Mythological RolePlay [Archive] - The Warring States of NPF

Squishy Cheeks

10-03-2006, 01:21 PM

Death walked on the new world appearing here and there. he collected the souls of the dieing, for this world was frought with dangers. It was only a few at first. Some died of illness, others from violence. Death comforted them all, and placed them in his deep pockets. Orcs, dwarves, men, monsters, animals, beasts, trees. All of them died and at that moment Death was there.
_______________
Charok sat on his throne for sevral minutes his head on his fist. He looked to the Dragon by his throne, now four times the size of when he left on his errand. He smiled and the Dragon looked at him in adoration.

"You shall be called Draco." he said to the dragon. The dragon purred and nuzzeled his shoulder.

"Draco I depart for the mortal world. Protect my realm." The dragon bowed it's head and went back to feasting on the fruits of the dead.

_______________

Charok was dressed in black robes with a white sash. A skull like mask on his Handsome face. A white scarf was wrapped around my head revealing only the cheeks and eyes of the mask. The startled villagers came forth to gaze in awe at the divine presence.

"I am Charok, God of Death, I have come to bring you knowledge of my purpose. One day I will come to claim you all, but now I am here to claim your wounded chieftan." The men of the village picked up their primitive spears and tried to make a spear wall to stop Charok. Charok calmly gripped the spear of one man. The man felt cold as life was drained from him by death's touch. He dropped the spear. and fell to his knees. The others looked frightened. Charok walked up to the man embraced the man's face. He struggled for breath. "Do not try to stop me. You can not kill death." He walked into the chieftan's hut and all heard the wail of anguish and horror from the chief's woman as death walked out again, carrying over his shoulder the struggling greyed form of the chieftan's soul. With his other hand charok pulled down the scarf to show his skull like mask. "His soul is mine. I will judge his life and put him in his place. Tell this tale." And then he was gone.

Astral Harmony

10-03-2006, 02:30 PM

Phrayce wordlessly ventured down unto the mortal realm. The catgirl race was already the dominant species among all those Phrayce birthed unto the world and was in the middle of constructing a rather large temple of marble in worship to their goddess.

Leaving her realm under the protection of her generals, Phrayce then ventured down to the world, admiring Kamin's work as well as that of the other gods. She landed gracefully on the platform where the throne was to be constructed, and began her spell. None of her servants could see her as she did not have a physical form...yet. The energy needed to make such a form was gathered into her hands. Divine Materialization Energy, she called it, and once she had enough, she willed a vessel of herself into existence and possessed it.

After the flashy entrance and the worship and adoration from the catgirls on their hands and knees (Phrayce denied any sacrifices), she laid out her decrees and presented tasks and rules before the catgirl race to disseminate throughout the other races, regardless of how far or how insignificant their numbers were. After all, bestowing ones gift upon a world was only the first big step.

dementedmongoose

10-03-2006, 03:20 PM

Gibrah was incensed with Tordal's theft of his creations. Rather than take his problem up with Tordal, Gibrah instructed Grilsh and Graag to destroy the lines of Rexlo and Whynnvo, and all the races that would defend them. Grilsh was small and foolish, but Graag was large, brave, and stupid. Gibrah lifted Tsiin and Wyr, and empowered them with prayers and supplications to make them favored over their husbands, and more able to heal. To lead the armies of Grilsh and Graag, he opened new portals, bringing forth Minotaurs, Centaurs, and the Giantkin. To work the metals, and bring them forth from the ground, he remade dwarves in a more fearsome image, calling them the Duergar.

Gibrah commanded the Minotaurs, Centaurs, and Giantkin to worship him through sacrifices of animals and prisoners.

Squishy Cheeks

10-03-2006, 04:55 PM

Charok visited all peoples and races in turn, many challenged him at first, but all eventualy aquesced to his might. He saw that War held power over the orcs and their ilk. Charok grinned, he took the form of a might orc in black armor, his arms covered in grim tattoos, depicting slaughter. He was wrapped in a white sash and again a white scarf. On his face was the familiar skull like mask. An old Shaman of the orcs stepped forward.

"Who are you stranger and who do you serve?, I am Thulsa, We are servants of Gibrah, God of gods"

"Gibrah is a god of War, Those who follow hiim will all become mine. I am Charok. I am death. Give credit onto me for your kills, and pray that I grant you an honorable death."

"I laugh at you puny creature. Gibrah is our only God and we worship only him."

Charok walked forward and grabbed the shaman by the throat. "Then I shall take your Soul." He pushed his hand through the orc pushing the ephemeral soul out still gripping the orc shaman by the throat. Thulsa turned to look at his soul as life quickly left his body. Charok lifted the soul in the air and turned him to face his tribe. [color=grey]"Your souls are mine, in time. I will come for each of you someday. Tell the rest that I am coming. Live good lives so you face me with no regrets. And once again Charok was gone.

_______________

He sat on his throne and removed his mask. he ran his fingers through his hair. and looked at the congregation of the dead gathered before him. there were hundreds from every race. He weighed each of their hearts against a feather. Those pure of heart passed this test and were admited to the caverns of paradise. The rest continued to stand infront of him.

"Alright I want this nice and ordely, we're dividing you into groups. Rapists, you go over and stand by that knife and fire pit there I will be with you in a moment. Murderers will be here, thieves here, and... well the rest of you go here." He took the knife in his hand and plunged it into the pit until it glowed white. He punished each according to their crimes and cast them into the dark caverns of torment.

dementedmongoose

10-03-2006, 08:46 PM

Gibrah observed the foolhardy actions of Thulsa, one of the shamans he'd believed to be wiser. Gibrah had scarcely been in this plane what felt like an hour, and already he missed the way things were back in Gil'nah.

Stepping down to the material, Gibrah opened a portal back to Gil'nah, and brought out a... thing, with the torso of an orc, the lower body of a centaur, two heads like an ogre, but formed like minotaur heads. Gibrah then possessed this form, and began to plan out the first great war.

Marinan

10-03-2006, 11:14 PM

Kamin sat on his throne surveying creation. 100 generations had passed(Lets say a page is 1000 years in the game, unless we need to slow it down for some reason.)Man and the other species had all discoverd the secrets of bronze and brass. Moving into the first rudiments of civilization. Kamin had made a second planet in preperation for the present world's future, when it would develop space travel. The Lesser World, as he called it, was a massive paradise, and the race of Godlings Kamin made inhabited it. The godlings had called the place the Lesser World as well, as they would ascend to the Heavens at their death.

(Godlings are much lesser versions of us. The domains they have over lap, but they don't have the control over their powers like we do.)

Squishy Cheeks

10-04-2006, 12:54 AM

Death sat on his throne. He felt lonely. He was everywhere, at once, but he felt like he was no where. Other than Draco, none truely loved him. Everyone feared him, he could hear their prayers of fear, but he also heard their prayers for vengeance, and their pleas for life. The offerings were nice, but hardly neccessary. He just wanted their respect in life, he commanded it in death. He knew many sought ways to cheat him, shamans and wizards all considered ways to prevent him from claiming him. Their hubris really irked Charok. He ran his fingers down Draco's spine as the dragon purred. The dragon had grown rather large in the last few centuries.

Arhra

10-04-2006, 08:06 AM

And so it was that the gods moved to make war on one another, claiming their mastery over those who worshipped them. Warrior slew warrior, all believing their side just, and the god of death reaped their souls. But, the hand of another was at work, one come unheralded and unforeseen.

It passed that a warrior was felled on the battlefield. In many ways he was no different from those who had gone before him, but there was some spark in him that cried out at this end, at all that would be left undone and untried. He would escape such a fate if he could. But, unlike those others, another replied to his silent cry. As Death came to claim the warrior, another blocked Charok's path.

"You can not have him."

This figure was robed, cloak of feathers billowing in a personal tempest, mystic symbols flowing off them and dissipating in the air. One arm was held to the side, billowing sleeve hiding the warrior. Falcon masked, face invisible, they continued, "For I have unbound him. He offers himself as my disciple."

The attention of the world was on this newcomer as they went on, "Know this: All shall be incomplete, incapable of the empty death that is called perfection. All things shall continue, yearning forever towards that which is beyond their reach. But, there shall be a striving in their hearts as to let them grasp their own destiny, to make their own way through the world and nothing may be entirely unmade."

But the Interloper's words were not for the gods alone. The last of quiet speech was addressed to those who fought on the field of battle by a god's will. "Know yourself to not be bound to the tyranny of uncaring gods, nor condemned to an eternity of torment or of complacency. There is always another path."

OOC: Yep, that's free will being handed out there. That is to say, it was always there.

Astral Harmony

10-04-2006, 10:20 AM

If Phrayce were an angry goddess, she would probably protest the directions where her servants were going. After conquering a continent and calling it Amazonia like Phrayce's realm, they took steps towards worship of other gods.
This was as Phrayce intended. They knew of the great gifts that their goddess imbued them with, but under Phrayce's direction, they also had temples and idols and sacrifices for the other gods as well.
They worship Kamin as the bringer of their lives and the decider of their destinies.
They pray to Charok to look kindly on them upon their deaths.
They praise Gibrah for their mighty weapons and their great victories.
They intend to do right (most of the time) and punish the acts of evil to honor Tordal.
They beg of Lycer to not spread plague and disease upon them and their food.
They ask of Gazee to lessen their general sufferings and to allow the births of healthy babies.
And they would never forget that Tcharne is the reason they are able to wield magic and worship other gods in the first place.
Temples and idols devoted to these gods sprung up all over the landmass, but that wasn't all. As the generations of the many races continued, other gods seemed to be contrived out of nothing and worshipped just the same.
Phrayce knew she should be wrathful at this heresy, but actually was far too merciful for her own good. She wanted to actually give these imaginary gods life, but lacked the power. Phrayce vanished from the mortal realm and ventured to go find Kamin. If anyone could create such beings, it would be him.

Squishy Cheeks

10-04-2006, 12:47 PM

"Do not stand between me and my task. All that is born dies. All things come to an end, and I am that end. I will claim you to someday, if you want to prevent this mortals death so be it. In time he will beg me to come for him. His cries will fill your ears, and without me his end will not come." Death turned away for the first time. Leaving the warrior hacked and mangled crying in pain. "Your new way is a path of cruelty. Death is a mercy I give these people. Let us see how they handle life with out Death." With that Charok was gone from the world, and in that time none died, and all fell into chaos.

Astral Harmony

10-04-2006, 01:09 PM

"Goddess Phrayce! Goddess Phrayce!"
Budgula, a very powerful and hideous servant of Phrayce came rushing towards the goddess, half running and half galloping using its six mutant arms and two legs.
"Budgula, what is it?"
Budgula gestured with two arms down to the mortal realm. "Take a look. Charok's servants are not claiming the souls of the slain!"
Phrayce raised a hand and opened a window with which to check Budgula's information. Sure enough, people who should obviously be dead, Phrayce's followers or otherwise, simply were not able to give up their souls. "Damn it. Lycer and Gazee's 'gifts' upon our races are still in full effect, leaving them to suffer agony and painful sickness even after they've been 'killed'! Why has Charok done this? Doesn't he rely on the dead to bolster his own power?"
"I do not know, goddess. What shall we do?"
"Lycer and Gazee will hopefully see this and shut down pain and illness so the near dead won't be in agony until we sort out this mess. If people are not dying, the world may become consumed by its ever increasing numbers. So, in that case, I'll soon have to shut down fertility so the numbers can be in check."

Marinan

10-04-2006, 01:57 PM

Kamin's world was almost unaffected by the death. Godlings could live for thousands of years. No one's life span had been spent, and as a lesser heaven, the Lesser World is typicaly more peaceful right now with so little conflict. The Godlings have made contact with the Gods using communal and divine magic, hoping they can have patrons for every aspect of their lives. The few thousand Godlings on the Lesser World now live in communal villages and towns.

Meanwhile on the other world, there are around three million people on the planet, and currently no one can die. Heads have been seperated from bodies, hearts removed, bodies crushed, and countless other deathless killings without real death has caused much needless suffering. Kamin plans for them, bringing them a promise which the gods might be jealous of.

Squishy Cheeks

10-04-2006, 05:13 PM

Death sat in the garden he had made by growing crystals. water trickled musically down the flowering quartz he crafted in his realm. It drown out the noise from the mortal realm of the millions on millions of people praying for death.

If the gods think they don't need us, I will continue to remind them exactly why they need us. He said to those souls who had chosen to serve him. They were the death dealers, demons to some angels to others, Godlings of the lesser world all, Each represented an aspect of himself to the races as each viewed death.

"Come my servants let us enjoy our holiday with celebrations and sport."

Whightwolf

10-04-2006, 05:58 PM

Upon the edge of Death’s garden appeared a silvery slash of light, through it, beyond it and in it could be seen only white for infinite reaches and a bridge without end, a bridge of dark granite, flecked with ancient moss. Striding along the last yards of the Bridge came the Watcher. He came not in some splendid form or with a vast entourage as some of the Gods are wont to do. Instead he came at a tall, lean man with grey skin, long white hair and hard, sharp features, clad in a plain white tunic and simple sandals. At his side his only real treasure, the blade of silver.

As he reached the end of the bridge he even unbuckled his belt, laying the blade at the edge of the bridge Tordal stepped into the garden of death. Reapers, the death dealers parted before him, though they were confused why this mere man would dare to impinge on the ceremonies of death. Finally he came to stand before mighty Charok.

“Greeting Lord Charok, could I ask what inspired such festivities when all mortal creation lies suffering. I would not think to ask such a question of Gibrah or Lycer for they delight in such things. But you… You are Just” Something about the way he said the word, it seemed to carry an almost palpable force with it. God’s cannot help the strength of their convictions. “Being, you reward the good and punish the evil. That is your role, your Duty. If there is some great cause and role behind this of which I am not aware then let me apologise and I shall fetch food and drink for the merry making. But if this is over a single petty incident with that new comer then it is not Right, I thought you a greater being than that. Let me assure you Justice will be Done. But this, to make the many suffer for the crimes of one is not Justice, and you arbitrator know that as well as I do.”

Squishy Cheeks

10-04-2006, 06:13 PM

"Greetings my brethren, you are tired and weary, Enjoy the hospitality of my home, you need never be strangers to my realm for even the dead give offerings to the gods. No, my cesation of my duties as reaper is punishment to all who think they hold sway over me. I keep my own council in the nature of my job, and it is a neccesary thing. Yet I am derided and feared above all others, even my brethren do not respect my sacred post, so I am proving, in the forge of torment, my worth. If there are those who think that the end is not important then let there be no more 'happily ever after.'" He offered Tordal a chalice of wine.

Astral Harmony

10-04-2006, 06:29 PM

Phrayce had returned to the world below to try and control the situation on the biggest battlefield yet. Due to Charok's sudden refusal to deal with the rising dead, there was an ever-increasing number of "killed" people driven crazy through the pain and neverending life.
For the time being, Phrayce had decided to call these violent slaves of insanity The Restless. She chose a spot and dug her fingers into the ground, then spread her arms outward, creating a deep yet relatively small chasm. "Knock them all in here. They shouldn't be able to escape."
The Restless couldn't seem to think of anything except how much it hurt to be in their situation. Angry at Charok for his actions regardless of the reason why he did it, Phrayce worked hard to get the Restless under control. "Call it a truce for now. We need to limit the number of dying as much as we can."

Things aren't all bad when Death has gone fishin'. There were Restless that could be saved and Restless that couldn't. While the mutilated Restless encountered on battlefields were unable to be saved, certain others were able to be healed and there were a lot of unfortunate deaths that...while they weren't averted, the victims were restored. Some people praised Charok. More begged for forgiveness and mercy. Phrayce hoped the other gods could make him change his mind.

RP-Antolone

10-04-2006, 06:57 PM

Stray eyes fell upon suffering mortals; a rain of mercy embraced them in their time of need but not much more than a minute's worth, he couldn't spoil the cages of flesh even if they were creations. With all the hostility in the atmosphere, Gazee couldn't help but join the fray by sending his creatures unto the realms, there he gathered his strongest myriad of creatures. They stretched from the vicious Chimaera to the Centaur.

"Oh, what a pity, I slipped some creatures into your worlds."

Whightwolf

10-04-2006, 07:09 PM

Tordal took the chalice and gazed into it for a long moment. Truth be told, he was weary, while the Gibrah had been fighting his black crusade and the Interloper had breached the walls of their reality he had been Outside, battling the cold, cold denizens of the space between the realities as they tried to attempted to fall upon this new born creation. At last he had driven them off and he was tired, still he had a duty to do. Taking a long sip of the wine the Watcher looked up at Death once more.

“None hold sway over you, you know this, I know this. But the mortals if the mortals choose to believe they have a chance of escaping you then let them, for in the end they cannot. Even this one the Interloper stayed your hand for will be yours in the end. It is not for you to write the destines only great Kamin commands the Fates. You and I are functionaries, our roles are not always pleasant ones, you think you are the only God they try to cheat? The only one who is feared? Show me an evil being who does not fear me and mine in the darkest hour of the night. True they fear you but you were never derided except perhaps out of fear. It is now they laugh, now they think you are dead that your power over them is gone.” Pausing with a long sigh Tordal looked down at the wine, when he looked up his expression was resigned. “You will of course do as you will but when you make your decision I wish only that you be looking upon one this.”

Splashing the remaining wine across a concave stone to form a shallow pool showing the reflection of the garden in all its glory. Tordal waved his hand across the pool and the vision changed. A great pit, is walls lined with the eternally dieing. Somehow their fearful, almost human moans came through with the image, a choir of the damned.

“They call it the Pit of the Restless, I can read you back their entire lives, each and every one. You and I alone, save perhaps Kamin, see every detail of their lives, every small sin or great virtue. Tell me mighty Charok, how many of them deserve that?”

dementedmongoose

10-04-2006, 08:35 PM

Gibrah had killed his avatar.

He had but one thing left to do before he would be able to answer supplications and bestow blessings upon great generals. He entered the land of pestilence and disease, and requested that Gazee bless Gibrah's armies with magics of disease and pain.

RP-Antolone

10-04-2006, 09:04 PM

Gazee was much too occupied to grant mere wishes, instead he invested most of his power into his own creations manifesting them with a poisonous bog which swelled around them. Pleased with his creations, he sent them to war testing their strengths against his peers' creatures, though, his own creations were nothing more than blind juggernauts with no sense of directions besides the one that went, 'kill kill kill'.

Astral Harmony

10-04-2006, 11:35 PM

"Thank you for showing up on such short notice. I was hoping for a more peaceful resolution, but all I can see is a world filled with creatures that have no loyalty towards any god and would make a mockery of Kamin's creation as well as the gifts from the other gods."
One goddess, six generals, and the goddesses' "daughter" were in the single room at the biggest temple Phrayce's servants constructed on the mortal realm, either sitting at the table or standing around.

First is Budgula, an ugly creature with smooth dark green skin speckled with dark blue spots. She has six arms, and each of those massive arms ended in claws that can dismember multiple limbs in a single swipe.
Moe is a black haired noblewoman with slanted eyes and is clad in an impressive and lavish bright blue kimono. The long, wide sleeves conceal more swords than Phrayce could care to count, and Moe is somehow able to skillfully hold five swords in each of her hands, becoming a whirling nightmare as she pleased.
Daruna is an immensely powerful brown skinned catgirl who uses a large cannon in battle and also has a very large sword in case the cannon is ever destroyed in combat. After all, accidents do happen.
Maegrid is a brunette centaur clad in bright green armor who wields a lance in her right hand and a large axe in her left and can travel at great speeds to intercept enemies.
Ludo is a woman/spider hybrid who has a near insatiable appetite and usually eats anything near her that consists of meat. She rapidly produces her offspring and consumes a good number of them herself. She seems to have extremely high metabolism and can even ignore pain when a meal stands within reach.
Vitroli is the only male general who serves Phrayce, and much like Budgula uses brute strength in combination with blades to produce lethal results. The only exception is that Vitroli is handsome, bald, and his weapons aren't bio-organically attached to him.
And finally, the "daughter" Prietal seems to be a combination of a woman and a hermit crab, complete with shell and six segmented legs. There is also a set of gruesome pincers which are separate from her own arms that currently dual-wield pole maces.

"The other gods don't seem to care at all about the situation and are only interested in testing out their wonderous creations. Thus, the number of Restless are growing rapidly and I don't think the threat of eliminating their races fertility or making their females too unattractive to want to mate with would sway them in the slightest. So we're going to do what we can do and protect our people. Already we're getting sightings of strange creatures and Restless groups forming. I need something done about this and I'm counting on each one of you, myself included, to keep this land protected. Are there any questions?"
Maegrid nodded. "Why has Divine Charok abandoned us?"
Phrayce would love to know that herself. "I am not sure, though I think it may be due to some insult he received. Unfortunately, I also do not know when Charok will restore the release of death upon the world, or if he will at all. Anything else?"
Nobody else had anything to ask. Phrayce looked at each one of them and nodded. "Very good, then. Focus on keeping the enemy from increasing the number of Restless and try to stop the Restless from harming anyone by any means. You are dismissed."

Squishy Cheeks

10-05-2006, 12:59 AM

"I hear they're cries never ceasing it is as nails on my mind and it breaks my heart to teach them this lesson. Perhaps it is time I returned to my task." Charok vanished like smoke into the air.

__________
He appeared outside the world as it looked like a jewel in the night. His massive form vissible as the sun and the moon. He cocked back his hand. and place Death's mask on his face with the other.

"Hear me mortals. I have returned, cower, you unworthy, and tremble as I stretch forth my hand. Know that none of you has cheated me, it is I who have cheated you." With his hand he grasped a piece of the icy dome of the heavens and dragged it across the sky in his fist, cold blue fire eminating from it. He slammed the sky rock into the oceans creating terrible flouds and clouds of darkness across the face of the world as the seas boiled and dark clouds covered all. The death dealers were released upon the world once more.

____________

As quickly as he left he returned to his realm.

"Would you like some cheese or bread, we have some wonderful chefs down here, Tordal. I could have them build you a winter home if you like?"

Astral Harmony

10-05-2006, 07:43 AM

"Rain of Teeth!" shouted Phrayce and tore into one of the Restless rapidly with deadly lunges. Even when reduced to nothing but the basic parts, they still lived, and still suffered greatly. But this one didn't.
Phrayce didn't understand until she saw it happening around her. Suddenly, the Restless were dropping dead on the spot. Moe was with her on this particular battlefield. "Do you think this means?"
Charok has bestowed death back unto the world. "Oh, thank god!" Phrayce cried out, and shouts of jubilation spread out among the nearby forces. Not all was good news. Phrayce didn't have long before she encountered an elderly catgirl.

"I am sorry that your granddaughter had to die now. However, she had been dead before and was simply restored. I am afraid that I can do nothing about it, nor would I take action if I could do something about this."
Phrayce took the catgirl's hands in hers. "Regardless of the fact that her body is able to sustain her now, her soul belonged to Death when she died. He merely hasn't collected it until now. Please try to understand that he is only doing his job as commanded by Divine Charok just as I do my job when I gave your daughter the ability to give birth to her in the first place. All you can do is pray to Divine Charok to be merciful to her soul in the afterlife."

Phrayce prayed to Charok as well, and explained things to the other worshippers nearby, which somehow consisted of all six generals and her daughter. "Let us never forget the heavy burden of Divine Charok's tasks. It is an easy and wonderful task for me to grant the joy of fertility to all, just as much as the task of reaping the dead must inspire a fear and hatred of him."
Phrayce decided that she would try to get more involved with Charok, realizing that what she said was possibly true. Charok probably didn't like tearing away people from their loved ones, but as a part of the circle of life, it is a very necessary step. And he had taught that lesson by calling off his death dealers for that time. All of the generals aside from Moe had left the realm and the mortal races in particular began the task of burying all the sudden dead. Burial grounds were springing up like wildfire, many of the stones simply inscribed with race and class as there were a lot of killed Restless that couldn't possibly be identified anymore.

Whightwolf

10-05-2006, 09:45 AM

Feeling a weight fall from his shoulders as Death finally returned to the world, Tordal sat down on a stone and looked around him. A paradise had been created here and the offer of a winter home was tempting, but alas he did not spend enough time in his own realm as it was.

“I am afraid I must decline your kind offers Charok and must be about my work once more. But I believe a connection between our realms would allow me to partake a moments rest from aeon to aeon. Goodbye my friend doubtless I will return.”

Expressing his thanks Tordal made his way to the edge of the garden and the silvery slash of light, with a gesture he changed it, an arch of the same dark granite as the bridge, of the same age, the same sense of fresh permanence. Nodding at his own handiwork Tordal stepped though and gathered up his Blade and strode off, vanishing into the white.

***

This time the Bridge appeared high in the mountains of his own realm. In a valley of harsh stone, lined with caves, the valley was arranged in such a way that wind flowed through it constantly no matter the weather. A single figure came forth to greet him, old and hunched came the ancient Fenreir and elder of this clan, Tordal in an instant his name was Garval. An old one of his kind, still his clawed feet found easy purchase upon the stone as he walked forth from his dwelling. Spreading his wings he leaped and seemed to change. Slow and hunched on land, in the air he still soared like an angle.

Rushing with the wind the elder came to stand before his God. Non of the Fenreir knelt, all he did was incline his predatory avian head. Once more leaning on his staff he awaited the wishes of his God.
“Garval, Elder of Clan” The screeching noise which Tordal made defies our alphabet it has more meaning than can be translated without becoming unwieldy but we shall call them the clan “Red Scar, gather your warriors we have business in the mortal realm.”

When the old Hawkman spoke it was in his own tongue of screeches and caws for beaks do not well form the words of the gods.
“As you command Lord Watcher what would you have of us?”

Tordal slowly drew his blade, it seemed to capture the light from every angle, the world reflected in it a little lighter, a little purer a little better. Swinging it round he levelled the point at the white elders heart. The elder closed his eyes, he knew what his God was doing, he could feel it, looking deep into his soul weighing and measuring every part of him. Silently the elder prayed he was not found wanting.
“Tell your people Garval, tell them they fly to War and tell them you shall lead them.” Light poured out of the blade and into the ancient one.

At first it seemed the elder had been consumed by white fire but slowly the flames died away and revealed a stooped old one no more. A head taller than his seven foot kin Garval’s white feathers shone like pearl against the inky red of the Scar like tattoos of his Clan, his eyes burned with the fire of youth and in his hand a great golden spear replaced the staff. Clad in a white kilt and a belt of gold Garval stood before him, remade, stronger than he had ever been in his true youth.

Raising his head to the sky he let out a great screeching cry. Too arms brothers.
From every cave they came forth, warriors tall in stature, each clad in a kilt and wielding a weapon, long spears were common, but as were maces, hammers and morning stars, two thirds carried also either a shield or another weapon and the last third carried the compact short bows of the Fenreir.

“Go now Garval, help the other races restore order, reward the righteous and punish the wicked.” With another great screech the Fenreir soared into the air, forming a great spear with Garval at it’s point they swept up the valley. Arcing round they came back towards Tordal a screeching lance of warriors. With a gesture Tordal opened the barriers between world and set the clan loose on the world.

Arhra

10-05-2006, 10:04 AM

"Do not stand between me and my task. All that is born dies. All things come to an end, and I am that end. I will claim you too someday, if you want to prevent this mortal's death so be it. In time he will beg me to come for him. His cries will fill your ears, and without me his end will not come. Your new way is a path of cruelty. Death is a mercy I give these people. Let us see how they handle life without Death."

"If all that is comes to an end, then may even Death die?" Tcharne asked rhetorically in answer. "You may believe and do what you will, for that is your right, but you do not know me or the paths I seek. I am the Unfettered One and I call myself Tcharne. I shall live forever." Tcharne whispered as Charok departed.

The god turned and looked at the warrior who had been at the heart of the matter and gave a grand sweep of one arm, "Be whole in body once more." Bruises vanished and wounds knitted together as if they had never been. "What is your name?"

The warrior, hesitant and uncertain, spoke his name.

"No," Tcharne said gently, "You are reborn. What name do you choose for yourself?"

"I... I am sorry Great One, but I do not know. My head is spinning. Why did you save me? I cried out as I lay dying and you asked something of me, but it is all confused now. Why me?"

"Names are important things. You are right in wishing to wait. I saw in you a potential that I did not wish to see vanish. A greatness. I have freed you from the fetters of mortality so that you might develop your potential and aid me."

"I am immortal?"

"Nothing is perfect. But, essentially, yes."

"Then how may I serve you my lord?"

"Let me first explain what it is I seek. Many speak of the inevitablity of the end, a stop, a cessation. The Wheel turns and we end up exactly where we started. But what I seek is the Broken Wheel." Tcharne drew a crimson spiral in midair, "What do you see?"

The warrior's face suddenly lit with understanding, "The end never contacts the beginning. It goes on forever."

"Yes. All changing and growing, never caught in stagnation... forever. Now we must move. There are things to set into motion."

And so Tcharne swept him up in winds of magic and transported them. As the still nameless warrior watched on in amazement, Tcharne went amongst those who should be dead. Those pining for the afterlife Tcharne ignored, looking to those who had a will to live, who would struggle and survive and strive. Who would become greater than they were. Tcharne told them of changing, to not be content with an eternity of torment or empty contentment. Their souls left lifeless bodies to be born anew.

Charok made his return in thunderous dread. All Tcharne said of it to the warrior was nine sad words. "You can not captivate the hearts of men with fear."

Tcharne moved next to see Phrayce, one the newcomer god had not yet met. Winds of magic again were summoned to carry the god and the warrior. As before, feather cloaked and falcon-masked, Tcharne bowed to Phrayce and spoke, "I would speak to you of resolving the war that still rages. War without end creates nothing."

Astral Harmony

10-05-2006, 10:54 AM

Moe readied ten swords when Tcharne and the nameless warrior appeared before the two of them.
"General Moe, put those away. It is Divine Tcharne."
Moe nodded, slipped the swords back, and kneeled. Phrayce bowed formally before Tcharne.
"If you sent us word ahead of your arrival, we could have prepared food and gifts." Phrayce said, smiling.

She chose her own response carefully. "I would disagree if it was just the mortals going to war, but I know now that the gods themselves are interfering in developments of the mortal races and, if I don't want to see my people destroyed utterly, I shall have to do my own part."
Phrayce then snapped her fingers and Maegrid the centaur was promptly summoned. "General Maegrid, you're with me. General Moe, I leave you in charge."

Moe bowed. "As you wish, my goddess."
Maegrid checked her armor and weapons quickly. "At your call, my goddess."
Phrayce cleansed herself of the blood she had got on herself dealing with the Restless and all the burials and prayers. "So, Divine Tcharne. What would you ask of us?"

Squishy Cheeks

10-05-2006, 12:00 PM

"So you say there are pockets of restless survivors that have learned to hide themselves from my death dealers."

The death dealer nodded.

"As my creation, I shall name them Lichkind. Your standing orders are to kill them on sight, They are an abomination. It may be time I taught you the ways of warriors my death dealers, I feel things changing and not for the better. The outsiders wish to pollute our task, I have sole power over death, and I will not share it."

dementedmongoose

10-05-2006, 08:26 PM

Gibrah had become bored with standing by, watching the fruits of his violent labors ripen and begin to rot. The Orcs and Ogres had stagnated in their bloodlust, the Minotaurs and Centaurs had fallen into pitiable infighting, the Trolls, Ettins, and Giants had retreated into caves and up to the frozen north, and the Duergar had gone into hiding, not crafting their wondrous and dark weapons, nor even fighting to save their pathetic hides, but worst of all, they'd forgotten Gibrah, and the holy crusade of their ancestors, abandoning him for more "noble" pursuits, and following kinder gods. It was time to create a general to lead his children in the perfect war, one that would never end.

Thinking long and hard, Gibrah found the answer in one particular Lich. Stepping back down to the Material, he approached this Lich, a scarred, pitted, and ruined looking man naming himself The Unforgivable. Gibrah made this Lich his personal minion, rechristened him Waer, and infused him with Gibrah's own blood.

Gibrah issued many orders to Waer: first, he was to reunite all the clans of Orc and Ogre, second, he was to reform the Minotaur Empire and the Centaurian Republic, third, he was to draw the Trolls, Ettins, and Giants back onto the battlefield. Lastly, he was to force the shamans of all races to drink Gibrah's blood, and reinfuse them with the bloodlust they'd come to this world with.

OOC: Yeah, he's more of a "make things happen, then watch them unfold" person, rather than an "interact with the other gods" person

Astral Harmony

10-05-2006, 11:32 PM

"They say a few of the restless fled into an underground tomb. We intended to bury the nearby Restless down there, but came under attack. Apparently, they've gained some kind of dark power that comes with resisting the duty to perish."
General Daruna and Princess Prietal looked at each other.
"Divine Charok missed a spot?" asked Daruna.

"Gods don't make mistakes...I think," Prietal responded carefully. "Lord Charok is only one god and can't possibly watch over the entire world, especially since not everything in the world is his domain. He should have servants that harvest the souls and bring them back to him for judgment. It's likely that with the innumerable amount of Restless up until when Charok restored the concept of death unto the world, there are a few areas that his servants might not have gotten to yet, or haven't checked thoroughly enough."
Daruna looked down the steps into the tomb, the shifting darkness animated by torches dancing in circles. "That's a good point. If it was time for my soul to be ripped from my chest and I had a chance to avoid it, I'd be hiding too."

The catgirl general took several steps inside, her large cannon sitting on her shoulder, then turned back to the strange combination of a woman and a hermit crab with two large maces. "So this is the stuff that Charok's minions should be doing. Why're we going to put down these fugitives of fate?"
Prietal descended the steps toward Daruna with surprising ease given the face that she was walking on six segmented crab legs. "The responsibility for the snuffing out of lives does indeed belong to Charok's servants, but these are our people, turned insane by the pain and grief they suffered and have now sworn violent action on all who would stand in their way, even those who would know and love them. Phrayce would not ignore this. We shall not, either."

It was a small tomb, and thus relatively easy to find the lichkind that were vaguely described by some frightened villagers.
"You would try to defy death and only intend to spread your hatred and suffering upon the world." Prietal said accusingly. "Step forward and face your final deaths with dignity, or cower and be put down like dogs. The choice is yours."
"How amusing! It appears our actions displease you." The lead catlich laughed wickedly. "Perhaps you should abandon your role as the adopted daughter of Phrayce and become a gravetender, instead?"
Daruna raised her cannon without a word. Prietal whirled her twin maces and made ready. "Silence, worm!"

Several minutes with lots of multicolored flashes and sounds later, Prietal and Daruna walked out of the tomb like nothing had happened. Their task was complete, and the girls just assumed that Charok would immediately receive the unbound souls in due time.
"A lot more bark than bite, I'll say." Daruna commented.
"I am a princess of Goddess Phrayce, and you are one of her six generals. The likes of us would sooner die from consuming our own flesh than suffer a loss to lesser magical beings such as they."
"Still, they provided and important clue with their whole 'become a gravetender' idea." Daruna looked thoughtful. "If there's one place on the continent where these undead spellcasters are hiding out, there's gotta be others."
"That's a good idea." Prietal approved. "I'll talk with Phrayce when she returns. We can use the high priestesses and the temples to form an information network for pinpointing lairs for these advanced Restless. I would feel a lot better if these things weren't terrorizing the locals as soon as possible."

Squishy Cheeks

10-06-2006, 06:42 AM

The dwarf kings of orged forged day and night the weapons for the death dealers, mighty enchantments of death were placed on them as well the divine metal mixed with the blood of the death dealer to wield it. They were 7 in number, a holy number.

"You are my Reapers. To you I give you providence to defend souls and death from those who would oppose us. Weach of you have assisted these mighty lords in the forging of your personal weapon that will be the badge of your station. You are the mightiest of my servants and now it is my turn to add my power to yours."

He unsheathed the first sword, a massive blade in the Zanbatou style, taller than Charok himself, and with the precision of a master he tested the blade. "This blade is keen and blanced perfectly." The blade glowed blue in his hand. "It's name is Moon Scythe. Carry her with honor, Yama." He handed the blade to a red skinned giant in white robes and black armor.

He performed the same ritual with the next sword, a skinny rapier with an elaborate hilt. The blade glowed with purple light in his hand. "This blade is called Black Rose, strike with precision, Azrael" He handed the blade to pale woman with blue-black hair, she was beatiful to behold.

Again he tested the next weapon, a set of short scythes similar to those used by farmers. The blades glowed with a red light. "These are the twin blades known as the Black Rabbit Scythes. Cut true, Inl�" He handed the blade to a Short man in white clothes and a black scarf around his head.

Next he tested a Naginata style blade that glowed with orange light. "This is Fire Talon, Defend the innocent, Enma." A black skinned ogre in a white toga stepped forward and cllaimed the weapon with a bow.

He held aloft a massive club, studded with spikes. The club crackled with yellow electricity. "This is Thunder Breaker, Crush the unworthy, Ankou"
A human in white monk style robes claimed the weapon and bowed.

He tested the next weapon, a saber with a skeletal hand gaurd. The blade glowed a sickly green "This blade is Deadly Viper Fang, be merciful Surma." A skinny looking girl in a simple white dress took the blade and bowed.

The last weapon was a Battle Axe with a skull motif. The blade was black as night and seemed to absorb the light. "Executioner Song is the name of this weapon. Bring Justice, Mors" The last weapon was claimed by a Godling who was the spitting image of Charok save for short black hair on his head versus the long White hair of Charok. Mors bowed to his adopted father. He wore White robes similar in cut to those of Charok.

"We will not fail you my lord." Mors said.

"Bring an end to the Lichkind my reapers, hunt them down to the last."

dementedmongoose

10-06-2006, 09:20 PM

Gibrah was pleased with Waer's performance as a prophet. So pleased that he decided he should empower more. Gibrah decided to empower eight more, one for each race, with Waer to lead. So he had Waer seek out three of the most violent, stubborn, wicked human Liches, and feed each of them a portion of Waer's blood. Waer would have power over them, and they would control the Orcs, Ogres, and Duergar. Gibrah himself empowered the other five, one from each of the Minotaurs, Centaurs, Giantkin, Trolls, and Ettins, and elevating them to nearly the same status as Waer's own, forming them into a democratic council known as The Council, with Waer as leader, and Gibrah coming in only to break split votes. Gibrah had heard of the new Death Dealers that Charok had empowered, and knew he would not be able to fight them off, so he instead decided to broker a deal for his prophets.

Gibrah entered the realm of the Death, and approached Charok, offering ritual sacrifices from all of his children, in exchange for amnesty for the prophets.

Squishy Cheeks

10-07-2006, 05:30 AM

"You feed my realm well, as it is in your nature, but your races praise me for giving them purpose. The lichkind are remnants of my actions, You say you want eight, but where does the line stop. There will be no compromise. Train them in the arts of war and see if the are a match for my reapers who are trained in the arts of death. Would not that battle please you?"

Arhra

10-07-2006, 10:12 AM

OOC: Uh, some slightly awkward timing in the talk with Phrayce as I want to have some other things done after getting the reply. You know, things to do, faith to spread.

"So, Divine Tcharne. What would you ask of us?" Phrayce

Tcharne interlocked long fingers, "I am but new arrived here. My realm is small and few worship me. There are many things I must attend to so that I might establish myself better. However, I believe that an alliance of gods could step in to end wars that rage overlong or spread too far. I mean to recruit some towards that end. But, for now, I would ask only your friendship and your blessing, that my worshippers might prosper and multiply."

On receiving Phrayce's reply, Tcharne returned to Kul Tcharuk, the nameless warrior awed at the beautiful, otherworldly landscape where only strange mists dwelled. The only structure was a single narrow tower, seeming as if it had grown from the earth and rising to a tip like a closed flower's bud.

"This is Kul Tcharuk." the Falcon-Sorceror told him. "It is small and barren for it is only yet newborn, but in time it will grow and flourish with life. Here your training will begin." A single attenuated digit indicated where a rock, a night black heap of stone that squatted toad-like, sat. "Move that boulder to outside the door of the tower." The warrior nodded and set to work with a will.

Tcharne left the warrior and then moved through the lands, looking for those seeking escape or searching for a purpose. Tcharne offered it to them, bidding them gather to be welcomed into Kul Tcharuk. The Dancer Beyond the Stars flitted through the world like one in a dream, studying the beasts and trees that Kul Tcharuk might be barren of life no longer. Knowledge Tcharne planted into the minds of those with the talents of magic, opening them to seek the waiting god and with their own bargains have new sorceries granted to them. Lastly, Tcharne sought those who had the rare gifts so that the number of the Interloper's closest disciples might increase from one.

dementedmongoose

10-07-2006, 11:11 AM

Gibrah thought for a moment before responding. "I ask for nine. Eight to lead each of my races, and one to lead the eight. The line will stop with the nine I have. This battle you speak of would greatly entertain me, but it occurs to me that you only have seven of these more powerful Death Dealers, whereas I have nine Liches. I've got the advantage. However, you do have a demigod in your seven, so I suppose it's even. Let us make a further wager. If my nine prevail, I take the ability to put souls into fallen members of my army, and they will fight for me. If you win, you get my orcs. It seems a fair wager."

Squishy Cheeks

10-07-2006, 01:13 PM

"Indeed. I accept your terms, shall we set this up like a formal duel and name a time and place, or do we let this thing happen naturally and wait for both sides to meet?"

dementedmongoose

10-07-2006, 02:02 PM

"I would prefer the carnage of letting them meet, but there's no honor in allowing a wager to play out like that, so let us make it a duel. Allow me some time to properly arm and train my prophets, and we shall work out a place for this duel." With that, Gibrah left the realm of the dead, hindered only when Thulsa recognized him and begged for mercy. Gibrah shook off the old fool, and returned to the material to acquire the best metals his Duergar had mined out. He then took Waer and the other Lich-prophets to the realm of Gil'nah, along with the metals, and personally forged for them suits of armor, lighter than their clothes, but more powerful than steel.

He then crafted for each of them a pair of weapons, one longsword and one steel staff for each of the Men, made of dark obsidian and enruned with powerful prayers to Gibrah, offering Gibrah's personal protection to whomever wields them.

For the Minotaur, he created a pair of obsidian greataxes, carrying greater magicks to make them light enough to be held in one hand as effectively as with two, and were further magicked that they could be thrown at a foe and would return, even if they were buried into solid rock.

The Giant was given two greatswords, with the same lightness magicks as were found in the Minotaur's axes.

The Troll and Ettin were given two obsidian spiked clubs apiece. For the Centaur, he gave a bow, with the strength to pierce a Rock Golem, but light enough to be pulled back with alost no effort, and a quiver that was always full of flaming arrows that exploded shortly after impact.

Waer was given the greatest weapon of all. For him, a black scimitar, made of obsidian, cooled in Gibrah's own blood, giving the wielder a direct mental link to the god of war. The second weapon was a longsword, made of a single piece of molten glasssteel, infused with the blood of Gibrah, giving an otherwise perfectly clear blade a veined and evil look. Gibrah plucked out his own eye and put it into the hilt, so that he would always be watching his most favored servant's back

Whightwolf

10-07-2006, 04:57 PM

Tordal watched all things as they unfolded, but he was not passive in the world as the others thought. The mighty Garval led his clan in a silent war of peace, those who would raid others lands, ravage and destroy would often find the weak and the defenceless had airborne guardians.

Not only that but he moved silently and invisibly among all nations of the world, handing out his gifts. Crafting heroes from dwarves, men, catgirls and all the rest. Still though he had no race of his own as the others did. No race given totally to law and justice as the Orcs and Ogres were to war. For a long while he pondered introducing his archons into the world, but in the end he decided against it. They were his army and his warriors, not meant for this Realm except perhaps in times of direst need.

In the end he was sat atop a mighty peak near the Dwarven capital when the idea came to him. He did not need a race he needed all races, a group assembled from all peoples to fight for Honour, Truth and above all Justice. So in that place he took physical form, by the might of his arm and the sweat of his brow he built the Temple at Knossos, the name of the mountain. It was huge, crafted out of vast blocks of marble to huge to have been placed by mortal craft.

From white marble veined with blue he constructed the temple, atop it he built the largest unsupported dome in the world, the outside of which he covered with ceramic tiles of midnight blue and the inside with a majestic mosaic of the nights sky in the west and the rising sun in the east. In the centre of the colossal chamber below he carved a huge statue of himself, so lifelike it looked as if it might walk off, mighty blade raised aloft. Then he assed wings the building, rooms for the future inhabitants, cells for wrongdoers, a library like no other in the world, armouries kitchens, forges, larders and more, mosaics and statues of heroes of all races battling against evil. But it was not just a temple it was a fortress as well and the finest save his own Citadel in all the realms.

Finally upon the Fortress-Temple he laid his own blessing, no invading army would ever take it so long as it was held by Just warriors with Courage.

It was the peak above the Temple to which he turned his attention next, cutting a cave system out of the rock itself. At last his Fenreir would have a home in the mortal realm.

It was then that he went out into the world once more, quietly still beneath the notice of the other gods. Tordal watches all mortals, always, but now he did so with renewed vigour, seeking out the exceptional, the mighty and the inspired. He found those who most embodied the traits which he valued and filled them with a compulsions to come to Knossos.

Travelling to the Citadel via the Hall of Bridges he went into his Armoury and drew forth the Hundred Blades, each wrapped in vellum and sealed. With dark blue wax. Returning to the Dome Hall in the Temple, he placed each of the blades upon the ground and waited.

Astral Harmony

10-07-2006, 08:55 PM

Phrayce and Maegrid were about to leave with Tcharne when a beautiful member of the bunny girl race hurried to them, dressed in the garments of a high priestess.
"Goddess Phrayce! Please, I have words for you."
Phrayce nodded. "I will hear them."
The high priestess reported on the findings of Daruna and Prietal.

"Restless able to function as evil sorcerers discovered in one of the crypts?" Maegrid said. "What does this mean?"
"Apparently, some of the Restless have somehow been able to avoid Charok's returning gift of death."
The bunny girl nodded. "Divine Princess Prietal and Divine General Daruna think that it's possible to form a communications network using the high priestesses and the temples to provide information on these fugitive Restless. I was dispatched here to acquire your approval."

Phrayce didn't give it a second thought. "Of course I approve. It'll improve our relations with Divine Charok and rid the land of some possible troublesome individuals attempting to escape the wrath of a god."
"Understood, Goddess Phrayce. I will inform them at once of your decision." the high priestess bowed.
"Take General Maegrid here with you. Now that we know about them, we should focus our priorities on eradicating them as soon as possible. If Charok finds them in our lands and sees that we're not working hard trying to destroy them all, he might decide that we're in league with them, and I personally don't prefer to be on the bad side of a God of Death...that is, if there is a good side."
"I understand, my goddess."
Phrayce watched them quickly retreat and turned to Tcharne. "Never a dull moment for a god."

Squishy Cheeks

10-08-2006, 04:50 AM

In secrecy, in the caverns of the underworld Charok forged his masterpiece. The blade was small no longer than three quarters the length of his arm. from tip to pommel. it had a single straight edge, and even tapering at the tip. the steel was white as snow and radiated uneartly light. There was no hand gaurd, only a black silk like wrapping designed by the dwarves with hidden inscriptions of death on it. A gold ring acted as counter weight and pommel balncing the blade completely. He inked the inscriptions on the blade in his own blood, and tempered it in the dragons fire one more time, before quenching it in the River Hades, the river of the underworld. He weilded the short sword effortlessly. He used the ring to spin the blade at high speeds arround his finger. He tossed the blade, turning it into a whirling death machine that came back to him like a boomerang. he sheathed the blade and put it at his side. The power of death was in it.

Whightwolf

10-08-2006, 02:00 PM

Kilgore leant heavily on his axe as he made the climb, such lands as these were not safe for a lone Orc to travel. Even one such as he, yet he could not say why but he had to get to the valley he knew was at the top of this mountain. How he knew there was a valley up there he didn�t know, You�re an old fool Kilgore, you�ll die up here, from icy cold or Dwarven steel. Kilgore grinned at that, he had always wanted a suitably pointless death.

How else did you tell Heroes from mere mortals?

Hefting his axe he continued once more up the mountain.

***

Shan leapt from outcrop to out crop, her lithe, agile catgirl body soaring though the air to land with perfect balance on even the most precarious of ledges. Why was she here? Still she did not know, just that she had to get there. She felt as if she was betraying her people leaving them as they fought the divine crusade against the Restless, but she had to get to the mountain top.

Besides Shan had never backed down from a challenge in here life, she wasn�t about to start now. What sort of person would she be if she backed away now from mere doubt, what kind of Hero?

***

Michael pushed his way through another drift of snow, his armour was still covered in a thin layer of frost, his clothes wet with cold, molten snow. But he could not abandon his fathers armour, his people needed him and yet he was here, Orcs raided his lands and yet he was here. Why he did not know and the though irked him, what was influencing him driving him ever onwards to this icy peak. Perhaps on of the so called Restless or an Orc Shaman was playing a trick upon him. He didn�t know and he didn�t care.

Once set on a course he would not relent until all obstacles were overcome, mountains included. One could do no less if one was to be a hero.

***

Tordal watched them all as each made their ascent. One hundred in all, each called to this place, at this time for his purpose. He felt no guilt bringing them away from their lives and their families, he was giving them a greater purpose. A greater mission than they could hope to form on their own.

He sat there passively invisible as they came into the hall through the unbarred entrances. There were argument and accusations, the Orc Kilgore was apparently being blamed for it largely, who would think an Orc would prove one of the most worthy of his gathered heroes?

Finally they were there, his hundred.

�Greetings.� A hush fell across the hall, he spoke with the voice of a God and none can help but listen. � I am Tordal and I have brought you here for a great mission. Evil is rife in the world and it always will be, for it is the nature of all creation to be a mix of good and evil. But while evil has its beasts, its monsters, its restless. Now the forces of Good shall have you.�

�And who are we exactly, I don�t know any of these people.� Shan, a cat girl from the east, aggressive but honest.

�You shall become my Blades. Enforcers for good across all nations of the world.�

�And how are we supposed to achieve this lofty feat? There are no more than a hundred of us at most.� Michael, a human knight and valiant defender of his village, it spoke much of his will the shear amout of power which the Watcher had had to use to make him leave.

�Because I will give you the power.� At the feet of each appeared a package of vellum, sealed with a stamp of blue wax. Even as they reached for their gifts Tordal�s voice rang out. �Remember once you unseal the packages there is no turning back. You will live to serve the cause and my this rule, the Iron Code.�

Stepping aside he revealed the words carved across the plinth his stature stood upon.

Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal.
These things are for lesser men.
Protect the weak against the evil strong.
And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
Never back away from an enemy. Either fight or surrender.
It is not enough to say I will not be evil. Evil must be fought wherever it is found.

�There, if you can live by that, forsaking all else, break the seal.�

As one they did.

Squishy Cheeks

10-09-2006, 04:52 AM

Deep in mountains where winter reigns eternal a shepherd searching for a lost sheep became buried in the snow after an avalanche. The Shepherd prayed to Charok to pare his life. His head the only part of his body above the snow, he felt his limbs grow cold.

"Why do you fear me so?" Charok said as he knealt by the man he cocked his head. His death mask firmly on his face. Charok pulled out his blade and put it's tip under his chin. "Is living so much better than death?"

"I... I..."

"Yes?"

"I'm afraid."

Charok laughed and sheathed his sword. He grabbed the man by his collar and pulled him free of the snow the two were taken to Charok's realm.

"Behold the land of the dead. Here Justice reigns supreme and I weigh every thing's heart versus a feather, if the heart is not burdened by sins then the person lives in paradise. If they are burdened by sins then they suffer until they have purified themselves and are ready to be judged again. Do you know what the number 1 motivator of sin is?"

"No" said the shepherd.

"Fear." Charok replied. "Free yourself of Fear and you will master your destiny, in your world and in the next."

"You mean I'm not dead." The shepherd said.

"No silly man, I came for your sheep, the poor thing was killed by a wolf." He pulled back his cloak and the sheep ran forth into the grassy paradise. "Your time will come much later. Tell others of what you have learned. I will come for you when that task is finished. Now SLEEP!"
______________

The man awoke in a warm bed in the village he lived in. His family told of a white clad man with a scarf covering his face who carried him down the mountain and to safety. The man said no words, and departed after his task was done.

_______________

The Cult of the end had finished building it's temple. The Iron bell tolled and the faithful fell to their knees and prayed. The temple was built of two highly decorarted domes flanking a larger decorated dome. Columns lined the structure and two Obelisks of Obsidian stood in front. In the holy central dome a lifelike statur in white marble depicted Charok leaning against a Basalt Draco, his death mask on his face and in his outstretched hand he held Solid gold scales. The shaved heads of the black and white clad monks reflected the candle light as they continued to pray to mighty Charok. They lived their lives imagining themselves killed in horrible ways, they purged themselves of their fear of their end. Those without fear are free. Charok granted them their freedom. They would honor divine Charok by honing thier arts. Combat, music, dance, sculpture, painting, etc. The Ancient leader of the order, a whizened old man who had lived a life longer than any could remember. Observed all this and smiled. He felt a tap on the shoulder and a fair faced man with long white hair looked on. in his hand he held Death's mask.

"You've done well, old friend. This is a great start."

"Is this my time then?" The former Shepherd asked.

"Yes, take my hand."
________________
The monks found the abbot sitting in the garden, a smile on his face. His eyes closed. Life had left him.
________________

The Brotherhood of the End as the sect became called grew more numerous and began to spread. Teaching the way to free yourself of fear.

Arhra

10-09-2006, 09:32 AM

Three times Tcharne returned to Kul Tcharuk and checked the nameless warrior's progress.

First the warrior had tried strength. The boulder had not budged a fraction of an inch, no matter how hard the warrior had tried, or how he had tried to budge it. His attempts had brought changes to him however - while he had been fit as all warriors needed to be, now his tall frame rippled with muscle, broad shouldered and powerful of build but still keeping a sleekness of form that showed he was not slowed. Tcharne said nothing.

The second time Tcharne found he had devised all manner of cunning stratagem - trying to dig down to perhaps uproot it, trying to gain additional leverage or trying to shatter it into small portions to be carried. It too was unsuccessful. Tcharne still said nothing.

On the third visit, Tcharne saw that the warrior had, in uttermost frustration, discovered sorcery. He had meditated on the magic and grown skilled in it, intoning words of power, attempting to probe the innermost nature of the boulder and commanding it to surrender its secrets to him. It still sat there, dark and obdurate, defeating his best efforts. Tcharne still said nothing as, with unending obstruction, the warrior smote the rock with the staff he had crafted and fell down on his knees before it.

"Why?" the warrior finally asked, "Why must I move this boulder? Why set me an impossible task?"

Tcharne smiled, some undefinable quirk showing it through the unchanging mask the god wore. "And so you have passed the first part of the test. Now there is just one thing you must do." Tcharne sounded amused. "Move the boulder."

The warrior took a moment to let this sink in, initial pleasure having been replaced with remembered frustration. Then his expression brightened, "Great Tcharne, would you release your hold upon this boulder?"

Tcharne did so and laughed, the warrior joining in as he easily rolled it outside the tower's door. "Sometimes the destination is not as important as the journey itself. And often the solution is much more obvious than one might think." The Falcon-Sorceror told him. "Look how far you have come and how much you have learned by just trying to move a simple rock."

The wariror nodded in understanding and then abruptly said, "I have decided upon a name. Siar Vek Jormekl."

Tcharne nodded. It was a name of power. "So be it then."

Marinan

10-09-2006, 02:50 PM

Kamin sat on his tower in The Heavens looking down on the deeds of those the humans and others called gods. "Oh, wicked Charok, who has failed in his duty. I assign to you a punishment. You shall suffer a great loss soon. But perhaps it was best this way, to make you stronger. Were you aware that Beowuld suffered for three months with burns? Ritually humiliated skinned and burned he was as Charok left the world with no death. He had no throat to scream, but it was all he could do anyway, now that Charok was gone. His screams only caused him no pain, and his nerves would never die. For three months, he was eyeless, tongeless, noseless, teethless and earless. He screamed so loudly I could not ignore. An inhuman screech that pierced the Heavens. I had to restrain the entire Heavenly Host from interferring below."
"It is all behind us now, and now the great Beowuld is a proud master. He is beyond Charok's power to kill now. Only now, he feels no pain. He feels only glory. Beowuld, is angry Charok. Behold, the wrath of a mortal scorned. You shall find it may rarely reciprocate the wrath of the gods."

Kamin laughed. "A doom of sorts is upon you now, oh Charok. One no god can escape."

Eternal night falls upon all the cities of Charok that have him as their patron god.

Squishy Cheeks

10-09-2006, 05:03 PM

"You're always so stiff and regemented Kamin, you're detachment from the world is a prison of sorts. Did you call me up here to gloat that even after my appreciation among the mortals grows you still have more power. How do you kill that which cannot die? An interesting riddle you have posed me." Charok bowed to his liege. "I have my answer though. I am the god of Ends as well, and there are other ends than death. May I take my leave and prove to you my answer?"

Marinan

10-09-2006, 05:19 PM

"Very well, Charok. Do this."

Squishy Cheeks

10-09-2006, 05:33 PM

Charok walked to the mighty ash tree that connected all realms, The World Tree.

"I offer penance for my crimes. I shamed my title as death, and it is time I made restitution. For nine days I will be a sacrifice of myself to myself."

He fashioned a noose of vines from the tree and secured them to an unbreakable branch. He leapt from the heavens screaming. until the rope grew taunt in limbo. He hung by his neck from the tree for nine days, neither living, nor dead. He looked on all realms in the agony of those unable to die. He witnessed Births, Deaths, the affairs of gods and men, he saw into all realms and all lands beyond, Hells unimmaginable, breathtaking paradises, He saw the evil and good in mankind's heart. He saw all this in his nine days upon the tree.

On the end of the ninth day the rope broke and Charok fell to the world below. His life extinguished, as he hit the ground hard enough to leave a crater. In the center of the crater a well sprang up. From this well a revived Charok emerged.

"This well is my gift to the world, Who so ever drinks of it will share the wisdom I have learned in my punishment." So was created the well of Wisdom.

Marinan

10-09-2006, 05:45 PM

"Charok, Beowuld's wrath has subsided. He has become complacent now, and he is busy making the Heaven of Heroes. You shall have a monument erected to you, for in your humility you have earned divine rank. Henceforth you shall be named as the god of wood. Now, I do seem detached from the Earth, would you like to sit down with me to dinner?"

Squishy Cheeks

10-09-2006, 06:44 PM

"Only if you join me on the world you created to eat it."

Arhra

10-10-2006, 08:13 AM

Hunched crowlike, the black bird of disaster, Tcharne had watched in silence. The waiting god knew many secrets and searched for omens in this act of sacrifice.

"This well is my gift to the world." Charok declared, "Who so ever drinks of it will share the wisdom I have learned in my punishment."

"Wisdom can not be given." Tcharne said, "It must be earned." The sorcerous one turned and departed.

Tcharne did not speak of what portents or signs there had been. Nothing is without cost. But, Tcharne was troubled, concerned for a dream yet unrealised. The world was a binding, limited and constrained and there were those would uphold that which dragged them down into inevitable stagnation.

Step by step, Tcharne came to the unthinkable. The thought staggered the god, lighting a fire that would never die. It was not without cost, but it could be done. And Tcharne had been willing to pay great prices before. Wrapped in twisting thoughts of darkness and glory, Tcharne passed across the land like a ghost. There would be much to be done.

Astral Harmony

10-10-2006, 08:36 AM

Phrayce returned to the Grand Cathedral, the most beautiful and definitely the biggest and best fortified construct in all of what Phrayce called Upper Amazonia. Her locket had started glowing recently, which meant a certain someone desired to speak with her. Prietal had a tattoo on her left thigh that served the same function.

Phrayce entered the Grand Cathedral and looked at the people attending to the massive room itself. "I have been summoned. Please leave the room until we are finished. Thank you."
All of the people evacuated in an orderly fashion. Phrayce checked all of the doors carefully to make sure they were secure, undressed and placed her clothes in the nearby chest. And then she began the spell of summoning.

It would be an amazing event to see, but only Phrayce, Prietal and the certain someone would ever be around to see it. A great pink barrier grew in intensity that hugged the interior of the room except for a special circular platform that Phrayce stood on now. The torches flames went out, bathing the room in an eerie glow. Finally, a great presence resonated as the certain someone appeared to address Phrayce. Phrayce got on her hands and knees. Black chain and cuffs appeared around Phrayce's neck, wrists, and ankles, holding her down but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was just standard policy.

Phrayce didn't dare speak. When it came to her definition of absolute power and authority, the presense before her was a clear manifestation of exactly that.
"What was the hold up?"
"..."
The great presence sighed.
"Phrayce, you have permission to speak. You always have permission to speak. It's not like I hold you completely out of favor. If I did, I would still be ruling Amazonia until Prietal was strong enough to take up the responsibility."
"I understand. To answer your query, I was invited by Divine Tcharne to hear his opinion on the current problems occuring in the world below."
"How is Prietal?"
Phrayce frowned slightly. Prietal was always the favorite when she was born. "She is doing well. She and the generals are currently working towards stopping the sudden Restless Rebellion."
"Restless Rebellion? Explain."
Phrayce provided a rather detailed report on the current situations as well as the past few milleniums.
"Oh, why is it always with these other gods? They barely weigh the gravity of their actions and do whatever they like without concern for anyone else, even their own servant races."
"I would ask for your advice on how best to resolve this matter."
"I would like you to get extremely pissed off and use your potential to resolve this matter yourself."
Phrayce groaned. "Mother..."
"Think about it, my daughter. If you can handle this growing uncertainty in the future that I have, then you might just prove me wrong on a very personal issue that you have with your sister Prietal."
Prietal raised up inspite of the weight and small length of the chains and could finally see her radiant mother after all these millenia. "That could mean-!"
"Let it never be said that I don't consider my choices carefully, weighing all options before deciding on how to proceed. You can remain goddess even after Prietal comes of age, Phrayce. Prietal has only shown me a fraction of her potential, but I can see where her future will go. You are the unknown, my daughter. I can see only so much because I'm sure you are repressing yourself. You lack confidence and I think you might even believe at times that your younger sister is actually better suited to be the ruling goddess than you."
Phrayce slumped back down. "I am sorry."
"An apology to me is worthless in this case. You merely have yourself to blame on this issue. I shall depart, now, and let you reflect on what you might not have even realized until now. Be well and take care of your sister, Phrayce."

Her words were final, and as everything returned to its relative normalcy, Phrayce rose and retrieved her clothing from the chest. It was all true, of course. Phrayce always had problems with self esteem and doubted her potential all the time. And she did believe on occasion that Prietal would be a better goddess.
Speaking of her younger half-sister, Phrayce encountered Prietal outside the chamber. Prietal's tattoo was glowing, meaning that she had also been summoned. Phrayce bowed lightly and left for the mortal realm. She wished she could listen in on what those two would have to talk about, and was sure that whatever it was, she didn't like it.

Squishy Cheeks

10-11-2006, 06:03 PM

Draco the great dragon lumbered in a sprint across the veridian grass fields of the underworld chasing the bone of one of the monsterous war elephants of the orcs, thrown by Charok. Charok sat on one of the roots of the world tree. Draco had turned it into a scratching post. Charon reminiced about the gift he gave the world, The well of Wisdom. He chuckled at the fraud of it all. The well was ordinary in every way. Thousands would die just trying to reach it, but many more would find wisdom in their hard journey. For it is not the destination that gives wisdom but the journey.

Marinan

10-11-2006, 09:20 PM

Meanwhile, life on the planet was good for a time for the races down below. No wars had been over the well yet. Many nations were prospering, and worship of the gods was liberally allowed. All of them were worshiped. In the nation of Kaldos, an island nation(325,000 mile area) they had a great Church founded. Where all the gods were worshiped. Even the evil gods of senseless war and disease were worshiped when a piece of them would occasionaly seperate from the original god, creating aspects of better gods than their evil fathers. Kaldos, the Island, (scholars debate whether it is a continent or not)grew in great prosperity, as all the gods unwittingly developed religions there. Now the entire nation of Kaldos houses over 7,000,000 residents, nearly all wealthy enough to amass jealousy from the rest of the world. Kamin is happy. In a way he saw what he wished to see. All the gods were good, and working in harmony*So it appeared to the Kaldonians). Kaldos had developed a wonderfuly vibrant culture, and over 150,000 soldiers. Over years of strife and war they developed highly trained soldiers and the most advanced communication system in the world. This many gods having a direct link to such a powerful nation would prove hazardous, however. Kamin had made a decree that Kaldoss would be neutral ground. No god could declare war on it or actively kill worshipers there. As Kaldoss was important now for a hidden reason only Kamin knew.

Squishy Cheeks

10-11-2006, 11:41 PM

ooc: "No god could declare war on it or actively kill worshipers there." Except me ;-)

Whightwolf

10-12-2006, 05:26 AM

OOC: But of course you don't kill....

Arhra

10-12-2006, 10:32 AM

OOC: You know, if you're going to post something that's completely OOC, you should put it in the discussion thread. Anyway, time for some choosing of favoured ones.

There came a time when a young woman was found one morning to be engulfed in flame, crouching terrified in a corner of her room, but she was not consumed. This small village had heard tales of such things and knew what to do. It was the sign of the demons' favour - Silanya was a witch-child, a changeling in their midst. Looking and playing at being human, hidden until its unnatural nature had finally revealed it. They knew they could not suffer such an abomination to live.

Her father, a warrior who guarded the village arrived home from patrol and was shamed to find such a horror had dwelt in his own home. The village leader comforted him, saying it was how the gods tested the mettle of men.

The villagers could not stand to be close to the terrible heat of her body and so they goaded their witch out into the town square as she sobbed and pleaded with them. There, they gathered and attempted to stone her to death. But, her skin turned the rocks as though it was harder than iron.

Unseen, a stranger had come amongst them. Dressed simply in travelling gear, feathers stitched into the hem of his red cloak, he moved to the front of the crowd. He walked to their witch and he was not burned.

Silanya sat curled into a tight ball of misery and the stranger crouched, putting an arm around her. She flinched away but then he gently but irresistably cupped her chin and turned her head to face him, looking her frankly in the eyes. "I can give you a choice." he said softly, "I can take away the talents you were born with, letting you stay here and live an ordinary life, or you can come with me to master those talents and that path leads to great wonders and terrors indeed."

The burning girl looked around her with solemnity, at the villagers some of who still hefted rocks, to her father, bristling with rage and shame at his demon child, and to the stranger, who waited for her decision with quiet patience.

"I will go with you." she said with a quiet conviction.

"You shall not!" the father declared, then turning to address the stranger. "You can not have her! She is mine!" He strode towards the pair, unsheathing his sword, "You are one who would turn her soul to darkness. Better that she should die now." The mob mumured assent, beginning to move forwards.

The stranger spoke a single word, a crack of thunder. The father's sword shattered like glass, his armour splintered into a rain of metal shards and he fell down in a stupor like one dead.

"Hear me slaves of fear." the stranger declared, the mob pausing at the sudden, terrible power of his voice, "A god walks amongst you tonight. I am Tcharne," and the man metamorphised into a figure of dread, alien and glorious, robed in a panoply crimson and gold, falcon headed, crowned with stars, winged and the winds of magic swirling around it. "And know yourself judged." it cried, "No longer shall you rest easy in your delusions. For a hundred nights you will be tormented by the torments you have inflicted, whenever you close your eyes. Fear of the unknown has been always ruled you and now you shall see where your master has led you. May the other gods have mercy on your souls. I set my seal upon the earth and so let this be done!"

And then it was gone. Silanya too had vanished, as if she had never been. But they could not deny what had happened. There, etched into a great slab of stone where Tcharne had stood, was the sign of the god, staring at them accusingly with its immutable presence. There rose up a great wailing amongst the villagers and they offered sacrifice to other gods, begging to escape the doom Tcharne had laid on them.

Astral Harmony

10-12-2006, 12:36 PM

Prietal waited until all the generals had seated themselves, and then began.
"I thank you all for being prompt in answering my summons. Before I begin, I would ask...I require your personal, and honest, opinion on Phrayce."
The generals looked at each other. Budgula decided to be the one to start.
"To be truthful, I don't think she's completely aware of her great responsibility as the goddess who calls all the shots. She seems to buckle under pressure. I know if someone like you or I had the gifts, we would have handled the Restless situation much more efficiently."
Moe nodded. "Plus, it's like she's trying to foster strong personal relationships with every mortal in addition to the other gods by trying to handle every single situation herself. Either she hates delegating things down to mortals or she's forgotten that there's people among the mortals who can also fight."
Maegrid's expression was somewhat somber as she defended Phrayce. "She's just young, relatively inexperienced, and she has a overly passionate heart."

Prietal decided to get to the point. "Mother had summoned both Phrayce and I to the Grand Cathedral. After Phrayce gave her report, Mother decided that the passing of the torch from Phrayce to me should occur a lot sooner."
"The date for that event has already been set." Vitrioli said with finality. "If Phrayce will indeed pass over the gifts of the goddess to you, that would be the only time to do it safely. If you intend to obtain the gifts now, then you would have to destroy Phrayce."
Prietal simply nodded.

The results were a mixed bag. Budgula's expression was unreadable as ever. Moe looked thoughtful. Maegrid appeared to be rather heartbroken. Daruna didn't seem to like the idea, either. Luda smirked with a somewhat sadistic expression on her face. Vitrioli frowned and crossed his arms. Prietal judged each one carefully. "As you know, this temple has an arena. I will inform Phrayce that her execution will be occuring there tomorrow."
"You're going to truthfully tell her that she is to destroyed there?" Luda asked.
"Certainly. Her lack of self esteem and confusion will draw her like a moth to a flame. She will come to confront me about it, and that's when we'll execute her. I have one final thing to say before we conclude this meeting. If you agree to the destruction of Phrayce, please be there as witnesses. If you do not agree, then don't show your faces until the deed is done. Is that understood?"
All of the generals managed a nod. "Good, then this meeting is concluded. I will let you know when it occurs soon. I don't intend to waste a lot of time letting Phrayce know and then implementing Mother's plan."

Squishy Cheeks

10-12-2006, 03:12 PM

In a dark room in the palace of Charok, lit by a single shaft of light from a large crystal in the ceiling there is a book. The book is bound in Dragon scales, it's pages are made from the wood of the world tree. Inked in Charok's blood. Some call it the book of the dead, others the book of destiny, Charok calls it the Schedule. In it every death, of every living thing, divine and mortal is detailed; the time, the place, and the manner in which it supposed to occur. The age of undeath's pages are blackened by ash from when Charok refused his fate. The writing on the pages are in the language of the dead, and shift and change for every choice people make. The book opens with thunderous noise resounding through the palace. In the garden Charok senses something ominous is about to happen. He appears at the book and takes it gently from it's pedestal he reads the newest entry and feels sickness in his stomach. The passage is unclear, but he knows that the results show be dire. He feels the weight of his responsibilities.

"Summon Gibrah Warbringer, Tordal The Watcher and Phrayce the Kind To Me At Once." His death dealer servant's complied.

Charok returned to the garden's where his work in golemcraft had yielded wonderous results in recent ages. A new race would be born, the Forest Trolls. He took a seedling of the world tree and placed it in the chest cavety of the wooden sculpture, binding it's fate to the fate of the tree. He gave the creature a spark of life and it's eyes opened as it's skin turned green. The Forest troll creaked as it stretched it's mighty arms and legs for the first time. It's moss like beard billowed as it rolled it's head around. "I am Nanth." It said.

"Good" I am Charok. Your creator. I have given you life. You are the first of your kind." Charok gave life to the other Forest trolls. "Protect the forests of the world, and honor the gods. Each of you is bound to the world tree, so I ask you protect it from any harm. Go forth into the world and be prosperous."

Charok released his creations on the world, for good or ill. That was their choice.

http://www.cyberclip.com/Katrine/NorwayInfo/images/Trollsad.gif

Astral Harmony

10-12-2006, 05:04 PM

Phrayce looked like she had been visibly slapped when the Death Dealer that Charok had dispatched to summon her arrived. She and General Luda had just finished off a small party of advanced Restless in a mausoleum and Luda had picked the time they now had to inform Phrayce of Prietal's plans.
"I'm going to go on ahead and tell Prietal that you now know. When you have concluded your business with this disciple of Divine Charok, please make your way to the arena I told you about. You and Prietal and talk it over there."
Luda left on her large hairy spider legs, leaving Phrayce with the Death Dealer. "Ah." she said, collecting herself. "You are a messenger of Divine Charok. He has something to discuss with me?"
Phrayce joined the Death Dealer and followed it back to where Charok directed.

Whightwolf

10-13-2006, 06:56 AM

Gor�mal led his warband across the river. The humans were far to foolish, their village lacked a wall let alone a sentry tower. They had no idea the fate that approached them. He grinned with vicious mirth as he ran a dark green thumb along the blade of his brutally fashioned axe. Two hundred of them were about to descend upon the townships of Vale, seven settlements littered through a valley crisscrossed with streams the humans continued their foolish practice of taming the land with their crops and animals.

Didn�t they realise the strong took what they wanted? Or were they to weak to care.

Just one more ford to cross and they would be able to block off the valley with fifty Orcs and the rest would start the slaughter. Good times.

Suddenly from above come a voice clear as a bell.

�Thus far shall thou come, but no further.�

Gor�mal looked up, there, standing on apparently nothing around six feet off the ground stood a powerfully built human, for a human that is. Clad in the strangest uniform the band-leader had ever seen. A hooded tunic of dark blue, edged with silver patterning and a sword in silver thread over the heart, black trousers tucked into perfectly polished black boots. In his hand was a stylized ceremonial looking longsword apparently made of silver.

The strangest thing about the man was the glow, he seemed to be surrounded by a faint silvery aura, illuminating the gloom of the dawn.

�Who are you to stand in out way human?� Gor�mal was hip deep in water and not feeling best pleased about it.

�I am a Blade in the Service of the Grey Guardian and these lands are under his protection. Will you leave and return to your own lands?� His voice calm and even.

�What do you say lads? Should we go home empty handed because some pink-skin says so?� The chorus of angry growls, �no� s and weapon shaking was all Gor�mal needed, looks like they�d get a fight after all. Suddenly a spear arced out of his band towards the floating human.

The human made a gesture with the sword silver flames licked and formed a shield. The spear hit and shattered, splinters and a lump of now bent iron fell to the ground.

�Very well then, you have made your choice.� He gestured again and once more silver flame poured from the blade, this time walls of silver fire formed on either bank of the ford. Gor�mal could feel them, they gave off no heat. Trapping all two hundred of them on the broad expanse. Slowly the water seemed to stop flowing, drying up until they stood on a dry stream bed.

It was then that Gor�mal heard the rumbling.

�Run lads! Ruuuuuuun� Slowly at first then a mad stampede to the lower river as everyone caught on the Orcs fled down stream.

Orc�s are fast, they have a remarkably high muscle density and extraordinary stamina. But they were not fast enough. The water returned, it returned in force. An 8� tall wall of water poured down the river washing the warband away.

None would die as it turned out, but when they finally pulled themselves out of the river scattered along the bank looking bedraggled and half drowned from around two miles away onwards. Gor�mal began to wonder if perhaps the Vale might not be the best place for their next raid.

*******

High above on a nearby mountain Tordal watched and smiled. The Blades were performing their function admirably, as were the Fenreir, operating as support, peace keepers and general soldiers for the Blades. His greatest idea, he had no doubt.

Suddenly there was dark figure beside him.

�Greetings reaper. I shall attend your master presently, matters seem well ordered here.� Lifting his own silver blade of which all others were just pale imitations he slashed through time and space and stepped onto the Bridges. Within instants arriving in the Garden where he once spoke with Death when he withdrew from the world.

�I am here Charok, is there some great calamity afoot?� He spoke into the air, yet he knew Charok could hear him, this was his realm, he heard all.

Arhra

10-13-2006, 10:27 AM

The whirl of passage ended and Tcharne appeared in a cascade of sparks, Siar and Silanya at her side. They stood on the height of a mountain, rising up as a solitary giant from the plains around it. The god wore a female face for now, deeming it appropriate for she would birth a great working into the world this day. Tall and slender, of no distinguishable race but possessed of an exotic beauty, Tcharne looked at the waiting pair.

They seemed mismatched - Siar tall and strong, robed and a staff of power in one hand while Silanya seemed sprite-like, flame of her magic banked for Tcharne had whispered secrets of self mastery to her.

"I have seen that the gift of magic is still misunderstood and sparse. It flickers fitfully across the world. Thus, I have made preparations to create a place so that those possessing this art might come and learn their gifts and in the mingling of their knowledge, craft greater wonders. Let this act bring these brief flashes together, that a flame imperishable may be kindled."

Tcharne raised both her arms, long sleeves billowing in a sudden rising wind. The mountain shuddered, great blocks of stone carving themselves from its sides with sharps cracks of splitting rock. Buoyed on the winds of magic, these great monoliths spiralled around in great arcs, Tcharne the eye of the storm. They thudded into place with neat precision, immense slabs slotting together so tighly that a knife could not be forced between the seams of their joins. Tcharne levitated into the air, carrying Siar and Silanya with her as the great structure built upwards, carving itself out of the mountain's peak.

The air buzzed like a thunderstorm, magic saturating the air. All around was a swirling maelstrom of the base materials swooping into their rightful place. Towers rose, pale fingers of polished stone jutting at the sky. A great wall was set about the inner grounds, the great buildings within having their insides turning in accord with subtle geometries of magical significance and the labyrinthine twists of of Tcharne's own mind. Deep inside, Tcharne poured forth power and breached the barrier between worlds, placing a portal to Kul Tcharuk in its heart.

Decorated with mosaics and great inlaid designs, it was a wonder to behold, both inside and out, flowing in harmony with its surroundings. But, Tcharne left it incomplete, for it would be those who dwelled there who would finish it.

As Siar and Silanya looked around in wonderment, Tcharne opened wearied eyes, "Here you will stay for now, to teach and be taught. I make a final gift to you for I shall leave a part, an echo, a shadow of myself here to watch over this place." She closed her eyes, and something flowed out of her, a nebulous mist that clung to her like a mantle before it disappeared. She opened her eyes, diminished in some way. "There is much to show you." the god's echo said.

Tcharne returned to Kul Tcharuk through the new wrought portal. The Faclon-Sorceror was tired, such a work is not without effort, even for a god. But there was one other thing Tcharne wished to do. Through the portal, Tcharne had carried one thing - the memory of the land, gathered up in the making of the school. Tcharne coiled around it, tasting it to see the link still remained strong and impregnating it with the essence of Kul Tcharuk. The god then wrapped the seed up in concealing mists and rested.

dementedmongoose

10-13-2006, 08:53 PM

OOC: I'm baaa-aack! Sorry, computer went down.

IC: Gibrah was sitting in Council when the reaper arrived, and nearly attacked the Nine, but for Gibrah holding them under personal protection until the duel. Hearing the reaper's message, Gibrah finished the meeting with the Nine, hid them among their respective tribes, and went to the Underworld.

When Gibrah arrived, he stood off to the side without hiding his presence. "You called for me?"

Squishy Cheeks

10-14-2006, 02:45 AM

"Thank you for coming my compatriots. I give you honor, and comfort of my house for as long as you wish to stay." Charok clapped, servants came forth and offered food and drink. "We have much to discuss. Phrayce, would you be so kind as to elaborate your situation to us, since in many ways this directly effects all of our realms of influence?"

Astral Harmony

10-14-2006, 10:11 AM

Phrayce bowed formally and decided not to be surprised. The other gods had eyes everywhere, especially on their own mortal footholds.
"By command of my mother and half-sister, the Arch Goddess Caetisine and Goddess Prietal, I am to be executed at noon tomorrow so that my powers may be passed along to Prietal immediately. I can only assume that my handling of all my affairs are possibly to blame for this. I cannot locate Prietal now and the generals won't say anything so I have to wait and appear at the execution to find out more. Perhaps I can make them understand, or at least find out why my actions are looked down upon so much that I must be destroyed as soon as possible."
Her throat hurt with worry, but she somehow found it within her not to break out into tears. She actually felt more embarrassed about having to say this in front of the other gods.

dementedmongoose

10-14-2006, 11:49 AM

Gibrah liked hearing about executions, especially when it pertained to a god he held a particular dislike for, but he didn't know where Phrayce's execution pertained to him, and he especially didn't know why this was so important he had to be pulled out of Council, and he voiced this. "You pulled me out of Council to tell me that Phrayce was being executed. Well, I appreciate the sentiment of it, but my birthday's not today, so why am I here?"

Squishy Cheeks

10-14-2006, 12:50 PM

"Because of this." Charok pulled out the dark book and slammed it with thunderous noise on the podium the book opened to the appropriate page.

"On the day of the great decision, the servants of the End and War will know each other, at the battlefield of the gods. Beginning the 1000 year cycle of chalenges. Only the blood of a god will initiate the cycle." He turned a few more pages.

"These are all recent passages so bear with me. There is more."

"As it comes to pass the two sacred feminine become one in a trial of blood and steel, The Watcher must bear witness, and Death collect his debt, but also shall there be War for the cycle must start on this day, in that place, only there can the decision be made."

He closed the book.

"It sounds to be it's less of an execution than a duel, and immediatly afterwords War and I have our servants do battle, while Tordal watches in judgement. Unless anyone else has a different interpretation?"

Whightwolf

10-14-2006, 01:02 PM

“I dislike this entire situation, Phrayce has performed her duties admirably. I still see no reason for your ceaseless defence of these Restless Abominations Gibrah. Besides you of all know War always ends with Death. But if you wish me to decide a victor for your little contest then so be it. I would suggest though that rather than plunge the world of Mortals into a thousand year war we prevent the execution. Gibrah I realise you have no interest in this.”

Tordal sighed as he looked upon the faces of the others, only Phrayce could see a reason to avoid the slaughter, Charok saw death as a release for mortals and the Vile Gibrah simply didn’t care so long as he could engage in his ruddy business.

Squishy Cheeks

10-14-2006, 01:19 PM

"It means that every thousand years Gibrah and I see whose servants are stronger, not war. It will be a battle Royale, but a small one."

dementedmongoose

10-14-2006, 09:39 PM

"I defend the Lichkind because they serve me admirably, servant-thief. Not like the Dwarves and Gnomes, whom you took from me. I do not cause war, I simply oversee it. I give your servants a reason to live, and I give Phrayce's servants a reason to thank her every day for simply being alive." With that, Gibrah turned his attention to Phrayce. "Phrayce, while I hold a deep disdain for you, and for everything you stand for, I hold a deeper hatred for your execution. You have proven an admirable goddess for your people, and rather than have them simply run from my armies, or worse yet, have them surrender unconditionally, you have commanded that they fight back." Struck by a moment of inspiration, Gibrah looked at Tordal again. Opening a portal to the Material, he plucked his Orc prophet from the Tribes. Cringing at the sight of Charok, the prophet, Grilnos looked at the gods assembled, and began laughing raucously. "Now, look at this." Gibrah said to Tordal. "Grilnos has been running from Charok for nearly a thousand years, and he laughs at the four of us standing together. You may find that to be madness, but I find it to be a sign of his power. How could I let something like that go to waste, especially in an orc? When Waer brought him to me, I was enraged, not only that he'd disobeyed me, but that he'd disobeyed me and spilled his blood for an orc, until Grilnos captured a fortified city with only fifteen human soldiers. Could you honestly tell me that if Grilnos were human, and you'd seen him do something honorable with the same magnificence, you'd not offer something to Charok in exchange for his life? Well, actually, you probably wouldn't since Charok gives your 'heroes' an honorable afterlife. My servants hope that I can intervene and send them back to Gil'nah to become a part of the storm there."

Squishy Cheeks

10-15-2006, 03:48 AM

"It is unfair to say I prefer one side to the other in any conflict. There are beings of honor on all sides. I punish the wicked. There are many servants of Tordal's in the Via Purifico, as are followers of all the gods, even mine. The good are praised and the wicked punished it is that simple. Lichkind was created by me, during a moment of arrogance, their continued existance however is defiance unto me. I've given you these thousand years, Gibrah, out of respect. It is time that we settle this score."

Astral Harmony

10-15-2006, 08:15 AM

"Summoned by Charok? Really?"
Luda nodded. "Charok has his ways of finding out these things, Goddess Prietal. What shall we do?"
Prietal shrugged as she beheld the generals before her. Out of the six, a favorable four were in her presence. Only Maegrid the centaur and Daruna the catgirl were absent.
"Any ideas, generals?" Prietal asked.
Budgula was the first to say anything. "We should proceed as normal. Whatever the other gods intend to do should have minimal effect on the test outright."
"That does seem the best course," Moe agreed. "Do you think any of them might have a deep interest in this and interfere?"
"They wouldn't interfere." Vitrioli said. "If there is a god who would be acutely interested in this 'execution', it would have to be Divine Charok as he will wind up with the soul of the slain goddess. Who knows? The soul he gains may become his wife."
Prietal laughed at Vitrioli. "When you say that, I'm not so sure which of us would be the luckier goddess. Maybe I should let Phrayce kill me instead."
"Don't let your mind be clouded, Prietal." Budgula said, cutting across titles. "You know what you really want and we support you."
Prietal nodded, getting serious. "You're right. But the generals will all be in trouble if we try to pull this off."
Budgula shrugged with her four upper arms. "She knows that I'm the one responsible for all the other attempts before this. Believe it or not, she considers it a challenge. All I can do is try again with each generation and hope it all turns out well this time, my heart much heavier with each failure."
"In that case, this meeting is finished. Please be ready to fight your best tomorrow."
Budgula was the last to leave the chamber. She looked at the statues of Phrayce and Prietal. "And yet again, us generals will choose which divine purpose to serve. Prescenia, I will not know rest until your atrocities have ended once and for all."

Squishy Cheeks

10-15-2006, 07:47 PM

Like smoke the reapers entered the chamber flanking Charok. Charok took his mask from his valet and placed it on his face.

"It is time." He took his sword from the pedastal next to his throne. Mors and the other reapers knealt before the god of death. "Are you ready?"

dementedmongoose

10-15-2006, 09:36 PM

"Let it be, then." Gibrah said simply, as Grilnos opened portals to the other Prophets and brought them out. Waer stood at the front of them, the blade holding Gibrah's eye almost seeming to pulsate with flowing blood in his hand. Gibrah pulled his own weapons from Gil'nah; a single bit obsidian axe with a golden bird of prey head on the back, and a single piece of glasssteel forged into a sword that gave off an unnatural red light, and almost seemed to have screams emanating from it. "I shall miss the opposition your death dealers would have posed, but they stand between me and my servants."

Squishy Cheeks

10-15-2006, 11:32 PM

"We shall see, Are you sure you have enough?" Charok taunted with a smirk.He gestured and a ball of silver decinded from the ceiling. when it struck the ground all were engulfed in white light and standing in the sands of the appointed Arena.

"We have arrived at the appointed place at the appointed time, goddes Phrayce. If there is any favor you would ask of me, I will grant it, so long as it does not violate the rules. Such as this." He produced a quarter staff from the air. The wood was grayish brown. "It is light as a feather, flexible, and stronger than diamond."

Astral Harmony

10-16-2006, 04:05 PM

"A nice implement of inflicting suffering indeed, Divine Charok, but my sister has always preferred the rapier."
Before Phrayce could accept the weapon from Charok, a rapier in a sheath came to a halt before her feet. They had arrived.
Prietal, flanked by Budgula and Vitrioli to her left and Luda and Moe to her right stood on the opposite side of the arena. Maegrid and Daruna were near Phrayce's side of the arena, both of them looking hesitant to do anything.

Phrayce picked up the rapier and stepped forward, pleading. "Sister. Please, you have to tell me why I am to be executed."
Prietal stared intently at her older half-sister. "It is the will of your mother. Now that she has me to accept the divine gifts, she no longer requires you."
Phrayce fell to her knees, feeling defeated before she could even start fighting. "I don't understand. Doesn't Mother love me?"
Prietal was quiet. A flicker of remorse came across her face. Phrayce stood up again. "You're right. You don't understand, and I envy you for your ignorance. However, with such divine personages here, the show must begin. General Moe, you may go first."
"By your command, my goddess."

Moe gracefully leapt down and approached Phrayce, taking no less than five swords into each of her beautiful hands. She halted roughly twenty yards from the goddess.
"Don't let up for a second. That is, if you want to live."
"But Prietal called this an execution. Isn't that supposed to guarentee my death?"
"Well, if you want to die, I won't mind killing you. It would spare you from learning of a horrible and ancient truth."
"What?"
Moe didn't answer. She charged.
The battle between Phrayce and Moe was pretty evenly matched. Both used swords with unerring skill and both seemed to excel at speed. During a moment when the two were trying to lock each other down, Phrayce found the time to speak.
"I don't understand! What do you mean?!"
"You want to find out what lies below the surface of all of this? Then don't give up on me!"
Phrayce wasn't sure how to react to what little information she was being fed, but found it intriging to give it her best. When the two clashed, several of Moe's swords slipped out and scattered across the ground. Moe was fine. Phrayce assumed her stance.
"Enough, General Moe. General Luda, you are next."
"Time for some fun, hee hee hee..."

"Don't give up, Phrayce. Prietal needs you."
Moe left the arena after recovering her swords and left Phrayce to encounter Luda. Luda was unarmed. Well, if you didn't count her spider legs that could crush a skull like a grape and her own claws that could slice people in five pieces and her corrosive toxins that could melt armor like butter.
Luda didn't even tell Phrayce to get ready. She just assaulted the goddess without even poising to attack. For all the rumors about Luda's mental irregularities, she was an extremely talented fighter. Apparently, she used her eight legs for short hops and skips and allowed her to get at Phrayce's flanks within an instant, and she was just as quick at striking. The goddess was promptly forced to abandon any attack she might have thought up and focused strictly on defense, deflecting the claw strikes. After about five minutes of dodging and deflecting that seemed like hours to Phrayce, Luda backed off.
"I'm satisfied."
"General Luda, thank you. General Vitrioli, you have the field."

"As you command, my goddess."
Phrayce and Vitrioli bowed lightly to each other. Phrayce tried for some light conversation.
"You'll be my first male opponent ever, general."
"Take care, goddess. If you allow yourself to perish here, then you have let down your sister and all of us."
"I just don't get it. Is this really an execution?"
"The time for talk has passed. Prepare to face my might, Goddess Phrayce."
Vitrioli's strength seemed comparable to Budgula's. The only male general was definitely packing muscle, but Phrayce didn't think it meant that he had this much power. He wasn't particularly fast, thankfully. But his blows were so powerful that Phrayce had to really get out of the way of the gigantic swords Vitrioli wielded. Spotting an opening, Phrayce leapt up and nearly sheathed her rapier in Vitrioli's left eye. A quick blow from a pommel forced Phrayce over his head and behind him roughly a dozen yards away. Vitrioli turned to set his sights on Phrayce, then sighed.
"I was only getting started."

"But she still has two of us to go, Vitrioli."
Phrayce whirled around quickly to see that Budgula had jumped down into the arena. Budgula was clearly the strongest, most honorable, and definitely the most experienced of all the generals. Phrayce had heard that Budgula had unerringly served no less than seven generations of goddesses. And now, that giant, dark-green skinned, six-armed monstrosity stood before her on the arena field. Phrayce turned around to see that Vitrioli had left them alone.
"It's not often that my blood starts boiling nowadays, Goddess Phrayce. I think you might just be the one."
"'The one' what, General Budgula? I just don't get it."
"She will betray all of us. Ready your sword so that can exact the vengeance of our lost goddesses."
"Lost goddesses? Damn it, stop being so cryptic and tell me what's going on!"
"You want the answer? Very well, then. But you'll have to prove to me that you are ready to hear it all."
The clashing of Phrayce and Budgula was pretty much the highlight of the whole execution. Giant, over-whelmingly powerful and destructive Budgula. Small, fast-thinking and quick Phrayce.

Now, if only they actually reached each other...

"I've seen enough."
Heads turned. The radiant vision of a woman appeared above and behind Prietal. Budgula swore. The other generals kneeled quickly.
"Mother?!"
"Mother..."
Caetisine looked down upon Prietal. "Prietal, when I asked you to destroy her, I don't recall asking you to make some kind of amusing spectacle out of it, did I?"
Prietal jumped back into the arena. "I apologize, Mother, for I have commited a grievous and personal sin against you and decided to give hope a chance."
Caetisine smirked. "I see. If my pathetic eldest daughter was not standing there, about ready to collapse from all that's she had to endure so far, you would have gladly submitted to me without incident. Really, I don't see why this humble vision of her would convince you that there's a chance this time around. Tell me, did Budgula put you up to this?"
Prietal was about to speak, but Caetisine lifted her left hand and directed the index finger at Phrayce, who stared at her mother with a mix of confusion and true horror.

"Unlike the last times, I do see that the odds are indeed against me. This forces me to take the aggressive approach."
A sphere of light blossomed and expanded on the tip of that index finger. Prietal quickly turned to face her older half-sister. "Phrayce!"
Phrayce was frozen, a mask of fear slapped across her innocent face. Budgula stood in the way.
"For a general as old as you, this display is childish, Budgula. If you long to join Phrayce in the afterlife, so be it."
Budgula closed her eyes, seeing visions of her own life pass before her mind when Caetisine released the bolt. A moment passed. Budgula opened her eyes and beheld the goddess she was trying to protect. Phrayce had somehow destroyed the bolt that would have slain them both.

And then she fell.
Prietal and Budgula were both instantly by her side.
"Budgula?" Prietal asked simply.
"I think she'll pull through." Budgula said.
A silverly peel of laughter brought their attention back to Caetisine. "I must say that I'm quite impressed with her. She was somehow able to use the divine gifts to stop my attack." Caetisine said, lowering her hand and crossing her arms. "Fine, I am a merciful goddess, after all. I accept your challenge. She has until the date for the Ceremony of Ascension to step forward and face me in final confrontation before I decide to come out and destroy the both of you. Be well until then."
And that was it. Caetisine was gone. Phrayce seemed to be sleeping. Prietal wondered what exactly she was going to say to the other gods. Budgula lifted Phrayce from the ground and cradled her like a child.
"General, take her, Maegrid and Daruna somewhere safe. I want you to tell them exactly what you told me. I'll stay here and try to clean up this mess. The other gods present are going to want to know what the hell just happened."
"As you command, my goddess."

Squishy Cheeks

10-16-2006, 04:48 PM

"An answer can wait. Other matters need to be addressed first." Charok ran his finger along a small cut on Phrace's arm. The blood glistened as he touched it to the sand. The sand of the arena turned black. and the building trembled. Charok gracefully leapt out of the arena as his Reapers entered weapons drawn. "Now is the time, Gibrah, let our wager be settled."

Mors and the others took a fighting stance. Their weapons gleaming with energy.

Astral Harmony

10-16-2006, 07:17 PM

Budgula and the others left to a safe area near the arena where they could both tend to Phrayce and leave Charok and Gibrah alone to have their match.
Maegrid and Daruna stood there with them bearing odd expressions on their faces, and both Prietal and Budgula knew why. Along with Vitrioli, the three were relatively new to the general rank, and the two girls had never been told about Prescenia.
"Once Phrayce comes to, I shall explain it all." Budgula stated. "Needless to say, we need your services now more than ever."
Maegrid and Daruna looked at each other.
"We'll certainly try our best, but..." Maegrid began.
"We're not exactly sure what you want us to do." Daruna finished.
"Just protect Phrayce with your lives, regardless of what happens."
The two generals nodded. Prietal decided to state the obvious.
"Generals Moe, Luda, and Vitrioli are not with us."

Budgula decided that she had done all she could for Phrayce now and stood up. "Perhaps they thought they could help us more by trying to attack your mother. Perhaps she's won their allegiance in our personal little war and we may have to end up killing them in order to have our chance at righting the ultimate wrong here. Perhaps they don't know who to side with since it's all so confusing."
"I can see how Vitrioli might be confused. He's new. But Moe and Juda have known about Prescenia just like you have."
Budgula took the time to judge the two more experienced generals herself. "Moe is a woman of great honor. The event that has occured this day, regardless of how confusing it might be, would not have shaken Moe to the point where she simply can't choose. She's not with us, so she's most likely on the side of Prescenia. Luda...well, I don't think even I can tell what goes on in that woman's brain sometimes. I think that Prescenia may have won over Luda as an ally by promising something important."
"Once we explain everything to Phrayce and our two allied generals, we should think of a few people who can fill those vacancies. We need a good team if we're going to be strong enough to destroy Prescenia by the next Ceremony of Ascension. After all, I'm sure just getting to her means that we'll have to lay siege to the Grand Cathedral."
"We'll discuss strategy some other time, my goddess." Budgula said with finality. "First, let's go talk to the locals. We don't want them freaking out because two gods and their best and brightest troops are engaging in mortal slaughter where the arena is."

dementedmongoose

10-16-2006, 07:52 PM

Gibrah watched the spectacle of the execution with fascination. How these goddesses and mortals had gained such mastery of their weapons was a mystery to Gibrah. But he had no time to think of these things now. His Prophets were in danger of nonexistence. A blast of red lightning, straight from Gil'nah, slammed into the center of the arena, turning the black sand into a shiny black sheet of glass that shattered as soon as the lightning disippated, revealing the Nine, Waer and a Minotaur-Lich named Skluu standing at the front of the Prophets, with Gibrah's new form standing at the forefront. Instead of the hodgepodge he had before, he wore instead the skin of a Minotaur mated with an orc, but it appeared to be months dead, and terribly rotten in the face, and with a hole through the torso a grown man could punch through without getting his hands dirty.

Squishy Cheeks

10-16-2006, 09:11 PM

Yama shouted a battle cry and hefted Moon Scythe above his head the blue glowing blade mad a single arc as it went to cleave the Minotaur lich in half.

Mors fascined a buckler to his left arm.
"This is where you die, Lich."
He dodged the first few attacks effortlessly and casually disarmed his opponent with his axe.

Inl�, like a tornado, cut a swathe of destruction into the enemy ranks, his twin scythes cutting and cleaving as he went.

Beatiful Azrael stood impassive off to the side watching the melee with keen eyes.

Enma, the Ogre Magus Thundered across the room. His body wreathed in armor of flame, He created a wall of fire by slicing his naginata across the ground, limiting the avenues of attack.

Ankou stood next to Enma And used lightning attacks from his club to strike his enemies at range.

Surma followed Inl� Striking any that got close to her.

The reapers had managed to surround the lichkind prophets. Driving them into the center of the arena.

dementedmongoose

10-16-2006, 10:19 PM

Gibrah stood next to Charok as the match progressed. "Interesting tactic, that." he said as the reapers encircled the Prophets. The Prophets were holding their own inside their little circle, staying on the defensive, reflecting what the could, dodging what couldn't be blocked, and taking the hit in an extremity when they had to.

Suddenly, the giant, troll, and ettin leapt over their smaller comrades, coming to a landing to form three 120 degree angles, surprising some of the reapers, and managing to knock the range fighter Ankou to his back. Before the ettin could finish the reaper off, Ankou rolled out of the way.

The Prophets fought back the reapers and paired off with them, with Waer jumping around the match, fighting where the Prophets were disadvantaged until it was even again, and Grilnos directing the mayhem.

OOC: Sorry it's so short, I might elaborate on this post tomorrow, but right now I've gotta go before my brother kills me.

Squishy Cheeks

10-16-2006, 10:40 PM

"I do have every warrior, who ever died to train them" Charok said.

Ankou rolled calmly away and swung his club into the ettin's leg. The Ettin stood in a silent scream as electricity ripped through it's body. Ankou took the moment provided to regain his footing.

Inl� tied off a dwarfen ribbon onto his Sycles and Used the steel like light cord to figt at range and to attack in great sweeping arcs.

Mors smote his opponent about his head with his shield and kicked him back into the mass of lich warriors.

Azrael had taken out a folding fan and was using it to gesture and click commands to the other reapers.

"Didn't think they would be this tenacious?"

dementedmongoose

10-17-2006, 09:57 PM

"True, but even the best of warriors doesn't tactically match up to the god of war." Gibrah said, as the all Prophets, save the ettin, suddenly jumped back to the center of the ring, with the largest forming a tiny circle around the centaur, and the Men and orc formed a circle around them. The centaur began firing arrow after arrow, each one exploding moments after impact, holding the reapers at bay, as the ring of Prophets inched toward the fallen ettin. When they reached it, the Troll began working his magics to resuscitate him.

Suddenly, Waer bolted from the ranks, closely chasing an arrow, sans fire, streaking out at the reapers. Snatching it out of the air, he dashed up to the demigod reaper, kicked him in the side of the head, knocking him to the ground. Dropping down on the reaper, Waer forced the arrow into his mouth. "Try to move and I break your jaw on that thing. Boom."

Gibrah watched the actions of Waer, and wasn't displeased, Leaning over to Charok, Gibrah muttered "Hmm... I taught him to trust the arrows to do the job at range, instead he makes them melee weapons." Turning his attention back to the Prophets in the circle, he saw that the ettin had regained his footing, and that Skluu had disappeared. Looking around, he saw Skluu fending off the Reapers who might try to help their comrade.

Squishy Cheeks

10-17-2006, 11:33 PM

"I didn't just teach them to fight." Charok winked.

Mors exploded into a cloud of black feathers. The feathers surrounded Waer cutting at his skin like razors. The feathers reformed into a black winged Angel, Mors' true form.

"Here's your arrow back." Mors jammed the arrow into Waer's kidney. He picked up his dropped axe and cocked back for a coup de gras.

dementedmongoose

10-18-2006, 05:38 AM

Waer yelled as the arrow pierced his side, but that was the beauty of undeath. Grabbing the arrow, he threw it aside moments before the explosive kicked in. The wound scabbed over immediately, and began visibly healing moments after. Ripping his glass sword out of the scabbard, he caught the descinding axeblade and turned it aside. Pulling the other sword, he rolled out from under the reaper, and threw himself into the air and to his feet. Landing lightly, he dropped into a neutral stance and looked at the fights going on around the arena. It seemed as though he and the demigod were the only ones not fought to a complete standstill, even in areas where there were two Prophets fighting one reaper. "Well, then. It would seem that it's down to you and I. No pressure, though. If you lose, it's not like undead hordes will sweep across the mortal plain, killing and pillaging. Oh, wait... We will!"

Squishy Cheeks

10-18-2006, 10:03 AM

ooc: who's speaking to who?

Whightwolf

10-18-2006, 02:00 PM

All the while Tordal watched silent and passive, Hands resting atop the pommel of his blade, the point driven into the stone before him. Farce after farce, he was tiring of the entire affair, he was half tempted to slay all the combatants just to prove a point. But offending war and death on account of boredom would be unwise and his Honour bound him to this role.

As always he saw all events in all the realms, two of his blades were currently battling one of the greatest of the Lichkind, the only Draconic restless to remain, strong in limb and magic. A being apparently trying to establish himself as a deity of terror. They were doing well. Tordal was pleased with that project.

The Creatures from Beyond, were as ever beating on the walls of reality. When this task was finally set aside he would ride out among them again. That would be how the world would end, when they finally broke through.

Still for the moment he must watch this conflict to it�s conclusion.

OOC: ok you guys wanted to do this, lets wrap it up, each do a version of your sides victory, with losses or not etc. Armored Bishoujo and I will judge the better, say why and that will have been what happened? Sound fair?

dementedmongoose

10-18-2006, 10:10 PM

OOC: Okay, I kinda just figured we would've jumped to the end and skipped the fighting for post count's sake. Also, Squishy, that was Waer speaking to Mors. Sorry I didn't clarify that.

IC: Waer charged the reaper, swords drawn, ready to kill him. Vaulting over his head, Waer spun in the air and landed behind the reaper, stabbing at the reaper with one sword, which was suddenly batted aside with the axe as the reaper spun around, and knocked to the ground some ten feet away. Feinting low with the glasssteel sword, Waer instead punched the reaper in the nose when his focus was on the sword. Blood flowed for a moment, then the broken nose healed, and the reaper's vision cleared. Swinging hard at the reaper's head, Waer was again blocked by that damnable axe, and his sword went flying.

Disarmed, Waer dropped to one knee, seemingly beaten. As the reaper raised his axe for a finishing blow that would cut Waer in half lengthwise, Waer began tensing up. Jumping to his feet, Waer grabbed the reaper's wrists, and headbutted him with all his strength. Ideally, Waer's forehead would have cracked into the reaper's skull just above the nose, again, and again, and again, shattering bone and eventually caving the skull in, killing the reaper. What actually happened was Waer misjudged the reaper's height, and instead drove his skull into the exact same spot on the reaper's skull. Foolishly, though, Waer continued headbutting the reaper until he couldn't take anymore. Slamming his head home, a sickening crunch reverberated throughout the arena. Waer released the reaper and they both dropped, unconscious.

Looking around, Gibrah didn't know what to think. "Well, then. I suppose this is a draw. I'll take the undead for the next thousand years, and you can have the orcs. Even trade?"

Squishy Cheeks

10-19-2006, 02:00 AM

"Fair enough, who knows you might even like what I do with the horde."

"We have a deal." Charok offered his hand to shake on it.

Arhra

10-19-2006, 10:38 AM

Tcharne rested, a diffuse presence permeating windswept Kul Tcharuk. Even a god is not limitless. The sorcerous being had woven greatness and the seed of a greatness into being. Wearied by the effort, Tcharne would not be exercising such power openly in the world for some time. But not everything requires power sufficient to carve apart mountains.

Langorously, Tcharne's roving gaze passed through the labyrinthe structure of the place of sorcery carved into a mountains peak, clear as glass to the god's eye. Great webs of sorcery were woven into its very walls, blazes of fiery runes spiralling through the living stone. Tcharne had created this place with very clear purposes in mind. At the very heart was the portal, a single spar thrown across unimaginable gulfs, a bridge to Kul Tcharuk.

Turning outwards from the center, Tcharne could see where Siar and Silanya conversed with the aspect that Tcharne had left with them. The Sorceress aspect looked up, through stone and spirit, and met the god's gaze. There was a brief moment of dizzying perspective as the god looked upon the shape she wore, at the same time looking back upon their own nebulous presence.

Musing on this moment of contact, of seeing oneself reflected, Tcharne spiralled outwards, planting a call in the dreams of those with the gifts and inclinations to hear it. For now, only three dwelled in the great house of magic Tcharne had wrought, and the god desired many more might learn the arcane mysteries within its walls.

Tcharne saw those who in the time where Charok had forsaken his duty, the Interloper had given freedom, setting their souls on a cycle of reincarnation. The god saw them spread thin across the land but knew contentment for their numbers increased. Tcharne had wrought the gift so that it would be passed down to all those of their line who chose to accept it. While the god demanded no fealty for this, most of them held Tcharne foremost in their hearts. The echoes of old lives reminded them who had given them this gift and their essential natures had made Tcharne love them.

Tcharne's gaze swept across the sea, finding a small southern continent, to which none of the gods had truely turned their attention to yet. Pausing to study signs, Tcharne passed beneath the boughs of the great jungle that dominated its heart. The Interloper found a people there, like in form to great lizards but walking like men. Uncivilised and wild, Tcharne nonetheless felt something about them, some portent. Dancing a path of half felt impulses, Tcharne found where one of them lay out in the dark jungle alone and fevered.

As he stared up at the night sky, barely tethered to the waking world, The Dancer Beyond The Stars soothed his fever dreams with a gentle touch and whispered to him.

Astral Harmony

10-19-2006, 01:24 PM

Once Phrayce had recovered she, Prietal, Budgula, Maegrid and Daruna had left the danger zone and held a meeting in the nearby fortress of Katheria. After the guards left, the two goddesses and three generals took whatever place they preferred. Budgula cleared her throat and began.
"First, you know that we've mentioned the name of Prescenia a few times."
Phrayce nodded. "Yes, you have. But who is she?"
"She's a direct ancestor of our divine bloodline," Prietal answered with her arms crossed. "I'm not sure how many generations of goddesses have passed between her and us two."
"Seven." Budgula said. "Seven generations."
"So she's performed the Ceremony of Transmigration seven times? That's pretty horrible."
Phrayce blinked twice. "Ceremony of...Transmigration?"

Budgula considered what to say next. "Phrayce, what do you know about the Ceremony of Ascension?"
"Unlike most gods, we don't serve as governing gods for very long. Once we have offspring, we determine a time when that goddess will come of age. After that, we set up for the Ceremony of Ascension, a window of time during each millenium when a goddess may pass down her governing domains safely to her offspring. Then that one becomes the governing goddess of Amazonia."
Budgula nodded. "Yeah, that's the gist of it. Now, take a guess. Since Prescenia became the governing goddess, how many Ceremonies of Ascension do you think have occured up to now?"
Phrayce boggled through it. "Let's see...seven generations between Prescenia and me. So that would make...eight Ceremonies of Ascension."

Prietal looked around to make sure that not only Phrayce, but the two other generals were paying attention. Her and Budgula clearly had their undivided focus. "Normally, yes. But in actuality, only one Ceremony of Ascension has been performed."
Maegrid and Daruna were clearly confused. Phrayce looked even more intent to learn more. "Simply put, Prescenia has been using those windows of time for the Ceremony of Ascension to perform her own kind of ceremony."
"And that would be this Ceremony of Transmigration mentioned earlier."

Maegrid decided to get into the conversation. "So how is the Ceremony of Transmigration different?"
"Well, not only does Prescenia transfer the governing domains to her offspring, she also transfers her own soul, possessing her child's body and keeping those governing domains so she can continue her rule."
Phrayce looked at Prietal. "There's a number of gods that would be extremely upset at hearing that, and I'm not even talking about our own bloodline."
"Charok most likely doesn't know," Budgula said. "I don't know more about the ceremony than what Prescenia does, but I assumed that when transmigration occurs, the soul of the one who is having her body taken over would probably be destroyed. Prietal has said that this is not the case."
"I've seen the Harvesting Crescent before in the possession of Prescenia a few times." Prietal explained. "It's a very large scythe and I'm sure that's where the souls end up. It just has that kind of...eerie glow to it."

Phrayce stood up. "So I need to defeat Prescenia and free the souls from this Harvesting Crescent before the next Ceremony of Ascension date, in which case she'll come down on me. I can deal with this."
Her words surprised the other four in the room.
"But one question. The legitimate Ceremony of Ascension. What was that one?"
Budgula gestured to Phrayce. "Well, you're not Prescenia, are you?"
Phrayce made a goofy expression. "Oh, right. I guess it was when I became the governing goddess. Hmmm...I wonder why it was different this time?"

Prietal had the answer. "Probably because of your father, General Aigorn. Remember the things he did, Phrayce? It all resulted in the birth of you and your twin sister Cecilia."
Daruna's eyes opened wide. "That's right! Prescenia was extremely furious at Aigorn when he got her pregnant due to his love getting the better of him. Once the twins were born, Prescenia probably wanted to destroy all three of them and forget it ever happened, but she had to make it appear like she was doing the right thing."
"That makes sense." Budgula said, looking thoughtful. "Prescenia didn't want either of her daughters having the governing domains, nor did she want to transfer her soul into either of their bodies. So when Phrayce, the older of the twins, came of age, a real Ceremony of Ascension was performed. That must be why Prietal was born. She would be the real vessel that Prescenia would transmigrate her soul into when Phrayce would turn over the governing domains to the next goddess, who would obviously be Prietal."
"Giving Prescenia both the vessel and the governing domains with which to continue her divine rule." Prietal closed.

"So our objectives are clear." Phrayce said. "We need to destroy Prescenia who has possessed mother Caetisine (and pretty every goddess who has come before up to Prescenia's own daughter) , free the souls of the victimized goddesses trapped inside the Harvesting Crescent weapon (which either Charok will collect or will return to their own bodies, I'm not sure), free my father Aigorn and sister Cecilia, and eventually pass on the governing domains to Prietal (or a child that I haven't even considered having yet). Not in that order, of course."
The other four looked at Phrayce.
"What?"
"You've changed since that fight, sister."
"Actually, I think she's changed since she learned the truth."
"The only thing that's changed about me is that I've found a true purpose in life." Phrayce admitted. "I can't just stand by and let this pass, not when I'm supposed to be the one with all the power and authority. The people of our realm and the mortals who were given life by our hands, everyone before me here...they're all counting on me to be the one who makes this monumental wrong right. So please...please help me believe that I am indeed the one who will do exactly that."

Squishy Cheeks

10-20-2006, 11:47 AM

After the deal was made. Charok collected his servants and returned home. Charok revived their dead flesh and brought them back to full consciousness.

"The plan worked perfectly, he did not suspect a thing, Were you able to ascertain their capabilities?"

Azrael smiled a pretty smile.

"That's my girl. Is your squad ready?"

"Yes my lord."

"Execute Spider Protocol."

dementedmongoose

10-20-2006, 10:27 PM

OOC: We really need to start a new chapter.

IC: Gibrah took the prophets back to Gil'nah. Only Waer, Skluu, and Grilnos had survived. The other six were very much dead. But Gibrah had rights to resurrect servants. The bodies were ruined. So he needed new bodies for them. Reaching into the red soul-storm that was Gil'nah's sky, Gibrah plucked their souls free, and began crafting new bodies. Human seemed appropriate, so he made a more powerful form, able to withstand almost any killing blow, stronger, faster, silent, able to see in the dark, amazing healing abilities, immortality, immunity to disease, and he imbued them with the power to make more by exchange of fluid. Unfortunately, there were side effects: symbols of the other gods could burn them, and being in true sunlight would kill them. Wooden weapons through the heart were fatal, and decapitation was equally fatal. He only gave this form to one, a particularly vicious one named Vampyre, and thus Vampyres were born. The second was a member of the Beast Tribes from the North. Inspired, Gibrah returned him to a humanoid form, but with the immortality of Vampyres, and he could infect others with only a bite or scratch. Since the prophet was Lycan, of the Wolf tribe, Gibrah made it that when the moon, the most sacred symbol of the beast tribes, was full, Lycan would become a great wolf-creature, that could only die if it's heart were pierced with pure silver, or it's head were severed. The third, the only human woman prophet, was not given a form, but was instead made into the first banshee. The fourth and fifth, a male troll and a female ettin, were given the power to choose their own forms. Finding the decayed remains of a pair of massive green dragons, they restored the skins and bodies, blackened the skin, grafted horns along the spine, down the tail, and set balls of the eternally molten core of Gil'nah in the eyes. Forcing their ways into the bodies, the Black Dragonflight was born, hunted the world over by other dragons. The sixth was a giant, and, since neither he, nor Gibrah had any ideas, he was placed in the body of a handsome, strong man, but with a vast understanding of undeath, and how to cheat it, making him the first true Necromancer, and he was commanded to teach, and convert. Thus, the Undead races were born.