Politics of the Divine - IC

[Senkaku]

The Lamp and the Golden Door: Part Two

---

Keli, the City of Lights

---

Keli's lights, in such strange circumstances, only burned brighter, the city's bustle increasing as day began to break and the sun's dim vanguard began marching on the eastern horizon. The gods were among them tonight, and the sprawling metropolis's many spirits and magicians felt the energy of the divine that was flowing into the lands of the Kessen Delta. Great things would be accomplished tonight, even if they were a mere backdrop to the presence of Heavenly beings in Keli.

"Hello Chak, Haven't seen you in a while. You been busy? Wait you are always busy forget I asked. Better question how are you doing?"
Chak opened his eyes, looking around the gloomy inner sanctum of the shrine. His eyes could pick out the faint shape, leaning against a pillar- Edarus, it seemed, was with him, interrupting his meditation.
Chak tapped one of the little nacre charms sitting on the floor against a groove, filled with some sort of liquid. There were a few sparks, and suddenly the oil caught, igniting tiny streams of fire in grooves in the floor that made strange and beautiful patterns. The crumbling temple's brick walls were now lit by the faint dancing orange lights of the flames, and Chak stood, regarding Edarus, a few thin lines of flame separating them and illuminating the other god's features.
"Edarus. I am well, though less and less since you have interrupted me. What do you want?", he said sharply.

---

As he regarded the god of lies with a vaguely repulsed, bored expression, Chak's mind continued marching forward on the paths it had already been travelling down while he had been meditating.
The struggle will already be beginning, and there is little hope in trying to take part in it. Consolidate earthly gains, first, and sit this fight out until your victory is assured, or unless circumstances change.

[Lunas Legion]

"But I don't need reverence or admiration. The rest of Heaven has left me alone through all of it's..." Theria cocked her head in thought. "What's the word, politics? And it will continue to leave me alone through any and all of the politics to come. Always has done, always will. I don't bother them, they don't bother me. I keep my life how it is, undisturbed... Peaceful. Heaven goes on doing what Heaven does. I keep doing what I'm doing. Always has been like that. Always will."

[Jazz Commies and Sexy Astrophysicists]

"Then I hope that continues, for your sake," Tesh replied in a tone of finality that hardly concealed his disdain. "One cannot be sheltered from the storm for ever. Surely the Goddess of Weather knows this more than anyone." He turned and took flight. "Take care, Theria," he told her.

Itha'avesta
Farr tugged at the edge of her leather jerkin with unoccupied nervousness. She had wished Hierophant farewell that morning, and had gone to meet with the caravaneers. They were gruff, but obviously sympathetic to their cause. She wore a headscarf to conceal her slave's mark on her ear, in hopes of ensuring that no one would recognize her while they were in the field. She already had a new name: Katria. As they were foreigners, she wasn't to speak, to maintain the cover. They were all prepared to leave, but a parade of incoming priests had blocked the roads, and prompted them to lead the oxen pulling the carts aside to allow them to pass. She did her best not to make eye contact with any of the passing holy men, out of equal parts habit and fear.

[Aden Protectorate]

The Priests of Ava'eshtha had been marching all the way from Zoroshthurvan to get to Itha'avesta. They were priests of the second rank, they were about to be the most holy of men however. They would be purified by the White Holy Fire of Ava'eshthan in Itha'avesta and be initiated as Priests of the First rank, then they would be sent all around the world to administer his Temples, to maintain his Holy Fires and to conduct the sacrifices.

As they passed the caravan, the Priest sought to bless them, out of the goodness of their hearts. One of the priests pulled out a bowl of ashes from a Holy Fire in Zoroshthurvan.

"Hold out your faces, my sons and daughters, so we may bless you with the ashes of a Holy White Fire and ensure safe passage."

[The Assorted Saharan Outposts]

Irekily was about to leave the funeral he was now currently at when he was suddenly stopped. A small groan escaped the God of Bones as he turned to see who had stopped him, who he had no doubt was a living human. He was right about that part, by the way. He had turned to see a woman with short, chocolate brown hair and incredibly dark blue eyes. "E-Excuse me..." The woman muttered, sniffling after she said this. "I want to ask you something...something important."

Well, Irekily wasn't going to leave a woman crying, so, he shrugged. "Well, I've got time." He said, which was a blatant lie. " What do you want to talk about?" He asked, crossing his arms together. Well, this should be interesting. It may possibly even lead to another deal. That'd make today just a bit more interesting.

The woman sighed. "You're...you're the Guide for the Undead?" She asked, having quite a bit of hope in her eyes. Irekily nodded and she allowed a smile to play across her lips. "Oh, okay. I...I want to make a deal, or ask for a favor, whatever you want to call it." She said, not looking very, very hopeful about what may or may not happen now.

Irekily nods. "Yeah, I'm the guide for the Undead." He said, looking the woman up and down. "And you want to make a deal, huh? I call it a deal because you do have to do something quick and minor for it, so it'd be a deal." He explained, gesturing for the girl to continue.

The woman nodded, that small smile getting a bit wider when he answered. "Oh thank you thank you." She said, now getting rather excited. This could work, this could actually work! "What do I have to do? What do I have to do?" She asked, seeming like she'd do just about anything now.

"Oh, it's nothing too bad," said the God of Bones, his face gaining the beginning of a grin. "Just you swearing to be a part of my cult, and you have to let me cut my divine rune into your arm, don't worry, it won't hurt that much, and it'll probably be worth it depending on how much you love you husband." He took out his hand for a handshake to seal the deal. "So, do we have a deal?" He asked.

The woman nodded and then shook his hand without any hesitation. "Yes, we have a deal." She said. "You need to put the rune on my arm, then?" She asked, already presenting the skin of her arm towards him.

Irekily's host's eyes glowed a bright blue, the grin becoming even wider as he had become rather pleased by this acceptance of a deal. "Yes, yes, I cut the rune onto your arm." He said before snapping his fingers. A knife made of bones appeared in his hands, and he flipped it around to it faced the woman's arm. "This may hurt just a bit, but don't worry, I will be gentle." He said before putting the tip of the knife onto the woman's arm and then gently cutting the rune into her skin. A bit of blood leaked out of the wound and the woman flinched, but she stayed strong and let him continue. The rune was soon cut into the woman's arm and Irekily smiled before he pulled the knife point away. "There, now, what do you want?"

The woman nods. "I want to relive one of my greatest moments with my husband. I think you know what it is." She said. "You are the god of lost memories, after all; you have to know what it is."

Irekily nods and then searched through the recently deceased memories. Yes, it was an invasion of privacy, but did he care? No, not at all. He snapped his fingers and the woman would start to see differences in the environment. No longer was she just out in an open field. The trees would sink back into the ground, walls would come up out of the ground, and people would appear seemingly out of nowhere, all in fine dresses and outfits while dancing with their romantic partner. Irekily grinned as the woman looked down at herself to find that she was wearing a wonderful, emerald green dress. "Enjoy your dance," he said before snapping his fingers once more and the recently deceased man, now looking as alive and well as ever, appeared before the girl. "Your highness." The god of bones finished before the man invited the woman to the dance.

The woman took the man's hand and they started to dance. Of course, bear in mind, this was all in the girl's mind, and Irekily was just having her recall on it in such a way that it seemed real. She could feel him, she could feel the warmth of his body as if he was alive. It was wonderful. She could look into those light blue eyes that seemed to be so full of life. She could hold him. She could latch onto him and hug him and kiss him, and she did every one of those actions. She was happy, she was genuinely happy. The dance was incredibly, and they did the Waltz, which ended in a kiss. "I love you," the man would whisper in the woman's ear, and "I love you too," she'd whisper back, unable to keep tears from building up in her eyes and running down her cheeks, which the man would wipe away. "No tears," he would say, "we're here to have fun," and the woman would nod. "I know," She'd say, still holding back the urge to cry. No, this wasn't real, this wasn't real in the slightest, but it made her so...so happy. What felt like hours later, but was only a few minutes in real time, she gave the man one last kiss before everything around her had disappeared. Even though it felt like it had lasted for such a long time, she couldn't help but feel like it ended too soon. She wanted more! She wanted to see him again! "Good bye, my love." She muttered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

This time, the one to wipe them away was the god of bones. He gently moved her head to make her look at him, and he had a smile on his face. "He was a good man. You are rather lucky." He said, and the woman would nod. "You can think back on that memory anytime. Just call on me, and I'll make sure you can relive your best memories with him."

The woman nodded and hugged him rather suddenly. "Thank you..." She muttered, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Irekily nodded and hugged back before parting from the hug. " Well, I must go now. Remember, just call on me and I can show you that memory again." He then walked away, leaving the woman to think back on those times, which only made her tear up even more.

[Jazz Commies and Sexy Astrophysicists]

Immediately as the Priest spoke, the caravan workers all tightened their posture. What would they do? Displeasing the clergy would certainly bring them undue attention, but was it worth the risk? They exchanged glances before their leader, a man named Buren, nodded silently. Each of them bowed, taking off their hoods to allow the ashes to touch their hair. Farr had gone behind the wagon and was pretending to calm the oxen, in an attempt not to be seen by the Priest who had stopped. Still, she felt dangerously visible to him and the parade.

[Second Helghan Empire]

Edarus

Edarus was a little surprised by Chak's aggression toward him. He had expected the god of labor to be annoyed by his intrusion but had been surprised by his reaction. However he recovered rather quickly and standing up straight he straightened his clothing. The fire lit up his face from his nose down however his eyes picked up light and shone in their bright intense blue.

"Chak, I meant no offense in coming to talk to you. However perhaps you can help me. I fear for my people in the coming winter. They are intelligent and have harvested what they can and added to their already full emergency stores. Though I fear they are not ready for the change in weather. Please help them, and I will help you anyway I can anytime you need me."

While he waited he sent copies of himself across Paragorn and Heaven.

One of these appeared near the pained Inzi. He kept his distance but was close enough to talk.

"Is there something I can help you with?" He sat cross legged on the scorched ground awaiting Inzi to answer or react to him in some way.


Lerasis

A dozen men and women left Lerasis and made their way for the opposite coast of the Island. They were planning on spreading the word of their god Eradus in the nearby city and hopefully save people for what they believed would be the rebirth of Heaven and Paragorn through a slow and cold death.

[The Jonathanian States]

Ratius Magenadam

---

Divine Academy, Heavenly Realms
As his visitor allowed himself to think ahead of speaking, Ratius motioned for them to leave the hall they were in, both to gain some privacy and to not disturb his scholars.
Once they were there, the Sorcerer-King then did speak. What he said, Ratius summed up mentally, was a request for support to the kingship coated in a fancy exposition. Not that he disagreed with much of it, but a political argument it was nonetheless. Ratius was not surprised by such an offer, in fact, he had already considered how we would answer it, though a certain chuckle did escape him at the flattery of Midian. But to give a certain mirroring presence, the god of knowledge decided to wait a bit, as if he were considering how to formulate things. Now leaning back on one of the great columns of marble, shining white as if it had been polished just seconds ago, he was about to answer, only for an orb he knew all too well to form to their sides. He reconsidered talking, preferring instead to wait for the god he on occasions called his father.

It was very quick visit, Ratius noted, Inzi leaving as quick it had come. Unlike before, this time he kept his face under control, hiding the internal smile of just having been given the support he had hoped for. He took a mental note to visit Inzi, both to thank and to check if Order was keeping it properly stable and alive.Having to reposition himself in light of the clarified rivalry, Midian himself took the intiative to talk. Ratius let him fully finish, before answering him, "Yes. Yes we are. I must thank you for your assurance. As for what is beyond that... I cannot say that I do no share your concerns. I too would not like to see the throne fall to a corrupt, let alone chaotic and unbalanced, deity. No, I wish to tell you that I will be doing my utmost to prevent that."

Scandere, Peragon
Between two small houses, in a small alleyway, distant from prying eyes appeared a man. His age seemed to be beyond what the heavens should allow, almost a walking wonder. A few second passed and the man approached the great marketplace ahead significantly faster than should be possible for him, slowly turning slightly less old.
Strolling through the seas of smells that was the many stalls and shops set up by people from within Scandere as well as people both from up-mountain and the valley, some few even coming from far beyond. Crossing the space not directly, but with many halts at varying shoppes, smelling here, tasting there, often having small chats with the salesmen or other customers, the elder came to the other side. Passing between residences once more he arrived at his destination. The fortifications of the city.

Not giving the guards heed until the stood before him, he slowly walked through open doors, only stopping as spears stood ahead of him.
Looking the eyes of all the soldiers, one by one, he gave them the knowledge that he was not a simple elderly man, that they should let him pass.
As he continued inward he spit on the floor. He was disgusted by himself using means beyond knowing to influence humans, finding such behavior by gods repugnant. He of them all, God of knowledge and learning, should not be doing so. His emotions calmed as he acknowledged to himself that where and when ever possible he would approach humans at their full consciousness speaking to them directly, rather than influecing their dreams and thoughts himself.

He had considered doing so now, but decided to leave his silent visit at that. He came to inspect the progress his students in the work he had laid upon then.
And indeed, he saw construction at certain points in the defenses, and he could see collections of weapons waiting for their new owners, still glimmering from their lack of usage. He smiled in pride of those who embraced him, and in a split second vanished from their world.

[Valaran]

Fashionably Late

---

Perhaps predictably, the God of Outcasts arrived when everyone had just left. It had taken a great deal of will for Skyr to force his way back along old paths, and manifest in Heaven. He'd been forced to leave Aulian agog with the body of his collapsed drinking companion, eerily reminiscent of a puppet with cut strings. His latest game with mortals would have to wait, for an older game had begun. He'd felt it.

This disturbed him. The stagnation perpetuated under an undying summer had suited him well. But the summer was dead now, with Ava'eshthan abdicated, and where did that leave the state of things? A fucking mess, was the short answer. Stability had vanished in a puff of yellow smoke and a fading gleam of sunlight. Nothing had yet replaced it, and that was the worst part. Skyr... would never confess it, but he was afraid. It was a confusing emotion for a god, one that they were unfamiliar with. Mortals described it in physical terms, the clench of a stomach, the tightening throat. Skyr felt it as a taught mind, a consciousness that was stretched to fragility. His form reflected it, pouring forth in a protective miasma of obscurity.

Perhaps he was afraid for his subjects. A god would rarely feel lasting harshness of the whims of others, but, his followers, they were so fragile. Even now, none had prepared for winter, for none remembered it. How many lone travellers would die in the high mountains? How many isolated glimmers of life would become carrion, wasting away? And his cities, they might crumble too. For change brought suffering. Suffering. That was what he remembered. The last time such change had happened. Suffering, across a stage so vast he that he had hid away from it.

Deeper still, he felt the thrill. A flicker had rushed through him as he had felt the first laboured chill of winter. Change was part of his being as much stability. And that in that single decision of Ava'eshthan, the world had changed. The turmoil was enlivening. The disturbances that had rippled through reality, the first great decision, and all the subsequent tremors it had spawned, they sang to Skyr.

Skyr had found he was making deliberately slow progress. His course had charted him close to Hell, here floating above oceans, there skirting the edge of Purgatory. Some teasing slice of his consciousness had made him tread a weaving path to Paradise.

He arrived in pure silence. Space distorted, rippling as it twisted in on itself. A crevasse opened in reality, and a hand reached through it. Heaven felt deadened to Skyr. This part was lush and tranquil, but that only hid the fear, the tumult building within this arcing realm. He forced his fluttering robes to settle, and he became corporeal, as much as that could be applied. Tousled dark hair, purple eyes, flashes of platinum and silver. A god had arrived, far too late to be of influence to anyone, or anything. But he did not run to others. It was not only the mortal realm that held outcasts.

[Naymor]

Ratius Magenadam

---

Divine Academy, Heavenly Realms
As his visitor allowed himself to think ahead of speaking, Ratius motioned for them to leave the hall they were in, both to gain some privacy and to not disturb his scholars.
Once they were there, the Sorcerer-King then did speak. What he said, Ratius summed up mentally, was a request for support to the kingship coated in a fancy exposition. Not that he disagreed with much of it, but a political argument it was nonetheless. Ratius was not surprised by such an offer, in fact, he had already considered how we would answer it, though a certain chuckle did escape him at the flattery of Midian. But to give a certain mirroring presence, the god of knowledge decided to wait a bit, as if he were considering how to formulate things. Now leaning back on one of the great columns of marble, shining white as if it had been polished just seconds ago, he was about to answer, only for an orb he knew all too well to form to their sides. He reconsidered talking, preferring instead to wait for the god he on occasions called his father.

It was very quick visit, Ratius noted, Inzi leaving as quick it had come. Unlike before, this time he kept his face under control, hiding the internal smile of just having been given the support he had hoped for. He took a mental note to visit Inzi, both to thank and to check if Order was keeping it properly stable and alive.Having to reposition himself in light of the clarified rivalry, Midian himself took the intiative to talk. Ratius let him fully finish, before answering him, "Yes. Yes we are. I must thank you for your assurance. As for what is beyond that... I cannot say that I do no share your concerns. I too would not like to see the throne fall to a corrupt, let alone chaotic and unbalanced, deity. No, I wish to tell you that I will be doing my utmost to prevent that."

Scandere, Peragon
Between two small houses, in a small alleyway, distant from prying eyes appeared a man. His age seemed to be beyond what the heavens should allow, almost a walking wonder. A few second passed and the man approached the great marketplace ahead significantly faster than should be possible for him, slowly turning slightly less old.
Strolling through the seas of smells that was the many stalls and shops set up by people from within Scandere as well as people both from up-mountain and the valley, some few even coming from far beyond. Crossing the space not directly, but with many halts at varying shoppes, smelling here, tasting there, often having small chats with the salesmen or other customers, the elder came to the other side. Passing between residences once more he arrived at his destination. The fortifications of the city.

Not giving the guards heed until the stood before him, he slowly walked through open doors, only stopping as spears stood ahead of him.
Looking the eyes of all the soldiers, one by one, he gave them the knowledge that he was not a simple elderly man, that they should let him pass.
As he continued inward he spit on the floor. He was disgusted by himself using means beyond knowing to influence humans, finding such behavior by gods repugnant. He of them all, God of knowledge and learning, should not be doing so. His emotions calmed as he acknowledged to himself that where and when ever possible he would approach humans at their full consciousness speaking to them directly, rather than influecing their dreams and thoughts himself.

He had considered doing so now, but decided to leave his silent visit at that. He came to inspect the progress his students in the work he had laid upon then.
And indeed, he saw construction at certain points in the defenses, and he could see collections of weapons waiting for their new owners, still glimmering from their lack of usage. He smiled in pride of those who embraced him, and in a split second vanished from their world.

"In which case, I truly hope it is one of us who gains the crown." Midian said, bowing his head slightly, "I shall leave you to your duties, and return to mine."

With that, Midian muttered a few words and disappeared, using the power of his domain to take him back to the mortal realm. This was going to be an interesting transition period, he could see that. There were at least two bids for the crown now, and he was certain there were others that he was, as of yet, unaware of. Midian was certainly going to meet with other gods and attempt to gain their support, but he had to take care of his mage's first. Taking on his young, mortal form, he walked into the High Mage's Hall of the Mage's Heart Academy of Sorcery, which was located in the city of Hildopah Lahzey, often just called Hildopah.

This city was the heart of Midian's worship throughout Peragon, and this Academy also served as the Great Temple of Midian. The High Mage not only ran the Academy, but also headed the Cult of Midian, called the Order of the Serpent. The High Mage new Midian's earthly form, and welcomed the god into her chambers, bowing profusely before the two walked over to a map of Peragon. All over the map were small, red dots that appeared at random places. These red dots were Sorcerers, Wizards and Mages, new dots appearing as they were being born. This was how the Two Academies of Sorcery, the Two Schools of Wizardry, and the Two Colleges of Magic found those who were born with magic, and this was how they knew where to send their Letters of Acceptance into the schools.

"My Lord," the High Mage began, "There's been a surge in new Sorcerers. While this is typically a good thing, we have found that most of the new ones are enslaved. How are we to teach them when they are bound to their masters?"

"Simple, my friend, you help them escape." Midian replied, noting the shock on the High Mage's face, "If talking to those who have enslaved them does not work, if showing them the power of magic does nothing, if informing them that the god Midian commands all those born with magic to learn at the nearest place of learning does not persuade them, then return at night and assist the young one in escaping. Then you shall burn the symbol of the First Curse into the wall of their home."

She nodded her head, before bowing it slightly and walking closer to the map. Midian sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. He told her that soon the world of magic and the world without would be united as one, and that all would be well.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Vulrena, Goddess of the Unknown and Monsters
Vulrena's Sanctuary, Ved Peyt

---

Vulrena's eyes shot open as a grin appeared across her face. That's where they are... In a place no God would dare tread, the graveyard of the gods. Absolutely perfect, there will not be anyone watching there, I could easily get in and out without raising any suspicion as they know that it is normal for me to 'disappear' for extended periods. she thought, But who knows what I'll have to face in the darkness... Oh wait, I do. I will have to expect angry dead gods and maybe, though the chances are slim, maybe the Nameless One.

Her smile faded, Who knows what the Nameless One would do if I stumbled into him... she shivered, I can't worry about that. The chances are slim, the Nameless One abandoned this world, so why would he be hanging around? The chances of running into him are very slim. A worthy risk.

She then looked upwards, To be honest, I'm not completely sure what to do once I get the pieces together... I'll have to think more on that, but in the meantime.... I will seek more allies, maybe someone will be willing to help me.... Though I highly doubt that. With that she took a breath and ascended back to Heaven.

In Heaven

Vulrena formed into her dark mist not to far from where she had left. She started to float throughout the halls of Heaven. Eventually she turned a corner and saw something, no, someone interesting. The outcast god, Skyr. If she had a mouth she would have smirked, but instead she just approached silently as a cloud of mist makes no sound.

"Well Skyr. Long time since I've seen you. What brings you to Heaven?" Vulrena said as she floated behind him, "That's a stupid question isn't it. You must have heard that Ava has resigned as the King."

[The 7th Order]

HEAVEN:
After seeing off his followers Tor'Baalos returned to heaven. He hated it up here. Way too stagnant and too...beautiful. The world shouldn't work that way. If he could get rid of heaven entirely he would. Maybe he should tell the other gods that. Nah. Politics is the same anyways. A bunch of alliances jockey for position and power and a new leader eventually rises out of that pit of vipers. Then something will turn the status quo upside down and the cycle repeats. Some gods annoyingly think politics is chaotic and backstabby. It is but it all fits into a pattern. Even chaos does. Personally the only reason he agreed to the alliance with daers was because of boredom. Even then he may begin to regret it. Huh theres Vulrena and.... again all the other gods look the same. Skyr it was? Again he can't remember. Anywho time to relieve the boredom. Maybe he could start a fight? I mean when was the last time he had a good slaughter? Yesterday but that's not the point. Floating over Tor'Baalos screeches in his banshee like voices "Greetings goddess of monsters and Skyr is it? I apologise if you find my memory lacking." Having no personal space his massive bulk floats right up to them as he shrieks at them. Then he took the form of a man without any facial features except for a unnaturally wide smile filled with shark like teeth.

[Valaran]

Skyr's felt a ripple. No...wait, this wasn't another disturbance. It was a voice.

His head turned, confronted by a dark mist. He had been so used to human noises, the scrape of boots on earth, the stuttering patter of their hearts, sounds that announced their presence with clarion calls. But the dark mist before him had travelled silently, more silent than even a demon.

It moved too. It moved like him. Reforming one moment, disassembling the next. Shifting, twisting, unnatural and alluring. Skyr was enraptured. It was a if he starred at a reflection. An almost reflection. This deity moved at a different pulse to his own. An similar staccato informed the cloud as it circled him, yet it was alien.

How long had it been? A deity lost track of time with ease, simply slipping out of focus to find the years had wasted past, and the nature of life had driven forwards, forever changed. Those you remembered - altered; dead. There was no need to be intensely connected with the temporal passing of the world, hinging on every second that mortal creatures did. But Skyr was certain it had been at least three decades since he had spoken to a fellow deity.

"Vulrena." He inclined his head. Information had hurtled past him. A greeting. A ghostly imprint of a smile. "Its true then? That is... unexpected." What happens now? "How has everyone taken it?"

A distraction. A new presence, this one with less silence, and more teeth to its smile. Big, sharp rows of serrated bone-daggers. "Yes, that's right. Skyr." The purple eyes focused on this new presence. There was something off about this deity. Actually about both of them. Something... else, than their divinity. Skyr really wished that he knew what. "Tor'Baalos, it has been an age, has it not?" A hesitant smile. Wide purple eyes. "I nearly forgot myself."

how does one talk to a god? How does one catch with a fellow divine being? Skyr had no answers. He never did. This was not his area of expertise. He stood, flicking his gaze between the two deities, considering creating two sets of purple eyes just so both remained in his vision. "H-" He began again, a little awfully. Well this is awkward. "how have you both been?"

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Vulrena, Goddess of the Unknown and Monsters
Heaven

---

"Yes it is true. And how do you think they've taken it? They have begun to bicker more than normal. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a few wars break out between gods." Vulrena said with a sort of amusement, "This is why I don't do politics. To dangerous for my followers and my children. Also, I would have probably started a few wars now if I cared for politics."

Vulrena then turned slowly and stared into the mad gods eyes. Her eyes like daggers that would be piercing the mad gods soul if he had one. "First off.... Goddess of the Unknown before monsters. Secondly, why do you have to be so rude. We are right here, no need to screech." She then turned back Skyr and his awkwardness, "I've been as I've always been. Neither good nor bad, just normal."

[The 7th Order]

"Unknown, Monsters, Who cares which go first? Of course monsters starts with an M so I prefer that one. However saying unknown is fun!" Tor'Baalos goes one to repeat the word unknown several times ignoring the look she was giving him. His voice went from a banshee screeching noise to a gender neutral baritone. "Oh and Skyr! Where have you been?! It has been really boring since you came back. All that's happened is the king left and a couple humans died. Same old same old. However the most important news is that it has gotten cooler." Tor began to twiddle his 14 fingers as he stared into space. Really though heaven needs a new decorator. Seriously its all the same mostly. It's been ages since the last redecoration. About that when was the last time the place was redecorated....oh yeah. After the quad up and poofed into oblivion. Mostly oblivion anyway. Speaking of oblivion what do you think the nameless one looks like? This inner monologue took about a second for Tor'Baalos as he talked through his mind several more times he looked back at the other two gods. "Though I hate politics would you two be interested in making things a tad more interesting?"

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Vulrena, Goddess of the Unknown and Monsters
Heaven

---

"I care." Vulrena said but before she went on explaining why unknown came first, with it being the domain she was created to rule over, and it was her first priority. Monsters came second, as monsters came after her creation, as they where literally born from her. She took a few deep breaths.

You know.... He'd be perfect... Being a mad god he wouldn't care for keeping the peace. In fact he may be very willing to help me 'shake things up' she couldn't help but think when Tor'Baalos made a proposal. But then again he may rat me out just to cause some mayhem....

"What do you mean by male things a tad more interesting?" Vulrena asked staring at him.

[Valaran]

Skyr suddenly remembered why he didn't comeback so much. It was because, well, to put it politely, gods were batshit insane. Or maybe it was only the veneer of insanity. He very much doubted, from experience, that either deity hated politics quite so much as they pretended. After all, they all had the same urges, and end goal: amusement. It was the driving force of the idle divine ever since the war, all those ten thousand years ago. Skyr played along, feigning an idle interest and replying with pleasantries to both. All the while, ideas drip-fed themselves into his mind.

"It does sound tedious," he professed, slowly allowing his body to become less defined. "But then, things were fairly boring under Ava'eshthan too. For all that we detest politics, perhaps a dose is needed to stave off the ennui that is harmony." His eyes flickered away from Vulrena, and he gave Tor'Baalos a slow, deliberate stare. "How would you plan to spice things up?"

[The 7th Order]

"Well for instance politics is toooo slow and boring. Very dull. I was thinking a straight out coup. A war. A crusade. A whatever your preference. Conflict on a divine scale. On Peragon as well as heaven. Of course there will be many a casualties but really who cares? I certainly don't. Mortals always make death dramatic. Which is why its entertaining! Also imagine the fear that comes with war! It's a much better way than politics." Of course war included politics as well. In his experience though war was a more direct entertaining method of politics. War in heaven would be gritty but a war in peragon would be like watching a play. You could just sit back and watch the mortals running gleefully towards death in the name of their chosen gods. Violence will breed more violence until the conflict reaches...apocalyptic proportions. What better way to spend eternity? Endless conflict and strife. Nations and empires rising and falling. Of course that would eventually get boring. The constant rise and fall would be dull. However it is preferable to the current state of things. He looking closer at his fellow deities to see if he could determine their reaction. Of course such scrutiny was impossible. Their answering would be more intriguing if he had to wait for it. Man other gods talk slow. He could think up an entire book before they had time to talk. Actually he might just do that. Two trilogies and a prequel later.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Vulrena, Goddess of the Unknown and Monsters
Heaven

---

"Wait." Vulrena said as she put her hands out, trying to slow the mad god down, "You are asking two gods who stayed out of previous wars to help you start another war between the gods. I guess you truly are a mad god. Not only do you want to start a fight between gods, you also want to pull humanity into it. You want to throw away the life of not only your followers but ours." She said fairly angrily.

She then took a breath, "I see no reason to stop you though. But I will continue to remain neutral, I can not afford to fight against the other gods at this moment. Therefore, go ahead, start your own war, but you will not find support from me. And if you even think about trying to drag me into this war of yours..." She paused for a second, "You will regret it. Understand. Do no drag me into your conflict."

[The 7th Order]

"Good point. But as I said why not encourage the most sadistic monster to ever live to kill each other? Man is the worst monster there is. The outcome of such a war is also as of now unknown. It fits both your domains so I don't see why not. Also as for me dragging you into the war I would never. Other's will do it for me. All I have to do is light the spark and watch the ensuing inferno make heaven come crashing down!! On top of those delectable humans!" Almost forgetting they are there he continues on "There fear will feed me forever in hell!! The lost souls in heaven having nowhere to go will be driven to hades were their fear sustains me!!!" At this he began to laugh crazily before stopping suddenly. "Of course its much better than politics." Looking at the kings mountain he says snidely "It doesn't look like a comfortable seat for a king at all." Also being king would be boring. Anarchy is more fun. The thought of Peragon itself burning as gods and their cults slaughtered each other in an orgy of fire and pain. Speaking of pain maybe he should run by hell for a quick snack.