[center][h1][color=crimson]Rebirth In Blood[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] Sat deep within the cool stone of the palace, there lay another bath chamber, this one decadent and lit with hundreds of candles, flickering into dying light. The room was further furnished with a variety of chairs and tables, set into the crooks and crannies of the tall room. In the center of this bath chamber sat an oval pool. It was large and full of water that was covered with the last of the flower petals kept from the Highlands, giving off a very floral scent. The water was warm, heated by hot rocks at the deep center. Lounging upon the second ledge of the pool, covered with flower petals, was Nalla. She was naked to the world as she was attended to, a rare moment of insecurity by any means but she did not show it. She was accompanied by five servant girls, all of the same build, same hair and similar face structure. All were of a modest age and all of them could be trusted. For these five girls were privileged. They were the ones tasked with the most precious position of being bathing attendants. To wash their Queen and witness her innocence. Handpicked for loyalty and looks or perhaps for the easiness of their minds to be broken. They did their jobs well. Nalla let out a relaxing sigh. Her flaming hair was being combed by two of them, her body washed by two more on either side of her and her feet and legs were being washed by the last. There was no talking here, for Nalla preferred the silence. It soothed her and so she shut her eyes and let their rhythmic work be felt and in a rare moment, appreciated. Though she was being washed, her precious tools of rulership sat on a table nearby. Their weight was familiar to her and without them she felt vulnerable, how silly a thought was that? Someone as her, so powerful by herself uncomfortable being without her clothes. Or was it her paranoia? A frown found itself snaking its way onto her lips. It was true, she was suspicious of everyone and paranoid of traitors and gods having their way with her and her accomplishments. But it only took the mere thought of Neiya to make her calm again. Well perhaps calm wasn't the right word but it would suffice. Ever since she had mingled with the Goddess, her very being had felt… Stronger, more attuned to the world. It was exhilarating, like a part of Neiya had never left her. Sometimes the world slowed to a halt, and she had an ethereal experience of surrealism. Almost as if she was part of something greater. She would keep it close, for no mortal pleasures could compare. Ah, her Goddess... If only there was other gods as kind as her mistress. Exodus the avatar, true to her word, had not been seen or heard of since she had left so long ago and her Sylphi no longer seemed to care about worshipping their Genesis or Exodus. In fact, her Sylphi were now hers and the Blood Sylphi were growing well. In a few generations she would have what she wanted. Tekret had been the one to give her, her crown but not a word had been heard from him since or whatever his cult had been. If they had been in the Highlands then it would seem they would stay there and far out of her authority. Alas, she knew only enemy gods and those who would not see her in a better light to be left. There was no other patronage but Neiya. Even the Alma, the desert people who knew her to be their master now, had no gods to be spoken of. Or if they did, the language barrier had not yet been broken down. They had only managed to figure out simple things and what they would call their precious slaves, Alma. Nalla had put them to work already on constructing her new home. One far larger and grander than any that had come before. By sheer accident had a crazy foreman begun racing about a giant temple in the shape of a triangle. Needless to say, though mad, he was let in charge of the project. It would take years to accomplish but what was that to Nalla? Seeds from the Highlands were being sown to see if any would be viable, they were hunting what life they could find along the river and raiding parties were being sent out to secure more slaves and anything interesting. Things were on the up and up in Nallan but if food cannot be maintained in ample supply, it would perhaps be their downfall. And it was her supply of fresh blood that concerned her most. Without healthy stocks she would starve and she couldn't have that. For now she would hope for the best. At the edge of her hearing came whispers, not of voices truly, but sounds that clashed together, melding from yelps of dogs, the croaking of toads, the screeches of river hydra. Words came whispering in quiet unison growing softly from nothing. They came from nowhere and everywhere, from no discernable source and yet omnipresent surrounding and coming to her ears. The words were simple, repeated, growing from quiet nothing to clear but still soft. Nalla remained still, ears and eyes on alert but she saw nothing. Her attendants showed no sign of hearing these words spoken thus, [color=Fuchsia]"Nalla, daughter of Rado and Alina, Empress of Blood and favored of Neiya, are you prepared for my words..."[/color] They would fade and soon repeat, at first from the quiet cacophony that made them unison it seemed nothing. But as they grew louder they became clear, as though echoing from some far distant place through something other than the air or the ground. The words came again, and again her attendants showed no sign of hearing, [color=Fuchsia]"Nalla, daughter of Rado and Alina, Empress of Blood and favored of Neiya, are you prepared for my words..."[/color] Nalla sat up, motioning for her attendants to cease and they obeyed her without words. She eyed the room again and stopped upon her things, heart racing with thoughts. She took a deep breath and settled upon one thought in particular. Neiya had once said the same, about her parents and she was a god. Had another been listening to her thoughts just now? “I-I am prepared.” She uttered. The servants gave each other looks, but still, they said nothing. The words stopped, a long silence held before the cacophony came crashing like a wave. [color=Fuchsia]"Leader born of blood and strife, Nalla of the Thusly-Named-City. Most moral and righteous is your rule with all of your actions undertaken, I have watched with grave interest as your realm expanded and you gave employment to that most moral Wizardess." "And I have watched the harm done unto you by deities most wicked, such things are not forgotten, nor will they go uncorrected. You have purpose and strength to do much good still, and so I have decided to grant you aid."[/color] “You have?” she breathed. “And to whom do I owe such thanks too?” [color=Fuchsia]"My names are numerous, as are perspectives among Galbar's peoples. You may call me Ekh-Rus, a protector and patron of your Empire. In time all fall into my domain, even as the many other gods squabble over their little patches of power. Announce to your people that you have been blessed when the time is good, and my gifts shall come forth."[/color] “As you wish, Ekh-Rus. Your name shall be added to the few we worship here. But why, why help m- Us? Surely not because we have been wronged by the Sun?” [color=Fuchsia]"Many have been wronged by the Sun, I do not aid them all. I choose to render aid because you are useful, should you prosper and succeed in creating a strong state, you shall have a wide impact of the most moral order. I wish to see this come to pass, I wish it to come sooner rather than later. Few are suitable agents." "You are useful for making things better, for my goals and ends, for all souls. Enjoy it as best you can and serve well, few get such opportunity."[/color] “Very well, I accept any aid, it is rude not to. But what aid is it you seek to give? I am curious.” She asked, relaxing into the water. [color=Fuchsia]"Do not be so insolent as to presume upon my plans Nalla. I will say for the necessity of your announcement to your people, not to satisfy your curiosity. I will rectify your ill-suited failures to adapt to your new locale, as well as the weaknesses of your own flesh and kin. If you serve well, perhaps a boon will be granted to you and your flesh-kin."[/color] Although there was no feeling of entering Nalla could feel the sudden effect of [i]something[/i] having left. At long last she turned to her servants with a bemused smile and said, “Dress me and let us be done with this.” [hr] Later that night when the land took respite from the harsh sun, Nalla stood before her people again. Much like her appearance after they had arrived, Nalla wore all her regalia from head to toe. She stood over her people, singular and hungry. She threw out her arms into the air, quieting the crowd that had gathered. “People of Nallan!” She stated. “We are not alone! Neiya has helped us,” she pointed to the statue of the two of them, “We know that the Goddess of Love’s heart is a sea of devotion for those cast aside, downtrodden and betrayed! She loves me, she loves you… She loves us all! We worship her not because she has saved us, but because we love her in return!” The crowd gave praises and prayer to her mistress, as all any should do. “Yet Neiya is not the only one who has seen our plight! A new God has come forth, a protector and patron for we, of this beautiful Kingdom. And this god is known as Ekh-Rus, and we have been blessed! Ekh-Rus gives us the knowledge necessary to live in this place, so that we might thrive and grow stronger then ever before! For we are loved by the Gods! ARE WE NOT?” She put her hands into the air, and dipped her head. Ekh wanted her to speak before her people, what would they do now? With whirling sound and wind the sky above Nallan seemed to crack open with leaking green flame. Only so slightly did the edges of this fracture open even as the wind roared up above and green flame crackled. This sight stood above the crowds only for the briefest moments that allowed them to glimpse and gaze upwards before something else came forth. Like a wave it spread over the masses gathered in the city, no sight, nor smell, nor sound announced its presence. Instead the pounding addition of knowledge, each person's head filled with the background information gleaned from generations of desert dwellers. What to eat, what would grow, what to wear. Information drawn of the conditions to survive the desert from the massed dead, previously living souls who begat survivor after survivor after survivor. The knowledge to live in the desert was what flowed over them, although it brought minor headaches to be given so rapidly into their minds, it would bring survival if not flourishing. However not only did the changes come to the masses alone. The land began to shift to, the river side shifted and rifted, forming into irrigation ditches and canals as would be found in any river based agricultural community. While the infrastructure may have been left behind, for the new river it came forth without the toil of the people to remake it once more. A booming voice came from the flaming cracks in the sky, an enormous eye darting between them gazing through the breaks to the masses below. The voice came as rush, the calls of birds and the braying of reef horses, sounds of all animals coming together in a tide of sound to make one voice. [color=Fuchsia]"Hear my voice loyal devotees of Nalla, for you are blessed on this day by the presence and care of Ekh-Rus! Your fields stand ready and your minds have been prepared to survive the harsh challenge put before you. Do not forget that I stand as your protector through your Queen and Idol Nalla, the chosen of the gods. Know that her flesh and kin be holy and rightfully rule over you and your children for the prosperity and moral order of all times!"[/color] A lesser voice like before swirled around the mind of Nalla herself, [color=Fuchsia]"You did well, and shall receive additional blessings, be known that all things come with a price and the toll you pay will be well worth it."[/color] “And pray tell,” Nalla whispered, raising a hand to the masses as they began to celebrate. “What do you wish of me?” [color=Fuchsia]"Soon there will come a time when you and all of your Vampiric Kin will be assaulted by visions of those slain, intense and all at once as a combination of all your cursed kind have known. After this, it will be broken. I will tell you this as after you will assemble those Vampires that you have close to you, I will grant all kin of your flesh and blood a gift, and another for those that serve you as well. You will continue as you have, to be a conqueror and a leader. Rule well and I may come calling again when you have grown to fit your potential more. Do you understand?"[/color] The news made her heart skip a beat. The curse would be lifted? Oh what joy! “As you wish, Ekh-Rus. But I must admit… The curse on vampire-kind has left us… Lacking. There was another one here in my thrall but he died when the Sun moved us. Only I remain.” [color=Fuchsia]"Then I shall accelerate my plans for your kin, in short your kind will be able to do a kind of reproduction, a gradual process of transformation of one extent to be a vampire as well. It may take time for them to fully come into their abilities and they will need shepherding, but I am sure you will not fail me in such a task."[/color] Nalla stared out at the joyous crowd, a wicked smile began to etch itself within her lips. More of her kind… Ruling them all like shepherds over their flock. “Yes... How delicious it will be.” She said whimsidasically. A pulse came from the rifts slowly closing above, barely visible to the mortal eye, but faint only in means of sight, not power. Nalla could feel a tingling sensation, an uncomfortable shifting in her flesh that remained for some moments before disappearing as quickly as it came. Something similar to all vampires on Galbar felt a change had come to their most strange race. No longer were they unable to produce more of themselves, now a vampire could convert others to their own kind, less a disease in action that may spread. But like a toxin, enough given in a short enough time to reach a tipping point to turn. It would be gradual, and not all would survive the process, but a chance given to have a real impact, and not be scarce and hunted. It took several moments before Nalla could calm down from her excitement. When she did, she raised her hands and exclaimed. “TONIGHT! WE CELEBRATE IN THE NAME OF EKH-RUS! IN THE NAME OF NEIYA!” And a celebration was had, as Nalla returned to her palace and a celebration of her own was had. [hr] Many moons later much was beginning to change in Nallan. The knowledge provided by Ekh-Rus was a miracle in its own right, and the irrigation channels provided new access to crops- Which meant food would be plentiful in the months to come. But perhaps the most significant of Ekh-Rus’ gifts was the beauty of vampiric venom. Where once a victim would lose their memories of an attack, more and more feedings inflicted a most sinister poison into the blood streams, turning the blood sour as it took root. When it blossomed, it either killed the fledgling outright, or put them on the path to a fully actualized vampire. Nalla took on a new role, that of a teacher. For raising a vampire and teaching them her ways was paramount in her society to come. She had a handful of fledglings that had survived on their path to adulthood but soon, they would make more and her mortal stock would produce more of their own and the blood would flow. Though the cruel sun was blinding, it was just beginning to rise upon her kingd- No… Her dominion. Empire. But another promise was still to be had, for her vampires could not feel the curse as she did if they were to be useful. Everyday she waited for Ekh-Rus to appear without luck. She would not call to him, for such a God was not one to be angered. Thus, Nalla waited. And there, in the dark room of her throne, surrounded by her faithful vampires, Ekh-Rus came. There came a coiling searching voice, as though the vibrations of millions of wings, the chirping of birds and the soft nigh inaudible whispers of children came forth as one voice. One the louder to the whole, and one the quieter echoing through Nalla's mind alone. [color=Fuchsia]"You have done well to prepare yourselves."[/color] [sub][color=Fuchsia]"And you have done well to produce them."[/color][/sub] [color=Fuchsia]"Are you prepared to accept the precepts fledglings? To gain an opportunity for real purpose and power?"[/color] Nalla watched with anticipation, knowing that such a day might come, for she had distilled in them a primal urge to aspire ever greater but not so great as to supplant her. One by one they stepped forward, once mere servants that hoped to please her at every turn, man and woman. Including three of her bath chamber attendants. Nalla had picked well, only the most handsome, the most beautiful would be gifted with the chance to become one as she. In that moment their individual names meant nothing, for they were stripped of that right as fledglings. A new name, a new purpose awaited them now. Would they cease it? Or falter? Nalla could only watch. It seemed to be almost a flash through those assembled, if only a moment that convulsed between them. Brief, a bolt of the unearthly green and then it was gone. However internally much had changed, the voice began to speak again, [color=Fuchsia]"The flesh of your bodies will not die easily, far more so than even the rest of your vampiric kin, additionally the healing ability has been enhanced. More importantly however are your souls, they are now secured in their devotion and protected from undue influence. These are my gifts to you few devotees of Nalla. I will warn you a storm will come to you, in your minds of victims claimed, the curse will be broken soon, I have acquired the threads so strewn, connecting the realm of the dead with those of the living. I am the master of the realm of the dead, you will be freed of this unjust cruelty."[/color] It began as a trickle. Nalla felt a new sensation, her hands balled into fists as she saw the last person she murdered- Though Neiya’s gift made them only feel bliss, it was still an overload to feel their memories begin to flood into her mind. Her body went limp as her face and body relaxed into the back of her throne. There were so many, so many she had killed, drained, butchered, murdered- All with Neiya’s love. But had she not been intertwined with Neiya herself and felt that godly bliss? It began to pale in comparison and soon enough she began to feel differently as her memories became ones of panic, horror and shock. She lurched forward, growling as her memories came to a stop upon her first victim, her sister. It played out all over again and she felt her own blade pierce her heart over and over and over and ov- It ended and Nalla finally breathed. And with a new breath, she began to laugh. No more would they be slaves to their inhibitions. Never again. She looked upon her fledgling vampires, cold sweat dripping down her forward and knew this was the rebirth of a people. Her people. [hr] Around the world, a cursed people rejoiced, for their chains had been broken. [hider=Summary] Nalla ruminates on stuff that;s happened since Neiya blessed Nallan as she takes a bath. She realizes that a bit of Neiya’s divinity has leached out into her which is cool. Then Thaa shows up wearing the disguise as Ekh-Rus, Protector and Patron of Nallan. They speak on some things and Ekh offers some gifts, all Nalla has to do is give a speech. Which she does, and Ekh makes a spectacle of it, then gives Nalla and all vampires the ability to spread their kind through venom. (It is detailed in the post, but basically it doesn’t work quickly, takes time and doesn’t always work. Once the venom takes root, you’re basically a fledgling vampire and not as strong as an adult. Takes some time to grow into a full vampire.) So anyways Nalla goes and starts to get busy and we cut to the future, as Ekh has more to give but there are no vampires yet. But no more! As Nalla has a harem of fledglings when Ekh comes back and he makes her a holy order and then breaks the memory curse that chained the vampires down. They are now free once more. Post ends on an optimistic note, at least for Nalla. [/hider] [hider=MP] Neiya 5/5 -3MP Aspect of Divinity II: A piece of the divine remains within the Nalla, and allows her to warp reality in small but meaningful ways. This could be slowing down a fall, balancing on a thin wire, or dodging an arrow. It cannot damage or alter other things, only manipulate Nalla and her interactions with the physical world. 2/5 [color=Fuchsia]Thaa Start 5/5 -1 Mp Portal -2 Mp Extraordinary Ability, Vampiric Venom -1 Mp Teaching Desert living -1 Mp Irrigation canals -1 Dp (3 port applicable 1.5 round down) Break Vampiric Curse of Seeing Dead Victims -4 Dp Consecrate Holy Order Undying III: The Devotees of Nalla can survive wounds that would normally kill vampires of their kind. They won't go into shock or otherwise be debilitated in most cases, although extreme situations like being assaulted with solar anti-vampiric weaponry, even their enhanced survivability might not save them. Undying Regeneration I: Devotees of Nalla will slowly regenerate wounds inflicted upon them beyond their normal healing abilities, lost limbs might regain use if reattached, although this won't fully re-grow a limb on its own. Soul Devotion I: Devotees of Nalla are specially devoted and loyal to Nalla as the focus and Queen of her Empire. This goes into a field of affecting thinking that may break or damage such loyalties or affections. Soul Protection I: Devotees are marginally protected from attacks on their souls, whether to change or rend their souls from their mortal coils. Determined assaults by a deity or supernatural power engaged in soul rending or influence may take much longer but still may be effective in the end. End 0/0[/color] [/hider] [hider=Prestige] Starting = 34 +5 39 [/hider]