When Gods Walk II: Apotheoses [IC]

[Andsed]

The Bragdol stared down at them before speaking.

"Ok carry on." Before them Promptly leaving.

Elsewhere
A voice would respond to the big scary space ship saying.

"Uh hi I am the president of Glaosil a nation on this planet called Gesnypso uh we are not the only nation here but we are a powerful one and we agree to your terms."

“Greetings, Gesnippians from Glaosil.” A lieutenant called out.

“Hail to Gesnippia, then, welcomer. We hope to become friends.” The admiral responded. She muted the communication, looking to her co-captain who had motioned that they needed to talk. Each admiral was assigned a co-captain of captain rank on the vessel, though they were not true equals.

“Did he sound a bit frightened to anyone else, or was that just me?” The co-captain asked.

The lieutenant turned in his seat away from the virtual console - one present only in augmented reality unless a physical console, which would be produced by the vessel, was needed - and nodded.

“Yeah, but only a bit, I think, but, hey! At least the Breidablik gave us the honor of getting to speak to their President.” Bruso responded, grinning.

The admiral remained silent, and nodded, before unmuting the communication.

“Very well. Where shall we meet?” She asked.

President Ukawian Caydorees considered for a second and decided that Geton their capital would be the best place for them to meet these space folk. I mean he was already in Geton so it would make sense. He responded.
"How about the capital of Glaosil, Geton. It is the city I am currently in."

[Lisbane]

Madgod Meeting 3

Sevelene shrugged and clapped her hands together vigorously, before stepping down. "I'm mad. Flaming mad! So mad I could just burn up all the ice on Terratus and make Savarian weep with joy! So mad I'd forget myself until I remembered myself from burning everything! Ya all have unique talents. I propose somethin, since Lenu's busy...glowing? Floating? Whatever! I'm me, and I'm upset."

She paused, waving her hand.

"It's disgraceful. Gods just giftin their followers everythin they want. From fancy technology, to immortality. It's sickenin. Are we gods or just more powerful mortals? So I've got a plan. A curse! A big old curse like a witch's! If people want to rely on their god for all their blessings, then let them know the curse of the divine. That's why Nurgle's here, really. He's good at spreading stuff. Like joy, and hugs, and kisses! And the occasional flesh-rotting plague that also eats your brain through your stomach."

Nurgle was loving this, hell he might ask the deity for some of their blood so he could make a "Stark-Raving Mad" Plague. However, instead he said "I have some experience in the area" in a sarcastic tone.

[Rannoria]

Madgod Meeting 3

Sevelene shrugged and clapped her hands together vigorously, before stepping down. "I'm mad. Flaming mad! So mad I could just burn up all the ice on Terratus and make Savarian weep with joy! So mad I'd forget myself until I remembered myself from burning everything! Ya all have unique talents. I propose somethin, since Lenu's busy...glowing? Floating? Whatever! I'm me, and I'm upset."

She paused, waving her hand.

"It's disgraceful. Gods just giftin their followers everythin they want. From fancy technology, to immortality. It's sickenin. Are we gods or just more powerful mortals? So I've got a plan. A curse! A big old curse like a witch's! If people want to rely on their god for all their blessings, then let them know the curse of the divine. That's why Nurgle's here, really. He's good at spreading stuff. Like joy, and hugs, and kisses! And the occasional flesh-rotting plague that also eats your brain through your stomach."

Opocra
Again, all this seemed fishy, but Opocra somewhat liked where this was going. "I'm interested. Do go on. But make sure to not kill all the mortals in the process. It would be awful if there was no one to feel my power."

Skylark
"Of course, lead the way." And so Skylark headed into the city. The city was like nothing Skylark had been inside before, though since he hadn't been inside any cities, this came as no surprise. It was a great place for mortals, being self-sustaining and having futuristic defence systems. Of course, enough gods could take the place down, but it was still impressive. Very impressive. Skylark decided to ask his escorts something, "If I may ask, where are we going?"

"Well, we've been authorized to give a tour of the place but only to certain areas. You are currently in the Habitation section, and we can take you to the Wall, the Industrial District, The Farms, The Strongholds, and the Grand Park." Said the one with the strange weapon. "Which would you like to go to?" He asked.

Skylark
Skylark pondered for a moment, then returned with an answer. "I'd... like to see it all, perhaps. Just to get an idea of how it's all run. This is all important information for Opocra. And, one last thing; I would like to speak to a representative of Titan. I have a question for him."

[The Ebony Republic]

Madgod Meeting

"If ya don't want it, leave. Just walk out the door. In any case, if ya do, it's a simple ritual I thought of. Pooling collective power together to unleash a curse. Those who are simply gifted things by the gods will have to suffer divine secrets and madness. Disease will run rampant, as will insanity. But if ya actually work for it, who cares?"

[Lisbane]

Madgod Meeting

"If ya don't want it, leave. Just walk out the door. In any case, if ya do, it's a simple ritual I thought of. Pooling collective power together to unleash a curse. Those who are simply gifted things by the gods will have to suffer divine secrets and madness. Disease will run rampant, as will insanity. But if ya actually work for it, who cares?"

Nurgle raised his hand to his chin and began rubbing it. He thought for a moment and then said "I do like the idea. I say, what shall we call such a thing? Is it even possible? How would it spread? All wonderful questions, the answers to which are endless, I will give my pestilence to such a curse!" he said with a loud boom, not a shout but louder than his normal speech.

[The Ebony Republic]

Madgod Meeting

"If ya don't want it, leave. Just walk out the door. In any case, if ya do, it's a simple ritual I thought of. Pooling collective power together to unleash a curse. Those who are simply gifted things by the gods will have to suffer divine secrets and madness. Disease will run rampant, as will insanity. But if ya actually work for it, who cares?"

Nurgle raised his hand to his chin and began rubbing it. He thought for a moment and then said "I do like the idea. I say, what shall we call such a thing? Is it even possible? How would it spread? All wonderful questions, the answers to which are endless, I will give my pestilence to such a curse!" he said with a loud boom, not a shout but louder than his normal speech.

"You're a god! We can figure something out. Like a flower. Pretty little flower. Oh! Or a mushroom!"

[Elenir]

Xarrux started to flap his wings around so he would get noticed by the others. "So basically, we should make the energy of the gods, so volatile that when a mortal get touched by it they will simply lose themselves to madness? It has already happened to some of my followers, violence and rage overcoming them."

[Greater Loralia]

“I think you have made a mistake by calling me here, daughter.” Kemoth said simply, pulling from its sheath the Shear of Civilization’s Fate. Threads appeared in her hand - the number equalling the civilizations and fellowships of the Gods in this room, save for herself, the Aster, and Xarrux.

“You seem to have forgotten who I am as a divinity. I dress for war for a reason. I wield the tools and weapons I do for a reason. I intervene directly for a reason. That reason is order, and diversity.” She said.

“Without diversity, a civilization may only wage war, or a civilization may forever be peaceful, and it will be devoured.” She said.

“Our pantheon has always had multiple facets, and when one of those facets forgets itself, it finds itself eradicated.” The elder deity continued.


“I will show you the chaos you wish to reap within your own creations. Every species made, every follower of yours, every civilization risen in your names, everything will be beseeched by the plagues you speak of for without a fate - with pieces of their future and civilization removed - you will learn through experience, as will they, the consequences of the actions you speak of now.” She said, before her shears clipped the threads. The ground shook, and a tree shot from the ground, blooming.

Kemoth smiled, and pulled a handle with a sharp, metal point from its sheath, before it expanded into the spear Gungnir. She struck the ground, disappearing in a bright light.

Words would be heard throughout the room.

“Our society has rules like any other civilization. I advise that you begin to follow them, children.”

Trees and life would continue to appear across the wasteland, while it was enveloped in an earthquake of a grand scale.

On Terratus

Jeremie looked upwards, closing his eyes, and seeming to listen intently before looking back at Karrux.

“You cannot be here right now. We must prepare for war.” He said simply, raising his hand.

“You may seek us out later, when you have chosen our side.” He said, bright light filling the area before Karrux disappeared back to where he had returned, with the knowledge of iron and steel forging within his mind.

Jeremie, one of the foremost Confederacy mages on Terratus, returned to the vessel behind him as a veil of divine protection rose across the territories of the Confederacy across the system - including this one. Behind the veil, bustling activity would be visible.


Xarrux’s Realm

The battlefield would be beseeched by a bright, blinding light that, if one looked at directly for too long, would have burnt one’s eyes. Appearing in place of the light after it died down were three women, almost identical save for what they were wearing. In formal clothing - a fashionable white pantsuit, really - was the Aster, Demigoddess of Motion and Placement. In a floral silk dress was Concordia - Demigoddess of Peace. In war wear, heavy armor and possessing armaments, was Discordia, the twin sister of Concordia and younger sibling of the Aster - the Demigodess of War.

“We are the Aster. Stop your bickering, and turn your eyes towards those Gods whom would make the connections that the divinity have with mortals toxic, threatening all life and all civilization in existence. Nurgle, Sevelene, and Opocra - They are turning us against each other. If you wish to fight someone, join the side of the Pale Lady and the Seven Realms Confederacy as we prepare for war against the deviant Gods.” Discordia called out.

[Elenir]

Realm of Xarrux
Inside the realm there was a constant war, a single mortal, Rektanar, destroying horde after horde of demons. "I will free your souls, I will free you , my people" He claimed as he slashed a demon apart.

Most of the fight Ignored the demigods that had appeared in the scene.

[The Ebony Republic]

"Ya dare to cast your powers on my land? I'll advise ya to stop before I lose myself and show you the door." Sevelene remarked simply. After realizing she was gona, the Wasteland suddenly become much more intense. An inferno of primal flame spread outwards from the palace, burning to ash anything outside it as the earth became cracked with lava. As this occured, a multicolored wave went out from the room, sweeping over the land and warping the sky to a red tint.

"I'll remind ya all that my primary domain is Fire. And I'm the only one of it. I'm also getting really tired of things like this. So if it happens again, I'm going to kiss Xarrux on the face with so much rage he'll burst into a bird the size of a dragon. Anyone else have any objections?"

[Lisbane]

Nurgle remarked simply, and in a rather annoyed tone "Well that was rather rude. Hmm, I believe my services are better used elsewhere. However, I leave with you a hundred vials of Nurgle's Rot, these should do the trick for when you make this Curse" and with that he walked out the door and back to his realm, where he continued work on Angel's Halo.

[Greater Loralia]

Concordia reached into a pouch, and spread across the battlefield seeds. Sprouting from these seeds were massive trees, their branches and tops possibly impaling many demons and mortals. From them the potentially blood-stained petals of the flowers on the trees would fall, and pollen would disperse, across the battlefield. The hope was that some of the warriors fighting would lose their will to fight so that the demigoddess trinity could deal with Rektanar.

Discordia pulled a horn from her thigh, and blew into it, summoning thousands of butterflies composed of pure light that would haunt Rektanar and those left fighting the demons, burning them, igniting clothing, melting armor and weapons, and more. Of course, they dispersed after a few strikes, but they would likely still have some sort of effect.

The Aster summoned three orbs that launched forward, hoping for them to barrel through enemies towards Rektanar, gathering more and more power as they slowed, until they finally detonated in a massive burst of light.

[The Ebony Republic]

Nurgle remarked simply, and in a rather annoyed tone "Well that was rather rude. Hmm, I believe my services are better used elsewhere. However, I leave with you a hundred vials of Nurgle's Rot, these should do the trick for when you make this Curse" and with that he walked out the door and back to his realm, where he continued work on Angel's Halo.

Sevelene's eye twitched beneath the helmet briefly, and she walked over to Xarrux. "Want a gift?"

[Lisbane]

Nurgle, The Plague Lord

The Garden of Nurgle was a very peaceful place, only the sound of buzzing hordes of flies filled the land, and even then you could get used to it. However, this peace was soon to be shattered. On the edge of the Garden, a Plague-Bearer noted strange bodies coming towards the Garden, the light of soon revealing eight-legged monstrosities. Varied in size, the biggest challenged the Great Unclean Ones in size, the smallest were hardly bigger than a normal spider. With a great trumpet call the Legions were alerted, and quickly they formed up for battle, as these… things did not seem to be coming in hopes of establishing diplomacy. Nurgle’s Legion readied themselves for a fight, Verfaulen unfurled his wings, and began to chant strange words in a foreign language to even the Plague-Bearers. Meanwhile, at the border of the Garden, many Pestilential Ones began shooting pestilential energy at these creatures, however some quickly fell victim to their enemy. The Great Unclean Ones chanted with Verfaulen, and soon a great shift seemed to happen in the center of the garden. Millions of flies made their way to the Legions, forming a living wall of buzzing creatures, and after a few seconds they would form a spherical shield around the garden.

[Elenir]

Without their lust for violence, the demons were nothing. They turned into dust, their souls escaping their bodies before disappearing. Rektanar tried to grab some of these souls, however, they simply escaped his grasp. All of the souls recognized him, they waved a collective goodbye before being consumed the light forever, they waved a collective goodbye before being consumed the light forever. Rektanar was going, however, he simply took his off helmet, dropped to his knees, and for the first time in his life, he cried. He cried like a man that carries a burden too great for the soul to support, he cried, for that he has lost everything he loved, the gods simply took everything he had.

Meanwhile Xarrux couldn't gain the strength to Sevelene, he simply couldn't breath. Only a few words came out his mouth "What... Did you... do...to me?" and for the first time ever, a god feared, for an energy that could kill gods had awakened. His realm was struck with the same kind of treatment, convulsing and changing rapidly in size, energy flowing through like it had never flown before.

[The Ebony Republic]

Without their lust for violence, the demons were nothing. They turned into dust, their souls escaping their bodies before disappearing. Rektanar tried to grab some of these souls, however, they simply escaped his grasp. All of the souls recognized him, they waved a collective goodbye before being consumed the light forever, they waved a collective goodbye before being consumed the light forever. Rektanar was going, however, he simply took his off helmet, dropped to his knees, and for the first time in his life, he cried. He cried like a man that carries a burden too great for the soul to support, he cried, for that he has lost everything he loved, the gods simply took everything he had.

Meanwhile Xarrux couldn't gain the strength to Sevelene, he simply couldn't breath. Only a few words came out his mouth "What... Did you... do...to me?" and for the first time ever, a god feared, for an energy that could kill gods had awakened. His realm was struck with the same kind of treatment, convulsing and changing rapidly in size, energy flowing through like it had never flown before.

Sevelene tilted her head, before bringing the tip of her staff to tap Xarrux's chest. With this, Sevelene unleashed the most primal fire possible. It sparked on the god's chest, before aiming to explode with the violent supernova only a star could give off in its death throes, destroying the palace in mere seconds. It was more of a merciful thing, to burn away the god's suffering and pain eternally. A mercy killing for the God of Rage.

[Greater Loralia]

The Bronze Room

A symphony of whispers would fill the bronze room before the voices came into clarity. If Sigmar had made out anything that was said, he’d note that it was mostly just “testing, one, two, three”, but because it was barely audible Kemoth didn’t much care to say anything scary at this age.

“Oi, old man. There are a few idiots in the pantheon plotting to perform some kind of severance between man and God, and haunt those blessed by the Gods. It will be pure chaos. I was invited to a… reunion of Gods by my daughter. These were Gods of madness, chaos, war, violence, pestilence, and disease. I harnessed the power of my divine tools to show them the consequences, but now I prepare to fight that chaos. Wage the war with me, Sigmar. Our lands and the Bastion are safe-havens against the incoming onslaught.” She said, rather unceremoniously.

Xarrux’s Realm

The Aster frowned, and pulled out a bag, holding it open, and watching the souls flow into it.

“We must leave, Rektenar. You must get up and lead your people - all of your people - all of those who have died here today reside within this extension of Necropolitia. Let us go to Torune before this realm collapses, and place the souls in living machinations so that they may be reborn. Your God is dead. You are the last leader they have, and the strongest.” The Aster said, and light filled the realm, enveloping it completely to simultaneously transport everyone and everything off of it to Torune, and siphon off the last of its power.

[Elenir]

The everchosen is born
Rektanar suddenly stopped crying, his body filled with energy, every single one of his wounds was healed. He stood up, grabbed his and looked around, noticing the new area he was in. Rage and vengeance filled his veins, the energy of Xarrux himself confused by sheer anger and willpower of Rektanar.

He pointed his sword towards the Aster. "My people shall no longer be your slaves, puny gods, I will consume and destroy all of you, just like how I did with my previous patron". Rektanar charged forward, his soul having an eerie aura, something strange, unlike most gods or blessed mortals, he didn't expel power, something new and greater had been born.

[Greater Loralia]

“Then we shall give you something back.” With the power of a dead realm fueling her, the Aster piggybacked on the creation of the Everchosen, and transported him and his people, as well as all of his dead given new life and new bodies - beautiful bodies - back to Terratus, alongside the strange God.

“God with strange form,” a voice called out.

“Your birth is reason for joyousness. Take this time to celebrate. The bounties of a full civilization surround you and your people. Drink the wine, eat the food, break in the beds and the homes, read through the books, look at the forges, and the great fields of food and livestock. Greet a people reborn and reinvigorated, freed of tyranny. When you are ready, the veil of protection around you will lift, and you may deal with the thoughts haunting you… just call for us if you wish to speak.” The voice said.

“Good bye, Rektenar. For now. We’ll be seeing you.”

[The Ebony Republic]

Madness Receding?

Sevelene looked at the Supreme Wasteland silently. The gods, who should be above mortal struggles, had become nothing more than petulant children. Xarrux had suffered for it the most so far, even if his domain was rage and blood. She closed her eyes, dropping the staff to the ground. Lenu had failed, the gods were nothing but destruction and doom for mortals. Grasping the air like one might grasp a doorknob, she stepped through it and into where the Valkynaz resided with their Outsiders. It was a misty place, with a river stretching forth down the land, dividing it. Shadows skulked about with clawed forms or covered in metal. Some were as thin as a skeleton, some oozed disease.

She moved forth to a simple fortress, empty and desolate, and made her way down to its lowest levels, to an alchemy lab of sorts. She gave the simple order to leave Antimas a desolate ruin, the Fortress of Madness' defense receding, yet one would have to go into Antimas proper to see it was empty, as the portal to the Wasteland there collapsed. Around Terratus, portals to the Supreme Wasteland closed rapidly, snapping shut like a crocodile and its prey.

Then, she worked. The DNA of many gods. Xarrux, God of Rage. Nurgle, God of Disease. Yuukame, Goddess of Mischief and Boundaries. Opocra, God of Choice and Madness. Kemoth, Goddess of Civilization, Arachnids, Crafting, Machinations, and the Pale. Then the blood from the warrior Ballum had given her, it wasn't his, but it would do, thus the God of War's power was added. Then Sevelene began to toil, for years on years.

No mention of the Mad Goddess would make its way to Terratus or the realms for a time to come. No appearance of Outsiders. If one somehow got into the Supreme Wasteland, it was just that. A wasteland. Nothing occured there anymore.

[Lisbane]

The Imperium of Man

The journey to Stromhein had been a short but eventful one. The Free Company had fought not less than twenty battles and skirmishes with the Cult of Nurgle, daemons, diseases, and all manner of other things had opposed Volkmar and he overcame all of them. Now, in Stromhein he arrived, and the city was under siege. Across the domain of the Elector-Count Kutluzman von Jonahiem the Cult of Nurgle had risen up in a great rebellion, and it seemed their armies were innumerable. Stromhein was a small city compared to most, and only housed around 200 Defenders, who stood against a horde of at least 20,000 Warriors of Nurgle, who were blessed with his foul poxes. Volkmar, from a large hill, looked out upon the Siege. From here he could see the suffering of the inhabitants of the city, most had fallen to eating dogs and rats to survive, and many of those who tried to escape now adorned the walls, their naked and mutilated bodies in free view of those inside the city. Some had also been crucified and wailed in pain for days. Volkmar decided enough was enough, and with only a Company of 1,000 endeavoured to end this madness and bring order once more. On the Night of the Sixtieth Day of the Siege, the Free Company rode into the enemy camp. Like Fell Ghosts they tore through cloth and cleaved limb from body, killing all who they came across whether they be men or women, they would not leave a single man alive. Before any alarm was raised, 4,000 already lay dead, but upon the alarm’s sound, the army awoke and began to fight back. It was hopeless for the Free Company, how could they stand against so many? Volkmar sought to even these odds, and with a minute’s chanting he summoned a great whirlwind of fire, calling upon Sevelene herself to bless his fiery whirlwind. It tore through the enemy camp, burning and maiming many along the way. With such a display of power, the army soon was routing, their ranks turned to chaos, and the cities defenders cheered on as the Free Company entered the city. However, before the Sun had risen, news came from Reichsdamant, the Imperial City itself was now under siege. 1,000 Banners had been sighted on the Horizon, an army of at least 100,000 was to fall upon the Capital, and no army of equivalent size existed to do battle.

And so Volkmar began his campaign to the Imperial City. He gathered followers along the way, they had heard of the siege of Stromhein, and sought to aid this great warrior in his goal to end the Cult of Nurgle once and for all. Upon reaching the Capital, he found the city besieged, the army of 100,000 had swelled – for not 1,000 Banners did Volkmar observe, but 4,000. This would truly be the end of the Empire if the City was to fall, no armies whether combined or not existed in the Empire to challenge this. Volkmar gave only one order when his Captains asked… “Never shall we end in our pursuit for Order and Righteousness. We advance on this enemy horde, and we will win or we will die” and with that he marched forward into the fray. 400,000 stood against him, and at their head was a Great Unclean One, summoned from Nurgle’s Realm. However, Volkmar would not do much fighting this day, he quietly cast a spell of Eye’s Deceit and then one of Teleportation. He would appear in the Central Sacrificial Chamber of the Cult of Sigmar, inside the Grand Palace. Stood before him was a great Bronze Room, its walls supported by wooden beams. The Ritual of Awakening was long and convoluted, by Volkmar knew of a workaround. He had promised the Grand Theologian that he would tell none of this spell, one that only the Greatest Leaders of the Empire would ever know. It would open the door to Sigmar’s Temple, without the need for the Ritual, and was only used in the direst of situations. With a great shaking of his staff, and a booming declaration, the bronze room shattered apart and the Shining Figure of Sigmar stood in front of Volkmar. Sigmar looked upon him, “what is it you need of me, child” Volkmar, ever a man of urgency, forwent any formalities and simply said “The Capital is under Siege, come relieve us of this diseased army” upon the mention of disease Sigmar seemed to suddenly burst into action. With a waving of his hand his armour and weapon – the Heldenhammer – materialised around him, and he ran outside. He said to Volkmar “Come Wizard, let us bring forth Holy Light to these Unholiest of Abominations” and with that they began a great spell. The Heavens seemed to open, a great light formed in the sky, beyond blinding even Sigmar struggled to look upon it. At the same time, both Sigmar and Volkmar thrusted their weapons to the ground, and this great light exploded in a burst of Holy Energy. The attacking army was reduced to ash, the Free Company sifted through it, great mountains of it blew away in seconds as Sigmar commanded the winds to rid his land of such heresy. Sigmar looked to Volkmar and said “You are a powerful wizard, you shall lead my Armies, and never again shall the Cult of Nurgle attack us in such a fashion” to this Volkmar replied “Indeed” and chuckled slightly, before walking away to take his new post.

[Elenir]

And with that, the people of Rektanar finally found peace. A place where they would always be become no matter what, their village.

The energy of Xarrux manifested in front of Kemoth, a simple egg, white and small.

[Greater Loralia]

The birth of this new God would take well over a century, surpassing the time it took for Sigmar to awaken, and taking place on Torune - home to the one of the eldest civilizations, second only to some dead, and some divine. This new God would be the Great Muse - a powerful entity fed inspiration, creativity, imagination, remembrance, and whispered stories, poetry, and sung song.

(OOC: Sorry for the short post. I’m sleepy )

[Elenir]

The Toren Dynasty is born
While most civilizations had patron gods, or some higher entity protecting and helping them progress, the Toren dynasty instead used might and steel to advance their goals. Religion is seen as a threat to the integrity of the nation, and an inquisition keeps the empire safe from any form of religion or worship that might manifest.
The Dinasty is lead by a mighty emperor, Lucious Toren, ever since he ascended to the throne the empire has progressed, conquering nearby tribes and exploiting the riches that lay within the territory of the Toren Dinasty. The nations roads and seas are filled with merchants, travelling all around the empire, interacting with the massive population of the empire, around 80 million people live in the empire.

The king was on his throne room, men clad in golden armours watching over anything and anyone that might attempt to attack the emperor. The king was holding a letter, signed by one of his vassals, it acknowledged the new expansion that the empire was going to perform towards the south. Ever since gunpowder was discovered, the empire has managed an expansion rate that people thought was impossible, flintlocks and cannons being a great psychological weapon against the tribes that weren't so advanced.

[Parcia]

New Naroda



With the sewing of fields and the coming of fish in the nets, the people celebrated for the first time since the founding.

Yet as the god of Joy sat in his workshop, he did not feast nor drink, for he was hard at work with steel and wood.
He had come across a chemical mixture the Chiss were using in their fire works, a mixture of Sulfur, Salt peter, and charcoal that, when mixed together and mashed in to a fine powder, produced a great boom and smoke.

He had an idea. When they opened fired on the golems, Most of their weapons did little to nothing, yet there Catapults did damage simply do to their size. If he could refine that idea, throwing a metal or stone ball at high speeds, he could create a weapon able to stop even the Sand-Man's Golems.

And so he went about creating a weapon. He found that using a flint he had used to light his forge could produce enough of a spark to light the Black powder (as he had taken to calling it)

A long, metal tube with a small round ball could be propelled down and out the tube at alarming speeds. With the basic idea down, he went about forming a simple trigger and lock system, as well as a spring system to hold and release the flint against the "Striker" as he was calling it.

Then, using a small dab of powder in the "pan" he could hold a small enough amount of powder to be used to light the Charge in side, via a small hole int he rear of the barrel.

After many hours of work, the good looked at his finished product. He added a basic set of post sights in order to give the user a reference to aim (and while he had yet to Zero the rifle he planned on doing so soon), a long metal rod with a small cupped end to aid in ramming of the ball (he called it "Shot") and even added some small gold bits to make it look more...appealing.

He sat back and took a look at his first creation. He chose to call it..."Rifle", after the "Riflie", a large Balista that the Cities Defenders loved for its reliability.