[PDQ] The Grand Mythos Game Thread

[Sehnsucht Engel]

The Storyteller

"At the beginning of the second age, Seith and Sephariel made a planet for the Grigori, with the aid of Zareth. They called it Coelus, and it glows of a hopeful green." Some of the children looked up at the night sky, at the planet which emitted a green light.

"Eldarwen lost a lover, but Zareth brought her back to life. You've probably heard her before, as she is the demigod of sound." He chuckled to himself. "Even though Zareth was the one to give her life again, she wants to see him dead and sleep with Eldarwen."

"Isn't Eldarwen her mother?" asked one of the older children.

"Uhm, yes she is. Anyway, Sonitus is fond of all mortals."

"In a special way." The older child grinned. The storyteller knew he was right, and Sonitus was one of those he'd rather not talk to children about, but he couldn't leave it out either.

"Moving on, Melanthios went to Salustutis with his son Akladai and created the Deus filli. Akladai was to become one of the leaders of the Deus filli, but not alone. Nivix met a human named Cael, and learnt about the other gods' races. He went on to create The Mizzen, an inorganic race which can be found on most planets in the solar system. M'endar and Roe also worked on a race, but the Aask had already been around for very long by then. They channeled their power together, to make The Verr."

He yawned, it was a long story to tell.

"Pentar appeared before the dwarf Erik, and told him that he would unite the dwarfs and become king. Erik was inspired enough by meeting a god that he believed him and began gathering support for him as king."

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Eldarwen 23 AP, 1 MP

Eldarwen was sitting in her throne with the sleeping Sonitus next to her, the throne was big enough for both of them and she had fallen asleep in it from time to time. As a godess she didn't need sleep, but it would have been suspicious if the queen never slept. She leaned against the side of the throne, with her hand over her face. The battle born hadn't taken kindly to what had transpired some hours ago, and she had been forced to explain it to them. That the Ekiruru who had carried Eleonara was not their king, even if she liked Zareth, she had no intention of sharing her dictatorship with anyone. She told them that he was like her, but only in the way that he too had been chosen by a god as their representative.

The woman whose blood he had tasted had obviously been offended at first, as it had not killed him and showed her as weak, but Eldarwen's explanation stopped the rest from glaring at her. They had likely been thinking that she needed to be replaced, and Eldarwen would never have seen her again had she left the room. Now they were looking at her with respect instead and she seemed to keep her head a little higher, as Zareth was the only other god they worshipped and to be touched by his representative was an honour.

It wasn't the reason she was annoyed with him. No, had that been everything it would have been good, but he had roamed the city and caused quite a commotion apparently. She should have forced him to take a form similar to the rest of them. How was she supposed to explain a male Ekiruru? Would they want more males now? She certainly hoped not. Her memories had been brought back, and she had plans. There was no time to waste on creating inferior males. The trees were their males. Well, the damage couldn't be undone and she had spoken to her people about the representative of Zareth.

"Mother.." She heard a whisper coming from Eleonara, and turned to her. She was moving in the glow of the two wisps closest to the throne.

The first thing Sonitus heard when she woke up was Eldarwen, in the shape of the queen. Oh, how she had fooled her, but now she knew who the queen really was. Every Ekiruru's mother creator. Had she really been so beautiful that her body pleased a god? Apparently, but she wasn't the only one interested in her mother. The death god couldn't be heard anywhere close, but she knew what he wanted. No one other than her should be allowed that pleasure, and she would kill him. He may not have done anything yet, but she would show the brutality her race was known for if she ever got the chance. It would be an act to take pleasure in.

Six strong battle born could be heard in the room as well. Something was covering her eyes and she couldn't see, but she heard them so much clearer than before. Every breath they took and limb they moved, but she knew that her powers was not better hearing. It was the sounds she noticed, so that she could replicate them later.

She sat up and moved closer to Eldarwen, her queen. At the same time, she made a noise appear in the ears of the six battle born, so that they couldn't hear what she said to Eldarwen. They all put their hands against their ears to stop the ringing, but it wouldn't help.

"What a great gift mother, and all for me. You must really have loved me." She ran her hand through Eldarwen's white hair, but the godess didn't respond as she had used too. "We've never done it on the throne, mother."

Eldarwen got up on her feet. She hadn't been expecting this transformation, even if she still thought of herself as queen and had accepted the lovers part of their culture, this was much harder to accept. Did she really have to call her mother? She must have been made aware of who the queen really was. What else did she know?

"I am Sonitus, my heart is pure. You do not want to be my victim." Sonitus sang the words where she sat alone on the throne, the battle born were still trying to get rid of the noise in their ears as best they could. "They wouldn't even notice us if I raised the volume. Then again." She put a finger against her lips. "They could join us, mother."

"Another time..." Eldarwen had heard enough, and teleported away from the castle. She would need to have a serious talk with this Sonitus that Eleonara had turned into, but it would have to wait.

Sonitus made the noise in their ears disappear, maybe she had been too straightforward this time. She didn't want to drive the godess away from her. The battle born turned to welcome her back and then talked among themselves about what the strange noise had been, and where it had come from. Sonitus began singing for them, and hoped that they would forget all about the horrible noise she had used on them.

Eldarwen appeared just outside the southern wall of Ayamine. The planet had been silent for too long. It had been neglected, there were no animals as far as she knew. It was empty, other than the metropolis and a few smaller villages. Her daughters ate fruit and plants, but perhaps they would enjoy meat too? It wouldn't come as a surprise, not after the arena and their brutality.

She would make something fitting of them, something that all mortals would fear, but the Ekiruru would see as a challenge to overcome. Eldarwen changed her form, and began sculpting the trees around her into huge beasts. Ferocious beasts that would eat both plants and meat. They would vary in size, even if the majority of them would be enormous.

When she had enough sculptures, she made them come alive with her magic and her knowledge about magical artifice. She had made sure to create at least one species, which she'd call wyvern, that the Ekiruru could fly.

<spoiler=Action>Creating dinosaurs. DC 11, 4 AP.
+6 Forest, +4 Nature Magic, +2 Magical Artifice

Wyverns.

 

[JoJo]

Roe - 30, 2

Once Roe had helped M'endar create a gift for the Aask he bid the god farewell and danced off, skipping over the seas and islands of immense distance in a few seconds. He could have just teleported himself straight to where he needed to be but this was was more fun. He looked up at the sky and cursed loudly, the sun was already in it's midday position. He doubled his pace, he knew Fallen Petal would be waiting for him.

Finally he found himself at his destination, the Chama peninsula, the south-eastern most tip of the largest continent of Evalon. Humanity had originally been born on the smaller continent of Olegard which lay further to the west but over the millennia many migrants had slowly made their way across the archipelago that lay between the two continents and made a home in the lush new world they found on the other side. Just below the equator, Chama was a patchwork of open grassy fields and thick rainforests, both teeming with all sorts of small creatures who thrived alongside not just humanity but also the Aask and many other kinds of mortals too. The land was fruitful and could provide enough so that it was rare for anyone to go hungry. It was not uncommon for mystics amongst the many races which lived there to refer to the country as the Eld of Evalon.

The humans who lived in Chama were friendly and simple, they wore little and lived off what they could catch or farm off the land. As a people they were tall and slender, with golden brown skin, black hair and almond-shaped eyes. Their small wooden huts were dotted around the land in circular villages, each village then having a number of other allied villages which formed a tribe. Most of the time the tribes were at peace with each other, although war was not unheard of.

Roe came to a halt at a clearing and with a sigh of relief spotted Fallen Petal sitting crossed legged on the ground, drawing shapes in the dirt with a stick. She was six years old, thin as a wisp with long dark hair that reached almost down to her waist. For most however these would not have been her distinguishing features. A closer look revealed a terrible disfigurement: an unfortunate accident involving a pot of boiling water as an infant had left a deep rift of scarring along the left side of Petal's face, taking with it one of her eyes. Roe hadn't known her personally at that time but he knew what happened next; even after she recovered she remained distant from others and often disappeared into the bush for first hours and then later days at a time, nobody knew where and they had the sense not to ask either. The village gossips already had her marked down to the next wise woman of the tribe, "plays with the spirits, that strange child does," they said privately amongst themselves and lamented that they had one less future bride to barter with.

"If only they knew," Roe thought to himself with a smile and he turned himself into a spider so he could surprise his friend. He crawled up to her, she didn't notice him until he brushed his spindly legs against her bare back. She yelped and jumped up, then looked down indignantly at the spider.

"Hey!" she cried, "Don't do that! And I know it's you Roe, it's always so obvious,"

"It's not that obvious," Roe retorted as he changed back into his human form, "It fooled you the first time I did it,"

"No it didn't," Petal sniffed, "I was just surprised, that's all..."

As always though, their arguing quickly changed into friendly banter and soon the two children were on good terms again. They would often spend hours in each other's company and it seemed like today would be no different.

Spoiler: Action

Changing avatar (and then back again) - Effortless

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Her face was plastered in joy as she saw another figure. He was pleasing to look at, and he carried none of the taint on him. "You! You haven't changed!" She said as she hugged the figure. "The heavens may be saved yet."

As she reached for him, his hand flew to his blade's hilt, but he sensed no malice from her, and even smiled as she hugged him. He had never felt the touch of another creature. It was... Pleasant. Good, in a way that was different from his battle-lust. He couldn't manage to return the hug, especially as a realization dawned on him. "The taint? Is that the corruption I feel in this place?" He pulled away slightly and looked around, anywhere but at her. "I, uhhh, followed you through the portal. I'm not from here."

The joy dropped on her face, buy only slightly. "Still... It's good that another came as well... Huh?" She noticed that the god's gaze was averted. Was he afraid? Nervous?

She reached a hand to under his cheek to gently return his gaze. "I'm Ailish. And this..." She gestured all around her with her other hand. Her face softened to a wistful frown. "This used to be the heavens. Our true home... But something had happened. The people changed by something unthinkable..." She remembered her speakings with the others and how they shoved these truths aside, and did not want another to dismiss her as delusional.

"I am... Aen." Two fingers of his right hand traced a symbol over his breastplate, quickly, but not without meaning, before pressing the palm of his hand to it, feeling the strength of what lay beneath. His strength. He had carelessly shown it to her, but perhaps too quickly for her to memorize. Perhaps she would even think it unimportant to forget. Or maybe she could even be trusted with it. He did feel embarrassed for looking away from here. He moved his hand to touch the amulet, once again letting the truth of chivalry flow through him. He must take care not to hurt her again.

Aen frowned as he looked past her to see what she referred to. He could see no heaven under all the corruption, but what did he know. Her voice carried a certain authority to it when she spoke of the past. Told in her way, even tall tales would ring with truth. Still, he trusted her. She was kind. He could feel that in even the smallest of things she did.

"I do not know anything of what speak of. Will you tell me more?" Aen did not have to muster up any false sincerity to please her. He looked to her eagerly, hoping to hear more.

A grateful grin crept on her lips. Finally, there was someone who would listen. With only a nod, she collected her thoughts.

"First the Gray Room could not reincarnate the souls of the dead. We had hoped that Thesis could find the solution, but they found nothing. In time the dead collected in legion with nowhere to go. At first none of us saw the problem. Then..." Her body repulsed in the memory. "Then the Fugue confronted me... He spoke of trying to control the dead, and wanted to make me into a new Heaven to do that. His new Heaven. And he threatened to kill my love if I didn't." Her eyes closed as a tranquil fury entered her body.

"I was furious! I told him that he would never lay a hand on him... And then he vanished. The next I remember was gods screaming that the Premier - the one who held the Ideal Gods' favor and power. was gone, and that I was responsible. It was then I saw Fugue within the crowd, smiling his spiteful smirk." A sigh came from Ailish as the fury left her.

"The Premier was the only one who could've saved the heavens, but things changed for the worse by his disappearance. Everyone fought for control with the dead souls as their power... That was when everyone and everything changed." An amethyst tear fell from her face. And another, and another. It had been a long time since she said this to anyone, and the memories hurt. But she could not just forget them.

"A war for power." He spat the words with disgust, 'war' dripping with venom as it left his mouth. He signed something quickly and it hung in the air for a moment, sizzling before fading away.

As he saw her begin to cry, he hesitated for only a moment before wrapping an arm around her. Aen said nothing.

She could feel something around her, and a sense of release came over her. Opening her eyes she saw Aen. She smiled and returned he gesture. "I have not told anyone of this. Thank you for listening."

Aen smiled softly and released her. "Thank you for telling me."

Aen looked around once again, this time almost able to see the world around him as it might have been. Even tainted as it was, there was a certain beauty to the world. "So, Ailish... Why are we here? I mean, what did you come here for? To be honest, I followed you in the hopes that there might be a quest or a battle to ne fought. Not that I mind, exactly, I would just like to know what we are in for."

"I understand." She nodded before closing her eyes trying to remember the layout.

"Within the realm lies a dark treacle that gave the taster knowledge of himself. I seek to find some, though the route may be dangerous."

"Exciting!" Aen's eyes shown with dreams of adventure. "Dangerous... Ha!" Aen drew his sword slowly, then studied it as he held it in the air. The blade did not gleam as it did in the light of Niv, but the runes stood out more than ever, holding the dark at bay. He laid it across his knee as he knelt, then lifted it horizontally up to her. "I offer you my sword and heart in this endeavor, in the hopes of seeing your quest come to a happy end."

"Thank you." She couldn't think of anything more to say to express her gratitude.

"The route should be this way."

Taking his sword by the hilt once again, he followed after eyes peeled for any danger. From time to time his eyes flicked to the runes of his sword. He hadn't noticed at first, but not all of them were alight, and he couldn't understand them. 'Serve' had been there from the beginning, but 'Empower' had lit up as well. He still did not grasp why the first mark had appeared, or what it meant for him. Now this new one's purpose was also a puzzle to him. Why did he need it? How would it help him? And what had he done to activate it. He envied Ailish's memory and conviction.

*.*.*

For all his awareness, Aen never saw them coming. His only warning came when he noticed that the wisps had scattered. By then, it was too late. The creatures sprang up around them as if they came from the very corruption tainting the realm. Aen's blade lashed out, dropping one after the other. He hadn't thought to ask Ailish if she could fight, and she didn't seem to be felling any creatures herself, but whatever magic she was was using seemed to be helping, so he wasn't complaining. He simply adjusted his battle style so he could cover her more easily. Aen's blade struck them down over and over, none of them proving themselves as much of a threat alone, but they kept coming and coming, and in endless supply. Each one defeated was replaced by two more, and the two deities began to tire from the constant battle. And just when Aen was sure they were doomed, it was over. The last of the bodies melted away, and no more sprung forth. Aen was breathing heavily, and he was about ready to drop his sword, yet he continued to hold onto it as if his life depended on it. For all he knew it did. When Ailish touched him on the shoulder, he almost whirled the blade around on her. "Come on," she said wearily. They both trudged down the same way as before, hoping that they wouldn't be attacked again. Aen wasn't sure they would survive another assault.

There used to be an organic elegance to the realm; the realms carried the warmth and the pulsations of a beating heart. But now everywhere became inert, the walls and floors flowed with sickly black fluid, and cold air grasped at every breath. It was not unreasonable to say that death warmed over the heavens but everywhere around the halls were the maddened souls of the dead manifesting themselves as white wisps, moving like there was still something to cling onto. Like there was some remaining bit of hope in this broken plane.

The halls seemed to twist and turn in unnatural ways as the two pressed forward; the doors they opened closed other paths off, and all the obvious

"This is it! This is where the honey is."

She recognized this as the mead hall for the divines and those true enough to travel there upon death. It was a place of merriment; drink, luminescence, and music were crafted from the raw faith of the mortal soul, and readily enjoyed by their residents. It was also the domain of King Alf of Hell, who brought the uncertain souls to the hall to extract the truth of their life; the unworthy were kicked back to the other three while those who Alf found worthy became his performers, or worse ingredients for his brews. As the heavens broke, so did the hall. The hundred and one drinks turned caustic and hollow, the musical instruments had died, and the bright cheery aura became a memory. And this sad place was the where the honey came from.

A large burning pyre could be seen in the center of the hall. That certainly was not here before, though she hoped that none of the old divines did not awaken; she counted her blessings that none of her old friends did not stir with their travel. To her surprise the embers rose from the ground and darted high above. And Ailish's face paled. Two gargantuan green beacons shone like suns in the darkness. At first they appeared to be the only source of light.

Then they blinked...

The two lights then moved back to show what was attached to them. The green eyes were dwarfed by the rest of its body. The head was crowned in ebony horns, with skin grafted in rusted iron, and rivers of lava travelling like veins across its face and body. Six colossal arms like serpent-tails coiled around its towering physique. As horrifying as the visage was, Ailish recognized the being as Alf, one of the four Kings of Hell, and tapmaster of the mead hall. Its giant mouth opened to speak, revealing dozens of needle-like teeth lined together.
"You brought a questing soul to these halls..." A gravelly baritone rang through the mead hall. "But this does not pay your dues... I wonder how you both will taste."

With those words a massive hand as big as the room grasped for the two.

Aen grabbed Ailish and pulled her out of the way of the dark king's hand. He didn't know how useful her magic would be against this monster, and she seemed a little too shook up as it was. However, she's all he had in this, and she hadn't failed him before. He decided to trust her. "Ailish, you seem to know this guy. A weakness, a battle plan, anything you can think of would be appreciated." Without waiting, he dashed into battle. Even though it had felt like an eternity since his last battle, he barely felt rested. The realm seemed to have that kind of effect. It was noticeable. His attacks barely seemed to matter, when they connected, and his reflexes were slow. He was barely able to avoid those huge hands, and the blows he did take took their toll. Aen cursed. His blade might as well have been dull for all the good it was doing him. Ailish was trying her best too, but it wasn't enough. None of it was enough. But it had to be. They hadn't come this far just to fail now. "Ailish! I'm putting myself into your hands here? How can I kill this bastard?!"

Ailish shook her head, her eyes betraying how exhausted and beaten she was. "I'm not sure you can. He's tainted, covered in the stuff except for his... eyes." Her eyes suddenly brightened with the realization of a plan. "His eyes, Aen! Strike at his eyes! It's the only place he's not protected!"

Aen nodded grimly. Getting that close to him would be dangerous on its own, but if Ailish was wrong about Alf's weakness, then chances are he wouldn't survive. It didn't matter. He'd sworn himself to her cause, and if she thought this was the way to victory then he would follow her orders until they'd won. Or he died. Aen grinned widely. This is what he'd signed up for after all. He charged Alf, determined to get to the end of the battle, one way or the other. As he ran, slashed, and evaded his way to his target, he could feel himself growing... stronger. His sword was charging him with power, filling him with it. Rather than feeling weaker than he ever had, he felt better than ever. Brimming with energy. Dodging became easier, his attacks seemed to stick, and the gap between him and Alf grew smaller and smaller. Before he knew it he was upon him, and his sword was sliding like warm butter through one of Alf's eyes. The tainted king screamed with rage, pain, and terror. It was silenced as Aen's sword slipped through his other, a blow filled with all of the energy raging through his weapon.

It was over. The sword depleted and his own body drained once more, Aen limped back to Ailish, but his eyes were alight. He had fought. He had won. He lived to fight another day. This is what he was born for, and now it was what he lived for.

As the excitement died down, there came the time to search. It wasn't long before the black Honey was found. Alf stirred slightly, but he was blind and beaten. Still, Aen tensed. Perhaps he had some final all-out attack to take the two deities down with him. But no, Alf simply opened his mouth to speak.

"This is all your fault!!" In his last words, Alf cursed the two of them, though Ailish was sure he directed it to her.

*.*.*

Passing the veil she felt a force assault her with the pain of a thousand needles; her face and body felt like they were melting and reforming. There was no need or desire to change, yet that was happening in the eternity it took to return to the Mourning garden. The feeling of gloom still hung in the air, yet it felt like sweet sorrow to her dulled senses. Instinctively, a bony finger dipped into the pot of Honey, wrestling with her own memories of the strength, pleasure, and pain it brought. As strange as she felt, Ailish was still in there; she still wanted the heavens restored, and her kin to return home. But how will they see me.

 

[Dogmatic99]

Zareth 30 , 2

Spoiler: Eld - Present day

Carnivox snarled at the new arrival, bearing his teeth for all to see.
"Steady Car!" Zareth chided him, placing a hand on the hunter's shoulder.
This was certainly a surprise. The young man stood out among the forests of Eld. Not just in appearance but because of the aura radiating off of him. There was no mistaking it, he was a deity, but then why hadn't Zareth seen him at the beginning?

"Apologies for my son here, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zareth and this is Carnivox." Carnivox snarled his welcome.

Aen smiled warmly. Zareth seemed friendly enough, and he felt Carnivox might even make a good sparring partner, if he was as strong as he looked. "It is nice to meet the both of you." Aen walked forward until he was amongst them, truly a part of the conversation and not a participating outsider. "What is this place? Am I intruding upon your domain?" Aen wasn't sure which of the two he was talking to. He knew nothing about the aspects they ruled over. Even further, Zareth seemed like he was in charge, so perhaps he was actually the stronger of the two. Aen never felt he was stronger than Ailish, and acted as her equal. Carnivox treated Zareth as a superior, except with... love? But wasn't that just something Ailish understood? There was so much more to learn.

"This? This is Eld and no it isn't my domain, it's ruled by a friend. She made it so she makes the rules... several of which I may have just broken and scattered to the wind." Said Zareth, fighting the urge to laugh at the last part.
"She's going to kick your ass for that." Carnivox said bluntly.
"Oh I gave her her girlfriend back how angry can she be?" Zareth scoffed. "Although perhaps I should give her some space to calm down in." He turned to the young god. "Aen, would you care to join us? I never get tired of giving people the tour of evermoor."

Aen listened to them talk but most closely paid attention to the way they interacted. He was sure of it now. The two shared some kind of bond to one another. It took a moment before he realized he had been asked a question, and another before he was able to process what was said. "Sure! Though... what is evermoor?" He made a mental note to inquire about the friend he spoke of later. For now, he just looked forward to getting to know these two better.

Zareth was hoping he would say that. With a snap of his fingers a trunk of a nearby tree split open into a pair of doors which weren?t there before. ?That depends on what you want it to be.? The death god grinned. He led the party through the gate and into Evermoor. They came out on the highpoint that Zareth had made his throne.
The small hill had changed since Zareth had made it all those years ago. It had worked its way into a mountain wall and was at the top of a great flight of stairs. From here Zareth could see all the areas of Evermoor, from the Dwarven mountain hall to the coastline of Nos.
?But the simple answer would be that it?s my domain. Welcome to the afterlife.?

Aen gaped at the sight of it. Evermoor was beyond words. Without thinking he made a rune in the air which shimmered before blowing away like smoke as he reached out to grasp it. Yes. Even if speach failed him, his runes would always serve him. "It's... more beautiful than any realm of the living." After his experience beyond the portal, Aen feared what fate mortals would be doomed to, but this was beyond even her stories of that land's former glory. "These mortals are lucky to have a Final King such as yourself." All mortals must one day bow their head to Zareth, or those like him, for that was what made them mortal, but it would certainly be better than serving, or being served, by that monster he had slain. "I can rest easy knowing any beings I create will get to one day meet you." He hadn't thought about it before, but he was sure of it now that he had.

?Please don?t flatter him.? Carnivox sighed.
?No, please do!? Zareth perked up greatly. ?It?s so rare for someone who?s still breathing to say a nice word about what I do. Have you seen how the humans draw me? You?d think I was a demon that eats babies!? He composed himself and conjured up some extra chairs and a bottle of wine for his guests. ?But I?m forgetting myself, what about you Aen? Tell me about yourself and why I?m only just meeting you.?
?Not for me.? Said Carnivox, taking his leave. ?I?m gunna find a door to the dwarf kingdom, they might forget about me in their little mountain.?

Aen laughed. "Perhaps you have given these humans a reason to fear you? Though I can't imagine YOU eating a baby. On the other hand..." Aen's gaze turned to Carnivox, but he was still smiling. He extended his hand towards the demi-god, acting on instinct. "May you give them hell, and they give you a fierce opponent."
Carnivox looked at Aen askance. He leant forward and sniffed at his outstretched hand and shrugged before dashing off. Zareth watched him leave. ?He is what he is, Car may not be very skilled at social situations but he?s never boring to be around. Though I may need to expect a few extra dwarves before the night is out.?
Aen retracted his hand but watched Carnivox leave. He moved like a predator, even when he wasn't hunting. "No, it's fine. He knows who he is and does not shirk away from it. It is admirable." Aen returned his attention to Zareth. "What is he to you? I hope I'm not being rude, but the bond you share is strange to me and I was curious as to what it is."
?He?s my son, or at least the closest I will ever have to one. We were both very different people when we met. I was yet to realise who I was or rather I was fighting it. While he had had been denied the chance to be what he is now. I think we each gave each other the chance to try and fight our fates. In the end Car got his freedom and I got the chance rebel? even if it was just for a moment.? Zareth?s voice had gotten softer and more wistful as he went on. He caught himself at the end, starring into his wine glass. ?But I?m rambling; I?m sure Eldarwen can that story much better than I can. Besides I still know next to nothing about you! You must have been somewhere interesting if you missed Carnivox and I first meeting.?

"Oh right, of course." Aen was still thinking, but of what he didn't know. "I was born... Far away. There was nothing around me but darkness, and my only companions were my sword and this." He touched the amulet around his neck to show what he was talking about. "I sat in that darkness for an unknowable amount of time, until I felt the aftershock of the clash between great forces. I came as soon as I could, but the battle was already over. Everyone was busy so I followed Ailish, though I didn't know her at the time, through the portal into a corrupted world, but I think Ailish would be better at telling that tale than I. Let's just say my blade and sword arm had their work cut out for them on that adventure.? Aen's eyes shone with the memory of the fighting, his mouth lifted in an unconscious smile. He had enjoyed that adventure very much. Most of it at least...

?Ah, then it sounds like you already know half our story.? So he went through the portal with Ailish, that was an interesting development. Aen didn?t seem to want to talk about it any further and Zareth wasn?t about to try and push him. But he made a mental note to make sure that Ailish told him that story. He imagined that a lot of the other gods would want to talk to her about the portal. ?That is an interesting thing you have there.? Zareth said pointing to Aen?s amulet, wondering what it was. ?And your sword looks like a fine piece of craftsmanship.? Zareth had taken an interest in the things mortals had crafted since they had first started developing tools. One of his favourite things to do was to watch artisans at work. There was something relaxing about watching something given shape through ones physical efforts. He had seen plenty of terrible things done with swords in the mortal world but he had to admit there was a certain stark elegance about them. ?I wonder Aen, how are you at making them??

"I do not know. I've never tried. But why not find out?" Aen reached up and pulled his own sword from its sheath, then laid it before the both of them to better study it. A hilt and a blade. It seemed simple enough. Then his eyes touched upon the runes, and an idea came to him. There was something else he could offer his new friend. "Zareth, do you see these marks upon the blade here? They are not simple words but hold power and magic. I could place some upon the blade you ask for as well." Aen began to smile. This had its own rightness within him, something that called to him the same way battle did.

?Brilliant!? Zareth exclaimed. And in moments the two of them were striding through the dwarven hall. ?Stoke the forges! We forge a sword for the king of Evermoor!? That caused a commotion not seen among the dwarves since they discovered that the Mead never ran out. Together he and Aen set to their new task of making Zareth a symbol of power and status. After all the other gods had one, why shouldn?t he?
Aen strode amongst the dwarves, watching them with wide eyes. They were so full of life, for the dead. Nothing like what he'd seen before. He thought again on how glad his universe had Zareth as Lord of the Dead. He was certainly well suited to the job, and he was glad to have met him. He set himself to help him craft the greatest sword he could manage while still suited to the god. The forges of the dwarves were great things, full of powerful fire. He let the dwarves show him how it was done, following their example, but let his affinity for combat flow into the sword. He held back however, not because he was worried about the blade being too powerful, but because this was to be the sword of a king. It should be meant for battle, but it should be equally destined to be a symbol of power and authority. To have it only be suited for one would defeat the purpose. "Zareth, before it is complete, I must ask of you, what magic do you wish to mark the sword with? I need to know the runes I am to use."

?I think I have something in mind.?

"Well, let's hear it, then!" Aen paused for a moment, then continued. "I'm also going to need to borrow some of your... blood, essence, whatever it is that comes out when you get cut. If it helps, I'll be using my own as well. I'd just like to mark the rune as yours, so that only you can use the full power of your sword. It also adds that special personal touch!" he joked.

?Wouldn?t be the first time.? Zareth laughed before cutting his palm open with his taloned fingers, the cut healed almost instantly as he willed it shut. Black blood dripped onto the forming blade and sizzling over the metal core. It spread over it, giving the blade a coat like midnight. ?Let it be a blade for combat. There may come a time when I am called to defend my kingdom and I will not be found wanting.?

Aen nodded and began to focus. He called to mind the rune in his head. It came easily, practically his own. He felt the words spread through him, and suddenly he was full of the magic behind it. It felt wonderful. The blade was barely finished before he cut the rune into his right hand and pressed the palm into the blade. Aen could feel the magic flow through him and out into the weapon, the blood boiling itself into the metal forever. His hand pulled away easily, the magic protecting him from the worst of the burns. The cut had scarred. He could will it away, if he wanted to, but he rather liked it. Made doing it more important. He turned to Zareth and smiled. "It is done, my friend. This blade will never let you down should you need it for battle."

Spoiler: actions

Zareth: Forge +2 item (Sword +2 combat)DC 15 AP 6 +6 Death, +2 Crafting

Aen: Assist +6 combat +4 runes

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Ailish? - 2, 30

For as nice the red and white robes felt against her malformed body, travel was immensely difficult in this new form; there was no sense of coordination or finesse with any step. The Garden's uneven footing was not helping movement either. Yet each stumble and trip was still progress to her destination:

Eld. She had wanted to keep from the lands of mortals out of respect for her fellow gods, but only within that realm could she find a way to recover from her change - no, rather relearn her body. The goddess remembered the powers faith carried, how it was crystallized into bricks and mortar, fermented into the nectar of gods, and more importantly distilled into healing waters. The process to create such a tincture could take a great amount of time, and she could not move until then. Better pick a place with a nice view.

She settled lying on the branch of a large tree with a view of the green horizon; despite its obvious age and stagnancy it was remarkably stable and all around her the greenery felt like a cloister, showing her the outside?s splendor yet keeping her safe within. Yet there was this sense of burden she felt here, like something didn't want her here; under her palms she felt something stir. A thought occurred: What if the tree was sentient?

Tell me about yourself...

Her eyes turned gold as years of the tree played out. There was a task; to guard its kinfolk the green - no his; the tree was specific with that. He served his purpose faithfully, but as time marched on he felt the trees either dying or becoming more like himself. Fear and uncertainty crept in on whether or not he was killing his own kin, and in response pulled back all its roots to avoid hurting them; he was supposed to guard nature with his brothers not usurp its splendor. Yet in doing so he became silent to the others; she could feel the loneliness in his heart as its memories were plagued with empty longing. Then some spindly creature was straining his old branches. Oh, wait...

Do you not think you had wanted companionship before your task. A dull pain flashed in the goddess in one second; something told her that he scoffed at that suggestion.

Why is that hard to believe? You have these feelings now, do you not think you have a right to them? Do you not think they were always there and you just forgot? Her heart grew gold as the words left her mind; the feeling of nothingness and rigidity were reinforced in these memories. You still believe you were created?

But why do you think that? Look further beyond your memories. Follow where your heart takes you inside. Grasp the life you used to live.

<spoiler=action>Inspire 1 Ent for life.[+6 Love][-2 confusion]
<spoiler=notes>Dunno if I've stepped on some toes here.

 

[TheBlueShotgun0]

Please disregard.

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Eldarwen - 23, 1

She was finished with the sculptures, and they had an eerie atmosphere about them, where they stood and tried to break free to become part of this planet. Violent and ferocious, she almost feared for the lives of her daughters, but then she remembered the great gift Zareth had given them. They didn't need to fear these creatures, they would fear her daughters. It was a nice thought, as she moved her hand along the jaw of one of the largest. It had such large and sharp teeths.

Eldarwen saw another god descend on her planet, and she asked herself why. Did they not understand that this was her domain? She decided to find the new arrival and changed into the tree, so that she blended into the forest. It took a few minutes for her to get there, but when she did she found an ent conversing with someone... She felt like she should know who it was, but all those years alone made it harder and she didn't recognize the body either. The aura reminded her of love, that feeling which she could not understand.

"Ailish?" She spoke and walked towards the ent she was sitting in. Eldarwen touched the ent, not sure what the godess was trying to do, but helped her anyway. Sure, the last time she had helped her had ended with the mourning garden and the seven, but she had gotten a son out of it and an ally which she cherished.

"What are you doing here?" Well, it was better that she was here than in the metropolis. Wait, why did she care about what they thought? She was their godess, able to end them all if she so chose to. She was not their queen. It could even be a mistake to let them influence her too much, as Sonitus was a proof of. Mother.

Ailish certainly looked different, even if she still had the same aura, maybe it was a little different as well.

"Do you want to see my metropolis?" She realized it would be bragging, but she'd rather walk the streets than go back to Sonitus at the castle. The demigod both frightened and enamoured parts of her. There was something wrong with a lover calling their loved one mother, but at the same time the queen had all those memories with her. She needed to think of a way to handle her. Even if she was just like the hunter, her son, her background made them very unlike each other.

<spoiler=Action>Assist Ailish +6 Forest.

 

[Belmarc]

Aen 26,2

After helping craft a sword for his new friend and promising a chance to test the new blade against his own, Aen bid Zareth farewell. There was a lot for him to think about, and he felt being alone was what he needed right now. There were so many thoughts going through his head. He had experienced so much in his short time amongst others. His journey with Ailish, those creatures and Alf... and afterwards. Zareth, his son, his realm, and the planet of his friend. Everything was much vaster than the darkness he was born in. It was exciting. It was terrifying. And there was an ache deep inside of him as well. For a time it was filled, with the making and the branding of the sword. But now it throbbed inside of him again, annoyingly ever-present, and yet he was no closer to knowing how to be rid of it. His mind kept returning to Carnivox. To fight such a fierce opponent, or better, beside one, would be a joy. And perhaps mortals should know this joy too. And maybe... well, that was for later. After the first step was done. And now he knew what to do.

There was a planet nearby. It would surely prove suitable for what he had in mind. He pictured it in his mind. Predatory. Fierce. Noble. A hunter of earth and sky. A king of beasts, and to men... a curse and blessing. Dragons. He gifted upon them his combat prowess, though much more feral than his own. And each dragon would be born with a rune on the back of it's neck, it's true name, protected and hidden by scales. In this way they would be like him, and would come to serve a purpose. But that too would come later.

<spoiler=Actions>
Creating dragons, DC 11, AP 4
Combat +6, Runic +4

<spoiler=Notes> The planet is Evalon that he's placing the dragons on is Evalon. It seems as good a place as any, and popular too.

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Ailish? - 2, 30

She was unsure if the tree had listened or not; it grew uncomfortably quiet after her words.

"Ailish?"

A tentative hand reached into the jar of Honey in reaction. It was meant to open the gods' minds, but the jar had become the focus for normalcy for her. Her gaze left the tree, only to find the plant goddess. She hoped that her arrival went silent, but there was no such luck. For now it seemed that Eldwaren was mimicking its action, yet her expression was neutral. Was the tree being silent to her as well?

She could speak, but she was not sure if she was the same. She had no answer.

"What are you doing here?"

"Finding a place to recover. I can barely move..." She responded; her voice a hissing rasp instead of the soothing lilt she had. She had clumsily lifted her arm out of the jar to show, struggling to make sure it didn't fall out of her grip; the black treacle stuck tightly to her fingers ?The heavens have changed me...? She said acknowledging, Eldwaren's appraising gaze.

"Do you want to see my metropolis?"

Why would she ask that? She tilted her head slightly at that question. Her feet touched the branch's surface, but her own body could get back up. "You may need to help get me back on my feet for that."

 

[Floris2123]

Melanthios 24AP, 1MP

Melanthios' magic began to shape orbs, that would transform into his race when a voice broke his concentration. "Do you need any help?" Melanthios turned around to see Vantric. "There is no need, brother. The help you gave me all those years ago still works, but I thank you for the offer." Melanthios smiled as he turned back around. Akladai looked at Vantric, he stepped forward and extended his hand "Hello Vantric, my name is Akladai. Thank you for helping Melanthios create me." Melanthios was happy to see that the manners he had taught his son were being used correctly.

Melanthios finished his spell and looked at the magical orbs floating in mid air. Flesh and bones began to form around them and about 300 Dues Filli appeared. All of them looked slightly different while also very much alike. Melanthios looked at his creatures and approached them. He flew into the air, attracting the attention of the Dues Filli. "Greeting my children," he said, opening his arms. The Dues Filli looked at him with a mixture of surprise, fear and curiosity.

"My name is Melanthios, and I am the one who created you. But I was not alone, there were other gods who helped make you. But how about instead of telling you, I show you?" Melanthios pointed at the Dues Filli, and 300 purple spirits appeared besides him. They flew towards the Dues Filli. They all contained knowledge, Knowledge of the world, their gods and also more specific knowledge on a certain profession. It would be the gift of knowledge, and they would use it to walk the path he had chosen for them.

Spoiler: Action

Inspire 300 Dues Filli
Difficulty: 9
Uses: 3 AP
Domain: Arcane Magic +6 Wisdom +4

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Eldarwen 23, 1

The heaven had changed her? Clearly for the worse, which made her think of the opposite of what heaven was supposed to mean. She was holding something, which she seemed to think of as important.

"You may need to help get me back on my feet for that."

Eldarwen touched the tree again, it was an older ent. "Oh, there's no need for that." She poured some of her own energy into the ent, but not forever, it wouldn't be rejuvenated. "Come on." The ent began to move, and Eldarwen changed back to the queen. The Ekiruru had met ents before, they even walked into the metropolis from time to time. After all, the whole city was still living trees. They may not even notice the figure on one of the branches high up in the ent, because of its foliage.

The queen hoped she wouldn't have to explain Ailish as well, since it would be harder. The godess didn't care what the mortals thought.

They walked the forest and passed through one of the large gates in the southern wall, and entered the streets of Ayamine. The change between forest and metropolis was hard to notice at first. The streets were the best sign that they were no longer outside of the wall, and the houses, even if they looked like short and fat trees. They had wooden walls and foliage as roof.

The queen and the ent did attract some attention by the Ekiruru and the water elementals walking the streets, but not much more than a glance and respectful bow.

"I have been so absored in its creation that I nearly forgot all of you." Both of them kind of wished she had. "What happened to you?" She turned, and headed in the direction of the school district, which was still far away from her palace. Most houses were small in this part of the metropolis, but higher buildings could be seen on the horizon and there was the tunnels below too. They crossed path with a street brawl, which stopped as the queen went through, only to continue afterwards.

"Did you risk your life for that jar?" She was curious about it, maybe the others had started creating powerful items and left her behind.

 

[Terratina.]

M'endaxius - 20/30 AP, 1/2 MP

The Aask ascended into the Verr, and it was a triumph. With that done, there was only one thing left to do. But there was the matter of Vantric's message to deal with. It spoke of laying plans and whatnot, but why start before all the pieces were placed on the board? M'endar sighed. But that was part and parcel of having allies, even those as untrustworthy as Vantric. Nevertheless, it was silly, meeting in the open like this. Unless... The idea came in a flash. What better way to use the gem? What better way to combine its actions? Yes... M'endar could have its cake and eat it, a perfect plan. All that mattered now was implementing it.

With a thought, M'endar now stood on the dark ground of Oculus Obscuritatis. It was strange, seeing a part of yourself like this, but no matter. It walked towards the crater that greeted Evalon every night and placed the gem inside it. M'endar could see strange happenings on the planet from here, but no matter. The few Verr on Oculus Obscuritatis just stood there with a look of both awe and fear, some Prophets even waiting with fervent anticipation for what the Deceiver was about to do. M'endar just ignored them and focused on the task ahead. Oculus Obscuritatis was meant to be a sanctuary for it and its race. Best to be hidden from others then.


It sent a message to Ventric and Melanthios. "Here is a place where we can met in secret, without the fear of unwanted watchers."

A dark light shone through the gem, creating a thick field of darkness. A shroud where prying eyes would be blinded, a cover of darkness for deceit...

Spoiler: Actions

Enchant a large area of the game world against scrying (Oculus Obscuritatis, Evalon and the space in-between) - DC = 15

Bonus(es) - Corruption [+4], Chaos, [+4], Deception [+4], Darkness [+2]

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Ailish? - 2, 30

She felt the tree rumble beneath her as she saw the green landscape change to something far more developed yet not. The cacophony of people echoed in her ears - or where they're supposed to be. Trees teemed with life, and she could swear she saw glowing lights somewhere in the midst. Despite the world being in Purgatory she was impressed by the progress the plant goddess imparted.

"Did you risk your life for that jar?"

She had to pause in thought, gazing instead at the Honey of Sin that was caked on her fingers. Then her gaze returned to the jar full of it. She thought about the heavens, the strangers, and Purgatory, but not once did she think about how she risked her existence beyond the veil, or Aen's. "I guess I did." The words came out slowly and with thought.

Her thoughts then turned to her motives for going there. She was frustrated that the first stranger wanted nothing to do with the others, and felt her ensorceling over the second not working as she hoped; she sought to fuse the seven back into the three she remembered, yet these hopes were crumbling as her fellow gods had other plans in mind. They did not see their original forms, did not grasp their true strengths and meanings; the others were too satisfied with how they saw the two to truly see what they were. Disease was the Fruit-bearer; Hatred and Despair used to be the consort of the Premier; Darkness, Hunger, and Madness were faces of the one who held her heart; and Horror was the key to restoring them all.

Ailish wanted them all to understand, and in this flurry sought something to do just that. But thinking about it after all that transpired, she was at a loss with what to do. Would she tempt the two into joining with the Honey? Would they have overcome the lingering change? Would they have truly enacted Ailish's intentions if they became stronger, or would their neutral faces turn into scornful glares?

A tear fell into the black Honey and was sucked into the miniature darkness. Out of the many things in the realm, those two were the only things left that were old friends. And they both seemed to have moved on without a single look back, while a selfish tinge knotted in her stomach.

"I don't know why I sought this now." She said her grip on the jar tightening as the words left her. "Five of them are still hidden, and the other two refused their old selves."

<spoiler=notes>Still don't know if I'm overstepping.

 

[Arrogancy]

Vantric: 24, 2

Melanthios seemed to have everything in hand. The other god took a moment to briefly respond to him, insisting that everything was under control. That was good. But what took more of his attention was the other figure, Akladai. Vantric looked the creature over for a moment. In many of its aspects, it resembled its creator, however, he could feel his own power distinctly emanating from within the demigod as he took its hand. "It was no problem at all." Vantric said. He took a step back from Akladai watched the ritual as it neared completion. Arcane energies mixed and melded in the air around them, feeding the birth of a new race. Vantric smiled, more pieces had arrived on the board.

"Nice apprentice." He said, after Melanthios finished his speech. "The speech was a nice touch, though could have used a bit more force to it. Nonetheless, I'm glad I was here, this is certainly a momentous day." Vantric flicked his eyes to Akladai for a moment. He would need an apprentice of his own soon. A protege, who could carry out his work. He knew that a mortal existed within the Lainir Empire, one who could be worthy of the gift he would bestow, but that would need to wait. For the moment, he had his own plans to see to.

"Here is a place where we can meet in secret, without the fear of unwanted watchers." The familiar echo of M'endar's voice whispered into his mind. A secret meeting place? Interesting. Of course M'endar would craft a place hidden away from the rest of existence. It surprised him that the deceptive god would share such a secret with them, allies though they were. Vantric couldn't help but be somewhat suspicious of this new development, but it quickly passed. M'endar wanted Seith gone, perhaps more than any of them. He could be counted on so long as his brother remained a problem to be dealt with.

"It seems we have a meeting to attend to." Vantric commented. "Before we go, there is one thing I would like to see done." He held out his hand and a dark orb slowly coalesced in the air above it. He would need certain information to begin working on the next step in the lainir's destiny. On the surface of the orb, the world of Evalon began to form, a distant, discolored image. "Show me." He whispered, "Show me, the dwarves."

Spoiler: Actions

Scry area of the ingame world-(Continental action; 6AP) +6 Ambition, +4 Secrets

 

[Dogmatic99]

Zareth 24 , 2

The black blade reflected the night sky over the mourning garden perfectly. The blade had come out perfectly, a pity Aen had not been able to stay and see how his hard work had come out. He would have to think of a name for it Zareth thought to himself.

The mourning garden was silent. It always was. This place had been so wonderful upon its creation, but before him loomed the arched gate that had been the garden's doom. Nothing gold can stay. The death god thought bitterly to himself. Still he couldn't feel too badly about that day it had given him a child of his own to cherish. But there were others who had paid a higher price that day, something he was determined to put right.

"You don't have to do this." Carnivox had been standing by his side in tense silence.

"No, I do." Said Zareth, turning the midnight blade over in his hands. Midnight, that was a good name for a sword. " we have unfinished business on the other side of this veil. It's you who doesn't have to do this Car."

"You'll never find what you're looking for without me." He was quieter than usual. The Hunter clearly felt uneasy about this. Zareth had spent the last few days training with the greatest warriors he could find in Evermoor. He had learned what he could of both human and Ekiruru swordplay, but he couldn't worry about himself. He had never asked Carnivox to follow him into the hell gate but his son had found him in the garden and forced the information out of him. He was loathe to make Car go back to the hell he had been born in but the wolf headed demigod refused to leave him. Finally the moment arrived and it was time for him to face whatever awaited him.

"Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. I've waited too long already. There's only one thing I ask of you Car." Zareth sighed, holding the hunter close to him.

"What?"

"Forgive me." And in a second Carnivox had burst into a cloud of leaves, flying away on a supernatural wind, taking him all the way to Eld. Zareth was determined to never put his son through the misery he had faced in the void again.

He sent out a message across the cosmos. "Melanthios, I'm going to be away for a while. Keep an eye on Evermoor my brother. It looks after itself for the most part just make sure no one living wanders in by mistake."

Then another. "Eldarwen, I'm sorry I can't explain but Carnivox is going to be angry with me for a while. Look after our son and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Please."

Finally he stepped through the gate, into the void and beyond the reach of all the other gods.

Somewhere on Eld a cloud of leaves swarmed around Eldarwen and took the form of an irate Carnivox, howling with fury right next to her. "Son of a-! What does he think he's doing?!"

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Eldarwen 23, 1

They were almost at the school district now, where she had an idea that Ailish could help with. She hadn't asked her about it yet though, but hoped that she would not object.

"I don't know why I sought this now. Five of them are still hidden, and the other two refused their old selves."

Eldarwen kept leading the ent through the streets, Ailish had fallen silent for a while and that was the first thing she said when she spoke again.

"Which five are you talking about?" It was hard to follow with what Ailish said half of the time, but Eldarwen believed her to be harmless. Well, compared to some of them which she were suspicious of. The only thing she had done was bring seven demons to the universe. Oh, that might be it, but it had still been done openly and not behind her back. It was the knife in the dark she feared, not the fool playing with fire.

"Eldarwen, I'm sorry I can't explain but Carnivox is going to be angry with me for a while. Look after our son and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Please."

Zareth's voice broke into her peaceful reality. "No, please don.." She hadn't finished the sentence before Carnivox appeared next to her in a cloud of leaves, howling out his anger.

He calmed down enough to speak.

"Son of a-! What does he think he's doing?!"

Maybe she should be watchful of the fool playing with fire, considering everything. The Ekiruru in the street backed off, some even scattered and ran off. They feared Carnivox, but the braver would die for their queen if they thought she was in danger. Eldarwen was about to ask what Zareth actually was doing, when another howl just like the first one could be heard. She looked at Carnivox, but even he was searching for the source. A third howl echoed through the streets, but closer this time.

"It is I, the great Sonitunes." They both turned to look at the character that appeared on one of the roofs. Her daughter held a banjo in her arms and played a few notes with her head held high.

"Rawr." Sonitus said.

It wasn't the fourth howl today, even if she would have prefered it if it had been. Eldarwen felt surrounded by these fools which she thought harmless. Carnivox was the only sane ally she had for the moment.

"Die beast, die!" Her daughter jumped from the roof of the building, with the banjo above her head and aimed for Carnivox. He moved out of her way, and she smashed the instrument in pieces against the hard grassy street. Carnivox went for Sonitus, and wrestled her to the ground. His hands had a tight grip around her throat.

"Do not kill her, or I will end you." Eldarwen stated coldly.

Carnivox knew she was serious, and that he was no match for the treemother. He loosened his grip around her throat.

"Nice to meet you, brother."

Why did she have to attack him if she knew who he was? Probably because of some false sense of chivalry, to protect her mother which didn't need protection from her own son.

"Brother...?" Carnivox had gone from angry to confused, so Sonitus had at least prevented him from doing serious damage to any buildings or Ekiruru. Eldarwen didn't think this had been her plan, rather it had been a fluke.

 

[JoJo]

Roe - 30, 2

The two children sat in an oren tree, Roe stretched out along a bow and Fallen Petal sitting upright further along, staring into the distance. The comfortable silence of a lazy afternoon had long since settled over the pair.

"My daddy was talking about the Xin tribe again today," Petal suddenly said aloud, a note of worry audible in her voice, "he says they are going to fight us and there's going to be a big battle soon and there's nothing we can do about it."

Roe sighed, this was all Petal had been talking about for the last couple of weeks and he was bored of the subject. He changed into a small fox and hopped over into his friend's lap so she could stroke him, it was a sure way to calm her down. The young god thought while he comforted her and decided that a bold new course of action would be needed to take her mind off the Wan tribe's troubles. He jumped off her lap and took on his child form again.

"Say Pets..." Roe started slowly, pausing for effect, "You want to go visit... another world?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Petal shouted, her face instantly changing as she forgot her earlier woes, "Really... for real this time?"

"Uh huh," he replied seriously, "We've explored Evalon lots of times and you haven't gotten into trouble for ages. I think you're old enough now. Where do you want to go?"

"Um...maybe to see the flower people, or the angels... oh, I'm not sure which. What do you think?"

"The angels are best for a first time," Roe hastily added before she could say anything else, he'd never had the heart to tell Petal that the "flower people" of Eld weren't quite as friendly as she imagined.

"Yay, thanks Roe!" she replied and hugged him awkwardly, her one eye shining up at him in delight. After a moment he managed to wriggle out of her embrace and offered his friend a hand. She took it and a moment later the two children vanished, leaving the clearing suddenly silent again.

~​

Far away from Evalon, the planet of Coelus hung alone in the heavens, sparkling like an enormous gem in the emptiness of the void. It's inhabitants the Grigori were busy adjusting themselves to their new world, filling cities carved into it's diamond surface by a divine hand. They were far too busy to notice a pair of diminutive brown creatures who materialised behind a library and quickly scurried into the shadows, glancing behind them as they ran.

"Okay?" Roe asked Petal. She nodded. "Good, now you remember what I told you?" he continued, "If Seith or the angels finds us here they're going to be really mad at us so you've got to do everything I say and stay near me all the time. Got it?"

"Yes Captain!" Petal enthused, peering excitedly out at the Grigori in the distance. "Oh, they're so pretty..." she breathed, "what are we going to do to them?"

"Watch," Roe replied with a grin. With a wave of his finger he drew a line from the shade they were hiding under to the library wall opposite. Even to the children it was barely visible and for the Grigori who walked with their heads high in the air, it was nigh on impossible to see. The pair waited with bated breath until an angel walked out of the library, laden with dusty tomes. Petal cooed at the sight of the being's wings up close and crawled a little closer, but she kept close to Roe as he'd said. The Grigori's feet snagged on Roe's line and he came tumbling down with a cry. Roe snapped his fingers to make the line disappear and then he and Petal rolled around in silent laughter as the angel tried to find what had tripped him and eventually left with a huffy demeanour.

"That... that was so funny!" Petal whispered, wiping away tears of joy, "He just... he just fell and dropped everything and landed on his face! Do it again!"

"Just wait," Roe said back, his grin widening, "that's just the beginning. I know a much better trick we can play..."

Spoiler: Action

Conjure up a small quantity of something & changing avatar - Effortless

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Ailish? 2, 30

The silence had been broken as some gale of leaves blustered into the tree. Then a scuffle that thankfully left the canopy, otherwise she would've fallen. Yet in a tiny instant, she saw something familiar; the wolf had a different face it was wearing, a face she recognized.

"No" Her words left her, but not the voice. Eyes grew wide at the sight, the ferocity and degree of emotion. What have they done to you?

Short post, but I'm not sure what I could do at this point; the demigods appear far away from what I could tell.

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Eldarwen 23, 1

"Well, yes." She said to ease his confusion and the tension. "I guess that would be correct."

Carnivox kept his hands around her throat, even if they had the same creators, which might technically make them siblings or something resembling it, he didn't feel any remorse at the thought of killing her. She still looked the same as the Ekiruru, though slightly taller and able to howl like him.

"I'm not that into asphyxiation as a form of foreplay, by the way." The green woman beneath him said, without a trace of it being a joke.

Sonitus didn't know if she should attempt to kill her brother or love him. He was the creation of the god whose head she wanted to see on a pike, but so was she. For now, she would wait and see. Maybe he could be convinced to help murder their father, or maybe he'd be in the way.

Carnivox got up on his feet, more disturbed by the woman and her gropy hands than angry at her. Zareth was the one he should be angry with. He growled, and walked over to his mother.

"He forced me to intrude upon your metropolis. I know the agreement."

Eldarwen had allowed him to stay on her planet, and she even knew that he had some sort of den and hunting ground not that far from the city. Ekiruru were told about it, and the bravest entered it to test themselves. Few ever returned, those who did were rarely the same again. He was to stay out of the city if he wanted to stay on the planet.

"The queen can overlook it this once, as she knows it was Zareth's doing." She spoke loudly, so that the Ekiruru that were observing them saw her treat the hunter like he was below her in status. The godess on the other hand, glared at him and wanted to throw him out of the city. She couldn't really change avatar in front of so many mortals without revealing herself though. "Please take the other form." Eldarwen whispered through her teeth to him, and made a discreet gesture towards Ailish in the tree.

He thought he had smelt something, but not that it had been another god. Carnivox transformed his wolf head into that of an elf.

Sonitus had summoned another banjo, and laid on her back playing it, while singing about how the queen had calmed the mighty hunter. Every now and then she stopped, went back and played the same part again but with different lyrics.