Rise from the Ashes

[ShieldCrown]

Once, the world of Gaea was a paradise and had experiencing a time of great prosperity. All the races lived in harmony and supported one another, it was an age of heroes and Gods. But like all great things, even this Golden Age had to end eventually. No one remembers what happened to cause the Day of The End, the remnants of Humanity blamed the other races, some say that the Dwarves unleashed a great horror buried deep below the earth, some say it was because of a War between the Gods. All that anyone knew was this, the Old Gods have fallen and Gaea was in ruins, once shining beacons of civilization were now crumbling husks, entire races went extinct such as the Gnomes and Dark Elves. The mighty and immense Dragons had vanished along with the Elmentals and Giants.

The realm of the Gods, once radiant and awe inspiring was now but a shadow of what it had once been. Ivory towers had crumbled, great palaces were abandoned and destroyed, and ground was covered in ash that fell from the sky like snow. The once numerous Gods of Good and Evil were all slain, and this was their final legacy, a ruined world.

But something stirred amongst the ashes and perhaps not all hope was lost, maybe it was time for new Gods. But a question arises, will they be able to help the mortal races, who had given up hope so long ago, Rise from the Ashes?

Or will they fall like those who came before.

 

[Suul'anar]

Change is Coming
​

It has been so quiet...so slow and uneventful. The world seems so silent...waiting for something to start. Here in the dark where the remaining lives desperately cling to life, the earth shifts and stirs. With a sickening sound, the symphony begins. A cacophony, the catalyst that ignites the broken remnants of what was, unleashing something new and otherworldly. The old gods may be dead, but new ones come into being in their stead, the wild and rampant forces that raged over this world bring to life misshapen things. A creature forms from the muck and squalor, taking shape from many pieces, so eager to resemble a plethora of beasts that still remain in the world. Within the eerie music of its birth, it slithers from the deep mud and coils around the crumbling ruin of what must once have been a grand gate. With wild eyes staring in many directions, it opens its mouth to usher forth a vulgar cry.
Change is coming. The whole world is starting over now, and the cycle starts over anew. What strange tides will wash over now, and with what mad ambition will come into fruition?

 

[Zeitgeist Blue]

Curious.

How are gods born?

Very curious indeed.

The God, Seztlinva (for she knows this is her name), contemplates the world. At once it is miniscule, a speck of sand caught at the corners of her eye, but massive such that her entirety is engulfed. Earth, sky, and sea surrounds her; past, present, and future stretch before her; and the flesh, mind, and soul bait her with carrots and nuggets of gold - kernels of something more.

She knows so little.

The God flies down to the land of this world. She is drawn to the east, where the jungles hide secrets long lost and where a people call home. They worship dead Gods, long dead, but still cling to some semblance of faith, of hope that they are not abandoned - calling in the darkness for something to heed their prayers.

Curious.

Are we bound to mortals?

Very curious indeed.

 

[Vozen]

Upon the Plains of Boralis, a band of orcs fought for their lives.

Reptilian, hound-like demons had been hounding them. Knowing that they would lead the pack back to their village, the hunting party had instead chosen a strategic place to make a stand. A rocky hill, with several massive standing stones upon it, was the best they could find. It was at least better than being caught in the open.



The fiends had surrounded them, and were doing hit-and-run attacks. The orcs formed a tight circle and held them off, shields in position. The hounds would charge in and bash against their attack, and fall back even as they tried to hit back. The orcs were holding for now, but they all knew they likely would not live through this. They all had made peace with that, and decided to make a stand here.

As they hardened their resolve, and prepared for a last stand, the hound-beasts readied to charge again...and then all changed, as if by magic, a giant walked out of the tallest rock as though it were a vertical pool.



Clad entirely in armor made of a faded white metal none could identify, clutching two longswords in his massive grip made of the same, a raggid cape red as blood billowing out in his wake, the being stood three times the height of a man. He pointed the blade in his right hand at the alpha demon, and let loose a roar of challenge that almost felt like it shook the earth.

The beast responded by rallying it's pack, and they charged the figure en-mass. What followed was something that could bring tears to the eyes of a seasoned warriors eyes, a fighting prowes that existed only in legend as the titan cleaved through the beasts with strength and skill without match.

None of the orcs remembered which of them went first, but at some point they saw the beasts had turned their backs to them, and the thought of standing still and gaping in awe while this being fought felt wrong. They charged the creatures in a wedge formation, the hunting leader with the largest shield at the tip of the spear, and letting out a roar of defiance they joined the fray.

Not long after, most of the demons lay dead, the death of the alpha when the giant had taken it's head had broken their will. Though the orcs were batted and tired, none had fallen. Now they stood with respect and wariness before the giant. The blood on his blades and armor moved with a life of its own, to be soaked into the crimson cape and sash that adorned him that devoured it hungrily, and the idea that it might be that color for a reason crossed their minds.

Silence extended for a moment longer. Then the giant spoke. His voice rumbling like a thunderstorm, echoing slightly.

"You fight well. My name is Kalorgath, take me before your leaders, there is much we need to discuss."

 

[pharaoh122]

A ravaged world...

I walked through the remains of what was once a beautiful and sprawling metropolis, now reduced to crumbling ruins.

Glancing around, all I could see was the bleak grey skies, thick fog surrounding me. But out in the distance, a ray of sunlight beckons to me. Even in these bleak ties, there is hope.

I will help rebuild this world, but before that, I must help those that pray to me. Those who give me strength. With their help, we can return this battered world back to it's former glory or make it better than ever before.

 

[Logos]

Faith. That's what it came down to, in the end.

We had once held faith with the gods above to bless us, faith in the great knights of old to defend us, faith in the divine procession of kings to lead us. The king was dead, leaving no heir behind. The knights, once clad in shining armor and numbering in their thousands, now numbered only fifty. And of the gods, no-one knew, for they had fallen silent in this time of need.

Contact with all other cities had been lost, and even Sanctum's outer walls had been breached, marauding demons passing through the broken fortification. The inner wall, however, still held, largely to the efforts of one person, a charcoal burner who used to bring in weekly loads from the forests which had once stood by the city.

Even as the Tetsuo, militiaman of Sanctum, watched, his arrows having been expended trying to pierce the hides of the demons that had intercepted his patrol, she fought with fire and light, driving her foes before her. Tales had made the rounds, but until now he had not believed them fully. Now, seeing her destroy half a dozen demons single-handedly, even the rumor that she had been seen to die in battle only to come back seemed plausible.

For the six-hundred remaining citizens of Sanctum, the gods were no longer worthy of worship. Whether apathetic, bound away, or even dead, it did not matter; the gods had abandoned humanity in this time of trial. Simple faith had replaced them, faith in the human who lived on the outskirts of Sanctum without fear of death.

Faith that she would stand, immortal, against the enemies of humanity until they recovered, and rebuilt all that had been lost.

---

Damn it, I think I got another cultist today. I mean, it's nice that they're finding something to believe in, but I really wish they'd stop dropping pieces of their meals into fires, or dropping everything to bow when I walk by. It feels like I should be doing something important.

... I need a drink.

 

[Dark Ness]

In front of the clan appears a great majestic creature. A dragon. Like the masters of old, beings the Kobolds haven't seen in a long time. It did not fly to them, no, it just appeared.

Its body was glowing, its beauty so great and so sharp, it brought them all to their knees. From the lowest to the highest. And then the dragon speaks, in the tongue known only to them and the Kobolds. The tongue of magic, the Dragon Speech.

"I am Powana, and I am your goddess."

 

[Iscaren]

"Pain, Suffering, loneliness, Death, Fear this is what I felt when I was coming into being...this is what the world feels, like a child who wondered too far from camp and got lost only to be mauled by a savage beast, escape and left to die where they fall.

A war like no other was waged on this world, a war that saw all of the old Gods perish and their creations left dead or dying alone and without guidance, leaving the world Scared, Burned, Morning and in Pain.

After that old age I was born, I came to being in one of the last surviving great forests forming myself from the roots, leaves, branch's, vines and trunks of those great trees.

Some scholars or believers of intellect may say that I or if any others were brought into being were done so because of the residual mass of Divine Energy that lingered in the world from the time of the Dark Age, But I know what I am, I am the will of nature made manifest, I am the will of the world Gaea...I AM ISTAL LORD AND PROTECTOR OF NATURE."

 

[ShieldCrown]

Change is Coming
​

It has been so quiet...so slow and uneventful. The world seems so silent...waiting for something to start. Here in the dark where the remaining lives desperately cling to life, the earth shifts and stirs. With a sickening sound, the symphony begins. A cacophony, the catalyst that ignites the broken remnants of what was, unleashing something new and otherworldly. The old gods may be dead, but new ones come into being in their stead, the wild and rampant forces that raged over this world bring to life misshapen things. A creature forms from the muck and squalor, taking shape from many pieces, so eager to resemble a plethora of beasts that still remain in the world. Within the eerie music of its birth, it slithers from the deep mud and coils around the crumbling ruin of what must once have been a grand gate. With wild eyes staring in many directions, it opens its mouth to usher forth a vulgar cry.
Change is coming. The whole world is starting over now, and the cycle starts over anew. What strange tides will wash over now, and with what mad ambition will come into fruition?

Click to shrink...

The new born God of Change wonders for weeks before coming upon a Tribe of Beastmen, a human like people with the ears and tails of various mammalian animals such as lions, foxes, and wolf's to name a few, some had the antlers of deer and bull horns as well with the ear and tails of the respective animals.
Y
You see them worshiping at an alter dedicated to five animal gods: a Lion, Wolf, Eagle, Stag, and a Bear. The idols of those gods are cracked and have chucks missing from them, the Stag idol was missing a whole leg and half it's head even. You feel their Worship, the power it held, try to reach the long dead gods only to dissipate into nothingness. You see the despair and fear on the Beastmen' s and Beastwomen' s faces, you feel as though this is not the first time they have tried to reach these dead deities.

You wonder in your ever changing thoughts on the correct choice of action.

Curious.

How are gods born?

Very curious indeed.

The God, Seztlinva (for she knows this is her name), contemplates the world. At once it is miniscule, a speck of sand caught at the corners of her eye, but massive such that her entirety is engulfed. Earth, sky, and sea surrounds her; past, present, and future stretch before her; and the flesh, mind, and soul bait her with carrots and nuggets of gold - kernels of something more.

She knows so little.

The God flies down to the land of this world. She is drawn to the east, where the jungles hide secrets long lost and where a people call home. They worship dead Gods, long dead, but still cling to some semblance of faith, of hope that they are not abandoned - calling in the darkness for something to heed their prayers.

Curious.

Are we bound to mortals?

Very curious indeed.

Click to shrink...

You look upon these small, some would say fragile in comparison to you, beings. They stand upright on two legs and have the appearance of lizards, some with frills and some with horns, and came in a array of colors though the most predominant being a sky blue. The rubble they pray to may have once been a magnificent statue of a once mighty God, now reduced to a pile of stone.

You can feel their potential in the Arcane, the power of Magic flowing through their veins, and wonder what course of action you should take.

Upon the Plains of Boralis, a band of orcs fought for their lives.

Reptilian, hound-like demons had been hounding them. Knowing that they would lead the pack back to their village, the hunting party had instead chosen a strategic place to make a stand. A rocky hill, with several massive standing stones upon it, was the best they could find. It was at least better than being caught in the open.



The fiends had surrounded them, and were doing hit-and-run attacks. The orcs formed a tight circle and held them off, shields in position. The hounds would charge in and bash against their attack, and fall back even as they tried to hit back. The orcs were holding for now, but they all knew they likely would not live through this. They all had made peace with that, and decided to make a stand here.

As they hardened their resolve, and prepared for a last stand, the hound-beasts readied to charge again...and then all changed, as if by magic, a giant walked out of the tallest rock as though it were a vertical pool.



Clad entirely in armor made of a faded white metal none could identify, clutching two longswords in his massive grip made of the same, a raggid cape red as blood billowing out in his wake, the being stood three times the height of a man. He pointed the blade in his right hand at the alpha demon, and let loose a roar of challenge that almost felt like it shook the earth.

The beast responded by rallying it's pack, and they charged the figure en-mass. What followed was something that could bring tears to the eyes of a seasoned warriors eyes, a fighting prowes that existed only in legend as the titan cleaved through the beasts with strength and skill without match.

None of the orcs remembered which of them went first, but at some point they saw the beasts had turned their backs to them, and the thought of standing still and gaping in awe while this being fought felt wrong. They charged the creatures in a wedge formation, the hunting leader with the largest shield at the tip of the spear, and letting out a roar of defiance they joined the fray.

Not long after, most of the demons lay dead, the death of the alpha when the giant had taken it's head had broken their will. Though the orcs were batted and tired, none had fallen. Now they stood with respect and wariness before the giant. The blood on his blades and armor moved with a life of its own, to be soaked into the crimson cape and sash that adorned him that devoured it hungrily, and the idea that it might be that color for a reason crossed their minds.

Silence extended for a moment longer. Then the giant spoke. His voice rumbling like a thunderstorm, echoing slightly.

"You fight well. My name is Kalorgath, take me before your leaders, there is much we need to discuss."

Click to shrink...

The band of Orcs take you to their Chieftain, a large and well built Orc with scars decorating his form, undoubtedly from many battles did he acquire them. You see the skull of some demon strapped to his shoulder like a piece of armor and an iron Battle-ax in his hand as he sits upon a throne of Iron. He informs you that the Orcs you helped save now owe you a life debt and are yours to do with as you please, and that you are welcomed here, as long you do not bring harm upon his people.

You ponder your next actions.

A ravaged world...

I walked through the remains of what was once a beautiful and sprawling metropolis, now reduced to crumbling ruins.

Glancing around, all I could see was the bleak grey skies, thick fog surrounding me. But out in the distance, a ray of sunlight beckons to me. Even in these bleak ties, there is hope.

I will help rebuild this world, but before that, I must help those that pray to me. Those who give me strength. With their help, we can return this battered world back to it's former glory or make it better than ever before.

Click to shrink...

Quickly do you find the last Dwarven Hold of Stone Shield, and you are welcomed with open arms by the inhabitants there, believing you to be just a tall Dwarve. They ask of you many questions as they bring you into the living area of the Hold: What information do you have on the other Holds, what Hold are you from, what Clan are you, these and many other questions are asked before you are brought before the Hold Lord, a Dwarve by the name of Yorick Stone-Shield. You can tell he is tired and has rarely slept, his eyes have bags and his beard is unkept and shaggy, it takes all his will simply to stay awake it would seem.

What shall you do?

Faith. That's what it came down to, in the end.

We had once held faith with the gods above to bless us, faith in the great knights of old to defend us, faith in the divine procession of kings to lead us. The king was dead, leaving no heir behind. The knights, once clad in shining armor and numbering in their thousands, now numbered only fifty. And of the gods, no-one knew, for they had fallen silent in this time of need.

Contact with all other cities had been lost, and even Sanctum's outer walls had been breached, marauding demons passing through the broken fortification. The inner wall, however, still held, largely to the efforts of one person, a charcoal burner who used to bring in weekly loads from the forests which had once stood by the city.

Even as the Tetsuo, militiaman of Sanctum, watched, his arrows having been expended trying to pierce the hides of the demons that had intercepted his patrol, she fought with fire and light, driving her foes before her. Tales had made the rounds, but until now he had not believed them fully. Now, seeing her destroy half a dozen demons single-handedly, even the rumor that she had been seen to die in battle only to come back seemed plausible.

For the six-hundred remaining citizens of Sanctum, the gods were no longer worthy of worship. Whether apathetic, bound away, or even dead, it did not matter; the gods had abandoned humanity in this time of trial. Simple faith had replaced them, faith in the human who lived on the outskirts of Sanctum without fear of death.

Faith that she would stand, immortal, against the enemies of humanity until they recovered, and rebuilt all that had been lost.

---

Damn it, I think I got another cultist today. I mean, it's nice that they're finding something to believe in, but I really wish they'd stop dropping pieces of their meals into fires, or dropping everything to bow when I walk by. It feels like I should be doing something important.

... I need a drink.

Click to shrink...

After getting a drink, a miracle in itself considering the state of things, you begin to think. You have the power of a Goddess, a minor one but still, and you see that despite your efforts that the number of Demon attacks have been growing. How long till the inner wall falls and the helpless people within are slaughtered? How long do the ones who live outside the Inner wall suffer? Perhaps....it was time to use your True power instead of your skills before your unwanted ascension.

You take a swig of ale as you think.

In front of the clan appears a great majestic creature. A dragon. Like the masters of old, beings the Kobolds haven't seen in a long time. It did not fly to them, no, it just appeared.

Its body was glowing, its beauty so great and so sharp, it brought them all to their knees. From the lowest to the highest. And then the dragon speaks, in the tongue known only to them and the Kobolds. The tongue of magic, the Dragon Speech.

"I am Powana, and I am your goddess."

Click to shrink...

At the declaration they weep, finally after all these years they had a reason to hope. You look upon them and feel the wave of Worship empowering you, it would takes years to truly reach a higher level of godhood but you had time. The "leader" of the Clan comes before you and offers you an odd stone, engraved with Ancient Dragon Speech and glowing with power. She informs you that all other of their Dragon Rulers had one of these but understands if you don't want it and apologizes greatly when she believes you see the offering as an insult and begs you only take your wrath on her instead of the Clan.

You're starting to wonder how bad their previous ruler was as you think on what to do.

"Pain, Suffering, loneliness, Death, Fear this is what I felt when I was coming into being...this is what the world feels, like a child who wondered too far from camp and got lost only to be mauled by a savage beast, escape and left to die where they fall.

A war like no other was waged on this world, a war that saw all of the old Gods perish and their creations left dead or dying alone and without guidance, leaving the world Scared, Burned, Morning and in Pain.

After that old age I was born, I came to being in one of the last surviving great forests forming myself from the roots, leaves, branch's, vines and trunks of those great trees.

Some scholars or believers of intellect may say that I or if any others were brought into being were done so because of the residual mass of Divine Energy that lingered in the world from the time of the Dark Age, But I know what I am, I am the will of nature made manifest, I am the will of the world Gaea...I AM ISTAL LORD AND PROTECTOR OF NATURE."

Click to shrink...

Several days pass before you find where in your forest the last Elven city dwells. The rubble of what once was a great wall that could halt any invasion was a sorrowful sight and when you gazed upon the few Elves that volunteered to patrol the area and salvage what they could from the district it once guarded, you ponder on what this place once was like during days long past. On the families that were once happy and didn't fear the world outside their walls. You see one of the Elven Rangers pick up a ruined doll and trying to hold back his tears.

What shall you do?

 

[pharaoh122]

Quickly do you find the last Dwarven Hold of Stone Shield, and you are welcomed with open arms by the inhabitants there, believing you to be just a tall Dwarve. They ask of you many questions as they bring you into the living area of the Hold: What information do you have on the other Holds, what Hold are you from, what Clan are you, these and many other questions are asked before you are brought before the Hold Lord, a Dwarve by the name of Yorick Stone-Shield. You can tell he is tired and has rarely slept, his eyes have bags and his beard is unkept and shaggy, it takes all his will simply to stay awake it would seem.

What shall you do?

Click to shrink...

I look upon the tired dwarf, he looks so ragged, exhausted, alas, I shall quickly introduce myself.

"Greetings, I am Baldar the Craftsman. I have travelled long and after months of travel, I have finally arrived at your hold. You look exhausted, if I may ask, what has you so tired?"

 

[ShieldCrown]

I look upon the tired dwarf, he looks so ragged, exhausted, alas, I shall quickly introduce myself.

"Greetings, I am Baldar the Craftsman. I have travelled long and after months of travel, I have finally arrived at your hold. You look exhausted, if I may ask, what has you so tired?"

Click to shrink...

He informs you that he's had to stay up several nights to insure his people are fed and healthy, he hesitates but informs you that they are low on food and medicine, water to, and that he fears that if he sends out anyone that the demons will kill them before they could come back.

He asks you how many demons you've encountered on your way here from.....he realized you never stated what Hold you were from and apologizes before asking.

 

[Dark Ness]

At the declaration they weep, finally after all these years they had a reason to hope. You look upon them and feel the wave of Worship empowering you, it would takes years to truly reach a higher level of godhood but you had time. The "leader" of the Clan comes before you and offers you an odd stone, engraved with Ancient Dragon Speech and glowing with power. She informs you that all other of their Dragon Rulers had one of these but understands if you don't want it and apologizes greatly when she believes you see the offering as an insult and begs you only take your wrath on her instead of the Clan.

You're starting to wonder how bad their previous ruler was as you think on what to do.

Click to shrink...

Powana accepts the stone with grace, and assures the leader that she will not harm her.

 

[ShieldCrown]

Powana accepts the stone with grace, and assures the leader that she will not harm her.

Click to shrink...

She thanks you for your mercy and leads you to the food stores, you find their food situation looks dire and they'll run out of food by month's end if they can't find a reliable food source. She apologizes for the lack of anything befitting you and says they will wait till you've had your fill before eating.

You find that the stone is giving you some insights into the old magics (-1 point cost for "Magic" related Actions: one use only.)

 

[Suul'anar]

The new born God of Change wonders for weeks before coming upon a Tribe of Beastmen, a human like people with the ears and tails of various mammalian animals such as lions, foxes, and wolf's to name a few, some had the antlers of deer and bull horns as well with the ear and tails of the respective animals.
Y
You see them worshiping at an alter dedicated to five animal gods: a Lion, Wolf, Eagle, Stag, and a Bear. The idols of those gods are cracked and have chucks missing from them, the Stag idol was missing a whole leg and half it's head even. You feel their Worship, the power it held, try to reach the long dead gods only to dissipate into nothingness. You see the despair and fear on the Beastmen' s and Beastwomen' s faces, you feel as though this is not the first time they have tried to reach these dead deities.

You wonder in your ever changing thoughts on the correct choice of action.

Click to shrink...

"...They do not listen..."​

A voice creeps in from beyond the trees, no doubt startling the praying mortals. "The prayers you offer...only linger here..." The trees sways as somethings shifts betwixt them, and a creeping figure appears behind the altar and the statues, looming over all of them.

"But I hear them..." The voice bellows with a disturbing exhalation. "This one can feel your words, and what they carry."​

Hands, clawed and covered in scales and patched fur, creep over the statue of the Lion and the Bear. "But, what are you that offers prayers to gods who do not heed them? What are these that cry out with woe in their hearts?" The visage of a beast, mashed together with another appears, jaws clicking together as it half speaks and half howls its words, vents in an chitinous face inhaling their scents. "Tell us what it is, and we do the same. Names for names, promises for promises. Will you speak? Won't run and scream with fear on its tongues?" Heading swiveling to each of the beastfolk before it, eyes moving between them all. Its shape is bewildering to behold, and you find yourselves uncertain what it really is, but it has not eaten you whilst distracted with prayers. It even offers aid...something difficult to find in such troubling times.

 

[pharaoh122]

He informs you that he's had to stay up several nights to insure his people are fed and healthy, he hesitates but informs you that they are low on food and medicine, water to, and that he fears that if he sends out anyone that the demons will kill them before they could come back.

He asks you how many demons you've encountered on your way here from.....he realized you never stated what Hold you were from and apologizes before asking.

Click to shrink...

I... I come from Gothar. It's North of your hold, I came from a family of Blacksmiths and Craftsmen. It was over run with the Daemons. Our hold was over run several months ago and I have been travelling since.

 

[ShieldCrown]

"...They do not listen..."​

A voice creeps in from beyond the trees, no doubt startling the praying mortals. "The prayers you offer...only linger here..." The trees sways as somethings shifts betwixt them, and a creeping figure appears behind the altar and the statues, looming over all of them.

"But I hear them..." The voice bellows with a disturbing exhalation. "This one can feel your words, and what they carry."​

Hands, clawed and covered in scales and patched fur, creep over the statue of the Lion and the Bear. "But, what are you that offers prayers to gods who do not heed them? What are these that cry out with woe in their hearts?" The visage of a beast, mashed together with another appears, jaws clicking together as it half speaks and half howls its words, vents in an chitinous face inhaling their scents. "Tell us what it is, and we do the same. Names for names, promises for promises. Will you speak? Won't run and scream with fear on its tongues?" Heading swiveling to each of the beastfolk before it, eyes moving between them all. Its shape is bewildering to behold, and you find yourselves uncertain what it really is, but it has not eaten you whilst distracted with prayers. It even offers aid...something difficult to find in such troubling times.

Click to shrink...

Most are frozen in fear but a few stand their ground, a man with a lion's ears and tail, along with a woman with panther features, a wolf man, and a large man with bison features. They ask who you are and what you want.

I... I come from Gothar. It's North of your hold, I came from a family of Blacksmiths and Craftsmen. It was over run with the Daemons. Our hold was over run several months ago and I have been travelling since.

Click to shrink...

Yorick thinks for a moment, before realizing you must be talking about Hold Anvil Fire. He gives you his condolences and tell you that you may stay, but he has something he would ask of you. While he is reluctant to do so, he's sending a small band of Dwarven Warriors to look for food and asks you to join them, surely you would know any good spots.

 

[Suul'anar]

Most are frozen in fear but a few stand their ground, a man with a lion's ears and tail, along with a woman with panther features, a wolf man, and a large man with bison features. They ask who you are and what you want.

Yorick thinks for a moment, before realizing you must be talking about Hold Anvil Fire. He gives you his condolences and tell you that you may stay, but he has something he would ask of you. While he is reluctant to do so, he's sending a small band of Dwarven Warriors to look for food and asks you to join them, surely you would know any good spots.

Click to shrink...

The chittering thing before them moves between the other statues, looking over the group. "Braver souls, holding fast against uncertainty..."

A grin forms on the face of the entity. It seems pleased...though for what reason eludes you in the moment.​

"Yet I already said what I want for now. What are the names? You, and you, and you!" He reaches over from beyond the statues and points at them one by one. "I can smell you, each and every one. See your faces, taste your presence. But your names!" The beast almost seems to whine and shakes to and fro in mock displeasure. "I do not know them! Oh! It is so detestable! But if you won't share first, then I am forced to!" It creeps back, and emerges fully from the shroud of the forest. The lengthy coils and stony scales shift back and forth, pressing in on the ground beneath it. "I will have to go first! I am what you cry out to..." Numerous arms point and gesture at the statues, then to itself. "This one is Vi'kava. I am what answers when the others cease to. They do not listen, be they deaf, dead, or having left you to rot!" His voice breaks into an wild howl. "None of them listen...but I do..."
He leans in, eyes following the standing ones. "I am what opens the path. Change...many parts and pieces and passages in life. I open the doors..."

"Yet, you ask me, what do I want of you?" It 'grins' again. "I want to help...you seem to be lost and distraught!" It chitters, tapping the ground excitedly with its fingers. "You pray, in desperate need of something. Tell us now, what do despair for? This one is listening...Vi'kava will answer your prayers..." The eerie god giddily gives them his offer, and waits for them to name themselves while they consider the beginning of the bargain. The first step towards change...

 

[ShieldCrown]

The chittering thing before them moves between the other statues, looking over the group. "Braver souls, holding fast against uncertainty..."

A grin forms on the face of the entity. It seems pleased...though for what reason eludes you in the moment.​

"Yet I already said what I want for now. What are the names? You, and you, and you!" He reaches over from beyond the statues and points at them one by one. "I can smell you, each and every one. See your faces, taste your presence. But your names!" The beast almost seems to whine and shakes to and fro in mock displeasure. "I do not know them! Oh! It is so detestable! But if you wont share first, then I am forced to!" It creeps back, and emerges fully from the shroud of the forest. The lengthy coils and stony scales shift back and forth, pressing in on the ground beneath it. "I will have to go first! I am what you cry out to..." Numerous arms point and gesture at the statues, then to itself. "This one is Vi'kava. I am what answers when the others cease to. They do not listen, be they deaf, dead, or having left you to rot!" His voice breaks into an wild howl. "None of them listen...but I do..."
He leans in, eyes following the standing ones. "I am what opens the path. Change...many parts and pieces and passages in life. I open the doors..."

"Yet, you ask me, what do I want of you?" It 'grins' again. "I want to help...you seem to be lost and distraught!" It chitters, tapping the ground excitedly with its fingers. "You pray, in desperate need of something. Tell us now, what do despair for? This one is listening...Vi'kava will answer your prayers..." The eerie god giddily gives them his offer, and waits for them to name themselves while they consider the beginning of the bargain. The first step towards change...

Click to shrink...

The one was like a Lion shouted "grant me and my friends the power to strike down the demon who has taken our people to be his servants, his slaves! Do this and we will give you worship like we did with the old gods." He looks you in the eyes and states his name. "I AM NEMEAN REX! HEIR TO THE LATE CHIEFTAIN TYPHON REX!" The panther like girl gives her name next "I AM NOX SILVER-CLAW, FIRST OF MY NAME!" The wolf follows their example "I AM FENRIS FROST-FANG, ALSO FIRST OF MY NAME!" Then finally the Bison "I AM ASTERON IRON-HEART, LAST OF THE IRON-HEART CLAN!"

 

[Suul'anar]

The one was like a Lion shouted "grant me and my friends the power to strike down the demon who has taken our people to be his servants, his slaves! Do this and we will give you worship like we did with the old gods." He looks you in the eyes and states his name. "I AM NEMEAN REX! HEIR TO THE LATE CHIEFTAIN TYPHON REX!" The panther like girl gives her name next "I AM NOX SILVER-CLAW, FIRST OF MY NAME!" The wolf follows their example "I AM FENRIS FROST-FANG, ALSO FIRST OF MY NAME!" Then finally the Bison "I AM ASTERON IRON-HEART, LAST OF THE IRON-HEART CLAN!"

Click to shrink...

Vi'kava screeches with delight as they name themselves, clicking its jaws and running baleful talons over hard stone, biting deep.
"So many names!" It giddily exclaims. "Such vigor and promise! Delightful..." It stares down at the mortals, and when it speaks again, its tone losses the playfulness it held before, becoming something deathly serious. The way it speaks makes your bodies shake and your insides writhe with an inner fire...
"No easy task is made in haste..." Many eyes focus on the Lion, the first to speak. "If you know the damned ones name, speak it now. I would know your foe, your lost ones, and what you would seek to wield against the enemy of your people. Show me your weapons and your wills, mortals, bold to speak their names. I will weave my will...and you will know my work..."​

 

[ShieldCrown]

Vi'kava screeches with delight as they name themselves, clicking its jaws and running baleful talons over hard stone, biting deep.
"So many names!" It giddily exclaims. "Such vigor and promise! Delightful..." It stares down at the mortals, and when it speaks again, its tone losses the playfulness it held before, becoming something deathly serious. The way it speaks makes your bodies shake and your insides writhe with an inner fire...
"No easy task is made in haste..." Many eyes focus on the Lion, the first to speak. "If you know the damned ones name, speak it now. I would know your foe, your lost ones, and what you would seek to wield against the enemy of your people. Show me your weapons and your wills, mortals, bold to speak their names. I will weave my will...and you will know my work..."​

Click to shrink...

"YOU ASK THE NAME OF OUR ENEMY? HIS NAME IS VATUU'ASURA, THE LORD OF DOMINATION AS HE CALLS HIMSELF, YOU WOULD ASK WHO WE HAVE LOST TO HIM? MY SISTER, LEONA REX, MY FRIEND'S CLAN THE IRON HEARTS, AN OLD MAN KNOWN AS TARUS THUNDER-SOUL, A YOUNG WOMAN CALLED BASTET DAWNBORN, AND HER BROTHER ANHUR DAWNBORN, AND MANY OTHERS. YOU ASK WHAT POWER WE WOULD USE TO STRIKE OUR FOE DOWN AND FREE OUR PEOPLE? GRANT US THE MIGHT OF THE BEASTS WHO WE SHARE OUR FORMS, GRANT US WEAPONS WITH WHICH TO SLAY THE SO CALLED LORD OF DOMINATION AND SHATTER THE BINDINGS OF OUR LOVED ONES, THINGS SUCH AS THESE IS WHAT WE SEEK! YOU WISH SEE OUR WEAPONS AND TEST OUR WILL! THEN LOOK HERE VI'KAVA!"

Nemean shows you his sword made of solid stone with leather wrappings around the grip, Nox shows you her twin daggers, they to are made of stone with leather grips, Fenris simply bares his fangs and claws though you see a small ax at his side, Asteron raises his massive hammer, fashioned from stone and sturdy wood.

You at their eyes and see that they will not back down, that their will unlike their weapons is like finely forged steel and that their souls burned with determination.

 

[Iscaren]

Several days pass before you find where in your forest the last Elven city dwells. The rubble of what once was a great wall that could halt any invasion was a sorrowful sight and when you gazed upon the few Elves that volunteered to patrol the area and salvage what they could from the district it once guarded, you ponder on what this place once was like during days long past. On the families that were once happy and didn't fear the world outside their walls. You see one of the Elven Rangers pick up a ruined doll and trying to hold back his tears.

What shall you do?

Click to shrink...

As I walk through the forest I stumble onto a clearing, in the centre of the clearing is a big city, its outer walls are no more than rubble, while its inner walls and building are covered in moss, creeper vines and cracks yet still standing strong.

while I'm observing I spot a group of people searching through the outer ruins, they are armed with some weapons and armour and as I observe I see on of the people kneel down and pick up something and right after starting to cry.

I feel their pain, the pain of loss, the pain of loneliness, I feel it strong and as I watch these people I start to feel a pull or bond towards them, like a friend that I haven't seen for a long time.

I am intrigued by these people, but I am not sure on how they will react to me, so I will stay in the shadows and help from afar until I find it right to reveal myself.

I lift up my hand of root and trunk and from it, spreading to the rest of my body I release a light golden pollen in the direction of the city, "These shall be my eyes and ears, they will float around, get caught on people and spread to every nook and cranny."

From my feet roots stat to burst out and into the ground, "These roots shall be my hands, they will spread through the ground like a water snake through water, they are to help in any way as possible, helping with crops and harvest, curing what illnesses plague these people and if need be they will burst from the ground in protection of these people and rip apart their enemies.

These blessings are only to be seen by a small few while the rest of these people see them as miracles, "I do this for I wish to relight the spark of hope that has be extinguished for far to long and through some weeks I will appear to those select few that I see as worthy, kind and trusting people."

 

[ShieldCrown]

As I walk through the forest I stumble onto a clearing, in the centre of the clearing is a big city, its outer walls are no more than rubble, while its inner walls and building are covered in moss, creeper vines and cracks yet still standing strong.

while I'm observing I spot a group of people searching through the outer ruins, they are armed with some weapons and armour and as I observe I see on of the people kneel down and pick up something and right after starting to cry.

I feel their pain, the pain of loss, the pain of loneliness, I feel it strong and as I watch these people I start to feel a pull or bond towards them, like a friend that I haven't seen for a long time.

I am intrigued by these people, but I am not sure on how they will react to me, so I will stay in the shadows and help from afar until I find it right to reveal myself.

I lift up my hand of root and trunk and from it, spreading to the rest of my body I release a light golden pollen in the direction of the city, "These shall be my eyes and ears, they will float around, get caught on people and spread to every nook and cranny."

From my feet roots stat to burst out and into the ground, "These roots shall be my hands, they will spread through the ground like a water snake through water, they are to help in any way as possible, helping with crops and harvest, curing what illnesses plague these people and if need be they will burst from the ground in protection of these people and rip apart their enemies.

These blessings are only to be seen by a small few while the rest of these people see them as miracles, "I do this for I wish to relight the spark of hope that has be extinguished for far to long and through some weeks I will appear to those select few that I see as worthy, kind and trusting people."

Click to shrink...

(Minor Action: Pollen Spore Recon-1pt)
(Minor Action: Sentient Roots-1pt)

What you observe through your pollen shows the current status of Alfheim. While they have more than enough Food and Water to last them several months and the middle district could replenish some of the food so they don't run out you see several of them glance towards the wall and feel their fears, will this be their last day, will the demon finally breach the wall and kill them? You seen the leaders of the city, a small council of three old Elves, looking over some documents and they seem distraught by what ever it says.
(Take a closer look? Y/N)

The pollen that sticks and observes the Rangers finding very few useful things, some salvageable medicinal herbs, some arrows and swords from a ruined and collapsed armory. They manage to find a single survivor, a young girl. She was surrounded by the living roots you had sent out and on some of them were the impaled forms of several demonic hounds. The Rangers quickly take her back to the city proper along with what they had already salvaged. The Ranger who had cried earlier handed the girl the ruined doll which she took and hugged as much as she could.

The crops grown in the middle district are incredibly healthy and nutritious even by normal standards and several Elves, usually the young, are cured of many illnesses.

 

[Zeitgeist Blue]

You look upon these small, some would say fragile in comparison to you, beings. They stand upright on two legs and have the appearance of lizards, some with frills and some with horns, and came in a array of colors though the most predominant being a sky blue. The rubble they pray to may have once been a magnificent statue of a once mighty God, now reduced to a pile of stone.

You can feel their potential in the Arcane, the power of Magic flowing through their veins, and wonder what course of action you should take.

Click to shrink...

The God slithers to the largest cluster of these beings and rises, clearing all but the tallest trees in height, as she her voice echoes in their minds.

Mortals, you have awakened me. Seztlinva rocks her head back as if to survey the living conditions. This state shall not do. It is beneath them -- of those with the gift of Arcana, to hold and master the Winds of the World. Their potential is great but they are weak as they are. And so the God is weak, tied to the faith of those who worship her.

You seek shelter. She lowers her head to the ground and regards her new worshipers with one eye. Gather your belongings.

"There isss none to be found here."

 

[Iscaren]

(Minor Action: Pollen Spore Recon-1pt)
(Minor Action: Sentient Roots-1pt)

What you observe through your pollen shows the current status of Alfheim. While they have more than enough Food and Water to last them several months and the middle district could replenish some of the food so they don't run out you see several of them glance towards the wall and feel their fears, will this be their last day, will the demon finally breach the wall and kill them? You seen the leaders of the city, a small council of three old Elves, looking over some documents and they seem distraught by what ever it says.
(Take a closer look? Y/N)

The pollen that sticks and observes the Rangers finding very few useful things, some salvageable medicinal herbs, some arrows and swords from a ruined and collapsed armory. They manage to find a single survivor, a young girl. She was surrounded by the living roots you had sent out and on some of them were the impaled forms of several demonic hounds. The Rangers quickly take her back to the city proper along with what they had already salvaged. The Ranger who had cried earlier handed the girl the ruined doll which she took and hugged as much as she could.

The crops grown in the middle district are incredibly healthy and nutritious even by normal standards and several Elves, usually the young, are cured of many illnesses.

Click to shrink...

"I am glad to see my help working and so I will continue to light the spark of hope that lies dead in their hearts, but this document that the elders look worried over has me intrigued, I wish to see more of it and learn what they have found out."

 

[ShieldCrown]

The God slithers to the largest cluster of these beings and rises, clearing all but the tallest trees in height, as she her voice echoes in their minds.

Mortals, you have awakened me. Seztlinva rocks her head back as if to survey the living conditions. This state shall not do. It is beneath them -- of those with the gift of Arcana, to hold and master the Winds of the World. Their potential is great but they are weak as they are. And so the God is weak, tied to the faith of those who worship her.

You seek shelter. She lowers her head to the ground and regards her new worshipers with one eye. Gather your belongings.

"There isss none to be found here."

Click to shrink...

The Saurians of the Storm Caller tribe, descended from the Original Sky Tribe, were shocked and at the same time relieved that a God had finally answered their prayers. The leader of the Tribe, a female elder Saurian by the name of Cloud Walker quickly got all the other tribesmen and women organized and gathered the very few belongings they had. You notice that the Elder will not see the beginning of the next year on her own either because of sickness or age or both you cannot tell.

The await your commands, where you go they shall follow. Where to?

[]-You recall a mostly ruined city with an empty but intact Temple, it had a single wall that you are unsure of.

[]-You recall a fertile field that was perfect for growing crops, only problem was the nasty demon elephant thing that had made a home there.

[]-You recall an old military fortress, though it had little in ways to obtain food, it's defenses seem surprisingly intact!

"I am glad to see my help working and so I will continue to light the spark of hope that lies dead in their hearts, but this document that the elders look worried over has me intrigued, I wish to see more of it and learn what they have found out."

Click to shrink...

You see it is a scouting report and what it says troubles you, there appears to be a large demon force about to lay siege upon Alfheim.