BBeast

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

@Muttonhawk@poog the pig, remember, if anyone's going to reveal the identity of Conata's parents, can you please oh please let Teknall be there.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

<Snipped quote by Kho>

Ah, I see. Don't remember seeing something like that in the first page.

@Slime

For reference, it was agreed a while back that 1/4 Might is approximately equivalent to 1 Freepoint.

I built a Holy Site back in Turn 2 using 5 Might, which means it generates 2.5 Might per turn.

P.S.

War is comming. Must find appropriate prep music.

@LokiLeo789

You want some war prep music? Let's see what I've got which might help...
Two Steps From Hell - Armada
Two Steps From Hell - Elementum
Two Steps From Hell - Cavaliere
Audiomachine - Blitzkrieg
Cristian Onofreiciuc - Polar Shift
Audiomachine - Legions of Doom
Audiomachine - Angels and Demons
Audiomachine - Oedipus Rex
Audiomachine - Shadow King
Two Steps From Hell - Sons of War
Two Steps From Hell - Exodus
Vangelis Dedes - Destructive Force
Two Steps From Hell - Clockmen
Two Steps From Hell - Velocitron
Two Steps From Hell - Titan Dune
Kyueko - Revolution or Disaster
Matias Puumala - The Art of War
Paradox Music - They Will Fall
Kyueko - The Hurricane
Elod Juhasz - The Battle of Cold Ash
Colossal Trailer Music - Parallel Proximity
Mattashi Music - Hostile
Two Steps From Hell - Unforgiven
Mattashi Music - The Assassination
Liquid Cinema - Gemini
Nick Murray - Of Gods and Men
Travis Lohmann - Retribution
Sybrid - Rise to Conquer
Tybercore - Warlords of Desolate Lands
Two Steps From Hell - Ultraground
Antti Martikainen - Uprising
Kari Sigurdsson - War Machine
Gustav Holst - Mars
Soundmopi - LEID

Odds are there's a few matching the feel you want.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

Teknall made a factory that produces Stellar Engine Collectors autonomously to form a Dyson swarm around his personal star.

@Antarctic Termite

I'll put a disclaimer here: the Stellar Engine itself is not a Holy Site. Rather, it is a piece of infrastructure which powers some of Teknall's things (with large quantities of otherwise mundane energy). One of those things happens to be Teknall's Workshop, which is a Holy Site, which contains said factory which makes the Stellar Engine bigger.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

@Lauder

Isn't Keriss a female?

@poog the pig

Yes. The hain was male. Keriss is the one who laid the egg.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

~A collab between BBeast and Kho~

Gerrik Far-Teacher

Level 6 Hain Hero
19 Khookies

The stars were out, white pinpoints of light against a black backdrop. Two glittering bands stretched across the sky, Auricolor slowly traced out its path among the stars, and the eye-like moons Vigilate and Scitis watched down from above. And Gerrik Far-Teacher was outside, lying in his hammock, looking up at the night sky as he liked to do. The stars were so distant, yet visible all the same. Many analogies had been drawn between the stars and things on Galbar, but all were lacking, so the heavens remained a mystery. And to solve that mystery, to truly understand how the heavens worked and what the stars were, Gerrik felt that would be the epitome of knowledge.

Although Gerrik could only make educated guesses at the functioning of the stars, he was familiar with the ways of the sky. So Gerrik was quick to notice that something was amiss with what had first seemed like a shower of falling stars. Falling stars, which Gerrik had previously observed were not the stars themselves, were mysterious objects, but they normally don't last this long, and they definitely don't change course mid-flight.

As Gerrik realised that one of these objects seemed to be getting closer, and quickly, he rolled out of his hammock, picked up the Eenal Bow and his quiver, and got to his feet. The object approached, wreathed in fire and travelling as fast as one of his arrows, until it came to an abrupt halt over Fibeslay. Only then was Gerrik able to see the thing clearly.

It was angelic in form, that much was obvious. Two arms, two legs, a head with a face, and a pair of wings. Yet this was no creature of flesh and blood like the angels of the Horde. This being was instead made of a substance like shiny stone and burning white fire like the sun. It drifted slowly over the village, eyes scanning for something. Swiftly, Gerrik ran closer, to catch it within range of his Perception. Yet the burning angel found what it was seeking first.

Its gaze locked upon a particular tent. Hidden inside was a young hain girl who was suffering through her second hatching, a temporary residence so other hain would not inadvertently look upon her shell. Discarded outside the tent were dry Needle Fae corpses, a common sight around such tents. And it was these the Realta noticed, and it stretched out its right arm.

Only now was Gerrik close enough to perceive the Realta, and it was with shock that he realised what it was about to do. The outstretched arm, the surge of power in the palm, it was very similar to the angels of the Horde with their magic, and this being seemed much more powerful than those angels. Gerrik pulled an arrow from his quiver and nocked it on his bow.

Before Gerrik could shoot, a cone of white fire flared from the Realta's hand and engulfed the tent. The heat was unlike anything Gerrik had ever seen before, but what was obscured from normal vision was plain to his Perception. The flames incinerated the tent instantly, then wrapped around the girl. Her porcelain shell charred and her innards boiled, and moments later, unable to scream in pain, she perished.

"No!" Gerrik cried, then fired the arrow at the Realta. The arrow tore through the air, leaving a streak of golden light, and struck the Realta in the lower back with a sharp clang. The impact pushed the Realta back a few metres and halted its immolating, but it still hovered, and it spun around to see where the blow had come from.

It's not dead, Gerrik thought. Granted, the blow had damaged it, and it had what could only be described as a wound where the arrow had struck, but nothing Gerrik had fought thus far could survive a direct hit from the Eenal Bow. The Realta started flying closer and stretched out its arm to Gerrik. But it's angry now.

Gerrik nocked another arrow, but had no time to fire it when a cone of fire was launched directly at him. He pulled up his left arm and the Guardian Shield grew into a large hemispherical dome as large as Gerrik, shielding him from the plasma blast. The fires licked harmlessly against the shield, but scorched and melted the ground on either side of Gerrik. The Realta maintained its barrage for a few seconds, then stopped, assuming its target would be completely vaporised. Yet as soon as the fire had stopped the Guardian Shield shrunk down to a more manageable size and Gerrik, completely unscathed, launched another arrow. The Realta saw the bow being drawn and began to dodge, but failed to anticipate the divinely enhanced speed of the arrow, so was unable to evade completely, getting struck on the left wing.

Yet the Realta was still in fighting shape, so it redoubled its pursuit. More flames came from the Realta's arms, and Gerrik began to flee. He didn't run because he himself was in danger- the Guardian Shield had demonstrated itself to be an adequate defence. Instead he was running because the Realta threatened the rest of Fibeslay, its plasma bursts igniting fires in the village, so Gerrik wanted to lead it away.

Gerrik vaulted onto the roof of a hut, leaped down onto the other side, and ran down the open space between the huts, and as the Realta aimed for another shot Gerrik spun around and quickly fired another arrow. The Realta evaded the arrow, and the golden bolt streaked over Fibeslay and towards the ocean, but that bought Gerrik another precious second to get further from the village. The Realta fired a bolt of plasma at Gerrik, but he deflected it with his shield.

The Realta then flew overhead, easily travelling faster than Gerrik, and landed ahead of him. The Realta reached out and down to grab Gerrik, but Gerrik sidestepped and rolled under its reach before springing back to his feet behind the Realta and resuming his sprint. The Realta fired another cone of plasma, but Gerrik had managed to get beyond the cluster of huts and tents which made up most of Fibeslay.

Gerrik blocked the plasma with his shield and prepared another arrow. As soon as the cone of plasma waned Gerrik nocked the arrow and fired it at the Realta. But the Realta had learned from last time and anticipated the attack, managing to fly up and over the arrow before returning with a continuous wave of white-hot fire. As soon as its right arm tired of throwing fire, it swapped to its left arm, not leaving a gap long enough for Gerrik to shoot an arrow.

Unable to retaliate, Gerrik retreated further under the cover of the Guardian Shield. He needed some cover which wouldn't stop him from using his bow. He also needed to keep moving, because although none of the plasma touched him the air was still made stiflingly hot. Quickly he surveyed his options. A forest was nearby, but it was too far to any trees with trunks thick enough to provide adequate cover. Some of the mud huts were probably fire resistant, but that would mean endangering the village he was trying to save. Then there was the beach, with its water, and he had a plan.

Gerrik quickly changed course, giving him a few moments free from the rain of fire, allowing him to sprint properly. As the fire chased behind him, Gerrik made it to the shore line, hopped across several rocks, then dived head-first into the water. Plasma licked at the surface of the sea, boiling off water, but Gerrik had time to swim further out to where the water was a bit over a metre deep. Gerrik lowered himself back-first onto the sea floor.

Above Gerrik plasma ravaged the water, steam streaming off and water warming, but the sheer bulk of the ocean resisted the extreme heat. The boiling surface sent a deafening roar through the water. His eyes could see nothing beyond the searing white incandescence, but Gerrik didn't need eyes to see by. From his prone position, Gerrik lifted up the Eenal Bow, pointed it towards the Realta, and drew the string. This time Gerrik didn't use an arrow, but instead funneled willpower and energy into the bow, and a bolt of pure golden energy cracked into existence. Gerrik's lungs were burning, his body having expended a lot of energy without being able to breathe, but he held his aim steady. Satisfied with the alignment, Gerrik released the bowstring.

A beam of energy lanced out of the water, through the plasma cone, pierced through the Realta's skull and travelled another twenty metres before fading. The wave of plasma faded immediately, and the Realta fell from the sky, its inner fire dying, and crashed heavily into the ground.

In a burst of water and with a great gasp, Gerrik surfaced from the sea. Breathing heavily to recover spent oxygen, Gerrik swam then waded onto the beach and walked up to inspect the corpse of the Realta more closely.

Beyond the generic hainoid body shape, the Realta's structure was extremely alien in form. No recognisable organs could be identified, or even unrecognisable organs like in some Jvanic creatures. Now that it was dead and its fiery energies dissipated, the Realta was nothing more than a husk. In this regard Gerrik identified it most closely with elementals, who were also creatures of energy, although the physical form of the Realta was notably more physical than that of an elemental, even an earth elemental.

This husk was of especial interest to Gerrik, for it was made of a material he rarely ever saw. It was similar to the alyum nayam bones of the white giants, or the needles of Needle Fae, and he had seen small quantities of other similar materials in the clothes and adornments of Lakshmi. This material had interesting physical properties. It had been strong enough to absorb a lot of the damage of the Eenal Bow, although the Realta's supernatural qualities may have contributed to that. And Gerrik observed the wounds he had inflicted on the Realta, and was fascinated at how it had bent and distorted the material, unlike stone or wood or bone, yet despite being bent it was still hard. With a new material like this, the possibilities were endless, if only he could figure out how to work it and where to get more.

By the time Gerrik had finished inspecting the metal husk and stood up his breathing had returned to normal. He looked over to Fibeslay, and saw that it was in a minor state of disarray. This was no surprise. There was panic resulting from the attack from the heavens. There were people rushing to put out fires. And there were the mournful wails of the parents who had lost their adolescent child when the Realta made its first attack. The only fatality of the Realta's attack.

Gerrik walked back into the village, along the path melted and scorched by the Realta, until he made it to where the girl had been killed. The fire had been so intense that not even ashes remained; everything had been melted down into slag. Yet it was not completely unrecognisable, for the plasma had only sat for a brief time. The Needle Fae needles were still vaguely recognisable, albeit melted beyond all use. The thicker pieces of woodwork were noticeable, although had been reduced to frail charcoal. And the porcelain shell of a young female hain had resisted the heat enough to still be barely identifiable as a hain shell, although it was burnt black, and all the flesh had been vapourised and carbonised.

The parents stood on the outside of the wreckage, sobbing and wailing in grief. Gerrik too lowered his beak and and held a hand to his head. Only one death in the whole village from the attack of a being so powerful was a brilliant outcome by the numbers, but people are more than numbers, such that each death is tragic in and of itself, especially for someone so young.

There was nothing Gerrik could say which would improve the situation for this grieving family, though. As such, he soon moved on to help with the more pragmatic work of repairing what damage the Realta had done.

Huddled together, whispering, a group of craftshain - Shammik at their centre - quickly dissipitated as Gerrik approached. They gave him a few cautious glances, and Shammik - as he turned to clear up the wreckage of one of the homes with a few others - was quite clearly hostile. They were quiet as they worked, and they seemed to actively avoid Gerrik. Darkness dawned and the hain of Fibeslay settled into sombre mourning and shock at what had occurred. Groups gathered and spoke and dissipated, before gathering again elsewhere with others. None slept until the early hours of the morning, and shock and trauma seemed to have, by morning, been joined by paranoia.

'And it is my view, and you disbelieved me before but now a cutting proof has come from on high, that we have strayed and this heretical stranger has brought on us misery and death and, which is worse, the wrath of Stone Chipper,' Shammik was announcing to a large group of craftshain some distance from the village, out of earshot, 'and you have heard what has been said in the night, and you know that even the people, despite their ignorance regarding this matter, have grown suspicious. And sometimes they look at me or Maro oddly, and Maro was even asked, "you people have given up that old cult of yours, haven't you?" and they seem this close,' and here Shammik brought his hands as close together as he could without them touching, 'to driving us out and persecuting us once more! Do you now see what your foolishness has brought us? Do you now see what lack of caution and hastiness has done? I say we must repent sincerely and drive this heretic out, and we must bring down his demonic tower of light - more like darkness! - and pray that Stone Chipper forgive us for straying from his path.'

'Shammik, be reasonable. It cannot be that-'
'By Stone Chipper, hain! Do you yet have doubts regarding that heretical imposter? You still think that he came with truth?'
Feeling the hostility towards what he was implying, Maro quickly back-pedalled.
'No, not at all Shammik. I fully support us having Gerrik leave, but there is no need for tearing down the lighthouse. We built it and worked hard on it, and it is of use to the people,' Maro looked around, 'and it is not our creed that bids us take away what is beneficial once it has been granted.'

There were murmurs of reluctant agreement, 'but as you say Shammik, let us this instant go to Gerrik and bid him depart.'
'No! The heretic must die! A life for a life!' Shammik declared suddenly, but rather than the roar of approval he was expecting, he got something akin to a mewl, 'though I guess eternal banishment from our lands is good too.'

With their position decided, the group marched back to Fibeslay and sought out Gerrik. Finding him, they created a large circle, in the middle of which sat Shammik and Gerrik was invited to sit before him. And the zealous Chipper spoke for long on Gerrik's supposed crimes and the punishment which had come down upon them all due to his evil trick.
'And were the decision mine, I would surely have had you executed!' Shammik at last declared, 'but we faithful Chippers have spoken to one another and are of the view that you should leave and never again return to our lands - and my heart bleeds for the innocent Chippers you will lead astray with your evil! But so has the group decided, and so shall it be. So what say you Gerrik, will you depart with your heresies, or will you force our hand?'

Gerrik sat in intent silence as Shammik spoke his accusations. His head held still as his eyes bored into Shammik, eyes growing ever narrower. Although Gerrik had dealt calmly with Shammik before, his tolerance was now worn thin as Shammik threw his baseless claims and accusations. In bitter irony he, the chosen of Teknall, was being branded a heretic. Yet this time Shammik had fear on his side, and while Gerrik would have grappled with Shammik alone on this matter, be it verbally or physically, popular opinion was against Gerrik.

When Shammik finished his slanderous tirade, Gerrik left a small period of silence before he gave his reply with defiant confidence and authority, his voice cutting clearly through the gathered throng.

"You accuse me of spreading lies. You accuse me of defying the will of Stone Chipper. You accuse me of being a heretic. Yet in truth it is you, Shammik, who have done these things! You have spread lies to these hain, telling them to do the very opposite thing to what Stone Chipper desires of us. I am Stone Chipper's prophet, his apprentice. Here is evidence that my claims are not empty." He gestured to the Eenal Bow slung over his chest and the Guardian Shield strapped to his left arm. "The bow and shield gifted to me by Stone Chipper, made by his own power; you saw the other night that these are not mundane tools. What authority do you have to tell me what the will of Stone Chipper is?"

At this, Shammik and a few others gave the bow and shield suspicious looks. Gerrik glanced around to the gathered crowd. "Last night I saved you, you know that? If it were not for me, that fiend from the stars would have burned all of Fibeslay to the ground and killed every last one of you. Why do you jump to the conclusion that Stone Chipper sent this as some kind of punishment? If this were retribution for my supposed crimes, then why did it not seek me out, or attack the light house? Why did it instead first target a hain girl going through her second hatching? That was not a random attack- I saw it searching. What crime had she done? Stone Chipper is a precise and careful craftshain. If Stone Chipper had wanted to punish me or us specifically, he would have done so. You assumed Stone Chipper sent the star fiend, but did you consider that it may have been another god who did it, for their own reasons?"

Gerrik's gaze snapped back to Shammik. "And yet you want to have me banished. Executed, even, although how you could have possibly achieved that eludes me. You have no authority to do any such thing. Such judgements are the position of the chief alone. You would not supplant Bard Fiberslayer, would you? Perhaps you should follow his example as someone who does not act on paranoia and arrogance."

Gerrik turned his attention back to the crowd. "You remember what started all of this, thirty years ago? There were people in these villages who were arrogant, and would not listen to reason, and they got paranoid, and then they wanted to execute people." He pointed at Shammik. "Has not this hain become just like them? His logic is flawed, his premises false. He arrogantly maintains beliefs which are long outdated. And now he seeks to inspire paranoia and hatred amongst you. If you are indeed faithful Chippers, I implore you to think for yourselves rather than lap up Shammik's rants and accusations."

Gerrik paused for a second as he scanned the crowd. The craftshain looked from one to the other, some guiltily and some defiantly. But out of them all, Maro, who was perhaps the wisest, looked down in dismay. Gerrik could tell from their subtle body language and physiological cues that there were some who supported him, none dared speak against the crowd, who were all following each other, who were following Shammik. Before Shammik could muster a coherent rebuttal, Gerrik stood up.

"But if you so desire, I shall depart. Not because of any alleged crime I have committed, not because you hold the authority to banish me, but because you no longer welcome me here. I do not stay where I am not welcomed, and those who do not welcome me will not receive the blessings of Stone Chipper. The world is moving forwards. Times are changing. The lighthouse is proof of that. Stone Chipper had hoped that Fibeslay would lead the way, be a light to the world, but it seems you would rather stay in darkness."

Gerrik looked around at the crowd one last time. His chest rose and fell visibly, breathing heavily from the exertion of his speech. Finally, Gerrik said, "I shall pack my things and depart. Send word if you ever set aside this foolishness and decide to be Chippers again." With that, Gerrik walked out of the circle and left the craftshain.

Shammik watched as Gerrik departed, and once he was out of earshot the victor stood and looked at the others.
'Let not his devious arguments find a way into your hearts. He has the tongue of a serpent. With his coming came wrath from on high, and with his going will come peace once more. That is the greatest and mightiest evidence of all. So watch, you faithful ones, and I shall also watch with you.'
And though there were some who were still uncomfortable with what had come to pass, they all dissipated and waited on time to confirm the truth of their view or condemn them for their erring ways.

Once Gerrik had bundled all his belongings into a bag, he passed by Bard Fiberslay before departing. Bard was tending to what damage had been done to his village, consoling the villagers. When he saw Gerrik approach, he came to him and said, "I must thank you for your courageous actions in saving our village from the star fiend."

Yet Bard's bright greeting was met by Gerrik's gloom. "Unfortunately, not everyone is so grateful."

Bard was confused for a moment, but he was a savvy chief. He had seen the craftshain gathering, talking quietly, conspiring, although about what he had not heard. "Is it the craftshain?"

Gerrik nodded, then said, "I think you have a right to know..." Gerrik went on to explain all that had unfolded to Bard, regarding Shammik, the accusations and the attempted banishment. Gerrik concluded, "That is why I am leaving this place. My work is impossible in such a hostile environment."

"Ah..." Bard replied, and was silent for a few moments. "I apologise that things have turned out this way. It is with great sadness that I see you leave. But at the same time, I agree that it is indeed wisest for you to depart, given the circumstances. Most hain aren't as aware of the divine as you or I; their awareness is limited to what is around them."

Gerrik nodded sagely in reply. Then Bard continued by asking, "Do you know why the star fiend came and attacked, though?"

"I know for sure that it was not Teknall or Stone Chipper. It was merely a coincidence that I was here when it attacked. But-" Gerrik was cut off by a voice which only Gerrik could hear. A second later, he continued. "The star fiends were sent by another god, a distant god unknown to the people of this world. It was not just Fibeslay that was attacked. The star fiends attacked almost everywhere. You should hear of these other attacks soon enough. The threat has passed, though, so there should be no more attacks."

"Thank you once more for all you have done," Bard said.

"Before I leave, I have a few things to request," Gerrik said, "You should be able to finish the lighthouse with the plans I have left. There isn't too much remaining. And also," Gerrik looked over the village remosefully, then continued softly, "make sure they don't demonise me. You control, to a degree, the legends and stories that circulate around here. I, or a successor of me, should be able to return here a generation or two later and not be driven out for the lies spread today."

"I'll try, but Shammik..." Bard replied.

"Do what you can. I don't ask you to turn Shammik- he is beyond reason anyway. But Shammik won't live forever, and as long as this animosity does not become ingrained then it should fade after he is gone," Gerrik said, "It's not a small task, I know. Do what you are able. Fibeslay will benefit in the long term for it."

Bard nodded.

Gerrik said, "I had better get going while it is still early. Farewell, Bard Fiberslayer."

"Farewell, Gerrik Far-Teacher."

And Gerrik walked from the village of Fibeslay, leaving it behind and heading southwards.

No heretics were burned in the making of this post

Fibeslay is attacked by a Realta. A young hain girl undergoing her second hatching is the only victim, as Gerrik swiftly intervenes. A battle occurs, the Realta proving a difficult foe, but thanks to powerful equipment and cunning Gerrik manages to win. The Eenal Bow and Guardian Shield are showcased in full capacity in this battle.

Gerrik curiously inspects the corpse of the Realta. It could make a brilliant crafting material, but due to following events he has no chance to experiment.

Shammik and the craftshain come to collectively believe that Gerrik is at fault for the Realta attack, for allegedly defying the will of Stone Chipper.
The craftshain meet with Gerrik, where Shammik states his accusations, denounces Gerrik as a heretic, and declares him banished.
Gerrik rejects all charges, instead declaring Shammik a heretic, and defends himself. He denies the authority of Shammik to banish him.
However, seeing that he is no longer welcome, Gerrik declares that he will depart willingly.

Gerrik talks with Bard Fiberslayer before leaving, informing him of these matters (as they had been kept a secret amongst the craftshain). Bard is disappointed in this wave of obscuritanism, but concedes that Gerrik's departure is the best course of action.
The plans left behind by Gerrik are adequate to finish the lighthouse.
Gerrik's final request to Bard is to guard the local folklore against Shammik's lies and accusations, such that Far-Teacher will not be rejected again if he returns in a couple of generations.

Gerrik leaves Fibeslay, heading south.

The two battles in this post are adequate experience for Gerrik to Level Up to Level 7.

Khookie Summary
Gerrik Far-Teacher
Start: 19 Khookies
Spent: 11 Khookies (to Level up to 7)
Earned: 10 Khookies (23000+ characters)
End: 18 Khookies

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

@Muttonhawk@Antarctic Termite, I haven't fully decided where I want the conversation yet. As Jvan herself is currently a smouldering wreck, I was thinking Ovadius (or however your space station is spelt) as Teknall hasn't explicitly visited Jvan's space program yet, but I'm open to suggestions.

The pretense at a sense of chronology in our posts has been blown apart xD it'll be confusing to untangle all this.

If possible, try to indicate the approximate timing of the post in your summaries in future, just so we know where in the timeline all this stuff is happening. I'm assuming that BBeast's last post is currently the furthest ahead. Yara's posts are quite a while back, the Realta have not even yet landed in the Vetros timeframe. They're somewhere between the death of Vowzra and the coming of the Realta.

@Kho

Actually, anything which occurs after Realta bombardment is probably ahead of my post (although by no more than a month). If Logos hadn't intervened, it would have only taken Teknall a few days if that to eradicate the Realta, and at the end of that post the Realta are noted to be withdrawing. Already we have some posts which take place a small number of weeks after the Realta. The difference is not huge, though.

In any case, I think the Realta attacks, since they take place over the course of two days, is a fairly precise and global event to pin down our chronologies.

Anyone wanna help me design a cool super base?

@LokiLeo789

If Amartia and Teknall weren't currently on opposite sides of the war, then Teknall might be up for that.

In fact, even with them nominally on opposite sides, Amartia might be able to convince Teknall to help anyway.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

Following that post, Teknall now has a not-insubstantial to-do list; some of it in relation to that post, some of it just stuff that is overdue for Teknall to attend to. Of significance to other people:

• Teknall shall be visiting Alefpria and Lifprasil. The purpose is two-fold: to investigate Galbar's grandest city, and to ask Lifprasil a few pressing questions. @poog the pig
• Teknall is about two months (irl time) overdue for a personal and serious chat with Jvan, and the list of things to talk about is growing bigger every Turn. @Antarctic Termite
• Teknall shall visit Xerxes some time, if it isn't turned to rubble before I get a chance. Unless I change my mind, Teknall shall be staying out of the Xerxes battle. This visit is pertaining to business arising from Teknall being the god of technology and civilisations. @LokiLeo789
• Teknall shall also visit the dwarves @WrongEndoftheRainbow and Vetros for similar reasons, although these visits are less urgent.
• At some point Teknall shall also do those experiments with Liquid Light which Astarte requested a couple million years ago. @Frettzo

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

The Great Artisan, Divine Mason, Builder of Civilisations
Level 4 God of Crafting (Masonry, Carpentry)
22.5 Might & 1 Free Points


Harbinger of the Natural Order, Guardian of Harmony, God of Kings and King of Gods, I AM THAT I AM
Level 7 God of Order
15 Might & 1 Free Point

Vestec, God of Chaos
Level 4
11 Might & 2 Free Points

A Realta descending upon a hain village. Boom. A Realta pursuing a lone Sculptor. Boom. A Realta burning a section of forest. Boom. Two Realta trying to fight a band of Sculptors, Ur'Telem and Fiberlings on the border of an Aclaya forest. Boom. A Realta bombarding a human village. Boom. A Realta approaching a Lensling grove- wait, what was that?

The world became heavy. Not in weight, nor gravity. But Teknall watched as the energy pulse from the god's weapon zipped towards it target, who would have never had time to register its own death let alone see the cause of its destruction. Yet each instant it drew closer, it slowed, and the world around him grew to a halt. The trees no longer rustled in the wind, for there was no wind. Through viscous air the Realta flew and through syrup space the bullet traversed.

And then came the voice.

"Teknall, I have come."

In that instant Logos suddenly was. Interposed in the space between the bullet and the Realta, his wings spread wide to shield his child of fire and metal. His deliberating eyes turned to bore into Teknall's, as he outstretched his open palm towards the bullet in that fragmented moment.

Velocity: negated. Temperature: lowered to that of the air. Opposing Magnetism: Inversed.

Time resumed. The Realta paused in its flight, pulsing with white fire and sparks urgently as it looked upon the two gods. The bullet fell to the earth, drained of its destructive power, now no more harmful than a common river rock.

"You have been busy," the King stated, his gaze never leaving the Inventor. In his hands he held a sliver of darkness; the perfect cylinder of an event horizon contained, Singularity. Even from his distance from Logos, Teknall could feel the pull of his divine core towards that blade.

For a couple of moments Teknall was frozen in place, not from any of Logos' spells, but from his own fear. He knew that his actions were going to attract unwanted attention from Logos, but the God of Physics was so much more intimidating in person. The penetrating gaze, although their eyes couldn't actually meet through his armour, made Teknall feel like a mere insect in comparison. And that sword. Teknall knew good craftsmanship when he saw it, and he knew that Singularity was terrifyingly powerful.

Keep calm, Teknall thought to himself, trying to recover his resolve, and don't let him intimidate me that easily.

"You've been busy too," Teknall stated in reply.

Logos simply bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Small stones, large mountain," he mentioned cryptically as he drew closer to Teknall, who took a step back. "Jvan is a shadow of her former self by my hand. My grievance with her has been settled for this aeon."

Logos tilted his head, almost intrigued by the advanced armor Teknall wore in comparison to his own vulnerability. "Your betrayal though, remains to be settled. Do not assume your actions surprised me. The possibility existed, however slim. An error on my part. I shall not suffer it again." Logos warned gravely. The Realta was flashing rapidly now, saying something in its language of light that apparently only Logos could understand. He nodded, and his eyes narrowed at the weapon Teknall held in his hands. "Did it please you?" the God asked.

Teknall cocked his head, not entirely clear about Logos' question.

"Did it please you to murder my children indiscriminately?"

His children? Teknall thought. Well, this is awkward.

"Not really, no," Teknall replied, which was true, as it was a brutal yet necessary course of action in his mind. "Did it please you to have your children indiscriminatly murder the people of Galbar?"

Logos kept his silent gaze for minute longer, his expression unreadable.

Then, he cast his gaze downwards to the Lensling grove beneath them. The world around the two gods became smoke and heat, the landscape erupting into molten slag as the briefest thought from Order tore open the crust from the mantle. The corrupted life and lands were sent tumbling to be purified by the fire of Galbar itself.

A fiery wind ruffled Logos's feathers as he looked back up at Inventor, his eyes cold.

"You do not understand," Logos assessed at last, his words stinging with a tone of disappointment. "You, who are to blame. You, who failed the Codex. You, who allowed the Cancer to spread through a world you watch over."

Suddenly, Logos was directly infront of Teknall, Singularity to the side. There was no movement, merely the barest of flickers. "You, who permitted Vowzra, your brother, to fall at Jvan's hand," he admonished. "Who are you to judge Me for my retribution?"

Teknall leaned backwards as Logos stood over him, and took a tentative step backwards. Teknall's eyes, his solid metal faceplate notwithstanding, flicked between Logos' face and the black slither that was Singularity. The Mirror Armour shields seemed to thicken slightly.

"If your sole target was Jvan and her creations, that would be understandable," Teknall answered, "But your servants threaten to burn half of Galbar. And the crystal trees you've planted- Jvan only has a very small amount of very localised terrestrial flora, while those crystal forests are far from localised or selective. You fight not just Jvan but the whole planet."

"Better that half burns, than all perish," Logos retorted. "If I were so inclined, this world would be torn asunder by my whim. It would be of little consequence. There are millions more like it. Waiting."

Logos's wings spread wide, suffocating Teknall in an all encompassing coccoon of aetherial feathers. The hellfire beneath the two faded as the world faded in Logos's embrace, solar winds and aurora dancing in the edges of Teknall's vision. The Mirror Armor had been designed to protect against blows, but nothing could block his words.

"I see the fear in your eyes, Brother. You are not a warrior. You do not breathe death as I do. You can only build. In the beginning, I cut light and broke gravity. Now, I bend minds and devour flesh. The mantle of Vowzra has fallen to me, and I have come to purify the world he held dear. I give you a magnificent chance brother; the chance to build a better world out of the ashes of the old."

A hand as dark as the void of space reached out and grabbed Teknall's chin, forcing him to look upwards into Logos's apathetic stare.

"These mortals worship you for what you should be. For what you represent. But the mind of a child and the heart of an infant are within you. Surrender and I will stop this attack.”

Teknall shrunk back within the metal shell of the Mirror Armour at Logos' touch, although the armour moved nowhere, surrounded by Logos' wings. Cornered.

The railgun, which was hugged against Teknall's chest, dissolved into a light shower of golden light; it was of no use to him at the moment. Carefully, Teknall spoke. "You are right that I am a builder, a craftsman. And as a craftsman, I work with the materials and environment that I have to make it better, and I admire the creations of my fellow craftspeople. And this is, I think, where our perspectives differ. You want the World to conform to how you and you alone want it, whereas I see the World as a collaborative project between all the gods. Why else would Fate have brought all of us here, after all?"

Teknall sighed before adding, "I still fail to see why this destruction is necessary; what overwhelming threat the creations of Jvan and the others present."

Logos looked at Teknall for a long moment, before only shaking his head.

"Do not speak to me of Fate. Every step, I have defied him. Mighty is He, but Mightier still is the perseverance of Order. Why then, would he allowed Vulamera to fall? Why then, would Reathos fade? Why then, would Julkofyr cease?"

Teknall shrugged. "I don't know, but this Universe is home to more gods than just you or I."

"They have done little with it. An entire universe, and this is all of the work they have to show for it," Logos caught the Inventor's gaze once more. "This is one little planet in one tiny solar system in a galaxy that is barely out of its womb. I am old, Teknall. Older than the Universe itself. So try then to imagine how insignificant I find the sentiment that any of us are subject to Fate. This universe was built on the memory of the last from my actions, made possible from the laws that I wove. Jvan is simply an abstraction, a plague, from one of its many possible predecessors. She would seek to tear down the tapestry."

"And yet the tapestry has not fallen. It has been painted upon by all of us to form a richer whole. Perhaps not the exact painting you wanted, but all of us have a share in this Universe. Jvan may not fit the style you want, but so far the Universe is still intact, and I haven't seen how she constitutes an existential threat."

"Then you are blind," Logos chastised, somewhat harshly. "Open your mind."

Teknall hesitated. Was it a trap? But with at least two reports of Jvan being an existential threat, could he afford not to? Teknall breathed deeply, then tentatively lowered his mental guard.

Logos cocked his head to one side slightly, as if genuinely surprised that he had obeyed him. Then, his ghostly eyes glowed slightly, and a tiny white orb zipped forward into Teknall’s mind.

Teknall would have used the word “unimaginable” to describe the pain, but that would have been incorrect: he was experiencing it. Of course it was imaginable. It was not the the screaming, splitting agony of a burn, or the wet, prickling torment of a cut, or the dull, throbbing ache of a broken bone. Rather, it was as if all of these things had been combined and then had their excesses trimmed away. The common element was isolated and distilled into what Logos was forcing him to experience. And the vision he saw, the vision that racked him to the core was the shadow of something-

No.

It was the dream of the reflection of the shadow on a still lake on a starless night. It was a glimpse of something, something horribly unnatural. Something Other than Real.

When the vision faded, Teknall was left trembling, from the pain, from the vision.

“This is but one of her creations. Locked beyond the Walls of Time, barred from this world by the Gates of Sleep. She is the lock and the key to their entry. They would kill Reality itself if given a chance. She created them; you permitted it to exist.”

Teknall was still stunned speachless, his mind reeling. Eventually, though, Teknall managed to regain rational thought, and tried to tie it all together.

"It- it- it-" Teknall stammered, mostly to himself, "it's different. The Blueprint. The Other wasn't dangerous on the Blueprint. Something happened. I- I need a seat." Teknall turned and brushed past Logos' ethereal wings, taking a few unsteady steps across the earth, then sitting down upon a stone stool which rose up from the ground. He leaned his elbow on his knee then held his forehead in his hand, or as best as he could with the Mirror Armour on. "Did Jvan do it? But why? She lives here too, so she needs reality intact. Does it have any connection with her other creations? The ones which live here and don't threaten reality. Just because she can, does it mean she would? But she might. When was the last time I spoke with her? Does it justify destroying the world? She lives here, she creates, there's some Other stuff, but they seem completely different. But she holds the key, holds them back, can let them out. Cause ruin. But can't we all? This is different. Who can harm reality itself? But would she?"

"Cease," came Logos's command. The Lord of Order swept down to his brother, and folded his wings tightly against his back. "The abomination now lies locked within a prison of my own design. But the task left me drained, my power spent. And beyond it, I saw countless others. And the Cancer's spread yet lives." he said, quietly. For the first time, Teknall saw his brother's fingers tighten around the blade he held in his hands, whether out of fear or anger, he knew not. "You shame me for the destruction on one planet. I tell you this; the fate of all worlds is meaningless to her. This universe is her plaything. When the Tapestry unravels, she will slink through the cracks to the next, and to the next. Unless she is stopped here."

Teknall did not meet Logos' gaze as he spoke. The finality of his statements was jarring. After a few moments, Teknall replied softly. "You have given me much to think about." There was a pause, before he slowly stood up and added, "I need to go talk with her. A serious talk. Like rational people."

A familiar giggling seemed to wrap around the two Gods. Multicolored light coalesced into Vestec's form as he lounged on a ball of Chaos energy. "Teknall, Teknall, Teknall. So easily swayed by words, yet so hesitant to take action. Vowzra tried to be reasonable with Jvan, when that failed he tried to be reasonable with you, Kyre, and Yangy. Yangy killed his avatar for it and you all blew him off. Talking is no longer an option with Jvan. Regardless!" Vestec clapped his hands together, looking at Logos. "That's not why I'm here."

He held his arms out wide. "Logos! Brother! It's been too long! I'd go to hug you but I suspect you'll try to stab me. You've pissed quite the number of people off, Logy my boy. Quite a lot of them are not pleased with your Realta at all. Teknall being the quickest to action. I have a proposition-"

In that fragment of Time, Logos has flickered across the distance to Vestec and swung Singularity wide. He watched the god's head seperate from his shoulders and fall to the floor.

Multi colored blood sprayed through the air, Vestec's colors freezing in an instant as his masked head fell to the ground. For a moment, the God of Chaos' body stood swaying in the wind, then it fell to the ground, more blood gushing onto the ground, pooling at Logos' feet as he turned his back on the corpse.

A giggle interrupted the silence.

With almost a sigh, Logos turned around, to face the reformed giggling God.

Vestec's body picked itself up, juggling his head for a moment before plopping it on his shoulders and twisting it into place with a click. "Got it out of your system Logy?" Vestec paused for only a split second, then continued, his colors flashing merrily. "Good. As I was saying, I have a proposition. Rather than you fighting half a dozen Gods and tearing Galbar to shreds in the process, losing all of the Realta you brought, and probably resulting in more Godly death, why don't we settle this in one location, hmmm?"

Vestec brought his hands up, creating a 3D vision of Xerxes. "Bravo on conquering my ungrateful son's mind and making him serve you. He's made an even bigger mess of Xerxes now and has attracted the attention of my other son, Lifprasil. They're going to have a lovely show down in Xerxes and try to kill each other. You know, typical family affairs! I propose that we all settle things there. You bring all your Realta, we bring our chosen, and we all fight to-"

Singularity was brought down, cleanly splitting through the Mad God's skull and through his chest, bisecting the Lord of Chaos. With a twist of his wrist, Logos pulled the blade out of the god's chest and with a flap of his wings took to the air above the remains. An all too familiar scream of Logos's power coursed through the air, a beam of molten light connecting the two. Teknall could see the cold mask of apathy on Logos's face, even though his action burned with emotion.

"Why Vowzra felt the possibility your continued existence was necessary, even I cannot fathom." Logos whispered as he watched the stream of liquid iron turn the remains to ash.

The ash picked itself up, pulsing with different colors, and formed Vestec's body again. Wings of ash formed and brought him floating to the sky, reaching Logos' level. By the time Vestec was at the God of Order's level, he was already reformed fully, Chaos energy wings flapping in mockery of Logos'. Vestec put his hands on his hips and tapped his foot in the air. "Are you quite done? As I was saying-" Singularity was thrust up under Vestec's jaw, sealing his mouth shut, impaling him firmly on the event horizon of existence.

Vestec's mask split open on his forehead, a mouth forming. "AS I WAS SAYING. You bring your Realta, we bring our chosen, and we all fight to decide the actions on Galbar afterwards. Winner is whichever mortal side holds Xerxes at the end of the fight. If Amartia holds Xerxes still, I will join you in your mass and careless purge of Jvanic entities, and you won't have to deal with me continously bothering and distracting you while you're trying to fight the other Gods and purging things. If Lifprasil holds Xerxes, you go home and stop smashing Jvan's things. Wherever that is. Deal?"

To his credit, Logos actually paused his assault. With a gut wrenching splatter of chromatic blood, he withdrew Singularity from Vestec's brain matter. "My children stay out of this. Bring any forces you wish. I will be there. Regardless of your actions, I will benefit."

Vestec held up a finger, wagging it. "Ah, ah, ah. If you want your children to have a chance, you'd better bring them. Otherwise Teknall here, or someone else, will kill them all while you're busy."

Logos turned his gaze now to Teknall and was silent, his wings folded infront of himself almost like a shield. "Why?" he asked, both Gods.

Teknall glanced to both sides before offering an answer. "We live here and don't want our home turned to glass."

"There are nigh infinite worlds in this universe. I can assure of this; I have counted. One planet is not worth risking the Tapestry. You will find and populate another."

"Try telling that to everyone," Teknall replied.

"You place the desires of mortals above those of the divine?"

"He does. I just like playing with them." Vestec shifted his jaw and clicked it into place. "It's nice to have you around Logos. Everyone gets so upset when I play one little game with the Mortals. Poor Grot."

Teknall looked between Logos and Vestec, although it seemed that Logos was ignoring Vestec for the moment. Vestec's words had a grain of truth, but- "I was more referring to the rest of the pantheon, who have similarly invested in this planet."

"They need only obey," Logos assured Teknall. "Were our influence to remain bound to one sphere, the expanse of reality would have been considerably... less." Once again, the ever slight inclination of the head, the examining eyes. "I thought you would understand the notion of prototypes."

"Regardless of the expanse of our abilities, a single planet as detailed as this one is no small investment," Teknall replied, "We would rather it not be reduced to ruins if it can be avoided, and you have not consulted the creators of this prototype, as you say, before deciding it needs to be scrapped. Destroying half the planet is a fairly inefficient way of removing the creations of a single goddess."

"Do not attempt to twist my words," came the warning. "You are as naive as the mortals you so love. You paint upon my canvas, Teknall. If I had so wished it, I would not have needed my children to rend this planet. This solar system. Using them was a mercy."

"The thing is, none of us acknowledge your claim to sole ownership of the Universe," Teknall said. "Sure, you have some seniority, and you designed the underlying physics, but all of us are independent beings. You could destroy Galbar and crush your enemies, but that would be conquest, not a right to ownership. Fundamentally, we disagree."

Logos slowly turned his gaze towards Vestec. "The machine was set into motion in the beginning. Every whim disrupts it. I saw an ally in this one. I was wrong. Everything in this world will fall apart now. The center cannot hold."

"Logy Logy Logy!" Vestec drawled out, walking around the God of Order. "You seem to be under the false impression that you're the strongest being around!" Vestec giggled, nudging Teknall with his elbow as if they had an inside joke. "Let me remind you of two very important people who gave us the power to create this world. Amul and Fate. You remember them, right? Good ole mom and dad? Well. Good ole quiet enforcer, and his...I actually don't know what Fate does. Anyway! The point is! It's not your canvas. It's their's." Vestec pointed up towards the sky.

"If you decide to start wiping out the solar system, because you love overkill, every single one of us would begin asking Amul for help in stopping you. I'm sure you'd be breaking some law, Zephy did and hasn't been seen since. So next time you start dropping words like 'My canvas' and start throwing your regal bearing around as if we can't stop you, remember this; you were created from nothing, same as the rest of us. They can send you back just as easily and get someone new."

Vestec threw his hands wide. "So you have to play our games Logos! Otherwise, Amul will get someone who will.." He tilted his head at the God of Order, a sudden thought striking him. "I need to test something." A flood of pure Chaos energy washed over Logos' form, blasting from Vestec's mask. Screams, howling winds, grunts, giggles, falling rocks, and a multitude of other sounds echoed from the multicolored lights as they spewed out.

Logos was swift in his response, wrapping himself in a cocoon of feathers to pass the storm. The tidal wave of improbability broke like rain against a mountain, and the Herald of Order stood fastly anchored against the corruption. With a flurry of wingbeats, Logos freed himself of the torrent, looking, to Teknall's eyes, perhaps a little more tired, and closed the distance once more between himself at his anthema.

"Call them," Logos stated, as Singularity took Vestec's arms. "Bring them forth. Let another walk the Road. None would dare." The blade found the Mad God's heart and bit deep. "If they wanted, they would have stopped me by now. They would have stopped her."

Vestec slumped dramatically as the blade punched into his heart. He began to slide slowly off the blade, the silence stretching out.

Finally growing bored of the act, Vestec straightened up with a malicious chuckle. "Logos. I'm the other half of your coin. If I wanted to I could change the Road." His arms had regrown, and he pulled himself closer to Logos on the blade. "But I won't. You know why, Brother? Because it'd be boring. You haven't pushed their buttons. You haven't challenged them. Even I'm not foolish enough to do that, and you do not possess Zephyrion's arrogance. Do not try to make yourself seem favored. We're all just play things, dancing for their amusement."

Vestec began to laugh, his shoulder's shaking as he remained stuck on the blade. "Don't you see Logos? It's perfect! I can't harm you. Teknall would have been hurt by that, no offense Teky. But not you. You can't kill me. Teknall nearly died, and you sundered Jvan in half. But your blows didn't keep me dead. We're meant for each other! The perfect balance. Two sides of the same coin. Brothers." He wrapped his arms around Logos. "For eternity."

Vestec lost those arms.

Again.

Followed by his head.

“You dare,” he muttered, and Teknall could hear him only because there were no other sounds in the world. “You dare!” he boomed, once again assuming the resonating voice that came with being a god.

Vestec began to reform, giggling as he did so.

He crossed the distance between the two of them faster than even Vestec could see, then batted him across the continent with a backhand. The madgod felt several of his bones break despite his enchantments as he was thrown across the land to collide with the mountains. He sagged down to land next to shattered stone.

“You dare call me that? You who have no right?”

There was a sickening crunch that sounded all-together too close to Vestec, and a pain shot through his head. Logos’s hand reached out and grabbed his face, thrusting it upward until he was looking directly into his eyes. He felt a trickle of blood run down his neck.

Order had removed the head of Chaos with as much severity as plucking the wings off a fly.

“You have taught even me something today. If this cycle of eternity offers nothing but madness, then I shall savour breaking you.”

Vestec began to laugh. "You can't break me Brother. You can't break those already mad." His reformed foot kicked the Herald of Order up through the mountain, creating a lovely skylight for whoever wanted to move into the newly designed cave, while he himself returned to Teknall's side.

"Shoot me in the shoulder."

"What?" Teknall said, bewildered. The battle between Vestec and Logos had been a terrifying display of power, but also a show of futility. Teknall had been keeping his distance.

"The shoulder. This thing." Vestec tapped his shoulder. "Mortals have it too you know. You designed the Urtelem with them even. I don't know what's so hard to understand about it. You've surely shot Realta in it before!"

Teknall let out a sigh. That wasn't what he had meant, and Vestec knew that too. "If you insist."

Teknall took a step to the side and the railgun rematerialised in his hand. He leveled the railgun at Vestec's shoulder point blank and pulled the trigger.

"OW!" Vestec howled, stumbling backwards, blood spurting from a large hole in his shoulder. "Yep. That's what I thought. Good news for you Teky, I'm your best weapon against Logos and you can still hurt me. Everyone wins! Well. Except for all those Hains that got wiped out before now."

If Vestec is my best weapon against Logos, I'm going to need a better weapon, Teknall thought. "It is of some solace to know that you aren't completely unstoppable," Teknall added aloud, his railgun dematerialising.

"Awww. You thought I was unstoppable! That's touching! I'd hug you but you'd actually kill me if you reacted like Logy did. So, I suppose that's the end of our meeting Teky! See you at Xerxes!" Vestec began to disperse, preparing to teleport away.

"Before you go-" Teknall interjected, Vestec rematerialising, "I have a small question. Why did you smash a mountain into the south pole?"

"Oh." Vestec waved a dismissive hand. "That was the remains of Reathos' body. I smashed it into the ground to make a home for Lazzy's dwarves to live. They won't be of harm or danger to anyone for a century at least. Well. Maybe the Rovaick, but Toun seems to have them ready. Or brainwashed. He does so love to enslave the minds of things." Vestec clapped his hands together. "Anywho! Things to prepare, plots to ensare, and war to declare. See you at Xerxes. Toodles!" With that, Vestec disappeared.

Teknall looked around at the sky after Vestec vanished, checking for any signs of Logos, but there was none. Logos had gone elsewhere, it seemed. Teknall made preparations to depart. Teknall sat down on the stone stool and, finally alone, lowered his Mirror Armour shields and removed his helmet. There was a hiss as air rushed to fill the vacuum inside, and Teknall's countenance was dry and haggard. Part of it was the past day he had spent locked inside his Mirror Armour killing Realta, but he had also been left rattled by this confrontation with Logos. Teknall had got off lucky, he thought. He needed a few moments to reorient himself.

Through the eyes of Goliath, Teknall saw that the Realta were retreating. No longer were they threatening the inhabitants of Galbar. Accordingly, Goliath disengaged from the Realta and left them alone, heading back into orbit.

Despite the Realta no longer being a problem, Teknall still had many things to attend to. Jvan. The Other. Aclaya. Xerxes. Amartia. Lifprasil. A weapon. The Codex. Dwarves. So much to do.

The Mirror Armour dissolved into motes of golden light and Teknall stretched his shoulders. At least his upcoming tasks didn't involve combat and threat of death. Teknall stood up, and then vanished, leaving the scorched and battered terrain.

In which Teknall poops his pants

Logos finally confronts Teknall, who has been killing Realta.
Teknall is terrified at Logos' arrival, although lucky for him Logos just wants some stern words, and to bring Teknall over to his side.
They talk for a bit.
Logos asserts that Jvan is an existential threat, yet Teknall fails to see how. To clear things up, Logos shares his recent memories of the Other, which inflicts great pain upon Teknall.
Teknall is bewildered, for the Other in the Codex, to his memory, had been benign. He is conflicted as to whether Jvan would actually destroy reality. Teknall eventually decided that the best thing to do is to talk to Jvan.
At this moment, Vestec arrives. He briefly berates Teknall, then attempts to strike a deal with Logos.
Vestec is repeatedly interrupted by Logos murdering him, although Vestec regenerates with no harm done.
Eventually, Vestec explains his deal: They shall have a battle royale at Xerxes. If Lifprasil and co. conquers Xerxes, Logos goes home. If Amartia and co. hold Xerxes, Vestec will join Logos on his Galbaric killing spree.
Logos states that he won't be bringing his precious Realta, and that regardless of the outcome of the Xerxes battle he will benefit.
More discussion occurs between Teknall and Logos. A fundamental disconnect in their ideologies is explicitly identified: Logos sees himself as rightful owner of the Universe and that a planet is a small price to pay to ensure Order and security; Teknall sees all the gods as having a more-or-less equal share of the Universe, and the destruction of their creations is to be avoided whereever possible.
Logos finally gives up on Teknall, and concedes that Galbar is doomed.
Vestec interjects that Amul'Sharar and Fate own the Universe, not Logos, and that he'd better not get on their bad side. Logos is defiant, since he is needed for the Road.
Vestec and Logos fight some more. Neither can actually harm each other. Vestec asserts that this is because Vestec and Logos are linked, two opposing forces fated to bring balance, and as such cannot destroy each other. Logos is infuriated. Eventually, Logos gets kicked through a mountain and doesn't bother returning.
Vestec returns to Teknall and gets Teknall to shoot him in the shoulder. It inflicts a grevious wound, as Vestec expected, confirming that it is only Logos and Vestec who can't hurt each other.
Before Vestec leaves, Teknall asks him about the south pole and learns of the dwarves.
Vestec and Teknall part ways.
Elsewhere, Goliath observes that the Realta are retreating, and disengages.

No Might spent.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

Out of curiosity, is there anything of importance around the Southern Pole of the world?

@Bright_Ops

Along with the new ocean and islands, there is a mountain made from the body of Reathos which is home to Lazarus' dwarves.

The South Pole used to be home to the Pronobii, but they're all dead now.

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

<Snipped quote by BBeast>

It's not so much that the Undead exist, it's more the fact that most of Vestec's contributions are... quite effectively little more then mindless weapons that go on rampages or worse, are intelligent enough to forcefully control other undead. A better way to word it would be... Farxus is the God of the Damned and the Cursed and will do what he can for them... but a part of him has a grudge against those who made the curses in the first place.

@Bright_Ops

The Cursed, as made by Vestec, actually keep their personalities from when they were alive. No part of Vestec's curse forces the undead to become mindless or evil. Some may choose to become evil, though, but that's a personal choice.
But yes, you still have lots of reasons to hate Vestec.

Also, found Death's Shards:
http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3766332, under Vestec, Creations.