[center][img]https://s31.postimg.org/forki384b/second_try.png[/img] [color=DarkGoldenrod][b] The Meek Level 1 Demigod of Crafting (Machinery)[/b] 8 Might[/color] [img]http://i.imgur.com/xh8a8v7.png[/img] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7f28c785-bb7c-4826-8dbd-4f45a4e28f0c.png[/img] [color=Peru][b]The Great Artisan, Divine Mason, Builder of Civilisations Level 4 God of Crafting (Masonry, Carpentry)[/b] 25.5 Might & 1 Free Points[/color] [h2]Travels of the Craftmaidens[/h2] [i]Cordially collaborated by BBeast, Hygswitch, and Muttonhawk Oppressively draconian editing by Muttonhawk[/i] [/center] [hider=The Grand World Tour: The Feature Length Conclusion to the Stone Age] Teknall takes Kinesis and Conata on a global tour of Galbar, showing them most of the landmarks and sentient races, and telling them of most of the deities. Following are the components of the tour, in order of mention: -Fractal Sea -Jvan -Sparkling Sea -Zephyrion -Firewind Desert -City of Vetros (unnamed in tour) -Mahd River (unnamed in tour) -Venomweald Jungle -Ogres (not seen in tour, only talked about) -Changing Plains -Vestec -Footprints of Grot -Deepwood (visited up close) -Slough -Brush beasts -Hain -Darkened Spires (the missing Julkofyr is mentioned in passing) -The existing moons, with names and owners -Vulamera -Kyre -The remains of Lex -Logos -That time when Vestec tried to drop a moon on Galbar and Vowzra took it to the Gap -A warning about the vacuum of space -White Ocean -Cornerstone -Toun -Ironheart Ranges -Mount Bormahven -Ull'Yang and Yang'Ze -The Hilt -Valley of Peace and Nice Mountains -Niciel -Angels -Humans -Urtelem -Elementals -Xerxes (unnamed in tour) -Shalanoir Pass -Phantasmagoria -Quara Korala (unnamed in tour) -Alefpria (named as capital of the Lifprasillian empire) -Lifprasil -Lifprasillians -Rovaick The tour ends in a major settlement of the Rovaick, where the trio finally make landfall. They enter the settlement. Entry is granted, but the strange forms of Conata and Kinesis evokes a mixture of suspicion and fear in the inhabitants. Teknall tells Conata that she's here to teach the Rovaick metalworking. She heads off enthusiastically. Teknall sends Kinesis to watch her while he goes to a meeting. Rather than apply mortal methods, Conata simply melts a huge chunk out of an ore vein in situ and triumphantly holds aloft a huge ball of freshly made pure copper. Unsurprisingly, this terrifies the bystanders, which makes Conata sad. However, with some guidance from Kinesis and the natural curiosity of the goblins, she gets back to making things and makes a nice show. Teknall eventually returns, and they make a start on some proper teaching. But there is much to teach but not enough time, and they run out of day. Teknall takes Conata to the house of a Tedar couple, Choukkud and Wutni, where she will be staying the night. At least, that is what Conata is told. Really, she would be staying there for the next few years. Conata eventually falls asleep, and Teknall and Kinesis leave. When Conata wakes the next day, she has no memories of Teknall and Kinesis, taking Choukkud and Wutni as her family instead. [i]Hey guys, can I have metal now?[/i] It shouldn't take long for very rudimentary smelting and smithing methods to spread forth on tales of a little girl of metal and fire that shapes it to her whim. Don't get too excited, though. We'll draw the line at bronze becoming slowly more widespread. Other breakthroughs can come later. Rule of thumb: PACE YOURSELVES, PLEASE! C: [/hider] Teknall, Conata and Kinesis were floating high in the sky beside the Celestial Citadel. [color=Peru]"Come now, we have a world to see,"[/color] Teknall announced. Without further warning, the world wrenched them all downwards. Conata's skin flicked completely into rough and grey lithium. The trio descended, flying away from the Celestial Citadel and down into the troposphere. Conata held on tightly to her father and her sister, taking a few moments to stabilise herself enough and return to a cautious copper. All that was floundering around from then on was her and Kinesis' dresses. Kinesis smiled and softly held Conata's hand, flying quite well in comparison. As they flew across the sky, faster than the most furious wind, Teknall pointed out various landforms, and some of the history behind them. [color=Peru]"There is the Fractal Sea,"[/color] Teknall explained. [color=Peru]"See its elegant and detailed pattern, from which it gets its name. It was one of the very first features to be created on Galbar. It was made by Jvan."[/color] Conata was mesmerised into polished bronze by the rippling pattern of the water beneath her. The great, blue, sparkling surface reached the horizon as if it went on forever. Kinesis looked down at the open sea with her mouth half opened. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"The air smells great above the water." [/color] [color=Peru]"You can see Jvan from here."[/color] Teknall nodded to a jutting peninsula with a large, lonely bluff. Conata's eyes were drawn to it as well. [color=Peru]"That grey mountain down there is her. She's..."[/color] Teknall hesitated for a moment as he sought the right words. [color=Peru]"...an engineer of sorts, but of creatures of flesh rather than inanimate things. Her tastes are peculiar, but she is enthusiastic about her work."[/color] Peculiar was an apt word for what Teknall described. However, Conata reasoned Jvan's purpose quickly. Who else made things out of flesh than an engineer of flesh? Conata didn't think that Teknall did anything like that. [color=Orange]"Jvan must be very busy,"[/color] Conata remarked. She waved innocently at the mountain as if it was watching them. It felt like it was watching them. Kinesis, on the other hand, was very unsettled by Teknall’s description. She did not look anywhere else but at Jvan as long as they were close enough to see her grey bulk. Kinesis knew what it meant to be an engineer, and applying these principles to living beings was unnerving to say the very least.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "Enthusiastic..." [/color]she said in an unenthusiastic tone as they left the fractal sea behind. Teknall continued as they sped to the other side of the waters. They became somehow more vibrant as they flew. [color=Peru]"Adjoining it is the Sparkling Sea, a creation of Zephyrion, the God of Change and Storms. He and I both share ownership of the Celestial Citadel. That is, where we have just come from; I built it, and he made it fly. He is a particularly haughty individual, but as long as you avoid sparking his temper he is quite amicable."[/color] Conata made a note of Zephyrion. The number of members in her godly family were more than she had thought. Her sister just nodded, still in thought about what a god of fleshly engineering signified. Kinesis silently observed the far less sinister stretch of water, which quickly eroded her thoughtful mood just as Zephyrion’s minions eroded the mountains. The flight took the three to the shores of another sea, this one made from sand. [color=Peru]"Wedged between these two seas you can see a desert. This is the Firewind Desert, which was also made by Zephyrion. It is largely uninhab-"[/color] Teknall was cut off as he spotted something. It was much too far for the demigods to see clearly, but well within Teknall's divine perception. [color=Orange]"What are those down there?"[/color] Conata asked with a finger outstretched to the buildings on the Mahd. Kinesis shaded her eyes and gazed where her sister was pointing, smiling excitedly. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"It looks like houses. There are some sentient people there; builders. Right father?"[/color] Teknall answered pointedly, [color=Peru]"There seems to be the starting of a small civilisation along the river."[/color] It was a human settlement being built along the river. Teknall felt Zephyrion's presence strongly there. As well, at the delta of this river existed a mangrove. Many gods had visited that place. Most of all, he felt the essence of Slough and Jvan. It was a place clouded in mystery and eternal gloom. He would need to check out both places in time. The same river was the one they followed in their flight, cutting over its meandering path into greener and rockier lands. Teknall explained as they flew, [color=Peru]"Upstream there is a jungle. That jungle is the Venomweald, and it is a place full of nasty and vicious creatures and plants. If you do ever go there, take great caution."[/color] As a response, Conata narrowed her red eyes at the horizon. She could not quite see whatever the 'jungle' was, whatever she was supposed to be seeing. Teknall's warning only made her more curious as to what creations made it so dangerous and why they were there. Kinesis was intrigued by the thought of a place like this weald. She decided to visit it sometime and carefully committed the location to her memory. They didn't reach the Venomweald in the end, instead slowly banking to the left in view of the great trees that covered it. [color=Peru]"Living near the Venomweald is a race called the ogres. They are a brutish and resilient creation of Zephyrion, although they can be counted amongst the intelligent races of Galbar. They are relatively new, and currently, they are rather localised, which is probably for the best."[/color] Kinesis nodded slowly, so there was more than one sort of sentient people on Galbar, what a wonderful thought. What a diverse planet to discover. Conata wondered whether it was ogres that built the structures further down river. Daddy had been surprised at them being there. Perhaps the ogres weren't so static after all? [color=Peru]"Look westwards, to that great expanse of shattered ground. Those are the Changing Plains. They were made by Vestec, back when Galbar was very young."[/color] The distaste in Teknall's expression became visible, and bitterness flowed as he spoke about his enemy. Conata seemed more curious about this demeanour than the expanse of rubble beside them. Teknall gave her more to be curious about in his following words. [color=Peru]"Vestec wants nothing but chaos, violence and corruption. He is a bully, a vandal, a scoundrel, and a liar. If you ever have the misfortune of meeting him, do not trust him for a moment."[/color] Perturbed by this, Conata slowly turned her head back to the changing plains. She could sum up all her challenged preconceptions in one question with regards to Vestec; [color=Orange]"Why is he like that?"[/color] Kinesis looked similarly worried, frowning as she thought about this. So, there was a destructive and malevolent god. It stood to reason, that for there to be good there had to be another, something else. In a sad voice, she said, [color=DarkGoldenrod]"To balance the world; For there to be good and construction there must be a counterweight; there must be destruction and evil."[/color] Teknall nodded solemnly in agreement with Kinesis. [color=Peru]"Indeed. Conflict is a driving force for change and innovation. That doesn't make him any nicer."[/color] Conata was perturbed into silence by this revelation. It made her bronze fade into a copper again and her silence stayed for a while. The flight banked right again. From up above the clouds, a trail of giant muddy footprints could just be made out, leading away from the Changing Planes and through the Great Steppes. [color=Peru]"See those footprints? Vestec created a giant monster and an army, which he sent out to destroy everything in its path. Fortunately, it is gone now, but I fear for the next time he tries to pull such a stunt."[/color] Kinesis looked at the trail in disbelief, this had been made by a true leviathan on land. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"It must have been the size of a mountain." [/color] Conata, too, had a hard time fathoming the size of such a creature based on what she could see. Each footprint was like a miniature lake into itself. This Vestec must be very powerful to make such a beast. Teknall then led them westwards, away from Vestec's land. As they left, his countenance lightened and he sounded calm once more. [color=Peru]"Up ahead is the Deepwood, a place of great biodiversity and ecology. Unlike the Venomweald, it is quite hospitable."[/color] Also unlike the Venomweald, this forest was brought into vivid view for the divine family. Conata squinted again over this new sea of green, trying to see under the lumpy canopy. She wanted to see what was inside. Kinesis smiled and her hair seemed to reflect the sun's warm light with greater intensity, making it seem much redder than before as it trailed behind her. Her eyes sparkled with warmth as they drank in this sight. This was the most beautiful place she had seen on Galbar yet. [color=Peru]"It was made by Slough, back in Galbar's earliest days,"[/color] Teknall said. [color=Peru]Slough is the Life Deer. Despite her traumatic birth, she is the cornerstone of life throughout the whole Universe. Most of the plants and animals and other living things you see are either made by Slough or made from something Slough had created. Despite her great power, her intellect is equal with the wild animals, so she is not much of one for conversation."[/color] Kinesis smiled at the thought of a less sentient god. But why not? Sentience was not a vital function or anything with inherent worth for the tasks of a goddess of life. Maybe it would even hinder such a being. Intellect was discerning; something striving for an external view on things. To look at them. Maybe life needed to be part of this tapestry of existence? Instinctually immersed in it, even? Conata's thoughts had a simpler depth. A deer? The thought that one of the gods would only act like an animal caused a faint ripple of amused bismuth over her skin. Teknall and Kinny seemed really smart. Maybe Slough was just shy. Still, Conata's curiosity about the forest was foremost. [color=Orange]"Can we see inside?"[/color] she asked. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"Yes father, let us see it closer."[/color] Kinesis chimed in as well. [color=Peru]"Sure,"[/color] Teknall replied. They dove down until they flew beneath the canopy. Kinesis broke loose from their descent and circled one of the true giants of the Deepwood; An aeons-old ash tree, towering further above the canopy than the lesser trees below might ever go. She smiled at the colossus, committing him to her memory; she would visit here again. Finally, Kinesis dove underneath the canopy. The boundless cathedral of green spanning into all dimensions around her made Kinesis open her mouth in awe. She marvelled at the thick gallery of life all around her as she sped up to catch up with her family. They passed by unfathomable trunks and green foliage of many of the Deeptrees. All around them was the incredibly diverse and fantastical fauna of the Deepwood- giant winged insects, aphid colonies, slugs, oozes, spiders, bat-like gargoyles, towering sloths, glowing striders, and colourful silky winged creatures. Conata reached a hand out to let the leaves run through her fingers. They scratched as much as they caressed, but her metal skin did not bleed from the twigs. She would have brushed her hands over every detail of the forest if she could. After they had passed through the Deepwood, seeing its sights, the trio ascended once more to cruising altitudes. From these great heights, a small herd of gigantic long-necked quadrupeds could be seen walking across the golden plains to the south. [color=Peru]"Those are brush beasts, one of Slough's creations. They are by far the largest species of animal on Galbar. Fortunately, despite their great size, they are quite docile."[/color] Conata grinned. Even though they were positively colossal, she found the brush beasts' movements entertaining in a clumsy sort of way. They also had such big eyes. [color=Orange]"They're cute,"[/color] Conata giggled. Kinesis looked down at the gargantuan beasts, intrigued by them. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"Do you think they would be willing to bear a small load on their back, father? If I were to build a house upon their shoulders, maybe I could travel the world with them."[/color] [color=Peru]"They should be able to do that,"[/color] Teknall replied. Kinesis sighed. The time would come to travel the world, she was sure of that. Teknall guided his daughters lower, into the Gilt Savannah, until they were floating above a village. Close enough that they could make out details, but far enough that they would not be clearly seen. Below they could see white-shelled, beak-faced humanoids scurrying about with their daily activities. [color=Peru]"These are Hain. They are the most widespread of the intelligent races on Galbar. Except for perhaps elementals. They are a good people. I have spent many years walking among them, teaching them the ways of crafting."[/color] The little hain were strange to Conata. She did not expect creatures with shiny shells covering their bodies. Conata was so fascinated that she sought to clarify why they were so strange. [color=Orange]"Were these made by Slough as well?"[/color] [color=Peru]"No, they were made by Toun, the God of Perfection. He has...left them to do things themselves."[/color] Kinesis nodded and took note of how her father paused in his speech. Did he disapprove of Toun? Letting his creation wander the earth and learn for themselves surely was a good thing, wasn't it? She sized up the small shelled people; they looked well designed enough, and social, too. From what she could tell, at least. Conata knit her brow at the thought of what a god of 'perfection' was meant to do. These hain might have been more than they looked like as a result. Maybe they still were. They ascended once more and flew onwards. Soon, Teknall pointed towards a small patch of land that was obscured by shadows. [color=Peru]"Those are the Darkened Spires. They were made by Julkofyr long ago. Although, as far as I can tell, nothing of note has even happened there. In fact, I haven't heard from Julkofyr since we found Galbar..."[/color] Conata gulped. The spires were certainly not where the light touches and were beyond any borders. They were so eerie, even if daddy said that they were nothing special. Kinesis looked worried after what she heard. Could gods just vanish? Maybe even die? The thought made her innards churn. As the cold dread passed through her, her hair seemed less fiery, the darker areas with their blueish shine more pronounced. She seemed shadowy herself for a moment. Further westwards they flew until they entered the night side of the planet. Teknall took pause for some star-gazing, slowly turning around with the girls. [color=Peru]"See the moons above us. They were all created by Vulamera, the Goddess of Knowledge, as gifts to the various gods."[/color] Teknall paused again, his brow furrowing. He hadn't heard anything from Vulamera since the birth of Lifprasil. Perhaps she was secluded on her moon, deep in study. He doubted her absence was so benign. [color=Orange]"They're so far away..."[/color] Conata thought out loud. They also had to be big if they were that easy to see from this distance. Kinesis, too, looked up at the great forms hovering around Galbar, folding her arms behind her head as she flew on her back, gazing at these diverse orbital bodies. Teknall pointed to the moons as he named them. [color=Peru]"If you look very hard, you can see a black circle which blots out the stars. That is Cogitare, Vulamera's own moon. The two white orbs which look like eyes are Vigilate and Scitis, which she also claimed for herself. Over there is Auricolor, which she gifted to me. It is richly laden with minerals and precious stones. The oddly shaped moon is Periditus and was gifted to Kyre, the God of War. Kyre is a good man; he seeks to protect the world against those who might otherwise ravage it, and for that, he has my respect. Finally, there is Mirus, a moon of fractal, geometric form gifted to Jvan."[/color] Kyre. That was another one for Conata to note. He must be nice if he wants to protect such a big and beautiful world as this one. Still, the one who made these moons, Vulamera, she must have been greatly powerful as well. Though, she sounded nicer than Vestec. Which one was Vestec's moon, anyway? As if reading her mind, Teknall's next words answered Conata before she had the opportunity to ask. [color=Peru]"And then there is the ring. It might look pretty, but it is a constant reminder of Vestec's destructive nature. That ring was made when he smashed two moons together and tried to drop one on Galbar. Fortunately, the moon was stopped, spirited away to the Gap by Vowzra. This ring is all that remains of the other moon, Lex. Lex was given to Logos, the God of Order and Physics. He's...oppressive. He did contribute most of the Laws of Physics which govern the Universe, yet he is inflexible in his concept of Order. So much so that he has removed himself to some distant corner of the Universe and hasn't been heard from since, such was his desire for isolation."[/color] So many other gods. [color=Orange]"Who is Vowzra?"[/color] Conata asked as her copper showed flecks of green in the start of a frustrated patina. [color=Peru]"Vowzra is the God of Time,"[/color] Teknall answered plainly. There was a firm nod from Conata. She was trying her best to remember all these names. [color=Peru]"A word of warning. Don't try and fly to these moons without the proper preparation, since beyond this thin atmosphere or air is the unforgiving vacuum of space. Neither of you can breathe space, so I recommend you don't try unless you bring an atmosphere with you."[/color] Kinesis had split her right arm in two again when her father had explained this, raising one of the arms as if to grab these moons. Her hair was gleaming black and red in equal parts again, and her eyes seemed to shine with a slight green glow.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "There are so many gods around, I hope there is still space in this world for us, father." [/color]She said as she lowered her arm and turning to Teknall. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"We will make sure not to try to visit these moons alone, don't worry,"[/color] she said softly. Conata was disappointed to hear that the sky was not a safe place all the way up, but she felt as though even putting air everywhere was beyond the capabilities of a god. It had to be, right? They moved on and continued westwards, until they encountered another ocean with jagged edges, like a massive impact crater. [color=Peru]"This is the White Ocean, named so for both the cliffs of chalk and the one who made it; Toun. In the centre, that gleaming spot of white porcelain, is Cornerstone, Toun's own place. Toun is a perfectionist, yet his standard of perfection is unattainable, even by himself. Despite this, he tries to do good."[/color] [color=DarkGoldenrod]"Maybe Toun should be less self-critical? What I have seen of his work looks very perfect to me."[/color] She pondered aloud. This travel made her more thoughtful as it went on and as she learned more of this world. Conata wondered why a god would want to live in the middle of the ocean and why he was so worried about being perfect. Maybe he was just shy as well, like Slough. His home was pretty, at least. Same with his ocean. All the oceans Conata had seen were pretty, come to think of it. Eventually, they crossed the white ocean and a great mountain range came into view. With pride, Teknall said, [color=Peru]"And those are the Ironheart Ranges, my own creation from the early days of Galbar. Like Auricolor, they are rich in minerals and precious stones."[/color] Kinesis smiled upon seeing the global mountain range. Peaks as high as the atmosphere, other lesser summits with glaciers and snow. Deep cut valleys filled with green, with forests, with lakes. It was a wonderful place. Her eyes lit up warmly again, her hair seeming more reddish, flowing around her head like fibrous fire. Conata's ears pricked at the mention of minerals that she might access. [color=Orange]"Is there metal in the mountains?"[/color] she asked almost immediately. [color=Orange]"There was not much in the citadel."[/color] [color=Peru]"There is plenty of metal in the mountains,"[/color] Teknall chuckled, [color=Peru]"You will get your chance to use those metals soon."[/color] The grey, snowy range of mountains was rough -- not the most glamorous feature of the world. However, their scale was breathtaking. Just thinking about all that metal to play with made Conata take on a giddy warm bronze. A particularly tall mountain was visible over the horizon to the south. [color=Peru]"That is Mount Bormahven. Aside from its spectacular height, there is not too much special about it. It formed naturally as far as can be told, although perhaps that in itself makes it special. It was there I made a quarterstaff for Yang'Ze, the avatar of Ull'Yang, the God of Stars and the Cosmos. Ull'Yang himself is a star, living far, far away, but someday you may meet Yang'Ze, who walks Galbar. Ull'Yang is an honourable god, true to his word. He gave me the star which powers the workshop where you were made, too."[/color] Conata's mood went back to copper. [color=Orange]"Why are there so many gods?!"[/color] she asked, overwhelmed. Teknall shrugged. [color=Peru]"I suppose that is just how it was Fated. All of us have different things we are good at, and thus by our combined efforts we can do everything that needs to be done."[/color] Kinesis smiled at her sister. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"I think it is good that many gods are around. It makes us...them...more social beings. Beings that live in the knowledge that there they have kin - others like them around. I think a single god existing alone would be worse. Always lonely. Eternally without an equal, he would be bound to get mad. What a horrible world such a lonesome god would create."[/color] Also to the south, jutting up from a mesa before the Ironhearts, was the handle-end of a gigantic stone sword. [color=Peru]"That would be the Hilt. Kyre made that."[/color] The Hilt, at least, was a pretty sculpture. Conata wondered what purpose it served. Maybe it was Kyre's home, like Cornerstone or the Sky Citadel. Kinesis looked at the hilt with great interest. She was not as great a builder as her father for sure, but she had a tender heart for architecture as one of the basic forms of engineering. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"A god of war creating such a fine building. He really seems to be a protective and creative force in this world." [/color] They flew north to the top end of the Ironheart Ranges, and a region of faint mist surrounded by mountains approached over the horizon. [color=Peru]"That is the Valley of Peace, bordered by the Nice Mountains. It is a sanctuary created by Niciel, the Goddess of Purity and Holiness. She is a kind and caring goddess, if not a bit overzealous at times. The Valley is perpetually under an aura which inhibits violence and aggression."[/color] [color=Orange]"Is she like Ilunabar?"[/color] Conata asked. The only details about Ilunabar she knew of were second hand from Kinesis, but she sounded similar to Niciel. Teknall thought for a moment. [color=Peru]"I suppose she is. To some extent, anyway."[/color] Kinesis thought back to Ilunabar, who had helped to make her, and who had welcomed her to Galbar. The goddess seemed lofty and distant all the time, but her Muse Meimu had been very nice. If Niciel was like this, she would love to meet this other goddess. Teknall was about to descend, but a distant mountain in the north pole caught his eye. To be visible from this far away, it must have been as preposterously tall as Mount Bormahven, yet he knew nothing about it. [color=Peru]"If you would excuse me for a moment, I need to check something out,"[/color] Teknall said to his daughters. In the blink of an eye, he was gone, the air parting aside and sealing behind him as he flew at impossible speeds. In just a moment, he was drifting over the Solitary Mount. It was covered in cloud, with a portal was at its peak. Far below, in the forested snow-lands, existed a great tree. Teknall could sense that both these objects were Vowzra's. Alongside the great tree was what appeared to be a giant cracked egg of wood, and there he could feel the strong essence of both Slough and Belruarc. It was a strange place, this. And new. This was clearly what Vowzra had been busy doing while hiding in mysterious seclusion- populating the north pole with his trees and mysteries. Teknall only lingered for a couple of seconds before returning to his daughters. They didn't even have time to wonder whether they would be left to float for eternity or not. [color=Peru]"Beyond the Valley of Peace, at the northernmost reaches of Galbar, is a great expanse of ice covered in trees,"[/color] he reported. [color=Peru]"While most of the trees on Galbar are of my own creation, adapted from the designs of Slough and proliferated about the world, those trees there aren't. Vowzra made those trees. He also made a massive yet mysterious mountain, although I know very little about it. Vowzra is also rather mysterious. He's the God of Time, as I mentioned, and he works for Fate, or at least claims to. Usually, you don't hear much from him until there is some big event and he swoops in, claims authority and enacts his own plans. Not too different from Logos in that regard, actually."[/color] Another one to avoid, if Conata thought correctly. Although, that didn't seem hard with how shy Vowzra sounded. It was almost as if every third god in their family was shy. Working for Fate sounded weird, though. Conata thought that Fate was just what happened to people because of coincidence, not something that talks and gives orders like some kind of boss. Kinesis sighed, thinking that true authority way not supposed to be claimed but only freely given, but she didn't voice her concern. They then descended into the Valley of Peace, like they had when visiting the hain village, entering into the soothing mist suspended above the Valley. Below them were creatures of human appearance, but with brightly coloured hair, fair countenances, and large white wings like those of a bird sprouting from their backs. [color=Peru]"These are Angels, an intelligent race created by Niciel. They inhabit the areas within and surrounding the Nice Mountains. They fly and have some magical powers. They're generally rather secluded, with a few notable exceptions."[/color] Unlike the hain, the angels looked enough like Conata and her sister for Conata to wave and smile. The angels would not be able to see them, of course. Kinesis deeply breathed in the soothing pinkish air of the nice mountains, feeling a cool, but not uncomfortable, feeling engulf her. She looked at her own holographic wings and back at the angels and couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly, clapping both hands over her mouth and grunting.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "They look like me." [/color] Next, they exited the Valley and headed to another village. It and its inhabitants were less dignified than the angels. They were more dirty and rugged in appearance. However, there was significant evidence showing that these beings were more technologically advanced than the angels. [color=Peru]"These are humans, whose forms you should recognise. I will be honest- I have had little interaction with them, but Ilunabar is quite fond of them. I also have no idea who made them or where they came from. They aren't quite as widespread as the hain, but they may be one day."[/color] Conata took a liking to waving. These humans were fleshy instead of metallic, but they looked like her as well. More so than the angels. Maybe Jvan made them. Kinesis was surprised at seeing the Humans, they uncannily looked like her when she only had two arms. Even more so than the angels, she decided. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"This seems to be a recurring form, they look like me and Meimu and Ilunabar." [/color] she said in wonder. They continued southwards, following the eastern slopes of the Ironhearts. Soon, they stopped by what looked like a bunch of boulders on a scree slope. It looked plain and boring at first, until one of the boulders seemed to sprout limbs, shamble forwards a few steps, and then eat a handful of pebbles. [color=Peru]"These are the Urtelem, and they are my own creation. I created them to fight back against any dangerous and powerful creatures the other gods would make, like Vestec's ashlings. They have been very effective at doing so. As you can tell, they are made of stone and they eat stone. Also, they sense the disposition of creatures around them, allowing them to identify who to protect and who to crush. Thanks to some help from Jvan, they are also fairly intelligent, despite their sedentary lifestyle, and they communicate using hand gestures."[/color] [color=Orange]"Like waving?"[/color] Conata asked. She was excited to hear that it wasn't just fleshy humanoids that might understand her distant yet enthusiastic greetings. She gave them an especially energetic wave of her arms. Kinesis looked mainly at her sister when they passed the rocky Urtelem, biting her lips. Her enthusiasm was so endearing. She had to resist the urge to hug her. They continued onwards until a storm cloud blocked their path. Yet it was no natural storm. It was two storms clashing and fighting, tearing away at each other with thunderbolts and hurricane-force winds. A torrential downpour accompanied by frequent lightning strikes and mighty gales was underneath. [color=Peru]"Ah, the elementals. Zephyrion made them, and they seem to come into existence anywhere. They are beings of pure magical power, encompassing some aspect of nature, such as air or water. Most are tiny and unintelligent, but there exists a hierarchy. Djinn, like these before us, are beaten only by divine beings in strength. It is a mercy that they compete amongst each other so strongly, or else all life on Galbar might be under their dominion."[/color] Being the first time that Conata had seen lightning, she was fascinated. Too fascinated even to wave. Even if she would wave, she didn't know where to direct her palm. All she saw were storms. [color=Orange]"Are they hiding in the clouds?"[/color] [color=Peru]"Look closer,"[/color] Teknall said. Among the clouds, there appeared a giant arm which lashed out at the other cumulonimbus. In that other cloud, they could just make out what appeared to be a face made of lightning. [color=Peru]"They [i]are[/i] the clouds."[/color] Conata gasped when she spotted the elementals' faces. All she could respond with was a wispy [color=Orange]"Wooow..."[/color] [color=DarkGoldenrod]"They are forces of nature." [/color]Kinesis stated as she took in this spectacle. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"Are there ones of the earth and water too?" [/color] Another question came to her as she looked on at the emerging forms of the elementals’ furious faces.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "And are they all men?" [/color] [color=Peru]"There are indeed elementals of earth and water, and fire too,"[/color] Teknall replied. [color=Peru]"You can find woman elementals, too."[/color] They circumnavigated the battle and continued onwards. Over the horizon, a beach of purple sand came into view, and sprawling inland from it was a city of mud brick buildings and pyramids of Jvanic origin. Teknall was speechless at the sight. This was not Lifprasil's city, for it contained no Lifprasillians, yet here was a fully-fledged city. The rest of the world was living in huts and tents. His divine sense probed every alley and saw every person. Thousands of people were gathered here- hain, human and rovaick alike. The technology was the peak of its era, pushing the limits of infrastructure and innovation in a time before metal. How could this have happened? Kinesis peered at the city curiously, her eyes quickly drawn to the sad and forlorn form of the Calendar of Rocks at the city's seaside border. She seemed close to tears as she comprehended what this was.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "Who would do this? The timekeeper does not work anymore; it is shadowed by the pyramids. You can neither see the important sunrises nor keep track of the days. Something is not right about this place." [/color] She said in a sad tone. As Teknall pondered, the answer to his question was obvious, for among the throng he detected not one, but two Demigods with which he wasn't familiar. One resided in a palace like a king. Another resided in one of the smaller pyramids, one called the House of Knowledge. He had the bearing of a scholar, albeit quite insane. It was by their influence that such a city state had been able to assemble itself in such a brief period. Teknall felt indignant that he had not been included in its construction. He turns his back for one generation and the world builds three individual cities without him, he thought. Yet there seemed to be some recognition, for one of the pyramids was named the House of Construct. It was dedicated to himself as the god of crafting. He would have to visit here properly at some point. But first, he had somewhere else to go. [color=Peru]"This is a city. It is a new city. I'm not sure where it came from, or anything about it, for I haven't even heard of it before."[/color] Conata wasn't sure what to say in the face of her father's betrayed embarrassment. Maybe they knew a secret? Conata resolved to find out one day. They passed by the city and carried on across the mountain range. They passed many a peak until they reached a gap in the Ironhearts, filled with a tangle of boulders, caves, swamplands, rivers, jungles, mangroves and floodplains. [color=Peru]"This is the Shalanoir Pass. It was made, at least in part, by Ilunabar during the Phantasmagoria. The Phantasmagoria was a very significant event on Galbar. It goes by numerous names by the mortal races, but it was a single night where lights filled the sky and dreams bearing inspiration came to everyone on the planet. Many things about technology and society came to the mortals that night. Those events are still in living memory, in fact."[/color] Conata gasped and pointed. [color=Orange]"Look! They're pretty!"[/color] Kinesis laughed and laid an arm around her sister, kissing her cheek. [color=DarkGoldenrod] "Yes they are pretty sister of mine,"[/color] she said. How could one not love Conata with such behaviour? However, Conata was hardly pointing at nothing. Around the Pass, Teknall perceived the presence of a humanoid race of intelligent beings, although they were quite peculiar in appearance. They were a mix between mammal and reptile. Evidently, they had been quite secluded in their little tribal home, and thus their technology was well behind the rest of the planet, but their society even at a glance showed many signs of a deep and colourful culture. It had Ilunabar written all over it. [color=Peru]"Native to this region exists a peculiar race of intelligent humanoids. I did not even know they existed until now, but it seems to be Ilunabar's work. Their technology is quite primitive, but they appear to have a vibrant culture."[/color] Conata waved. Kinesis looked at her father, [color=DarkGoldenrod]"There seems to be a lot to discover on Galbar if even you find new things all the time."[/color] she said in her slightly muted and respectful tone to her father again. She did not really expect an answer. Teknall nodded and gave a word anyway; [color=Peru]"Indeed."[/color] The trio flew through the pass and came out the other side. To the south was a wooden town along the coast, smaller than the expanding sprawl of the city by the purple sands, but still ahead of most of the rest of the world. Yet, to Teknall this was but a facade. The distance, the jungle, the fog, and the illusions meant nothing to Teknall's godly perception. He could clearly see the grand architecture of the capital city and the palace. It was indeed a glorious city. He had been wrong in underestimating Ilunabar and her Divas, for its design was intelligent and construction expertly executed. Additionally, he could tell that Ilunabar had exercised prudent discretion in concealing it from view, for it was centuries -- if not millennia -- before the mortals would construct anything of the sort. [color=Peru]"Here is the grand capital of the Lifprasillian empire,"[/color] Teknall announced. [color=Peru]"Not this little town, that's just an outpost. Beyond the fog. Let's take a closer look."[/color] He led the girls onwards until they passed through the barrier of illusions and the city was revealed before them. Its constructed arches and spires seemed like another world. [color=Peru]"This city was built for Lifprasil, and designed by Ilunabar and her Divas. Lifprasil is a demigod, not unlike yourselves, and is the child of Vulamera and Vestec. He's the demigod of emotion. He's a little peculiar, and he has lofty ambitions, but as far as I can tell, his intent is noble and benevolent. The primary inhabitants of this place are the Lifprasillians, a race created around the same time as Lifprasil. In fact, before this city was built, they resided in the Celestial Citadel."[/color] Kinesis nodded. She had found a lot of things left behind by the Lifprasilians when they had searched for material to build her machine-dog. She felt like she already knew them. Conata was a mirror-polished bronze. The city was hard to see in the darkness and obscurity pervaded by the fog, but Conata could see enough flowing stone and sculpted streets to desperately want to explore it all for herself. If only she wasn't being held onto so tightly by Teknall. Her thoughts took her elsewhere. [color=Orange]"Is Lifprasil like Vestec? Was he cast like me or built like Kinny?"[/color] Teknall shook his head. [color=Peru]"Lifprasil is, mercifully, quite unlike Vestec. And he wasn't cast or built. He was instead...born. I don't know the details of his birth, though."[/color] [color=Orange]"That must have hurt,"[/color] Conata thought out loud. Kinesis looked at her sister.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "Being born can hurt no matter how it happens." [/color]she mumbled, hugging herself and looking away at the divine capital again. Eventually, they left the capital and continued southwards down the Ironheart Ranges. They soared over snow-capped peaks and around the towering Mount Bormahven. Soon, they banked towards a particular other mountain and descended until the mouth of a cave came into view. Yet, around that ragged hole in the rock was evidence of habitation. Smoke drifted out and climbed skywards. Refuse and rubble were strewn across much of the ground. Outside, on terraced slopes, were farms of onions and rice and other crops being tended to by squat humanoids of various sizes; tedar and goblins. The faint sounds of stone being chipped and myriad conversations being held deep within echoed forth. The divine family's keen eyes detected other cavernous entrances scattered sparsely across the mountain. Conata pointed to one of the goblins. [color=Orange]"Some of these look like you, daddy!"[/color] Kinesis smiled as she saw the intelligently set up farms. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"They only need to build proper irrigation and these farms will be fertile and green for generations."[/color] she said softly. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"They really look like you father...but I bet you can take any form you wish?"[/color] [color=Peru]"You are indeed observant, Kinesis,"[/color] Teknall said. [color=Peru]"The truth is they don't look like me; I look like them. By my power, I can change my appearance at will. Not so long ago, I had the body of a hain because I had chosen to spend time walking amongst the hain."[/color] Teknall turned his attention back to the farms and caves in front of them. [color=Peru]"This here is one of the settlements of the Rovaick."[/color] Teknall explained. [color=Peru]"They are another intelligent race, which should complete the list of intelligent races on Galbar. They are composed of several distinct species, each with different characteristics, yet still working together. They were made by Vestec. Although, as Fate would have it, they have inherited almost none of his characteristics. For a long time, they have lived hidden inside these mountains, and just in recent times are they starting to emerge."[/color] [color=Orange]"That is strange. I thought Vestec liked to destroy, not create,"[/color] Conata mused. [color=Orange]"I wonder why he changed for these people?"[/color] Kinesis shook her head.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "I don't think he changed, from what father said, he must be fickle by nature. Maybe he just saw all the other sentient species and wanted one of his own making?" [/color] [color=Orange]"So he was lonely?"[/color] Conata asked rhetorically. She looked around at the rovaick with a lower face and a coppery complexion. Unlike all the other times they saw sentient races, Teknall descended further, until finally, his feet touched the ground. [color=Peru]"Come. Let us go inside."[/color] Conata held onto her father's hand and became somewhat magnesium with the cold and darkness ahead. However, she could feel the metals around her already. Different stuff to the calcium and magnesium in the citadel. She showed veins of warm bronze on her face just thinking about it, even if her expression was neutral and cautious. Kinesis landed beside Conata and Teknall to follow. Her glorious wings flickered for a moment and then vanished into nothingness. She knelt down to touch the ground. The first time she had touched Galbarian soil.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "It is truly solid, not as softly swaying as the Citadel."[/color] she said, smiling as she drew a tiny depiction of a single gear into the soil. A mark of where she had made planetfall the first time. She shrunk back to her ten-year-old form and fused her arms to look like a rather normal human girl before she took her sister's free hand again. They entered the cave and were enveloped in the darkness. To help the demigoddesses see the way, Teknall conjured a faint light- enough to walk by, but not enough to upset the sensitive eyes of the cave dwellers. The sounds became closer. A faint glow was visible before them. The small goblin figures up ahead scattered at their approach. They retreated into nooks and crannies hidden in the walls or simply scurried deeper into the cave. Soon, Teknall and his daughters reached a guarded gate where the cave narrowed into a defensible point. Two troll militia stood in front of it. The guards stirred at their approach, but Teknall waved his hand and said in a rough language, [color=Peru]"At ease. We are an envoy from Teknall."[/color] The trolls relaxed and stood aside, letting the trio past. Despite the free ingress, Conata and Kinesis stared with wide eyes at the trolls. Kinesis' hair seemed nearly completely black and her eyes a cool turquoise to match her distant and cool attitude to this strange place. The trolls stared right back at these strange humanoid girls accompanying this goblin of the craftgod, their heads turning slowly to follow them. Kinesis bit her lower lip shyly as they walked. They emerged into a large natural cavern system with many cave-houses and stairs carved into its walls. A large part of the floor of the cavern was occupied by subterranean farms of fungi, moss, reptiles, and arthropod insects. Apart from Teknall's own glow, lighting was sparse, originating from a few kitchen and workshop fires and nothing else. The rovaick could see fine in the darkness. Around them roamed goblins, trolls, tedar, and even a few azibo. Conata widened her eyes further and barely felt the pressure of her pupils dilating. What she did notice was her sight adjusting to the darkness. There were only a few silhouettes against the fires before. Now she saw many more. The realisation of the population in this cavern was a startling surprise. [color=Orange]"Why are we here, daddy?"[/color] Conata asked. [color=Orange]"Are we going to meet another god?"[/color] The language of Conata's words only attracted more attention to themselves -- the odd bunch of figures come to the home of the tribe all of a sudden. What Conata spoke was no language of the rovaick, rather it was the divine tongue that all gods know. It made the creatures whisper and murmur in superstition. Few to none would know the language, though all recognised its significance, man or beast alike. Kinesis looked around in wonder, taking note how the subterranean farms matched the outside ones in well-designed setup. She gulped, instinctively recognising that her family's very standing here was a significant event to these people. She did not want to spoil it, so she kept quiet and let her hair fall forward a bit, basically hiding behind it. She squeezed her sister's reassuringly firm hand tighter. Teknall's name alone seemed to carry weight here. Despite these people being made by Vestec, they still bowed to another god's authority. A reassuring thought if there ever was one. Teknall's gaze did not meet Conata's eyes as he answered her question. [color=Peru]"We aren't here to meet another god. Instead, we're going to teach these people things."[/color] He turned to Conata and continued in the local rovaick tongue, which Conata found she somehow knew fluently. [color=Peru]"You feel all these ores around us? At the moment, nobody on Galbar, except for the Lifprasillians, know how to make metal. So I decided that it was time that the art of metalworking should become known. This is why we're here."[/color] He stepped forwards and endearingly ran a hand through her copper hair, causing her to blink. [color=Peru]"So, you can show them how to use metal."[/color] That sentence caused Conata's hair to bristle around Teknall's hand in sync with a gaping grin that crept onto her face. [color=Orange]"I get to show them? Right now?"[/color] Her head twisted around to spot an angled vein of rock that had a slight green tinge to it. It was not the most obvious thing to spot against the dusty rock of the rest of the cave, but Conata knew exactly where it was and exactly what it contained. Kinesis tilted her head a bit, listening to their father with interest. So this was why they had come here. Conata let go of Kinesis' hand and began to jog towards the vein, trying not to run too close to the nearby rovaick. They were not especially afraid of what appeared to be a child, but their eyes followed her just as closely as the guard trolls did. As Conata ran off, Teknall motioned to Kinesis. [color=Peru]"Look after your sister for a few minutes, okay? I have someone I need to talk to."[/color] Conata stopped herself by running her hands flat onto the green vein and pushing to halt her momentum. She looked up at it with her wide grin and her skin bronzed over to an especially reflective polish. Kinesis faced Teknall and bowed her head slightly, folding her hands in her lap [color=DarkGoldenrod]"Of course, father."[/color] she said demurely, before slowly walking towards her sister, stopping maybe ten steps away from her. Teknall walked deeper into the settlement, entering a structure which may have passed as a temple and leaving the two sisters alone. After a few seconds, Conata's hands began to glow with greater heat than anything else in the room. The nearby rovaick began to back off as the intense warmth wafted onto their faces. Some ran to hide in terror. It was only getting hotter. After another half-minute, the glow from Conata's hands began to spread to the stone itself. Kinesis watched on. Conata's control over metal was astounding to look at, she thought. The present rovaick shied back even further, pointing and mumbling in awe at the display of divine power. A resounding set of hisses and cracks echoed out from the vein near Conata's hands. Fractures in the rock were spread and released puffs of foul smelling gas. Conata's grin turned into grit teeth as she let out a sound of strained effort. Her fingers curled and sunk into the apparently softening rock. A crackle, a spit, a hiss. The entire face of the vein crumbled as if it were made from soft clay, heated to an orange glow as it was. From behind the collapsing facade, a thick, glowing, orange liquid that lit up the entire cavern lazily spilt forth. Its immediate movement was to flow out over Conata, but it parted around her hands like a trained creature. Conata burst out in childish laughter and her skin began to glow nearly the same colour as the molten rock around her. What was left of her already singed and tattered dress went up in flames. The flaming girl then whirled her hands under and over, bending her knees slightly and bringing her hands over her head. The glowing fluid spilling around her obeyed; a pair of charmed snakes emerged and eddied up from the black-pocked, glowing fluid to swirl over Conata's head. They united formed a growing sphere until there was nothing but steaming slag left behind. Kinesis raised one hand protectively and took a step back as her sister extracted all this molten metal from the vein. She looked on in awe while quite a few of the rovaick fled further away. Conata, still glowing brightly, turned around with her hands over her head, supporting a ball of glowing metal that looked about as heavy as she was. She had a face like a child wanting to show her friends a new toy. That much was not far from the truth. However, when she saw that most of the rovaick had run away in a panic, and those that remained were clearly afraid, her expression dropped. Her glow faded and she took on the dull grey of humiliated tin. [color=Orange]"Huh? Did I scare everyone?"[/color] Conata asked. Kinesis walked towards her, shaking her head.[color=DarkGoldenrod] "Mortals are a lot more fragile than us, one drop of the metal or a spray of slag could hurt them severely."[/color] The tin girl's hands went forward and dropped the sphere of metal onto the floor with a crack. The vibration in the stone made a louder sound to the local feet than the impact did. Some last yellow smoke escaped the surface of the sphere as it cooled, revealing it to be almost entirely made from pure, gleaming copper. Even with the large lump of metal she had extracted, Conata was looking at it guiltily. [color=Orange]"I am sorry,"[/color] she said, some flecks of brown iron rust starting to appear. Kinesis hugged Conata and patted her head soothingly. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"You don't need to be. You have an awesome power at your disposal, but I guess when you want to teach them you need to find safer and more low-power ways to get at the metal."[/color] She looked around as the first rovaick were peering back and closing in slowly again, full of curiosity. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"See? They are already coming back. Go on, make something useful out of it so they understand what this is for,"[/color] Kinesis told her encouragingly. Conata's rust began to recede a little, even if she didn't immediately react to Kinesis' comfort. She partly lifted her head, just enough to look around her with her upset pout. Her face changed to something more neutral when she spotted an abandoned stone and wooden mallet nearby. Conata sniffed and mumbled, [color=Orange]"Okay."[/color] Firstly, Conata gently brushed Kinesis' arms away and walked to the mallet to pick it up with one hand. She turned it to see all of its details. She didn't know exactly what it was for, but it would be useful to the rovaick, wouldn't it? Conata walked back to the copper sphere and placed her hands upon it. By coincidence, her mood recovered to change her appearance to copper once more as her hands began to heat again. Kinesis carefully observed what her sister was doing, nodding to herself. Though she could not shake the nagging question of what would become of them, would Conata stay with these people? It didn't take long this time; Conata had her hands against the metal for barely a few seconds before she brought them upwards, taking thick strands of molten copper with them. They stretched out from the sphere like glowing, godly slime. Her arms moved to the sides of the strands and her fingers tensed into hooks as if pushing at the metal through the air. Instead of the metal simply moving, it was sculpted. It assumed the shape of a shaft with a rough, bulbous head that had a flat surface perpendicular. The familiar shape of the mallet made one of the braver goblins begin to creep forward. The glowing slag around them had all but cooled into black and yellow pebbles, allowing passage without burnt feet. Another goblin followed to get a closer look, and then another. Conata caused the molten tool to swiftly resume its pinkish, lustrous hue and took the mallet in on hand. She gave a small smile and turned around. This time, her reception was more positive. The goblins ooh’d and aah’d. It was the most shiny thing they had seen since a certain hammer was bestowed upon a certain other goblin, a long time ago. [color=Orange]"Is this useful, Kinny?"[/color] Conata asked, turning her head to Kinesis for confirmation. Kinesis chuckled and nodded. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"It's a hammer, one can use it for quite a few things...."[/color] The first goblin grinned and ran around the sisters to lay his hands on the copper sphere. Conata had obviously made it look easy. He barely kept his palms on its surface for more than a second before recoiling with a small yelp and blowing on them to cool them off. "Ooh, ooh, hot! Hot!" The goblin wiped his hands on his sides and looked up at them both. "Um...your Teknally...ness...ladies!" he stammered, clearly not knowing the nature of those whom he addressed. "How does dey...do dat wit da shiny?" He waggled a finger at the mallet Conata held. Conata looked at the mallet and then back to Kinesis. She didn't really know what to do from here. Kinesis' smile brightened a bit. There really was no reason to be afraid of the rovaick, she realised, as much as entering their realm had startled her at first. She took a step forward and grew a little bit, seeming a bit less childlike again. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"We are Teknall's daughters,"[/color] she said softly. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"The craftmaidens Conata..."[/color] she indicated her sister with one hand, [color=DarkGoldenrod]"...and Kinesis. I am afraid only those of divine blood are able to work materials in this way, but there are other ways that mortals can reach the same results."[/color] She turned to her sister. [color=DarkGoldenrod]"Maybe bestowing a few of those to these fine people would be a good idea?"[/color] Encouraged by her sister, Conata nodded and returned to the copper. This time, using only one hand, she drew out much more of the sphere's volume and shaped it into a long row of connected copper mallets. Then, with the first mallet she made, Conata softly struck the other mallets off the conjoined row, letting them clang onto the floor, one after the other. They swiftly cooled once they hit the ground. [color=Orange]"Oh!"[/color] Conata held her head back in surprise when she noticed what became of her first tool. The handle had been bent in one place, causing the head to lean back in reaction to the stress put upon it. [color=Orange]"This metal. It's not very strong."[/color] Conata didn't seem too discouraged. She didn't even have to gesture to will the handle to straighten again. [color=Orange]"Metal doesn't mind being shaped if it’s nice and hot."[/color] Conata smiled and offered the copper mallet to the goblin in front of her. [color=Orange]"Here! Don't hit it too hard. The thin bit will bend."[/color] The goblin took the hammer gingerly, enraptured by the copper tool. Other goblins also sidled up and took hammers for themselves. One goblin struck two hammers together, and a chime rang out. One goblin, after staring at the copper mallet for a while, actually stuck it in his mouth and started chewing on it; he was swiftly reprimanded by the goblin beside him with a hammer blow to the back of the skull. Conata winced at the behaviour at first, but seeing that the goblins were okay made her bring a hand to her mouth and begin giggling. Her skin turned into an iridescent bronze. "No, it’z hammer. Tool, not food," chided the goblin who had struck out. "But iz tasty," whinged the goblin who had tried eating it. "Look, is same as Gruik's blessin'," said another goblin. The other goblins ooh'd and ah'd, for indeed the hammers Conata had made were similar to the copper hammer Teknall had given the goblin Gruik when he first visited. Kinesis curiously observed the Goblins. Instead of giggling, she just snorted amusedly when she saw them scuffling. She would have loved to make something for them herself, but she felt that these people, or maybe the entire world for that matter, was not ready for what she had to give, so she contented herself with observing her sister in her element. It was a joy to do. [hr] As the scuffles went on, Conata spent the next while making more objects out of the leftover copper she had extracted. The goblins that gathered around were so excited that they asked Conata to make all sorts of strange things. Oddly-shaped rocks, threshing flails, digging sticks. One troll even approached and asked for a wooden bowl he presented to be wrought in bronze. Conata obliged as well as she could, though the copper she had was running short. As the goblins shouted and exclaimed and scuffled and experimented, Teknall returned, walking around the gathered crowd and drawing up beside his daughters. [color=Peru]"I see you have already made a start, Conata,"[/color] Teknall said. Kinesis looked at their father with a slight quirk to one of her eyebrows. She somehow knew that father would say something of consequence. Conata paused in her manipulation of the hot metal in front of her to turn her head back to her father's voice. [color=Orange]"Daddy!"[/color] [color=Peru]"However, it will take a lot more time and teaching before they are able to make these things themselves."[/color] Teknall gestured to the implements Conata had wrought. [color=Peru]"For look, they hardly understand what you have done before their very eyes."[/color] In response, Conata blinked and thought about what she had been doing. She had become rather carried away with making all these things. She was supposed to be teaching. Still, that brought up another question that she looked up to Teknall to have answered. She clasped her hands together and showed flecks of nervous magnesium. [color=Orange]"Daddy, Kinny says that the metal gets too hot for the Rovaick to touch and they can't get it out of the rocks because of the slag and-"[/color] She took a quick breath. [color=Orange]"-they can't shape it like I can. How do I teach them how to do that?"[/color] [color=Peru]"Do you remember what was in my workshop?"[/color] Teknall asked. [color=Peru]"There was a furnace to melt the metal and various tools to shape it."[/color] Conata blinked and looked to one side, closing her mouth to think. It wasn't as obvious as she would have liked, but something eventually caught the corner of her eye. An abandoned fire pit was flickering away nearby. Conata walked up to it and tested its heat with her hand. It was not quite hot enough to melt the ore, but it gave her an idea. One that may not have been wise to pass on to the goblins present. [color=Orange]"How hot is the hottest fire you can make?"[/color] Conata asked the goblins with a smile. The goblins began a response by shooting glances at one another, though their collective showing of teeth indicated more inspiration than reasoning. One began to giggle, another broke into a laugh. The biggest one besides Teknall pointed his new copper mallet at Conata. "Weez could make da biggest fire youz would tink in her head, and den biggah!" The goblin lowered his arm and looked away to a nearby woodpile. "Weez needz da wood, dough." Too naive to see the possible destruction wrought by the goblin's ambitions, Conata jumped with excitement, before stopping to explain. [color=Orange]"If you put the rocks with the metal in them in the fire, the metal will come out!"[/color] Teknall pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. [color=Peru]"Fire is almost as dangerous as molten slag if it is not properly controlled. Come, let's see if we can figure out a way to make a fire which is hot enough to smelt ores but won't burn down the community."[/color] [hr] It had been an afternoon full of experimentation and spectacles. Conata's exuberance knew no bounds, and this was matched, for better or for worse, by the fervour of the goblins. Yet the day had drawn to a close, and they had barely laid the foundations for the working of metals. Shooing off the goblins who were sticking around, Teknall led Conata and Kinesis through the towering doorway of a tedar home, pushing aside the hide curtain as they entered. [color=Orange]"Daddy! I want to keep going!"[/color] Conata complained. She did not feel tired at all. [color=Peru]"There is much more to be done, but we can't do it all today. It will likely take many days. The goblins need to sleep some time. I think here is a good place to rest while they do, too,"[/color] Teknall said. [color=Peru]"Understand?"[/color] Teknall's face had a smile on it, but that was a thin veil over a melancholy mood. Conata pouted and looked to the ground. There were many times where she was belligerent towards her father that day and it never lead anywhere. As in this case, she gave up quickly as it became clear when there was no point arguing. A crunch of loose rocks ahead of the father and daughter caused Conata to look up with surprise...And look up further with surprise...And further, opening her mouth. The thing's face towered to such a height that Conata almost reached the limit of her neck reaching back. He was a tedar rovaick. They had mostly kept their distance during the day, but Conata had not seen one up this close before. His huge jaw poked forth to accommodate pointed tusks, grinning kindly in the darkness. A large nose pointed out between tiny red eyes that looked at Conata endearingly. He wore what looked like a set of hairy yak hides knotted together into a loincloth. With another crunching step, the tedar shifted his potbellied, brown-skinned body to Teknall and bowed deeply. "Divine mason! Mason's daughters! Welcome to our home!" The tedar straightened and turned its head and upper body to shout behind him. "Wutni! Come and welcome the gods!" Another tedar lumbered forth from behind a nook. This one was weaving reed ropes together to make some kind of shawl. Her clothing was similar to the first tedar, revealing narrower shoulders and a slightly smaller -- though still rotund -- navel that parted an aged feminine chest. Upon seeing Teknall, Kinesis, and Conata, she widened her eyes and took in a slow gasp. "Oooh, look at you! Little creature!" Wutni leant forward on her knees and gave a warm smile. "You must be Conata. Sularn told us about you!" She beckoned Conata towards her. "Come, I want to see you." Conata couldn't help but smile back. Even though the tedar were monstrous in size and appearance, there was a gentleness to their demeanour and tone. She gave a glance to Teknall before letting go of his hand and walking towards the huge Wutni. The male tedar addressed Teknall again while Conata and Wutni exchanged introductions. "This is truly a great honour, divine Teknall. My name is Choukkud." The tedar bowed again and extended a hand. Like most of the local rovaick, Choukkud's hand bore the red symbols of Sularn's oath. "I never imagined in my wildest dreams that we would be charged with caring for the child of a god. I thought the prophet Sularn was simply telling us a cruel lie at first! Ever since Wutni lost her fourth whelp before its time to be born, we had all but given up hope." Somewhat unsure of what etiquette was expected of him when interacting with a god, Choukkud brought a large hand up to scratch the carpet of thin hair on one of his shoulders. "Um...I do wonder, though. Great mason...if you would indulge me. Your daughter, what does she eat? Is there anything we must know to best take care of her?" He interrupted himself with a short cough. "Apart from the way she...commands metal so." Conata was fully distracted by a new, playful conversation with the matronly Wutni. She was apparently oblivious to Choukkud's questions. Teknall glanced over to Conata and back to Choukkud. [color=Peru]"Oh, food, um... She can eat anything, really. That shouldn't be too much of a problem."[/color] Choukkud let out a hearty chuckle. "That is well. She will fit right in, I think." Teknall stared down at his feet for a few seconds, before softly saying, [color=Peru]"I assume Sularn has told you, about how she isn't to know. At least, not until she is mature enough to show restraint and understanding. This is-"[/color] Teknall swallowed and looked away again. [color=Peru]"-this is quite important if she is to fit in with the rovaick."[/color] Choukkud threw forward two deep nods. "Yes, of course, great mason. The prophet made that clear as rainwater." He placed the side of his fist over his heart with a thud before lowering his voice as well. "We shall keep the secret and look after her until she grows the heart of a tedar. This I swear. Although..." Choukkud relaxed his fist and turned his head to look at Teknall sideways. "If I may, great mason. I am but a humble mortal goatherd and do not presume to protest the decisions of a god, but...why did you choose us upon which to bestow your daughter?" A loud crackling sound began to ring out in the cavern. Looking to its source saw Conata chewing on something with her mouth open and half an animal femur in her left hand, full of red marrow. Wutni asked something with her large hands clasped together. Conata looked up at her with a grin and nodded vigorously. The noise did not perturb Teknall, for he did not need to use his eyes to see what was going on around him. By the time Choukkud turned back to Teknall he had gathered words together to make a good answer. [color=Peru]"Knowledge and practical skills she already has to some degree, and there are many who are capable of teaching such things. If I had wanted to teach her power I would not have taken her to mortals. There is but one thing that she can only learn in her formative years that will be invaluable for the rest of her life, and that is kindness. Kindness is a rare thing to find. Growing up with kind mortals will give her qualities that would be impossible to attain if she were raised by a god."[/color] Choukkud rubbed the side of his huge jaw as he processed Teknall's answer. He still didn't look completely confident that he understood everything about Teknall's decisions, but he trusted the godly artisan enough to know that his judgment was sound. "It is truly humbling to know that we can provide you such a service," Choukkud remarked. "Kindness, then...yes." Choukkud spread such a warm smile that it almost proved on its own that he was qualified. "It shall be done. To the best of our ability, we will foster Conata a kind heart in her little chest." Choukkud moved one foot back, brought a hand to his hip, and looked to Conata and Wutni. Wutni was lifting Conata up onto her shoulder and was about to give her a tour of her new home. Conata laughed as she was lifted up, still oblivious to the situation. "Though, this humble tedar feels that Conata has had a head start in growing a tedar heart." Choukkud chuckled through his long nose and turned his head back to the goblinoid god. "When are you planning to say your farewells, great mason? Are you staying with us for a time?" [color=Peru]"I shall be staying until Conata lays down her head to sleep,"[/color] Teknall replied. Choukkud clasped his hands in front of himself and continued with a twinge of regret in his brow. "We would offer you hospitality, but all we have are a few bones and red stones left to eat. It pains me to admit that we will need to save them for the next few days." [color=Peru]"Perhaps I should be the one offering you hospitality. You are rendering me a great service, after all,"[/color] Teknall suggested. [color=Peru]"Is there anything that you require?"[/color] Choukkud closed his eyes and smiled, suppressing a laugh. "Great mason, you have granted us a child. We could not want for anything more in the world." He then lifted his eyebrows. "Although, if you wanted to sup while you wait, we might speak over a pile of black rocks and rice? I know how to prepare them to be a delicacy." He showed his palms. "It is not a need, really. I would not wish to impose; I am merely a man of opportunity." Teknall showed a palm in response. [color=Peru]"It is no trouble at all. I will be back shortly."[/color] In the blink of an eye Teknall had vanished. "Uh," Choukkud extended a hand to wave through the space that Teknall had previously occupied. After confirming that Teknall was no longer amongst them, he put his hands on his hips and huffed a single laugh. With that, he stepped around to face Kinesis. "Come, you can join the tour of our home, too." Before two minutes had passed, Teknall had returned, a sheaf of rice stalks in one hand that was bigger than his goblin form, a stack of coal in the other, and a fish under an arm. He handed over the rice and coal to Choukkud. [color=Peru]"I believe these should be adequate,"[/color] Teknall said. Choukkud was not quite as startled at Teknall's reappearance as he extended a lowered palm to retrieve the ingredients. "Ah, this is plenty. You are most generous, great mason Teknall." Choukkud was not exaggerating; he had to wrap both of his huge hands around the amount of rice and coal that Teknall provided. That the little goblin was dragging it around on his own was at least a small demonstration of his divine nature. "That thing under your armpit," Choukkud mentioned. "It looks like the food that the traders carry around, but...wet. Did you wish to add that as well, great mason?" With his hands now free, Teknall held the fish in his hand. [color=Peru]"This? This fish is only large enough to feed one person."[/color] He gestured behind him to where Kinesis was standing. [color=Peru]"It is for my other daughter, Kinesis, to eat, since she can't eat rocks. I'll prepare it myself, don't worry."[/color] His non-metal daughter, Kinesis, gracefully smiled and curtsied at the mention of her name. As she had quietly observed, a slight melancholy arose to her mien as the coming reality became more and more apparent. "Very well." Choukkud nodded in greeting to Kinesis. "I will begin preparing our supper. This will take a short while." [hr] Choukkud's famous rice and black rocks was not something particularly complex. Using hot coals and a green reed basket, he steamed the rice over a fireplace with the reeds still attached. The soot caused the rice to blacken while cooking the grains somewhat. Choukkud ground Conata and Teknall's portions into smaller pieces while he and Wutni ate the stalks straight from their hands. The remaining coals were extinguished by pouring them into a carved stone hole that served as a basin and then left in the middle of where they sat to be snacked upon. To most creatures, the meal would be inedible. To a rovaick, it was more culinary sophistication than they would likely see in their entire lives. Choukkud and Wutni seemed to enjoy eating it. Conata was curious enough to try the meal, and although she liked the marrow bone better, she ate all she was given. So Kinesis would not be left out, she had the fish to eat. This fish Teknall had filleted himself, with the same finesse and exactness as when crafting an object, and cooked above the same coals as the rice. As she dug in, she looked at Teknall and spoke softly. "Thank you, father, for this meal." For the next two hours or so, the group made conversation. Teknall had already proven himself humble and approachable enough during the day that the tedar couple was not nervous in speaking with him, but they made pains to continue speaking with utmost respect. Topics were simple, for the most part -- Wutni and Choukkud explained what their lives were like and how things had been changing for the better since Sularn's vow. They could range further now, free from the fear of the white giants. Some rovaick had even tried riding on one of them and it didn't even budge from its slow march. After a while, all the inactivity was allowing Conata's fatigue to catch up with her. She was beginning to yawn with increasing frequency around the fire. She may have been an embodiment of toil, but her body still knew when it was time to rest. Rather than remain sitting up, she closed her eyes and fell sideways into Kinesis' arms. Kinesis grunted and made a face; her sister was more than a bit heavy. Once she had gotten used to the weight, however, Kinesis savoured this show of trust and love. She tenderly ran a hand over the fine wire hair of her perfect metallic little sister. It sang with a very slight sound as she did so. At Kinesis' touch, Conata's skin faded into a bright silver. She was asleep in moments. A single tear ran down Kinesis' cheek as she sat, but she had let her hair fall forward so her face was shadowed. Her solemn mood showed through as the two glowing rings of her irises shone blue instead of green in the darkness. Her hair seemed darker, more dominated by its black than its red facet. "We will really leave her here," she said. It was a statement, not a question. Teknall's eyes betrayed a similar sadness. He nodded, then eventually added, [color=Peru]"It will be only for a while."[/color] He looked at the sleeping Conata for a minute until he finally stepped forwards. [color=Peru]"It is time for us to get going."[/color] Kinesis nodded sadly and planted a kiss on Conatas silver cheek, before leaning back to allow Teknall to reach her. Teknall reached down and scooped the silver Conata up with both arms. He tried not to disturb her sleep as he carried her over to the cot Wutni had set aside for Conata and lowered her into it. He stood over the cot for a couple of minutes, stroking Conata's hair. Eventually, he leant down close and whispered into Conata's ear, [color=Peru]"Good night, my daughter. I will see you again in the future."[/color] Then Teknall planted a soft kiss on Conata's forehead. A very faint glow suffused over her forehead as he did, fading back into darkeness. As he stood back up, Teknall's eyes were moist. Conata had been made by his own hand, was his own child, and he had shown her the world. It weighed heavy on his heart that they would be separated. Yet this was as things had been planned. It would pay off in the end, despite the short-term pain it inflicted now. He stepped back and tore his eyes away. [color=Peru]"My work here is done,"[/color] Teknall said. He looked to Wutni and Choukkud. [color=Peru]"Take good care of her, okay?"[/color] The tedar couple were standing side by side nearby. Choukkud had his hands clasped together in front of him while Wutni gave Teknall a sad smile. "We shall do our very best, great Teknall," Wutni responded. With a surprising lack of noise for a creature so big, Wutni stepped up to Teknall and put a comforting finger on his goblin shoulder, in lieu of her too-large hand. "I may be just a mortal, but I understand. It is no easy thing." Teknall nodded glumly. [color=Peru]"Indeed."[/color] Reluctantly, he gestured to Kinesis. [color=Peru]"Come now. It is time to leave."[/color] As Teknall stepped through the threshold of the home, he looked back towards Conata one last time. He stepped forwards and departed. Kinesis curtsied to Conata's new guardians but remained silent, instead just staring for several seconds, comitting them and her sister to memory. Conata had been made for this. In a way, she existed only to be left here with these people now, she knew that much. Somehow, this still did nothing to change her feelings. When she turned, she followed her father very quickly. [hr] As soon as the smell of breakfast reached Conata's nostrils, she was wrenched from her dream and back into consciousness. It was mildly disappointing to be woken up; she dreamt that she was flying all over the world with a pair of...what were they? People. They flew with her. She remembered them being very nice. All the same, the resentment of reality was quickly overturned by what she anticipated for the day. There was still more metalworking to be done. Perhaps she could try finding some different metals to copper today? She shot upright from her cot and threw aside her rough reed blanket. As she began sprinting towards the door in nothing but her warming copper skin, a voice sounded out to stop her. "Hold there, Conata!" Conata slid to a stop and turned her head. Choukkud smiled from his cooking fire and put a hand on his hip. "You mustn't run out in the morning without a good breakfast! Come, eat with your mother and father." There was a moment of pause where Conata was blank-faced and beginning to pit with magnesium. She was unsure. Then, with a grin, she ran up to Choukkud's leg and wrapped her arms around it, gleaming in bronze. "Good morning, daddy." Choukkud's face held a grin. He stooped to pick up Conata with his hand and lifted her up onto his shoulder. "And good morning to you, too, dear."