[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/Svvasvb.png[/img][/center] [hider=Stalking Intensifies] This might be a bit low quality because it's mostly housekeeping and I'm tired. Please forgive me this time. Toun builds the prototype of his new creature: A flying siphonbeast. This is a creature piloted by a slave hain and provides sustaining magical energies to the creatures around it. It's pretty much a massive floating magical siphon like the white giants have. See my character post for their creation sheet. Interleaved in this event are vignettes of Toun deploying another new creature, the droningbird. They are basically spy drones with partial adaptive camouflage. See their creation sheet on my character post as well. Droningbirds are currently spying on the following characters: - Niciel - Logos - Lazarus - Altair - Farxus - Sularn - Conata - Amartia - Edda - Lifprasil - Tauga - Jvan's Sleeping Blob In The Water Now, these birds will not be hard to detect for anyone looking for them. They're fairly disposable, so you can smash them if you want. However, they aren't the easiest things to spot and kinda difficult to catch if you don't have a way to snare them. Gods won't have any trouble either escaping them or crunching them. Other birds are wandering around just in case they find other interesting godly characters. During these little scenes, it is mentioned that Majus has left Sularn and Conata's home and returned to Cornerstone. Rtron and I have a collab going which resolves Majus' involvement with him for now, but that's been on the backburner for a while. We'll retrospectively post that should we get around to finishing it. In other news, I have decided to go the way of some other people and move Toun's character sheet to an external topic to spare loading the high-res maps and everyone else's images every time I want to look something up. You can find it [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/156184-muttonhawks-vain-attempt-to-reduce-page-loading-times/ooc]here.[/url] Finally, I have cashed in the free Khoupon to acquire Toun the (Oaths) portfolio. See my character sheet for what that entails, but basically, mortals can pray to Toun and take oaths, and then get cool boons for sticking to them. This is all along the lines of Toun's 'improvement of the world' shtick and how he's encouraging mortals to do the same. Sularn, Edda, and the rovaick that have taken Sularn's Oath are the current examples of this. Anyone who wants to have a character pray to Toun for whatever reason will probably be afforded an opportunity to take an oath that gives them cool stuff. [i][b]Might Summary:[/b][/i] [i]Before:[/i] Toun - L6 - 24 MP - 2 FP - 6C/6D Creation (Perfection, Calligraphy) [i]Free[/i] - Creating droningbirds. (Creation domain makes free) [i]-1 MP[/i] - Creating flying siphonbeasts in number. (Creation domain discounts) [i]-1 Portfolio Khoupon[/i] - Unlocked (Oaths) portfolio. [i]-10 MP[/i] - Level up to 7. [i]After:[/i] Toun - L7 - 13 MP - 2 FP - 7C/7D Creation (Perfection, Calligraphy, Oaths) [/hider] The valley of peace lived up to its name just as much as it did on any other day. It was not often that anything new arrived, let alone anything that would disturb Niciel's decree. That wouldn't change for a long time, after today. The trees brushed on in the light wind and birds chirped. The buzzing wings of the new arrival fit in without any disturbance at all. It swooped in like the other birds and was coloured like them as well, but it did not chirp. It perched on a branch and folded its metallic wings. Silent on that bough, it watched the distant Niciel and witnessed the end of a meeting with Galbar's interstellar invaders. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]What spite comes next, overwhelmed sibling?[/i][/b][/color] [hr] [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Not spite over myself, under likely projection."[/b][/color] On the central tile of Cornerstone, under a partly cloudy night, Toun mumbled over his latest project. The spinning wheel between his hands held aloft a larger shape than usual. An egg the size of an ogre's fist and made from white clay. Divots sucked in on its front to form tiny eyes. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"It shall depend on how fast you all learn."[/b][/color] [hr] The city of Xerxes was rather more changed by its recent events. To call it a city was an injustice to cities, though the prospects of its future perhaps had it deserve a more lenient review. Rubble was strewn around filth, rot, charcoal, and barbarism. Animalistic survivors stalked the shadow of civilisation under the shadow of a ruined palace. Another tiny bird buzzed in on blurred wings. It flew above the baying below, between the flocks of carrion birds with a sheen of black, but it was no eye of Reathos. Bits of metal glinted from the firelight below. It's buzzing wingbeats stopped abruptly as it placed its feet on a brick pile and bounced up to the pile's summit. There, its eyes fell upon a disgraced king. A humiliated demigod. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]And to think you were improving your people before recently. There is no greater purpose to you, brat.[/i][/b][/color] Another strange black bird joined the other but flew off just as quickly. It found what it was looking for a short distance away. The scaly torturer. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]Your essence, hm. How unfortunate that the greatest pain you will ever witness has already been inflicted upon you. It will keep you docile from me, at least. Or distracted. Fate does help at times, it seems.[/i][/b][/color] [hr] The droningbirds were a small project, but no less important than Toun's other plans. He needed to keep up with the rest of the world, especially since demigods were shooting up out of the ground like spring flowers. There were many emerging agents in the world and inconsistent prayers from mortals were not reliable enough to keep track of them. Of course, the little spy birds were nothing compared to the current preparations. Now that they were sent out, Toun had moved on to the preparations for the further future. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"With this, dealing with the creeping crystals should not present a significant obstacle in the grand scheme. That much, at least, is required."[/b][/color] [hr] The next bird did not have to put forth much effort to camouflage itself. All around it was snow and ice. The tiny porcelain plates on its body shone natural and pure as it buzzed through the tundra. It had less trouble finding its quarry than the other droningbirds, and the main reason was standing ahead on the mountain. A young female dwarf in thick clothing stared blankly into the white mists until the buzzing neared. She raised a gloved arm horizontally in front of herself as the little white bird droned up and landed itself on the side of her wrist. The bird's eyes took on a blue hue, turning from beads of black jet to lapis lazuli. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]They are within, Minus?[/b][/color] [color=PaleGoldenrod][i]"Yes,"[/i][/color] the dwarf woman said in a gentler voice than any dwarves in the mountain behind her. [color=PaleGoldenrod][i]"All of them appear to have come along the wake of godly deaths. Balance is restoring itself. Only Lazarus knows of me as of yet, but I will present myself if they need me. Or if they ask."[/i][/color] [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]Inconsequential. Continue your vigil until further orders.[/b][/color] [color=PaleGoldenrod][i]"As you wish, father."[/i][/color] The dwarf watched as the bird fluttered off into an opening in the mountain. Two more birds fluttered in after it, turning a dark grey to hide still amongst the rocks. [color=PaleGoldenrod][i]"Are you feeling better now, father?"[/i][/color] [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]...What is the cause for this question?[/b][/color] Minus answered in an inquisitive monotone. [color=PaleGoldenrod][i]"This is the first time I have heard your voice since I felt your brothers and sisters pass away."[/i][/color] [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]Focus on your mission, Minus.[/b][/color] [hr] [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Natural speculation, an innefficient use of Minus' capabilities,"[/b][/color] Toun mumbled. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"The necessary chaos in those twins' designs are taking their toll."[/b][/color] Toun wished the avatars' missions were not so important as to keep them separated. With the 'incident' between Conata and Majus, Toun wondered if he should cease to treat them as two separate individuals at all and keep them together forever. The egg upon the spinning wheel had taken on more features. Symmetrical crevices lined its surface where ethereal strands were coming through. Two large arms hung from its sides, ending in gnarled claws. [hr] The scene in the south pole was repeated upon a higher mountain, though this twin did not bother with a disguise. The porcelain knight upon the mountain peak held the haft of its pole hammer out for another white metallic bird to perch upon it. Again, the bird's eyes went blue. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]You bestowed my power to Sularn?[/b][/color] [color=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]"Yes father,"[/i][/b][/color] the armoured gianted boomed in its unnerring voice. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]Then your mission is done, Majus. No more realta shall attack here. Return to Cornerstone.[/b][/color] [color=PaleGoldenrod][b][i]"At once, father."[/i][/b][/color] The bird fluttered off down into the mountain home of the rovaick below, tailed by another metallic bird. The burgeoning population of the town did not often see such birds this high up, but they had too many of their own problems to pay them heed. One of the birds banked sharply down another tunnel and into the chambers of a certain azibo prophet. It perched on a shelf and watched just as silently and still, but made no effort to hide. The other bird made its way into a dark corner of the bedroom of a sleeping metallic demigoddess. It turned grey against the stone. Conata opened her eyes as soon as she heard the buzzing of the wings. She thought she felt giant bone moving around, but she turned over to sleep again. It must have been a dream. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]You will be more than your father bargained for, child. He must have planned it as such.[/b][/color] [hr] The new creature was almost done now. Its tiny sets of eyes opened to reveal a glowing blue, shimmering with power. Toun wrote glyphs into its inner workings, tuning the power to show with greater glory. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Much and more. You will be my banner."[/b][/color] With a few last adjustments, Toun walked backwards over the moon-lit tiles, leaving the spinning wheel in his view. The wheel slowed to a stop when Toun did. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Now you are complete."[/b][/color] The wheel lowered and was subsumed into the tiles below. The large egg melted and sank into the porcelain until the surface was as flush as it started. [hr] The bird that buzzed onto the rigging of the small galley was not one Toun had expected to assign. Another droningbird that went to find Jvan found only a dormant body that would not awake with any guarantee. He needed to find Jvan's other machinations without simply diving into her undulating, comatose body. It just so happened that the birds in Xerxes felt the caress of unseen appendages before they went for their quarries. The lingering presence of Jvan was a trail that directed Toun's bird to a mutated hain, helping a few last refugees to escape. The female hain was guarded by massive metal spheres that were of clear Jvanic design but would be easy to outmanoeuvre for the little spy bird if the galley was to remain above water. Of course, this Jvanic thing was of particular importance due to its possible heading. It would have to travel far if it ever left the city, but if the Jvan-touched hain made it past the acalya, it would creep dangerously close to Toun's other project. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]Less than optimal. Keeping track of this mortal will have to suffice for whatever plan you had here, Jvan. Other things will be revealed to me in time.[/b][/color] [hr] The now flat porcelain tiles were at peace for a moment. But, assembling the final product took did not take longer than half a minute with Toun's direct focus. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Rise."[/b][/color] The flush tiles ground against themselves and bulged from the centre. Underneath where the wheel stood, the tiles peeled up and back slowly like the skin of a fruit. The grinding tiles gave way to a colossal white shape. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"No complications. Good enough."[/b][/color] The huge white egg-shaped creature rose further, towering greater than three times the height of Toun's form. A verticle mouth on its underside opened up between its two clawed arms and hummed a low note. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"One more detail."[/b][/color] [hr] The bird that flew to Yorum was less conspicuous than any, for it was no god or hero that it had to stalk. Merely a hain that had spoken to one. Edda barely recognised the buzzing bird that fluttered from building to building, following the movement of herself and her entourage on the way to see the king. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]You took your oath. Redeem yourself. None of you shall disappoint me.[/b][/color] [hr] The slave hain that approached Toun and the massive sighing creature did not have any fear in its demeanour. It marched on knowing that Toun was the guardian. He was the father of them all. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Come closer."[/b][/color] Toun asked the hain without turning to face it. This was a big task, bigger than shaping arches and strange shells of big soldiers all day. A primitive excitement put a spring into the stunted creature's step. Toun took a single step to turn and look down at the hain. His glowing blue eye did not have any anger or distress today. Only curiosity. The father of the five tribes hardly ever seemed distressed when he had a project to concentrate upon. Without bending his torso, Toun stretched his arms until his hands took the little hain under the arms. He gently lifted the creature up to his eye-level like it was a toddler. The hain flicked its head around as obliviously as a hen. Toun turned again to the massive creature he had made and the front of its many-eyed face opened. Two huge doors of thick porcelain plate gently pushed apart to reveal a shining aluminium frame surrounded by pulsing red flesh. The hain saw this behind him and smelled pulsing power. Not even the smell of the twisted and unnatural structure seemed to bother him, despite its gnarled and tortured appearance. When Toun walked up to the revealed frame, he gently placed the hain into it, leaving it standing in what was a surprisingly comfortable position. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"You were never a creature designed to fly,"[/b][/color] Toun murmured with his quivering voice. The god began stepping back. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Now you will fly for the rest of your life."[/b][/color] The hain tried to move but found that metal braces had gently wrapped around its limbs and torso. Its heart began to quicken. The doors lurched and pulled with a tendonous squelch, slowly closing. The hain did not have the intelligence to ask if it should be afraid. It knew it was afraid already. Its head began flicking swiftly, teeth chattered. It struggled but could not break its bonds. The doors were closing. The hain looked through the last sliver of the outside world between the doors. He saw Toun's curious eye. There was a dull thud. Everything was dark. The hain felt proddings at the nape of its neck. [hr] As if the crux of the godliest power on the planet could be ignored. Alefpria was the largest city the world had seen. Its progress had been boosted by the touches of many a diety, but there was no denying that improvements had been made because of it. All headed by a son of Vestec. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]I dislike this irony.[/b][/color] If for whatever unlikely reason Lifprasil thought that the sheer mass of population could help him to hide, he had not counted on the little bird that fluttered over the walls of his Ilunabaric palace. It found plenty of places to hide and observe and it was particularly well-suited to seeking out divinity. Other persons of interest may even turn up in the palace eventually. Toun had no shortage of birds to assign to them, should he deem it necessary. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]Time to find out what manner of creature you are, little prince.[/b][/color] Beyond that, there were many other pieces of the puzzle that Toun wished to seek out. Many missing kin that he wished to check upon. He could have found them himself, but he had precious little time and focus with his plans in place. With so many spare droningbirds, he decided to send them in random directions with instructions to begin watching the first divine being they found. Chances were that they would find something new, perhaps something that the other gods had not even caught onto yet. That would take time in and of itself. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]Other possible interruptions can be accounted for.[/b][/color] [hr] Toun had his hands behind his back as the muffled screeches of the hain calmed into whimpers. The integration would be complete any second now. As sure as he had perfectly planned, the many eyes of the giant clawed creature glowed brightly once more, looking around and taking in its surroundings. The whimpering of the hain was drowned out by the regular sighing of the creature that now housed it. Its claws twitched and flexed experimentally. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"Patrol the walls. You will be joined by others soon."[/b][/color] As naturally as if it was created to, the massive creature gently ascended into the air, letting its claws dangle over the vast expanse of Cornerstone. It floated over Toun's head as Toun bent his neck to watch it. As it headed for the walls, it passed over what progress Cornerstone had been hiding; rows and rows of porcelain arches. Each one suspended a shell or sculpture of some humanoid-shaped creature with the height of a tedar and the gaunt build of a hain. Each one was identical. The army of shells stretched on across the entire tiled space. Slave hain flanked each one, working through the night to shape them. [color=PaleGoldenrod][b]"My own oaths will be fulfilled, as shall others taken in my name."[/b][/color]