STRATA_STATUS: Satisfactory
SPECIES_DEVELOPMENT: Satisfactory
Continuing RITE programme...
Administering RITEs...
Coordinating phases...
The others once again discussed the Acterians and their current 'favourite', Kol. Quite tiresome, especially when the upstart began screaming. The Tutelospera left Mirdanrond to continue its works down on the First.
From its inner core, it forged Karthos, the Lender of Rites. It was a changeling of an entity, capable of shifting amongst many forms, including sapient life. Indeed, Karthos was designed to be quite the socialite blending in with mortals of all types with ease. Karthos was not a mere shapeshifter however, but also a living conduit of the Tutelospera's divinity. It held the power to offer minor boons like mending wounds or improving eyesight. However, these always came at a price. If Karthos cleansed a wound, one would be expected to take up an equivalent curse as well. Perhaps a wound in a different area, or a disease down the line. Something of equal value. Nothing more, nothing less. Those who wished not to suffer a curse could also trade in part of their soul, but Karthos was instructed first o educate his supplicants in what a soul was, before allowing them to give it. Those who wanted to trade in the same boons that Karthos offered were also given a mark of a Red Moon. Those who were tattoo'd with the symbol became versed in Karthos' trade, but paid in their freedom. From then, their fates were up to Karthos and in extension, the Tutelospera. Of course, all applicants were told of this beforehand and that they would be allowed to continue living with their tribes or wherever they dwelt, but that simply owed service to Karthos when it visited or asked for it. All in all, it was no different than any other job, or at least jobs that would one day exist.
Even if these applicants became marked, they would never be able to call forth on the Greater Rites, those Rites that were the domain of the Tutelospera itself. Only by speaking with Karthos and requesting a Greater Rite could they ever hope of bargaining for them. As it stood currently, only the Rite of Filial Ardour was available...but more were sure to come.
As he finished with Karthos and told him to begin his work, the Tutelospera saw his creations led by the Kovash. While not displeased with this, it decided that a counterbalance was required. As such, it created the Blindseers. Or at least, the process required to make Blindseers.
1 Act: Create Karthos, Lender of Rites. Karthos is capable of granting minor boons to supplicants, as long as they pay in their soul essence or in curses. Karthos may also offer up Greater Rites that are personally made between the Tutelospera and the supplicant. Karthos is able to grant mortals the ability to grant boons/curses at the cost of their freedom. Karthos is instructed to travel amongst the mortal societies and get to know them, as well as plying his trade offering his 'franchising' services.
1 Act: Rite of Filial Ardour. A supplicant may impart great intelligence, strength, cunning, a specific mutation or any other such adaptation/nature that is considered 'reasonable' by Karthos onto their unborn children. This applies only for their next litter and is distributed in full to the whole litter. In exchange, they will become infertile and will die an early death, with the same happening to their partner involved in creating said litter.
1 Act: Create the Blindseers. Mutant Tavros that are birthed randomly throughout the year, there is only 1 Blindseer for every 500 normal Tavros. Blindseers are blind and silverfurred Tavros able to see magic, constellations and essence. They are wise and intelligent in comparison to other mortals but are physically frail. They are naturally born with some comprehension of magic and technology.
1 Act: Rite of Bloody Wings. A supplicant's body changes to allow them to fly swiftly, including the addition of wings. Their body is still recognisable as a member of their species. In exchange, the supplicant must accept a monthly tithe of blood/flesh amounting to 20% of their monthly kilojoule intake OR a personally sacrificed mortal to the Tutelospera. If a mortal is sacrificed, this counts for six months of tithing. This amount is explained to the supplicant in measurements they can understand by Karthos.