[center][h3][color=brown][b][u]Algrim[/u][/b][/color] and [color=FFE4E1]Arira - Goddess of Cycles[/color][/h3] [h2]The First Pillar[/h2] [i]A collab by [@Not Fishing] and [@Crusader Lord][/i] [/center] [hr] To say the paradise that the goddess had created was flourishing in comparison to the rest of the world was something of an understatement at the very least. To those mortals that were living upon it, it was a true paradise that bore all sorts of fruits and substances and the ilk that they needed. An eternal cycle of plenty rooted into the location itself, something that would have brought many a soul down into deep decadence and potentially slothfulness over the long term. Were it not for the need to defend that land from demons and beasts and so forth, the inhabitants might have already fallen into such a terrible and dark sate. Yet the goddess had not sat idly by as her first followers would live in plenty...nor leave them alone in their struggles to protect her birthplace and their new home. As promised, she was always watching over this paradisiacal place, and had been visiting here and there to teach her followers about the cycles of the world and other sorts of knowledge. She also had many plans to protect the place moving forward to boot, including: defenses, hiding it away, barriers, and so forth. It would take quite a long time to get things in the world working right as well, but in the end...yes, she would help make things better! But how next could she do so? Her work on stabilizing space-time was still ongoing, and on this particular day she was taking a break to visit her followers. Indeed, the goddess was sitting within the ‘throne room’ built into her massive fortress-temple, her followers assembled and sitting in pews as she spoke to them and answered their questions. Today’s lesson was teaching something about the making of fences and palisades and such simple walls, a basic matter yet one that was going to be currently important when the mortals protected themselves. [hr] Outside the so-called paradise, a massive boulder roughly the size of a cottage was rolling toward it at an unfathomable speed. Only when it crossed the threshold between apocalyptic wasteland and fresh green grass did it begin to slow down, before coming to a stop entirely. The boulder cracked, and then crumbled into dust. From the dust stepped Algrim. [color=brown]“What the bloody ‘ell is this?”[/color] he asked nobody in particular as he strode forward, his gaze settling on the fortress. This was all recently created; it had not been here when he first spotted this site. And, somewhat inconveniently, it was occupying the exact location he had in mind for his plan. Well, there was only one way to get that sorted out. The God of Earth strode toward the fortress. [hr] As the boulder had approached from a distance, the people inside had sighted it with no little amount of panic. What kind of demon, or Sirukh, or the like was it?! Either way it seemed on a collision course with the paradise itself, and in the manner of attempting to figure it out a number of warriors had begun to make their way down to investigate. Others began to shore up what little defenses they had at the moment, and those few left otherwise hurried the pregnant or nursing women and children into the lower chambers of the temple-fortress to keep them safe. It was something they had become far too accustomed to by the time the goddess had first arrived, and since then they had been forced to defend this place a few times already! Still...didn’t mean this new potential threat wasn’t going to be worrying. As Algrim stopped the boulder and emerged, the small handful of warriors near his location (hiding in some bushes) stopped cold. One was about to raise his bow, however, before the older man next to him gently pushed his arms and bow back down. With a glance at his younger compatriot, the older man simply shook his head back and forth in silence. No, this peculiar arrival was not something a bow would handle. In fact, to the older man’s eyes it was reminiscent of the kind of things that had foretold the birth of the goddess, and as such was likely...divine. Maybe. Either way, they had to send someone to warn those at the temple. Still, as Algrim approached the temple, he would eventually find himself walking about the sort of homes mortals constructed. Albeit better than anything in the wasteland, but also now strangely empty. As he would get close enough to the temple-fortress, however, he would find simple barricades of wood and the ilk before him. In fact, a number of mortals stood behind them, wielding bows, arrows, polearms, and even a few axes and blades. “W-Who are you?” one of the defenders, after a few moments of silence, would shout out to the newcomer, “T-T-This is the birthplace of the great goddess Arira! S-Speak your business, or we shall defend our home here to the last!” Algrim stopped, and growled. [color=brown]“My business is trying ta keep the whole damn world from tearing itself apart.”[/color] He continued his march. [color=brown]“Now move aside. I’d speak to this goddess of yours. Is she ‘ere?”[/color] The defender who had spoken winced at the earthen god’s growl, but as the deity continued to march the defender nearly fell over as he and a few of the others rapidly scrambled to pull back their piece of wooden barricade in time. Others, in the meantime, attempted to push it back against the. Well, this strange being hadn’t outright tried to kill them! That was something at least. But it was a bit of panic that was going on as the stout Algrim came to about where the people were defending the bottom of the stairs that led into the temple-fortress itself. Yet as Alrgim came to the half-open piece of barricade, struggling mortals fighting for it for a second, something...or someone...else emerged from the top of the stairs and out of the fortress-temple’s main entrance. Her skin was fair, and hair a lovely tan. Golden adornments covered her hair and body, and elegant clothes covered her beautiful form. For the people, it caused them to stop their fighting over the barricade at the sight of her. She would then raise a hand, gesturing for them to open the way, and a path through the small batch of defenders would clear before Algrim as the piece of barricade was fully moved out of his way this time. [color=FFE4E1]“Welcome, oh stout and mighty God, to my paradise. As you entered I sensed your approach as I was teaching, but please do forgive the people here for their fear. They have but gained a new home only some time ago, and have had to defend it several times from forces beyond,”[/color] she said, walking down the steps to come meet Algrim, [color=FFE4E1]“What brings you here this day?”[/color] Algrim’s eyebrows rose, and his expression, once impatient and frustrated, suddenly brightened. [color=brown]“Ah, good ta see some manners at last!”[/color] he said with a cheerful tone as he carried on toward her. [color=brown]“No one’s in much a mood for talkin’ these days. Can’t say I blame ‘em. Ah.”[/color] The smile faded, and the cheerful tone diminished somewhat. [color=brown]“Well, I’m Algrim. I don’t know if you noticed, but this entire world is aboot ta fall apart. I’m lookin’ ta fix that.”[/color] Arira nodded at the fellow deity, continuing walking down to him until they would meet at the middle of the stairs. [color=FFE4E1]“Indeed, and in more ways than one. The earth trembles,,”[/color] the goddess said in a pleasant manner, giving a light bow before continuing, her smile slightly fading as she mentioned her own work, [color=FFE4E1]“I am Arira, Goddess of Cycles. I wish we had been able to first meet under better circumstances, more peaceful ones perchance, but even so...how may I assist you in your work here?”[/color] Algrim returned the bow. [color=brown]“I’d wish the same. You are a pretty one, if ya don’t mind me saying. I’m a god meself. I hold power over the earth beneath our feet. Now, I have a plan to ‘elp fix it, and it involves this location. Problem is, you went and built something on it before I even arrived. Ye wouldn’t have known, of course, so it’s not yer fault, but you see the problem?”[/color] [color=FFE4E1]“Indeed…though I believe that we might have a solution to this, if I may,”[/color] the goddess mused, putting a hand to her chin for a moment before lowering it again, [color=FFE4E1]“Some time ago, upon visiting again my people here, I had sudden inspiration to begin clearing a grand underground chamber here beneath the temple-fortress of my birth. If you would wish to see it for yourself, perchance it will provide housing for whatever you seek to put here?”[/color] [color=brown]“Ah, that’s good. I don’t need too much space. Could ya show me to this chamber? If ya would be so kind.”[/color] [color=FFE4E1]“Gladly,”[/color] Arira said, before turning her gaze down to the defenders once more, [color=FFE4E1]“Let your kin know all is safe here. Your presence has been graced by a goodly divinity this day. Sir Algrim, God of Earth. Mark it down in the records of events here, and let it be known among you.”[/color] She then turned, gesturing politely for Algrim to follow her as she re-ascended the stair back into the temple fortress. From here she would lead her fellow deity in, and initially they would find themselves in a grand entrance hall. Portraits and tapestries hung upon the walls, magical torches kept the grand entrance lit, and even the floor was donned in a massive, long carpet sporting a lovely royal purple with gold trimmings. Most peculiar, the depiction of a great wheel was wrought upon it with what seemed to be a divine touch. Depictions of cycles and changing seasons and animals being born and dying and so forth surrounded it and were depicted within its spokes. Even so, the duo would not remain there for but the time it took to walk through it. Into the halls they wound, going down a set of winding passageways that led deeper into the earth. Stone walls of perfectly-cut brick seemed to escort them as they descended ever downward, and the steps were well-made that even dwarven legs would find them likely comfortable to walk down. Still, as the duo came toward the bottom, they would find the brick and so forth becoming newer and newer. A clod of dirt here and there would eventually be seen, and even lower than that a scuff mark or two made by accident or when transporting something could be seen. Such was the trend until ultimately the duo would be stepping out onto a stone-wrought platform, which had some signs of dirtiness and work still upon it, and the underground chamber so promised lied before their very eyes. It’s size was something immense, a space almost as big as the temple-fortress above. It had been carved from the stone and earth itself, stretching far and wide with a great length and width equal to that of the temple-fortress itself. Support pillars carved with cyclical depiction stood along the sides of the magnificently-wrought chamber, magically and functionally supporting the sides of a grand, arched, vaulted ceiling. It was seemingly incomplete somehow, but to fashion and craft and dig this much was something to behold when it came to pondering on how much mortal labor was put into it. Algrim surveyed the scene and stroked his beard. [color=brown]“Aye, this seems large enough. Though I’d best tell ya what I want to do afore we proceed. It’s a simple plan, really. I can calm the tremours in the earth, but I can’t be everywhere toado so. So, I’ve picked out six locations, and plan ta imbue some of my power into each one, so the earth ken hold itself together even when I’m not there. This’ll be the first.”[/color] Arira nodded in return, though after a moment of silence spoke up once more. [color=FFE4E1]“Indeed, sir, but would’st you require any help in crafting this ‘anchor’ for the world?”[/color] Arira said, before staring back out a the chamber, [color=FFE4E1]“If your power roots the stability of this world here in part, then for the world’s sake it shall be well-protected here at the very least.”[/color] Algrim furrowed his brow, and resumed stroking his beard. [color=brown]“Hm. Well, I do need to do this six times. Some ‘elp would certainly make it easier, if yer offering. An’ you could prevent anyone else from mucking about with it while I’m gone.”[/color] He looked up at her, and extended a hand. [color=brown]“Can you give me yer word that you’ll see it protected?”[/color] [color=FFE4E1]“I give you my word that it shall be protected, and as this area already is under my constant watch I shall not falter. My people here shall too help protect it, as it shall be a sign of cooperation between myself and thee,”[/color] the goddess said, smiling a bit more as she heartily shook the Earth God’s hand, [color=FFE4E1]“Though pray tell...aside this matter I desireth to ask thee if thou woulds’t be willing to help craft mountain round-about here to hide this paradise and place better as well? If not all be well with thee, tis’ but a simple request on the side.”[/color] When saying the latter thing, the goddess for a moment seemed...slightly sheepish, ever so slightly embarrassed even. Perhaps for her it was a bit of an awkward question? [color=brown]“I’d be ‘appy to,”[/color] Algrim’s smile returned. [color=brown]“Would ye be needing that now or ken it wait ‘til I’ve finished with my plan?”[/color] [color=FFE4E1]“Ah, now would perhaps be more prudent for here than later I’m afraid. With the dangers currently posed, the protection hidden deep in the mountains would be most appreciated. Of course I shall help as needed, and we all here would be most pleased to host you for your troubles at the very least.”[/color] [color=brown]“Very well then. I’ll see what I ken do, after I’m done ‘ere. Could you give me your hand, lass?”[/color] Arira nodded, gently placing her hand in that of the Earth God’s. It was soft to the touch, smooth like silk even. It was a stark contrast to Algrim’s stony skin. [color=brown]“Right. Now, channel me some of yer power. As much as ye feel comfortable to spare.”[/color] After a moment, the Earth God would begin to feel a flow of divine power entering into him. It began like a trickle, but would ultimately flow out like a great yet gentle river. Algrim closed his eyes and began to channel his own power. He opened his free hand, and a glowing purple light appeared on his palm. The glow softened, and the light faded, revealing a purple gemstone. Algrim released her hand. [color=brown]“Right. That’s done. All that’s left ta do is put it on the ground.”[/color] He offered her the stone. [color=brown]“Would ye like to do the honours?”[/color] The goddess nodded in return, letting out a small sigh before turning herself to face the rest of the great chamber again. She raised up the gemstone, and after a brief silver shimmer covered it the goddess began to speak. Likewise, the purple gemstone would float through the air, trailing out to the center of the immense room before slowly descending down into the ground as it began to glow. [color=FFE4E1][b]“Oh seed of world’s stability, Protect all with our divine nobility, Help grant calm to world’s design, And with splendid glory, forever shine!”[/b][/color] As the gem, now shining like a mini-sun almost, was fully encased in the ground...a sudden rumbling briefly shook the chamber. To the credit of its make the chamber did not crumble, but instead purple tendrils of glowing light emerged from the ground around where the gem had sunk in. Then more tendrils emerged. Then more. Then more. Many more would surged from the ground, bonding together and merging until they connected the roof and floor of the place together. Then the light would begin to fade as the mass of purple light began to subside, and in its place was a great pillar of incredible size. It stood in the center of the chamber, top to bottom, immense in its width and decorated in gigantic designs. The designs hailed from both deities, such as wheels and cyclical depictions from the goddess, and were carved into the unnaturally one-piece and otherwise perfectly smooth pillar with a kind of grace and perfection unachievable by even the finest of mortal hands. In short, a titanic thing that radiated a divine strength and yet a divine grace that each befit and matched it’s makers (or ‘parents’) in a sense. An unseen wave of power pulsed outward, detectable only by the two gods within its vicinity. A few moments later, Algrim breathed out a sigh of what sounded very close to relief. [color=brown]“The ground is quieter now.”[/color] He tapped his foot on the floor. [color=brown]“It worked. Good.”[/color] [color=FFE4E1]“Is there anything else required, good Algrim?”[/color] the goddess asked, turning her head to look at him as she assessed the situation in her own mind as well. [color=brown]“Well, I did say I’d build that mountain, didn’t I?”[/color] Algrim asked. [color=brown]“I’m not one ta break promises. Suppose I’d best get to it. Where do ye want it?”[/color] The goddess gave a simple nod to Algrim. [color=FFE4E1]“Round about this paradise, to shroud it at height and in view from the rest of the world. I and my people thereafter can carve out any passages outward, and further such defensive measures and creations as well. And once thou art done, we mayest celebrate in the valley if thou desirest to take rest here before moving onward. Tis’ the least I can offer for such work, and what’er else I can’st do to assist thee at this time.”[/color] She smiled at the other deity, smiled with such a soft and gentle smile indeed. She again took one of his hands in her own as she spoke ever so sincerely, her kind eyes radiating a kind of soft warmth from them. For a few moments, Algrim seemed to get lost in them, before suddenly he shook the feeling off. [color=brown]“Aye, yer a lovely lady, an’ I’d be ‘appy to celebrate with ye. But that’ll ‘ave to wait until the crisis is past. I’ll build yer wall, carry on with my work, and then come back ‘ere. Sound fair?”[/color] Arira’s smile widened just a little bit more at the god’s words. [color=FFE4E1]“It soundeth fair to mine ears, oh Earthen Lord. Once the mountains about this place hath been raised, and the world doth no longer shake with apocalyptic fury, I shalt gladly welcome thee back to celebrate here. Such is my promise to thee.”[/color] [color=brown]“Would’n miss it. Now, the mountains.”[/color] [hr] Exiting the fortress, the God of Earth strode out toward the boundaries of the paradise, and began raising mountains one by one, until the entire area was ringed by a formidable circular range. Even the lowest mountain was more than high enough to conceal the tallest structure within its confines. Once it was complete, the god then returned to the first mountain and stared at it with obvious scrutiny. Then he began to reshape it, sharpening some angles and softening others. Making it look rugged and natural, but not ugly or bland. He did the same with all the others. The labour took a full day. Once it was complete, the God of Earth said his farewells, and resumed his journey. [hr] [hider=Post Summary] Arira is holding court in her throne room teaching a lesson. Outside, Algrim quite literally comes rolling into the Paradise. He is confronted by some guards who are understandably suspicious of him. Arira comes out to meet him and he explains why he has come; he had come to this place to build something, only to discover that she had already occupied the spot. She agrees to let him build on her land, and he tells her his plan. He’s going to create six different constructs around the world which are meant to generate a permanent aura of stability, serving as a permanent solution to the worst of the world’s tremours. They go into an underground chamber she constructed, and there they work together to build the first World Pillar. Afterward, Arira offers to hold a celebration, but Algrim is like: “Nah there’s still work to be done.” He then builds a circular mountain range around the location to help protect the Paradise and the World Pillar within. [/hider] [hider=Action Summary] Construct the first World Pillar. A World Pillar generates a permanent aura of stability across a vast area, drastically reducing the likelihood and severity of seismic disturbances. This effect may stack on two areas that are within range of multiple pillars. Areas covered by only one pillar: Natural disasters are quite common here. Nowhere near apocalyptic standards, though. Areas covered by two pillars: Natural disasters are uncommon. About the same likelihood as an area in the real world that isn't known for earthquakes. Areas covered by three pillars: Natural disasters are impossible. Areas covered by four or more pillars: Even the gods would struggle to get a disaster going. Note that this only applies to land-based disasters, and possibly other disasters that are a side effect other land-based disasters. Each World Pillar has a connection with both Algrim and whichever other god helped build it. They will instinctively know when it is destroyed, deactivated, or threatened in some way. [/hider]