Pantheon 2.0 - Game Thread

[Xar]

Let me explain, O-gon-cho...

Another deity has a child of destiny that was born to my followers. My domains did not make me aware of this. But when this deity asked me for permission to search my lands, and asked what could be done, we came to an agreement. No difficulties at all. My people, naturally, did not want to give up the child, nor did they wish to leave their families and my lands. So the deity sent some followers who are helping my people raise the child. They know that they will not be pressured into raising the child in any particular way, but that those followers will be a presence in the child's life. And the deity knows that if his/her followers report the child is being raised in ways that will likely make the child the deity's enemy, I will go to lengths to prevent it.

Had I known where my child was, I would have asked Melirelle for a similar thing. The truth is, it had not occurred to me that she is aware of the nature of every important birth. (Nor was I aware that she had followers on Kortral, but, as she said, many deities have followers nearly everywhere.) As it was, I asked Mithyaat Vam for permission to search Kortral, since she is the only deity primarily based there.

Also, when my domain revealed to me that a mermaid had fallen in Love with Undine, I immediately informed him that I knew of it, and asked if I could do anything for him.


Now, let us consider how Melirelle acts in a comparable situation. She knows her followers have given birth to my child of destiny. She could have at least told me that she knew of the existence of this child of such importance to me. She could have told me that she knows where it is, so I need not spend DRP's looking. She could have offered to work with me to come up with a way that would let me help raise the child so it would not become my enemy.

But she did none of that. Not the slightest courtesy. This, after humbling me, and after I proclaimed to all that I would not consider her my enemy any longer.

Yes, O-gon-cho, I am angry. Love does not mean letting others act against me without even a word being said. And, unless Argothoth is lying (which I do not believe, both for my and my father's relationships with him, and for the things I know of Melirelle's handling of this situation), she is most certainly acting against me.

And if you ever hoped to persuade me to give your child of destiny over to you, you choose a poor strategy, for now I am more persuaded than ever that I should keep him away from you, lest he learn the ways of this "love" you profess towards your foes.

As though you were even considering allowing me even a peak at the child.

And now you know why I would not help you in your recent request. I already knew what you were trying to do with my child of destiny. What on earth would possess me to give you DRP's??

Melirelle

As you used to do with Nor Yekith, you put words in my mouth and assume many things far too easily. As you used to do with Nor Yekith, you grasp at flimsy excuses in order to feel the righteous one, to point your finger at another god and say "there lies evil". Now that Nor Yekith is no longer, have you no other outlet for your hatred, God of Love? For hatred is in your words - not anger, no, certainly not righteous wrath, but hatred. I could not imagine any other reason which would lead you to act in ways that would be certain to put me against you, to attack me as I grieve for Nor Yekith's loss - for YOU of all people knew I loved him - and then to climb up your pedestal and point your finger at me, claiming I am evil, I am malicious.

Did you ask the Goddess of Fate about this birth? Did SHE tell you it had occurred? For you should know, as I do, that a child of destiny is surely something she would learn of. And yet, though I gather she did not tell you of him, you do not point your finger at her - but at me. Interesting, is it not? You choose to trust the word of a traitor who just raised millions of corpses from their well-deserved rest, tearing countless souls from the afterlife and dragging them screaming into their lifeless bones just for the sake of completing the greatest necromantic ritual ever conceived, over the word of one who saved your child.

Save your righteous speeches, God of Love - if Love is even in your heart any longer. I have no wish to further bandy words with you, for you have learned Nor Yekith's lesson far too well, and will see malicious intent even when there is none, as long as it feeds your righteous indignation.

[Argothoth]

I did what i thought was good for me.
I used Melirelle and Yekith to achieve a success that i could never achieved alone.

I don't want to see this world destroyed by the fury of the gods.
I want my own paradise, i want my perfection. I made a lot of sacrifices, my own domain to create the first undead god, and an ally to summon all the dead of Eiran.
As i said before, i do not expect that you all understand me.

Betraying Nor Yekith was necessary to gather enough power to summon those undead. And i do not regret what i did. Power, knowledge and necromancy demand sacrifice, as it is for a lot of things.

Nor Yekith was the offer fot the other gods to make them trust me. Indeed, it is not my intention to use the undead to conquer the world. I don't want it, i never did.
Simply, i really believe on my ideals, eternal life and endless knowledge. I'm ready to do anything to achieve what i dream.

I will go on with my plans, and i will be ready to defend myself, my undead, and those who want to be on my side.

Odal, we already spoke together, i don't need to say anything more here.

Melirelle, what i can say? My explanation for my actions is above.

I hope to see Eiran alive for long time more.

[Bhakti]

I could not imagine any other reason which would lead you to act in ways that would be certain to put me against you, to attack me as I grieve for Nor Yekith's loss - for YOU of all people knew I loved him - and then to climb up your pedestal and point your finger at me, claiming I am evil, I am malicious.

Attempting to ensure that my child of destiny grows to be my enemy tells me that you are already against me. Pointing my finger at what you are doing is... I don't know the word. However, as with your creator, I will put your actions against me under a very bright light. Whenever I learn of similar acts against me, all will know.

Did you ask the Goddess of Fate about this birth? Did SHE tell you it had occurred? For you should know, as I do, that a child of destiny is surely something she would learn of. And yet, though I gather she did not tell you of him, you do not point your finger at her - but at me. Interesting, is it not?

No, it is not. Of course Norn knew about my child of destiny when he was born. But I knew he was not in Norn's lands, but in Kortral. She knew nothing more than I did. However, if I learned that the child's parents were her followers, but she said nothing to me about it, I would most certainly have had words for her, just as I had for you.

You choose to trust the word of a traitor who just raised millions of corpses from their well-deserved rest, tearing countless souls from the afterlife and dragging them screaming into their lifeless bones just for the sake of completing the greatest necromantic ritual ever conceived, over the word of one who saved your child.

Argothoth is no traitor. He was a double-agent. There is a difference. He chose that role the moment he returned to Eiran. Nor Yekith told him about his plans to destroy me; about the hugely powerful mutating worm; and other things.

Your efforts to save my daughter confused me greatly. I was extremely grateful, but suspicious that Nor Yekith's greatest servant - even if you were no longer his servant - would do something for the one he had sworn to destroy. However, I had another reason - an exhalted reason - to believe your words that you intended no harm to me.

Alas, aside from not having the simple courtesy to tell me that you had my child of destiny - a courtesy that would have cost you absolutely nothing, and would have cemented the bonds between us that you now claim you wanted - you tried to enlist Argothoth's help in corrupting him, and, even without his help, I cannot imagine what you are doing.

Save your righteous speeches, God of Love - if Love is even in your heart any longer. I have no wish to further bandy words with you, for you have learned Nor Yekith's lesson far too well, and will see malicious intent even when there is none, as long as it feeds your righteous indignation.

Yes, tell me all of this again after your efforts to turn the child into my greatest enemy are fulfilled.

[Vadhaka]

*shrug*

Information from an implicitly trusted ally is more reliable than that of an uncertain friend.

More than enough reason to not ask, the fear of speeding events with the revelation of knowledge.

As for dialogue, consider this the opening of it surely? I have seen no threats, no demands, merely the revelation of knowledge.

Your response could have been otherwise sister, to convince all that Bhakti was mistaken. Permission to collect the child, an offer of delivery. Instead, accusations and indignation.

Actions speak louder than words, for good or ill. Ignore Bhakti's righteous ire for now and consider your response. Choose now and play a hand in dictating the future course of Erian, again for good or for ill. Provocation serves nobody sister. Choose wisely.

*bows*

Bretheren, attend.

I do not believe that we made true mistakes in arriving here, each acted as they believed fitting right or proper in accord with their nature and their will.

But if the threat that we feared and prepared against is gone, then I say this is a time to move forward in unison rather than in opposition.

I for one do not wish to see us descend into petty squabbles and minor wars. Perhaps this way is better than all-out war?

Hear my suggestion for us all:

All planned DRP usages to be canceled.

All deities to provide 2 DRP to the AllFather to remove the star, and the geas upon the lands of Kehnstron and "Yekithi"

All other DRP to rebuilding or dealing with internal problems or issues, our own, or those of others if they seek our help. (If you're anything like me, you've all got problems that have been ignored because of these perilous times.)

Let us spend a turn healing the damage already caused and considering our way forward.

If we are the so-called gods of "good" then let us behave like it. For this turn at least. Let the inhabitants of Nor Pupae and Yekithi choose their own gods, let the map be drawn anew.

What say you all?

[O-gon-cho]

Bretheren, attend.

I do not believe that we made true mistakes in arriving here, each acted as they believed fitting right or proper in accord with their nature and their will.

But if the threat that we feared and prepared against is gone, then I say this is a time to move forward in unison rather than in opposition.

I for one do not wish to see us descend into petty squabbles and minor wars. Perhaps this way is better than all-out war?

Hear my suggestion for us all:

All planned DRP usages to be canceled.

All deities to provide 2 DRP to the AllFather to remove the star, and the geas upon the lands of Kehnstron and "Yekithi"

All other DRP to rebuilding or dealing with internal problems or issues, our own, or those of others if they seek our help. (If you're anything like me, you've all got problems that have been ignored because of these perilous times.)

Let us spend a turn healing the damage already caused and considering our way forward.

If we are the so-called gods of "good" then let us behave like it. For this turn at least. Let the inhabitants of Nor Pupae and Yekithi choose their own gods, let the map be drawn anew.

What say you all?

Other than the fact that I believe Yekithii to be inhabited only by mutated non-sentient beasts, as I do not believe Nor Yekith had time to transport any followers to the uninhabited, other than the followers brought in by those there, continent of Immeril (although my wings have yet to do a flyover for fear of residual mutating waves) , I would give a resounding 'Aye' to this proposal. And to extend still the proposition I privately began with Argothoth regarding settling his Undead, if the lands are healed and the AllFather is agreeable to this.

[Astavyastataa Kadna]

Ahhh ... no CHAOTIC WAR?

I could gain much ... and would enjoy DESTROYING the STAR ...

That said ... if all are agreed ... I will donate my 2DRP to the AllFather ... to let the STAR fade away never to return ... to let the geas upon the lands of Kehnstron disapate and fade away. And for ALL effects of mutation, whether on land; sea; underground ... anywhere be reversed and all manner of MALICE be as if it never existed. And the KING ... DESTROYED ... or imprissoned.

The newly freed people and lands will be free to choose the deities to whom they would give their loyalty.

What say you AllFather ... is this a possibility ... or do we WAR!!?

As to YOU!

Other than the fact that I believe Yekithii to be inhabited only by mutated non-sentient beasts....

You call MY mutated followers non-sentinent beasts!! Watch and ware dragon goddess ... you risk my ire!!

[Mithyaat Vam]

my brother Vadhaka speaks with the voice of wisdom. long have we warred and for little gain. i support this plan of his.

[Vadhaka]

My thanks sisters. *bows*

Brother Astavyastataa, I do not believe that we can reverse the mutations this way, or that our provision of DRP would be enough to do so.

Nor in fact do I seek it. Let the gods of those lands seek their own path, whether by healing through Maeror or Bhakti or whatever other method, if they so wish.

And if those gods wish to shield their own lands from sight, let them do so with their own power.

As for the King, I seek no vengeance against him. He obeyed the dictates of his faith, as we would expect all peoples to. Let him now obey the dictates of his new deity if he chooses.

Of course, I exempt our newest brother from this, (even as I welcome him). This mess is none of his making.

[O-gon-cho]

As to YOU!

Other than the fact that I believe Yekithii to be inhabited only by mutated non-sentient beasts....

You call MY mutated followers non-sentinent beasts!! Watch and ware dragon goddess ... you risk my ire!!

No cousin, you did not quote my entire message. I admit my writing is never clear, but especially when I start to tire, and I humbly admit I had forgotten your lands are currently within what has been mutated by Nor Yekith.

Other than the fact that I believe Yekithii to be inhabited only by mutated non-sentient beasts, as I do not believe Nor Yekith had time to transport any followers to the uninhabited, other than the followers brought in by those there, continent of Immeril

My sincerest apologies, as I meant to say other than the followers brought in by the deities who settled lands there. My own had a hand in bringing your followers there. I would never refer to them as non-sentient beasts. I meant those who were there before we arrived in Immeril, as I believe Nor Yekith did not have time for any of his followers to travel to Yekithii.

Am I forgiven, m'l-rd?

:::glancing to see if the maelstom is soothed:::

Of course, I exempt our newest brother from this, (even as I welcome him). This mess is none of his making.

Can we welcome Moxinomal prior to his reveal? If so, I too extend welcome, and look forward to learning more of how you come to be among us.

[Moxinomal]

Well, I am glad to see that I am not hated the moment I set foot in to exsistance, that's the last thing I need is the monkey the size of a mountain on my back.
Of course though, I look forward to contributing my fair share in this whole ordeal. It's sad though, the madness that would have been brought about by a war would have greatly effected me as well.. and I am just coming!

[Moxinomal]

On the continent of Immeril, set within a valley between two looming and craggy peaks sat a small cottage. It looked like any kind of rustic home that you would have found within the mountains; stone walls, straw roofing, even a small fence made of roughly cut wood encircled the residence. Within, though, was everything but ordinary. Curled in a small ball against the convergence of two walls sat a shivering mass of a man. The poor human looked as though he hadn’t seen the land of his own dreams in numerous nights or for that matter, the bottom of a plate. This scrawny human named Sanuta stared blankly across the room to the still twitching remains of his wife and son that he had buried just months before. The sword (used mostly for defending the man’s property) was left blood-stained on the ground between a severed arm and himself.

Something strange had happened Eiran; the dead had risen from the grave and walked amongst the living once more. Of course for a man who lost his world not once, but now twice, it was beyond comprehension. So many questions raced through his scattered mind and he could not conceive the answer to any of them. “How could they have come back? Am I so unlucky to have my own family come back from the grave to try to kill me? I saw them die, didn’t I? No. I am sure they died. THEY DIED! I buried them with these hands of mine!” Sanuta slammed his hands against one of the walls. “Is this really happening? Have I lost my mind?!” The man stood, stepping forward then bending to grab the hilt of his weapon. Bringing it up, only one through managed to come to his mind… death for what he had done. Death to end the countless questions that seemed to remain unanswered; it had to be the only solution.

As he closed his eyes and raised the sword, but when he closed his eyes a radiant splash of color was all that he saw. Yellows and greens, blues and reds, purples and oranges; an endless prismatic torrent. Opening his eyes, he looked to what was left hanging of a mirror on the wall across from him. In it, he saw a red and black mask’s empty eyes staring back at him. A shrill cackle filled the air and Sanuta dropped to his knees clutching his ears. “Now why would you want to go and do a thing like killing yourself? How would you ever get the answers you so desire to the questions you have?” Looking up with a quizzical look on his face, he managed to stammer out a few words. “H-how do you kn-know about my questions?”

“You called for answers.” The high-pitched and throaty voice said. “I am here to give you your first answer. Yes, you have lost your mind. Isn’t it a liberating feeling?” All Sanuta could do was stare confusingly at the mask that seemed to be talking to him. It seems the mask was right, how else would he be talking to a mask? He seemed relieved to have found at least one answer in a sea of questions. “Who are you?” Sanuta asked with a very questioning tone to his voice. “I am the one who will provide you with the answers you seek, with the answers that all seek. The gateway of madness is the only way to open the minds true ability to comprehend. With this comprehension, you become bestowed with an amazing luck, one that might even stave off death. I am he who will help you, I am Moxinomal… but you can address me as Mox.”

Again, Sanuta could find no words to express his thoughts on the matter, so he sat there, blankly staring at the mask. After a few moments of dead silence, the squeaky voice from the mask brought forth more to Sanuta’s plate. “I know what you’re thinking,” The tone of his voice shifted to that of a low, mocking tone. “’But weird talking mask thing, how is it possible that you are a weird talking mask thing?’” His tone returning to the high-pitch it was before, “Because, Sanuta, I am a deity. How else would I be able to hear your pleas and thoughts of your misfortune and insanity? You are not as unfortunate as you think; after all, you are still alive.”

The man pondered what was being put in front of him. It was true that he survived the disease that killed his beloved family. He also did manage to carve out a decent existence here in this easily flooded valley. Maybe luck was a matter of perception. He overlooked his true luck when he spent all his time striving to help and mourning. Sanuta realized that the mask was right. Before, all his emotions seemed to cloud the true retrospect of his life, his deep seeded questions went entirely unanswered and he was blissfully ignorant. If a mask could smile, he was sure that this one would be wearing a rather large one.

“Do you understand naïve human?” The mask asked in a quizzical tone. “Only through me will you and so many others like you be able to find all the answers that you desire. All you have to do is go forth in to this world of chaos and spread my word.” All he had to do was spread about what this mask was talking about? It all seemed very absurd, but it’s talking mask! Either he was hallucinating badly, or this was really happening. Whichever it was, it was the promise of the answers he sought that drove him. Sanuta stood again, holding his sword at his side. “The world seems to have turned in to a dangerous place… How do you know that I will even be able to make it out of this valley to spread your word?”

“Because, dear Sanuta… Luck is on your side.” Again, the mask laughed loudly in its annoying screech as it seemed to drip back in to the remnants of the mirror. “Go forth, my prophet. Spread the word of Mox! Let others who share the gift of madness know that the answers they seek lie within me!” The voice of Mox faded and left Sanuta in his home with the writhing chunks of the last bit of his sanity. He looked down, watching his son’s hand spasm on the ground, wondering when he will get the next answers to the questions he has.

Later in the day, he left his home in the nestled bosom of the mountains and set forth to spread the word of his new found god, Mox. He knew that he would come across numerous hazards and perils, but the words of Moxinomal echoed in the back of his mind, “Luck is on your side.” It instilled a certain confidence in a man who had just murdered his undead family earlier in the day. He knew that it was something that he could put faith in to.

[O-gon-cho]

Well, I am glad to see that I am not hated the moment I set foot in to exsistance, that's the last thing I need is the monkey the size of a mountain on my back.

:::raised eyebrows:::

I have already welcomed you, Moxinomal, may I also call you Mox? But as far as hating you as soon as you arrive, that may depend on how you answer a few questions I have.

On the continent of Immeril, set within a valley between two looming and craggy peaks sat a small cottage.

Tell me, is this mine, Astavyastataa Kadna's or Simjen's follower you have usurped? As far as I know, there are no other sentient beings on Immeril other than our followers.

"All you have to do is go forth in to this world of chaos and spread my word.”

Where on Immeril are your lands? We already have areas in contention, why not join in the fray?

Is this one of Astavyastataa Kadna's followers then? I know of no mountains in his lands. But as his are the only habitable lands of Immeril that was effected by the mutation wave, if the land has become dangerous and chaotic it must be there.

:::however, I am also fatigued, and may be reading the whole thing wrong:::

Answer my questions satisfactorily, Moxinomal and I will still welcome you gladly. Confirm my worst fears, and we may have to talk more.

[Benito Alvarez]

If we are the so-called gods of "good" then let us behave like it. For this turn at least. Let the inhabitants of Nor Pupae and Yekithi choose their own gods, let the map be drawn anew.

I for one, am tired of being shoved in a direction by others on the basis of my "goodness." I am of a like mind that this will, and should, end but I will trust no other than my own peoples in this endevour. I am tired of having my hands gtied behind my back by the "Law." From now on, I am free to make my own decisions as is everyone else in this Pantheon. I drop the domain of Justice and take up Combat. Give quarter where quarter is due, but when the time is come strike quickly and leave no enemy behind to attack again later.

I cannot allow Nor's twisted peoples to stay. They have been mutated and bred to hate me and my peoples and will continually pose a threat untill they are exterminated. My warfleet has already been delayed enough by the "Law" and will be delayed no longer. I will respond to this threat as I will to any other future threat; swiftly and without pause.

It is a new dawn, and a new Pantheon.


To our new member, welcome. I hope you find what you came for.

[Vadhaka]

What threat brother?

I see no-one threatening you. But hasty action here could well lead to it. Rest your hot-headed self for a turn and discover whether your fears are justified.

[Benito Alvarez]

The Dream Pt. 2

The light swirled around him. Multicolored and blindingly bright, he had a hard time seeing exactaly what forms it was taking. From moment to moment it would change, first faces he thought he knew, then trees. Cities. Temples. They all swirled above and below, from side to side. Too much for him to proccess.

He focused himself, closed his eyes and centered his mind. When he looked again, the maelstrom had slowed. He could now see more clearly the forms. In the center of a large golden spray, Jameak stood on a platform, speaking....

-----------------------

"My soldiers of RIGHTEOUSNESS!" That was strange, why do I hear my voice, when that is not my face? "The world itself is under attack. But it is in safe hands. OUR hands. Under our watch the world and all its inhabitants have nothing to fear, for we WILL DEFEAT THE SCOURGE WORM!"

Now THAT is familiar. The Scourge Worm. Where do I know that name?

"To the south lies our enemy. HE is trying to end all we know. HE is trying to kill us and our loved ones. But he will not succeed. For WE are here to stop him, are we not?"

(the man was filed with rage. A burning rage, not kin to the anger of a mob, but of a mother that has lost her child. A righteous rage.)

"I hear from Jameak that you are fat and bored, is this true?"

Jameak.....YES. The figure! HIS name is Jameak... but who am I?

"We have not much longer to wait. My soldiers of Justice, ready your tents and oil your arms. Soon, my sign will appear in the skies."

His sign...

"I am with you, as always, my dear bretherin. We are protecting our loved ones. The ones we hold dearest. Fight well. I will be there alongside you, fighting in my own way. So says your Lord Adomorn."

-----------------------

Adomorn's eyes widened in recognition. "THAT is my name. Adomorn. I remember!"

A new scene flashed before his eyes.

-----------------------

The world spun below. Like from the eyes of an eagle, he could see the happenings of the people below. To the south a desolate land of ice encased a writhing landscape. Twisted beasts and creatures screamed their anger at the army climbing from their ships. The ones emerging from the ice flows held a banner held high. It showed a figure in plate armor holding a greatsword.

The armies clashed, and far above the vision, a God laughed. Laughed because the twisted ones no longer HAD a God. He had abandoned them in their most critical hour.

Behind the armies of silver and white crept.....things. Things that were nearly as twisted as the mutants. The Living Dead. Millions of them. Slowly they crawled, clearing up the mutants not yet killed by the White and Silver soldiers. The battle looked to fare well. The Mutants were slowly being forced back. No longer led by a diety, and having nowhere near the numbers they fought against, they knew there was no hope. They threw down their arms, and raised their arms.

The soldiers in silver looked to the skies, awaiting Judgement from their God....
-----------------------


Another scene, faster now, returning to speed.

-----------------------

It was a glowing place, the light coming from nowhere and everywhere. Shining white marble was everywhere, embossed by the purest silver. Pillars ran the height of a soaring ceiling. The whole place felt of history and power. It was calm, save for two voices.

"When, dear Sister, does the hand of Law bind the hands of Justice, when Justice in overdue!? We ALL know that if we leave but ONE....creature... of Nor's left, they will multiply under Merielle's CLOSE watch, I am sure. He will rise again in power. We need to strike NOW while we have the chance!"

The robed figure drew herself up importantly, bringing her frown upon Adomorn.

"DO NOT take such a stance with ME, Adomorn. I will not stand idly by while innocents are being slaughtered by your men. You forget, it was the leader who made the threats. Nor Yekith is gone, as is his influence among his followers. What your are proposing is genocide, not Justice. As long as you strand as my other half, I will bind you. If it takes such actions, I will hold you with Power."

Adomorn could FEEL his blood rising. 'How could she be so stupid!? It is INSANITY to leave an enemy stronghold intact, lesson one. Can she not see!? Would she be acting differently were it HER children being killed on the battle field!?' Ever so slowly his thoughts became more disjointed. He could feel a core part of him fading and twisting, becoming ever more confusing and mad. The part of him that was restrained, the part that kept him in line with the Law was being forced from his body. In it's place was something else. Something more... agressive. The thought of men fighting and dying filled his mind...thoughts of Combat. 'She must have been in league with Nor, before he left our world. At every turn, she was there protecting him, stopping ME! It MUST be so! I will NOT allow such things to halt me. Lesson two.' He turned his face to the robed figure. She drew back apprehensivley upon viewing his visage. Gone was the serene righteousness that she knew. In it's place was something more...bestial...more feral. More animal.

"Hedra Iren, although I have not the Power to strip you of your domain of Law, I still cannot abide by your ruling. I will not allow Nor's lingering threat to hover over my peoples heads. If I cannot defend them with Law and Justice then so be it. As of now I throw down the domain of Justice and replace it with Combat. This new sword will still be honed by Honor, and will abide no one's ruling, save mine. If you do not have the courage to finish the job, at least I do." Head held high, Lord Adomorn, the Righteous walks from the Hall of Law to complete his mission.

-----------------------

A return to the battlefield.

-----------------------

Only and instant had passed since his soldiers raised their heads awaiting their Lords decision. Across the sky a bolt of sliver lightning flashed, and struck down at the crippled and mutated lands. Where once had stood a small monostary there was no nothing but a small glossy crater. All around it were shards of obsidian like razor blades, and above it a swirling cyclone of colors.

-----------------------

Adomorn looked down onto his triumph. The creatures were routed having no leader, no order. He laughed at his victory, and watched as the sky turned grey and rain began to fall. His dream had come true, but it was not the evil thing he had thought.

[Benito Alvarez]

What threat brother?

I see no-one threatening you. But hasty action here could well lead to it. Rest your hot-headed self for a turn and discover whether your fears are justified.

Nor's offspring are in themselves a threat. It is still a viable military that has been mutated to the core to hate me and my peoples, among other members of the Pantheon.

I will not turn my back on a nest of future attackers and assasins.

[Vadhaka]

I do not ask you to. However, under their new deities all things may change. I do not ask you to relax your vigilance, only to avoid rushing in ill-advisedly. I doubt that these so-called future attackers and assassins will harm you this turn. If your internal issues are involved with strengthening yourself, so be it. But do not attack blindly.

[Xar]

Melirelle

I could not imagine any other reason which would lead you to act in ways that would be certain to put me against you, to attack me as I grieve for Nor Yekith's loss - for YOU of all people knew I loved him - and then to climb up your pedestal and point your finger at me, claiming I am evil, I am malicious.

Attempting to ensure that my child of destiny grows to be my enemy tells me that you are already against me. Pointing my finger at what you are doing is... I don't know the word. However, as with your creator, I will put your actions against me under a very bright light. Whenever I learn of similar acts against me, all will know.

Yes, and once again, God of Love, this accusation of yours is entirely based on the words of an ally who wrested your people from their eternal repose and forced them to walk the earth again. May I remind you that this ally of yours whom you claim is so trustworthy always promised to grant those he would raise as undead the benefit of choice, but his latest ritual left them bereft of this choice? Ask the God of Death, if you do not believe me.
By the same token, then, God of Love, should I believe in Nor Yekith's assertions that you are a weak fool rather than your words about your own self, simply because Nor Yekith was more trusted than Argothoth or you are? Would you take exception to that?

Did you ask the Goddess of Fate about this birth? Did SHE tell you it had occurred? For you should know, as I do, that a child of destiny is surely something she would learn of. And yet, though I gather she did not tell you of him, you do not point your finger at her - but at me. Interesting, is it not?

No, it is not. Of course Norn knew about my child of destiny when he was born. But I knew he was not in Norn's lands, but in Kortral. She knew nothing more than I did. However, if I learned that the child's parents were her followers, but she said nothing to me about it, I would most certainly have had words for her, just as I had for you.

I miss the part where the fact that the child of destiny wasn't in the Goddess of Fate's lands but in Kortral means that she is granted exemption from your righteous anger, but I am to blame. Is Kortral my land? I do not think so, and the Goddess of Dreams would likely take exception if I said it was. And your assumption that I knew exactly where the baby was is laughable, God of Love - for an assumption it is. When I learned of his birth, I sought him out just as you did. And as for why - for surely you will claim that this is proof of my malicious intentions - let me ask you - had MY child of destiny been born among YOUR followers, would you have left them to their own devices while waiting for my party of searchers to find them? Or would you have taken them deep into Shakari, so that the "evil and malicious creation of Nor Yekith" could not put her "claws" on them?
Your prejudice, God of Love, is plain for all to see.

You choose to trust the word of a traitor who just raised millions of corpses from their well-deserved rest, tearing countless souls from the afterlife and dragging them screaming into their lifeless bones just for the sake of completing the greatest necromantic ritual ever conceived, over the word of one who saved your child.

Argothoth is no traitor. He was a double-agent. There is a difference. He chose that role the moment he returned to Eiran. Nor Yekith told him about his plans to destroy me; about the hugely powerful mutating worm; and other things.

Indeed, but once again I see no complaint nor righteous indignation that thousands of your followers are even now crawling out of the earth, whether mindlessly or possessed of tormented souls who had no choice in coming back, and gathering in Argothoth's lands, answering his call. Do you dare claim that this profanation of your followers - and that of all other "gods of good" - is less important than the fact I have your child of destiny? What if your own dead Prophet rose from the dead without a choice, like the Goddess of Fate's previous two Prophets did? Would you STILL count Argothoth among your allies and friends?
You have double standards, God of Love.

Your efforts to save my daughter confused me greatly. I was extremely grateful, but suspicious that Nor Yekith's greatest servant - even if you were no longer his servant - would do something for the one he had sworn to destroy. However, I had another reason - an exhalted reason - to believe your words that you intended no harm to me.

Alas, aside from not having the simple courtesy to tell me that you had my child of destiny - a courtesy that would have cost you absolutely nothing, and would have cemented the bonds between us that you now claim you wanted - you tried to enlist Argothoth's help in corrupting him, and, even without his help, I cannot imagine what you are doing.

God of Love, I will simply remind you that when Nor Yekith disappeared for a time, I was met only with suspicion and hostility despite the fact I had done nothing against any other god. I was guilty by association, in the eyes of most gods of good, and every action I took to prove I wasn't utterly Nor Yekith's creature was met with mocking disbelief and the promise that it wasn't enough to "prove" I wasn't Nor Yekith's creature. Indeed, it seemed to me - just as it seems now - that some of you, bereft of the chance of destroying Nor Yekith, were looking at me as another target for your righteous wrath, as if you needed an enemy to define what you are. And you dare to accuse me of keeping this information from you - AFTER you were in the forefront, accusing me of being Nor Yekith's slave? And as if it weren't enough, now you accuse me also of being tampering with your child of destiny, no doubt molding him or her into your greatest nemesis. Next, I assume, you will demand that if I am to prove I am not Nor Yekith's creature, I shall have to show you or even better, give you the child? Or allow your people into my lands to guard the child?
I have nothing to prove to you, God of Love. Respect must be earned, God of Love - when did you earn mine? When you accused me last time, or this time? When you did not believe my actions? When you said, "I don't trust you"? Admitting I helped you with your daughter and claiming "very well, I won't consider you my enemy any longer" is not enough after all you have done. And since it appears that your double standards include me being utterly honest with you but you being given the choice as to whether even that is enough for me to be respected or not, I think I won't care about your "respect" anymore.

Save your righteous speeches, God of Love - if Love is even in your heart any longer. I have no wish to further bandy words with you, for you have learned Nor Yekith's lesson far too well, and will see malicious intent even when there is none, as long as it feeds your righteous indignation.

Yes, tell me all of this again after your efforts to turn the child into my greatest enemy are fulfilled.

Ah, God of Love, Nor Yekith was not wrong in calling you the God of Paranoia. You weigh your daughter's life poorly, if saving her is not even worth respect enough to at least tackle this matter privately. But be that as it may be, now you have done what you wanted, spoken your words of indignation, alleged I am twisting your child of destiny's mind to my own, undoubtly dark purposes, and your allies surely will accept your word over mine.

Let me think of what will happen next. I think you will demand that the burden of proof be on me - that I show you the child, give you the child or allow your people to guard over the child so as to allay your worries. And that refusing to do so will obviously mean I am hostile to you. And that you will take steps. Perhaps, since many gods already gathered their troops to attack Nor Yekith, why not aim a little more eastward, and crush Melirelle's lands since we're at it? After all, she has not told you of your child of destiny, and obviously she plans on using him against you - surely that is justification enough for war? She is not to be trusted, after all - she was created by Nor Yekith, was she not? Who is to say she won't follow her master's path? Better to crush her now that she is not as powerful, rather than wait for her to become a danger. Yes, ally with he who raised all the dead of Eiran - for surely HE is a trustworthy fellow! - and with he whose only wish is to destroy - for surely HE is ALSO a trustworthy fellow! - against the evil and depraved goddess of birth. Of course, war is not your way - but if your allies have armies, perhaps they can war for you?

I've heard this song before, God of Love. Is that not the song you wish to sing? For I have no wish to show you anything: as your wife so aptly said, we are gods, and I am not a postulant who comes before the all-powerful God of Love, begging for his respect and his friendship. I have helped you and saved your daughter's life (whom, I may add, was put in danger by YOU as part of an ill-conceived plot to keep her from ME) and asked nothing in return; you chose to forget that and turned on me based on the words of an ally and your allegations. Guilty by association. Why should I wish for your respect or friendship any longer?

Actually, let me rephrase that. If I am guilty by association - if my past with Nor Yekith is enough to damn me - then I accuse you as well, God of Love. I accuse you of being in league with Argothoth to deprive my people's dead of choice, of raising them from the grave as monstrosities only to feed Argothoth's ego and to gain expendable troops. Guilty by association, like you think I am. Listen to our newest brother's revelation: I accuse you of having had a part in using not just one man's love, but the love of countless people against them, forcing them to watch as their loved ones crawled out of their tombs. I accuse you of being a hypocrite who sweeps this responsibility under a rug in order to blame others for lesser crimes. For even if you did not give Argothoth power yourself, then either you knew of his actions and did not oppose them OR he did not tell you of his plan, in which case you show that even though he betrayed your trust, you still prefer to trust him than others.
I accuse you of being a false God of Love, of having double standards, of claiming you wish fairness from Law and then giving no fairness yourself, of being too quick to judge, of being partly responsible for perhaps the most heinous crime in Eiran's history.

[Vadhaka]

I think you will demand that the burden of proof be on me - that I show you the child, give you the child or allow your people to guard over the child so as to allay your worries.

And yet what better way to prove your intent sister? Do this and I for one will trust your protestations, even as I trusted you when we learned of your aid to his daughter.

How can you be surprised that your past associations have cast a pall over your image? It is scarcely surprising to me. And how can you doubt that the only way to demonstrate our misunderstanding is reassure us of your intentions?

You speak as if Bhakti had no reason to believe ill of you. But he has such a reason. Show evidence of good faith, and good faith shall be returned to you. *bows* From me at least.

At present however, I have only your word that Argothoth either lied to us, or was lied to by you. I beg you to prove me wrong. Nothing would give me greater satisfaction tha to be thus mistaken.

[Xar]

Melirelle

I think you will demand that the burden of proof be on me - that I show you the child, give you the child or allow your people to guard over the child so as to allay your worries.

And yet what better way to prove your intent sister? Do this and I for one will trust your protestations, even as I trusted you when we learned of your aid to his daughter.

How can you be surprised that your past associations have cast a pall over your image? It is scarcely surprising to me. And how can you doubt that the only way to demonstrate our misunderstanding is reassure us of your intentions?

You speak as if Bhakti had no reason to believe ill of you. But he has such a reason. Show evidence of good faith, and good faith shall be returned to you. *bows* From me at least.

At present however, I have only your word that Argothoth either lied to us, or was lied to by you. I beg you to prove me wrong. Nothing would give me greater satisfaction tha to be thus mistaken.

You miss the point, God of Murder... if the word of the God of the Undead - despite all he has done to the followers of each and every god, presumably without the knowledge of each god - is STILL worth more than my word, despite the fact I never acted against any of you, I do not WISH to submit to this mockery of a "fair trial". He could tell you all I am Nor Yekith reborn, and I feel most of you would promptly believe him no matter what his crimes or what my actions were. Besides, apart from the Goddess of Light, none has even questioned the God of Love's right to blame me or accuse me publicly, to put words in my mouth and to judge me guilty by association: none has even complained with mild words about the God of Love's eagerness to prove that I am of Nor Yekith's same mold. Far from it! All that I see - again, with the exception of the Goddess of Light - is that other gods immediately and reflexively side with the God of Love in demanding proof from me. Why is that, when each and every word Nor Yekith spoke towards other gods was immediately met with reprimands? Where is the fairness you all cried for when you rejected the Goddess of Law?

If you want me to prove I have no evil intent, then I request you judge the God of the Undead first, for the crime he has performed and the pain he has visited upon countless souls in Eiran. I ask the God of Death to give us a tally of how many souls were bereft of choice, and for all gods who were NOT involved in this raising to pass judgment on the God of the Undead. Surely you do not believe his crime is less than mine? Or were all the gods in agreement with him when he raised the dead of the ages?
Pass judgment on him, and only then I will be persuaded to respect this "fair court" enough to show the proof you ask of me. Or, refuse to pass judgment on him but admit your own hypocrisy and do not bother me any further with this righteous demands, for I will not answer them unless I am shown there are no double standards among the gods.