[center][h1]Excelsis & [color=darkgoldenrod]Khthon[/color][/h1][/center] Excelsium was ever-growing. But it was still much too slow for Excelsis, who was overseeing the burgeoning village from atop the so-called “Monster”. It was not developing fast enough. At this rate, it would take three, maybe even four generations until they would be a useful people. A more hands-on approach would be necessary. For now, at least. Which meant he would need a point of return. A place worthy of the vainglorious God of Eminence. Where he could always return to, or where he could work upon complex blessings. It would be a place where the common people could come and marvel at the greatness of the Spark and the countless other blessings he intended to offer to the worthy. It would take time, even for a God’s mind, to fully design such a place. From the great volcano's mouth came a cracking sound, and the stone covering it gave way to a large stone figure. The figure, Khthon, stood in solemn silence for a few long moments before speaking. [color=darkgoldenrod]”God-Brother. I do not come to you lightly,”[/color] he said, tone grim. [color=darkgoldenrod]”I come to you seeking aid, for a great threat is upon us Gods and Ashuru Herself. A threat I do not know for sure if we can overcome.”[/color] In an instant, a million different senses rippled over Excelsis’ body. These were not the words you wanted to hear from a god like Khthon. Especially not when he willingly rose to the surface of the world. [b]”What threat?”[/b] asked Excelsis. [b]”How much time do we have?”[/b] [color=darkgoldenrod]”I do not know how much time we have. I fear it is not nearly enough.”[/color] He took a moment to brace himself. [color=darkgoldenrod]”There is… [i]something[/i] that slumbers within Ashuru. Something old. Older than us, older than the world.”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]”She slumbers, and should have still for eons to come. But she wakes. Too soon, far too soon…”[/color] He gestured to the world, to the mortals below, to the Monster. [color=darkgoldenrod]”We have been careless. Fools! With our meddling, we have engineered our own undoing!”[/color] He reached out to Excelsis’ mind, showing the memories he had glimpsed from the Great Bell, and the dire warning inscribed upon it. [color=darkgoldenrod]”I can feel her in my caverns. Stirring, breathing. She. Must. Not. [b]Wake.[/b]”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]”But I do not know what she is…”[/color] he finished with a whisper. This revelation answered two questions and created a hundredfold more. His mind went over the visions given by Khthon and extracted every bit of information out of them. [b]”It is not yet too late.”[/b] He said, though he made it sound more like some grand declaration. [b]”What do you think we must do?”[/b] The God-Orb asked, despite brimming with his own answers to that question. The Lord of Stone, at the moment, was the most eminent authority on matters of Ashuru. [color=darkgoldenrod]”Sleep. She must sleep once more, at any cost.”[/color] Khthon felt frazzled, had been so since his discovery. He tried to center himself, not let panic or despair overtake him, once more, and continued. [color=darkgoldenrod]”You are Discovery. You above all else would be able to find out her nature. Please,”[/color] he begged, for the first time in his existence, [color=darkgoldenrod]”you must do so.”[/color] Was this it? Since his spawning Excelsis believed he was meant to become the greatest of all the gods after a harrowing trial, akin to the catalyzing Challenge he subjects his mortal chosen to. Was this his Challenge? His trial? [b]”It is then, perhaps, no coincidence that I wandered the Unshaped Lands for so long, and that I was called back at this fateful moment.”[/b] The God-Orb said. [b]”I solemnly accept this charge. I will uncover the nature of She-Who-Sleeps and how to extend her slumber.”[/b] He declared proudly, as his mind already split from the design of his home to create a vessel worthy of uncovering The Sleeper. [b]”But then I must charge you, Lord of Stone, with an equal duty. The roots of this world once held her. They are the obvious answer to this. Regrow them. They are in your domain. I am certain it is within your capacities.”[/b] Excelsis said. Khthon stayed silent for a moment, searching for the right words. [color=darkgoldenrod]”...Though they may rest in my realm, the roots… they are not of me. Never have been. They are not Stone or Earth, but Thoughts made solid.”[/color] He paused once more. [color=darkgoldenrod]”I will do what I can. I will protect them as I have so far. Should your people find something, anything from the dead shard you have traded, I will use that knowledge however I can.”[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]”But I cannot guarantee results.”[/color] It stung to have to admit it, but it was necessary. Despite all their powers as Gods, they were not truly omnipotent. He could do other things, though. He already had, by creating the Sabulon to scour the world for him. And he was doing more right now, by asking for help. [color=darkgoldenrod]”I will seek more of our God-Siblings for help. Though I know few, I know some who should be willing to help… and should [i]any[/i] govern Sleep, I shall find them as well.”[/color] The God-Orb, at best it could, nodded. [b]”You are good and wise to bring these matters to the surface, my kin.”[/b] Excelsis said. [b]”Attend to the others now. I shall prepare for my journey now.”[/b] With those words divine power was unleashed. Far away, in the Unshaped Lands, an ever-shifting mountain vanished. The ground it once claimed hardened as the influences of Khthon could finally claim the land. The grey, shimmering mountain appeared floating over the monster. It eclipsed the sun for a moment. Then it crumbled. Streams of raw material that could be shaped by the gods like mortals shape clay flowed from the Unshaped Mountain into a structure atop the Monster. It was a structure of marble, gold, and silver. Its lower ranks were shaped like a museum that was barely filled. Beautiful busts of the world’s greatest minds that have perished were shown here, with a plaque explaining who they were. Others, like Aristel, had an entire room dedicated to their discovery of Magicks. The mortal would be honored in these halls. In the middle section of the Spire were workshops and laboratories. Crystalline flasks and great telescoping lenses were focused on nothing yet, but could be manned to uncover the great mysteries of the world further. At the core of the section was the library, ready to receive tablets of clay, leather scrolls, and stacks of paper to eternalize any discovery worthy to be remembered. At the top section of the Spire, the structure became vastly less hospitable to mortality. The workshops and laboratories here were eldritch and strange. Fit for a god but lethal to mortals. They, too, were empty of subjects. At the core of it was a large empty hall where Excelsis’ vessel of discovery would be housed. Khthon looked upon the great temple of Discovery, and knew he had chosen the right God for the task. [color=darkgoldenrod]”I give you permission to freely roam my realm,”[/color] he announces slowly, as if every word had great weight, [color=darkgoldenrod]”for as long as your mission necessitates it. Our previous agreement still stands, of course.”[/color] He hummed slightly, a sound like roiling sands. [color=darkgoldenrod]”And do endeavour not to damage my dwellings if possible, when down there. I would prefer not to have to deal with too much of a mess…”[/color] With those last few words, the Earth God was swallowed by the volcanic rock once more, preparing to search for more of his God-Siblings. [hider=Summary] Excelsis is overlooking Excelsium and is displeased. He comes to the conclusion that he needs a base of operations and begins to design one in his mind. Khthon appears with great urgency. He gives Excelsis the rundown of what he learned about the bell, the roots and She-Who-Sleeps. Excelsis asks what he should do and is given the task to uncover the nature of this entity. He accepts the charge, as he reflects upon it being the Challenge his Spark gives to mortals. He then also tells Khthon that he should try and find a way to restore the roots. Khthon cannot promise anything, but the two agree that something has to be done. Khthon will also continue to warn the other god-kin. The two part amicably as Excelsis creates the Spire from an Unshaped Mountain ontop of the Monster. [b]Conviction - Excelsis[/b] - 3 Conviction - Create Divine Structure - Reality-defying / Surreal The Spire is a grand temple to greatness and discovery. The lowest levels are museums where Spark-Gifted who overcame their Challenges are automatically shown when they die, eternalizing their legacy. The middle sections are dedicated to scientific discovery and exploration. With laboratories and workshops that automatically provide tools to aid in the scientific discoveries. Finally, the top section is hostile to mortality. It contains eldritch workshops where Excelsis will work his blessings. There is also a massive empty hall that is to act as “dock” for an exploration vessel in the future to be made. [/hider]