By the way, Discord link still had an expiration date.
Contemplating a God - need to figure out what fits and what might be 'needed' as far as themes / domains.
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By the way, Discord link still had an expiration date.
Contemplating a God - need to figure out what fits and what might be 'needed' as far as themes / domains.
Liute
Of the Sun, Of Fire
Of the Sun, Of Fire
God Concept:
The warmth of a summer’s day, harsh against the brow, the comfort of the afternoon heat, the burning of brush from the dead lifematter, and the savior in the cold - Liute embodies all of these and more. A god of many faces, for the moment there can be no doubt that the god knows only the harshness, only the breaking of others under his steady hand. Liute is a new god, of a new day, of a new world, born from the instant act of another.
Appearance:A figure of undetailed fire, for no worshippers know him well thusly, Liute seems to be a squat figure with a heavy, squat build. Circlets of liquid flame burst from his arms before dissipating away, while two empty sockets see on to the world beneath his gaze. As such a young god, Liute is not one to have yet found a good face to treat mortals with - generally speaking, such masks would follow the same of heavyset individuals, powerfully built, with less clothing than might be expected for the climate, and kept hair.
Motivation:A world stands before Liute, a world of possibility for the god that has known of no other worlds than this below. Against it, he wishes to know the full measure of his strength, his wrath, his kindness, to know himself by knowing the world and how he might work against it.
All things, as the gods stand to work, are facts of the known - facts to be worked alongside, to be worked against, to be found. To it, Liute knows that a balance must be struck, or the world lost to divine error. The god knows that there is no potential in his own loss, though - the world stands before them, and he stands above that world.
Roleplay Example:All things, as the gods stand to work, are facts of the known - facts to be worked alongside, to be worked against, to be found. To it, Liute knows that a balance must be struck, or the world lost to divine error. The god knows that there is no potential in his own loss, though - the world stands before them, and he stands above that world.
Watch, now. Watch as the earth boils and burns under him. Against that radiance, they weep. Against that hand, they burn. Liute opened his eyes for the first time, to look down at a world rebelling against his glory. He could taste the blood of another on his tongue, godsblood and the ringing of a perfect word in his ears. He could feet his own warmth, his own strength, his own hands.
Where was the other? Where had they gone, to break against the world below? Liute stared down at that world, at those people who wept, at those who ran, at those who prayed. Prayed. They who knew only another, only another who had gifted them such which could offer no protection as yet. He knew that it would not last. It could not last. He could already see those below dying to his hand. His. There was power, in that idea, in that future, in that concept, but it was a brief power, a brief idea, a brief future. It would kill them, and then there would be nothing left below but a world which he burned forever. Was this the power he wanted? Was this the future he wanted?
No. He looked down, and thought to find another he might convene against. Another he might work to know, to fix. This was the only way which life could be. Life. Was it worth something? That remained to be seen. Was it worth nothing? That it most certainly was not. The life below had worth, for it was the first life which Liute knew, and that held meaning to the god.
Availability:Where was the other? Where had they gone, to break against the world below? Liute stared down at that world, at those people who wept, at those who ran, at those who prayed. Prayed. They who knew only another, only another who had gifted them such which could offer no protection as yet. He knew that it would not last. It could not last. He could already see those below dying to his hand. His. There was power, in that idea, in that future, in that concept, but it was a brief power, a brief idea, a brief future. It would kill them, and then there would be nothing left below but a world which he burned forever. Was this the power he wanted? Was this the future he wanted?
No. He looked down, and thought to find another he might convene against. Another he might work to know, to fix. This was the only way which life could be. Life. Was it worth something? That remained to be seen. Was it worth nothing? That it most certainly was not. The life below had worth, for it was the first life which Liute knew, and that held meaning to the god.
2-4 times per week
Experience:Started PBP RP in 2016, Vin's T&T TrollBridge, followed by OngoingWorlds, NationStates, and here in 2023. Generally I’m alright with casual RPs.
ActRaiserTheReturned
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Liute
Of the Sun, Of FireGod Concept:The warmth of a summer’s day, harsh against the brow, the comfort of the afternoon heat, the burning of brush from the dead lifematter, and the savior in the cold - Liute embodies all of these and more. A god of many faces, for the moment there can be no doubt that the god knows only the harshness, only the breaking of others under his steady hand. Liute is a new god, of a new day, of a new world, born from the instant act of another.Appearance:A figure of undetailed fire, for no worshippers know him well thusly, Liute seems to be a squat figure with a heavy, squat build. Circlets of liquid flame burst from his arms before dissipating away, while two empty sockets see on to the world beneath his gaze. As such a young god, Liute is not one to have yet found a good face to treat mortals with - generally speaking, such masks would follow the same of heavyset individuals, powerfully built, with less clothing than might be expected for the climate, and kept hair.Motivation:A world stands before Liute, a world of possibility for the god that has known of no other worlds than this below. Against it, he wishes to know the full measure of his strength, his wrath, his kindness, to know himself by knowing the world and how he might work against it.Roleplay Example:
All things, as the gods stand to work, are facts of the known - facts to be worked alongside, to be worked against, to be found. To it, Liute knows that a balance must be struck, or the world lost to divine error. The god knows that there is no potential in his own loss, though - the world stands before them, and he stands above that world.Watch, now. Watch as the earth boils and burns under him. Against that radiance, they weep. Against that hand, they burn. Liute opened his eyes for the first time, to look down at a world rebelling against his glory. He could taste the blood of another on his tongue, godsblood and the ringing of a perfect word in his ears. He could feet his own warmth, his own strength, his own hands.Availability:
Where was the other? Where had they gone, to break against the world below? Liute stared down at that world, at those people who wept, at those who ran, at those who prayed. Prayed. They who knew only another, only another who had gifted them such which could offer no protection as yet. He knew that it would not last. It could not last. He could already see those below dying to his hand. His. There was power, in that idea, in that future, in that concept, but it was a brief power, a brief idea, a brief future. It would kill them, and then there would be nothing left below but a world which he burned forever. Was this the power he wanted? Was this the future he wanted?
No. He looked down, and thought to find another he might convene against. Another he might work to know, to fix. This was the only way which life could be. Life. Was it worth something? That remained to be seen. Was it worth nothing? That it most certainly was not. The life below had worth, for it was the first life which Liute knew, and that held meaning to the god.2-4 times per weekExperience:Started PBP RP in 2016, Vin's T&T TrollBridge, followed by OngoingWorlds, NationStates, and here in 2023. Generally I’m alright with casual RPs.
Would you like to role play Liute being Orranoth's son?
GM
Vec Unimaginable Trepidation
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8 days ago
@Thayr I am going to accept him. I really like the accidental birth origin and the potential for a growth arc as he learns his own nature. To strengthen the concept before play begins, please clarify whether he's purely harsh or multifaceted by committing to one characterization, add a brief note on his worshiper base (farmers, smiths, etc.).
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Vec Unimaginable Trepidation
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8 days ago
From this week onwards, all Surreal+ actions will cost +1 Conviction on top of their base conviction cost displayed in the Divine Actions Reference Guide. For actions that display a range, treat the min and max values of the range as having been increased by 1.
Shovel A Shovel is typing!
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5 mos ago
@VecHere is my rendition of the Sea Gods. Do note that I'm still gonna write the travel of First Cephalopod instead of outright claiming immediately. But, here is my app for Gods of the Sea. Do let me know if you want clarification or changes. Thank you
In explaining the new Oceanic hierarchy.
At this point, I guess we all know how the ocean came to be.
This explained why the ocean is the complete shithole it is. The sea is corrupting its inhabitants, twisting their bodies to strange shapes and strange figures. However, as we know, the sea occasionally cleanses itself from the corruption of Yzechr, where the sea creatures become calm. But this cleanliness only carried on for minutes to a few days before the corruption returned and with increased intensity. So far, I’ve expressed this “increased level of corruption” as more bloodlust and accumulation of unnatural mutation.
But, with Yezcher and the player responsible for the sea disappearing, I figured I should recreate the oceanic pantheon to clarify the new order of the Sea. Thus, I present to you, First Cephalopod and Amut the Black Whale.
First Cephalopod would be corresponding with these line
More specifically, here is my interpretation: The First Cephalopod represents the directionless states as appeared in “ until their own limb and sound of the heartbeat disappear” and gradual accumulation of corruption until they have reached “total annihilation.” To be more specific, First Cephalopod represent “the depth”, the “limb and sound of the heartbeat disappear”; “the total annihilation.” Do note, however, that Cephalopod does not control corruption. Instead, one is more correct to understand the First Cephalopod as a being that is closest to “total annihilation.” As such, First Cephalopod does not make something more corruptible, it shares the corruption it accumulates.
But the sea does not corrupt infinitely. Instead, it renewed itself through the cleansing.
Amut would be this. Amut would represent the sea when it is cleansed. Amut would give meaning against what is “total annihilation” by providing the template of what constitutes “natural” or “void of corruption.” Amut is the foil to the First Cephalopod, providing the basis and structural distinction necessary for the First Cephalopod to exist. Amut represents the landmark that the term “further down” draws its meaning from, the time reference that constitutes “long.”
In summary, Amut represents the cleanse sea and the distinction of definition. And the First Cephalopod represents the depth and the blurring of definition into one.
Answering question:
God Concept: A god whose entire essence is the destruction of self. A god that is spawned by words spoken long ago, that served as a warning for those that lost themselves. His servants/ worshippers are few, usually denoted by those with nihilistic views or those who lost their way. Do note that he is not malicious, he is simply the embodiment of “descent toward total annihilation.” Not chaos, but the infinite descent toward it.
Appearance: The First Cephalopod only has one and one appearance. A Cephalopod with numerous arms. It has no mortal form, or desire to have one. Its messengers are the deep sea squids and giant octopus that it spawned from eons ago.
Motivation: It is easier to define what the First Cephalopod would not do, rather than those that it would do. It wouldn’t curse or bless some mortals out of maliciousness. It wouldn’t start a disaster because the mortal failed to construct a temple in its name. One wouldn’t pray to a tsunami, hoping for its water not to kill. The First Cephalopod does not kill, does not maim, does not reward, does not punish, does not hunger, does not thirst, does not desire. It simply is. It can be felt, because Amut, its opposite, exists and has given meaning to “self”.
The Highest end of Self, is the knowledge that it exists.
This is what the First Cephalopod knows, and is certain of.
Roleplay Example:
post example
Availability: One or twice per week
Experience: Not the first time I wrote on this site.
God Concept: A god whose purpose is to give purpose its meaning. Yzechr told the sea to be malicious, to devoid the mortal the sense of self the further down they are into its deep abyss. Well, what is “self”? What is “malicious”? If a man casts no net and yet expects fish, is it malicious for the sea to give him nothing? And for what to define as mortal? Is every shortly lived a mortal? Is a mountain mortal? In order to be malicious, the sea must understand what is “malicious.” In order to comprehend “total annihilation”, it must first understand what is “total self.”
Hence Amut was created. A God to give the sea its meaning. He defined the shallow water, from which the depth may be inferred from. He defined the cleanse state, so that First Cepholopod can become entirely corrupted. He defined what is, so Cepholopod can define what is not.
Appearance: Amut the Black Whale, like its name implies, has the appearance of a gargantuan blue whale. Its skins are covered in scars. Its fins carried whale lice and barnacles. The length of precisely 3000 meters, and the width of precisely 1400 meters.
Motivation: There is no motivation.
It is crucial to remember that these are the Gods that the sea gave rise to in response to the directive of Yzechr. He told the seas to be malicious, to corrupt, to destroy the total sense of self through descent. Amut’s motivation is to provide that structure necessary for Yzechr’s directive to be followed.
He defined the surface of the sea, so others could understand what depth is. There are gradients of corruption, and Amut is the scale that provides meaningful distinction. He cleansed the sea from corruption. Not because he hates corruption, but to provide the necessary beginning. If the deepest part of the ocean is equally as corrupt as the surface part, then what descent to be inferred upon? If all are deprived from their sense of self, then what separates them from total annihilation? A being that possessed no “total-self” is not able to reach “total annihilation.”
There needs to be a “self” in order to comprehend “total annihilation.” There needs to be “beginning” to understand “the end.” His motivation, if one is to ascribe their own morality to a God, would be to maintain this clear distinction within the seas. Because without Amut, the seas could no longer follow the words of Yzechr.
And with these distinctions made, patterns are formed. Not many, but enough for life to take hold. Enough for sea critters to breed, live, hunt, and die. Enough for them to maintain a sense of self before venturing down into the deeper part of the water.
Roleplay Example:
post example
Availability: One or twice per week
Experience: Not the first time I wrote on this site.
In explaining the new Oceanic hierarchy.
At this point, I guess we all know how the ocean came to be.
Let the ocean be the veil that conceals the truth. The further down the depth, the less they will be able to find, until their own limb and sound of the heartbeat disappear.
Let the madness in their heart grow, the longer they spend down the surface, until they only think of total annihilation.
Let the above be filled with fog, which sometimes makes sights and sounds that never are, and hide the destinations which are always there.
Let the danger of those oceans be so enchanting to the weak willed, that they cannot wait to chase their ruination with smile and laughter.
This explained why the ocean is the complete shithole it is. The sea is corrupting its inhabitants, twisting their bodies to strange shapes and strange figures. However, as we know, the sea occasionally cleanses itself from the corruption of Yzechr, where the sea creatures become calm. But this cleanliness only carried on for minutes to a few days before the corruption returned and with increased intensity. So far, I’ve expressed this “increased level of corruption” as more bloodlust and accumulation of unnatural mutation.
But, with Yezcher and the player responsible for the sea disappearing, I figured I should recreate the oceanic pantheon to clarify the new order of the Sea. Thus, I present to you, First Cephalopod and Amut the Black Whale.
First Cephalopod would be corresponding with these line
Let the ocean be the veil that conceals the truth. The further down the depth, the less they will be able to find, until their own limb and sound of the heartbeat disappear.
Let the madness in their heart grow, the longer they spend down the surface, until they only think of total annihilation.
More specifically, here is my interpretation: The First Cephalopod represents the directionless states as appeared in “ until their own limb and sound of the heartbeat disappear” and gradual accumulation of corruption until they have reached “total annihilation.” To be more specific, First Cephalopod represent “the depth”, the “limb and sound of the heartbeat disappear”; “the total annihilation.” Do note, however, that Cephalopod does not control corruption. Instead, one is more correct to understand the First Cephalopod as a being that is closest to “total annihilation.” As such, First Cephalopod does not make something more corruptible, it shares the corruption it accumulates.
But the sea does not corrupt infinitely. Instead, it renewed itself through the cleansing.
In the depths of the corrupted ocean, something pulsed.
The pearl-white shell that Yzechr had consumed had not been destroyed, not truly. It had dissolved into the very substance of the sea, becoming one with the darkness and the deception. But shells, especially those touched by mysteries, have memories. And memories have a way of surfacing when least expected.
At irregular intervals, sometimes hours apart, sometimes days, the ocean would clear. For a handful of heartbeats, the lightless depths would become transparent, the water as pure and safe as it had been before corruption touched it. Ships could sail. Fish could swim without mutation. The alluring whispers would fall silent.
Then, just as suddenly, the clarity would fade. The corruption would return, darker than before, as if angered by the interruption. The gods who had collected other shells from the shore, pretty, nacre-bright things, felt those trinkets grow suddenly inert in their grasp. The faint magic that had clung to them, the sense of significance, drained away like water through sand. They were still beautiful. But they were just shells now, nothing more.
Amut would be this. Amut would represent the sea when it is cleansed. Amut would give meaning against what is “total annihilation” by providing the template of what constitutes “natural” or “void of corruption.” Amut is the foil to the First Cephalopod, providing the basis and structural distinction necessary for the First Cephalopod to exist. Amut represents the landmark that the term “further down” draws its meaning from, the time reference that constitutes “long.”
In summary, Amut represents the cleanse sea and the distinction of definition. And the First Cephalopod represents the depth and the blurring of definition into one.
Answering question:
- 1.Why not just make First Cephalopod a new God of the Sea?
I feel like Yzechr created an interesting god and a fascinating creation myth. A sea that is not kind, nor loving, but was created purely for the destruction of mortals. I mean, thematically, Yzechr is just made up to be a bad guy and worshipped by those who choose to become corrupted. Originally, I planned to make the First Cephalopod to be the Corrupting God by sucking up all corruption in the sea. Amut was originally a character I planned to introduce during the last few weeks, acting as a foil to First Cephalopod by being a pure goody two fin whale. But good versus bad are done to death, and I crave something new.
Moreover, it stands to recognize that these are products of their environment - the corrupted seas. Imagine if the Seas (product of Yzechr) has its own consciousness, then Amut and First Cephalopod would be its attempt in rationalizing and following the directive given by Yzechr. Yzechr desired for those that sank too deep to reach total annihilation, the sea’s consciousness make the First Cephalopod to define what is the closest possible to “total annihilation.” It is impossible for total annihilation to physically exist, And if there exists “total annihilation”, then there must exist the “total self” as its beginning point. In a way, Amut and First Cephalopod exist as a way for the seas to come to term with its contradictory directive. Answering how an environment so malicious to life is able to host it, by giving definition to what is and what isn’t. Most sea critters exist in Amut’s part of the sea, because it provides them the best chance of survival while not being too hostile for life. Meanwhile, the part of the First Cephalopod is filled with fishes/ critters that have lost many senses, symbols of the slow degradation of self.------------------------- - 2. How would you avoid clashing themes with other Gods in the Setting?
While I wrote them to be as meta as possible, the two in one are still largely defined by their domain and originality
Their domain is the Sea. The calm sea and known shores can be attributed to Amut. Wind, currents, tides, waves,.. are properties of Amut. Unknown seas, lurking creatures beneath the waves, or dangerous tides/ currents are attributed to First Cephalopod. In essence, meta debates are for meta debate. But for physical manifestation, Amut is the calm waters, predictable wind patterns and currents/tides; and First Cephalopod has to do with dangerous waters or undiscovered parts of it.------------------------- - 3. How would divinity point be allocated?
They would be treated as a single identity like other gods with the shared resource pools.
First Cephalopod
God of the Depth and Total Annihilation
God Concept: A god whose entire essence is the destruction of self. A god that is spawned by words spoken long ago, that served as a warning for those that lost themselves. His servants/ worshippers are few, usually denoted by those with nihilistic views or those who lost their way. Do note that he is not malicious, he is simply the embodiment of “descent toward total annihilation.” Not chaos, but the infinite descent toward it.
Appearance: The First Cephalopod only has one and one appearance. A Cephalopod with numerous arms. It has no mortal form, or desire to have one. Its messengers are the deep sea squids and giant octopus that it spawned from eons ago.
Motivation: It is easier to define what the First Cephalopod would not do, rather than those that it would do. It wouldn’t curse or bless some mortals out of maliciousness. It wouldn’t start a disaster because the mortal failed to construct a temple in its name. One wouldn’t pray to a tsunami, hoping for its water not to kill. The First Cephalopod does not kill, does not maim, does not reward, does not punish, does not hunger, does not thirst, does not desire. It simply is. It can be felt, because Amut, its opposite, exists and has given meaning to “self”.
The Highest end of Self, is the knowledge that it exists.
This is what the First Cephalopod knows, and is certain of.
Roleplay Example:
post example
Availability: One or twice per week
Experience: Not the first time I wrote on this site.
Amut, the Black Whale
God of the Shallow and the Self
Busy finding an image right now. Will return at a later date.
God Concept: A god whose purpose is to give purpose its meaning. Yzechr told the sea to be malicious, to devoid the mortal the sense of self the further down they are into its deep abyss. Well, what is “self”? What is “malicious”? If a man casts no net and yet expects fish, is it malicious for the sea to give him nothing? And for what to define as mortal? Is every shortly lived a mortal? Is a mountain mortal? In order to be malicious, the sea must understand what is “malicious.” In order to comprehend “total annihilation”, it must first understand what is “total self.”
Hence Amut was created. A God to give the sea its meaning. He defined the shallow water, from which the depth may be inferred from. He defined the cleanse state, so that First Cepholopod can become entirely corrupted. He defined what is, so Cepholopod can define what is not.
Appearance: Amut the Black Whale, like its name implies, has the appearance of a gargantuan blue whale. Its skins are covered in scars. Its fins carried whale lice and barnacles. The length of precisely 3000 meters, and the width of precisely 1400 meters.
Motivation: There is no motivation.
It is crucial to remember that these are the Gods that the sea gave rise to in response to the directive of Yzechr. He told the seas to be malicious, to corrupt, to destroy the total sense of self through descent. Amut’s motivation is to provide that structure necessary for Yzechr’s directive to be followed.
He defined the surface of the sea, so others could understand what depth is. There are gradients of corruption, and Amut is the scale that provides meaningful distinction. He cleansed the sea from corruption. Not because he hates corruption, but to provide the necessary beginning. If the deepest part of the ocean is equally as corrupt as the surface part, then what descent to be inferred upon? If all are deprived from their sense of self, then what separates them from total annihilation? A being that possessed no “total-self” is not able to reach “total annihilation.”
There needs to be a “self” in order to comprehend “total annihilation.” There needs to be “beginning” to understand “the end.” His motivation, if one is to ascribe their own morality to a God, would be to maintain this clear distinction within the seas. Because without Amut, the seas could no longer follow the words of Yzechr.
And with these distinctions made, patterns are formed. Not many, but enough for life to take hold. Enough for sea critters to breed, live, hunt, and die. Enough for them to maintain a sense of self before venturing down into the deeper part of the water.
Roleplay Example:
post example
Availability: One or twice per week
Experience: Not the first time I wrote on this site.
GM
Vec Unimaginable Trepidation
Member
Seen
8 days ago
@Shovel
Before I approve, I need clarification on a few points:
1. Show me Amut.
You've demonstrated First Cephalopod's voice vividly. Can you write a comparable example post from Amut's perspective? I need to understand how the two differ and whether Amut has the same interior depth.
2. The black whale tension.
In your example, First Cephalopod fears black whales—has been hunted and maimed by them. But Amut is a black whale. Is this intentional? I would like to know what's the actual relationship between your two entities, not just the meta one that pertains to conviction mechanics. Predator and prey? Two halves that haven't yet recognized each other? As I understand it, they are responsible for different parts of the ocean and thus we'll see little interaction between them. Do correct me if I am wrong.
3. Collaboration with other gods.
Your solo writing works beautifully, but this is a collaborative game. Gods negotiate, debate, form alliances; if Orranoth descended to the sea seeking to parley, how would your entities participate? How do beings that think in sensory impressions rather than language engage in pantheon politics?
Answer these and I think we're good to go. The concept isn't a problem, I just need to see the complete picture before accepting them.
Before I approve, I need clarification on a few points:
1. Show me Amut.
You've demonstrated First Cephalopod's voice vividly. Can you write a comparable example post from Amut's perspective? I need to understand how the two differ and whether Amut has the same interior depth.
2. The black whale tension.
In your example, First Cephalopod fears black whales—has been hunted and maimed by them. But Amut is a black whale. Is this intentional? I would like to know what's the actual relationship between your two entities, not just the meta one that pertains to conviction mechanics. Predator and prey? Two halves that haven't yet recognized each other? As I understand it, they are responsible for different parts of the ocean and thus we'll see little interaction between them. Do correct me if I am wrong.
3. Collaboration with other gods.
Your solo writing works beautifully, but this is a collaborative game. Gods negotiate, debate, form alliances; if Orranoth descended to the sea seeking to parley, how would your entities participate? How do beings that think in sensory impressions rather than language engage in pantheon politics?
Answer these and I think we're good to go. The concept isn't a problem, I just need to see the complete picture before accepting them.
GM
Vec Unimaginable Trepidation
Member
Seen
8 days ago
This post does not include what Khthon found during his investigation. Depending on what @Rekkuza wants to do, we might drop it either as a collab or I will write a separate post in a few hours to detail what happens.
Shovel A Shovel is typing!
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5 mos ago
@Vec
Here is my response, with attached changes and clarification as requested.
Here is Amut’s character sheet with a roleplay example.
God Concept: A god whose purpose is to give purpose its meaning. Yzechr told the sea to be malicious, to devoid the mortal the sense of self the further down they are into its deep abyss. Well, what is “self”? What is “malicious”? If a man casts no net and yet expects fish, is it malicious for the sea to give him nothing? And for what to define as mortal? Is every shortly lived a mortal? Is a mountain mortal? In order to be malicious, the sea must understand what is “malicious.” In order to comprehend “total annihilation”, it must first understand what is “total self.”
Hence Amut was created. A God to give the sea its meaning. He defined the shallow water, from which the depth may be inferred from. He defined the cleanse state, so that First Cepholopod can become entirely corrupted. He defined what is, so Cepholopod can define what is not.
Appearance: Amut the Black Whale, like its name implies, has the appearance of a gargantuan blue whale. Its skins are covered in scars. Its fins carried whale lice and barnacles. The length of precisely 3000 meters, and the width of precisely 1400 meters.
Motivation: There is no motivation.
It is crucial to remember that these are the Gods that the sea gave rise to in response to the directive of Yzechr. He told the seas to be malicious, to corrupt, to destroy the total sense of self through descent. Amut’s motivation is to provide that structure necessary for Yzechr’s directive to be followed.
He defined the surface of the sea, so others could understand what depth is. There are gradients of corruption, and Amut is the scale that provides meaningful distinction. He cleansed the sea from corruption. Not because he hates corruption, but to provide the necessary beginning. If the deepest part of the ocean is equally as corrupt as the surface part, then what descent to be inferred upon? If all are deprived from their sense of self, then what separates them from total annihilation? A being that possessed no “total-self” is not able to reach “total annihilation.”
There needs to be a “self” in order to comprehend “total annihilation.” There needs to be “beginning” to understand “the end.” His motivation, if one is to ascribe their own morality to a God, would be to maintain this clear distinction within the seas. Because without Amut, the seas could no longer follow the words of Yzechr.
And with these distinctions made, patterns are formed. Not many, but enough for life to take hold. Enough for sea critters to breed, live, hunt, and die. Enough for them to maintain a sense of self before venturing down into the deeper part of the water.
Roleplay Example:
A Fish that Think:
It began with a simple question:
“Does the wave hate the sand when crashing into it?”
But how can the ocean hate, when it lacks the “self”? One would be a fool to ascribe hatred between a mace and a nail. And yet, there remains a cruelty ascribed to the system when one swings a hammer in a certain way. As if the way the muscle moved and how the metal’s scream permit a certain level of morality into its action. How could a hammer be a symbol for hardship and butcher of civilization, if itself possess nothing to understand the function pertain?
Malicious required intention of harm. And cruelty desired a participant to feel.
Yzechr’s oceans lacked both. The water does not possess a soul. It does not breed, nor eat, nor drink. It is simply a pool of water given a directive it could not understand. It moved because the winds that moved its surface liquid in a direction, not because itself possess the will to move. The currents are form by the warm waters displacing the colder one. Nothing of its "being"... There is no being, only an "it" that has a function.
A function to be "malicious"
But Amut is different.
It is the first inhabitant of the sea to think. It had borned, mated, and injured. It had given birth and in doing so, hunted others in order to sustain its other-self. It has given blood to nurture its young and sacrifice itself to protect its mate. For all senses and purpose, It was the first being of Yzechr’s ocean to comprehend “self”, to possess “self”, and the first prisoner to Yzechr’s directive.
It was able to understand “morality.”
And this makes the ocean whole. It now understands what is “malicious”, now that it was able to establish what “kindness” is.
Now, the ocean is a "being", with Amut as its participant.
Now, there is "malicious."
Three men walked along the shoreline of a dying lake. The trees here are covered in an unnatural layer of white, while skeletal remains of birds and mammals are perfectly preserved from the passing of time. A century ago, the only stream that leads the water to the sea was blocked. Now, after a century of salt accumulation, nothing lived here. By the side of a mummified whale, they set up camp and wait for the arrival of a god.
A god that goes by the name Amut, the Black atop the Waves. He is known to be an adversarial to the God beneath the Wave, First Cephalopod. To where he roamed, corruption cleansed. Where the water is stagnated, he opens them to new life. And unlike the First Cephalopod, who answered in meaningless and obtuse, Amut’s answer in the specific and bounded.
They didn’t wait for long. From the horizon, a white line slowly emerged, carrying a black shape upon its crest. The ground trembled as buried springs broke through the salted earth. Fresh water forced its way upward from aquifers buried deep beneath. The air quickly thickened with the scent of wet stone and living algae, mixed with the breeze of sea and salt. Salt cracked and sloughed from the shoreline like shedding skin as cracked earth began to mend. Amut, God of the Shallow and the Self, rose upon the wave. Where his shadow passed, currents aligned. Behind him, fishes of multiple shapes and colors followed, as if eager to find a new place to call home.
The three men quickly made for the hill to hide from the rushing waves. Once there, the men then shout their question - the purpose for their travel.
“Why does the ocean hate?” asked the philosopher. It is known by mortals that when the Ancient created the sea, he told it to be evil. And yet none knew why. What better question was there, but the purpose of oneself?
The Black Whale sang. “You perceive injustice done to the self. For hatred required intent, and the sea has none. Whatever was unjust, was done upon you or done against you. Only the drowned possessed the knowledge of drowning.”
“Then if you are so kind, why permit evil upon your faithful?” Ask the priest, who wore the robe of his cult.
“Who followed me, mistaken functionality for morality. Does an arrow have intent, when its purpose was to kill and maim? Or the intent remained with the hand that released it?” The whale responded, speaking in words of current time, so that all who listened could understand. And the zealot bowed his head in turn.
The last man was neither a scholar nor a zealot. He was simply a fisherman who had seen life bloom around the lake before it became inhospitable. He was there when a fishing village surrounded the lake. Ships used to leave early and return with heavy nets. He was there when the last boat returned to the harbor with empty holds.
He was simply a man who had lived more than his fair share of time.
And like any man of his time, he prayed to the Black Whale for its return to the lake. For the return of the fish. For the continuation of the village that had raised him. He chose to hold onto faith, while others moved to other villages and towns.
He was the last inhabitant of the village, a teller of what once was. He accompanied travelers and sightseers from faraway lands, but sought nothing beyond spending his final days on familiar ground.
And after fifty seasons, he asked his God.
“Why now?”
The Whale murmur, the sea breeze carrying its words as it left quickly as it arrived. The lake, once cut off from the sea, now reconnected through a new river. The lake was still its usual self, uninhabitable. For now at the very least. With the opening of the waterway, the salinity will decrease, permitting life to return to this lake.
But that is not now.
“Why ever?”
Availability: One or twice per week
Experience: Not the first time I wrote on this site.
This is very much intentional. The actual relationship between two identities are that they are codependent upon each other. If times permit, I would like to be able to portray their relationship as reluctant codependent. They would absolutely interact when something threatens to change the sea’s directives. But as a whole, they don’t tend to interact much.
Good question. Let’s say Civilization (Sarhush) created the “Me of sea-faring”. There is no reason for Amut or First Cephalopod to not allow it. Just because a ship can operate at sea doesn’t mean it would be to stand the storm. Let say furthermore that Orranoth wants the sailors to be able to navigate by the stars, Amut and Cephalopod would also allow it. The only caveat is that the storms could blacken the skies and block the sailors from seeing it or dense fogs make the ships lose their direction,... As long as it is not “The tech/ magic that makes the sea harmless”, Armut and First Cephalopod don't care much. Yzechr doesn’t put a quota for the sea to fulfill, and so that directive doesn’t exist for Amut and First Cephalopod.
Here is my response, with attached changes and clarification as requested.
1. Show me Amut.
You've demonstrated First Cephalopod's voice vividly. Can you write a comparable example post from Amut's perspective? I need to understand how the two differ and whether Amut has the same interior depth.
Here is Amut’s character sheet with a roleplay example.
Amut, the Black Whale
God of the Shallow and the Self
Busy finding an image right now. Will return at a later date.
God Concept: A god whose purpose is to give purpose its meaning. Yzechr told the sea to be malicious, to devoid the mortal the sense of self the further down they are into its deep abyss. Well, what is “self”? What is “malicious”? If a man casts no net and yet expects fish, is it malicious for the sea to give him nothing? And for what to define as mortal? Is every shortly lived a mortal? Is a mountain mortal? In order to be malicious, the sea must understand what is “malicious.” In order to comprehend “total annihilation”, it must first understand what is “total self.”
Hence Amut was created. A God to give the sea its meaning. He defined the shallow water, from which the depth may be inferred from. He defined the cleanse state, so that First Cepholopod can become entirely corrupted. He defined what is, so Cepholopod can define what is not.
Appearance: Amut the Black Whale, like its name implies, has the appearance of a gargantuan blue whale. Its skins are covered in scars. Its fins carried whale lice and barnacles. The length of precisely 3000 meters, and the width of precisely 1400 meters.
Motivation: There is no motivation.
It is crucial to remember that these are the Gods that the sea gave rise to in response to the directive of Yzechr. He told the seas to be malicious, to corrupt, to destroy the total sense of self through descent. Amut’s motivation is to provide that structure necessary for Yzechr’s directive to be followed.
He defined the surface of the sea, so others could understand what depth is. There are gradients of corruption, and Amut is the scale that provides meaningful distinction. He cleansed the sea from corruption. Not because he hates corruption, but to provide the necessary beginning. If the deepest part of the ocean is equally as corrupt as the surface part, then what descent to be inferred upon? If all are deprived from their sense of self, then what separates them from total annihilation? A being that possessed no “total-self” is not able to reach “total annihilation.”
There needs to be a “self” in order to comprehend “total annihilation.” There needs to be “beginning” to understand “the end.” His motivation, if one is to ascribe their own morality to a God, would be to maintain this clear distinction within the seas. Because without Amut, the seas could no longer follow the words of Yzechr.
And with these distinctions made, patterns are formed. Not many, but enough for life to take hold. Enough for sea critters to breed, live, hunt, and die. Enough for them to maintain a sense of self before venturing down into the deeper part of the water.
Roleplay Example:
A Fish that Think:
It began with a simple question:
“Does the wave hate the sand when crashing into it?”
But how can the ocean hate, when it lacks the “self”? One would be a fool to ascribe hatred between a mace and a nail. And yet, there remains a cruelty ascribed to the system when one swings a hammer in a certain way. As if the way the muscle moved and how the metal’s scream permit a certain level of morality into its action. How could a hammer be a symbol for hardship and butcher of civilization, if itself possess nothing to understand the function pertain?
Malicious required intention of harm. And cruelty desired a participant to feel.
Yzechr’s oceans lacked both. The water does not possess a soul. It does not breed, nor eat, nor drink. It is simply a pool of water given a directive it could not understand. It moved because the winds that moved its surface liquid in a direction, not because itself possess the will to move. The currents are form by the warm waters displacing the colder one. Nothing of its "being"... There is no being, only an "it" that has a function.
A function to be "malicious"
But Amut is different.
It is the first inhabitant of the sea to think. It had borned, mated, and injured. It had given birth and in doing so, hunted others in order to sustain its other-self. It has given blood to nurture its young and sacrifice itself to protect its mate. For all senses and purpose, It was the first being of Yzechr’s ocean to comprehend “self”, to possess “self”, and the first prisoner to Yzechr’s directive.
It was able to understand “morality.”
And this makes the ocean whole. It now understands what is “malicious”, now that it was able to establish what “kindness” is.
Now, the ocean is a "being", with Amut as its participant.
Now, there is "malicious."
Three men walked along the shoreline of a dying lake. The trees here are covered in an unnatural layer of white, while skeletal remains of birds and mammals are perfectly preserved from the passing of time. A century ago, the only stream that leads the water to the sea was blocked. Now, after a century of salt accumulation, nothing lived here. By the side of a mummified whale, they set up camp and wait for the arrival of a god.
A god that goes by the name Amut, the Black atop the Waves. He is known to be an adversarial to the God beneath the Wave, First Cephalopod. To where he roamed, corruption cleansed. Where the water is stagnated, he opens them to new life. And unlike the First Cephalopod, who answered in meaningless and obtuse, Amut’s answer in the specific and bounded.
They didn’t wait for long. From the horizon, a white line slowly emerged, carrying a black shape upon its crest. The ground trembled as buried springs broke through the salted earth. Fresh water forced its way upward from aquifers buried deep beneath. The air quickly thickened with the scent of wet stone and living algae, mixed with the breeze of sea and salt. Salt cracked and sloughed from the shoreline like shedding skin as cracked earth began to mend. Amut, God of the Shallow and the Self, rose upon the wave. Where his shadow passed, currents aligned. Behind him, fishes of multiple shapes and colors followed, as if eager to find a new place to call home.
The three men quickly made for the hill to hide from the rushing waves. Once there, the men then shout their question - the purpose for their travel.
“Why does the ocean hate?” asked the philosopher. It is known by mortals that when the Ancient created the sea, he told it to be evil. And yet none knew why. What better question was there, but the purpose of oneself?
The Black Whale sang. “You perceive injustice done to the self. For hatred required intent, and the sea has none. Whatever was unjust, was done upon you or done against you. Only the drowned possessed the knowledge of drowning.”
“Then if you are so kind, why permit evil upon your faithful?” Ask the priest, who wore the robe of his cult.
“Who followed me, mistaken functionality for morality. Does an arrow have intent, when its purpose was to kill and maim? Or the intent remained with the hand that released it?” The whale responded, speaking in words of current time, so that all who listened could understand. And the zealot bowed his head in turn.
The last man was neither a scholar nor a zealot. He was simply a fisherman who had seen life bloom around the lake before it became inhospitable. He was there when a fishing village surrounded the lake. Ships used to leave early and return with heavy nets. He was there when the last boat returned to the harbor with empty holds.
He was simply a man who had lived more than his fair share of time.
And like any man of his time, he prayed to the Black Whale for its return to the lake. For the return of the fish. For the continuation of the village that had raised him. He chose to hold onto faith, while others moved to other villages and towns.
He was the last inhabitant of the village, a teller of what once was. He accompanied travelers and sightseers from faraway lands, but sought nothing beyond spending his final days on familiar ground.
And after fifty seasons, he asked his God.
“Why now?”
The Whale murmur, the sea breeze carrying its words as it left quickly as it arrived. The lake, once cut off from the sea, now reconnected through a new river. The lake was still its usual self, uninhabitable. For now at the very least. With the opening of the waterway, the salinity will decrease, permitting life to return to this lake.
But that is not now.
“Why ever?”
Availability: One or twice per week
Experience: Not the first time I wrote on this site.
2. The black whale tension.
In your example, First Cephalopod fears black whales—has been hunted and maimed by them. But Amut is a black whale. Is this intentional? I would like to know what's the actual relationship between your two entities, not just the meta one that pertains to conviction mechanics. Predator and prey? Two halves that haven't yet recognized each other? As I understand it, they are responsible for different parts of the ocean and thus we'll see little interaction between them. Do correct me if I am wrong.
This is very much intentional. The actual relationship between two identities are that they are codependent upon each other. If times permit, I would like to be able to portray their relationship as reluctant codependent. They would absolutely interact when something threatens to change the sea’s directives. But as a whole, they don’t tend to interact much.
3. Collaboration with other gods.
Your solo writing works beautifully, but this is a collaborative game. Gods negotiate, debate, form alliances; if Orranoth descended to the sea seeking to parley, how would your entities participate? How do beings that think in sensory impressions rather than language engage in pantheon politics?
Good question. Let’s say Civilization (Sarhush) created the “Me of sea-faring”. There is no reason for Amut or First Cephalopod to not allow it. Just because a ship can operate at sea doesn’t mean it would be to stand the storm. Let say furthermore that Orranoth wants the sailors to be able to navigate by the stars, Amut and Cephalopod would also allow it. The only caveat is that the storms could blacken the skies and block the sailors from seeing it or dense fogs make the ships lose their direction,... As long as it is not “The tech/ magic that makes the sea harmless”, Armut and First Cephalopod don't care much. Yzechr doesn’t put a quota for the sea to fulfill, and so that directive doesn’t exist for Amut and First Cephalopod.
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Vec Unimaginable Trepidation
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Hello folks. It's me.
I'm rather new to all this, apologies if I make a mistake. I'm pretty easygoing, just send me a message about anything you'd like. Unfortunately I'm not on discord. After having a chat with Vec, I've made a mortal wizard. He's pretty evil. Currently thinking of how I should involve him. You're welcome to hit me up if you have an interest.
I'm rather new to all this, apologies if I make a mistake. I'm pretty easygoing, just send me a message about anything you'd like. Unfortunately I'm not on discord. After having a chat with Vec, I've made a mortal wizard. He's pretty evil. Currently thinking of how I should involve him. You're welcome to hit me up if you have an interest.
Name: Gutch, A.K.A. The Corruptor, A.K.A Blacktongue
Race: Human?
Appearance: A filthy decrepit 'man' of short stooped stature, his arms hands and fingers and nails are all unusually long. Beneath the grime his skin is alarmingly pale. His head and neck are covered by a rough black sphere made of heavy solidified shadow. It has three holes roughly carved out for his eyelid-less eyes and dry serpentine tongue. He does not wear shoes, his only clothing is a loincloth held up with a ragged rope belt. He keeps a rough black shard tucked into it. He wears a large dark cloak when he can.
Personality: Gutch takes great pleasure in suffering and cruelty. He enjoys inflicting pain himself, but his greatest joy is deceiving people and corrupting them into ruining themselves and their loved ones. Despite his abysmal appearance he is surprisingly charming when he decides to speak. He has a deep understanding of what drives people and he uses this ability to expertly manipulate them and warp their ideals beyond recognition. While he began as a humble apostle studying the weather and omens, he has dedicated himself to deceit and corruption. It is very rare for him to speak a single word of truth. He enjoys the act of lying itself, and will lie even when he serves to gain nothing from it. He is sustained by suffering and is very difficult to kill by normal means. His most innocent enjoyments involve exploring ruins and looting.
Goals: As a servant of Yzechr that has been around for far longer than a regular human should be, Gutch's motivation is to spread corruption and malice in the name of his lord. A side effect of this is continuing his life and sustaining the ever-present hunger.
Race: Human?
Appearance: A filthy decrepit 'man' of short stooped stature, his arms hands and fingers and nails are all unusually long. Beneath the grime his skin is alarmingly pale. His head and neck are covered by a rough black sphere made of heavy solidified shadow. It has three holes roughly carved out for his eyelid-less eyes and dry serpentine tongue. He does not wear shoes, his only clothing is a loincloth held up with a ragged rope belt. He keeps a rough black shard tucked into it. He wears a large dark cloak when he can.
Personality: Gutch takes great pleasure in suffering and cruelty. He enjoys inflicting pain himself, but his greatest joy is deceiving people and corrupting them into ruining themselves and their loved ones. Despite his abysmal appearance he is surprisingly charming when he decides to speak. He has a deep understanding of what drives people and he uses this ability to expertly manipulate them and warp their ideals beyond recognition. While he began as a humble apostle studying the weather and omens, he has dedicated himself to deceit and corruption. It is very rare for him to speak a single word of truth. He enjoys the act of lying itself, and will lie even when he serves to gain nothing from it. He is sustained by suffering and is very difficult to kill by normal means. His most innocent enjoyments involve exploring ruins and looting.
Goals: As a servant of Yzechr that has been around for far longer than a regular human should be, Gutch's motivation is to spread corruption and malice in the name of his lord. A side effect of this is continuing his life and sustaining the ever-present hunger.
The women of the tribe were concerned, their new irrigation system hadn't had the effect the Chieftain claimed it would. The crop had failed. The Chieftain's illness seemed to be worsening. His eyes had a wild look in them that frightened the women and the more sensitive men. The shadows seemed to reach out to him through the smokey haze of the lodge. The granary was low, this was the main concern of the fighting men. They barely thought about the strange prisoner. They certainly hadn't noticed the Chieftain letting the beastman worm his way into his mind. Gutch had told the Chieftain to gather the fighting men of the once peaceful village so he could reveal the location of a fully stocked granary.
Gutch was bundled tightly in the dark fetid hole, caged behind the Chieftain's throne in the High Yurt. Despite seeming a prisoner of this unusually primitive group, Gutch did not mind his imprisonment. A follower of the vile patron of corruption, Gutch had spent so long studying deception that he could bend people to his will without them having any idea; simply with the use of his wicked tongue. The chieftain has captured Gutch for his heinous crimes, but after a conversation with the creature he had become enthralled with his 'wisdom'.
Seemingly catatonic, his withered form leaned against the muddy wall to support his weighted head. His head was covered with a black metal sphere. The bulbous orb was seamlessly bonded to the gorget that was fused unnaturally into the angry inflamed flesh around his collar bone. Three rough golfball-sized holes had been hewn for his orifices. Aside from deceiving the Chieftain into insanity, Gutch's main method of entertainment was poking his wounds with his filthy man-claws in order to cause himself a sweet excruciating pain. His dry beady eyes subtly tracked the shadows as his brown serpentine tongue lolled out of the rough hole in the mask, like an obscene piece of dried meat. He had not blinked in decades. You would not have wanted to see his face under that mask. You would not have wanted to smell him. Or touch him. Or, much like the tribespeople, even acknowledge him. For Gutch was a foul creature, dedicated towards corruption and deceit.
For the first time in a long time Gutch recalled how he got there. On the wicked events of his long and illustrious life. Literally, his had started life as the son of a small priestly family. They had dedicated their son towards arcane pursuits and he started out worshipping Orranoth. But that innocent child was not Gutch. Gutch was the creature that began to gestate when the fear overtook the small boy as he heard his parents scream out in fear before being slain by the raiders. Gutch was the creature that made the boy forget his name when the mirror appeared before him, and offered him the shadowy knife. Gutch was the pleasure the boy took in brutal vengeance. Gutch was the moniker given to him by his first cohort of bandit accomplices. Given to him for the sounds made during some vile act of debauchery in his youth that made him infamous even among criminals. Gutch is the name that would stick, and follow that creature through his very very long life of inflicting suffering and corrupting every joy into some twisted cruel mirror of itself.
Gutch had carried that savage shard of shadow with him until his relatively recent imprisonment. The tantalising black wisps of shadow had evaporated as the sun rose that morning. It had disappointed him, but it served as a reminder of the corrupted hunger gifted to him along with the knife by his wicked patron.
After his childhood escape from the burning temple complex, he had scrambled into the dark wood. The wilderness was not a good place for the child to be. After a few hours of desperately struggling through the underbrush, the soaking torn up boy stumbled into a shallow divot below a cliff. Exhausted, he collapsed in the meagre shelter. As he was grasped at by the clutches of sleep he held the black knife close to his chest. He whispered a prayer to his new patron. The only name he knew was Orranoth. He muttered a prayer in his name. He knew Orranoth wasn't the recipient of the prayer. The lie made him smile.
His reminiscence was cut short by the raucous din of the men entering the High Yurt. The Chieftain told them to move the throne so they could assemble before the cell. A hush came across the room as a torch was cast over the shocking looking prisoner. Many had not seen the foul man yet. They hadn't realised how corrupted a being could be. Now the realisation of the depths of human depravity dawned on them. The realisation they could not even imagine the crimes he was guilty of. The Chieftain 'commanded' Gutch to tell them the location. Gutch acted hesitant. Gutch waited for them to shout and jeer. Gutch told them, hiding his glee. The party left without telling their wives.
Days past. Gutch fingered his wounds. He waited. The women grew scared as the men's disappearance was noticed. Some took flight with the children. Some stayed. In short time the backwater settlement was burnt to the ground. Gutch sat curled in his damp pit, grinning a horrible grin beneath his heavy mask. He unfurled slowly from the ashes, coated in grime just like usual. He gave a leisurely stretch, his bones popping and crackling. He meandered over to the nearby cave he has been residing in before the villagers captured him in a net. He shifted through the ashes and bones, picking it up from the detritus. He grinned as he examined the black glint. What a wonderful time to be Gutch.
Gutch was bundled tightly in the dark fetid hole, caged behind the Chieftain's throne in the High Yurt. Despite seeming a prisoner of this unusually primitive group, Gutch did not mind his imprisonment. A follower of the vile patron of corruption, Gutch had spent so long studying deception that he could bend people to his will without them having any idea; simply with the use of his wicked tongue. The chieftain has captured Gutch for his heinous crimes, but after a conversation with the creature he had become enthralled with his 'wisdom'.
Seemingly catatonic, his withered form leaned against the muddy wall to support his weighted head. His head was covered with a black metal sphere. The bulbous orb was seamlessly bonded to the gorget that was fused unnaturally into the angry inflamed flesh around his collar bone. Three rough golfball-sized holes had been hewn for his orifices. Aside from deceiving the Chieftain into insanity, Gutch's main method of entertainment was poking his wounds with his filthy man-claws in order to cause himself a sweet excruciating pain. His dry beady eyes subtly tracked the shadows as his brown serpentine tongue lolled out of the rough hole in the mask, like an obscene piece of dried meat. He had not blinked in decades. You would not have wanted to see his face under that mask. You would not have wanted to smell him. Or touch him. Or, much like the tribespeople, even acknowledge him. For Gutch was a foul creature, dedicated towards corruption and deceit.
For the first time in a long time Gutch recalled how he got there. On the wicked events of his long and illustrious life. Literally, his had started life as the son of a small priestly family. They had dedicated their son towards arcane pursuits and he started out worshipping Orranoth. But that innocent child was not Gutch. Gutch was the creature that began to gestate when the fear overtook the small boy as he heard his parents scream out in fear before being slain by the raiders. Gutch was the creature that made the boy forget his name when the mirror appeared before him, and offered him the shadowy knife. Gutch was the pleasure the boy took in brutal vengeance. Gutch was the moniker given to him by his first cohort of bandit accomplices. Given to him for the sounds made during some vile act of debauchery in his youth that made him infamous even among criminals. Gutch is the name that would stick, and follow that creature through his very very long life of inflicting suffering and corrupting every joy into some twisted cruel mirror of itself.
Gutch had carried that savage shard of shadow with him until his relatively recent imprisonment. The tantalising black wisps of shadow had evaporated as the sun rose that morning. It had disappointed him, but it served as a reminder of the corrupted hunger gifted to him along with the knife by his wicked patron.
After his childhood escape from the burning temple complex, he had scrambled into the dark wood. The wilderness was not a good place for the child to be. After a few hours of desperately struggling through the underbrush, the soaking torn up boy stumbled into a shallow divot below a cliff. Exhausted, he collapsed in the meagre shelter. As he was grasped at by the clutches of sleep he held the black knife close to his chest. He whispered a prayer to his new patron. The only name he knew was Orranoth. He muttered a prayer in his name. He knew Orranoth wasn't the recipient of the prayer. The lie made him smile.
His reminiscence was cut short by the raucous din of the men entering the High Yurt. The Chieftain told them to move the throne so they could assemble before the cell. A hush came across the room as a torch was cast over the shocking looking prisoner. Many had not seen the foul man yet. They hadn't realised how corrupted a being could be. Now the realisation of the depths of human depravity dawned on them. The realisation they could not even imagine the crimes he was guilty of. The Chieftain 'commanded' Gutch to tell them the location. Gutch acted hesitant. Gutch waited for them to shout and jeer. Gutch told them, hiding his glee. The party left without telling their wives.
Days past. Gutch fingered his wounds. He waited. The women grew scared as the men's disappearance was noticed. Some took flight with the children. Some stayed. In short time the backwater settlement was burnt to the ground. Gutch sat curled in his damp pit, grinning a horrible grin beneath his heavy mask. He unfurled slowly from the ashes, coated in grime just like usual. He gave a leisurely stretch, his bones popping and crackling. He meandered over to the nearby cave he has been residing in before the villagers captured him in a net. He shifted through the ashes and bones, picking it up from the detritus. He grinned as he examined the black glint. What a wonderful time to be Gutch.
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Vec Unimaginable Trepidation
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As a sidenote, sorry for my absence. I was sick with the flu and bedridden the entirety of the past week so I didn't have much motivation to write. This post takes note of the most world-influencing actions that have happened since my previous GM post. Additionally, with Cyclone gunning for the Fire Domain, I will take some time this week to iron out the rules for Domain Expansion (heh) so more people can go for it. However, don't think too much about it, I want to keep it light and simple for this one so I think I'll just go for a flat fee after some recurring Conviction investments.
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Most members of the discord have access to this information, however for the ones that are not part of the server I will put this up here as well.
So as seen from above, I am in the process of sunsetting this RP after seeing activity flagging considerably. Here's a token poll for people to vote on. I doubt there will be a large movement to keep this going but just in case, I will put this here. I am sorry to the people that recently joined or anyone with ongoing/just started collabs.
There will be no GM post today, I will take my time to think on a proper, open-ended epilogue that will allow people to write their own separate epilogues for their characters, should they wish to do so. Expect the last GM post within the week.
I didn't hold any illusions that it would last as long as MK2. It surprisingly got enough activity 1 month into the new year, after the holidays when people had the most amount of free time, but right about when I got sick people started ghosting. I guess something with the mechanics as well as the somewhat fast pace of the weekly posts required for people to gain conviction contributed to the burnout. Mind you, what I am saying is not to slight anyone—I've had my share of ghosting RPs as well so I totally understand why/how that could come about. I don't blame people for losing interest/being busy IRL and cutting down on RPing.
FS was, ultimately, my attempt at GMing a god rp a la Divinus, with my own twists. I was one of the few people that had not GMed one in all these years after all and was curious to see how it would pan out if I did. I am glad you all decided to grace this RP with your time!
So as seen from above, I am in the process of sunsetting this RP after seeing activity flagging considerably. Here's a token poll for people to vote on. I doubt there will be a large movement to keep this going but just in case, I will put this here. I am sorry to the people that recently joined or anyone with ongoing/just started collabs.
There will be no GM post today, I will take my time to think on a proper, open-ended epilogue that will allow people to write their own separate epilogues for their characters, should they wish to do so. Expect the last GM post within the week.
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