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Atheos, God of Skepticism's page

249 posts. Alias of thunderbeard.


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

And I'd like to save my demigod so I can try playing as her. (or if we're carrying something over, maybe my lawful plane, since planes are never easy to create)

That said, we could also just "save our memories" so that we can recreate races.


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

So uh... any further thoughts on this? I realize I came to the discussion kind of late.


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

Hey guys! Sorry, I've been gone for two weeks—my computer was dead AND I was traveling on-and-off (it's all good stuff, we managed to convince some important people to give us $1.5 million towards our project over the next five years despite only asking for $1 million).

But it also means I've only been able to keep up with my post-a-week-or-two games.

I apologize for Atheos coming on too strong. I think he was a bit of an antagonistic deity from the start, but I was also expecting new gods to fight back more directly. Since Atheos was originally created as a "newer god willing to tussle with the older, more powerful gods" putting him in charge of so much to begin with turned him into a bit of a bully.

I'd be fine resetting a bit, but if so, I think Atheos might be retiring somewhat, and letting a more neutral version of him (maybe the librarian he created) take over as an entity more interested in the creation of worlds.


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

@Arathoth: Err, a scourge is just any action that significantly affects a whole society (and it doesn't have to be all negative; the action is "scourge/boon". Getting a divinely-installed monarchy to overthrow itself seemed like something that should require the extra AP.

And Atheos's portfolio is Law (Physics). He believes very strongly that the world should work in a predictable way, but isn't going to care about things like honesty or human laws. Forcing order onto a society for the sake of order is probably going to make him upset, and he's been around long enough to know that it's probably a good idea to derail anything a CE god plans, even if it seems lawful on the surface.

That said, those were *in-character* arguments he made, not out-of-character ones.


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

To Arathoth

"Oh... you've heard of me, then? I never called myself a champion of order, and I made no effort to directly intervene in your absence—just whispered a few words to the Nithrans that they had not yet considered. Still, I think you'll find a stronger civilization in these caves—one not built around carrying out the whims of a single group of priests, where each person cares about their own voice and needs, and disorganized enough to have trouble following the orders of any single voice in the darkness."

Granting the Nithrans Simple Concepts: agriculture, fishing, and democracy, and then departing.


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

"real Atheos" is derping around underground. He's got a copy in the Shallows.


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

Actions concerning Arathoth
(You can have years go by, or centuries! I'm assuming Atheos didn't find them until they had established themselves somewhat, but it could be funny if their society fell apart after only a few weeks.)
(I'm also not a water god, though, I just invented agriculture and fishing and stuff)

"Not at all," Atheos responded. "I am Nobody, God of Nothing. Oldest mind in this universe, and not amused by the antics of some of these new upstarts. I don't believe we've met, though I think I know your kind. I saw that you had bound a whole species into a rigid structure against its nature, for no other reason than 'your creator says so,' and so I took actions to correct this influence."

"I do not believe we will be friends, or allies," Atheos continued. "If you are what you appear to be. But the creatures you created should have the right to live their own lives, for good or ill. If you wish, I can teach them something of how to survive in these caves, though I do not think the society you built will be quickly repaired."


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

Potentially a bit earlier
(most relevant to Azrael)

After a bit of deliberation, Atheos returned to Azrael's realm. "I would like to state my case again," he suggested to the new god, "Now that you've had some time to sort things out. You're still judging and sorting souls, right? I'd like to hire some of these out from you. If you say creatures will no longer change in death, that's fine; but I've got a library to run, full of laws and truths about the universe. I'd appreciate the ability to take the souls you deem truly lawful, and capable of helping to uphold the integrity of the world. I don't imagine those sorts are doing much else in a place this boring, and I'd be willing to offer you some payment in exchange."


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

How the First Five were undone
Most relevant to: Arathoth

Potentially a bit later

In the deepest darkness, Atheos felt the presence of another. Something dark, and terrible—but also absent, leaving behind only a city in the darkness, a city built on surprising perfection.

And on fear.

Atheos sensed the chaos of this place. Here was a race built on the same sparks of life that now stretched across every strata of the world; but their creator had sown them as creatures of fear, misunderstanding, violent hunters in the darkness. Or so was their potential, at least. A society bound together in a rigid caste system strained against what he saw as the Nithrans' nature; and perhaps it was only fear and belief that kept them in their places, little more than servants to the upper castes by nothing but a divine fiat that held them in fanaticism.

This, he knew well.

The Lord of Atheism's campaign against the Nithrans was longer and more involved than his brief work with the dwarves. But there was potential here.

From the darkness, voices came. Demons, creatures of night, and other gods. It would not have been enough to fool any who had heard them speak, but Atheos called forth to the stoutest warriors with the voices and grandeur of a prophet of Apedemak, promising glory and eternal honor to any who held just battle as the only true purpose of life; with the whispers of the Irtarans, he called out to the most skilled artists and smiths, explaining that they could find personal satisfaction in perfecting their craft, offering no help to others as they retreated to find new caverns in which to practice their craft alone. Spiders crept to the nobles in their castles, promising a greater understanding of all things through inaction, patience, and music.

And as Atheos delivered the gifts that other gods had shared to this new, darkened city, he imparted some of his own as well. The farmers, growing mushrooms and hunting lizards in the caverns, learned democracy, demanding greater and greater control over their own lives.

Perhaps it would not have ordinarily been so easy; but these were creatures of chaos and fear. And as chaos began to spread, disrupting the orderly castes, fear spread as well, pitting sectors of society. Within a month of his arrival, the five leaders of the Nithrans were pulled from their houses and executed by a revolutionary band, the words "Another proves more worthy, and casts you down" written in their blood on their streets.

It was perhaps a bit bloodier than Atheos had intended, though this was the only act of outright violence, as the warriors began to see strength of words and ethics as a nobler weapon than the swords forged by the "inferior Makers." But still, the thing was done. The castes of the Nithrans still stood, but now they stood as conflicting factions, fragmenting, allying, and arguing with each other about who should rule their people, and how—and the Nithrans scattered further as a people, into factions and rebellions and political party.

3+1 AP: Scourge: The chaotic and fear-driven nature of the Nithrans is led (by Atheos) to conflict with their rigid caste system, throwing their society into disarray and political revolution.


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

How Atheos unionized the Dwarves
Most relevant to: Lortimas

In caves of magma and basalt, Atheos came across the dwarves, creatures educated in darkness and greed, the servants of a great dragon. Endlessly, they toiled away, amassing wealth for their creator. Atheos sensed Tissari's influence in the magic of the caverns, but creativity herself had missed a crucial point.

And so a new voice joined the dwarves in their mines. He was Nothing, he told them; just another servant of Lortimas. And did this seem right? A great big, fat, greedy snake sleeping all day while his creations brought him wealth? Of course it did, it was how things were. Nobody could imagine a different world. And Nobody spoke, explaining how impossible it would be to change life for the dwarves. Owning property of their own? How preposterous. Of course they would simply have to step forward, demand the right to spend time growing better food, living quarters, limited hours. Of course they would simply need to set aside most of the jewels and metal they found as personal wealth, paying their god only a cut, tithe, or tax in exchange for being allowed to mine on the land that he apparently owned.

But Nobody supported this idea. After all, it would require the dwarves to work together to deliver their demands. Sure, they were a lawful race, but did that mean they could stand in solidarity, learning from their creator and mimicking his own greed? Perhaps it did.

And so a few of the most senior and respected dwarves banded together, and on flowing scrolls of parchment given to them by No One, wrote out a list of demands: personal wealth, personal living space, and freedom to guide society under their own direction and greed, rather than that of an uncaring fire snake.

1 AP: Curse: Some of Lortimas's dwarves begin to demand personal property, basic rights, and a desire to hoard their own wealth.


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

Atheos goes underground
(Note: Deities tend to be able to sense things relevant to their domains. This means that Atheos can find all of the world's civilized societies, unless they are specifically hidden.)

As Zakaz began his search underground, Atheos watched, and pondered, and became a new equation: the movement of the rocks and plates themselves. In geological time sped up, he subducted and erupted, felt how the earth moved.... and while he did not find Shess's caverns, he sensed something else—places where the laws of physics had been bent, mined, and pushed aside as intelligent creatures shaped their own worlds underground.

And this he had to see firsthand.


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

Yeah, there's just three other deities whose alignments I'm unsure of. Arathoth was helpful in declaring chaos, so he'll get the first proper curse.


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

I'm going to start tagging my posts to who they're relevant to, with this many players.

Most relevant to: Zakaz and Tissari

Atheos did what he had had to. The rest was up to his creations. From afar, he watched, as a pair of Crested arrived in the city of Quarrel's End. The citizens, curious as they were, attempted to engage these creatures in public debate; when that failed, they shrugged, went on their way, and made sure to toss the occasional fish or potato to the hungry animals.

Farming grew hard, in the scored earth surrounding the city, but with much labor, the citizens dug irrigation channels. And when Mirri arrived, she helped to purify the water with Irtaran technology, building charcoal filters and magical construction techniques into the growing network of canals around the city, as well as teaching its residents how to communicate with its Crested mascots.

And Atheos saw how the creatures of the world had solved a problem without him, and was satisfied.


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

Oh man, finally caught up.

I've got so many evil and chaotic gods to oppose now! Yay!

Questions:
1) Who's joined the vault pantheon?
2) Can people put alignments and creations on their profiles? It's important to Atheos, as the god of arguing, to know what other people's beliefs are.


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

Don't forget guys, you can give one race immunity to a decree for a 3 AP boon


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

Ugh, on hour 14 in lab with no end in sight. I guess it'll be another hour or two before I make some catch-up posts.


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

Sorry guys. I'd like to follow up on these things, but my work is really crazy right now—10-12 hours a day continuously on my feet, and then I get home and have to do emails and things—so it might be a bit longer before I can get a proper text post up, since this is one of my games that takes a fair amount of thought per post.


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

Wait, when did new Crested arrive in Quarrel's end? Did I miss that?


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

I think this is probably close enough time-wise to all fit in one action. IIRC, Forge Land (3 AP) creates new levels in a plane in general, while Create Stronghold (3 AP) claims one level as your absolute personal domain.


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

"Easy there, fireboy," the Nothing calls in Therien's direction. "I don't know what mental instabilities you're dealing with, but keep to your place in the sky and we'll have no quarrel."

And, to Azrael, "I don't think ol' deathface here is planning to keep those things, and he doesn't seem to have any interest in politics or architecture. 'Judge,' yes, not 'king' or 'manager.' He's going to need garbage collection at some point, unless his idea of judgment is 'everyone sits in a bigger and bigger puddle forever', and I'm offering to take some of that off his hands."


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

And the Lord of Atheism, sensing the stirrings of a conversation between new gods, left the stone Crested for his people to wonder at, and walked through a new door from the Great Axis and into the Shallows.

In this place, he was nothing in a truer form—simply an empty spot in the mists. And this made sense; he recalled that he had escaped death at least once, and now had no place in a place like this.

"A humble suggestion," he whispered from the darkness. "There is already a place—the Great Axis. An empty city, where time never passes. The Lord of Atheism would not mind if you sent souls his way, as long as it kept them out of the hands of ... more reckless entities. The Great Axis may lack the entertainments of life, but it is a place of quiet and contemplative peace and order."


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

Oh nice! I was gonna decree the orbit thing, and now i don't have to.


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

If Azrael joins the gods of the vault, we sort of have an agreement to judge followers by alignment/actions rather than gods directly.


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

"Do you assume," Atheos replied to Zakaz, "That it is within my nature to turn a creature to stone, then carve my own name in it for all to see? Perhaps I need to explain things better next time. We are dealing with an impostor, and a poor one at that."


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

Err, the moon is currently orbiting though.


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40
Zakaz wrote:
So, I don't want to just spend ap and reverse the "stoning". How do people feel if I took that Crested statute and made a whole new race out of it instead, negating the Censure? That may be a bit more exciting.

But now it's a cool statue!


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

No, Atheos thought, as he watched the city, This is not right at all.

As the curious city folk, who had come to observe the and fearsome strange creature, saw it turn to stone, there was a rumble, and a creak. The statue shifted and stretched its arms. When it stopped, the inscription read:

I will not protect you. Choose your enemies wisely. --No One


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

Yeah uh... I'm watching the city right now, so uh... I think destroying objects is 0 AP, right?


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

I think RAW Cosmic Decrees can apply to domains, but that's potentially up to debate. I might decree something about the sun at some point, but we'll need new AP first.

@Shess, you'd turn him to stone in the city *I* created?


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

The sea boiled. And Atheos saw that it was not good. Water flowed back from the ocean into the Sea of Fire, but the land had changed, rising and breaking, and now the water ran in salty rivers and parched lakes rather than a flowing sea.

The people of Quarrel's End could still sail to the sea on their rafts, but the fishing was less than it used to be—and with the sea mostly gone, and the climate hot, the rainfall had fallen. And so Atheos burrowed into the ground, in the form of a tiny rodent. When the earth dried, he guided and shaped it as it cracked; the islands themselves began to parch in the heat, forming crevices that water flowed into. And the tribes of the island saw this, and took their own tools to widen the cracks and rivers, the water filtering through rock and into the soil to remove the salt and ash that the new "sun" had left behind. And with more light to grow in, the harvests began to return.

1 AP to create basic concept: Irrigation; 3 AP to gain domain: Harvest (Farming) (3 AP) (Domestication: 2, Hounds: 1, Agriculture: 1, Blessing: 1, Fishing: 1, Irrigation: 1)


"Lord of Atheism" | Not-a-Lesser-God | Attack 3d6, Defense 5d6, HP 40
Shess wrote:
Well if it is nuclear fusion, then it is only an advanced concept

Actually, nuclear fusion is explicitly given as an example of a legendary concept. A legendary concept is anything that can be used in battle to devastating effect.

I'd recommend treating the sun as either

A) Weave Plane (my personal preference) which can be used to make planet-sized objects,
B) Forge Land (3 AP, which can make moon-sized objects, if the sun is smaller, and orbits), or
C) A cosmic decree

EDIT: Create Land isn't an option, that only makes continents and islands.


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

Rules time!

Shess wrote:

2) This is not an objection, merely bringing to awareness a precedent being set. Tissari used the cosmic decree to qualify for 2 domains. As I said ,I do not object, but this will set a precedent.

I'm definitely going to object. Allowing actions to apply to multiple domains (unless they're split up AP by AP) shouldn't be a thing, because it takes us down a really bad rabbit-hole of everyone trying to squeeze out the most domains, and because I'm pretty sure the rules (or at least the spirit of the rules) are against it.


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

Err, if he does, Athos may Decree that the sun has more mass than the earth. Just sayin'


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

What's his alignment? I could see this dude as CN, though he's probably CE. Any non-good would be welcome.


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

Atheos shook his head at Apedemak's lack of understanding. "Life exists, and I will not tamper with it further. I have already taught the people of the lake; perhaps, someday, I will teach them more, if they remain willing to learn. If Quarrel's End falls to the Cull, and the Sea of Fire around it, its people now know how to take to the sea and flee, and will find a new home; whether today's tribes flourish or crumble is up to their decisions. If Zakaz himself decides to stalk and murder the people of the world, then I will be the wall that opposes him."

And then he thought about the Lionheart's actual question, and responded more softly. "Still. It is not my intention to keep knowledge hidden, even from beings of our power and potential."

And so Atheos, desiring a return to his rest, pointed Apedemak to the Great Library, where no other gods had yet set foot.


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

And now Lir can invent magic etc.

Honestly I've been trying to find enemies among the chaotic gods, but you guys ain't making it easy. o.o


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

Atheos is definitely okay with a "gods can't hog magic for themselves" decree ^_^


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

I recommend splitting it, with both gods claiming magic, for more interesting times—maybe Arcane vs Divine magic (or "something else" magic). Typically, as far as I can tell, lesser magical concepts (e.g. schools of magic) are granted divinely, but you need someone to create the greater concept of Arcane Magic for non-worshippers to get magic.

5 AP could also get us a Decree from Tissari of "All mortals can access all magic with enough study, talent, and patience, regardless of who they worship" which would move Tissari towards the magic domain without stepping on any toes.


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

I'd say if you want some of these tactics, it's a good idea to ask for them IC, or at least come up with a way that your followers would learn them from the people currently using them.


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

Noo, Pantheon is +5, because for weeks 3 and 4 it gave +2 instead of +1 (six members).


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

Atheos saw Apedemak create a tribe, give them strength, and make the conscious decision not to rule over themselves—and while he did not quite agree with the approach, he spoke no objection to the results, and remained out of sight, traveling among the various humans of the world and watching how they lived.

And soon, this came to mean "defensively"—the people of Quarrel's end began to retreat and disappear from their outlying fields, and soon the city once again huddled on his island, as he waited to see whether the people of the sea would seek allies against the creatures of the forest.


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

Well then.

If neither Zakaz nor no other gods are involved, Atheos will probably just let nature do its work for a while—until someone can teach humans a bit more about defending themselves.


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

Well, diseases don't exist yet!


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

Yeah, with Aped on that. Immunity to a decree (in this case aging/sickness) for one race is textbook 3 AP boon, a new type of magic is 3 AP, and calligraphy is 1

And Zakaz, are you using a curse against the city, or is it just general in-character actions? (i.e. trying to provoke Atheos into a fight over his creation of agriculture, etc).

Though actually the Cull fighting against the people of our societies could be an interesting test of the mortal combat rules.


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

Go for it! But it might make sense to keep it easy to change.


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

Harvest sounds good! I was going to go for Agriculture when I gain more AP, but now I can do it Harvest (agriculture) so we overlap.

However, it's only 3 AP per new domain, not 5.


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

You could create creatures that are fierce/powerful? Or do something based on all the AP you've spent on creating land?

I don't see why "creation" can't be a domain of its own.

We could do a google doc, and just add squiggle lines for new continents?


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

I think there is; but I think all members of a society or greater life are expected to follow their creator unless otherwise specified.

If you wanna screw with humans without being noticed, go for it. I just burned through all of my AP (it'll be worth it when I pick up Agriculture on saturday), so I can't exactly retaliate for a while regardless, except maybe for my 1 AP demigod.


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

But as the tribes of the seabanks began to cultivate the land around their island, the population continued to grow over another generation, as a shift from hunting to farming meant more food, and fewer dangerous hunting trips into the wild jungles around them. And, gathered in one place, they eventually fell into violence and arguments, unable to decide who would lead this convocation of tribes.

From the quarreling crowd, a simple, unadorned tribesman stepped forward. Others around him had claimed they were the wisest, or the quickest, or the cleverest, but one by one this stranger defeated them in battles of words, showing greater wisdom, greater wits, and clearer thought through riddles and challenges. When asked his name, the stranger replied he was No One, and slipped away into the shadows.

Many of the tribesmen had returned to their canoes and rafts, and then traveled back to the island with the hunting spears they had left behind at their tents on the riverbanks. One of these claimed he would rule the island, and kill any who opposed him. A woman stepped forward, clutching a small child. "I am Nothing," she said, "And you have no right to rule me." And so the man with the spear stabbed the woman, and she died, horribly, the child wailing at her side; and the crowd fell sick to their stomachs, and turned on the man with the spear, and the dead woman and child were gone.

On the island, some turned from violence, but many turned away altogether, prepared to divide up the island, or return to the far away sea banks. And a small child, calling himself Nobody, chastised them, called them names hurtful and true, over the fact that they would willingly abandon food and safety in order to be free of their differences. And this argument struck true as well.

And as the people of the island began to talk again, they no longer argued as before, but discussed their differences respectfully. Three names were put forward to lead the island: No One, Nothing, and Nobody, and the oldest and wisest among them began to understand, and soon, talks began on a way to reorganize the island, with each tribe led by nobody, and thus giving each human a voice in turn.

As the many tribes at the mouth of the sea began to blend together into one, nobody came to help them. Nothing moved among them, suggesting new locations for tents that showed more organization, allowing fields to be carefully planned out, simple huts organized along the same basic plan as the idyllic city of the Great Axis. No one showed how to build fences and stockades of trees and sticks, protecting the island against the predators of the sea, or against the tribes that had not joined them.

And slowly, piece by piece, the City of Quarrel's End began to rise above the potato fields of its small island, surrounded by the rafts and canoes of fishermen and lumberjacks.

-Basic concept: Democracy (1 AP)
-Create society: City of Quarrel's End (1 AP)
-Gain domain: Community (Cities) (3 AP) (Great Axis: 5, Democracy: 1, Society: 1)


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

From the mountains far above, Atheos saw the other gods ignore his creations. Sure, Araneae had granted them foresight. But Zakaz's children preyed on them no more than any other creatures of the forest, Tissari's Irtara stayed far away, and Apedemak seemed far more preoccupied with his beasts.

And perhaps this was for the best. It was a sign—perhaps too optimistic, but a sign nevertheless—that the other gods might continue to leave humans alone, small and forgotten creatures that they were.

Still: getting to the sort of world he wanted would require the gentlest of nudges.

At the mouth of the Sea of Fire, near the ocean, sat a small island. Wind scoured it, rain soaked it, and finally, lightning set the whole thing ablaze, until the soil of the whole island had been fertilized with layers of ash. Carefully guiding the winds from afar, Atheos had watched the fire carefully; and in its stead was left behind a simple, dirty plant.

Still, with the trees gone, the single plant thrived on the small island, growing into new and taller forms. In the rich soil that mixed Zakaz's blood with wood ash, the island grew lush and green. On the banks of the sea around it, a small group of humans grew curious, and swam to the island, discovering to their surprise that the tubers lying below its greenery were large, filling, and nutritious, even in the half-light. Over a generation, this small group began to care for the island, picking away any plants that did not belong, and eventually picking the smallest and dullest tubers as well, until the plant began to change and adapt, nature tamed into a staple crop.

For a time, they were alone; but the bounty of the island was great, and the local tribe prospered. Soon, they were met by members of other tribes, who had seen the people on a distant island and, curious, made the dangerous swim.

Or, some floated. The people of the First Philospher's finger lived short lives, and adapted quickly, guided by Zakaz's stolen blood flowing through them. When strong valley winds or lightning strikes knocked down trees, they saw how these trees floated on the lake; and the last tribes at the island did so on rafts of logs, lashed together or carved out into canoes. And when the island grew full, these new tribes took tubers on their new boats, and traveled to the nearby banks across the sea, knocking down trees to make new growing space, which they filled with berries and broad leaves and nut bushes as well as the tubers of the island. A few of the most enterprising found new uses for their hunting spears as well, pulling glowing fish and sea creatures from the depths to use as lanterns and food.

-Blessing: Fertilize and clear a barren island (1 AP)
-Basic concept: Agriculture (1 AP)
-Advanced concept: Seafaring (2 AP)
-Basic concept: Fishing (1 AP)

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