Exkit smouldered. Not that there was anything unusual about that. But he could feel the fire building within. Not today, not tomorrow, but eventually, it would be unleashed. Before that time came, he would have to ensure things would survive the outburst.
Himself, for one. His fiery spirit required sustenance, in the form of worship. The Vri would suffice, but they would need to be informed.
Reaching again into the lava, he drew out pure obsidian, which he molded into the shape of a large, imposing Vri. Once cooled, he set to work creating the finer details- carefully carving patterns into its surface, until one could almost mistake the statue for a living Vri, so lifelike was its appearance. It would, of course, have to be a Vri whose every feature was black as night.
Leaving the figure for now, he returned to the molten rock, and repeated the process, creating a slightly smaller Vri (compared to the first). When the two were finished, he stood them side by side, then let the fire flow from his body into the motionless beings. The fire filled them up, until their eyes glowed, and flames could be glimpsed within their open mouths. As it did so, they came to life- slowly at first, with shaky, unnatural movements, but becoming smoother and more natural as their transformation progressed.
Exkit looked upon his work, and was satisfied. He named the first Stob, who would be a preacher, and the second Mosk, who would be a craftsman. Neither could be considered mighty titans, yet their powers would outstrip most mortals.
He bid Stob travel the mountains, to bring the mortals knowledge of Exkit, who gave them fire, and to tell them of the gifts they might receive by visiting Diaq, encouraging them to place the volcano on their migratory paths.
Mosk he placed lower on the slopes, to await the first pilgrims, whom he would provide with obsidian crafts- axes and spears, mostly- and attempt to teach the secret of their creation.
Act: Create Servant(s): Stob (Lvl 4 Preacher) & Mosk (Lvl 3 Crafter)
Send Stob to preach in the mountains, sending the Vri on pilgrimages to Diaq. Mosk will provide the Vri with tools and weapons.
Now that he was expecting guests, it behoved him to make his realm more hospitable.
Volcanic ash was one of Exkit's favourite things. Born from fire, it gave rise to life like no other- an aspirational substance. Tweaking the properties of Diaq, he made it so the mountain would regularly (every decade or so) spew out clouds of ash, that would rain down upon the slopes and valleys surrounding it, making the land fertile, encouraging plant growth.
Act: Fertilise Diaq with volcanic ash.
Yet what would grow and live in his newly fertile garden? Mountain potatoes alone would make a monotonous fare. Exkit had a knowledge of the other gods, and knew of one who could help him. He left Diaq, heading through the mountains to the great valley of Ignus. There, he knelt before Gnyr, and spoke:
"GNYR. I seek your aid.", he said, clenching his fists.
"Two things I would ask of you.", he continued, tone furious.
"One: That I may take seedlings of fire-spice back to Diaq, for it has my aspect, and should grow well on Diaq's heated flanks."
"Two: That you should create for me a beast capable of surviving in the mountains, that will eat of the potato and spice, and be most edible to others in turn."
"In exchange, I will craft for you an artifact, as soon as the prayers of the mortals invigorate my spirit!", concluded the blazing deity, all but shouting the final words.