"And we are back to having no reason for trusting in any restraint on Eyero's part then," Omaz Almas says as Belisious complains
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"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"
I really need to make poor Omaz Almas an Avatar sometime soonish if I can just build some points up again. Between the Herne and the power gift, he's not had much chance :)
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.
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.
And we have dragons still. You're welcome ;) EDIT: mmm. I worry Pyreous and I may have cross posted, or cross mapped as the case maybe. Looks like the Herne may have some neighbors in the Northern reaches
Omaz Almas cannot say he wept for the war between giants and men. He disliked cities and perhaps this would discourage it. The dragon's loss was...unfortunate. It had been lovely. Yet his greater concerns were for the undead tyrant who no doubt was building to something overwhelming, and Nyakushuur spreading like a disease across both continents. Then Dyrm not only created ANOTHER city for men, the fool granted them a gift he no doubt did not fully comprehend. Between undead abominations and men spreading across this world as they did my old one, it is harder to guess which will be the greater threat in the long run. The latter may yet encourage the former. Omaz Almas feels old. He has now survived the birth and death of one world, and already the spring of this world as well. Still, he was a god, and he had never been one to just fade away.
"It is time for children of my own," Omaz Almas declares. In the pass of renewal spirits are reborn into the world again, for some it was not the first time, for others it would be their first great movement along the wheel of the afterlife back to the living form. He guided spirits to a stream trickling down a mountain, and that stream joined a river...and along it, deer drank and the spirits infused them. Under the eyes of the mountain chief, they were reformed and born anew into beings that might, at first, resemble tall men. But great antlers burst from the foreheads of the males, more delicate nubs from the females'. Strong builds were given to them. Their lower legs would eventually become covered in fine short fur and end in hooves. No doubt most would refer to them as Stag-Men, but their creator had another name for them. "You are Herne. Born of the hunted, now you will be the greatest of Hunters. Keep nature pure, adhere to the old ways always, and I shall not neglect. Depart from me, and know my scorn."
And still Omaz Almas is not done. Vinaretaar lays slain, torn apart by the giants... yet the blood of the once noble beast lays pooled about in great quantities, and ignored it seems. A mistake Omaz Almas thinks, For in blood, not metal, is the true worth of a creature. "It is not proper that the first should be the last and only. It is not right, that this world should be denied dragons so soon." The blood begins to bubble, "Though they may never be great in number, I will not allow such creations to fall entire. From the blood of Vinaretaar, I say let there be a race born. Let there be... DRAGONS!" Bursting out of the blood, as if breaking the surface of a red lake, come dragons. Just as jewels might be found within a metal ore, the dragons seem to come out in gem stone hues. Ruby scaled dragons flutter out one moment followed by Emerald skinned wyrms. Dragons with Sapphire wings dance into the sky while other dragons glimmer like diamonds. To the other gods he says, "Redeem them or damn them as you must, but I could not let such power and majesty pass from this world."
Omaz Almas' growing anger at Nyakushuur fades somewhat as she makes beauty spread. There is something in her that is better than the whole. I am sure of it. But the toxins, how can I rid them from her? Or can I ever? The first cities spread over the land. And then the first dragon makes the first men. This age is ending, It is the last hurrah of the spring of the world. The summer shall be hot and blistering I fear.
Omaz Almas calls to members of all races, of all climes. Those who know and love nature in its myriad form hear his call. They hear his voice along the desert winds. They hear his voice in the mountain thunder. They hear his voice in the crash of the waves as they hit the shores And they hear his voice as it whispers along the leafs. The world has druids. And they begin their guardianship of the wild for they shall be needed in generations to come.
Then, a lush temperate forest arises around a single mountain, a home for the druids to start, but they will no doubt be everywhere the wilds are, ready to defend. Strange standing stones, seemingly touched by no mortal hands, arise in a ring.
His peninsula continues to expand deeper into the inward sea. It is not much, but it is something. While lightning still flings at the shores now and then, there are small woods dotting this area as well, profoundly normal.
Omaz Almas looks to the Eastern land, and he is not pleased. Nyakushuur runs there virtually unchecked. He fears her poison will just continue to grow. While it still might, he will do what he must to show the saner aspects of nature. Land extends from its southwest, and more mountains form, difficult to climb so that even the Azzaruki might have trouble, particularly past the tree line. On the other it turns into rolling hills and temperate land at a high rise before hitting the magnificent cliffs over looking the sea. A few islands dot not so far away at all. It is an area prone to storms of great beauty, and high waves now and then, but some mortals may yet want to live for when the storms are not present, the sky is wonderfully clear with the tang of the sea to season it.
"Forgive me if I offend, Nyakushuur, but I believe I have taken nothing from you and I saw a chance for expansion where it was needed."
Omaz Almas has set a system in place that he thinks will work. Preference for his worshipers, an escape clause for non committed non worshipers that will hopefully teach them to appreciate nature. He'd probably be a good judge in some ways, but I doubt he'd want the job unless required. And I hope Nimeton doesn't mind me jumping on the reincarnation bandwagon. I know that's one of his things
I believe Eyero just did what's known as 'forcing everyone's hand'. OUT of character, it's a great move IC? Omaz Almas is rather annoyed by the delay in his landscaping it caused :)
While the new races catch Omaz Almas' eye, and he nods with approval, the more alarming thing to him is the first city rising, "So THAT begins...such is the way, and as cities go, it is lovely."
When the death god brings THAT death to the world, Omaz Almas is hardly surprised, "A greedy and grasping move, Eyero. The plight of the mortals almost moves even me to tears. Still, you must be true to your nature, as must we all."
Omaz Almas scoops up soil, grass, rock and wood from Estella with one great hand while the other grips and molds a section of the astral. He pours the materials of the physical into this invisible plane. His deep voice rumbles and chants while he does so, and then lightning bursts into the stew of it. He wipes something from his eye, perhaps it IS a tear, perhaps merely dust, and drops it into the mix. Now, a great valley under a single high mountain, the later wreathed in storms, lays open. The valley itself is lush, with plentiful food and game to hunt, and clear streams to drink from. Yet it is not done. There are trails here, trails that lead spirits to new forms, new lives on the world. Where a member of one race may find themselves as the member of another. Where those who disrespected nature may find themselves reduced to non sentient beasts so they might learn understanding the next life, while those who respected it take on a form more sapient. It is open to all who did not devote themselves to any other god, though those that are especially dear to Omaz Almas will have greater rewards still and be powerful here, the better to protect it if need be. "The great pass of renewal is done. Here is the center of my wheel of death and rebirth. Of new experiences. Let mortals who worship none other find haven here for a time, but my shepherds who worshiped me will drive them down the trails that suit them best."
And he waits. [End 5th turn)
The green upward facing arrows were my clumsy attempt to symbolize evergreen type forests. If anyone wants to replace them with something a bit nicer, feel free as long as I don't lose any :) And I think after Pyreous goes, we'll be hitting turn 5, first come first serve.
Centuries pass as before, but now there are sentient mortal beings that know the passage of time. They age and wither, each in their own way. Even the titans crumble... but of course, they also begat new generations of their own. They are primitive, and savage, these new primordial races, ready for the gods to advance them, or leave them as they are. And still much of the sea and land awaits the touch of the gods. Omaz Almas observes this, and contemplates what to do next. One thing is certain, he will need power anew. He breathes in the winds of the world, and seems larger than ever before, even if only for a moment.
Out of the north, cold chill mountains rise as the peninsula made before expands further. Not too much, but now rise among the pines and ever greens mountains as well, and snow falls more often than not as the climate becomes chill. It will have strong winters and those who dwell in it must get used to snow and ice, yet it will have moments of great beauty, and a river flows from it's mountains, ice chunks crashing at the northern area until it finally returns to the temperate lands and becomes a beautiful blue.
And then he rests again, "It is better. Yes."
"You fear she has a dagger at the heart of this world? I am not blind to the potential, but I have watched what I love undone before...twice. One grows used to the ache... in time," Omaz Almas says, "We shall see what comes of this."
"Nyakushuur," Omaz Almas gasps in horror at the unique foliage she has made, "What have you done? What life has a true chance to thrive in such a place?" He can feel the blight within the green, and it causes the massive god to shudder in revulsion. Then the twins go to work, and Estrellus arises, "A lonely but powerful mountain to be sure...." Then the Celestials arise, "Or not so lonely. The skies of this world shall be quite busy I see." They prepare for war, wise, but I Hope in preparing for it they do not bring it all the sooner. Still, such a world of contrasts. Between the undeath poisoning the land, the fury of the titans, and the holy wrath waiting... I fear we may break this world between us.
Damn, Belisous sure delivered. We've got our two first two created races, and both from the goddess of destruction no less! Of course, races made in this age don't always last into the next ones, but still, helaciously good start with lots of room for legacy for younger aces to look over.
Omaz Almas beholds these Titans, "I am .... impressed, Belisous, and thank you for your efforts to protect the Valley of the First. They are a darker shade of protector than I would make myself, but I have no doubt in their capability. I shall make my presence known to them...in time." He is not blind to the Strix either, they remind him of the hawks that flew in the valleys of his old world, in their way. "I sense great promise in these as well. "
Omaz Almas, depleted as he is, still declines, "Generous in its way, but not for me."
Okay, Omaz Almas just tried to make a peninsula but it's kind of a wimpy one. I've discovered I SUCK at drawing new maplines with this thing and am even worse at making ever green designs :) If anyone wants to redraw it better (Not as their turn, just for consistency and quality) feel free. I'm not sure about the symbols used for evergreens and the like.
Round 3 Omaz Almas decides he's spoken enough. They still have a world to build.
"We need more land still, before all is said and done," His voice booms. Rising from the ocean floor, starting at the north western part of the largest land mass, earth shifts and moves, extending outward to form the start of a crude peninsula. Clearly, he wants to build it more from there, but there is little else he can do at this point. Rather than mountains, it is mostly plains and forests. At the farthest point, it begins to chill, growing cold and brisk with snowfall starting.
Omaz Almas seems tired, "Not enough. I grow too weak to build it as I hoped. Perhaps another time."
Mmmm interesting interactions are forming up. It's too soon to tell, but if I had to list Omaz Almas' initial impression of the gods right away, they'd be like this: Artesse- "Pleasing to the eye, and gentle natured. She like many of the others is focused more on mortals to be rather than nature that is, but her love of beauty seems to suggest she will treat the natural world kinder than many. That is well. She and her brother are close, as sun and moon should be. While not always soft spoken, she has yet to show her fury or might but when she does, it will be impressive. It is the mother bear that is most feared." Belisous- "Mad and wild, and the latter makes her intriguing. I know the need for the storm, but I worry that is all she will embrace. I find myself conversing with her despite the danger. Foolish of me. One may admire a predator, but it is best to do so from a distance. Still, she may yet be earnest in her desire to protect sections of nature from mortal tarnish...though I have no doubt her methods will be for her own delight." Dyrm- "So much for 'silent as a shadow', this nascent god truly loves the sound of his own voice to the point if I wonder if he ever takes the time to listen to the sweet calls of the birds, the gentle lap of tide upon the shore, or the deep howl of wind through canyon? Still, harmless enough to me. He clearly means to meddle with mortals, where my concern about them is secondary. Perhaps he'll leave me alone." Eyero- "Thus far, I find him revolting on every level. He longs for dominion in and of itself, and seems to take no joy in the nature of things save for their worth. He claims to have nothing against the living, yet he respects not one living thing that I can see. It maybe that last will be proven wrong, but I sense that if he had his way, he would tear down all that was not 'useful' and replace it with abomination. He will be trouble and he will be dangerous." Hexavos- "Our host, the one who has drawn us all here. He has been quiet, perhaps watching to see how we form this new world. I suppose I am indebted to him, yet if he thinks so he has not called upon that debt. Will I honor it if he does? I'm not sure. Perhaps I'd not even have a choice." Karmesh- "The other sun god maybe the boldest and brightest of us all. He is a natural leader, and I think more of us, if forced to bend knee, would choose to kneel to him than Eyero. Certainly none can deny his passion, but it is that passion he must temper lest he tries to create war against the dark and upset the balance entirely. He seeks a purpose, a righteous one, where as I seek to be. Perhaps we ARE much alike save for that one difference." Nimeton- "He is to mortals what I am to nature. He is young in some ways, yet he knows more of what will be than the rest I suspect. Thus far, a quiet power, but I suspect when mortals arise to their height, so might he. He seems to feel a story shall be told, but does he see himself as the writer, the reader, or each and every character with in it?" Nyakushuur- "So close to being a sister to me, yet there is a sickness, a wrongness in her that alarms me greatly. There is some sort of venom that has turned a part of her cycle toxic. The ends of her cycles are not ends, but rather torturous pauses waiting for blissful relief into a new life. If she could be purified, the world would be better for it, but I fear by now the venom IS her blood and such a thing is not possible." Pyreous- "By rights, we should be much alike. But he is craft where I am raw. He looks at the world as a crucible to test mortals and better themselves. I see the worth of the world in and of itself. I suspect that he will be pleased by mortals that rise against the challenge of natures by mastering it, while I would prefer they lived in harmony with it. We both understand that there are predators and prey, and both seem to agree there is a balance, but our goals may yet clash." Zurakar- "I have little use for civilization, and I suspect Zurakar to be the most civilized of them all. Hopefully his sister will keep him in check, for unlike Pyreous, his craft will be less about balance, and more about tidiness. It is possible that his interests and mine are so far removed from each other we may never interact, but that NOT be the case, I suspect his ways and mine might yet come to a dispute." I hope that didn't offend any of my fellow players. I'm just bored and passing the time. All the above was in Omaz Almas' opinion. As a player I have some very different views ;)
The map looks pretty good by now, and we still have lots of white space to play with. I definitely want to do something along the border between marshland and poisonous caves, this is way too dangerous right now... maybe Nyakushuur will become an accidental ally for Karmesh when she seeds something almost-living in that area. Well, if you want, south of the poisonous caves and north of the desert is that smaller chain of mountains Omaz Almas made. Nothing saying that the rest of those three hexes can't be quite nice with the right climate change if you like. So far, Hexavos and Belisous probably have the most points as of round 2 left. While the latter seems to have big plans of her own, maybe Hexavos will make more land rise out of the sea yet. While it's looking good, Id think I'd like another ten hexes of landmass to play with. I could have Omaz Almas do it on round 3 but at the rate he's been spending points it will be slow going for him.
Omaz Almas eyes the growing world, "Each of us will have our own path, but our paths will cross, time and time again. Conflict will be inevitable eventually. I do not seek it. I merely realize each of us will be true to our own natures and said natures will not always be in harmony."
Omaz Almas beholds the death of the animal life as the fumes worm their way down into the new caverns there to stay, it seems, forever lethal and forever more. He clears his nostrils in a sign of disgust at the (To him) unnatural creation. "At least the land above might yet heal ...given time, but to treat this infant world as a corpse that your maggots can feed upon and spread their poison within... have you no sense of joy in living things?"
Glad you are welcoming new ideas. I'm just bouncing ideas in this section so I don't go 'stir crazy' while I wait.
Well, your giants could fight Belisous' giants, what would be very interesting, no? You good sun gods, always trying to get the hard working neutral guys to do your work for you ;) ----------
As for Omaz Almas, I was considering primordial giants but with that talk of shadow of the 'Colossus', it sounds like Belisous might be ahead on that. Another idea was dragons. I know neither is terribly original, but sometimes its good to have the classics. And besides, both giants and dragons look good on mountain peaks. :) With Dyrm, he's more likely to make a subrace...to tweak someone else's work. I picture him being less traditional.
Part of the game is building on what others started I think, so go for the volcano idea if you like. Omaz Almas might be more worried about one near the first vale than one over that desert, but that's strictly IC. OOC whatever you like :) We're all winging it here anyway.
Hope you don't mind the mountains capping your desert, Pyreous
Omaz Almas gathers more energy to him. Noting with a nod how well all is coming along.
"Mountains and hills can feed water to a place, or they can block the rainclouds from their travels... let us help make a barrier to that arid land that serves its purpose." A new curve of mountains arise, these not as high and sharp but slopped to drink in much of the rain before it can feed the desert. On the northern side, the , may become lush, but the southern parts balance this by their arid nature.
I used the explosion shapes and filled them in green for small forests. If you're going big that might take awhile though
What Nyakushuur said. ;) And we may have to pause for a day or two since technically the DM has an NPC god with turns of his own. It looks like Hex has continued to be hit REALLY hard at work which is very unfortunate timing, but RL is like that.
Okay, I hope my post in game play is still acceptable.
And Belisous has Omaz Almas VERY nervous ;)
"Mmmmph...." Omaz Almas doesn't exactly trust whatever she has planned, but the world is not his alone, and he respects that.
"I prefer the living to the undead, Belisous, if that is what you are asking. Mortals that learn to respect nature would be ...tolerated. For now, only animals and plants abound, so I have at least a short time where I don't have to worry about sentient intrusion. And when they do come, they'll not find getting into the Valley of the First easy." He actually smiles at the sight of the ring of high mountains around it.
More land is needed, but sensing that the twins of sun and moon are already planning to increase more, Omaz Almas looks to the center landmass. It is small, but no doubt it will grow. For now, it serves his purposes. "I remember the vale," The deity reminisces, thinking back to the before world from which he sprang, "It is gone, and can never be again, but from its memory perhaps I can create another." Arching his back, Omaz Almas bellows forth words of creation that sound like stone scrapping, like thunder rolling, and oddly like the trickling of mountain streams each in turn. And the new world responds. In the center of Etella rises a ring of mountains, going too high for trees to breathe, and seemingly impassable by the land bound but then, who knows what hidden pass might yet guide a future mortal in? Cradled within this ring of mountains is a deep valley, pleasant foothills slope to a newborn vale. The mountain peaks around the vale become beset with regular rains and storms, which in all seasons but summer will likely have snow and ice. Yet the new climate that makes the mountain peaks so dangerous make the valley even lovelier, as water from the storms, snow and rain trickles down into beautiful creeks and waterfalls that feed the valley they flow into causing it to grow lush and green.
Only a faint glimmer of the power he had gathered remains, but Omaz Almas finds the cost worth while, "Behold, the Valley of the First. Pristine and wild, paradise surrounded by majesty. I am pleased with this. No doubt, mortals will come to it eventually, and try to yoke it, but at least until they do I have it to gaze upon."
Well, darn it. I know what I want to do. I just can't access the map to do it. EDIT: I May go ahead anyway. I'm champing at the bit here :)
Okay, I peeked into the other campaign to get an idea of how they are doing it (And I Hope that wasn't wrong of me) but in Hex's first post for that one he says Turn order is first come first post, however you must post all your actions in one post per turn. When everyone has acted, passed, or been inactive for 24 hours(48 on weekends) the next turn shall come. So it seems the rules are pretty relaxed. Our biggest worry might be cross posting ;) That and figuring out how to edit our map *Scratches head*
Omaz Almas strides giant like looking over the continents, "So flat and barren. We have much work to do." The very energy of creation begins to swarm around him.
Omaz Almas frowns at Belisous' comment, "Now you ask ME to change beyond my own cycle. I may have been ripped from my old one, and it had its seasons, each season only in its time... Still, I will consider what you say. I doubt I will create undead, or even many peoples period compared to some of you." I was among the first. I may have been the last before I was torn away. I am what I am, else I am nothing. Yet...when I bind to a new cycle, what will it do to me? To any and all of us? In the old world many came to me, drawn by my power, but they were mine only then. Maybe I should craft people after all. We'll see.
"I know what Undead are, at least were on the world I once dwelled. I doubt the undead on this world will be any purer. So I stand by what I said. For now though, I suppose it is moot. We focus on the beings, neglecting the shape of the world itself. There will be mountains to raise, forests to sprinkle upon the surface, and rivers to craft. Whatever beings come to be, they are not the end all and be all... they will need a nature to live in," Omaz Almas stares at the void as if trying to will it into the shape of land and seas.
Omaz Almas grumbles, "Just keep them away from my mountains and valleys to be."
"Must we taint this upcoming world with such abominations?" Omaz Almas grumbles in a voice like thunder rolling off hills.
Omaz Almas stares into the void as he responds to Karmesh, he seems thoughtful, "I was tied to the mountains and storms of my old world, and they to me. Strength and Glory were my mantle, crafted by the ages to fit upon my shoulders. But now those mountains would be no more. Those storms long snuffed out. I am not sure how I outlived them. It was not meant to be. I was called Omaz Almas, so call me that if you wish. I do not know what we have in common truly, you seem to seek purpose. I seek to be and understand that being. But I shall take it as a compliment with my thanks."
"I do not know you," Omaz Almas says, "But you are right..." He sniffs as if catching her scent, "And yet wrong. Still, we are agreed that the intangible is disquieting." |