[center] [h1][color=0072bc]Ravdur[/color][/h1] [H2]AND[/H2] [img]https://i.imgur.com/hnW3O7c.png[/img] [/center] [center][sup] Northern Glaciers [/sup][/center] High in the northern glaciers atop the world, beneath a sky which danced with random colors and dazzling glimmers, there came crackling lights and dazzling bursts of raw godly power, erupting from the surface of the ice, as the unicorn god bucked and danced about. She was creating! And who could possibly create without proper song or dance? All of those beautiful rainbow sparkling lights she had placed in the sky had been inspiring. Before her stood a statue delicately carved from the glacial ice by her godly horn. This, too, would act as inspiration for... whatever those Mortals were? Truth was, when she had found them crawling across the ice, freezing to death, their appearance had been met with both surprise and disgust. Why didn't they have any hooves? Or fur, for that matter? Their bodies were large, sure, but they were not STRONG. Nor did they have the speed to set themselves FREE from the approaching icy grasp of death. A whole heard (which might be the proper term for the skinbacks) of them lay frozen atop the ice around her creation. She would show these (now) transparent observers (that were probably ghosts) what a truly perfect form was! Of course, Myrtu considered herself to be perfect, but hers was not a form achievable for mortals. No! They needed something to aspire to. Something that they'd ask to be blessed as, if ever they sought the freedom of the skies or the freedom of dashing across the land. [color=0072bc] “Who is causing these colors?”[/color] Ravdur asked himself as he was making his way to the glaciers. He was busy admiring the landscape that he had created when strange lights appeared in the sky. Curious what is behind these sudden colors in the sky, he ventured north to where they seemed the strongest, and soon then, he could sense something. A god, like him, and he moved faster to see who this god is and what these colors mean. After some time, he arrived at the glacier and found both dead and light. The area was bursting with light and rainbow colors, but that did not distract Ravdur from the frozen remains of the mortals. Kneeing down to one of the bodies to study it and like the rest. They were clearly killed by the cold, and he wondered why these mortals were here? Explorers maybe and but either way, unprepared for the cold. After going further north, that was when Ravdur saw the god he was looking for and was surprised. He was expecting something humanoid like him and instead found a creature dancing around blinding colorful lights. He can easily sense that this creature was a god and probably the one responsible for the strange lights. So after walking a bit further to the god, Ravdur made himself known. [color=0072bc]“Hello, I am Ravdur, and who are you? You the one that made these strange lights in the sky?"[/color] The large Unicorn, four legged with a set of wings that seemed made of rainbow light itself, turned its head to Ravdur. All of her motions halted and, for a long quiet pause, she looked Ravdur over in curiosity. When she spoke, the voice came not from the movement of the mouth or lips, but projected by some other means aloud for the other god to hear. [color=#b7c9f5]"Twas I who colored the sky, behold– ah- Where are thine hooves?"[/color] Turning her sparkling eyes of no one color toward the frozen mortals, she spoke, [color=#b7c9f5]"These creatures had not swift hooves to spirit them from this place- which seem illsuited for furless hides, so supple– and so they did meet their fate in the ice but you. How is it that you, with same hoofless feet as theirs, made your way so far north?"[/color] She shook her head, her mane dancing wildly about as she asked a third question,[color=#b7c9f5]"I sense within you that which makes thee like me, yet... you have no hooves. How could you be like me without hooves?"[/color] Ravdur's glowing blue eyes met with her colorful eyes and he spoke. [color=0072bc]"I do not have hooves, and I can ask you the same thing hooved one. For I have not have thought I would have met a goddess like me.”[/color] The first of the gods he meets, and this one is a curiosity. [color=0072bc]"I am a god, we move much faster than a mortal, and why I do not freeze like them. I am the lord of ice, it is my domain, the cold never bothered me. And how we can be the same while different. For while we are clearly different, we both share the spark of the divine. A spark that separates us from the mortals and that others that have come to this world share. I take it you have not met them yet, but neither have I. Only seen their marks on this world and the one that called us here.”[/color] Then his tone shifted slightly to somewhat serious, [color=0072bc]“I have answered your questions, but you only answered half of mine. Who are you, what is your name, hooved one?”[/color] She listened with attention, her ears perked toward Ravdur, as his words were analyzed and agreed upon with a slight nod. [color=#b7c9f5]"I doth suppose there is merit in thine response- that we are indeed the same. How interesting!"[/color] Shaking her mane about in a shimmering display, she replied, [color=#b7c9f5]"I am called Myrtu, in the tongue of mine kin which sprint now across the depths of the cosmos."[/color] [color=#b7c9f5]"I have seen-"[/color] Myrtu paused [color=#b7c9f5]"-mine reason that I, in past tense, did believe the others had hooves as I; Atop a snowy peak, I did behold one whose legs ended in mighty hooves, though their upper half were more similar to thy own. From there, did I sprint here, for your domain, Lord of Ice, brings me comfort. The cold reminds me of a home I did claim amidst the stars,"[/color] and as she turned her eyes to her sculpture of ice, Myrtu replied, [color=#b7c9f5]"And I do enjoy shaping the ice into forms upon which I shall bestow life, in eventuality."[/color] [i]There are more of her in the cosmos?[/i] Ravdur thought to himself. More godly hooved creatures that roam the stars and speak without speaking? What oddities did he miss while sleepily wandering the void? Did her kind cross paths once? Better to think about that later, [color=0072bc]“Hmm, so the gods of this world are not what I expect in this case.”[/color] [i]What do the others look like? [/i]He wondered, but his thought shifted when Myrtu spoke of home. [color=0072bc]"Home… that word, I am not sure I had a home or ever had one. My memory is not the best, and I guess this world is my home now.”[/color] He said with a sigh, he does not remember much about his past before being called and wonders why that is so. But he forced his mind to focus on the matter at hand. [color=0072bc]“You spoke of shaping the ice and giving it life. What kind of life are you making?”[/color] [color=#b7c9f5]"We say that home is beneath thine hooves, anyway- or… whatever those things you possess are- feet! Yes, in such case, therefore- you truly are home,"[/color] Myrtu responded, before turning to their carved ice. [color=#b7c9f5]"This shall act as guide and mold for coming Pegasus- a winged and hooved, creature, with a strong back, and determination enough to define its own freedom and purpose! Though I have worn myself weary and require rest before granting it freedom from its icy form."[/color] She moves so that Ravdur can see the carving better. It appears to be a creature similar to Myrtu, though it lacks horns or the same stature, and it is reared up on its hind legs, with finely carved feathered wings. [color=#b7c9f5]"The ice acts only as template, for I've not the ability to do.. likely what you're able- what are you able to do, Lord of Ice? Create ice sculptures with ease, no doubt,"[/color] she laughed slightly before waiting on the answer. [color=0072bc]“Hmmm, I see Myrtu and a Pegasus, you say,”[/color] intrigued he is. So Ravdur walked to the carving to get a better look. Stopping just a few feet from it and it studied it for a bit. An interesting mount if one could tame it but based on what Myrtu said. It will be a challenge, or maybe a different method be used. Ravdur, chuckled, [color=0072bc]"Yeah, I can make ice sculptures with ease.”[/color] Looking down at his hands and briefly ice formed in his hands, [color=0072bc]“I have created some for this world, though so far only making cold ecosystems for this world. Since these mortals have ventured this far north, they had to have crossed it.”[/color] Ravdur took a minute to think and then spoke in time, looking at Myrtu. [color=0072bc]“I do have plans for this world, and I think my next creation will be black ice. Something for the mortals and myself. When they discover how to use it, and do you have plans for this world too?” [/color] Myrtu briefly looked down at the frozen Elves, shaking her mane disparagingly, [color=#b7c9f5]"If they crossed through better zones of habitation then truly, they were foolish, yet admirable to have come so far."[/color] Then to Ravdur, she said, [color=#b7c9f5]"I have come to understand those odd non-hooves and will bless the world with examples of a multitude of superiorly hooved creatures. So, for now, there shall be Horses I'll bring into this world. Many and more. For if these creatures cannot have the freedom of being born with hooves, then perhaps an alliance with those that possess them, will alleviate what must surely be a source of sorrow and pain. All should be free to know what it is like to be carried swiftly by hooves of liberation!"[/color] Myrtu danced about with her front legs only briefly before asking, [color=#b7c9f5]"And what shall thine black ice do for the world? What creature is there that can withstand the cold- for if these creatures are what populate the world, then they are weak indeed."[/color] [color=0072bc]“Yeah, they did, the zones I made were, yes, cold but habitable. Where one could thrive.”[/color] Ravdur looked back at the frozen elves and then back at Myrtu. [color=0072bc]“I am sure they had a reason for coming this far north but were unprepared. Perhaps exploring the world and ventured too far for their limits.”[/color] Bold and yet foolish, he thought. He chuckled once again, [color=0072bc]“So more horses into the world, a noble endeavor.” [/color]He is not sure about the superiority of hooved creatures but giving the world possible mounts is not a bad thing. Only he hopes they are not as… odd as Myrtu. [color=0072bc]“As for what is black ice, it is a ice that is blackish in appearance and never melts. Stronger than any metal the mortals can make. One that can be used to make strong weapons or reinforcement of buildings. Making them stronger, keeping them insulated from the cold if done right and even used to it to make special armor.” [/color]Ravdur paused, and a smile appeared on his face. [color=0072bc]“Soon, I think I will make it and see how it takes for mortals can figure out how to use it.”[/color] Then that smile went away, [color=0072bc]“But as for elves, they are called, weak maybe. But, if they to survive in this world, they need to adapt, or perhaps a more hardy race needs to show them how?”[/color] That last sentence made him think, [i]Should I make such a race?[/i] But he quickly got his mind back on track. [color=0072bc]“Still, we will see if these elves will stay foolish and weak. As I said, they need to adapt and learn if they wish to survive and thrive in this world. For it will not show them mercy as these elves have seen.”[/color] [color=#b7c9f5]"The world is young yet- plenty of time for adaptation, if there is any to be had among their kind- but perhaps the motivation of a competing species could, indeed, propel them swiftly along the path of growth,"[/color] Myrtu replied, before suddenly going stiff. Her eyes began to dance with multitude and myriad of colors so swiftly that it was always a question of what color had been in place previously. Sounding surprised, she gasped, then proclaimed, [color=#b7c9f5]"They could be anything. Everything. Possibilities endlessly contained within all that makes the creatures of creation- needing only but a nudge here- a blessing there- and perhaps the whispers of freedom indeed."[/color] Her head tilted to the side, [color=#b7c9f5]"And if it true that your Black Ice would have such usefulness, then that grants them even more profound possibilities! How would they adapt to a world with creations wrought from a substance with such potential?"[/color] Whinnying excitedly, Myrtu danced about again, moving her legs up and down, [color=#b7c9f5]"Are you going to make it now? Here? Right here and now?! Shall the Black Ice come from this place?"[/color] Ravdur was taken back by Myrtu’s sudden excitement and dancing but did not show it. [color=0072bc]“Not here, not this far north. But someplace where it would not be exploited by everyone. Somewhere only by those willing to make the journey and have the tools and knowledge to gather it, can use it. And that knowledge will be accessible only by a temple of my make, and I know where to place it.”[/color] Myrtu halted once more, regarding Ravdur with a steady gaze, and a brief silence.[color=#b7c9f5] "I see,"[/color] her head lowered slightly as if disappointed. A soft huff left her as a hoof pawed the ground dejectedly, [color=#b7c9f5]"Very well then. Please, mind not the sculpture of Pegasus. I shall leave it here for a while, mayhaps come back to redesign the proportions. I've need to stretch mine legs and wings--"[/color] she lept high into the air without kicking up so much as a snowflake, her wings of light burst forth brilliantly. Speeding off, without giving the Lord of Ice so much as a moment to protest or even say goodbye, Myrtu was already dashing across the sky and out of sight. [color=0072bc]“Guess I disappointed her,”[/color] Ravdur said to himself as he watched the goddess fly out of sight. He felt kinda bad about it but at the same time. He could not feel about how Myrtu was an odd goddess, and his gaze turned to the Pegasus and had half a mind to surprise her with a living one. But went against that idea since he did not have the power right now nor wished to disappoint the godly horse more. So at that spot, using what power he had, Ravdur created black ice and spread it in a small area. The area between two of the mountains that next to the stonebreaker mountains. And placed his temple that held the knowledge needed to gather and use black ice and a clue to where it could be found in the area where three mountains meet. Which is made of black ice and can not be damaged or removed. Satisfied with his creations, Ravdur left the area and headed south. With Myrtu unintentionally giving him an idea and now to see if these elves can find his temple and the black ice. If they have the drive to venture this far north, albeit unprepared. Then maybe they can uncover the temple and discover the strength of black ice. But, for now, Ravdur has other plans though waits to see if these elves or someone else finds the temple first. [Hider=Summary] Ravdur goes further north after making the Tundra and Taiga. He finds Myrtu carving ice, making the sky weird, and surrounded by frozen elf corpses. Introductions happen. Myrtu sprints off abruptly. Ravdur creates Black Ice, a crafting resource for mortals. [/hider] [Hider=Points] Ravdur -1AP (Ice!) Discount from 2. Create Black Ice -1AP (Ice!) Discount from 2. Create Black Ice Temple Myrtu - None Spent! [/hider] [Hider=Black Ice] TL;DR Nevermelting ice that can be used similarly to metal but is far stronger. Ice that is blackish in appearance and never melts. Stronger than any metal the mortals can make. Can be used to make strong weapons, armor, or act as reinforcements in the manufacturing of buildings, that can help keep mortals insulated from the cold. [/hider] [sup]edit: some missplaced text color[/sup]