Illyd Dyll [hr] Illyd Dyll’s fingers played across his harp, the sweet notes whispering in the corners of antiquity as the other gods went about their days and businesses. The plight of mortals was weak in his mind, and the struggle of the gods was even weaker. His fingers just knew to play and his mind just knew to smile. A freckle of darkness seemed to itch past this golden paradise, weak though it was, it was noticeable. He tucked his smile into his cheek, leaking a certain doubt, his finger missing a note. He furrowed his brow at the sour spot and sighed, perhaps it was time for another nap. He wriggled out of his hammock and began to untie it, eager to bring it back to his valley. It wasn’t that he wanted to be alone, he just didn’t know what else to do or where else to go. Throwing his bundle over his shoulder, he walked back through the messy rip in reality that led to his realm. His happiness couldn’t help but feel damp under an inexplicable rain of sadness. He had no reason to be said -- and because of this doubt he felt a vibration in his chest that lead out to his voice. “I don’t like this,” He said out loud, tucking his cheek again as if awaiting the wind’s response. There was nothing and he sighed, shifting his way through the golden wheat fields on the path to his trees. “I am happy,” He reiterated to no one as he hopped over the gentle brooke that cleaved his realm in half. “Right-” Illyd cut himself short, his eyes noticing a hammock swinging in his usual spot. A fuzzy warmth reinvigorated his heart and he beamed a smile, he had a visitor. With a small skip in his step he bounded over, eager to peak into the hammock. With a bright smile he leaned over, “Hi! I’m-” Once again he froze. A cheshire grin smiled up at him from the rough looking hammock. It had crooked teeth set between two chapped lips which in turn were set between two cheeks with a sickly blush. The owner of it all was a pale woman with dark curly hair and bloodshot eyes. She wore a long collared dress the same color as her hair. “Well you don’t have to act so shocked,” Diana trilled, “It was only a matter of time.” “How?” “Oh foo, you didn’t think you were rid of me that easy were you? I had to show up sooner or later.” She sat up, as if the hammock was a swing and motioned to the spot next to her. Reluctantly, with his harp and banjo protectively huddled against his chest, Illyd Dyll sat down next to Diana. He immediately felt uncomfortable, causing him to tighten his grip on his instruments. “The figure of meekness,” Diana rolled her eyes, “As if that’s fooling anyone.” “I have no idea what yer talkin’ about,” Illyd protested. “Of course ‘ye’ do,” Diana mocked his baritone, “You can’t lie to me, you know.” “What do ye want?” Illyd Dyll faced her. “Oh huff, I just missed a dear friend is all,” Diana smiled wide, “Did you miss me too?” “Absolutely not,” Illyd Dyll shook his head, Diana erupting into a cackle. “Oh how I missed your jokes,” She put a hand on his arm, a burning itch forming where she had touched. “So what are you planning this time?” Her eyes turned wicked. “I don’t know what ye mean,” Illyd Dyll shuffled away. “Come on now,” Diana tapped her chin, “A mastermind like yourself must have something.” “I’m no mastermind, lady,” Illyd Dyll gave her a silly look. “And all of your previous machinations were just goofy accidents then?” “I have no memory of any previous ‘machinations’,” Illyd Dyll defended. Diana flicked his nose and he made a short scowl, “That’s a lame excuse.” Diana’s grin was fading, “As if a god could forget. You have a divine memory, and I am no fool, Illyd. You know everything you did, don’t you?” “I don’t really need to listen to this madness,” Illyd Dyll hopped to his feet, the blue sky darkening above him. “And wha-” A massive boom of thunder interrupted Diana. “Oh foo-” Another raging boom drowned her out. Illyd Dyll had a soft smile on his face, his eyes watching he mouth move but all his ears could hear was the storm above. [hr] A great storm was rolling across the highlands and beyond. Tremendous winds and flooding rains, all for one area centered around nine haggard men and a single wooden cup. They stood in the ruins of Yalin. Orchards of stone spires rose among the piles of debris. Children wailed alongside the survivors of the previous onslaught and the creaking of wheels carried away the countless dead. The nine men who stood around the cup were dressed in dented armor and wore broken weapons, blood smeared on their faces. Hal was there, his hands still gripping the cup tightly -- his grandmaster Talun looking between him and the others. “So it is decided then,” Talun cleared his throat. “I beg that you come with us,” one of the knights, Gerome, insisted. “Nay,” Talun shook his head, “I am of more use in the view of the people.” “And our enemies,” Hal reminded him. Talun gave a grim smile, putting a hand on Hal, “A leader cannot hide, Hal. I will stay in Yalin." He looked at the other knights, "You five will go to the catacombs of Saint Bartholomew and Saint Oyticon with the Holy Grail. Hal, Timothy, and Persius will split up and make contact with our other brothers.” There was a long pause before Persius, the largest of the nine solemnly bowed his head, “Then let us pray to the Golden Light that we are correct in our decisions, and that all will be safe.” “All will be as the Golden Light decides it will be,” Talun nodded, “Let us pray...” [hider=Summary] Illyd Dyll gets a little lonely sad and in his realm that manifests into an old imaginary(?) rival who goads him until he creates a massive storm to block out her words. Unfortunately this storm is so massive that it leaks into Galbar, particularly in the highlands. The only safe spot from the storm seems to be areas around the Grail, where we find the nine remaining knights of the order deciding on what to do with everything. In the end they send five to keep the grail safe, one to keep yalin in order, and three to find other memebers of the order. [/hider] [hider=might] 3dp spent on a mighty thunderous rainstorm 2 dp left, 3 mp left [/hider]