Pantheon 1.0 - GAME OVER

Post by **Xar** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:07 am

MORGATH

"Pah! So this is the divine assembly? This is the "council" that decreed that my people should be exterminated, that we should be destroyed like pests infesting a field? Weak and simple-minded! Cowering in your marble halls, like mortal children, while the strong among you take over all that you hold dear!" *Sneer* "When you will be gone, what will stop your sibling - yours, never mine - to take over the world? You disgust me, all of you! So ready to join forces to repel me and my brethren, to crush us beneath your heels, and yet so unwilling to fight for battles more easily won. You deserve what you will get! But make no mistake, malicious godling of the north: I, Morgath, shall never bow to you. Try your hand at me, now or in the future, and I will cut it off from your divine arm, and make a trophy out of it, that all might see your defeat. Send your troops against me, and I will give them to my people as food. Try to extend your influence into my realm, and I will reduce you to a gibbering wreck screaming in the endless void. This is my promise to you, malicious little godling, and it is the fate that awaits all the other gods who will try to destroy me and my people. Should we even go down, we will exact a price of blood so high, that the world will never be the same."

Post by **Argothoth** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:21 am

MUUUUUUUUUAHAHAHAHAH

Post by **Xar** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:34 pm

SOLINA

"I have watched as Malice made its way through the world; my mind has been clouded, but now I am no longer heedless of the world's need. The armies of the gods stand against the seemingly unstoppable might of the Harbinger of Destruction: know that my power will stand by the forces of Light, by Bhakti whose words I treasure in my heart, and by Movahl my love, whom I will not fail. Take heed, Lord of Malice!"

Post by **Bhakti** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 3:37 pm

Greetings, Solina. It is good to see you after all this time.

Post by **Xar** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:19 am

Turn 9 is over. Deadline for turn 10 is wednesday, 12 am GMT.

Post by **Loredoctor** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:47 am

They say that before work was started on the mirrored city of Ai-Thyddian, before the first glass pillar was struck into the soil, a strange event occurred in the heavens. The sky was empty of cloud, as still as death's breath, but alive with a charge as though a thunderstorm was nigh. But the sun shone down on the land without obstruction for no storm gathered. Then, the sun seemed to dance about the sky and shafts of weird light played across the land, whilst eldritch spheres of colour flickered here and there - like playful willow-the-wisps or mocking spirits. Where the shafts of light struck the ground walls of shimmering colour arose, as though some architect in the sky was sketching out the plan of a city.

It was indeed a city.

Hundreds of artists, artisans, outcasts and wanderers flocked to the land, following the celestial phenemenon. Where they found the walls of light, they sketched out on paper, skin, bark or the earth a plan. Over many hours they completed the design and immediately the phenemena ceased, as though some god was pleased with their work. Then they started work on constructing the city - not just of stone, wood or brick, but also using mirrors and glass forged from sand. When asked why they did this, they replied that the mirror and glass complimented the hard material: that the permanence of stone was countered by the impermanence of glass; the surety of wood and brick was countered by the reflected distortions in the mirrors.

It took months of pain and strenuous effort to finish the city. But it remained nameless, for no one knew what name to give it as no architect, nor god, they knew of, had suggested a name. Instead, they stood on the surrounding hills, caught up in solemn silence and awe as they stared at the glistening majesty. Tall and narrow houses clustered the winding streets, interspersed by towers that reached into the distant sky. Hundreds of cables delicately arched between the towers like some vast spiders web or the rigging of a massive sailing ship. As though to catch the wind, sheets of multi-coloured cloth fluttered lazily in the breeze, or during strong weather stretched tight with the heavy wind. Thousands of mirrors covered the city, so that every house and tower seemed girdled by bands of shining metal or glass. Coloured glass filled every window, and almost every tenth brick was made of opaque material. Tall mirrors swung on copper gears on the outer walls of the city to catch the sun or moonlight and reflect it at the tallest tower - which was built more like a impossibly-tall needle topped by a throne - so as to almost always keep it lit up in bright or soft light. Other mirrors cast light that intersected in areas of the city to create illusory buildings, parks or people; half the city is ephemera.

The day after the city was complete, the electric charge in the air grew stronger, and eldritch lights played in the streets, wisps danced in the rigging, and green and red arcs of crackling energy crowned the towers. A storm seethed across the sky, a dark purple like the bruises of a god, rumbling with some deep anger. As the citizens cowled, a might voice called out: 'Seek shelter! Do not fear the weather when you have well-built homes to live in! Why cower when your god has provided you this city?' At that the people fled into the city as rain, lightning and a torrentual wind was hurled at the city.

When they were all safe, the storm ceased. So every citizen walked out of their homes in wonder to see it dissipate. The wind carried the broken clouds to the tallest spire, and they seemed to gather above the throne, forming the shape of a gaunt giant. Yet, the form never gained solidity, instead shimmered like a mirage or the form drifted about like a cloud. Roughly, the gaunt giant form remained.

The giant's strange voice was soft, yet it appeared as though the winds carried it across the city. 'I am Thyddian! God of Illusion, Master of Air! Serve me well and I will continue to protect you, such as providing you homes to shelter you from the elements. There will be many demands from me, but of all I make, this remains the most important: Everything is illusion and ephemera. There is no truth. Look to the air, the inconstancy of the clouds, the chaos of the wind and weather. Obey not the laws of the world, but follow the Word of Thyddian to accept the true way to understand everything. Disrupt the orders of others as there can be no truth other than the way of Thyddian.'

Thus, the city of Ai-Thyddian and the Cult of Thyddian was born.

Post by **Bhakti** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:40 pm

It is no surprise that Malice would target Love. Natural opposites, and all. (Indeed, Malice plays a part in defining Love.) I am extremely grateful to all who played a part in my continued existence. No, we have not seen the last of Malice, but the immediate future might - might - be a bit more calm.

If I may be of assistance to anyone in matters of Love, no matter what kind of Love is involved, do not hesitate to let me know. I cannot often be of much help when War is being waged, but I hope to prove of value to everyone regarding the quality of life in peacetime.

*bows*

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:53 pm

Would you be so kind as to give some of your attention to some followers of mine who recently have taken it upon themselves to cause harm? Perhaps they can be made to love their fellow man, and wish no hurt upon them?

Post by **Solus** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:11 pm

Is it chance that a god of wind arrives as I claim the sea? Furthermore, what is the significance of a god of illusion when I discard the mantel of secrecy? Curious events. Be assured, I'll make the best of it. Thyddian, it would be best if we worked together, wouldn't you agree?

Yes, my brethren, I have abdicated the title of Lord of Secrets for that of Lord of the Sea. I looked upon the men of the sea, and in their struggles to find fortune on the water, I saw more in them than those hiding in the shadows. Be it a captain navigating past shoals and reefs in the night, or a fisherman casting his nets in search of schools, they all need a little luck. Instead of praying for luck from me and mercy from the pitiless sea, they can look to me for both. That's right; two gods for the price of one.

The sea is vast and deep, my friends, much like the fields of possibility and probability. Similarly, they can be mastered by anyone with a watchful eye and a fast and steady hand... for a time, anyway.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:54 pm

Solus wrote:Is it chance that a god of wind arrives as I claim the sea? Furthermore, what is the significance of a god of illusion when I discard the mantel of secrecy? Curious events. Be assured, I'll make the best of it. Thyddian, it would be best if we worked together, wouldn't you agree?

Not to mention the coincidence of a god of seas arising on the very turn I begin to construct my port and assemble a naval fleet.

Post by **Solus** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:15 pm

Yes, that was a strange... turn of events. But worry not, Maeror. I am not a covetous god. So long as you do not actively seek to work against my interests, your actions on the sea can only bolster my own status. Thus, I would have no need to oppose you. Indeed, there is likely much we can achieve together.

Post by **Loredoctor** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:55 pm

Thyddian: Solus, loath as I am to enter into any diplomatic arrangement so soon, my interest in doing so is twofold. First, you may be master of the sea, but my winds scour the surface and create your waves and the means for ships to sail over it. Why should they be necessarily linked? However, the sea's impermanence draws me to it. Ai-Thyddian looks out over the ocean, so that myself and my followers can witness the endless succession of forms and actions in the waters.

Second, you have shown my philosophy in your recent actions - casting aside falsehoods to expose deeper secrets. But where does the illusion end?

I cannot secure an alliance, and will watch for know,

Post by **Elfgirl** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:17 am

Do not be so hasty, darlings. You forget that, as Goddess of Nature, both the oceans and the winds also respond to MY call...

Post by **Loredoctor** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:28 am

Thyddian: Do not be so hasty, goddess of nature. Wind is of the heavens and thus above your realm. I am the Master of Wind.

Post by **Elfgirl** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:34 am

Ah, but I have the power to summon storms - as you will have noticed in my first encounter with Rydnick (my favorite darling!)...

are not winds part of storms?

therein, you see, it is part of Nature...

Post by **Avatar** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:56 am

Greetings, and welcome to the Pantheon, Thyddian and Arrai.

My own thanks with Bhakti's, my bretheren, we have prevailed. And more good has been accomplished than even that. The alien rift closed as well, thanks to the efforts of one of us.

I wish you well in your endeavours Solus, an apt and fitting sphere, (for every sailor needs some luck

) and though I have no ambitions seaward myself, knowledge of the stars shall be freely available to those of your worshippers who seek it.

Peace bretheren.

--Avatar

Post by **Loredoctor** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:05 am

Elfgirl wrote:Ah, but I have the power to summon storms - as you will have noticed in my first encounter with Rydnick (my favorite darling!)...

are not winds part of storms?

therein, you see, it is part of Nature...

Thyddian (briefly manifesting as vast figure made of old branches, before flickering into a giant of sparks and shadows): Yes, but nature is tangible, as are storms. But can you see the wind? You can see its effects on the leaves of trees, the grass and the sails of ships. The same way laws are invisible yet their effects upon men and women are noticeable. When one man declares 'this is bad' and thus writes it out and then acts upon his law, he merely masks the intangible with word play and material objects. Thus, all is illusion. You point to nature, storms, and say 'this is nature' but point to me the wind? The wind is truth - an underlying, chaotic and capricious force than men and nature try to circumscribe - as you have just done - but what we call 'the wind' is merely identifying illusion.

Therein lies the wisdom of Thyddian.

Post by **Bhakti** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:20 am

I am MOST pleased that I do not claim any part of the Natural world!

Perhaps you two should get a room.

Post by **Loredoctor** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:26 am

Thyddian: Ahhh, Bhakti, the god/goddess of Love. I am pleased to finally meet you. I also look forward to the ultimate wisdom of Thyddian flourishing in your cities and lands. For what greater maker of illusion is there than love? For does not love push to lofty heights the merits of lovers and interests, and mask flaws and inconsistencies?

Yes, no greater tool of Illusion than Love.

Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:37 am

Welcome, God of Illusions.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Pantheon 1.0 - GAME OVER