Aurus, The First Thief's page

As usual I am waiting on the others. When was the last time they post?

Are we still looking for another PC?

I am. It's just a holiday weekend so a bit slow.

Well I am in favor of keeping this age. :)

So anyone leaning one way or the other?

The man had walked for days, carry the foul sack. He had left much behind while leaving the city quickly. Not the first time but much faster then even he had grown use to. Still his skills would ensure he survived even if he did lack much of his equipment. The distant storm clouds rumbled as the sun was setting on his back. He looked over his shoulder to them and saw a flash as lightning struck the earth. For a moment a figure was illuminated.

He stopped and dropped the sack straining his eyes as he turned upon it. A second lightning strike closer yet still distant. Again the shadowed outline of a figure. Could it be his eyes playing tricks on him or another one after his head, which kind was it this time if so. The lightning came again, a field long from where he stood. The figure was there again then gone in the same instant. The man drew his spear first, saving his sword should it fail.

This time the lightning stuck directly in front of him less then a dozen feet from him. No sound only light this time and the figure was there again. Remaining while the lightning faded, for some reason the man could not think. He could not move or even speak as if his mind refused to understand what was before him. Just as his instincts screaming action were about to take effect, to late. The cloaked figure grabbed him in brown leathered gloves, slapping aside the spear like a child's toy. With a single hand and all the effort of a girl wielding a doll the figure shook him as if he were one. Bring the man's face close to it's own. Only there was no face, only black wrappings and eyes with shifting colors. The figure spoke, or so he thought as their was no sound. Only his mind understood without words and even then it filled his body with dread.

"You wanted my attention."

The man struggled to reply, fighting his bodies refusal to obey him. The memories of what had lead him here brought forth his anger and pain which in turn pushed pass what he could only guess was fear. Finally he forced out the words.

"You wronged me, why shouldn't I repay you."

The eyes turned bloody red for a moment before changing to a solid black. A blackness that threatened to swallow him into it's depths and shatter his mind. But before that could happen it came again.

"Wronged you? Do you wrong the vermin at your feet? Do you care for each and every life you end merely by treading upon the ground without due notice? No you do not. As such we have wronged you no more then you have wronged the ants and worms."

The figure dropped the man. Causing him to crash down in a heap beside the sack. Knocking it over and spilling the contents, a half dozen heads of various races. All burned with the holy symbol of a different god upon their brow. The figure did not even glance at them before continuing.

"You slaughter holy men, simply for being such. You brand them with their own faith then when your collection is complete you befoul them more so with your ritual of disgrace. Then begin once more again and again. For what, because the gods did not grant your wish. Because they would not heed a false insincere beggar."

The figure squatted down bring it's face in line with the man.

"Such arrogance to think that your existence even catches our notice. So you murder the faithful that work and devote their lives to the gods without want. I care not what the others had in store for you if anything at all. But I will clearly answer you, we had no part in it. Not at all, it is that arrogance of yours that has convinced you otherwise. We do not notice every speck of dirt upon the world, why would we. Your life is but less then a moment to the eternal. Do you think every sadness and bit of good fortune belongs to one of the gods. You needed something to blame and refused truth so you chose to make the gods your enemy. Forgetting that it is by the mercy of the gods alone that you even draw breath. Well my mercy is at an end."

With a single gloved finger the figure lifts the man from his chin into the air.

"Death is a mercy as well, giving you a afterlife is to kind. So I will curse you, let you learn of eternity and the price of angering the gods. Or at least one god."

With speed beyond anything mortal the figure plunges his hand into the man's chest, wrapping his fingers around his beating heart.

"I curse you with nether life or death. You will never know peace by being denied both. You gained my curse by blood so too will it be your endless price. You will hunger for it without end. The sun as that which breeds life will be your bane and all that is firmly claimed by the gods will as well. You are immortal and should this world turn to ash and dust you will remain now and forever by my will."

The man's heart stopped beating, hardening under the figures grip. The man shuddered but his eyes still showed understanding even if his body no longer lived.

"Nox you will share both a blessing and curse with your title granted by the one you have offended. You are the First Vampire. A blight upon this world regardless of your choices, you will suffer for all time. The price for the lives you took without cause and no doubt you will take in the future."

With that the figure removes both his finger from Nox's chin and the grip around his frozen heart. In a flash of lightning the figure is gone as is the sack of heads. All that remains is Nox the First Vampire, alone and suddenly very hungry.

Spent 6 to create race. Side note Nox is a true immortal despite his state, he won't die no matter what. Does not mean he is unstoppable or anything just saying. Godly curses are just tricky like that and more so from a tricky god. ;)

Waiting for the others and thinking as usual. :)

Aurus rolls in the shadows, unseen, unheard, unnoticed. He watched the gods and the world. It was not yet time, they stirred yet were unprepared. How much longer was not known, but it would come. They would come and he would greet them. His manner would be decided by them.

Passing this turn to build my points, the muse tis fickle. ;P

Now only waiting on the moon. ;)

As usual I am waiting to see what others do. :)

What's everyone else waiting for?

I vote for this age to keep rolling.

Aurus seat remains empty his unseen form aware. He watched and waited, there was no need to move just yet. Time was ever on his side and he used it well.

If no one is doing anything this round, nether will Aurus. ;)

Updated my alias with some added fluff for organizations and such. Was up to date before my last post, but oh well. Just letting you guys know.

Oh man it looks like war is going to break out at this rate.

Anyone else want popcorn?

The sparklings with their mastery of divination scryed far beyond their island. They spied upon the lands beyond the waves, the races that called it home, and learned much. After many years of watching and remaining hidden and isolated from the rest of the world. The sparklings with the blessing of their priest and by extension god, thought it time to join the rest of the world. Through much trial and error they learned to build ships, yet ever inventive they infused them with the knowledge and skill that only their kind could bring to the task. Creating ships unlike any other, setting off to cautiously make themselves known, or at least what they wished others to know of them.

Spent 5 points to advance sparklings in shipbuilding.

The seer's and elders of the sparklings knew of the rising forces in the distant lands. How long would it take for them to seek out their wonders or intrude upon their domain. The sparklings were not warlike, but their memories were long, the black beast had not been forgotten. The Vus Drakes ever a boon to them yet a constant reminder made them weary. Those beyond the waves could not reach them, their magic shielded and masked them, but they could still come by sea. The storms would not be enough. So they built more ships until they had a mighty fleet of war ships to protect the island and their own traveling ships. The fleet would come to be known as The Navis. A navy that effectively controlled the oceans. Ever watchful of threats to the sparkling vessels and Fulgur.

Spent 4 points to create the Navis fleet, the sparkling navy.

With the recent building of forces the sparklings still feared for their precious Fulgur. They saw the wasteful ways of the other races, replacing nothing that they took. Biting into the earth, ever deeper without closing the wounds they made when they took what they wanted. Destroying to build rather then shaping what was their to a form they needed. The sparklings did not judge the ways of others, but they would not suffer it in their home. They had always lacked strength, so they turned inward and looked to the Tower of Votio. It's mages, alchemist, and sages went to work on the vus drakes to become more then they had been. They trained them for war, to act as the protectors of their homeland and people. Along with a regime for those that would choose to fight with them. The leading voice behind the formation and creation of this force was a cloaked sparkling with hidden features, yet his skills and knowledge laid the foundation for the Aether Corps.

Spent 5 points to create the Aether Corps via avatar, an aerial army.

I am kinda waiting, need to see which plans I use. ;)

For the record I vote to stay in this age, every time. ;)

@Moranus
I hope you don't get the wrong idea. I would have messed with anyone who made an army first for whatever reason. Not picking on you Mr. Mountain. Just picking on the world, cause I can being all godly and what not. x)

Aurus remained hidden, the affairs among the gods were of little concern to him. So long as they did not involve himself that is. Brute force, unbending will, and control were all falsehoods and weaknesses. He loathed such things and felt not at all for those that championed such concepts, nothing was beyond reach. So was his nature and lesson, one that he would spread to the mortal world as well. With such in mind a mist spread upon the table coiling and alive. Aurus' meddlesome will flowed over the realm.

Moranus' avatar and champion does as his god bids him. Building an army, yet his actions do not go unnoticed by the other races. Talyon and the Hawkmen are branded a threat to all other races for their seemingly warlike ways. They are distrusted and watched closely by the other powers of the world. Gaining a reputation as warmongers, while this does not lead to any direct hostility. The Hawkmen find interactions with other races difficult and political relationships cold and stand offish. Such was the price of creating armies without cause.

Spend 7 points on this event. Who needs evil gods when you have misunderstandings between races/nations. xP

In response to the amassing of military forces and political changes observed by the Taria Tus, the Opes Cas increase their own forces. As a result their branches and the first bank itself possess more pronounced defenses and greater number of keepers then before. Their rates, business practices, and policies of neutrality remain the same regardless. Bring attention to the possible reason behind their actions as a herald of conflict.

Spent 3 points to command order.

I have plans but not concerning any specific race yet to be made. So make what you want, just remember I am tricky. ;)

Seems I missed a lot, kinda glad I did for once. I would have to agree on the point that things got blown out of proportion. Never my intent, I just make stuff I think would be interesting to add to the world. Throwing in fluff to explain it outside of "Me mighty god, me make thing, tada" which gets old stale and boring.

No worries Yhev you handled yourself well as a PC and player I think.

Going to say right now, I have not read the entirety of Na-Rizzer's post. I don't have a lot of time lately so I skimmed. If I misunderstand anything let me know, none the less I think I got the gist of it.

Na-Rizzer I always planned on making the Vus Drakes, I picked a black dragon because they are evil and would attack the tower and claim the swamp. The set up matches their nature and phycology. A red dragon would go after a volcano, a blue the desert, and a green the forest. Their mindsets are all different as well so they would go about it in different ways. Black dragons are not the strongest or smartest, only a white dragon is lower on the evil dragon rankings of both brains and power. My decisions have nothing to do with other gods and as yet are not in reaction to other gods.

I clear any gray area material with the GM before hand. This includes the Vus Drakes and the fluff I made with them. I think you need to as the GM said settle on something. Your stated avatar and scared animal was ravens last I checked. You shapeshifted into a black dragon during one of your post but any god can do the same. So unless I missed it I don't know when you made the change. Regardless, being a black dragon does not mean you can attack a tower full of masters and walk away any less then attacking Ns'gau that specializes in war magic.

Aurus watches as the world moves on ever so. One of his many eyes is ever upon the first, the sparklings. It is with a touch of amusement and wicked inspiration that he spies upon an event the gods alone will know of for many mortals years. An encounter that would be named the black folly. While chance played it's part, Aurus had a hand as well or perhaps just a finger.

Spent 3 points to Command Order. Create the Vus Drakes, will have some stats for them come the weekend hopefully. Vus Drakes are currently confined to Fulgur. ;)

Learning from their earlier encounters and the weakness apparent to those that mastered their craft. A number of sparklings take to magic of unfailing observance and wards that would shield them from all that would seek to endanger them and what they held precious. As a result not only did their race gain new mastery, the Tower of Votio spouted a pair of towers from it's core, no longer a single suspended tower. Now it appeared like some massive three pronged claw. Illusions new sisters schools beside her.

Spent 10 points to Advance Civilization. Sparklings have now gained mastery in Abjuration and Divination magic.

Work and Easter holiday has been beating me down but will have something up later today so I won't hold up things. ;)

@Yhev
I already created the order your thinking of last turn. Also that order does not restrict it's recruits so Yaveni can join. Merca are just the founder race and likely the most numerous. I have just not gotten around to giving a detailed description of them. As well as the other order and a few other things for that matter. Time is a premium lately. So if you want Yaveni members feel free have some. Save your points or use command order to have your members do something as part of the order. If they are scholar types have them make a knowledge vault with in the first bank and task them with gaining a copy of all knowledge and preserving it with in along with the more material wealth. just a thought. ;)

@Na-Rizzer
Long time no see.

Going to try and gather all the information on Aurus' stuff and put it in his alias. Starting to get to much to remember. Will post a copy here as well when I have it. Who would have thought a thief created so much stuff. xP

Aurus was not done for his hand moved yet again with in the shadows. Among all races a sense of organization of crime was becoming apparent, at least to those wise enough to see it. Yet it was not in a single city of town, not even a single race prone to such acts. They seemed to be everywhere that large groups of people came together, some considered them a parasite while others a tool. All that was certain was their name and presence. The Conxus or more commonly the Syndicate.

Spent 6 points to create order. The Conxus or Syndicate. That ends my turn and vote to remain in this age. ;)

Welcome Yhev, don't mind Aurus he is grumpy when anyone says stuff like their absolutes. xP

Aurus rolled his eyes from his unknown place, great another self important god. He didn't see him around when he killed Circen. At least he admitted he is not a know it all, but then claims to record the truths of the universe. Silly, truth isn't simple and it's easier to steal it or make it then record it in his experience but he was not one to stop others from taking the hard roads. Being flexible was always better in his mind. Still unseen his whispers continue to feed into certain minds of the world.

Among those that spend their days in the Taria Tus a new sense of duty binds them. With the approval of the priest of Aurus and those that run the first bank a new order is formed. They are the Opes Cas, coming to be known as the Keepers of Taria Tus or simply keepers. Their duty and allegiance belongs to Taria Tus alone. They not only maintain and protect the first bank but they also run it, as well as all it's branches. In time being a part of the order is a requirement for those representing the first bank. Their devotion making them neutral to all other ties or obligations.

Spent 6 points to create order. The Opes Cas or Keepers of Taria Tus. More info on them later. If no one minds going to say my turn is not over. Will complete it later today but did not want to leave this chain undone.

That makes a bit more sense and gives him a more defined position on things. So it's all good.

Out of those remaining I would pick Yhev but would still like a little clean up on him as stated before. :)

As far as I know we have not got much of an update from any of them. So can't really reply. Also what's holding us up?

Shathe seems like a problem child, while that can be good it can also be bad. In my opinion Temeron played that well. It's a tricky act to play considering so only if she can show herself capable of playing that part would I approve. Otherwise she could find herself being opposed by multiple gods on multiple fronts undoing her every action to say the least. Not fun for anyone. I say this as a problem child myself, my problems are just slicker. :P

Yhev is a little counter to himself and vague to me. He claims fate but seeks oblivion. Where does that leave immortals whose very nature defies fate and oblivion. Not to mention he is a god who favors those that do not believe in gods. Another thing is we influence fate in this game, not to everyone's liking or consideration at that. So where would that leave him, he can't support or act on what he does not know and I doubt any god (Aurus least of all) is going to give him a heads up. I would reserve judgment until he defines himself a bit more.

Really I have not had time to give them a good look so going to hold off on any opinions for now. Maybe today I will have time and then let you know.

Aurus can take over any realm. He just gets chased away when he is found by a god of that realm. xP

But really if you want to have a domain with in the dream realm, then you can. A god can't claim complete ownership of any realm, sense you can't stop another god or gods from coming in anymore then they can you from going to other realms. Demiplanes are exceptions sense they are created by someone, sometimes. But even then they are not tamper proof.

Edit- Now taking new powers, that is a question for the DM. Fluff is flexible, rules not so much.

Edit edit- Command Race let's you create cities so 4 points in this age.

A little clarification, the bank is not exclusive for the Merca. They will offer their banking services to everyone. They were just the first to use it sense they built it. ;)

Aurus is still no where to be found yet his influence continues. This time among the Merca, his priest hear him and his blessings. Spreading them to those that have been gifted by the god already. Their minds sharpened by trade and collection of coin turn both inward and outward. As they look to themselves and the goods they so freely bring across the world for their own benefit and others. The works of the earth favored dwarves and oread are unmatched in form but the cunning mind raw from Aurus and molded by the Merca saw more. With sly whispers and the voice of his priest Aurus grants the Merca the insight they seek to move forward, to take that single step. So began their revalation, spreading to all their kind. Others would create things of quality but the Merca would build wonders like none other.

Spent 5 points to advance the Merca civilization, they have gained mastery over engineering.

Still Aurus will was not done, his whispers still creped into certain minds and they obeyed their god. The Merca gathered like never before and perhaps never again. From every far flung location in the world they heeded their priest and headed to the desert touched by Aurus in the time before time. Bring with them all the goods they had collected. The rare wood of Fellorn Forest, the flawless stone of Varstenshale, and the limitless kinds of gems from the Deepmines to name a few. The Merca collectively held all the known world had to offer and they used it in their first collective act sense the dawn of their kind. They built a marvel that had never been done and the world had never known. They built what they would name The Taria Tus, the first and only bank of the Merca people. A marvel of engineering the bank was massive in scope and as those who created it. Moved endlessly upon completion, what many would claim was a moving mountain is in truth their greatest achievement to date. Not only was the Taria Tus grand but like many pale shadows that came after would learn to be, it was well defended. It's ability to travel over any terrain or lack there of was not it's main defense but rather a product of necessity for a people that called the open world their home. It's defenses could only be dreamed of and it's weaponry the stuff of nightmares. For the Merca knew well the greed that would fest upon the home of their people's riches and in time the wealth of others.

Spent 3 points to command order to create The Taria Tus, The First Bank. Spent a total of 8 points. To few to finish up this little chain so maybe next round. ;)

I'll have something later today. ;)

I am N not CN, don't call me chaotic just cause you can't figure me out. ;P

Here is another entry for your reading pleasure. That's right I got surprises for you, I just lack the points to keep tossing them. xP

Aurus fades into nothing, his presence reappears among his sparklings. Whispers from the wind, shadows, and places between their thoughts influence the sparklings. They gain knowledge and mastery of powers that they could only slightly tap into before. Things gifted to them by their god and perhaps stolen from others. Yet among the whispers come a vision and desire to build, the priest call for action by divine mandate. They flock to the chasm in the center of their homeland, using their mastered powers it begins.

Massive and beyond counting, the roots fly out of the earth like tendrils of some vast hidden monstrosity. They bring with them all manner of stone, gems, and minerals. Tying themselves together above the swamp below. In midair at the center of the valley they knot themselves and the priest of Aurus flock upon them. The sparklings unmatched speed and agility allows them to work in a frenzy. Even so by a god's reckoning their work takes moments, yet even their skills took years of their time to complete.

When they are done, the priest call out the name of their work. The Tower of Votio has been built.

Spent 15 points to advance civilization in druidic magic, illusion magic, and alchemy. Spent 3 points to command order to build the Tower of Votio, more details to come in discussion. ;)

I think that's what we are waiting for.

Aurus simply watches not appearing to react to anything that has gone on.

Pretty sure Miolla has not gone yet.

In case it's not apparent I am waiting to go last. Idea's still floating about. :)

I got a question about command order power, when do the +10 and +5 apply. The language is a bit vague to me.

I would say it depends what your going for. If you want to highlight their appearance and strange ways then take a hit to charisma, giving them a more alien feel. If you want to make them a little primitive then intelligence should take the hit. If you want to make them a little lacking in common sense and not that strong willed then wisdom takes the hit.

For me it's what kind of message you want to send about the race when it comes to weaknesses. After all their is a reason the go to stat drop for small races is strength, small things tend to be weaker in comparison.

Sorry for the double post. Anyways here is some stuff on the Merca.

The Merca have a endless wanderlust for travel. Moving from place to place they have adapted better then their more settled kin. Both physically and culturally everything revolves around keeping on the move and experiencing new things. Natural traders by virtue of their traveling life style and ease of manners concerning the ways of others make them well liked and welcome. Their caravans often bring an infusion of both goods and culture to even the most isolated settlements. They are shrewd judges of goods and word smiths. The only thing faster then a Merca's trading exchange are their legs, blessed with running speed their cousin's can't match and at least equal to most wild animals. This eases their travel time and makes both hunting and keeping from being hunted easier.

Aurus raises a hand towards Temeron in a gesture of calm and restraint. His sly eyes fall on Fleshet.

"If you must pass on a message, then I would say. A empty title and king of nothing is just that. Empty and nothing, speak no words if they are hollow. I have no interest or inclination to heed the babble of a figment. Those that do not present themselves before this world will be barred from it's fate."

He had half a mind to lay waste to the humans of this prideful pretender of a god. But his nature demanded something more creative then that. He snaps his fingers, only the most keen eyed of the gods can make out the miniscule change in Nidus. A holy tree has appeared at the heart of the city and the sparklings treat it as such. Then with speed blinding even for gods Aurus swipes a hand across some of the humans, holding them in his fist he opens it. Revealing nothing, yet a new breed of humans has started to spread among the more common kind. They range just as far as their kin but tend to run circuits between large groups in caravans of sorts. Heeding and often lead by those who send their prayers to Aurus. The first thief crosses his arms, his expression unreadable.

Spent 3 points on a holy tree ;). Spent 4 points on create subrace to create the Merca. Spent 6 points on create order to create the church of Aurus.

Given their environment I would pick something besides Con to take away. Mountain folk that have weak stamina and endurance just does not seem right to me. Just my personal take on it. Anyways nice work and interesting choice. ;)

It's hard to see so forgive my mistake. Then the left one, pretty sure that one is blank. As for my avatar, still thinking on it but did not want to hold things up, once I have it nailed down I will PM you or post it.