IntroductionThe Prophets Have Arrived!It's a beautiful day in the land of Tezelom, the skies are clear and the songs of birds ring out across the landscape. People all across the land are going about their daily lives, enjoying the uneasy peace the day has brought them. They may live in a land of ancient tradition, great culture and reasonable wealth, but it is also true that said land is frequently consumed by conflict, senseless destruction and violence. However, this is not merely an unusually peaceful day, for today begins a new era:
The Age of the Prophets, a time that will leave an indelible mark on the nation's history.
The Prophets, men and women of varying backgrounds, have all made their way into Tezelom, and even though none of them know each other, they are still unified in their mission to bring the One True Faith to the unenlightened masses. The beginnings of their respective journeys are quite humble indeed, but each and every one of them holds the power to change the world, even if they may not fully realize it yet.
For instance, the youngest of the Prophets,
Shashari, has only left her home this morning, setting off from her hometown into the world to preach the word of the True God. As she walks along the dirt road, she regards the seemingly savage world around her with a sort of cautious interest. This is all so unfamiliar to her, the sights and sounds of the countryside, the rough road ahead and the feeling of uncertainty that a traveler's life brings. However, these feelings also bring a sort of novelty with them, as the unknown brings new experiences, new challenges, new things to desire and obtain. She stops to consider the area around her.
All these fields look alike to her. Honestly, how can people find their way around, let alone live here? It's getting infuriating. She doesn't know where she's going, where she is and what's ahead. What's a girl to do in this situation?
[Perception roll: ?]
The only living beings she sees around her are a flock of sheep gently grazing a ways off the road. Well, it's good to know that at least something can survive in this area.
Elsewhere, an old man named, aptly enough,
Gronok the Old is walking down a road that is similar in a great many ways. That is, it's made of finely-stomped dirt and is equally unknown to the traveler walking it. Gronok, however, is far too excited to let that get to him. Though the area has somewhat of a reputation for its brigand infestation, Gronok finds it difficult to truly fear them, considering the events of the previous night. A certain something has changed in his entire perception of the world and the people in it, and he believes that this change may be for the better.
However, now is not the time for deep introspection. If he remembers correctly, there should be a village just over this hill. Gronok quickens his pace, eager to get some rest for his old bones.
As he passes over the hill, he is met by the sight of an empty plain. Hm, maybe the village was over
that hill? Or maybe not over a hill at all, but next to a river? Or maybe he made that entire story up? It's getting difficult to tell some days.
Even further away, right on the southeast border of Tezelom in the Izakiim Mountains that have served to protect Tezelom from the obvious threat of foreign incursion and the more insidious threat of subversive ideas for thousands of years, a man going by the name of
Phiali Heavenchanter makes his way into Tezelom to do both in spite of the unforgiving mountainous terrain. It's been a long week in the mountains for him, but through sheer determination and, in his opinion, not an inconsiderable amount of divine guidance, he has made a lot of progress. So he can't help but smile with satisfaction when he reaches the final slope leading to the Chosen Land.
He lets his gaze wander over the countryside from his lofty perch, appreciating the sight of dense green forests and small mountain streams as far as the eye can see. Truly this is a blessed, if ignorant land.
[Perception roll: ?]
He believes he sees a trail of smoke coming from the distance, probably about three miles away. A border town, perhaps?
On the other side of the country, another foreign traveler, one
Elizas Hi!kok Bagon finds a much warmer reception than Phiali. He actually has a road to walk on, you see, and it's even cobbled, a privilege extended to only the richer regions of the nation. However, the relative comforts of the road are somewhat offset by the incredible dryness of the area, as only a few shrubs exist along the semi-desert that are the western regions of Tezelom.
Though the general nature of his mission is clear to Elizas, he does feel like he might be in for a difficult journey yet. Thirst is beginning to set in, and the sun is absolutely merciless. He doesn't recall it being this bad even in his own homeland. Still, he has a road to follow. A road that leads to Berikalam, one of the richest cities in Tezelom, and most assuredly a great place to start his mission of enlightenment.
[Perception roll: ?]
Shielding his eyes from the sun and looking in the distance, he notices a merchant caravan going his way just ahead. Perhaps if he rushes, he might be able to catch up with them.
Seemingly safe, but actually in a far worse situation is the last Prophet,
Sejena the Temptress, as she wanders the somewhat meager city-state of Telokiim. Though she is dressed in some of the finest clothing money can buy and carries herself like the noblest of queens, she is met not with admiration, respect or even fear. Rather, every person she passes spits in her general direction or at least gives her a very stern and hostile look. It seems that neither the king nor his host of concubines are particularly well-regarded by the public, especially when you consider the recent surge in popularity across the nation that the cult of Kezilam, goddess of purity and hard work experienced.
[Perception roll: ?]
As she walks down the street, she sees nothing but hostile faces all around. Not a single one of these people seems willing to help her, or even talk to her. Some of them seem to take offense from her even looking at them.
This tracks your individual MP. Remember: MP do not regenerate and have no upper limit, and can only be increased by pleasing your god somehow.
Shashari: 5 MP
Gronok: 5 MP
Phiali: 5 MP
Elizas: 5 MP
Sejena: 5 MP
I'm going to have to ask each of you to submit a color to differentiate your character's name and speech. I would have asked earlier, but I totally forgot. I will now update the second post with info on the New God and the players, as well as the waitlist. Right then, have fun!