Pantheon 2.0 - Game Thread
Moderator: Xar
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Injerian Praetus II
- <i>Haruchai</i>
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm
- Location: The Koronus Expanse
The Great Transformation
My name is Thinsilwil. I was born the son of poor farmer. I now stand as the second most powerful cultist in the Church of Nor Yekith. How is it one can advance from such a lowly existence to one commanding great authority and power? The answer is simple. Hope.
The day Nor Yekith arrived was the day the sky rained the Black Rain. It poured as though the sky had been cut open, bleeding thick black tears that seeped into the parched ground. Where there were once dying forests, the rain brought back a green verdancy. Where there was once plains of diseased crop the rain accelerated the growth of grain, so that within days the farm lands were carpeted with acres of ripe harvest. The dead rivers ran again with dark waters, and the streets were washed clean of the detritus of civilisation. None of this interested me.
The day Nor Yekith arrived was the day I learned justice still existed in the world. I had been beaten almost to the point of death by mere brigands. The famine in the kingdom had driven men to the point of desperation, and so desperate me raided and ravaged the lands. They came to my village, started looting the fields and homes, before taking the young to sell as slaves. Foolishly thinking I had a chance to fight them, I rushed at them alone, a mere pitchfork in my sweaty grip. I didn't stand a chance, and was left to die in the dry dust beside the corpses of my father and eldest brother. Then the black rain came. It healed my wounds, poured into my mouth and filled my body with vitality. It washed the dust and dry blood from my tattered clothes and washed away the bodies of my kin. With my strength renewed, though still saddened by loss, I ran from the ruins of my village to find safety in a nearby town. I found the bloated bodies of the raiders, suffocating as the black fluid choked their lungs. They took a long time to die - like all the criminals, maniacs and those already too weak to live much longer - but I laughed long and hard. The gods had answered my prayers for justice.
I decided to make my way to kingdom's capital, to tell the nobles of what had happened to my village. Many days later, I was standing at the vast base of the Weeping Ziggurat, along with what seemed half the kingdom’s population. And like everyone else, I was standing staring at the statue that walked about the top of the structure issuing orders with a soothing voice. The King knelt before it, agreeing to its plans. So I knelt too. I was the first to kneel after the king. That is when the statue stopped pacing and strode down the many stairs to place a warm stony hand upon my brow. A flash of purple light flooded my mind and my body – the mighty energy of a god that called itself Nor Yekith. It knew that my task in the farm was to breed the workhorses; and it knew that I had a talent for my role. The god-statue then commanded me, in its beautiful voice, to breed “better men”. With the simple act of genuflection, I had lost my peasantry and become a member of the god’s cult. I loved Nor Yekith for that – for giving me purpose. For giving me hope.
My dedication, as well as the success in breeding the magnificent Houka, has earned me my high position in the clergy. It also protected me from the plague that ravaged the lands and people. In my sanctuary in Nor Houka I was able to avoid it and took frequent baths in holy oils. My Houka thrived in the plague, and so I ordered them to do my work – gathering plant and animal life, cleaning the infected, and striking down dissidents for my god.
Yet strangely, I escaped the great mutation Nor Yekith visited upon the land. I am not sure how this is, for I awoke untouched. The skies had burned with a purple and crimson radiance for at least a week. During that time, the land heaved and shuddered as though it was a dying animal afflicted with delirium. The trees writhed like serpents, branches clawing the sky with supplication, perhaps thanking Nor Yekith for their new, twisted forms. I witnessed animals – millions of them, from the smallest insects to the great herds – collapse and burst open as tumours multiplies and expanded in their bodies. The growths then reshaped the fallen bodies and new life arose. The mountains ran like liquid, and entire rivers slithered into new paths, great mounds of earth were flattened, and new hills arose. But by far the greatest sight (for suddenly I was seeing through my god’s eyes) was what happened to the cities and towns. Every human collapsed at the same time, and everyone became suffused with strange growths. In the crimson light, it looked as though their flesh was melting. However, in reality, Nor Yekith was reshaping their flesh and bone. The streets and buildings remained untouched, but every human – man, woman and child – was born anew. It was as though thousands of Houka (and other wondrous forms) were created from the population.
The transformation of Nor Pupae did not end there. I was suddenly transported to the top of the Ziggurat, along with all the upper hierarchy of the church. I could see the god-statue standing amid the high cultists and the nobility, his perfect arms raised into the air as he poured his energy into the sky to continue the mutation of the land. Then he increased the power and cracks began to appear in the stone. I had feared too much godly power was destroying his form, but I soon came to realize that the statue was merely a cocoon. As the stone shell fell away it revealed a vast black worm, covered in thousands of chanting or gibbering mouths and pores that dripped or vomited a black, viscous fluid. The worm – my god – then ordered everyone but the King and I to suckle on the pores. As they did so, the nobles and high priests lost their forms: their limbs rapidly atrophied, and their bodies grew longer. Within minutes – or hours, perhaps – their bodies had mutated into black worms like our god, only there were four spidery appendages surrounding a many-toothed mouth, and a strange carapace covered the back.
The King and I both collapsed to our feet, weeping, as we remained untransformed. The vast worm must have heard our cries, for Nor Yekith slithered around to face us. The thousands of mouths spoke as one.
“I have completed my experiments. The ultimate form for life on this world has been achieved, and through me, I will begin transforming the world. Until the day when everything has been remade, both of you will remain humanoid. But I will grant you the means – material and magical – to mould reality. King, I command you to prepare Nor Pupae for war; we will be attacked within a year. Thinsilwil, go to the breeding pits and continue my projects. I have need of new forms. Find any human not transformed and drag them to the pits for forced transformation.
“Oh, and do not forget the barge transports containing the outcasts of Bhakti. The god of love and nature is about to provide me with the final stage of my plans.”
Then Nor Yekith slithered down the Ziggurat, followed by his worm-priests. They vanished into a pit filled with black fluid and purple aura in the sky vanished. The King turned to me and ordered me to send a messenger bird to Queeaqueg’s lands; he needed to speak with the god of undeath and war.
I descended the Ziggurat’s stairs elated, despite retaining a humanoid form. For I knew that my god’s glorious vision for the world was attainable.
My name is Thinsilwil. I was born the son of poor farmer. I now stand as the second most powerful cultist in the Church of Nor Yekith. How is it one can advance from such a lowly existence to one commanding great authority and power? The answer is simple. Hope.
The day Nor Yekith arrived was the day the sky rained the Black Rain. It poured as though the sky had been cut open, bleeding thick black tears that seeped into the parched ground. Where there were once dying forests, the rain brought back a green verdancy. Where there was once plains of diseased crop the rain accelerated the growth of grain, so that within days the farm lands were carpeted with acres of ripe harvest. The dead rivers ran again with dark waters, and the streets were washed clean of the detritus of civilisation. None of this interested me.
The day Nor Yekith arrived was the day I learned justice still existed in the world. I had been beaten almost to the point of death by mere brigands. The famine in the kingdom had driven men to the point of desperation, and so desperate me raided and ravaged the lands. They came to my village, started looting the fields and homes, before taking the young to sell as slaves. Foolishly thinking I had a chance to fight them, I rushed at them alone, a mere pitchfork in my sweaty grip. I didn't stand a chance, and was left to die in the dry dust beside the corpses of my father and eldest brother. Then the black rain came. It healed my wounds, poured into my mouth and filled my body with vitality. It washed the dust and dry blood from my tattered clothes and washed away the bodies of my kin. With my strength renewed, though still saddened by loss, I ran from the ruins of my village to find safety in a nearby town. I found the bloated bodies of the raiders, suffocating as the black fluid choked their lungs. They took a long time to die - like all the criminals, maniacs and those already too weak to live much longer - but I laughed long and hard. The gods had answered my prayers for justice.
I decided to make my way to kingdom's capital, to tell the nobles of what had happened to my village. Many days later, I was standing at the vast base of the Weeping Ziggurat, along with what seemed half the kingdom’s population. And like everyone else, I was standing staring at the statue that walked about the top of the structure issuing orders with a soothing voice. The King knelt before it, agreeing to its plans. So I knelt too. I was the first to kneel after the king. That is when the statue stopped pacing and strode down the many stairs to place a warm stony hand upon my brow. A flash of purple light flooded my mind and my body – the mighty energy of a god that called itself Nor Yekith. It knew that my task in the farm was to breed the workhorses; and it knew that I had a talent for my role. The god-statue then commanded me, in its beautiful voice, to breed “better men”. With the simple act of genuflection, I had lost my peasantry and become a member of the god’s cult. I loved Nor Yekith for that – for giving me purpose. For giving me hope.
My dedication, as well as the success in breeding the magnificent Houka, has earned me my high position in the clergy. It also protected me from the plague that ravaged the lands and people. In my sanctuary in Nor Houka I was able to avoid it and took frequent baths in holy oils. My Houka thrived in the plague, and so I ordered them to do my work – gathering plant and animal life, cleaning the infected, and striking down dissidents for my god.
Yet strangely, I escaped the great mutation Nor Yekith visited upon the land. I am not sure how this is, for I awoke untouched. The skies had burned with a purple and crimson radiance for at least a week. During that time, the land heaved and shuddered as though it was a dying animal afflicted with delirium. The trees writhed like serpents, branches clawing the sky with supplication, perhaps thanking Nor Yekith for their new, twisted forms. I witnessed animals – millions of them, from the smallest insects to the great herds – collapse and burst open as tumours multiplies and expanded in their bodies. The growths then reshaped the fallen bodies and new life arose. The mountains ran like liquid, and entire rivers slithered into new paths, great mounds of earth were flattened, and new hills arose. But by far the greatest sight (for suddenly I was seeing through my god’s eyes) was what happened to the cities and towns. Every human collapsed at the same time, and everyone became suffused with strange growths. In the crimson light, it looked as though their flesh was melting. However, in reality, Nor Yekith was reshaping their flesh and bone. The streets and buildings remained untouched, but every human – man, woman and child – was born anew. It was as though thousands of Houka (and other wondrous forms) were created from the population.
The transformation of Nor Pupae did not end there. I was suddenly transported to the top of the Ziggurat, along with all the upper hierarchy of the church. I could see the god-statue standing amid the high cultists and the nobility, his perfect arms raised into the air as he poured his energy into the sky to continue the mutation of the land. Then he increased the power and cracks began to appear in the stone. I had feared too much godly power was destroying his form, but I soon came to realize that the statue was merely a cocoon. As the stone shell fell away it revealed a vast black worm, covered in thousands of chanting or gibbering mouths and pores that dripped or vomited a black, viscous fluid. The worm – my god – then ordered everyone but the King and I to suckle on the pores. As they did so, the nobles and high priests lost their forms: their limbs rapidly atrophied, and their bodies grew longer. Within minutes – or hours, perhaps – their bodies had mutated into black worms like our god, only there were four spidery appendages surrounding a many-toothed mouth, and a strange carapace covered the back.
The King and I both collapsed to our feet, weeping, as we remained untransformed. The vast worm must have heard our cries, for Nor Yekith slithered around to face us. The thousands of mouths spoke as one.
“I have completed my experiments. The ultimate form for life on this world has been achieved, and through me, I will begin transforming the world. Until the day when everything has been remade, both of you will remain humanoid. But I will grant you the means – material and magical – to mould reality. King, I command you to prepare Nor Pupae for war; we will be attacked within a year. Thinsilwil, go to the breeding pits and continue my projects. I have need of new forms. Find any human not transformed and drag them to the pits for forced transformation.
“Oh, and do not forget the barge transports containing the outcasts of Bhakti. The god of love and nature is about to provide me with the final stage of my plans.”
Then Nor Yekith slithered down the Ziggurat, followed by his worm-priests. They vanished into a pit filled with black fluid and purple aura in the sky vanished. The King turned to me and ordered me to send a messenger bird to Queeaqueg’s lands; he needed to speak with the god of undeath and war.
I descended the Ziggurat’s stairs elated, despite retaining a humanoid form. For I knew that my god’s glorious vision for the world was attainable.
Last edited by Injerian Praetus II on Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Oh of course," the Navigator said with faint mocking in his voice, "you have probably heard of House Praetus. We have a palace on Holy Terra. Like all powerful groups, we also have our enemies. Do you honestly think someone like you matters?" - A dissolute noble.
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Injerian Praetus II
- <i>Haruchai</i>
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm
- Location: The Koronus Expanse
Thinsilwil's sketch of one of the worm-cultists (also known as 'Yekiths'):
"Oh of course," the Navigator said with faint mocking in his voice, "you have probably heard of House Praetus. We have a palace on Holy Terra. Like all powerful groups, we also have our enemies. Do you honestly think someone like you matters?" - A dissolute noble.
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I'm Murrin
- Are you?
- Posts: 15840
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:09 pm
- Location: North East, UK
- Contact:
How are you so sure of this? Unless you intend to provoke one of your fellow gods, we see no reason for you to expect an attack. Our brethren would not be so reactionary, and surely would not attack you simply for acting according to your nature. There is only one of us we consider may be capable of such rashness, but it seems that you have so far been on good terms.Nor Yekith wrote:King, I command you to prepare Nor Pupae for war; we will be attacked within a year.
Do you, then, intend to provoke attack?
I think he's referring to this:
Do what you will, Nor Yekith, but touch the people or lands of any other god...The ultimate form for life on this world has been achieved, and through me, I will begin transforming the world.
Said she, "What I get I get out of the fire,
So prithee, strike home and redouble the blow."
So prithee, strike home and redouble the blow."
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Chisi La'Roo
- Woodhelvennin
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:57 pm
- Location: In a tavern somwhere... gambling, probably drinking a good brew.
Before jumping to conclusions, I'd like to know what makes his new race "better" and by which standards he judges "better." I'd like to know what it is exactly he wants to turn humanity in to.
Is the Slimy Worm Thing the vision for the future? If it is, how is a Slimy Worm Thing (herein referred to as the SWT) better than the current human form? What about the opposable thumb? How does a SWT till a field or ride a horse? Can SWTs write? Can they create art, statues, paintings, architecture? Can they forge iron or fight wars? OR is the SWT form reserved just for his more elite followers?
On the other hand, is the SWT (or whatever it is he's turning his people in to) more resistant to disease? Are the SWTs longer lived, or have a larger capacity for sentient knowledge? Are these new beings smarter? Are they more dedicated to their gods? Are they happier?
These are things I'd like to know before I make any judgement calls. After all, I'm the goddess of Luck and Mischief regardless of whether my followers are SWT, sentient kittens, or humans. As long as they're happy, I'm happy.
Is the Slimy Worm Thing the vision for the future? If it is, how is a Slimy Worm Thing (herein referred to as the SWT) better than the current human form? What about the opposable thumb? How does a SWT till a field or ride a horse? Can SWTs write? Can they create art, statues, paintings, architecture? Can they forge iron or fight wars? OR is the SWT form reserved just for his more elite followers?
On the other hand, is the SWT (or whatever it is he's turning his people in to) more resistant to disease? Are the SWTs longer lived, or have a larger capacity for sentient knowledge? Are these new beings smarter? Are they more dedicated to their gods? Are they happier?
These are things I'd like to know before I make any judgement calls. After all, I'm the goddess of Luck and Mischief regardless of whether my followers are SWT, sentient kittens, or humans. As long as they're happy, I'm happy.
Who says everything has to happen for a reason? Sometimes things just fall into place. Nothing in your future is set in stone, and your story is what you make of it. Make it good, make it interesting, and Lady Luck will smile upon you.
I must consider the possibility that Nor's creations are to his benefit. The more appropriate questions might be:
-Will they remain dedicated to the gods they followed before they were mutated, or will they be dedicated to Nor?
-Is their happiness of any importance to Malice?
-Will they remain dedicated to the gods they followed before they were mutated, or will they be dedicated to Nor?
-Is their happiness of any importance to Malice?
I am the self-fulfilling prophecy. Give love, and you WILL receive love. Let your every answer, your every action and reaction, your every desire, be rooted in love.
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Chisi La'Roo
- Woodhelvennin
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:57 pm
- Location: In a tavern somwhere... gambling, probably drinking a good brew.
I suppose when I asked "Are they more dedicated to their gods?" I wasn't clear enough. I did mean what you asked, Bhakti- "Will they remain dedicated to the gods they followed before they were mutated, or will they be dedicated to Nor Yekith?" Thank you for clarifying, Bhakti.
Who says everything has to happen for a reason? Sometimes things just fall into place. Nothing in your future is set in stone, and your story is what you make of it. Make it good, make it interesting, and Lady Luck will smile upon you.
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Injerian Praetus II
- <i>Haruchai</i>
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm
- Location: The Koronus Expanse
The favoured - those who kneel before me and swear allegiance - will be transformed into my image. But they will be made better. They will have no need to ride horses, for there will be no horses left. As for the issue of hands, did you not see the sketch Thinsilwil made? They have limbs, so they can use tools or other implements. But largely the work will be done by semi-intelligent slaves, probably mind-controlled by the Yekith. Wars will be fought by my Houka.Chisi La'Roo wrote:Is the Slimy Worm Thing the vision for the future? If it is, how is a Slimy Worm Thing (herein referred to as the SWT) better than the current human form? What about the opposable thumb? How does a SWT till a field or ride a horse? Can SWTs write? Can they create art, statues, paintings, architecture? Can they forge iron or fight wars? OR is the SWT form reserved just for his more elite followers?
The Yekith are happier, smarter and more resistant to disease. They serve me, for why serve another when you achieve my form? As for changing the forms of your followers - well, I will save the worm form for my favoured.Chisi La'Roo wrote:On the other hand, is the SWT (or whatever it is he's turning his people in to) more resistant to disease? Are the SWTs longer lived, or have a larger capacity for sentient knowledge? Are these new beings smarter? Are they more dedicated to their gods? Are they happier?
Of course. Strange you accuse me of that. Do you ensure happiness in the wild? Do you happiness or love-monkeys who make sure mister badger or miss snake are happy all the time? Or do you abandon them to the law of the wild? I think you being the god of nature the latter is more understandable. And more in keeping with my philosophies.Bhakti wrote:Is their happiness of any importance to Malice?
I look forward to the age when we work together to improve the world, Bhakti.
"Oh of course," the Navigator said with faint mocking in his voice, "you have probably heard of House Praetus. We have a palace on Holy Terra. Like all powerful groups, we also have our enemies. Do you honestly think someone like you matters?" - A dissolute noble.
-
I'm Murrin
- Are you?
- Posts: 15840
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:09 pm
- Location: North East, UK
- Contact:
-
Injerian Praetus II
- <i>Haruchai</i>
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm
- Location: The Koronus Expanse
I came upon a solution for the plague - I mutated it into something favourable. Hence, it has been countered. But I flooded the bodies of all life, barring Jastrau's followers of course, with the mutated version, so that the plague can never affect life again.Murrin wrote:Nor Yekith: Does this transformation you have effected mean that there is no one left who suffers the plague that had been in your lands, or do some suffering souls remain?
"Oh of course," the Navigator said with faint mocking in his voice, "you have probably heard of House Praetus. We have a palace on Holy Terra. Like all powerful groups, we also have our enemies. Do you honestly think someone like you matters?" - A dissolute noble.
-
I'm Murrin
- Are you?
- Posts: 15840
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:09 pm
- Location: North East, UK
- Contact:
-
Injerian Praetus II
- <i>Haruchai</i>
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm
- Location: The Koronus Expanse
My apologies. "All life" in Nor Pupae.Murrin wrote:May I ask what you mean when you say "all life"--are you referring to your own lands specifically, or the whole of Eiran?
If it is the latter, I believe it would be appreciated if you could elaborate on what you mean by "favourable".
"Oh of course," the Navigator said with faint mocking in his voice, "you have probably heard of House Praetus. We have a palace on Holy Terra. Like all powerful groups, we also have our enemies. Do you honestly think someone like you matters?" - A dissolute noble.
-
I'm Murrin
- Are you?
- Posts: 15840
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:09 pm
- Location: North East, UK
- Contact:
-
Injerian Praetus II
- <i>Haruchai</i>
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm
- Location: The Koronus Expanse
I can understand.Murrin wrote:My thanks for your responses. As I have learned to my cost, clarity in all matters is important.Nor Yekith wrote:My apologies. "All life" in Nor Pupae.
"Oh of course," the Navigator said with faint mocking in his voice, "you have probably heard of House Praetus. We have a palace on Holy Terra. Like all powerful groups, we also have our enemies. Do you honestly think someone like you matters?" - A dissolute noble.
Which isn't to say you won't change them into something else. You speak of war and slaves, of remaking the world. Don't expect me to take your words at face value.Nor Yekith wrote:As for changing the forms of your followers - well, I will save the worm form for my favoured.
So, say it plainly. Will you keep your transmutations to your own lands and people?
Said she, "What I get I get out of the fire,
So prithee, strike home and redouble the blow."
So prithee, strike home and redouble the blow."
The last two may or may not be facts. But happier... I wish we had a god of Happiness to tell us. I can only look into the Love within any creature.Nor Yekith wrote:The Yekith are happier, smarter and more resistant to disease.
Nor Yekith wrote:But largely the work will be done by semi-intelligent slaves, probably mind-controlled by the Yekith. Wars will be fought by my Houka.
Please help us understand your plan. (At least help us understand what you claim is your plan, eh?Nor Yekith wrote:They serve me, for why serve another when you achieve my form? As for changing the forms of your followers - well, I will save the worm form for my favoured.
) All of our followers will either become your followers, or slaves, or dead? Is there another option open to them?That is not an accusation, it is a question.Nor Yekith wrote:Of course. Strange you accuse me of that.Bhakti wrote:Is their happiness of any importance to Malice?
Chisi and I are asking about our followers. Sentient beings who can, and usually do, choose to follow one god or another. Plants and creatures of the Forest are not my followers.Nor Yekith wrote:Do you ensure happiness in the wild? Do you happiness or love-monkeys who make sure mister badger or miss snake are happy all the time? Or do you abandon them to the law of the wild? I think you being the god of nature the latter is more understandable. And more in keeping with my philosophies.
As do I. And I am surprised to hear you say that! I had not expected you to take up the ways of Love so soon!!Nor Yekith wrote:I look forward to the age when we work together to improve the world, Bhakti.
I am the self-fulfilling prophecy. Give love, and you WILL receive love. Let your every answer, your every action and reaction, your every desire, be rooted in love.
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Injerian Praetus II
- <i>Haruchai</i>
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm
- Location: The Koronus Expanse
I appreciate your need to clarify matters, like Maeror, so I will make my statement clear. I intend to transform all life within the borders of the King's realm.Simjen wrote:So, say it plainly. Will you keep your transmutations to your own lands and people?
"Oh of course," the Navigator said with faint mocking in his voice, "you have probably heard of House Praetus. We have a palace on Holy Terra. Like all powerful groups, we also have our enemies. Do you honestly think someone like you matters?" - A dissolute noble.
-
Injerian Praetus II
- <i>Haruchai</i>
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm
- Location: The Koronus Expanse
Love is a means to maintain the growth of populations. This suits me.Bhakti wrote:As do I. And I am surprised to hear you say that! I had not expected you to take up the ways of Love so soon!!Nor Yekith wrote:I look forward to the age when we work together to improve the world, Bhakti.
"Oh of course," the Navigator said with faint mocking in his voice, "you have probably heard of House Praetus. We have a palace on Holy Terra. Like all powerful groups, we also have our enemies. Do you honestly think someone like you matters?" - A dissolute noble.