[center] [h1][color=violet][b][u]Cadien[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=greenyellow][b][u]Artifex[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] [color=GreenYellow]”And that, children, is the tale of the first ant, and also the tale of how I came to be”[/color] Artifex said as he finished telling the story to the gathering of Mantarin children. The queen of their kind had chosen one of the gatehouses to the massive city Artifex had created as the initial home for her brood. Primitive nests of grass and leaves littered the rooms found in the small smattering of prebuilt buildings enclosing the stone gateway leading out from the empty city and into the enclosed wilderness beyond. Though this gateway that had never been closed the first generation of Mantarin trickled in and out as they set out to forage and brought back the bounties of the ant lands. Sat atop the battlements of their home their god kept one eye on them as they gathered berries and the other on the prepubescent youth he had been entertaining before night set in. The young Mantarins more closely resemble their mother than the adults below did, walking on 4 legs mounted on an abdomen used to store the large supplies of nutrients they would need to undergo pupation. Most would become the hunched female workers bustling about in the grasslands beyond. With their elbow mounted blades they sliced through the foliage to gather the oversized berries growing in the grassland beyond while avoiding the mildly dangerous beasts roaming the plains. Under the gods watchful eye they were never in any real danger however, as anything truly life threatening was either kept out by the city's walls and insectile defenders or received a quick smiting from their overprotective parent if it managed to skirt past both of their home’s unantrual defences. “Another another” cried the children, craving more stories real or imagined, but the god had to decline [color=GreenYellow]”I am afraid it's time for you all to get some rest. The sun is setting after all.”[/color] “Aww” [color=GreenYellow]”Now now. I can regale you with more tales tomorrow children. If I keep going you might nod off in the middle of one and miss the ending. Now off to bed with you, there is always tomorrow”[/color] he told them. Aftera bit more encouragement and promises of more tales tomorrow the children were escorted down into the gatehouse by a number of adult Mantarin, most of them male. One however lingered behind. “Father?” [color=GreenYellow]”Yes child?”[/color] Artifex asked, tilting his head in curiosity over what this one desired “What are they like, creator? The other gods? You have spoken of what they have achieved before, how they shaped continents and created the woods beyond our home, but never about who they actually are as people” he asked Artifex clicked his mandibles together thoughtfully and then confessed [color=GreenYellow]”I could speculate based upon what I have seen, but to truly tell you who they are I’d have had to have shared words with them.”[/color] “So you have never met them? Any of them?” [color=GreenYellow]”None but the great tree, and she was not much of a conversationalist,”[/color] the god glanced upwards as he said this and then added with quiet surprise [color=GreenYellow]”Ah, but it appears that may be about to change”[/color] [color=violet]“Did somebody say… [i]’meet?’”[/i][/color] a deep baritone voice boomed, as a smooth-skinned white haired figure quite literally flew overhead in a series of flips. He had come from the over the city’s main keep, sailed all the way past the wall and over the heads of Artifex and his child, only to finally arrived in the vast courtyard. He landed in a squatting position, his arms crossed, and looked up at the gatehouse. [color=violet]“Hello there!”[/color] The sudden arrival of the flying being caused a panic among those milling around the entrance, the Mantarins scurrying either away from the strange person towards the safety of their fortified home. Only a few held their ground, bravely placing themselves between the others and the distant squatting figure, raising their arm blades in uncertain defiance. Even the brave ones were startled by the sudden arrival of their god as he dropped down from the keep and onto the stone floor in his own squat, giant fists placed on the ground while his smaller ones crossed in a mimacary of the new arrival. The son whom he had been speaking with followed them down, his wings buzzing frantically to slow his fall to something more survivable than Artifex’s plummet, until he landed gracefully behind his father. [color=GreenYellow]”Hello there,”[/color] Artifex replied, before asking [color=GreenYellow]”To whom do I owe the pleasure?”[/color] [color=violet]“I am Cadien, God of Perfection,”[/color] he introduced himself with a smile. [color=violet]“I have to say, you’ve chosen a very unique form for yourself. I don’t suppose you’d have anything to do with those small multi-legged creatures I’ve been seeing everywhere?”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”I am Artifex, God of Construction. I see you have met what remains of the murderers of the beings that dreamt my form into existence after I banished them to the four winds.”[/color] [color-violet]“Huh… alright then. I suppose we’ve all had eventful births. Anyhow, I was out exploring the stars when I saw this land from above. After I settled some things back on the mainland, I decided to come see what’s out here.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”It makes more sense in context I assure you. Perhaps i will tell you the full tale someday. For now, I welcome you to Sancta Civitas, the greatest city on the face of Galbar!”[/color] Artifex announced, as he stood and spread his arms out to take in the vast plains of stone surrounded by high walls. [color=GreenYellow]”It’s a work in progress,”[/color] he admitted after a few moments. [color=violet]“Mmm… looks rather nice, though its status as the ‘greatest’ might soon be contested. I do believe another god is attempting the same thing.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Is that so? Well I welcome the competition, if only to prove my superior craftsmanship when compared to theirs. Where might this second city be might I ask, so I might inspect it in future?”[/color] [color=violet]“In the northern reaches of the mainland,”[/color] he said, pointing back the way he had came, [color=violet]“in a land of forests, rivers, and hills. Last I saw it was just a wall, really, but who knows what it’s like now?”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”I see, quite some distance away, at least by mortal means.”[/color] Artifex replied, a hand reaching up and grasping his chin below his mandible thoughtfully [color=GreenYellow]”Now that I think of it, I suppose it is good that mortalkind has more than one place of sanctuary in these most interesting of times. Do you happen to know the name of the wall’s creator?”[/color] [color=violet]“I do not. I’ve yet to visit it myself. I meant to, but I spent so much time preaching to the local mortals that I got bored and wanted a change of scenery. I’ll introduce myself when it’s more developed.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Ah I see, you saw it from the stars. Preaching you say? Pray tell what you have been preaching? Perfection?”[/color] Artifex asked, his curiosity mirrored by his children who had mostly calmed down at this point. The mortals and their newly arrived mother crowded around this meeting of gods at a respectable distance, marveling at the divine spectacle of it. [color=violet]“Indeed,”[/color] Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“I’ve been urging them to better themselves, in every aspect, without succumbing to petty jealousy or needless conflict. They seem to have listened, but how they will do so remains to be seen.”[/color] Then he waved a hand to indicate the other insectoids. [color=violet]“And what have you been teaching these mortals here?”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Your’s are noble lessons. I have spoken of peace, harmony and cooperation. The wars of ant, bee, termite and wasp that caused my birth have ingrained the horrors of interspecies warfare firmly in my mind. It cannot be allowed to happen in a mortal kind. They have such potential, these mortal creatures. It would be terrible for them to squander their potential on death and war when cooperation may lead them to build wonders and marvels to rival even the works of gods.”[/color] [color=violet]“Hmm… I don’t know about rivalling the gods, but yes, they do have potential,”[/color] Cadien stroked his chin. [color=violet]“Speaking of which… all of these creatures you made look rather… [i]samey.[/i] No offense, but the differences seem to be mostly based on gender. That just seems rather… disappointing, I have to say.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”I have my hopes, and perhaps I am wrong, but on a long enough timescale I believe that anything is possible through planning, effort and cooperation”[/color] Artifiex replied before looking a touch offended by the suggested blandness of his mortals [color=GreenYellow]”Well... Perhaps they [i]look[/i] similar but for identification you need only pay attention to your olfactory senses to be able to tell that each has a distinctive set of peremonal scents to identify them.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Besides I would have thought a god of perfection would appreciate sticking to a singular optimal design?”[/color] “What seems optimal to you may not seem optimal to others,” Cadien pointed out, his smile fading. “Hmm… I have an idea, and one that will be of some functional use - more than just aesthetic, I mean. With your permission, I think I’ll give these beings the ability to change their colour.” [color=GreenYellow]”Their color? Hmmm, interesting. What functional use would that have? Camouflage? Communication?”[/color] Artifax asked, drifting away from his offended state as the possibility of such an ability erupted in his mind. [color=violet]“Those, and others,”[/color] Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“Make themselves more appealing to potential mates, shock potential predators… there are quite a few uses, really.”[/color] “What is a mate?” [color=GreenYellow]”Don't worry about that”[/color] Artifex ordered before agreeing that [color=GreenYellow]”Yes. Yes, that does sound like it would be useful.”[/color] before glancing back at his children [color=GreenYellow]”Don’t you agree?”[/color] There was a mix of hesitant nodding and outright trepidation prospect of this sudden bodily alteration before the male he had been speaking with earlier stepped forwards and asked “May I be the first to try this?” “Mmm… very well,” Cadien said, and then abruptly stepped forward to place a hand on the creature’s head. There was a brief spark of purple energy, and then suddenly the creature’s shell took on a myriad of colours, like an ever-shifting rainbow. “Focus,” Cadien ordered. “Think of the colour you prefer, and control it.” The male looked shocked at first at the sudden change, but then focused, closing their eyes and clenching a fist as they did so. Slowly the riot of color settled down into a dark navy blue. The bug opened his eyes and examined his shell with delight, only for his body to flash yellow as he did so. He blinked in surprise at the sudden change and then focused again, bringing back the blue hue. He gave a satisfied nod as he got it back and then looked up to Cadien. “Like that?” Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“Yes,”[/color] he said, then looked too the others. “Would the rest of you want this power as well?” Hesitantly, but with rowning confidence as they saw the first color changer playing with his new power to create colorful 2 shade patterns over his body, they advanced to accept this gift. As the colors began to swirl and shift their mother carefully picked her way through the crowd along with a gaggle of quadrupedal children. “This is marvelous isn't it Artifex!” she said as she watched her offspring play with their new skill and admire the colorful displays of one another. Somewhere using it for more practical camouflage purposes, shifting their pearl white to shades of green and brown, while others rapidly shifted in mesarising displays or inscribed fixed patterns on their to differentiate themselves from the swarm of their siblings [color=GreenYellow]”Yes. Yes it really is. Self expression, built in to their very being. Thank you Cadien, this was an excellent idea”[/color] “Might I also accept this gift so I can pass it down to their brothers and sisters?” the grand queen asked, crouching down to sit before the god of perfection. Cadien nodded, and granted it to her as well. [color=violet]“Anyhow,”[/color] he said, stepping back. [color=violet]“Is there any other intelligent life that dwells on this island, or is this all?”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Not that I am aware of, though I have not traveled beyond the bounds of the city in some time. Also, before we move on from the wonderful gift of yours, know that I am happy to repay the favor should you require them in future.”[/color] Cadien smiled. [color=violet]“I will keep that in mind,”[/color] he said. [color=violet]“In fact, if there is no additional sapient life on this land, then perhaps I might make some. I could use a hand with that.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Oh? Hmmm.”[/color] Artifex took a long moment to contemplate this. [color=GreenYellow]”Yes i think i’d be open to the prospect. Did you have any particular form in mind?”[/color] The prospect of neighbours also got the attention of the mortals present, who mostly looked rather interested at the prospect of new neighbors. Cadien shook his head. [color=violet]“Not yet. I still need to explore these lands further. I will return when I have something in mind.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”You will always be welcome here Cadien. I can tell you that the lands around here are mostly heavily forested, and infested with shaggy furred toothy creatures. I put some wolf ants in there and… one other thing I would like to remain a surprise.”[/color] he explained before asking [color=GreenYellow]”Will you be leaving soon or would you like to stay for dinner? The fruits around these parts are delicious if i do say so myself.”[/color] he said, his self aggrandisement for once being made in a humor rather than being genuine. The God shrugged. [color=violet]“I don’t see why not.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Excellent. Then please, do come inside. I’d love to hear a little bit about your trip to the stars.”[/color] [hr] “You’re a shrew!” “Nope” “A... hmm... A brown ant?” “Wrong” “Oh oh oh. A scary big tooth rat” “Yeah that's it!” the Mantarin, who had been giving his best impression (complete with faux fur colored shell) of one of the dangerous furred creatures that sometimes wondered out of the forests and through the distant outer wall, called out to the correct guesser “your turn” The guesser, a female Matarin who had decorated her armored skin with swirls of yellow and orange, took the stage, or rather moved in front of the sitting crowd as the rat actor took her spot, and began to attempt to convey the more abstract concept of safety to her onlookers while they attempted to guess her intention. [color=GreenYellow]”You can't just point at me, that would be against the spirit of the game,”[/color] Artifex called over as the woman did just that. Her chiten flushed pink in embarrassment before she tied to single handedly mime out an armed (with long sticks) foraging party. The god chuckled to himself and turned back to his work. Using a relatively mundane looking hammer and chisel he was hand carving a mural onto the back of the great wall. It depicted the creation of the mantarin queen, the growing of their species, their forays out into the walled garden and finally the visit of Cadien and the granting of his gift of color changing to them. The history of a race carved in stone. Soon, he hoped, it would include their first meeting with another mortal race. Then, a familiar figure launched himself over the wall, and landed into the courtyard. [color=violet]“I have returned!”[/color] Cadien announced somewhat dramatically, as he turned to face Artifex. Artifex’s antena perked up with surprise before he calmly released his work tools, which turned back into hovering crystals, and turned to greet the returning god. [color=GreenYellow]”Cadien. A pleasure to see you”[/color] he said as he approached. Cadien’s arrival instantly drew the attention of the mantarin, be they at work or at play, causing a crowd to gather to watch the gods speak more. [color=GreenYellow]”How do you fare?”[/color] Artifex asked as he stopped a respectful distance away from his fellow god. [color=violet]“Quite well,”[/color] Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“If you recall our previous conversation, I do believe I have an idea.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”I do indeed. A second mortal race who will call these lands their home.”[/color] Artifex replied [color=GreenYellow]”I take it your travels have been fruitful in terms of both inspiration and surveying the land for a place for them to take their first breaths?”[/color] [color=violet]“They have been,”[/color] Cadien agreed. [color=violet]“In fact, I have two races in mind, though I only need your aid with one.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”I did say I was in your debt for your wonderful gift to my own mortals. Yet I’d be more than happy to help create more mortal life regardless.”[/color] Artifex replied, before asking [color=GreenYellow]”Now my glamorous friend, please don't hesitate to tell me all about your ideas for mortal races.”[/color] So, Cadien did, and his idea was a most unusual one. [color=violet]“Do you think that is agreeable?”[/color] he asked once the explanation was finished. [color=GreenYellow]”An intriguing idea. By all means, lead on”[/color] Cadien extended his arms, and a glowing ball of bright green energy began to grow into his palms. “Pour as much energy as you can into this,” he instructed, as the ball’s size began to stabilize. Artifex directed a singular titanic hand towards the small glow. A swarm of crystals few along it from his halo and then formed up around the green orb, pointing down at it so that when raw power arced down the insectile god’s arm it struck them, was focused, and then shot down into the orb in a myriad of golden beams The orb’s size began to grow even further, until at last, it became too much for the two gods to contain, and then suddenly Cadien launched it up into the sky. It immediately shattered, breaking off into seven fragments, which dispersed into different directions. One went north, and another went east, both travelling across the sea. Four flew off to the west, and a fifth was heading in that direction as well, but at a sharp upward angle. [color=violet]“There, I think that did it,”[/color] Cadien remarked casually. [color=GreenYellow]”Seven groups. Interesting. Ah, so they can grow on each island. Now that presents some interesting possible futures. I wonder how they will differ.”[/color] Artifex mused while his children marvaled as they watched the birth of a race. Several raced away from the gods and up onto the walls and a few even braved a Hiver nest tower, carefully climbing their way past the giant bees to reach the roof of their wall mounted home, to try and see if they could spot where the shards would be landing. It simply wasn’t possible, however, because all but one of the shards soon vanished beyond the sight of even the gods. Cadien and Artifex would watch that one shard fly upward, high above the island they currently stood upon. Then, just as it reached the clouds, it exploded into a series of spores, which gently rained down the island from above. None they looked like they would be landing anywhere near the city, however. [color=violet]“The species will spawn from those spores,”[/color] Cadien explained. [color=violet]“I will call them Goblins, I think. On each island, and on two locations from the mainland. They’ll all be the same physically, but each group will lean toward a different personality. I’ve imbued the ones landing on this island with a cooperative spirit - they’ll be more willing to work together to solve their problems.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”A gentle easing in to inter species diplomacy for my children. I appreciate it. But what of the others. Why not bless them all with cooperation in their hearts?”[/color] Artifex asked. [color=violet]“I want to see how these differences in behavior affect their development,”[/color] Cadien said. [color=violet]“See them each try to achieve perfection in their own way. Which ones will succeed, and which ones will fail.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Hmmm. Then I'll be interested to see how they grow. Which does raise a good point. What, pray tell, do these mortals look like? Or would you like to keep that a surprise?”[/color] Artifex asked Cadien looked up to the sky, his gaze focusing on a point far off in the distance. Then, he stretched his hand outward, and drew it back. One of the spores flew to him, crossing the vast distance within seconds, and as soon as it reached his palm he dropped it. It fell to the ground, and then sank into the soil. For a moment, nothing happened. Then suddenly, a green hand burst out. A second hand soon followed, and after that came a head. The head’s skin was smooth and green, with angular features - a pointed chin, a pointed nose, and pointed ears. The creature sniffed and examined its settings, blinking at the light, then began to pull itself up even further, until at last it was free from its earthly prison. As the creature adjusted to its new surroundings, he wildly looked back and forth - first at the colourful creatures surrounding him, then at the two gods. “Who… who is you?” he demanded. [color=violet]“Hmm… its speech isn’t quite as refined as I intended,”[/color] Cadien mused somewhat disappointedly, then shrugged. [color=violet]“It matters little, I suppose. I am Cadien, young one, and I am one of your creators.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Well they did just pop out of the ground. Form a certain perspective the fact that they can speak already is impressive,”[/color] Artifex noted before addressing the small mortal [color=GreenYellow]”And I Artifex, a god who aided in your creation, and these are the Mantarin,”[/color] he indicated to the mass of insect people staring at the small creature with inwraped fascination. Several waved. [color=GreenYellow]”Welcome to Galbar, I do so hope your existence is an enjoyable and interesting one.”[/color] “Shiny-Hair,” the creature said, pointing to Cadien. “Big-Eyes,” he then added, gesturing to Artifex. “Why I here?” [color=violet]“You are here to experience life,”[/color] Cadien told him. [color=violet]“And to strive to be the best you can possibly be.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”To build. To ascend. To leave the world a richer place than you entered it. As for how you will do that, what you will create? That is something we are excited to find out alongside you.”[/color] Artifex agreed with the other in his own words “To make friends” yelled one vey excited Mantarin from the crowd. Artifex colored his own shell yellow, deliberately showing happiness to his children, and concluded [color=GreenYellow]”and you’ll do that alongside so many other wonderful people.”[/color] [color=violet]“Mhmm,”[/color] Cadien nodded, before turning to Artifex. [color=violet]“Well then, I suppose I’ll leave this one in your care. It’s time I was on my way.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”So soon?”[/color] Artifex said with a hint of sadness, before more resolutely replying [color=GreenYellow]”, of course. I'm sure you have much to do to see to the prosperity of your new race’s many tribes. I bid you farewell. Do not hesitate to come visit in future.”[/color] [hr] [hider=Summary] Artifex is telling stories when Cadien shows up. Cadien grants the bug people the ability to change colour. Artifex promises to offer Cadien something in return at some point. Cadien leaves to scout the islands. He returns a few days later and asks Artifex to make a species. They make goblins, which Cadien spreads to all five islands of Mydia, as well as two locations on Toraan. Each group is geared toward a certain mindset and personality. The goblins on the southeastern island have a focus on cooperation and efficiency. The goblins on the northeastern island have a fixation on cooperation and compassion. The goblins on the southwestern island are more laid-back and free-spirited. The goblins on the upper north island have fiercely independent mindset. They are competitive by nature and hold a distaste for large groups or overbearing authority. The goblins on the northwestern island are cunning and ambitious. The goblins of western Black Rock are more aggressive and focused on strength. The goblins near the Tree of Life have a fixation on creativity and beauty. Keep in mind, this does not mean that every single goblin in a given area will possess these traits; this is simply what they are naturally inclined toward. There are always going to be exceptions. [/hider] [hider=MP Summary] [u]Cadien[/u] Start: 3MP/4DP -1MP (discounted to 0 via glamour portfolio) to give the Mantarin the ability to change colour. -1MP contributed to the creaiton of goblins. [u]Artifex[/u] Start: 2 dp/3 mp -1 mp contributed to goblin creation End: 2 dp/2 mp [/hider] [hider = prestige] Sancta Civitas Prestige: 5 I insect caretakers II Shining city on a hill [/hider]