Pantheon 1.0 - GAME OVER

[Marv]

I cannot see how agression will defeat Nephirthos. I think the only option is one of non-agression.

[Queeaqueg]

It’s alright. The last thing I want is a war but it is the only way they can settle things. It is strange how I am always in the wrong. I removed the Northern Kingdom with the God of War but only I get the blame. God of War attacks one of my cities, it doesn't matter. If I attack one, it’s a big deal. Bhakti's followers start a crusade against me and my followers retaliate but I am only in the wrong. I have to respect my boarders but the God of Nature and God of Undead don't have to.

So all I can do is wait for the attacks. I do not have he power to fight you all, I know that but if my existence is to come to an end then I have more then enough power to bring a great destruction as a parting gift. But you have a choice, whatever choice shall bring chaos and malice.

[Xar]

Turn 15 is over. The deadline for turn 16 will be sunday, 11 pm GMT.

L'im Verthackas's tournament has begun! Please remember to let me know if you intend to send champions, and if so, who you will send.

Solus, you might want to offer a more formal-sounding, grand announcement for the great Games of L'im Verthackas...

[Solus]

Less than a bell remained of Alain's watch. Accordingly, the minutes dragged by, entire civilizations capable of rising and falling in the time it took to make a single round of Ai-Toring's watch tower. But despite the dreams of the dinner that his wife was probably cooking even now, Alain kept a proper watch. Therefor, it wasn't by chance that he noticed a speck in the sky approaching him. As he watched, the speck began to find definition, until he could make out the large wings on a grey and black bird.

'An albatross!' he muttered to himself. 'But what in Argothoth's hoary beard is it doing so far inland?' And though his finger on the crossbow itched, something told him to stay his hand.

Moments later, the large bird was landing on the well next to Alain. It turned one black eye towards him, and with a piercing squawk, dropped a wax-covered parchment on the ground. Before he'd even stood back up from reaching for the parchment, the bird was gone, already growing smaller in the distance.

Rolling the parchment out, Alain read the message.

Hear ye, mortals.

The mighty Solus, God of Luck and Lord of the Seas, makes known his intention to host the greatest competition in the history of mankind, where all will vie for a prize of unsurpassed value and beauty.

Are you your god's favored champion? Do you strive for honor and glory? Seeking to make your fortune? Or do you just want to prove to the world and the gods above that you are the strongest, fastest, smartest, prettiest, or deadliest of them all? Then get your hide to L'im Verthackas. The games will start at the turn of the season.

Good Luck,
The Council of L'im Verthackas
Some restrictions apply. See L'im Verthackas Council Registrar to enter

Not waiting for his relief, Alain bolted down the tower stairs yelling, 'Captain! Captain, you have to see this...'

And across the land, in every city, the same message was being delivered.

[Elfgirl]

You also forget that I am more powerful then you thus anything you put up, I can ovecome.

You also forget that, unlike you, I have friends in high places. And what followers of yours came to me and stayed, I will protect. I'm sure many will soon be disillusioned further with such a merciless God. Who wouldn't? Ever realised how many people throughout history changed faith because of disillusionment? It is a Natural instinct of mortalkind to question the actions of their Gods.

So, technically speaking, I did nothing to your followers that they didn't really want to do in the first place. Those who would remain with you are the weak-minded, selfish creatures who only wish for personal gain and glory. The people who turn to me seek a more Natural existence, free from war and strife and petty squabblings over possession. NOBODY owns land - the Lands belong to themselves. Nature allows humanity to live there, but Nature also requests some giving to balance the taking.

I assisted you once, Nepphy, with your forests, and made them large and fruitful for your industries. But your greed exceeds even MY eternal good will. And now that you have TOTALLY pissed me off with your continual harassment of my brethren, and now indeed, show callous disregard of your own people who have had the temerity to 'switch sides', I will not stand by and just let you swarm over the land.

My power goes deeper than you think. Never underestimate me again.

[Avatar]

It’s alright. The last thing I want is a war...But you have a choice, whatever choice shall bring chaos and malice.

Nephirthos, can you not see how your actions and your very dogma cause others to see you as a threat?

If you truly do not want war, then your actions must show it to us. Forget your claims of victimhood. We have all been victims. Ill-Chance is not an attack on you, and yet you deal with us as though it were.

Your rapid expansion and gain in followers cannot do other than make the more peaceful amongst us worry.

If you seek co-operation instead, it is there to be found if you but stretch out the hand of peace, rather than that of war.

I propose a truce for the duration of Solus' games, between all of us.

All who would swear to it, let them speak here and now. And show by their deeds that they do not seek war.

--Avatar

[Queeaqueg]

There can be no truce. Betrayal has already began. I feel the armies come close. I am down to my last option.

[Avatar]

No truce? Not even amongst those who agree to it?

--A

[Queeaqueg]

How can you have a truce.... batrayal is in the air. How can you trust anyone... no one can be trusted. I have no allies, I am a God of no Consequence. Fury.

[Loredoctor]

How can you have a truce.... batrayal is in the air. How can you trust anyone... no one can be trusted. I have no allies, I am a God of no Consequence. Fury.

Thyddian: Welcome to the world of Illusion.

[Avatar]

By labelling yourself thus, you define yourself, and thus kill all other chances before they have the opportunity to draw breath.

Consider this carefully brother deity. There is more to be gained in this world than glory and death. Do not limit yourself, lest you find yourself forced to accept your own limits.

There is no need for you to take the downward spiralling path. Look up instead. It will be difficult at first, but there can be peace if you but reach for it.

--Avatar

[I'm Murrin]

There can be no truce. Betrayal has already began. I feel the armies come close. I am down to my last option.

If you see it so, then you are blind. Even were we all warring on you, you would not be on your last gasp. You still have twenty thousand followers and more cities than any other god. I cannot believe that you mean what you said above. You boast your strength one moment, then claim you are doomed the next. Make up your mind, or be more consistent in your acting.

[Queeaqueg]

For now I remain in Truce mode while the God of Seas thing goes on. I hope others will respect the truce.

[I'm Murrin]

I believe we all would gladly welcome this as a break from hostilities. I must needs find a champion for this contest.

[Marv]

I shall not be sending anyone to the games.

[Bhakti]

For now I remain in Truce mode while the God of Seas thing goes on. I hope others will respect the truce.

As always, I want nothing but Love in the world. Of course, that also means peace. So, while I hope nobody attacks Neph during the Truce (or at any other time!), I strongly urge all to keep their defenses up. While I have not been involved in a truce with Neph, and have not heard of him breaking a truce with anyone else, I must consider the possibility that Malice will attack while everyone else is laying down weapons. After all, how could a truce increase his strength? Be prepared is all I'm saying.

[Atharidan]

The spiked chains dug deep in his flesh.

Damn, it hurts.

The pain were almost unstoppable. The evil warriors were swarming around the battlefield, while the long line of prisoners was towing toward his end.

Jannon Walydur was one of them, one among many that fought for Freedom to be preserved. He was a vigorous man, a powerfully built soldier... But, most of all, he was a peasant. A simple peasant that had decided not to bow his head to the invaders.

And now what... what shall happen... Argototh is about to claim my spirit...

He didn't know whether his family, his beloved family, was killed or not, or what those spiteful demons did to his wife, but at these thoughts he began to feel his blood burning with vengeance. His mighty muscles swelled with strength to break those shackles that were bonding his wrists, but the pain didn't gave him any moment of relief. Black wizards probably infused that dark steel with some kind of disease. He began to feel weird...

Does Argototh announce his coming in this way?

Jannon couldn't stand the pain.
Couldn't stand the vengeance, either.
He wanted Justice.
He wanted Freedom.

No.

I want Strength.

He raised his eyes to the Heavens. He wanted someone to listen to him. He wanted some God to turn His eyes on him...

"FOR THE HEAVENS!! IS ANYBODY LISTENING ME?? ANYBODY WATCHING??"

"Shut up, helpless being!" yelled the blackguard standing near him. "Nobody, no God will answer you. You are nothing to them. You are nothing."

You are not nothing to me, Jannon Walydur.

Who spoke?

I am Atharidan, Mighty God of Strength, Herald of Earth. I shall let you use my Strength to Break your Chains, to rejuvenate from the diseases those vile demons had afflicted you, to Smite your Oppressors and those of your comrades shackled like you.

Is it real?

Yes, it is, My son. You had always fulfilled your duties to the Earth. You tilled Her. You strengthened Her. She rewarded you with your strength. You always behaved in Good. Now I shall help you.

Suddenly the pain vanished. The shackles seemed light and inexistent. With a short movement Jannon broke the dark steel down in pieces.

How could I ever thank You, My Lord...

The spiteful blackguard had seen everything.

My Divine Strength is in you, My son. Smite them all in My name!

"What the hell is going..."

The ugly being was stopped by a ferocious fist to the torso. The sound of broken bones filled the air. The black heart of the brute was pulsing in Jannon's right hand.

I cannot believe my own eyes.

You have to, My son. Now you are My Champion, My Herald, My Prophet. Smite those atrocious being, free all prisoners. For I am the God of Strength, and I give you the Might to do this!

*******

That day something unexpected happened.
Something more unbelievable than the return from the battlefield of hundreds of prisoners that considered themselves already dead.
Something more stunning than the defeat of hundreds of blackguards by hand of a single soldier, named Jannon Walydur.

Those who had lost Faith found a reason to believe. Found who to trust.

Atharidan.

[Marv]

Ordine Naturale: Welcome Atharidan. Watch your back, there's some seriously crazy gods around here.

[Avatar]

Welcome to the Pantheon brother deity. Please be so kind as to inform the AllFather, Xar, of your dogma, that we may know and understand you.

May your sojourn among us be a fruitful one.

*bows*

--Avatar

[Xar]

Turn 16 is over; deadline for turn 17 is sunday, 11 pm GMT.