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Dawn of Worlds - Avrund (IC)
((We will be having 'rounds', as I said before, in a similar fashion to how the PDF (linked here). However, you may roleplay as much as you desire in one round, and take two actions per round. You will likewise be receiving double points per round (4d6 vs. 2d6), and you may reserve points as per the rules.
There will be no specific order in which players may use their godly powers. However, please be certain to save your post before posting and to refresh this thread before posting. This is to ensure that your actions are not contradicted by a surprise post by another player. We are not telepathic, and therefore we cannot know when others are going to post.
At the end of every post I make, I will have a hider reading "Beginning of Round Summary." Please read this summary even if you do not read the rest of this post. This is so that you may quickly understand what has been done at the start of the round.
I've taken one liberty with each of your characters. I couldn't help but notice how wonderfully your characters' desired portfolios matched world creation. I hope you enjoy what you don't mind, and I hope you enjoy the read.
There are two factors to each climate: Temperature and humidity. They'll be listed by: Temperature, humidity. The temperatures are Freezing, Cold, Temperate, Warm, Hot, and Scorching. (Freezing and Scorching are generally not good for sustaining life, and also do not occur "naturally" on these two continents, though the water along the A's on the grid is Freezing.) The humidities are Dry, Average, and Wet. You, as a player, will decide what the humidity of any terrain you choose is when you get there, so that I don't have to make a complex listing including the starting humidities of the given terrain.
Now, we're going to give a sweeping series of "standard" climates for Avrund given this. These standard climates are:
A - Freezing
B-E - Cold
F-I - Temperate
J-N - Warm
O-Q - Hot
One last note: I would like for you to be able to post once every two days, so that we can advance the round every two days. If you're going to be absent for a while, please let me know ahead of time if you can. If you can't, I understand and won't hold it against you.
Without further ado -- Let the games begin!))
The world took many days to craft, and it took all the gods' skills to create. Casitus first spared what godly energy he could, and as evenly as he could, that the others could begin their tasks. Sygriff gave the gods direction, mapping out what had to be done. Zepp beat the earth into shape, and Agora gave the stone luster, riches and caverns. The water Aquillo drew from his own blood, which Frigus turned into the polar caps. Mael'sil'vien grasped one of the stars in the cosmos and brought it nearer to the world, where it became the sun. Then, Esvehe bound it all together with the sky, and for the first time in its short life, the world knew color. Though it has been forgotten which god came upon the name, one deity said a single word as the deities stood together to see what it was they had made: Avrund. On that day, the world was born, and like a newborn, the world was named.
Avrund was, however, still a dead world. There was good, clean water, strong earth, a healthy sky, and the cycle of night and day, but the world did not yet know life. No grass grew yet; no animals walked the surface; and, most importantly, no mortals walked the land to praise the gods and live in their image. The work the gods had done was tremendous, and there was no small amount of pride to be found in such labor, but... It was still not done. It was far, far from done.
The gods convened upon the Godspeak, the highest mountain on the northern continent, some to discuss with others what the next course of action should be, and others simply because it offered the greatest view of the world. Indeed, it afforded the gods with such a view that, given their divine perceptions, they could see every corner of the two continents around them, even with the clouds hovering so near. It was a magnificent sight, but it could be made more magnificent...
The stage is set. The curtains have been pulled away. Now, the players need only make their entrance.
Roleplay is a cooperative effort. We're all working together to craft a story here and it's important people remember this even when you are in heated combat with another player.
~An administrator from a NWN2 Persistent World
Current roleplays I'm in (this is more a note to myself than to you, but feel free to take a peek):
Frigus, Elder God, stood on the highest peak in the North, looking out upon the world. He was wearing a loose, pale blue robe, the hem coming down to his ankle. He wore sandals upon his feet, and his snowy white hair hung down in curls to frame his face. There was a small smile on his lips and a speculative, thoughtful expression on his face as he looked out over the bare, barren rock of the world he and his fellow Gods had created. Although no terrain had yet been created, Frigus saw that there was lots of mineral-rich soil about the place; ripe for tilling and planting, whenever mortal races were created and had advanced to the era of farming. He felt a slight twinge of grief in the pit of his stomach whenever he thought of mortals, cursing himself quietly and pushing the dark thoughts to the back of his mind, clearing his throat.
To move his attention away from the creation of mortal races, he stared across the great expanse of empty ground before the Godspeak, the howling wind around him causing him to squint slightly as his Divine eyes scanned the landscape. He had already decided, whilst he had been creating the polar caps to the far, far North of the ocean, that he would create for himself a cold and mountainous region where he could live in peace, surrounded by artic animals. He had a soft place in his cold heart for the animals of the North – the brave beasts who lived in such a harsh, unforgiving environment – or had, at least, on his previous world.
Cold, icey blue hues landed upon a patch of land in the North-East, only a few hundred leagues from the Godspeak, backed up against the ocean. (C14) It was good spot, and it pleased Frigus. Gathering in his willpower and taking in a long, slow breath, he readied himself to change the landscape so that it fulfilled his desire. His left hand rose to be level with his heart, and he slowly closed his fist – a low rumble echoing across the world, the ground vibrating as the beginnings of a range of mountains rose from the rocks; a singular, sprawling mountain, almost as high as the Godspeak, reaching up into the sky – its highest peak hidden by the clouds to those with mortal eyes. The rolling steppes leading up to the mountain were impressive to look upon, and the sides of the mountain were home to large deposits of boulders and rocks; which could tip down upon an unsuspecting traveler, if they were unwelcome in Frigus' eyes. There was room in front of the mountain for a valley to be created, where artic animals could live happily.(-3 points, giving a total of 7.)
Pleased with the result of his brief tampering, Frigus spread his arms out in front of his body, creating the climate for the mountain range; a windy place, it would snow often, sleet and rain heavily – creating mountain streams of cool, fresh water which would flow down to the land before the mountains, providing drinking water where his valley would be created – and possibly creating a lake, in future – for beast and fowl to drink from, and perhaps for fish to live within. The water supply would also enable trees to grow - and spread their seeds - on and around the mountains. Narrowing his gaze, he allowed his arms to fall back to his sides, smiling softly – happy with his new creation. Even as he watched, it began to snow heavily, covering the mountain's peaks with soft, cold snow. (-2 points, giving a total of 5.)
Stepping back from the edge of the Godspeak, he looked upon his mountain with pride. “This wilt be mine mountain,” He explained to his siblings, glancing about himself; looking upon his fellows to gauge their opinion of his creation, “It wilt be the highest peak in the world – save for the Godspeak. Mortals, when they art created, will look upon mine Divine home and fall unto their knees and worship me – for I hath created an impressive home which couldst be both haven and death-trap for them, depending upon my whim and their favour with me.” Finished with his speech, Frigus folded his muscular forearms across his chest, wind whipping around his head as he looked out upon the world, waiting for his siblings to add a land feature – or to change his own, although it would displease him immensely.
Agora stood at the top of Godspeak with her family, friends and peers- a broad group set on creating a new world with their own collaborated work in a world that was as fresh as a new child. The base construction of the planet had gone smooth with a task set for each deity's personal strengths, which inspired them all and put good spirits at the front of their long journey in cultivating the planet. It was her charge to deal with the world beneath the crust; under the mountains, beneath the oceans, where the Goddess worked to create a web of caverns, deposits of gems in shades of every color, molten magma on a heated core that ran like veins of blood through the layers of stone. The other Gods and Goddesses were too busy with their own work to keep an eye on where all the precious deposits were created, something she considered a very strong bartering chip for situations she rather hoped would never take place. Sure, they could simply excavate the land with a snap of their fingers, but it would be an unnecessary drain of energy when it would only take a single 'please'.
Of course, the most delicate work in her part of crafting Avrund was the preparation for the Underworld. Just as precious as the caverns of diamonds or deep caves housing sandstone for the construction of monuments, there were tunnels she intended to house the deceased spirits of the mortals which were already in the planning by her brethren. Her kin only thought about the immediate present, which was a problem in the previous world, something which she would fight hard from happening again. Because of that, the delicate beauty took control over the what she knew would be a mess of spiritual energy roaming Avrund. Like a maid getting ready for a day of work, she knew that at least one person would need to take care of the fragile balance. The thoughts about her own work ahead were cut short when she heard mountains erupt in the north.
"So the detail work begins. . ." She said mostly to herself.
“This wilt be mine mountain,” Frigus announced to the rest of the group, “It wilt be the highest peak in the world – save for the Godspeak. Mortals, when they art created, will look upon mine Divine home and fall unto their knees and worship me – for I hath created an impressive home which couldst be both haven and death-trap for them, depending upon my whim and their favour with me.”
"Fine work, Uncle," Agora gave a light applause to the man she always spoke to as 'uncle', he was one of the oldest Gods in the last world and a 'brother' of her father, the God of Love. He was a traditional old man with the fiery spirit of a youth and a forwardness that seemed to step on the toes of a few other divine. "It is a stunning monument to your strong will."
Agora stepped past some of the other Gods to near the edge of their meeting area on Godspeak toward the south eastern edge. Before beginning any work, she turned back from the point she was looking to address the immortal group. Her smoky, ethereal hair swayed in the high winds of their personal mountain, her eyes scanning across the faces of those she would be molding the world with.
"The mortals who fall to their knees and worship us need a place to keep their soul after it passes on." She began, raising an arm to motion to an island behind her (K13). "During my time beneath the planet, I found this spot is ideal to host the veil between the living and the Underworld."
As the words escaped her lips, there was a rumbling that resonated from the small island. It was a dead, volcanic looking rock with deep craters and caverns that seemed to run bottomless into the planet. The self-proclaimed Queen of the Underworld observed the dead rock for a time and decided that the treacherous terrain and maze of sharp boulders were a perfect obstacle to deter mortals from trying to venture to the Underworld. She was well aware that mortals, especially humans held such a deep fascination with life after death or bringing loved ones back, that only the truly heroic who find their way to her would be given an audience. In order to complicate the crater-covered island even more, the slow rumbling resulted in a thick, towering rainforest that sprouted like a head of tangled hair across the landscape (11-3=8) which would certainly be an imposing force with massive trees that blacked out the sun itself. To ensure the jungle would thrive and any mortal would be deterred even more, Agora blew a kiss in the direction of the isle, which instantly caused the climate to skyrocket and remain at a constant sweltering, humid temperature, something that would exhaust even the most battle-hardened warrior. The high humidity would result in almost constant rainfall, leading to the creation of bubbling jungle streams and filling the craters into lush lagoons. The Goddess of Death willed the heat to end abruptly at the shore, creating a thick wall of steam between the humid 'bubble' and the far colder ocean air surrounding it (8-2=6). She hoped that this would be the final defense measure against her guarded entrance to the cavern that led to the Underworld.
"At least the most suitable place for now." She finished, slightly exhausted for the time being and addressing her fellow immortals again.
Last edited by Betelgeuse; 03-07-2013 at 07:36 AM.
Aquillo ignored Frigus on the most part, not being distasteful, but he had no affinity for such a place, as it was to much integrated into the land. To keep his attention you would need water. "Very well Frigus..." he spoke, so softly it'd be hard to notice. But his attention was caught as Agora claimed an island he had been staring at since he laid eyes upon where the land was. That particular island was smack in the middle of everything, in the middle of water that separated two continents. It was a perfect place to stop on a trade route, but that idea was ruined. He watched Agora as she did so, admiring her choice of land, but he did not want to stand for an absence of a hospitable island. He'd have his way, and he would, as he became creative.
"Agora... you have claimed something I would have intended to be mine... but that is of no matter now..." he spoke, again softly, so softly it was hard to hear. But his voice was intense and radiated from his lips in waves. He stepped toward the edge of Godspeak, his staff in hand, he hurtled himself into the air and plummeted into the ocean, the water surging around his entrance into the sea. He arose, with land beneath his feet, his body had adopted a blue-ish tint and scaled, like a fish. (Area in k,l 11 & 12, Not the entirety of each, rather taking up small corners. 17-3=14). The island was not large, nor did it have much altitude, as it was mostly flat. Coral encrusted the land around it that lead beneath the waves, a dangerous obstacle to travel around if one was not careful with his boat. The beaches glistened with sand and shells, as aquatic life spawned from his very presence. The middle of the island was dotted with a small forest of trees, it appeared as the perfect island paradise. (As well as a great place for a city.)
What he did not let the other gods see, however, was a large undersea mountain (k12. 14-3=11) close by Agora's underworld, but several miles from it. It was bare and lifeless, except for the life that had slowly begun to mimic the whims of Aquillo's oceanic fantasies. He had a special thing in mind for this place, and no god was going to see it but him, at least for now. He had caused the flow of light to bend around it, in attempt to mask it from wandering eyes.
He grinned toward Godspeak, and threw himself again into the water, becoming a huge whale in the process. He disappeared into the deep to think and to plan. He must have his way with his island and his undersea mountain, if he did he could create the most beautiful places in this world, places where war ceased the moment you gaze rested upon it, places of tranquility and neutrality. Hardly spiritual in nature where they going to be, but they would contain a sense of magic and wonder akin to spirituality, of that he was sure.
Spoiler
Last edited by Chelubai; 03-07-2013 at 04:50 PM.
"Playing video games for the graphics is like watching porn for its story"-Anonymous
"Love is dimensionless, it's the medium you put it in that makes a difference."
"Some people would think I was gay, and the amount of cuddling I do with guys would almost seem as proof. Guess what asshole? I do what I want."
"If you don't like the kitchen please jump into the fire and save us the trouble."
"I have glitter in my brain, wanna see it? Gimme a gun."
"There are two things that get on my nerves: a fake Christian and a stupid Christian. Lets actually read the bible assholes."
-Chelubai
I HAVE A SECRET
Spoiler
I'M NOT GAY...
But
I'm
A metrosexual
And Biromantic
Boo Yah Bitch
Sygriff sat on a simple wooden stool he had conjured into existence as he watched the proceedings, garbed in an old suit of studded leather armor with his sword. He didn't normally dress so damn formally, but it's like they say, you only get to see a world be born once, even if you were an old man when it happened. He was curious to see how his kin would shape their new home. Frigus's act didn't surprise him; Frigus was always cold and distant, trying to isolate himself. This peak of his was just another way of doing that. He tugged his long white beard thoughtfully as he watched the mountain erupt from the soil. He had to admit, he was impressed: It was a good start. He then watched as Agora fashioned the underworld from the island, intrigued by her idea. He had a sudden inspiration.
"At least the most suitable place for now," Agora finished, turning to face the rest of the gods once more.
"Aye, impressive, awe-inspiring and all that," he said, smiling through his rotting teeth. "Now if you'll all care to watch, it's my turn. I'll put you both to shame, see if I don't." He closed his eyes and broadened his smile even further as he raised his arms in a theatrical fashion.
Far away to the east, along the coast, rock and dirt shifted, as he moved the earth through sheer will. A mountain rose, which, though not as high as the Godspeak or Frigus's frozen rock, was high enough for much of the top to be beyond both the reach and vision of mortals. He had plans for the peak. Meanwhile, a thick channel was dug east of the mountain reaching down to the coast, and was filled with water that gushed forward rapidly. And all around the river and mountain grew a thick forest of conifers and leaf trees. It was inhabited by all sorts of animals, be they rabbits, dears, and a great many massive bears. Wolves were also quite common. When it wasn't raining, there was a thick, impenetrable fog. The air was humid; During the winter season, the land would be blanketed in snow, and the cold would chill to the bone. On the peak of the mountain lay a massive wooden hall, filled with rooms to dine, train, and pursue near any leisure a god could think of.
These would be his lands, he thought, and the others be damned. This was where his people would live. Here they would live in the woods; Here they would build their holdfasts; Here their fields would sprawl. Though he knew not what his people would be yet, he knew suddenly that he needed one. After a moment, he opened his eyes again, and stood up from his stool.
"Right, those lands there are mine, you all better respect that. " He turned to Agora, his smile fading as he became serious again. "Now, Agora, you taking the souls of the deceased is fine and all, but I'd like to take the souls of warriors for my self. They will feast in my hall and drink my mead, as men (Or women! Hah!) of their stature deserve. Now, this doesn't mean every runt who gets knocked down by a better man would get an instant ticket to my little mountain paradise, oh no. Only those who die with honor and valour would come to my lands, yes they would, so there's nothing to be of afraid of on that count. What do you say to that, eh?" Sygriff extended his hand towards her, smiling once more.
I spent 6 of my 13 points shaping two squares, as seen here:
The ancient goddess who had survived the birth and fall of many worlds in her time stood among the others who had gathered, whose labor had also helped to shape this newest world that she graced with her presence. None of those who had gathered on this world were ones that she had known for more than a single iteration of the cycle. This saddened her as some of those whom the ancient goddess had worked with and perhaps formed closer bonds with had not been so successful in escaping the death that always came at the end of a world's time. Perhaps her own role in destruction had been overzealous in the last world if so few had actually managed to escape before the final light of the last sun had burnt the world to ashes. Maev'sil'vien considered allowing a slower destruction of the world this time, perhaps she would end the world in the cold as she had upon her first world, the shadows would gather as the sun cooled and went out, leaving the world to freeze. But this was far too early to muse about the end, even for her and the ancient goddess of Light and Dark, Life and Death, Creation and Destruction turned her attention to the almost clean slate that was the world of Avrund.
"And so I stand as creation begins anew." The goddess was in her guise of the light and as she spoke the light flared up around her as the natural glow that she emitted grew in intensity. Absently Maev'sil'vien felt a slight tug on the light of the world as another god worked will to bend a portion of her light and while she would make no scene her curiosity had been awakened and in time she would pay a visit to the anomaly beneath the oceans. But for the time being the ancient goddess felt no need to stir herself to investigate such things, not when she had steps to take as she had always done. A hand rose up and the spines that emerged from her shoulders began to glow with a fierce and furious light. The goddess who was both creator and destroyer called to the burning object that she alone could touch and began to pull from it. "Though others may be gone I yet remain, and the ancient promise I shall keep." Then she brought her hand crashing back down in a gesture that was still somehow graceful despite the force and from the sky, nay from the star that she had given the world fell a series of brilliant spears of the same material that made up her spines in light form. There were 5 of these great shards in all and they struck the soil of Avrund with resounding force, but despite the force with which they struck the ground they appeared unscathed and continued to glow with a light much like Maev'Sil'vien's own spines and like the sun that blazed on above. The land where the great shards of light had landed was riddled with cracks from the impact and with the eternal light and warmth from the shards life would quickly spread in the cracks and valleys that surrounded the spears of Maev'Sil'vien's light.
The goddess herself still stood upon the Godspeak and all beheld the change that came over her as the light of her spines and body first faded and then like a candle flame guttering and near death finally winked out. As Maev'Sil'vien changed forms her hand rose again, the pale skin trailing tendrils of shadows and the the entirety of the Godspeak growing darker around her as she swallowed up her own light. "And as long as there is light there shall be darkness." Again she called to forces beyond the world itself, shaping them with her will and molding them to suit her purposes. The shadows that emerged from her now jet black spines coiled around her and the entire mountain top, shrouding it in gloom for a few moments. Then the goddess of the dark brought down her hand and from the darkness beyond the world descended a cloud, a cloud of darkness that light could barely penetrate, a cloud of supernatural dark. It descended to Avrund and began to coil itself around the glowing spires as it separated into two masses. The first remained coiled around the upper reaches of the glowing shards and slowly began to change them, the levels where the thick clouds of darkness clung began to blacken until they resembled the spines that grew from Maev'Sil'vien in her shadowed form.
The other portion of the clouds of supernatural darkness sunk low and covered many of the lowest valleys and craters within the land where the spears had fallen. There would be a land of everlasting light and a land of everlasting night in one, for in the deeps the shroud would reign and above the light of the spears would pierce all but the great barrier. Maev'Sil'Vien was satisfied and felt herself depleted greatly. As the worlds began she always felt so starved and hated the feeling of weakness that the new beginnings always brought. The goddess shimmered as her form shifted once more and again the light and faintly glowing figure of beauty stood atop the Godspeak.
(Her actions effect N8 -6 Custom Land -2 for climate)
There was no memory of a time before. No recollection or recalling of things which once were. It was all simply dull loneliness and pure black until, with a violent yearning for company, a little consciousness had willed itself into being. This little thought knew only two things at the start when it first stepped onto Avrund; that its name was Casitus, and that it wanted friends. Friends who he could play with, who would smile and laugh with him. Who would make sure he'd never feel alone again. And so they had been there when he arrived on the barren world. Beings who referred to themselves as gods and goddesses. They all seemed so tall and magnificent in their own ways, he wasn't entirely sure what to make of them at first. But he wanted them to be happy. He wanted them to make toys. So Casitus, with a heart untouched by any influence, spread his energy amongst the others, so that they might craft things beyond wonderment, places where he could adventure and have fun. And oh what fun it would surely be! He had giggled at the mere thought.
Now they had all gathered at the world's very first feature. The Godspeak. There he got to witness for the first time his new friends all together, and see the true extent of their powers. He marvelled as Frigus raised a mountain right to the heavens, challenging even their own home for height, before covering it in the purest white snow. His face beamed at the spectacle which Agora created upon the most central island, getting a sense of both wanderlust and trepidation from the landscape she created. Then came Aquillo, who dragged an island from beneath the sea, to many gasps of amazement from the youngest god, who's eyes grew wider with every lapping of the waves. The next two to make their move, Sygriff and Maev'sil'vien, produced their own sounds of fascination from the boy. Mountains and forest looked like prime places for adventure! Whilst the land of dark and light brought upon him such curiosity that he wished to go there right away!
All seemed to be doing such grand and wondrous things, showcasing just how amazing they all were. He felt meek in comparison, and even a little scared by their power. Yet at the same time he wished to contribute. He too wanted to paint the canvas which lay before them. Casitus rummaged about on the inside of his robes, before flicking his arms out so that the long sleeves would roll up slightly. In his tiny frail hands he held a pile of seeds. With care and thoughtfulness, he approached the edge of the Godspeak, keeping his eyes fixated upon the precious little containers of life. Taking in a big breath, he suddenly blew on the pile so that they scattered out into the wind and were carried off to the west, gradually being carried further away. The child kept his eyes fixed upon them all, an expression of hope written across his face. Eventually the seeds settled across a vast area next to the sea (G+H13) and took root straight away. Where once there had been nothing, a vibrant forest now stood. Its trees were young and strong, as varied as they were magnificent. With them came all manner of fauna and flower, as well as a soft ground on which to walk. Soon all manner of animals would live there, walking between the trees, grazing in little opening, darting between branches. Casitus yelped with joy, jumping in the air whilst turning, running back toward his fellow gods, arms spread out wide and zig-zagging between invisible obstacles. His tittering laughter echoed throughout the whole hall, whilst a massive smile was plastered right across his face.
"Did you see? Did you see?" he said to no-one in particular "I made trees just like Sygriff!"
When he finally came to a stop, the young god could barely contain himself, rocking back and forth, side-to-side, on the spot where he stood. He was filled with even more excitement than before. He wanted to know what his friends thought of his first flick of the paint brush. He wanted them to say how well he had done. But most of all, he wanted to go and play!
(Created a forest in both G13 and H13, spending 6 points to leave a total of 11. The new forest will have average humidity)
Esvehe stood upon the Godspeak, his silent gaze directed outward in contemplation of the vast eternities of grey and brown soils and rocks and roiling waters of dark, grayish-blue that dominated a world that was only beginning to experience the presence of life. Many of Esvehe’s brethren, his partners in the creation of Avrund, had already begun to stake out their claims and to forge the fledgling world in their image.
Frigus stood at the crowned north of the world, where the land ceased and fell beneath a vast frozen ocean, where he had made his sacred mountain of cold and frost. Truly, no one had seen that coming. But what Frigus lacked in originality he made up for in the quality of his work.
Next to move was Agora, who would set her abode upon island in the center of the middle sea that divided Avrund in two, where she would set a brutal, sweltering jungle to guard the realms beyond the veil for the dead who had not been born. A few of the gods grumbled at her choice, having wanted such ground with visions of some holy island or a vast, powerful port for their people or some such. Esvehe was not among them, for while he did not find the island wanting, he did find it somewhat too central for his tastes.
Aquillo, who claimed absolute dominion over Avrund’s seas – Esvehe might well have to see that checked eventually – decided to build some island of his own, right next to the island he would have preferred. Esvehe watched as he moved deeper into the waves with detached interest before setting his gaze elsewhere.
Sygriff would build his shrine to warriors, somewhere on the eastern seas of the greater continent, along with some woodlands to surround them.
Casitus had made a lush and vibrant forest, which while not a fantastic show of creativity was a beautiful work of art all the same, and which would contrast nicely with many of the other creations.
It was Maev’sil’vien, the goddess whose people would ever refer to her only as ‘our goddess’ or some title, who was the first to construct something Esvehe truly found interesting. A land mixed between extremes of light and shadow, where barriers of divine power would divide eternal night and day. It was interesting, surely, but to Esvehe is was still somehow off. Simply dividing the elements in extremes right next to one another, binding them in chains to prevent them from mingling, defeated much of the purpose of bringing them together in Esvehe’s eyes. The truth was all the more obvious the longer one looked at it – the elements stood opposed toward one another, in a fruitless deadlock that their fetters made unbreakable. They could not mingle, they could not learn what their opposite had to offer. And so, they were barren lands of excessive heat and cold, light and shadow, where life would struggle to take root and remain, if it even could. Their lack of Unity brought only death, and made the elements less than what they could be together. Even if the others had much more boring creations, they were at least multifaceted on some level or another. Even Frigus had included the winds and rock into his monolith of ice.
But Esvehe’s opinions were not shared by the other gods, and that was that.
Esvehe soon began to feel restless in his contemplation, and soon set out to create what he had long intended to – a biome where the elements could merge freely, as one. Esvehe felt his divine stride carry him unto the far eastern shores of the southern continent, where the winds rushed over the waters, which in turn crashed endlessly onto the stony shores.
Esvehe looked upon the land he had chosen, around the world he had helped to create, and back to the Godspeak, before he began his work.
Esvehe’s creation of the sky, the last of the actions of the gods who had created the world, had left him mostly drained and empty, but he had sufficient energy for the task at hand.
Esvehe looked at the barren, lifeless land and sea he meant to shape and spoke: “Here, where the sea and earth meet in harmony, I shall grant my blessing. This land shall be made sacred to me, and to any who may follow me. I shall bless it with my nature, and it shall grow to team with all manner of life, and it shall be a point of unity for the elements of Avrund.”
First, Esvehe pressed his will against the rock, flattening the land that he was to make his own into a near level plane at the average height of the sea. At high tide, the waves would rush over this plane, leaving a slightly grown ocean but a few feet deep where once there had been land, while as the tide receded the land would appear once again.
But soon the flat terrain would be shaped, by the waves that crashed over it as it came and went, and by the burning magma within the land’s depths, brought into action by the force of Esvehe’s will. Soon, the land became uneven as the magma brought forth new rock, which would rise unevenly across the plane. In turn, the eternal motion of the waves would carve out the land, cutting into it and shaping it. Within time, the twin forces, ever in balance, working in tandem with one another, had carved out a terrain of matchless beauty.
At high tide, the crystal, azure surface of the waves would be adorned by the rocks that rose above them. Spires, arches, bridges, towers, obelisks, cliffs, mesas, buttes, and cliffs of rock would soar majestically out of the clear blue waters, some rising for hundreds of feet, some but barely visible above the waves. Some would burn with lava that had seeped from the earth.
When the tide fell again, the structures would still stand, but what lay beneath the waves would be made visible as well. Deep tidal pools, ravines, fjords, complex caverns, deep pits and tunnels, and even still some long plane of rock would be buried beneath the waves while the uneven terrain remained. Even more bizarre systems two would be revealed. When the seawater receded, it would invariably leave some behind, both in the perpetual pools, but also in odder places, testimonies to the fact that – uneven as the environment was on the small scale, it was miraculously still level as a whole – rivers of saltwater might cross the rock planes as the saltwater receded, forming waterfalls that might crash down into tidal pools. Where once some of the ravines and pits might have been filled with bubbling water, they would slowly deplete during low tide as the remnant was boiled off by lava, pouring from the cracks to further shape the terrain.
Esvehe looked upon what he had created, and saw beauty he found unmatched by any of the other gods’ various creations, and he was pleased.
“In this land, which I have blessed, all the elements of the world come together as one. Fire and water within the seas and upon the surface, reforging this land in a slow dance throughout all of time. The wind whistles and sings as it courses through the spires and arches. Light and dark grace the land in turn, bestowing it with the warmth and grace of the sun and the cool kiss of the moon and stars in turn. TheAnd soon, the land here in this dead world shall be graced with the glory of life, and this land of balance where all the elements come together to forge a place more spectacular than any alone, shall take shape and claim its proper beauty.”
With that, Esvehe turned back towards the land he had created, and blessed it further with life. All manner of fish, mollusks, crustaceans, coral, krill, planktons, algae, otters, dolphins, sea lions, turtles, and many other, innumerable sea creatures would take up residence in the scattered reefs and across the entirety of the land. Birds of prey and other fowl would dominate the skies. Insects would, as always, be everywhere, save for the parasites – which Esvehe felt could never be in perfect balance. Lizards and snakes and amphibians, and even a number of mammals and other animals, would take up residence across his terrain, those of which that were less suited to the waters would take up residence on the ample terrain above it, and so many climbing animals would also be present, relying on the frequent rains for water.
Plants were also critical, and all manner of vines, shrubs, flowers of all kinds, grasses, ferns, and even trees would grow above the water while mosses and other plants would grow in it.
Fungus would also be present, lending its exotic colors to the flowers and decomposing that which died and did not fall into the waters.
And so Esvehe’s sacred realm, once a beautiful realm of deep, clear azure, rich fiery reds, and subtle, earthy greys and browns, now became a verdant paradise with vibrance, teeming with all manner of life, though it would not nearly match the density of Casitus’s forest.
Esvehe spoke once again, seeing that his creation was completed. “And now this land, blessed by my hand, and molded in my image, has become my sacred land, holy to me and to any who follow in my footsteps. Woe unto he who defiles it, and joy to he who can no its true glory.”
And with that, Esvehe waited, exhausted from his efforts and with but a fraction of his energy remaining, turning his gaze back to watch the machinations of the other gods, and perhaps to speak with them if the chance arose.
"Agora... you have claimed something I would have intended to be mine... but that is of no matter now..." Agora watched as the God of Oceans lept off of Godspeak and dove into the waters near the isle she had just finished working on. He constructed a new island near her own, almost creating a chain before turning into a massive whale and disappearing out of sight in the depths of the ocean for the time being. She wondered what he had in store, but there was far more to be occupied with than just one immortal's work. The next God to speak boomed up in a voice that fit his stature.
"Aye, impressive, awe-inspiring and all that," Agora heard him say with an almost sarcasm with his rotting mouth. "Now if you'll all care to watch, it's my turn. I'll put you both to shame, see if I don't."
It was then that she witnessed him create his own sanctuary of forests and a simple mountaintop. It was obvious that he was a man who held high regard for those who worked hard through life. He himself looked like an immortal that would work extremely hard on crafting the world in his image. Each of the divine had such strong personalities, it was interesting to consider what kind of sentient beings would soon be gracing the planet that was just now gaining new wildlife.
"Right, those lands there are mine, you all better respect that." She made eye contact as he turned his attention strictly to her. "Now, Agora, you taking the souls of the deceased is fine and all, but I'd like to take the souls of warriors for my self. They will feast in my hall and drink my mead, as men -Or women! Hah!- of their stature deserve. Now, this doesn't mean every runt who gets knocked down by a better man would get an instant ticket to my little mountain paradise, oh no. Only those who die with honor and valour would come to my lands, yes they would, so there's nothing to be of afraid of on that count. What do you say to that, eh?" he finished, reaching out his hand.
Agora considered his proposal for a moment, silently thinking to herself before producing a brilliant blue crystal out of thin air that was roughly the size of a human fist. There was some truth in the fact that he wanted to give the most valiant individuals an eternal life of merriment. She wasn't quite set on every aspect of her own Underworld, but knew that dividing spirits among the Gods' most dedicated followers seemed like the most rational plan. The stone gave off a strange, low resonating hum and a radiating blue light, nearly the same shade of blue that glowed through the markings on her own skin. Without a word she cracked the stone in half with her bare hands and offered one of the even pieces to her fellow immortal. When the other God took the token she placed her personal half away and spoke in a specific, calculated tone.
"You will need to construct a stone arch suited for the arrival of the souls you wish to reside in your halls. Make it a monument equal to the spirits entering for their final sanctuary and place your crystal in the keystone of the archway." She paused the instructions for a single moment of consideration before continuing. It didn't matter to her if any of the other deities could hear, she was entirely comfortable with doing the same for the others as well. "I will create a sister-gateway to yours with my own crystal and send only the most honorable warriors to you. None but the greatest."
"Did you see? Did you see?" A voice broke up the conversation between Agora and Sygriff. It was the young God who supplied them all with enough of his own vibrant energy to create the world in the first place. "I made trees just like Sygriff!"
"Very impressive, I must say," she said plainly, kneeling down level with the younger deity to touch him on the shoulder with motherly warmth. His powers of youth and vitality were almost opposite to her own over the world of the dead; but she couldn't help feeling almost maternal for the boy. For all she knew, it was the first creation he had ever made, so that in itself was something remarkable.
"Now, let's see what else we can carve out of this rock." She added, giving him a light wink.
Last edited by Betelgeuse; 03-07-2013 at 09:25 PM.
Frigus looked upon the creations of his fellows curiously, eyes scanning the newly created landforms and biomes. He smiled in response to Agora's applause, sparing her a glance. "My thanks for thy praise, mine child. The world seemst to be taking shape, at least to mine own eye." He intoned, frosty blue eyes roaming back over to his lonely mountain. Impressive as the ice-capped peak was, he felt that it needed improving; especially since Sygriff had created for himself a mountainous region with grassland and fields for growing crops. Although he was not planning on creating a city for mortals to live in, he would not be outdone by the God of Honor - what a juvenile ideal! The thought was almost contemptuous, as he spared Sygriff a glance that could freeze the sun it was so cold.
Stepping off the edge of the Godspeak, Frigus used his Divine powers to enable himself to walk on air, taking graceful strides from the mountain, heading toward his own lonely peak. He raised his left hand to stroke at his beard thoughtfully, the air freezing for a moment as his feet moved through it, before returning to it's usual gastuous state. He entered the freezing cold and howling wind of his mountain with a familiar smile, folding his arms across his chest.
His sandaled feet came to upon the snow-covered granite of the mountain with a soft crunch, Frigus looking about even as a huge forest grew from a handful of the Child-God's seeds. Smiling at the God - his childish mannerisms filling Frigus with hope and joy at the same time: for so long as a Divine could behave in such a manner, there was yet hope for the world. "Watch closely, child." He addressed Casitus. "For even inst a cold region such as this, I can make trees grow." Despite the hundreds of leagues between them, Frigus' voice would be clear as day on the summit of the Godspeak for all of his fellows to hear.
Turning away from the other Divines, his breath still freezing in the air in front of him when he breathed, he walked down his mountain - as easily as an elderly man might go for a stroll in the evening. In his wake, patches of pine trees, their leaves sprinkled with snow, sprung up to cover the bare rock of the mountain. Waving his hand in almost a casual movement, a number of smaller mountains and steppes rose up out of the earth near his singular mountain, leaning against it, almost as if supporting it.
The base of all the mountains gently sloped into a large valley, filling with snow-covered grass and thickets of pine trees as Frigus strode through it, the basin that had been created for his lake filling to the brim with crystal clear, ice cold water.
Settling himself down against the trunk of a thick, tall tree, Frigus watched as forest animals were created, running about the place. There were not many of each, but they would breed. With a light heart, he watched as a trio of wolves approached him - a male, a female and their pup. The pup was held by the scruff of his neck between his mother's jaws, and the animals looked at him with lupine eyes. A singular tear rolled down his cheek, slowing in its descent as the moisture was frozen by the cold aura of the God. He outstretched a gentle hand toward the wolves, the female setting the pup down in his lap with a low, affectionate whine. Smiling at the wolf, Frigus ran his hands through the pup's fur, his aura having no affect upon the beast. He spoke in the yip-and-yowl language to the wolves, and they thanked him - in a simple way - for creating a safe home for them and their pup. Once the pleasantries had been exchanged, the pup got out of Frigus' lap, padding away after his parents as they disappeared into the thick, dense pine forest.
"'Tis a beautiful thing, this," He said, rising to his feet and returning to the Godspeak within a blink of an eye, "We wilt take more care with this world we hast created in our union, brothers and sisters - this Arvund of ours." He sighed wistfulyl, moving over to Casitus, placing a light hand on his shoulder. "You hath done well, child. We wilt create for you a Divine playground, in time." Smiling, Frigus looked around at the other creations of the Gods - Maev'sil'vien's shadow forest displeasing his eye. "Did thou hath to create such a blemish, sister? It is a scar upon what wilt surely be a beautiful world." Continuing in his search, he sought out the entrance to the Underworld which had been created, musing quietly to himself.
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