I don't get it are we summoning a Dark Souls boss or a Khrone larper? Either way, my goals of making this world turn into Warhammer fantasy is becoming closer and closer.
Testing Great Man Theory in A Fantasy World [Isekai Succession Quest]
- Thread starter Murtox
- Start date
- Original
Nah, just a anime berserker
Huh... the new character seems interesting (Although I doubt it would be a good idea to have him as an example for the people of this world) good job
Anyway, good quest! I'm Latin and I don't know how to write well in English, so sorry if this is written badly, I'm using Google Translate, I just wanted to say that this is very well written.
Anyway, good quest! I'm Latin and I don't know how to write well in English, so sorry if this is written badly, I'm using Google Translate, I just wanted to say that this is very well written.
- Location
- England
Ooh this looks like a very fun quest. Wish I could claim when claims are open again.
What is his lifetime goal? Is he the Dragon hunting down K'het, or is the dragon something he's making humanity strong enough to fight?
Cauldron? Is he trying to build an arena to fight, starting a mortal kombat tournament/regular colosseum?
Falling Ash? Does that mean he wants an heir, or he wants to pass on his magic power to an heir, or what does that mean?
Sorry if I'm rude, but I don't understand what exactly your goals mean?
What is his lifetime goal? Is he the Dragon hunting down K'het, or is the dragon something he's making humanity strong enough to fight?
Cauldron? Is he trying to build an arena to fight, starting a mortal kombat tournament/regular colosseum?
Falling Ash? Does that mean he wants an heir, or he wants to pass on his magic power to an heir, or what does that mean?
If I may.
From what I read he wants to turn the Sons of Yeshua into a more militaristic force by taking them away from their 'roots' as a pacifistic cooperative charity religion to a combative one, relying on hate.
He's basically tempering them as far as I can a trial through fire you may say... heh, pun.
So yes it does seem he intends to steal away followers and make his own brotherhood of sorts with an heir, teaching them the ways of anger.
At least that what I got.
<o>U<o>
Cannon Fodder
@
I'll edit the goals for a bit more clarity (I wrote these at 3 am serry) but:
Lifetime Goal: He will wander the world fighting humanity's strongest until someone is strong enough to kill him. The Dragon is just a nickname I gave Ryumen.
Cauldron: Yeah that's basically right.
Falling Ash: When somebody is finally strong enough to kill him, he'll pass on his magic/hatred to them.
I'll edit the goals for a bit more clarity (I wrote these at 3 am serry) but:
Lifetime Goal: He will wander the world fighting humanity's strongest until someone is strong enough to kill him. The Dragon is just a nickname I gave Ryumen.
Cauldron: Yeah that's basically right.
Falling Ash: When somebody is finally strong enough to kill him, he'll pass on his magic/hatred to them.
Wait, so Son Goku with the temper of Vegeta?
- Location
- England
Got it, that makes much more sense. Given there are other species besides humans (giants we acknowledged exist, might be others) are you going to expand yourself to fight those as well, or stick to just humans?
I'm curious how many of the Yahweh followers you can convert, you are the second miracle maker they've seen so it's definitely possible.
EDIT: I'm glad you're going to be exploring the world, I'm curious to know what else is outside the valley.
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Any chance... you can remove fighting humanity strongest and just say fighting the strongest? I'm curious how he'd do against the Giants.
That's a good question I can only see Magic as being of use here, Prowess doesn't seem to be well useful in a situation like this.
Cause if your trying to get people to follow you along then beating up more or less pacifist isn't a convincing argument.
Arguably Fervour, Diplomacy and maybe Administration if we stretch it would be much more suited, Magic is the only way I see it, cause as you said miracle worker.
Then again it's a high Magic Stat.
- Location
- England
I want to see him try with his lopsided stats, even if he fails, because we haven't had too many failures yet in this game. Who knows, him failing might only make the followers of Yahweh stronger in faith, or inspire some other group of violent pyromaniacs.
I'm imagining Ryumen being like
"MY HEART BURNS BRIGHT WITH A HATE THAT COULD CONSUME EVEN THE MOST VERDANT JUNGLE, FOLLOW MY TRAIL OF ASHES AND LEARN THE WAYS OF FIRE!"
And one of the Sons Of Yoshua just sips on a fruit they poked a hole in or something going "Nah, I'm good, you do you"
"MY HEART BURNS BRIGHT WITH A HATE THAT COULD CONSUME EVEN THE MOST VERDANT JUNGLE, FOLLOW MY TRAIL OF ASHES AND LEARN THE WAYS OF FIRE!"
And one of the Sons Of Yoshua just sips on a fruit they poked a hole in or something going "Nah, I'm good, you do you"
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My current ideas for characters:
Neo-Assyrian General to help improve military theory, soldier training and maybe quality of bronze/introduce iron
Some Theological Scholar to both fix the Jeshuites following the mess that the Dragon is going to cause and create a formal theory about the Isekai cycle +actually make a proper written language.
Diplomat/Schemer to try and peacefully centralise humanity a bit
Neo-Assyrian General to help improve military theory, soldier training and maybe quality of bronze/introduce iron
Some Theological Scholar to both fix the Jeshuites following the mess that the Dragon is going to cause and create a formal theory about the Isekai cycle +actually make a proper written language.
Diplomat/Schemer to try and peacefully centralise humanity a bit
Hmm.
My opinion take it with salt, is either the Schemer or the Theological Scholar.
The Neo-Assyrian General sounds cool but as long as no big threat is emerging then sending in a war leader isn't gonna do much, it probably gonna just make the tribes fight. After all if their no big threat unifying the tribes the one who improve may decide to swallow up the smaller ones, I'd rather not divided our tribe so early.
The Scholar seems like a good idea, having the Yoshuites still as a united force that pushing for cooperation and ensuring the safety of the sick and weak is the closest were getting to healthcare, as well as knowledge safe keeping, historically speaking religious groups keep the best records. As they do it out of a sense of religious obligation rather then say economic incentive. So keeping them alive especially when they're the first group to be major into pictogram is a good idea.
The Schemer is also good a more united tribal structure would be beneficial especially if we can shift it to move out and work together better. I'd imagine it's however gonna be a pain in the ass to scheme during a time of tribes even if they're all mostly on good terms. As were talking a society where barter is the main form of currency and tribes typically don't have succession, it mostly who you respect the most. Like a meritocracy so reputation really matters here as were not talking divine right, were talking prestige. So the Schemer being an outsider would likely have to butter up an already established figure and go from their... which out first Isekai family might be a good use. After all if he originates from a similar place to Neil he may have some common ground with them and insights.
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- Location
- England
I'm thinking some kind of sailor by the time I come around, get people down that river to explore out the valley. Or perhaps someone with an interest in flying, to create either man-flying kites or a hot air balloon, getting people up and exploring the world (probably with some magic to help with the science).
I don't know, lots of ideas. We've got a long time before I'm even allowed to claim.
I don't know, lots of ideas. We've got a long time before I'm even allowed to claim.
I've been thinking a bit more about our branch of Judaism. It's going to be very different, first because they don't have the Torah (Big J-Man will only have brought with him what he memorised, so only parts of the law, the tales of the prophets and some other stuff), so their understanding of Mosaic law is going to be incomplete.
Second is just the lack of all the history and centuries of traditions tied to the Jewish people.
Also, I don't think they have have Rabbis, since you need a Rabbi to make another Rabbi and we don't have any Rabbis (According to Wikipedia). Though, this can probably be overcome by Yoshua appointing the first ones in his role as Christ and Son of God.
Also, since being Jewish makes you part of the chosen people, is the Theological position that the Yoshuites are part of the OG chosen people or has the Big J-Man said that they're a new chosen people? And if they are does that mean they only do Communion as their covenant, seeing the old covenant (circumcision) as belonging to the OG Jews, or do they practise both the new and old covenant?
Also, how much do the Yoshuites know about Yoshua before his isekai?
G-d there are so many interesting Theological questions!
Edit: I may or may not be a bit of a nerd
Second is just the lack of all the history and centuries of traditions tied to the Jewish people.
Also, I don't think they have have Rabbis, since you need a Rabbi to make another Rabbi and we don't have any Rabbis (According to Wikipedia). Though, this can probably be overcome by Yoshua appointing the first ones in his role as Christ and Son of God.
Also, since being Jewish makes you part of the chosen people, is the Theological position that the Yoshuites are part of the OG chosen people or has the Big J-Man said that they're a new chosen people? And if they are does that mean they only do Communion as their covenant, seeing the old covenant (circumcision) as belonging to the OG Jews, or do they practise both the new and old covenant?
Also, how much do the Yoshuites know about Yoshua before his isekai?
G-d there are so many interesting Theological questions!
Edit: I may or may not be a bit of a nerd
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Seems solid. we could certanly use a start up magic pioneer. Still, would probably benefit us to havea metal smith or an inventor show up first. we are in 'setting up' stage, anyone we bring will spend their days figuring things out.
Hmm... I kinda want to head south and meet those little green cannibals mentioned in the intro text. Just purely to see if we can beat them up and steal their shit, also what competition we have.
For that I recommend a British colonizer
Socrates or Da Vinci. The Former will encourage everyone to question everything and anything and develop themselves into the art of learning. The latter an Engineer/Inventor/Painter.
I'm thinking Belgian.
Issue with that is that it might be better to drop them later on? Like Da Vinci was such a great inventor partially because he was born into the Renaissance the perfect era for his genius, if say Einstein appeared in medieval period. His mastery of the atom wouldn't be that useful.
I agree on Socrates it never too late or too early to encourage philosophy.
That works too
Chapter 3: Ryumen, Champion of Fire - 56 I.T to 88 I.T
- Location
- Peru
**Blood and Pain**
The cicadas chirp their monotone songs as the light breeze pushes waves of golden sand across the coastline of what will once be known as Nihon. There is peace in the air, the rays of sunshine bright across a quiet beach of clear golden sands stretching for miles across this landscape. The island of Kyushu stands idyllic in its pristine beauty, the majestic snow-capped mountain ranges rise in the distance beyond the thick jungles that stretch inland, their summits bathed in sunlight. The smell of saltwater fills the air as the sound of the wind whistling across the shore becomes almost overwhelming in its gentle melody.
A boat in the distance disrupts the tranquil silence of this place. With its sails open, and propelled by paddles made by hand it cuts across the shallow blue sea waters. From within, a group of rough merchants travels towards these sandy shores. Their ship holds within its belly goods, rice, jewels, silk, metalwork, and spices. Another growing sign of civilization leaving its cradles to venture outward and trade. With wave passed over, with each cart moved, and with each step taken, the world becomes more and more human and the pristine ignorance of a new dawn erodes and leaves its place to new creations.
The cicadas will chirp and the birds will sing, ignorant of the lives that they are meant to witness and observe throughout millennia to come. A mere three miles away, a small village catches the light of dawn, wooden shacks surround a central hut decorated with religious banners made of cloth and straw, the sun reflecting over the huts made out of wood of palm trees. They are a tight group that has come to notice that they have been stolen from over the last few weeks. Mostly bags of rice and some fruits.
They set one young man to stay at their warehouse at night. Armed only with his senses, the brave soul stays at the warehouse's doors where the food is kept to prevent thieves from stealing more. The moon rises and shines down over the island, stars above sparkle with radiance and grace, it is not long until his eyes begin to feel heavy and weary from waiting for hours without rest. Sleep begins to settle upon him when he hears a faint sound, like breathing coming from nearby.
In the dark of night, two pairs of red eyes stare back at the sleepy young villager, illuminated by the pale glow of the lunar reflection. It is a man, or maybe not a man...But it surely doesn't look like one, standing in the shadows of night. His skin is bronze-tanned with muscles that bulk out from his skin, it is the body of a man who has exerted physical force for more than thirty years without rest, the natural development of muscle tissue is a sign of both experience and strength. The boy panics going to grab the nearest tool available to him which happens to be a crude bamboo spear carved into a spear tip and thrusts it towards the man in a foolish act of courage.
"Haaahhhh!!!" The boy yells, his voice echoing through the air.
The man does not need to doge against a puny young man like him, his hand catches the bamboo spear and pushes it aside, shoving aside the boy and into the ground. He looks kind of like his son, but he does not have time to ponder over something irrelevant as that, his family needs sustenance. The people here have scared most of the animals or killed them for themselves. They also seem to have enough food here so what's the problem? He goes to grab the nearest bag of rice with his free hand, he carries it with ease and right in time. The darkness becomes illuminated by torches carried by a bunch of the villagers armed with bows, spears, and torches, the orange-red flickers of light casting strange shadows onto the ground.
But right as he turns to run, his eyes catch the red glint of blood on the floor and it takes a second or two to register the lifeless body of the boy on the ground, his chest pierced with the same bamboo spear he was carrying. Ryumen feels his error with guilt and a slight bit of panic, he did not mean for him to die, even though he himself has brought death to many before in combat. The reality settles quickly though and he knows he must run.
He rushes to the jungle behind the village and begins to run, the villagers go after him and an arrow whoshes right past him, but it misses. But the next does not miss, hitting his leg he falls onto the ground and cries out loud in pain. The villagers approach him in anger and fury, screaming curses at the intruder who killed one of their own. Their anger is delivered throughout the night, captured, beaten, and tortured Ryumen knows his fate is sealed in his heart and he shall join the world beyond. In a few days, he accepts it as inevitable ready to follow what will come, but then he hears the cries of children and that of a woman...His family is being led up in front of him...
They hold a sharp blade at the neck of his oldest child who screams for his father to save him, tears flowing down from his face. The sounds are like music to their ears as they cry and beg for forgiveness, their vengeance cannot be satiated nor quenched. The youngest screams and wails but is met with a fist of rage from one of the guards, knocking her unconscious on the ground. The scene is gruesome and heartwrenching to behold for the giant who knows he cannot stop his own fate let alone that of his loved ones.
The sharp metallic blades cut their throats, cold and swift. Blood flows through the air as their lives fade into blackness, the heads thrown towards the feet of their murderer as tears flow down his face. As he reaches for the head of his oldest son in horror and disbelief the executioner severs the hands of the titan causing him to roar in pain. The man is about to shatter at the death of both his offspring, his wife weeps unable to cope with the sight of her own sons murdered. His breathing slows down and then becomes frenetic and ragged, his vision becomes blurry as the anger burns through him. He shouts in anger until his throat is dry, and then sorrow settles in as tears pour down his cheeks...
The villagers now satisfied leave him to agonize, for a few more moments before striking at his wife and taking her away. Now filled with despair and shame for failing his family, Ryumen awaits his end. It comes at the hand of a man who looks familiar, the blade rises and then his head is hacked away from his shoulders.
**The Aura of Fire**
Secondary: Magic + Prowess: Rank 7 (17 +76 +93 +90 +52 +30 +68) = 485 = 5 Successes
DC: 60 (Base) + 20 (No Magical Theory) - 35 (Legendary Magic Potential) - 5 (Elemental Magic) = 40
A pair of crows awaken him with their beaks pecking at his fingers, the sunlight strikes his body and he feels warmth, he breathes, and blinks once again...Then once again and a third time. He sits upright and touches his neck with his hands, he is alive. How is he alive?! No wound on his neck either. His head turns from side to side rapidly, he hopes it had all been a bad dream. He looks for his sons, for his wife and all that he sees is green pastures and forests unlike his own, the two crows caw at him and then fly off. Confused and afraid he searches frantically for any signs of his family but he finds none.
He weeps again, falling to his knees on the soft grass below him. He feels an anger so deep that he wishes for his own death, he had gotten his wish before and now here he was forced to live again knowing of his failures. His anger burns within him, his heart heavy and aching with grief, regret, and vengeance...pure vengeance. His fists strike against the grassy ground again and again until they draw blood but he does not care. He shouts and roars at the skies hoping they will send thunderbolts to strike him down and bring him peace from this agony. But with each strike, a spark grows within him and he keeps pounding the ground, the air becomes hotter and hotter each time and soon his very body begins to burn with an intense heat that only grows with each passing moment...
At this moment a beam of red-hot energy erupts forth from his body, engulfing everything around him. The grass touched by his fist begins to burn, the fire spreading outwards in waves that engulf everything. Everything from his eyes to his feet burns, and he can feel himself burning, his skin almost melting away from the sheer intensity of his emotions. Yet, he does not care instead he looks at the ground and then his palms in flames, he clenches his fist tighter as flames leap from within his palm. A feeling of power floods his entire body and suddenly there is nothing else he cares about except the flames licking at his feet, his clothes begin to smoke and burst into flame but he pays no mind to it whatsoever. The hair on his arms, legs, chest, and head is burnt to a crisp as is everything around him...and it feels amazing, pure, and honest...It feels true to his heart's desires. The pain he feels in his own body is soothing and frees him from his burdens, the flames are warm but do not burn him like a forest fire or the wrathful sun.
Slowly, he turns his gaze from the fiery horizon to see how far he can see through these flames. The trees are ablaze in bright orange tongues, their leaves charred and crackling in the wind as they fall to the ground. He wanders like this without purpose for what may have been days or weeks, until the flames on his body are controlled, but his skin is dyed red and is hot to the touch. After he calms himself, he takes a break at the base of a hill to regain his bearings but it isn't easy because every time he thinks about what happened in his village, those feelings come rushing back. The villagers deserved death for killing innocent young children who never harmed anyone nor deserved anything done to them...He had made a mistake but it was not theirs to pay.
He would kill the lot of them. But where to start? He had no idea where he was...What if they were far away from this place? Would he be able to travel to their village and give them the justice they deserved?
"I am going to slaughter you all..." He mumbles between gritted teeth as he tries to contain his hatred for those responsible for his misfortunes. He swears to make their blood boil until it bubbles in their veins. The crows follow him in the skies and squawk at him every morning. His search is not long as he finds the K'tali village of Viru soon enough, a community built near the higher forests of the region. For three days, he watches as their people go on with their daily lives, working on farms and homes, and preparing meals together. He sees them laughing at jokes, telling stories around campfires lit with wood branches...
There is no sign of the people from the other village that had attacked him and his family. They are different...but so similar to the ones, he had watched with his sons.
"Papa, can we go talk to them?" His son had asked him once before.
"No my son, it is better for us not to disturb them."
"Why papa?" Asked the little one.
"They don't trust us. We cannot change that."
"But why?"
"It's the way of things..."
"Oh..."
"Don't fret little one, there are good things too in this world. You and I can enjoy them together."
This memory fills his mind and fuels his fury towards these people, all of them deserve the punishment of burning alive for their treacherous deeds against him and his kin. His steps take him closer to their village each day, waiting for his chance to strike when all eyes are turned elsewhere and away from watching him closely, unaware of what looms beneath their noses...Until finally...One evening, just as dusk approached over the lush canopy of foliage surrounding these humans...Ryumen approaches those who shelter in petty shelters made of branches and mud...Those who dare to exist despite living their days in misery, he sees one man, in particular, sitting in front of his hut sharpening his stone axe and speaking with a few friends.
The man raises his eyes to meet Ryomen's glare, sensing something sinister approaching, but before he can raise the alarm call it is already too late. His face contorted into a mask of terror as flames leap towards his feet like wild beasts hungry for flesh. Ryumen's body becomes enveloped in crimson flames and the wooden huts burst into flames in seconds causing mass confusion amongst the villagers, dozens rush outside screaming while others remain trapped within their hovels as their roofs collapse under intense heat. In minutes, it all burns.
In hours all that remains is just black ash from one end to the other. The crows feast on the flesh of the fallen men who could not escape their deaths amidst such carnage. Many have escaped but at least a hundred bodies lay burnt to charcoal amidst the flames. The stench of burned hair permeates the air alongside that of scorched fat and meat.
For those who flee to K'tal, they will speak of how they have met a God of Vengeance, of Wrath, and of Fire. "Suharta" they will call him, and they shall fear his name. Where he walks death follows swiftly behind, bringing ruin upon everything he touches...
[Suharta's Flame is Born as part of the K'tali mythos, Viru is lost to the flames of Suhura and 100 Population Perish as a result of Ryumen's arrival]
**To the Strongest**
Lifetime: Magic + Prowess: Rank 7 (99 +66 +40 +19 +32 +5 +37) = 2 Successes
DC: 50 (Base) + 20 (Giants) = 70
Ryumen doesn't know whether he agonizes, feels guilt, or soothes at the burning of the village. The aftermath of his vengeance leaves him empty, the flames around his body calming and the hot burning feeling no longer distracts his mind as it did before. He considers taking his own life for his failure and transgressions, especially after seeing the body of another young boy amongst the charred remains, yet, he decides otherwise, deciding instead to follow one simple truth that echoes within him.
Survival.
His previous life had centered around combat, and so far his new life seemed to mirror much of that. He finds animals to burn and cook with his flames, feasting upon their carcasses without mercy. Leaving only their skeletal bodies to be found by the K'tali that followed behind him. Ryumen finds and defeats whatever creature challenges him, his burning of the forests creates chaos amongst the fauna of these lands due to the destruction of their habitats.
Whatever lurking creatures hid within the forests are unknown to wanderers of K'tal, but Ryumen is not invincible nor immortal. The animals with thick skin are most dangerous to Ryumen and he learns that even with newfound powers he must use his hunting abilities and hunt he does. Each time he is in sight, the wanderers of K'tal can count more scars on his body, however, if there is somebody who isn't amused by the survival of Ryumen it is the giants. After relocating their camp multiple times due to the fires, a single giant finds the source of the fire that plagues them.
The skin of Ryumen looks almost crisp to the giant, but he sees the flames around the hands of the smaller humanoid and understands what is going on. Fearless or dumb, the giant charges at Ryumen, his feet rumbling on the ground as he closes the distance between them. Ryumen catches sight of the behemoth, and with his hand, he raises a stream of fire towards the behemoth whose feet stop as the fire burns at the skin of his arm. The behemoth lets out a groan of pain but charges once again towards Ryumen.
Ryumen feels within him the adrenaline of combat that once dominated his younger life, the hunt and thrill of the chase. When the behemoth tries to strike Ryumen dodges the blow by lunging to the side, the magic within him burning as he feels the same sensations as he did when he first awoke after his death.
However, unlike that first time, this time he focuses his magic not only internally but outward, the flames engulfing his arms and hands as he reaches for the leg of the giant and grasps his skin. The giant yowls in pain, the exposed skin is scorched and immediately the flesh is roasted through the force and magic that flows through Ryumen. The giant kicks at Ryumen with his other leg, sending him a few feet away. That Ryumen stands as if nothing happened may be a testament to his toughness or simply the adrenaline coursing through his body. He understands even in his anger and rage that staying too close to the giant may not be productive, instead, he conjures a ball of flame in his hand and throws it at the giant.
The fireball explodes upon impact against the giant who recoils once more in pain, covering himself instinctively with his arms. He stands up again though limp and attempts to throw rocks at the man-made out of fire. But he is weakened by the flames that struck his leg. He drops down to his knees in exhaustion, his skin seared and burnt where the magic of Ryumen scorched him. Ryumen watches, still consumed by his inner fire that seeks to devour and destroy. He launches flame after flame at the giant, burning each patch of exposed skin until the giant dies from pain and exhaustion but not before harshly speaking through gritted teeth.
Ryumen understood nothing but stood victorious over the dead corpse of the giant, but the pain of being hit by the giant awakened his injury and the mana used through the battle sapped the energy out of Ryumen...He rests, but it's only a matter of time until the giants retaliate.
For a decade, Ryumen will hunt and be hunted by the giants of the forest this results in a showdown where five more giants die at the hands of Ryumen, and his experience and ability to control his magic become more and more pronounced. Each time he uses it, the flames burn stronger within him, the flame becoming a part of himself and his own nature. But the giants aren't forgiving nor unwilling, in each engagement Ryumen is left more injured and scarred until finally, a last confrontation brings him to limp his way back to safety.
**The Chosen of Suhurta**
For much of the K'tali population, the sighting of Suharta has become legendary in its own right and the clouds of smoke rising over the horizon are a show of his power over the forests. The black ash that remains from the conflagration created by Suharta serves as a warning to all tribes of the Wanderers of K'tal that they should keep to their own borders lest the wrathful God of Fire consume them. Things turn even more complicated as the beasts of the forests wander into the lowlands to avoid the fires, leading to deaths from conflict with the beasts that descend near the towns of the K'tali.
The followers of Yoshua must deal with the death of their pastor and prophet, for a moment it would seem like a religious rift could emerge. But instead of splintering into different beliefs, however, with his twelve apostles chosen by Yoshua, the work continues and the spread of the word is more important than ever before. However, even they struggle to comprehend and craft their own story from the events that unfold before them. For some, it could be a sign of punishment from Yahweh, and for others, a sign that Yahweh was mourning the death of the apostle Yoshua.
But while the Followers of Yoshua adapt, a new cult arises the Chosen of Suhurta who are mostly concerned with appeasing the raging god of fire with sacrifices and ceremonies to ensure their safety. An amalgamation of spirits and gods of the tribes he represents the uncontrollable nature of wildfire and of wrath, the kind of god that is unpredictable and unrelenting. They burn animals and food in the name of Suhurta believing that the act will satisfy the God of Fire and thus ensure their own survival.
The clouds of ash and smoke do subside after a few months, the following years the mythos of Suhurta are left to consolidate on their own for a while. The Sons of Yoshua are hard at work making sure to keep alive the healing magic left by the man who walked among them.
Then this all changes when a weakened Ryumen appears on the other side of the river, they see a man of almost red and tarred skin collapsing after years of fight and hunting against the giants all on his own in the forests above. The Followers of Yoshua are amongst the first to head over in canoes to help carry him back to the town. His burns are extensive and horrible and many suspect that he will pass away from infection soon enough as he barely breathes during these next few weeks.
However, he does not. What appears to be burns are merely his skin and his body recovers at a rapid speed, the healing and treatment of the Sons of Yoshua only increase the said speed of recovery. But the more he recovers, the more his body warms, the K'tali fear a fever but that is not what is occurring here. Ryumen finally awakens, his eyes and body boiling as they had done before, but this time his fury is soothed not by the hunt, nor by survival or revenge but by the faces of a dozen men and women dressed in white robes chanting songs for him in a language that he has never heard. Taking care of him and providing him with water and nourishment.
He recognizes their clothes, their furs to be similar to those of the villagers of the town that he had burnt. He had long come to realize that he had burnt not his captors and executors, but innocent bystanders and families that had nothing to do with it. The guilt eats at him now that he is here just like when he had killed that boy accidentally.
However, Ryumen's does not remain soothed for long and the Chosen of Suhurta claim him to be a warrior sent by their lord and that his flame burns eternal for them. They celebrate his arrival and when the flames around his body make themselves present they offer themselves in service to him. The survivors of Viru...though, they loathe him and wish for him to be dealt with and removed from this place as they remember the horror that was brought upon them when his rage became incandescent.
Ryumen's stay over at K'tal is short but clear, his mind struggles with the fact that he is being saved by the shelter dwellers, worshipped by others, and also loathed by the survivors of Viru...He finds the followers of Yoshua weak and fearful of his power, he finds the Chosen of Suhurta to be submissive and easily broken. For the ones that loathe him, he only considers them cowards for there was no true valor in them nor courage, if they wished to punish him like they had done in his previous life then they should do it and not use their tongues as daggers.
He sets off unwilling to deal with the shelter dwellers any longer and returns to his roaming grounds across the forested hills.
[Chosen of Suhurt and Followers of Yoshua are at odds with each other]
**Cauldrons of Fire**
Secondary: Magic + Fervor : Rank 4 (47 +45 +87 +52) = 4 Successes
DC: 50 (Base) - 10 (Survivalists Ethos) = 40
Meanwhile, the giants of the forest have not forgotten nor forgiven what occurred in their settlement with Ryumen. Their camp moves ever close to the K'tali as the small humanoids share in similarities with the demon of fire who scorched many of their kin. Ryumen is hunted once more and when the K'tali go to hunt, they are seen and set upon by the giants, their fury upon the humanoids takes place in brutal battle with clubs and maces. The K'tali use their bows and arrows to attack them from afar but the giants don't care anymore, they are filled with anger and thirst for vengeance for the kin that they have lost. The conflicts are bloody and numerous and the villages of K'tal are soon found in danger of an attack.
Ryumen sets upon one of these combats watching as the K'tali are battered by the giants, he knows that his presence caused this to happen but he refuses to intervene to aid them. He sees their weakness, unable to stand against the giants on their own...But he also sees their endurance and willingness to fight, their ability to use weapons beyond brute strength and overwhelming size impress him as they stand up against impossible odds time after time. The survival instinct to protect their loved ones and to defend the homestead is remarkable. When the hunting party is almost wiped out, Ryumen intervenes in the fighting using fireballs to fend off the tired giants who retreat with a final glare at him.
It is then that he decides to teach the K'tali the ways to defend themselves. It is said that Suhurta himself aided Ryumen in the burning of a crater of eternal flame where the ground is pitch dark and the heat comes off in waves of smoldering anger and embers of rage. This crater becomes known as "Yak'atlar" meaning Cauldron of Flames. There Ryumen awaits and meditates for years, the K'tali are first stranged at the sight before the Chosen of Suhurta heads to the site.
They are greeted by an expression full of contempt, the trials begin shortly with Ryumen exposing them to the heat, to risk of the death and they do not fare well, many are cooked alive in the process. Ryumen finds it necessary, many of the weaker-willed men and women of K'tal do not survive. The followers of Yoshua do not approve of this but there is little they can do since most of the sacrifices happen to the members of the Cult of Suhurta. Thus, Ryumen's teachings continue unable to stand against him or his power over the fire, he teaches them how to endure through pain, to persist and push forward, to harness the power of the earth itself to channel into their weapons...
And slowly, many of his disciples grow stronger as the cauldron continues to smolder. The Chosen of Suhurta grow stronger, their belief in the God of Fire in the flesh as his chosen uses his flames to teach and defend the wanderers of K'tal against the giants. Yet, the Followers of Yoshua also grow in faith. In the name of Yahweh, they seek to end the violence of Ryumen, and his cruel training which ends up killing so many of those he teaches. The wanderers of K'tal are soon taking one worship or the other, the soothing healing of Yahweh or the flames of Suhurta.
[Wanderers of K'tal gain elemental fire insight and healing insight as the powers of Yoshua and Ryumen are undisputed and now sought by the K'tali]
**The Champion of Suhurta**
Misc: Magic + Lore = (84 +70 +78 +76) = 4 Successes
DC: 70 (Base, mostly due to Ryumen's large mana power and the fact that he is not very coach)
Another decade passes as Ryumen grows older reaching his sixties as he keeps pushing his chosen further and harder. Many fail and succumb to the fires but he makes a point of showing them the value of life through hardship, and discipline. Amongst the Chosen of Suhurta a few seem able to control the flames, a very few though not to the extent of Ryumen by any stretch...Ryumen's quest to find a successor is unsuccessful so far and his time running short. Until a young woman of short brown hair and amber eyes enters the cauldron.
The sight is completely unusual for Ryumen as he hasn't seen any female participate in his cauldron. Her eyes are filled with the same loathing and hatred he once had and she bears it with such certainty he cannot deny her attempt to try to get through.
Her name is Izzi, her older brother one of the worshipers of Suhurta and herself a believer in the teachings of Yoshua before joining the chosen. Her brother attempted to enter the cauldron and was found dead, his body burned and taken back to the town...Blessed with the capability to heal Izzi did her utmost to try and save her brother, risking her own life as she stayed next to his side for hours healing and praying for Yahweh to answer her plea.
He did not and her brother died regardless. Her hatred for Suhurta, for the cauldron, and Ryumen burns with her heart aflame. She blames the god of flames for her brother's passing and for the misery it has brought upon his people. Spurred on by a vision in her sleep of the death of Ryumen through the blade of vengeance she embarks to confront the man and champion that have wrought suffering for her people. As soon as she sets foot in the Cauldron, Ryumen realizes that he's found what he needs as he stares right at a mirror of himself.
The pain does not matter and she stays in the cauldron for weeks where others have only survived hours, her determination drives her on, and her focus keeps her mind sharp despite the torment of the fire and the anguish it inflicts on her body. Her own healing helped her to withstand the stress and exhaustion that normally would've been too much for a single individual...She recites prayers of the heavenly father, but it is her anger that allows her to draw mana and survive.
The rest of the story is mixed with details that favor either the Chosen of Suhurta or the Followers of Yoshua depending on whom you ask. However, for the wanderers of K'tal, the truth is simple. Ryumen's successor is Izzi, Ryumen's death is unknown some say that his student felled him, and others that it was Yahweh who struck him down.
Regardless...Izzi having achieved her objective, returns to K'tal and helps in its protection and right on time as the Giants continue their skirmishes against the humans.
Initial Stats of Humanity
The land settled by the wanderers of K'etal is a temperate territory with some amount of rainfall falling constantly throughout the year, the land to the south and west tends to be higher in altitude than that to the north. A single small river with not much water passes through the territory, it is navigable by canoes and other vessels of similar size. The land is relatively fertile enough with forests covering much of the non-arid land surrounding the territory.
Temperatures vary from a comfortable 22° C in summer to -1° in Winter, as such, cultivation is seasonal and relies on rainwater, aquifers, and also enough temperature to keep working. The lower lands are mostly grasslands of the temperate variety, with the higher territories having plenty of forests around.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society.
The Giants of the Forest:
Description: Bipedal beings that sort of reassemble humans that stand from 4 to 6 meters in height. Dangerous in combat and territorial.
Population: 32
Status: War
Characters of Interest:
Izzi: The successor to Ryumen, someone able and capable of holding both healing and fire magic at her disposal. Though, not to the levels of Ryumen or Yoshua, she is very skilled and amongst the best practicers of the forces of magic. Now that the one who killed her brother is gone, she is left with a burden put on her by the Followers of Yoshua and the Chosen of Suhurta, as they claim her to be blessed by each of their respective Gods.
Factions of Interest:
Lieto Clan:
Locations: Neutheol [4,800]
History: Wanderers from the southern lands, they took a stranger by the name of Niel Strähl and gain increased relevance amongst the clans. The son of Niel, Thriel remains as chieftain of this clan.
Clan Urua:
Locations: K'etal [4,500]
History: Clan Urua was the one to lead the efforts to drive off the river raptors from this valley and land. While successful they incurred several casualties. During the life of Yoshua, some converted to the monotheistic religion due to the healing done by the "Son of God".
Followers of Yoshua:
Members: 5,000
History: Those who followed the preacher of Yoshua during his lifetime, while a minority amongst the K'tali, have been known to praise the miracles of Yoshua's healing. It is said that some of them are able to continue healing just as Yoshua did, though their healing is minor at best.
Chosen of Suhurta:
Members: 8,000
History: Brought upon by the destruction of Viru at the hands of Ryumen and the burning of the forests with endless clouds of ash, they believe in the amalgamation of a god of destruction, fury, and fire. His name is Suhurta and his champion is tasked with the defense of K'tal and the Cauldron of Flames.
Mythos:
Legends of Fear: Humanity fears and it has managed to escape its greatest fears for the time being.
Shelt, Minor God of Agriculture and Shelter: A relatively new god that had appeared within the mythos not long before the settlement of K'etal. He protects and provides for the farmer, shepherd, and herder. Influenced by Niel Strähl towards enhanced organization and more pragmatic management of foodstuffs.
The One God: Yahweh, one true god of humanity, a god that guarantees bodily resurrection, peace, and love at the end of times. A comforting religion for people who are on the edge of death.
Suhurta: God of Fire, Destruction, and Fury. Tied to vengeance and the defense of family, he is very different to the Yahweh of Yoshua and provides a world in which the strength to destroy your enemies is paramount.
Technological Archives:
Agricultural:
-Crop Rotation [Improves Overtime][3/5]
-Crop Selection [Improves Overtime][3/5]
-Improved Early Crop Irrigation [Improves Overtime][3/5]
Livestock:
-Domestication of Magnificient Hoof [77 / 450]
Urban:
-Urban Planning Added [Not very relevant but will help later on]
-Improved Early Shelters and Huts. [Enhanced protection against the elements]
Magic:
-Healing Insights
-Elemental Fire Insights
The Situation:
Thirty-two years for the wanderers of K'tal. These are years of chaos, destruction, and the start of a war that they didn't wish to start. But these are also years of consolidation, two opposing faiths rising amongst the tribes of K'tal. The Followers of Yoshua and the Chosen of Suhurta, with a singular character in the form of Izzi may just tilt the balance in favor of one or the other. At the same time, the techniques of Niel continue to provide a boon for the people as food becomes less of an issue for the wanderers. The population reached thirty-five thousand souls roughly.
The giants angered at the loss of their kin at the hands of Ryumen are now a threat to the wanderers of K'tal, especially after a few more families of Giants made their way to this land. If they are all related to each other, it is unknown but they have seemingly joined in the hostilities against the humans nonetheless. Meanwhile, the tribes prepare warbands to defend themselves against the towering giants using everything they can at their disposal to try and fend off their attacks.
In K'tal proper, the political situation is tense. Unity is seemingly out of reach as the followers of Yoshua and Chosen of Suhurta are at odds with each other, while not driving away from the focus against the Giants, the situation difficult any really major concerted action against them.
Meanwhile, there have been sights of bands of humans to the north-west and humanoids beings to the far east. Though unable to tell what they are for now, it does tell that time is passing and this land may not be as isolated as it was when the wanderers first arrived here.
The burnt forests may also provide good farmland for the growth of the wanderers, which would be useful for growth if not for the fact that the giants would just put an end to any attempts to build settlements east of the river to rest rather quickly.
Izzi may lean one way or the other regarding her beliefs...What does she choose?
[X] Suhurta: Ryumen's teachings were right, only the power to destroy will help undo any injustice on this world. Suhurta represents the power of fire and that with which to burn your enemies.
[X] Unity: She attempts to reconcile Suhurta's and Yoshua's teachings, the all-powerful Yahweh also brought destruction to other people according to Yoshua, but power without justice and order is nothing.
[X] Yahweh: Only Yoshua and Yahweh represent kindness and light, she focuses on what she learned of Suhurta and Ryumen and rejects it. Mercy, kindness, and forgiveness are the only things that can defeat darkness. Use the power of God to defend yourself and your brethren.
The cicadas chirp their monotone songs as the light breeze pushes waves of golden sand across the coastline of what will once be known as Nihon. There is peace in the air, the rays of sunshine bright across a quiet beach of clear golden sands stretching for miles across this landscape. The island of Kyushu stands idyllic in its pristine beauty, the majestic snow-capped mountain ranges rise in the distance beyond the thick jungles that stretch inland, their summits bathed in sunlight. The smell of saltwater fills the air as the sound of the wind whistling across the shore becomes almost overwhelming in its gentle melody.
A boat in the distance disrupts the tranquil silence of this place. With its sails open, and propelled by paddles made by hand it cuts across the shallow blue sea waters. From within, a group of rough merchants travels towards these sandy shores. Their ship holds within its belly goods, rice, jewels, silk, metalwork, and spices. Another growing sign of civilization leaving its cradles to venture outward and trade. With wave passed over, with each cart moved, and with each step taken, the world becomes more and more human and the pristine ignorance of a new dawn erodes and leaves its place to new creations.
The cicadas will chirp and the birds will sing, ignorant of the lives that they are meant to witness and observe throughout millennia to come. A mere three miles away, a small village catches the light of dawn, wooden shacks surround a central hut decorated with religious banners made of cloth and straw, the sun reflecting over the huts made out of wood of palm trees. They are a tight group that has come to notice that they have been stolen from over the last few weeks. Mostly bags of rice and some fruits.
They set one young man to stay at their warehouse at night. Armed only with his senses, the brave soul stays at the warehouse's doors where the food is kept to prevent thieves from stealing more. The moon rises and shines down over the island, stars above sparkle with radiance and grace, it is not long until his eyes begin to feel heavy and weary from waiting for hours without rest. Sleep begins to settle upon him when he hears a faint sound, like breathing coming from nearby.
In the dark of night, two pairs of red eyes stare back at the sleepy young villager, illuminated by the pale glow of the lunar reflection. It is a man, or maybe not a man...But it surely doesn't look like one, standing in the shadows of night. His skin is bronze-tanned with muscles that bulk out from his skin, it is the body of a man who has exerted physical force for more than thirty years without rest, the natural development of muscle tissue is a sign of both experience and strength. The boy panics going to grab the nearest tool available to him which happens to be a crude bamboo spear carved into a spear tip and thrusts it towards the man in a foolish act of courage.
"Haaahhhh!!!" The boy yells, his voice echoing through the air.
The man does not need to doge against a puny young man like him, his hand catches the bamboo spear and pushes it aside, shoving aside the boy and into the ground. He looks kind of like his son, but he does not have time to ponder over something irrelevant as that, his family needs sustenance. The people here have scared most of the animals or killed them for themselves. They also seem to have enough food here so what's the problem? He goes to grab the nearest bag of rice with his free hand, he carries it with ease and right in time. The darkness becomes illuminated by torches carried by a bunch of the villagers armed with bows, spears, and torches, the orange-red flickers of light casting strange shadows onto the ground.
But right as he turns to run, his eyes catch the red glint of blood on the floor and it takes a second or two to register the lifeless body of the boy on the ground, his chest pierced with the same bamboo spear he was carrying. Ryumen feels his error with guilt and a slight bit of panic, he did not mean for him to die, even though he himself has brought death to many before in combat. The reality settles quickly though and he knows he must run.
He rushes to the jungle behind the village and begins to run, the villagers go after him and an arrow whoshes right past him, but it misses. But the next does not miss, hitting his leg he falls onto the ground and cries out loud in pain. The villagers approach him in anger and fury, screaming curses at the intruder who killed one of their own. Their anger is delivered throughout the night, captured, beaten, and tortured Ryumen knows his fate is sealed in his heart and he shall join the world beyond. In a few days, he accepts it as inevitable ready to follow what will come, but then he hears the cries of children and that of a woman...His family is being led up in front of him...
They hold a sharp blade at the neck of his oldest child who screams for his father to save him, tears flowing down from his face. The sounds are like music to their ears as they cry and beg for forgiveness, their vengeance cannot be satiated nor quenched. The youngest screams and wails but is met with a fist of rage from one of the guards, knocking her unconscious on the ground. The scene is gruesome and heartwrenching to behold for the giant who knows he cannot stop his own fate let alone that of his loved ones.
The sharp metallic blades cut their throats, cold and swift. Blood flows through the air as their lives fade into blackness, the heads thrown towards the feet of their murderer as tears flow down his face. As he reaches for the head of his oldest son in horror and disbelief the executioner severs the hands of the titan causing him to roar in pain. The man is about to shatter at the death of both his offspring, his wife weeps unable to cope with the sight of her own sons murdered. His breathing slows down and then becomes frenetic and ragged, his vision becomes blurry as the anger burns through him. He shouts in anger until his throat is dry, and then sorrow settles in as tears pour down his cheeks...
The villagers now satisfied leave him to agonize, for a few more moments before striking at his wife and taking her away. Now filled with despair and shame for failing his family, Ryumen awaits his end. It comes at the hand of a man who looks familiar, the blade rises and then his head is hacked away from his shoulders.
**The Aura of Fire**
Secondary: Magic + Prowess: Rank 7 (17 +76 +93 +90 +52 +30 +68) = 485 = 5 Successes
DC: 60 (Base) + 20 (No Magical Theory) - 35 (Legendary Magic Potential) - 5 (Elemental Magic) = 40
A pair of crows awaken him with their beaks pecking at his fingers, the sunlight strikes his body and he feels warmth, he breathes, and blinks once again...Then once again and a third time. He sits upright and touches his neck with his hands, he is alive. How is he alive?! No wound on his neck either. His head turns from side to side rapidly, he hopes it had all been a bad dream. He looks for his sons, for his wife and all that he sees is green pastures and forests unlike his own, the two crows caw at him and then fly off. Confused and afraid he searches frantically for any signs of his family but he finds none.
He weeps again, falling to his knees on the soft grass below him. He feels an anger so deep that he wishes for his own death, he had gotten his wish before and now here he was forced to live again knowing of his failures. His anger burns within him, his heart heavy and aching with grief, regret, and vengeance...pure vengeance. His fists strike against the grassy ground again and again until they draw blood but he does not care. He shouts and roars at the skies hoping they will send thunderbolts to strike him down and bring him peace from this agony. But with each strike, a spark grows within him and he keeps pounding the ground, the air becomes hotter and hotter each time and soon his very body begins to burn with an intense heat that only grows with each passing moment...
At this moment a beam of red-hot energy erupts forth from his body, engulfing everything around him. The grass touched by his fist begins to burn, the fire spreading outwards in waves that engulf everything. Everything from his eyes to his feet burns, and he can feel himself burning, his skin almost melting away from the sheer intensity of his emotions. Yet, he does not care instead he looks at the ground and then his palms in flames, he clenches his fist tighter as flames leap from within his palm. A feeling of power floods his entire body and suddenly there is nothing else he cares about except the flames licking at his feet, his clothes begin to smoke and burst into flame but he pays no mind to it whatsoever. The hair on his arms, legs, chest, and head is burnt to a crisp as is everything around him...and it feels amazing, pure, and honest...It feels true to his heart's desires. The pain he feels in his own body is soothing and frees him from his burdens, the flames are warm but do not burn him like a forest fire or the wrathful sun.
Slowly, he turns his gaze from the fiery horizon to see how far he can see through these flames. The trees are ablaze in bright orange tongues, their leaves charred and crackling in the wind as they fall to the ground. He wanders like this without purpose for what may have been days or weeks, until the flames on his body are controlled, but his skin is dyed red and is hot to the touch. After he calms himself, he takes a break at the base of a hill to regain his bearings but it isn't easy because every time he thinks about what happened in his village, those feelings come rushing back. The villagers deserved death for killing innocent young children who never harmed anyone nor deserved anything done to them...He had made a mistake but it was not theirs to pay.
He would kill the lot of them. But where to start? He had no idea where he was...What if they were far away from this place? Would he be able to travel to their village and give them the justice they deserved?
"I am going to slaughter you all..." He mumbles between gritted teeth as he tries to contain his hatred for those responsible for his misfortunes. He swears to make their blood boil until it bubbles in their veins. The crows follow him in the skies and squawk at him every morning. His search is not long as he finds the K'tali village of Viru soon enough, a community built near the higher forests of the region. For three days, he watches as their people go on with their daily lives, working on farms and homes, and preparing meals together. He sees them laughing at jokes, telling stories around campfires lit with wood branches...
There is no sign of the people from the other village that had attacked him and his family. They are different...but so similar to the ones, he had watched with his sons.
"Papa, can we go talk to them?" His son had asked him once before.
"No my son, it is better for us not to disturb them."
"Why papa?" Asked the little one.
"They don't trust us. We cannot change that."
"But why?"
"It's the way of things..."
"Oh..."
"Don't fret little one, there are good things too in this world. You and I can enjoy them together."
This memory fills his mind and fuels his fury towards these people, all of them deserve the punishment of burning alive for their treacherous deeds against him and his kin. His steps take him closer to their village each day, waiting for his chance to strike when all eyes are turned elsewhere and away from watching him closely, unaware of what looms beneath their noses...Until finally...One evening, just as dusk approached over the lush canopy of foliage surrounding these humans...Ryumen approaches those who shelter in petty shelters made of branches and mud...Those who dare to exist despite living their days in misery, he sees one man, in particular, sitting in front of his hut sharpening his stone axe and speaking with a few friends.
The man raises his eyes to meet Ryomen's glare, sensing something sinister approaching, but before he can raise the alarm call it is already too late. His face contorted into a mask of terror as flames leap towards his feet like wild beasts hungry for flesh. Ryumen's body becomes enveloped in crimson flames and the wooden huts burst into flames in seconds causing mass confusion amongst the villagers, dozens rush outside screaming while others remain trapped within their hovels as their roofs collapse under intense heat. In minutes, it all burns.
In hours all that remains is just black ash from one end to the other. The crows feast on the flesh of the fallen men who could not escape their deaths amidst such carnage. Many have escaped but at least a hundred bodies lay burnt to charcoal amidst the flames. The stench of burned hair permeates the air alongside that of scorched fat and meat.
For those who flee to K'tal, they will speak of how they have met a God of Vengeance, of Wrath, and of Fire. "Suharta" they will call him, and they shall fear his name. Where he walks death follows swiftly behind, bringing ruin upon everything he touches...
[Suharta's Flame is Born as part of the K'tali mythos, Viru is lost to the flames of Suhura and 100 Population Perish as a result of Ryumen's arrival]
**To the Strongest**
Lifetime: Magic + Prowess: Rank 7 (99 +66 +40 +19 +32 +5 +37) = 2 Successes
DC: 50 (Base) + 20 (Giants) = 70
Ryumen doesn't know whether he agonizes, feels guilt, or soothes at the burning of the village. The aftermath of his vengeance leaves him empty, the flames around his body calming and the hot burning feeling no longer distracts his mind as it did before. He considers taking his own life for his failure and transgressions, especially after seeing the body of another young boy amongst the charred remains, yet, he decides otherwise, deciding instead to follow one simple truth that echoes within him.
Survival.
His previous life had centered around combat, and so far his new life seemed to mirror much of that. He finds animals to burn and cook with his flames, feasting upon their carcasses without mercy. Leaving only their skeletal bodies to be found by the K'tali that followed behind him. Ryumen finds and defeats whatever creature challenges him, his burning of the forests creates chaos amongst the fauna of these lands due to the destruction of their habitats.
Whatever lurking creatures hid within the forests are unknown to wanderers of K'tal, but Ryumen is not invincible nor immortal. The animals with thick skin are most dangerous to Ryumen and he learns that even with newfound powers he must use his hunting abilities and hunt he does. Each time he is in sight, the wanderers of K'tal can count more scars on his body, however, if there is somebody who isn't amused by the survival of Ryumen it is the giants. After relocating their camp multiple times due to the fires, a single giant finds the source of the fire that plagues them.
The skin of Ryumen looks almost crisp to the giant, but he sees the flames around the hands of the smaller humanoid and understands what is going on. Fearless or dumb, the giant charges at Ryumen, his feet rumbling on the ground as he closes the distance between them. Ryumen catches sight of the behemoth, and with his hand, he raises a stream of fire towards the behemoth whose feet stop as the fire burns at the skin of his arm. The behemoth lets out a groan of pain but charges once again towards Ryumen.
Ryumen feels within him the adrenaline of combat that once dominated his younger life, the hunt and thrill of the chase. When the behemoth tries to strike Ryumen dodges the blow by lunging to the side, the magic within him burning as he feels the same sensations as he did when he first awoke after his death.
However, unlike that first time, this time he focuses his magic not only internally but outward, the flames engulfing his arms and hands as he reaches for the leg of the giant and grasps his skin. The giant yowls in pain, the exposed skin is scorched and immediately the flesh is roasted through the force and magic that flows through Ryumen. The giant kicks at Ryumen with his other leg, sending him a few feet away. That Ryumen stands as if nothing happened may be a testament to his toughness or simply the adrenaline coursing through his body. He understands even in his anger and rage that staying too close to the giant may not be productive, instead, he conjures a ball of flame in his hand and throws it at the giant.
The fireball explodes upon impact against the giant who recoils once more in pain, covering himself instinctively with his arms. He stands up again though limp and attempts to throw rocks at the man-made out of fire. But he is weakened by the flames that struck his leg. He drops down to his knees in exhaustion, his skin seared and burnt where the magic of Ryumen scorched him. Ryumen watches, still consumed by his inner fire that seeks to devour and destroy. He launches flame after flame at the giant, burning each patch of exposed skin until the giant dies from pain and exhaustion but not before harshly speaking through gritted teeth.
Ryumen understood nothing but stood victorious over the dead corpse of the giant, but the pain of being hit by the giant awakened his injury and the mana used through the battle sapped the energy out of Ryumen...He rests, but it's only a matter of time until the giants retaliate.
For a decade, Ryumen will hunt and be hunted by the giants of the forest this results in a showdown where five more giants die at the hands of Ryumen, and his experience and ability to control his magic become more and more pronounced. Each time he uses it, the flames burn stronger within him, the flame becoming a part of himself and his own nature. But the giants aren't forgiving nor unwilling, in each engagement Ryumen is left more injured and scarred until finally, a last confrontation brings him to limp his way back to safety.
**The Chosen of Suhurta**
For much of the K'tali population, the sighting of Suharta has become legendary in its own right and the clouds of smoke rising over the horizon are a show of his power over the forests. The black ash that remains from the conflagration created by Suharta serves as a warning to all tribes of the Wanderers of K'tal that they should keep to their own borders lest the wrathful God of Fire consume them. Things turn even more complicated as the beasts of the forests wander into the lowlands to avoid the fires, leading to deaths from conflict with the beasts that descend near the towns of the K'tali.
The followers of Yoshua must deal with the death of their pastor and prophet, for a moment it would seem like a religious rift could emerge. But instead of splintering into different beliefs, however, with his twelve apostles chosen by Yoshua, the work continues and the spread of the word is more important than ever before. However, even they struggle to comprehend and craft their own story from the events that unfold before them. For some, it could be a sign of punishment from Yahweh, and for others, a sign that Yahweh was mourning the death of the apostle Yoshua.
But while the Followers of Yoshua adapt, a new cult arises the Chosen of Suhurta who are mostly concerned with appeasing the raging god of fire with sacrifices and ceremonies to ensure their safety. An amalgamation of spirits and gods of the tribes he represents the uncontrollable nature of wildfire and of wrath, the kind of god that is unpredictable and unrelenting. They burn animals and food in the name of Suhurta believing that the act will satisfy the God of Fire and thus ensure their own survival.
The clouds of ash and smoke do subside after a few months, the following years the mythos of Suhurta are left to consolidate on their own for a while. The Sons of Yoshua are hard at work making sure to keep alive the healing magic left by the man who walked among them.
Then this all changes when a weakened Ryumen appears on the other side of the river, they see a man of almost red and tarred skin collapsing after years of fight and hunting against the giants all on his own in the forests above. The Followers of Yoshua are amongst the first to head over in canoes to help carry him back to the town. His burns are extensive and horrible and many suspect that he will pass away from infection soon enough as he barely breathes during these next few weeks.
However, he does not. What appears to be burns are merely his skin and his body recovers at a rapid speed, the healing and treatment of the Sons of Yoshua only increase the said speed of recovery. But the more he recovers, the more his body warms, the K'tali fear a fever but that is not what is occurring here. Ryumen finally awakens, his eyes and body boiling as they had done before, but this time his fury is soothed not by the hunt, nor by survival or revenge but by the faces of a dozen men and women dressed in white robes chanting songs for him in a language that he has never heard. Taking care of him and providing him with water and nourishment.
He recognizes their clothes, their furs to be similar to those of the villagers of the town that he had burnt. He had long come to realize that he had burnt not his captors and executors, but innocent bystanders and families that had nothing to do with it. The guilt eats at him now that he is here just like when he had killed that boy accidentally.
However, Ryumen's does not remain soothed for long and the Chosen of Suhurta claim him to be a warrior sent by their lord and that his flame burns eternal for them. They celebrate his arrival and when the flames around his body make themselves present they offer themselves in service to him. The survivors of Viru...though, they loathe him and wish for him to be dealt with and removed from this place as they remember the horror that was brought upon them when his rage became incandescent.
Ryumen's stay over at K'tal is short but clear, his mind struggles with the fact that he is being saved by the shelter dwellers, worshipped by others, and also loathed by the survivors of Viru...He finds the followers of Yoshua weak and fearful of his power, he finds the Chosen of Suhurta to be submissive and easily broken. For the ones that loathe him, he only considers them cowards for there was no true valor in them nor courage, if they wished to punish him like they had done in his previous life then they should do it and not use their tongues as daggers.
He sets off unwilling to deal with the shelter dwellers any longer and returns to his roaming grounds across the forested hills.
[Chosen of Suhurt and Followers of Yoshua are at odds with each other]
**Cauldrons of Fire**
Secondary: Magic + Fervor : Rank 4 (47 +45 +87 +52) = 4 Successes
DC: 50 (Base) - 10 (Survivalists Ethos) = 40
Meanwhile, the giants of the forest have not forgotten nor forgiven what occurred in their settlement with Ryumen. Their camp moves ever close to the K'tali as the small humanoids share in similarities with the demon of fire who scorched many of their kin. Ryumen is hunted once more and when the K'tali go to hunt, they are seen and set upon by the giants, their fury upon the humanoids takes place in brutal battle with clubs and maces. The K'tali use their bows and arrows to attack them from afar but the giants don't care anymore, they are filled with anger and thirst for vengeance for the kin that they have lost. The conflicts are bloody and numerous and the villages of K'tal are soon found in danger of an attack.
Ryumen sets upon one of these combats watching as the K'tali are battered by the giants, he knows that his presence caused this to happen but he refuses to intervene to aid them. He sees their weakness, unable to stand against the giants on their own...But he also sees their endurance and willingness to fight, their ability to use weapons beyond brute strength and overwhelming size impress him as they stand up against impossible odds time after time. The survival instinct to protect their loved ones and to defend the homestead is remarkable. When the hunting party is almost wiped out, Ryumen intervenes in the fighting using fireballs to fend off the tired giants who retreat with a final glare at him.
It is then that he decides to teach the K'tali the ways to defend themselves. It is said that Suhurta himself aided Ryumen in the burning of a crater of eternal flame where the ground is pitch dark and the heat comes off in waves of smoldering anger and embers of rage. This crater becomes known as "Yak'atlar" meaning Cauldron of Flames. There Ryumen awaits and meditates for years, the K'tali are first stranged at the sight before the Chosen of Suhurta heads to the site.
They are greeted by an expression full of contempt, the trials begin shortly with Ryumen exposing them to the heat, to risk of the death and they do not fare well, many are cooked alive in the process. Ryumen finds it necessary, many of the weaker-willed men and women of K'tal do not survive. The followers of Yoshua do not approve of this but there is little they can do since most of the sacrifices happen to the members of the Cult of Suhurta. Thus, Ryumen's teachings continue unable to stand against him or his power over the fire, he teaches them how to endure through pain, to persist and push forward, to harness the power of the earth itself to channel into their weapons...
And slowly, many of his disciples grow stronger as the cauldron continues to smolder. The Chosen of Suhurta grow stronger, their belief in the God of Fire in the flesh as his chosen uses his flames to teach and defend the wanderers of K'tal against the giants. Yet, the Followers of Yoshua also grow in faith. In the name of Yahweh, they seek to end the violence of Ryumen, and his cruel training which ends up killing so many of those he teaches. The wanderers of K'tal are soon taking one worship or the other, the soothing healing of Yahweh or the flames of Suhurta.
[Wanderers of K'tal gain elemental fire insight and healing insight as the powers of Yoshua and Ryumen are undisputed and now sought by the K'tali]
**The Champion of Suhurta**
Misc: Magic + Lore = (84 +70 +78 +76) = 4 Successes
DC: 70 (Base, mostly due to Ryumen's large mana power and the fact that he is not very coach)
Another decade passes as Ryumen grows older reaching his sixties as he keeps pushing his chosen further and harder. Many fail and succumb to the fires but he makes a point of showing them the value of life through hardship, and discipline. Amongst the Chosen of Suhurta a few seem able to control the flames, a very few though not to the extent of Ryumen by any stretch...Ryumen's quest to find a successor is unsuccessful so far and his time running short. Until a young woman of short brown hair and amber eyes enters the cauldron.
The sight is completely unusual for Ryumen as he hasn't seen any female participate in his cauldron. Her eyes are filled with the same loathing and hatred he once had and she bears it with such certainty he cannot deny her attempt to try to get through.
Her name is Izzi, her older brother one of the worshipers of Suhurta and herself a believer in the teachings of Yoshua before joining the chosen. Her brother attempted to enter the cauldron and was found dead, his body burned and taken back to the town...Blessed with the capability to heal Izzi did her utmost to try and save her brother, risking her own life as she stayed next to his side for hours healing and praying for Yahweh to answer her plea.
He did not and her brother died regardless. Her hatred for Suhurta, for the cauldron, and Ryumen burns with her heart aflame. She blames the god of flames for her brother's passing and for the misery it has brought upon his people. Spurred on by a vision in her sleep of the death of Ryumen through the blade of vengeance she embarks to confront the man and champion that have wrought suffering for her people. As soon as she sets foot in the Cauldron, Ryumen realizes that he's found what he needs as he stares right at a mirror of himself.
The pain does not matter and she stays in the cauldron for weeks where others have only survived hours, her determination drives her on, and her focus keeps her mind sharp despite the torment of the fire and the anguish it inflicts on her body. Her own healing helped her to withstand the stress and exhaustion that normally would've been too much for a single individual...She recites prayers of the heavenly father, but it is her anger that allows her to draw mana and survive.
The rest of the story is mixed with details that favor either the Chosen of Suhurta or the Followers of Yoshua depending on whom you ask. However, for the wanderers of K'tal, the truth is simple. Ryumen's successor is Izzi, Ryumen's death is unknown some say that his student felled him, and others that it was Yahweh who struck him down.
Regardless...Izzi having achieved her objective, returns to K'tal and helps in its protection and right on time as the Giants continue their skirmishes against the humans.
The Wanderers of K'etal
88 I.T
88 I.T
Initial Stats of Humanity
- Centralization: Tribal. Your piece of humanity is far too small to be splintered just yet, it works along tribal and familial connections made up of the different humans that wandered and joined the group.
- Stability: Weakening. The religious differences shown by two different incarnations of power have led to a decrease in cohesion amongst the wanderers.
- Population: 36,479- 100 [Ryumen's Fury] - 500 [War against Giants] = 35,879
- Food Availability: Surplus. The agricultural techniques of K'etal continue to improve and enhance, a new generation has made more widespread use of Niel's techniques. You are very much below the carrying capacity of this land.
- Threat Level: Medium. In this world, wild animals and flora can cause significant damage to human populations often requiring sacrifices to ensure the survival of the majority.
- Technological Level: Limited Bronze Age. Humans have knowledge of metalworking, astrology, and mathematics however there aren't the necessary complex networks of trade and specialization to allow them to reach greater levels of complexity.
The land settled by the wanderers of K'etal is a temperate territory with some amount of rainfall falling constantly throughout the year, the land to the south and west tends to be higher in altitude than that to the north. A single small river with not much water passes through the territory, it is navigable by canoes and other vessels of similar size. The land is relatively fertile enough with forests covering much of the non-arid land surrounding the territory.
Temperatures vary from a comfortable 22° C in summer to -1° in Winter, as such, cultivation is seasonal and relies on rainwater, aquifers, and also enough temperature to keep working. The lower lands are mostly grasslands of the temperate variety, with the higher territories having plenty of forests around.
Traits:
The situational and cultural aspects of this society are defined by Ethos which can change and confer bonuses and also maluses to certain actions taken as a whole by this society.
- Tribal: The societal structure of this society revolves around extended family identities and common features like language and kinship, the different groups that have joined the original wanderers also hold their own clans and tribes as separate with their own cultural traditions, though, how united remains to be seen. [-10 to Centralization-related rolls, +10 towards Stability]
- Nomads: The mythos of these people tell of endless danger outside of the Rift Valley and that one day they will return. Everyone must be ready to leave at a heartbeat's notice as the elders wander of complacency and staying in this land for too long. [+10 to Settlement and Urbanization Type Rolls][+15 to Exploration and Resettling]
- Survivalists: The people are ready to sweat and bleed so that they can survive, they are used to hardships and nature's trials. One will find amongst them many willing to do anything to protect their family and loved ones even if it must come to the worst. [+10 to Defensive Goals]
- Compassion: Yoshua's teachings focused on compassion among the sons of God. This compassion extends to selflessness, virtue, and worship of god. Their beliefs instill a communal sense of belonging and of hope for the future. [+5 Towards Stability [Bonus or Malus may increase as time goes on]]
- Supremacy: Humanity may be weak, but even in weakness it finds strength. Anyone stronger than them must be put to the sword and burn in the flames. [+5 to Conflict Rolls]
The Giants of the Forest:
Description: Bipedal beings that sort of reassemble humans that stand from 4 to 6 meters in height. Dangerous in combat and territorial.
Population: 32
Status: War
Characters of Interest:
Izzi: The successor to Ryumen, someone able and capable of holding both healing and fire magic at her disposal. Though, not to the levels of Ryumen or Yoshua, she is very skilled and amongst the best practicers of the forces of magic. Now that the one who killed her brother is gone, she is left with a burden put on her by the Followers of Yoshua and the Chosen of Suhurta, as they claim her to be blessed by each of their respective Gods.
Factions of Interest:
Lieto Clan:
Locations: Neutheol [4,800]
History: Wanderers from the southern lands, they took a stranger by the name of Niel Strähl and gain increased relevance amongst the clans. The son of Niel, Thriel remains as chieftain of this clan.
Clan Urua:
Locations: K'etal [4,500]
History: Clan Urua was the one to lead the efforts to drive off the river raptors from this valley and land. While successful they incurred several casualties. During the life of Yoshua, some converted to the monotheistic religion due to the healing done by the "Son of God".
Followers of Yoshua:
Members: 5,000
History: Those who followed the preacher of Yoshua during his lifetime, while a minority amongst the K'tali, have been known to praise the miracles of Yoshua's healing. It is said that some of them are able to continue healing just as Yoshua did, though their healing is minor at best.
Chosen of Suhurta:
Members: 8,000
History: Brought upon by the destruction of Viru at the hands of Ryumen and the burning of the forests with endless clouds of ash, they believe in the amalgamation of a god of destruction, fury, and fire. His name is Suhurta and his champion is tasked with the defense of K'tal and the Cauldron of Flames.
Mythos:
Legends of Fear: Humanity fears and it has managed to escape its greatest fears for the time being.
Shelt, Minor God of Agriculture and Shelter: A relatively new god that had appeared within the mythos not long before the settlement of K'etal. He protects and provides for the farmer, shepherd, and herder. Influenced by Niel Strähl towards enhanced organization and more pragmatic management of foodstuffs.
The One God: Yahweh, one true god of humanity, a god that guarantees bodily resurrection, peace, and love at the end of times. A comforting religion for people who are on the edge of death.
Suhurta: God of Fire, Destruction, and Fury. Tied to vengeance and the defense of family, he is very different to the Yahweh of Yoshua and provides a world in which the strength to destroy your enemies is paramount.
Technological Archives:
Agricultural:
-Crop Rotation [Improves Overtime][3/5]
-Crop Selection [Improves Overtime][3/5]
-Improved Early Crop Irrigation [Improves Overtime][3/5]
Livestock:
-Domestication of Magnificient Hoof [77 / 450]
Urban:
-Urban Planning Added [Not very relevant but will help later on]
-Improved Early Shelters and Huts. [Enhanced protection against the elements]
Magic:
-Healing Insights
-Elemental Fire Insights
The Situation:
Thirty-two years for the wanderers of K'tal. These are years of chaos, destruction, and the start of a war that they didn't wish to start. But these are also years of consolidation, two opposing faiths rising amongst the tribes of K'tal. The Followers of Yoshua and the Chosen of Suhurta, with a singular character in the form of Izzi may just tilt the balance in favor of one or the other. At the same time, the techniques of Niel continue to provide a boon for the people as food becomes less of an issue for the wanderers. The population reached thirty-five thousand souls roughly.
The giants angered at the loss of their kin at the hands of Ryumen are now a threat to the wanderers of K'tal, especially after a few more families of Giants made their way to this land. If they are all related to each other, it is unknown but they have seemingly joined in the hostilities against the humans nonetheless. Meanwhile, the tribes prepare warbands to defend themselves against the towering giants using everything they can at their disposal to try and fend off their attacks.
In K'tal proper, the political situation is tense. Unity is seemingly out of reach as the followers of Yoshua and Chosen of Suhurta are at odds with each other, while not driving away from the focus against the Giants, the situation difficult any really major concerted action against them.
Meanwhile, there have been sights of bands of humans to the north-west and humanoids beings to the far east. Though unable to tell what they are for now, it does tell that time is passing and this land may not be as isolated as it was when the wanderers first arrived here.
The burnt forests may also provide good farmland for the growth of the wanderers, which would be useful for growth if not for the fact that the giants would just put an end to any attempts to build settlements east of the river to rest rather quickly.
Izzi may lean one way or the other regarding her beliefs...What does she choose?
[X] Suhurta: Ryumen's teachings were right, only the power to destroy will help undo any injustice on this world. Suhurta represents the power of fire and that with which to burn your enemies.
[X] Unity: She attempts to reconcile Suhurta's and Yoshua's teachings, the all-powerful Yahweh also brought destruction to other people according to Yoshua, but power without justice and order is nothing.
[X] Yahweh: Only Yoshua and Yahweh represent kindness and light, she focuses on what she learned of Suhurta and Ryumen and rejects it. Mercy, kindness, and forgiveness are the only things that can defeat darkness. Use the power of God to defend yourself and your brethren.
- Location
- Peru
@Donald Darf you are up!
[X] Unity: She attempts to reconcile Suhurta's and Yoshua's teachings, the all-powerful Yahweh also brought destruction to other people according to Yoshua, but power without justice and order is nothing.
This is what Jesus told his followers because God was mighty and also a bit punishing also he would have told them about the FLOOD
This is what Jesus told his followers because God was mighty and also a bit punishing also he would have told them about the FLOOD
[X] Unity: She attempts to reconcile Suhurta's and Yoshua's teachings, the all-powerful Yahweh also brought destruction to other people according to Yoshua, but power without justice and order is nothing.