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Author Topic: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]  (Read 22718 times)

micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #180 on: September 26, 2019, 02:49:07 am »

Guar rumbled itself once more into existence, coalescing unto the plains as before and as it would do. The many spirits of the land greeted in the quake songs and wisp dances, and did grace his mind with knowledge of time's passing.

Under the leadership of Valtoria, and the advisory of Anjuar, the horsemen that did swear loyalty to the Sarrat-er-err have developed and grown. Now perhaps better known as the Great Horde, the people have been forced to embrace the changes from above. The establishment of the Order of Blood and Spears was one of the very first innovations. As stated in the missive of warriors and spears, an army was declared to be recruited and raised. This immediately resulted in the rebellion of more than a few tribes, who did denounce this as Valtoria's powermongering. For after all, if she did have an army of her own call, what use would she have of her allied clans? Easily disposed of, easily dealt with. The result was bloody, but did most rightly see Valtoria in victory. The remaining rebels did flee, or otherwise were enthralled or executed. With that show of force, the clans were encouraged to send warriors to enrich the armies of the Sarrat-er-err and embrace the new order of the world. 

Brought to the semi-permanent tent city of Kralkorqum (which the god Guar did make order to found), warriors from all clans were brought to fill the ranks of a professional force in service to Valtoria. Of course, being separated from clan did require thought. For while in clan warfare one was persuaded to fight by loot and honour, the severance of such rewards (for loot could not be won in the training yard, only in battle) made them unruly. Whilst payments of crafts and livestock did occur, these did cause complications with the work required to maintain flock and goods. Time not spent on drill or campaign. It was the thinking of Anjuar and Moska who did take inspiration from the credit institutions of the convenience store trails and did introduce a material form of credit- the coin. Derived of metals or fine stones, these coins (or at times, wafers or marbles) these coins were minted and made to pay for the services rendered of soldiery in lieu of loot or other payments. With swift time, the innovation did spread throughout the horde and indeed, far beyond its lands. By the time of Guar's awakening, the idea of currency had spread far beyond and into foreign lands. In the Great Horde, such coins were minted and made at the tent town of Kapraquorm, whereas such coinage in the east were made in the Lawful People town of Jan-turas or Durham's Yuzdal. The Ankans too, did mint in their glorious capital and oft done by the blue men of the deserts south of that land. To the west, the men of Flint did make use of fine stone wafers, which were chipped and polished by fine men of the clans Durak-dal and Koschot. Other currencies, too, did emerge in lesser domains and perhaps because of this, the emergence of a class of banker did emerge to switch currencies and store it once needed.

Paid with coin and livestock, a 'coliseum' was built too at the outskirts of Kralkorqum. Constructed of wood, of hide and of stones, it was hideously built but spacious. The horsemen of the heartlands were perhaps not the best of architects or engineers and as such, the coliseum resembled more an open field bordered by palisades and stands. Still, it was the first of its kind and did inspire awe in the horsemen. Durhamite visitors would of course, scoff at the pitifulness of the pit. Still, it was well and good for the needs of the tent city and so did many make journey to it to make name in blood and death.

Temples were built also, with the shamans and hermits who once scoffed at making home alongside with the warrior folk. Here, Anjuar did decide, was goodly time to make use of foreign construction workers for whilst the horsemen were warriors, they were not great builders. Ankans, Durhamites and Lawful People were paid in coin and rights to build the temples of Guar and the 'lesser spirits'. Many shamans did thusly make residence in these shrines and indeed, it is said that the presence of some spirits is most present in the holies of holies within the temples. These shamans would to be known as the Order of Snake and Blood and indeed, they would establish muchly of blood for many were the wives and husbands they did take. Those who tended Guar's temple of course, were righteously considered most revered. Whilst perhaps other shrines were inhabited by spirits, that of Guar lied most empty save for the fountain of blood fed daily by thrall, gazelle and ass. To commemorate the founding of the shrines, the Festival of Blood was thusly established to honour the gods and spirits that which were beloved by Guar.

Perhaps because of the influx of foreigners, temples of Tala, Fu, Metalhand, Du-Ur and even the Statue have been established. Though the cult of the Statue is illegal (as well as the Great Crab), this does not stop some from entering and leaving the tent city.

To expand the city, Anjuar did decree that the Order of Horse and Hammer be established. Supposed masters of commerce, technology and information, they were originally composed of the wisest elders and crafters of the clans that could be convinced to serve- as well as farmers to grow the elusive dreamleaf. Quickly did Anjuar discover that the horsemen were wholly unready to do the tasks required of the Order save for the establishment of commerce. As such, much of the Order is currently composed of Lawful People, Durhamites and even River People who have been granted verily the rights of service and equal class. More than a few are lawyers and death cultists, people who Moska of the Lawful People keeps close contact with.

These projects quickly drive the Great Horde broke and result in additional rebellions. For a many turbulent decades, Valtoria campaigns without end, whilst Anjuar attempts to keep the order desired by their god in existence. In time a solution did reveal itself; a system of taxation of the tribes in lieu of military service, as well of merchants via the use of tolls. Further, sanctioned slave raids of the mountain tribes would be made, with tariff on thralls garnered. Additional tribute, derived from the Lawful People and subjugated tribes, would be made orderly and scheduled so as to ensure steady flow of wealth, whilst raiders would be given marque to raid Ulkai and the westerly peoples. Monopolies of salts and other mines (as well as tariffs) also did aid in establishing once more rule and subservience. It was through these years that Moska was able to garner much trust and her place in the court, for she did ensure that the city was kept without disease and that the Lawful People were kept content.

Just as these ailing elements did damage the Horde's finances, it soon became apparent that their tributaries in the east were at danger, for a great swarm of crustaceans did arise. Gathering the soldiers at her command, the sarrat-er-err did march east and make battle with the monsters. Many of her soldiers (suspiciously, mostly those who had been unpaid) fell in battle against the beasts, and so too did many of the Lawful People and lesser tribes. Despite many losses, the swarm was muchly destroyed at the banks of the river Kossol. Still, there did lie many more elsewhere who did trouble the tribes of great river Err and so too quickly did Valtoria march there. Cutting losses, she did make deal with the tribes, offering them land deeper in the empire or otherwise to be left to their own affairs. Whilst many did take up her offer, others did stay. Whilst many did die, others did somehow survive. These did not at all appreciate being abandoned and have garnered a dislike of the Great Horde ever since.

In the aftermath of the swarm's approach, much of the lands in the tribute tribes have become barren and unusable; they can no longer produce tribute of most kinds. The guild of hunters, who have come into existence, are oft the only people to yet remain in those lands, where they hunt the remaining crabs.

Despite the adversities of the age, the Great Horde still has entered a period of great growth. New wealth and new information flows into the tent cities, and peace with similar powers still yet exists. The Yellow Song Horde, whilst enemies, have respected the truce of 50 years and nothing more than the occasional skirmish does occur. Ulkai, both friend and foe, exists yet in that state of status quo. The mountain tribes, continue, to be targets of raids and slavery. Anka, for its part, has mainly forgotten the conflicts of the past and does so trade with the Horde. Durham, being a collection of traders and craftsmen, have never once made a fuss with the Horde.

Trade between Anka and the Horde is so frequent and known that somehow, a noble of that realm has become owner of the Chain of Docility and Crown of Dispel both. Last seen leaving hearth and home, he did make journey east.

Under Anjuar's guidance, the shamans have tranced and explored the spirit world, making treaty and friendship with the inhabitants of the far lands. Anjuar himself did seek information pertaining to events. It was with the luck and opportunities of the stars that Anjuar did uncover knowledge deep, something he did wish to make known to his master Guar.

Culturally, the majority of horsemen within the horde do continue to live as nomads. With the institutions and centralisation of Valtoria, there is an enforced ban against violence between clans as well as other non-sanctioned customs. The clans now make do with technically legal theft or raiding foreign places. These bans, as well as the fact that many foreign peoples are now tributaries, have made the practise of blood sacrifice difficult. Most now make do with animals. Shamans too have suffered some changes to their roles, with their tasks as the leaders of worship being slowly eroded. Now, heads of great families oft occupy the right of worship and leadership of shrines, even if they are unable to trance. While many shamans do continue to reside in temples, more and more do these temples come under the accountancy and jurisdiction of the clans.

Lawyer magic, of the Lawful People, is becoming a known sight amongst some tent cities, with the foreign scholars being employed to raise the unwanted infants (or useless thralls) for the purpose of patrol or manual labour. Valtoria has muchly thanked the Lawful People in many speeches for their contributions to society.

Elsewhere, Guisan had been most busy. The Cult of the Sleeping Fire had made itself most known in the tribes of the mountains and even amongst the peoples of the lowlands. Making use of the great disappointment in Midan's failed awakening, Guisan had swayed the flock of the fireborn to the heresy of the dark. Taking the sleeping fire as the central symbol of their sect, the Sleeping Fire spread the belief that Midan had returned deep underground to spread his will upon the other realms of creation. As such, the prophethood of the Volcano was no longer legitimate and indeed, the fireborn were not to be revered. Instead, the cult embraced self-strengthening as virtue, opining that Midan would want his children strong and powerful. In truth however, the cult was but mere ruse for the further propagation of the dark rituals employed by the cult. Midan mattered not, only the accruing of umbral power.  This was known to only a few of the cult, who did guard the secret so that their own power may yet grow. Only the cult's hierophant supreme, the Guisan, knew that the truth was yet more perverse; that the cult was dedicated to Guar.

Indeed, whilst Guisan had been tasked to found cults to honour Guar, Guisan had found it more prudent to conduct this slowly and over the span of centuries, rather in the relatively short time of a half-life. After all, he was immortal and immortals needed not lose their senses to zeal. For now, Guisan was most content to make plunder of the followers he had accrued, whilst playing off those selfish whelsh and humans alike who did ascend the ranks unto vampirism.

1 Essence [Great Horde]
3 Blood Essence [Great Horde]


Ru-Ud, not at all a structure or support of homely creation, came to being in the deserts of Err. A smoke of clouds or a cloud of smoke, the being saw sight of endless desert. In the distance he did see elephants, dressed in jewels and finery. They carried upon their backs cargo of sorts and spears in their trunks. Elsewhere, there were dromedars and lizards and ants and spiders and other inhabitants of the desert. It was quite serene. Ru-Ud's Helper did inform him that it seemed that this part of the desert was well trodden by the elephants and did sometimes feel the feet of humans. Oddly, Ru-Ud did swear for a moment, the sight of a red moon in the sky. A moment later, it was gone.

Retain, a fool by august's romance, did rupture physically by plain winds and did find itself in the fertile plains of Err. He saw nothing but fauna and flora and in the far distance, the sound of hunting. The sound of death. His helper named those prey whoamen, and their hunters humans. Looking down into the ground, Retain did notice what seemed to be a scintillating maw of teeth that did call to it seductively. Blinking perhaps, he saw that no such maw did exist.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2019, 08:06:53 am by micelus »
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Orange Juice Goose

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #181 on: September 27, 2019, 12:56:38 am »

With not much better to do, Retain investigates the sights and sounds, stalking in a predatory fashion.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2019, 01:51:00 am by Orange Juice Goose »
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micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #182 on: September 28, 2019, 07:43:15 am »

Spoiler: Subsouls (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: September 28, 2019, 07:58:35 am by micelus »
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micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #183 on: September 28, 2019, 07:48:22 am »

Spoiler: Natural Wonders (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Monuments (click to show/hide)
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micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #184 on: September 28, 2019, 08:00:35 am »

Spoiler: Accoutrements (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: October 01, 2019, 02:35:42 pm by micelus »
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micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #185 on: September 28, 2019, 08:09:17 am »

Spoiler: Cultures (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: October 01, 2019, 06:18:56 am by micelus »
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Do you hear that, Endra? NONE CAN STAND AGAINST THE POWER OF THE DENTAL, AHAHAHAHA!!!
You win Nakeen
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Inanna is my husbando

micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #186 on: September 28, 2019, 08:10:12 am »

Spoiler: Polities (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: September 28, 2019, 08:12:10 pm by micelus »
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Do you hear that, Endra? NONE CAN STAND AGAINST THE POWER OF THE DENTAL, AHAHAHAHA!!!
You win Nakeen
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micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #187 on: September 28, 2019, 07:28:17 pm »

Spoiler: Player Entities (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: September 30, 2019, 04:41:24 am by micelus »
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micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #188 on: September 28, 2019, 08:41:54 pm »

Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: September 30, 2019, 04:52:02 am by micelus »
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Kilojoule Proton

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #189 on: September 28, 2019, 08:43:22 pm »

Years passed as Kakkabum slumbered, dreaming of the stars, the planets, the old gods, and the young and endearingly bumbling Whoas. Having drunk of the draught of paradoxical order and communed with the beat-sticks, Kakkabum's mind folded outward into a bewildering shape as he attained a terrible understanding of the true form of the world and, by extension, of his own destiny. Now, having undergone what he believed to be the Second Awakening, Kakkabum, the Star in the North, sought to arise that all may Awaken has he did. Immediately, at the urging of a Kakkabum from an unknown time, Kakkabum set to work forging the copper shield Ariitu in memory of Ishtar over many evenings and mornings by her light. (-3CP, -1A)

Spoiler: Ariitu (click to show/hide)

With his appointed tasks completed, Kakkabum Awoke once more into the form of the Awakened Dreamer and gazed into Ariitu for forty days and forty nights, Awakening the most worthy stargazer-dreamer with strange proclamations that may as well have been written by a golem (-1A):

"O faithful dreamer who has peered into the infinity above, I come at last to bring you LIGHT:

Tʜ LIGHT ғ Kɴʟɢ ɪs ʜ ʀ Dɴ. D ɴ ʟ ɴ ɪ ɪɴ ʜ ʏs ɪʜ ғʀ, ғʀ ɪ ɪs ɴ ʏ Dɴ. D ɴ ʟ ɴ ɪ ɪɴ ʜ sɪɢʜ ғ ɴ ʙs ɪ ɪs ɴ ʏ Dʏ. D ɴ ʟ ɴ ɪ ɪɴ ʜ sɪɢʜ ғ ʏʀ ɪɴsɴ ʙs ɪ ɪs ɴ ʏ Nɪɢʜ. L, ғʀ ʜ Kɴʟɢ ʏ s ɪs ʜ ʀ ғ ʜ ɢs. Wʜʀ ʏ ғɪɴ, ɪ ɪs ɴɢʜ ʜɴɢ ʏʀ s. Y ʜ ғɴ ʜ Tʀʜ. Iɴ ʜɪs ʏ, ʏ ɴ ʟʟ ʜ ɪs ʜɪɴ ɪʜɪɴ ʟʟ ʟɴɢɢs, ɴ ʏ ʟʀɴ ɴʀʟ ʏʀ ɪɴ. Tʜ LIGHT ғ Kɴʟɢ ɪs ʜ ʀ Dɴ." The Dreamer is Awake.

After delightful introductions to customers interested in his prophetic services (+2DP), Kakkabum marveled at the reflection of the Elder Adze on Ariitu's polished surface and plucked its image out, hammering it with its own shadow on an anvil of thunderbolt iron. Although scarcely tangible in the waking world, it menaced with great power in the Plane Spiritual. (-3DP, -1A)

« Last Edit: September 29, 2019, 03:46:40 am by Kilojoule Proton »
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Orange Juice Goose

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #190 on: September 28, 2019, 09:08:00 pm »

With a great fit of shrieking laughter as it bursts into life, Retain examines its surroundings (with a little helper help) and in curiosity stalks towards the sounds of the hunt like any other predator would.
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micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #191 on: September 29, 2019, 12:10:46 am »

((I forgot to mention))

Blood actions are still available.
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Happy Demon

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #192 on: September 29, 2019, 01:53:03 am »

[Vulpes Grande]

Sand turns red, a figure rises, with specks of regular sand, which is soon shook off. Vulpes Grande has returned.

Vulpes Grande looks upon the Canach. Twice they have failed Vulpes Grande, but Vulpes Grande is a merciful god.
One more chance, to redeem themselves. Vulpes Grande walks among his Canach, and speaks.
"Once more I return, and once more you have failed me. I gave you the Bloodberry, I gave you the Bloodberry Grande. Yet you still fail to cultivate it. Even worse, you have spread across the dunes, and some even become mere pets. But I am Vulpes Grande, I am a merciful god, I am your creator, so I shall give you a third chance. I shall even give you a gift, and if you fail me, it will be your last!"

Vulpes Grande hoists the Sinister Brachión and the Dexter Manus both. The Scepter of Creation's lizard head screeches, and the Canach feel the burden of mortality lighten. Their lifespan now doubled. Those of old age, feel this especially, returning to their prime once more.
"You shall live twice as long! So you have more time in your prime."
The Staff of Destruction's lion head roars, and the Canach are engulfed in flame. But this flame doesn't hurt them. They feel a fire inside, and with enough will, may even manifest said fire.
"You shall gain fire! With which you may fend off predators and light up the night. You alone will decide when you can no longer work."
Vulpes Grande uses 2 CP to modify the Canach in the hex, into Canach Ignis.
Spoiler: Canach Ignis (click to show/hide)

"But while you are now mighty Canach Ignis, many of thy brethren have left this place. Do not hate them, hate their ignorance. Correct this ignorance, by the voice of flame! For I shall teach you the divination of thy fire."
Vulpes Grande teaches the Canach Ignis how to make fire speak, and how to read it.
The fire's speech will rely on the Canachi, as a means to interpret. It is not the most reliable, but it is faster and easier than crossing the dunes.
"Now. Unlock the mystery of the Bloodberry and Bloodberry Grande, so this land may host a permanent population. And civilization may begin!"


"You are now mighty Canach Ignis, wielders of fire and of twofold the lifespan of Canach. I shall now teach you to utilize this power, to carve your own destiny from among the sands of time!"
Vulpes Grande teaches the Canach Ignis how to fight with fire, and even a little trick to produce a jet of flame from their tailtip.
Vulpes Grande then looks to their accoutrements, empty. But they did not use all their power just yet, and they have no intention of doing so yet.
Vulpes Grande stores 2 CP and 2 DP within  the Dexter Manus and Sinister Brachión respectively.
Spoiler: Storage (click to show/hide)

Edit: ((Changed 2nd action.))
« Last Edit: October 04, 2019, 01:07:53 am by Happy Demon »
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darkwarlock3

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #193 on: September 29, 2019, 02:26:10 am »

action 1: Shelldon teaches his worshipers how to do medicine correctly since something was lost in translation
« Last Edit: September 29, 2019, 02:34:13 am by darkwarlock3 »
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micelus

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Re: Between the Rivers: Gods Adrift [IC]
« Reply #194 on: September 29, 2019, 04:53:54 am »

With a great fit of shrieking laughter as it bursts into life, Retain examines its surroundings (with a little helper help) and in curiosity stalks towards the sounds of the hunt like any other predator would.


Retain realises that he is in a grassland, the part of the riverine environment just outside the floodplains of Err's rivers. Though not as fertile or wet as the floodplains, the grasslands maintains a bounty of life compared to the deserts beyond. The grasslands are alive with all sorts of invertebrate, mammal, reptile, bird, plant, algae, fungi and even yet more life. Of notability are the gazelle (for they are many), the sandtigers (who do hunt solitarily), whoamen (creatures that resembled humans but lacked their intellect), trap lizards (large almost-snakelike lizards that burrow near watering holes and catch nearby prey) and odd thought-touching plants called lightroot.

The hunt, it seemed, was that of a whoaman being  cornered by two humans ,both with spears. They wore coats of feathers and sandals of leather. Their moustaches were immaculate, even more so due to being women.
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Do you hear that, Endra? NONE CAN STAND AGAINST THE POWER OF THE DENTAL, AHAHAHAHA!!!
You win Nakeen
Marduk is my waifu
Inanna is my husbando
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