Lyla

Edged Horizon

@ERode - It was an idea... I wanted to, but I'm not really a fan of the default option as it were. I was more inspired by the idea of like a War Golem, a wholly self-intelligent type of machine. Which was fairly shot down by everything you said, lol. Unless there's another way of somehow making one, my idea simply won't work from what I gathered.

Edged Horizon

<Snipped quote by Lyla>

That'd be in line with necromancy, which, AFAIR is something frowned upon. I do know that Gods of War can have inklings of intelligences in them beyond following orders along with other strange properties/magic-esque powers, so I don't see why a soul couldn't be attached to one. I don't think the GoW would have the same autonomy or intelligence as the pilot that its soul previously belonged to, though.

@Asuras

Not the same intelligence? That would be the specific deal breaker to my idea, lol... I'll see what @ERode says though. Perhaps the new form could be constructed in a way that allows at least that? I don't know. There wasn't much history on War Gods, except one reply saying they're sort of ancient... which makes me worry that my idea is a no-go.

Edged Horizon

@ERode - I read through the information on the main page and some of the replies and had one major idea I'd love to run by you - a concept really. I was really adoring the idea of a War God, but wanted to do a couple twists to it. One being that this particular War God is actually human-sized, compact... might have more agility and less strength, I'm not sure. The other being that instead of having a pilot, the body was somehow infused with the soul of it's previous pilot... or perhaps better yet, the scientist/mechanic who designed it found a way to infuse their own soul into it. So essentially the body and pilot are one and the same.

I'm not sure what capabilities that would allow this prototype to have, especially when compared to magic or anything. That's something I'd ask you to explain, if this is even possible or feasible. ^.^

The Forgotten Goddess - [Invy, X and Lyla]

As the pair started to ring out to her, those green eyes found themselves looking at the mortal women once more, but instead of a raised eyebrow there was a gentle smile on her lips. ".. I do not mean to bring out the foolishness in you, Anela.." she lightly teased. Soon enough though, she adorned a more serious expression followed by a sigh. "Again, this is new to me. When I ascended the first time, it was no time before I had hundreds - even thousands - of those asking for my guidance and wisdom." Cecilia pushed from the table and stood up, brushing her hair back as she slowly started to pace back and forth in thought.

When she finally decided on something, she came to a slow stop and turned to the women. "I suppose there is no better way to go about this... then to commission ourselves to a hero's life.. if you truly wish. I would never force anything of you.." Again, she smirked, though perhaps with a slight bashfulness at Anela. ".. so no need to bow." With the lightest of blushes on her cheeks as she also gave Kali a curious glance, she walked over to the blade in the ground, pulling it from it's resting place. "Find someone in need. Though perhaps it would be best I ask this - what expertise do either of you have? In magic, combat, or simply otherwise. I may be immortal, but you two are not.. yet.." Cecilia wasn't sure letting slip a secret like that was exactly a wise choice so early, but on the other hand, felt it would do no harm to hint towards her thoughts. She was acutely aware of how important they were and wished for them to be more, if they proved to be the type of women that fit her own role in the heavens.

The Forgotten Goddess - [Invy, X and Lyla]

They both seemed intensely interested, which in a way made the goddess feel good, almost cared for on some level. It had been such a long time since she had felt these things from others - especially so personal as this. It made her smile softly as the pair asked their questions, causing her to just watch them for a moment. They also had very different personalities and she had to admit, there was something in both of them that she enjoyed. ".. the crown did not doubt me anymore, no, but by then I was a goddess. As for Sam.." Cecilia let out a soft sigh, having accepted the fate long ago. "I did try at first.. but only certain deities are granted this power.. nor could I revive her.. it seems like some cruel jest - or at least I thought so before - that I was a god and she was still dead." Easing the news with a light shrug, "but that was a few hundred years ago now."

"As for my absence..." She sat a little straighten and pursed her lips, a mixture of guilt and sadness written on her face. ".. long ago before I was forgotten.. everyone in this land loved me. It had only been a couple decades though before.. this Beast.. this darkness, turned everyone into angry, soulless things. Since no one prayed to me.. I used the last of my power to.. put them to rest and defeat the creature." She reached up and rubbed her temples with a heavy sigh. "For some reason, the other deities did nothing to spread the tale.. that or no one would believe that I was anything but a wrathful witch. So people abandoned me - out of fear - thinking I killed my people out of spite." Cecilia again shrugged lightly, as if trying to brush it off, but it was clear that it bothered her deeply.

However, the goddess turned her attention to them curiously and leaned back, propping herself up by the palms of her hands on the table. "I suppose I could try to gather a following once more.. regain my power.. but I'm not sure. In truth, I miss this. Personal connection and speaking frankly with those who look favorably upon me. I only ever wanted to do good in this world.. and I could do a lot of good if I reacquired my strength, but.." For the first time, the goddess pursed her lips shyly. At that, she simply decided to let thought hang in the air, her eyes slowly falling towards the ground in thought.

The Forgotten Goddess - [Invy, X and Lyla]

'More used to my presence, but not completely over..' Cecilia mentally noted, watching how they seemed to lightly hang on each of her words, despite of any efforts they were taking. It wasn't as bad as before, from the goddess' perspective, but still there. However at the please, she smiled softly - perhaps even sadly - as she recalled past memories. With the lightest of sighs, she leaned forward against her arms. "The most famous of my adventurers is likely the one that ascended me to godhood. Suffice it to say, dragons exist but they are very rare, very powerful creatures, whose blood is magic and scales as if steel." She paused a moment, studying the pair and seeing in their eyes that they were eager to hear. "Where to start..."

Pursing her lips for a moment, she nodded lightly to herself. "Probably best I set up the tale. Back when I was mortal, I had made my way up to the Lion's Guard, a group of veteran warriors that had been given the honor similar to a knight. Unlike being knighted, which is steeped in bloodlines and squire-ship, being a Lion's Guard was a path wrought with resolve and proving yourself on the battlefield." As she spoke, there was a tinge of pride in her voice, her lips curving into a happier smile as she recalled. "I had been recognized specifically for my success in mercenary work for the kingdom as well as my style of swordsmanship. People had taken to calling me a 'blade dancer,' like the ones further east." She shifted, looking to both of them in turn as she spun the tale. It was fun for Cecilia to be able to finally talk like this again. She hardly ever had the time as a goddess before, having to split her focus across her people, but now - it was just her and the pair. It reminded her of being human, of the closeness and fellowship. It was something she dearly missed.

"Either way, on one of my tasks to make sure a ruin was clear of danger.. I came across a sleeping dragon. It was hard for me to grasp at first, but soon enough I had hopped onto my steed and made haste back to the kingdom. At first, they didn't believe me.. that was.." Cecilia frowned slightly. "Until villages started to burn from the beast's mouth. I know now that not all dragons are evil, but this one meant to make slaves of us all. As the crown panicked and ordered us to stay and defend them.. I refused, branding me a traitor to the crown. It didn't matter to me." Her frown had slowly turned into an expression of determination as she relived the memories from the tale.

"I guess it was my resolve and conviction that swayed people.. because as I went from kingdom to kingdom, trying to gather what warriors I could.. people looked up at me, as a leader and inspiration - like some sort of light against the darkness." She looked at the two and smirked,"their words, not mine." Shrugging lightly afterwards, as if humbled by the memory, she continued. "Eventually we made it to the final battle.. a lot of us died... including Samantha, my love.." She paused, seeming very sorrowful at mentioning that name. "It was then that I struck the last blow to the beast, killing it as it faded away in a pile of dragon dust. It had wounded me however.. and I was dying.. I guess whatever forces grant such things, decided I was worthy of being a deity." Taking in a breath and letting out a sigh, she watched the two - ever curious to see their reaction. What the questions might be, to see which they were more interested in, whether it be the dragon, her position, her allies, or perhaps even her lost love.

The Forgotten Goddess - [Invy, X and Lyla]

The goddess smiled as she saw Kali hop in joy before watching Adela glide over to her chair, kicking away her original outfit as if it were unneeded now or perhaps even unwanted. It wasn't long before Adela spoke, out of disbelief, whispering wisdoms to Kali- whom followed suit. At first, Cecilia wasn't sure if she should be insulted or impressed, but upon a few moments she decided impressed was the better reaction of the two. "I see that you're becoming more used to my presence.. that's quick." Pursing her lips quietly, she glanced between the two and finally let out a sigh, offering a slight shrug. "No show.. no specific purpose.. simply put, you asked for proof, so I gave you what I could - without destroying my shrine. Besides, it looks better now.."

As if adorning a more causal demeanor, she pulled a chair next to one of the tables, almost as if to push it in. Instead, she hopped onto the seat, spun around and plopped her arse right onto the table like some common warrior at an inn. Without missing a beat, she propped her elbows on her knees, folded her hands and rested her chin on them. "So now you either believe or you do not.. and if you don't, I'll fade away into nothingness once more.. though.." She glanced at them, with a curious expression on her face. "No mortal mage can weave magic without words or gestures."

Cecilia sat in silence for a brief moment, tilting her head as her eyes gazed at the stone floor. "In truth, I'm not sure what to do. It is.. rare.. that a deity that was once forgotten, gets prayers to awaken them again. So I'm at a loss. Though I will say one thing for sure - and perhaps this will lose my tiny following.." She lifted her head and put folded her arms in her lap, looking right at Adela. "I'm not going to bed you. I don't know you. Besides, how often have you heard of a deity bedding a mortal?" she asked with an amused smirk. "I'd say that was certainly one of the boldest prayers I've ever heard." The smell of rain still penetrated the shrine, but the night was growing closer as the light from the sun started to fade, giving to the sounds of gentle crickets and the few occurrences of an owl. While some may have worried about seeing in the dark, somehow the shrine seemed to amplify the light from the moon, coating the inside of the building with a gentle glow.

The Forgotten Goddess - [Invy, X and Lyla]

Cecilia raised a slight eyebrow at the exchange, watching them acutely, seeing how shaky they seemed. It was a rare she would come down to the material plane as a goddess, so she hadn't much experience on how mortals saw her, though she often still saw herself as at least partly mortal. Since she had been ascended, she still had human emotions, which she felt were different than those born deities. However it was surprising to see the pair so.. enamored by her presence already. Even more so, it seemed they both preferred the fairer of the genders. 'Strange...' she thought, but in her short time as a god, she had learned not all coincidences were pure luck. As Kali called Adela out on her bluff, Cecilia lightly crossed her arms, giving the shrine a moment of silence.

"Hm.." Even the small thoughtful sound echoed with the gentle melody of a sweet violin. Lowering her arms to her side, she appeared next to Kali within a breath, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Do not fault her. You cannot blame her skepticism.. after all, how often have you met a goddess?" she questioned with a smirk. "Even when I was mortal, I did not meet Caitlyn but twice - the Goddess of Justice." Letting her hand fall, she took a few steps towards Adelan and offered an understanding smile. "So proof you shall have."

In a blink, she had appeared next to one of the wooden chairs and placed a hand on it. Slowly, as if for effect, the oak wood started to change into a blue wood with a silver shine to it. After it had transformed, it was obvious that the wood was from a rare magical tree called a Silverwood, in which the transformation started to infect the rest of the oak as well. It was well known in the lands that even the most powerful of mages had to use words or gestures (and in the case of journeyman and below, both) to cast magic, but Cecilia had done so without either and so effortless. "I always had an eye for this wood.." she said with a soft coo to her tone. Then turning to the pair, she waved her hand and smiled. "Also, always enjoyed this style of dress.. it looks nice, don't you agree?" Cecilia wasn't normally one to show off, so even in her tone she sounded humble, but Adela did ask for proof. They both realized that they were dressed in a different out than before.

The goddess then gestured to one of the, now Silverwood, tables where two sets of clothes sat. ".. just in case you wish to keep the outfits from before. I won't hold it against you if you don't share my taste. It's been hundreds of years and so these are from when I was still in power." She leaned on her hip again, folding her arms in a content smile, admiring their outfits and how good they looked - though she wasn't exactly enamored like they were, she still appreciated beauty when it presented itself. She used to be so shy though, maybe becoming a goddess had really changed her.

The Forgotten Goddess - [Invy, X and Lyla]

_Theme

I hear them over and over, the curses, the dread, the fear in my name. Cecilia the Devouring One they call me, mistaking me for that Beast. I've heard them for so long that it's but a breath away to ignore them, pretend they are the background noise to this sea of nothingness. Don't I deserve this though? Am I not the one in her self-righteousness, her arrogance, feeling as if I were invincible just because I was a god, that was the reason for all of this? I could've seen it, but instead I let my nativity get the best of me and doomed my people to fall. How stupid...

I go over my mistake again and again, trying to find a way that I could've fixed it or avoided and there are hundreds of ways - but it doesn't matter. I am forgotten, lost in the void of all forgotten deities. I cannot die, but I no longer hold any power.. only the capacity to think, to ponder, to wallow in my guilt. Why didn't the others spread my heroic tale? Did they not see? Are they all really that greedy? Was there not one noble god among them?

... w-wait. I.. this.. I haven't felt this in ages. Someone is praying - to me? That isn't enough, but.. someone actually gives me offerings?

---

Just as Anela turned to scoff at the newcomer, there was a sudden burst of wind that rushed through the shrine, forcing the door to creek and bang against the outside. Leaves and dust swirled around the two in a dance that could only be described as calming and soothing, the air becoming heavy with the scent of a fresh rainstorm, despite the sky's protest that there were no clouds. If it were magic, neither of them could feel it's energies - no, this was something different, other-worldly in nature, but inspiring in it's own way. Slowly, the dust, the leaves, and wind died down until the shrine was quiet once more.

However the play did not stop there. The scent of rain water still cloaked the shrine as the light started to dim into almost pitch blackness, then without warning, the light became so bright as to becoming blinding - though it did not blind. As the white flash drifted away, both women were presented with a scene that was familiar yet vastly different. The solid stone floor almost shined, free of dirt or grime, the chairs that had previously been broken and rotted were repaired once more, tables placed upright as if brand new, giving off the feel that the shrine had only been just built moments ago. The cloths hanging seemed clean and soft and candles were lit, giving off a gentle warmth, making one question how this could ever be the shrine of someone so evil.

Most importantly however, they both realized something. They were not alone. In the middle of the room stood a woman, clad in a mixture of cloth and silver chainmail, holding a runic blade in her hands. In many ways, this made her appear as a soldier, but upon closer inspection even the cloths had a unique elegance to them from an age gone by. The layers were folded to flatter her form and yet the chain mesh provided protection and mobility in ways that spoke to a skilled swordsman, but even the armor had a pleasant shine to it. Beyond this though, it was obvious that there was an almost otherworldly glow about her that was less seen and more so felt, radiating an aura of fierce compassion. It was then that they both noticed her staring right at them.

"The one who prayed to me.." The woman paused, but her voice was filled with a subtle yet musical echo. "I did not imagine the first request being that of a bed." Causally, but with what seemed like the strength of a dozen giants, she thrust the tip of her blade into the stone floor, sealing it in place. She then leaned on her hip, gently placing her palm against it, studying the two in a few moments of silence. "Regardless of why - I am thankful. No one has prayed for centuries.."

Her eyes then met Kali's own for a moment and Cecilia smiled softly. "Nor has anyone given me offerings in those times." The goddess looked down at her hand, flexing her fingers into a fist and then back to an open palm. ".. however, you may be disappointed." Her eyes wandered back up to the pair, her smile having faded. "I am the patron of noble warriors - not a love goddess." At that, she simply went silent, allowing the mortals to respond to her, lowering her free hand to sit at her side as she watched them with an unusual intensity, her piercing green eyes never leaving them.

The Forgotten Goddess - [Invy, X and Lyla]

Name: Cecilia Loxaerion
Alias: The Silvermoon, Patron of Noble Warriors (Devouring One by those who think she's evil)

Race: Goddess (Ascended Human)

Age: 368

Appearance: Cecilia is a shorter image of a woman, braving short blonde hair for the sake of battle. While not tall, she does adorn lean muscles all over, implying she was a warrior of some sort. Her skin is smooth and without imperfection, nearly glowing on it's own for how pale it is. Her eyes are a deep forest green, with an overall petite body and assets.

Hider

Personality: Cecilia is the model of a hero - compassionate, self-sacrificing, noble, and brave. She is friendly and more than willing to jump to assist others. It's what lead her to her godhood, but while she is more than ready to face evil straight on, she is less inclined to face social interaction. She is also sad and guilt-ridden by what happened to her people and being a romantic does not help that, feeling she is undeserving of the love she had lost in her mortal life.