Nyakushuur watches her azzaruki and her wendigo entering the western continent. While the azzaruki mesh at least to some extent with the wildlife and the cycle of birth and death, the wendigo spread nothing but terror among those wandering the wilderness.
Of particular interest to the goddess is the battlefield around Atlas, where dead creatures are abound. Filled with a dark hunger, she focuses her energy and attention to the peninsula of Atlas, and darkness descends upon the lands. "Hunger, so much huuunger..." Nyakushuur whispers in the wind that spreads her black essence across the lands. A plague of locusts rises from within her and spreads across the lands, blackening the skies. Trees, flowers, and creatures all fall victim to the countless numbers of insects. Then, black roots start growing from the soil, grappling fallen bodies and burned bones. But instead of devouring the corpses, Nyakushuur's touch gives them unlife and raises them as rotting zombies. The surviving giants, humans, and other creatures have to fight for their very lifes, sometimes even together. It all lasts for just one day, but it is the darkest day any land in Etella has ever seen so far.
Sated by the grisly feast, Nyakushuur withdraws from the area, and lingers in the fertile plains to the west. She watches some wild horses, but finds them weak and fragile in comparison to her azzaruki. "You need to adapt, you need to be better..." she murmurs her familiar mantra, and starts guiding her essence into the horses. From her touch, the animals grow stronger, becoming wilder and gaining small but strange magical abilities in the process. Pleased with the result, Nyakushuur urges them to run over the open plains. They run fast as the winds, scare predators away with their magical tricks, and are clever enough to develope a simple language. "Now you have a chance to survive this strange new age... " the goddess says.
As more giants and humans die during the Black Terror Belsious can be heard signing to herself. She seems to reach the chorus just as the most humans, and giants are dying.
"Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, I'm gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust."
As the plague of locusts and zombies settles upon the area around Atlas, Atresse's decision is made. She looks upon her giant and human children, "You must leave these lands, go north to the sea, and build ships to cross to the northern island."
Once they have created their ships, the humans and small number of surviving giants cross the channel to the hilly, wooded island. "Now build a new city where you can hopefully live in peace. Call this city Covenant."
"Next, giants, build a wall to protect this city from those who would defile it." the sun goddess says. "Radakar, you grow old. As you train your successor, also rebuild the armies of men and giants." Finally Atresse shines her holy radiance upon the new city, purifying those who live there.
Belisous glances down at the new city of humans, and giants.
Maybe I need to be clearer about my goals?
Belisous goes over to Atresse.
"Look I don't want to kill any more humans, but I refuse to allow the giants to live. I will give you 100 years or sooner to get rid of all the giants in Covenant or something very bad will happen."
Atresse seems absolutely enraged at Besilous' continued targeting of her and her people. "Back off. Your titans are still exactly where they were. I've done nothing to them, and the destruction you've wreaked makes any perceived insult to you pale in comparison."
Though she doubts Belisous can be reasoned with she tries anyway, though her anger still shows through. "Why did you not rage at Dyrm when he made the Vesper from your Strix? This is not about the giants, this is about your hatred for me and what I stand for. You are a hypocrite. You've done the same with other god's creations and I will not stand down. If you persist, I will give you reason for your anger."
"Look I am trying to be civil here. I am not asking you to give up on humanity I am simply asking that you get rid of those perversions you call giants. I am not angry at Dyrm because the strix had no divine purpose from me. I created them strictly to have another race living in the world. You on the other hand took a race that had a divine mission from me, and then corrupted them. You destroyed what made them guardians, and instead perverted them to become a part of the very thing they were meant to destroy. I didn't just go full out war on you this time, and I asked you for a simple thing if you don't want to that is fine, but you seem eager to push me closer and closer to the edge of total war. I will not suffer if that happens."
"This is the only extent that I will compromise with you." Atresse begins. "I will return the giants to the forest and mountains on the peninsula where the ruins of Atlas stand. You will not harm them, and I and my brother will not help them. We will not ask other gods to help them, and you will not ask other gods to harm them. I will not expel individuals of the giant race from my cities after this first time, but nor will I encourage their presence."
After nearly a millenia of his silence, the gods begin wondering where Eyero has gone. St first they cannot find him, but eventually Karmesh notes a subdued aura of darkness around the caverns that were Eyero's first creation--the Tyrant has been carefully concealing his actions from the others, and what they find horrifies (most of) them.
Four large cities (Ormeld, Crasus, Leolden, and Marshaun) have been built by the undead. Within these have gathered great armies of soldiers who never die of natural causes. These are all led by a monstrous beast--A dragon larger than any other, given unlife and incredible power. Its name is Irthun, and it is cruel and merciless.
Eyero looks up as the others become aware of him. He smiles. You have but a few years to prepare for war. This world will be mine!
While Dyrm found both Atresse and Belisious lovely in their battle fury, the idea of one god ruling everything sounds...well, very dull.
"I trust everyone else heard old Rotface's threat there? I think he's serious. We have to get word not just to us, but our mortals to , what's the nautical term, batten down the hatches?"
The Dreamers shudder in their trances, visions of war and undead plaguing them. They rise from their trances and hasten to obey their god. First, they tell the rest of the Vesper of the coming dangers so they might prepare should underground warfare rise. Areas are consecrated, arms are prepared, defenses are set. And then, the high dreamers send their youngest members out to the other races.
The Strix, by now, no doubt know of their cousins. Still, one bears the banner of peace and asks to deliver dire news. The Vesper Dreamer bows before the strix leaders and explains the visions, the threat of Eyero, and offers his services as an advisor, one who can see the future.
And the Strix are but the first. Men, Giants, Angels, Insects (Or as the men of Kalax call them 'Chitter'), Sireath, and more find a member of the High Dreamers going to them, and spreading their portents and warnings of the unei and offering their services as advisers to which ever race that will be willing to rally against the undead.
A few maybe turned away, or even killed, but others might accept.
Not quite done, Dyrm inspires the Strix, encouraging them with a blessing they may sorely need when war comes. The bird men find that in all the world, they are the best with bow and arrow. Their skill with archery is unsurpassed. "Belisious, I hope you weren't kidding about me being allowed to play freely with the Strix."
Eyero raises his eyebrow as Dyrm sends out the dreamers. His tone is somehow both mocking and sincere, Dyrm, my friend, why do you do this? I was under the impression you enjoyed a bit of conflict.
Sighing, I suppose with this turn of events, I shall merely have to raise more armies to do battle. He removes his bone knife from his robe again; opening his mouth, he cuts his tongue, then spits the blood upon the Urdei.
In the frenzy of their god's blood, more undead are called to arms. Tens of thousands gather underground preparing for war.
Finally, The Corrupter turns his gaze on Twinstar. He spits again, and unease breaks out among the city. The people, peviously so pure and good, experience a spree of crime--Minor by the standards of the world--but significant considering how secure he people have become with their safety.
Eyero raises his eyebrow as Dyrm sends out the dreamers. His tone is somehow both mocking and sincere, Dyrm, my friend, why do you do this? I was under the impression you enjoyed a bit of conflict.
[dice=Power 2:2]5d6+2+1
Sighing, I suppose with this turn of events, I shall merely have to raise more armies to do battle. He removes his bone knife from his robe again; opening his mouth, he cuts his tongue, then spits the blood upon the Urdei.
In the frenzy of their god's blood, more undead are called to arms. Tens of thousands gather underground preparing for war.
Finally, The Corrupter turns his gaze on Twinstar. He spits again, and unease breaks out among the city. The people, peviously so pure and good, experience a spree of crime--Minor by the standards of the world--but significant considering how secure he people have become with their safety.
Dyrm answers in his usual chuckle, "Well, i was rather liking the ladies go at it, but let's face it, you're not as pretty as they. Besides, you have a tendency to overkill, Eyero. It's not much of a conflict if you overwhelm the world from the get go, don't you think? I'm not a fighter myself, I'm leaving that to the glowy ones and the lovely lady Belisious but the high dreamers needed to get off their asses anyway. You provided a fine exercise for them if nothing else."
Nimeton listens to the council of The Dreamers and Commands The Venerate "Send emissaries out to the races living on the surface to educate the leaders of the armies in tactics, as well as prepare themselves."
The divine spark in the Sea Drakes flashes as they are endowed with advanced military tactics
The Emissaries dispatched to the Sea Drakes learn as much as they can about tactics as well as instruct them to build a city . Some of the Sea Drakes will travel to the other races to aid in instruction. while the rest stay behind to build their under water City.
Karassus takes wing to visit the Chitter in the desert and assists them in constructing their city.
Belisous glances at the other gods.
"Well it looks like you need a goddess of destruction right now. If you give me your power I can help stop this undead army from attacking, or at least most of it."
"Foul beast, you corrupt magic, and you try to control the world. Now is the time to defend our civilizations."[b] Zurakar raises another army from the angels of Twinstar. [b]"We need even more volunteers, Imiriel. Call them forth, we must defend this world."
Zurakar then works to undo the discord Eyero caused in Twinstar. Afterward he looks upon the dragons roaming the world, and brings a new subrace forth, Pearl Dragons, who's breath is pearlescent lightning. These dragons live in the caves on the backside of Estrellus. He then purifies these beings to help protect them from Eyero, and any other evil deity's, corruption.
The Black Terror causes Omaz Almas to wince, as if he can feel the violation of the land that the locust swarm brings. His eyes flicker with annoyance.
Belisous glances at the other gods.
"Well it looks like you need a goddess of destruction right now. If you give me your power I can help stop this undead army from attacking, or at least most of it."
Omaz Almas considers this suggestion. And while he considers, he gathers power
"I DO grow weary of the stink of undeath. Alas, I do not have much to give. I may yet ask a favor of you in the future, obviously I cannot enforce your repayment of it but I expect you to at least consider it in good faith. Regardless of whether we have a bargain or not, A portion of my power is yours, Belisious. Indulge yourself against the undead armies."
A great storm seems to engulf Belisious, but as the lightning ripples over her, it does not hurt, rather it empowers her. Perhaps not as much as she'd like, but it is hers to do with as she will...for good or ill.
(+1 for ending last turn with 5 points)
"Egalion, son and successor of Egartan, gather those sireath who fight evil with all their heart and all their power. Gather them and train them to harness the power of my divine light. Thanks to The Dreamers and The Venerate you know that a dark and terrible foe is waiting beyond your borders, and the blessed paladins shall lead the fight that will come upon you."
"To all those warriors in training right now, I see your dedication and your strength. Put on your heaviest armor and strike with purpose, for I will make your a force to be reckoned with. You will hold your grounds and endure whatever opposes you."
.
"Let it be known that I, Karmesh the Lightbringer, reach out to all those opposing the poison and evil of Eyero. Let us join forces and power to bring an end to this dark threat."
Points Remaining: 11.
When Nyakushuur moved to the fertile plains of the north-east, a part of her essence separated from her and flew away in the wind. Circling hogh above Etella, it eventually came down within the undead, poisonous forests close to Eyero's sinkholes. There it nested within an old tree with a massive trunk and extensive branches, but a foul and dark inner life. Cracking and rumbling unsettled the tree, until it rose up from the ground. Through the power of Nyakushuur, Thuukryr was born, a dire avatar of death and life, given consciousness by itself.
Thuukryr wanders the forests, watching the creatures of Etella, listening to the winds, and tasting the odor of the soil. He learns of the mortal races, and their conflicts, but it doesn't agitate him. During one of his wanderings, he ends up at the northern shores. Behind him, noises stir up the woodlands, but the sea appears lifeless in contrast, with only a few seabirds circling through the air. Putting his roots into the water, Thuukryr tastes the life it holds under the surface, and he grows hungry.
"Nyakushuur, this realm is unclaimed by your powers, and I sense life, oh so much life."
His words get the attention of the goddess, and she sees her avatar for the first time. Not questioning his existence, as he is part of her will, she reaches out over the sea and touches the very spot he is standing on. From her powers, roots of all sizes and colors start to grow into the waves, building a massive sudd that roots deep within the floor of the ocean. Small trees and other, more strange plants start to grow on top of the sudd, but underneath the roots start catching sealife, devouring its energy and producing darker creatures in return.
Satisfied with the results, Thuukryr leaves the shores behind and starts wandering further north, where the blesses hills spread the perfume of flowers.
Points Remaining: 5.
"Hand your power over to me sun god, and see what a goddess can do to stop the horde."
Belsious looks down on the undead armies.
"Well the others are fools. You don't attack an army, you destroy that army."
With that Belisous pulls a star from the heavens, and throws that star down towards the mountains. Once the star hits it collapses many tunnels and the cities of the undead are no more along with one of its armies.
"And that is how it's done."
Eyero laughs as Belisous rains fire on his people. That is truly wonderful. But it could use a but more flair, don't you think?
With that statement, time seems to slow. Just a moment before impact Eyero sprinkles some of his blood on the falling object, then stands back to watch.
The meteor crashes into the earth--Tunnels and caverns collapse--Undead creatures re-die, and cities are destroyed.
. . .
And earth and dust are thrown up into the atmosphere. There they mix with the god's black blood, becoming corrupted, poisonous. This compound falls like acid rain across the entire planet. Thousands die to the sickness. Thousands more to starvation due to the destruction of their crops. In the following months as the disease spreads, hundreds more give up and take their own lives in the hope of avoiding the pain that inevitably precedes the sickness.
The god of death smiles, pleased with his work. He turns to the others. Every action you take against me--every strike you make in the name of freedom or goodness will be turned against you to the destruction of those pitiful mortals you hold dear. A pause, Perhaps we can come to an agreement. I get freedom over a limited domain and do not seek conquest outside of that.
Beslious sits back letting the other gods do what they want for now. She had done her part for war and destruction.
"Sea Drakes, prepare defenses for your city. Karassus prepare defenses for the Chitter. The Venerate go to the Titans and learn as much as you can about their healing magic and attempt to stem the losses from this sickness." where the rivers from the mountain and the rivers from the fjords join, they split one traveling west and one east. The east river empties into a lake.
"It pleases me that what power I lent you was not wasted, Belisious," Omaz Almas states with satisfaction.
. Every action you take against me--every strike you make in the name of freedom or goodness will be turned against you to the destruction of those pitiful mortals you hold dear. A pause, Perhaps we can come to an agreement. I get freedom over a limited domain and do not seek conquest outside of that.
The rains singe and burn many, but even this can be endured. The herne know the safe places, the wild ways, and they were forewarned, they can recoup their losses"Were you to do so, I might care less about your plans, but why should we believe you when only recently you boasted of making the world yours entirely? And yes, I know you speak to the 'goodly gods' and not I, but I am curious."
Omaz Almas considers what to do next, the insanity of Nyakushuur and Eyero's undead both have the nature god wary, then finally he says, "I abide. For now"
The Vesper Prophets have done their job in warning others of the armies rising and the rains of death.
Chuckling, he moves onto other projects..."Mankind seems limited to me," He fusses, "They don't seem to realize how much fun there is to be had in this world."
And he whispers to Man in the shadows. A beautiful young woman in one city realizes how desirable she truly is to men, and realizes how she can put that to her advantage. Another man grumbles to himself that there must be an easier way to make coin than all this hard work.
"Kalaxus, my son!" he jolts his avatar, who seems to age very slowly, out of his sleep, "I have another task."
"Why should I do this?" His son protests.
"Because, it could make you richer still?"
Kalaxus looks intrigued, and soon is organizing the first thieves guild.
Others will surely follow
Giggling to himself, Dyrm haunts the Wendigo. One is devouring the flesh of a Vesper he caught, when suddenly it occurs to him this being died in terrible pain, and what would it be like to experience that? It wouldn't be very nice would it? Other Wendigo find themselves plagued by guilt for the first time in their undead existence.
"There, some conscience to war with that hunger. It should be the stuff bards sing about...oh the angst, the inner turmoil. I wonder which will win out?"
Then Dyrm sits back and smiles as the race of men slake their new found desires, and the race of Wendigo find themselves struggling with newfound empathy.
In the shadows of the wooded hills or city streets, Chaos spreads.
"My children, for your safety you must go to where you were first wrought." Atresse says to the giants. "I can no longer help you, but you will not die if you are strong."
"Citizens of Covenant, you must prepare for war. The vile armies of Eyero vie for dominance of this world, and you must stand firm. I give you the gift of metalwork. You shall be the greatest smiths of all the land." Atresse then turns to her avatar, Adramik, son of Radakar. "You shall found and order of warriors known as the Myrmidons, who are the perfect bodyguards, and defensive soldiers. This elite unit shall be the leaders of Covenant's military."
The sun goddess then turns back to the people of Covenant. "With you new arms and armor, raise more armies to fight back the undead hordes." With that she turns her attention to the still wandering humans of the plains. "All of you go west from these ravaged lands and form another city on the coast. It shall be called 'Port Hope'." Finally, Atresse shines her light upon Port Hope, purifying it.
Zurakar gathers power and waits, watching the next move of the other deities.
. Every action you take against me--every strike you make in the name of freedom or goodness will be turned against you to the destruction of those pitiful mortals you hold dear. A pause, Perhaps we can come to an agreement. I get freedom over a limited domain and do not seek conquest outside of that.The rains singe and burn many, but even this can be endured. The herne know the safe places, the wild ways, and they were forewarned, they can recoup their losses"Were you to do so, I might care less about your plans, but why should we believe you when only recently you boasted of making the world yours entirely?
There is a long pause before Eyero speaks, [b]I had hoped that Belisous would not join the others against me. If she too is to fight me, I cannot hope to succeed completely.
"It's nice to know that I am the one keeping this darkness over the whole world at bay. Don't worry Bonelord I'm not going to interfere any more. This war might just be the most interesting thing to happen since the time I almost threw that star at Covenant."
"And we are back to having no reason for trusting in any restraint on Eyero's part then," Omaz Almas says as Belisious complains