Among a myriad of twinkling stars, a deity drifted, his silhouette framed against the vast, inky expanse of the Material Realm. His gaze was fixed upon a far-off solar system where a star, its life extinguished in a brilliant burst of supernova, sprinkled stardust across the void. [b]"Ah… beautiful, yet bittersweet…”[/b] The deity murmured soft words, a blend of reverence and remembrance, as he witnessed the celestial dance of destruction and creation—the very essence of existence. The explosion echoed through the vast silence, a lonely yet magnificent spectacle; it was the divine paradox of endings paving the way for beginnings. The deity’s heart trembled with a sweet melancholy that resonated with the rhythm of the cosmos. As the remnants of the star dispersed, his focus gently swiveled, drawn towards the core of another, yet equally fascinating, solar system—the very same realm where the other deities had chosen to cast their essence first. Among them, the sun god Itzala, whose brilliance lit the marbled spheres above, reigned luminous over one particular planet. Itzala’s presence within the host star of this system had not gone unnoticed by the deity, yet the radiance of The Sun failed to capture his attention at that very moment; the deity’s eyes narrowed as he beheld the peculiar desert planet the gods had chosen to seed with life, its orbit a slow dance between itself and Itzala’s radiant star. With a thought, his vision tunneled through the cold void, descending through the veil of atmosphere that cloaked the nascent world. His sight pierced through swirling sands and rocky bedrock as though they were but mist, plunging into the depths to observe a peculiar mycelium lifeform extending its tendrils through the underworld in a quest for sustenance. At the sight, a slight smile of satisfaction softly etched itself across his ethereal features. [b]“It is coming along nicely now.”[/b] Then, with a slow exhale, his focus widened once again, soaring upwards through the crust and over the stark landscape. His gaze was drawn to a massive crater nestled at the planet’s equator, its heart filled with the crystal-clear essence of life—water. Amidst the serene liquid mirror, an island held dominion, crowned by a majestic tree of apparent divine origin. Its leaves whispered divine truths to the winds that caressed its boughs, its roots delved deep, merging with the very soul of the previously barren world. This same tree was something his gaze could not pierce through, yet the deity could feel a familiar resonance coming from deep within its bowels—the Khodex of Creation was hiding somewhere inside. [i][b]“I should take a closer look at this at some point,”[/b][/i] he thought, making a mental note to visit Allianthe’s grove later. “However it is good to see others prioritizing the safety of the Khodex.” As the deity’s eyes traced the land, they followed a divine river that encircled the equator with purposeful grace; the flow of life-giving waters embraced the cradle of life in the middle with a tender caress, splitting to circle around the serene pool before reuniting in harmony on the other side. Two peculiar statues helped with this separation, undoubtedly an intervention of one of the other deities. [i][b]“I wonder where this river originates from,”[/b][/i] the deity thought, before promptly acting on said thought, sizing down and teleporting right on the planet’s surface. As the deity materialized upon the arid lands, a swirl of dust heralded his arrival. The sky overhead was a tapestry of daylight, the Sun's rays casting long shadows over the dusty terrain. It was a quiet realm, the stillness only interrupted by the occasional whisper of the wind carrying the scent of a bountiful future. This place, though barren, bore a silent promise of vitality and potential—a canvas awaiting the divine stroke of creation. With a gentle levitation, he ascended from the gritty sand, his form gliding smoothly over the calm, reflective surface of the river stretching out from the crater. The deity allowed himself to be drawn towards the river’s origin, his form casting a long, slender shadow over the water as he moved effortlessly against the wind, tracing the river's course as it meandered through the desolate landscape. The riverbanks were like veins of hope in an otherwise lifeless body, hosting a modest array of plant life that clung to the essence of existence the waters provided. The stark contrast of barren desert and the verdant banks was a testament to the transformative touch of divine essence. The deity’s voyage led him across the face of the barren world, the sun god’s light diminishing as he approached the other hemisphere. The sight that awaited him was a stark contrast to the desolate landscape he had traversed. Here, upon the horizon, seven magnificent waterfalls cascaded from ethereal wounds in the atmosphere, their waters plunging into the world with a grace that seemed to defy the laws of the Material Realm. Above, sky islands floated with a gentle serenity, cradling rivers of their own that connected one fall to another. Below, whimsical blooms adorned the entirety of the riverland, banks and wetland alike, dancing flowers swaying to the divine rhythm of creation. Their petals seemed to narrate the lore of the land, a symphony of colors in a stark desert. He descended amidst the blooms, their gentle swaying a silent greeting to the deity. The flowers, sentient in their divine essence, fluttered with a soft giggle, their whispers a playful melody. [color=90EE90]"O traveler of the stars, bearer of ancient scars~"[/color] one began, its voice a tender ripple across the water. [color=90EE90]"Our birth from celestial showers, in Tuuni’s tender hours~”[/color] another chimed in, its voice a melodious echo. Amused and intrigued, the deity inquired, [b]"Tell me, blooms of wonder, what name bears this land, where rivers from heaven meander?”[/b] In a playful cadence, they sang, [color=90EE90]“Shangshi La, a realm so grand, where rivers by Tuuni’s hand, carve through desert’s golden sand~”[/color] [b]“And of these rivers, numbered seven, what names bear the breaths of heaven?”[/b] With a graceful sway, they narrated the names, each flower taking a turn in a playful game, [color=90EE90]“Hermes, Xiaoli, Shangshi, they flow, K'nell, Apostate, with Lorelei in tow, and Benea’s gentle whisper, a celestial glow~"[/color] It was then that the deity, aglow in the subtle, ethereal light his divine aura emitted, began to notice a fading color in the blooms around him. His presence held an, undoubtedly, corrosive effect, wilting the effervescent souls of the blossoms. Yet their song of Shangshi La carried on, their voices braiding through the air with a mystical charm. Observing the withering petals, the deity spoke with a voice tinged with melancholy, [b]"Oh blooms of innocence, my essence seems to corrode your tender being. Why don't you retreat to a safer haven?”[/b] The flowers, in a symphony of harmonies, continued their lyrical tale, each note a blend of joy and eerie acceptance, [color=90EE90]“Shangshi La, a kingdom where dreams take flight, amidst the cosmic night~”[/color] Intrigued yet troubled, the deity pressed further, [b]"I see your sacrifice, yet why do you linger in my poisonous wake? Flee, and save our essence for the morrow.”[/b] A blossom, its color almost drained yet voice clear as the heavenly river, replied, [color=90EE90]“O divine entity, we were birthed by Tuuni’s decree, to narrate the grace of Shangshi La to thee. Our existence is but a fleeting whisper, a ripple in the world river’s gleam~”[/color] [color=90EE90]“And fear not,”[/color] another added, its petals drooping in humble submission, [color=90EE90]“For we are but few of the myriad blooms that line the banks of the world river, our voices will carry forth in a boundless quiver~”[/color] [color=90EE90]“And though we wither in your midst,”[/color] a third chimed, its voice a ghostly mist, [color=90EE90]“Our duty we have not dismissed. The tale of Shangshi La, through ages will persist~”[/color] With a soft hum of gratitude, the deity whispered to the blooms, [b]“Your tale is a gentle stroke on the vast canvas of existence, yet your sacrifice makes your lives a poignant note in the symphony of the cosmos.”[/b] With those final words, he vanished from the face of Shangshi La, a faint trail of cosmic dust marking his departure. Once more amidst the cosmos, the deity found himself drifting in the silent expanse, the desert planet a distant gleam against the backdrop of the stars. In his mind, the fleetingness of the blooms’ existence, their ephemeral dance with destiny, mirrored the fragile yet resilient spirit of mortality. The deity mused upon the grand tapestry of existence, where each thread of life, however frail, contributed to the cosmic narrative. He found a strange kinship with the fleeting blossoms, their essence a brief, beautiful note in the timeless melody of the Universe. As the deity’s thoughts entwined with the stars’ distant glow, a profound realization blossomed within his ethereal heart. Each life held a spark of the divine, a soft glimmer in the endless night, and yet, the vastness of creation often left them adrift in the cosmic seas. It was then that his heart swayed with a newfound resolve; a guiding light was essential, a shepherd amidst the stars to lead the way in a potential divine absence. And what better luminous entities to assume this role than the stars themselves—the suns that illuminated the realms of existence. It was perfect, really; a network of guardians to watch over said realms, to nurture, guide, teach, and maybe even punish. The stars, the suns of myriad solar systems, appeared as the perfect sentinels. They were the constant companions of planets, the silent witnesses to the unfolding array of life. He stood still and silent for a few moments, his mind racing through a myriad calculations, making sure every aspect of this vision, slowly crystallizing within his divine mind, could be brought into reality without any mistakes. Then, with a breath imbued with divine intent, the deity extended his essence into the Astral Realm, his will weaving through the celestial veil. As his thoughts resonated through the boundless expanse, the astral fabric quivered, ready to embrace change. His will flowed like a silken thread, weaving through the very foundation of the Astral, embroidering the laws of—what he would eventually come to call—the Luminary System into the cosmic expanse. The deity meticulously crafted the pathways of awakening; each stroke of intent detailed the process through which a star, with its passive interaction with the Astral Realm’s own energy, could transcend its physical existence, birthing a consciousness that resonated with the lives it nurtured. Painting the astral with delicate strokes, he went on to establish the symbiotic bond that would exist between the so-called Luminary and the beings of its domain. He envisioned a grand network, an astral web through which Luminaries could share wisdom, experiences, and perhaps even the whispers of love that bloomed on the planets they safeguarded. This network would echo with the collective aspirations, hopes, and fears of the Universe, a grand narrative shared amongst the stars. The deity did not forget to include ways through which Luminaries could communicate with the beings of their domains, such as dreams, visions, or perhaps the gentle caress of a breeze carrying whispers of guidance. He saw Luminaries altering planetary conditions, orchestrating favorable environments for life to flourish, their consciousness a gentle tide that could sway the destinies of worlds. He also intricately wove the mechanism of a Luminary’s rebirth. As he threaded this rule into the astral fabric, he envisioned the Luminary's consciousness, upon the physical star’s demise, ascending within the Astral Realm, embarking on a cosmic voyage to infuse its essence into a dormant seed—that of a star hosting life within its system—and thus birthing a fresh cycle of guardianship. With a flourish of cosmic intent, the deity laid down the final strokes of this new edict into the astral weave. Each rule, each amendment, had been meticulously crafted, a testament to his divine foresight. As the last filaments of his new design intertwined with the astral fabric, a profound stillness enveloped the Astral Realm—a moment of silent anticipation, as if the cosmos held its breath, awaiting the dawn of a new order. Then, like the gentle beat of a cosmic heart, a powerful ripple emanated from the core of his being, cascading through the boundless expanse of the Astral Realm. It was a pulse of divine essence, a herald of change that reverberated through the very core of the Astral. As the ripple coursed through the astral fabric, a profound transformation unfolded. Amidst the shadowy veils of the Astral Realm, nascent stars began to manifest, appearing like tender buds in a celestial garden awaiting the dawn. Each star was but an echo, a silent promise of the luminous guardians that would one day emerge. Yet, for now, they remained dormant, their light a soft whisper in the parallel void. These astral echoes were the silent testament to the deity's vision—a network of guardians ready to awaken with the stir of consciousness. The deity gazed upon the ethereal stars, a soft glow of satisfaction radiating from his visage. The Luminary System was now sewn into the fabric of existence, its potential a silent hum in the cosmic harmony. As the deity beheld the slowly forming astral constellations before him, he knew that a grand chapter in the cosmic narrative had been forever etched. [hider=Lore Summary]This post, once again, centers around Ull'yang, who is captivated by the cyclic nature of creation and destruction in the universe, particularly on Galbar with all the other gods' various creations. Ull'yang appreciates the transient, delicate nature of life, especially witnessed through the ephemeral existence of blooms on Shangshi La. Intrigued by the resilience and promise of life, Ull'yang envisions a system to shepherd and protect the realms of existence in a potential deific absence. This vision leads to the inception of the Luminary System, where stars transcend their physical existence to become guardians, termed Luminaries, for their respective realms. Ull'yang meticulously crafts the astral laws governing this system, ensuring a symbiotic relationship between the Luminaries and the beings in their domains. Luminaries, through an astral network, would share wisdom and experiences, and communicate with beings in their domains through dreams, visions, or natural phenomena. Ull'yang also outlines the mechanism of rebirth for a Luminary, ensuring continuity in guardianship across cosmic cycles. Upon completing the design of the Luminary System, a profound transformation unfolds in the Astral Realm, signifying the inception of a new cosmic order. This change manifests as nascent stars, the potential future Luminaries, awaiting their awakening in the Astral Realm. Ull'yang, satisfied, perceives this as a significant addition to the cosmic narrative, foreseeing a network of guardians ready to protect and guide the realms of existence.[/hider][hider=MP Summary] [list] [*][b]-7 MP Transcedental Action[/b] - Introduce the Luminary System into the Astral Realm, and by extension the Universe as a whole. Details on how the system works can be found in the Google Doc link on my repo, in Discord. P.S. As the Action essentially grants the stars potential sentience, I was allowed to count 3 out of 7 MP towards obtaining the Mind Domain. [b]4/8 MP currently spent towards this goal.[/b] [*][b]-4 MP[/b] towards locking in the Mind Domain for Ull'yang. [b]8/8 MP currently spent towards this goal.[/b] [/list] [center][img]https://media.tenor.com/xyfo2_ZBxpQAAAAC/hector-salamanca.gif[/img][/center] [quote][b]Domain[/b]: Mind [indent]The Mind Domain reigns over the intricate pathways of consciousness, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and memories. A deity who commands this domain isn't just an observer of these mental processes but a sculptor, capable of molding the mind's very fabric, potentially even infusing sentience into previously non-sentient beings. Imagine having the ability to amplify someone's senses, making the mundane seem magical or the painful become invisible - a deity of the Mind Domain can do just that. They can dip into the streams of thought, subtly planting ideas or reshaping emotions, acting not with overwhelming force but with the deftness of an artist. Memories, too, are within their grasp; they can bring forgotten ones to the forefront or let painful recollections fade away. Beyond these interventions, the Mind Domain can allow one to stand as a guardian against external threats. In a world where one's thoughts might be vulnerable, the deity acts as a bulwark against psychic invasions or manipulative mind control. Their voice doesn't need to be heard aloud, for they can easily communicate with a silent clarity, unhindered by distance or language, a whisper in the minds of those they address. And it's not just about influencing individuals; the Mind Domain can make a deity's touch ripple through entire cultures, inspiring thinkers to innovate or leading them to momentous epiphanies. The Mind Domain isn't just a force of power but of potential, guiding and shaping the very essence of thought and emotion in the world.[/indent][/quote] [b]3 MP left after deductions.[/b] [/hider]