Crusader Lord

From Dawn Till Dusk: A New Era

@Dark Cloud Since the others on discord can see it there, here is a non-official copy of the map (with people's starting positions) currently until Nis gets the official stuff up:

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

Leannah

---

...Seemed whoever wrote that page was not a fan of the Illuminator, but more worrying was the seeming gusto to one-up a god at something. Sure whomever it was could erase memories, it seemed, but trying to one-up a deity was usually a sign of the kind of hubris that would doom someone in legend. Or at least the kind that led to bad things happening in anime and movies. Maybe even, as she suspected most of all, the words of a rejected follower or apprentice or something who was trying something ultimately stupid and dangerous to try to one-up the master or deity or so forth who cast them aside. The mention of an orb was also something odd, however, as they'd already seen one after coming in. Was it the same one they wanted to take? Was it another one hidden deep in this temple? Both could be valid, and her own suspicions immediately went to the latter option unless it would be proven different otherwise.

Either way, the mysterious writer who left this behind a complex trap would be something to get back to sooner or later depending on what happened next. Maybe she could even ask Lazhira about it all, to be frank, and see if she had any insights. The girl bore markings like this place and was suspiciously able to get to and fro to here with a strange ease compared to them. So perhaps she knew something? Leannah didn't want to assume anything outright at the moment about the newfound companion, but hell the mysteries behind her too and the fact they'd only met some shorter time ago did indicate something of potential mischief and strangeness afoot if naught else. So much didn't add up, so much she had already theorized about, and so much more was here to learn if she didn't get herself killed first.

Mostly she was thankful the crystals on the walls were back, and that the one she had was still glowing well in the dark. She'd put out her magic light well enough by this point to simply see better with the crystal, or really it could be said her concentration was broken and it went out when she fell down the pit in the first place, but still she pressed onward through the path that opened up from the cistern.

By the time the catgirl reached the large pool, she immediately paused in her movement to observe and look around...carefully this time. It was a big rectangular area, wrought of bricks and glowing crystals. Things were moving in the large pool of water (not always a good sign), though light was coming from the bottom of it as well. Most worrying was that more of that 'tar' was hanging from the edges of the pool, which wasn't a good sign if she went into the thing. Reminded her of a local YMCA really, at least when she'd managed to first see one after many years of travel and training and so forth.

It smelled of a trap. Jump into the water to get things, things turn out to be monsters or cursed or evil slimes or something, can't get out because of the tar on the edges. Ensue a stamina struggle to swim whilst fighting, and then basically either die or manage to get out. Such a thing seemed fitting for a deity who wanted to 'test' how far others were willing to go for knowledge. Of course she could be reading too much into this as well, that much was always a possibility. Either way her curiosity was something fierce about all of this, and she couldn't just sit idly by after what had just happened either. There was a lot up with this place, and it was important to ensure she learned something as she went along to help ensure her owns survival and maybe unravel one or two clues about here at least.

Still, in the end she would decide to keep her feet away from the tar and patrol around the pool with her crystal in hand. From this safe distance of the tar she'd look around the walls and edges and floors about the pool, minding her steps and looking cautiously for obvious 'push me into the water' traps. She'd also, from this safe distance, look over into the pool and use her own handheld crystal as a light source extra to see if she could tell what was down/in there without stepping as far as the tar.

Once she was done, if nothing crazy happened, she'd stand near the far end of the pool close to exit from (not where she entered into here from) this room. Here she would try to cast a 'Light' spell like earlier, but this time take time, control, and caution to the extreme to do so. Because in this case she was trying to cast a light attached to the edge of the pool to give her more of a look into the water. It would probably cancel out the crystal light, but all the same it would be another perspective. If it gave her any better view or look at what was in the pool from here, or not, she'd gently snuff out the light once more with the same level of extreme caution in her magic use.

From Dawn Till Dusk: A New Era

<Snipped quote by Crusader Lord>

Good idea, I didn't think it was possible though. Sounds very cool

Maybe wait until later in the RP, you seem to be the guinea pig :D

@rezay

*nibbles on wood chips in my gerbil pen*

Hmm? You were saying something? :P

From Dawn Till Dusk: A New Era

@rezay I asked Nis a long time ago and he said he wouldn't stop me. Mostly I am seeing how trying to use two would do, and worst case one of my species goes extinct off-screen if I get overloaded by the work load for that irl. Tis' experimental, as it were. :P

I'd say ask him before doing anything though, if you'd be wanting to. I don't think we want to overload the RP too much with stuff. XD

From Dawn Till Dusk: A New Era

@6slyboy6

Surprise Shroomy Peeps; Species #2

RACE NAME:

Thugal

RACE TRAITS:

Herculean (-2) - (For their 'average' and 'standard' size the Thugal are incredibly strong, beyond what they'd seem to be like on first glance, and require the right amount of calories and food to compensate. Combined with their 'one massive meal a day' needs, their standard 'meals' are basically great feasts in comparison to other species!)

Slow Breeders (+1) - (The species has a long gestation period for breeding during which they cannot get pregnant 'again' or further during said time, and during which members can move around due to the growing fertilized spores being stored in their mushroom-cap 'hats' to later be seeded them in a spot to grow without being attached to the parents, but breed in larger batches as compensation to help grow and recover population. Even so they are slower to breed than other species as a result, and ultimately still take longer recovering from plagues or disasters since it is much more costly for them than normal.)

Armored Skin (0) - Members of this species' exterior is a as tough and dense as the thick bony shell some other species out there might have, in this case weighing them down and making them move slower than other species (equivalent to a 'Big' trait species in speed). To the touch it feels very deceptively 'soft' akin to skin on the outermost part, but when hacked at or stabbed at or bitten or so forth is very much resilient and proper 'armor' that 'takes a licking and keeps on ticking' indeed. It is highly protective naturally, but at the same time moving slower doesn't exactly help wielders in other ways.

Sentient Fungi (0 / Does not cost trait pick) - Members of this species have evolved from fungi or have received some significant gene altering during their history, making them more akin to fungal species than any sort of animal. Whatever the reason is, this species requires little to no outside nutrients other than consuming organic matter to decompose and process within their bodies, though they do still possess an inherent sense of taste and flavors and such. While certainly an efficient way of generating energy, not being limited to one kind of food source as long as it is organic matter, it is much slower than a normal metabolism but faster than those of a sentient plant species. While unburdened by the sun or moisture due to a resilient fungal form and efficient internal organ system, they digest food more slowly over time (even if constantly) and yet tend to eat quite a lot with each 'meal' naturally (giving them a higher food upkeep for each meal...though said meals are spaced well and a long ways apart). Thankfully, not many fungus-eating predators are out to get them, and they are unburdened by age as individual members of the species can keep growing forever unless they are killed by other means. They are also immune to most viruses that would affect non-fungus based creatures, but they have their own scourge in the form of fungal diseases and certain types of insects (admittedly some only do this in certain stages of their lifecycle, like during the larval stage). Likewise anti-fungal compounds can be adapted to within this species' immune system, akin to how the human body irl can become more resistant to diseases and poisons and such, but even so such anti-fungal compounds naturally still hurt and even kill them unless sufficiently high resistance is built up over time or through surviving exposures or even just done purposefully.

RACE PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A humanoid fungal species that possesses an appearance rather similar to most other humanoid species, with recognizable features such as eyes and ears and such. In that vein they are at least not a 'repugnant' species due to having a more familiar type of general humanoid appearance. However, every member of the species has a 'mushroom cap' on top of their head, which both gives them shade as well as has the same durable thickness the rest of their skin/hide does. From it are released fertilized spores many months after impregnation, which are seeded onto a particular spot to finish the rest of their long gestation and growth. Even so, as a fungal species they lack the sexual dimorphism present in animal species and as such are all basically equipped to reproduce with each other as a standard. This does make for some rather confused initial interactions with other species, especially animal ones, as the concept of dimorphism is basically alien to them.

Big Tiddy Thicc Shroom Girls

POPULATION: Up for community vote, depending on traits

RACE BEHAVIOUR: A species of fungal sentients, who despite their moving due to their tougher exterior are capable of short periods and brief bursts of speed (especially when reproducing). Thugal mindsets usually mean that they take their time when performing tasks, working on them and putting emphasis on quality over speed when getting things done. That being said, this more relaxed mindset carries over into their free time, where games and relaxing and laid-back things so forth are rather common to see them doing when what needs to be done has been completed. Meals are a once-a-day matter for them, and usually very large since they do not need to eat as often as others and have higher requirements, and so are taken as special events that demand they put their best into it for the sake of enjoyment. However, practicality is not lost on the species nor are they 'wasteful' about it.

There is also another, ah, 'peculiar' local habit the species exhibits. Their slower reproductive cycles usually mean a slower recovery period from population-devastating events, but also means that mating is a more common casual practice among Thugal couples and friends and such as well since they cannot get 'pregnant again' whilst being pregnant. Further, whilst families can seed their fertilized spores at home to grow their young in safety after their pregnancies reach a certain point, a communal place to do so is also available for Thugal in order to ease the burden by the community dividing out and protecting the growth of and ultimately taking in young that are seeded there. It is an odd thing that would perhaps seem strange or otherwise to other species, but for Thugal is a rather simple matter without the rampant population and moral issues it would generate among others.

Despite moving more slowly they are a surprisingly who usually can be found moving about performing tasks throughout the general day, starting earlier than other species to ensure it gets done in time in some cases, being hard workers where they lack speed as ones. The quality of work is emphasized over speed, though by pushing themselves a bit too much the species can can a project done more rapidly in a time crunch...but need distinctly just as much more rest in the aftermath from the strain. However, their incredible strength does assist them handily when it comes to their labors as well.

HISTORY: (You will have plenty to write here once we begin!)

CULTURE: (Same as above, leave it free for now. Will fill up as we get into the game.)

TECHNOLOGIES:

• - Primitive Technology
• -
• -
• -

Divinus: The Deity Roleplay, Mk. V

Arira

Name

Arira

Domain

Goddess of Cycles - Within all things there is a pattern that lies beneath it all, a force of existence that normally is associated with change. From the changing of the seasons, to the growth of plants and animals, to the to the ever-circling flow of life and death and rebirth, to even changing of the time from day to night and vice-versa, these various 'cycles' and patterns of things form the basis for many things in the world. What rises from the dust will return to it, and from the dust will rise something else to take its place. Some cycles will end, and yet from this others will rise to take their place. Even mortals and gods alike, it seems, are intertwined in their own cycles of rising and falling and so forth. It is the way of all things, for some to rise and some to fall, for some to live and some to die, for some to grow and some to wither away, for some to remain trapped in a maddening loop of perpetuity, and so forth.

Cycles are a deathless concept, an eternal thing rooted in the ebb and flow of existence, a phantasmal 'deus-ex-machina' plinking about within the background of all things...watching on even if others are unaware of it. Even within stagnation, a lack of change, there is a cycle of perpetual idleness and decay that will either snuff itself out, continue on perpetually, or be eventually broken and replaced. Such is the nature of cycles, and such is the nature of their fate.

More Detailed Domain Explanation

To attempt to be more defined, Arira can tweak cycles in a specific sort of way. Imagine it like 'controlling the time of something'. Arira can 'turn back' the cycle of life to give someone youth. She can 'end' the cycle of a disease in the body so it dies off. She can 'fast forward' the cycle of plant growth and accelerate it to a certain point in its life cycle. She can 'halt' the cycle of something, such as aging, in order to give eternal youth (not immortality, just youth). If a curse was placed on a land for 100 years, she can fast-forward the land itself (not the stuff on it or things living in it mind) to the point where the curse is gone...or rewind the cycle back to what it was like before the curse was placed.

She cannot, however, do things outside of what a given 'cycle' naturally contains. Unlike a nature goddess, she could not 'tweak' crops to be extra fruitful or more fertile or more potent. Unlike a life goddess, she can only wind back the cycle of death and bring a dead person back to a point they were at during the cycle in their life before dying....or otherwise push the soul into a cycle of rebirth to get a new body and be born again. But she cannot simply infuse the dead body with life energies, or necromancy it from the dead as a skelly-boi, or so forth.

To a devastated landscape she can return it to a past fruitful and whole state here in current times, but she cannot control the weather to ensure the land will prosper or be extra fertile or so forth. But if a place has always and forever been devastated desert sands then she can't really do anything unless it was somehow part of an ocean in primordial times (which would mean suddenly an ocean within a desert out of the blue if she used her powers to revert to that).

If she tries to end a cycle of maddening war going on in an area, it might accelerate the damage or cut things off abruptly but will bring peace about quicker. However, if those involved still want to make war her power doesn't stop them from doing so. Etc.

~Saucer Comments~

1. When affecting areas or whole wars, the powers affect more than just the land, but interpersonal relations which may stretch far beyond the land. And that's just the mortal-centric view: this world is animist, and trees, flowers and rocks could all potentially have relation networks that span the continent.

I doubt anyone will actually RP a rock or a tree, though, so I won't force you to take that into account, but still.

2. What makes an event cyclical is that it repeats itself, no matter what you do, really, be it reincarnation, the seasons, Chinese dynasties, whatever. I am hesitant to view learning a skill, for example, as a cyclical concept, or to tie cycles too closely to time, because time, no matter how circular a phenomenon, seems to always be that which moves forward. Time never repeats itself; events in time do. If you actually go for the Time domain, of course, the two won't be mutually exclusive, so when that is achieved, you can disregard that comment.

Myth

(One of potentially more, just need to think of more over time is all.)

Myth 1: The Goddess' First Descent, and The Founding

In a humble rural town far, far away, the farmers had long plied their trade underneath the gaze of the gods. They had been humble as their priest demanded, they had been devout as their families had raised them to be, and all seemed to be right with the world. None knew what was to come, the era of doom that was to wash over like a tidal wave....and indeed, when the world began to burn they were left alone and with nothing but despair.

The old gods did not answer their calls and pleas and cries for help.

The clergy disappeared or succumbed to the flames.

The fields were choked by monstrous beasts emerging from the woods, slaughtering cattle and anyone else foolish enough to be outside when they emerged.

Plagues ravaged the humble town, tearing apart families that had long sown the soil and reaped the harvests over untold generations.

Every day was a waking nightmare they were forced to wade through, and so it was for their children and children's children after them. Some spoke as if the world was going to end, abandoning all and leaving, and yet the people desperately sought salvation in any form they could find it. They prayed and toiled, cursed and screamed, anything that some higher power might take pity upon them and save them from their hell.

...And so it was the goddess would ultimately in that town descend the night of one brilliant harvest moon, bright and reddish-orange like the great fires themselves. From sleep were the farmers awoken, being stirred from their restless slumber by a voice as gentle as the night breeze. Outside of their homes they gathered, some hiding in fear and others rushing forward to see what the matter was. Into the town square the majority would come, even as the one who had called them was manifested before their very eyes.

The beasts fled from before her as they had from none else, and yet her appearance gave off a gentle glow that brought the people's hearts to comfort.

But who was this divine figure, who had so brazenly appeared before them? Why had she called them?

"Be not afraid, oh children of the land, for your prayers have finally been heard after all this time.

Be not frightened of the desolation and pain about you, for at this time your sufferings and patience over so long will be at long last rewarded.

I am she who keeps the forces of the world turning. I am the end and the beginning, the beginning and the end.

I am Arira, Goddess of Cycles."

Some questioned her words, some simply stood in awe, others turned away, and more so began to beg and plead upon their knees before her for relief. To each she lent her ear, and to many she gave answer.

In the end, she made them all a promise. They would wake to find their livestock reborn, their fields growing with plenty, their dying finally passed on in peace, and their children healthy and growing. They would be helped to bring an end to the cycle of monsters harassing them in turn, and her first great Prophet would come to them. "So it would be," the goddess said, "and so it shall be done." She would then vanish in a brilliant explosion of light...and immediately after the people would finally awaken from this great vision they had all shared.

It was morning now, and upon all leaving their homes and investigating their loved ones and so forth the people would thusly find her words to be true. The fields, once devastated, had been cycled back to a healthy and growing state full of crops. Their livestock, many once dead from famine and monster attacks, were given rebirth and were now plump and happy and mighty in number. The dying that had been long suffering from disease or ailment were found smiling, gently at peace and having passed on. Their children were too vibrant, full of life, and any of them with maladies found the cycle of those maladies ended in their bodies. It was a grand miracle, a saving grace, something beyond words that those in the town could only look upon in awe and reverence.

And oh, how they did praise that day!

On the morrow her Prophet would arrive, humble and yet in service, donning a simple cloak and yet bringing with him years of battle-hardened experience and the word of his patron Goddess. Yea he would direct them to build a center of worship to Arira in her name, and so would be built the first, grandest, and greatest of her temples to rise from the ground and be built to withstand the test of time. To commemorate the mighty vision they had all shared, they would celebrate her honors every harvest moon and give thanks for her helping them.

Yet as also promised, the great Prophet would begin to organize some among them and teach them the ways to fight and hunt the monsters and disasters that plagued their land. His expertise from years and years of battle served the people well, teaching them and guiding them to wield shot and sword and spear and so forth to protect the land and protect their own. These "Hunters of the Cycle", as they so took on the name of, would dedicate themselves to the Goddess, gain her blessing for and maintain it if they kept their creed, and become a major force to help end the old cycle of terror that had gripped their homeland.

Base Form

To Some A Beginning...

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”

Scripture of the Ararian Church or "Cyclican Church", Book 1, Sermon 1, Verse 1 (IC) (IRL Quote Source: T.S. Elliot)

Angry Form

(Very very rare to see normally...not a good sign at all if you do ever see it though.)

...To Others and End

“Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.”

First Leader of the "Hunters of the Cycle" (IC) (IRL Quote Source: William Congreve)

True Form

The Beginning And The End

“That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die.”

The First Prophet of Arira (IC) (actual IRL quote from: H.P. Lovecraft)

Musical Theme

~Base Form~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgVuQ_Fbs5g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k1F3PjY948

~Angry Form~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RzA_Oomra8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rdt5XNvPkc

~True Form~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdxaUJ9J_ew

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbwq8ev-EXA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qFqpMa3DyA

From Dawn Till Dusk: A New Era

The Gannor

RACE NAME: Gannor, aka “Dark Elves”

RACE TRAITS:

~0 Points, 0 Picks Left~

Intelligent (-1) - Members of this species show increased levels of cognitive abilities compared to their peers. They are able to learn new skills much faster and develop methods and tools based on them seemingly overnight. The mysteries of the world unravel in front of their eyes, and even the complex and chaotic nature of magic begins to form a pattern.

Athletic (-1) - Members of this species, through evolution or adaptation, have developed a robust cardiovascular system that allows them to keep doing physically demanding tasks for much longer than others, and deal with the generated heat more efficiently.

Wasteful (+1) - Members of this species are particularly wasteful: they have little regard for both money and resources, often choosing to live for today instead of thinking for tomorrow. This results in increased upkeep for their economy, often requiring far more supplies than it would need.

((Specifically applies to them in effect IC in that they love big parties to celebrate big events, so food and alcohol and such is the general area where this is actually focused on.))

~Flavor/Cosmetic Traits~

Small (0) - free pick according to Nis’s rule change on Discord - Their height ranges from 4’6” to 4’10” as adults, these height averages being for males and females respectively, with male keeping to the lower end and females to the taller end of that spectrum rather consistently. 5’2” and above is rather abnormally tall for them as a result...and 4’3” and less being rather abnormally short by their standards.

Pointed Ears (0) - Just the free cosmetic aesthetic of their elven ears, though the shape of their ears does naturally improve their ability to be able to hear some higher and lower frequencies than other races as well as makes them noticeably quicker at locating the source of a given sound.

It is important to note that this is all due to the shape of the ears, a simple minor byproduct of their cosmetic anatomy, and isn’t some form of mega-super-animal-senses on par with super predators or something ridiculous like that. They don’t have the super animal hearing of a wolf or a fox at all, just better hearing than other sentient humanoid creatures like themselves that is all simply due to the shape of their ears.

Skewed Gender Ratio (0) - This particular species possesses a more skewed gender ratio than other sentient species or mammals, possessing a distinctly higher rate of female births than male births within the population. The rather rather standard ratio of females to males in the population is naturally four to five females to every one male. Because the females are taller and stronger naturally, as well as recover far more rapidly after giving birth then the females of other species, the protection and conservation of the rarer and weaker/shorter males has been biologically and societally emphasized by necessity.

However, the rate of pregnancies and births in the population and Gannorian fertility rates all ensure the stable growth and size of the Gannor population overall. The reproduction rate of the species overall does not exceed that of other species with a more balanced gender ratio.

Or to put it much more simply, the species has more females than males but doesn't have an abnormally high birth rate. In other words they are not 'Fast Breeders', but instead have a skewed gender ratio and fertility rate that ultimately fully balances out the growth of their populations.

RACE PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

A shorter than average race of humanoid elves with pointy ears and a light tanned skintone, one which only darken or pales some depending on if they get a lot of time in the sun or not. Their hair color ranges from a pale white to a soft or stormy gray to even a bright sterling silver in color, whilst their eye colors range from ruby red, to emerald green, to sapphire blue, to amethyst purple, to even pure gold or silver color. Their shorter bodies are naturally more agile and able to easily outrun larger predators or opponents, as well as allow them to hide more efficiently from others and fit into smaller spaces than many other races. Their fingers are rather nimble when put to work making something, and likewise their bodies are naturally athletic and can handle working for longer times when doing even rather demanding tasks.

Appearance Pic Example(s):

~Average Female Dark Elf Example~

POPULATION: (Up for community vote, depending on traits)

RACE BEHAVIOUR:

A humanoid race that makes up for height with a sense of zeal during the good times, throwing big parties and wasting food over celebrations without a second thought. They can celebrate and party and work for rather long periods of time even under demanding conditions, and as such when they do throw those big wasteful celebrations or feasts they end up outlasting taller and much larger races in general. They tend to see cutting back on a meal during celebratory times and big occasions as almost offensive, as to them a celebration of the good times is something to go hard with! Even taking a foreign guest into one’s home is seen as an occasion to have a large meal at least. Indeed food-based hospitality is a norm of sorts among them...but also is something not abuse or cross in a bad fashion. Of course youth in their society are raised under and exposed to this to learn it from a very young age, but foreigners and those from unfamiliar places might naturally require an explanation of Gannorian food and feasting habits.

Generally the race is usually pleasant to be around if one finds themselves in their company on friendly terms if one reciprocates their friendliness, but likewise hostility will be met with rapid caution and potentially hostility in return if it is bad enough. What they lack in raw muscle and brawn is generally compensated for by them in their raw stamina and cognitive skills, making them a normally very adaptable and hardy group overall.

Family units are composed of four to five females to every one male. The shorter and weaker males will normally find themselves placed in charge of keeping the household in order, while the four to five females will be in charge of it as well as in charge of the gathering, hunting, protection, and preservation of the family unit from the outside. Pregnant females will be cared for at home, and the other females will pick up the slack as well during the pregnancy.

Young in each household will be generally reared by the combined efforts of their mothers and father for the first several years, and will be assisting around the home until they reach adolescence. At this point female children are trained and educated primarily by the mothers, while the fathers take over primary education of any sons. This is all to prepare members of both sexes for the future when they reach maturity and are recognized as adults. However, both the male and female roles in primitive Gannor society are emphasizes equally important to the community as a whole. Without one, the other cannot subsist alone.

This being said, females of the species being the taller, more numerous, and naturally stronger of the two sexes has meant they came to control society. They take up the mantles of leadership, fighting, hunting, gathering, defense, war, and so forth in turn. Hence, the differences between the two sexes have ultimately resulted in a very much matriarchal society among the Gannor.

HISTORY: (You will have plenty to write here once we begin!)

CULTURE: (Same as above, leave it free for now. Will fill up as we get into the game.)

TECHNOLOGIES:

• - Primitive Technology
• -
• -
• -
• -

Divinus: The Deity Roleplay, Mk. V

@AdorableSaucer Well, call me interested in this! :O

From Dawn Till Tusk - The Re-Re-Run

@6slyboy6

The Gannor

RACE NAME: Gannor, aka “Dark Elves”

RACE TRAITS:

~0 Points, 0 Picks Left~

Intelligent (-1) (Members of this species show increased levels of cognitive abilities compared to their peers. They are able to learn new skills much faster and develop methods and tools based on them seemingly overnight. The mysteries of the world unravel in front of their eyes, and even the complex and chaotic nature of magic begins to form a pattern.)

Athletic (-1) (Members of this species, through evolution or adaptation, have developed a robust cardiovascular system that allows them to keep doing physically demanding tasks for much longer than others, and deal with the generated heat more efficiently.)

Wasteful (+1) (Members of this species are particularly wasteful: they have little regard for both money and resources, often choosing to live for today instead of thinking for tomorrow. This results in increased upkeep for their economy, often requiring far more supplies than it would need.) ((Basically how this applies to them in effect IC is that they love big parties to celebrate big events, so food and alcohol and such is the general area where this is actually focused on.))

~Flavor/Cosmetic Traits~

Small (0) (free pick according to Nis’s rule change on Discord) (Their height ranges from 4’6” to 4’10” as adults, these height averages being for males and females respectively, with male keeping to the lower end and females to the taller end of that spectrum rather consistently. 5’2” and above is rather abnormally tall for them as a result...and 4’3” and less being rather abnormally short by their standards.)

Pointed Ears (0) (Just the free cosmetic aesthetic of their elven ears, though the shape of their ears does naturally improve their ability to be able to hear some higher and lower frequencies than other races as well as makes them noticeably quicker at locating the source of a given sound.

It is important to note that this is all due to the shape of the ears, a simple minor byproduct of their cosmetic anatomy, and isn’t some form of mega-super-animal-senses on par with super predators or something ridiculous like that. They don’t have the super animal hearing of a wolf or a fox at all, just better hearing than other sentient humanoid creatures like themselves that is all simply due to the shape of their ears.)

Skewed Gender Ratio (0) (This particular species possesses a more skewed gender ratio than other sentient species or mammals, possessing a distinctly higher rate of female births than male births within the population. The rather rather standard ratio of females to males in the population is naturally four to five females to every one male. Because the females are taller and stronger naturally, as well as recover far more rapidly after giving birth then the females of other species, the protection and conservation of the rarer and weaker/shorter males has been biologically and societally emphasized by necessity.

However, the rate of pregnancies and births in the population and Gannorian fertility rates all ensure the stable growth and size of the Gannor population overall. The reproduction rate of the species overall does not exceed that of other species with a more balanced gender ratio.

Or to put it much more simply, the species has more females than males but doesn't have an abnormally high birth rate. In other words they are not 'Fast Breeders', but instead have a skewed gender ratio and fertility rate that ultimately fully balances out the growth of their populations.)

RACE PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

A shorter than average race of humanoid elves with pointy ears and a light tanned skintone, one which only darken or pales some depending on if they get a lot of time in the sun or not. Their hair color ranges from a pale white to a soft or stormy gray to even a bright sterling silver in color, whilst their eye colors range from ruby red, to emerald green, to sapphire blue, to amethyst purple, to even pure gold or silver color. Their shorter bodies are naturally more agile and able to easily outrun larger predators or opponents, as well as allow them to hide more efficiently from others and fit into smaller spaces than many other races. Their fingers are rather nimble when put to work making something, and likewise their bodies are naturally athletic and can handle working for longer times when doing even rather demanding tasks.

Appearance Pic Example(s):

~Average Female Dark Elf Example~

POPULATION: (Up for community vote, depending on traits)

RACE BEHAVIOUR:

A humanoid race that makes up for height with a sense of zeal during the good times, throwing big parties and wasting food over celebrations without a second thought. They can celebrate and party and work for rather long periods of time even under demanding conditions, and as such when they do throw those big wasteful celebrations or feasts they end up outlasting taller and much larger races in general. They tend to see cutting back on a meal during celebratory times and big occasions as almost offensive, as to them a celebration of the good times is something to go hard with! Even taking a foreign guest into one’s home is seen as an occasion to have a large meal at least. Indeed food-based hospitality is a norm of sorts among them...but also is something not abuse or cross in a bad fashion. Of course youth in their society are raised under and exposed to this to learn it from a very young age, but foreigners and those from unfamiliar places might naturally require an explanation of Gannorian food and feasting habits.

Generally the race is usually pleasant to be around if one finds themselves in their company on friendly terms if one reciprocates their friendliness, but likewise hostility will be met with rapid caution and potentially hostility in return if it is bad enough. What they lack in raw muscle and brawn is generally compensated for by them in their raw stamina and cognitive skills, making them a normally very adaptable and hardy group overall.

Family units are composed of four to five females to every one male. The shorter and weaker males will normally find themselves placed in charge of keeping the household in order, while the four to five females will be in charge of it as well as in charge of the gathering, hunting, protection, and preservation of the family unit from the outside. Pregnant females will be cared for at home, and the other females will pick up the slack as well during the pregnancy.

Young in each household will be generally reared by the combined efforts of their mothers and father for the first several years, and will be assisting around the home until they reach adolescence. At this point female children are trained and educated primarily by the mothers, while the fathers take over primary education of any sons. This is all to prepare members of both sexes for the future when they reach maturity and are recognized as adults. However, both the male and female roles in primitive Gannor society are emphasizes equally important to the community as a whole. Without one, the other cannot subsist alone.

This being said, females of the species being the taller, more numerous, and naturally stronger of the two sexes has meant they came to control society. They take up the mantles of leadership, fighting, hunting, gathering, defense, war, and so forth in turn. Hence, the differences between the two sexes have ultimately resulted in a very much matriarchal society among the Gannor.

HISTORY: (You will have plenty to write here once we begin!)

CULTURE: (Same as above, leave it free for now. Will fill up as we get into the game.)

TECHNOLOGIES: Tech tree coming very soon. Until then, the best way to think of your people is the natives on lonely islands on the pacific. Except, they have no culture just yet~

• - Primitive Technology

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

Leannah

---

...Ok, she needed to revamp that working theory a bit.

Even so the ancient knowledge she was getting a chance to learn here was astoundingly interesting! Plus if the inscription was any more of a clue, then that thing she killed back there might have been one of many...at least if they were what remained of those 'heretics' mentioned in the thing. In which case, was the Guardian there to keep those things in and not people? Perhaps. Maybe the journey that was made from the place, an exodus of people/humanity leaving, were right to leave for some reason. Perhaps those that lingered there were cursed, or otherwise altered by the conditions there due to long-term exposure? Maybe there was a plague, or they tried to tap into untold or meddle with frankly dangerous powers as was common of humans in ancient myth.

Still it was more important to get this puzzle solved and maybe get out of there. But at least it seemed to God of Knowledge wasn't involved with the Tower and prison itself...actually seemed more like he was born after the whole event potentially. The way the inscription was worded, it seemed like "knowledge" had been born after humanity left the Tower where she still assumed they were created in by Delphiti (at least at this point in time).

So a potential timeline was:

-One, you get humanity made back in the Tower and what was now a prison, but over time there seemed to be a division among them. For now, she would have to assume that 'division' was wanting to stay in that place or leave it. Clearly those who left made the 'right' decision by far, whilst those who remained were 'heretics' and also very much 'cursed' for wanting to stay. So perhaps humanity was made there, then was meant to leave the place to go into the world and learn and populate it, but ala a "Garden of Eden"-esque situation some didn't want to leave when they needed to.

-Two, Delphiti the Moon Goddess wept due to the event (at least potentially), and it was her grief over the event that led to an 'overflowing of the cistern' and life springing up. Otherwise something had to make the moon goddess herself weep, leading to the Oceans springing up with 'all life' as Lazhira had mentioned prior.

-Three, humans settling in the world would lead to civilization. That much she felt she could try to read into it. Naturally with civilization and learning about the world came Knowledge. If this was when the God of Knowledge was 'born' or 'created' or however, that would potentially make sense in a mythological (if not magically literal one in this world) context. A deity born of something new arising in the world, in this case 'knowledge'. Again her new working theory, but it felt simpler this time at least.

-Four, what is a God of Knowledge but one who seeks new knowledge? It seemed a natural thing to do, and according to the inscription 'n turn gave birth to the desire for the secrets of the Oceans' and 'Desire turned into actuality'. So, if she was reading into this right, The Illuminator desired the secrets of the Oceans...the only 'secret' of which Leannah could assume was how to create life. Then the God of Knowledge managed to actually acquire the 'secrets of the Oceans', potentially being (in the current theory) the secrets to creating life. In fact, as an addendum to this theory there was one other thing that could be tied to this. If other deities had created other races (like a certain sun goddess making the Bastelian race perhaps) then this knowledge has spread and been used to create more life....again which would make sense within a mythological context potentially at the very least.

-Five, 'thus a seal was made by their accord' seemed to make sense with the 'sealed path' bit Lazhira mentioned earlier. The God of Knowledge, desiring the knowledge of how to make life, made a deal with Delphiti to gain that knowledge in return for helping seal away the complex she and the other Earthers had woken up in and had their bodies eventually 'created' in. Seal away that accursed place and its denizens, and keep others from entering and potentially making the same mistakes or accessing forbidden knowledge or secrets or so forth inside. Or perhaps Delphiti simply didn't want anything to do with that place anymore, so she gave the info simply to have her 'problem' locked away by making a deal with The Illuminator. Still, the "Oceans" made her suspicious of that goddess who had brought them all here, whom she suspected was somehow tied to the oceans naturally but somehow the moon as well? Hmm. Perhaps Delphiti's actions birthed another deity from the Oceans themselves? Was the white child dumped overboard into the seas 'that' goddess, The Illuminator, someone else, or even Lazhira of all people for all she knew?

Regardless, she had her new working theory for now. Likewise with this came a new plan of action for her to take! Hopefully it got the puzzle right this time.

With this in mind, Leannah would reach into the one knowing-looking statue's vase to grab the crystal sphere. She would also study the knowing statue's face and such, seeing if there were any 'recognizable features' akin to the goddess that had brought them all here. If the necklaces weren't doing it, though then this likely would for that bust's reaching hand! The catgirl would then go place the crystal sphere into the hand of the two-faced bust statue. If this represented the 'secrets of the Oceans', then this would be what the Illuminator had wanted! (hopefully) and correctly recreate the myth! That seemed to be the main goal here anyways.

Then what of the necklaces, though? Well, they had to represent something. So once she was done placing the crystal sphere, she went to place the necklace from the tower onto The Hooded Figure (maybe Delphiti?) statue and try to see if it would click it into the space where the other necklace had been before. The teardrop-shaped gem meant that it fit with 'tears', and a star-shape carved into it fit with the star-mark situated within the crescent moon. If that did nothing, she'd then place the necklace into the statue's outstretched hands (or hang it on them otherwise of that didn't work). If all those prior things didn't work, she would see if the gem popped out, albeit not to where she'd break the necklace if it didn't easily come out, and see if she could slot the gem into the carving on the wall The Hooded Figure looked upon.

Hmm. In hindsight of her last theory and this new one, did Delphiti have a child? Wait. White eyes, stars being white in the sky, maybe she had a child who was of the stars? Were they sacrificed to seal the path to the prison or something, and were they actually in fact the goddess who'd brought them all here? Was she some 'guardian' placed to watch over the place as well? After all, there'd been a pillar after leaving the 'prison' and this statue woman was sitting on the pillar itself. Eh, she was theorizing again. Ugh. She had to continue to focus on this first, then she could maybe toss in some more for her theory unless she needed to fight or something.

Still, once she was done there she would turn about and go over to the statue with the vase she'd taken the crystal sphere from. Here she would try to put the heavy stone necklace onto the vase-holding statue's neck. If that did nothing, she go with her gut feeling and put the heavy stone necklace into the vase. If that did nothing, she would resort to trying to put it into the cistern. Something about 'overflowing a cistern' and that action tied to Delphiti, and that picture book had Delphiti dropping some white-eyed child into the ocean, so maybe a heavy necklace might block up the cistern or cause the water to 'overflow' in such a case. If that did nothing she'd grab it back up and hold the stone necklace once more and put it on herself.

Come to think about it on the side, however, the crystal sphere reminded her of the one back on that statue, sitting where maybe some incandescent eldritch deity's head might sit-...hmmm. That was actually something to think on after all of this actually. Maybe not right but it was a fun thought to toss around within the bounds of her theory.

Hopefully, though, her revised but still working theory was better. More so she hoped her actions would generate the right 'combination' to get her out of here.