[centre][img]https://i.imgur.com/YW5kpkR.png[/img] [h2]The Merchant Kings 3 - Gains for the Gods[/h2][/centre] [hr] “C’mon!” “Hnng… HRRRNG!” “You can do it! PUSH, MAN! PUSHPUSHPUSH!” “RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAH!” Tulipan’s muscles could come bursting out of his skin any moment. The fresh, fat palm trunk in his rough, hardworked hands weighed could be weighing almost twice as much as him for all they knew - and that was part of the fun. Its bark sported tiny needles which dug into his palms, so blood mixed with the sweat and dirt; Tulipan paid it no mind, though - he knew no pain. He was the man; he was a monster - a beast, the KING of beasts! “TULIP! TULIP! TULIP!” the other men egged and clapped their hands, pounded their chests and slapped their thighs. Tulipan’s comically massive arms slowly brought the trunk up to chest level, his crooked back attempting to straighten out. His breathing was almost deafening, groans and growls booming in his ears to the rhythm of his heart. He was close now - just a few more inches and the trunk would reach his face. He would be the strongest - strong enough to challenge even Lavender! Then a sound - a wicked snap that sent a cold cringe down everyone’s spine. The trunk hit the ground with a [i]thunk[/i] and Tulipan descended to his knees, his jaws locked in a silent scream. Then, a wheeze, one which slowly caught hold in his vocal cords, producing a very quiet wail, like a child slowly realising it has been hurt immensely. He knelt unmoving, though, and the onlookers shifted between each other and his sorry state. “H-hey, Tulip? You okay?” “M-m-m-m-mah back…” he quivered in response and fell backwards, barely able to move a muscle. “Is -that- what that snap was?!” came a gasp. Then silence. “By the gods, that’s awful…” “Yeah… Shit…” “Yeah… So does that mean Dandelion wins the bet?” “I think it does, actually.” Tulipan gasped for more air. “Guys, it really, really hurts--” “Alright! Dandelion? Where’d he go, damn it.” Tulipan rolled onto his belly. “Guys, I… I can’t move my arms very well… Nor my legs.” “Pfft, yeah, yeah, walk it off, big guy. You won’t let a little muscle ache get you down, will ya?” The crowd had already dispersed, half returning to finish their daily workout at the training area, the other half going to get herbs to pay off their lost bet with. A smaller man named Syrin squatted down next to Tulipan and patted him comfortingly on his paining shoulder. “Hey, don’t look so down. You’ll be right back up in no time.” Tulipan cringed and looked sorrily up at his colleague. “I… I don’t think this is a normal muscle ache, brother…” “Oh, come on, when’d you become such a girl? What, you’re gonna tell me that you, Big Tulipan, got done in by a trunk?” Tulip swallowed. “‘C-course not! Just… Would you get me a sage?” “Oh, quiet down… Have some [abbr=A lukewarm salad containing chopped raisins, spinach, mushrooms and okra, all heavily seasoned with rose pepper, salt and rosemary][i]xoag[/i][/abbr] and you’ll be right as night.” “Syrin, I’m telling you, I think something is--” He gasped as he tried to move his arms again. “... I think something is very wrong.” “What could -possibly- be wrong? Did you drop the trunk on your arm?” Tulip forced himself onto his elbows, the pain straining his face to the point where veins began popping up. “By [abbr=Fragrancian god of Night and Might]Kippom[abbr], I wish this didn’t hurt so badly…” [color=violet][i]’Kippom?’ Hm, that’s what you went with?[/i][/color] A deep voice wondered from within his head. Tulipan swallowed. “What was that?” he mumbled. Syrin clicked curiously. “What was what?” [colour=lightblue][i]”Oh, hey, Cades! Got called, too, did ya?”[/i][/colour] [color=violet][i]It would seem that way. ‘God of Night and Might’. Hm. Do they think we are the same?[/i][/color] Tulipan tried in futility to reach his ears. “What is going on?!” “Hey, woah, Tulip, calm down, what’s up?” Syrin tried to restrain him gently. “Hey, look at me - are you okay?” A crowd started forming around them, [colour=lightblue][i]Pfft, heck if I know. Probably. Would make sense, kinda - from what I know of these, uh...[/i][/colour] There was a rush of paper pages. [colour=lightblue][i]... Fraygranzians… Is that they think the moon’s the soul of a big, mighty man. I suppose they’ve sorta just fused us together as a result. Funny how that happens, huh?[/i][/colour] [color=violet][i]But there are two moons. What does the second one represent?[/i][/color] [colour=lightblue][i]Hey, guy with the bad back, what does the purple moon represent?[/i][/colour] “There are two voices in my head, Syrin! They’re talkin’ about the moons and shit! Am I going crazy?” “Gods, man, you weren’t kidding! Hey, Cinnen, go fetch a sage! Well, I don’t know - anyone!” There came a stunted sigh. [colour=lightblue][i]I’unno, they won’t tell me. Probably his boyfriend or something, if I know these people right. I mean, it is purple, after all - these boys like purple.[/i][/colour] [color=violet][i]Well I suppose they have a fine taste of colours, if nothing else. Anyhow. Young mortal, what seems to be the issue?[/i][/color] “Now it’s talking to -me-, man! It’s talkin’ to MEEE!” The muscled giant had been restrained by three others, all of whom were trying to calm him down. However, his arms were twisted onto his back, causing the grounded man to weep in agony. “ACH, MY BAAACK!” [colour=lightblue][i]Think he might’a done a lil’ snip-snap on that middle back, y’catch my drift?[/i][/colour] [color=violet][i]Hm. Oh dear. Yes, this is quite grim. He may never fully recover…[/i][/color] “Wh-what?” [color=violet][i]...I suppose I might as well fix that.[/i][/color] Then suddenly, a purple glow enveloped his body. The pain faded, as his abused muscles were mended. An ache still remained, but Tulip could once again move his arms and legs. The man suddenly stopped squirming, then slowly pushed himself to his feet as the others climbed off of him, noticing his sudden change in behaviour. Tulipan flexed and unflexed his arms, squatted up and down a few times, then shot both hands into the air and whistled so the others had to cover their ears. “I’M CURED!” he whispered triumphantly and the others cheered with him. “Then what the hell was that just now? Did you play with us all along, or?” “No, no! It was in super bad pain, then all of a sudden, I get these two voices in my head. They start talking about the moons, and then one of them mentions my back, and boom! I’m healed!” “That’s because you were talking to the gods, you bafoon!” came a sharp whisper from outside the crowd. Cinnen had returned with a silver-skirted man, his bare chest bejeweled with rare stones suspended on silver necklaces, piercings and nipple rings. His fingers were ringed with all kinds of stones and metals, and his black beard was braided in silk. The nelves parted the route between the sage and Tulipan, and the sage went over to slap the giant across the face. “Show some damned respect, you subnelven slug. Down on your knees and hands - all of you!” His command rang out despite never exceeding a whisper, and soon, all the nelves were on their knees. The sage drew a slow breath, sitting up and looking around to make sure everyone had assumed their proper positions of subjugation. Then, placing his palms together at the belly, fingers facing down, he whispered, “Great gods - I am the sage known as Crocus the Capable. I was summoned thinking there would be only one idiot to save today, but found many who have so foolishly forgotten their masters of the Night Realm.” He bowed forward into a kowtow again. “Forgive them, please.” [color=violet][i]Oh, no harm done,[/i][/color] the voice said dismissively, this time for all of them to hear. [color=violet][i]All of you, rise.[/i][/color] They did as told, waiting patiently for the next order under the eagle glare of the sage. Meanwhile, another voice made a soft hum. [colour=lightblue][i]Aight, cool. So you got this, you think?[/i][/colour] [color=violet][i]I suppose I do. Why? Are you leaving?[/i][/color] [colour=lightblue][i]I mean, I can hang around if you want. Not like I’m doing much. Only if you want, though - don’t wanna intrude or nothin’.[/i][/colour] “Why are there two voices?” “Sssh!” the sage snapped. [color=violet][i]I am Cadien. God of Beauty, Strength, and War. The other voice is Gibbou. Goddess of Night, Moon, Protection, and um… have you picked up anything else lately?[/i][/color] [colour=lightblue][i]Nah, it’s alright, you got it.[/i][/colour] “K-Kaitian?” the sage mumbled. “Tulipan, who on Galbar did you summon?” “I-I-I dunno! I called out to Kippom!” “Yeah, he said Kippom, but are there two of them? Who else did you call for?” [colour=lightblue][i]Woof, how these folks have fallen… But they’re my creations, so...[/i][/colour] There came a defeated sigh. “What was that?!” the sage gasped. “Have we wronged you somehow, great Kippom? Your voice sounds pitched with sadness.” [colour=lightblue][i]No, no…[/i][/colour] Gibbou said in a faked deep voice. [colour=lightblue][i]No, just thinking on the past and, and being manly.[/i][/colour] “Ah. Naturally. Great Kippom does as he does. But yes, back to this new great one, uh, Kaitian. We welcome you to Fragrance.” [color=violet][i]Cadien,[/i][/color] the voice corrected. “Keytian, understood,” the sage replied respectfully. There came a gibbous giggle. [color=violet][i]I do not understand how you have this job,[/i][/color] ‘Keytian’ sighed. [color=violet][i]Anyhow. You. Tulipan, was it?[/i][/color] The nelves all scuttered away from Tulipan, leaving him alone in the centre of the crowd. He sat up slowly and pointed at his nose. “M-me, your greatness?” [color=violet][i]Yes, you. I must say, as a God of Strength it is gratifying to see somebody commit themself to physical improvement with such vigour. But for one to nearly cripple themselves while doing so is counterproductive. Do your people understand the importance of stretches and warm-ups?[/i][/color] “You mean, like, jogging?” came a voice and a raised hand. “No, idiot, he means like [abbr=A Fragrancian version of yoga]gwachwoi[/abbr].” “Ugh, I -hate- gwachwoi!” [color=violet][i]Hate it or no, some preparation is necessary. If you dive into the heaviest exercises too early, you end up like this Tulip fellow here. It’s important to start out with light exercises, to get your muscles used to some amount of strain, so that they may endure even greater strain later on.[/i][/color] “But wait!” came a voice. “Tulipan’s the strongest of us all! Why shouldn’t he be able to lift what he wants right away?” [color=violet][i]Because of what just happened. Are you not paying attention? All bodies, even the strongest, have limits. A true athlete must know how to reach those limits without breaking them. Tell me, what are the most common exercise methods among your people?[/i][/color] “Lift stones and sticks, then fight with sticks, gymnastics, running, dancing…” “Dancing’s awesome!” “Sure is, brother!” The sound of two clasping hands echoed across the otherwise silent area. [color=violet][i]Hm. That is a start. I believe you could do with some more refined facilities, however. Find me a place in your city where I can build.[/i][/color] The sage suddenly piped up, “Great Keytian - may I offer some counsel regarding placement of what I assume is a training ground - thank you a thousand times for that, by the way.” [color=violet][i]What is it?[/i][/color] “Put it not in the city, but outside - perhaps right here, even. Exercise is classified as loudwork, after all - it would be terrible for the citizens to have to hear the groan of lads and the hack of stone.” [colour=lightblue][i]Oh, that’s my bad. Shoulda mentioned that. Sorry, Cades.[/i][/colour] [color=violet][i]Hm?[/i][/color] [colour=lightblue][i]Oh, uh… Nothing, nothing. Nelves don’t like loud noises, is all. Shoulda… Probably… Mentioned that earlier or… Or something.[/i][/colour] “Kippom speaks the truth. The great calamity is sourced from cacophony,” said the sage sagely. [color=violet][i]How strange. Hm. Very well, then. It shall be built here.[/i][/color] And with those words, the ground began to shift, becoming flatter and firmer. Brush and debris were cleared away. Then, equipment seemed to materialize out of thin air. There were racks with weights of varying sizes, crafted from metal and stone, and nearby there were a series of benches with metal rods on which the largest of the weights could be fixed. There was an obstacle course, with various hurdles one was meant to leap over or dodge under. There was a raised fenced platform, clearly meant to be some sort of sparring or wrestling ring. There was a range, on which one could practice throwing javelins or heavy stone balls. There were raised metal bars, intended for pull-ups and chin-ups. Cadien had also crafted a series of what seemed to be soft mattresses, where one could perform exercises that required no equipment in a state of relative comfort. Those were but a few of the apparatuses Cadien had created; there were many more, some of which were not immediately obvious in what they were meant to be used for. There was also a dirt track surrounding the space, and beyond that, a stone wall roughly equal to the height of a tall nelf, clearly intended for privacy or security purposes. [colour=lightblue][i]Sick.[/i][/colour] “The gods have given us a blessing, men! As one now - bow and give your thanks!” The sage lead the rest into a kowtow once more and they all whispered as one. “Thank you, great Keytian!” As soon as that was said, some on the fringe of the circle scuttled off to regard and test the equipment. “Woah, this is so convenient!” “What is this substance? Is it bronze?” came a curious whisper followed by some metallic knocks of fingernails on the chin-up bars. The sage rose up in a jolt. “Hey! Get back here and be thankful!” However, as he did so, the rest hurried to their feet and scurried over to the gym to join in. Gibbou’s cosmic laughter rang out and there came a quiet clap. [colour=lightblue][i]Not bad, not bad at all. Feel like I oughta add a little something, at least. Here.[/i][/colour] The dry soil around the gymnasium lushed with dark blues as the wind blew across the midnight grass. In the midst of the conservative growth, there sprouted tall, straight shrubberies which leaves curved barely and firmly, much like the hair atop a pineapple’s head. The centre of the shrub revealed a dark-leafed flower with a centre of shiny, gelatinous seeds. The sage, having no more nelves to herd back into place, gracefully stepped over and dramatically picked a single seed, the substance bobbing elastically between his fingers. Placing the back of one palm on his forehead and leaning back, clicking his tongue and drumming his feet for attention. “Oh, Kippom, great Kippom - what is this berry Your Grace has given us?” Gibbou tried to darken her voice even more, sounding as though she was imitating a toad. [colour=lightblue][i]This, my child, is a Powerflower - eat just one seed of this here bloom, and your, uh, gains will surely be… Better, or something.[/i][/colour] The sage eyed the seed closely. “What an honour - what a joy!” He popped it in his mouth and forced a smile through tears and cringing cheekbones. “Thishishthebesht.” [colour=lightblue][i]Uh, yeah, least I could do, uh, sage.[/i][/colour] “Hey, what’s this?” came another voice and another hand grabbed a few seeds, shoving them into his mouth. Immediately, he fell to the ground vomiting. “UGH! BLEEEH! These are terrible!” The sage slapped him to the ground. “You fool! This is a divine gift! Forgive him, great Kippom - he meant nothing by it!” Clicks sounded from the cosmos. [colour=lightblue][i]No problem, fam. Y’all just… Just be careful about eating too many, okay? Too much of a good thing and all that… So, Cades, you done?[/i][/colour] [color=violet][i]One more thing,[/i][/color] the God of Perfection said to the Night Elves. [color=violet][i]In one year’s time, I shall require you to assemble ten of the most physically fit and able among your number. A competition shall be held, and a champion will be chosen.[/i][/color] And with those words, the gods’ presence departed. The sage Crocus stood valiantly with moisture in his eyes. “Yes. Yes, great gods. The tournament will be LEGEND!” Tulipan put down the barbell and gave his sweaty head a scratch. He clicked for Syrin’s attention, who was in the middle of stretching his back with some bent-over bows. The nelf held his pose, scalp pointing to the ground and clicked back to signal that Tulip had indeed captured his attention. “Did you hear what Keytian just said?” “He said anything?” replied Syrin and levered himself back up with a straight back. “That’s what I’m not sure of… Hey, pass me the oil, would you? I gotta look good for this set.” Then they returned to their workout. [hider=Summary] Y’ALL WANNA BUILD SOME MUSCLE?! The nelves sure do - so much, in fact, that during one of their lunk-offs, Tulipan the Überstrong snaps his back trying to lift a tree. No one believes that such a strong man could lift himself to crippleness, of course, so he’s ignored until he prays Cadien into the conversation. Everyone mistakes Cadien for Kippom, the Moon God of Power, and then it turns out that they were partially mistaken - they had summoned Kippom’s two aspects, so Gibbou is there, too. Cadien heals Tulip’s back, something the nelves had summoned a sage to do, and lectures the nelves about the importance of lifting with care, and then gives them a nice, open-air gym. Gibbou then gives them flowers with steroid seeds. Cadien drops that he’ll have a tournament in one year’s time, and pretty much only the sage paid attention. [/hider] [hr] [hider=MP Summary] [u]Cadien[/u] [b]Beginning MP:[/b] 5 [b]Beginning DP:[/b] 5 -1DP (discounted to 0 via Strength portfolio) to mend a pulled muscle. -2MP to create a Holy Site with the title: “Restocking Equipment II.” This Holy Site contains a wide variety of exercise equipment. Equipment that is destroyed or removed from the Holy Site’s boundaries will disappear, then be remade and teleported back to their original position. -1DP (discounted to 0 via Glamour portfolio) to create the title: “Aesthetic Gains I.” Workouts here provide even more beautiful muscle development than elsewhere. [b]Ending MP:[/b] 3 [b]Ending DP:[/b] 5 Gibbou: 5/5 3MP - Snatch portfolio: Sentinels: Sentinels keep watch over their companions and communities, overseeing their surroundings to challenge any malicious attempts at attacks or ambushes. Since life first formed groups, they have always appointed watchers to keep themselves safe while the rest of the pack rests. With this power, Gibbou has keener sight over groups in danger of being attacked, and can more easily grant mortals and animals the ability to spot brigands and predators in hiding. The creation of artifacts and holy sites relating to these purposes also come easier. 2MP - Create extraordinary species: The Powerflower: A shrubbery that blooms at night. Its seeds are located inside its flower, and stimulate muscle growth. The seeds are incredibly bitter, however, so eating one is a bit of an ordeal; the bitterness actually comes from a slightly poisonous compound, and eating too many seeds can be lethal. End 0MP/5DP [/hider]