Pan-aeons: a God Game

**Maryring** · 2020-03-19, 08:54 AM (ISO 8601)

1st Justice University (ruins of old Grawpolis)

With a single smooth gesture upwards, the ground before Petr starts to crumble, before giving way to a fountain of fresh water pooling into an artificial lake already carved out by Nerassus in the hard dirt. The water quickly fills up, pouring out into smaller rivers that drift down through the ruined streets of Grawpolis. Nera himself peers into the newly formed pool, cupping his hands to taste the water. "Mmm. Fresh! Momma, why is water coming up though? When it rains, water comes down. So why is it coming up from here?"

"I drilled down to an aquifier deep below the surface of the land. It's a layer of rock that absorbs moisture, and the pressure of all the water from all over the land looks for a point of egress which causes." Petr notices the blank look of curiousity on Nera's face. "Erf, let's just say it's magic for now. I forget you don't have my eons of experience with the water cycle. And we've got so much to do before I sleep, that it's best if you consider it a puzzle that your university can solve."

"Okay Momma." Nerassus stretches out, yawning softly as he looks over a couple enchanters hard at work in carving symbols upon Graw's gravestone. "I'll miss him... he said I was smart."

"You are dearheart. And smarter still shall you be. With your efforts, the whole world will be made a better place in my absence. Shall we go over the plans once more?"

"Yes! Okay, so I was thinking of renovating the castle to be the primary structures for education." He begins drawing a map on the ground, gesturing to the circle of inner walls that make up the tallest part of the city where they are. "Everything within here will primarily be serving the various courses of education. I think if we convert these villas into dorms. We can refurbish the warehouses, build an attendant forge for the enchanters and metalworkers. About... here, I want to build a temple."

"For who?"

"You obviously."

"This was the city of Grawissen's people, and we are going to open it to people from all over the world. Is it fair then that the only temple belongs to Me?"

"Of course! We're putting in all this effort to help people. The least they can do is say thank you." Nerassus nods his head as he continues to draw in the dirt. "And anyway, it's not like people can't worship who they want. Also, we only really have room for one temple within the inner walls. And even then, it'll probably have to be the site for the theology classes."

"Are you going to have all classes done within the inner walls? You wanted to teach sailing yes?"

"Yeah! And... oh. Hrm. You're right." Nerassus taps his chin thoughtfully, then draws two long lines going out from the city's outer walls. "We'll need to create a proper dock area. And then set up a camp for education down here as well. I wanted to keep all students safe from potential bandit raids... actually, we'll want walls to protect the coast line anyway so we're not cut off from the ocean... hrm. Maybe a smaller shrine to you down there. A place people can pray and leave offerings for your protection as they travel the sea. Oh, we should have a garden in the inner walls as well."

"That won't be enough to feed just the students in the inner walls, much less the whole city."

"I know, but the druids need a place to practice their magic. Hrm. It could be useful to also learn about plants in a more mundane way. P'ua attributes a lot of his skills with healing to his understanding of anatomy. It'll probably be the same if we learn plants. You know, work with nature, instead of against it."

Petr smiles, pulling Nerassus against their side to give him a gentle, loving hug. "I adore your curiousity dearheart. In fact, I think I know who we might invite for that."

Spoiler: Invitation to Avestra and the people of Crow

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"The people of Crow, worshippers of nature who speak for the trees. Soon the 1st Justice University will open it's doors as a haven for education and growth. A place where the greatest minds of Sanctuary will share their wisdom. But for all their wisdom, few have as close a bond with the natural world as your kind. We wish to extend an invitation then. Those among you who wish to teach respect for nature, we welcome you. Those among you who wish to learn, we offer you these. Emblems of entrance. You may send six students of your choosing."

"I hope they'll accept. If nothing else, education here might help them defend from the empire expansion."

Petr nods, looking at the piles of engraved shells before them. "You have made no piles for the Sugradi or the Sinalese. Why is that? Shouldn't education be available to all?"

"Yeah! And that's actually exactly why." Nerassus nibbles his lips thoughtfully. "I know it doesn't make much intuitive sense. Originally I wanted. But then when we decided to create ways to join the university without invitation. And those ways are easier to achieve for the Sugradi and Sinalese. Their empires are wealthy after all."

"And it is just then to make them pay for those who are poorer?"

"I'm not making them do anything." Nerassus crosses his arms over his chest with a huff. "And besides. We pay the most."

Petr chuckles softly, reaching a hand up to gently brush Nerassus's cheek. "Don't get defensive dearheart. You know I only challenge you because I love you."

"Yeah. Well. Anyway, the observatory platform won't be anywhere near as good as the one in Sanctuary. That is a problem."

"I disagree dearheart. I think it provides you a goal to strive towards. That observatory was built by divine hands. This? This is built by mortal hands. Just imagine what you can learn as you aspire to create something greater than what the gods created. And even so, it's probably still better than any other observatory outside of Sanctuary. I'm sure the Starfolk will appreciate it."

Spoiler: Invitation to Opulon and the Starfolk

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"The university of justice, under leadership of headmaster Nerassus, invites the Starfolk to visit, teach and study at our observatory. We offer you these tokens six, from which your best and brighest may study freely within our walls. We hope you will share your knowledge of the stars."

"There's another tribe that lives in the Boa Jungle right? The people of big sister. The... yips?"

"The Yith. And they worship Ymon-Thal. Thal-Verys is more like what you are. A guardian and a guide for the people. Then again, maybe you'll find it easier to negotiate with her."

Spoiler: Invitation to Thal-Verys and the Yith (and also Ymon-Thal)

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"The university of first justice will soon open it's doors. In representation of the bond of friendship between Nerassus and Thal-Verys, we offer you eight tokens of admission, so that you may send students to us and learn. We also extend this invitation to those among you who wish to teach."

"Oh, by the way. We should probably place the morgue and the observatory far from one another. The Starfolk and Yith have... very distinct views on how to treat the dead. In fact, you know how we treat the dead upon Sanctuary?"

"Oh..." Nerassus lowers his head sadly. "Yeah. I kinda... I mean. I hope it doesn't happen. But I'd be foolish to not plan for it ever happening. But what's wrong with how we treat the dead?"

"Nothing. To us. But the many cultures of the world all have unique ways of treating the dead."

"And they'll probably not like if we all send the dead to the same morgue... I should speak with those who'll teach anatomy. Help them set up a system so people can tell us how they want their bodies to be treated in the event of a death."

"I remember when I visited the Starfolk to spread some of the icewater lilies in the area, I found they have a peculiar method of burial that utilizes the glowloam made by Chern. And speaking of him, there are a tribe of... I believe they call themselves Choblins. I have promised to teach them Aquamancy. Now I think it wiser that we invite some of them here." Petr gathers up a tiny handful of shells, engraving symbols into each of them.

Spoiler: Invitation to the Choblins of No Name Oasis (and also Chern)

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"In the past, you were promised the means with which to master the art of Aquamancy to help your community flourish. Today, that promise is fulfilled. These tokens will guarantee admission for eight of you to the First University of Justice. There you will be given the means to learn the art of Aquamancy, and then bring the wisdom back home. We also offer a chance for those with wisdom to share to come work and live at the university."

"I am pretty excited. We'll have people from all over the world here to learn. Even from the far off reaches of the steppe. It's a just trade too. I get to learn and stretch my magical skills in a difficult land, and they'll offer us their skills with hunting and their view on druidry. Did you know they call it shamanism over there?" Nerassus's face breaks into a goofy grin.

Spoiler: Invitation to the people of the Steppe and Dulnori

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"The skill of your hunters, and the strength of will your shamans display is known even to the far reaches of Sanctuary. Your bravery in crossing the world with your fleet has impressed even us, and so we offer to the people of the steppe ten tokens of admission to the First University of Justice, led by Nerassus, demigod of Justice. We also invite those with the wit and skill to an entirely new adventure. Namely that of teachers and guards at the University."

"There's other people on the continent right? What about Teshana?"

"Last I heard, they've been made a part of the Sugradi empire."

"Oh... what about the Changelings then?"

"Yeah, we could invite some of those."

Spoiler: Invitation to the Changelings and Su'ule

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"The people of the north. Your sorcerous kin of the south offer you a helping hand. Those among you seeking to expand your knowledge beyond the arts of sorcery are welcome to study at the First University of Justice, under headmaster Nerassus. We grant you these four tokens, with which four of you are guaranteed access as students."

"Do you think we need to construct dorms for them? I've already put in designs for dorms to make them accessible for pygmies and their short stature."

"They're shapeshifters. It'll be simpler to expect them to shift into something more suitable for their temporary homes, than the other way around." Petr dips a finger into the pool of water, twirling it about to feel it flow about. Suddenly they flick a finger up, creating a small cloud of mist which they send to cool down the mortal workers in the city. "Anyway, we shouldn't forget the path missionaries. They may travel all over the world, but even they may find a benefit to learning here."

"Yeah. I'll go talk to Bron myself. If anyone knows who'd come here to study, it'll be him!"

Spoiler: Invitation to Bron and Kahar-Djin

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"Greetings from Sanctuary Bron. I don't know if you remember me, Nerassus, but I remember you. I have created a place for people to learn and study. A bit like the schools you've set up for the paths. Anyway. My point is. Like any place of study, we need teachers and students both. So if any of the path missionaries want to come study, or even teach, know that they are very welcome. I'll even give you these emblems. Eight of them. Give them to someone whom you think would benefit from our university, as this will grant them guaranteed access."

"I think that's all the invites to be made yeah? Should we invite any of Graw's original people?"

"That is up to you. With Grawissen himself gone, he cannot do anything to help this place, and I think at least at first, the people will need to focus on rebuilding their home. But hey, you did want to expand eventually yes? Perhaps you can open another university there."

Nerassus lets out a deep, rumbling chuckle as he looks skywards. "Yeah. I think he'd appreciate that. A constant exploration of curiousity... ah, but we get ahead of ourselves. We need to make this place stable before even thinking about expanding. Gotta make this place stable, safe and self-sufficient and." A sound like that of rolling thunder or shaking earth echoes from Nerassus's waist. "And first and foremost. Lunchtime. I'm starving."

Spoiler: OOC: The emblems

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The emblems are a lot like regular shells with a green emblem on them. They've been enchanted to be somewhat tougher, but have no otherwise apparently magical features. However, as they're made by Nerassus, he will always know whom the emblem has been given to freely, and who has taken the emblem. A stolen emblem will never grant access to the university.

**The JoJo** · 2020-03-20, 03:51 AM (ISO 8601)

Juniper, Mogwan, Kanto Desert

Juniper waited with trepidation as the wood was piled under the pyre he was bound to. The mob of villagers gathered around him jeered, while the few Empire soldiers in attendance stood to one side, refusing to intervene.

For twenty years, he had preached in Al-Sinai. Foementer. Grawpolis. Along the Greater Orcishtal Desert and all across the Toran Savannah, with more than a few close shaves along the way. And now it seemed his end would be here. Some grubby corner of the Kanto Desert. The one consolidation was that his few companions had managed to escape before the mob had descended upon them.

"Light 'im up!" a young boy shouted, his eyes manic. Juniper turned his gaze away. He didn't fear death, knowing the Divine Owl would be waiting for him, but he had no particular desire to be burned alive. It didn't seem like he would have much choice in the matter, though.

He stared upwards as the flames began to grow, hoping that the smoke would suffocate him before anything else. It was then that he noticed a small raven soaring above him. It spun in the air and he saw that its feathers were tipped with silver.

"Avestra!" Juniper gasped. The avian goddess swooped down, perching beside his ear.

"Why are you letting them do this?" Avestra asked, tilting her head. "I could stop them. You know I could."

"It gave the others a chance to get away," Juniper said, coughing as the smoke began to rise. "Besides, I have felt it for a while now. Coughing fits in the morning. Blood in my mucus. Is it...?"

"It is true. You are dying, albeit slowly," Avestra said bluntly.

"In that case, I might as well end it here. I've done enough," Juniper said, gulping. "Just please, make it quick."

"You have earned that much," Avestra said, and with that, she took off into the air. She began to beat her wings, causing the fire to suddenly spiral upwards and outwards. The villagers screamed as the flames flew over their head, setting several of their huts alight. Then, as soon as it had reared up, the fire collapsed in on itself and ebbed away to nothingness. Several villagers fell to their knees, prostrating themselves before the remains of the pyre, while others stood by in shock. What was clear all present, though, was that the prophet Juniper was gone.

~

Avestra, Southern Kanto Desert

Avestra flew south with the air currents, soaring among the ashes of her late prophet. He had served her well, better than she had dared to imagine. Now, his soul would enjoy its just reward in the endless skies of the Passing. But his mortal body would become little more than dust scattered by the wind. Such was the way of nature, but she felt strangely compelled to do something more. Perhaps the tallheads were rubbing off on her after all.

She raised her wings around the disintegrating ash cloud and with a great gust, blew the dust particles to the four corners of the known world. In every spot where a speck landed, a small plant would sprout, which in time would flower into a nature spirit. The Dustborn. In this way, some part of Juniper would live on forever.

Spoiler: Action

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12AP, 8DC - Create a collection of lesser magical minions - the Dustborn, with +2 nature, +2 birds and +1 reproduction.

The Dustborn are a collection of reclusive nature spirits who emerged from the scattered ashes of the late Owl Prophet Juniper. They have an innate tendency to seek out spaces devoid of mortals, whether forest, desert, mountain or sea, and then carve out a home for themselves. They most often take the form of a diminutive plant, but can transform into shapes resembling animals or even mortals if they desire. Apocryphal tales have been told of Dustborn taking seductive forms to cause discord between mortals. They are capable of modest acts of magic and are especially adept at treewhispering.

Once embedded in a territory, Dustborn are very hard to dislodge and will cause all kinds of mischief until interloping mortals give up and move on. They can be benign or even helpful, however, to travellers who respect the environment around them. It is often said that they can be placated by releasing captive birds. Accepting the blessing of an apparently friendly Dustborn is considered a gamble, in any case.

**AlexanderML** · 2020-03-20, 09:00 PM (ISO 8601)

In a Village in the Tainted Lands - On the Day of Shady Dealings:

Graus had been a monster for as long as they could remember, someone separate from everyone else from the day they were born. It did not help that Graus only had their mother to be near most of their life, a woman that tried to give their everything to raise a healthy child. Graus did not understand what she went through to provide for him, could not love her, and felt no love from her no matter what she tried. He could not understand.

The other villagers tried to help at first, accounting Graus's behavior to a lack of a fatherly figure; but as time wore on the village as a whole slowly gave up on trying to help the child as nothing they did ever reached the child. Graus's mother and them became social exiles, no one wanting to talk to either of them. Graus did not notice this, or if they did, they did not care.

Graus was certainly the type to move on impulse, doing what came to them not thinking on the consequences. When punished he cried, thinking how unfair it was. When they turned six it just became worse as they became destructive. Though it was shortly after their seventh winter when Grau did something truly unforgivable; while walking near a long-dried well one day with their mother, screaming at them about killing or breaking something, they pushed her down the well without thinking about it.

While it took a while to sink in, for the first time Graus was actually afraid of the consequences of what he did, since he had no one to feed him. It did not take long for the villagers to figure out what Graus had done, and they had decided out of a mix of frustration, fear, and righteous anger to throw the 'souless monster' down the same well after they retrieved the body. Graus cried, but no one cared anymore.

Eventually they retrieved the body, and the child was soon after thrown into the pit with little ceremony, his cries being the only that could be heard.

It h u r t they were in the dark, alone, their body broken on the inside and out.

Yet when they were feeling cold on the inside and about to fall into a very bad sleep, the last thing to leave their tiny lips being a curse to everyone, they felt a warm hand rest on them from somewhere in the dark. Their voice was strange, Graus listened even as a tingling feeling went over them.

"Oh child you've fallen down. I'm here no need to frown; I'll be your friend till the end of your days, for we are just the same! Come with me, for I promise you, there is no need to feel woe. Soon you shall achieve your goal, soon all of them shall regret what they've done. Their pleas of despair being petty!"

As Graus was thinking about these strangely compelling words, in the darkness a purple haze appeared as unknowable words were spoken. However they roughly translate as:

"Shades and shadows are our hearts, we mold ourselves into them as they are us and we are them."

Graus felt themselves sinking like they were slowly falling into the darkness itself, but it was not bad, indeed it felt more like home.

"Now let's take you away from here, where we can have some fun, for we have a lot to do."

Spoiler

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Just a post dealing with Varpier getting that kid they were promised.

**Godzillarich** · 2020-03-20, 09:38 PM (ISO 8601)

(This takes place right after the end of this age when the gods are gone)
The Tainted lands

The Prehist Council sat around a small wooden table. “It doesn’t make sense? Why were they there?” one of them yelled out

“I’m pretty sure we just got unlucky again.” Another respond

“For the 15th time? It’s like they know what was going. They know where the mines are and are taking them from us.”

“I would like an explanation for that.” The new King interrupted, Jeremiah.” it seems highly impractical they have spies this deep considering we came here about a month ago.”

“Then what is it? the gods messing with us?”

Déjà vu then somebody appeared on one of the council members. “I think I have an idea.” He then threw the mask onto the table. “I sense the same energy from this mask as I do other villages around this land. The masks are connected”

Jeremiah looked up at déjà vu. “So you’re saying this is how they’ve been spying on us?”

“Yes”

“Then that problem is solved,” The king said as he got up. “We simply won’t use the masks next time.”

Déjà vu then floated in front of the King. “What! They played us like fools, Stole what we found and you’re just going to let them off the hook.”

The king simply stared at him. “I do not want to give them the bad foot with our neighbors. This is a new beginning for people and I want to make it a peaceful one. There are other mines we can get anyway even if it be harder without the masks.” The king then started walking out. “That will be all…”
____________

Déjà vu float Above one of the councilmembers. “They can’t get away with this as the damn Empire did.”

The councilmember named Brutus stopped walking. “I agree…” He told the Phantom “and I have a good solution.”

Déjà vu raised an eyebrow. “And that would be?”
___________
A random cultist walked along the road away from the newly founded mine with one of mask in hand. “Those visitors are doing a lot good for us. I wonder what else they can fi…”

(POW)

The fist of justice came out of the Bush knocking the guy Onto the ground. “Thank you very much! The council member mumbled as he picked up the mask. “You take our mines we take your artifacts.”

And with that, both disappeared into the night.

The Mad God's Masquerade

The Twilight Isle.

A grand council of the Masqueraders has gathered

"Lord Timorin warned us that Ostrom would be hostile to us. His plans for our protection were well justified. Deja Vu is a powerful enemy and the shadows can do little to him. He has been crippling our cultists and stealing the masks. We must do something to show that even without Timorin's protection we are not to be trifled with." This was Timorin's Lust speaking. Here in the cult did not use names but rather the titles granted by their masks.

It was Chern's Grief that spoke up, being the final remaining mask on the tainted lands. "We have heard tale of a powerful artifact left by their god to help them grow. Since they have chosen to steal ours, perhaps we can steal theirs. If you send us troops, we shall steal this mystical pickaxe and show that we are not to be abused."

Much later the small force of transmuters have gathered on the tainted lands. Shifting their skin to camouflage and keeping silent as best they can, they sneak their way into Ostrom in the dead of night, the shadow of apathy helping steer people away from their path. As they approached the king's hut one of them whispers nearly silently. They need not speak loud as they enhanced their hearing for this mission. "Remember not to harm the king. We seek to send a message, not seal our death."

They sneak past the guards and into the king's hut. All is going smoothly as they claim their pickaxe and sneak out. They are nearly out of the city when things take a turn. They are spotted by a group of guards and a skirmish breaks out. They conquer the guards but lose Chern's Grief in the process. They transfer all their Mana into pure speed as they flee. They know not if the guards were left dead or alive. All they know is they have their prize and must return to their own lands as quickly as possible.

____

The council member Brutus ran into the tent. “Sir, what has happened?”

“They stole the pickax.” The king said as he walked back and forth. “This is not good.”

“DANMIT!” Brutus yelled out. “This must be retaliation for taking the masks!”

The King looks back at Brutus in shock! “YOU DID WHAT?!” The King yelled as he angrily stared with righteous fury.

“I was only defending our people honor,” Brutus yell defensively. “Our people have been walked over too much now. it was time to show them we are not to be trifled with.”

The king grabbed Brutus by the collar. “You have caused a catastrophic mess!” He then let go of Brutus. “Whatever this can easily be fixed we just gotta return the masks and they will return the pickax in turn.”

“You mean bend over backward again,” Brutus yelled out.

“I don’t want to hear it Brutus, I am your king and you will do as I…” For he could finish that sentence a knife went through his throat.

The king looked up at Brutus “Not anymore!” He then watched as the king fell to the ground.

The guards ran in. “What happened?!” As they saw the dead King’s body on the ground

“It was them!” Brutus yelled in furious anger. “They like everyone else mistreats us! Kills and take the stuff because were weak! Morgana, then Ostrom And now Jeremiah all ended the same when they tried peace...” He then pulled out his sword. “Now we will show them that we will not be suppressed anymore! TO WAR!”

**Godzillarich** · 2020-03-22, 02:05 AM (ISO 8601)

(The War for the Mountains, the tenth Year)
In the darkness of night, a figure shuffled from the bushes near the side of a mountain. The figure came to a cave it looked back and forth, surveying the area before entering. “Hello?” the traveler yelled. “I hope you had the good sense to come to this meeting alone.”

"Of courssssse," said the Terror as she stepped out from the shadows. Her tongue was forked and a strange rattling sound came from her tail. She was a transmuter. "I don't need anyone else to put you in your place if you betray me”

The Tongue smiled. “Brave, I admire that.” he then walked closer. His name was Paragon a general of Brutus’s Army “I’ll cut to the chase, I want to end the war. The King is mad, killing anyone he sees as a threat, I want to end him but if I do so it could end horribly for my people the Prehist. I need your people willing to sit down for peace as soon as I take action.”

The terror smiled. "Well since you all were the aggressssssors, we can easily back off to our defenses. We will hear what you have to say."

Paragon nodded. “All you people need to do is play defensively until I’m done the deed.”

"That is all we have ever done." With a wink she turns to leave
_____

Paragon walked into the throne room of the Mad King Brutus. The heads of various enemies sat upon spikes that filled the room. “Paragon what business do you have here?” Brutus yelled in anger.

“I have an important update on the culling of the cult. News that could even end the war.” Paragon step closer to the throne.

“Really!” The king got up from his throne. “I will might that b...? Before the king could finish one of Paragon’s horns went right through Brutus’s neck. “Ho..w….da..r..e..y….” And with that, he fell to the floor.

Paragon then proceeded to kick the body for a good 10 seconds. The war was finally over and nothing will ever be the same. The Prehist had new rulers, The Tongues

**Garjel_blah** · 2020-03-22, 02:34 AM (ISO 8601)

Chern, 8/50 AP, the Bog of Ruin

The god of decay spent more and more of his time in the diviworld as the age wore on. He'd completed his long walk, meeting some strange and wonderful people along the way - many of whom had then murdered him. He'd attended parties, founded a civilisation, crafted a tool of immense power, and even been on a date with a lovely mortal woman. He'd created the otherworldly hall in which he now resided, sitting slumped askance in the Throne of Rot and Ruin as unflinching and rigid as a corpse.

Usually Chern wouldn't permit himself something as regal as a throne. He'd only made this one as a frivolous gesture. But as the cosmos skewed out of alignment, and the god's time on oerth drew to a close, the Wiltwatcher found that these ruined halls served as a good place of reflection. Surrounded by the very essence of decay, alone but for the moist drafts and gaping leaks in the high-vaulted ceiling to whisper answers to his musings. How to balance care with the inevitability of suffering? How much was he, Chern, responsible for this balance? What could be done about the rest of the pantheon and their agendas?

Usually he was free to dwell on these things uninterrupted. However, even in this alternate plane of reality, he still felt the occasional exertions of the other gods. One in particular made Chern stir in his seat.

Originally Posted by gac3

Chern:

"Please explain to me how the path of Squalor works again?"

Spoiler: Action

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Create Greater Magic Item
8 AP 6 BP
DC 10
Staff of Shadows:
This staff creates a bond between Timorin's shadows and the user. It allows the user to control the shadows completely, second only to the control Timorin has over them. The staff is linked to the shadows in location as well as mind. The user can summon the shadows to anywhere the user can accurately see. Anytime five of the six shadows are in the same location, the user may use the staff to transport anything in contact with it to that location.
[B]Use:[/B} The user must be a traveller of the Path of Emotion.
The item can be destroyed but followers of Timorin may reforge it with the following ingredients: Two limbs taken from two different creatures who willingly gave their life and a single eye of Timorin. The eye of Timorin may also be destroyed and would take Timorin providing a new one to make the staff again. The eye of Timorin has no powers on its own.

+2 War
+2 Drama
+1 Games (shadow arena challenge will become a regular thing)
-2 Fear

6 BP

"What..." Chern croaked, "is this?"

A vision of the staff flashed in his head. Two limbs and an eye, taken through the sacrifice of mortals.

"No... No, no, no..." Chern leaned forward, holding his head in his hands as though physically pained by what he saw. "How could one... No. No!"

Chern's jittery fingers flailed, locking around his right thigh. His head shot back up, neck contorting under the twisted posture.

"NOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOAAAAAAR-RAGH!"

With a twist, a pop, and a crunch, Chern tore off his own leg. With shaking hands he released it, allowing the severed limb to tumbled to the floor at the base of his throne. Next, he grabbed his left arm in his right hand, at the bicep. Quiet now but for a few intermittent gasps, Chern pulled.

"UGH! Ah..."

Chern dropped the arm beside his leg. Dark ichor was beginning to collect in the seat of his throne. With his one remaining hand, Chern reached carefully through the right eye hold of his mask.

"You want... Death?" Chern gave one final grunt as he plucked out the glowing gelatinous orb of his right eye. He held it in front of his one remaining eye, glaring into it with a righteous fervour. "I'll give you death."

Spoiler: Hinder!

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Hinder Timorin's creation of a greater magical item

-4 decay, as his hinder degrades the staff over time.

The sacrifices shall not end here. In his spite, Chern curses the staff to deteriorate as it's used. After controlling shadows for about a month straight, it will break and require reconstruction. This can be prevented by sacrificing a shadow, which will fully restore the staff's integrity.

---

Chobe

Qade turned the shell over in his single hand, examining in particular the green engraving. He set it down on the wooden table in front of him, and glared across at the other assembled choblins.

"No," he said.

"Why not?" asked one of the others. "This is a perfect opportunity to make allies."

"You seek allies in a fox's warren, mistaking it for a glowloam hollow," Qade explained firmly. "This university is part of the Inadriel Empire."

"It's not that simple. It's being built in the vacant city of Grawopolis, which was a vassal state to the Empire."

"Grawissen is weak," the tall choblin argued, "and I trust his kind scarce more than the foxes."

"But neither he nor the fox are the ones building this university. It may be in their lands, but the goddess Petr's people are the ones in control. She is a friend to the choblins, we have all seen this!"

The choblins murmured their acknowledgements and praise. Yet Qade remained unconvinced.

"I am skeptical of how much one can control an institution founded in another's land. If we must use Inadriel roads to reach it, or pay Inadriel tithes while we study, then are we not at the mercy of Inadriel?"

"The Chernway will connect us eventually."

"Eventually. The trident has forged us deep underground already, but Tria is a vast land. I don't think either of us will survive to witness it reach that far south."

"Sir." Xcha was hovering above the assembled choblins, near the ceiling of Qade's sandstone cavern office. "Until then, why not send me as a representative? It would be easy for me to fly between here and Grawopolis unmolested."

Despite the legless choblin being physically the most elevated in the room, Qade still found a way to look down on him imperiously. "Our only aerial scout? Preposterous. You're needed here."

"But think of all the valuable skills I can bring back. The choblins have a right to this knowledge. Remember, Petr promised us aquamancy, so I say we-"

A voice forced its way into the minds' of everyone present, emanated from the blindfolded Ysma.

"Why do you assume aquamancy will help us? Are we not squalid? Why heal that which strengthens?"

"Ma'am, squalor is our way of life. But living in a desert, surrounded on all sides by a tyranny of fire, surely the mastery of water is an invaluable tool?"

"Beware the tool that becomes a crutch, Xcha."

"Ysma is right," Qade ruled, "however, I understand that you feel a kinship with the water goddess, since you had the honour of petitioning her. You may attend this Justice University, but only once you have established a self-sufficient corp of other aerial squalids. This seems like a reasonable compromise to me."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Very well then. Dismissed."

**Godzillarich** · 2020-03-22, 03:23 AM (ISO 8601)

Paragon walked with 100 of his best men into a grassy empty field. Paragon looked out into the distance. “They should be here soon. But remember to be on your guard.” He told his men.

Basalik, the snake like terror arrives with the Apathy of Timorin who carried the former mayor known as Apathy of Chern. They say nothing, chosing instead to wait for the others to speak first.
One of Paragon’s men brings over and put down a table. Paragon walked up to the table and put a piece of paper down with his mouth onto the table. “I understand it may be hard to let go of the pain of the last 10 years but I understand you do not want this bloodshed to continue so I ask we come to a new age of peace.”

Basalik looks around dramatically. "And where is Deja Vu?"

Paragon sunk his head. “We have not seen him for 10 years, no one knows what happened to him, the best I can guess is that he exiled himself in shame for being tricked by Brutus and leading to this war”

Basilik nods. "Then I suppose we man talk without him."

Paragon cleared his throat. “The treaty goes as such one all religions will be tolerated equally on the tainted lands, two Borders will be drawn to give each village enough land for farming and mining purposes, three there will be a central government for the entire continent made up of representatives of every village. The ones with the most power are the representative of the cult and the Prehist, and finally four the position of king will be dissolved and instead, the ruler will be a chosen by the ruling classes from said areas, this will make up a Council.” he then looked back up. “Is this satisfying for you?”

Basilik nods while listening. "So a council shall set the laws of the lands?"

Paragon nodded. "This is supposed to make sure we don't go to war again, have the power divided and interconnected with each other."

"So the council would receive taxes and run the army? Or would that service still belong to the individual villages?"

“Taxes and military shall be decided by each individual state, not by the Council.”

"Then what service does the council offer to us?"

"to settle arguments between various villages. The war started because of grievances between our people we need this in place to make sure it can be solved peacefully next time if something like this comes up again."

"So the council ssssserves as an intermediary and little more. This is exceptable. Speaking of such grievances, what of our masks?"

"The mad King Brutus, in his pettiness throw the masks into the sea. I am sorry about this" Paragon then sunk his head. "I also understand that a thief stole the pickax during the war. So much lost because of this conflict."

The three representatives of the cult eachange a look. "We had assumed the thief had been one of yours. I suppose perhaps it was not. There is one final issue to be addressed. Deja Vu."

“As I’ve mentioned before we have not seen him for 10 years.”

"Until he has made recompense, he shall not be welcome in any lands of the Cult of the Mad God, be it temples, our islands, or the villages we control."

"I cannot enforce that but I'm sure he will know, hopefully one day he can make peace with his past."

"You are his chosen people. His crimes against us shall be brought to your door to be paid for."
Otherwise these terms are deemed acceptable."

"Otherwise these terms are deemed acceptable."

Paragon nodded. "While we can't bring them here we promise you the day he returns you will be allowed to talk to him. Whether it be tomorrow or in 1000 years"

Basalik nods. "Thisssss is acceptable."

"Anything else?" Paragon asked

"I don't believe so. But know that we shall know if the masks are worn. We shall come to collect them, whatever means necessary." they then signed the treaty
“I’m glad this war is over.” Paragon then grabbed a piece of paper with his mouth. “I’m glad for this new partnership.”

The cultists bow and then turn away.

**AlexanderML** · 2020-03-22, 05:11 PM (ISO 8601)

Athala, Varpier, another Guest - Athala's Private Chamber - Midnight Chat:

Athala sighed as she closed the door behind her, stepping into her private room. Even on ordinary days being part of the Council of Yith was tiring and Ymon-Thal's new demands had not made anything easier. She mentally chided herself for being annoyed at her god, at having him speak to her in person. Such an honor, such an exhausting honor.

She remembered seeing the Yith council members as a child and thinking they were almost as powerful as the gods themselves. Now the demands seemed to outweigh the power by far. Endless meetings and barely enough time to practice her art, much less see her family or catch up on some much needed sleep.

"Satal, read me the list of things to do, please", she said to her bronze bracelet as she sat down by the table.

"Meet to council to discuss the search..." the soul bound to the bracelet began.

"That's done", she interrupted.

"I see. Then there is resolving the argument between the border villages, convince Asmon to support the expansion of the Disciples and..."

"Enough. I have to rest a little, please remind me again by midday."

"But ma'am" the bracelet continued "you still have an exalted guest to attend to."

"What do mea...?" Athala started to ask. Something was wrong. Satal had served as her advisor and assistant for years after his death and been her mentor for even longer before that, she could sense his soul almost as well as her own and something was not right. "What is happening?"

From the shadows of the room, clearly within sight of Athala, a tall cloaked figured appeared. It was gazing deep into Athala, the dark abyss of it's eye sockets judging her every movement.

Spoiler

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With the nodd of the head it said with a distorted voice that was mildly nasal sounding as well:

"Please excuse the humor just now, I meant no harm. My greetings to you madam, I am the Guardian of the Lost, Varpier; and I am so glad the time has come where we can finally meet without interruption. Those men and women that work in the shadows made things difficult to arrange.

Before you ask why I have come know that it is to help you, you seem to use souls with naught but the dead, like that bracelet of yours. Tell me, am I wrong?"

Athala met his gaze. Many years as a necromancer had made her quite good at masking her feelings, a few years in the Council had made her an expert at it. “Greetings. While I do appreciate offers of help, I trust them less from someone who seemingly stepped out of the shadows to surprise me in my quarters.”

Varpier gave a bow, though never moving their gaze away.

"Please forgive me madam, but the Yith are no friend of mine normally. I'd wish not to be seen by anyone of them that I have not deemed trustworthy, and even then I wish not to extend this meeting for too long. While you may never understand, or at least it'll take years before you do, on this day it serves me to be honest and good towards you. Dishonesty would prove nothing but detrimental to me. So please, may you answer my question?"

She raised a eyebrow. “So in addition to showing up uninvited and unannounced you proclaim yourself no friend of my people?” Athala smiled. “You certainly don't make it easy to trust you, master Varpier.” She paused. “But my mother always told me that my curiosity and thirst for knowledge would kill me one day, and I have always done my best to live up to that prophecy. I will answer your question – yes, commune and cooperate with those currently in the Passing is most of what we do.”

"Nyehehe. Very good madam." He rubbed their chin a bit continuing. "I believe only one more question left for you, how many people have you brought back to life?"

"Back to life? None. I have bound many souls to many things, including bodies, but I wouldn't call that life" Athala looked at him, the magic she could sense from him was strange but some of it not entirely unfamiliar. "For that matter, I'm not sure I would call what you have life either, master Varpier."

Varpier placed a hand on their chest. "Ah, of course you would notice the necromancy binding my soul to this world, but do not worry madam, I was not speaking of myself. The processes that I discovered came far after I extended my life, and to place them upon myself would be far too dangerous, and come with costs I am not willing to pay."

Appearing clearing within the light, as if it was always there, was something that clearly once was a man but was now warped to the point of barely being recognizable. It's body functionally alive and it's soul bound with magics not known to necromancy.

Spoiler: The Creature

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"I was speaking more on people like this, whom are bound by my supreme mastery back to this world into living bodies. Granted Yilor of Westside here is an... extreme example of what can be done and took more effort than normal on my part, but he wished to fly even knowing the costs. People like him are stable, requiring no mana on my part to continue existing, though the spells that bring their soul back steal the ability for them to generate mana and the transformation has a few other side effects that shorten the lifespan of their new bodies even with proper care. All things I shall fix in due time, or maybe you will be the one to further these discoveries?"

Reaching into their robes they brought out a bronze slab dotted with minuscule script. Lightly tossing it in the direction of Athala.

"Nyehehehe, this should contain the beginnings to my research, though it is maybe beyond your normal scope of study I suggest reading it and putting it into practice. While it requires too much skill to be practical for anyone but people like me or you, with more work this field of study has so much potential, to save those that would eternally be robbed."

Part of Athala was horrified at the creature she saw. But at least for the moment, it was overshadowed by the part of her who wanted to know more. "Intriguing. Assuming it is more than an illusion, of course." She looked away from the image and met Varpier's eyes again. "I am an old and impatient woman, master Varpier. Get to the point, what do you want?"

Yilor made a small huff or chuckle noise when Athala mentioned him, scratching the ground a bit to indicate he was real. When Athala finished talking the air around Varpier became lighter as they laughed with joy.

"Nehehehehahahah! You've already- nyehe- given it to me madam. That barely works, but it is enough, so I give my thanks to you Athala."

They began to speak in the language of magic, though only the divine and masters of Su would understand it all.

"Shades and shadows are my heart, I mold us two into them as they are us and we are them."

Varpier and Yilor stepped into the shadows and began to slide into them, Varpier continuing to make a 'nyeh' here and there. Though before his mask faded into the shadows he stated.

"Thinking on what you said madam, I suppose I actually would want you to read what I have given you, for in it is perhaps a cause for others even I can agree with."

After the man had faded away – and Athala had twice checked that no one else was hiding in the shadows – she placed the bronze slap on her table and started studying it.

**AlexanderML** · 2020-03-22, 10:51 PM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by gac3

Timorin 8 AP 3 BP

Yir:

"As you can see," Timorin points to the bloody eyepatch. "I do not share in your glory, magnificence and perfection. I could do well to learn from your wisdom and splendor but my people should not be punished for my lacking the perfection that you have."

Spoiler: Action

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Create Greater Magic Item
8 AP 6 BP
DC 10
Staff of Shadows:
This staff creates a bond between Timorin's shadows and the user. It allows the user to control the shadows completely, second only to the control Timorin has over them. The staff is linked to the shadows in location as well as mind. The user can summon the shadows to anywhere the user can accurately see. Anytime five of the six shadows are in the same location, the user may use the staff to transport anything in contact with it to that location.
[B]Use:[/B} The user must be a traveller of the Path of Emotion.
The item can be destroyed but followers of Timorin may reforge it with the following ingredients: Two limbs taken from two different creatures who willingly gave their life and a single eye of Timorin. The eye of Timorin may also be destroyed and would take Timorin providing a new one to make the staff again. The eye of Timorin has no powers on its own.

+2 War
+2 Drama
+1 Games (shadow arena challenge will become a regular thing)
-2 Fear

Light flooded the area around the god and his spectators, at first it was the harbinger of a pleasant spring meadow atmosphere, but as it quickly dissolved into the brutal weight of the desert. The sun above shook with the rage it held with every word it spoke down to the wicked godling Timorin.

"You DARE use your OWN FAULTS as an excuse?! You pathetic creature! Your faults are of your own making and you shall be punished accordingly; the fact that you know about them and yet STILL continue this path of DAMNATION cannot be accepted! You are not like the Beast who is ignorant of the world, and you are not like the Builder who cannot see from right or wrong, you are EVIL for you choose this path on your own informed will!"

"You misunderstand me oh great Yir. I do not try to excuse my actions. I am a young god, barely 700 years of age. I am too close to mortals themselves and still too flawed. I do not have your experience or might to help guide me. I am trying to do right by my people but I lack the wisdom of one as old and wise as you. I offered up my own eye because of the shame I felt for not being able to do better. I am merely trying to rectify the mistakes I have made to these people before the last sleep. I come not to make excuses but to ask for mercy on my unworthy soul and for guidance in how to embrace your might and magnificence. For who could truly help guide me more than the great sun"

"YOU were the one that ACKNOWLEDGED your wrong! I did NOT have to judge you for you to KNOW ALREADY that what you were doing was WRONG. That choice, that knowledge of what is right and good and choosing to commit wrongful acts is what is EVIL! I condemn your creation to the darkness! I condemn those who'd employ it's wicked power to darkness! By my absolutely perfect judgement ALL shall condemn this wicked creation and those that are pathetic enough to employ it's power! If you dare to think that redemption is an option for a greedy and pathetic spirit such as yourself, do not even contemplate using such dark means of power again, for I will not be as merciful as this time.

... Though if your words are not just l i e s then you may find the Light Below to hold your redemption within clairvoyant reach."

Spoiler: Hinder!

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+2 Sun: Yir curses the staff to instantly be targeted by a massive solar blast that can cut over ten feet into solid stone any time that it enters the sun-light. This curse extends to any wielders of the staff, though it wears off a month after the wielder stops using, touching, and looking at the staff. The curse automatically renews if the ex-wielder breaks any of the above rules of distancing themselves from the staff, even if they had waited out the month before.

+2 Majesty: Those that dare wield the wicked staff feel the unholiness of it, not even Timorin's own can ever feel proud using the staff and those that have knowledge of anyone using the staff instantly become uncomfortable around them at best (if they are friends) or hostile (if a stranger). This effect only applies if these non-wielders learn of the use of the staff somehow, and is less troublesome the more the person learning about staff's usage lives away from the sun's light (the choblins are pretty much unaffected by this).

**DarthArminius** · 2020-03-23, 08:30 PM (ISO 8601)

Su'ule

The Sacred Caves
Suddenly, within the sacred caves, a manifestation of Su'ule's favor came over a small crowd of powerful Su Sorcerers. They were asleep, taking care of the new born infants born there. They all had the strong desire to travel throughout the mortal world, attempting to teach people of the favor and love of Su'ule. These ten powerful magic users would begin to spread the word of Su'ule's philosophy of peace. Keep the peace between all living creatures, natural or unnatural whenever possible.

Spoiler

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-2 AP out of 2/50.
= 0 AP
+2 Sorcery : The ten mages would learn magic quickly.
+2 Monsters : Monsters would have a small aversion towards causing them harm.
- 2 Willfulness : Despite being drawn to do what Su'ule wants they don't always have the right idea of how to do it.

**Garjel_blah** · 2020-03-23, 11:41 PM (ISO 8601)

Years passed in the No Name Dunes. The fledgling city of Chobe expanded beneath the ground, tunnelling out around a deep central sinkhole that neighboured the original oasis settlement. The freshwater spring lake remained on the surface, now called the High Lake, but trickled down into the sinkhole through a sandstone channel. The waterfall crashed down into another lake at the bottom of the sinkhole, the Low Lake, from which wide canals fed into the ever-lengthening Chernway. The Tuning Trident loomed in the centre of the Low Lake, continuing to throb its power out to the glowloam at the ends of the Chernway.

The choblins continued to live in the oasis, now called High Town, but as the sinkhole deepened more and more choblins moved into the cracks and hollows in its cliff-like walls. Walkways were carved, bridges and ladders strung up, until a bustling vertical forum had been strung up around the waterfall. This was called Low Town. Being better defended, the choblins' leadership resided in Low Town, along with many of the high threshold squalid, who had abilities that made living in such precarious infrastructure more comfortable. Those left in High Town lived much as they had always done, growing food for Chobe's stores.

Already, it seemed, choblin society was beginning to fragment into disparate classes. The upper class Low choblins, and the lower class High choblins. This came not without criticism from those who better understood Chern's creed, but power is a difficult thing to disassemble.

In other news, a second generation of choblins was being hatched and raised in Chobe. Though they were small, it quickly became apparent that the bloodlust of their parents would eventually manifest in them too. It was a source of grief among the choblins; how would their descendants fare without the direct intervention of Chern? The answer came one day, near the end of the celestial alignment, when Chern visited them one last time.

Chern, 8/50 AP, Chobe

A scream resounded through the field, as an elderly choblin man fled down the sandy path. Behind him, an adolescent female stood over the dying corpse of her father, the bloody remains of his jugular hanging from her jaws. Frenzy flitted about in her eyes, barely aware of the horrid deed that she had just carried out. She searched only for more prey...

Aerial squalid soon arrived on the scene, circling above the adolescent as she attempted to leap and claw at their guts.

"What do we do?" asked one of them. "Xcha isn't here, we can't use aquamancy to sooth this wretch."

"Useless cowards..." Into the fields stalked Qade. The tall, tailless choblin had bedecked himself with a golden amulet symbolic of his leadership, excavated in the tunnelling Chernway. He glared at the rabid young choblin in front of him. "Kill her."

The squad of aerial squalid exchanged looks.

"Sir, but-"

"Are you questioning a direct order?"

"No sir."

The adolescent flicked blood and drool too and fro as she tracked the multiple flying choblins, who had begun to close ranks around her. As her back was turned, one of them seized the opportunity, swooping in for a slice to the throat.

"STOP!"

The aerial squalid broke off in shock, as the murdered choblin stirred. The corpse nuzzled the soil with frail movements, pulling out a white mask from beneath the earth. He placed the mask - a raptor fit - over his face, and slowly pushed himself upright. Blood still spurted from the gaping wound in his neck, but his eyes glowed a mystical yellow.

"Chern..."

Qade lowered himself into an uncertain kneel, while the flying choblins bowed. The frenzied girl, on the other hand, went for the possessed corpse with a rabid snarl.

"Not this time," Chern gurgled through the corpse's mouth, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her to the ground behind him. "I wish I could help but, glug, it's time for others to shoulder that burden."

Chern shifted his grip to the stunned choblin's tail, and began to drag her behind him, walking right past Qade and on to the High Town square.

"Follow me."

Hundreds of other choblins were passing through the square when Chern showed up. Instantly recognising those eyes, they prostrated themselves before their god. They were surprised when they saw him deposit a snarling and squirming adolescent on the dirt in front of them.

"I have been observing you," he said, without preamble, "all of you. And I am afraid, glug, that you have lost your way. Your society is already devolving into hierarchy. You, slurp, so-called High Towners toil for the so-called Low. And now, in your child's moment of need, they come up here to put her down."

Chern gave a few drawn out gasps, allowing his body to recover. The rabid girl tried to slink away, but he stomped on her tail, pulling her back with a squeal. He turned slowly to face Qade.

"I am disappointed," he said, unmistakably aimed at the jewelled choblin, "You, who I pulled back from the brink of self-gasp-annihilation. You would abandon your own so easily?"

"B-b-but my god," Qade stammered, "how can we do for our own what you did for us? We are weak mortals, we can only take so much-"

"You are squalid." Chern yanked the girl upright by the back of her neck, and pushed her towards Qade. "Behave like such. You can save your own from the bloodlust, just as I did. Now fight this wretched girl. Fight until she regains her control. Do not kill her, of course, but do not die yourself. You must retaliate if need be."

With bare seconds to compose himself, Qade dropped into a combat stance. A space was cleared around him and the girl in the middle of the High Town square. Almost at that same moment, not standing on ceremony, the girl attacked.

The sun moved through the sky, counting out the minutes, then the hours that the fight lasted for. With his supernatural ability and years of training, Qade easily frustrated the rabid young choblin, but exerting himself for so long caused even him to make mistakes. One poorly place block, and the girl had her mighty terror jaws around his one remaining forearm. Qade screamed as she rent at his arm, stripping scaled skin and flesh down to the bone. With a kick he forced her away, leaving his last arm hanging mutilated at his side.

A fury of his own entered Qade's eyes. As the girl rushed back in to resume her attack, an unseen forced halted her in her tracks. Qade's squalid telekinesis seized her by the tail, and now, bolstered by his new injury, he managed to lift her bodily into the air. The girl writhed and screamed as she floated in front of the injured choblin leader, first in anger, then in pain as her body was pulled taut. With his own hiss of rage Qade tore the tail from his opponent's body dropping her two halves to the floor with a bloody thud. A moment later he collapsed.

It seemed, however, that Qade had accomplished his task. The girl lay curled on the floor, rage gone from her eyes. Pain and sadness were all that remained.

"Father..." she moaned. "What have I done?"

A shadow appeared above her. A yellow eye'd shadow, blocking out the light of the sun.

"Child," said the shadow, "there is nothing that can be done to bring your father back. He died so that you could learn to live. But, glug, there is still something you can do for him... For his next life."

Spoiler: Action!

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Influence about a thousand of the High Town choblins, along with Qade and some other Low Towners (6 AP/3 DC)

+4 decay

Chern will impress three important traditions upon the choblin population.

The First: the tradition of the Maiming. Young choblins that have not yet overcome their bloodlust will face one of the squalid in single combat, just as Chern faced the first choblins back when they were first created. They will fight until the bloodlust has dissipated from the youth, and any injuries sustained in this combat will set them down the Path of Squalor.

The Second: the tradition of the Memory Mask. Chern will instruct that the body he possessed be buried in a starry crypt, in the same way the Starfolk do. Special variants of the Chern mask will be used to fit raptor faces.

The Third: the tradition of Chobe. Chern has reminded his choblins, in particular their first leader Qade, that they are to live as equals. Hierarchy shall not be tolerated in Chobe. No choblin is ever to oppress another of their kin.

**flyinglemur** · 2020-03-25, 06:49 AM (ISO 8601)

-The Staff
Elkhoof walked into the tar pit, and gave Dulnori a poke, “You were ignoring me so I let myself in, I need you to ...” Dulnori interrupts him, “I already know. Just go, I’ll deal with this request.” Elkhoof walks off content.

Dulnori floats up for a moment, thinking. He can feel the stain on Timorin’s creation. He sees the sacrifice, the deaths of the two converts, and he thinks.

“They gave up their lives freely, those poor fools, those terrible fools. They should never have been asked to, but even still, they chose their own deaths. And my family isn’t clean when it comes to this, so I guess there is precedent. I suppose I have no reason to object here, to waste this chance would be to kill them again.” With that Dulnori sinks again into the tar.

Spoiler: Help Timorin

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+2 Ambition: The bearer of the staff will be filled with resolve. They have the chance to build on the bones of the deceased, to forge a brighter future. They will not throw this chance away.
+2 Fortune: Like the masks the staff can be used to see beneath the earth, in search of precious metals.

-The School
Across the sea, a group of laborers is hard at work putting together the foundations of the university, when suddenly they feel a strange gust of wind. They look up to see nine golden dragons, and one very shaken warrior, flying down to the ground. One dragon approaches a worker, stares at him for a moment, and says, “Hello, we’re here for the school.”
“What,”
“You know, the school. We were told we could learn things here if we taught things here, and teaching is what a golden dragon does best.”
“Um, the school isn’t built yet, we still gotta finish the walls, and the temple, and the farms aren’t even close to done …”
“Oh that’s easy for a golden dragon, we’ll just force grow a quick crop, let it seed the soil and then kill it as fuel for the next generation, starting the process right.”
“And how would you do that?
“Why we’re shamans of course, better than anyone except Braedan himself.”
“What’s a shaman?”
“... You guys really do need our help. In any case there’s one other thing I need to ask you,”
“What’s that?”
“Can we have Graw’s body?”

Spoiler: Help Petr

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Nine golden dragons have arrived, to take their fill of knowledge, and teach shamanism. Plus a single warrior, both as student and teacher of the spear arts, that is both spear hunting and martial techniques, using the javelin and amentum. No steppe student or teacher recognizes the title druid, which they will always call shaman. The golden dragons try to drill this into the brains of their students, if someone outside the Horizon calls themselves a shaman, you can probably guess who taught them.

+2 Ambition: The golden dragons encourage and cultivate excellence in their students. Their assignments are difficult, but they are always done with the purpose of improving the students. The golden dragons want only student success and, recognizing how hard their classes are, will allow ample opportunity for failed students to retake the course. As a bonus, the golden dragons will take any student who so wishes it back to the steppe for the full training experience.

+2 Fortune: The Golden dragons are masters of fate, and with Dulnori’s blessing, the school shall be very well stocked. Equipment will work better and break less easily than it should, and the school’s fields shall grow considerably under the care of the dragons. They also brought their own lunch with them, a few breeding pairs of terror birds for the school to do with as it wishes.

+1 Dreams: The golden dragons give lots of dream homework. This allows them to replicate steppe conditions, allowing the golden dragons to teach closer to how they’re used to.

Additionally to all this, the golden dragons humbly request Graw’s body, to be preserved by the Aeons. This isn’t required for them to teach at the school, it’s just a request.

-The Eternal Arena
It was a few days after the staff was created, and it was a time of true joy for the Horizon. Elkhoof had decided to call the Miracle Games early in as a massive celebration. The Golden fleet had returned triumphant, barring Uyellic who chose to stay behind in Ostrom, and the sailors were recalling their tales for the audience, wowing them with strange stories of exotic wonders and terrible battle with the dread Leviathan. On stage was Braedan. He was the pride of the Horizon, a shaman of truly stellar capacity, the direct descendent of the first Aeon chieftain Gravirr, and now the hero of the Golden Fleet. He had just finished a story about a strange city in the sea filled with sorcerers, when Elkhoof suddenly stood up. He walked down into the middle of the Arena, a strange unplanned event, the hunt was supposed to happen after this. Dulnori watched on from his usual spot, intrigued. Elkhoof approached Braedan, and began to speak:

“People of the Horizon, today is a special day. Together we have accomplished something truly fantastic, and we’ve shown the whole world our strength. But that alone isn't enough. You’ve all heard now of the wondrous things outside our lands, and we can’t simply allow ourselves to fall behind. We shall make wonders of our own, wonders so grand all will marvel at them. I’ve spent a long time thinking about this, and I’ve decided it’s finally time to build a city. This place shall be our capital, the greatest stronghold anywhere in the world. I dub it Rokanon.”

The crowd cheered. “I’m not here only for that though, I’m here to speak about the great man before me. Braedan comes from a great and honorable lineage. His ancestors have been the tribe’s greatest shamans for 700 years. The kings have always depended on their guidance, and I am no different. He has supported me all my life, though my family wronged his when our nation formed, and more faithfully than anyone. He traveled the whole of the world, across the treacherous sea and against rain and storm, leading our people things never even imagined. He has always kept the word of the Dragon and the Whirlwind, never straying from our traditions or abandoning our dreams. He’s an ideal to aspire to. Well then, what does a hero like that deserve. He deserves only the best in life, only the highest of all things,” Elkhoof turned around to face the hero, “Braedan, you’ve done more for me than I could ever repay. You deserve the whole world, everything under the stars. And while I can’t give you that, I can give you this piece of it. You deserve to be a king Braedan. Will you marry me?” Braedan had waited a long time for this, and had nothing to say but, “Yes.” The crowd cheered once again, and the rest of that day would be the biggest wedding party the steppe would ever see. It’s said that Dulnori cried bronze tears.

-

A few days later, Elkhoof and Braedan were in the emerald castle. It was a nice spot for a honeymoon, far from the crowds and politics, and Dulnori had let them alone for the time. But now, Dulnori had returned, and approached the two men looking more somber than usual. He calls Elkhoof over to speak with him privately, “You have far surpassed my expectations, all the tribe has. You’ve done so much, even though I gave you so little. My strength is waning, but I still have just enough power to fuel this project. Consider it a wedding gift.” Dulnori focused his power, “I am the maker of dreams. I am the master of fortune. I am the creator of ambition. I control the tides of fate. By my power I guarantee Rokanon. This city shall be like no other. It shall be a city of greatness, a city of glory, a city of iron and steel.”

Elkhoof rolls his eyes, “So exaggerated. Dulnori just wants me to put more attention on him, instead of the one who really needs it,” he thinks.
Dulnori looks at him, “This shall aid in the construction of the city. However, there is something important you must know, before the Horizon Tribe spreads outwards. The foreign gods are a strange lot, but they are not cruel, on the whole. You shall meet their people in the future, and you may even pay them homage, if you truly think it helpful. But there is one, one single individual, that I need you to be wary of.”
Elkhoof replies, “Oh really now, are you sure you're not just jealous? Were they the one that took that Aeon girl? You probably hurt her a lot with your stunt you know.”
Dulnori replies, “That was a mistake dammit. And no, no it isn’t them. Ymon-Thal isn’t evil, just strange. I’m serious though. There’s a demon of fire that calls himself Yir. He lives on the sun, and thinks he’s the greatest being in creation. He wants to take control of the world, and force it to obey his ideas of purity and perfection. His son is the king of the giants, and wants to use them as pawns to conquer everything.”
Elkhoof is unimpressed by this seeming melodrama and says, “Oh really then, a big bad fire demon. What’s to say it’s not just some pushover, why should we worry,”
“You don’t believe me. Then I will show you,” Dulnori conjures the image of Yir, and recalls his past actions. The conquests of the giant empire, the dark curse upon Thal-Verys, and of course Theshana. The city surrounded and bled dry for 700 years, until it finally gave in, the sacred word of the Dragon spat upon.
“Do you understand now Elkhoof? The hatred, the arrogance, the cruelty. Yir thinks it’s above everything, but it isn’t. It’s a brutal creature, and it will lash out if denied.”
“Well what can we do?”
“Yir’s son is focusing on the east now, the ripest and most obvious territory for conquest. By the time Yir’s forces turn their attention here, the Horizon Tribe shall be ready, so long as you continue to build and improve. Keep the giants at arms length always, they’ll try to manipulate you, and you can’t let that happen. Yir can never own these lands, he doesn’t deserve to be king. He doesn’t deserve to rule a people like the Horizon Tribe, or a person like you.”
“I won’t let you down,” replies Elkhoof, “A pompous bag of wind like that won’t stop us.”

Dulnori nods, and walks off into the tar pit. As he does he sets his eye above the spot of the new city, when he awakes he wants to know everything that he missed.

Spoiler: Action: 12 AP/8 DC influence a city of mortals (~100k)

Show

The action is open to Chern, Petr, Timorin, Kahar Djin, Ymon-Thal, and Graw.
Dulnori influences the creation of the city Rokanon, to propel it forwards faster, and through the teachings of Elkhoof he warns the people of the city of Yir’s plans for domination.

+2 Ambition: The city is a huge project, and is exactly the kind of thing Dulnori lives for. The people shall work hard and strong, and they shall tire slowly. Their drive to finish this construction will be unsurpassed.

+2 Fortune: Dulnori blesses the people of the city. It shall be a wealthy city, and prosper in trade with friendly groups like the Prehist and the Cult. It shall grow and progress, and reach a state of prosperity.

+1 Dreams: Dulnori reveals his knowledge to the Horizon Tribe as they dream. They shall see great visions, showing them plans for buildings and laws, structures and new technologies. Particularly, they shall dream of iron and steel, and be inspired in their waking lives to obtain this wonderous new metal.

Spoiler: Subaction: Scry 8 AP

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Dulnori scries the area around the Eternal Arena where Rokanon will form.

**Batcathat** · 2020-03-25, 09:46 AM (ISO 8601)

Ymon-Thal, 2/50 AP, 1st Justice University
Thal-Verys couldn't tell if it was something supernatural about it or just her knowledge of the city's recent history but it gave her a sensation of death and rebirth at the same time. Ymon-Thal would have enjoyed it, she suspected, but she was mostly disturbed as lead her companions through the streets until they reached the grounds of the future university.

The area was full of workers and others and it felt like all of them was staring at her. She was used to it — sort of — since even those who didn't know who, what, she was tended to notice someone dragging a small sun around, but she was still relieved when she quickly found Nerassus.

"Nerassus", she greeted him. "You've gotten bigger." She took a deep breath. "On behalf of the Yith and of Ymon-Thal, he who is both Life and Death, I thank you for this invitation. These men and women have traveled far to come here and are eager to learn."

The students standing behind Thal-Verys seem to have little in common. The youngest was little more than a girl, the oldest far closer to his last year than his first. Some had the scarred bodies and weary eyes of life long warriors, others had soft hands and softer hearts.

She turned to the two men standing slightly away from the others, one young and the other old. "This is master Astyr and his apprentice Thol, here to share their knowledge with anyone who wishes to learn. Master Astyr is one of the Yith's strongest necromancers, second only to the great councilor Athala, and Thol already knows more than most men twice his age." The men bowed towards Nerassus.

"Good luck", she said to Nerassus before looking back at the Yith. "To all of you."

Spoiler: Help Petr

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+ 2 Death
In addition to sending students and teachers to the university, Ymon-Thal weakens the barrier between the mortal world and the Passing in the university, making it easier to perform necromancy there than anywhere else. To an experienced necromancer the effect is barely noticeable but to a beginner it can make a big difference. This effect is tied to the concept of the university rather than the area or the physical buildings.

As hinted above, the eight Yith students are all members of the Verysian Order. They (and future generations of the order) are there to learn as much as possible, both in the classrooms and outside of them.

***

The Passing

Even in the Passing, Ymon-Thal could hear Timorin's plea clearly.

"I have given a gift to my people that shall impact your creation. The Shadow of Hope I have gifted you will always belong in the passing to help guide worthy souls to their next life. I am growing weak, only able to protect my people with a simple staff. If you are of the mind, they would welcome your help."

"Good", Ymon said and yawned. "I though I was the only one who was getting so tired."

Thal studied the staff, seeing the magical energies within it as clearly as if he'd been next to it. "There are some... interesting ideas here. I suppose we could help."

Spoiler: Help Timorin

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Ymon-Thal aids in the creation of the staff, adding to it the ability – at the level of a necromancer of some experience – to influence any souls of the dead (+ 2 Death) close to it. Not enough to control any but perhaps the weakest of souls but sufficient to force on back into the Passing.

**The JoJo** · 2020-03-25, 12:16 PM (ISO 8601)

Avestra, South Coast of Axia

Avestra soared along the coastline of the northernmost continent, but she sensed something in the air had changed. Graw had already returned to the dreamless sleep and it seemed the rest of them were likely to follow. When they would awake again, she wasn't sure, but she felt certain that it would happen again. If nothing else, their awareness seemed bound up with the fate of the mortals, and mortals were becoming more numerous with every passing year, despite her efforts to the contrary.

At that moment, she felt a ripple through reality and the familiar voice of Timorin, as if he were right beside her:

"I hope your people have enjoyed the masks they have been given and that we may continue our friendship. I know you have felt my actions today. My people know you to be an ally and will use what I have given them to protect and aid your Owls should the need arise."

"Likewise, I will keep an eye on your islanders and all those who still live in the old ways," Avestra said. She raised a wing in readiness. "Take this gift."

Spoiler: Help

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Avestra helps Timorin create his shadow staff with +2 nature. The wielder of the staff shall have an immunity to all pathogen-conveyed diseases for as long as they possess the staff.

~

Silver Wings, Sunset Forest, Ebonbark Bay

More than any other tribe, the Silver Wings kept watch on their borders for any sign of tallhead incursion. Not only with their own eyes, but also those of the birds, who relayed their findings through the medium of the trees. Nevertheless, it was with some surprise that news of the new university to the north and the open invitation to six of the Crow People was received.

There was much debate about whether to accept the invitation. After all, no born-Crow had left the forest in living memory and returned alive. But eventually, it was decided that three of their most learned treewhisperers would make the journey, accompanied by two lean young warriors to act as guards and one elderly tongue who had been born outside the forest and thus had some knowledge of the land to the north of Sunset Forest. If they knew what the tallheads were up to, as one elder put it, then perhaps they would have a better chance of resisting them when the inevitable came.

Spoiler: Help

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Avestra helps Petr found the First Justice University with +2 nature. The lesser used parts of Grawpolis will, with time, begin to return to nature. Saplings will push their way through broken cobbles, forming protective columns of trees along the streets which will provide shade in the summer and shelter from the winter winds. Wild animals will return to make their nests in quiet corners, living peacefully alongside the mortal inhabitants of the city.

The six Crow who arrive in the university will teach advanced treewhispering techniques to those who are willing to learn and in turn will study the outside world in order to bring any useful knowledge back to Sunset Forest.

**DarthArminius** · 2020-03-25, 12:36 PM (ISO 8601)

Su'ule
Oh how wonderful, the Island Sanctuary is creating a school now! Su'ule allowed six Changeling Su Sorcerers to join the school as instructors. Su'ule would give these Su Sorcerers special instructions on what and how to teach.

Spoiler

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Help Petr
+ 2 Sorcery : You guessed it, the Changelings teach ALL forms of sorcery very well.
+ 2 Monsters : Changelings teach the students Monstrous theology, Su'ule's belief that the natural and the unnatural can co exist in peace.
+ 1 Birth : Changeling's very under rated gift is the medicine of magical contraception. Anything that has to do with birth is taught here, from Sex Ed, and how to mix a special potion that prevents pregnancy. There are even potions for a painless birth.

**Megadraco** · 2020-03-25, 04:00 PM (ISO 8601)

Grawpolis, Kahar-Djin, 22 AP

The ripples of the event were felt throughout the world. A god, one of Kahar-Djin’s own, had died. The Divinity’s eyes grew wide, and, lifting his staff, they bent space, creating a Path between where he stood and the location of the nigh-unbelievable event. In an instant, he was in Grawpolis, the city in the middle of evacuation.

“Oh, Grawissen. I was angry at you, for sure. But when I said I didn’t find you worthy of divine power, I… I didn’t mean you should let go of it. I don’t understand, wh- what has happened to you? I know our time this age is coming to a close, and I also understand that nothing is eternal, not even the gods. But this… This is too soon.” They closed their eyes for a moment, then looked up.

“I grant you my blessing, Grawissen, so you can find your Path, wherever it is the divines go when we die.”

They closed their eyes again, and mourned.

Some time later, they looked up, and noticed they had gathered a small group. About ten people were looking at them, whispering among themselves. They were each wearing some sort of eyepiece. Of course. Path of Sight travellers. Their magicite eyewear would be picking up the vast amount of divine energy Kahar-Djin held, since they had been making no attempt to hide it. So, they turned, and spoke to the Missionaries,

“You. You are travelling the Path of Sight, are you not?”

The group fell quiet, and then a younger girl shouted,

“No, this is just the latest fashion in Orcishtal!”

Kahar-Djin chuckled, despite themselves. Maybe they should have demanded more respect, but, well, a bit of humour was welcome in this time.

“Very well, I will interpret that as a yes. And who might you be? And more importantly, why are you still here? This city appears to be quite aflame right now.”

Indeed, the evacuation had ended, and the city was in the process of catching fire. In fact, some flames were getting dangerously close.

“My name is Ayla!” said the young girl. “As for why we stayed… Well, we were going to join the king in evacuating the city, when we stumbled upon you. You know, some of our Missionary tales tell of an old masked man who started appearing around the same time as Kahar-Djin did and here you are, an old masked man mysteriously appearing in a city right as it is being abandoned after the city’s god supposedly died and-” She catched her breath. “I guess what I’m saying is, are you Kahar-Djin, mister?”

Amused, Kahar-Djin looked at her with a glint in their eye.

“Never mind who I am, dear. This is truly a momentous event. A god has died, and for seemingly no apparent reason. Or at least not reason apparent to me, a simple, humble traveller.” There was that glint in his eye again. “But you, you are knowledgeable, travellers of the Path of Sight. Surely, you must have some idea of what has happened here. Why Grawissen has suddenly died.”

She pressed her lips, then said,

“No, sorry. We investigated for a bit, but in the chaos it was hard to find much at all, and afterwards we were...Well, distracted by you.”

Kahar-Djin gave them a sad smile, and said,

“You did the best you could. Now, this place seems to be getting more dangerous by the second. So go on. Find somewhere safe. And don’t you worry about me, I’ll be alright. Come on, go, go!”

The travellers fled the area and, as Kahar-Djin was getting ready to depart, they sensed another ripple of divine activity, one covered in blood…

The air glimmered for a moment in front of War and Drama as space twisted upon itself, wind growing as air flowed into the Path that formed, and in the blink of an eye, an armoured figure appear, shield in hand.

"Timorin," they said as greeting. "You understand, I hope, that I didn't send my Travellers to your land to be sacrificed."

Timorin jumped a bit at the sudden appearance. "Of course not. They hold a very high place among my people."

"Good. Still, this," they pointed toward the grotesque staff. "Is something I cannot ignore. A terrible abuse of power, disturbing the order of the world and bringing forth chaos."

Timorin looks around rather confused before speaking. "Do I come to see what you are doing and lecture you about making paths or thresholds?"

Kahar-Djin narrowed their eyes.

"Do not take me for a fool, Timorin. This is not about the staff, or whatever magic it may hold. It's about the methods you used to create it. The spilling of blood and sacrifice of innocent lives."

A look of understanding settles on Timorin's face. "Oh then why didn't you say so? You come in complaining about bringing forth chaos but that is all I have ever tried to do. And while I understand you being upset, I hope this tool will reduce the cost of innocent lives for my people and others."

"Reduce the cost of lives?" the Divinity repeated. "Even if your methods weren't abhorrent, responding to sacrifice in this way only begets more sacrifice. Your people spill their blood and you grant them a powerful gift in response. What do you think they will do when they need further aid?"

Timorin looks down for a moment. [B]"Probably sacrifice people. Though should their need be so great, I would surely use the power given to me by that to aid them. Though know I plan to give them a proper leader when I awake. One to hold more wisdom than I to guide them in my absence. I did not have the power for such this time, so this is all I could offer. Nobody seemed to mind all of their murder before." The part was more mumbled than stated.

"I heard that," said Kahar-Djin. "And I did mind their murder, when I became aware of it. That is, in fact, precisely the reason I sent the Travellers of Wisdom here. But I digress. I think, as long as this wretched object continues to exist, their approach to divinity shall be hampered. Thus they will know that true divinity does not lie down this path and, hopefully, will make them think twice before resorting to sacrifice."

Timorin shrugs. "I'm sorry that we fell on different sides in this. I'll remember what you said though."

Spoiler: Hinder!

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Kahar-Djin hinders the creation of the staff by making it so anyone who uses it will find it much more difficult to advance in the Path of Emotions, or any other Path of Divinity.(-2 Paths)

Some time later…

Kahar-Djin had been observing the Travellers of Wisdom, keeping a close eye on them, when they felt something tug at them. It was a prayer, one of their followers asking for guidance. With a flick of his staff, a Path was created, and immediately they found themselves in the Northern Monastery.

Bron was down on one knee, in prayer. When he noticed their arrival, he slowly stood up, straining against his weights, bowed with similar effort, and said,

“Please, master follow me.”

He turned and began to walk, slowly and carefully. Kahar-Djin, curious, followed behind him. They came to a second room, where, on a table, lay what looked to be eight engraved shells, and behind them, a letter. Kahar-Djin stepped forward, and read it.

"Greetings from Sanctuary Bron. I don't know if you remember me, Nerassus, but I remember you. I have created a place for people to learn and study. A bit like the schools you've set up for the paths. Anyway. My point is. Like any place of study, we need teachers and students both. So if any of the path missionaries want to come study, or even teach, know that they are very welcome. I'll even give you these emblems. Eight of them. Give them to someone whom you think would benefit from our university, as this will grant them guaranteed access."

“I see,” said the Divinity. “That is quite an interesting prospect. Though, I do fail to understand what you need my advice for.”

Bron bowed once more, and replied,

“Forgive me, master, but I do not know who to give them to. Those of us here are dedicated to following the Path of Discipline, or the Way of the Cardinal Fist, and will not be leaving this monastery. I do not know of anyone to whom this might be of use.”

Kahar-Djin thought for a moment, then said,

“You should keep one.”

Bron’s brow furrowed.

“Master?”

“You have a long life ahead of you, Bron. Perhaps at some later time, a thirst for knowledge may overcome you. As for the remaining seven,” they added, taking all but one of the emblems, “I know just the right people for them."

Kahar-Djin appeared in front of Ayla, and the group of Travellers, who had, it seemed, left the ruins of the city behind. They popped out of nowhere, and yet, they didn’t seem surprised. Of course. Those eyepieces. They’d have seen the distortions in space before he stepped through them. Slightly miffed at having his surprising entrance ruined, nevertheless they spoke to the group.

“Hello once again, Travellers. I must ask, have you gleaned any more information about the death of Grawissen?”

The travellers shook their heads.

“We are sorry,” said one of them. “We do not know any more than we did before.”

Kahar-Djin felt somewhat disappointed at that, but they hid it well. Ayla stepped forward, to speak.

“There’s… Some people around the ruins of Grawpolis. Do you have any idea what that might be about, mister?”

“Yes,” the Divinity replied. “That is, in fact, the main reason I’m here. Petr is building a university, a place of learning and knowledge. And I have received a set of emblems that will guarantee you access to it. I thought of no better group of people than you.”

With that said, they produced the emblems, presenting the seven engraved shells to the Travellers of Sight.

Ayla looked at them, then stepped aside.

“I shouldn’t take them. I can’t stay at the university either way.”

“Why not?” Kahar-Djin asked, puzzled.

“Well, I’ve reached the Second Threshold of the Path! I’m supposed to travel the world now!”

The masked figure looked at the young child in shock, but they could tell she was telling the truth.

“In that case, come with me, I have something for you. As for the rest of you… Decide among yourselves who shall go to the university. The remainder should travel, as the Missionaries you are, and spread the word of the university, so people far and wide learn of it.”

Spoiler: Help!

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Kahar-Djin helps the construction of Petr's University by sending a group of Travellers of Sight, who may prove to be great teachers and avid students (+2 Paths). Additionally, he sent a smaller group of missionaries to spread word of the university, to ensure news about its creation reach far and wide. (+1 Travellers)

Kahar-Djin led Ayla away from the group, and she followed. Once they were a good distance away, the Divinity turned to her, and from their robes, produced a key.

“You’re giving me… A key? What’s it for?”

The figure smiled behind his mask.

“That, young Traveller, is for you to find out. But I will tell you this: This is no ordinary key. No, this key holds a fragment of my power. My… Divine power, as you have in fact deduced. Keep it close to you, and don’t let it fall into the wrong hands. When the time comes, pass it on, to someone you trust to keep it just as safe. When I return, I will come to collect it.”

“Return?” asked the girl. “Kahar-Djin, where are you going?”

“Oh, young child, the time fast approaches for me to explore the cosmos once more. The celestial spheres are calling, and I admit I no longer have the strength to resist their call. The mysteries of the universe are vast, and I’m certain you more than anyone understands how alluring they can be. Do not be worried, however; I will return, when the time is right.”

“I understand, Kahar-Djin. I’ll be waiting for you, and I’ll keep this key safe with me.”

“I could ask no more from you. Goodbye, Ayla.”

With that, there was a shimmer in the air, and Kahar-Djin was gone.

Spoiler: Action!

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(16 AP / 12 DC) Create a +2 Domain religious artefact

Kahar-Djin creates the Key of the Spheres (+2 Keys). Whoever uses it will quickly find that all locks, gates, and other thresholds open to its holder (+2 Thresholds). Furthermore, they may eventually discover that it holds the ability to create a Path between two thresholds it has opened before, no matter the distance between them (+2 Paths)

**gac3** · 2020-03-25, 06:20 PM (ISO 8601)

FLUFF TO BE ADDED IN WHEN ABLE. POSTING CRUNCH IN CASE IT TAKES LONGER THAN I WANT.

Timorin took the seashell back to the cult and left with them instructions. They were to sail their ships to Grawopolis with a young student who would learn what the college had to teach and return. As the relevant professors became available, they would also report to the college. They would also establish a system of donating extra corpses to scientific research. The Apathy of Timorin will be the student.

Spoiler: Help: Petr

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The cult will send the following people (over time, might not all be there immediately) to teach:
Transmuters
Path of Emotion (Maybe also Wisdom)
Combat (Various forms)
Geography
Anatomy
Drama/Arts

Create a new method of gaining admission. Each time a batch of students graduates, they will have the opportunity to create a challenge. It can be anything they want. The only limit is approval from the headmaster. Anyone can enter the challange. The winner will receive a spot in the college.

+2 War
+2 Drama
+1 Games

Timorin sent another of his ships to sail towards toward the new city of the Horizon tribe. Bringing gifts and good cheer. The Grief of Timorin will be going for this venture but will return afterwards.

Spoiler: Help Dulnori

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+2 Drama: The city will be a haven for the arts.
+2 War: The city and cult shall communicate with the masks and be able to come to eachother's aid when relevant. The cult will also offer training in any methods the Horizon Tribe might need to defend themselves.

Timorin appears before the key. "Oh look at this affront to thresholds and embodiment of paths. I shall not stand for this." Then with a wink to the mortal, he vanishes.

Spoiler: Help: Kahar-Djin

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+2 Drama

Anyone who uses the key without active intentions of a location, just the desire to be somewhere else, will be led to an exciting location. It could be a battle field, an orgy, or anything that might bring some excitement into their life.

**Godzillarich** · 2020-03-25, 07:40 PM (ISO 8601)

The tale of Graw death spread throughout the world. While many went along with their lives the tongues would never forget the creator. Many of the made pilgrimages to the destroyed city that now became a university to pay respects to the following God. Many would stay a little bit to become teachers, they would bring a wealth of historical knowledge to the University.

Spoiler: Help Petr

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+2 knowledge: many of the tongues will leave behind copies of their notes, this will give them great historical knowledge. A way for them to continue the mission of teaching.

____
(Keep in mind these 2 helps happen before the war)

Déjà vu sense the work of two gods, with a heavy heart he went to the pickax of the recently deceased King, deciding it would be best to help both of them. One for helping savings his father's people and the other paying respects to his father

Spoiler: Help Dulnori

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+2 architecture: Their stadium will be improved, the stone craftsmanship will depict epic battles of legend from all over the world. its wonderful architecture will make it one of the great wonders of the world.
+2 heroism: The resolve of the people will be as strong as steel, they will not bend the knee to what they see as evil.

Spoiler: Help Kahar-Djin

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+2 architecture: The key will have a distinct look of artistry, is finely crafted. Additionally, it will also be able to open up anything as long as it's man-made even if there is no way normally it can be opened
+2 heroism: The key knows when someone is in danger and the user will feel something is wrong when holding the key and will be compelled to go to where the people in trouble are.

**Maryring** · 2020-03-25, 08:35 PM (ISO 8601)

1st Justice University, Nerassus
Nerassus wipes the sweat from his brow as he takes a step back to admire his handiwork. A cavern built into the foundation of the city. Symbols carved into the archway of stone that leads into a massive altar upon which rests the bones of Grawissen. He has had various censers forged from brass and filled them with a slowly burning tallow to create long lasting torches. He has smoothed the walls, the floor, even the roof. Small decorations everywhere to give the grave that last touch of beauty fitting for a divine grave. All that remains is.

"Sir?"

He perks up, turning behind himself to look at one of his workers. The poor man is wringing his hands, hemming and hawing nervously as the demigod looks down upon him. "Yeah? What is it?"

"Sir. Ah... there are these golden dragons. They are requesting the remains of Lord Grawissen."

---

Creating a place for everyone to sleep and grow food has been the number one goal for long term sustainability for the university. Sanctuary has provided plenty of food for the workers, but it won't last. Thankfully, there's a lot of old structures that can be refurbished. Sitting at his desk, Nerassus is putting the finishing touches of a tentative map of the region. All the way from the coast, to the jungles and mountains that encircle and shelter the citystate. And within the city itself, on his map he has a granary there, a well there, farms almost everywhere, and perhaps he could set up a stele

"Sir?"

Looking up from the clay tablet, the demigod inclines his head to the farmer stepping into his tent. "Yeah? What is it?"

"Sir. Several wild animals have begun settling in the outskirts of the city sir."

---

It's taken blood, sweat, and even the occasional tear. But the university is soon able to officially open it's gates to everyone. The place shall be a haven for thought. A place where people can devote themselves to being their best self. Mortalkind shall be able to enjoy the gifts of wisdom he was given in his youth. People from all over the world has arrived to a place where they can rise over their base desires. Already potential students and professors mingle in activities of wholesome wisdom and

"Sir?"

Nerassus involuntarily flinches as he looks at the young messenger hurrying up to him. "Yeah? What is it?"

"Well, you know the house we set up downtown for the changelings? They've turned it into a brothel sir."

---

Rokanon
It's been a while since he last visited the Steppe. As soon as things back at the university settles down, he'll have to make the journey here and study more. It'll do wonders for his skill in drawing magic, even from such a barren place. And the differences in application between shamanism and druidry, despite being ostensibly the very same type of magic, is a lot of fun to look into. But for now he is here to deliver the remains of Grawissen along with the golden dragons who act as his guide. When his eyes fall on the Eternal Arena, and the town that is growing up around it. He recognizes some of the people down there as visitors of Sanctuary. Travellers who have crossed the globe. Perhaps this is why his mother sent him up here when she did. Surely it'll be okay to make a minor detour...

Spoiler: Help: Dulnori

Show

+2 Justice: On his way home, Nerassus will gather up information about the local populace and culture. He'll bring that back with him to the university, and use it to help educate a new generation of lawmakers to help the city create it's own code of laws.

+2 Water: Petr left Nerassus a globe of water. Seemingly innocuous, the globe will occasionally break off pieces, weaving among dreams to inspire the people to aquamancy and sailing.

---

The Key of Spheres
It was only supposed to be a brief visit. A check in on the travellers. To see what Bron and the others were up to, perhaps confirm how many of them were planning on visiting the university. But then he felt it. Nerassus almost tumbles from his wagon at the brief manifestation then concentration of divine essence into an object. A rush of power. Hiding himself behind clouds he travels to where he senses the artifact. He finds a mortal woman who carries the artifact. The artifact is a gift of Kahar-Djin, and though they and mother have had their... differences, mother did tell of how Kahar wove an exception into the trap for him. That, at the very least, demands some form of repayment.

Spoiler: Help: Kahar-Djin

Show

+2 Justice: If the key is not freely given, those who take the key feel subtly compelled to return the key to the proper owner.

+2 Healing: The key can unlock doors, but it can also be used to lock and unlock the body. Turning a key can close up a wound, be it on a body or a structure.

-2 Flesh: Manipulating flesh is difficult. Especially when Nerassus attempts to touch upon the realm. And so, whenever the key is used to close a wound, a corresponding wound will open on someone else. Vice versa, the key may open a wound on someone, but only if it can in so doing close a corresponding wound on someone else nearby.

**AlexanderML** · 2020-03-25, 11:59 PM (ISO 8601)

Emperor Valrion, and Others -Valrion's Palace upon Holy High - Meeting the Emperor (part 2):

The top of Holy High where the once the humble temple to Yir stood was now the god-made residence of Emperor Valrion, and they proclaimed that the representatives of the major clans would meet here in the new emperor's personal abode. Each one shown the splendor of Emperor Valrion's home and treated to a banquet before meeting the emperor for a private conversation. While each of the clan representatives spoke of the duties of their kingdoms to the empire, negotiating what they could with Emperor Valrion, each of them also spoke on a more personal level with the emperor as well.

Ephor Kilmilor of the Tradono:

Spoiler

Show

The ephor had requested a strange place for his private meeting with the emperor, the unused training hall of the palace. While the ephor was far past their days as an active commander, they still held an axe with barely rusted ease. Kilmilor went through the required diplomatic necessities as fast as they could, clearly not paying much mind to anything Valrion said as long as it did not change anything. When they were finished the ephor began to fight with more enthusiasm as they began to speak about things that really mattered to them, Valrion defending with their brilliant golden shield the entire time (to the mild annoyance of Kimilor).

"I've heard that a few monsters are being integrated with my clan's men, and that you were the one to start this outlandish alliance, why not just kill all these murderous lizards?"

"They are serving their penance, and so long as they live by the Oath that I have given them than they shall prove to be more steadfast in the defense of our lands than perhaps all but the Tradano."

Kilmilor gave a huff at that. "You cannot trust monsters to follow an oath."

"Perhaps, but they cannot not break their oath to me, and through it so shall they channel their monstrosity towards noble cause. In any case they shall be needed soon enough to fight the invading heretics."

While a little perturbed at some of the implications of those words Kilmilor did not slow down "I see, but there is no need, all we need to do is let the invaders extend more of their forces away from the wastes where we can strike in full force."

Emperor Valrion gave a nod to the negative "No, that would endanger those living near the wastes needlessly, we have no guarantees that they would be merciful towards sugrandi or even the luviti in our lands. Our force being assembled must intercede with them before they can gather their strength in full and go from raiding to the their planned invasion. The raptors will be essential for this, since they have a resistance to the heat of the waste that even the luviti lack."

"Really? If that is true, and they can at least act like soldiers, then I see why you would care to have them integrated with my people; and I will try to advocate for them now myself. For now at least."

Valrion gave a nod "Satisfactory, any more queries ephor Kilmilor?"

"An observation." The old man said before in a swift motion hitting emperor Valrion's shield in a way that unbalanced them. "You do not know how to fight."

Emperor Valrion's mood suddenly shifted form distant to cold and defensive. "So? I have no need for such skills, none may harm me with mortal power. It is not important."

Unfazed by this as much as they were any other danger the ephor continued. "My emperor I am no fool, and I believe that you are not one either. There are creatures out in the world like the Beast of the north whom I worry even your power is not enough to face, at least without superior skill."

After a pause between the two, their clash ending, Valrion sighed. "Indeed you are right, I have been neglecting to train in any real capacity in personal combat. When you contact your clan once more I would like you to arrange for someone to come here to train me."

Kilmilor chuckled, "No need. You would be hard pressed to find a better trainer than myself. I have trained whole companies and a dozen champions of the field already. I volunteer to give you training in combat myself."

"... it would be easier to keep secret. I shall accept this arrangement so long as you swear to never speak of this training or need for it."

"Of course. I say we should begin now."

"I have other arrangements made... but afterwards when I am finished with them we shall create a proper schedule for my training."

Speaker Comerca of the Grigani:

Spoiler

Show

Comerca had requested to meet in an art gallery, the closest thing available in the palace being a hallway filled with life-like statues of people inside a stone garden. The plants inside looked life-like, yet their glossy appearance revealed that all of them were fake.

Emperor Valrion and Comerca spoke for hours on the topics of trade, strategic duties, infrastructure, and other business related to the empire and the Grigani. Both spoke with a similar level of enthusiasm the entire way through, only stopping once the sun was beginning to set.

Overall they did not speak on personal matters beyond basic flattery.

Her Majesty Erini of the Ulisters:

Spoiler

Show

Her Majesty Erini had personally arrived to see emperor Valrion and speak to them, though until this private meeting could be arranged they has barely said anything to one another. While they did not have a great deal of time to speak with one another, Erini had accepted emperor Valrion's proposal to have the meeting set after dusk. The stars and dim candles being the only thing to illuminate the large balcony that they stood on.

It would look quite romantic if it were not for the intensely cold domineer the queen gave off and the distant eyes of emperor Valrion looking on even as they smiled and played their part perfectly. They spoke with one another with sweet words of familiarity.

However when emperor Valrion was in the middle of reminiscing on the little princess a dagger was thrown right at their neck, striking perfectly yet bouncing off in a wild direction.

"What sor-" was all the queen was to let out of their lips before Valrion punched with the force to crush stone Erini's head, yet an aura of light from the queen appeared and absorbed the blow, only knocking the queen onto her back.

The two just stood there in shock for a moment, their faces twisting up as emotion came to the forefront; Erini's face showed her disgust and Valrion's eyes were filled with tears.

"Your alive thank Above!" They said realizing that their blow did not actually cave in Erini's skull. "Your majesty... why?" Was the only other thing they could say as the queen got up slowly.

"You are a monster! A vile creature who only looks like the one who came with eyes full of compassion and wonder into my home. Others may not be able to tell, but can see right through your disguise..." She trailed off as she looked into the teary eyes of Valrion. Though they turned away from her soon after.

"I'm sorry, I could never express how sorry I am for what I've done. Though it was not by my design, I am indeed consumed by a monster." Valrion said looking out into the distance. "Please just leave Erini."

Staring at them the entire time she walked out of the balcony she did leave, and by the morning she nowhere to be seen

Wizard of Necromancy Thadomos of the Cavpo:

Spoiler

Show

The robbed and somewhat off-putting necromancer had requested that in the morning they meet before the morning meal inside an empty library. It was mildly embarrassing for emperor Valrion to meet a guest in such a barren part of the palace but they obliged the representative this request.

Thadomos had already arrived and was sitting at one of the engraving desks in the room working on a piece when emperor Valrion entered. Their eyes were glazed over as their hands worked on a clay writing about a topic in a language emperor Valrion did not recognize.

Emperor Valrion waited for almost an hour, and two tablets of clay worked on, before addressing the wizard. "Thadomos, I see that you are steeped in work, might you prefer to reschedule this meeting another time?"

That snapped Thadomos out of their trance as his eyes regained focus and a little sheepishly looked at emperor Valrion "Oh, I'm sorry my lord I did not see you enter, I was focused on this. It's just so easy to contact the dead hear, did you know that there are souls that pass through here all the way from southern Ale-"

"I know Thadomos, but the point of our meeting is not to discuss the souls that flow through my home to the world beyond the veil. We are hear to discuss the duties of the Cavpo."

"Yes, of course..."

As rough as their meeting was to begin with Thadomos was able to negotiate surprisingly well once they focused on the task at hand. It helped that emperor Valrion was seemed to see more potential in their clan than previous emperors, they were so negotiable to the Cavpo compared to them that Thadomos was expecting a surprise request that did not seem to come for the longest time, but then the emperor hinted at a heavy task that the Cavpo would have to endure.

"What do you mean emperor?"

"It is not something that I should wish to discuss in detail before it is presented to the court, but you should be notified and prepared for the eventual influx of immigrates. They shall share the majesty of Above as we do."

"Immigrates? My lord I have already heard tales of a few groups already arriving in our lands, sent by you no less, over a year ago. Your caution, while generous, is not warranted here."

Emperor Valrion nodded in the negative "There will be more, in even smaller numbers they shall come and yet they will bring a change so great that the northern lands will be forever changed. I cannot elaborate on the details but they shall arrive buy Will Above and Great Beast Below."

Thadomos's eyes widened a little at that, "What? The Beast?"

Emperor Valrion stared directly into Thadomos's eyes, freezing the necromancer with their gaze. "Yes, though they know it not, they serve the good of all. You will not speak the specifics of this meeting so long as it is not necessary, promise me."

Frightened and more than a little confused Thadomos stuttered out a "Y-yes I promise."

Instantly emperor Valrion's mood lightened, "That is good, now I will tell you what must be done to save the Cavpo."

After another hour of speaking to the wizard he left in an almost sprinting speed from the empty library, away from the palace, and back to their home to prepare for what was to come.

Across Most the Lands of Axia, excepting the lands touched by the Preserver:

The silent voice of Above wander across the lands where their voice could travel, going through numerous villages of savages, strange peoples, and blessed folk. Each of these people had the spark inside them, the desire to grow, and it found the greatest among them to foster and bolster to brilliant heights. By it's care the voice of Above gifted great insight, blessed forms, and the will to see the divine lands of the greatest mountains in the world. They heard the call and every single one of these blessed folk traveled to the mountains to heed the call that spoke to their souls.

There they saw the greatest of people, the Sugrandi, and marveled at the physical strength and beauty they held; and yet most bemoaned the lack of skill they held and the torment they gave to the Luviti of the land. While they marveled at this tragedy for a time, each one was visited by a being of light whom gazed at the souls of these special people of Axia. Every word was gentle, yet the whole of what they asked for held great purpose that gripped their souls.

"You whom marvel at the glory that are the people of this land, who's greatness is more than worthy of being champions among them and who's hearts should shine for all to see, I thank you for listening to the voice of Above to come to these lands. For, while it pains me to ask of such valiant and good souls, I must plead for your aid."

How could they deny this glorious being that has come before them? Each of them listened to the word of this holy being, though plenty held great reservations in their hearts after what they had seen.

"I am burdened with the task of aiding these greatest of people grow even greater than themselves, to become not just physically gifted but in mind and soul as well. This is a burden I beg you to help me carry. Please see that with guidance and time their greatness can be a shining beacon for the world to see. Though the task I wish you to complete is but the beginnings of what must be done, it shall be tiresome nonetheless."

And while many among them would not normally accept such words normally, hearing them coming from such a being of holiness was what was needed for all of them to agree to help. And every time one accepted the shining beings request it bowed to them.

"My deepest thanks, glorious men and women of our land. The task that I ask for to aid these people is that of learning and understanding. I wish for them to know the wisdom of the world to the highest extent possible, and I wish for them to learn of the world. You, who's minds are that of champions and who's hearts hold goodness deep within them, I ask that you be the ones to travel to the lands beyond our home of Axia and return with this wisdom."

The reactions varied from distrustful acceptance to joyous tears, but they accepted this quest, and so the Emperor's Wisdom came to be.

Spoiler: Action!

Show

4 AP/2 DC: influence a large group of mortals (~100).

Yir and Valrion send out a hundred perfectionists out into the world to learn the skills and wisdom of the world, with the goal to return home and found great schools.

This action is open to Su'ule, it involves changlings as well as humans/giants. She also would recognize the silent voice as the work of Yir's magic.

+1 Perfection: The silent voice of Yir guides these souls. Among the population of most of Axia (excepting the Stepp folk who live in a land where Yir's voice cannot travel) this voice guides those of good moral character and perfectionist talent to greatness. While few in number each of them has incredible talent.

+2 Stonethroe: These talented perfectionist souls are guided to the stonethroe mountains. A place each of them feels a connection towards due to the closeness to Yir they already have acquired.

+2 Majesty: To aid them on their journey Yir has blessed each of them with majesty, no mortal no matter the rank they hold can bring themselves to harm or impede the movements of these men and women unless they are known to have committed a crime or strike the person. No mortal realizes that these men and women are blessed so, excusing it one way or another.

+2 Sun: The sun guides them on their journey. So long as they stay true to the quest these men and women may teleport similarly to Valrion in the daylight. This is their main means of traveling across continents.

+2 Giant: After years among the lands of the people outside they return to found great schools using the knowledge they have gained, spreading both what talents they can bring and the wisdom of the world.

**DarthArminius** · 2020-03-26, 12:11 AM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by AlexanderML

Emperor Valrion, and Others -Valrion's Palace upon Holy High - Meeting the Emperor (part 2):

The top of Holy High where the once the humble temple to Yir stood was now the god-made residence of Emperor Valrion, and they proclaimed that the representatives of the major clans would meet here in the new emperor's personal abode. Each one shown the splendor of Emperor Valrion's home and treated to a banquet before meeting the emperor for a private conversation. While each of the clan representatives spoke of the duties of their kingdoms to the empire, negotiating what they could with Emperor Valrion, each of them also spoke on a more personal level with the emperor as well.

Ephor Kilmilor of the Tradono:

Spoiler

Show

The ephor had requested a strange place for his private meeting with the emperor, the unused training hall of the palace. While the ephor was far past their days as an active commander, they still held an axe with barely rusted ease. Kilmilor went through the required diplomatic necessities as fast as they could, clearly not paying much mind to anything Valrion said as long as it did not change anything. When they were finished the ephor began to fight with more enthusiasm as they began to speak about things that really mattered to them, Valrion defending with their brilliant golden shield the entire time (to the mild annoyance of Kimilor).

"I've heard that a few monsters are being integrated with my clan's men, and that you were the one to start this outlandish alliance, why not just kill all these murderous lizards?"

"They are serving their penance, and so long as they live by the Oath that I have given them than they shall prove to be more steadfast in the defense of our lands than perhaps all but the Tradano."

Kilmilor gave a huff at that. "You cannot trust monsters to follow an oath."

"Perhaps, but they cannot not break their oath to me, and through it so shall they channel their monstrosity towards noble cause. In any case they shall be needed soon enough to fight the invading heretics."

While a little perturbed at some of the implications of those words Kilmilor did not slow down "I see, but there is no need, all we need to do is let the invaders extend more of their forces away from the wastes where we can strike in full force."

Emperor Valrion gave a nod to the negative "No, that would endanger those living near the wastes needlessly, we have no guarantees that they would be merciful towards sugrandi or even the luviti in our lands. Our force being assembled must intercede with them before they can gather their strength in full and go from raiding to the their planned invasion. The raptors will be essential for this, since they have a resistance to the heat of the waste that even the luviti lack."

"Really? If that is true, and they can at least act like soldiers, then I see why you would care to have them integrated with my people; and I will try to advocate for them now myself. For now at least."

Valrion gave a nod "Satisfactory, any more queries ephor Kilmilor?"

"An observation." The old man said before in a swift motion hitting emperor Valrion's shield in a way that unbalanced them. "You do not know how to fight."

Emperor Valrion's mood suddenly shifted form distant to cold and defensive. "So? I have no need for such skills, none may harm me with mortal power. It is not important."

Unfazed by this as much as they were any other danger the ephor continued. "My emperor I am no fool, and I believe that you are not one either. There are creatures out in the world like the Beast of the north whom I worry even your power is not enough to face, at least without superior skill."

After a pause between the two, their clash ending, Valrion sighed. "Indeed you are right, I have been neglecting to train in any real capacity in personal combat. When you contact your clan once more I would like you to arrange for someone to come here to train me."

Kilmilor chuckled, "No need. You would be hard pressed to find a better trainer than myself. I have trained whole companies and a dozen champions of the field already. I volunteer to give you training in combat myself."

"... it would be easier to keep secret. I shall accept this arrangement so long as you swear to never speak of this training or need for it."

"Of course. I say we should begin now."

"I have other arrangements made... but afterwards when I am finished with them we shall create a proper schedule for my training."

Speaker Comerca of the Grigani:

Spoiler

Show

Comerca had requested to meet in an art gallery, the closest thing available in the palace being a hallway filled with life-like statues of people inside a stone garden. The plants inside looked life-like, yet their glossy appearance revealed that all of them were fake.

Emperor Valrion and Comerca spoke for hours on the topics of trade, strategic duties, infrastructure, and other business related to the empire and the Grigani. Both spoke with a similar level of enthusiasm the entire way through, only stopping once the sun was beginning to set.

Overall they did not speak on personal matters beyond basic flattery.

Her Majesty Erini of the Ulisters:

Spoiler

Show

Her Majesty Erini had personally arrived to see emperor Valrion and speak to them, though until this private meeting could be arranged they has barely said anything to one another. While they did not have a great deal of time to speak with one another, Erini had accepted emperor Valrion's proposal to have the meeting set after dusk. The stars and dim candles being the only thing to illuminate the large balcony that they stood on.

It would look quite romantic if it were not for the intensely cold domineer the queen gave off and the distant eyes of emperor Valrion looking on even as they smiled and played their part perfectly. They spoke with one another with sweet words of familiarity.

However when emperor Valrion was in the middle of reminiscing on the little princess a dagger was thrown right at their neck, striking perfectly yet bouncing off in a wild direction.

"What sor-" was all the queen was to let out of their lips before Valrion punched with the force to crush stone Erini's head, yet an aura of light from the queen appeared and absorbed the blow, only knocking the queen onto her back.

The two just stood there in shock for a moment, their faces twisting up as emotion came to the forefront; Erini's face showed her disgust and Valrion's eyes were filled with tears.

"Your alive thank Above!" They said realizing that their blow did not actually cave in Erini's skull. "Your majesty... why?" Was the only other thing they could say as the queen got up slowly.

"You are a monster! A vile creature who only looks like the one who came with eyes full of compassion and wonder into my home. Others may not be able to tell, but can see right through your disguise..." She trailed off as she looked into the teary eyes of Valrion. Though they turned away from her soon after.

"I'm sorry, I could never express how sorry I am for what I've done. Though it was not by my design, I am indeed consumed by a monster." Valrion said looking out into the distance. "Please just leave Erini."

Staring at them the entire time she walked out of the balcony she did leave, and by the morning she nowhere to be seen

Wizard of Necromancy Thadomos of the Cavpo:

Spoiler

Show

The robbed and somewhat off-putting necromancer had requested that in the morning they meet before the morning meal inside an empty library. It was mildly embarrassing for emperor Valrion to meet a guest in such a barren part of the palace but they obliged the representative this request.

Thadomos had already arrived and was sitting at one of the engraving desks in the room working on a piece when emperor Valrion entered. Their eyes were glazed over as their hands worked on a clay writing about a topic in a language emperor Valrion did not recognize.

Emperor Valrion waited for almost an hour, and two tablets of clay worked on, before addressing the wizard. "Thadomos, I see that you are steeped in work, might you prefer to reschedule this meeting another time?"

That snapped Thadomos out of their trance as his eyes regained focus and a little sheepishly looked at emperor Valrion "Oh, I'm sorry my lord I did not see you enter, I was focused on this. It's just so easy to contact the dead hear, did you know that there are souls that pass through here all the way from southern Ale-"

"I know Thadomos, but the point of our meeting is not to discuss the souls that flow through my home to the world beyond the veil. We are hear to discuss the duties of the Cavpo."

"Yes, of course..."

As rough as their meeting was to begin with Thadomos was able to negotiate surprisingly well once they focused on the task at hand. It helped that emperor Valrion was seemed to see more potential in their clan than previous emperors, they were so negotiable to the Cavpo compared to them that Thadomos was expecting a surprise request that did not seem to come for the longest time, but then the emperor hinted at a heavy task that the Cavpo would have to endure.

"What do you mean emperor?"

"It is not something that I should wish to discuss in detail before it is presented to the court, but you should be notified and prepared for the eventual influx of immigrates. They shall share the majesty of Above as we do."

"Immigrates? My lord I have already heard tales of a few groups already arriving in our lands, sent by you no less, over a year ago. Your caution, while generous, is not warranted here."

Emperor Valrion nodded in the negative "There will be more, in even smaller numbers they shall come and yet they will bring a change so great that the northern lands will be forever changed. I cannot elaborate on the details but they shall arrive buy Will Above and Great Beast Below."

Thadomos's eyes widened a little at that, "What? The Beast?"

Emperor Valrion stared directly into Thadomos's eyes, freezing the necromancer with their gaze. "Yes, though they know it not, they serve the good of all. You will not speak the specifics of this meeting so long as it is not necessary, promise me."

Frightened and more than a little confused Thadomos stuttered out a "Y-yes I promise."

Instantly emperor Valrion's mood lightened, "That is good, now I will tell you what must be done to save the Cavpo."

After another hour of speaking to the wizard he left in an almost sprinting speed from the empty library, away from the palace, and back to their home to prepare for what was to come.

Across Most the Lands of Axia, excepting the lands touched by the Preserver:

The silent voice of Above wander across the lands where their voice could travel, going through numerous villages of savages, strange peoples, and blessed folk. Each of these people had the spark inside them, the desire to grow, and it found the greatest among them to foster and bolster to brilliant heights. By it's care the voice of Above unheard gifted great insight, blessed forms, and the will to see the divine lands of the greatest mountains in the world. They heard the call and every single one of these blessed folk traveled to the mountains to heed the call that spoke to their souls.

There they saw the greatest of people, the Sugrandi, and marveled at the physical strength and beauty they held; and yet most bemoaned the lack of skill they held and the torment they gave to the Luviti of the land. While they marveled at this tragedy for a time, each one was visited by a being of light whom gazed at the souls of these special people of Axia. Every word was gentle, yet the whole of what they asked for held great purpose that gripped their souls.

"You whom marvel at the glory that are the people of this land, who's greatness is more than worthy of being champions among them and who's hearts should shine for all to see, I thank you for listening to the voice of Above to come to these lands. For, while it pains me to ask of such valiant and good souls, I must plead for your aid."

How could they deny this glorious being that has come before them? Each of them listened to the world of this holy being, though plenty held great reservations in their hearts after what they had seen.

"I am burdened with the task of aiding these greatest of people grow even greater than themselves, to become not just physically gifted but in mind and soul as well. This is a burden I beg you to help me carry. Please see that with guidance and time their greatness can be a shining beacon for the world to see. Though the task I wish you to complete is but the beginnings of what must be done, it shall be tiresome nonetheless."

And while many among them would not normally accept such words normally, hearing them coming from such a being of holiness was what was needed for all of them to agree to help. And every time one accepted the shining beings request it bowed to them.

"My deepest thanks, glorious men and women of our land. The task that I ask for to aid these people is that of learning and understanding. I wish for them to know the wisdom of the world to the highest extent possible, and I wish for them to learn of the world. You, who's minds are that of champions and who's hearts hold goodness deep within them, I ask that you be the ones to travel to the lands beyond our home of Axia and return with this wisdom."

The reactions varied from distrustful acceptance to joyous tears, but they accepted this quest, and so the Emperor's Wisdom came to be.

Spoiler: Action!

Show

4 AP/2 DC: influence a large group of mortals (~100).

Yir and Valrion send out a hundred perfectionists out into the world to learn the skills and wisdom of the world, with the goal to return home and found great schools.

This action is open to Su'ule, it involves changlings as well as humans/giants. She also would recognize the silent voice as the work of Yir's magic.

+1 Perfection: The silent voice of Yir guides these souls. Among the population of most of Axia (excepting the Stepp folk who live in a land where Yir's voice cannot travel) this voice guides those of good moral character and perfectionist talent to greatness. While few in number each of them has incredible talent.

+2 Stonethroe: These talented perfectionist souls are guided to the stonethroe mountains. A place each of them feels a connection towards due to the closeness to Yir they already have acquired.

+2 Majesty: To aid them on their journey Yir has blessed each of them with majesty, no mortal no matter the rank they hold can bring themselves to harm or impede the movements of these men and women unless they are known to have committed a crime or strike the person. No mortal realizes that these men and women are blessed so, excusing it one way or another.

+2 Sun: The sun guides them on their journey. So long as they stay true to the quest these men and women may teleport similarly to Valrion in the daylight. This is their main means of traveling across continents.

+2 Giant: After years among the lands of the people outside they return to found great schools using the knowledge they have gained, spreading both what talents they can bring and the wisdom of the world.

Su'ule looks down on the world, and simply smiles. Well, she would smile if her head was in the right form to smile. She was happy nonetheless. Four specially powerful Su Sorcerers join the men and women on their journey.

Spoiler

Show

+ 2 Sorcery : Magic would be easier for these mortals, especially while on their quest.
+ 2 Monsters : Monsters would have an aversion to causing these people harm.
+ 1 Birth : Mortals, when they are on long quests together, tend to get aroused more easily. Su'ule blesses them so that no woman gets pregnant if she doesn't want to be pregnant.

**AlexanderML** · 2020-03-26, 12:34 AM (ISO 8601)

The Sorcerers of the North - Glorious Tidings:

Those blessed in the caves of Su'ule were visited by a the glowing titan that emerged as their race was created, though this time when it beheld the blessed of Su'ule it was but 40ft tall.

"Oh you most blessed of the Great Monster Below, know that Will Above loves you too."

Spoiler: Aid!

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+2 Sun: The sorcerers are blessed with unnatural grace, and so can more use solarmancy even if they normally would not have the grace required for it.

+2 Giant: These particular sorcerers do not provoke the ire of the southerners on sight, and have to say/do something to actually provoke them. This grants them a great deal of freedom and makes them great diplomates between the two people.

(This post was done with the cooperation of Alex and Darth, done in-between the ages)

Emperor Valrion, Dragon Man, and some Others Upon the Gnaw Wastes - Heart to Heart:

The time between ages was an opportunity for more than just the horror experienced in the far away lands of Tria, as Emperor Valrion's eyes for expansion loomed north to the lands of the now-changelings.

The Court practically screamed for revenge, stating that without the Beast there surely now would be the time to wipe out all the filthy Mutants that live there. For months they called out for revenge in their hearts, for almost everyone in the Court could trace their lineage to a fallen hero who defended the Empire against Mutant raids, the only exceptions being the human councilors.

Emperor Valrion stood to calm the hearts of their people for a time, but as time wore on and the issue got brought back to them again and again, the emperor decided that it was time to address the issue directly. On the day that Emperor Valrion proclaimed that they were going north to the lands of Su'ule, the Court cheered and offered their armies to the emperor before he asked; however, the only army the Emperor chose to take was a simple company of spearmen from a small kingdom of Ulisters. Confused, the Court abided by the emperor's will, for they still knew the emperor's personal strength would be enough.(edited)

Only two weeks later emperor Valrion had arrived at the Gnaw Wastes, or as the emperor put it "The Gnaw Greenlands". It was a strange place, warmer than the southern lands of the Cavpo.

Taking little time to enjoy the scenery, they set to the plan of the emperor. Groups of spearmen spread far and wide searching for hostile locals. It did not take long for them to find someone, someone very large... the Dragon Man themselves roared in their draconic form as they leapt at the foolish giants. Though only one of them was properly killed before the rest fled, supposedly for reinforcements. It chased them, striking one after another down with claw or returning to neanderthal form to smite with magic, before entering into a large open clearing. There the Emperor Valrion stood, with their divine armor gleaming in the sun. As the comparatively small giants fled behind them the emperor raised their shield and stated "Greetings, I presume you are the mighty Dragon of the North? I am Valrion, and while it gives me no joy to say this, in the name of the One Above All I must have these lands."

The Dragon immediately walked forward, thinking little of this ‘Valrion’. "So, you have come to conquer our lands! Under no circumstances must you be allowed to leave this place alive." It was Tu'ul Arn, the ageless. In truth, by now he was very old, no longer as strong as he once was, but it was still within his power to show himself as the mightiest sorcerer in all the united tribes.

"I, Tu'ul Arn, challenge you! Giant of The South! I give you the honor of returning to your Empire as the Honored Dead! In Blessed Su'ul's name, we battle!"

Emperor Valrion sighed, clearly not desiring any physical confrontation, but they knew that the Dragon would feel the need to throw their strength against them. "I accept, though I must apologize to a warrior such as you. For I will not attack you for three minutes, as I'm not good at holding back. If you surrender before then, I shall accept it as a draw between us."

They just stood there with their shield up, waiting.

At first Tu'ul Arn gave a respectful nod, and then, Looking at the Giant of the South, up and down, sizing the enemy up, the other sorcerers knew to give the two warriors a wide berth. Suddenly, there was a crash of thunder and lightning in the sky. The thunderbolt hit Tu'ul Arn with a magical blue flash. Suddenly, after the blinding flash, Tu'ul Arn's mortal form was replaced with a very large dragon. The dragon, as the size of a great mammoth, gave a mighty roar. Tu'ul Arn lowered it's head and unleashed an unusually colored fire.This fire was meant to target an opponent's soul. This fire would incinerate most mortals, leaving nothing left, in fact, only a god could restore the target. Perhaps by targeting the soul of this Lord of the South, Tu'ul Arn could remove him as a threat. The soul fire from the dragon's mouth was said to be so hot, that the flames burned away too much flesh for the dead to feel pain.

Emperor Valrion stood without moving away, for the pure light of Yir was what surrounded their soul. Though they did move as if they were hit with a somewhat above average breeze, and steadied their footing for similar attacks.

"Impressive, Lord." Tu'ul Arn stated. "Finally, an opponent worth fighting." He reiterated his awe that Valrion was still not only alive, but unscathed. "I can see that I'm going to have to continue to think outside the box, yet again." His claws on his hands went intangible, although now appearing as colorless, phantoms of the more than razor sharp claws they actually were. True, Tu'ul Arn was a great sorcerer, but he was also a tremendously strong and fierce dragon. His claws, already with enough strength to slice and puncture even the toughest metals with ease, were now enchanted to be a spiritual form of themselves, meant to bypass armor, defenses and even his enemy's shield. Perhaps this was just some form of strong foreign magic that protected this "Valrion" and not the aid of a god.

Valrion's armor was... strange, it did not stop the great sorcerer but it clearly slowed their mighty strike. Something more than magic was in the armor. Yet the claws did strike at the flesh beneath, bouncing off them as they gave zero give whatsoever to the mighty Dragon. For reality refused to allow it, as Yir had decreed years ago.

Frustrated, going nowhere, Tu'ul Arn thought he was going to take a risk, this would likely be very dangerous against this mysterious enemy, who was seemingly invincible and more powerful than any of his enemies had ever been before. Transforming back into a Neanderthal body, Tu'ul Arn squinted with effort as he looked deep into Valrion's eyes and then closed them, as he mysteriously but effectively, for the moment, telepathically forced Valrion's mind to cease it's basic functions of living. Valrion could sure not live with a beating heart. Nor could he breath without working lungs, or even think with a brain getting no oxygen or blood flow. Seeing that something was finally beginning to happen, Tu'ul Arn was starting to get excited. He was winning.

Valrion struggled to even stay standing, their mind reeling from the attack as it seemed like they had died.

...

Yet they did not. They still lived, even as everything stood still within Valrion and it seemed like they were dead, it did not seem to actually do anything to their soul. The light, the Light that was there since that day, still was there. Refusing to go no matter how much Valrion's body and mind screamed it should.

A tense moment passed, as the demi-god seemed like they were about to fall over and victory going to the Dragon. Yet Valrion regained their senses, and their footing barely within time.

With their posture clearly showing relief they stated "That was new, impressive. You truly have earned your reputation. However, I must warn you that trick won't work again, for by MY decree shall you not be able to touch my mind again." There was no magic involved, yet something changed, for the universe heeded the emperor, though if the Dragon had attacked this new defense it might not hold. Then they removed their helmet, looking somewhat annoyed though not particularly mad they stated "Are you done? You're almost out of time. Or must I show you what I can do on the offensive...?" They began to grow slowly, not stopping…

Spoiler: Image

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The Dragon’s eyes were widening as he realized that he may have very well lost, and finally discovered an unbeatable enemy. Tu'ul Arn gave a vicious smile and with another flash of thunder and lightning, he screamed once more in a dragon's roar, so loudly that the sorcerers, now many miles away from the battle, viewing through clairvoyant eyes, were forced to cover their ears, as were other tribe'smen. This dragon's roar would have deafened Valrion's guards, and his viscious clawed hand soared with a suicidal strength that would have been as strong as one of Tu'ul Arn's younger days. Expecting to die in this battle, Tu'ul Arn's roar was actually a phrase of words, which translated means "For blessed Su'ule!”

With surprisingly fast *whack* everything ended. While the titan sized Valrion hit the mighty Dragon Man with the weight of a mountain it did not die. It fought too well and was a being that deeply cared for this land; Valrion would not permit such a thing. Indeed, as the Dragon’s form did not even look injured after a moment as emperor Valrion aided the great being before them.

Looking at each other, Valrion shrank down to the size of a normal giant and held out a hand in a sign of friendship. “Come great Tu'ul Arn of Su’ule, we have much to do to create a glorious future unlike any other. For this land shall know peace eternal, and grow greater than nearly any other. It shall be the beacon of knowledge that brightens the world below it, and the people of this land shall be hailed as creators unparalleled.”

Spoiler

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And so the Emperor's Peach comes to the north. The full ramifications of this will be shown later, but as the map has shown it's not a simple conquest.

The Key of Spheres:

As Kahar-Djin left, the sun looked down upon the creation and was pleased that it was not a blood-soaked abomination.

"At least some of you know how to create proper objects, and know who should properly handle them. By my will shall it be kept so."

Spoiler: Aid!

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+2 Majesty: As long as a mortal uses the Key few mortals will notice their presence negatively, only positively. Those of a divine nature holding the key will find hatred from those mortals they meet.

+1 Perfection: Those that use the Key pick up how to use it properly very quickly.

**Garjel_blah** · 2020-03-26, 02:51 AM (ISO 8601)

Chern, 8/50 AP, the Throne of Rot and Ruin

As the age draws to a close, the one-armed, one-legged, one-eyed body of Chern sits unresponsive in his throne. Ichor no longer flows from his wounds, and even the token rise and fall of his chest has ceased. The Wiltwatcher will not move again until the stars next align.

However, there is still more to do in the world, and though his body has halted, Chern still has gifts to share. Motivated by the god's dwindling energy, the leg, arm, and eyeball that he removed in a fit of rage against Timorin suddenly animate. Hopping, clawing, and rolling along the stone floor, they set about completing their final tasks.

The Leg of Chern, the 1st Justice University

Xcha looked up and down his report scroll with an air of despondence approaching resignation. He had never exactly been the most well educated of the choblins, a generally ignorant bunch to begin with due to their brief existence as a people. He'd been chosen to come to the university because he was the only one with the ability to travel there, not because he was smart. His grades, it would seem, reflected that reality.

"Ah, rot..." He set down the scroll, and pushed himself up from the table. With a swirl of aerobatics, Xcha soared out his dormitory door and down the outside corridor. He navigated over the other students, most of whom were used to his presence but some still couldn't help sparing a dumbfounded glance at the flying legless terror, then down the stairs. The cellar greeted him on the bottom floor, lit by a glowloam brazier. Without preamble, Xcha drifted to the faintly glowing barrel at the end of the room. Flagon in hand, the choblin scooped out a generous serving of chum, and drank deeply.

"Ooooh..." Xcha sighed, spirits visibly lifted by the liquor. "Well, at least I'm not entirely useless. They should have a brewing course here. Top of the class!"

He toasted his own hypothetical achievements, and took another swig. A faint patting sounded from somewhere behind him, as though someone was descending the cellar steps. Xcha quickly dropped his flagon, turning nonchalantly.

"Yeah just having a quick taste, I don't usually drink alo-" Xcha suddenly fell silent. For it wasn't a fellow student standing at the entrance to the cellar. It was - mostly - not even a person.

"Um..." Xcha gaped at the single severed leg standing at the bottom of the steps. He glanced back at the barrel of chum with some concern, then quickly returned his attention to the leg. It hopped a step towards him.

"Back!" Xcha hissed, pressing his back against the ceiling fearfully, but the leg didn't listen. It continued to approach the choblin, one step at a time.

"I said back, apparition, foul thing, necromantic spawn! I won't hesitate to... Wait... I know this leg."

He had a sudden memory from far back in his youth, back in the days of his bloodlust. He'd eaten a leg just like that once.

"Chern! My god!" Xcha practically fell from the ceiling to the floor, prostrating himself before the Leg of Chern. "Forgive my abuse, sir. I mistook you for an arcane threat."

The leg ignored Xcha, continuing to hop unsteadily until it was beside the glowloam brazier. Then, with a mighty leap, the leg stomped into the brazier, landing so hard that it smashed through the bronze metalwork and down into the stone floor. Dust filled the cellar, making Xcha cough and splutter. When it cleared, the leg was gone, and a two metre deep crater full to the brim with pulsating glowloam remained in its place.

Spoiler: Help!

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Help Petr establish the 1st Justice University

+4 decay, to build a starry crypt on the university campus

+1 fermentation, to inspire Xcha to start a distillery on the university campus, which he will call the Hobble & Hops. Many bright young students will come up with their best works while swigging chum at the Hobble & Hops

The Arm of Chern, Rokanon

"Willin, Willin, yer 'ave ter try summa this 'ere. C'mon, 'ave a taste."

"But Pogba, et's green."

"Ay know ay know, it dun look ser appetisin', but trust yer ol' mate Pogba on this one me good friend. When 'ave oi ever led ye astray?"

"Mmm, true true. Oi'll 'ave a bit uv a nibble... Oh. Oh! Et's not 'alf bad!"

"Not 'alf bad at all eh?"

"Not 'alf bad at all. Where'd ya get et?"

"Ye won't believe Willin, yer won't believe. I was tendin' the buffalo, oautside the gate er this new city. And what do oi see? An 'and!"

"An 'and?"

"An 'and!"

"An 'and 'nd nuthin else?"

"An 'and 'nd nuthin else."

"What was et doin'?"

"It was milkin' a buffalo!

"You saw an 'and milkin' a buffalo?"

"I did."

"You mean like a severed 'and roight?"

"Yep."

"Well oi never... So where'd this 'ere green stuff come from?"

"The 'and, the one ay saw milkin' my 'ere buffalo, et mixed in some glowin' yeller substance inna the buffalo's milk that et milked."

"Yer mean lemons?"

"Twas not, surprisin'ly. Thes was different. It realleh glowed, I tell ye."

"Huh. So wha' then?"

"Well then the milk turned inna this wonderful green stuff ye hold in yer very 'and!"

"Wow... An' what 'appened ter the 'and?"

"I saw et crawl away, so oi followered for a bit, an' then it just started diggin'... Come, oi'll show ye. Bring the green cheese, oi want summore."

Spoiler: Help!

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Help Dulnori establish Rokanon

+4 decay, to build a starry crypt just outside the city walls

+1 fermentation, to teach the locals to make green cheese, a delicious and virtually unspoiling variant of blue cheese made using glowloam and buffalo milk

The Eye of Chern, Ebonbark Bay

Ayla turned the Key of Sphere's over in her hand, wondering at the gift her god had bestowed upon her. Then, she heard a call from her friends. They wanted to know what she was doing, why Kahar-Djin had taken her aside.

"Coming!" she called out to them, then gave the key a final look before stowing it in a pocket. He hand paused a split second before releasing it, and she removed the key once more. She raised an eyebrow.

She could have sworn that jewel hadn't been there before...

Spoiler: Help!

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Help Kahar-Djin create the Key of Spheres

+4 decay, Chern's eye will be set into the key's handle as a clear yellow crystal. The crystal glows, and this glow will intensify or fade depending on how close the key is to one of its set thresholds. In addition, and Path of Sight traveller may use the crystal in the Key of Spheres as a substitute eyepiece.

**Garjel_blah** · 2020-03-26, 08:17 AM (ISO 8601)

Chapter 2, Turn 4 rolls

Timorin (8 AP/6 BP) - sacrifice much for the Staff of Shadows (14 AP/10 DC) +2 War/+2 Drama/+1 Games/-2 Fear
Grawissen, +9 dead god juice, shadow essence
Su'ule, +2 Sorcery/+2 Monsters/+1 Birth/-2 Wilfulness, monstrous deaths
Petr, -2 Water/-2 Justice/+ Flesh, block aquamancy
Alatadriel, +2 Fire, fire shield
Chern, -4 Decay, shadow sacrifice replenishment
Yir, -2 Sun/-2 Majesty, orbital lasers
Dulnori, +2 Ambition/+2 Fortune, metal detector
Ymon-Thal, +2 Death, mild soul control
Avestra, +2 Nature, disease resist
Kahar-Djin, -2 Paths, no Paths of Divinity
(1d20+13)[23]

Grawissen (4 AP) - kick start Ostrom Library (4 AP/2 DC) +2 Knowledge/+2 Architecture/+2 Heroism/+1 Writing
(1d20+7)[23]

Petr (6 AP) - establish the 1st Justice University (6 AP/3 DC) +2 Water/+2 Healing/+2 Justice
Dulnori, +2 Ambition/+2 Fortune/+1 Dreams, Golden Dragon teachers
Ymon-Thal, +2 Death, make necromancy easier
Avestra, +2 Nature, garden university
Petr, +2 Sorcery/+2 Monsters/+1 Birth, Changeling teachers
Kahar-Djin, +2 Paths/+1 Travellers, Path of Sight teachers
Timorin, +2 War/+2 Drama/+1 Games, entrance challenge
Grawissen, +2 Knowledge
Chern, +4 Decay/+1 Fermentation, starry crypt and distillery
(1d20+35)[42]

Alatadriel (2 AP) - introduce Indariel to iron (2 AP/1 DC) +2 Fire
(1d20+2)[3]

Ymon-Thal (2 AP) - found the Verysian Order (2 AP/1 DC)
(1d20)[10]

Avestra (14 AP) - stir up the Dustborn (12 AP/8 DC) +2 Nature/+2 Birds/+1 Reproduction
(1d20+5)[12]

Su'ule (2 AP) - send out the ten mages (2 AP/1 DC) +2 Sorcery/+2 Monsters/-2 Wilfulness
Yir, +2 Sun/+2 Giant
(1d20+6)[26]

Chern (8 AP) - have someone else get beaten up for once (6 AP/3 DC) +4 Decay
(1d20+4)[18]

Dulnori (20 AP) - accelerate the building of Rokanon (12 AP/8 DC) +2 Fortune/+2 Ambition/+1 Dreams
Timorin, +2 Drama/+2 War
Grawissen, +2 Architecture/+2 Heroism
Petr, +2 Justice/+2 Water, aquamancy boost
Chern, +4 Decay/+1 Fermentation, starry crypt and cheese
(1d20+22)[40]
Secondary - Eternal Arena scry (8 AP)

Kahar-Djin (22 AP) - gift the Key of Spheres (+2 Keys) (16 AP/12 DC) +2 Thresholds/+2 Paths/+1 Travellers
Timorin, +2 Drama, fun random locations
Grawissen, +2 Architecture/+2 Heroism, danger sense plus break and enter
Petr, +2 Justice/+2 Healing/-2 Flesh, sealing and opening wounds
Chern, +4 Decay, threshold sense
Yir, +2 Majesty/+1 Perfection
(1d20+20)[40]

Yir (5 AP) - send forth the perfectionists (4 AP/2 DC) +2 Sun/+2 Majesty/+2 Giant/+2 Stonesthroe/+1 Perfection
Su'ule, +2 Sorcery/+2 Monsters/+1 Birth, sorcerer companions
(1d20+14)[15]

**Garjel_blah** · 2020-03-26, 09:03 AM (ISO 8601)

Chapter 2, Turn 4 resolution

Timorin (0 AP) - success
The space around Timorin darkened, as the Shadows he'd created clustered around his new staff. He felt the power surging... Until, out of the sky, a searing beam of solar energy blasts down upon him. Timorin's avatar would have been fried in an instant, but the solar energy beam was stopped in its path by a swirling wall of flame. The Shadows cowed and shrunk back from the conflict of divine power, and Timorin was forced to drop the staff to end the whole charade. A small crack has appeared along its bone shaft, hungry for still more sacrifices to refill it...
In time, people will find that Path travellers are excluded from using the staff, and wielders may not be healed by aquamancy. However, its ability to sense minerals, create monsters from its victims, exert a small degree of control over souls, and render their wielder immune to disease makes the Staff of Shadows a powerful item.

Grawissen (0 AP) - success
The Ostrom settlers would heed the values of the late god Grawissen, constructing an extensive library in their new city. All the knowledge from Grawopolis, as well as everything they'd picked up in their travels, would be housed here for all the world to marvel at.

Petr (0 AP) - success
The 1st Justice University proved a resounding success in cultures all across the planet. From Golden Dragons to Changelings to travellers of the Path of Sight, many flocked to the university to share their knowledge, and more still came to learn either through the usual means or through one of the university challenges. The campus was quite the wonder in and of itself too; built in the overgrown remnants of Grawopolis, it was a literal garden of knowledge to the resident academics. With its thin barrier to the Passing and budding starry crypt, it could even be quite an eldritch place if one looking in the right places..

Alatadriel (0 AP) - success
The Indariel smiths made careful notes as Alatadriel explained the fundamental of iron to them. They couldn't wait to take their newfound knowledge to the Twin Furnace. They were particularly eager to blow Alatadriel's bellows.

Ymon-Thal (0 AP) - success
All sorts of highly skilled individuals were selected for the Verysian order, privileged to meet and work under the demigoddess Thal-Verys herself. Their future works would be far reaching, though most of it would be lost to the secrets of history.

Avestra (2 AP) - success
In a rare moment of sentimentalism, the goddess Avestra scattered Juniper's ashes to the far reaches of the earth, forming from the remnants of his soul the Dustborn. Many would wonder how these mischievous little spirits, and a few amongst the Crow and Owl peoples would always remember the martyr behind the mystery.

Su'ule (0 AP) - success
Su'ule's ten mages sallied forth, down south into Axia, to spread the word of Su'ule's peace. They met much success in their travels.

Chern (2 AP) - success
Chern's final lesson to the first two generations of choblin resounded throughout Chobe and the still-fledgling Chernway. The Maiming would be practised on all adolescent terrors to tame their bloodlust, their dead would be buried in the ritual of the memory mask deep within the glowloam tunnels, and never again would they let themselves descend into oppressive hierarchy.

Dulnori (0 AP) - success
Rokanon grew into a strong and beautiful city, ruled by the kings Elkhoof and Braedan. In addition to their expert shamans, aquamancy become well practised among the Horizon sailors, and their wonderful green cheese became a common item of trade out of the city.

Kahar-Djin (6 AP) - success
Ayla showed around the gift she'd received from Kahar-Djin themself, and all marvelled at the sheer divinity it emanated. The Key of Spheres (+2 Keys) would be able to unlock anything created by mortals and beyond, even being capable of sealing and opening wounds in a living body. Once opened, these thresholds could be connected, allowing immediate travel for a key wielder. The key's ability to take the wielder to randomised exciting places, while still protecting them with the ability to sense danger and threshold proximity, would result in some interesting legends.

Yir (1 AP) - success
The perfectionists of Yir set out into the world, to learn what they could and bring it back to their people. A group of sorcerers accompanied them, and there was much coupling, though luckily no one got pregnant. That would have been an embarrassing end to such a holy and pure endeavour. Overall, huge success!

PLEASE DO NOT START POSTING FOR THE NEXT TURN - I still need to resolve the age. Get hype for Chapter 3!

**Garjel_blah** · 2020-03-27, 01:58 AM (ISO 8601)

With these final acts of divinity complete, the planets fell out of alignment, and the avatars of the gods waned. It would be hundreds of years before they were to return...

In the meantime, the civilisations they left behind continued to thrive. Using the gifts of their gods they were able to advance and grow, faster and stronger than ever.

Chapter Three: Veni, vidi...
Classical Age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdaEYxivjM8

Five hundred years passed. Civilisation erupted across the lands, with mortals everywhere taming the country with agriculture and infrastructure. Cities become less of a rarity, literacy more essential. Finer technologies, like glass and iron, were within reach of those prepared to pursue them, though alternatives such as amberis remained valuable. With so much progress, neighbours were beginning to rub shoulders more than ever before in the historical records. Who could say how their relations would hold up...

It was in this age of prosperity and tension that the gods returned, ushered into their physical form by the alignment of the planets. How would they sway their fractious followers? Time would reveal all.

Spoiler: Geopolitics

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I'm going to keep this far shorter than last time. You can assume general advancement across all civilisations, even the Crow People now that they're going to university. There are however a few particular developments that I want to highlight.

Theshana
Through diplomacy, Valrion was able to peacefully end the conflict between his empire and the free city of Theshana, and so adhering to the prophesy. Theshana never fell, and as its citizens saw the benefits of the Emperor's Peace they slowly, but surely, began to reframe their old Vreyalasian notions of community. And so, the prophesy was broken. Theshana is now a part of the Imperial Confederacy of Axia, under the treaty of the Emperor's Peace.

Sanctuary
Over the last hundreds of years, the affluent floating island state managed to make a lap around the Crimson and Golden oceans, passing by the Tainted Lands and west coast Axia, before arriving in the channel between Tria and the Stricken Lands. Timorin woshippers at the Maddening Marsh are already becoming aware of Sanctuary's proximity.

The Chernway
Using a combination of the Tuning Trident, aquamancy, shamanism, and the squalid, the choblins of Chobe were able to rapidly extend the Chernway until it spanned the entirety of Tria. There is only one main tunnel so far, going from the Starfolk's Starry Crypt all the way to the 1st Justice University, with Chobe in the middle. There are choblins living all along the Chernway, mostly underground but with the occasional surface outpost hidden in the wilderness.

Demigods
Rosalin has died, and will need to be resurrected to regain her domain bonus. Valrion is still alive through the mastery of various magical longevity arts, however his divine power has waned, so a reawaken will be required to regain his domain bonus. Thal-Verys, Nerassus, and Deja Vu are all still alive and all retain their domain bonuses.

I'm going to let you guys update all other details as you see fit. I certainly plan to post a bit about how choblin and Starfolk society has evolved in the codex thread.

Spoiler: Maps

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Geographical Map:

Political Map:

Spoiler: Divine Actions List

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Undetectable actions

Free/Instant: manifest avatar, teleport avatar, shapeshift avatar, interact with the world, perform inconsequential/non-divine magic, attempt to remotely contact other gods - general fluff and flavour basically.

1 AP/0 DC: influence one mortal (significantly alter the course of their life by compelling them to action, altering their body, killing them, etc.).

2 AP/1 DC: influence a small group of mortals (~10), influence a small landmark or room, change the weather in a village-sized area.

4 AP/2 DC: influence a large group of mortals (~100), influence a large landmark or building.

6 AP/3 DC: influence a village of mortals (~1000), influence a village-sized area, change the weather in a city-sized area.

8 AP/4 DC: change the weather in a state-sized area, create a basic living species (plant, fungus, micro-organisms), create a basic non-living substance.

10 AP/6 DC: influence a town of mortals (~10k), influence a town-sized area, create an animal species, create one or a collection of lesser magical items (easy to both use and destroy, such as a magic carpet, health potion, invisibility cloak, etc.).

12 AP/8 DC: influence a city of mortals (~100k), influence a city-sized area, create a collection of lesser magical minions (should be a reasonable match for most mortals, such as hellhounds, cherubs, horse-mounted Nazgul, etc.), immortalise a living creature or mortal, create a pocket dimension (must be bounded and unable to hold a population), reincarnate a deceased non-divine being.

14 AP/10 DC: influence one immortal, create a single greater magical monster (should be challenging for even the best mortals to slay, such as a dragon, gorgon, fell beast-mounted Witch King, etc.), create a greater magical item (requires understanding of magic to use or destroy, such as a phylactery, enchanted weapons and armour, crystal ball, etc.), sanctify an area for +2 (max 4 per god).

Detectable actions

16 AP/12 DC: influence a state of mortals (~1M) or a small group of immortals (~10), influence a state-sized area, scry a country-sized area, induce a celestial phenomenon (comet, eclipse, aurora, etc.), demand the sacrifice of 100k mortals to refill AP for the age, create a sentient species, create a +2 domain religious artefact (max 3 per god).

18 AP/14 DC: influence a country of mortals (~10M), influence a country-sized area, scry a continent-sized area, create a plane of reality (can be unbounded and capable of sustaining a population), create a +2 domain/-2 weakness demigod (max 2 per god).

20 AP/16 DC: influence a continent of mortals (~100M), influence a continent-sized area, scry the entire planet, create a law of reality (such as a system of magic for mortals to use, or an objective morality), create a supernaturally gifted sentient species, assign a chosen people for +2 (1 per god).

22 AP/18 DC: influence every mortal on the planet, influence the entire planet, demand genocide for infinite AP this age, despoil a +2 sanctified area.

24 AP/20 DC: destroy a +2 artefact, confer a -2 weakness to a demigod, banish a god for a turn, announce a prophesy.

30 AP/24 DC: destroy a demigod, destroy a chosen people, confer a -2 weakness to another god.

40 AP/30 DC: destroy a god.

Secondary actions

1 AP: scry one object or living creature (allows you to detect undetectable actions that happen within your scry, effective for the duration of the turn after the turn on which you call the scry), demand the sacrifice of one mortal to generate 3 BP.

2 AP: scry a small landmark or room, demand a sacrifice of 10 mortals to generate 8 BP.

4 AP: scry a large landmark or building.

6 AP: scry a town-sized area, demand the sacrifice of 100 mortals to generate 16 BP.

8 AP: scry a city-sized area.

10 AP: scry a country-sized area, demand the sacrifice of 1000 mortals to generate 30 BP.

12 AP: scry a state-sized area, reincarnate/reawaken a mortal/monstrous demigod.

14 AP: occupy +1 of another god's sanctified area, steal +1 of another god's religious artefact (contested rolls, defender may double their modifiers if they have an available secondary action).

16 AP: kill a mortal demigod or banish an immortal demigod for one turn (contested roll, defender may double their modifiers if they have an available secondary action).

Spoiler: The Pantheon

Show

Player	Deity	Domains	Weaknesses	Sanctified Areas	Artefacts	Demigods	Chosen People
Garjel_blah	Chern	+4 Decay, +1 Fermentation, +1 Sanitation	-2 Downtrodden	+2 Starry Crypt
Godzillarich	Grawissen	+2 Mining, +2 Knowledge, +1 Writing, +1 Singing	-2 Unknown		Grawissen's Pickaxe (+2 Architecture)	Deja Vu (+2 Heroism/-2 Murder)
Megadraco	Kahar-Djin	+2 Paths, +2 Thresholds, +1 Travellers	-2 Unexplored		The Key of Spheres (+2 Keys)
Demonjazz	Alatadriel	+2 Fire, +2 Foxes, +1 Bees, +1 Fertility	-2 Arrogance			Rosalin Ravenhold (+2 Wilfulness/-2 Mundane)
The Jojo	Avestra	+2 Nature, +2 Birds, +1 Reproduction, +1 Sky	-2 Primeval	Avestra's Perch	The Otherworld Amulet (+2 Dreams)
Batcathat	Ymon-Thal	+2 Life, +2 Death, +1 Balance	-2 Unliving			Thal-Verys (+2 Souls/-2 Grief)
gac3	Timorin	+2 Drama, +2 War, +1 Games	-2 Fear
flyinglemur	Dulnori	+2 Fortune, +2 Ambition, +1 Dreams, +1 Sailing	-2 Stability
Maryring	Petr	+2 Water, +2 Healing, +1 Rainbow, +1 Medical	-2 Pain	+2 Moonpool		Nerassus (+2 Justice/-2 Flesh)
DarthArminius	Su'ule	+2 Sorcery, +2 Monsters, +1 Birth	-2 Wilfulness
AlexanderML	Yir	+2 Sun, +2 Majesty, +1 Perfection, +1 Symbiosis	-2 Arrogance	+2 Stonesthroe Peaks		Valrion (+2 Giants/-2 Petulance)
Playerless	Godless			+2 Harken Steppe	+? ???

All gods may now choose an additional +1 domain, which I will add to the above pantheon list. AP will be divided among the gods thusly, based on estimated worship:

100 AP: Alatadriel, Dulnori, Yir, Su'ule
90 AP: Ymon-Thal, Timorin, Avestra
80 AP: Chern, Grawissen, Kahar-Djin, Petr

The turn minimum will be set to six. After six turns, if any god has dropped to 0 AP, the age will end.

Oh, and one final thing...

---

The 1st Justice University, deep within the ancient Grawopolis foundations

"Alright everyone, it's time for your lunch break. Please vacate the site in an orderly fashion. Leave all tools securely stowed in the appropriate racks. Come on now. You have two hours."

The Golden Dragon supervisor's voice boomed over the construction crew, who eagerly stowed away their tools and vacated the wide tunnel. Some cheerfully lauded the boss for giving them such a long payed lunch break, and argued among themselves about what they'd do with the extra time. The dragon watched them go diligently, then turned to the young human student beside him.

"Alright Ms Kroft, the site is yours. You have two hours to survey. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"I'm okay thank you," said archaeology student India Kroft, "I'll let you know if there's anything heavy I need to salvage. Might have to get a crew down here... Or maybe just you, you seem quite strong."

"You are observant, Ms Kroft. I'll remain here to guard the site, come see me if you need any heavy lifting."

The university faculty had been understandably displeased when a crew of tunnelling choblins had burst through the deep walls of their starry crypt, just a few months ago. The well fortified campus couldn't afford such a breach in security. After some tense discussion with the choblins, it was decided that their Chernway would be walled off from the university, and an alternative route excavated to a place just outside the university's perimeter. It was, for most people, a massive headache.

Not the case for India Kroft, however. This was an archeologist's dream come true. The Grawopolis foundations were over a thousand years old in places, and many of those places had been lost among the sprawling Prehist mines and deep library halls. A free excavation was just too good an opportunity to pass up. So, tools in hand, India set off into the tunnel wall's construction site.

It was important to recover as much as she could before the construction crew sealing it all off, or worse still destroyed something inadvertently. India removed a magicite eyepiece from her toolkit, a slipped it on over her right eye. With her vision enhanced by the Path of Sight, something immediately caught her attention; a small gap in the floor, partially covered by rubble and glowloam.

"Oh, what's this?" India use her shovel to push the debris aside. She gasped. "By all the gods... Jackpot!"

A stairway had been unearthed in the path of the Chernway. She'd studied the recent survey maps of this region a hundred times over, and this one had never appeared on anything made in the last two centuries. She was looking into legitimate ancient history right here.

India carefully lowered herself into unearthed stairway. It led down in a spiral, quickly vanishing into the shadows. Not even glowloam had seeded down here yet, it had been sealed so long. Reaching once more into her kit, India produced a magicite powered lantern. Under its pale glow she descended the stairway. She could barely contain the excitement and wonder twisting in her chest.

Only a couple of storeys down, the stairs opened out into a small store room. The air was heavy with stale musk - fresh history to tantalise her senses and excite her intellect. Boxes were stacked along the walls, many in various states of disintegration. India couldn't decide which to search first, the breadth of choice almost overwhelmed her, but then... Something caught her magicite eye.

Her excitement sobered somewhat, as a sense of profound strangeness shivered down her spine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDUnp0I5YJU&t=1s

In one corner of the room, in what was possibly the most dilapidated wooden crate of them all, a strange bone-white surface gleamed at her. India approached the crate slowly, and with great care she reached up for the gleaming object.

"Ah! Damn..." India flinched back from the object, holding her finger. Whatever it was, it was sharp.

Unbalanced by her contact, the last of the crate's integrity failed, and the object slid free, clattering to the stone floor. India retreated, not wishing to cause any more harm to herself or the object. Ignoring the blood dripping down her palm, she held out her lantern and inspected the strange white artefact.

It looked to her like some kind of dagger. A good foot and a half long, the curved "blade" of the dagger appeared somewhat rounded along the flat. Combined with its strange pale colour, India thought it looked uncannily like a giant fang protruding from a crude bone handle.

Only one part of the dagger wasn't white. The thin edge of the fang glistened red. Red with her own accidentally spilled blood.

"Wow..." India breathed to herself, awed and even a little shaken. Quickly she bandaged her hand, and used a blanket to safely wrap the fang dagger for transport. She would definitely need to give this a closer look back in her office.

A new, unidentified divine artefact has appeared on the planet. As of now, all of the gods can sense its presence, though its exact nature remains unknown (it is listed in the pantheon table as +? ???). To learn more information about the artefact, any god may use a scry object secondary action on the artefact. To acquire the artefact, any god may use an influence single mortal action on India Kroft. If multiple gods try to get the artefact in a single turn, then the gods with the highest success margin will be the one who succeeds first. Once the artefact is acquired, it can be taken from other gods using a steal artefact action, though this will give you the full domain bonus instead of just half of it.

You may all now begin posting for turn 1. Enjoy! :D

**Godzillarich** · 2020-03-27, 05:17 AM (ISO 8601)

The 1st Justice University

An empty classroom only two sat down on opposite sides of the room. “Cheek I know you can do better than this…” a tongue voiced as he was going over some papers. “... You beat the crap out of another person this week.”

The figure who was sitting on the opposite side was a small fluffy figure, a choblins, “Look, I take no one **** if they want to call me words I’ll claw their knee.” cheek said dismissively. “What am I supposed to do Cactus? Let them use me as a punching bag.”

The tongue, Cactus simply sighed, “Look, I understand it isn’t easy being a choblin here, I have already convinced the board to let your violent outbursts slide but remember there’s only so much I can do for you before the University kicks you out…” Cactus then open the door. “You have great potential I don’t wanna see it go to waste.”

Cheek remain silent as he walked to the door. “If they don’t want me here that’s fine.” He then closed the door.
___________

The 1st Justice University-Beachside

Cheek laid near the beaches edge lost in his thoughts. “I don’t need the University, I don’t need no education, I don’t need Chobe, I don’t need an…AHHHHH!” he stopped himself and shut up in the air. Something stepped on his tail.

“Sorry…” A voice mumbled out

Cheek turned around, murdering his eyes. He noticed a simple blue tongue, nothing special about him was one of the traveling types that never really settled down. “What’s the big idea, Jerkass!”

The tongue backed away in fear and squatted down. “I’m sorry Mr. I was just looking for some grass…”

Cheek’s anger gave away to pure confusion. “But… The beach doesn’t have grass?”

“I know it’s dumb but whatever else I go people yell at me to leave.” The tongue said as he continued shaking.

Cheek raised an eyebrow at this. “So...where do you stay at?”

“I sleep wherever people don’t yell at me, I can go if you want.” The tongue said as he turned away
“Wait!” Cheek yelled. “What is your name?”

“I don’t really have a name, I’ve just been walking around but people call me Stop it a lot!” he responded.

Cheek was noticeably more confused at this conversation carried on. “Look Stopit I think I can find someone who can give you plenty of grass…”

(BOOM)

A large explosion rang out coming from the University with the sounds of screaming soon following. “WHAT THE ****!” Cheek said as he turned over to the University. He then turned back at Stopit. “Wait here!” he told the odd tongue before he ran towards the University.

“Okay”

______

“WHERE IS IT!” A mysterious cloaked figure yelled as he smashed a pot to the ground. In front of him were 2 members of the Board of Directors for the University including Cactus. “It’s well documented that you have 5 ribs but there’s only 4 here.” behind him there were 2 orcs and a Sinalese who was holding the other 4 ribs.

Beneath the earth Cheek peeked out trying his best not to be seen.

“We would rather die than tell you where it is!” one of the board members yelled out. “Suddenly a Choblin shaped claw came out of the cloak and stabbed the said board member in the throat with something. Cactus was astonished by what the item was. The legendary pickax Archimedes

“Poor choice of words!” the cloaked figure smirked “Also…” he slammed the pickax into the ground. Suddenly a giant hand emerged from the ground holding Cheek. “...you think you can spy on a thief like me? HA.” the cloaked figure then looked into Cheek’s eyes and raised his hand towards Cheek’s face. “To think an experienced loser like you could ever think to outsmart….AH!” the cloaked figure screens as Cheeks jaws clamp down on the smug bastards hand, tearing it off. “YOU MOTHER****ER!” he fell back in pain. “TEAR HIS SKIN FROM HIS FLESH!”

“WAIT!” yelled Cactus “I’ll tell you where the rib is, just don’t hurt him.”

“Teach don’t” suddenly rocks appeared over Cheek’s mouth acting as a model.

“Shut up you and says a child.” The cloaked figures yelled before turning towards Cactus, his composure returning. “It’s a deal I won’t be needing that hand for much longer anyway. Now where it”

“Under...under the floor plates under my desk.” reluctantly told them.

The cloaked figure slammed the pickax down onto the floor again this time causing a giant hand to appear beneath the desk holding the final rib. “Very good.” He mumbled as he walked closer to Cactus. “I will keep my promise…” He then slammed his pickax into the ground
(Slash)
A giant spike came up from the ground and skewered Cactus. “You said nothing about leaving you alone though.”

Cheek looked in sheer horror “NOOOOOOOOO!” he screened us his muzzle fell off.

Another figure than entered, a tongue from the Stonethrone mountains. “So we have achieved the masks I have eyes we leave now.” in his mouth with a bucket full of the ancient masks.

“Well, I guess we’re done here, Stewart grabbed the Rib and let’s leave,” he said as he walked towards his tongue compatriot with Sinalese carrying the 5 ribs.

“I WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THIS!” Cheek yelled out in anger.

“Well that’s where you’re wrong…” He interrupted. “... You see this is all I want however orc mercenary group that I hired once a lot more stuff from the city along with a lot of murder and a lot of rape so they’re going to be pillaging this university to the ground now we will not.” The cloaked figure than waived stumpy are. “... By the way I also didn’t promise then not killing you.” He then slammed his pickax to the ground and the 3 individuals sunk beneath the year. “Bye!”

“You dirty rat, you… you…” try to yell out as his anger turned into sadness as tears rolled down his face.

“Oh boy do you want to start out with a rape or murder.” One of the orcs yelled out.

“Why not both!” the other yelled out as he reached his hand out towards Cheek.

Cheek simply closed his eyes.
-------
-------

“Where we heading to now?” The Tongue asked the cloaked figure.

“We need to make a special stop, deliver those masks.”

“For what?”

“Oh you’ll see!”
____
Cheek waited but then he noticed that nothing was happening he opened his eyes. “Greetings dirt back I was busy cleaning your trash outside the Academy.” And what Cheek saw was Déjà Vu a top of him. He was holding one of the orc bandits arms. He then looked down towards Cheek. “You’re ready to make them pay.” Cheek simply nodded. And with that Déjà Vu broke the chains of rocks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSZPUk1JjBE

Déjà Vu punched the bandit in the stomach. “Now let’s see how you like pain! ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” the final punch sent the 1st bandit flying through several walls until he was outside of the Academy. Both of them just that there and then turned their gaze towards the other bandit.

“Back off!” the orc yelled as he pulled out a piece of paper. “You think we can come prepared? HA we have set up magical explosives all around the University, if you move an inch towards me I’ll blow up the entire University.”

“But you’ll die to dumbass, you’re in the city too.” Cheek responded.

The work smiled “HA, I’m dead anyway if I’m caught I might as will take everyone with me.”

“But how do we know you won’t activate it when you’re out of this place?” Cheek yelled itching to rip this guys eyes out.

The orc smiled “Well that’s the fun of it is and it’s? Make your choice backup to the other side of the room and let me go with the entire city blows up. I’ll give you to the count to 3. 1...2…”
(Crash)

Suddenly Stopit slammed through the wall knocking the orc to the ground and making him let go of his piece of paper. “I’m sorry I didn’t do as you asked I just got worried, sorry!”

Déjà Vu quickly grabbed the piece of paper toward it to bits. They then stood above the now helpless work. “Sooooooo can you agree not to do your Ora thing?”

Déjà vu simply smiled. “ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORAAAAAAA!”

This said helpless orc was in flying for a wall much like his compatriot.

Cheek turned towards Cactus’s lifeless body. “No oh god no…” he then fell to his knees, crying a mountain of tears as Déjà Vu and Stopit tried to comfort him.

**Garjel_blah** · 2020-03-27, 10:58 AM (ISO 8601)

Chern, 80/80 AP, the Throne of Rot and Ruin

For the first time in five centuries, Chern's single glassy left eye twitched. It strained to look up, stuck within the rigor mortis of its body. Through a hole in the roof of his great hall - a hole that hadn't been there when last his avatar drew breath, if he recalled correctly - the Wiltwatcher saw a bright spot hanging in the dusky sky. The alignment of the planets. Again.

It was all so tiresome, he thought, as he gingerly flexed his two unsevered limbs. He slowly pulled his head to the side, sending a series of clicks and cracks tumbling down his vertebrae.

"Ooooh... Ah!"

With a crunch so mighty that it disturbed this dust on his throne, Chern twisted his spine. He slumped, allowing himself to bask in this one simple pleasure. Maybe it wasn't all so tiresome. Chern shifted his leg, preparing to go about stretching his knee, but was surprised to find something brush against his foot. Leaning forward, the god peered down at the base of his throne.

A body lay slumped against the front of his throne. At least, the remains of a body. It had been so consumed by glowloam that it had almost entirely melded into the throne's stonework, similarly to how bodies in the Starry Crypt would become a part of their tomb. The only remaining feature was, again similarly to the Starry Crypt, a memory mask. Its eyes glowed with fungal luminescence, and Chern noted in particular the strange pattern that'd been designed into the wood; half of the mask was bone white, the other ebony black. A depiction of Ymon-Thal?

Suddenly it all made sense.

---

Four hundred and fifty years earlier

"Would you like a hand with the stairs, Misty?"

"Oh don't be silly, I may be old but I've walked these halls far longer than you."

Nerassus laughed softly to himself as the determined old woman climbed the steps of the bog castle. He followed at a leisurely pace, allowing Misty to take her time. She still hadn't told him why they were here, at their old private haunt in the diviworld. It had been a long time since their last visit, between his role at the university and Misty's age there weren't many opportunities for such leisure. In fact, he wasn't sure he'd been here since the decline of the gods. Yet here they now were.

"I've missed this place," the demigod commented, "it's quiet. I don't think I appreciated that quality before, back when I was a kid, but I do now."

"All part of growing up," Misty said sagely, "you might be immortal but that mind of yours is still going to feel the years. Doesn't help that you're a teacher. Working with kids takes it out of you, believe me."

She winked at him, and Nerassus laughed once again. They walked through halls scattered with debris, along battlements fraught with gaps and crumbling edges. More than once Misty had to get over her pride and allow her demigod friend to help bypass an obstacle. Eventually, they arrived at what Nerassus assumed to be their destination - the throne room. Only this time, there was one startling difference.

"Misty, is that... By the gods."

"You have it exactly."

Misty slowly approached the Throne of Rot and Ruin, in which sat the corpse of the decay god himself. She gave his foot a soft kick, causing it to swing limply.

"A slumbering god, right here where we once sat. See, completely gone."

"Where's his other leg? And... All the other missing bits."

"I'm not sure, but I do have one idea. You know the Hobble and Hops. Do you remember what the owner told you when he first set it up?"

"OOOOH!" Nerassus's face suddenly shone with comprehension. "He meant the literal leg of Chern! I thought he was just being metaphorical... Or maybe crazy."

"Also possible." Misty sat down on Chern's arm rest. "Maybe when he comes back you can ask him."

Nerassus nodded slowly. For a minute there was silence, as the mortal and the demigod took in the novelty of being in a sleeping god's presence. Nerassus sat down on the throne's dais.

"So, how long have you known about this?" he asked.

"Oh, I found out just a few months after the planets fell out of alignment."

"You've known this whole time? Why didn't you show me sooner?"

"Well I... I just enjoyed having such an important secret really. He's like my own private god, sitting in a fish bowl right here just for me. We've had some good times. I came here every 31st of Cherntor to celebrate the day of fear with him, bring some candies, pour him a glass of chum. After my husband passed I started coming here quite a lot, sort of like visiting a grave I suppose. One time I even spent my birthday here, and I drank so much that I ended up doing this to him." Misty grabbed Chern's forehead and yanked his head back, revealing a comical smile painted onto his mask. "Hopefully he doesn't decide to damn my soul for eternity when he sees that."

"Yeah, I'll, uh, make sure he doesn't..."

"I'm joking, I'm sure he wouldn't do that. If our date didn't get me damned for eternity then I'm sure this won't."

Nerassus looked from Misty to the dead, smiling god curiously.

"I didn't realise you two had such a connection."

"I don't know if I'd call it a 'connection'. He couldn't even remember my name while we were dating. To be quite honest, he's better company like this." She gave his head a pat. "But, he did give me the hourglass device. And he fell asleep here knowing that I had access. So I can't help but assume he wanted me to find him. Maybe he liked the idea of someone visiting him in his mouldy old castle."

"I think I understand," said Nerassus. He frowned at the old woman. "I have to ask now... Why did you bring me here?"

Misty sighed, meeting Nerassus's look with a smile.

"I'm old, Nera. And I'm a necromancer. I know that my time is just about here. And I've decided I want to leave all this, at least what Chern thought I deserved of it, to you." She produced the glowing hourglass from her robe, holding it out to the demigod. He took it, but his eyes didn't leave Misty.

"That's not all though, is it."

"You're quite right, dearheart." Misty reached once more into her robe. This time it was a mask that she removed, one half white and one half black. "You know I've always liked ruins. This one shall be my resting place."

"You're going... To die here?"

"I am. Don't try to talk me out of it. This is my decision."

Nerassus nodded. "I respect your decision. And thank you for the device. I'll be sure to... Come visit, sometime."

"I'd like that very much. And I'm sure he would too." Misty laid a hand on Chern's shoulder.

"I'm going to miss you Aunty Misty."

"Oooh, come here you big baby." The two of them embraced, the much larger demigod kneeling to wrap his arms around the frail elder. "I don't care how important you think you are, you're still my big baby Nera."

"Mhmm..."

"You'll say hi to your mother for me, won't you? And this guy if you ever see him."

"I will..."

"You're a wonderful soul. Now go on. There's a whole world out there that needs your help, leave this old woman to herself."

They separated, Nerassus still holding the hourglass. He primed the mechanism that would send him back the mundane world.

"Thank you Misty. I'll never forget you."

"Nor I you."

And with that, he was gone. Misty remained alone in the great ruined hall, with nothing but the drafts and the corpse of Chern for company. Just as she'd been many times before.

"Well, Chern," she said as she lowered herself to the floor at the foot of his throne, "thanks for all the memories. I hope me doing this honours you in some way."

---

The Present

"Misty... Yes, that was her name... Yes."

Chern heaved himself off of his throne, sliding to the floor beside the entombed woman. He reached into the eye hole of the white side of her mask, a gently plucked free a small sprig of glowloam. With great care, Chern transferred the glowing morsel to his own empty left eye socket, depositing it as one would an eye drop. He winked a few times to test his newly restored binocular vision. He looked back towards the memory mask with two glowing yellow eyes.

"Thank you for all the memories, Misty."

**Godzillarich** · 2020-03-27, 04:00 PM (ISO 8601)

The 1st Justice University: Astrology office

The world shifts and blurs before Nerassus's eyes as the University manifests about him. Even after all these times, the journey is still a thrill. He puts a small device into a pocket on his clothes, patting it to make sure it's safe and sound. He takes a deep breath, only to blink as the acrid scent of blood hits his nose. He slams open the door, gazing frantically about. "What's going on?!" He cries out, catching the attention of a nearby clerk who comes rushing over towards him.

"Headmaster! Thank goodness you're here!"

"What happened?"

"We were attacked sir." The custodian stands tall before the demigod. His face caked with mud, sweat and blood. Not his own. "They were. I mean. That is."

"Calm down!" Nerassus barks at him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Where are they now?"

"Most have been subdued. Some escaped. There's..." The custodian takes a deep breath. "There's been casualties."

Nerassus lips twist into a frown, and he grabs the custodian to follow after him as he walks towards the infirmary. "Summarize the events. Now. Who attacked. How many. Casualty count. How did our defenses respond?"

"They didn't. Somehow they managed to sneak in while most of our defenders were gone. I suspect they may have insider knowledge because."

"Proof?"
"Sorry?"

"Proof. Do you have any proof of your claim?"

"No but."

"Then don't." Nerassus pauses only briefly to glare sharply at the man. "Speculate later. For now. Details and facts only."

"Yes sir. Uhm. I don't have the exact details, but they were a group of mercenaries hired by someone to help him secure the ribs of Old Man Grawissen."

Nerassus tsks softly. "Didn't we hand everything off to the Aeons. Regardless. Numbers?"

"Unsure. They created an explosion, and there is still a lot of chaos and uncertainty. Not too many, but they attacked while almost all of our defenses were away."

Nerassus is about to snap that he's already been told that, but bites his lips at the last moment. "Right. If they're subdued and have escaped, then there's nothing more to do for now. But I want a full report by sundown. Call back the Transmuter General from the Great Hunt ASAP. Have him organize a search and put in place defensive measures. I'm headed to the infirmary."

"Ah sir. First, please go to your office. There's someone waiting for you there."
-----
When he opened the door to his office he saw an unexpected site. It was the legendary hero Déjà Vu above the still sobbing Cheek and Stopit who was just trying his best not to be awkward. “Long time no see old friend...” Déjà vu greeted. “... I think you’re aware that we have a problem.”

Nerassus nods, a frown on his face as he looks down at Cheek. "Indeed. You have my thanks for keeping the students safe for me. Do you know exactly what happened? Something about stealing the remains of Grawissen?"

Déjà vu simply sunk his head, “I could not save everyone, I’m sorry about that…” He then patted Cheek on the head. “... And yes they stole some ribs from my father's body and what’s worse their ringleader has my father’s pickax Archimedes. This is very bad.”

"They have the pickaxe?!" Nerassus shakes his head. "That explains how they were able to get so deep in the city so quickly. You're right, this is bad." He rubs his fingers together over the bridge of his nose, his upper teeth biting into his lips as he closes his eyes. "I'll get the astrologers to look into the matter. Maybe they can find out anything. Do you know anything else that might help us locate and stop them?"

“The only thing I can think of is they are going for the other pieces of my father’s body.” Déjà Vu then pointed at a map. “The rest of the pieces of my father are in 3 places, Chole, when one of the Choblins took one of my father’s claws, in the mighty Rokanon city where they took most of the body and Ostrom where my people took his lower jaw with them.”

"Right. I'll send messages to all three of them, warning them to be prepared. Do you have some way for me to quickly reach you? If you need me, I should be here. And if I'm not, the astrologers should be able to contact me."

“If this city is in danger I sense it I’ll be here as quickly as I can…” Déjà Vu explained.

“He’s dead because of me…” Cheek interrupted, tears coming down his face. ”I tried to be the hero but instead I helped them find the final rip and got Cactus killed.” he then scratched the desk behind him. “...I’m nothing but a nuisance to everyone I know.”

Nerassus frowns and gently lifts a finger to silence Déjà Vu. He turns to Cheek and walks over, kneeling down to gently brush a finger across the young student. "You are not responsible for Cactus's death. And you are certainly not a nuisance. I know Cactus. He is..." Nerassus bites his lips, scratching for a moment against the side of his eye where his face is stained by tears. "Was... a good friend. And I know he loved all his students. It would break his heart to hear you hate yourself for what someone else did to him."

Cheek just walked silently past Nerassus with Stopit following suit, they headed towards the door. “Wait…” Déjà vu interrupted, he then turned towards Nerassus “...by the way the invasion was not why I was so close to here. That was a lucky coincidence, the real reason I came is because I felt their presence again…”

"The gods?" Nerassus perks up. "Yes. That would explain... but regardless. Even your father?"

Déjà vu then lowered his head. “I was hoping he would have returned but it seems to not be the case, he is truly gone.” Then Déjà Vu turned back around. “Anyway it was nice to at least catch up with you.” And with that they walked out

Nerassus nods thoughtfully. "Thanks for the heads up. I'll see you around. You know where to find me if you need me." He then turns to Cheek, planting a hang against his side. "We'll organize a memorial for the lost. I hope to see you there."

**gac3** · 2020-03-27, 08:17 PM (ISO 8601)

Timorin in Diviworld

Timorin felt the vibrations of the new artifact and immediately had a plan. The first thing he did was appear on the Twilight Isle, where he was caught up about what transpired in his absence. After a long time sitting in the Twilight Grove, he decided on a course of action. He focused his will and made a divine proclamation.

"Attention all gods. Soon I will be crowning the leader of my people. I invite you all to come and participate in the festivities. I will also be sharing what I will have gleamed about this mysterious artifact to all those who come to celebrate."

Spoiler: Secondary Action: Made Detectable by all

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Scry the Mystery Artifact 1AP

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