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It seemed as though no ward, guard or any other form of restrictions could remotely stop the Traveler from traveling into the forest without so much as asking permission or politely "knocking on the door". The Archdruids grudgingly accepted him to a cup of tea and a conversation.
Trevor would learn that the elves measured the months and weeks by the shifting of the stars and the leaves upon the tree. Each month is named after the star which shines brightest upon it while each day would be named after an Archdruid. Ae would be the first day within the week and Sha'lorei the second, while Esil'dar would be the third. The names would go on and they informed Trevor that soon Netura shall join them as the seventh day within the week. He would also be explained that the number seven is sacred in Elven cultures and that there are also seven seasons as well as seven months, but twelve weeks. Twelve weeks, because it is considered a lucky number in Elven culture.
The seasons are:
Dalar (The Birth). \. Spring
Alar (The Growth)/
Galar (The Middle) - Summer, also a symbolic meaning that it is hottest at midday, when the sun is in the very middle of the sky.
Nualar (The Tears) \
Ysalar (The Sleep) / the Fall, the tears signifies the many rains throughout the fall while the sleep describes the fall of leaves and the sleeping of the forest.
Doalar (The Cold) \
Desalar (The End) / Winter, both are symbolic in their meaning towards the two stages of winter.
The months are not exactly correspondent to the seasons and a season begins in the middle of the 3rd quarter of a month, for instance. They follow no logic other than how nature and weather shifts. It seems elves have a thing for making things unnecessarily complicated. This may come from the abundance of time they have to deal with through their lives. Though the same can not be said for the Low Elves and their cousins, this system originated from ancient times, when all elves lived as long as the High Elves.
He would also learn that the elves do not use the common tongue overly much and that there are specific individuals of importance that learn various languages for better communication with other species. These are all the seven Archdruids and usually family(clan) leaders among the Low Elves as well as their heirs.
The tea was delicious, but strange. Just like the elves.
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We have 2 on board with Hadesween. I don't even know when Merlyndas was supposed to happen. As for the worst season, I call it fall because the temperature is falling, lots of rain falls, anything not picked in time falls and rots, and a lot of creatures fall dead. The meeting is about one holiday so the Murmur's comments about all the months of the year was ignored.The Wormlord is meeting with all the other evil gods to design a holiday in the fall. Any place that doesn't honor the dark gods gets beset with undead the rest of the year. "How about kids disguise themselves as us and our monsters and go from door to door demanding unhealthy sweet treats. We could call it Helloween or something. The kids could yell Threat or Treat, Terror or Treat, or something when they are at the door."That sounds like an excellent holiday!!! The children could yell Food or Foul. If they don't get food they do something foul. Call it Hadesween and have it the day before Merlyndas. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Really, I'm serious.
I am assuming that Hadesween should be in the Autumn, when its cool but not too cold. That way the children can go out and cause a lot of mischief. Merlyndas sounds like a Winter festival to me, perhaps celebrating the end of the year. Maybe the mortals can give out gifts to each other. I, for one, always exchange souls at least once year with other demons and devils, but then I steal them back later. I can't wait to get more souls into the Realm of Hades soon. I need to try to get a new war started. Shouldn't the "good" gods be involved in this too? Why are we doing all the work?
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It seemed as though ward, guard or any other form of restrictions could remotely stop the Traveler from traveling into the forest without so much as asking permission or politely "knocking on the door". The Archdruids grudgingly accepted him to a cup of tea and a conversation.
Trevor would learn that the elves measured the months and weeks by the shifting of the stars and the leaves upon the tree. Each month is named after the star which shines brightest upon it while each day would be named after an Archdruid. Ae would be the first day within the week and Sha'lorei the second, while Esil'dar would be the third. The names would go on and they informed Trevor that soon Netura shall join them as the seventh day within the week. He would also be explained that the number seven is sacred in Elven cultures and that there are also seven seasons as well as seven months, but twelve weeks. Twelve weeks, because it is considered a lucky number in Elven culture.
The seasons are:
Dalar (The Birth). \. Spring
Alar (The Growth)/
Galar (The Middle) - Summer, also a symbolic meaning that it is hottest at midday, when the sun is in the very middle of the sky.
Nualar (The Tears) \
Ysalar (The Sleep) / the Fall, the tears signifies the many rains throughout the fall while the sleep describes the fall of leaves and the sleeping of the forest.
Doalar (The Cold) \
Desalar (The End) / Winter, both are symbolic in their meaning towards the two stages of winter.The months are not exactly correspondent to the seasons and a season begins in the middle of the 3rd quarter of a month, for instance. They follow no logic other than how nature and weather shifts. It seems elves have a thing for making things unnecessarily complicated. This may come from the abundance of time they have to deal with through their lives. Though the same can not be said for the Low Elves and their cousins, this system originated from ancient times, when all elves lived as long as the High Elves.
He would also learn that the elves do not use...
Trevor thanked Ae and the Elves for the tea, but he wanted some Elven Wine. He wrote down the information on his scroll, and explained to the Elves that the calendar would probably be very general in nature, because each race/culture had their own calendar. He said that when trade & travel become active in this world, a Common Calendar and Tongue would be needed.
Then he grabbed something to eat without asking and he walked away singing a song about Elven maidens...
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"Well, if you want wine, then perhaps next time you could ask before entering, dear Trevor." - smiled the refined Archdruid, though they could and did nothing to stop him from leaving, with a peace of Elven bread.
It was a rather average item of foods when comparing it to human bread, but it held an almost magical feature of being incredibly filling. Trevor would not want for food for a day or two, it seemed.
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"I'm a good god! Look at that pretty moon up there. No, not that one. Not that one either. Yeah, that one. I did that."
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After suddenly finding Trevor within their fortress, the Dark Elves quickly surrounded the Demi-god with darkly armored sentries holding jaggedly curved polearms pointed at him, if cautiously so. They seemed to be called Glaives and proved to be a rather effective weapon in the hands of an accurate user.
"Hmph, the insolence! Wandering in our lands without welcome or warning, I should have you killed!" - shouted Gu'lain at him with unbridled fury and outrage. However, one of his many manipulative advisors moved over meekly and whispered something in his elongated ear, to which he listened attentively, almost as of calmed by his words.
As the advisor burned horribly to death in a burst of blue flames, Gu'lain turned back to Trevor with an amused grin, arms folded over his chest. "Very well, Traveler. We will comply. Let me explain our seasons and months to you over a glass of wine."
The Dark Elves seemed to have a system directly opposite to the High Elven, and as such, it is easier to fit the universal one in Trevor's mind within it.
Each day was named after 7 different sins, taken from a tablet bestowed upon them by an unknown demonic planar influence. With 12 months, 4 seasons and 4 weeks within each month.
A rather amusing notion, that the Dark Elven system is rather similar in numbers, if not in morals, to the one Trevor had in mind. After the long chat of Gu'lain arrogantly explaining the dark Elven clearly-superior calendar, occasionally making snide remarks about the High Elven "silliness" of a calendar, Trevor would in fact find that the wine he had been drinking was poisoned, although this probably caused the demi-god little more than an uncomfortable itch in his left toe, rather than a lethal result.
After throwing up the poisoned wine all over his table, Trevor thanked the Dark Elves and left through a slight tear in reality. When it came to traveling, he had many spells. It interested him that in his calendar he had 5weeks per month, and they four, which meant they were experiencing time differently. Interesting. In Beriya everything was different.
His calendar did need names for the seven day week, but they had to be general in nature. Not based on seven deadly sins or virtues. However, everyone could agree that the world was created in seven days or eons before time was created. Trevor needed to find out what happened on Beriya during the Creation. He threw up again...
Trevor found entering the Valley of Nevara easy. The Necromancers met him at the border. A tall, pale man called the Nekron met him at Nighton and led Trevor to the Necropolis, which had been rebuilt after a Great Tree attack by Merlyn over 20 Winters ago. The Nekron took him to a vast hall within the building, and inside was Nevara herself sitting on her skull throne. Vicar Vorrak, a floating-flaming skull now a days, was drifting nearby.
"I know why you are here, Trevor, and I wanted to help you," Nevara said. Here at Nighton we base our calendar on the Dark Moon, and we name our months after the Great Dead. The first month is named after me, of course. Wouldn't you like to live here and join my cult?"
"No," Trevor said. "Do you have a seven day week?"
"Yes, we do. Today is Doomsday, for example. Then tomorrow is Gloomsday, and then there is..."
"I think I get the idea," Trevor interrupted. "Do you have any idea who created the world of Beriya? The myths I read said it was created in seven days by the Maker, who came from the Great Unknown, but it says nothing more."
"I do not know myself. I came here from another world just like you, but I know who might be able to help you: the god of light Leafar. I know he knows."
"He left the world to the Realm of Light. I guess I will have to go there to talk to him. Thank you, Queen Nevara, you have been very helpful."
"You are welcome. Having a Common Calendar will just bring Beriya closer together, and the end result will be more deaths. My Nekron will show you the way out."
Trevor pondered her words carefully...
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After months of travel, Josephine finally arrived at Lighton. She approached the first Paladin she could see, and asked to see Merlyn, Magician of the East. All she could do now, was wait...
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However, Josephine had not come there blindly, for it seemed as though the warioress had surprisingly won the game of chess against the Archdruid, to which the old elf stroked his chin with a rather comic frown, before exclaiming that he needed more practice and handing Josephine a leaf-shaped crystal.
Perhaps, although not certain, that would help her earn recognition from the paladins of Lighton and reach Merlyn more easily. Alas, a relatively long time has passed since Merlyn was allowed into the forest, so it was not a very reliable aid.
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Noting the vast difference of technological levels in nations, and how quickly they can fall, Derek constructs a near impenetrable vault at the South pole to hold the most powerful artifacts of fallen nations and to keep them from creatures who would misuse them (via malicious intent or ignorance).Through the use of a mystical portal, Merlyn brung the Orb of Oblivion to the Vault, and he watched closely as the strange, metallic man placed it in the Vault. Merlyn then noddded and returned to Primeva via the invisible portal.
"Thank you for your contribution Archmage."
"Thank you for your contribution Archmage."Noting the vast difference of technological levels in nations, and how quickly they can fall, Derek constructs a near impenetrable vault at the South pole to hold the most powerful artifacts of fallen nations and to keep them from creatures who would misuse them (via malicious intent or ignorance).Through the use of a mystical portal, Merlyn brung the Orb of Oblivion to the Vault, and he watched closely as the strange, metallic man placed it in the Vault. Merlyn then noddded and returned to Primeva via the invisible portal.
I am the Patriarch of Lighton now, not an Archmage, but thank you. I suspect more of you Metallic Men are coming.
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Derek noted that there was a plane of Machinery and Perfect Law called
Mechanus. The primary denizens of Mechanus were being composed partly
of flesh, and partly of pure law, and were called the Axiomites.
Derek knew the Age of Gods was ending and gradually severed the ties
between his realm and the world. 3 months later, the southern
continent seemed to lift of the ground and shed its earthy covering,
revealing itself to be a massive Voidfaring vessel, powered by 5
large jets of strange purple energy. Once in deep space, Derek set
the ships' Wormhole generators to Axis' Cosmic frequency and entered
the plane. Once there he discovered that the Axiomites were warring
against a race known as the Proteans, a serpentine race of chaos. To
aid them, Derek showed them how to build sentient machines, Called
Inevitables, for the Inevitable defeat of the Proteans. Noting the
troubles on the world, he also had the Axiomites build another type
of Inevitable, which he called Marut, meaning "Final Death" in the
language of his people. He sent 1000 of these "Maruts" to the World
of Creation to vanquish the undead incursions. Derek kept
surveillance on the World to know what other problems might occur,
and prepared the Axiomites for new schematics by constantly having
them create and maintain the Inevitables, In case he might need them
to create more.
However, Josephine had not come there blindly, for it seemed as though the warioress had surprisingly won the game of chess against the Archdruid, to which the old elf stroked his chin with a rather comic frown, before exclaiming that he needed more practice and handing Josephine a leaf-shaped crystal.
Perhaps, although not certain, that would help her earn recognition from the paladins of Lighton and reach Merlyn more easily. Alas, a relatively long time has passed since Merlyn was allowed into the forest, so it was not a very reliable aid.
The Paladins do take Josephine to see Patriarch Merlyn, after she was searched for weapons. Merlyn spoke to her in his cluttered office, because he felt more comfortable there than his large, throne room. He gladly accepted the leaf shaped crystal.
"It has been over twenty years since I was in the Great Forest. I had to do something terrible to win a great battle. I was fighting Nevara and the Avatar of the Sand. I had to pay a price for that action, and so did an old friend of mine. I am glad that you are here. I know very little about the West, and I need to learn more. So, tell me Josephine of the West, how can I help you?"
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Derek noted that there was a plane of Machinery and Perfect Law called Mechanus.
The primary denizens of Mechanus were being composed partly of flesh, and partly of pure law, and were called the Axiomites.Derek knew the Age of Gods was ending and gradually severed the ties between his realm and the world.
3 months later, the southern continent seemed to lift of the ground and shed its earthy covering,revealing itself to be a massive Voidfaring vessel, powered by 5 large jets of strange purple energy. Once in deep space, Derek set
the ships' Wormhole generators to Mechanus' Cosmic frequency and entered the plane.
Once there he discovered that the Axiomites were warring against a race known as the Proteans, a serpentine race of chaos.To aid them, Derek showed them how to build sentient machines, called Inevitables, for the Inevitable defeat of the Proteans.
Noting the troubles on the world, he also had the Axiomites build another type of Inevitable, which he called Marut, meaning "Final Death" in the language of his people.
He sent 1000 of these "Maruts" to the World of Creation to vanquish the undead incursions.
Derek kept surveillance on the World to know what other problems might occur, and prepared the Axiomites for new schematics by constantly having them create and maintain the Inevitables, In case he might need them to create more.
Editing that awfl format. Ugh.
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"The question, Merlyn of the East, is not how you can help me, but how I can help you. I come here having spoken to Esil'Dar, and have heard of all that has happened here before I came. The Archdruid claims that this is a time of peace, and yet I arrive to find that the ranks of your... Paladins, i think you call them? have been bolstered significantly. I have conversed with the Avatar, and he in turn told me that he entered an agreement with the other Avatars. I come as their representative in this part of the world. I assume you have not forgotten how powerful the Avatar of the Sand was? He has not lost his touch, but it seems he considered you a worthy adversary, and so he asked me to come here."
At this point, Josephine seems a little lost. She is not used to being weaponless. It makes her feel uneasy.
"Rest assured, I am not here to cause strife, and the Avatar made it clear to me that I am not to harm any who do not wish harm upon others. Your paladins are no doubt skilled warriors, so you do not need me for that. And you are a skilled magician, perhaps the greatest this land will ever know, so you need not my magic. Guidance, however, is something you lack. The gods have left, including yours, and I wish to act as your advisor of sorts."
Josephine seems yet more lost. Speech comes easily to her, but Merlyn is an intimidating man, even in his aged state.
"If you wish proof of my allegiance to all in the East, then I would ask a favour of you. Give me the Bag of Sand that the Avatar gave you. I shall sever all ties it has to the other Archdruids. No doubt such an act will lift the burden on their hearts. I will also call the Avatar, as the bag will function purely as a communication system after I have severed the ties."
And finally Josephine finds the strength to finish what she needs to say.
"I will require my scimitar in order to do so. It has the power to negate any Avatar's magic to any degree that I see as being balanced. You see, the Avatars agreed to meddle no more in mortal affairs, but they lack the power to destroy relics of their own making. So they pooled their power, and now it lies in the sword. And I alone know how to use it. If you are willing, I will take an apprentice, who I shall teach the ways of the weapon. This will take many years to accomplish, but it will also provide you with a way to stop the desolation that the Black Desert caused. Avatars can be clever, twisting words to their own ends, and my own patron does not trust the Avatar of the Dead farther than he can be thrown. Let me do this for you, Merlyn, that the East does not come to remember only pain and suffering caused by the West."
Josephine stops, and awaits Merlyn's verdict.
"The question, Merlyn of the East, is not how you can help me, but how I can help you. I come here having spoken to Esil'Dar, and have heard of all that has happened here before I came. The Archdruid claims that this is a time of peace, and yet I arrive to find that the ranks of your... Paladins, i think you call them? have been bolstered significantly. I have conversed with the Avatar, and he in turn told me that he entered an agreement with the other Avatars. I come as their representative in this part of the world. I assume you have not forgotten how powerful the Avatar of the Sand was? He has not lost his touch, but it seems he considered you a worthy adversary, and so he asked me to come here."
At this point, Josephine seems a little lost. She is not used to being weaponless. It makes her feel uneasy.
"Rest assured, I am not here to cause strife, and the Avatar made it clear to me that I am not to harm any who do not wish harm upon others. Your paladins are no doubt skilled warriors, so you do not need me for that. And you are a skilled magician, perhaps the greatest this land will ever know, so you need not my magic. Guidance, however, is something you lack. The gods have left, including yours, and I wish to act as your advisor of sorts."
Josephine seems yet more lost. Speech comes easily to her, but Merlyn is an intimidating man, even in his aged state.
"If you wish proof of my allegiance to all in the East, then I would ask a favour of you. Give me the Bag of Sand that the Avatar gave you. I shall sever all ties it has to the other Archdruids. No doubt such an act will lift the burden on their hearts. I will also call the Avatar, I ias the bag will function purely as a communication system after I have severed the ties."
And finally Josephine finds the strength to finish what she needs to say.
"I will require my scimitar in order to do so. It has the power to negate any Avatar's magic to any degree that I see as being balanced. You see, the Avatars agreed to meddle no more in mortal...
"Very well," Merlyn said. "Here is your scimitar and Bag of Sand."
He made both items appear in front of her.
"I certainly wish nothing more to do with that bag. I would very much like to communicate with the Avatar of the Sand and the other Avatars. Your apprentice will be my Head Paladin......Te-Bow. He will need a powerful weapon like that one day to defend Lighton when I am gone, and that may be soon. All right, Warrior of the West, proceed."
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"Thank you, Merlyn. Watch carefully."
Josephine took the bag, and carefully swept her hand across each active gem, grabbing the barely perceptible bonds. She then drew the Scimitar across those bonds, visibly severing them.
"It is done. I will now call the Avatar."
She took a handful of the sand from the bag, and drew a circle on a clear space on Merlyn's desk...
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"Ah, Merlyn. It has been some time. 20 years?"
The Avatar's upper torso lifted itself out of the sand. He was just as imposing as he once was, and the feeling of evil he gave off was not diminished, but he smiled with a warmth that he once could not.
"You once banished me from this land, and I went. But here I am now. Josephine, leave us for now, if you please."
Josephine stood, and left the room, standing outside.
"I come, not because Josephine needs me, but because I must tell you more of the Avatars. There are 5 in this world. Myself, and the avatars of Rock, Water, Air, and Death. Air is mutable, but he has currents that cannot be changed. Water follows rules. Earth is solid. All of these will uphold their promises to each other. We will not meddle in mortal affairs any further than we have."
Here the Avatar shows his new nature. He is still evil, but no more has he the thirst for power he once had. He opens a small viewing portal, and Merlyn recognises it as such. Through it, a stream of what looks like souls passing through a gate seems to be struggling.
"The Avatar of Death, however, is another matter entirely. It is he that allows death to happen, and he alone controls the gate that all mortal souls must pass through. If he was to... end that, then souls would not pass on. This power is what I fear. He may close the way, and if he does... it does not bear thinking about. I send you Josephine as a way to defend you from this fate."
The avatar gestures to the bag and the scimitar as he closes the portal.
"I will continue to advise you, if you call me. No more will I ask for a price. I fear Stagbrow is, in a way, a relic of mine. Only this scimitar, forged by the 5, can truly end his immortality."
"Josephine is, in addition to a warrior, a humanitarian. She has healing magic, along with cooking skills. She will teach you more of the West, if you ask for it. Fare you well, Merlyn."
And the sand, just like the last time it was invoked, streams back into the bag.
Merlyn considered the words of the Avatar of Sand, then he called for Josephine to reentry his office.
"The words of the Avatar of the Sand concern me. You will stay here for awhile. Train Te-Bow as your apprentice and also work in the Cathedral's kitchen as a cook. My paladins will take you to a room for you to stay."
When she left Merlyn knew he had another task before him; he had to confront the Avatar of Death!
Trevor slowly made his way south from the Valley of Nevara, past Lighton, and through Hukara (that was currently occupied by the Drakonites). They pretty much left the surviving Hukarans only, because those strong enough to resist were either dead or in slave pits. He met a young, Human hunter named Ha-Ris, who was just 9, but he was hunting bison alone on a desolate plain. It was nighttime, so Trevor made him a fire and gave him some elven bread to eat.
Ha-Ris was very happy to eat, and he told Trevor about his favorite star signs in the sky.
"Look up there, its the Bison! And over there is the Dragon! I hate dragons, because of the Drakonites, but he's still up there," he said.
Trevor had looked up at the stars before, and he noticed that you could draw lines to connect them into shapes like animals. In other worlds it was called a Zodiac. That was when it struck him! His calendar could be based on those signs! Everyone across Primeva (and the world), both good, neutral and evil, looked up at the stars.
He asked the boy where his parents were, and Ha-Ris said sadly that they were all slain by the Drakonites. Trevor felt a great sadness for the young hunter, so he used a rare Wish type spell, and Ha-Ris was relocated to the city of Lighton, with new parents, brothers, sisters and a nice home. He was sort of bending the rules with that spell, but sometimes Trevor felt rules should be broken.
Trevor began running south now, because he knew what he had to do...
Sagen was working hard on trying to figure out the box was. She-Lia was on level one of the tower feeding the horses. He noticed that it had strange markings on it. He knew it wasn't magical or divine in nature, but there were other powers. As he studied long into the night and morning, but made an assumption that the marking on the Box may be numerical!
It consisted of lines and patterns he had never seen before, and he wrote them down on a scroll. They looked like this:
void su_co(int x1,int y1,int x2,int y2,int xmin,int ymin,int xmax,int ymax)line(320+x1,240-y1,320+x2,240-y2);void midpt(int x1,int y1,int x2,int y2,int xmin,int ymin,int xmax,int ymax)if(!(y1>ymax || y1<ymin || x1>xmax || x1<xmin) && (x3 || y3)!=0.1)...
Whenever Sagen thought he saw a pattern, it changed! The markings on the Box were changing, and the changing was becoming more frequent. He made another assumption that the Box was trying to tell him something, but what was it?
Trevor stopped near New Primeva, where he would complete his quest, and he wrote down some of his thoughts about the Star Signs:
Month and Season
The Fish.....Spring
The Turtle...Spring
The Toad.....Spring
The Phoenix..Summer
The Dragon...Summer
The Serpent..Summer
The Horse....Autumn
The Lion.....Autumn
The Mouse....Autumn
The Ram......Winter
The Bear.....Winter
The Wolf.....Winter
Each culture would probably have different animals; for example, there would probably be a rabbit in there somewhere. However, this was a good start. He was certain others would name the animals he listed. Trevor had seen a Phoniex on Beriya before, but most folks would call it a "Firehawk" or something. Let the arguments come! Now he headed for New Primeva....
From the Great Forest Netura mediated before the Great Tree, and she felt an imbalance in the....Force of Nature. Something was coming...
"Neturaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."
The voice came from behind her, but before she could turn around she began to feel cold, although it was the middle of the day.
"Neturaaaaaaaa..."
Netura turned around, only to see a wisp of smoke materialize into a hooded creature, clearly humanoid, but gaunt, lifeless.
"Netura, surely one such as yourself knows this feeling? That a big change is coming, and nothing can stop it? The same feeling my brother caused when he came near this place. He always was one for theatrics."
The figure walked a little way towards the tree, then sat down. He clearly didn't care that Netura was there, nor did he take notice of the other Archdruids nearby.
"Long have I pondered when the World Tree would fall. And how it would taste when it did. The sapling my brother tore from life, you have heard of it? Well, I collected it's soul. And my, it was... Delicioussssssssss........"
And the hooded figure dissipated into smoke once more, before even that had disappeared. The entire thing had taken mere moments, but already Netura dreaded what was to come...
Netura screamed and told the other Archdruids what she just saw. Then she kneeled before the Great Tree and wept...
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After wondering about, Grodd noticed that the forest he had found himself in was magical of nature (one could easily smell the fey energies if not distracted by anything). Just as he was taking the wonderful scenery in, Grodd heard a high pitched, squawky voice coming from the treetops:
"Hello, mister gorilla, who's a pretty boy then?"
Turning his head towards the voice, Grodd saw a most peculiar creature. It had a body of a parrot -its feathers shining a most dazzling red with golden feathers on the tips of its wings and tail- but its face was that of an elf (or at least, SOME sort of elven like creature) complete with a couple of feathery antennas resting neatly on its head. While gazing silently at the strange beast, it spoke yet again:
"Actually, I think you're a sick puppy, because you look RUFF!" With that, the odd little beastie burst out laughing! And Grodd quickly realised it was none other, than a MOCKINGFEY (and clearly, one that took its name quite literally).
Shrugging off the mockingfey's words, Grodd continued through the forest curious about what else he may encounter.
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A 60ft. tall statue of obsidian, clad in Golden armour stands at the foot of the World Tree, An enormous broadsword, with an oak leaf shaped blade rests in a sheath at its back.
A 60ft. tall statue of obsidian, clad in Golden armour stands at the foot of the World Tree, An enormous broadsword, with an oak leaf shaped blade rests in a sheath at its back.
OK, since Netura is there, she saw the really tall statue, so she screams for help The she casted a powerful Entangle spell, and it wraps up the statue in really strong branches, twigs, and leaves.
Editing that awfl format. Ugh.Derek noted that there was a plane of Machinery and Perfect Law called Mechanus.
The primary denizens of Mechanus were being composed partly of flesh, and partly of pure law, and were called the Axiomites.Derek knew the Age of Gods was ending and gradually severed the ties between his realm and the world.
3 months later, the southern continent seemed to lift of the ground and shed its earthy covering,revealing itself to be a massive Voidfaring vessel, powered by 5 large jets of strange purple energy. Once in deep space, Derek set
the ships' Wormhole generators to Mechanus' Cosmic frequency and entered the plane.
Once there he discovered that the Axiomites were warring against a race known as the Proteans, a serpentine race of chaos.To aid them, Derek showed them how to build sentient machines, called Inevitables, for the Inevitable defeat of the Proteans.
Noting the troubles on the world, he also had the Axiomites build another type of Inevitable, which he called Marut, meaning "Final Death" in the language of his people.
He sent 1000 of these "Maruts" to the World of Creation to vanquish the undead incursions.
Derek kept surveillance on the World to know what other problems might occur, and prepared the Axiomites for new schematics by constantly having them create and maintain the Inevitables, In case he might need them to create more.
Sagen made sure not to touch the Box. He had no idea what would happen if he did. However, accidents happen. He had studied the Box all night, so Sagen fell asleep next to it. She-Lia saw him lying next to the Box, so she grew frustated and yelled at him.
"What," Sagen began to say as he woke up and his right hand briefly touched the Box. He screamed in pain and so did She-Lia. The codes that were covering the Box suddenly covered Sagen. His mind was flooded with images from another plane of existance.She-Lia screamed and ran to him, but Sagen said, "NO, DO NOT TOUCH ME!"
In his mind he saw the plane of Mechanus and the war between the Axiomites and Proteanse and the great ship at the South Pole. Sagen finally understood and he was able to transfer the Codes back to the Box; his skin was normal again.
"I finally understand, She-Lia! I know what the Box is and where its from! By the Gods its amazing and scary and..."
He fainted.
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Among the Archdruids, only Ae would stand beside Netura and comfort her fears and distress, he was her teacher after all. The rest of them would break into a fervent discussion as to the nature of this creature that had so seamlessly invaded their forest to gaze at the massive tree.
However, when trouble came, it marched not alone for it seemed a massive armed figure somehow made past the various forest defenses, as if simply appearing within the forest itself through some disturbing method of teleportation. Netura reacted quickly, while the Archdruids were content to merely observe for the time being, however each would move closer to the thing, including Ae, who left Netura with only a comforting smile to confront this structure.
Silence settled in, before finally one of the seven shrugged and folded his muscular arms over his chest, announcing: "That is it. We must devise a method to block any form of teleportation into our forest without our approval." - to which the others quietly agreed.
Ae spoke out: "Who are you, to invade our forest without any warning or invitation, intruder?" - his voice was calm, but there was an intentionally pronounced note of irritation hidden within the diplomatic skills of the Archdruid.
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"I am Tuketa, The True Death. I exist to destroy creatures who would cheat the rules of life, by eluding death. One such creature wishes to harm the World tree, I am here to prevent that and to destroy the creature.
Merlyn made a decision. I wrote a quick note to his acolytes. In it he named Te-Bow to be the Patriarch until he returned, but he did not plan to return. 20 years was enough to be in church. He had to perform one last act before his play was over. He had to confront the Avatar of Death!
He had to leave the Staff of Stars, but he made himself a new staff, made from a limb from the Tree of Life. It grew here in Lighton. He asked the tree for one of her limbs, and she said yes. He felt naked without a wooden staff. It also enhanced his spells and miracles.
Merlyn did not tell anyone he was leaving. They would just cry and beg him not to go, so it was better this way. He said one last goodbye, and Merlyn left. However,, he left one last mental suggestion in Te-Bow's mind. He told him how to activate the Dome of Light, using the Staff of Stars. The staff had actual starlight in it direct from the Sun. It would protect Lighton in case of an invasion.
"Time to go!" Merlyn said before he disappeared...
Josephine was sitting in her room, when suddenly she felt a strange pull on her mind. She quickly opened her own bag of sand, and the sand flowed out onto the floor, before taking the form of the Avatar of Sand.
"Josephine, you must leave. Go with him. That scimitar is the one hope this world has now that the Gods are gone."
Josephine quickly packed her things. She went to Te-Bow, and said her goodbye to her apprentice. She will be back.
She quickly caught up to Merlyn, and she said to him "My scimitar is the one hope this world has of defeating Him. Why did you think of leaving without it?"
Josephine was sitting in her room, when suddenly she felt a strange pull on her mind. She quickly opened her own bag of sand, and the sand flowed out onto the floor, before taking the form of the Avatar of Sand.
"Josephine, you must leave. Go with him. That scimitar is the one hope this world has now that the Gods are gone."
Josephine quickly packed her things. She went to Te-Bow, and said her goodbye to her apprentice. She will be back.
She quickly caught up to Merlyn, and she said to him "My scimitar is the one hope this world has of defeating Him. Why did you think of leaving without it?"
"You should stay back in Lighton and cook for the Paladins," Merlyn said. "However, if you insist on coming I won't stop you. The Avatar of Death must be stopped. Death is a part of Life. Two sides of the same coin. LordDeath is in the Realm ot the Dead waiting for souls, and all of the other domains in the Far Realms. Also, there are other Avatars too. I do not know what will happen when we face him."
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"I insist, for without me you face certain failure. I know how the Avatars work, I know of the agreements they made, and I alone wield the weapon that can end them. And besides, at least one of us should return here to tell the tale of what happened, don't you think?"
Evidently Josephine knew a lot more than she outwardly showed.
"I insist, for without me you face certain failure. I know how the Avatars work, I know of the agreements they made, and I alone wield the weapon that can end them. And besides, at least one of us should return here to tell the tale of what happened, don't you think?"
Evidently Josephine knew a lot more than she outwardly showed.
"Very well, Josephine, you may lead the way. My Second Sight spell showed me that the Avatar of Death last appeared in the Great Forest. Unless you disagree, that is where we should go. I do have a ride."
Merlyn whistled and in a few minutes they both saw a giant, white owl fly down towards them.
Trevor made his way to the edge of New Primeva. Once, before it was destroyed by the Destroyer, it was called Primeva. Farael created a race in his image, and they called themselves Primevans. Now, Trevor had to see what happened before Farael fell to Beriya, because the world had all ready been created. Trevor casted a time travel spell, and he felt himself go back to before the beginning....
Everything was absolute black. It was a Void. Then he heard a man's voice say, "LET THERE BE LIGHTS!" The Void was filled with stars! The light was so bright that it burned his eyes. Then the Creator said, "These stars are good. I will name the closet star the Sun. This was a good, first day.
Then the Creator said, "I will make a World to circle the Sun, and I will make other worlds too. However, this world will be my first and I say name it Beriya, which means creation. Beriya will have many Lands, and I will make creatures to live on those Lands. This is enough for today. It was a good, second day."
Then the Creator said,"I will make Waters next to the Lands, and I will fill the Waters with many creatures. Water will flow from the ground and fall from the sky. That is good for today. It was a good, third day."
Then the Creator said, "I will make the Winds above the Lands and the Waters, and I will fill the Winds with many winged creatures. That is enough for the fourth day."
Then the Creator said, "I will make the Fires below the Lands, and I will fill the Fires with many burning creatures. The is good for the fifth day."
Then the Creator said, "I will make the Moons to circle the world, so those that will live on Beriya will be able to mark the passage. One Moon will be Seen, but other will be Unseen. Only when the world is in peril will the Unseen Moon be shown. That is good for the sixth day."
Then the Creator said, "I will make this the last day of creation. Above the world I will make the Heavens, and in it will dwell Gods of Light. They will bring Light to the world, and guide good souls to them. Around the world I shall create the Havens, where Gods of Neutrality can dwell. Below the world I shall create the Hells, where Gods of Darkness can dwell and guide dark souls to them. The Gods can create and bring living beings to live on Beriya, and those beings will pray to them. Now, I must return to my home and rest. This was a good, seventh day."
Then, the Creator turned to Trevor and he saw him in his true form! What he saw shocked him to his soul, and he would have died if the Creator allowed it.
"I hope this answered your questions, Trevor. It also raised new questions for you too. Its time for you to go back." The Creator waved his hands and Trevor was back to the present. Trevor smiled, took a deep breath, and he fainted...
Hutan, who was in the realm called the Happy Hunting Ground, watched as the humans of Hukara suffered enslavement under the Drakonites, who are no longer human. Those that escaped crossed the Hunar Hills to another land. The Hukaran King Bo-Rak was imprisoned by King Dra-Khan, who was more dragon now than human. He prayed to his dragon goddess, and she granted him many powers. Hutan could not directly interfere, but he could inspire others to help.
The humans who escaped east across the Hunar Hills called their new domain Freeland. Some wanted to remain in this new land, but others wanted to build an army to reclaim Hukara from Drakonus. There was a mighty warrior called Hun-Tar who wanted to fight back. He had slain many of the Drakonites himself, but he needed help. He needed powerful weapons, armor, and an army to lead.
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Some of the worm people who became druids took the profession pilgrim. They each took a seed from the world tree and sought a great forest to plant it in. If or when the world tree dies it's powers and memories will pass to the next most worthy tree. I'm mentioning this because there is a tree in Freeland, one on the island of Anime(Like Japan, but bigger, the natives have large eyes, and more possibilities for hair color.) and several other large forests. The one in Freeland is a talking bear with little other traits left over from his monstrous ancestors. The natural creatures would rather the war took place somewhere other than Freeland, so they are in.
The Wormlord's Avatar is busy promoting the holiday. The Wormlord has started creating reapers to fetch the souls of the faithful directly, in case there is a problem with the whole death's door thing.
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"I have no objections. For now, i follow you, Merlyn."
Trevor eventually woke up in a grassy field outside New Primeva. He remembered everything he has from the Creation of Beriya. He also decided that the months should be named after the gods (and other powerful beings) so he decided that the first month should be named after Farael. He would ask the people of Beriya what the names of the other months should be. He had the 7 Days of the Week from the Creator himself. He began to walk to New Primeva to go something to drink and eat.
"I have no objections. For now, i follow you, Merlyn."
Merlyn's white owl, that he named Lowan, took him and Josephine to the Great Forest. There he saw the Great Tree and a sixty rod (foot) tall, obsidion statue next to it. He didn't know what to think about that. They landed next to the tree and waited for their response...
Trevor went to New Primeva and asked to see a cleric of Farael. Since he "died" and went to the Far Realms, his clerics built a temple to him. The Faraelians believe in the attributes of goodness, loyalty, honor, and judgment. Farael know sits in judgment in the Hall of Souls.
Trevor told the high priest, Allabytha, that he was naming the first month of his new Common Calendar after Farael, and she was indifferent.
"Do what you will, Traveler," she said. "Every culture and region in Primeva has their own way of measuring time. Why would they use your calendar?"
"Because it would be for everyone," Trevor said. "I also made names for the days of the week too. I just got back from the beginning of time, and I saw the Creator create the world! Here is what I have come up with based on the days of creation!"
Trevor then told her the following before she could say no:
Lights Day (it could also be called Darks Day in evil lands)
Lands Day
Waters Day
Winds Day
Fires Day
Moons Day
Gods Day
Allabytha then asked him to leave the temple or be thrown out. Trevor walked down the streets of New Primeva looking for a bar or tavern. Maybe she was right and he was wasting his time.
"You are not wasting your time," he heard someone say. Trevor turned around and saw a Primevan male he had not seen before.
"I was just talking with Farael in the Hall of Souls, and I know he would approve of you naming the first month after him," he said.
"Thank you sir, but may I ask your name?"
"Yes, my name is Alsokar, but keep that a secret. I don't think I am very popular here anymore. I was dead, but Farael sent me back to a new, recently dead body. He said I was needed here. I guess I paid the price for my crimes."
"Yes, death typically is the highest price for most crimes," Trevor said.
Alsokar liked his new body. It was younger than his last one. He agreed to travel with Trevor for the time being, until he decided what to do with himself. Fortunately, he remembered all of his spells and fighting stances. He feared he would have to start over. He showed Trevor where the nearest tavern was.
While at the bar Trevor showed him what he had so far. He told him the days of the week, and then showed him the calendar so far:
Month, Season, Sign
Farael....Spring...Fish
No Name...Spring...Turtle
No Name...Spring...Toad
No Name...Summer...Phoenix
No Name...Summer...Dragon
No Name...Summer...Serpent
No Name...Fall.....Horse
No Name...Fall.....Lion
No Name...Fall.....Mouse
No Name...Winter...Ram
No Name...Winter...Bear
No Name...Winter...Wolf
"Are you sure about those star signs? I know my people have different names for the constellations here," Alsokar said.
"No, I am not sure about them, but I included them anyway. I can expect differences of opinion. However, I am asking the gods, goddesses, and other powerful people to contribute their names to the calendar."
"Aren't you a god?" Alsokar asked. "How about you name a month after yourself?"
"Me? Oh no, I am not worthy. I am just a minor god at best."
"I think you are worthy, considering all that you have done. As far as traveling goes, your name should go to the Horse month. How about it?"
Alsokar then took Trevor's quill pen and added his name to the calendar. It looked like this now:
Month, Season, Sign
Farael....Spring...Fish
No Name...Spring...Turtle
No Name...Spring...Toad
No Name...Summer...Phoenix
No Name...Summer...Dragon
No Name...Summer...Serpent
Trevor....Fall.....Horse
No Name...Fall.....Lion
No Name...Fall.....Mouse
No Name...Winter...Ram
No Name...Winter...Bear
No Name...Winter...Wolf
"There, that was fun. I have never named a month before," Alsokar said laughing...
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After several days of wondering, Grodd saw the tree line receding and giving way to a most spectacular view. Laying before the ape deity was a large stretch of greenery -verdant grassland with bushes dotted here and there- and dazzling patches of multicoloured flowers all leading to magnificent mountain ranges in the distance. While observing the grand scenery, Grodd noticed that various odd looking creatures were arriving. Once Grodd realised that the creatures were all fey (and given the magical energies that could be felt all around) he discovered that he was in a place known simply as 'The First World'. So this was to be his home now? Deciding to accept what must be his fate, Grodd entered the grassland and sat down to truly appreciate the events all around him whilst wishing that the people he knew (Farael in particular) could be there too.
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After several days of wondering, Grodd saw the tree line receding and giving way to a most spectacular view. Laying before the ape deity was a large stretch of greenery -verdant grassland with bushes dotted here and there- and dazzling patches of multicoloured flowers all leading to magnificent mountain ranges in the distance. While observing the grand scenery, Grodd noticed that various odd looking creatures were arriving. Once Grodd realised that the creatures were all fey (and given the magical energies that could be felt all around) he discovered that he was in a place known simply as 'The First World'. So this was to be his home now? Deciding to accept what must be his fate, Grodd entered the grassland and sat down to truly appreciate the events all around him whilst wishing that the people he knew (Farael in particular) could be there too.
Grodd, I am in the Hall of Souls now judging the dead. I lost track of you. Where is "The First World"? Are you off Beriya? Maybe I can send an Avatar to you....
"From what I heard, Merlyn, you are not welcome here. The Archdruid Esil'Dar told me the very same when I passed here looking for you. Perhaps, although this may be asking too much, we should head to the western edge of the Great Forest? After all, Esil'Dar does still play chess with the Avatar of Sand, and maybe he could tell us more?"
Josephine looked troubled. Strife between the Archdruids and Merlyn could only lead to sadness, and Stagbrow still had not been found. Many things could go wrong. She kept her scimitar at the ready...
Death. The ending of life. The ending of a process that allowed individuals the ability to express themselves. For the Avatar of such an event, finding one who's connection to nature had been severed was easy. Perhaps too much so.
"Stagbrow..."
The voice echoed in the clearing where Stagbrow had recently killed another animal. His need to eat seemed to be almost human, but he had not aged at all. His immortality was bound not to nature, but to another force. After all, nature is a cycle between the lives of the fittest, and the deaths of all others.
"Stagbrow... You have lost much. Do you still feel? Do you still miss the connection you once felt? I can... give you something more... something... greater..."
And with that, the Avatar of Death appeared before Stagbrow, the Broken Archdruid.
"From what I heard, Merlyn, you are not welcome here. The Archdruid Esil'Dar told me the very same when I passed here looking for you. Perhaps, although this may be asking too much, we should head to the western edge of the Great Forest? After all, Esil'Dar does still play chess with the Avatar of Sand, and maybe he could tell us more?"
Josephine looked troubled. Strife between the Archdruids and Merlyn could only lead to sadness, and Stagbrow still had not been found. Many things could go wrong. She kept her scimitar at the ready...
"Yes, you are correct. Let us go to the western edge of the Great Forest. We should talk with Esil'Dar." Merlyn told Lowan to fly them there.