And slowly the rusty wheels of the universe screech against inertia and slowly, ever so slowly, begin to grind forward once more.
The world had changed a great deal in this short time. The war on Verdance had come to an end, the participants parted after the spilling of blood. Dark and unknown foreigners from far flung stars fly closer and closer. Kyzair and the angel Erin leave quietly in the night to fornicate in fragrant and flighty Olympian heavens of a distant realm. You doubt the pair will return, though not because you think their relationship will last more than blink of an eye for the gods, but because they are wanderers. The universe calls them to move, each for reasons as deep and ingrained in their divinity as one's heart is ingrained in one's soul. No, they shall likely not return. Yet in the absence of Kyzair's careful lordship, Verdance grows wild and dangerous. Its's once well kept societies and beautiful landscapes grow unkempt. Tentacles in the sky dim the sun's blaze and weathers the minds and hearts of mortal men. A writhing twisting gloom permeates the realm. Plants grow sickly and begin to wither, and the mortals here begin to worry that they will follow suit. The various kingdoms of Tasatha, all but done away with their Boroi warlords and claimed by the fair southerners, quarreled and warred over what little food they could muster to coax out of the increasingly barren and beautiful landscape. Verdance had grown colder as well, not due to the Ice Princess licking her wounds in the far reaches of the distant gelid tundra, haunting frozen glacial halls of frozen icy fortresses. No, the simple dimness of the place prevented the sun from replacing the fleeting warmth, and the land grew cold and angry. A strange new creature appeared across Verdance, and the people lamented their sudden new neighbors. The corpse eaters had appeared across all of Verdance! These wild beasts spread out across the planes and tundra of the wilting wilds of Verdance. Within hours, a terrible fate had become all of those which appeared or spread beneath the permafrost. Their fate unknown, yet their death was most certain. Not one survived in the thawed lower regions of this unforgiving land. Those that remained in the ice found themselves in one of the most inhospitable places on the planet. Crevices, unseen and unknowable, could not be spotted until one plummeted into their hidden maw. Large slimey predators lurked beneath the snow, snatching nearby victims who wander to close. Boroi marauders and Zail hunting packs sliced and stabbed the wrenched insects and roasted them on a beacon of heat in an endless expanse of frost. Never has a species had so cruel a god as to send living beings into such an obviously and overtly inhospitable land. All that remains of the corpse eaters, mere days after their creation, are a few dozen in the frozen forests of Aedan trees. All other perished upon the face of Verdance. Luckily, in a stroke of benevolence, a small group was placed on the Troon. Those fared much better their earthly brethren. Yet the pickings here were slim, not due to barren hollow tundra, but sheer competition. Scraps were devoured post haste, and no corpse lasted long in this diverse landscape. The corpse eaters here must be lucky enough to find food, as well as not become it themselves. Truly no monster, mortal, or beast has been so decimated as these unfortunate children of an inattentive god.
Yet this was not the only new oddity to saunter across the garden of biodiversity that is the moon of this world. No, for two new gods had set their sights on one of the most rare of mortals. The noble grung. Giant slothlike red mortals with claws as hard and sharp as bronze. These majestic mortals roamed the jungle of the moon with such languid malaise that no god had dared try to force them into direct worship. For it would be easier to convince the fiery and frozen bones of the earth to rise up and preach their names, than to convince a grung to do the same. Yet still, the young gods endeavored to make their mark upon this world through the most unlikeliest of means.
Hewhogathersmuch was large grung, full of vim and vigor unlike any grung before him. Yet this was still considered incredibly ponderous compared to other mortals. Though, most pass this off as an urban legend. Indeed, the grungs of the moon had grown much larger and more complacent than their planar cousins upon Cariber and Pangea. Here the wild gutrees grew tall and strong. Their boney exterior pitmarked by the strong claws of the grungs who built their homes there. All grungs knew gutrees made some of the best homes, and Hewhogathersmuch had a mighty fine tree. Yes indeed, his nest was quite impressive and he had a store of food that could feed him for months, so well stocked was his little larder. His particular favorite was the common tree shrimp, though once a glow eagle had laid its eggs in his nest while he was away, now that was a meal. His neighbor Onewhowritesofstarlight who lives six trees over compliments Hewhogathersmuch on the construction of his home quite often. Hewhogathersmuch was quite happy with his quiet life, he had recently built a bridge and attracted a mate which had only recently left. This left Hewhogathersmuch time to think and philosophize in the slow manner that grungs do. While contemplating the meaning of a particular leaf above his nest Hewhogathersmuch got a strange thought, and began to see the time and spacial components which led that leaf to that spot. He saw the tree take in nutrients, the rain water the tree, and the insects scurry across it. This was interesting to Hewhogathersmuch and he thought on it some more. A few days later he concluded this indeed a special leaf. At one point he even heard the leaf speak. Apperantly its name was Shalael and it was a god. Hewhogathersmuch knew little of the gods, but seeing as this leaf wasn't hear a month ago, he figured Shalael must be fairly new at this. Hewhogathersmuch decided after molasses contemplation rolled forth off his savory mind and Hewhogathersmuch looked back through the leaf to see how it got here. He saw the birth of the universe, the gods, the stars, the firery explosions of creation and destruction played out against and empty heartless and indifferent void. He saw the works of the gods, their malevolence, indifference, anger, compassion, curiosity, and power. He saw nations rise and fall, battle fields of blood and death, starvation, a near plague, angels, demons, monsters, abominations, a glorious rodent, two dragons, and the infinite plight of all mortals screaming out to gods which can neither hear nor care. Hewhogathersmuch vomited into his larder.
Another grung, Redwhichclimbsthetree, too was visited by a god. Redwhichclimbsthetree was equally unfortunate in his visit from his new patron. While building a bridge to attracted a nearby woman named Shewhichknowswherethesweetfruitgrows, he suddenly lost consciousness. A vision of a happy future was promised to him by a great and terrible abomination. Chosen by this god, Redwhichclimbsthetree was given a power to provide divine healing once per day. It could not do much, for the god had no power to spare on granting this gift, but a token of power none the less. Redwhichclimbsthetree slowly thanked the god which was slowly fading into cold wet darkness. The god looked incredibly concerned as water separated you two and he disappeared, screaming your name. Yet as he blurred out of focus, the riverbottom faded in. Redwhichclimbsthetree had fallen into the river and was drowning! A mix of desperate struggling and pure luck got him close to the surface. Yet, it was not enough. And he sunk once more into the churning undertow. Death came slowly after Redwhichclimbsthetree, a dark and cold catfish swimming down the river, mouth agape. Yet in those final moments before Redwhichclimbsthetree was sucked into that still and eternal gullet, the words of Dabo flooded his mind and water was replaced by divine power. With his second wind, Redwhichclimbsthetree floundered onto the shore and breathed heavily until the sun set on his shivering body. It is there Redwhichclimbsthetree slept tonight.
It has been a great deal of time since the gods set their sights on Carociber. Yet strange things stirred amid the swirling chaos of blood and shit and fire. Long forgotten by the heavens, Anuthhurr had prowled these curving cliffs and roiling blood rivers uncontested by any heavenly hand. The powerful beast had been given power over flesh and he weilded it with a fist of blood and bone. After conquering his tribe, he conquered his neighbors, and then their neighbors until he had carved a bloody empire into the flesh of the land. Now he rules as a bloody warlord from a fortress of bone. Fountains of tears and gall fill a moat of vomit around this horrifying living fortress. Truly terror knows no bounds in this land forsaken by the gods.
Yet this was not the focus of this era. No, for this era brought forth the second coming of magic. A new form of life magic erupts forth from the moon. The work of the Pantheon of the Troon no doubt. This mysterious force fills every living thing under the heavens with Mana, and from them more mana flows forth. Great wells of power collect in the wonderous places of the natural world. Already the gods can feel the world shift and creak as the balance of life itself shifts. Strange things appear in the wilds, great and primal beasts. Druids and shamans can now appear at the behest of God's and luck alike. In some places, very strange and alien forces seem to gather, drops of oil in the watery well of this magic. What strange occurrences will this new power bring?
Even more strange are the actions deep beneath the earth. Tauron begins a plan to bring about the first true economy of this world and construct the Powder Road, a long stable pathway through the tunnels that connects various Allelid, Duros, and Ishagi settlements. Tauron causes large quantities of Powder crystals to grow across the caverns, yet for some reason, very few deposits appear near the annelids encampments in the stable caverns and their section of the Twisted Tunnels. It seems as though several supernatural entities have pilfered this resource before the mortals could even track down the deposits. Curiously enough, the dragon Phybur begins hoarding it in vast quantities. Yet the annelids were no helpless, and their tenacity allowed them to collect modest amounts to trade to Ishagi. Yet a winding trip down the Powder Road later, the annelids discovered something aggravating about their unusual giant neighbors. They don't want Powder Crystals. In fact, they want to see them to the cultists! Eventually a deal to trade annelid metal for Ishagi blast powder and the flow of the Powder road begins to trickle. As part of the deal, some ishagi are recruited at a high price, to bolster the annelid forces. With the two races standing side by side, a crusade against the dragon began. Small skirmishes, hit and run attacks, and occasional battles typified the early days. Many of these were victories for the annelids, and their allies. Yet unfortunately, this conflict garnered bizarre attention from various groups. Sides were chosen, and it becomes clear that perhaps the annelids chose incorrectly. Angry duros soldiers, hardened by uncountable battles, and defined only by two numbers, friends lost and ishagi killed, marched through the caves. Their eyes burned and dragonforged armor glittered across their breasts. For many, the dragon Phybur offered them hope of avenging their slaughtered families and the death of the monsters that plague their world. Wind howled through the once still caves as a great beast raged in the sky above, occasionally swooping down to strike the earth with its celestial talons, causing rock falls and injuries without prejudice of which side soldiers and civilians fought for. Strange new beasts appeared in the caverns as well. Crocktapus, as the men quickly dubbed them, were dog sized frogs with powerful tentacles which slithered from their wide boney mouth, constantly agape and filled with wigglingly and powerful tentacles. These creatures lay in wait, and use their tongue tentacles to drag unsuspecting prey into their mouths. Strange meaty mushrooms appear in some areas, the annelids take a particularly liking to the flavor. They claim it tastes of some sort of foreign bird, not of this world. They call this strange flavor 'khican'. Yet the most dangerous of the new creatures roaming the dull and fathomless depths, unpredictable tunnels, and hollow cavern halls, were the Comoondo Dragons. The soldiers are convinced they are dragonlings of the elder dragon. Yet no evidence has been put forth to confirm this. The Comoondos are large reptiles with a pack mentality. Their long gecko-like bodies can span up to three meters long. They have a variety of powers, including ability to cling to walls with great skill and ease, vision which is perfectly adapted to the darkness, a mild paralytic venom which affects many creatures, yet no reptiles, and a distinct love of annelid flesh. They cause a great deal of issues for the men, as small parties are completely wiped out by these hungry pack hunters. Yet it seems that the wyrms object to their presence here, often killing them on sight and burning their bodies. Despite all these issues, the annelid army won several battles, but as time wore on and more enemies rose against them, the Annelid army was pushed back quite a bit. The forges were working full time now, but mining slimes only dig so fast and the quality of armor is vastly inferior to dragonforged armors. Truly this is a predicament most grave. Yet perhaps there is hope. With the aid of divine assistance, the ishagi are gifted with knowledge of machinery. They find this information to be a wise gift from Tauron, and he gains favor with the race. Within days, crossbows are distributed among the wounded remains of the army, and their hold on their fortified section of the Powder Road is solidified. At least, for now.
The troon finds themselves with a very similar situation. While tauron attempts to woo the Ishagi with Blast Powder, so too do the Sciro miners of the moon. For they had found deposits of the black crystals embedded in strange foreign rock. Yet they soon discovered the ishagi had no interest in the explosive powder. Yet still, agreements are made. Several ishagi will be hired by the lunar government, led by their bureaucrat hero who's both quiet and boring, but extremely good at their job. They will teach the people of the troon as much as they can, and in exchange, be given large amounts of metal so that the ishagi could make durable children. The forges ran hot and loud as the sounds of forging rang out through the nights, but the ishagi would be paid. However, many duros who operate the forges outright refuse to work for ishagi. Fights and anger are at record highs, well at least the record for a while. The teaching begins, but it will take a few turns to learn everything. Yet construction was the first lesson, and almost immediately the lunar government begins constructing real roads and a small city upon the midway point of the Crystal City and the Giant Tree. This process is then spurred on by divine inspiration and those on the moon were blessed with advanced understanding of construction, machinery, and technique. This costly blessing would certainly assist the people of this moon in constructing a true civilization. Permanent stone buildings are constructed, and larger buildings using levers and pullies and other simple machines are constructed as well. Though troonish architecture is young, it is based upon proper knowledge and technique. Now the mortals wait upon divine influence to inspire them with the most beautiful of designs. However, as one of the Ishagi teachers is lost mysteriously, this time under the heavy watch of a worried city guard, the Ishagi begin to reconsider assisting in the advancement of these peoples and further consider abandoning the city.
Two foreign ships float ever closer to their destinations, yet for now, they travel onwards.
A vast and ancient corpse of a rotten and bulging beast drifts slowly through the vastness of nothing. Its flesh split and cracked by the weathering of time, and the indifferent freezing void. It would be cumberous to describe the the miles of twisted limbs and tentacles, eyes and unknown bulges of unknown and perhaps unknowable alien flesh. The largest appendages were crumbled close to the chest and adorned with a strange and alien metal of which a dull sheen of sickly green refracted the light in a way not quite of this world. They cyclopean beast's snout lay frozen in a bold snarl of obscure and unpleasant shapes. Teeth firmly shut, eyes glazed and dim. Looking into them, one must wonder what unusual existences such vast amber eyes could have seen. The beast was twisted and folded in ways that seem unnatural even to the vast beast, and you think for a moment that you see a regal nobility in its horrible shape, but this is only a fleeting glimpse and one can never be sure of such a thought. Drifting through the vastness of space, the god of monster's curiosity was captured by this floating creature. Drawing it in with his extreme might, he set the beast upon Pangeae. The great beast began to thaw, and a foul rot filled the air as composition began and beasts began to feast on the alien flesh. Yet there from within the mighty beast which stretched miles across the planes of Pangaea, strange things braved the light of this new world. Strange creatures, seemingly loathsome, wandered into the fresh air through what one can only hope is a nostril of the beast. A few thousands of these creatures make their way out of the creature. Their biology was a curiosity. If one were to liken them to anything on this planet, their closest similarity could be found in gut bacteria or perhaps some mite of some sort. The creatures, quickly dubbed the Farones by Duros which saw the corpse arrive, were a blend of insect, bacteria, and fungi. Their flesh held in place with a thick and gelatinous membrane, which is further protected by a carapace in many places. It seems their biology was once quite simple, yet multiple cases of endocytosis have created a community of creatures which now no longer can survive without eachother. Their lower body was lanky and slithering, the legs covered above by plates of thin insectoid armor. This stretched into a clear torso in which organelles of great size and suspiciously fungal origins could be seen. Four clicking limbs, with three hooked climbing claws serving as hands. Their heads were very close to amoebas and a few sensory organs float in the intracellular gel. They seem barbaric in their culture, having little technology to speak of. One would imagine that such a race of mortals was never intended to exist, but instead had come to evolve naturally within the guts of this creature. If this occurred before or after the behemoth died, one could never be certain. For now, you watch as they scout out the area. Yet your eyes are not the only which leer towards these newcomers, duros and ishagi alike stare on with distrustful curiosity.
Vergarth the Traveler had endeavored to visit your world, and Aedanusuirillystiphosidarap hailed the ancient observer. Vergarth set himself down upon the troon, a tall plateau rose up to meet him as he descended. There he came to rest, quietly and sternly observing. In time a group of, surprisingly, Ordonto visitors happened upon Vergarth. Much to your curiosity, they seemed to recognize the traveler. The Ordontos could not stay so far from water as to build a settlement around Vergarth's location, but upon returning to the riverlands (the area where Ordontos gathered on the troon due to it being the main river. Much to the dismay of the Vri living there) they told many of this visitor and stated that a proper altar for the esteemed guest must be created. For now Vergarth sat silent on his tower of rock, a resolute pillar of moon rock topped by the ancient blue obelisk that is Vergarth. His floating gem of an eye watched there from its lofty lookout.
Other minor events occured across the lands.
On the Northern Shore of Pangea, Incilatro which had refused to leave or been to distrant from the portal to make it there in time, observed the most curios of things. A fleet of ships, sails drawn up, being pulled against the wind by massive bull of a man. A pillar of steam rose high into the sky as the beast swam across the ocean. Upon making landfall, a foreign and fiery race began the construction of a new civilization.
Telam's actions were unseen by the gods, yet a confirmed 12 ishagi and 46 duros have been killed by Telam during this era.
A giant ratfish has been spotted nearby the Ordonto Islands. The Ordontos there endeavor to catch the fist, as a test of skill. The Ordonto which captures the fish will be declared the greatest fisherman alive.
A dark forest appears in the southern reaches of the moon. It is dark and dim even to the gods, and what lays within is unmistakable in its making a work of power. Lurking creatures slink among the dark swathes of darkness and piercing spears of light which slip through the dense umbrella canopy.
Four beings approach the court of the gods during this era.
The first is an old acquaintance, Fiverus the Rat Monster. He wore an armor of gold and and wielded a spear with a diamond tip, all cloaked in a red and royal cape rimmed with the fur of a lynx. Yet underneath this outer glowing gold armor of great value, his fur was matted and his teeth still rancid.
I have returned to this world, for now I see that there is a great treasure hidden within its heart. I will give you the opportunity to allow me entrance of your own volition, a happy agreement for both parties. For I will pay you dearly for this gift, anything the gods desire. For this purpose, I have set aside 4 acts to fulfill your wish. However,
I warn you lords of this world, I will have my prize. Consider this warning carefully if thou misguidedly think you could resist my entry. No walls will stand between me and my treasure.A great beast seeks entry into the world! Julop the Forest Dweller, desires to call your world home. Julop appears as a very large therizinosaurs. It's large feathery form is mighty, but peaceful. Julop is an power related to nature, trees, and ancient times. His entry will cost you one act.
A great shaman of a wild race of tree people requests entry into your world. Drawn in by the prevalence of the new life magic. The silent elm tree stands tall and would serve as a guardian of wild places and primal powers. However, a challenger approaches! A powerful witch of mortal descent appears to challenge the ent! She has an understanding of these magics, and would teach mortals how to harness it and use magic for spells and rituals of various methods and with a wide array of effects. The witch is of humanoid make, with skin of an olive coloration and eyes of topaz glimmer. The two opposing visitors get into a quarrel, and refuse to set foot in a realm which the other lives. Either of them cost three acts, and the gods may only choose one.
Lastly, a great beast slayer arrives. Philop, a human-like mortal which hunts great beasts for gods. Philop will endeavor to slay a great beast for the price of two acts. The noble warrior wore scaled armor and wielded a long thick curving blade.
Additions:
Accross the world small gooey slimes composed of wrapped up eye stalk tentacles appear. These creatures feed primarily on colors and dyes. These small dog sized animals are a terror to civilized life, consuming the dyes out of clothes. This can
totatally ruin your outfit. Whats even more horrifying is that some of them gain a taste for knowledge, literally. They begin eating books and scrolls with dye on them. The Library of the Crystal City has an ongoing infestation. Whats
even more terrifying is that some gain a taste for blood. These are especially dangerous and become darker in coloration after feeding on the flesh of sapient beings.
Author
Topic: Gods of Creation III (IC) (Read 30871 times)