Lords of Creation III

[Shmee]

The story is moved from the old site where this LoC was held to these forums.

The Grind

The Grind did what he did, and there was a world. Looking to the world The Grind nodded. "It needs more." The Grind reached into himself, and laid his power unto the World. Half-Earth, and Half-Water would make the surface of the world, each empowered by the other.

The Grind nodded; Earth and Water, Brother and Sister. How grand the world would be. The Grind touched the world again, this time granting it the power of winds, the winds making Water ice over, earth more power. The world was a ball of ice for a time. The Grind did not like this. In fact, The Grind did not like this at all. Tossing his power around, the Grind threw fire into the world, melting the ice, before the Ice could totally melt, the wind blew to create more ice. And the cycle began under a night sky.

Equal parts water and earth, then too much air, then too much fire. Again, and again, and again. Nothing would have upset this cycle; however, The Grind had given all things in the World his Divine Spark. So our chronicle of the world begins.....

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang burst into life, nude and hungry, his eyes gazing through the world at large. And from his birth, the first land mass was formed, and on it grew towering trees that stretched into the sky.

And Ran Kang then danced in the Void, and sang and called out into it, his form clothed suddenly by its expansive darkness.


(2 DP-Shape Land, Create Animal(Trees): 3-2=0 DP)

[Shmee]

Urus

The Grind did what he did, or perhaps it merely dreamed that it was so, and Urus came into being. There was no burst of his into life he merely... was. When reality occurred, Urus was there, sleeping beneath it all, dreaming his dreams. But with the birth of Ran Kang his dreams were more troubled than before, in the peaceful lull. Now his dreams were filled with towering green things.

They were... odd, and Urus dreamed that they were odder still. Where before knotholes and branches merely gave them the semblance of a humanoid face, faces Urus had never seen, now knotholes blinked, leaves formed a strange hair. Branches and roots groaned as the trees uprooted themselves tall and thick as their inanimate kin. They were not all as humanoids, they varied in odd ways, some had four legs, some had two, some merely had masses of roots which swept them across the ground, their thick branches were arms, and some had but one arm, some had more than three. Some that branched off low had two heads. All in all no two were alike, they grew as trees grew and were as varied as the trees themselves.

2DP=3DP-1DP Create Ents (or Treants, or Treefolk, or whatever you want to call talking trees) (I hope this is fits my domain alright)

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind looked at the world, green things? The green things have their own divine spark. The Grind reached into the world, and looked into the minds of the sleeping sparked creatures, seeing the dreamer.

The Grind saw the exploding creature, nodding this was the balancing creature. The Grind created a single place, an astral nexus a place of power. A gathering place.


(This will not cost the Grind anything, he just created the Astral Plane, and the World below it. So, yeah, it's a massive undertaking and needed.)

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran felt the shift and sudden burst of power in the place he dwelt, taking upon the rhythem and timing and fading into the astral nexus. And he stood and looked around, and saw it to be empty.

"How can this be!"

He asked, his form suddenly smoking, cloaking his form from the eyes of those that might look.

"A place that is yet not a place, but still is by its merit of existance. What a strange home this is. So empty it thinks itself free. So cold and it thinks itself warm. So beautiful in its splendor but does it think it is ugly?"

Ran slowly begun to spin in place. He wanted company. He lusted for it. He desired it more then anything, and in an instant the smoke that was his form to all eyes burst forth, his body becoming a beacon of flaming might to drown out the ambient light of the nexus.

"Look upon yourself now Space that isn't Space. Are you ugly? Are you cold? Are you empty? Now with the true light of the gods can you see yourself and answer what it is you think you are? I stand wanting to know what it is you are! I wish to love you! I wish to shred your form into a million ribbons and drab you around me for all to envy!"

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind showed himself before Ran Kang a starry sky, a bell of a voice. "Did you? Are you? Can you?" The form's voice spoke, the starry sky flickering in with the words. "I did. I am. I can." the form spoke again. "Who are you? I am mother, I am father. I am the sky, I am the ground." The Grind spoke in riddles, but answered them...cryptically. "My realm, your realm, our realm. Do not go to the source of spark." The Grind reached out with a newly created arm and snapped the cord between the realm known as the World, and the Astral realm. "No Gods will walk there." The arm vanished, as a pattern on the starry sky then nothing..

(New Rule: No walking the World, only Avatars and Priests can do so.)

The Grind looked at the world, and summoned unto the leafy world protectors, creators, stewards. Those who would make sure there would always be more 'Trees' to fill the world. Someday they would be called Dryads, today they were called "Children." and walking from the great first trees are nothing less then the first humanoids, who know no death, they are ageless and immortal.

( 1 Spawn Magical Beasts(Dryads) - 3 DP = 2DP )

[Shmee]

Urus

As Urus dreamed fondly of his walk-trees in all their myriad oddities, he rumbled in contentment and the earth seemed to rumble a sigh in response. But then, there was more. It shocked his mind, as it was, and as the Sea Above the Sky churned into existence, Urus felt something that lit his dreamscape like a great fire in a darkened cave. He reached out his mind, subtly and with the ethereal edge of a mind in deep dream, toward Ran Kang.

"Who is this that dances through the Sea Above the Sky, that troubles my silken dreams of the odd green-heads of the World?"

Urus reached similarly toward The Grind "What are you, who is The Sea above the Sky, but is separate from it? Are you of my dream, or an invader of my dreamscape?"

----

Meanwhile, the Ents, in all their delicious uniqueness, saw these Dryads, and moved to them. Being trees that walked and talked, these new tree-born creatures intrigued them. They did not know how to speak, but sang the song of the forest, and transcribed to words, their song echoed roughly as this: "What new beings are you, that are born from our Still Brothers and Sisters?"

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind answered the question posed by Urus with a very simple word "Spark" and all the knowledge of what had transpired came to Urus, how the world was The Grind's creation, and even Urus, and his dream creatures were The Grind's creation, after all it allowed the world, and it's core to have the power of Divinity.

All this knowledge was granted Urus, then taken back, left Urus with a sort of dream knowledge of the universe. The Grind would have smiled, if it had a face to do so with.

-------

The Dryad sung out in happy tunes, each echoing each other, allowing their quicker, marry song to echo throughout the almost endless forests. "We are the creatures, We are the Children, We are the alliance for you all." The Dryads giggled in song, singing again and again. Tending all the Ents, Trees, and the land itself. They would give it all wonderful flow. No ill would befall this land, if only Dryads could use the spark of the divine…

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran railed against that which held him away from the world. He snarled and kicked at that which kept him at bay. His voice howled through the nexus, hot and filled with fury.

"How can I dance on the ground when this is in my way? Where else shall I dance? This land is empty and that below is free!"

[Shmee]

Urus

Urus rejected the knowledge as false. "All things are my dream. Perhaps this is the way of the world as it is dreamed, but I am the Dreamer, and all things are my Dreamscape."

To Ran Kang his mind still lingered. "Why do you ignore me Dancer? What is it that so troubles you, that you avoid the voice of Dreams?"
----

The Treants were confused, and they sang their confusion in communion. "This answers no questions but raises more. We are creatures as well, of a sort that is both different and the same. If you are Children who is your Creator? What alliance do you speak?"

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

"This land is seperate! It can not embrace itself in love and joy! How can two be so seperate! Do they not cherish the feeling of togather!"

Ran Kang continued to rail against the bond placed before him.

"I do not sleep! I am the ever present! The ever waking! How can one enjoy oneself when they stand still and do nothing! I want to taste it all! I want to feel it all! I want to touch it all! This void is empty. Are you Empty too?!"

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind answers the claim of Empty, "Child, beware. Empty, full, all things are power."

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

In the Forests, the Dryad worked, toiled, and created planting more and more. Their song changed, "We are the children of The Grind, we are the daughters of the Wood. Name the Alliance, Forest! Forest!" The Dryads sung and worked, together pruning the trees.

[Shmee]

Urus

Urus whispered to The Grind "They have power perhaps, this is a claim I do not deny. However, I am The Dreamer, and I can shape this world as well as any Dreamer their Dreamscape. If others within my Dream have power to shape it too, then that is merely Dreams way."

To Ran Kang Urus whispered. "I am not Empty. I am Dreamer. All is my Dream, even you Dancer. Tell me Dancer, why do you feel so much?"

----

The Ents considered this. "We are born of Dreams. We ARE The Forest. We are the forest made animate by the Will of Dreams."

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

"I am the second to feel! I am the second to know the pleasure of touch and sound! How can one not desire it when they know it? How can one forsake it when it thrusts itself upon you! How can you turn away a lover who keeps you warm, and gives you the pleasure you wish?"

Ran continued to twist and turn into the nexus, screaming and grabbing for all he could find. And his hands came upon strands of his own flame, and he pulled, and found the feeling was new. And he continued to pull and scratch at himself in his fury, his blood splattering through the nexus until all around him was dyed in the colors of his divine essence, and he screamed as he felt the pain, laughing as the wounds stung, and he took his blood and smeared it upon the barrier that kept him from his love, and it burned like his anger. And in the world, the weave began to pull, and even those creatures with essence felt the draw of this powerful force. Runes and symbols appeared to run around him, feeding on those smaller, rutting with those of the same size, and warring with those larger then themselves. And they formed a language primeval. The Language of Power

“See my mark! The Words of Love I have for that which you keep me from! There is no power now in the absence of these words! Nothing is still nothing with these words! But Nothing that embraces them are powerful because they can make Something! But…but…I need more! More to know my love and tell it to the world!”

And Ran Kang wept bitterly as he felt for the first time the cold loneliness of the nexus, now that his hate and rage was abated. And as he had before he raised land from the waters a distance away from the now forested land he had made before (Shape Land 1). He then breathed upon it, his tears forming rivers and lakes (Shape Land 2: River and lakes). And he beat upon his chest to try to concol himself, but no solace would come and he wept harder, seeds blown across the ocean suddenly exploding into lush vegetation( shape land 3).

“But it is not enough!”

Ran continued to lament

“I seek company, to hear the words of those that love me! To hear them hate me! To copulate with when I am bored of this nexus!”

And from the clay of the river banks he began to shape two forms, one male and one female, and he shaped them with two legs, and four arms. And he took the vines and bark and made clothing for them, and took his cinder’s and made hair for them, and painted them with the colors of the nexus. And with his love and flame he baked them, and soon they opened their eyes and began to wail at the heat.And he sat them upon the nexus for their first moments, and pointed to the words that still yet surrounded him.

“This is the Language of the World. You will speak it before time. You will speak it as you cries of wanton passion. You will know them better then you know yourselves."

And he then set them into the land he had made for them, apart from the other gods creations, for he wished to love them alone for the time he could, for he was a greedy and jealous creature. He then took the stone and clay of the earth, and made a crude shelter for his creatures. And he then turned and pointed

“Here is nothing and everything! What power does nothing have now! As long as memory remains in their place there will be something!”


Create Concept: Arcane Magic 4 AP
Beget Race: The Amata 3 DP
Shape Land: 3 DP
Teach Populous 1 DP (How to use the magic)
Create Concept (Shelter): 4 AP
Create Magical Monster: Fire Elemental’s: 3 AP

19-18= 1 DP

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept

From the spittle of some god's sneeze came a flash of light. Out of the flash came a cackle, like nails scratching a chalkboard, with whales singing while inhaling helium, and the Finnish boy's tabernacle choir doing their best to butcher Don't Stop Believing in the background. Out of the mists he came, wrapped in linen and with the head of a jackal-crocodile-thing. He snickered and spoke for the first time, in a whiny, high-pitched voice that would arouse even the most peaceful Buddhist to kill.

"This world seems ripe for annoyance, but perhaps I'll start by giving a nice hunky dory hello to my pop, hehehaha."

He pops in front of Grind, and sticks his hand out.

"Hello daddy warbucks! How's everything going with you! I'm doing just fine daddy, so can I has an allowance?!? HEEHAAW! That's so stupid its funny! HAAHEE!"

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind looked at it's son in a frenzy of using his divine spark. The Grind looked unto the world, and nodded.

The Grind reached out, and choose a select few of the Dryad, they would not be made to work, they would do as they pleased. This freedom came with a price, they would not live forever. The Grind thought to himself, a name. These Dryad needed names, "Elves." The Grind groaned down upon the World.

(Beget Race Elves: 3 DP)

The Grind then whispered secrete knowledge into the Elves minds, allowing them to grow and expand their influence in such a way that would not upset the great wood. Perhaps in time, they would use the other secretes of the world. Perhaps in time they would not. The Dryad would guide the Elven in their ways.

(Guide Populace: Raise +1 Tier 2 DP)

The Grind then turned to Ran "Passion drives, wisdom delivers." The Grind blessed the elven race with his power, they had great peace with the Dryad.

(Bless Elven Pop.: 1 DP)

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

The Dryads sang, and worked. Suddenly one Dryad stopped working, stopped singing. "The Grind has allowed me my own mind..." The Dryad shook her head, and then she spit a seed into the ground, another Dryad grew, this dryad seemed to be exactly like the one before her. She too had the free will. The first spoke to the Ents "Hello, you asked question the dryad won't answer, but I understand..greater things. The Dryads think of themselves as part of the forest. I understand, Dryads and Trees are allies the Dryad help keep your roots from rotting, and you protect the dryads from the cold times. I am an Elf, I want to help you great elder tree. I am not dryad, but can we be friends?" The Dryad bowed before one of the animated trees.

(20 - 6 = 14 DP)

The Grind would smile, if it had a face, again. "Chaos, change, is good." The Grind reached down at the world, "Source of the Spark, power." The Grind said nothing more. A gleaming set of stars etched on his face.

[Shmee]

Urus

Urus looked over the world, and his dreams turned to turmoil. "You Flood my Dreamscape with your change and your passion and your fire! But it is my Dream, and so I too shall shape it!"

Urus reached up with his mind, and he saw that the world was so... limited. "Let me show you my passion, for mine is the passion of Dreams"
And so there sprang into being a great forest of mushrooms, the ents born there were Mushrooms as well, and any Dryads born to this odd forest were... different, as well. The Mushrooms were of a great many kinds, some glowed, some were poison, some shed great clouds of dust that made all who dwelled within sleep, all shed clouds of spores. In the center of this mushroom forest was a great lake of a deep purple color. What seemed like odd fish dwelled in it's depths.

"Where you bear beings of passions of flesh and feelings of blood, I shall create beings whose passion is ethereal and whose feelings are of the mind. And they shall be the first to shape the world as though in waking-dream."

As some of the four-armed creatures began to explore this strange new land, they were drawn to the lake. As they drew close, the odd fish crawled from the murk of the water, and quickly slid onto the four-armed creatures, eating their minds and changing their bodies. The four creatures changed into odd creatures whose skin ranged from dark gray, to dark blue, to purple, with a large bald head and four tentacles where the mouth once was but they retained their four arms. These creatures dwelled in the strange forest, and shaped it with their minds. They took the knowledge of those who entered their realm, and made more of their kind.

"These are my new Dreamers. They speak in the language of Dreams, where the truth is always there if you can find it, and all can understand the others Dreamscape. They will live in this home, in harmony with the creatures that are born from this place of Dreams. Perhaps in time this gift will spread to some other creatures, but all of these kind can use this gift of Waking Dreams."

----

The Great Ent stooped to the little creature. "You are born of Forest, and so with the Forest you may stay, naturally. Tell me Nature Child, what Dream grants you such wisdom and freedom?"

(10DP=
20DP
-3DP (Create two Mushroom Forests, Create Purple Lake)
-3DP (Beget Race: Illithid)
-4DP (Create Concept, Psionics (Waking Dream)

[Shmee]

The Elves

The elven creature smiled at the Ent

"We are the first race to be given the spark, I do not understand what the spark is, but I see it in everything."
The elven creature looked at the great forest.

"Would your kind object to us creating a great city here? A city is a place to gather, a place we can be safe, in case something..dangerous was to show up. I do not wish to build anything without your permission, you are kings in this world. We wish only to be at peace, eternal."

The Elven creature smiled at the Ent.

[Shmee]

The Ents

The Ent nodded slowly. "You are gifted with an inkling of The Dream. It is a shame the Dryads, who are like us in the joys of the Forest, cannot know the Dream as we do. A place to gather then? It would be as a forest, a forest of Forest Children. We shall bless this endeavor, as a forest of your kind within this one would be a blessing to us."

[Shmee]

The Elves

The elf creature called it's fellow creatures, each of them looking for bits of deadwood left by the dryads who prune back poorly planned branches. The elven began to tie the deadwood together with bits of fallen leaf, creating grooves in the living wood of the trees, these grooves allowed for ramparts to be built. Every bit did not harm the trees, but in fact enhanced or manipulated the growth of the tree without harm.

Each Elven family build their own tree-home, till there was twelve even homes, each representing an twelve family.

"Eldern"
"Ermark"
"Marko"
"Winsoon"
"Life-Bloom"
"Dark-Bloom"
"Oona"
"Drow"
"Larithian"
"Moonglow"
"Starlight"
"Carriage"

Each house would be in charge of a different part of Elven life. Each in love with the natural world. Each worshiping the great Grind.

(Population Action: Build City, Bless 11 times, allowing for faster building 14 DP - 11 = 3)

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept

Ahkmotept decided that his faceless dad wasn't worth messing with, so he heard his words and went down to the world.

"Mymymymymymymymymyyyyyy, this place needs some sprucing up, too much blue and green, too many hippies...I'VE GOT IT! HOOHAA!"

He goes across the world and lays down his cackling laughter across a bit of the world, and it spreads a desert, quite an annoyance if you happen to have to cross it.

(11=18-7 terraform some ocean into desert)

"Nownownow lets get some beasties down there! AHAHAHO!"

He creates a small creature, it looks like an anorexic baboon wrapped in linen with tiny wings sprouting. Then he changes their body so that after six moons they would change on the seventh. After that, the bigger beast, which looked like a buff mandrill in, guess what?, linen!, would change after thirty moons. It would be like a hulking gorilla in linen as well. At first, the little shrimps would be just an annoyance, something that's a pest. But left alone, it'll become a clear and present danger.

(4=11-7 Beget Race: Ahklings, Beget subraces: Brukahn and Knaarl)

Not only did he spread them across the desert, he put a few in the forests as well. They bred like rabbits with cyalis, and could grow existential if they weren't wiped out. But back to the desert. He uses his last bit of juice to pepper the desert with camels, cacti, serpents, and the first dragons: Brown Dragons

(Spawn animal/plant: Camels, Serpents, Cacti; Spawn Monster: Brown Dragons).

With his work done, he rose to where the gods were begetted themselves and pulled out a harmonica and blew on it like a third-grader with a lisp. The sound was horrible, to say the least.

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind looked at the world, the great expanses of desert and the small forest. The oceans, and the icy wastes. The Grind decided to look upon the world, and bless it with his power. Allow the others to take credit for his actions, the dreamer will think what he wants. Ran, the son who granted them the words of creation. This would be allowed.

Divine power was not to be squandered, however the forest needed more. So, it would be.

The Grind did what he did, and there was more forest.

( 3 DP for Greater Shape land, raising up more ocean to expand the forests. that leaves poor little grind at 0 DP for this week)

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran brooded in the nexus, he saw the corruption of his people, he saw the other creatures that walked the world. The "elves" and the strange monkey creatures. And he brooded. The haven he had given his people was touched by another gods creatures...and without anyone asking to touch his sacred land. In his annoyance, he raised yet another land, the tip of it touching the land his people had begun to dwell in.

(Shape Land 1-1= 0 DP: Ran is now also at 0)

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept

"Awww don't be such a spoiled sport brother, its just in the name of good fun! And believe me, I know good fun when I see it, and I see it alot!"

He walks upside down along side Ran as he talks.

"At least I haven't had my real fun yet, otherwise you'd be in T-R-O-U-B-L-E, and believe me, I know trouble when I see it, and I see it alot!"



Duma opened his eyes and looked upon creation, and saw that it was good. Looking over the erupting panoply of existence in all its growing variety, it pained him.

He cast forth his perceptions, his essence, the emptiness of his being to envelop, inspect, insinuate into the fibers of creation. For that was his nature, to understand, to insinuate, and to be for all things the seed of their own destruction.

His eyes spread wide at the realm before him, the verdant greens and blues, and the creatures that dwelt upon it. So to did he see those that had entered existence with him. These petty godlings, self deluded and vain. Each new sight brought to mind a thousand new ways to tear them down, a million ways to turn each upon the next.

[Shmee]

Duma

Duma looked out across creation, in all its diverse and spreading life, and smiled. For his great work was about to begin, and all would return to the darkness from which it had been born. Until at last there was nothing, and he too could close his eyes, and know sweet oblivion once more.
Looking over the panoply of creation, he saw the creatures given life by the petty godlings who fought against the natural order of entropy. He saw the beasts and plants, the savage creatures of the land and sea, and deep within the forests, these curious beings called elves. And the god knew anger, for these beings worked to promote harmony and balance, and were anathema to him.

He knew that these being would work to slow the progress of his cause, and their nature would force them into opposition with his designs over and over again. He looked out across the ages to come, and saw that they would prolong this existence that pained him so. He saw what these creatures would become, and knew he must work to destroy them, and foster chaos within the world, he saw, and began to plan.

In the central reaches of the world, as close to the realms of the gods as he could act without provoking suspicion, he worked his will. The land rose from the waters, forming and shaping, into an idyllic land of streams and rolling hills, a cradle of life. From the earth and water and air, Duma shaped his children. He carved and cut, shaping and forming them to be pleasing to the eyes of gods and men. He removed every bit of dross, and left only what was perfect and bright, breathing into them life, and a powerful will and drive.

As the first of his children began to take shape, he breathed into them light, intelligence, and most of all, a powerful belief that they alone were chosen, they alone were meant to rule, and they alone knew the place of all living things. He saw what he created, and smiled, knowing that they would be a source of strife and conflict in the world. He looked down on his children, and named them Blessed, for they were perfect in his eyes, and perfect for the task before them.

[Shape Land, Beget Race, Teach Populous 20-5= 15]

[Shmee]

Slade

Slade sat there in the Darkness watching the creations of other lesser beings when he looked and saw the blessed and saw what they might do. Slade was pleased with the possibilities.

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept

"So two new gods enter our midsts, eh? A god who creates to destroy and a silly goth god of DARKNESS! MYmymymymymyyyy, what fun this will be! Chaos is beginning to form, and i'm gonna ride that little gravy train to an mmo deal baby! HeHEHAHAHOHE!"

The babbling of Ahkmotept isn't very useful for the gods, but what was at this point?

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind looked at the two new gods and shook his head. "Undoing Gods. We shall see."

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang watched his people, smiling. He breathed deeply, the other gods were not worth his time. His “Father” was dangerous, and blocked him from what he desired, the “Dreaming One” corrupted the lands he had made, and the others lay silent, but he knew not to trust them, they would only invite disaster with their powers. And he could not have that. But his people were who he feared for the most, and he taught them the art of making the ore of the land into weapons, not sophisticated yet, but they were young, and required time, the light touch of a lover.

(Teach Populace-Bronze Metallurgy -1 DP)

He then burned his name into their lands, blessing them twice with his name.

(Blessing -1 DP, Blessing -1 DP: Raise FP of the Amat by two, Amat now at 3 FP)

(3 DP-1 DP-1 DP=0 DP)

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind looked out onto the Elves, "Undoing Gods, Life must become abundant." The Grind sent his blessings, allowing the Elven to double their birthing rates.

(1 to bless the Elven, FP is now 15.)

All the Elven were fairly content, save one house, the house of Drow. They did not like the forests. They wanted their own lands, and demanded that the Great Grind give them their own lands. "GIVE US ALL WE DESIRE! WE HAVE WORSHIPED YOU ENOUGH! WORSHIP US!!!"

The Grind found the drow to be...wrong. These creatures wanted worship. These creatures would gain nothing from him. To be sure he did not bless the house of Drow he would lay a curse upon them. "Drow, you are no longer my children, take not the guise of Dryad. That is my blessing. You are now a shameful creature, begone!"

The Grind sent his power down on the Drow and sent them out into the churning chaotic seas, a small earthmote allowing it so they would not drown. The Drow were cursed of The Grind. There eyes glowed with sickly green and their hair was pure white. The Drow's skin showed now sign of wood or leaves, but was blacker then black. This also showed the displeasure of the Grind, for without him this would be the night sky.

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang stood upon that which separated him from the world. He had watched the creatures that his father had cast away. And he exclaimed with joy.

"Such pitiful things! How your god betrays you! You and I are kindred! How he blocks you from what you want!"

And Ran Kang watched them on the sea, soon, very soon would he speak to his new people. He then pointed to all of creation and spoke

"The Drow are mine now, forsaken and given no home. I shall grant them that which they desire."

And Ran spoke to a choice few, whispers only for now. He showed them pleasure no mortal could have in his arms, he spoke to them lovingly, and stroked their hatred for The Grind.

[Shmee]

The Drow

The Drow, being the beings they are, spat at the offer of Ran Kang. "We are Godless we will have nothing to do with you Fire Fiend!" The Drow then each threw a rock at the voice, hoping to harm it. "We are the only creatures who matter!"

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept


"Oh you silly silly godless, pitiful beings. You won't ever be rid of us, we're eternal, you're not! HeheheHAHAHAHO! But seriously, you'll have us watching over you. And if you don't get somebody to help you, then you'll have a bunch of angry gods harming you. Like that Itsy Bitsy Spider who can't seem to catch a break in the storm drain. Heh, spiders...marvelous creatures really. But alas, they don't yet exist, so you wouldn't understand."

[Shmee]

The Drow

The Drow sneered at the Insane God, spitting to the winds, "We are in no need for your kind, we have spark, you have just decided to use yours! Soon we will be able to fight your kind! We are the Drow House of Elven! We curse you gods!" The Drow spit again into the air.

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept

"Well, there's just one big difference, See I could summon up a horde of daemons from some hellish dimension right now to kill you all, but you can't do the same...yet...I don't want some silly color reversal of an emo race to worship me though, so I'll let the other gods choose your fate, smell ya later if no one turns you to turtles, or spiders...Hehehe..."

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang merely laughed at the poor little creatures.

[Shmee]

The Elves

The Elven Houses looked at each other, 12 now 11. They decided to erect a new village to signify the loss of one group. It would not be inhabited. It would be a ghost town, for when the Drow learned their lessen. "This land shall be called Menzobarranzon" the elven creatures said as they finished the Town. Locking the gates of it forever.

The city of Drow, would be turned into a grand place for visitors to come. And will be forever named House Drow. The Darklight that echos there will forevermore.

(Use Tier Action, Build Village FP 16)

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

The Drow sneered at the Elemental Sea, finding that by concentrating their power spark could mold the chaos into any shape they want. The Drow had an idea, they would create a town on the EarthMotes, a city of the Forsaken Drow. A city of Darkness and Fire, and they would call it "The Forsaken City of Dis" great pillars made from magma, and spires of water made of a great center of the city. This place, solidified by the Drow's willpower would be how the Drow started, and soon they would take over the world. For now, they watched and waited.

(The Drow use their Tier power, and are now FP 2)

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang watched with great interest at the Drow. They had spurned him once, but a lover would not be so exquisite if he or she were easy to get. But they used his flames, their city sparkled. And he whispered louder to them,

“You use that which is me, the fires you have stolen tie you closer still to the greater sparks you hate. You have been wronged, you have been disrespected by The Grind, but we have a common interest. He holds me from you and all Creation! Surely we have something in common, surely there are things you want he will keep from you. But I won’t, no no no I will give you what you want, to strike down the other wicked creatures undeserving of the world. The ones that do not deserve my love.”

[Shmee]

The Drow

The Eldest of the Drow sneered. "What you speak of is WRONG! We would sooner destroy you then show you any minor respect. You are no better then The Grind, he claims to be the sky, you claim to be the fires. We are the House Drow, we do not allow beings to command us! We can control the fires, as you have. We can do anything Gods can, we do not want nor need your kind. We are House Drow, WORSHIP US! The Gods will WORSHIP US!" This drew cheers from the whole of the Drow city. It was a great day for them.

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran gave but a single barking laugh. How fun these mortal things were. The Amat would wait, grow, and then he would return, but for now the dark skinned ones would have his attention.

“You use me because I let you. Because I have nothing to gain from struggling against your great might. The Drow are the most beautiful creatures in the world, the most deserving of power. But other gods will not bow to you; they will have to be killed. But I can show you more, if you would only open your minds to some aid. I can show you REAL power, power even The Grind does not control. Power I created before you even existed, Power one other race possesses, one that you do not. I can show you, I can teach you, I can help you. Let me help you?”

[Shmee]

The Drow

The Drow elder spit on the ground, it sizzled.

"You are no better, or worse then the Elven sheep of the Forest! We are the great house Drow! You do not understand us, and you will be second to die when we find the way to harm the Lord of Creation!" The Cheering grew in power. "We are the Great House Drow, fear us! We are the Death of Gods! We are the Reapers of your spark and you will bow before the Drow Elders in time!"

[Shmee]

Haggard

Within the deep and great expanse which is the Astra Nexsus, not a sound can be heard. Only the stars radiating their faint light could be seen. All of a sudden the order and tranquility of space is shattered with a heavy thud, but nothing happens. A few months later, in the exact same spot another thud erupts, but once again nothing happens. Finally on the third try, the last thud is heard, and a beam of light pierces through reality, which lasts for only the blink of an eye. In it's wake a hole the size of a needle was left.

A chuckle is heard as a transparent drop of liquid pours through the hole, the drop speaks

"Well now... I have to admit that was a whole lot harder than I had anticipated..."

Turning it's attention towards the little hole it considers it and says

"Better clean up the mess I left... wouldn't want someone abusing all my hard work now would I?"

The drop extends it's will, sealing the hole it had created. Satisfied that it's traces was covered, the drop turns it's gaze towards the world.

"Alright then... lets see what this world has to offer shall we?"

And with a blur of motion, the drop speeds towards it, hurling itself like a drop of rain onto the unsuspecting world, only to be violently repelled by some form of barrier. The drop is momentarily stunned by the sheer force of the impact and finds itself momentarily cursing before it regains its composure.

"Bloody Abyss! Who in their right mind would place a barrier up here? No matter... just a minor inconvenience... what a strange world I've stumbled upon..."

The drop continues to race around the barrier trying to find a weak spot... perhaps a place it can penetrate it, but to no avail. Just as the drop is about to give up, it notices something... it seemed one of the local deities was having a little conversation with some of the mortals. The drop decides to eavesdrop on the conversation that Ran Kang was having with the Drow. If it had a mouth to grin, it would have done so.

"My my, seems that this world I've stumbled upon is quite fresh. And this... House Drow... daring to raise their fist against a deity? What defiance! What pride! What arrogance!... I shall take exceptional joy in breaking them... yes... yes... House Drow is just perfect!" Not wishing to reveal itself, the drop quietly makes a retreat to formulate a plan.

As the Drow crowd continue to throw insults towards the god, no one noticed a little Drow boy lost within the sea of faces. As the elder spits on the ground, the little boy gives an evil leer.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"

(DP0= 4-4 Create Avatar to be named later)

The plan had been set in motion...

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Elven Houses were distressed. Why were they distressed? Because, The Grind had throw out some for not listening to him. Would any house that dared to not worship The Grind be turned into ugly monsters? House Eldern could not stand for this. The Elders of Eldern would have to try to contact The Grind to reassure the peaple.

In the Grand Hall of Eldern, the largest of the twelve houses, minus one, it took place. The Elder held his hands to the sky, the stars twinkling and speaking what they spoke. "Lord Grind, we have to speak! Panic! Dismay! Reassure us!"

The Elder was never heard from again, in his place was a coin, a star etched on each side of it. This would become the symbol of The Grind, a figure to be worshiped, respected, but never questioned.

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept

While Ahkmotept was being the proverbial Butt Monkey, the little Ahklings were causing the annoyance they were supposed to. Flinging crap on passerbys, chewing on treant backs, sexual harrasment on dryads, that sort of thing. A familiar cackling was heard, and a troop of the little fellows were sent to the little city of the drow, in the outskirts of course. They began to take up residence there, not asserting their dominance, but still being the little pests that they were.

"Oh what fun this will be! Simply splenda!"

[Shmee]

Haggard's Nameless Avatar

One day as the Elder of House Drow was strolling around the city, he noticed within an alleyway, a hungry looking little Drow boy looking at him sullenly as he walks by. Normally the elder would have walked by, as he had too many important issues of the Drow to settle... and yet the elder stopped. Looking at the boy's downcast eye's the elder is drawn towards him. Perhaps this would be worth a few minutes of his time...

"You there... young boy... what is your name? Where are your parents?" He asks the boy with an air of authority.

The boy gives a shrug and says in a defeated tone

"Parents... gone... been that way for a while... name... don't have one..."

The boy then raises his eyes and locks it with the ones of the elder

"Why?... what's it to you?"

The elder is taken aback by the boy's sharp eyes. And unlike other Drows who had red eyes, or in even rarer case, purple eyes... this one had eyes of pure gold. But it was something else that had drawn the elder... something about the boy himself. The elder sensed... potential in this one. He nods at the boy, and motions for his retainers to approach.

"Tell me boy... how would you like to serve for the main branch of House Drow?"

The boy lets out a shrug and says

"I guess it's better than a kick in the teeth..."

Putting his hand on the boy's head the elder makes his proclamation

"Very well... from now on you shall serve the glorious main branch of house Drow. Your life, your blood, your soul shall belong to serve, do you accept boy?"

"As long as servitude comes with food... I guess I do..." replies the boy, his tone as neutral as ever

"Don't worry boy, service to House Drow provides you with much much more then just food. Very well then, you shall now serve House Drow, and to prove to you that simple nourishment is by far one of the lesser benefits of serving us, I shall bestow a name upon you. Follow me... Malthrae du'Drow, and help us bring House Drow to its destiny!"

With that the Elder, his retainers and Malthrae du'Drow depart and enter the compound where the main branch reside.

As the door closes, Malthrae risks letting a grin grow across his neutral face.

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind had not been sleeping, it indeed did sleep. He had noticed the force enter his domain. Looking for the shapeless form The Grind reached out a great circle of stars, "Welcome non-child. The spark is for all. Feel it. Warm yourself on it. Do not control it. You can do as you will." The Grind nodded to the shapeless thing.

[Shmee]

Haggard

The drop is surprised that it has been discovered so soon, stifles a curse, as it turns towards the Grind. It bows humbly in front of the Grind... as much as a drop can bow that is.

"Cast that thought out of your mind good sir... erm... thing... erm... heavenly body... what ever... not that I am one to speak." Surely the sight of a drop speaking to the stars would have seemed bizarre had anyone been watching.

"I am but a lowly being who wishes to help mortals achieve their fullest potential... I would never dream of controlling anything without its proper consent."

Naturally the drop was lying through its teeth... if it had teeth.

"Might I be so bold as to enquire what this... 'spark' is?"

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind pointed to the World, it's power evident. "The Spark lays there. Everywhere. A gift from me. Demanded of me from Elven was more. Should have taken spark from. Mercy." The Grind then pulled a small amount of power from the world. "This spark. This divine power. All creatures in the World can use it. Gods bow before it. I The Grind control it ultimately. Do not trifle with the spark." The Grind places the small spark back into the world.

[Shmee]

Haggard

As the grind speaks, if one would look closely at the drop, it would seem that it subtly reacted to certain words that the Grind had mentioned... such as 'power' and 'control', the same effect of having a shiver go up one's spine.

"That's not very nice of these... elves to actually... demand... something from a deity. Why that goes against my very principles!" The drop turns towards the Grind

"Why, this cannot be allowed! Punished they must be! Yet you have to understand, o' Grind, that I wish nothing more than order onto the world. Yet if your great anger was to be thrown upon those mortals arrogant enough to challenge you... why... they would be wiped out! I cannot allow such a young race to be snuffed out! Not when they have so much potential!"

"I have a proposal, o' Grind. Hold your hand off of those mortals who offend you. Let me deal with them. I shall punish them... moderately and make them see the error of their ways. Consider this a gift of good will"

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind would have nodded, if it had a head. "I cannot give you what I do not have. House Drow controls itself." The Grind then seemed to fade, or perhaps it was still there, echoed on the night sky.

[Shmee]

Haggard

So, it seems that the head cheese in these parts is pretty apathetic... perfect! Apathy is definatly something I like... when it suites my needs of course... thinks the drop to itself.

"Very well then, now if you excuse me, I have a lot of work to do. As you can understand, I am new to these parts, so I have a lot to learn and little time to do it. Farewell!"

The drop all of a sudden starts to tremble violently until it explodes, only to be reassemble in a place and time of it's leisure. It did not want to be found again until the time was right.

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept

"Order is a myth! Chaos is the only thing that rules, its just how much chaos that's the question. Like dear old dad here, he's only a bit chaotic. Now I, I am chaos, annoying chaos, pestering chaos! The kind of chaos that mimes are controlled by. I, I am that chaos. And like cockroaches, will be the survivor when this schtick ends, and then I'll go off to pester another world. Heh."

[Shmee]

Haggard

As the drop leaves, it replies to Ahkmotept who was rude enough to butt-in a conversation that wasn't meant for his ears.

"Ah yes, chaos! How quaint! I have seen of your kind before. So you believe to shatter the concept of order and replace it with chaos before moving along? That is very commendable of you, and yet if Chaos does 'rules' as you would imply... wouldn't that mean that chaos itself has turned into the order of this world? So go on! Fight the order that your precious chaos has brought, if you are so convinced that order is a myth! By your own words you contradict yourself. Without order there can be no chaos, just like without chaos there can be no order, so know what you are going up against before shooting that mouth off, for I doubt that cockroaches have a mouth as big as yours. But I guess that is not your fault, not everyone is made as perfect as I am, perhaps I can teach you a thing or two about 'order', I really do hate ignorance you know... if you first learn manners and learn not to eavesdrop on other people's conversation!"

And with that the voice fades. The drop really does hate rudeness.

Meanwhile, at House Drow, Malthrae du'Drow settled down to a life of servitude. It wasn't long before he was noticed by several of the higher ranking members of the House for his abilities, and was given a more formal role in House Drow, by being educated in the way of words, combat and general knowledge of House Drow. As the boy continued to age and turned into a young man, his abilities in combat ensured his place within the Household Army. Slowly but surely Malthrae was climbing his way up the house Hierarchy.

[Shmee]

The Elves

The Elven House known as Oona were interesting to say the least. They were perverse, some would say. The Elder of House Oona fell in love with a mindless Dryad, and they had children. Seeds that grew and bloomed new Elven. House Oona was a moral leader, a true champion of the forest. Their ties with the Ent (some say their marriages) saved the Elven race face. House Oona loved the wood, they were woodland creatures. Rumors had it that they even would mate with the creatures from the dream forest, something unheard of. Put, the purple skin that seemed common in House Oona would seem to speak otherwise.

All of that would have been inconsequential, had the Oona also been a supporter and long time ally of House Drow. Now, House Eldern was rallying the other houses against what they called 'unclean threats' and House Oona were as odd as elven got.

"All take heed, I am Etather du'Eldern. Eldest of our Great House! Autumn du'Oona Elder of the Perverse House Oona, you are being held in account for you actions to bring the downfall of House Drow. In by trying to bring all Elven down!" Justice was being serviced. Soon House Oona will be gone, another thorn in the rose.

A purple skinned elven, with deep green eyes and hair like vines spoke, her voice was soft and calmed ill-at-ease nerves. "My guilt has not been tested, for The Grind has gifted me with the sight to see him. If you throw out me you will never know this wondrous knowledge"

The Elven courts were in a mutter, no one knew what to do, finally Etather spoke, "We all know our lord is as the night sky! You say he is not? Speak! Tell us! And House Eldern will drop this accusation, however true it is."

Autumn spoke softly, with that bewildering voice "Our god of prophecy takes the form of a young man. He has a feminine build. He has alabaster hair worn in a style that resembles a rocky outcropping. His narrow eyes are violet. He has tan skin. He is usually shows his form to me as wearing an odd suit of armor made from the bones of an ancient monster, and various bracelets. He carries a quill. He has a weak chin. He seems to distort space around him." with conviction she spoke.

.....
.....
....
....
...
..
.
Later that evening Autumn's grave was filled.

[Shmee]

Ahkmotept


"Heh, hehe, EHEHEHEHEAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! I turlly will enjoy evaporating that droplet, trully I will. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..."

He disappears in a whirlwind of sand, to go scheme and annoy some other lesser creature for years on end.

[Shmee]

Malthrae

As the years passed by, Malthrae du'Drow continued his climb up the hierarchy of House Drow. He demonstrated extra-ordinary prowess in the field of combat and knowledge, and it wasn't long before he was appointed as the personal bodyguard of the Elder of House Drow. Malthrae du'Drow was not a person whom at first glance would give off much of an impression. Shorter than the average Drow, Malthrae did not give off the air of a powerful warrior, the fact his build was average didn't help either. But what made him stand out, was the aura of confidence that he gave out. There was something about the way acted and the way that he could convince people with his words that caused others to flock to him, to listen to him... to follow him. It wasn't long before Malthrae became quite a well known figure within House Drow.

There was another who watched Malthrae's progress as well. The Drop, remaining hidden while he bided his time, kept a close watch on the up and coming Drow.

"Well now... it will soon be time to set my plan in motion..." With that the Drop extends its will, and all of a sudden there are two Drops. Both Drops extend their will and then there were four, and so fourth and so on.

Back at House Drow, Malthrae spends a quiet evening with the House Elder

"Most reverend Elder, I have a question. Several times our glorious House has defied the gods. Our fist is raised so high against them that we even threatened to kill them. How is that possible? How can mortals like us possibly snuff out the life of a deity?"

[Shmee]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang grinned down at his people. Soon the Drow would cower before his might. He took mates from his people and bred with them, strengthening their people, he breathed deep into their water supply and crops, and created in them stronger muscles. The Amat soon would have no equal.


(Nourish Pop. x3 1-1-1=0 DP)

[Shmee]

The Elves

House Oona had been decided to be made of loons and madmen. Slowly as a new Elder Oona would be appointed, they would be extremely odd and be killed for their insanity.

The Grind was not happy about this, they were his children. House Eldern was growing to over bearing, this would never be allowed in his lands. How dare they? How could they? Upsetting House Oona who worshiped it so zealously. There would be a a change. But, perhaps The Grind could teach House Drow that they have no choice but to worship a God at the same time.

For now the Elven would grow more powerful, and gain power. The blessings would allow the other houses to gain enough population to outnumber this overbearing House Eldern. Never shall one gain power over the others. The will of The Grind would not be served with this control and suppression.

(Bless Pop. x3 = 0DP remaining! The Elven are now FP 18)

[Shmee]

Urus

And so did Urus look over the world, as if his sleep once more filled with dreams. He saw the workings of the Fiery One, and the presence of new godlings, as well as this House Drow. And Urus was worried. And Urus stirred.

First, he saw that the Forest of Dreams needed to expand, and the lake in the center as well, and so the whole of the forest shifted like a dream unraveling and re-working, shimmering as if a mirage, and then it was MORE. The Illithids seemed not to notice, or perhaps they knew all too well what they saw, and merely embraced it.

Then, as the purple lake expanded, he created another race, born of the strangeness of his dream-scape. These were the protectors of the Illithids leech-stage. And yet, they were predators of the Illithid as well, for when anything drew close to the great lake that had not dwelled there before, they would dominate it's mind. Sometimes they changed these things to serve them, and to help protect themselves and the illithid-spawn. Others they devoured, and they gained their knowledge thereby, and each generation assumes the memories of their parents, and they can never die of old age.

These beings were large fish-like amphibians, roughly 7 meters long on average, they grow throughout their entire lives, they have a pair of dexterous tentacles growing from the sides of their heads near the mouth. They had great fluked tails, and their bodies are segmented. They have tails and fins like fish, but their bodies are long like an eels. They have three red eyes that grow vertically on their face and they have large powerful jaws and a beak-like nose. They, like the Illithids, are gifted with the power of the Dream, to bend the world with their waking-dreams and the minds of those within it as well.

Finally, Urus brought kind dreams to all the folk he had created, bettering them.

7AP=16AP - 3AP (make 100 miles of land, and terraform it and the other 100 miles of land to basically make the forest and the lake bigger -3AP (beget race, Aboleths) -3AP (bless Illithid, Aboleth, and Ents)

[Shmee]

The Grind

The Grind looked at the mushroom kingdom. "Interesting." The Grind does nothing, just stares.


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

Meanwhile, the House Eldern build another city. This one was to be the judgmental city of the land. They would bring you here to be killed for blasphemy or judged. The City's name would be "The End" and it would be a city of the damned.

(Elven use their action as a tier 1, bringing them up to FP 19.)

[Shmee]

Malthrae

Malthrae walks out of the Elder's room. It seemed that there was a myth amongst house Drow, that one day a Drow, different from the rest would rise up and save the House during it's darkest hour, and then a golden age would follow. Naturally the details were rather blurred as each person would add or remove little tid-bits of information about the myth, to the point that it was rather debatable whether the myth was something to be taken seriously, or it was just a story to put little children to sleep. However it did provide with Malthrae with some rather important information on how the Drows will finally be able to properly defy the gods not only in words, but also in action.

Another outcome of the Malthrae's meeting with the elder was that they had spent a lot of time discussing issues about House Drow. Malthrae with his charisma and uncanny ability of convincing people to see things his way, had convinced the elder that House Drow has to start striving towards complete severance with the gods. In order to spite the gods who lord it over all the mortal races, the Drows would ignore the godly ruling and instead follow one of their own.

Great celebrations were held witin House Drow. No more would the Drow listen to the gods, no more would they follow thier edicts... for now, that was the job of their King.

(DP 2=3-1, Teach Concept, Monarchy)

As the crown symbolising the King's undeniable authority is placed on the Elder's head, all of house Drow erupt in cheering as they cry out

"Long live, Zesdriirn! First Helvi'rahel of the Drow!" The title Helvi'rahel was given to the Drow Kings, and in the Drow tongue means "He who is above the gods"

And thus began the reign of Zesdriin I. With the rule of the Drow monarch, House Drow found unprecedented prosperity.

(DP1= 2-1, Bless the Drows)

Of course, it wasn't long either until Malthrae found himself within the Helvi'rahel's favor. And even though he was still merely a servant, he found that the Halvi'rahel always had a sympathetic ear for his advices and ideas.

[Lady Tialait]

The Elven

House Eldern decided because they have to judge the world, they would need a new city to hold judgments.


(Tier 2 Power, they are building a city. Making them a FP 20 Civ.)

[Shmee]

Haggard

Within the astral sky, the drop had continued to multiply, until it could no longer be described as a 'drop', instead it had taken on the shape of an ominous, massive red cloud, continuously violently swirling.

"I assume, that this form will have to do for now... now to do something about my voice... perhaps something a little more... threatening... perhaps I could use... his voice... yes... " *AHEM*

It starts to clear its throat as it changes its voice.

"Testing... testing... hmmm... I suppose that this will suffice... time for the next phase of my plan..."

The Drow

Above the skies of the Drow city start to rumble, and there is great panic amongst the Drow as the sky is filled with an ominous red cloud, creating a massive overcast which blotted the perpetual night from view. Naturally since the cloud was deity, he could not enter the world due to the barrier, and was floating in the Astral sky. Of course that didn't mean that it was any less threatening, since it kept throwing bolts of lightening at the Drows. The cloud lets out a booming voice.

"Pathetic little Drows who dare to even raise your eyes towards the gods, let alone defy them, I am the nameless Destroyer! For too long have your arrogant ways been left unpunished! The other gods may overlook your boastful pride, but I shall do so no longer! You want us gods to worship you? Very well! Bring me the one who claims to be above the gods! I demand to see him! Every passing minuite that your king fails to show himself, I shall strike you people down one by one until only he remains!"

And true to its word, the cloud starts to strike down Drow by Drow each passing minuite with bolts of lightening. The cloud lets out a cruel laugh as it continues to kill the Drows.

"Where is your arrogance now impudent Drow? Do you dare raise your fist high against me now? Wait until you see what I have in store for your king! Then you shall all bend your knees to me!"

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" A commanding voice is heard, as the Helvi'rahel of the Drow makes his way through the crowd and makes himself seen.

"I am Zesdriirn! First Helvi'rahel of the Drow! Cease this sensless killing for I have decided to grant your wish for an audience with me! Now tell me what you want?"

A laughter can be heard as the cloud replies

"Arrogant to the end... very well... Helvi'rahel... I am here to allow you and your pathetic little Drows to prove themselves! You call yourself above the gods? Then prove it! Subjugate me! Hurt me! Strike me down if you can! And then the entire world will be forced to admit the prowess of the Drow... however... if I manage to strike you down, then your people shall be forced to reconigze the supremecy of the gods and bend thier heads to our will! So what do you say... he who is above the gods?"

The Drow King looks around nervously, as he knew that the situation was very bleak indeed. All of a sudden one of the King's retainers is struck by lightening

"I am not asking you... your majesty... I am commanding you!"

The cloud lets out a mocking laughter

"So... is this all that there is to he who is above the gods?"

All of a sudden there is a cry heard from within the crowd of Drows

"NO!"

"Who dares?"

"I do! I, Malthrae Du'Drow... proud servant of House Drow shall let you know that it is not just his magesty who is above the gods... but the Kingdom of the Drow itself who is!" Yells Malthrae as he steps beside the king. He is now dressed in a flowing robe and holds a staff in his right hand.

"Little Drow... you seek to champion the cause of the Drow? Very well, I accept your challenge... here..."

A portal opens in front of the Drows, and on the other side they can see a small stretch of land floating within the Astral Sky.

"Unfortunately I cannot come down to battle you where you stand, but since you wouldn't last a second where I am... I created a small area where you will be able to move and breath normally... as if you were on the earth... I wouldn't want my future slave to think that I only won because of the unfair advantage that I am better than you... no... I want to defeat you completly... think of this as a small handicap..."

Malthrae proceeds to walk towards the gate, but is stopped by the Drow King.

"Do not be foolish lad! He will destroy you! Let him take me instead! Perhaps House Drow will suffer under his yoke for a while, but rest assured that eventualy we will overcome him and all the gods who tyrannize us!"

Malthrae puts his hand on the King's shoulder and tells him

"Your majesty... your willing self-sacrifice for the good of your people moves me... how can you ask of me not to die for you... for the Kingdom of the Drow? But worry not! For today is not the day that I shall die... quite the opposite... today is the day that we shall land the first blow against the gods... and I know just how to do it... I have not spend all these years studying for nothing..."

and with that, Malthrae walks through the portal as the Drows watch in admiration and fear about the upcoming battle as they watch Malthrae, face the god who wishes to subjugate them to slavery.

"Shall we begin?"

Malthrae lets a grin and only answers "Lets..." and with that unleashes a bolt of energy towards the cloud. The attack seemed to have caused some damage as the cloud starts to swirl violently and yells out

"What is this? How can this be? How does one as faithless as you, whose power is not granted from the gods, manage to wield that power none-the-less?"

"Simple... I steal it!" Replies Malthrae as he unleashes more power towards the cloud.

The cloud responds by roaring, and throws a bolt of lightening towards Malthrae who manages to dodge it at the last moment, only to find that the cloud had willed for a chuck of rock to fly towards him, clipping his shoulder.

"Impressive little Drow... but all for naught! Now accept your fate, and the fate of your people to forever serve me! Grovel before me champion of the Drow... and if you do a good enough job of it, I will spare your miserable life... common... you are already a servant by your own admission... just think of it as a change in patron."

Malthrae places his hand on his wounded shoulder and heals the wound, and answers

"You are right... I... and my people... we should all accept our fate... AND THAT FATE IS TO BECOME MORE MIGHTY THAN THE GODS!" And with that Malthrae unleashes all of his power and throws it at the cloud. The cloud being taken by surprise, is only able to throw a poorly aimed bolt of his own which results in the right side of Malthrae's face to become terribly burnt.

All of a sudden, the cloud stops moving, only trembling slightly.. as it starts to stutter

"You... you little bastard... so you wish to steal... the power of the gods in order to defeat them... heh... seems that I got careless... and paid for it..."

Malthrae gets up, groaning in pain as his right face is shown to be permanently scarred as a result of his battle.

"Now you get it fool..." He grunts through the pain "The Drows shall never need the power of the gods... today... I have liberated them from all their tyranny... we are finally masters of our own fate..."

The cloud lets out a laughter as it replies

"Foolish Drow... you may have defeated me... but know this... your arrogance shall be the end of you! I may have fallen, but other gods will take my place... how many gods can you kill little Drow? One? Two? Three? Eventualy one will come... and put an end to you... and then your... fate... will be in thier hands. So struggle... and squirm little Drows... for you shall never be safe... from... the gods... oh... consider this... my farewell gift... to you... Malthr..."

The cloud starts to spasm violently in its death throes as the land which it had created for the fight starts to break away. Malthrae knew that he had mere moments to act before being swept away in the vacuum of space, and with only seconds to spare, is able to jump through the portal back to the Drow city before it closed.

Malthrae finds himself very dizzy from the whole ordeal only to be lifted on the shoulders of the Drow who start celebrating at his victory over the god who dared to threaten the Drow. At that point, Malthrae Du'Drow was placed as the greatest hero in the history of the Drow. And it wasn't long before the King loaded him with great honours and title, thus making him a servant no more.

He was charged by the King to teach the Drows the secret of stealing the power of the gods, and made gave him power over the other Drows making him second only to the Helvi'rahel himself. And so Malthrae became the high priest of the Drow, and started to teach the Drows as their master, their respect for him growing at a daily rate until it reached at a level... of hero worship.

OOC
(AP 5= 9-4, Create Concept: Ur-Priests)


From that day, the Ur-Priests trained by Malthrae were shrouded in mystery, not only about the way they trained but about their true nature. Any potential candidate would be taken to the palace where Malthrae would weed out those unworthy with those with potential. While normal Ur-Preists could be seen walking in the streets like any other Drow, there was a number of them, that were taught to hide the fact that they are an Ur-Preist, and pretend to be a normal Drow, that way, they could relay information to the priesthood about potential problems amongst the Drows, and they would act accordingly before it became a major issue.

(AP 4= 5-1, Create Concept: Secret Police, from Control Portfolio)
(Drows are now Tier 4)

Meanwhile in the Astral Sky, no one noticed the little drop hiding itself, and chuckling all the while.

[Lord Mika]

Slade: Astral Sea


Slade watched as dark emotions and feelings grew among the populaces, the drow's hatred of gods, and the very deepest darkest darkness of his own soul into his hands and rolled it around into a ball of utter darkness. this ball he infused with a deep unending hunger, a hunger for light itself. He reared back with the ball in his right hand dropping it close to the world near the drow and as Slade began to heave the ball skyward black tendrils of shadow and death snaked out to grab several drow, and drew them with it skyward as Slade hurled the ball of darkness to a point high in the Astral Sea. Where the ball of blackness stuck itself and flared into a Black Sun radiating tendrils of darkness. The landscape of this new place was barren and dark. All who walked there found they had to use all of their strength to move a single footstep. And the darkness washed over all inhabitants causing fear and sickness, and a great blight for all that could be seen. This was a land where time seemed to stand still and the night ruled over the day. This was a truly inhospitable place for any living being for in truth any that could see the darkness were taken with fear and cringed with terror.


For even as they looked into the darkness, their worst nightmares took form and were seen on the very fringes of sight to hound and terrorize any who dared come to this place of darkness. Yet, even as those that appeared from the world fell into slumber many woke to the screams of death as the shadows killed the weak willed and feeble who were unworthy to be blessed with this glorious land.

Drow: Black Sun


Meanwhile on the black sun the drow that were grabbed and survived were changed forever. They became the Shay Al’ Goul, the Dark Ones. They grew more hardy learned how to see in the blackness without incident and learned the new skill of assassination from their very nightmares come to kill them in the shadows. they learned never to know fear of terror, to be unaffected by dreams and eventually a way to move quickly about this inhospitable place. Yet most importantly they learned to survive in the darkness and how to sustain themselves in a place where food and drink were nearly impossible to find. They stumbled across a place where they found a stone tablet with a name engraved on it, a name they would forever remember as a savior and source of power. they saw engraved on that tablet the teachings of Slade. And after learning his teachings they did find beyond the mountain where the tablet stood was a valley plentiful with water and plants and trees all twisted and hiding in the darkness. and the Shay Al’ Goul did raise their voices in praise of Slade for a great while.


Slade saw and heard their worship of him and he was pleased so he told them to build a city to his glory. So the drow did build a great city and the Court of Miracles was its name.

(DP 5= 15-10 Create Plane Black Sun) (AP 2=5-2-1 beget sub race Shay Al' Goul, teach populace assassination from portfolio)



The Shay Al’ Goul are tier 5, use 1 actions to worship Slade and 1 action to build a city raising FP by 1


so Shay Al' Goul know imagination, secret police, assassination, and monarchy. also time on black sun is actually 1 week per day on primary world and gravity is 200 times than on primary world just make clear

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

Looking to the black sun The Grind nodded, "Change is good."

The Grind liked agents of change, he liked the world to change. The Chaos of the seas would be wonderful, if it wasn't so hostile. Peaceful change, Forest, Ocean...perhaps.

The Grind reached out to a part of the Elemental Sea, separating the waters from the waters. Creating an almost endless Forest, and on the world. A sea.

The Grind looked at his creations, a place of pure forests. Of Ran Kang's creations, of his own power. The place would be called the "Ever Night Forest" and the Black Sun's power would never see the great forest.

The Grind smiled, and looked at the water swirling on the World, an ocean. A place of change. How wonderful.


(17 - 10 Create Plane (The Ever Night Forest) - 7 TerraForm Ocean on the World = 0)

While the Ever Night Forest is quite small, if you reach a border you will walk in the other side. Hence the forest seems endless

[Shmee]

Haggard

The Drop curses silently as it watches the abduction of the Drow

"Steep shall be the price for the one who dares take what belongs to me... and I shall personally see to it, that he repays tenfold that which he owes... but for now... other matters must be looked into. First things first... this shape is starting to tire me..."

The drop starts to tremble, and emits a light as it starts to grow into it's real form. The deity, in order to escape from his original reality and enter into this one was forced to condense all of his power into a tiny form as possible in order to break through the barrier. But now, that form was no longer needed.

The figure grows into a heavy robed humanoid shaped being, his robes of a dull brown colour covering his body completely. The figure is slightly hunched at the back,and when he walks he walks with a limp with the long robes trailing behind him on the floor. The figure then opens up his palm and within it, a pain white mask materializes. Placing it upon his face, thus hiding his entire figure in cloak and mask, the only things that can be seen from behind the mask are his fierce golden eyes.

He then stretches his other hand and within in, a staff, which looks like a withered bark of wood, but the man held it as his symbol of unshakable authority.

(DP 2= 7-5, Create Combat Artifact, Anathema)

For now, the man could not do much else with the Drow but wait for the right moment. If anything, he would wait. His plans were always complicated, but very rewarding, if one had a patience like he had.

"I might as well indulge myself with some more knowledge..."

The Ever Night Forest

A little while later, a figure is seen slowly limping through the Ever Night Forest, as if each step he took was excruciating on his body. From the figure a stench of staleness was being emitted, as if his robes were placed in a trunk for decades, while in his every step, the plants and flowers which he would tread on would freeze up and die.

Haggard had arrived to talk to the Grind.

"Greeting, Grind. Last time we met... I was a little dazed from my ordeal. But now that I am... better, perhaps we can discuss about a few issues?"

The voice from behind the mask sounds dry and parched, but one would notice his calculating eyes, always peering into everything as if they were reading their soul.

"Let us start with proper introduction, after all, I wouldn't want to be accused of having no manners now would I? I allow you to refer to me as King Haggard, though I have no kingdom at the moment, I doubt that will problem me for too soon..."

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

The Night Sky spoke to Haggard,

"I am The Grind. I am the creator. I will call you King Haggard if you wish."

The Grind spoke slowly, each tone he spoke glittered a different star.

[Shmee]

Haggard, The Ever Night Forest

Haggard limps forward towards the sound of the Grind's voice. Each step Haggard took seemed to wrack his body with pain, but he did not let that stop him. Being satisfied of his location, he stops, but his pride won't allow him to ask for a seat, nor to sit down on anything less than worthy of one of his calibre. Instead he opts to lean on his staff as he talks to the Grind.

"Very well Grind, as you can see, I am not exactly in the most comfortable position at the moment, and you are few of words, so I shall spare us the inane chit-chat and get to the matter of things."

From within his mask, Haggard's golden eyes are seen moving, indicating that he is giving a grin

"As I have promised to you, it won't be long before the arrogance of the Drows is extinguished. I plan on making the Drows, untouched from the way you made them, worship the gods once more. Of course it would seem that somehow along the way that the Drows have taken a liking to my magnificence, unfortunately it is not my fault if mortals flock towards my power."

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

The Dreamer felt it was time the world of his dream felt a measure of his own sleeping form in itself. He conjured forth large creatures with cavernous mouths whose very existence channeled the divine essence of the Dreamer shifting all reality in proximity to it. The massive subterranean beasts would tunnel through the world, perhaps they would even form the framework for the Underdark?

Next, Urus created a massive Mushroom that grew from the center of the lake. It would expand the mushroom forest. If there was no room to expand, it would create new land, and release thousands of different spores which would make the mushroom forest grow larger and larger...

Finally, the Illithids and all those who dwelled in the mushroom forests, as well as all the ents, felt a touch of the dream

0DP=-1DP(Create Creature, Balhannoth) -5DP(create Artifact, Mushroom of Eternal Dreams, utility artifact, casts create land, then shape land) -6DP (imbue artifact) -1DP (bless populous)

[Shmee]

The Drow

With the rise of the Ur-Priests, the Drow had become a power to be reckoned with. However, that did not mean that their worries had come to an end, for their king, no matter how powerful and wise, is a mortal, and susceptible to making mistakes. And indeed that is what happened to the Drow.

While their King was able to lead his people, there were many minor Houses who tried to resist against certain edicts, which for example sapped the power from the lower Houses and transferred them to the King himself. Seeing that the minor Houses were resisting his rule, the King set even harsher laws in order to bring those Houses back in line. Naturally the King's confidence arrived from the assurance from the Ur-Brotherhood that the Crown would have their support, for the good of the Drow nation of course. And so the situation spiralled that several of the Minor Houses, as well as sympathetic Major Houses, rose to challenge the authority of the King, something that the Monarchy would not tolerate, as several Drow took to the streets in protest which quickly generated into riots when the royal forces tried to stop the protest.

After consulting with Malthrae on the issue the King knew what course of action to take, he would reply with force. House Drow was tearing itself apart in civil war.

(The Drows having Imagination, which promotes free-will, and Monarchy, which suppresses it, causes them to go to civil war.)

Blood flowed freely on the streets of the great Drow city, to the point that in order to quell things the Ur-Brotherhood took to the streets in order to stop the rioting.

Malthrae watches from the balcony of the palace as the Drow city is wrecked with civil war, and gives a smile. He knew that soon it would be time for him to act.

[EvanMouse]

Satu slept soundly in the form of a small Pixie like creature while he relaxes in the gods plane of existence. he has been in existence but asleep for a long time and he finally he awakens from his slumber. His green eyes look about the world his emotions are filled with curious glee. He grasps a normal stick picking it up and smirking. “This Staff will guide me” The Stick shaped itself into a good looking Sheppard’s staff as he Inbued it with magical powers Turning the staff into a Artifact made for creating fae. (The Staff of the fae)

(Utility Artifact (Beget Sub Race) 19 - 4 = 15DP)
(Inbue Artifact Beget Race) - 6 = 9DP)

Satu aims his Staff towards the forests in the world thus creating Pixies, thousands and thousands of pixies. The pixies appeared to be 5inches tall appearing to look like elves like The Grind has created but with butterfly wings and bug like antennas they begin to exist in the world taking the curiosity of there creator with them. “Go my fae and make this world pretty.” They then start to spread flowers across the world Spreading Forget me nots and Roses flowers of every shape and color begin to spread thru the world just as much as the pixies begin to spread about. “This is my thanks to you father for creating such an elegant race such as the elves….I admire you father…”
(Beget Race (Pixie) 9 - 2 = 7DP)
(Shape land spread flowers 7 -1 = 6DP)

“Am also going to create more pixies in my image. I shall call them Flutter mice or flutter mouse for a…single one”
They appear like the pixie race only instead of the ears being elven ears they appear to have furred mouse ears and also in back of them is a mouse tail.

Satu smiled and spoke to all of the fae “Multiply be blessed, and explore I wish you all to have adventures all over the world and find everything I could not during my time of rest. See what I could not see speak and talk of your finds live for the thrill of curiosity! Live Learn and There will be a time when Id love to hear your stories. But for now ill watch you from above.”

(Beget Sub Race(Flutter Mice) 6- 1 = 5DP)
(Bless Pixie) 5 -1 = 4DP)
(Bless Flutter mice) 4 - 1 = 3DP)

[Xuincherguixe]

Kalmah. That was his name. And he had a purpose. To the death. To the death, he would serve the interests of civilization.

How it was done, was something of a mystery. Some suggested that a group of renegade Ur-Priests constructed him, using stolen divine energies. Others, that they had somehow come across some grand universal truth. Their was even the theory that simply because they wanted this being to exist so much, and the effort they applied, was all that was needed. And the exact implementation did not matter.

There were others who suggested the idea of an artificially created god would be blasphemous, or laughable. But either way, utterly impossible.

When exactly he was born was another matter of debate. It was likely not a instantaneous affair.

One thing that later scholars would agree on however, is that Kalmah was needed. Mind you, such accounts are somewhat biased, what with that they were scholars of his civilization, and it's allies.

The Drow legal system was not exactly what one would consider fair. All too often, the innocent were punished, and the laws themselves were brutal. What's more, they were to a large extent unconcerned with the lower classes. What does it matter if the poor go about killing each other? So long as the murders were not disruptive, it was all well and good.

What this meant was, that a large number of people were imprisoned, and executed completely arbitrarily.

And so, secret, subversive movements began forming. Eventually they decided that since their were no gods worth worshiping, but that they needed divine assistance, they would create one.

Hence, how suddenly imprisoned Drow suddenly seemed to vanish.


Over time, something strange happened to them. Their appearance changed considerably, and their lifespans diminished, as if somehow punished. This was to become another much debated subject.

They called themselves Humans. No longer would a secret agency spy on their every move, nor would they obey one based solely upon their heritage. For awhile this was quite problematic. After all, there were no police, or king to tell people what to do. It was decided, that courses of actions would be voted on.

That is when things went down hill.

Somewhere, the armored figure of Kalmah slaps his forehead, as popular ideas won out overwhelmingly over good ideas. It looks like he might have to interfere soon.

(Democracy coming later. It's more than just voting after all.)

Looks like I have 5 AP, unless I miscalculated.
And 1 more from a few posts below (yay edits!)
Create Drow Subrace: Human -2
Why this way you ask? It occurs to me that it would make sense if the standard player races were related to each other. Hence how their could be Half Elves and such.

Guide Populace: Remove Monarchy -2
Guide Populace: Remove Secret Police -2

[Lady Tialait]

The Elven

The Elven had created a new thing in their lands, great pillars of stone. They would channel any Gods graces to the Elven. For now there was only one. But, if the Eldern had their way there would be eleven one for each of the TRUE tribes of Elven.

The Elven would not be outdone in advancement. Yes, creation was their right, as it was the right of the Grind. They would give him his power, and he would allow them more power. Never giving gifts to those dark Drow, or their darkening Gods. The Grind simply wouldn't do such things.

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

The Grind

The Grind didn't respond, the stars sparked, like they were laughing at Haggard. The Grind said nothing, then it spoke.

"Your problem."

The Grind then sent a bit of power before Haggard.

"Perhaps you can learn, a gift."

(Transfer 1 DP to Haggard)

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Ever Night Forest

Haggard looks at the power which the Grind had given to him. Sneering at the Grind he says

"And what is to learn from gift giving? Hmmm? You seek my friendship perhaps? Trying to get on my good side? I shall let you know one thing, I will not lower myself to start accepting charity from the mere rabble. When you give me your power it shall be because I have demanded it from you... not because you pity me!"

With a flick of his hand, Haggard throws the gift which the Grind had given to him towards the earth, conveniently landing within a vicinity near Kalmah.

(DP 2= 3-1, Transfer 1 DP to Kalmah)

"It is my ultimate destiny that all shall serve the greatness of my cause. It is inevitable. And when that happens, there shall be no one to say that "King Haggard was able to do it thanks to my power." No! All shall bend their knees in front of my power alone... and if they don't have knees..." he says while looking at the Grind "Then I shall forcefully create a pair of them, just for the pleasure of seeing them humbled, and kneeling."

[Xuincherguixe]

Kalmah blinks, "Hey! Thanks. At first I thought you were just a guy with an inferiority complex, that likes hearing the sound of his own voice. But you seem to be an alright guy after all. My emerging people really need some outside influence to help get rid of some of the worst parts of their Drow heritage. This will go a long way in helping civilization advance.

I really do appreciate that."

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

The Grind, if it was possible, smiled. It was pleased, everything in the world was exactly how it was to be. However, it that came stagnation. No Imagination. Not a thing to be pleased about.

"The Ground, speak."

The forest floor grumbled, shook and started to stand. Several Elven died from a fall off the back of the huge mass of earth.

"Genius Loci, speak. My Child"

The creature spoke, slowly. "I-i live, father." It raised it's arms to the sky. "I LIVE! FOREVER!"

Genius Loci walked the Elemental Sea, leaving strips of land behind him. Long walkways known as 'Path of Earth' his travels covered the land, griding the elemental sea with his travels. A creature was left behind him, a creature known as the Earthborn, they would bring blessing to those who would bless them back.

Genius Loci ended his travels outside of the Drow City. He lay before the city as a mountain, watching, waiting.


(1 = Shape Land (Starting the Path of Earth) - 1 Create Magical Creature (EarthBorn) - 5 Create Monstrous Exarch (Genius Loci)- 8)


The Elven

House Dark-Bloom was to make note this day, the wanted to build their first secret city. The Undercity, built with earth and roots as the walls. They would make a great place of eternal darkness allowing them to be free of The Grind's Tyranny.

"We shall create a city that The Grind cannot be a tyrant over! We respect him, but he controls our every thought! We will living out of his eye, so we can build what we want! We can do what we will!"

The Elder of the Dark-Bloom spoke, "However, we will give you our great pillar before we leave, we are not without respect, forever know that. We are the Dark-Bloom, the creatures who do not wish for The Grind to watch our every movement, but we serve him forever."

The Eldern Elder spoke out against this, how common a thing.

"We are the children of The Grind, you are no better then...then.."

The Elder spit on the ground.

"House Drow!"

The crowd that has gathered by then gasped, again the elder of the Dark-Bloom spoke.

"Were do the dryad put the seeds of the great trees? Were do you place Satu's gifts? We shall watch them there, we shall live there, watching. We are the guardians of the gifts. We are the creatures of the beginnings of the life. You are the ends. All of you are the end."

The Eldern spit again, "Blasphemer. No better then that house Drow, you will be cursed as they were! Forever!"

The Dark-Bloom elder did not speak farther, he simply watched as his peaple raised their pillar. Then, his house went to their houses. Digging more with the words that Ran Kang has whispered to them. The next city of the Elven was built, an under city. A place were the threats from below would be helped. Perhaps a few would become servants of the Mushrooms, the creatures of dreaming. But he city would stand. Dark-Seed.


( Totem action for the week, 0 = 1 Bless for fast build city - 1 The Totems gets activated, so..it's twice as big. )

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahnkmotept's Return

The laughing began again, and Ahkmotept returned from his vacation into some other world to annoy a writer for not giving him more of his favorite webcomic literature.

"Well well well, looks like the world has changed, Well lets see how it likes some of my changes, hehe..."

He descended upon his desert and went into the lands of the Ahnklings, in a disguies, of course...

He learned many things, and would use them in his upcoming schemes, But that is for another day...

[Xuincherguixe]

The problem with removing authority for a group of highly competitive, fierce willed people is that there's a lot of arguments. And bloodshed.

Turns out the whole voting thing? Sometimes people didn't like, or accept the results. And there was a fair amount of coercion going on. If it was at all possible, it seemed that the Humans were even MORE violent than the Drow.

Slapping his face, Kalmah decides that it'd be a good idea to interfere at this point.

Suddenly, one of the human warlords gets an epiphany, "Hey! How about instead of voting on every issue, we elect groups of leaders. And, under the advice of various experts make decisions for the population as a whole!"

Some of his officials questioned this decision, as it was completely uncharacteristic of him. At which point they were promptly executed.

The strange thing was, sometime later, after these polices had become implemented, he decided he didn't like them and began the pillaging again.


It was decided that mayhem and pillaging was something that should really be discouraged. However there was a real problem in that anyone could accuse each other of breaking the rules. It would hardly be reasonable to execute every single person accused of a crime.

It was decided, that every individual had a right to defend themselves against accusations. Or more to the point, it was up to the accuser to prove whatever it was they were accused of. This would eventually be referred to as common law, as it applied to everyone, be they fishermen or kings.

"There, that should help."

teach populous: Common Law
The legal system used in English speaking countries is based on English Common Law. You know all those court shows on TV? That's basically what things will end up like.
Humans as a society thus believe that no one is above the law. But that the law must be fair, and reasonable.
teach populous: Democracy
Humans believe in the right to representation in government. As such, power flows from the masses to it's leaders. In theory these officials should have the best interests of the people at heart. However, they too are only human and often bad people get into power.

In short, Humans now end up believing in Freedom, and Justice.

[Lord Mika]

Slade: Court of miracles

Slade watched as the Shay Al' Goul built for themselves a city in the only place where it was possible, underground near the core of the Dark sun. The Court of Miracles was a place of safety and joy for the Shay Al' Goul, as only they saw darkness as daylight and in bleakness they found cheer and happy thoughts. They grew into a prosperous people unlike anything on the world. The Shay Al' Goul did name this place the Court of Miracles as A miracle was delivered unto them by the great god Slade of a cave entrance hidden in the valley where resources were plentiful,(at least that's how they saw it) and Slade's tablet of law was brought down into the city and set above the high lord's chair, and the shay Al' Goul did worship Slade.

Slade : Dark Sun

Slade was pleased and so he took from his followers a power and shaped with it the shadows on the surface of the dark sun. Slade shaped them into giant monstrous shapes that caused fear and terror in its appearance and would cause untold havoc and destruction to any it came across. So Slade named these creations of Death " Grim Reapers" and gave unto them the gift of Death over any being save the gods themselves.

So Slade seeing his newest works decided to make celebrate this occasion with something special. Slade had his flight of grim reapers to gather all the dead drow and dieing and a couple of the living ones in a graveyard on the black sun and pile their bodies. There Slade Smashed his hand down on the pile with such for as to drive the bodies deep into the ground and as Slade pulled his hand out he was holding two handles that would not come further out of the ground so easily, so Slade had to grab one in each hand and pull with all of his might and ass he pulled the very ground shook and trembled causing many cries of "EARTHQUAKE!"from the Shay Al' Goul. Yet Slade pulled on and withdrew two blades of deepest black in the most brutal of design to inflict maximum pain and a swift death to any unlucky enough to feel their bite and Slade held his new Blades and grinned evilly as he named his new blades of death and destruction Devious and Vicious you two shall aid me in the destruction of my enemies.

Slade was happy with his new blades but he had a thought, he needed a pet. So Slade shaped the darkness and rock and even a single grim reaper into a new being a pet for Slade and a trusted friend and ally. Slade molded till his molding was ten times his own normal size and at least twice as big as any other being in current exsistance gave him a long sinuously serpentine neck and tail large wigs seemingly made of darkness and shadow and covered his body in a mass of black scales that shimmered so darkly that the darkness on the dark sun looked grey and Slade named his pet "Shade" a Dragon of shadow and death was his newest and most powerful ally.


DP=0(-1 spawn Monstrous creature Grim Reapers, -5 create battle artifact(twin blades Devious and Vicious)-4 raise monstrous exarch Shay al Ghoul worship for extra DP

[Shmee]

Haggard, The Astral Sky

Haggard was seething. Behind his mask, one would notice his bright golden eyes burning with rage. It was bad enough that the Grind had attempted to ridicule him, but more and more deities were meddling with the Drow... his Drow, and if there is one thing that angers Haggard to no end is when others touch what rightfully belongs to him. That new one... Kalmah taking the away imprisoned Drow was barley tolerated... and that only because Haggard had to admit that the prisons were indeed getting overcrowded... and this turn of event meant that there was now vacancy for new prisoners... but then that bastard Slade had to go and steal all the bodies that were lying around. Granted one could argue that he was doing the Drow a favour by cleaning up the bodies that were piling up... but as far as Haggard was concerned Slade had meddled in his affair one time too many. It was high time that Haggard made an example out of this one.

All of a sudden, Haggard gets an idea as he lets out an evil laugh. He had just the idea how he would use Slade for his own purpose.

"In the end... everyone shall serve me... whether they realize it or not..."

Haggard was brilliant at crafting strategy, and it was no big task for him to slightly alter his master plan in order to add a good measure of vengeance to it.

Malthrae

Malthrae was spending another quiet evening with the King. It had been a very long time since the two had done so, the King being kept busy with the ever raging civil war, and Malthrae having buisness with the Ur Brotherhood. Indeed one of the reasons why the King had requested a quiet evening with Malthrae was to ask why hadn't the Ur Brotherhood made a move yet to quell the fighting. So far the Ur-Preists were sent cautiously as support units, but where never utilized to their full potential. The king demanded to know, and as always, Malthrae kept giving vague half-answers.

As the King was sitting in his chair, and Malthrae standing next to him at a respectable distance, all of a sudden, there is a voice heard from behind him.

"All hail his excellency..." the voice dripping with sarcasm. The King turns around and finds half a dozen Drow, dressed in dark colours and wielding different weapons. The King rises from his chair and yells out

"Assassins! Guards!"

"Oh don't worry about the guards your majesty... we took good care of them... like we will take care of you. It was your iron laws which has led to the bloodshed of countless... so tonight... more blood will be shed... in order to finally end this war..."

The King keeping his cool reaches for his sword which was at arms length, and unsheathing it growls confidently at the assasins

"You will find that the Helvi'rahel of the Drow will not easily lose his head to a bunch of third rate assassins from the lower houses..." The King's confidence though outnumbered stemmed from the knowledge that he had an ace up his sleeve... after all... he had the legendary godslayer in the same room, which is why the King charged the group of assassins yelling

"Malthrae! To me!"

and so the fight began. The King being several hundreds of years old had a lot of battle experience and was able to keep the half dozen assassins at bay by taking them by surprise by his sheer ferocity... but despite his greater skill he soon found himself on the defence against the sheer numerical superiority. He yells out again

"Malthrae! Defend your King!" as he finds himself surrounded by the assasins who had outflanked him. The King risks a glance at Malthrae and finds him still standing in the same spot he had stood all evening, arms crossed and looking at the whole scene with a neutral face, his fierce golden eyes locking with that of the king, yet he says nothing.

"Malthrae? What are you... come... wait... no... you couldn't have..." Says the King as he realizes what has happened

Malthrae's neutral face is broken as he gives a very slight grin as the assassins move in and start to repeatedly stab the king over and over again until he finally drops on the floor slowly bleeding to death. The King, never removing his eyes off of Malthrae is only able to utter

"Mal...thrae... I took... you in... why... betray... House... Dr..."

Malthrae walks between the assassins and kneels besides the dying king, looking at him with contempt

"Old man, I betrayed no one, if you recall, my oath was to serve House Drow for the good of the nation, and that is exactly what I am doing... everything I do... is for the good of House Drow... but don't worry your majesty... you have served your purpose well, unfortunately you have outlived your usefulness. At least you die knowing that your name shall be forever remembered in Drow history..." Of course by this time Malthrae was talking more to himself as the King was already dead.

The assassins chuckle to themselves

"The King is dead, long live the King!"

"Indeed, this particular one reigned long enough as it was."

The leader of the assassins turns towards Malthrae and says

"Still, we couldn't have done this without you Lord Malthrae. To be honest, we were quite surprised when you contacted us and proposed this plot, and weren't sure whether to trust you or not. No one really expected the High Priest of the Ur Brotherhood, out of all people, to turn his hand against the crown. But in any case, we thank you, today you have done House Drow a great service."

Malthrae looks at the assassins with his neutral face

"Indeed..." his fierce eyes making the assassins more than a little uncomfortable as there is an awkward silence. It is finally broken by the leader of the assassins asking

"So... Lord Malthrae... now that the King is dead we can finally put an end to this war. What are your instruction for us?"

Malthrae strokes his chin as he ponders what instructions to give to the assassins. He snaps his finger and his neutral face disappears as he gives the assassins a warm smile.

"I've got it! Your next assignment is to compliment the king by joining him as permanent addition to the floor pattern all over this room!"

There is a nervous chuckle between the assassins at the joke, as poor of a joke as it was. One of the assassins turns to Malthrae and asks

"Enough joking Lord Malthrae, what do..." his words are cut short as a beam of foul energy shoots through his head, killing him instantly.

"I never joke..." replies Malthrae cruelly the smile gone from his face and one smoking finger extended towards the place where the assassin had stood.

The other assassins at are shocked at what had just happened as they unsheathe their weapons yelling

"You bastard!" and with that they charge at Malthrae... however unlike the King, the assassins found that they could not land a single blow on him, instead they were quickly dispatched by Malthrae, five bodies lying next to that of the King... there was one assassin left.

The last remaining assassin had seen Malthrae dispatch his commands with ease, and knew that he had no hope in facing him alone. As Malthrae locks his eyes with his, he knew he only had one chance... to escape. As the assassin rushes to jump out of the window he is stopped by a single word barked harshly

"HALT!" and the assassin finds that he cannot move. He can hear the footsteps as Malthrae approaches him, and he knew that his doom was near.

"Why? Why did you betray us! You betrayed everyone! What do you expect to win from this?"

Malthrae starts to laugh behind the assassin's back

"Well seeing that you are about to meet your untimely end, I might as well tell you how all of you were pawns in my plan from the very start, that way as you die you will understand the insignificance of everything in front of my magnificence. I used the arrogance of your race, your Houses... just like I used the late king... the crown... the war... were all started by me... all for this moment. But don't worry... you too will forever be remembered in Drow history... not that it matters to you any more..."

As he charges up the energy on his finger, the assassin yells out

"Traitor!" and is promptly silenced by Malthrae, who responds to the corpse

"Once again I repeat... I betrayed no one... since I was on neither side to begin with..."

Looking around at the carnage all around the room, Malthrae ponders to himself and says

"Now then... to make this complete and close the circle..." He stretches out his arm, and a portal opens. Casually he walks through it. A few minutes later he re-emerges out of it, holding in his hand the corpses of several Shay Al' Goul and Grim Reapers. They may have been fierce fighters, but they were still no match for Malthrae's type. He throws the corpses around the room making it a scene of great slaughter.

However one Shay Al' Goul was still not completley dead. Malthrae walks over towrds the dying Shay Al' Goul and kicks him onto his back. The elf had a huge gaping hole where his stomach once was, and he was trying to say something, but could only gurgle blood. Malthrae simply says

"Pathetic... you are unable to even say your last words. Do not hate me... if you want to curse someone, curse your god who made you who you are. Instead of leaving you as a Drow, he changed you over. Naturally the only difference is that you still probably would have died... but at least you would have died in my name... rather than his... but it doesn't matter... your death will serve my purpose perfectly..."

And with that he puts the Shay Al'Goul out of his misery.

Giving a grin of satisfaction, Malthrae walks out of the scene and begins to sound the alarm, as he mutters to himself sarcastically

"... for the good of House Drow..."

The very next day, the news was heard all around the nation of the Drow. The rebelling Houses had committed the ultimate principle of heresy. In order to assassinate the King, they had allies themselves with the despicable god lovers... worse of all, they had brought in the help of Slade and the Shay Al'Ghoul out of everyone, making this the greatest act of treason ever seen by the Drow. Naturally the King and Malthrae did put up a fight, but in the end, while Malthrae was able to kill every assassin, he had failed to protect the King... a failure in which he promised to make amends by purging the Drow nation from all god worshippers and putting an end to the civil war.

And that is what he did. Mobilizing the entire Ur Brotherhood, they marched as one and brutally suppressed any form of rebellion towards the state. In the absence of the crown, the Ur-Priests had declared marshal law, and executed any transgressions swiftly. The first to fall victim to the Ur Brotherhood was the Houses who had assassinated the King, then slowly but surely all other rebelling Houses were forced to submit, or face total annihilation.

Many resisted but were quickly destroyed, but Malthrae had promised that the Houses who would surrender to the will of the Ur Brotherhood would be given amnesty as long as they swore allegiance to the state once more. It wasn't long before several of the rebelling Houses lowered thier arms and submitted to Malthrae's will.

OOC
(DP 4= 6-2, Guide Populace, Remove Imagination from the Drow. Drow are now Tier 3, and the Civil War is done.)

With the Drow Civil War over, there was still the issue of who should be the King. Immediately, several of the greater Drow Houses who had stood loyal to the late King demanded that they should receive the crown. However Malthrae reminded the Houses of the dangers of rushing into picking a new leader recklessly. Who knew how many god lovers were out there? He insisted that the only ones who could be trusted was the Ur Brotherhood. After all, they were the ones who quelled the rebellion, and who were now firmly in command. Seeing that they had no choice, the Houses were forced into acknowledging that from now on, the Ur Brotherhood would select the Drow King.

And it wasn't long before the Brotherhood unanimously chose Malthrae, godslayer and hero of the Civil Was as the new Helvi'rahel of the Drow. The Drows accepted this change, desperate for some stability. Malthrae was now firmly in control.

[Lady Tialait]

Genius Loci

Genius Loci sat outside the great Drow city. He could see all the world could see, and as blood was nothing but dust if it was shed. He saw the bloody scene. If this was a thing of concern for the Genius, the city would have been crushed. As it stood, he wished only to watch.

"My kin is a sly one. How long till they find him out?"


Genius Loci scratched it's chin, well...sorta. And a few Earthborn fell from it.

"And then hate him."

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

Urus looked upon the Mushroom Forest, and he knew what he had to do. Already the huge Ents that stalked these lands, and even what Dryads walked it as well, took the form of great mushrooms. But what he needed now were not the lumbering giants of these lands.

And so he dreamed into creation a smaller breed of creature. Like the ents they took the form of overlage mushrooms, but where the Ents were towering tree-like figures, these smaller creatures were tall, but roughly the size of the humanoid creatures that lived on the surface. They had capped tops of many colors, and large mouths that were often stretched in madcap-grins.

These creatures could bury themselves in the dirt, disguising themselves as yet more of the large mushrooms that grew here, and they were born and matured as mushrooms, and could even gain sustenance like this, as well as in the way of humanoids. The Myconids did not think in the manner of most beings outside the forest, indeed none truly did, even the ents and dryads of this surreal forest thought, however subtly, in different tones than the rest of their kind. They all bore the touch of Urus' dreaming mind, and his influence upon them was subtle, but ever so present.

These beings, Myconids, served, but never slaved, for the Illithids, the Ents, and all the other creatures of the forest, as well as forming their own society. However, it was likely their work in service to the Illithids and sometimes even the Aboleths which would prove of import to the other races of the world.

For you see, Myconids were the "slavers" of the Illithids. They would go in large parties and raid nearby settlements in the dark, taking the creatures of the lands to serve their lords, or to be turned into more of the Illithids kind.

0AP=3AP-2AP (create Subrace of Ents, Myconids -1AP Teach Populous, Madness) up to T2)

[Lady Tialait]

Duma, The Astral Sky


Duma's power was unbelievable. His madness was beginning to challenge Urus.

"This world. I must cause it's end. Rotting, destruction! All must enter the Void!"

Duma's power over the Entropy began to consume him. His body started to rot along with his mind. Duma was no longer a sane God, or a living God. Duma's body floated throughout the Astral Sky. A chanting over his body started.

"Void, Void, Void, Void, Void, Void, Void, Void, Void"


(Duma is dead. I'm not going to let his DP go to waste, sooo we have 28 - 10 Create Plane (Body of Duma) = 18 this will be left there for whatever needs to happen to it.)

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Astral Sky

Haggard watches this turn of event with great interest. He had been aware of the one who called himself Duma and of his purpose. How ironic that the first deity to die in this world was the god of entropy. Still, ever an opportunist, Haggard saw his chance, and decided to take it.

With that Haggard materializes on the dead body of Duma. Haggard was indeed impressed that even a single deity could reach to such a state as to implode due to ones own power and die... of course Haggard would never admit to it.

"Fool... that is what happens when you succumb to your cravings for power... when you willingly enslave yourself to it... and let this be a lesson to others."

Of course Haggard knew that in his state Duma would not be able to answer... or so he thought... all of a sudden, there is the sound of a moan and an earthquake erupts all over the plane. Haggard had to use his staff to balance himself. Just as suddenly as the earthquake has started, so it ended.

Looking around in genuine surprise, Haggard starts to laugh out loud

"My, my! Who would have thought that you would have actually survived and lived through this transformation! ... though in your current state... hovering on the very edge of conciousness and oblivion, I doubt one could call that living... but all the better! At first I thought I was going be simply using your carcass, but now I can devise new ways of exploiting everything down to your very soul... at least now you can know what I plan on doing with you! How wonderful!"

"So, you wished to shape events and lead everything to their inevitable collapse... you were doomed to fail from the very start for Haggard's authority is eternal! And look! I shall make an example out of you for everyone to see! I shall punish you... but not just you, but also your bastard of a son, for I punish the mistakes of the parents down to the 4th generation! How fitting then... that the one who wanted to end everything shall instead serve as a symbol... OF MY NEVER ENDING REIGN!"

With the last words, Haggard violently stabs Duma with his staff

"I HEREBY CLAIM THIS LAND IN MY NAME!"

and with that Haggard starts to forcefully insert his own energies into the plane, bending it to his will. Naturally, Duma started to resist, perhaps sub-consciously who knows, as a loud moan is heard and the wind picks up to the strength of a gale storm. But Haggard kept firm as he yelled

"Resist all you want! Squirm! Struggle! Kick! Trash! It matters not! You now belong to me!"

Slowly but surley, Duma started to change under Haggard's will. The entire plan transformed into a massive Arctic wasteland, with nothing to see but snow, ice and never ending blizzards constantly battering the plane. The land is in perpetual darkness as there is no sun, instead in the skies above Duma is a massive swirl of clouds, kilometres wide in a state of perpetual storm, it's lightening providing the only source of light on Duma.

Haggard looks around the place which would now be called the Frozen Wastelands of Duma. He was satisfied with his work. In one brilliant move he had transformed this plane into a land, befitting a king... at least a king like Haggard.

As once again Duma moans and the earth trembles, Haggard laughs and slams his foot onto the ground.

"That's right! I want you to suffer! Suffer for eternity as my thrall! I shall find new ways to extending your eternal torment as I build my empire upon you... speaking of which, I guess we can start now!"

Standing up against the raging winds, Haggard simply raises his hands to the sky as he extends his will against that of Duma. Naturally Haggard was much stronger, and from the core of Duma a castle erupts, its colour made of dull grey colours, and it's several spires raising high into the skies of Duma. The castle's grey colours earned it the title of the Ashen Bastion.

Haggard cackles behind his mask at his latest work, but is once again suprised at something he did not expect. Since he had forced his castle from the core of Duma, it's surfacing bringing debris from the core as well with it, and amogst the debrid, Haggard saw energy... but not any type of energy, divine energy. The last of Duma's power had surfaced. Haggard walks over and takes that power into his hand.

(Haggard collects the 18 DP)

Looking at it, Haggard can only imagine what he can do with it. But then he shakes his head.

"Well now Duma... it seems you will never cease to amaze me. I wonder what other secrets you are hiding from me. I shall take my time in finding out. As for this... the remains of your divine will... imagine what one could do with this... the chaos... what creation this power could end... now watch!"

With that Haggard claps his hand, the divine energy shattering into several uneven pieces and then throws it away, no direction in particular, available for any deity who happens to pass by to simply pick it up.

"Now, the rest of the gods, all of them hungry for power shall stumble upon the remnant of your divine energy and like beggars scramble to get it, and instead of ending, they shall create... that's right Duma... your power shall aid creation... which will of course succumb to my will... just as you have..."

Of course Haggard could have kept the power to himself, but as far as he was concerned, begging for power from others was beneath him. He would carve his empire with his own power alone. With that Haggard limps slowly into the Ashen Bastion, as once again Duma moans.


(OOC
Transfer 10 DP to Kalmah,
Transfer 4 DP to Satu
Transfer 2 DP to Slade
Transfer 1 DP to Akmetothep
Transfer 1 DP to Urus
Haggard is left with his original 4 DP)

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahkmotept was pleased with all the information gathered amongst the Ahnklings and their grown kin. He decided that it was time to settle down, make a skull throne, get some blood for this blood god he heard of once or twice, then decided that a skull throne and blood worship was just too unsanitary, and a simple throne made of coccix, cocci?, coccises?, well whatever the butt bone was. Much more sanitary than SKULLS! He then decided that it wasn't enough for just a throne, and he made an entire wasteland to surround it. Various ruins from places from other worlds, such as atlantis, mu, and even the fabled city of cleveland were strewn about. The souls of the Ahnklings, Brukahn and Knaarl go there for disco fever for all eternity after death, because they love it so...

5= 15-10 (Creation of the Throne of Butt Jokes past, the land around it)

Puns for the Pun God! Butts for the Butt Throne!

[Lady Tialait]

The Elven

The Oona Elder spoke to the masses. She would tell them of the greatness of her peaple, and tell them exactly how their pillar would look. They were next after all to raise theirs.

"We shall have the great pillar of Oona be in the image of the great Grind. The Grind takes the form of a mature man. He is short and has a wide-chested build. He has black hair worn in a style that resembles a peacock's tail. His large eyes are blood-red. He has green skin. His outfit is that of an archivist, incorporates wheel designs, and it is mostly yellow in color. He carries a buckler. His ears are small. He brings good fortune to anyone within range, unconciously. He sometimes takes the form of a fox."

Another Oona Elder died. Poor Elders of the Oona.

However, the other Elders did meet. The great ten houses, Oona having no elder at the moment, Dark-bloom not speaking to the others for the moment, and Drow forsaken.

The Elder of House Eldern spoke with command.

"We are the oldest and most powerful of the houses of Elven, we know how to guide you all. We made the pact with the Ents, and will protect the rest of the houses forever. We are the Eldern, we are the eldest."

The Grand Wisdom Holder of House Ermark spoke with a soft whisper.

"We are Ermark, we hold the wisdom of the elven, we advise. We do not act. We do not like speaking out."


The High Builder of House Marko spoke with a horse voice, worked.

"Imma the foreman of House Marko. Ya'see we made the idea of cities. I guessin' we are important."

The Elder of House Winsoon spoke with a wild look in his eye.

"We are a house who does not yet know it's place. We will look, and hope to find what we are meant for."

The First Gardner of Life-Bloom held in his Ent lover's arms.

"We are Life-Bloom, first of the wild ones, we will follow the Ent in darkness and in light."

The Arch-Cleric of Larithian spoke with the conviction of a God.

"We are the will of the Grind, also known as Larithian. We are the Elven Guides to the Great Grind."


The other three houses wished to stay silent for that moment.

"The First order of business, the Oona have gone totally mad, we cannot tolerate them any farther. I say we send them out among the Chaos like we sent those blasted Drow. Who is with the will of House Eldern?"

The great hall went silent, House Eldern had always been bold, but they really had been overstepping their authority of as late.

First, executing House Oona elders for madness, and calling it high blaspheme. Then calling house Dark-Bloom drow-kin. They were beginning to annoy the other Houses.

A single Elf stood,

"No, you won't destroy the great city with your greed Eldern, you have tasted power. You will not grow to like the taste! Eldern, you are now going to either rule to lose ONE city of your own, or you will no longer proceed over this council!"

The Elf spoke boldly, but no one knew who he was.

"Step down, or admit you are just a greedy as those blaspheming drow. STEP DOWN!"


There was a hush over the council, waiting for the Elder's answer.....


Genius Loci


The Loci decided it was time to talk to his extended sibling, this...this...priest? Nevermind that. He etched in a stone some words, in the divine language, no mortal could read.

Dearest Sibling,
I am Genius Loci. I watch over your city and wish to assist the growth of House Drow. However, I believe you are in danger of upsetting the city and causing your own death. Be careful sibling. I will be here to help if you need it.

Signed,
Genius Loci.

[LittleCarp04]

Bilanist

A storm raged down on the world, powered by the wind and the heat of the desert along with the cold of the icy north the storm came to being. It grew and grew and began to float out to sea, it continued to act as no other storm had until it centered over the deepest part of the ocean. There it stayed for quite some time before it began to unleash its fury in a massive downpour, but as the rain fell it began to grow into another cloud, this one a deep blue nearly black. Once the rain cloud finished divulging its power it dissolved, and the smaller blue-black cloud floated upwards towards the heavens, among the other gods...

I have watched your treatment of this world with great interest, but yet you ignore half of it and treat it as though it is only there to support your interests, but there you are wrong. The power of the worlds oceans will be understood by all soon enough.

Bilanist took the form of a massive kraken, large enough he could envelop the world. He had been watching these other godlings changing the world before him, yet they did not show any attention nor respect to the oceans, this would have to end.

Bilanist noticed the elves, living content in their forests, and realized they could be adapted to fit his needs to be the shepards of the sea. He took a few of them and shaped them to his will, making them stronger, giving them the ability to survive in his ocean, he took a few of all kinds, those of faith, those who excelled at research, all would be useful to his new colony. And so the Sahuagin came to exist.

Ok I start with 2 DP so I choose to beget subrace (Sahuagin).

[Xuincherguixe]

At the moment, the Humans were a new race. Weak in a dangerous and untamed world. One which could swallow them up without notice.

Kalmah had the foresight to understand that in this world, power was needed. And the strong eat the weak. And the power to change that would have to be greater than the world itself.

That which he had taken from Duma. It wasn't even close to enough. Instead, he would make an investment.

Removing an armored glove, he pours all of his energy into it. An unexpected consequence being that it was now golden.

"So, I suppose the next question is, who else deserves this?"


1 +10 AP
Create (blessing) artifact: Gauntlet of power -5
Imbue artifact -6
Leaving me with nada

[Shmee]

Genius Loci


The Loci decided it was time to talk to his extended sibling, this...this...priest? Nevermind that. He etched in a stone some words, in the divine language, no mortal could read.

Dearest Sibling,
I am Genius Loci. I watch over your city and wish to assist the growth of House Drow. However, I believe you are in danger of upsetting the city and causing your own death. Be careful sibling. I will be here to help if you need it.

Signed,
Genius Loci.


Malthrae

Following his ascension, Malthrae had been busy consolidating his power. Unlike the previous king, he had no qualms about brutally oppressing any sign of resistance of his authority, and yet, even though he ruled with an iron fist, the Drows were relieved that the chaos of the Drow Civil War had given way to Malthrae's order... even if it was a harsh one.

As Malthrae sat in his office, he receives Genius Loci's message. Reading it several times over, Malthrae considers the letter and it's hidden message... even if it didn't have one, Malthrae is of suspicious nature, and always sees messages within messages even if there aren't any.

One thing was for sure in Malthrae's mind, the fact that this Genius Loci, had sent him the message in the divine tongue could only mean that he knew about Malthrae's true nature. Holding the piece of rock in one hand Malthrae easily crushes it into dust... he wanted to leave no evidence behind. As much as he wanted to meet this Genius Loci, Malthrae had other buisness at hand, and so he replies with a message of his own.


To: Genius Loci,

Do not assume that your arrogance to claim blood relation with me, has fallen on deaf ears. So you fear for my life? What will it be this week? A knife in the back? My food poisoned? I assure you Genius Loci, attempts at my life is a common occurrence... but we both know why I have survived so far, so no need to beat around the bush.

The city and the entire race have already been upset... by recent unfortunate events, and only my rise to power has finally restored stability to this nation. But do not worry, all is proceeding according to my plan, and there is little you... or your master can do about it.

As much as I would appreciate your... help... I doubt that I will need it, for even if my true nature was revealed would it do much? Let's have a gamble then... I want you to watch carefully what I do next... and learn...

This letter was written and signed by my hand

Malthrae Du'drow

The Elven Council

As the Elven Council is awaiting the reply from the elder of House Eldern, a cry is heard as a late-comer arrives at the meeting

"Announcing the arrival of Helvi'rahel Malthrae, representing House Drow!"

With that, Malthrae walks into the council, and eyeing all the elders of the different Elf Houses he replies

"Greetings!"

An arrogant grin is drawn all over his face.

[Lady Tialait]

The Elven Council

The Eldern elder looked in shock,

"You see? We have told you time and again, they will return! We are Eldern! We will protect you from these...these monsters! The drow are little more then monsters! You need our guidance or they will flow in."

The Elder of House Eldern smirked, this fool drow had helped him in a bit of hopelessness.

"If I step down, we will follow the acheint pact. If I step down, house drow will raise to take my place. As they are exile, you would be inviting your enimies to guide you!"

All made up, but House Eldern were to know the ancient traditions. And the Laws laid down by the Ents. No one question their knowledge.

"The Drow hate the Gods, even our beloved Grind. You not listening to me, and listening instead to Dark-Light and Oona, not exterminating them on sight has lead to this..this..DROW. I have even heard reports of some of the lesser elven migrating into the elemental chaos to live in it's seas."

He sneered.

"You want to spit in the face of the Gods? If this is what you want, I will bow out. However! I will take my house with us, we will live with our lord in the great Ever-Night Forest! The Grind would grant us this!"

Again, he arrogance seethed.

"Choose! House Drow to lead you, or House Eldern to lead you. Monsters or Myths. Choose. Now."

[Shmee]

Malthrae, The Elven Council

The hall is filled with laughter as Malthrae sneers at the Elder

"So it seems that even to this date, House Eldern still cannot hold the reigns of power... so is this how these Elven Councils will continue? Each time throw out yet another house until only your House is left? Then who will you lord it over? Your own House?"

Malthrae slowly starts to walk towards the council as he continues

"Yes that is right! We are all monsters! We slaughter babies in their cribs and drink their blood! The black skin of the Drow represent the very darkness of our soul, more dark than the vast expanse of space itself! We sell our dark souls to any evil spirit that may give us power! We are more evil than sin! And all this because the Drow have forsaken the gods..."

As Malthrae walks towards the council, his form starts to radiate a dull light, as his features are completely lost, leaving only a silhouette. The silhouette itself becoming smaller, thinner, frail and hunched at the back. As the light recedes the Elf find that Malthrae has changed, into a heavily cloaked figure wearing a white mask, who is now painfully limping supported by a gnarled staff.

"Or might it be that in fact, the venerable elder from House Eldern has been misleading you, since in fact House Drow does indeed serve a god."

says Haggard as he takes the seat traditionally empty seat of House Drow.

[Lady Tialait]

The Elven Council

The Eldern Elder was flabbergasted, no God could walk the world....wait..he could use this.

"You are a false God, obviously. The Grind proclaimed himself that no God can walk the World. So, your presence here proves your trickery. A trick I perform myself if I was a caster of Pun Lords lies."

This Drow didn't know who he was dealing with. The Fool. Obvious liar was obvious.

[Shmee]

Haggard (His avatar at least), The Elven Council

Haggard chuckles cruelly behind his mask

"Arrogant little Elf... am I the liar? You claim the Grind has forbidden any of us gods to walk upon the world... yet here I am. The way I see things there are two possible explanations... one... as you have said... I may be an imposter... or... might it be that the Grind isn't as all powerful as you believed? I have met him... her... it... whatever... myself... and I can't say I'm very impressed... of convinced of the Grind's omnipotence"

All of a sudden, Haggard puts his hand on the mask, as if covering the space where his mouth should have been.

"Oh no! I seem to have blasphemed against the great Grind! I guess I should be executed for my heresy! After all... not only am I a Drow, pretending to be a god... but I am also insulting your precious Grind! So come on then! Send me to the gallows! Or perhaps you would rather send the guards and have them run me through where I stand. It wouldn't be the first time!"

Looking at the Elder from House Eldren

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

Haggard was looking for an excuse to demonstrate a small portion of his divinity.

[Lady Tialait]

The Elven Council


The Eldern Elder was getting completely flabbergasted.

"You...you monster. You challenge me in my own council?...You are foolish. This shall come to a vote. If you fail to sway the council, you will be executed. Then we will exterminate all your kind."

The Eldern's mind began to tick.

"However, if you sway them, I'll bow to not only your House, but to you as a God."

He was going to win this one. The Elven worshiped The Grind, not this...this...Drow Titan. This Drow has insured a long and healthy rule of House Eldern. A monument to his greatness.

"So. Let them vote. You blasphemer...as always you may speak first."

He smirked. "Elder Monster."

[Iroel]

Somewhere in the great sea of astral power, the faint sound of a flash of light was heard. Where seemingly nothing had been before, something now was. The something looked at the everything, and found that it needed a form. Thus, Siahrie was. Born or created, neither she nor anyone else knew, but she was.

She looked around, tasted, smelled and listened, but most of all she wondered. What was all of this? She then looked at the world which was, and wondered once more. What was all of this?

She then felt a presence. And another, and yet another. She felt many presences, none of which she knew. So, with words she had no idea where came from, she asked each of them:
"What is? Where are we, and who are we? What is what, and how? This is a world. Why is it a world? When did it become one? What can it do?"
She looked at the world once more, carefully examining each part of it. It was, but why? No meaning was to be sensed, no secrets behind these curtains of creation.

"I shall create my own secrets, and meaning too," she thought. An image formed in the mind she had made for herself, and she turned to the world. There, she created her image. She wove the energies of creation, and the land changed. She then blinked, and marveled at what she had done.

Shape Land - 1 DP

What now was, was a mountain. The mountain was, and it had reason, but that was not what was special. It was not, as mountains often are imagined, completely solid. Instead, great crystal-filled caves spanned most of it, and it was these caves which made it special. They were, they had reason, and they had potential.

Siahrie then turned to herself. She was a maker now. And a master. So she must have a body. She looked around the world, and spotted the elves. They were far from perfect, but they would serve as inspiration.

With her newfound ideas in mind, she made herself again. Where before the thoughts had been, a female humanoid was. Or at least appeared to be. This was fine, but not good enough. She had to be set apart from the rest of the all. So she made herself a robe in which she would be clad, and she saw that she now was.

Tired, Siahrie now rested. She had done enough, now she would watch.

[Shmee]

Haggard sits back in his seat, clearly behind his mask he was grinning, this was turning out to be so much fun.

"I don't want your vote..."

And with that Haggard closed his arguments, leaving the seat open for the elder of House Eldern. That's how much Haggard cared about silly processes such as 'voting'.

[Lady Tialait]

The Elven Council

That was freakin' it? All he had to say. Oh, the elder had this one.


"Vote!"


Bits of leaves were passed along, till a bundle of them were left. Each with a mark was a vote for Haggard. Plain was a vote for the current leader.


Mark
None
Mark
None
Mark
None
Mark
None
Mark
Mark
None

And with the Elder's own unMarked leaf, this was a tie....this wasn't good.

"A tie...no...this can't be...no..."

His eyes widen with horror.

"How....does...House....Drow...Vote?"

Words squeezed out.

[Shmee]

Haggard leaning as comfortable as his body could get in the chair, his golden eyes never leaving that of the elder. He raises his one hand, and extending his middle and pointing fingers out, one of voting leaves appears between them. He flicks it over to the elder.

A leaf appears in the Elder's hand... plain and unmarked.

Within his mind, the Elder hears a voice

"Little Elf, you seek to shepherd the other Houses under your authority, and are willing to do anything to keep it that way. That is commendable. But know this... you only keep that power because I allowed it. However, should you ever find yourself in a bind... find that your power is slowly slipping away from you... just call me... you will find that I share power to those who serve me... however the alternative is for you to call upon the Grind... though you better yell loudly for the Grind is hard of hearing... House Drow is firmly within my power... lets see how long it will take me to do the same to another Elf House."

[Xuincherguixe]

A voice is heard in Haggard's mind

(While I could do some head games, demanding no one else read what is plainly in sight, there's really no reason to.)

"I just saw that little display over there. If you ever find yourself in need of an unbiased court, of which can not be so easily swayed by intimidation or selfish needs, contact me. Not that I imagine you could ever appreciate anything fair, let alone a trial."

[Lord Mika]

Slade: Black Sun

Slade petted his new friend and shade uttered his first words "I'm hungry". Slade held out his left hand and in it was deposited by a grim reaper, a large bowl of flutter mice. Slade popped them at shade one at a time as he crunched them down like so much popcorn shrimp. shade ate heartily and licked the bowl clean.

Slade sent his pet among the Shay Al" Ghoul with orders to make them flourish, and away did bound Slade's pet.

[EvanMouse]

Pixies and Flutter mice

The leader of the fluttermice "Oh prince god of fairies Satu...please hear our call..we don't know what to eat in the world besides the sweet nectar from the flowers that you have created for us.... and the world we don't wish to ruin your gift to the world and your gift to nature...please guide us.."

Satu

Satu wanted more for his pixies he wanted to give them a gift he smiled looking down at all the flowers and plants that exist in the world all the beings that exist “I Leave my fae with a gift…from my heart….a source of magic that has the will to control and create plants Druidic Magic, Use this magic to create flowers and berries to share with yourselves and the rest of the world…


Pixies and fluttermice

"What are berries?"

Satu

berries? You say? well my fae here’s that and more!” he waves his staff and shapes many kinds of fruit thru the world spreading it about in random areas of the world creating vines with grapes on them creating trees with apples on them creating tomatoes Bananas, having Watermelon sprout from the ground, Strawberries,and blue berries growing on random bushes oranges, mangos, apples and cherries on trees lemons and soon he chuckled a bit as he created Pineapple. Deciding to create more sources of food he buried some plants in the ground forming potatoes making crops appear growing corn ending his last choice after many with the thought of Broccoli.

(Current DP:7)
(Create Concept) -4 =3)
(Shape Land Spread Fruit -1=2)
(Shape Land Spread Plants -1=1)

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahkmotept

DID SOMEBODY SAY PUN LORD?!?!? DISCO FEVER Y'ALL!!! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!

Ahkmotept appeared as a hologram-ish form before the council.

Guess who it is? ITS GARUGA-oh, wait, no. That's not it, I'm...I'm..., I'm a Raving Rabb-, no, troll, no, master of horrors of eldrich power, no. Oh wait, that's right, I'm AHKMOTEPT, LORD OF ANNOYANCE AND HORRIBLE PUNMANSHIP!!!! PHEAR ME, PHEAR ME!!!! AHAHAH-Coughhackweeze!!!!

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Elven Council

Haggard simply shakes his head

"Oh bloody abyss... why him out of everyone who could have crashed this event..."

With that Haggard rises up from his seat, and he starts to walk towards the door, as he does that he resumes his Malthrae Du'Drow disguise. To the Elder he turns and says

"Remember what I told you... my offer still stands..."

and then as an afterthought

"I leave chuckles in your capable hands Elves... I believe he will make a fine addition to this council... abyss he can represent House Drow as far as I care..."

And with a flick of his fingers, Malthrae opens up a portal, and walks out of the council. He had made his point, both to the Elves and to Genius Loci.

[EvanMouse]

One lone Fluttermouse

One lone fluttermouse Runs away from the reaper for dear life "Oh no...Please no..my friends..My..family..." she shudders flying away for dear life hiding in the corner as many flutter-mice are taken away to an unknown place...

"Oh Satu please hear me... My family is being taken away! by a monster!" she shudders looking up at the black sun... "An evil monster!!"

Satu

While he was listening to the random call while he was currently speaking the leader of the fluttermice, granting them the knowledge of Druidic magic. Suddenly his size grows from 5inches tail...to 6feet tall as he looks at the black sun calling out to its owner. "You know..that was mean of you...very very mean!! what have you done with my fluttermice?..." he sees the spirits of the dead flutter-mice pass by him collecting there thoughts... "His dragon ate them!.. -sighs- You know...if he was hungry I could have given him something worthwhile...in fact...much more tasty... I wish to speak with you...personally I wanted my flutter-mice to feel happy...I didn't want them hurt like that...But I am slightly fascinated with your pet though so...if he is so hungry...I have a proposal for you. and no it is not about fruit or veggies...It is about meat...for your pet. and I have just the thing to satisfy him in fact I believe you will find this idea I have quite amusing"

[Iroel]

Siahrie rests.
Siahrie watches.

Finally, the Questioner of All grows tired of waiting for answers. Deciding that she should attempt to be more coherent, she sends out another wave of messages to the presences she has sensed, and now watched:
"Who are you? Who am I? This place, what is it? It is a world, how and why? What is the meaning? Why are we? Tell me all..."

[Xuincherguixe]

Suddenly, a slip of paper materializes before Ahkmotept


For your continued breaking of the fourth wall, you are fined $50 dollars. Also including the recursive damage caused by you receiving this fine.


As to Siahrie...
"You know, I think you're about the first god that makes any damn sense. Not that I have any answers to those questions of course. There are none, to give them an answer is to trivialize them. And if there was, only you could ever hope to answer them.

I am Kalmah, and I have a question too. What is right? This matters to me, because I am supposed to bring justice to the world. That is what I was created to do.

That was a rhetorical question by the way. You don't need to answer it."

[Iroel]

Siahrie ponders for a while, then suddenly smiles.

"That," she says, "I can actually answer, in a way. For to tell the truth, what is right does not matter, as long as people believe it is right. Noone complains about injustice if they think it is not, and sometimes it is right to do what is not right, to hide the truth and do the wrong thing, for the best of all."
She nods sagely to herself, then suddenly wonders why she knows that. Or if she knows. And if it matters.

"Belief is an odd thing," she mutters to herself. "It has no effect on anything, yet can change everything."

[EvanMouse]

Satu

-squeaks happily shrinking back down to his normal size....smiling a bit feeling a little bit better after watching the world on random areas to pass the time. watches Ahkmotept with that awesome entrance "oh yeah AWESOME!!!" Satu smiled wondering what Ahkmotept would do next.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahnkmotept

"You can put it on my tab jeeves, I'm sure I'll run one up quite fast..."
He walks off to pester some elf, even though he's just a hologram Illusion.

[Iroel]

Suddenly waking from deep thought, Siahrie once again turned to the elves. Something about them fascinated her. They had a certain quality that she sought, and she wished to find out what they were.

Feeling in them a part of one of the presences she had sensed earlier, she turned to that presence, and said: "These creatures. They are elves? How and why? You do something? Tell me all..."

(( She's contacting the Grind ))

[shadowmage]

Deth

Deep in the Frozen Wastelands of Duma lies the Ashen Bastion. Deep in side the heat of desire, of need forms. Slowly from the feet up the metal that makes up Deth starts to form. The walls start to run with moisture from the heat of Deth's creation. The walls quickly refreeze into a mirror like finish as Deth looks around. Taking in his reflections in the mirrors all around him he can pick out every flaw, he files them away for future reference. He then turns and walks out of the Room of Reflection and walks the halls of Ashen Bastion, noting the craftsmanship of the halls and rooms noting where improvements could be made. Finally coming to the throne room and looking upon King Haggard

Greetings Father. You have called me and I have come. Deth studies King Haggard seeing the state of perfection he has reached. Adding it to his own flaws seen in the Room of Reflection form a goal for his own next level of perfection that he must strive for. I will strive to match your perfection Father, thought i will never catch up with you for by the time I obtain your level I am sure you will have moved on to the next level, leaving me behind. That shall drive me to work all the harder to catch up and surpass you and prove me self even greater then the father.

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

The Grind didn't know what to say to Siahrie. But, he would make an attempt. Being the God of Creation has it's responsibilities.

"Elven. They are children, I will guide them to the spark. The spark will bring forth all. My divine power comes from the spark. Your divine power comes from the spark. No spark. No Gods. Understand?"

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

Almost as soon as they were born into the world, a group of Myconids with a pair of hooded Illithids venture forth into the world beyond their ethereal realm to explore and chronicle the lands that lie beside theirs... and perhaps take some interesting captives as well...

[Iroel]

Siahrie

"Understand? Not yet. Not ever. Always, I'll search for more. Never truly to understand.. Elves, you guide them? What then, before? What then, after? What if, without you?"

Siahrie ponders what she knows for a few moments, then continues:

"You and I, we are alike? I too can guide? I too, weave and create?"

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

The Grind would have smiled, had he had a face.

"Alike. No. I have elven, you have none. I know. You seek. We are none alike."

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Myconids

Soon the roving band of Myconids ventured into a strange new place. It was like their home of birth, but the trees were topped with leafy green, like grass, and there were a myriad of creatures here that they had not encountered in their home.

As they advanced further, they noticed tall, slight humanoid creatures that walked about the forest. One of the Illithid advanced upon one of their number that had been separated from the rest, and wrested control of his mind.

He drew the enthralled creature into a dark corner of the forest where the slight creatures did not go, and they interrogated it's mind. In the creature's mindscape the pair of Illithids appeared as tall, thin, creatures veiled in shadows.

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

The binds that held him…the breath of his divine lungs failed him. He struggled. What had he been placed in this room…this stale place that no longer sought to hold him in, but continued as it was its intention. That room...hate, rage, disgust…he could not place them into words. His very being sparked, his hair which had grown to an ash gray bloomed with color and life. His bronze skin darkened, his veins boiling like liquid copper cast the room into a hellish scene, the walls of pure white melting and blackening like a piece of meat left on the coals for too long. The tang of ozone and burning flooded the room, the semi-metallic taste tinged on his tongue. Disgust…more disgust for this room. He would flood it with his emotions, and nothing could stand against the assault. And the walls cracked, the floor warped and cracked, the ceiling dripped its contents in rivulets and pooled only to disappear into the rents that now crossed the entirety of the floor.

And somewhere that was no where, a scene of tranquility where gods had not touched, where The Grind’s original scenery left untouched began to smoke and smolder. The fabric of the air and ground started to unravel, like a cloth rag left to long near the oven. The air popped loudly once, the ground hissed as fissures burst into being, steam and molten rocked spewed forth, and any entity that existed near the quickly growing nightmarish land could hear the screams of rage that emitted from these newly formed vents. And in an instant, the scene seemed to draw in on itself, stretching beyond understanding, and in the next an explosion rent the bubble asunder, its edges like fresh blown glass. And from this hole the form of Ran Kang exited, his body crisscrossed with scars from his own brutal attempt to flee, his skin bleeding and blistering, his hair uncut and unruly flowing to the ground and his face a mask of unkempt shaggy rage. His hands dripped his divine ichor, it spiraled and twisted, and he looked down on a much changed world, his people left to their own devices, growing strong. He would return to them…in time. But his wounds were fresh, and the godling knew more had changed since he had left.

He bent down and grasped the bent reality, and mixed the orange hued pieces with his flesh which he tore off with his teeth, and laughed as it bent. He then grabbed the strings of the powerful energy he had gifted to his people…”Magic” and tied the silver red strings around his creation, and as it twisted and held forming into a ling sharp shape, a handle forming in his hand, and it shrieked with power, sparks flying in all directions, falling about like a new storm, and in its form he could see islands raise from fresh water, mountains raise from fresh earth.

And Ran grinned, his teeth flecked with blood and skin, and he continued to feast upon himself, biting and twisting until his form was leaner, simpler. And the discarded shreds of clothing and flesh fell as feathers from a molting bird, and he did spread them into the world, the forms of falcon and sparrow, crow and raven, albatross and condor. And they flew through the air, and roosted in the high places, and their calls were the calls of the wanton emotions that would herald in Ran’s return to the multi-verse.

(Craft Artifact- 5:The Cauldron of Re’Tain (Utility Artifact: Create Mountains
Create Animals- 1-Birds)

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahnklings in the Forest of Mushroomy Goodness

"Ooh look! Its the bane of japanese school girls everywhere!" An ahnkling yelped as the ilithids were spotted. Another one jumped up to see. "Ooh, lets poke it with a sti-Wait, what's a japanese school girl?" The second one asked, to which the first replied "I dunno, just a thought that popped into mah head, a musing from the Pun Lord, perhaps?". "His name be praised!" the second ahnkling proclaimed ""Yeah, lets poke it with sticks, perhaps it'll like us then" . "That's how I got my third mate pregnant, hehehe" . The group of ahnklings jumped down and began greeting the ilithids, as they picked up sticks. "Hello squiddy-heads, we're going to poke you with sticks now, M'Kay?" One said, while another yelled out "POKEY POKEY ARTICHOKEY!!!".

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Illithids

One of the two illithids looked up from their elven captive, who seemed to be in a trance, his eyes wide. The Illithid stared straight at the Ahnklings, almost completely still, and suddenly a blast of pure psychic energy smashed into them. In the dark clearing there were unusually large mushrooms sticking out of the ground... though to creatures such as the Ahnklings, such a petty detail as this might merely be overlooked.

In the elves mindscape, one of the figures began shimmering.

[Lady Tialait]

The Elf Tribesmen who are taken

"Who are you...things? I demand you speak! We are the children of the forest! Our Lords rule this forest for the great Ents! Release us!"

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Illithids

The figure that was shimmering ceased doing so, returned to the murky form of it's companion once more. The space where the shadowed figures likely had eyes seemed to harden slightly, but also effect an air of amusement. A voice echo through the lone elfs mindscape, intangible and ineffable. "We are who we are. And you are alone, child of the forest. Tell us, where are you from in this place, what are your kind called, what are you called?"

[Lady Tialait]

The random Elves.

"We are the proud and few non-housed elven. We hold the traditions of the pre-house elven. We do not live in the cites...and me? I'm Menthor Ur'Eldern"

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Illithids

The two hooded shrouds turned to one another, and seemed to communicate a second before turning back. "Indeed. Tell us of these "houses". Are there many of them? How many cities do they have? Do many of these... House Elves leave their cities? do any?"

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahnklings

"Hai that wasn't very nice!" One of the ahnklings said, picking himself up from that psychic blast "We just wanna be friends".

[shadowmage]

Deth
While waiting for Dad to finish his business elsewhere Deth moves over to a window and looks out over the world below. Studying it for a time before speaking to no one but him self really.

So many flaws. It speaks of too many hands in the mix. Will one more make it worse or offer a perfection to strive for? It can not be helped a standard should be set. Let the others see what they could have done and know what they can strive for.

Deth reaches out first to the desert drawing off some of it's essence, it heat, its dryness, its inhospitality. Next he reaches to-wards the mountain taking some of it's solidness, it depth, from its deepest depths some of it's heat. Finally he reaches to-wards the forest taking just a bit of it's life, the hardest of it will to live and grow and adds it to the mix. He works it like clay between his hands kneading it and mixing it. Never looking at the "clay" in his hands as works it with smooth clean expert moves.

It needs to be a place that will test them, push them, make them strive for perfection, a proving grounds. It will be harsh but no so hard as to be a guaranteed death for them. It will be a forge to make them stronger better.

Deth's fingers begin to deftly form canyons and ravines. Pulling tall Hoodoos tower over gullies making the land very hard to traverse, but offering many places for small creatures to hide. This will make hunting a challenge here but will be used to home his creatures skills, both against their food and each other.

Looking down on his creation, he sees its perfection as well as it flaws. Some of those will be fixed soon, some he will have no hand in fixing. Satified with what he has done he cast the model from the window and watches it fall to become part of the land below.


Edit: Helps to finish the post and show my points useage.
(Shape Land: 1 DP 2=3-1 I think this is how it works.)

[Iroel]

Siahrie

The Questioner had been thinking. It was not fair, she thought. Why would they have to be different? She could do things too, weaving meaning and being into one, creating supreme beings. She could. Or at least so she thought.

Siahrie found the dryads, the ancestors of the elves, and whispered to them: "Tenders of the trees, why do you neglect the rest of the world? As you serve your masters, the ents of the forest, the rest of the world is bare and lone. Come with me, tenders. Come with me, helpers. I shall guide you, give you meaning, lead you to your true destiny..."

She continued whispering to them, all the while she worked her powers on a few of them. Gradually, they grew shorter of statue, and their tree-like features slowly faded. Instead, they were replaced by those of the mountains - Their teeth became sharp rocks, their eyes gemstones, their muscles like wind-carved cliffs and ears like those of bats. Suddenly, they looked towards the mountain, and as one they chanted: "Veil the caves, mine the gems, bind the crystals, hide the home," on and on, while they as one marched towards the great caves that would be their home.

Beget Race - Gnomes

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae, the astral sky

With the creation of the first life it had begun to form, as more and more life was created by the gods the phenomenon grew in size and power. At first a unnoticeable speck, but it kept growing. As the beings encountered new life, gave birth and died it grew. Eventuallt it stopped growing. Shining with it's sheeer power... then it started to collapse, slowly becoming pale and cracked. Crumbling.

Eventually it died. Falling until it hit ground in the astral sky and began to wither, slowly disentigrate and becoming a fine layer of dust. As the final piece of it fell apart and became dust a wind started to blow. Lifting all the dust it started to spin, sending all of the fine particles together in the centre. Shaping it. The motion became blurred and a booming voice, both female and male at the same time, sounded throughout the Astral Sky.

That which is dust must be born. That which is born must grow. That which grows must apex. That which reaches it's apex must stagnant. That which grow stagnant must fall. That which falls must die. That which dies must become dust.

I am that cycle, the forever repeating. I was dust... thus I am born.

With that sentence, the winds died down. The dust fell to the ground as the robed bald child stepped forward with shaking legs. The skin was glowing with a bright golden colour and the eyes burning with bright white flames. Desperatly searching for something to grab on to support himself on but finding nothing.

Nephyr Tagae fell flat on his stomach, his head was spinning of so many vivid images rushing through his head, so many feelings and senses. He had no sense of direction, he barely knew who he was. Lying struggling in the astral sky. He rolled over onto his back and closed his eyes. The images died out, vanished from his mind, leaving him with nothing but his own thoughts.

He slowly sat up, brushing some dust off his robe. He took a deep breath and tried to sort what he was. He was Nephyr Tagae, the god of life. He knew he had just been born... or was it reborn? Perhaps it was the same.
He opened his eyes and the images came all rushing back, filling his mind again. But this time he felt he had control over it. He thought of birth and saw the birth of a thousand beings of every species existing. He thought of food and felt a thousand beings eat. He thought of walking and saw a thousand beings walk, some their very first steps and some their very last.

He then thought of where he was... and then he saw only through his own eyes. He looked around at his surroundings briefly and then he carefully stood up, his legs still shaking but now he felt he could stand and walk on them. He took a few steps and then... then he saw the world and thought of it... and then all the life in the world filled his mind.

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang looked down at the world…and breathed a sigh of consternation. He wished to speak with his father…the all father…The Grind. But what would he say? What would he do to show The Grind he was dedicated to his people…to the world it had made…he then gazed down, and saw his people practicing the arcane arts he had taught them. The Amat were growing strong, were growing powerful. But the world was in turmoil and it was only time before the world gazed at the still young race, left without their creator for so long. He wanted to change that. To give them a defense that no other would had. To…to place them where his birds were!

And he scooped the ground from the oceans. And he crafted the grand land into an island apart from the crystal blue landscape. And the island soared breaking from the lands of the Ilithids, and rose high into the air, and hung there as if to state to all that Ran Kang had returned. And at the center of this land, he shaped a great lake so that his people would have fresh water, and saw their huts…and wished they would grow stronger here on their new land. And he showed them how to use the forest and the fields that they dwelled in to feed them.

And he then stood in the world and swept his hand wide, the host of his fiery servants attending him in the space of the Astral Sky

“Do you see Father? Though I slumbered I dreamed as my brother would ask! I have thought of a world united through passion! I will have my creatures spread the words of my Magic, and they will know the Art of this world! Did you forget where I slumbered?!”

He shook his blade at nothing in particular

“And I will plunge your world into the heat of lust! Drive the other lesser creatures to feast until bursting! All so you will see that your children are but your only true legacy!”

(Shape Land? -1, Shape Land -1, Teach Populous(Gathering, Cultivating) 3-3 DP)

[Lord Mika]

Slade: The Dark Sun

Slade sent his pet away to stay with the Shay Al' Ghoul, he was in one of his rare moods and decided to have some fun. Slade held out his arms palms up and with an enormous BOOM he clapped his hands together and out of this tremendous explosion came a great wailing. A wailing of sorrow as even to his godly vision they were almost indistinguishable from the darkness surrounding them. Wraiths came into being upon the dark sun.

Slade saw his minions and actually smiled. So he took vicious in his hand and cut his palm. Squeezing his hand till blood flowed freely. Slade them grabbed one of his grim reapers and a wraith and using the power in his blood made a new being. Slade ground and molded in his hands and when he finished he jumped into the air and with all of his might threw his newest creation nearly complete straight at the ground of the Dark Sun. This cause untold havoc and earthquakes that seemed to make the land grow in size. Out of the crater that was left emerged a being unlike anything anyone had ever seen, or in this case not seen as it was completely invisible to anything save a true god. this invisible assassin was made of air, and apparently had quite an attitude with anything that could sense its presence or intruded upon its territory. You are my greatest defense my invisible stalkers you are ordered to patrol the dark sun for any outsiders and call upon your fellow monsters and kill them for I give unto you the power of authority over all monsters in this place only so long as you serve me.

Then as Slade sent off the stalkers of his realm out of his shadow did arise none other than a shadow version of, well, himself and it sat up and said HI as it waved childishly.

Slade spoke what the S**T?

It rose and smiled at him and said master I serve you for now and ever.

Well then....... go get me a beer while i figure out what to do with you.

and away the shadow went. Slade sat knuckled his temple and thought very carefully how the hell this kettle of crap happened. Slade thought...... it had to be.... or maybe.....oh but then....but that would lead to.....of course....NOW I GET IT!

Then the shadow of Slade returned with a can of beer gave it to Slade with a bow and a here is your beer master.

Slade took it popped it open and drank it down in one go. then he said so your one of mine and i need to give you a job. Well as i didn't make you with a purpose do you have an idea of what you would do for me?

I an truly grateful master for this opportunity however i can only tell you my strengths and not my purpose.

I have powers of stealth and silence and can go anywhere I choose and have the ability to hid in the shadows of others to control them for a short period. However, as you of course know I am limited to non gods in that respect. i would gladly serve any service you would choose. bowing respectfully

Slade stoked his chin ion thought.

You shall be my spy network. You and yours will collect for me any information on the doings of mortals or gods that you can find and report back to me with it. However!, your primary job is to give me forewarning on any movement onto my realm and to hamper that movement as best you can. In doing this you shall please me and earn your right to be by my side.

Yes master I and mine shall do as you have commanded. Thus the shadows left to do the work assigned to them


And Slade deciding that he had enough resources to deal with any problems decided to have a party on the dark sun and to prevent any gate crashers he cause the darkness that was emitted by the dark sun to solidify around it allowing only beings of shadow to pass through as shadow now matter how hard and thick is as air to another shadow. He sealed the dark sun shut from all beings even gods. Slade had a rather nasty thought so in glowing runes written in a magical language readable by all who could get close enough as the print was very small was written over and over again in lines wrapping all the way around the dark sun was Party Zone Keep out or DIE

DP1= 4+1 for great worship=5 5-1 spawn monstrous creature wraith, 4-1 spawn monstrous creature invisible slayers, 3-1 shape land increase dark sun by 300 Sq miles, 2-1 spawn monstrous creature shadows.

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae, Astral Sky

That which mere moments ago had seemed so overwhelming was now feeling entirely different. Nephyr Tagae gazed upon the world and took a step back and thought to himself.
So empty... a void with only few bright sparks of life. I must fill it with life, make it vibrant and vivid

He felt he stepped on something and looked down to see the dust he had sitten in and brushed off his robe earlier. He scooped some of it up with his hand and looked at it, studied the tiny particles lying in his palm. He felt disappointed that it was not alive, if it had been he would have hurled it into the world and filled the gaping voids of the seas and the lands. But it was not.
The god of life studied the dust for a moment, watching as it reflected light.
If only you lived I'd let you feed of the air and the mere light

What happened next startled him, the dust in his hand changed shape and colour, and he felt a tiny spark of life from within it. It was weak and could not live long without his help. He looked around, desperatly trying to find something which to use to protect it, something to prevent it from drying and becoming dust again.

He looked down upon the world and saw the wild waters. He hurled his new creation into it to protect it and watched it as it absorbed water and started to grow and spread throughout it.

Yes, that is perfect. You shall live in the waters dust-beings, live and grow. Provide a foundation for all future life of the waters, the most basic of life and food. Living off nothing but the sunlight and the water.

The god of life looked happily over the seas as his new creation grew in it, but he looked over the land and thought of it as empty. He looked around and saw more dust and walked over to it and scooped it up. With his mind he lifted it from his hand so that it hovered before his eyes and then he tried shaping the dust into life with his will.

I want you to have many shapes so that you may live anywhere on the ground. To spread as larger life steps on you or eat you and spread when the wind rushes between each you.

He saw the dust take shape before his eyes.

Where it is to dry for you to grow you shall remain hidden until moisture finds you. Where it is too cold you shall remain until it becomes warmer.

He saw how the dust started to shape itself to long straws before him, some with clear visible seeds and some without them.

I name you grass, you shall spread across all the lands above the seas and grow. You shall provide life with food, some aspects of you more than others. Your many shapes shall provide you with the ability to live anywhere

He then gathered the grass in his hand and with a deep breath he blew the plants out over the lands in the world, allowing it to seed anywhere. In time the life in the world would learn to use it as food. Some would graze of it, others would cultivate it's larger forms such as wheat, rye, rice or maize.

He smiled as he felt that the world became richer with life. There was still much to do but this was a good start. Happy with his work the good of life started to wander through the astral sky, to explore and learn his surroundings. As he began walking he vaguely became aware of a weak squeaking noice behind him, but as he turned around he saw nothing. He tried to ignore it for now and kept exploring the astral sky.

Create animals (algae) - 1 dp
Create animals (grass*) - 1 dp

3 - 2 dp = 1 dp

*Including larger types of grass such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, rice, maize, bamboo and sugarcones.

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

The Grind turned to Ran Kang as much as the sky could turn. The Grind seemed to be smiling, but how exactly does one measure such things?

"You are beginning to understand. You will learn. Everyone will learn."

The Grind seemed content. Yes, it was content.

The Elven hangin' with Uncle Squid-lips

Meekly the elf spoke.

"There are thirteen elven houses, one in exile for disrespect to the Gods. Each house has it's own city, and the greatest House Eldern has three or four. We are numerous."

He doesn't seem nervous at all, why should he be?

[LittleCarp04]

Bilanist

As Bilanist watched the world change and saw his sons and daughters, the Sahuagin grow, he realized how unstable the planet was, he had to make sure a steady ocean began so that he could have a place for his mortals to call home. He reached out with his will creating a vast ocean, nearly 200 miles of pure vast oceans came alive. Parts of it shallow and gentle, other parts deep, so deep than no land creature could ever walk along its floor, and nearly the entire surface was vastly chaotic, going from smooth to raging storm sized swells in mere minutes. It was a perfect creation. But being so perfect it needed a guardian, Bilanist expended still more of his power and in the deepest trench of the new ocean, in the pure darkness that nothing cold pierce, a creature stirred. It rosequickly to the surface, incredibly vast, the Kraken rose.

It was nearly 200 ft long from the tip of its head to its longest spine covered tentacles. It was a joy to behold, as it swam through the new ocean. Bilanist smiled to himself and felt content with his work for the time.



Shape land x2 -2 DP
Create Monster -1 DP

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Illithids

The one Illithid shimmered again in the elves mind, as the other one spoke once more. "Numerous you say? Yes, this is most fortunate, we have found the source we have sought. Now, you're going to do us a little favor, but I wouldn't worry yourself over it, it's not like you'll know you're doing it." And with that, both the shrouded forms, shimmered and disappeared.

The Illithid looked upon the creatures, and they smashed their minds to rubble with powerful psionic blasts, again and again, before claiming their minds as they had the elf. Then the two Illithids leaned forward, and grasped the creatures with their four arms, their face-tentacles reaching toward the creatures heads. The tentacles burrowed through the chaos creatures heads into their brains, and the Illithids sucked them out of their cracked skulls.

As the two dead creatures dropped to the ground, the Illithids turned toward the vacant-eyed elf, who had been standing there, watching the whole time. One of the creatures turned to him. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get to it." And so the enthralled elf walked off to gather others of it's kind, as his mind was trapped, a powerless observer in his own head as his body walked onward.

[EvanMouse]

One Lone Flutter-mouse

After the reapers killing spree Rose returned home and squeaked…flying around her village….her empty village.

Tears fall from her eyes. “I Started out in life a carefree along with my swarm of adventurers…my family my friends…my people…my whole entire tribe gone…” …..she flew into her tree house…it is a tiny house that was hung by a tree branch…now on the ground by the tree…most of the beds…and everything in every room is shattered…completely in disarray. She crys picking up a flower that was dropped from a shelf in her room. “I was happy…looking at the world…carefree.. souring high on my wings as pretty as these flowers… life seemed wonderful as I looked to the future… my views now changed…” she wipes her tears and picks up leftover pieces of her home… “Now I see a different future….I will protect my people… I will not stand for anymore tribes of flutter mice like me getting hurt ever again…I will find a way…I will protect the pixie race from harm…Satu prince god of fae protect my tribes souls for me…I prey to you…hold them in a gentle embrace….let there souls be happy…as I start my new adventure…to find ways to protect my people…I just hope I find that way soon”


Satu

Watches Rose admiring her and also feeling depressed…. He feels bad about the whole thing…worried about her being alone in the world…finding answers…looking for hope…this could be a good thing for the flutter-mice to know…to watch out for things that would pick on them for being small…. He holds a bottle…..with the sleeping souls of the fae that died…with causes that would be proven to be….terrible and evil…humming a gentle song to his children.. “Rest well while I plan on making a plane just for you…I will eventually grant Rose’s wish…I will let you all rest for now…but soon you will rest and be free just in your happy days of birth…” speaks looking down at rose without letting his voice be heard by his children “I have plans for protecting your people….just wait and see but for now…I shall grant power to rose.” he looks down at the Leader Tribesman and he speaks to him with his voice yet again. to when he granted the power before with a smile. “Rose shall be the high-druid.. of your people for now…I see her heading towards your village again…when you see her greet her! And learn her ways…and hear her out listen to her She is now a leader just as much as a tribesman…and more…allow her to be the Co leader of very tribe...Ill pass this message to every tribesman...in a few moments...” Satu smiled and spoke to himself “That should keep her out of trouble…”

[Xuincherguixe]

Human Capital

The humans were expanding at a fairly large rate. One of the benefits of a codified legal system, and democratically elected leaders was that a lot less time had to be spent getting revenge on those who do one wrong, and going to war in order to assume a position of authority.

Because of this, there was more time to develop specializations. Spend more time figuring out better ways of making pots and such.

The birthrate continued to increase. And so some of these new skills would be used in the construction of new buildings


Building stuff, for 1 more FP, bringing them up to 3. Ouch.



Having realized that it's such a vicious, nasty place out there, and how savage cruel gods continue to grow in significance, it might be a good idea to do something about them.

Holding his golden glove in the direction of the sun that is drawing in the light of the world, a light seems to be reflected. With his other hand, energy is poured in.

"From darkness, light. Fight on, Ehlid, bring forth freedom."

[Lady Tialait]

The Elven Cities

Choruses were chanted as the great pillars hummed, the third of the thirteen was being rose. It was a great pillar, made of gold. House Marko had found the gold in the great elemental sea and molded it with their minds.

This 'Mind Speech' was from the great dream of Urus, not the language of Ran Kang. The great pillar rose high and glittered in the star light. The Grind would soon bless them. All of them, and they would worship him eternally.

Three pillars stood. House Eldern's Pillar of Leadership. House Dark-Bloom's Pillar of Spite. House Marko's Pillar of Knowledge. Ten more were to be built, perhaps just nine more if House Drow would not repent.

This was a wondrous day.


The Grind

The Grind looked down at the world, the pillars of the Elven were wonders to behold, but nothing new to The Grind.

"House Marko is using this dream? Interesting."

The words of Ran Kang and the Dream of Urus had never been worked together before, but perhaps it could now. The Grind looked to the greatest master in House Marko, a master of the language of Ran Kang. A novice of the dream. Combining them quicker would be a good thing.

The Grind inspired something new. As he had done hundreds of times before. The Grind spoke a word, a word that echoed into the mind of all the members of House Marko.

"Na'Fariki"

Reality Benders, Mind Walkers, Dreamers of Dreams, Speakers of Words. They would be many things, but they could speak the words to change the world or dream their own reality. Both waking or sleeping House Marko was a force of power.

( 4 - 4 Create Concept (Cerebromancer now called the Na'Fariki) = 0 )

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

Ran began to laugh, placing a hand over his face

"Father! You steal such wonders from your sons! What will we think of you hmmmm? Your elves will need that yes? Already they are being gnawed at by such a hostile world! Give them to me! Let me show them the true feeling of warmth! Of my flame!"

[Shmee]

Deth

Greetings Father. You have called me and I have come. Deth studies King Haggard seeing the state of perfection he has reached. Adding it to his own flaws seen in the Room of Reflection form a goal for his own next level of perfection that he must strive for. I will strive to match your perfection Father, thought i will never catch up with you for by the time I obtain your level I am sure you will have moved on to the next level, leaving me behind. That shall drive me to work all the harder to catch up and surpass you and prove me self even greater then the father.

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion

Sitting on his throne, Haggard quietly studies Deth as he speaks. If anything Haggard had not called for this one and to make things worse... he was calling him 'father'? Haggard did not like that, in fact Haggard did not like this at all. Blood ties are so troublesome as far as he is concerned, always leading to demands of things such as birthrights and then issues of succession. Haggard had no use of such useless ties, and was about to throw Deth out of his castle when all of a sudden, an idea pops into his mind.

"Ah! I see you have finally arrived! It pleases me greatly that you wish to use my person as a role model. Indeed if more people tried to be like me, the world would be a better place... then again there is only room for one such as myself, so perhaps its better that way."

"However, I am afraid I cannot allow you to refer to me as... 'father'... for you see, such rights are earned by merit, and so far you haven't really done much to earn my praise. But let it not be said that Haggard isn't generous! I am willing to let you work for my cause. Serve me well, and eventually the title of 'son' will be given to you. So what do you say... umm... what is your name?"

Seems Haggard saw potential in this one...

The Drow

Sitting in his office, Malthrae looks at the plans. It was time for the Drow to start expanding. Most of the damage caused by the Drow civil war had been repaired, but now Malthrae needed to create a symbol of his ever lasting authority, not only for the Drow, but for the whole world to see. And what better than creating an everlasting monument of his legacy to the Drow? Which is why plans were made for a huge city, but different from all other cities, for this one would serve a particular purpose, it was to be the city of Ur-Priests.

And so Undraeth, City of Ur-Priests was created

(Use Tier 2 action to create city, Drow now have 3 FP)

[shadowmage]

Deth

Turning away from the badlands he had just created.

I am sorry fat... Sir. I am known as ......

He had never really thought about that before. he just knew he was. Then it comes to him.

I am Deth. That is fine Sir. I understand, one should prove they are worthy of something before giving it. I will work hard to prove I am worthy of the right. I have many ideas of ways to improve the world I hope they meet your approval Sir.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahkmotept

Astral Ahkmotept with suprisingly solid features, but not really there...

The lord of pestering found a new little creature on his world tour: Tiny men of the mountain, that reminded him of...GNOMES!!! In fact, they were...GNOMES!!! Oh how he remembered that one little universe where they punted...GNOMES!!! for fun, at least one major faction anyway. He decided to do that to these ones as well. He plucked one...GNOME!!! from the tunnels, and brought it up to a nice big lookout, one that suprisingly looked like a monkey could hold a lion cub up and let animals bow down before a title screen appeared. Imitating this monkey, he lifted up the...GNOME!!!, who appeared to be mentally scarred by this whole deal, to the bowing host of Ahnklings, Brukhaan and Knaarls, and subsequently aimed high and kicked the...GNOME!!! with a tremendous force, sending it right into a little forest where it landed, with a great momentum and thus power behind it, right on top of, or should I say through, the head of one of the Ilithids.

"SCORE!!!" Ahkmotept said as he held up the field goal sign, and the minions of Ahkmotept cheered, screaming "THREE POINTS!!! THREE POINTS!!!".

And that, mah chil'ren, was the first punting of a...GNOME!!!

[Shmee]

Haggard, with Deth

"Good good! I see you are the type who know their role, and that pleases me greatly! Seems we are off to a good start. Very well then, since you have agreed to serve me, I shall give you a small reward."

Slowly Haggard raises himself painfully from his throne, and grabbing his staff begins to hobble towards Deth. As he passes him, he makes neither eye contact or makes any gesture, he only says one word

"Follow."

And with that, Haggard slowly limps out of his audience chamber. Leading Deth through several corridors and other audience chambers, one could not help but notice the eerie emptiness that enshrouded the Ashen Bastion. Indeed the only living beings were Haggard and Deth... and the plane of Duma. After taking Deth through several long winding corridors Haggard stops in a large empty room.

"This place will just have to do..."

And with that, he taps his staff on the ground, and all of a sudden there is a loud moan and another earthquake as Duma tries to resist Haggard's will... of course at this moment Haggard is far more powerful than Duma, and so where there was one frozen tiled floor, a deep hole appears, with a very long winding stair which loses itself in the darkness. Haggard chuckles behind his mask; finding new ways to torture Duma is one of the few things which brings joy to his cold heart. Pointing down the stairs with his staff he tells Deth;

"Your lair... for now at least... I give you permission to do your work in the confines which I have allocated to you... or perhaps you would rather wander the wastelands instead?"

[Servion]

Mut- Duma Wasteland

In the vast and ornamented entry hall of the Ashen bastion stand a statue made out of perfectly polished red gneiss. No one really know how it got there,not even the owner of the grand palace, only that it stood there since the construction of the hall in where is stands.

Wait a minute..this isn't right

The statue begins to move slowly, the arms and head first. As the it moved the very rock it was made of began to move and change as well always upwards and towards ,towards granite,deep cracks formed on the head as small pieces of granite and gneiss began falling off and wither to dust only to be absorbed back by the feet.

Ahh much better

The now unrecognizable face begins to rearrange as to create an opening a mouth, if one would call it that, emitting the glow of molten steel as the statue speak:

I am Mut, god of entropy! And I... I am in flux. The now deformed statue proclaimed.

Mut looks around, taking in the structure of the hall.

what is this place? It feels familiar somehow

He steps down from the pedestal he was standing on and then proceed towards the pillars, putting a hand on one of them. The pillar crumbles and cracks as he leans on it, but Mut remained oblivious to the fact. As if urged or com pulsed he then begin to move again, out through the doors and into the cold wasteland of Duma and then on to the Astral sky.

The first thing to caught Mut's eye once he arrived in the Astral sky was a mountain on the world. The crystalline mountain so far untouched by both gods and mortals alike, a true symbol of order. He studied the mountain that stood towering over the elven forests.
how to create the maximum amount of change with it?

Mut grinned and rubbed his hands together, he had thought of a plan.
He worked his changing power one the internal structure of the mountain, creating caves and tunnels. And then for the final touch. He spoke with his voice echoing across the sky.

Behold Mortals! I am the God of change and Entropy

The ground shook.

I have come here to save you all from the curse of stasis and stagnation! I will keep the world in flux as it should be.

Once again the ground shook.

Witness Entropy!

And the mountain...exploded

The first volcano erupted with terrible power casting thousands, if not millions, tonnes of ash, dust, rock and fire into the sky. Turning midday into midnight in an instant. Turning summer to winter, but with scalding hot ash instead of snow. The eruption caused earthquakes to shake the very foundation of the world leaving no race of settlement unaffected.
The crystalline mountain was no more, when the fire and the lava settled the only thing remaining was the apocalypse crater, or so it would become to be called.


Shape land (mountain -> super volcano) 2-1=1


The elven- house Winsoon
Out of all the elven houses Winsoon was affected the worse by the great eruption loosing their elder, most of their settlements and the very house their great lineage had originated in.

Picking themselves up confused and lost at what had happened they mourned their dead and tried to start rebuild what was destroyed.

Akahiell of house Winsoon a rather young and strong Winsoon elf named himself elder. He was the kind of leader his people needed, but far from the eldest of the remaining. He would personally venture to the gathering of elders to request help from the other houses.

[shadowmage]

Deth

Yes that should work. If it does not prove to strive to the perfection I expect then I will apply my power to show it the way. Thought I have noticed this land seeks the perfection of the void. If that proves to much trouble with my desire to create I am sure you will not mind if I create a workshop else where once I have reached that level of perfection. Of course you will always be welcome where ever I work. I look forward to see your perfection at work in creation beyond such simple things. Deth points down at the hole.

I take it was your plan in my creation that the Room of Reflection was created. I thank you for such a room will prove of great value in my quest to reach even higher levels of perfection. I hope you will not mind if I create a gateway to it where ever I finally set up shop. If it is somewhere else then here I will make sure that the proper protections are involved in the creation of the gateway.

Deth waits to see if he has anything to say before heading down, the eagerness to create filling him. Suddenly he looks up feeling the wrongness, the flaw that suddenly forms. His head slowly turns following Mut's progression through the castle not sure what it is just knowing it is something of this plane. That the perfection of the Void that it sought once again walks, but in that waking it has given up hope of ever being the perfection of the Void and there for flawed.

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - unknown plane

Nephyr Tagae had left the place where he started existing behind him some time ago, he was now standing still and looking around. It did not look like the rest of the Astral sky so he suspected he had left it behind some time ago. But then... where was he?

He still had some trouble seperating what his own eyes saw from the visions he got from the life in the world, this made it particulary difficult to figure out where he was since he was not entirely certain of what it was he saw.

After some thinking he concluded it was probably not the world, since he had been walking away from it. It did not feel like the Astral sky, then again he had not explored so much of it so he could still be on it. He stopped in his tracks and focused on his own vision, with some effort he managed to work... but it not help much, he still hadn't a clue where he was.

Hello? Anyone here?

[Mike_the_Mystic]

The leader of the Troop who just watched his favorite pranksters get mind munched wasn't too happy over it. He, a Knaarl, and his Bruukahn warriors ran after the squid heads, too insane by this point to be affected by mind blasts. In fact if one would enter the mind of a minion of Ahkmotept, one would go insane as well. The group jumped upon the beings, and proceeded to pound the living nine hells out of them, till all that was left were messy puddles of goop, where theyre forms once were. "We wanted to be friends, but you made us...CRAZY MAN!!! Dance upon their squished remains and insult their souls as they leave this world!!! For itchy and scratchy!!!"

By beings, I mean the surviving squidhead and its elf-thrall

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Illithids

Unfortunately for the insane creatures, they were too mad to notice they were outnumbered and outmatched. The Illithids quickly used their mind skills to shroud the already maddened minds of the Ankh creatures, their own touch with the Sleeping Lord well familiarizing them with all forms of madness. Even as their forms seemed to be pulped from the crazed beings vision, the oddly sized mushrooms that were scattered across the valley had pulled themselves from the ground. The mass of Myconids laughed and grinned as they rushed toward the Ankh creatures, dozens upon dozens of them.

A few feet away, the two illithids and their thrall stood in interest, their face tentacles twitching here and their, and their four fists clenching.

As for the Illithid that had been hit in the head of a gnome, well, Urus took exception to such interruptions of his dreams. The creature shuddered as reality itself shifted, and he suddenly stood beside his comrades, all parts of his head where it should be, unaware of the events leading to his death... or, for that matter, neither did anyone else in the clearing.

[Iroel]

Siahrie

The questioner looked around. She still sensed the presences - But were they? She had attempted contact to no avail - Perhaps it was just her imagination. Finally, she decided to contact the grind: "Other presences, like us, yet not. Divine, but different. Are they? Who? How? I can contact them?"

Not waiting for the reply, she turned her focus to her creations, her children, her students - Whatever she called them, they were the gnomes. They had arrived at what would be their homeland, but they now appeared more lost than ever. So, she guided them, whispering about crystals in the caverns which would grant them the light neccessary for them to establish their civilization. Hmm, civilization.. That word tasted good to Siahrie - It hid a lot of meaning behind it, with twisted paths and veiled truths. Yes, they would settle - But for now, they'd have to do it for themself.

Siahrie knew that in time, her creations would change. They would lose touch with their original purpose, and embrace new shapes and forms. But she accepted that, because she knew that they then too would continue seeking. And that was most important of all.




Inside the Caverns of Crystal

Who are we? Where are we? What will happen to us? These questions were often uttered in the first days of the gnomes. Everything had changed, none of their existance was as it had been before - They vaguely remembered being tree-tenders, and they still did feel a bond with nature, true, but it too had changed. Now they were bound to the earth, and especially the things that it hid.

The gnomes first looked to their new creator for help, but she offered no help beyond her initial whisperings. They then knew what they had to do - They would settle down in these caves, and build their home. They would hide their existence from the rest of the world, until it was ready for them, and they for it. So the gnomes waited, building and grew; always ready for their goddess to call them - They knew she would, and they would be there when she did.

[shadowmage]

Deth

Feeling the need to counter the call Deth lifts a hand and calls forth a ball of light that he hangs in the air beside him. He starts down the stairs, the light maintaining its position beside him. As it transverse the narrow stairs, he notices the hard unworked walls revealed by his light. Noting that it is of solid work and has few natural flaws, it shows little or no real craftsmanship or attention to detail.

He does not know anything of craftsmanship, so I should not hold such lack against him. I think this place is working against him and he is using it to push him to the limits as a challenge. Deth thinks to him self.

Finally reaching the bottom of the stairs he looks around the large open natural cavern. This will do for now.

Deth exerts his will and a small temporary forge appears, even this minor act of creation difficult due to the cave around him. Walking up to the anvil he places his left hand on it. Pinky and pointer fingers behind the other two so the almost form a stand, thumb lifted over the other. He studies his hand for a moment before bringing his right fist down hard on his wrist breaking his left hand off at that point. He then reaches over and picks up a hammer and begins to shape his hand into a new form.

With each strike sparks fly and fall to the earth where they strike new life appears. the first of the sparks fall into the Badlands and scorpions appear. Brown and red and black like the stone they land on, the new life quickly scurry off to hind under a rock or out crop. The next sparks create spider. The hand has now been shaped into a rough form. A tail arches over the back of a low squat form with 6 stick like legs. Fully in the act of creating now Deth does not feel the war that he is battling with the land around him. Even as he seeks to create so the land seeks to destroy. Deth is able to win the war and create what he wishes but a battle is lost, which out him knowing the land is able to slip a little of it's need to destroy in and all the creatures created have some form of poison. Poisoned sparks also fall among the other lands seeding them with spiders, scorpions, harvestmen, ticks, and mites of all kinds.


(Create Animals: Arachnids 1 = 2-1)

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion

As Deth descends down to his lair, Haggard watches impassively and tells him

"I leave you to your work. I shall be checking on your progress... do not bother looking for me, I will come to you at a time of my choosing. Do not fail me..." With a flick of his hand, the door closes. And with that Haggard hobbles back to his throne room, muttering to himself

"There... that got rid of him... I should do this more often... lock weirdos in my basement..."

And finally reaching his throne he sits on it, giving a sigh of relief. He then starts to scheme his next plan.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

Off in the lands of the mushroom forest, more creatures stirred from the primordial lake, at the behest of the Mad Dreamer. What looked like large turtles began to surface from the lake, but the truth was more disturbing. Odd creatures, vaguely turtle like in nature, crawled from the murky waters. They were large and gangly, covered in wrinkles the creatures seemed eternally old, but it belied their cunning, strength, and agility. They had roughly turtle-like bodies, with a large rough shell covering their back, and their stomachs were covered in rough, chitinous hide. They had long arms that ended in six, long, triple jointed fingers with hard sharp black nails at the end. Their feet were like an elephants hoof, large and thick and powerfully muscled, like an elephant they could easily crush bone and muscle under their powerful feet. They had two long, snake-like necks, that ended in powerfully beaked mouths capable of snapping bone and cutting through flesh. They had five eyes, two on each side of the face, and one in the center, with internal ears and a nose like a skulls.

Behind them, other turtle-like monsters rose up. These seemed to contain features of a squid, a turtle, and an elephant. It was huge and shaggy, covered in thick scaly hide, with a huge armored hump on it's back. It's feet were also that of an elephant, designed to crush and smash all those that fell beneath them. They had two huge trunks, prehensile, and a mass of squid like tentacles writhed and hung long from their faces, with three malevolent eyes glaring down at all before them, in a similar arrangement to the other turtle monsters. Their tentacles hid a massive fang-filled mouth connected to the trunks by the lip, and two massive mammoth tusks.

[0DP=4-3DP Spawn Tortroia race, -1DP spawn Monstrous Creature, Gargoralith, the Godhides.]

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind, EverNight Forest

The Grind watched the world, and smiled. Change everywhere. The Grind heard the questions of the female divine. Always seeking answers from it, oh well. Maybe this could be helpful to the great changes.

"Sparklings, beings of light, creatures of life. They live shortly, or forever. Guide them. Teach them. They have spark, but less."

The Grind then went back to watching the world, satisfied with his answer.

[Rainshine]

Ehild, the Astral plane

The world turned. Ehlid stood. Stretching out a hand, he watched the Elemental Sea, the stirrings of chaos. Covered in pockets of civility, of ordered land. But bounded land. Ehlid watched, and was not satisfied. The world was filled with boundaries, and that was not something that sat well with him. If the world was not being to his liking, he would change it.

He had never exerted his will like this before. It was a small task -- trivial, really, he knew. All the same, it was difficult. Concentrating, reaching out... the feeling was beyond anything in his short life. A violent roar came from the sea, and from his own lungs, echoed the roar. Churning, frothing, then a small piece of barren land poked up, emerging as order from chaos, a source of life, where there was once none. Slowly growing, it was, but growing. Not a land of walls, of barriers, no. That was not the way of Ehlid. First barren, as he struggled to conceptualize, to make it so. It changed at his whim. He was doing it! He grinned, a toothy grin. He would show Kalmah true freedom. The land was growing larger, expanding outwards, an island of freedom in an ocean of chaos, a world of rules.

Once it had arisen, it required yet some shaping. First, here a few hills. A spread of trees, to supply lumber. He had a vision. This would be a refuge for those in the world seeking freedom from rules, oppression.. a place for people to live on their emotions. It was a start.

2-1=1 DP (Shape Land, creating plains)

[Innis Cabal]

The Amat

The tribes of the Amat stood at the edges of their land, the now floating forests and rivers, gazing back down to the ancient waves they had once dwelled. The small tribes holdings were expanding as their son’s took daughters and sired children, their provocative and detailed wedding dances loud and fast enough to shake the very ground they dwelled upon. Their clay homes stood in the sun, baked by the warmth their great god Ran Kang willed for them. The chiefs would meet at the zenith of summer, dancing and drinking, attempting in their way to contact their fickle and often times uncaring god. At these meetings the tribes would create their marriage arrangements to grow their people’s love and hate in equal measure. Each year a single tribe would be placed as the Amat’Ilal, a word of the Despised One’s to guarantee their people would never grow to despise their neighbors and erupt into war.

The Amat’Ilal would do their part by serving the entirety of the tribes, they would forge the bronze weapons and armor, would knit the clothing of the chiefs and paint the tribal masks that would stand to drive off the cruel and evil spirits that Ran willed to attack their people in the form of the storms of lightning and thunder, with quick mud and swamps and the diseases that fell many a mighty warrior without a single fight. Their warriors would stand as the enemy of the tribes, stealing and fighting the other tribes, showing off their prowess with guile and stealth at night and when Ran Kang’s eye sat high in the sky with brute force and music to drive fear into the many tribesmen. The women of the Amat would supplicant themselves at the end of the wars to take up the seed of the winners of these combats, siring the children and sacrificing their time and their own children to raise the warriors and chiefs of the new generation. The children in their own way would act as pages and servants to the other tribes, walking away with scars and stronger constitutions . And at the start of the new year when Ran Kang and his spirits dwelt in the underground realms a new tribe would be chosen, and the cycle of hate and contempt would start anew.

And in their own ways the other tribes known as Amat’Amon would give food to their tribesmen who took the sins and rage of their people on their shoulders, but would hide this act from them in dressing with the leaves and bark of the land, and would smear upon their masks and bodies the colors of the berries and mud which they were made, and come in the night as the beneficial Spirits of Flame that Ran Kang employed to aid his people from the darkness of the world. And they would carry torch’s to ward off the shadows, and would sing and scream in loud voices to scare the humbled tribesmen into their huts so they could not view their true human form. And this practice was known to all people, but their charity would never be truly turned down , and they knew in the way of Ran Kang he was proud of their generosity.

And the women worked the forests to bring forth fruit and vegetables, and the men would hunt the birds and creatures of their land to bring forth meat for the women to cook. And rice became a staple of the people, the starch being ground down into flour, and millet used to give weight to the light cakes that would be cooked in open communal fires, powered by the breath of Ran Kang himself.

And the chiefs would teach the children the Words of power that Ran gifted them when they were first born into the world, and would teach them their origins and the things learned by the previous generation. And they taught the children the myths of the world around them. At their start the Amat were but grass on the side of a bank, and a young man known only as Amat would chop them down and make huts from them, for who he could never speak. And that man one day walked upon a burning forest, the spirits made by The Grind calling out for help as they were chased by a powerful dancing form, crying out for the wood woman to return to his side so that they might bear him his children. And it was upon this he spied the burned naked corpses of several wood women, and cried out to the form hoping to save the young creatures. And Ran Kang, who called out his name and power to the young man gripped the man with his hands, and said he knew true beauty, and begged the young man to stay with him for all time. The man being crafty begged him to leave the forests alone, and Ran Kang begged harder, and consented that he would no longer burn the forests of the wood women down. And Amat stayed with Ran Kang for a thousand years, and was lavished upon by the godling. But soon Amat grew lonely, Ran Kang being out of his home for days and weeks at a time to dance with the world that dwelled around them. And he asked his lover for others to keep him company, and Ran Kang smiled with understanding, and scooped the reeds the young man once cut into huts, and bound them with clay and shaped them into the form of his love so he would forever be able to view what it was that drew him to this mortal creature and baked them and placed them into the old huts his mate had made years before. And Amat bid his lover farewell as the skies closed and dwelled with his people, showing them how to form buildings from the clay of the river banks, and how to shape weapons of bronze to hunt and fight against that which existed to kill them. And he then wrote down in the sands and clay the Words that Ran Kang would always speak and demanded all the young to learn these things, and live loving their first husband Ran Kang, and died a happy and content man.

And the chiefs would tells the story of how they began to dwell in the world in the skies. They would tell the children of the tribes that once, the god Ran Kang had done a deed so foul he had upset his own father, The Grind, and that it was so dark and foul that not even the other gods were aware of the deed itself. And for three generations the Fire God slept, and in his slumber he viewed his loved creatures still, and saw that in his time away they had grown far from the path that Amat, the great hero, had laid down before he died. And this enraged the Fire Lord, and he burst forth from his prison, and in his rage he lifted their homelands into the sky so they would be closer to his heart, and so that they could never forget what Ran Kang had done for the hero Amat. And the generation lived in fear of their once slumbering lord, and begged for a single generation his forgiveness, and he blessed them with the waters that would sustain their lives. And from then on the Amat would dwell in rememebernce of their grand lord. And the lake that he had gifted his people would be known as Ran’s Succor, and the tribes greatest villages would be placed there, and they would dwell alongside one another in peace, great moveable walls made to be placed around the Amat’Ilal tribelands.

And the final myth taught to the children of the tribes was that of Ran’s journey to make his Words. These words taught to all chiefs and to the strongest of the warriors of each tribe, its power capable of summoning animals and flame to fight for the tribe, and to summon the ice and elements that Ran Kang desired to teach his people. The journey of Ran took place before their ancient lands were made, when the world was young and only the Dreaming and The Creator dwelled in the space that all gods reside in. Ran Kang lonely and sad sought out his second lover, and it came in the form of a spirit of Flame he had made, and she would dance with him each night, and the Spirits of Fire were born from their coupling, and those that died in birth would be claimed as the evil spirits that even then Ran Kang loved and hated in equal turn. And he then sought out the liquid state of the universe, and he spoke to it in soft words, and the liquid became soft, and he grew angered by its easily changed nature and screamed at it so it would be frozen in fear, and he called this his second husband of Chill, and he then spit at its feet, and he claimed this new existence was Acrid, and gave it the Word, and he saw the storms that twisted in his realm and he called out to it and called it Rai, and it was his final wife. And with his husbands and wives the Fire God sat and sought out the mortal world, and was kept at bay by his father’s works, and claimed this to be Sin, and railed against it and gave words to the emotions he felt, and named them in all manner of words. And with this lexicon he spoke and the reality caved away, and he knew his Words had power that no god had created before him, and he laughed with joy, and promised to teach it to his true love, the Great Hero Amat, who would teach it to the children he dwelled with.

And the dead were burned by the fury of Ran Kang so that their soul would return to his seat and would learn how to better serve the world they were found in. And these ash’s would be placed in grand urns made of painted clay, and at the death of the next generation the ash’s of the old would be dumped from the side of their island, and the new replaced the old in a new cycle. And at the great journey back into the sapphire depths, a great festival would be held, to thank their ancestors for looking over them from the world that existed before time. And when their journey was finished they would live a week in mourning, and would do no work for that week to thank the old and new alike.

And at the newest generation, the Amat began to see their clothing as ancient, and sought to change their image to better reflect their new state, and wore the threads of the plants they dwelled with, and dyed them in greens and blues and reds, and put their masks to the ground and swore to gaze at the world with their own eyes, and promised to the sky and the birds that they would wear their masks when asking to look into the land Ran Kang dwelled in. And their weapons were polished, and new materials were found to strengthen the powerful weapons, and the chiefs still in power thought this was good. And the villages began to grow stronger and larger, the once simple huts growing into far better dwellings, clay walls replaced with bricks cooked in the sun. Food became plentiful, and with better teachings from the chiefs the Amat began to rear the birds of the sky so they would never grow hungry in the cold times.

Ran Kang

And Ran Kang watched his people grow stronger, and knew it to be good. And he smiled deep in his realm and knew soon he would need the other gods help…but not to soon.

The Amat City of Zutan

The tribal villages had grown close together, and the tribes had met at the center of the lake, where only a single island set. Here on this island a great steam room was built for the chiefs. All the tribes were present, from the grand magical Urum to the nearly savage Burra, the Fatsa Tribe was held currently as the Amat’Ilal. And it was here the powerful shamans prayed in their ancient tongue, the tongue of the Arcane Magics that their people wielded, and with the divine energies entrusted to them by their god, they summoned forth a small Spirit of Flame to power their steam house, and breathed deep the mist they held sacred as the tears of Ran Kang. And a week passed, and from within the structure a chant was heard by the warriors that sat at the shore, and with their voices they raised a song of return, beating upon their polished bronze shields a beat that made all but the buildings stir in their own way.

The 6 tribes of the Amat
Ruta
Kali
Urum
Lahal
Burra
Fatsa

[shadowmage]

Deth

Deth picks up the rough form, that still has a unwork point where the head should go and spends sometime studying it. Turing it over in his hands looking at every detail. Laying it on it's "back" he reach over and pulls a carving blade out of the air and begins to carve into the belly of the model. He starts to carve small gears and springs, creating the clockwork insides needed to move the legs and tail. With each stroke the cave around him gives a small shudder that is not really felt so much as sensed, but Deth ignores the shudders of pain his creating is causing so deep inside the being of destruction. With a flick of the blade he starts the movement of the gears, with a touch here he causes a leg to jump, a touch there the tail flicks forward. Happy he closes a the belly of his incomplete creation.

Flipping it over he start to carve and refine the shape of the body. A carapace to protect, a broad back to carry, six legs to make traversing your home easier, a compact body to go where it will be harder for others to get. With each word, a stroke of the blade forms a part of the body forms. The carapace pieces of the back gain definition, the segments of the legs become more defined, the claws on the end formed good for gripping stones and so they can climb extremely well. The segments of the tail take form allowing of free and quick movements, the stinger at the end small, but still usable in a fight. As the stinger is finished a single drop of liquid forms on the tip, the will of the land forced upon all that Deth crafts while here.

Again he looks at the clockwork figure he has created so far, studying each minor detail, moving each leg checking it for freedom of movement and smoothness of action. Checking the body to make sure nothing rubs wrongly or binds. Causing the tail to strike at imaginary enemies judging how high he can make the next part that needs to be added. Setting it down on the anvil he breaths across the figure and watching as it takes on partial life of it's own and scuttles around the anvil top without direction.

(1DP=1-1 as I have 1 point left and was bored I invested the 1 point I have left from this week towards my race for next week.)

[Rainshine]

Ehlid, the Astral Sky

Still frothing, the sea beat against the shores of the newly emerged island, as if trying to claim it back. Succeeding, it was not. Ehlid watched. It needed more. It needed people. And it needed something.. unique. A creature, to embody the freedom that the land would come to represent. He gazed upon the world, and resolved to give this land something more. A creature, to be the embodiement of open freedom. With that in mind, he went to work, from the very dust of the land he had called up from the sea. Called. It would need a name...

First he formed the legs. The plains were wide and open, so it would be a creature that loved to run, and for that, it would need legs. Good, long, strong legs. He shaped them carefully, with a good thick bone. This was the first of his arts, and he knew how to do it, but not how he knew. The leg shaped, with thick muscles running up and down, to let it stride and surge. Larger and more well-muscled hind legs, to give it the power to propel forward. Above the legs, connecting them, was a body, lean and well muscled like the legs. Sleek, so that it can run fast. Ehlid stood back, eying what he had doubtfully. It seemed so pink, so boring... Nodding to himself thoughtfully, he swept a hand through the air, and from the body came out small fibers, a sort of black covering, to protect the soft flesh. Satisfied with that look, he resumed work. Longer body, to allow for the longer legs. Muscles. Circulation. So many things, pouring through his head as he worked, coming out from his hands. The creature grew larger, more streamlined. It needed freedom of senses.
Ehlid scorned the idea of the small, obvious protrusion that the humans used for their senses. No. Here, in his creation, it would be part of the body itself. He bent a part of the body up, making a sleek curve. A good nose, to smell the world. But sight... sight would be a bit more tricky. A hand passed over what was now a head, and eyes emerged. He would have to work on that later. The brain, he put back further, and widened it. The shape of the head would make it difficult to speak directly but... Grinning, he reached in, and opened the mind a little more. Perhaps it wouldn't need to speak with a mouth. It wasn't quite on par with the intelligence of some of the other creatures down there, but it would serve. Tapping and flattening, developing and curving, until at last he was ready to step back, give the creature a last pat, and looked at it. Oh. It needs life. He wasn't sure how to do that. Reaching out a hand, Ehlid said,"Live." Nothing. Hm.

It happened out of his mind, just like all the rest of it. Ehlid let go. True freedom. This time he did not reach out, but laid his hand on the snout of the creature. "LIVE! LIVE, LAERDAX, KING OF YOUR KIND!" An instant, and Ehlid sagged. The black fur rippled, quivered, and for the first time, a steed took breath.

1-1=0 DP (Create Animals: Horses)

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind, The Ever Night Forest

The Grind smiled on the world. This would be his greatest creation.

"Genius Loci, have children of your own. You will soon understand."

The Grind placed small humaniods on the back of the Genius, and in the sky above the great creature flew great birds, wings spans over thirty feet wide. They flew over the great Genius, looking to his children.

"They are only half as big as an elf, I shall call them halflings. Creatures of the Genius."

Genius Loci, Near the Drow City.

Genius Loci smiled as a great bird flew by his face, leaving a trail of plumage. He felt the Halflings walking over his back.

"Wow, children. I feel honored."

The Loci smiles and shakes, giving his children his blessings, fruits from Satu. A food for them to eat. His birds flying around. The ways of the world were new to the Halflings, but the Loci would protect them from danger forever.


The Elven, The Hall of Great Importance

The Eldern grumped, he was really upset.

"Idiots, bafoons. They DARE to vote for that...that...Haggard before me? I...I...BASTARDS!"

The Eldern Elder was violent today. Why did half the people vote for that monster? And now this...this...annoyance is running around his city? No. No more. First the Tyrant of Monsters, then the Pun lord.

"Where is the thrice damned Grind?"

The Eldern Elder came before his alter, the alter of the Great House Eldern.

"Oh Great Grind, the thrice damned Drow have came to worship the Tyrant King. Please, Oh Great Grind, help us. Show him how we deal with tyrants and traitors under your guidance...burn them to the ground...sink them into the chaos sea! WITH YOUR DIVINE MIGHT SMITE HAGGARD! HAGGARD THE EVIL MUST DIE! I am your servant! GIVE ME WHAT I WISH! GIVE ME WHAT I COMMAND!"

The Grind did not answer.

(0 = 3 Create Race - 1 Create Animals (Birds) - 4 )

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - Astral Sky

It was much easier to seperate himself from the visions of life after having spent some time focusing on learning it. Nephyr Tagae was now sitting in the astral sky, studying the world. Letting it revolve "under" him, watching as it changed from day to day. Seeing how beings were born, how they lived and how they died with both his visions and his own eyes.

He saw the great eruption shake the world, how it's ashes touched everything and how life reclaimed it's place among the ashes. Once again being born, living and dying. He saw how one day there were vast plains with new species on them and how the already existing species grew in their own lands.

He suspected he was not the only divine being but he had seen no other ones. He had seen their handiwork and the marvellous lands and organisms they created but not yet them. He could not see or feel through them with his visions, not that it mattered since all he could see through the visions was incoherent.

He had earlier found some sort of forest among the planes, perhaps there was a deity there. The great god of life rose and began travelling towards the ever night forest, trying to explore it to see if he could find a being of divine nature hidden amongst the trunks and foliage of it.

As he travelled he once again became aware of the squeaking sound coming from a hidden location in the background behind him. He could not find from where it was coming and it was driving him insane, always behind him and always that same high pitched tone. The god of life was developing a rather nasty headache.

[Xuincherguixe]

Kalmah was a god who saw the big picture. Where there is a mountain, one day there might be a road going straight through it. A forest a field, and a field a forest. Little things could have dramatic repercussions.

And sometimes, it's just good to invest. And it's time to collect some dividends.

There was a great light on the human lands, as carved stone blocks, metal ingots, ground wheat, and wooden planks began to fall into place at a controlled rate into the store houses. Burning light carved into the ground, forming numerous squares.

The farms seemed far more productive than they had been in the past. And it seemed easier to gather resources. While the supplies given were great, the land itself was giving more.

This was clearly a miracle.

Also, the fae were finding that it was easier to find berries, and occasionally a would be predator would suddenly explode before they had a chance to blow them up. It was very mysterious.

Another strange thing, is that they were starting to get the idea to copy some of the ideas from the humans they for some inexplicable reason they felt the desire to spy on. Though to be fair, they are pretty hilarious.

Still, the idea of Democracy seemed like a good one. For big pranks, it might help if a couple got together and voted on how to pull off various aspects of it.


6 AP
Populous once again building more cities (+1 fp)
Exaltation, -(7-4 stored from artifact) - 3AP Blessing Humans for 7, Fae for 3
Teach Populous (Fae), Democracy -1 AP
Leaving 2

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahmkotept, Above the deserts.

"My original goals were to annoy, but this new threat makes me need to have some priorities, annoying priorities, but priorities anyway. Time to whip up a war-hoard!"

He descends as a dream upon the big head of the ahnklings, brukahns and knaarls. It shows him above a pile of bodies from all races, miles high.

"Annoyance only goes so far, my child" He says to the big head, "Now it is time for you to take advantage of their ignorance. They think we're all fun and games at Annoyance, Inc., But nooooooo, noooo we aren't. We're going to beat them with ugly sticks till they look like marylen manson, and we're gonna cut out their tounges so they talk like Ozzy Osbourne. No wake, and leave the greatest annoyance of a god in your wake: DEAD WORSHIPPERS!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!".

The Big Head of the Ahnkling's and their Kin whipped up his bruthers into a frenzy. They left everything behind, except their weapons, and went on the warpath, going from place to place bashing in people's heads. They would not be thought of as just a "Nuisence" again, especially when they picked up enemy technology and gave it an "Upgrade" by putting disease-ridden feces, like the kind they often threw at passersbys, onto their weapons, almost assuring casualties even after retreat.

Ahkmotept watched this all from his throne of Butt Jokes past, and chuckled to himself. "Let us indeed have some fun..."

3=12-9 (Create Concepts: War-Hoard, Stolen Weaponry, Diseased Weaponry)

[shadowmage]

Deth

Deth reaches up with his regrown left hand and pulls off his left ear and a small part of his head and starts working it like clay in his hand. He works the gold into a rough humanoid upper body form. It has 2 arms a head and chest that ends at the waist. Flipping it over he reach out for his sculpting blade and cuts a small door in it's chest. He begins to carve the gears and springs and other clockwork needed to articulate the upper body. Again the world around him rebels but a little less then the last time, almost as it it knows that it is a losing battle. Hours seem to pass as he works on the clockwork till with a flip of the wrist he closes the chest plate.

Then he takes the blade to the outer shell, refining it to his liking. Five fine long fingers for manipulating things care first craved. Strong muscular arms and chest, good for carrying or wielding a hammer or a blade. Using his own body as a guide but knowing that it will never match his beauty or perfection but not as flawed as some of the creations that walled the earth already. The head he took the most care and time with. Hair short so as not to get in the way. Eyes just so to see well and focus on what is being worked on at hand. Mouth perfectly shaped with strong teeth. Deth looks at his work for a long time studying it for any flaw, but none can be found.

He reaches over and grabs the scuttling form, that stops dead as soon as he touches it. Pressing the two together they bond as if made for each other, which of course they had been. He studies he work for a while before setting it down and watching as the little figure slowly starts to walk then explore the anvil top. He studies it looking for any flaw in it's movement or gestures. Nodding to him self he picks it up and reaches over and pulls a scribe out of thin air. You will be called.... He scribes a name down the right fore leg. Your mate will be..... He carves another name down the left leg. Looking at the carvings he nods. You will be the first and all shall know it. Flipping the figure around and begins to carve in a spiral around it's tail it History, for a lack of a better term. The fact that they are the first.

Laying the tool down, it and the anvil vanish unable to remain in this land with out Deth's will to maintain them. He turns and carries the figure up the stairs. The door opening of it's own accord, knowing Deth's desire. Stepping into the castle proper he unerringly walks to the Room of Reflection. Stepping it he is caught by his own reflection. He stares as a time seeing all his flaws magnified a thousand fold. He is able to see some of his birth are already being fixed others are appearing to replace them it seems. No. That is not the reason I am here. I knew I must strive for Perfection and I have I can see that. I have other business here.

Holding up the figure he looks at it in the Mirrors studying the flaws revealed there. They were not as bad as he feared. They will give them something to strive for. Turning he walks out navigates the passages to a window over looking the waste and the world below.

Badlands

The sun slowly rose over the box canyon. Slowly heads begin to peek out from caves, from under rocks and out of gullies looking around. Their eye stand out as they pupils are silver with iris of gold or copper. Seeing each other they start to emerge, revealing well formed torsos. Their coloring, for the most part range from light tan with light brown hair to dark brown skin with dark brown hair, their skin tone carrying over to their hair. This carries over to the few that have a red skin tone that matches very closely strata of stone that run along the canyon walls, even more rare are those that have a midnight black skin and hair. None wear any form of clothing and none seem bothered by it at all. More surprising is what follows next. As the come out it to the open, it is revealed that the lower half of their bodies are covered in a segmented carapace with 6 long then legs that end in claws that grip the rocky ground with great ease. The coloring of the carapace matches their skin and hair coloring. A tail follows, long and supple it ends in a wicked stinger. Each turns to study their body or an others body near by, as if seeing it for the first time. The flex and shift their legs and tails as if practicing to see what they can and can not do. One scuttles up to a hoodoo and right up the side as if it is the most natural thing in the world, which is seems it is.

The tallest seems to be about four feet at the crown of his head the shortest female about three feet. The females seem no smaller on average then the males, it seems that just how things fell. One while looking at his body noticed some carvings on his foreleg. leaning closer. What is... He looks up in surprise. Hello? I can talk? How do I know this? I have not done this before, but i know it. Noise quickly fills the canyon as others try their voices. One feminine voice rings out I am Shar`na..... I think. It says so here on my leg. She points to her left leg. The others start to look and soon the males see their name is on their right lag and the females on the left.

Another calls out a male this time. We are the first. It says so here on your tail. Pointing to the tail of a tall female in front of him as he follows the scribing upward. It says, "We are the first children of Deth, created to strive for perfection. His chosen children. Loved by him, put here to be tested and to strive to always seek the next level of perfection. We are the Scorponar.

As the sun raises over them they settle down to discuss all that has happened on this their first morning.

(1=3-2 Beget Race Scorponar)

Edit: Updated the race discription a little.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Here's a post Innis wanted me to make while he was away:


Ran Kang

Ran stared at his fiery sons and daughters, the elements that made up what he was created to oversee, and saw no passion in them, no hate or terror, no reason to fear the demise that all things feel…and he grew annoyed. And with his words he cursed them with the fear of loathing, and of death and imbued them with the wicked spirits of his people, and their flame became dark and guttered as they stepped, and the stench of burning carrion hung about them as a cloud of reeking sin. And he used the Words of Beyond for this act, an act foul enough to blacken the air around him, and he laughed as they fell about the world spreading his ill intent, as his pure Spirits of Flame went to destroy them in a never ending cycle of war.

But his people would know of this, but had not the power to fend themselves off and built around the now floating island a chain of mountains, swinging his artifact as one would use a paint brush, laughing and raising powerful peaks to aid in the warding of his people, and providing them with a new defense, for they would not always be alone on that land…but they would be ready when the other races came, and would fight those that meant them harm with magics not even the world at large had seen. He went into the minds of the shamans and chiefs, and spoke the words of Beyond and the calling words of Home to them. And the shamans and chiefs in the steam house awoke from their slumber screaming at the visions Ran Kang had shown them.

And in the skies they spoke of the great heralds of their God, sinuous forms of scale and flame, serpent like creatures that could fly through the vaulted expanses even closer to their god’s eye, acting as if they were mortal ambassadors to the Amat themselves, and in time it was whispered these entities dwelled in the mountains that had slowly grown to outline the island. And they were dubbed the Daw’Long-kang, in the words of the Amat meaning Serpent of The Spires. And when one saw the creature, as they were in truth as playful and mischievous as their creator they appeared as long serpents with a great many arms and legs, scaled in emerald scales with a powerful mane sprouting from the back of their head. They had horns like tree branch’s and their breath could summon the flame’s of Ran Kang himself, powerful enough to burn even the largest hut to the ground. But they were kind to the mortal creatures of the floating island, and would teach the most potent and powerful chiefs and shamans the mystic powers they wielded. And in time, the Daw’Long-kang became legend in their own right for the people of the Amat. The myth going like this.

In time the great lord Ran Kang grew weary and sought sleep once more, but he feared for his people, and when the heavens unleashed their powerful rains once more on the night of the one thousandth full moon the edges of the island known as Kyushu stretched to meet them, and it was in this act the land itself birthed up the creatures that Ran Kang dreamed to look over his people. They went unknown for a generation, walking among the people in their own form. And they would leave presents to the powerful chiefs in the form of exotic fruits from the world below them, and in the metals of the sky. But in time, a young man known as Hisagi viewed one changing from a beautiful Amat woman, and chased her through the tree’s and rivers until he found her at her cave. And the beast did laugh at the young boy’s enthusiasm and spoke to him in a tongue he barely understood. And it is said that this young man Hisagi gave them the name of the Daw’Long-kang, and returned home to speak that any of the Amat could be them in disguise, and begged his people to remember to show kindness even to those in the position of shunning.

The Amat

And in the grand village the Amat had made, the warriors and chiefs returned, and showed the tribal city what they had learned, the ash of their ancestors now blessed with magic to fend off the evil spirits now dubbed Sin, so that they may not raise to become them, and so that they would safely return to Ran Kang for him to decide how they should return, if at all.

The Spirits of Flame and Sin

And the Spirits of Flame and Sin warred through the Astral Sky and the Elemental Sea, each seeking to prove dominance over the other, each trying to position so that they alone would serve their great lord Ran Kang. And their voices hissed as water leaving wood in a fire, and sparked and crackled with rage as their mighty forms clashed against one another. And in the confines of their world, the Sprits of Flame and the Sin began to change their forms, to better war against one another.

The Spirits of Flame grew to resemble the Amat in shape, but with two arms only. Their bodies of brilliant flames became sculpted like a wonderful statue, and it was only the writing colors that betrayed their true form. They wore no clothing, naked only in the powerful might of their very creation. And they rode into battle with powerful swords and large shields they would beat to make the rhythm of their pounding feet louder. And they loved one another, and gave honor and respect in battle, refusing to sneak like snakes through grass to wound their opponent with poison and unkind actions.

And the Sin saw the form of their elder brothers, and spat at them with even stronger venom. They despised the sculpted form their elders took, and saw them as weak in their age. And their forms took on a multitude of shapes and sizes, many merging with one another to form larger beasts, their screaming visages rippling through their forms. And their faces took on the appearance of death masks, broad and hateful, spite filled them and their flames turned a darker black.

Godly Actions
(Spawn Monstrous/Magical Creature -1 [Necromental-Fire: Magical]
Spawn Monstrous/Magical Creature -1 [Daw’Long-kang Spirits: Magical]

Teach Populous -1 [raise Tier to 2]: Teach greater Arcane magic to the Amat

Shape Land [From Artifact] -1
3 DP – 3 DP= 0
1 ADP – 1 ADP= 0)

[Servion]

Mut - Astral sky

Mut looked down upon the smoking crater that used to be a mountain, pleased with he change the volcano would bring. He witnessed the forest beneath the crater. The flames, those that were made from the molten rock, had began to settle and fade away,only some fires remained.

shame I can't look closer, it would be interesting to see what manner of changes my crater has brought.

There was movement in the burnt parts of the forest. Mut once more looked down trying to see what it was. It was one of the elven no a group of this elegant people struggling to get to safety, struggling to live. These elves confused Mut.

why are they still in the burning woods? have they not all fled?

Mut watched these elves and something grew within him, pity and guilt.
He had thought that they all had managed to get away, to flee back to the other houses, oh how mistaken he was. This group of elves gathered in a burnt clearing and Mut see now that they were of different tribes. Some were of Winsoon others of smaller unaligned tribes, they had all lost their way in the chaos that followed the fires and lava of the mountain.

Mut decides to help them, save them from the danger he made for them.
He watch them travel, leaving the forests and unto the plains beyond, Mut shaped the landscape for them to settle. He remade the ground to vast areas of rolling hills, covered in meadows of grass. The sun would cast it's light upon this new land and spread it's warmth. It was not yet finished, Mut also shaped rivers that would run between the hills.

Mut looks down upon these elves, He knew they would change on their own so he would not reshape them. Mut leave them for now, with his blessings.


Beget sub-race: Léaram elves.
Bless populous: The Léaram. They now have an Fp of 2
Shape land:Plains and hills
4-(2+1+1)=0 Dp

[Shmee]

Haggard,the Ashen Bastion

As the harsh winds of the Wastelands of Duma continued to batter the Ashen Bastion, Haggard sat on his throne, alone. Indeed, save for Haggard and Deth the entire castle was empty, devoid of life. This annoyed Haggard to no end, what fun is there in wielding so much power, when you have no one to lord it over? Haggard was getting bored, his grand castle gave him no joy, and he had grown bored of torturing Duma a long time ago. This did not please Haggard at all.

"I've bided my time, long enough... the world is now brimming with new sentient life... lower life forms just begging for my authority... its time to put the next phase of my plan in motion..."

With that Haggard reaches for his staff, and rising from his throne, makes his way through his castle.

As Deth is minding his own buisness, all of a sudden, the room becomes cold, despite all the forges constantly working, as Haggard enters the premises.

"Greetings Deth... enough chit chat... stop fiddling with nonsense and prepare to work on a grand project... you are to build me... this..."

Haggard brings out a scroll, containing plans for a huge contraption. According to the plan, it was to be placed deep within the ground, close to the core of Duma. The plans were extremely complicated, but for one such as Deth, he could easily decipher the plans, what he couldn't know is what it's uses would be.

"I want this done as soon as possible... it is to become a testiment to my greatness... and of course to your ability... now... do not fail me!"

And with that Haggard hobbles off, only talking to Deth as strictly as necessary.

Malthrae, Undraeth

Deep within the catacombs of the great Ur-Priest city of Undraeth, Malthrae was holding a secret meeting with several chosen acolytes about dark issues. Malthrae nods his head, knowing full well that things were going as planned... Haggard's plan always had a habit of doing that.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

In the Mushroom Forest the new turtle-folk, the Tortroia had begun to tame the mighty Gargoralith, and now they had taken perhaps the most important step. The turtle creatures learned to strap large, sometimes multi-tiered platforms on the backs of these great beasts. These "Howdahs" allowed for their people to travel great distances in large numbers and bring much of their equipment with them, essentially creating mobile homes.

The Tortroia used this by traveling across the land within the forests, trading and learning from whoever they met.

Urus then gifted all of those who dwelled in the Mushroom Forest, the gift of Dream-Sight. Already he had gifted two of his followers specifically with the Dream-Shaping gift, beings whose whole race could mold the world with their minds, and he had given this gift to some in every race. Now, however, he gave those who sought it or were born with a talent for it, the ability to see more than they might so otherwise, in their dreams. They could reach across the world, to the past, to the present, or to the future. They could look in the realms of the gods, and stranger places still. Nothing might remain hidden from those gifted.

And, over time, the Illithids had used elf-thralls to worm their way by proxy into the sociey of elven kind, and had begun to slowly draw thralls, food, and beings to be turned into more of their kind from that fair, fey race.

2DP=3DP-1DP (Teach Populous, Dreams)

[shadowmage]

Deth

Hello Si.... OK..... it is.... I.... What.... Deth takes the scroll starting to study it. Ok. Nods as he is deep into study of the plans. As if there were ever any doubt. Deth is already see areas he can improve that will not effect the purpose of the device. OK. Deth is already turning away, reaching up he pulls a pen out of thin are and laying the scroll down on to a table that appears out of nowhere Fine gold clips at either end that stand open waiting to clip down to hold the scroll in place. A ball of light appears overhead as Deth leans close. The clockwork Scorponar climbs up the leg of the table and scuttles out on to the scroll. It seems to study the scroll as Deth makes note here and there of what materials to use. Soon the clockwork Scorponar is chasing the pen.

[shadowmage]

Deth

Finishing his notes he picks up the clockwork Scorponar and the scroll, putting the away in the hole in the wall that appears to hold it and sets the clockwork on a ledge that appears and runs completely around the room to make sure it stays safe while he heads up stairs for a bit again.

Deth heads up into the castle climbing higher and higher till he comes to the tallest tower and look out over the cold, dead land. Looking farther out, he looks deeper. Reaching out he grabs a bit of the Astral Realm and works it in his hands applying his will to it and it slowly changes keeping it's silvery hue it gains strength but remains as light as the fog as it looked like. Soon he holds a large sphere of Mithril in his hands. Setting it aside he reaches out again, this time into the starry sky with one hand and into the Black Sun with the other. Drawing a little bit of the essence of each, he mixes them in his hand. The resist his will at first, but no metal can resist him for long and soon the start to merge and become a black heavy strong metal that will resist normal metal working. But with enough skill such items could be crafted as will be rarely seen on the world. He then sits aside the sphere of Adamantium for his needs.

Then looking down on upon the earth and reaches again into each of the lands for a bit of their essence. Drawing on the plans, the ground below the forest, from even the Desert and the islands in the elemental seas, finally he draws deeply from the Badlands. Starting to mix the essences metals of all kinds begin to form in the sphere he is working in his hands. Swirls of iron, copper, nickel, gold, silver, lead, and any other terrestrial metal imaginable forms a swirl in the sphere. Picking up the other two he heads back down into his "workshop".

The anvil and a rack of tools already await him as he walks back down the stairs. Plans already forming in his head on how he will do this. Sitting the three spheres down he pulls a piece of parchment and a pen from the air and start to write out a note.

Sir,
I am making some modifications to your plans. Better materials and improvements here and there that will not change the function of the parts as I see how they should work. I am going to create an access tunnel in the room next to the Grand hall on the opposite side of the Room of Reflection. Two rooms south from the Workshop entrance. If there is someone place else let me know, but I think that is the safest ground to work with and offers the easiest access for my Clockworks that I will create to help me with the job. He makes a gesture toward the clockwork, who scuttles over as Deth looks down at it. I really should name you as you will be around for a while. I will call you.... Dor`nath or assistant in the tongue of the Scorponar. Now take this to King Haggard and await a reply. Death ties the note to the back of Dor`nath and watches him scuttle up the wall of the tunnel toward the castle.

[Rainshine]

Ehlid

Freedom. A small word, yet so potent, and full of meaning. The word ripples across populations and worlds... Recently, the use has picked up. It travels from person to person, lighting sparks in hearts, and kindling sparks already there into roaring flames. The roamers of the world hear the word and listen carefully, disbelieving of what is said. A land of freedom, of open space, untouched. It must surely be myth, a story. Then the portals were. No one knew where they came from, or where they would be, they just were there. People went through, and didn't come back. There was nothing to say they were sent to the land of freedom, but it was known to be true. The people who went through the portals were always the roamers, the nomads of the area. They had few roots to hold them down. Some were exiles, all wanderers. Some human, some elves, some gnomes... The desire to roam freely is bound to no race or area. A small smattering of rumors, one or two people gone, became five, then ten. The migration had begun.

From every corner of the world, people left for a new destination. A few animals from flocks and herds vanished. All coming together, on their own little island of freedom. The various imported animals -- free runners all -- began to reproduce and roam. Perhaps most importantly, Laerdax and his queen had multiplied as well -- hoofbeats could be heard on many parts of the island, herds galloping from place to place, revelling in the freedom of life.
The people who came there had virtually nothing, but then, they did not need it. Things weighed them down. Most were used to living with what they carried. They set about the island -- finding one another, banding together into tribes, pooling skills and resources. Practicing. Being free. Much of the vegetation was foreign to them, so they had to learn what was food, what could be used for other resources. That they would do, and do well, for they had their lives for themselves, and a world to roam. They knew not who had bequeathed this gift to them, but they shall...

3-2=1 DP (Create subrace/culture, nomads -- 1 FP)

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - Astral Sky

Nephyr Tagae had returned yet again to the astral sky, disappointed by his lack of progress in finding another deity. But he was confident there would be more opportunities to find them. The astral sky was only so big after all. Once again the god of life once again turned his attention to the living mortals of the world. He studied them living their lives. Watched as they were born and how they grew up. Human, Drow, Elf, Illithid... he saw and felt how they grew old and eventually how they died.

What is happening to the souls after they die?

Once again that annoying high pitched sound reminded him of it's existance, humming in the back of his hearing. Nephyr Tagae took a deep breath, closed his eyes and renewed his focus on ignoring the sound. He then focused, as he had practised, but instead of on an aspect of life he focused on the dead. Trying to see through the eyes of the dead souls.

Interesting... I am seeing myself... from behind

Once again the annoying sound made itself reminded. Once again nephyr Tagae gathered his focus.

But this time he listened to it, he tried to make sense of it. At first it was the annoying noise he knew it to be. But eventually he started to pick out voices, hearing that what had been annoying his for so long was voices calling out for help.

He slowly turned his around, keeping his focus on the voices and as he shifted his vision to his own he saw a legion of souls hovering before him. All demanding the help from the great god of life. To the lifeless he must appear as a great beacon of that which they had lost and urged for.

Particulary one soul was prominent, it was standing before all the others. Leading them in their chanting, unlike most others he was not asking but demanding. He looked over them all and then bellowed with his booming voice echoing across the skies.

Silence!

The great crowd of souls huddled against one another for protection and support, frightened by the enormous god before them. Even the daring leader quieted down before the god with the burning white eyes, seemngly afraid of what would happen.

Thank you. Now, you souls of those who have passed, what is it that you wish? Only one speaker please

The leader approached before him, seemnigly gathering his courage and stood tall before the god. Tiny yet defiant

I am First Helvi'rahel of the Drow! I demand that you return us to life so I can reclaim my throne. Obey!

Nephyr Tagae studied the little mortal in silence, amused at the defiance and confidence of the dead mortal. One would have thought that if anything teaches humility it'd be death, but apparently this was not the case with this one.

Obey or I will destroy you!

The great god of life looked at the tiny mortal. It had started as amusing, now it was starting to grow tedious.

I do not believe you appriciate the gravity of the situation mortal, I am the god of life and you are the dead. I am under no obligation to obey you nor assume responsibilty over you.

The drow was beginning to speak, but the god of life drew a thin line in the air with his left index finger and the mouth of the drow sealed itself shut. As if it had been stitched together by an invisble force.

But I will oblige you, little dead. Just like all life will eventually die, so too will I make the dead to be born again.

The drow looked at him in disbelief and then, as Nephyr Tagae, allowed him to speak again he raised his arms in triumph.

But I will not allow you to carry your memories and experiences with you as you enter the cycle of life again. Just as you did the last time you will begin with nothing, not even a name. Instead I will use your experiences and deeds throughout life to judge you and place you in a body you have earned.

The good will be granted a easy life with power so that you can guide the rest of your kind to better futures. The wicked will have to live in a life with hard labour and servitude, so that it will make a impression upon you and you will never harm beings in your future lives.

The drow looked disappointed that he would not remember, but he also looked assured that he would earn a life of luxury and power over the drow. Before himself, Nephyr Tagae created a great bowl and a teacan both in oerfect porceland and then he moved his hand over the drow and picked his tiny little heart out. The god of life put the heart in the teacan and with a clap of his hands filled it with water that boiled, turning into a tea.

He then lifted the tea and drank it, savouring the taste and thinking to himself.

I have decided drow-man, your life is one of many misdeeds and as such I have decided that you shall be born again as a Sahuagin of the lower castes.

The drow opened his mouth to protest and curse the god, but as the great being waved with his hand he started to forget who he was. In a instant his memories, experiences and skills vanished and he felt how everything turned dark around him. Soon he would be born again, in all but essence a completely new being and he would lead his life as a Sahuagin servant, completely unaware of his previous existance.

The great god of life proceeded to judge each and every one of the souls that had come to him, judging them and sending them to a new life to be reborn. Some as heirs to great houses, some as servants. Some as animals and some as monstrous beasts. They would live their lives again and upon their second death they would die and he would judge them.

Even if they forgot Nephyr Tagae believed they would always take some emotion or experience with them, slowly becoming better individuals until the day he would not have to judge them ever again. But that day was far off in the coming millenias.

He sat and smiled to himself as the last of souls was reborn, soon more would come he was sure. He would judge them and give them new births. But for now he resumed his search for the other gods, for no reason other than curiosity.

Create concept: Reincarnation
4 DP - 4 DP = 0 DP
0 DP

[Xuincherguixe]

Seeing how quickly the humans were advancing, the thought occurred to Kalmah that really what these people need is something to drive them forward, and make themselves better in facing adversity. They needed challenges.

Removing his helm, he strikes his own forehead with his golden glove of power. Drawing blood. With a flick of the wrist, he states, "My own blood, drawn through suffering. Rise up and walk this space without surface. Travel to the stars, and inspire greatness in others.

(That's your queue Mworag)


A few moments after the last soul has been reincarnated, there is a sudden crash, and flash of light.

"So, I got to thinking..." Kalmah states, as his form manifests in the light.

"It's not that I particularly mind reincarnation and all. And those who wrong others should have to face consequences for their actions. But what this all seems kind of arbitrary, and very subject to opinion.

Good, Evil? What do these words really mean anyways? I mean, it's all pretty subjective.

And no offense, but don't you think it's a bit much to declare yourself supreme arbiter of right and wrong? Every culture is a little bit different. Every individual is a little bit different.

Seems to me that you need someone who can look past themselves, and make decisions without bias. A judge in otherwords.

Not me of course. I am pretty biased. But I can leave you a few."

[Xealot7]

Mworag

From the spark of Kalmah did Mworag spring, as the droplets of blood were scattered about the Astral. From Law was Mworag created, and from Law would he pursue his agenda.

"But, first I must observe the others, to see their motives, to determine what makes them so powerful."

And watch he did, for what would seem an eternity were not the Astral timeless. When the time had come that Mworag decided to let his presence be know, he transformed from the tiny spark that he had been, into a Magnificent, Powerful, creature. A creature of nobility and of strength. A creature of cunning and great endurance. Mworag took on the likeness of a creature never before seen in this world, and that form was good. A Minotaur, Mworag thought, for truly this is the only form, worthy of a god.

And with a Mighty roar from his new body, Mworag proclaimed to all;

"I have watched you, and observed, and I have found that we are all the same. We are all of the same spark, thought it may draw upon different powers. I will prove myself before you all. However, what is success, if obtained through deceit?"

Mworag could not contain his eagerness, he was many things, but patient was not one of them.

"Before I create the perfect race, I must have the perfect place for them to dwell."

And with that Mworag raised his muscular arms and to his left a hilly expanse of forest was formed, and to his right, gentle plains.

Shape Land x2: 0DP = 2DP-2DP.

[shadowmage]

Wastelands of Duma

Setting the Mithril and Adamantium to the sides he selects a hammer as he picks up the sphere of mixed metals and studies it for a time, looking to see how the shapes lay in the sphere, already about ten strikes into the forging in his head. Nodding to himself he sets the sphere down and strike. Sparks fly with each strike, streaking across the Astral into the night sky.

Mortal World

Down on the earth races world wide look up into the night sky watching the meteor shower streaking across it. Many thinking it is some portent and study it looking for a hidden meaning to the sudden appearance of the shooting stars.

Wastelands of Duma

With quick sure perfect strokes a form start to take shape, Larger then Dor`nath but of the same form, it still only comes up to about Deth's knee. Another strange thing is the sphere never shrinks a bit no mater how much of the new figure forms. Soon a fully formed Clockwork Scorponar stands besides the anvil. Deth does not even stop before starting to form the next one, just nodding to the side where the clockwork move to stand awaiting the next order. So it goes till Deth has a force of 20 clockworks standing to one side awaiting orders. Setting aside the first sphere he picks up the Mithril sphere and begins to forge handles for the coming tool.

Mortal World

Down on earth as dawn approaches the meteor shower intensifies. as metals seeds all the lands, the metals of the first sphere common through out the lands, but most abundant in the Badlands where his people live. The Mithril rarer through out the lands, even though once again there is more to be found in the badlands then any where else, it is still rare and will require great skill to mine and work.

Wastelands of Duma

Deth begins to work on the Adamantium tool heads. Each stroke forming a perfectly balance work of art. So he has 20 tool heads laying beside 20 tool handles. With quick deft moves he assembles the tools and hands each work of art to a clockwork. With out a word from Deth the start to climb up the stairs.

Black Sun

For once like enters this land as a meteor shower crosses it's sky. Not as bright as the one that filled the sky of the world, but all the brighter for lack of light. Few seeing the meteors of silver and black that struck the land and any that would come after would not notice the new scares on the land. So Deth gave the gift of Mithril and Adamantium to the Black Sun. Mithril would be as common as in the Badlands, which is not to say there would truly be much, But even more rare and only mine able and workable by those god taught by Deth him self was even rarer. Left in the sky were meteors of Adamantium, left there for chance or destiny to pull to earth. Who knew when it might be needed.

Wastelands of Duma

Deth followed the clockworks into the chosen room and watched as they began to dig, carving a stair as they go. Deep in the castle Haggard knew the construction he demanded had begun as the Wastelands began to rebel against the act of creation. Wastelandquakes shook the castle but did not seem to bother the clockworks as they clung to the tunnel walls. Some deepening the shaft, others coming behind strengthening the walls and 2 following behind carving scenes of Deth at work in his forge to strengthen the walls even more with the images of creation in progress, besides what one creates must be more then just useful to be perfect, it should also be pleasing to look upon.

(0DP=1DP-1DP Shape land: Create metals)

[Greystone]

Lustrianna awoke and sat up. She had no idea from whence she came but knew what she was, and that she was on the material plane. The blue woman stood and looked around. A desert surrounded her. A frown quirked her lips, this simply would not do.

A blue glow shimmered around her and lush jungle and verdant rivers and grasslands jumped up around her and began to spread. The work was difficult, especially with her mind still muddled from... the nothingness.

She shrugged and smiled slightly, she would soon be a mother and her children would need a place to sleep...

I use 1 DP to make the surrounding 100 miles a lush Rainforest, complete with River. Will animals automatically be added to the forest?

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion

Deth's assistant, scuttles to Haggard, At first Haggard was about to swat it away, when he realizes that it is carrying a message for him. He quickly grabs Dor`nath and unbinding the message proceeds to read it. Behind his mask, Haggard's eyes narrow as he considers the message... Deth had made alterations to his plans? Haggard makes a mental note that he would have to double check the project to ensure that Deth didn't somehow make an alteration that would affect the contraption's nature... or even worst... sabotage. Haggard throws Dor'nath away, not really caring if the ingenious little helper would be damaged in anyway.

Without saying a word, Haggard gets up and slowly makes his way through the castle, to the room where Deth had prepared what Haggard had ordered. Upon reaching the room, Haggard looks at the finished project in amazement, truly, he had not expected to be so magnificent. Haggard silently congratulates himself for being able to dream up such wonders. In his mind it had nothing to do with the fact that Deth had put all his effort into its creation, and had actually perfected it with his alterations.

The contraption was large, as it dwarfed Haggard himself, filling the room which could easily fit thousands of people. What was the most remarkable was the huge arc-like structural which dominated the whole room, and several pipes which led deep into the ground. After making sure that everything was ready, Haggard chuckles to himself.

"Now then... let us start this thing up!"

He points his staff towards the machine and barks out the word of command which would get it to start, a word only Haggard knew and wouldn't reveal to anyone. All of a sudden, the contraption comes to life as runes all over start glowing in ominous colours, and ghastly noise which sounds like wailing fills the room. All of a sudden, there is a massive earthquake which rocks the Ashen Bastion to its very foundation. Indeed, even outside in the Wastelands, the ground was shifting violently, as if reacting to Haggard activating the contraption.

As the earthquake continued to rock the entire wastelands, Haggard starts laughing to himself

"Not so pleasant having a part of your soul ripped out, is it Duma? Don't worry though fool, I only took a small part of it to get this thing started. You should be feel honoured though!"

After, several minutes of violent shaking, the earthquakes are finally over, giving Haggard some time to think

"What should I name this? Hmmm.... perhaps a nice sinister name... after all it is a tradition for great deities to give such names... but then again... Haggard does not follow trends... he makes them... thus no fancy name is needed for this... machine..."

(DP 4= 9-5, Create Artifact, The Machine, a blesser)

Haggard looks at the Machine in wonderment, and behind a mask he gives a grin.

"Now then, the Machine may have been activated, but it needs far more power... I do believe it's time for me to initiate the next phase of my plan..."

Malthrae

It had been several times that Malthrae had met secretly with the acolytes deep within the catacombs of the great city of Ur-Priests, today was going to be the last time. Malthrae looks at the half dozen acolytes and says coldly

"Are you sure you weren't followed?"

"Have we ever failed you? No, you trust us, which is why we are here... Lord Haggard..." says one of the cocky acolytes

"Silence fool or I shall shut your mouth for you... remember , if you are caught revealing that I am a god, you will also be arrested for heresy, however it will be your word against that of your king."

Indeed, Malthrae had been spending time sinking his influence deep within the Ur Brotherhood. Already he has corrupted the brotherhood to such extent that Malthrae has slowly started to reveal his true identity as Haggard to people which he found he could sway to his cause, in return for power of course... silly mortals always craved power. These new batches of acolytes were pretty easy to sway, those who weren't, met unfortunate accidents.

"My apologies... lord Malthrae... anyway, we did your bidding, and those within the Brotherhood who opposed your authority... found an unfortunate end..."

"Yeah poison within their food would do that..." chuckles one of the acolytes

"Good good! You have served me well! And those who serve me well will find themselves handsomely rewarded. So tell me, when we first met, I had offered you the possibility of having power and immortality... do you still want it?"

All the acolytes nod their head in agreement

"Good... but before we start... I feel the need to congratulate you on a job well done... drinks for everyone!"

All of a sudden, golden goblets appear in the hands of each acolytes and that of Malthrae. Grabing his goblet Malthrae raises it towards the others and says

"To my glorious reign!" and knocks his drink back

The acolytes reply the same, and do like wise. All of a sudden, the acolytes find themselves writhing on the ground as they find their bodies failing them. Malthrae had poisoned them.

"Come now, the more you resist it, the more you extend your suffering. Oh don't give me that look, I did not betray you, I will keep my promise to give you power and immortality... but first I need you to shed your mortal body... don't worry I shall be there to greet you on the other side!"

With that Malthrae walks out on the dying acolytes and returns to his office, as if nothing had ever happened. While the glorious Drow nation was still floating on the Elemental sea, the land they had still did allow them to expand.

(Drow use Tier 2 action, Build City, raising FP to 5)

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion

Haggard waiting besides the Machine. Soon his plan would be complete. The souls of those foolish Drow acolytes would soon be arriving, and he would fulfil his promise of giving them power and immortality, by feeding their souls to the Machine as fuel. Thanks to these foolish mortals, Haggard calculated that within a few hundred years, his Machine would give him unlimited power, to the extend that everyone, mortal and deity alike would have to kneel infront of his magnificence. The only thing missing was those souls, who should be arriving here any minuite now.

... any minuite now...

... any minuite now...

"Abyss! What is taking those idiots so long!" Yells Haggard as he gets tired of waiting. Naturally, Haggard had no way of knowing that another meddling god had created the concept of reincarnation, or that the Drow souls had gone to Nephyr Tagae for judgement.

"Did they get lost along the way?" Haggard asks himself, as he focuses into the Astral Sky, and finds it strangely void of any souls which used to wander around aimlessly there. Behind his mask Haggard frowns, seems there were some unexpected complications with his plan.

"This is not good at all! I need to get to the bottom of this..." he mutters to himself.

Malthrae

Sitting in his office, Malthrae is busy reading certain scrolls. All of a sudden, he rings the bell for his servant to come. Obediently, the servant enters the room and says nothing, only bowing low and waiting for Malthrae to give him a command.

"Tell me... did you have a good meal?"

The servant is taken aback by the question and repies

"Y-yes my lord..." his answer is cut short as a beam of energy goes through his head, killing him on the spot.

Malthrae, still having his raised finger smoking, folds up the scroll and says

"Good, you were a good servant, and I didn't want you to go with an empty stomach." Malthrae looks at the body. Shame really, he was a good servant, but at least he would now serve a greater purpose than brining him food and drink, as Haggard watches the soul of the dead servant leave its body and head its destination.

The Astral Sky

As Nephyr Tagae and Kalmah are talking about judgement, the air around the Astral Sky becomes bitterly cold, as the surrounding area always does when ever Haggard arrives.

"What is the meaning of this? Who dares meddle with what belongs to me?"

Demands Haggard, his eyes seething with anger.

[Xuincherguixe]

Kalmah, Astral Sea

"I was wondering when you'd show up shouting. Really, you're like a small spoiled child. One of these days you're going to have to accept that not everything belongs to you."

He pause a moment, "Oh, and I may as well respond to your inevitable claims that everything does in fact belong to you. Really, it doesn't.

I'm going to hazard a guess and assume that you are infuriated that the souls of the people you have manipulated, lied to, threatened, abused, and harassed have thanks to some small mercy escaped from you."

Looking towards Nephyr Tagae, "Huh. Interesting side benefit. Also I pretty much just explained why we really do need some kind of review system here. Doesn't seem particularly fair to have someone reborn an ugly prostitute because this guy over here made him kill and eat his parents." without facing him, Kalmah points a thumb at Haggard.

[Shmee]

Haggard, with Kalmah and Nephyr Tagae

Haggard is seething that Kalmah dared to turn his back at him. Haggard slowly hobbles behind Kalmah, and whispers in his ear

"I do not claim everything... quite the opposite... I only claim one thing... power! You can keep all the rest..."

Kalmah could not help but feel the cold radiating from Haggard. With that Haggard walks in between Kalmah and Nephyr Tagae.

"And I ask, you accuse me of manipulating people... and yes.. I admit it... I lie, I cheat, I steal and get what I want... but aren't you the ones manipulating souls, regardless of their free will? Aren't you the ones who steal souls which don't belong to you? I claim the authority which rightfully belongs to me... what authority do you have to judge? Is it only because you say so? Why, it seems to me, that at least I am honest about my true nature, while you two youngsters still haven't discovered yours..."

[Xuincherguixe]

Acting as if Haggard hadn't said a word, Kalmah states, "So yeah, that's pretty much how I see it. It seems to me that we should address the problematic aspects of reincarnation sooner rather than later. The longer they persist, the more harmful it is likely to be."

[Shmee]

Of course seeing that Kalmah wasn't answering was getting Haggard very angry, no one ignores him and gets away with it.

"Very well, you choose to ignore me. You ignore Haggard at your own peril. Let us see then. Perhaps I should bring so much suffering onto the world... yes... pain and suffering of unparalleled proportion. You wish to give these poor unfortunate souls a measure of mercy."

"Lets see how merciful you will look when by death the mortals seek to escape the fear and dangers the world... only to find themselves being sent back... again and again... oh I can see it now, the very mortals you seek to protect will spit at you and curse your name. And I will take exceptional pleasure in seeing your precious humans turn against you."

Grinning behind his mask he concludes

"I shall see to it... personally... let's see you ignore that..."

[Rainshine]

Ehlid... Ehlid left his people to freedom. His mind had other plans, and so his hands were working them. But the people were not still.

Isle of Nomads
The people did not have an easy time of it, by any means. For first matters, when one met with another, there was no guarentees they could speak. From all around the world, there were different dialects. There were elves, who spoke completely differently. No, the early days were not easy.

But they perservered. Strangers met and joined forces, camping at night. Two became four, four became eight. As people grouped, leaders emerged. In the first year of the people, there were many leaders. In the east, there rose one. He had been the first to make a nightlight, a term used for a sort of sign of hospitality. A nightlight was made by burning a certain type of rock dust, it produced a red tinted smoke that could be seen for quite some distance. After that, the red smoke meant a camp that was accepting visitors. His camp quickly grew into a band, which grew to be the largest on the island, slowly treading their way. People came and left, but the man, called Kem-nath, lead the people. He noticed skills and talents that sometimes the people themselves did not even know they had. When an argument over watch duty or anything else arose, it was Kem-nath who cooled heads, arbitrated, and led. No one knew his history, and no one asked. That was the way of the Isle. Past was past, and you were free. When his small band first encountered an elf, Kem-nath sat down and began to work. Food and water, then pointing and words. The band was open to all who came. Soon, the elf began to learn the tongues of human, and several humans started to understand the elf. It was the start of something far larger, and a case of something that would happen all over the Isle.

Then, the Gift was found.

[shadowmage]

Badlands

The Scorponar are going about their life. They had chosen that the young shall be raised by the community. This had been decided due to the first births. It was a time of great celebration with dancing around the fire and singing, until someone looking closely noticed that the new baby that it was not born with a name scribed on it's leg, nor any history on it's tail. There was much sadness then for none had been able to add anything to their own shells. The first was thought to be malformed till others were born and they were all the same.So they had come to the understand that even thought all lived in a cave alone, that they would work as one toward the good of the community, that started with the raising of the young. This proved to ease the burden of everyone.

They used very crude tools and weapons. Little better then sharp sticks and stones they had picked up. They were hunter gathers, having a natural knack for building small traps to catch some of the prey, most of which were small scorpions. But one day a lone hunter named Rath`nacnar ranged father then any other had before and ran into a creature he had never seen before. It only had 4 legs and no carapace but hair over all of it's body. It had a rather large body with a big hump in the back and a long neck. It did not seem to be intelligent for it roamed into areas that he knew one should be more careful of. Climbing up the side of a cliff he slowly worked his way down till he was over the big brute that was at least twice his size before dropping down on it. Striking with his stinger and sharpened stick. Surprise is the only that that let him get the kill.

Pulling a sharpened rock out from a small shell pouch he had he started to clean his kill and packing as much of the meat on his back for the trip back. Thinking he would need to figure out a way to carry more stuff on his back. He did come up with the idea of using the skin to wrap the meats up and that would help for now. Again there was much celebration for never had anyone returned with so much meat before.

Then one day disaster struck, the first illness struck the Scorponar. At first a rash appeared down the left side of a few. Covering most of their arm and front to legs, soon after then lost strength and were confined to their caves cared for by others.

Ashen Bastion Basement

Deth stands down in his his workshop, the Clockwork Workers all standing against one wall when he hears a noise. Looking over he sees Dor`nath coming down the stairs, his left arm and 2 front left legs broken. Walking over he carefully pick it up. What happened? Did the Dumaquake cause this? It must have. Walking over to anvil Deth pulls out a small hammer and begins to work on Dor`nath. Quickly repairing his legs and arm, with fine sure confident strokes.

Badlands

After a few weeks of bed rest the sick started to rapidly gain strength. They are forever weaker then they were before the illness as if something lingered still. They were also forever looked down on for not being as good as they were once. Nothing was never spoke out loud about it, but their option never carried as much weight nor were they able to earn the respect of others nor did they get to mate again.

Ashen Bastion Basement/ Astral Space

Finally finished with Dor`nath repairs, Deth feels the need to go and see what other gods and goddess have been up to. He walks through Ashen Bastion toward the entrance hall. Stepping out to the Wastelands he looks around before willing himself out into the Astral. Looking around at the gray mist he wills a flickering flame to appear above one shoulder. Casting a flicking red forge like light around him, that can be noticed from a long distance off. He begins to wonder to see whom he will run into and what he can see of the world below.

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - The Astral sky, close to Haggard and Kalmah

The god of life studied the pair arguing back and forth from his sitting position, looking back and forth between them as they spoke. He had been right when he suspected he would meet the gods sooner or later, he just did not expect that him reincarnating the unwanted souls would have been the trigger. As they both quieted down with the threat from Haggard Nephyr Tagae stood up in one motion and held out his hand as a greeting to the eldest of the two others.

Greetings, sir. I am Nephyr Tagae, the cycle of life.

He waited for a moment for Haggard to respond to the greeting before he turned to Kalmah and offered him his hand.

Greetings, sir

He then straightened his back and with a flick of his hand the porcelain teacan and mug vanished. He then brushed his robes slightly and then gazed at them with his burning white eyes.

It is indeed a rather interesting situation for me to meet two of my elders. Doubly so since you both arrived as I assumed responsibility over the dead that has been gathering around me ever since my creation completely ignored by any other divine beings.

The god of life was certain the irony would not be lost on the two elders. He looked between the two before he calmly turned himself to Kalmah

To begin with your concerns, I do not judge completely arbitarily, as the souls arrive before me. I take their hearts and judge them based on their own memories and experiences.

For example a man who would steal food from his neighbour to feed his starving family after carefully having exhausted his other options will not be judged as harshly by some other souls would.

I can understand your concerns that it would be unfair and biased. But I ask you, would not all judges be biased in some way? I do have the benefit to witness and feel the position of a mortal through the merit of my powers.

The god of life then turned towards the latter arrival of the two.

To adress your concerns, sir. I did not take what belonged to you. They came to me since they had been abandoned long after the end of their lives. Most of them had been following me around ever since I was born.

They sought my help to return to life and I gave it after some consideration, giving them a second chance in life after having removed every memory and experience.

All of those of your people that I judged and gave new births died a long time ago, I suspect it takes the dead some time to locate me. The astral sky is not easy to navigate in even as a god, a mortal would have a even greater challenge.

During all this time they searched for a fate after death you did not aid them in their search, so they seem to have sought the only thing that reminded them of life.

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Astral Sky

Haggard eyes Nephyr Tagae suspiciously, but he listens intensely, storing up any peice of information that might proove useful down the road.

"Take it from me, meddling with souls is always a nasty buisness, I have seen such scenarios played in different worlds, and I can guarantee you, that you will earn the ire of many other gods. It is inevitable that a deity wants what belongs to him."

"And that is where your fault lies. You assume that the gods have simply abandoned the souls to wander in the Astral Sky for all eternity. Did you perhaps stop to consider that creating a suitable afterlife is a huge undertaking which requires a lot of power? I am willing to wager that you didn't, for if you did, you would have found that is exactly what I have been preparing all this time."

"You see, I also wish to give these souls a second chance, but sending them back is such a waste! My method on the other hand, puts the souls into much better use, for they are there for people like me to manipulate. That's right, souls are a massive source of power! Too precious to be simply sent back, and I intend on taking advantage of this unlimited power down to the very last soul."

As far as Haggard was concerned why bother sugar coating the issue at all?

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - The Astral Sky

Nephyr Tagae studied Haggard with crossed arms. He had not just explained the full extent of his plan, had he? Did it not occur to him that he might in fact be talking to someone just as manipulative and longing for power as he was? Even if he wasn't, having heard those plans few would just agree with him expecting nothing in return.

Yes, I did assume you abandoned them. Or rather... they did. Did it not occur to you that they would be searching for something?

Existing as a wandering soul is a horrible state of affairs. It is only natural for a soul, which is used to have a life, to look for something which can give it or something similar to them.

Besides, what you have seem to fail to realise is that when the souls are born again they will once more be able to serve as mortals and worship the gods. Even the numbers of your very people will be swelling as a consequence of the reincarnation, some of whom's souls were not formerly drow to begin with.

And I do believe most gods will appriciate that the souls are given chances to live again rather than to function as raw fuel for the schemes you so happily inform us of.

Nephyr Tagae had been prepared to direct the souls of the drow to Haggard or tell him how to find them. Now however, Haggard would have to pay a price for such aid.

[Servion]

Mut - the astral sky

Mut was content, content with his achievements, he had brought quick change to the world and the Léaram did not need him at the moment.

I wonder what I'll do now? perhaps go back to the place of my rebirth for a while..I feel connected to the place somehow.

He stopped and looked to his side, something had caught his interest.It was three figures caught in what seemed to be a debate.

who are they? ooh they must be some of the other gods!

Mut walked up to them and once again the rocks of his face rearranged themselves to a mouth so he could speak.

Well hello there! I am Mut, god of entropy.

Not waiting for a response Mut continued.

was it one of you who started the reincarnation cycle? Marvelous work I must say. It brings glorious change.

Mut seemed to think for a moment.

So, what is the topic of discussion?

[shadowmage]

Astral Sky

Deth hears/sense conversation off in the distance and heads that way. Soon the others see a perfectly formed man made of metal and nude walk up.

Greetings Sir. Looking around at the others. Greetings I am Deth the Forge Master. Looking back at Haggard, Did the artifact work as it should that I built for you? I sure the improvements I made did not impact the design any, just stregthen here and smooth out the overall operation.

Looking around at the others. Reincarnation cycle? What a perfect idea, what better way for mortals to seek ever higher levels of perfection.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

The touch of the Everdreaming seeped into Nephyr's location, worming into the minds of all the gods present there. "Who are you who have taken the dreamforms of my children? They came to me... they swirled about my eternal slumbering mind, giving voice and inspiration... but now they are gone, I sense their dreamforms scattering to the corners of the world... and alien dreamforms take root in the bodies of my sons and daughters... why have you done this?"

[Iroel]

Siahrie

The questioner rose. She had been meditating and watching. Always watching, observing, wondering what was going on, what would happen and what had.
She had been watching and waiting for far too long.

She turned her attention to the Caverns of Crystal. The gnomes had thrived there, but they had turned too far from their original purpose. They needed guidance. Guidance, to find truth. Truth, to find meaning. Meaning, to find purpose. Purpose for what? She didn't know, but she would find out.

But what to do? And why? And how?

She pondered and observed.


Inside the Caverns of Crystal

Evhough Dhepen, The Gemlord of the Eastern Caves, sighed. He had been doing this for too long. The whole leadership thing was beginning to take it's toll on him. He barely recalled why he was doing this at all. It didn't make any sense...

The struggle between the Eastern and Southern Caves had been going on for years now. It had all started because some rogue southerners had accidentally ruined a harvest of light crystals. Big parts of the settlements in the Eastern Caves had been going at half light for a few months because of that one, but that wasn't the main problem. After all, such things had happened before. A couple of months of community service mining the crystals would've solved that.

No, the main cause of this great big headache was, that a couple of Eastern fools had decided to go cause some trouble as revenge. They had gone to a cave-expandation site in the Southern Caves, probably just intending to annoy some of the miners before they left, but the idiots had of course managed to collapse the whole damn thing. Since then, the Eastern and Southern Caves had had a strained relationship to say the least.

This didn't mean that they were fighting. The gnomes didn't fight each other, they had never seen any reason to do so. But they annoyed, they sabotaged, and the interfered with every single attempt of honest labor, so nothing could be accomplished. The Gemlord sighed once more. Things truly had been easier before the Goddess brought them here. Not that he didn't like it here, that wasn't it at all. The gnomes thrived here, in the caves, and there were many more of them now than when they lived on the surface. Things had just been simpler up there.

___________________________


Another place, deep inside the caverns, a spider stirred. These creatures had spread far since they were created, even to the Caves of Crystal. Now the creature stirred, as if it had sensed something. It HAD sensed something, somewhere in its web. Something big, certainly far bigger than what it could possibly catch and eat. The spider ran quickly. It wasn't all that smart, but it knew that movements such as these in its web meant that it was time to flee.

It turned out to be a good decision. The web that the spider had previously inhabited now flung itself at the darkness, encased it and swallowed it. Then, the spiderweb-encased shadows began to change. Gradually, they took a vaguely humanoid form, pale as the moonlight, with a smile on its face.

The creature walked through the caverns, until it came to a large "room". In the middle of it stood a great crystal which, if there'd been any light, would've shone with all the colours of the rainbow. The shadowy creature looked at the crystal, waiting. It certainly had enough time, it had all the time in the world.

As expected, the crystal too began to change. First arms formed, then legs, and finally the head, with spikes of crystal growth at the top of it, as some odd-fashioned crown. The two creatures looked at each other. "Xiun," the crystal-fashioned one said, at the exact same moment as the pale shadowy one uttered the word "Eidyia". They both nodded, and went then began walking towards the settlements of the gnomes.

Spawn Magical Creature x2: Eidyia & Xiun
3-2=1DP left.

[Lord Mika]

Slade: the Dark sun


Slade was pleased with flock and so waved his hands and made the entire Dark Sun Grow as his flock multiplied and worshiped him. and so the party continued and the dark sun throbbed with loud musics and partying.

DP=4 (+1 dp great worship 2 tier actions -1 shape land +300 sq miles to dark sun. +1 fp from exarch due to multiplying)

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind, The Ever Nigh Forest.

The Grind was lonely, that pretty much summed it up. All of his children, friends, and allies had gone on their own way. The Grind missed the black drop with the mask. The Grind missed the annoying questioning one. The Grind missed the souls wondering his astral sky. The Grind was lonely.

The Grind sighed. "Come forth children. If you wish to know more about the spark of the world..come."

[Xealot7]

The Grinds, mention of the spark, brought interest to Mworag.

"I bet I will be the first to answer The Grind's call."

And with that, Mworag set off to be the first to reach the Grind.

[Xealot7]

Mworag:

As Mworag awaited the arrival of the other gods, he contemplated Kalmah's reason for creating him. The desire to create such a perfect being such as himself should have been enough, but maybe Kalmah was hoping for more. "Well, if it's a challenge he wants for his humans, then it is a challenge I will give them."

"Kalmah, you want your people tested, I shall test them. You seek a way to drive them forward? I'll push them onward. You wish to teach them to stand up in the face of adversity, to overcome trials, and push themselves on to greatness? It will be done. But without assistance, it will take time..."

Time, Mworag hated wasting time. Not that it should matter, for her was immortal, time should have no meaning to him, but it did, everything was a race against time, a competition, one that Mworag intended to win.

"First, your humans will needs someone to test themselves against. I have just the people. It will take time to make them perfect." Time, there was that word again, ah how it drove Mworag to madness. "They will be stronger, faster, and more cunning, than your humans. Do not worry though. For this is part of the plan. By being tested by those more powerful than themselves, the humans will learn to improvise, to adapt, and to overcome. This will make the humans the most adaptable of all the races. You will get what you asked for, Kalmah... that and so much more"

Mworag was shaking with the anticipation of the coming Minotaur... the wait was torture, however to make sure they were perfect, he would spend the time.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Ahkmotept

Dwaa, don't worry grindy windy, I'm not gone, I'm just scheming complete and udder chaos, and yes, I said udder, like a cow's udder. Its funny, the veiwers will laugh at it, and this breaking of the fourth wall. Hehe.
Indeed his scheme was going well, The war horde of ahkmotept was sweeping into the forests, causing pause to all who saw them, before being brutally killed while being made fun of. All the while looting and downright annoyance was happening in towns. The people just couldn't kill enough to do damage.

[Xuincherguixe]

"Huh, looks like it's gotten a little crowded. I'm not really finished with the issue, but it looks like you're busy now."

And he's gone in a flash again.

Kalmah, some other part of the astral sky

"Uh, adaptability already was part of their designs. The self interest of the Drow, their drive to progress, and the ability to conceptualize problems on an abstract level. With a shorter lifespan to cause them to have a greater value for life, and accomplish what they can in a short time. A bit of scheming is always a good thing. Really though, you should start thinking about how to keep your Minotauri moving forward because these humans are going to be progressing fast."

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Astral Sky

Indeed, Haggard had revealed his plan to Nephyr Tagae, or at least part of it. That is the way Haggard works. So sure of himself and that his plans will eventually succeed that he feels that it makes little difference if his rivals know about what he is scheming.

Of course at the moment, Haggard was not in the greatest of mood, as if Haggard has ever been seen in a happy mood to be honest. Not only was he ignored by Kalmah, but now other gods had dropped in uninvited to meddle in affairs which do not regard them, and if there is something that Haggard hates, its people who drop in uninvited in his conversations with others.

Pointing to Nephyr Tagae he says

"Very well, I shall leave you to your judgement... after all, it won't be difficult for me to find a way to manipulate your creation to suite my needs..."

Looking at Mut he says

"Oh great, another god of entropy... pass by the Ashen Bastion one of these days and witness the nice little number I did on your predecessor... and then ponder, what I can do to you if you ever dare address me again without my permission..."

To Deth he snaps

"Perhaps if other gods did not meddle in things which do not concern them, we would have known if the artifact worked well or not..." was Haggard referring to Deth, or to the other gods? Only Haggard knew.

Then Urus' presence worms its way into Haggard's mind, once again more meddling gods, and now Haggard was losing his cool as he yells back to Urus

"Go back to your dreams... other gods here have more substantial things to do than sleep... oh forget this, I shall depart! All we need now to complete this circus gathering is Chuckles, and if he appears here I will ram my staff right where the sun don't shine... bloody damn idiots the whole lot of them..."

With that, Haggard starts to hobble away. He was hot steaming mad, yet somehow he had managed to keep his composure... that is until the Grind decided to call out to all the gods to which Haggard yells back

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!"

And with that Haggard was gone to the quiet solitude of the Ashen Bastion, where no meddling gods can bother his scheming.

[Mike_the_Mystic]

Being the little prankster that he is, Ahkmotept was going to design the ultimate annoyance for the very grumpy old god: A Mime. Something quiet, yes, but also something that imitated everything he did behind his back, something that he wouldn't be able to kill. It was GENIUS!! He got to work right away, pulling out goggles and a lab table and body parts from hammerspace, and began working. Mostly with mallets and hacksaws, but it would work. Really it would...

[Xealot7]

When Kalmah had finished speaking, Mworag smiled.

"Kalmah, that sounds like a challenge. And although, your humans, who come from the drow, who were once a house of the elves, have the advantage of time on their side, I eagerly accept."

Mworag was quite excited, he had only been on the job but a little while and already he was bringing out the competitive nature in others.

"I must give Kalmah credit, he did well when creating me."

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

The Grind spoke, it seemed Dire.

"Children, this is dire news. The World's Spark hates Gods. The world hates us. The mortals may soon not like us. The world's spark will destroy us. I do not know how."

The Grind swirled.

"I tried....I tried to save us. We are doomed. The Lords of Creation will be forever doomed."

The Grind swirled.

"The First sign comes."

___________________________________________

The Eldern Elder, The Great Hall of Eldern

The Elder had been screaming his demands to The Grind for days now.

"LORD GRIND! GIVE ME WHAT I DEMAND!"

The Elder had no luck..and finally gave up.

"I refuse to give in to that...that...divine monster. I will have to find a way to harness Godly power myself. Perhaps kill off that monster. The Grind sure won't do so. Lazy bastard...our wondrous lord is. Hmm..Maybe House Marko will have a text or something, maybe something in the language of Ran Kang I can use."

The Elder walked to the Great City of Marko, he was going to do as he always did to the other houses, demand stuff with no promise of return.

The Elder of House Marko was a very unimpressive figure. A small elf hunched over with large glasses on his face, his nose currently buried in a forgotten tome full of the language of Ran Kang.

"Oh, hello brother of the Eldern. Too bad about that Haggard guy. I have been looking up his history. Not much mind you. Ran Kang and Urus mostly. Loads and loads on the Grind...as usual. Are you here to borrow a book?"

The Eldern Elder spoke with command.

"Tell me a bit of Ran Kang's great speech that will allow ME to rival the Gods, to protect the Elven from this...HAGGARD!"

The Marko-Elf did not speak, he pulled a book out and placed it before the Eldern Elder and pointed to a bit. He then spoke one word.

"Doom."

The Eldern smiled.


__________________________________________

The Halflings, On the Back of Genius Loci

The Halflings were happy creatures, playing and enjoying there great moving home. Some had dug small holes into the Genius's back to live in. It was so wonderful living there, so many berries.

The Halfling were great at singing, and when the moment inspired them they would write a song for the whole of the community to sing.

"Great is the great back of beast.
We are his children,
He is our feast.
Forward and backward,
Up and down.
Forever we sing to make him proud.

Onward! Onward!
Forward and back!
We are his children,
We shaaaalll not..lack."

They sung this song to impress the great Genius, and always had plenty. They took this of proof of his pleasure.

But, they had never lacked...Halflings do not go hungry on the back of the beast.

___________________________________________

Genius Loci, The Elemental Chaos Sea outside of the Drow City

Genius Loci looked at the city, hearing the wonderful music of the Halfling.

Not much caring for the lyrics, but not wanting to upset the wonderful children his father had given him.

"Drow, sad figures. Be careful brother. Be careful."

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - Astral Sky

Nephyr Tagae inclined his head as a gesture of gratitude to the compliments of his creation from Mut and Deth. It was good to hear that some understood and appriciated the reincarnation cycle. It was then he felt the intrusion in his mind, the presence that disturbed the focus he had and allowed the visions of life to flood and disturb his calm. He gathered his thoughts and focus before he responded to the dreamgod.

I have done so because the souls asked me to give them life again and to improve on creation I stripped them of their being and sent them to new bodies.

The souls that have been given the bodies of your creations are yours to shape and lead. From the moment of their rebirth they are your children to the day they die after which the sum of their deeds and intents will be used to decide their new bodies.

Perhaps one could think of them as new figments and symbols enriching the dream and the dreams of others.

Nephyr tagae hoped that would be a reasonable explanation, the words of Haggard about making enemies crossed his mind and he feared that the shortsighted god might have had a point. The god of life did not want to make enemies, if he had to make compromises with other gods regarding the cycle he would readily do so.

He turned back to the first two arrivals only to see them both vanish. It was then he percieved the call from the Grind.

Deciding that knowledge about the spark would be a great benefit, the god of life started to steer his steps towards the Ever Night Forest apologising to Deth and Mut for having to cut their discussion short and thanking them yet again for their compliments. He was certain that he would be able to continue the discussion with the mindspeaker while he walked.

[shadowmage]

Astral Sky

Well looks like the impromptu conversation is done. Kind of flawed that most decided not to at least share their name. I have some thing to do back at the Ashen Bastion and this Grind sounds interesting and like he has something to say. He concentrates for a moment and a second him steps free of the first. They both speak as one I take my leave as well. I things to do. If your ever in need of something forged let me know. I do so enjoy crafting a item of beauty that I know another will appreciate.

With that they turn and both head off in a different direction. One heading off in search of this Grind.

Ashen Bastion Basement

Deth walks down the stairs into his workshop. With out a work the 3 spheres of metal are brought forth to the anvil. He stands before it and then looks around at the bare ugly imperfect wall. I really must do something about that and something about you. Your putting to many flaws in my creations I can not have that any more. Almost as if the dead god heard, who knows maybe he did, a Dumaquake strikes. With out word the other clockworks begin working on the walls, smoothing them out strengthen them, finally carving beautiful scenes with metal inlay. Deth himself begins working on an artifact that will block the power of dead Duma, with the aid of the 3 clockworks holding the metal spheres.

With each stroke of Deth's hammer or clockwork tool the Dumaquakes grow stronger. The land knows what is happening, fighting back. Haggard has to wonder what Deth is doing, if he is trying to tear down his castle around his ears or what, or maybe he just enjoyed the pain being caused to Duma. Slowly the artifact takes shape that will dampen the void energies from the massive body, the walls go from being bare unworked stone to stone to beautiful murals of a forge in use and the badlands teaming with Scorponar. The Dumaquakes not disrupting the work no matter how hard it tries. Till just as the last bit of carving it being complete and all but a couple of the clockworks coming to help finish the artifact. When suddenly one massive Dumaquake strikes causing the whole keep to shake and sway. Causing stone above the workshop to break free, burying the artifact and a couple of the clockworks leaving one partially free. Just the torso and one arm free. The arm spamming trying to complete the perfect work it has been tasted with.

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion

Sitting within his castle, during a particularly nasty storm, even by the standards of the Wastelands of Duma, Haggard was still plotting when all of a sudden he got the Grind's urgent message. Naturaly Haggard wasn't going to go see the Grind... he wasn't even going to bother to reply

"If we truly are doomed then he could at least have the decency to tell it to me in my face. Let the world hate me... who cares... as long as they fear me..."

behind his mask, Haggard gives a leer as the thought of what is going to follow gives him a brief moment of joy

"... and I intend to teach the world what true fear means real soon..."

The Drow

On every corner of every street of the Drow city, the declaration from the Ur-Brotherhood was read out loud for all to hear

"Hear me, citizens of the glorious Drow nation!

Once again the hard earned freedom that esteemed House Drow has earned through sacrifices, blood and life is once again under threat by the despicable gods who wish to reduce us to slavery! They found that they could not make us bend our knees in life, so they aim to punish us in death!

The vile gods now seek to judge our soul! Because we don't agree with their 'justice' they punish us by altering the soul! They manipulate noble Drow souls and send them back as new pathetic lower non-Drow life form, sadly devoid of any memories or characteristic of their once noble self!

This... reincarnation which the gods have devised against us is a cruel and unjust punishment! Once again they have shown their true nature! But do not despair citizens of House Drow! The mighty Ur-Brotherhood as well as the illustrious Malthrae, King of the Drow are working for the good of the nation! For to save our very souls from the ones who would condemn it!

Long live House Drow!

Long live Malthrae! Helvi'rahel of the Drow!"

A great fear started to grip House Drow on account of the punishment the gods had in store for them when it was their time to pass on. Somehow the names of the gods who were involved with the process of reincarnation was made known to the Drow, who started to curse them as much as they cursed the Grind and Slade. How did this information get leaked to the common mortals?

Sitting in his office, Malthrae gives a grin.

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion

As a result of the never ending preaching from the Ur-Brotherhood, the Drows learned to fear and hate the names of Nephyr Tagae and Kalmah, so much in fact that many Drow who die would desperately try to resist the lure to Nephyr Tagae and their judgement. Thus while many were not able to resist it, some where able to, and would float aimlessly in the Astral Sky.

It is then that the souls felt something, almost like a quiet whisper in the back of their mind, telling them to not fear and that they were expected. It was a voice that they knew from thier days amongst the living, it was the voice of their king! The mighty King of the Drow, the godslayer Malthrae Du'Drow! Had the king and the Ur-Brotherhood managed to once again bring salvation to the Drow against the tyranny of the gods? Thus several souls followed the voice...

and they found themselves inside a castle which was constantly being battered by the elements, though they were inside, the chill could be felt to the bone. The castle looked completely deserted. The fact that the castle's structure looked old, battered and worn did not help anyone feel easy... nor did the fact that there was a huge contraption emitting a strange light from it's arc. All of a sudden they hear a familiar voice

"Greetings my noble Drow..."

The Drow soul recognize that voice! It was the voice of their saviour! Imagine the disappointment as they turn their heads only to see a hunched-backed figure, heavily robed and wearing a mask walk into the room.

"Who are you? Where is Malthrae?"

"Malthrae? Why... he is here..." replies Haggard

"Is this another one of the sick jokes you gods like to inflict on us?" yells one of the souls

"Joke? You will find that I never joke..."

"What is the meaning of this?" Demand the Drow, enraged to find themselves being ridiculed by a god

Giving a sigh Haggard says "I guess you are not to blame... the veil which I have thrown over your eyes has guaranteed your blindness... do you still not get it? This is your true king!"

"Blasphemy! Only Malthrae is our king! Wait and see! He is the godslayer and you better fear him lest he comes and kills you like he killed the last one!" Yell the Drow as they gain courage from that fact

"Oh! You mean that the great and fearsome Malthrae will once again come and kill me, the Nameless Destroyer?" Yells Haggard in a voice which he hadn't used since a certain 'godslaying' incident centuries ago.

That left all the Drow in silence, they all knew about how Malthrae had killed the Nameless Destroyer and saved House Drow.

"So you mean all this was a lie?" stammers one of the Drow

"Your whole life, your whole society has been founded upon a lie... 'he who defies the gods'... bah! As if there is such a thing. But fear not... have I not as your king done everything I could for House Drow? Here I am, giving you a chance to save your souls and to obtain great power!"

"Why should we beleive anything you say?"

"Good question, you have a choice, you can accept the gift which I am offering you, in return for your service to me. Fear not! Did you not serve your King well during life? It will be just like serving your king in death! Either that... or... you could go and face the judgement of Nephyr Tagae and Kalmah... lets see if they shall be merciful... I highly doubt it, as I recognize some of you lot and know of your deeds."

"And what if we refuse to either? Why don't we just go to the Drow and warn them of your deceit?"

"And what if you do that? What do you expect to gain from it? You are all dead! You can't return to the world. Even if you could would they believe you? Malthrae's... I mean... my rule there has reached so deep within your culture that no one would dare question the word of your King. Will you run to another god for help? Why... I highly doubt that the Drow... the great god haters would take the word of anyone who would try to help you... I saw to that personaly... so the way I see things, you can accept my offer and live forever, as you Drow want to... or you can face judgement and be reborn as an Ankling, only to be put down on the spot by the Drow."

Pointing towards the Machine, Haggard says

"I do not believe that your choice is a hard one, especially when you look at what you are up against. I do not ask for much, just a pledge of your loyalty by going through this arc..."

And Haggard waits for the Drow souls to make up their mind, of course Haggard had brought them into such a state of utter despair that he knew what their choice would be, it was just a matter of time. Then all of a sudden one of the souls runs into the Machine. There is a scream and loud noises as the Machine tears half of the soul and stores it within. After a few minutes, the soul comes out, but he was altered. Haggard approaches him and says

"Well... how do you feel?" He says staring the creature deep in its eyes

"I feel... power... more powerful than I can ever imagine... what is this?"

"This is the gift which I give to those who are willing to take it, does it not feel good?"

"Yes! I now know that nothing can stand in my way! Listen to me brother Drow! This is our destiny! It is like this that we will finally attain the power that we have always dreamed!"

Seeing that their fellow Drow approved, several more went into the Machine, until all the souls who had arrived into the Ashen Bastion had left half their soul into the Machine. As they rush into the Machine, Haggard has a quiet word with the first one who ran in.

"Tell me... what is your name?"

"Asmodeus!" Replies the creature

"Asmodeus? That is a silly name... from now on you shall be called Gazoo... is that clear... Gazoo?"

"I... I... yes... my master..." the devil found that he could not resist Haggard's order. Soon several types of devils based on several factors including their personalities started to at first, serve in the Ashen Bastion, and soon started to create cities all around Haggard's castle.

(DP1= 4-3. Beget Race, the devils)
(The Machine blesses the devils, they have 2FP now)

And it wasn't long before Haggard appointed a heirchy amongst the devils. It mattered little who the devils had within that heirchy, as long as they knew that at the bottom, where the devils, then the Machine, then Haggard.

(DP0= 1-1. Teach Concept, Pecking Order from the Control Portfolio, devils are Tier 2)

[Kinneus]

Taronachi- Ashen Bastion Basement
At first there was the flesh, and only the flesh. But that was enough.

The flesh was cracked and sundered, pierced through with the clockwork machinations of another god. It was twisted and broken, but of its own will it pulled itself together, a puzzle of bone and blood. At first the creature wept and gnashed its teeth, stole fragments of dead Duma to replace the parts it lost. It longed to be whole again, to be perfect, to be as it was meant to be. But the flesh flaked and fell under its grasp, the bones cracked and yellowed, and the sinew stiffened and snapped. It had failed. It was not dead, but it was not truly whole, either.

But then, with nothing else to do, Taronachi continued toying with the flesh. His initial creator may have had a design for him, but that design was flawed, Taronachi realized. The breaking was not a disaster, it was a whole new beginning! Taronachi tore himself apart, then reassembled the pieces a thousand times over, each time becoming more and more perfect. More and more beautiful. Taronachi could not find his other arm, but what did that matter? The single one was so exquisite, no other could rival it! From his palm sprouted a flower with a stem of bone and petals of writhing flesh. The boils on his skin danced and quivered like light through crystal, like ripples on water, like the stones of a glorious mosiac!

From the wreckage of Deth's workshop Taronachi rose, the ever-perfecting carcass. "Behold," he said, "I have risen. Behold the flesh perfected! Behold Taronachi, the One-Armed God!"

[shadowmage]

Ashen Bastion Basement

Deth sense his creation being turned on above then hears the screams of the souls. Looking up the stairs he does not notice the transformation happening behind him nor the facts the surviving clockworks have started to clear up the debris. Sensing something behind him he turns surviving the the damage to the walls, and seeing little or none. At least that proved to work. I should of had them do the roof along with the walls and not wait till last for that.


From the wreckage of Deth's workshop Taronachi rose, the ever-perfecting carcass. "Behold," he said, "I have risen. Behold the flesh perfected! Behold Taronachi, the One-Armed God!"

Deth looks at the new good that seemed to have formed from his battle with the dead Duma. An amalgam of his perfection and the destructive energies of the dead Duma. So perfect. So flawed. Well greetings Taronachi.

[Xuincherguixe]

Gathering of Drow souls

"Just so you understand...." Kalmah appears in a flash, "I don't really hate any of you. If I did, don't you think I would have set you all on fire by now? See, it's a funny thing. I'm here for you. Not just you of course, but I am here to make the world a better place."

He chuckles a bit, "It's pretty funny actually, Gazoo. You feel so powerful. So terrible. Like you can have anything you want... But you can't can you? You're tapped. You can't do a thing. Oh I'm sure you'll spit and curse and proclaim violently against the idea. But there's one fact above all others prooving my point. Your name is Gazoo for crying out loud."

To the dead Drow who had not yet gone through...

"And there is the difference between Haggard and I. I actually respect you, and your beliefs. You don't like gods? That's fine. Being proud of the Drow race? You've got a lot to be proud of. Haggard doesn't give a damn about you. Though he would like to damn you. If it was me in this situation, having been disrespected so greatly, I don't think I would want to give my very being up to him. I mean really, he's proven he's a liar. That's what I mean about the disrespect, which continues even now.

He's got a pretty good strategy really. Give you the impression there are only two choices. One that sounds quite terrible, and the one he wants you to make which he makes sound this wonderful thing. There are always more choices than you are shown.

Why not reincarnate? Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of the idea myself. Is it really a surprise this man lied to you again in presenting the idea that I was in favor of it? It is an option. And it's not like what makes you you is going to go away. I also suspect, the soul is too strong to be made to completely forget. But I'm not making any promises here.

You could also, refuse to head through that gate, OR be reborn. If you're worried you will forcibly be reincarnated, stay near me. Or don't. You have no reason to trust me. It was always my intent to bring justice to the Drow, when I was ready. But I haven't yet, and there is no reason to trust me. But I will say this, in your society, dominated by this man, have you ever felt like you ever had a choice?

Well, the truth is that you always did. It's just that you would have been killed, or had some other form of violence inflicted upon you and those you care about. And that fear was used to rob of choice. And any of you with any sense will find that fear surrounds every choice. Do what you decide is best. I won't necessarily like it, but I won't use force in an effort to stop you from making it."

He turns to Haggard, "Oh and by the way? Not that it matters, but I don't hate you either. Pity yes, but I don't hate you."

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

The voice did not change in any perceptible way, but one sensed a tinge of annoyance entering into it now. "You took the words of the some and sought to apply it to all? Those dreamforms who swarmed around my sleeping form beyond the reality of this grand dream did not wish to leave my home between dreams and the True Place, and yet you have taken them from my side, wiped them of their true self, banished them from my counsel and I from theirs, and worse you corrupt and taint the living-dream of my sons with dreamforms of all the other kinds, similarly drained of self and cast off into places beyond their ken."

[Rainshine]

Isle of Nomads
The Gift. While not true of all such things, the significance of the Gift was something immediately apparent to those involved. For Kem-nath and his band... they had the largest shock of them all.

Traveling north, they were, having found a river and lake in the south and managing to get a decent amount of food from their work there. They had emerged from the slightly green area they had been in, into open plains. And they saw it. A cloud of dust moved across the plain, following a large spot of what appeared to be creatures. The spot turned and began to move closer to the band of humanoids, until figures could be made out. Four long legs, broad strong backs.... The coats of the creatures were varied in color as the hair on the heads of the humans, but there was only one black. He ran at the head of the pack, a massive creature, far taller and larger than any of that band. The herd grew close, then slowed, covering the remaining distance with a steady and comfortable ease. At the head, stopping just short of the nervous bunch of nomads, was the black. Heaving body, rippling muscles... As Kem-nath stepped forward, trying to begin to connect with these creatures, the voice came to their minds. "Welcome, two-legs." The entire mass of people dropped jaw in shock, or their equivalents. Turning, the black let out a snort, then galloped off, leaving behind him the first contact, the encounter of the people with the Gift in the new land, and the beginning of a lifelong relationship.

Between the two-legs and four-legs, all over the Isle, they would meet, and the nomads would encounter the freedom of the mind, and a different sort of bodily freedom, and change accordingly, shaping around their world as much as it changed for them.

[Rayzin]

A swift breeze blows across the world, the desert sands would rise and the leaves would sway in the wind. In the Astral Plane a small ripple of energy would appear, a vortex of energy. Slowly material is drawn in and a frothing mass of clouds would form around it. As more and more collects it begins to swirl around faster and faster, lightning begins to strike inside. Soon the mass becomes coated in lightning shrinking in size, the cloud begins to escape out of the ball. The pieces begin to start to form becoming two large clouds, and the ball of lightning forms into a humanoid shape. The clouds slowly drift to the Earth.
__________________________________________________ ___________
One cloud would stop over the badlands the other over the Isle of Nomads.
The cloud over the badlands brings forth a thunder storm, bolt after bolt harass's the land and its inhabitants. The cloud over the Isle of Nomads would bring forth a constant light rain that would rejuvenate the Earth.

Create 2 Creatures, one monstrous and one magical. 2DP
1 Blesses the Kem-nath. 1 CP left
1 Curses the Scorponar. 1 CP left

[Kinneus]

Taronachi- Ashen Bastion Basement
"Greetings, Creator," Taronachi said. "Do you see my glory? My writhing beauty? I have perfected your designs, Creator, and I grow more perfect with each passing moment. I can perfect you, too, if only you'd let me. I..."

Taronachi trailed off as he cast his gaze upon the world for the first time. He saw all the strange and wonderful things his predecessors had created, and each one disgusted him more than the last. "No!" he shouted, "No, no! It's all wrong!" And with that, the great carcass headed for the Astral Sky to get a better view.

Taronachi- The Astral Sky
Peering down at the world, the One-Armed God studied it for a time. Soon, he understood. The elves were the key. They were one of the earliest races, and from them came the drow, and from them came the humans. They were far from perfect, however, and quite undeserving of transformation. Their flesh had grown inert with the passing of ages, but perhaps they would have their uses. Yes, they would have their uses. Taronachi saw in them one House in particular that, while unable to undergo perfection themselves, might aid him in transforming all others. With his single, feculent hand Taronachi reached down to caress House Starlight. And though his bony fingers were stopped by the ancient barrier, his malign intent dripped down onto the world below, falling on House Starlight like an ill rain.

House Starlight
Ever since Ran Kang gave the gift of magic to the world, House Starlight had been among the most adept at wielding it. Each House had its duties, and House Starlight's was to study and understand the arcane arts, and devise new ways to employ them in defense of the forest home.

That night, all of House Starlight's greatest mages had gathered to perform a grand, eldritch ceremony designed to bolster the wards around their home. Master Taranae Starlight oversaw the ritual, directing the ebb and flow of incantations from atop his pedestal. It was a lengthy and difficult procedure, but it was necessary.

House Starlight's divinations had revealed that strange and uncertain winds were blowing through the forest home. The details were of course unclear, but Master Taranae had deduced that somehow the gods were going to alter the very rules of life and death. Now, if this was The Grind's will, then so be it, but Master Taranae was still... reluctant.

Though House Starlight's faith was strong, there were times when Master Taranae personally doubted whether or not The Grind had his people's best interests at heart. He never voiced his concerns, and always simply tended to his duties. But the fiasco between House Drow and House Eldern had left Master Taranae doubting the might of The Grind, as well as the competence of House Eldern.

Just then, as Master Taranae was thinking these admittedly blasphemous thoughts, he thought he felt something drip onto his crown... something sinister, something vile, something vaguely oily. And then it was gone. Master Taranae shuddered, and then continued. It was probably just the wind...

But as Taranae watched the bands of smoky incense twisting through the hall, as he watched his apprentices chant and throw the ingredients into the sacred flame as he directed, a wonderful thought came across him. Such glorious inspiration! This ritual, this humble strengthening of wards... it could be so much more! Yes, with a bit more of this reagent, and bit more of that, this could be an enchantment of tremendous power! It would bring great glory to House Starlight, ensure them long life and prosperity. It could make them immortal, and then life and death would no longer be their concern! Who knows, in time it may give them the strength to take over the incompetent House Eldern and deal with that treasonous House Drow.

Working with the frenzy of one divinely inspired, Master Taranae sent his apprentices scurrying back and forth, collecting more and more components for the ritual, some quite exotic, some bordering on the dark. Dryad tears, a fluttermouse's plucked wings... a few of the apprentices paused in their work, puzzled, but the rest moved all the faster, laughing with joy at Master Taranae's ingenious new designs.

After several hours, the moment had finally arrived. The final portion of the ritual. Cackling with glee, Master Taranae stepped off his pedestal and into the circle. Those few apprentices who had not collapsed from exhaustion or stopped working due to doubt entered with him. Master Taranae and his best apprentices all raised their daggers high and poured their blood onto the runes.

Too late, Master Taranae realized what he had done.

Wracked with hideous pain, Master Taranae and his followers collapsed onto the floor, howling. They felt, with indescribable sorrow and agony, their own hearts cease their beating. Their blood ran as cold as the streams of the forest home, and their skin went pale as snow. Worst of all was the crunch of bone as massive, bestial fangs drooped down from their mouths. Thirty elves were transformed there, by the light of magical flame, by a vile ritual they had performed themselves. Thirty elves fell, and moments later, the world's first thirty vampires arose.

Those few who had the good sense not to participate in the ritual were pleased when they saw their dead comrades’ resurrection. They did not understand the enormity of what had just happened, and as the new vampires moved forward to feed, the poor fools embraced them, tears of happy relief glistening in their eyes.

Taronachi- The Astral Sky
Taronachi smiled down at his new creations. He whispered to them sweetly, neither knowing nor caring if they could hear him. "Welcome, my imperfect ones. You desired power, Master Taranae, and I gave it to you. I have made your flesh eternal. Though the elven form is flawed, imperfect, and loathsome to look at, your eternal flesh is still necessary. You shall be my martyrs. When I transform the rest of the world, you will be sculptures I compare my new works to. You are the limit I hope to break, the mistake I hope to correct. But I only need so many of you... so this I decree. Your kind, you vampires, shall not propagate naturally. Instead, when you feed upon the blood of others they will either die or become like you, as I will it. I, after all, have need of only so many models."

(2-2(Beget Subrace)=0 DP, Beget Sub-Race of Elves: Vampires)

[Iroel]

Siahrie

The Questioner heard the calling of the Grind. But she could not answer. She had things to do. Important things. All part of the plan, to create the meaning. Or so she thought, at least so she thought. On a second thought, perhaps she didn't think so. The didn't know. But perhaps she would find out.

Using what she had learned from silently observing the dreamer, she wove the bendings of the light of dreams, to create the patterns of thought that would lead her children to glory, and whisper the words of eldritch secrets.


Inside the Caverns of Crystal

Evhough Dhepen ran flustered around. While sleeping, he had dreamed. That in itself was nothing unusual, but this dream had been... Peculiar. He had seen himself walking around the caverns, ending in an enourmous room, the ceiling of which was covered with the precious light-crystals.

That in itself was odd, seeing as the light-crystals were not a common occurence. But the oddest thing was that, in the middle of the room, a crystal stood. This crystal was incased in a large spiderweb, and as he approached it, he saw himself reflected in it.

The reflections were not all the same, however. In some, he saw himself toiling in the crystal mines. In others, he was sneaking up behind some odd creature with a knife in his hand. All of them seemed to reflect him, but not one as he was now.

That was when he had woken up, the memory of the path he had taken still fresh in his memory. He had felt drawn towards the place, even after waking up, and so he had left his home, only to find that every single gnome in the settlement had done so too. Now, they were all going to the cavern of their dreams, and it was his responsibility to ensure that noone was trampled as they went through the narrow passages. Life had indeed been easier on the surface.

____________


When the gnomes of Eastern Caves arrived, they saw that in the opposite end of the room, so had the Southern gnomes. Now slightly more wary, they went towards the center of the room. It was just as in the dream, except that the crystal was missing.

When they got to the center, the gnomes began to murmur amongst themselves. Why were they here? What was the meaning of this? Who had lead them there? Suddenly they were all silenced, as a voice began to speak in a loud firm tone. "I see that you are still curious. That is good. You are the children of the Questioner, and questioners you too shall be. Now listen, and learn."

The gnomes quickly parted to allow the two newly-arrived passage. They listened, and they learned. And soon, the gnomes were once again united, now with a cause. They were to journey to the surface, and establish themselves there. The gnomes came out of hiding, and so the first city of the gnomes was founded. It was Phou'gehl Ghu; The Stone of the Hidden Light.

And the gnomes sought and learned, for they had listened to their goddess' words. They were to uncover the secrets of reality, if not now, then later, and if not later, then before.

Eidyia: Bless Gnomes
Xiun: Bless Gnomes
Teach Populus: Questioning
Gnomes: Build City (Phou'gehl Ghu)

((Gnomes are now tier 2, and have 5 FP, if my calculations are right))

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

Even as he spoke to the Fate Giver, the Dreamer did what he did. The Gnome, Evhough Dhepen might not have known he was there... but he was. For surely, the Dreamer was always there. He was more than just a being of infinite sleep, he was Source of all slumberers dreams, even if others chose to tamper with the dreams of the mortals. Truly Urus did not mind, it made the dreams all the more interesting. And so it was that the Eversleeping looked on, as he always looked on, into the dreams of this one Gnome in particular... and all mortals across the world.

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

Ran heard his father’s call, but he did not obey it, he reveled in his peoples strong rush of power. His Words were growing in the world. The Words he used would stretch like a warm blanket…but Ran Kang in time grew lonely like his father, The Grind. But his father’s company was something he was accustomed to… but he heard his words being used by others, and he would seek them out in the void. He called forth into the Astral Sea, for anyone who would answer his call, he asked out loud

“Who lies here in this land? Who here seeks to create that which makes them joyous in that which we cannot touch?”

And he spun and danced from light to darkness, from solid to the immaterial, he swam through seas of chaos, and hammered through the order that lay before him. All for the company of others.

[EvanMouse]

Rose

Rose started to head to the nearest fairy treetop village after leaving her battered home.
her hands start to glow a strange tint of green on the way there. "What would this be?" then it glows a tint of blue as a image of Satu appears on her hand. "Rose...I am Satu the prince god of fae I have granted you power...You have Druidic magic far greater then I have granted other fae... With this teach other fae your ways...Learning from your experence could be a good thing" Rose blinked a bit not knowing the first thing of druidic magic. "But how do I use this power" Satu's Image smiled to her. "..become one with nature...breathe its air...flow with its balance...You already have become one with nature more then other fae have you are aware of Natures natural balance...I am surprised by your wisdom make that your will" Rose then began to become curious, of course all the pixies have that trait...she picked up a random splinter held it in her hand...willing it to become bigger and it did it became as sharp as a splinter but it became bigger much bigger...it was a really sharp stick a gust of wind blew it as well launching it meters away. "D-Di-Did I just do that!....Thank you Satu.."

Rose within moments told the nearby tribe the story that happened to her soon all of the tribes knew the story of the attack.. and just as Satu wished Rose became the Hi druid of every fae tribe.

Satu watching the pixies fluttermice and the humans

Satu smiled at rose feeling pretty happy that Rose was pushed in just the right direction.

He blinks as a big ball of divine spark came and hit him square in the face! “Hey! What in the eeep!!” he just shrugs and giggles after he absorbed the divine power “Thanks whoever did that…

(The 4 Devine power from haggard reached him n.n)

Satu then looked down at the world seeing the humans and the fae seeing that the fairies became curious about them and started to try to learn from them he giggled at the sight...watching his pixies giggling with glee...some fae were bold enough to do a few friendly pranks... one pixie even waited till a human male was asleep and tickled his feet at the same time that he would wake up for breakfast as a practical joke...She then said "hi" in a cutesee manner before Quickly flying out the window she came in...leaving breakfast for the human that she spied on….putting lots of strawberries in a empty bowl on his table.. apparently humans and fae were starting to become good friends...and some fae druids created more food for the humans to eat as gifts...rewarding them for being such nice folk...because some of the the pixie tribes were so close to humans....the humans started to learn what it means to be curious…

(Teach Populous -human- Curiosity 9DP - 1DP = 8DP)

Satu again with The creation of a new pixie race (a week later)


Satu then thought "Wait a min...I was going to make that Idea I had for Slade...no response from the god of that black sun of boiling death in the sky. Well even if he didn't agree this was going to happen anyways...Its all in the great plan of things that I thought of" shrugs. "Wish I could have done this sooner but eh...this race is pretty hard to create"

And with that Satu held up his staff for a moment pointing it at the black sun... "Channel some of this death energy into this idea.." he soon lowers it to the world with a evil grin. "Sugapix!! Emerge!!!" they appeared to look like pixies but they were different there skin is different colors...red yellow green and blue...for a start on there apperence....

soon the Sugapix flew around one of the pixies tribes...The pixies and flutter mice were blinking at the new pixie race...they had a smell to them like cake freshly popped from a oven when this smell was noticeable the sugapixies skin turned to a yellow tint...and in fact wait that changed...now its...strawberries and there skin changed to a red tint... the other pixies blinked. "Huh?"

Soon one Sugapix that wanted to step up to speak with the leader of the nearest pixie tribe making a counsel with him

"We are Suga mice!" the Sugapix shifted there form looking just like flutter mice for a moment. "Or We are!! Suga Pixies!" they shifted there forms to look just like pixies... "We can appear to look like any other pixie!"

The leader of the tribe they first appeared in to explain them selves blinked chewing on a goodberry "And...umm..err...what else were you created with? if there is anything else" blinking feeling completely curious about this new pixie race.

"We are here to protect you from harm! hopefully because of our wants and desires!"

"And what would that be?"

"To die"

"To what!?" The elder blinked in surprise.

"We like death...We Enjoy the sight of the black sun!! In fact...we love the black sun..when we die we revive far away from wherever our death happened and another one of us pops up next to us if we want our own children....That is how we give birth we are born by death...and all we wanna do is.. get hunted and eaten by predators!"

The elder droped the Goodberry from his hands and looked at the sugapix in shock.

"So if you ever get attacked we will be on the front lines if there is any predators about so Pleassseee!! if we have a chance to get eaten Please!! tell us kay! we all want to be food....we can shift our taste to whatever the predator craves!"

"But wouldn't that hurt?"

"Nope it is awesome! We even receive no pain only pleasure when we die. some of us tried even some death on the way here" [the sugar pix makes a content sigh much like the sound the doors the ship made in the book the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy].

The Elder pixie blinked "Oh dear...this is too weird for me...why would anyone want to be eaten?...or die?.." he shakes his head...trying to get it out of his mind thinking one word in his head (Creepy!!!) "welcome... Sugapix to our v-vilages...Ill send word...of your arival..to the other tribes..."the Elder rubs his eyes as the Sugapix joined the other Sugapix. "I cant be hearing this right this is....too creepy for me..." shrugs "Oh well..weirdness will be weirdness I guess."

(Using the staff of the fae: 6DP - 2 = 4 Beget Sub Race Sugapix)
(Bless Pixie,Fluttermice And Sugapix 8 - 3 = 5)

[Iroel]

Siahrie

The Questioner heard the callings of Kang, and so she came. Wearing the form of a young elf, she strode forward through the astral sky, wearing the robe she had fashioned earlier. It might be seen as pointless, she thought, and perhaps it was. Or perhaps it would serve as an excellent way of manipulating the impression she made. She allowed herself a quick smile. Indeed it would.


As she approached Rand Kang, she spoke: "I am one of those who seek to use what you have created. You and the others have fashioned fine tools for me and my children to use."

She looked wondering at him. She then drew forth a small silver spyglass, the glass of which was cracked into thousands of small fragments. As she continued speaking, the 'air' around her started to form pictures of her doings; the creation of the Caves of Crystal, the making of the gnomes, and the weaving of dreams.

"I am the Questioner. I am the one who seeks the truth, the meaning, and the reasons behind all. I shall understand it, master it, and shape it to my will. The Grind has spoken of others such as you. It says that you are children. That you are less than us, and that you should be taught. But I do not believe it. Judging from those actions which I have observed, you are at least as strong as I. Who are you? Tell me all."

[Lord Mika]

Slade : The Dark Sun

The party Continues and an extremely drunk Shade has some fun screwing around with the Shay Al' Goul causing a populous boom as rampant screwing on a mass scale goes on.

All the while the Shay Al' Goul continue to praise their god in a drunken stupor. calling our God is F***in awesome man, I love that guy, He ..............dude i think i'm gonna hurl and as they party down in preparation for a monumental task.

Slade sits upon a throne of shadow atop the highest point in the court of miracles and smiles as he himself cheers his people with one never ending stone flask of a bottle.

(I think I stole off some dwarf like a really long time ago before my godly ascension, a deadly bottle know as DEMON bottle.)

Slade toasted them and took a large slug from promptly passing out from the liquid held within. as he passed out he released a large belch that the cloud caused several people nearby to fall over from the alcoholic fumes in it and one even fell off the building killing himself.

DP=7(4+3 for the week and + 1 for great worship-1 bless shay al goul)fp of shay al' goul = 10

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang flared, his form wrapped in the multitude of colors all flame may take, and as the flames burned down to cinders, he was wrapped in robes the color of the sun, his face wrapped in an ornate scarf covering his eyes, only his grand gleaming smile the only thing showing.

“I am that which burned forth from that Grind, the lord of Flames! The Lord of feeling! I am that which burns in all mortal creatures! I am Ran Kang!”

Ran then did a somersault, twisting in the air and landing on his feet.

“I am the creator of the Words, the force of spark that ties all together, to bring all together! The World is lonely, and the Grind does nothing but watch and keep us at bay! I am he that desires the closeness of form. I am she who exists to tempt those with lust and anger, and it who seeks to soothe the shattered creatures with solace and kind words.”

Ran Kang then bursts into smoke, appearing before the new creature before him

“The Grind called us lesser? But that is relative to the Grind. You ask for me to tell you all. But you must have time and then more to learn that which I would teach you. I will do so though, for you have asked and who am to tell you no?”

Ran Kang then sat, hovering in the ether void, his grin far too wide to be comfortable, almost predatory, cruel in its humor.

“There was nothing, only dreams and that aspiration to which created the world. And the nothing felt sorrow for the first time! And with a single tear, it lusted to take form, and pined for form and it raged against its own non-boundaries. And it coupled with itself, and felt the ecstasy that comes from that act, the revulsion of copulating with such an ugly creature. And its womb burst forth, and a torrent of fear and flames poured forth, and the very creation that existed offered up its arms to this new life. And it took its first steps and was in awe of the world around it! So many things! So much to do and feel and taste and hear! And it loved the world it was placed in. But it had no words to speak to this place, so it taught itself the Words that all things would know. And the form found itself hurting the world, burning it with its flames of desire, and it turned its back on it for an instant, and in that time a grand shield was lifted to keep it from its one true love. And grief filled the being. And in its grief it fell into despair and remorse and slept. And while it slept its creations lived on, grew strong and dreamed as all things are want to do. And it found itself shamed by its absence and disappointment with its apathy. And when it burst forth again into the world, it filled itself with its own Words, and it sought to grow once more!”

Ran then stood, and pointed at the other form

“And you! What of you! What are you, why are you, where are you truly? Do you wish to know all for its own sake? Or do you wish to know all so that you cannot be harmed by that which cannot be known?”

And though Ran Kang was in the presence of another, his mind and power surged forth into the world and into his people. And above the mountains of the great island of Kyushu another wide mountainous land grew, hovering just above the highest mountaintop. And the fields flooded with life, and the Amat knew they had pleased their lord in the heavens, and sent worship and sacrifice in the form of burning effigies and slaughtered fowl.

And on the new island that hung above the sky, dubbed Ah’ntu four legged forms began to walk. They hunted the birds and lesser forms of their offspring for food, and though unseen for the moment by the lesser world, they called themselves the canines in the tongue of Ran Kang.

(1 DP from artifact -1: 1-1=0)
(Godly DP: Create Animals canines -1, Bless Amat -1[FP at 7])

The Amat

The Amat’s grand priests met in the temples at the shore of the grand lake, and together they worked the magics to unravel the future of their kind. The island had been abandoned for this, for if the grand god Ran Kang viewed this action, they thought, he would grow displeased and heap a powerful curse upon them. For who were they to stand against the fate the Flame Lord had eked out for them? But they did so in the cover of night, and saw great places to place their next village, and in the morrow, a band of Amat walked out into the mountains, and within the week the start of a new village had grown.
(Teir 2 powers: Create Village: FP goes up by 1, Amat FP at 8)

[Servion]

The Léaram elves

Since their escape from the apocalypse crater and the resettling, in the hills beyond the great forests, the Léaram had grown more numerous. This increase in numbers created a need for a larger,more united, society than the scattered tribes they were now,tribes that did from time to time raid each others.

Centralization of power came first in the cunning House Wynsoun, formerly of Winsoon, who had not only previous experience of large civilization building but also a substantial military under them.

Wynsoun began a construction of a fort situated on a hill, near one of the larger rivers of the plains. The construction took much time but when it was finished it stood high and mighty, and the Wynsoun named it Hen'aiy'kininaé*.

As time passed more and more Léaram moved closer to the great keep and towns began to form inside and below it's walls. House Wynsoun had now created a symbol of power and unity, still not enough to unite all of the Léaram but a start.
------
Tier 2 power:founding hill-castle together with it's surrounding town.
The Léaram now have a Fp score of 3 (2+1=3).

*Hen'aiy'kininaé roughly translates to Freedom keep

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

"No."

The Grind's lights shimmered.

"No."


The Eldern

The Eldern elder had gathered two thousand elven together. Almost all the house elven. He would be a God before the day was over. First, they would all build the great pillar of Elders. His own personal idol. They would think it was for all the elder. Bah! He was the only elder that mattered.

"Brothers and Sisters! I circle around the pillar of Elders! I shall take my place in the seat of leadership while the other Elders take their places of honor around the great pillar!"

The elven started to make circles walking and then the Eldern elder smiled. He was soon to be immortal, greater then the Gods.

"Brothers and sisters! Start the chant!"

The pillar light up, glowing as electricity started to erupt from the ground. Light, balls of light spewing from the ground danced in the crowd, killing elf after elf.

The Eldern Elder lost his smile.

"STOP THE CHANT! Stop chanting!"

The chant did not stop. The great pillar controlled them now, the words had been spoken. You could not unspeak a spell. The Elven were doomed.

"Nooo!"

As all the elven were destroyed, the light, the spark channeled into the Elder. He fell asleep.

"You cannot become a God. Elder. You are not one with me."

"Who are you? What are you?"

"I am the world spark. You will be granted Immortality, but not the power of a God. You silly creature."

"No. No....NOOO!"

The Eldern Elder awoke, his cities in shambles from the spark eruption. His peaple gone. He was in complete control of the city. However? What cost?


The Grind

A rush of Spark empowered the Grind, erupting from the place that was once the great cites of the Elven. Now nothing. Quickly he sent the power back down.

"No."

The Dark-Bloom Elven House were transformed, their eyes removed, and there skin greyed. Enough to save them from the light of the Spark. They would call themselves the Grimlocks.

"No."

Another blast of power from the Grind hit the populous of the wild Elven, making them less elven and more tree-like saving them from the curse of the great Spark Well.

"No."

The Stars of the Great Grind dimmed, in solace.

The World

The Barrier of the World now had a shattered hole in it. The Astral Sky was now one with the World. Where once God's could not tread, now Gods would.

(Alright, first thing is: Gods can now walk the world again.
Second thing: You may spend 10 FP for 1 DP you may do this as many times as you wish. But, the effect in RP terms is always catastrophic. Please word it like this: Soul Well (Elven) -20FP +2 DP.
Yes, that was an action.
Third thing...my expenditures.
6 - 2 Sub-race Grimlock - 2 Sub-race Wild Elves = 2DP
Mortal Action: Elven Build one more Totem before I transfer.)

[Iroel]

(DISCLAIMER: THIS WAS ALL BEFORE THE EVENT)


Siahrie

She smiled.
"I know nothing," the Questioner said, "Yet I wish to know all. I wish to understand so that I can find out why I wish to understand. I am she who searches, questions, seeks and wonders. I am the spinner of lies and the bringer of truth. I am what I am. Perhaps someone has to be, perhaps not. Or maybe both. Being is such a peculiar thing is it not?"

Siahrie wandered back and forth in the vast expanses of the Astral Sea. Gradually gaining understanding - Never knowledge, always understanding - she had also begun to find meaning. Or rather, the lack of it. She had studied. She had watched, observed, meditated, reflected, searched, looked, pondered, always turning every little piece of being, but not once, not even a single time had she found anything that she could call meaning. This, she concluded, meant that she had to make her own. Finally, she turned to Ran Kang once more.

"Your words. Their are words of creation, of change - Weaving and manipulating. I have seen the dreamer, and watched him do the same. And I have listened to faint whispers of some combining the two. You have created important tools, which shall be used to study and shape this world. But first, you must tell me all that you know of them."

A thought suddenly struck Siahrie, and she continued without waiting for an answer: "Your questions indicate that I should feel the need for protection. That means that there is something to protect myself from. And that you feel that you already know enough to protect yourself. Yet my arrogance in this could point toward the possibility that I am above this too. Or that I am trying to hide fatal weaknesses. Either way, telling me would not matter, would it? I can gain the knowledge whether you wish for me to or not. And by telling me, you could improve our relationship, possibly furthering your own causes. And now, you ask why I am telling you this? Well, either I am cowering up for my own mistake of appearing too eager to get the information, or I could be wishing to gain your trust in turn. Either way, it is now your decision to make. Be careful. The truth is not always what it appears to."

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang suddenly burst into laughter, hugging himself.

“WE ARE FREE!”

Ran then rushed past the other godling, grabbing out for her as he sped down into the mortal world, screaming his reply over his own laughter

“Follow me! Follow me and I will tell you all that I know! FOLLOW ME TO THE WORLD THAT LOVES US! FOLLOW ME TO A WORLD THAT THE GRIND FEARS!”

[Iroel]

Siahrie

Siahrie screamed. It was a scream that could have pierced several feet of rock, and certainly the eardrums of most living creatures. But she still screamed.
"STOP! The world is not yet ready! You must not interfere! They will be destroyed! My precious children..." With that she realized the true consequenses of what had happened. Her precious children were strong, true, but not strong enough to compete with the true children - the gods.

If she did not act quickly, and with extreme care, all might be lost.

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

Ran Kang screeched to a halt, his robes and scarves bursting to ash as he slowed, his voice screaming with rage, the sound of a thousand windswept plains burning with holocaustic fury whipping from his mouth. His form shattered as the goddess screamed, his body growing into a searing cloud of flame and fury.

“Why would you stop me! The world is free! We are free! Do you as well seek to keep me from that which I love?! Explain yourself now!”

The cloud suddenly reformed, Ran Kang appearing in his full glory, his hair a blazing comet trail that whipped around his body, his bronze skin adorned by his Words, a set of horns grew from his forhead and his hands ended is sharp glass claws

“You can see the hole! The Grind has weakened and we can go to that which we create! See them, love them, hug them! Do you not desire this?”

Ran Kang then hovered over the gaping hole, his eyes blazing with rage

[Kinneus]

Taronachi- The Astral Sky
Taronachi looked on with hurt and hunger. So much flesh wasted. So much flesh lost. So much flesh transformed. All now within in his reach.

"Ran Kang," he spoke, "Father of Magic, I will go with you! Let us walk the world. Oh, how I long to touch the flesh of the world. To know it and taste it! To change and perfect it! Go, Ran Kang! Go and I will follow!"

[Iroel]

Siahrie

"Ran Kang, you are a fool. Blinded by your passion, you forget the consequences of your actions! The children are not strong enough yet, if we gods interfere directly, we WILL destroy them!"

The Questioner now showed her true form, a great mass of colour and darkness, ever changing, seeming to twist and turn itself in forms that should be impossible. Then her voice began again, this time louder, as if addressing all the gods: "Hear me all Children, all gods, all who wish to tamper with reality, to shape it to their smallest whims! We MUST not enter this world yet! We MUST protect it! If we allow ourself to wield our powers there, all our work will be undone, and every single one of Our children will perish! Who are with me!? Who wishes to protect this place!?"

Siahrie drew herself together. She had once again assumed her elven form. Now she whispered in a soft voice: "So, is this the meaning I sought? We shall see..."

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind, near the Hole in the Sky

A starry sky wrapped around Ran Kang and Taronachi.

"FOOL! Fool and corrupter. Ran Kang, you were a fool then, and a fool now!"

The Grind's stars were like fireballs each angry gaze fixed on Ran Kang.

"Fool. Dare if you must. Be warned. You are a fool."

The stars moved quickly to Taronachi. Their fires seeming to melt the skin from the monstrosity.

"You are abomination. You are corrupt. The spark can have you. Goodbye."

The Grind threw Taronachi to the world. A mass of corrupt flesh grew around him on the Elemental Chaos, in the center a heart began to beat.

(1 DP to Shape Land: Fleshy Mass with a beating heart.)

The Grind's gaze glared at Ran Kang.

"What do you say Foolish Child?"

[shadowmage]

Astral Sky

The Deth that walked the astral sky in search of the gods that called See's the streak of light in the distance and hearing the calls of other gods walks to wards the light. Sensing the great flaw that was created he picks up his pace. Seeing the flawed one and another blazing good of great perfect but still flawed in some ways standing over the world in a massive flaw. He walks up ignoring the others and begins to study the flaw in the shield that protected the world. Talking mostly to himself.

Will this be for the weal or woe of the world? Such challenges could be give the world by us walking among the peoples such blessing, but can the world take such power. Will the chaos of the gods break the order of the world?

Deth looks on The Grind. Nothing before has never not had a flaw but here is a being that does not have a flaw. Or does it? No it must be of such perfection that He was not able to perceive it's flaws. Surely his father could and ached to be as perfect. In time he would be as perfect and perceive The Grinds flaws. he would catch up with his father and surpass him and in time catch up with this god and pass him and both would look on him in awe of his perfection as he now looked upon this being.

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - The Ever Night Forest

The god of life had managed to reach the forest and was searching for the one that called for him and the other gods. For the second time he was walking under the treetops searching for the lord of the evernight forest, this time however he knew that what he searched for was here.
The god of life noticed the creator as the light shimmered and looked up towards him.

What itroubles you, o creator?

Before he could hear the response from the creator Nephyr Tagae felt the death of the elven. That beings die all the time was not a problem to the god of life, it was a natural part of life after all. But the elven were by far the most numerous of all the beings in the world and all those who died in the ritual died in a unnatural way.

The god of life bent over, clutching his chest and stomach and shrieking in pain. He collapsed on the ground and lay writhing in the mud for some time before he managed to regain his focus and shut the pain and mortal lives out. He slowly crawled back onto his knees, collecting himself and soon he once again stood up looking up at the creator as it sent out energies to protect the last of it's creation.

I felt what happened... such ungodly pain... I also sense a change that has been wrought on the world.

Still dazed from the countless deaths the god of life felt weak and a bit lost. He brushed some dust of his robe and looked around before once again looked up at the Grind.

What must I do?

[Servion]

Mut- The Astral Sky

The Withering statue was walking the Astral sky, slowly making his way to the wastelands of Duma, when it all happened. The flash of light and the deafening sound of the collapsing barrier caught his attention, he turned his head and watched the event unfold before his eyes.

What is this?

Mut moved, moved faster than he had done thus far, back the way he had walked. He got as close he can, as close he dared to the gaping hole in what once was the barrier. He looked around, saw the other gods gathered here, and said to them:

What happened? what..what is...

Mut was short on words because not even he, the god of Entropy and change, could have foreseen such massive change.

This is too much change at once! it must be contained..I too must walk the earth so that it may be saved.

He then saw the twisting and swirling shape and colour that for a brief moment was Siahrie. Even after she retook the elven form could he take his eyes away from her.

What..what is that creature of beauty..she who would take a form so befitting of me? She wants us to stay, protect the world. I cannot refuse this one, nor can I refuse to perform my divine duty, not now when the fundamental laws have changed.

With these thoughts Mut was unsure on what to do, lost in the sea of confusion.

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

Ran removed his blade from his chest, his ribs cracking and his flesh bursting

“A fool am I FATHER!”

Ran leveled the blade at the goddess and The Grind

“I love that world! I will do no such thing to harm it! Never shall I harm it! NEVER! If you so think I would harm that which offers up to me its bosom in love and charity then I say to you! TO ALL OF YOU! You must pass me before you may reach that land!”

Ran then threw his blade at the hole, it standing still and humming between that which was the Astral Sky and that which was the Moral World.

“I will make my kingdom here! Oh Father, should you wish to see what I will do! Grant me the power to make a home for myself and all those that wish to protect the World. I shall make my kingdom here! Right here to forever gaze at my beloved! And to prove to you I am no fool, but a man who lusts after that which cannot be mine!”

And Ran Kang stood in the starry sky, and snarled his rage at the claims against him. For he was Ran Kang the first lover of the world, the first husband of the mountains and the first wife of the trees and all the green things of the world, he would not dare risk the desctruction of the thing he loved most. For it was his and only his to decide whether to burn or protect.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

A voice whispered in the Judge Gods mind. "We still have business to attend... have you forgotten the Dreamer so easily? Perhaps I shall have to remind all things of my existence..."

[Xuincherguixe]

Kalmah, near the machine
Without a word, Kalmah raises up his golden glove. The light fades from it, as it's power is used.

Human City
The idea that it was the curiosity they had obtained from the fae had circulated, or that they had been sneaking in extra supplies. But most continued to believe that the reason for resources that continued to be found in excess could only be the work of Kalmah.

After all, the fae so far have been very tiny. It is hard to imagine them lifting great blocks of stone.


The Fae
One odd thing that kept happening. Whenever they decided to steal large stone blocks from the human store houses, they would find when they went back, what they had just stolen was still there. And in the same place they hid it. It was really spooky.


Exaltation: Humans 7/ Fae 3

[Rainshine]

Isle of Nomads
The bands began to hear of one another -- travellers who would work and walk with one band for a while, then go about their own way brought stories and news from the other bands, from around the Isle. The Isle was big enough and the number of people small enough so that the bands weren't even close to one another's areas. As the people began to grow more comfortable their areas of roaming, they ventured further and further out. Inevitably, one band crossed the plains and saw a camp, and approached. More often than not, those first few meetings, there was scrapes, bruises, and blood. When the dust settled though, and what happened realized, it frequently became what they called a patk. A patk is difficult to describe. It includes, in part, a great deal of celebration, of revellry, of story-telling, of contests... There would also be the occasional extra bruise or cut given and taken, usually occassioned when one of the men got a little too frisky with a woman who was not of a like mind. Even in those beginning days, the Nomad woment knew how to defend themselves. There was plenty of love going around, but mutual and free it was.

Once and twice. With patk came companionships and promises. Travelers would would be sent from band to band, carrying news and words of endearment. It was the start of the bindings that would weave together everyone of the Isle.


The society began to develop around their new place. In particular, the interaction with the four-legs... The nomads shared the plains with the mighty beasts, and saw no reason why they too, should not have their freedom. And, well, children will be children... but that is too far ahead. The patks. With an idea of the size and number of different bands roaming the Isle, Kem-nath realized that some sort of understanding should be formed. Consulting with his neighboring bands, word was put out for a once-in-a-lifetime event -- a patk of all the bands, all the people on the Isle. The only time that the Nomads would ever be centralized was scheduled and runners took word to every person they could reach, and from each person it cascaded outwards, like a waterfall.

A central green was chosen, nearby a river, that could supply water and such for presumably everyone. Days crept by, and the central patk drew closer -- bands began to move closer, leisurely roaming their way to the same place.


Overnight, a deserted watering hole became a bustling, writhing mass of humanity. Every race with roamers was represented -- persons short and tall, fat and thin, quick and slow. The first two bands there formed the core of the mass, with each newcomer adding another layer of color and complexity. A melting-pot it was, full of high emotions. Love, anger, passion, all boiled up. Fights were commonplace, but oftentimes would stop as suddenly as they started, the combatants forgetting the topic of quarrel and becoming fast friends. The night was filled with moans and screams -- here there was no wall, no law, no bar nor branch. Nothing but the raw freedom of emotions.

Ten days and nights of carousing, before the leaders began to meet. That is not to say the carousing stopped -- people still arrived, and many times the leaders were leading the carousing as well. No formal tents with documents to write and sign. Here were men and women sitting around an open fire, drinking, ogling, and talking freely. Because, or some may say, in spite of, the freedom, over the twenty-five days of teh central patk, many ideas and guidelines were passed around and agreed upon. All were completely at the whims of the free, but some concepts such as the patk, and the nightlights, were passed around for all those who did not know of to share. Between the bands would be a general fellowship of skillsmen. Being a skillsman by no means locked one to that profession, but it served to help organize responsibility for tasks such as spreading learning. Within the bands and the fellowships, any person was free to do as they please, or strike out on their own. Neighboring tribes would be generally obligated to exchange people -- keeping in regular communication via trading members and by Runners -- one of the fellowships of the true wanderers, the ones who rarely settle even for a day. Much more was said, for more than could ever be tracked down, and vows in the throes of passion... well, they're not really binding.

Structure had begun.



Flock Action for last week: "Build Village". They don't have villages, but it's the same idea. +1 FP.

[Innis Cabal]

The Amat

The tribes of the Amat had grown large, their technology and magic growing swiftly with them. And it was then stated that the old ways would be reviewed by the powerful shamans, and that the great lord Ran Kang would be sought out to ask his personal feelings of how they should be ruled.

And it was on the grand island at the center of the lake that the Amat met, the new island that hovered above them casting shadows that blocked the eye of the great Ran Kang’s eyes. And the shamans spoke in the steam, and knew that they needed a single family…one bred from all the tribes to grow strong for themselves. And as time passed, months turned to a single year, and the Priests returned to the grand city that had grown larger and far less primitive over time. And they claimed at the tribes must lower their heads to them, and that a new government would be put in place for it was the rule of Ran Kang that the old system be turned over. And the tribes bowed to the priests, and intermingled. And the old method of a lesser tribe slowly grew to the station of Class’s.

At the top of the Amat society was the Emperor and his family, known as the Amat’Amun, and the first emperor was given a new lineage, directly born from the land of Kyushu and Ran Kang himself. And his family was linked to the great god Ran Kang. And they dwelled on the island once held only for the Priests, and a wonderful palace was built in their name, and guards were placed to watch over them. And the Emperor dictated the laws of his people, and met with the noble families of the Emishi, and deligated trade rights between the Kofu. And in time the family grew to be large, and intermingled with the noble houses, so that all those great houses would owe the Emperor direct family rights.

Under the Amat’Amun were the nobles, ancient and powerful families dating back to the very start of the ancient Amat society. These were the Amat that had once built the cities and grew the food for feeding. And as time passed they grew to be the ones who created the weapons for others, and trained in their use, and went to war with one another. And by the time the Emperor and his family had been instituted they were the warrior princes of the society, scholars and philosophers blended with the magic and warrior tradition the Amat held for so long. And they called themselves the Emishi, and built lavish estates in the once tribal city that centered around the lake. The Emishi protected the shores of their beloved Emperor

The third caste was the Kofu, the merchants and trades people of the Amat. They owned the land the Amat’Ilal lived on and grew their crops on, and were overseen by the powerful Emishi families. They produced the art and music of the people, and studied the Words of Ran Kang and created powerful spells and magics for the higher castes. They delegated the unclean jobs to the Amat’Ilal, and set themselves on the outskirts of the great costal city. There they dwelled in simple homes, and in the countryside they made larger estates in an attempt to emulate the Emishi.

The final caste were the builders and workers for the other casts, taking on the ancient title of the Amat’Ilal. But unlike their ancient and noble namesake the Amat’Ilal grew to be a discarded society, owned and controlled by the higher class’s. But they suffered through adversity as was the way of the Amat. They grew the food the Amat thrived on, and built the roads and villages the other Amat would dwell in. And at night they would party and met with others of their caste away from the prying eyes of the other castes. And these were called the Nigh Revelries, and grew to be an accepted custom even by the Amat’Amun, and the nights were proclaimed sacred for the Amat’Ilal, as it was the least the new government could do to keep the once noble line content and honored.

And the Priests once so well known and loved by the Amat grew secretive and secluded in the mountain monastaries. They took their people from all castes, and renamed them as to show they had been reborn. Their temples grew deep into the mountains, and were as small villages for their disciples. And the priests renamed themselves the Angori. The Angori held themselves out of the affairs of the country and kept to themselves, only offering their services to the Emperor when asked, and only dwelled on the island to make certain the royal family remember where they were bred from, and to teach the children of the Emperor to be better leaders of their subjects for hate should never be used against the other castes.

And in the face of such changing social reform so too did the Amat society begin to reshape itself around the arts, even their cuisine and attire began to change to reflect the changing nature of the Amat. The nobles shunned the simple tribal clothing, claiming them to be simple and crude, adopting long robe like dresses called Abishi, and wore raised sandals to keep their feet dry from the wet land they dwelled in. Large conical hats began to grow common to keep the rains. The Kofu dressed in a style similar to the Emishi, forever in an attempt to emulate those above them. Their clothing was made instead of the cloth of animals and plant, instead of the fine Abishi of the Emishi and the Emperor. The Amat’Ilal continued to dress in the ancient style of their tribal heritage, keeping their masks on at all times with the male bearing their chests and the women wearing simple but revealing clothing.

And the cuisine of the Amat grew as well. The Emishi and the Emperors family feasted on the bounty of the land, meat and grain in plenty filled their tables, and they drank the waters of the grand and noble lake, and of the juices of the fruit that fell from the trees in abundance. The Angori turned down the flesh of the beast, and only ate the grains that rose high in the oven’s they held as their sacred pillars of their religion, and drank only the waters of the river and streams and forsook the liquids meant to please the senses. The Amat’Ilal ate as they always ate, grain and that which grew from the world was their bread, and the meat of the great beasts were a luxury they only received should they catch it themselves.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

The Mushroom Forest

Life in the Mushroom Forest was at once the same as it had ever been, and vastly changed from it's original form. The Illithid still roamed as they pleased, carefully avoiding the vast lake in the center of the forest, the Ents and Dryads still watched over the forest in their inexplicable way, and the Balhannoth still bore through the earth of the world, warping reality in their way, and the Tortroia still rode their mighty beasts the Gargarolith atop mighty Howdahs as they pleased.

However, the Illithid had developed their mental powers to new heights. They walked in the dream-between worlds to travel wherever they pleased. With the Elves gone, they sought a new source of thralls. They had chanced once more upon the Amat, but they merely waited and watched... though they took nothing of their society, the Illithid began to fashion their own clothing in a similar manner, crafting long leather and silk robes of blacks and purples. The Illithid had no structured society as did the Amat. Where they were borne into castes, all Illithids were born equal, as they were highly individualistic, and were measured by their powers and knowledge, and thus often age, above any such notions of birth. When they do gather in numbers, Illithid society is based in this way, with each Illithid trading knowledge and it's links to other parts of the world, under the watchful minds of the oldest and most powerful of their kind.

The Aboleths too had formed a society. The Aboleth society had created a great city in the huge lake, using the work of their own slaves. Their society was formed on the knowledge of their forebears, for with every generation devoured by their mass offspring, the races knowledge as a whole grew more and more. Even as they built their world beneath the lake, they sought a way to reach the ocean in a way that would allow them to return to the lake...

The Tortroia traveled between the Mushroom Forest and the Plains. They traded with the Illithids, and on occasion the Aboleths when the turtle folk returned to their place of birth. They had traded with the ever-growing Amat that had been left behind by Ran Kang, ensuring the remaining four-armed kind survived and prospered.

(so the Aboleths have a city now too)

[Xuincherguixe]

Kalmah, still at the machine

The armored god of justice waves a hand, and four beams of light shoot out in the distance.
(Message to Satu, Siahrie, Ehlid, Mworag, Nephyr Tagae)

"In these dangerous times, I have come to realize that if you are not with me. You are against me.

Nah, I'm kidding. I figure it's a good idea to open with a joke. Being too serious is dangerous.

The truth is, though that these are dangerous times. And I believe that if things are left alone this world will tear itself to bits. Gods walking the world? That's dangerous. Individuals can be sacrificed for divine power. How long will it be before wars are waged to amass victims to be burned for the selfish whims of the short sighted and arrogant?

I am sending this message to all of you, because well I may disagree with some of you, I believe we are capable of working together. You see, it has occurred to me that not only would we be able to progress better if we worked together, but that we would do so on orders of magnitude.

Satu is experiencing a portion of this as we speak right now. But it's only the beginning. For as societies advance, they will be able to build devices which increase the effectiveness at which they may advance.

In these dangerous times, we need strength. And strong allies. Work with me, and we can obtain it."

[shadowmage]

Astral Sky Deth

Deth finally breaks his fascination with The Grind. Perfect one, One of many colors hidden. With your help I think I can build a gate that will not stop others from entering the world, but will weaken then a little. I can not do it alone. With your help I can make it and over time strengthen it. Looking at the flaming one. One of great flame. I understand your desire to go down but such light as yours will blind your people. Burn them, roast them, flaw them. But help me make the gate that will limit your power so that you will only dazzle them, darken them, challenge them so they may grow stronger for basking in a small part of your power.

Ashen Bastion Basement Deth

Deth looks around the reinforced workshop and nods to him self. This should prevent any more interference from the Duma. No more unexpected interference. Knowing what happens in the Astral Sky he knows he needs to help his people, if the other gods do start to walk the land they muct be ready. Challenges are coming and a small shove in the right direction is needed. One of the clockworks brings forth the metal sphere of many metals. With the aid of the clock work he fashions a small set of tools, perfect in every detail, each with it's own etchings depicting their uses.

Picking up Dor`nath and places him on the floor, he stays where placed knowing something important is about to happen. He sets the tools around it and focuses his will on what is laid out around him.

Badlands

The Scorponar sleep. They dream. They learn. In the dream they feel a calling and they crawl from their caves and from under the rocks where they hide. A brightly glowing form stands in the middle of the box canon. Unable to look upon the form the fall on their faces and cray out. Great Deth what have we done to displease you!

You have not displeased me. My form is too beautiful for your mortal eyes. My perfection scares your mind. Look now.

Slowly they look up and see a perfect Scorponar of such beauty standing above them. he is three times their size. With a head made of gold, his chest is made of a silvery metal they know to be Mithril, with out knowing how. A left arm is copper with left hand being bronze. The right arm is iron, with a right hand of steel. His thorax is of a black metal that seems to suck in the light that they know is Adamantium with a tail of Nickle. Deth's right legs are silver, ending in platinum claws. His left legs are made of cobalt, claws of brass. They are not sure how they know what these substances are but the knowledge of them bloom in their minds along with what it can be used for and how and where it would most likely be found.

My children. I wish you to know challenges are coming and I have not forgotten you. I bring you knowledge that you must use to prove your self to me. Take what I have shown you and put it to use. Grow learn and build. Make me proud show me that you can seek the perfection that I know is in each and every one of you. Know I will send you guardians soon, know they are as loved as you are even if they are not the first. Know they will seek the same perfection as you. Take them in as brothers and sisters. Share with them as you share with each other. Know I will teach them different things that I have taught you but know those among you can seek their path just as those among them who wish can learn what I have taught you tonight. Those that cross this boundary should know they are special for they have gone above and beyond what they were created for. But be not shamed if you do not cross this boundary. For those seeking perfection know their limits and will not feel ashamed. For the striving is what I see not the reaching of the goal. For on the path to perfection there are always new levels to seek.

As sudden as the dream started it ends and the Scorponar craw from their "homes" each thinking that it was just some strange dream. But behold it was not a dream for laid out on the ground in the center of the communal area lays a set of iron tools. They look around at each other and each begins to talk to a neighbor finding out the each had the same dream. They also speak of having seeing such metals what made up Deth in back of some of the caves where mushrooms were gathered. They sat down and begin to talk about who should use what tools to gather more of these metals so more could be made. Others started talking of forming molds from stone to make mud bricks in that could be hardened in fire to help make bigger better caves. Still others started drawing in the dirt with a stick of where new caves could be dug in the canon walls.

So it begun the Scorponar had learned how to craft.

"2DP= 3DP -1DP - Teach Pop: Craft - Raise Scorponar Tier to T1"

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

The Grind's firey stars still stood aimed at Ran Kang, then they faded and vanished.


The Ever Night Forest

The Stars shimmered and then spoke.

"Child, fear not. Do as you have always done. Perhaps, speak to Deth. The spark likes that one. Haggard is foolish to waste him."

The Grind shimmered and then faded.

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

Ran stood still at the hole and screamed with rage

“Do not leave me Father! We are not done talking!”

Ran flexed his muscles, his body growing larger and larger until he was triple his size

“Run and hide if it is what you wish! Run to that which keeps you warm! But I am –your- son! And when the time comes I will find you! You will have to come face to face with me! You will be forced to! I will not leave this place!”

And seeing another god at his new station Ran Kang scowled slightly

“New thing, I shall remain here until I have the power to place a guard on this hole, for I will prove I am no fool. If you so desire to help me in this endeavor then we may speak on such matters. But I will prove to She who Questions and Father that my intentions with my beloved are nothing more than pure!”

[shadowmage]

I am Deth Deth The Forge Master. As I said I can help guard the breach. It will not stop anyone from passing through but it will weaken those that do pass through. With time it can be strengthen. I am not here to judge who go through or not. The mortals need to be challenge and pushed to the extremes to reach new levels of perfection but use any tool to hard and it will snap from the pressure.

[Lord_Asmodeus]

Urus

The Dreamer, even as he waited in consternation for Nephyr's reply, looked upon the world and knew some measure of pity for the Amat of the plains. They had been abandoned, left behind by their god and their kind, they had only prospered even as they had from the trade of the Tortroia, and the Illithids taking special care that their kind grew once more. But Urus would change this. They had been abandoned by Ran Kang, the Fiery Lover, but the Distant Dreamer would take charge when the Passionate One was too drowned in his own burning emotions to take full notice of his followers.

Urus reached from the fabric of the True Realm, into the dreamscape of the Mortal World, and he shaped the Amat that had grown in the plains. Their four arms lengthened and another joint joined the one already present, their fingers grew longer too, they too aquired another joint, and they grew a sixth finger as well, the same for their toes which became prehensile. They grew taller, but thinner, with their spines becoming more pronounced, they developed a forward stoop, their eyes sunk into their skulls, and their jaws lengthened creating a small pronounced muzzle. To top it all off, their tailbones lengthened and grew and the muscles around them did too, forming a tail where there had been none, long and sinuous but constantly shifting, like a combination of a snakes and a cats tails. Finally, the last change was, at least to Urus, far more significant than these physical oddities. Their skulls grew slightly larger as their braincase became wider and taller, and their brains shifted to match. The changed Amat, in place of their former gods Words and Art, had developed formidable dream-shifting powers similar to the Illithids. However, unlike the Illithids, the Amat knew how to better channel their powers into objects and the shaping of the world around them, becoming Dream-forgers, to make up for the lack of pure, raw, dream-mastery that the Illithids possessed.

So changed, their minds and bodies altered forever, these new beings began to spread. They lived yet in the plains, but they spread east, to fill the vacancy the Elven had left in the forest of Ran Kang and the Grind.

1DP=3DP-2DP Create Subrace, Amoa, from the Amat.

[Innis Cabal]

Ran Kang

“Others fear that the world will shatter with our presence but it won’t. But if they think it is so then we will protect it. The hole will hold a land where the gods can sit close to the world and do their works and be pleased with it.”

Ran Kang then sat, folding his legs underneath himself and sat at the center of the hole.

"A grand godly city will raise from this hole, and the Spark of the world and our Spark will not mingle untill it is safe. And then I will walk the world once more and make it love me as it did before the other youths walked the Astral Sky."

[Kinneus]

Taronachi- Falling from the Astral Sky
Taronachi screamed as The Grind's starry fires reduced his divine flesh to ash. He fell to the world below like a putrid comet, landing at last with a tremendous crash in the Elemental Sea. For the second time, the One-Armed God found himself sundered. For the second time, he rebuilt himself, stitching together nerve and sinew.

He could not remember his original form, and he did not care. The fire was his flesh, the water was his flesh, the ice and wind was his flesh. All would be his flesh. Taronachi seethed and grew, blossomed like a sore on the face of the world. And so the great carcass rose again.

The Vampires
House Starlight was spared Eldern's folly, only because the monsters were not invited to the grand ceremony. After the great storm of magic had passed, the vampires fell upon the bodies, lapping up the spilled blood like dogs. It sustained them for a time, and some of those they supped from even rose and joined them, their numbers growing.

(Bless Vampires)

But soon the blood grew cold and hard, and soon the vampires realized with all the terror their dark hearts could muster that they would starve without other elves to feed from.

Taronachi- The Fleshy Mass
Taronachi grew. Beneath him was something like a heart throbbing, and all around him was something like muscles twitching. Taronachi reached out with his festering hand and marveled at the sensation of new flesh. Gleeful, Taronachi willed the flesh to grow. And so it did, tendril by tendril, nerve by nerve, it stretched out. Twinkling ganglia and shivering skin, rich white struts of bone, caverns filled with teeth, mountains of gore, until at last he had bridged his fleshy island with the mainland. Roots of flesh interlocked with the roots of trees, and Taronachi tore himself free of the landmass and went in search of his children.

(Shape Land: Increase Fleshy Mass)

It did not take him long to find them; their hunger called to him, and he answered. The One-Armed God appeared before them, and they recognized him instantly as their master, and so he spoke. "Did you doubt me, House Starlight, when I said I had given you power? I have given you the power to withstand the Eldern's folly, the cataclysm that destroyed the elven people. Their flesh was imperfect, and so they died. Your flesh is imperfect, as well, but I am your savior. Have faith in me. Drink of my divine blood, and together we will perfect the body of the world. Come with me, my loathsome children, my little imperfect ones. There is nothing for you here."

House Starlight knew this to be true, and so they followed him back across the bridge of flesh he had constructed. They sank their fangs into the quivering skin of this strange new land, and drank deeply. The blood was like nothing they had ever tasted before. It was vile. It was beautiful. It was the sweetest water and the most pernicious poison. It was home.

The vampires survived, constructing strange huts of bone and flayed skin from the flesh of the great carcass. Taronachi looked down at their groveling forms with great joy. Rearing his head back, he raised his voice to the Astral Sky with honeyed words for Ran Kang. "You Who Birthed Magic! Come! Come and join the feast! It is beautiful down here, Ran Kang. I am beautiful down here. And this world will only grow more wondrous as we walk it. Come and join me!"

(3-1(Shape Land)-1(Bless Vampires)=1 DP, Shape Land: Fleshy Mass, Bless Vampires +1 [2 FP])

[Xuincherguixe]

ooc

Everyone ignore this please. He hasn't been approved. Also, can you please remove the above post?

[Aux-Ash]

Nephyr Tagae - The ever night forest

The god of life looked up to the speaking creator and nodded as the great being finished, he bowed and then he started walking towards the hole in the sky. Satisifed with the advise he had been given. While walking the god of life once more turned his attention to the dreamer.

My apologies, dreamer. I had not forgotten your presence but some matters demanded immidiate attention.

Once again: I have not taken any being from you. Merely given new life to those who sought it from me. I have not sought out, nor do I intend to seek out, the souls of the dead and give life to them. I will only do so if they come to me. The souls that had gathered around your dreamform should still be there and if they are not then they left on their own accord.

Regarding the corruption of the dreamform I must say you are mistaken, when the souls arrive in their new bodies they are no different from any other newborn of that species, except that their souls once lived in a different shape. They can no more corrupt your sons than any other infant or child.


Nephyr Tagae hoped that would clarify matters for the dreamer a bit, he looked around to see that he had reached the Astral sky again and he ventured towards the gathering at the hole. As he did he recieved the message coming in a beam of life. The god of life carefullt took the message in and thoroughly considered it's options and consequences before he sent a reply.

I agree, we need strength and unity to protect life from those that would sacrefice it for power. Such an action is a true crime against creation. I will stand by your side

As the returning message flew through the skies back to Kalmah the god of life turned his attention ot the gathered gods at the hole. He studied the fiery passionate one, the questioning one that had rallied them all to the defence of the world and the maker as they stood by the opening.

I too believe that the life in the world needs a tender care. Walk on a trop too often and the seeds of life will be extinguished, water a plant too much and it will drown.

I will aid you in defending the world against those who would do it harm, intentional or not.

Nephyr Tagae then sat down next to the others, prepared to defend the hole should need be and ready to continue his discussion with the dreamer. As he did he felt a nagging in the back of his head, he thought he felt a blight on all life in the world. But he was unsure what it was.

[shadowmage]

Ashen Bastion Basement Deth

Deth looks up from Dor`nath and nods to himself. Thinking to himself, It is a start. Looking around the workshop. I must fix the flaw of Taronachi. I wonder if I can tap into the power of Duma like father and create something that uses the destructive energy, but mean to and in a more focused manner unlike what I have done in the past. Looking around he starts to pace out the room looking down studying the floor. Stopping at what looks like a random spot, he reaches down into the ground and....... pulls. With a shudder the land gives up a little of it's essence, another Dumaqake strikes. They becoming so common now Haggard does not even notice them or gain any pleasure from it any more.

Walking over to the anvil a clockwork already there with the Adamantium sphere, he hands the sphere of Duma to another clockwork as two others take up places beside him. So the forging begins. With sure strikes he forges Sabaton first to cover the feet, that are broad and strong to take the weight of the form that they will carry. Greave start to form next to protect the legs, sharp spikes at strategic points that can be put to deadly use with a well placed knee. For each strike a clockwork takes Deth takes two. The strike of each perfectly placed in the forming of the Faulds to protect the waist and hips. A belt of spikes with points to attach weapons.

Next the Cuirass takes form, its shape and look screaming strength to any and all who see it. Then the two Pauldron are crafted with fine etchings to protect and form the shoulders, their size would denote massiveness of the arms contained within. Rerebrace with spikes running down the back are placed by Clockworks who tighten them into place as Couters with foot long spikes are attached, the articulation of the joint perfect so as not to bind with a bending of the elbow. The clockworks work on the Vambrace as Deth him self work on the Gauntlet himself. Wanting to be sure that they have all the dexterity available that will be needed with the spiked knuckles.

Stepping back he nods to himself, someday he may make a suit such as this for himself, not that he would ever need such, but it does have a deadly beauty that his own form does not have. Now for the head. First a Bevor with a ring of spikes so none could grab the neck and to finish it off an Armet. Stepping back Deth looks at the midnight black Adamantium suit of spiked plate amour, the small gaps in the armour so hard to see due to their small size and the Adamantium's blackness, but for even such a close fitting of the amour each and every joint would articulate perfectly.

Turning back to the anvil the clockworks back away for only Deth could forge the next piece. The heart. Taking up the hammer and for the first time a pair of tongs he begins to shape the sphere of Duma. With slow sure deliberate strike he begins to shape the sphere. Each stroke taken with a deliberate stroke never before seen by anyone that may have watched Deth in the pass. There is no pause for a chose between each stroke, for such a pause would be disastrous. Soon a heart takes shape, once the outer form is complete he places aside the hammer and pulls out a carving tool and begins to carve the internal clockwork of the heart, with just as much concentration. This made the work he did on Dor`nath look like child's play, and compared to this it was. Finally he sets his tool aside and lift up the heart in the tongs and walks over to the amour and slides it through the Cuirass into it's resting places.

He steps back with drawing the tong and watches as the amour shivers and starts to change........

[Rainshine]

Isle of Nomads
The Second Gift was coming. But it was not here, not yet.

In the days after the Grand Patk, the bands began to drift apart, with many an emotion still in the air, until finally the last of them packed up and moved east. The river was deserted and at peace again, and for the bands, life was back to the seasonal normal. Almost. The people roamed their plains for a season more, then... There was news from runners of strangeness. A madman, some said. Speaking strange things, strange words, strange thoughts. Then he came to one band, following the nightlight. Change.


Clad in dusty clothes, with a wild hair, he might first resemble one of the rare straggling travellers who were neither Runner nor band member, the people of the wilderness. His words were fire itself though. He spoke of a great time spent traveling, unceasingly, and a vision. Words, places, things. He had seen the Isle, he said, all of it, and from above. They had been brought there by a god, far above them, to their land of freedom. A god befitting their worship, a benevolent creator who had freed them. He spoke of a coming, of something approaching the Isle from beyond.

Most quietly listened and dismissed him. A few that listened heard truth in his words, and spoke further with him. A very few took up with him, going out to bands, spreading the word of this nameless god. They preached a worship by life -- by the intensity of the throes of passion, by deeds of emotion. They preached everywhere, preached a continued life of travel to those who might grow weary, discouraging staying in one place too long. Words heard around the Isle, slowly.

More from the plains came with time, others bringing tales of visions and this god. Soon, tale from the visions was of a conflict, of a greater nature, something beyond the Isle itself... and tragedy, pain. They claimed they felt the pain. And some believed.

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Ashen Bastion


Gathering of Drow souls

"Just so you understand...." Kalmah appears in a flash, "I don't really hate any of you. If I did, don't you think I would have set you all on fire by now? See, it's a funny thing. I'm here for you. Not just you of course, but I am here to make the world a better place."

(Skipping a bit)

He turns to Haggard, "Oh and by the way? Not that it matters, but I don't hate you either. Pity yes, but I don't hate you."

For a moment, it would have seemed that Haggard was once again going to lose his cool, not only had that Kalmah entered his castle uninvited, but then tells says that he pities him. Haggard's hand clenches tightly around his staff. Then Haggard gives a silent sigh, and his building rage was gone.

Behind his mask, Haggard locks his golden eyes with that of Kalmah and says

"Pity? I don't need your pity... but your hate... your hatred... is something I can use. You say you don't hate me... very well then... I shall force you to hate me. Let us see then for how long you can pity me when I take every one of your precious morals and throw it back into your face... making you a mockery of everything you stand for..."

With that, Haggard turns his back on Kalmah and proceeds to hobble out of the room. He needs say nothing more... except for a message which only Kalmah heard in his mind

"Let us get started shall we?"

As Haggard is slowly making his way out, the room is filled with strange noises. Many of the Drow souls do not know what to do. Would they believe a god? Of course it was natural that they would be confused, everything they knew was a lie. On one hand they had Kalmah claiming another opportunity, on the other were the devils claiming that Haggard was willing to fullfil everything the Drow race had ever strived for. The situation was very stressful and confusing for the souls.

Then all of a sudden, more noises come from the Machine, and as the bits and bobs of the contraption start to move, everyone in the room notices a huge massive lens appears from within. The lens starts to move slightly, as if it was eyeing everyone in the room, different colours swirling around on.

All of a sudden, every devil in the room start falling on their knees clutching their heads and screaming at the top of their lugs

"STOP IT! I CANNOT STAND IT ANY MORE!"

All of them were pointing and screaming at Kalmah, as a cacophony of wails start to come out from the writhing devils

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD! THE PAIN... ITS TOO MUCH! I FEEL LIKE MY SKULL IS GOING TO EXPLODE! STOP IT! PLEASE SHOW MERCY! ENOUGH! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?"

After that the voices of the devils are reduced to undecipherable gibberish as they trash around on the floor, drooling and delirious from pain. The Drow souls look in horror... was this the mercy that Kalmah was talking about earlier? Was this the extra choice that he had preached? Things were getting more confusing by the minuite, that was until Gazoo managed to get his baring standing up and pointing an accusing finger at Kalmah.

"KALMAH! YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR TRUE COLOURS... WE HAVE DONE NO OFFENCE TO YOU BUT FOLLOW WHAT IS OUR RIGHTFUL FATE AND NOW YOU ONCE AGAIN SEEK TO PUNISH US... IF YOU WON'T LEAVE... THEN WE WILL FORCE YOU OUT!"

And with that, all the devils in the room, roaring furiously, charge at Kalmah, killer intent within their eyes. Amidst the whole uproar, no one can hear the Machine making weird noises... as if it was chuckling. The true question was however, what was Kalmah going to do?

Of course by that time Haggard had already reached his throne room. He focused at what was transpiring within the Machine room with great glee. His vengeance on the fool was about to start. His focus however was disrupted by the eruption of the Spark Well. Truly Haggard had never felt such power before! It was pure, raw and ultimate power... and if anything ultimate power was for Haggard to manipulate.

But Haggard ponders for a moment... remembering a message he had gotten a while back...

"Doom eh? It seems perhaps I shall after all grace the Grind with my presence..."

And with that Haggard was off.

The Ever Night Forest

Once again, a trail of frost can be found in the Ever Night Forest, as once again Haggard makes his way,

"Hello Grind... we meet again..." he sneers behind his mask.

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind, Ever Night Forest

"King Haggard of Otherworld. Greetings. You have came. I expected you. I was worried to miss you."

The stars seemed to glitter, The Grind seemed happy.

"You come with questions. Like my daughter. What are they?"

[Shmee]

Haggard, the Ever Night Forest

"Other...world?" replies Haggard as if lost in his thoughts and remembering... then he quickly shakes his head to wake himself of his reverie, and mutters to himself

"... I was too good for that place..."

Then focusing on the Grind he says

"I can guarantee you, that I am hard to miss... and few would ever call a visit from Haggard... pleasant..."

"I have come to discuss this 'doom' you mumbled about a while back. Does it have by any chance to do with the recent disturbance down there?" He says pointing towards the world.

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

The Stars glittered.

"The first sign of things to come. Nothing more. First, the Chaos will devourer the sky. I tried you see. I tried. Ran Kang, Akmenhotep. A few others. They did not allow for reality to be. They wished only destruction upon the spark. The world's spark. We are one with it."

The starts seemed to show sympathy to Haggard.

"The spark fades, the world dies. They Gods no longer have power. The first sign has shown. Do you not know? I see you know what the Spark Wells are."

The Grind glowed for a moment.

[Shmee]

Behind his mask, Haggard's eyes seem to go wide open

"A Spark Well... here... of all the places... in such a young world for that matter..."

Haggard hobbles over, as if to get a better view of what is going on in the world

"Well... I never... I do suppose it was to be expected sooner or later..." he says chuckling to himself

He peers into what used to be the great Elven Kingdoms, from where the most ancient civilization used to once stand, a spire of light now remains. Haggard's leers at the destruction of the Elves

"Can't say they didn't have that coming... still we should count ourselves fortunate that this Spark Well is but a minor one... if it wasn't... especially in their hands"

Eager to perish the thought Haggard turns back at the Grind and says

"See fool? This is exactly what happens when mortals are left to do what ever they wish! They meddle with powers which is beyond their simple comprehension and you get... this..." he says pointing towards the ruins of the Elves.

"You somehow knew that this was going to happen. That those idiot Elves would try to manipulate a Spark Well for what ever purpose. That means you also knew what it means to have mere mortals use the Spark Well... yet you did nothing... are you trying to destroy us all? I did not escape from the other world only to have this one destroyed right in front of my eyes again from foolish deities!"

[Lady Tialait]

The Grind

Something in the Grind snapped. They sky was ablaze with fireballs that were once calm playful stars. The fireballs collided before Haggard, forming a pillar of flame that calmed, the pillar was then of charred earth.

"FOOL! I did all I could."

The pillar was The Grind.

"You come before me, in my world, in my plane and accuse me of misdeeds? I knew they were coming! Ran Kang's words made it possible! My Foolish son!"

The pillar cracked and small points of white light formed, like stars.

"You are nothing, nothing. I am The Grind. I allow you because you advance creation. I do not destroy. I warned, none listened."

The pillar faded, shattering into a million bits. Each taking their place in the sky.

"Because none listened, because of Ran Kang's foolishness. My elven died, his Amat lived. I bear the sins of my progeny."

The stars flickered and faded as if weeping.

[Shmee]

Haggard stood in the middle of the fire storm and yells back

"WHO ARE YOU TO CALL ME FOOLISH! YOU WHO CANNOT CONTROL EITHER YOUR MORTALS NOR YOUR SON!"

As the storm dies down, Haggard continues to leer at the Grind

"I am everything... I am here because I alone will it. But I too take no joy in destruction... all too many times that which belonged to me was lost because of destruction... like... her..."

Once again Haggard seems to be trailing off into distant memories, which he waves away; no time to dwell on the past, he thinks to himself.

"If we are to allow destruction to go rampage what will be left for me to rule? Here is my advice Grind... as one who knows what it is to have a child... you claim that your son... Ran Kang is to blame... WELL DISCIPLINE HIM! That is your failing Grind... you are too soft... strike your son with an iron rod... later on he will thank you for it..."

Then his eyes narrow as he says

"For I guarantee you... if you don't do it... I will... and I tell you that Haggard's discipline is far worst than anything you can ever imagine..."