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[color=brown][h1][b][u]Algrim[/u][/b][/h1][/color]
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The God of Earth’s journey through the desolate wastes continued. Once more he had assumed the form of a rolling boulder, and was hurtling toward his second destination. It would not be too much longer.

He thought back on his encounter with Arira, and wondered if there were other gods like her, and if his meetings with them would be equally friendly. That would be ideal, but even though he had not been alive for very long, he already knew full well that the ideal was rarely supported by reality. No doubt some would be rude, some would be wary, some might even be hostile.

For ultimately, this [i]was[/i] a hostile world. He had seen signs of it. The guards of Arira’s paradise had mistrusted him, and almost attacked. After seeing the monsters and beasts which prowled the countryside, he understood why. So far he had not encountered anything that could threaten him, but that didn’t mean such a thing did not exist.

As Algrim travelled the countryside as a boulder a lone figure walked the now slowly flourishing western coast that was his natural climb. His hair was dark, like soot, and a long, aquiline nose jutted in an ugly thrust from his face. A big, bushy beard and curled mustache combo that looked all sorts of outgrown and mismanaged tied together the look, with several pock marks and plague-scars dotting his face. His clothes were less disheveled than they were mismatched but his shoes simply were nonexistent. Two big, purple eyes stared out from underneath a cliff-like forehead and two noticeably large eyebrows. 

Most of all qualities about him worthy of note, however, was his smile.

The man-god stared at the boulder hurtling down the mountain with a quizzical lean, knowing it for a god the moment he saw it but certainly more than a little confused at its appearance. There was his smile, beaming in its uncomfortable perfection, but even that was slightly dimmed by the momentary confusion. How in seven hells was he going to worm his way into friendship with a boulder? With a shrug the humanoid figure hurtled a bolt of crimson fulmination in the general direction of the boulder, letting it crash harmlessly against the mountainside. The explosion was large but not particularly destructive, more a light show than anything with only a blackened scorch mark to show where it had landed in the first place. He was confident at that point that he had landed it well, for surely it couldn’t have missed such an obvious indicator of his presence.

At least, Lonn hoped the boulder-god was capable of noticing things, what with the evident lack of eyes. 

Although the bolt had missed, the boulder suddenly cracked. Still rolling, it began to dissipate into a cloud of dust, obscuring his vision, though Lonn’s sharp divine senses would allow him to detect the silhouette of a figure within the cloud. The figure was moving toward him. [color=brown]“Oi! Hoo the bloody ‘ell do ya think ye are?”[/color]

Lonn’s smile disappeared for a moment as he noticed the boulder stopped being a boulder; sharp eyes caught the figure of a stout humanoid and for that, Lonn was grateful. He admitted to himself that he had no real idea how to win over a sentient rock. Even as his smile returned, however, Lonn was quick to realize the belligerence of the god. That would be an unfortunate speed bump, he immediately concluded. His perfectly arranged teeth returned to full display, his smile beaming as he held up his hands innocently.

[color=ed1c24]”Ah! Don’t fret, pal, my mistake; I was just trying to get your attention, nothing more! I assure you, my intentions are only well meaning! It's just that I had never seen a living boulder before and I didn’t quite know how to get your attention.”[/color]

The dust cloud had faded to the point where the figure was now almost fully visible; a five foot tall humanoid that appeared to be made out of stone. [color=brown]“Hmph. Well, an attack like that’ll only attract the wrong sort of attention, no matter who yer dealing with.”[/color] Despite the rebuke, he seemed to have calmed down significantly. [color=brown]“A simple ‘’ello!’ would ‘ave done just fine. Ach. Who are ye anyway?”[/color]

Lonn felt his grin press to the very extent the human frame would allow and let it stay there; this was turning out way better than before. His eyes flashed a moment of red as he looked the stocky earth-man up and down, confident that he seemed fairly reasonable and ultimately an easy enough fellow to work with. A success, to be sure.

[color=ed1c24]”Lonn [i]var Chakravarti[/i], if that means anything to you,”[/color] he said quickly, curious to see just how far that additional name might take him, [color=ed1c24]”Lonn, by any other name. A friend by the looks of it, in all honesty. What about you, buddy?[/color] 

With that Lonn thrust out a hand, smiling at the diminutive god while looking only a tad manic on his own end. His eyes sparked with red light but mostly remained calm, giving him the appearance of a slightly wild but ultimately well-mannered and well-intentioned individual.

[color=brown]“Can’t say I’ve ‘eard of you,”[/color] the shorter of the two said, accepting the handshake. [color=brown]“I’m Algrim. What are ye doing out ‘ere?”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]”No surprise, really,”[/color] admitted Lonn with a simple shrug, smile completely undaunted by the claim, [color=ed1c24]”Frankly, I’d be a little surprised if you had. Well, Algrim, buddy, I’m out here doing the rounds as it were. Mortals here are friends of mine and I aim to do right by them, if you catch my drift. Howsabout yourself? You were really rolling down that mountain quick, pal.”[/color]

[color=brown]“Tryin’ ta stop the world from shaking itself apart,”[/color] Algrim answered. [color=brown]“I don’t suppose ya would interested in ‘elping?”[/color]

Lonn flashed a momentarily bewildered look, made all the more quizzical in appearance by his maintained smile, before putting together exactly what Algrim’s meaning was. Lonn’s eyes practically glowed red for a moment, sparks flying, before he nodded fervently. Although his smile maintained an entirely benevolent gleam, internally Lonn praised his good fortune even more. [color=ed1c24]”Buddy, I haven’t heard an idea that good since my wife proposed to me. Ask no further, friend; I’m yer huckleberry.”[/color]

Algrim furrowed his brow. [color=brown]“Dunno what that’s supposed ta mean. But come this way.”[/color] He gestured for Lonn to follow, and then began walking. [color=brown]“It’s quite simple, really. Just need ta slap down some constructs that’ll hold the world together while I’m gone, an’ that’s that. Do ya spend much time in this area?”[/color]

Lonn quickly fell in toe behind Algrim, making mental notes about the god. So far he’d seen quite a cacophony of deities but most kept fairly close to the human body plan. Admittedly, this one was about as different from men as his wife was. Lonn sniggered internally to himself as he thought about Chakravarti, pleased with himself for snagging such a prize. An odd burr of legitimate appreciation for them caught oddly in his mind, Lonn brushing it off and moving on. Algrim, for his part, was completely unique; might as well be a living boulder, physically speaking. Regardless, he seemed primarily driven by the same thoughts and feelings that most of the other gods had shown and was, ultimately, a facsimile of mortal men just the same. That would work nicely.

[color=ed1c24]”Oh, lots.”[/color] blurted out Lonn, looking about the area with admitted actual honesty backing up his statement, [color=ed1c24]”I have been all up and down these hills, frankly. Whole coastline. All manner of interesting things, people included. Met my wife not too far from here, in fact. What exactly are you looking for?”[/color]

[color=brown]“A place to build the construct,”[/color] Algrim answered. [color=brown]“I ‘ave the rough area in mind already. Just need ta find the perfect spot.”[/color]

Lonn nodded and thumped at his chin thoughtfully with his index and middle finger as they walked, eyes darting about considering the options. Plans had been sprouting in his mind for some time as of late regarding the little stretch of land that he had claimed as his own in his deal with the God of Families. He knew well he couldn’t simply let it go fallow as that would only incur the wrath of his new wife. This new opportunity presented a sound solution to both his and Algrim’s problems, however, and for that Lonn praised whatever might’ve been before he, himself, had come about.

[color=ed1c24]”Opportunity presents itself, Algrim. I happen to know of just the place, nearby at that. Men live near to it, though, so be gentle. I can take you right to it, if you’d like?”[/color]

Algrim nodded. [color=brown]“Lead the way, lad.”[/color]

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Lonn and Algrim travelled nearly an hour further, closing the distance on Lonn’s general path. The walk had been swift, both the gods feeling none of the weaknesses that might haunt mortal men. Rough terrain was made from obstacles to curious terrain with ease as they rapidly crossed the landscape. Though blasted, much of the surface area was covered with cordgrass in nice, thick patches. Their talking had been fairly brief as they moved quickly, occasionally sharing short comments but otherwise remaining well in motion. With Lonn at the fore they arrived at a very familiar spar of rock, jutting out and up with clear views into the void. Not far away a massive river rolled down off the side of the continent, misting outwards in a corona of steam. It was here, up the hills from the end of the world, that Lonn had saved Ursare and the other prisoners kept with him. He grinned and nodded, remembering his handiwork well.

[color=ed1c24]”Here’s the place, Algrim,”[/color] Lonn said authoritatively, admiring the view, [color=ed1c24]”Not quite void-front property, but I think it’ll cut it wonderfully.”[/color]

Algrim surveyed his surroundings, and then turned to face him. “Right then. This place’ll do. Now then, after I build it, this pillar will need someone ta protect it. Would ye be willing to take to take up the task?”

Lonn gave Algrim a sidelong glance, considering everything that befallen him. Moments later he nodded, pursing his lips uncharacteristically before breaking into a grin once more. His eyes moved towards the spot, envisioning what would soon be, presumably, standing there. It was a pleasing thought and would make an excellent centrepiece, he realized.

[color=ed1c24]”Certainly, brother,”[/color] assured Lonn, his honest intentions matching up with the intensity of his language in one of those rare moments of complete of honesty for the god, [color=ed1c24]”I’ll protect it to my last breath.”[/color]

[color=brown]“Good,”[/color] Algrim smiled, for the first time in their meeting, and extended his palm. [color=brown]“Let’s get to it, then. Give me yer ‘and, and loan me some of yer power.”[/color]

Lonn enthusiastically offered his hand, sparks for red fulmination jumping from his finger trip. His eyes, of course, glowed their full, baleful carmine as he provided Algrim all he could need to complete the ask.

Algrim took Lonn’s hand and then closed his eyes, as once again he channeled his own power. Just as it had happened before, a glowing light appeared in his palm. This time it was red, and it took the shape of a bright ruby.

He released Lonn’s hand, the process complete, and help up the ruby. [color=brown]“Do ya want ta do the honours, or should I?”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]”Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world,”[/color] Lonn said, gladly taking the ruby into his hand. He rolled it between his fingers, the glow of the ruby-like stone glinting in the light. With that he knelt low, tearing at the heavy layer of cordgrass before pushing the stone deep into the rich soil. Stepped back and away, Lonn mumbled almost to himself, [color=ed1c24]”This is gonna’ be wild…”[/color]

A dull vermillion throb echoed from the pillar-seed, thrumming outwards in waves that slowly grew in size. Lonn watched with absolute fascination as the earth was pushed aside, the ruby-like stone growing from its original soil. Multiple, sharp, imperfect facets formed as it grew, looking very much the part of a deep, red, obsidian shard. Soon it had completely burst free from its bounds, growing in all directions as it started to soar into the sky. The edges of the facets seemed darkened, as if seeped full of platonic red to the point of blackening, while the flats glowed bright with crimson energy. Occasionally bolts would fly from the growing column of igneous looking ruby-stone, roaring till it reached its total height. Lonn now looked small beside it, the towering megalith standing the height of nearly a dozen men. The man-god smiled as he stared up at it, very pleased with Algrim and his combined handiwork.

[color=ed1c24]”Perfect.”[/color]

[color=brown]“Well done lad,”[/color] Algrim said with a nod. [color=brown]“Now it falls to you ta keep this thing safe. I’ve got four more o’ these to build, so I’d best be ‘eading off. But per’aps we’ll meet again once this is over.”[/color]

Lonn looked over his shoulder and smiled, offering a raise of his hand as a friendly goodbye. There was a fire in his eyes like never before, burning in there as opportunity screamed in his ears.6

[color=ed1c24]”Count on it.”[/color]

[hider=Summary]
Continuing on his journey to stabilize the shard of the world, Algrim hurtles south east as a boulder. Lonn, busy being a homeless indigent, attempts to get the boulder’s attention with a bolt of energy. After a very brief moment of figuring out the understanding, the two hit it off; it seems they both have the same general goal. Algrim tells Lonn of his plans and Lonn gladly offers to assist. Time passes and the two travel to a spot Lonn had picked out. While holding hands entirely platonically, the Algrim uses Lonn’s power to create the seed for a new pillar. When planted by Lonn it bursts into a giant, multi-faceted, dark-red megalith. Pleased with their work the two part ways, stabilizing the next portion of the world.
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[hider=Major Actions]
The Red Pillar is made by Algrim and Lonn. It directly stabilizes the geology of the shard through Algrim’s work, while being planted with some potential power for Lonn to monkey with later.
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