to that Aen? A fresh start?" He stretched out his hand.

Daare flew above Aen, and stared at him. "Why would that have any merit? The past should stay the past, lest it'll be the future." He looked at the saddened Melanthios. He was referring to past events, things the god had done. Melanthios had spoken, and Daare nodded. "Leave it be."

Vantric began rubbing his temples. As soon as something gets accomplished, another problem emerged. "Can justice not wait at least another age?" He asked. "We've only just agreed to peace, do you expect to maintain it with violence? Can you not compromise? Melanthios will report for his sentence after the peace ends. It's a leap of faith, but then, so is this entire enterprise."

Aen looked down at Roe, then back up at Melanthios. "Fine. Give Amour to Zareth, and I will not seek any further retribution. You do not profit from their deaths, but you take no further punishment upon yourself. I think that is fair."

Melanthios nodded. "I will talk to Zareth after this is done. He is a very busy god, but as soon as he has time I will offer him Amour."

Vantric thought over the situation. "If we agree to this, then who gets Amour? Do you? Do I? Roe? Nivix? Forgive me my paranoia, but my faith and goodwill only stretches so far."

Aen nodded, then turned to Vantric. "Zareth will get it."

Melanthios had a feeling, he would be able to talk Zareth into letting him keep it. He was sure that Zareth wouldn't want such a thing, because of where it came from. But if he respectfully refused, then hopefully Aen would finally shut his mouth of 'justice'.

Daare got closer to Melanthios. "Is that one god bothering you?" he pointed at Aen. "Do you want me to help you out? I'll not be mean or silly."

Melanthios shook his head. "I made an error for which I will have to pay. Thank you for the offer friend, but this is something I have to do."

Vantric thought about Zareth, trying to think about everything he knew about the death god. He was friendly enough, if not a serious ally. Likely he could work with him. It wasn't the worst possible outcome. Not the best, but far from the worst. "This sounds fair."

M'endar looked with Vantric, holding in another sigh, and finally a small smile formed on the face. Zareth was an ally and a friend to Melanthios and as well as to the rest of the group. It had been hard, but it had succeded. The gods had agreed to lay their arms for one age. But the question was dealing with the others. Then it let out the sigh, "Is it sorted then?"

Aen sighed, though not in disappointment. He felt like he might be able to let his hatred go, at least a little. "Then I agree. I will not attack anyone directly unless they do otherwise for an entire age, and more if it can be helped."

Roe let out a smile of relief as it seemed his friends would not be fighting each other after-all. "What about the gods not here though?" he asked the others.

"We will have to talk to them." M'endar said, giving the simplest reply.

"They can be dealt with as much as possible. But, with so many already in agreement they can do little but token opposition." Vantric said. They had done it. It had been hard, almost pointlessly so, but it had been enough. "We have peace then."

"For now, at least." It said as it slowly walked towards the end of the hall.

Melanthios nodded. "It is settled then, might the peace last forever." As if He then turned to Daare and Roe. "Daare, how would you feel about taking Roe with us on the trip? I am sure that he would like it, and there is nothing wrong with making new friends right?"

Daare nodded, and lowered the carpet. "You want to come along?" he asked Roe.

"Okay!" Roe replied eagerly, still interested in who the new god was. "Where are we going?"

Melanthios took a seat on the carpet. This would be very interesting, and he was sure Daare and Roe would get along.

"Melanthios told me about his liberary, and I want to go there! We could also go look at the sun again." He smiled. "If I didn't say it, I'm Daare, god of madness, nice to meet you, Roe."

"That's a funny name, though I do have a friend called Petal," Roe replied before adding, "I'm Roe, the Child of Chaos."

Melanthios looked at them both, they were quite a bit alike. "Let's go Daare, show Roe how fast your carpet can go." He said sounding exited.

Okay! Keep everything inside the carpet, and prepare for a lot of flashing lights!" They flew up, and out of the room, to the sky. Daare laughed, like he often did, and made a few loops for no other purpose than fun.

Aen waved goodbye at Roe. "See ya, kid. Have fun." Then he turned back to Vantric. "I will go and tell Zareth of what happened here. I leave the others up to you or whoever you appoint." Then he walked out and left for the cold reaches of Salustis.

Vantric watched Aen leave, thinking back on his words before sighing. Now he had to tell everyone else who didn't attend what had happened, then trying to convince them of its validity. It sounded so fun. A shadow stretched forward, carrying the dark god away. He had ever more work to do.

A cold voice spoke within Melanthios' head That is one more problem dealt with. Some people are just far too predictable. He smirked as he flew away.

 

[Floris2123]

Akladai 3AP

Akladai moved the scythe in his hand, he was smiling as the felt its power. "And now on to phase two of the plan." He muttered to himself as he left the room, and locked it behind himself. He teleported to his private study, hidden inside a mountaintop on Salustutis. He grabbed a few books, and quickly reread a few pages. "This should work, now to find some candidates. " He teleported into the capitol, disguised as an high ranking Striga. He knew there was a group of priests nearby, they were perfect for what he had in mind.

He walked towards the priests, and reached into space. He took Amour and the Orb of infinity from his younger brother. The priest were in the middle of their prayers, they were praying to him right know. He grabbed Amour and the orb of infinity, he slowly began playing music. The music filled the room, the orb began to form new ideas and those were carried along by the tunes of the music. He then stood up and walked away, his ideas transferred to his newest guild. He then teleported both of the artifacts, he was sure either Valerie or Maeglin could use it. Finally he placed the scythe inside the church, he was sure one of them was worthy of using it.

Spoiler: Actions

Inspiring 250 monks to create a new branch within their faith.
Usage: 3AP
Difficulty: 9
Domains: Music +2 (The medium which he uses to speak about his ideas) Creation+2 (The creation of new ideas) + 4 Forbidden knowledge (His knowledge about brainwashing people)

Maeglin 2AP

Maeglin returned home to find a new letter on his throne. It was strange to receive two letters on the same day, but he didn't mind at all. The two artifacts were grabbed by his brother, but he was sure he would get them back soon enough. He opened the letter and began reading it, his face turned white as he dropped the letter. "What?... Why? " He stepped back and hit the wall with his back. He then lowered himself until he was sitting, staring at the letter in disbelief.

"But why does he want me to do that? " He slowly lifted the letter again and reread it. It talked about a weapon of mass destruction, capable of destroying entire cites....no countries at once. He then reread the letter, and slowly it began to make sense to him. "So its for defense...Just like Goliath. It's for keeping people outside...and making sure they leave us alone. " He sighed relieved as he ripped the letter apart, and then unmade it. "I knew you wouldn't ask me to do such a thing father. " He said standing up as he smiled. Suddenly the two items of power appeared in front of him, he picked them up smiling.

He ordered the 500 best and most trustworthy Dues Filli scientists to meet him. Once they had all gathered around him at the table, wondering why they had been asked to gather, he stood up. "Greetings gentleman, I have gathered you here today to speak about an idea. " He picked up Amour and the orb smiling, using this was almost too easy. He began playing a new song, one his father had written for him. "I wish for all of you, to make an weapon of unforeseen power. " He finished his song, and the eyes of the scientist before him were empty. "I will leave you know gentleman, take all the time you need. " He walked away smiling, his father would be proud.

Spoiler: Actions

Inspiring 500 Dues Filli Scientists to design and make a new weapon.
Usage: 3AP
Difficulty: 9
Domains: Music +2 (Using music to light a new passion within them) Creation +2 (Creating a never ending lust for the weapon to be completed) Leadership +4 (Leading a group of scientist to their new destiny.)

 

[Belmarc]

Grix 5/8

Grix roamed through the winter skies of Salustis' frozen reaches. It was a blizzard, and the skies were empty beside him. Even on Evalon, his brothers and sisters rarely flew in weather like this. What an empty thing, a clear sky. Grix decided he did not wish it to be so any longer. Quickly, he flew back to Evalon and circled the mountains, until he finally found what he was looking for. She was younger, and sleek, and had scales that shone like pearls. He took her in the usual fashion of dragons, roaring his challenge and diving at her, with her racing away. It wasn't that she didn't want him, but that he had to prove he was worthy enough by catching her. It didn't have to take long, but he made it into a game, rounding on her and then wheeling back, proving that he could at any time. Finally, he clutched her in his talons, and dragged her down out of the sky and into the land. Just before he took her, he breathed in the north wind. Her children would be filled with the cold. They'd need it where they'd be living.

<spoiler=Actions>
Make a variant of dragons, +4 Wind


Aen 14/30, 2/2

Ugh, Grix! Aen thought as he blocked out his link with his partner. Yes, they shared quite a bit of a soul and mind, but that didn't mean he wanted to know exactly what the dragon was up to. Smug bastard is probably trying to hint something at me. Aen sighed aloud and bit his lip. His partner's... mood was definitely effecting him, and he shook his head to clear his thoughts. He figured he'd go check on the Stryfe, and that perhaps the cold would do him some good.

The Stryfe themselves were growing larger all the time. Zareth had certainly made a tough bunch to kill, but that seemed to be his way of doing things, whether he knew it or not. They'd just begun to gain some knowledge in weapons, and that pleased Aen further. He thought he might definitely enjoy this species. They were young, however, and it would be difficult for them to survive much in the way of conflict. Perhaps he could help them out somehow. He snapped a branch off of a tree, taking a moment to be amazed that it could even grow out here, and began shaping it into a bow. He took a piece of his hair and fashioned it into a string, a drop of his blood served for him to draw a single rune upon it. These people may live in the cold, but they had a fierce fire within them to survive in this place. This would let those that burned the brightest make use of it.

<spoiler=Actions>
Create an Epic Mortal Item, +6 Combat +4 Runic

 

[Arrogancy]

Isond: 3

Eventually, Isond made his way out of the forest. The spiders had begun spinning their webs, and would soon spread. There were other spiders that had also been affected by the blessing, those on other continents. It wouldn't be long before all began to fear the Achttoten, the supreme predator. He let his mind drift on his new creations for a moment. Perhaps they could be induced to catch smaller dragons, as regular spiders catch flies. The thought brought a grin to Isond's face. He might need to try to make an eve larger one to catch a particularly annoying fly.

Isond returned to the capital, he let himself be seen, blending into the crowd, adopting the new styles of the time. He wandered the city for a time, admiring all the changes that had taken place. New construction and additions were being made across the city, renovations of some of the more ruined buildings after so many millenia. Outside the city walls, more serious construction was underway, a new quarter of wood and metal to contain the growing population. Dark smoke was rising from new industries being erected. Everything will change soon. Isond thought, travelling through the ancient city, then shook his head, Everything has already changed. Now the only thing to do was wait for that thought to catch up to the rest of the Empire.

Out of curiosity, Isond began visiting all the back-alley hideouts and clandestine meeting places that had been popular in his own time. Sure enough, they were still in use, though it seemed a slow day for intrigue, he had only come across six secret meetings after checking out ten of the locations. Every single discussion was about the same boring, back-stabbing blither that had been the order of the day back when he was still alive. Something needed to happen to these people, something important. A change was needed to meet a change that was coming.

Isond leaned back against one of the buildings, then left behind his corporeal form. He revisited every meeting place, and found every member who was there. Every one of them, he marked with his power, travelling from location to location, until he made it to the final hideaway that he knew of. A dozen lainir officials were cluttered around a small table, glasses in front of them. It seemed they were deep into their discussion. "Now, I can understand what you're saying," Said one richly dressed member of the meeting, "But you're going to need to offer something more...substantial in return."

"I've offered enough for this deal." A robed figure said, rising, "Don't forget, I have a few friends who know quite a bit about your activities with the dwarves."

"Yes, I have a few business partners overseas." The well-dressed figure responded, "It's not a particularly great secret. Oh, that reminds me, did you get your invitation to Lord Gibrin's daughter's funeral? Nasty bit of business that."

There was no change in the position of either lainir, but Isond sensed a greater tension in the room. He couldn't help but roll his eyes at the proceedings. Politics. He thought. If he couldn't get them to stop all the political bickering, he could at least change the subject to something more useful. He went around the table, tapping the mind of each figure before departing.

"My friends." A third figure rose up, "This line of questioning gets us nowhere. I believe it is time to discuss matters of more importance. We should begin considering our relationship with the rest of Evalon, and our own relative position. I think it's time we began pursuing some...aggressive expansion."

Spoiler: Actions

Affect (Bless/Curse/Inspire) a small group (50) lainir to begin shifting the Empire in a more militant direction- DC (7): +4 War (Isond is inspiring them to prepare for war and build up the lainir war industry.)

 

[Terratina.]

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

It strolled out of the hall, leaving the mess behind. It was only a partial success, sure and there were more gods to speak to. But for now, peace. But this wasn't the place for peace, nor for thoughts. M'endar swapped this background for another, a background of underground chambers and obsidian walls. It got out the shards from under the rope and reflected on recent events. M'endar had only wanted Seith out of the picture, and it assumed that it was the same with Vantric and Pentar, and Melanthios and Ailish. But if there were opposition from other sources - opposition that was uncalled for - then that would be have to be dealt with as well. Whether it would be in battle or in debates. The former was more likely, as from the other god's actions it could discern that Nivix was nothing but self-destructive and Aen was twisted by a set of ideals and his lust for battle. Furthermore, they were deluded, deceiving themselves to think the contrary. How ironic. Nevertheless that was enough thinking, now there was peace and now it should rest. It placed the shards back and walked to the more secluded chambers in Umbraculum.

Spoiler: Action(s)/OOC

Teleport to Umbraculum - DC = Effortless

Zs'Wua'Itzala - 0/8 AP

She smiled at her creation and the bewildered look on the dragons' faces, at least they would have a chance now rather than the opposite - being constantly devoured by the winged lizards. But why not tip the scales further? She went to the first broodmother and stroked her. A flock of the smaller males were buzzing about like flies, but Zs'Wua brushed them away. It was funny, she couldn't help but feel a kinship with these creatures. Perhaps it was because of the power given to her - domination over shadow - or maybe because she was simply found these things of shadow interesting. Nevertheless, that was a question for another day. Now, she whispered words to help her focus with the spell. One slip up, and the spell could go wrong, even do the exact opposite of her intentions. Zs'Wua had tasted failure once, she hoped that would be the only time. And with trepidation, she wasted the broodmother in shadow. She whispered into the bat's ear her hopes for the first of the broodmothers, 'You shall be know as Ti'amat, Mother of a Thousand Young and Shadow of the Night for as long as your mortal life allows. May that be a long time indeed...'

Spoiler: Action(s)/OOC

Bless a single mortal for the term of their natural life - DC = 5

- Bless Ti'amat with the ability to fade into the shadows and turn invisible for a limited amount of time.

Bonus(es) - Shadows [+4] (

Giving a blessing of shadow

.)

 

[DarkRawen]

Spoiler: Adventure with Roe, Melanthios and Daare!

They were already fairly high up, when Daare let the carpet slow down a bit. "So, Melanthios, this library? Where is it? I don't think you ever showed me what way it was."

Melanthios nodded. "Here follow this, it will lead you to my library" He said moving his hand. A purple orb of light appeared, which flew in the direction of the library.

Roe pouted at the mention of a library. "Libraries are boring, they're just filled with books," he sighed.

Melanthios laughed. "Not mine Roe, sure it is mostly filled with books. But I also have a workshop there, and many other things too."

Daare used the carpet to follow the orb, as he spoke: "Why would books be boring? They have information about a lot! It's a way of exploring the world!"

"I like exploring the real world," Roe replied, "Are there toys or things to play with there?"

Melanthios nodded. "I have a few of those. And they are quite new, so chances are you have never sen them before."

Daare pouted. "It is the real world!" He set the speed up. "Try being stuck in a cage of doves!" Not that he remembered that. Or did he? "Besides, I've never been there before."

"Okay, I want to see these new toys when we get there," Roe said with a nod and peered over the edge of the carpet to see where they were.

Melanthios nodded. "Sure I am sure you will like them. And what was it like Daare? Being stuck inside such a cage I mean."

"Well..." It was something before he existed, mostly, yet he could remember waiting. A lot of waiting. "It was long, not really exciting. Not anything to explore. Maddening, silent." Was he imagining those feelings? Or had he existed for longer than he thought? Was these even his feelings? "There was no one there, only madness." He suddenly laughed. "And now I'm here, with other gods! Exploring the world!"

"I am guessing you are happy with that?" Melanthios asked Daare.

"Yeah! It's different! And better!" He smiled widely. He then looked at what they were approaching in the distance. Daare couldn't quite make it out. "What is that?" He asked, pointing.

"I would hate being trapped somewhere," Roe commented, looking over to where Daare pointed, "I'm not sure..." he added.

"Its the Hallowed court, my library is just one of the things there. It was original made by Eldarwen, and a lot of other gods then build things in the garden." Melanthios said looking at it.

"Oh yeah..." Roe exclaimed, recognizing the bright star as they flew closer, "I have a house there with my friend Petal," he said proudly

"The Hallowed court? I see. What sort of court is that? Not a court at all, perhaps?" He flew closer, setting up the speed. "I want to see it now! What sort of garden is it?"

He seemed to think. "Just a giant garden, its not really that special. Other then the fact that it is massive it is, and its just called the Hallowed court. There is not actually a court there."

"The garden does have a big portal in the middle where monsters come from," Roe added.

"Monsters?" Daare looked at Roe. "What kind of monsters?"

Melanthios moved his hand, pictures of the first folly appeared. "These kind of monsters, filled with hate, anger and unending hunger. But they are very strong, Allish was one of these."

"Ailish used to be nice before she turned into a monster," Roe said with a sad expression.

Melanthios placed his hand on Roe's shoulder. "Allish was always a monster I am afraid. She just hid it from us, but deep down she was always like that." He looked saddend.

He looked at the pictures. "I know these..." Madness? Yes, indeed, he knew one of them. "Why is madness there?" Daare looked at Melanthios. "Melanthios, why is madness in the pictures?"

Melanthios looked at Daare. "She was one of the beings that attacked us. But your father made her see the light, and married her. But before that she was wild and uncontrollable, and very dangerous too."

"But madness isn't dangerous. Madness is... calm." He stopped talking for a short while, before continuing. "I'm the god of madness. Madness is me as well. Together with Maskelyne. Both of them." Daare let the carpet take them down to the garden, close to the library. "I am both of them."

Melanthios nodded. "That might be true, but you aren't pure madness. She was when she first arrived, she attacked and corrupted everything around her on accident. She had no control over herself, and didn't even know who she was or what she was doing."

"Yeah, she was a monster," Roe added to Melanthios' explanation, "all the monsters tried to kill us, we had to fight back and there was even a god who died."

"I see. This is a bit saddening, honestly." He jumped off the carpet when they were close enough to the ground, and waited for them to do the same. "I'd rather check out the library now. I feel strange. Odd, more than usual." Daare smiled, but there was something solemn in that smile. Still, he kept it up. "Let's go, I've been waiting a long time for this! Several minutes! Years. Decades! Seconds!"

Melanthios nodded. "You are both welcome in my library anytime." He grabbed a key and opened the lock door, he opened it to reveal row after row of books. A few strange looking Dues Filli were reading, most of them seemed very busy. He stepped inside and turned around, "So what do you think Daare, Roe? "

"Where are the toys?" Roe asked curiously, taking in the countless books around him.

"Wow! That's a lot of books! How many stories are there here?!" He also looked at the Dues Filli, how come they were here? And more importantly, were they the kind where one had do wear a disguise? "Melanthios, who are those mortals?" He then asked.

"One of the toys is in that chest over there Roe." He said pointing at a nearby chest, then turning to Daare. "There are currently over a billion books here, probably more. And these mortals have ascended, they are the chosen few who have served me enough to live out there days here." He said, as the Dues Filli around them seemed to notice Melanthios. They all bowed, or showed respect in some other way.

"I see." He looked around, trying to find out what books there were. Over a billion. Daare wasn't sure what a billion was, but it had to be a lot. What kind of book would there be for him? He knew there wasn't a book about him yet. So many books, and most of them were about things he wasn't sure what was. "Amazing!" He then looked over to see what kind of toy Roe would find.

Roe hopped over to the chest and eagerly scrabbled to open it. Once the box was opened he reached in and lifted out what an animal figure made from metal plates. At closer inspection it seemed to be based on a dog.

"What does it do?" he asked the elder gods with a sceptical expression.

"It moves." He said snapping his finger, the dog began to move. And it also began to bark softly, seemingly trying to find something to stand on.

"Ah!" Roe cried as the toy dog suddenly sprung to life and he almost dropped it. He carefully placed it on the ground and watched it walk around with a great deal more interest than he had a few moments before.

"What kind of toy is it that moves?" Daare wasn't sure what the difference was, but he watched as it moved on the floor. It was facinating, yet, a god could make a living creature, was this not the same? "Is it some kind of creature?" he asked Melanthios.

"This is cool," Roe exclaimed, "I wonder if Petal will like it? I don't know because she usually likes furry animals,"

Melanthios nodded. "It is based on a living creature, only then made out of magical stone and a few other materials. And we have a model which has fur, but this is for the people who like dogs but are allergic to fur." He smiled, happy that they liked the toy.

"How strange!" Daare exclaimed, and laughed. Melanthios seemed to be busy at the moment, so he went to over to Roe. He had wanted to ask more about the books, but Roe didn't seem too interested in them. Instead he chose to talk about the toy. "Do you think it would move outside? The toy, I mean? In the grass? Perhaps it could even climb trees?"

"It might, let's try it!" Roe replied with enthusiasm, he just wanted to get back out of the stuffy library. He lead Daare by the hand out into the fresh air.

Daare placed the toy dog on the grass, it moved just as it had inside, barking and making noise. He laughed, it was such a strange creation, and he didn't know why he thought that. Perhaps it was because of the lack of life? His carpet wasn't alive either, but it still moved. He then looked around, which of the trees would be best? "Do you know which tree the toy would like to climb?"

"A short one?" Roe replied with a shrug, "It doesn't have any hands, it must be hard for it to climb. What about that one?" He pointed to a diminutive tree nearby with many wide flat branches.

"Yeah, that might work." He lifted the dog up, ran over to the tree and waited for Roe, before he placed it in the tree. Albeit it had some difficulties, it managed to move on one of the branches. Daare put it on the top, where it moved oddly, only for it to almost fall down. He laughed as he grabbed it. "That was close, I wonder if it could take a fall like that." Daare looked at the toy dog, then at Roe. "Should we test it out?" He jumped on his carpet, and flew up before Roe answered. High up, he yelled: "Do you think it will survive?!"

"Yes!" Roe yelled up from the ground at the elder god, "I bet it'll break to a thousand million pieces if you drop it!"

"Only one way to test that!" He dropped it, and it didn' take long for it to hit the ground. However, when it did, the toy was still in one piece, moving. All that had changed was that one of it's feet didn't move. Daare went down, and looked at it. Like it was now, it was almost pitiful. "What is it doing? Did I break its foot?" He then realized what he had done, rather rashly. "Do you think Melanthios will be angry?" he asked. "Sad?" He looked at the toy again, the barking hadn't stopped either, but it sounded strange.

Melanthios walked out of the library, rubbing his forehead. I guess duty always calls when you least want it to. He looked in the distance to se Daare and Roe looking at the toy, it seemed one of its legs was broken. He sighed to himself and flew over to them. "How did it get damaged?" He asked sounding stern.

"Daare dropped it from his carpet," Roe squeaked, "He didn't even ask me, he just did it!"

Melanthios sounded mad when he asked. "I dropped it from up there," he pointed at the sky. He then flew up, so Melanthios couldn't reach him, should he be even more angry. "I'm sorry." Daare looked at Roe, and nodded. "It was all me."

Melanthios sighed. "Look at you two, you are both gods. Did it never cross your mind that you could repair it?" he looked amused for half a second, before going back to a stern look. He then made a few gestures, and the broken leg began to move again. "But before you go dropping more stuff, next ask me first okay?" He still looked a bit stern.

"Thanks," Roe beamed to the elder gods and picked up the toy again from the ground. "I will!" he added in reply to Melanthios' request.

"But that would have taken too long! Asking you would have cost us several seconds! And it just happened!" Daare didn't come down with the carpet, he instead lay out on it. "So, should we look at the books again?!" He then remembered Roe didn't seem to interested in those. "Or perhaps there is something else we can see?" Daare hesitated a bit, but he then continued. "Like that portal?"

"What if monsters come out again?" Roe gasped, remembering his last visit to the portal many ages back.

Melanthios placed his hand on Roe's head, he smiled at him. He looked up surprised at Daare's suggestion. "I guess we could, but not like this. We need to prepare first, the portal is very dangerous." He then turned to Roe "And wouldn't it be better to see if there are still monsters? I mean isn't that what hero's do?" He asked Roe.

"How would we prepare for that?" Daare asked. "Mentally? Armor? Weapons? Rubber bands?"

"Well all kinds of things. Supplies, information, weapons, companions to name a few." He said looking up at Daare.

"I don't know," Roe replied with a shake, "I am a hero but I really don't want to get eaten by a monster, maybe if you and Daare came it would be okay,"

Daare looked at him, interested. "So it would an adventure?! Why not go as we are now? We're gods, wouldn't we be able to survive?" He sat up on the carpet. "I don't want to wait! Where is the portal?!" Daare then smiled to Roe. "It will be fantastic!"

Melanthios looked at Roe. "Roe I didn't meant going alone, that would be very dangerous and foolish. I meant the three of us, and maybe even more gods who are interested." He then looked at Daare. "Daare a god died fighting those things before. We have no idea how many there are, if they are waiting for us they could kill us in an instant, if we are not prepared."

"I suppose," Roe said with a note of uncertainly in his voice, "Even if some monsters do attack I could cut them up with my sword but if there's too many then it might be hard,"

"There's only one way to find out how many there are. Besides, who is to say all of them are monsters?! We can only find out by exploring!" He looped the carpet, and continued; "I'm not willing to wait for someone else. If they haven't explored it this far, then you won't now either. Perhaps I should just go alone?" He laughed, sounding as mad as he was. "I'd be able to explore so much that is still unexplored!"

Melanthios looked at Daare, he then teleported before him in an instant and looked at him. "Daare please calm down. You can read my books, or explore this universe while we prepare for this trip. I don't want you to, to put yourself in danger like this. Because I won't be able to protect you." He opened his robe, revealing a giant open wound on his chest. "One of them did this to me, one. What do you think 10 of those could do?"

Daare looked at the wound, he had seen that Melanthios was hurt before, but not the wound. "But I would be abl--- I mean---" He frowned, and let out a sigh. He didn't know how to explain his thoughts, they all had rushed to his head. "I want to explore it," he whispered. "Please? I want to see what it is. I want to go there. I need to go there, because I can go there."

Melanthios smiled. "But what would you do if you get there? I could show you many things, and besides isn't going with friends more fun then going alone?"

"But... I want to see it. I... It it is so close, yet far." He got silent. Why did he want to go? Exploring, right? Didn't he want to explore the whole universe? "I'm sorry, I apologize. I'm not sure... Perhaps going isn't such a good idea. I don't want to die."

Roe watched the conversation between the two elder gods from the ground below and decided to teleport himself up to listen in better. He landed on the carpet besides the others.

"Let's make sure we are ready before we go, I don't want to be killed either!" he enthused.

"How about we explore it once we are ready? I propose waiting a while longer, a few ages maybe. Because then we will be far stronger, and the monsters won't be able to hurt us then. What do you two say about that idea?" He asked looking at them both.

"Yeah, I like that idea," Roe nodded in agreement to Melanthios' proposal.

Daare nodded. "That would be better, perhaps." He then looked towards the direction of where the portal was, sensing it, barely. "Can I have a look at it at least?" He sent Melanthios a pleading look. "I just want to look at it. Then I'll wait."

"Can't you look at it from here? Who knows, the things might be able to look through it as well." He asked sounding worried.

Daare pleaded again. "Just closer. A bit closer. I want to see it better." He began moving the carpet towards it, slowly. "I just want to-- see it. I..." the rest of his sentence was a mutter.

Melanthios sighed, he snapped his finger and a shield appeared. The shield was a fair distance away from the portal "Is that close enough Daare?" He asked.

"Not too close..." Roe whined and shuffled a bit closer to Melanthios, unable to take his gaze away from the portal in the distance.

He nodded, and steered the carpet close to it, watching. "It's so... just a bit closer?" He asked again. "A bit closer."

Melanthios placed his hand on Roe's shoulder "Everything will be fine Roe." He then looked at Daare, it seemed he really wanted to go there. "No Daare, that would be too dangerous. We need to go back now, away from the portal."

"Already? It's so far away." However, he did as Melanthios said, reluctant. He could just steer the carpet directly to it, but Melanthios was hurt, and Roe was afraid. "Thank you for letting me see it."

Melanthios nodded. "Sure and thank you for listening. Now lets go back to the library. There are still many things I would like to show you. If you are still interested that is?"

"Can we please go now?" Roe asked Daare nervously, glancing repeatedly between the elder god and the portal.

"Yes, we will." Daare smiled. "I'm sorry, I was just... curious. And I am. My head is just a bit crowded." He laughed when he said it. "So many thoughts." The carpet took them back to the outside of the library.

After a while in the library, Dåre went outside on his carpet. He stared towards the portal, his mind was still buzzing with all these thoughts. Thoughts, and colors and... things. It was bothering him, he really wanted to explore a place where no other god had been. Suddenly, he got an idea. If one was to explore a place, why not make that place oneself? A new planet, it had no real form in his mind, but he started creating it, sitting on his carpet. Every idea, thought, everything was placed in that planet. He felt that it was difficult, and remembered how Melanthios had helped him before. Perhaps he would this time as well? "Melanthios, I'm making a place to explore! Do you want to help?" After a short while, he felt Melanthios helping him, assisting him with the creation. "Thank you." It took form, even he didn't know how it would turn out.

Dåre 21,2

Spoiler: Actions

Send messages to Melanthios: Effortless
Create a new planet: DC 17 AP 7
Domains: +6 Charming(It will become a beautiful planet indeed) +6 Madness(It will also be a really strange place, where logic doesn't always seem to be applied)

Melanthios 13,1

Spoiler: Actions

Assist Daare with planet creation: Effortless
Domains: + 2 Creation (creating the planet) + 2 Knowledge (Knowing how to make the planet)

 

[Arrogancy]

Vantric: 16, 1

Vantric returned to the Grand Ascension. He completed his teleportation and immediately began storming through the fortress, the devils he took to the meeting following close on his heels. The meeting had gone roughly as well as he had expected, which was to say poorly. Still, a temporary peace was in place, and the others would probably keep it for a while, if only to keep up appearances. Now he had to inform several of the most irascible beings in existence of the exact terms that had been ironed out in their meeting, all of whom would probably dismiss his notices as fabrications. A peace of sorts had settled, and could be relied on so long as one side was unable to strike. That was good enough, for the moment.

Suddenly, Vantric stopped, causing the devils to almost bowl into him. He quickly rounded on them as they tried desperately to right themselves. "Three of you will be sent to inform our absent gods what has occurred at the meeting." He said. The devils only nodded vigorously in response. He began pointing to them individually. "You, go to Evermoor, find Zareth, and tell him." He snapped his finger, teleporting the devil away. "You, find Pentar." Another teleportation. "And you, Cassiel." A final teleportation. "The rest of you," He turned on the remaining seven, some of whom were trembling slightly, "Find Calath. I expect him in that study in five minutes." He began walking toward one of the smaller studies he kept up as the devils began dashing off in different directions, looking for their leader.

Vantric entered the cozy study and eased himself into one of the chairs. The design was very much like that of the hundreds of other studies, though, like all of them, there were fine details that differentiated them. The desk was made of a darker wood than the one he had entertained Aen in earlier. The chairs were upholstered in a calming blue, rather than the ornate red, and there was a rather nice bust of himself which, if tilted back, pushed the fireplace back to reveal a descent into one of the hidden lower levels. The little things.

A few minutes later, the door to the study opened and a figure slowly walked in. Vantric didn't need to see the arrival to know it was Calath. "You summoned me, my lord?" Calath asked, standing still behind the armchair, out of Vantric's view.

The god gestured to the chair opposite him, and waited for the High Speaker to take his seat before talking. "You said earlier that you wanted to discuss some of the details of your contract?"

"Yes, that I did." The devil produced a few small pieces of paper and the jar. He handed the jar over to the god, "This is yours. Now, it says here that we are to perform certain duties for you, however, you never specifically outline what these duties are."

"And you would like a clarification? Of course. Primary duties to serving me involve the maintenance of the fortress, defense of myself and my personal property, and another, more specialized duty which I believe you are uniquely suited for."

Calath leaned forward at the last statement. "And this 'specialized duty' is?"

Vantric smiled. He raised his hand and a scroll appeared in it. "This." He handed it over to Calath who began reading it intently. "You will offer this bargain to the mortals, and see that it is carried out to the letter."

Calath soon looked up from the contract. "My lord, this is a rather...tempting deal and it would be my pleasure to carry it out but...Can we do this? It seems something a bit...outside our area of expertise."

"I will see to it that you have enough power to enact this bargain." Vantric said sternly. "It is your duty to carry it out."

"Yes, my lord." Calath said, hurriedly, the beginnings of a smile playing on his lips, "It seems that our true calling will begin at last."

Vantric got up, tapping the jar with his left hand and shook the devil's hand with his right, "That it will, Calath, that it will."

Spoiler: Actions

Give transmittable immortality to a group of mortals- (DC 13): +6 Ambition (The terms of the contract stress how much you are willing to do to gain eternal life) +2 Murder/Assassination (The contract requires the forfeiture of that which you most covet and the loss of your soul for life eternal) +2 Sin (You are literally selling your soul to a devil)

Notes on immortality: Known as the Soulless, these are among the most vicious of immortals. It is said that at midnight, if you are alone and say the words "I wish to make a deal" a devil will appear and offer you a contract. You will gain immortality, and strange new powers at the cost of your soul and that which you love above all else. Should you accept the bargain, then you will be made immortal, your soul collected by the devil, and provided a copy of your soul contract. The contract must remain close by the person at all times (No more than 10 feet away), and it must be protected. If the contract is destroyed, then the Soulless it was given to is also destroyed.

Aryx: 0

Things had been set in motion. These creatures knew their place. They knew what they had to do, and what she wanted them to do. In time, they would know the name of their goddess, but not yet. Soon though. Aryx ascended above the city, stretching out her wings. This was a new world, and there was so much to explore.

Aryx flew overhead, seeing all the landscapes, the variation in the texture and composition of the world beneath her. All the variety and difference that had been missing on Coelus. In flight, she soon noticed something, far off in the distance. It was cold, and getting colder. Soft white things were falling from the sky, and as Aryx flew threw them, she felt them melt into water on her skin. Some kind of water state? She thought. It was strange, and wonderful.

Looking down, Aryx found that even the people changed. They were no longer the refined, cultured peoples she had previously met. Instead, they were now rugged and savage. Tall blue killers in squalid societies. She descended and walked among them, still unseen to mortals. They were simple people, she observed, simple and straightforward. Evidently they had only just realized that tools could be used more effectively than limbs for certain tasks, but still, they were progressing nicely, she supposed.

Aryx couldn't sense the same magical spark in these people that she had in the others of this world. Evidently, they were an unrelated peoples. Perhaps something could be done about their lack of magic, She considered. There was something different about these people, something not present in the grigori, or others of this world. It was a sense of...she couldn't quite describe it. It was something worth investigating, though.

After wandering about one of their villages, she encountered one of the beast-men standing before a field. He was looking over a field where markers were. Piles of stone or wooden stakes. Simple things that the people had some sort of strange reverence for. It took Aryx a while before she thought she knew what the field was for. It was a cemetery, a place where the dead were interred. She had never seen such a place before. Fascinating.

She turned back toward the figure beside her. Something about him was interesting to Aryx, something about him was worth cultivating, if only for curiosity's sake. She reached out to him with her power. This creature was interested in death, and Aryx wanted to test whether this power would work. The blue figure bent over, clutching the ground for support, and began howling in pain, and as it howled a sharp wind picked up in the north, and the ground began shaking. The Death Caller soon began to stop, and rose up.

Spoiler: Actions

Affect (Bless/Curse/Inspire) one mortal for life- DC 5: +4 Curses (Aryx is imbuing a Stryfe with the ability to raise the dead, essentially giving him necromancy.)

 

[JoJo]

Roe - 16, 0 and Petal - 3

Some time later Roe bid farewell to Melanthios and Daare, then made his way back to his small home in the Hallowed Court. Petal was tending the fire when he entered, a small pile of flowers lay by her side.

"Hey Pets," he called.

"Roe!" she leapt up and came to greet the young god with an affectionate hug. "I was at a wedding, it gave me some great ideas for ours!"

"What?" Roe sputtered, "Oh right I forgot about that... eh, what happened?" He hoped the question could buy him some time until he could change the subject to something less embarrassing.

Spoiler: A Royal Wedding

It was a day few in the city of Manor had expected would come, not so soon after the accession of the King to the throne or such a controversial choice of bride. Nevertheless, no amount of whining advisers or gossiping administrators had been able to change the King's mind and so reluctantly the arrangements for a royal wedding had been made. It was not just Rowan but also countless Changelings who lined the sides of the streets for many hours in advance, cheering and waving blue and white flags as the couple rode past on their way to the city's holiest site.

As all this happened, Petal watched from above with a curious gaze. She had seen a number of weddings even in her short mortal life but none as splendid as this. She recalled Roe's promise to her in the underworld and floated down closer to pick up ideas. The pair seemed incredibly different, the King was short and round with golden skin similar to her own, his long black hair braided so it reached his belt. His bride-to-be was taller and pale, with flaming red hair and an unusual tattoo on one of her bare shoulders which most Changelings would recognise as the mark of the dragon-rider: one of their own kind.

The royal couple stepped out of their chariot and walked proudly together up to the cluster of monuments placed where the old village of Manor had stood a thousand years earlier. Behind them walked a gaggle of young bridemaids, dressed in white and all carrying flowers.

Suddenly a young man leapt from the crowd, a rough knife in his hand and rage etched on his face.

"In the name of the Lord Roe I can't let a dirty Changeling destroy the purity of our sacred bloodline!" he shouted as he lunged for the bride-to-be with his blade outstretched, they landed together on the floor in a heap. A moment later the assassin was dragged away by a cohort of guards but the woman lay twitching on the ground, blooding pouring from her stomach.

"Meira..." the King gasped, falling to his knees besides the woman. "This... this can't be happening!"

From the sidelines one of the bridemaids stepped forwards and walked up to the pair. The King watched with amazement as the child wordlessly took a flower from her bouquet and with a wave of her hand it was transformed into gold. She placed it carefully upon Meira's breast. The woman's body shook and the blood evaporated away faster than ice in a furnace. The King glanced up again at the young girl and noticed for the first time she only had one eye.

"Its true... you really do live," he whispered in realisation.

The bridemaid smiled and then in a moment she was gone, lost amongst the crowd of courtiers who descended upon the woman to offer what aid they could. The King searched desperately but he never found his bride's saviour again, from that day forth however the golden scepter created from a flower became one of the royal family's most valued heirlooms and few dared to question the divine mandate that the Rowan and Changeling destinies were ultimately entwined.

Spoiler: Action

Petal - DC9, AP3 - Create a Paragon-equivalent mortal item with +4 Compassion (The item is Petal's gift to the Royal Couple) and +1 Childhood (The blessing will be passed on to the couple's children and their descendants) - Mandate of the Bride - a golden scepter topped with a five-petaled flower that has the power to heal the wounds of Rowan and Changeling Royalty.

 

[JoJo]

The Storyteller

The Storyteller sat back and continued his tale, handing his pipe to a child for refilling.

"Inspiration occupied many gods and demigods in their last acts, Zareth granted his new race the knowledge of how to craft tools and all that would entail. Aryx also gave a gift to the Styfe, giving one of their number the ability to raise the dead. Akladai inspired two hundred and fifty Dues Filli monks to create a new branch within their faith, while his brother Maeglin encouraged five hundred scientists of that race to design and create a new weapon.

High up in the Hallowed Court, Vantric gave the devils a new command, that they should provide contracts for immortality to mortals but anyone who agreed would sacrifice not only something that they love but also their soul. Daare meanwhile created a new planet with the help of Melanthios, the first time a god had summoned a celestial body since the creation of Oculus Pets at the end of the Second Age.

Meanwhile on Evalon, Isond inspired a small group of the Lainir to begin shifting their empire in a more militant direction. Zs'Wua blessed just a single mortal creature, giving a broodmother by the name of Ti'amat the power to hide in shadows and turn invisible for a short time. Grix's mating lead to the creation of a new breed of dragon whilst Aen created a great bow to help the Styfe survive. Finally Petal's timely intervention saved the life of the bride of the King of Chama and lead to the creation of a new mortal item: the Mandate of the Bride.

Thus after an age of bloodshed, debate and finally peace, the Third Age drew to a close. Not even the gods knew what the next age would hold and only time would tell whether the truce agreed in the Meeting Hall would last or not..."