Lords of the Elements

[Eldan]

Turn 1, Start

An invisible wave of magical energy washed over Chaos.
And deep inside floating mountains of rock, something stirred. Six ancient creatures awoke from their sleep and, using the energy of the wave, crafted their domains and first servants from the elemental matter.
Things were different now, after their Aeon long sleep: in the whirling sea of Chaos now hung floating rocks, some miles in diameter and others only a few hundred meters. And in the middle of it all, the one thing you still remember: Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, reaching up miles and miles and miles, until it vanished in the grey darkness of the Void above.
It was on the slopes of this mountain that the Gods defeated the Titans, or what little had remained of them after the Gods had drained their strenght and used it to create mortals.
Only six of your kind remain, of the hundreds there once were. The Three Ladies had gone first, to plead before the gods to let the Titans live, to give them back a measure of their strenght before they faded. The gods had laughed and imprisoned them in a prison of silver and crystal. The Warbringers went next, the Lords of Hammer, Blade and Shield, to take revenge on the gods with their armies, and with them many other titans, all to be slain or imprisoned.
But now, now you are awake again. You can feel the souls of mortals coming into your new domains, and feel the power bleeding from them. The time to regain your Glory has come.

[Eldan]

Faint voices drift on the wind, across the boiling chaos, whispering the prayers of mortals to listening ears:

Wolves

"We will never make it to the forts. They will get us, even before the blizzard will. Merciful gods, don't let my children die! I swear, I'll become a monk, or a priest, but save my family!"

Can be solved with combat (medium difficulty), trickery (hard) or control (easy).
Reward: 1 cultist, chance to corrupt another one.


Raiders of the Wastes

"Men! The Raiders outnumber us four to one, and half of you are injured. Some say the gods have abandoned us, but I say: that's heretics talking! As it has been since the beginning of time, the gods have saved those who believed in them! So fight, and belive, and you will see, they will fight with us, as it has always been!"

Can be solved with Leadership (medium difficulty), Control (medium difficulty) or Combat (very hard).
Reward: 10 power points, chance to convert a cultist.


The Inquisition

"The gods may have abandoned us, but someone, something has to listen! Please! The Inquisition is coming. They are burning people on the streets as heretics. Please, do not let me die today... All the ancient artefacts, everything, take it, but let me live!


Can be solved with Trickery (hard), Persuasion (hard) or Combat (hard).
Reward: Choose 1 artefact from a list

[Emperor Demonking]

The Forge Master

The Forge Master looked out at the world and laughed. He was alive as were five others, it wasn't enough yet to defeat the gods but with enough buildings, servants and souls he was sure it would be. Of course it would never be if the six of them didn't work together. If they fought against each other, they'd be doomed.

The Forge Master sent a message to each of his fellow Titans. "We should split up the islands. Let's take the large island to our lefts and the two small islands we're linked to."

Then he heard the crys of the mortals.

Sending the Imp to wolves

[Moody the Wise]

Awakening from his long slumber, Ramm surveyed the landscape around him. Much had changed. In the distance he could see Mount Olympus, stronghold of the hated Gods, breakers of the Immortal laws. They must be punished. But first things first ... the rule of law must be firmly re-established on the Outer Rim. I must bide my time and build my power lest the errors of the past be repeated. He looked to the left, and he looked to the right. These should suffice for now. A small, greenish-grey little creature scurried quickly off to the left, and a chitinous grey bug-looking creature slowly made its way to the right.

Hearing then the message from the Forge Master, Ramm broadcasts his own reply: "Forge Master, your claims are baseless. You have no power of law to make nor enforce such a proposal. I will do what is necessary to prepare myself to defeat the Gods, as is my sworn duty in restoring the Immortal Law which they have violated. This includes taking the island to your left. If you have a problem with this, take it up with the Judge. Oh, wait ..."

Then, hearing the cries from the mortal world and seeing that his servants were busily carrying out his will here, he prepared to make himself known to the mortal world.

Actions

Immediate: Gremlin is sent to Island L4 to bind itself to that heartstone
Immediate: Drone is sent to Island L3 to bind itself to that heartstone
Immediate: Ramm attempts to answer "Raiders of the Wastes"


Edit: added an action; Ramm attempts Summoning "Raiders of the Wastes"

[Deathslayer7]

She felt the strange energy. Let it wash over her, disturbing her sleep. She opened her eyes and saw only darkness. The Earth trembled beneath her feet, and the sky opened up. She stretched and yawned, shaking dirt off her. It had been so long. She looked around and her eyes narrowed at what she saw: Mount Olympus. Then the memories came back. She looked around her, and she could feel. Six. Six titans were left, and just awakening. So she was not alone. It would make the revenge on the Gods all the more sweeter if they worked together. But would the alliance hold for a common interest, she had no idea.

She looked around her. It was a plain floating island. She imagined it how she wanted and instantly it began to change. She drew energy from the Chaos and large trees and overgrown vegetation appeared. Tiny spirits(sparks) appeared before her, as well as two lesser servants. It was all she had, but it would have to do.

She rose and set about to work. She listened to the messages and silently agreed to them. for now. I will hold true to that if others will. she responded back.


Immeadiate: Mother Earth shall answer The Inquisition herself.
Immeadiate: Slyph and Kobold shall go to L5, and kobold will bind itself.

[Innis Cabal]

The Soft Dark stretches forth from its holdings, its Domain slowly filling with dark mist, all within its preview shifting to its form of beauty. It yawned with a powerful sound, and the realm it controlled shuddered. And then…he heard them. Voices of others. Such beautiful sound! Such interesting sound! He would answer them. He whispered in the cold night, the stars and the moon the only witnesses to his actions.


Actions

The Soft Dark himself attempts to answer the Raiders of the Wastes
The Soft Dark sends his Alp to attune to the Hearthstone in L5
The Soft Dark commands his Familiar to build a Power conduit in his home region

[Ambon]

The Writhing Master

Long forgotten roots and limbs, cracked and empty, found themselves filled with life once again as the great wave passed through the tomb of the Writhing Master. The sleeping spark of his intelligence - fanned now into a full and jealous fire - stretched itself out to the very edge of her domain, and opened its eyes to gaze upon the mortal world.

Their desperation was intoxicating, desires begging to be provoked and tamed. Awakened now, and hungry, the Writhing Master responded.

Immediate Actions:
1 - Send Imp to L1, bind to region.
2 - Send Broodling to respond to Wolves (Combat)
3 - Writhing Master responds to the Inquisition (Persuasion)

[Moody the Wise]

Waiting to hear the reactions of the others, Ramm felt as though something were missing. Then it hit him. He began to hum to himself, and before long the very domain itself arose in song, loudly proclaiming itself to all who would hear. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ham6vFy8v2I)

And if the boys wanna fight you better let 'em, he thought to himself.

[Eldan]

From time to time, the islands shake in unseen currents, as streams of fire and ice, sludge and wind move beneath them. The thin threads of crackling, orange energy remain static, even as titanic servants crossed the narrow gaps between the floating mountains.


What's that video there, moody? Apparently, Youtube doesn't allow me to watch it.

[Moody the Wise]

OoC: The video is of Thin Lizzy's "The Boys are Back in Town." It's not metal, but I did say I claimed Rock and Roll as a minor essence. :smalltongue: Expect musical commentary as a regular feature of my domain.

[Feirgon]

Malcolm

The clouds passed over head as their shadows raced across the green field. The light reached through Malcolm's closed eyelids with a strobing effect. He blinked once as his eyes refocused. The soft grass lay gently against his left cheek. For a moment he watched the shadows pass by as the grass danced in the wind, then he slowly sat up. Looking into the sky, he spotted the source of light that seemed to fight with the passing clouds for dominance. Then he noticed a smaller light approaching him, as if born from the bright spot in the sky. It stopped right before his very eyes and seemed to stare at him, though Malcolm could not make out any face upon the ball of light. Then he smiled.

Hello, my name is Malcolm.

Malcolm could sense a smile from the light orb, though he could not see it. And as he continued to stare at the orb, the ground began to shake. Suddenly, large crystals began to emerge from beneath the grassland. Malcolm watched calmly as the crystals filled the plain, ending with a small circle of crystals around him. Then Malcolm noticed an odd creature atop one of the nearest crystals. It was short and silvery, with a long tail and two small horns. It then climbed down the crystal and approached him upon all fours. Malcolm pondered on the look of the creature then focused his attention to the distance. Not to stare at the horizon, but instead as if to stare at himself. A light began to encompass the small boy as a his boyish clothes transformed into a well tailored suit. Then a small white horn appeared upon his forehead along with two small white wings and a long white spaded tail.

Malcolm smiled.

Looks like we woke up. He said, speaking to his two servants as ten small orbs appeared near him. Then he heard the words of others who had awoken.

And it seems we are just as divided now as we were then. Malcolm then looked up at the large mountain outside of his domain. Well, time to get to work!

Actions

3 sparks will build wards - 6 pp
3 sparks will build defences - 6 pp

Candle Spirit will extract power from souls
Imp will research Arcana
Malcolm will research Arcana
Malcolm will attempt to answer "Wolves" and "The Inquisition"

[Deathslayer7]

Mother Earth

The souls set about to work, having had their instructions given to them. Defending her country against intruders was necessary. She couldn't afford her backside to be weak. Earth trenches inscribed with insignias were being built.


- 2 PP to give the kobold Tooth and Claw before it leaves.
Have a soul build a ballista - 4 PP
Have 3 souls build wards - 6 PP
Have 3 souls build defences - 6 PP

3 souls, 2 PP, 2 titan actions left.

[Eldan]

Wolves

A forest of tall, dark trees, ground covered in snow, the sky clouldless but black, no stars or moon visible. In the distance, a colossal glacier is visible, a wall of ice more than three hundred feet high, and glowing in a flickering, blue light from within.
A woman is hiding under a tree, a child in her arms, both clothed in furs so thick that barely anything of them is visible. Two men are present: the younger one, twenty perhaps, is holding a torch in one hand and a long, rusty knife in the other, peering out into the darkness, two dozen hungry eyes peering back.
The older man is on his knees, his head facing the ground, his hands folded in silent prayer.


Raiders

A wide dirt road winds up between two mountains. At the highest point of the pass, where the road narrows down between sheer cliffs and only three men could pass side to side stands a watchtower and a wooden pallisade. The view is clear: on one side, farmland and forests, but on the other a flat plain stretching out to the distant horizon, covered in fine ash, smoke drifting above it in the wind.
Near a dozen men are standing behind the pallisade, which goes to their chests, and another dozen lie on the floor, dead or dying. Their hands hold spears and shields, which are covered in broken arrows.
And below them on the road the source of the attack: fifty or sixty warriors, their horses left behind. Where the men on the mountaintop are covered in leather and mail, these attackers wear furs and ragged shirts, holding daggers, clubs, crude spears and many of them shortbows.
They are charging for the next attack.

The Inquisition

The old man was shaking and breathing heavily, his wide and stained robe hiding the thin body beneath. Hastily, he was throwing various small and large packages and half a dozen heavy tomes into a hole hidden beneath his narrow bed, then jumped in himself, first awkwardly drawing the bed back, then closing the heavy trap door from below.
Moments later the door to the small tavern in the front room was shattered, and two soldiers in heavy plate armour stormed into the room, spears drawn, one of them kicking over a keg of beer. Behind them stood the inquisitor himself, a stern-looking young man with short beard, wearing a plain, red shirt and wide black trousers, barefoot, but with a heavy silver amulet of a seven-pointed star around his neck.

[Innis Cabal]

The Soft Dark came when the moon was full, whispering words into the mortal’s ears. His avatar stretched deep into the world from the pale moonlight, his eyes glinting like stars. And then suddenly, the skies clouded over, the charging men losing his words as that silver disk slipped behind the satin curtain of night. The Soft Dark was cut off from the mortal world, the humans left to what ever fate would befall them, saddened…but not deterred. He would be back in the mortal world.

And for his failure in the mortal world, he belched forth another creation, a dark misty form of claws and eyes.

Actions

Raise Soul to Spark, and promote it to Alp, granting it the Nebulous ability

[Deathslayer7]

The Inquisitor looked around the tavern, nothing seemingly out of place. But often first looks were decieving. He stepped into the tavern, his shoes creaking on the wooden floor. The mail from the two guards behind him clanked as they followed.

The crowd watched the men step in. Murmurs could be heard, but no one moved a muscle. The man brought forth a picture from beneath his cloak.

I am looking for this man. Where is he? No one answered him. He turned to the bartender. What room is he in?

Sssssecond door on the left. he whimpered and pointed upstairs. The man nodded, and put the picture away. He headed up. The two guards remained at the entrance.

She sar waiting on the bed as the man enterd, opening the door without knocking. His eyes immediately fell to her, and gave her a once lookover. Then he glanced around the room. The entire room was a mess, having been cleaned in a hurry.

Who are you? he asked. Expecting a solid answer.

She smiled back at him. I am whatever you want me to be. she said, standing up and heading toward him. The man frowned at her obvious approach. I have no time for cheap harlots such as yourself. Where was the man that was here? I am looking for him.

He heard that you were looking for him and left in such a hurry. Didn't even give me my money for the evening. He packed some stuff into a large bagand headed out the back entrance. This was about 10 minutes ago. I assume he is gone by now if an Inquisitor was looking for him.

The man glanced at her once more. You shall come with me for questioning.

She held her smile. Then rubbed against him pleasingly. But why would you want to bring me in? Wouldn't it be more enjoyable if we stayed here. I could bring some friends if need be.

The man licked his lips, not knowing the magic that surronded him. Very well. I suppose I can come back at a later time. Such a shame that I could not apprehend him.

He will not come back here again. So there is no point to return.

The Inquisitor thought for a moment. Hmmmm. That is true.

I would see you out, but I do believe you have more important matters to attend to. So I shall kiss you goodbye. And she did, lightly on the lips. The man struggled for words, but found none. He left the room and took the guards with him.

She waited for a moment before speaking. Come out. He is gone. No one spoke. I know you're hiding underneath the bed. After a moment's hesistation the lock clicked open and the bed was shoved aside. The man peered out. Is he gone? he asked quietly. She nodded.

He climbed out and started jumping around gleefully. Thank you! Know that I have saved your life. Serve me well, and it will be a long one. Now...

Mother Earth stood and watched the scene play out. Time to take another trip. A different one.

[Feirgon]

Malcolm

There was a near silent growl as the wolves began to advance. Those that could see the impending doom screamed in horror and looked away. The young man readied his blade to strike, but a flash of light interrupted the wolves' advance. The being that appeared before them seemed to glow blue, emitting his own source of light. The humans behind him stared wide eyed at his form.

Malcolm looked up into the dark sky and pointed at a spot in the clouds. Instantly, an opening appeared casting moonlight directly upon him. When the villagers looked back down from the spectacle, their focus back on Malcolm, they saw that he had somehow summoned his own pack of wolves. They were bigger and seemed intent on attacking the other wolves.

Slowly, the smaller wolves began to back away from the outnumbering force. To save their lives they would have to run and so they turned away and retreated. Malcolm's wolves chased and scattered the other wolves into the wilderness before vanishing as illusions.

A calm returned to the villagers.

Are you a Titan?

Yes, I am a Titan. Malcolm turned and smiled at the village leader. Then he looked at the others in the caravan.

I know not why the gods have abandoned you, but I can tell you that their power is waning.

How can you know such a thing?

Malcolm looked at the young man and chuckled quietly. Because I wouldn't be here right now. And it would have been one of them who would have answered your prayer.

But I tell you this, if you follow me, I shall not abandon you. You shall be the first to know my presence and the bearers of my name.

If? You are giving us a choice?

Malcolm looks to the old man. It was your father that summoned me and it is he who is indebted to follow me. But you have the option of heeding my word and my power.

And what is the name of our savior?

Malcolm.

[Moody the Wise]

Ramm returns from his forays into Chaos exhausted. He slumps down in his favorite easy chair and tries to strike up a conversation with the Drone.

What a long, strange trip it's been. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPNgjA4i6gM)

As I was walking along, all of a sudden I came into contact with the void. I stared into the abyss, and it stared back at me. I saw that it was not my time, that the void did not call for me. *dramatic pause* It called for the gods. It knew I could and would bring them back and cast them into the void, so it let me go. Now, every now and then, I sort of flicker. It is the void reminding me that I live on borrowed time, and for one purpose only.

Later, I came upon a deep pool. Curious, I removed my armor and swam down. At the bottom I discovered the most beautiful gem. I think I did not know my own strength, for when I finally touched it, it shattered. But in shattering, it yielded up its power to me, power which will aid my crusade against the gods.

Finally, I encountered a bubble in the sea of Chaos. I reached out to touch it, but it disappeared. Whatever mysteries it held, I was not ready to share in them.

Your story is pleasing to me, master, replied the drone in its dull monotone.

I suppose dullness is the price one pays for loyalty ... *sigh* One day I'll have more interesting servants ...

[Eldan]

The Mortal World

A new star was shining brightly in the evening sky, half the size of a man's fist and nearly outshining the sinking red sun.
Near a hundred citizens were gathered on the market square to watch the spectacle that was about to begin.
A young man was tied to a pole, on a pile of dry wood, in the middle of the square. He was wearing a torn red shirt, and blood was running over his chin.
"The Gods have sent us a sign!", an inquisitor proclaimed, torch in one hand, pointing at the star with the other.
"They are testing us. The burning plains, the abyss, the rimefire and the raiders, they are sorting out those lacking faith. And now they have sent us this star, a light in the darkness, to show us that they are still with us.
"Hear me! In this age of blood and darkness, we must be more vigilant than ever. Heretics can hide everywhere, even in the inquisition. Do you see this man? He was sent to seize a sorcerer, and what did he do? A few sweet words from a whore, and he let him escape!
The gods do not abide such weakness!"
He threw the torch.

[Eldan]

First Conflict

The shard was huge, several miles in all directions, an uneven piece of rock and rubble. It took many hours to reach the center, and then to find the hearstone, a black gem, high as a tree.
It was a small creature, shadowy black, that moved towards the stone, preparing itself for the ritual that would make it leader of it's own small domain.
But from behind a large, grey boulder, two pairs of eyes were watching...

[Deathslayer7]

A low growl could be heard from behind the stones. The creature raised it eyes to see two figures step out from behind a boulder. A kobold stepped out, its fangs and claws extended past normal length. It flexed its hand.

Leave now, and you may leave. Put up a fight, and you will die. This is your only warning. it said through its teeth, in near perfect common.

The slyph stood next to him waiting for a response.

OOC: You can leave now, and they won't chase, or fight and die. :smallbiggrin: Your choice.

[Innis Cabal]

The shadow gave a single hiss, rushing back with the information to its homeland

[Deathslayer7]

The kobold watched the creature run off and smiled slightly, then the preparations for the ritual began again; the same ones it had been doing. At this point, the creature had already been forgotten.


Mother Earth stared into the endless chaos before taking a step forward. She stood upside down on a staircase, but that didn't bother her.She continued forward, defying the laws of phsyics but taking no heed of it. Soon enough she found her feet on solid ground. Before her stood a small valley, but that wasn't what had interested her. An odd metal stuck out of the ground, she touched and instantly her thoughts swarmed her.

She knew how to develop metal. Metal better then anything The Forge Master could ever come up with. The way to bind the metal to the souls, link it, making it more powerful. Proper techniques and more effective ways to bend and make metal. She rushed away from the metal and back to camp. She was happy and was about to tell the others when she thought about it again..... she couldn't remember what she had been thinking. All the knowledge she had was gone, well most of it. She knew how to form metal, even though she never worked with it before. She spent the rest of the day trying to remember what it was she remembered.

[Innis Cabal]

The sky of the Domain of the Soft Dark churned, whispers of long past people whip through the shadow of the mountains and trees, the world of silence and cold darkness glowed with heat for but a moment, the sparks of energy flowed to the towering structures that sat in the rain shadow of the tallest peaks of the Domain. The lone familiar, a long tarnished bronze snake, coiled around its surface, the power source flickering and sparking its blinding light into the surrounding region. And soon, as the Sparks descended into the great towering structure, their power building inside the monolithic beast that it would soon become.

And the Soft Dark drew away from its holdings, its lose of the land so near to it was a concern. And that only meant it needed to grow stronger, larger, smarter. And it drew on secret knowledge, seeking to grow.

Earth may endure. But there shall always be darkness.

Actions
9 Sparks aid in the construction of the Power Conduit
The Soft Dark research’s both Arcane and Shadow

[Eldan]

Turn 2, Start

Creatures were marching across the deserted rocks floating in chaos, claiming new territories for the one or other Titan. Domains were growing, servants created and defences built.
But the gods were silent. Not a word, no movement or reaction from the towering mount olympus, it's slopes covered in snow or forest, it's cloud-concealed summit.
New souls were streaming into chaos, to be consumed, used or changed by the waiting Titans, to provide them with the power to prevail against each other or the gods...

Summoning One: Black Abyss

A stern voice and calm, but frantically praying like a mill. The impression is vague, a man in a brown leather coat, collar raised against rain coming against him almost horizontally, his hat, tied down with a cord flapping in a stormy wind and towering waves crashing down around the ship he is standing on, a small vessel, but in good shape, the name "Stormdaughter" painted on the prow in green letters.
"I'll sacrifice generously, if you save me and my crew from this storm, and keep us from the Abyss. A quarter of my goods shall be given to whomever saves me, be it gods or water spirits, Captain Savraan holds his promises."
Suddenly, the scenery changes: the waves seem to die down, but the water, green and grey before, takes on a shade of blue so dark, it's almost black.
"I guess that means no saving from the abyss, then. Too late for that. Ten percent for getting me to port. I don't even care which one, for that price."

Solved with either checks on both combat (controlling the vessel, hard) *and* intelligence (navigation, medium) or just controll (calming the storm, very hard, but doable for a titan with some skill in the field).
Reward: a lot of resources and gold, potential cultist.


Summoning Two: Wolves and Lions

"Spirits, bless our weapons, so they may strike true once again, as they did in the battle on the pass, when the darkness fell on ohr enemies and confused them. Before the end, they will cry for mercy, and they shall not see any, as their punishment for closing the passes when the fires fell. For we are the Ashraiders, the Burning Men, and we do not forgive.
Their souls for the Spirits, to feast upon, their weapons and banners for our glory."
Two or three dozen men on scrawny horses are riding down from a high mountain pass, one of them bowing his head to pray. Their goal is a small village, a dozen wooden huts and a small keep, a two-story towerof stone, with a banner showing a red lion on a white field. Only a three soldiers in weapons and armor and a handful of villagers stand against raiders in ragged fur and leather, with crude spears and shortbows, a few sword and lances, and damaged chainshirts.


Can be solved with Combat (Medium), Leadership (Hard) or Control (Hard).
Reward: Potential Cultist, 1d6 souls.

[Innis Cabal]

The Soft dark swirls further on in the skies of his domain, commanding his creatures forth into the holdings around him, the creatures flying forth. But his attention was seized, the world called for him again, and this time…this time he wished to truly help.

And from the now complete conduit, belched forth the sparks which dove back into the ground, tunneling as fast as they could, dark stone and earth flying forth into the air, only to be absorbed by the Shadow that hung forever through the world. And the conduit began to churn and the chrunching of bone and flesh could be heard, a new Soul entering the shadows.

Actions
The Soft Dark sends his Nebulous Alp into L6
The Soft Dark sends his Alp to S10
The Soft Dark sends his Familiar to S9
The Soft Dark research’s Arcane
The Soft Dark research’s Shadow
The Soft Dark promotes 1 Spark to a Soul
The Soft Dark commands 8 Sparks to build a Pits Trap
The Soft Dark answers the Black Abyss and their want of Navigation(Intelligence)

[Feirgon]

Malcolm

Malcolm sat on the grass and stared up at the sky, watching the clouds pass overhead. The light flickered as it reflected and refracted through the nearby crystals. His attention turned to the mountain in the distance.

This makes no sense. Have they truely left? Or are they toying with us?

No matter the case, Malcolm was determined to make the best of his time.

He rose to his feet as he felt new souls enter his relm and prayers being sent. Malcolm once more looked cast his eyes upon the mountain.

All actions will be in the status thread from here on out :)

[Ambon]

The Writhing Master

The Lord of Disease gorged herself on the suffering of the souls in her domain, but still she was hungry, and her hungry eyes fell on the mortal world. Their prayers and desperation had whet his appetite.

The Writhing Master answers Wolves and Lions (Leadership)

[Moody the Wise]

Ramm heard the calls from the mortal world, but this time had no care for them. He had more important business to attend to. First, he made sure his servants understood their duties. He knew, and they knew, that they faced unprecedented risk in claiming lands closer to Mount Olympus, but like all his servants, they were prepared to lay their lives down in the war if necessary. And they wouldn't know this so well if I did not lead by example ... With this thought, Ramm faced [counterclockwise] and stared into the distance ...

OoC: Eldan, I snuck a few questions into my status thread post. I don't know if you haven't seen them, or just haven't answered them, but I'll need to know the answers before I finish up my actions for the turn.

[Moody the Wise]

Ramm mounted his warhorse and rode out to the no-man's land between the Forge Master's domain and his own. He took one last look backwards, then fixed his gaze upon the horizon. The others might not understand why I must do this, but I do not answer to them.

The peaceful denizens of the Forge Master's domain never saw it coming. Ramm smashed their walls with just a few swings of his gigantic sword, leapt over the rubble that was their defences, and mowed down any who stood between him and the Forge Master. When he reached the Titan, he knocked him to the ground, then stood towering over him, sword raised. Before the Forge Master could gather the courage to speak, Ramm swung, taking the Titan's head clean off. As divine blood spilled from the pitiful corpse at his feet, the domain echoed with the last unspoken words of the Forge Master: "Why did you slay me? Where is the justice in that? My creations mean no harm..."

Ramm replied, making sure he spoke loudly enough for all to hear, "That was exactly the problem with you, Forge Master. You were weak. You always have been. If we are to prevail in our war against the gods, our creations must mean harm. You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting. May your weakness never again hold me back. If only I had had a more worthy Titan fighting by my side when we attacked Olympus, we might have beaten the gods all those ages ago. Instead, I had you. And now I have you no more." With that, Ramm walked away.

[Deathslayer7]

Liriel watched from afar as the Forge Master was slaughtered, for that was what it was. There was no battle, only killing.

Is that how you go about trying to defeat the Gods of Olympus? she asked, a bit harshly then she intended. To kill off allies that could have helped. Now there is only five of us. There are many more then five Gods Ramm! Do you think you can do it without our help!? Do you think you alone are capable!?

She calmed herself down a bit. You are dangerous Ramm.

She then goes about her own business, and has more defences built.

[Moody the Wise]

I have no use for weaklings, Liriel. The Forge Master wanted to live in peace, but he failed to understand that we are at war, whether we like it or not. The gods may have been silent thus far, but it will not be long before we come to blows once more. I sense a strength in you, that you will be prepared to fight valiantly when that time comes. Am I mistaken in my appraisal of you, Lady? If I am not mistaken, then you should lose no sleep on my account.

[Innis Cabal]

The Soft Dark

The captains prayer could be heard through the darkness. “Saves me, be it gods or water spirits", Captain Savraan holds his promises” it said.

The darkness grinned, the Soft Dark felt pity for these creatures, tossed about on seas that could not control, could not master. They were mortal after all. Sad little mortals. They needed nurturing, they needed warmth, they needed something to watch them. To guide them. The world was so unkind.

And the sea’s pitched; that thrice damned albatross would be no use here, not as a cross, not as a noose. No rhyme could be said, no poem, no epic translated in any tongue could tell of the journey that befell the mortal men, and The Soft Dark watched them scramble along the deck, the rigging whining and snapping in the wind, the water from the sea no indistinguishable from the water of the waves so violent was the storm. And when all seemed lost, The Soft Dark came. Not in fan fair, not in blasts of sound or triumph. Those were not The Soft Dark’s ways. Let some other Titan make himself appear above mortals as if he was their better. Let some God demand the worship simply because it was what it was. This was not The Soft Dark’s way.

The Captain stood at the wheel, commanding his men, his voice all bout drowned out from the deluge. Soon now….so very soon The Soft Dark thought, his words would be devoured, and there would be silence, and then he would work his power. And that moment came, the roar of thunder and waves, the screaming of men, the pitching and lurching of the ship blended together. Savraan opened his mouth to shout another order. And Darkness came. The first whisper, the first sign was put a single sentence that drifted into his ears as the other sounds ceased.

"No gods, no spirits. Only The Soft Dark. A mortal by any other name is still as fragile."

And the world to him was as nothing, the waves, the boat, the sky a solid black, only lines of white flashing energy marked the edges of what was and what was not. Men were shadows, gray on black, rain simply lines in a world of lines and expanses. And he saw it, standing next to him. The image of a man who was but a boy. The image of a boy who would never grow old enough to be called a man. The best lover he ever held, and his most bitter enemy. The Soft Dark had opened his eyes, peeled away the light that blinded the Captain in the one moment he truly needed to see. The waves did not part as one might think, no perfect method to weather the storm. This was not The Soft Dark’s way.

“Captain. Your men will die.”

The Captain could only stand there, mouth open and filling with water, emotions to varied and erratic to even set to any language we could attempt here.

“What joke is this!” The Captain cried. “I pray and pray for anything! And this?! What sorcery do you wield beast!”

And had the Captain not needed to hold on to the wheel, rest assured he would have struck out against the shadow that was more then shadow. It merely smiled back at him, walking about the men, whispering in the ear of Savraan.

“Do you want your men to die? Captain? You know only you can save them. Gods…creatures, what would it be to give you power? What would you learn? What would you know after the adventure?

Rage filled the Captain, and he screamed to top the will of nature, his hands clenched on the wheel, he could no longer feel it turn in his grip, his knuckles as white as the foam that topped the waves that appeared as teeth set to devour the ship.

“Had I wanted riddles you blasted thing I would have sunk to the bottom and looked into the empty holes in the heads of the dead below! Help me now! I have summoned you! You must help me!”

And the shadow that was not a shadow was before him, pointing ahead of him, that smile never leaving its lips. He had watched the hands of the man who railed against him. Only darkness knew truth, only shade would keep honesty while the light would lie.

“But I have Oh Captain my Captain, your home. You knew the route all along didn’t you? You did. I know you did. Your eyes lied to you, fear played with you. You were a puppet. But your strings….you can see them now.”

The Captain blinked once, and light flooded back into the world, he turned his head, his mouth opening to say the words of thanks, though he was still uncertain exactly how it had happened. Had he navigated the safest route as he had a hundred times before simply because he could not see the storm through his outrage at the heavens? Or had that gentle shadow, that Soft Dark whispered in his ears like he could still hear. The words that no mortal could speak or understand, but could still hear. Was it the feeling of warm hands on his own that steered them to safety, that enveloping shade that made his rain drenched and wave beaten body weary not with strain but of comfort? He did not have time to question, he had no time for thanks, that velvet gloom was already gone, but he could not help but see eyes in ever shadow of his boat as the sun broke through the clouds.

And off in the distance, they could see land. They could see the shore. They had survived. The payment gone, the deed done, The Soft Dark retreated to his Domain, and laughed.

“To climb the highest mountain, it is not the intent of your journey, the dedication of your last travel, or the end of the path you walk that will make certain your success. Dear mortals, dear gods, dear creation there is only one thing that will determine that which you desire. The first step towards it. All one needs to do, is take that first step. What do you have to fear but the light that will blind you from that path? Welcome the embrace of the Darkness, for it seeks only to wrap itself around you. Drape you in the gentle purity of silent repose, and love you for your desire.”

[Feirgon]

Malcolm

And if you are? The words came soon after Ramm had finished responding to Liriel. The voice was child-like and gentle, though full of thought.

Malcolm paused slightly.

Ramm may have eliminated the weakest link in the chain. But who is to say which of us now takes that role?

But would inaction have been a better option? The Forge Master chose to believe the gods of Olympus to be innert and acted as such. Perhaps he was too naive.

There was a much longer pause as Malcolm looked up into the cloud filled sky above his domain.

The actions we take now will echo til our end. For it is what we do that defines us.

[Moody the Wise]

[b]Ah, Malcolm. You always were the wisest among us. I believe you are at least starting to understand the situation. Allow me to clarify slightly. The Forge Master was not the weakest link in our chain; he was not a link at all. The chain cannot be made stronger by removing any of its links. So long as you embrace your place in the chain, you have nothing to fear from me.

[Eldan]

Start of Turn 3

As the smoldering ruins of the Master's great forges slowly fell and crumbled, the last remaining servant, tiny and metallic besides the fallen figure of it's titan. A sudden wind came up, and slowly, grain by grain, the smashed walls, slain creatures and the living drone were carried away. Only the corpse of the Forge Master remained, hollow armour of black metal, and the howling sound of the wind as it blew over the empty suit.

And then, the wind once again carried mortal voices:

The Inquisitor

"I pray to the Twelve, the rulers of the heavenly mountain, creators of heaven and earth.
Since the Days of Wrath, heretics have plagued the land. I know that you are testint our faith with this, and I am more than willing to show you my devotion. But I have tracked these heretics for seven days and seven nights. Now that I have burned them, what would you have me do? I desire guidance, oh Enlightened Ones, as you have given us in the days when men still were blessed by your power.


This summoning is special. This inquisitor will, of course, refuse to follow any creature that seems "demonic", i.e. originating from the titans, to him. However, any creature that convinces him that it is of divine origin will be certain of his loyalty.
Therefore, the following checks are required:
-Trickery (medium difficulty) to appear sufficiently "divine"
-Intelligence (hard) to remember sufficient information about the gods to appear as their servant.
-Persuasion (medium difficulty) to convince him of following orders.

The reward is a cultist (with high stats in persuasion and willpower) that can operate without having to make trickery checks against the inquisition.

[Moody the Wise]

Ramm sat on a large rock, once part of the Forge Master's impressive defences, and watched as all that the fallen Titan had built was slowly but surely torn asunder by the winds of Chaos, until all that remained was Ramm, the rock, and the corpse of the Forge Master, his empty eye sockets staring back up at Ramm. So it goes. I'll have a new drone in here to clean things up soon. Goodbye, Forge Master. Ramm felt the Chaos calling to him once more, and knew he must answer. He walked over to the very edge of the Forge Master's domain, where the winds of Chaos swirled violently, and then took one more step.

[Innis Cabal]

((Typing out actions, will get fluff later)



Raise 3 sparks to souls
Create 2 more alps
Create 1 Familiar
1 Spark will build pit trap
1 Spark will build pit trap
Neb. Alp will hearth its location
Alp will hearth its location
Familiar wil hearth its location
The Soft Dark spends its two turns researching Arcane

[Ambon]

Wolves and Lions

She rode with them now towards the village, face veiled except for the black wells that were her eyes. They slowed and stopped just far enough away from the nervous defending bowmen to be safe. Nivek, his second, spat on the ground and cursed so loud it startled his hungry horse.

"Look! They're prepared. We took to long getting here, even riding our horses to exhaustion. And for what?" Nivek's hand went to the holy symbol sown into his fur, and he gave a hard look at the holy woman. "Reading stars! Daubing stones with auroch blood! Useless oaths to new gods..."

The woman returned Nivek's look with more malice than he thought was possible. Her spirit was strong and her eyes were strange so that even proud Nivek had to look away.

"Not new gods, but a great power. Our lord has blessed you for your courage, and you quail before villagers. Are you not Ashraiders? Burning Men? What do you have to fear from this rabble?"

"This rabble is prepared and armed. No spirit's blessing will defend a rider from a spear to the chest."

"The Master's blessings are many, and by faith I shall divine a weakness in their defenses. You need only to obey."

"We shouldn't need to. If we had ridden hard straight from the victory at the pass, they-- "

He raised his hand and Nivek shut up. Still, he was clearly upset and would have killed this woman. The woman, on the other hand, seemed unusually calm. Insulted by Nivek's disobedience, but otherwise the black eyes and veiled face betrayed nothing. He looked to the rest of his men, their faces like stone sculptures - stoicism trained from a hard campaign - but he knew them well. They trusted Nivek, knew that he was right. Riding hard after the victory at the pass, still feeling exuberance of victory, they imagined themselves sweeping into defenseless village and killing sleeping men. Now everything was different.

But the woman was a power, certainly. She had read the stars and learned his name. And his raiders were a superstitous group. How could a woman such as she, wild but with hands soft like courtesan, who subsisted on nothing but air while they hunted and ate well (her lord, she said, favoured them), not be holy?

She must be a spirit, or the servant of a spirit. Not a god, but a great power, who asked for nothing but obedience, and victory in the Master's name.

"Ask your lord what we should do, and we shall follow you."

***

The initial charge had failed. The horses were tired and the way had been trapped. Nivek was right, they were well prepared. Even the second charge, striking at a gap in their line, had resulted in nothing but the death of two of his men and him being unhorsed. But the woman still rode, her mount unusually agile, rallying his men to keep fighting.

He stayed close to her, defending her while his men tried to form around him. The soldiers they fought commanded the villagers well and countered by attempting to encircle him and separate him and the woman from the rest of his men. He watched an arrow arc in the air and land in the throat of one of his raiders and he realized there could be no victory here, only survival. She had failed them.

But there was still a chance. Get away, escape into the wilderness and catch them off guard another time. He parried a blow from a crude spear and struck
back, burying his sword deep in a gap in the damaged chainshirt of his attacker. Pulling his weapon out, he looked across the battle to his second, still on his horse and trying to lead the others to him. If he could only get a horse.

He turned around and tried to pull the holy woman off her horse, and somehow failed. Unthinking he attempted to behead her and instead chopped of part of her arm, a fountain of heavy black blood. No - black sap? Heavy and hot, it covered his arm and burned him. The sword was stuck, as if in the caught in the trunk of a tree. His heart shattered as he looked her her eyes - a demon? But there was still hope, if he could use his weight and the sword, pull her --

She separated leader of the raider's head from his neck and pulled his sword from her arm, where it immediatedly healed itself. The battle paused, the
village defenders unsure of what to do, buying Nivek and the remaining raiders time to run escape into the woods. And the woman escaped as well, back into the Chaos of her domain.

Sorry for the delay, I was out of town for a few days and didn't have time to work on a reply

[Eldan]

Accidents happen

"I heard the gods don't answer our prayers, but that greater powers have returned...
My Lord Father died, three days ago, from the pox. My older brother will succeed him after the funeral, but he is not fit to rule at all...
He is rash, uncouth, gross and rude. He caries this absurdely huge warhammer whereever he goes, to negotiations and when visiting other lords, when every rule of hospitality claims he should lie it down at their door.
These are tough times, and the land needs a leader, not a fighter. I am born younger, but my tutors agree that I am exceptional...
I can not meet my brother in combat, but if an accident were to happen, I would be most grateful."


This mission automatically gives a cultist, one who is a noble at that and has some influence.
To succeed, first, a trickery check of medium difficulty is needed, followed by either a combat check (hard) or a control check (medium).

[Innis Cabal]

The Soft Dark answers the prayer of the Inquisitors

[Feirgon]

Malcolm

Malcolm stepped onto the surface of the yellow lake. Ripples cast themselves out as he took each step. They met with the edge of the lake and the black rock that supported the mysterious silver flower in the center of the lake. As he got closer to the flower, it blossomed and revealed an ornate set of pale blue armor.

Hm. Well I do like the color.

Each piece of the armor fit perfectly over his boyish form. The vines and leaves engraved upon the scales of the armor glistened in the pale yellow light reflecting off the lake. As Malcolm placed the helm upon his head he heard the echoes of mortal prayers.

Not my usual style. But to turn down a gift from the Chaos would be foolish.

Plus, my usual style left me entrapped by the will of those who now claim my home as their throne.

The sombre look in his eyes faded to determined focus. Then he turned away from the silver flower and walked back into the Chaos.

[Ambon]

The Writhing Master

As the Master returned from his failed adventure into the mortal world, he heard the great clamour of battle and the Forge Master's plea as Ramm destroyed the Titan. The Master let out a gurgling laugh while listening to her fellow Titans condemn the Titan of Law for his fratricide as he responded with assurances and reasons.

Unable to contain his pleasure, the Writhing Master let out a sibilant call across Chaos:

"Ramm seeks to discipline and punish! To discipline the very personifications of Chaos! See his determination, my fellow Titans; it is unbending like the metal he commands. But it is not irresistable. Even the most steadfast judge may fall to corruption and the strongest metal can be reduced to rust.

You killed the Forge Master to make us strong. Very well. But be aware, just as surely as we use this strength to rise up against the upstart gods, so we shall defeat you should you seek to take their place above us."

Still hissing with pleasure, the Writhing Master looked again at the mortal realm. The other Titans had successfully established themselves already while he had consistently failed. Deciding that this was unacceptable, the Writhing Master gather his power and magic around him as he prepared to enter the world of men.

The Writhing Master responds to the Inquisitor

[Eldan]

New Turn:

An incantation in a language no mortal should know echoes throughout Chaos. After it is finished, the mortal continues in the Common language: "O great Titans of old, hear my plea. Knowledge is what I seek. And I offer a prayer for your answers."


First summoning by a summoner. A prayer is equivalent to one power point, by the way.

[Feirgon]

Malcolm

As he watched the Einherjar walk out of the demiplane, Malcolm thought to himself.

They had been silent and still since the old days. Had they awaited our return?

They had been beholden to us in the past, would they now fight for the gods now seated upon Olympus?

Malcolm changed his focus upon the Chaos around him.

What purpose have you set for us?

The Chaos didn't respond, but he didn't expect one.

As the echoes of human prayer reached out, Malcolm trekked back to his domain.

[Deathslayer7]

Mother Earth watched as her domain grew larger, and everyday, she grew more powerful.

She looked out to Mount Olympus and wondered if the Titans would suceed together to destroy them, or would only one be left standing. Sighing, she headed back inside her domain, to continue her research.