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Animus Ex Nihilo - A God Quest

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Star said:
Well we will certainly be quite a looker. For one i believe hermaphrodites will be quite appreciated in our religion.

Otherwise this actually might get us that fertility/love domain as well .
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I will admit, I don't see how Proud Waters falling outside the gender binary means they get access to the fertility or love domains. Your appearence doesn't mean you're any more loving, after all, and they've done nothing for the fertility of any fields so far (metaphorical or otherwise).

Now, if we ever get around to making as many Sacred Monstrosities as I want to, that might do the trick, but that's a ways off.
 
For the record, if any obvious opportunity for the Love domain opens up, I am absolutely jumping at it with both hands.

Divine Servants have access to domains in some regard, we could make Luvdisc a real thing!
 
I think the next servant we make should be something like a shark or predatory fish and have it guard the dead. We should use servants to basically delegate tasks we don't want to be constantly doing.

Edit: thinking about it, a lionfish servant would be cool. It's a big ball of nope and godly glam would make it stunning.
 
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I've said it before and I'll say it again: We should make our next Divine Servant a lamprey.

Let's reappropiate the creature whose form the Devourer so wickedly stole! Have them help rebuild the damage caused by the pseudo-serpent most vile! Yes, their mouths are kinda gross, but so are sea turtles' and everybody agrees that the reptiles are cute despite this!

It doesn't even have to be one of the parasitic sea types, we could take one of the smaller and sweeter Brook Lampreys.
 
Damn. Just missed the vote.

Oh well, what I wanted ended up winning anyway.

Can't wait to form a proper pantheon!
 
Awwww dang, all the different humanoid options got added to to top human option? Would have preferred to change my vote to no form.
 
Amilia said:
If a lamprey's not a parasite then we might just as well cut the chase and grab an eel. It's practically the same but starts bigger and meaner.
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Sea Lampreys are parasites, Brook Lampreys are not parasites. There's a lamprey for everybody!

Also, from a phylogenetic point of view eels have more in common with humans than they do with lampreys.
 
I like the idea of a shark or predatory fish servant to protect the dead, but perhaps we can make a kraken that could do so, the Kraken being an entity that protects the dead instead of dragging people into the depths would seem interesting. Though not sure we want to spend points on making another servant yet.
 
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Turn 6
  • Threadmarks
    • Adhoc vote count started by Azel on Nov 6, 2021 at 4:56 PM, finished with 89 posts and 40 votes.
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    Turn 6​

    For days, Lenghped had been waiting in the village by the bay. The people were nice enough to him, offering him food and a place to put his bedroll for little more than a hand full of cured meat that he brought along on his journey, but he still felt ill at ease to stay with them. The people of the forests did not mingle with the people of the sea. That much was common wisdom where he came from, and his father in particular had no love for the strange ways of strange people that pray to a strange goddess. The traditions of his forefathers mattered more to him. But traditions could not help Lenghped.

    Last fall, he had sprained his foot while hunting. His father had set it with a splint, applied some foul smelling paste he had made from deers blood and bitter herbs, and then waited. Leghpeds foot kept hurting for day after day, growing red and swollen until he could barely move it, and it was mid-winter before he could walk again. It likely was a small miracle that he could do so at all. His father would not hear any complaints about the traditions, but the young man knew full well that they had failed. His foot had not truly healed, and the weakness would not go. It had been two moons and he still would wobble and fall now and then without a reason. When hunting, it would begin to hurt without a warning, and he could only limp home empty handed. When gathering wood and food in the forest, he could barely carry more than his youngest brother before his leg would betray him.

    The great traditions said nothing about lame men, except that it would be honourable of them to walk into the deep woods and to never be a burden on their family again. His father had made no mention of it, but his sister sure called him a useless cripple whenever she was annoyed at him. How much longer until the rest of the family would think the same? If Leghped had to chose between being encouraged to disappear because of his wound, or to be shunned for participating in the rites of the Sea People, then he would choose the latter. It was not as if they could do worse to him than cast him out and this way, he might at least have two good legs when it happened.

    In the end, it took half a moon for the shamans to decree that the spring was coming and that no new wave of frost would plunge them back into winter. That exited many of the Sea People and Leghped could not help to be carried along by the good cheer it brought over the village. That night, they gathered on the beach of the bay to the shine of torches and it must have been the whole village and more who attended. He could not make out the people crowding around fires and torches all that well, yet he was fairly certain to have seen a few more who, like him, wore rough furs of the Forest People. Some others looked to be neither Sea People, nor Forest People, though he could not tell where they hailed from either.

    He kept stealing glances at these people as the ritual begun, all while trying his best to sing along with the songs he did not know without someone noticing that he just made vague sounds instead of proper words. Fortunately, the many voices that knew what they were doing drowned out his own. As they sang, the shamans worked on the small island that housed the shrine to the Proud Waters, bringing forth goats, fish, pearls, and other things that they slaughtered, crushed, or otherwise rendered down. Most of it was strewn around the shrine, but a bit of everything was thrown into a large pot that boiled beside them. It was a strange experience for Leghped. He rarely met people who were not part of his family and never even a fraction as many at the same time as now stood around him just near this one fire. And there were many, many fires on the beach that spread warmth to all who attended.

    Could it work, this strange ritual? He had his doubts. After all, his father was so certain that his traditions would cure his wound. But could so many people err? There had to be something to this, or they would not all have gone through this much effort. And he could not deny that he felt something as they all sang with each other, people beyond count joined together in one purpose. Soon enough, Leghped had figured out enough of the words to sing along somewhat. Glory to the sea they wished, and for the waters to wash away their pains and ailments. He hoped it would work. Slowly the sun came over the horizon and the people redoubled their efforts once more for a last song before falling into silence. Only the shamans still spoke and chanted, but the wind did not carry their words to the shore.

    Out of the sea walked crabs and the people were confused. Was this not supposed to happen? His attention was drawn to the shamans, who seemed taken by surprise by these events. Some people near Leghped started to whisper that this was an omen, though they had no idea if it was a good or a bad one. Then the bay began to swell over the small island that housed the shrine, water bubbling upwards as if a springtime had come and the shamans had no choice but to step away from the shrine to not be caught in whatever was happening. The water rose and rose, welling up higher and higher until the shape it formed would have dwarfed the tallest tree in the forest. Around Leghped, the people began to cry in awe before whatever was happening, many falling to their knees and begin to speak prayers towards the figure. The young man knew not if it was the weakness of his foot or the shock at what he saw, but he fell to his knees too.

    The waters formed the shaped of a person, though one could not tell if it was male or female. Seaweed flowed through its form, hanging from the head like strands of long hair. When the figure opened its eyes, it gazed at the gathered people with eyes made from pearls the size of a mans head. No word was spoken. Neither by the figure, nor the people on the bay. Even the shamans could only kneel and shiver, looking lesser than the smallest child next to the giant figure. With a wave of the apparitions hand, a kind smile on their lips, the waters flushed over the shrine and carried away the offerings made to the Proud Waters. With their other hand, they drew forth a few droplets of water from their own form, which they then dropped into the cauldron that stood almost forgotten among the cowering shamans.

    As fast as it had appeared, the figure was gone, gliding out into the bay and melting back into its waters. No one dared to move, or even to speak. Only when a sudden gust of wind nearly blew over the cauldron did the shamans move again and as they did, the spell on all the other people was broken. Leghped though remained on his knees. He did not dare to trust his foot right then and there. He could not tear his eyes way from the bay, where he had just seen the most beautiful and most terrifying sight he ever beheld. Even when the shaman came and offered him a small bowl of water from the cauldron, he could not rise, and it needed some kind persons help to make him drink. It took until noon that he dared to stand again, but when he did, he knew that his foot would never bother him again.


    As you moved back into the waters and let the water that you had used for your body disperse, you were struck by how much more potent the offerings were this time. No. Not the offerings. It had taken most of your attention to keep the body in its shape, but you had felt the power coming to you from elsewhere than the sacrifices. You rose back out of the water, now invisible to the mortals eyes again, and they were still fixed in place. And there was still the raw potential that you drew your might from that slowly trickled from them. Was that the secret? The more fervently they believed, the more they nourished you?

    There had to be more to it. You had never felt this happen when your herald had saved a drowning fisher, or when your healing had drawn a person back from the brink of death. Then, when there was nothing except your hand between them and their demise, they believed with all their soul, yet they did not shed this much power. Something was different when they acted together. You had noticed it the first time when they had built your shrine, and now again. But what was it? You had peered countless times into their bodies and there was nothing in it that could not be found in a deer or a goat. The fish had as many signs of your existence as the people had, yet the fish could not provide power to you. Every time it seemed that you learned more about yourself, it just led to more questions.

    You left for the comfort of the sea, your thoughts far away from the moment. The power left in the water would ensure the blessings would be bestowed and that was your part in the rite. Meanwhile, you had to consider your next actions. The Devourer still threatened the Sea People and while you were certain that you could alter your own nature to align yourself with the new form of power that the healing rites produced, it would likely be taxing on yourself. Perhaps risky even. But there was so much for you to do, so many prayers to answer, and battles to fight. Could you even afford to be cautious about this?


    You have 7 Power to spend.
    You can have your Herald perform / assist with one action that has the Sea domain.

    Format:
    [] Plan Name
    -[] name of action – amount of Power to spend / if Herald shall perform or assist this action
    -[] next action – Power / Herald
    -[] etc.


    Blessings
    Bestow a boon without expecting something in return.

    [] Inspire the boat makers.
    Description:     The canoes of the people have greatly improved, but further blessings might yield new inspiration for the boat makers.
    Domains: Sea
    Power: 2 max

    [] Give Signs.
    Description:     You have quite successfully communicated with the shamans. Maybe you should try to help the people by giving signs to other people too.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Bless the goats.
    Description:     Your efforts with the fish prove that your power could change an animal. Maybe your would have more impressive results from the goats.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max


    Prayers
    Answer the requests of the people making sacrifices to you.

    [] Bless the fishers.
    Description:     Steer fish to the fishers and protect them from the dangers of your sea.
    Domains: Sea
    Power: 2 max

    [] Bless the explorers.
    Description:     A new generation of explorers is desiring to leave the Bay Village to find new places to settle. Bless them to give them a safe journey.
    Domains: Sea
    Power: 2 max

    [] Heal the people.
    Description:     The people are practicing the old healing rites with some regularity again and there is a trickle of pilgrims coming to your shrine to ask for healing of themselves or their loved ones.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Bless the bereaved.
    Description:     The attack by the unknown creature will not deter you. Keep blessing the bereaved to strengthen the acceptance of your burial tires.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Protect the dead.
    Description:     You can not tolerate that the dead given into your care would be devoured by some beast. Spend some of your power to protect their bodies from further attacks.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Find and slay the Devourer.
    Description:     The people call upon you to fight the Broken Serpent that lurks in the sea. Answer their prayers and slay the creature.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max


    Punishments
    Smite your enemies. It is not in your Nature to hurt people.


    Other
    There are a lot of things you could do with your powers that would not directly involve the lives of the people.

    [] Bless the bay.
    Description:     While the bay already has become a great source of food for the people, you still think that you might be able to improve upon your work if you spent some more power on it.
    Domains: Sea
    Power: 2 max

    [] Bless the river.
    Description:     As you had done to the bay long ago, you could try and reshape the rivers near the River Village to better suit the needs of the Sea People.
    Domains: Sea
    Power: 2 max

    [] Bless a shrine.
    -[] Write-In which shrine.
    Description:     Your shrine is far more than wood and shells, but almost a part of you. Spend some power to see if you can strengthen this connection or otherwise make use of it.
    Domains: Sea
    Power: 2 max

    [] Explore the land.
    Description:     Move further inland and see what you can find there.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Explore the sea.
    Description:     While you know every detail of the bay, you could always explore the wider sea and its coasts.
    Domains: Sea
    Power: 2 max

    [] Find the village near the mountains.
    Description:     While you know decently well where to find the village that your people are trading with from listening in on the nomads, it is too far away to travel there without spending some power on the effort.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Try to learn more about the nature of your power.
    Description:     You still don't really understand how an offering gives you power and why there are so many things that can make the effect weaker or stronger. Experiment a bit and see if you can find out more.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Try to learn more about the nature of the world.
    Description:     The world is a vast place full of mysteries and you have seen and know little about it yet. Spend some power on trying to understand it better.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Investigate the burial rite once more.
    Description:     After observing the nature and effects of the Devourers powers, you have gained a deeper insight into the nature of Death. See if this knowledge helps you with examining the burial rites once more.
    Domains: None
    Power: 1 max

    [] Imbue power into sea life for later use.
    Description:     You cannot hold onto your power on your own, but you found a way to sidestep that problem by instead storing it in the creatures of the sea.
    Domains: Sea
    Power: 2 max

    [] Obtain the Healing domain.
    Description:     You have healed many wounds, both of our followers and even your own herald. The power you gain from the healing rites of the people is changing and you can change too.
    Domains: -
    Power: 6


    AN: About time that we have a gaze at events from a mortal perspective and this was a pretty good moment for it.
     
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    • [X] Healing and Dead Protection
    -[X] Obtain the Healing domain. 6 Power
    -[X] Protect the dead. 1 Power
    -[X] Imbue power into sea life for later use. Herald



    I say we get the domain and THEN slay the devourer next turn, the second domain puts us on even fields with it.
     
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    [X] Plan: home improvements
    -[X] Bless a shrine with 2 power
    --[X] Bay Shrine
    -[X] Bless the river with 2 power
    -[X] Bless the fishers
    --[x] herald action
    -[x] Protect the dead with 1 power
    -[x] Investigate the burial rite once more with 1 power
    -[x] Explore the sea with 1 power

    I know people might want to go after the new domain, but I also wanted to spend a turn just improving our domain. We can always get the domain next turn.
     
    Getting the domain now would make us stronger for the coming battle against the Devourer, its a thing of death, and us of healing - closer to Life
    It'll make us thematically opposed in a way, which I think would help us.
     
    Ghostdevil said:
    [X] Healing and Dead Protection
    -[X] Obtain the Healing domain. 6 Power
    -[X] Protect the dead. 1 Power
    -[X] Imbue power into sea life for later use. -Herald



    I say we get the domain and THEN slay the devourer next turn, the second domain puts us on even fields with it.
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    I think the Herald would have a better chance of defending the dead as it would be an actual guardian. And in turn we would be better at imbuing power.

    On the Topic of the Herald though, @Azel, we could Impower our Herald further? I recall seeing discussion of it becoming a Dragon ala Chinese myth and i'd like to move toward that. Also, a stronger Herald would have a better time against Bone Face.
     
    UlseDovThur said:
    I think the Herald would have a better chance of defending the dead as it would be an actual guardian. And in turn we would be better at imbuing power.

    On the Topic of the Herald though, @Azel, we could Impower our Herald further? I recall seeing discussion of it becoming a Dragon ala Chinese myth and i'd like to move toward that. Also, a stronger Herald would have a better time against Bone Face.
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    Your right, changed... its just herald is weaker than one power which is why i did it that :p.

    Edit: Wait can't it has to have the Sea Domain.
     
    [X] Plan: The Sea Gives Life
    -[X] Obtain the Healing domain. 6 Power
    -[X] Heal the people. 1 Power

    We should make a divine oyster with the Healing domain later. Healing Pearls! :D
     
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    Ghostdevil said:
    Getting the domain now would make us stronger for the coming battle against the Devourer, its a thing of death, and us of healing - closer to Life
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    Yeah, that's why I plan to get the healing domain and fight the snake next turn. Besides, my plan has no healing actions so getting the healing domain now would not boost anything right now.
     
    Amilia said:
    Yeah, that's why I plan to get the healing domain and fight the snake next turn. Besides, my plan has no healing actions so getting the healing domain now would not boost anything right now.
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    I mean, honestly it wouldn't matter the order then?
    We get it now and then next turn we do the improvements plus slay the Serpent.
     
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