VII.
Life grows ever stranger and more varied. Divine power shapes reality itself. Treasures and dangers await the mortal races.
Forests take root and grow. Lesser reflections of the World Trees sprout around the world in great swathes of brown and green, transforming the earth. All living beings awaken to an entirely different environment. Grasslands and tundra still dominate in many places, but the woods are here to stay.
Forest Life is crafted to fill the new environments with life. This act of creation encompasses a variety of life - moss, flowers, berries, mushrooms; snakes, amphibians, mammals suited for the woodlands. Forests become extremely rich and varied ecosystems, but the specialized nature of their new inhabitants discourages them from migrating beyond the shelter of the trees.
Gapheli born during a storm gain the power to call upon the fury of storms themselves. These
Gapheli Stormborn go on to become important figures within their clans and families.
The Raging Flamestone takes shape in a hidden cave on Volcano Island. This divine artifact allows the wielder to control fire and lava. For now, the Flamestone merely waits to be discovered...
The Pensive Icicle takes shape in the wastelands of Hoarland, a counterpart to the Flamestone. It grants its wielder control over blizzards and hail. Like its brother and antithesis, the Icicle is placed in a hidden place, waiting for the day it is picked up by mortal hands.
Carnivorous Icebergs form on the shores of Hoarland. These enormous crab-like creatures disguise themselves as icebergs by collecting chunks of ice and rock on their backs. They hunt oceanic arthropods, one another and any other prey of opportunity - many Gapheli find themselves made a meal for these Carnibergs before they learn to watch out for them.
Frost Wardens come to being in the frozen reaches of Hoarland. These golems of snow, ice and rock patrol the far north, guarding the Well of Life Eternal from interlopers. Mana flows through their veins and sustains them.
The Ponderer's Peak breaks forth from the mountains above the Valley of the Ashborn. This Titan's seat allows those who make the ascent to its cloud-held summit to attain enlightenment and clarity of mind. Climbing the mountain becomes a test of sorts for the leaders of the Ashborn, who seek its insights before beginning their rule.
Mnemuensis, The Persisted Dream is created. This metaphysical realm exists side by side with the physical - it is here that dreams are born and exist independent of the minds that create them. These dreams can provide inspiration and insight to dreamers. Titans and Gods may dream as well, adding to the vast tapestry of imagination that is Mnemuensis.
Acoustiforms come into being. This new class of life does not sustain itself on other life or on Mana, but on sounds. Acoustiforms feed on the energy inherent in soundwaves. They are generally light, mobile creatures resembling diaphanous jellyfish. They vary in size according to the soundscapes they sustain themselves upon, with the titanic Chimes of the World Trees creating equally leviathan Acoustiforms.
The Cosmos
Mana: Divine energy that sentient beings may use and incorporate within themselves for magical effects.
Stars and Constellations: Stars forming intricate patterns and constellations in the void, bringing light and beauty into the cosmos.
Storms: Storms act as powerful channels of Mana, gathering and depositing vast amounts of magical energy while they last.
Tombs of the Gods: The very deepest and final chambers of the Infinite Dungeon hold worlds entire for Titans and Gods, where they shall slumber eternally at the end of their lives. The first of these is the Sapphire Lake, final resting place of the Titan Frost, which forms wondrous treasures from Mana as time goes by.
Mnemuensis: The Persisted Dream is a realm of existence that dreaming minds may reach and add to. Dreams are born here and continue to drift, independent of their creators, perhaps to be rediscovered by other dreaming minds at any time or place. Titans and Gods dream within Mnemuensis as well as mortals.
World: Unnamed
Landmark: World Trees
These seven titanic, magnificent trees generate and recycle Mana for the world.
--Artifact: Chimes of the World Trees
Divinely crafted bronze chimes that whistle in the wind. Their sound soothes those who hear them.
Lands
Landmass: Volcano Island
Volcanic grassland and forest. Microbial, simple multicellular life, grass, arthropods, birds, forest life, Grey-zers, Acoustiforms. Gapheli, Ashborn, Ants.
=Race: Gapheli
Savage creatures with powerful bodies and cunning nature. Large and amphibious, resembling the orca of other worlds. Gapheli born during storms possess control over them.
=Race: Ashborn
Humanoids with ashen skin, blessed with a balance of physical hardiness and affinity for Mana. Builders of monuments and settlements.
=Race: Sapient Ants
Ants lifted up into sapience. Diminutive bodies, but eusocial nature and co-operation allows for great feats of engineering, Mana and strategy.
--Artifact: The Raging Flamestone
An artifact of divine power allowing its wielder to control fire and lava. Hidden away in a volcanic cave.
Landmass: Belphagus' Continent
Mountains, forests, grasslands, taiga, polar tundra. Microbial, simple multicellular life, grass, arthropods, birds, forest life, Grey-zers, Acoustiforms. Fairies, Gapheli, Ashborn, Ants. Monsters.
=Race: Fairies
Magical creatures that sustain themselves upon Mana. Adaptive, kindly and undying as long as the land they choose as theirs endures. Small in stature, with wings and youthful bodies.
=Race: Gapheli
Savage creatures with powerful bodies and cunning nature. Large and amphibious, resembling the orca of other worlds. Gapheli born during storms possess control over them.
=Race: Ashborn
Humanoids with ashen skin, blessed with a balance of physical hardiness and affinity for Mana. Builders of monuments and settlements.
=Race: Sapient Ants
Ants lifted up into sapience. Diminutive bodies, but eusocial nature and co-operation allows for great feats of engineering, Mana and strategy.
+Province: Valley of the Ashborn
A mountain valley in the north-east of Belphagus' Continent, sheltering the mouth of a great river. Inhabited by semi-nomadic Ashborn clustered around primitive stone monuments and huts.
-Landmark: The Infinite Dungeon
A nigh-boundless dungeon filled with Mana-born Monsters and wondrous treasures. Exists simultaneously upon the Outer Worlds. Houses the Tombs of the Gods within.
-Landmark: The Ponderer's Peak
A high peak in the mountains guarding the Valley of the Ashborn. Upon its summit, one can find enlightenment and clarity of thought. The Ashborn hold it in high regard.
Landmass: Hoarland
Tundra, forest, taiga, glacier, mountains. Microbial, simple multicellular life, grass, arthropods, birds, forest life, Grey-zers, Frost Wardens, Acoustiforms. Fairies, Gapheli.
=Race: Fairies
Magical creatures that sustain themselves upon Mana. Adaptive, kindly and undying as long as the land they choose as theirs endures. Small in stature, with wings and youthful bodies.
=Race: Gapheli
Savage creatures with powerful bodies and cunning nature. Large and amphibious, resembling the orca of other worlds. Gapheli born during storms possess control over them.
-Landmark: Well of Life Eternal
A divine wellspring of miraculous abilities. Those who drink from it regain lost youth and are cured of their diseases and ailments. Guarded by roving Frost Wardens.
--Artifact: The Pensive Icicle
An artifact of divine power allowing its wielder to control blizzards and hailstorms. Hidden in the ice of desolate Hoarland.
Seas
Sea: Life's Origin
Saltwater sea. Microbial, simple multicellular life, kelp forests, arthropods, birds, Carnivorous Icebergs, Acoustiforms. Fairies, Gapheli.
-Landmark: Obsidian Spire
An imposing spire of divine obsidian rising high into the sky.
=Race: Fairies
Magical creatures that sustain themselves upon Mana. Adaptive, kindly and undying as long as the land they choose as theirs endures. Small in stature, with wings and youthful bodies.
=Race: Gapheli
Savage creatures with powerful bodies and cunning nature. Large and amphibious, resembling the orca of other worlds. Gapheli born during storms possess control over them.
Artifacts
Artifact: The Sea Sapphire
A divine gemstone on a necklace of seaweed, crafted by the Titan Perculus for the Titan Tirama.
World: Dust
A barren world of dust and parched wastelands.
-Landmark: The Infinite Dungeon
A nigh-boundless dungeon filled with Mana-born Monsters and wondrous treasures. Exists simultaneously upon the First World. Houses the Tombs of the Gods within.
World: Hoar
A barren world of endless ice and little sunlight.
-Landmark: The Infinite Dungeon
A nigh-boundless dungeon filled with Mana-born Monsters and wondrous treasures. Exists simultaneously upon the First World. Houses the Tombs of the Gods within.
Null: 1000 points.
Frost: Slumbers.
Cathex: 700 points.
Tirama: 750 points.
Perculus, Lord of Storms: 725 points.
Ordo: 670 points.
Belphagus: 780 points.