[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/CatDIhj.png[/img] Artifex visits antiquey and meets Tekret et Heret and Cadian [/center] Artefex stomped down into antiquity via his portal. Paused. Took it all in. Clicked his fingers a few times. Then stepped back through, formed a door in his realm, brought it though and set it up in front of the portal back to his realm and set up a buzzer and intercom system on a post on the outside so he’d be able to communicate with anyone who wanted to politely enter his realm. Artifex dusted off his hands, satisfied with his bout of remodeling, [color=GreenYellow]”Right then. Now let's find out what this place is all about”[/color] he said to the small swarm of insects that had escaped his realm while the door was open, before stomping his way down to the edge of the arena stands, leaning on the banister and and looking down into the pit below. [color=GreenYellow]”It is... Some kind of combat arena? Or possibly a sporting arena if I am being generous. A place of competition is not exactly a structure with the right functionality or ambiance for a meeting place between realms I feel. A forum would have been better, or perhaps a senate. I wonder how difficult it would be to renovate?”[/color] he said before looking up at Galbar hanging high in the sky [color=GreenYellow]”and that is just salt in the wound. Really. Just the nicest way to get the tempers flaring. I should have words with whoever designed this place because it is just begging for trouble.”[/color] The various colorful bugs, which had all now landed upon their creators' massive horns, said nothing in response and instead sat fanning their wings and grooming themselves as they enjoyed, in their limited way, the strange adventure they had found themselves on. As Artifex surveyed the barren expanse of antiquity another god, one remarkable by their lack of colour as much as their conspicuous nakedness, noticed the new arrival. After a moment's consideration the tall white figure of Tekret et Heret approached their fellow divine languorously. Step after step, the man came to meet Artifex as a mortal would. Or, perhaps, a mortal with all the time in the world would. Eventually the other god stood beside Artifex at the edge of the stands, and after eyeing the God of Insects, greeted their peer, [color=6fb887]“Artifex, I’d guess? Excuse me if I got that wrong, I’m beginning to notice that two thousand years of absence has eh, influenced, the mortal’s' depictions of us. Still, it’s the reference I have.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”You would be correct. And yes, time does seem to have that effect. Mortals draw inspiration from each other's work sequentially and the results can deviate rather wildly from the original, even if they do still have artistic merit. There’s a rather interesting sculpture of me that is across between a goblin, a Mantarin and a Vespain, the spirit of which I rather like even if the accuracy is completely not existent. Indeed this form is a result of such a shift in perception but, ah, I’m babbling on about myself”[/color] Artuifex said before waving away his own rambling and pushing herself up and away from the handrail to face the other god [color=GreenYellow]”and have not even gotten your name yet. I won’t waste our time with hazarding guesses as your appearance seems to have been handcrafted for non identifiability.”[/color] [color=6fb887]“Keeps things interesting,”[/color] The white god shrugged before adding, [color=6fb887]“It has its downsides, though. I’m Tekret et Heret, God of Rulership, Contracts, and bearer of a couple thousand other minor titles by now, but that’s how it goes. You get it. After all, I recall your people are doing better than they might have a right to be. Your work?”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”A pleasure to meet you Tekret”[/color] Artifex said, extending a hand in greeting. [color=GreenYellow]”As for my people, yes. The Mantarin were blessed with a fair number of gifts to give them a head start, though naturally those are gifts I instructed them to share. The Vespian… are doing as well as they can after I got some of them out of the whole exploding moon situation. I am aware I’ve shown some favoritism,”[/color] he admitted [color=GreenYellow]”but I have done what I can for the others in a muse like fashion when their prayers find me. But there's a limit to what I can achieve with words alone, as you no doubt know.”[/color] Tekret shook the proffered hand, and gave Atifex a little grin, [color=6fb887]“Of course, but the Vespian are alive because of those words. There’s a limit, buuut it matters. You wouldn’t believe some of the others,”[/color] The alabaster god inhaled sharply, [color=6fb887]“I know for a fact at least a few of them spent the last two thousand years napping or fighting with the lifeblood. Sure you can only do so much with a word here and a little curse there, but it adds up. You’ve my respect for doing what you could.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Napping? Really? Such a waste. I assume those fighting didn’t manage to get anywhere? I gave up after about a year.”[/color] the god rubbed one of his forearms at the memory of the pain that had brought before continuing [color=GreenYellow]”As for you, contracts wasn’t it? Binding individuals, groups and communities together? All very good stuff. Couldn't do what I do without you. My compliments to your efforts. Oh and that lovely wall too, a fine piece of work that too.”[/color] [color=6fb887]“Hah!”[/color] Tekret exclaimed, [color=6fb887]“It pales in comparison to yours, but I’m proud enough of it. More proud of what the Humans did with it though. Ketrefa has been one of the more interesting places down there, even if it is going through a bit of a slump as of late. Might need to meddle there in another decade or so. Though,”[/color] The god paused and pursed his lips, [color=6fb887]“I wonder if it might be better to let things run their course. I tried to give the people there some measure of stability with eh, this fancy crown I made. Holds memories, is what it does. Thought that might keep things running smoothly, but it’s no undying Queen is it? Whenever I take a look at your Mantarin they seem to be doing well enough without fancy artifacts. Hm.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Ah yes my lovely Queen Regina has been doing excellent work in keeping Sancta Civitas ticking along smoothly. It is a trade off however. Familial loyalty is an excellent binding agent but it is not one that facilitates expansion and, of course, there is the issue of what would happen should perish. There was an incident with a Vrool raid a few decades back that gave me quite the scare in that department. Very brave of her to fight of course but the whole thing was far too close for comfort. The Vrool are a little concerning in general really. Such a massive empire at so early a stage is impressive of course but I worry about it being, well, suffocating to progress and, selfishly, about it sweeping away my own projects in a tide of tentacles.”[/color] [color=6fb887]“Ah,”[/color] Tekret waved the concern off, [color=6fb887]“I wouldn’t be so concerned. They’re strong, but too much like us to ever really be a worry. They’ll follow their Tyrant, but I’ve never known a Vrool to hold back if they have a chance of surpassing them. It’s just not in their nature, obedience. I had a hand in helping their empire along, but I don’t see it ever being more than it is. A success, if a bit limited.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Hopefully you are right. I have some ideas for how to stick claw into the issue regardless. Always good to have a few plans ready for such eventualities.”[/color] Artifex replied, his concerns somewhat addressed by the opinion of a fellow divine, [color=GreenYellow]”Say, you mentioned knowing what some of the other gods have been up to, such as napping. Might I ask who you’ve met? I will be honest the breath of my socialising during our free reign was not extensive, so it would be nice to get some info on who else I might be running into if you are willing to oblige?”[/color] [color=6fb887]“Well there’s Illyd Dyll, God of Food I think? He’s nice but eh, I think he might not be all there. Then there was Cadi-”[/color] Just then, a familiar bare-chested figure landed nearby. [color=violet]“Artifex, it has been too long!”[/color] the God said with a smile. [color=violet]“And Tekret. How have things been?”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”This is going to be a thing with you isn't it.”[/color] Artifex joked entirely to himself, [color=GreenYellow]”Greetings Cadien, good to see you alive and well.”[/color] [color=6fb887]“Cadien,”[/color] Tekret finished with a note of exasperation and gestured to the [i]other[/i] bare chested divine. The God of Contracts eyed the conversation's newest partner for a moment before adding, [color=6fb887]“Who was working on something interesting, last I heard?”[/color] [color=violet]“I was indeed,”[/color] Cadien nodded, [color=violet]“and it’s done.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”and what, if I might ask, is it you have been working on?”[/color] Artifex asked, feeling very much out of the loop Cadien gave them a conspiratal grin. [color=violet]“What if I told you there was a way to more closely interact with Galbar?”[/color] Artifex cocked his head and leaded in with clear interest [color=GreenYellow]”You have? Do tell?”[/color] [color=violet]“Through the creation of an avatar,”[/color] Cadien revealed. [color=violet]“Turns out, if you remove a small portion of your own soul, and put it in a form where it can move and possess independent thought, it is capable of travelling to Galbar. Not only that, but it can perform divine actions on your behalf.”[/color] [color=6fb887]“Really?”[/color] Tekret muttered, [color=6fb887]“That seems... Hrm. A tad dangerous, doesn’t it? What would happen to this ‘avatar’ if it was destroyed?”[/color] [color=violet]“If my avatar is destroyed, then I should be able to call the lost fragment back to me. Since my avatar is on Galbar, where we gods can’t walk, then I suppose the only thing that could destroy it would be another avatar.”[/color] Cadien shrugged. [color=violet]“I’m sure the hold I have over my own soul is strong enough to overpower them, if they do try to claim it. I won’t deny that it’s risky, but it’s the first real progress to be made, and it seems to be working.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Remarkable. You have one of these avatars I take it? Down on Galbar right now?”[/color] The god glanced up at the world hanging above them as if they could see that piece of soul simply by looking [color=GreenYellow]”Is this common knowledge? Or are you in the middle of spreading it around right now? Who found this out and how?”[/color] artifex asked, bombarding Cadien with questions [color=violet]“My avatar is in Galbar right now, yes,”[/color] Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“A few gods already know. Gibbou discovered it by accident, and her avatar wound up betraying her because she did nothing to ensure it was loyal - do try to avoid that.”[/color] [color=6fb887]"So they have to think then, be alive?"[/color] Tekret bit the inside of his lip and ran a hand through his hair in thought, [color=6fb887]"I'm not sure it's what I was looking for, Cadien, but it is progress. Thanks for letting me know though. I'll remember it."[/color] [color=violet]“Well, I don’t know if it [i]has[/i] to think,”[/color] Cadien admitted. [color=violet]“Mine does. But I can see through its eyes at any given moment, and I don’t think it would be too difficult for me to take direct control of it if it turned against me. Anyhow, be sure to tell everyone else. The rest deserve to know, I think.”[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”A degree of intelligence would allow for some delegation which would be useful in my opinion. I hardly want to puppet a mortal body around all day long. Thank you for this most valuable information. I’ll be sure to pass this along. Although, perhaps there are better ways to get news of this discovery than simple word of mouth? An informative memorial columb or notice board or newspaper stand of some kind perhaps. Maybe I could make letterboxes for everyone? hmmm”[/color] Artifex pondered A thoughtful expression appeared on Cadien’s face, and the God of Perfection stroked his chin. Then, he cupped his hands to his mouth. [color=violet]“ATTENTION, FELLOW GODS!”[/color] his voice boomed throughout Antiquity, passing through the portals at its edges and into the neighbouring realms. [color=violet]“What if I told you there was a way to interact more closely with the world? All you need to do is bind a small piece of your soul to another form, and send that form to Galbar. It will be able to pass through without interference from the Lifeblood, walk the world, and perform divine actions on your behalf. You can thank Gibbou for this trick. Oh, and if you haven’t set foot outside your realm’s portal yet, please do; it’s perfectly safe! That will be all!”[/color] Then Cadien cleared his throat and smiled. [color=violet]“I think that did the trick.”[/color] [color=6fb887]"Mmm,"[/color] Tekret rubbed his ears, [color=6fb887]"So that's what that feels like. Well, if you put up that notice board Artifex, maybe we can ask people to stop yelling. But I imagine that did the trick, yeah."[/color] [color=GreenYellow]”Crude, but no doubt effective,”[/color] Artifex agreed, massaging his poor antenna [color=GreenYellow]”I’ll set up the notice board so it never need occur again.”[/color] before grabbing one of the crystals floating around his head and hurling it at the door to his realm. The shard paused right before impacting with the wood, floated down and then inserted itself through the mail flap. After a few moments the door opened and a procession of dog sized ants spilled out carrying all the things he’d need to build an incredibly mundane looking cork noticeboard. The ant god formed a simple hammer and screwdriver out of two of his crystals and quickly got to work assembling the board, complete with glass doors, plenty of sheets of paper, a selection of finely crafted fountain pens to write on the paper and pot of pins to affix the notes to the board. Once it was done Artifex quickly wrote down a copy of Cadians announcement, opened up the cabinet door covering the board, pinned the note to the wall, proceeded to write an entire second note explaining how a notice board worked, added it to the board as well and then closed the cabinet door again. [color=GreenYellow]”There we go”[/color] the god said, dusting off his hands, the others having already left him to his work, [color=GreenYellow]”much more civilised than yelling. Now to go throw a piece of myself at Galbar and see how this Avatar business works.”[/color] [hider=summary] Artifex arrives in antiquity, complains that its aesthetics garner a competitive ambiance that is not appropriate for a place linking the realms of the gods. There he meets Tekret and they shoot the shit about Artifex talking about himself Other gods not working The Mantarin and the Vespian doing rather well for themselves The pros and cons of making an immortal ruler of a pre build walled city The Vrool being a globe spanning superpower and how that's concerning Finally Artifex asks about the other gods. Tekret obliges but is interrupted upon mentioning Cadian as the god decides to show up in the flesh. Cadian joins the discussion and quickly rolls it around to telling them about avatars. Concerns are levied and dismissed until the pair agree with Cadian that its a great idea. Artifex suggests spreading it around a bit faster than word of mouth can. Cadien decides just to word of mouth harder and yells the news to everyone. And I do mean everyone. Ya’ll know how to do this avatar shit now. In case you didn't get the message Artifex, peeved at being at ground zero of the noise, builds a supper mundane noticeboard to prevent future mass scale broadcasts from being necessary. [/hider] [hider=MP Summary] [u]Cadien[/u] [b]Beginning MP:[/b] 3 -1MP to broadcast a message throughout all the gods’ realms telling them how to create avatars. [b]Ending MP:[/b] 2 [u]Artifex[/u] [b]Beginning MP/Dp:[/b] 4/3 -1DP to make a nice notice board for the gods to use in antiquity [b]Ending MP:[/b] 4/2 [/hider]