[centre][h3][colour=goldenrod]Chakravarti - The Matripatrihierarch[/colour][/h3]
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[h2]An Encounter with Ambition[/h2]
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The Eight-Armed God took their most calm and serene time travelling. With no mount or vehicle to speak of, they took in the surroundings of the wastes and learned to see the details in the ash. On a few occasions, they had been approached by vagabond survivors desperately seeking aid or foolishly attempting to rob them: Chakravarti had dealt with them as they deserved, and there laid both full-bellied vagrants and beaten corpses in the god’s flowery wake. Indeed, a road of flowers as broad and as long as a country had followed the giddy god from the Tomb of the First Dynasty, and in it, small, stalwart insects and pollinators did their best to exploit this nonsensical idyll before the End Times could consume it once more. The god had along the way spawned both birds and beasts for the entertainment of the little boy in their arms, fluffy ruminants to graze the flower fields and fliers to pick at the parasites in their fur. Ossurman had loved every single one of them, and a confidence grew in Chakravarti’s heart that the little boy would grow into a wise and loving patriarch some day.

The party of two topped a small hill and arrived upon a natural fjord in the landscape, looking out across the black, endless aether. The family god stopped and gave Ossurman a gentle shake to wake him up from his nap. [colour=goldenrod]”Look, Ossy…”[/colour] The god squatted down just by the edge, golden eyes following the thunder of magical energy in the distant abyss, intermittently overshadowed by the silhouettes of flying demons fleeing the underbelly of the World Shard. [colour=goldenrod]”... Isn’t it fascinating? Perversely so?”[/colour]

The baby looked into the abyss as well and started to sob. Chakravarti released a small chuckle and held the little boy closer. [colour=goldenrod]”Oh, sweety, don’t cry. Mommy is here; daddy is here. I’ll keep you safe, don’t worry…”[/colour]

Over the next hill, just a few stone throws away, a crimson glow approached. The first physical emblem of the apparent radiation was a shock of salt-and-peppered orange hair, followed by the rest of a man. The glow stretched out from the transient figure by about two or three spans of a man but slowly seemed to sink back into itself as he closed the distance. Dirty frock coat and bare feet made for an interesting collection of clothing, but beyond that there were very few features of note. At the closest hillock to Chakravarti the figure stopped, cocking his head to the side and scratching at the finger length, fiery orange beard that sprouted along his chin. With a simple motion he lifted a pair of carved ivory spectacles from his eyes, revealing a flash of electric red before dying down back to their normal golden-brass. 

[color=ed1c24]”Hey there,”[/color] called out the transient man, making sure to announce himself quickly to the unquestioningly powerful looking deity, [color=ed1c24]”Quite a sight, eh?! Pretty!”[/color]

Chakravarti immediately rocketed to their feet and produced six cutlasses, held ready in their six available arms while the remaining two clutched Ossurman tightly to their chest. A storm of steel raging around the god, they said, [colour=goldenrod]”Who are you?! Are you after my baby boy?!”[/colour]

Lonn’s eyes went wide at the lightning fast reflexes of the six-armed god but he did a magnificent job hiding his immediate awareness of the danger he had evidently put himself in. Despite part of himself thinking it wise to take what victories he had received as of late and dip on this one his ever devious mind could see opportunity held aloft on a silver platter. Both hands went up, revealing his overtly peaceful intentions. His eyes locked on that of Chakravarti and, in one sly parting of his visage, his perfect, ivory smile beamed.

[color=ed1c24]”Don’t fret, proud parent,”[/color] Lonn said, keeping an honest look about his face while refusing to break respectful eye contact, [color=ed1c24]”I’m nothing to be feared. I am a friend of man, children included.”[/color]

The opposing god circled in a quarter circle while talking in the sight of the other. Then, as quickly as they had appeared, the weapons turned to smoke and Chakravarti assumed a calmer stance. [colour=goldenrod]”A friend of man, you say?”[/colour] They looked him up and down again and flexed an impressed brow. [colour=goldenrod]”Your demeanour speaks of your peaceful intentions. I pray you may forgive my sudden outburst.”[/colour] They bowed curtly. [colour=goldenrod]”The roads are few and crawling with evil these days. If I may ask, to whom to I have the pleasure of speaking? Your most fragrant smell tells me that you, my lord, are like me, and it is not every day that I meet one like me.”[/colour]

[color=ed1c24]”There is nothing to forgive, friend; it is righteous to defend yourself and your own, aint it?”[/color]

Lonn let down his hands as his eyes devoured Chakravarti’s form for clues to their character. It was quickly discovered by the man-god that his peer was more than met the eye, perhaps literally. Despite his own divine sight he could not see past the rotating identity of Chakravarti, occupying space as both genders and more of the human race. It was an odd experience for someone so confident with mortal identities and so far the other deities he’d found had matched mankind fairly well. The slightest quiver of Lonn’s smile, though, revealed his momentary flash of epiphany. They were a God of 

[color=ed1c24]”Ah, you have a nose for it then,”[/color] purred the transient deity, eyes flowing from dull gold to his glowing red while once more the aura of crimson began to emanate from him like a corona. He offered a low and flowery bow, arms outspread and wide, to return Chakravarti’s own, [color=ed1c24]”Lonn, at your service, good mother. And might I say, what a beautiful and clever child you bare. Yours, I trust? Couldn’t think of a better progenitor.”[/color]

The family god blushed with a giggle. [colour=goldenrod]”Oh-ho-ho, you tease.”[/colour] The shield of arms uncoiled themselves from around the baby to give Lonn a better look. [colour=goldenrod]”Indeed, he is mine - born into the clan of clans, if I may permit myself a moment of boasting. Yes, dare I say, he is the king-to-be! Emperor-to-be! With my blood, I would expect no less.”[/colour] Their proud demeanour then deflated politely and they spoke, [colour=goldenrod]”But enough about me - great lord Lonn… Is it just Lonn, by the way? Have you a belonging to a clan or house?”[/colour]

Lonn, for the first time in anyone’s life knowing him, frowned. It was a deep one too, that practically dripped with melancholy. The frown flipped partially into a true if mirthless smile, eyes looking to Chakravarti with a noticeable measure of sadness. Despite this he “forced” himself back into a full smile. With one errant wave of a hand he shook off the malaise of his thoughts, giving a sidelong glance at the other god.

[color=ed1c24]”Alas, I came unto this world disappointingly alone. I have found friends, sure, but family? So far, zilch. I have aided the mortals in their struggles where I can, but even then it is a far cry from true [i]belonging[/i].”[/color] Lonn’s gaze drifted for a moment before sharply jumping back to meet Chakravarti’s vision with lightning flashing in his eyes, [color=ed1c24]”But, that doesn’t mean for a second that I don’t have ambitions otherwise, believe you me. Families can be made, as I am sure you well know.”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]”The world is what we make of it, after all.”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Oh, that’s too bad, my lord,”[/colour] responded the family god and positioned the little baby into a better grip. Their eyes once again scanned over the god of man and one finger caressed their cheek thoughtfully. A witty smile spread across their lips and they said, [colour=goldenrod]”Well, what if I told you you did not have to -make- a family, but could join one?”[/colour] 

Though the grin he bore was in no way revealing of his true intentions and in all respects produced a genuine, benevolent gleam, inside Lonn’s labyrinthine mind he was soaring. What luck! In what amounted to functionally a handful of days Lonn had met a number of deities and so far had been fond of nearly every single one. Moreover, there was a clear pattern of friendship which would prove incredibly helpful in future days not yet arrived. Returning from the lightning dance of his thoughts, Lonn flashed a slightly quizzical raise of his eyebrow. He let some cunning show through, as if playing coy, then let his eyes wander up and down the God/dess very noticeably.

[color=ed1c24]”Join one, eh?”[/color] Lonn mused before locking his gaze with once more with Chakravarti’s divine gaze, [color=ed1c24]”And what could a man such as I do to gain such a blessing?”[/color] 

Chakravarti’s smile broadened. [colour=goldenrod]”Oh, it is quite simple, really.”[/colour] With that they descended onto one knee and spoke, [colour=goldenrod]”My lord Lonn, first of your name - would you do me, Chakravarti, the honour of joining my house as my husband?”[/colour] A crest of light seemed to encircle their form, with dancing lotus flowers forming a radiant halo over their head in the fresh sunlight.

[color=ed1c24]”Today hasn’t ceased to amaze…”[/color] muttered Lonn, halfway actually surprised. He had to admit, he wasn’t expecting it to move so quickly. His gaze danced briefly across the crest of light emanating Chakravarti before returning to her. Moments later and his perfect smile returned in all its pearlescent brightness. 

[color=ed1c24]”You humble me, Mother of Kings; what you offer is beyond compare.”[/color] Lonn looked down into Chakravarti’s eyes with a glowing red gaze. By now the corona of red that radiated from his feet had grown to encompass much of the area, only dying before Chakravarti’s own light, [color=ed1c24]”And I will accept, with one request; I should like to be your First Husband, as you will be my First Wife. I can tell with but a glance your family will be great and numerous, and I can tell one husband would only weaken [b]our[/b] dynasty. But I would ask you to allow me the honor to sit at your side [b]first[/b], before any others. Will you accept my request, Great Mother? All you need do is take my hand.”[/color] Lonn’s hand outstretched, fingers curled just so to call Chakravarti closer. All the while his smile flashed, almost uncomfortably perfect in its symmetry.

Chakravarti blinked and then slowly rose up, their face curling into a slightly defensive frown. Quickly, then, a sly smirk followed, and the four of the gods hands busied themselves with cradling their face from various angles. [colour=goldenrod]”My, my, as should be expected for one with a smile like yours. Truly, none with such perfect teeth could see themselves as anything less than number one.”[/colour] A slightly more reserved pose overtook the god as several hands crossed themselves over their breast, the arms carrying Ossurman moving out of the way. [colour=goldenrod]”Will you not tell me a little more about yourself, Lord Lonn? A husband can be a stranger to me so long as I may carry his offspring, but my First Consort is no mere title. You would effectively be robbing me of quite an important choice later on. My interest in you was sparked the moment I saw you, certainly, but you must sate my curiosity before we can move further.”[/colour] Out of the ashes, a small stool of stone materialised for them to sit on; another appeared behind Lonn. Between them, a table stacked tall with alien fruits and appetisers appeared, alongside gold and silver cups of wine. [colour=goldenrod]”Do not hesitate to drink as much as you would like,”[/colour] they added, [colour=goldenrod]”it is non-alcoholic. I am still breastfeeding, after all.”[/colour]

In one of only true and unmediated outbursts, Lonn [color=ed1c24]laughed[/color]. Despite all the walls he presented, all the half-truths he told, he couldn’t help but truly admire Chakravarti’s statement. By all rights, they were completely and utterly correct. In an instant, Chakravarti had actually managed to win a bit of Lonn over. With his teeth parted just enough to echo his legitimate enjoyment of the experience, Lonn sat without a single word. He had listened, fully and intently, and had no intention of keeping this apparent equal waiting. 

[color=ed1c24]”A fair request,”[/color] pronounced Lonn as he sat down across from the Family-God, looking at them in an entirely new light, [color=ed1c24]”And one I am happy to oblige. All cards on the table, Mother-of-Kings, for you deserve nothing less; I am a man who wears a billion faces, and even this one now isn’t really mine. I am a lover of mankind, despite their flaws, and so I choose to walk among them as they are. That way, my kindness to them is their kindness. Let a friendly face nowadays be one of their own, I say. So far I have met four others of our kind and [b]most[/b] of them seem to see it the same. Presuming they chose their shape, that is. Beyond that, there is only so much for me to tell; I’m a young god, just making my way in the universe. Perhaps you have specific questions for me?”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Mhm, very good, very good.”[/colour] It almost looked at Chakravarti was doodling notes on one of their palms using a very sharp fingernail. [colour=goldenrod]”You have already mentioned that you have no house of your own, and I pray you will understand that if the Prime Consort of Chakravarti is to be, forgive the term, [i]lowborn[/i], then I must measure your contribution to the house in terms of your financial and political capabilities. Now, if I understand you correctly, you have connections, yes? You have a network of sorts with at least four other entities like us? How well do you know them? Have you any bond with them beyond the spoken?”[/colour] At her breast, Ossurman cooed in a small voice.

Lonn flashed a cunning glance at Chakravarti, enjoying the moment immensely. Chakravarti, although he’d likely never tell them, practically radiated mortal personality. It was a good quality, frankly, but he imagined most gods would balk at such claims. As they rattled off the list of qualities necessary the gears of his mind bit into themselves in consideration, weighing his options well.

[color=ed1c24]”Of course; I have been considering the very same of your house,”[/color] Lonn said with a smile, leaning in across the table partially to emphasize his interest, [color=ed1c24]”The land to my back is mine. The men who live there owe their hearts to me. And oh, let me assure you, I have plans for that land, well and truly. I am bound to three of those gods by deed as well as words, for we together released the waters that now rejuvenate the world. One of them is my trusted companion, and as a pair we brought life back about on the northern slopes of the mountains. Him I know quite well. And whatsmore, I intend to find more of our kind, that much I swear, and I will bind myself to many more if I find they’re worth the effort. What of your lands? Or your connections? A mighty deity such as yourself has not been idle, the field behind you assures me of that.”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”So it was you who brought the water?”[/colour] A small smile returned to their lips and a flick of the writing hand indicated a checkmark of sorts. They loosened their stance a little more to appear more welcoming, arms unfolding from their chest and leaning comfortably on the table. [colour=goldenrod]”A most noble and heroic deed, I agree, and while not as strong as flesh, a favour’s bond is stronger than the word.”[/colour] The finger continued down the wrist of the hand canvas. [colour=goldenrod]”As for the lands and estates of House [i]vur[/i] Chakravarti, my lord, we possess a most prosperous and comfortable valley in the south under the governance of my daughter Arira.”[/colour] Another hand appeared and golden text flashed across its wrist with numbers and statistics. [colour=goldenrod]”Many thousand miles to our east, my concubine, Celvanya [i]vur[/i] Chakravarti is on her way to claim more land for our dynasty; and lastly, I am heading north-northwest to lay the foundations for my son’s great empire.”[/colour] The text disappeared again and the family god gave Lonn an expectant look. [colour=goldenrod]”Is my lord satisfied with my answer?”[/colour]

[color=ed1c24]”I should say so,”[/color] replied Lonn matter of factly, having been holding a glass if only for the sake of looking appreciative of the offers, [color=ed1c24]”and it seems I was right; you have been [b]quite[/b] busy. A rolling stone gathers no cordgrass, as it were. Hah. Yes, I should say what you have to offer makes you worthy of being my Wife, without a doubt. I can only imagine what a lineage we will make together; one that spans the world and sits on a throne of our making, I imagine. I can think of no other answers that could have satisfied curiosity more. But the real question is, have mine?”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Largely. I suppose I have one more, though,”[/colour] said Chakravarti, playing passive. They studied two sets of fingernails with pursed lips for a quiet moment before their golden eyes fixed onto Lonn’s once again. [colour=goldenrod]”Are you a family man, Lonn?”[/colour]

Lonn locked his gaze with Chakravarti and spoke across the table with sly assertiveness. [color=ed1c24]”I will be.”[/color]

With a gentle bite of their lip, the family god nodded. [colour=goldenrod]”Then so be it, Lord Lonn [i]vur[/i] Chakravarti, First Consort of mine. Aid me in furthering our dynasty, and I will be yours for eternity.”[/colour] They reached out their hand in a gentle cup.

Without a single moment of hesitation Lonn reached for Chakravarti’s hand and drew it to his lips, pressing them close. His eyes remained locked with theirs as he pulled away only enough to whisper.

[color=ed1c24]”And I, yours.”[/color]

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A great deal of time had passed since that day, and Chakravarti had reached their destination. Along the way, their belly had swollen ever so slightly, and the family god found themselves a hill to rest on. As they leaned forward to survey the dead land, illuminated uncomfortably well in the light of the sun. Crags that crumbled into the abyss; valleys of dried up lakes; lifeless ashes as far as the eye could see. The family god gazed across the endless wastes with scowling disapproval, Ossurman on their lap playing with one of their fingers. [colour=goldenrod]”Look at it, son… Like a graveyard, robbed even of its bones. This is no place for a future king…”[/colour] They then conjured forth a small round palanquin of, like usual, gold and silver and gently put the baby inside it. [colour=goldenrod]”Okay, just lie down there, sweety, and mommy will make you the perfect home to rule!”[/colour]

And so, the god got to work: They danced down the hillside, their steps leaving patches of yellowish green that extended rapidly outwards into great fields of grass, flowers and shrubberies. Four hands pointed to the south, and the south sucked in the rain of a bypassing storm and grew green rich with broad-leaved trees that seemed to ooze humidity; four hands pointed north, and the grass and shrubberies extended outwards, swallowing the dead ashes as far as the eyes could see. 

The south grew thick and bushy far beyond what Chakravarti could observe; it absorbed so much moisture from the storm that great lakes blossomed within the forests, fed by rivers from the Wellspring - something Chakravarti couldn’t see.

[centre][img]https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/002/907/898/large/bram-sels-jungle-sketch-bram-sels.jpg?1467132113[/img][/centre]

The north had no such moisture to feed off of, however, and before long, the trees could no longer maintain their growth in the dry soil and faded; even further north, the bushes faded, too; and lastly, the grass gave way to sand a few miles from the shore, unable to go on without quenching its thirst.

[centre][img]https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/031/807/817/large/aric-salyer-grassland.jpg?1604641876[/img][/centre]

The god was just about to conjure forth animate life as well, when there came a terrible quake. The god managed to maintain their footing where the newly sown crust itself threatened to crack, but then a scream alerted the family god. [colour=goldenrod]”OSSY!”[/colour] they shouted and sped over to the palanquin like a bolt of lightning, protecting the baby in all their eight arms. The boy squealed his lungs out, the oppressive quake of the world threatening the developing eardrums of the child. [colour=goldenrod]”It’s okay, it’s okay, mommy’s here; daddy’s here,”[/colour] Chakravarti whispered to him sweetly. Eventually, the quakes began to subside, and Chakravarti stood up to survey the land once again: It had ruptured, much of their work, particularly trees, laying in shambles and being covered with the dust of yet another ash storm. The family god looked about ready to explode with rage, but instead quelled it and looked down at Ossurman in their arms.

[colour=goldenrod]”I’m sorry, my boy… It looks like your kingdom will have to wait for a while longer…”[/colour] They needed to somehow fix the tremors.

But who could help them with that?

[hider=Summary!]
The scene opens on Chak strolling over to the region that will one day hold Lonn’s pillar, making ruminants and birds long the way (probably won’t live long). When they arrive, they show Ossurman the abyss and asks them what they think. Oss starts crying and Lonn shows up like, “wassaaaa”. Chak pulls the blades like a defensive mommy (again) and Lonn calms them down. They get talking and Chak asks what house Lonn is of. When Lonn says he has none, Chak asks him to be his husband. Lonn is no fool, though - if they are to marry, Lonn won’t be just another husband: Lonn will be Chak’s First Consort. This gets Chak thinking, and the two talk about what sort of deeds, claims and lands they already possess. After presenting each other’s lists of belongings, both find the other satisfactory and marry.

Fast forward a time and Chakravarti arrives at the Yellow World pillar, baking a small bun in the oven. As they arrive, they set Ossur down to watch as they start making the Osshur Plains, a huge biome that will cover a large share of the north. The biome then gets wrecked by earthquakes and Chak can’t do nothin until a hero arrives to save the day.
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[hider=MA Summary!]
1MA, reduced to 0 - Make ruminant species and birds that graze all of the flowery grasslands between the Tomb of the First dynasty and Lonn’s World Pillar.
1MA, reduced to 0 - Begin work on the Osshur Plains, an enormous patch of land that includes several different biomes, most notably xeric grasslands and desert in the north, to semi-arid grasslands and dry broadleaf forests in the centre, to moist broadleaf forests and swamps in the south. It is currently without animal life and very prone to earthquakes and disasters, but at least it’s not dead.
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