Yamat’s realm looked exactly as Qael’Naath had expected. It was a vast wasteland of jagged rocks and black soot. A dark, pulsing sun offered a rather dreadful light. Left and right the god of magic had noticed the ruins and he wondered which one were of Teperia, and which ones history had claimed. The place reminded him of his daughter’s island back home. Behind the god dust and ash gently blew up. Giving Qael a trail. The god realized the nature of the realm instinctively. Mortals here willing to meet with the god of tragedy would have to sit still for hours before they could even hope to meet him. The god of magic had no such time. [color=a187be]“Yamat!”[/color] He shouted out, using some degree of divinity to carry the message through whatever barriers might be. [color=a187be]“I have come requesting a favor.”[/color] The wind softened and the dust slowly began to settle, the god of magic was left standing there for a few moments of quiet. Before finally another voice spoke out. [color=DAA250]”Ah come now Qael, you’re no fun,”[/color] Two black arms shot out from the dust nearby, bringing forth four black tendrils, and finally the twisted antlered head and thin and gangly body of the god of tragedy. They crawled up from the soot, dusted themselves off, and gazed upon their sibling. [color=DAA250]”What is it you need?”[/color] A thin smile appeared upon Qael’s face, even though it was hidden under tentacles and the shadow of a hood. So far Yamat hadn’t brought tragedy to magic… yet. It was probably an inevitability but for now, the god of magic had no quarrels with his brother. However, the smile vanished quickly nonetheless. Only two of his six eyes were flickering with chromatic colors. Kal, the mortal, was left sitting on a rock in a meditative pose but with no consciousness to speak of. All the attention he could spare was focused here and now. [color=a187be]“I’ve come asking you for a favor.”[/color] He repeated, softer this time around. [color=a187be]“I need a plague.”[/color] There was no reason to walk circles around it. But the god of magic gained no satisfaction or pleasure from asking such a thing. His time as a human was beginning to affect him in a way he did not anticipate. It made him understand how to think like a mortal. It made him realize to the fullest extend what he was asking. [color=a187be]“I need a plague in the Luminant.”[/color] Yamat couldn’t help but laugh, snapping one of their fingers, suddenly the two were shifted over, a massive twisted wooden canopy covering a table and two chairs. The god of tragedy walked towards it, their gaze still upon the god of magic. [color=DAA250]”A plague? In the Luminant? My my Qael I think I have to retract my earlier statement, you’re a lot more fun than before.”[/color] They slowly sat within one of the chairs, gesturing towards the other with one of their tendrils, a cup and saucer forming in their hands. [color=DAA250]”But, why would you go and ask me for that? Surely you have a good reason?”[/color] Qael took the other chair Yamat motioned towards. His question was a good one. Why didn’t he want to do it on his own? Did he want to distance himself? Pretend like it wasn’t him who caused the illness? Then to whom? Towards Oraelia who would doubtlessly despise the plague and whoever made it? Or would he never be able to look his own daughter in the eyes again, knowing what suffering he would’ve brought? Too many questions, none with answers. [color=a187be]“Because none would know how to craft a plague better than the god of tragedy. Am I wrong?”[/color] Qael rebutted, with a slight challenge in his tone. [color=a187be]“It stands to reason that I would be counting on your discretion. Oraelia still loves the land and the Oraeliari that inhabit it. And while she herself might be as dangerous as a flower, her latest avatar is quite different.”[/color] [color=DAA250]”I see,”[/color] They responded, taking a quick sip of whatever liquid was inside their cup, it seemingly vanishing upon reaching the mask that covered their face. [color=DAA250]”I can understand that need, it would not be, the first time I’ve messed with the works of the sun and I can handle her wrath, whatever it is, now of course, I ask another question.”[/color] Yamat paused for another moment, taking another sip before continuing. [color=DAA250]”Why do [i]you[/i] need a plague? And in the Luminant no less?”[/color] Well, it would’ve come up anyway. He leaned in. [color=a187be]“I need it because it will become the foundation of my daughter’s empire. And that is why I also need you to give her a way to heal people from that plague.”[/color] With those words said he leaned back again and waited for a second. Letting the words hang in the air. [color=a187be]“With her healing powers over the plague, people would be forced to flock to her banner. She’d garner power in no time, even for a mortal. That is what I want.”[/color] For her, for Soleira. He wanted a white-golden throne in a great palace of an empire whose roads stretched at least all over that colorful realm. She would feed the hungry, give purpose to the forlorn and uplift mortal kind as it should’ve been. And he would give her all of that. Yamat laughed, a great cackle erupted through the wastes of their realm, sending soot and dirt flying into the great roaring winds. [color=DAA250]”Qael my dear,”[/color] the director spoke in between breaths of laughter [color=DAA250]”You seem to misunderstand, usually, when I create something like a plague, there is rarely if ever a treatment.”[/color] They finally composed themselves, allowing their tendrils to wipe away the black sludge that had emerged from their one eye. [color=DAA250]”Besides, what's in it for me? I have little care for this daughter of yours or her great empire, there has to be something in it for me.”[/color] The god of magic was just sitting back in his chair. Letting the laughter like a storm wind wash over him. Unaffected really. Getting a plague from Yamat would be easy enough and he knew that. Getting him to give a cure as well, that was the challenge. However, he did not come entirely empty handed. [color=a187be]“Tell me, how many lives were lost atop the impenetrable walls of Ketrefa when Auriëlle blew it up? Did you feel it? The exact moment when their sense of superior safety turned into dread when the solid, mountainous stone broke under their feet? Did you feast on their tears? I reckon you did. As much as you feasted upon every defiled altar she sundered. What’s in it for you, you ask? Her. My other daughter’s faithful, eternal service. With my support.”[/color] The god of tragedy mused for a brief moment, swirling around their cup and starting at the sickly green liquid inside. Finally they leaned forward to Qael and spoke [color=DAA250]”Why I must admit, the service of your other daughter would be more than useful…’[/color] They let the moment hang within the air, the edge of the great halo behind their head turning a strange red. [color=DAA250]”If she were of any worth right now, and not blinded and useless, stuck within your university.”[/color] Their single eye gazed upon the god of magic, before they finally slunk back into their chair, taking another sip from their cup. [color=DAA250]”You must try better than that my dear, not only will I inviting the wrath of the sun and possibly my closest ally, but creating a treatment does do away with quite a bit of the fun.”[/color] [color=a187be]“How insulting of you, my brother, that you think so lowly of my daughter.”[/color] Qael said teasingly, hiding the fear Yamat was causing in his gut well enough. [color=a187be]“Tell me, do you really think a mortal as tenacious as her will just sit around and accept her fate now? Do you think it was an accident that I placed the greatest sorceress in the world in a treasure trove of magical knowledge? She reached the peak of power she could attain on Toraan some time ago. Now she has to grow beyond that point and the Omniversity is the only place on Galbar where she can achieve that. But sure as prophecy, she will return to Galbar. More powerful than any mortal that has ever existed.”[/color] The god of magic leaned in as well, conjuring a goblet of his own in his hand which he slowly swirled around. [color=a187be]“But I understand that to you that is all just speculation.”[/color] Qael said. [color=a187be]“Yet the fact that you haven’t outright refused means you’ve got at least a price in mind. So, what is it going to take?”[/color] Yamat had to chuckle at that [color=DAA250]”Now you’re getting it dear brother, while I’m sure dear Auri will return one day, and I do look forward to it, but, it's going to take more than that.”[/color] The god snapped their fingers, causing a map to unfurl upon the table, intricate painted figures were placed at various places around Galbar. Each of their tendrils picked up and put back down many figures, a black reshut wielding a sword, a golden Iskrill wielding a spear, a pale beast with a massive scythe, a reshut and goblin carrying a sack, until finally coming upon a lone figure, many coloured, a human wearing a large floppy hat. [color=DAA250]”I’m sure you’re familiar with a certain one of my children?”[/color] the tragic director asked, their tendril offering the figure to their sibling. Qael’s eyes went over the many figures, noting their locations. It would always be useful to know where Yamat’s agents were. There was no doubt in his mind that sooner rather than later trouble would arise in those locations. But when the tendrilled god picked up perhaps the most boring figurine and asked Qael about him, the god of magic just shook his head. “Can’t say that I have.” He admitted rather casually, after which he took a sip of his own golden cup. Which was filled with an amber liquid. [color=a187be]“Not all who show a talent for the Arts go noticed by me brother. But do tell me about him. Perhaps he is interesting.”[/color] [color=DAA250]”This, my brother, is Axin, one of my more, recent, children. He is indeed a user of your magic, though he has some, added effects, courtesy of myself.”[/color] They let the tendril slowly deposit the figure back down in its place, near the northern reaches of the garden. [color=DAA250]”He is to be, a researcher, while he is still a wanderer right now, once he settles down, I’m sure he will begin testing a great deal of magical experiments and the like, something of which I’m sure you’d be interested in?”[/color] It was no surprise to Qael that Yamat had made some changes to how someone would cast magic. In truth he wondered what took so long. Sure, he hadn’t heard of this Axin but then again, he hadn’t noticed Auriëlle until Oraelia mentioned her. [color=a187be]“You have my curiosity brother.”[/color] Qael said. [color=a187be]“So what do you want me to give him?”[/color] He tried to sound as neutral as possible, but deep down was wondering what a child of Yamat could achieve when it came to magic. [color=DAA250]”The exact nature of the gift I will leave up to you, but something to aid his more magical endeavors would be nice, I'm sure as the god of magic you will cook something up.”[/color] Yamat set their cup down, turning their gaze down upon the map, focusing on the Luminant, and the various angel figures placed around. [color=DAA250]”So, in exchange of a plague, the loyalty of your other daughter, and, in exchange of the cure, you aid one of my own endeavors, that seem like a fair trade to you?”[/color] For a second the god of magic just remained quiet. Pondering upon what gift would be appropriate for the mad mage. Well, something that would drive his research for sure. Something to make him obsessed. But not something that would just freely give its secrets. Something that made him work. It should offer a mere glimpse, again and again. Letting the mad one figure out how to use the knowledge gleaned. [color=a187be]“A fair trade indeed.”[/color] Qael said as he extended his hand to shake whatever Yamat would grace him with. Yamat extended their own hand, taking Qael’s in theirs, giving it a curt shake. [color=DAa250]”It is a deal then.”[/color] The god of tragedy then turned back to the map upon their table. They held out one of their hands, allowing dust and soot to settle upon it, with the wave of another of their hands and the glow of the runes upon their skin, the dust took a sickly green colour, almost as if itself had become corrupted by some heinous plague. Their hand then hovered above the Luminant, the single eye of the god of decay looking at their sibling [color=DAa250]”Have any preference where it begins? Or shall I just let it all loose?”[/color] [color=a187be]“Closest here.”[/color] Qael said as he outstretched his hand. Without touching the sickly looking soot a thin, pale light flickered alive near Soleras. It would be close enough so it would be easily killed in its tracks by a doubtlessly overzealous Soleira. But still close enough that she could manage to heal those as it grew. [color=a187be]“A plague to make infirm. To sap the strength from all. Rendering them weak and exhausted.”[/color] The healing waters would doubtlessly be able to sooth the illness. For a time. Knowing Yamat’s skill though, Qael was sure it would come back. Again and again. Only Soleira’s gift would be sufficient to permanently heal the sick. A faint, melancholic smile formed under his hood. Millions would suffer. Thousands, despite the fact that the plague wouldn’t be lethal, wouldn’t survive because of it. People he learned the name of would suffer. He took no joy in that but it had to be done. For the sake of unifying the Luminant. For the sake of his daughter. [color=DAA250]”Very well,”[/color] They tipped their hand ever so slightly, letting loose a portion of the soot over the desired spot, the green corruption seeped into the map, slowly establishing itself on the spot. The map itself seem to grow corrupted on the area, turning a horrid pale green akin to the soot that now covered it. [color=DAA250]”There we go, give it a while to begin, though Im sure your daughter will realize it before you do.”[/color] They pulled their hand back, stopping for a brief moment to allow some more soot to fall from their hand, landing upon a city in the north of the highlands. Yamat then let the rest of the soot fall away into the dust of their realm. [color=DAa250]”Now all there’s left is this cure for your daughter, correct?”[/color] The city was not unknown to Qael. He recognized it as a place he visited about three decades ago. Mere minutes to a god. It was the birthplace of Auriëlle. Interesting. The god of magic had no real vested interest in Acadia yet. The Grand Designs did not yet call upon him to aid that area. He turned to face Yamat again. [color=a187be]“Yes. Now just the blessing for Soleira. As I will bless Axin.”[/color] He said, and the two eyes controlling the Winds flashed for a second. On Galbar, high up in the sky a book was materializing in the sky. Carried by erratic colors towards the World Anchor. [color=DAA250]”Yes indeed, have no worry my brother.”[/color] They waved their free hand over the area Qael had specified, the runes on their skin glowing for a brief moment. Far below the gods, within the great coloured realm of the luminant, the one known as Soleira felt a strange, almost sickly, feeling wash over her, it lasted mere seconds, almost as if it had been a fluke of the mind. But it held something far greater. [color=DAA250]”There you go, your daughter will be the only one to be able to cure that sickness now, though without her help, it will pass, as all plagues do, but, she has the ability. My part of the bargain is done,”[/color] They rested their hand back down upon the table, using their other one to take another sip from their cup. [color=DAA250]”Do you have anything more you require dear sibling?”[/color] [color=a187be]“No… No I think this is plenty.”[/color] Qael felt sick suddenly. Sick of having called such a horrible thing upon the people of his daughter. What he had done was necessary. His mind kept telling him that. It was the truth after all. The greater truth. Everyone in the Luminant would be better off in the long term. Yet there were people he knew the name of. Those who came from other villages to trade with Soleras. He took a quick sip of his own drink. Letting it wash down whatever guilt he felt boiling up in his chest. Then he rose up. [color=a187be]“Thank you brother. But I must go now. There are… matters to attend to.”[/color] And he turned around, heading towards where his divine senses told him the portal back to Antiquity was. [color=DAA250]”Of course my dear brother, I hope my services have been, fitting, for your plans.”[/color] A cackle rose suddenly from their voice, carried by the dust and wind throughout the wasteland of their realm, it bounced around and invaded every space. Meanwhile a great storm of soot and dust covered the canopy once more, rendering it gone from view. The dust and soot in front of Qael soon formed a path, leading him back towards the portal, away from the wasteland and the horrid cackling. [hider=Summary] Qael comes over to Yamat’s wasteland of a realm to visit and to gain some help from the god of tragedy. After Yamat chiding their sibling for being no fun it’s quickly revealed Qael came to ask for a plague within the Luminant. After some questions from Yamat about why Qael wants a plague, the grand director finally asks what's in it for them. A bit of a back and forth occurs, but the two finally hash out the deal: A plague with Soleira being the only cure in exchange for Auri’s service and a blessing on Axin the Mad Mage. With the deal made Yamat puts the plaque within the Lumniant(And a little bit in Acadia) and blesses Soleira with the sole ability to cure the plague, while Qael sets up a big book to be delivered to Axin in the near future. Qael, a little bit regretting his actions, leaves shortly afterwards, with Yamat cackling all the while. [/hider] [hider=MP & DP] [b]Qael’Naath Start:[/b] 5MP/5DP -2DP >> Create the Magnonomicon [b]Qael’Naath End:[/b] 5MP/3DP [b]Yamat Start:[/b] 5mp/5dp 2dp-Create the Feathered Bane Plague within the Luminant and bless Soleira as the sole cure 1dp-Put a small amount of the FBP within the city of Acadia [b]Yamat End:[/b] 5mp/2dp [/hider]