Initial pleasantries accomplished, Ashevelen left Homura and looked at the planet with interest. Already other divine beings started to populate the place, mountains moved, a small city was built and mortals appeared.
She nodded pleasantly as she saw the others either arrive from whatever part of the cosmos or wake up now and learn about this new world they now live in. The new creations of a different divine being already started to move around and while they looked cute, they weren’t enough.
Carefully avoiding the other divines, as her next task needed solitude, Ashevelen circled the planet a few times to search for a place where her first mortals will be brought to life. Memories of past creations moved through her mind and after a few minutes which seemed like ages, she shook her head. This time they will be different. This time, she will start from scratch and differently from before, she will dictate what they have to do in order to gain her favour. She tried so many times to let them have free will and it ended the same, destruction, war, famine and worst of all, her teachings lost.
“This time it will be different!” whispered Ashevelen to herself. A way to solidify her resolve or at least to alleviate her fears.
Eventually Ashevelen settled on a place for her mortals to exist. A forest, deep and dark. She sat on the ground in full majestic form, contemplating different designs of mortals she could make. All the mortals she’s seen in her travels and all those she created before, they all seemed inadequate. She had to make something new. Something that she didn’t do before, nor has seen other divines do.
In her deep contemplative state, she didn’t notice the passage of time and soon shadows started to form as the sun moved in orbit. Moving her hand through the minimal light, the shadows moved and swayed under her hand’s movement.
“ Aha! I know! ” said Ashevelen loudly as she sat up, breaking the twigs of the tallest trees.
Concentrating on the shadows, her hand became incorporeal and with a whoosh she flung her hand inside one and pulled hard on it. Suddenly, hundreds if not more solid shadowy orbs were clinging to her hand and as she waved it around her, in a circle, they all fell on the ground. Growing faster and faster until eventually, they stopped. Forming creatures akin to shadows, incorporeal most of the time but with the ability to become solid.
These creatures, alive but not yet fully aware of what was going around them, stared at Ashevelen. Their minds not yet understanding the divine being in front of them. Ashevelen shrunk to their size and grinned.
“ You may not understand much yet but you will in time. Know that I am your creator and know that it is due to my will that you exist. I have pulled you away from darkness but I will throw you back into it if you dare disobey my commands. I am Ashevelen and I am your god. I am Ashevelen and I have only one command for you for now. Evolve. . ” her voice was similar to a thousand thunders. Her form radiating a divine aura strong enough that the shadow creatures put their hands to cover their two blank orbs which acted as their eyes.
“ Know that your race is now named Umbra and that I shall visit you again soon. I shall always be watching over you and I shall always protect you from harm if you follow my commands. Now. GO!” continued Ashevelen.
Immediately the Umbra quickly started to spread out through the forest, following their most basic instincts but knowing full well that the thing that gave them life, it will always watch them.
Ashevelen scouts the planet for a good location to think about what she wants to create. She notices that the other divine beings have already started to work on the planet, eventually she finds a dark place in the middle of the forest where she contemplates her previous creations and how they died.
Settling on an idea, she creates a race of living shadows which she calls Umbra and gives them one command that they have to follow otherwise she’ll return and destroy them all, evolve.
-4MP to create a sapient race of mortals called Umbra.
0MP/5AP left
The Umbra are living shadows that have an average height of 1.7m and a slender build. They have two orbs that act as eyes with no eyelids, they have 2 arms, a very thin body and no legs.
Umbra float above the ground up to 30 cm away from it and they do so slowly. There are no male/females in their race currently and they multiply by division. After a certain time and food consumed, one divides and becomes two. Each independent of the other.
Their bodies are solid but can become incorporeal for up to 15 minutes.
In strong light they fade away and die.
The Umbra aren't very smart and while sentient, they mostly rely on basic instincts to survive.
It was a beautiful melody and gentle radiance that surrounded her as the symphony of the stars continued, and so she contemplated in solace.
The red goddess did not seek to claim the nascent cosmos as her divine demesne, yet the truth of her inner authority and nature could not be concealed for a long period, and it would lead to terrible conflict. She had seen and experienced it many times, but it did not intimidate her. She would still invite others into her world, and accept the consequences... She did not wish to be alone any longer, and was not afraid of outsiders coming to her.
Was it because she remained faithful? A question that haunted her as she murmured to herself reassuring words that she had proclaimed long ago:
“I will bring Honor to the world…”
Once again… as she lingered in the heavens above, Homura allowed her gaze to languidly drift towards the empty world she had created, so small and insignificant compared to the black abyss all around, and yet it evoked something special inside her - a yearning. A fulfilling purpose.
She would continue to create beauty and traverse farther along the Sacred Path in search of whatever awaited ahead of her. She would be devoted to freeing herself and her family from the Eternal Cycle of Endless Return, and shatter the unseen chains that imprisoned all of them.
Anath Homura felt her shape twist slightly inwards, and she placed her hand upon the shimmering white rose that resided where her second eye should be. The acquired asymmetry bothered her, accompanied with a defiant agony that continually threatened to tear her apart. Her other hand was placed upon her quivering chest, where she felt the pain of heartache swell. She could not simply reach within herself and quell it, regardless of her tremendous efforts. It was a familiar paradoxical pain, healing and hurting her simultaneously. The ache would fade away soon, but it could not be ignored now.
- - -
Nothingness. Light. Nothingness again. Bright burning light and then pain, more than anyone should be able to handle. More than it should be possible to exist and then, again, nothingness.
“ Ahhhhaaaaaa! Blasted creature! ” yelled a creature as she popped into existence, falling towards the barren orb at a very high speed.
A loud burp sound could be heard from where she first appeared. Shaking her head and coming fully to her senses, Ashevelen stopped herself in mid-air. She proceeded to brush off specs of slime off her clothes and with a smile on her face look around. The orb below her majestic form looked empty, sad, vacant. Nothing interesting. Sensing another presence around her, she turned towards it.
With a small bow towards it and a grin on her face, Ashe addressed the divine being.
“ Apologies for my entrance. Those Blergarianian creatures are powerful but damn, it hurts going through them. I’ve got a myriad of names spread around the cosmos, but you may address me as Ashevelen. May I enquire if you are the one that called me here? ” her voice was friendly but guarded.
“I am Anath Homura, and I am the one that called you here. Be welcome, Ashevelen.” The red goddess answered solemnly.
The impassive visage of the Anath Homura consisted of a small and simple shape with lithe limbs sprouting from a torso, and a single head connected via neck to the chest, all of her body adorned with a modest carmine attire trimmed with white. Her long crimson hair was tied back by ribbons resembling roses, and her one fiery eye relentlessly stared at Ashevelen.
Anath Homura carried no weapons and wore no armor, but wielded an aura of immense power that resonated with the rest of creation and brooked nothing resembling resistance to its absolute authority as a warning. Though she stood upon nothing, hanging in stillness in solitude, Homura also exuded a semblance of subtle joy and obvious etiquette, as she then bowed in return before returning to an upright and straight stance.
Ashe rose up from her bowed position as Homura talked. A sign of humility or weakness in front of another divine being but such was her way, appearing weak when needed, strong when not. Her form was indeed simple for a divine being, two arms, two legs and a well formed body with a long golden robe covering it.
“ Truly a pleasure to meet you. My old place got very boring after the first millennia and I was in need of something new. I thank you for your invitation to share this place with you and others who might answer your call. ” said Ashe, her tone changing to match Homura’s.
Looking at the barren orb below her for a second, she shook her head.
“ A bit empty down there for now. Lonely place. I shall get onto that later on, but first…” continued Ashe before making a small pause to turn towards Homura, looking her in her normal eye.
“ It is in my nature to offer you a gift for inviting me here. Call it a sign of goodwill and, hopefully, the start of a good relationship. Tell me what it is that you wish, great Homura and if it is within my power, I shall make it. ”
“It is my wish to be with my family. Hmm… therefore, your presence here is enough of a gift from you that I gladly accept and appreciate it. Let it be known that I have no intention of harming you, Ashevelen… or the others that arrive here - let us all enjoy peace and prosperity together.” Anath Homura replied, gesturing outwards with open arms and a poised smile conveying a much more amicable attitude than what she had earlier presented. However, It was also evidently cryptic and contradictory; a strange melding of sincerity and secrets behind an exquisite facade. She spoke both truth and lies using the same words and mannerisms.
Ashevelen nodded sagely, as a trader with experience, she knew how to discern the meaning behind the words of people. Even if those people were divine beings such as herself.
A hole in existence appeared next to her hand and she put her hand through it, concentrating for a few seconds. A bright light came out of it, illuminating the surrounding space. As she pulled her hand out of the hole, it closed itself as fast as it appeared. In her hand, a small mirror rested. Golden on the sides and the glass which the mirror was made of shone bright.
“ You wish to be with your family and with your family you shall be. Concentrate on the mirror, imagine the person you wish to see and they will appear to you. Just an illusion based on your memories and imagination, mind you. ” said Ashevelen with a bit of pride in her voice as she made the mirror levitate towards Homura.
“Indeed…” Homura said as she beheld the golden mirror after receiving it, and then tipped her head with gratitude towards Ashevelen. A motion that was accompanied by a slight smile that seemed bittersweet. The red goddess slowly closed her one eye and she spoke again, exuding an aura of serene calm, as even their surroundings emulated this tranquility through a sudden stillness, a soft and almost silken suppression of the ambient song of the stars.
“I will be returning to my realm after I have greeted the other gods and goddesses that are willing to speak with me. Hmm… Ashevelen, I ask that you please visit my home and share the gift of your presence with me again.”
“ I shall graciously do so, Anath, but first…I’d like to have some fun. And so, with the initial pleasantries done, I will take my leave as well. ” said Ashe as she bowed once more to Homura.
Looking down, she noticed other divines answering the call and she grinned. With a whoop , Ashe sped downwards at high speed towards this new world. A new beginning.
Anath Homura is contemplating the fate of the world and her history when she feels an intense amount of pain. Afterwards, Ashvelen arrives through a portal. The two introduce themselves to each other, and Ashvelen gives Homura a gift. Homura asks Ashe to visit her again, and Ashe agrees to after she has some fun elsewhere.
Ashevelen makes a trade with a Blergian creature to answer Homura’s call and gets teleported via a portal to her new home. Sensing a strong divine being, Ashevelen offered a gift to Homura as a sign of good will. A mirror which allows one to conjure illusions that are self-conscious. After their interaction was done, Ashe felt the presence of other divine beings and went down to the planet to have some fun.
In the eyes of mortals, Ashevelen's form is what the viewer finds the most non-threatening and friendly.
Aspect: Trade
Ashevelen is the Goddess of Trade. Wherever it is a trade between mortals or a trade between Gods, Ashevelen can see the trade and weight in her opinion if permitted by the latter. Trade means any exchange of goods, services etc between any number of parties.
The commandments of trade, as enforced by Ashevelen or her servants are as follow:
All parties must agree not to back down from their part of the deal. All parties must understand that a trade is final. All parties must agree that if one outsmarts the other, the outsmarted party may propose a new trade on the spot and the negotiations begin anew. If one of Ashe’s servants is involved in a trade, their decision is final. Violence is not permitted.
Ashe can bestow her favour to anyone who worships her, so that their trades are successful. Her holy order of servants travel the lands working as advocates for anyone who calls upon them. A peasant might engage in trade (information, land rights etc) with a noble and ask for assistance from one of her servants which would increase the chances that the peasant won't be tricked.
If a mortal doesn’t necessarily require anything that is on offer, a pact can be offered instead. Power, information, servants, artefacts etc can be given in exchange for the person’s servitude for a number of years which is determined based on what they require. All pacts are binding the soul of the person to Ashevelen until their contract ends.
Aspect : Shadows
Ashevelen has recently unlocked the power of Shadows giving her control over the Shadows of the world. Creation of Shadows in places where they shouldn't, manipulating them in whatever way she sees fit. Traveling through shadows or giving them life is part of her power.
Trasnmission - What is Transmission? The action or process of transmitting information, solid objects, souls and what not. But it isn't only this, transmission is something that happens at every moment in reality, light is being transmitted from the sun, a written message is the transmission of data from one person to another. Life is being transmitted from mother to child, a teacher's wisdom to their students. Everything is in a state of being transmited in a way or the other and now Ashevelen can manipulate the process. Be it something small, like changing the location of an object to something major like making a city become invisible by changing the way light is being transmited over to those that look upon it.
Persona: Ashevelen is a benevolent goddess, eager to help those she meets in her travels. She occasionally makes deals with mortals for meagre things, for a God, in exchange for the thrill of a successful trade. Her greatest ambition is to find a mortal that can outsmart her in a trade. While generally benevolent, there are times where Ashevelen’s wrath can be felt in full. For example if any of her rules are broken, herself or her servants will force the rule-breaker to sign a pact with Ashevelen and if they refuse, they are permitted to take their own lives or be killed by the servants. They are to travel all over Galbar and sell all of their material belongings to other rule-breakers, unless they find a way to outsmart whoever enforces the pact. If treated with violence, all of Ashevelen’s servants can act as bodyguards for their charges and dispose of the rule-breaker.
In the eyes of mortals, Ashevelen's form is what the viewer finds the most non-threatening and friendly.
Aspect: Trade
Ashevelen is the Goddess of Trade. Wherever it is a trade between mortals or a trade between Gods, Ashevelen can see the trade and weight in her opinion if permitted by the latter. Trade means any exchange of goods, services etc between any number of parties.
The commandments of trade, as enforced by Ashevelen or her servants are as follow:
All parties must agree not to back down from their part of the deal. All parties must understand that a trade is final. All parties must agree that if one outsmarts the other, the outsmarted party may propose a new trade on the spot and the negotiations begin anew. If one of Ashe’s servants is involved in a trade, their decision is final. Violence is not permitted.
Ashe can bestow her favour to anyone who worships her, so that their trades are successful. Her holy order of servants travel the lands working as advocates for anyone who calls upon them. A peasant might engage in trade (information, land rights etc) with a noble and ask for assistance from one of her servants which would increase the chances that the peasant won't be tricked.
If a mortal doesn’t necessarily require anything that is on offer, a pact can be offered instead. Power, information, servants, artefacts etc can be given in exchange for the person’s servitude for a number of years which is determined based on what they require. All pacts are binding the soul of the person to Ashevelen until their contract ends.
Persona: Ashevelen is a benevolent goddess, eager to help those she meets in her travels. She occasionally makes deals with mortals for meagre things, for a God, in exchange for the thrill of a successful trade. Her greatest ambition is to find a mortal that can outsmart her in a trade. While generally benevolent, there are times where Ashevelen’s wrath can be felt in full. For example if any of her rules are broken, herself or her servants will force the rule-breaker to sign a pact with Ashevelen and if they refuse, they are permitted to take their own lives or be killed by the servants. They are to travel all over Galbar and sell all of their material belongings to other rule-breakers, unless they find a way to outsmart whoever enforces the pact. If treated with violence, all of Ashevelen’s servants can act as bodyguards for their charges and dispose of the rule-breaker.
Ashe went forward and scouted the area, following the tracks with an almost expert eye. She spent so long tracking her would-be trainers that she didn't have too many issues tracking their query, of course, it was different now than then. The shifting sands didn't make tracking easy but she still managed to do it.
Finally they arrived at a cave that seemed to radiate danger.
" I think you might be right. Dark mages, lunatics and monsters usually lurk in places like this. Keep your guard up, it might be that we're going to be ambushed soon after we go inside. " said Ashe, her face covered by her mask.
Name: Terlina Imythedralen Malophoros Erichthoniusa, known as T.I.M.E.
Base Form:
Aspect: Time. Time is everything that was, is and will be. Time was there before the Gods first appeared and will be after they have all passed but recently, Time gained consciousness in the form of Terlina Imythedralen Malophoros Erichthonius.
T.I.M.E’s powers range from slowing the passage of time, seeing into the past, accelerating time in big areas or around a certain object, freezing objects/mortals in time but she isn’t limited to that. TIME can see the potential futures of her creations and if it suits her, provide them with glimpses of said future.
Time itself touches everything and everyone, be it a simple stone to a creation so vast that it could hold the whole world on its back.
Persona: True Neutral - TIME’s greatest ambition is to create a realm where past, present and future can coexist,
Ashe was surprised for a second at Vincent's fast movements. A person his size to move that fast was a thing hard to expect and something Ashe learned now the hard way.
" You said we can use anything to defend ourselves, I used my tanto. Didn't think that would be an issue, if you would've said use anything that's not a weapon...that would've been something else. " said Ashe with a smile on her face, her voice friendly.
Lifting the hand which Vincent grabbed initially, she pointed a finger towards it and continued talking
" But, sir. You asked me for permission to touch me after you already did so. I merely thought you meant to attack me from such a big and imposing man as yourself. I am truly sorry for any problems I might have caused, you surely must understand that your appearance intimidated a person such as me. ”. Ashe took a moment to showcase her body in a very non-threatening way.
“ But fine, if you wish me to leave, I shall. I’m staying at the brothel overnight, just ask for Ashe and they’ll send you to whatever room I rented. ” a grin followed.
Ashe swiftly dressed up, put her odachi back before checking it again and walked away. With a lot of time left until the duelling tournament, she was at a loss as to what to do. It was too early for her to go back to the brothel, she just had breakfast and visiting her old mansion would’ve brought too many bad memories. Only one thing was left to do, have a drink and listen to rumours at the closest bar to her.
The day was busy after whatever party the king had, peasants, workers, dignitaries and all sorts of people minding their business. Whatever those might’ve been. Following the flow of the crowd, Ashe found herself in front of a bar. Deciding any bar is better than no bar, she went in. Even in the early hours there were a few people inside, drinking or eating.
Making her way to the bar, she ordered a drink and turned on her chair, scanning the crowd. Maybe there was someone inside that would prove interesting. Some gamblers in the corner, someone who looked more drunk than one could at 9 AM in the morning and…
“ Now that one looks interesting. ” said Ashe to no one in particular, turning the head of someone next to her in surprise.
Ordering two drinks from the bar, she made her way to what seemed to be a very beautiful woman with red hair and a sword at her side. Her bearing screamed “trained fighter” to Ashe’s sense and without wanting, Ashe was on her guard while approaching her.
Taking a seat next to her, Ashe put the two drinks in the middle of the table. One for her and one for the other person.
“ Greetings, hope you don’t mind me sitting next to you. ” said Ashe in a friendly voice.
And so, 6 months pass. 6 months in which Ashevelen had to work hard. For the first time in centuries, it wasn’t about genetics or different other similar issues.
Faced with massive backslash from the many other nations based on their faith, Ashevelen took a number of steps which the Chosen did not understand but not questioned either, for whom would dare to challenge the command of their God?
The answer would be quite a few people. Led by Pontius at the front, many of the Chosen, mainly Pontius's followers, questioned the Goddess's decisions relating to how to best interact with the heathens.
Nothing in front of the public, of course, but whispers in the dark, quiet enough not to attract the wrath of Ashevelen but loud enough to put Catherine on high alert.
What decisions would that be? First of all, the alliance with the Ishtari. Without knowing about the connection between Ashevelen and Tiamat, it was a hard sell but the most inquisitive understood that there were things which they weren't being told.
Eventually over the course of the 6 months, the Chosen learned to accept the Ishtari if not for the benefit of their army in face of so many other nations, surely because it was so commanded by the Goddess.
Ashevelen kept her promise and sent Anchorite alongside what seemed an irrational amount of Rejected over to Tiamat to work on a cure for them and thankfully, it seemed the progress was being made.
What would've taken long years for anyone else, the combination of Tiamat’s unconventional talents and obvious genius when it came to biology and Anchorite's super intelligence, intimate knowledge of the Chosen’s most important secrets practices, even if it was all dulled down by the occasional crazy burst of violence.
The results of the experiments for a cure, seemed to enhance the already enhanced Rejected to a certain degree, making a fully new type of Chosen. Unfortunately, the test subjects would die soon afterwards. 'Thus work would have to continue until a viable solution would be discovered.
Second decision taken by Ashevelen which wasn't understood was their contribution to the building of the Meeting Place. A massive space station that was formed in the Sol system, close to Earth. A place of neutrality where none may conduct hostile actions between each other.
A place of diplomacy and trade or in the Chosen’s case, a place of healing. The Chosen part of the space station was built similar to a hospital and their services were available to all. Any and all human diseases were treated for free and utmost care was provided for those that weren't human and wished treatment.
The Chosen hospital was accompanied, of course, by a church built in Chosen fashion. A reminder to all that the Goddess watches all and she truly did. All over the Chosen part of the station, security cameras were placed very discreetly.
None may conduct hostile behavior while inside and if they did, the Chosen were more than equipped to protect themselves. Only templars with the latest enhancements, golden armour and human-looking were sent.
William was placed permanently in a diplomatic position on the Meeting Place. Improving the relationships between the others and the Chosen to the best of his ability.
His own crew followed him and while the Rejected were kept away from interacting directly with the public, they were too allowed to join William's crew.
The last but not the least, the decision to allow tourists from other nations, after vaccination against RADX-001's dangers, to visit the homeworld. Under supervision, for their own benefit, but everything was open to the others to see.
From the burning rivers of Avalon, the Chosen’s second biggest city, to the acidic ocean where only Sirens were allowed to swim in as their skin was made to be able to withstand its waters.
Tourists were allowed to see the mass and join in the Church proceedings should they choose to do so, but, understandably it wasn't something that a lot chose to partake in.
Besides all of these, Ashevelen publicly spoke to the masses more so than before. Slowly seeding thoughts of doubt in her own godhood in the hopes of making the transition smoother when it would happen.
The visit on RADX-002 and promising to find a way to cure all was the most controversial action she took with many Chosen asking themselves, what does she mean by that?
The warning that came from the Ishtari about the upcoming war with PUNT, made Ashevelen’s decisions to strengthen the Chosen army correct and a large number of Chosen civilians asked to be transferred to a more militaristic branch of the Church for training and eventually to fight for the Goddess.
The Golden Armada, alongside the Ishtari battlecruisers were on constant alert at the Gateway, prepping either to attack or defend at a moment’s notice. While it took a while for the Ishtarians to follow the commands of Admiral Watson, they eventually agreed and soon the cooperation between the two armies became strong.
Also known as : Ashevelendar/Ashevelen/AsheTheReborn
Best compliment so far from [@Tortoise]
[img]https://i.ibb.co/qdK70br/image.png[/img]
On the brilliant roleplay : [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/185726-through-the-gateways-humanity/ooc] Through The Gateways [/url]
Playing as the Goddess of Trade in Divinus 7
[img]https://i.ibb.co/QjWNXR4/Ashevelen-Token.png[/img]
Playing as the Goddess of Shadowy-Trades in Divinus 7
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1006946263599677521/1014229630783340544/ShadowsAspectToken.png[/img]
Thank you!
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Also known as : Ashevelendar/Ashevelen/AsheTheReborn <br><br>Best compliment so far from <a class="bb-mention" href="/users/tortoise">@Tortoise</a><br><img src="https://i.ibb.co/qdK70br/image.png" /><br>On the brilliant roleplay : <a href="https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/185726-through-the-gateways-humanity/ooc">Through The Gateways</a><br><br>Playing as the Goddess of Trade in Divinus 7<br><br><img src="https://i.ibb.co/QjWNXR4/Ashevelen-Token.png" /><br><br>Playing as the Goddess of Shadowy-Trades in Divinus 7<br><br><img src="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1006946263599677521/1014229630783340544/ShadowsAspectToken.png" /><br><br>Thank you!</div>
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