Gods of Atherius: The Dawn Age [God|Fantasy|IC]

[Novas Arcanum]

King Kona

Kona paced the halls of Mount Atherius. Storm clouds had gathered and lightning flashed over the palace of the gods.Murr Quhalden had perished in the Maelstrom sacrificing himself to avoid the wrath of the Furies. Murr's monstrous throne had crumbled into dust and King Kona felt his death from thousands of lightyears across the cosmos. Such a shame, Murr was Kona's right-hand man but now was the time to find a replacement as there are supposed to be Twelve Atherian Gods, and now there was just eleven.

Kona rarely did this but now was the time. He would raise his hand and shoot a bolt of lightning anywhere in the cosmos the gods would see the message from where they stood. The Aetherians knew what this meant, a Council of Gods was in session. Kona would sit on his throne made of clouds, and heavenly light, and await the other gods to join the council.

Action: Call Council of the Gods to replace Murr Quhalden.

[The Empire of Tau]

Action: Escape or die trying.

[Ralnis]

Kal'haldan, Successor Lord of Monsters

The Cloven One was sundered, his body ached as his veins glowed gold for a second. He was without the influence of the Maelstrom, for his instinct was tempered. He was without the influence of the progenitor named Murr, for he had died to pass his lordship to him. It was the last act of defiance against the Furies before the chaotic energies tossed him in the mortal realm. He was newly made and without course, marooned on shores and with the freshened memories similar to a newborn with a divine weapon.

This felt very wrong to the Cloven Lord, very wrong indeed.

Still, he wandered just how he would get the ability to lead the horde on Terra. He only had a fraction of Murr's power and not all monsters even listened to him. He looked at the other villages that had humans in them and saw them pray to gods that lived upon the mighty mountain. He saw that the worshipers of mortals have power, power that could be used to help him on his goals.

He perked his ears and focused to the winds to hear any prayers that were given out in the open. While he didn't hear them, he saw something that looked like a village below from the rocky mountain paths. He heard the screams and the sound of monsters and footsteps. He raced down as his cloven feet would take him and saw a village being raided by a band of monsters.

The people were praying for a salvation from any god or spirit to hear them. This would be his first task as a deity, to protect the humans and show these monsters their place. He went into the village with the militia and made his stance with spear in hand and the Divine Sword on back.

"I am Kal'haldan, Lord of Monsters. For too long you have trampled wildly in this realm with impunity. Now these people's prayers will be answered and you shall be punished for your transgressions!"

Action: help the village militia fight off the bands of monsters. The Cloven One takes the biggest among them with his spear.

[Scurvy Sea]

Crexus, God of Madness

Crexus chuckled like...mad behind his rugged mask. Again, a mortal fell to the whims of madness. Oh, joy! One could only wonder where the human's new untamed mindset would take him. Of course, the hunter would most likely get picked apart by the wolves, but still! One could dream! Just as Crexus had been midway through an extended cackle, the abrupt rupture of lightning breaking through the sky on an otherwise cloudless day was a clear message. Yet, it was not one meant for the god. It was a signal of a collection of the Aetherians, those crooks.

The gods that carry themselves so high and mighty! So sure of themselves! The likes of Crexus are not ones to be invited to meetings such as those, for what!? It seemed time to the mad god that somebody rains on the parade of those cowards!

His beaming eyes shot across the forest, glancing into the treetops around himself. An invasion of the heavens themselves, that'd be a good one. One that would really put those pigs in their place.

Action: Break the mind of as many birds in the forest as possible, if at all, to send them towards Mount Atherius to crash the godly meeting.

[Theyra]

Vuthar

"Greets King Greybeard" Vuthar said with respect. "I have come here mainly since your city lies close to my domain and I desire a deal of sorts. More like a trade, I have been thinking about creating an item for me and in exchange, I would grant you a boon. What that boon would be is dependent on what you King Greybeard may desire within reason. The item I want is...," Vuthar heard a crack of lighting and he knew what that meant. He sighed as another interruption would keep him from the dwarves. "So it appears that I have to leave but, I will return and I hope you have come to a decision while I am away ". Vuthar would then be enveloped in light and disappeared once the light faded. A burst of light would appear in the council chambers and went to sit in his throne made out of ice and shined a bright blue light. His gazed turned to Kona, "Kona what matter do you wish to discuss that requires the council?

[The Archipelago Territory]

Ivdar

Ivdar tried to scream, but couldn’t because he had no throat, and opened a portal to Mount Atherius, teleporting there. The other gods stared at him as he emerged from the portal with a cracked skull, and his eye and throat missing, on the ground. He expected Bellicosus to emerge as well, but he couldn’t do anything to Ivdar without punishment in Atherius. Even if Kona let him do something, it wasn’t his domain, Ivdar could fight him here.

[Novas Arcanum]

King Kona at on his throne of golden light surrounded by pillars made of clouds. A dragon one of the divine children of the God of Heavens emerged from above and spoke to him. "Father two Aetherians are en route to Mount Aetherius". Kona had a solemn look on his face and simply nodded waiting patiently for the arrival of these two Aetherians.

He saw Idvar wounded from battle and Vuthar shimmer into existence in the throne room. Kona raised his hand and healed Idvars wounds. "Thank you Lord Idvar and Lord Vuthar it is good that the both of you have arrived". He raised his hand in the direction of Murr's monstrous throne which had crumbled into dust."Murr Quhalden as perished in the Maelstrom how I do not know but his throne is now destroyed signifying his demise. " It is an unfortunate turn of events, but we must choose a new deity to take his place Chaos grows stronger now that Mount Aetherius is weakened".

The other Aetherians may or may not know this but there were powerful forces that were against Mount Aetherius. Kona was not concerned with the petty minor gods, but he knew someone such as Vaedra or Pazuzu posed actual threats to Mount Atherius. Pazuzu would prove a most terrible foe, but it was Vaedra herself he feared the most. In any case there where those who could now take advantage in the chaos and disunity that now afflicted the Mount. A new Aetherian needed to be chosen quickly for the good of the world it was that simple.

[Novas Arcanum]

Council of the Gods

A Council of the Gods was now in a session headed by King Kona.


Crryus

Travel far in the winter snows she did, seeing many wonders of nature. Northern lights dancing in the skies.Woolly mammoths, herds of mighty beasts, walking through snowy plains eating the few blades of grass, and wood hidden deep in the snows. Sabertooth cats preying on the aurochs, and deer that called this wintery land home. She eventually found herself in a forest and came upon hot spring waters. Nature spirits taking the guise of young women with green skin, garbed in dresses and crowns of leaves warmed themselves by the hot waters laughing and playing with each other, they smiled at the Goddess of Rainbows and vanished into leaves and flowers.

Arboreus

Arboreus at first bestowed too much divine power to bless the Sage. Luckily he succeeded in controlling the flow of magic and soon the woman was blessed with his power. She changed from her former tanned skin and black hair to a being of nature her skin becoming wooden and her hair becoming green leaves. She became youthful a blessing from his divinity. Rather this was the intention of Arboreus or not it did not matter now, any more power and she would've literally turned into a tree. Now his chosen would begin to transform into a literal spirit of nature.

Blessed Tree Spirit: (1/4)

Vaxaxis

The Lord of Pestilence would succeed in writing his book. He, however, had no worshippers to make a prophet from he needed to interact with the world of mortals below or else his efforts would continue to give rise to vapid and uninspired results.

Comonos

The Metzli would not give up without a fight. Reapers they may be they were still made of maize grain which was easily flammable. They raised torches and set fire to these beings who would wage war against them. Soon all that remained was a pile of ashes and the victory of the jungle villagers. They soon fled into the jungles believing that Comonos would exact his fury on them.

-10 Maize Reapers.

Idvar

Idvar quickly teleported from the Realm of Destruction severely wounded. He would escape to Mount Aetherius where he was healed by King Kona.

Bellicosus

The Lord of Destruction struck at Lord Idvar violently ripping his throat out golden ichor splattering across his face. Idvar quickly shimmered out of existence leaving Bellicosus in the Realm of Destruction.

Armonk

The Furies taunted Armonk as he fled from the scene lashing out at him and wounding him with their chains of hellfire. Then Murr Quhalden sacrificed himself to the Maelstrom. Then a bright light as bright as an exploding star soon engulfed the Maelstrom. The Furies were reduced to ashes in this sacrifice, but not killed, they slowly reformed themselves from their ashes, to attack Armonk once more. Fate would be on Armonk's side and he would escape before they could.

Laab'as

The Elves would naturally learn this spell of transmutation as if it were second nature to them. Soon they could transform rocks into the metal which aided them in their crafting of artworks and instruments. The elves were becoming increasingly enamored by Laab'as and the knowledge he had promised them. Soon many elven mages would from across the forests to come to learn from his wisdom and Laab'as would gain an even greater presence in the Elven kingdom.

Averios

Averios would struggle in his creation of Hellbeasts. Try as he might he could not create the beast he had in mind. The first creation was a pitiful thing, it struggled to walk and then exploded leaving nothing but smoldering remains. The Lord of Fire had failed in his ambitions.

Hyztlet

The Lord of Insects would succeed in enlarging a scarab beetle a worthy mount indeed.

Kal'haldan

Born anew from the power of Murr Quhalden Kal'haldan would arise as the new God of Monsters. The Furies had been defied by Murr'Quhalden and they had failed in exacting their punishment on him due to his self-sacrifice. Now Kal'haldan found himself on Terra his godly power invigorating him. He would find a village hidden in the mountains, attacked by a band of bloodthirsty monsters garbed in bones and wielding blades of bronze. They slaughtered the humans and the villagers prayed for salvation from the gods. Kal'haldan answered their call and soon traveled to the village.

The humans fought back against the monsters, and with the aid of Kal'haldan they were soon victorious. The villagers would come to worship Kal'haldan for he had killed the most monsters with his divine power, and it was clear he was a god to them.

+31 Worshippers.

Vuthar

The Lord of Ice would soon travel from the Khag Maldir as soon as he came, to Mount Atherius attending the Council of the Gods.

Crexus

Crexus would fail in inciting the bird's toe assault Mount Aetherius. Are you mad? Poop on Mount Aetherius?! The birds chirped to Crexus then flew away leaving him to his mad plan.

[Romae in Perpetuum]

“Stay and fight you coward!” Bellicosus bellowed as Ivdar fled before him, mortally wounded. The trickster should’ve known better than to fight him in his own domain and the war god was prepared to finish him off, when he saw it: a mighty flash of lightning appearing in the blood red skies of the Realm of Destruction. Oh great. The Warmaster thought. Another bloody council, maybe this one might finally lead to a proper war…

He was about to summon his own portal to Atherius when he noticed his bleeding stump, he almost admired the clean cut but the fact it had been done at all made him scowl. He should’ve just destroyed Idvar when he had the chance, he had been spending far too much time drinking and gloating on Atherius. A decent campaign would be just what he needed...after all, even the best of swords needed sharpening now and again. But he would need both his hands for that.

With a snap of his (remaining) fingers, the war god commanded the rocky ground to break apart and with a grunt of annoyance thrust his stump into the malevolent forces of destruction below. To any other being, with the possible exception of Murr, this would have been suicidal at best, but Bellicosus had been formed from the raw essence of Malacar’s domain and, after a very brief attempt to atomise him, it bent to his will and began coalescing into a new hand. Removing his new appendage from the vortex, the God of War looked it over briefly and held it out summoning his Infernal Sword which promptly flew back into his possession. Using it he slashed open a baleful portal to Atherius and strode through, covered in blood, almost nonchalantly.

Appearing in the throne room, in a blaze of fire, the Warmaster looked around and after nodding to Vulthar and sneering at Ivdar he noticed Murr’s throne was gone.
“Kona, King of the gods.” He announced, thudding his fist into his shoulder creating an unpleasant clang. “I see the abommination’s throne is gone, did you kill him? Or did someone else steal that unique pleasure from me?”

Action: Regenerate lost hand from the Realm of Destruction and go to the Throne Room.

[Ostnea]

Laab'as, the Wheel of Mortal Magic

Laab'as was deep in their study of Elven musical magic when the summons was heard. All the Atherians and all the hopefuls were summoned to Mount Atherius, for a god had died. An opportunity, but at an inopportune time. Their cult of magic had begun to attract students from farther afield than just this one village, learners who knew more and would hopefully be ready to teach others. During this crucial period, a god had thrown his life away. It would be unwise to refuse the call, especially when answering it could lead to ascension and greater power.

The Wheel gathered his disciples, and spoke to them.

"All is well here, but not so in the realm of the Gods. A Great God has fallen, and a seat upon the council of the Atherians lies open. King Kona himself has issued a decree that all Atherians and all interested in being seated on the council come to Mount Atherius, and I intend to join this council. If all goes well, I shall return a greater God than I was before. I do not, however, wish to make false promises. I cannot guarantee I will ascend, but I can assure you I will return to teach you further, and organize our group of believers and learners into something greater."

With that, the Wheel ascended to the Mount, shedding their mundane form for their true, godly form.

Action: Ascend to Mount Atherius, ready for the council.

[Novas Arcanum]

Mount Atherius

King Kona felt the Warmaster's presence as he a tore a hole in the fabric of reality and emerged from the Realm of Destruction. He nodded towards Lord Bellicosus and greeted him as a fellow Aetherian. "Hail Bellicosus Murr Quhalden was defeated by the Furies in the depths of Maelstrom, it is now time to appoint a new god to take his place"

He saw Laab'as appear from Terra below "Greetings Laab'as welcome to Mount Aetherius"

[Endem]

Hyztlet once again smiled in his mind as the Beetle was enlarged, he then gathered 50 dragonflies, 25 males, and 25 females, they would become his tribe and worshippers, but, at the same time, servants, he said to them "take the form of your King as I will need you in my quest" he decided to try and get those dragonflies to become more humanoid, possibly in future becoming a civilization of humanoid insects

Action: Get the Dragonflies to be humanoid

[Auphelia]

Hagia
Goddess of Healing and Family

As her power faded back to its usual levels, she could see that one of her followers had absorbed the majority of it, gifted with great powers of healing and otherwise made a perfect human specimen. It had been one of the women, a middle aged woman now surrounded by a weak golden glow, possessed with a fragmentation of Hagia's own power. Magnificent! She would do wonderfully to help these mortals, allowing Hagia's workload to decrease quite a bit. But now they were likely wondering what was to happen next! She hated how often her plans must change, but such is the life of a god, life moving much more quickly when you have more to do and know.

"Ah, I see one of you has been able to receive my blessing. Now go forth, my children, and spread the good word of Hagia! Use what gifts I have been able to impart upon you to convince others of my path and its truth. Farewell, and if you hold true I shall return."

Preparing to go to the grasslands, suddenly she found herself called back to Mount Atherius by that strange feeling Kona always sent out to the gods when he needed them to convene on that blasted mountain. Oh, what could it possibly be now? Kona was always calling the gods up for the most inane reasons, from some nonsense Goddess of Love eschewing her powers to live as a mortal with some handsome mortal man to interrogating gods who he thinks have done wrong and using the might of the Council as leverage to bend minor gods to his will. Tens of thousands of years and at least four meetings had left her a bit jaded to the whole ordeal. With the power of an Atherian, she quickly shone with a fraction of her true power in front of her followers and was transported to her throne on the famed mountain.

Action: Send her followers to spread her word and go attend whatever meeting Kona has called.

[The Archipelago Territory]

Mount Atherius

King Kona felt the Warmaster's presence as he a tore a hole in the fabric of reality and emerged from the Realm of Destruction. He nodded towards Lord Bellicosus and greeted him as a fellow Aetherian. "Hail Bellicosus Murr Quhalden was defeated by the Furies in the depths of Maelstrom, it is now time to appoint a new god to take his place"

He saw Laab'as appear from Terra below "Greetings Laab'as welcome to Mount Aetherius"

Ivdar was enraged when Bellicosus came, although he tried to hide it. He resisted the urge to create an illusion, fearing King Kona would remove him from Atherius if he tried something. He turned to Laab’as, and asked him “We have a vacant seat we must fill, if you wouldn’t mind what do you think about the threats approaching Mount Atherius?”

[Ostnea]

Mount Atherius

King Kona felt the Warmaster's presence as he a tore a hole in the fabric of reality and emerged from the Realm of Destruction. He nodded towards Lord Bellicosus and greeted him as a fellow Aetherian. "Hail Bellicosus Murr Quhalden was defeated by the Furies in the depths of Maelstrom, it is now time to appoint a new god to take his place"

He saw Laab'as appear from Terra below "Greetings Laab'as welcome to Mount Aetherius"

"Thank you, King Kona. I wish my coming here was in better times, but order must reign in the cosmos, and I hope to be a part of those who are keeping the universe in line.

Mount Atherius

King Kona felt the Warmaster's presence as he a tore a hole in the fabric of reality and emerged from the Realm of Destruction. He nodded towards Lord Bellicosus and greeted him as a fellow Aetherian. "Hail Bellicosus Murr Quhalden was defeated by the Furies in the depths of Maelstrom, it is now time to appoint a new god to take his place"

He saw Laab'as appear from Terra below "Greetings Laab'as welcome to Mount Aetherius"

Ivdar was enraged when Bellicosus came, although he tried to hide it. He resisted the urge to create an illusion, fearing King Kona would remove him from Atherius if he tried something. He turned to Laab’as, and asked him “We have a vacant seat we must fill, if you wouldn’t mind what do you think about the threats approaching Mount Atherius?”

"I am a lesser God, so I am only dimly aware of things outside my domain, but It seems that forces are aligning to undo or at least heavily damage the mundane world. Mount Atherius stands as a bastion of order in the face of mounting chaos, and I would like to join your ranks as a protector of the mundane world."

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

Valaxis

Valaxis saw Kona's invitation, and spat on it. "I have no respect for Atherians, with all their false ideas of order and hope. The only law I respect is that of my own."

After spitting on the invitation, he began working on his new plan: he needed worshippers, and fast. All he needed was a prophet. He travelled across the world, from pole to equator, from east to west, looking for a piece of clay. For the Child of Pestilence. A prophet. A puppet.

A fool.

After days of searching, he had found his piece of clay. An old, intelligent (but gullible) man who lived as a respected scholar at the top of a mountain. His name was Ruthalez.

Ruthalez.

Ruthalez.

Valaxis had begun to descend upon the man, presenting himself as the God of Pestilence.

"I am Valaxis, the God of Pestilence."

"I am aware."

He had begun to approach the man, ready to deal with him.

"How would you like magical powers?"

"Pfft, no such thing. Only the Gods can wield such power."

"What is that one ability that you have a desire for, that you have a burning fire for?"

"The power to wish death upon any man. I want to become equal to the Gods. I want to ascend."

"Then I shall teach you such power."

Action: Teach Ruthalez the ability to poison and infect his enemies with violent diseases.

[Arkeyana]

Arboreus

The Forest God had learned to control the flow of divine energy to the Sage. Yet, he still had not completed the process. As he was about to do so, however, he was rudely interrupted by a flash of lightning across the sky. A calling to a Council of the Gods, one he did not care for. Since the days of the Titanomachy he hadn't bickered amongst the other Gods. The Aetherians and their boring fortress upon the mountains, the other minor gods and their own myriad agendas, and in the past the Titans and their desire to maintain power. He had remained Neutral, only striking out when others trespassed on his domain, and he intended to stay that way for the rest of time.

If the villagers were to look around, they'd see that the entire surrounding forest seemed to have gone silent, maybe even moved closer around the village, as if waiting for something to happen. The Great Tree at the center of the town stood tall and solemn, golden light from the sun cascading through it's branches. As Arboreus sent out another flow of Divine Energy, the Sage would begin to receive knowledge. The languages of the Forest, the calls of Animals, the names of the Treefolk, all these strings of information weaved amongst each other in her mind, creating a tapestry of knowledge she could draw from.

Action: Continue to create the Nature Spirit

[The Orson Empire]

Comonos,
God of the hunt and the harvest

Comonos sighed, shaking his head once more as his reapers were cut down by the Metzli. How could he have been so ignorant...of course the reapers would be fragile! They were made out of nothing but a maize skin and a dirt frame. The maize was easily flammable, which the villagers quickly figured out was a weakness they could use to kill the reapers. Comonos had to hand it to these mortals though- they were much more savvy than Comonos expected them to be. The Metzli quickly fled into the jungle, knowing that Comonos would come after them for revenge. Comonos could have chased them into the woods and easily hunted all of them down with his powers, but he did not bother at this point, completely absorbed in his reaper project. Additionally, a false sense of security could provided- eventually the villagers would have to either return or settle somewhere else in the area, allowing Comonos and his new reapers to get their revenge.

This time, Comonos planned the creation of just five new reapers, and with an entirely different construction process. First, Comonos transformed into his bird form and began flying around the area, looking for aurochs to hunt in the wild. Once he spotted an auroch, Comonos would fly down quickly and smash into the animal with his beak, killing it instantly. Then, he transported the dead auroch in his beak towards a location miles away from the Metzli village, in an uninhabited area of wilderness. Comonos repeated this process several times until he had collected a few dead aurochs. As the god of the hunt in addition to the god of the harvest, Comonos hoped that the blood and skin of the auroch would be useful to his future reapers, providing protection to them, as well as transferring the animal's natural ferocity, aggressiveness, and speed into his new reapers.

After collecting the aurochs, Comonos harvested several more bushels of maize, as well as a large pile of dirt that the crops grew in. Comonos first began the process with a dirt base for all five reapers, and then added the maize on top of all five bases. He then collected blood from the dead aurochs and poured it all over the maize, and he also sprinkled some entrails on top just for further enhancement. However, this time, Comonos would add a second layer of dirt on top of the maize, packing everything in tightly between two layers of dirt. When the reapers were brought to life, Comonos would cast a ritual that would allow this dirt to harden substantially, still allowing the reapers to move and fight, but basically creating a natural form of armor and fireproofing for the reapers.

Finally, Comonos would wrap all five of the reapers in the cut skin of the dead aurochs, providing a natural cover for the dirt bases and further protection. With the construction process now complete, Comonos used his scythe to make a small cut in his left arm, once again allowing his golden blood to flow onto all five reapers. He then summoned all of his might as an Atherian to bring them to life. Comonos had noticed that Kona sent out of bolt of lightning with a message, meaning only one thing- a Council of the Gods had been called. Comonos however was still busy with his ritual, but planned to head to Mount Atherius soon.

Action: Create 5 new reapers, using the detailed instructions provided.

[The Empire of Tau]

Having YEET himself out of the underworld, Armonk goes back to what it was doing before trying to help the God of Monsters. Thus, Armonk wonders the vast plains of Terra in search for anyone or thing to populate his lonely Great Northern Storehouse. For weeks on-end, Armonk pasts through forests, swamps and whatnot to find its treasure - people.

Action : Keep searching for peeps to populate his settlement.

[Llalta]

CYRRUS
Goddess of the Clouds & Rainbows

The North of Terra, though harsh, was a work of art in itself. The striking mountains that scraped the skies, dominated the landscapes, like sharp spikes in the earth. And yet housed animals from mammoths to various voles, who called this place home. Auroras waltzed in the heavens, elegant crystals of the sky Cyrrus could only dream of painting. Her clouds seemed ugly in comparison to them, a mere backing dancer to the northern lights. She gazed in awe in all the winter wonders she saw as she traveled. A place where nature's empire still reigned supreme. In the forests she continued her travels, deep into the cave of trees. The woods were thick, the birds chirping away, their songs echoing through the forests.

Eventually, she found herself in glade, a hot spring in the centre surrounded by snowdrops. The sky above was obscured by trees, where Cyrrus was most comfortable and yet the glade gave Cyrrus a sense of peace and comfort. Almost as if this was home. In the springs were a dozen nature spirits playing joyfully in the springs, laughing, singing and dancing with each other, as if it were their last day. At first they didn't notice Cyrrus, whose eye's glanced from place to place, taking in the glade. Cyrrus took in a deep breath. The nature spirits eventually noticed the ever so slightly nervous cloud goddess at the edge, welcoming her to the glade. Some got up and embraced the goddess, bringing her to the edge of the spring, before vanishing into the trees and forest around. And then, all was quiet again. Not even the sounds of the strong northern winds could be heard. Just silence. Cyrrus looked into the spring, only her reflection staring back at her. Her chestnut brown hair was messy and braids had come loose and her toga was laced with the embroidered pearls of frost. Over her travels in the North, she'd become a little dirty it seemed. The spring seemed to call her, inviting her into the warm waters, as crytal clear as the skies themselves.

She stepped slowly into the springs, the wave of warmth pulsing through her body. In an instant, the cold and aches of travelling disappeared, as if she were in heaven. She closed her crystalline eyes and fell into the peaceful nothingness of sleep.

[Scurvy Sea]

"Feathered COWARDS! PIGS WITH WINGS OF HATE!"

Crexus, God of Madness

The god fumed, those winged rats had always had a knack for sass. Once again they had showed their fluency in it. Disrespecting a god in such a manner, despicable. The birds would pay for this crime, whether they yet knew it or not. Yet, the meeting at Mount Atherius still was at hand. Now he stood at a crossroads. Pay back those chirping charlatans with a godly wrath? Or pull the rug from under the clowns at the mountain? Tough decision, one that would take some critical thinking from the mad go-...Wait, where did he go?

"Finally! Gone is that incessant voice that plagues my skull! It will be years before it again finds it's way inside my sacred, treasured mind! Crexus cackled to himself! For with that voice gone, his actions would be unknown to even himself, a truly master stroke! While that noise seeks me in the nests of robins and in the throne of the gods, I'll be busy ELSEWHERE! A village, a human nest lacking any sort of robin. I have been gone too long, it is time again that I treat the simians to my gift. Away I go, leaving the conscience behind and my own intelligence leading the way to my success!

Action: Search for a human settlement.

[Ralnis]

Kal'haldan, the Cloven One

It was strange, having humans worship him and give praise to a monster fighting monsters. There were people circling around him and taking him to their elder's home and gave thanks. They praised him, worshiped him, and made him comfortable as he offered to join in their festivals and burial services. They braided his beard and adorned his horns with small rows of flower petals tied together as their form of tribute. Even among the feast that he ate with the defenders and drank as they whoop his name, he still felt alien among them.

While the village was quiet, he walked outside to feel the mountain air. His monster blood was roaring from the combat and blood his fur was drenched before cleaned. His eyes were filled with bestial bloodlust that was always part of him. This was also boosted by the divine power that turned his blood golden also made his monstrous impulses increased beyond what even normal monsters have. If anything, he was more freighting than any monster walked on this planet.

Yet he focused, took a deep breath and tempered the beast within. Having worshipers did make him feel a boost in power, one that made him want more of it. It was a slight raise, like a single drop of water in an ocean that he wanted to drink all that he could. Mortals and their souls were special as they held the potential to raise a god above their station. If he wanted to try and control the horde and be a true successor to the mantle given to him.

He talked to the worshipers of the villagers to see what is the common happenings in the region. They said that, despite being underneath the Great Mountain, the monsters plague the mountains and the villages. The gods seem to not do much about it, if anything at all. Which explains why the people are in a bind. The gods were in council and prayers were going unanswered. Even then the gods only used the mortals for their own machinations and not care for the rest.

He knew that the people needed help and the monsters needed to be conquered or driven off. He needed to see if there are other villages that he can help or bands of monsters that he came tame by force. The village itself was underneath his protection and he won't see it destroyed by the monsters or other gods. He needed them and needed more worshipers as their souls power his cause to unite the monsters.

Actions: Search for any neighboring villages to help or bands of monsters to bring to heel

[Theyra]

Vuthar

Vuthar at upon his throne and watched as the others arrived at Mount Atherius. "Murr Quhalden is dead and he was killed by the Furies in the Maelstorm? He thought confused, What was he doing in the Maelstorm? Vuthar sighed, he guess the truth of what happened died with him and now they had to pick a god to fill in his place. Who could that be among the lessers gods? He does not know of all the lesser gods, let alone who should take Murr's place. Vuthar had a smirk on his face when he heard that Laab'as wants to join their ranks. He thought for a moment and remembered that Laab'as held dominion over magic. Certainly, an important element in this world and Vuthar will wait for King Kona to speak about Laab'as ascension to their ranks.

[Arkeyana]

The Abyssal One
Thalassus shifted. Dark. Cold. Suffocating. This described their domain. Volcanic vents shuddering heat and nutrients into the abyss, Trenches stretching across the ocean like jagged maws, deep sea creatures navigating without the light of the sun above, this was Their home, no one else's.

The decaying serpent writhed, feeling the Seal that kept them trapped down here for so long feebly sparking and glowing. Now was the time. The spell was weakened. It could break free. It slowly ran the signals along it's continent sized body, feeling atrophied and rotted muscles shift and prepare to move for the first time in Eons. Suddenly, it thrashed, feeling the Seal let out a high pitched whistle as it attempted to keep them still, water boiling from the sheer amount of magical energy being released, even for this near-dead magic. It would not hold Them anymore. Thalassus. Would. Be. Free.

Action: Break free of The Seal

[Novas Arcanum]

Maws of Maelstrom

Council of the Gods


Mount Atherius

King Kona hailed Hagia as an Aetherian, he rarely called councils certainly not for trivial or petty matters he loathed councils as much as the other gods did but they were necessary from time to time. As he was about to speak the image of a woman garbed in robes appeared. It was the Oracle of Menoikio servant of Ponos God of Prophecy.

The Fates have spoken with the death of Murr Quhalden the destiny of the Gods is at a crossroads and there are two doors. One will lead to the continued rule of Mount Aetherius and victory of the gods. The other will lead to the destruction of the world as we know it and the end of the reign of the gods. Depending on the actions of the few, one of these fates shall come to be" .

With that, the Oracle vanished leaving the Aetherians to their council. King Kona looked at the gods of the council." Apophis as broken free from his prison of Oblivion, we should not waste time any longer who amongst the minor deities shall take Murr's position?"

He looked at Laab'as "If no minor deities come then it seems that it shall be you who rises to the occasion Laab'as Lord of Magic"

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prison of Oblivion

Down from abyss that laid above the dark jagged mountains, the Dark Lady emerged. Oblivion a prison dimension in the chaotic realm known as Maelstrom was where this tale occurred. Garbed in robes of shadow she walked to the Dark Tower that held the beast of nightmares. The legendary Draconic Guardians, the children of King Kona guarded the ashen doors into the prison. Donning gleaming star armor holding spears of light they blocked her entrance into the tower and opposed her. Though menacing in her dark robes she was a small woman, the Guardians, however, stood twenty feet in height and towered over her.

"HALT, under the orders of King Kona none are to enter the prison that holds the beast!". The Dark Lady merely raised her hand and the two were raised high into the sky above the tower, chocked to death then collapsing to the ground. The Dark Lady opened the doors and walked into the massive tower that scraped the maws of oblivion. She moved as a force of death swiftly through the corridors of the tower. Everywhere from all directions death struck like a blade against her enemies, killing the guardians trained and prepared to defend this prison with their very lives from intrusion. Like a poison, she spread herself through all halls chocking and killing all who opposed her.

In the heart of the prison, she emerged. An endless abyss laid beyond the door, a gaping hole massive in size. Below was a volcanic lake of fire and lava. Chains the size of mountains descended from walls into the fires. The entire dimension shook as the monster stirred in the ground below. She removed her hood and smiled. "Arise Beast! Long have the gods held you imprisoned here! Now is the time of vengeance, now is the time to break the chains that bind you!"

A monster the size of a mountain emerged, held in place by the chains of the tower. The Dark Lady looked like a speck compared to it. It was a horrible beast incomprehensible in its nature seemingly made from all the mystical monsters that roamed the realm of Terra, tentacles, hooves, claws, and beaks, a head full of serpents, eyes of pure fire "Last spawn of Lord Malacar! Birthed to avenge the Titans, even the mighty King Kona was defeated by your power, once yet he defeated you in the end! Rise from the depths of your ruin to strike and kill the King of the Gods!"

The beast shrieked a horrifying scream that shook the whole of Oblivion, the whole of the Maelstrom. The Dark Lady raised her hands. "Do not fear defeat, for you are great while the Aetherians are weak and petty. Lord Murr Quhalden as been defeated by the Furies, the Age of the Gods is at an end now break free from the chains that hold you, and march to the Maws of Maelstrom, to the world of Terra, destroy the heart, destroy Mount Aetherius, and I shall restore Mount Oligyrtos to its former glory. Do this and I will raise you to new heights from your wretched state." The Dark Lady then unleashed arcs of red lightning breaking the enchantments of the chains put in place by King Kona. The beast stirred once more and broke its chains, Oblivion was unraveled and soon the monster would march to the Maws of Maelstrom.

---

Hyztlet

The Lord of Insects would struggle in creating his dragonfly species. He had never created sentient life before but as a god anything was possible and after much trial and error, he soon learned from his mistakes and began the creation process in full. To create sentient Dragonflies would be no easy task but the rewards would be great. He would have to require "Aspects" that dragonflies did not possess a quest to require the gifts of intelligence that dwarves, humans, and elves possessed but a worthy quest indeed. Still the foundations of this project were laid down and the process began.

Sentient Dragonflies: (1/5)

Hagia

Thus her prophet and followers would head out and traverse the world spreading the glory and word of Hagia Goddess of Healing. They struggled immensely and failed in their quest. The world was a dangerous place while walking north of Cadmus, they were ambushed by barbarians. With no weapons to defend themselves with, they surrendered and were enslaved by the barbarians. Chained and taken to their base they were recruited against their will by the barbarian's Warchief. Their skills of healing would be useful to the warriors, as the healers would heal the wounds and ailments of barbarians in their wars of conquest. Thus they were spared death still in this state Hagia could not benefit from their worship.

Valaxis

The man was at first overwhelmed by the sheer power that Valaxis bestowed on him. Such power would kill most men, but Ruthalez's body would soon accept the blessing of the Lord of Pestilence. The mortal was astonished at his new found powers over disease and death eager to use it against his enemies in battle. He immediately kneeled in front of Valaxis and praised him as a god. This mortal could be useful an instrument of Valaxis to spread influence on Terra. He already felt the power of faith from this worshipper coursing through his godly veins it seemed that many doors to greatness would open now.

+1 Diseased Prophet.

Comonos

It was not wise to disrespect King Kona and the skies above Comonos rumbled with lightning. Still, the Lord of the Harvest succeeded in creating his reapers. With the blood of the aurochs and his own divine golden ichor, the reapers where once more created to serve their god. It seemed that Comonos had learned from his previous mistakes and these new reapers were ten times stronger than the last ones he had created. They awaited the commands of their master.

Armonk

The Lord of Fortresses wandered the wild lands of the north. Fate would be on his side, and he saw a small group of wandering herders tending to semi-tamed aurochs. They stared at astonishment at Armonk never seeing a being so huge before trembling in fear that he would crush them like insects.

Crryus

Crryus would walk into the splendid waters of the hot springs. The warm waters soothed her soul and revitalized her essence. She was soon cleaned from the filth she had accumulated from her travels in the North. She felt her divine power swell, as these hot springs boosted her energy. When she was finished she found her power had increased momentarily and that she could that could normally not be accomplished. What would she do with this new found power?

++ Divine Boost from Blessed Hot Springs.

Khal'haldan

The Lord of Monsters soon wandered the world searching for human villages or monsters to encounter. He soon found a settlement of miners called Hesperus where the people mined glistening copper ore under the great mountains that soared high above the land. They were prosperous and little ailed them, miners, hauling plentiful ore that was the lifeblood of their community. They eyed Khal'haldan with curiosity as they had never seen a creature like him but they carried on their business the rhythmic beating of hammers and shaping of metal,music to the life of this village.

Crexus

Crexus would soon find a settlement of farmers soon enough. The town of Cal Morhen it was called, near the forests where the Lord of Madness traversed. The state of their settlement was wretched and the stench of death permeated through the air. A blight had ravaged their lands, crops failing, and the villagers looked malnourished. Dogs stalked the dirt roads chewing on the bones of the dead. Parents sold their children to slavery to make ends meet and bandits roamed the land. The people of Cal Morhen suffered immensely.

The Abbyassal One

Thus Thalassus broke free from his prison of the Deep free once more.