Luna quietly strode through Aether, looking over the various camps and settlements that the refugees had built in various areas. Aether was large, there was room enough for all and then some, but it was a vastly different environment compared to the ones they grew up in. At first, only a few came from each race, distrusting as they were of the other gods. Yet as their world fell apart in the divine battle, more decided to take Luna up on her offer. Luna hoped they could adapt so they could survive until Palad’in could recreate the world. At least the races and cultures would survive.
To Luna’s surprise, it was the dwarves and not the elves that seemed to be adapting the best. They had no great love for the sun, and did not mind the constant twilight of Aether. They were fascinated by the great crystal mountains, and started cutting little tunnels into it, and carving the crystal to their liking. The dwarves had brought with them spawns of the mushrooms they liked to eat, and began growing them in the depths of the crystalline tunnels.
The elves at first had been the most excited to return to Aether. Ever since their ancestors were taken to live on the nameless world, they had passed down stories from generation to generation of the shimmering lands they had lost. And now, they got to walk upon the lands of legend. Yet they found that, as they lived there, the constant night weighed on their spirits. Long ago, they had grown accustomed to the sun above them, lighting their sky, and now that it was gone, they missed it. They moved to the brightest lands, trying to escape the darkness.
The humans also missed the sun, but they were hardier and more adaptable than they elves. They merely used the crystal to build numerous lanterns and lights, and hung them in great numbers as they built a village for themselves. This glow was close enough to daylight for them, and they went about surviving as they always did. They had brought cattle and beasts of burden with them, for milk and meat and to help plow their fields. And they had brought the knowledge of agriculture and crops to Aether. Despite their practice of eating meat, many elves gravitated to their light, as did the Halflings, who entertained the men with their music, humor, and ale.
The orcs had the most difficult time adapting, as they were beings of war brought into a world of peace. They didn’t mind the absence of sunlight, as they were fond of hunting at night. Yet it was the absence of battle that chafed with them. They longed for a challenge, something to test their mettle against, and they began to send out raiding parties. Some tried to hunt the Aether dragons, but they almost always were driven off, or worse, humiliated as they were brought back to the camp in shame by the dragons themselves. But most found gratification in attacking settlements of elves or Halflings. They proved to be an unusual, but worthy foe, as their training in Luna’s army served them well. The orcs also found the wayward, aggressive Ta’rai, and began using rituals to capture the spirits and bind them to the orc’s service.
Lastly, some mermaids had also arrived. They went to the rivers and lakes of Aether, bringing with them a few aquatic animals such as fish. At first, living in a world devoid of an aquatic ecosystem was difficult, but the mermaids soon found river plants that grew on the banks that were good to eat. They began building channels and artificial banks to farm the plants as much as they could. Since they were used to living in the depths of water, where the light was dim, they had little trouble adapting to the twilight of Aether, though some pined for the sun.
Luna regarded these myriad of remarkable creatures, grieved that the nameless world was destroyed in pursuit of Astra’ath. She knew Astra’ath was a danger, but to engage in such destruction in the attempts to destroy him? At best, it was a hollow victory. She wrestled with her conscious, and thought on the problem, trying to quell her troubled heart. A distraction soon interrupted her thoughts, as an elysian came to her, telling her that she was sought. Thanking the spirit of light, Luna went to see Garthor.
Author
Topic: Godhood I Play Thread (Read 75864 times)