[centre][b][color=black]Vowzra, Level 5 God of Time, 9 Might[/color][/b] & Astarte, Goddess of Magic, 20 Might & 4 Free Points & [color=black][i][b]Grandmaster Thulemiz, Son of the Celestial Above, Champion of Chaos, Level 23 Hero, 37 Khookies[/b][/i][/color][/centre] [hider=Summary] [list] [*] Vowzra seeks out Astarte and asks her to aid him [*] After failing to explain the situation to her properly, he appeals to her desire to annoy Escre [*] She makes it clear that she would much prefer to be annoying Sauranath and [s]seducing[/s] impressing Vestec instead, and Vowzra assures she would be doing that too by aiding him [*] They go to the Mountain's Crown where a deal is hatched up: Thulemiz will give Astarte a dress and...his soul in exchange for her granting him and the Silent Six necromancy [*] Thulemiz is transformed into a Lich Lord and healed of all his madness and damage, and the divine energies within him are further assimilated [*] Astarte gets awesome new attire from the monastery's masterful seamstresses [/list] [/hider] Still hanging where he was, Vowzra watched with interest the happenings down below. The destruction Mirtagn the dragon caused, and the subsequent arrival of three thousand undead dragons, seemingly subserviant to Ialu. He tapped gingerly into the timestream to see what would come of this, and even the disdainful and disillusioned Vowzra was not impressed. Certainly this Ialu was becming rather arrogant and proud, and he now found in the Great Reptile an ally. That was most dangerous indeed. Extending his senses towards his son, he saw more clearly his state of weakness. The destruction of the Victors had not merely weakened him, however, it had completely tipped the scales of power in favour of the marauding Ialu. Had Thulemiz prayed to him - Vowzra - for aid, he would certainly have sent him towards the Sanguine Communion in his crusade against the north; those mighty warriors would not have allowed the souterners to be so utterly defeated. As things were, the past was in the past and the dead were dead. There would be no bringing them back... Or would there? Descending down towards Galbar, Vowzra sought out Astarte. Where could she be... Vowzra eventually descended enough to float above a forest in his search for Astarte. And then a scream was heard. From right behind a tree to Vowzra's left. Then another scream. And then a chuckle. Astarte walked out of her hiding spot, grinning. A human skull held in her hands. She brought it up, pressed her lips to the back of the skull and blew--A sound similar to a scream came from the other side. [color=8882be]"Nice little music instrument, huh? They call it, uh... I have no idea. Saw one of the tribes use it a few years back. Had just taken this one when you flew into range, Vowzra."[/color] She shrugged. [color=8882be]"What do you seek from me?"[/color] The god of Time looked at the sad mockery of what was once the goddess of Magic, now utterly consumed by the Chaotic One's energies. He knew, however, that he had not done right by her. If he had brought her closer when she was alone, had protected her from the Chaotic One's advances...only if. As things were, however, there was no going back and she was what she was until she willed otherwise. It was not his business what another deity wished to do with themselves. Perhaps in due Time she would return to her senses and escape the snare of chaos. Perhaps. [color=black][b]'I come with a small request,' he said, bowing respectfully, 'a request that you bless this world with some of your magics once more - specifically, Thulemiz and his Silent Six,'[/b][/color] Vowzra was now standing on the ground before her, his wooden frame fitting well in the forest environment. [color=black][b]'As you may have noted...'[/b][/color] Vowzra looked at the tree she had been behind and the skull in her hand, [b][color=black]'or perhaps you may have not, but our conniving warlord, Ialu the godling, has struck up an alliance with the Great Reptile, who has granted him an army of skeletal dragons. This simply will not do. Certainly, it may irritate the Great Spirit whom you have taken as a foe, but it will do no good for the fragile balance here on Arguilla,'[/color][/b] he paused and allowed his words to sink in before he continued. [b][color=black]'So, will you aid me in restoring the balance?'[/color][/b] it was a rather ironic thing to be asking a being who so loved chaos. Astarte leaned against the tree and crossed her arms over her chest. [color=8882be]"What balance?"[/color] Vowzra, ever patient, was not against explaining the greater workings of the political situation to the goddess, but he felt that it would be rather pointless. [b][color=black]'I know a way for you to piss off Escre. A lot,'[/color][/b] he told her. [color=8882be]"Now that's tempting,"[/color] She put a finger against her lips as she savored the idea, [color=8882be]"but I'm more interested in a couple other things right now. Namely, pissing off Sauranath, the God of Lizards and impressing Vestec. Escre can wait a tiny bit."[/color] Vowzra chuckled and nodded. [b][color=black]'Well, you may well be killing three birds with one stone by offering your aid. Escre will be annoyed, Sauranath will be mighty pissed, and Vestec will...have the hots for you, I'm sure,'[/color][/b] Vowzra than tapped the side of his nose, [b][color=black]'being able to see into the future has some perks.'[/color][/b] With that, he tore through the fabric of existence and turned to her, saying: [b][color=black]'If you are interested, just follow me,'[/color][/b] and with that, he disappeared into the gaping hole. [color=8882be]"Wow... I didn't know Vowzra had the ability to summon gaping holes whenever he wanted to."[/color] Astarte said to herself with a smirk, and wasted no time in following the God. Behind her the tear closed and it was as though they had never been there. Almost immediately, Vowzra had stepped out above the fortress-monastery known as the Mountain's Crown, the base of Vowzra's Victors and the remaining citizens of Orabson. Behind him, Astarte emerged and the tear closed once more. It would have been like stepping from one room into the next for her, though Vowzra knew it to be a far more complex process than that. He sent for Thulemiz and his Silent Six. Before long, the Grandmaster was floating up from the fortress, flanked by the Silent Six. He was interred in a great throne upon which was a suit of armour. Around him were the unmistakable black and red energies of chaos, and Vowzra could sense the slightest of Ialu's energies. It was clear that Thulemiz was no longer quite human, though he was by no means a demigod either. Something neither here nor there. With that, he turned towards Astarte and smiled. [b][color=black]'I want you to bless him with power over the dead; to control them and raise them and command them as he pleases. And his Six companions too, he will give you whatever you wish in exchange,'[/color][/b] Vowzra knew what she would ask for, and he knew Thulemiz would accept. [color=8882be]"Whatever I wish? Well, I want new clothing."[/color] Astarte shrugged, [color=8882be]"It would be fairly easy to give them the ability to kill the undead dragons, but power over the dead? That requires a lot of power, Vowzra. Blood Sacrifice, sometimes."[/color] She looked over the Silent Six and Thulemiz. "And your guys don't seem like the kind of humans who'd bring themselves to go through with the rituals." [color=black][i][b]'If it is blood you need, then you shall have all you want of it. The blood of the northern people will rain upon the earth and flow into the smallest rivers and ponds and into the greatest oceans,'[/b][/i][/color] Thulemiz's voice came to them, speaking right into the minds of the deities and the Silent Six, [color=black][i][b]'and as for dresses. I know of no mortal who can craft a dress worthy of a goddess, but if it is your wish, we have seamstresses who can do what they can should they be provided with good material...silk and fine quality cloth does not rain down upon us, much to our misfortune,'[/b][/i][/color] with that he fell silent and the Silent Brothers of the Silent Six were left to answer he pressing question. It was Hikat who spoke. 'If by...'blood sacrifice' you mean to ritually kill the innocent, then we shall have nothing to do with you...' he managed to stop himself from calling her a mindless spawn of chaos, though Hikat well knew that the gods were aware of his thoughts. Perhaps as an Outsider and a Victor their abilities over him were reduced, but he did not doubt that they would know. They were, after all, gods. 'If this blood sacrifice is as the Grandmaster says, the blood of our enemies, then it is a meagre price to pay if we put an end to the darkness as the Execrable Chaos has promised in return for Ialu's defeat,' and with that Hikat fell silent. Whether Astarte knew Hikat's thoughts or not, she showed no reaction to them, and instead stared at him in the eye, not blinking even once. [color=8882be]"Blood of your enemies, blood of your friends, blood of your allies, blood of your mothers, fathers, sons, daughters... It's all just blood."[/color] [color=8882be]"The reason for the sacrifice is that you need the sacrifice's soul to give life to the empty carcasses you call bodies."[/color] She smiled, [color=8882be]"It's a fun process, that ritual."[/color] Her smile grew predatory. [color=8882be]"It will give you the power over death. Your enemies think they are safe, having massacred you. How safe will they feel once maggot-ridden bodies crawl across the dirt and into their huts in the middle of the night, to plunge blood-soaked knives into their sleeping wives and children? How safe?"[/color] She shivered and held herself, predatory smile replaced by an excited one. A mental chuckle resounded from Thulemiz and he seemed, mentally, very pleased. [i][b][color=black]'I very much like you, Mother of the Wi. I will sacrifice thousands to you, and I shall ensure that the victims of the dead not only die, but rise again to kill their loved ones with their own hands,'[/color][/b][/i] around him, the Silent Six were uncomfortable at these words, but said nothing. It was for the sake of Mankind that they did this, they would not allow corruption to enter them - certainly, it could not! For the Great Spirit himself had hardened their souls against corruption and the interference of chaos. They were not ones to let slip power which could be used for good, however. [color=8882be]"No, don't sacrifice anyone to me, it makes me uncomfortable. Just sacrifice them. Dedicate the sacrifice to the God of Life if you want. Now,"[/color] She let her arms fall back to her sides as she relaxed, [color=8882be]"I've changed my mind. I want the dress and your soul, Thulemiz. Once you die, of course. After your death, your soul will be mine."[/color] She nodded to herself, and then pointed to her crown and the glowing white gem embedded on it, [color=8882be]"Like this."[/color] Thulemiz could not see, but Astarte would have felt his Wi exploring where she pointed and his thoughts were suddenly doubtful. Did he wish, upon death, to be sealed in a stone for the amusement of a goddess? The doubts quickly faded however, and he chuckled. He was Thulemiz, he would not die. [i][b][color=black]'Very well, Mother of the Wi. My soul shall be yours should I ever die. But do not think that day shall ever come!'[/color][/b][/i] his maddened mind reverberated with laughter and the Silent Six simply gave him a wider berth. It would be good, once they had dealt with Ialu, to deal more permanently with Thulemiz too... [b][color=black]'Now...'[/color][/b] Vowzra finally intervened, [color=black][b]'about that dress,'[/b][/color] he looked towards Thulemiz who stopped his maniacal mental laughter and gave a little 'ah'. [b][color=black]'Yes yes, I have told Rejys and he has informed them of their task. All they need is the lady herself, or at least her measurements, in order to create a perfect fit,'[/color][/b] he paused before adding, [b][color=black]'but I believe that we have a deal, and you need to fulfill your end...'[/color][/b] [color=8882be]"Oh, right."[/color] Astarte muttered as she flew over to the leftmost of the Silent Six. She put her hand, gently, on his forehead. A blue light emanated from the contact, and once Astarte pulled her hand away, the human exhaled. She did the same to each one of the Six. When Thulemiz's time came, though, she changed it. Instead of her palm, she only touched her index and middle finger against his forehead, and the light that emanated was a burning red. Once finished, Astarte gave him an ear-to-ear smile and spoke. [color=8882be]"Your soul is my property now, Thulemiz."[/color] Each of them felt the change, but none felt it so greatl as Thulemiz, for he was given power unlike the rest, and he had paid the greatest price for it. His throne itself began to change and whisped about him like smoke, and within the darkness was a glowing red energy. The air around him shimmered and small bursts of energy bubbled through the smoke for a good minute as the Champion of Chaos adapted to the new change, and all the while, Vowzra embedded transforming hero with greater power. He caused the energies of Vestec and Ialu to bond more permanently with the body and increased him in power, ridding him of the mental ailment and healing his mailed soul. When the smoke and energies settled around him, Thulemiz appeared before all in his new form. A dark being, cloaked in a long smoky vapour, yet physical and cloth-like and with no face visible through the darkness of the hood. He was no longer merely Thulemiz the Champion of Chaos, he was now most certainly a [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c4/1a/4f/c41a4f649208512cb3010240705cf923.jpg]Lich Lord.[/url] His was no longer a completely chaotic and maddened aura, but a deathly cold, calculating and merciless one. [color=8882be]"Now that's what Vestec would call style."[/color] Vowzra merely raised and eyebrow at the whole pomp and fuss, though he guessed it made Thulemiz feel almost important so he did not comment. 'Rejys has called to us, he says the seamstresses require your presence, my lady,' Hikat spoke up. Slowly the Silent Six descended. Thulemiz on the other hand merely floated upwards, clearly lost in his own world. Vowzra turned to Astarte and smiled. [b][color=black]'That was...interesting,'[/color][/b] he said, [b][color=black]'and I am done here. I will leave you in the care of those seamstresses,'[/color][/b] and with that, he slipped through the fabric of existence and was gone. Down below, the seamstresses gawped at the goddess who descended amongst them, but an elderly lady, clearly the most senior seamstress, quickly had them rush the goddess of indoors, away from the prying eyes of the men who would, no doubt, wish to catch a glance of one of the most beautiful beings in existence. They'd just love to get their hands on some of that now, wouldn't they... When Astarte emerged, maybe eight hours later, she was dressed very differently. For one thing, she now wore a pair of [url=http://cdn.shopclues.net/images/detailed/3790/blacklongPACTorganiccottonleggingf_1399871640.jpg]black leggings[/url]. Where before she had worn a dress, she now wore something of a [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/17/e1/a2/17e1a21e10521e4137beb7cd26dd69a1.jpg]white tunic[/url] with white, [url=http://i.imgur.com/ZaLT0uC.jpg]ribbon like hems.[/url] A few jaws dropped here and there when she emerged, and some of the men grovelled at the goddesses feet in worship of her impossible beauty. No doubt her divinity made her new attire appear even more beautiful than anything the seamstresses were capable of - and the material certainly seemed finer than anything to be found within the monastery as a whole. Vestec would be most shocked by her new attire, and probably turn a few shades of pink brighter than ever before... [hider=Astarte Might Summary] - Used 1 Might to gift the Silent Six with Masterful Knowledge of Necromancy and the required rituals. - Used 1 Might to gift Thulemiz with the same knowledge and curse his soul to go to her after he dies. - Used 10 Might to level up to Level 6. 8 Might & 4 FP remaining[/hider] [hider=Vowzra Might] Inherent powers used to heal Thulemiz' mind and soul of Ialu's damage 1 Might used to bond Vestec's and Ialu's powers more wholly into Thulemiz's body, making him something of a half human half demigod 8 Might used to increase Thulemiz's power and level him up from Level 23 to Level 30 [/hider]