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Now running: World of Light: The Tale of the Dark Itself
5 mos ago
Forever and ever, amen
8 mos ago
Calling out from Scatman's world
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11 mos ago
Called into action - by threats that seem harmonized
1 yr ago
Tomorrow comes
Bio
Current GM of World of Light. When it comes to writing, there's nothing I love more than imagination, engagement, and commitment. I'm always open to talk, suggestion, criticism, and collaboration. While I try to be as obliging, helpful, and courteous as possible, I have very little sympathy for ghosts, and anyone who'd like to string me along. Straightforwardness is all I ask for.
Looking for more personal details? I'm just some dude from the American south; software development is my job but games, writing, and trying to help others enjoy life are my passions. Been RPing for over a decade, starting waaaay back with humble beginnings on the Spore forum, so I know a thing or two, though I won't pretend to be an expert. If you're down for some fun, let's make something spectacular together.
Also, to the extent of my understanding, sufficiently powerful gods can create things outside of their portfolio and domain. They're just less proficient at it, so at higher level what's stopping Toun from creating an owl perfectly natural anatomically?
I suppose he could, but it would take a little while to get there.
I think that complex living organisms fall under Slough's domain but things like plants etc are fair game for all. Just a thought.
I re-read Lugu's post. I think that its all about natural vs unnatural. You can take two owls, one created by Slough and one created by Logos for example. Slough's owl is classified as completely natural while Logos' is unnatural because he does not have the life domain. Both can be completely identical but fundamentally different.
Well, they cannot be completely identical. Natural life is so because it follows the 'style' of Slough, which is composed of both her life power and all the influences in her, thus abiding by natural laws; unnatural life is so because it follows no natural laws as embodied in Slough, instead relying completely on the god that performed it. A Slough owl would be flesh, feathers, and blood, made of atoms, cells, molecules, neurons and so forth. A Toun owl would be repulsive flesh hidden inside an owl-shaped shell of perfect porcelain and gold, sustained by magic means rather than natural means.
<Snipped quote by Dawnscroll>
I take it will be kinda like the same thing as what Ilunabar will be doing: Taking Slough's concept and adding a spin to it, since life itself is written by slough on the elder scroll.
The essence contribute to the 'elder scroll' is an establishment of the natural laws that will foment the life created by Slough. It does not mean that anyone can create proper, natural life willy-nilly. If Ilunabar works with Slough to make a creature, it will be natural life with a spin on it, but if even someone as good as Ilunabar attempts to make life on her own, the end product would be unnatural life completely derived from Ilu's own powers, completely unique but still not the kind of natural life that will be common in the universe.
>I suppose the best way to describe it is that Slough's creations follow the natural laws. Working with her (or as is more likely, using her like a resource) will ensure that the natural laws apply to a god's creations. Working independently of Slough results in the use of shortcuts and permutations unique to that god, making their life unnatural.
There's a distinction to be made between natural and unnatural life. Natural life is the product of Slough, while unnatural life is made completely by other gods without a domain of Life. There's also stuff in between, using the natural life-power of Slough as a base but the designs of other gods. A fox, a mushroom, a fern, and even things like gryphons and dragons would be natural life. Things like Air Elementals made in conjunction with Zephyrion would be in between. The eldritch things of Jvan and the autonomous chaos creatures of Vestec count as unnatural life, whether seemingly organic or not.
In short, anything that comes form, in whole or in part, the life power in Slough, counts as life.
Nicely done, Termite. Remember that Jvan can still attempt to influence Slough once she's free; she just won't be as captive an audience as she was up until now.
Hidden and safeguarded in the close embrace of her protective cocoon, Slough could only react to the events unfolding around her with absolute obliviousness. No sense of the sleeping deer’s escaped the shell to feel the brisk eddies of Zephyrion, to shiver at the shadow cast by Julkolfyr, behold the radiance of Ull’yang and Niciel, or hear their divine words. For better or worse, though, the newly-summoned gods came, for the most part, to her.
First among the sensations to pour over her came stark whiteness, cast in the form of a bowl to carry her dormant, guarded body from its aimless place in the void to a spot close to the blueprint drawn up by another of the unknown deities. Like a desk ornament Toun placed her upon the fateful paper, newly etched with the first inscriptions of an original universe, but the passionate perfectionist did not forget her. Overcome with empathy for the ragged beast, so fragile and malleable, he offered her a simple and beautiful urge: to persevere. Laced with no intent but caring and no design but preservation, the influence seeped into the egg, and the power within Slough imbibed it readily. The first puzzle piece in the indeterminable jigsaw of the Rottenbone’s nature, Toun’s urge guaranteed little on its own, but at least made sure that Slough would not all entropy to reduce her back to nothingness.
In short order, that other thoughtful architect looked away from his grand project to consider the bowled egg stationed on his parchment. Words flew from his mouth to surround the cocoon, but the witless creature within understood nothing. Nevertheless, his tone reached through the insurmountable barrier that separated their minds, and Slough’s bestial consciousness felt as though a burden lay upon it. The tireless journeyman’s request, that her creations when and if they came to be could seem wondrous, weighed upon her half-dead soul. Senseless chaos could not be wondrous, merely startling and novel. The ability to evoke marble lay in order, incredible order from the physical to the molecular level and beyond, deep, deep down. The power in Slough sported a new, blind inclination toward the fulfillment of Teknell’s request: the intricacies of the orders of her living things would be so marvelous as to outclass any contrivable artifice.
When the perfectionist and the journeyman turned away to attend their affairs, along came a spider. Nothing beautiful, orderly, or peaceful could exist in his watch. When the others turned their backs, the shameless marauder ventured to touch the Rottenbone’s protective cocoon, activating its self-defense. Midnight-black corruption poured into the egg, squeezed as if it were from the sponge, but the shell rebuked it. Singling the corruption out like a disease, the power purged it as best it could, but even in defeat enough to leave the would-be victim inoculated against further infection, the corruption left its mark. In the hearts of Slough’s living creations there would exist a reflection of the chaos, resistant to the order of domestication and forever inclined toward wilderness.
On the heels of Vestec, and with laudable intent to undo the damage done to the soon-to-be universe’s premier source of life, a luminous seraph descended. The actions of other gods and goddesses, however fundamental in their miraculous effect on the all-important parchment from which the universe would arise, went ignored by Slough; they existed in a place unknown to her. Having already been filled, like a stomach with food, by the touch of three other gods, the forceful instillation of light into the cocoon met stern resistance. Refusing to be brought so easily into alignment, it fought the ablution, but just as with the blight of Vestec, this new intrusion left its own mark. Kindness and virtue, an admirable pair of traits, would be embodied in a way not expected in the link that would now exist between Slough and her creatures: their suffering, at least in her vicinity, would wound the soul of their creator.
Next came a being of the cosmos, and from him issued words of encouragement and advice. Again their purport eluded Slough, reclusive within her cocoon, and like water around a blockage the guiding light of the selfless starlight pooled. Already engorged with the influence of young deities, the shell repelled Ull’Yang’s blessing, however benevolent its content. It could not, however, withstand the force of his mighty arm. Its swing tore a gaping hole in the egg, which shuddered like an animal shot with an arrow. Around his arm, however, the wound rapidly closed, but not before the influence of the stellar god gushed in. The very next instant, the arm along touched the egg; to give Slough the opportunity to survive, Ull’Yang had martyred a part of himself. Into the egg the arm was absorbed, reduced to a liquid not too different from Slough’s rot but entirely more palatable, and the Rottenbone accepted her benefactor’s enduring hardiness. However, she also gained a semblance of vigilance: she would exhibit a greater resilience against harmful influences. The meaningful sacrifice of Ull’Yang also, however, altered her rot itself. To those in genuine need of her aid, her rot would be far more likely to heal than harm. Moreover, when the universe eventually existed in its entirety, and Slough could truly live, she might find a strange sort of solace in the glory of sunlight.
More offerings came. A discerning deceiver looked upon the damage done not only to Slough but to her future self and creations by Vestec and Niciel, and chided them both for it before humbly offering to the Rottenbone a concept entirely foreign and unintelligible to the power that consumed her from the inside out. What, after all, could be as simultaneously simple and complicated as enjoyment? Yet Slough ate of this sweet fruit, and for the first time knew joy. Despite her pain, Slough would be playful when circumstance would allow it. Afterward, the deceiver backed away, his intuitive nature for wrongdoing tarnished by an act of compassion.
Slough’s next visitor presumed to take something away from her cocoon, but what the beauteous virtuoso gave in return mesmerized the hurting soul of the beast in a manner utterly unprecedented. From ideas and rest the muse wrought dreams, and from sound and feeling she conceived of song. In her sleep, Slough dreamed of a place deep below earth, where a starlight heart beat out a memorable tune. This very song would appear within the nature to come, perhaps in birdsong, or the lap of waves, or the wind in trees—nevertheless it would exist.
Following the revelation of song, there came a meddlesome eidolon, intent on following in the capricious footsteps of Vestec and Niciel in defiance of the warning of Vakarlon. To the best of his ability he force-fed the infant divinity a smorgasbord of dangerous contradiction, endeavoring to negate if not upend all that had been given to her. But Julkolfyr underestimated the resilience of the Rottenbone, and Slough’s shell defended her impressionable mind. Still, Julkolfyr’s efforts would ensure that no living creature of hers could be innately inclined to either morality or amorality, and instead live in accordance with its nature.
Once this last encounter ended, the cocoon of Slough automatically reinforced itself. No further influence, however well-meant or wonderful, would get through for a while. This augmentation came just in the nick of time, though, for mere moments afterward the tempestuous breath of Zephyrion swept across the surface of the now-sprawling, intricate, and amazing parchment the egg of Slough lay upon. As it flooded the plans for reality with life, albeit a different sort of life than the one contained in Slough and better characterized as ‘flux’, it caused the egg to fly from her porcelain bowl and roll across the surface of the map. Where the fleshy, fibrous green skin of the mottled egg touched the harmony of creativity beneath it, another magic and primal glow filtered across it. This fluorescence, more subtle than that of Zephyrion, promised as it spread through the whole parchment that the universe would be perfectly palatable for life of all kinds. After a moment, the egg rolled to a stop, its journey concluded along with the conclusion of the great plan. Sitting there innocently, alive with power, it could not help but give the impression that it was time to begin.
Perseverance - offered to Slough in the infancy of her life by the passionate perfectionist. Though cocooned in a protective shell, she imbibed this urge, savoring its beautiful empathy. Slough will neither wish for death nor submit to entropy, even her own, never ever ever. Marvel - asked of Slough in the infancy of her life by the tireless journeyman. Already touched by another god's offering, and witless to comprehend words without profound feeling, she felt the burden placed on her. Slough's unwitting creations will be wondrously complex down to the microscopic level of order and beyond, their superiority unattainable and inimitable by any artifice. Wilderness - forced upon Slough in the infancy of her life by the shameless marauder. Already affected by the touch of two gods, the Rottenbone's protective shell rebuked the corruption, singling it out like a disease and purging it. Nevertheless the taint of chaos lay within--an inoculation and a taint in one. Living creatures made by Slough will be more difficult to tame and more wild in temperament. Sympathy - forced upon Slough in the infancy of her life by the luminous seraph. Already affected by the touch of three gods, the Rottenbone's protective shell resisted the ablution, refusing to be so easily brought into alignment. Still, she felt the touch of unifying light. Living creatures made by Slough, if subjected to mistreatment and in her vicinity, will hurt her psychologically. Vigilance - offered to Slough in the infancy of her life by selfless starlight. The penetration of her protective shell, however easily regrown, permitted the idea of vigilance to wash over. Though ignorant of her benefactor's sacrifice, she accepted his enduring hardiness. Slough will exhibit a greater resilience against harmful influences; her rot will be more likely to heal those who need help; sunlight will bring her solace. Enjoyment - offered to Slough in the infancy of her life by the discerning deceiver. Her heart reopened to benefice by self-destructive kindness, she ate of the sweet fruit of pleasure, and for the first time knew joy. Despite her pain, Slough will be playful when circumstance allows. Song - played for Slough in the infancy of her life by the beauteous virtuoso. In her sleep, Slough dreamed of a place deep below earth, where a starlight heart beat out a mesmerizing tune. In the nature that arises from Slough's power, there will be songs--odes to the music of the first dream. Ambiguity - forced upon Slough in the infancy of her life by the meddlesome eidolon. Her spirit strengthened by love, self-sacrifice, and vigilance, the Rottenbone's protective shell withheld catastrophic contradiction, defending her impressionable mind against a suggestion that would have meant its end. Still, little can be said for certain. Presupposed morality will be nowhere in Slough's living creations. -Quite by accident, Slough’s egg added to the grand universal plan a finishing touch, composed of all that had been accepted by her, to make the universe perfectly palatable for life of all kinds.
Similarly, Zephyrion has no interest in her right now. Ironically, she hasn't even really managed to catch his attention.
I do wonder what use she might even have for him, though. Perhaps he would try to imbue her with the power to animate the air and create those elementals that he wants?
That's a viable option.
Also, for anyone potentially interested. Whatever landforms or areas you create, if Slough happens by or is encouraged to happen by, she will fill the area with interesting life. The range of said life can be staggering; she won't, for instance, create grassy woodland in a hot, arid climate. Instead she'll make awesome cactuses and such. Furthermore, there's a very real possibility that Slough will make unique and powerful creatures. For instance, in an tropical zone, under the right conditions, she might create this: A huge and immensely powerful monster that by its very presence changes that entire region. Legends can arise from it for civilizations; mortals and their heroes can attempt to slay it. Even gods might have trouble dispatching the occasional monstrosity. Additionally, the chance of making monsters might increase the more is asked of Slough. For instance, if a couple of gods used her to make their specific ideas of life on their newly-created continent, the chance of having a 'malfunction' might rise.
While in truth the length of time between the arrival of Tawne and Echo, and the arrival of Albus and Burgundy might not have been so great, neither of the first pair were blessed with patience. Therefore, when confronted by their remaining teammates after a painfully boring wait and not in the least bit consoled by a flashy entrance, tasty snack, or festival prize, neither Echo nor Tawne appeared particularly thrilled. The latter, naturally, spoke first. ”Jeez! Did you not get the memo? Or the announcement? Can you even hear me right now? If not, say nothing.”
He stroked his chin and waited, pensive. Albus rolled his eyes. “Get off it, Tawne. It took a minute to find an airship. And this…this thing happened.” Discretely he looked left and right, as if a single soul in the landing bay of Amity Colosseum might be even the slightest bit interested in what he had to say. “I’ll tell you later.”
Shrugging, Tawne turned to Burgundy. “You didn’t lead my buddy astray, didja, miss mouth? Whatever, you can say sorry later. Right now we have a coupla things to attend to before we go to the arena. First: weapons. Second: there is no second. All of our weapons arrived here like an hour ago.” He indicated the direction that BEAT should go, haven painstakingly extracted the information from a passerby quite possibly as obnoxious as he.
”No, pinhead. Our weapons are in these flyin’ lockers we can call when it’s our turn to kick ass. Jus’ use your scroll.” A withering yet amazed glance flew her way. Had he only been told, the entire conversation with the random dipstick could have been avoided—a fact Tawne knew Echo knew, yet she made no attempt to step in. ”Thank. You. Echo.” The bespectacled keyboarder glanced at the other members of BEAT. ”Anything else I should know?”
Albus raised a hand, student-like. “I’m hungry, actually. Never got any noodles.” Seeing Burgundy walking, he followed suit, and the entire team left the landing bay in single file.
On the way to the arena, they halted in a short hallway full of vendors. Tawne, in fact, nearly crashed into Albus when his friend stopped abruptly. Navigating carefully around him, he beheld what astonished Albus so and let his jaw drop. ”Oh, my my...”
Without taking his eyes off the prize, Albus nodded. “I know, right. You thinking what I’m thinking?”
Singularly focused, Tawne returned the gesture. “Boy am I. But it’s so…massive. And thick. How could you get it all inside you? No, wait, I got it. I’ve still got some room in me. We can tag-team it. You can go first. If there’s any left, make sure you get me a part your mouth hasn’t touched. Don’t think of the consequences, man! Together, we can swallow the whole wiener, no matter how big!”
Echo and Burgundy looked back. For some reason, the boys had stopped completely at some guy’s shop and appeared to be intently focused on something behind the counter. As she watched, the shopkeeper lugged the great, brown shape up and slapped it on the countertop, before grabbing his buns and laying them out beside. Despite her initial shock and disbelief, Echo shrugged. ”They’re just getting’ a novelty-size hot dog. I bet the bozos are gonna use it for some crappy joke.” Shaking her head, she continued with her partner toward the arena to find a seat, with her teammates not far behind.
Current GM of World of Light. When it comes to writing, there's nothing I love more than imagination, engagement, and commitment. I'm always open to talk, suggestion, criticism, and collaboration. While I try to be as obliging, helpful, and courteous as possible, I have very little sympathy for ghosts, and anyone who'd like to string me along. Straightforwardness is all I ask for.
Looking for more personal details? I'm just some dude from the American south; software development is my job but games, writing, and trying to help others enjoy life are my passions. Been RPing for over a decade, starting waaaay back with humble beginnings on the Spore forum, so I know a thing or two, though I won't pretend to be an expert. If you're down for some fun, let's make something spectacular together.
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Current GM of World of Light. When it comes to writing, there's nothing I love more than imagination, engagement, and commitment. I'm always open to talk, suggestion, criticism, and collaboration. While I try to be as obliging, helpful, and courteous as possible, I have very little sympathy for ghosts, and anyone who'd like to string me along. Straightforwardness is all I ask for.<br><br>Looking for more personal details? I'm just some dude from the American south; software development is my job but games, writing, and trying to help others enjoy life are my passions. Been RPing for over a decade, starting waaaay back with humble beginnings on the Spore forum, so I know a thing or two, though I won't pretend to be an expert. If you're down for some fun, let's make something spectacular together.</div>
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