Lords of Creation: Titan's Return (IC)

[Razade]

From Nothing, the Creator came and with that single act spread out the Universe. The Creator was not alone however for in its tow came The Titans, four beings of immeasurable power. Before time they dwelt in the open Universe yet the Creator was displeased for its Universe was a realm of intransigent Creation so it turned to its children and cleaved them. From what was once momentary it weaved the Earth Titan and through its stability it formed The First World. The remaining Titans rebelled, horrified yet none could stand before The Creator. From the Water Titan it coated The First World in endless Waves and with the Sky Titan it built a barrier between The First World and The Void, for the final Titan was the oldest and largest and its body was made a canvass to fill the space that remained. Yet the Titans were not fully used and the Creator, grieving for its children, breathed its own flame into these shards and there arose the Gods. Born of the Titans and the love of the Creator, they were left with a single final command before the flames of the Creator perished. "Create."

[mystic1110]

In the depths of the first ocean, two spheres of fire were lit. They were faint at first, as if they were waking from some long slumber. There was only darkness and they provided pallid illumination. Nonetheless, by their light one could see teeth. A smile. A gullet.

The fires brightened, as if fully awake. The water of the ocean boiled around those two frightful burning eyes. They pointed at opposite ends of their bearer's head. They were like two searchlights in the dark. They cast light into the blackness like a casting hooks for prey. The body to which they belonged to swam in the dark. Mouth open, it swallowed water, salt, silt and truth. This was the beginning. It swallowed that too.

The shark swam in the depths. Learning and eating. After all, what was the difference between the two? Its eyes were on fire and everything they looked at was found appetizing.

Lu'Azu was awake and onwards he swam with eyes open.

[Razade]

Zuanshi: The First World

Born from the rock, Zuanshi tore itself first as a mere diamond yet with each strata it climbed it knew itself until it breached the waves and with a mighty peel it formed. Yet there was nothing but endless waves and a vault of blue sky for it to witness, yet there a flash of gray and white. Another being, it was not alone and so it followed this toothy thing into the waves, to learn and to understand.

[mystic1110]

The left orb flared, a sign of interest, and the shark turned. The shark did not pause in its swimming. It could not. Yet, it was not a lazy movement. Quick like a changing current, Lu'Azu found what its fiery eye noticed and charged towards it. He opened his mouth of many teeth ready to swallow it.

And he snapped his jaws shut. For he did swallow it. Not the object, but the truth of the object. Not the entire truth, but a morsel of it. And what a delicious morsel it was. It tasted like the sound of gold drums being beat by crystal clear silk. Or it would taste like that, if those were objects that existed or if sounds could be tasted. Lu'Azu would always wonder why one would assume that they wouldn't.

And so with a portion of truth swallowed, Lu'Azu swam around his meal. He couldn't stop to speak. He couldn't ever stop. And so he spoke while circling Zuanshi. He spoke like if the waves were made of paper; rustling and gurgling, deep and dry.

You are a God.

It wasn't a question. It was the swallowed truth.

[Draken]

The first sound to fill the sky was the crack of lightning, as the very first storm gathered, never to disperse. The second sound was the boom of thunder, announcing to all, but to none in particular what had passed.

Beneath its clouds, the tides churned, and its bolts raced deep towards the bedrock, alighting empty oceans to reveal nothing but two figures in intermittent flashes.

Barely born, two gods began to move. A third whirled above.

[Razade]

Zuanshi retreated from the bite, knowing pain before pain was a known thing. Nothing would feel it again. So it spun, traveling under the waves in perfect orbit or was this thing of teeth orbiting it? "Yes." it replied to the not-question, a God. A being above others, a thing that was worthy of respect. Of worship. Then was this thing a God? If only it would stop moving. A dozen arms flowed from the black surface of its body, reaching, testing, trying to latch on to anything but those awful teeth. To stop what couldn't be stopped. Its fingers could brush against the razor skin, could latch on yet the thing moved ever around. It was a game. A game had a winner, and a God did not lose.

[Tanzan Aura]

The birth of He who laughs in the Skies

A laughter echoed among the noctilucent clouds, followed by a small avian form playing in the ether, still glowing with creative fire and giddily making aerobatics while singing in an airy tone. The new god was not paying attention to the First World, gliding among the clouds that birthed his new shape, staring at the sky above. As he got through a massive cirrus, the cloud reacted to the creative fire's energy and burst into a thousand feathered creatures, who descended toward the ground below. Only then did the young god deined to gaze upon the First World, and, taken by a sudden gust of curiosity, followed his childrens and dived toward the sea.

But The Songbird forgot that he was a deity, as a huge part of a cliff beneath him plummeted into the sea due to the impact. But this wasn't the last of his troubles. His children couldn't fly for eternity like he could, and were now begging for a safe place to rest. The Songbird obliged, as he got an idea of what to do with the disfigured cliff.
Taking seawater, clay and plants in his beak, he dropped what he gathered into the air, where he made it float with his creative energy. Carving the cliff and making verdant plants grow for his children to nest in, he created the Eyrie, an island of steep cliffs lined with only a few paths bordered by trees and plantlife. Where the rocks take on a nearly vertical angle, thousands of tiny holes scattered across the survace serve as the home of the birds.

Birth of the god - 16 AP

Create Sapient Life (2AP): Birds
They work exactly the same as normal birds, but are bigger, sentient and can team up to do complicated tasks. They are also intelligent enough to revere He who laughs in the Skies -or any deity they deem fit better, but almost all of them worship The Songbird- They can gather in small communities, and understand advanced concepts such as notions of self, eternity and so on.

Create Land (2AP): Eyrie

https://www.pixenli.com/images/1484/1484778698060469000.png
Theme Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGBRev1yt_M)

Looking like verdant cliff at first, this floating island has a few paths at the top. The view from here is really breath-taking, as it offers a place of choice to see the sun rise since it is right under the clouds and high in the air. Little holes are scattered here and there for birds to make their nest in, and pillars of stone and soil aligned like paths would offer a fun place to play in... if falling a hundred feets on the rocks below seems survivable. It smells like rosemary, thyme and other fragrant plants near the holes that have been turned into shrines instead of nests...

16 - 2 - 2 = 12AP

[mystic1110]

The shark's mouth opened into a smile - not a smile, exactly, for when its mouth was open it would always appear to be laughing even when it wasn't, it's the teeth you see. He was circling the other god in ever tightening patterns. He swam in ovals, in ever changing heights, but ever closer. Arms errupted to catch him, but he could not be caught. They latched onto him, but a flick of his tail and he broke free. A gnash of teeth and they would back away. He swallowed another truth.

A Game? Yes.

The shark's mouth opened into a smile - this time it was a smile, even though the teeth were arranged the same as if to eat. He was hungry for a game.

[Razade]

Hands retreated from thrashing tails, withdrew from gnashing teeth yet more came. Inexorable, without tiring. "A game needs a board" it said and from its arms formed yet more to feed this creature, this God, so it would know it without knowing and see it without seeing. History stretched within it, eras of movements and victories, eons of defeat and loss. Through this it conveyed its thoughts and from the waves it sang.

[Darklady2831]

Will to Power

The creator's flames danced across the void, dispersing and dying as the first seconds of true time went on. The void's final memories of envy and shock, were consumed by the dying sparks, turning them from the mere stuff of thought into a reflection of reality as the void had seen it in it's final moments. From the void this reflection took its form, cloaking itself in darkness and opening its eyes for the first time. The pale red points of light shone out, taking in the universe for the first time. In the palm of its slender-fingered hand it cradled an ember, perhaps the final spark of the Creator's flames. A single mote of power, something that the gaunt figure in the darkness of the void realized that it prized above all else. Into its cloak it withdrew the mote, sheltering it from the entropy of the void, keeping it burning for the time being.

The figure gazed out at the world below, appraising the gathering storm, the swirling currents of power, and the beings that had arisen there. In silence, the figure descended, its antler-like horns breaking apart the air before it as it fell, providing silence and a shroud of mist to cover its descent. Below the clouds it sank, watching the feathered creatures frolic in the sky. Before long it sank to the surface of the waves, plunging beneath the depths and cradling the spark it had saved close to its chest; protecting it from the smothering water surrounded him. The mists cleared, and the figure watched as the first shark bit into a glittering radiant figure. It watched them dance, probing one another. It watched, and it waited.

[Draken]

Something else shared the skies with it. A great many such things, led by one that felt like the two playing beneath the waves.

It reached for that one and the creatures it brought forth, its grip was a bolt of lightning.

The creatures so touched fell charred into the sea. Around the remains, the waters grew tainted with the green of minute plants.

No actual action yet! The Storm is just trying to get The Songbird's attention.

Also, blah, internet had some kind of weird failure.

[Virdish]

The memory of the storm that rose up on the seas took on form but it was incomplete, missing some vital piece that would make it whole. It searched upon the empty seas for this missing piece. The thing that would make it BE. Upon the horizon it saw a beautiful light. The light bore with it a promise a promise that it could only hope to achieve. From storm and promise was this new being finally born unto the world, but the light of the that promise turned in on itself for the new being knew instinctively that it could never reach the end as it was now. The promise would be turned upon others so that the being would not be alone.

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, An Island of the First Escapes

Slate ate the dark purple leaves of the dark purple plants that mostly covered the islands of First Escapes. Moles and worms churned the ground below as bats and bugs dealt with the sky above. Slate remembered the creator's word, and knew that he would never here it again. The abondenment made him free, and he spent that freedom eating and defecating.

First Escapes were an island chain, each island was no larger than Gibatrar. Part of Slate knew that he had created it, but none of him cared. He would leave soon and all this would be open to others. The White Steed was quite like the creator. Slate knew that it was possible that even this land's natural mineral-rich and fertile ground could be eroded away.

Still at the moment, he was happy eating.


16 AP
- 2 AP: Create Land: First Escapes - An island chain of fertile ground populated by bats, moles and smaller animals.
14 AP

[Bobbybobby99]

Meanwhile, some sea foam produced by all the divine commotion burbled and bubbled off to the side, steadily expanding. After a moment, each individual bubble of the sea foam suddenly stilled, and then crystallized, each forming a perfectly spherical pearl. Each pearl began to glow. Each pearl began to move. Each pearl began to divide. They formed an increasingly large mass, swirling in complex, multi-colored patterns. Eventually the mass stabilized in size, further pearls dropping from the whole and... hatching, into exceedingly tiny oysters, octopods, squids, sea-slugs, and others, that frantically swam or squirted away from the ferocious predator deity some few hundred meters away.

Feeling compelled to name itself, the mass of pearls deliberated, and decided to call itself Alaehi. It further decided to go by masculine pronouns, and decided to form itself into a more coherent form, given that it had company. He shaped his pearls into an octopus-like shape, though they continued to scintillate within that bound, and decided to become capable of perception, each pearl serving for all his senses. With his sight, he saw the conflict that had produced his initial catalyst, the ominously dressed figure that was observing things, and the numerous birds flying about. With his hearing, he heard the creatures in conflict talk to each other, and heard the lightning crash into the flying things. He tasted the algae that was starting to form, and smelled the ozone in the air. Swaying slightly and with violet swirls becoming prominent on his form, he decided to be capable of speech, pearls still falling off his form and hatching into small mollusks. His voice was soft, yet carried far, and had a faint chime to it.

"Um. Brothers and sisters, children of That Which Came Before, could we, I don't know, not try to eat each other? It seems sort of uncivilized. I know that free-for-all games are fun and all, but wouldn't it be better if there were some rules to play to? Maybe a code, or a codex, or a mutual agreement, or a treaty, or a concurrence, or an accord? 'Let's see if I can eat all your arms before you stop me' is less a game and more of an unaesthetic sort of cannibalism. Also, you're scaring the squids. I would prefer it if you didn't scare the squids."

[mystic1110]

The Shark ate the offered knowledge like the meal it was. It was a decadent buffet. He tore into the possible fictions and stories as if he was starving. And he was, he always will be. He dined and dined some more and finally when the statement was devoured and left as mere picked over bones he swam away from the other God.

As he swam his teeth purposefully caught and tore the ocean. They caught and tore reality, and he continued to swim into a new realm. His two fiery eyes were like two stars in the new world devoid of everything. He swam through nothing - not blackness or light, but he remained swimming, though there was no ocean. It was a shame, and from the chuck of reality which he had ripped apart, he let some ocean through. He swam around in this small pond until eight islands formed. Eight islands made of silver.

There was no light from above, but his eyes illuminated the silver islands, which reflected his fearsome image. A large shark with eyes of fire and many many large teeth. From the first world looking in, it was if it was a sea of teeth and flame.

As he swam he looked back to the first world, to the first God he met, in clear invitation. As he swam out of that new realm and back into the old he passed the god of many arms and said:

The Board

And with that he continued to swim into the depths of the ocean of the first world, mouth open and hungry to learn, his eyes searching with a feiry passion for whatever may interest them. The eight silver islands left behind for the other God.


16 AP
-2 AP Create Plane - shared with Razade. Plane to be named by razade. It is really just a small sea with eight silver islands. That is it. No sun/stars/anything.

[2/10 for Pact (Games) Domain]
14 AP

[Razade]

Zuanshi: Manse of Covetous Awe

It followed, followed as the God before it devoured for that was to be their station. At least for now. It gave no heed to the other Gods in the sky above. It gave no heed to its sibling who watched, emaciated and withdrawn. It gave no heed to the one who sought to explain rules to a game it could not understand. Only that which ate and that which followed knew the codices, the bylaws and the loopholes for they were written in the past and were etched into the future. Immovable, unquenchable, without form yet rigid like the Earth it was born from. And into this realm the Gnashing Maw did consume, sprang forth the Manse of Covetous Awe. A piece of tooth, a scrap of hide it woke until eight perfect mountains jutted from the oceans that moved to fill in the empty space. The sky above was black, the air was still yet like the rules they were glorious.


AP: 16AP

Weave Plane: Manse of Covetous Awe (2AP) - This Plane is made up of a small ocean with eight perfectly formed islands of silver. It is bare save its occupants upon creation. [2/10 War (Cunning)]

16AP - 2AP = 14AP

[Tanzan Aura]

Encounters near Eyrie

All the birds hid in their nest. What a frightening thing. Some of them fell down into the sea, striken by the lightning. The Songbird simply gathered their bodies back, and with a touch of their radiant feathers, rebirthed them, helping them reach their nest. The god then perched himself on a nearby tree.

I am The Songbird.

In his melodious voice, he sang a few sentences, destined to the deities that suddendly appeared around him.

My children aren't the cause of the fright of yours. Who are you ? Why did the lightning strike my birds ?

12AP

Bless (1AP): Phoenix's touch
Creatures that The Songbird or his avatars and heroes touch can be rebirthed. However, only avian creatures are affected by this bless.

12 - 1 = 11 AP

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, From First Escapes to the Eyrie

With divine eyes as dark as onyx, Slate saw the fallen cliff known as the Eyrie. He spoke one word to his creations, "Prosper."

Then he galloped away across the seas to the Eyrie. Wen he got closer he saw the birds an he daw the deities. He ignored both. What he payed attention too, including with his divine nose, were the plant life. He liked these more than his own; the variety was greater. His divine back leant and his divine legs knelt as his divine tongue tasted the plants and his divine teeth felt and is divine stomach considered toxicity.

These experiments held his full attention. He could ignore the other deities for the time.

[Draken]

The bird outran the Storm's grasp, and so that bolt retreated into the clouds while the other deity spoke.

The wind howled words.

"I am - Lightning struck the sea, and thunder filled the sky.

"When the lightning strikes the sea, it joins the clouds, when it courses the air, it rises. I knew not these birds would fall. It was a mistake."

Lightning raced the clouds.

"I should make amends."

[Darklady2831]

Following the Game

The figure in dark watched as the Shark and the Radiance danced and played, making rules for something that the Figure could not fathom. As the shark rent apart space and created anew, the Figure watched, and it coveted. For that was its place, to covet and to grow. To consume yet to reforge anew. It knew now, it was like the flame. It was to struggle, and yet exceed all that challenged it. Dezrakul, for that is what it knew its name was, followed behind the one that follows, passing unseen into the Mance of Covetous Awe.

[Bobbybobby99]

Alaehi paused in motion for a few seconds when the biting deity and the weird deity and the ominous deity fled to an alternative plane of existence, but then gave the cephalopod equivalent of a shrug, which loosed a few more pearls that hatched a few more baby mollusks. He spoke.

"Can we maybe make amends in a non-sparky way? Possibly even a non-murdery or cannibalistic or barbaric or generally-disagreeable way? Your lightning is very pretty, by the way, you ought to find a way to make it different hues, shades, tones, or colors; I recommend fandango, or possibly chartreuse. Also, salutations Songbird, hello Horse-Who-Has-Yet-To-Name-Themselves, my title is Alaehi."

[Razade]

Zuanshi: The Manse of Covetous Awe to Paragon

Another had followed it to the board, yet it was not ready. Not ready to be seen, to be witnessed and thus it reached out with radiant hands to grasp one so dark. "Come. Away from here." it whispered. This one was so frail, the Maw would devour it should it linger, would consume it for gazing at the bare bones of a thing Creation could not grasp. With soft light it dove, dove with this frail thing into a realm of light and beauty for if the Manse were the shore of some vast land, Paragon was its shining beaches and it knew, it knew as it could feel, that the first piece of the board was cast.

"Look here" it sang, its voice clear and beautiful as it rang out in the empty space of that dazzling place as a realm of night drew forth where fires gleamed to offer succor to the tired and the scared for what it couldn't know but did was that this thing, this gaunt and famished being would offer hardship that only the warmth of fire could produce. "Sing, brother, sing." it called again, dancing and darting too and for to spread its radiance for its kin to feel. To warm it, to feed it and in that grand ballet it knew now what move it must make for it was tied to the game as sure as it was to the Earth Titan that had spawned it. A beast that must eat, a creature that could not stop must be starved and from the bountiful Paragon it drew from its very essence the first of this spreading blight and sang them as Facets. It sang, it belted out its sonorous call for the other to reply.


AP: 14AP

Weave Plane: Paragon (2AP) - Paragon is a realm of four, two empty and two for the first Gods to touch its surface. Zuanshi's realm is a place of soft starlight and roaring bonfires. Of scintillating metal towers and vast caverns carved as if by water. [2/10 Night (Comfort)]

Create Mystical Race: The Facets (2AP) - Facets are merely gems, magically given form. They can shapeshift into any body they wish and can at will call weapons forth. Zuanshi's Paragon Facets are tall and androgynous like itself with an inner reverence that screams to be acknowledged. [4/10 Night (Comfort)]

14AP - 2AP - 2AP = 10AP

[Draken]

The Storm eyes the Horse and Alaehi. The wind howls.

"How could amends be made through violence? Your suggestions are absurd from the start."

Rain falls.

"For amends I thought of gifts for the birds, as I have frightened and wounded them, I gift them my Words and my Movements, so that they need not fear nor be harmed by me."

Lightning races across the clouds.

"I will teach them the words of wind and rain, of lightning and thunder. And I will too teach them to course the dark skies which I claim, as they course the clear skies of their father. It is a suitable gift."

16 AP

1 AP: Create Mundane Concept - Empyrean Language: This is meaningless to the gods, who are all naturally polyglots, but as far as the birds were concerned, ACOLACOT was not speaking, it is just a horrible, vast and violent storm, nothing more than wind, rain, lightning and thunder, maybe with something numinous behind it. This concept changes that, they are granted knowledge of this primordial language, although it is questionable whether they can properly speak it, since the words are the sounds of howling wind, falling rain, lightning and thunder.

Most of ACOLACOT's future creations will have this oddball language as their main manner of speech.

2 AP: Create Advanced Concept - Meteorology: The science of reading the weather. How, why and where the winds flow, lightning strikes and thunder comes. How storms form and dissipate. Flood and drought. Honestly, we all know what meteorology is.

Knowledge (Learning) domain progress [3/10]

13 AP left!

[Darklady2831]

Dezrakul: To Paragon

The gaunt figure stared at its sibling, cradling fire beneath its cloak as the song of creation flitted about it. At its siblings urging, the figure spoke for the first time. It opened its mouth and sang, a haunting melody to accompany the grand glory of Zuanshi's music. Like the wind whistling through crags and the branches of trees shorn of their leaves, the figure's voice sang out, caressing the Facets just as it's sibling had brought them forth. It instilled within them the will to survive, to thrive amongst all manner of hardships. Theirs would be a legacy of dull earth, and yet from the dullest stone a polished diamond can be torn.

The figure looked to its sibling, his song continuing with a mournful dirge. "The world is dark," he sang, "the light fades." He regarded the Facets, its gaunt face full of sorrow. "They may not survive." He said, gently running his slender fingers down the form of one, still cradling the Creator's last ember with his other hand. "But they will try, and Dezrakul will challenge them."

The second of four realms of Paragon darkened, a forest of crystal trees and rocky canyons with clouds of sulfurous smoke to block out the light from above. Here the Facets would face hardship, but in return they would be rewarded greatly. The trees and the rocks held valuable power, resources unseen in other brighter places. And it was here that Dezrakul would dwell, close to the fires and darkness of his sibling. Finally, Dezrakul's dirge changed, ending with an uplifting melody to inspire the Facets. "And those who rise will thrive."


AP: 16

2 AP - Weave Plane: Paragon

Paragon is a realm of four, two empty and two for the first Gods to touch its surface. Dezrakul's realm is a shadowed land of twilight cast across forests of crystal trees and crags of dull stone. 2/10 for Trickery (Concealment)

2 AP - Create Mystical Race: The Facets

Facets are merely gems, magically given form. They can shapeshift into any body they wish and can at will call weapons forth. Dezrakul's Paragon Facets are tall and gaunt, with pale colouration. They lack the lustre of Zuanshi's Facets, but hold within them an unbreakable will to survive. 2/10 for Fire (Passions)

16 AP - 2 AP - 2 AP = 12 AP

[Hatter]

The God on a Beach
Some beach in The First Escapes

A golden hand, thick and adorned with grubby little golden fingers thrust up from the sand.. not through but from. The hand turned into an arm and even into a body as the sand upon the beach coalesced into the deity's figure.

A being of solid gold was the result of the strange occurance. Il-Na stood amongst the sandy beach and looked down upon his stubby fingers, flexing and unflexing. "Il-Na"

[Razade]

Zuanshi: Paragon

"See here, the land divided." Zuanshi moved to where the two realms overlapped, where the flames of its bonfires glittered in the crystal orchids of its siblings. It plucked a single leaf from off a tree and held it before its brother. "See here. So too, see there." It then wove itself between the collected Facets. Those of dark and radiant beauty. Those towering pale things of unbreakable resolve and in each of their ear it whispered the song anew and in their depths, so much like the single leaf the song took hold like a dim flame and born in it the potential for greatness.


AP: 10AP

Create Mystical Concept: Egotism (2AP) - Innately divine and a gift of the first Facets, Facet Magic at its raw form allows for each of the Facets created of the four Realms of Paragon. The Zuanshi Facets are possessed of the ability to control the light and dark with their own inner radiance and with this light, heal and comfort those who would seek it. [6/10 Night (Comfort)]

10AP - 2AP = 8AP

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll - A Malignant Birth

He wasn't like his brothers and sisters, this he knew instantly. He was weak, and his weakness had made him ugly.

The others had been forged from the titans by The Creators fire. It was a simple birth...a clean birth. Not Iyll, however, he languished half-birthed upon the ocean floor. He was the half-formed sludge and detritus where the water met the earth, and he was weak; too weak to free himself from the mud and sludge to swim away; too weak to manifest of earth or stone and walk away; too weak to reach for the heavens and fly away. Worst yet, was that he saw his brothers and sisters and knew of his weakness. He was pathetic, and the awareness of such made him ugly; ugly in form, ugly in spirit.

A bare trickle of The Creator's fire reached him and he clutched it to his twisted, tortured form yearning for more, for the strength to break free and assume his rightful place among his brothers and sisters. Try as he might, struggle as he would, he remained trapped...half-birthed into the world. There he would have remained for eternity had not one of his more powerful kin pulled up from the ocean floor the lands known as First Escapes. An appropriate and cruelly ironic name, "First Escapes".

He rode upon the rising land until it broke through the surface of the great ocean. As he lay upon the loamy earth, moles and worms, beetles and bugs writhed around and through him. Here, more of The Creator's fire reached him, and he was able to crawl...crawl through the filth and the muck...through the feces of beasts and vermin.

Still he clutched to The Creator's fire. In twisted, clutching hands he held it...held it to his chest. He saw the birds and bats of the air, the squid and oysters of the ocean, the moles and rodents of the land, and he considered The Creator's lingering word. Raising his maggot riddle face to the heavens, he croaked in a raspy spiteful voice, "Create? Yes father, I will create. If 'creation' you name me, I will create!"

[CrazyPenguin]

From the sea burst land. Islands, jagged and stony, erupting forth from the depths into the sky. These spires pierced the heavens and were fearsome to behold. Then, following them came calmer land. More islands, larger and flatter. These too were stony and barren, though in some places they grew scrubs and coarse grasses.

Upon one of these islands, Wojciech breathed his first breath. He was, like these islands that were his home, rough and fearsome to behold. Tall and mighty, he wore mail of steel and a scowl. He was a warrior. A soldier. But he was also unarmed. This would simply not do. He reached and grasped the largest spire, then tore it from the earth. Useless rock melted away to reveal iron. This he fashioned into a weapon, making himself a warrior in truth. However, a new problem soon presented itself: there was no war for him to fight.

Perhaps, thought Wojiciech, he could start one. No, that would be foolish. Firstly, he was alone. A single soldier cannot fight a war alone. And what was there to fight over? Wojiciech had no lofty ideals or soaring ambitions. What did he have to gain? Nothing, he decided. But, what did he have to lose? Nothing, he decided once again. And so he had an idea. He would sell his sword (or axe, or mace, or spear, etc.). He would fight on behalf of others. But not to protect them, or to serve their needs. No, Wojciech was not altruistic.

He would fight for wealth.

Starting AP = 16
-5 AP Create Major Combat Artifact (The Sold Sword): The Sold Sword is the weapon of Wojciech, forged from the highest spire of the Bones of the Earth at the dawn of time. Though the word "sword" appears in the weapon's name, it's form is actually mutable. Wojciech typically has the Sold Sword appear as whatever weapon is most common in the area he is appearing in, though he occasionally changes it's form into something that specifically suits his current purpose.
-2 AP Create Land (The Bones of the Earth):The Bones of the Earth are a series of massive rock spires jutting out of the ocean. They cover a fairly large area, and are rather close together. As such, travelling through the Bones by ship is extremely dangerous, as the churning sea can easily dash vessels upon them. The Bones are extremely rich in iron. According to some legends (and perhaps maybe even the truth), the Bones of the Earth is a literal name, and the spires are the bones of the now-dead Earth Titan.
-2 AP Create Land (The Iron Isles): The Iron Islands are a series of islands located around and among the Bones of the Earth. The shores of the islands are typically sheer cliffs, beautiful but dangerous. Only one or two have usable bays. The Iron Islands are fairly barren, with very little vegetation. What plant life there is tends to be stunted and dry. As their name would suggest, the Islands are extremely rich in iron. One often finds chunks of it lying around, or huge deposits exposed to the air. The Islands vary in size from around that of Nantucket to around that of Great Britain, with most somewhere towards the lower middle.
16 AP - 5AP - 2 AP - 2 AP = 7 AP

[Darklady2831]

Dezrakul: Paragon

Dezrakul followed along, observing the realm of gray between the absolutes. He sang, his haunting melody echoing back to the Facets, uplifting them. "I see..." He droned, his gaze falling upon the Facets both Zuanshi and Dezrakul. "From within, their power shines..." He sang, the tall gaunt Facets bowing down before the radiant Facets. "From within, our greatness comes..." He said, filling all of the Facets with his will, urging them all to glory. "Yet, is it enough?" He sang, falling silent. As the song ended, the gaunt figure in dark turned, walking off into the twilight of his realm, hunched over and cradling the ember of the creator's flame.

AP: 12 AP

2 AP - Create Mystical Concept: Facet Magic

Innately divine and a gift of the first Facets, Facet Magic at its raw form allows for each of the Facets created of the four Realms of Paragon. The Dezrakul Facets have the ability to amplify the world around them. Their strikes can be made stronger, their voices louder, and their efforts more fruitful. More important perhaps, is the ability to amplify the magic of other beings, or even other magics that the Dezrakul Facets might learn. 4/10 for Fire (Passions)

12 AP - 2 AP = 10 AP

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Eyrie

Slate followed a muching path that lead him closer to the other three deities. He lapped a little from the saltwater. This was noxiously foul! For a divinty, the consequences were easily remedied but the foulness of this liquid would not be forgotten. Slate looked at Alaehi.

"I am not a horse, nor any other beast. I am a dvinity. My name is Slate." Spoke the white-jired demi-god whose form was that of a horse, "What calls you here?"

Although the onyx eyes gave nothing away, Slate noticed the rising of The Bones. He would go there after speaking to this odd creature. Parts of the verdant flora of The Eyrie began to wrap around Slate's legs adding a touch of green to the monochrome demi-god.

[Hatter]

Observing Iyll
The First Escapes

Il-Na stood behind a large rock on the beach as he observed his sludgy brother flop around and speak to their non-existent father... The one who abandoned them.. yes, he thought...They were orphans..Abandoned to their own devices in a strange and unknown place. He muttered a curse under his breath "Curse you, Father. Curse you a thousand times over so that none may know your name and none may lament your passing. Curse you for all of Eternity."

The God of Greed stepped out from behind the rock and stepped towards his brother in all his 4ft golden glory. A smile crossed his face, displaying teeth of glimmering diamonds within his golden beard."Brother, I am Il-Na. By what name are you?"



16AP Start
-1AP Curse(Forget The Creator): The Creator is forever forgotten to time. None may recall him, tell his stories or wonder at who started it all but the gods themselves. Even if a god were to tell the truth to mortals, they would not even hear that truth.
15AP Remaining

[Bobbybobby99]

Alaehi, The Eyrie

Alaehi startled, one of his pseudo-tentacles dissolving into its component pearls and splashing in the water, when he noticed the slight negative reaction on Slate's part to the saltwater, but the arm soon regrew, and he composed himself (literally).

"I suppose I am divine as well, and I beg pardon for any offense I may have caused, Brother Born From Our Fellow Creator, for referring to you as a horse. I am called here by many things, I suppose; someone must protect and propagate my dear mollusks. And I want to make things prettier, of course, as we all do."

[Razade]

Zuanshi: Paragon to The Manse of Covetous Awe

Zuanshi watched its brother leave and with the final notes of their song called out. "It is, it is. For now. For now." and then he was gone leaving Zuanshi alone with its Facets. It collected its eldest and breathed into them its own lingering flame and within the greatest of them flared to life and what were once beautiful things were made all the more wonderous with their shine for these Bonfire Diamonds were alight with their inner power and with the surge of divine energy they grew head and shoulders above their sisters with flowing flames for hair and skin as black as a moonless night, for there was no moon. Not yet. They spoke with the power and command of Zuanshi and so it was that the God left to once more gaze upon the Manse of Covetous Awe and though it had left, the Bonfire Diamonds and their charges remained and began to spread to the second realm for the Facets of Derzukal were without the word of their leaders, those that gave them life.



Infuse Mystical Race: Bonfire Diamonds (3AP) - The first ten of Zuanshi's Facets are granted energy beyond their own radiance. These special Paragon Facets speak with the authority and reverence of Zuanshi itself and are afforded even more power within their Egotism. The ten are, in their own small way, worshiped among the Zuanshi Paragon Facets as parts of the Divine and their orders are never to be questioned. These Bonfire Diamonds posses potent healing powers far exceeding typical Paragon Facets[9/10 Night (Comfort)]

Bless: Bonfire Authority (1AP) - The Bonfire Diamonds speak to all Facetkind with honor, distinction and above all...command for they are the mouthpiece of Zuanshi and the mouthpiece of all those who rule on Paragon. [10/10 Night (Comfort)]

Gain Domain: Night (Comfort)

Weave Plane: Paragon (2AP)
Create Mystical Race: Facets (2AP)
Create Mystical Concept: Egotism (2AP)
Infuse Mystical Race: Facets (3AP)
Bless: Bonfire Authority (1AP)

Create Society: Facet Matriarchy (1AP) - Facet society on Paragon is split among the realms of the plane itself. Zaunshi oversees, with the aid of its Bonfire Diamonds, the faith of Facetkind and with their powers they maintain and heal both the warriors of Paragon and aid in construction of their holy places. [3/10 War (Cunning)

8AP - 3AP - 1AP - 1AP = 3AP

[mystic1110]

A shark swims. That's what it does, even when it sleeps. You see to move is to live. To live is to eat! And so the shark swam through the dark ocean, its eyes of flame illuminating the path before it like brimstone calling to a sinner. They didn't so much illuminate as pierce, devour the darkness. And in that awful light his teeth glittered white.

One of his eyes saw a flash, a flash of gold. His mouth watered at the remembrance of the Silver God's taste. The taste of the game. Perhaps this next meal would be its equal? And so he flicked his tail and swam higher, higher through the ocean until he swam through surface of the waves and he swam through the air. For a shark swims, it does not fly. Lu'Azu swims be it through water, air, earth or fire. Air become languid and sluggish, earth become muddy and silty, fire becomes fire for fire is already like water in his precense. And so the sark swam through the air until it spied two gods. The golden one which was like a lure to it and a mud one which reminded him of the ocean floor. He opened his mouth and swam towards them with frightening speed, and snaps shut and tore bits of truth from them. Not the whole truth, but enough to know them as gods. One tasted like a steel door closed for eternity, the other discarded frayed maniscripts eaten by moths and mold. They were both delicious.

The shark circled the two gods, swimming through the air as it gnawed these truths to the bitter bleached bones and said its its voice of ink and shell:

Names? Those are important, yes?

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Eyrie

Slate considered before responding, "Yes, it is good to make the world prettier in the moment and to do so in ways hat can be sustained without us. I agree with you fellow-child. I have come to understand these pretty green plants. It was clever of thm to be - for the most part - so high and above these poisonous seas.

"Still this tower shall not last always. Erosion will. Great waves will destroy plants that thought they were safely high. Young plants that lack the roots to survive against the wind. Seeds dropped into the expansive sea. Still it is very pretty while we have it. Almost certainly better than what came before. I ought to give my compliments to its creator.

"Is that you? Is this how you make things pretty?"

[Hatter]

Meeting on a Beach
Random Beach, The First Escapes

"Very much so." said the golden figure, turning to gaze upon The Shark with golden eyes. "Without a name.. It is harder to remember another.. without a name.. one cannot be identified and is lost to the funnels of time."

"I am Il-Na." He repeated his name just in case the newcomer hadn't heard and the fact that it was good manners... Whatever manners were. He cast his gaze upon The Shark, observing the god from tip to tail... An interesting shape he thought.

[mystic1110]

Il-Na

The Shark swallowed the name. As it circled the two other gods its razor sharp teeth bit into the name shredding it like paper. It chewed it up into its component parts. The vowels and constants tumbled down into his gullet where they were digested.

Remembrance

The Shark feasted on the concept. It was familiar, it was similar to the game, or the game used it. It savoured the sweet memory of the concept of memory. It was fragrant like rose water held within a vase made of herbs.

The Shark smiled, or was it a smile, was its mouth merely open - it was hard to tell - his many many teeth forming the next words carefully.

I am Lu'Azu

Throughout this meal and conversation, the Shark continued circling the two gods, almost corralling them together.

[Hatter]

Meeting on a Beach
Random Beach, The First Escapes

Il-Na continued to follow The Shark with his beady little golden eyes for a moment. He recognized The Shark for what he truly was...A predator... Just like Il-Na himself... Perhaps not completely but close enough to warrant curiosity.

He shifted his eyes down the beach and to the waters of the ocean and with a thought, he conjured up some words. "There are more of our kin in there?" , a question.

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll, Il-Na, and Lu'Azu - "Iyll Met is Well Met"

Struggling still to pull himself together, for he hoarded The Creators fire and utilized it sparingly, Iyll gathered the mud and filth about him to form rotting, decaying flesh. Worms and maggots struggled and burrowed, threatening to undo his form so he clothed himself in moldy, ill-woven robes. As he attempted to stand his legs gave way below the knee, collapsing in a heap of rotten, fetid flesh. T'was then he heard the voice and felt the divine power of one of his siblings. He panicked!

I'm hideous. I'm pathetic. I cannot be seen like this!

Channeling a bit of his power he rose up above the ground, levitating just above the dirt, and wrapped his filthy robes about him to hide his putrid form and broken legs. Wiping his warped and clutching hand across his face, he hastily conjured a mask of ivory with placid features. His withered heart pounded, threatening to burst through his fragile chest. Calming himself as best he could, he turned to greet the one who had hailed him.

Attempting to sound calm and confident, he croaked, to the golden god, "Brother? Yes. Yes. I name you brother Il-Na. After all, we are gods, are we not? I would have you know me as Iyll."

As he spoke a great shark flew...swam through the air above the island, approached and seemed to bite into each of them in turn. Iyll could feel the bite, the cold dispassionate tasting of the truth of his essence, and he liked it not. Amber light flashed from behind his placid mask as he watched the shark god circle he and Il-Na. The two introduced themselves as The Shark circled ever closer. He rasped, "Lu'Azu, I am ill-made and Iyll named, whereas your name is seemingly as regal as your bearing. Sleek, beautiful, and powerful. Tell me Lu'Azu do you know what a lie tastes like?"

Beginning AP = 16AP

Create Major(Utility) Artifact -5AP: The Face of Corruption - A simple ivory mask to cover Iyll hideous face, this artifact offers a -1AP discount on the Create Sub-Concept Action.


Remaining AP = 16AP - 5AP = 11AP

[mystic1110]

Lu'Azu does not, but now he knew what flattery tasted like. Like a rotting corpse left out on a beach under a sunless sky for days and weeks. Pugnet. A fine taste indeed! One to be induldged in sparingly lest one grew fat. The shark cirled the ivory masked god as rasped in its voice of drenched tomes:

Not yet. Lie for me.

It wasn't an order or a request. It was a mere statement. As he circled the two gods, his fiery eyes gazed upon them, casting long shadows behind them. The shadows circled, for his eyes were like tiny suns going from dusk to dawn around the two gods. The air was becoming salty in his presence, more like the ocean, as he swam it was almost as if the beach was becoming submerged.

He answered the golden one:

Yes. At least one. Him and I are playing a game.

[Hatter]

Meeting on a Beach
Random Beach, The First Escapes

Ah.. a manipulator.. a schemer or a simple stuck-up? Il-Na thought of Iyll as the deity spoke from behind his mask. Clearly more fearful of The Shark than of himself... Just as Il-Na desired it.

Il-Na's ears perked at the mention of a game... He was intrigued by the thought. Surely that's one way to pass time. "What game do you play?"

[Virdish]

Elya rises to the surface of the sea the air touching her skin in a way that is enticing. She looks down on the beach that is the staging ground of the impromptu meeting of her brothers and sisters. She sees the one that considers itself ugly form a mask for it's face. She can not see why the god thinks itself ugly but she does not begrudge the being it's vanity. The mistress considered listening in on the conversation stealthily but ultimately decides that proper introductions are in order.

Alighting on the small beach she looks over the other beings.

"Nice to meet you all, brothers and sisters mine. I am Elya."

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll, Il-Na, and Lu'Azu - First Escape

Iyll looked back and forth from the circling Lu'Azu and the golden Il-Na. The tension was palpable, despite the seemingly amicable exchange.

At the mention of other gods followed by Il-Na's inquiry, he turned an appraising stare upon the diminutive golden figure.

As the air grew heavier around them, Iyll levitate higher before answering the shark god, “The truth is always an insult or hurtful, lies are generally tastier. We love them. The nature of lies is to please. Truth has no concern for anyone's comfort.”

The words had no sooner left his mouth than another divine being emerged from the ocean, alighting on the beach nearby. Turning to the newcomer, he croaked, "Tell me Elya, upon which would you rather sup, a sweet lie or a bitter truth?"

[Phobia]

I'm... lost?!

As first thoughts go, not a particulary inspired one, but panic seized upon the young goddess as she stepped barefoot over the jagged rocks and earth that had once been the Earth Titan, now a Titan divided, divided into..

I'm... alone.

She thought wistfully, the first of many tears streaking down her face unbidden. It felt so hollow to be alone. The Earth Titan had been sundered and in his place were many gods and goddesses of the Earth whom were happy with their new state, but Kelia just felt so vulnerable, anxious, and, most of all, alone. It was the loss that grieved her most. Loss of form, or loss of feeling? She used the back of her hand to wipe away some of the tears but they merely came on more and in greater quantity. With a shuddering sob she realized that she really was alone and lost here so with a heavy heart she pulled a cloak around her that moved like cloth but was made from rocks and sticks and little bits of what was left of the Earth Titan.

So, she pressed on.

The stabs and coarse ground of the first earth hurt a bit, but what was pain to a god? While her heart was heavy at her inner despair and loss, her thoughts returned to being lost and how scary her future looked. But how could she truly be lost, if she had nowhere that she belonged? This thought made her collapse to her knees in the rocks as more sobs shook her body. The cloak sagged low on her body as she stared up at the pitch black sky above only illuminated briefly by lightning, which was accompanied by terrifying noises that made the poor goddess' heart beat rapidly. She managed to lift herself to her feet and swore to get away from the horror that was this, that was life, was this life?

Pulling the hood of the cloak up over her face she continued past the broken bits and pieces of earth and made her way closer to the churning sea. Not on purpose, mind you, but just out of panic and desperation. The sea made her gasp and bring a hand to her mouth. Water, something so pretty, should be serene.. calm..

She shook her head and dried her tears on the sleeve of her cloak before running from the sea in terror, her foot becoming caught on a piece of deadly landscape and sending her for a tumble down towards the beach where a sort of impromptu gathering of the gods was already taking place. Kelia tumbled into a heap down near where they spoke, the embarrassment of the action causing her to choke with a sob in lieu of introducing herself.

AP: 16

Earth Titan's Mantle [Create Major Artifact -5] [Alter Land]: Made of rocks and jagged bits of earth and whatever was left of the Titan himself after being divided into god and land alike, but functions like and often feels like cloth. A little keepsake for a girl who has lost so much already and we've only just begun.

AP: 11

[Cosmix]

The Northern Pole:

At the most northern point on the newly created world the dead Water Titan's heart, broken and destroyed beyond repair, laid on the ocean floor. It's form was unrecognizable to what it once was, being a quickly degrading shard of clear ice covered in cracks and fractures.

The flame of the Creator filled this broken shard of it's child, giving it life right at the moment of it's destruction, as the fractures grew to much and the shard became a pile of icy dust. But the flame of the Creator is too strong to let even this take away it's spark, the dust quickly formed a semi-solid form, giving life to Yirom.

His was a duel nature, for Yirom was born of both flame and ice, both sides of this creating pain for the other. He was cold, oh so terribly cold, and wished for warmth. Yet his form was made of ice and he knew that a heat strong enough to warm him would probably harm if not outright kill him.

The terrible cold only grew, freezing the water wherever Yirom touched. His form melding with the ice that was around him, he began to move to see what else there was to see in this world like a slithering snake of ice.

[mystic1110]

The Shark continued circling as yet another god emerged from the ocean. He dined on his truth, his tongue tasted his . . . her gender. He was a Goddess, not a god. She was a goddess. She tasted like the endless ocean from whence he was born. His eyes took her in with all-consuming fiery passion. or was it hunger? The two were often the same. There was a bit of remembrance in her taste. Mixed with salt and . . .

The ivory god spoke. Ah, was that how lies tasted like? Like slumber, like the moment when ones eyes' fire was dim and almost gone, but still lit. That was a little bit how the goddess tasted like. The shark's swimming grew wider until he encircled all three gods and goddess. The air now was the consistency of water.

Thank you for the lies. They were delicious.

Gratitude tasted like sand beaten into glass as it was leaving his mouth. His tongue caught whispers of its taste. He swam in his wide circle greeting the newly arrived goddess finally.

And greetings, my sister from the sea. The salt is thick in your veins. It calls to me.

His fiery eyes brightened, then dimmed. Finally, in his spiral he opened his mouth, and his white teeth reflected the Gold god. The more he ate, the more he learned.

The game. It is a simple game. He creates and I do not. Do you wish to join? It is simple enough, he creates, and you may simply take (his burning eye looked at Il-Na) debase (his burning eye looked at Iyll) drown (his burning eye looked Elya). You may join if you wish.

The Shark continued to swim around them, its eyes still casting long shadows.

[Gunhaven]

From the sea burst land. Islands, jagged and stony, erupting forth from the depths into the sky. These spires pierced the heavens and were fearsome to behold. Then, following them came calmer land. More islands, larger and flatter. These too were stony and barren, though in some places they grew scrubs and coarse grasses.

Upon one of these islands, Wojciech breathed his first breath. He was, like these islands that were his home, rough and fearsome to behold. Tall and mighty, he wore mail of steel and a scowl. He was a warrior. A soldier. But he was also unarmed. This would simply not do. He reached and grasped the largest spire, then tore it from the earth. Useless rock melted away to reveal iron. This he fashioned into a weapon, making himself a warrior in truth. However, a new problem soon presented itself: there was no war for him to fight.

Perhaps, thought Wojiciech, he could start one. No, that would be foolish. Firstly, he was alone. A single soldier cannot fight a war alone. And what was there to fight over? Wojiciech had no lofty ideals or soaring ambitions. What did he have to gain? Nothing, he decided. But, what did he have to lose? Nothing, he decided once again. And so he had an idea. He would sell his sword (or axe, or mace, or spear, etc.). He would fight on behalf of others. But not to protect them, or to serve their needs. No, Wojciech was not altruistic.

He would fight for wealth.

Starting AP = 16
-5 AP Create Major Combat Artifact (The Sold Sword): The Sold Sword is the weapon of Wojciech, forged from the highest spire of the Bones of the Earth at the dawn of time. Though the word "sword" appears in the weapon's name, it's form is actually mutable. Wojciech typically has the Sold Sword appear as whatever weapon is most common in the area he is appearing in, though he occasionally changes it's form into something that specifically suits his current purpose.
-2 AP Create Land (The Bones of the Earth):The Bones of the Earth are a series of massive rock spires jutting out of the ocean. They cover a fairly large area, and are rather close together. As such, travelling through the Bones by ship is extremely dangerous, as the churning sea can easily dash vessels upon them. The Bones are extremely rich in iron.
-2 AP Create Land (The Iron Islands): The Iron Islands are a series of islands located around and among the Bones of the Earth. The shores of the islands are typically sheer cliffs, beautiful but dangerous. Only one or two have usable bays. The Iron Islands are fairly barren, with very little vegetation. What plant life there is tends to be stunted and dry. As their name would suggest, the Islands are extremely rich in iron. One often finds chunks of it lying around, or huge deposits exposed to the air. The Islands vary in size from around that of Nantucket to around that of Great Britain, with most somewhere towards the lower middle.
16 AP - 5AP - 2 AP - 2 AP = 7 AP
A Meeting Among Iron - Bogduch Caejk'do, Wojciech
From the iron It rose, a crack sounding as a suit of armor was seemingly formed a vein of iron near the surface. A second crack sounded as the armor was freed from the iron imprisoning. A third crack announced the creaking of joints as the armor seemed to fill with life, if only because the armor was moving on It's own accord. Slowly It rose and looked around with a helmet that had no sign of life, a black as the void above compared to the iron It emerged from. It's investigations ended when It realized that It was not alone.
Brother? Challenger? Soldier. It took a step forward before It looked at It's empty hands compared to the fellow warrior who was armed. It reached down with steadily improving movement and grabbed at the vein that had birthed It, snatching the metal free. With a punch it was shaped into a rough shield, with another it was formed into a tower shield that stood nearly as tall as the two, and with a third it rang with the whisper of creation. It nodded as It strode closer toward the other on this barren island.
"Bogduch...Caejk'Do... Who...are you?" was uttered in a dead voice, like the bangs of a hammer against an anvil. It paused and seemed to think for a moment before It added in the same dead voice "The Immovable Object" and slammed a metallic boot into the earth before It added "Yours?" and motioned around at the land around the two with It's free arm. It's stance adjusted slightly as It spoke more, buckling down a couple of inches as if It was stating that It would not be moved right this second from this spot if push came to shove. It wanted some confirmation before It did so.
Starting: 16
Create Major Artifact (-5 AP): Dolurrh is a tower shield that typically is about eighteen feet tall when Bogduch Caejk'Do is It's full twenty feet tall. When the Immovable Object adjusts It's height the shield adjusts as well, always remaining large enough to comfortably provide the suit of armor that wields it full cover when It crouches down to the extent that It's armor will typically allow. The real power behind the shield, though, is that it serves as an anvil of sorts for It to create further items upon. Utility Artifact granting discount on Create Major Artifact
Infuse Artifact (-3 AP): Dolurrh is further blessed by Bogduch Caejk'Do to serve as a basis for creation. Dolurrh grants a -2 discount on Create Major Artifact

Ending: 8 AP, -2 Discount on Create Major Artifact

[Virdish]

"Why my friend I would much rather a sweet lie. Unless of course the bitter truth would gain me something that I needed."

Sharing interactions with the other beings she exists with is much more entertaining then being on our own.

"This game sounds delightful. Though rather limiting."

[Bobbybobby99]

Alaehi, The Eyrie.

Alaehi seemed almost embarrassed at the question, if sapient masses of pearls cobbled together in the shape of an octopod could be embarrassed at anything.

"No, I'm afraid. I think our friend in the sky is responsible for that one, though I'm not really sure. I am responsible for the small creatures that I hatch; I call them mollusks, for that is what they are. "

He pondered for a moment, then two, and then spoke.

"I think the time has come for me to create something of loveliness. And non-toxicity. Feel free to follow, my friend."

With that, he dissolved into an amorphous mass of glowing pearls once more. He floated on top of the water, and formed into a solid form once more- a harpoon, to be precise. The pearl harpoon dove towards the water, struck a small hole in the fabric of reality at the surface of the water, and seemingly disappeared.

On the other side of the small, slowly closing hole, was a coral reef (minus the fish) on a hunk of earth, surrounded on all sides with a vast ocean, and with its creator having reformed into a cephalopodal form.


Starting: 16 AP.

Weave Plane: 3 AP. The Elemental Plane of Water is both vast and beautiful. It has winding, swirling streams of water colored Caribbean turquoise, even longer streams of water as deep a blue as the Atlantic, and further streams of a more brownish color- freshwater. None of these streams ever mix. There are great, perfectly spherical bubbles of air within it, and great, perfectly spherical bubbles of earth. The entire plane has its fair share of fresh algae and kelp, but has a whole host of invertebrates; while mollusks dominate, coral is notable in its presence, alongside anenomes, starfish, sea urchins, crustaceans, and worms of all natures. A simple glance at the plane leads to wonder, and a further inspection leads to awe.

Ending AP. 13.

[CrazyPenguin]

A Meeting Among Iron - Bogduch Caejk'do, Wojciech
From the iron It rose, a crack sounding as a suit of armor was seemingly formed a vein of iron near the surface. A second crack sounded as the armor was freed from the iron imprisoning. A third crack announced the creaking of joints as the armor seemed to fill with life, if only because the armor was moving on It's own accord. Slowly It rose and looked around with a helmet that had no sign of life, a black as the void above compared to the iron It emerged from. It's investigations ended when It realized that It was not alone.
Brother? Challenger? Soldier. It took a step forward before It looked at It's empty hands compared to the fellow warrior who was armed. It reached down with steadily improving movement and grabbed at the vein that had birthed It, snatching the metal free. With a punch it was shaped into a rough shield, with another it was formed into a tower shield that stood nearly as tall as the two, and with a third it rang with the whisper of creation. It nodded as It strode closer toward the other on this barren island.
"Bogduch...Caejk'Do... Who...are you?" was uttered in a dead voice, like the bangs of a hammer against an anvil. It paused and seemed to think for a moment before It added in the same dead voice "The Immovable Object" and slammed a metallic boot into the earth before It added "Yours?" and motioned around at the land around the two with It's free arm. It's stance adjusted slightly as It spoke more, buckling down a couple of inches as if It was stating that It would not be moved right this second from this spot if push came to shove. It wanted some confirmation before It did so.
Starting: 16
Create Major Artifact (-5 AP): Dolurrh is a tower shield that typically is about eighteen feet tall when Bogduch Caejk'Do is It's full twenty feet tall. When the Immovable Object adjusts It's height the shield adjusts as well, always remaining large enough to comfortably provide the suit of armor that wields it full cover when It crouches down to the extent that It's armor will typically allow. The real power behind the shield, though, is that it serves as an anvil of sorts for It to create further items upon. Utility Artifact granting discount on Create Major Artifact
Infuse Artifact (-3 AP): Dolurrh is further blessed by Bogduch Caejk'Do to serve as a basis for creation. Dolurrh grants a -2 discount on Create Major Artifact

Ending: 8 AP, -2 Discount on Create Major Artifact

Wojciech leaned casually on his weapon, which was currently shaped as a spear. He eyed this new arrival carefully, taking in his armor and shield. "They are the place of my birth, though that does not make them mine." He looked around at the Bones and the Islands. "But they do have a certain charm to them, don't they? A harsh land that offers little besides stone and iron." He straightened his posture and his spear fluidly became a sword, which he sheathed at this side. "I think this place will make a fine home. No need to worry, though. There are many islands, and they are large. More than enough to share." The Sellsword paused for a moment. "I apologize, but I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am Wojciech. The Sellsword."

[Sontali]

Fiat Lux

What had once been the largest of the Titans, The Void, was quiet compared to the First World below, devoid of the gods and their new creations which walked and swam and crawled and flew. And there in the void, the Creator’s fires dispersed and died. But there were those that transformed, changing from sparks of pure creation and nascent divinity, becoming attached to reality in a much more perennial way. By the nature of The Void these tiny new flames were vast distances apart, so far apart that when they started drifting together no one noticed the sky getting brighter ever so slowly.

Until one moment, when they were close enough that Aphar was able to have a thought, and suddenly the pieces rushed together. Bringing the first day to the First World, but it wasn’t right, Aphar was too big and burnt too hot. A vast incandescent sphere that stretched out and covered a full quarter of the sky. Aphar, newly born looked upon this world and saw his folly, as plants started wilting and land started drying out, the very tips of the high places blackened under the blistering radiance of this imperfect sun. And so Aphar split himself, creating a true body out of most of his fire, that he could interact with the world. The rest he pulled back into a ball, dim compared to what it had been. And the Light Bringer went to the First World, moving through the vast distances of The Void’s body, until he stood upon one of the Bones of the Earth he had scorched. Noting that the plants below still wilted, Aphar was distracted when he noticed small streams of molten rock trickling from where his feet met the spire. And so, before he set the sun on its path around the world he compressed the sun further, until it was the size of an outstretched fist in the sky, enough to light the world without smothering it.

Starting AP: 16
Create Land (2 AP) – Aphar/The Sun: Orbiting the First World from the west to the east exists a sphere of solid light and fire. If one could survive on the surface of such a thing, they would see that the orb is not featureless, having things reminiscent of landscapes, such as flowing rivers of liquid sun. The sun is about two thirds the size of the First World.
[2/10 Good (Wisdom)]
Remaining AP: 14

[Kirjath]

As the Void Titan crumbled and the Creator's fire died, a piece of it spun away into the darkness. It spun, and spun, and it knew only joy as it danced through the void. Suddenly, it was caught by the brightest and most uncomfortable light it had ever witnessed. The light laid bare all that the piece was, but it was a terrible feeling. To have all that you were known, to have all that you were discovered, it sapped all joy and mirth.

The piece frothed and raged at the light, for even as the light grew smaller it was still too bright, but no sound could be heard. With no other recourse, the piece spun again; this time it pulled the void around itself and the inky darkness became robes that covered it from the light. The piece grinned, for now it possessed power as well as a means to conceal its secrets from the light. It quickly stretched out a hand to shield its eyes, and then another, but this did nothing to block the light. So it stretched another hand, and another, and another, and another again, but nothing could shield its eyes from the light.

Mercifully, it passed into the shadow of something greater: the First World. Relief came at last, and the piece was finally able to draw its hood up and cover its eyes from the dazzling light. It regarded the First World with curiosity and awe; something that could shield it from the hated light that had interrupted its blissful dance was naturally interesting. Only now, without the light, the piece realized that everything looked gray and dark on the first world. It tried to turn its head, it tried to squint, but nothing worked. Surely the world down below was beautiful, but without the light it would never be noticed.

The piece tried to peek around the First World again, but the light was blinding. It reached out a hand to cup the light and perhaps steal a piece of it, only it could not grasp the sun's rays. But when the piece witnessed the light reflecting off of its outstretched limbs, an idea struck and a mischievous smile formed on its lips. It reached down and pulled a strip of the void from its robes and laid it out flat. Slowly, the strip grew and took shape into an orb, smaller than the First World and barren of life, water, or sky. The piece quickly set it spinning, and watched gleefully as it danced in place around the First World. At first it spun too close, and the piece quickly learned that the First World pulled other objects towards itself. It drew the orb back so that it would not threaten the world below. Eventually, the orb spun in a perfect dance, calculated so that it would always show the same face to the First World whenever it would become night again. But the orb itself gave off no light.

As the orb rotated once around the First World, the piece found she had a voice at last.

“Beautiful.” She grinned as the orb caught the light from the sun. It reflected a pale light onto the darkness of the First World, and the piece quickly reached down to poke a hole in the clouds and let the light through. Now, at long last, she could witness the beauty of the First World during the night.

“I shall name you Cyra," she said to the orb, "And you will be the first moon.”

Unfortunately, it was still difficult to see the First World in the darkness with only Cyra for a light. So the piece tore another strip from her robe and lay it flat in front of her. This new strip soon grew to dwarf even the first moon.

“And you will be Hala. The second moon.”

The piece reveled in that which she had created. She had torn her midnight robe, leaving her feet and many forearms bare, but it had been worth it to witness all that occurred on the First World. The piece pulled Hala farther away, and the two moons spun around the First World and reflected the light of the sun down upon it. At their peak, only once every so often, when Cyra was full of light it would pass in front of Hala and create a shadow on the second moon.

“And this symbol shall be how they know me.” Zhen smiled to herself.


Starting AP: 16-9=7
Create Major Artifact (5 AP): Robes of Midnight, [Utility Artifact - 1 AP reduction for Advanced Concepts] these robes hide many of Zhen's secrets. They are the color of the void and remain remarkably still even as she moves about. Only when Zhen spins will the robes flare about, creating a whirl of dancing motion. More importantly, they facilitate her clever nature by storing and refining the ideas she has for later use.
Create Land (2 AP): Cyra, the first moon is smaller than the First World and devoid of sky, water, or air. It is full roughly once a month and always shows the same face every night.
Create Land (2 AP): Hala, the second moon is about 3 to 4 times larger than Cyra but sits a little farther away in its orbit. It is also devoid of sky, water, or air, but it shows many sides of itself during its orbit. When eclipsed by Cyra, you can see roughly 3/8ths of Hala as a crescent moon. This alignment happens very rarely, a real world analogue would be about once every 44 years.

(5 AP - Major Artifact) - Beauty (Dance)
(2 AP - Create Land) - Beauty (Dance)
(2 AP - Create Land) - Beauty (Dance)

[9 AP towards Beauty (Dance) domain/portfolio]

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, from the Eyrie to the Elemental Plane of Water

Slate decided to wait for confirmation before offering his thanks. As he watched the odd-looking deity go, Slate decided that he would follow. Then it started to be far too hot. This lovely place could not be allowed to be destroyed like this! Then the danger passed and Slate was calm, but surprised at how quick he was to anger, "I did not predict that."

Slate then followed, taking Alaehi's route exactly, and was in the Elemental Plane of Water. The White Steed swam delicately around the earthen sphere. He looked intently at the coral. He made up his mind that he did not very much like coral, but he would not be so rude as to mention it.

He then turned to the seaweed and almost open his mouth to take a bite when he realised: he did not very much like algae either. The neat spheres and unpolluting streams suddenly took a new character at these realisations.

Speaking to the other deity in his new form, Slate asked "I congratulate you, I expect you find this lovely indeed. How long do you expect this to last in this form? Before worms crack the earth? Or shells store odd water as they travel different streams?"


14 AP
1 AP: Weave Plane: The Elemental Plane of Water
13 AP

[Hatter]

Running from The Sun

A hiss escaped Il-Na's golden lips as Aphar came into being. His skin burnt and sizzled under the scrutiny of such powerful flames and before he even realized what he was doing, a pickaxe appeared in his stubby fingers.

With a mighty swing of his pickaxe, aptly named Golddigger, the earth split, tore and heaved beneath the god with a great rumble. Swing after swing, Il-Na dug deep into the earth, carving out large caverns, deep tunnels, tiny caves and hidden crevices. He dug for what seemed like to him to be an eternity before his golden skin finally cooled and the pain of the Light ended.

Il-Na found himself alone amidst the rubble of one of the largest caverns close to the center of the world... He cast his eyes around in the darkness and let out a sigh...A mixture of relief and disappointment. Whatever that was that caused him to burn so... was neither friend nor safe. Il-Na resigned to remain in the world below.



15AP Start
-5AP Create Major Utility Artifact(Golddigger): Il-Na's signature tool appears as a common pickaxe with a steel head and a rough wooden shaft. Golddigger grants a 1AP discount to Alter Land actions.
-2AP Create Land(The Deeplands): The Deeplands is a series of interconnected tunnels, caves, caverns, crevices etc. that span the entirety of The First World.
-1AP Bless(Paths to The Deep): Every single landmass in the world above, existing and yet to exist will contain a path that leads to The Deeplands.
7AP Remains

[Draken]

The Storm felt a great heat upon its back, sweltering and boiling the seas for miles on end at its borders. In time, the flames waned. But the Eyrie was kept safe from Aphar's birth by the clouds and the rain.

"And a third gift, by happenstance. Another of our kin would happen to have a reach as vicious as my own. A glare of flame to my lightning grip."

Clouds stretched far and wide, the Storm ever above or upon the horizons of the world. They felt the sun and the moons rise and fall, the tides turn with them, the winds change with them. Their pull stretched it further still, dispelling some of the worst of the primordial weather.

Rain fell upon the Bones of the Earth and the Iron Islands. The wind howled.

"I greet you three brothers beneath the sky. I am -" Lightning cracked and thunder clapped.

[mystic1110]

"Why my friend I would much rather a sweet lie. Unless of course the bitter truth would gain me something that I needed."

Sharing interactions with the other beings she exists with is much more entertaining then being on our own.

"This game sounds delightful. Though rather limiting."

The Shark swam in the thick air, consuming the reply. It gurgled back a response in its language of pen scratches and wave crashes:

You can be as creative as you want.

Almost as an exclamation point, the sun bloomed overhead. It was like one of the shark's fiery eyes found purchase and foundation in the sky. It was if the shark was staring down at them all.

The Golden God almost immediately fled. The Shark ate his cowardice. It tasted like a melting glacier trickling water into a still mosquito filled pond. It was an exciting flavor.

The shark continued to weave around the remaining gods.

[Hatter]

The Dwarves of Glimmerholm
The Deeplands

Time seemed to drag on and on for The God of Greed as he sat upon a throne of shattered stone, twisting Golddigger in his golden hands. Il-Na felt lonesome and bored beyond belief and it would drive him to insanity should he allow it. He pondered the possibility of losing himself and as he did so...A thought struck his mind. He didn't have to be alone!

Il-Na kept to his two feet and approached the cavern wall, Golddigger twirling in a wide circle above his head. He began to mumble a rather joyful tune under his breath as he hacked away with his pickaxe.."Hiho, Hiho.."

The Deep Father, as his followers would come to know him carved out ten-thousand and twenty-five figures from the stone which shared in the god's own selfishly vain appearance. When he completed his work, he whispered under his breath..a command to be heeded and never disobeyed. "Live, my children.. build, thrive and let the very earth quake under your feet."



7AP Start
-2AP Create Sentient Life(Dwarves): The Dwarves are a race of short, stocky and rather hairy humanoids with a strong predisposition towards greed, selfishness, mercantile and stonework.
-2AP Create Society(Glimmerholm): The City of Glimmerholm is a massive and fully enclosed city of steel and stone approximately 6000 feet beneath The First Escapes in the World Above. It is home to thousands of dwarves who bicker, trade and backstab amongst each other in a whirlwind of gold and intrigue. The city is ruled over by a High-Count who is supported by a circle of 13 Counts as his advisors.
-1AP Create Basic Concept(Architecture)
-1AP Create Basic Concept(Mercantile)
1AP Remaining

[CrazyPenguin]

The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors

A great, blazing fire filled the sky. Plants burned to ash and iron melted as it came into being. Then, the fire shrunk, shedding light upon the world. Wojciech blinked the spots from his vision and looked upon his home in the first light of the sun. Sunlight glimmered on the crashing waves and shadows defined the shape of stone. He liked it.

Then, the sun god descended from above and perched upon one of the many Bones. Shortly after, a storm gathered and introduced itself with a thunderous noise. Glancing to the clouds, the Sellsword said "You have a strange name, brother. Is there another thing we might call you, that our forms may find easier to pronounce?" And then he turned to the blazing sun god, shielding his eyes from the light using his hand. "And you, what is your name?"

[Gunhaven]

The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors

A great, blazing fire filled the sky. Plants burned to ash and iron melted as it came into being. Then, the fire shrunk, shedding light upon the world. Wojciech blinked the spots from his vision and looked upon his home in the first light of the sun. Sunlight glimmered on the crashing waves and shadows defined the shape of stone. He liked it.

Then, the sun god descended from above and perched upon one of the many Bones. Shortly after, a storm gathered and introduced itself with a thunderous noise. Glancing to the clouds, the Sellsword said "You have a strange name, brother. Is there another thing we might call you, that our forms may find easier to pronounce?" And then he turned to the blazing sun god, shielding his eyes from the light using his hand. "And you, what is your name?"


The Storm felt a great heat upon its back, sweltering and boiling the seas for miles on end at its borders. In time, the flames waned. But the Eyrie was kept safe from Aphar's birth by the clouds and the rain.

"And a third gift, by happenstance. Another of our kin would happen to have a reach as vicious as my own. A glare of flame to my lightning grip."

Clouds stretched far and wide, the Storm ever above or upon the horizons of the world. They felt the sun and the moons rise and fall, the tides turn with them, the winds change with them. Their pull stretched it further still, dispelling some of the worst of the primordial weather.

Rain fell upon the Bones of the Earth and the Iron Islands. The wind howled.

"I greet you three brothers beneath the sky. I am -" Lightning cracked and thunder clapped.


Fiat Lux

What had once been the largest of the Titans, The Void, was quiet compared to the First World below, devoid of the gods and their new creations which walked and swam and crawled and flew. And there in the void, the Creator’s fires dispersed and died. But there were those that transformed, changing from sparks of pure creation and nascent divinity, becoming attached to reality in a much more perennial way. By the nature of The Void these tiny new flames were vast distances apart, so far apart that when they started drifting together no one noticed the sky getting brighter ever so slowly.

Until one moment, when they were close enough that Aphar was able to have a thought, and suddenly the pieces rushed together. Bringing the first day to the First World, but it wasn’t right, Aphar was too big and burnt too hot. A vast incandescent sphere that stretched out and covered a full quarter of the sky. Aphar, newly born looked upon this world and saw his folly, as plants started wilting and land started drying out, the very tips of the high places blackened under the blistering radiance of this imperfect sun. And so Aphar split himself, creating a true body out of most of his fire, that he could interact with the world. The rest he pulled back into a ball, dim compared to what it had been. And the Light Bringer went to the First World, moving through the vast distances of The Void’s body, until he stood upon one of the Bones of the Earth he had scorched. Noting that the plants below still wilted, Aphar was distracted when he noticed small streams of molten rock trickling from where his feet met the spire. And so, before he set the sun on its path around the world he compressed the sun further, until it was the size of an outstretched fist in the sky, enough to light the world without smothering it.

Starting AP: 16
Create Land (2 AP) – Aphar/The Sun: Orbiting the First World from the west to the east exists a sphere of solid light and fire. If one could survive on the surface of such a thing, they would see that the orb is not featureless, having things reminiscent of landscapes, such as flowing rivers of liquid sun. The sun is about two thirds the size of the First World.
Remaining AP: 14




Wojciech leaned casually on his weapon, which was currently shaped as a spear. He eyed this new arrival carefully, taking in his armor and shield. "They are the place of my birth, though that does not make them mine." He looked around at the Bones and the Islands. "But they do have a certain charm to them, don't they? A harsh land that offers little besides stone and iron." He straightened his posture and his spear fluidly became a sword, which he sheathed at this side. "I think this place will make a fine home. No need to worry, though. There are many islands, and they are large. More than enough to share." The Sellsword paused for a moment. "I apologize, but I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am Wojciech. The Sellsword."

The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors
Bogduch Caejk'Do paused as It contemplated the other's words. Momentarily It was distracted by the great heat of a giant ball and yet It found that It enjoyed the feeling. It was like the heat of a forge. As the sun drifted away and the moons began to circle around Their world a third, then a fourth visitor arrived. Just as with The Sellsword, The Immovable Object was defensive at first, constantly adjusting It's stance to maintain the shield between Itself and the others. Only when battle didn't come did It relax a bit more, shifting in height until It was the average height of all present.

No emotion was shown during the adjustment on It's face for It had no means to do so. It waited for the third's name, that which was apparently responsible for the sun, as It repeated in It's dead drone "Bogduch Caejk'Do. The Immovable Object." It pounded It's breastplate with It's gauntlet to signify that It was talking about Itself. It then paused again and nodded more to Itself as It said to no one in particular "Stone and Iron... They will do for other warriors I think." It knelt down, using It's shield as cover against the rain, and scooped up some of the aforementioned stone and iron. Slowly It shaped the mound as It gazed upon it until It was satisfied. It set down the object It had formed, revealing a humanoid shape exactly seven feet tall that seemed to be a combination of the two warrior's appearance. It motioned at the inanimate statue and said "Share? Forged for war from land We were birthed from."
Starting: 8
Artifact Charges: -2 Major Artifact

Create Race (-1 AP): Golems are started by Bogduch Caejk'Do and offered as a base form for others (but mainly the fellow warrior smith) to expand upon if they so desire. Right now they are simply inanimate objects that are exactly seven feet tall and with an almost genderless mannequin like appearance with their lack of features on their face or body.

Ending: 7 AP
AC: -2 Major Artifact

[Tanzan Aura]

Alaehi paused in motion for a few seconds when the biting deity and the weird deity and the ominous deity fled to an alternative plane of existence, but then gave the cephalopod equivalent of a shrug, which loosed a few more pearls that hatched a few more baby mollusks. He spoke.

"Can we maybe make amends in a non-sparky way? Possibly even a non-murdery or cannibalistic or barbaric or generally-disagreeable way? Your lightning is very pretty, by the way, you ought to find a way to make it different hues, shades, tones, or colors; I recommend fandango, or possibly chartreuse. Also, salutations Songbird, hello Horse-Who-Has-Yet-To-Name-Themselves, my title is Alaehi."

The Storm eyes the Horse and Alaehi. The wind howls.

"How could amends be made through violence? Your suggestions are absurd from the start."

Rain falls.

"For amends I thought of gifts for the birds, as I have frightened and wounded them, I gift them my Words and my Movements, so that they need not fear nor be harmed by me."

Lightning races across the clouds.

"I will teach them the words of wind and rain, of lightning and thunder. And I will too teach them to course the dark skies which I claim, as they course the clear skies of their father. It is a suitable gift."

Of Birds and Storms

A few birds that chose to stay by The Songbird's side fluttered closer, hovering back and forth between The Songbird and the storm. At first frightened by the lightning, they grew less and less unnerved by it as the other celestial god imparted his gift to them. Some even started to mimic the sounds of lighting sparks !
Pleased, The Songbird imparted the courageous birds with his blessings, making them able to warn their brothers of oncoming storms. The newly mutated Thunderbirds grouped themselves on the edge of a cliff, and gathered in a circle-like pattern. Half of the circle of avians got back to their nests, while the other birds turned to the thunder deity and bowed while speaking in the language they just learned thanks to them.

Thank you for imparting your blessings on us. We wish to serve, or at least accompany you, to your travels across the world.

A clear laughter echoed through the cliffs, and the source of it could be easily guessed; it was The Songbird, now flying overhead and speaking with a lovely sing-song tune.

Oh, how amusing, how interesting. I cannot wait to see what will happen to this new world, how will our actions affect it and how my childrens will deal with whatever hardships awaits them. I am curious. What will you do ? You don't seem as belligerent as I thought you were, and I guess you are associated with the skies just like me. Why not after all, the Thunderbirds are free to go anywhere they want. What are you going to do ?

11AP

Create Sub-Race (1AP): Thunderbirds
Birds that are immune to lightning, they race through the clouds, serving as shamans to predict the weather. Their sensibility to temperature, pressure and humidity changes along with their immunity to lightning makes them a whole subrace, serving The Songbird as well as ACOLACOT. Their wings are either naturally or dyed black (with plants and flowers) to show their powers. Besides that, they work like your average Bird. Thunderbird genes are transmitted from parents to chicks.

11 - 1 = 10AP

[Draken]

Of Birds and Storms

It was a peculiar feeling, having the Thunderbirds fly through the clouds.

"I have seen our brethren rise from the muck beneath and intend see what they bring. Then I shall consider dredging land from beneath to begin my own work. I suppose I seek..."

Lightning cracks.

"Inspiration."

----

The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors

Thunderbirds fly off of the clouds to perch on the Bones of the Earth a fair distance from the gathered deities.

"Call me Storm, it is what I am."

Racing lightning amid the clouds gives the impression of an eye turned to the figure of stone and iron.

"War and warriors, you say. But over what? There is so little yet, and all so far apart, such that I have seen our scattered brethren finding their own footing still..."

"Would you rather not have builders? I can give them my spark for that."

A bolt of lightning strikes the mannequin made by Bogduch Caejk'Do, filling it with a potent spark. The energy flows from the figure into the ground, and another like it rises, more of metal than stone this time, but somewhat thinner than its elder and smoother as well.

13 AP

1 AP - [add to] Create Race (Golems): ACOLACOT breathes lightning into Bogduch Caejk'Do's creation, giving them strong minds to go with their bodies.
1 AP - Create Subrace: Stormforged: A subtype of golem, smaller, lighter and charged with energy. With greater intellect than their larger cousins.

Knowledge (Learning) [4/10]
Creation (Inspiration) [1/10]

11 AP

[Kirjath]

Zhen watched as the First World spun. She watched, and she waited. She kept away from the sun as it spun around, and always attached herself to the night. She knew she had no purpose in the daylight, and Zhen was comfortable keeping it that way.

When the sun itself descended on the earth to meet with the others of their kind, Zhen grimaced. There would be a time for meeting that bright light, but it was not yet. Not while she was still so new.

She noticed a golden being dig its way into the earth to escape the bright light, and she felt sympathy for him. But the golden one didn’t simply escape the light, he thrived in the underground. Whatever he was doing down there was hidden from Zhen, for her light did not extend to the insides of the First World. Zhen found her curiosity piqued as holes started sprouting up across the lands and she caught glimpses of small, hairy humanoids emerging from them every now and again.

One dark evening, she descended from Cyra and approached an entrance to the Deeplands from the First Escapes where a small group of adventurous and hairy humanoids had just reached the surface to look about. It took only a moment for them to notice the tall being among their number, and they recoiled in both terror and wonder. Zhen’s head tilted to the side as she regarded them.

“What manner of being are you?” She asked inquisitively. “From where did you arise?”

“Th’ Deep Father carved us outta th’ stone!” One of the braver humanoids piped up. “We’r Dwarves! What ‘manner o’ being’ are ye?”

A wide and mischievous grin formed on Zhen’s mouth, for she enjoyed the small dwarves already.

“You shall see.”

Instantly, the clouds parted to reveal the pale lights of Cyra and Hala. All around them, the First Escapes were illuminated by the light and shadows danced across the lands. The dwarves were confused for a moment until the brave one’s eyes lit up with understanding.

“Y’er th’ moons!”

Zhen bowed her head and the dwarves gaped and whispered amongst themselves.

“What d’ya want wit’ us, oh great moons?” The brave one asked warily. Zhen found the speed with which his mind worked admirable. Surely he was the leader of this small party.

“You spend all your days hidden from me, and my curiosity is great. I wish to see these lands below the world, and I wish to witness what it is the Deep Father has made.”

So they led her down to their great cities. Zhen marveled at the crystals that dotted the caves like thousands of tiny lights, and she clapped her hands at the buildings the dwarves had raised in the deep tunnels below the surface. She saw the shrewd trading the dwarves delighted in, and her smile only grew wider when she witnessed the calculating nature with which the small race regarded each other. These truly were clever beings, regarding even each other with suspicion, but they could be so much more. At the end of the tour, they reached a great chasm next to the dwarven city, and Zhen stopped to pluck a crystal out of the cave wall and stow it in her robes. An idea was forming in her mind.

“The Deep Father has done well,” Zhen nodded her head, “but why do you not gather more from the stone? Surely the materials across this great divide would make your buildings better.”

“We gather, th’ Deep Father showed us how, but we can’t use th’ stuff o’er there.” The dwarf answered bluntly. “Nuthin’ can stand up over that distance, it all crashes down t’ th’ deep.”

“Nothing?” Zhen smiled as she walked over to a great chasm in the earth. The dwarves had not yet crossed this chasm because it had been too wide and too deep, but they had long gazed with envy at the crystals on the other side. When she reached the edge of the chasm, Zhen rummaged around in her robe with one hand before pulling out the small crystal from earlier.

“With the varieties of stone down here, you could do...” She paused as she laid the crystal down across the chasm, where it quickly grew into a vast and mighty bridge of luminescent stone. Its pillars reached down to the sides of the chasm, and its columns reached up to anchor the bridge to the overhead rock. Across its length, chains of silvery metal hung between the columns and held the bridge up. The dwarves gaped in wonder, and many of them began rushing to the other side to begin harvesting the minerals there.

“So much more.” Zhen finished with a grin. This act would aid the dwarves, undoubtedly, but their avarice would inevitably lead to more guile, and more cunning ways to take from each other what they envied. Zhen smiled at the thought of the potential chaos.

The brave dwarf was the only one to turn and regard the Pale Moon again.

“Thank y’, m’lady.” He bowed his head. “But any good merchant knows this kind o’ thing ain’t done fer free.”

“No indeed, clever dwarf.” Zhen replied. “That bridge will not last forever; it should disappear by the next moon’s eclipse. You’ll simply need to find how to do this yourselves. And in return, you can show me what you will do with what I have given to you. Impress me with your inventions, build some even where I can see them, and I will consider the debt settled.”

And with that, she left to find this “Deep Father” the dwarves revered so much.


Starting AP: 7-2=5 AP
Major Artifact: -1 AP Advanced Concept
Mundane Concept: Mining (1 AP) - the dwarves now possess an affinity for mining, though other races may indeed use this same concept.
Advanced Concept: Architectural Engineering - the dwarves, and indeed any race that witnesses their works, possess an ability to construct advanced architecture such as bridges, castles, and more.(1 AP)

Major Artifact used this week.

[CrazyPenguin]

The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors

Thunderbirds fly off of the clouds to perch on the Bones of the Earth a fair distance from the gathered deities.

"Call me Storm, it is what I am."

Racing lightning amid the clouds gives the impression of an eye turned to the figure of stone and iron.

"War and warriors, you say. But over what? There is so little yet, and all so far apart, such that I have seen our scattered brethren finding their own footing still..."

"Would you rather not have builders? I can give them my spark for that."

A bolt of lightning strikes the mannequin made by Bogduch Caejk'Do, filling it with a potent spark. The energy flows from the figure into the ground, and another like it rises, more of metal than stone this time, but somewhat thinner than its elder and smoother as well.

13 AP

1 AP - [add to] Create Race (Golems): ACOLACOT breathes lightning into Bogduch Caejk'Do's creation, giving them strong minds to go with their bodies.
1 AP - Create Subrace: Stormforged: A subtype of warforged, lighter and charged with energy. With greater intellect than their larger cousins.

Knowledge (Learning) [4/10]
Creation (Inspiration) [1/10]

11 AP

"You are right, Storm, that in this world there is no war. But it calls me nonetheless, and I shall answer." With that, he drew his sword and swung. For a moment, it seemed he would decapitate one of Bogduch Caejk'Do's creations, but he stopped the blade just short. Instead, he gently touched the mannequin's shoulder with the flat of his blade. As he did so, it's form shifted somewhat. Rock melted away and iron became steel as glowing eyes formed on the creature's face.


-1 AP [Add to] Create Mythical Life (Golems): Wojciech lights fire within Bogduch Caejk'Do's creations, giving them blood of molten iron.
-2 AP Create Subrace (Swordforged): A subtype of golem, Swordforged are lighter and nimbler than their cousins. In exchange, their steel flesh is somewhat weaker (though still much stronger than actually flesh). In addition, they can shape their blood into various forms, creating magical weapons of still-molten iron. Swordforged have no means of self-reproduction, and must be forged by hand (either by Wojciech, anther preexisting Swordfirged, or a member of some other race).
7 AP - 1 AP - 2 AP = 4 AP

[Umbrater]

Encounters near Eyrie

All the birds hid in their nest. What a frightening thing. Some of them fell down into the sea, striken by the lightning. The Songbird simply gathered their bodies back, and with a touch of their radiant feathers, rebirthed them, helping them reach their nest. The god then perched himself on a nearby tree.

I am The Songbird.

In his melodious voice, he sang a few sentences, destined to the deities that suddendly appeared around him.

My children aren't the cause of the fright of yours. Who are you ? Why did the lightning strike my birds ?

A glow rose from the first sentient creature to die. It floated through the air and then the void and it felt the creators fire. I drifted for an eternity within a minute as it absorbed the power.

Then it felt a need to be elsewhere. In the sky below many of it's brothers rose from the recently deceased. He needed to guide them to this power before it dried up, he flew as fast as he could but by the time he got there they had gone. He could sense the divine power in the area and hoped that the god had found somewhere for the other souls to go. If he could find it then he could ask what was done to save the souls.

But this did not change the fact that he had failed in his task. It was up to him to find souls that had no body to stay in and guide them elsewhere. A soul was not safe to just drift through the void alone especially with the divine flame wavering. Mortis rested his wispy birdlike form on a branch, as he could see the mortals doing, and stayed alert for the next creature to die.

16 - 4 = 12 AP

Create Mythical Concept (Souls) [4AP toward Guidance(Afterlife)]
Every sentient creature has a soul, it is this that defines their character and it grows and changes as they do. Souls need a body or they risk being torn apart by the harshness of the world. If a soul can be maintained outside a body then the creature, or at least everything that makes it sentient, can "live" forever.

[Bobbybobby99]

Alaehi, The Elemental Plane of Water

Alaehi considered it for a moment, before deciding-

"Um. Good point. I suppose I might as well create a population of guardians to maintain things around here."

On that note, he let several of his pearls detach from his central mass. This pearls multiplied, multiplied, and multiplied, forming a steadily growing mass, and each individual pearl grew, grew, and grew, before all but one shot off into the far distance. That one grew a number of cracks, before seemingly disintegrating into nothing. A faint haze in the water was left behind, however, and that haze began to move, appearing to have the rough form of a nautilius with overly long tentacles. It didn't do much for the first few seconds of its existence, but a few moments later it started frantically arranging assorted clams that had gotten slightly out of alignment back into their proper places. It then shot off into the distance, keeping an octopus in hot pursuit. It became significantly more visible once it entered a current of greenish brackwater.

Another shot off and went through the slowly closing portal to the First World, landing with a splash into the water. It began fanatically arranging its surroundings in aesthetically pleasing fashions with a mix of hydrokinesis and telekinesis; no barnacle was left untouched within its surroundings. It soon divided into two identical, slightly smaller halves, and those halves didn't take too long to turn into quarters.

"That should do it."


Starting AP. 13.

Create Mythical Life. Water Elementals are basically nautilius-shaped animated blobs of water (generally medium sized in DnD terms) that fanatically arrange their surroundings to best suit the whole 'Beautiful, Complicated, and Orderly' motto. They've got localized telekinesis, farther ranging hyrdokinesis, brief-lived flight, regeneration from surrounding bodies of water, and they reproduce really rapidly when they want to. They're sapient, and thus all have moderately different senses of aesthetics.

Ending AP. 9.

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll, Il-Na, Lu'Azu, Elya, and Kelia - First Escape


She shook her head and dried her tears on the sleeve of her cloak before running from the sea in terror, her foot becoming caught on a piece of deadly landscape and sending her for a tumble down towards the beach where a sort of impromptu gathering of the gods was already taking place. Kelia tumbled into a heap down near where they spoke, the embarrassment of the action causing her to choke with a sob in lieu of introducing herself.


The Shark continued circling as yet another god emerged from the ocean. He dined on his truth, his tongue tasted his . . . her gender. He was a Goddess, not a god. She was a goddess. She tasted like the endless ocean from whence he was born. His eyes took her in with all-consuming fiery passion. or was it hunger? The two were often the same. There was a bit of remembrance in her taste. Mixed with salt and . . .

The ivory god spoke. Ah, was that how lies tasted like? Like slumber, like the moment when ones eyes' fire was dim and almost gone, but still lit. That was a little bit how the goddess tasted like. The shark's swimming grew wider until he encircled all three gods and goddess. The air now was the consistency of water.

Thank you for the lies. They were delicious.

Gratitude tasted like sand beaten into glass as it was leaving his mouth. His tongue caught whispers of its taste. He swam in his wide circle greeting the newly arrived goddess finally.

And greetings, my sister from the sea. The salt is thick in your veins. It calls to me.

His fiery eyes brightened, then dimmed. Finally, in his spiral he opened his mouth, and his white teeth reflected the Gold god. The more he ate, the more he learned.

The game. It is a simple game. He creates and I do not. Do you wish to join? It is simple enough, he creates, and you may simply take (his burning eye looked at Il-Na) debase (his burning eye looked at Iyll) drown (his burning eye looked Elya). You may join if you wish.

The Shark continued to swim around them, its eyes still casting long shadows.


"Why my friend I would much rather a sweet lie. Unless of course the bitter truth would gain me something that I needed."

Sharing interactions with the other beings she exists with is much more entertaining then being on our own.

"This game sounds delightful. Though rather limiting."

As the ocean goddess, the one named Elya replied, he turned his stoic masked face back to the shark in satisfaction, "You see, sweet lies...." Before he could finish his thought, another goddess tumbled to the ground nearby, choking back sobbing tears. She was elegantly dressed, short, and dainty with skin the color akin to his ivory mask. But it was her eyes, her eyes hidden deep within the hood that obscured her face. He had caught but a glimpse of those eyes, and they were a beautiful translucent crystal blue. Teary crystal blue gateways into sorrow, fear, and an overwhelming, remorse-filled loss. They were mesmerizing. They were beguiling, and he was enraptured.

Confused and confounded he wanted to run to her, to wrap himself around her and take from her, her loss, her pain, and her terror. She was beautiful, not the unattainable, seducing beauty of the ocean goddess, but rather a flawed and frail beauty - genuine and glorious. As he stood dumbstruck and utterly devoid of any thought beyond his desire for her, the sky erupted in a brilliant blaze of light and flame. He burned. His filthy robes smoked and smoldered as the new sun burst upon the world. The pain finally broke through his love-struck fugue, and he flew to the fallen goddess, throwing his robes around her to protect her from the sun's ferocity.

Cradling her in his arms, he turned momentarily to watch the golden god flee into the earth, and as he did so his mask slipped from his face.

[mystic1110]

The sudden arrival of the other god. . . no, goddess, the shark had tasted gender and now knew the difference. One gender tasted like fire stoking ice, while the other tasted like hail freezing a hearth, and so many flavors in between - had the Ivory Masked god enshroud her.

The Shark snapped its jaws and now knew what sacrifice was. It was as savoury as three types of meat entwined together and cooked over an open fire on a tall mountain with a glass of something that would burn one's tongue. Mouthwatering.

The Shark swam to the two huddled gods in a quick stroke, the salt stained goddess behind him kept in view with one of his burning eyes as the other igneous oculus surveyed Iyll and Kelia.

Why, yes you can be creative indeed.

He swam past them and made a long arc while he talked.

Lies. You may, say sweet lies as part of the game.

The Shark sped up and his teeth were bared as he swam past the two gods again back towards Elya. On the way he bit into the new goddess' truth. She tasted like searching for something that could never be found. He relished in its notes.

You can lose what is created in the game, and that loss could be winning. Join the game. Or do not. Enjoy your life. I can help. Ask me for anything.

He continued swimming for he never stopped. Around and around ready to strike.

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Elemental Plane of Water to The Iron Isles

The horse-shaped deity bowed to the plane's creator, "I wish you all success. Likely, we will meet again and we can speak of the beauty of the world."

Slate swam. Not out of the plane, but simply out of sight. This plane needed plants. Without them this was all colour and no substance. But Slate seemed to like his fellow deities - well the one he had spoke to - and did no want to offend.

The plants that were wrapped around his legs let go. They began to be shaped. A rudimentary inelligence was granted to them. They reproduced through the speration of branches to grown into more of these ... Camwarts. The individual branch, although a clone of its progenitor, turned into a (very good) look-alike of either kelp or coral dependent on the environment and wre quite compliant in being moved by the elementals. They communicated through vibrations in the water, but can speak and understand common languages at a - very - close distance.

One quality of these plants were that they would always answer any question put to them truthfully for to not answer or to lie are both possibilities that they lacked the wit to consider. Still he left them to spread out - to consume and replace natural denizens if need be - and quickly left the plane lest he be spotted and found suspicious.

Several island away from the other deities on these island stood Slate, regal and wet. Looking at the plant life here, as the water dripped down to the ground, Slate considered the possibility that The Eyrie had spoilt him in terms of real beauty.


13 AP
- 1 AP: Create Monstrous LIfe: Camwarts, plants that cosume kelp and coral, and are camouflaged to look like them. Have some intelligence and answer truthfully any inquiry put to them.
12 AP

[Hatter]

Moons Underground

When Zhen finally came across The Deep Father, she found the golden god sitting on a pile of rubble in heated discussion with a group of dwarves.

"I'm telling you, Ithmal. The drink is good. You simply take the mushrooms, break them down and add a bit of honey. Business would boom and you'll be swimming in riches." said Il-Na as he passed an iron mug which overflowed with rum around.

Ithmal, a burly dwarf with a shaven head took a sip from the mug as it was passed to him by a rather skinny looking dwarf in bright red robes. "Aye, Father. I'm seeing an I be tastin'... This gonna make a boom 'cross tha whole o' Glimmerholm!"

Having said his piece, Ithmal gathered up the group of dwarves and they all marched off, speaking plans for things called pubs and bars. It was at this time that Il-Na turned his attention to his sister. "Here, we have one from The World Above. You are in Glimmerholm, Sister. You're in the birthplace of the dwarves and my domain. I am Il-Na."

1AP Start
-1AP Create Concept(Intoxicants)
0AP Remains

Gain Domain Earth(Metals)
*5AP Create Major Utility Artifact (Golddigger)
*2AP Create Land (The Deeplands)
*1AP Bless (Paths of the Deep)
*2AP Create Sentient Life (Dwarves)

[Phobia]

The Beach in the Sun... Iron Islands?

"I'm sorry, I.." Kelia stammered to the gathering of gods, her first words to another living being shaky and uncertain. She tried to be brave and muster up a smile; these beings felt like her, more or less, divine relatives in the grand scheme of things. Even the shark, though it's form gave her a bit of a palpitation. These beings were all gods and goddesses descended down from the Great Dividing much like her. She wondered how many there were that lived due to the division of the Earth Titan, like her, and if they would know her, love her, or shun her... Her breath caught in her throat and the pumping of her blood increased with a sudden unwelcome dose of anxiety. It was a thought too much to hold. What if they didn't like her? She looked up at the gathering as they continued to speak. What if they didn't like her, either?

"I, uh.."

Before she could politely excuse herself and go wallow in her own self-depreciation, the long night was split asunder by the brightest of lights. The first lights besides those brief flashes of lightning that had worried her so. She blinked a few times in the new sun, the sand beneath her growing warm almost immediately. It took her a moment to realize what had happened. And then she screamed in terror.

WHAT had happened?! This sudden change was most unwelcome! And just when she was growing used to the comfort of the dark!

She clasped her hand over her mouth in embarrassment a moment later, perhaps no one had noticed..

Someone had noticed. It was dark again. But it was merely his robes. It was a sort of comfort to be surrounded like this, enclosed, safe on all sides..

"T-Thank you.. I'm sorry I just," Kelia said, making a good effort at her first conversation- when it happened. The mask that Iyll so carefully cultivated had slipped down from his face revealing the, quite frankly, terrifying visage beneath. She sucked in a sharp intake of breath and then she was gone. The golden god had, it seemed, come up with a good idea after all. She'd seen when he left. And now she had followed, burying herself deep beneath the land to seek solace from the monster that held her or the too bright sun. Cradled in her.. Fathers? Her Father's depths, the earth itself. From where she dwelt the underground twisted and molded itself to attempt to acquiesce her request.

"Please don't find me... Please don't find me... Please don't find me.."

Then she felt kinda bad about it..

AP: 11

Create Land (Deeper Darkness) [2]: I'm making the Deeplands even more sprawling and impossible to navigate. Sure, it covers the underground of the whole world, but now it covers even more and goes even deeper! It's at least twice the size now! So deep that maybe not even the Dwarves go down that far.. it's the unknown.. So any place that isn't explicitly the Deeplands is probably the Deeper Darkness. You can't get here from the surface! It's deep! You've still got your tunnels, caves, caverns and the like down here. No plants or life yet. Just horrible deep darkness.

Curse (Bizarrchitecture) [1]: The Deeplands and the Deeper Darkness both have been cursed to be almost impossible to navigate unless you have a guide or some sort of divine protection. Even the most natural inhabitants can still sometimes get turned around. That tunnel goes up and into another tunnel that comes out.. wait, that's impossible! That can't connect there! Lost yet? The caverns are arranged in such a way that would be impossible to occur naturally and, in some cases, just ridiculous. You can spend weeks down here mapping out the caves but it'll never be the same way twice. It's enough to drive somebody crazy.

AP: 8

[Kirjath]

Moons Underground

Zhen watched the exchange between the Deep Father and his dwarves in amusement, and she quickly turned aside to let the group past as they exited the throne room. There was innovation here, and a fervent desire to strike out and take chances that she found very exciting. She paced closer to Il-Na, and her hair dusted the floor of the cave as she walked. She greeted him with the usual broad grin, for that was the only feature on her face that would ever be seen now.

"Your hospitality is most welcome, Il-Na." She bowed her head to the Deep Father. "But I come from a place far more distant than the World Above. I saw you flee from that wretched sun, and I watched as you opened the Deeplands. I am Zhen."

Here she spread her six arms wide and gestured about at the halls of Glimmerholm. With a twirl, she spun lightly on the spot to take in the beauty of the underground caverns. After one rotation, she stopped to speak again.

"I wanted to greet the much revered Deep Father of the dwarves, for I have found them to be pleasant company. They strive, and they dig, and they betray each other so; it is most enjoyable. I have watched them, and found that they are a clever race."

"Even the halls of the Glimmerholm are more beautiful than I had imagined. They are hidden from me up in the sky, but if it pleases the Deep Father, I may visit again to witness the changing of the earth. However, all this watching has made me curious to meet the one who created such wonders, and I have not been disappointed."

[mystic1110]

Almost as quickly as she was found, the other goddess who tasted like being lost was gone. The Shark swam around the now alone and unmasked Iyll. A flick of his dorsal fin the air currents which were now as murky as the dark ocean carried the dropped ivory mask till it rested back on his face.

The Shark sounded amused as it spoke like librarians diving into an ocean trench to search for drowned manuscripts:

You wish to find her.

It was not a question.

[Razade]

Zuanshi: The Manse of Covetous Awe to the First World

The Shark had still yet to return and another piece of the board was made. Tactics and concepts grew like vines in its mind, lashing it down, drawing it further to the game and yet...what was this cold it felt? It cast eyes to the First World and deep within its radiance, its austere brilliance something ached like a throbbing wound and tears sprung unbidden to its eyes. What could be so sorrowful, what could grieve with such sincerity and why oh why did it ache so? With great difficulty it gathered itself up and with a step it dove back into the First World. Through layers of sediment that had been its cradle, swam through molten earth and burst into the deep roads cut by divine hands. "Sister" it called, racing to and fro, draping itself with the night to hide its brilliance yet with each step it exuded confidence, oozed power and in its mounting melancholy it sang.

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

"Please.. Don't.. Find.. Me.."

Kelia gasped out as she slide her hand down the carved tunnels of the rock. Poor Father. This place was probably the deepest part of her caverns but there was nothing special about it; just a random tunnel in a random section that she'd decided to stop burrowing at. It was dark here, far from the rays of the luminous sun, here in the greatest comfort of darkness. It was a little nice, a bit too quiet, but sometimes you had to enjoy the quiet because of how different it was from the chaotic noises of the everyday.

Out of the rock sprung life as she mused, but it didn't startle her, no, she kind of liked this bit. She stroked the cap of the newly created mushroom tenderly, enjoying it's sites. The darkness was no impediment to her sight. This one was spotted, red, but that one over there was green and stripped, and that one grew straight from the wall..

It was nice. She liked this fungi. It was.. not exactly beautiful, but to her it was enough to calm her down, at least a tiny bit.

Surprisingly, she found that she missed the sea as well, or at least the pretty water that made it up. So she let her mind send out tendrils again but this time not tunnels but vast underground rivers. Most were serene and pooled into cavern lakes or in a grotto surrounded by mushrooms, but some of the rivers were more volatile and rushed just as tumultuously as the sea above. Deadly.

And the sound of water carried through the echo of the cave. Not exactly optimal for finding your way, or for your sanity.

Then she clutched her chest and gave a startled noise as someone discovered her here. In her melancholy she was almost too entranced so anything would have startled her, but certainly the presence of this confident being. Another god.. she felt a twinge of guilt at leaving the nice but hideous one behind and hoped this one had a visage less frightening.

"S-sister? Then you are my brother?" Kelia said tentatively before wiping her tearful eyes on her sleeve, "Yes, you are my brother, I can feel it.." She suddenly looked awkward and pulled her hood more around her face. "I'm sorry... D-did you need something?"

AP: 8

Alter Land [Artifact]: Making cave rivers and underground lakes and lots and lots of mushrooms and fungi.

AP: 8

[Bobbybobby99]

Alaehi, the Elemental Plane of Water.

The burst of satisfaction he'd felt from creating his beautiful, beautiful new home, and its beautiful, beautiful gaurdians, proved short lived. It had concealed the shadow of sorrow that had fallen over the world from him, but he could now sense it.

It was ugly. It was so very, very ugly.

In a flurry of motion he burst from his plane onto the First World, and formed his pearls into the shape of an exceedingly long worm, colors a mix of bright orange and maroon. He rapidly flew just above the surface of the ocean, the concussive force forming large waves on both sides of him. He frantically followed his instincts towards a small trench in the ocean floor, and then burrowed deep within the planet, down into the mantle.

Alaehi reached his sister's location soon enough, assisted by the sort of proprietary space warping used by divinity. He reformed into an octopodal shape, and strengthened the glow of his soft glow of his pearls until they illuminated her sillouette. He spoke very quickly, yet still with his trademark softness, and ignored the third deity present for the moment.

"Please stop being so sad! I can do a jig! Or possibly a merry limerick? I can do a merry limerick! Or a joke? Knock knock, who's there, a cephalapod, a cephalopod who, a cephalapod starving to death in order to protect her eggs from predator! Or not! I'm not very experienced at cheering people up! Also, your fungi are very pretty, I'll have to start using them in my designs."

[Darklady2831]

Dezrakul's Facets: Paragon

Bereft of their creator, the Facets of Dezrakul fell into a darkness. Their ambitions dimmed, and though they were unbreakable in their quest to survive the Facets of Dezrakul dulled and were swayed by the words of the Bonfire Diamonds. They would apply their magic to aid their cousins, amplifying healing and working together to speed manual labour exponentially. As the Bonfire Diamonds and the Facets of Zuanshi spread to the second realm, they would find themselves thwarted time and again by the harsh nature of the land. Stone crumbled under their feet, crystal trees fell upon their limbs, and harsh winds stripped power away from those who went unsheltered. It was only with the aid and labour of the Facets of Dezrakul that the edges of the second realm became civilized, and their great bounty was laid bare to the whole of Facetkind.

Dezrakul: Paragon's Second Realm

Deep in the badlands of the second realm of Paragon, Dezrakul trudged along, his digitigrade gait carrying him over the crags and between the trees for many many days and weeks, until finally the barren rock gave way to dust. Here, at the edge of the harshest place in the second realm, Dezrakul lingered. He pondered upon the nature of the struggle, upon the nature of power, and most of all upon the connection between the two. For six days he pondered, standing still as the razorwinds whipped across him and threatened to bowl him over, as the last ember of the creator spluttered and clung to life. At the end of the sixth day, Dezrakul raised his head, his crown of antlers rattling as he shook the dust off and climbed out of the pile of sand that had blown over him. He knew the nature of power and of struggle. He knew, and he would bring them to creation. So the Bringer of Hardships began to walk once more, off into the dust wastes of the second realm of Paragon. He knew what he had to do, and he would do it.

AP: 10

1 AP - Create Society: Facet Matriarchy

Facet society on Paragon is split among the realms of the plane itself. Under the wisdom of the Bonfire Diamonds and the Facets of Zuanshi, the Facets of Dezrakul labour and struggle to improve the power of Facetkind. In the harsh second realm, only the unbreakable will of the Facets of Dezrakul allows them to survive, and without these Facets to build and maintain the holy places and dwellings of Facetkind, the second realm and its bounty would be lost. 5/10 for Fire (Passions)

1 AP - Curse: Harshness of the Second Realm

The Second Realm of Paragon is a reflection of Dezrakul, and thus it is an almost inhospitable place where every day is a struggle to survive. Only those beings with an exceptional willpower, such as the Facets of Dezrakul, can live here unaided, and only such beings can provide the aid required to allow other beings to survive.3/10 for Trickery (Concealment)

1 AP - Bless: Bounty of the Second Realm

The Second Realm of Paragon is a reflection of Dezrakul, and thus it holds the key to power beyond mortal ken. The rocks, trees, and winds of the Second Realm all radiate power, and beneath the earth can be found a great many precious and useful materials. The Crystal Trees too, can be used as a source of power, burning for far longer than ordinary wood and producing a hotter flame. 4/10 for Trickery (Concealment)

10 AP - 1 AP - 1 AP - 1 AP = 7 AP

[Razade]

Zuanshi: The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

Zuanshi only nodded, sliding the cover of night from off its shoulders and held them out in offering and its form was nothing like the last. Gorgeous and dark, provocative and demanding. There was no subtlety in its form, only the grave confidence of one who knows it is beautiful. "You." it sang, a final note to its wavering song as it took a step forward and from its sleek form radiance once more spilled to bathe the darkness in the soft and crackling light of a fire and in the flames its illuminated face flowed with tears like the fresh waters of that underground river that wound from the Goddess Kelia.

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll, Lu'Azu, and Elya - First Escape

He didn't know. How could he? In that moment, she was his world. He wasn't aware of his fallen mask; he was just barely aware that he existed.

Then came the gasp. That tiny, fractional, insignificant yet all encompassing sound, laden with horror and revulsion. She was gone. He heard, no he imagined that he heard her voice distant and desperate, "Please don't find me... Please don't find me... Please don't find me.."

He was stunned, numb and cold...bitterly cold. What? Why?

Then the great shark flicked its tail and the mask settled into its proper place. She had seen him! Truly seen him! Hideous! Ugly! Unclean!

He threw his head back and unleashed a croaking scream of the purest anguish and self-loathing that closed with trailing notes of hatred and fury. Every mortal living thing nearby withered and died, the beach upon which knelt blackened, reeking of foulness and corruption, even the coastal waters putrefied and the air became fetid and stale.

Whirling on the ocean goddess and the shark, "You mock me! You would laugh at me!"

Then a calmness fell over him, and he looked down at his twisted, gnarled hands parting his festering fingers enough to unleash a modicum of the power he guarded so covetously. "So nearly one are love and hate, utterly inseparable in powers of devastation."

Spoken with eerie dispassion the words seemingly unbound his existence and he departed as a swarm of vermin born aloft on the particulate of The Creator's fire.

Beginning AP = 11AP

Curse -1AP: Tainted Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF68OyTlP4E) - The curse encompasses all sentient beings capable of feeling love, and causes them to behave irrationally and erratically. Common manifestations of this curse are crippling insecurity that can swiftly evolve into outright paranoia, mistrust, obsession, loss of self or self awareness, and an unusually high occurrence rate of suicide and murders(crimes of passion). In other words, this world suffers an abnormally high rate of tragic love stories, stalking, and bizarre murder/suicide pacts. So the creepy, weird stuff that happens in reality, just more of it.


Remaining AP = 11AP - 1AP = 10AP

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Rusty Jungle, The Iron Islands

Where the drops of the water plane mingled with the dry earth of the material, the ground got damper. However, where that mixed with the disapointment of the plant deity, huge trees of redwood began to sprout. Underfoot, red grass mingles with red seaweed as well as flowers of the same colour scheme.

As one approached the Rusty River, the grass vanished and the seaweed dominated. The redwood trees were replaced with smaller coral fascimilies. Near the Rusty River, a small chalk pool of clear water was surrounded by fragrant plants that kept the pool's water clear and drinkable.

The reddy-orange Rusty River was nothing of the sort. Even if one ignored its taste of rust of iron, it was very salty providing the salt that the seaweed required. It flowed strongly, and it would take some courage to step in.

However, stepping in causes the forest to vanish as one finds the Rusty River in the Elemental Plane of Water keeping itself to itself and not crossing any other streams. A nearby Camwart is also there to whisper, "Turn back, or die!"

It is not meant as a threat.

Slate was happy. This was much better. He went to grazing.


12 AP
- 2 AP: Bridge Plane: The Rusty Jungle bridges the Material with the Elemental Plane of Water
10 AP

[Hatter]

Moons Underground

"The expedition parties mentioned something of two moons in the sky. They mentioned a softer light that didn't burn them or hurt their eyes. You are that light, they say." Il-Na watched the goddess with careful calculation. She was a flatterer, that much was plain. Could he trust her? Probably not. He'd have to be careful around her but she did seem please tell enough and it was nice to have company other than the dwarves every so often.

He wrenched Golddigger out of the rubble with a twist of his wrist and hung it from an embroidered belt that wrapped around his large waist thrice over. "You're welcome here, of course, Sister. Mingle with my children if you will to do so. I do not mind. I only ask that you not attempt to expose them to the fire in the sky."

[Kirjath]

Moons Underground

Zhen tilted her head to the side at Il-Na's request, her smile growing even wider. Il-Na did not trust her, and that was wise.

"Why that would be unthinkable, the moons luring others to the sun. Do all dwarves hate the sunlight with the same passion that you do?"

She began to wonder if something happened to dwarves in the sunlight. In truth, Zhen both hated and loved the sun. It provided the light she used for the night, and that was good. However, it blinded her during the day and heated everything so uncomfortably, and that was bad. Forever it chased Cyra and Hala through the sky, but if it ever caught them there would be only twilight until it let them go again.

"Nevertheless, your request is reasonable." Zhen bowed again. "I thank you for your time, Deep Father. May your works continue to thrive below the First World, but never hesitate to call upon the moons if you feel it necessary."

[Hatter]

Moons Underground

"They are my children. Just as an apple does not fall far from it's tree in the world above.. neither do creations fall far from their creator." said Il-Na in a poetic manner.

"My children despise the fire in the sky for it burns and scorches and cannot be controlled by their hands. Such as it is and will be." A large iron mug appeared in his hand and the golden god took a large swig of ale. "Time is something we have in abundance..Fluid and immeasurable... We're it not the case, would it be given freely, Sister? Thanks is not needed for something without value."

[Kirjath]

Moons Underground

Zhen wondered where the expression had come from. Perhaps time did not have value yet, or perhaps Il-Na simply did not value it enough. Either way, his expression was one to remember.

"Yes, perhaps you are right, Deep Father. If you do not value that which was spent, then it couldn't be spent at all. And yet...perhaps it has value yet undiscovered. Or perhaps it never will. You have given me something to ponder on, and that will always be worth something."

Zhen was keenly aware of what time it was on the surface of the First World. Cyra and Hala had both sunk in the east, and the entrance to the Deeplands she most wanted to depart from was fast approaching dawn. Zhen had much more she wanted to see before she could stand another encounter with the sun. Without further ado, she excused herself from the Glimmerholm. With a swirl of motion, Zhen spun and spun and disappeared back up through the tunnels and above the sky of the First World.

[Sontali]

The Storm felt a great heat upon its back, sweltering and boiling the seas for miles on end at its borders. In time, the flames waned. But the Eyrie was kept safe from Aphar's birth by the clouds and the rain.

"And a third gift, by happenstance. Another of our kin would happen to have a reach as vicious as my own. A glare of flame to my lightning grip."

Clouds stretched far and wide, the Storm ever above or upon the horizons of the world. They felt the sun and the moons rise and fall, the tides turn with them, the winds change with them. Their pull stretched it further still, dispelling some of the worst of the primordial weather.

Rain fell upon the Bones of the Earth and the Iron Islands. The wind howled.

"I greet you three brothers beneath the sky. I am -" Lightning cracked and thunder clapped.


The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors

A great, blazing fire filled the sky. Plants burned to ash and iron melted as it came into being. Then, the fire shrunk, shedding light upon the world. Wojciech blinked the spots from his vision and looked upon his home in the first light of the sun. Sunlight glimmered on the crashing waves and shadows defined the shape of stone. He liked it.

Then, the sun god descended from above and perched upon one of the many Bones. Shortly after, a storm gathered and introduced itself with a thunderous noise. Glancing to the clouds, the Sellsword said "You have a strange name, brother. Is there another thing we might call you, that our forms may find easier to pronounce?" And then he turned to the blazing sun god, shielding his eyes from the light using his hand. "And you, what is your name?"










The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors
Bogduch Caejk'Do paused as It contemplated the other's words. Momentarily It was distracted by the great heat of a giant ball and yet It found that It enjoyed the feeling. It was like the heat of a forge. As the sun drifted away and the moons began to circle around Their world a third, then a fourth visitor arrived. Just as with The Sellsword, The Immovable Object was defensive at first, constantly adjusting It's stance to maintain the shield between Itself and the others. Only when battle didn't come did It relax a bit more, shifting in height until It was the average height of all present.

No emotion was shown during the adjustment on It's face for It had no means to do so. It waited for the third's name, that which was apparently responsible for the sun, as It repeated in It's dead drone "Bogduch Caejk'Do. The Immovable Object." It pounded It's breastplate with It's gauntlet to signify that It was talking about Itself. It then paused again and nodded more to Itself as It said to no one in particular "Stone and Iron... They will do for other warriors I think." It knelt down, using It's shield as cover against the rain, and scooped up some of the aforementioned stone and iron. Slowly It shaped the mound as It gazed upon it until It was satisfied. It set down the object It had formed, revealing a humanoid shape exactly seven feet tall that seemed to be a combination of the two warrior's appearance. It motioned at the inanimate statue and said "Share? Forged for war from land We were birthed from."
Starting: 8
Artifact Charges: -2 Major Artifact

Create Race (-1 AP): Golems are started by Bogduch Caejk'Do and offered as a base form for others (but mainly the fellow warrior smith) to expand upon if they so desire. Right now they are simply inanimate objects that are exactly seven feet tall and with an almost genderless mannequin like appearance with their lack of features on their face or body.

Ending: 7 AP
AC: -2 Major Artifact


Of Birds and Storms

It was a peculiar feeling, having the Thunderbirds fly through the clouds.

"I have seen our brethren rise from the muck beneath and intend see what they bring. Then I shall consider dredging land from beneath to begin my own work. I suppose I seek..."

Lightning cracks.

"Inspiration."

----

The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors

Thunderbirds fly off of the clouds to perch on the Bones of the Earth a fair distance from the gathered deities.

"Call me Storm, it is what I am."

Racing lightning amid the clouds gives the impression of an eye turned to the figure of stone and iron.

"War and warriors, you say. But over what? There is so little yet, and all so far apart, such that I have seen our scattered brethren finding their own footing still..."

"Would you rather not have builders? I can give them my spark for that."

A bolt of lightning strikes the mannequin made by Bogduch Caejk'Do, filling it with a potent spark. The energy flows from the figure into the ground, and another like it rises, more of metal than stone this time, but somewhat thinner than its elder and smoother as well.

13 AP

1 AP - [add to] Create Race (Golems): ACOLACOT breathes lightning into Bogduch Caejk'Do's creation, giving them strong minds to go with their bodies.
1 AP - Create Subrace: Stormforged: A subtype of golem, smaller, lighter and charged with energy. With greater intellect than their larger cousins.

Knowledge (Learning) [4/10]
Creation (Inspiration) [1/10]

11 AP




"You are right, Storm, that in this world there is no war. But it calls me nonetheless, and I shall answer." With that, he drew his sword and swung. For a moment, it seemed he would decapitate one of Bogduch Caejk'Do's creations, but he stopped the blade just short. Instead, he gently touched the mannequin's shoulder with the flat of his blade. As he did so, it's form shifted somewhat. Rock melted away and iron became steel as glowing eyes formed on the creature's face.


-1 AP [Add to] Create Mythical Life (Golems): Wojciech lights fire within Bogduch Caejk'Do's creations, giving them blood of molten iron.
-2 AP Create Subrace (Swordforged): A subtype of golem, Swordforged are lighter and nimbler than their cousins. In exchange, their steel flesh is somewhat weaker. In addition, they can shape their blood into various forms, creating magical weapons of still-molten iron.
7 AP - 1 AP - 2 AP = 4 AP



The Iron Islands - The Sun, The Storm and The Warriors

Aphar, having finished the sun, realised that there were others around. He had not considered the possibility that he was not alone in creation, but now that he knew he found himself intensely grateful, realising how much of a curse that would have been.

“I am well pleased to hath met thou. Bogduch Caejk'Do the Immovable Object, Storm and brother who asks for a name but gives none in return. I am Aphar, the Light Bringer.”

Aphar looked upon the golems taking form and drifted down from the top of the spire, he had also not considered the possibility of created life. But he knew that it was important to him. Stretching out a hand the Golem took on a glow for a moment and then complete shuddered to life. But he had seen the creation of two other forms and wished to add his own variety and so the side of the spire he had just been on turned to slag, sliding down to the ground beside Aphar, and from its cooling remains a smaller figure crawled and joined its cousins.


Starting AP: 14
[Add to] Create Mythical Life (1 AP) – Golems: As Aphar’s gift to the Golems there is no darkness too deep for them, to their eyes even the pitch dark is illuminated as if the sun was shining.
Create [Sapient] Sub-Race (1 AP) – Lawforged: Neither particularly nimble or tough or intelligent compared to other varieties, the Lawforged make do with a keenly shrewd mind. Having a strong inbuilt sense of judgement and character. They are also the smallest of the Golem sub-races.
[4/10 Good (Wisdom)]
Remaining AP: 12

[Gunhaven]

The Iron Islands - The Sun, The Storm and The Warriors

Aphar, having finished the sun, realised that there were others around. He had not considered the possibility that he was not alone in creation, but now that he knew he found himself intensely grateful, realising how much of a curse that would have been.

“I am well pleased to hath met thou. Bogduch Caejk'Do the Immovable Object, Storm and brother who asks for a name but gives none in return. I am Aphar, the Light Bringer.”

Aphar looked upon the golems taking form and drifted down from the top of the spire, he had also not considered the possibility of created life. But he knew that it was important to him. Stretching out a hand the Golem took on a glow for a moment and then complete shuddered to life. But he had seen the creation of two other forms and wished to add his own variety and so the side of the spire he had just been on turned to slag, sliding down to the ground beside Aphar, and from its cooling remains a smaller figure crawled and joined its cousins.


Starting AP: 14
[Add to] Create Mythical Life (1 AP) – Golems: As Aphar’s gift to the Golems there is no darkness too deep for them, to their eyes even the pitch dark is illuminated as if the sun was shining.
Create [Sapient] Sub-Race (1 AP) – Lawforged: Neither particularly nimble or tough or intelligent compared to other varieties, the Lawforged make do with a keenly shrewd mind. Having a strong inbuilt sense of judgement and character. They are also the smallest of the Golem sub-races.
Remaining AP: 12




"You are right, Storm, that in this world there is no war. But it calls me nonetheless, and I shall answer." With that, he drew his sword and swung. For a moment, it seemed he would decapitate one of Bogduch Caejk'Do's creations, but he stopped the blade just short. Instead, he gently touched the mannequin's shoulder with the flat of his blade. As he did so, it's form shifted somewhat. Rock melted away and iron became steel as glowing eyes formed on the creature's face.


-1 AP [Add to] Create Mythical Life (Golems): Wojciech lights fire within Bogduch Caejk'Do's creations, giving them blood of molten iron.
-2 AP Create Subrace (Swordforged): A subtype of golem, Swordforged are lighter and nimbler than their cousins. In exchange, their steel flesh is somewhat weaker. In addition, they can shape their blood into various forms, creating magical weapons of still-molten iron.
7 AP - 1 AP - 2 AP = 4 AP


Of Birds and Storms

It was a peculiar feeling, having the Thunderbirds fly through the clouds.

"I have seen our brethren rise from the muck beneath and intend see what they bring. Then I shall consider dredging land from beneath to begin my own work. I suppose I seek..."

Lightning cracks.

"Inspiration."

----

The Iron Isles - The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors

Thunderbirds fly off of the clouds to perch on the Bones of the Earth a fair distance from the gathered deities.

"Call me Storm, it is what I am."

Racing lightning amid the clouds gives the impression of an eye turned to the figure of stone and iron.

"War and warriors, you say. But over what? There is so little yet, and all so far apart, such that I have seen our scattered brethren finding their own footing still..."

"Would you rather not have builders? I can give them my spark for that."

A bolt of lightning strikes the mannequin made by Bogduch Caejk'Do, filling it with a potent spark. The energy flows from the figure into the ground, and another like it rises, more of metal than stone this time, but somewhat thinner than its elder and smoother as well.

13 AP

1 AP - [add to] Create Race (Golems): ACOLACOT breathes lightning into Bogduch Caejk'Do's creation, giving them strong minds to go with their bodies.
1 AP - Create Subrace: Stormforged: A subtype of golem, smaller, lighter and charged with energy. With greater intellect than their larger cousins.

Knowledge (Learning) [4/10]
Creation (Inspiration) [1/10]

11 AP

The Iron Islands - The Sun, The Storm and The Warriors
Bogduch Caejk'Do looked at the finished golem and nodded It's approval before stomping It's foot once. A rough outline was formed in the stone and iron nearby, a tap from the armored boot lifting the statue from the earth. It reached down and stood the statue up before dusting away the imperfections and channeled a small portion of the energy used to create the more powerful cousins. The Immovable Object's forged were constructed almost exclusively of stone with iron for joints and were slower than the others. It stood at around the same height as the Stormforged and Swordforged but was wider than even the golems that they descended from. Their chosen field became more obvious as their forms solidified into something that nearly rivaled the golem's toughness.

The Champion looked at the five forged and the three other deities, nodding again as It said "Good. We need society...pantheon? That sounds like the right word...pantheon... Share too? Forged gather, build, battle. We find something..." For a second the suit of armor seemed to spot a possible target on the horizon but the objects overhead made it too difficult to make out. It shrugged and added "...or build something. Beasts to prove against maybe?"
Starting: 7 AP
Artifact Charges: -2 Major Artifact

Create Subrace (-1 AP): Stoneforged are about the same size as Storm and Swordforged, what I personally imagine as six feet on average but wider than even the Golems they were birthed from. They are easily the slowest (and some would say dumbest) of the current subraces but also the toughest, almost as tough as the more mystical Golems. Their name comes from the fact that they are largely made from stone with iron joints.
I'm also not going to spend the AP just yet, I'm just suggesting a Warforged Pantheon because why not?

Ending: 6 AP
Artifact Charges: -2 Major Artifact

[CrossLead24]

Sustrai- Paragon
And so the world began, the weak rent asunder to assert the vision of one stronger than them. And so the divine essence of the Creator and his shattered Titans echoed through the First World and the planes that had so quickly sprung up around it. And in one of those planes, a new being began to form. And as it began to form, so did the unclaimed quarter of the plane around it, walls of peridot and malachite building a structure expanded on by brilliant constructs of tourmaline, sapphire, alexandrite, and a dozen more stones aside, all surounding a magnificent chamber centered on a ornate throne of jade and emerald, where she now sat. For it was a she, a radiant beauty who awe-inspiring visage was only enhanced by the reptilian eyes that gazed upon the world around her, the baroque palace that stood testament to her majesty. A single thought broke the wave of her placid mind, the first impulse that would help define all that comes after.

This all is mine by right.

It was simple and intuitive, not worth questioning. Of course she deserved all of this. Of course she should rule it all. Of course she... well, at this point she realized that she needed a name; for all that she was obviously the only she worth referring to, it was unfitting for the rightful monarch of all existence to go untitled. Letting syllables and sounds roll around in her mind, she quickly picked a pleasant sounding appellation; from now one she would be Sustrai.Well, almost; best to embellish a little. Yes, Queen Sustrai sounded much better.

Of course, to be a queen, she would need subjects. It would be good to plan her eventual servants in appropriate detail. However, it appeared those plans would have to wait, for that was when she noticed the creatures bowing in awe around her throne, the template for life in this place customized by her birth just as her surroundings. Each was a vision of beauty; not as wonderful as herself, of course, but by mortal standards they were each a work of art. Their skins ran a spectrum of green, their eyes made of shining gemstones much like the ones that were embedded in their skins, each beautiful jewel glowing with a venomous light. Sustrai smirked.

"You may rise, my servants, my Eyes. We have much work to do."

And so they rose, ready to serve.

Thus was the birth of The Lady of Scales. May her followers Remember it, and be blessed in her sight.

AP: 16

1 AP- Alter Land: Paragon-The Palace Most Precious
Paragon is a realm of four, two claimed by the first two gods to touch its surface, one left empty, and one now claimed by Sustrai. Her realm takes the form of the interior of a massive palace, crafted from precious stones and full of beautiful if abstract sculptures formed of the same, with maze-like corridors leading throughout to the throne room at the center.

2 AP- Create Mythical Subrace: Sustrai Facets
As with the other gods of Paragon, Sustrai is served by a subrace of Facets. They are a group of jewels turned into immortal shapeshifters, the gems in their bodies constantly emitting a low level of light, and whose beautifully carved eyes Sustrai might see out of.

2 AP- Create Mythical Subconcept: Sustrai Egotism
Like other Facets, Sustrai's servants bear their own style of magic. Touched by the rending of the Titans by the Creator in a way similar to their maker, they have power over the principles of dissolution and reduction. They can break down the form of a nonmagical object to rend it down to a slurry, drain the strength in a man's sword arm, or even turn their constant illumination into a harsh, hateful radiance than causes all that falls under it to waste away even as it blights the earth around them.

1 AP- Create Organization: The Eyes of the Empress
Unlike most mortal races or even other Facets, the Facets of Sustrai do not necessarily have a proper culture; instead, they exist in a loose group united by their duty to serve their mistress, acting as ornaments and agents of her will when their queen is elsewhere.

16 AP - 1 AP - 2 AP - 2 AP - 1 AP = 10 AP

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

And another. That was a little annoying. Here she came to be, and now it was becoming a party. But it was better than her crushing loneliness, wasn't it? Well, maybe, if not for her crippling social anxiety. And it made her feel a little bad that she was annoyed that this sibling was so happy.

"I don't get it." Kelia replied to the pearls with a deadpan expression. She pulled her hood down from her face and used the edge of it to pat at her tears before looking at her mushrooms again, now embarassed. "O-oh, you like them? Just a little something I thought would, I mean, nothing special.." She stammered. Stupid! Why can't you learn to take a compliment you useless buffoon?

She averted her eyes from the pearls that made up Alaehi, odd but not scary, and spared a glance for Zuanshi.

"M-Me?" Kelia said, her mouth agape at the display of power and elegance that Zuanshi so casually entertained. Simply for her? And this one, the pearls.. "Doth my despair truly seep deep into the fabric of reality to call forth those who would bring.." She paused, searching for the word. "..mirth." The word was unfamiliar and she let it drop from her lips like a bad egg.

With those who would do evil, was sadness truly the worst? Or were those who would try to bury it merely willfully ignorant to it's truth, that melancholy is the only true constant in life?

This thought caused tears anew and they streamed down her face like a white river, infinite and untamed, before she threw herself forward and gave her brother a hug burying her face into his dark bosom.

"I was so lost, and then it was d-dark, but that w-wasn't so bad after a while but t-then it was t-too b-bright and I don't want to be a-alone but I want e-everyone to go away and oh m-my poor brother's face. I feel so sad for him. W-why did the universe curse him so? My f-father has no arms to hug and I f-feel like I've lost so much.."

This outpouring of emotion did come at a price. Because everything in this life of misery does. If you aren't able to drag someone up to happiness they'll drag you down to their despair.

AP: 8

Create Monster (Parathetans) [1]: Tiny little beasts, insects really, that can be as small as the tip of your finger and grow as large as your whole hand. They have six legs and, when small, are very fast and can leap implausibly far but when large have a painful bite. They have mandibles and an insectoid mouth, brown and ugly they generally wear a mushroom cap on their back. They don't eat a traditional meal but rather feed on your happiness. They are mites that try to position themselves on your body and sink their teeth into your flesh, but this bite numbs the flesh around the wound so you don't generally feel but maybe an itch. The longer they're attached the more happiness they suck out making the afflicted more angry and irritable, then prone to fits of crying till finally they're unable to feel happy whatsoever and fall into a deep depression. Recovery from the deepest stages can take years. If taken off while biting the head will burrow underneath the flesh and itch for years causing the afflicted to be irritable and snappy the entire time, so you need to carefully unhook the teeth from the flesh before removing them. The more happiness they suck out the more plump they become. They like to fall on unsuspecting mortals from up high and hide under their clothes or in their hair, places you wouldn't typically look, and satiate themselves for as long as they can caring for nothing but their next meal or propagating the species which they do in a sufficiently happiness dry mortal; implanting their eggs and erasing any chance they have of recovery.

AP: 7

[Draken]

The Iron Islands - The Sun, The Storm and The Warriors

The Storm howled.

"However rich these islands might be, their surface is empty, small and unchallenging."

"All land above the tides is alike, truly. My aerial brother's Eyrie would be the most challenging terrain to the landbound, along with the Bones. But hardly challenging otherwise."

Rain falls, a nearby thunderbird crackles, and the eldest stormforged thunders.

"You are right. There is much space between these islands, and my might is far from spent."

The wind speeds up, churning the seas, lightning strikes the ocean like never before. The Storm grows violent.

The seafloor cracks and rises in long ridges. Cyclones dredge up silt from the depths.

A continent rises, long and sleek, following a line beneath the orbit of the sun and moons. Its mountains feed countless rivers. Its rivers nourish a limitless carpet of green. Its forests hide beasts without number.

"There, a land of the wealth these islands lack, and the threats to match. Let all seek its riches if they dare."

11 AP

2 AP - Create Land: Brontos, the first continent.
https://745515a37222097b0902-74ef300a2b2b2d9e236c9459912aaf20.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.c om/57f636adab4b1ed4713489069f49fcf1.jpeg
Brontos is an elongated landmass between the Eyrie, the Iron Islands (which includes the Bones I guess) and the First Escapes, along the equatorial line of the as of yet nameless planet. Nearly all of its surface is dominated by rainforests, and its edges are equal parts sheer rock cliffs, marsh-like estuaries and sand beaches. The wildlife of Brontos is as diverse as it is vicious. Being in the wrong place can see a visitor eaten by great cats, crocodiles, snakes, freshwater sharks, ants, spiders or the flora itself, and that is if the rain doesn't wash you away first.

(Overall size should be around Australia's)

9 AP left

Creation (Inspiration) [3/10]
Knowledge (Learning) [4/10]

[Razade]

Zuanshi: The Deep Darkness

Zuanshi reached and as the Goddess of Sorrow flung herself towards it, arms were ready to embrace her. "There there." it whispered in hushed tones, burying its face in her hair, pulling her close so that its warmth could radiate through Kalia like a well kept furnace. "These feelings are you, its right to feel such things." it sang, a delicate hand moving to pet along the aching Goddess's back. "Cry until you are empty. We are here for you." Zuanshi's song continued, the we quite clearly not used to encompass the strange squid God that had intruded. The Divine closed its eyes and whispered softly, pulling from Paragon a portion of its Facets and in the transfer, they transformed. Their skin grew veined with warmth, their voice clear as river water and it flowed with the combined beauty of a rushing spring and autumn fire and with its song ended, it parted from its sister. "These are yours, I will leave you. As you wish. Until again. You are loved" and with that, Zuanshi simply faded like dawn's last light into the Deep Darkness leaving only its Bonfire Emeralds behind to sing in the dark corridors of Kelia's misery.


AP: 3AP

Create (Sentient) Subrace: Bonfire Emeralds - The Bonfire Emeralds were created to sing and to cheer and to uplift their sisters with clear and strong voice however within them lay something deeper. Their eyes could record all that they witnessed with their Egotism and in their songs play back their history. [4/10 War (Cunning)]

3AP - 1AP = 2AP

[mystic1110]

With yet another god turning and running from the Shark, the shark completed his arc and faced his sister from the ocean, Elya. While doing so he tasted the reason for the Ivory Masked god's departure. It tasted like a mortal halfway between innocence and responsibility, rebelling and confused. It was a terrible taste, but interesting. The Shark moves its tongue around it, probing it for its complex flavors.

He swam slowly to Elya, almost stalkingly.

Seems that our family from beyond the ocean lacks our mentality, for games or otherwise. For being. I credit the salt in our meat. It gives us strength. You do not run.

[Razade]

Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious


When Zuanshi returned to Paragon it seemed that much had transpired and only in so short a time. Unlike the bleak wastes of its brother, unlike the dark and reverent realm of its own, a massive palace had taken form and so it chose to walk through this new Realm. Such wondrous Facets, programmed to acknowledge their betters and so it found itself amused even while it lamented how far they had fallen from the path that the Paragon Facets were meant to be. "Sister" it called out as it explored, and with each step it willed once more that warm fire that burned in its dark flesh to burn away the gaudy trappings of the Palace Most Precious.

[weet555]

The Hunt Begins.

On a piece of land in the dark of night, shadows started to move and shift forming into the twisted form. Somehow a small piece of the void’s energy had reacted with the ground, making a wicked mind.

Carma’s mass of limbs and eyes moved over the ground, looking for what it could see. The beast of night stopped before a line of ants marching from their nest. Carma studied the ants, then it stabbed one of them though the head with a tendril thinner than a hair. Carma followed the ants killing some at random with precision strikes, hitting them in the cheat so the ants felt pain before their death.

When the monster of the night missed an ant, only taking its legs, the killing stopped. Carma looked at as the ant scurried with five legs, then a tendril ripped a leg off then another and another, until an ant was dragging its body with one leg. Seeing the slowed ant an idea was forming in the mass.

The hunter continued it’s killing while following the ants, finally it came to a bug’s body that the ants were picking apart. A single tendril extended from Carma that cut though each of the ant’s bodies at the same time, then the ants were eviscerated from the inside.

The monster of the night’s idea was ready as more ants came for the food. “Ƨꀌᗩđōŵ-ɱōƝƧŢĕᖆƧ” As The Hunter called it shaped the darkness. Shadows twisted and moved into bestial shapes as they came to their creator. “Ɠō ſōᖆŢꀌ; ſĨƝđ, ƘĨŁŁ ᗩƝđ ᑥᖆĨƤƤŁĕ Ţꀌĕ ƤᖆĕŶ. Ţꀌĕ ꀌᑌƝŢ ꀌᗩƧ ♭ĕƓᑌƝ.”

With that the beasts ran, scurried, dug, flew and slithered away, seeking prey though the darkness.


Shadow-monsters
Go forth; find, kill and cripple the prey. The hunt has begun.



16ap

Create monsterous life (1ap): Shadow beasts, Lesser.
These creatures are the darkness given ‘life’. They can shape their bodies to their wills even go between a ‘normal’ shadow and a solid form. They can have different parts of their bodies in ether form at any one time. In their shadow form, they can’t be cut or physically beaten, but they can’t strike their foes. In their solid forms, they can do much of what a physical creature can do including being injured. However, thanks to their shapeshifting injury only causes them pain and death if enough is done in a short time.

Lesser shadow beasts form in the dark places of the world at night but there is a finite number to how many shadow beasts there can be at any one time. (Although it’s a very big number) As they are creatures of darkness light is harmful to them but as they grow stronger the only light that can harm them is the light of the sun. Although they always dislike the light and avoid entering light where they can. Shadow beasts grow stronger and smarter the longer they live. Which is until they are killed, for they have no needs nor do they age.

Create mystic life (4ap): Shadow beasts, Greater.

These are the shadow beasts that have lived and survived long enough to grow sentient. Of course this means that any greater shadow beasts have seen many battle and are terrifyingly strong strong. These creatures have several supernatural powers: the mental ability to command lesser shadow beasts, teleport between shadows and launch solid shadows that fade away after hitting their target. Alongside these greater shadow beasts can learn (with great difficulty) how to change their skin’s colour and become invisible from sight in shadows.

Finally, unlike lesser shadow beasts, greater ones don’t die in the light of the sun but instead they fade away, reforming the next night.

Form society (2ap): The Shadow Pack.
This society (if it can be called that) has two simple tenants, Carma rules the pack unquestioned and your job is to kill the prey. (The prey being non-shadow monsters)

General facts: shadow monsters (which includes lesser and greater shadow beast and more coming later) can be assumed to have the following properties unless otherwise stated.

• Shadows monster have a bloodlust that drives them to kill and destroy. This blood lust never calls them to harm animals (and non-sentient creatures) or shadow monsters. As such non-sentient shadow beast almost never attack animals or shadow beasts.

• Shadow monsters can sense creatures feeling ‘negative emotions’ depression, anger, lust, greed and whatever else a player thinks should count. The strength of the emotion, the number of people felling it and their proximity to them, make them brighter to the shadow monsters. This sense has a long range relative to most senses.

• Shadow monsters die, fade away or otherwise can’t act in the light of the sun. This has nothing to do with the light’s intensity but fact is the light of the sun. However, this doesn’t apply if the light of the sun has been dulled or altered such as with stained glass, overcast weather and enough water.

[Virdish]

Iyll, Il-Na, Lu'Azu, Elya, and Kelia - First Escape







As the ocean goddess, the one named Elya replied, he turned his stoic masked face back to the shark in satisfaction, "You see, sweet lies...." Before he could finish his thought, another goddess tumbled to the ground nearby, choking back sobbing tears. She was elegantly dressed, short, and dainty with skin the color akin to his ivory mask. But it was her eyes, her eyes hidden deep within the hood that obscured her face. He had caught but a glimpse of those eyes, and they were a beautiful translucent crystal blue. Teary crystal blue gateways into sorrow, fear, and an overwhelming, remorse-filled loss. They were mesmerizing. They were beguiling, and he was enraptured.

Confused and confounded he wanted to run to her, to wrap himself around her and take from her, her loss, her pain, and her terror. She was beautiful, not the unattainable, seducing beauty of the ocean goddess, but rather a flawed and frail beauty - genuine and glorious. As he stood dumbstruck and utterly devoid of any thought beyond his desire for her, the sky erupted in a brilliant blaze of light and flame. He burned. His filthy robes smoked and smoldered as the new sun burst upon the world. The pain finally broke through his love-struck fugue, and he flew to the fallen goddess, throwing his robes around her to protect her from the sun's ferocity.

Cradling her in his arms, he turned momentarily to watch the golden god flee into the earth, and as he did so his mask slipped from his face.


With yet another god turning and running from the Shark, the shark completed his arc and faced his sister from the ocean, Elya. While doing so he tasted the reason for the Ivory Masked god's departure. It tasted like a mortal halfway between innocence and responsibility, rebelling and confused. It was a terrible taste, but interesting. The Shark moves its tongue around it, probing it for its complex flavors.

He swam slowly to Elya, almost stalkingly.

Seems that our family from beyond the ocean lacks our mentality, for games or otherwise. For being. I credit the salt in our meat. It gives us strength. You do not run.



"I do not know what it means to run. I retreat if neccesary but never will a friend or a foe see my back turned in fear. The ocean runs from no one and so we must not, for than we would be unfit to claim the mantle as gods of the Sea."

Elya smiled at the shark, a smile filled with friendshup but also the promise of the havoc that she would wreak on the brothers and sisters that would inevitably get in her way.

"I feel a kinship in you and Alaehi. We are born of the same form and yet we are different. Tell me what plans you have for this game? Those you care to share of course. I wouldn't want to upset your plans by revealung them before their proper time."

[Hatter]

Hunting the Hunters
Some random tunnel in The Deeplands

The attacks came as a surprise to the dwarves who previously had no contact with any threats to their society but being naturally hardy and stubborn as steel, the dwarves were quick to respond.

Unnatural shrieks pierced the darkness of the tunnel as sharp blades of dwarves steel found their mark in shadow beast flesh before they disappeared and reappeared again. The dwarves were relentless in the pursuit of the beasts and even though many dwarves fell to dark claws, they would rather die than surrender.

Tolvak was the leader of his little band. He was stocky and filled with rippling muscle under his steel accented leather armor. His back and arms buldged under the pressure as he thrust his short sharp steel into a shadow East as it attempted to claw at one of his comrades who fell into the dirt. His blade buried deep into the things skull before it disappeared and Tolvak yelled. "Ge' off ye arse, boy! Oi! Ye lot ge' inter formation an' ready!"

[Darklady2831]

Dezrakul: The Wastes of Dust, Second Realm of Paragon

The Harbinger of Ills had walked for many days and months into the dust beyond the crags of the second realm. Staggering forth, each step a struggle that continued his momentum. Step... step... step... stop. With a lurch, the gaunt figure stopped, staring at the dust before him. Though it was difficult to tell from here, that exact grain of sand, that exact mote of dust, was the centre of the Second Realm.

For the first time since he had sheltered it, Dezrakul opened his cloak and brought the ember out into the open. As he lifted his gaze from the mote of flame, he looked up to the vaulted ceiling above, and the dark brown stone columns that surrounded him. He stood in the center of a vast circular chamber, the ceiling tall enough for a score of Facets to stand on one anothers' shoulders and still just barely reach the ceiling.

He looked down again, at the large stone dish he stood before. It was a cradle meant for greatness, and greatness graced it as Dezrakul allowed the ember to slip between his fingers. Down it fell, tumbling into the dish until it rested at the bottom. And then, nothing happened, and the ember burned low. Dezrakul however, could feel it. He blew gently on the ember, until it glowed and sparked, lighting a flame just large enough to illuminate the face of the god who had nurtured it. Dezrakul stood, turning and walking towards the great stone doors of the vault he had created to shelter the last flame. None would be able to follow him, for none could see beyond the crags of the Second Realm.

7 AP

5 AP - Create Major Artifact: The Brazier of the Creator's Last Flame

The Brazier of the Creator's Last Flame is situated in the centre of a temple in the centre of the Second Realm of Paragon. It burns as the last remnant of the true power behind creation itself. This is a utility artifact that provides a 1 AP discount on the Refocus Artifact action. 10/10 for Fire (Passions)

1 AP - Bless: Featureless Dusts of the Second Realm

The Second Realm of Paragon contains within it a vast expanse of featureless dust, a desert with no landmarks and no way of sensing direction. Even gods cannot navigate it without assistance, save for Dezrakul, for he created it. 5/10 for Trickery (Concealment)

7 AP - 5 AP - 1 AP = 1 AP

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

Happiness is just so fleeting, and madness is just so constant.

For one brief moment Kelia was embraced and, as she spilled her woes, felt better, regardless of the fact that with her woes come monsters. Terrible little beasties from the depths of her imagination. Because when you're scared of everything you can imagine the very worst of things. And when you're a god those things can walk upon the earth.

But nothing was incoming from the broken mind of the most sorrowful one at the moment because of her brief flickering moment of happiness. It was warm, a divine warmth that extended out to her toes. She hadn't even realized how cold it was down here.

Well, that was, until Zuanshi was gone.

And Kelia knew that she would never be empty of her tears, no matter what the comforting lies had said. They came unbidden pooling at her feet as her body was wracked by sobs. Enough to fill every underground lake in the Deepest Darkness.

"Leaving?! B-but you.. you just got here!" Kelia nearly shouted, her voice cracking under the strain. But they were already gone. A small taste of a comforting hand and then abandonment again. She dropped to her knees and openly weeped. "I d-didn't mean it.. You just left! This is the misery of e-existence..."

"Miss Kelia, would you like us to sing for you?"

It was a Facet left behind, one of many that now stood with her in her caverns. She wiped her tears on her sleeve and took a good look. They were beautiful. No one had ever given her a present before. It was almost enough to make her smile. She nodded at the Facet who started to soothe her with it's soft voice like water.

But wait..

Zuanshi was still gone. No, no this wasn't good enough. It was true. Zuanshi was a liar! They hadn't really liked her! This was just an attempt to buy her off! Why had they even come? To tease her? Look at Kelia, so sad, so pathetic!

"I'm NOT pathetic!" Yes you are.

She sobbed openly and quickly stood to her feet before grabbing the Facet that had spoken to her by it's throat. "N-no!" The other Facets stood by looking on in horror as the Goddess ripped a piece off of the unfortunate one she had a hold of. "You'll all just leave me!" The Facet could only be extinguished in horror at the might of a literal god, and what were the others to do? "Y-you won't leave me.." She dug her nails into the still wiggling Facet and tore piece after piece from the gurgling emerald before digging her fingers into it's face and ripping downward. Only when the Facet stopped moving did she hug it close crying all the while.

"I'm s-sorry, I'm s-sorry.." She whimpered in distress.

God, why had she done that? No wonder no one wants to be around you. You stupid pitiful little fool.

"I.. I'll f-fix her.. I.." Kelia reassured the other Facets, still in stunned horror, before cradling the body of the Bonfire Emerald and crawling around picking up the pieces of the broken gem girl before trying to fix them back into place, held together only by her divine power. "S-she can sing... she's.. SING. PLEASE." She shouted desperately before setting her up. To her surprise, the Facet did begin to sing, a song that only Kelia could hear, but she laughed through the sobs. "S-see?" The goddess of sorrow positioned the Facet in a beautiful pose and watched as it spun in a slow circle and sang to her.

"You won't ever leave me. You can't. And that's the only p-person that won't ever abandon me." You disgust me.

"We won't leave you, Miss Kelia." One of the braver Facets spoke up, attempting to calm Kelia's melancholic rage and keep the others from the same fate.

"N-no, no, I know.. I'm s-sorry, it was just all.. too much.." Kelia stammered, embarrassed at her actions. Mortals were so precious, so delicate, so interesting. She was glad that she still had a few to watch. It would distract her from the void in her heart, for a time.

Well, the Facets and Zuni, who would always be with her.

AP: 7

Zuni the Living Statue (Create Artifact) (Discount to Create Mystical Concept) [5]: In the style of a ballerina from a music box, Zuni will forever spin and sing for her goddess and never leave her side; a Facet that will forever comfort Kelia and whisper secrets to only her.

Gain Domain [Madness (Melancholy)]
-Create Artifact (Mantle of the Earth Titan): Literally wearing a piece of the corpse of what she considers her father.
-Create Artifact (Zuni the Living Statue): A gift that will always make her a little sad and wistful, of another who left her behind.

AP: 2

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Rusty Jungle to Brontos

Slate understood the Rusty Jungle well and then left to return again to the Material proper. When he arrived he was shocked, not in a bd way. Brontos looked lovely. Near enough as lovely as The Eyrie, but so much larger.

He galloped upon the sea towards the continent, as he did he could tell that the plant-life upon this island were not simply unimiginable high in number, but high in kind and type too. To have knowledge of all these types was a fine task. He began at once; his divine stomach and divine tongue deducing the substancial qualities of the plants as he went around the world.

[Hatter]

Council of Counts#1
Hall of Counts, Glimmerholm, The Deeplands

Il-Na observed the current happenings among the leadership of his children in a detached and uninvolved manner. This was something that they would have to handle themselves, for he had been thoroughly spent from the activities immediately following his creation... Creating a whole "world" to which he might own and dominate was not an easy task.

He saw as the 13 Counts rose to their feet in severance of the High-Count as the ruler of Glimmerholm stepped into the antechamber. None would take a seat themselves until the High-Count sat upon his throne of perfect stone and gold. None would sit until he bid them to do so with an arrogant wave of dismissal. "Ye be seated, Counts. Herald.. address tha' Council so we can be startin'"

With his commands given, the Counts took their seats and an elderly dwarf stepped forward to speak with rugged hands folded behind his back. "As per tradition an' tha' laws o' our fathers, Tha' High-Coun' Lerdus tha' third be callin' upon his Council ta discuss tha new threat tha' has come upon our peoples. First ta attend, ye can rise." he announced into the echo of the chamber before stepping back and surrendering the floor to a younger and obviously more headstrong member of the Council.

"Aye, oi be Coun' Ragin o' tha' Strongcrag District. Me scouts been reportin' o' these Shadow Beats running round tha tunnels ou' in Tha Deep." He stepped back and so the process would repeat as the Counts took turns speaking.

"Oi be hearing tha' they disappear soon as we attack em."

"Aye.. turn ta shadow when they ge' cut."

"Only way ta win is ta hit em wit's nuff force ta kill em in one blow."

The High-Count had heard enough, he leaned forward and gave a command to his subordinates. "Oi be wantin' ye lot terms send a copy tigent o' explorers an' troopers close ter tha' Deep Deep. Surely there be something we can be using there.. Oi can feel it in me guts.'

He cast his gaze over his deity in a questioning manner and was met with a single confirming nod.



The Dwarves will mount an expedition deeper underground in search of something to give them leverage against their enemies.

[CrazyPenguin]

The Sun, The Storm, and the Warriors

As the golems were finished, Wojciech realized his social error. Looking to the sun god, he said "You are right, Aphar. My name is Wojciech, the Sellsword. I apologize for my rudeness." Then, turning to Bogduch Caejk'Do, he said "That is not a bad idea. But for now, I must beg my leave. The world is wide, and I wish to find a place to hang my hat." This last bit struck everyone as a bit odd, seeing as Wojciech was not wearing a hat. Still, following this statement he left, taking the Swordforged with him.

Elsewhere on the Iron Isles

The Sellsword traveled to the larges island among the Isles of his birth. From its center rose the largest Bone that still stood, surrounded by a dark, deep lake. Deciding this would make a fine home, Wojciech built a single bridge of living stone from the main island to the Bone. From there, he hollowed out the Bone, making a fortress of many twisting passages, balconies, and terraces, complete with towers and battlements rising from the living rock. At it's center, he found something strange. There was a great, yawing pit, completely circular and with smooth walls. This was the Iron Isles entrance to the Deeplands, and around it Wojciech built a modest throne room.

Starting AP = 4
-1 AP Alter Land (The Sellsword's Spire): The Sellsword's Spire is a massive fortress carved into the largest Bone of the Earth. It features many passages ways, choke points, and is basically impossible to besiege. At it's exact center lies the Iron Isles Deeplands entrance, around which is built Wojciech's throne room. The throne itself is a modest chair formed from the living rock of the Spire, and the room is otherwise empty(For further description of the Spire, see the above post). The island which the Sellsword's Spire resides upon is named Spire, after it's most important feature.
4 AP - 1 AP = 3 Ending AP

[Bobbybobby99]

The Deepest Darkness.

Alaehi stared, a little baffled, at the goddess. She clearly had a bizzare sense of aesthetics if this was the way she acted.

"Um. I think I'm going to go now. I suspect we might just have very different ideals of beauty. It's nothing personal. That cloak doesn't make you look fat. "

On that note, he fled through an exceedingly tiny gap in reality back to the plane of water. Once there, he contentedly stared at the wonderful machinations of the elementals and the water for a short while, before becoming discontent. It was great, but it wasn't quite sufficient to hold his attention indefinitely, not when there was still that ugliness in reality.

He opened another hole in reality, leading to a random spot in the ocean (he was proud to note that his water elementals had already colonized it), and proceeded to resonate the energies of his plane and cause them to 'leak through' onto this particular sea. The effects were dramatic; all of the water elementals grew a few inches taller, and the water, rather than being a monochromatic blue, began to form streams of clear turquoise, muddy brown, light green, and navy, swirling around in elaborate geometric fashions. All of the new invertebrate life he'd introduced in the plane of water slowly formed here, and the corals in particular were particularly magnificent, forming into immense towers stretching far about the water's surface. He decided to call it The Quendum Sea.

It was very pretty, but... he could still feel the reverberations of sadness. He frowned. Maybe he ought to create life that was happy enough that it cancelled out? The water elementals weren't particularly joyful- he'd made them to mostly experience neuroticism and perfectionism, after all- so he'd need something new... He snapped one of his pearly tentacles, having had an idea.

His form collapsed almost entirely, with only seven pearls remaining, glowing in the air. He'd fully reformed within a minute, but the other pearls dispersed throughout the Quendum Sea. There, they would increase in size rapidly, and then form a giant oyster around themselves in a sort of weird reverse growth. Those giant oysters would be the First Mothers of the Syldari, and would be happy as clams, once they created their first Drones.

That done, he felt his name being spoken, and rapidly flew to where he had heard it in the shape of a worm. He noticed the ocean goddess and the shark god, reformed into an octopus, and spoke, his voice once more a delicate chime.

"Salutations, my fellows."


Starting AP. 9.

Bridge Plane. The Quendum Sea is very much like the plane of water in terms of the whole 'wide variety of invertebrate life', 'many currents of differently colored water going in pretty directions', and 'filled with elementals' part, but it take its invertebrate life up to eleven in the form of corals. An individual coral inside the Quendum Sea can easily stretch as far up into the air as a skyscraper, and it's going to have a ridiculous number of plants and animals living in harmony with it.
Create Sentient Race. The Syldari are complex creatures. Mother Syldari start out life as very tiny, very shiny oysters, and eventually grow to the size of a Toyota, sending out a single polyp to serve as their limbs every year once they're fully grown. Those polyps, after a transitional period of about seven months, grow into Syldari Drones. Syldari Drones, when fully grown, are excessively pretty amphibious humanoids with pearly skin, pointy ears, and eyes lacking irises. Each Syldari Drone is part of a hivemind with other Syldari born to the same mother, and they essentially act as extensions of that mother. Any given Mother can control anywhere from 400 to 500 Drones at once; if a Mother has reached their personal limit, any further polyps they send out instead grow into mothers themselves. Syldari Mothers are perpetually giddy and joyful, a glee that bleeds through and reverberates through each of their Drones. Syldari Mothers generally live to the age of 900 or so before dying.
TLDR: They're extra-happy amphibious elves with a hivemind controlled by a giant oyster.

Ending AP. 5.

[mystic1110]

"I do not know what it means to run. I retreat if neccesary but never will a friend or a foe see my back turned in fear. The ocean runs from no one and so we must not, for than we would be unfit to claim the mantle as gods of the Sea."

Elya smiled at the shark, a smile filled with friendshup but also the promise of the havoc that she would wreak on the brothers and sisters that would inevitably get in her way.

"I feel a kinship in you and Alaehi. We are born of the same form and yet we are different. Tell me what plans you have for this game? Those you care to share of course. I wouldn't want to upset your plans by revealung them before their proper time."



The Shark circled the remaining ocean goddess, his sister of salt, and tasted what resolution was. It was a flat taste. Boring, but profound. One long note of iron. Stretching endlessly.

Alaehi? I have yet to meet them. But from your words, I can hear the salt in their name.

He swam slowly now in a lazy revolution.

Plans? Plans are unnecessary. Simply play and see what occurs. He creates worlds and peoples. And I shall devour them. My teeth shall shape them in my image. A game is merely war without a war. You can join if you like. Even now I feel him making an empire in a world far apart from this one. You may make your home there and drown the rest.

The Shark lazily swept some beach sand into the air.

Or we can make and create our own worlds and peoples. Not just a balance on the scales, but such heavy worlds and peoples that the balance tips in our favor.

The two eyes of fire look at the goddess.

Up to you.

Just then, almost as speaking his name, a giant octopus descended onto the beach. The Shark quickly sped up and increased his circling to encompass the newcomer. On a pass around the octopus, he gnashed apart his truth and slurped upon his name. Ah, this was Alaehi. He tasted of salt. He tasted of salt rubbed with ink and many perfect shells arranged ever so meticuo0lously. A careful taste.

Ah, we were just speaking of you brother of the salt. Greetings.

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, Brontos to The Deeplands to The Lake & Garden

Slate had not yet finished traveling the whole circle of Brontos, he was enjoying himself very much, when he came across an entance to below. He put one hoof on that path, reasoning to himself that Brontos would still be her when he came back. But he caught himself, not necessarily nor would he certainly be returning from below.

What did he want to do? This path had his curiosity. He went down to the Deeplands. He followed the tunnels and he got lost. It was some time of going down the most obscure and untrod tunnels that he was finally fed up. Fungi, decided Slate, were even worse than kelp.

With his nose full of divine energy he turned the next corner. He created and saw at the same moment the most lovely sight that he had ever yet viewed.

The tunnel led to a very large cavern. Some 1/9 from the back, a circular and clear lake took up 3/5 of the floor. That was not what was most interesting. The fact that the cavern's roof constantly shone with the sun's light was gone. The fact that the cavern lacked fungus of any form was very, very good.

The lake was how one would go to The Elemental Plane of Water. By wading in its shallow waters, one would eventually go so far as to be unable to see the edges. With hat realisation, one was in the watery plane. To travel to the Lake & Garden from the Elemental Plane required going through the right cut of water. A cut, fixed, but visible no different to anywhere else on the plane.

What made Slate whinny with pleasure were the flowers and the grass. The grass was a mix of the purple of The First Escapes, the orange of the Rusty Jungle, and the green of the Eyrie and Brontos. There were a few bushes with large colourful flowers nested in green leaves; the best examples from Brontos and The Eyrie. The flowers that intermingles with the grass wer also the best examples he had seen in his travel. There were no order to it.

Slate laughed happily as he saw one plant from the Irom Islands in there. It was obviously the worse plant of the bunch, but it made him happy. This was The Lake & Garden.


10 AP
- 2 AP: Bridge Plane - The Lake & Garden bridges the Elemental Plane of Water and the Deeplands. It consists of an underground lake and garden.
8 AP

[Hatter]

The Deep Walk
The Deeplands

Il-Na stood upon a balcony which overlooked the massive fortress city of Glimmerholm. He took pride in what his children had achieved in a few short years, hacking away at stone and earth while constantly scheming against each other and climbing on each other's backs to achieve their dreams. Why, it was just yesterday that a new High-Count took the Throne after his predecessor found an unfortunate end. Somehow, the poor sod managed to fall from this very balcony. The golden god peered over the ledge and gauged the distance "A good hundred feet... Quite a fall."

He lingered his gaze upon the point of impact, a cleaning crew still hard at work to clean blood-stain off of the street. He then turned his gaze out beyond the city walls, bypassing any obstruction as if it were not there. Murmurs spread throughout the city of the shadow beasts and the planned expedition into a place so deep that Il-Na knew he did not create. The dwarves were a hardy lot but the god knew that his children would need an extra hand.

And so, Il-Na raised up his muscle-bound arms with Golddigger outstretched before him and he intoned a command. "Rock, Stone, Metal, Fire... I command you to rise up and give passage to my children through the depths of the world."

His command upon the earth itself was irrefutable and great stone paths and halls tore across the Deeplands, centering upon Glimmerholm herself and spreading out across caverns and tunnels, leading even to a few of the openings to the surface. Along these paths and halls, braziers were lit, filling with lava from the very core of the earth itself to bring the occasional lightsource to the otherwise dark underworld.



0AP Start
-1AP(Golddigger Charge) Alter Land(The Deep Walk): The Deep Walk is a series of open pathways and enclosed halls of stone and steel which gives an easier passage to the dwarves through the Deeplands. These paths and halls are occasionally lined with lava filled metal braziers that grant minor illumination to make passage that much easier and create some amount of inconvenience for the shadow beasts. The Deep Walk originates at Glimmerholm where the most braziers are and spreads out, the braziers becoming increasingly rare the further out from the city that one travels.

[Sontali]

The Sun, The Storm and The Warriors

Aphar nodded to Wojciech as he departed, satisfied with the name given. And then turned to Bogduch Caejk’Do.

“I am pleased to hath met thee brother, but there is no reason to fight. No reason to battle. For all is right in this world. I am sure we will meet again. Farewell Bogduch. Farewell Storm.”

The Light Bringer's feet lifted off of the smouldering ground as the god prepared to fly off when he remembered the Lawforged standing not too distant. Aphar considered bringing the creature with him, but realised that they could never truly be kin, Aphar would always live in fear that he might accidently touch the creature and return it to the slag from which it had come, and so he merely said, “I trust your judgement,” to the Lawforged before taking off to see what else this new world had to offer. Moving across the world like a second sun in the sky.

[CrossLead24]

Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious


When Zuanshi returned to Paragon it seemed that much had transpired and only in so short a time. Unlike the bleak wastes of its brother, unlike the dark and reverent realm of its own, a massive palace had taken form and so it chose to walk through this new Realm. Such wondrous Facets, programmed to acknowledge their betters and so it found itself amused even while it lamented how far they had fallen from the path that the Paragon Facets were meant to be. "Sister" it called out as it explored, and with each step it willed once more that warm fire that burned in its dark flesh to burn away the gaudy trappings of the Palace Most Precious.
Sustrai and Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious

Well, this was frustratingly unideal. She had been studying her realm, preparing to explore the rest of the world, when she had noticed the damage. Some outsider had destroyed parts of her estate, removing bits like they had not even been there. And the resonance of the power held the same essence that had given her life.

There were, in fact, other divines. And one of them was in her home, and she didn't know where.

But still, she could salvage this. Though it appeared this one may well be hostile, she felt sure she could escape if it attempted to attack. And it was possible the being would naturally acknowledge her as their superior much like her Facets had, or at least could be useful for a time. First, she would have to meet with them.

Shaping the nature of space in this realm was simple enough, and she quickly found herself in the same chamber as her robed counterpart. The woman, an unparalleled beauty whose normally arrogant expression is now masked by a friendly smile, approaches, her jewel-woven gown glimmering splendidly in the light cast by the two Facets standing by her as an honor guard. The duo stands nervously, one angling her spear to be pointed at Zuanshi as if she could protect her goddess. Sustrai smiled at them.

"Now now my dears, calm down. We are here to meet this distinguished individual who has made their presence known to us. There is no need to resort to such brutish displays."

The Facet fidgeted nervously.

"But my queen..."

She was cut off immediately as Sustrai's face quickly grew stern; the Facet quickly straightened up and "relaxed", or at least tried to adopt a non-confrontational pose. Sustrai, her face once again serene, turned back to the intruder.

"I would ask that you forgive us for that; the precious little creatures are so eager to help, they sometimes forget themselves. Anyway, I was hoping to welcome you to my abode."

Now came the matter of names. It would be easy to introduce herself in her full glory, but she felt it would be best to wait and see this one's temperament before fully staking her claim.

"You may know me as Sustrai, my fellow divine. And by what name would you be know?"

AP: 10

1 AP- Bless/Curse: The Queen's Halls
The halls of the Palace Most Precious were maze-like before, but now they operate on a brand new level. Those Queen Sustrai have allowed may walk them with sure feet, but outsiders find their paths twist and tangle wherever she desires the intruder to go, and out and out invaders find themselves always taking the way or out lead into the blades of a group of Eyes. Though a god might circumvent this, it would require them to first notice the effect and then will things otherwise until they artive at their destination.

10 AP - 1 AP = 9 AP

[CrazyPenguin]

The Sellsword's Spire - Forging an Army

Within the halls of the Spire, Wojciech worked, toiling day in and day out. His Swordforged were creatures of steel and artifice, and were not born as creatures of flesh were. Instead, they had to be built, forged from steel. He made 250 in total, before he stopped for a time. They were innately excellent soldiers, skilled in many weapons and martial arts. More importantly, they were disciplined and steadfast. The will of the Iron Company was unbreakable. When the Swordforged were complete, he turned his attention to the Deepland entrance within his home, and saw that it had been changed into a dimly-lit hall. Resolving to look into this later, the Sellsword sat down upon his throne to rest. As he did so, a pair of Swordforged entered, and hung the banner of the Iron Company on the wall to the throne's left.

Starting AP = 3 AP
-1 AP Create Organization (The Iron Company): The Iron Company is the world's first mercenary company, consisting of exactly 250 Swordforged and with Wojciech himself as it's captain. It's banner is a stylized brown image of the Sellsword's Spire on a dark gray field.
3 AP - 1 AP = 2 AP

[Umbrater]

Mortis sat on his branch for too long, his thoughts drifting. This world was full of melancholy and despair, for a while he was lost in it. He could feel more souls release and fade but didn't even try to save them. He would need somewhere to put them, something that could support a soul for a long time, like how this branch supported him. Finally he had an idea.

Mortis flew off the branch, then still floating turned in to a larger creature with arms and legs to aid his craft. He broke off the branch and stretched it to the length of his new body. He breathed on the end, it hollowed out and took on a dark grey aura. It wasn't much but he could maintain a soul inside, at least for a little while.

There were a lot of new souls being freed underground which seemed like a fine place to test his new device. He wrapped himself in a grey cloak to hide him from the eyes of the living, faded from his tree and appeared in a very different land. Around him metal clanged on metal and there was a deep rumble through the very earth itself. Just as he grew accustomed to the lack of light a few braziers lit up in the corner of this large chamber. But he focused on his task and did not let this distract him. A golden glow, but a selfish glow that didn't illuminate it's surroundings just kept the light for itself, had risen from a corpse that was currently being cleaned from the street. Mortis approached, mimicking the short form of the mortals below, and spoke to the newly released soul. "Greetings friend, this is not the end for you. Please tell me about yourself so that I can make somewhere nice to keep you."

AP = 12 - 6 = 6
Curse (Soul Decay) [1AP toward Guidance (Afterlife)]
Souls cannot survive on the first world for long. The general atmosphere of horror and anguish combined with the shock of it's own death drives the soul to madness then quickly rips it apart.

Create Major Artifact (Branch of Guidance) [5AP toward Guidance (Afterlife)]
This branch has been stretched and bent to be a suitable, if a little large, walking stick. It is wrapped in a dark grey aura the helps keep souls stored within safe from the harshness of the world.

Once inside the soul can communicate with Mortis which helps him understand their desires. He learns of their life so that he can create somewhere new for them to "live" out the rest of eternity.

This artifact is fueled by the desires of the souls stored within and uses them to create new planes. This grants a 1AP discount on the Weave Plane action.

Gain Domain: Guidance (Afterlife)
Mythical Concept (Souls) 4AP
Curse (Soul Decay) 1AP
Create Major Artifact (Branch of Guidance) 5AP

[Hatter]

A Soul's Guide
Glimmerholm, The Deeplands

The soul turned to look upon the speaker. He was a regally dressed dwarf with a clean shaven head and a long, beaded and ornamented belt tucked into his equally ornamented belt. The soul stared blankly at the reaper for a moment before turning his attention to the spot where his body once was.

"Oi be...Was tha High-Count... Suppose'n thatta be Oin's position now... Bloody idjit outplayed me an' had me tossed o'er da railing. Would tha' I could.. I'd bloody strangle that Lil' ****e meself." Grumbled the soul of the former High-Count. A face of irritation clear to see. "Oi followed Tha Deep Father's teachin's bu' oi grew laxed an' content.. 'E always said ta ne'er lax an' ne'er trust.. Oi let me guard down an' paid that proice."

The soul let out a sigh and simply stared at the spot where he fell. There would be no more riches for him and it pained him so.

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, From the Lake & Garden, to the Elemental Plane of Water, to the Eyrie

Slate was not going to leave the way he came. That was not a nice place, and he would only get lost. So he stepped in the lake and strode foward. Wen he got to the point where he could see only water on the horizon, he was submerged.

He spotted a Camwart - the plants could not fool their creator very easily - and spoke, "Has anything interesting occured?"

The Camwart knew not what 'interesting' meant, but still gave the answer it thought best, "You."

Slate considered, realised it was a reasonable answer and left. Some time later the same Camwart who he spoke to saw other Camwarts disapear where the White steed had appeared, and sometimes they never came back.

Slate came out of the plane at the same place he had first went in. Breaking the suface of the Eyrie Sea, he looked to see if the verdant tower was as lovely as he remembered. It was. He was glad. He swam to the Eyrie, and observed the birds. Particularly how they interacted with the plants.

[Umbrater]

Glimmerholm

"You needn't worry my friend, as I have already said you have a lot more ahead of you. I will give you somewhere new to rule, somewhere full of riches. I hope you have learnt the error of your ways as you will need to be shrewd where you are going. You will be the first but many will follow. You will start at the top, as you once were, how long will you stay there. But above all you needn't fear death again, the next time wealth is snatched from you you will have the ability to take it back."

Mortis looked his companion over to see if he was hitting the right notes. He could give the soul everything it wanted but sensed that it was the push for more that truly drove the former High-Count.

[Hatter]

A Soul's Guide
Glimmerholm, The Deeplands

"Yes, of course... Blessed be Il-Na's name. Take me away from here.. somewhere I can rule once again...Yes." Greed filled the dwarf's eyes at the thought of riches beyond the grave. Already, before even knowing the details, he was plotting and scheming ways to maintain his status and use it to grab for more. He would not be content this time.. no.. he won't make that mistake again.

[Tanzan Aura]

Slate meets the Birds

The birds were mostly flying in the skies, sometimes diving into the sea and coming back up with whatever fish or seafood they caught here. But some of the birds were indeed taking care of the plants; small Birds were picking berries out of trees and putting them inside baskets weaved with leaves, and the smallest ones that seemed to be mere children often snuck behind the parents to snack on some berries before they were administered a squawky sermon. When the baskets were full, the Birds would leave, clutching them into their talons, and fly toward the cavities into the stone that could be assumed to be nests.
Other birds were putting fresh soil at the foot of fruit-bearing or aromatic plants, and pour water from a nearby source afterwards.

But Slate could notice that an increasing amount of birds were stopping to watch them, or even perching in a nearby bush to observe the white deity that made plants grow at their feets. It was a matter of time before the equine deity caught the attention of The Songbird. The feathered god flew in an unnaturally graceful way, and started singing in his musical voice.

Why hello, fellow deity. I am The Songbird. What brings you here ?

The Songbird paused, and saw the aromatic plants he loved the smell of grow at the feets of Slate. He finally landed on a perch, not far from the plant deity, and started to sing again, with a more curious tone.

Oh ! You seem to be linked to plantlife. How interesting. Who are you ?

[Razade]

Sustrai and Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious

Zuanshi had most certainly not wished to cause harm, it would certainly apologize when its sister had made itself known. It almost laughed when the Facets brought their weapons to bare upon it but its sister had come along as well and that was far more worthy of its attention. "Sister." it repeated, holding out a hand in warm invitation. "All is forgiven, they are new and do not yet known the order of Paragon or the love of Zuanshi" and with these words were writ in holy order, that Zuanshi was to be loved and respected above all on Paragon. "We meet you, sister Sustari most beautiful of Paragon. We are Zuanshi, we have come to join our brothers and sisters into a compact for the world beneath us is filled with others who would seek to undermine our beauty. Together, we can bring grace and refinement to their world."



AP: 2AP

Bless: Bonfire Ascendant (1AP) - All on Paragon acknowledge Zuanshi and its Bonfire Facets for what they are, the mother of the Facets and her blessed children and the leader of The Authority

Create Pantheon: The Authority (1AP) - Primarily concerned with the Facets and Paragon, the Authority is a Pantheon dedicated to establishing and maintaining power above all things.

2AP - 1AP - 1AP = 0AP

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Eyrie

"I have been here before. I beleive that I saw you. You were talking to the weather correct?" Spoke Slate, "I am simply very fond of tis plce. I consider it very beautiful.

Slate suddenly remembered, "I also intend to compliment its creator. I am linked with plants for I am very fond of them, and they are very fond of me - I find. My name is Slate; an explorer and a connoisseur."

[CrazyPenguin]

The Sellsword's Spire - An Army Needs a Leader

Some time had passed since the founding of the Iron Company, and Wojciech was feeling rested. He decided to go for a stroll around his home, taking in the view from it's windows, towers, and terraces. As he did so, he pondered the organization of the Iron Company. Eventually, he decided that he was unable to lead them alone. There would be times when the company would split up, or when he was away. So he returned to his throne room and summoned to him the first Swordforged, the one he had made alongside the other four gods. This one he made his Lieutenant.

Starting AP = 3 AP
-2 AP Raise Hero (The First Lieutenant of the Iron Company): The First Lieutenant also happens to be the first-made Swordforged. Even among his brothers, he is an exceptional warrior with a keen mind that easily grasps military matters. Wojciech has chosen him as second-in-command of the Iron Company.

[Umbrater]

Birth of Avaurum

Mortis took the soul within his staff and transported himself elsewhere. He was consumed by the dwarf's mind and driven by his greed. With it he span a grand realm, a huge cave free of the burning sun. The ceiling sparkled with billions of gemstones spreading an unnatural star-like light over everything. He slammed down his staff and rough hewn corridors burst in to the earth all around the walls with veins of precious metal flowing through them.

A spring of cold liquid gold sprung from The Reaper's staff and he struggled to keep hold of it. Twisting through the air the metal sprayed everywhere. Eventually he got his footing on the ceiling and directed the gushing fluid downwards and it filled a deep pool in the center of this main cavern. When it had finished he landed on a disk of solid diamond in the center of the lake. Several miles of liquid gold formed a wall around him but did not dare to flow on to the disk. From the solid diamond he pulled a mighty throne, studded with one of every gemstone.

Finally Mortis released the soul in to the new realm, it took on the form it had in life. The Reaper turned to his friend as the dwarf settled on it's throne. "I sincerely hope that this suits your needs. Don't get too comfortable though, many of your kind will be soon to follow." While this was said in the same soothing tone as Mortis usually used there was an air of menace to the words. "This place is yours now, do with it as you and your ilk will."

AP = 6 - 3 - 1 = 2AP
Weave Plane(Avauram) [3AP toward Planes(Wealth)]
A plane for the greedy to pursue their thirst for wealth. A cutthroat world in which only the most ruthless can survive a cycle. Every soul to die turns into a gemstone which will sustain it until the next cycle starts. At the start of every cycle the dead are reborn from their gemstone. Those that horded their wealth are often overwhelmed by vengeful souls from the last cycle. Still, money and power follows those that can make it through several cycles.

Blessing(Soul's Path) [1AP unassigned at the moment]
The soul of any creature will seek a new plane to settle in before it is destroyed. The plane must have some connection to how it lived it's life or else it simply won't be able to make it there in time.

[Tanzan Aura]

Slate, The Eyrie

"I have been here before. I beleive that I saw you. You were talking to the weather correct?" Spoke Slate, "I am simply very fond of tis place. I consider it very beautiful.

Slate suddenly remembered, "I also intend to compliment its creator. I am linked with plants for I am very fond of them, and they are very fond of me - I find. My name is Slate; an explorer and a connoisseur."

Slate meets the Birds

The god considered the other for a moment, before laughing.

Why, thank you !

He flapped his wings, before circling around over Slate.

Say, if you're an explorer, you must have been in places I wasn't. How about you tell me of these stories while we both walk or fly the island ?

The Songbird didn't wait for an answer, he simply glided along the wind, giggling and inviting the other god to join him through his chants echoing in the air. He was heading toward the highest cliffs, but the melody was inviting Slate to join the flying god nonetheless...

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Eyrie

Slate followed the bird deity, stepping off the cliff and galloping upon the air. As Slate followed he spoke, "Being that yu are of the sky, then I would guess that you have never been to the Deeplands? In the main then I would not recomend it. The paths are constrained and dark, it is very easy to get lost and there is little to look at.

"That said there is one place that is wonderful. Words cannot do it justice. The best plants from all the world gathered in one place. However, the best way there is through the Elemental Plane of Water. Have you been? It was not to my tastes, although I can see the neatness of it. There are some good plants there who are disguised as fake-plants who could point to the entrance of my Lake & Garden.

"Then you can find the Iron Islands. They are quite bare. They are interspeced with the huge jutting rocks that tower up so high. Those you have certainly seen. There is one island that I have blessed with greater plantlife; The resusty Jungle, I call it.

"I also have a lot of islands that I have created. They are somewhat like your Eyrie but with purple instead of green, fewer varieties, and is more horiantal and less vertical. So not very much like it at all. I hope you visit if you haven't already.

"Finally, is the ringed continent: Brontos. This wraps the world and is quite like this Eyrie save for being much larger. It is not as dense in new plant life as this is, but more varieties do exist. There were also nonplants that stood as tall as I, which was quite odd. It is in Brontos that the entance into the bare darkness below exisrs."

[Gunhaven]

The Breaking of the Meeting
Bogduch Caejk’Do shrugged as the Sellsword and the Light Bringer left. It said to Storm ”It was good to see you…brother? Remember the suggestion if you will. It appears to be time to work.” It walked toward one of the larger islands that hadn’t been claimed with nine golems and two hundred eighty-eight stoneforged, as well as any of the other forged that wished to join the Champion. Without a concern they walked through the sea until they got to their destination.
With It’s creations gathered It spoke in a booming voice. ”Forged for war and battle! I name you the Cannith Horde!” It’s free fist slammed into It’s shield and the Forged let out a singular cheer. ”You will build replacements! Only the toughest will be permitted to serve!” Another slam into the shield as the Forged began to shift around some as if to follow this directive. ”Stop! You Golems will be in charge. Choose your Forged and the toughest among them will be the first to receive purpose.”
Slowly a circle of mostly Stoneforged formed around the nine golems. To the sound of the Champion’s Fist slamming on It’s Shield they began to brawl. To the sound of the Forged’s stomps they fell one by one. Their injuries would heal in time as the combat was nonlethal in nature until eight knelt in defeat to the one battered victor. With a nod the Champion stepped forward and tapped It’s Helmet, seeming to transfer some energy from It’s Shield.
It then tapped the Golem and said ”You and yours will be Our Wayfinders. Go, find a worthy challenger. Report in three hundred rotations of the sun above. If you do not then it will be assumed you failed and another will receive the honor.” The golem with new purpose, gathered a ninth of the Forged, and set out to the west after they had a chance to account for how long a rotation was.
Starting: 6 AP
Artifact Charges: -2 Artifact
Create Society (-2 AP): Cannith Horde is the Forged and Golems that follow the Immovable Object. Nine Golems currently serve It, which will serve as leaders as organizations are made. Currently only one such organization exists while the remaining eighth are busy turning the island into a decent enough home.
Create Major Artifact (-3 AP, AC): Orien is Bogduch’s Caejk’Do’s helmet, infused with It’s divine energy. The helmet hasn’t changed in appearance much, although it does seem to have an almost constant matte finish and considerably less shiny than the rest of It’s armor currently. Orien is an Utility Artifact that reduces Organization Cost.
Create Organization (AC): The Wayfinders serve as the scouts and explorers for the Cannith Horde. They are led by the strongest of the golems and it’s handpicked Forged and appear to be loyal to their Champion. Their current quest is to walk a hundred fifty days to the west and see what lays there. Alternatively it’s a total of 7200 miles (or 2 miles an hour) assuming nothing stops their constant march.
Ending: 1 AP

[Tanzan Aura]

Slate, The Eyrie

Slate followed the bird deity, stepping off the cliff and galloping upon the air. As Slate followed he spoke, "Being that you are of the sky, then I would guess that you have never been to the Deeplands? In the main then I would not recomend it. The paths are constrained and dark, it is very easy to get lost and there is little to look at.

"That said there is one place that is wonderful. Words cannot do it justice. The best plants from all the world gathered in one place. However, the best way there is through the Elemental Plane of Water. Have you been? It was not to my tastes, although I can see the neatness of it. There are some good plants there who are disguised as fake-plants who could point to the entrance of my Lake & Garden.

"Then you can find the Iron Islands. They are quite bare. They are interspeced with the huge jutting rocks that tower up so high. Those you have certainly seen. There is one island that I have blessed with greater plantlife; The resusty Jungle, I call it.

"I also have a lot of islands that I have created. They are somewhat like your Eyrie but with purple instead of green, fewer varieties, and is more horiantal and less vertical. So not very much like it at all. I hope you visit if you haven't already.

"Finally, is the ringed continent: Brontos. This wraps the world and is quite like this Eyrie save for being much larger. It is not as dense in new plant life as this is, but more varieties do exist. There were also nonplants that stood as tall as I, which was quite odd. It is in Brontos that the entance into the bare darkness below exisrs."


Slate and The Songbird

As the horse was talking about his travels, both of the deities were passing by the pillars of stone that floated above the sea. The view was breathtaking, as the sun was setting, sending its final fiery colors for the day toward the Eyrie. keeping up with the bird deity was becoming harder and harder, as The Songbird seemed to pass between small gaps in such a way it looked easy. Slate didn't collide with any rock, but it was more enjoyable to not have to dodge things... After passing through a short tunnel, both of the gods were flying over one of the most verdant spots of the Eyrie; where the rock who seemed orange with the sun's setting rays would contrast with the occasional green spot, here, at the topmost of one of the peaks, the dominant color was green.

https://www.pixenli.com/images/1484/1484958056077127400.png

My, those places seem interesting ! My children will be able to spread their wings as a society anytime now, perhaps I could visit one of those islands you talked about.

The Songbird perched on a tree, letting Slate appreciate all the plants around them. Giddy, they looked at the deity tasting the vegetation that he created. Once the other finished his foraging, the avian god talked to him, in his usual singsong voice:

Maybe I could resume my journey througout the world; If a deity like you, the Pearls and the Storm exists, then there must be others to meet, others to learn from. Countless creations, countless possibilities, how exciting ! What is the closest place that I have not seen yet ?

[Razade]

Bonfire Diamonds: The Night's End- Sorrow's Rest

The eight remaining Bonfire Diamonds joined together by some unseen call and together shaped and worked the land with their own hands. In the far reaches of Zuanshi's realm of The Night's End they wove a spire of beautiful black diamond atop which they sat a bonfire to burn for all ages. They called this spire, this cathedral built of a sibling's love Sorrow's Rest and commanded their Bonfire Emeralds to whisper and to sing a song to call Kelia, the Sorrowful One, to her home. To rest. To grieve. Surrounding Sorrow's Rest was a graveyard, a realm of open plots with unwritten headstones for when The Sorrowful One desired to lay her sorrows to rest and bury them away to forget.


AP: 0AP

Alter Land: Sorrow's Rest (Infused Life Action 0AP) - Sorrow's Rest is a massive cathedral, empty save a cadre of Bonfire Emeralds. It awaits the Sorrowful One to take residence, silent and untouched

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Eyrie

"I have neither seen or met any other deities in my travels. However, I am confident that the many-formed deity who you have seen as pearls did not create all I have seen. Nor did the tunnels, the islands, or the continent feel as if they came from one other." Spoke Slate, still munching the plants "Yes, I expect there are other deities.

"My travels were odd for rarely did I cross seas, instead I crossed planes. Still, one is not often far from Brontos as it splts the planet. Nor is it hard to naigate to, simply fly towards the sun's true path and you will be there."

[CrossLead24]

Sustrai and Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious

Zuanshi had most certainly not wished to cause harm, it would certainly apologize when its sister had made itself known. It almost laughed when the Facets brought their weapons to bare upon it but its sister had come along as well and that was far more worthy of its attention. "Sister." it repeated, holding out a hand in warm invitation. "All is forgiven, they are new and do not yet known the order of Paragon or the love of Zuanshi" and with these words were writ in holy order, that Zuanshi was to be loved and respected above all on Paragon. "We meet you, sister Sustari most beautiful of Paragon. We are Zuanshi, we have come to join our brothers and sisters into a compact for the world beneath us is filled with others who would seek to undermine our beauty. Together, we can bring grace and refinement to their world."



AP: 2AP

Bless: Bonfire Ascendant (1AP) - All on Paragon acknowledge Zuanshi and its Bonfire Facets for what they are, the mother of the Facets and her blessed children and the leader of The Authority

Create Pantheon: The Authority (1AP) - Primarily concerned with the Facets and Paragon, the Authority is a Pantheon dedicated to establishing and maintaining power above all things.

2AP - 1AP - 1AP = 0AP
Sustrai and Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious
The Lady of Scales considered it a true testament to her divine excellence that she remained outwardly unmoved even as she inwardly raged. She had expected that the other might seek to claim what was hers, but to exert its divine essence to undercut what little of her authority she had been able to consolidate, and with such minor effort... infuriating! And it was such a shame; her first subjects had bowed to her instantly and yet now they simply had no choice but to yield to a stranger's authority. If only they had a chance of resistance, so that she could scourge them in order to soothe her wrath; for how could she blame mortals for failing before a god's will?

As much as she would love to spit in the face of this creature, this invading, usurping vandal, but she could not. Not only was this being older by some unknown amount, it had time to grow in strength, and could well overpower her. Besides, it had mentioned others, other divines. And if she killed one of her "siblings" so early (assuming she won) the others would certainly turn on the kinslayer in their midst. Best to grow strong and wait.

Besides, the offer was tempting. She would have to be careful as to what oaths her "ally" would elicit from her (for a word given could not simple be taken back!), but so long as she swore nothing that would prevent her eventual accession, combining her skill with another would be useful. She would grow strong and help its plans for "beauty", whatever it defined its conception thereof. And someday she would cast off her false shackles and remind this impudent would-be usurper of the rightful order of things.

And so went her thoughts. But to Zuanshi, she present only a visage of delighted surprise.

"Oh! To extend such a kind gift to one you have just met? So generous! I would gladly help you create a beautiful, better world, most skilled elder of Paragon."

Not a word of her statement was false. After all, the world would only be truly beautiful once it knew its queen.

9 AP

Create Pantheon: The Authority (1AP) - Primarily concerned with the Facets and Paragon, the Authority is a Pantheon dedicated to establishing and maintaining power above all things. Through this, Sustrai hopes to become strong enough to establish footholds throughout the planes, and eventually grow strong enough to rule all of it as per her right.

9 AP - 1 AP = 8 AP

[Razade]

Sustrai and Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious

"You are my sister, there can only be cooperation between siblings. It raises us above those who seek to bring us down." Zuanshi smiled as its oath was taken, a smile without daggers for slowly the first moves were being put in place. "You humble us sister, we are but equals in this realm and so too soon our brother and sisters to whom we must attend. Perhaps again we will speak, one such as you is owed a sign of fealty are you not? Call on me, when I am needed." It then faded, its gleaming light disappearing to lingering motes.

[CrazyPenguin]

The Sellsword's Spire - An Expedition Begins
Wojciech lounged in his throne, staring unfocusedly at the Deeplands entrance. "It is a liability," said the Lieutenant, who stood just to his side. Wojciech grunted in agreement. "Sir, if I may make a suggestion..." the Lieutenant trailed off, waiting for his Captain to give him leave to continue.

"I would not have promoted you if I did not value your advice."

"I think we should explore it, sir."

"Oh?"

"Yes, a small force, just to determine what is down there."

"Alright. You can lead them yourself, this being your idea and all. Choose 50 men and go."

This was done, and soon 50 Swordforged plus the Lieutenant were exploring the caverns of the Deeplands.

[Hatter]

The Swordforged Expedition
The Deep Walk, The Deeplands

After some time exploring, the Swordforged would have come across a lone dwarf who warmed his hands over one of the braziers which illuminated the Deep Walk. He was slightly thinner than the average dwarf with a beard and mane of hair, well braided, oiled and groomed the color of the blackest midnight save for a few streaks of grey.

Still warming his hands, the dwarf would look in their direction with a squint of his eyes, a grunt of mixed surprise and disappointment. "Way folks be talkin' s'loike thar be metal monsters comin' ta join wit's that shadow ta foigh' Glimmerholm... bu' ye lot ain't lookin' loike monsters ta me, eh?"

"Name's Rorick Blackhide. I'd be da Captain o' this 'ere merry band o' miscreants. Wha' ye lot lookin' fer? Gold? Gems? Bi' o' arse?" He introduced and casually introduced himself along with the dozen or so dwarves that shuffled about out of sight.

[Cosmix]

Yirom-Brontos-Ever Cold:

Yirom traveled along the sea floor, completely out of place with his body of ice that only grew more and more massive in the ever freezing water. The wildlife and natural beauty of the sea was consumed along the path Yirom took from the earth breaking cold and jagged mass that Yirom had surrounding him.

His body did not want to stay beneath the water, truly frustrating him with the level of dissonance he had with his body, but he did not rise to the surface. Mainly because his form became to large that it went from the ocean floor to the surface, with simple limbs of ice that were surprisingly nimble.

It did not take Yirom long to find land, and with a sigh of relief that sounded like the titanic sinking he forced his body onto the landmass. Here to did he bring destruction, the water in the trees and rivers froze where Yirom was near, and the animals had no defense against such freezing temperatures.

Seeing such destruction caused by his presence would have brought tears of sadness to the god's eyes if he had any. He took a moment to decide how to proceed with fixing what he had damaged, it was more the thought than anything else, for whoever created this would probably not appreciate Yirom damaging their creation. Though while the area directly around him was large it was barely anything on a continental level.

Yirom breathed down onto the dead land, warping the frozen land to become a beautiful parody of what it once was. Where green trees once grew living crystal spiraled out. The beasts that laid frozen returned to life with furs suited for cold and a inner heat that was a weapon as well as comforter. The water returned from ice with the heat of Yirom's heart.

Yirom decided to get rid of the majority of his troublesome body, using the ice, stone, sand, and other pieces of matter to form a land extending from where Yirom was far out in the ocean. This would be to prevent his presence from being more of a nuisance and ruin the work he just did to repair the land.

Finished with his current task, and not wanting to explore because of the devastation that'd bring, Yirom turned into a pile of dusty ice and wandered the border of his new home.

16 AP-8=8 ap
-4 Create Mythical Concept-Ever Cold: This force exists throughout the universe, and maybe into others depending on the plane. It is the cold that comes after summer, the bite in the wind, and the consuming want for heat the Void hungers for. This is what creates winter, not some weird rotational pattern with the sun, but the mythical force that permeates most non-living things. This force grows stronger the more heat there is in an area, but then wanes as the cold it leaves behind overwhelms the heat it uses to grow, forcing it to shrink once more. Basically, seasons, that's what this is naturally in the world.

People can use the heat of their soul to bring about unnatural cold, mystical winds, and magical ice that can come to life. People can also use a cold soul to force the cold away, sadly making a soul cold almost always kills the subject, but could extend a summer for weeks if not months if done right. Anyone may learn to harness this power if they stay within the Frozen Waste long enough, almost die from the cold (need not be hypothermia), or have a master teach them for a few years. [Cold (Winter) 4/10]

- 2 Create Land-The Frozen Waste: This frozen lump of land is filled with mostly three things: Ice, sand, and snow. It's inhabitants are few and far between, and are almost always dangerous to behold. Some use flames lit from gas pouches, while other spew forth freezing liquids that paralyze foes in ice. The only plant life that can be found exists inside caves that lead to the Deeplands. The Frozen Waste creates a large peninsula north of Brontos, bringing cold winds to a naturally warm continent every now and again. [Cold (Winter) 6/10]

-1 Alter Land-The Crystalin Forest (https://youtu.be/4DCriOkhxqA?list=PL30CA5500906F0A4B): Between the Frozen Waste and Brontos is a wondrous place. Filled with trees made of living crystal, taking life from both cold and heat, it has a peaceful tone that is missing from both of the landmasses that surround it. It feels sacred to walk here, listening to the trees play music powered by the wind, gazing upon the reflective light upon the crystals and ice, and to bathe in the uncommon but hard to miss hot springs that exist here. The animal occupants are also strange, having become beasts of winter, but rarely trouble travelers. [Cold (Winter) 7/10]

-1 Create Monstrous Race-Beasts of Winter: More intelligent and aloof then their old kin, as if they know something others don't, or are just content with what they have. These are creatures warped by the Ever Cold, gaining new advantages to help them thrive in the cold. Many of them can breath fire, which while not dangerous in a forest made of crystal could become dangerous if someone were to take them out of their natural habitat..., they are also nearly immune to magical cold, and may have different abilities depending on their base creature type (such as a hedgehog that can shoot sharp ice from it's back). [Cold (Winter) 8/10]

[Darklady2831]

Dezrakul: To the First Realm of Paragon

The Harbinger of Ills had taken many weeks of mortal time to travel to his secret place, months in fact. Yet it took him a mere fraction of that time, as measured by mortals, to return. His long trek over, he staggered out of the dusts of the Lost Sands, into the badlands of the Second Realm, and with a mere minutes walk, into the border realms between the First and Second Realms of Paragon. Laying his eyes upon the heartlands of the Facet society, Dezrakul was impressed. In the time he had been gone the Bonfire Diamonds had guided and shaped a society that had conquered the harsh outskirts of the Second Realm, and used the bounty of that hardship to enrich the First.

Dezrakul stood atop a rocky crag, watching the Facets around him go about their lives. He watched the Bonfire Diamonds guide- no... order, command. He saw them command the other Facets, directing them to build for the glory of Zuanshi and her Siblings. Dezrakul grumbled at this, for enviousness was in his nature. Yet he realized that such a thing meant little, for he held power, and power was greater than anything else. So he let it go, and simply watched, appraising the Facets' power and the hardships they had conquered.

[Razade]

Dezrakul: It's Brother's Side

"It's beautiful, isn't it." Came Zuanshi's voice for where the Bonfire Diamonds directed and the Bonfire Emeralds repeated was its body and from the edges of the borderlands it came like a slowly growing flame. "Brother dear, we have missed you." it whispered, its body less distinct and the fires within it glowed less bright yet the embers within danced with such intensity and it reached out to its slender kin to take its hands and guide it in another dance. "We've so much to speak on, so many faces to impart." And Zuanshi sang of its journeys. Of the weeping sibling on the First World who needed above all understanding. Of the strange Squid and its flighty nature. Of the Deep Darkness and their sister Emerald who sat upon a throne gilded in her own self worth. It sang of Authority, of the will to press forward and with the Facets bring both joy and struggle to all. It sang of their togetherness and in this song was the longing to join in ways no two Gods had ever joined. A full submission of two into one, for though Zuanshi was radiant and resplendent it offered humility to its kin.

[Darklady2831]

Dezrakul: Zuanshi's Song

Dezrakul listened, entranced by his sibling's song. He danced, enraptured by his sibling's movements. He contemplated, enchanted by his sibling's ideas. In the end, he participated, answering his sibling's voice with his own. He sang of struggle, of the hardships already faced, of the things learned and gained from them. He sang of challenges yet to come, and the potential hidden within them. He sang of unity, of joy, sorrow, regality, and power, all existing to further each other. "Let all the world struggle and prosper." He answered, joining his power unto his siblings', for the God of Power knew instinctively that power must propagate, though all means, regardless of their effects. This of course, means that power can, and must, be benevolent too.

1 AP

1 AP - Create (Join) Pantheon: The Authority

Primarily concerned with the Facets and Paragon, the Authority is a Pantheon dedicated to establishing and maintaining power above all things. Dezrakul, as Lord of Power, has joined the Authority because it is the most expedient path to spreading power across all creation, and bringing back perhaps an echo of the Creator's flame. 6/10 for Trickery (Concealment)

1 AP - 1 AP = 0 AP

[Razade]

Zuanshi: But for a Moment Two become One

For one moment the plane of Paragon froze and in that silent second Zuanshi simply bled away. Bled into Darzakul and then in the next in their dance it was behind its brother, bowing in thanks for the dance they had shared. But the song must end so it could begin anew and before all the Facets who witnessed it a new art was born. "Until we meet again Brother" whispered Zuanshi for how could it tell tales to its brother if it had no tales to tell? Like the dying fire it simply faded away, far away.

Zuanshi: Far Away

It had seen them hanging in the sky, so large and beautiful like a pair of eye gazing upon the First World as it had traveled away from its grieving sister and so Zuanshi moved to dance first on Cyra. It moved across the empty expanse, kicking moondust up with its feet and crafted with them petty shapes only to destroy them with eager hands. It laughed aloud yet no sound game and then it sang and in the Void its voice echoed across the barren stillness of the sphere. It danced between Cyra and Hala, its fit trailing moondust until it touched the other barren expanse and the two dusts mingled. This amused Zuanshi and in its mind the wheels began to turn.


AP: 0AP PAP: 1PAP

Advanced Concept: Facet Mythology (1PAP) - The Facets, as the first society, have a long and storied tradition of epic song that relates not just their history but the divine acts of their masters within the Authority. This mythology is one part history, one part theatre and one part oral storytelling all to glorify their creators and masters.

1PAP - 1PAP = 0PAP

[Darklady2831]

Dezrakul: Siblings Gone

Dezrakul stood in silence, his sibling gone and his mind reeling. Stunned, he turned to gaze upon the Facets, watching them for a few moments as they retold the tales of what they had seen. The Harbinger of Ills thought upon this, and knew that it had potential, that it could bring tales of power across all creation and inspire mortals to find their own. Thus, he judged it useful.

0 AP/1 PAP

1 PAP - Create Advanced Concept: Facet Mythology

The Facets, as the first society, have a long and storied tradition of epic song that relates not just their history but the divine acts of their masters within the Authority. This mythology is one part history, one part theatre and one part oral storytelling all to glorify their creators and masters.

0 AP/1 PAP - 1 PAP = 0 AP/0 PAP

[Kirjath]

A Shared Dance

The night had grown colder after the ice continent appeared. Zhen felt more and more comfortable with the freezing cold of the Void, but a new distraction turned her attention back towards the moons; for now it was the first time anyone had visited the moons above the First World. Zhen watched in bemusement while the new being twirled about on the surface of Cyra. It kicked up dust as it went, and it trailed the dust all the way to Hala.

It was the first time Zhen had seen any other being besides herself dance about. It was unique, and Zhen learned from the dance quickly. Soon enough, she joined in step next to the being, dancing and spinning about on the surface of Hala. Her grin was wider than should ever be possible, and Zhen laughed with mirth as they spun about. So fast and so beautiful was their dance that it kicked up the dust from the moons and sprayed it across the Void. But rather than disappear, this was moon dust. It had been touched by Zhen, and so it lit up as a thousand pale torches in the night sky. Zhen gazed about in newfound joy at the beauty of the night.

“What fun, what fun!” Zhen laughed as she spun around the newcomer. “Who now graces the moons with its presence? Speak, and we may yet discover more fun this evening!”

Bless (1 AP): Moon dust from Cyra and Hala has been scattered across the Void. The night sky is now full of stars, and the races of the First World may now navigate with ease while the sun is down. It will be much harder for the clever being to get lost at night so long as they can see the stars. [1 AP towards Beauty (Dance)]
Beginning AP: 5-1=4

Domain Gain: Beauty (Dance)
Major Artifact (Robes of Midnight) - 5 AP
Create Land (Cyra) - 2 AP
Create Land (Hala) - 2 AP
Bless (stars) - 1 AP

[Razade]

Zuanshi: A Shared Dance

"I am the comfort of the Night you rule over." Zuanshi answered, delighted as it moved to mimic its partner all too happy to kick more dust up into the Void that wreathed the delicate moons. "I am the song that drives your feet, I am Zuanshi and I am of Paragon. Who are you, sister, who dances so freely and how may I tame your wild heart?" it sang, reaching for its partners hands so their dancing could be joined, so they could spin another and toss the other about to their whims.

[Kirjath]

Zuanshi: A Shared Dance

"I am the comfort of the Night you rule over." Zuanshi answered, delighted as it moved to mimic its partner all too happy to kick more dust up into the Void that wreathed the delicate moons. "I am the song that drives your feet, I am Zuanshi and I am of Paragon. Who are you, sister, who dances so freely and how may I tame your wild heart?" it sang, reaching for its partners hands so their dancing could be joined, so they could spin another and toss the other about to their whims.

The new being thought himself capable of taming her, the light in the Void? Zhen grinned mischievously. When Zuanshi offered his hand, Zhen took it with her own. And then placed another hand on it, and another, and another. With four hands, she spun about with Zuanshi, but with two she placed in her robes a stolen idea.

"You are the Night's Comfort, the Hidden Song? I am Zhen, and most pleased to meet you! Since my birth, I have wondered to what tune it was that I danced, and you say it is yours? What fortune this night brings!"

They spun and danced some more, and their merriment was visible for many nights. When finally they had finished their dance, Zhen whirled to a stop before Zuanshi.

"But what is Paragon, and why would it seek me, oh Regal Being? For if you truly knew why my dance was so free, you would already have my heart."

Zhen asked the question, but she already knew the answer. While they danced, Zhen had learned much about the great Planes apart from the First World. It was truly impossible to keep an eye on each of her hands, and an unguarded being was ripe for mischief. But this being was new, and she was still very curious.

[Razade]

Zuanshi: A Shared Dance

"I am here to see. I am here to learn." Zuanshi responded, slowing as the dance came to a stop. "Why tell you when I can show you. Come with me to Paragon and we may dance among the three realms. Come with me to Paragon and give it what it needs most. A people need a voice yet they need purpose in which to sing. Their songs need joy to be truly free. You are free for you dance to your own tune twinned with the tunes of others. Come with us to Paragon, and join your sound with ours."

[Kirjath]

Zuanshi: A Shared Dance


"I am here to see. I am here to learn." Zuanshi responded, slowing as the dance came to a stop. "Why tell you when I can show you. Come with me to Paragon and we may dance among the three realms. Come with me to Paragon and give it what it needs most. A people need a voice yet they need purpose in which to sing. Their songs need joy to be truly free. You are free for you dance to your own tune twinned with the tunes of others. Come with us to Paragon, and join your sound with ours."

Zhen clapped her hands together in excitement. The being offered her access to the planes freely, and Zhen had many ideas for mischief already. She would give those Facets of Paragon joy, but she would also give them many more things. Perhaps Zuanshi would regret its offer, but it would not be this day. If there was one thing Zhen was particularly good at, it was patience.

"The Hidden Song is wise indeed," Zhen nodded, "to know what its creations are lacking. Even more wise, to seek aid in solving its problems. I would be honored to follow you to Paragon, but know this: the moons do not promise. If your people are not clever, there is little I can build upon. If your realm is not beautiful, I may not stay. And if your people cannot dance, I may not care at all."

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness where Kelia Dwelt

The envoy of ennui gazed lovingly at her newest decoration watching it spin and move gracefully for a statue animated by her will. She felt a twinge of regret and started to reach for the beautifully sculpted emerald, her hand trembling, before Alaehi broke her trance. Hot tears burst from her eyes at the embarrassment and she put both of the sleeves of her cloak over her face. They were over-sized sleeves that always hung down too low and obscured her hands.

"I-I'm sorry, I.. H-how terribly embarrassing-" Do you see the way they recoil?

"I f-forgot.. you w-were here.." Kelia stammered again, reacting as if she'd been caught stealing an extra cookie. But they were already gone. Another person leaving her. What did they care for poor pitiful little Kelia? They were not of the rock, of the stone, of the dirt. Zuanshi was and even he left you. "Zuanshi.. Zuni.." She mouthed barely making a noise before looking back at her friend the dancing emerald.

They wouldn't leave.

The listless lady sat for hours weeping and listening to the songs of her sweet Emeralds. They took care of her and sang her songs of comfort. But Kelia knew that they were merely caretakers. They didn't truly care for her; merely here at the behest of Zuanshi, whom had abandoned her so casually. She shot them a glare through her tears. They hated her, she was sure of it. Zuni told her stories that they would tell. They thought she was pathetic. Kelia would ask some if they loved her. They would sing songs of love back to her. Songs of lies. They sung to her of a place Zuanshi had went to prepared for her, a cathedral of woes that awaited her in his realm.

That's why he left you, merely to make a place for her.

No, he abandoned me, they all will.

He made a place for you.

"NO!" Kelia exclaimed before stroking the cheek of one of her few Emeralds here in the caverns. "Tell him I'm angry with him."

[Virdish]

The Deepest Darkness.

Alaehi stared, a little baffled, at the goddess. She clearly had a bizzare sense of aesthetics if this was the way she acted.

"Um. I think I'm going to go now. I suspect we might just have very different ideals of beauty. It's nothing personal. That cloak doesn't make you look fat. "

On that note, he fled through an exceedingly tiny gap in reality back to the plane of water. Once there, he contentedly stared at the wonderful machinations of the elementals and the water for a short while, before becoming discontent. It was great, but it wasn't quite sufficient to hold his attention indefinitely, not when there was still that ugliness in reality.

He opened another hole in reality, leading to a random spot in the ocean (he was proud to note that his water elementals had already colonized it), and proceeded to resonate the energies of his plane and cause them to 'leak through' onto this particular sea. The effects were dramatic; all of the water elementals grew a few inches taller, and the water, rather than being a monochromatic blue, began to form streams of clear turquoise, muddy brown, light green, and navy, swirling around in elaborate geometric fashions. All of the new invertebrate life he'd introduced in the plane of water slowly formed here, and the corals in particular were particularly magnificent, forming into immense towers stretching far about the water's surface. He decided to call it The Quendum Sea.

It was very pretty, but... he could still feel the reverberations of sadness. He frowned. Maybe he ought to create life that was happy enough that it cancelled out? The water elementals weren't particularly joyful- he'd made them to mostly experience neuroticism and perfectionism, after all- so he'd need something new... He snapped one of his pearly tentacles, having had an idea.

His form collapsed almost entirely, with only seven pearls remaining, glowing in the air. He'd fully reformed within a minute, but the other pearls dispersed throughout the Quendum Sea. There, they would increase in size rapidly, and then form a giant oyster around themselves in a sort of weird reverse growth. Those giant oysters would be the First Mothers of the Syldari, and would be happy as clams, once they created their first Drones.

That done, he felt his name being spoken, and rapidly flew to where he had heard it in the shape of a worm. He noticed the ocean goddess and the shark god, reformed into an octopus, and spoke, his voice once more a delicate chime.

"Salutations, my fellows."


Starting AP. 9.

Bridge Plane. The Quendum Sea is very much like the plane of water in terms of the whole 'wide variety of invertebrate life', 'many currents of differently colored water going in pretty directions', and 'filled with elementals' part, but it take its invertebrate life up to eleven in the form of corals. An individual coral inside the Quendum Sea can easily stretch as far up into the air as a skyscraper, and it's going to have a ridiculous number of plants and animals living in harmony with it.
Create Sentient Race. The Syldari are complex creatures. Mother Syldari start out life as very tiny, very shiny oysters, and eventually grow to the size of a Toyota, sending out a single polyp to serve as their limbs every year once they're fully grown. Those polyps, after a transitional period of about seven months, grow into Syldari Drones. Syldari Drones, when fully grown, are excessively pretty amphibious humanoids with pearly skin, pointy ears, and eyes lacking irises. Each Syldari Drone is part of a hivemind with other Syldari born to the same mother, and they essentially act as extensions of that mother. Any given Mother can control anywhere from 400 to 500 Drones at once; if a Mother has reached their personal limit, any further polyps they send out instead grow into mothers themselves. Syldari Mothers are perpetually giddy and joyful, a glee that bleeds through and reverberates through each of their Drones. Syldari Mothers generally live to the age of 900 or so before dying.
TLDR: They're extra-happy amphibious elves with a hivemind controlled by a giant oyster.

Ending AP. 5.







The Shark circled the remaining ocean goddess, his sister of salt, and tasted what resolution was. It was a flat taste. Boring, but profound. One long note of iron. Stretching endlessly.

Alaehi? I have yet to meet them. But from your words, I can hear the salt in their name.

He swam slowly now in a lazy revolution.

Plans? Plans are unnecessary. Simply play and see what occurs. He creates worlds and peoples. And I shall devour them. My teeth shall shape them in my image. A game is merely war without a war. You can join if you like. Even now I feel him making an empire in a world far apart from this one. You may make your home there and drown the rest.

The Shark lazily swept some beach sand into the air.

Or we can make and create our own worlds and peoples. Not just a balance on the scales, but such heavy worlds and peoples that the balance tips in our favor.

The two eyes of fire look at the goddess.

Up to you.

Just then, almost as speaking his name, a giant octopus descended onto the beach. The Shark quickly sped up and increased his circling to encompass the newcomer. On a pass around the octopus, he gnashed apart his truth and slurped upon his name. Ah, this was Alaehi. He tasted of salt. He tasted of salt rubbed with ink and many perfect shells arranged ever so meticuo0lously. A careful taste.

Ah, we were just speaking of you brother of the salt. Greetings.

There was a power in the three sea gods standing together near this beach a power that Elya could not pass up on. She had as of yet failed to enter the divine game that the shark had mentioned. A game that she longed to enter in such a large way as to shake the very foundation of the board on which they played. The Ocean was barren and devoid of form and that needed to be changed.

"Aleahi, Have you made anything fun on this first of days? I fear I have been waylaid too much to put my power to bear on this world. If you would lend me your assistance I propose that we make the oceans something to behold. With your devotion to aesthetics we could form something truly amazing."

With a flick of her wrist a hole ripped into the seabed 1,000 miles long and 20 miles across that opened all the way to the very core of the planet. Deadman's Trench was to be but a single step in her first move of many and so she moved on. Lifting volcanoes off of the sea floor. Perhaps one day they would form into islands but for now they only served to make traveling on the open seas treacherous and would play another part in the grand scheme that she was working on.

"The first pieces are in play and now guardians must be formed to ensure that the process can be completed."

She picked a shell from the sand, one that shouldn't truly have existed on this first of days but then when one of the divine required a thing to be then it usually did. She called water from the sea and surrounded the shell in it. Once she had done this she dropped the shell into the ocean. From this sea rose a creature not unlike herself though with none of the divine features.

"You are the first of your kind but you will not be the last. Your people will administer The Test, but beyond that you will be my chosen people and will always have my blessing. You will be the only children of mine who will not easily draw my wrath."

At the base of the trench a portal opened connecting the first world to the new plane that she formed with her breath. The Seafarer's Respite was born. A realm for souls who passed the test to rest for eternity. But even that was not the end of the test. It was only the first half. Those brave enough to risk it all could go beyond the trench. Should they complete the full measure of The Test then they would rise from the waves as a member of The Returned but when she reached out to make it happen she found that she had reached the edges of her own divine might. For now the test ended at Deadman's Trench and the Plane of Seafarer's Respite.


16 AP

Create Land -1 AP (Shared with Bobby)
Deadman's Trench is 1,000 miles long and 20 miles wide and opens to the core of the world.

Weave Plane -4 AP
Seafarer's Respite is a land with a several small islands spread across a plane that is approximately half the size of the first world. Each of these islands holds a new pleasure or exploration. Poised on the intersection of the equator and the prime meridian is a glorious castle with every possible pleasure that the mind could come up with. There are always enough rooms for the number of residents and the castle grows as it needs to.

Alter Land -1 AP
The Jialti mountain range volcanoes at the bottom of the ocean that from the path of The Test. When they erupt they have been known to cause rogue waves on the surface of the water, sinking vessels who's captains are not aware of their surroundings and do not take proper precaution when travelling through the range.

Create Mythical Concept -4 AP
The Test is a journey undertaken by those lost at sea or those who are laid to rest at sea. This is a journey of endings and rebirth. Those who have the mettle to make the journey to the trench successfully are able to find their way to Seafarer's Respite.

Bridge Plane -2 AP
The Bottom of Deadman's Trench is a bridge to the plane of Seafarer's Respite only souls or creatures able to exist at the bottom of the ocean with the crushing weight of the depths are able to reach the bridge.

Create Sapient Life -2 AP
Mermaids live underwater and guide souls on their journey to the trench and beyond. They also ensure that those who travel beyond the trench can not turn around to return to the trench if their souls become weary of the journey. Once the risk is taken it must be seen through.

Assume Domain Death (Challenge); Create Land (Deadman's Trench) 1 AP, Alter Land Jialti's Mountain range 1 AP, Weave Plane (Seafarer's Respite) 4 AP, Create Mythical Concept (The Test) 4 AP=10 AP

2 AP remaining

[Razade]

Zuanshi: A Shared Dance



Zhen clapped her hands together in excitement. The being offered her access to the planes freely, and Zhen had many ideas for mischief already. She would give those Facets of Paragon joy, but she would also give them many more things. Perhaps Zuanshi would regret its offer, but it would not be this day. If there was one thing Zhen was particularly good at, it was patience.

"The Hidden Song is wise indeed," Zhen nodded, "to know what its creations are lacking. Even more wise, to seek aid in solving its problems. I would be honored to follow you to Paragon, but know this: the moons do not promise. If your people are not clever, there is little I can build upon. If your realm is not beautiful, I may not stay. And if your people cannot dance, I may not care at all."

"They are all those things, and have all those things you desire for in them is the propensity to grow and to change for we have made them and we alone know how to change to the fickle tides. Come." And Zuanshi reached for Zhen and in a moment they were once more dancing to a different tune, the tune of Paragon, the tune of the Facets and their history. Of the shared knowledge and beauty and even the ire of Kelia who dwelt so far away and in the face of these things Zuanshi could not help but laugh for all its movements were made plain. The game, the Authority, Paragon and its Facets.

[mystic1110]

There was a power in the three sea gods standing together near this beach a power that Elya could not pass up on. She had as of yet failed to enter the divine game that the shark had mentioned. A game that she longed to enter in such a large way as to shake the very foundation of the board on which they played. The Ocean was barren and devoid of form and that needed to be changed.

"Aleahi, Have you made anything fun on this first of days? I fear I have been waylaid too much to put my power to bear on this world. If you would lend me your assistance I propose that we make the oceans something to behold. With your devotion to aesthetics we could form something truly amazing."

With a flick of her wrist a hole ripped into the seabed 1,000 miles long and 20 miles across that opened all the way to the very core of the planet. Deadman's Trench was to be but a single step in her first move of many and so she moved on. Lifting volcanoes off of the sea floor. Perhaps one day they would form into islands but for now they only served to make traveling on the open seas treacherous and would play another part in the grand scheme that she was working on.

"The first pieces are in play and now guardians must be formed to ensure that the process can be completed."

She picked a shell from the sand, one that shouldn't truly have existed on this first of days but then when one of the divine required a thing to be then it usually did. She called water from the sea and surrounded the shell in it. Once she had done this she dropped the shell into the ocean. From this sea rose a creature not unlike herself though with none of the divine features.

"You are the first of your kind but you will not be the last. Your people will administer The Test, but beyond that you will be my chosen people and will always have my blessing. You will be the only children of mine who will not easily draw my wrath."

At the base of the trench a portal opened connecting the first world to the new plane that she formed with her breath. The Seafarer's Respite was born. A realm for souls who passed the test to rest for eternity. But even that was not the end of the test. It was only the first half. Those brave enough to risk it all could go beyond the trench. Should they complete the full measure of The Test then they would rise from the waves as a member of The Returned but when she reached out to make it happen she found that she had reached the edges of her own divine might. For now the test ended at Deadman's Trench and the Plane of Seafarer's Respite.


16 AP

Create Land -1 AP (Shared with Bobby)
Deadman's Trench is 1,000 miles long and 20 miles wide and opens to the core of the world.

Weave Plane -4 AP
Seafarer's Respite is a land with a several small islands spread across a plane that is approximately half the size of the first world. Each of these islands holds a new pleasure or exploration. Poised on the intersection of the equator and the prime meridian is a glorious castle with every possible pleasure that the mind could come up with. There are always enough rooms for the number of residents and the castle grows as it needs to.

Alter Land -1 AP
The Jialti mountain range volcanoes at the bottom of the ocean that from the path of The Test. When they erupt they have been known to cause rogue waves on the surface of the water, sinking vessels who's captains are not aware of their surroundings and do not take proper precaution when travelling through the range.

Create Mythical Concept -4 AP
The Test is a journey undertaken by those lost at sea or those who are laid to rest at sea. This is a journey of endings and rebirth. Those who have the mettle to make the journey to the trench successfully are able to find their way to Seafarer's Respite.

Bridge Plane -2 AP
The Bottom of Deadman's Trench is a bridge to the plane of Seafarer's Respite only souls or creatures able to exist at the bottom of the ocean with the crushing weight of the depths are able to reach the bridge.

Create Sapient Life -2 AP
Mermaids live underwater and guide souls on their journey to the trench and beyond. They also ensure that those who travel beyond the trench can not turn around to return to the trench if their souls become weary of the journey. Once the risk is taken it must be seen through.

Assume Domain Death (Challenge); Create Land (Deadman's Trench) 1 AP, Alter Land Jialti's Mountain range 1 AP, Weave Plane (Seafarer's Respite) 4 AP, Create Mythical Concept (The Test) 4 AP=10 AP

2 AP remaining




The Shark's teeth flashed at the display of power and as he swam around the two gods he spoke in his speech of curious thoughts upon drowning:

Well played.

With that, the shark ripped out two of his teeth (and two more took their place for sharks never stop growing teeth) and with a wave of his fins, the teeth landed in front of each of the gods.

With the salt in our meat and the ocean silt in our blood, what can we not accomplish

And then he stopped swimming in a circle and propelled himself onwards back into the ocean while the two remaining gods were left to make their choice whether to join with him as brothers and sisters of the sea.

14 AP
1 Form Pantheon - Lords of the Depths, a pantheon revolving around the gods of the oceans.
13 AP

Onwards he swam towards the newly created Deadman's Trench, he kept swimming until he swam along a school of merfolk. They swam fast away from the large shark. They swam away from what they would consider their devil. How could they not? A shark with two flaming eyes? He opened his mouth and crushed it shut. While only meaning to eat their name like he did with the gods, it was the first time he had encountered a mortal. They were so much more fragile.

The bones of the merfolk snapped in his mouth, the blood moved around his teeth. He tasted fear and death. He tasted mortality for the first time. It tasted like nothing. Bland. But those emotions, those hopes, those dreams. . . they made the meal worth it.

And so, as he chased the merfolk all the way through the bridge and on towards Seafarer's Respite he talked to them. His voice incessant like the waves. His teeth wrote cunning and curiosity into their souls. His teeth carved them a memory that could never forget anything they learned. His teeth taught them to question, to study, to seek answers.

But he also feasted on their emotions during the endless chase and lesson.

Thus, at the very end of the Seafarer's Respite, the merfolk long gone and now cursed with desires of scholarship, Lu'Azu swam lazily, sated and full of dreams and desires. And at the last island of Seafarer's Respite, the shark swam around it in a lazy circle and then through it. At the center of the island, he chomped down on reality again and swam through it. His teeth tearing a hole through the mountain forming a volcano. He kept eating and eating until he was in the void between worlds. There he swam in an infinitely long circle and regurgitated all those swallowed dreams.

They flowed out of him like sludge. Emotions clashed and formed ridges made of frozen fear. They broke down into plains of fallow happiness. And on and on. This would be Areh'tez, the plane of dreams, an endless limbo of mortal desires and losses.

Areh'tez, the world of dreams, would have both the most and least mortal visitors of the planes. When dreaming, all mortal minds drift within the plane's infinite depths, the shadowy dream-waters and plains and mountains of flow-stone shaping themselves around the dreamer as required, then fading back into formlessness once the dreamer awakens and the dream-self vanishes. Of course, such dreamers could not really navigate the plane - most would seldom realise they are even in it, to begin with. Even if they did awake, they would merely see a world of vast drifting beaches and banks of grey-white sand, travelling islands of the always changing flow-stone, large bergs of prismatic dream-ice, cliffs of ever changing size and forests of concepts that words were not and could not be invented to describe. An endless haze of dream vapour permeates the air. The sky, such as it is, is filled with stars of all visible (and most invisible) colors. It was a cacophony.

And thus through this make believe world, the Shark swam through the air, his shadow falling on dreamers - a brief shudder passing through their mortal bodies - only to pass on.

13 AP
1 Bless merfolk: Merfolk are blessed with insatiable curiosity and eidetic memory.

1 Bless mortals: People dream now

4 weave plane: Areh'tez, the plane of dreams.

2 Bridge plane: Mouth of the Shark, the last island of Seafarer's Respite is a bridge to Areh'tez

Gain domain: Dreams (Meals): 4 Areh'tez, 2 Mouth of the Shark, 1 Dreams, 1 Curiousity bless, 2 Manse of Covetous Awe

5 AP Plus Rollover = 9 AP

[Bobbybobby99]

Congregating with fellow Sea Deities.

Alaehi lent his assistance when forming the trench, adding a certain flair to it; the trench became populated with assorted glowing squid, jellfyfish, and similar, endlessly spiraling and dancing in ornate patterns. The sides of the trench grew intricate walls of rubies, emeralds, malachites and diamonds, topaz, amazonite, sapphires and beryl, gleaming and growing. The sides of the trench grew to be guarded with great walls of coral, and gigantic oyster beds. All of this would be maintained by the occasional water elemental traveling the ocean floor, of course.

When the shark made his proposition, Alaehi considered the tooth for a moment, and then proceeded to delicately grasp it with one of his tentacles. It was slowly encased in a particularly large, blood-red pearl, which was then shuffled near the 'core' of his current form. He wasn't super enthusiastic about allying with Mr. Cannibal and Ms. Creepy (not that he would ever express those sentiments aloud), but he couldn't really refuse the chance to influence them.

"I've done a fair amount, I'd say; created a really pretty water dimension, made those water elementals that have been beautifying the sea floor, developed the Quendum Sea, invented invertebrates, formed those giant sapient oysters that you may or may not have noticed. Also, I don't eat meat. Or eat in general. I also lack blood, so I'm not certain how it could be silty. I do accept your general proposition, though."


Starting AP. 5.

Create Land. (Shared with Virdish): Deadman's trench.
Join Pantheon. Lords (and Ladies) of the Depths.

Ending AP. 3.

Gain Domain: Water (Oceanic)- Create Water Elementals (4), Weave Elemental Plane of Water (3), Create Quendum Sea (2), Create Deadman's Trench (1).

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll - Brontos

A horde of locusts descended upon the eastern-most coastal marshlands of Brontos, where the swirling mass condensed tighter and closer, coalescing into The Wicked Want, The Defiled Soul. Iyll levitated above the brackish waters trapped by the mostly enclosed mouth of one of Brontos' many rivers. Several long-legged birds took flight, horrified and panicked by his presence; unable to flee quickly enough a crocodile lashed out unwittingly at the godly abomination. As its teeth ripped through Iyll's filthy robes, its body erupted in enormous boils that swiftly swelled, consuming the beast before bursting in a shower of reeking putrescence.

Lowering himself, he befouled the waters with his filthy robes as he beckoned forth the poisonous serpents of the land. He gathered the six most deadly species within his robes and flew high above the dense jungle. Long did he survey the land and contemplate, only awakened from his thoughts when a hooded, olive green serpent slithered along his cowl and out through on of the eyes of his ivory mask, "Easy Bythsheta...patience."

Slowly spinning in place, he raised his arms and the coastline bubbled and turned with rancid mud growing into a vast encircling ring of low mountains. Pushing his hands downward, the inlands sunk until they were a low and near featureless basin. Here the waters would be trapped to stagnate, growing ever more foul and noxious, eventually giving way to dense jungle where the land rose slightly at its center. The twisted, dense jungle became dank and lethal, as every species of creeping, crawling thing grew increasingly venomous and predatory.

In the deepest, darkest reaches of the jungle rose up six, stone ziggurats. From the moment they were formed, they appeared to be ancient and abandoned; thick choking vines, mosses, mold, and lichens covered the weathered and crumbling limestone. Some were partially sunken into the swampy earth, and others were so damaged as to appear to be mere ruins. They were, indeed, ill-designed and Iyll-formed.

http://img03.deviantart.net/feae/i/2013/291/8/b/ziggurat_by_ng02-d5swp65.jpg

Beginning AP = 10AP
Alter Land -1AP: The Squalor - the eastern quarter of Brontos has been transformed into an enormous, fetid swamp. Notable features are:
The Marls - broken and barren, low mountains of clay that encircle The Squalor
The Festering Fens - stinking bog that fills the basin formed by The Marls
The Blight - dense jungle at the heart of The Squalor
The Temples of Abhorrence - six naturally formed, decrepit limestone ziggurat-shaped temples located deep in The Blight

Remaining AP = 10AP - 1AP = 9AP

[CrossLead24]

Sustrai and Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious

"You are my sister, there can only be cooperation between siblings. It raises us above those who seek to bring us down." Zuanshi smiled as its oath was taken, a smile without daggers for slowly the first moves were being put in place. "You humble us sister, we are but equals in this realm and so too soon our brother and sisters to whom we must attend. Perhaps again we will speak, one such as you is owed a sign of fealty are you not? Call on me, when I am needed." It then faded, its gleaming light disappearing to lingering motes.Sustrai and Zuanshi: The Palace Most Precious
Inwardly she laughed. It was good to see that this creature was so fooled; if it began to suspect anything she would have trouble. She nodded as it made way to take its leave.

"And thank you, sibling, for your kindness. May we meet again!"

And then it was gone, and she turned to go to her throne, finally free to openly show the fury she felt. But even then, there was nothing she could take it out on. Her palace, an inanimate object? Her Facets, who had done nothing wrong? Soon she would have to start becoming active and exploring the world, but right now she honestly just felt like raging at something.

It was there, siting on her throne, struggling to plan, that one of her Eyes struggled to speak up. It was difficult, for she knew her queen was fuming, and she felt uncomfortable and treasonous even thinking these words, even as she knew it was nonsense. But still, it needed to be said.

"We are still loyal, mistress. The other might be our maker and mother, but you are our goddess. We shall not fail you."

And with that Sustrai had begun to smile. In part because it was heartening, to know that even another god's interference could not totally destroy her authority, and part because it gave her an idea. It was a risky one, of course; it would lock even her from domination of their hearts. But they had been nothing but faithful, and to tell the truth the idea of her followers obeying only because they could not choose to be otherwise was starting to seem more and more abhorrent she the more she brooded over this slight.

And so she turned to this brave little soul, a devious grin on her face, and told her thus:

"And may you all be so loyal, even as you walk amongst your cousins and all the other races that might be."

And she stood, action having cleared her mind. She gazed out at the other Facets that stood in the throne room with her. She would like to take them, but to do so she would likely have to create some sort of gate, and for the ideas she had planed she would need all of her divine strength.

"Guard my throne, dearest slaves. I must wander the world that I am meant to rule, and lay the seeds for my reign. Mingle with your cousins and feign adherence to their laws, even as you await the days you may be called to serve your queen. I will return."

And as her loyal servants saluted their lady, she walked, swiftly slipping from her realm...

Sustrai: The Palace Most Precious to the First and Second Realms of Paragon
...Through wastes most rich and caverns that shone with wondrous starlight. Her she lingered not, for she felt the claim of the other, and of a third, whose essence she felt become familiar as whoever it was became ensconced in the alliance, their powers conjoining to create a small trickle of strength as she walked even further...

Sustrai: the First and Second Realms of Paragon to the Manse of Covetous Awe
... To a land of silver mountains in a deep blue sea. Promising; a part of her wished she could claim it for her own, to claim this link between her palace and the place beyond, the grand center that seemed to smell of Earth first-rended, but that seemed unwise. She knew not who created this place, and she still lacked the power to properly make war. With a heavy heart, she left this realm behind...

Sustrai: the Manse of Covetous Awe to the oceans of the First World
... To the center of it all. She surveyed the world around her, stepping stones of alexandrine allowing her to stand above the water as she looked towards the far off landmasses. They seemed a nice start, but she would need some good unclaimed space for her next work. For now, however, she would take a second to catch her breath before she made her move.
12 AP (8 + Rollover), 1 PAP (0 + Rollover)

2 AP (1 AP and 1 PAP) Bless/Curse: In the Queen's Service
The Facets in service to Sustrai have been blessed with the innocent seeming of doves and the cruel wisdom of serpents. They are masters of feigning allegiance, and are immune to magics that alter their mind; combined, these factors allow them to falsely appear bound even as they work against their would-be master. Gods cannot pierce this barrier without countering its blessing, not even with Sustrai's aid, for this ban includes herself; treachery will be punished, but if the choice is not there then they cannot be truly loyal.

12 AP - 1 AP = 11 AP
1 PAP - 1 PAP = 0 PAP

[CrazyPenguin]

The Swordforged Expedition
The Deep Walk, The Deeplands

After some time exploring, the Swordforged would have come across a lone dwarf who warmed his hands over one of the braziers which illuminated the Deep Walk. He was slightly thinner than the average dwarf with a beard and mane of hair, well braided, oiled and groomed the color of the blackest midnight save for a few streaks of grey.

Still warming his hands, the dwarf would look in their direction with a squint of his eyes, a grunt of mixed surprise and disappointment. "Way folks be talkin' s'loike thar be metal monsters comin' ta join wit's that shadow ta foigh' Glimmerholm... bu' ye lot ain't lookin' loike monsters ta me, eh?"

"Name's Rorick Blackhide. I'd be da Captain o' this 'ere merry band o' miscreants. Wha' ye lot lookin' fer? Gold? Gems? Bi' o' arse?" He introduced and casually introduced himself along with the dozen or so dwarves that shuffled about out of sight.

The Lieutenant stepped forward and studied the dwarf before him. "We know not these shadows of which you speak. We are the Swordforged of Wojciech, soldiers of his Iron Company. We have come to explore these caverns, at his order. But you speak of a war, with these creatures of shadow. This interests us, as war is the our purpose. If you require additional soldiers, then there is much for us to discuss."

Starting AP 1
1 AP + 4 AP (Rollover) = 5 AP

[Gunhaven]

The Wayfinders March Halts – Deadman’s Trench
For several dozen rotations the Wayfinders marched with no huge threats. The odd shark or squid attacked them, the thirty three would defend themselves, and their numbers would be rebuilt from what stone they found. Such distractions were somewhat accounted for since it was an unknown and they knew on some level that a few days of delay wouldn’t be looked down upon. The golem’s eyes took stock of what they found so that they could report what laid to the west of their home. Eighty days later they finally ran into an issue.
There was a trench that laid before them, too deep for them to see the bottom of and too wide to see either end. They waited for half a rotation as they considered their options. It was then that they sent two thirds of their number in either direction while the remaining Forged and the golem waited for a report. They would each march for five rotations before turning back and reporting. For the remaining ten days their numbers were bolstered in the dark of the ocean floor.

[Hatter]

A Magnificent Metal
Somewhere between The Deeplands and The Deeper Darkness

Il-Na strode forward into the darkness, a golden god whom glowed ever so slightly in this place of darkness. He placed his hand against the cavern wall and intoned words of power "Earth, Stone, Deep, I command you. Rip and tear like a mother's womb and give birth to a new material. Bring forth a metal, heavy and strong. Bring forth steel which is mystical and magical. This, I command."

The earth shuddered under his command. It heaved and tore like a mother in the pains of labor and deposits of Gloomsteel appeared throughout the deepest and darkest places of the world.

The Swordforged Expedition
The Deep Walk, The Deeplands

"Tha' roight?" asked Rorick with a quirked brow. "How's ye lo' gonna do anythin' we ain't already doin' an' fer wha' proice?"

Founding of a Business
Glimmerholm, The Deeplands

Throughout the whole of Glimmerholm, surprise came in shock and whispers as it was announced that The Blackhide Expedition and Trade Company would be the sole provider of metal ores to Glimmerholm. Many wondered what kind of devious plots and schemes went behind receiving that decree.



0AP Start
+4AP Rollover (01/21/2017)
-2AP Shared Action with Phobia: Create Mythical Concept(Gloomsteel): Gloomsteel is a magical metal which can be mined in the deepest and darkest places in the world, specifically where the Deeplands and the Deeper Darkness meet. It is a strong and sturdy metal but is also extremely heavy which would require the welder of such weapons and armor made from Gloomsteel to be well trained in its use. It is also highly effective against supernatural creatures such as shadow beasts, demons, angels etc.
-1AP Create Organization(The Blackhide Expedition and Trade Company): A family-ran company with deep political roots withing Glimmerholm's political structure, The Blackhide E&T Company is a massive business which possesses it's own military and owns several properties. As of their formal founding date, they are the sole provider of metals to Glimmerholm.
1AP Remaining

[weet555]

A new threat. - The Deep Walk.

In one of the many tunnels two dwarfs Thaldram and Amdus were on far patrol with torches overhead. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye Amdus saw a glimmer, he went investigate and found a dead dwarf’s body. Quietly he moved over the body and started to take its possessions, You don’t need them anymore. Amdus thought. The body started to twitch as Amdus loosened its coin purse, by instinct the looter stabbed the body in the neck.

“I' must 'ave been me movin' teh body.” Amdus told himself just before being thrown away by a swing of the corpse’s arm. “ Sorry, I didn't know ye wer' still...”

“Amdus stop messin' around we are in teh shadow monster lands…” Thaldram stopped as he saw a dwarven body with a broken arm and knife in its neck shuffle clumsily towards Amdus as he coughed up blood. The husk walked over to Amdus half tripping on its feet before striking down with is arm shattering Amdus’ skull. The mass of rotting flesh turned to Thaldram with its head hanging limply from its neck.

“Back! Back I say!!” Thaldram screamed in panic as he waved his torch wildly and backed away. Being stuck by a burning torch and run though by a sword don’t slow the monster much to the dwarf’s horror. The dead flesh swung its self breaking Thaldram’s bones and throwing him to the ground, then it stomped down shattering his rib cage and continuing down, fracturing the spine.

The hunt continues.

13ap

Curse (1ap): The Unseen Mark.

The body of any life (biological and or magical) killed by a shadow monsters bears this mark. This mark is undetectable to non-shadow monsters, shadow monsters can sense this mark over great distances like ‘negative emotions’.

This mark doesn’t necessarily attract shadow monsters, but lost ones tend to go to where they know something is. It should be remembered that shadow monsters will often move to an area were the unseen mark and ‘negative emotions’ are living prey that are weakened and predators are always drawn to weakened prey.

Create monsters life (1ap): Husks of night.

These shadow monsters are slow, clumsy and dumb but they are strong and tough. These husk rise from dead bodies claimed by the darkness, bodies killed by shadow beast or bodies not properly buried (or cultural equivalent) can be claimed be the darkness. Upon the night after a creature dies the darkness tries to claim their body, even though the chance is greater than not of failure, but that darkness trying every night it can.

These husks gain their toughness through two factors: First the supernatural forces that animate them their forms resists damage and injury including that done by cutting, stabbing, fire, rot, rust and magic. Second the husks remain ‘alive’ until their body is near completely destroyed and they try to fulfil their mission (murder and destruction) as long as the can move any part of their form.

Greater shadow beasts can control husks of night as they can control lesser shadow beasts. Husks unlike most shadow monster aren’t harmed by the light of the sun any more then flesh or metal (depending on what creature the husk’s body came for. are by the sun. Husks can’t rise from bodies already used, i.e. other undead or brought back to life.

11ap

[Kirjath]

Paragon

It was only now that Zhen could finally see the mighty Paragon with her own eyes. Before she had taken knowledge of the planes from Zuanshi, Zhen could not cross the barriers. Now, he had shown her everything. To see all that he had made so clearly was disconcerting to Zhen, who always held back from others. Zuanshi did not wish to possess secrets, it would seem. Zhen’s smile finally faded as she looked over the lands of Paragon.

There were smaller beings there, but they were not mortal. Zhen knew their name: Facets. There were the glimmering Facets of the First Realm, in charge of leading the others. There were the hardy Facets of the second realm, tough and unbreakable. There were the eager Facets of the Third Realm, and they worked with singular purpose. And yet, Zhen found no spark among them. With the Birds, she had seen freedom. With Dwarves, she had seen greed and a vicious drive. With Facets, it seemed like they were waiting for something.

Zhen wasn’t sure she wanted to stay. The realm of Paragon was beautiful, but divided. Each realm was tucked neatly into its own corner, and though the Facets could travel freely they were not equals. Zuanshi was correct: there was no freedom here; no joy to be found in anything she had witnessed. It was the antithesis of anything Zhen cared for, and she knew she had quite a lot of work ahead of her.

She settled lightly into the Fourth Realm, the one unused until this very moment. The Realm was barren, and Zhen stooped to scoop up a handful of dust and place it within her robe. Though there was no tune, Zhen began to dance. She could still imagine the Hidden Song, but in this barren land it had warped into something melancholic. Perhaps that was just Zhen’s mind at work. The land changed as she danced. Trees of silver bark and starlit leaves formed over crystal waters. Rivers flowed down pearl-capped mountains, and within the mountains were cold caverns lined with pale colors. Soon, the land was beautiful, but it was still empty.

Zhen gazed about her work with sorrow, for she knew it was not a place she could stay forever; it needed its own keepers. Fortunately, Zuanshi had shown her the trick to this. With a flurry of motion, Zhen waved her arms back and forth over the largest of the trees until all its leaves had fallen into the waters. From the waters, new Facets arose to answer the Pale Moon’s call. Their pale white bodies were bulbous and many-legged; their torsos were humanoid with four limbs each. Their faces were blank; the only features that Zhen had given them were mouths, so that they could speak, and ears, so that they could listen. With a touch of her hands, she gave them minds like puzzle boxes. Zhen then drew the dust from her robe and placed it on their faces; the dust became a silver mask, set with many gemstones of ruby. With these masks, the Facets looked about and regarded their surroundings anew.

“You are the caretakers of this Realm.” Zhen said, a sad smile creeping back into her face. “You are the Paledust Facets. To you, I give but simple commands: Never let others see your true form; to all Facets you are to be all things. To your kin, you are to render any and all aid, but it is not without purpose. For the Facets of the Third Realm, you will teach them humor. To the Facets of the Second Realm, you will teach them joy. To the Facets of the First Realm, you will teach them humility. Only when the Facets seek to restrict the freedoms or harm the mortal races will you ever undermine them, and only do so in quiet and unassuming ways. Never will you be caught if you are quick and clever enough.”

The Facets gathered about her immediately changed into different shapes. They would use their shapeshifting to the utmost, and would take on whatever guise suited their purpose. Zhen doubted they would be successful in their tasks, but she had hope that perhaps these beings could also prove themselves clever.

One thing still bothered her: Zuanshi had shown her an inkling of rage along with his visions of Paragon. Zhen looked back at the First World, for now she could see across Planes, and she could finally sense that deep sadness that dwelled within the earth. For now, it called to her. She left her spot in the Paragon and traveled once more into the Deeplands.

Beginning AP: 4+4(rollover)+1(PAP)=8+1
Join Pantheon (1 AP): Zhen has joined the Pantheon of Authority. Perhaps she will aid them, or perhaps she seeks to undermine them.
Alter Land (1 PAP): Zhen has created the Silver Forest in the Fourth Realm of Paragon. It's a place made of silver-bark trees and starlit leaves, cut through with many rivers of crystal water. Surrounding the forest are tall mountains capped with tiny pearls like snow. The Silver Forest is very cold, and the trees often change which direction they're facing when no one watches.
Create Sub-race (2 AP): Zhen crafted the Paledust Facets to watch over both the Silver Forest and the other Facets. They are generally servile in nature and their minds can calculate mathematical concepts at light-speeds, but they tend to lack the desire to lead. They have a playful nature, but try their utmost to help the other Facets. Only when the Facets seek to dissolve freedoms or harm mortal races will the Paledust Facets ever try to undermine Paragon. Like all Facets, they can take any shape they please and possess the standard Facet abilities.
Create Mythical Subconcept (2 AP): Paledust Egotism allows Zhen's Facets to access powers similar to her own. They have some control over gravity, able to lift or suppress as they deem most useful, and they have a means of travel that is near-instantaneous. With these abilities, Paledust Facets like to be where they're needed whenever they can, and are useful for many things.
Bless (1 AP): Zhen's Silver Masks. These masks were given to Paledust Facets to hide their true forms and can even turn them invisible. Their intentions are also generally concealed from anything not patient enough to discern their true natures. The masks allow Zhen's Facets to hide among the other Facets and even among mortal races if need be.

Ending AP = 2
Work towards Trickery (Masks) domain.
2 AP (subrace)
2 AP (Mythical Subconcept)
1 AP (Bless - Zhen's Silver Masks)

[mystic1110]

The shark slept, and swam while he swept, through the dreamscape. He swam dreamily through the oceans, he swam through the skies, the mountains, the swamps, around the islands, the forests and the deserts. And then he woke up and began eating. A brach of relief, the sands of desire, the frozen wastes of ego. Feasting on dream, like before his teeth snagged on reality - or in this case, fantasy. There in dream, he tore a hunk of dreamscape and it fell into his gullet. He continued swimming through it until he emerged at the bottom of his opponent's first plane, Paragon.

In doing so, he left behind in the dreamscape a huge gaping hole in the sky. This would be the black sun of dream, the unusual feature that so many dreamers would talk about in their visions. It gave no light, no heat, but dreams need neither - for everything impossible was possible there. Instead, it was merely a hole in the sky.

On the other side, in the Silver Forest of the fourth realm of Paragon, he emerged in a torrent of light. He came from above leaving behind him a hole in the sky that shone with strange and subdued prismatic light. It was the other side of the the black hole sun in dream.

He descended from the sky and began to swim around and through the snow-shrouded pines of the Silver Forest. His tongue tasted winter's chill. The peppermint taste of frugality and purity. He tasted mortals. Other than the merfolk which he had dined upon and taught, the Shark did not know what mortals were like. He was eager to consume that knowledge. And so he swam through the snow-capped peaks of the fourth realm of Paragon, like a snow leopard on the prowl. His teeth aching to teach and be taught.

9 AP

-2 Bridge plane - Black Hole Sun. Bridge from Areh'tez to the Fourth Layer of Paragon

7 AP

[Razade]

Zuanshi: The Enemy of Paragon

Zuanshi had remained, remained to see what its sister would do with a pallet left blank for her and then...the Enemy had come. "Lu'Azu" Zuanshi whispered and with a step took flight over silver trees. Facets were in need of protection, the Maw would only devour them thoughtlessly and so like a speed black ball it raced. "If you hunger, I yet remain" it sang, trying perhaps in vain to draw the Maw's attention.

[mystic1110]

Lu'Azu was different from how Zuanshi remembered him. He certainly looked the same. He was still a giant shark. His eyes still burned. His teeth were many and all sharp enough to cut through worlds like so much paper. But when last Zuanshi spoke with the Shark he was a beast just born. He spoke haltingly and very little. Now, he had feasted. He was fat with secrets. Fat with knowing.

And yet, he was not that different. He was still hungry and would also remain so - forever. And so the song did not reach him in time. Or perhaps it did, and he ignored it. In the end, it didn't matter. One of his hellfire eyes spied a Paledust Facet that was exploring its world. The shark approved. Exploration was the essence of curiosity. However, curiosity was dangerous. It should be dangerous. It would not be worth it otherwise.

And so this lone Facet was victim to a god. A sacrifice. It spied the unreal sight of a shark with flaming eyes swimming towards it through the winter air. The shark's mouth was wide open. Rows and rows of teeth that glinted in pastel colors from the strange new sun in the sky. And then the mouth shut.

The Facet wasn't dead. Lu'Azu had learned from the Merfolk how fragile mortals were, he had taken more care. But not much more. He had devoured the Facet's everything. Its memories and hopes. Its secrets and desires. Its true name and its purpose. Lu'Azu now knew of Zhen and the Authority. Of the Facets and the four Realms of Paragon. It now knew the first moves of the game. The Facet thus assaulted passed out. It would spend three days in dream before waking and finding itself back on the mountains of the Silver Forest. The flying shark with its terrible eyes would be just a dream to it. However, it would remember nothing else, not even its own name. It was if everything that made it what it was was devoured. It was not someone new. Someone who wasn't what it was.

Lu'Azu in the meantime dined on what he had taken, and while doing so looked up. The Facet's being still stuck as morsels in his teeth, the flames of his eyes illuminating the skies, and illimunating the descending Zuanshi. He spoke with the same sound Zuanshi first remembered - as if the waves were made of paper; rustling and gurgling, deep and dry:

Ah, my friend. You still taste like the sound of gold drums being beat by crystal clear silk. I am glad for that. I see that you have been busy. Preparing for the game. I am happy. But the board is not yet finished.

[Virdish]

Elya looked on the things that she had wrought and found them of worth. She smuled as she beheld the tooth that the shark had left for her. She had no doubt that she was going to join the other two divine beings who shared her affinity for the salted sea. She didn't truly trust the other two, and thus would never remove her eyes from them. This pantheon was a way to do this while wearing the guise of friendship. She would of course assist them should they have need of it. They were after all her sea salt siblings, more like her than any of the others could possibly be, all born of the Ocean Titans death.

The waves called to her, more specifically Deadman's Trench. She wanted to see with her own eyes the beauty that she had wrought with her sea salt brother. As she neared her masterpiece she sensed a new presence that she had not before. These golems that had formed up near her trench amused her greatly. They had a strange feeling about them. She considered their plight. Eventually they would find the edges of the trench and would travel via it. Elya however, had different ideas.

"I see that you seek a way beyond the trench. I can assist you in this endeavor, along with my mermaids. But such an action will come at a cost. Ten of your number must fall into Deadman's Trench forsaking your place in this world for one in Seafarer's Respite. Furthermore you must tell this story to every member of your race so that none among you will ever forget. The dark mistress of the sea must be appeased. If you choose not accept my offer you will be destroyed by a storm so great it will not be forgotten for all of time."


2 AP +4 (Rollover)
Join Pantheon -1 AP Lords of the Depths
5AP

[Razade]

Lu'Azu was different from how Zuanshi remembered him. He certainly looked the same. He was still a giant shark. His eyes still burned. His teeth were many and all sharp enough to cut through worlds like so much paper. But when last Zuanshi spoke with the Shark he was a beast just born. He spoke haltingly and very little. Now, he had feasted. He was fat with secrets. Fat with knowing.

And yet, he was not that different. He was still hungry and would also remain so - forever. And so the song did not reach him in time. Or perhaps it did, and he ignored it. In the end, it didn't matter. One of his hellfire eyes spied a Paledust Facet that was exploring its world. The shark approved. Exploration was the essence of curiosity. However, curiosity was dangerous. It should be dangerous. It would not be worth it otherwise.

And so this lone Facet was victim to a god. A sacrifice. It spied the unreal sight of a shark with flaming eyes swimming towards it through the winter air. The shark's mouth was wide open. Rows and rows of teeth that glinted in pastel colors from the strange new sun in the sky. And then the mouth shut.

The Facet wasn't dead. Lu'Azu had learned from the Merfolk how fragile mortals were, he had taken more care. But not much more. He had devoured the Facet's everything. Its memories and hopes. Its secrets and desires. Its true name and its purpose. Lu'Azu now knew of Zhen and the Authority. Of the Facets and the four Realms of Paragon. It now knew the first moves of the game. The Facet thus assaulted passed out. It would spend three days in dream before waking and finding itself back on the mountains of the Silver Forest. The flying shark with its terrible eyes would be just a dream to it. However, it would remember nothing else, not even its own name. It was if everything that made it what it was was devoured. It was not someone new. Someone who wasn't what it was.

Lu'Azu in the meantime dined on what he had taken, and while doing so looked up. The Facet's being still stuck as morsels in his teeth, the flames of his eyes illuminating the skies, and illimunating the descending Zuanshi. He spoke with the same sound Zuanshi first remembered - as if the waves were made of paper; rustling and gurgling, deep and dry:

Ah, my friend. You still taste like the sound of gold drums being beat by crystal clear silk. I am glad for that. I see that you have been busy. Preparing for the game. I am happy. But the board is not yet finished.

Zuanshi could do nothing but watch in horror, knowing that it had not been fast enough. Not strong enough to save its sister's people. It would not be this weak again. "Then let us finish it." Cold, had the Maw tried cold? Perhaps not, it would soon.

[CrazyPenguin]

The Swordforged Expedition
The Deep Walk, The Deeplands

"Tha' roight?" asked Rorick with a quirked brow. "How's ye lo' gonna do anythin' we ain't already doin' an' fer wha' proice?"

"We are tireless. We do not hunger or thirst, nor do we sleep. We are incapable of fear. We are resilient, and our will is unbreakable. We have each been hand-crafted by a god for a single purpose, and that purpose is war. As for our price, that is up for negotiation.

[Hatter]

"We are tireless. We do not hunger or thirst, nor do we sleep. We are incapable of fear. We are resilient, and our will is unbreakable. We have each been hand-crafted by a god for a single purpose, and that purpose is war. As for our price, that is up for negotiation.

"Huh." said the dwarf with a sniffle of his nostrils. "Sounds interestin' at least. Tell ye wha'.. ye lot come wit' us down da road an' provide security wit' me men an' I'll pay ya a ruby a head tha' follows minus a ruby fer every dwarf loife tha' be los' on tha way ter tha border."

The dwarf dug into his pocket and pulled out a small ruby before tossing it through the air towards the mercenary as a display of his wealth. "Take ye a gander at tha', huh? Ain't nothin' but tha best o' riches coming from tha Blackhides."

[Gunhaven]

Elya looked on the things that she had wrought and found them of worth. She smuled as she beheld the tooth that the shark had left for her. She had no doubt that she was going to join the other two divine beings who shared her affinity for the salted sea. She didn't truly trust the other two, and thus would never remove her eyes from them. This pantheon was a way to do this while wearing the guise of friendship. She would of course assist them should they have need of it. They were after all her sea salt siblings, more like her than any of the others could possibly be, all born of the Ocean Titans death.

The waves called to her, more specifically Deadman's Trench. She wanted to see with her own eyes the beauty that she had wrought with her sea salt brother. As she neared her masterpiece she sensed a new presence that she had not before. These golems that had formed up near her trench amused her greatly. They had a strange feeling about them. She considered their plight. Eventually they would find the edges of the trench and would travel via it. Elya however, had different ideas.

"I see that you seek a way beyond the trench. I can assist you in this endeavor, along with my mermaids. But such an action will come at a cost. Ten of your number must fall into Deadman's Trench forsaking your place in this world for one in Seafarer's Respite. Furthermore you must tell this story to every member of your race so that none among you will ever forget. The dark mistress of the sea must be appeased. If you choose not accept my offer you will be destroyed by a storm so great it will not be forgotten for all of time."


2 AP +4 (Rollover)
6AP


A Meeting at the Trench - Wayfinders, Elya
The golem considered the offer presented by the newcomer. The loss of ten for the fulfillment of their duty... Yet they were barely half way to the turn around point. Failure wasn't something that it would be known for so it turned it's gaze toward the apparent creator of this obstacle. In a dead voice it said [b][color=#2f4f4f]"We cannot fully accept your offer. We have another sixty-nine days to travel before we are permitted to turn around. Although if we may travel across, complete our journey, and then report our finding your request is accepted." Even as they awaited to see if such an offer was accepted the Stoneforged gathered in two lines and faced each other, prepared to test which one would follow this new comer.

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

"No r-response? Zuanshi is i-ignoring me..." Kelia said with a tremor in her voice, one of his Bonfire Emerald's attending to her. The Emerald assured her that he was just busy, he would come to comfort her in time, just come to the place that they had prepared to await. But Kelia just cried before brushing her face off on her sleeve and staring off into space. The goddess of sorrows sat alone in her caverns in the dark on a rock that didn't even look that much like a chair.

In her mind the world of the caverns twisted and molded anew once more. There were tunnels and caverns, but also large open rooms, impossibly large, with mushrooms the size of trees. There were mighty underground rivers and massive great lakes as well as small little ponds where things like frogs, freshwater alligators, bobcats and even wild boars adapted to the pitch black underground lived. They love truffles! There were also bats and moles in these caves. Soon the underground was teeming with life in the virtual darkness, the only light to be found the ones that the dwarves had put up in their roads, but the Deeper Darkness was so much more vast than that.

The metal that was formed from the thoughts of Kelia existed in veins inside the stone, it was a metal formed from the literal blood of the Earth Titan that now ran deep inside his corpse that was the rock itself. This Gloomsteel was stronger than any known metal and more valuable. You could find it where the Deeplands and the Deeper Darkness met, but the deeper you went the more that could be found in one vein, and the more profit to be made. It was always question if you could take that risk.

Like the curious tale of Bheldan Ironbeard and his failed expedition...

The Ironbeard Expedition

"It's two days after we set out in the dead of night, me and a handful of dwarves brave or foolhardy enough to come. I've got my own caravan but tensions are already running high. Gormik asked me how I was able to mount an expedition yesterday and I almost slugged him. It took a lot of greased hands to even get this far but it'll be worth it in the end. By the time we get back I'll have so much Gloomsteel it won't matter if this was sanctioned or not, and Rorick Blackhide will be licking me boot!" Read the journal of Bheldan Ironbeard.

"No one would ever forget the name Bheldan Ironbeard."

"It's Day Five and we're already close to passing the light that marks the furthest dwarves have ever delved," Said the excerpt from Bheldan's journal. "We made good time. No trouble yet except for a few cavecats that were too scared to come near the well-lit areas. We're going to have to switch over to lantern light after this, and Il-Na be gracious I pray we brought enough."

"Day Eight. Nothing to report just yet, just more of the same. We heard some odd echos from deeper in the caverns but nothing is going to deter us. We've already come this far and a dwarf never retreats when there is profit to be made."

"Day Thirteen. We're already running low on oil. I told Gormik that we should have packed more, but he just had to get the last word. Well he's dead now. A cavecat dragged him away while we were sleeping. Damn monsters can see better than we can down here, especially now that we're only using half as much oil each time. We have to conserve. Good news is that we've already found a few bits of Gloomsteel, but no big vein yet. We're on the right track. I know it. I'll have the Blackhide's job yet."

"Day Nineteen. I can feel them watching me from the shadows. Beasts. I wish they would just come and attack and then maybe we could have a bite to eat. We're starting to conserve the food. But they'll wait till night and make me stay up watching them. I hate them so much. The damn noises that they make."

"Day Twenty-Five. We found a proper vein! Hagrid and Gormo said we mined out enough to make Il-Na blush! Ha ha! But I only wish that it was good enough. I'm going to need a lot more to impress back in Glimmerholm. I want to make Rorick Blackhide look like a fool for even thinking he could compete with the Ironbeards! We're going to press onward and downward."

"Day Twenty-Nine. That was the last of the food. We spread it all out and just ate it piece by piece. Gormo joked that we'd be eating him next, but no one laughed. I'm already starting to get hungry again and all we've got is this damn Gloomsteel. It'll all be okay once we make it back."

"Day Thirty. There's nothing to eat down here but these damn mushrooms. They're everywhere and they taste like dirt. I hate them almost as much as those damn cavecats. We've gotten pretty good at keeping them at bay. Maybe it won't be so bad as long as we can find another vein and go back to Glimmerholm as heroes."

"Day Thirty-Two. We lost another today. Literally lost him. He got separated from the group and we couldn't find him. It was like the darkness just swallowed him up. Poor Narland. We did find another vein but we're too all week to mine it. Damn mushrooms. It seems like the deeper we go the closer together they are, but we can't go on any further. I'm calling it quits and taking my caravan back home. We can't take anymore losses. We've mined out a good quantity, and if worse comes to worst maybe we can just work out a deal with the damn Blackhides."

"Day Thirty-Six. I haven't told the others this yet but I can't find any of the markers we left behind. We aren't stupid, we weren't going to come down here without a plan to find our way back but everything is different now. I don't recognize any of this. But I have to keep their spirits up, so I have to bare the burden of this alone. I just pray that we'll see something familiar soon."

"Day Forty. Faro fell into a hole and slide out of sight. We heard him scream for hours but there was nothing I could do. We have to conserve our oil and that means keeping a low burn and a small circle of light. I'm even eating mushrooms in my sleep now. Green ones, Red ones, Purple ones, all the mushrooms. I can't stand these mushrooms. I think the cavecats can tell we're getting weak. Hagrid keeps asking where the markers are, I think he's on to me, and he's getting to the others."

"Day Forty-Three. Gormo ran off into the darkness today. I guess he just snapped. We tried to follow him but he just kept running. I bet the cavecats got him. Damn them. Damn this whole expedition. I hope you're happy Rorick. I hope you're laughing it up."

"Day Forty-Nine. This is it. I can't believe it. This is that second vein that we tried to mine. I can still see the pick-axe mark where I struck it. How is this possible? We've been working our way backwards for days! This doesn't make any sense but I can see some of the others already starting to lose hope. I don't know what to tell them. Maybe I don't have any hope leftover either."

"Day Fifty-Two. We woke today and Herri was dead. He killed himself in the night. He was the youngest and I told him I'd take care of him. What am I going to tell his mother."

"Day Fifty-Four. Brolin's dead."

"Day Fifty-Five. What is going on? This doesn't make any sense! Damn these caves! This is a completely different area, and I know for a fact we took the same tunnel back out of there. It took us somewhere different this time. This doesn't make any sense. Il-Na help us."

"Day Fifty-Seven. Gormo came back today. I can't believe it. We just found him stumbling in the darkness. I never thought we'd see him alive again. But it's only been a few days, hasn't it? He's changed.. he's aged by almost sixty years. He's an old man now! I grew up with him.. I know how old he is. He could barely speak. But, gods, I think he's been here sixty years. Gods.."

"Day Sixty. Some of the others tried to mutiny today. We had to kill them. Even Gormo attacked me. He blamed me for this. It's this place, it wasn't them, it's this place driving us mad. We lost most of the rest of the oil in the struggle. Knocked it right over. They think I'm keeping us down here on purpose trying to find more Gloomsteel. Idiots! If I wanted more it's all over the place! Just look around! It's everywhere! Damn that metal! Damn them! Damn the gods! Damn this expedition!"

"Day Sixty-Four. We were on the ceiling. I don't know how I noticed but I looked up and.. I knew I recognized it.. we left that pack behind to lose some weight. And it was on the bloody ceiling! I looked right up at it and that pack was laying against a rock on the ceiling. Does that mean we're on the ceiling now? These rocks all look the same.."

"Day Sixty-Six. We used the rest of the oil today. The last lantern went out just like our hopes."

"Day Sixty-Seven. Some of the mushrooms faintly glow blue at night. But it's not enough light. Not nearly enough."

"Day Sixty-Eight. It's too dark to write too well anymore. Have to keep going."

"Day Seventy-Two. God it was us. I watched us come into these godforsaken caverns. Me, Hagrid, Brolin, hell, even Gormik. I was looking into the past. I don't even know what else to say. I could see them because they still had light. Was it a hallucination? This place messing with me? I called out to them but they couldn't hear me. God they couldn't hear me. I could have stopped all this. I could have stopped it. I could have stopped it. I could have stopped it. I could have..."

"I don't know what day it is. It's so dark. I'm scared."

"What was that noise? Please don't find me."

"These mushrooms don't taste so bad anymore. I wonder why I ever disliked them."

"Day Whatever. Damn you Gloomsteel. This is a soliloquy on why I hate Gloomsteel. I hate it so much. But we can't discard what we already have. We can't or this was all a waste!"

"Day Blue. Loop be boo. You're all going to die here. Whoop be doop."

"I don't remember writing that."

"They tried to tell me to leave the Gloomsteel behind again. One less mouth to feed."

"We killed Bin today. We were just so hungry. A little stringy."

"Day Infinity. Hagrid tasted better."

"Day Something Else. No one is going to take my precious Gloomsteel. They tried and now they died. They tried and now they died. They tried and now they died."

"I feel weird. It's so hard to write now. It's so hard to concentrate. I don't think I can even see the words anymore. I think I'm going blind."

"Why is this hard to think? I think I thought better before, I think I thought, I think I thought! Ha ha ha ha!"

"My skin is starting to flake off.. I don't think this is normal.. it's white underneath.. white and pale.. my ears are getting longer... my teeth.. I feel my teeth getting longer and sharper... what is this... it was so easy to tear chunks off Boris.. I've been slumping so much to get through low rock ceilings that I can't stand up straight anymore.. what is happening.."

"I'm really scared."

"WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME"

"help"

"Oh sweet Gloomsteel we made it back to you. My precioussss Gloomsteel with my mark still in you. I marked you as mine and you are mine and you will be mine and stay mine and be mine and you are mine and mine and mine and mine and mine..."

"MINE."

The rest of the journal is a variety of a scribbled and unintelligible language clearly written by a deranged mind. A serious of gibbering rhymes and repeating himself a bunch. Some pages have blood or worse smeared on them and some pages are missing completely. This is all that the other dwarves were able to recover from the lost expedition in a book found just past the last light marker.

AP: 2
Rollover: 4
AP: 6

Alter Land (Beasts in the Caves) [0]: An action with my artifact to change the formation of the tunnels again, make giant mushrooms and huge rooms and cause the underground to become more teeming with life with things like cavecats which are just bobcats that live with minimal light. This action will also put most of these creatures in the Deeplands as well.

Create Mythical Concept (Gloomsteel) [1]: Gloomsteel is a listless dull gray metal from deep within the earth and may be the very hardened lifeblood of the Earth Titan himself. It is extremely strong and durable metal best suited for making armor and heavy weapons, but swords and daggers can be crafted from it with no issue they'll just tend to be on the heavier side. No matter how much it is polished it will never gleam or glimmer but it is quite functional and quite valuable. This action will buy the cost of the concept of the metal itself and how to craft it, which currently only the dwarves have figured out once they get their hands on it.

Bless (Unbreakable) [1]: Once mined and crafted into armor and weapons, Gloomsteel is completely unbreakable. It will never bend and never break no matter what stress is put against it.

Infuse Land (Deeper Darkness) [3]: The caverns of the Deeper Darkness have now been infused with the madness of the lady of sorrows herself, not only merely cursed. Now crazy things happen like the catacombs transporting you to a completely different path, or going back the same exact way you came will lead you somewhere else. It's a perplexing labyrinth of mind-screws that few will survive. My free alter land action from this will also be used to spread this new metal all through the lands of the Deeper Darkness. There is some to be found where the Deeplands and the Deeper Darkness meet but the deeper you go the more common it is and people fighting a war will probably need quite a lot of it.

Create Dwarven Subrace (Gnomes) [1]: Driven mad from becoming lost in the caverns, the Gnomes have only the pieces left of their broken psyche. Whether it's from the mushrooms they ate, a mystical force in the caves, or simply the sheer force of their mind and body being broken these former dwarves are hardly even the same people. They are blind and pale white feeble creatures that rely on their other enhanced senses to pathetically feel around in the darkness. The gnomes are constantly stooped over to better travel in the caverns they call home and are quite fast in the tunnels. They are quite territorial, aggressive and tribal with barley have a semblance of a language left, but they're also cowardly. They put on a show of strength and attack strangers on sight but if pressed back too hard they'll scatter and run. They breed just like dwarves do, they're just more animalistic about it. Their fingernails have grown into claws and their teeth are sharp and long and they even manage to create very crude Gloomsteel weaponry like clubs, spears and terrible axes.

AP: 0

[Hatter]

Blackhide Hold
Border between the Deeplands and the Deeper Darkness

Ahead of Rorick Blackhide's much smaller party, well over a thousand dwarves marched with an assortment of mining gear and weaponry. These were employees of the Blackhide Expedition and Trade Company on their way to secure a foothold for their employer and begin mining the valuable metal known as Gloomsteel... much thanks to the failed expedition that had come before them. Unlike those fools, these dwarves were more than adequately prepared.

They arrived at a large cavern, complete with a stream of fresh water and plenty of edible vegetation. Here, they established their base camp which was at first nothing more than a scattering of tents and wooden walls but as time passed, and the income from Gloomsteel flowed, a massive fortress was carved into the side of the cavern and it's walls were well patrolled by heavily armed and armored guards in gloomsteel gear.

Here, caravans rested between trips and miners lived while spending almost all of their earnings in the multitude of pubs and bars within the hold. Whatever attacks came from the shadow beasts were quickly repelled by gloomsteel blades and as far as the Blackhides were concerned... they were on top of the world.



1AP Start
-1AP (Golddigger Charge) Alter Land (Blackhide Hold): Blackhide Hold is a massive dwarves fortress carved into the very stone of a cavern at the border between the Deeplands and the Deeper Darkness. It serves as a caravan stop and The Blackhide Expedition and Trade Company's Headquarters. It's walls and halls are guarded by dwarves warriors in gloomsteel gear.
1AP Remains

[Tanzan Aura]

Slate, The Eyrie

"I have neither seen or met any other deities in my travels. However, I am confident that the many-formed deity who you have seen as pearls did not create all I have seen. Nor did the tunnels, the islands, or the continent feel as if they came from one other." Spoke Slate, still munching the plants "Yes, I expect there are other deities."

"My travels were odd for rarely did I cross seas, instead I crossed planes. Still, one is not often far from Brontos as it splts the planet. Nor is it hard to naigate to, simply fly towards the sun's true path and you will be there."

Slate and The Songbird

Thank you for the information. I shall go and discover what the other deities created. If you ever need to reach me, follow the wind, it is my path. Farewell, fellow deity, and may your creations grow as lush as the plants you study !

With that, The Songbird departed, flying away as fast as they came, leaving the equine deity to the natural garden. A small white dot glimmering with colorful light could still be seen from where he was, before it dissapeared toward the nests...


Dispertion

The Birds were busier than they have ever been. Gathering even more food than they need, every mature bird that wasn't taking care of a nest was preparing for a travel. A long one. The Songbird told them to be ready to fly when the sun graced the Eyrie of its fiery light twice.
When the sun set, a bonfire was lit to celebrate the first travellers. The Thunderbirds predicted a clear sky for the grand departure, as those that will go ate as much as they could. Slumbering under the watch of The Songbird, they dreamt of adventures, discovery and freedom.
The next morning, they were all ready, standing on the highest cliff of the Eyrie, a bag made of several layers of dried leaves, seashells and ropes on their back containing food for several days.
The Sonbird was there, flying above their heads, and singing his blessings.

Young ones, here comes the time of the grand departure. As you all know, we shall venture above land unseen before. The journey will not be without risks, but the wisdom and answered questions you will gather will be your reward.
And, never forget, should you ever be lost, follow the wind, it shall lead you to your next destination !

The ones that will travel curiously remained silent, looking at their deity in awe.

With that, I proclaim the start of the grand departure, go with the wind my children, you have my blessings.

A roar of laughter and tunes erupted from the flock of Birds, as they all scattered in every direction possible. The Songbird himself departed, escorted by the youngest birds.


10 + 4 = 14AP [rollover]

Create Society (2AP): Eyrie - The Nest
Birds that stayed behind and didn't participate to the grand departure become a society; they are hunter-gatherers with tools such as spears and torches. Because of the environment they live in and their ability to fly, they have no use for a wheel. Decisions are taken by elders, aided by shamans. With the aprovement of the rest of the organisation, a younger Bird can become the successor of the elder before the latter dies of age.

Bless (1AP): Eon
Eon, wind of the travellers, guides whoever sails, flies or walks searching for adventure. Birds often use this one to find the nearest place of interest or some water.

14 - 1 - 2 = 11AP

[Hatter]

Creepy Crawly Calvary
Gloomsteel Mines, The Deeplands

"Oi! Ye lot come an look at this!" came a shout from deep within the mine that echoed over the constant clicks and clacks of pick axes digging through stone. The voice was of Snorri, a younger red-headed dwarf that has been on the crew for some time now.

Upon their arrival, the responding dwarves were absolutely stunned by what they saw. Snorri had acquired a mount the size of a surface pony but this creature was far from being any form of equine. The young dwarf was straddled on the back of a giant any, it's natural armor seemingly made of Gloomsteel and they weren't alone, for accompanying them was a horde of the same creatures.

"They be an awful friendly bunch!" hollared the young rider with a wide grin. "An' ye lot watch this!" Snorri reached down and patted the Gloomsteel ant, guiding it towards the tunnel wall. The dwarves shouted in awe and surprise when they discovered that the ants could tear through earth and stone in such a manner that it would take a dwarf hours to achieve!

"Oi! Methinks this one be likin' me!" hollared another dwarf as a gloomsteel ant nudged him with its head.


1AP Start
-1AP Create Monstrous Life(Gloomsteel Ants): These massive subterranean insects are the size of ponies! The Gloomsteel Ants are covered in a layer of natural grown Gloomsteel chitin plate and are naturally drawn to dwarves, creating an I dependable bond between rider and mount.

They are accomplished diggers, able to tear through earth, metal and stone with ease thanks to their Gloomsteel talons and pincers. Their diet consists of anything from fungi to rock and even sentient creatures(with the exception of dwarves)
0AP Remains

[Umbrater]

The Eyrie

The Dwarves were clearly happy with the new afterlife but Mortis knew that this realm would no suit everyone. Desperate for new ideas he returned to his birthplace, the home of the birds. Everyone was in such a hurry that he didn't want to interrupt so he covered himself in a grey down to hide from view. They were preparing for a great journey to the unknown. This was a wonderful opportunity for the birds but from the atmosphere he could tell that it would be fraught with peril. There would be death and the souls would need somewhere to go when they passed on.

Feeling weak from his recent creation Mortis decided to fly with them for a while. He could store the souls in his staff, which was small and clutched between his talons, until he could muster the energy to create somewhere for them to stay after death. He surveyed the flock as they took off and found a group of the sickly and old, some of them would surely not make the trip. He shook off his grey down and dove off of the cliff to catch up with them. He did his best to fit in with the flock but tried not to draw attention to himself.

AP = 2 + 4(Rollover) = 6
Charges = -1AP cost for Weave Plane

[CrazyPenguin]

"Huh." said the dwarf with a sniffle of his nostrils. "Sounds interestin' at least. Tell ye wha'.. ye lot come wit' us down da road an' provide security wit' me men an' I'll pay ya a ruby a head tha' follows minus a ruby fer every dwarf loife tha' be los' on tha way ter tha border."

The dwarf dug into his pocket and pulled out a small ruby before tossing it through the air towards the mercenary as a display of his wealth. "Take ye a gander at tha', huh? Ain't nothin' but tha best o' riches coming from tha Blackhides."

"We accept your offer," said the Lietutenant as he caught the ruby. Looking to the Swordforged to his right, he said "Sergeant, go tell the Captain of this development." The sergeant nodded and began walking in the direction the Iron Company expedition had come from.

The Sellsword's Spire - Wojciech Gets Back to Work

Wojciech looked out over the island of Spire, taking note of every crag and stunted tree. With a thought, animals appeared. Each one was fierce and dangerous, carnivores of great power. Then he returned to his throne room and pondered several things. Chief among them was the Swordforged. Though they were, by his reckoning, perfect soldiers, the fact remained that they were incapable of reproduction. Even worse, they did not heal naturally. The process of making or repairing even a single Swordforged was long and tedious, and as such just one casualty would be felt for quite a long time. A race of flesh and bone, while more fragile, could more easily recoup it's losses. It was for this reason that the Sellsword began to work again, crafting not with iron but with his own divine power and magic.

The result of his labor was a new race of mortals, tall and muscular, with gray-green skin and dark, matted hair. Their teeth were jagged and sharp, perfect for consuming flesh. To these new mortals Wojciech taught the art of war, and the art of smithing. When he was satisfied with their learning, he sent them out onto Spire to develop further. The island would serve as their first trial.

Starting AP = 5
-2 AP Create Sapient Life (Orcs): Orcs are a race of strong, large, gray-green skinned humanoids. They are carnivorous and warlike. They are also extremely hardy creatures, well-suited to life on the harsh Iron Isles.
-1 AP Bless (Wojciech's Teachings): The Orcs were taught war and smithing by Wojciech himself, and as such excel in these areas. When the Orcs go to war they are disciplined and seemingly unbreakable of will. Orcish tacticians are some of the finest in the world, and the armies under them are equally exceptional. Orcish armor is of fine quality, though nothing one couldn't find in (for example) a dwarven smithy. Orcish weapons, though, are undoubtedly the finest ever forged.
-2 AP Create Advanced Concept (Metallurgy)

5 AP - 2 AP - 1 AP = 0 AP

Claim Domain Forge (Weapons)
5 AP Create Major Artifact (The Sold Sword)
1 AP Bless (Wojciech's Teachings)
2 AP Create Subrace (The Swordforged)
2 AP Raise Hero (The First Lieutenant of the Iron Company)

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Eyrie to The Deeplands

Slate watched the bird-deity leave and then went to exploring the Eyrie again. He chewed his way through much of it whn he fell into a hole. Here again! But he was in quite a different place now so perhaps here was better. No really. But then he came to an illuminated tunnel, which followed. There he came to two dwarves on the outskirts of dwarven society. They each had an anvil and each was making buttons.

Slate came upon them and spoke to the elder, and asked him to make the horse-shaped deity shoes of metal that would cover his hoof. The elder dwarf asked to what reward he could expect. Slate asked whether the favour of a deity was not enough. The elder dwarf replied no.

Thus asked to name the price he required. This was a good opportunity, the elder dwarf recognised. He first thought was a fortune in jewels. But then he hesitated. There were thieves and bandits. With jewels they would be pilfered from him and soon he would be bsck here. He knew what to say, "Strength."

"How convenint." Replied the deity of healthiness, and Slate spoke as the two dwarves worked in creating these horseshoes. Slate spoke of eating well and of getting enough water. The elder dwarf felt conned but did not wish to anger the deity. He spoke of the grossness of fungi and algae and the healhiness of plants; paticularly spinach which was full of iron. This made the elder dwarf sit up again until he realised that the horse-shaped deity was speaking of a different subject. The younger was enthralled, though. Slate spoke of living in the now, and eschewing the evil that always made on feel weaking guilt.

The elder dwarf left after accomplishing one she simply to get away. The younger one continued to listen as Slate demonstrated that proper breathing and focus allowed him to hit harder or to wield two implements in perfect harmony.

This younger dwarf was the first follower of Slate.


12 AP = 8 AP + 4 AP (rollover)
-1 AP: Create Organisation: The temple of the White Steed, Slate's church amongst the dwarves (To be expanded on in my next post)
- 1 AP: Create Mundane Concept: Four Axe Martial Arts, a regime followed by the temple (including breathing, sleeping, focus) in order be able to wield two axes and work with a partner in order to strike with the power of three men!
10 AP

[Tanzan Aura]

The Eyrie

The Dwarves were clearly happy with the new afterlife but Mortis knew that this realm would no suit everyone. Desperate for new ideas he returned to his birthplace, the home of the birds. Everyone was in such a hurry that he didn't want to interrupt so he covered himself in a grey down to hide from view. They were preparing for a great journey to the unknown. This was a wonderful opportunity for the birds but from the atmosphere he could tell that it would be fraught with peril. There would be death and the souls would need somewhere to go when they passed on.

Feeling weak from his recent creation Mortis decided to fly with them for a while. He could store the souls in his staff, which was small and clutched between his talons, until he could muster the energy to create somewhere for them to stay after death. He surveyed the flock as they took off and found a group of the sickly and old, some of them would surely not make the trip. He shook off his grey down and dove off of the cliff to catch up with them. He did his best to fit in with the flock but tried not to draw attention to himself.

Mortis meets the Birds

The flock of elderly birds were coming back to the Eyrie. Their poor wings wouldn't support them for too long, and, according to what the Reaper heard, they were accompanying the youngs to see them one last time.
They all landed in the crowd, who promptly got back to their respective nest.
Before Mortis could join them, some bird interrupted him. She looked old -her feathers were falling and turning grey- and had some trouble lifting herself up from the ground.
Despite her apparent old age, her voice retained a melodious quality, like an old flute that didn't lose quality with time.
The bird slowly walked around the camouflaged god, fixing her gaze on him.

"I never saw you around here, my friend. I thought I assisted all the chicks hatching on the Eyrie. That's very strange. Who are you ?"

[Umbrater]

Mortis at the Eyrie

Mortis turned to face his attentive accuser. If she could see him, wrapped in his shadow, then it could mean only one thing. He may as well come clean as she wouldn't have too long to tell others about him.

"I am just a passer by, my dear, a wanderer seeking to learn. You are highly astute so I am clearly in the right place. Tell me, what does a bird do for fun around here?"

[Virdish]

A Meeting at the Trench - Wayfinders, Elya
The golem considered the offer presented by the newcomer. The loss of ten for the fulfillment of their duty... Yet they were barely half way to the turn around point. Failure wasn't something that it would be known for so it turned it's gaze toward the apparent creator of this obstacle. In a dead voice it said [b][color=#2f4f4f]"We cannot fully accept your offer. We have another sixty-nine days to travel before we are permitted to turn around. Although if we may travel across, complete our journey, and then report our finding your request is accepted." Even as they awaited to see if such an offer was accepted the Stoneforged gathered in two lines and faced each other, prepared to test which one would follow this new comer.



Deadman's Trench,. Elya, Wayfinders

The mistress considered their counter offer. She had to guve the stoneforged credit where it was due. They were negotiating with a Goddess in her own realm their courage could not be doubted and she respected that courage. They would make fine additions to Seafarer's Respite and perhaps she could find a use for them in the future.

She could not however let them think that they could negotiate on equal grounds with her for she was a Goddess and these were mere mortal beings. She pondered for but a moment, thinking over her next course of action. A wicked smile crossed her lips as she came to the solution. It would work excellently, both honoring the courage of these stone mortals as well as exacting her own price for that brazenness.

"I agree to your initial terms of being allowed to complete your mission. You will be allowed to cross the trench, my mermaids will create a bridge of seaweed. However to ensure that my price is paid I mark your people. Forevermore you will have to offer up the same price every five years. Should you ever fail to pay my price your people will be wracked with storms and shall have no reprieve until you pay my price."

With that Elya gave the order for the bridge to be built. It would stand in this spot as a reminder of the price that these stoneforged had paid to continue their mission as well as acting as a way for those on The Test to pass the Trench in their quest for rebirth. The bridge would be guarded by the mermaids and could be brought down with short notice

5 AP
Curse -1 AP Elya's Price
Every 5 years the Stoneforged must send 10 of their number to sacrifice themselves at Deadman's trench. Should they fail to pay the price their people will be wracked with storm until they make good on their bargain and pay the price.

4 AP

[mystic1110]

Zuanshi could do nothing but watch in horror, knowing that it had not been fast enough. Not strong enough to save its sister's people. It would not be this weak again. "Then let us finish it." Cold, had the Maw tried cold? Perhaps not, it would soon.

The Shark had not in fact eaten cold yet. Not true cold. He had tasted the winter air of the Silver Forest. The stabbing pain of ice melting on his hot breath. But that wasn't true cold. Nonetheless, he was not privy to Zuanshi's thoughts and plans. He could have chomped down on them, and sucked on them like marrow. But, it was better to wait for the meal. Let it ferment.

The Shark nodded as he swam around in the snow around the god:

Yes. We are both eager for the game to begin. I'll see you again in the Manse after our first moves.

And the Shark flicked his fin and dove into the snow. His mouth open, his teeth caught the seems of reality once again and it ripped. This time though, unlike in Dream and the Respite, no hole or bridge was formed. The sharks teeth cut the realms so cleanly that after his passing it was like the cut never happened. Reality, you see, is very malleable. It can be rended asunder. It can be twisted. But it could also heal. And so the Shark left Paragon, to remain but a legend to the Facets of the Fourth Realm, a legend that would make it's way up to the other three Realms. That a dark shadow swam underneath them.

Lu'Azu, free from the bonds of another plane began to shed his teeth. Sharks shed thousands of teeth a year. Lu'Azu shed billions at that moment. The teeth fell into the void between the planes until they formed a white ivory floor of a new plane. They continued falling until they formed buildings. First they were merely huts. Then houses. Eventually they were skyscrapers. The Shark swam in the black sky, and a white endless city formed underneath it.

He didn't take care to finish the plane. Others would fill in Har'Hinif, the Toothed City. The Shark swam around it and through it. His eyes were like search eyes, showing him empty windows and doors. Empty rooms and hallways. Empty courtyards and empty squares. Empty courts and empty temples. He swam though the ghost city until all his teeth grew back in. And then he swam outwards and onwards.

AP 9

Create Plane - 2 (shared with razade): Har'Hinif, the Toothed City. So far its just an endless white city. That is it. Razade will spruce it up

AP 7

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Deeplands to the Frozen Wastes

Slate allowed his followers to their own devices. He went back to the tunnels. He had his doubts that 'down' would hol much fruit so he mantained a mostly upwards trajectory. The cold winds seemed to suggest something ne, so he bgin to follow it to its source. He had a snack of the plants of the entrance.

He walked out. First impressions were not good. This was clearly not another Eyrie or Brontos. Still he went on. Impression could, after all, be deceiving although they haven't been yet. The cold did not bother the horse-shaped deity, although he was aware of its existance. No nothing here. Slate was most of the way to far shore at that realisation.

He ought to back the tunnels. Slate gasped in horror. Is this place as awful as that? Surely it couldn't be. Slate saw Brontos. Slate was shocked for a second place. Surely, that doesn't make sense being so close. The difference when one was underground was one thing, but this was absurd. "What sort of creator-spawn would make such a place like this?"

[CrossLead24]

Sustrai: the oceans of the First World

And so the Lady of Scales finished her brief rest and looked out upon the First World again, ready to start her work. She would need to work slowly and carefully, making sure not to overly waste her divine energies.

First, she would need a proper landmass to act as the canvas for her first work on the center plane. Somewhere that would be harsh and difficult, to breed strength into her followers, but not impossible to live in or build a society on. A place that invaders would fear to attempt to conquer, but a place her people could build there homes at. With a short deliberation she felt she had gone with a good concept.

Looking down on the waters in front of her, she reached down to her arm and plucked one of the scales there, a painless and bloodless process that saw the lost piece quickly regenerate. Taking the removed scale, she focused all her intent upon it, and tossed it into the waves. Immediately the depths began to rumble and quake, the corpse of Earth First-Rended raising up a portion of itself to form a new continent.

Sustrai looked upon her work and was pleased. Already, plants seemed to sprout up and grow like they had been there all their lives, and beasts dug themselves from stoney cysts in the dirt full-grown. Already it seemed to be growing well, her first project in the First World complete. All it needed was a name.

"Let this land be forever named... Zahhak!"

And thus was it named; content with her work, the Queen set out to look upon its lands, so that she might discern where would be best to start the creation of her first mortal race.

11 AP, 0 PAP

2AP- Alter Land: Zahhak
The second continent to grace the First World, Zahhak is not exactly as verdant as its cousin Brontos. It exists on the equator a far distance to the east of Brontos, and it has roughly the same landmass as Africa, but "smooshed" and rounded into a large, lumpy oval as long as it is wide. It has a large inland sea, connected to the ocean by two great rivers, the Azis and the Dahaka. While the areas around the coast, the rivers, and the sea have large amounts of plant life, most of the land consists of mountains and deserts. The animal life tend towards what would be appropriate for such arid or verdant environs, abet with the odd tendency for an abundance of reptiles.

11 AP - 2 AP = 9 AP

Total: 9 AP, 0 PAP

Panoply [Nature]: 2/10

[Hatter]

Rejection
Glimmerholm, The Deeplands

Among the dwarves, word of a new philosophy and its corresponding religion spread like wild fire. Murmurs erupted in pubs and bars across Glimmerholm and the word even eventually reached the hallowed halls of the High-Count. Enraged at the prospect of any dwarf throwing away the traditional values of their people, the Council unanimously agreed to cut the cancerous growth before it could spread any further.

A witch hunt was started in the streets of Glimmerholm as gloomsteel soldiers marched through the city. Doors were locked down, windows were shattered and homes were invaded all in the name of purging the cancer from Glimmerholm. Any of the "heretics" found were systematically ejected from Glimmerholm without mercy and any who resisted were quickly killed, dismembered and shoved into a ditch.

From the shadows, Il-Na watched what was happening among his children, his eyes flitting back and forth between house to house, all the while subtly informing the guard of where to find heretics. This was HIS city and he wasn't about to share it with anybody... Even if he had to slaughter every single dwarf in its halls himself.

[Tanzan Aura]

Mortis at the Eyrie

Mortis turned to face his attentive accuser. If she could see him, wrapped in his shadow, then it could mean only one thing. He may as well come clean as she wouldn't have too long to tell others about him.

"I am just a passer by, my dear, a wanderer seeking to learn. You are highly astute so I am clearly in the right place. Tell me, what does a bird do for fun around here?"

Mortis meets the Birds

"You're not a Bird like me then. The first group of travellers was sent today. But you might have a good reason to disguise yourself, I won't blame you for that."

The elder bird tilted her head at the god's question.

"For fun ? Us adults and elders don't have as much time as the chicks, since we are busy gathering food, but I remember having fun doing aerobatics between the Nest's pillars when I had a break."

She showed her wings, which didn't look as healthy as the younger birds ones, some feathers looked like they were about to fall, and they looked pretty out of shape.

"But now I am coming of age, it's getting more and more difficult to fly; sometimes my son has to help me up so that I can flap my wings enough to lift myself up. I think my time will com- ah, let's not think about something so dark today... As for things we do for fun, well, adults enjoy talking, and I heard from my grandson that they found a fun way to gather berries, by making the basket move while they try to throw them in. You should ask the young ones for more, I am but an old lady that is gone well beyond her years..."

The last sentence was accompanied with a sad laughter.

[Emperor Demonking]

The Temple of the white Steed

"We should resist! We are strong." Spoke one.

"We knowtha they be propa evil. Tey tat can't be convinced need ta be deal' wit." Agreed another.

Most may have liked that rhetoric, but they knew it would doom the.

"No! We know we cannae stay 'ere fore'er so how we justeafy doing wicke' to stay a litter longer? Teh real question is why were not gone already/ Plants make ye strong. Surface plants! No surface plants here. This is a polluted plce too. No, why didn' we 'ave the strengt' to leave sooner." Speeched another.

"Aye, why din't we?" Came several voices in reply.

So those that remained left. They met up with those that left earlier. Those that had left earlier spoke of the hearsa of where Slate had gone. This was an obvious omen and the Temple followed the route of Slate.

Early on they were attacked by a group of lessershadowbeasts. These were the sort of foe that the strength of the Whte Steeds was adapt at. Working in harmony they could squash hose creatures. That did not stop them taking casualties. The corpses ere lft behind, just as they had to leave behind the bodies of those that resisted.

They must have done that quite well as they ended up at a tunnel leading to the Frozen Wastes. They aproached the tunnel only slightly when the sun was up. When instead the sun went down and they came out, they were disapointed. They did not think this was how the surface would be. Plants were only at the tunnel's edge and it was terifyingly cold. Was this really there home?

Thus the Nomads went back into the tunnels.


10 AP
- 2 AP: Create Society: The Nomads, A Dwarven Society that worships Slate and lacks a permanent home. They are, at this point, a primitive direct democracy. However,. the Temple of the White Steed is very imortant to the Nomads - every Nomad is a member - and has a Grand Master can control enough votes to prevent any uncomfortable close results.
8 AP

[Gunhaven]

Deadman's Trench,. Elya, Wayfinders

The mistress considered their counter offer. She had to guve the stoneforged credit where it was due. They were negotiating with a Goddess in her own realm their courage could not be doubted and she respected that courage. They would make fine additions to Seafarer's Respite and perhaps she could find a use for them in the future.

She could not however let them think that they could negotiate on equal grounds with her for she was a Goddess and these were mere mortal beings. She pondered for but a moment, thinking over her next course of action. A wicked smile crossed her lips as she came to the solution. It would work excellently, both honoring the courage of these stone mortals as well as exacting her own price for that brazenness.

"I agree to your initial terms of being allowed to complete your mission. You will be allowed to cross the trench, my mermaids will create a bridge of seaweed. However to ensure that my price is paid I mark your people. Forevermore you will have to offer up the same price every five years. Should you ever fail to pay my price your people will be wracked with storms and shall have no reprieve until you pay my price."

With that Elya gave the order for the bridge to be built. It would stand in this spot as a reminder of the price that these stoneforged had paid to continue their mission as well as acting as a way for those on The Test to pass the Trench in their quest for rebirth. The bridge would be guarded by the mermaids and could be brought down with short notice

5 AP
Curse -1 AP Elya's Price
Every 5 years the Stoneforged must send 10 of their number to sacrifice themselves at Deadman's trench. Should they fail to pay the price their people will be wracked with storm until they make good on their bargain and pay the price.

4 AP


Deadman's Trench - Elya, Wayfinders
The Golem considered the proposition and nodded. It said "Your offer is accepted" just as the stoneforged started their duel. A rumble could be heard as the other expeditions turned around and made their way back to the main group. Ten of the Forged remained standing by the time the Wayfinders gathered up. After an hour all but the ten walked across the bridge while the remaining sacrifices waited to see what would be required of them.

Their journey was about a day behind by the time they began their trip to the midpoint. Their trip was largely the same as up to the trench with most things ignoring the travelers. Three quarters of the way through their journey and they finally found some new struggle in the form of a giant squid. Punches were thrown, guided by the Golem's eyes, and thankfully the squid was defeated with only one casualty. They settled down and began work on repairs.

[Razade]

Zuanshi: Har'Hinif, the City of Teeth

Once more Zuanshi followed. Moving between the spaces that the Shark had chewed and along each step took up its teeth to array in an ever cascading series of levels until Har'Hinif, the City of Teeth was complete. Thus was Har'Hinif, the City of Teeth, arrayed to the limits one could walk in ever descending layers each crafted from the solidarity of Zuanshi's Facets and the teeth of Lu'Azu. Each level of the city was unique, joined only by terraces and a constant series of waterfalls that flowed from the top layer. Cities made of glass, of ice, of the stars themselves could be found and yet stranger levels remained to those who dared walk the City of Teeth's many avenues and byways.

"Is the board complete?" Zuanshi, having settled on the top layer, a city of rivers and beautiful natural mountains in which the buildings were carved from the stone itself. "Shall we begin, oh Maw of Many, the first move sings a strangled song of longing in my breast. I am prepared. Yet I give you honor to move as you wish before I do. A charity."


AP: 4AP PAP: 1PAP

Weave Plane: Har'Hinif, the City of Teeth (2AP) - [8/10 War (Cunning)]

4AP - 2AP = 2AP

[Draken]

[The Iron Islands]

The Storm abated over the skies of the islands even as the other gods departed, two of them taking some of the newly forged golems with them, to shape civilizations as they would. The Sun and the Storm took none, the first because he feared bringing his creation harm, the second for it was needless. He had given them minds for a reason, after all, and they had spoken to it, shared its thundering teachings.

So a cadre of stormforged and lawforged were left behind, along with some of their mightier kin in whom the Storm was sufficiently strong. Here in this land of their own birth they would remain, and do as the lightning had told the war gods.

They built. They dug the stones and the metals and made them glow and shift with the Storm's Lightning and the Sun's Flame within. They trod the sea for the shore's bounty and they tore down the meager flora of the Iron Islands or vessels, as walking the seafloor was pointless. All of this they did under the leadership of one who had the Storm's will booming in his core, the firstborn whose name came to simply be Builder.

These forged came to call themselves The Conglomerate, a gathering of all their kind, as well as some curious thunderbirds who descended from the Storms to watch the new race at work and talk with their brothers in lightning, many such birds departed with the Storms, but a few took roost in the spires of the Iron Islands and the Bones of the Earth, some further joining the Conglomerate in full, the eyes of the forged in the sky.

It is unknown who was the first, some credit the original lawforged stoking a flame and others credit a stormforged and a thunderbird singing a crackling and thundering march together, and all yet credit the spark of the Storm, but it is for sure that a brutish technique of imposing the mortal mind's will upon the world arose within the Conglomerate, the crude prelude of a mystical art, then little more than bolts of lightning, jets of flame and floating metals and rocks for the convenience of the craft and the horrific demise of the odd, particularly unruly orc. Of course, orcish relationships with the Conglomerate only slightly often resulted in broken limbs and melted flesh, and a tribe or two was taken into the outskirts of the burgeoning city.

The Conglomerate's first goal was clear. Leave. Not in full, of course, never, this was the land of their birth. But they had a task, a task to reach other lands, to raise infrastructure, deep down, perhaps, most certainly, right there besides the unrelenting spark of the Storm, was the bellicose nature of their War-Gods, a want for viciousness as sure as the Iron Company's or the Cannith Horde's, but tempered by a desire of infrastructure, the Conglomerate would certainly not find the first enemies of the forged, nor bring the islands the first trickles of gold. But they would bring their kin what they would need to fight until the Depths sunk and the Moons themselves crashed against the world.

13 AP

2 AP - Raise Hero: Builder - The first Stormforged (arguably the very first of all forged, who witnessed the creation of all of his kind), Builder leads the conglomerate with a fist of sorcerous, lightning-wreathed steel. He is a potent elementalist with command of Stone and Lightning.

2 AP - Create Society: The Conglomerate - The 'leftovers' of the forged taken in by Builder's vision, those who did not follow Wojciech or Bogduch Caejk'Do. The Conglomerate is, for all intents and purposes, a monarchy led by Builder, although at this point in time there really isn't much more of a political structure to the group, that is made up of at most 100 forged, mainly stormforged and lawforged. Some thunderbirds are also part of the Conglomerate, unusual individuals of a more bellicose nature than the rest of their kin (although still, honestly, pretty mild mannered).

1AP - Bless: The Spark - The Spark of Genius can descend upon anyone, anywhere, anytime. It is the gift of ACOLACOT, a mind as tempestuous as the darkened sky, laden with ideas as if a raincloud and impulsive as lightning itself. Those who bear The Spark, regardless of race, are gifted the Storm's voice, and can speak Empyrean with fluency, and in speaking more mundane tongues, their voice carries out with tremendous might. This genius can manifest in many forms, peerless politicians, matchless merchants, superlative swordsmasters, supreme scientists, etc.

1 AP - Create Mundane Concept: Shipbuilding - The techniques for constructing waterborne vessels, really, this is mundane, it is sort of hard to write anything fancy here, we know what this is. The Conglomerate's seafaring vessels are essentially paddle barges with no real concern for comfort, supply stocks or any other things forged don't care about. They have one purpose, leave the iron islands in search of land with better access to non-metallic resources. First Stop: Brontos.

1 AP - Create Advanced Sub Concept: Engineering (Metallurgy) - Pushed ahead by the spark of genius gifted to many among the Stormforged and slightly abusing the ease of manipulation that comes along with their sorcerous ways, the Conglomerate takes a leap in the development of metal based technologies as well as construction techniques of many sorts.

4 AP - Create Mythical Concept: Elementalism - Elementalism is magic that directly manipulates the elements of the world. In thesis it can be used on anything, but any given practitioner will have a single focus, exceptional practitioners might be able to manipulate two elements and truly legendary ones might control more. The forged of the Conglomerate primarily command the elements of their creators: Stone, Metal, Lightning and Fire. It is possible that others will learn to command Water, Wind, Wood, Cold, Teeth and Filth and who knows what else, but surely these will happen elsewhere.

2 AP left

Creation (Inspiration) [8/10]
Knowledge (Learning) [10/10] Acquired.

[Hatter]

Meet and Trade
The Iron Islands

Galmar was an old and burly dwarf, a skilled warrior and veteran against the shadow beasts. It was he that led an assembly of dwarves in solid gloomsteel armor on the backs of their gloomsteel ant mounts, laden with jewels and prescious metals in large metal trunks which were tied to the ants' backs.

They emerged from the tunnels into the open air with their visors down low in expectation of meeting the great fire in the sky but instead they were met with a picture of two beautiful moons and the stars that accompanied them in the night. The dwarves let out a collective sigh before continuing along upon the surface, searching for any hint of civilization that they could find while silently hoping to find shelter before the fire in the sky came over the horizon to burn them all alive.

[RolandDeschain]

The Temples of Abhorrence - The Squalor, Brontos

He entered each of the six temples and lit the immense bronze braziers contained deep within them. In the first he placed the cobra named Bythsheta, and lit a smokey olive flame. In the second he placed the adder named Yabelashalu, and lit a bilious amber flame. In the third he placed the asp named Rehabi, lighting a pale sepia-hued flame. In the fourth he placed the rattlesnake named Torineti, lighting a vivid scarlet flame. In the fifth, he placed the taipan named Adega, lighting a ghostly amethyst flame. In the final temple he placed the mamba named K’izheti and lit a fire of the purest jet black.

The enormous flaming braziers emitted thinly hued smokes that rose up from the temples, and were carried across the world. Some cultures believe that disease, pestilence, famine, war, calamity, and nightmares crept across the world as a result of the fires lit by Iyll's hand. Some cultures believe that these fires merely heightened these evils, while others believe these fires gave Iyll control over these evils. The truth is unlikely to be revealed, and legend holds that the gods themselves debate such things.

From the moment it had been created, Iyll could feel the formless and fluid realm of Areh'tez. As he levitated through the ebon flames of The Temple of Abhorrent Dreams, he threw up his wretched, twisted hands and pulled the dream realm toward The Squalor. So it was that the worlds collided and overlapped, the ephemeral world of dreams yielding to the more substantial material plane. Deep within Areh'tez, under the Black Hole Sun, the dreaming mind can find The Squalor, where it is known as The Night-Mire, and upon the eastern lands of Brontos one can be transported to the realm of dreams by climbing The Marls and descending into the Festering Fens.

Iyll watched as witless mortals adrift in the dream realm became ensnared in the Night-Mire, no longer able to define and redefine the fluid inreality of Areh'tez. With one more flourish of his hands he muttered his curse upon The Night-Mire, "May you dream of dying long before your dreams have died."

Beginning AP = 9AP + 4AP(rollover) = 13AP

Bridge Plane -2AP: The Squalor/The Night-Mire - Where Areh'tez(the dream realm) and The Squalor(material plane) overlap.
Curse -1AP: Dying Dreams - Mortals who die in their nightmares in The Night-Mire, die in real life and their souls are sent to languish in The Night-Mire forever. This is, however, exceedingly rare, perhaps one in every million nightmares claim a victim.


Remaining AP = 13AP - 2AP -1AP = 10AP

[Draken]

Meet and Trade
The Iron Islands

Galmar's band would not find anyone in the isles for some time, but they would be found instead, for thunderbirds owned the sky.

And in that clear night, with not a cloud in the sky, thunder boomed. A sound unlike any the dwarves had ever heard, like a landslide in the distant sky. How soundly would they sleep with the threat of the moons belching rock upon their brows?

But morning came, far from scorching, and with it came before Galmar a creature of steel and stone, a lawforged shimmering a copper hue, and accompanied by a great golem of gray steel. The small one spoke.

"You don't look like orcs."

[Sontali]

The Serpent and The Sun

As Aphar crossed the sky he saw many new things and often thought about visiting them. But something told him that he should see all there was to see before visiting any one place. This was ruined when he witnessed one of his siblings pull a continent out of the oceans, never having seen this process he flew down to her after she had finished. Upon reaching her altitude Aphar felt a small twinge of self-consciousness, for while he was certainly not ugly he stood before the goddess of beauty.

“I think perhaps that thou couldst hath made that an easier lodging for mortals. I greet thou well mine most beautiful sister. I am Aphar, the Light Bringer."

Glowing like a second sun it is unlikely that he needed to elaborate, but he gestured upwards, to where the sun sat as if to clarify.

[weet555]

Monsters under the waves- beyond the trench.

Deep under the sea in the land where the sun’s light never reached, three stoneforged marched on the sea bed. Their eyes saw though the inky darkness that completely surrounded them, one golem pointed towards an odd creature. The creature looked as though it was made the darkness, it had an eyeless head and more fins than any other fish they had seen.

Suddenly the “fish” turned to the golems and swam towards them at a speed their eyes couldn’t follow. Before the closest stoneforged could react the lesser shadow beast was bending and slipping though gaps in the golems outer layer. The sounds of metal, and stone being ripped apart could be heard though the water as the poor stoneforged convulsed and fell down.
A second stoneforged moved close to its companion's body ready to rip the monster that had jumped in inside them. The golem kicked the body and jumped back. They will not walking back with us.

Suddenly the beast leaped form the body, with a lot of luck the stonforged manage to grab the monster. Dark tendrils came from the beast and cut into the golems hands.

The stoneforged, resolute, as its hand were being ripped apart it tore the beast in two. And the shadow’s body faded away until it was nothing. The golem looked at this hands, bent and broken he couldn’t even move a finger.

It was going to be a long way back.

Monsters above the clouds – beyond Eyrie.

Two young birds flew through the night sky. The pigeon and the falcon looked back to Eyrie. The old birds said not to fly through the night, “You won’t know where you’re going.” “It will hard to avoid branches and rock.” “You don’t know what’s out there, you should take less risks.” What did they know?

The pigeon saw a four winged creature that don’t look like a bird, he was lucky to see it, it was fast and near completely camouflaged against the night sky. Finding new life already? This is easy. “Hello there, what are you?” The pigeon asked.

The beast dived faster than a falcon ever could and struck the pigeon, ripping it apart in mid-air. “… he was my best friend… I’ll.. I’ll kill you monster!!!” The falcon screamed as he started his own dive. To the falcon’s shock the monster caught his dive and tried to stab his wings with its spines as they both fell.

As they both struck the cliff face the falcon somehow got free of the beast and with a talon grabbed hold of the wall. He had a broken wing and blood on almost all his feathers. In the haze he thought he saw the monster fade away like it was never there. He then saw a shadow moving along the rock surface. I must be seeing things.

A four legged monster came from shadow and grabbed into the rock, it had sharp tendrils upon its back and a rows of teeth in its mouth.

The prey did not return that night.


11ap

Blessing (1ap): The speed of darkness

Shadow monsters of all kinds are faster and possess better reaction times. These effects are father boosted too near unmatchable levels if the shadow monster is with in darkness or thick shadows.

Curse (1ap): consuming darkness

Light sources within the presence of shadow monsters that they wish to be gone consume fuel (wood, magic, souls and whatever it is) at a dramatically accelerated rate. This curse can also effect items/life than makes light as a side effect if they need fuel.
Light sources also blink out for short periods and intermittently in the presence of shadow monsters.

Claim panoply death:
Speed of darkness
Lesser, shadow beasts
Greater, shadow beasts
Husks of night
The unseen mark
The shadow pack

9ap

[Kirjath]

Depthless Woe

Zhen felt a sharp sting as a secret was taken from her. She glanced about the Deeper Darkness in a quiet fury; who could have done something so callous, something so utterly insipid? Her mind trailed back through the visions Zuanshi had given her, visions of a great beast swimming through the First World, full of endless hunger. Zhen shook her head in disappointment and continued down into the depths. She would deal with this later; for as the shark had stolen something from her, Zhen found that she too had grabbed an idea from it. An idea that needed time to grow, something to wait for patiently until it was ready. Her hands worked quickly, stretching and molding the idea until it was unrecognizable. She then placed it within her robe, and Zhen smiled again.

"So this is what it means to have an enemy." She giggled mirthfully. "How fun!"

Her travels then took her across The Deep Walk and into the darkness below. Where there was no light, she saw a great many beasts gathered. They whipped about her at speeds unlikely to be natural, and Zhen regarded them with keen interest.

"And what might you be, Quick Shadows? I have seen The Hunt, and it is a game most intriguing."

When they did not answer, Zhen's arms sprang out and tapped six of the beings. Instantly she was filled with an insatiable hunger, a strong desire to pin down the weak mortal races and feast upon them. She saw the ever growing shadows wished only to consume, but they lacked individuality and had not a glimmer of joy. Zhen shook her head in disappointment, but her hands pulled away with another idea. This one she left as it was and stowed it within her robe. The creatures left her alone and continued their hunt, because even their powers could not dampen moonlight.

Finally, she reached the spot she had been driven towards. Zhen could feel immeasurable sadness emanating from this place, and it piqued her curiosity; for what sort of being could not fathom the joys of the world? Zuanshi had shown her a vision of Kelia, an endless ocean of misery, and now Zhen could finally see her. She was hunched over in her woe, surrounded by a statue that spun about in an eternal dance and a number of Facets that sang a beautiful tune.

"Greetings, Depthless Woe, I am Zhen. I felt your rage towards the Hidden Song, and I wondered at what could cause it. Just as the moons travel across the Void, so too have I taken an interest in the Depths of the First World. Tell me, what is it that sparks your misery?"

[Hatter]

Meet and Trade
The Iron Islands

Upon seeing the forged, Galmar ushered his mount forward in a calm and respectful manner before turning the gloomsteel ant sideways, both to display it's natural beauty and to point it's pincers away from the locals. He gave them a look over before raising his helm's heavy visor up and away from his face.

"Aye? Ain't be knowin' wha' ye mean by orcs, meesta. We be dwarves, eh? Me name's Galmar Blackhide an' be comin' tee represent Lustrious Glimmerholm which be deep 'neath that earth, eh? Be bringin' gems an' precious metals ta trade an' do business wit' ye surface folk iffin' ye be interested." The dwarf introduced himself, he was what could pass as nobility among the dwarves, thrice removed from the main Blackhide Bloodline and he certainly showed it, if not in demeanor then in the sheer amount of jewelry that bedecked his gauntleted fingers and armored chest.

A Disappointed Father
The Deeper Darkness

Il-Na heard tales whispered among his followers of dwarves that have simply vanished into the tunnels beyond his home. He would not have paid it any mind if not for the mindless greedy prayers that had suddenly ceased and so the golden god ranged out into the deeps to find what had happened.

He came across a group of a dozen or so twisted and pathetic creatures that huddled in the darkness and he was simply in disgust of what he found. These were dwarves..Well, at least they were at one point but they had forgotten what it truly meant to be a dwarf...These gnomes were twisted abominations of his children and nothing more.

One gnome was brave enough to scuttle towards Il-Na, sniffing the air in confusion but before he could even get close, the creature exploded in a shower of guts and blood and flesh that splattered across the stone walls of the tunnel. He turned his attention to the others and they ran in a variety of different directions.

"You're not even dwarves anymore... Pathetic. Your souls are not welcome among my children." He muttered under his breath with a sneer.

[Umbrater]

Mortis meets the Birds

"You're not a Bird like me then. The first group of travellers was sent today. But you might have a good reason to disguise yourself, I won't blame you for that."

The elder bird tilted her head at the god's question.

"For fun ? Us adults and elders don't have as much time as the chicks, since we are busy gathering food, but I remember having fun doing aerobatics between the Nest's pillars when I had a break."

She showed her wings, which didn't look as healthy as the younger birds ones, some feathers looked like they were about to fall, and they looked pretty out of shape.

"But now I am coming of age, it's getting more and more difficult to fly; sometimes my son has to help me up so that I can flap my wings enough to lift myself up. I think my time will com- ah, let's not think about something so dark today... As for things we do for fun, well, adults enjoy talking, and I heard from my grandson that they found a fun way to gather berries, by making the basket move while they try to throw them in. You should ask the young ones for more, I am but an old lady that is gone well beyond her years..."

The last sentence was accompanied with a sad laughter.

Mortis and The Old Bird

"In a way I am a bird. I was spawned from one just in a very different way to you. I hide my true self purely because others feel more comfortable that way. I want to hear from you as you will give me a rounded view of what it means to live as a bird. While the young may have the more entertaining lives one cannot be young forever."

Mortis took a a while to read the bird. He found talking to somebody difficult when he knew that they were not long for this world. It shouldn't be looked at like that, this was a great opportunity for their soul but it was difficult telling them that when they were so used to their mortal body. Then something about his previous words struck him.

"No, you can be young forever. This is not your end, you have a lot to look forward to. I will take you somewhere that you can fly for eternity. You needn't take the time to gather food for it will grow everywhere. In time your children will join you and you can all be young together. You do need to go now, but it will be waiting for you when you are ready to pass on."

[Draken]

Meet and Trade
The Iron Islands

The lawforged examined Galmar for a moment.

"Orcs are a newer creation of lord Wojciech. Flesh-folk like you, often too aggressive for their own good, even if they are skilled in battle."

"As for introductions, you may call me Assessor, Conglomerate scout. I have been sent to ascertain who you were and why you are here. This has been done."

Assessor hums.

"As for the materials you seek to trade, the Iron Islands are bountiful in such things, such is Wojciech's will that he never wanted us to lack the materials for blades and armor. But I am sure my stormforged brethren would appreciate samples from distant lands."

There is a sound of thunder, the two constructs look towards its source. Galmar might see a large, black-winged bird perching on a lonely tree if his eyes are good and he looks towards that side.

"Hmm... Yes, I suppose it is best to invite you to the city of Hundred, our brethren will be curious about you and your wares, and there you could also see what you might be interested in trading for as well."

[CrossLead24]

The Serpent and The Sun

As Aphar crossed the sky he saw many new things and often thought about visiting them. But something told him that he should see all there was to see before visiting any one place. This was ruined when he witnessed one of his siblings pull a continent out of the oceans, never having seen this process he flew down to her after she had finished. Upon reaching her altitude Aphar felt a small twinge of self-consciousness, for while he was certainly not ugly he stood before the goddess of beauty.

“I think perhaps that thou couldst hath made that an easier lodging for mortals. I greet thou well mine most beautiful sister. I am Aphar, the Light Bringer."

Glowing like a second sun it is unlikely that he needed to elaborate, but he gestured upwards, to where the sun sat as if to clarify.The Serpent and The Sun

The first thing Sustrai noticed was the sudden light, searing the sky with its heat as it descended down upon the mountain where she had been standing, studying the desert below in order to determine whether it would be good to begin her work in. Quickly it resolved itself into a proper form, and she first met the gaze of one of her "siblings". That made three others she knew existed... wait, no, four; another had become linked in the chain of power that bonded her to her "allies".

She took a second to evaluate her brother as he spoke. There was a current of strength within him, for all that he did not strike a particularly imposing figure, when you factored out the glow. Best to not to try to assert her authority. Still, she grinned inwardly at his moment of discomfort; it was good to know that at least one other divine respected her glory. To Aphar, however, her expression shifted into one of impressed cheer.

"And may I return your greeting, most illuminated and distinguished brother. I am Sustrai, the Lady of Scales. Truly, an amazing work on your part; the light is most wonderfully appreciated!"

With this, however, her expression change from cheer to one more serious and sorrowful.

"As for you first statement, I wish I could have, most honored Light Bringer. But unfortunately, I am not sure that it would be right of me to do so. For all I wish I could give my soon-to-be creations lives of comfort and joy, it appears not all of our siblings mean well for this world..."

She suddenly turned, noticing out of the corner of her eye one of the filthy abominations (shadow beasts, though she knew that name not, much as she would not care that this was one of the weakest snd frehest of its kind) that had begun spawning on her canvas without her consent, the foul creature stalking an unaware jackal in the desert below. Immediately, her well-feigned emotions fell back to make way for all too genuine disgust and rage.

"...As I am sure you can see all too well."

Her eyes glared metaphorical daggers at the creature, her withering gaze causing the creature to unravel before it could assume a shadowy shape. With a put-upon sigh she shifted back into something like her expression before the thing had made itself known, allowing anger to bleed into her face and words for fear that to suddenly shift back would tell of the deliberateness of her appearance.

"Which is why I have made this land such as it is. As much as I would love otherwise, I can not protect my children from all harm; I am not perfect, and I can not be everywhere at once. The only thing I can truly do to ensure their safety is to teach them strength. The land shall test them. Once they are formed I will give them a society that they might band together for survival, and the tools needed to endure against those who would destroy them. Thus will they grow despite the darkness that would bury them, even when I am not able to guide them."

All true, even if some of it burned like bile in her prideful heart. Outwardly, she nodded her head, only to suddenly look up again, her face startled and embarrassed as if just struck with a thought.

"But I prattle on. Forgive me for my foolishness."

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

"C-curious... don't they know the dangers of c-coming here?" Kelia said with a certain sadness to her voice. These caves were connected to her being and were influenced by her broken melancholic thoughts, she knew this, and so she felt a great pity for them. The gnomes that now wander her caverns were twisted monstrosities- twisted by her mind. And now more had come. Oh, she couldn't see them from her sea of misery down in the darkest deepest level, but she could feel them in the caves, like feet tracking mud in her mind.

It was a little itchy.

Not all within her disjointed pathways were unfriendly, she especially liked the giant ants that had taken Father's hardened lifeblood into themselves.. It was amazing how life could evolve and develop anywhere, only to one die inevitably fail and be cast forever into misery. It almost wouldn't be so sad except for the last bit.

Zuni told her that she knew what she meant.

The lady of sorrows considered visiting those dwarves and giving them a little fright to scare them off. It would be better for them to leave and live out their miserable days than wander any deeper into the caverns. Blackhide Hold was settled onto the boarder between the upper deep and the lower deep, and through it they were able to mine the surface of the Deeper Darkness, enough to outfit almost an entire army. But they'd need more eventually.. and then they would strike deeper...

Kelia gave into shuddering sobs, electing to cry a bit more instead of leaving her comforting darkness.

But it didn't last long because there was another visitor in her dark halls. It couldn't be the Dwarves or their unfortunate brethren the Gnomes yet. And her handful of Emeralds never left her side.

Slowly Kelia lifted her head from her arms and peered through the darkness and tears at her new guest. Another dear sister, or really, more like a cousin. It had been quiet in these caves for so long before her voice broke the silence.

"Oh s-sister, I didn't- I mean- I'm s-sorry..." Kelia stammered before attempting to stand, one of her emeralds helping her to get to her feet more quickly. She tried to look more presentable and dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her cloak before pulling the hood over her head. "I know of no s-songs, my lady, hidden or o-o-otherwise." She stuttered before looking down at her feet in embarrassment. "I must a-apologize again, I'm in no fit s-state to burden one as b-beautiful as you with my w-woes." Her voice cracked and she made a pathetic choking noise as a fresh wave of hot tears streamed forth.

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll - Temples of Abhorrence, The Squalor

He waited patiently atop the Temple of Abhorrent Dreams for the first trapped soul to be ensnared within The Night-Mire. When the first arrived he gathered the piteous, delicate thing and took it below to feed to K’izheti. As he looked on the mamba gorged itself, growing fat and bloated before coiling around the great brazier to sleep and digest.

He went above to await the next arrival, which he took to Adega; repeating the action again and again with Torineti, Rehabi, Yabelashalu, and Bythsheta. As the Six Serpents of the Apocalypse slept and grew, he pondered long what he would do with his precious children.

Beginning AP = 10 AP
Claim Panoply: Death - all of Iyll's future curses count as +1AP curses for the purpose of countering actions.

Face of Corruption(5AP)
Tainted Love(1AP)
The Squalor(1AP)
The Night-Mire(2AP)
Dying Dreams(1AP)

Remaining AP =10AP

[Sontali]

The Serpent and The Sun

The first thing Sustrai noticed was the sudden light, searing the sky with its heat as it descended down upon the mountain where she had been standing, studying the desert below in order to determine whether it would be good to begin her work in. Quickly it resolved itself into a proper form, and she first met the gaze of one of her "siblings". That made three others she knew existed... wait, no, four; another had become linked in the chain of power that bonded her to her "allies".

She took a second to evaluate her brother as he spoke. There was a current of strength within him, for all that he did not strike a particularly imposing figure, when you factored out the glow. Best to not to try to assert her authority. Still, she grinned inwardly at his moment of discomfort; it was good to know that at least one other divine respected her glory. To Aphar, however, her expression shifted into one of impressed cheer.

"And may I return your greeting, most illuminated and distinguished brother. I am Sustrai, the Lady of Scales. Truly, an amazing work on your part; the light is most wonderfully appreciated!"

With this, however, her expression change from cheer to one more serious and sorrowful.

"As for you first statement, I wish I could have, most honored Light Bringer. But unfortunately, I am not sure that it would be right of me to do so. For all I wish I could give my soon-to-be creations lives of comfort and joy, it appears not all of our siblings mean well for this world..."

She suddenly turned, noticing out of the corner of her eye one of the filthy abominations (shadow beasts, though she knew that name not, much as she would not care that this was one of the weakest snd frehest of its kind) that had begun spawning on her canvas without her consent, the foul creature stalking an unaware jackal in the desert below. Immediately, her well-feigned emotions fell back to make way for all too genuine disgust and rage.

"...As I am sure you can see all too well."

Her eyes glared metaphorical daggers at the creature, her withering gaze causing the creature to unravel before it could assume a shadowy shape. With a put-upon sigh she shifted back into something like her expression before the thing had made itself known, allowing anger to bleed into her face and words for fear that to suddenly shift back would tell of the deliberateness of her appearance.

"Which is why I have made this land such as it is. As much as I would love otherwise, I can not protect my children from all harm; I am not perfect, and I can not be everywhere at once. The only thing I can truly do to ensure their safety is to teach them strength. The land shall test them. Once they are formed I will give them a society that they might band together for survival, and the tools needed to endure against those who would destroy them. Thus will they grow despite the darkness that would bury them, even when I am not able to guide them."

All true, even if some of it burned like bile in her prideful heart. Outwardly, she nodded her head, only to suddenly look up again, her face startled and embarrassed as if just struck with a thought.

"But I prattle on. Forgive me for my foolishness."



The Serpent and The Sun

Aphar smiled, for he knew not of flattery yet. But frowned when she hinted at something, and just managed to see the shadow beast before it was undone by Sustrai’s gaze. He had not seen a shadow beast before, his presence was death to them and so up until this point they had hidden from him like a dog hides from a violent master. Perhaps Bogduch Caejk’Do was right…

As she continued something clicked within Aphar once again, as it had when he had upon learning that there were other gods and that mortals existed. Like parts of himself that were always there but only came forth given the right catalyst. He could almost feel the next one pushing through, like it sat on the tip of his shining tongue.

“There is nothing to forgive. Now I hast heard thee put it like that I find myself in full agreement. T’is not our place to coddle mortals, hardship allows them grow and wilt make them strong. Though I fear I may hast leaped to conclusions with a brother of ours, if this darkness of which thou speak is true.”

With those words, there was another click. And if it is I shalt find it and raze it even to the foundation.

[mystic1110]

Zuanshi: Har'Hinif, the City of Teeth

Once more Zuanshi followed. Moving between the spaces that the Shark had chewed and along each step took up its teeth to array in an ever cascading series of levels until Har'Hinif, the City of Teeth was complete. Thus was Har'Hinif, the City of Teeth, arrayed to the limits one could walk in ever descending layers each crafted from the solidarity of Zuanshi's Facets and the teeth of Lu'Azu. Each level of the city was unique, joined only by terraces and a constant series of waterfalls that flowed from the top layer. Cities made of glass, of ice, of the stars themselves could be found and yet stranger levels remained to those who dared walk the City of Teeth's many avenues and byways.

"Is the board complete?" Zuanshi, having settled on the top layer, a city of rivers and beautiful natural mountains in which the buildings were carved from the stone itself. "Shall we begin, oh Maw of Many, the first move sings a strangled song of longing in my breast. I am prepared. Yet I give you honor to move as you wish before I do. A charity."


AP: 4AP PAP: 1PAP

Weave Plane: Har'Hinif, the City of Teeth (2AP) - [8/10 War (Cunning)]

4AP - 2AP = 2AP


The Shark swam around the sky that surrounded the very top of the tallest spire of Har'Hinif - which was where Zuanshi sat. The spire itself was constructed of rivers, stone and natural trees. His eyes looked down at the infinite cities down below. Cities made of fire, and cities made of dead rotting trees. Cities made of marble and steel and iron. Together made painted a picture, not unlike Areh'tez.

And yet, at the core of each city - their frames - their structural support - they were built of teeth. From up top, the endless cities looked like the many teeth of his mouth. An endless maw.

A game must be played between equals. Charity has no place in our hearts. If we shall find ourselves in deadlock, I shall yield as the price of going first.

With that, the Shark swam through reality and back towards Paragon. Of course, he could have gone anywhere else. Perhaps an empty piece would have been a better choice. A place to consolidate, and build. But that was not Lu'Azu, and he felt the game wouldn't be interesting if played that way. One must seize the game much as one seizes life. By the throat until all of its delicious juices ran down one's mouth.

And so the Shark swam through Paragon and began whispering secrets to those who lived there. For you see, at this point the Shark knew how to rend, break and break bodies and minds. He knew each of those things intimatedly. How a bone's marrow tasted when shredded. How a vein's membrane felt when being chewed. How a thought went down perfectly when paired with a memory.

But to destroy also meant knowing how to build. And so the secrets the Shark whispered among the denizens of each of the Four Realms of Paragon were how to cure a malady with a word. How to remake a broken bone with a gesture.

Of course the Facets were not mere bone and blood, they were gems given life, but the magic of Lu'Azu was no mere surgery. It can repair a cracked gem, help an old one regain its luster. The Shark whispered to them how to Cure and to Heal.

And when he was done, he swam back down towards the fourth layer and retreated along the bridge there to swim through to Areh'tez.

Of course, healing and mending came at a price - things had to break first. And the Shark finds that one is more likely to happen when the possibility of the other exists. And mended bones and fixed gems are never the same. They grow back stronger, more calcified. They regrow like teeth.


AP 9
4 AP - Create Mythical Concept: Medical Magic. All magic dealing with healing: repairing broken bones, torn blood vessels. Magic dealing with curing insanity, and helping with pregnancy. Healing magic.

AP 5

[CrazyPenguin]

The Sellsword's Spire - Shadow Beasts

Wojciech stood upon the Spire's highest tower, looking out on the island below. He watched with some amusement as the orcs fought among themselves. Their constant warring, combined with the natural dangers of the Iron Islands, had made them a strong people, well-suited to survive whatever the First World would throw at them. As the Sellsword stood there, one of the Iron Company's lesser lieutenants approached from behind. "One of the First Lieutenant's men has returned. He says he has good news."

"Bring him up."

After a few moments, the sergeant was brought up to Wojciech. "We met another race in the tunnels, sir. Short, stout, and hairy, they are called the dwarves. The Lieutenant made an agreement with one of them, offering protection in exchange for valuable gemstones."

"Good. Good. Did the Lieutenant give an estimate of how long this would take?"

"No, si-"

The sergeant's report was cut off by the horrific sound of shredding metal. To Wojciech's eyes, it appeared that the poor Swordforged's shadow had come to life and torn him in half. Reacting with lightning speed, the Sellsword grabbed the shadow beast by it's throat, holding it aloft. The creature clawed at his arm, trying to shred mail, flesh, and bone with it's wicked claws. But it was a mere beast, and Wojciech was a god. The beast's wild attempts to free itself barely even annoyed Wojciech. He studied it, pensive eyes hiding his innermost thoughts.

Who knows how long the Sellsword stood there, holding the flailing shadow beast aloft. The whole time, the Swordforged sergeant grasped desperately at Wojciech's ankles, pleading for help as his molten lifeblood flowed over the tower floor. Only when the sergeant finally expired, the last of his iron blood spilled and cooled, did Wojciech finally stir. Looking down at the dead Swordforged, the Sellsword's face took on a mildly annoyed expression. "Do you know how hard those things are to make?" he said to the shadow beast, which responded with a choked snarl and more flailing. "No, didn't think you did. Well, it's f***in' hard, okay?" With this, he flung the shadow beast from the tower. As it fell, it exited the shadow of the Sellsword's Spire and was exposed to the full, direct light of the sun, which burned it to nothing.

With a sigh, Wojciech walked back into the Spire, and began work on the sergeant's replacement.

[Gunhaven]

Monsters under the waves- beyond the trench.

Deep under the sea in the land where the sun’s light never reached, three stoneforged marched on the sea bed. Their eyes saw though the inky darkness that completely surrounded them, one golem pointed towards an odd creature. The creature looked as though it was made the darkness, it had an eyeless head and more fins than any other fish they had seen.

Suddenly the “fish” turned to the golems and swam towards them at a speed their eyes couldn’t follow. Before the closest stoneforged could react the lesser shadow beast was bending and slipping though gaps in the golems outer layer. The sounds of metal, and stone being ripped apart could be heard though the water as the poor stoneforged convulsed and fell down.
A second stoneforged moved close to its companion's body ready to rip the monster that had jumped in inside them. The golem kicked the body and jumped back. They will not walking back with us.

Suddenly the beast leaped form the body, with a lot of luck the stonforged manage to grab the monster. Dark tendrils came from the beast and cut into the golems hands.

The stoneforged, resolute, as its hand were being ripped apart it tore the beast in two. And the shadow’s body faded away until it was nothing. The golem looked at this hands, bent and broken he couldn’t even move a finger.

It was going to be a long way back.

Monsters above the clouds – beyond Eyrie.

Two young birds flew through the night sky. The pigeon and the falcon looked back to Eyrie. The old birds said not to fly through the night, “You won’t know where you’re going.” “It will hard to avoid branches and rock.” “You don’t know what’s out there, you should take less risks.” What did they know?

The pigeon saw a four winged creature that don’t look like a bird, he was lucky to see it, it was fast and near completely camouflaged against the night sky. Finding new life already? This is easy. “Hello there, what are you?” The pigeon asked.

The beast dived faster than a falcon ever could and struck the pigeon, ripping it apart in mid-air. “… he was my best friend… I’ll.. I’ll kill you monster!!!” The falcon screamed as he started his own dive. To the falcon’s shock the monster caught his dive and tried to stab his wings with its spines as they both fell.

As they both struck the cliff face the falcon somehow got free of the beast and with a talon grabbed hold of the wall. He had a broken wing and blood on almost all his feathers. In the haze he thought he saw the monster fade away like it was never there. He then saw a shadow moving along the rock surface. I must be seeing things.

A four legged monster came from shadow and grabbed into the rock, it had sharp tendrils upon its back and a rows of teeth in its mouth.

The prey did not return that night.


11ap

Blessing (1ap): The speed of darkness

Shadow monsters of all kinds are faster and possess better reaction times. These effects are father boosted too near unmatchable levels if the shadow monster is with in darkness or thick shadows.

Curse (1ap): consuming darkness

Light sources within the presence of shadow monsters that they wish to be gone consume fuel (wood, magic, souls and whatever it is) at a dramatically accelerated rate. This curse can also effect items/life than makes light as a side effect if they need fuel.
Light sources also blink out for short periods and intermittently in the presence of shadow monsters.

Claim panoply death:
Speed of darkness
Lesser, shadow beasts
Greater, shadow beasts
Husks of night
The unseen mark
The shadow pack

9ap

Monsters Under The Waves - Wayfinder Expedition
It was indeed a long trip back as their travel time was cut in half, the second half of each day spent repairing and rebuilding their numbers. They never had to fear about their numbers being decimated however, the light of the Sun burning strong in the golem's eyes and insuring at least it would remain standing. Inevitably they reached the end point, distances constantly being readjusted as hardships befell them, and began to march back towards home. They paused, battered but uncaring, at the Trench and motioned towards the path they marched.
"Darkness attacks beyond this point" was the only warning the golem gave before they crossed the bridge and returned home. They were marked by the beasts that attacked them, though, and brought it back with them to the east. Less time was spent rebuilding as repairs were done as they marched. Whatever buffer they had formed during their expedition vanished when they finally emerged from their underwater expedition. The golem marched dutifully to report to their Champion and explained what had transpired while the stoneforged began work on their own little hamlet.

It was decided that they needed a means to track time. The Champion set about constructing a stone building where the first brawl occurred to determine who would be the first golem to receive It's blessing. Lines were made in both directions as if the entire floor was constructed from perfectly spaced tiles. Then a hole was bored into the roof so that the sun could stream into the building with the path of the sun marked on the floor. At it's highest point it was marked the other way before it continued on it's journey. Ten rotations passed to confirm that it would indeed track time before it was deemed a success and a note made for when they would gather to decide who would be divided next and for when they would send the stoneforged to the trench. Soon the design was copied for each of the golem's fortresses so that everyone in the Cannith Horde would have an idea on when they were needed next.

Starting: 5 AP (1 + 4 Rollover)
Artifact Charges: -2 Major Artifact, -1 Organization

Create Advanced Concept (-2 AP): Astronomy is being practiced by the Cannith Horde. At the heart of it all is something similar to churches (http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/catholics-built-secret-astronomical-features-into-churches-to-help-save-souls) to track the time and day as the sun continues to hurtle through the sky. Of course they haven't necessarily named the divisions they've come up with, seeming to be fine with referring to the daily ticks as just that (divided into eleven sections with another ten smaller sections and another ten smaller sections for times that need to be that precise) and the yearly rotation being divided into four hundred ticks. Their means of writing dates thus becomes Hundredths.Tenths.Ones:Date.Year, plus or minus high noon (for example sunset on the day that they first fought would be 0.0.5:1.1 while sunrise would be -0.0.5:1.1).

When they spread such knowledge to other civilizations they can mess with the divisions as much as they want.

Ending: 3 AP
AC: -2 Major, -1 Organization

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Frozen Wastes

Slate was just before The Crystaline Forest. He stared out if for a while. He wondred if he ought to be offended. He was immpressed. He thought. He wasn't sure. In quite a slow, drawn-out fashion - as if he was doing some sort of dance - he trotted to sea, and dunked his head.

He snorted, the air bubbles left his nose and began to expand. The divine energy of the wild deity began to transform this cold part of the sea into a bridge to it Elemental Plane counter-part. More unpoppable spheres of air began to appear. Sphreres of earth began to appear. The spheres never overlapped. And no sphere ever existed inside another. However, almost every earth sphere had an air sphere very near to it, and almost every air sphere had a corrsponding earth.

Something about the area allowed plants to thrive and scared fish and clams off. The centre of the grotto was a huge air sphere whose bottom was covered by hard ice. Material-wise of the ice sphere were obvious plants, or the occasional chunks of ice. Elemental-wise of the ice sphere were the occasional stream of water whose waters were not those of the Crystalline Sea.

Camwarts living in the Elemental Plane of Water were drawn to the grotto. Soon it was full of them. Things that did not look like plants, but were plants. Slate lifted his head out and looked again at The Crystaline Forest


8 AP
- 2 AP: Bridge Plane: Camwart Grotto: The Elemental Plane of Water and part of the sea between Brontos and The Frozen Wastes. A good swimmer could get from the Grotto to the Frozen Wastes quite easily one he got used to the trip.
- 1 AP: Plants Home: Camwart Grotto attract and helps plant flourish while is hostile to any other types that would live there. This effect isn't powerful enough to really affect sentient life, who may only feel a slight oddness is they set up shop there.
5 AP

[Kirjath]

Depthless Woe

Zhen regarded the sobbing being with some measure of pity. She couldn’t sense an end to the tears that flowed from her eyes, nor could she imagine there would ever be an end. But even through her misery, Kelia had thought to compliment the Pale Moon. Zhen had never thought of her own appearance before; the Robes of Midnight shrouded her entirely except for her hands, feet, and her ever present grin, but the praise from Kelia set Zhen into a giddy mood.

“Burden? Oh no, my dear. I came here seeking you.” She said lightly. With a gleeful spin, she joined the small statue in its endless dance around Kelia.

“Zuanshi, that Hidden Song which gives me step, granted me a vision. It showed me palaces and dusty realms, crystalline beings, and even the great dangers of the depths. Things unimaginable only a short time ago. There was beauty and magic, all wrapped up in uncomfortably tidy corners.”

“But more than that, it showed me anger, directed from you.” Zhen stopped spinning, and regarded Kelia with a mischievous grin. “And I became curious. Is there perhaps something you’re mad at Zuanshi for?”

Even more conspiratorily, she whispered, “Is there perhaps some way you’d like to get back at my dear Hidden Song? Tell me of your woes, and I guarantee the moons shall listen in full.”

[Razade]

Zuanshi: The Elemental Plane of Water

With the Maw gone, Zunashi too went to make its first move. Lateral thinking would be important, moves small and unnoticed would be ideal and so behind the guise of moving five of its Bonfire Diamonds to the Manse, Zunashi slipped away to the Elemental Plane of Water. Once there it surveyed the expanse of beautiful water and began to weave a towering monument of subtle edges and gorgeous gardens of towering redwoods at its base, cherry blossoms of dazzling colors along its edges and at the top a diamond of purest black. It wrapped mangrove around the edges. To dwell in this place, it crafted yet more facets and dubbed them Bonfire Opals. These Opals would be the foundation of its next move. They were beautiful in a way the Emeralds could not be, their skin sparkling under the sun with eyes of purest gold and hair that flowed about them like waterfalls. The materials on this plane were not the same as Paragon however, corners would need be cut and so the Bonfire Opals were judged to need less shapeshifting than their sisters, after all...they would always have water soon enough.

Bonfire Diamond Contingent: Manse of Covetous Awe

Of the Ten that dwelt in Paragon, five remained for Zuanshi had moved half their sisters to its home within the Manse of Covetous Awe. Their task was simple, to aid the movement of the board and thus their fist act was to finish the nondescript silver islands to mimic the Planes they were meant to represent.


AP: 2AP PAP: 1PAP 1 Free Alter Land/Create Monstrous Race

Create Sentient Sub-Race: Bonfire Opals (1PAP) - Bonfire Opals are a race native to the Elemental Plane of Water. These Opals are graceful and slight with flowing watery hair that shines with an inner light. Their shape-shifting abilities are lesser than their kin, mostly capable of transforming into mermaids or other sealife.

Bonfire Diamond- Alter Land(0AP): The Islands in the Manse of Covetous Awe are now small-scale versions of their real life counterparts.

Create Land: Facet Temple (Torrent) (2AP) - The Facet Temple on the Elemental Plane of Water is home to the Bonfire Opals. This temple is dedicated to the Water Titan and to the Authority and servers as a religious center for all Facets.[10/10 War (Cunning)]

2AP - 2AP = 0AP

1PAP - 1PAP = 0PAP

Free Alter Used

[Hatter]

Meet and Trade
The Iron Islands

"Aye, lead on, eh? I'd be glad ter meet with tha rest o ye kin. Tha more there be, the more trade there be eh?" said Galmar with a wide grin. It would be impossible to tell whether it was a happy grin or a grin of greed.

Mercenaries

Rorick's group under escort by the Swordforged mercenaries traveled the length and breadth of the Deep Walk for what seemed like days on end and frequently ran into the shadowbeasts that plagues the subterranean world.

The dwarves of course, having purchased the services of the mercenaries felt no need whatsoever to participate in the fights beyond giving the mercenaries tips and knowledge of the beasts, at a price should any of those mercenaries be willing to pay the dwarves.

Finally, after walking much further and much deeper into the earth than any Swordforged had ever traveled, they arrived at Blackhide Hold where Rorick paid the mercenaries the agreed upon amount without any discrepancies and invited them to spend their earnings within the walls of the hold. He even gave them directions to Glimmerholm, free of charge!

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

Kelia watched the two dance in wonder, her sobs even abating for a brief moment through her tears never stopped dripping. She was so beautiful, and Zuni had never been so graceful before!

"S-seeking me? Have y-you come to m-mock p-poor p-pitiful Kelia?" The goddess said, her voice cracking and stuttering even more than before because she wasn't alone. The lady of languish wiped her face with her sleeve out of habit and then pulled the hood of her cloak tighter up around her face.

"Z-Zuanshi?" She said, a bit startled. Many of the Bonfire Emeralds perked up at mention of their master, and moved closer in order to hear the conversation not merely through echo. "T-they know I'm a-angry with them?" Kelia questioned, shooting a look over at the gathering of Emeralds. So they had passed on her message after all. The goddess of woes paused for a moment and looked at the ground.

"It's s-silly really..." Kelia stammered before grabbing a portion of her cloak in her hand, gripping it tightly. "But they a-a-abandoned me! They came h-here for my c-comfort but I guess t-they.. had... other.. p-priorities..." She trailed off as she ran out of steam and started to bawl heavily once more.

"E-everyone does in t-time.."

Though her choking sobs she looked back up at the goddess of the moons, keeping her hand over her face in shame.

"W-what did you h-have in m-mind?"

[Draken]

[Meet and Trade]
The Iron Islands

Assessor and his companion guided Galmar's troupe across the rocky plains of the island, all the way to the shore. The bright sun above kept the shadows at bay, and none of the beasts of the land came near. In time, the city of Hundred came into view.

To a denizen of Glimmerholm it was certainly not an magnificent city, in truth, it might resemble a slum built around an open pit mine (well, not that the dwarves would know what an open pit mine was), but it was impressive nonetheless, with a few smokestacks rising high and belching black clouds into the sky, a nascent pier with a large vessel bordering completion, tall metal poles upon which perched black-winged thunderbirds, speaking with thunderous voices ever so often, golems and all manner of forged going about the preparation of metals for tools and for more of their kind, and throngs of orcs mining in the pit, or going about tribal life in their hovels along the edges.

But of course, there were stranger sights in the distance. Lighting blasting from place to place at reliable intervals, rivers of flame flowing between the obviously new foundries and manufactories of the city, metal and stone floating freely and lazily in the air, sometimes chained to the ground as if to not escape.

Galmar's group was led to a building where a number of the different beings that made up this place assembled, this was clearly a storage room of some kind, not a place for meetings, and merely had space cleared up for this assembly to take place very recently.

The being most at the back was the first to speak to Galmar. A tall and lithe entity of polished steel with a dim light glowing between its joints and within its eyes.

"Galmar Blackhide, of Illustrious Glimmerholm. I am Builder, firstborn of The Storm, we welcome to the City of Hundred. What are your wares? And what coin do you want for them?"

Well, that is certainly to the point.

-------

The Sellsword's Spire

At the foot of that structure, a stormforged and a lawforged rose from the seas, followed by a pair of bladeforged and another pair of stoneforged guards, six of the beings in total, as well as a pair of thunderbirds circling above.

"We are envoys of the Conglomerate!"

So spoke the stormforged.

"We seek the warriors of lord Wojciech, the Iron Company!"

So spoke the lawforged.

2 AP

1 AP: Alter Land - The City of Hundred (Iron Islands): The City of Hundred is the capital of the Conglomerate, currently inhabited by forged of all kinds, thunderbirds and orcs.

At this point in time Hundred is, fundamentally, a mining town with some processing facilities, relying massively on forged elementalists and the tireless might of the golems to expand quickly. It is surrounded by the orc tribes it absorbed, who serve as the first line of defense against other belligerent orc tribes while also benefiting from the arcane fortifications of the elementalists. The forged are also identifying and instructing elementalists from among the orcs.

[Kirjath]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

Zhen watched the pitiable being in silence. Here, in the place of her power, Kelia's grief was almost overwhelming, but Zhen would not abandon her plan. If things were to progress as she had hoped, Kelia would be a very useful ally to have.

"I have many things in mind." Zhen giggled as she pulled out ideas from her robes, one after the other. Her hands spun them expertly and pulled and molded them until they formed even newer shapes. Some spun without her direction, and others moved as if they had a mind of their own, but each of them obeyed her will completely.

"But these are idle thoughts." She continued as the strange ideas were all deposited back into the Robes of Midnight. Zhen stepped closer to Kelia, as close as she could manage while maintaining her smile, and whispered to her. "Hopefully what I propose to you will be much sweeter."

"I have traveled the lands above, and the lands below, and everywhere I go there is grief. Lovers scorned, the old deceased, and the ever present threat of the Shadow Hunt hangs over the First World like a heavy curse."

Zhen splayed her arms out in many directions, and each shone a pale picture of the First World and the many planes that surrounded it upon the walls of Kelia's abode. Each showed the beings the moons had watched over every night and the constant troubles that they endured. In every instance, the pictures were dampened with heavy grief and misery.

"I only suggest that you go forth, my dear, and see if these creatures who share your proclivities would not be the better for your company! Do not wait for them to come to you, for this place should be kept secret. A hideaway from the cruelties of the First World and all its planes. Return here when you weary of their mortal attentions, and none will know of where to find you. But in the meantime: go! Go to Paragon, and make for yourself a home there. Show Zuanshi and his Facets what it means to be abandoned, like he has done to you! Then, perhaps he would even return to you once he has seen the damage such thoughtless actions can cause. Go even to the heights of the First World, should you be so inclined, and see how the mortals scorn each other. Such as was done to you!"

Zhen finished and each of the pictures winked out, like a cloud passing before a shining star. She inclined her head to Kelia, and awaited her response.

"Perhaps when you see the suffering of mortals, you will realize that you, Kelia, have never been alone in your grief. They cannot leave you, those who call upon your name every time they grieve. They will never forsake the one who holds her misery in their hearts, because their suffering is constant. Go to them, and I guarantee you will never be forgotten."

[Emperor Demonking]

The Nomads, The Lake & Garden

They went back to the tunnels getting further from the society of their forefathers. They lost dwarves to the shadow beasts, but fewer as if they were attracted to the dwellings of sentients. Then they turned a corener and The Nomads were stopped in their tracks.

The Lake & Garden was like nothing they had ever seen. They recognised it as a blanket of plants; the odd material that held both a central and irrelevant part f their faith. The blue water was fine for drinking. And they could see all this in their perfect colours by the sun's rays. That also kept the shadow beasts from afar.

But the sun never dimmed. It was uncomfortable. it made it difficult to sleep. That wasn't healty; that washosile to The Temple. Still, to return to the tunnels would simply not make sense. Thus, here the Nomads settle here for a time.

The pregnant could rest, and eventually give birth. The ill could be made more comfortable. The radical group had not attracted the elerly to their numbers, and the oldest had not grown to old since the migration. Still, everyone is comforted by the peace.

[Gunhaven]

A New Creation
One hundred rotations passed since the Wayfinders returned and slowly the numbers of the Cannith Horde grew. Without needing to they formed loose groups among the golems that had been undecided while the toughest migrated towards the first champion of Bogduch Caejk’Do. Before the year was up, however, the Immovable Object began work on It’s next project. A pit was dug to the west of the central dial, stone gathered and shaped upon the shield that even now worked it’s magic into the land. Twenty five feet in length, width, and depth it was built and within such a perfect square the Champion began to work on something new.
Columns of stone the size of stoneforged were crafted, linked to a central mass. Joints were shaped to mirror the iron joints of the stoneforged, worn smooth from movement. Finally the most basic of heads was chosen so that it could determine where it was and needed to go. These Thunderherders, as they were dubbed, could move roughly twice the speed of a standard swordforged and were just smart enough to let the stoneforged and golems mount them or use them as beasts of burden.

The Next Formation
On the dawn of the New Year the golems gathered in the training circle a tick before the sun would rise and gathered in two lines. Bogduch Caejk’Do nodded at them and spoke in It’s booming dead voice ”The toughest has been chosen and proven worthy. Now we must find the fastest for those areas they explore! When the sun rises you will race for Me, going to the northernmost camp, and circling around to each one before returning here! The first shall receive be My second champion!”
The Champion didn’t have to repeat Itself as the eight golems set off once the sun crested the horizon. Alongside the Thunderherders they ran as fast as their joints would allow them, giving each dial’s building a tap in the same southwestern corner before moving to the next town. They were granted freedom to decide how to complete the middle of the challenge and soon the golems split up as they each vied to be the fastest for their Champion’s pleasure. At 8.4.2:1.2 the first of the eight golems returned to the central dial and received a tap of the head to signify it’s victory against the other golems. It wasn’t until 6.3.7:1.2 that the last golem finally made it back and Bogduch Caejk’Do spoke to the gathered golems.
”We have determined the fastest and so they shall receive My blessing. Go forth, Medanis and spread word of Our accomplishments to those on the Iron Islands!” Without a word the golem gathered together those forged who were fast like it and enough Thunderherders to carry the group away from the island they called home. Into the water they went and through the island chain they marched until they finally ended up arriving at another artificial structure. They felt they were at the right spot when they noticed a pair of Forged standing outside.
”Hail fellow Forged!” called out the golem from atop it’s personal Thunderherder. A dozen other such beasts gathered in a triangle behind their leader, each holding four Forged with the majority being Stone. After a few ticks the golem added ”We are the Medanis, messengers for the known of the Cannith Horde! From which island do you hail from? And have you banded together in this worthy land?” The briefest bits of emotion showed in the golem’s voice as it spoke, sounding almost prideful to be the Champion’s chosen to unite the known lands.

Starting: 3 AP
Artifact Charges: -2 Major, -1 Organization

Create Major Artifact (-3, AC): Pra’Xerik is a square pit near the center of the island where the Cannith Horde call home. Here Bogduch Caejk’Do is aided by residual power in It’s improvement upon the Forged with material quarried from the rest of the island. Major Utility Artifact for the Create (Sub)Race Action.

Create Monstrous Race (or Subrace downgraded to Monstrous) (AC): Thunderherders are twenty-seven tall constructs made of mostly stone with a hint of metal for the joints. They’re quadrupeds, roughly elephant in shape, yet lack the head of said beasts. Instead their head seems to be a stoneforged head slightly sunk into the rest of it’s body. They are smart enough to be trained by the Cannith Horde, on par roughly with an ox or elephant. They get their name from the stomps they make announcing their arrival like thunder in the sky while also insuring that they continue to be earth bound.

Create Organization (AC): Medani is the Cannith Horde’s messengers. Whereas the Wayfinders find new lands and need to be the toughest of the Horde, the Medani serve as the strings that bind the society together and need to be some of the fastest Forged around. Out of either organization currently in existence they have the highest number of non-stoneforged since they tend to be faster compared to their tougher cousins.

Ending: Zilch.

[CrazyPenguin]

Mercenaries

Rorick's group under escort by the Swordforged mercenaries traveled the length and breadth of the Deep Walk for what seemed like days on end and frequently ran into the shadowbeasts that plagues the subterranean world.

The dwarves of course, having purchased the services of the mercenaries felt no need whatsoever to participate in the fights beyond giving the mercenaries tips and knowledge of the beasts, at a price should any of those mercenaries be willing to pay the dwarves.

Finally, after walking much further and much deeper into the earth than any Swordforged had ever traveled, they arrived at Blackhide Hold where Rorick paid the mercenaries the agreed upon amount without any discrepancies and invited them to spend their earnings within the walls of the hold. He even gave them directions to Glimmerholm, free of charge!
The Lieutenant's Expedition

The soldiers of the Iron Company spent a few days in Blackhide hold. Little of any significance transpired during that time, though they did purchase a medium-sized load of Gloomsteel before departing.


The Sellsword's Spire

At the foot of that structure, a stormforged and a lawforged rose from the seas, followed by a pair of bladeforged and another pair of stoneforged guards, six of the beings in total, as well as a pair of thunderbirds circling above.

"We are envoys of the Conglomerate!"

So spoke the stormforged.

"We seek the warriors of lord Wojciech, the Iron Company!"

So spoke the lawforged.
The Conglomerate at the Spire

"For what purpose?" came the reply from somewhere above.

[Emperor Demonking]

The Nomads, The Lake & Garden, The Deeplands; The Elemental Plane of Water;

Haltbeer laid in the lake. A disgusting habit, one might think, but the lake never seemed to get any dirtier. With his head beneath the water, he turned to a neaby piece of coral and spoke, "Where can we find a better home?"

The coral replied, "Walk further into the lake."

Haltbeer stratled and stood up with a splashed. He stared at the coral who spoke that odd way. No one had walked further into the lake. Not because it was too deep - it wasn't - but the crunchy corals and slippery seaweed made it unpleasant. There was simply no need to.

Haltbeer was the first. He walked forward. He felt like he should have otten to the other side. He looked back. He could no longer see anyone. Then he started to drown.

That Carrywarts were creatures of Slate was unquestionable. The question is merely whether they were deliberate or some consequence of some other action. Carrywarts often hung out near the bridges. One saw the small creature flap his arms and starting to drown. It could reconise dying as if some instictual familiarity. The swallowing it was likewise. The racing over was the Carrywarts goodness.

However, now the Carrywart had a problem. What could it do with the unconscious dwarf. The near-bridge was obviously danger if it just came through it. Thus the Carrwart went to another bridge. This lead to the Rusty Jungle. The Carrywart swam through the rivers and spit the dwarf out by the shore. It then waited by the unconscious dwarf hoping for a treat.

The disapearance did not go unnoticed. His partner ran after. Anoth pair did too. These were similarly rescued. The big animals became news and more Carrywarts migrated to the bridge; bumping into the three who were following the first in the opposite direction.

They came to The Rusty River also and spit their charges out. One of whow was conscious. And terrified.


5 AP
- 1 AP: Create Monstrous Sub-Race of Camwarts: Carrywarts. Carrywarts are intelleent water-dwelling plant. They are good-aligned and can be leadThey cannot abide drwning and seek to solve the problem if they see it. This could be awkwrd if they see it wrongly. The way they stop drwning and their most interesting feature is an internal pocket that is stuffed with air that can push a creature into or out of; a tight fit for a golem. They are large and imperfectly symetrical. Their skin hold a slight disruptive field against elementals and similar creatures.
4 AP

[CrossLead24]

The Serpent and The Sun

Aphar smiled, for he knew not of flattery yet. But frowned when she hinted at something, and just managed to see the shadow beast before it was undone by Sustrai’s gaze. He had not seen a shadow beast before, his presence was death to them and so up until this point they had hidden from him like a dog hides from a violent master. Perhaps Bogduch Caejk’Do was right…

As she continued something clicked within Aphar once again, as it had when he had upon learning that there were other gods and that mortals existed. Like parts of himself that were always there but only came forth given the right catalyst. He could almost feel the next one pushing through, like it sat on the tip of his shining tongue.

“There is nothing to forgive. Now I hast heard thee put it like that I find myself in full agreement. T’is not our place to coddle mortals, hardship allows them grow and wilt make them strong. Though I fear I may hast leaped to conclusions with a brother of ours, if this darkness of which thou speak is true.”

With those words, there was another click. And if it is I shalt find it and raze it even to the foundation.The Serpent and The Sun

It was good that she had taken care with this one; the fire that burned in his eyes was quite troubling. Best to ensure that it would not be turned upon her. Her face displayed first gratitude, then concern.

"Thank you for your kind words brother. It is our duty to ensure the best for the creatures of this world. Though some of what you say troubles me. Is there anything I can do to lend aid?"

It would be frustrating to be pulled from her plans, but to put one of her kin into her debt could prove quite useful in the future. Besides, this one was, again, a dangerous looking foe; ensuring he thought of her (and thus the things she planned to make) as an ally, not worth his wrath, would not only be beneficial, it could be outright necessary.

[Hatter]

Meet and Trade
City of Hundreds, The Iron Islands

Galmar stepped forward and completely removed his helm. With a nod of respect towards Builder, he snapped his fingers to usher his comrades forward with the trunks of goods. Another snap of his fingers and the trunks opened to reveal their contents, consisting of jewels, gems and two whole trunks filled with gloomsteel bars.

"Aye, I bring ye riches an' jewels an' that foinest metal ye can ever foind. We need lookin' fer everything's from exotic riches red even manpower an' soldiers. Riches fer them tha' can afford it an' soldiers ta join us against tha shadow beasts an' tha wretched(Dwarven name for gnomes)." said the dwarf, gesturing over the trunks as if waiting for an answer.

[Cosmix]

Slate, The Deeplands to the Frozen Wastes

Slate allowed his followers to their own devices. He went back to the tunnels. He had his doubts that 'down' would hol much fruit so he mantained a mostly upwards trajectory. The cold winds seemed to suggest something ne, so he bgin to follow it to its source. He had a snack of the plants of the entrance.

He walked out. First impressions were not good. This was clearly not another Eyrie or Brontos. Still he went on. Impression could, after all, be deceiving although they haven't been yet. The cold did not bother the horse-shaped deity, although he was aware of its existance. No nothing here. Slate was most of the way to far shore at that realisation.

He ought to back the tunnels. Slate gasped in horror. Is this place as awful as that? Surely it couldn't be. Slate saw Brontos. Slate was shocked for a second place. Surely, that doesn't make sense being so close. The difference when one was underground was one thing, but this was absurd. "What sort of creator-spawn would make such a place like this?"
Sorry I've been really busy with school.
The Frozen Waste-Yirom and Slate-A Wispy Welcome:

The Ever Cold god had nothing within his realm that thought on the level as he, no one to talk to, and had as of yet never spoken to any sort of intelligent being. But then he heard Slate, and focused his large view down to the newcomer.

Yirom decided to create a form for him to speak from, for Yirom dared not actually manifest his form closer to the being, it'd probably just kill his company, and it felt proper that the being have a being comparable to it to voice it's words towards. With sand and snow he made the body similar to the creatures it felt beneath it (one of these days it's going to introduce itself to them...), and gave it the spark of life born from his very heart to become a being of flesh and blood. It look close to the little creatures... though it was a far too big and the arms and legs were a bit too long. Oh well, Yirom did not want to have his first conversation wait any longer.

Having his new creation walk through the winds to Slate. He spoke through it with the breath of the bitter winds, but also a little of his tiny flamed heart to ease the pain this would bring to the warm creature.

"Greetings newcomer I am... Yirom, Father of Frost and those within it. What might you be?"

8+4-5-2-1-2=2AP

-5 Create Major Artifact-Yirom's Heart: Yirom's heart is a thing of contradicting nature, for it is on the outside a thing of utter and consuming cold, while the inside is filled with the flame barely warm enough to fight off such cold. If one wanted to know what was technically Yirom this would be (most) of the answer. Through his own empathy and understanding of other creatures Yirom's heart twists other creatures around it to become similar to it, adapting those around it to the cold. This makes animals turn into Beasts of Winter at Yiroms arrival and sentient beings into some other sort of beings over time. This artifact is used for Create-Subrace action. [Fire (Warmth) 5/10]

-2 Create Mythical Sub-race of dwarves (discounted from Yirom's Heart)-Pluteon Dwarves-These dwarves are born of snow and ice, and have inherited most of the skills their cousins have developed before their birth (though obviously access to many of the resources needed to use them is a different issue) as well as the natural tendency to be greedy. They are outright hostile to those that intrude upon them without previously gaining permission. They are not however liars or unproductive. Lying is punishable by death to any adult and most have strict work ethics that make their cousins look relaxed. Each one is able to use the Ever Cold to bring about extreme temperature differences for whatever purpose needed. They are about seven feet tall and have slightly longer limbs than a dwarf probably should. [Cold (Winter) 10/10]

-2 Form Society-The Flames of Yirom: This is the society that Yirom calls his flames, while they do not exist yet I just wanted to get the AP spent in advance. I'll go into detail on this later. [Fire (Warmth) 7/10]

-1 Bless-Yirom's Burden: Those that pray to Yirom and earn his favor or pity may have the cold they experience be absorbed by Yirom. If one speaks his name the next hundred words they say are heard by Yirom and he decides from this and his knowledge whether he shall help someone. People may also use this to offer up fire as sacrifice to Yirom, easing his pain and making the fire, while bright, cold to the touch (enough to make freeze burns). This blessing only works in places cold enough to bring frost or at night. [Fire (Warmth) 8/10]

[Draken]

Meet and Trade
City of Hundred, The Iron Islands

Builder makes a peculiar thrumming noise after Galmar ends his piece, followed by some of his group doing the same.

"I suppose on the front of soldiers, our orcs are always willing to take up mercenary work and as any children of the Sold Sword, they are talented at battle. The materials, however, interest us more than the services we can provide. Some of my companions are curious about the material of your armor, it is not something we have seen on the Iron Islands, after all. May we have samples of ore and bar?"

A spark courses Builder's surface.

-----

Sellsword's Spire, Iron Islands

The golem, stoneforged and bladeforged guards of the delegation acknowledge the Medanis with a silent nod, but do not address them just yet, as the envoys themselves are busy with the Spire's speaker.

The lawforged spoke yet again.

"The Conglomerate seeks to launch an expedition to the continent raised by the Storm."

Followed by the stormforged.

"To Brontos, a land bountiful in resources that the islands do not offer."

"Rich in wealth, and danger."

"Teeming with opportunities for battle and profit. A hallowed land, gifted by our most Vicious Muse, to earn the favor of our Gods."

"The Conglomerate wants the services of Wojciech's own chosen to brave this land."

"In return we offer, besides the due wealth that can be obtained, the services of our foundries and elementalists to you."

"With the materials, we can replenish your numbers."

"With our magic, we can mend your bodies were they to shatter or bend."

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Frozen Wastes

Slate looked at the dwarf. There was something odd about it. The problem was not that it was so tall and undwarf-like; it stood at the same height of the horse-shaped deity. No, but that it felt like an odd mixture of the divine and non-divine.

This ambiguity did not change the actions of the polite and honest deity, "So that is what this place is called, is it? Frost? One can feel why.

"I am Slate, the deity of wild plants and health. I come her to discover the world. One can walk very far without coming across plants. Does that bother you, or have you banished them from your dominion?"

[weet555]

A monster’s report. -The deeper darkness.

In the twisting tunnels of the Deeper Darkness a form of shadows more twisted than the surrounding land moved as it listened. “Master, the exploration of this land is slow, we have find it difficult to navigate as these tunnels twist in ways we neither understand or can predict.” Spoke a monstrosity with no less than eight wings and far too many mouths.

“I regret to say that the navigation of this land is not one of the problems that throwing freshly formed at will solve. However, we have found prey here, dwarfs warped by a force unknown to us.” The beast continued as lesser monsters of the night swarmed around he and his master.

“Ţꀌĕᖆĕ'Ƨ ƧōɱĕŢꀌĨƝƓ ĕŁƧĕ Ŷōᑌ ƘƝōŵ. ƧƤĕᗩƘ ĨŢ.” An unnatural noise came from the unnatural mass of darkness as its tendrils started to unfurl.

“… I have heard the lessers repeating a noise, ‘Kelia’ I believe it could be a name, but whispers of lesser beast are as true as they are false.” The greater shadow beast explained a little unsure.

Carma’s tendrils struck the tunnel’s walls and spread to the beasts. “ſĨƝđ ŵꀌᗩŢ ꀌĨđĕƧ ĨƝ ŢꀌĕƧĕ ŁᗩƝđƧ ᗩƝđ ŢĕŁŁ ᗩƝŶ ƓᖆĕᗩŢĕᖆ ƧꀌᗩđōŵƧ Ŷōᑌ ſĨƝđ ŢꀌᗩŢ ŢꀌĨƧ 'ƘĕŁĨᗩ’ ĨƧ ɱŶ Ɲĕ྾Ţ ŢᗩᖆƓĕŢ.” The Beast of Night ordered as the beast recovered from its divine magic.


"There's something else you know. Speak it."

“Find what hides in these lands and tell any greater shadows you find that this 'Kelia’ is my next target.”


9ap

Curse (2ap): Never lost in the deep dark.

Counter Bizarrchitecture. Shadow monster can navigate the Deeper Darkness easily in spite of its ‘Bizarrchitecture’. Shadow monsters also never succumb to this area or its creature’s effects on the mind or emotions.

Non shadow monsters are still effected be the original curse.

7ap

[Sontali]

The Serpent and The Sun

It was good that she had taken care with this one; the fire that burned in his eyes was quite troubling. Best to ensure that it would not be turned upon her. Her face displayed first gratitude, then concern.

"Thank you for your kind words brother. It is our duty to ensure the best for the creatures of this world. Though some of what you say troubles me. Is there anything I can do to lend aid?"

It would be frustrating to be pulled from her plans, but to put one of her kin into her debt could prove quite useful in the future. Besides, this one was, again, a dangerous looking foe; ensuring he thought of her (and thus the things she planned to make) as an ally, not worth his wrath, would not only be beneficial, it could be outright necessary.


“No need to beest concerned sister. A brother of ours, Bogduch Caejk’Do, the Immovable Object, offered me, Storm and Wojciech, the Sellsword an alliance of sorts, a pantheon of gods. But I declined, as he hadst made it clear that battle wouldst occur, even if it must be made. However, t’was the very first of days and I believed not there was reason to fight.
As for what thee can dost for me, I ask but two small things. I ask thou to stay vigilant, I shalt look into this creature, but even mine own eye only covers half the world at any point. The second, if thou shouldst encounter Bogduch Caejk’Do before I, would thou apologise to him on mine behalf. No more than these dost I ask, and if thou doth I shalt be indebted to thee.”

Aphar’s look became searching while he awaited Sustrai’s response, but it was an innocent searching. To him his new sister seemed to share very similar beliefs to him, and he was unaware that she was playing him, an evil that a future Aphar would feel compelled to Judge if he ever found out.

[CrazyPenguin]

Sellsword's Spire, Iron Islands

The golem, stoneforged and bladeforged guards of the delegation acknowledge the Medanis with a silent nod, but do not address them just yet, as the envoys themselves are busy with the Spire's speaker.

The lawforged spoke yet again.

"The Conglomerate seeks to launch an expedition to the continent raised by the Storm."

Followed by the stormforged.

"To Brontos, a land bountiful in resources that the islands do not offer."

"Rich in wealth, and danger."

"Teeming with opportunities for battle and profit. A hallowed land, gifted by our most Vicious Muse, to earn the favor of our Gods."

"The Conglomerate wants the services of Wojciech's own chosen to brave this land."

"In return we offer, besides the due wealth that can be obtained, the services of our foundries and elementalists to you."

"With the materials, we can replenish your numbers."

"With our magic, we can mend your bodies were they to shatter or bend."
The Meeting at the Sellsword's Spire
"How many soldiers would you require?"


The Lieutenant's Return
Wojciech watched as the Lieutenant's expedition emerged from the Deeplands entrance. At his side stood the youngest Swordforged, the one he had made as a replacement for the Lieutenant's late sergeant. Once the expedition had fully emerged from the Deeplands, they stood perfectly at attention before the Sellsword's throne. "Report, Lieutenant."

"The mission was a success, sir. The dwarves made it safely to their destination, and we recieved the agreed-upon payment. In addition, we know the location of their capital."

"How much was the payment."

"One ruby for each Swordforged, though I took the liberty of making a small purchase while in the dwarven Hold. A metal they call 'Gloomsteel,' many times stronger than steel, but also many times heavier. They say it is most plentiful in a place they call the 'Deeper Darkness,' the realm that lies deeper in the earth than even the Deeplands. According to the miners, the deeper one goes into the Darkness, the less and less sense it makes. They say the passages twist impossibly, and the whole region seems to drive explorers mad."

"Have you been to this Deeper Darkness?"

"No, sir. We were reluctant to do so, based on the stories."

"Understandable. You should immediately set about creating armor from this Gloomsteel. Distribute it first among the officers, then the sergeants, and so on and so forth prioritizing those of highest rank."

"Yes, sir. Though you should also be aware that the Deeplands are home to creatures the dwarves call 'shadow beasts.' They are, as the name implies, bestial, shapeshifting monstrosities made out of darkness and shadow."

"Oh? Well, be aware that these beasts do not dwell only in the Deeplands. We have encountered them as well, though not in any large number. One killed the sergeant you sent back to me, though I was sure to avenge him."

"The death is unfortunate."

"Indeed. Though through it I became aware of a weakness of these creatures: sunlight is anathema to them. Exposure to Aphar's glory will kill these beasts."

The Lieutenant did not respond to this, and for a while Wojciech's throne room was silent. After a few minutes, though, Wojciech rose from his throne. "This 'Deeper Darkness' intrigues me. Such a thing could possibly produce many threats, and also many boons. I think I shall embark on a brief journey. While I am gone, the Spire is yours to command, Lieutenant. If you finish armoring what men you can with our Gloomsteel supplies, begin work on additional soldiers to expand our numbers. I will bring Gloomsteel enough to armor many Stormforged when I return." With that, he leaped into the Deeplands.

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

Kelia's wet eye's widened at the display before her and she gasped adubly, sufficently distracted from her melancholy to listen to the goddess of the moons. For the moment, anyway. She was in a kneeling cross-legged position but she was apt to the private show, just for her.

"Life is m-misery, s-sister.." The lady of sorrows agreed with a mournful nod as Zhen talked of lives lost and lover's scorned, before reaching up to rub her left arm as if to comfort herself. "Such b-beauty, such p-pain." She barely uttered as Zhen continued with her display, "It's s-so v-vast.."

"Whom w-would be b-better for my company?" Who would indeed. "I a-am but a p-pathetic diety d-domed to w-wallow in m-misery here, the sheer v-vast misery of it all, d-dear s-sister!" She said, her voice growing more higher pitched, but she turned red and covered her mouth in embarrassment once she realized.

"You f-found me here, others f-found me.." She whispered, but in a way that it seemed to have gotten through to her.

"The w-world.. I know of it's cruelty, it's s-scorn.. P-paragon? That's w-where he wanted me to g-go, our b-brother.." Kelia got choked up for a moment, her bravery slipping as she covered her face with both of her sleeves in the presence of Zhen.

"M-maybe I can help them.." You can't even help yourself.

"Maybe I could.." She spoke softly after Zhen finished, slowly lowering her sleeves from her face and looking up at the moon goddess sheepishly. "Y-you've been k-kind to m-me. W-would you c-come with me?"

[mystic1110]

The Shark swam through the dreamscape, for the moment unaware of its opponents moves. The game was important, but it was just a game. A distraction from the meal.

Through the evershifting landscape of Areh'tez Lu'Azu's teeth shredded dreams and thoughts like a scalpel. He swam through a mountain of idle worries and gorged on a lake of pressing concerns. During his travels, he came across an unchanging swamp in the dreamscape. Aside from the black hole sun that hung overhead, this was the lone port of stability. This was the Night-mire. Curious, he swam around it, encircling it and tasting the despair and pollution of it. It was spicy, with hints of conniving machinations and a certain meat he had not tasted yet. The texture on his tongue was one to be appreciated.

He swam through and out of the Night-Mire until he arrived back onto the first world, swimming through the skies above the Temples of Abhorrence.

Ah, he tasted the Ivory Faced god again - the one who fed to him lies. The familiar taste of the god - frayed manuscripts eaten by moths and mold - brought a smile to his always smiling face. His teeth shone in the night sky, the two moons reflected a thousand fold in them, as if they two were a morsel dashed in the endless maw.

He swam down towards the Temples in search of his old companion from the beach. As he swam he spoke in his voice of monks choking on sea water:

Iyll, you are here. Show me what you have wrought. It tastes of deception, and I enjoy the taste.

[Hatter]

Meet and Trade
The City of Hundreds, The Iron Islands

Galmar paused for a moment, his face betraying no emotion even as his mind raced with every known insult at the Builder's request for free merchandise. A thought hatched in his mind and he immediately put it to use.

"Of course." The dwarf replied with a smile as he stepped up to the trunks and retrieved a handful of gloomsteel bars before presenting it to the Builder. "A gift of good will. In exchange, we ask that you allow us lodging and meals while you decide on trade. In the meantime, we shall seek to hire mercenaries from among your people."

A Disappointed Father
Deeper Darkness

Il-Na continued to push ever deeper into the Deeper Darkness. He knew for a fact that he did not create the tunnels and caverns and he sought to know who was the one that had done so. He wished to know who had twisted his children into abominations.

As he moved along, he noticed an ever increasing number of shadow beasts. Most instinctively knew better than to approach him, while those that did not were easily ripped to shreds under his divine gaze. "Uninspired, cretins. Killing just to kill.. no purpose.. no goals. One wonders if their creator is the same to corrupt my children."

He kept on going deeper, moving ever closer to Lelia with every step.

[Kirjath]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

At Kelia's wailing, Zhen did feel a measure of pity. To lock yourself away down here, to wallow in your own grief, it was something she could barely even fathom. The First World contained such beauty! Such extravagance! Even the Deeper Darkness had its share of interesting things, the tunnels twisting and turning on themselves in a curious fashion. And yet, there was no guarantee Kelia would find anything useful in Paragon or on the First World. There was perhaps nothing that could ease the grief of the Depthless Woe. Still, Zhen had an idea, and she was keen on seeing where it led.

With a smile, Zhen reached down four of her arms to help Kelia up.

"I know you could help them, my dear. I have watched the First World for many nights now, and I have seen it: what comforts misery the most is company. And seeing as I am the one who invited you, of course I will go with you!"

If nothing else, this experience was bound to be illuminating.

[Virdish]

Zuanshi: The Elemental Plane of Water

With the Maw gone, Zunashi too went to make its first move. Lateral thinking would be important, moves small and unnoticed would be ideal and so behind the guise of moving five of its Bonfire Diamonds to the Manse, Zunashi slipped away to the Elemental Plane of Water. Once there it surveyed the expanse of beautiful water and began to weave a towering monument of subtle edges and gorgeous gardens of towering redwoods at its base, cherry blossoms of dazzling colors along its edges and at the top a diamond of purest black. It wrapped mangrove around the edges. To dwell in this place, it crafted yet more facets and dubbed them Bonfire Opals. These Opals would be the foundation of its next move. They were beautiful in a way the Emeralds could not be, their skin sparkling under the sun with eyes of purest gold and hair that flowed about them like waterfalls. The materials on this plane were not the same as Paragon however, corners would need be cut and so the Bonfire Opals were judged to need less shapeshifting than their sisters, after all...they would always have water soon enough.

Bonfire Diamond Contingent: Manse of Covetous Awe

Of the Ten that dwelt in Paragon, five remained for Zuanshi had moved half their sisters to its home within the Manse of Covetous Awe. Their task was simple, to aid the movement of the board and thus their fist act was to finish the nondescript silver islands to mimic the Planes they were meant to represent.


AP: 2AP PAP: 1PAP 1 Free Alter Land/Create Monstrous Race

Create Sentient Sub-Race: Bonfire Opals (1PAP) - Bonfire Opals are a race native to the Elemental Plane of Water. These Opals are graceful and slight with flowing watery hair that shines with an inner light. Their shape-shifting abilities are lesser than their kin, mostly capable of transforming into mermaids or other sealife.

Bonfire Diamond- Alter Land(0AP): The Islands in the Manse of Covetous Awe are now small-scale versions of their real life counterparts.

Create Land: Facet Temple (Torrent) (2AP) - The Facet Temple on the Elemental Plane of Water is home to the Bonfire Opals. This temple is dedicated to the Water Titan and to the Authority and servers as a religious center for all Facets.[10/10 War (Cunning)]

2AP - 2AP = 0AP

1PAP - 1PAP = 0PAP

Free Alter Used


Deadman's Trench, Meeting with the Wayfinder's
Elya felt something happening that interested her. Or more honestly one of her mermaids whispered it to her in prayer. The creature spoke of a temple being formed on the Elemental Plane of water. A temple to her progenitor, the Water Temple. She wanted to see what this was about and though her sea salt brother had created the plane of water she had yet to visit it. Her time had been taken up with the meetings that she had been involved with. She ordered the remnants of the stoneforged to cast themselves into the trench and journey to the Shining City Without a Name. The one at the center of Seafarer's Respite and then she made her way to the Elemental Plane of water.

Facet Temple, Elemental Plane of Water
When she arrived she saw what she almost mistook for a mermaid until it shifted back into the form of a Bonfire Opal. She had never encountered one of these Facets, though she had heard about them from her mermaids. To view them in person was interesting. They were a strange form of life, unlike any others that she had seen. She looked to the divine being that had formed the temple.

"You honor my father well with this temple."

[CrossLead24]

“No need to beest concerned sister. A brother of ours, Bogduch Caejk’Do, the Immovable Object, offered me, Storm and Wojciech, the Sellsword an alliance of sorts, a pantheon of gods. But I declined, as he hadst made it clear that battle wouldst occur, even if it must be made. However, t’was the very first of days and I believed not there was reason to fight.
As for what thee can dost for me, I ask but two small things. I ask thou to stay vigilant, I shalt look into this creature, but even mine own eye only covers half the world at any point. The second, if thou shouldst encounter Bogduch Caejk’Do before I, would thou apologise to him on mine behalf. No more than these dost I ask, and if thou doth I shalt be indebted to thee.”

Aphar’s look became searching while he awaited Sustrai’s response, but it was an innocent searching. To him his new sister seemed to share very similar beliefs to him, and he was unaware that she was playing him, an evil that a future Aphar would feel compelled to Judge if he ever found out.The Serpent and The Sun
Well, this was a good turn of events. A way to earn more of her brothers trust with such minimal tasks (the former of which she would simply have to do anyway) as well as some information on another divine. She filed the names away in her mind. 'The Immovable Object', eh? Well, even an unmovable thing would someday bow before its queen. She nodded with a humble resolution towards Aphar.

"How could I deny such a request? My eyes shall remain vigilant both for dark forces and for our sibling. I shall not let you down."

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll - Temples of Abhorrence, The Squalor

He traced his decrepit and twisted finger along K’izheti scales. She had grown to truly monstrous proportions, yet she slumbered, as did the others. The others were unaware that they owed her a debt of gratitude, for it was her nightmares that had provided for them the souls upon which they had feasted.

"But once they've grown, they'll reciprocate...of that you can be certain my dear K'izheti. Torineti will bring you the souls of cowards, Rehabi the gluttons, Bythsheta the vain. Details for later...later. Sleep my dear. Sleep."

Moving downward into the bowels of the temple he formed a simple chamber of chipped and crumbling stone. Raising up an altar from the stone, he pulled a tattered and moldy book from the sleeve of his filthy robes. Into the book he burnt the names of the Six Serpents with the bony tip of his finger, imbuing each with a bit of the Creator's Fire, "And they shall invoke your names, for their greed and pridefulness will be their undoing."


He swam down towards the Temples in search of his old companion from the beach. As he swam he spoke in his voice of monks choking on sea water:
Iyll, you are here. Show me what you have wrought. It tastes of deception, and I enjoy the taste.

With a flourish he slammed the book closed, whisking it up his sleeve, and flew to the top of the Temple of Abhorrent Dreams. Sneering behind his mask, his raspy voice was none-the-less syrupy sweet, "Lu'Azu, you honor me with your visit. As you can see, I have wrought nothing but these humble beginnings. I am but a beggar, an outcast, with nothing and no one to call my own."

Beginning AP = 10AP + 1 Artifact Charge

Create Mythical Concept -4AP: Invocations - By calling upon the powers of the Six Serpents, mortals practitioners of Mythical Concepts can be blessed/cursed with corrupted inherent powers. To invoke the name(s) of the Six Serpents, however, requires the forfeiture of part if not all of one's soul. Invocation magic is a path to utilizing almost all mythical concepts and is open to all sentient beings. The powers that are granted are temporary(requiring the repeated invoking of the Six Serpents' names), but can be used inherently at-will.

Remaining AP = 10AP - 4AP = 6AP

[Razade]

Facet Temple, Elemental Plane of Water
When she arrived she saw what she almost mistook for a mermaid until it shifted back into the form of a Bonfire Opal. She had never encountered one of these Facets, though she had heard about them from her mermaids. To view them in person was interesting. They were a strange form of life, unlike any others that she had seen. She looked to the divine being that had formed the temple.

"You honor my father well with this temple."

"It is beautiful. Isn't it?" Zuanshi intones, appearing suddenly from the waters as rivulets runs down its smooth black skin. "A testament to where we came from. I plan to spread them across the Planes. A network of beautiful temples, each dedicated to the worship of the dead."

[Emperor Demonking]

The Nomads: The Lake & Garden, The Deeplands; The Elemental Plane of Water; The Rusty Jungle, The Iron Islands

The Nomad looked at the odd plant that had carried him here. He used to deal with ants as an apprentice so tried to look it in the eye as he muttered to himself. He struggled to do this with the eyeless-plant. As his head was lowered he heard some noise and looked at where it was from. A piece of seaweed. He held it up and saw nothing odd about it. He even held it to his ear, it whispered, "Give it a treat."

The former ant-wrangler being all shocked out, replied. "Wat wou'd it like for a tret?"

"Seaweed! Coral! Worms! Shells! Clams!" chirped the seaweed.

So this dwarf started to press food into the sack of his rescuer. The other three gathered around him. It was so much more pleasant to be given food than have to hunt it down. He picked up another piece of coral that suddenly started to vibrate his grasp. The seaweed at his ear squealed, "No! Not him that's one of us."

In fact, the Carrywart would not have eaten the Camwart if offered. To do so would be barbaric, and the good plants were intelligent enough to know that. The worried Camwarts, on the other hand, were not so certain.

When the other three awoke, the four spherical plants were happy in the ant-wranger's company. He allowed the other three to have the honour of exploring as the sun began to set. The sun setting was simply by itself marvelous. The luxurious plants and redwoods improved on that even further. They were not there long but having been there unmolested they were certain that is was a better place to live.

In The Lake & Garden, when Haltbeer and the ant-wranger were returned (having managed to instruct the Carrywarts to take them home and leaving their two companion behind to set up camp), The Nomads were having a heated and partly hysterical discussion. A great deal of people were ready to leave the odd place right there and then.

When the returners were squeezed out of the Carrywarts and began to tell their tale than number became fewer. Knowing that they were safe calmed them down and made them more rational. They considered the issue of the pregnant and the very young. Would the migration be safe for them? "Would the migration be safe of any of us" was a common refrain.

Still, this was a miracle and there was something unpleasant about the never dimming sun. Most of The Nomads took an odd spherical plant in a trip to The Rusty Jungle. There were only a further two sunsets - how lovely they were - when the bulk of The Nomads were in The Rusty Jungle, felling trees so as to make a settlement.


4 AP
- 1 AP Create Mundane Concept: Carrywart Handling - Carrywarts are a wild species and with their owen goals and intelligence. Carrywart Handling therefore is the techniques to work with a Carrywart to encourage it to fulfill one's desire.
3 AP

[mystic1110]

With a flourish he slammed the book closed, whisking it up his sleeve, and flew to the top of the Temple of Abhorrent Dreams. Sneering behind his mask, his raspy voice was none-the-less syrupy sweet, "Lu'Azu, you honor me with your visit. As you can see, I have wrought nothing but these humble beginnings. I am but a beggar, an outcast, with nothing and no one to call my own."



The Shark swam through the putrid air of the Temples. He swam lower and lower until he once again was encircling the other god. His teeth cut the acrid aura of the place into ribbons and he slurped them up as afterthoughts. With these shredded half-truths stuck between his teeth Lu'Azu spoke in his voice of novels being dreamt by algea:

Indeed. Yet, I remember there was someone you desire. I want you to have her.

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

SHE'S LYING TO YOU!

It was like nails on a chalkboard in her mind. She grabbed her head and dug her nails in, retreating back from Zhen in a newfound horror. Maybe the voice was right. Was this all a trick? It seemed too good to be true, so it was very likely was. And that made sense to her. She lifted her sleeve up to cover her mouth as she pushed herself up again the wall staring at the moon goddess.

"N-no... I c-can't leave.."

PANIC!

She dropped her arm to her chest and covered her heart, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. What would she do without her deep caverns? The surface had been.. terrifying. What would she do without her comforting darkness. For some reason, she thought of Zuanshi for a moment.

"T-too m-much.." She stammered, suddenly shaking.

You are weak. Stay.

What if this beautiful... cousin... was lying to her? What would she do when her ruse was uncovered, and Kelia refused to go? Would she.. hurt her?

Her eyes widened in horror as she stared at the suddenly very unfamiliar figure down here in the dark with her.

"I m-mean.. sister.." Kelia stumbled over her words and moved off the wall slighty, attemping to pacify what she thought was a trick. "Of c-course I'll go w-with y-you.. Where exactly?" She asked suddenly, her head snapping up to look at Zhen once more. But then she averted her view shyly and looked away, putting up her cowl once more. Maybe they wouldn't go out in the sun, but it was still terrifying.

She's mocking you.

"S-shut up.." The mad goddess muttered under her breath.

Kelia looked embarrassed all of a sudden, turning crimson under her cloak. A few Bonfire Emeralds came over to calm her down, patting her shoulder and comforting her with a low soothing song as she weeped pathetically. How would Zhen react now, and would they leave before Carma and Il-Na discovered their lugubrious quarry?

[Cosmix]

Slate, The Frozen Wastes

Slate looked at the dwarf. There was something odd about it. The problem was not that it was so tall and undwarf-like; it stood at the same height of the horse-shaped deity. No, but that it felt like an odd mixture of the divine and non-divine.

This ambiguity did not change the actions of the polite and honest deity, "So that is what this place is called, is it? Frost? One can feel why.

"I am Slate, the deity of wild plants and health. I come her to discover the world. One can walk very far without coming across plants. Does that bother you, or have you banished them from your dominion?"

Yirom's Voice, Yirom, and Slate-The Frozen Wastes:

While Yirom's Voice's face showed confusion, the eyes he wore almost looked dead, but grew slightly brighter by the minute as his soul grew to fit inside his body. But before he wakes up Yirom intended to speak for a while longer.

"I cannot banish what was never here, lord of the green realm, and I have not the flame to gift your subjects against the cold that surrounds me eternally. This realm is just the leftovers of my journey to the green lands south of here, and a place for me to stay so that my eternal cold will not freeze more of the world.

If you travel south of here you will find a place I once brought my frost to, and warped it's inhabitants so that they might yet live after feeling the bite of my frost. I gaze upon it from afar sometimes, on those rare days the sun reaches it's borders and makes it sparkle with a beauty I never knew could come from frost. I call the place the Crystal Woods. But even such life that lives there cannot take root within these wastes, truly I'd be impressed to see a plant that could survive my frost, even from afar."

[RolandDeschain]

Iyll and Lu'Azu - Temples of Abhorrence, The Squalor


The Shark swam through the putrid air of the Temples. He swam lower and lower until he once again was encircling the other god. His teeth cut the acrid aura of the place into ribbons and he slurped them up as afterthoughts. With these shredded half-truths stuck between his teeth Lu'Azu spoke in his voice of novels being dreamt by algea:

Indeed. Yet, I remember there was someone you desire. I want you to have her.

Inwardly he seethed...he raged, it was everything he could do to mask his demeanor. How dare she! You should have killed her and the other that witnessed your humiliation there on the beach that day!

But his rage was an illusion, like waves dancing upon the surface of a deep, vast ocean...an ocean of desire and desperation. He wanted to lash out at this arrogant creature, but not if there was but a glimmer of hope that he could have....her.

Please don't find me. Please don't find me. He struggled to force down the unbidden echoing reminder of his anguish.

After long moments of silence, "You mock me Lu'Azu, and such rudeness is unbecoming. Tell me, though, how is it you feel you can influence such things? Arrogance, or something else...?"

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Frozen Wastes

What Yirion said was interesting. From what the frost-lord said and his own knowledge, then tis must mean that this place was attached to Brontos; in fact it did not, but Slate did not know of the scale goddess and her creation. He hoped that Yiriom had not hurt it, but the odd dwarf did not seem dark-hearted.

"I shall see these Crystal Forests. Still you lack imagination when t comes to plants. Any place that a creature of flesh can survive, then plants can thrive. And it is clear that creatures of flesh can survive here. I have followers of a race not so dissimilar to your own.

"But tell me. Your story interests me. Were you one born from a he Titans like myself?"

[mystic1110]

Throughout the other god's silence, the Shark weaved around the Temples. A mortal Shark's primary sense is a keen sense of smell. It can detect one drop of blood in a million drops of water. Lu'Azu's is even greater. He can smell one atom of secrets in a billion drops of honest facts. The Shark's eyes searched like two lone wanderer's on a lonely vigil, their lanterns seeking truth in the dark. The Shark's maw swallowed the thick air, sieving through breath for lies.

The Ivory Masked God spoke, and the Shark returned to swimming around him.

No arrogance, but no promise of a result. I just want it to occur. And I shall work for it to occur. We could fail.

Lu'Azu's swimming sped up around the other god until it seemed that an orbit of fire and teeth surrounded Iyll. The orbital maw, bit off parts of the other god's desire, the fire from his eyes searing it into tender meat before swallowing it. That orbit spoke in voices of scholars trapped beneath fathoms and fathoms of crushing water.

Arrogance is an interesting concept. You like concepts. You need to know that I am committed to helping. I shall give you the concepts of realms to do with as you wish. And in return, you shall let me attempt to chain Kelia to You, forever.

With that orbit of teeth turned into a grey-white blur, that tore a hole in the ground in the center of the Temples of Squalor. The blur continued in a jagged line all the way to the realm of Har'Hinif, the Toothed City. There in the City built of infinite cities the line zigged and zagged until it struck a city build entirely of books and tomes, scrolls and novels, treatises and storybooks. This would be Te'Soon, Lu'Azu's Library City. There in those books, one could, with an arduous search, find something written about anything. And Lu'Azu just gave Iyll the key.

That blur turned into a chain of teeth, and with a flick of his fins, Lu'Azu turned that chain into two rings.

A key to my library. Read. Devour. Steal. Add to my collection. Do as you will. I shall give the second key to Kelia. If I succeed, you shall find her here one day. Alone.

AP 5
1 Alter land - Build Te'Soon, The Library City on Har'Hinif, the Toothed City
2 Bridge Plane: Temples of Squalor with Te'Soon.
1 Bless - all open source concepts are written about in at least one book in Te'Soon.
1 Create Pantheon - The Union. The sole goal of this Pantheon is for Lu'Azu to get Kelia and Iyll to hookup. That is literally it. I guess if you need a noble purpose, its to . . . uh. . . foster knowledge
Gain Domain Healing (Divides)
AP 0

[Umbrater]

The Creation of Agrentus

Mortis shook a wing at his companion then transported himself elsewhere. From his staff poured the land, a mixture of vivid green and earthly brown. The earth swept though the void covering previously unseen dips and peaks. The torrent of soil continued as far as he could see in all directions and waited for him on the edges so that it could continue to flow if needed. Eventually his staff stopped happy that the land would continue infinitely if needed.

The Reaper approached the highest peak he could see. He bent down to survey the earth. The soil was rich in nutrients, it desired growth. He reached out to take a handful of seeds from the void and with a mighty swing through them across the land. All around him trees, bushes and flowers sprouted. A rush of air hit Mortis like a shock-wave as the plants grew all around him, a hundred years of growth in a moment. Mortis took this air in to his lungs, the first breath he had ever taken, then exhaled and a refreshing breeze picked up within this new world.

But Mortis had made a mistake, it was too dark. He needed a solution before all the plants withered. He returned to the first world to steal a small piece of the sun. Once he had it he returned to Agrentus and placed it on the horizon. As with most things in this world it grew quickly. The world was locked in a state of sunset, The Reaper's favorite time of day.

AP = 6 - 3 = 3 AP

Weave Plane - Agrentus (3AP toward Planes[Wealth] & staff charge)
A plane a rampant growth and abundance. The plane is functionally infinite as the land flows out as it is needed. All plants produce small fruits that can sustain someone for days and they are always plentiful supply. Of course the souls do not need to eat, they are maintained by the magic of the plane, but the fruit are so delicious that most choose to.
A refreshing breeze circle through the plane and changes when needed. If one were to follow the breeze they would find their way to somebody who they knew in life. This makes it easy for a family group to reunite in the afterlife.

[Sontali]

The Serpent and The Sun
Well, this was a good turn of events. A way to earn more of her brothers trust with such minimal tasks (the former of which she would simply have to do anyway) as well as some information on another divine. She filed the names away in her mind. 'The Immovable Object', eh? Well, even an unmovable thing would someday bow before its queen. She nodded with a humble resolution towards Aphar.

"How could I deny such a request? My eyes shall remain vigilant both for dark forces and for our sibling. I shall not let you down."



The Serpent and The Sun

“T’is good to her mine sister. I am confident that our paths wilt come to cross once again. But now I must ponder this revelation. I bid thee farewell.”

With these words Aphar waited long enough to hear any farewells or parting words Sustrai might have, and took off into the sky once more. This time rising higher and higher until he once more floated in the void. Noting the moons which had sprung up since he was last here, Aphar decided to visit them later and crossed the vast distance to the site of his birthplace. For three whole days Aphar wandered aimlessly across the surface of the sun, thinking on what he had seen on the First World, drawing comparisons between the two. Thinking of the rivers and lakes as he took swims in liquid sunlight, of the vast systems of life that were the forests and jungles and oceans of the First World. Clearings of ash, burnt wood and glass stood as testaments to Aphar’s visits to Brontos and The First Escapes. At the end of his wanders he stopped, and stared at where his feet had taken him. Ahead there was unmistakeably a piece missing of the sun’s landscaped, it was not large and certainly wouldn’t be missed. But it got Aphar thinking, and the god of the sun got to work.

As Aphar finished, he looked up at the First World above, before looking down, where a field of radiant beings were murmuring amongst each other, oblivious of the fact that the place they stood would sublimate most every substance on the world that lay across the void.

Starting AP: 16
Create Mythical Life (4 AP) – Angyls: Standing at about four metres tall, the Angyl is basically sunlight given searing flesh, a canny mind and a powerful humanoid form. Angyls have an incredibly strong predisposition towards LG to the point that unless one is corrupted to another alignment it probably won’t happen. Angyls shed light and burn hot as Aphar does, but to a much lesser extent. The lowest an angyl can willingly lower their body temperate is about 48 degrees, which while bearable for short periods of time can still give a normal fleshling severe burns if contact is maintained, while the maximum they can raise their temperature is about 2300 degrees. Their inner sunlight which shines out of them similarly brightens and dims depending on their temperature. Given that their natural habitat is the sun, they are immune to all fire and heat.

The only source of nourishment that an angyl needs is the light of the sun, which given their natural habitat is abundant on the sun. However, if they are deprived of the light of the sun for an extended period of time (typically when underground on the first world or on another plane) they start to slow down, and they grow cold as the sunlight that they shed and require runs out. The presence of other angyls and other sunlight shedding things can slow down the rate which angyls lose light but cannot totally prevent it as there are inefficiencies involved. While they possess light in their reserve an angyl can do a couple things otherwise unavailable to them, spending the source of their nourishment to heal wounds within seconds and casting off fatigue. Angyls do not possess wings and cannot naturally fly. They possess genders and normal reproductive methods.

Form Society (2 AP) – Kingdom of the Sun: The term Kingdom is actually slightly of a misnomer when it comes to the society of the Angyls, brought into being by Aphar, who technically possesses autocratic power, being their god. In practice however, he rarely wields this ability, trusting his creations. The one exception is ethics, which he likes to keep an eye on. Other than this, the Kingdom of the Sun is communist. Possessing no true state, no systems of money and no classes. Though there are of course professions they do not work in the expectation that they will be given something that has no value other than that which is given to it, they work because it furthers the Kingdom of the Sun and because it feeds their own passions and spirit. Buildings, such as they are, are communal and Angyls tend to move between them to rest, and there is no sense of ‘owning’ a building or a room within it, though personal belongings are respected. Under Aphar’s gentle guidance they learn to give according to their abilities and receive according to their needs, however the line between needs and wants blurs slightly with Angyls given their physiology. Being Angyls, this somehow is feasible, probably the lack of humans. As it is currently the Kingdom of the Sun is almost utopia, if love didn’t make you do crazy things.

[10/10 Good (Wisdom)]
Remaining AP: 10

[Kirjath]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

Zhen's head tilted to the side as she regarded Kelia inquisitively. One moment, she was sweet and pliable, the next she muttered and withdrew. Always, she hid her tears and clutched at her chest. Even her words didn't always make sense, one moment agreeing and the next chastising. It was confusing to watch, and concerning to witness. But in the end, Kelia had agreed to go, and that was what Zhen decided to focus on.

"Excellent!" Zhen crowed triumphantly. "We will go first to see Paragon, where your Facets originated. Then perhaps to see the First World, where I watch over the night. We will travel in darkness, so that we might stay concealed, and we will travel fast."

Zhen would have liked to see what Kelia could have done with Paragon, but she was above all things patient. If the Depthless Woe resisted the push to act, then Zhen would wait until she could change her mind. Or, until Paragon could reach the Deeper Darkness. Both were possibilities, but one involved far less exertion.

"Do not worry my dear, for as I said I would travel with you, so I shall! When you are ready, we may depart. You might even find comfort in bringing some of these Facets with you. The statue that dances is most entertaining, and I would never see it part from you especially. But I will not pull where there is resistance. Should you desire to return here, where your comfort resides, then I will not stop you. But we cannot be long, for even I have duties I must attend to in the Void above."

And with that, Zhen's arms shone with pale light. Soon, a doorway had opened to the Silver Forest, and Zhen offered to pull Kelia through.

[Hatter]

The Steel Sentinels
The Deeper Darkness

Il-Na, Father of the dwarves moved ever so swiftly through the tunnels of the Deeper Darkness, uneffected by its illusions due to his divine nature. He arrived in a wide open cavern, a grand clear lake at it's center.

The God of Greed stopped to stare at his reflection in the still dark waters before parting his lips and intoning words of invitation. "Brothers and Sisters, hear me. You whom have touched upon my children. You whom have meddled and you who wish to have a hand in the progress of the dwarves. You have stuck your fingers into my jar of sweets and it is time for that jar to be refilled."

"With interest." the last two words, muttered under his breath for only himself to hear.



0AP Start
+4AP Rollover
-1AP Form Pantheon(The Steel Sentinels): A collection of deities dedicated to the preservation, advancement and guidance of the dwarves and their subraces.
3AP Remaining

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Frozen Wastes

The horse-shaped deity heard a voice that had never heard before. By its context, however, he recognisd it as that of a deity he had never met. However, he had heard much. Il-Na was not quite their king, he allowed the dwarves to rule temselves but he was always there in the centre of his kingdom watching.

Il-Na's creation could be so much more if they could purge his personality out of them - that was, Slate supposed, the great teaching of the Temple of the White Steed - but Slate could understand the desire to receive some benefit in return. Slate accepted.


7 AP = 3 + 4 Rollover
- 1 AP: Pantheon: The Steel Sentinels
6 AP

[Cosmix]

Slate, The Frozen Wastes

What Yirion said was interesting. From what the frost-lord said and his own knowledge, then tis must mean that this place was attached to Brontos; in fact it did not, but Slate did not know of the scale goddess and her creation. He hoped that Yiriom had not hurt it, but the odd dwarf did not seem dark-hearted.

"I shall see these Crystal Forests. Still you lack imagination when t comes to plants. Any place that a creature of flesh can survive, then plants can thrive. And it is clear that creatures of flesh can survive here. I have followers of a race not so dissimilar to your own.

"But tell me. Your story interests me. Were you one born from a he Titans like myself?"
Yirom's Voice, Yirom, Slate-The Frozen Wastes:

Yirom's Voice laughed, both with the god's own voice carried by the wind and from the body he was borrowing, for Yirom's Voice had stirred to the point of being able to listen in on the gods conversation. It was not a harsh laugh, more like one of genuine joy found in a joke or a good man laughing at the difficulties of the world.

"Just barely can any of my children survive here, and they have great advantages over your subjects good lord of green. The greatest of which is their adaptability, to be able to move from one place to another in hopes of finding a safe haven where my cold does not reach. A plant, unlike my beasts, are rooted to where they are born. Unable to move out of the storms they become buried under sand and frost if they don't just shatter in the wake of my freezing cold. The only place where some of your subjects live here in my domain is within the caverns where my frost's bite does not reach and the sand cannot consume them."

Yirom's Voice then speaks up for the first time, having enough knowledge to speak and the will to do so. His legs became weak and it looked like he might fall; however, his voice held an inkling of the strength he inherited from Yirom even at this, his first real moment of life.

"I am the first of my people, and the Voice of Father Yirom. I already see the challenges I will have to face to create anything of worth upon these lands, but Father Yirom has gifted me with knowledge over cold and how to live with it... as difficult as the some of the things that must be done."

Yirom's own voice returned to answer Slate's last statement, taking the wind out of Yirom's Voice.

"A Titan I was born from indeed. My heart the same as the one that made the oceans, broken by the betrayal it felt before any of our beginnings, and held together only by a flame that is anathema to it's existence."

As the message given by Il-Na reached Yirom it filled him with interest, for their was another god to speak to; though, it also filled him with a sense of shame at not making a deal to use the designs created by another that was clearly valued by the god. It was only fair for Yirom to give in return for what he took after-all. Whispering to the winds he gave a bit of his precious inner fire to the gods design for the betterment of the whole.

2 + 4 -1 =5 AP

-1 Pantheon-Yirom's Return: Yirom's flame joins with the Steel Sentinels for the betterment of all of the dwarven peoples and in payment to Il-Na. [Fire (Warmth) 9/10]

[Emperor Demonking]

Slate, The Frozen Wastes

Ah, Slate finally understood that he was talking to two creatures: on diving the other mortal. Neither of which really grasped the magnificince of plants, but Slate was not one to give lectures. He was sure they would realise in time.

"You are the first of your people, voice of Yirom. But what are your people?" Spoke Slate as he suddenly felt closer to the frost deity, "Did you reply to Il-Na's message, also?"

[Phobia]

The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

The pitiable goddess flinched when Zhen exclaimed, but then actually smiled in response, even in her tears. She gave a few sniffles before being helped to her feet by the most loyal of the Emeralds. "Where you c-come from?" She quietly questioned a Facet that held her arm gently, and the Facet smiled warmly and nodded. Kelia leaned against the emerald for support before approaching Zhen once more, rubbing her face clear with the hem of her sleeve as she walked making her face clear with only glistening eyes for a moment.

"I'd never l-leave Zuni b-behind.." She barley whispered before leaning over to pick up the animated statue and putting it inside her cloak. "I k-know, y-you'll be o-out again s-soon.. shh.." She whispered again, patting the section of cloak that presumably contained the figure.

Kelia observed the door and out stretched hand with, admittedly, some trepidation. "I h-haven't left t-this place since the b-beginning. It's.." The goddess of fear shuddered at the thought of leaving her place of comfort. "Has the w-world changed m-much?" She questioned idly, moving one hand up to rub her other arm sheepishly.

And then she received the correspondence from Ill-Na the Golden, her brother of the stone. He was nearby, in these very caves, as if fate had intervened to keep her here. She wanted to meet him, but at the same time.. what price would she be expected? It was a bit upsetting to imagine her flesh mad at her, and those dwarven people had wandered down into her caves just fine on their own. And more kept coming! So it wasn't exactly her fault.. But it was a chance to meet him.

She almost didn't go.

But then the blue belle very slowly reached out to take the Moon's hand, lightly at first, but then gripping on more tightly out of a sudden surge of utter panic. Her emeralds would come along as well, of course, they were her devoted caretakers.

Kelia left no forwarding address.

AP: 0
Rollover: 4
AP: 4

[Hatter]

Explosions in the Deep
Some random cavern near Glimmerholm

The High-Count of Lustrious Glimmerholm sat upon a chair, surrounded by his Council of Counts as they waited for this supposed life-changing discovery that would rock the very foundations of the world. The High-Count let out a sigh of irritation before leaning into Count Heartbeard to his left. "They gonna be startin' anytime soon, eh?"

"Be givin' them a momen', me High One. They be preparin' eh?" Replied the count with a smile. He was starting to get nervous as he was the one whom supported these inventors and should it be a bust... It would be his hairy arse on the line long before anyone else.

"Ah! There they be!" Heartbeard let out a clear sigh of relief as a group of dwarves stepped into view, dragging a gnome in chains. The High-Count looked on with mild disgust. "Ya brough' one o' tha wretched a'fore me an' me council? This better be good."

The High-Count snapped his fingers to give permission to the dwarves to begin their demonstration. The lead dwarf immediately grabbed hold of the gnome before beginning to strap a vest to the creature along with a strange device, cylindrical in shape. He then unchaines the creature and set him loose, deeper into the cavern.

The High-Count and his Council watched on with curiosity as the dwarf drove the gnome away with swift cracks of a whip before the creature violently exploded in a shower of light, fire and seared flesh which flew through the sky and bathed all present in gore.

The crowd clapped and cheered with wild abandon.



3AP 1PAP Start
-2AP Create Sub-Concept of Gloomsteel(Gloomsteel Powder): Through a careful process of grinding the metal down to a fine powder and some other scientific mumbo jumbo that is beyond the understanding of the average person, Gloomsteel Powder is compacted into a volatile and explosive substance for use as both weaponry and more efficient mining.
1AP, 1PAP Remaining

[CrossLead24]

The Serpent and The Sun

“T’is good to her mine sister. I am confident that our paths wilt come to cross once again. But now I must ponder this revelation. I bid thee farewell.”

With these words Aphar waited long enough to hear any farewells or parting words Sustrai might have, and took off into the sky once more. This time rising higher and higher until he once more floated in the void. The Serpent and The Sun

She smiled and nodded to Aphar.

"And I hope that you find good fortune on your wanderings. Until we meet again brother; farewell and good speed to you."

She watched on as her brother floated onward and onward, deeply pleased with herself. This had gone much better than she had hoped. Another divine met and nimbly dealt with, a promise of debt for a simple task, and more knowledge regarding her fellow gods. Things were looking up for her.

She turned her gaze once more to the land below her. Yes, the desert here would serve nobly for her purposes. Descending from the peak above, she stood regally upon the sand. Yes, in just a second she would stand before the seeds of an empire.

[weet555]

The after party -Glimmerholm.

Within a massive mansion Thokuhm had held a party, of course no dwarf would give a free lunch without planning to get something in return. Thokuhm used the parties to gain the favour of the wealthy and convince them of his visions.

The festivity was over but still a few guests were talking away as the house slaves cleaned up the mess. A shadow moving on the ceiling brought Thokuhm out of his daze. “Tee parties over, yee must have business to attend to as do I. I thank yee for comin’, may gold pass into our hands.”

Once the guess had left Thokuhm put down his goblet then ordered the slaves. “Close tee windows and doors. I wish to be left alone and undisturbed until I order otherwise.” After the slaves were gone Thokuhm grabbed a bucket and threw up every drop of liquor he had drunk during the party into the bucket. There was not a drop of bile in the bucket and the alcohol was the same as it was when in first past his lips, a dwarf could have drank from the bucket and not noticed that it had been drunk previously.

From the chandelier’s shadow came a beast of darkness that looked vaguely humanoid. “Greetings Ryvrik, why do you pester me now?”

“A report on your progress and new orders from the master.” The monster upon the ceiling answered.

“I have secured my place in a one of the many new markets, my enemies have grown one smaller thanks to your lesser brethren. Tee law about ownership of dwarfs passed some time ago. However, my progress is slow on the act of makin’ the other new laws yee master asked for, I am no count after all. What are the new orders of tee master?” Thokuhm remembered of the monster he now called master and how he wished to never see it again.

“Carma wishes any corpse found in the street is to be claimed by the guards and not to be destroyed for at least one day.” The greater shadow beast answered.

Thokuhm made a simple note. “Tee master requested the oddest things. It will be done… in time along with the rest.” Thokuhm place the note upon a pile of others.

“We have time, if it takes years, decades or centuries…” Ryvrik was interrupted by a noise from a corner. The two beasts turned to the corner and Thokuhm ran over to the corner, then pulled a dwarf from their hiding spot.

“Thokuhm yee dirty traitor, yee be working with the monsters…. awk…” The colour seemed to fade from the dwarf as their skin turned dry and wrinkled. Finally, the life left the dwarf’s eyes. Thokuhm tossed the husk of a body to Ryvrik who caught it which with a spiked tendril.

“You will have to dispose of this meal, I have work to attend to.” Thokuhm sat down at his desk as he felt the energy flow inside him.

Ryvrik seemed to fade in to the darkness taking the body with it.


7ap+4 ap = 11ap

Create mystic life (4ap): Devourer.

These undead like shadow monsters possess all the memories they did in life and when created have the personality that did in life. However, being fuelled by the life force of others and the blood lust of shadow beasts shift many devourer’s world view to a more murderous one.

Devourers consume the life force of others as they can’t produce their own, but life force is the only sustenance they need. Devourers consume life force through physical contact with “prey”, they can’t consume the life force of non-sentient life or that of shadow monsters. Ever the most inexperienced and weakest Devourers can drain most life dry of life force in less than two seconds.

Devourers are generally stronger and faster than their living counterparts. These monsters heal at a supernatural speed from any injury but this healing drains their reserve of life energy. Devourers possess many of the supernatural abilities of greater shadow beasts including: the mental ability to command lesser shadow beasts (and husks), teleporting between shadows. They can also fly without wings.

They can learn the following with great difficulty: becoming invisible, temporarily shape shifting like a shadow beast and even a simple form of mind control. (Making one believe something you said was their idea and/or that an idea is foolish or brilliant)

Devourers are born though one of three ways:
1) bodies killed by shadow monster that are properly buried have a chance to rise each night as a devourer,
2)any creature that dies from a loss of life force while still having some life force with become one
3)legends tell of a ritual the can turn one into a devourer.

Devourers look much like there living counterparts and often look as though they are in the prime of their youth.


I’m using “life energy” as a catch all term for the magical/supernatural forces that living creatures and magical “life” use to live. Generally, a creature can slowly heal a loss of life energy like overcoming a flu.

Creatures almost never have an excess of “life energy” and generally only supernatural factors cause one of have a loss of “life energy”. The symptoms of lacking “life energy” include but are not limited to: dizziness, blurry vision, slowed cognitive functions, weakness muscle, difficulty breathing, difficulty perceiving colour, difficulty using some magic, accelerated ageing, slowed healing, exhaustion and increased vulnerability to disease.

The less “life energy” a creature has the more symptoms it has and the worse the symptoms are.


Create organisation (1ap): The eyes of the hunter

While many believe Carma’s followers to be mindless beasts, this is not the case for all and a small number hide within the cities of “prey”. This organisation works to weaken a city’s defences against the shadow monsters from the inside.

This organisation doesn’t plot the destruction of a city but instant large scale devastation of the cities.

Create advanced concept (2ap): slavery

The act of treating certain people as property to be bought or sold. While there are many ways to enter slavery there are very few ways to leave it.

4ap

[Draken]

The Meeting at the Sellsword's Spire
"How many soldiers would you require?"


The Lieutenant's Return
Wojciech watched as the Lieutenant's expedition emerged from the Deeplands entrance. At his side stood the youngest Swordforged, the one he had made as a replacement for the Lieutenant's late sergeant. Once the expedition had fully emerged from the Deeplands, they stood perfectly at attention before the Sellsword's throne. "Report, Lieutenant."

"The mission was a success, sir. The dwarves made it safely to their destination, and we recieved the agreed-upon payment. In addition, we know the location of their capital."

"How much was the payment."

"One ruby for each Swordforged, though I took the liberty of making a small purchase while in the dwarven Hold. A metal they call 'Gloomsteel,' many times stronger than steel, but also many times heavier. They say it is most plentiful in a place they call the 'Deeper Darkness,' the realm that lies deeper in the earth than even the Deeplands. According to the miners, the deeper one goes into the Darkness, the less and less sense it makes. They say the passages twist impossibly, and the whole region seems to drive explorers mad."

"Have you been to this Deeper Darkness?"

"No, sir. We were reluctant to do so, based on the stories."

"Understandable. You should immediately set about creating armor from this Gloomsteel. Distribute it first among the officers, then the sergeants, and so on and so forth prioritizing those of highest rank."

"Yes, sir. Though you should also be aware that the Deeplands are home to creatures the dwarves call 'shadow beasts.' They are, as the name implies, bestial, shapeshifting monstrosities made out of darkness and shadow."

"Oh? Well, be aware that these beasts do not dwell only in the Deeplands. We have encountered them as well, though not in any large number. One killed the sergeant you sent back to me, though I was sure to avenge him."

"The death is unfortunate."

"Indeed. Though through it I became aware of a weakness of these creatures: sunlight is anathema to them. Exposure to Aphar's glory will kill these beasts."

The Lieutenant did not respond to this, and for a while Wojciech's throne room was silent. After a few minutes, though, Wojciech rose from his throne. "This 'Deeper Darkness' intrigues me. Such a thing could possibly produce many threats, and also many boons. I think I shall embark on a brief journey. While I am gone, the Spire is yours to command, Lieutenant. If you finish armoring what men you can with our Gloomsteel supplies, begin work on additional soldiers to expand our numbers. I will bring Gloomsteel enough to armor many Stormforged when I return." With that, he leaped into the Deeplands.

The Sellsword's Spire

The stormforged does not have the facial muscles to smile with.

"We have up to fifty spots on the vessel prepared for the Iron Company. But as few as ten warriors for the first foray should be enough, although it would force the expedition to be more shy in its initial explorations."


Meet and Trade
The City of Hundreds, The Iron Islands

Galmar paused for a moment, his face betraying no emotion even as his mind raced with every known insult at the Builder's request for free merchandise. A thought hatched in his mind and he immediately put it to use.

"Of course." The dwarf replied with a smile as he stepped up to the trunks and retrieved a handful of gloomsteel bars before presenting it to the Builder. "A gift of good will. In exchange, we ask that you allow us lodging and meals while you decide on trade. In the meantime, we shall seek to hire mercenaries from among your people."

The City of Hundred

Perhaps that day Galmar would learn the value of trading a material token for a wealth of information, as a pair of golems took his samples and made them float between their hands, beckoning remnants of stone and dirt from the bars, and making the metal waver, shift and dance under their arcane will.

" So very strong, so very proud. It sings an unusual tune, so unlike any of our lords. Who are they?"

"I can feel that it will not bend to the hammer's will a second time. Surely the Immovable Object would favor this trait, but the voices within... Strange indeed. Who are the gods of the deep?"

Builder hums behind the elementalists as they do their work. Addressing Galmar after awhile.

"Chief Copperhands of the Stormblade clan will welcome you and your band to his yurt, Galmar, as I have heard, among his mates there is an excellent cook and an excellent tanner, and his dwelling is warm and welcoming. As you might guess, we forged keep no true dwellings and require no food of our own, so you must pardon me for not extending any personal hospitality."

-------

Brontos
From Crystal to Mire

A storm gathers over the first continent. This is a daily event, unworthy of notice.

Until it grows.

The Storm gathers over the first continent. Rains polluted or rendered to hail singing to squatters of the eminent arrival of lightning and thunder.

Rollover count:

5 AP

[Virdish]

"It is beautiful. Isn't it?" Zuanshi intones, appearing suddenly from the waters as rivulets runs down its smooth black skin. "A testament to where we came from. I plan to spread them across the Planes. A network of beautiful temples, each dedicated to the worship of the dead."

That seems like a wonderful idea. Something for the mortals to gawk at as they try to understand the enormity of what gave them life. Surely they would feel minuscule in the face of the thing that created their creators. For us I suppose it is different. We have the creator and he is above us but our divine spark makes us closer to him then mortals will ever be to us. Have you ever thought about what it must be like to be a mortal being? To fear the ever encroaching passage of time like they must? Such a concept, I am sure, is beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Though, maybe Lu'Azu, with it's ability to consume concepts has a better understanding then we do.

[Razade]

"I have placed myself inside the Mortal Spirit, I have seen their struggles even in a realm made of them. It gives them strength, it makes them powerful." Zuanshi answers, glancing back to its massive temple. "My work is yet unfinished. Perhaps in time you may see all these Temples, but they have yet to be made. You will excuse me, I trust, cousin. The Void Calls. Be wary of the Shark, cousin. It devours more than mere concepts. We are all on its plate." Zuanshi offers a slow bow and then fades back into the water.

[Hatter]

The Guardians of Steel
Dark tunnel south of Glimmerholm

Through a dark tunnel, a pack of shadow beasts ran with supernatural speed. They smelled the dead at the end of the tunnel, Dwarven and animal corpses alike piled, rotting and enticing.

The beasts dived into the pile, eagerly sifting through the remains and rolling around in the bile. They found a nice cache here.. or so they thought.

Gloomsteel clad dwarves suddenly emerged from the very stone walls themselves without sound or even leaving cracks in the stone. Blades of the same material lashed out against the shadow beasts before they could even react and blood red cloaks danced in the air.

When all was said and done, the dwarves simply looked at each other. The leader whose helm was adorned by a blood red crest simply made a small gesture with his free hand and the warriors faded back into the stone.



1AP, 1PAP Start
-1PAP Bless(Children of the Deep): Dwarves that have not abandoned the Deeplands for the surface are capable of effortlessly walking through earth and stone as if it were not there at all.
-1AP Create Organization (The Guardians of Steel): Bearing an extreme fanaticism towards guarding and protecting Glimmerholm, The GoS is the official military body of the Dwarven city. It's members are easily distinguished by the red cloaks that are draped over their gloomsteel armor with their rank insignia emblazoned upon their collars. Their ranking is as follows.

Initiate: Trainees yet to pass into the Guardians.
Guardian: The Bulk and Mass of the GoS Soldiers.
Knight-Guardian: The squad leaders.
Lord-Guardian: The unit leaders.
Count-Guardian: The supreme leader of the GoS who answers directly to the High-Count and the Council of Counts.

0AP, 0PAP Remaining

[CrossLead24]

Sustrai: the desert in the shadow of Mt. Dahāg
Sustrai looked among the dunes with satisfaction. Now was the time to begin the work she had been planning for some time. For all her glory, she could not just conquer the First World all on her own. No, she would need many hands and feet to domesticate the fulcrum of the universe. She would need an empire.

Reaching down to her arm, she plucked one of her scales, once again a painless, bloodless process, the removed piece quickly replaced. Giving the plucked scale a quick kiss, she whispered a simple command to it:

"Grow strong, my children, for I give unto you the seat of my throne, to claim as my stewards."

And so she cast it out into the desert, watching as it fell beneath the sands. Almost immediately, the grains where it fell began to roil, rising and hardening into a cocoon almost as long as she was tall. Others quickly formed across the sands, growing into a multitude that stretched out across the expanse. Even more were forming throughout the continent, but she would focus on them later. Now, it was the time to watch her firstborn awaken.

She did not have to wait long. One of the cocoons started rumbling; within seconds, the being within had ripped its way out, desperately seeking its first breath. Clawing its way up to its feet, it stood unsteadily. A hairless hide of vibrant green scales covered it, and yellow reptilian eyes scanned the world around it. Others did the same, rising to take their first steps into the world. Excellent. Now was time to begin to unite them.

She strode forward, imperious and powerful. The confused creatures-her Scalefolk-fell back stunned by the shining, radiant creature that moved towards them. She quickly scanned across the expanse, noting those who stood out. Some were ready to fight, awed but able to leap into violence if they needed. Others seemed to keep their heads together more than the others; they were still reverent, but they stood straighter and seemed more aware than their peers. Good, the raw materials were all there. She beckoned to the newborn race.

"Do not be afraid, for I bring you a wondrous gift. Come now, my children. Come to me, and I shall grant you your destiny."

Hesitant at first, a few of those more exceptional ones began to move forward. Others followed soon after. And so Sustrai grinned. Things were going well.

13 AP (9 + Rollover)
1 PAP (0 + Rollover)

2 AP- Create Sapient Race: Scalefolk
The first sapient race to walk the face of Zahhak, the Scalefolk are humanoid reptiles, standing about five feet eight inches to six feet. They are hairless and covered in scales; green is the most common color, but browns, blacks, grays, dark reds and blues, and more colors aside can all be found among the population. Their eyes are like that of a serpent, golden with dagger-like pupils. They tend towards strong, muscular builds, but still remain within human limits. While it would be foolish to tar the entire race with a single brush, their greatest strength would have to be their resilience, both mental and physical. They were made to endure above all else, and they will stand no matter the adversity. Currently they only live upon Zahhak, but the nature of the Deeplands means that small groups could find their way down there or even to other landmasses.

2 AP- Form Society: The Emerald Imperium
The first of the Scalefolk have been united under the will of their Empress. The people of the Imperium believe that their Queen is the ultimate divine power, and that it is both their right and duty to make all the First World their territory, so that they might rule it in her stead. For now, that is a far off ambition; currently their goals are first to establish for themselves settlements and to iron out their new hierarchy, after which they will attempt to dominate the continent, spreading out and assimilating those Scalefolk not among their initial numbers.

In structure, the Imperium is of course ultimately ruled by Sustrai herself; however, even a goddess requires servants to enact her will, and so governance is split between two groups: the Nephrite Militate and the Jadeite Orthodoxy. The Militate represents the military power of the Imperium, and govern law enforcement, protection of settlements, security, and eventually, outright warfare. The Orthodoxy represent the domestic powers of the society, and govern worship of the Empress, education, economics, and general policy. All settlements have at least one representative of each, the highest ranked labeled sheriff and preceptor, respectively, who work together to act as heads of the settlement's governance, with the highest ranking in a region or province chosen as greater sheriffs and preceptors, tasked with control over that area and its lesser officials. This is echoed at the highest levels of power as well, with the Nephrites choosing three generals and the Jadeites choosing three of their highest ranked clerics (their Hierarchs) to join together in a council, called the Auctoritas. Though Sustrai is, again, the ultimate authority, members of this council (collectively named Magisters) run the day to day life of the Imperium, allowing their Empress to focus on the long term future. At any time, Sustrai might attend a meeting of the Auctoritas or send a representative in her name; the latter may vote and serves as a tie-breaker, and the Lady of Scales may simply pass or reject a motion at will, though she is wise enough to do so rarely.

Culturally, the Imperium is defined by principles of debt, manifest destiny, and warring virtues. The people of the Imperium believe that they hold a great debt to Queen Sustrai for her generosity in creating them and granting them a destiny, and believe it is their duty to repay her. Fulfilling that destiny is believed to be the best way to do so, and thus there entire society draws upon their dream of assimilation and conquest, building infrastructure and preparing for a war that will come many generations hence. Finally they are defined by two pairs of warring virtues. First, they are called to honor their Lady by obeying not just her, but the entire hierarchy she created, loyalty serving their superiors; yet at the same time, they are called to honor her by emulating her endless ambition, to seek to grow strong and surpass all above them. Likewise, they are called to be paragons of civilization, honoring their word and agreements and resolving conflict in as clean a way as possible, so as to show the barbarians they face what a true society is like; on the other hand, they are called to be as cunning as serpents, and those who can learn to find loopholes and deceive their enemies will go far in life. These clashing principles and how an individual should define them is a reoccurring question that shapes their society throughout the ages.

13 AP - 2 AP - 2 AP = 9 AP
1 PAP - 0 PAP = 1 PAP

Panoply (Nature) 2/10
Domain: Scalykind (Scalefolk) 4/10

[CrazyPenguin]

The Sellsword's Spire

The stormforged does not have the facial muscles to smile with.

"We have up to fifty spots on the vessel prepared for the Iron Company. But as few as ten warriors for the first foray should be enough, although it would force the expedition to be more shy in its initial explorations."

"I will take your offer to Captain Wojciech. Please wait a moment." The voice then went silent, presumably because its source had gone inside the Spire. After almost 30 minutes, it returned. "Your offer has been accepted. 50 soldiers of the Iron Company stand ready to leave at your convenience.

Spire - The Orcs

Since the day that Wojciech released them, the orcs had fought among themselves. Chiefs and warlords had risen more often than the sun, and fell just as frequently. It wasn't that the orcs wanted to fight, but there simply wasn't enough of anything to go around. The Iron Isles offered little food, little shelter, little water. The only thing that there was in abundance was iron, and the orcs knew what to do with iron. It became steel, then steel became blades and bludgeons and armor. So they fought, and rivers of blood ran across the land and dyed the sea red. The prodigious birth rate of Wojciech's creations ensured that the species never risked extinction, but constant battle weeded out the weak. To claim a drop of water, the orcs spilled a gallon of blood. To claim a shallow cave, they slew entire tribes wholesale.

But they never had trouble finding food. Their warfare created many corpses, and the orcs had no compunctions regarding cannibalism. The harshness of the Isles forced the orcs to become a a deeply pragmatic people. They had no funeral rites, no concept of mourning. A fallen soldier was simply a meal, a defeated army a feast.

Such was the way of things, constant battle and death. It remained this way for many years, until eventually five leaders, through sheer force of will, arms, and personality, beat all their rivals into submission, and consolidated their power. Disparate tribes were forced to submit, slowly but surely unifying. In the end there remained only five clans, huge groups united by family ties, oaths of allegiance, and just a bit of fear.

Starting AP = 0 + 4 (Rollover) = 4
-2 AP Form Society (The Five Great Clans): The orcs have unified into five distinct clans, each named for their original leader. The existence of these clans has significantly decreased the fighting between the orcs, though it has by no means stopped completely. The clans still occasionally fight over resources and borders, and each would like nothing more than to see the other four wiped out. The clans are:

Firstborn: Clan Firstborn was founded by Ulmar Firstborn, an absolutely massive male orc covered in hair. In battle he fights with a mace so large most other orcs can barely lift it, which he has dubbed Wojciech's Fist. The Firstborn family holds that they are descended from the first ever orc, and as such they are inherently supreme. Their claims regarding their lineage are unverifiable, but they show no mercy to those who question them. The various lesser families of this clan were subdued by force of arms and fear. During the unification process, Ulmar was known to tear tribal leaders in half with his bear hands. Tribes were usually pretty quick to fall into line after that.
Wolf-Rider: Clan Wolf-Rider was founded by Helga Wolf-Rider, a relatively small and lean orc woman. She fights with a plain but well-crafted sword. More important than Helga's own personal skill in battle, however, is what earned her her name. She successfully tamed the great wolf-beasts that roam the Iron Isles, and rides it into battle like most would ride a horse. The other warriors of her clan have also taken up this way of fighting, making them a fearsome foe. Helga united her people mostly through awe and strength of reputation: Many tribes were willing to serve this already-legendary woman.
Silvertongue: Clan Silvertongue was founded by Loki Silvertongue, an altogether average-looking male orc. He prefers not to fight himself, but has proven deadly with his spear when pressed. He united many disparate tribes with carefully-chosen words and skillful diplomacy. Silvertongue is a talented negotiator and excels at ending conflicts before they ever begin. His peaceful nature marks him as a rare anomaly among orcs, though it is by no means shared with all of his followers. There are plenty within the Silvertongue clan that would love to see Loki cast down, and the clan return to more traditional orcish ways, but so far they are a minority.
Grey: Clan Grey was founded by Ragnar the Grey, who is said to be the oldest orc alive. His skin hangs loosely from his bones, and his long hair is white and wispy. Though his old age has quite obviously left him physically decrepit, his mind is as sharp as ever. In fact, he is known for his great wisdom and intelligence. Most of the orcs who follow the Grey do so out of respect for his great age and experience.
Iceblood: Gregor Iceblood became a clan leader more by dumb luck than anything else. As the other four clans began to form, there were numerous tribes who attempted to escape their influence. As time went on, it became clear that no single tribe could possibly resist on its own. As such, they started banding together in an informal alliance, hoping to remain independent of the four great clans. This alliance was forced to grow tighter and tighter as the clans pressed it, and eventually tensions between various member tribes exploded into violence. When the dust settled, Gregor Iceblood, a notoriously stoic and dispassionate man, was the only tribal leader left standing, and so became the alliance's leader by default. With only Gregor left in charge, the alliance slowly tightened together until it was a clan in its own right. Still, out of all the clan leaders, Gregor is the least absolute. He allows the people of his clan (especially the elders) to have a great deal influence in the decision-making process. This is partly because he remembers the origins of his clan (a desire for freedom and self-determination), and partly because he never actually wanted to be a clan leader and really has no idea what the hell he's doing 90% of the time.
-1 AP Create Monstrous Life (Dire Wolves): Dire wolves are terrifyingly strong and intelligent wolves that often reach the size of a horse. The jaws and teeth of a dire wolf can easily tear through steel and their speed is comparable to that of a warhorse. The orcs of Clan Wolf-Rider have managed to domesticate these beasts, though the process of their training are a closely-guarded secret.

4 AP - 2 AP - 1 AP = 1 AP

[Hatter]

Meet and Trade
The Iron Islands

With a respectful nod, Galmar gathered up his party and moved out to meet with the orcs, offering many jewels and even a place in Glimmerholm should any be willing to follow the dwarves as mercenaries and laborers.

Claiming his throne
Avaurum

Il-Na surrendered his pointless search for the god of the gnomes, instead he turned his attention to the Dwarven souls that no longer wandered aimlessly through the caves and tunnels of the Deeplands. This was a curiosity to him and so, he followed the bread crumbs.

The golden god arrived upon Avaurum, tThe Plane of Greed where the souls of his faithful had come to gather. They struggled against each other's, scratching, biting and clawing all for that extra bit of wealth. If Il-Na had any idea as to what a heaven was...This was it.

His eyes searched the plane before they finally landed on the once High-Count who sat upon a throne of gilded gold with a foot firmly planted upon another Dwarven soul. A smirk crossed the god's face as he arrived behind the would be king of the afterlife and with a single sweep of his muscular hand, lifted the poor creature up by his skull.

Il-Na stared into his eyes as the Deep Father's mouth began to open wide, ready to devour it's first mortal soul. "You sit in my throne, whelp! Your greed and ambition drives me to a hunger that cannot be easily quenched!"

The former High-Count let out a terrified scream as he was dragged ever closer to the god's gaping golden maw.

[Kirjath]

Bonfire Diamonds: The Night's End- Sorrow's Rest

The eight remaining Bonfire Diamonds joined together by some unseen call and together shaped and worked the land with their own hands. In the far reaches of Zuanshi's realm of The Night's End they wove a spire of beautiful black diamond atop which they sat a bonfire to burn for all ages. They called this spire, this cathedral built of a sibling's love Sorrow's Rest and commanded their Bonfire Emeralds to whisper and to sing a song to call Kelia, the Sorrowful One, to her home. To rest. To grieve. Surrounding Sorrow's Rest was a graveyard, a realm of open plots with unwritten headstones for when The Sorrowful One desired to lay her sorrows to rest and bury them away to forget.


AP: 0AP

Alter Land: Sorrow's Rest (Infused Life Action 0AP) - Sorrow's Rest is a massive cathedral, empty save a cadre of Bonfire Emeralds. It awaits the Sorrowful One to take residence, silent and untouched




The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

The pitiable goddess flinched when Zhen exclaimed, but then actually smiled in response, even in her tears. She gave a few sniffles before being helped to her feet by the most loyal of the Emeralds. "Where you c-come from?" She quietly questioned a Facet that held her arm gently, and the Facet smiled warmly and nodded. Kelia leaned against the emerald for support before approaching Zhen once more, rubbing her face clear with the hem of her sleeve as she walked making her face clear with only glistening eyes for a moment.

"I'd never l-leave Zuni b-behind.." She barley whispered before leaning over to pick up the animated statue and putting it inside her cloak. "I k-know, y-you'll be o-out again s-soon.. shh.." She whispered again, patting the section of cloak that presumably contained the figure.

Kelia observed the door and out stretched hand with, admittedly, some trepidation. "I h-haven't left t-this place since the b-beginning. It's.." The goddess of fear shuddered at the thought of leaving her place of comfort. "Has the w-world changed m-much?" She questioned idly, moving one hand up to rub her other arm sheepishly.

And then she received the correspondence from Ill-Na the Golden, her brother of the stone. He was nearby, in these very caves, as if fate had intervened to keep her here. She wanted to meet him, but at the same time.. what price would she be expected? It was a bit upsetting to imagine her flesh mad at her, and those dwarven people had wandered down into her caves just fine on their own. And more kept coming! So it wasn't exactly her fault.. But it was a chance to meet him.

She almost didn't go.

But then the blue belle very slowly reached out to take the Moon's hand, lightly at first, but then gripping on more tightly out of a sudden surge of utter panic. Her emeralds would come along as well, of course, they were her devoted caretakers.

Kelia left no forwarding address.


The Deepest Darkness Where Kelia Dwelt

Zhen smiled wider as they were pulled through, and the door to the Deeper Darkness closed behind them with a whisper.

“Oh yes, the First World has changed much. It is ever changing, as if the land itself cannot remain still. The mortal beings are adaptable and most clever, and I think there can be great things accomplished there. That is, if they survive The Hunt.”

“But first,” she motioned to around herself as her hands splayed out in all directions, “I will show you the magnificent realm of Zuanshi.”

Paragon stretched out before them, its four Realms divided and beautiful. The Palace glistened in the distance, the Silver Forest glowed softly, and the Featureless Dusts whipped around and then fell calm. Lastly, there was a lonely cathedral sitting upon the First Realm. It was here Zhen decided to guide Kelia.

As they walked through the Silver Forest, Zhen hid them in shadows so that they could move about unnoticed. In hiding, they were able to spy upon many of the Paledust Facets going about their business. In her absence, they had spun many webs of crystal in the capacious caverns of the Fourth Realm, and from there they were both industrious and diligent. They made ready to go forth into the other Realms and attach themselves to the Facets there.

But onwards they moved. Zhen pointed about as they crossed over into the Third Realm, for the Palace Most Precious was truly a sight to behold. The Facets there moved about their business unhindered, though they held a vigilant watch for intruders. The second Realm was indeed almost entirely Featureless Dust, and Zhen steered them away from that purposefully so as not to get lost.

Finally, they reached the First Realm, and Zhen stopped at the lonely cathedral sitting at the top.

“And here it is, the first stop on our trip. I saw it, when Zuanshi revealed its actions to me. The Hidden Song calls this place Sorrow’s Rest.”

Zhen looked around with a contented sigh.

“It is a most beautiful, but very lonely building. I had thought Zuanshi might be here, for it made the First Realm. Perhaps I was mistaken.”

From the cathedral, a small cadre of Bonfire Emeralds streamed forth to comfort Kelia.

AP Actions: None
Starting AP: 2+4 (Rollover)
Current AP: 6 (1 PAP)

[Phobia]

Cathedral Sorrow's Rest

It was a beautiful yet mournful place, this Paragon. That was her first thought. It was quiet, like her caves, but it was much brighter and beautiful. She let her hand trail through the leaves of the Silver Forest, and the dust of the Second Realm, daring not to even touch Palace Most Precious. It wasn't really what she was expecting.

"Zuanshi.. here?" Kelia questioned, her eyes scanning over the cathedral itself and the graveyard outside. She let out a little bit of a sob as more of the Bonfire Emeralds joined her, mingling with those brought from the caverns of the Deeper Darkness like family together again at last. "This was the p-place built for m-me?" She said aloud to no one in particular, but an Emerald nodded to confirm it for her and took her arm as if to lead her inside.

"J-join me inside?" She asked before being spirited away inside by the Facets, the doors of the ornate cathedral opening because they were meant to open for her.

[Kirjath]

Cathedral Sorrow's Rest

Zhen watched quietly as the Bonfire Emeralds drew close to Kelia. It was a special moment, one not to be interfered with. Zhen had seen many such moments from afar while she watched over the night. It was a beautiful thing to be cared for in such an intimate manner, even if the Emeralds had been designed for that sole purpose. Zhen was surprised to find that she envied the connection. Her own Paledust Facets had not been made to care about her to such a degree, for Zhen wasn't certain she wanted to shackle anything to herself. Likewise, she had made little interaction with them yet.

Perhaps it was time to amend that oversight. Watching the Emeralds as they warmly spirited Kelia away gave Zhen another idea. It was a small idea, and it formed like a pebble in one of her lower hands. This one Zhen took and hid in the deepest pocket of her robes she could find. This one she would cherish until it was ready.

"Join me inside?" Kelia had asked, and a grin returned to Zhen's shrouded features.

"I wouldn't miss it for all of the First World, my dear." Zhen replied as Kelia vanished into the inner sanctum of the Cathedral. Quietly, the Pale Moon moved to follow after her. No Emeralds swarmed around her in a greeting, but that was how it was meant to be.

[Hatter]

Enslavement
Zahhak

A tribe of scalefolk settled within a comfortable nook in an unnamed valley, South of the Imperium. They lived rather peacefully with a penchant towards simple hunting and gathering. They were happy with their lives...Until the dwarves found them.

Muscled and gloomsteel plated arms lurched out from the earth beneath the tribesmens' very feet. Grubby and strong fingers wrapped around tails and ankles alike and drug them screaming beneath the surface. It all happened so quickly..Not a single tribesman remained and the earth remained unscathed where they once walked...Nothing remained but an empty ghost village and tales about the evil spirits that had fed upon them.

Deep beneath the earth in Glimmerholm, the scalefolk were shackled and chained. They would undergo harsh training and terrible punishment.. but in time they would adapt, breed and become the very staple of Glimmerholm's slave population... but like all things in Glimmerholm, everything could be bought...Even freedom.

[Phobia]

Cathedral Sorrow's Rest

The doors opened before them into a massive open nave area with ornate arches and pillars with several long wooden pews. At the very entrance was an incredible area that supported an eternal fountain of water. Beautiful stained glass windows lined the halls in colors of purple, blue, yellow, and tapestries of rich black and red. It was all a bit more colorful than Kelia would have chosen for herself, but it wasn't made by her- although, she enjoyed it anyway, her tears flowing freely but she actually had the beginnings of a smile on her face. It was a massive room with huge aisles large enough to contain a dwarven platoon and their ants. On the side of this was a confessional booth where those too fearful to grieve their woes aloud could speak privately to a bishop. The transept crossed overhead and out into two awnings near the far end of the cathedral. Beyond that lay the chancel of the place separated from the main area by an ornate partition by an open tracery constructed out of wrought gloomsteel with the altar laying at the entrance. Inside that lay the sanctuary and pulpit, places of scared contemplation. Then there was even a special place to set Zuni above the altar. Behind even that, suspended on a higher level over the chancel with a very small set of stairs leading up to it, where choir stalls where Emeralds that had not come out to meet her now stood here singing in unison with their melodic voices.

The cathedral made out black out was a majestic building that extended up into a twisted ornate spire atop which sat the bonfire to burn for all ages. Atop the roof of the building separated from the black spire is a viewing dome with a window that shows the void above. This building was almost tragically beautiful and mournful, an artistic expression of dread and awe. The place almost demanded silence and mournful contemplation. Outside the spire lay a graveyard that lay inside a large fancy fenced in area with many empty graves with names not yet written and statues of Facets in beautiful poses. To Kelia, it was even more beautiful than the Palace Most Precious.

Inside the cathedral, beyond the massive main room, there were doors that lead to other parts of the massive building; a great many rooms that Kelia could fill with what she pleased and a whole other building that included a basement. The Emeralds helped her back to a room separate from the main room that seemed to be a private room for just Kelia to retreat to, attended to by Emeralds of course, and even a bed to rest upon that seemed reminiscent of a modern day hospital bed. The sorrowful goddess sat upon the bed and looked a little upset. "It's a-all so l-lovely, isn't it? It's a-almost too m-much.." For a second she wanted to go back to her cave, but she settled for breaking down in tears instead. "Where.. is Zuanshi?" She questioned aloud, even though it was unlikely Zhen or the Emeralds had an answer to that. But she felt a little bad for what she'd thought about him since. This place was lovely...

[Sontali]

Sunstone and The Noontide Spear

Aphar spent a good period with the angyls, teaching them and in turn learning from them in turn. The surface of the Sun was not like the surface of the first world, it did not possess rocks of various types, it did not possess salt water and fresh water, it did not possess wood. And though sunlight of different states could be found the homogeny of the materials that made up the Sun would make industry and tool use as they existed on the first world an impossibility. To Aphar this did not present much of a problem, there was no particular reason for his angyls to use tools, they did not need to till fields and there was no true need for shelter for those impervious to the Sun’s heat. But as he spent more time with them, learning the names of those he met, playing games and swimming with them. He noticed that they were finding uses for the environment around them, using sharpened pieces of sunstone to carve out other pieces of sunstone into shapes. When Aphar saw some new technique he always went over to the angyls practising it to learn it, and encouraged them to teach others so that everyone might benefit from their knowledge. In time more complex systems emerged, and sunstone mines were set up for larger blocks to work with. Armed with the ability to give sunstone different properties the arts flourished and buildings were erected.

Although Aphar was enjoying his time among the developing angyls he still remembered that he had made a commitment to hunt down the source of the troubles the First World was facing and said his farewells to the angyls he had come to know personally. As he prepared to leave however his eye was drawn to a hammer held by one of the crowd which had gathered to watch his departure. Aphar considered what he had seen made by his people, each tool had its own specific purpose, outside of which it was essentially useless. He thought further back to his time on the First World, where he had watched an animal killed by one of the big cats that made their home on Brontos, the right tool for the job. Furrowing his brow in concentration, Aphar stretched out his hand and released divine energy. The angyls murmured amongst themselves as the light of the sun dimmed until it shed less light than the moons usually did. But even as Aphar and the angyls dimmed with the sun a new light was forming, for the god was not dimming the light but focusing it, a brilliant new light was forming. For an entire minute the sun was dark as Aphar built his weapon, a spear that shone like the Sun did in its first moments. At the moment of the spears completion the Sun snapped back to its normal brightness, catching any shadow beasts that had tried to take advantage of the darkness. Weary from the effort Aphar put off his departure for another rotation around the First World, so that he could regain he strength, testing the slightly curved sword blade it had in the place of a spear head against a training dummy he constructed out of sunstone. And the next day he once again made the crossing through the void.

Once more on the First World, Aphar crossed the barrier from the day to the night and watched for shadow beasts as they fled from his light. It did not take long for him to see one, and through repeated attempts he eventually tracked down an entrance to the Deeplands, which a lesser shadow beast had run into to avoid what its non-sentient mind had told it was an early sunrise in a world where the days ran like clockwork. Pausing at the entrance, never having had been in a location that hadn’t felt sunlight, Aphar sighed before walking in.

Starting AP: 14
Create Mythical Concept (4 AP) – Sunstone Working: The magical art of working sunstone. Contrary to what ‘scientists’ would have you believe, the Sun is actually made of what is essentially solid sunlight stone that shines with sunlight... yep. Unbearably hot to the point that even matter tends to… break down, melt, sublimate or burn in its presence. sunstone is all that angyls have to work with on the sun and so they developed magic that allowed them to change the physical properties of the material, allowing them to work sunstone with tools made of sunstone. This has allowed them to create art, buildings, etc. Note that they can’t create weapons of sunstone, that concept will come later, as will a couple other uses for this.

Create Major Artifact (5 AP) – The Noontide Spear: Aphar’s personal weapon appears as a blinding spear that has a one-sided sword blade with a slight curve in the place of a more traditional spearhead. The Noontide Spear is not actually made of sunstone, rather pure sunlight, and burns like the sun did in its first moments, before Aphar separated himself from it. The weapon of Aphar also has the ability to focus Aphar’s power, letting him shoot a concentrated ray of amplified sunlight from its tip.
Remaining AP: 5

9/10 Void (Resolve)