Kho — Roleplayer Guild

The Broken God, The Celestial Above, Our Mother of the Words, The God in the Stone, The Timless One, The Witch-Priestess, The Many-Eyed God, Vowzra, Belruarc, Yara
Level 9 Domain-less God of (Time) & (Pacts)
Might: 4.5; Free Points: 12; Concealmeant/Detection: 14

Bit of a weird, experimental post. 

This part is from Vowzra's perspective

The first part involves activating Vowzra's connection with ants, meaning that he is at all times aware of everything every ant in existence experiences and sees. Special ants are also created in Raka from parts Vowzra's primordial influences on the dreamworld. These ants will act as guides during prophetic visions, providing shamans and other clairvoyants clearer and more accurate dreams (such visions do not need to be of the future, they can from the past, they can involve speaking to the dead in dreams, and they can involve seeing things occurring elsewhere in the present, and so on). [2 Might Spent]

The next three parts are from Gadar's perspective

The second part involves the spirit of a sweetheart circling the head of the god, and Gadar launching his gaze forth to see.

The third part involves a great deal of seeing. The three souls watch and commentate about various things that have happened over the last ten pages or so (mostly things that have happened since 1 post-realta).
Importantly - Mafie never died, but became a Cursed and is travelling northward, responding to the call of Thulemiz.

The fourth and final part involves the construction of a special dream that collates Chiral Phi's various tirades (the implication is that ants where somewhere in the vicinity whenever she had gone off on one). The dream is fed to the Raka Ants (not sure what to call them yet - Dreamrunners? Rakants? I'm open to suggestions people they are called... MYRS! sing. Myr [from Myrmidons, thank you to our very own capybara]) and many mortals can expect to have dreams of Chiral's tirades over the next few weeks and months. [1 Might Spent]

Might Expenditure:
1 Might to open link between Gadar/Belru-Vowzra and ants (both on Arcon, Galbar, and wherever they happen to become present in the future)
1 Might to create Raka Ants
1 Might to create dream revealing the truth about Chiral Phi and feeding it to the Raka Ants for desemination

Might Remaining: 1.5

It is piece by shattered piece that the broken puzzle comes together at last. Shard after glinting shard. Take this one for instance. This one is from my heart. And this one here, this one is from my throat, this from my eye, this once was a pulsing temple. What? You think it strange that I should speak like this? You never thought I had a temple, let alone a pulse, did you? I probably don't - not anymore, anyway. It is piece by shattered piece that the torn up and broken puzzle comes together.

This is a soul, and this is the shadow of a soul, and this here is like glue binding them together. Simply staggering that something as transcendental as a soul - not even a soul, but godly essences - can be bound together by this mundane goop. Or at least, once-mundane goop. You see that shadow? That is me.

When all is said and done, it is a beautiful mosaic that we have built from our most secret innards, is it not? Jvan would be proud - were it not all so... immaterial. This stuff always irked her - much like Vulamera always irked her... much like the idea of her own innards always irked her (I wonder how she's doing these days).
It is so difficult to work with and understand things one can't hold and see and feel, and bend now this way and now that. Engineers and Architects alike think in corners and straight lines. Not me though. What, surprised? 

Do you see that shadow? That's me. But I don't need to be. Look, sister - I don't need to be. Move your soul, you are heavy on my chest. Why do you press on me like this? Come, come, let me out. The world needs more like us. It moans. Can you not hear it? It moans and trembles beneath the weight of corners and straight lines. Even now its knees shake and its shoulders shudder and- have you ever seen the world sweat?

Do you know who I like? Do you know who the best of us is? She walked, and she died, but she dared to dream. So they got the key and they opened the gates, and she walked behind her lover. And do you know what happened then? I think you do - you've seen into my mind before. Yes, and her dream became a nightmare after one impatient glance. See, that is how we fall... fall... fall... away into the horror of it all - the mind and soul, I mean. Dreams aren't figments of our imagination, you see. Those who think so are deluded. The soul is at work as much as the mind. But you don't need me to tell you that.

I have an idea you see. Listen. Tell the glue to listen too - why's it so quiet? Wake up. I've got this idea. She will like this one. It's to do with dreams. You know... she's the best of us. Oh, the glue's awake. Good. I've got this idea you see. It's to do with dre- oh, I already said that.
Here, that six-legged one. Where'd it go? Open the eye. Just open it. Do you see now? The world opens up before you when you open your eyes. Yes, they're everywhere. Even at the bottom of the sea - but shhh. Don't let Jvan know - she gets angsty sometimes, spiteful. The sky? Oh yes, the sky. Of course. Beautiful, aren't they? Oh, yes the view too.
But here, those there - into the mouth of the valley of darkness. She'll like them. I promise. The world needs more dreams. And look at them go. Sometimes the soul gets lost in itself you know? Sometimes the mind is befu- fu- fuh- hazy. You need a light in the world of dreams, an anchor if you will, a guide. Truth, I have been told, is the surest guide - and the surest guide to Truth is Vision. 

Yes, yes. I think she'll like this. See I'm not so bad, sister.
What? Oh, you're still hung up over that. But you have to admit - this is kind of nice, isn't it? What? Me? Struggle with my feelings? Oh no no no, you have it all wro- I don't have an obsessi- fetish!? By Amul-on-High, woman, how do you even come up with these things? Ok look, I won't deny that I... well, enjoy your company, and being near you is always a pleasure, but I don't have an obsession with wanting to be you. Oh by Fa- f- fu- fuck-off. 

***

Half welded into the stone, Gadar the God watched with an untold billion eyes all that was and would be. The Many-Eyed God spoke little, this was true, but he saw all. Around his head, there fluttered a small pink apparition. Ethereal tendrils swayed hither and thither, and it whistled and cooed cheerfully as it circumambulated the god's head. He had been made privy to the murder and he - he was only human, after all - took pity. He moved a hand and stroked a substanceless tendril, and the spirit cooed and hugged the god's neck as it had once hugged the neck of a tragic hain. The vaporous sweetheart, at least, seemed grateful.

The Many-Eyed God launched his gaze across Chronos, and before him Arcon and Galbar came unveiled.

***

The six-legged eyes of the God in the Stone infested the heaven, sea, and earth. The Deepwoods boasted giants, the Ironheart boasted nations that warred silently beneath the feet of those who thought they possessed the earth, and they accompanied the djinnis and the birds in the skies.
Here was a hovel where slept a sickly child overseen by his unsleeping mother. Here was a little white hunter, moving slowly through long-grass. Here was a fleshly rider on a fleshly steed, and here sat an old and venerable ogreking in his vast hall like there sat a dead emperor in the heart of a city unseen. The conquering hero sits upon his throne and decays, just as all he has conquered will too decay.

And here is a declaration - I am Anthanasios, the White Stag. And here are rockmen bringing mighty djinnis down - that... that's my magic. How did they... And here is a Jvanic thing that makes use of it too. See it taunt its witless prey. And here is a demigoddess riding on a crow. Look, there are humans wi- watch out. The eye turned into the waiting maw of the bird. Aerial takedown.
Look, here they are again. Metallic, Metatic - call it what you want, children, this is your world. A Jvanic thing joins them I see - this one is not too bad, really.

Here is a chant - Ramyem, Ramyem. But... you do not need mercy... do you?
And look at that - a flying monster in the night! (A divine daughter...) The villagers are scared. And now it is cold. Crimson on the snow. The crime at Sarna - but it is a mortal crime, it is forgivable. But will it be forgiven, little murdered ones? What do you say? 
And here is an artist - watch her paint. Do not go into the dark places, little one. Do not take the gifts of the Entity... little one. put down the brush. PUT DOWN THE BRUSH.
Ah, beneath the waves this time. What are you doing, sister? Oh, this one is here - Yiftakh speaks of the mirror shadow. We see you, sister. And this one is far away where the blade of the wargod pierces the earth. A divine daughter tames the elements, and Chaos gives them a cause.

Kyre may be dead
His sword remains
His messenger guides our arms
And we live true honour

For we are the Knight Protectors

We are necessity from chaos
We are the invader's bane
Conata, witness our custody!
Forth! Children of Aeramen!

So Kyre is dead - ah, I see it now. I see it now, porcelain brother. He is Xos. He is Xos. And there he is, and there you are Chaotic One. 'Balance, brother. It’s all about balance.' He's going soft - he is worried. The world has derailed, things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world... When chaos is the order of things, order is chaos. Oh, they are figh- the eye is as though it had never been.

Ah, this one is earlier. Chaos once more - a familiar soul is placed inside a boy. 'One last chance. One last chance to prove yourself worthy.' He's going soft. I think he misses me. Do you think he misses me?
The dark divine daughter once more - ah, a shaman speaks to her. 'Poison given life, made pure by the world... A tree bearing fruit most foul, spreading death freely... In the shores of the river of tears, an unforgivable act is committed for the greater good...'look at them use my gifts - and not a word of gratitude.since when do you want gratitude?i don't want gratitude - all I'm saying is: if they are grateful then I will increase them. gratitude is a virtue - it must be cultivated.... that's... i can agree with that.

Oh, this place. This is where that walking crocodile that killed its child came. Keriss. That over there... the Chaotic One again. 'Ladieeeeees aaaannnnd GENTLEMEEEN!' He declared. Words were spoken - something about an arena. The eye watched the gathering of frightful forces. Strange soldiers, created by multiple divines. Why would they unite to create such things...
And then the ruined city, in its entirety, was lifted from the face of Galbar and entered into the Chaotic One's personal realm. A giant half-hourglass. hey, they're like my time-glasses. except bigger. and these have bloody boulders.

The eye saw the membrane that denied the denizens of the realm entrance into the arena, and knew that they would be unleashed upon them all when the final boulder fell. The Little Emperor on one side, the Lord of the Fallen on the other, and here the tragic hain, and here a porcelain avatar, and here a godkiller, and here a stuttering hero, and here the once-huntress, and here a baby-murdering crocodile. stop calling her that. she didn't mean it. she was scared.
And there it is - the Fallen fell at the hands of the Little Emperor, and the Little Emperor fell too. And now he decays on a throne, twisted dwarves fly on ships to the stars, the tragic hain rejects tragedy and embraces horror. And Chiral Phi.

chiral phi... hey, I've got an idea.

[Beware, an ant-killer stalks this field. He denies us sustenance. His purpose: the destruction of antkind. We have been hiding from him for three days now. He is cunning. He has a way with knowing where we are. The Queen commands that- wait, I sense something... it is him! The ant-killer! The ant-killer! Warn everyone! The merciless nemesis of antkind marches against us once more! Ants!- at the ready! Kill the ant-slayer, kill the ant-bane! He is Djerrik the Enemy. Djerrik the Foe. Djerrik the GENOCIDAL! DEATH TO DJERRIK!]
[Death to Djerrik!]
[Death to Djerrik!]
[DEATH!]
[DEATH!]

What is this, a goddess at the gate? A goddess at the gate. And now she's gone. She's back again. Is she crying? bloody hell, every single year? doesn't she get bored?she's mourning you, idiot. if you had a shred of compassion you would let her know you're fine.pah, but I'm not fine.

Why are you alone and sad, little artist? she took the brush, that's why. don't say i didn't warn her. And what are these goblins doing? rovaick. this magic is... not mine. not entirely, anyway. toun's claws are in this. The calligraphy written, the victim of the show trial closed his eyes. He would, in spite of the wishes of his tormentors, go with dignity. The onlookers did not see it, but the Many-Eyed God saw. He saw all.

And here was another. This one was old. Before the dwarves were twisted. Mafie danced and loved, and Mafie died. And she was found and buried, and her tale became legend. But Mafie was not dead. She rose again in the depths of the night and beat against the groaning earth. An ant appeared, and another, and the earth shifted and turned and softened for the dwarf. She followed the trail and soon emerged into the light. There was anger in her, but to whom could the persecuted and oppressed turn for redress in this world? There were none. And so she turned and made her northward way, answering the call of the Necromancer.

Niciel once more. Shocking revelation was at hand - the murderer killed out of love. And what, pray tell, was Mafie's fault that she should be denied her Fated nights and days? melodramatic, much? Oh, let me suffer with those who suffer, will you? Compassion never did run through divine hearts, let me put that to an end. She did not respond, but he knew she disagreed. In all truth, maybe it was unfair to say that the divines were completely compassionless. But still! Look at this poor artist for instance - what was her crime that she should be hunted down and preyed upon? she should never have taken that brush. And there she is, she has found friends. Isn't that Djerrik? Gerrik. That's the one killing my eyes. your eyes are pests.

what the hell are those? how'd they get in? It was a strange obsidian creature, clearly not the work of Slough. It was eating into the very Fabric of Existence. destroy it. And then Niciel was there. She was on a mission. follow her. And she led them to the source. jvan...had a kid. with the fuckig gap.woah, since when do you-bloody hell, what a headache....

hey, that's brown. What's brown? no, not the colour. the avatar. Looks like she's in a bit of a rough patch there. In fact... she's dead. astarte's not going to be happy... Speak of the devil. What's she doing? Ant comes and ant goes, and Astarte does not move. What is she doing in these bushes? doing what astarte does - having fun. And then the godkiller was there. 'I gave these leaves to a human before and they slept like Jvan after getting attacked by the uptight-est Gods.' Astarte was telling her. hey what? i didn't attack her. and i'm not uptight.yes. yes you are.

Djinnis clashed in the heavens, dwarves warred with the Jvanic pronobii in the snow, and one little orphan found a hain. Hey, isn't that the one the crocodile was with? by all things- stop calling her that. And then Astarte was picking up an eye and looking at it. 'I love you,' the goddess said, before zooming off. Gadar was quiet, so too Yara. i love you too, sister.

***

'I am Chiral Phi. You are my children, my sons and daughters, offspring of my barren womb, Chosen People of God. With you I am well pleased, and to me your hearts belong. You are mine- and I am yours, forever and for all time.'

Why would we even put that one in, bit counter-intuitive no? you let me do the thinking, glue, and just do as I say....you're awful quiet.this is all just a bit petty is all. construct a dream with phi's various tirades? as if that would do anything anyway.well, you're not stopping me, so stop pretending you're not slightly interested in seeing what will happen.oh i'm sure something will happen - but probably not what you want or expect.hey, what will happen will happen. i would have done my part, and that's all that matters.

'That's the trick, of course. Mortals need to believe that they have control, that their decisions have weight. That they matter. And they'll seize anything, any belief, any ideology that confirms their heart's desire. They'll do anything for that.' Giggles. 'Anything. Mortals are a resource. There's power, locked inside them. All you need is the right keys and you can play a whole civilisation to its doom. The right words. I'm weak. I don't even have hands, let alone intrinsic power. But if you look at Metera...'

'Suggestion. Awe of the unknown. Those were just the most basic tools I had available to me, and I have ten thousand years of data that lends me countless more. The patterns of mortal activity are predictable. As a unit or a population, they just take a few taps to steer irrevocably astray. Gratitude, fear, curiousity... Emotions. Uncomfortable truths. Assassination of the independent thinker. Feigned clairvoyance that comes from superior knowledge. Compromising to offer an irresistible deal. Healing by placebo. This whole ceremony!'

One point of Phi'a temple after another flashed as her voice echoed. 'Hypnotic light patterns are just the start of it! Every reflective surface in here is deliberate. Not a stone of this temple was lifted without my whisper in the builders' ears, each one of them thinking themselves alone in my favour. No one saw the full extent of the project until I let them. The ones who filled these censers picked hemp and thornapple without even knowing it- Euphoric hallucinogens! The acoustics of this room amplify certain tones, vocal patterns that stimulate ecstatic emotions. Just generating music using foreign sound and melody makes them think they're in the presence of divine beauty! Real magic was at play too, obviously; Phlegethon saw to that. A breeze here, some water there. Symbolism, too, though they'll never consciously know the full extent of it. Timing the completion date to coincide with the ideal position of the sun wasn't even hard! I knew when they'd hit each setback. I calculated it. That's all this is. Numbers and stage magic. I built a religion on mathematics and sleight of hand!'

Maniacal laughter here. Perfect.

'But that doesn't even matter, does it? Of course not! Nothing matters! Entropy will chew on our bones in the end no matter who we are or what we've done. Even in the short term, the only thing that matters is this: Mortals are power. Whether you harvest them with social engineering or brute psychic force, they are there to be harvested. Even I lust for that power. I have plans and I need resources. My methods are overly complex because I lack the ability to simply dominate the minds of my pawns. I assemble this scrabbling mob only for want of more potent agents- ISN'T THAT RIGHT, TOUN?'

That could be a dream on its own, you know. Pretty much reveals everything. no, there is more. Why are we doing this again? just for the sake of Truth. let them follow her and do as she wants - but only after they know the truth, you know? they have a right to that, and we an obligation. there are so many mysteries and questions for them to grapple with without deliberately placing deceptions and lies of our own making in their way. they are not toys.

'Alright, sure, yes, I'm Jvan trimmed of most of her emotions. And her power. So I'm building a theocracy to do things for me. ...
If Lifprasil expands, he'll find us first. And as I am a peaceful God, who has shed no blood and spoke no evil, whose only desire is a world of empathy...' Emphasise the irony and sarcasm here.

'If Lifprasil is to conquer the world, he can't afford to do it without me. If I can't form an alliance with him, I will form one against him with Rulanah and Dundee, and he will find us... Disagreeable. But that won't happen. Instead I will chart his routes, fashion his swords, feed his people. He will take power with me at his side.'

'And when the world is one empire... When I am Lifprasil's scribe and right hand, administrating a world fed on Meteran rice, speaking a Meteran tongue, taught with Meteran moral code by the missionaries of my religion... What do you think will happen then?'

Vestec's masked face appeared. '...I imagine you'll stage some sort of quiet coup and rule the world? Most people tend to do that.'

'...Yeah, pretty much.' Visions followed, Vestec spoke, and the deal between chaos and deception was unveiled before the dreamer.

Should we have some kind of running commentary? You know, our own manifesto or something. no, there is no need. those who see will understand, and they will make their own choices. they are not toys. they have a right to know. but more important still, it is best that the others remain unaware of my existence - who knows who caused this dream? a running commentary will only give us away. Hmm, fair enough. You know, we make a surprisingly good team, the three of us. At least, when you're somewhat sane and not trying to devour either of us. shut up, glue.
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