Pantheon 2.0 - Game Thread

[O-gon-cho]

As the sun set far above, a very different tableau was underway not far from one edge of the practice ground, at the periphery of the weyr. Into a stone chamber with ceilings that appear to be vaulted, or at least to vanish in the dim recesses far above, strode the weyrling-master. Despite his relative weariness, he never failed to appreciate the austere pleasures of his quarters. The walls looked to be highly polished natural granite, with prominent grain and even some subtle tints. Just beyond, very fine joints were just visible near the lintel-posts and supporting the mantel by the hearth of the communal kitchen, where a large fire appeared to have been recently extinguished. A few well-charred logs and a steaming cauldron of what smelled enticingly like stew gave evidence that suppertime was near, and Kavi’s stomach betrayed his outwardly implacable veneer. In the background he heard kitchen sounds and the muted voices of women. A filtered angular light drifted through one narrow window where the thin curtain had been brushed aside by the afternoon breezes. He placed one foot upon a low trestle table, the only furniture visible in the chamber, and began to unlace his leggings.

The master smelled of sweat and leather, with undertones of a peculiar, close aroma that weyrfolk no longer noticed. Redolent in part of smoke and in part of iguana, the scent was subtle yet powerful, and had been known to drive domestic animals blind with fear. He smelled of dragon.

Neither of the two men who followed him into the room appeared to have noticed. Or perhaps they were too circumspect to mention it to a man only too clearly exasperated, tired, and hungry. Why antagonize a man who had been a terror to both men in their youth, which suddenly seemed not that long ago.

The two riders were marked with the insignia of their rank: Brown wingseconds, the workhorses of the weyrmacht. Aside from this concession to social hierarchy there was outwardly very little to tell one apart from the other, or for that matter from the weyrling master in his current garb. They too smelled of dragon, although not to as pronounced a degree. But instead of the sweats of their labors they sported traces of their recent activities in groomsmanship. Faint tinges of mineral oil covered the ever-present sulfurous aftertaste that was the hallmark of working dragons and their riders even when not hard pressed in flaming battle. Still their gear seemed too clean and their appearance too unruffled for them to have come here directly from the stables.

The master’s demeanor darkened as his suspicion grew. This was no casual stop.

“So let’s have it then. Why have ye come?” His tone was gruff and demanding, and they were accustomed to obey it, even this long past training. One rider almost stood to attention, then relaxed. His partner took the moment to reply, hesitantly at first, then warming gradually to the task at hand.

“Well, Master Kavi, it’s not to tax you any further, you need not be concerned about that. All reports to the Weyrleader have been satisfactory or better and it appears another class will graduate on time and in good form, despite your best efforts to break their spirits.”

His partner nudged his ankle gently then broke in.

“What Willem means to say, Sir, is that we all respect your opinion in the upbringing of our youth, especially those of us who came up under your guidance. There is only a minor matter that deserves the wisdom of a steady hand.”

Now it was Willem’s turn to nudge his partner. He was really laying it on too thick!

“Rosteen has an excellent point, Master Kavi. But we would not trouble you before the evening meal. Please, we will return when you have refreshed…”

“Out with it, man, or I’ll refresh you! I haven’t had a moment to spare these last weeks, and with all the excitement lately I am so far behind I can never die. Is this about those illicit flights our young daredevils have been at? I heard there’re three cases of frostbite in Healers’ Temple and one fellow who still can’t look in a mirror without screaming. You call that progress?”

Rosteen and Willem eyed each other in chagrin—this was going about as well as they had expected. Finally, Willem spoke.

“Sir, the between jumps are going exactly according to plan; I’m sure you have read the official report. I couldn’t speculate on the unexplained patterns of injuries you mentioned, but Weyrleader Sio has visited with them and their families and we all wish them a speedy recovery. We have come here to address a more trivial matter, if you please.”

“Make it quick, I’m taking off my pants,” the Weyrling Master snapped, and proceeded to follow through on what the two riders were hoping was an empty threat. The smell in the room became worse.

“It’s the wonder twins, Zhan and Jiayna,” Rosteen blurted to cover his embarrassment. “There’s been too much talk and no good information.”

“If you’re referring to the idle chatter of depraved minds, I give it no credence. Mating is set for the usual season, the Greens will rise, and the Blues and Browns will give chase. Second-year Grendonil is not likely to be ready with his Bronze, Vulenk. Zhan is strong, to be sure, but Jiayna’s unbonded and there’s any number of Browns that will fight him for the honors. Without rider preference he hasn’t got a chance.” The Master grunted as he pulled down his pads and stood up in nothing more than thin silks, relieved of his heavy gear and any further interest in his two guests.

“That’s the crux of the issue, Master Kavi,” continued Rosteen smoothly, pressing his host perhaps unwisely. “There’s speculation they will pair off separately, not mate with the others. Their bond has been strong indeed for opposite sexes and it has not wavered since hatching. Even Brecht has voiced some concern that Jiayna is riderless.”

“Nonsense! No riders or dragons under my supervision would dare defy the old ways! Still, tongues will wag. I’ll see they’re kept separated for the appearance of propriety.” He finished tiredly, despite his initial heat. This trivial concern would not have fazed him, once. Perhaps a year or two more and he would have to begin training a successor to fill his chaps. The idea disturbed him only a little.

Willem was speaking: “…where they are now, I suppose?”

“What’s that?”

“I was only asking if you knew where the two had gone, just now. You see it was mentioned that they tend to wander off a bit more than is usual, and…”

“We’ll lock ‘em up tight after tonight, you bet! None of this sneaking around. I guess two-a-days aren’t enough for them! This time tomorrow they won’t be able to see, much less walk!”

And with that the interview was clearly at an end. The master stalked off to the kitchen, where he was met with the astonished yelps of women who, finding a partially undressed man in their midst, were unsure whether to laugh or be frightened. The two riders covered their grins with their hands and went in search of their own evening meal.

Rosteen turned to Willem as they served themselves from the communal table, and said with a gleam in his eye, “Some things never change, eh?”

Willem looked back at the kitchen as if afraid to be overheard then replied, “Let’s hope he keeps them in check, and nobody has any accidents this year. With all the difficulties these new jumps are giving even our best riders, we can’t afford to have any problems with the new blood.”

They turned and walked off into the purple dark just as a cool wind dusted up the front yards. There was a change in the weather coming.

[Injerian Praetus II]

I stated earlier that there should be no restriction against me expanding my kingdom into the new lands. No one said otherwise. I repeated this statement recently, and no one said otherwise. Therefore, my actions are without aggression. I acted because no one raised issues of territory (further, there is no defined territory of O-gon-cho. Yekithii is mine now.

[O-gon-cho]

m'l-rd Nor Yekith, if found, I beg your indulgence, and request they be returned non-Improved to your standards.

"To my standards." Of course.

m'l-rd...did I say something wrong? I meant no offense...

Nor Yekith, I have declared myself (since dropping the domain Conquest) as the protector of those who cannot protect themselves. O-gon-cho has and always will have, first claim to the lands on Immeril. You have forced yourself into another Gods lands, knowlingly I mention, for the purpose of taking said Gods land. To attack another in defense of ones self, or one who is defensless is Honorable. To attack another preemptively against one who has proved themselves a threat is Justified. To attack another for gain or pride is niether.

This is attack unnacceptable and unJustified. If you do not immediately remove yourself back to the lands that YOU have claim on, you will feel the full force of righteous Justice.

To be clear, Adomorn took this on without my knowlege or consent. I had declared I had no birthright claim to Immeril Turns ago, and welcome all of the Pantheon here.

But...

Must you claim and transform so much of my home, m'l-rd?

[Benito Alvarez]

(I've been gone a lot)

I have seen no mention of announcement of conquest, in fact I have seen NO such mention anywhere. Even so, it stands as it is. We have all sent out peoples at times to land and make towns, but such an expansion can only be seen as a military action.

Should the Pantheon need proof, I give them this:

I am willing to offer an alliance. It is time for malice to rise in this world, and along with it, ruin.

.... I offer protection. I will send a battalion of Houka shock troops to your lands.

... I will answer after the Turn!

Very well; keep me updated. We both stand to gain great power if we stand together.

Should we assume that this expansion was just a peacefull gathering of your followers? I think not.

I have told my allies many a time; when it comes down the final days, if I find myself standing alone against Evil, then stand I will. And I will die Honorably. For as long as there are Crimes in the world, there will be Justice.

[Injerian Praetus II]

First, you are arguing by inference that my mutation of the land is the first stage of conquest. On the Oath of the AllFather, all it represents is my desire to establish new lands for my kingdom. I have made no attempt to attack O-gon-cho (or others, for that matter).

Second, you have to prove otherwise that my expansion was not peaceful. You have not done so.

[O-gon-cho]

Should the Pantheon need proof, I give them this:

I am willing to offer an alliance. It is time for malice to rise in this world, and along with it, ruin.

.... I offer protection. I will send a battalion of Houka shock troops to your lands.

... I will answer after the Turn!

Very well; keep me updated. We both stand to gain great power if we stand together.

Should we assume that this expansion was just a peacefull gathering of your followers? I think not.

Oh man...

And here I am, sitting on the edge of all this, blissfully unaware...

This Turn is simply going from bad to worse...

[Benito Alvarez]

First, you are arguing by inference that my mutation of the land is the first stage of conquest. On the Oath of the AllFather, all it represents is my desire to establish new lands for my kingdom. I have made no attempt to attack O-gon-cho (or others, for that matter).

I am not here to bandy words with you Nor. All that matters in what happens in the end. You have said many a time that your "perfect world" will spread. We can all see that your idea of perfection is tainted by Malice. Your world would be the death of us. As such your "desire to establish new lands for my kingdom" is taken as an attack on my world, and therefor on me.

Second, you have to prove otherwise that my expansion was not peaceful. You have not done so.

It is not needed, it can be infered. Unless the rise of malice and therefore, ruin, can be taken as peacfull.

[Astavyastataa Kadna]

*deep bow*

You will NOT stand alone God of Justice.

Destruction and Chaos are sibling to Creation and Order - a normal part of the cycle of existence. But MALICE and MUTATION have no constructive role to play.

Therefore I stand with JUSTICE!

I and my followers will WREAK Destruction and Chaos on Yor, his followers, and all who are allied with him!!

[Injerian Praetus II]

It is not needed, it can be infered. Unless the rise of malice and therefore, ruin, can be taken as peacfull.

Justice does not act on inference; it acts on the decision of the majority, not on those who carry out the law. Otherwise we are dealing with an abuse of power.

Destruction and Chaos are sibling to Creation and Order - a normal part of the cycle of existence. But MALICE and MUTATION have no constructive role to play.

Think about the role mutation plays in the development of life. How nature evolves.

[Benito Alvarez]

Justice does not act on inference; it acts on the decision of the majority, not on those who carry out the law. Otherwise we are dealing with an abuse of power.

It comes back to my standing alone, Nor. Should I be the only one to see the danger and ruin you represent, then so be it. I would do the same should the majority vote to rape my sister. Mob rule is not Justified.

I know what is Right and Wrong, Nor. You cannot hide behind twisted words, as you twist the world.

[I'm Murrin]

The places of mutation and disease are understandable, yes; what of the will to harm?

[O-gon-cho]

I acted because no one raised issues of territory (further, there is no defined territory of O-gon-cho.

Fine! Let's attempt to rectify this situation...

I see now that these lands are being chopped up as other G-ds see fit. I can do nothing of Nor, but to make things clear, I am making claim on all the mountain range North and West of Scirocco (except for where Simjen has settled) and all of Scirocco that I already control.

I may not be the oldest of the G-ds, but I need to learn quickly how to keep what is mine.

[Injerian Praetus II]

I know what is Right and Wrong, Nor. You cannot hide behind twisted words, as you twist the world.

No more twisting of words than yours. You still infer that my act was an invasion. Please act against me, if you wish, as long as you present evidence my intentions for the continent are wrong.

[Benito Alvarez]

No more twisting of words than yours. You still infer that my act was an invasion. Please act against me, if you wish, as long as you present evidence my intentions for the continent are wrong.

I have already presented evidence that you are activley trying to bring ruin and malice into a dominate position on Eiran. Nor, I could likewise ask you to present evidence that your actions are right, although it would matter not. We can all see that such actions are wrong, even as you try to say they are not.

[Injerian Praetus II]

I have already sworn on the oath that the creation of Yekithii was not invasive. No one defined the extent of the territories on the new continent. You cannot argue that my actions fit your theory. I have always stated I have intended to expand my kingdom, and I have done so. Are you seriously claiming I cannot? I allowed Maeror to expand south to the island north of Khenstorn. Do not lecture me, God of 'Justice'.

I might add that you have invaded my lands recently. Amusing, that.

[Benito Alvarez]

I have already sworn on the oath that the creation of Yekithii was not invasive. No one defined the extent of the territories on the new continent. You cannot argue that my actions fit your theory. I have always stated I have intended to expand my kingdom, and I have done so. Are you seriously claiming I cannot? I allowed Maeror to expand south to the island north of Khenstorn. Do not lecture me, God of 'Justice'.

You swore no such thing. Your exact words, "all it represents is my desire to establish new lands for my kingdom." As I said before, your New Kingdom itself is[/] an attack. An attack on the world of Eiran itself. An attack on life as it now lives. An attack on all the peoples of this world. Even if you do not involve your military it is an attack; one of themost heinous kinds.

I might add that you have invaded my lands recently. Amusing, that.

I have invaded nothing. Both the followers of mine in your lands, and the fleet in Linver have gathered without my orders, although it seems I may have use for them, as it looks as though you will not cease this expansion into realms that dont belong to you.

I will go ahead an argue the point I am sure will be brought up. Yes, you have been stating from the begining that you planned to expand your borders. But I do not march on words alone. Asta has sputed more threats than the rest of the Pantheon combined, and yet no one has attacked him. Your domination of fully a third of a continent in one season is the obvious beginings of a full expansion of the world.

It is THAT that I am responding to Nor.

[Injerian Praetus II]

My main ambassador will be making clear my intentions within twenty-four hours. By this time tomorrow, I will be making an important announcement.

That is all I have to say.

[Benito Alvarez]

Very well then. Let it begin.

[O-gon-cho]

Zandarar is visited by a caravan of Simjen-worshiping dwarrows from the northern outpost of Dondaeth.

m'lord Simjen, while the times in Zandarar are currently filled with grief, I wish to let you know that Raucous is overjoyed at again seeing some of the race of those he met on his flight back across the great waters right after he and I Impressed. May your settlement be profitable, and your followers flourish in their new home.

As for Vaxxa and Solus, Vaxxa fled from the Hatching Grounds shortly AFTER the mutation of southern Immeril, so even if she goes there, she should remain unmutated (and Solus with her). However, she wasn't going south - she was going north, as far as your people and Adomorn's can say.

May I ask that your followers keep an eye open for these two, and possibly a young draconic hatchling as well? While it is impossible to tell by looking at them, I strongly suspect said egg that was taken may be that of a golden queen...

[Simjen]

Certainly, O-gon-cho. Another coincidental occurence in that area:

A group of explorers from Dondaeth, exploring the areas south of Dondaeth, meet a strange group of seven identical people, each of them carrying an identical black gem on their belts. These beings threaten the dwarrows and attempt to persuade them to convert to Astavyastataa Kadna; being met with failure, they attack and slaughter your explorers.