[center][h2][color=c4df9b]Uwné[/color][/h2]

&

[color=7bcdc8][h2]I’Iro[/h2][/color][/center]




With Astella’s departure from the central mountain, out to explore the world, I’Iro took over many of the responsibilities that were previously in the hands of her friend while creating many new ones under her own projects to best understand mortals, the mind and the realm of dreams. 

For the humans living in the annex town to the City of Embassies the changes were noticeable, gone was the cute clutz goddess who they could tease around, instead they had to deal with the pale, always blank faced I’Iro, who while sounding well intentioned still had the habit of unsettling the mortals with her habit of staring at them with a blank face. However, she was also an efficient manager, with her crowd of robot spiders she immediately focused on improving the situation of aspects such as hygiene and building safety for the humans within the area.

This was however taking a toll on the goddess, memory and the ability to multi-task were extraordinary but she was merely one entity, bound physically to one place, to have to look after the Mons Divinus, to prepare the first classes and theories to teach in the academy, to analyse and collect samples and data so she can best understand the world… All this at once was just too much.

Nevertheless she carried on. She had handpicked a few mortals from the town to come to her academy, and she had slowly started to teach them the basics of what she called Mimicry.

[code]You see. The most common type of what you call magic within this world is very dispersed. Inactive. Sort of background radiation. To say it in terms that might be familiar to you just imagine the humidity in the air when morning comes. The advantage of this type of energy is that it is abundant. Its disadvantage is that it holds no property of its own. However. That very factor can be turned into an advantage as well.[/code] the goddess explained to the three dumbfounded mortals with her typical distant and controlled tone.

She opened one hand and created a pristine and crystalline barrier with her hand. This was an object made from divine energy, but she was able to create a similar one, a barrier that looked like green glass, with that sort of background radiation magical energy she had mentioned before. [code]With a strong willpower and a consistent ability to visualize objects within your mind one is able to arrange this propertyless energy into a copy of a simple physical element. Thus the name Mimicry. To create a small wall section is the easiest of the things you can do with such a technique.[/code]

The humans started to try to copy the goddess, yet the results were null at the first few attempts. [code]You were chosen because you can notice the alien energies within this world. The issue here is that you cannot visualize the shapes within your mind. Here. An exercise. Move your hands in the air then stop them as if you were touching a wall. Try to make sure both of your hands are aligned as if they were touching a real wall. This should help you to learn how to broadcast your mental image into the world.[/code] she wished for a moment that such things were as easy as the manifestation of fear Alzria was able to perform.

Standing far in the back, at the edge of the garden on the path stood a strange, rounded figure that was not nearly alike a human. It had two legs and two arms but seemingly no head or neck. It clutched a metal staff in its left hand and two squirrels were playfully moving across its body. The thing had so far stood so still that it could’ve been mistaken for a statue. Until suddenly its arm stretched out and its flat palm reached out just like I’Iro had explained. With seemingly no effort at all a small, thing, uncreative, flat glass wall shimmered into existence in front of the palm. The creature itself displayed nothing. No fear nor excitement.

The goddess noticed the act of a barrier being created but was immediately confused as it did not seem to come from the direction of her human students, but from behind her, in the grass covered ramp that led to the garden where she was lecturing. Turning around she finally noticed the entity observing her, she raised a hand telling her class to wait for a moment and moved to approach it. [code]Greetings.[/code] she said in her own mechanical, aloof tone. [code]I have not met a being similar to you before. Are you a new arrival at this location? Feel free to identify yourself.[/code]

“Greetings. I am called Thallin.” The creature introduced itself. Twin lights on its upper body lit up brighter now, going from a barely visible glow in the sunlight to the intensity of two candles. The two squirrels playing over its body stopped and now looked at the goddess that approached. “I haven indeed only just arrived. Sent here under the principles of exploration.” Its mouthless voice was surprisingly less mechanical sounding than I’Iro’s voice. Yet at the same time it wasn’t entirely human either. It dropped its arm and the glass-like barrier instantly vanished. “May I enquire to whom I am speaking now?”

I’Iro extended her hand so the squirrels could use her to get off Thalin if they so wished, she was unsure if that would work but with Snowy it often did, even if the cat often preferred to climb up to her head instead of going back to the ground. That this entity was sent by a god she had already guessed, it was good however that the entity was meant for exploration. [code]I am I’Iro. I function as the Goddess of Dreams. You are currently at Mons Divinus. The source of all water and core of the shard. This structure behind us is my yet to be named academy. It is one of the many constructs within the City of Embassies that serves as the meeting ground of the divines.[/code]

“It is a great honor to meet you I’Iro, functioning goddess of dreams.” Thallin said. Inside it was already etching the memories and the knowledge within those memories into its mind. Even though the goddess had said only a few things, it answered tens of questions the golem had. The squirrels, for their part, crawled up his body and sat on his shoulders. They had an equally curious and fearful look in their eyes. Thallin paid them no mind. His gaze shifted towards the outstretched arm. For a second there was a silence. One could’ve called it uncomfortable, though a golem knew not the meaning of such a word. Eventually he spoke up: “Forgive me, I’Iro, functioning goddess of dreams. I am unfamiliar with this custom. What is expected of me right now?”

I’Iro spent a tense moment with her hand hanging in the air. Would it be petty to invent something on the spot? Perhaps. But it would certainly serve diplomatic needs to leave a good impression. [code]Ah. My apologies. It is just custom for two beings to shake their hands upon meeting. Do not worry however as it is understandable such habits are not widespread yet.[/code] the goddess improvised. [code]One question I have to ask you however. Is the identity of the deity who has sent you. It clearly is not one of those that I have met in my travels through the world.[/code]

Thallin took I’Iro’s, started shaking and then never seemingly stopped. “I was sent by Uwné, god of crafting. In his name I am to apologize. For he is not as mobile as he would have desired. Thus he sends us as his emissaries and explorers, in honor of the one that made us.” The squirrels, meanwhile, made their dance of curiosity down the arm with which Thallin was still shaking I’Iro’s hand. Eventually carefully moving onto the goddess. “Your wisdom provides me with illumination. Which in return reveal more questions. You speak of more gods. Could you speak of them more?”

[code]It is fine to stop after just two or three shakes.[/code] I’Iro requested while perfectly keeping up with the infinite handshake loop she had programmed. [code]And of course I can share with you my knowledge of the gods. However... I must say my database is still missing some entities. Nevertheless. One moment.[/code]

She turned back to her class of three who was looking at them with curiosity and made a little movement for them to know today’s class was postponed, with that solved she turned back to the construct and, upon freeing her hands, started to condense the information she knew within a small crystalline device.

First the gods she had met in person, Astella, Lonn, Orynn, Arira, Alzira. Then the gods she had heard of second hand, Wyn, Chakravarti, Ze’kelia, Algrim and the nameless god represented within the shard by An-Clastophon. Finally, some of her own musings over the gods that were likely but that she had not met in person or heard of yet, such as the storm god. This was all condensed in a type of code more fit for mechanical entities than the simple uttering of words. Upon her work having been finished, she offered it for the emissary to take and absorb.

The golem took the crystal in his hand. It took a moment for him to parse the information to a more manageable flow. He found the information stored within to be exceedingly important. With this much information, he had little choice than to return to his maker soon. If it was lost it would be a setback of unforgiveable proportions. In the end he had consumed all the information on the crystal shard he had be offered and then with a small motion offered it back.

“I thank you I’Iro, functioning goddess of dreams. This answers all questions I was set out to find answers to.” Under normal circumstances he  would’ve bid its farewell. Perhaps he  would have walked through the city a bit more before setting forth to go back. However, something strange gripped him. It came from within. He was told to discover things and for whatever reason he felt as if he could answer more questions. Questions he was not explicitly told to ask.

“The barrier you and I created. That which you call magic, what is it exactly?”

This was a deeper question when asked by another being touched by the divine. She had picked up the word because mortals seemed to understand it, but it was clear it was not the perfect fit for this situation. [code]With the apocalypse and the fraying of Galbar many forces have entered into this world. These forces do not act in accordance with the laws of physics within this world and as such mortals often call them magical. This word is also used for native illogical acts such as the very existence of gods and further blurring the lines there are forces that were once foreign to this world but that have now made it their home much like many animals and plants.[/code]

The goddess summoned a barrier of her own, before spreading it out, isolating a very small section of it which she enhanced. [code]This in particular is made with the leftover most minuscule sub-particles that have seeped in with the many trespassers. They are weak orphans yet also unbound by laws. It is no more magic than shaping clay is. What we do is to merely entone our minds upon these particles and to force upon them our will.[/code] I’Iro hoped this more visual representation would be satisfactory to the emissary. [code]This is merely one of the many branches of the knowledge I call Alien Chemistry. The study of elements from other planes. Mortals have the terrible habit of shortening it to Alchemy.[/code] she sighed.

[code]I am at the moment just starting to study these. With your master being the god of crafting… I am sure it would be good to have easier contact with him here in the Mons Divinus. Perhaps he could be interested in upgrading an emissary to an ambassador? If not. Well it cannot be helped. I am sure contact will still be possible later on. It is my plan to set up long distance communication between gods in some sort of scheme that would look like a cobweb… or maybe a net… no… It is close to a lacework.[/code]

“I cannot speak in his stead. Not yet, at least.” Thallin said, and he did not add his own opinion to it. In truth he didn’t have an opinion. He was not made with the goal of having an opinion. Yet he did have his own thoughts. “You have provided me with invaluable information. Forgive me I’Iro, functioning goddess of dreams. I must beg my leave. My maker must know of this place, you and your kin. Farewell.” With those last words he turned around and started walking away. Slowly but constantly. The squirrels that had mostly stood rather still to observe the strange goddess quickly climbed off of her and pursued the golem. It was pretty easy to catch up with him.

I’Iro simply nodded and waved, though the golem wouldn’t see it as he had turned around, it didn’t matter as the goddess could easily guess Thallin did not care about that aspect of formality. Still, this had been a success by all of her metrics, hopefully the creator deity of the emissary would see the value in all that was being done in the city. 

As it moved away, the goddess’ thoughts however strayed her thoughts from the recently arrived and departed entity and instead recalled over the words it had given her when explaining its purpose. It was an elegant solution to the issue of having many spread out tasks to be fulfilled, she could finally dedicate herself to teaching these mortals without worrying about missing out the chance to study far off places. Her eyes turned to a nearby spider-drone as it worked on the gardening. That would do nicely.

[center]~[/center]
The sun once again marked the passing of time. Days went by. Then weeks. Then a month. Then, eventually, the squad looking figure holding a staff and with two playful squirrels appeared again at Mons Divinus.

It did not take long for someone to come greet the visitor. A woman wearing a simple functional dress, her eyes covered by what looked like some sort of opaque visor.{Greetings. It is good to see you have returned. Oneiro will be waiting for you in the central meeting area. You can see it 45 degrees to your right.} The person spoke in a manner similar to I'Iro, however far less versatile, as soon as she finished she turned around and guided the golem into the core of the City of Embassies.

I’Iro would come to greet Thallin as soon as he entered the central area. Unlike her embassy, this area did not reflect any god in particular, with eclectic choices of architecture as it was designed to be a common ground. [code]Greetings. It is good to see you again. If you returned… I take that you have an answer from your master deity?[/code] the goddess questioned, tilting her head slightly.

“Indeed I have!” Thallin exclaimed. “I shall recant the overjoyed words of my master.”
[indent][color=c4df9b]”You are Thallin. My emissary and now my ambassador to this city of embassies. Let it be known that you speak as a representative of me.”[/color][/indent]
The words came from Thallin but were not his voice. For sure. The divinity of it was unmistakable though. “As my master commanded I have returned. There are many things to be agreed upon I’Iro, functional goddess of dreams and steward-apparent of the city of Embassies. But my lord has commanded me to thank you first.” A compartement of where a human would find his stomach opened up. Revealing a polished black wooden box. The golem took it out and opened it to show the goddess its content.

On a pillow of soft, purple velvet laid a circlet of white-metal. It was a simple yet beautiful thing. The flowing, thin metal looked more like a thick woven thread than metal. Yet it was sturdy. Those threads flowed like water towards the center piece, where they curved around it. The center piece itself was a moonstone that wrapped around a smaller opal like a crescent. The opal itself was a beautiful and impossible piece of blue, turquoise, green, red and very small specks of silver and bright violet.

“A gift from my master. Made to the likeness of the great mage moon. Its metal is polished exonite. A metal found in my master’s land known to draw the magical energies towards it. He and I both hope it is a worthy gift for a goddess.” Thallin offered up the circlet and bowed as much as a golem of his make could.

I’Iro’s eyes shone with curiosity as she extended her arms and took the piece of jewelry into her own hand, observing for a moment its unmatched beauty but also taking notice of its possible functional purposes. She bowed back to the golem [code]I thank  you and your master Uwne for this gift.[/code]

Turning slightly to the left, she called to her side the lacemeister, the humanoid woman-like figure that had greeted Thallin before, to come hold the circlet for her. It was good that it now seemed that her and Uwne were on good terms because her project with them had been greatly derivative from observing the golem. [code]It is good to meet you. Ambassador Thallin. There are a great many locations to set up an embassy here. In the form of both prebuilt rooms within this central area and a wide selection of satellite open fields where structures could be raised according to the needs and preferences of a deity.[/code]

“That brings me to my second point.” Tallin said as he rose up again, with the help of his staff. “My master has requested a location somewhere close to the water. Specifically the river that flows south-west from here. A small plot would do. Nothing big. But we should hurry. My kin will arrive any moment to begin construction.”

I’Iro was more aware of what he was referring to at this time than when they first met and she already expected him to claim an area of his own, knowing the general area of the god from the golem’s path she had considered this one scenario, among countless others. [code]I do not think any other god has picked the plots to the southwest. There is plenty of property on both sides. My own academy is to the south so if the plot is east of the river it will be somewhat adjacent. To the west of the river however it is entirely open space… if a bit muddy from how close it is to the massive flow of water that goes directly west into the jungles.[/code] I’Iro conjured two holographic images of both of the mentioned plots.

Thallin took a moment to think on it and in the end he found it best to stay adjacent to the academy. Only an hour later the other golems arrived. They didn’t talk or interact with anyone but Thallin. They all carried carts with various materials. Wood, plaster, stone, green shingles and seeds had all been carried up to Mons Divinus. To be used for the small but cozy little embassy. The golems worked as tirelessly as they had travelled. Days passed and more arrived. Carrying more finished goods and seeds. Benches and chairs were brought up as well. Carpets were rolled out and seeds were meticulously planted to grow flowers and hedges. Later still came the saplings of strange trees that had not existed before. Trees Thallin called Khariaths and Steelbarks. Khatem flowers were planted as well. If one didn’t know about I’Iro’s spider servants, one would’ve assumed the building was completed in record pace.

[center][img]https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/002/915/538/large/hee-uk-jung-06.jpg?1467217656[/img][/center]

[code]It is a beautiful facility you have built here.[/code] said the goddess when she noticed the construction seemed to be finished. [code]The humans too seem to like it. It even had the effect of distracting my alumni during our lessons… Something that really did not result in the better control of their minds for the purpose of Mimicry constructs.[/code] she chuckled softly as she walked into the central garden overlooked by the construction.

“I do apologize for that.” Thallin said as he watched the last tables being set. Of course, in the coming years they would be replaced again and again by creations of the mortals. Such was the nature of crafting. There would always come something created more practical or beautiful. He then turned towards I’Iro. “When we first met you taught me the custom of greeting one another of these people. Would you honor me to show you the custom of greeting from the land I come from.” With an arm he motioned towards one of the adjacent, open buildings. With a view of the river. The open curtains showed the low table and a handful of chairs surrounding it, and on top of the table stood a few gold-veined clay cups and a simple porcelain teapot. 

[code]Ah. Yes. You did promise me there would be a beverage in the inauguration. I do not have a habit of drinking anything yet your description of what a tea is left me greatly curious.[/code]

And so Thallin led I’Iro to the tea parlor. Where a freshly plucked Kathem flower waited next to the pot. With great care the golem prepared the tea for him and the goddess. Though he couldn’t taste it himself, the mortals had endlessly sworn by how well it smelled and tasted. To that end, he hoped the goddess would enjoy the taste as well.

[hider=summary]I’Iro is busy teaching a few mortals about magic she calls Mimicry at the academy in the City of Embassies. The humans do as well as one could expect. Though a golem appears who can flawlessly, if not a bit uncreatively, can create a barrier through Mimicry. He introduces himself as Thallin. The two exchange some information and finally a handshake (though Thallin is unfamiliar with the custom and doesn’t realize you just shake the hand two or three times). The goddess enquires who sent him and Thallin tells her about Uwné, the god of crafting. Having gathered all the information he was sent to collect, Thallin decides to return. Though before he does he asks what exactly the magic I’Iro was using was. After the explanation he once again thanks the goddess for her time and leaves.

A few months later he returns, having been promoted to ambassador. He offers I’Iro a gift: the Mage-Moon Circlet, as thanks for her hospitality. She offers a few locations for Uwné’s embassies and eventually they settle upon the east side of the south-western river. Near I’Iro’s academy. Once the construction is complete Thallin invites the goddess for a cup of tea.[/hider]