Pantheon (IC || [STAGE FOUR])

[Qwanch]

In the beginning, there was nothing. There was no time or space. There was only Arx. Arx existed before time or space. After an infinity of boredom, he used magic to create companions. This was the birth of the gods. Everything that ever would be rested on this moment, and it is the remnants of this creation energy that wizards draw on to this day.

-Elder Scrolls 1:1

[Aldares]

After the birth of the Gods, there existed the malevolence that is the cruelty of design. Arx, having created the Gods, simultaneously created laws of existence the could be bent, but not broken. This is the phenomena that instantaneously created Ivellios, or what it would be right to call Ivellios. He did not appear, as there were no eyes to see him. He did not make a sound, for there were no ears to hear him with. But there he was, silently existing...

[Len Hyet]

With the first flicker of consciousness there was the first argument. And so the god of War was born. Ajax was created because everyone and everything has a capability for warfare. But so did everything have a capability for greatness. That greatness Ajax named Honor, and he ruled over it and it's application for all eternity. Every living thing had the shadow of death looming over it. Ajax identified this shadow, and claimed it as his own. He became the God of Death, Ruler of the Dead.

[Firstaria]

Nothingness cannot exist, nothingness cannot be destroyed.

The birth of the gods, the act of creation, was surely no small event in the void of the universe. And so the void were hurt. Nothingness cannot bleed, and so it simply mend into the act itself, ending up creating and hurting it more. The creation was done, and so a new entity was created by the events; it would be call by many names, but darkness would be the more used in the future, so to help those who witness this moment that's the name it will be used from now on.

The Darkness was raging, hating to be alive since it was born from the void and the nothingness, existence was a taboo. Quickly, the entity needed a form, a way to look. It took a form that would remind a veil of shadow, with vest of dark and unknown material, and then saw the light: in order to survive, in order to quell the pain, darkness had to mend with things, to absorb them...and corrupt them.

So, Daniel Mercury was born. The name was given later by others, needing to point at the thing, using their language to address the god...but to help those who witness this moment that's the name it will be used.

[The Just and the Corrupt]

With the first creatures came the first pieces of Knowledge, mainly names, and aspects, branching out into other things as the new beings learnt more and more about themselves and others, as they gained the ability to take in and discover new knowledge. A figure began to form, words and characters weaving divine bone, muscle, flesh, writhing strips of colours and light.

And with that possession of knowledge, beings sought to hide it, to keep it to themselves. And with that, Lies were born, to deny any piece of knowledge or create fake ones. The figure's glowing died down, becoming a dull colour, a layer forming of what it knew to be 'skin'.

But there was no good having two extremes- there must be something to simply obscure it. And so Illusions were created, to branch and bridge the knowledge and lies, obscuring the pure facts of the created. The figure grew features, an appearance of its own.

Merva opened what he knew to be his eyes, and giggled.

Living will be fun~

[Krugmar]

With the first glimpses of knowledge and Lies conceived in the young universe, they gave way to plots and Arbitrariness. These thoughts formed the flesh and mind of a new creature. Obsessed with plotting and installing it's own version of Order on the universe, this creature sought to protect itself from others who would plot against it. It formed a hard, green shell that gave it comfort.

It's form began to model into it's final shape and the creature began to open it's eyes for the first time, disgusted with what it saw it began plotting immediately, it wanted the Universe to be like what it would want. A single, perfect name floated in it's mind. Mantik, it would be called the Mantik.

[Videssos]

As the maelstrom of the fabric of creation whirled into being, and other gods shimmered, flickered and formed into existence, a single being knew the necessity for fate and destiny. The web of events, including that of creation threaded an intricate pattern, one which the fate-weaver, a god who would gain the pseudonym; "The Errant" , though he originally first named himself Errastas, after which that alias is based, would be able to weave perhaps as deftly as he sees. Errastas also saw the need for change, again upon which entropy and therefore chaos was interlinked with, and would not be possible without. Without change came stagnation and ennui. A terrible and eternally frozen state of existence which must not be, in his mind. Tranquillity was not in the Errant's nature.

Errastas was also God of Chance, and understood risks that must be taken, that infinite probabilities existed, and how a little nudge could have a colossal effect. What some might call Elder Sorcery crackled and swirled into being around his formless consciousness. Matter drew together, blurring in a brilliant implosion of atoms, as a figure formed; a home to his currently incorporeal form. The body grew more distinct, the sorcery drawing inward to the shape he climbed towards. Flesh and bone surged in size, changed in shape, until a tall, impossibly beautiful humanoid form floated in the abyss. A brazen smile came to the Errant's lips, as did a strange glint in those eyes.

This shall be exciting. A new plane of existence to manipulate, to predict and to alter. To adjust, and to bring upon... a metamorphosis...

[The Norak Federation]

As the gods came to be, one of them had to slumber. No one was sure which god it was, but slubering was the last thing that god did. For as it slept, Vipheos awoke.

The god screamed and screamed for days, as the first nightmare came to be. It was truly horrid, something that not even a god could stand. It was so horrid, it gave life. As the god breathed it's last, a figure exited its mouth like a liquid, and soon took a solid shape. At first nothing more than a shadow, the figure grew humanoid, arms and legs. It was completely naked, but it didn't notice.

"What am i?" the being said. Then it realised it hadn't really spoken, but the words just formed into sound. He had no face. How was this possible. It looked around and saw the dead corpse. Then it laughed, and became partially shadow again, and reached into the god's brain. Pulling out a black substance, the figure, while part of the original nightmare, took the real deal, and with a few words, the nightmare became a cloak. Red eyes looking everywhere, Vipheos placed it onto himself.

"What am i?" the thing asked. Then answered it's own question. "Vipheos. I Am Vipheos. The nightmare of the gods"

[Sentinel XV]

Excerpt from the Tome of the Hidden One
TOTHO Scroll 1: Awakened -- 1:1-1:14

From the roiling, primeval cosmic dark; shrouded in the infancy of its nature and cloaked in the impermanence of its design; came the Hidden One, newborn in his silence; the cosmic touch of deceit; the harbinger of change; the chooser of paths; And in his calm, the calm which now pervaded his world; he opened his eyes; behold, the cosmic dark, vast in its confinement and infinite in its limitations; the figure of the Hidden One rose from these depths; and from the void came his prodigies; path, choice, deceit, the hidden; all came forth unto the new plane; and then, he was aware.

Excerpt from the Tome of the Hidden One
TOTHO Scroll 1: Awakened -- 2:5-2:21

From his eyes, he saw light; from his ears, he heard sound; from his nose, he smelled aroma; from his arms, came his strength; from his legs, came his mobility; from his hands, came his works; and from his mouth, came his teachings; But from his mind, came his name; Voen Khan; the Hidden One; lord of Choices; lord of Pathways; lord of Deceit; Patron of the Hidden; and from his mind came his designs, those which would propagate throughout this new realm; and the first words uttered in this new dawn; the words which would hold true and unite a people; there is suffering, but no one suffers; there is action, but no doer; there is an end to suffering, but no one attains it; there is a path, but no one travels it.

[KFC Chicken Bucket]

There will always be needs and wants, whether they be luxurious jewellry or something as simple as a loaf of bread. However, behind all products lay the basic skills of labour, agriculture, industry and technology. Ebernessein's birth was as simple as its aspects, slowly coming to be in existence without much fanfare or ado.

And so Ebernessein took her first step, draped in green and red gown.

[Asterdan]

After the birth, the all of the anger and rage in the universe travelled without form. It could easily be distinguished by it's red hue. As the anger, rage and hate all came together, swirling in a mass of pure rage. It slowly took shape, a large bruting bull-like form. Slowly, it condensed, becoming a true form. It then took on a more humanoid shape, horns sticking out of its head. Soon armor began to form, along with an axe and other weapons.

"HRAAAAAAGH!" the creature, Demibull as he would be known, yelled.

[Kershya]

First came a thought, and the thought believe that it is the Absolute. Then a question appeared. What the question was was forgotten, but its effects echoes through all of time. What was one opinion became two incompatible opinions, the creation of opposites and relativism. Then a third opinion appeared that tries to reconcile the two, and there was balance and neutrality. The thought became a being, whom we call Kerath, the Lord of Opposites and Relativism, of Balance and Neutrality, the creator of our land and ourselves. For from those three views, came all the other views, and from all of these views, there is free will.

- Sister Merale Godama, from the Collected Sermons

I hope this is good. And I imagine Sister Miriam Godwinson from Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri for Merale. She would be an important player later on if this continues well.

[Fowlick]

When the first sound was heard it was that of a crashing wave and a sea birds call. The first smell was salty, and moisture came upon consciousness. With this The Godess Omega Rex came to be.

[North Calaveras]

In the beginning the gods were born and from them all the beings and materials of the universe. In the chaos of the birth of the world darkness and dim hues of rage, nightmares and other powers that spawned, the primordial waters of the universe thrashed in the darkness. But as with everything there needed to be reaction and from the darkness a spoke was born and a being whispered into the blackness that light should cower the darkness bring the creatures of the universe there final being in the afterlife. Such as it was, Kash was born and came with him the warmth of light, the afterlife, sacrifice and salvation for the universes inhabitants. As his spark was born so did it dim from the vast darkness as he made his mark on the universe only to seep back into the void waiting for his time to surface again.

From his divine being came his angels, glowing, faceless beings made from his essence who would represent him on the mortal planes. They would guide the lost to salvation and into the next world to be punished or rewarded, sacrificing themselves to their divine father and providing his light to the cold masses in the dark. Even the other gods are unsure where Kash had gone, only catches glimpses of his Angels completing unknown missions across the far reaches of the universe.

[Jolleus]

As life was breathed into the formless Gods, companions of the father Arx, the spirit of constancy and support came into being. Rosseth, who would become the father of the very earth, breathed in immortal life for the first time, and was glad. Rosseth looked around him and observed his fellow gods, his brethren, and gave a broad celestial smile.

[Velgast]

In the very first moment of its existence, The universe created laws for itself, things that would allow for complete and total balance of all things. These laws manifested themselves in the being Ba'El. He was the purest essence of the natural. Whenever something happened in the universe, that threw it off balance, Ba'El stepped in to set things back in place. HE was Nature, HE was The Storm, HE was LIFE. He was the Lord of the Feast, for all things that were eaten, came from the realm of Ba'El. In his ever expanding realm of beauty, the truest form of his Natural World, he was joined by his creation, the Faari. Creatures who stood alongside Ba'El, enjoying the fruits of his Eternal Garden, and doing his bidding outside the realm as well.

[Fowlick]

Omega fell upon the earth and looked at the dry wastes. She let flow waters from her mouth allowing the earth to flood. As it flooded the earth moved and formed pits where the water settled. These pits became the seas. The top layer of the water had magical properties since they had residue from the Goddess' birth. She took this water and created a realm that she ruled over. It filled an empty expanse that was filled with water. She built her empty kingdom in this realm of Atlantis.

[Asterdan]

Refusing to be left behind, Demibull focused as much rage and hate as possible into one spot. This focused anger created a pocket dimension of Demibull's own mind. It was full of hate and rage and violence and anger. He smirked as he looked around the red hued world, a red, burning ball of gas illuminating the realm. The foul creature laughed evilly as he walked through this world.

"Bwahahahaha!" he laughed, "Perhaps I should share this glorious land with my brothers and sisters."

[Sentinel XV]

Excerpt from the Tome of the Hidden One
TOTHO Scroll 2: Creation -- 1:1-1:42

And through meandering eons time would pass; through sands of time long since forgotten; in trackless wastes of cosmic dark unknown; traveled the Hidden One, Voen Khan; he who tells both lie and truth; who shows all paths; but chooses none; and thereupon his endless toil; through black uncharted water; the wanderer came upon a stone of round nature; forged from nothingness, begotten by the blacksmith of the dark; and on this stone, the Ancient One took his rest, weary of his travels and the boundless wastes of nothingness; and for many years he pondered; from his perspective, the blink of an eye; from his reverie he was awakened, and in his power was now creation; the inner peace that he contained, the path of no path, the non-self; was to be forged anew within him, the solace of bygones ages made by his immortal hand; thus was forged the Inner Realm, the Plane of No Plane, the Field of Solace; it was accessible to no creature, save the Hidden One; for what can find that which is hidden, other than Hidden itself; in it, a field of white lay stark upon a mirror, gazing down from within to the infinite field of light; and in it, no suffering is to be found; it is the end of the path, the goal to which all strive but none fully attain; for to attain it, one must lose himself completely; the Inner Realm is for no man, and no god; it is for those who have found the way; but this way is for none to follow.

[Kershya]

Then Kerath look at the empty void and all the possibilities that dwell in it. The three views then agree to make a realm for themselves. And so Jai-Ko-Min was made. A land of extremes and dissonance. Where a frozen tundra can be found in the middle of a lake of molten lava. Where tiny trees can be found in the middle of a forest made of giant grass. It is a land of wonders and beauty but also danger and uncertainty. For the Jai-self, and the Sho-self, and the Min-self all try to put their influence in it.

- The Great Balancer, Jai-Sen-Min, from the Jai-Min Analects.

[Jolleus]

Rosseth beheld the creation of the ocean, and the wondrous workings of his brethren. As he was destined to do from the beginning, Rosseth descended upon the waters. Focusing his godly might, he created form from nothingness. A giant mountain sprouted forth upon his back, thousands upon millions of tons of earth and stone and gems and other precious gifts of the land appearing upon his will. Lifting the weight from his shoulders, Rosseth cast the mountain into the ocean, and then set upon it with his divine tools. He shaped valleys and plains, mountains and hills, rivers and lakes, and all other manner of terrain. He spread the soil all about the oceanic globe made by Omega, thus creating the firm earth upon which the highest of mortal creatures would one day walk. His work nearly done, he formed a hidden tunnel that led deep within his work of art. In order to feel closest to creation, he made his godly realm deep within the mortal earth itself, though sealed away beyond the reach of those lesser creatures that would come to worship him.

[Qwanch]

Arx, who was now done creating companions, called the others attention.

"Hello, my sons. I have felt the feel of creation. Let us spread the joy of life to other types of creatures. We will rule over them and protect them. We will teach them and create their world."

Arx was twitching his tail in excitement as he said this. Arx was a sight to behold. He had red wings that ended in beautiful hands at the tips, and with green and orange glistening scales. He looked at each of his children and admired the vast array of body he saw. Most lacked wings and tails. Some had hair. All where his sons all the same.

[Qwanch]

Rosseth beheld the creation of the ocean, and the wondrous workings of his brethren. As he was destined to do from the beginning, Rosseth descended upon the waters. Focusing his godly might, he created form from nothingness. A giant mountain sprouted forth upon his back, thousands upon millions of tons of earth and stone and gems and other precious gifts of the land appearing upon his will. Lifting the weight from his shoulders, Rosseth cast the mountain into the ocean, and then set upon it with his divine tools. He shaped valleys and plains, mountains and hills, rivers and lakes, and all other manner of terrain. He spread the soil all about the oceanic globe made by Omega, thus creating the firm earth upon which the highest of mortal creatures would one day walk. His work nearly done, he formed a hidden tunnel that led deep within his work of art. In order to feel closest to creation, he made his godly realm deep within the mortal earth itself, though sealed away beyond the reach of those lesser creatures that would come to worship him.

Arx Smiled in approval. Arx then took the next step. He created a black slime that ate the energy from light provided by Kash and made its own offspring by mating with other black slimes. It was very simple, but it was the first physical life off the new world. It had no mind in the sense of sapience, but it did have a will to live. It spread and thrived. Eventually, though, it began to over populat the continent that Arx had given them. He made a great beast that fed on the slime. After a while, the black slime mats were under control. They continued to thrive on the coast, though. Next, the great beast (OOC: To keep it simple, they resembled Woolly Mammoths) population grew out of control. Arx created flying creatures with fangs that would swoop down and drain the great beast below of their blood. He named the great beasts "Wakoms." He named the flying creatures "Barsoons." He named the black slime "Black Slime."

Then, Arx noticed his children creating their own "hideouts." Arx decided to do the same thing. He created a tower as tall as the clouds in a valley that Rosseth created. The valley was unnamed, but Arx figured his son wouldn't care if he named it. Arx named the valley "Valley of Wisdom." This tower emanated magical power.

[Kershya]

From his home of Jai-Ko-Min, Kerath watch at the world and see the lack of his influence. Balance will come, and so does relativism. Making a copy of his realm, he alter a small continent that will be called Sonora between the south pole and the equator. At its edge, a rugged mountain range and tall cliffs, while its interior is a vast plateau, in its center is an island on a vast lake with two rivers that flow north and south to the sea, the Jai-Hong and the Hong-Min, respectively. The rivers move through the two openings to Sonora that give the only safe passages through. The Hong-Min Delta is facing the cold south sea where it is dangerous to go with ships but travelling though the land is easy. While the Jai-Hong Delta is facing north, near the large Jekora Island, it is easier for ships to enter but dangerous for those on foot. Dotted around Sonora and Jekora are hidden entrances to Jai-Ko-Min, for the proper balance of the material and the spiritual is needed.

Sonora is basically Tibet at the size of Australia with the Himalayas nearly at all sides and Jekora looks like the island of Sumatra. Jekora would later be known as the place foreigners make their base.

[Firstaria]

Daniel knew he couldn't simply live with the other things of the creation, but he tried however...but everything he touched became distorted, corrupted...and perfect to him.

He started to stole everything that was not touched, creating his own little space. Then, he enveloped all into his darkness, secluded from the rest of existence.

He liked this dark and twisted reality, this void land. He needed a name for a place like this...this void of reality.