[center] [h1][color=violet][b][u]Cadien[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=fuchsia][b][u]Thaa[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] Cadien stood in Antiquity, standing before the portal. [color=violet]“Is this the right one?”[/color] He asked aloud, to nobody in particular; he was the only one currently outside of his realm. Then, he shrugged. Only one way to find out. So, without further ado he stepped through. It was a realm of mists and fog and cloud, of some kind of energy reeking of death. In the far distance the faint outlines of towers could be barely seen through the roiling chaos of the mists. Little else was to be seen, the ground was of a bland stone it would seem, in general however, there was a different quality to the place to his divine senses. Although the exact nature of the place was difficult to ascertain, it was clear the rules of it were not the same as one might find on Galbar or another such realm. It was fully the realm of a god who carefully controlled its reality. Cadien stood alone in the dim light of the place, surrounded by mists stretching over stone fields to the distant towers on the horizon. Ignored the scent which assailed his divine senses, he took a quick look around, and then spoke. [color=violet]“Is this the realm of the God of Death that I stand in?”[/color] There was no immediate reply in voice to his question, however in quick order the ground began to shift around him, carrying him away from the portal. Rather than move himself the ground and realm that he was in shifted instead. Soon a dim shape in the fog came clearer from above as Cadien grew close to a tower. A great and large eye held aloft in the mist, a voice soon followed. [color=Fuchsia]"That it is. You are Cadien, instigator of many mortal peoples."[/color] [color=violet]“A strange way to describe my work,”[/color] the God of Perfection remarked. [color=violet]“Anyhow, I have some questions, if you can spare the time.”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]"I have time enough, you may ask your questions Cadien."[/color] [color=violet]“You are the God of Death. Does that include what comes after death?”[/color] A brief pause occurred before Thaa ended up answering, resigned, [color=Fuchsia]"You like so many misunderstand the situation, a not unexpected occurrence. I am the Supreme lord of Death, the Afterlife, Souls and the Undead. I have no particular power over [i]dying[/i], that remains as it first was the domain of the deities of Life."[/color] Cadien frowned briefly. [color=violet]“[i]Anyhow,[/i]”[/color] he said, perhaps putting a bit too much emphasis on the word, [color=violet]“That brings us to my main question, then. What happens to the souls of mortals after they die?”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]"They remain here, in Aquibeophates for the vast majority. Destined to remain in blissful rest with their loved ones until a more permanent arrangement can be made."[/color] Thaa paused before switching tone from half-interested answering to a sharper question. [color=Fuchsia]"Of what concern do you make it your own to ask this question so principally Cadien?"[/color] [color=violet]“I have many mortal creations and followers,”[/color] Cadien said. [color=violet]“Naturally, I have an interest in what becomes of them. Now, what is this permanent arrangement that you spoke of?”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]"Undecided, I have to focus my efforts in other fields for the time being so such a decision will come when many other current issues have been resolved. It will be better, moral in all sense."[/color] [color=violet]“Oh? What sort of issues?”[/color] The reply came as a sharp retort. [color=Fuchsia]"They are many and I have neither the time nor the desire to enumerate them to you. You have sought me and my realm with purpose Cadien, speak it now so that we may act most quickly upon it. I have little time for niceties at the current state of affairs."[/color] Cadien’s eyes narrowed. [color=violet]“Briefly, then. I would request access to the souls of my followers. That they be sent to my realm instead of here.”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]"An interesting request, although with many issues of its own. What makes a mortal soul a follower of yours? Do you intend to override any desires of their own in this? Or perhaps by what guarantee do I hold that you simply not perform immoral action upon such souls that you intend to take, or that their safety be guarentee'd from others? Most importantly, why should I humor such a request, what do you propose to offer Cadien?"[/color] [color=violet]“Your first two questions have the same answer. If they adhere to my values, and wish to join the afterlife I have in mind for them, then they shall. If not, they won’t. As to your next question, rest assured that those who reside in my realm have always been well cared for, and I’ve never been one to break my word. And finally, your last question…”[/color] the frown deepened. [color=violet]“You express concern for their safety, yet you consider what I offer you in return to be more important. I did not come here expecting to receive something for nothing, but that is some cause for concern on my part.”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]"Let me try to ease your concern with an explanation. I offer bliss and rest to those souls under my care because I believe it best for them, to give them to another for whatever reason in of itself proposes harm even if just the lessened state of joy. "I have no means to securely know if you should even attempt to keep your word even if I do not doubt your honesty. Under these conditions I must already be prepared that harm may come to the souls you seek to take as I cannot ensure the protection of them. "Therefore with this accepted, the matter of the most important becomes that which I may gain so as to better ensure that for the vast majority of souls improvement is reached. I am prepared that harm may come to ten to save a thousand from greater harm."[/color] [color=violet]“What is it you want, then?”[/color] Cadien asked him. [color=Fuchsia]"Little favors here and there is all, few mortals speak the name of Thaa, but many raise joyous calls to Cadien. You have influence that I do not among the peoples of Galbar, I would merely request that you leverage such influence to assist when asked for such little things as may come up. I will be sending onto to souls that you wish for this time and so I should think such a continuing boon be matched in kind."[/color] [color=violet]“Hm.”[/color] Cadien considered the god’s words for a few moments. [color=violet]“That seems reasonable enough, I suppose, so long as the requests themselves remain reasonable.”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]"And it seems fair to me as long as the requests are honored as intended, you shall get your souls Cadien, should you fully agree to this pact?"[/color] The God of Perfection nodded. [color=violet]“Indeed. I accept.”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]"Then the pact is signed and we are agreed. Should you allow a connection between our realms I'll simply funnel the souls through to there. As well as knowing your values as you intend them, I shall ask if any particular case is troublesome to decide."[/color] [color=violet]“Very well. If you are not pressed for time, I may explain them right now.”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]"By all means, proceed."[/color] [color=violet]“I value those who strive to improve both themselves and others,”[/color] Cadien told him. [color=violet]“Those who are both perceptive enough to recognize their faults, and willful enough to seek corrections to them. I also value those who show courage or selflessness in the face of adversity, particularly on the field of battle. Then there are the champions in my employ - I would have them too, if they are willing. Lastly, there are also those mortals who currently reside in my realm: some wish to return to Galbar. Since I cannot guarantee their safety, the only alternative is to have their souls returned to my realm so I may remake them if they perish. And I will, of course, inform you if anything about my criteria changes.”[/color] [color=Fuchsia]“These are acceptable conditions to so define those that would go onto you.”[/color] [color=violet]“Wonderful... I suppose we have a deal.”[/color] [hr] [hider=Post Summary] Cadien enters Thaa’s realm, and despite an initially tense introduction he eventually works out a deal with the God of Death. Thaa will provide Cadien the souls of those who embody his values, and in return Cadien will provide him the occasional small favour. This arrangement will continue until either of them are no longer satisfied. With that, they part ways. [/hider] [hider=MP Summary] No MP spent. [/hider]