GM's Lords of Creation

Game Master Monkeygod


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"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40

Atheos shuddered, and frowned more than usual. "What you are proposing goes against a great deal that you do not yet understand. But the protection and preservation of this new world is an important goal, regardless. I may be willing to consider your covenant, though perhaps only for the time being. But I respect the mindfulness of the Web-Spinner, and would like to see Invention bound by a few rules; if you can convince both of them to do the same, I will agree to your gestures of alliance."


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Hmmm. Looks like my post was eaten

What rules would those be, Atheos? Zakaz says.


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40

"The same rules the rest of us agree to."


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Then what rules would you purpose?


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40

"If you want my thoughts? I suppose I can think of a few important ones..."

And Atheos tapped his finger on his head for what was both a second and an eternity. "Very well. I can name a few rules I'd require of any entity I associate with."

"One: No acts of wrath. If we want to avoid a descent into chaos, that means no smiting of armies or civilization, evil or good. Any disasters created by a member of this compact—like the storms and volcanoes our Creative gifted Kirtavo with—must follow rules, ones that life can learn from, and build responses to. No targeting of plagues against a single city, no turning entire nations to salt, regardless of reason."

"Two: Respect the autonomy of life. Any living creature brought to a new place by one of us, whether to a paradise or prison, must either come willingly, or be bound and subdued by others of its kind. I would not see any living thing abducted in order to become a helpless plaything for the enjoyment of any of our power."

"Three: Talk is cheap. The world—or at least the moon—now has its own creators, with their own thoughts and agendas. My other two rules may be more important, but this one is personal, and non-negotiable. Take no action to reward or punish the creatures of the Material Plane based on what they believe, profess, or write, in public or private. Teach what you may, give and do what you want to bless holy sites, consecrate temples, or lend your strength to holy orders... but any system of direct rewards or injuries to individual creatures, any personal or group morality, must be based on actions, not the strength of faith or worship."


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Zakaz things for a long moment before responding.
To your first, how are we to display our displeasure, to guide our creations, without punishing them for wrongdoing? What if it is our pleasure to hunt our creations? This is my nature and the nature of all I create. Will this first rule forbid my Hunts?
Atheos, you may have to come to terms with the fact that my presence among my creations is how I operate. Not all of us are as detached as you.


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40

"Zakaz," Atheos replied calmly. "You are new to words, and that is fine. I do not believe these ideas are incompatible. If you wish to hunt an entire city, my first rule would forbid that; if you wish to hunt only those created by or allied with Aped here, then it would forbid the second rule. If you want to kill at random, or hunt only those who encroach on your forests—I do not agree with such a course of action, but I would not forbid it, because those are the actions of a natural predator, not a petty grudge-holder."


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Hearing no other immediate objections, Zakaz stands. I accept your proposal, Aped, and your rules, Atheos. Let's see how this goes.
He places his Dawn-Blood drenched paw on the central stone. The blood left a near perfect imprint of his paw and from it sprung a flower. It bloomed immediately and glistened in the light of the Moon's Mindstorms. It's stem was wood, but its leaves were made of living emerald. The petals of its flower were gold and the center brilliant ruby. From is petals and leaves a light, glowing snow of silver flakes floated downward toward the stone, making it appear as if the flower itself was growing in that silver snow.
A symbol of my hope and trust in this Pack. May it never be destroyed. I have given it great power of life and hope.

1ap spent to Join Pantheon


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

Tissari shrugs. "That seems reasonable. I mean, why not? We can work together this way, keep each other in check too. And your last rule I was about to propose anyways. What's the point of creating creatures with advanced intelligence if they don't have to use it? They should have to earn their rewards, not just be handed them on a silver platter." She chuckles slightly. "I didn't even tell them to worship me, honestly. I think you'll appreciate that. They should build their own identity, so that in case I go a little overboard, they'll be able to keep me in check." She awkwardly shifts position. "So, yeah, I'll join."

Spending 1 AP from the rollover to join the pantheon.


Male Fae King Oracle 21(Elemental)/Druid 21

Lir listens as the others discuss this pantheon concept "Yea, for right now, I'm going to have to say no to joining. I'm not fond of rules just for rules sake, and that sounds exactly what Atheos is proposing. I'm also not really sure I trust all of you enough currently, to join some divine brotherhood."


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40

Atheos shakes his head. "Everyone else seems surprisingly positive about all this... which I guess is a good sign. Anybody else got rules to add or debate?"

And he walks forwards, and places his hand on the central stone; when he removes it, nothing has actually changed in any way.


(NG) fledgling goddess of divination, fate, music, the stars and spiders. Att: 2d6 | Def: 4d6 | HP: 40 | AP: 3

Araneae stands calmly listening as Atheos proposes his rules and as Zakaz and then Tissari join the pantheon, and as Liriiestil makes his refusal before moving forward, her insubstantial form shimmering as she does so. "I too will join." she says to the others, turning to the lord of elves. "As The Lionheart says, this path promises harmony - a means to avoid the fate of the old universe. To join, then, is to dance in step with the music of the spheres. To avoid the discord that leads only to conflict, chaos and destruction. Are you sure then, that you will not join?"

Spending 1 AP to join


Shess watched the gods finish their meeting and part ways.

...It is time...

The cube, that is the entity Shess, secretly and quietly moved over the new world to the Vault. Shess admired the works of the fellow gods thus far as he traveled over the surface. Admiring as well the Vault, Shess looked it over.

..This will do nicely..

Shess moved to the spot where the meeting took place.

...Well now, for a god of words he sure left them out...

Shess carves into the Vault:

One: No acts of wrath. That means no smiting of armies or civilization, evil or good. Any disasters created by a member of this compact—like the storms and volcanoes our Creative gifted Kirtavo with—must follow rules, ones that life can learn from, and build responses to. No targeting of plagues against a single city, no turning entire nations to salt, regardless of reason.

Two: Respect the autonomy of life. Any living creature brought to a new place by one of us, whether to a paradise or prison, must either come willingly, or be bound and subdued by others of its kind. We would not see any living thing abducted in order to become a helpless plaything for the enjoyment of any of our power.

Three: Take no action to reward or punish the creatures on the Material Plane based on what they believe, profess, or write, in public or private. Teach what you may, give and do what you want to bless holy sites, consecrate temples, or lend your strength to holy orders... but any system of direct rewards or injuries to individual creatures, any personal or group morality, must be based on actions, not the strength of faith or worship."

After inscribing atop the Vault, Shess moved to the base and pressed one side of the cube to it. Pulling away, a symbol of a square with a hole and three concentric circles surrounding remained. The hole of the signature on the Vault is a human-sized hole that burrows into the Vault itself.

Spend 1 AP to join the pantheon + 1 AP to keep it secret

Shess then shrunk to the size of the hole, went into the hole and then began burrowing straight down into the earth. After a few hundred miles Shess stopped and began creating tunnels. The tunnels went in all directions, crossed over itself sometimes and often ended randomly. Shess weaved a giant maze, The Great Labyrinth.

Spend 2 AP to Create Land +1 AP to keep it secret

In the middle of The Great Labyrinth Shess made a giant, spherical chamber inside which a pedestal rose to the center. On the pedestal Shess rested.


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Before that:
Seeing that there was nothing else to say, Zakaz snuffs and leaps from the Vault down to his creation below. He coinciders putting a barrier around the base of the vault, but decides ageist it. After all, no creature possessed the means to travel that high.

Meanwhile, his Flower marinated in is own power and pulsed with life.

Zakaz rested for a time from his building of the world. He surveyed his lands and reveled in their complexity and harmony. However, the words of Atheos stalked him. Worship. Willing adoration. A thing pursuing an end instead of fulfilling it within its nature... he had never considered this. But what could he create?
Zakaz walked to the Shard where the power of his creation was most concentrated. There he labored in his most focused work of creation.
A million life forms sprung into existence and million were slaughtered in turn.
Zaksz soon realized that the most powerful hunter, no matter how strong, may always fall to an assault of many lesser threats. However, a single, large hunter could better tend his prey and would not hunt them until they were no more.
A million more life forms came to be, and a million more were slaughtered in turn.
Success depend to depend on coordination. Those that fought together had s better chance of survival, but those that fought together and well were the best of all. So how could he combine the power of the Apex Predators with the Swarm instinct that could defeat the Apex?
A million moor life forms came to be and a million more were slaughtered in turn.
Finally, out of the blood of millions, there rose the Two That Were One, the Cull. The Swarm was small, the size of a wolf, with speed and numbers as their only defence but operating as one with one mind to take down the mightiest of prey. When the Swarm grew older and if they survived long enough, they became a Crested. They stood much taller and their tails and neck plates became spiked. The Crested commanded the Cull with thought alone and their will individually was the will of them all.


Create monsterous life several million times, 0 ap
Create sentient life, 1 ap
Create order: The Cull, 2 ap
Create advanced concepts: swarm tactics, 2 ap
Create magical concept: hive mind, 3 ap

And Zakaz rested from his labors. He returned to the Vault to watch his creation from on high that he may see what they might do.


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40

Eheheheh...

Words had passed, and, to some extent, Atheos had come out ahead. Unsettling as it was to be one of the first gods of the new world, he had been able to impart an impulse, an agenda, while the other powerful creatures put their first thoughts forward as well. And perhaps this would all be enough to keep the world safe, from whatever silent danger he could still not yet envision.

And so he walked through a door in the side of the mountain, and emerged on the surface of the moon Kirtavo, where he walked for a time.

* * *

How Atheos found an assistant

For a time, the First Philosopher traveled among the Irtarans. This was a world of intelligence and creativity, yes; but the people of the moon lacked permanence, or patience, or history. Cloaked in local form, Atheos would engage one solitary creator in a debate, and the creature would learn great insights, perspective, or wisdom; and the next time he spoke to an Irtaran, their entire society would have completely forgotten this new insight, or have never learned it at all.

But these were the beginning times, and perhaps someday the people of Kirtavo would be a source of great creativity or wisdom to the world; so Atheos chose not to interfere. Instead, he continued to travel the planet, meeting who he could, until he had spoken with every one of the locals. And finally, after an aeon of searching, Atheos met the thinnest of the Irtara.

She was young—had to be, and already somewhat aged from a decade lacking in creativity. And bone-thin, the oldest of her race to have created nothing. As Atheos spoke to her, she merely nodded, and listened—not incapable of speech, but simply perpetually lacking a thought worth speaking. He had heard stories and rumors of this creature, and spent a great deal of time searching for her out: an Irtaran who simply listened to those around her, who remembered but did not create. Here, the First Philosopher had found a creature even more neutral than himself, one concerned with only the workings of the world and people around her. To her, Atheos gave a secret; and she spoke, her first words, in return, repeating the God of Atheism's instructions until she too was a thing that no longer existed.

In the Great Library, the First Librarian summoned a quill from the air, and took a blank book from the shelf. She had learned things, of what had come to pass; and she would need to write quickly, in order to keep up with the known history of the world, as it came to pass.

5 AP to Create Demigod: The First Librarian, a true neutral deity concerned with recording the universe's history and laws as they unfold, and (at least for the time being) serving as Atheos's herald


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40

How Atheos stole the Beastfather's garbage

Of all the suggestions Atheos had provided for running the universe, Zakaz, it seemed, had adopted one of the most interesting—natural selection, the creation of new life through repeated cycles of competition, death, and birth.

And so, as Zakaz saw a million generations of monstrous creatures born and destroyed, a few escaped into the darkness. A shard of Atheos's being watched the Beastfather as he worked, in the form of a small black bird, silent and invisible in the space between stars. While the Predator turned, distracted, to create again, dark wings led a few of his surviving creations away, tempted with pieces of food or song.

As Zakaz's creatures became more complicated and intelligent, the temper of those survivors Atheos led away changed as well; these were not the fiercest predators, or the most cunning hunters, but simply those willing to follow. And in his Walled Gardens, the Philosopher studied and evaluated these forgotten survivors, watching their numbers grow into a population that could coordinate like the Swarm. But unlike Zakaz's more complicated creatures, Atheos's pets had no great, predatory intelligence, and no apex form; wolflike in appearance and size, they had gained only the cooperation of the Cull's smaller form, gathering around natural leaders or deferring to any more intelligent creature.

Atheos walked the empty streets of the Gate Axis, traveling from circle to circle, and behind him followed a pack of doglike creatures, moving in uncanny unity; the First Philosopher would point, and the pack would surge forward in perfect formation, recovering errant stones or sticks and depositing them at his feet. And Atheos was pleased, seeing that he had created a third model of life, one that lacked both the intelligence and unpredictability of Tissari's creators and the constant struggle and violence of Zakaz's predators.

2 AP to create Advanced Concept: Animal Husbandry/Domestication; 1 AP to create Monstrous Life: Axis Hounds, the first residents of the Great Axis plane.


Demigod, Herald of Atheos

And while the First Philosopher rested from examining his new creations, the Librarian quietly slipped away with a pair of Axis Hounds out to the Circle of Halls, and rode them through a portal to Kirtavo, curious what her former people might do with such simple and obedient creatures.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

Tissari watched Atheos watched. Or something like that. And she sees that he has a point. Or half or one, anyways. At least a third. The irtara constantly created, constantly made, but they never remembered. They never kept what insights the previous generation gave, even as old, absent-minded tutors rambled on to their small group of bored students, daydreaming about their innovative projects. That would never do. Oh, oh no.

And so, for the first time in irtaran history, Tissari appeared, a thunderbolt from the sky into their sanctum city. They turned to her, curious, and not at all afraid. Oh, dear, Zakaz would have an absolute fit if he knew that a species' first instinct upon seeing a strange new being descend from the heavens was to analyze it, not run.

"Alright, you lot, listen up!" she yelled, changing her form in the steam and fire to mimic an irtara. "Now, I'm your goddess, yada yada yada, you're going to forget what that word means in a few years. Or, you would, if I'm not going to do this." With a snap of her fingers, Tissari raised a grand library, dozens of stories tall, and filled to the brim with books, journals, scrolls, and audio logs of all kinds. However, each and every one of them was completely blank. There were also lecture halls, cafeterias (food seemed like something some irtara would enjoy, even if they didn't strictly need it), and study rooms. "You didn't think I'd make it that easy, do you?" she said. Flicking the forehead of the nearest irtara, she imparted the knowledge of writing and history to each of them, reverberating like a wave through the populace.

She looks like she's about to leave, before shaking her head. "Silly me! I knew I was forgetting something!" Turning to the assembled irtara, she projected herself across all of the sanctum cities. "Alright. You've probably heard my whole goddess thing by now, if your progression has gone the way I think it has. But, thing is, there's a huge library out in the central city. I don't think you've bothered with names for them yet, oddly, so I'm just going to call it... Uvano. Yeah, alright. Uvano. That's nice. Anyways, whenever you think of something important, like, really important, go there and write it down. The storms will help refine your ideas on the way there. What else, what else... oh, yes! In order to make sure that somebody knows what's going on, every... oh, damn. There's no objective units of time yet. Hm." Waving her hand in the general direction of Tissari's Library, as it came to be known, she planted a huge clock in the middle of it. "Alright. I don't really know what's coming. Eventually, though, or at least probablistically, somebody'll will come and mess up this beautiful place. If they aren't killed by the Mindstorms, you'll have to defend yourselves. And you'll need somebody to lead you in times of crisis. So, when the big hand on that goes around... carry the three, multiply over there, oh, wait, that's something else... 400,000 times, it'll be time to select a new... Grand Inventor. Yeah, that sounds about right. She'll lead you, resolve any disputes if Zakaz decides to introduce to concept of conflict to you--yeah, important detail, there are other gods. The one you'd most like other than me doesn't really like being worshiped, so I'll not talk about him anymore, but, here, hey, I'll just write all the others I know of now and what they've done so far in the library." Just like that, a record of all of the gods' (minus Atheos and Shess, but Tissari doesn't know about the cube) deeds, epithets, and names appears in the Library. "Eh, it's somewhere in there. Some brave soul with a long-term project will find it someday. What was I talking about? Oh, yeah! The Grand Inventor will lead you in times of crisis. You'll choose one every 400,000 clock cycles by seeing not who's most intelligent or creative, but, as much as I hate to admit, who has the most common sense. There'll be tests. I'll make them. Um, I'll put that on the front of the library. There." Tissari's decree about the Grand Inventor suddenly appears on the massive bronze doors to the library.

"Alright. That should be all. I think. If you have any questions, just... think at me. I'll answer when and what I want to." With that, Tissari once more rockets up into the sky, disappearing.

Alright. 1 AP to make the concept of the written word, 0 AP to make the concept of History. Then, make a Monument, the library, declaring HP as the dice bonus. Down to 3 AP. Then, I'll go ahead and make a bunch of military concepts for the irtara to use just in case they get invaded: weaponsmithing, ranged combat, gunpowder, etc. Since I'm letting the irtara choose who gets to be Grand Inventor, and since that's a single person, I don't believe that's an AP spending. Finally, I'll make an Magic concept called Stormwielding, wherein irtara can channel the power of the Mindstorms to create very blasty-oriented magic and to power their creations. Down to 0 AP.

As for the library, it's mostly a normal library for the irtara, with the primary exception being that it expands whenever it's filled to completion, meaning that it's never full. However, unintentionally, the sudden boost of creativity and knowledge from the creation of the library gave Tissari a boost of power.

A small note, scrawled on a piece of paper, suddenly flies into Atheos' face. It simply reads, Happy now?


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40

A few minutes later, a paper airplane sailed into the back of Tissari's head. I was never unhappy with your creations; it read, they were simply never mine. So I found one I agreed with, and offered her a job. But yes, I am satisfied that the universe has another library.

It was, he admitted to himself—and himself only—quite nice to have proper words to write things down in, rather than having to worry about conveying everything in formulas of abstract meaning.


...How very exciting. Some libraries...

As the cube rested atop the pedestal, a shimmering humanoid figure emerged from one of the holes. The shimmering figure, after a few moments took on the likeness of an Irtara. It looked at itself and looked pleased.

In the next blink this Irtara appeared in the streets in Uvano near the new library. This Irtara adopted a very excited expression and rushed into the library. Once in the library the Irtara finds the section with the history on the gods and grabs the book about the very beginning. Concentrating for a moment, a page is added with a few words:

Shadowed eternally by the vault of the gods, hidden power restrained.
Entwined in earth, sits a puzzle contained.
Supremacy explained.

The Irtara then vanished.


Male Fae King Oracle 21(Elemental)/Druid 21

After the gods had signed their accord, Lir goes back to his wanderings, exploring every inch of the newly made world. Yet nothing seemed to meet his requirements. Sure, there were great forests, massive mountains, and vast plains, but they lacked what he desired.

So it was that he found himself on the western coast, looking out across the endless ocean. In his prior life, he had spend several hundred years as a pirate, sailing the high seas, reveling in the freedom. He fell in love with the smell of the salty air, and thus he knew that is where he would build his home.

Striding out onto the water as if it were a smooth road, he walked well away from the main land, then paused. He look around, and saw nothing but the ocean, stretching for miles in every direction. Perfect he thinks to himself.

Lifting up his hands, Liriiestil raises a truly gigantic island from the depths, and almost instantly, enormous trees spring up over the land, covering the vast majority of it in an immense forest. On the northern portion, he shapes a huge mountain, with a giant lake at it's summit, and sets forth waterfalls and rivers cascading down to the trees below.

2 AP to create land, in the form of continent sized primeval forest.


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Almost immediately after Lir's land was complete, Zakaz can be felt wandering on the island. He moves through it and up to the lake at the top of the mountain. He does not create, but he does investigate.

Sooner or later he finds Lir. Again he does not speak, but his posture and growls are perfectly understood, Liriiestil. Finally you get in on the act. I was wondering how long it would take you to create something of your own.


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

And as Zakaz wandered the Island of Lir a piece of him looked up at the moon and his tail twitched in curiosity. There were beings there. Maybe it was time he met them.
With a great leap Zakaz rockets upward to the moon, landing with a great impact in the middle of a Mindstorm. He is personally unaffected by such trivial things, but he immediately respects the danger that such a thing represents: an atmospheric predator.
He wanders to the nearest settlement, but the natives do not run as he is accustomed to seeing. Instead they greet him with looks of wonder and curiosity. This, in turn, piques his own curiosity and he does not smite them as they gather to gawk. He wonders if their creator will see and come to visit...

I don't want to determine how they react beyond that, so feel free to RP your creations, Tissari. :)


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

"You must be Zakaz!" a particularly plump Irtara says, casually walking up to the god. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance! Are you open for an interview? Tissari's visit was rather brief, and we're somewhat curious about the wider implications of creator beings. She mentioned something about, hm, what was it, 'worship?' We don't know what it is, but perhaps you could enlighten us? It sounds like a fascinating activity."


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Zakaz thinks for a moment. To anyone on the outside he probably looks to be considering whether Irtara could cause indigestion.
In the end though, he answers. Worship is a tricky thing. It is new to the world, and I have created millions of beings in an attempt to understand it. What I have learned is this: Worship is a Choice. All created beings of sentience are always worshipping something. It is mainly a matter of what they are worshipping at any given moment.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

The irtara looks at Zakaz, nodding along thoughtfully at his words. "Fascinating. I would normally make some sort of quip about if you're available to teach philosophy to the first years-truth be told though, we do need another professor since the last one disappeared under mysterious circumstances-but I believe that you have some valuable insights. I don't know on what kind of timescale beings like you and Tissari operate, but are you available for further discussion?"


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Zakas ponders. What I have to teach, your creator may not like. We are very different, she and I.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

"Tissari told us to forge our own path. She created us, but does not dictate our actions. Well, that's what I got, anyways, when I was praying to her. It's very difficult to decipher her rambling, but I think she does that on purpose. Makes us work for her wisdom. Or maybe she is just completely insane. Anyways, discourse, discussion, and disagreement paves the way for passion and creativity. I'm sure at the very least Tissari would agree to that." She smiles at the great beast. "So, shall we talk?"


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Zakaz rumbles, then nods. Ask what you will. The universe is quiet now. Though that Lir fellow may be getting up to something. I haven't found him yet. Let's Talk. But first, I find this environment... uncomfortable.
He shakes his head and from his feet all around him plants and trees mirroring those on the Planet spring forth. They spread to cover a small area, just large enough to squelch the foreign noises of the Spark's world. Grasses in deep, soft tufts grow up under everyone there and provide ample seating. For himself, he sits upon a raised stone wreathed in trees and flowering vines.
0 ap use of Create Life for a small woodland glade to teach in.


Male Fae King Oracle 21(Elemental)/Druid 21

Secreting himself in the deepest, darkest heart of the forest, Lir begins to craft his own race.

For a body, he fashioned a skeleton made of the thick oak branches. This would grant them incredible durability and strength. Veins were made from strants of mithral, giving them an extraordinary flexibility. He made the skin out of sand from the depths of the ocean, blown into glass, granting his creation an almost other worldly beauty. He infused their lungs with the purest of air from the highest of mountaintops, so that they could be as quick as a spring breeze, or as violent as a tempest storm.

Finally, he breathed a divine flame into them, granting them life, and a burning passion to live that life to the fullest.

Thus were born the Lirthari, the children of the elements, his people.

Actions:

-5AP Create Legendary Life: Lirthari. Domains: Earth, Air, Fire, Water.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

The irtara is startled at first, the trees and plants completely foreign to her. But she quickly breaks out into a wide grin, before sitting down in a meditative position in front of Zakaz. Other irtara, driven by their natural curiosity, wander into the grove to hear Zakaz's teachings. The god can see a familiar smirk on a particularly vibrant irtara, but she makes no move to interfere.


Male Fae King Oracle 21(Elemental)/Druid 21

The Lirthari scattered to the four winds, going out among the world. Some flew up to the mountains and took up residence among the tallest peaks in the land. Others dove down into the depths of the sea, swimming with the creatures there, great and small.

Many wandered the land, nomadic, not caring to stay in one place for very long. While some put down roots where ever they felt comfortable, then more or less refused to move.

Meanwhile, still in the heart of the forest where he birthed the Lirthari, Lir himself remained. The massive trees each big enough to hold a small village among their branches, the boundless amounts of creatures from little squirrels and rabbits to giant bears and wolves, the rivers and streams, winding among the immense tree trunk and cascading down hills and over cliffs creating breathtaking waterfalls, all of these and more called to him. He felt at peace here, one with the land, the trees and all animals within. This would be his new home.

He gathered in energy, and bent the world in his immediate surroundings to his will. He wove the foliage into a large mansion, some two or three hundred feet off the ground. It spanned some of the biggest trees, easily covering several acres. He diverted a nearby large stream to pool under and around the villa, so water was easily accessible. He then invited his closest friends among the Lirthari as well as various fauna he was fond of, to dwell within.

3 AP to Weave Sanctum


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

The Moon
Zakaz looks at those who have gathered with his eyes of blue fire. Well. he rumbles, What questions have you of the Beastfather? He keeps an eye on the Spark. It would be interesting to see if she joined him in this adventure in talking.

The forest
From afar the second shard of Zakaz sees the creation of Lir's sanctum. On the way, he sees the god's new race. A people made of Earthstuff and without competition. Zakaz approaches Lir's home with head low and tail lashing. Again he does not speak, but his posture and growls are perfectly understood, Liriiestil. Finally you get in on the act. I was wondering how long it would take you to create something of your own.


Male Fae King Oracle 21(Elemental)/Druid 21

The young god nods respectfully to the Beastfather "One of the benefits of living an incredibly long life, you are very rarely in a hurry and usually do make hasty decisions. I spent a long time scouring the world, looking for a place to call home. When none proved suitable, I opted to create my own"


Male Lesser Deity | Attack 4d6, Defense 4d6, Hit Points 40/40

Alright, about time I got back in on this.

How the First Godsmoot Was Finished:
Apedemak took pause at Atheos's proposition, and he waited to see how the others would respond. The other gods, for their part, seemed content to agree to the Skeptic God's rules; and so Apedemak nodded as well. "I do not know how closely we will remain to these things. I shall cleave close in my heart if I can, and it is my hope that we shall work together and retain these ideas. So say we, the Gods of the Vault."

He beamed then, his eyes reflecting the lights above, and he placed his hand on the table. With a surge of power, he pressed down, and when he brought the hand back, its print was impressed upon the stone. "As long as this Vault remains, and the steadfast stone holds my hand upon this world, we shall strive for our creation."

The Voice then waited, and when the other gods had left the Vault on their business, he smiled and walked to the edge, and slid down. And though gods are perceptive, he never did see the small cube which approached to that place of meeting...

--How Apedemak Became the Lionheart--

Now after the first Godsmoot was finished, Apedemak decided it was high time to wander this new world. When he reached the bottom of the Vault he looked high to the skies and saw the moon, and the cities which even now rose from its inhabitants. But the Irtara were a race of their own, and too primordial, too volatile for his taste at this time. In those early days, you must recall, Apedemak was very torn in his being, because he is a god of civilization and rulership, but also a god of nature and beasts.

So after having forged the first order with his fellow gods, he sought solace in the natural world which lay at his feet. For a time he simply wandered the land, and he saw the many creatures which ran freely across its face. Among them were the great beasts, the predators born of the first hunt, and he looked on them with favor, for he loved their spirit. But many did not capture his heart--the panthers and tigers, the sharks of the ocean, the eagles of the sky. Only on the wild plains, under the lights of the sky above, did he hear a mighty roar which captured his very being.

Behind him, in the grass, was a great cat, with tawny fur that both hid it among the long grasses, yet made it brilliant to behold. It was large and powerful, but had crept behind Apedemak near silent and unseen. It reminded the god of the tiger, but was more noble in bearing, and it was less a stalker as the tiger in the jungle, and more a predator which used skill as well as physical prowess. And then it let out a roar, and the sound could be heard across the very land. Apedemak felt its power, and its fierce bravery, and he knew that this--the lion--was the creature he'd so long sought.

When he reached out his hand to touch it, however, it roared again, and bared his teeth. Then he recalled that this creature was a child of Zakaz, the Beastfather, and so it would remain unless claimed or given. So Apedemak opened his mouth and loosed his own roar, and ten times the sound of the lion's own his voice echoed across creation. To the very moon and beyond his roar carried, carrying with it the call for the Apex to come to him, that they might speak or struggle.

Sorry to potentially break up conversations elsewhere, but we'd been thinking of this before, and I figure the rolling could take a bit if we don't post super quickly.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

The irtara immediately explode in a cacophony of questions, although Tissari remains silent, letting her creations discover their own path. The one who first approached Zakaz shushes them, and says, "Irtara! One at a time, please!" The hubbub quiets down, and the apparent leader clears her throat. "Now that's over with... I suppose our primary question is what wisdom you can offer us, and what teachings we can offer you?" She sighs, shaking her head. "That's the heart of it, I suppose. We're curious, and thirsty for knowledge, and we want to know what you think of... the world. What it should be like, how life should be. It would be interesting to see what the world looks like through completely alien eyes. Tissari created the irtara, but constantly reminded us in her scattered notes across the library that we are our own people, and we are under no obligation to agree with her on anything. But we were still molded in her image, and we have certain constraints because of that. We can't learn or comprehend certain things, in this closed environment, with our only natural... that's the thing. We don't even have words for it. Well, the only thing that naturally ends us being the Mindstorms and age. And because of that, other than the natural curiosity that Tissari instilled in us, we have no drive to advance. No need to. We have competition, yes, but no competition of necessity. And I believe that need fosters invention more than anything else." She pauses, then smacks her forehead. "Oh, dear. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Mirri."

Tissari whispers in Zakaz's ear. "All on you, big guy."


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2
Liriiestil wrote:
The young god nods respectfully to the Beastfather "One of the benefits of living an incredibly long life, you are very rarely in a hurry and usually do make hasty decisions. I spent a long time scouring the world, looking for a place to call home. When none proved suitable, I opted to create my own"

Zakaz rumbles. And you're creatures. They are made of the earth itself. You aren't thinking of making this world even more interesting, are you?

You get the feeling that he kind of hopes you are

This will be a little displaced in time, but I think it's ok to go ahead with it

Aped wrote:


So Apedemak opened his mouth and loosed his own roar, and ten times the sound of the lion's own his voice echoed across creation. To the very moon and beyond his roar carried, carrying with it the call for the Apex to come to him, that they might speak or struggle.

There is a rustle of grass from behind and Zakaz is there, called away from his creation of millions. You roar like One of my own, Apedemak. Some might take that as a challenge...

On the moon

Quote:

We can't learn or comprehend certain things, in this closed environment, with our only natural... that's the thing. We don't even have words for it. Well, the only thing that naturally ends us being the Mindstorms and age. And because of that, other than the natural curiosity that Tissari instilled in us, we have no drive to advance. No need to. We have competition, yes, but no competition of necessity. And I believe that need fosters invention more than anything else." She pauses, then smacks her forehead. "Oh, dear. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Mirri."

Tissari whispers in Zakaz's ear. "All on you, big guy."

What I can teach will fundamentally change how they see the world, Spark. He communicates back over the oblivious moon people.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

"They choose their own path. I created them, but as sentient beings that gives me no right to dictate their path. Some will come away devoted followers of you. Others will be scared and frightened. Most will be excited by the new ideas that you present them, elaborate on them, discuss them. I will not make their choices for them. That is their own right."


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

The school of hard knocks is in session
Zakaz seems to be pondering while that exchange happens.
Mirri. What I have to teach cannot be taught in words. This lesson will be hard. He raises his eyes and his voice. To all who wish to learn what I have to teach, come. I cannot guarantee you will enjoy it. In fact, I can guarantee you won't. I also promise that you will never see your existence in the same way again.


Male Lesser Deity | Attack 4d6, Defense 4d6, Hit Points 40/40
Zakaz wrote:
There is a rustle of grass from behind and Zakaz is there, called away from his creation of millions. You roar like One of my own, Apedemak. Some might take that as a challenge...

"I roar as one of your own, for I find I have a bond with such." Apedemak looked to the lion, which crouched down in respect to its lord. "I would take this beast and its kind under my arm, if you would allow such an adoption to come to pass. I am prepared to challenge you for such a right, as two beings of our kind should. A test of strength, and skill, and will, between brothers."

To speed things up when we get to our wrasslin', I'm fine with rolling the other god's defense dice when we roll our own attack dice if you are, so we can keep track in one post what damage we're doing and narrate more fluidly.


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Works for me

No. You're not. Zakaz responds with what can only be an excited grin.

Zakaz Attack: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) = 12
Aped defence: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 2, 1) = 11
My attack is almost completely absorbed by your defence. Minimum 2 damage means you are now at 38 hp

As he says that Zakaz backs away, melting completely into the grasses. The earth grows still as if holding its breath.
...

...

...

There is a feeling. The hairs on the neck stand up. Something moves out of the corner of the eye.
Reflexes kick in just in time!
Claws of Starlight are mere inches from your neck, the very teeth that tore asunder the Cocoon of Creation snapping at your face, the twin orbs of blue fire staring into yours.
Then the full brunt of the impact from The Apex Predator pouncing...


Demigod, Herald of Atheos

If this is before Zakaz finishes the Cull, then there's no giant doggies for my servants to ride on yet. Ah, well.

Seconds after Zakaz tears into Aped, another rustle parts the grass, as a thin Irtaran climbs onto a patch of rocks for a better view. Saying nothing, she pulls a pad and paintbrush out of her pockets, and begins to sketch the fight at rapid speed.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

Mirri rushes forward first, an excited grin on her face. Some follow her soon afterwards. A few more come more cautiously, and soon it becomes clear that the natural curiosity of the irtara have gained Zakaz a quite a few new followers.

A large portion of the city joins Zakaz in his grove, while only a few stay behind, mostly because they couldn't get there in time to leave with the god. Tissari, looking on, smiles widely, glad that her experiment in free will had been successful.


Male Lesser Deity | Attack 4d6, Defense 4d6, Hit Points 40/40

Apedemak grinned likewise at Zakaz's acceptance of the challenge, and when the beast god disappeared, he crouched low and ready, opening his senses to the wilds around him...

There. He spins just in time and catches Zakaz as he pounces, the pair tumbling to the ground. Keeping the jaws from snapping at his throat, he rolls and kicks.

Apedemak Attacks: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 6, 1) = 12
Zakaz Defends: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8
4 damage. This could take a while if this keeps up...

The Voice staggers to his feet and drags the Beastfather with him, and he raises him above his head for but a moment. The Apex Predator writhes in his hands, though, and he has to merely drop the other god heavily rather than throw him. Already the ground is torn where they struggle, mounds of earth pushing and shattering with each twist and blow.


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

Zakaz attacks: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 6) = 14
Aped defends: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 1) = 10
Aped 34, Zakaz 46

Zakaz lands on all fours, turns on a dime, and pounces again. This time he gains some purchase and brings his rear claws in to rake Aped! Where he was the ground explodes backward in a rain of rock and earth.


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2
Tissari, the Divine Spark wrote:

Mirri rushes forward first, an excited grin on her face. Some follow her soon afterwards. A few more come more cautiously, and soon it becomes clear that the natural curiosity of the irtara have gained Zakaz a quite a few new followers.

A large portion of the city joins Zakaz in his grove, while only a few stay behind, mostly because they couldn't get there in time to leave with the god. Tissari, looking on, smiles widely, glad that her experiment in free will had been successful.

Zakaz is surprised that so many show up. He thought his warning would have deterred more.

But this was their choice. He nods.
On the Planet below is a place where my greatest works are done. The largest Shard left of the Coccoon of Creation that I destroyed to create the Planet. Your goal will be to get there.
He breathes over them. His breath smelled of blood, but not rot or decay.
I have given you a temporary ability to feel the general direction of the Shard. I will wait for you there. When you arrive we will discuss what you have learned. I have also protected you to an extent so that the environment itself will not kill you, only push you to your utmost. No promises on my Children. You don't need to know that, though.
He then nods and the majority of the City's population is gone.

On the Planet, the Children of the Spark awake in remote places all over the Planet. They are alone. Some awake under the blazing sun. Others wake in the middle of the jungle. Still others at the bottom of the sea or on the snowy slopes of a mountain or deep in a evergreen forest. In their gut they feel the directing they need to go, but not the way. They must learn now. Learn and Survive. By necessity.

At the Shard Zakaz sits and waits.


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

He waits especially for Mirri. That one held promise. She certainly lacked fear. He wondered if that quality would survive.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

Tissari suddenly appears next to Zakaz, smiling as she watches her creations struggle, innovate, and eventually thrive as they make their way towards the shard. "This is why I do what I do, you know," she says, a smile dancing on her face as she observes. "To see insane, unpredictable outcomes like this. To let my own creations choose a path for themselves. After all, what's the reason for existing otherwise?" She lays back, still smiling. "I have to thank you, you know. For doing this. I know it wasn't even your original plan, but thanks for broadening the irtara's horizons. They needed it."


Intermediate Deity 9d6 pool, min 1d6; currently Attack: 3d6 Defense: 6d6 HP: 44/90 | Current AP: 0 | Weekly AP gain: 6+2

They did need it. He replies as his divine sight tracks the ones quickest to adapt. Mirri in particular. She had been dropped farthest from the Shard, practically on the other side of the world, but she was learning rapidly, much more rapidly than the others, and she was already on the move.
They will need it these experiences in the future as well. The Cull will find them. Soon. Some may not survive. The Cull will then stalk the moon.
Their arrival here at the Shard is not the end. It is the beginning.


Lesser Goddess | 6 AP | Attack 6d6, Defense 4d6, HP 40/40 | Domains: Creativity (technology), Passion (invention), Magic (magery), Knowledge (science)

Tissari nods, acting serious for once. "Yeah. I've seen the Cull. To be honest, they're terrifying." She sighs, shaking her head, scattering sparks to the wind. "You know, if I was Aped or Lir, I'd probably be really angry about this. Draw my sword and whatnot. But, the surprising thing is, I'm not." Tissari gives a wistful smile. "Every creation is worth it, in its own way, and even destruction paves the way to new creation. That's how it works. And conflict leads to creativity, which leads to the best creations. So I'm taking the long view. Even if the Cull manage to hunt the irtara the extinction, their successors will learn from their mistakes, and so will I. They'll become better. And although I'll miss the irtara, I'll love my new creations even more because of that."

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