Arvum had walked through the sky, carefully observing the lands belows. Burdensome duty weighed heavily upon his shoulders. In the south, parasitic blight festered. For the time being, a wall of deadly salt barred their progress. Perhaps there was a lesson in its misleading beauty. He did not venture too close to the newest continent; divine aura emanated strongly from it. It was a mystery to him, and a concerning one. However, there were more pressing worries such as the monsters that caused even the Monarch paused. Perhaps there was only one, but recent events had eroded his optimism. Other matters occupied his mind, such as the Stygian Tlacan Sea below, but it seemed that time was starting to betray him. It is in his nature to be patient, to wait for things to blossom at their appointed times. While he had many concerns, there was one he held above all the others. His journey around the world was in service to this goal. He had to be better informed of the world. He had to compare his designs to the others to ensure that they were sufficient. And he needed perspective. He had returned to the Eidolon Plains, his destination was further south; however he felt divine presence strongly ingrained within his lands. He went over to investigate, finding a garden of another shardbearer’s design. Upon landing on the ground, he donned a disguise of an Eidolon to prevent his form from distressing any mortals that might happen to be nearby. Now on the ground, Arvum could plainly see the world around him. Among the silent trees of the garden, the simple flowers, and swaying grass, was a flood of mortals. Humans walked every which way, fiddling with sticks and inspecting rocks. It was a scene of infancy as the young race discovered their surroundings — it was only closer to the nexus of the gardens that the theme changed. With little mind paid to him, being a drop in a bucket of new stimulation, Arvum found the center of the garden without molestation. There he found simple stick homes built on some unseen perimeter, woven and mudded into solid frames — but beyond that he saw rows and rows of humans. Their faces were red with exercise, arms and legs swinging at a myriad of smoky tendrils — the strange appendages swinging back. The small army was clearly practicing some sort of martial skill, using the wisps as their enemy. Each tendril all seemed to flow in the same direction, ultimately leading to the source — the back of a man hunched over a large sword, no interest on his face as he quietly and repeatedly scraped a glossy black stone across the blade’s edge. His voice emanated from him without his lips moving, [color=C59401]”The weather is lovely today is it not?” [/color] The scraping stopped for a moment, as if the man had to think about it. Concluding, he started scraping the stone across the edge once again. “I like it; there will be a storm tonight.” He paused again. “I like the feeling right before a storm.” [color=C59401]”Weather can be a fickle thing.”[/color] Arvum replied. He gestured around, [color=C59401]”This is a pleasant garden.”[/color] “And it will be for a while yet,” Apostate answered. “You’re welcome to it as you please. This close to the statue—” He nudged a shoulder in the direction of the looming black monument “ —the ground doesn’t move and the plants refuse to change, but everything beyond the reach of the statue is usual.” Arvum casually shifted his gaze to one of the trainees, who began to feel winded as if Arvum’s attention was a boulder he was forced to carry upon his shoulders, [color=C59401]”Mortals of this shared design seem to be rather common. I wonder what journey brought them here.” [/color] “They were brought here by Homura.” Apostate looked up from Warbreaker, his one visible eye squinting at Arvum. He wiggled the fingers of the hand holding the black stone and it poofed into a puff of smoke. Now resting his elbow on the flat of the blade, he leaned towards Arvum. “And I suspect in time the ones you see here will find themselves elsewhere about the plains.” [color=C59401]”Mortalkind roams about. I have seen that some even seek out danger. It can be one of their many admirable traits.” [/color] he said, his gaze still cast upon a hapless human. “Oh I know.” Apostate’s words were accompanied by a low groan, deep from his chest. The hapless human started training faster and harder, a strong determination appearing in their eyes and gasps of smoke puffing out with each exhale. Arvum’s grip was waning. And he turned his gaze as doing was completely inconsequential, facing the shardbearer in front of them. [color=C59401]”I presume this Homura is their noble progenitor. I must admit that I have not had many opportunities to meet with my fellow shard-bearers.” [/color] “If that’s what you want to call her.” Apostate closed his eye. “My only advice is to think twice before offering any of them fruit.” Arvum examined another trainee, however his inspection was unintrusive. His eyes glanced around. [color=C59401]”I hope you do not mind, but I like to better understand these exercises they are performing.”[/color]. He said, walking over to one of the tendrils that originated from Apostate’s back. “These one’s wanted to know how to defend themselves, so I obliged. Unfortunately, they aren’t anywhere near strong enough to even pretend to be a sparring partner of mine — but this will do.” Apostate didn’t turn to look, his gaze turning back to his blade. Arvum stood in the tendrils place, his arms crossed behind his back. He intentionally held back his godly presence, [color=C59401]”Did they encounter the life-drinkers? I did not believe that their numbers were so great this far north.” [/color] The human in front of Arvum gave a confused look before frowning. “What’s up?” The human, a young woman, asked, albeit with frustration. “No, I don’t think they’ve encountered anything outside of the garden.” Apostate’s answer came slowly — interrupting the woman — as if thought had to be put into it. “Life-drinkers?” Arvum first responded to the woman, [color=C59401]”Please. Pay us no mind and continue training.” [/color] before responding to the other god, [color=C59401]”I must confess that I am no expert. They are a mortal design that feeds upon other mortals. I have noticed several variations, the bat-like ones seem to pose the greatest threat to those who cross the world belt with their flight and enhanced strength. The sun otherwise seems to suppress their movements.” [/color] Before Apostate could respond, the woman poked a finger in the air. “Not to sound rude, but you’re sorta in my way. This is my fight zone.” She made a motion with her hands as to outline her exercising area, making sure to note that Arvum was well inside of it. “Get it?” Arvum replied, [color=C59401]”I am sorry. Was I mistaken in that this exercise involves hitting another?” [/color] “You want me to hit you?” The woman arched a brow — the smoky tendril waiting over the conversation. [color=C59401]”Correct. I apologize if I am interposing, however I wish to better understand this exercise.”[/color] he replied. Gulping, likely from sudden embarrassment, the woman steadied herself and fell into a fighting stance. With a warrior’s shout, she punched forward with her fist, smacking Arvum in the belly. It did not feel like striking flesh, or any material at all. It felt as if her arm simply stopped at a point, and refused to continue forward. She stared down at her arm, mouth agape. “Did you feel it?” She asked, clearly self conscious. [color=C59401]”I did.”[/color] he said, answering with a technical truth. He turned back to the other god, [color=C59401]”These life-drinkers, along with other concerns, have made me more concerned about the safety of my progeny. It is reassuring to see others have similar concerns.” [/color] “Another god systematically terminated an entire population of mortals one by one using machines designed to torture and kill,” Apostate said, his eyes on his blade. “I was the only one to show up in response, and I only succeeded to save a single mortal from him.” With a loud wind, the tendrils flooded back into Apostate, leaving the humans confused while the god of defiance stood up and turned to Arvum. “I didn’t create any mortals, and here I am defending them. It was irresponsible for any of the gods to create life at this point in time, but what’s done is done, and many have been tortured and exterminated for it.” Arvum's true voice resonated from within him, its tone changed in an ethereal manner, [color=C59401]”I am saddened to be informed of this tragedy, however I do understand the value of a single life. I must admit I can not agree with your conclusion however. If all of the noble shards of the Monarch refused to act until we could create perfection then who would have acted at all? [/color]. “Do you know what an ant is?” Apostate crossed his arms. [color=C59401]”Yes. I rather like ants. So small, yet still so able to shape the world.” [/color] he replied. “Me too.” Apostate grinned before remembering something that made him frown again. “Imagine two rams fighting and in the scuffle one gores the other — which makes sense, they were fighting for something they felt important. It happens, it was going to happen… but the anthill they stamped unnoticed also suffered, more so than a single ram — a whole colony.” Apostate paused. “I’m not saying the gods needed to wait until perfection. In my humble opinion, I’m saying there is a battle that is going to be had, things will shift and a lot will be destroyed — and how much better for the ant colony to build their hill after the fight rather than under it. The gods don’t agree on much, and we are all rams of our own design.” [color=C59401]”Rams are much larger than ants, and can easily stomp a single one. However, destroying the colony is not as easy as knocking over a mound of dirt. Ants can live deep within Galbar and inherit its protections. The gods are not akin to the rams, they are akin to the storms whose fury can reach within their tunnels and overwhelm them. Precautions will need to be taken to prepare for the flood.” [/color] Arvum answered. Apostate pointed a finger at Arvum. “You remind me of a certain red-head I know: literal and criticizing. I think you get my point.” He furrowed a brow and made a face at nothing in particular. “But with the track record of our kin, I can only [i]hope[/i] you get my point.” Arvum gave a deliberate pause, [color=C59401]”Interesting. That is how you interpret my speech.”[/color] he said, [color=C59401]”I am sorry to divert to an unrelated topic, however have you had a chance to speak to the Lord of Lords. I apologize that my mind has been thrown elsewhere, but this thought weighs heavily upon my mind.” [/color] “No.” Apostate said simply. “I’ve been… um… busy.” Arvum replied, [color=C59401]”I have met with the Lord of Lords, however unfortunately it seems as though I might find myself busy soon.” [/color] “I feel like you want to tell me something.” Apostate leaned on Warbreaker, the blade poking into the ground. [color=C59401]”No nothing important. Just a stray thought. [/color] he said. [color=C59401]”Well, now considering it I did hear something peculiar enough to mention from the Lord of the Moon about how the Monarch required another lord’s assistance in slaying a monster. [/color] “What do you mean?” Apostate looked down at his blade. [color=C59401]”I apologize that I am not well-informed. I merely know that the Lord of all Lords killed a monster of the sea with the assistance of another shardbearer who I have not had the pleasure to have met yet. The Monarch did not mention it when I visited him. I apologize for presuming his motives, but perhaps he had thought that I was already aware.” [/color] Arvum replied. “I don’t get it, what?” Apostate gave the god a quizzical look. “The monarch killed a fish and this troubles you?” Arvum’s guise didn’t seem to change, however his true glare focused on Apostate, [color=C59401]”I am obviously concerned. If the Monarch was concerned enough to leave his palace while still recovering from his injury to personally see to such a matter, should I not be?” [/color] "What are you implying?" Apostate pushed, but his words were cut off. While most of the human rabble had wandered off to do other things, the woman was still present — her fists bouncing off Arvum harmlessly and small puffs of smoke caught her every exhale. Arvum replied, [color=C59401]”I am simply expressing my concern. If you believe it is a trivial matter, perhaps it is.” [/color] "Arvum." Apostate frowned. "I'm an idiot, you have to speak plainly with me. Are we gossiping or do you have a plan to share with me? Do you intend to go into a fight, do you need my aid — or is it me you wish to fight?" [color=C59401]”I had thought that we were simply having a friendly chat. It is not often I speak with other shardbearers, though perhaps that needs to change. I believe you are the first visitor I have had to my verdant fields. I do hope you are enjoying it.” [/color] he replied. "Friendly chat?" Apostate fell into thought against the sounds of the punches. "Well, yes, I suppose that is what we are doing. I'm much more used to blowing things up, you see… well I used to be…" Arvum looked at the sun, [color=C59401]”The sun has travelled far in such a short time as we have had our conversation. It was a pleasant conversation, but I have duties I need to perform elsewhere.” [/color] "Oh…" Apostate looked up at the sky. He thought for a moment before continuing slowly..."Did you want to go look at some ants?" Arvum thought about it for a moment, [color=C59401]”I would not be opposed to it.”[/color] [center] -0- [/center] Arvum continued his journey southward. This meeting had given much more to consider, especially concerning the story of a god who slaughtered his own charges and where this god stood in the grand scheme of creation. However, his objective remained clear. He returned to the first farm, an appropriate position to enact his will. Time had changed the fields from his memories, and it had returned to being wild. Remnants of his encampment stubbornly refused to fade to the world. His mere presence seemed to restore it to a more orderly state. He had completed the design, and imbued it with power. By his command, it washed over the world as a wave of energy, invisible to nearly all creatures except for the gods. The Eidolons could however feel it, if only vaguely. He had realized his gifts to them were insufficient. He hoped that his blessing could ensure they could prosper within this dangerous world. [hider= Story] Arvum explored the world, working upon an urgent project. He mentions several concerns, such as the parasitic blight to the south, the newly forged continent whose purpose is unclear, and the Stygian ocean he is crossing over. He notices the Garden of Hevel, and investigates. Finding humans and eventually Apostate. Apostate and Arvum talk. Arvum notices the humans are receiving some type of combat training using wisps as practice dummies, and steps in place of one and requests one of the women training to hit him. Information is shared about Astus’ genocide and the Monarch and Tuku slaying a demon. They discuss philosophy and ants (mostly ants). Apostate is confused by the conversation, but Arvum suggests that it was a friendly conversation. They go watch ants, before Arvum leaves for his true destination, the first farm. He empowers the Eidolons of the world, detailed in the vigor summary. [/hider] [hider= Vigor] Apostate: 4 0 vigor (discounted): The humans of Hevel by accidental association with the God of Defiance have laced some of his smoke into their systems. As a result, the population has a tendency for defiance and aggressive emotion. On top of that, when repressed, they can summon a tiny pool of strength to defy the odds — the smoke in their systems puffing out from their lungs as they do. [color=C59401] Arvum [/color] Starting Vigor: 3 Ending Vigor: 1 Spent 2 Vigor to empower the Eidolon: As a species, they are able to enhance the amount of life-force that they produce and store, which causes them to be stronger and healthier. It is possible for them to reach a point of super-human strength and prolonged life-spans. They can also train themselves to expend excess life-force to empower themselves, or expel it in order to heal or empower others. They can also bind their life-force to a single, non-sapient organic object, flora or fauna to share it between two vessels, allowing it to be cultivated further. [/hider]