Blank Slate IC2

[Ipphli]

The world continues. Many of the gods have gone silent or disappeared, but there are still those that wish to transform the world in their image.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Current state of the Trolls throughout the world today, Sans Forest and Swamp trolls.

Plains Trolls: Having almost been driven to extinction, the population made rafts and fled to an entirely different continent. One large mountain in the middle leaves open a savannah of rolling foothils and plains, covered with long grass and patched with small forests, usually where resevoirs are at their closest to the surface. Big cats are the dominant hunters here, and there are hundreds of species of antelope, giraffe, zebra, elephant hippo and rinoceri as well. The plains trolls live in bliss, roaming with the herds and alongside the hunters, often sharing with them.

River Trolls: These trolls are the de facto rulers of the crumbled Yanze empire. The most powerful rulers live in their personal city-state, which is led by a Trade-Kaizer. Lesser ones live on small Fiefdoms, run by a Lord and worked by serfs. The last vestiges of the empire itself are found in the city-kingdom of Yangzai, which sits at the mouth of the largest river. It controls trade routes to many major cities. They still venerate Zuli and also venerate the whole host of gods that are left.

Volcano Trolls: Still surviving on Redunkeep's slopes, the Volcano Trolls live a hard and long life of surviving for a living. They live in huts made of cooled lava and wield weapons with obsidan tips. They do not care to worship gods, as they have "More important things to do". They do not curse the gods when bad things happen, but neither do they thank them for the small amount of good things that happen. They survive...

Ice Trolls: They've done things that you wouldn't dream of...but I'm not telling...

Dream Trolls: Battling Nightmares and keeping everyone's dreams safe from harm.

Library Trolls: Have grown to be powerful arcanists and worship the god of magic now.

Feral Trolls: Still in the forest, still fighting Grigs.

[Smiley_]

Haunted Woods

The being stared up at the night sky, contemplating the world and how it was faring under the rule of the gods and their schemes. He stood up, the water from the lake cascaded down his legs in torrents. It could not be called "bad", really. Races fought, plagues spread, and destruction reigned, but on an entirely different level, life sprang up anew, races adapted, healthy forests rose and the waves calmed. In these hard times, life had spread everywhere and with it, the possibility of a new tomorrow.

The gods were another matter. Each had an idea of perfection or a notion of what is good and right. One god's ideals differed form those of another and when such ideas were incompatible, the gods would conflict. He could not fault the gods for such a thing, though. It was an ambition, very much like those of the mortals they tended to in their own unique way.

The water of the lake darkened and the colossal creature melted down into the depths. He decided it was time to pay a visit to an old aquaintance.

---------------------------
Near Mount Redunkeep, Stone Garden

In a canyon near Mount Redunkeep, there was a wide circle of large stone spires, their pointed tops bending inwards. Apparently, this stone garden was unearthed during one of the common tremmors around the mighty volcano. In the center of the mighty stone garden, there was a pool of black tar that bubbled and churned. Aside from the sound of the wind thorugh the canyon and the bubbling tar, the air was silent.

I used some accumulated minors to create three places that I told Ipphli about. They are this place, the woods and a third place that might appear later.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Stone Garden

She was one of the Titans remodeled by Moghor, known as the Four. Her own name was Mercury, but it didn't mean anything to her. She was leaner and smaller than her siblings, but to any humanoid, she was still a towering giant. On her way to the Hunted Woods region, Mercury came upon a pool of tar and stone spires that were definitely not there before. Sensing some disturbance in that area, she decided to investigate. She approached the pool and looked around.

I am the servant of Moghor Rezamir, Lord of the Earth. Is there anyone here? What force is at work?

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

Moghor Rezamir and the Erdas

Meanwhile, the other three Titans were doing well. Many of Moghor's worshipers from all over the continent chose to leave their homes for the promised land. In a matter of months, they settled the grasslands near Moghor's sanctuary and built an impressive city. As the Giant King had foretold, the Middle City quickly became one of the most important center of trades in the mainland. Worshipers of other deities were allowed to erect temples and statues just outside the fortifications, all around the city.

Moghor was pleased by this outcome. He then decided to go back to Aquila to see how the other erdas were faring. There, he noticed that scientists and earth mages were still working on finding a way to open the mysterious door set in the canyon's wall. Moghor remembered this gift from the Porter. This gave him an idea. The god of travel had been gone for centuries, if not a millenia. Surely, he wouldn't mind if someone took over his work.

And so Moghor attuned himself to the mystical gateways. Once he was in control of the spiritual energy, he crafted a special key made of bone. He returned to the door and inscribed a set of runes in the stone of the canyon. As he expected, the runes reacted to the key and the doorway suddenly opened. Smiling, the Giant King took a step in and went to explore the new dimension...

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

The New Volcano, on the border of the Putrid Swamp

Where the mighty Wall of the Erdas once stood, there was now a volcano. Thousands had died here when Moghor Earthlord had unleashed his divine fury upon the unbelievers. Most bodies were hidden beneath the frozen lava fields. There was nothing left to see here; nothing but devastation. Well, almost nothing... A few lucky ones had survived the cataclysm. One of them was a grig. He was in a pretty sorry state. He was too weak to fly and hadn't eaten in three days. He laid there, motionless, because his legs were stuck under a boulder. Just as he was beginning to think that he would die there, the grig caught sight of a shadow on the slope of the volcano. Apparently, the mysterious person had also noticed him, as he was coming down his way. The grig stopped smiling. What was that? The creature looked like a jakaru, but parts of his body looked as if they were made of metal. He towered over all the jakarus he had ever met.

"- Hey, you! Get me out of here!"

The jakaru hybrid walked to the injured grig and studied him.

This will be perfect.

"- What are you waiting for? Hey, what's this... What the hell are you doing with that blade?! Don't come near me!! ARGGGGGH!"

(A few minutes later)

The grig was "ready". Totolkan stored the precious parts he had collected in his bag and then proceeded to free the fey's body from that boulder. The grig stood up, silent. His legs had miraculously healed.

You will go back in the Swamp. You will collect as much data as you can and you will report to me. You are dismissed.

The fey nodded and walked away. The jakaru, for his part, simply uttered the magic words and a doorway appeared out of thin air. He stepped through it and found himself back at his workshop in the House of a Thousand Doors.

1 major act to gain the Travel domain (related to roads and trade)
1 major act to gain control of the Porter's plane and the other doors in existence by creating a new Master Key
1 minor act to turn the Middle City into a sanctuary
1 minor act to create a ritual that a few individuals can use to travel anytime to a specific room in the House of a Thousand Doors. The individual must be attuned to it before the ritual can be used, and thus must be invited in by Moghor himself.

[Johel]

Xiren

Who was responsible for this ?
Natural phenomenons occurred all the time without gods being in control and minor changes among one species were common. But this... For a whole species to exist and have that level of sentience, a god had to be behind its creation.

Though Xiren was a plant goddess, she has no real dominion over the tall trees of the continent forests and they weren't singing for her like most weed and tropical plants did. But she was also the mother of the Fey Folk and so she learned quickly about this mysterious race which hunted her toys.

Whoever created them, how could he have thought they would go unnoticed ? How could he have thought Xiren's love would spare them, even when they hid atop the trees ? The Blood Flower get out of her lair, reaching the material world so to look closer at her preys.

"-Puny monkeys... And they think they are safe because they live atop the trees ? Atop plants ? What idiotic god can have done that ? It isn't Morghor's style. And they don't seem to bear Mia's mark : no sword. 'Must be Zuli. Only him would be so confident in his mastery over the flora."

She would take care of this race...in due time.

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

Underwater Jungle

It had been a few decades now. The rumors about sirens, octopus women and other daydreams had grown among humans and nagas, thought none knew exactly what it was. Despite the luxurious flora and fauna of the Underwater Jungle area, few fishermen were willing to venture there : too many had disappeared.

The Kalis and the Sea Wolves, on the other hand, now knew well enough of the Naïades. Being former dryads, they had quickly assemble small courts of Kalis, Nagas, Humans and sea creatures, selecting the strongest as lovers while the rest were used as slaves.

Somehow, large domes made of algae and other plants had been built in the Jungle. A strong and dark magical aura can be felt by those nearby.


1 Minor :
The City of the Depths.
To create a small underwater city whose buildings and walls are living plants. The Naïads use their affinity with Xiren's magic to make the algae grow in the desired shape. The whole city is expanding fast and is patrolled by slaves.
Expect 500 Naïades to live there with around 2.000 slaves.
More next turn.

[Krrth]

Consort Areva; Isle of Souls


A lone figure in robes stands upon the beach. At the Nagas call, it bows.

[Smiley_]

Stone Garden

The tar burbled and spat a few times before a large sewlling protrusion stuck out a short ways. Mercury saw the two unblinking round red eyes, burning like coals in the sticky muck that sent a shiver down her spine.

Who calls me in this sacred place?

The eyes moved slowly upward, taking in the Titan's giant form. The thing in the tar retreated a bit into the roiling mess.

My apologies, sir or madam. I did not realize that you were one of Moghors "special" servants. Is there any way I can help you?

-----------------
Sea-Wolves

Though the sea-wolves avoided the jungle and ignored the Naiades, they always kept a keen eye on them. The surrounding waters were dark and cloudy and the Sea-wolves could appear with Kali warriors seemingly out of nowhere.

Though they did not seem hostile at the moment, they were a factor that could not be ignored.

[Krrth]

Akteron

Much had happened over the last century. The number of souls being ushered through the doorway had dramatically increased, and veneration of Akteron had also increased drastically. DvR 14


3 major acts to raise DvR to 14

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

The Middle City was now crawling with people. The philosophy of the Giant King spread everywhere and the Erda kingdoms. Most importantly, more jakarus were born. More jakarus died. More jakarus were reborn...

On this fateful day, Moghor Rezamir went back to the Pit of Souls and absorbed more energy. As runes started to cover his skin, the Lord of Earth grew strong and powerful. More powerful than he could have ever imagined.

3 major acts to increase DvR. DvR 14
OOC: I swear that I had this planned before I saw Akteron's post lol

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

Stone Garden

Mercury frowned at the use of the word "servant", but remained silent.

I am sorry if I have bothered you. I sensed some supernatural activity in the region and I came to investigate. Whom am I speaking to?

[Smiley_]

Stone Garden

From the tar emerged the torso of the strange being. It placed it's elbows on the ground and rested it's chin on its folded hands.

Well, then, you are fortunate that I was coming this way. I am Nokumo, a servant, like yourself, but not to the gods.

As for you, where are you bound an what do you intend to do? Did moghor send you on some grand errand, or were you just enjoying the scenery?

Those two eyes just kept staring emotionlessly as if seeing beyond the titans flesh. Murcury began to feel a slight chill, but the air around the tar pit was far too hot for the chills to be natural.

[Johel]

Xiren

Putrid Swamp

From his investigation, the "grig" learned a lot about the former Dryad Kingdoms :


Infightings continued. No central power had imposed itself yet.
The Dryads were divided because of their vanity.
Many small vegetal fortress had been built through magic.
Grig slavers still operated breeding farms.
The Mohrgs were divided because of the insanity.
Armies of zombis rose after each killing spree of the Mohrgs.
The Mohrgs couldn't control all undeads at once.


Underwater Jungle

They were together, a rare event for such selfish creatures. But they all had been dryads, once. They had seen what they could accomplish together...and what could happen to them if they remained isolated. And so, to restore their former greatness, 500 Naïades had gathered here, in the main hall of the City of the Depths. All were watching their sisters, reading to act at the first sign of betrayal. A large, fat and ugly matron advanced at the center.

"-When I awoke like this, my first thought was that Xiren had cursed me for being weak and stupid, for not having followed her ways closer enough. We all thought it. We all lamented for days, praying and making sacrifices to please the Kind Mother and to be given a second chance...but we are still here."

She paused for a moment.
"-We are here and we are prospering. Like the Dryad Kingdom once, we are strong and secure, ready to spread the Blood Flower's love across a new world, a world we never thought would be ours, simply because we didn't suspected it existed. But now, we are here. Now, we know.

Sfarina and her generation, our parents, had a vision. They tried to build a kingdom where we would have fought side by side against Xiren's enemies, forgetting our griefs to reach Greatness. Well, Sfarina the bitch and her sisters were wrong !! They can be no unity among the Fey Folk !! Not between the Dryads, not between the Grigs, not between us, the Naïades !! If we try, soon or later, our very nature will remind us of it.

The curse we thought Xiren had casted was in fact a blessing. It was her way to show us our mistakes and to give us the opportunity to start all over again. While the rest of the Fey Folk continue to honour the Kind Mother on land, it is our mission to spread her cult at sea. And to do so, we will need allies. And once again, my dear sisters, the Kind Mother will help us !! Behold the gift of the Mistress of despairs !!"
Shining in her hand was...a frog. The assembly staid silent, hesitating between anger and hilarity. But then, the frog was really shining and comments began to rain down the hall. When the light faded, the frog and the ugly Naïade were no more. A strange creature, the size of a human, was swimming at their place. And it spoke...

"-It was...not suppose...to be like this..."
It then burst into a thousand smaller similar creatures, who themselves burst into hundreds more while "calling" the sound which would latter become their name.
"-Kappa !! Kappa !!"


2 Major Acts to create the Kappas, small-sized fairies with amphibian abilities. They are very good swimmers and, like some frogs, generate a virulent poison which dissolve in the surrounding water. They are, of course, immune to their own poison. They breed by laying a large number of eggs (about two hundred at a time) but, because of their malevolent nature, young kappas tend to kill each other at birth to get some cheap food. They are not very bright and are more concern by feeding and mating than anything else.
2 Minor Acts to boost the Kappa population.


Continental Forests

Xiren had swore to take care of the monkeys. And so she did.
Once upon a time, centuries ago, a young god had appeared in these forests. A master of illusions whose Xiren had tried to track. For this, she had used gigantic centipedes. The monsters had been sent away...but not killed. And because Kuto wasn't there anymore to send them flying across the sky, she summoned them back.

It took nearly two years for the 12 monsters to reach the mysterious monkeys but when they did, the hunt was merciless, the gigantic insects climbing the giant trees with all the ease an insect had to climb vertical surfaces. And for the trees which weren't big enough to climb, it also meant they weren't strong enough to support the weight of centipedes...and that they would crash on the ground, pulling the Gari settlements with them.

In less than a year, 20 Gari settlements were visited by the divinely powered monsters...and crushed utterly. But what were Zuli's children doing ? :smallbiggrin:


Just to remember you about them :
The 12 hunting centipedes (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5507553&postcount=1288).
Gigantic-sized vermin with a very thick armor.
Like many of Xiren's creation, their bite is poisonous.
They can also "summon" large swarms of angry flies, mosquitoes, maggots, spiders, whatever vermin seems useful.
Finally, they each have a very powerful smell and earing sense (though poor vision), as well as a keen sense of detect magical aura.

[Smiley_]

Yeah, except that they are only the creations of a single minor act and an advanced race of tree people (3 majors) have very little to worry about them.
1. Centipedes are not made for tree life. They can climb, but their domain is on the ground in the weeds and undergrowth. The Gari, however, were born and bred in the trees. The trees are their life.
2. The centipedes are slow compared to the Gari.
3. Centipedes are heavy. It will not take much to keep them from climbing higher and if they fall, they die with a big splat.

And no, not even divine centipedes would find it easy to climb all the way up and attack the highest tree towns. They also only buld things on sturdy trees they know can support them, so none of this "Knocking down trees" buisness.

Now, let's get to work, shall we? :smallbiggrin:


Gari and the centipedes

Since the tree-folk were able to escape the wreckage of their structures, only a handfull of them died. They could only shake their heads in disappointment as the outposts (not settlements) were destroyed.

The centepedes seemed to be the kings of the forest tops until, one day, one was found on the ground with a large sharpened log with runes inscribed on it through its head. Another two simply disappeared and a fourth was killed after it took a tumble from hundreds of feet in the air, crashing through the branches and finally squashed under it's own weight.

It was clear what was happening. These tree-folk were not helpless. The bug swarms that the centipedes summoned were countered by magical and alchemical incecticides and repellants. Some of the other centipedes were driven away by a band of hunters who were supported by a gari voodoomancer. The gari were not afraid at all of these overgrown vermin. They knew they were the sovereigns of the forest tops.

To add to this insult, Xiren could feel the divine anger growing in the forest. Gari shamans began performing odd rituals in the treetops, invoking spirits and the protector of the forest. Sacrifices were made to Zuli and the swamp godess could smell the roasting flesh of her vile creations as offerings to the forest god.

The hunt was merciless, but the gari shoved back harder :smallbiggrin: Don't worry, I won't kill them all yet.

[Johel]

Please, don't throw a "Major Acts argument" here. Unless there were only 20 settlements (villages, cities, outposts...), the Gari are far from annihilated so the number of acts is irrelevant here, as yours are spread on the whole Gari population.
Two acts is the cost to create any sentient species.
The 3rd was to boost their population and technology.

This being said, I'm not sure for the "It will not take much to keep them from climbing higher". Our everyday centipedes usually live underground mainly because :

they would be eaten if they didn't.
they quickly die of dryness, as their soft exoskeleton retain water badly.

They are more than capable to climb a wall, a branch or even a smoother surface, the only limit being that they have to be able to dig their claws on small asperities (which explain why they can't climb on a plastic wall...)

16m-long centipede don't have to worry about predators. And their very thick armor prevent fast loss of water. Even the size difference matter not, as a tree large enough to support a city would be the same for them as a branch is for normal centipedes. So, as I said, settlements are easy preys, even if the inhabitants can still run away rather than fight.

However, you're right about the "splash" : even without true organs, their sheer weight would be the worst weakness of a giant centipedes if they were to fall. I just thought the Garis would be too afraid to fight back but if they are willing to take the risk, let's give them credits.


The monkeys showed more strength than was expected. But the Kind Mother wouldn't admit it. She was not the type to recognise her mistakes. She would rather see the whole forest burn...

"-They fail me. They got what they deserved. Such a simple task and they weren't able to accomplish it ? Ah !! These little buggers amused me, at least..."

She now knew more about her preys. The Centipedes had been sleeping for decades so she wouldn't miss them that much. But the insult was to be avenged. And yes, she would have "avenged" herself even if the Garis had slit their own veins open. But still !!

Signs were created : patterns of red tropical flowers growing at the base of some huge trees, swarms of flees leading to the Gari cities, prophetic dreams where grigs sacrificed Garis in Xiren's honor... All of this was seen by her priests among the Fey Folk. It took time but eventually, small bands began to gather to hunt down "Zuli's monkeys".

So high above the ground, the summoned vermin was the only ally on which the grigs could count. The vermin and the Garis themselves. Charming one single of those monkeys was enough to find their cities.

Grigs weren't good fighters when it came to open battle, on the ground, where melee was the deciding factor. But in the canopy, where the "ground" was nothing but a few shambling branches, large melee were impossible. Range, accuracy and mobility would decide the winners. This and the magic. And with their natural gifts and Xiren's priests, the grigs weren't the weak ones.


Creation of "shrines" in the whole continental forests, near the Gari settlements. Usual communication with the priests.

An army gathers near one of the cities. The idea is to attack the city at night, using fairy fires to light up the targets and opponents before flying over and shooting any Gari in sight. As soon as the city is dealt with, they'll loot it before proceeding to the next one.

They got their informations through a mix of charm and (if it doesn't work) torture. Being the CE little demons they are, they won't hesitate to go as far as to throw one of them in a Gari trap just to attract one of the monkeys.

Main grigs advantage for the battle :

they are very small (thus difficult to aim at)
they can fly (badly) and jump (very well, like a cricket)
their weapons are poisoned.
their accuracy is boosted with magic by the priests.
biological warfare through diseases and vermin (very usefull if siege)
limited control over the plants for the random grigs.
large control over the plants for the priests.
they know how to set and counter ambushes. Centuries of practice...

[Smiley_]

The thing is that the Gari only are localized in a small portion of the northern continental forest. They have about six large population centers, even with their population and development boost. the rest just hunting and scouting outposts, so saying that 20 were destroyed or an attack on a population center is a pretty big deal. I am sorry I wasn't clear about that.

By the way, what are the trolls doing? Xiren is popping up flowers in Zuli's forests and the grigs, who you said yourself have probably suffered a great deal, have come to try and launch a full scale assault.

Also, those advantages you mentioned are also strong points for the Gari, except that instead of plant mastery, they have voodoo magic and instead of poisons and diseases, they have alchemical ointments and more voodoo and spirit lore.


Canopy City

The grigs found the city with little incident. It was surreal, houses and doors built right into and along side trunks. There were bridges and simple elevators connecting platforms that encircled the treetops. They appeared to be going about their business, not expecting an assault.

They didn't look like much. There were a few hunters with masks and spears, but the rest were more or less naked, their faces opossum like. Their eyes were large and black where their mouths were filled with a set of vicious pointed teeth.

The shrines were recognizable as honoring Zuli, but there were some that the grigs hadn't ever seen before. Also, there were various grig body parts, skins, skulls and wings hanging in bunches around some of the doorways along with bat wings, feathers and what looked like oversized spider legs.

[Savant]

Consort Areva; Isle of Souls

The consort spotted the hooded individual on the beach and pushed her way through her Deathguard, the Naga very curiously watching her lithe form walk across the beach towards the hooded man.

"greetings, is this where we may speak with the God of Knowledge and Death?"

Hall of Silence

The Hall was sacred to the Naga, for it was a small but ornate tunnel erected to the cavern where the Lord of Serpents currently lay, shrouded in darkness while he mottled. Indeed, the Hall was merely a pinhole to the size of the cavern, a fact that did not escape the Naga who guarded it zealously. Many of them never dared look at the end, for fear of seeing a giant golden orb stare back out of the darkness at them.

However the newcomer was unusual, for he was one of the Shivans, the children of the Consort as they were called. Considered mildly freakish by the naga, the serpentine humanoids resembled the consort; if only molded from the parts of a snake. This one who stood before the darkness at the end of the Hall was hidden beneath a robe but even the guards could tell of the power that stalked concealed.

"Father, I am here as you requested."

A giant orb blinked to awareness at the sound, it's rapid eye movement taking in every individual in the room in the span of a second.

"Good, my son. It is good to see you, even as blind as I am. Cast off those robes, and let me see the creation that has spawned from my consort's image."

The robe flew off to the side as four arms discarded it effortlesssly, and one of the guards (female) let a small whistle escape as they all stared uninhibitedly at the white flesh of the newcomer. He was shorter, by maybe half a span of a Boan, but possessed the same knotted sense in it's heavily corded shoulders. The muscular definition was perfect, each muscle so heavily built that it stood out like a stone beneath the taut skin. But somehow it did not look out of place, as most overly muscled species looked. It looked natural, like it was impossible for a Shivan not to look like this. To further accent the already perfect physicque, his body was covered in runes, not a flawless inch of skin wasted except around the face. these flickered in rapid seccession, as light raced across the circles of Serpatha.

"Excellent. Your mother will be pleased her image has shown such great potential." Surprisingly, the Shivan dropped to his knees, his face a mess of tears as he bowed deeply. "I.... hope to please my mother, as it is my only purpose in life.."

Syllandros smiled despite himself. The conditioning had taken effect perfectly. Each Shivan had been ingrained with a deep sense of love for his consort, and they would be her children in all senses of the word.

"Good. Before I may grant you the privilege of meeting your mother, I need to know if you are deserving enough for your mother to acknowledge you, Cirenos."

"Whatever I may do to prove myself in your eyes father, please do not hesitate." the Shivan remained as he was, on his knees with his forehead touching the dusty floor of the hall.

"Good. There is a Xirenist spy who has been uncovered in God's Landing. She knows of her discovery, and even now seeks to leave the Isle by means of the next courier ship. You are to board the vessel and kill all aboard. Leave none alive and when they are all dead you may then kill the spy. However, before you do so, you will interrogate her regarding her knowledge of the growing reef to the south of the isle. Dillute your venom with waterfeld reed juice and you will find her more receptive to your words. Now go, and bring me back her heart."

"As you wish, Father. I will return soon."

Cirenos rose from his crouch and took back his offered robe from a guard, a young female from one of the noble houses. Syllandros watched with interest as his tongue reported ellevated hormones in the female. The female watched the Shivan leave with much interest, much to the obvious dismay of her fellow males.

So the Shivans are deemed desirable by the Nagas, Syllandros thought, I wonder what the offspring of the two races would be?

[Kaiser Omnik]

Stone Garden

Mercury crossed her arms.

I am travelling the mainland to teach the common races about Moghor and his philosophy. I am simply heading north until there are no more people to convert.

You say you are a servant... Who do you serve, if not a god? It intrigues me.

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

Continental forest

The forest animals fled in fear as the stone behemot made its way through the woodlands, crushing anything that stood in its way. What they perceived simply as a gigantic predator was much more than that. In fact, the impressive creature is a living construct, halfway between a beast and a mindless golem. Furthermore, it is so big and docile that some moghorian colossi have been able to build a defensive structure on its back.

No surprise it was named the Juggernaut. (http://www.leludiste.fr/infos/assets/galleries/829/mastodonte-v2.jpg)

On that day, Sjornir, king of the Colossi, and a few of his vassals discussed atop one of the towers. Unlike the others, Sjornir possessed two pairs of arms. While he bore the symbol of Moghor on the back of his head, he also had long, flowing platinum hair that was only present in Kuto's worshipers.

"- My lord, the population has fled the area. Their gold and jewelry are there for the taking. Our scouts have informed me that some were spotted south of here. They are no doubt heading to more civilized lands, to seek the protection of the Erdas."

The barbarian king simply nodded.

"- There is something else, Sjornir. A prisonner was brought to me earlier today. A grig, to be exact. The little devil was busy poisoning the well of the village when we caught him."
"- We don't need another vermin. Kill him."
"- Ah, but he did tell us something interesting. Something about a race of monkey men living in the trees. Apparently, the grigs are going to engage them in battle. It is...a curiosity, at least."
"- Absurd. We have better things to do than hunt vermins and monkeys. If they get in our way, we'll crush them. But they are not worth our time otherwise."

1 major and 1 minor to make the Juggernaut (the beast-machine and the defensive structure, complete with artillery developed by jakarus and fire mages)
The Colossi are raiding settlements (jakaru, lycian and troll) near the Putrid Swamp and in the forest, though far from the heart of the troll empire. Their goal is not to destroy civilizations and eradicate populations, only to hoard some gold and scare the villagers so they turn to the Erdas for protection, and thus integrate the Erda Empire. Obviously, some people go to the trolls for support instead.
It turns out that the few settlements that were burned to the ground were hiding a few mohrgs.

Just to clarify: I don't intend for the Juggernaut to head to the battleground between the Grigs and the Garis.

Say, what's the best adjective to go with "Moghor": moghorian? moghoran? moghorite?

[Krrth]

Consort Areva; Isle of Souls

The Guardian studies her for a moment, then speaks. Strangely, only the consort can hear anything.


This Isle is sacred to Akteron, so in that sense He is here. Was there something in particular we can help you with, or help you find? Or did you need to talk to Him directly?

As far as anyone who isn't "touched by the Gods" is concerned, the Guardian isn't making any noise whatsoever, let alone speaking. Clerics, magic users, paladins, champions and the like can however.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Troll Legion 118

The guard was dispatched after a report that a beheamoth that had been seen in the forest. The scouts had reported that the big monster was mounted by colossi. They sent a messenger-hawk with this message:

By order of the Karthaidi Empire, we ask your reason for your incursion into our forest

[Johel]

Should be a fair fight, then.
Works for the "outposts get smashed by centipedes but Garis killed some of the monsters".
To be clear, I'm attacking one of the six cities.
1st post for tonight (GMT+1)

And sorry for the "monkeys". I'll call them "Oppossums" now :smalltongue:

Xiren

Continental Forests (Northern region)

They had come from all over the continent, a gathering like few had seen since the 2nd Battle of the Wall. For now, each band camped in its own corner and tried to avoid contact with the rest of the horde.

Priests were chanting Xiren's might and asked her to bless the warriors for the battle to come. Large totems made of skulls from various creatures had been hung in the trees, to mark each cabal's turf. Every hour or so, infighting erupted between rival bands.

For some people, to gather 20.000 men in one place was not a big deal. The Yangze Empire had done much more in its time while the Erda Empire and the Karthaidi Empire could do so in a matter of days if needed. But for a species of selfish, sadic and highly disorganised fairies who lived in small bands with only religion as a link, this was a tremendous achievement.

That was what crossed Yraku's mind as him and the rest of the mightiest priests sat to discuss of the strategy. They had to work fast or the army would collapse on itself.

"-So, Tarkesh's followers will take the right flank with Derbo's, that's agreed ? No more objections ?"
"-Yes, I HAVE an objection !! Why should this slug get the least protected part of the target while MY faithful grigs will risk their lives in a frontal attack ?"
"-There is no such "least protected part", Furik, this whole city doesn't even have walls or any kind of protection, except the fact it's difficult to move across the trees. But unless your grigs are wingless good-for-nothings, they won't find it difficult."
"-Then why shall we even discuss about who takes what ? We know how to raid that kind of settlements. We've done so for centuries !! Let's just swarm them the usual way and..."
"-The honored Furik doesn't realise maybe that it's impossible to do it "the usual way". This is not a mere razzia with a hundred or so grigs to coordinate. Last estimations say we've got at least 24.000 grigs. If we throw them at the ennemy like that, friendly fire casualties will amount high."
"-Like we cares about the losses !! The Kind Mother wants their blood and she'll insure our victory !!"
"-Or she will punish the scum who think like you because they neglected to steal a brain. The Blood Flower gives us a small part of her might and it's up to us, her most dedicated servants, to channel it. But she won't bless the whole army."
"-How do you know ? You sound like an heretic !!"
"-And you sound like a idiot !!"

Next moment, the whole horde looked at the tree where the meeting was taking place, as it bursted with green, purple and blue lights. At the end of the fight, Yraku and ten badly wounded priests got out of the smoke.

"-Stop looking at us like that and get back to your business !! We're attacking tomorrow, at sunset !!"
There was no more objection...

God's Landing (Serpent Island)

"-You're sure we must leave ?"
"-Yes...yes, I'm sure. They'll kill you if they find out about our...association, my friend. Now stop talking and get us in this boat."
"-Ok..."

Ssrog didn't like the tone of his new friend but the little insect was smarter than he was, so he didn't question her decisions. Ssrog had met with the grig three days ago, as he was patrolling the surroundings of a temple dedicated to Syllandros. He had cought the little devil as she emptyied a vial in one of the water reserve. Still today, Ssrog wondered why he hadn't killed the grig the second he had seen her. But each time he was thinking to deep about it, a strange feeling grew in his mind, reminding him how the grig was a good friend.

"-What about the return ? I can't be absent too long or somebody will notice."
"-Yeah...hum...you'll get back soon enough, trust me, my scaly friend !! Now shut up and get to that boat."
"-That one ?"
"-That's it !!"

The boat was an old slaving vessel, one of those which raided the coasts of the continent. Its history was singular.

As the Nagas were raiding the coastal regions, one of their expeditions had been ambushed by Xiren's followers. It was pure coincidence, nothing planned : the two groups had decided to raid the same Lycian village. Though the nagas were good, they were overwhelmed by Swamp Jakarus and Swamp Trolls. Those who survived were then tortured by grigs until finally convinced that "Xiren's love was worth dying for". This and the constant charming they were subject to by their grig caretakers transformed them into the first xirenist spies among the Nagas.

As raiders, these nagas had a good excuse to leave the island and as long as they were bringing slaves, nobody checked the cargo in details : rodents, frogs, reptiles, insects and plants from the Putrid Swamp, along with hundred of vials for Xiren's cult to spread diseases among the Snake-people. The thing had worked pretty well for them so far...but it was about to end.

"-We're leaving, now !!"

The sailors looked at the little grig as he get out of Ssrog's hood.
"-What about the rest of our brothers ? And who's that ?"
"-Nobody. Kill him. And our brothers are fine, they haven't been discover yet. But we are so let's leave !!"
"-...But, we are friends !!"
"-You've outlived your purpose, scaly"

One minute later, the ship was sailing away from the island. On the docks, a lone naga was still wondering why he hadn't killed this grig the minute he had seen him. This time, no strange feeling, just a clear answer :
"-I've been tricked. Damned Fey..."
Blood flowing from his throat, he closed his eyes, the mind full of sorrow.

[Smiley_]

Northern Continental Forest

Sunset was nearing and there was still no sign of change. A stiff breeze blew through the forest, the branches swaying and dancing among each other. The sound of the rustling leaves would drown out any sound that the approaching grigs might make. The ambush would be a piece of cake. The grigs could smash the city, spill the blood of its inhabitants, loot it and go on in a few hours...

...Except that when they came, the city was deserted. Doors flapped around in the wind and the various bunches of items were hanging unattended here and there.

-------------
Stone Garden

Me? Let's just say that I serve forces that exist as long as the world turns and the wind blows.

Now about this philosophy of Moghor's. It wouldn't be the same one about how everyone should be ruled by the strong, most favorably his master race and all the gods other than himself are stupid and inept, would it?

[Kaiser Omnik]

Stone Garden

The titan frowned.

That is a rather biased conception. Many people, the lycians for example, have been following Moghor's philosophy for hundreds of years and they still care for the poor and the weak.

Have you not heard of the new city built with Moghor's help in the center of the continent? It is a sanctuary dedicated to all the civilized gods. Isn't that proof that the Obsidian Lord thinks highly of the other faiths?

[Smiley_]

Stone Garden

Mmm...Perhaps he has, but it is not necessarily proof of anything. He is building a city, yes, but that could mean many things. Whether or not he tolerates other faiths is no indication of how much he values them.

But pay no heed to my musings. I did not mean any disrespect to your master. I was merely recalling a certain discussion that he had with the stormlord a long time ago.

That stare was starting to become ery unsettling to the titan. Why wouldn't this thing blink or change expression? It didn't even have a mouth. It just sat there, perfectly still except for the swaying protrusions on its back.

[Johel]

Xiren

Continental Forests : Blood for the Blood Flower...or not ?

"-FOR THE KIND MOTHER !!!"
"-FOR LOOT !!"
"-FOR SLAUGHTER !!"

Those were some of the playful warcries one could hear this night. As the sun disappeared, thousands of small lights replaced it in the dark sky. The purple, blue and green magical lights were on every important building, every place which could be used as a defensive structure, every branch which was used to support the city.

As the horde rushed inside the streets, the warcries became less numerous, until nothing but worried whispers broke the heavy silence. Grigs were there, with bows and torches, ready for "party time", but they were probably at the wrong address : no children crying on the streets, no panicked women trying to get away, no foolish men hoping to stop the Fey Folk's frenzy...

"-What the hell is going on here ?"
"-They're gone, Yraku."
The grig got the skin of his face teared off.
"-I'm not blind, maggot !! Where are the opossums !!? And the first of you who say "not here" will be boiled alive !!"
"-Maybe they knew we were coming ?"
One nod from Yraku and two grigs seized their unlucky brother. Of course, the Garis knew the grigs were coming. The horde had been less than sneaky but, after seeing in dreams the way the opossum people had fought Xiren's divine creatures, Yraku and the priests thought they would fight rather than fly. And so, a large threat was suppose to gather more Garis.

But the Garis proved themselves both brave and smart, knowing when to fight and knowing when not to. Anyway, the place was a bit empty but it was still good enough to loot.

"-Send the smaller bands to search the houses, the platforms and the bridges. I don't want any nasty surprises sending us crashing down or burning the whole city while we are looting it !! When this will be done, then only will we... what are you doing ?!!"

The orders would be carried on, of course. But when they heard the word "looting" in the priest's mouth, many grigs couldn't wait anymore. After all, waiting for traps to be found was not worth taking the risk to see all the good stuff being snatched by other bands.

*Face palm*
Yraku's wings began to vibrate as he took off, turning to another priest.
"-I'm leaving...Check the place if you can and when they're finish celebrating the...victory, make sure they burn everything and cut the ropes so to bring down the whole city."

1) Check for traps
2) Loot whatever you can carry
3) Set fires
4) Cut whatever hold the city in place
5) Step back and watch...
6) Next stop : city n°2

P.S. : I think SOMEBODY is waiting for the Sprite Darters, the Trolls or anybody to get involved. The Garis need serious support here. They've never fought a war and the first they're about to fight is against the world's most vicious creatures.

[Smiley_]

Not really. I'm just screwing with the grig's heads right now. They get bored easily and I know that a treetop city is not the most easily defendable place against a bunch of more or less airborne opponents.

Also, I knew that this would bug the grigs to no end. But don't worry, I have some nasty plans. The loss of one city that can be rebuilt is a small price to pay for the race's survival.


Canopy City

There was little to really loot except for some spider legs, bat wings, and birds eggs. There were also some precious stones and glittering rocks that some of the grigs might have fought over, but nothing too serious.

When they lit the fires, the wooden structures were engulfed in the conflagration. Everything was too easy. There was no resistance, no traps and no counterattacks.

Then the grigs smelled it. In the smoke, there was an odd fragrance. Many grigs began to feel dizzy and disoriented. They couldn't concentrate and many fell into a blissful druged daze.

The gari had left a present for the attrackers. Hidden across the city, they had stored bunches of flowers and herbs, things that really didn't seem important to the grigs compared to the precious stones and eggs. When the city began to burn, the drugs, often used in the Gari's shamanistic rituals and ceremonies, lit up as well.

[Johel]

...Awesome :smallamused:

Note for self :
Make research for anti-gaz masks...or learn how to use stimpacks.


Yraku sighed.
"-You know, even though it probably means the end of our little crusade, I'm happy to see this..."

The city was burning, whole platforms crashing along the trunks while more stable "buildings" were just transform into burning hells. Speaking of hell, the grigs knew now what it was. But most of them were too high to care. And by "high", I'm not speaking of the altitude.

The blaze didn't fry many of them, only a few hundred greedy who had remained behind to grab whatever gemstones had been left by their brothers. Those weren't a loss Yraku would miss. But the fact that the bounty was nearly null means even these few deads would compromise the whole crusade. Grigs were faithful servants of the Kind Mother but they were individualists to the core : They didn't take a risk if there was no wealth or no fun in it.

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

The sun was rising and, among the trees surrounding the former Canopy City, grigs awakened. They had flew there, trying to land despite the "navigation problems" induced by the drug. On the trunks, gory splats were evidences enough that not all the brave warriors had succeeded. Yraku preferred not to think about how many would be find down there, having fallen asleep while flying or simply fallen with the whole city.

Speaking of the city, it was among its few burned remains that him and the priests landed now to make their speech. The Canopy City was no more, only the houses built into the trunks had survived the fire.

The voice of the priest was not the mad and frightful one he usually used to scare the hell out of his adepts. It was now full of honey and he was using magic to even further his influence.
"-My brave, my very brave grigs !! I know what you're all thinking !! No, the Kind Mother didn't let us down yesterday !! No, she didn't just slap us in the face while we were ready to serve us at the best of our capability !! Of course, many died yesterday and the reward for their sacrifice is...well...let's say we expected more... But the true believers should not let themselves driven away from their quest by this...

"-Just shut the **** up and give us some more of that incense candles you burned yesterday !!"
"-Yeah, mon !! I' wanz more o' da one, too !!
"-Com'n, da' ain't difficult for ya, mon !! Ya da priest !! Ask Xiren for da goddamn funny flowers !!"
"-Yaahh !! More funky flowers !! More flowers !!"
"-MORE FLOWERS !! MORE FLOWERS !! MORE FLOWERS !!"

A chill ran down Yraku's spine and he began to shiver with a mix of fear and confidence. They were... it was like those young Lycian nobles, back in time, when the old Tzymik was still in charge. When Xiren's cabals was selling poison and drugs in the Kyba Empire. They were addicted !! How was that possible after only one single try ? Grigs were hedonistic devils who experienced hundreds of different pleasures. How could one drug be... Oh, and to hell !! It was irrelevant now.

"-You want some more ?!!"
He felt the true power behind Xiren's spell infuse him as he spoke. The whole crowd went silent for a few seconds and he seize the opportunity.
"-Then let's get some !! I can't give it to you for I don't now this plant. But I know some opossums who sure know which one it is. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHO I AM THINKING TO ?!!"

Thousands of cruel laughs filled the air, scaring away birds and squirrels alike. In one vibrant sound, the whole horde took off. They weren't on a holy crusaders. They were junkies...and they needed a fix.

[Savant]

It had been only ten minutes since the boat had left dock when a figure descended upon the fallen naga that lay in a pool of his own blood.

"You did not die well." Cirenos whispered to himself as his tongue tasted the air, taking in the residue magic that was caked onto the body. "Repeatedly charmed; not a talented spellcaster; strange magic as well... grig perhaps?" he started off at the ship which was now well into the horizon.

He turned to where the sleek trimere had pulled alongside the deck, about ten meters off. While the majority of the Naga used Hydras those who prefered to remain a little more under the radar used trimeres rowed by slaves. This was one a very sleek vessel.

"Ahoy there! We have come as requested!" The ship captain was a no nonsense Mamban with the weathering marks of several years of seamanship under his belt.

With an easy running start, Cirenos leapt from the dock to the deck next to the captain, much to the astonishment of the crew.

"In the name of our father; we need to stop that ship off to the horizon there."

The captain looked at the bead of a ship that was disappearing into the distance.

"That could be a while for us to catch that ship, si--"
"then by all means lets make haste now."

As the single row of oars extended, the ship began it's trek, the name Odyssey gleaming in the setting sun.

[Johel]

Sea pursuit

"-Faster, you lazy scaly handbags !! I can see them gaining on us !!"
"-Wind is blowing in front of us, we're doing our best but if we were sailing in the right direction..."
"-The right direction is away from THEM !! We have neither the firepower nor the right to get caught !!"
"-Yes, your excellence. The Blood Flower be praised, we won't fail !!"
"-Yeah...I'm sure. Now, faster !! We must at least hold until dawn."
"-Why for ? What's happening at dawn ?"

It was not exactly when it would happen but where : the ship was sailing right to the Underwater Jungle's direction. And even if it was slower than the trireme behind it, it would reach its destination in a few hours.

"-If only this wind could turn... Why isn't Xiren a wind goddess ?"

City of the Depths

"-Kappa !! Ship-Ship !! It's coming, mistress !! It's coming fast !!"
The Naïade rose an eyebrow. Like some oriental princess, she was laying on a long chair, encircled by her most loyal (read dominated) Kali slaves. The sharkmen were bringing her small seafruits and shells to eat while she watched two large Kappas duel to the death for her amusement.
"-And so what ? One of my sister is probably already moving to get it. And I'm full of lovers for now..."

Trullia wasn't the war-like type of fey. She was more concern about the next harvests of her territory than the surface dwellers, though she liked to have a steady supply of "flesh toys" like any naïades. As a dryad, she had learned that conflicts were to be avoided. Not doing so would only bring ruins in the end. Xiren had gifted her with a brand new domain, a race of weak minded soldiers and a fantastic palace inside a magical city. Why would she risk all of this ?

"-They got insect-fey on board !! And snake-men too !! And..."
"-Insect-fey ? Grigs are traveling with Nagas ?!"
"-Hu ? Y...yes, mistress. Kappa thinks so..."
"-Go get my sharks. We'll go to the surface, after all. Gather a reduce guard as well. No more than a hundred Kappas. I'm bringing two lovers along to guide the sharks."
The spy wouldn't have to wait until dawn, after all.


A force of Kappas led by a Naïade and two dominated Kalis is traveling to intercept the boats as soon as they'll near the Underwater Jungle.
Expect "Sparta time" for your Shivan, as the Kappas are just dumb but strong 3-feet tall amphibians with poisonous skin. Feel free to kill them all.

[Smiley_]

Northern forest

The frenzied grigs could think of nothing but their next target, though they were unsure of where it was. The first city they had found by charming some Gari, but now they were vigilant and unlikely to let themselves get caught. All they all they were certain of was the general direction. If they kept going deeper, they were sure to find more settlements and their intoxicating treasures.

Of course, in their eagerness to find more "funny flowers" the grigs ran blindly into traps. The forest was incredibly saturated with traps. Weighted net traps, clap traps, spike platform traps, windmill like swinging arm traps, needle traps, falling rock traps, snapping branch traps, all sorts. Even though the stupidest and most careless grigs were dying left and right, the smarter ones knew they were getting closer to the next target.

[Savant]

Odyssey

Cirenos watched grimly as his trimere made headway against the fleeing vessel; mainly due to the slaves who manned the oars. Thiers was not a bad lot in life, not when the other choice was ritual disembowelment on an altar to a god who is eternal in his hunger.

But they did not occur to Cirenos at all, as he paced the deck, surrounded by the bronzed armored spears of the naga warriors. there were only thirty of them, as this was not a vessel of war.

"We should be upon them within the hour, mil'lord..." the Captains voice drifted from the back where he manned the rudder.

"Then make preparations. I do not suspect these traitors will go calmly." Cirenos voice was ice as he considered the prospect coming up.

Discarding his cloak, he spread his four arms widely, his eyes tracing rune circles fondly. "It is time to test my worth.." he whispered to himself as he considered the prospect of voice exciting. Taking a deep breath; his four hands came to a rest in front of him, then began forming seals quickly; faster than the eye could see. As each seal activated it triggered a corrisponding rune tattoo on his body.

Shivan Seal: Armor of Obsidian

A suit of magic formed samurai like armour (think eko from opening credits from karas: prophecy) magically encased his body;

Shivan Seal: Divine Fangs

At the same time to lengthened katanas appeared crossed on his back.

"We shall see these traitors brought to justice." Cirenos murmured, now he was prepared.

[Johel]

Xiren

Sea Pursuit

"-Brace for impact !!"

The pursuit was over. Thanks to his more numerous crew of rowers, the Odysseus had gain enough speed to catch on his target. As the slaving vessel tried a last manoeuvre to avoid being ramed, the xirenists were drawing their weapons, a band of grigs flying among the masts while the Nagas waited on the deck.

The shock was hard and threw half of the crew down. Soon after, silent felt upon the slaving vessel, with only the creaking sound of the hull rubbing against each other as the Xirenists stood up. Seconds passed.

Then a lone battle cry filled the air, immeditately followed by the hiss of arrows raining from above. The grigs weren't going to go down without a fight...at least as long as they got Naga meatshields.

As the evil fairies fired the first salvo, a lone shadow jumped on the deck, moving swiftly past the first four Xirenist Nagas who, despite their fighting experience from the raids, went down with a gurgling moan. The rest of the crew reacted fast and a savage melee ensued.


I let you start the true fight.


The Odysseus had rammed the slaving vessel.
Cirenos is now alone on the slaving vessel.
Against him :
50 sailors with some fighting experience (they prey on undefended villages most of the time...) but not true warriors.
10 Grigs with short bows are firing from the masts.
Grigs can jump easily from one cordage to another and even fly (though badly, given the wind in high sea).
Charm ability are probably useless against the Naga warriors but it's useful to make the Naga sailors keep fighting rather than consider surrender.
I'll bring the Kappa reinforcement in next post.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Stone Garden

Mercury looked strangely at the...thing before her.

Let me get this straight. You serve some cosmic force or something... What are you doing on Earth, exactly? Observation? Is that your purpose?

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

The Juggernaut

Sjornir, King of the Colossi, didn't even bother to read the message brought by the hawk. His vassals took care of it and wrote this reply:

Dear Karthaidi trolls,
We apologize for trespassing on your sacred land. We mean no offense to your people. Unfortunately, it is necessary for us to take such measures here, in the borderlands, since you have proved incapable of stopping the mohrg infestation, the chaos cults, or anything. Of course, the villagers don't pay us for our services. We must take what we need. We, too, have families to feed, and food is scarce in the mountains. Certainly you understand.
We guarantee you that we will be gone when all threats are appropriately dealt with.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Partially insulted but also acknowleging, the legion head sent back one more note.

This is because it doesn't affect us as much as it affects you, however I will personally request that we begin war with chaos. Also we shall escort you, as to make sure that you do not harm the forests as much as possible.

[Smiley_]

Stone Garden

Oh, I don't know if it's as complex as that. Observation? Depending on your view, yes. Also depending on your view, I might serve some cosmic force, I might not. As for what I am doing here... I am here and you can decide for yourself what my role is.

Regardless, I believe our discussion is finished.

Nokumo, if that really was its name, melted into the tar. Just as quickly, the supernatural chills left and and all was silent once more.

--------------
Northern Forests

The grigs had found their next target. It was only a day's travel away, but making it this far was not easy, what with all the traps and all. The "junkies" had gone for a few days without their precious "funny flowers" and were feeling the effects of deprivation.

Not only that, but the forest itself seemed to be watching them. The grigs could sometimes hear whispers, laughter and taunts among the rustling leaves. At first, it could be dismissed without a second thought, but as the war party went deeper into the forest, the voices would become more audible.

Any deserters among the grig army would usually turn up dead and on display or disappear, giving the rest of the grigs an incentive to stay together

--------------
Elsewhere

The gods could feel something powerful work it's way across the spirit weave and into, or was it from, the earth and sky. This new power, however, did not feel malicious in any way, but it felt correct.

Acts were spent, but the exact nature will be PMed to Ipphli

[Johel]

Northern Forests

"-200. But that's not counting the 8th wing, which should arrive soon."

Yraku was boiling with rage as another priest announced the losses of the night. They had made a habit to travel out of daylight, as experience had told them it was somewhat safer : most mortals were sleeping at night. But what about the Garis ? The mighty priest had no idea but the little opossums had made a living hell out of the horde, be it at day or at night.

Of the 24.000 Grigs, only 19.000 were left. Many had died for sure but a lot of bands, scared to death or simply willing to try their luck with some outposts, had deserted. No word from them.

Wondering to what extend the "Funky Flowers" were a blessing, he went to his tent. Among the many fetishes and holy items, a cage made partially out of poisonous vine was hanging to the branch supporting the whole tent. Inside it, the prostred form of a "monkey". With his scepter, Yraku pocked the Gari.

"-Wakky wakky !! It's time for "Truth or Scream", sweetheart !!"
As the scepter began to glow with a dark red light, a evil grin ate Yraku's face. He asked no question, instead torturing the small mammal for a hour or so. When his lust for pain was satisfied, he stopped.
"-Pleasure before work, as usual. So, now, let's truly play. How far, yet ? We've reached the place you've told us about. Big dead tree, smelly purple fruits and a...decorative display."
How else could he describe the 26 skinned bodies of grigs nailed to the tree, their fleshy corpses full of maggots. Even if maggots were part of Xiren's worship, this treatment was somewhat gross.

It didn't take long for the afraid Gari to answer. Yraku nodded.
"-Good boy. Maybe I'll not cosplay the tooth fairy today. Maybe you'll keep those few remaining tooth you got. Or maybe not..."
When he went out, three other priests joined him.
"-So, what yours said ?"

------

The city was there. And this time, it was not empty. A careful watch, with complex light signal between the sentries through fairy fires, had been set around, above and below the city. No escape was possible for the Garis.

The grigs would take one day to rest and study their target and, at dawn, they would attack with all their might. Yraku and the priests didn't rest, however. Through a complex ceremony, they asked to Xiren to guide them but, furthermore, to send them a sign. A massive, ugly and poisonous sign. Three of the Kind Mother's holy centipedes arrived soon before night to lead the assault.

"-Brothers and Sisters !! Rejoice !! For tonight, we'll feast upon opossum's flesh !! And more important : tonight, you'll all get funky flowers !!"

A large, menacing cheer filled the air. Yraku was as glad as his followers to get his hands on some of the drug. Botanist as all Xiren's priests, he would love to study it and, more important, to use the Blood Flower's magic to make them grow. While he reflected over the potential of such a biological weapon, the rest of the priests gave the signal. The piercing sound of battlecries and flying arrows rose as darkness was breached by gloomy magical lights.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The messenger had reached the mighty city of Karthai-Jin. News of another war with the chaos fey, or a continuation of the last war. It was the same thing over and over, assault and rebuttal, assault and rebbutal. It was boring. But if the Grigs trully were advancing, then they had to be stopped. Permanently. The Witch Doctors began work on a new little potion, derived off of the anti-healing potion they cooked up from the Lycians. However they found that it wasn't an anti-healing spell, it was an anti-divine spell. Such power was unheard of, but it was powerful indeed. Their newest brew was going to be used against their swampy foes, in fact the whole swamp. It would slow down and even reverse the mutations that Xiren's children were known for. Mages from the Library, Hydromancers from the Yanze, Feral Trolls and the Astral Projections of the Dream Trolls were all called upon to crush the threat. Raminov's children were already being bred and trained for war, so they were another resource for the Karthaidi. When all was said and done, over thirty-five thousand troops had been amassed. It was time for war.
---
The skies over the swamp were soundless, but not without air traffic. Down from the skies descended the arial forces, Dire Eagles and Hawks with a Feral Troll companion. In their mighty talons were their payload: Casks of the Mutant-stopping potions. As they divebombed over the swamps, they released their payloads, casks breaking on contact with the trees and rocks, even those released into water and much were designed to be released into the said water to heal the land. A fine, purple mist was now covering the swamps, and were beginning to revitalize the plants and animals that lived their. The invasion had begun.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

Mercury returned to her Lord and revealed to him the existence of this "Nokumo". Soon, Moghor felt the disturbance in the earth. He shouted in rage.

"Nokumo! Kuto! Whatever you are, whatever you became! Stop hiding! I don't care what your goal is. I don't care if you think you are saving the world, destroying it, preserving the balance...whatever! Your place is not here anymore. You should have left with all your minions when Xiren defeated you."

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

The Juggernaut

The Colossi replied once again to the trolls.

You may follow us if you wish, but we doubt that you will find us. In any case, we are pleased to know that you will act against the chaos cults. We guarantee you that we will leave the forest as soon as possible. There are other areas that need our attention.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Zuli

The Forest God cackled at Moghor's non-understanding.

It ain't how dat works mon! Ju die, jor body reincarnates, den ju go back into da frey. Ju die again, den da whole ting happens all ova! His little buggers are still around, but he has now control over dem. Just like when Ah kill ju. ju'll reincarnate into a differen't god, or even a mortal. When ju die again, ju're reincarnated again. Just without da domain or anyting like dat.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

"Keep being positive troll god. We'll see how things play out. Now, why don't you make yourself useful and contribute to our new metropolis?"

[Johel]

Xiren


"Nokumo! Kuto! Whatever you are, whatever you became! Stop hiding! I don't care what your goal is. I don't care if you think you are saving the world, destroying it, preserving the balance...whatever! Your place is not here anymore. You should have left with all your minions when Xiren defeated you."

When she heard that, the Blood Flower shivered in both anger and fear.
Was HE really back ? Not he couldn't... She had seen his body drown into the mud of the Cloaque. The bones had probably been dissolved by the sulfuric vapors by now. She had used a shard of her divinity in this battle...hadn't it been enough ?

She teleported above Golden Aquila ((material plane, right ? :smallbiggrin:))
"-Kuto is dead, you gigantic idiot !! I killed him and easily !! Stop shooting like you needed to for us to hear you !! And don't listen to this fool, I bet he's smoked some of his own creations again. A god can't come back after his death... I mean... Yeah, this is not possible."

But what did she know about it ? The Creator, whoever he was, hadn't said much about it. He had just left them to their own device.

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

"-By Xiren's holy ****, what are these ?"
said Lord Türd as he pointed a finger to the sky. Eagles were flying there. Nothing unusual, as the Putrid Swamp was home to dozens of bird species. But the size of those ones was...suspect. This and the fact that something was on their back...and was throwing jars.

A purple mist filled the whole Swamp Troll village the minute after.
As the chemical attack stroke, women and children went out of the huts, coughing madly while the males assembled in haste. Raids were common and the imagination of their enemies being limitless, Lord Türd's people knew exactly how to react to an air attack. After all, these eagles were just like grigs, only larger and so easier to aim at.

"-Take yars bows or whatever ya can throw at them !! I want to eat birdies tonight, ya maggots !!"

Similar reaction could be seen in every villages of Trolls of Jakarus.

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

"-Here they are !! They'll know what it cost to fly over OUR territory without permission !! Here we are, guys !! FOR THE KIND MOTHER !!"

In the sky, over every grig village the eagles fly over, buzzing swarms of grigs and summoned insects ran to intercept the eagles. If individual grig were not much against Dire Eagles and Dire Hawks, they were much more numerous and, the priest's spells helping, their aim was much more accurate. Whole squadrons of the Imperial Karthaidi Airforce were annihilated, pilot and mount both riddle with poisonous darts.

But most of the brave trolls didn't care : the payload had been delivered. As for the effect it would have, it was another question...

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

"If you don't believe you are concerned by those words, Xiren, don't come here. And now, leave my sight at once, or else... I am not like Kuto. I will not leave myself be killed. If we ever meet in combat, it will be your end. Mark my words!"

[Smiley_]

Battle of the Second City

There was a responding sound, but not from the city. Behind the Grig formations came bonechilling shrieks, hoots, and cries. Thousands of Gari hunters and champions were pouring in from every direction, wielding war clubs and spears. Others from the highest branches rained darts and lances down from above.

Crashing through the branches, swinging by their arms like overgrown monkeys, enormous Gari marked with runes and warpaint, would catapult themselves into the midst of the grigs and begin wreaking havoc with their clubs and then retreat into the leafy hell that was taking shape.

Voodoomancers and priests supported their soldiers with charms and spells. Some of the more experienced shamans began fanning some of their odd smoke into the chaos. Now the grigs could experience the true nature of the drug. The war-masks and war-paint of the gari warriors turned them into ferocious demons in the eyes of the grigs. Many of the weaker willed ones panicked and tried to flee or protect themselves by any means possible, throwing caution to the winds.

No doubt, the smoke was causing similar feelings in the gari, but regardless, it was absolute pandemonium. The tree-people had altered the battle's perception, using fear and confusion as deadly weapons.

-----------------
Moghor's shouting

It didn't get any response or any indication he wasn't shouting his head off for no reason. Some of the gods are trying to take a nap, you know. :smallannoyed:

[Savant]

Xiren

Sea Pursuit

"-Brace for impact !!"

The pursuit was over. Thanks to his more numerous crew of rowers, the Odysseus had gain enough speed to catch on his target. As the slaving vessel tried a last manoeuvre to avoid being ramed, the xirenists were drawing their weapons, a band of grigs flying among the masts while the Nagas waited on the deck.

The shock was hard and threw half of the crew down. Soon after, silent felt upon the slaving vessel, with only the creaking sound of the hull rubbing against each other as the Xirenists stood up. Seconds passed.

Then a lone battle cry filled the air, immeditately followed by the hiss of arrows raining from above. The grigs weren't going to go down without a fight...at least as long as they got Naga meatshields.

As the evil fairies fired the first salvo, a lone shadow jumped on the deck, moving swiftly past the first four Xirenist Nagas who, despite their fighting experience from the raids, went down with a gurgling moan. The rest of the crew reacted fast and a savage melee ensued.


I let you start the true fight.


The Odysseus had rammed the slaving vessel.
Cirenos is now alone on the slaving vessel.
Against him :
50 sailors with some fighting experience (they prey on undefended villages most of the time...) but not true warriors.
10 Grigs with short bows are firing from the masts.
Grigs can jump easily from one cordage to another and even fly (though badly, given the wind in high sea).
Charm ability are probably useless against the Naga warriors but it's useful to make the Naga sailors keep fighting rather than consider surrender.
I'll bring the Kappa reinforcement in next post.



The four traitors died silently, with no more than a thought as Cirenos raced by, a katana held in each of the lower arms while the upper hands were frantically forming seals.

Shivan Seal: Burning Eye of the Sun

A ball of fire launched from his hands to strike a group of seven sailors who were rushing at him.

"ARGGHGHH!!!" Screams filled the air as fireball engulfed them; burning them into ashes. Through the fire Cirenos dove, one of his left arms snaking out to take the head of a dumbfounded naga who stared blindly at the smoldering ashes of his fellows.

The grigs howled their fury from the masts; the wind resounded with the twangs of their bows. But while Arrows came close to their mark; they found no opening the whirling blade barrier that surrounded this obsidian dervish.

Naga sailors now began to surround the long Shivan, and four nagas came forward with long hooked poles. The Shivan suddenly found himself at a disadvantage as between the hooks and the howling sailors they were almost seven more attacks than he could easily parry. All arms became single; the sword arms concentrating on parrying the barbed hooks while the unarmed hands blocked and redirected incoming sword swings and charges. All around him naga were stumbling to the ground and staggering back from sword nicks and bruised and even ruptured scales.

As a hook bearer brought all his strength to bear for an overhand blow, Cirenos saw his chance. Dodging to one side, Cirenos used the naga's head as a vault and leaped over the startled crowd towards the main mast.

Sheathing both swords his four hands blasted through seals in a flurry of movement.

Shivan Seal: Cutting Beam of Moonlight

As if holding an invisible sword, Cirenos swung his two upper arms in a slashing motion at the base of the main mast; Light bisected the mighty oak and in a splintering crack the mast began to fall foward into the second. The Grigs in the masts squeaked and took flight; their charmed sailors scurrying to avoid the tree felling boom of the main mast crashing into the secondary mast.

[Johel]

Sea pursuit massacre

"-Get him !! But get him, you slugs !! He is alone and there are more than forty...no, thirty of you !! He's just a snake bastard, you can chop him easily !!"

Despite the screams of the grigs, most Nagas were simply too slow and not skilled enough to compete with the Shivan. As the hybrid jumped in the air and slit the mast, grigs felt back to shoot as many arrows as they could.

Many darts found their target but a invisible wall seemed to block most of them, the blades of Cirenos slicing madly to shield him. What few darts hit the flesh of the Shivan bounced on his obsidian skin.

"-Aaaarg !! You have to be killing me, right ?!"
One of the grig rose his arms to the sky and began praying.
"-May the Kind Mother be praised !! May her wrath equal her love !!"
Suddenly, the priest ran a bone dagger through another grig's hearth. As the blood began to fall toward the ship's deck, it somehow evaporated, transforming into an black and orange mist which engulfed the mighty Shivan.

"-Let's see how your blades far against the Blinding Scrouge."

As the magic surrounded him, Cirenos felt somewhat dizzy. His grip on the katanas became weaker while his sight...was blurred. And even if the cloud was responsible for it, the Shivan could feel it also came right from inside him. No armour or blade could possibly protect against the smaller of Xiren's agent : virus.

The cloud then glided down the broken mast and spread on the deck. Screams of panic filled the air as many Nagas hit the floor. Seconds later, the dark mist had disappeared.


If you already spent a minor act on Cirenos

He is just dizzy and blinded for a few second, then shrug it of and keep fighting.

If Cirenos is just a very gifted mortal (even with a half-goddess as mother), you choose :

Blindness
Extreme weakness
Minor act to make him "half-divine" and so immune to diseases.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The bombing had stopped, and now it was time for the true invasion to begin. They marched through a gate in the wall, and as the first generals entered the gate, they found nothing what they expected. It was war amongst the various grigs and dryads, each vying for power. The plan still went ahead, vollies of spear hurler machines, followed by the fire of the crossbows. While the hurlers were designed to burst the bulidings, the crossbows were felling grigs and other land-based creatures. The sound of wings flapping signaled the second raid, meant to keep the mutagenic seed at bay until they could use ranged attacks on them. They put on special masks that held enough air for the sky raid to complete their tasks. They marched on and reported that the first section of swamp was cleared, each section being about two miles inward. They began scouting the surrounding swamp for any resistence. There were plenty of resisters. Grigs were pounding at the war effort, coming out of hiding and striking before returning to the shadows. It was what the army didn't want, but they did come prepared. A rather large eagle was given the order to launch the strike they inteded for. In his massive talons were an equally massive jar. When he got to launch altitude he dropped the jar. It exploded over the particular spot where the grigs were hiding out. It poured down from above and covered the trees, branches, leaves with a sticky, burning resin. While the trees themselves weren't harmed, the grigs who were caught in this resin would burn. An eco-friendly acidweb bomb.

[Johel]

((Arf... one at a time, plz :smalltongue: See OOC for my questions. Home invasion first.))

Putrid Swamp

Already busy with their own conflicts, the Putrid Swamp's inhabitants didn't notice the invasion at first. The purple mist was, of course, annoying but biological weapon was somewhat a tradition among xirenists and so it didn't occur to them that the Trolls who attacked weren't Swamp Trolls...until the ground invasion began. And until hell was dropped from the skies.

The bombardments were efficient but somewhat inaccurate. Grigs didn't really care : as their bands weren't larger than a hundred skirmishers each, the drops were mainly a waste of resources for no true result. The resin was sticky and the fauna suffered a lot from it but it didn't affected the plants...and even the weakest of the grig could control the growth of the surrounding flora.

The first strikes were a mitigated success but those which followed were just plaint failure. With the Fey magic, trees could grow in a twisted way and, in a matter of hours, could become large shelters, each with a one-feet-thick wooden roof, on which the resin would just flow like water before drying or dissolving in the ever-muddy soil of the swamp or in its many lakes of stagnant water.

Speaking of these pools, the ground invasion learned the hard way why the place was called the *Putrid* Swamp. It was Malaria at first but then many other diseases while the slightest wound became a nest for parasites. Vermin wasted the supply of food and equipment, eating grain, ropes, leather and anything not protected enough.

Because grigs could fly and because night was theirs, "cleared" sectors didn't remained such for long and the further the trolls went inside the Putrid Swamp, the hardest they would find it to supply their troops, as carts couldn't pass through the muddy and uneven ground of the Swamp, where no roads had ever been built. Such a travel was even more difficult when skirmishers attacked you at every opportunity and when the bulls, horses of whatever pulled the carts died from disease (or were eaten by the local monsters...)

As for the Mutagen Seed, the artifact remained hidden, for event the xirenists didn't know of its location. But its magic continued to affect the fauna and flora.


Mike, sorry.
But what you describe was basically US-Army modus operandi in Vietnam, except that the Vietcongs couldn't airlift their troops...while the grigs can.

It failed 35 years ago with modern weapon, in a relatively nice jungle, with cities to fall back in case of emergency and massive air bombardement of the whole country with explosives, chemicals and napalm (which is like your resin, only not eco-friendly, explosive and produced in industrial quantity).

It can't succeed in the Putrid Swamp, which is a vegetal hell, where the only major buildings are old dryad forteresses and slave farms, and when the eagles can't fly over the Swamp without being overwhelmed by grigs and summoned swarms. Only way to win : you burn it to the last flower...and even this would be hard because of the very wet climate and the grig ability to make plant growth faster.

So, I'll just let the skirmishers, the fauna and the flora make your army swell. Remember, it's not a nice European forest, it's a swamp and a nasty one.

[Smiley_]

Battle of the Second City

In the chaos, the winners could not be easily determined. The grigs really had no clue how many they had kiled or lost. It was unlike any battle the grigs had fought before. Their opponents did not seem to be trying to kill the invaders but instead moved and turned as if tey were performing the parts of some grotesque play in this drug induced frenzy.

Pain or fear didn't seem to matter to the gari warriors. They moved almost effortlessly among the grigs, using their mastery and knowledge of the terrain to great effect. How long had they been fighting. an hour? Three? All night?

Without warning, the fairy fires dimmed and any light was sapped out of the sky and a whooshing sound could be heard overhead. In the clammor, the grigs could feel the Gari retreating. Either this was some other form of witchcraft or something had scared them off. Something that they found more reason to fear than the army of grigs.

The light came back slowly and, once again, the whole place was deserted. The grigs were able to see the aftermath of the assult. Hundreds, no, thousands of bodies lay among the branches. Many were Gari but the grig dead outnumbered them several times over. They had won the battle but at what cost? One of the centipedes had also been slain in the swift counterattack.

No valuables were found in the city this time. It was stripped bare. Even bridges and houses were dismantled and carried off. The grigs still had no idea how many gari were lurking in the forest and they knew that their conquest could not continue for long.

By the way, expect the first city to reappear soon (to the great annoyance of the grigs, hopefully). They aren't very durable or defendable, but they can be replaced quickly and almost effortlessly.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The ground invasion wasn't successful, and as Karthaidi doctrine dictated, they retreated. It wasn't worth invading and holding such a vile place that could just be bombarded and wiped clean of filth. Though even the most ignorant troll warrior knew that something big was being researched to destroy things via magic, only generals and higher-ups knew the full story. For almost five years the greatest voodoomancer minds in the empire, along with mages from the isle of souls and the hydromancers of the yanze had put their heads together to think of a weapon capable of crushing any resistance, without much harm to flora and fauna as possible. And their weapon was just about finished. All they needed was a test. This was their oppertunity.

look for the destruction of the swamps in part two of this amazing story, a few days from now!

[Johel]

Continental Forest (Garis_vs_Grigs)

The battle was a complete disaster. Sure, victory was theirs, who would have doubt of this ? But at what cost ?! Yraku didn't care so much for the deads than for their impact on moral.

In an army where no formal hierarchy or discipline was strictly enforced, everything was based on moral. The only reasons the grigs had continued the crusade after the first city were their addiction to the "Funky Flower", their wounded pride (if a grig could have any...) and their thirst for wealth.

Today, their pride was lower than ever, shred to pieces by an horde of opossums even more savage than the little fairies. No valuable had been found, not even a body to loot as the Garis ran around mainly naked. The only good point was that in the empty city.

"-How did they even take the rope bridges while we were suppose to surround the place ? Hey ?!! Answer that !!"
"-M...maybe they were waiting for us ? Ya know, we haven't really played it stealthy and..."
Yraku wasn't in the mood to listen more. 9.000 deads among the Grigs for only 4.000 Garis corpses. Of course, numbers weren't as accurate as if a true organization had been set but that's what came from the priests who counted their bands and the bodies in the city.

"-Stealthy... Yes, why did we even went in the open like that ? Was it what Xiren wanted ? If not, why didn't she show it to me ?"

-----
"-Cause I'm a bit-ch, you toy-thing !!"
-----

Anyway, Yraku had to move on. One good point, though : Funky Flowers had been found, naturally growing on the highest branch of the trees. It was a sort of symbiotic vine, feeding from the tree while keeping it clear from insects and vermin through its narcotic pollen.

The high priest had given orders for the plant to be secretly harvested and put into a bark coffer for transport. He'd take care of it personally. As for the horde, she'd probably disperse soon, its last act as crusade being to burn the city and cut the trees so that everybody would see Xiren's might (or at least, nobody would question her victory...)

Continental Forest (Troll cities)

With a sizeable portion of the imperial military busy at the Putrid Swamp to "contain and fight chaos", the Fey Folk had clear hands to work.

Over the century, the usual skirmishes, sabotages, ambushes and "seeding" had become daily nuisances for most of the Forest's inhabitants, nothing more. A village would be wiped, a well poisoned, the fleshy bodies of travellers were found every week or so... but all in all, the grigs had never truly be a threat to civilization, except when they spread epidemics but even these would quickly die off and the Karthaidi Empire's cities had never been directly aimed.

Until that day.

A thick yellow cloud had appeared at the main market of the capital city, while most civilians were busy. Trolls from all ages and origin : Forest Trolls, River Trolls, a few Plain Trolls as well. Male and female, elders and children. None had been specifically targeted but all were affected when the biological weapon blew, only blistering skin and soaring throats at first but, as the panicked crowd spread through the city, the virus reveals itself in all its horror. It took only 5 hours for the first victims to die from massive internal haemorrhages. 2days later, 60% of the population had died. The rest of the population was either unaffected or cured in time.

In other cities, the same happened, all of this in such a short time that no cure was in effect when the Karthaidi Empire felt in terror. However, none of the following attacks were as deadly as the first one and investigations soon revealed the modus operandi of the terrorists : lone River Trolls, ambushed in the Forest while travelling, tortured and charmed until converted to Xiren's doctrine. Each with a grig as "moral guardian", they had carried vials inside the cities...and ripped them open at the appropriate time. None of them had survived, as they were all at ground zero, their “moral guardian” already flying away after having charmed them one last time to “motivate” them to “stick to the plan”. Most Trolls weren't probably even aware of the true nature of the vials...

About 30% of the urban population had been killed. The rest lived in fear : the Karthaidi Empire had no true geographical border which could be use as a control point. No sea, no mountain, nothing but the walls of its cities. Grigs, while being individually weak, were tiny flying and jumping devils who didn't care for ground defences.

Even worst, their magic allowed to charm nearly anybody...which means any Troll, Lycian, Ruskie or Jakaru, even those who looked the most peaceful and friendly, could in fact been manipulated victims and future accomplices. In fact, if it wasn't for its destructive and sadistic nature, what prevented the Fey Folk as a whole to secretly mind control entire villages and use them as bases to fall back, breed vermin and incubate virus ? Biohazard incidents on civilians weren't exactly among the Fey Folk's concern...


1 Minor Act to create Über Ebola. Count as a magical disease which is airborne but can't survive for long outside an host. the Fey Folk use animals or slaves as living incubators.

1 Major Act to give the Grigs a strong resistance against diseases. They can resist more easily than most mortals to virus and bacteria. However, they are not immune though they'll build immunity faster than most mortals.
1 Major Act to give the same to the Dryads.

Let's proceed with the Putrid Swamp.

But know that, as we talk, tens of thousands of cruel tiny fairies are hiding in your very society. Evilness is in their blood and so far, they waited for an reason to focus on true destruction rather than their daily mischiefs. The Trolls gave them two reasons : Revenge but also Survival. :smallamused:

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The great Eagle Lord had came to the battle herself, with a mighty boulder-looking object. Using her eyesight, keener than any mortal, she pinpointed the source of the swamp: The mutagenic seed. With uncanny precision, she dropped the mighty weapon upon it from a safe distance. It didn't drop onto the seed, per se, but it did its job a few feet atop of it. It became surrounded with such an arcane force that it ripped the seed apart layer by layer. The field spread the length of a small kingdom, or roughly a large portion of the swamp. While the effect on the forest was a horrible side-effect, dead and mutated trees everywhere, it did get the job done. Anything inside the field was ripped apart, layer by layer, until even the soul was peeled away and dissipated to its appropriate place. 70% of the swamp was desolated, crushed and gone. The test was a mixed result. It wasn't as powerful as expected, and it utterly devasted flora and fauna. But the seed itself was gone, another wave of the potion bombs would clear the mutated remains. The day came at a price, however, and many atroll's wives and children could have died.

Jin'Karthai
The scene was horrible. Funerary processions were held enmasse to the great moseleum in the Grove of the Dead. They were forced to be reminded that the great life they had could be gone at any day. However, the forest wasn't going to be a grig's home. The other three Animal lords themeslves decided to purge the enemies from their home. The would gather the rest of the lesser animal lords, roughly a thousand, and began their crusade along with the Sprite Darters and Nymphs, Feral trolls and Dream-Troll visions. This was going to hurt the grigs more than it would hurt the trolls, they would make sure of it.

[Johel]

Xiren

Erda's Metropolis

Two weeks had passed since "The Bang".
The news had spread quickly around the world : the Putrid Swamp was no more. The Fey Folk was decimated...and with him most the Swamp inhabitants. All had been killed in one single blast. Swamp Jakarus, Swamp Trolls and monsters, of course. But also men, women and children from all races, enslaved for years by the dryads before being coldly murdered by the Karthaidi Empire. 70% of the Swamp was gone and who knows how many lifes ? Probably less than what the Fey Folk had done in centuries but still so many in so little time... And now, rumors of Trolls leading an army of beasts across the forest, marching in every directions from the Trollgroves. What was their objective, now ?

"-Is the Fey Folk the true threat ?"
That was the message painted in capital letters on the walls of the city, along with the picture of an arcane field swirling madly over mountains. Similar graffiti had appeared in most secondary streets, as well as public places. There was also this strange rumor about a convoy being arrived at the Golden Aquila's gates, with a large tree on a house-sized carriage. As the sentries of the gates knew, the rumors were true :

Camping outside, what looked like an diplomatic mission was waiting, beautiful women screaming orders to their servants and the grigs escorting them.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Diplomats were sent to the Erdas to state their reasons and actions

"For too long the enslavements and murder of all races had happened. Not just trolls, but jakarus, lycians, and others. Chaos was once our concern, and the swamp was let to fester, left to begin its campaign of evil which would have crushed all life with its pustulant grip had it not been for the destruction which was wreaked upon it. The price to destroy evil is never too much, and we payed for it with the blood of our men, women and chlidren. May Zuli help us through our time of need. But we will never apologize for our actions. There may have been men women and children in the swamp, but they were neither free or peaceful. They were mindless thralls under the dryad's grip and we could not invade without making the cost of life on both sides escalate. Once again, we will not apologize, because we do not expect the Grigs and their murderous and slaver kin to apologize."

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor

Moghor sat on his golden throne, looking through a scrying mirror. He looked at the mortal world and saw in what sorry state it was. But it wasn't as bad as it looked. In fact, things could only get better, as the Erdas and the other civilized races were about to take control of the situation.

You have lost. Zuli, Xiren, all of you... I will be the master of Earth!

This is a thought, by the way

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

The Sunset Canyon

Totolkan, heir of the Titans, stood on top of a cliff overlooking the Sunset Canyon. A searing wind blew on his face, but he didn't care. Just like he didn't take note of the many voices ringing in his head. These voices belonged to his past victims, and they had hunted him all his life. But thanks to Moghor, Totolkan had been reborn: he was now completely emotionless and more focused than ever on his goal. The jakaru construct turned his back to the canyon and looked at his companions: Felaar, Zebonia and Sjornir.

"The supremacy of Moghor is now assured. Those who would deny him his throne are to be punished. Those who accept his gifts are to be blessed!

Today...today marks a new era. Long ago, the coming of the Titans was foretold. Their primal power was unleashed upon the world. And the world was changed. Now, you are about to see this energy being used for a... greater purpose.

Today, the King Underground reforges the world!"

Then, just as Moghor did during the Creation of the World, Totolkan kneeled and punched the ground. At that moment, the Giant King lent him a fraction of his divine power.

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

The World

At first, only the region near Aquila was hit by tremors...but soon, it happened all over the world. The earth cracked in some places, revealing fissures of various sizes. Most settlements were unaffected by the quake; however, gigantic stone pillars and "forests" of obsidian "trees" emerged from the ground, changing forever the face of certain regions. What was even weirder was the fact that the new fissures glowed with a red light and were covered in runes. While this was a complete mystery to most people, the most skilled of magic-users found out the truth: those were mystical lines created by the flow of energy under the earth. This new type of energy was being channeled in several places on the mainland (in fact, where the Titans set up their bases), but most of it was flowing west...toward the Canyon.

At the same time, something else unexpected happened. All the Mountain Jakarus of the planet fell in a deep sleep and woke up with a different, much more resilient body primarily made of earth and metal. The Jakarus had lost many vulnerabilities and gained a valuable link with Moghor's element.

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

The Sunset Canyon

Totolkan got up and waited. He waited until all the other Titans spread around the world redirected the energy from the ley lines to the sacred birthplace of the Erda race. Thousands of curious erdas, as well as quite a few Krokutas, looked out of the caves to see what was happening. In the bottom of the canyon, a serpentine shape emerged from the waters. It was difficult for anyone to see clearly what it was because of the mist filling the valley. But one thing was sure: this thing was enormous, its body several miles long. Suddenly, a loud voice echoed in the valley.

"Soon, my new body will be complete and I will be among you! The World Serpent! Born of faith, dreams and hopes! The work of mortals, and yet, divine! Soon, my children...you will know true power!"

4 major acts used, including one to change the Jakarus. I realize that one major act to change all the different subspecies of Jakaru may bit unrealistic, so let's say that it affects only the Mountain Jakarus, wo are still pretty numerous.
Will reply to the delegations a bit later

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

The colossal being, invisible to mortals, stepped onto the land where the putrid swamp used to be, the damp earth squishing between his toes.

He spread open his hands and dig them into the ground. He pulled them out again as steaming watter bubbled up, creating numerous ponds. He touched the water, tasting it. It did not taste foul like that of the swamp, only slightly bitter from the various flavors of the earth. That was good.

Thin reeds and dark green vegetation began to cover the landscape, though unlike the plant life in the swamps, these plants were healthy and strong. Here and there, there were trees with roots dug under the ponds. The whole place smelled like cool, moist soil. These new marshes were not a tangled vegetal hell like the swamp was. the ground was open to the sky and a calm river flowed through wetlands, feeding the various streams and ponds. It covered most of the desolated area but the places near the swamp's borders remained barren.

Nokumo looked over the landscape towards the swamp and then to the forest. The forests could not last. Already they were being replaced. It was a pity, really. They did look quite nice.

As a finishing touch, Nokumo cast several balls of light into the new marsh. Thelights split apart and settled down. Emerging from where the various lights landed were the fathers of the flying fey-devils, sprites.

The new denizens of the marsh fanned out among the reeds. Skilled in the ways of magic, these little spirits created by the old god Parda would be able to keep this land. Nokumo sat down and reached over to the river. This he tapped and muttered something to. The watter rippled and a scaly black-green head emerged, staring at the great spirit.

It is good to be back.

1 major act to turn most of the devastated lands into clean, fresh marshes. There is still room for growth, but there is still a strip of devestation between the putrid swamp and the marsh.

1 minor act to transport/create a small population of sprites and 2 minor acts to mark the beginning of a restoration. (1 super character created to watch over the marshes, but that is just the beginning. I suspect Xiren is gonna be pissed.

Northern Forests

As the grigs worked, a group near the edge of the army spied something large behind the great trees. When they drew closer, they could see it was an enourmous black spider, its legs spread out over several trees.

The spider just sat there, staring at the grigs emotionlessly, munching on the wing of a giant bat it had caught.

[Johel]

Xiren

Putrid Swamp (or whatever his name will soon be...)

Yraku didn't feel at ease when he finally made it to the Putrid Swamp. At first, he had been relieved to return home, as he and the remnants of his band intended to do a pilgrimage to appease Xiren after the disastrous crusade against the Garis.

The holy war was still going on but now, both species were fighting the way they were the best at : ambushes, skirmishes, sabotages. So far, none of them had taken the lead, as Gari hunting parties would be butchered mercilessly while the Grig cabals would more than often disapear. However, it would only be a matter of time before the Fey Folk scored a stretch of victories. Or so Yraku was willing to though, if what he had heard from western bands was true.

But whatever was in motion in the Continental Forest, it didn't change the fact that the holy land was changed : crystaline pools of water with an healthy green tan from the “purified” swamp plants, many bushes with juicy fruits and a few majestic trees which canopy couldn't hide the sunlight. The worst for the grigs was perhaps the fact that their degenerated do-gooders brothers, the Sprites, had somehow moved in.

"-How dare these heretics spoil the Blood Flower's holy lands ?!!"

Even if the borders were still “blessed” by Xiren's “love”, it was only a matter of time before this change too. The Putrid Swamp didn't deserved its name anymore.

But even when staring across this heavenly landscape, mortals could see a single dark spot. A black and muddy island surrounded by dark, oily waters, at the center of which, rising as if to touch the clouds, was the gigantic Tree of Decay, blessed by Xiren herself many years ago and warded along the centuries with the sacrifice of thousands of innocents. During the Dryad Kingdom's days, this place had been a neutral ground where the queens had gathered to discuss politics, as well as to torture rich mortals with a artifact. The reign of the dryads was over but the artifact remained : the Scepter of Sins.

Yraku breathed deeply as he flew above the waters to reach the island...and bumped into the powerful wall of magical wards. He though himself lucky not to have triggered any of the defenses. The Kind Mother only knew what would have happened to him.

"-What's going on, chief ?"
"-Nuthin'... We better get going. We're not welcome here...for now."
"-Ya mean we gonna come back ? The swamp will...become like before ?"
"-In due time, my friends, in due time. But for now, we're not strong enough. Let's hide in the shadows, let's weaken our enemies from the inside and slowly corrupt the lands."
"-Usual business, say ?"
"-Yeah, usual business. But not here. The trolls must pay first. We gonna visit our brothers near the Trollgroves. I heard they were brewing surprises for the big green boys."

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

Continental Forest

The hunt against the Fey Folk proved unsuccessful. The forest was maybe the territory of the Animal Lords but it covered the whole continent. The Grigs weren't an organized nation with large population centers to strike or a leadership to hunt down. Individual bands could hide easily and there was just not enough manpower to search the whole forest at once...not with the victims of the Über Ebola virus.

Viral outbreaks kept happening among the troll cities but also in dozens of villages. Many patrols had found out that entire villages were used by the Fey Folk as hiding places.

Small shrines dedicated to Xiren's cult, as well as dozens of vials, had been found. The oddest thing was that, in most cases, the civilians, without being enthralled, had welcomed the grigs as their friends.

Investigations revealed a pattern : a single troll would be charmed while alone. He would first simply bring supply to his new "friends" but soon, he'll help them to enter the villages, to charm more people and to convince them to "help the Fey Folk survived the tyrannic and genocidal Empire". The population would then hide and supply the grigs and even allows dryads to settle near the village. Unknown from them, the Fey Folk would use the civilians as guinea pigs for their viral experiments or simply as vessels to transport the virus to the cities.

As the charmed villages weren't actively revolting, the only clue of their corruption was usually a "biohazard incident", where the whole village and a few fairies would die horribly.

The trolls learned a few thing about the Über Ebola virus. Plants or other usual curative methods weren't working at all. Curative magic seemed the only thing to work but still, only the most powerful priests could hope to lift the disease. And most of the time, given how fast the virus killed, it was useless to try to cure a infected city : to many victims for too few healers.

-----------

Sanctuary city

After the world-wide earthquake, the "diplomats" sent a message to the authorities of the Holy city of Moghor.


"-Me, Liana, granddaughter of the once mighty Sfarina, ask to speak with the lords of this city. I speak in the name of most of my sisters and in the behalf of hundred of Grigs. The Fey Folk endures a genocide. Whenever it is morally right or not is not the issue. The issue is : after the Fey Folk, against who will the Empire use its weapons ? Save the Fey Folk and you'll earn centuries to counter the Empire. Let us die and the bombs will fall from the sky in a matter of decades.

We only ask for a sanctuary and for supply. We have much to offer in return.

Liana the Swan, leader of the Fey Resistance

[Smiley_]

Gari

While the grigs kept fighting ruthlessly, it soon became apparent that they were fighting a losing war. The Gari had more resources, better knowledge of the land, more readily available warriors, better organization and were, even though the Grigs wouldn't admit it, far more savage than anything the invaders could have anticipated. Slowly but surely, the grig patrols were being pushed out of the forests. Even normal disease warfare did not seem be very effective on the Gari, for aside from curative magics, their steady diet of the slain grigs built up their resistance to the swamp-dwelling diseases.

In addition, the contested areas of the woods gave birth to monsters that were definitely unlike any animal seen in the forest, or even the swamps for that matter. Sometimes it would be a headless man-thing made entirely of bark, other times a spiny tree hugging creature with too many arms, snatching at anything that came too close. These were readily dispatched, but they certainly were a nuisance to the invading forces.

Continental Forests, Northern

The spider chewed loudly for a second and then crawled over to the grigs, it's oversized body not even disturbing a single leaf on the trees it placed its feet on. As it stared coldly at the frightened fey, it spoke in a chilling voice.

"You should leave. All of you, before you begin to make some of us angry."

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Free City of Sanctuary

The leaders of Sanctuary met with the representatives of the Fey Folk at the city gates. They were greatly divided on this issue: many erdas, lycians and jakarus had suffered at the hands of Xiren's devilish children and wished them dead. Everybody knew the Fey Folk weren't to be trusted. However, Sanctuary had never refused refugees before. Furthermore, they considered Liana's warning about the Empire. The forest trolls, xenophobic and protectionist as they were, represented a threat to the Free City and its allies. If they didn't keep the trolls in check, who would?

Thus, the leaders decided to grant the refugees from the Putrid Swamp a piece of land located a few miles from the city. This marshland was not suitable for cultivation, but it was perfect for the fey. This new "haven" was called Xiren's Ward. During the following week, stoneworkers and earth mages went to work to build a wall around the grigs's new home. This was meant to protect the people inside, and not to imprison them. In fact, at all times, the Fey Folk were free to leave or enter Xiren's Ward. However, they were not allowed to go inside Sanctuary proper unless they were accompanied by a few men from the city guard. Liana was also warned armed guards would be patrolling the streets of Xiren's Ward and that they were not to be charmed or enslaved in any circumstance.

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

A messenge from Sanctuary was sent to the Karthaidi trolls.


We, the people of Sanctuary, understand your reasons and feel your grief. You have acted in self-defense against the Fey Folk. You have acted in the best interest of your people, but all the nations of the world benefited from it. We will not forget this. We haven't forgotten how the forest trolls came to the aid of the erdas on the Wall many years ago, either.

However, like our allies (Aquila, Stillmoon, Thrinax, and Redunkeep, to only name a few) we are concerned about the usage of some dangerous magic devices by your leaders. We have seen what you did to the Swamp: it did some good, but left most of the land devastated. We can't say for sure if the cost was worth it. You have caused more deaths in one week than the Fey Folk in one hundred years. One thing is sure, this must never happen again. We demand that you destroy any more bombs you may have and that you cease research on this kind of weapon. To make sure that you do, we ask you to accept some of our researchers into your fold. Of course, we invite you to send your own scientists and magic-users to work here, in Sanctuary, to be taught by the world's brightest and smartest.

Lastly, you will notice that we have accepted grig refugees. Those who live in Xiren's Ward won't be allowed to participate in criminal or military activities. If we find that some of those "citizen" have been causing you trouble, we will have them leave the sacred ground of Sanctuary immediatly.

Sanctuary is somewhat similar to the city of Ptolus, from the campaign setting of the same name. There are several factions or power groups inside, including renegades and heretics. Yet, the government is lawful and the major temples and mage academies work hand in hand with the officials to assure the security of Sanctuary's citizen.
Sanctuary officials have ways to detect charms and many of the city's leaders aren't affected at all by charms and compulsions (because they are disguised undead or simply possessed by a spectre :smallwink:).

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The Animal Lords read the letter and sent a letter in response:


We accept your offer and will send an envoy with some of the greatest minds of the empire, as well as guarentee that there will be no practical research into the weapon, however our scientist are developing a practical alternative energy research. However in order to insure that no more weapons are made from our research, we are sending all information that regards to weapons usage to the library on the island of souls, to be locked away for ever and eternity. Make no mistake we fear that such a weapon will fall into enemy hands, and furthermore, we have destroyed the shell of the weapon itself and incinerated the evidence of its existance. Thank you for your patience and kindness.

[Raz_Fox]

He said WHAT????

Mia had been working hard, trying to keep her kids out of the troll/grig war. The KME was - predictably - selling weaponry and earth magic to both sides, while most of the other Lycian territories were keeping well away, simply working on their own wars and civilizations.

It seemed almost overnight that the Western Confederacy had sprung up on the north-western coast, a new land and hope for the refugees of the Yanze Empire. The KME and the Vale were so closely united that they might have been brothers in arms. Even in the south, Lycian lands flourished in the burning desert and the tropical southern coast. Gryphons and

But then, as Mia had stopped another war between the baronies of Ademar and Gilder - predictably, by slamming Baron Ademar's head into Baron Gilder's head - she heard Moghor's booming thought ripple through the astral. Luckily for the battered barons, Mia ran off with merely "Now stop fighting bye bye see ya soon!!"

Mia appeared before Moghor in her storm of phantasmal blades, a warrior with shining armor and colorful silk that was many times more magnificent than the wandering maiden she was in flesh. In her divine form, she was even taller than Moghor and Paragon shone at her side with a fell light.

"You name yourself Master of Earth, Moghor??"


Ddeon

Ddeon bought for herself a loose garment in the manner of their people, and a blade that was far too light and curved... but would suffice for what she hoped to do.

She'd have to wait for her "trial" to begin, and pray that Mia would listen to her...


Mount Redunkeep

"And the moral of the story is: never try to hide from Setto Kyba underground." Setto smirked as his companions walked into the magical hole in the mountainside, leaving the foolish creatures guarding the gate - and hopefully most of the mountain's guards - oblivious to their presence.

Ruben strode forward, unusually bold, followed by Erkbrand and Florent. The three had swords drawn, ready to fight any guard or monster. Following them were Sucil and Nonas, the twin mages' magical talent undoubtedly useful in a crisis. Hanis and Tanli flanked Sarha, carefully protecting her. Lastly came Karreth and Setto, closing their portal behind them.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor's domain

Moghor, in his avatar form, was just meeting with his mortal lieutenants. When he sensed Mia coming, he sent them back to Earth.

"Felaar, I sense that someone has opened a portal in Redunkeep. Be on your guard."

When Mia finally showed up, Moghor was back to his true, divine form. He had a smirk on his face.

"My dear Mia, here you are. We haven't seen you in a long time. Done playing with mortals? While you were...educating your so-called heroes and stealing some of my champions, I have been busy building an empire. A new world order, if you will. This is what the planet needed, don't you think? With my help, the mortal races will prosper like never before. Isn't that what you want, Mia? Of course, you'll have a part in it. If you haven't noticed, I have invited every one of my brothers and sisters to collaborate with me, but no one was willing to help make it possible. To make world peace possible. Is it that the others, including you, like the world as it is? Violent and unstable? Please tell me if that is what you believe...dear Mia."

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

Mount Redunkeep

The High Cleric Felaar went back to his chambers where he put on his legendary armor. He then went down into the Obsidian Lair. He told the guards to stay alert and entered the Chamber of the Altar, at the heart of the Lair.

So, Mia's heroes may have to face those challenges while inside the Lair:
Patrols of fire mages and iron golems,
Traps,
Ambushes by earth elementals (huge Deep Crawlers),
The Cerberus,
And, obviously, Lord Felaar himself.

Feel free to post about any of those (some are easy to ignore, but they will definitely have to fight the Cerberus and best Felaar if they want to get the artifacts) and I will respond accordingly.

[Raz_Fox]

Mia and Moghor sitting in a tree

"I believe... that you're absolutely wonderful!!!!!!" Of all the things that Moghor was expecting, an enthusiastic bear hug and a high-pitched squeal of joy probably wasn't one of them.

"I've been waiting for somebody to step up and take command, and here you are!! Finally, we gods can work together to help teach and protect our children!! With you getting all the world's administration details out of the way, we can actually focus on heroing and voodooing and diseasing and all those things!!!"

She ponders for a moment. "Do you think that we could create a Council of Gods? I mean, if it was just you asking it might sound bossy but if I asked with you it might show the other gods that we really mean well and want to work together!! What do you think, Moghor?!?"

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

Moghor was taken by surprise.

"You approve of my plan? Well, that's a first. It's appreciated nonetheless.

As for the Council of Gods idea, it's already been tried. Remember the "court" that judged Parda and Xiren, so long ago? See how that worked out? I,m not saying it's hopeless. I welcome you to try. What the other gods must understand is that we can't continue like this. Our goals are too different. We must accept some compromises and let the mortals live their lives. Once I have completed by...project on Earth, our worshippers will have all the tools at their disposal to take control of their destiny. Trust me."

[Mike_the_Mystic]

As long as da forests stay in da Trollgroves and elsewhere mah trolls live, den ah don't see any problem wit jur plan, mon. If ju crush da forests, den ju will face mah blades, and den ju'll die. But ah don't tink ju wanna do dat, do ju?

Zuli sends to Moghor.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

Ignorant of what Moghor was up to, not even hearing his claim to the earth because Moghor had simply thought it to himself, the colossal spirit had been siting in the shallow waters of the marsh for almost fifty years now. It was erie and unsettling, should anybody look at him. He didn't seem to be plotting, resting, moping, watching, listening or doing anything active, he was just giving himself a fifty-year soak, staring ahead at the remanants of the putrid swamp.

---------------------
Meanwhile

The great heavens were eventually swallowed by the ever expanding spirit weave. Still, the gods could see it if they really tried searching, but since no one had bothered to look at it since its creation, this growth had gone more or less unnoticed.

-----------------
Kuto

Was still nowhere to be found, not in this world at least. Finally without his flesh and mind, he was finally free of all prisons, including those of time and space, but he is still, in fact, quite quite dead.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

Moghor presented a set of black keys to Mia, each bearing a unique symbol. The goddess recognized the symbols from the doors created by the Porter at the dawn of time.

"Mia, would you be so kind as to visit each of our fellow gods to present our plan? We don't have to set up a permanent Council, but it would be nice if everyone accepted to meet in the Plane of a Thousand Doors for an emergency meeting. Give them each a key and tell them to go through the door associated with the key's symbol."

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

In the last decades, the Word of Moghor Rezamir spread everywhere in the world. First, the four titans appeared to the people who didn't know of Moghor already. They spoke of a paradise on Earth and performed miracles to show the greatness of the Giant King. As soon as the titans were gone, clerics stepped in to organize the faith of Moghor in those regions. Of course, they weren't always welcome, but their teachings appealed to a large number of aristocrats. The clerics, being themselves of noble birth, quickly rose in power in some communities. If that didn't suffice to bring the leaders into Moghor's service, the god sent his favorite spies, the Krokutas, to whipser dark thoughts in their ear at night.

Meanwhile, the erdas, colossi and mountain jakarus fared fairly well. Their population constantly grew, as scientific discoveries and new inventions made their society rich and their lives much easier. They built their first steam engine and began producing more complex machines and golems. The use of arcane crystals in their craft added some interesting qualities to their creations.

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

A day later

Moghor waited until Mia was gone to act. The next day, in the mortal realm, the people of Earth woke up to find something new in the heavens. They were surprised to see a pale disc hanging in the sky. Had this moon always been there?

1 minor act to increase significantly the greed of a few individuals (mainly kings, mayors, etc.), which is done through the intervention of the Krokutas
3 minor acts to increase the population of the three species
1 minor act to give another boost to the erda's engineering skill
1 minor act to increase the potency of arcane crystals
1 major act to...create a moon?! There may be more than meets the eye...

[Smiley_]

Visited races

The Gari welcomed the divine messengers. They could certainly appreciate a physical representation of a divine power and surely the lord of strength and stone could help make the trees they lived in healthy and mighty. More shrines popped up and several Gari decided to return to the city with the messengers. The priests were mostly successful, but these little fuzzballs seemed just a little too eager to convert, yet they did not seem to take their new devotion very seriously. If the priests did attempt to disuade them from spirit worship, the gari would absolutely refuse.

The sea-wolves had found the east-bound titan, pointed it towards the human archipelago, and thanked it for its trouble. It was uncertain whether or not the giant sea-folk were interested in Moghor, or in any god for that matter.

Word of the titan seemed to have reached the humans before it had made its arival. To the suprise of any messengers, it turned out that they already had a few temples to the Giant King as well as many more to Akteron. Many humans were eager to leave the islands and traveled along with the titan to the city.

The sky-spirits were virtually unreachable, so there was no response from them.

And of course, the Kutoan Colossi were more than eager to join their brothers.

[Johel]

Sanctuary (Xiren's Ward)

The city was nice, orderly, with thriving trades despite the high number of refugees. Wealth was always there but happiness and hopes were everywhere. A true heaven for any mortals.


"-We can't stay here any longer !! The next child who smiles at me and offer me a lollipop, I'm gonna pock his eyes with it !! And eat it !!"
"-What the child ?"
"-Nan, you monster !! The lollipop !!"
"-...you're weird, dude."
"-IT'S THIS WHOLE PLACE !!!"
"-Yep. But we can't leave until the big greens are gone."
The group of grigs was warming around a fire, the flames lighting the shambling huts the Fey Folk had built everywhere on Xiren's Ward. Even if the place was still a wet and stinky marsh, full of twisted trees and vines magically grown by the ever-increasing population, its inhabitants were feeling kind of encaged.

Already 1.700 Grigs and a hundred dryads had settled there, putting aside their difference for the sake of survival. But none were truly happy. The only way they had to "express their culture" was to fight among themselves...but somehow, they knew they had to avoid this. After, it was their lack of unity which brought them there in the first place...

Continental Forest (Northern region)

The city was calm. Well, at least as calm as a primitive hunter society can be. And still, it was not to last. As, from the depths of the forest, crawling from the moist soil of the woods, her sheer smell attracting thousands of worms, bugs and vermin, something was moving. Something with spiked roots, vegetal claws, clouds of pollen and a thick skin sweeting poisoned sap. Something which, atop the monstrous body, looked to the canopy with a grim smile. The ivory face of Xiren was, as usual, perfect, the most powerful fey magic making her look gorgeous for any living being...until said being would look down the hips, where the vegetal monster stretched its roots.

"-Soooo... enough foreplay, opossums. Let's see what taste is your marrow..."

Like if she was just swimming in a pool of water, Xiren's avatar took off, her roots creeping on the trees like hyperactive snakes, a cloud of insects and pollen following her. It took her less than a minute to reach the city, where a thousand Garis stared blankly at the 30m high monster. Already, sick blisters appeared on the skin of the mortals, announcing the Kind Mother's arrival.

Continental Forest (Trollgroves)

Continual guerrilla warfare with biological weapons.

A lonely villager would just visit a city and suddenly drop dead a few hours latter, blood flowing from all his or her cavities. A few more hours latter, victims would amount in the hundreds.

Hordes of monsters, namely Othyughs, Shamblers and Amanites appeared to hinder the Empire in its search. They haunted the forests, forcing the patrols to travel in force, which reduced both their capacity of research and their stealth. Many lesser animal lords and sprite darters have died in the fight but the number of grigs, however, had shapely decreased because, let's face it, even the dryads can't oppose a true Animal Lord, let alone four of them, without a huge number of meat shields...and this kind of gathering is exactly what the trolls are waiting to crush the Fey Folk so it won't happen.


1 Major Act to create one, single Avatar of Xiren. Power wise, it would be like 100 divine servants together, ready to crush the Garis. 1 Minor is for 12, I guess a Major is a lot more :smallwink:
1 Minor Act to justify the appearance of thousands of monsters in the Continental Forest over the years. They've all been summoned by priests but it took time to reach the actual effective.

[Smiley_]

Continental Forests, Northern

The Gari did not need any further motivation. In hoots and shrieks, those who were healthy enough scattered and dissolved into the forest, grabbing any visiting Moghoran priests they could reach so that they would not be left in the slaughter. Only one remained. An old Gari shaman wearing his painted mask calmly walked forward and stared boldly at the monstrosity before him. His staff knocked on the wooden platform he stood on three times. It was absurd, this little fellow trying to stand up to a god.

He sprinkled some powder in the air and spoke some unintelligible incantations. Just as his life was about to be taken, the air roared, though no wind could be felt. Everything went dark for a moment, a rattle was heard, and when the light returned, every diseased Gari and swarming vermin in the area lay dead. As for the shaman, he had simply disappeared.

Then Xiren (or her avatar, if you prefer) could sense it behind her. Standing among the trees, was a gargantuan dark purple and black behemoth with bright red, souless eyes examining her.

The being slowly reached a hand through the branches, the arm slipping effortlessly among the branches. Xiren could see the long fingered hand drawing closer to grab her.

1 major act used for an Avatar

[Johel]

Xiren vs Nokumo

By reflex, roots lashed at the air, bringing down a large portion of the city as they shielded their owner from the purple giant's grasp. Each of them was like a oak-thick thorned vine, 20 to 40m long and they were dozens of them. But despite their size and weight, they moved swiftly, like whips.

Xiren's avatar took a good look at her opponent as her roots scratched his arm. Which god was that ? She had never seen him before and even if she knew that "newcomers" had landed recently, this big one was not among them. She should at least greet him.

"-Hello, pinky !! Do you like the smell of rotting opossums in the morning ? I do !! It's smell like... revenge. I'm getting soft as the years pass so I'm making you a favor, here : Get the hell away from these forests and I'll spare your life, whatever you are. The souls of the Garis are enough to calm my thirst...for the moment."

This said, with a slimy explosion from his bulb, she grew four pair of dragonfly wings and took off, her roots rushing for her opponent's eyes.

[Smiley_]

Pinky? I dunno about that? Black and an incredibly dark purple does not even begin to resemble pink :smalltongue:

The behemoth didn't even flinch as the vines bore down on its eyes. The tips of the roots had grown numb and cold, and halted before touching the giant. As for the arm, it felt very strange, as if it should yield any moment, but the roots still didn't seem to be making any progress.

As Xiren flew off, the behemoth's gaze followed her. Surely, such a large thing could not pursue her up there, especially with all those trees in the way. Then, two large bat-like wings erupted from the giant's back and, with a powerful stroke, it launched itself into the air. The gargantuan body just passed ghostlike through the trees, its eyes fixed on its target.

It made no response, but Xiren could feel a sense of rejection and slight bemusement emenating from the being. Was the thing mocking her?
No, he was not, but Xiren doesn't know that.

[Johel]

She would have assume so anyway.
Just to know, is it more a "ice" cold or a "death" cold ?

Xiren vs Nokumo

As she felt her extremities going numb, the she-plant's face went angry. That's it, angrier than usual. With a swarm of green and blue lights, salves of hollowed darts flew from the bulb.
"-You know, it's fine if you don't want to talk. I don't talk to food, usually so... Let's spill the sauce !!"

The hollowed projectiles exploded when making contact, spilling acid venom in all direction while more magical lights shined around Xiren's avatar. With a ghostly shriek, the gigantic fey-flower hybrid called upon her children. Thousands of flies, locusts and other vermin took off from the surrounding forests. On the grounds, a living blanket of centipedes and roaches of all size creped along the trees to answer the call.

As the toxic cloud was still around her prey, the Fey Flower laughed madly.

"-You piece of crap !! What do you think ?!! That your pitiful wings will save you from my wrath ?!! Xiren's the Maker's most perfect creation, the only divinity worth of his attention !! And still, the old fossil thought necessary to create additional failures like her brothers ?!! Fear not for I'm correcting his mistake right now !! A mere shard of the Kind Mother's might is enough to dispatch a baby god like you !! KILL HIM !!"

The charming lights grew brighter and the thousands of insects and vermin rushed at the cloud which was now slowly dissipating.

[Smiley_]

The death one, as if all the blood (or sap, in this case) in the nearby appendage had drained away, leaving the limb a numb husk open to the elements.

As the cloud disappated, Xiren could see her opponent had disappeared.

Hmm... You make it sound so easy. With all due respect to, *ahem*, "The Maker's Perfect Creation," I do not believe I will give you my cooperation.

The voice came from behind her. In a fuzzy whoosh, the other god's avatar materialized cross-leged in the sky behind her.

And you must forgive me if I am skeptical, for I wouldn't expect any "Perfect Creation" to have to rely on the least of vermin to do her fighting for her when confronted with one of her bretheren.

[Johel]

Xiren vs Kotumo

"-Oh, this ought to be fun..."

swallowing back her anger, the Fey Flower had barely glanced at her opponent when the buzzing swarm rushed at him again.

"-You appear to be the kind who doesn't give up easily against faith, don't you ? The ANNOYING kind !! Fine, if insects can't kill you, at least they can track you down. After all, billions of eyes are worth more than two, as gorgeous as mine are..."

Without warning, she shot a blast of sheer negative energy at her opponent. Tiny pink sparkles were among the wave but no one would be fooled by the colour : it was fey magic, charming and loving outside, cruel and deadly inside. The god, or whatever it was, dodge it at the last second but the Fey Flower was ready.

"-So, how shall I call you ? You seemed to be the main course, today. So I'll rather know what I'm eating, you see ? Answer if you feel so... I can always from your remains, if needed."

City of the Depths


Savant : I guess you've connection problems or something. That's fine, we can still get back to the "Spy arc" latter. I'll take that the Nagas and the Naïades know each other from now. The issue of their first meeting is let open to you.


Behind their curtain of algae, The underwater palaces of the city had grown beyond imagination over the last decades. And so had the Kappa population and the number of their mistress...and the array of their power.

The city was busy with slaves, mainly Kalis but also Nagas, all working the seabed to build stone structures out of it but also to take care of the miles of cultivate fields the aquatic fairies had set up : sea cucumbers and oysters were being grown, whole herds of crabs and schools of fish were watched by the strongest of the Kalis mounted on sharks. Dominated by the Naïades, these proud warriors were the elite of the bubbling empire.

And while all the slaves were working under the supervision of the dominated Kalis and a handful of Kappas, the bulk of the frog-fairies trained. Their small but muscular bodies was made to fight but, dumb as they were, they needed guidance. And that's exactly what the Naïades were good at. Slowly, a strong and organized army was rising, with the Naïades learning from the mistakes of their drylander ancestors. If internal strives were still burning, everything was done to keep it as low as possible. Already, the City of the Depths had set small outposts. Most were near the North-Eastern coast of the main continent but some were also near the human colonies and the Serpent Island.


2 Minor Acts to boost the Kappa population. They now outnumber several time the Kalis, the Humans and the Nagas.


Continental Forest

This blow was a crippling one for the Trolls. But unlike the latter, it had no attack connected to it. No grig had to set a single foot inside a city. Instead, a massive gathering had taken place in the mountains where the Cave Nation had existed. Nearly 200 grigs and dryads, all priests and priestress of Xiren, had slit their throat open to beg their goddess...and she had answered.

The fact that every single troll had been affected was horrible enough but the fact that not even one of them died from it was even worst. Would they have died, none of them would have to endure the next step of the disease : sterility. Not a true sterility, as babies were still born... or rather unborn.

Xiren, as the goddess of Pestilence, knew exactly how to hit hard with curses and diseases. So far, she had been an angry goddess, acting boldly and without subtility. But this time, she had shown how cruel she could be.

The Troll race would survive another 50 years, maybe more. But in less than 10 years, the happy sound of laughing children would be but a distant memories for them while the cries of grieving women would be a daily burden. And in the end, every single death would be mourn as a terrible loss, as it would mean that the Troll people as a whole was nearing extinction.

Even Swamp trolls had been affected. The only Trolls who hadn't were those living in Sanctuary, as even Kind Mother wouldn't dare to alienate Moghor.


2 Major Acts to infect the whole Troll race with a magical disease which prevent them give birth to living children.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Private meeting: Moghor Rezamir and Totolkan

Totolkan found Moghor overlooking the Pit of Souls.

"My Lord. It appears that the newcomer, Nokumo, is fighting Xiren on the material plane."

"He is. It doesn't concern me, even if it is entertaining.

We have other things to talk about... I have changed my plans."

"You have, my Lord?"

"I talked to Mia...and she made me realize a few things. I have tasked her to deliver a message to my fellow gods, but, in all honesty, I don't think it will work."

Moghor stared into the pit.

"What is it?"

"I recall a conversation with the Stormlord, long ago. According to him, the gods are dangerous. If we continue to live the way we do, we may cause the destruction of the world. If we die, though, the mortals may have a chance. What do you think of that?

I, for one, doesn't believe it is true. At least, it's not entirely true. Don't worry, you will come to understand. Very soon, you will understand...

Now, I'll tell you what must be done."

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

Meanwhile, in the mortal realm, strange things were happening. In some regions, zombies and skeletons spontaneously rose from the ground. Those occurrences were few and far between, but it was still disturbing. New undead sightings were reported every day.

And at night, the new moon appeared somewhat...larger.

Already spent a major act

[Smiley_]

Nokumo and Xiren

The bolt of negative energy sailed by as Nokumo slid to the side.

I know who you are, Xiren. I am called Nokumo. An admirable display, to say the least. An annoying god, perhaps persistent is a better term. I suspect that you are a god that can only appreciate violence. Very well. I will show you how it is done.

The behemoth Drew it's hands together, the long fingers wrapped in an intricate cage. Then, he released it. A dark purple, almost black, lance of negative energy crackling with purple lightning, sliced through the air, severing several thick roots. This blast made Xiren's attack look rather sickly in comparison. The wounds they caused hardened and festered, black clumps falling from the cauterized stumps.

Perhaps you would prefer to stay within your own area of expertise?

---------------------------------
Kapas and humans

I wonder if Savant is still around. I may wish to establish an alliance with him.

There was something that would hinder the Kappas. Actually, three somethings. The Kali had found that Kappas, if skinned and prepared correctly, were good eating. Also, the sea-wolves showed a never before seen ferocity as they emerged from the depths and tore apart any unfortunate Kappa that came too close to the archipelago, if on a scouting mission or so. The human ships were almost impossible to board, many of centuries of seafaring establishing the humans' dominance over the eastern seas.

Even if the Kappas were (incredibly) numerous, they knew that the eastern archipelago would not be an easy target. One sea-wolf was like an angry undersea mountain, and the Kali were almost as bad as the Gari in savagery, and their blood-lust was unmatched when in battle.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The forest god was a bit peeved at Xiren's first attempts at the Troll's destruction. True they had killed most of the Xirenists in the swamp, but the place was going to spread to his lush green forests. Then the germ warfare, but that would grow weaker with each generation. But the last straw came with this new infertility plague. This was an act that made the peaceful and peacable god very, very angry. He outstretched his three fingered hand and pointed directly at sanctuary.

Ju know what xiren, how bout this?

Zuli sends a bolt of green energy down to where the Grigs and Dryads were living. Instantly the entire populus of Grigs and Dryads in the city died, and a massive oak was left in the district in which they lived.

Ah try to not interfere wit da mortal races, but dat was too far. Ju wanna make da trolls be wiped out? Well den ju will haff ta fight, and ah won't back down dis time womon!

Ah'm reversin dis!

With more power he gave the trolls new life. All women were fertile again, same as males.

You want spoilers, I'll give you spoilers! 3 ap to return fertility to all trolls, even swampies. 2 ap to kill off all grigs and dryads in sanctuary, you've incurred my wrath dude, and that's just not a thing you should do.

[Johel]

Xiren

As soon as Zuli acted, Xiren had been ready.
"-Always too hasty, aren't you, my big green friend..."


1 Minor Act to “clean” the evidences of Zuli's direct involment.
Xiren's Ward is washed up by divine magic. As they shouldn't be many non-Fey in Xiren's Ward, I guess 1 Minor is enough to vaporize their bodies. Zuli's oak disappears, also.


Xiren vs Nokumo

Just to make things clear, Xiren's avatar doesn't know she's fighting another avatar. She think it's a true god but a young and weak one and clearly overestimate her own power.


"-Just a flesh wound...but I'll follow this advise."

It wasn't. The Avatar's very nature allowed him to ignore many things but not a direct necromantic attack. Still, she stood firm, a fake smile on her lips.

Suddenly, from the forest down there, thousands of vines hurled themselves at the flying avatar, blue lights running along them as the Fey Flower made them grow at supernatural speed. Even if most of said vines died long before reaching Nokumo, some grabbed the purple avatar long enough for more and more of their kind to come.

The Fey Flower snapped her delicate fingers and a bow appeared, along with a single arrow. As her prey was ensnarled, she took her time to aim.

"-This weapon has a history, you see. It killed a god, once. And it will probably do it again."

Continental Forest (troll village)

"-One more victory for us, brothers !!"
The grig had said this with a mad smile. Yraku threw a dark glance at him. His band and him, like many grigs, had settled among troll villagers and now spent their time brewing the Über Ebola virus. That was why two grigs were there, in this house, ordering around a charmed villager to manipulate carefully the little rabbit.

"-Sshhh !! We need concentration, here."
As the troll stabbed the rabbit with a silver needle, a fool smell filled the air. Ignoring it, the charmed troll stabbed several other rabbits with the same needle, transfering a small amount of virus to them. By the end of his work, the troll was already coughting blood. But it was not until he closed the rabbit cage that he allowed himself to drop unconscious. The grigs looked emontionessly.

"-One more cycle and we can deliver the package. So, what's the big victory ?"
"-Four new outbreaks in a nearby town. Around 300 hundred deads so far !! Only one of the host was caught before he could break the vials. For what I heard, it was a troll from Ratif's village"
"-That's not a bad shot. Ratif and his band will have to move, however.""-After something like that, they've probably already settled somewhere else."

Despite the constant hunt they were subject to, the grigs kept attacking the Karthadi Empire. Over the years, the death toll means most cities were now deserted and so the grigs had to strike at towns, villages and military camps.

Sanctuary

"-This, my lords, is why I'm asking you to give your absolute support to the Fey Resistance and to ask your allies to do so as well."

The image had been conjured by a hired wizard : Xiren's Ward, empty, its buildings unaffected but corpses lying everywhere. Grigs, Dryads, Jakarus, Trolls, Lycians,...but no oak.

The Dryad doing the lecture was one of the refugees who had arrived the day after Zuli's wrath.

"-The Trolls are still developing weapons of mass destruction. And I'm not just saying that to make you attack them. I'm stating a fact. They've been doing so since the Putrid Swamp's annihilation and now, because nobody was in their way, they've created new ones. Smaller and less powerful magical bombs for precise strikes. We can all see now how good they are at it !! nearly 2.000 deads in a blink of eye !!

They want you to know that they got you. They don't even need air attack anymore, you see. They've blasted all life from Xiren's Ward and this from the distance. The question is why didn't they blasted the whole city. Two possibilities :

First, they wanted to aim at Xiren's Ward's inhabitants alone because unlike the rest of the Fey Folk, we've chosen to talk rather than to fight. They fear that our words will reveal the true nature of their Empire : a dictatorship which use magically enhanced war beasts, genocide and fear to rule over its own people.

Me and most of the refugees have seen it.
We had to travel from one village to another to avoid the soldiers and the monsters they call "animal lords". Gentle troll villagers, simple people who live from the nature, offered to hide us and were killed for this reason when the army found us. The Empire is but a ruthless band of thugs. If they were able to keep order and peace, they would at least got some legitimacy. But they aren't : each year, dozens of attacks and acts of rebellion occur. Thousands of people die because of it.

The second reason is even darker but carries some hope with it.
The Troll Empire couldn't wipe a target such as Sanctuary because it was too big and they don't have the firepower to do it...for now. I have no idea how their weapons work but I know this : Xiren's Ward was not even a tenth of Sanctuary's size.

If it is the reason, then we must act quickly for any minute we waste means the Karthadi Empire can produce more nukes. Sanctuary and its allies must gather and fight along side the Fey Folk. To free the troll from this dictatorship and to save the world from annihilation."

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Er, no. No ju contemptible little weed-wench. Ju'll not put the blame on the poor people of mah cities.

He waves his hand and the oak returns, along with the bodies.

Now if ju want me to kick jur flowers ass all over da world, den try dat again, otherwise Ah'd not do dat again. It's gonna be good watchin' ju bleed fo' all da pain ju gave da world, little sadist.

2 minors to return the oak and the dead. Now let it go Xiren.

All major Troll Cities

As Fertility returned, the problem of uber ebola resurfaced. But the problem was easily cured by Voodoomancers, who seemed immune to such things, until it was revealed that it was because their anti-divine potion left residue on them. Clearly it was a divine act from Xiren, so the potion was made into a vaccine and a cure for this ebola from hell.

Zuli, again
Zuli came down from the sky as a mighty dragonhawk and said to the xirenists these harsh words.

Ju are all monstas and bastards, and da trolls weren't responsible fo da destruction. AH WAS! Jo' god of pain and suffering, da little wench, attempted to kill off all da trolls, so I absolutely killed yo people in vengence. If ju don't want dat fate to happen to ju, den ah suggest dat ju pray fo yo god to stop. Uthawise, ju'll not survive da end of da week. Dat is all from Zuli.

He preceded to turn into a bear and devour the Dryad who was spreading these lies, then dissapear back into the planes above.

[Kaiser Omnik]

And so it begins...

Somewhere in the continental forest

"- What do you mean, gone?!"

The shade who was once known as Alchaeus, the Black Knight, glared at the troll villager.

"- It be te truth, mon! Haff da village!"
"- What happened? What was the mayor doing, again?"
"- I told ya. Da mayor went to search fo a treasure! He took all da men off da village wit him. He said dey weren't going far, but dey didn't return. So da womon sent someone else on their tracks. Da scout found only a deserted camp! Da was still food in da tents. No sign of violence or anything, mon! Dey wer just gone like that!"
"- That is bizzare, indeed. I will go see for myself. Thank you for your informations."

The shade departed and looked for the camp. Just like the old troll had said, it was completely empty. The trail clearly ended there. As the Black Knight searched around, he noticed something sticking out of the ground, just outside the campsite. There he discovered three half-buried corpses. Relatively fresh corpses. He also found a bloody ceremonial knife in a nearby bush, but no more bodies.

"-Now I know how they were killed, but not why... Trolls couldn't have done this. Voodoo was never about ritual sacrifice... not the sacrifice of sentient beings, at the very least."

Then he sensed something strange in the air, something like a magical emanation or, to be more precise, magical residue. He looked up. The "moon" was still clearly visible in the middle of the day.

"-Have they been acting crazy because of this? Hmm..."

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

Sanctuary

Moghor erased the vision of Zuli from the mortals' minds. They saw the dryad's corpse and immediately thought that voodoo was responsible.

"- I hate to say this, but the dryad is right. This is an act of war. It goes against everything Sanctuary stands for. The Empire must be stopped!"

And so, the war began. Sanctuary may be a relatively new power, with an average-sized army, but the free city had several powerful allies. The jakarus of Thrinax and Stillmoon, the imps of Redunkeep and the erdas marched right alongside them. Even Aquila had decided to contribute to the war effort. Thanks to a railway built inside the underwater tunnel, the erdas of the Golden City were able to send some troops on magic carts and wagons that travelled at high speed between the two continents.

At the same time, the moghoran colossi left their mountain homes in the West to engage the trolls, with not one, but two Juggernauts. While the dark sarlathians weren't formal allies of Sanctuary, they greatly enjoyed violence, and so decided to infiltrate the undeground caves of the Trollgroves. Instead of fighting in a traditionnal war, they prefered to take part in skirmishes to weaken the Empire from inside.

Rumors said that the Titans Moloch the Destroyer and Lilith (who had been since freed from Xiren's artifact) were also going to join the fight: Moloch, with his personal army of undead, came from the plains, while Lilith attacked the coast with her legions of fanatics, including some kali, nagas and kappas.

Minor act to make the "magic" railway and wagons possible

The oak could have been created by priests of Zuli, as far as the people know.

Consider that the whole might of the Earthbound alliance (the alliance of races who primarily worship Moghor) is against the trolls. Their ressources include:
- Earth magic (useful for digging trenches, for example);
- Firearms powered by arcane crystals and fire magic and explosives;
- Various golems, some specifically designed for deforestation;
- Earth and metal Elementals;
- Undead monstrosities, including Chilled Bones;
- Some erda clerics carry a sample of earth from the Valley of the Flesheaters. This will be use to turn some small regions of the Trollgroves into hell (you can read about the supernatural virus contained within in my status post);
- The two Juggernauts, obviously;
- Plated Landwyrms acting as tanks, some very old and powerful, with the ability to shatter or rust about any non-magical material.

Do not forget that those races got at least one population boost and/or power boost since the beginning of the game: Erdas, Mountain Jakarus, Colossi, Dark Sarlathians.
The Titans are there to even the fight with the animal lords.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The trolls were surrounded, The city of sanctuary to the east, titans to the south, collosi and their great beast to the east. It was going to be a war for survival. The army was still at almost full strength, as they were out of the cities and didn't leave the wall on command of the general-at-arms. The animal lords were pulled off of their crusade, the newly cured Trolls began pumping out weapons and armor for Militias, the Witch Doctors began making battle potions, and the Voodoomancers called down almost all of the Jotun. From every corner of the empire trolls amassed once again, to fight for survival. They knew that the earth-people would possibly be kind to women and children, but the chaotic xirenist would most certainly not. They hid them in the catacombs under Jin'Karthiad, where none knew their existance.

Zuli was a bit shocked.

It seems dat nobody but da gods and mahself know the truth. Dat Ah and Ah alone did dis. But Ah did what Ah did, and as long as Xiren doesn't do her deed again, den ah won't interfere.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Clash of the Empires

The Trollgroves

Battles erupted everywhere. The Troll Empire and the Earthbound Alliance were both full of ressources. While earth mages were able to destroy their opponents' armors and weapons, their regeneration powers were quickly nullified by the witch doctors' potions. Destruction rained on the battlefield as fire mages, voodoomancers and wyrms fought fiercely. The blood flowed, much to the joy of the sadistic dark sarlathians.

Only, nobody could predict what would happen next. On the southern side of the Trollgroves, an entire battelfield, as well as a nearby village, simply vanished. There was nothing but dirt and dead trees where the warriors stood only moments before. The officers from both armies arrived on the scene a few hours later, totally confused.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo and Xiren

Of course it does, Xiren.

With a sickening crunch, two immense, disembodied black hands slammed together from either side of the Plant Godess' avatar. Taking advantage of the situation, Nokumo tore free of the vines grasping him, the woody appendages disintegrating in an expanding halo of pale blue light.

But that history will not be repeated today, I am afraid.

The great behemoth flew silently in front of the vegetal monstrosity before him. He rased his hand, and a clear crystal-like substance began to encase the roots.

Why do you turn your wrath to these mortals who are content to live in their forests and enjoy their existence? Surely, this act of petty revenge does not speak well of the Maker's "Perfect Creation". Tell me, Xiren, do you see more in this world than the potential for suffering and decay? I am most curious as to how one such as yourself sees the world.

[Johel]

Xiren vs Nokumo

Stuck between two giant hands like a mere fly. The irony of the situation would have made her laugh if it wasn't HER who was the victim. She needed to win time.

"-The world ? How I see it ?!!
That's just a vessel for living things to have fun because the void would be pretty boring. I'll be bored if there wasn't any toys to play, toys would die if there wasn't any oxygen for them to breath, so I'm willing to keep the world around as long as it's fun.

And as the toys, these pitiful mortals, are going to die anyway, they better seize the day and take as much from their short existence as they can before being nothing but screaming souls and rotting biological matters !! This way, everybody is happy...except for those idiots who thing there is something to build down there !! Idiots like the Yangze citizens, the Ruskies, the Trolls and most of the mortals who follow the other gods. They waste their life to build a better world for their children, spend decades trying when a small group of my followers can ruin it in a matter of days and enjoy the spoils. Oh yes, there is nothing here but decay and destruction, Nokumo !!

Nearly there...must got him to talk a little more...

"-What's the matter with you ? And with the others, hey ? Always trying to save the mortals, to protect them, to create great things while we all know that, over the centuries, nothing remain. Why wasting your energy in that pursuit while you could just enjoy your own greatness...of course, for this, you must have greatness in the first place. Sorry, sometime I forgot that nobody's as awesome as I am."

The Trollgroves

When the war started, the Fey Folk had been hiding, barely surviving against the military of the Karthadi Empire and the Animal Lords. But now, the hunter was the hunted. And the prey was the predator.

"-Not a sound..."
the troll sentry walked by, not noticing the dozen of tiny insectoids forms hidden in the shadows, their bows aiming at him. Yraku breathed with relief while gesturing his band to hurry.

Four grigs brought vials and opened the water reserves. Even if the trolls could probably purify the water, it would still cost them more resources to do so every day that it would cost the coalition to poison it once in a while.

Paranoïa was such a marvelous weapon. Thanks to it, Trolls wasted resources to produce their potions, to detect charm and domination and to purify poisoned food and water. Even inside the imperial army, the thought that a single dominated spy could infiltrate them and wreack havoc without regard for his life was dreadful and forced them to set daily searches and cumbersome security checks. As efficient as it was, it was a serious drain of time, manpower and resource. A drain that a nation at war couldn't afford.

"-Be careful when you poor it. We don't want to make more noise than necessary. And watch the hall !!"

Yraku smiled as he thought about the events of these last weeks. As the viral warfare had started to weaken, reinforcements had arrived from nearly everywhere and in the wake of the Earth-Bound Armies, hordes of vegetal monsters had been gathered by grig bands. Captured voodoomancers and officers were dominated and sent back to the coalition HQ as advisors, exposing their knowledge of Karthadi tactics and magics to the Erdas and their allies...which helped to set these sabotage operations.

"-Done. Waiting for the spell."
"-Here it comes..."

Yraku casted his spell. A swarm of rats appeared and rushed across the hall, giving the fairies the distraction they needed to sneak out the building.


No Act
Just to say the Fey Folk assists the Earth-bound Coalition.

Sabotage (Mainly infiltration to spread disease, poison, vermin and monsters)
Intelligence gathering (you capture a prisonner, we torture him, charm him, torture him, charm him, torture him again then dominate him to become the Coalition's perfectly loyal pawn.)
Ambushes (Mainly on supply convoys and the like)
Air cover (Grigs + summoned swarm of insects)

For the RP above, it can be anywhere in the Trollgroves but it's not a major place. Probably an outpost or some fort the trolls try to hold. You decide.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo pondered Xiren's words for a moment. The hands were slowly losing their grip, but the crystals continued to creep up the roots.

And if the world ceases to be "fun", as you put it, you would see no use for it? Let me enlighten you, Xiren. Suppose everyone did try to pursue their own selfish interests with no regard for others. When they die, yes, it is over for them. They would be simply dismissed or ignored by all the other selfish individuals and waste away in that infernal sulfiric bog you call an afterlife for eternity.

But when a mortal takes the time to stretch out beyond his base needs, aspires for something more, tries to make the world a better place for those that they love, then something quite beautiful happens. Not only is it in the product, but also the act. Of course, their legacy will be lost to the ages, some sooner than others, but they always continue to follow what they believe should be done, always follow what they believe to be right.

What you say is true, Xiren, but as long as some Jakaru, Erdas, Trolls, or any other race finds the capacity to strive for a better future, no matter what the difficulties, you have lost this battle.


Nokumo gazed towards the skies and sighed, the fragrance of moist, decaying leaves, a rather pleasant smell, filling Xiren's nostrills.

It is such a pity you cannot enjoy much simpler things in this world. The ice-ring that Kuto placed around the planet, the beautiful gems that shine like stars that Moghor placed in the earth's depths, even the simple persistence of the earth-worm as it tills the ground. Now, will you look at that?

Nokumo pointed at the sky, and xiren could barely see the almost invisible tendrils of the Spirit Weave, snaking into space, the stars from the other side shining brightly in every color as their light was captured, enriched and refined through the living tapestry.

Why do you think Kuto, a very violent and destructive god, would create such a thing, hmm?

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The trolls decided that it was the time to call in debts, and with voodoomancer magics, they send a message to all trolls. Five hundred Trade Princes from the Yanze send at least a hundred of their finest men each. The jungle trolls, once shaded in obscurity, send head hunters and their own breed of Witch Doctors. Library Trolls send their archmage. Volcanic trolls send what they can. Plains trolls send their canoes to the trollish homeland, ready for defense.

The frozen continent

The message was heard by a sentry. It quickly sent it to the Headmaster. The headmaster put in the codes, and a loud buzzing filled the crystalline caverns.

It is time to waken, it is time to waken.


*Attempted Dominated Trollish Voodoomancers*

Unfortunately for grigs and dryads, Voodoomancers weren't stupid. Their minds were too honed by years of training to be weak to such silly things as domination. Instead, they killed themselves by insulting the god of their captors. "Xiren is but a whore who will be raped by Zuli!" or "Moghor is but a bastard and a lord of lies!" were equally favorites. Trollish commanders had such trainings as well, but most did not spit such things. Instead they believed the torture was the price they paid for incompetence. They did not talk, though. They would persevere.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Trollgroves

Alchaeus helped some of the spirits travel safely to Akteron's realm. They were confused, as most spirits are after such a violent death. Most wouldn't talk to the Shade, but some would constantly utter two words: "big" and "snake". It didn't make any sense. What was that about?

After he was finished, the Black Knight returned to the Trollgroves where he found another deserted village and a few ritually sacrificed bodies. There could be many more like this, he thought. Then, as he walked to the back of the village, he noticed some unusual tracks. They seemed to belong to a jakaru. A jakaru, here? But the armies of Sanctuary were days away... That's when Alchaeus realized who was responsible for these atrocities. Some of the bodies he found still bore his marks.

Totolkan.

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

Thrinax of Five Blessings

Totolkan stood before a large gathering of jakarus in the centre of the city, next to an altar dedicated to Moghor.

"Today is a great day, citizens of Thrinax. As foretold, I have come to free you from your shackles and lead you to a better world! We are the Chosen people, born of the great god Ikibe. We have endured much, but today, I bring you a gift. All you hard work will be rewarded by Moghor, I can assure you. He will reforge your beings, according to Ikibe's original plan. You, just like me, will know what it means to be perfect. Behold Moghor's gift!"

At Totolkan's orders, a group of mountain jakarus changed by Moghor's magic joined him in front of the altar.

"Now, let us all pray Moghor! Let us glorify him as he accepts us into his realm!"

At that moment, most jakarus closed their eyes. A great shadow then engulfed the region. Some made the error of looking upwards...


A few hours later

Alchaeus tracked Totolkan to the Thrinax region. As he went deeper into the desert, he felt something strange. The mystical disturbance was strong here. Something to do with the activity of the ley lines, probably. He looked around and could see neither the mountain home of the jakarus or the Aegis of the Immortals. How could it be?

Suddenly, the earth shook and an immense shape emerged from the ground. It was a great Wyrm, a ferocious serpentine creature. Alchaeus had never seen something quite like it. It was an unnerving experience, even to a Shade who didn't know the meaning of fear.

"You don't understand what is happening, do you? How could you!

I am your god! Your TRUE god! You will tremble before me, like all the other vermins!"

The avatar stood poised for attack. Alchaeus barely dodged the Wyrm's tail sweep, but he strongly felt the accompanying shockwave. He quickly teleporting to the realm of the dead. When he appeared before Akteron, the shade's physical form was badly damaged.


"- Akteron, the World Serpent...Moghor's new form...he will devour all..."


Back on the material plane, the pale moon looked even larger than before, and it's light shone on the scales of the monstrous snake. It then disappeared under the sand.

3 major acts to increase DvR to 15
The World Serpent is an avatar worth two major acts (Rezamir, the former avatar, was scrapped in the process)
I already spent 3 major acts to transport Thrinax and its surroundings. The reason why I needed 3 and not 4, Ipphli, is because a) Thrinax had already ties to the Waste of the Iron Kings and b) it's a smaller area.
Next time I do something like this I will spend the 4 acts, don't worry. :smallwink:

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

Nokumo's avatar appeared to shudder for a moment, it's back protrusions dancing and quivering wildly. The avatar then stood up and stared towards the skies once more, examining the ever-swelling moon.

The pieces are moving, Xiren. Likewise, I must make my own move. That spirit plane, Xiren, is my flesh and blood, the void my mind, and...

He motioned to himself

This vessel is my heart.

What he was saying was about as clear as mud, but then, Xiren could percieve a pulsing network of etherial tendrils snaking through Nokumo's body. From their origin in the behemoth's chest was a tiny black blot with two glowing red pinpricks of light.

Kuto was always one form plans and contingencies. He had several planned for the event of his passing on, but he could have never guessed that I would take up his place, his power, his legacy, and even his memories.

The great spirit-lord suddenly began to grow in size. He spread his hands and stood tall, the greatest of trees barely tickling his shins. He had made himself incorpreal and invisible to mortals once more, but Xiren could see him for what he was.

You may go now, Xiren, If you should chose. These mortals are no longer mine, but think before you draw my attention with your mindless acts of petty revenge, but for now, I must correct some of Kuto's mistakes. I think you should leave.

3 major acts used for, aw hell, you already know what it's for. The big lug is squatting at the top of the divine ladder with a DvR of 16 (point 15 pmed directly to Ipphli, in case you are wondering). He won't interfere directly with Moghor's plot though if at all, because I'm interested in seeing where Omnik is going with this and divine intervntion is a terrible way to tell a story.
-------------------
Alchaeus

While in the realm of the dead, the shade Alchaeus heard a voice speaking in the recesses of his mind.

Know That if you seek help among those on the mortal world, you have an old friend in the northern forests who will be willing to help you in any endeavor.

[Krrth]

Akteron & Alchaeus


Say what? Moghor has gone crazy?





In an unrelated note, the increase in both the number of deaths and the number of reincarnations has caused an increase in power.

DvR 15(3 major)

[Johel]

Xiren

Trollgroves

There had been many battles and countless skirmishes and even though the Imperial forces resisted well, the reinforcements they expected were not mean to reach the Empire. Not unharmed and without delay, at least.

Indeed, many grig bands saw the isolated marching columns from Yanze as as an easy prey, especially since the Karthaidi troops were already locked in battle with the Alliance and therefore couldn't assist the Yanze soldiers.

The plants seemed to grow thicker on the few existing roads, slowing down whole regiments so that rampaging monsters could attack their rear. Water and food supply were either stolen, wasted or poisoned by the grigs and many lone sentries and scouts disappeared. Most didn't come back but some did...only to be revealed later as having been charmed or even dominated. If the Voodoomancers were able to detect the moles most of the time, even a single successful one could mean the death of its whole group, as sabotage was much more easy with a man inside.

The evil fairies were also using hit-and-run tactics. At night, they flew over their sleeping targets, firing darts with sharp accuracy, throwing burning torches and casting diseases upon the camp before disappearing thanks to the confusion.

And of course, as the civilians were evacuated to a mysterious location, the grigs didn't miss one single occasion to attack the retreating columns of refugees. As thousands of civilians reached Jin'Karthiad without getting out, it wasn't difficult to guess where most of the trolls were now hidding.


No act. It's mortal against mortal, after all.


Avatar duel

The Fey Flower was shivering.
This...thing who just left, what kind of creature was it ? No god could wield such power or so she thought. As avatar of Xiren, she had every single memory of the Kind Mother and she didn't recall any of her brothers having that level of divine energy.

She had been unable to even hurt him. And as she was about to unlease her true fury to free herself, this son of...
"-He just left me go... He just...left...me...go."
The concept of mercy was alien to Xiren. The only reason to let a ennemy she could think of was either to make him suffer or to use him later. Was this pompous jerk confident enough so that he would think he could USE HER ?!!

"-You'll regret this move, Nokumo. Oh, yes, you would. But right now, I too have a mission."

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Weapons Systems: Opperational, Targeting Systems: Opperational, Guidence Systems: Opperational, Navigation System: Opperational, Engine Systems: Unopperational.

Give me the ETA on the Engine Systems please.
.

Engine System will be opperational in five hours.

Alright, All we need to do is wait for the endgame. Run Scenario: Moghor's Gamble, Xiren's Assault, Zuli's Defense, Trollgrove assault, with no divine interference, then run it with divine interference.

It will be done Headmaster.


Aye, it will be done.

---

While grigs were attempting to take out a hundred expert fighters each, they failed to realize that Trolls aren't stupid, even bickering river trolls. The 50,000extra soldiers were divided into ten, five thousand troop regiments. And while many had held grudges with each other, it was not time for petty squabbling. If the trade princes lost the support of the empire, they too will be lost.

And while grigs were fighting hopeless battles with the river trolls, the plains and library trolls stealthily slipped in from the north, while jungle trolls werre nigh unopposed from the south. As the battle rages, the Greater animal lords assault the beheamoths, battling the passengers onboard.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Akteron and Alchaeus

Alchaeus quickly recovered in the realm of the dead.

"- I think I understand what is going on. The ley lines, the earthquakes...Moghor has been transforming the land to make it more like his domain. It doesn't end there. The walls between the worlds have fallen. Moghor has made it possible to transport whole cities, maybe even countries, from the mortal realm to his homeplane. He has taken the shape of the World Serpent to accomplish this task. He must...literally engulf the people he takes with him.

The moon that has appeared in the sky is actually a vision from the Waste of the Iron Kings...the belly of the beast, if you will. It grows closer to our world as the energy from the ley lines flows from one to another. If the Giant King is allowed to continue, who knows what may happen. He will probably leave the world in ruins. I don't know why he is doing that, either."

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

The Trollgroves

While the trolls were successfully keeping most armies at bay, some of the allied forces posed a greater challenge. Moloch's undead legions advanced slowly, but their ranks were growing with each death on the trolls' side. Lilith made sure that the enemy received no reinforcements from the sea (if, for instance, the humans, nagas or kappas decided to join the fight or simply trade with the trolls).

Meanwhile, the colossi juggernauts were ripping through the enemy defenders, when the animal lords arrived on the scene. They seemed to be getting the upper hand when ferocious fire drakes, Moghor's ultimate weapons of war, descended on the forest, burning everything in their wake. After making sure that most of the trolls were fried, they turned their attention to Zuli's divine servants.

3 minor acts to create 3 dozen fire drakes from the oldest landwyrms. They can now fly with ease and blast their foes with divine flames.

Greater animal lords, you say? If they join the fight, they will have a visit from Titans. :smallwink:

[Krrth]

Akteron and Alchaeus

Damn. I don't have the power to fight Moghor directly...but maybe there is another way. He can't take them to his domain if they've already left for one of mine. What do you think about moving people and cities into the Realm of Dreams? I dare say the Shades can keep everyone safe in my own lands.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Zuli does some magic while he talks to Moghor.

Dude, yer races are ruinin mah forests, get em' out befo' mah mellow is harshed again mon!

[Johel]

Trollgroves

In the woods around Jin'Karthiad, cabals of grigs had gathered in the canopy. None was bigger than 40 grigs and each was led by one of Xiren's priests. No dryad had made the trip, mainly because it wouldn't have been possible to carry their trees without being spotted. The amount of Karthaidi troops around here wasn't as high as one could expect for the center of an empire but the pressure at the frontline was probably responsible. Still, stealth was needed for this and 10 cabals couldn't have made it if they had each traveled with dryads.

Yraku had been fighting for weeks when he had been invited to be part of this final strike at the Karthaidi Empire. Following the refugees, some advanced "freedom fighters" had been able to locate roughly the area where the Karthaidi Empire had gathered most of its population. The city was probably a mess by now...but nobody had tried to enter it yet.

"-So, what ? Did we get words from the others ?"
"-They say we'll send one cabal to scout. Maybe even make a viral attack or something, just to test the reaction of the Trolls. They must still feel pretty secure, with the frontline still far away."
"-What if they detect us ?"
"-Most of their troops are at the front, fighting Sanctuary's forces. And words from the South-East are that Yanze reinforcements won't arrive before a full week at best. Trust me, They can't afford to patrol these woods. They know what happen when they send lone sentries..."

A few cruel laughs burst as all grigs pictured mentally various images of what happened to their prisoners.
"-Anyway, when can we begin ?"
"-First, let's scout the city. If it's worth it, we will then act."


400 grigs are spread around Jin'Karthiad. They are up to something.
Around 20 of them go on scouting mission, using their stealth as well as their magic to get inside the city. They then proceed to gather information, each as an individual.
1 Minor Act : (off screen) to create the invocation jars. Much like the trolls have their "vaccine" potions, their "anti-charm" potions and "nuke" potions, Xirenist now can produce small jars which summon Xiren's creatures :

Swarm of flies
Swarm of rats
Swarm of centipedes
Swarm of Fire Locusts (acid-blood locusts)
Hellish Rats (large-sized dire rats)
Walking Amanites (large-sized walking mushroom with poisonous tendrils)
Mogrh Worms (parasitic undead worm)
Otyughs (furious beasts)
Shamblers (vegetal guardians)
The whole Alliance Army are equipped with said jars.



Ocean, near the Island of Souls

They had heard the call. For a whole week now, they've gathered from every single outpost. But the bulk of the horde had just arrived from the City of the Depths : 200.000 Kappas, wearing weapons and armors made of coral, stone and algae, swimming like a huge school of giant frogs. Around them to keep them in lines, dominated Kalis ridding sharks.

Dozens of enslaved Sea-Wolves, most of them females, harnessed with complex system of saddles, belts, pulleys and various ropes, were used to drag a large rock on which many Nimones stood, Naïades at their sides, smiling confidently as the "fortress" advanced. Inside of it, tunnels had been dug to accommodate the babies of said Sea-Wolves. A whole room had been fitted as a "reversed pool", with a wide air bubble trapped at the ceiling. platforms and embrasures had been set along the rock so that giant harpoon throwers could repulse assaults from the killer whales.

The reason for this whole show of force was "The Call".
Xiren had spoken and she had ordered the City of the Depths to march to war. Half of the city's population was assembled there, ready to run for their goal : the Library and the Books of Eternity.

Finally, as a sign, the Blood Flower's avatar appeared in front of them.
"-My beloved children,

Dark times are upon us. The world is spinning into a bottomless hell of wars and misery but that's not like anything unusual for us, isn't it ?
Nevertheless, we must take steps to insure our survival. We must act so that none of the unbelievers would benefit from what had been pilled here for so long. On this island, secrets are sleeping. And it's up to you to discover them !! In my honor, bath this island with blood !!"

As she ended her speech, the army sheered her. But most of the sound was lost in the water. Then, the various divisions of Kappas swom around the Island of Souls, closing the distance with the bridge, the cliffs and the beach but remaining in high water. Then, taking the pieces from the fortress, they began to build large harpoon throwers.

It took them two whole days to deploy their troopss and build their warmachines. But at the dawn of the third day, the signal was given. Slowly, the whole army advanced in shallow water, the heads of the frog-fairies getting out of the sea. When the tip of the harpoons got out, the shelling began.

Hundreds of harpoons took off, each with a payload : invocation jars.
As the projectiles broke on the ground, huge swarms of insects and rodents began to pour across the island, as well as dozen of monsters. The bridge's ends were also bombarded. The thing lasted for three hours before the first warcries were heard.


1 Minor Act : to boost the Kappas population one more time. This should also justify how they succeeded in capturing Sea-Wolves babies : they took the casualties and asked for more.

After the shelling :
Beaches : 25.000 Kappas attack, wave after wave. Their goal is to secure the beaches as well as an access to the inland.
Bridge : a force of 1.000 Swamp Jakarus and Swamp Trolls rush from the main land. If there is any form of resistance, they'll swarm it with sheer number, taking as much casualty as necessary. All the while, 5.000 Kappas climb at the bridge's foots and run towards both ends.
Cliffs : No assault there.
Fortress : Still surrounded by around 170.000 Kappas with Kali officers, Naïades and Xiren's Avatar.

[Smiley_]

I think this deserves the question, Why would the Sea-Wolves even consider giving their young to a bunch of depraved murdering cultists even if they had captured certain "casualties"? Swift retribution time, in any case. I/m sure you expected this

Assult on the Island of Souls

Near the end of the second day, just as the Xirenists had made their attack, the foundations of the "floating fortress" began to rumble and shake. A monstrous wave swelled upwards, towering high over the rock. As it hit, the fortress, while not tipped over, was knocked back and forth, tumbling the occupants inside. Then the rumbling came again, but instead of another wave, the rumbling escalated into a deafaning roar.

Suddenly, the harnesed Sea-Wolves began to struggle in the chaos, straining at their chains and harnesses, pulling the whole fortress underwater. Before those inside could figure out what was happening, there was a loud crunch, the sound of snapping and grinding stone. Chains broke and the fortress suddenly began to rise again, moving faster and faster until it was forced above the water. It was launched into the air a good ways and when it had once again begun it's descent, a huge fluked tail threw a massive shadow over the floating fortress.

Empowered by the rage of an angry matriarch, a mother who's children are in danger, Orikuma, queen of the ocean, bellowed and brought her tail down. She was absolutely enormous even by sea-wolf standards, rivaling the titans in sheer size. The tail smashed into the stone wall of the fortress and left a big gaping hole from where water poured out. The young sea-wolves, recognizing their opportunity, escaped in the chaos. Orikuma breached, hanging in the air majesticly for a brief moment before bearing down on the fortress sending cracks down its walls and sending the stone edifice into the ocean's depths.

Naiades, Nimones and Kappas alike were left open to the dark sea. It was only a matter of time before the formerly-enslaved Sea-Wolves bore down upon them, tearing them to shreds and leaving them dismembered for the sharks to consume.

As suddenly as they had come, the sea-wolves had left. They were not numerous, even for a "civilized" race, but their strength was unmatched among mortals. The Naiades had underestimated the power that mere dozens held and could not anticipate that their loyalty and love for their matriarch and their children could break any charm that the Naiades had placed on them

then, from the coast, the Xirenist forces heard the battle-horn echoing through the sea mists.

I assume you expected something like this, right? By the way, a pack of 120 or so sea-wolves is the equivalent of a modest army. They are big, powerful, but not very numerous.

[Krrth]

Isle of Souls

Akteron was not amused. The library had been designed to be a place of peace and tranquility, and now it was being attacked.

He quickly sent a message to Xiren

Sister, I don't know what has come over you, but you need to stop. Remove your troops from my Holy Island, or I will do it for you.


A message then sounded in the minds of all the invaders currently on his Isle.

If you are so eager for me to escort you through the doorway, then by all means continue. You are not welcome here. Leave now, or stay forever.


At that, the inhabitants of the Isle stirred. Shades, unkillable and highly skilled, manned the access ways. The adopted spirits of the Temples, the Temple Dragons started to arrive. Even worse, the guardians appeared, wearing items forged over centuries of practice.

The environment began to worsen. Winter sets in, the water growing colder every day. The troops that sleep find no rest, as nightmares stalk the dark.

1 minor to influence winter, 1 minor to influence dreams. The forged items are those that have been worn by guardians and temple monks since forging was created.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir and Zuli

Moghor's avatar, the World Serpent, is in presence of many worshipers. I assume Zuli has also taken an avatar form (or a dragonhawk form, or whatever you like). If not, please tell me. If Zuli decided to appear in his divine body, he would instantly kill all the mortals around Moghor.

Do not forget that Moghor's avatar is worth two avatars. :smallwink:

The massive Wyrm turned toward the troll god.

"You dare threaten me? Listen well, Zuli. Those mortals are acting on their own free will. It is between them and your trolls. They are not destroying the forests for the sake of destruction. If you wished the forests to be left unharmed, then you should have isolated the trolls from the rest of the world.

In fact, if one of us has acted foolishly, it's you. You actually destroyed a whole population of grig refugees. IN A SANCTUARY! If anyone should be punished, it's you. If you try to intervene in the war, trust me, I will make you stop. I will make you pay for your arrogance.

Don't underestimate me...mon."

[Johel]

Island of Souls

As no guardians bothered to protect the beaches, the first division landed without problem, charging straight to the Library. They found the inhabitants fighting against the conjured monsters. For the spirits who protected the island, monsters and vermin were a minor nuisance at worst but they kept the defenders busy while the Kappas launched the first assault.

Two more divisions advanced on the beach as their brothers were fighting, though "dying" was probably a more accurate description of the events : With shades and guardians fighting side by side on the narrow paths leading to the library, what was suppose to be a simple matter of numbers turned into a organized slaughter, Kappas rushing at their enemies only to meet their blades ready. The salves of harpoons, fired at point-blank range, didn't seem to harm the spirits in charge of the island, though many back off as the pressure increased.

However, the charge of the spirit dragons put an halt to the invasion. The former River dragons were thirsty for revenge and wouldn't let Xiren's followers destroy their new home. Not after what they had already done to the rivers.

The first division was annihilated but the sacrifice was worth it : as the first night ended, 50.000 Kappas camped on the island, their siege weapons ready. From the ocean, 2 more divisions began an endless convoy to supply the invaders with ammunitions and water. All day, the Library's positions were bombarded with harpoons loaded with invocation jars.


About the "unkillable" Shade, what do you mean ? It is not possible to kill them at all ?!! :smallfrown:


The Mobile Fortress

Immobile at the sea's bottom, the Mobile Fortress didn't react to the assault. It was unexpected, to say the least.

"-So...what was that ?"
"-I think we just lost the Sea-Wolves..."
"-Really ? Oh, I haven't noticed, thanks !! I mean what was this monster and how did it get that close without us noticing ?!!"
"-If you're so smart, how come YOU didn't notice it first ?"

The mobile fortress would need a new name. Or wouldn't it ?
While the Naïades discussed uselessly about the problem, the Fey Flower, avatar of Xiren, acted. Taking a single crab from the reefs around the Island of Souls, she licked it then let it fall on the seabed. By the time the tiny creature touched the sand, it has increased in size tremendously. Xiren's avatar repeated the process with hundreds of crabs until she felt there was enough of them.

The weak-willed but heavily armored Spiked Crabs were born. The avatar turned to the Naïades and spoke.
"-Here is the answer to your problem. Now, stop bickering and get busy with the invasion !! I want those books and I want them for YESTERDAY !!"


1 Major Act to create the Spiked Crabs.
Colossal sized crabs with heavy spiked "armor". Nothing special about them, they are just oversized crabs but they are really weak-willed, so that Naïades can actually keep them under control.

[Krrth]

Isle of Souls

Even though many had died, the invaders continued. Even though they were his enemies, he still hated to see them die before their time. However, this did not keep him from attempting to finish what they started. Sadly, he sent his power out. The temperature, which was already near freezing, dropped drastically. Ice instantly began to form over the Isle. Even the seawater began freezing. Soon, anyone not protected from the cold began to die.

On the beach, defenses set long ago were activated. Blade Barriers (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/bladeBarrier.htm) sprang up, cutting off reinforcements (and incidentally, retreat). Those attempting to pass through quickly found themselves sliced into small pieces.

1 Minor Act to Lower the temperature even farther. It is now around -20.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Akteron and Alchaeus

"- This could work, but Moghor may have a back-up plan. In the meantime, do you want me to help defend the Isle of Souls?"

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

Moghor to Xiren

Moghor sent a Krokuta to mock the Blood Flower's avatar.

"Another suicide mission, heh? Aren't you tired of always loosing? If you don't succeed this time, you will be laughed at by the entire divine community, for sure! Hahaha!"

[Krrth]

Akteron and Alchaeus

No, I think we've got this. Xiren is forgetting that even though I don't have vast numbers of living troops, if I have to I can recall all the uncounted number of souls in my realm.

I'd rather you go and find out more about what Moghor is doing. Once I've finished things here I'll join you. Take a squad of Shades with you.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Akteron and Alchaeus

Alchaeus nodded.

"- It will be done."

The Black Knight then turned to the other shades.

"- Move out!"

They instantly vanished.

[Johel]

Xiren's Avatar

"-What ?!!!"
This mere bag of mud dared to insult her ? With one swing, the avatar shattered it...and regretted her move immediately. It wasn't the right time to alienate Moghor.

Nevertheless, the little creature had hit a string, here : she couldn't let herself being beaten once more. Not with so much at stake. Akteron has acted directly as a god in mortal warfare. Xiren would do the same.

Isle of Souls, day 7

A whole week.
It's what it took to the Kappas to mae it to the Library's main doors. It should have taken less than two, given their overwhelming number, firepower and conjured allies. But the divine winter was too much.

Freezing in small huts made of stone corpses, the survivors sticked around fire camps, boiling snow to get the water they needed. The wards of the Island had been disabled by the priests but it had taken time and without the constant shelling to keep the local spirits busy, this might not have been possible. Now, convoys were bringing algae from the sea to be burn, as the mountain was devoid of trees.

"-Kappa, Kappa !! This whole invasion is doomed !!"
"-Kappa !! You say it, Kroak !! We ain't going home alive, tell you !!"
"-Yeah, Kappa !! We gonna freeze to death and...Kappa !! kinda hotter suddenly..."
"-Yeah...hotter...and wetter."
"-And smellier, too."

One of the Kappas peaked outside the hut. What he saw make him burst tears of joy : the snow was melting with the ground, creating a dark mud which flowed like shallow rivers, down to the frozen sea. Following the "river", a living blanket of insects, rodents, amphibians and reptiles creped from the massive hole that had appeared in the sky, just above a mountain, sulfuric vapors pouring madly from the green and black whirlpool as purple and blue lighting bolts connected briefly with the ground. Two dimension seemed to be about to merged but such thing was not possible.

Xiren knew it and instead, she just went on to mess with the whole climatic process of the Island of Souls, creating a gigantic hurricane of pestilence from where the ever-decaying soil of the Cloaque felt upon the ground. As the vortex grew wider, a black, oily rain covered the whole island.

Like if the sudden increase in heat and nutriment had boosted their growth, plants began to flourish. Nice little flowers and pleasant bushes at first, like the ones found in Zuli's forests, the seeds probably carried by birds long ago. But soon, some twisted horrors replaced them, their rotting trunks overflowed with fat maggots as swarms of flies took off from everywhere. The sick trees were quickly strangled with thorned vines which kept growing on the ground as the small valleys between the mountains became lakes of muddy waters, where Xiren's creations would probably thrive (if the temperature remained above zero).

Incarnation of the entropy itself, Xiren's avatar appeared atop the island, her spiked roots floating around her like living snakes. With a smile, she admired her work before giving the finger to the spirits guarding the Library. As if this simple sign carried some dark magic, a red glow began to engulf the whole island, tainting the very ground, from which a thick yellow smoke began to evaporate, mirroring perfectly what already filled the sky but was slowly fading.

For a brief moment, the sky became blue again, a bright winter sun shining over the Island. Then the moment passed and thick yellow clouds formed, showering the Island with hot muddy rain during the day while, at night, column of vapors from the ground would replenish the clouds.

Though the Kappas were born in the ocean, they would probably love this place, which looked exactly like the legendary Putrid Swamp they'd heard the Naïades speak of with nostalgic voices. In fact, it was even better than the Putrid Swamp. It was a Tainted Island.

"-Praised be Xiren...Kappa !!"


1 Major Act to take over the Rain domain from the now long forgotten Huang Long.
2 Major Act :
To transform the Island of Souls into the Tainted Island.
"Tropical climate" is perhaps not the exact term but you probably get the idea by now. Yes, it's a little god mode but you can undo it if you really want to. Just have to pay the acts and give a nice description. :smallwink:

[Mike_the_Mystic]

[spoiler]Avatars aren't stronger than gods, even those that are worth "Two Avatars"[/spolier]

Zuli, in the guise of a great bear.

No, no mon. Ju made yo people think it was mah people who did it. And did ju not realize dat Xiren had attempted to exterminate da trolls? Or how about dat befo da trolls wiped dem out, da grigs were infestin' da forests? HMM? Ah've always been uninterferin', unitl ah was pushed to interference. Ah won' be pushed around bah some big worm.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor and Zuli

"I had enough of you, puny troll god! You don't understand at all. I thought you could be part of this...but I see you're a fool! I didn't intend to go as far as kill you, but if I must do it to preserve my utopia, then I will! Your trolls will be much better without you!"

The avatar and the worshippers around him disappeared inside a portal. Now, Zuli could feel Moghor's presence on a mountain peak overlooking the Trollgroves.... The presence of a full god, not an avatar.

Cracks appeared in the Giant King's golden skin. His body emitted intense heat.

"Let us finish this. You may laught at a Wyrm, but we'll see if you can handle the heat!"

[Smiley_]

Battle of the Isle of Souls, Night of the 7th Day.

As the battle raged on in the disgusting bog Xiren was so kind to provide, few people looked to the yellow clouds that covered the sky. Only a handful of the Xirenists noticed the dark figure fly in and perch on the top of the library walls. It stood up and faced the army before it, wearing a pitch black cloak.

He was a gangly thing, wrapped mummy like with many strips of parchment, each covered with hundreds of sigils, runes and words of power. Only it's two large black eyes were exposed with its long ebony beak.

Vrrn did not look too different from before, but those sensitive to such things could feel the energy of the powerful layered spells and protective charms that emananated from his frail form. Even those who were not saw the ring of glowing runes hovering in mid-air, the faint halo of golden light and a few crystal shards positioned around his body.

He removed an ornate gold-colored wand decorated with several smooth gemstones from somewhere withing the folds of parchment and pointed it at the raging battle below.

I have written Nine hundred histories, twelve hundred biographies and collections of knowledge form every civilized race and culture from across the world. They are kept behind these walls, and I will not see these wild brutes desecrate this holy ground. Turn back, foul creations of the vile Xiren, or I shall see every last one of you dead!

his words were soft, but they were clear to everyone on the battlefield. Still, it was only one man, and the Kappas were probably not that impressed.

[Krrth]

Akteron and the Isle of Souls



That is enough Xiren. You would attack my Home? That was bad enough, but now you start re-arranging my furniture? I think not.

With a wave, he changes the Isle back to what it was before. Then, he drops the temperature down so far, and so fast, that the water flash-freezes. The very waves in the ocean still, out to at least ten miles. Any creature without magical protection will be dead within the hour.

1 major act to repair the Isle. 1 major act to drop the temperature to -60 within the span of a few seconds.

[Johel]

Twisted by the large amount of opposed magics at work, the Island seemed to vanish from reality itself for a moment. The second after, the Tainted Island was no more. Instead was a frozen landscape with thousands of frog-like ice statues spread along the path leading to the Library's main doors.

Up to a mile away from the Island of Souls, the sea itself seemed to have been frozen still. The waters were covered by a thick icecap while under it, only the violent streams prevented them to become a gigantic iceberg.

Further away from the island, out of the shallow water, many Naïades shivered as the roaring sound of cracking ice reached the fortress.
"-Someone doesn't share our vision of heaven."
"-Yep...Too bad it's a god."
"-Enough small talk, sisters !! With the Blood Flower gone, what do we do ?"
"-What do you mean ? We've lost half of the army back there. Nothing but dead spirits remain on this forsaken island and I doubt it will ever change now that they're aware of our interest."
"-So we fall back ?"
"-We fall back. The Kappas can handle ghosts and spirits but a god is out of their league."
"-Xiren will not be happy. She'll ask for sacrifices."
"-She'll get them. We still got Kappas left.
Messages were sent and, in a confused but still unique move, the whole remnants of the army gathered around their equipment and escorted the fortress to the City of the Depths


This kinda defeat the purpose of Nokumo's intervention but yeah...
So, we move to humans, then.


Trollgroves

No information about what's inside the city. I'll assume that the grigs found the city empty except for the garrison troops, which they avoid. 75.000 people must eat and drink a lot so there must be some kind of movement between the catacombs and the surface to supply them. Some grigs have spot this and just follow it and discovered the entrance of the catacombs, though they don't know what's inside (but they have hints : for who's all this meat ? :smallamused:)

All in one single spot ?
That's it, yeah. I mean, that much food and water can feed thousands of people. Tens of thousands. And as most of the refugees have been track to this city...

This was logic, indeed. Yraku could now understand it. The Trolls were a despicable people. What were they thinking ? That nobody will spot the thousands of fleeing refugees on the roads ? That no grig, who are master of stealth, will even try to investigate ? Yraku wasn't sure that the whole troll population was down there but anyway, he and the other priests had a mission. The holy quest given to them by Xiren had to be accomplish.

"-Pass the word. We'll begin tonight, at sunset. May the Kind Mother give us the strength."
"-She will."

-------------
The ceremony had been long but finally, it reached its end.
Knife high, Yraku offered a bloody sacrifice to the Kind Mother, dropping the mutilated body of a Lycian into the purple flames while begging the goddess to lend him some of her divine strength. All around Jin'Karthiad, small purple fire camps could be seen as other priests chanted Xiren's glory, the piercing voices of their followers filling the air in a disharmonious song.

Ten large red and black clouds rose from the forest, swirling above the city before falling upon it. The rituals had cast the Über Ebola virus once more. But when its previous incarnation had just been a highly aggressive killer, this one was a true monster, an avatar of pestilence and decay, a flesh eating virus which attacked every living forms, killing most of them in a matter of hours. Airborn, it made its way through the cyclopean stonewalls of Jin'Karthiad, using every single tiny hole where the wind could blow as a highway leading to its preys.

Letting the sentinels scream in agony as their very flesh was being devoured by the virus, the plague soon reached the refugee-filled caves of the catacombs where the true feast began... Yraku would have been pleased but, sadly for him, despite her name, Xiren was not a kind goddess. The rotting bodies of the grig priest lied near the fire camp, a grim smile on his face as the virus consumed up to the marrow of his bones.

1 Minor Act to cast a flesh-eating virus on the refugee. the whole civilian population, that was gathered inside Jin'Karthiad, is killed. With the ongoing war, I doubt their is enough Voodoomancers to heal the victims on the spot and even if there were, they too would be affected and probably use their magic to heal themselves first.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Jin'Karthiad

Moghor also had its share of fanatics. One of his high priests had traveled with the grigs to the heart of the Trollgroves. Like his brothers, he didn't especially like the malevolent fey. However, Moghor had sent him to Jin'Karthiad with an important task, and he would need the grigs to accomplish his goal. With their help, he had been able to spread the red dirt infused with divine energy around the capital. Some of it had also been put in the bags of the city guards, who would bring it back inside with them. Who would suspect dirt to be dangerous?

Of course, the erda felt the effects of the Ebola virus, like all of Xiren's worshipers, once the ritual was completed. But Moghor didn't need him anymore. He had done his job. As the first trolls died of the plague, their corpses were instantly reanimated by foul magicks. The city was quickly overrun by the undead hordes...

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

Just before the virus hit the catacombs, a pair of large yellow eyes materialized in the darkness of the room. Eyes of a snake. The women and children were deadly afraid of this "apparition", but the creature spoke kindly.

"Do not fear, for I am here to save your souls. The trolls have fought well, but the truth is that your god is weak. He can't defend you anymore. But that is no problem. I will take it from here."

The entire catacombs were swallowed in the shadow of the beast.

1 major act to "save" all the trolls hiding in the catacombs, including males, since I suppose there were many guards down there. They are not on the material plane anymore.
1 minor act to make the curse of the Flesheaters more potent

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

The Clash of the Empires

The war raged elsewhere in the Trollgroves. The animal lords had succeeded in decimating most of the colossi operating the first Juggernaut, but Sjornir, their king, was still resisting with all his strength. His people had nicknamed him the Tempest, and for good reason. He was a force of nature. Sure, he was greatly wounded, but he didn't care. Fleeing wasn't an option. Meanwhile, the fire drakes were keeping the enemy busy and making it impossible to focus on Sjornir or the Juggernaut.

Then, the reinforcements arrived, and the tide of the battle began to turn. From great fissures in the ground, Moghor's trusted lieutenants joined their comrades in fighting the animal lords. High Cleric Felaar and his fire elementals; the Cereberus; Moloch and his undead armies, including mohrgs and chilling bones; as well as the four titans, Mercury and the others.

Last but not least, Moghor himself showed up, in the form of his avatar, and began swallowing one animal lord after another.

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

Alchaeus and his shades had just found the source of an arcane disturbance in the Trollgroves. There, they found a great pillar of earth encased in a circular wall of fire. The small area around the pillar was a dead wasteland. Since the entire trollgroves were sacred and its trees made extremely resistant by Zuli, that could only mean one thing: there were powerful magicks at work. There was probably an artefact stored there. As soon as Alchaeus stepped forward, a being appeared before him. A being he recognized from the God Games, so long ago...

"- Totolkan."

He was changed. His body looked like a real patchwork; it integrated parts from all sentient creatures of Earth, as well as pieces of body armor made from divine metal. The modified jakaru towered over all of them.

"- You are but a shade of yourself, Black Knight. Literally. How...pathetic. If only you had stayed in the service of our King, you would have seen so much! Experienced so much power!

I have seen civilizations rise and fall. I have learned from the mistakes of our ancestors. Now, I have what I need to become perfect. Wait, what am I saying? I am already perfect!"

"- We'll see about that."

The shades readied their spells and weapons. Totolkan stood still. At Alchaeus' command, they all charged the jakaru. What they thought would be an easy fight was the opposite. One after another, these heroes of the past, these champions of their race, got beaten to the ground. No blade or arrow was able to pierce his flesh; no fireball or earth lance seemed to get past his personal anti-magic shield. After a few minutes, only two were left standing: Alchaeus, his two crystal blades drawn, and Totolkan.

"- As you see, my body adapts to any attack. I have access to many defenses. You are a forger, don't tell me you didn't notice something strange? You can't figure me out...am I right? You don't understand why my life force seems to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time, or how it can flow through the ground and back to me. Hahaha...looks like you have met your match."

Totolkan started to walk away when Alchaeus jumped on him. He slashed with incredible agility, but the jakaru was still able to parry the blows. He sent him flying 20 feet back.

"- Please, let me finish this. I'll be back to you."

As Alchaeus recovered from the attack, he saw Totolkan chanting an incantation. Once he completed his spell, the sky tore open and swarms of elementals, as well as quite a few fire drakes, emerged from the portal.

1 minor act to create portals
1 minor act to bring more Spawns of Moghor in the material plane
The Fire Drakes don't need a new act, as I already spent 3 minors on them.

[Smiley_]

Isle of Souls

Vrrn walked through the library doors, brushing snow off of himself as he went. He made his way inside to a room in the far back. Here, he rummaged though various scrolls while muttering to himself. Finding what he was looking for, he opened a scroll and quickly scanned its contents.

Rolling it back up, he dashed silently to one of the guardians, his black cape rippling behind him, and placed the scroll on a nearby table. It was one of Vrrn's many histories, this particular one on Alchaeus when he was the Black Knight.

This is of the utmost importance. I am to understand that he returned as a shade, a hero of the past. Where is he now?

[Krrth]

Guardian #2

Alchaeus? Currently, I believe he is currently investigating Moghors plan for this world.

[Smiley_]

Vrrn

Vrrn shut his eyes and shook his head.

So, that's why I cannot find him anywhere around here. Is there any way of finding his location? Where he is now?

Suddenly, he smacked a palm against his forhead.

Gah! How could I have not seen it before? Finding him shouldn't be a problem as long as this is indeed the same individual.

Vrrn knelt down and traced a circle on the ground around himself with his finger. As the circle on the ground began to glow, he removed some stones from somewhere on his body and cast them down.

A little smattering of sky and earth magic... contact with the Spirit Weave... perhaps a prayer or three... this could take a while.

He continued to scribble markings and symbols within the circle. Within three minutes, he was done. He stood up slowly and looked at the guardian.

He wasn't too hard to find. There is a huge well of magical activity in the Trollgroves that no one could miss and, as luck would have it, there he is. He's the only being I recognize... You did send him alone, didn't you?

[Krrth]

Guardian #2

I believe a squad of Shades was sent along to help him.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir to Akteron

Moghor sent a telepathic message to Akteron, Lord of the Dead.

"Dear Akteron...in these times of trouble, only a few gods are left to make things right. Even less are reasonable enough to make the good decisions. I believe you are one of them and that is why I want to make you a proposition. You have a virtue that most lack: the virtue of prudence. You are also a wise and intelligent god, and as such, I think you will come to embrace my project. I tried to organize the world. I failed. The other gods continued to bicker endlessly, unable to focus on what was really important: the survival of the pantheon as a whole.

Of course, I won't surprise you if I tell you that I value my survival above all else. My worshipers are a mean to an end. Some may serve me particularly well, but I have no love for them. The only important thing is that my dogma be spread. I believe all the gods feel the same, even if they try to hide it.

Anyway...what you must remember is that, while I may not share your moral, my goal is not too different from yours. The way I see it, the only way to ensure our survival is to build a new world order where the influence of the other, bickering gods won't be felt. Yes, I am ready to leave the old world in ruins if I must. Everything that has a value to me will be saved. Have you seen what I have done with the women and the children in the catacombs? Is that the work of a diabolical, destructive deity? Or the work of a god with vision?

Join me and you will be able to shape the new world to your liking. Unlike the last one, this world will be complete from the start. The mortals will benefit from all our combined knowledge. Their leaders will rule with strength, but also great wisdom, if you accept to take a part in this project. What's better: leaving the mortals to suffer in the old world or save the ones we can and create a utopia for them? Don't fool yourself, the old world will never recover from the wars of the gods. This is the only other alternative."

[Smiley_]

Vrrn

You mean you didn't send him alone?

Vrrn slowlr shook his head, a worried expression coming over his face.

Whatever happened, that squad of shades isn't there anymore. There isn't a second to lose! I am most grieved that I have to leave this place after being absent for so long, but I fear the worst may come to Alchaeus if no action is taken.

The glowing circle and symbols faded as Vrrn turned and left. His body seemed to ripple and then he was gone.

Nokumo

To the other gods, it seemed that Nokumo was absent. Truth be told, he was actually quite active as a greater deity, present in every birth of a new child, in the grass and flowers that slowly grew and were trampled by the warring powers on the world, and many other things that were taken for granted. He saw the bickering of the lesser gods, but he was not angry or disappointed.

Alone in the cosmos with no peers, he took to hundreds of minor creations, taking pleasure in the simplest of things. Giving a passing Jakaru the resolve to rebuild his house after it was destroyed by grig raiders even though it would be destroyed again within a month, painting beautiful sunsets that everyone ignored since they were caught up in ever escalating conflict, and occationally polishing the moon (the real one) so that it would continue to serve as a universal symbol of beauty to the mortals below, not that any of them had the time to appreciate it.

Despite these setbacks, Nokumo had found that thing that Kuto had failed to. He had found happiness.

Humanity

Whereas most of the world was experiencing war and disease, Humanity benefited from its interaction with te sanctuary. The Island nation had begun a cultural and scientific golden age. The ragged townships had blossomed into large cities. In exchange for gold and precious stones, they were able to trade for many of the luxuries avaliable in the Sanctuary. Great coastal ramparts and fortresses were built strong and tall like the Giant King who was revered on the rocky island. Libraries and observatories had also cropped up in respect of Akteron. Massive trade barges would go back and forth between the island and the mainland, each with a well armed escort. Warships were constructed with stronger hulls and there were whispers of a "miracle ship" in the works in the workshops that were far underground in a massive cave that opened out to the ocean.

All in all, humanity was faring very will in these times. No longer were they the scraggly race ekeing out their existence among the stones, but a recognized power.

Dumping four minor acts into influencing a golden age for Humanity

[Johel]

Xiren

The Clash of the Empires

It was celebration time for the Fey Folk. All across the Continental Forest, from the Swamp's borders to the Trollgroves, each band was dancing and singing, having heard the news about Jin'Karthiad. With most of the trolls deads, the war would end soon.

Even if grigs loved the endless cat and mouse game against the Trolls, they had been the mouses for too long. The Folk as a whole was weakened, a shadow of its former self, forced to fight a desesperate guerrilla for nearly two centuries, during which they had lost bands after bands after each passing week.

But now, as the few remaining troll warriors faced the Coalition armies, things would change. Even with the reinforcements from Yanze, Sanctuary would win the war. Or so was the general opinion.

"-All Hail the Kind Mother !! For she's never let us down !! She guided us back to the safety of the night and inspired us to accomplish marvels in her name !! We are the Fey Folk and we shall not fear anyone !! For we alone are the chosen race !! We are Her children !!"
"-WE ARE HER CHILDREN !! WE ARE HER CHILDREN !!"
"-All Hail the Kind Mother !!"
"-ALL HAIL THE KIND MOTHER !!"

Similar pledges erupted everywhere in the slowly vanishing Continental Forest. Countless sacrifices were done in the name of the Goddess and shrines were erected everywhere. Weakened but alive, the Fey Folk was entering a new age.

Most of the grigs and dryads get out of the war. Those who had arrived at Sanctuary after Zuli's blind killing will continue to assist the army but that's a minority. However, they are the less chaotic of Xiren's fairies and shall prove usefull. Some may even worship Moghor.

The Swamp

Bright red lights in the dark night. Screams of terror and pain. That's what some sprites witnessed near the small island of filth where the Tree of Decay stood. And then, it began to spread : greed, selfishness, cruelty, anger, envy and all kind of sins, paving the way of decadence among the "heretic fairies".

A rumor was whispered : the Tree of Decay, this infamous sanctuary blessed by Xiren herself, was inhabited again. A odd thing, as only a Dryad Queen was suppose to be able to lift the wards. Could some of Xiren's daughters had risen to that level of power, despite the ruthless hunt of the trolls ?

The fact was that, at the swamp's borders, the tribes of Swamp Jakarus and Swamp Trolls were being restless, leading raids against sprite communities while spreading back Xiren's creations.


Forgotten by mortals for centuries, the Scepter of Sins comes back to pervert the sprites. With the help of xirenists, a mysterious power is rising inside the Swamp.

[Krrth]

Akteron to Moghor Rezamir


Brother, I understand what you are asking, but I cannot leave this world. I have duties to those still here, and those duties bind me even closer if this world is to end.

That does not mean I am unsympathetic however. If you wish to create a new world, one more to your liking, then perhaps we can come to an arrangement. I would be willing to help you create a new world if we can come to an agreement.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir to Xiren

He then sent a telepathic message to Xiren, Lady of the Swamps.

"I am grateful. Your grigs and dryads have proved useful. However, I have also been forgiving...really forgiving. Now, come and pledge your service to me. In exchange, I guarantee that I won't interfere with the development of the Fey Folk on this world...unless you directly interfere in my plans, of course. It's a win-win scenario."

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

Moghor Rezamir to Akteron

"Words of wisdom. I expected nothing less from you, brother. I will remember your answer. I will invite you to join me when the time has come. In the meantime, I hope you will understand my actions. You may come to hate me, but I am only doing what must be done."

[Johel]

Xiren

Being of pure chaos and evil, Xiren knew no rule or morale and wasn't bound by concepts like honour. At most, her pride would prevent her from acting logically like it had so many times. But not today. Today, the Kind Mother was too weak to oppose Moghor's wish.

She could feel it : her brothers had changed, their self-centered nature having given them powers beyond imagination while her own "generous" nature had made her "share" her divine might with the whole creation, "blessing" most mortals. The result was that, now, her realm was her prison : in there, she could at least compete with visiting gods. Out there, she was way out of their league.

And most of them were pissed at her. What had she done to deserve such wrath ? All she wanted was to have fun... Moghor, while not a ally and even less a friend, was the only one who could somehow help her. And so, she did her best to send a friendly telepathic message.
To kill Kuto had been a lot easier than that... small thoughts went out of hands.

"-My dear little brother (yeah...sure),

It's with all the love a sister can wish to her sibling (I'll strangle you with your own guts !!) that I accept your invitation to assist you (trick you and feed you to my centipedes, rather).
We may have had words in the past (and I'm gonna force them back your throat, one day) but today, with my help, you'll maybe finally achieve greatness (...Him ? HA !!).
Nevertheless, I'm curious to know exactly what you're expecting from me (Like I care !!).
As entertaining as it would be to see you begging me, I am and remain the Kind Mother and, as such, will help you with all the loyalty and devotion you may imagine (watch your back, sucker...)
Your beloved sister (one day, you'll call me mom and lick my roots),

Xiren (All hail the Queen !!)


This done, she try to forget her shame and began plotting her revenge for the imaginary wrongs Moghor's going to do to her. It would always be possible to betray that fool... that powerful fool...

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

It was almost time. Akteron and Moghor were on the verge of ascention, and it was about time too. Moghor was still being Moghor and Akteron was still being Akteron. He would have a chat with them when they came.

As for that Xiren, she had nowhere to go. What had the poor thing gotten herself into? The thought had crossed his mind to put the thing out of it's miserable existence, but such matters were not for him to decide.

The job he did have was gratifying, but it was incredibly taxing. Would Moghor and Akteron understand, give up what he had, or would they simply continue on as they had before, simply larger, more imposing versions of their former selves continuing to go through their usual motions? Again, it was not for him to decide. Still, Moghor might see him as an obstacle. He was an ambious being and, while that was not a bad thing for all true progress comes from ambition, might prove to be a complication in the future. Would he settle for anything less than the position of utmost authority?

Nokumo waved his hand and something began to happen in a nearby star. Something was being created far beyond the comprehension of the others, for now, at least.

Over the past century, Nokumo had grown and developed as a greater deity, becoming something far more than he could have ever anticipated.

the last 3 major acts are used. Eagerly anticipating Nokumo finally getting some company.


----------------------
Trollgroves
As Alchaeus was watching the patchwork being work, he suddenly felt a slender, sturdy hand on his shoulder. He couldn't see who it belonged to, but a voice whispered something in his ear.

You certaily didn't make it easy finding you, running off into these woods like that. Don't worry about who I am. Just get back to Akteron.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Trollgroves

Alchaeus nodded.

"- Good luck. You will need it."

He then vanished.

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

Moghor Rezamir to Totolkan

Moghor sent a telepathic message to his servant, Totolkan.

"The time has come. I have to prepare for my ascension. Deal with these meddling fools while I'm away. You can call upon the power of the Titans if you need to. They won't be of any use after I complete the ceremony.

Rejoice! Soon, your King will be among the most powerful beings in the multiverse!"

One greater god of good, one of evil and...one of "neutrality", I suppose. :smallwink:

[Krrth]

Akteron


Akteron sat at at the Isle of Souls and pondered the Gateway. His power was gathering, and starting to pool around the Isle. The Winter storms he summoned still raged, and would do so for millennium more. The only safe way into the Isle was by way of the bridge, which kept the normal temperature. Many things were coming to a head now, many things feeding him power. The dreams of all living creatures were his. Across the land, monasteries and libraries raised his awareness. Even the seasons, slowing turning, added a little. He was on the verge of something great.....

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Systems online headmaster, ready for your command.

And when the trolls called out for help, our might was lent to destroy the enemy wholly.


Yes, headmaster, a great piece for the archives.


Yes, ready all ships, target, Jin'Karthaid.

Yes Sir, Headmaster.

Jin'Karthaid

Just when all hope seemed lost to the trolls, a blinding flash of light came out of the sky, and five thousand crystalline objects entered the fray.


BY THE MIGHTY ZAL'THAIDI EMPIRE, LANDS OF THE FROST TROLL CONCLAVE, I ORDER ALL OF YOU TO END YOUR HARM OF THE KARTHAIDI TROLLS, AT ONCE!!! IF NOT, THEN THE USE OF DIVINE-EMPOWERED FORCE WILL BE USED INDISCRETELY!!

The weapons systems were charging as the head ship was speaking.

River Trolls

Though the trek was long and dangerous, the mighty river trolls arrived. Pouring into the city of Jin'Karthaid, they slaughtered countless undead before the first troll fell. Blades rent flesh of their former kin, and soon only half of the undead were left.

Animal gods

The divinely empowered lords of beasts found opening the belly of the great serpent to be difficult, but they did so, none the less. The lords of animalkind poured out of the beasts belly in droves, coming down upon the Erdas once again. The tides had turned in the trolls favor, as the powerful Jotun were already called in, crushing battalions of Erads in a footstep. They were on the winning side again, and were going to be for the rest of this war.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir, the Waste of the Iron Kings

Moghor had moved his throne to Godshall, where he was closer to his main source of power, the pit of souls. He sat there, frozen, as if he was in a coma. Only, if his body looked lifeless, his brain was really much active.

My time has come. I have to thank you for this.

"Shut up! You're no one! I am doing this by myself. This is my dream coming true!

Now, now....you're hurting my feeling.

"Shut up!"

Do you really think you could have done all of this without me? When Kuto told you your place in the universe, you were confused, afraid. You feared for your own life. You didn't know how to stop the inevitable: the end of the world! That's when you sought to become more powerful. And you drew more and more evil to your soul...like a magnet. Seeing the mistake in your ways, you sought to create, to bring new life into the world, thinking that it would buy you a bit of time. You asked the other gods to join forces and forge an alliance...but it failed.

Well, of course it failed! One part of your soul was against the idea. I was against the idea. For each action, there is a reaction. For each act of creation, an act of destruction. I AM destruction. While you assisted the Erdas and allowed them to progress technologically, I manipulated the Redunkeep Avengers to cause havoc. The undead infestations, the wars... As a result, you were torn apart. But instead of opposing me, you went along with it...because you felt like it was your only chance at survival. You were probably wrong about that, after all.

"I am in control! I am able to keep you in check. The proof is that I am building an utopia! I am preserving my legacy and nothing you can do will change that."

Did you ever once think that you were but a tool? I am the one that convinced you that the ancient world was finished. It was I who made the ley lines. At first, it seemed like they were giving you more power over creation, right? In fact, they are holding the planet together, but at the same time, draining it's energy. Once I have harnessed enough energy, I will remove the ley lines. What do you think will happen then? Hahahaha...

You're right about one thing. The mortals will be better off in the Waste than on that dying planet...only slightly better, however, as I will not make it into an utopia, but a hellish world! Our worshipers are to be brought here to serve as our eternal slaves!

"That is insane. You want to destroy all my work!

I will make all things better, trust me. I will purge you...I will become an unstoppable force, a true Divinity. You wouldn't know what to do with all this power anyway. Be ready. You are about to face...oblivion.

To the outside world, the sleeping King looked peaceful, but, already he was changing...

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

Totolkan and Vrrn (or so I assume)

Totolkan turned to face the newcomer.

"- Another futile attempt at my life?"

[Smiley_]

Vrrn and Totolkan

Totolkan knew someone was there, but he couldn't see Vrrn. Then, hanging upside-down by his toes on a low branch, Vrrn let himself swing around behind the modified Jakaru.

Might say that, if you insist on being difficult. From what I understand, Moghor is bringing in some form of apocolypse that will "cleanse the world" or some such garbage.

Totoklan noticed that various seals had been placed on the portals, keeping fire drakes and elementals from escaping into the mortal world for the time being. If he was supposed to fight this spirit, he couldn't rely on distractions from hordes of underlings.

Vrrn dropped down silently and ballanced on one hand, the rest of his body suspended in the air.

Care to dance, Toto?

[Kaiser Omnik]

Totolkan and Vrrn

Totolkan watched as Vrrn "danced around".

"- I remember you from Moghor's tournament. You are Vrrn. As you have been working at the Library, you must know who I am."

The jakaru slowly walked towards him. A long and thin needle sprung out of his arm.

"- I have seen the insides of countless creatures. You look especially interesting. Shall we see what you hold? Tell me...what's your essence like?"

[Smiley_]

Vrrn

Faster than anything he had ever seen before, Vrrn suddenly had his legs wrapped around Totoklan's neck. With his long hands, he quickly rolled a few hefty slaps on the top of the Jakaru's head and sprang of, delivering a kick to the back of the chimera's skull. It didn't hurt that much, for Totoklan was made of some pretty sturdy stuff, but it was more than a little humiliating.

Won't find much with that needle, I'm afraid, but ink and dust. Would you belive that my essence tastes a bit like black licorice?

He raised two fingers, and a tiny arc of purple electrity struck Totolkan in the small of the back.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Totolkan

Totolkan quickly analyzed the magical energy patterns in the area. Suddenly, Vrrn felt a burning sensation (if Vrrn cannot feel at all, ignore this) as the jakaru weaved a tangled web made of raw magic around his body. He then made a gesture with his right hand and Vrrn was thrown off his back unto the ground, as if he was holding him in an invisible net.

"- Not bad. Your lightning would have left a scratch, if not for my resistance."

In fact, the purple electricity did hurt him, but the burn marks had all vanished.

"- I wonder, what ability will I use next? Ah, I've got it."

Without a word, Totolkan cast his spell and his body was surrounded by intense flames.

The "magical net" effect is easy to dispel.

[Smiley_]

Vrrn

Totolkan could hear a "whupping" sound as Vrrn muttered an incantation. The spell dispersed and Vrrn quickly back-flipped off the ground, sprang of a tree and landed in front of the Jakaru. Another motion of the hands and the flames disappeared with a shattering sound.

Nice trick. Perhaps it might have worked if I wasn't, oh, I dunno, better at that stuff than you are?

The spirit began barraging the Jakaru with blow after blow with escalating speed. Totolkan could shrug off the blows and parry others due to his nature, but any counter attack he threw was almost instantly parried and the flurry of blows continued.

Vrrn's arm shot out and, two long fingers found their way past the Jakaru's lips. He felt something hard and round slide down his throat and Vrrn jumped back, acrobatically swinging of a branch and landing a good ways off. At first, the Jakaru couldn't feel anything.

The bead exploded and green fire shot out of every orifice the Jakaru had.

I don't expect this to take Totolkan out due to his resilient and regenerative nature, but it sure wont be forgotten soon.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Totolkan

Totolkan feel on one knee. His body was still smoking from Vrrn's last devastating attack. Yet, he seemed to have partially recovered as he absorbed energy from the earth.

"- Interesting. I will soon learn how to replicate this attack. Now...if I remember correctly, you said you were partly made from dust, am I right?"

The jakaru jumped right next to Vrrn with the grace of a grig. He held the creature with his right hand, which was now glowing with a red light. It caused the pieces of parchment covering this part of his body to crumble.

"- Right. Dust."

[Smiley_]

Oh, please you silly man. Everything dry can be dust. Bone dust, flower dust, pixie dust, it doesn't have to be dirt dust...

The parchment suddenly unraveled and flew out in every direction. Totolkan was holding an amorphous black mass that shot several goopy tendrils at him. They shot straight through him, leaving nothing but a dark stain, and Vrrn reformed behind him, squatting on a branch.

The black stains began to burn as if a poison was spreading through him. Vrrn cocked his head and scrutinized Moghor's chosen one.

Mighty fine necklace you have there. The Torc of Kings that Moghor made, if I am not mistaken. Read about it once or twice. Explains why you aren't dead yet. What do you say we increase the stakes, hmm?

Vrrn cupped his hands and yelled into the forests.

Inoh! You can show yourself now!

A the light was sucked out of the air and, in a second, it returned. Totolkan turned around and found himself face to face with a massive, hairy spider with round glowing red eyes. Clacking it's fangs, it spoke in a chilling voice.

Thought you'd never ask...

[Kaiser Omnik]

Totolkan

Totolkan focused. There had to be one ability that could fix this...even if it was not a normal "poison". Ah, there, he found it!

"- I understand now. You sought to buy time for your friend."

The jakaru turned around. His body was now cleansed. He looked at the shadow spirit for a few seconds and then jumped on the ground.

"- I, too, have some hidden ressources."

Totolkan opened one of his palms, in which he held a tiny black crystal. He took it and pierced his other arm with it. His eyes instantly turned the color of the crystal.

At the same time, somewhere else in the Trollgroves, the titan Moloch the Destroyer drew his last breath. His corpse fell to the ground and turned to rock.

"- I await your next move."

[Smiley_]

Trollgroves

The spider clacked it's fangs once more.

Are you kidding? I could have appeared at any time... Vrrn was just showing off like he usually does. Buying time is what we're doing right now.

*CRACK*

Totolkan had let himself become distracted. Vrrn had delivered a powerful kick to the back of the Jakaru's head while the giant spider scurried up the trees. As he recovered, he was facing Vrrn. Vrrn took up a defensive stance. Then Inoh fell on Totoklan with a resounding thud. Inoh kept on going, turning into a black goopy puddle and reformed next to Vrrn. The archiver jumped onto the shadow spirit and unraveled a roll of parchment from his arm and began the incantation.

The polar ray struck Totolkan. It didn't hurt the jakaru very much, but the ground was covered in a thick layer of ice that reached halfway up the jakaru's shins

Meanwhile, the spider had leapt up the trees again.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Totolkan

"- Magic tricks. Pfft."

Totolkan spread his arms and the ground shook. Suddenly, a bunch of bones appeared swirling around the jakaru. Then, dark clouds formed over his head and a wind of hurricane speed began to blow over the region. The floating bones assembled to form two giant worm-like creatures (think huge bone nagas) which "swam" at full speed towards the two creatures. They bite, claw and strangulate. The wind is also charged with necrotic energy.

Meanwhile, the ice started melting.

This is a powerful spell, not just conjuring two monsters. The worms keep switching between this attack mode and a defensive mode where they turn into a tornado and gather more bones from the ground to replace those they lost in the fight.

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

Elsewhere in the world

Moghor gave some of his clerics all over the planet the ability to open portals to the Waste of the Iron Kings. People of all races that have already been converted to the worship of the Earthlord are pressed to leave their homes and join them in Moghor's haven. Even in Sanctuary, citizens fear for their lives as the clerics announce that the trolls now have an armada capable of destroying their city and are ready to use it.

Minor act: Stone archs leading to the Waste of the Iron Kings appear in all regions where Moghor has some influence. Those are temporary.

[Krrth]

Akteron


It was time. The power had been growing, and was now too great to contain. Time to change. And so he did. The power of hopes and dreams, thoughts and skill....all these formed a pattern of Power around Akteron. As he changed into something somehow both greater and lesser then he had been, bits of that power escaped. Across the land, those asleep dreampt dreams of what could have been, what might have been. Those awake found themselves pondering what-ifs. Craftsmen across the world found that today, their work was perfect. Shadows dances across the land, and the sun shines brightly.


+1 DvR to 16 (3 major).

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir, Mount Redunkeep

It was time. High Cleric Felaar fled the battlefield and returned to his base on Mount Redunkeep. He arrived in the ancient temple dedicated to Volkano inside the keep. There, dozens of faithful and himself initiated a daring ritual. Felaar kneeled before a bowl of ash and chanted a prayer.

"- My Lord, we have laid waste to the lands of the unbelievers. We have brought back ash from all corners of the world. We lit countless ceremonial fires. Today, we will give our lives so you may be reborn and come back to lead our people.

All hail the god Volkano!"

As the high cleric finished his sentence, a great earthquake hit the keep and the World Serpent bursted out of the ground.

"Felaar! You have served me well. But I lied to you. Volkano will never come back. I have absorbed his essence long ago.

All those efforts, for nothing! Well, not for nothing. Your prayers have given me strength. Thanks to you, I will finally be able to ascend."

Felaar stepped back.

"- I cannot believe this!"

"Why despair? I will grant you your wish. I will take your lives and your souls. That's not all...you will also have the chance to see what a TRUE GOD looks like, as you witness my transformation!"

The wyrm began to burn as he absorbed pure power. He grew and grew and took on a horrible form. The god let out a scream and caused a cataclysmic explosion that rocked the foundations of Mount Redunkeep. Seconds later, the great volcano collapsed on itself and buried all of its inhabitants.

3 major acts to increase DvR to 16
1 minor act to blow up Mount Redunkeep

[Smiley_]

Trollgroves

Vrrn swore softly. He currently lacked the resources to dispatch these things quickly, and there was still the matter of dealing with Totolkan.

Inoh, do you mind taking over for me?

Not at all.

Vrrn jumped down and landed silently. Small, curved black blades appeared in both of his palms.

Meanwhile, Inoh faced the two bone creatures and shot a jet of dark purple fire at one of them. The creature halted as it was completely engulfed, but emrged unscathed. The thing shuddered, taking on a faint purple glow before blindly attacking its partner.

Totoklan could hear several sounds that had been previously swallowed by the forest, now that he wasn't fending off Vrrn's attacks. Cracks and shrieks of what sounded like fire drakes and elementals, petrified trees falling over and shattering...he even noticed that his portals were slowly shrinking.

Then he realized. This drawn-out scuffle with these spirit creatures was nothing more than a diversion!
Someone is breaking anything that looks like it might be related to Totolkan's rituial. As for Inoh, One of his roles among other things was supposed to be to neutralize Moloch and his undead hordes.

-----------
Nokumo

The ascended gods could now see Nokumo in the void. He was diligently writing in a massive tome. Next to him floated a simple silver tray holding cookies and other sugary refreshments. The god didn't even look up as he lifted a thin arm and began pushing the keys of an ornate typewriter.

You have come. Very good. Pelase, help yourself to the refreshments.

Yes, the cookies took 42 years to bake.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Zuli, angered beyond all anger

The lord of the forests decided that the gods were too destructive now. He used his divine power to rip all the land with forests on them up from the world, return the souls of those killed by the invaders to life, and leave the world for the world above, a massive forest floating in the the nether, guarded by a sphere of force, called the Allforest. All trolls lived there, and it was far enough away from everyone to leave them alone. It was paradise at last.

Zuli, however, wasn't done with the world below. He laughed as oxygen was depleted, as the forests were the biggest producers of the life-giving air. All below were having difficulties to breath. The other plants would have to work doubletime if they wanted to keep the world's air supply stable. He was done with the world below, but not with godhood.

6 majors, 2 to each to do the following: 1) Take all the forests and bring them into the space above, protected by a magic bubble, 2) Return all troll souls to that place alive, He has an afterlife for them, and now he's redirecting them, 3) bring all trolls, living or dead, to the protected forest, which also has all the animals that were in them in it.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Totolkan

"- I see."

While hordes of undead, including some Chilling Bones, emerged from the depths of the forest to engage Inoh, Totolkan took out a sea green crystal and used it to pierce his skin. Having absorbed Lilith's life force, the jakaru doubled in size.

He launched some sort of bomb at them. Once it hit the ground, it shattered into a thousand incredibly sharp pieces of divine metal that flew in the direction of the two spirits. Totolkan then teleported to see what was happening at the site of the spire.

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

Moghor Rezamir

A firestorm raged in the void near Nokumo's "dwelling". A giant face was discernable among the flames. There was Moghor Rezamir, empowered by the chaos on Earth and the thousands of souls that were fleeing to his domain.

Meanwhile, in the world below

Colossi refugees have reported the sighting of a strange man in the vicinity of their camp. They swear that they saw a gargantuan humanoid with purple hair standing on the slope of the mountain. He looked similar to a colossus, yet he was different; he seemed majestic and powerful, yet not of this world. They yelled to get his attention, but they didn't get any answer from him. He vanished shortly after.

1 major act to make teleportation to and from the Waste of the Iron Kings impossible. The portals created earlier are an exception.

[Johel]

Xiren

The sudden disappearance of forests cost dearly to the Kind Mother. Her daughters, the Dryads, were decimated. Only two "families" survived :

The Sanctuary Covent, a group of dryads who, if they still worshiped Xiren, were now ready to work with the Earth-bound alliance to create a peaceful world, at least until the Fey Folk get back on its feet.
The followers of the Swamp Mistress, a mysterious cabal which had settled near the Tree of Decay and was now slowly expanding its territory while corrupting the sprite society from the inside.


Measures had to be taken.
Using her newly found power over rains, Xiren decided to alter the world again, to twist its climate so it would build upon Zuli's exile.

Except for the Swamp and the Sea, no other area received a single drop of water, as the rains just wouldn't fall, building up as the clouds traveled to the Swamp or the Sea to finally unload.

Such a "water blockade", however, was still beyond Xiren's power and short rains eventually felt everywhere, though they were too rare for agriculture to be possible.


1 Major Act to focus the rains on the Swamp and the Sea, making most of the world a desert, except for the coastal regions (and the swamp).


City of the Depths

The underwater empire of the Fey Folk had been hit hard.
Xiren had never expected the Naïades and Kappas to be anything but a weapon against Humans and Nagas and after the "Isle of Souls" case, they were to be discarded like any broken tool.

However, the recent events with Zuli just got them promoted. After all, better than any of her creations, they had achieve power. It would take them a few more decades before reaching the level the Dryad Kingdom had enjoyed at its height but they were doing well...if one forgot the last military disaster.

There, hiding among the octopus-like fairies and their frog-like minions, the Blood Flower's avatar was ready to channel her mistress's wishes.

Chaos is a adaptable thing. It may not be organized and sometime a bit blunt but, for those who can survive its capricious nature, it's a wonderful tool. And it was a tool that Xiren gave to her children. Like a pregnant mother, the avatar moaned as her body was twisted by raw dark magic, growing and taking grotesque shapes as "the child" fought to live. Finally, after months of struggle, in one liberating scream, the avatar gave birth...to a perfectly shaped pearl, its surface shining with rainbow light.

But this fair appearance was only a decoy. As Naïades approached the incarnated goddess, the avatar died, her whole essence absorbed by her spawn. Hesitating at first, one of the fairies eventually dared to touch the pearl...and her wildest dreams came true : as if the avatar's palace had never existed, it was suddenly changed into a twisted fortress, ten times larger than the existing one. Every single piece of architecture was a living organism, a plant perfectly adapted to its purpose. The magical whirlwind kept transforming the City of the Depths, mutating existing algae to fit the Naïade's dreams.

By the end of the day, the City of the Depths was two times larger. The initial magical burst began to weaken but the Pearly Spawn kept working, working pretty much like the Mutating Seed once had but for the flora only.

In the following decade, the Naïades, with their usual moderate nature, were able to reach an agreement, so that each of the octopus-like fairies would have her turn to twist reality into her dreams. While the Mutating Seed of the legends had been a wild, barely controlled tool of chaos, the Pearly Spawn became the very center of the biotechnology that the City of the Depths adopted.


1 Major Act to create an artifact : the Pearly Spawn, a epic magical item which can alter plants into great lengths, so that they can be used as tools, buildings, weapons, ect...
Sacrifice of the Avatar to give the Pearly Spawn additional magical power (and also because I have no more use for the avatar and don't want her to rule the Fey Folk directly).
1 Minor Act to allow the Naïades to understand the biotechnology.

[Smiley_]

Ex-Trollgroves: What forest?[b]

Inoh Jumped down from his tree when it began to shoot up into the air. With a long, hairy leg, he defly swept aside a mass of lesser undead. Vrrn erected a web of destructive energy between them and the shards of metal, turning them into fine dust as they passed through.

Inoh crushed another group of undead under his hairy abdomen.

[b]"What just happened?"

Vrrn climbed on top of the spider's head.

We lost. Come, let us follow him.

"Just like that? But we were winning..."

The giant spider plowed through the advancing undead and scuttled off across the barren landscape.

------------------------------
Spire

Totolkan saw that the tower was leaning to one side, the ground around it cracked and upturned. Leaning on the structure, absolutely monstrous, leaned what looked like a dirt-brown turtle like humanoid with a wide sloping shell. It was Tokka.

It looked like the tower was almost ready to fall over. It would have if Tokka had worked on it a bit longer, but he had stoped to stare after the trees that had developed a sudden repulsion to the ground.

Well, what do you say to that. You got what you wanted, hmm? Is it everything you had hoped for?

The land was absolutely barren and devestated. There was no moisture, nothing decorating the landscape and loose dust blowing every which way.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Spire

Totolkan watched as the elementals and firedrakes turned back and the portal collapsed on itself.

"- Zuli has finished the work, that is the only explanation. But I don't care about this place. My master awaits me in our perfect world."

The jakaru took out a key made of obsidian and created a magic door. As soon as he walked through it, he vanished along with it. Alchaeus arrived on the scene only a few moments later.

"- Tokka, you are here too?

It appears that the Titans are gone and...and all the forests, apparently. What happened?"

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

Moghor Rezamir, the Void

Moghor's new form appeared over the Allforest.

"Zuli. I see you are still trying to save those trolls. But, tell me...who will protect you?"

It seemed like he was grinning.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Leave me be mon, Ah don't wanna hurt ya and ah don't wanna fight ana more. Ahm leavin da world to yo' reign, do wit it wat ya will. But ah be no mo' interferin witchu mon.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir to Zuli

The "face" of the god disappeared. The shadow of a great horned beast was now discernable behind the wall of fire.

"Oh, I'm not here to fight. I'm here to tell you that you are now dealing with a new Moghor Rezamir. The time of collaboration and cohabitation is over. The world is one thing...but I have bigger plans. I will let you be for now, but one day, I will return for you and your trolls. And I'll leave you something to remember me by."

A giant claw of flame and darkness ripped through the troll god's skin, leaving a burning and permanent mark. Then, the greater god was gone.

This is an act of pure divine power. You can use a minor act to remove the burning sensation, but I think it should leave a scar anyway.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Zuli took the burning sensation away, but a scar remained, a black claw mark with a red outline.

Mon, Ah don't wanna fight, Ah just wanna be away from da darkness.

[Smiley_]

The Spire

The end of the world, by the looks of it. Not only that, but it seems Moghor doesn't even want anything to do with it. The elementals, the drakes... all gone.

Tokka turned to the approaching Vrrn and Inoh. He picked up a large handfull of soil and let it blow away on the wind.

Is that it? Is this how the last chapter will end?

"Well, you could always ask for a rewrite..."

Vrrn smacked the top of Inoh's head.

He'd never go for it. If he does decide to do that, it will already be too late for anyone here.

Inoh could only respond meekly.

"You never know if you don't ask."

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Spire

Alchaeus frowned.

"- Well, that's depressing."


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


Nokumo and Moghor, The Void

Nokumo could still sense Moghor's presence, even if he couldn't be seen.

[Krrth]

Akteron

Upon ascending, many things became clear. The world was greater than even he had imagined. As he strode into the Void, he saw Nokumo next to a plate of cookies. As he strode forward to try one, he spoke:

Greetings again my friend. I see you're keeping yourself busy.

Oh my, these are good. I'll have to get the recip....

What is going on down there?!?!

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

The great spirit stood up. His body apperared to be absolute darkness with two red eyes peeping from its depths

Apparently mass deforestation and drought...

Nokumo split into three Nokumos, one of which disappeared.

There are some matters I must attend to. Do you think you can watch over reality while I am away and possibly check on our wayward friend?

The other two Nokumos shot into space, leaving Akteron alone with the plate of cookies.

------------------------
The Cloaque

Xiren felt a chill down her spine as she felt the familiar presence enter her realm. The wards she had created long ago were nowhere near strong enough to repulse a greater deity.

Nokumo crossed his legs and hovered in midair, an umbrella of force keeping the toxic rain away.

May I have a word, Xiren?

-----------------
Allforest

The second Nokumo poked around the Allforest, searching for Zuli. When he did, he floated over to the forest lord.

Zuli...We have not met nor spoken before. May we do so now?

He extended his hand and touched the scarred skin, and the blackened flesh began to fall away revealing fresh, healthy skin.

Forgive me for not asking your permission first, but it is for the best that this mark be removed. It is not detrimental to your health, but leaving it would give it's maker the impression that you are his property and completely at his mercy.

------------------
Elsewhere in the void

The third Nokumo was tracking Moghor's presence. What was he looking for? No, not that thing that called itself Moghor. Moghor worked far too hard and long for him to dismiss the world and the universe as garbage. He was a planner, a dreamer and an achiever. He always had a goal, but this new presence was singleminded and unimaginative. He remembered what happened to Kuto, his old self forgotten and his new self reviled, and to let that happen to yet another god would be quite disappointing.

[Johel]

Xiren

Somehow, she would have to increase the security budget. That what crossed the Kind Mother's mind as she heard the voice. A grim smile appeared on her face as an acid rain poured from above.
"-My... It's the magnanime toddler who couldn't get the job done back above the opossum city !! You came to finish what we had begun ? If it is so, you'll find out why some mortals call me the Blood Flower.

As she spoke, the goddess moved her monstruous plant body, the roots creeping out of the muddy ground, geysers of sulfure fusing in the air where the spiked tentacles had once filled the holes. Slowly at first but then with increasing boldness, millions of fiendish vermin gathered in silent around the two deities.

As Nokumo looked around, he could see what had become the dead worshipers of the Kind Mother. Xiren smiled as she felt her children ready to help her. But the smiled vanished as she saw that the rain itself couldn't reach Nokumo. Wasn't this place supposed to weaken outsiders while at the same time make her stronger ?

"-So, will it be a friendly chat..."
A agressive hiss filled the air.
"-...or a agressive one ?"


Divine Realm :
+2 to Xiren DvR.
-2 to other gods DvR.
You're still at 14 while I'm only 13, however. :smalleek:

[Smiley_]

The Cloaque

Now, there will be none of that, Xiren.

The god picked up a monster rat by it's tail and scrutinized the squealing beast.

I have some requests to make, Xiren. The first of which is that you continue the drought until I can arrange for the replacement of the trees.

Also, I would wish to learn of your interactions with moghor that led up to the sacking of the troll empire. How he acted, what threats he made, and how he used you.

He dropped the rat and stared at Xiren. She felt unbearably cold, even in the heat of the Cloaque.

Why should you tell me anything? Well, if this planet continuies to deteriorate as it does, it will drown under layers of unworkable mud. It will turn into a uniform goop uninhabitable by even your creations. It might take some time, but other powers are present that are working towards the mindless destruction of, well, everything.

Also, I am completely within my power to turn every single one of your creations into polite, considerate, outstanding and productive members of civilized society. Yes, even the diseases. So, what will it be?

[Kaiser Omnik]

Nokumo's quest

Nokumo had some difficulty tracking the god in question, since the "new" Moghor was doing all he could to mislead him. However, the Fiery Lord, being busy in his homeplane, couldn't hide him forever. And so, Nokumo eventually sensed Moghor's presence down on Earth...

Nokumo has only a vague idea of Moghor's exact location, which changes very often. The fact that he is not there in a physical sense doesn't help, either. Let's say it will take Nokumo some more time to be able to find him and interact with him.

[Johel]

Xiren

"-The world will be destroyed ? Oh myself !!"
The mad goddess let a cruel laugh burst from her throat, her charming voice contrasting with the general decay of the place.

"-Do you really think I am the one who should worry about that ? This world was a barren rock to begin with. WE made it the way it is today. I don't think it will be that hard to start all over again from scraps if we have to. It's the destiny of all things to grow and die. What's important is how we enjoy ourselves while we still can. Look at this place !!"
She waved both arms, showing the Cloaque, with its rotting trees, its oily rain, the burst of sulfur, the ever present shriek of millions of fiendish creatures creeping everywhere. At this very moment, the rain weakened, only to be replaced by the buzzing sound of the flying flees.

"-It's the incarnation of pestilence : its inhabitants don't care how it will evolve because they know that they can't do anything to prevent the changes. They can delay entropy but they can't stop it. Of course, millions suffer and die because of it. But soon or later, life starts all over again. We immortals are only speeding things because the multiverse would be pretty boring if we just watched."
She put a finger into a nearby pool of stagnant water.

"-As for the part I and Moghor played in the downfall of the trolls, that's a long story, Nokumo... Let's sum it up : my toys were doing fine, settling inside the Continental Forest, living as usual...until some big green idiots decided that the Fey Folk didn't deserve to live...Watch !!"
From the dark water, thousand of shining colors appeared, forming a pattern similar to a rainbow. A spinning rainbow where pictures appeared, directly drawn from Xiren's memory.

Pictures of a battle between opossums and fairies. A savage fight where neither discipline nor mercy had its place, adversaries jumping at each other's throat with blood lust. A other mischief for the grigs, a fight for survival for the Garis. The cities falling from the trees...and a scout of Jin'Karthai watching with disbelieve as corpses seemed to rain all over him, down from the canopy. Corpses of small mammals...but also those of old hated enemies.
The image changed and showed legions of trolls marching toward the Putrid Swamp, hundreds of eagles flying in the sky. The scene showed air and ground battles...then a huge blinding blast. The second after, the Putrid Swamp was only the shadow of its former self.

"-The trolls didn't even try to negotiate. They attacked the Putrid Swamp and when they saw they couldn't win...they nuked it. Most of my toys were broken, the few remaining ones were hunted down. But still, they fought to survive...but it was a fight they couldn't win"
The image showed a small grig village, built near a river. The place wasn't nice, with wastes and bones lying everywhere, children fighting each other in the mud while their parents were busy hunting food or letting their lust going out. Sometime both when they found sentient victims. But this little "eden" for the Fey Folk ended when the Bear Lord appeared with a dozen of his lesser brothers. The poison, best weapon of the grigs, didn't work. A slaughter ensued.

"-The Animal Lords could only be fought with brute strength. I had none to lend to my followers. So, I told my priests to engineer a war between the Trolls and the Erdas. In those days, Moghor's clergy was calling for peace and unity in world still scared by the climatic changes. They couldn't turn away from the survivors of a genocide."
The image showed the rocky spire of Sanctuary, then the construction of the wall which would surround Xiren's Ward. The scene shifted back for a few shots at the Trollgroves, where viral attacks decimated the cities while the Fey Folk was using Troll villages as hidden bases to prepare new attacks.
It then focused on a young troll girl who moaned as she was about to give birth. But when the awaited child came out, she cried with the sorrow of grieving mother, hugging her dead baby whose flesh was already eaten by maggots.

"-After the sterility disease, I knew it wouldn't take long for Zuli to react. Impulsive and protective as he was, it was to be expected. And there was only one clear target for his wrath..."
The pool went green. Only green...then showed Xiren's Ward, near Sanctuary. Corpses were everywhere. A giant tree appeared...disappeared...reappeared again...and disappeared for good.
A beautiful dryad was then seen, giving a passionate speech to an assembly. All the races, even trolls, were there. All of them lived in Sanctuary. And all of them applauded as the Dryad asked them to go to war.

"-Moghor want to dominate all life. And so want the Erdas, though like their maker, they are subtle about it. With the Troll Empire being the only faction capable of opposing Sanctuary's hegemony, the only thing the city and its allies needed was the right reason to attack, so that the people would see the war as a necessity. Terror is a very good reason. With Moghor's help, the whole Earth-bound alliance was convinced that what happened at Xiren's Ward was the doing of Voodoomancers."
The image showed legions of Erdas, Jakarus and Lycians marching across the Continental Forest, with grig scouts leading the way to the hearth of the Troll Empire while also committing atrocities as their allies weren't watching.
It showed Sanctuary's troops acclaimed as liberators by charmed trolls, with dryads laughing in the shadow while the grigs used trolls as guinea pigs for their new virus.
It showed demonstrators in Sanctuary's streets, led by fairies, all claiming loudly to send more troops. Most of them weren't even charmed, they had just been tricked.

"-With the world seeing the Trollgroves as an fascist dictatorship, hungry for blood and conquest, what could the Trolls do ? Nobody spoke of the viral attacks which had killed most of their own population. Nobody spoke of the columns of refugees. Nobody even tried to negotiate peace. And even though the Erdas forbid any violence against the civilians, it was definitely a war of extermination...but nobody knew it yet. Not even Moghor."

The pool went black. Xiren didn't need a screen to explain the rest.
"-As I said, even Moghor disapprove unnecessary killings. He would have prevented the extermination of the Trolls. And if he hadn't, I'm sure you, Zuli or Akteron would have prevented it...if you hadn't been watching somewhere else. Yes, you heard me : the Isle of Souls was just a decoy !!"

She goated as Nokumo's surprise appeared.
"-What a better bait, isn't it ? The Isle of Souls, center of the mortal knowledge, where every single idea and innovation has been written down. What a tempting target now that the blueprints of the Voodoo Bomb were there... Typical from this mad flower... She always wants to play with the toys of the others... And she is so selfish she won't even consider the cost of such an assault... What a pity for a god... Well, that's what you all thought but, as you were busy with the Isle of Souls and its ten of thousands of invaders, less than 400 grigs killed 75% of the already weakened Forest Trolls !!"

The pool bursted into a true rainbow, filling the air and showing the Isle of Souls as it was changed into the Tainted Island. Then the sudden freezing winter and the forest of frozen Kappas.
"-The Kappas barely deserve to belong to the Fey Folk. They are stupid, weak-willed and not subtle at all. But they breed as fast as the Jakarus and are as resilient as a Ruskie. And so, even with the losses they suffered, they'll recover in a century or so. The Trolls however... The only ones left were the warriors fighting Sanctuary and its allies. An army five time larger."

Happy, she gave an evil smile to Nokumo.
"-So, who's been manipulated, now ? This world will survive, Nokumo. I will survive !! Because I'm the most ruthless and smart of all of you !!"

[Smiley_]

The Cloaque

Nokumo played along as Xiren went through her long winded monologue. When it looked like she was wrapping up, he put his hand on the side of his head and spoke.

Oh, my. How could I have ever known that? If only I had the slightest shred of hindsight, I would have been able to piece together your story word for word...Oh wait.

Now the greater deity was clearly mocking her. With sarcasm, no less.

There is no part of your tale that was not already obvious to anyone with half a sense of perception. As for the other points you made, your assesment of the current situation is flawed, to say the least.

Firstly, the world was created under the grace of the maker. With his influence, the fledgling gods were able to shape the land with monumental creations. The oceans, the skies, the mountains... If we were to start over, it would probably be without the Maker's grace and take thousands upon thousands of years to do so. Surely, you would grow bored, by then.

Secondly, you assume that you are eternal. Nothing with a begining is eternal. The world was why the gods were made, not the other way around. The gods were ment to shape the world, be it a paradise, wasteland or divine playground. Would you risk annihlation should you let the reason for your existence fall to pieces based upon an already shaky premise that you can "start over?"

Thirdly, the plans for the "Voodoo Bomb" are in the deepest recesses of the library where only the dead can reach. As he is now, Akteron could skin you alive and unmake without any trouble you should you try to retrieve them.

Also, supposing if you did get the plans for the bomb. What then? Only the Trollish Empire's most skilled Voodoomancers could bring together the energies required to make that divice. Your grigs and dryads have only their fey magics and are, frankly, too stupid and incapable of the necessary magics to construct it.

Lastly, you are making incorrect assumptions about my motives. I do not need worshipers, as you do. It matters little to me if the Trolls, the Erda or the Fey-Folk dominate the planet. I don't care about your "toys" and what they do. My so called "intervention" was completely Vrrn's discression. No, I have far more important things to attend to.

The counterarguments struck xiren like heavy blows. All of her work meant nothing to this deity. All of her plans were revealed and she was certainly not getting the response of crushing despair she was hoping for.

Nokumo leaned forward and appeared to swell in size. Creatures that got too close either fell dead or were turned to ash. Those emotionless red eyes were almost unbearable to look at.

I am tired of hearing about Xiren. Xiren always talks about Xiren anyway, even if no one asks Xiren. Xiren is unimportant. Xiren is hated by all the other gods and I don't care much for her either. If Xiren doesn't shape up and take on a semblance of responsibility, Xiren's actions might catch up to her. Understand? Now, stop wasting my time and tell me what I want to know.

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I want to know about Moghor. What he said to you, how he spoke, what he looked and felt like, and what claims he made. This is far more important than your little romp with the trolls. If you continue to waste my time, I shall become angry, and I warn you, I do not like being angry.

The only god that Xiren hadn't completely alienated yet was sitting before her. Did she really wish to hide for eternity in the cloaque where even there, she could not be guaranteed safety?

[Johel]

Xiren

"-I don't give a fuc-k about the Bomb !! But if you believe I do, then it prove my point : it was a good distraction. But let's get to your question, shall we ?

Moghor asked me to join him...to pledge myself to his service, as he put it so delicately. In exchange, he gave me his word that he won't interfere with the Fey Folk. As for how he was... I haven't seen him in a while but, for what I heard from the floral chant, he has changed a lot recently. I don't know what he is planning but I do know one thing : Moghor want the creation, not destroy it. I said this world will survive and if you had listen you would understand. Zuli was the last threat to his power. Now, unless you or Akteron decide to step on his dreams, he'll work at perfecting his creation rather than fighting against us all to control it.

Slightly nervous, Xiren tried to look confident nevertheless.
"-Now, be gone !! Your presence itself is an insult to the beauty of the Cloaque."

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Cloaque

An evil laugh echoed in Xiren's plane.

"Why wasn't I invited to this party?"

A firestorm raged where Moghor stood.

"Nice speech, Blood Flower. You almost got it right this time. However, this is the old Moghor you're talking about. This one doesn't care about any of that nonsense. Because I understand, now. All creation was doomed from the start!

The Maker's grace... Ha! Such a joke! The Maker never intended to make us a gift. He created us...not out of boredom, but because he wished to get rid of us! We were once part of his being. He, like everything in this universe, was flawed. And so he sought a way to get rid of his weakness, a way to cleanse himself. That's when he decided to give us a body and mind of our own, as well as a...playground, so we wouldn't bother him.

That is the truth! Why else abandon us? Now, he may seem like he is indifferent, but that's just because he wishes to forget our very existence, forget what he was.

You see. The universe is absurd. Everything is futile. Xiren... you may have been wiser than any of us. You chose to live fully, without any concerns. You knew the end would come one day, though. And now, it has come. That leaves you with a choice. Either await your inevitable death here, or join me and have some fun before it all ends.

We may begin by destroying that meddling fool, Nokumo."

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

Nokumo palmed his face and shook his head.

Everyone is always making it sound so easy to destroy me. You have no idea what I am, do you? Well, then. I suppose that this turn of events was inevitable, in any case. Xiren, I thank you for your help.


Nokumo suddenly began to metamorphos. He grew another set of arms, his feet turned into splayed three-toed claws and a jagged maw appeared where his mouth would have been if he had a mouth. His body was pure black void.

As for this thing before us, it isn't Moghor, or at least not the moghor you know. It said as much and would be willing to destroy you and all of your creations once it is through with me.

Now, Xiren. Do you wish to be remembered as nothing more than a sniveling nuisance of a god that ended as nothing more than a slave to a greater power, or will you actually take some responsibility as a god, finally earning some true respect among your peers, and respect for the fey folk who, as depraved and evil as they are, have desires and emotions just as any other mortal.

Think about that, Xiren. For now, my attention is needed elsewhere.

5 major acts used for a universal domain boost.

Looks like you will get that massive deity battle you were hoping for, Omnik.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

"Why must you always fight the inevitabe? Don't you grow tired of it? Don't you grow tired of everything? You should go rest alongside Kuto. Yes...let me put you to sleep."

Moghor focused on the material plane beyond. He swiftly absorbed the earth energy, thereby destroying the mystical ley lines and leaving only gaping holes in the ground. Entire regions were completely ripped apart by the god's reckless act.

2 major acts to boost domains
2 minor acts to further mess up the planet. It took 2 minors to create the Sunset Canyon, so you can guess how much land has been destroyed by those last two. If you want an image, the affected areas kinda ressemble Outland, with big chunks of rocks floating in midair and violent storms.

[Johel]

Cloaque

Her arms stretching for the dark clouds above her, she called upon her divine energy, gathering it. A pink bolt stroke her and with a shiver of pleasure, the Kind Mother smiled at her brothers.

"-Moghor...I gave you my alliegeance, didn't I ?"

This sentence, coming from another goddess, would have settled things. But from the treacherous weed, anything was possible.

"-I tell you what : GO TO HELL !! Nokumo and you can kill each other, I don't care. Whoever survive, I'll win. This plane is my home and though I'm weaker than each of you, I'm still a match for a wounded god. None of you will fight here because he would become my prey."

Continent

"-The end is near !! Pray the gods and...Yurf !!"
The knife just went through the Erda priest as Xiren's followers began to loot the collapsing city. For the adepts of the Blood Flower, the end had always been near. This moment was just the climax they had waited to act.

Everywhere on the planet, similar scenes of despair, fear and angst could be seen as Moghor, the god who had once called for unity, peace and order, wrecked chaos on the world...to the benefits of the Xirenists.

Ocean

As the lands were shakened by Moghor's divine power, earth cracking like dry bark, the City of the Depths just took of, the aquatic plants used to build it severing their roots from the seabed while gigantic hollow bags, filled with the hydrogen the algae had isolated through photosynthesis, drag it up.

And as the waters endured the earthquakes, the fairies just went above them. Surrounded by the green of the Underwater Jungle down there, the City of the Depths and its inhabitants contemplated the sky as a thick hot rain began to fall. A old Naïade advanced with a shell, blowing it to get the attention of the crowd.

"-And so it was forthtold that Xiren would bring the end of the world as we know it !! So that we, her children, may enjoy lands and seas again, cleaned of the filth her brothers once spread.

When the seven days of destruction will end, we, the Fey Folk, will settle on the wasteland and spread the Kind Mother's love again. Life will flourish and we will kill, maim and torture as we wish. Insects, amphibians, reptiles and roddents... All will evolve. All will change and become more than they are. But one thing will never change : we, Her children, will always be there and enjoy what destiny will throw at us. For we are the Fey Folk. We are the Chosen People !!"

"-WE ARE THE CHOSEN PEOPLE"


1 Minor act to make the City of the Depths float among the waves.
1 Minor act to shield it from the outside with a magical rain.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

The god ceased hovering and steped on the mud of the cloaque. The ground turned to stone when he placed his foot down and crumbled into ash when he lifted it. The plants, likewise, were going berzerk, dying, rotting, regrowing, and because of the influence of the cloaque, twisting and mutating into woody cancerous nightmares. As Moghor was concentrating on the world below, Nokumo placed one of his hands on the other god's chest. The flames seemed to die as they came close to the god's arm.

It burned like nothing "Moghor" ever experienced before. His golden flesh was marked by a black, cracked handprint.

Nokumo stepped back a ways and placed a hand on his forhead.

Inevitable? That is yet to be seen. You will find that putting me down will be quite difficult. By the way, who are you, really?
--------------------

The world below

Three beacons of light shone on the world. The Haunted Woods (unaffected by the tree exodous because it is Nokumo's place), the Stone Garden and the Coral Pallace, yet undiscovered by any but the Sea-Wolves, experienced a sudden flow of divine energy. The chaos that was caused by the sudden removal of the ley lines was slowly being stitched together. The planet wasn't going to pot that easily.

Nokumo lowered his hand.

If it is so Inevitable, why are you so impatient? You have other...more pressing matters to atteind to.

6 minor acts spent to slowly fix the planet. I'm spent.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

Who am I? I have already told you. I was part of Moghor's being. I won. Now, I am in control.

You know what? Xiren is right, after all. We should leave this stinky place...leave her with her vermins.

Moghor stepped through a portal of his own and came out somewhere on the main continent. He looked at his chest, where the golden skin had cracked.

This shell is not appropriate!

Moghor screamed in rage as his skin dissolved and his body grew enormous. He was nothing like the old god of strength. He now ressembled a great, bipedal horned beast; at his core was a blazing inferno. Once his transformation was complete, Moghor summoned his set of artifacts (yes, all four). Totolkan soon appeared at his side.

"- My Lord, I see you're ready for battle. What do you want me to do?"

Have you harnessed the power of the remaining Titans?

"- It is done. What is the next step?"

You have done...enough. Now, I have everything I need. I simply need to make a few modifications.

The beast grinned and conjured a fiery hand to grab his servant.

" - Wha- what?! My Lord! Ha...Have mercy!"

Don't worry. You will make a fine addition to my equipment.

The hand then squeezed the poor Totolkan and shaped him into a pure sphere of divine metal. The new Orb of Adaptation came floating above Moghor.

No act: Scrapped a major act to turn it into an artifact.

Picture of the new Moghor (remember that he is enormous):
http://www.maps4heroes.com/heroes5/pictures/inferno/HOMM5_Inferno_Horned_overse.jpg

[Krrth]

Akteron

Akteron watched as the world was once again damaged. There were places of hope yet, but the fate of most was dire. Akteron pondered this while he ate a cookie.


This is really a very good cookie. I wonder if Xiren or Moghor would lighted up a little if they tried one. Ah well.

Like Nokumo, he sent forth power to turn parts of the world into safe places. Things that were not but should be began to take shape. Trees, or at least the perfected reflection of trees, began to form at the monasteries, temples, and universities sacred to Akteron.

2 major acts to create and spread "Dream Trees". These are merely reflections and memories of what trees are. They are only temporary, but fulfill the same function as the now missing trees (although when "killed" they disappear.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

Of course, Nokumo wasn't too fond of the Cloaque either, and Xiren's mood certainly would not improve if other gods were freeloading in her home plane. Nokumo faded away from the cloaque.

He remanifested on the central continent facing Moghor. Noting the barren landscape, he looked up to the skies.

There was a streak of light, then another and another. The star shower was hanging beautifully in the night sky. However, these falling stars did not appear to disintegrate in the atmosphere, but impacted onto the ground, one after another. Thousands of these things slammed into the ruined landscape and where they struck were the zaniest trees that anyone had ever laid eyes on, trimmed in funny shapes, blossoms never seen on earth and leaves of every color imaginable. Standing next to each one was one of the forgotten star-people: Thousands, no, millions, the entire race, biding their time for when they would be needed most.

Each turned into a brilliant bead of light and sailed toward Nokumo, forming a sparse mantle of stars hovering around the god. Three of the stars, brighter than the rest, orbited Nokumo's head: Their colors orange, white and purple. Nokumo stretched out his two right hands and in them formed a long staff, curved and hooked at the end, made of what appeared to be a cool blue dazzling light and it emitted a chilling glow. In one of his left hands, a brilliant white and gold sickle made in a similar fashion was created, though the light from this one felt warm and welcoming.

We both knew that this moment would come, sooner or later. Let destiny be done.

Star spirit race, (3 majors and 20 minors total scrapped) left alone for a loooong time, is finally doing something. They are taking part in the final battle by forging with their lives the Mantle of the Heavens: provides substantial protection against non-physical attacks and is keyed to the destruction domain, The Cane of Silence: a staff of power keyed to the death and spirit domains, and the Harvester of Labors: A sickle keyed towards the creation and life domains.

And as for the trees, they are space trees that the star spiris have been cultivating for centuries. They won't do anything for the battle, but they should add some much needed festivity to the bleak landscape.

((You know what? Thick, yellow rain, trees of every color imaginable, craters the size of small lakes everywhere, doom and gloom and patches of order where things are the way they should be? This is one screwed up world. :smallsmile:))

[Kaiser Omnik]

Akteron, the Void

Akteron was surprised to see a purple-haired giant floating in front of him in the Void. His body was partially transparent; in fact, he looked just like a ghost. The being bent over to take a cookie, but his hand passed right through the plate. He then looked at the God of Death with his stern black eyes.

"A shame I can't get to them. They do look good."


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


Moghor Rezamir

Moghor grinned again.

"You may go first. Throw me everything you've got."

[Raz_Fox]

Mia

Mia had slept... she had been tired, tired for the first time in millenia...

When she awoke, the cries of her people consumed her. In pain... torment... suffering.

Zuli had ripped apart the world... Moghor had done the same, Moghor who she had trusted... Akteron tried to make the world better, but it wasn't enough...

She knew what she had to do, but it was hard. The world had ended, it was plain. It was over, the wars of the gods had broken it. It was over.

But in darkness, there is always one small light. In light, there is hope. And in hope, there is regeneration and rebirth.

She focused the powers of creation, listening to the weeping world beneath her. And she created something new, a world reborn.

3 Major Acts to create Yggerdasil - a parallel plane, but one that is not intrinsically connected with the Blank Slate. I added in the extra Major Act to make it impenetrable once the passage is locked and the door is shut.

...We never named the world, did we? It's coming to an end, and it still doesn't have a name...

She herded her people into the new earth, opening portals across the broken earth. The Kybans had shimmering doorways appear among them, as did the Hyrnans and the Coastlanders. Every Lycian had a door, a door that beckoned them on.

The doors shut, behind the Lycians. And with a flash of light, the land known as the Vale, with the last trees in existence, vanished from the face of the earth as if it had never been there.

6 minor acts to usher the Lycians and greatfoxes and Lammergeiers and Gryphons into Yggerdasil. 3 minor acts to have the Vale disappear completely.

Sorry, Mike, but the Vale's special - you ain't taking Mia's trees, boy!

Mia held the last door in her hand - Paragon. The key and the door and the hope and the salvation and the sword...

She had a duty. A hero's work was never, never done. The earth did not need healing - the earth was dead, Zuli and Xiren had seen to that! In the ruin of all that was, she had a task.

And she would fulfill it.

Paragon sang in her hand, for it was her and she was it and they were death and death was them in that moment - life and death and ash and grass and light and dark and death.

3 Major Acts spent on +1 DvR.

Mia is now DvR 13... not enough to break Nokumo or Moghor single-handedly, but perhaps enough...

...I'm using too many ellipses...


Moghor, Nokumo and Mia

Mia appeared by Nokumo's side, small and fragile before Moghor's might, clad in shimmering armor and holding Paragon at the ready.

Her voice, though, was unchanged - ferociously fast, energetic and somehow... optimistic? It boomed out, ridiculously loud for a goddess so small before them. "Hey, Moghor! Stop messing up the world!"

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

"Ah, Mia. I thought you had accepted your end...but apparently not. You can't fight what you are, I understand that. Still, it is depressing. Such heroism, such energy...but in the end, it is all for nothing."

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

And so full of hot air...

A huge three toed foot slammed into Moghor's face With a flash, the sickle slashed once, twice on Moghor's forearm, the wounds burning... but not painful really, it felt good. The cuts, however, became glass-like.

Nokumo spun around and struck the wounds with his staff. The glass wounds shattered and the Negative energy flowed forth from the weapon.

It hurt like hell, to say the least. Nokumo jumped back and landed next to Mia, launching a small black orb that struck the Giant King in the chest. His armor and the torc allowed him to shrug off the attack, but he was knocked backwards a bit, even while wearing the Torc, as if hit by a mountain made of iron.

You do not know who you are dealing with. I am not simply an exceptionally powerful god. I am a cosmic shepherd. I vowed to see creation through to its conclusion, whatever it may be, and it has altered me.


Nokumo is as big as Moghor, though not quite as...beefy, I guess.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir and Nokumo

Nokumo could perceive life energy flowing from the earth to his opponent. Even if the ley lines were no more, Moghor was still able to tap into the last reserves of the planet. His armor also seemed to accelerate the healing effect.

"Big words, Nokumo. But whatever altered you was not a cosmic force...but your own folly! Don't worry...I will purify you."

Moghor instantly appeared behind Nokumo (Travel domain) and started clawing at him. His blows were powerful and capable of stunning for a short duration, but not extremely precise. However, his true goal became apparent as dark flames began to spread to Nokumo's body and essence; not normal flames, but a potent form of corruption, a type of disease that could eventually consume his mind and soul.

Of course the burning corruption is not supposed to be an instant win, but it should be taken seriously.

[Krrth]

The Void

I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. Have we met?

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

The being gazed at Akteron for about a minute.

"Yes, we knew each other in another life. I am the Earth Keeper. I predict that there won't be much to look after, unfortunately. The world below is falling apart. Hmm...speaking of down below...it appears Nokumo is fighting my other Self."

[Krrth]

Void

Your other self? I take it you are -or were- part of Moghor?

[Johel]

Xiren

The fate of the world hung in the balance as the gods themselves walked in bright daylight, not even caring to shroud their true shape anymore.

The world was already in bad shape but it had to endure still another wave of raw destruction. One last ordeal for the mortals and they'll be free to evolve without the "divine justice" looking over them.

Said justice had proved itself flawed : Zuli the Impulsive, Moghor the Schemer, Mia the Uncaring, Akteron the Phlegmatic, Xiren the Cruel, Nokumo the Lunatic and so many others who had disappeared as the Creation went on and finally stagnated because of the divine bickering.

However failing the Creation was, its makers could still right it... but they wouldn't. Too much pride, too much ambition...and too much anger. In the end, there could remain only one...

Xiren was aware of this but she chose to stay neutral for once. Even if she hadn't planned this, her mad mind pleased itself to think so. And so she would just watch...for now. She teleported near Mia, a evil grin on her face.

"-The pompous jerk is right, my dear. We shouldn't interfere...too much. Let's just wait and scavenge upon their body. You can have Moghor. After all, didn't he betray you ? It must hurt your pride soooooo much..."

She turned to watch the fight, cackling all the way with excitement.
Moghor had just delivered a crippling blow but one of the kind the Mistress of Pestilence couldn't let pass. She was supposed to preside over diseases.
Rainbow light engulfed the god of Life and Death, fighting the infection running in his body.

"-It would take all the fun out of it if you were to die like that, wouldn't it ?"


Xiren's blessing isn't healing Nokumo. It's merely keeping your curse at bay. When the spell will end, Moghor's poison will run free into Nokumo's body.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

"Moghor, you say? Hmm it's possible. I keep forgetting.

So, tell me, friend. What is your purpose?"


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

Moghor Rezamir

The creature laughed as it appeared behind Xiren.

"Xiren...you shouldn't have come here. On Earth, you are NOTHING!"

As he spoke, Moghor conjured great obsidian spikes shaped like teeth. The enormous maw emerged from under Xiren's feet and ripped through her body.

Sorry about that but...now, Moghor doesn't care about anyone. :smalltongue: While it shouldn't kill her, it was a direct hit from a spell cast by a greater god in a place where Xiren is only DvR 11 (plus it's a barren and dry wasteland).

[Johel]

The gored body didn't cackel anymore. A weak moan went out of the Kind Mother's purple lips :
"-That's...not...fair"

Her own words about "scavenging the bodies" get back on her mind and she tried to gather whatever energy she had left. Then she turned her gaze on Mia :
"-Help...me...please. I'll...be nice...from now."

[Raz_Fox]

Mia

Mia looked down at Xiren, seemingly uncaring. Then she knelt down, her face level with Xiren's.

"Xiren, you are a cruel, selfish, greedy, sanctimonious, immoral, incompetent, pessimistic weed-bitch." Mia's face lit up into a childish grin as she raised her glowing hand, Xiren's wounds closing and fading away. "I just wanted you to know that before I was nice to you."

Mia waved her hand, and a sword made of twisting vines dripping poison appeared before Xiren. "But I can't sit back and let you die, and I can't sit back and let Moghor destroy the world. Wanna help? ...I knew you would!!!" She didn't even give Xiren a chance to respond before giving her a sisterly hug. "COME ON!!!!!!"

[Johel]

Xiren was overwhelmed with love. Was that the power of friendship ?
"-That's...disgusting."

As the hug ended, Xiren hesitated between turning against Moghor or Mia. This biatch had touched her !! Well, that felt nice...and warm...and kinda conforting after the trauma of another near-death experience. But still... It was odd and Xiren was sure the little whore was just taking advantage of the situation.

But eh... Moghor's "hug" was worse so...
"-To hell with your feelings !! Let's help the fiery one to rott...I mean rest. And then we shall have a little talk."
She discared the sword, making a bow appears. The same bow she had used against Kuto.


Was the sword for Mia or for Xiren ?
And was the hug just a hug or did you run the sword through Xiren ?
:smalleek:

[Krrth]

The Void

Me? I make sure the souls of the Dead make it to the next life. I also chronicle this world.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

The god stepped back a bit as the flames coursed through his body. Xiren's charm had halted the condition, but the curse was still there. However, Nokumo never did follow the same rules as everyone expected him to.

He crouched down and pointed a finger at Moghor. The black jet of flame streaked forward...and missed. The curse must've disoriented him more than was suspected.

Except it didn't miss. Nokumo had expelled the corruption curse, and the evil flames had struck their mark. It took a while for Moghor to realize this, but it was quite apparent that Nokumo had delivered the curse to the floating Orb of Adaption.

He stood up, strong once more. When Moghor reappeared behind Xiren, Nokumo threw the sickle, and it formed a glowing anklet around Moghor's foot.

That Anklet is fastening Moghor to the material plane. He will find it very hard to teleport, and if he does, it will not be instantaneous. Also, it will be quite obvious where he would appearing next.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

It almost looked like the "ghost" was smiling.

"Yes. But why do you do this? Is it simply because it is your duty? What do you think about all this? I would like to know what the gods have to win in all this."

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

Moghor Rezamir

Now Moghor was angry. He drew the Hammer of Inferno and charged Nokumo. However, he stopped just before reaching his rival and hit the ground, therefore causing an important tremor. At that same moment, jets of lava escaped the earth and shot towards Xiren, Mia and Nokumo.

[Krrth]

The Void

I do it for several reasons. It needs to be done, and so far I am the best suited to do the job. This world is a great work, and like all great works, it needs to be built right.

The mortals of this world need...well, if not us, something. I hope that when all this ends, my library will prove educational. As it is now, any and all who come can know what it is like to be someone else, to know what it is like to do something different.

No matter who created them, they are all my children. Eventually I will step aside, but not until they can stand on their own.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

"Interesting. There may be hope for us after all."

The being looked pensive.

"Now I'm getting frustrated. I'd really like one of those cookies. As well as a nice, hot cup of tea. If only I had my own body again..."

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Zuli, The AllForest

Tank ju mon, dat was a horrible excuse fo' a scar. Welcome to da AllForest, where da animals of da forest and da trollishkind live in harmony, away from bloodshed and violence. All are equal here.

He sends a message to mia

Ah was attacked bah moghor and xiren, ju weren't der to help, so ah moved mah people and der lands to the AllForest, where dey are safe

[Smiley_]

The Allforest

Nokumo's projection had overextended itself and melted, fading into nothingness.

The world could sure use a bit of patching up. It...Mog...


Nokumo

As the jets of lava shot towards Nokumo, he contemplated his options. Confronting them straight on would prove impractical and moving out of the way would simply waste too much time.

Nokumo faced down the advancing wave of magma and, as soon as it came close enough, he became ghostlike, the lava passing through his spectral body.

Nokumo ran forward and leapt up and over Moghor, hooking the curved and of his staff around the giant king. It passed through him and the armor, not leaving a mark. Moghor felt a chill as he felt the direct assult on his soul.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

Suddenly, Akteron's companion was overwhelmed with pain.

"Argh...Akteron...please help...me!"


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

Moghor Rezamir

Moghor didn't seem to feel the effects of Nokumo's attack. Instead, he smiled and swung his hammer at his foe. Becoming incorporeal wouldn't be enough to stop this attack, seeing as the shockwave from the weapon could reach any dimension.

[Krrth]

Void

Whoa now, what's wrong? Here, let me try to help.

1 minor act to try and help.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

"Ugh...thanks. I guess it's not going too well down there."

[Krrth]

Void

What is going on down there? From what I see, there's an all out brawl between Gods.

*Pause*

Moghor is shunting the damage to you, and pulling power from you isn't he?

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

"It appears we are still very much linked, or else I would have been destroyed before. It also looks like the Other is using this fact to his advantage. What are you going to do?"

[Krrth]

Void

What would you like me to do? Sever the link? Help you take control?

Flood the link with the memories and experiences of everyone the current Moghor has ever harmed?

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

"I believe you are on the right track. However, remember that the Other can't feel guilt. Perhaps if you show him that he is wrong, or that I am right...

I am sure that the children of Moghor can help in one way or another. He also had a champion once...he could be the key to my rehabilitation."

[Krrth]

Void

The Black Knight? He's still around. After his death, I gave him mortal form again so that he could continue his work in protecting those who need it.



Alchaeus!

We need you!

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

It didn't take long at all for Nokumo to figure out what was happening. He knew he had caught something, and it certainly wasn't doing anything to deter the being before him. Nokumo stuck the shaft into the ground. It was still aggravating whatever it held, on the off chance such a thing might prove useful later.

Ah, yes. The Hammer couldn't be ignored. Going up was out of the question and remaining on the ground was a bad idea.

Nokumo clambered on top of Moghor as he swung his weapon in an almost comical fashion. He barely dodged the hammer, but the shockwaves through the air forced him back into physical form.

Nokumo grasped the giant king's back with all six of his arms and legs and opened a mouth that became disproportionately wide and bit Moghor on the shoulder.

Good Moghor is still in pain, the soul tie or whatever it is is still being aggravated, but Akteron still has a "concrete" link to the battle.

In the meantime, Evil Moghor has a mutant cosmic monkey on his back.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

Alchaeus appeared beside his god(s).

"- Yes, Akteron? What is it you need from me?"


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


Moghor Rezamir

The bite did wound Moghor and not his double.

"BEGONE!"

A thousand metal shards suddenly bursted out of his skin to impale Nokumo. At the same time, the creature unleashed an intense radiance, something similar to a mini solar wind, so bright and hot it could easily turn animals, plans and trees instantly into ash. The Starjewel Pendant shattered at that point...

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

A strange, incorporeal voice whispered this message to Mia's ear.

"I am truly sorry. This was not what I wished for the world. This was not my dream. Please forgive me."

The shards are not tiny needles, they are big
The blast wave is a bit radioactive :P (and it cost 2 minor acts)

[Krrth]

Void

Ah, yes. Alchaeus, meet half of Moghor. Moghor, you remember Alchaeus.


It seems Moghor has a problem. His power and might are running around on the planet, and seem to be missing a sense of guilt. I was hoping you might have an idea of what to do about this.

[Johel]

Xiren

The Kind Mother took off, her roots fleeing from the intense heat of the lava. She lost some of them but swift and speedy, she was largely unharmed.

"-They may have the first blood but I'll get the last one. The only one which counts..."

As Moghor gave birth to the mini nova, a whistling sound reach his ears, immediately followed by the sight of an arrow made of soft ivy. The projectile began to blur and as it did so, a thousand more arrows appeared at mid-flight. Screaming through the air, they shined each with their own magical glow.

The first missed the gigantic devil, hitting the ground which was immediately tainted with a acid grey moss which kept spreading around, feeding directly from the bare rock like a overgrown lichen. The rest of the volley was aimed right, however...

The Blood Flower screamed something seconds before the impact :
"-Here is my first positive contribution to your new order, Moghor : Getting rid of you !!"

Then went the blinding light from the mini nova...

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

Alchaeus looked at the two powerful beings before him, not knowing what to think of it.

"- Hmm, well...that's a good question. I could try to talk with the Other, but I'm not sure it will give results. Maybe I should show him that mortals are not worthless and deserve to live..."


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


Moghor Rezamir

"Ugh...I need more power!"

Moments before the nova was launched, numerous arms made of earth emerged from the ground and caught some of the arrows before returning to dust. The remaining projectiles either hit Moghor or Nokumo.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

*Sklortch*

The metal shards punched right through the god. It was clear they were sticking through him, it felt like they were stabbing through a cool, stiff ooze. however, they immediately began to decay and erode while inside the god.

The arrows that hit him punched into Nokumo's back, but dissolved about halfway through.

The blast, on the other hand, hurt Nokumo quite a bit more. Two of his arms and many of the flagella on his back were blown off entirely. The god wrapped it's legs around Moghor's chest and clung onto his back as it began chewing on his head.

The thing was trying to eat him, It was apparent. The holes created by the spikes began to close and Moghor could feel his "blood" and flesh being consumed by the beast.

He also felt his divine power drained substantially.

2 minor acts contributed to this vampyric attack.
3 Minor acts to drain Moghor of 3 minor acts
5 Major acts to drain Moghor of 5 Major acts.

I would prefer that no acts be used, otherwise, we could continue beefing our respective gods up and healing them whenever necessary, resulting in a never ending battle.

Also, I might not be able to post again until late tonight.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

"You are disgusting, you know!"

The great beast started to sunk into the ground.

You're right about the acts. However, I was planning to have the Earth Keeper use the 5 major acts to help heal the world later. :smallfrown: Perhaps Nokumo was actually redirecting the divine energy to Good Moghor?

BTW, if Nokumo keeps clinging to Evil Moghor's back, he will wind up in the great lava chambers of the Underground with him. Evil Moghor is immune to fire, obviously...

[Smiley_]

Mm...Sounds good to me, but what justification would we have to do so? Nokumo doesn't know the status or capabilities of Moghor's good side or what is happening with Akteron, and his concerns are more immediate. Also, if demon-Moghor, who is in control, ends up losing, and has a massive resivoir of power, he would most likely use that power when he needs it most and not save it for Good-Moghor to use later.

Nokumo

Nokumo sprang off of Moghor as he began to sink.

Mererly one cannibal to another, Moghor. At least I do not wait for my prey to die, first.

He turned himself upsidedown and stood on the sky, looking "up" at the ground below him.

[Krrth]

Void


Yes, I thought it was as well. I had an idea of what to do about it, but I would need your help.

What changed your mind about helping people?

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

Alchaeus:

"- I assume you are referring to the time I made use of your Waters of Memory?"

[Krrth]

Void

Correct. I need to figure out if it;s something we can forcibly duplicate, or if we'll have to resort to more...drastic measures.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

The Moghor-ghost gazed at Akteron.

"I must ask something of you, Akteron. It is risky, but you must trust me on this one. I need you to give me some of your power, so I may in turn give my protection to the Black Knight. Moghor won't be able to hurt him if he is blessed with my own essence.

Furthermore, I believe that the nature of your power will prevent the Other to use it to his own gain. I will be the only one able to access it."

In other words, Good Moghor (or Not-Evil Moghor) is asking Akteron to transfer a major act or two to him.

[Krrth]

Void


Well, if I've learned anything by watching and recording the lives of others, it's that you need to risk a little to live a little. You may use some of my power.


You can use up to three major acts.

[Raz_Fox]

Mia

"KI-AAAAAAIIII!!!!!"

When Nokumo sprang off of Moghor, Mia threw Paragon up into the air with a mighty heave and leapt up to catch it.

She drove it down into Moghor's chest with unerring aim and a surprising strength, lashing it back out and ripping open his flesh with the glowing sword. Mia clung to Moghor as he sank into the earth with deathly strength, focused on trying to defeat him.

[Kaiser Omnik]

The Void

"Thank you my friend."

The Earth Keeper turned to Alchaeus and conjured an orb made of stone in his ghostly hand. It was covered in mystical runes.

"Alchaeus, touch this sphere and be infused with my power. You will go back to the planet below and face the False God. I will be by your side. Meanwhile, Akteron will be able to continue on his plan."

Alchaeus bowed respectfully and put down his hand on the orb. He was instantly transported to the material plane. He had no idea where he ended up, but he could sense the other gods fighting, elsewhere in the world.

"- Time to get to work."

Alchaeus' body turned into a sand storm as he raced towards the battlefield.


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


Moghor Rezamir

Moghor laughed as Mia attacked him. Even when Paragon ripped open his chest, he simply grabbed hold of the blade and looked into the goddess' eyes. As the two were sinking in the ground, he unleashed a curse of petrification...

A few minutes later

All of a sudden, a large chunk of land shot straight up in the air at great speed towards Nokumo. Moghor was not far behind.

In other words, Moghor just threw a hill or a small mountain at Nokumo (maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, just imagine the biggest chunk of rock he could theorically lift) and jumped towards him.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo

If Nokumo would be smirking to himself if he was that kind of god. Those minuites that Moghor spent under the earth were enough for Nokumo to gather his strength. Instead, he remained emotionless as Moghor came towards him.

Just as he had the wave of lava, Nokumo phased through the mountain and became solid again just in front of Moghor. He dug his feet into Moghor's chest and placed his hands on the side of the god's head.

You may find these others nothing more than a mere nuisance, but I assure you, I am more than your match.

The wide jaw opened, simply a dark red shape across the void of the rest of his body, and a glowing red lash shot out and foced itself down Moghor's throat.

Have you ever fought for your life, before, Moghor? What does it feel like?

Moghor could feel the "tongue" branch out inside him as he Nokumo began leeching away from his body and essence.

Moghor, Morrally sound Moghor and possibly the planet, are being drained by this attack. Nokumo might need to be shown reason soon, or he could cause some irrepairable damage. His goal is not to save the world, but to prevent its destruction, and if he does so, it could very well end up a terrestrial hell (to the glee of the fey-folk, I guess).

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor

"I do not care what you are. You can break like anything else!"

Moghor grabbed Nokumo's jaw and started to pull them apart with the intent of breaking his body.

About all this phasing and void body... While I have no problem with the fluff, there's nothing in the rules stating that a god doesn't have a definite corporeal form that can be affected by other gods. I'm feeling like I'm getting the shaft here. I understand that Nokumo has spent more major acts on his domains, and thus has an advantage, but Moghor is still a greater god of Strength. If he can't beat up other gods at all, what's his point? :smallbiggrin:


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


The Void

Ghost-Moghor started to fade away.

"I think we don't have much time..."

[Smiley_]

If Moghor punches Nokumo in the schnozz, Nokumo's going to feel it. Godly limbs do not care for incorpreality or such things.

Also, if you havent noticed, Nokumo is actually physically very weak, relying on vampyric assults and his swift regeneration. The blast tore huge chunks away from him and he had virtually no defense against the hammer save for dodging it. Even the metal shards punched right through him, even if holes were not quite what

Moghor is incredibly resilient, I take it, and Most of Nokumo's direct attacks made nothing more than a flesh wound and he had to settle for negative energy and flesh rottong assaults.

Nokumo

The jaw stretched wider and wider as Moghor pulled. His arms were burning as some cool gooey substance was dripping from Nokumo's wounds, but that didn't matter. With a sickening *Schlorp* Moghor was holding a long jawbone in his hand, dripping with a black ichor that ate into his flesh, The tongue receeded swiftly with a biting sensation and the "mouth" disappeared.

Nokumo let out a low howl and grabbed Moghor's face with his hand, digging into the skin and attempting to rot Moghor's face and eyes, dripping cauistic god blood everywhere.

Nokumo's body looks like void, but is more of an opaque ooze covering a skeleton, as Moghor discovered. He also bleeds quite a bit as bits of his body colapse.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

As his face was quickly rotting, the God of Strength let out a terrifying scream and turned into a fireball. When Nokumo finally let go of him, Moghor dropped and crashed to the ground. At first glance, it seemed like nothing remained of the fallen god except for a burning mass of molten metal. However, the artifacts he sported had survived the deflagration. And much to Nokumo's surprise, Moghor's body reformed from his Living Armor. The rotting attack had left a scar, but the Giant King was in better shape than before. He had to be careful, though, as he couldn't pull this off a second time.

"Let's finish this!"

"Wait! Do not be fooled, Nokumo. The Earth Keeper lives. There is still hope to see this world reborn."

The new voice belonged to Alchaeus. The assembled gods could sense that the Black Knight was not completely himself and that his words echoed those of a greater being.

[Smiley_]

Nokumo stooped and looked at this newcomer, drips of black goo dropping from where his jaw should be. He spoke with difficulty.

Is...That so? How...Does that stop... him?

[Johel]

MIA !!!!!!!!

The scream was filled with pain and worries, not the usual mad and angry cries Xiren was used to. This alone would have been enough to shock any god hearing it, not because of any special magic but because... F***, it was Xiren, after all !! She wasn't suppose to sob for somebody.

And she wasn't even supposed to thing about avenging the heroic goddess. But she tried anyway. An arrow was fired toward Moghor...then another one, and another and so, each of them infused with a tiny shard of the Kind Mother's godhood. Again, a rainbow engulfed the projectiles...which number increase by the thousands as the light fainted.

As the POWER OF FRIENDSHIP guided Xiren's arm, the power of hate and anger still guided her thoughts when she called upon the skies. And from dark clouds filled with rain, a single drop felt toward the Giant King.

Now, a drop of water is harmless. But it isn't when said drop is fifty meters wide, falls from hundred meters above, coloring itself with a tainted yellow glow as it morphed into sulfuric acid...then was engulfed in purple lights and redirected itself according to Moghor's moves.


Big spash...

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

A few of those arrows pierced Moghor's armor, but he still seemed to be able to shrug it off.

"You pathetic excuse for a goddess! Haven't you learned anything? You can't change. Your actions fall flat."

As the giant drop of acid headed for him, the Destroyer drained the remaining power from the Orb of Adaptation. The artifact produced a mystical shield that covered his entire body. Instead of crushing him, the acid struck an invisible surface and harmlessly flowed around his body. The Orb cracked and shattered shortly after.

"Now, Xiren, why don't you join your new best friend underground?"

Moghor invoked the magic of his Torc, opening a fissure under the goddess' feet. Even if it didn't kill her instantly, it would at least keep her busy. The Giant King turned to Alchaeus next.

"I'm getting tired of this. I'll kill the last underling, then I'll return to take care of Nokumo."

Moghor walked calmly towards the Black Knight, his former champion. He conjured several shards of obsidian and threw them in his direction. Much to his surprise, Alchaeus was able to block the projectiles with a earth shield spell.

"No mortal could have stopped this attack. How...?"

"You cannot hurt me. I am part of you. Akteron gave some of his own power to the Earth Keeper. With it, he was able to manifest in this plane of existence. I am more than an avatar. I am the Living Earth. I am the Sword and the Shield. I am your worst nightmare."

Moghor frowned and launched another attack on Alchaeus/Moghor, this time conjuring great claws of fire to rip him apart...but to no avail. His opponent was completely immune to his magic. Now, it was Alchaeus who was coming towards him, wielding two crystal blades. He charged and attacked fiercely, but he was unable to get the upper hand, as the beast Moghor parried every one of his blows. They fought like this for a time, until Moghor got tired and moved swiftly behind the Black Knight.

"I may be unable to destroy you, but you have no chance to kill me, either."

"Ah, but I have something you don't have. You see, there was a bit of power borrowed from Akteron left in the Earth Keeper's body. He used it for something else."

Out of nowhere, a gargantuan spear encrusted with gems appeared in Alchaeus' hands: the Javelin of Retribution. The avatar turned around and threw the magnificent weapon at Moghor, who found himself incapable of dodging it. The spear not only pierced the Living Armor and greately weakened its wearer, it also went through his arm and into the ground, anchoring the massive beast to this spot

"Nokumo, Akteron, if you have a plan, now would be the right time to act!"

Even if Xiren can fly, she is drawn to the fissure by an invisible force. If she falls in, the hole is sealed off and the goddess is trapped; until she uses a divine act, that is. Of course, Xiren could also evade the trap. I leave the choice to you.

[Smiley_]

While the black knight and Moghor fought, Nokumo took the opportunity to grab his jawbone and shove it back into place. He then gathered his power, waiting for the two combatants to break away from each other.

Tapping into the last reserves of his power, Nokumo focussed on the ground Moghor was standing on. A purple disk of mist formed underneath the beast and began to rotate, becoming darker in the center until it turned into a completely black., swirling sinkhole

Moghor could feel his own weight dragging him down into this pit. Dozens of thin arms reached out from below and grabbed or wrapped around Moghor, clinging on him, beckoning him to join them. If one was torn apart or otherwise destroyed, another would take its place.

Alchaeus could see Nokumo's form waver and buckle.

Do you feel this creation bleeding to death, Moghor? You could save it, if not for remorse, then to save your own hide, for if you continue this madness, I will rend you asunder if it takes the last ounce of my strength.

You used to be something far more, Moghor. We are gods, but none of us is perfect. We have we have the same impurities that plague the mortals below. This world does not belong to us, but we belong to this world. We were to tend to it as we saw fit. How will the last chapter... end.... Moghor?
---------------

[Raz_Fox]

Mia

A small statue of a Lycian swordmaid lay where it had been dropped, the only change in the gray stone the glittering sword she held. The glittering sword, that glowed with an inner flame, brighter than any sword should be.

What would the mind of a sword be like? Sharp as its razor edge; keen and honed; focused on one goal above all others; loyal and deadly and noble.

Xiren. Wield Me. Save My Mia - I Will Aid You. Wield Me. The thought - cold, proud, sharp - flashed into Xiren's mind. For a moment, she saw Paragon in her mind's eye.

[Krrth]

Akteron

Akteron watches as his siblings fight below. Watching the destruction that is occurring, he comes up with an idea. Perhaps it is time to leave the world to it's inhabitants. He would have to think about that. In the meantime, he sends his voice through the ether to echo in the combat zone


Moghor! Perhaps we can work something out? Perhaps something to drink while we talk?

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

Moghor looked around him, barely able to keep himself out of the miniature black hole. The gods near him could feel the heat come down.

"Will the pain end? Will the anger disappear? ARGGGH!"

The Beast-Moghor screamed as his body slowly melted. Once the transformation was complete, nothing was left of him, except for a sphere of super heated, liquid metal. Alchaeus approached the god's remains and absorbed the divine energy. Obviously, that was too much for his body to hold, so the Earth Keeper swiftly removed himself from the material plane, turning back the Black Knight into his former self. Moghor then reformed in the Void, next to Akteron. He was not a ghost anymore; he had the looks and the personality of the Keeper, but now, he was complete.

"It is good to be whole again."

[Krrth]

Akteron

Good to see you again my friend.

If I may...what caused this split to begin with?

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir, The Earth Keeper

Moghor turned to face Akteron.

"I am not sure. I believe I was overwhelmed by evil. It shows us that even the most powerful beings in the universe can succumb to temptation. We are flawed and we must be careful not to let our Ego drive us. But enough talk. It is time to act."

Moghor walked through a portal back to the battlefield.

"I am sorry for everything Nokumo. But now, at last, we will be able to work together. We will rebuild this world."

As he talked, the Giant King ripped a portal in the fabric of the plane to allow all the refugees from the Waste of the Iron Kings to go back to their homes in Sanctuary.

[Krrth]

Akteron


My friend, we all have a lot of work to do, and some hard decisions to make.

[Kaiser Omnik]

Moghor Rezamir

Moghor looked at the battlefield below.

"The trolls and the lycians may never come back... I still intend to save those who are left. I may not be able to recreate all the lives that were lost, but I will use my power to heal the earth."

With a sweep of his hand, the geography of the land changed. The scars of the planet disapeared one by one. The great fissures closed. The charred lands reverted to their initial state. Entire wastelands became fertile again. Death Peak and the Valley of the Flesheaters were purified and cleaned of all undead. At last, it seemed like the earth had recovered from centuries of harm and suffering. But that wasn't all. Structures emerged from the ground: archways, houses, towers and walls. Soon, the central region of the main continent, including the site of Old Sanctuary, turned into one great city of perfectly cut stone. Inside the city walls, Moghor made sure to leave plenty of free space to hold trees, parks, fountains and pounds.

As a final touch, he also carved statues of the gods out of the mountain range overlooking the metropolis.

5 major acts spent

[Krrth]

Akteron


There are enough Trolls among my followers that they can repopulate if necessary. But....what to do.


With that, Akteron studied the land. At his command the monks, sages, and craftsmen the followed him set forth. Skills and knowledge were given to any who would learn them. In every temple to Akteron a library appeared. These libraries gave the true history of the world, good and bad.

In the land formally inhabited by the Cave Trolls, a wondrous carving appeared. This carving depicted the world, from beginning to the present. As present became history, it was added.