Auriel Maza
Professor of Cuddles
So It Begins - Turn 1
The Skirmishes under the Singularity Sky
[Biome Theme] - [Eastern Eternal Autumn Forest] - [Also Known as Áedán's Lament]
[Narration Through Kalymnos]
The dead of winter, cold chills and frozen bodies. For an eternal Autumn, it bore confusion... until realized what the leaves truly are. Eternal Autumn for the blood and souls plunged into the soil then ripped into the trees. Leaves boring of blood and souls. For that is what they consume. There is no light here. Under the Singularity, there is only unmade light. Light eaten and barfed up in what many I knew would call unholy. Sickening, terrifying, soul dissolving light. Shadows surround. Silence fills the air. Clouds of smog and death fly overhead. Some would call this hell. What a fascinating concept. Humans. Once I would say they captivate my attention. Their essence and forms are rather unfinished sentences than anything really. Maybe that's why I came to Earth, to complete the sentence. Not like the rest of my idiot kind could do it. If I was truly one of them anymore. I couldn't let them get their greedy tendrils all over them. But, now, I love them. Not the love some other of my kind would say. Our kind feels nothing, pretending to ourselves that we do. They care about nothing, at their core, they lie to themselves. Creating life for sickening ends. I would not dare allow them to hurt the humans. Never. Not a ounce of power. Slaughter them if I must even for how unthinkable killing amongst us is.
How I arrived on their world, crafted my shell to walk amongst them, is rather unorthodox. That I cannot deny. Birthing myself in a human body. Using my power to conceive. Some may call it madness, the definition for which we made. But, it was a decision I will never regret. An oversight I had was the human capability of splitting after fertilization. A rather normal ability across existence. To make two of a kind from one. But, humans had a quirk to it. A spark that impressed itself even upon my own actions, upon my own power. And through that spark, I felt him for the first time. Zinovy. That was the name the human birther gave him... Mother. That is what they are called. The idea of family still confuses me. Not of the logic, but of the emotion. Emotions always confused me. I felt incapable to understand. But, as my human body matured, as Zinovy grew up, it all began to change. He knew what I was. From the beginning. Oh, the love he had for me. He baffled me with his understanding, his indifference to my true nature. He... pitied me. Belabored to me on how sad it was that I had never felt loved. Never knew what it meant to be loved. I still remember how every morning he told me he loved me. He never went back on his promises, always was there for me. Loyal, dutiful, sweet yet full of passion, wonder, and excitement. With all that I have seen, all that I have brought into being. There was nothing like him. And never in my years could have I known how much I needed him. How much I missed out. How glad I was that humans spawned from the Endless Tide, how they came not from the works of my kind or those strong enough to do as we do. Because none of us could ever make something so beautiful, so wonderous. I did the unspeakable. As they say, I showed Zinovy my hand. I showed him... everything. I started showing him my work, all of the 'paranormal'. One of my two fatal mistakes. But, he could grasp it, after some explaining and patience from me. It felt... good. It was the first time I took him across existence, seeded worlds. A companion, a friend, family. From him, I learned. Learned what I never thought possible. The unimaginable for me. How good it felt to have him by my side, how it felt to be heard, to not be alone. But, it was the start to my greatest mistake.
Distracted, the humans discovered a suspicion of my true nature and what Zinovy had seen. They took him, robbed him from our home. Beat him, tortured him, abused him. I could see... everything. How he begged me to help him. We are not to intervene. Not that way, not in such an obvious fashion. One of the fewest rules we have. In my distraction, I never tallied how much they knew from beyond their world. When the soul-ripping bullet revealed itself, I cursed. Anger upon myself. Surely they would only threaten it, yes? No. After enough, after he resisted all they had. The bullet plunged itself into his chest, into Zinovy. And I watched as his soul was ripped apart. Grief, anger, shock. So many emotions flooded through. Heartache, regret, self-loathing. Too much... too much... All I remember was grabbing his body, healing it, and returning home. But, I saw the apocalypse that I had wrought.
Not that it mattered. I let him die. Even as he begged with blood dripping down his face, I did nothing. When he needed me most, I abandoned him. What have I done? Now, all I have is his body, in his favorite hoodie. A soft, warm light cream in comfy pajama pants. Here, his souless body stays in my arms. Its irrational that it will ever awaken. But, its the only way I feel close to him. Only way I could honor him. This place, a creation of my laments. And here, a monument to him. All for love.
Oh Zinovy, please forgive me. Have mercy on me for abandoning you. If only I could have you back, I would spend my eternity making it up to you. Your word, be law by my will. Your enemies cast into oblivion, your friends cast into Elysium. Make you ruler of all humans if you desired. Not that anyone could stop me. But, I know you wouldn't want power because I will admit. You are the better half. It only took me eons to realize how incomplete I was. Now, with you gone, I'm... hungry. If you are out there, please come back to me.
And... I understand grief.
Then I felt it. They will arrive soon. Start their little game. Good. Now the bloodlust will be unshelved, laid to bare. The blood and souls they created to be sacrificed onto the altar for which they find themselves in. The altar to my beloved. And the instruments of my hunger salivate for their flesh. While I would prefer they stay, they will run. And in time, I will feast upon them wherever they go. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Divided into 4 groups, these will be the players you can interact with for your breakpoint. Will you do some early PvP? Or will this place's incredible danger stay you blade. Are you crazy enough to stay or will you leave? And evermore. The choice is yours. But as word from the wise, brace for tough battles.
See below which group you're in. Read your description, then with your turn post, write a freeform response (not a novel please) of what your peeps do as your breakpoint response. (This will be a unique variation of standard rules.) You still have your movement and turn actions.
deer
Kloudy
LadyOfStars
Trektek
- [Start 1] 622 [ 2 2 7 7 ]
Location: Eastern Eternal Northwest, Close to Lake Ursa.
As the folds of void wither away into this world, you find yourselves near a black lake. Filled with acidic water that will burn away metal and flesh. A lake that fills with the longing that permeates and rains over this place. Despite the usual abundance of trees here, Lake Ursa has little trees. Surely that would be a benefit. But, it is not. While you may see threats from a longer distance, the smog clouds and acid snow are far more of an issue. Death permeates this place and Kalymnos will not allow outsiders to thrive in his lands. This not known, but felt throughout this place. The soil around you made of obsidian and ash, bodies of humanoids in strange uniforms hang around you on any tree. Many of the bodies also linger on the ground. Not a single ounce of decay. Desiccated corpses with their flesh intact, as if they died yesterday. Yet, you know it could easily be years. On the other side of the lake, you see safety. Away from Kalymnos' shrine to his human. But, as you carefully look, you notice pillars on each side of the like. Glowing with strange light and numerous packs of... deer? Amongst other creatures. As you scan to see the other creations, you know that it must be natives of some kind. Something Kalymnos would allow in this place. And that spells nothing good. But, on all other sides, lay endless forest, uniform to inspection. And that is eerie in itself. Below you, the ground occasionally shakes and you swear some bodies are appearing from nowhere... Are they?
Circling overhead. You find some strange visible winds. They smell of... sulfur.
Effect: Horrifying Hallucinations. Perceptions checks may notice creatures, objects, etc. that do not actually exist. If poor enough rolls, you may battle entirely fake armies. However, until uncovered, will still be capable of killing your units. During battles or scenes, these hallucinations have chances to horrify your people. If this occurs enough, your people may suffer consequences to the exposure. (faction-wide debuffs).
Deer - The Daljeonin are rather capable in this environment. Though they're instincts speak not to get comfortable. This place is not normal... But, they're keen senses and acclimation allow them to pick out a tower to the north. It is at least six stories tall. Dare approach it? But also, they feel on edge, something from the trees might be stalking them. But, they can't be sure. What Kalymnos has done here wrecks their nerves.
Kloudy - mèdeis knows more about Kalymnos than most. Doesn't mean she knows a lot. But, this place, his mood. It is clear he has changed considerably. Tread carefully. He will grant you no quarter. But, from what she does know of him, she deduces that there is likely a cache of valuables nearby. He gravities towards the human legend of Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake. Perhaps Lake Ursa had clues on where this could be? But, mèdeis knows Kalymnos is a sneaky bastard. Now with rather... horrifying intentions. Do her creations dare to follow this lead? If so, she knows that Zinovy is the key. Something about him will lead the way or open any lock on the cache.
Additionally, her sight gives her great woes on the creatures ahead and another: great amounts of soul energy. Kalymnos seems to be gathering and refining souls. But, for what? It made no sense. What did he learn?
Powerful Foresight Triggers: It seems something powerful is hindering you hear. mèdeis hears a soft, tween voice. No, mine. For sure, Kalymnos.
Incredible amounts of munching sounds. Many funerals where the bodies are missing. Ruffling of parchment.
Wew the Polymath
Dest
Eliasdagood
Crocodile
- [Start 2] 57 [ 8 4 4 6 ]
Location: Eastern Eternal Southwest, Deep in the Craigs and Mountains.
???? [Once more of your sheets are processed. I will reveal.]
LucasGhost
Scatterbrain
CaptainSully
Kent
- [Start 3] 498 [ 6 4 9 5 ]
Location: Eastern Eternal Northeast, near an ancient compound.
Coming into focus, you stand in a dense forest, filled with bright leaves. But, gloomy nevertheless. Many of the other groups scatter like flies. Fear surrounds. Bodies, darkness, webs. Everything laid hazy as if something wanted to see you lost in this place. That was abundantly clear. Corpses with strange uniforms, of two different peoples it seems. Shiny card like things, weird looking flintlocks, and hanging metal with thunder coming from them. Before you laid a compound with each of you at one side. Left behind but it looked operational. The strange lanterns spreading light, the walls hold, the gate had a ticket box... was it a theater? Security was rather much for this. What plays are they having?
Strange vehicles surround and the forest is filled with howls and skitters. The sky seemingly falling with clouds. Will you go forth into this strange theater or into the unknown? Time expires quickly, others will go in your place. And heavens know what they will do.
Effect: Chaos of the Game. There are many other contingents here. Be careful. Interventions of other Architects are more likely and presence of this place will heighten. You may run into others that will sabotage you for no reason. But, there is chances to capitalize on the chaos, if you dare.
Sully - This place, Áedán's Lament, unnerved Aeventus and his creations on the ground. He never knew Kalymnos well. But, this.. this was odd, strange. And for Architects, that is a statement. As he scanned the overall threads of fate, the tones were quite muted. Meaning only one thing. Only Doom laid this place. Longer one stays, the muted the fates become. Do not linger here. But, another oddity awaited. Rumors spread of Kalymnos visit to Earth. Many rumors. But, the fates offered some insights. Zinovy is real and as rumored, dead. Soul ripped to pieces. But, one cluster of fate illuminated the most. Somehow, he can be returned to Kalymnos. Somehow, Kalymnos can't do this himself. But, the consequences that happen alludes you. Perhaps this could be goal for your intelligent people. Find a way to give Kalymnos' his beloved. Maybe the risk of great doom that you feel around it is right. Maybe it is a warning of what will pass should Zinovy not live once more. Fate is a fickle thing.
Cosmo
Forged in Flame
Twist
turbo6000
- [Start 4] 870 [ 6 8 6 2 ]
Location: Eastern Eternal Southeast, by a strange looking house.
The creeping terror, the shadow of death come into sense quickly. A coastline, sands of obsidian, bone, and ash. It seems to be calm. But, this place keeps you on edge. The calmness... more terrifying than anything else. A three story house adorned the coastline. A squarish house made of mahogany wood with many windows. All covered with curtains. Each window with a shell decoration above. It looked abandoned, but decently together. Not needing much repairs. The area around the house felt eeriely clean. No bodies and no blood. Not too far in the distance, do you see these stains. The leaves dark and wilted. Wind calm yet the smell of meat filled the air. Where did the meat come from? Who was cooking? Clearly they have been here longer than the start of the trial.
Effect: Eerie Calm: Somehow, you find respite in this place. Did Kalymnos like you? Or was he fucking with you? Hard to say. He's always been playfully tricky. But, now he was different. Could he be lulling you into a false sense of security. Is the house a trap? Regardless, the sudden ease might get the best of you. Dulling you to the task at hand. Surviving.
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