Lords of Creation: The World Madly Spins (IC Thread)

**Gnomes2169** · 2021-05-07, 10:48 PM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler: Talking to oneself

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Originally Posted by Kinro

The Suzerain did find Lor floating in the place above the planet but beneath the stars, a beautiful mirror seemingly sized for him. Its sides were covered in gold and jewels and, prominent at the top, a beautiful sliver diamond spun slowly. It faced him, unmoving. Always, it faced him and yet, never it moved. Never was there any sign in it of the Suzerain's presence, except, perhaps a sense of attentions. And, of course, the reflection it showed of the god as he could be. Nothing still happened as the Suzerain placed his hands on it, not until he had done all he wished, until he had said all that he wished to say. Then, there was movement and there were words, not from Lor himself, but from the Suzerain's reflection. The reflection spoke with a voice that the Suzerain wished he could have, and with words that he wished he could use so well, but it was Lor's mind that was spoken then.

The Suzerain's reflection spoke of Lor's beginning, when it first saw the world and its affairs, the gods, the snake, when it experienced its first and only glance at the bright orb's light and when it experience the pain of not knowing. It recounted how it had met its people. They had felt the pain of the snake and he felt their pain. But that pain had brought them to it and it felt joy at this. And they felt joy, too, in their new land that it had made for them. Lor could not thank the snake, but it could not hate the snake either. Lor directed the Suzerain's attention to the vast salt flats that the lizard god had made in his pain, now enjoyed greatly by his own creations. Again, joy from pain. The reflection returned its attention to the Suzerain and through it, Lor thanked him. To him, he could be grateful, for he had given him knowledge it could not otherwise have gained, knowledge of its own splendor. For this, it would trust the Suzerain's words and all he would have to say. But before it could help it also needed to know, the pain that the snake was yet to cause, could the Suzerain know that it was not yet again again of hidden pleasure?

The reflection returned to being a reflection as Lor awaited the Suzerain's answer. But its attention was not fully on the god. Some of it had gone down to the swamps, from which some brave Kobolds were now departing, to meet their world and those who lived in it, willingly facing the harshness of the world beyond their paradise, to find greater joy still. And it continued to watch even as it saw the snake come once more, saw its people huddle in fear as their continent split, still it hesitated. Still, it awaited the Suzerain's answer.

Reflections in the Dark
This insight brought the Suzerain a moment of pause so that he could consider Lor's implications. There was some merit to the ideas it brought up, but the Lord of Night shook his head slowly and sighed, whispering to his reflection, "There is more to this picture, great teacher." Returning to a mental exchange, the Suzerain explained that Lor's view, while valid, was also limited. It looked at the consequences and fallout that occurred immediately, and did not take into account the serpent's ultimate goals. The mirror god, his kobolds, the other mortals that lived in this land, they all lived and experienced their lives in a way that brought them joy and fulfillment, or at least that allowed them to look for the good to build upon after disaster had befallen them. They changed and innovated, growing in their world and leaving behind something when their time had passed.

The serpent was a beast, almost mindless, slave to its base urges and desires. It knew only hunger, and so it fed and feasted, headless of what it destroyed, uncaring about the harm it caused, the possibilities that it brought to an end with each bite of its world-ending jaws. The beast's hunger, its avarice, was great enough that it had attempted to consume Solace, a plane many hundreds, if not thousands, of times larger than the First World, and had only been denied by the pain the assault had caused, not the implications that a lightless land would bring to life on the First World's surface. Wan'shi had now turned its gaze to the First World, and it sought to feast until it was satisfied.

When the serpent was satisfied again, nothing would remain. No gods, no mortals, no lessons, only the sun, burning and forever denying the dark beast's desires.

Wan'shi's satisfaction would be an end to joy for all other things.

"Perhaps it is because the beast simply does not understand. Perhaps it lacks the ability to know anything other than hunger, and you could awaken another desire within it given the time. But I do not think there is any way to change its nature, any more than you could change the nature of a god." Turning from the mirror, a hand still on its frame so that he can "rotate" it (at least from his perspective,) the Archon of Night fills the mirror's face with only the sight of Wan'shi's coils, wound as they already were around the First World, and he says, "It is your nature to reveal, to discover the potential and desires of all things. Tell me, what desire do you see? Is it worthy, more than that of all other beings, who's desires must end to satisfy it? What of its potential? What could the beast become, what is its ideal nature?"

"There are other ways for hardship to find this world. Needs that go unsatisfied. Mistakes that are made that lead to a life of regret. Overlooked and unfulfilled desires that breed discontent and jealousy. Moments of rage that will echo misery for lifetimes..." Still looking away from his own reflection, the Suzerain's face becomes strained and he says, "Yes, there are plenty of small tragedies in life to overcome. You do not need this serpent's help to bring about those painful lessons in which to find joy, you need only look to your neighbors and yourself to find them, for no one is perfect or pure."

**KragBrightscale** · 2021-05-07, 11:57 PM (ISO 8601)

River Archon in the Desert

The most veteran Lizardfolk pathfinders who lead caravans through the deserts of Wadi Alsahali speak in reverence of a great underground river.

Few have ever found it, though evidence it’s existence is spread throughout the Wadi. Beneath the surface in the form of small water pockets that can be dug down, and on the surface in the form of oases.

According to the tales of the witnesses, the river speaks to those that pause to listen. It tells tales of legendary events from the dawn of time, of the great Devourer, the burning of divine beings at the creation of the great fire in the sky, and of a celestial river who saved the remaining divinities and brought them to this world.

The Mutajawil’s return and the introduction of new knowledge

Traders and merchants are who spend the year traveling always try to make it back to their hometown in time for the annual Grand Bazaar.

When the first Mutajawil returned from their journeys east of the desert, they told tales of endless grasslands where noble yet down to earth horse people lived and grew fields of edible golden grains. The traders who had successfully traded clusters of dates for sacks of grain loudly advertised its use, and showed off a few loaves they had brought with them. The loaves were stale and hard after the long trip, but the chefs’ interest was piqued.

Lacking proper ovens, the Lizardfolk made do with heating a flat rock or gold dish over a campfire and trying to bake the dough on top. It took a bit of experimentation, and soon it was found that thinner bread could be made successfully that way. Flat breads and thin breads that puffed up with a hollow pocket soon became a staple at large events.

The caravan that had ventured into the swamp returned with different experiences to share. A new people group, similar to Lizardfolk and sharing a common ancestry, had established themselves in that humid and dark environment. Most of the group did not feel comfortable there and were thankful for the establishment of a halfway point. The only exception was the single crocodilian who had been hired and brought along as a guard.

The trade with the Kobolds had been very fruitful. Though communication had been a bit of s challenge, the ideas demonstrated where what was really important. The merchants had been shocked by the system of marking that supposedly could contain something as complex as words and ideas. Exchanging their knowledge of numbers for basic writing was totally worth it.

The Grand Bazaar’s leadership also agreed, and raised funding for a group of the brightest Lizardfolk to work on coming up with their own system of writing based on the examples they had acquired through trade. Soon they too would be able to accurately record their history, legends, and laws.

The Storm Arrives

As the Lizardfolk’s civilization thrived, Abu Dhahab routinely wandered their land as a merchant. Experiencing the joys of completing a good deal, haggling in the market, and riding the wave of development, he made a fortune. Although he could simply create a mountain of solid gold, that lacked the satisfaction of playing by the rules and relying on wit, skill, and charisma to win. At the same time, he could feel the connection to his own divine source strengthening with each successful deal. What was a god of wealth without their wealth?

As the Great Lizard was packing up his stall after a successful day selling grain, the dark clouds above finally released their stored up water. Roaring winds blew over a cart selling head scarves sending the goods and the trader into a nearby ditch. Remembering the recent acid rain Lizardfolk grabbed what they could and scrambled to get back to their places or refuge.

Suddenly the earth shook as the entire continent bore the brunt of the cosmic devourer smashing into it. The land cracked and split. One large chasm split the red coast in two and went deep into the desert. Sea water rushed into the new opening flooding it almost instantly.

Abu Dhahab’s did what he could by manipulating the sand around him to protect and move Lizardfolk out of harms way. He was however, not omnipresent, so many perished before he could save them.

Frustrated at the constant disruption of his economic projects and the death of his people, Abu Dhahab’s wrath manifested itself in the form of a sandstorm. Ashamed that he had hidden himself back when other deities had perished, angry at himself for not confronting the Devourer earlier allowing tragedies to continue, angry at the part of himself that was still afraid of facing that powerful entity, but mostly angry at that cosmic snake itself.

The Lord of the Desert clashes with the Devourer

Lizardfolk in future generations would always speak in reverence and fear of the day the Desert itself rose to avenge them. From their caves and mountain refuges they watched as the usually calm sand rose into the air. The sky turned a dusty yellow as the sandstorm and rainstorm clashed.

At the center of the sandstorm Abu Dhahab reverted to his true form and grew larger and larger. His scales shifted color to match the sand, and soon he was barely visible at all. Pushing the sand before him he made his way northeast towards the origin of disaster. It was a steady determined march.

Crossing over into the grassland, the sandstorm was visible from miles away giving those that lived there time to evacuate.

Abu Dhahab slowly picked up speed as he spotted the head of the snake as at chewed through ground. Already it had consumed so much.

Being smaller than the accursed serpent, Abu Dhahab remained hidden in the storm until he could get close enough to strike. He sent out sand at high speed that could cut through even the hardest of rock.

The sand was not very effective. For a creature that survived the heat blast of the solace’s creation, and could regenerate at a ridiculous rate, the sand barely cause any wounds. The few small cuts and scratches that it did result in healed at a visible rate.

Although it failed to truly harm the snake, it did get its attention. As it turned its gaping maw towards him Abu Dhahab started regretting his decision to fight, though anger at being considered a potential snack quickly suppressed that feeling.

Controlling the sand to condense into a huge fist, he used it to deliver a solid uppercut. The huge snake reeled back and Abu Dhahab readied himself for its retaliation.

Spoiler: OCC

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No AP actions done this time. The sandstorm is a localized thing, shouldn’t cause permanent damage, just a trail of sand, maybe some plants destroyed.

Abu Dhahab loses a tail (will it grow back? Don’t know yet) in exchange for knocking out a tooth (which will grow back in no time I’m sure). Got no AP, what else can I do?

I’m ok with editing this if necessary, in response to feedback on discord.

**GameOfChampions** · 2021-05-08, 02:21 AM (ISO 8601)

Lintri opens his eyes for the first time. Everywhere is either full of void or chaos and disorder, but in the distance he sees the marble. It is massive and full of potential, animals and creatures abound. He looks on in wonder for a full moment before the growing horror of the chaos growing in the world. He returned to his forge in the heavens, he would craft a race to guide and mold.

Much like crafting an item piece by piece he needed to be careful and take his time guiding it into becoming a masterpiece. He rests a dirty hand on the cold metal of his anvil and smiles. Why use metaphors for what your trying to say when those metaphors can just become the reality. Lintri returns to his forge, burying the idea he had back into his mind. He would return to that later but for now he had to create a place for his creation to live, somewhere hard enough to foster growth through hardship but not so hard as to kill them all.

He picks up his tools and returns to the anvil, he looks down on the planet and starts to gather the raw elements of the planet. collecting them and putting them to the forge, he was no beginner smith to be bogged down on what is and isn't possible. He just did. He brings them together, the classical elements of the world all gathered into one piece of land, the elements jockey for power constantly. The land is ever changing but following the set patterns he forged into the land.

Spoiler: AP Spent

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Create Land (2 AP): The Changing Lands. A continent created by the God Lintri by his understanding of the classical elements and the desire to forge a place for his soon to be creations to grow and struggle in. The land changes in a manner similar to the seasons every few months a new element starts to hold sway over the entire continent. The continent starts to change, growing and adapting to the primal energies running through it now. Water may cause rivers, lakes, and snow to form while becoming colder or humid while earth may see the mountains rise and canyons form while new deposits in the earth appear.

Create Mundane Concept (1 AP): The Classical Elements (Air, Water, Fire, Earth, Metal, Wood). The elements that Lintri gathered for his creation are the ones most in abundance in the world. Mortals are able to easily learn this through observation and some other basic knowledges regarding the world. They may even be able to be harnessed...

Domains:
Magic (Elementalism): 3/10

As the creator looks at his work he gently places it down on the planet to the East of the massive central continent. As it settles in he returns to the idea that been lingering in his mind since he had the thought. He returns to the forge where he draws on the element of metal to craft what he believes will be the race he can guide into order and success. He molds the metallic energies with life and physicals components of metal until he creates the first.

The result is a silver to grey skinned humanoid figure, the color varies from darker to lighter even within their own body. Fingernails, teeth, and hair becoming deeper colored then the skin. The metal energies are powerful within the newly named Ferrin Race, it has adapted their bodies in powerful ways and left weaknesses in others. The race does have a higher denisty along with tougher skin and bones. However they also need to consume large amounts of natural iron and metals, which usually means eating large quantities of rock. When the Ferrin are in life or death situations, emotionally intense situations, or very warm climates the race can mold thier bodies slightly as if similar to metal. They can harden or soften bones/skin more, become looser and faster. However when normal or cold they can suffer from increased stiff limbs and lack of dexterity.

Now he just needs to create several thousand more.

Time passes for a whole before he is ready. They will be separate, tribal, and untrusting of each other but Lintri will guide them, show them the path to prosperity and power.

Spoiler: AP Spent

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Create Race (2 AP): Ferrin Race. See above description.

Domains:
Magic (Elementalism): 5/10

**Kinro** · 2021-05-08, 11:48 AM (ISO 8601)

As before, Lor stayed immobile and quiet as the Suzerain made his new plea, giving no sign that it was understanding or even hearing any of it. It stayed immobile, too, as the Suzerain tried to trun it. But that hadn't been necessary. Just as it always faced the god, so it always faced the great serpent. Only once the Suzerain was done did his reflection start to move again on its own.

Lor could not see itself, it explained. It would not know what the Suzerain or the serpent would see in itself, unless they chose to share it. But it understood and trusted the god's words. It had watched since it began. It had seen the snake and what it did to the world. What it had always done. Only destroy, never create. It could not tell if good would come from the destruction, but it understood that any that did would only be destroyed in turn. It would help. And as Lor spoke this decision, new swamps grew all around the wound the continent had suffered. And from those swamps, carving stick stalks grew and wrapped around its great head, squeezing it tightly, holding it still, forcing it closed. Trying to, at least. It was doubtful that it would be enough on its own. But Lor also promised the Suzerain that it would help, once it was time, to put an end to the threat.

ROLLOVER

The Kobold explorers commiserated well with the centaurs, these strange people who lack limbs and scales and were half covered in fuzziness. And enormous! Bigger even than the Lizardfolk emissaries had been. But they were refugees too, escaped from the ravaged of the great serpent, even as their own ancestors had been. And they knew well that ancestral pain, all the more because they still had access to some of those ancient carvings. but even then, that pain had allowed their new god to lead them to a new paradise, where the centaurs seemed to have no one guiding them. And there was little that the Kobolds could do. Their own, soft lands would little support the centaurs' hooved feet and the food they ate were far from these people's tastes. All that they could do was what they always had done. To record and to teach. To listen to their stories and tell their own. All this was sent back to their lands, though little did they know what was happening there.

In fact, Kobold of the Great Marshes had weathered the disaster surprisingly well, after the initial shock. Rains and rivers and wet, they already thrived in. The enormous river that had carved itself through the center, however, threatened to split their loose alliance in twain just as well. Some tribes felt isolated from what had once been their neighbors. And so, the tribes came to an agreement: what has once been an informal network needed to be strengthened, formalized. Some Kobolds needed to be assigned to ensure the prompt delivery of all carving sticks. However, there was a concern: Kobolds who undertook this new assignment would no longer have time to feed themselves, their families, their tribes. A solution came from interactions with the Lizardfolks to the west. Their cousins had started to ask for large numbers of carving stick stalks, offering strange metal bits in return. They also offered goods that the Kobolds found difficult to gather or make and wanted the same coins in exchange. It baffled Kobolds that an intermediary was needed at all, but it could prove useful here.

The Kobolds' new allies, on both sides, were, of course, invited to participate in the new network, in exchange only for agreeing to help guide messages to their destination as well. And it was thanks to this network that separate information spread through the tribes from both sides and mixed in new, interesting ways. Knowledge of baking, from one side, wasn't yet very applicable to Kobold diet, but sparked ideas of the benefits of longer-lasting food, and this it met news of the strange white substance the Lizardfolk were harvesting and its unique properties. Combined with a modicum of divine inspiration, this created new ideas and an increased interest in the Lizardfolks' coin.

Spoiler: AP

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Alter Land
New swamps form in the north-east of the Circle Continent, all around Wan'shi head.

Curse(?)
Carving stick stalks wrap all around Wan'shi's head, in an effort to hold it in place.

3-2 = 1
(Swamp(Kobolds) 6+2 = 8)

ROLLOVER
1 + 4 = 5

Create Organization(Kobold Post)

The Kobold Post is a system of runners spanning the Great Marshes and beyond, allowing carving sticks to be taken to their destination much more reliably and much more quickly than the informal system of the past. On one end of an engraved stick, the destination is carved, using a formal system. Into the other end, a space is also carved, into which an appropriate number of coins is placed, to be taken from by each runner once they've carried the stick the appropriate distance. The previous, less formal system still exists, but in a much more limited capacity than before.

5 - 1 = 4
(Swamp(Kobolds) 8+1 = 9)

Teach Mundane Concept(Food Preservation)

0 (Using Jewel)

**Zelphas** · 2021-05-08, 04:24 PM (ISO 8601)

Upon the ravaged Circle Continent

Hetta stepped back down into her pit of clay, shedding her disguise. Her lower form shimmers, morphing from grey horsehide and fur to her massive draconic form once more. She was... disturbed is not the right word. In walking among her creatures, her creations, she discovered that they were suffering. They were suffering, and... it may have been her fault. Hetta wasn't sure of this--the centaurs did not know who had made them, and many did not care, so very few centaurs considered blaming a higher power at all for their problems--but she... felt it, in a way she could not entirely explain. She had made them, and so she had a duty to them.

Back in the Pit of Making, Hetta gathered together the clay that she had used to consistently shape the world, and stared at it for a long few moments. Beside her, the Lump stirred, staring without emotion at his master. Finally, she dropped the clay, rose once more, and stepped out of her Pit, making for the edges of the snake's great stormy head.

Several refugee centaurs were visited as they traveled or hid in makeshift homes by a terrifying contradiction; a creature with the top half of their own race, and the bottom half of their ancestral enemies. This creature named herself Hetta and told them that she was the one who had made them. She had given them ancestral homes because in them they could find rest, and she was sorry to see those homes destroyed. Hetta admitted that she could not defeat the snake herself or restore their homelands, but she could still give them strength, if they wished, to ensure that this would not happen to others again. Many of those lost, refugee centaurs took their once-unknown goddess up on her offer.

From these many encounters arose the Feet of Clay, an organized band of centaur refugees who dedicated themselves to first learning the laws and customs of all the many centaur tribes, and then to protecting those tribes and enforcing those laws wherever they went. The Feet traveled carrying a new type of weaponry: curved bows, perfect for firing while in motion, and arrows tipped with multicolored clay that supposedly flew truer and straighter than any other arrowhead. This group slowly spread out among the centaurs, joined by like-minded refugees and a few rare centaurs who simply felt wanderlust or a very strong desire to help their neighbors. The group came to the coasts of what remained of the centaurs' homeland, and there they met with a group that changed their focus significantly...

At the Edge of the Storm

Hetta stood above the body of her fallen Clay Dragon, unsure of what was required of her next. The lizard god fought with the snake, but that seemed unwise to her, and she could not bring herself to join. Her dead creation lay before her, but she seemed to lack the power in this moment to alter that outcome. The snake must be dealt with, but how? So she watched the storm and pondered.

Spoiler: OOC

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4 AP

Create Organization (the Feet of Clay) -1 AP: The feet of Clay are a group dedicated towards learning the laws of the lands where they travel and then providing protection and assistance to far-flung territories within that land. Every member of Feet of Clay is a centaur at the moment, though there is nothing in their laws or rulings that forbids other races from joining. All of the founders of Feet of Clay met Hetta personally, and so they are the first centaurs to know who made them and what she is like. (Domain Progress: Race (Centaurs) 1/10)

Create Mundane Concept (Archery) -1 AP: Hetta gave the founders of Feet of Clay curved bows made especially for centaurs and poured the knowledge of their creation and use into their minds. With their natural speed and ability to fire accurately while at a full gallop, a centaur bowman is a terrifying opponent. (Domain Progress: Race (Centaurs) 2/10)

4 - 2 = 2 AP Remaining

**KragBrightscale** · 2021-05-08, 06:13 PM (ISO 8601)

Hand of the Desert God

Abu Dhahab expected a retaliation after that first solid hit on the snake, but before that could happen the ground around him grew soft and wet. He recognized the work of the one who had taken in the Kobolds, though did not know the entity’s identity.

Out of the swamp burst thick strong plants that charged at the cosmic Devourer and attempted to bind it. A valiant effort, though the Lizard god doubted it would hold for long.

Gathering the sand together, and drawing in more from the nearby beaches the hand grew to a huge size and formed long sharp claws. Knowing that it would cost something to succeed, Abu Dhahab drew from his divine source a pure, dry and yellow power and fused it with the hand. It would be a blessing to the continent, an eternal defender against cosmic threats.

Whenever the continent faced a threat of significant size in the future, the sands would rise and form a giant clawed hand. The hand would strike at invaders, catch falling objects, and interpose itself between the continent and other dangers. Once the threat was dealt with, or the hand ran out of divine energy it would revert to ordinary sand and disperse in the wind. Energy would slowly build up again over time in order to rise again at the next time of need.

The threat at the moment was clear as day, and the hand slashed at the snake with its claws several times in succession.

Hopefully this would drive the snake off, though Abu Dhahab thought that wouldn’t be likely.

Spoiler: AP actions

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AP: 0 + 4 = 4

Bless (Hand of the Desert God) -1 AP
An enormous hand made entirely of hardened sand will rise to defend circle continent whenever it is threatened by something it’s residents can’t hope to deal with alone.
Combat (Unarmed) 1/10

4 -1 = 3 AP

**SpeedWitch** · 2021-05-08, 11:14 PM (ISO 8601)

The Storm Descends: The Circle Continent

As Dia left the Suzerain, she looked down upon the Circle and saw the serpent cutting through it. Much of the earth was gone, massive quantities of water spilling into the underdark - not just from the ocean, but the continent's own rivers.

Her rivers.

Dia's waters churned, recalling the last time she risked her life to save her siblings. What she said at Solace was true: she had exerted herself. Much of of her energy was spent withstanding the Daystar. In this weakened state, she knew she could not save her kin alone.

So she would help her kin save themselves.

Diverging from the Surzerain's plan a bit, Dia turned towards the hurricane of fangs and dove down, ice forming at the front of her jet stream - plowing through wind, stone, acid, teeth, and all manner of grotesque things from that storm.

Seeing a river about to slip beneath the continent, she swerved to meet it and took it into her waters - a humanoid catfish immediately popping up and out of her body in a canoe of ice. The archon let out a few blubs of surprise and thankfulness before his boat suddenly swerved to the side, his river becoming a new tributary of the River Dia that stretched out from her to the lands below.

Gather the others. Evacuate the coast. Leave no one behind.

Dia kept up an exterior of ice around her waters, the ice cracking and rapidly reforming as projectile after projectile struck, preventing her from being tainted by it. Considering the threat before her, she was doing rather well.

And yet.

As she bent down and collected more of her kin, she felt the corruption they could not withstand flow through her, and she shuddered. Wan'shi had already wounded her, and it wasn't even trying. But she could not spare a thought to process the ramifications of this. She could only drive her form forward and try to freeze those infected waters, the now half-frozen River Dia using her tributaries as legs to skitter along land, sea and sky like some bizarre insect.

Time passed. The winds howled. Mountains ran with acid before crumbling. Life perished.

Dia shuddered again, but not from any acid, teeth, or defiled blood caught in her channel - was there? - yes, a few of her fellow divines weren't merely rescuing other archons, but other life as well - lizardfolk, kobolds, even a few centaurs - at first she was confused, but then she recalled her own sacrifice for her kin once more, and thought it only fair not to question it - even as one of the archons stretched too far towards a cave with a family of cowering lizardfolk inside, and was bisected by a massive fang, killing its archon instantly.

Hand of the Desert God

Something shifted through the air - something powerful, but not the serpent. Dia swerved to the side as a giant hand of sand skimmed past her and rammed into the darkness at the eye of the hurricane. The shock caused Dia to retreat to the storm's edge, dragging her kin behind her.

At the Edge of the Storm

As she broke through the clouds, Dia saw two forms on a nearby hill - the body of a strange, earth-like, four-legged creature, and a humanoid woman with legs like the creature's from the waist-down. Like the sand, Dia sensed something in this one - a divine, no - a deity, like herself, and so she rushed down to meet her, halting and hovering in the air from her a few meters away, the back of her form still trying to work its way out of the storm before Wan'shi got the better of her archons.

I won't waste time. I am the River Dia. I stand against the storm. As do others of our kind.

You mourn for this creature? Dia turned to study the corpse. Its likeness, essence - yes. This is your creation. And the Serpent crushed it.

There is no safety on this world. Not until it is slain. I aim to accomplish that.

Will you help us?

**Razade** · 2021-05-09, 12:31 AM (ISO 8601)

The Storm

Pests.

Small gnats buzzing around a meal. Pushing. Prodding. Annoyances. If it pushed the mighty storm back, it was only for a moment before the great serpent reared up back into the sky with a savage hiss that the whole world felt, a death rattle god and mortal alike could share in. They had interrupted the great Wan'shi's meal and a hungry snake is a dangerous snake. The only way to deal with pests like these...was to drown them. From the center of the storm, Wan'shi descended, slamming its vast head into the great ocean jaws outstreched and with a mighty twist gave the entire planet a shake.

The effects were immediate, as a global quake would do. rents in the ocean floor opened, spewing magma out to form islands across the globe. The largest formed in the newly formed bay as chunks of earth fell from the serpent's mouth in its descent. The storm exploded outwards from the mighty snake and the waves pitched and rolled until untold walls of water swept over the face of the First World. The snake had come to feed at first but now it was threatened, if it could not have it's prize the vermin could not steal it away either. From the vast oceans it drew back once more, hissing out again like thunder that cracked the skies anew. New teeth filling its maw for the many it left in the murky ocean floors below, vicious and sharp and dripping with venom. The storms roiled like a pot at boil and in the winds it almost seemed the snake said "No."

Spoiler: AP Actions

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2AP + 4AP = 6AP

Alter Land (The Serpent Spite Islands) -1AP: Small volcanic islands sprout out of the ocean, the largest and most stable sits in the Bay of Fangs. They are devoid of life, for the moment, and are active and dangerous with boiling waters and spewing ash. [Evil (Natural Disasters) 5/10]

Curse (The Deluge) -1AP: The skies across the First World open and torrential storms whip the face of Creation as a mighty tsunami sweeps from where Wan'shi descends. The tsunami is large enough to reach even the sky islands and the shores of continents across the planet. [Evil (Natural Disasters) 6/10]

6 - 1 - 1 = 4AP

**gac3** · 2021-05-09, 01:18 AM (ISO 8601)

Magirus: Watching the World Burn

Magirus was enjoying the exciting things that were happening. He had managed to collect some of the sky acid and now he stood and watched as a giant wave rushed towards the coast. Interesting. This would have some interesting results. As with all aspects of creation though, many would die and the remaining would be stronger. He hated to see the death tolls rack up, but that is a part of living. We all must die eventually. The true waste in this world is waste. When life is given up, something should come from it. No one wants to see pointless death. Yet even as the world faces disaster, mortals engage in committing that kind of waste all over the place. This would not do. This would not due at all. Magirus pricked his finger and let his blood drip to the ground.

Spoiler: AP Actions

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Starting AP: 7/16
Rollover!! +4
Starting AP: 11/16

Curse -1AP: Wasted Earth:
Waste is being punished. Death and destruction are a part of life, but why waste the resources? Any creature killed by a sentient and not then put to use will spoil the land in which they died, making it harder to grow crops. Enough of this death curse piling up in an isolated area could result in barren fields. Things that count as using the body and will not trigger the curse: making food, leather, corpse crafting, making bait, turning it into fertilizer. Things that will trigger the curse: burying a body in a casket, leaving it out to rot.
Crafting (Corpses) 4/10

Final AP: 10/16

**Gnomes2169** · 2021-05-09, 01:31 AM (ISO 8601)

Reflections in the Dark
The Suzerain stood for a moment, viewing the effects of Lor's initial attempt to help... and he nods. It was a start. It would have to do. And with Dia bringing the other gods to bear, that should- wait. What was the serpent... "No." As quickly as he had arrived, the Suzerain was dragged away from Lor's side, calling to the mirror god, "The Lady of Light shall come to you soon." And she might bring an angry and hurting serpent with her.

Pulling on the Strands of Night, following them to the portal to Nocturne that rested so close to Lor's orbit, the Suzerain slipped into the realm of eternal night and let out a long, low sigh. It was already getting bad below. The gods were fighting back, but they were not coordinated, none of them were working to capitalize on the strengths that they shared, and it was making the situation worse. As long as they were on the First World and they were the largest threat, they would be the largest target, and the First World would be collateral.

Renarr had no more time to rest.

Stepping to the side of the Throne of Night, the archon leans in and whispers, as if talking to an old confidante...

Solace - the First War Council
Renarr had finished her blessings, granting the archons that had been gathered to her blessings and power that she could spare as her divinity struggled to recover from her overextension. The archons, now Solars, could stand within the heat and full radiance of Solace without fear of harm, and the unlucky one, who's name Renarr had learned was Silph, continued to show off just what he could do with his new arm now that he had the blessings of two gods!

But the moment of levity would be short lived as Renarr's head tilted to the side, as if listening to some far-off melody. And, as suddenly as that, the radiant goddess leapt from her throne and raised her hand to call the archons into attendance. "It's time."

The archons looked to her, uncertain. The goddess was still not as strong as she had been when she'd crafted Solace, but one by one they turned to face her. It wasn't a proper formation or ranks for the proto-deities, but it was enough to know that she had their undivided attention.

"Amerith, you will lead the charge against the serpent's coils closest to Solace, Michael you'll do the same with the dark side of the world. The Suzerain will join you shortly after you begin. Silph, you drew the shortest straw," Which he'd complained about and said proved his point, "When you catch up to me, you'll join me at the head." The collected archons seemed confused at that.

"Wait, what do you mean catch u-" The twice-blessed archon began to ask.

Staring at Wan'shi, seeing the wave of destruction beginning to surge across the world, the goddess answered, "I have waited too long already. You will only slow me down." And then, in a pillar of light entwined with shadow, the goddess was gone, flying straight towards the world-ending serpent...

Hello there
Wan'shi's head was plunged into the world, hundreds of teeth piercing the crust hidden beneath the waves. She had been sitting in a chair telling stories and listening to jokes.

That head began to rise, and a wave rippled from that shockwave, the seas both parting and crashing in around the serpent's head to fill the void left behind. Because she had failed to build Solace in a way that was safe for all other life, the strands of night she'd made to protect the world now wrapped around the world and protected the serpent, allowing it to coil and sew destruction.

That wave crashed into shores, destroying so much land, drowning so many lives. None of which could reach Solace. None of which could reach the sanctuary that she'd made for them, because she'd spent her power so frivolously.

Faster and faster the goddess approached the world, the streak of light behind her gaining intensity as her fury built. No. Enough. She would not fail again. She would not fail again.

When Wan'Shi's head rose from the waters, the Solars had just begun their journey towards the First World, weeks away from being able to help. But Renarr was there. Standing in the skies, a beacon of light etched in darkness. Her face a mask of righteous fury, her hair unbound and flowing. And in her outstretched hand she held a blazing blue star.

That star was leveled and then all of its power unleashed in a torrent of light and heat directly into Wan'shi's eye.

Spoiler: AP expenditure

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Starting AP: 1
Rollover: +4

-3 AP; Create Legendary Archon subrace - Solars: Solars are the archons of light. They are limited in number, perhaps more limited than any other type of archon except the Suzerain himself, as they do not breed, they don't seem to materialize, and they are exclusively from the survivors of Wan'shi's rampage who managed to make it into Solace. Only 12 of them will survive the battle with the serpent. Each of them will be given a name and title when I have time to write them out.

As archons of Light, Solars are highly mobile, able to cross vast distances in the void in fractions of the time it would take mortal methods, even sub-light space drives, to do so. They give off their own glow (duh), can fly (of course) and carry the minor powers of divinity that you would expect from the D&D creatures of the same name. Their purpose is to preserve the world, to make it a better place than they found it, and to mitigate as much damage as Wan'Shi and its various (accidental) creations can inflict.

Currently, they only have loyalty towards Renarr, though Dia and her water spirits are considered natural allies by these radiant archons, because of the alliance that the two gods crafted before the archons were even born, and because of how Dia went out of her way to protect them before they were inured to Solace's hostile environment.

Total AP expended: -3

AP remaining: 2

Domain progress:
Realms (the Heavens): 10 (Create plane: Solace, portal to Solace, create plane: Nocturne) (Purposefully not taking this until ready to ascend)
Protection (Mercy): 6 (Create portal to Nocturne, Blessing; Strands of Night, Solar Archons)
Order (Retribution): 2 (Create hero: Suzerain of Night)

**SpeedWitch** · 2021-05-09, 01:40 AM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler: Previously, on Avatar

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Originally Posted by Razade

The Storm

Pests.

Small gnats buzzing around a meal. Pushing. Prodding. Annoyances. If it pushed the mighty storm back, it was only for a moment before the great serpent reared up back into the sky with a savage hiss that the whole world felt, a death rattle god and mortal alike could share in. They had interrupted the great Wan'shi's meal and a hungry snake is a dangerous snake. The only way to deal with pests like these...was to drown them. From the center of the storm, Wan'shi descended, slamming its vast head into the great ocean jaws outstreched and with a mighty twist gave the entire planet a shake.

The effects were immediate, as a global quake would do. rents in the ocean floor opened, spewing magma out to form islands across the globe. The largest formed in the newly formed bay as chunks of earth fell from the serpent's mouth in its descent. The storm exploded outwards from the mighty snake and the waves pitched and rolled until untold walls of water swept over the face of the First World. The snake had come to feed at first but now it was threatened, if it could not have it's prize the vermin could not steal it away either. From the vast oceans it drew back once more, hissing out again like thunder that cracked the skies anew. New teeth filling its maw for the many it left in the murky ocean floors below, vicious and sharp and dripping with venom. The storms roiled like a pot at boil and in the winds it almost seemed the snake said "No."

Spoiler: AP Actions

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2AP + 4AP = 6AP

Alter Land (The Serpent Spite Islands) -1AP: Small volcanic islands sprout out of the ocean, the largest and most stable sits in the Bay of Fangs. They are devoid of life, for the moment, and are active and dangerous with boiling waters and spewing ash. [Evil (Natural Disasters) 5/10]

Curse (The Deluge) -1AP: The skies across the First World open and torrential storms whip the face of Creation as a mighty tsunami sweeps from where Wan'shi descends. The tsunami is large enough to reach even the sky islands and the shores of continents across the planet. [Evil (Natural Disasters) 6/10]

6 - 1 - 1 = 4AP

At the Edge of the Storm

As she finished up her motivational speech, the tributaries of Dia closest to the storm began to panic - the head of the Serpent had crashed into the ocean, and with it, the formation of tsunamis that could blot out the Daystar.

The archons panicked, trying to swerve inland. Some of them lagged behind, looking up at the rolling wave before them and encasing themselves in ice to weather it out.

Ice...

Siblings. Hold fast.

As a wave came close enough to the storm's edge for Hetta to see, the black river before her changed from being half frozen to completely frozen, dropping to the ground. The effect traveled along the entirety of Dia and down the tributaries closest to shore, turning them all into black ice, and when the wave hit the archons at the edge, it began to freeze too. The process was quick, covering the front of the wave in mere seconds - but it wasn't enough to reach the water behind the wave.

Hetta watched as even the moisture in the air around Dia began to condense into soft flecks of void, frost expanding in every direction. The wave continued to advance, its ice falling upon the shores and soon, upon Abu, Hetta, Dia, and quite possibly the entire Circle Continent.

Spoiler: AP Actions

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Rollover: +4AP

Stygian Glacier
Counter AP Action (vs. The Deluge, 1/2 AP)
Dia channels her power through her river archons, attempting to freeze the Deluge in place, turning the wave that is about to crash into the Circle Continent into a massive curved glacier, and lessening the overall devastation the waves will have on the First World.
Another deity must invest 1 AP in this action to complete it. If no one aids after one week, the action fails and becomes Stygian Hail (Curse, 1 AP), adding to the curse and sending massive chunks of black hail onto Circle Continent, in addition to the normal effects of the Deluge.

Remaining AP: 7/16

**Razade** · 2021-05-09, 01:41 AM (ISO 8601)

Wan'shi: Furious

More pests. This one, the bright bringer, the one that filled the Void with eat, the one that roused its slumber. The pain lanced through Wan'shi's eye and it rose once more. Back to the Void, away, away from all these buzzing things. It had had enough, enough to feed, enough pain, enough awakened time. It would flee somewhere safer, somewhere the buzzing pests would no longer be able to fight and it would devour them there.

The great serpent screamed, snapping and spitting so as to keep a distance from that terrible light.

And then the storm lifted and the skies, though dark and filled with lightning and rain, no longer hailed teeth and blood and rage.

But all was not well for the world, for the snake had basked in the heat of Solace as it fed. That hateful light. Where that persistent pest had drawn from. One could not say, in myth and song, if Wan'shi was as wise and intellegent as the gods but for sure it was as cunning and as clever as any among them and while it was not fit to craft and build, it was there with them from the first moment and it would be there until their last. Yes. The serpent could not learn, but it could adapt and with its mighty coils flinging out to space, it weathered that heat as it slammed into the surface of Solace with a hiss. Yes its scales burned but as rich with mana as the beast was now, the flames dissipated as cooling waters flushed between scales. With its mighty bulk it wheeled within the Void, jaws ready to consume that hateful light.

**GameOfChampions** · 2021-05-09, 02:10 AM (ISO 8601)

Lintri watches as the wave grows. He had not been watching the other gods he sensed around him as they did their deeds. He was happy watching his creations grow and spread. That was until he felt the deluge of power begin to spread through the world.

He turned his attention to see the snake of the void wash waves over the world with its anger and hatred.

He frowns at the chaos and destruction being caused, starting to move towards the disaster. Thankfully it's stopped before he arrives. But not fully he realizes.

The frozen disaster has been slowed but not defeated. He arrives before the great glacier, thinking. He reaches out wielding the natural laws of the world like hammer. He reaches out with them to strike the glacier, the strike ringing out around the world as he says his first word aloud. "OBEY"

He channels the natural state of water through the glacier, willing it to return back to form in the simplest way possible.

Spoiler: AP

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Rollover +4 AP

Spending 1 AP in concert with Dia to counter the Curse.

Magic (Elementalism) 6/10

**Gnomes2169** · 2021-05-09, 03:04 AM (ISO 8601)

Oh... but it shouldn't have done that
Moving towards the sun should have been a moment of concern for the goddess. It should have made her heart run cold, seeing her fortress reached, a handful of Solars snuffed out by the jaws of the snake before they could move out of the way. She should have been afraid...

But Solace was doing what it should. Drawing Wan'shi's attention, it now protected the world and those who would survive the disasters below. Of the solars consumed, those who had been fortunate enough to be swallowed whole would be preserved, at least for a time. All around the snake, the archons of light unleashed their fury, detonations lighting the monster up like the flicker of new stars, with even those survivors swallowed by the beast contributing as they could.

And one other thing the serpent's greed meant was that Renarr did not have to hold back in order to protect the world from her own power. She was exhausted, almost fully drained, but this time she was not alone.

Below, she had to trust that Dia was doing her best to protect the mortals of the world from the repercussions of Wan'shi's assaults. She had to trust that, once the seas and damage had been contained, the other gods would join her in the void. At least, enough of the true deities to tip the scales and finally put an end to the beast's rampage.

But first, she went to Lor. The great mirror held her reflection, but shimmering with heat as she was, incandescent with rage, what she saw was her aspect of war. A crown of blood and flame on her brow, the void itself burning at her feet, and her robe flowing like molten gold around her, rows of faceless soldiers crafted from darkness arrayed all around her, ready to fight and die at her command. She looked into the mirror and whispered, "The Suzerain tells me that you have joined our cause. Thank you. And I am sorry" Both of her hands leveling at her image, strands of darkness and light swirling along each outstretched limb, she aims for the reflection of the serpent's tail, the core of its being, and she warns, "Holding, refining and redirecting this may hurt."

Solace had been made to preserve. To protect against and ward away Wan'shi in all of its ravenous hunger. It caused pain, but it was not meant to kill. It was simply a matter of too much power being put into it that caused the star to slay as it did.

The recent blast of blue flames had been meant to hurt. To damage. To blind Wan'shi and drive away from the First World. It had not been a death blow, it had contained her fury but Renarr had still held back.

The blast that Renarr now unleashed into the mirror carried with it everything she had been holding inside of her. All of her self-loathing, all of her hatred at being made to feel powerless and worthless, her fear, her desire to kill. And for gods, beings made of thoughts and desires, this intention warped the blast into something else entirely. Not entirely light and not entirely darkness, what was unleashed was raw divine power, meant to dig into the serpent's flesh, to rip and tear at the gouges that had been made, with claws of darkness there to steal and seal away the snake's stolen divine power.

As long as the serpent was in the void, Renarr did not have to hold back. And she poured everything she had, all the divine might left within her, into this beam.

And this was not power unleashed by the goddess alone. Channeled through Lor, the mirror had a hand in its shaping*.

Spoiler: AP expenditures

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*Which is up to the mirror's player to decide and to write up.

Starting AP: 2

-1 AP; Joint create land action - The Stars in the Sky: (1/2 AP) Carved from the scales of the great serpent, the stars in the void are born. Drifting ever farther from the First World from the force of the attacks that created this phenomena, these stars will eventually become astral bodies like Solace as the still-digesting god flesh inside of them causes them to swell and grow into proper masses of incandescent gas.

They will not be formed into constellations immediately. That will be up to someone else's actions (either the person that shares this action, or as a blessing in the future)

Note, this action is reserved for Dia's player to join in unless they decide to open it up to any god in general.

-1 AP; Joint create land action - The Serpent Moon: (1/2 AP) Made from the eyeless skull and the blackened heart of the great serpent of destruction, the moon is where the vast majority of Wan'shi's essence that remains within the First World is sealed. The moon might be alive and sentient. But it is not able to regenerate like before, and all of the raw power and divinity that went into shaping the moon was enough to petrify what was the soft tissue of Wan'shi's heart, making the moon a divine form of stone. The moon is also mostly spherical... and is only around 1/3 the size of the First World, instead of being around 1/3 the size of an ultraviolet supergiant star (aka Solace.)

Again, any god that joins in this shape land action can change the moon in the ways they desire, though the core aspect that it's the moon and mostly solid should be kept around.

Total AP expended: -2

AP remaining: 0

Domain progress:
Realms (the Heavens): 10 (Create plane: Solace, portal to Solace, create plane: Nocturne) (Purposefully not taking this until ready to ascend)
Protection (Mercy): 6 (Create portal to Nocturne, Blessing; Strands of Night, Solar Archons)
Order (Retribution): 4 (Create hero: Suzerain of Night, the Stars in the Sky, the Serpent Moon)

**Writtensanity** · 2021-05-09, 05:45 AM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler: BRIETTIA - THE NESTWARDEN

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Briettia didn't remember soaring through the void. It had been nothing, as Voids tend to be. Then suddenly light, a sun that burned bright and radiant, in the sky. A sky, and wind! Glorious winds to soar up and-

The storms came quick, crashing on the continent. That was Briettia's first memory. The storm, and falling. Briettia tumbled from the sky, from divinity to earth. The once friendly wind tore at her skin and whipped at her feathers. In a conflict of Gods, a place where serpents wrapped around stars, nobody saw the small dot of darkness shatter in the ground, bursting into a million feathers that scattered on the winds.

Sometime later, the feathers found a home, cliff faces, edges in the scars that Wan'shi had cut through the land. Briettia found herself a form there, perched above the gaping maw of the Underdark. She wasn't a piece of the void that had fallen anymore, she was something. She had a will and ideas.

Buried in the side of the cliff face she found herself in, was a small piece of the scales of Wan'Shi. To a mortal, the scale would have impossible to move, but to Brietta it barely looked like a scale. It looked like a shell, protective, luminous and lovely. Briettia tore the nearby trees from the ground and made a nest for the scale. Infused with her love, it was no longer a scale, it was an egg.

Spoiler: AP ACTION: Create Artifact (The Egg of Flocks)

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Create Major Artifact - Utility: [Action - Create Monsters]

The Egg of Flocks

The Egg of Flocks is an egg, with a shell partially made of the broken scales of Wan'Shi. It is said that this is why Briettia considers all the mosnters under her wing her children. It casues occasional eggs from the mosnters it spawns to adopt the same black and white pattern. The monsters that hatch from those eggs are said to be blessed by Briettia.

OOC: Once per week, lower the cost of the 'Create Monsters' action from 1 to 0

AP Spent: 5 [Domain - Life (Birth)
AP Remaining: 11/16

Briettia waited in the darkness with the egg as Wan'Shi wrapped itself around the sun. For a time, she wondered what it would be? What would her first child look like? What feathers would it have? Of course, no matter what it looked like, she would protect and it love it. Would it love her? Did it have to?

It did not have to love her, but it had to love its children.

The egg hatched for the first time, a creature prepared for a world whipping winds, the world where Briettia fell. It would be her child of feathers, but it wouldn't fly yet.

Spoiler: AP ACTION: Create Monsters (Terror Birds)

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Terror Birds are gigantic, flightless predatory birds. Standing between three and four meters tall, the Terror Birds hunt in small packs to bring down megafauna or herds of smaller creatures. Despite their somewhat gangly appearance, Terror Birds are capable of running at incredible speeds over vast distances.

Their beaks are too large to be traditionally piercing, so they prefer to batter their prey, using their heads like hammers or slash at them with their fearsome talons.

Terror birds are native to the circle continent. Using the vast open fields of the centre as well as the salt flats to spot prey and unlucky sentient creatures from far away.

OOC: Create Monsters Action - Lowered Cost with The Egg of Flocks = 0

Spoiler: Birb

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Briettia took the first Terror Bird and she taught it compassion for its own. She taught it how to hunt to feed its children and how to protect its nest. Then she sent it out into the plains, far below the influence of the heavens. Somewhere they could move their children around, keeping them safe.

The world was too dangerous a place for her children. If some of her children were going to be more fragile, they were going to need their home. They would need a place to nest.

Briettia took off, under the dark sun and found the edge of the circle that the dark consumer was so obsessed with. Once the world had a concept of directions, they would understand that Briettia was in the South East.

Wan'Shi had cracked the land, but now they were distracted. Briettia flew high to the heavens, to the edge of the Sun that had blinded her on arrival, and latched onto Wan'Shi's back. She tore and pulled at the beast until it had paid the price for the chaos it brought, a home for her children.

Some spines of Wan'Shi crashed into the South East of the Circle Continent, spikes pointing toward and piercing the clouds. A range of mountains so tall and sharp, that they were nearly impossible to summit without wings.

Spoiler: AP Action: Alter Land (The Spine Aerie)

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Along the coast, the Spine Arerie are massive rocky spires erupting from the ground, the tallest of these spires pieces the clouds. Birds of all sizes find safe homes on the cliffsides, away from egg-stealing creatures.

Spoiler: Image

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OOC: Alter Land - 1 AP Spent - Sky (Flight)

Briettia fell from the sky, diving away from the great Wan'Shi before it noticed the missing spines, which were barely a footnote on the size of the beast. The Goddess finally came to rest on the highest perch of The Spine Aerie, and built a nest of love and care for the Egg of Flocks, before sleeping while the egg shook and chirped with new life.

Spoiler: Summary: AP Actions and Domains

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AP Actions

Create Major Artifact: 5/10 Life(Birth)

Create Monsters: FREE

Alter Land: 1/10 Sky(Flight)

Current Domain Status

Community (Motherhood) - Inherant
Monsters (Avian) - Inherant
Life (Birth) - 5/10
Sky (Flight) - 1/10

**Zelphas** · 2021-05-09, 10:58 AM (ISO 8601)

As Hetta watches, as the world is shaken and split again, ice and fire fly through the air, the snake drops down and rises up again, she feels her nature deep to her bones once more. She is not a being of action, of creation. She has the power to make, but not the drive; she can only work with what she is given, uphold and defend the laws of others, and perhaps provide respite if need be. The great snake is too large, too catastrophic, to be breaking any laws, for nothing but himself would think of consuming all of existence without pause. This has paralyzed her, and has continued to paralyze her thinking, since she cannot act when no clear laws are in place.

Now, however... At least four other deities have decided that the snake must be fought, and she has been asked directly for help. That is direction enough. Hetta looks into the body of the river deity before her and nods, slowly. A moment later, a crust of clay forms over Hetta and the dead Clay Dragon at her feet. A chunk of rock crashes into Hetta's head, breakign it apart and revealing that the clay forms are now hollow inside.

At the Pit of Making

With all of the chaos and destruction the world over, it is unlikely that any mortal being would approach the center of the (now somewhat misnamed) Circle Continent to see the Pit of Making. If they had, they would soon see a strange sight: a towering pillar of clay, nearly as high as the new mountains, growing steadily out of the pit. At the bottom, Hetta looks over her weapon and frowns slightly; something is missing. She casts her gaze upwards and still upwards, through a break in the clouds. One draconic claw reaches up, and pulls down.

Within the Ring of Gods, several bodies and bits of dead god twitch, then begin to fall, creating a meteor shower that can be seen across the world. The meteors twist oddly in their orbit and funnel around each other, a glittering cyclone centered upon the Circle Continent. Soon after, all the meteors disappear; they all fell to one and only one place.

The pillar of clay is now twice as tall as it was before, and it shimmers with an odd, flat light, nearly vibrating with strange, regular power. Hetta puts one humanoid hand on the base of the spear contemplatively. This is better, but it still feels as though something may be missing...

Spoiler: AP Actions

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2 AP

Create Subrace (Golem Archons) -2/3 AP: Emotionless beings of godflesh and clay, the Golem Archons were born as a weapon in the midst of the Serpent War, designed to strike at the beast even while it lay on the burning plains of Solace. Golem Archons are usually covered in a shell of clay of one specific color which they wear like armor, with the dead godflesh that powers them hidden within. Hetta does not have the power to bring these Golem Archons fully to life in this moment, however; it is up to Magirus to finish the creation and decide on how these archons will finally look and act. (Domain progression: Magic (Golems) 2/10)

2 - 2 = 0 AP Remaining

**Kinro** · 2021-05-09, 11:56 AM (ISO 8601)

For the second time in its existence, Lor gazed at the Sun and for the second time, it felt the pain of gazing at her terrible beauty. But this time, it did not look away. It had a duty to perform. One that it had fully accepted already. Nothing needed to be said. It accepted the goddess's ray, but, for the first time, it did not release it immediately, instead, taking it upon itself. Its mirror surface now no longer reflected a dispersed, pale light, it no longer reflected to herself Solace's crowned form. Instead, the surface went fully red, slowly shifting to orange, yellow, white and then, finally, a beautiful, deadly blue-white. And then, finally, as the great serpent was nearly upon them, pure black as, from the very spot that Solace had aimed at, came a line so thin and focused that it was entirely invisible. This, as it ran across the serpent's great form, carved its flesh as is it was the finest knife. Its head was severed from its body and its great body itself cut into a thousand pieces by the combined powers of the gods of the sun and the moon. And yet, Lot was not done. The carving stick stalks that remained around its head took root and grew. They took hold of the serpent's dark, poisoned, still-beating heart and forced it into its mouth before wrapping tightly around it, forcing the mouth closed and sealing it shut. The, Lor used the goddess's light again, still unbearably hot, but not so focused, cooking the entire thing until it had tuened into stone. Lor's surface returned to normal, then, its diffused light shining upon the world below even as it reflected the sun goddess once more. Except for one spot, the place from which the cutting beam had emitted, which was now pure blackness and would never reflect anything ever again.

But even through all these effort, Lor wondered if the job was truly done. Even though it was now merely a head, and made of stone instead of flesh, would this be enough to truly stop one such as the serpent was? It implored the goddess to tell it if there was more that could be done.

Spoiler: AP

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Create Land (1/2) The Serpent Moon:
The moon is currently a great big stone serpent's head, wrapped all around by what looks like bamboo stalks, also made of stone.

4 - 1 = 3

(Swamp (Kobold): 9 + 1 = 10)

**dancrilis** · 2021-05-09, 01:11 PM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by Omoikane13

"A sign of weakness, sister, that you do not trust your creations to function for themselves. An indication of ineptitude, perhaps."

Kerima - a continued conversation

She considered the other entities words for a time and then examined the deity closer "no I do not believe so, I suspect that you are merely unfamiliar with the whole of life and are overly focused on elements of it".

Extending her senses to a single mortal life and conjured the story into being as a demonstration.
The strict mother demanded much of her child who in turn fought for greater freedom - a split in the relationship occured and the child moved away, it experienced hardships in life, say the dangers of the world, hunger, pain, fear but it struggled through them all, then it settled down and had a child of its own and demanded its children follow its rules only for them to rebel in turn. The scene ended with the scene of the child mother crying at its lost child and the dangers she could not protect it from and the child themselves crying as their own children left.

"This single life story is not universal - but it is close enough, the world has horrors and dangers, and while you may dislike my methods I do provide structure for my people and allow them to grow as they should within that structure", she allowed the other goddess to follow her mind as it turned to a ship at the otherside of the world, its journey has started well but they hadn't enough clean water so rationing had to be undertaken, this lead to rule breakers and for the captain to become harsh those who broke the rules risking beatings or being thrown overboard, suddenly the ship was struck by a wave, its crew dead and gone "they choose freedom, but the journey forced order on them, and then reality killed them all anyway".

"Frankly your issue is not with me - your issue is with how life functions and how natural evolution occurs within societies".

Kerima - The World Shakes

She held herself largely away from the conflict on the other side of the planet, the snake was powerful true but the greater powers of that land none had died yet, if any did she would respond as she had when mortals had killed a deity previously for such could not go unpunished but for now she was mostly concerned with the consequences of the battle and the more subtle actions that went with it, the tidal waves and storms were severe enough that her people were impacted even from the other side of the planet and the earthquakes were a potential cause of worry also - but should everyone did she could likely merely restart, her priests had been blessed with the ability to preform miracles in her name so they should be able to deal with these events on there own.
No it was the restructuring of conceptual reality that bothered her more, specifically the Wasted Earth impact that her people would have no knowledge was coming and could damage their lands - while goblins often did eat there dead, elves, humans and dwarves often did not, worse the curse was not total but only when one sentient killed another or she supposed when one killed itself would it trigger.
Thus did she issue some edicts to her priests via dreams: Honour Kerima above all others, none shall kill themselves their lives are Kerima's not their own, none may kill another save at the direction of a Priest of Kerima, those killed in this way must be ritually burned to honour Kerima and ensure the faith of the community, no new laws may be created save by a member of the priesthood, laws created by the priesthood can be revoked or altered by the priesthood.

Thus she was content that the curse would largely not impact her people, and began a new system for the continent which should allow for further growth down the line.

The People of Kerima - The World Shakes
These were difficult times for the faithful and worse for the non-faithful, while the priests were able to ward off the worst of the weather particularly with the river archons keeping their areas in check the coastal regions were severely impacted making the seas unusable, forest fires from lightning strikes had to be contained by the elven tribes, the winds of the plains made journeys for food difficult or impossible, the goblins experienced perhaps the worst affects as caverns collapsed, where the Dwarves through skill or luck largely seemed to avoid the worst impacts.

Spoiler: Actions

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Rollover 4AP

Create Mundane Concept: Law (1AP)
While the basic laws of Kerima were provided by the goddess herself, priests are largely free to create new laws to suit the needs of themselves of their communities.
The basic laws:
Honour Kerima above all others
None shall kill themselves their lives are Kerima's not their own
None may kill another save at the direction of a Priest of Kerima
Those killed in this way must be ritually burned to honour Kerima and ensure the faith of the community
No new laws may be created save by a member of the priesthood
Laws created by the priesthood can be revoked or altered by the priesthood.
-Society (Advancement) 4/10

AP Remaining: 3

**gac3** · 2021-05-09, 02:02 PM (ISO 8601)

Magirus: The Pit of Making

Magirus had found a giant fang near where one of the others had attacked the snake. It may have pricked him some, but that was probably fine right? The wound was only hurting a little bit right? He made a cloak from a lion pelt to cover it and sent about his business, bringing the fang along with him.

As Magirus neared the pit of making, he saw a dragon woman working with a pillar of clay and corpses. Well this was interesting. Staring for a long minute as the pillar formed, he decided it looked like a spear but was unsatisfied with it's tip. From the edge of the pit, he lit the pillar on fire and launched the fang at it. With a bit of his will he forged the fang onto the top of the pillar, feeling it would make an excellent addition.

Spoiler: ACTION!

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Starting AP: 10

Finishing Create Legendary Sub Race Action -1: Golem Archons: The golems are malleable. Being formed with the power of Corpse crafting as well as being formed from a combination of corpses and clay, they are able to shape their bodies into the forms they need, shifting bones and other materials around to support whatever form they take. They are wanderers by nature but will often settle down for extended periods of time as protectors of a location or group of people. Some even find themselves bonding with individuals and becoming traveling companions. Due to their abilities, they make excellent portable ovens.
Profession (Chefs): 3/10

Final AP: 9

**SpeedWitch** · 2021-05-09, 05:31 PM (ISO 8601)

The Edge of the... Storm?

As the clouds clear, and Hetta pledges her support, a glint of light flashes across Dia's icy-black form; the reflection of Renarr and Lor's combined assault. And Dia sees the Serpent - but not here.

The Daystar.

There.

As the solar archons pointed at the approaching Serpent and readied themselves for battle, the darkness at their feet slips away, the water and ice Dia had left for them rushing back to the front of the Daystar, ready to intercept the Void Eater.

The water on Wan'shi's scales instantly evaporated as it collided with the sun - then halted mid-air. Then condensed. Then froze. Water from the Sunspots were rushing into the Serpent, digging in, expanding, forcing its way through to the Serpent's skin and tearing it apart. For a moment, the water froze in such a way as to hold Wan'shi still, as if on a spit. Of course, this would not stop the Serpent for long, but it was all Renarr needed for a steady target.

As sunlight kissed sunlight, Wan'shi felt the foreign water in its body - water that had proved itself capable of freezing atop the sun - give way to the might of two suns, not merely evaporating, but atomizing.

The sight was almost blinding to behold from the First World, as countless streaks of light shot in every direction across the sky, each one previously a scale of the Serpent's - now something more.

Aftermath

Many river archons dragged themselves inland away from the River Dia, some of them helping along the few mortals that they had saved. Many of the mortals would find themselves incredibly forgetful over the next few weeks, forgetting not just details about the storm, but about recent events in their lives, old memories they could no longer grasp, favors and grudges that would have to be made new again.

Meanwhile, those archons who had frozen solid running up the wave they had helped to freeze solid began to liquefy, splashing around and rushing across the Stygian Glacier. Some ran off in a direction across the ocean, some guided more chilled refuges up to the mouth of a nearby river. A few returned to the River Dia, who was still frozen, and asked what was to be done next. Dia weakly asked if they were still safe from Wan'shi's waves, and the archons took that to mean they should halt the devastation across the world. Dia didn't correct them as they scattered across the oceans to drag down the tsunamis.

The Pit of Making

Dia slithered behind Hetta, her icy form slowly melting. She watched silently as Hetta drug some of the archons she failed to save from the Daystar's creation back down to earth, making a large clay structure. She watched as humanoid figure with flames in his eyes added to the structure. She attempted to nod at him, her ice cracking a bit more and raising off the ground. She then looked at the pillar and began pooling her own water into it, at first merely intending to improve the stability of the clay.

But as her waters flowed through the pillar, she noticed something - tiny motes of energy were traveling up her waters. She watched as they started climbing up the pillar, and saw what they held - long walks home, words left unsaid, lost trinkets, insults, kindnesses... curious, but not exactly useful for the task at hand.

Dia drew the thoughts and memories back, then a new thought stuck her. Studying the design of the motes, Dia changed the life being crafted within the pillar ever so slightly: like all life, the creatures born from this pillar would be able to create sprites of their own, but some of them would be unique, in that those sprites could resonate with a deity's divine aura and absorb part of it. These sprites would them drive themselves back into a golem and twist its flesh to express a similar, if much more limited power.

Sprites that reverse-engineered creation itself. It was only fitting, Dia thought, that such a power belong to the archons who were unable to join creation in their short lives.

As the pillar's formation completed, the sky was suddenly flooded with countless streaks of multicolored light, scattering themselves amongst the night sky. Dia found her own body reflecting a similar phenomena - no, not reflecting. It was more like if the River Dia herself had become a window into space, and this effect continued down all across her form and even within the ice of the Stygian Glacier.

What a fitting backdrop. For the Serpent's final hour.

If. You require it. When you are ready. I can take whomever wishes to fight. Straight to the Serpent.

Spoiler: AP Actions

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The Stars in the Sky
Create Land (2/2 AP)
The stars are born from Wan'Shi's scales, the atomization of Dia's waters left on Solace helping them disperse amongst the void. These stars can be viewed in the night sky, and also through the River Dia and any black ice or water she creates, including the recently made Stygian Glacier.

Wave Archons
Sublife (3AP)
River archons that have been reborn once more as waves - these archons are even swifter than their predecesors, and can move anywhere across the oceans - though they can only move inland along large bodies of water connected to the ocean, such as rivers (if the resident river archon permits it).

Divine Thoughts
Bless (1 AP)
The golems contain normal sprites, and can also form special sprites that absorb the aura of nearby deities, reenter the golem, and make that aura manifest in some way, replicating aspects or powers of the deity on a smaller scale. Once absorbed, this lasts for as long as the golem focuses on the aura, the sprite leaving their body and needing to be suffused with a godly aura once again.

Remaining AP: 2/16

**Zelphas** · 2021-05-09, 05:54 PM (ISO 8601)

In the Pit of Making

Hetta watched the fiery-eyed god place a proper point atop the spear she had made, and thought the work done. And then the watery spirit added to it, subtly changing and growing the latent power within the spear into something she would not have considered. Now, it is truly finished. It just needed to be cast.

Hetta responded to the river's offer with a slow shake of her head. Despite her form, she is not a god of battle, and her opening acts of creation have left her tied to the earth in a way she did not expect--though even now she can feel that grip growing more tenuous, the ground almost too insubstantial under her clawed feet. Still, for now, she would remain upon the First World.

But that does not mean that her efforts in this battle will be wasted.

Gripping the massive pillar of what once was clay between her two draconic forelimbs, Hetta reared up, lifting the enormous tower out of the ground with a rumble and a roar. She held the pillar close to her for a moment, forelimbs straining, using her humanoid torso and arms to search the sky and pinpoint the largest piece of the broken snake. Then, in a titanic heave and a roar of sound so loud it seemed to silence the air rather than fill it, the pillar was gone, disappearing into the sky and the void beyond the First World.

Upon the Void Battlefield

The multicolored spear, bearing upon its burning tip the fang of the great serpent Wan'shi, soared through the darkness of space now lit by frozen scales, striking at a piece of snakeflesh that was already beginning to twist and re-form itself. The burning tip buried itself into its own body, but the angle must have been slightly off; the fang struck bone and shattered into a thousand pieces, some still burning, some extinguished, all cascading backwards towards the massive clay pillar of the goddesses' spear.

Every single shard of Wan'shi's fang was snatched out of the air by arms of clay, which erupted out of the clay pillar all the ay up and down its length.

The Golem Archons separated themselves from their counterparts and formed a host in the Void, each one a single color of clay, no two exactly alike in shape or hue. Bearing their new blades of bone, some still burning, some not, they set about the work for which they had been created, scattering across the sky to seek out and strike at the pieces of Wan'shi which still lived, still grew, and thus were still dangerous.

A curious thing happened next, seen by all of those deities who went personally into battle; the Golems that drew near to them in the conflict would change, becoming somehow more like that deity...

**Writtensanity** · 2021-05-09, 09:52 PM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler: BRIETTIA - THE NESTWARDEN

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The falling fang shards of Wan'Shi rained over The Spine Aerie, cracking and splintering against the rocky mountains that had formed from the devourer's skin. The clattering of these spines awoke Briettia from her post-creation slumber. The goddess opened her eyes to see the tooth shards breaking on the ground, and the birds of the aerie fleeing to escape the wreckage of their nests.

Briettia had made this land to keep her children safe, but the Gods couldn't keep their petty squabbles away from the mortal plane. They were breaking the very thing they'd been battling Wan'Shi to protect, and the damned end of days was still alive.

The scorched fang shards of Wan'Shi reignited with the light of the sun around Briettia, and searing heat pushed away the permanent fog of the cloud aerie. Briettia called the shards to her and coated her wings in searing teeth. Wan'Shi and the Gods were infinite, and so were the snake's fangs. By the time Briettia was done forming her new wings, her wingspan covered The Spine Aerie in darkness, a shield against the debris of the battle of the stars.

Briettia took off from the earth, and her massive wingbeats could be felt around the circle continent. The goddess careened toward the writhing serpent, her wings taking on the brilliant glow of the sun. As she approached, she saw the Golems and Archons of the other gods attacking the constantly regenerating Wan'Shi. The Nestwarden unleashed the broken fang of Wan'Shi with a mighty gust from her void-like wings. Her hailstorm of venom and vengeance flew past Wan'Shi, piercing deep into the Sun itself.

The blood of nests that were broken in the Aerie burned in the Sun, and Briettia forged it into vengeance and retribution incarnate. The parts of the Sun that Wan'Shi killed, Briettia absorbed into the blood as well. Finally, she turned the shards of Wan'Shi's fangs into terrible beaks. Briettia beat her wings to blow life into her creations within the sun, and from the blood of Nests that were broken, the first Phoenix erupted from the Sky to burn Wan'Shi, followed by a flock. A flock that Briettia would never need to protect again.

Spoiler: Create Legend: Fang Phoenixes

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Spoiler: Bird

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Spoiler: Credits

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Spellpyre Phoenix: Magic the Gathering

Briettia is spending 5 AP on the 'Create Legend' to make Fang Phoenixes.

Fang Phoenix are massive birds made of Sunlight and feathers of Briettia herself. Though there are some small Fang Phoenixes, the majority of the species have wingspans of over 300ft, it is difficult to tell their standing height, as Fang Phoenixes do not land unless they are at the end of their lives.

Upon 'death' Fang Phoenixes return to their original state of blood and a shard of Wan'Shi's fang. Once any part of the remains is exposed to Sunlight, the rest of it will erupt into the brilliant being of Sunlight that they once were.

Rather than hunting traditionally, fang phoenixes simply fly close to victims they are looking to hunt, as their scorching wingbeats will cook most creatures without magical protection alive. Once their prey is cooked, fang phoenixes skewer them on their 'beak' which is more akin to a needle-like stabbing implement. Rather than eating their prey, they let it burn away in the Sun's light. This action seems to feed them.

Fang Phoenixes' massive size and magical nature allow them to be migratory over the massive circle continent, and even to lands beyond. Though the creatures have two known nesting grounds, The Spine Aerie and the Serpent's Spite Isles, they can be found hunting all over the known lands of the mortal plane.

Due to their highly territorial nature when it comes to hunting grounds, it's extremely rare to see more than one Fang Phoenix outside of the Serpents Spite isles or the Spine Aerie.

Because of their regenerative nature, it's theorized that there is a set population of Fang Phoenixes on the mortal plane and that there will never be more, though some maintain that a force similar to that of the sun, like an erupting volcano, could set more Phoenixes alight, or even create an entire new flock under a different name.

AP Cost: 5 (5 Remaining)

Domain: Life (Birth) - Now 10/10 needed for Ascension.

Most of the Phoenixes remained in the sky, blocking and battering Wan'Shi with their solar wings, but some swooped from the sky like falling meteors and crashed into the ocean, before erupting into the world with a plume of steam and salt.

**KragBrightscale** · 2021-05-09, 11:04 PM (ISO 8601)

Tsunami

Abu Dhahab was both disappointed and relieved when the giant snake ignored him. His giant sand claw had raked the side of the devourer beast’s head drawing blood and ripping out chunks of flesh so he thought he had hurt it. Not enough it seemed.

The devourer raised its head before plunging it back down into the ocean. The wave that formed was unlike anything the world had ever seen so far. Taller than the tallest mountains on circle continent, the destruction it caused would be cataclysmic in scale.

As the tsunami approached, the Great lizard spotted something approaching from the distance and felt the resonance of another divinity. He recognized the cosmic river deity who had saved many minor divinities from the solar flare. Although Abu Dhahab had witnessed some of the chaos at the dawn of creation, it was through his interaction with the chatty river archon Nafura who resides in the desert that he finally learned of who Dia was.

Raising his arms, Abu Dhahab controlled the sands of the beach to rise up to form a tall wall in the shape of a chevron before sending it pushing towards the incoming disaster. The hand of sand lead the charge at the tip of the formation. When the wave met the incoming wedge of sand it started splitting, though it didn’t take more than a few seconds for it to overcome the obstacle and continue on its path.

Although he only succeeded in slowing the tsunami down, it was enough time for the incoming deity to make their move, and move they did. Together with a battalion of river archons, Dia unleashed a powerful freezing effect and froze the wave just as it was breaking at the shore. With the help of another deity Abu Dhahab did not recognize, the tsunami was pacified, and the continent protected.

Thank you both for your timely assistance, many lives and societies were saved by your action.

Cosmic Combat, Slaying Spear, and Holy Sand

At that moment, a searing light shot across the sky burning a hole through the dark storm clouds. Another deity was incoming at an incredible speed. Like a meteor, they smashed into the devourer, searing the flesh that had almost healed. After a brief scuffle, the snake seemed to flee and departed the world again.

It was soon apparent that the Devourer was only shifting target, and was now planning on avenging itself against that which had burned it.

Shooting off into space, the shining deity was gone again as quick as they had appeared. Abu Dhahab had not managed to even react to their arrival before they both left. With mixed feelings, the Great Lizard wandered over to where the snake’s head had impacted the planet. Its potential for destruction was incredible.

As he arrived at the site, now a smoking crater filled with molten rock, he spotted another familiar deity rummaging through the wreckage. Pulling up a huge fang larger than a Crocodilian, the deity who had taught the Lizardfolk how to make use of every part of a corpse seemed satisfied and wrapped it up in the skin of a great beast before heading back to the continent.

Passing each other, Abu Dhahab gave a polite nod in greeting and gestured to the wrapped up fang. Good find! Such high quality materials are rare. Though there’s plenty more from where that came from... Not really waiting or expecting a response, the Great Lizard moved on to search a bit himself. The other deity seemed preoccupied with considering how best to make use of the fang.

Through his connection with the earth and sand, Abu Dhahab could sense a number of large objects still throbbing with that unpleasant aura of the Devourer. Forcing them up to the surface, they were soon revealed to be a large collection of teeth. Each tooth, though smaller than the magnificent fang he had seen earlier, was still significantly large.

Gathering them up he returned to the shore, only to see a huge clay pillar forming in the distance. It seemed the creator of the continent was also displeased by the space serpent’s wonton destruction. This he would have to get in on.

Rushing over, he witnessed the completion of the divine spear that would pierce the cosmic destroyer. He spotted a familiar fang at the tip of the spear. Chuckling, he agreed completely with its use.

Nice spear! I don’t think we’ve officially met before, but my people, whom you’ve probably seen, refer to me as Abu Dhahab. I believe you’ve already completed the weapon, but I’d like to contribute too. Take these, they should be useful.

As crafting was not his speciality, Abu Dhahab passed most of the teeth he had collected over to the deity that had claimed the largest fang. Magirus skillfully attached them to the shaft of the spear. These would become fearsome weapons in the hands of the golems that would emerge from the spear.

With an impressive display of force, the spear was launched into space at its target by Hetta. As the snake dealt with other threats, it wouldn’t notice the spear until it was too late. Abu Dhahab watched the battle unfold, flexing his fingers in irritation. The battle would likely be over before he arrived if he had to fly there personally.

His observation was interrupted by Dia’s sudden, but well timed, reappearance. They came with an invitation to join the cosmic action in person that Abu Dhahab could not refuse.

My people can not rest until this threat is pacified. Though I am fast on the ground, I believe your speed may be of help this time. I accept your offer, Let’s go!

Taking the remaining teeth the devourer had left behind, Abu Dhahab ground them down into a fine black sand. The ability of the Devourer to consume other divinities and their sources of power was tamed and repurposed as Abu Dhahab refined it with his own divinity. He purified away the taint and lingering aura until the sand turned golden, shimmering in the light.

This was now holy sand. Capable of hindering and obstructing any non physical power. Gathering it, Abu Dhahab condensed it into gold bracers that he wore on his arms. It would be returned to sand when he arrived at the snake where he would use it suppress the snake’s regeneration and mana.

Leaping into the air, the Great Lizard was once more going to face that detestable snake.

Spoiler: AP actions

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3 AP

Bless (Holy Sand) -1 AP
Holy sand is formed when WanShi’s teeth (or anything containing WanShi’s aura of devouring) is ground up and refined by a divine power associated with deserts or sand. The sand counteracts/suppresses/ weakens/obstructs/hinders affects/abilities/powers that are not purely physical in nature. The effect is stronger against weaker targets, so it’s more effective in suppressing a monster’s magical abilities than a legendary life form’s ability. This can not cancel/destroy the affect/ability/power, just reduce its potency. Exact effects on specific abilities can be discussed and agreed on.
Combat (Unarmed) 2/10

3 -1 = 2 AP

**GameOfChampions** · 2021-05-10, 12:22 AM (ISO 8601)

Lintri: The Changing Continent

He watches as the mass of water makes it way around the world, it crashes into the Changing Continent. He watches as thousands of the Ferrin die along the shores. The water washing over the continent forces the change early, the elemental energy suffising the land and empowering the natural change. The land grows wet and cold. Bodies of water form, weather changes, and the temperature drops.

The god is saddened slightly but this is what he expected to happen, not this early but happen none the less. The Ferrin struggle as he watches, unable to handle the great change and the next cycle decades away.

He looks at the suffering race and then leaves. Traveling through the world to see the various races. He watches the goblin races populate the Circle Continent, the centaurs travel the plains, the lizard people in their swamps. He sees them travel, populate, and live. Then he notices the shining races populating the world in lesser numbers.

The Archons in their various forms with several holding close ties to the elementals energies around them. The Phoenixes flying through the skies as they leave burning trails behind them. The clay dragons molding the earth thst defines them.

He looks at them and then considers the Ferris, could they not do the same? The travels back to the Changing Continent and examines the Ferris. Lintri looks,at how those races have innate connections to the elements, how the elements connected to to the world, and how the energy can be wielded by him.

He gathers that connection, solidifying it and growing it. As it reaches a peak he brings it down, imbueing the Ferris with the connection. Allowing them to connect to the elements. It wouldn't grant them the ability to wield it but it would allow them the option to tame, work with, or manipulate the elements. He uses the connection to solidify the natural connection the Archons, Phoenixes, and Clay Dragons have to their elements. Their natural abilities will make the magic easier, granting them deeper connections to their elements and channel the elemental energies for longer times.

Satisfied the Forging God looks upon his newly forged connection between the elements and the races of the world.

He watches the Ferris start working beside the elements, their new magic allowing the successful ones to save their people. Fire is the predominant element being connected with, no surprise there considering their need for heat. He watches a Ferris shaman shape a campfire into forms, making a Ferris figure to amuse some children.

In a fit of amusement the god reaches down to the figurine and feeds a thread of consciousness into it. The form solidifies beyond the shamans control and the little humanoid shaped fire begins to stumble around. Moving to pieces of wood and burning them up.

The shaman and warriors of the group panic, quickly moving to break it apart. The shaman doing the final blow of ripping the elemental apart. Lintri shrugs and moves on, or he would until he notices something.

He notices the thread of consciousness race through the entire element of fire, the consciousness infecting the element in places all over the world. His consciousness expands as he sees little elementals of fire start to pop into being from large collections of the element. He watches the shamans start to fight them, time passing as their connection to the the new magic grows. The shamans eventually become able to interact with the creatures. Some dominating them with their will while others treat the little fires as friends or pets to be loved and trained. The elementals quickly are becoming an integral tool to the Ferris

Spoiler: AP

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Create Mythic Concept (Elementalism) 4AP: Lintri looked for materials to forge in the opening days of the First World, he found the 6 elements in abundance and dubbed them the classical elements. He used them to create races and lands, not thinking of them as anything more then materials. As the world progressed he learned it was more then just materials. The elements were sources of energy, linked to life in intricate ways, and able to be interacted with. He grants the ability to interact with the elements to the mortal races. In some it just confirms what is already part of them, enhancing it and empowering it. In others it hrants the ability to do so in those willing to work with the elements. Taming the elements, befriending, or dominating. All ways to interact with the elements.

Create Monstrous Race (Fire Elemental) 1AP: Lintri threaded consciousness into the element of fire and it bonded. Now when there is collections of fire energy elementals will form. The Ferris have dominated the elementals as their connection to Elementalism grows.

Magic (Elementalism): 10/10

Society (Imperialism): 2/10

**Feathersnow** · 2021-05-10, 05:55 AM (ISO 8601)

Idix
The First Gom'Jabbar

Acis'sej was the eldest of Three-Tern lodge. Once they were all equals, all of that first generation that was on The Hunt. The Last Hunt. The Only Hunt. The hunt that took down the God-Beast ln known only as Skidi.

But that was lifetimes ago. They had all been many things over many lives, and scattered far across the continent. Many more had been taken.

No one knew where the Revenants came from or why, but they ate souls until they died of surfeit, spread like bad ice over a bay at dawn, and hates elders like Acis'sej the most.

Some theorized that it was some revenge loosed on the world for killing Skidi. And some said the youngest, those who knew the before-time only from stories and borrowed memories, those who prayed to Idix and marked the eyes of dead beasts with black ashes before eating them... Some said the innocent ones were only attacked by Revenants in self-defense.

But, innocent or guilty, the world was a poorer, more lonely place now. Most children had only a few lifetimes before they were taken. Most of the Ka and Ren of the Ancestors were eaten and sealed away behind the Revenants' plague.

But, for a while, the plague seemed contained. There was a protocol. The lodge would surround it, throwing rocks unt it was too broken to move. It might get a few of them, but they couldn't break out before they all fell. Then they would torch the remains. Then they would gather up all the rocks and ashes and meat and bones and put it in a net, and drag it to a trench deep off shore...

That held the monsters for a while.

But then, a few hundred hours ago, everyone asleep reported seeing Idix in their dreams, beckoning thrn to run inland. Then the seas turned nasty and the skies went weird. The lodge ran, taking as much food as tgey could carry and their herds of slimes with them. The lava tubes miles inland might be safe.

Acis'sej was the lastbone out, double checking for the child-bodied and anything valuable. The Ghul saw the sea retreat to the horizon and reach to the sky.

And, perhaps, worse, they saw the trench where they dumped the Revenants. Empty and exposed to air!

It was on the elder like that!

It pinned the Ghul and then clawed at its own chest, ripping out a chuck of flesh. With one mitten-like claw, it forced open Acis'sej's muzzle. With the other, it rammed down the corruption!

Acis'sej was awash with pain! Hunger! Guilt! With what might have been the last thought of the last true Elder, they called out to the god they had made. The golem-god of bones. The Deathless Deer who Acis'sej's mit, in another life, had dubbed "The Gift of the Questing Hand" in the holy tongues of the stillborn dryads.

And they were in Another Place, past the pain. In a plain like a dream, like a river of frozen fire, like flowing ice, like nothing at all. Chasing a deer, like they had done only once before. And each hoofprint was a cartouche, a sentence in the High Tongue. Regression to the Asymptote. Consume the Corruption. You are the Hand.

And Acis'sej was back in their body. And they were fighting. Each blow was the memory of every Ka-Ancestor. Each swipe was the claws of a beast. The force that impelled them was the strength of a dead god. No. A god that lived on in every Ghul!

Acis'sej reversed the pin and, for the second time in a dozen lifetimes, used her fangs not to cut dead meat but to rend living flesh!

As the Revenant died the memories of each stolen soul returned. Acis'sej knew their womb alone could bear the Ren-child of this lost sibling. They would find a male-bodied partner and begin the work of rescuing the lost...
And there was so much more to do! Others must learn of this new power!
Others must help the great work of. restoring what was lost! It was a lucky break, even with the new power of channeling memories, that Acis'sej had overpowered the Revenant... Next time would be harder.

Acis'sej made it to the lava tubes and collapsed. In their dream, Idix appeared and beckoned. They followed her in the air, flying to where the birds go at night, in the burning utter North. In the sands, a creature, neither fish nor fox nor Ghul, but with aspects of each stood. A cartouche ssid it was The Spicy. And Idix beckoned to attend him.

Spoiler: AP actions

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Starting AP 4/16
Ending AP 0*/16

1 AP Bless- The Gom'Jabbar
A Ghul that eats the flesh of a Revenant will not transform into a Revenant until they would otherwise die. At this point, the extreme regeneration of the Revenant animates their corpse.
War (Psychic Warfare) 1/10

2*AP Mythic Sub-concept- Prana Bindu
This martial art is the channeling of memories into improved physical prowess
War (Psychic Warfare) 3/10
*This action may be split with another player, pending agreement.

1* AP Mythic Sub-concept- Pharmakeia
The magic of ingestion of items to gain supernatural power. This especially takes the form of gsining the powers of dead enemies
War (psychic warfare) 4/10
*This action is being split with Magirus

**Razade** · 2021-05-11, 02:06 AM (ISO 8601)

Wan'shi: The War in Heaven

The Gods may have had their plan, their power, but they did not have one thing that would make slaying and binding the Void Serpent, the Exile, easy. They did not have a body that could easily wrap around the First World and more and squeeze it to powder. Nor did the Gods have the primal animal desire to fight through pain, through misery, through overwhelming odds when running was no longer an option. It wasn't. The Gods had cornered the vast serpent in its only true home, The Void, and while they may win the day, it would not be without consequence. The Snake was equal to them even before its first feast.

The serpents jaws were swift, biting and tossing Gods about in their divine conflict even as meat and scales were torn away. Venom flowed as did blood through the cosmic Void even as parts of regenerated into monsters all their own. None would last, the Gods rose an army against it, but the Void Serpent was an army in itself and for each blow, its mighty coils finally connecting with the Sun, its blood surging in waves into that Divine place and evaporating. The sun's shine would forever be part and parcel of this war.

If it could not win, it would eat as much as it could as the armies rose into the Void, as the other Gods soon joined and the vast laser struck. Wan'shi opened its jaws wide and, in even a brief moment, connected with the darkness of Night that Renarr had made with their creation of Light. It sought, in that ever dark place, a refuge as its body was torn apart with surgical grace, but the mighty forces of the Gods brought it back but not alone. Wan'shi, that adaptable horror, trailed black lines of force in its maw and the cold of Nocturne bled out into the Void itself. The Gods would not have noticed, hot by the Sun and by their blood, but their lesser creations would bare the brunt of this new element of the Void. Solar, Golem, anything born by Divine hand froze and turned to icy stone, clumping together to form vast asteroids around the snake to shield it, points of cold light to hang in the Void when it was gone. The Gods would fall to this too, if they lingered long, so long as mana, now touched by both the Sun and Nocturne and the very moon Wan'shi became moved in the heavens.

Little of it mattered, the actions of Wan'shi a delay, not a true route to the victory it sought. It had but one last attempt, to shed itself and hide until its scales would return and its teeth grew anew. With all of its might, as the lights of its eyes that had once served as the sun and moon of creation dimmed and its mighty skin was stretched to form the stars, from the depths of the mouth soon plugged with its own still beating heart, the serpent spat forth the last of its former meal. It looked like the Gods. Or many of them. Humanoid but...twisted. Still yet to be fully born, a pitiable thing, a stillborn God infused with the essence of the serpent. While it could not see, could not hear, its mouth opened in a toothy pit and all across the face of Creation, the Void, the Sun and stars and moon and even the darkness of Nocturne the Void Serpent's voice reached.

Born of Creation
Abandoned by Creator
The Gods seek to delay the inevitable

The stars will fade and fall into the oceans
The light of the Sun shall grow abominable to those on the lands
And the cold winds of Nocturne will blow across the deserts, turning all to stone
There is no escape
There is no hope
All will be consumed

The Gods in their envy shall rise up
Deserious, vain, and greedy
Their little soldiers, primed and plain
Will fall to chaffe, or unsown grain
Empty bellies grumble, the plates of Gods bare
Covetous, neighbor will take from neighbor
Allies born in conflict
Locked forever in first meetings

When the Gods do war across Creation
And the time grows nearer now
Their duty to keep their creations safe
Will distract them from the gate
In their fallow absence
Their punishment await.

With that. Wan'shi was dead, vanquished and sealed. What remained fell into the deeper Void, forgotten in celebration and haste.

Chronicles of the Deeper Darkness: Volume One

Below is an excerpt from the first volume of Chronicles of the Deeper Darkness, a treatise on the the possible origins of the peoples that called themselves the Weshesh. The writer is attributed to an Elven sage known as Tok Fan'Far who was old even when the Weshesh first appeared on Corrla.

"It is said to have begun after the Days of Thunder when the great Void Serpent Wan'shi was slain by the Dawn Gods in their palaces for its hunger. The shaking of the earth did stall and the vast wave that washed upon our shores was abated. It was not long then that they appeared with words of strange arcane text and the secrets of mana. We asked from where did they come and they simply pointed across the seas and said in Elvish that they were our kin but in their travels they could no longer bare to face the sun or the moon in the sky. It was an odd custom but in respect we abided by it. We did not know how truly strange our visitors would show themselves to be until much later, later when we discerned some truth to their claims and their true location of origin."

Some diagrams of the oceans at the time, weather reports far too strange to calculate and a recurring image of a snake eating its own tail follow in the documents.

"They called themselves the Weshesh, a name we would learn others used. Like us they were not merely all Elven but a conglomerate, banded together in hardship. They had little to trade but were deeply curious about our own cultures, our own ways of being and so with what little they had we let them in. They did not remain in place for long and when we observed them together their strangeness grew. None spoke amongst one another. They sat, cross legged, on the dirt and each moved with a will as if even by their stillness they conveyed their wants and desires. We never saw them eat, the strange lights that shone behind mask and canvass fold never seemed to dim. They simply would find a place after their work and...sit. Silent. Motionless. My children and their children found them unsettling. I was intrigued. How did they communicate without any outward markers of speech or motion? What was truly behind their coverings. Would I find an elf like myself in what seemed to be their leader? Old, gray and frail? It moved like me, more and more each day it seemed, bent and hobbled and slow. My son thinks it is but mockery but perhaps these people merely could not show their frailness on the open and violent seas."

The Weshesh in the Deserts

The first of the Xen came to land as the pitching and heaving ended. Dressed as they were in heavy clothing and masks, they set to work from their tunnels out near one of the many new rivers bequeathed by the Serpent. These were the first attempts by the Washesh to do anything under the sun and it had taken long years with the storms and the floods and the pitching earth to reach here. They were battered but they moved with a purpose. They had been moving with a purpose since the great Serpent had fallen to their depths and the other Goddess too. The architecture was strange here in the world above, not contoured to cavern and cliff face. It was not something the Weshesh were adept at...yet. But almost overnight they had a settlement and when the trading lizard people were seen in the distance they lit torches as if to invite them in.

Spoiler: AP Actions

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4AP

Curse (The War in Heaven) -1AP: Wan'shi has only spoken once in all of Creation. Its last words, a prophecy. Gods and Mortals alike will fall to their baser instincts, words will grow confused and war will foment between all peoples as bread leavens with yeast. [Evil (Natural Disasters) 7/10]

Bless (Mana Flood) - 1AP: So long as the Sun and Moon shine upon Creation, the mana inherent to Wan'Shi's very essence will forever rain down upon it. [Evil (Natural Disasters) 8/10]

Curse (The Roots of Darkness) - 1AP: The Void itself is hostile to the Gods and their creations. The chill of Nocturne now fills that Void such that the Gods of Creation will slowly freeze into asteroids in that place like so many fallen solar and those born from them. [Evil (Natural Disasters) 9/10]

Create Monsters (Shedskin Beasts) -1AP: Monster snakes still ply the darkness of the Void, immune from the Roots of Darkness, praying on anything they can find including each other. [Evil (Natural Disasters) 10/10]

4 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 0AP

**Writtensanity** · 2021-05-11, 03:18 AM (ISO 8601)

[IMG]

[/IMG]

At some point during the mother's rage, Wan'Shi stopped moving. The greater gods of the world sealed the power of the creature far away, but not before it could speak for the first time in creation. It spoke about how God's fought, everything ended and a natural order that no mother wanted to see for her child.

Wan'Shi had placed that curse, but Briettia wasn't sure it hadn't always been there. The gods were in the middle of celebrating their fight after all. Victory. Death.

Briettia wasn't a Goddess of Victory or Death, she was barely a Goddess, but she was a divine, a divine or something so far from death that the idea broke her.

Spoiler: ACTION

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Cashing in my 10AP investment to officially give Briettia the Domain of Life(Birth)

The Nestwarden didn't get angry at death, like she had before, instead, she felt tears for the first time. She wailed out into the endless void, a harrowing screech that would haunt mortals below. Briettia's wings grew black and sullen, she shrunk down back into what she'd been during her time out in the void.

A little thing that eventually fell.

Some of the first Fang Phoenixes, those that had stayed above to help their mother with Wan'Shi were struck by the snakes curse, turning to stone, and tumbling down toward The Spine Aerie. They smashed into dozens of pieces on the ground, cold and broken. The sun's rays filled the phoenixes with rebirth, but the stone would not let them reform, so they remained broken, dozens from one.

The first Harpy Flock.

Spoiler: AP Action: Create Subrace - Harpies(Fang Phoenixes)

Show

Create Subrace - Fang Phoenixes
Original Cost: 3 AP
Lowering Harpies from Legendary to Sentient Race
New Cost 2 AP

Legends say that harpies were born of the fang phoenixes that fought with their mother in the great sorrow. The original flock were pieces of broken Phoenix that gave up their power of revival to come back one final time as many. They are mostly native to the place where the phoenixes fell, The Spine Aerie.

Appearance:

Harpies are easy to disregard as a combination of classically humanoid traits with bird features, but there are some critical differences between them and the creatures they look like.

One of the main ones being that harpies are monogendered, exclusively female with very few of the traditionally mammalian traits that tend to identify creatures as female. Though their facial structure, which is humanoid, does read female. (Name missing things are that harpies have no breasts, no sex organs and don't have a wide-hipped bone structure.)

Despite some depictions showing harpies as having wings and no arms, or arms and wings on their backs, neither is the truth. Harpies have two sets of wings, one on their backs similar to angels and one where humanoids arms are. The frontal wings are connected to something very similar to arms but are often used for stabilization in flight while Harpies use then talons to carry things.

Harpies wings are notably pointed and covered in light, shedding feathers. They are thin compared to gliding birds, which lends to Harpies preference for shorter flights and dive hunting. (Like Falcons as opposed to eagles or hawks.

Harpies have an over 14-foot wingspan, but most stand just under five feet tall when walking.

Mythical Blood:

Harpies are related to the great Fang Phoenixes, and inherited a small bit of their magical rebirth. Rather than traditional breeding like most species, harpies reproduce at the end of their life, burning away into eggs.

The longer a harpy lives, the more eggs will spawn from their death, with happy Matriarchs having twenty or more eggs in a clutch. Because Harpies are destined to never see their mother, a curse passed on from Briettia's mourning of Wan'Shi, they are instead cared for by their mother's Clutch Sisters, who form the critical mother-daughter relationship.

Harpy's bodies burn into eggs approximately 24 hours after death.

-----

Domain Progress:

Harpy Creation: Domain Sky(Flight)

AP Cost 2

Total Progress: 3/10 for Sky(Flight)

Current AP Pool: 3/16

Wan'Shi deserved a mother, as all things did. Briettia did not know what she had been born of, but all things should know their origin and get their love and hope from that source. The eater of days knew not but hunger, because there had never been a loving hand to feed it.

Briettia stole off into the dark sky, just as Wan'Shi had spoken its last words and cursed the land. The Nestwarden found its skull, encased in Bamboo and hidden just before the stars. With a talon, Briettia carved out a piece of skull, impossibly large to a mortal, but so small to a God. She imbued the skull with her love and essence, and suddenly her piece of the skull wasn't bone or death, it was an egg, and life.

The new mother swooped back to the first world, the egg in clutches. She could feel its weight. Massive amounts of mana and will pushing through the shell. Briettia picked the egg up in her arms and cradled it in a mother's love until it calmed.

Briettia would prove her point with love, or she would need to accept that Wan'Shi's prophecy of the end was right and that some evils were meant to be.

Spoiler: AP Action: Bless/Curse

Show

Briettia has taken a piece of Wan'Shi and plans to give it life, love and a chance. Whether it hatches as a creature that will bless the land or curse it has yet to be seen.

No matter what it is, the essence of Briettia within will give it flight, representative of her love.

OOC:
I am handing the reigns to @Razade for this. What has Briettia done eventually? If more AP is needed to make the action come true I will invest it at your request.

-------
Domain Progress:

Wan'Shi's Legacy: Domain Sky(Flight)

AP Cost 1

Total Progress: 4/10 for Sky(Flight)

Current AP Pool: 2/16

**SpeedWitch** · 2021-05-11, 07:15 AM (ISO 8601)

The Pit of Making
(Prelude to the Prophecy)

Dia watched the stars go by, knowing that she had already played a large role in the Serpent's destruction. But she felt her essence rapidly vanish from Solace, and knew the Serpent wasn't dead yet.

Originally Posted by Zelphas

Hetta responded to the river's offer with a slow shake of her head. Despite her form, she is not a god of battle, and her opening acts of creation have left her tied to the earth in a way she did not expect--though even now she can feel that grip growing more tenuous, the ground almost too insubstantial under her clawed feet. Still, for now, she would remain upon the First World.

But that does not mean that her efforts in this battle will be wasted.

Gripping the massive pillar of what once was clay between her two draconic forelimbs, Hetta reared up, lifting the enormous tower out of the ground with a rumble and a roar. She held the pillar close to her for a moment, forelimbs straining, using her humanoid torso and arms to search the sky and pinpoint the largest piece of the broken snake. Then, in a titanic heave and a roar of sound so loud it seemed to silence the air rather than fill it, the pillar was gone, disappearing into the sky and the void beyond the First World.

Taking a moment to comprehend Hetta's actions, Dia spoke:

I. Did not expect them to go off on their own. The blessing I gave them... Dia trailed off as Abu Dhahab began to speak.

Originally Posted by KragBrightscale

My people can not rest until this threat is pacified. Though I am fast on the ground, I believe your speed may be of help this time. I accept your offer, Let’s go!

Dia's form shook, the last of her ice melting away.

Very well. The River Dia moves to meet the Serpent.

Originally Posted by KragBrightscale

Leaping into the air, the Great Lizard was once more going to face that detestable snake.

Dia attempted to conjure a platform for the Great Lizard (and any other god that wished to come along). However, instead of ice, a fishing boat popped out of the waters to catch him. Dia processed this for but a moment before remembering that there was a Serpent to slay, and took off into the atmosphere.

Across the Void
(Prelude to the Prophecy)

A nearly invisible river shot through a sky full of stars, propelling a fishing boat at the top of its jetstream. As the group entered the void, Dia, curious about the gods she had met and worried that she may be flying toward her doom, tried to start up a conversation, mostly questions about the world they were leaving behind, whether to distract herself or gain resolve for what they were fighting to protect.

So. How goes things. On that tiny blue sphere?

What do divines. Do? With those rocks and waves?

Hm. I just realized. Despite collaborating with you all. I have yet to learn your names.

The War in Heaven
(Prelude to the Prophecy)

As the sun's light grew more intense, and the group came within range of the conflict, Dia tipped the boat up: not towards the massive snake roiling in the flames of Solace, nor the vicious regenerating golems fighting all across it, but at the harpy that was clawing at the sun.

This. Deity? Is not known to me. Friend of yours?

As Dia neared the Serpent, some of the golems began to manifest water-like qualities, slipping in-between the jaws of the Serpent and others freezing themselves in place to avoid being thrown into the void.

**KragBrightscale** · 2021-05-11, 08:20 PM (ISO 8601)

Travel by Divine River

Standing on the small boat that had appeared beneath his feet, Abu Dhahab kept his balance as the divine river shot off into space. It wouldn’t be a long trip, but he had plenty of time to respond to Dia’s questions.

Things were going well for the most part. Until that snake returned. After that... not so much. I’m known as Abu Dhahab by the way, and though you may not have heard of me, I have long known of you through one of the rivers you saved. They have taken up residence in the land I created and are revered by my people.

What we do down there? Well that depends on the individual. We all have some intrinsic tendencies. Whatever being that created... well, everything... must have put some of that same tendency in us. I cannot speak for the others, but I for one get much satisfaction from seeing the lesser life forms I created develop and prosper through cooperation and exchange.

The snake, though I disapprove of their methods, is at least true to what I believe is it’s intrinsic tendency.

It seems we have arrived. I will join the fight. I enjoyed our chat, let us meet again should we succeed in this battle.

Abu Dhahab jumped off the boat as it dematerialized. Although he regularly mingled with mortals and spoke to them, it had been enjoyable to finally speak with another deity. Now it was time to fight, and he had a few more ideas that he hoped would be more effective.

Golden Lizard Palm, the Birth of Martial Arts

The battle had already devolved into a chaotic mess. Searing flame and condensed energy beans lit up the void while Golems hacked away with vengeance. A winged divinity clawed the snake ripping out part of its spine, before creating huge flaming birds that also joined in the desperate battle.

The heat of battle sent Abu Dhahab’s blood pumping. With a roar, he joined the fray. Punching, kicking, swiping with his claws. The great lizard unleashed the normally suppressed instincts of a warrior. Slowly, his movements became more fluid, the timing of his strikes more effective.

Holy sand swirled around his fists as he continued to fight. The snake was fierce however, and though cornered, it lashed out time after time with brutal attacks that threw off the divinities and their army. Smaller snakes started forming from the chunks of severed flesh, and Abu Dhahab soon found his hands full holding them off.

Gathering his sand into a large golden palm, he struck the closest of the smaller snakes. The impact was initially less impressive as expected, then the back of the snake ruptured as it’s insides exploded.

Fatality!

The Fall of the Devourer, and the Prophecy

Before he could return to the main battle, Abu Dhahab spotted the Great Serpent charge once more at that enormous ball of flame. He watched as its size and brightness lessened ever so slightly. Having finally succeeded in taking a bite out of its nemesis, the snake finally succumbed.

As it died, it finally spoke. Surprisingly eloquent, its words a prophecy for future conflict and strife. The smaller snakes scattered into the void, where they would no doubt multiply and forever pose a threat to any who wished to travel through space.

As the other deities went about sealing its skull, or flying off with a piece as if claiming a trophy, Abu Dhahab was silent. The words spoken were ominous, and if they ever were fulfilled, he would have to be stronger if he wanted to protect his creation.

His imagined scenarios chilled him to the bone, or maybe that was just the void stealing his warmth. His fury had been calmed, and he looked around. As his warrior instinct returned to dormancy, Abu Dhahab returned to his merchant ways. Priceless materials were everywhere.

Epic Loot, Golem Recruitment, and Plans for a Journey

Using his divine sand the Great Lizard gathered up bones and scales that the snake had lost during the fight. He found a few half destroyed golems, and refilled them with divine power until they started reforming. Influenced by his aura, the golems grew small golden scales.

Created to serve a purpose that no longer existed, they stood motionless, lost and unsure of how to move forward. Seeing them, Abu Dhahab realized another truth. Successful revenge gives way to emptiness, a lack of purpose and drive.

These odd life forms had once been one of the divine. They were almost eaten, they were burned, then frozen, being mostly dead, they were transformed into a weapon, and given a malleable body with which to exact vengeance. Now they just floated in the void, shells of their former existence.

Taking pity on them, Abu Dhahab gave them an offer.

My fellow siblings, now that the snake is no more, follow me to return to the world below. Observe the mortals and their short yet fulfilling lives, perhaps you will rediscover what you have lost. The deserts will always welcome you unless you become like the serpent. You’ve had it rough, rest your minds and souls, find peace within the beauty of creation.

The golems responded in different ways.

Some refused outright, tired of being played around with and living at the mercy of other divinities. They descended to the planet on their own, to hide or form their secluded communities. Their remaining divine power enough to conceal them

Others seemed too badly damaged by the fight, and just floated there with a blank look. There would be little hope for them if nobody dragged them away.

The remaining few nodded or weakly agreed, following him on his return journey. Abu Dhahab had them carry some of the spoils as he guided them slowly back to his deserts.

As he flew home, the great lizard spent his time grinding and refining more holy sand using some of the Serpent’s bones. He’d save a few of course, to see if he could sell them to the deities who had remained on the planet.

A trip would be nice, he thought. He’s spent most of his existence just in the desert he’d made, and while he still had many ideas for things to create, the world was full of unexplored beauty. After settling the golems and checking on the Lizardfolk, he’d start his journey.

Spoiler: AP actions

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AP: 2

Create Mundane Concept (Martial Arts) -1 AP
A combat style that makes use of the original weapon: the body. Through diligent practice and discipline, a warrior can improve their strength, reflexes and flexibility to unleash powerful strikes with any part of their body.
Combat (Unarmed) 3/10

2 -1 = 1 AP

**Zelphas** · 2021-05-12, 12:34 AM (ISO 8601)

The War in Heaven, Seen from Earth

Hetta watches the battle play out across the skies, noting the strengths and weaknesses of the Golem Archons she had sent to the skies. It seemed that their autonomy, their sentience had been both boon and bane to them; it allowed them to wield godlike powers with skill and precision, but it left them open to corruption from outside forces. Better to cut that in less-powerful iterations, then.

She heard Wan'shi speak his baleful prophecy; no god could avoid it after all. She nods once it is finished, almost smiling. Finally, someone had given clear guidelines for how the future will play out. Perhaps Hetta should aid in crafting this "punishment" for the gods... but that could be dealt with later. It seemed that despite the urgency in the prophecy, there was still some time; gods had yet to do battle with gods directly so far, except for the gods who faced the Snake.

Within the Pit of Making

Hetta dug and shaped, shifted and carved; her next plans would take time to bring to fruition, but she had all the supplies she needed within her small patch of the First World. With Wan'shi temporarily locked away and the Void growing inhospitable to gods and mortals alike, interest would turn inevitably to the First World, and so new laws and rules would soon be made. She needed to be ready for when that time came.

At some point, a slow trickle of Golem Archons began arriving into the Pit of Making, a very few number of that multitude falling to earth nearby or returning willingly to one of their creators for instruction and guidance. Hetta put those who presented themselves to her to work digging and organizing in the Pit or watching over the Feet of Clay as they slowly expanded, often putting them under the supervision of the Lump. She did not seek out any of the Archons for herself, and she did not react if they decided to leave and wander on their own after a time under her service; they had been built for a purpose, and they had fulfilled it. Anything beyond that was beyond her purview.

Thread: Lords of Creation: The World Madly Spins (IC Thread)

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