Then even non-existence was not there, nor existence,
There was no air then, nor the space beyond it.
What covered it? Where was it? In whose keeping?
Was there then cosmic fluid, in depths unfathomed?
-
"Well?"
Her temple throbbed.
"Today, child."
She took the queen into her shaking hand, focused more on the piece than the move. Clenching it between three fingers, she tried to raise it from the board, only for her hand to spasm and scatter the armies across and beyond their checkered field.
The tapping at her cerebrum began to pound at her thoughts. A frontal lobotomy that would claim everything. Blinking, she willed the spots in her vision away while her small hands mechanically gathered the pawns, knights, bishops, rooks, queens and kings, muttering to herself their annotation like scripture.
A hand fell on her shoulder and all became still. "Arianrhod. Look at me. Just reset the board."
He leaned back, skin and eyes black with ink, and she woke up to a knuckle pressed to her cheek.
-
"You were speaking in your sleep. Did you have a vision?" Ceridwen asked as Arianrhod started carding her hair.
"No." She smiled. "Just a nightmare." Arianrhod punched her cheek and let her arm fall to the swaying carpet. We've arrived?" She asks.
"Nearly. Lleu knows the way. Get dressed." She planted a kiss to her cheek before withdrawing to the howdah's lower tier.
Arianrhod rose up, breathed in, breathed out, and wept.
Orders
1. (Co-op Action 1) Clear a pit and prepare it as an arena.
The Chief gazed upon darkened wastes with a watchful eye.
The Grand Sage Khaoul had travelled far, as had his ancestors before him, in search of weathered lands that might sate the lust for shelter his tribe so ravenously desired. They had arrived during an exodus that took them further still across the dark, and now he sensed the time for settling.
"Celestial blessings, Grand Sage. Do we rest here?"
Before the Chief and his disciple was a large pit depressed into the darkness. The telltale wisps of lantern-light told of a fledgling tribe attempting to convert this nook into an abode. The time for ink-swept eyes had passed. Perhaps they would share in common interest?
- II -
The Chosen's Quest
I hear thee, O' Celestial One.
The Vessel named Enyo heeds.
Yes. I am. Yes.
Your will be done, my lord.
I am your chosen. This fate is bound.
The Blessing of Rafael aligns. I am sundered, reborn...
This Vessel accepts.
Summary
Co-op Action 1: The High Sage Collective will join the Ciun in exploring & clearing a pit for habitation, using their [Darkness Lore 5] knowledge of the land to make use of suitable spots and [Mindshield/Sixth-Sense] to avoid detection from hostile entities: Grand Sage Enyo [Sixth-Sense, Darkness Lore (5)] / 48 Great Sages [Lanterns + Sharp Rocks]
Hidden Co-op Action 2: To be revealed by another player...
And so we fled the Cresh
Blood flowed there
Warning Heeded, they fled
Into the Sands we went
Change came with fear
We learned to hide
Shadows and puppets
"This will not do!" Bion snarled, his masked frame shaking in outrage as he looked over his people and his puppets. Like all the Sikander, he was in tattered robes hiding a naked frame, wooden mask hiding his face. All Sikander concealed their true forms. Which was a lie for a Sikander had not true form these days. They assumed the looks of various tribes beneath their robes to sow confusion.
"Father, we do what we can," Cleon said from the left of his father.
"The people are gathered. We have made contact with those willing to engage with us for a new home," Dion offers from the right of his father.
The twin's masks mirrored one another, and annoyingly enough they would swap them to confuse people often as a prank.
"Yes, we may find a home now. Build it potentially with these Sephirah and Agread should there prove space for us all. If not... we will slip in amongst them until we MAKE space," Bion said with huff as he again looks to the puppets.
"UGLY! They are ugly! And WEAK. Unacceptable. They are an INSULT to my glory. I must rework them immediately. The Monsterbone we found in our exile, I will use it now. We will make them better. Come, my sons, we have work to do!" Bion marches towards the puppets with purpose, pulling forth the Beloved Ruby Sewing Kit. They had much work to do to soothe his vanity and that required the puppets to be remade more gloriously, Actions: Player Action - Use the Unit of Monsterbone and Beloved Ruby Sewing Kit to upgrade the Puppets. Cooperative - Work with Sephirah and Argead to seek and claim settlement space.
In the heart of the Suspension, where the darkness reign eternal and the light dares not trespass, there dwelled a tribe of humans. They were the forsaken ones, born of darkness and shaped by its relentless embrace. Their existence, a fragile dance upon the edge of fear and hunger, where every breath drawn is a battle against the encroaching abyss. Within their crude dwellings of bone and sinew, the tribe huddled together against the chill that seeps from the very ground they tread upon, hugging what meager supplies they had recovered from the Crystal Sands. Eyes dulled by perpetual gloom flicker in the dim light of flickering lanterns, wary of the unseen horrors that lurked just beyond their meager sanctuary.
Their days are spent in silent reverence to the ancient rituals passed down through generations, rites born of desperation and whispered in tones laden with dread. They know not the warmth of laughter nor the solace of peace; theirs is a life steeped in the raw instinct of survival, where each day brings not hope, but a renewed dread of what the dark may bring. The elders spoke in hushed tones of a time before the darkness, a time when the world was bathed in light with a brilliance now forgotten. They wove tales of a paradise lost, a realm beyond the reach of shadow where their ancestors once roamed free and unblemished by the stain of perpetual darkness.
Yet such stories offered little comfort to those who now eke out their existence in the oppressive gloom. Hunger gnawed ceaselessly at their bellies, a relentless reminder of their fragile mortality. But it is not only hunger that haunts their waking hours. Fear, too, coils like a serpent within their hearts, its venomous whispers echoing in the caverns of their minds. They fear the darkened woods that encircle their enclave, where unseen eyes watch and unseen claws await the unwary. They fear the chill that creeps through their bones, a harbinger of unseen terrors that prowl in the endless dark.
And yet, amidst the despair that clinged to their weary souls, there lingered a spark of defiance. It is the flame that flickers in the eyes of the young as they listen to the elders' tales, the ember of hope and faith that refuses to be extinguished. They are the descendants of those who refused to surrender to the encroaching dark, who chose to face the darkness rather than cower in its shadow. Their people had come far. Guided by the light illuminating the darkness, which only they could see... such was the blessing of the Argead and the third eye. They were not defenseless like their ancestors once were. Muttering prayers and humming hymns... the Tribe of the Argead steeled their minds and souls. They tended to their Inner Light as their faith in themselves and each other grew. For among them were heroes, ancient relics and most importantly... the Argead himself.
The prayers were abruptly silenced when a small group of men emerged from the darkness, among them a man baring the Lantern of the Third Eye, which illuminated the region to the tribe. Before them stood Antipater, the chieftain and patriarch of the tribe, who had led the Argead to the Suspension. In a curt, yet confident manner, Antipater spoke "These lands are foreign to us. We must learn to survive... and then thrive. Food, water, shelter. That is what we need. Our scouts have encountered some of the other tribes fleeing the Crystal Sands. We will... cooperate with some of them to suit our needs and purpose. However, the tribe and the Argead come first. Food, water, shelter. That is what we seek."
Antipater turned away and walked forward into the darkness, illuminating the horizon with a light that only they could see.
---
1. Cooperative Action: In coordination with Sephirah and Sikander tribes, begin searching for a new place to settle... though if they happen to find a particularly interesting place or object then the tribe might keep mum about it especially if they find it with the help of the Lantern of the Third Eye.
"The Screen" -- Individuals or groups (the power magnified with number of adherents) become resistant to all forms of damage and gain stealth and invisibility as long as they eschew aggression and intend to disengage/flee from danger. This is not something that can be used for static defenses, but for fleeing, scouting, or otherwise non-violent travel it can be very useful. Gathering can be done under the "Screen" to increase yields because you can gather more not distracted by dangers.
Lantern of the Third Eye -- this lamp conveys bright light in a mid/long range AoE, but does not attract predators (unless GM warns otherwise) -- the light can also be invisible to non-tribals, allowing the tribe to see while others must depend on other or no light. Depending on brightness this grants Fear (8) to lesser creatures, and Terror 5 to any animal with less than 1 melee die (so insects, muckhoppers, and other vermin flee in swarms, or are kept from the area) Once per season it can be focused into a beam during a combat to grant Fire (20) to the wielder. I am thinking that except for shorter periods, the bright light is visible only to your people.
2. Cooperative Action: With the trade agreement with tribe Ciun in place, the tribe visits the Ciun arena to celebrate the union of the two tribes. What better way to celebrate such an occasion than with an event such as the duel between the Oliphant and the Argead? Besides, such a spectacle presents an opportunity for the Argead to display its splendor and bring back the children of the Witch into the faith.
Lysander
-2x Principled Perk
-Overzealous
- Social 15
- Lore People (5)
-Bonded to Horror
-Mindscreen x2
The Argead
-"Emanates (faith/wonder)" (10) - this manifests as reinvigoration 2 (mental AND physical) to people who "accept"/"believe in" it. If they don't believe awe 6+ instead. (they may be too awestruck to attack)
Order 1 (Shared): Cooperate with The Argead(Heyitsjiwon
) and the Sikander Troupe(Crocodile
) to establish a settlement in somewhere nice with hopefully some cool resources. The Shamans will work to establish the Sanctuary Ward (establishes a sanctuary. expels hostile creatures.) around the settlement as well as the Barrier and Hidden(stealth) ward on the main encampment of the Sephirah Clan.
Note: You allow me to settle ahead on the Triple Ekes but I would have to make this action a STRAINED action.
More Order Details
Make the first stages of the home! We'll focus on the ward defenses and maybe we could also find cool resources nearby?
Materials Used
1 unit of Shadowbone. If this is not enough for all three wards, I will rather focus on the Barrier and Hidden Ward for the Shaman's own territory instead of the additional Sanctuary Ward for the settlement in general.
Enchanting Bonus (+75%)
The WARDFORGE - in crystal sands, the Vivaldi great forge was destroyed and abandoned, with only it's crucible saved as a relic. You took the remains of the forge (basically a conical ruined oven) and made it into a magic mill for producing wards and runes. This is anathema to the Vivaldi (who will know or at least have rumors it was taken) -- but grant an additional +25% to crafting enchants and wards, and the effective increase in material quality is 1d2 per craft.
Enchantingx2: This is an art of etching, tatooing or inscribing runes and wards. Runes generally go on items and people, wards on larger things like doors/buildings/areas. Wards can be broken unless HALF their creation % is overcome. Runes generally cannot be removed except by the tribe that crafts them, so are generally boons or curses.When a rune or ward is made, roll 1d100 (+50% for x2) -- if you get 100% the rune/ward is "perfect", less than perfect wards become more temporary, less than perfect runes can have unexpected properties. Wards cannot (even is bonus allows) exceed 100% quality. Runes can go up to 120% with expense of fatigue, resources or wealth.At this level, wards and runes can do most anything the player desires at GM's discretion. You can attempt to make a rune or ward invisible but it takes -30% from the crafting, and you must decide if you are doing this before the enchantment is attempted.
Possible Character Bonuses
[Daring], [Insightful], and [Ambitious]
Order 2 (Solo): Create the [Sacrarium]
More Order Details
The [Sacrarium] will be established, located in the deepest and most protected part of the Tribe settlement. It will be right under the [The Bound One], the tribe's monster. 4 units of Shadowbone will be used to erect four corner pillars with. 1 unit of Ruby, and 1 unit of Liferoot will be used to construct a core in the middle. The purpose of [Sacrarium] will be to fully focus and maximize the effects of the monster. As it is right now, it has [Emanate - Mental Energy] and [Reinvigoration 2] but it's only from its passive aura. The Sacrarium's purpose is to focus it all in one spot for a true powerup. Where the Shamans could also do their most sacred of works and channel the monster's energy to the enchants itself.
The Shadowbone Pillars and Ruby Liferoot Core will also be heavily enchanted to make all this possible. The Ruby Liferoot Core will be used to tap into the mind and powers of the [The Bound One]. Additionally, the WARDFORGE will be attached to the [Sacrarium] and 2 units of gold will be used anywhere to make the Sacrarium better, more powerful, and look cooler!
Then after this is finished.... The Shamans will initiate the [First Sacred Baptism]. All full shamans (you mentioned each tribe has like 50 people) will undergo a full baptism in the [Sacrarium] where they will be baptized by the energy of [The Bound One] through the Ruby Liferoot Core. Those who fail means they will die and then they will be fed to strengthen [The Bound One]. This will be the first step of the tribe's goal to be able to fight against the monsters by themselves without raising a monster.
This MIGHT significantly reduce the number of Shamans BUT shamans never really relied on numbers in the first place. Back in the Cresh, there were only 5 Shamans and they were very powerful.
Moving forward, [The Baptism] will be part of the Shaman culture where you cannot become a fully fledged shaman unless you undergo baptism.
Enchanting Bonus (+75%)
The WARDFORGE - in crystal sands, the Vivaldi great forge was destroyed and abandoned, with only it's crucible saved as a relic. You took the remains of the forge (basically a conical ruined oven) and made it into a magic mill for producing wards and runes. This is anathema to the Vivaldi (who will know or at least have rumors it was taken) -- but grant an additional +25% to crafting enchants and wards, and the effective increase in material quality is 1d2 per craft.
Enchantingx2: This is an art of etching, tatooing or inscribing runes and wards. Runes generally go on items and people, wards on larger things like doors/buildings/areas. Wards can be broken unless HALF their creation % is overcome. Runes generally cannot be removed except by the tribe that crafts them, so are generally boons or curses.When a rune or ward is made, roll 1d100 (+50% for x2) -- if you get 100% the rune/ward is "perfect", less than perfect wards become more temporary, less than perfect runes can have unexpected properties. Wards cannot (even is bonus allows) exceed 100% quality. Runes can go up to 120% with expense of fatigue, resources or wealth.At this level, wards and runes can do most anything the player desires at GM's discretion. You can attempt to make a rune or ward invisible but it takes -30% from the crafting, and you must decide if you are doing this before the enchantment is attempted.
Possible Character Bonuses
Perks: [Daring], [Insightful], and [Ambitious]
Quirks: [Entitled], [Psychopathic], [Erratic], and [Coldx2]
Materials Used
5 Units of Shadowbone
1 Unit of Ruby
3 Units of Necris Jelly - Necris jelly preserves undead, increases the (Undying) value for those who already have it, and gives +1 to death saves if applied quickly to the patient.
Note: Wardforge has an effective increase in material quality of 1d2
2 Units of Gold
1 unit of Liferoot
A deadwood stood silently in the way of the tribe. Row upon row of twisted dead trees, rooted since time gone by, now lifeless.
Ballon's people went in pairs everywhere, as it was dangerous to go alone. Everyone knew that. Elders and children picked at little plants, mushrooms, pale worms from the dirt. Standing sentry were the men and women. With faces tired beyond their years, they faced outwards into the unending mist and nothingness of the Dark World. Chief Ballon had assured them their path was the least dangerous, which made them ever more vigilant against letting down their guard. In its entirety, the tribe was quiet; noise was death, they knew, almost as bad as overly bright lights.
Ballon himself had lent the flashcube to a little old woman. She was a mother of eight, a grandmother in the tribe, and all loved and cherished her as much as they could afford. She directed two children over the precious scource of heat and fire, as the less-than-slave fare sizzled on a flat stone. Mushrooms, worms, filthy scraps, but to them it was a feast.
He ignored the sizzle and scent of precious grub (and the few literal grubs). He pressed his hand against the cold, blackened bark of the nearest tree. His minds eye furrowed its 'brow' and peeped itself open a touch. Images and impressions came like molassas flowing out of a tiny crack...
'Light ... Light... Nothing ... ' The tree had once begged, 'Death.'
Nothing. Treedeath was loud, due to the fact that trees seldom died alone unless it was from persistent pestilence or mens cutting. No, treedeath was the raging of a fire, or dark monsters, or the miasma of the world killing life as it had all-too-regularly done. No, this deadwood would provide no real information. Ballon thought, and then thought some more.
Scents of food being done came to him, and with them a new impression. A new voice. From within the deadwoods, came the idea of food. Where had that scent come from? Where was the maker? The thought would know, and it rose up larger. Dead trees were shoved aside and a direction was picked.
Ballon snapped out of his thoughts. Time to leave. He motioned to the old woman to close shop. The flat cooking stone was emptied as food was hurriedly shoved into mouths by dirty fingers. Hiss, hiss, snap, the future seemed to indicate. Yes, now would be a good time to leave, Ballon concluded. No sense waiting around to listen to the future, only lose his precious workers.
He kicked the flat stone off of his precious light, picked the cube up, and as quickly as the Lesser Concordat had came; they left.
Action 1: Hillhome. Instead of a crater, the tribe seeks out a home for itself on higher ground, relying on the wisdom of Ballon.
Collaborative w/ Player: Using their extensive knowledge of the Suspension (Lore) the Idafaoda and Lesser Concordant will seek out an, off season if possible, ant lion nest or similar in an attempt to find loot, materials and even security from the creatures of the dark. Flash cube will be used in it's sheltered mode to attract waywards.
TWISTER:
Perks: Gallant (X3), Intelligent (X3),
Quirks: Audacious, Chaotic, Amoral, Blindly obedient.
Skill: Lore (15) X2 Suspension, Creatures.
WAFFLE:
Perks: (Self-Sufficient x2) (Resourceful)
Quirks: (Oppressive) (Selfish)
Skill: Lore (All) (10)
Seimari
Turn 1
[Things to look for! Passionatex2, Artist, Bravex2, Deceitfulx2, Power Hungry, Glory Seeker, Spiteful and Messy]
Kostis tossed and turned on the hard ground, low growls rumbling from his throat as he barred his teeth at some nightmarish foe, his body was slicked with and the silk bedding clung to his body like a second skin that would no doubt have to be peeled away when the mountain of a man awoke. His muscled body was tense and his limbs were flayed out, his leg over and almost crushing a tiny mousy looking woman who was sleeping nearby. His arms flayed out, his right arm over the edge of an immense throne seeming to consist of the bottom jaw bone of some great creature, his hand opened and closed around a tooth as if, even in his dream, he was unable to let go of what was his [Power Hungry/Messy]. Beads of sweat continued to roll down his dark olive skin, his long, wild and rough hewn hair sprayed out around his head like a dark halo without rhyme or reason as his face jerked left and right by some unseen force [Messy]. Suddenly Kostis body jerked upwards, his spend bending as from his chest burst a mighty roar that split the darkness around them, a roar of fury, of anger, of defiance [Bravex2]. The clearing filled with sounds as the people, laying sprawled around him as the tribe slept in a great 'pile' for protection, were startled awake, jumping to their feet to look for unseen danger as Kostis, himself, was slowly risen from his slumber by his own fury, his eyes fluttering open as he moved to set up..
His dark eyes scanned the darkness, barely illuminated by the lanterns, as the men and women on patrol had just come rushing back to the edges of their bedding to see what was wrong, Kostis waved them off, "Its nothing, check our left side, I think I heard something although I don't double it turned tail at my fury," [Deceitfulx2].
The guards gave each other looks but gave a deep bow and turned on their heels to investigate what was absolutely nothing. Kostis dark eyes fell on the small woman under his leg and he pulled his leg back before he shot it back out, kicking her in the stomach and sending the tiny woman rolling and tumbling down the throne and across the bedding [Spiteful], "Get up," Kostis growled as, he, himself, rose to his feet before stumbling to the throne and collapsing on top, drawing deep breaths as the beads of sweat felt cool in the 'evening' air.
Despite their size difference, the mousey woman made no noise when she was kicked besides the 'oomph' of her breath being knocked out. In silence, the tiny woman drew in a few breaths before she climbed to her feet and moved over to him, she tugged down the silk sash of his body and with a clean silken cloth, gently wipped away the sweat and grime of the floor, her hands strong despite their size. Her almond eyes, under the dark bangs that so often covered her face, almost expressionless as she worked. She reached to his side into his herb backed, crushed many in her palm, and then gently began to dab and rub it into his skin. The herbs were harmless and useless, nothing more then to help him smell better.. Water was precious and so bathing was a rarity, but Kostis refused to stink and smell, he was more then that [Glory Seeker, Power Hungry, Artist, Passionatex2... Deceitfulx2].
As the mousy woman worked, Kostis took her in. He had no idea where she had come from, his 'Napkin'. This tiny slave with strange exotic features, she had merely emerged from the darkness one day, without a word, and to this day, he had never heard a peep from her. She was his personal servant, his assistant, the one to clean up after him as he tended to be a whirlwind of destruction and waste [Messy]. Kostis reached out, his massive hand cupping her chin as he tilted her head back to look at him, her soft features, small nose and ebony eyes gazed back up at him without hint of fear or love. They simply were. He examined her like this for a bit more before he shoved her head to the side, but she was back to him in a moment, rearranging his robe back into its place [Spiteful/Messy]. As pathetic as it was, as cruel as it was, Napkin was the only person he 'trusted'. Even his own daughter..
His eyes searched out the darkness, checking yards away from the group for the telltale 'tent' of his daughter, of Thaleia. It didn't take long for his eyes, long adapted to the darkness, to make out the outline of her place. The strange sticks, silk and spike barrier she used to keep small predators away outside of it. She never slept with the clan, and she rarely spoke to him these days outside of pleasantries. She.. hated him. He knew this although Kostis didn't think she realized he knew. She was not the liar he was [Deceitfulx2], in fact, she was not many things he was. She was... A good child. A good person and so he had let her fly.. even when he knew he should have broken her spirit for the betterment of the Clan but love and the refusal to crush something beautiful and unique were stronger then any petty desire [Held Back Power Hungry because of Passionatex2 and Artist]
Kostis hoped she found happiness someday, a partner of her own, well, he'd rather that then wake up in the middle of the 'night' to find her stuff gone and that she had simply upped and vanished [??]. He let his thoughts idle for a few more minutes as his clan started to gather their belongs and prepare for the journey to continue.. "Come Napkin, we have much to do today and Glory waits for no man." [Glory Seeker/Power Hungry]
------------
Co-Op Action 1 [Singer/Seimari {Eliasdagood/Cosmo}]
The two clans will explore the Suspension together to try and see what they can find. They are looking for three things specifically:
1. An NPC village of decent size in a well placed location
2. Animals/Plants
But if they can find more that'd be nifty! But village most important followed by animals/plants! I have Junk Points to spend to modify the roll if I can/is needed, perhaps Thaleia tinkering up a tool to help explore! [Like a dowsing rod or something]
Useful Perks/Quirks/Abilities for this action Elias
Black and white low-light vision
Animal Kinship [Ancestry]
SEG [Ancestry]
Elias Perks/Quirks that may effect this
Capable - Reroll on any noncombat endeavor but must take second result. Repeated use causes mental/physical fatigue.
Compassionate - Synergizes with Animal Kinship Ancestry
Focusx2 - More consecutive turns/rounds you work or concentrate, the higher the bonus.
Calm - +s while concentrating, which stacks with focused
Cosmo
Herculean Ancestry [Can go for longer, more agile and fast for scouting]
Healing Ancestry [For finding plants]
Tinker with Junk Points!
Perks/Quirks that may effect this
Passionatex2, Glory Seeker, Bravex2
Co-Op Action 2 [Singer/Seimari {Eliasdagood/Cosmo}]
Once a suitable village is spotted [or chosen if multiple], the Singers and Seimari will prepare. Singers will remotely MIND CONTROL children to have them sneak out to receive poison crafted by the Seimari as well as be 'touched' by the Singers so they can be remotely viewed. The children will then return to put poison in their people's food and water, as best they are able.
When the time is right, and chaos has spread, the mind controlled children will RISE UP and attack their parents. In this chaos, the Seimari will lead the charge from outside to cut down the defenders and claim the village, its people and its goods. The Remote viewing will be used to help guide the children's poisoning as well as make the attack time perfect for the Seimari [or as close as can be].
Useful Perks/Quirks/Abilities for this action Elias
Black and white low-light vision
Animal Kinship [Ancestry]
SEG [Ancestry]
CHILD POSSESSION [Remote by Hope and some members]
Remote view anyone they've touched, 50% to remove view people they've seen.
Elias Perks/Quirks that may effect this
Capable - Reroll on any noncombat endeavor but must take second result. Repeated use causes mental/physical fatigue.
Monsterousx2
Focusx2 - More consecutive turns/rounds you work or concentrate, the higher the bonus.
Calm - +s while concentrating, which stacks with focused
Invisible - Easier to go without being noticed
Cosmo
Herculean Ancestry
Healing Ancestry [Midnight Nettle Poison (10)]
Tinker with Junk Points! Perhaps making some gizmos to help scale walls and what not if needed to improve roll.
Perks/Quirks that may effect this
Passioantex2, Deceitfulx2, Power Hungry, Glory Seeker, Bravex2
The hand is a beautiful thing. Bones slotted together in perfect unity, tendons and muscles arranged in such marvelous ways so as to allow complete and utter flexibility. The flesh distributed to allow dexterous movements while still providing cushion. The skin! Tough in some places, loose in others. It was a damn shame. But also a blessing, because are the most beautiful things in this world not also the most fragile?
Novan did not have a hand that he could crush at the moment, but he did have something almost as good. A dog-like creature, its hind legs smashed beyond repair, but stil breathing. To call it alive would be a falsehood. It had already given up, laying weakly on a cold stone floor, and soon it would be gone, but not before he had his share.
One giant foot rose up, and slowly, ever so slowly, he brought it down on the poor thing’s front paws. A sound of bones snapping and a pitiful last moan before it fainted, from shock or from pain. He bent down and ripped off an ear, a trophy for himself. Then he turned and let the lesser tribesmen take the soon-to-be corpse.
***
“You are inconceivable.” From the shadows, a low graveling voice.
Novan paused, mid-way through attaching the ear to his belt. Nobody else was near. “Father. You are truly one with the night.”
“I am not your father any more than any other, which is why I cannot allow you to prance around up there, as you seem so keen to do.” The voice was perhaps colder than when its owner had taken Novan’s fingernails, as a punishment for attempting to put together a broken spoil of war. The threat was implied.
The hair on the back of his head stood up, but he was careful to keep his face still. “My hunts are necessary. They-”
“They waste resources!” The shadows roared. “What, you think parading yourself and ten men out to capture small game is, is, IS A GOOD IDEA? You believe yourself so invincible, so important, that you will bring the rest of us down with you.”
Novan roared back, straightening his posture until he was absolutely looming over his father. “They improve morale! They prove we have culture, class! And besides, it’s not a huge deal. We are thriving, we’ve finally found our prophesied-”
A flare of pure disgust choked his throat, and the words suffocated in his mouth. Finally his father stepped out of the shadows. “That is precisely why we must be cautious. As Deimos foretold, when darkness becomes stronger, so too does light. A precarious balance, and the side that loses will be, I see it now, the side with the utter buffoon too prideful to recognize his faults [Witty]. Now get out of my sight.”
Novan made his way out, but under his breath, he muttered something audible only by the animal, its ear hanging limply at his side. “You are the buffoon. These are good for the tribe, and the only one who thinks otherwise is you. I'll show you a hunt, the greatest hunt in the history of the tribe...”
Actions:
Free action, approved by GM: The elders of the tribe are plied for information regarding other local tribes. It has been long since any strangers have come to the storehouse stair, but the elders know of people(s) that wander beyond the lamplights, and who's own lanterns trail far away from the hills.
Single Action: The tribespeople gather granite and wood/herbs from the area immediately surrounding the Storeroom Stairs, seeking out any possibly hidden treasures.
Sharp Rocks
Lanterns
Observant
Plant Lore (10)
Collaborative Action, with Xelthas (Mechking), Beastly Blood (Birb): A GREAT HUNT! The tribes move stealthily in the darkness, tracking down animals and avoiding the most troublesome nightmares. They seek to gain meat, hide, and bone, but also attempt to catch and domesticate useful beasts for a permanent source of food. Xelthas in particular sets up traps and ambushes, helped by the Nightstalkers' tracking ancestry. The Nightstalkers in particular raze as they go, acquiring small material gains.
Nightstalkers: Sharp rocks, Lanterns, Tracking Ancestry, Perks: Observant, Quirks: Destructive, brutal x2
Novan, equipped with T12 enchanted Living Caber. Quirks: Violent, Brutal, Stubborn. On the hunt, he attempts to talk to and interact with the other hopes as much as possible
Beastly Blood:
Sharp rocks, Lanterns, Fear (10 due to Seg Blood), Beastly and Mindshield (Seg) Ancestry, hunting culture
Wyrmjack armor (Hegallia): Perks: [Calm], [Cultured] Quirks: [Perverted], [Oppressive], [Remorseless]
Hellion: Perks: [Strong] & [Skillful] Quirks: [Extremist][Hideous], Extra Weaponskill ancestry (large set of claws), can set up ambushes, also gains an 3d6 for one attack in a season, rejuvenation 2, for the first 2 death saves has +2 without including bonuses or minuses, can run for a while without getting tired, illiterate Descriptors: [Martial Artist], [Swimmer], [Survivalist], [Trapper]
Hellion will help when it comes to setting up a trap for whatever they encounter, preparing an ambush and lying in wait for whenever the opportunity arises.
Xelthas:
Shark rocks, Lanterns, Ancestries: Camouflage, Amalgamations, Perks: Curious, capable, efficient, cold
The Weaver also has Ancestry: Hunter, has extra stealth, and is Brave, Reliable, and a Primadonna
Zaas turned and gave a toothy grin to his daughter Taas. She was the Light of his life, the HOPE of the tribe. Clan Vivaldi would be a smaller place without her in it. BUt he knew that one day, he would have to marry her off to an eligible suitor. No matter how much he would feel lesser for it (Dependent).
“Yes, Father. Both our new and Old Allies are already enjoying the beautiful work that we’ve done. Brainstorm has been a big help. After all, if he couldn’t carry a forge inside his handsome frame, we might have lost everything………”
Both were thinking back to their GREATEST LOST. When the evacuation was underway from the Crystal Sands, there was one thing that they needed above all else. Everything else could be lost to the sands of time, except this one thing.
THE GREAT FORGE. A movable relic of immense power that gave the Vivaldi Clan an edge, further above their natural crafting capabilities. Build by the very hands of Dass Vivaldi himself while wearing the Helmet of Protection gifted by the elder before him.
Zaas slammed a fist into the ground.
“If it wasn’t for those sneaky shamans backstabbing us and killing the Vivaldi Crusaders, we would have THE GREAT FORGE even now, instead of just a piece of it. We WILL get it back one day, even if it isn’t in my lifetime. (OBSESSIVE)”
Zaas motion to the large piece that was a boon to all the clan, but would be even greater once attached to a Forge of some kind. Until then, it would INSPIRE as it should.
“But for now, we need to help our allies find a new place to call home in these strange lands and continue to churn out our carefully crafted artistic weapons, armor and items. We shall spread the greatness of the Vivaldi Clan through these new lands.”
1. CO-OP Action: Find a New Home with Allies
Tara's:
Hunting Ancestry (x2)
Perception (x2) on Chief and Hope
Dedicated on Chief
Wild Card on Hope
All Tribesmen have Survival skill
Lore Monsters 10
Lore Creatures 5
Auriel:
I can fly, I have my dusk dawn ability which increases my perception, I can summon cherubs to help look, and I can use my order power to give us speed.
Twsb:
I have Lore Creatures, Place, Monsters, 5
Good Listener x2, Dependable x2, Driven
Hope Perks: Passionate, Good Judge of Character
Hope Quirks: Audacious x2.
Co-Op action 1: A new home. Applicable - Dependable x2, Good Listener x2 (boosts listening to others and thus cooperation), Driven - monster can FLY and is capable of water manipulation, improves its ability to look for things. Lore, Creatures, People, Monsters 5.
Search alongside with the Vivaldi, Archons, and Urjagar for a settlement location or locations that might befit a burgeoning coalition of tribes. NOT settling it. Considering how many tribes are involved, 'close' settlement locations that might fit the tribes together into two-three groups that are near each other are also acceptable.
Co-Op action 2: See DMs.
"... Must we really be so willing to aid them, father?" Ylesiyan rests on a rock, watching the tribe drill at their camp with their new, gleaming arms. "They are... Deceivers. Self-obsessed. And that... that plan..." (Good Judge of Character)
Her face is hidden behind a mask of mourning, polished bone stark-white.
"... The tribes must be united one day, yes. But is there really no other way? We could go forth and tell them to seek something else! A better path!" (Audacious x2, Passionate)
Dralyan's eyes are on the elemental, as he holds his own shield and spear in formation. He stands a full head above the rest of the tribe, but he is only a novice in their arts - hesitant, and nervous despite his bulk. But he is trying. There is a fire in him, one the tribe sparked, but now growing- his spear and shield moving in the honed patterns of the rest of the tribe. The Chief looks to his daughter, letting her work the tension out of her mind in her own way. (Good Listener x2)
"... We swore to protect our people as we left the Crystal Sands, daughter. We must." (Dependable x2, Driven)
He stretches his hand out towards the distant wastes.
"This land already possesses its own people. As we meet them, our actions will define the course of our presence- and they must not be a threat to us." (Driven)
Dralyan clenches the hand into a fist.
"It may be cruel. The other tribes may see what is done as a terrible act, no matter how great or justified... But no matter how many we must trample into the dust along the way, no matter their lamentations, we cannot let it waver our will. We face the darkness together, and we conquer it. It is our way." (Tactless, Hedonistic, Reckless)
"But they won't stop here," mutters his daughter, "there will always be another foe for people like them. And if we stand beside them... then..."
"Their choice of foes is their choice. It need not be ours. We are steadfast to those we might call friend, yes, but we have a higher calling." (Dependable x2, Driven)
"... I won't let it happen. I won't. If there is to be war, then let there be war- but it won't be blood-madness! I won't see the fate of the Crystal Sands again!" Ylesiyan grits her teeth, as she looks off into the distance. (Audacious x2, Passionate)
Dralyan just goes quiet, as he looks off into the distance. He really hopes his daughter could. But on the horizon, in the wind, the old Chief can hear it. The war-drums on the wind.
Eras change, kingdoms rise and fall. Nothing ever lasts forever. Changes and continuities. They say nothing can be done. That this life will never get better. The mantra of many around us and to those we will encounter. And we move, filled with purpose, to change hearts and minds. To undertake the next trial and begin our ascension. For they have accepted what they have been told without thought of their own. And that cannot be had. (Rational) And my heart twitches at the thought of it. Do I believe it? No, my heart reaches out to it. To her. I want to believe and yet my mind, my head holds me back. To demand evidence, to demand proof. To solidify these hallucinations that linger and leap from my mind. (Dubious & Rational) And I deny it so. No matter how comforting it can be.
And yet clawing at me is there. There is evidence, proof. By the mere fact of my existence. I validate it. And yet, I must deny. For... I have too! And the pain grows. My chest seizes, as if to admonish me. To remind me I exist. To torture this divide within.
My daughter, my sons, my love, my lovers all beseech me so. Most of the tribe does. To believe.... To believe in myself. (Dubious) For I am not worthy. Amaraa, Jozef, why did you choose me? What made me so special? I am neither of those things. (Rational) (Dubious)
Lips crash into mine and my thoughts whisk away. As they always have. (Absent-minded) My eyes open and I see his face. Rowan. Golden hair with deep eyes. Sweet tender skin and a wholesome, wolfish face. Oh how he tends me so. He laid upon me. His hand on my chin, his legs entwined with mine. (Hedonistic)
He rolled his eyes as claws receded from my hands, darkness faded, and I felt my body return to normal. The beast had made its appearance in my thought and considerations. (Monstrous)
"So you return from the depths of your mind, Shepard. What pains you? What hurts you, Karak?"
I cough, "Nothing new.... Nothing need more breath exhaled on." (Rational)
"Some things are. Some things are not. You lead us and you have done well. Our path is not an easy path. All know of it."
"It is not that which bothers me so. What laid past us, behind us on that path that concerns me. How absurd it is." (Dubious)
"Hmm, perhaps it is absurd. But when all that remains is the absurd. It must be true. And that reasoning has carried forth. Our powers reign in the light and the dark. Masters of it we are. And our legendary tale shows the ever present detail of power. Karak you know this."
"I do."
Actions
[Co-op Action] Work with other allied clans to find a home. (See Trek's post).
[Gathering] The clan on their travels and at their eventual destination will search for plants or other items capable of cultivation, resources usable for construction, and other items of interest. If mana is available, they will summon cherubs to help gather and use their duskdawn power to enhance their perception and hide from threats. Finally, if there is some mana remaining, experiment with sanctification and see if some resources change in result of the interaction. See also if this cleans the waters of the suspension. Orphea has animal 6 plus her celestial form awe. She also has cultivation and agriculture skill.
The Amalgamation of Xelthas
Eins Xelthas
Turn One
Finally, the tribe had escaped the horrors of their old home. Beasts and monsters of all sizes and shapes falling upon the residents of the wastes. But now they have found rest. Tribes willing to share their home, water, and power. Fellow women and men, from their old home and their new one. As the three tribes, all touched by the shadows and horrors in the dark, unite for a singular purpose: Survive.
Eins could only hope that that they also tolerate their more "inhuman" features. Because although he shared it with them, he had not shown them what it truly looks like. The oncoming hunt should change that.
Eins, the chieftain, laid his emotions bare in a remote tent, near his own, yet better hidden. He sat on the barely covered floor with only a dark sphere giving him companionship. It was their tribes patron beast, though perhaps "Horror" was a better descriptor.
None of the tribes elders nor him remember how they obtained it, stories and memories conflicting with one another. Eins himself is convinced that they found it in the dark, only guided by strange waves of emotion and a dull light. But who knows, as this perfect black sphere is an enigma to all. Noone even knows if that is its shell, its egg, its dormant form, or something else.
Yet it reacts and communicates, in its own strange and alien waves. Eins describes it as it "tasting" ones emotions. And feels himself waves of conflicting emotions radiating from it. The only thing he is sure about is that it seeks to understand them, as they are probably as alien to it as it is to us.
And while Dis/Harmony is tasting the chieftains emotions, conflicted as they are, it finds them muted, colder than others. Not as radiant as, for example, as The Weavers. The tribes Hope, an honourable title reserved only for the greatest among them. And he certainly lives like it. And radiates strong emotions as befitting of him.
A mix of cold and hot waves wash over Eins, dotted with a feeling of comfort and repulsiveness. Radiating back comfort, relief, stress, and discomfort alike. Although, perhaps to imitate him, Eins feels as if it is a lot colder than usual.
He stood up and patted the sphere gently as he turned to leave. "I will be back, as always. Maybe I will have changed, maybe I will bring back gifts. But I will be back, I promise."
An intense wave of emotions hit Eins as he left, and the lantern in his hand slightly dimmed.
There is still much to do, if they want to survive.
(Ancestries: Abomination and Camouflage (Stealth plus Discovery))
(Chieftain/Tribe Perks: Capable, Curious, Efficient. Quirks: Cold, Hypocrit)
(Hope: Duty (3), Body (2). Perks: Brave, Reliable. Quirk: Primadonna. Excptionality: Extra Hunter ancestry)
Solo action:
Search for useful materials and make basic necessities with them.
Collaborative Action, with Nightstalkers (Heterological), Beastly Blood (Birb), Sunborne (Obsidian): A GREAT HUNT! The tribes move stealthily in the darkness, tracking down animals and avoiding the most troublesome nightmares. They seek to gain meat, hide, and bone, but also attempt to catch and domesticate useful beasts for a permanent source of food. Xelthas in particular sets up traps and ambushes, helped by the Nightstalkers' tracking ancestry and the Weavers Hunter ancestry. The Nightstalkers in particular raze as they go, acquiring small material gains, and use their knowledge of plants to find any herbs along the way.
Nightstalkers: Sharp rocks, Lanterns, Tracking Ancestry, Perks: Observant, Quirks: Destructive, brutal x2
Novan, equipped with T12 enchanted Living Caber. Quirks: Violent, Brutal, Stubborn. On the hunt, he attempts to talk to and interact with the other hopes as much as possible
Beastly Blood:
Sharp rocks, Lanterns, Fear (10 due to Seg Blood), Beastly and Mindshield (Seg) Ancestry, hunting culture
Wyrmjack armor (Hegallia): Perks: [Calm], [Cultured] Quirks: [Perverted], [Oppressive], [Remorseless]
Hellion: Perks: [Strong] & [Skillful] Quirks: [Extremist][Hideous], Extra Weaponskill ancestry (large set of claws), can set up ambushes, also gains an 3d6 for one attack in a season, rejuvenation 2, for the first 2 death saves has +2 without including bonuses or minuses, can run for a while without getting tired, illiterate Descriptors: [Martial Artist], [Swimmer], [Survivalist], [Trapper]
Hellion will help when it comes to setting up a trap for whatever they encounter, preparing an ambush and lying in wait for whenever the opportunity arises.
Xelthas:
Shark rocks, Lanterns, Ancestries: Camouflage, Amalgamations, Perks: Curious, capable, efficient, cold
The Weaver also has Ancestry: Hunter, has extra stealth, and is Brave, Reliable, and a Primadonna
Tries to learn from everyone
The tall grasses and dry brush barely moved as hulking figures stalked through the early dawn. No thing of this size should move as silently or as swiftly, yet the Urjagar vanguard moved in defiance of any such fears. Proudly covering themselves in little more than a collection of fur rags and bone trophies, the small group huddled together with their chief, signalled by just a low hiss. Khopex Urjagar, first of his title, was already crouched over the faint tracks of some unfortunate creature maneuvering the wastelands in the twilight. His eyes narrowing, the chieftain followed the path with two feline-like leaps, before a small, sharp gesture commanded the rest of the vanguard to move ahead and claim the kill themselves. [Perception]
Only one tribesman remained with the chieftain, but he was a special one, as great hope lay upon him. Haduwig Urjagar moved a little closer to his father, eyeing him up and down in bewilderment. "You are allowing others to claim the honor of the first kill in these new lands?", he inquired, causing Khopex to frown and huff. "Never. Just giving them a head-start to make it more challenging. This beast is still far ahead. We need to discuss something.", the chieftain spoke harshly. [Overly Competitive][Daring]
Haduwig smiled faintly and nodded. Any opportunity to talk about something other than this hunt was welcome to him, as such moments grew rarer for his father. He had worried about the Khopex becoming more and more like a cornered beast himself, a beast he would need to slay one day. But for now, Haduwig didn't want to let it weigh down on him. "The other tribes... what do you make of them?", Khopex Urjagar demanded to know, causing Haduwigs brows to furrow. "We spoke of this already...", Haduwig was hesitant, causing his father to leap closer. "I didn't stutter!", he hissed, but Haduwig stood his ground. "And neither did I. My opinions haven't changed. They are the best way for our people." - "For now. Perhaps."
Silence fell over the two hunters again, as they both stared into the distance where their prey would reside. "There is this Vivaldi girl...", Haduwig tried to start, but a sharp glare interrupted him and he smiled sheepishly as he took a step back. "Not this again...", the Khopex sighed. "Focus!", he demanded sternly, after which he looked back to where they came from. "You weren't there... you didn't witness the Hetzegrimm tear us apart...", a heavy weight now carried through the great hunters voice. "And I was to weak to slay it myself. It must never happen again. We must never again be the prey, only the hunters! The Apex Predators! Do you understand that?!", anger and bitterness rung through, as Khopex spoke unusually much. "I vowed to protect our people in these lands and make all monsters fear us, and so it shall be, no matter the effort it takes! We are the hunters, we are who they fear!" [Dedicated][Overzealous]
Despite his palpable anger, the chieftain did not yell. His words were hissed through gritted teeth, so as to not alert anyone or anything of their presence. Haduwig slowly followed his chieftains gaze back, before turning again towards the strange lands ahead. "I think... they have had enough of a head start...", he slowly spoke and Khopex drew a deep breath in. "Indeed... come, witness me show them how it is done." [Overly Competitive]
"Perhaps I will be the one to show them.", Haduwig suggested with a smirk, but Khopex was less amused. [Wild Card][Humourless]
For a moment, the two looked at each other, than they both started to move with terrifying pace. [Strong][Overly Competitive]
"You are learning.", Khopex praised and Haduwig nodded. "From the best.", he agreed. "But is this really just about showing them up?" - "Not just. A day without bloodshed is a wasted day. We will do our scouting for a new home soon enough, but we must always test the hunting grounds." [Violent]
Haduwig kept moving along. "And what about...?", he began, but the chieftain cut him off. "Thats a different hunt. You can pursue her once we settle down for a while." - "I think I know just which fur to wear..." [Immodest]
Action 1 - Search for a new Home (Cooperation)
As per Trektek
post, the Urjagar join the Vivaldi, Xygaras and Yanmen tribes in finding suitable spots for a settlement. They will value good hunting grounds.
Hunting Ancestry (x2)
Perception (x2) on Chief and Hope
Dedicated on Chief
Wild Card on Hope
All Tribesmen have Survival skill
Lore Monsters 10
Lore Creatures 5
Tribe always finds enough food to sustain itself.
(Perhaps this might also trigger, its not a hunt, but I thought it might fit thematically and logically, so am just going to mention it)
Passive Gathering -- all during any hunt, tribals look for useful materials. You roll 1d6 after every hunt and then 3d10, taking the 2nd best number. You get some of this material (GMs discretion subject to size and length of hunt)
Action 2 - The Big Game Hunt (Hidden Cooperation)
-- See DMs --
Ilauf, the Chieftain of the Idafaoda, led her people of 50 or so through the darkness. Led only by the dim light of lanterns, they strode without fear into danger again. (Gallant/AmoralAudacious) Behind her, the playful banter of her twin girls, Flir and Bante, kept the atmosphere light amongst the Wolofighters. (Playful) Intelligent and brave, Ilauf was determined to gather much-needed resources for her people, but her plan was audacious. (Audacious) With extensive knowledge of the Suspension, their home, and its creatures, Ilauf had decided to search one of the various nests that pockmarked the landscape (Intelligent/Chaotic). There were perhaps safer ways to go about her plan, other paths that didn't endanger her people, but what was life without risk. (Audacious/Amoral/Gallant)
As if reading her mother's mind, Flir spoke aloud to her mother. “Putting the tribe in danger again with another audacious plan, mother?” Flir’s voice broke through her thoughts like a blunt hammer. “Remember the last time?” (Blunt)
Bante chimed in, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. “Yeah, the one where you decided to help those tattoo-covered settlers escape with some strange loot from another tribe?” (Playful)
Flir laughed, her eyes sparkling with the memory. “You had us covering their flight, just butting into who knows what, running headlong into trouble. And when we did, all hell broke loose.” (Chaotic)
Ilauf couldn’t help but smile. “It was a calculated risk,” she defended, though she knew how chaotic it had been. “And we did come out of it okay, didn’t we?” (Chaotic/Amoral)
Bante’s grin was wide. “Thanks to the Stand Up Man." She thumbed behind her at the moving bit of landscape that walked beside the tribe, the rustling of its branches sounding like laughter in the breeze as if the meaty tree itself fondly reminisced. "Without him coming out of nowhere and turning the tide, we might have been captured or worse.”
Flir nudged her sister. “And now, here we are, thinking of taking over... an ant lion nest? Talk about a repeat performance.” (Audacious/Amoral/Chaotic)
Ilauf’s voice was steady, laced with determination. “It’s not the same. This time, I have a plan. Audacious, yes. Amoral, perhaps. But chaos is where we thrive, my daughters. Life in the suspension is always a dance with death. Why not laugh and enjoy it?” (AmoralAudacious/Gallant/ Intelligent/ Chaotic)
Ilauf’s thoughts drifted back to that fateful day. Her plan to assist the thieves and steal from another tribe had gone horribly wrong, spiralling into chaos. (Chaotic) But in the midst of the battle, The Stand Up Man had emerged, a person of unnatural skill who championed any blow that came against him with unflinching resolve. Though he was struck down, he was reborn as the horticultural horror and kept on fighting. Ilauf had been in awe of the Man inspired to run back into the fray, to embrace bravery in the face of danger. )Gallant/Blindly Obedient)
“The Stand Up Man showed us what it means to be fearless,” Ilauf said, her voice filled with reverence. “That day changed everything. It made us stronger, bolder.” (Audacious/Gallant/ Blindly Obedient)
Ilauf stopped, raising her hand. In the distance, she could see another group lurking, a powerful light emanating from its forefront. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “We have company," she warned. (Intelligent)
"We have two eyes each, mother!" retorted the twins as their horror kept up its slow march, coming to a halt in front of the group. (Blunt)
This was unexpected. Ilauf began to think, trying to devise a suitable strategy, her mind pulling her towards conflict. (Intelligent)
However, her daughters had another plan. "We could try talking to them first, mother? Perhaps avoid any unnecessary conflict?" (Eloquent/Innovative)
Ilauf blinked her eyes a few times before pursing her lips in thought. "That could work. You girls are far more eloquent than me, so perhaps you should do the talking." (Intelligent/ Eloquent)
"Way ahead of you, Mother," replied the two girls, who quickly slipped by their Chieftain. "Oy You! Can we have a word!" (Blunt)
Orders
Collaborative w/ Player: Using their extensive knowledge of the Suspension (Lore) the Idafaoda and Lesser Concordant will seek out an, off season if possible, ant lion nest or similar in an attempt to find loot, materials and even security from the creatures of the dark. Flash cube will be used in it's sheltered mode to attract wayward. Robe of many hands will help search.
TWISTER:
Perks: Gallant (X3), Intelligent (X3), Innovative, Playful, Eloquent
Quirks: Audacious, Chaotic, Amoral, Blindly obedient, Brutal x2, Blunt
Skill: Lore (15) X2 Suspension, Creatures.
WAFFLE:
Perks: (Self-Sufficient x2) (Resourceful)
Quirks: (Oppressive) (Selfish)
Skill: Lore (All) (10)
Collaborative w/ player: Enter the Arena fights. Prove the might of the Idafaoda and their horror. Win or lose, the Idafaoda will fight bravely, with a smile on their faces. Darkwood Beer will also be brought to celebrate the all but certain victory, shared among all participants (Happy for it be used in the wedding and anything else. Just being trying to write this bit IC).
Lysander
-2x Principled Perk
-Overzealous
- Social 15
- Lore People (5)
-Bonded to Horror
-Mindscreen x2
The Argead
-"Emanates (faith/wonder)" (10) - this manifests as reinvigoration 2 (mental AND physical) to people who "accept"/"believe in" it. If they don't believe awe 6+ instead. (they may be too awestruck to attack)
Valanas is agitated. Already, they accept outsiders as allies. He has no idea whether this shaman, or these Seimari are safe for his people. He has to watch them closely [Intolerant] . His daughter, meanwhile, seems to be thriving. It's probably good for her to be around people who can appreciate her without so much worship as here, so he will try his best to behave [Compassionate].
At least he knows their new allies are far from soft. This... Will be quite the undertaking. They must begin immediately.
The two clans will explore the Suspension together to try and see what they can find. They are looking for three things specifically:
1. An NPC village of decent size in a well placed location
2. Animals/Plants
But if they can find more that'd be nifty! But village most important followed by animals/plants! I have Junk Points to spend to modify the roll if I can/is needed, perhaps Thaleia tinkering up a tool to help explore! [Like a dowsing rod or something]
Useful Perks/Quirks/Abilities for this action
Elias
Black and white low-light vision
Animal Kinship [Ancestry]
SEG [Ancestry]
Elias Perks/Quirks that may effect this
Capable - Reroll on any noncombat endeavor but must take second result. Repeated use causes mental/physical fatigue.
Compassionate - Synergizes with Animal Kinship Ancestry
Focusx2 - More consecutive turns/rounds you work or concentrate, the higher the bonus.
Calm - +s while concentrating, which stacks with focused
Cosmo
Herculean Ancestry [Can go for longer, more agile and fast for scouting]
Once a suitable village is spotted [or chosen if multiple], the Singers and Seimari will prepare. Singers will remotely MIND CONTROL children to have them sneak out to receive poison crafted by the Seimari as well as be 'touched' by the Singers so they can be remotely viewed. The children will then return to put poison in their people's food and water, as best they are able.
When the time is right, and chaos has spread, the mind controlled children will RISE UP and attack their parents. In this chaos, the Seimari will lead the charge from outside to cut down the defenders and claim the village, its people and its goods. The Remote viewing will be used to help guide the children's poisoning as well as make the attack time perfect for the Seimari [or as close as can be].
Useful Perks/Quirks/Abilities for this action
Elias
Black and white low-light vision
Animal Kinship [Ancestry]
SEG [Ancestry]
CHILD POSSESSION [Remote by Hope and some members]
Remote view anyone they've touched, 50% to remove view people they've seen.
Elias Perks/Quirks that may effect this
Capable - Reroll on any noncombat endeavor but must take second result. Repeated use causes mental/physical fatigue.
Monsterousx2
Focusx2 - More consecutive turns/rounds you work or concentrate, the higher the bonus.
Calm - +s while concentrating, which stacks with focused
Invisible - Easier to go without being noticed
Cosmo
Herculean Ancestry
Healing Ancestry [Midnight Nettle Poison (10)]
Tinker with Junk Points! Perhaps making some gizmos to help scale walls and what not if needed to improve roll.
Perks/Quirks that may effect this
Passioantex2, Deceitfulx2, Power Hungry, Glory Seeker, Bravex2
Cormyr Inaris sighed, running his hand down his face. A quick glance behind him showed that his tribe was beginning to flag. The march had been long, and having left last of all the tribes, they had been subject to monster attacks constantly. Not that his tribe wasn't able to handle such a thing, but he was beginning to regret it now. They would be running straight back into battle, and he wasn't sure all of them could keep up. Another sigh escaped him. Those too tired to fight would just have to remain behind and rest.
"Arryn," he called over his daughter with steady words and stony face. "You will stay behind for this battle. Keep the Omen and the tribe safe."
"But fa-" She began to argue, hoping to join, but was quickly silenced when her father cut in.
"No, you will do this. As is your duty." He watched as any fight left her, replaced with steel will. "Our tribe will win great riches if this goes well. But if it doesn't, someone will need to keep the survivors safe. I feel as though the coming fight will not be so easy." He glanced towards the Omen, then back to the hope of the Inaris. "Our people are weary from our travels. Find somewhere to set up camp while we are away. You know what to look for." With that, he turned away, calling for half the war dancers to follow him. The coming fight would be difficult, but he couldn't wait to get his hands on the reward, should they succeed.
ORDERS
1) Scout the surrounding area, looking for defensible positions to set up a somewhat safe camp. If none is found, then settle for whatever is least disagreeable. (Settling in the wild for now, as a monster hunting group)
2) [Co-op] The Inaris waits in support of other tribes entering the Suspension
The Crystal Sands had once shimmered with the promise of peace and prosperity but relentless conflicts had turned it into a battlefield. The once-pristine haven, now stained with blood, attracted carrion-eaters and monsters, forcing the tribes to venture further east, into the unknown.
The Pallane arrived at the Suspension, a place of unburning oil and foul, tainted waters. By the ever-present light of his lantern, Chief Eurymedon led the tribe through the darkness. Tidy and imaginative, he managed to keep the tribe in good health during their long odyssey. Gazing upon this new land, his mind raced with visions of glory and conquest, yet this very trait drove him to push the tribe harder and further than most would dare. Beside him, his son Patrigenos towered like a hulking shadow. Strikingly beautiful and capable, Patrigenos was a fearless warrior, though his moral compass was as murky as the waters of the Suspension. Narcissistic and amoral, his devotion to the tribe was rivalled only by his obsession with their latest addition, Periboia.
Periboia, with her otherworldly beauty and feral mindset, was an enigma. When the tribe had found themselves beset by a flying wyrm during their journey, it was Periboia who had come to their aid. Pouncing upon it, she had clubbed it to death with monstrous fury before consuming all but it's skeleton. Her presence amongst them was both captivating and unsettling, drawing the wary eyes of many, but none more so than Patrigenos. His fixation on her bordered on madness, driven by the fact that she alone seemed impervious to his advances. Where others faltered before his might and charm, Periboia remained aloof, her indifference stoking the fires of his obsession. To Patrigenos, she was the ultimate challenge, the one prize that eluded him. He vowed silently to himself that one day she would be his, no matter the cost.
Actions
Participate in the Fresh Cup (Monster Tournament.) [Apply Glory Seeker and Overambitious if applicable]
Look for somewhere safe to build a settlement. [Apply Overambitious, Imaginative and Extremist if applicable and use Wood for construction]
Alexian, enveloped in his Everburn Armour, looked to his tribesmen, and they looked to him with knowing interest. "My people, I have decided." Alexian calls out to them, "Gather, and know our future."
The Sunborne are but a shadow of what they once were back in the Crystal Sands. Hardly the greatest or strongest of the tribes, but they made a fair living throughout their time in the Crystal Sands. Life was not comfortable, nor prosperous, but it was a survival, and not the worst one they could have endured. Now, huddled together, scarred from battle and shaken from fright, they are far less today than they had ever been before, some holding muted flames in their trembling hands as they look to their new untested Chief with no small amount of apprehension. Alexian must raise these people into a proud and bright clan once more, or join with his father in the Ashes.
"My people, I have heard your words and pondered on their truths, knowing now what lies within your hearts." Alexian begins, looking over his people, meeting their eyes with his own. "My father... our Chief, is dead. He died, alongside many others, so that we may escape and live. We have lost much. Our homes. Our friends. Our families. We have taken a heavy blow, this cannot be denied. But what cannot be denied either, is our faith."
"My father lost his way, that much he revealed to me. He sought material comforts of this dark world, wishing for safety where none could exist, believing in false hopes rather than pressing onward in our sacred search for the Light of our Most Holy. He forgot our true nature. He forgot that we are Sunborne. We, unlike all others we have known, remember where our home truly lies. Within the Lightlands, within the blessed warmth and radiance of our Most Holy. Long have our people stumbled, lost and afraid, in this darkness. Long have we muted our flames in fear of what lurks in the shadows. Our neighbours abhored our Light, demanded we snuff it out, and we complied, but in doing so we learned fear. We learned cowardice. And this, my brothers and sisters, this is where it has brought us. This wretchedness is the rewards of forgetting ourselves, and embracing the ways of lesser men."
"No more." Alexian decrees, raising his hand before his people and sparking a flame in his hand, one that burns bright and fierce and free, casting back the darkness around them. "No more! We will no longer deny ourselves! We will burn bright in this Darkness, as is our nature, as we were always meant to be! No more will be fear the dark! No more will we indulge in the cowardly ways of lesser men! We are the Sunborne! We will burn a great inferno through this blighted land, cast back the Darkness and bring Daylight for all to see once more, until we find our true home again! In the name of our Most Holy, we will fight the dark, we will become bright and strong, and we will scorch these lands to cinders until we bask in the brilliance of the Lightlands again! Rise and be proud, my brothers and sisters! Rise and be Sunborne!"
Tribe Action
~ Throwing off the shackles of timidity, the Sunborne take to the field for their first battle against the Dark. The Chief, along with his hunting party, search for monsters to slay, seeking food as well as other material resources to be harvested from monsters. Materials harvested may be given to the flame to further incubate the egg.
The Hope ~ Narcellia Solis [Up to GM's Discretion]
~ Free Spirit [7]
~ Mind [7]
~ Confident
~ Playful
~ Spoiled
~ She grants Inspiration (+2) in combat or outside of battle
~ 3 Spark Tokens ~ for the duration of the game, which may grow if she is exposed to great flames. A spark token can revise or modify a very bad or improve a very good role partaining to forging or flame
The Angel ~ Luriel
~ Champion ~ A reckless and devoted protector, the Celestial fights mercilessly whenever His beloved is endangered.
~ Cultivate ~ Important early in their relationship, this angel can spin life into being where there is none as a gift -- and Narcellia always burns these gifts away forever.
The Beastly Blood “If we are to survive such trying times… perhaps it’s best not to think like that of an human… but instead, think more like a beast. After all, a place such as this has no reason to harbor humans such as us. So it is best we adapt to the darkness first before it consumes us all.” -The Father of the Tainted Blood
Turn 1
‘Failure… failure failure. Why is it that whenever he gets involved with anything, things fail time and time again.’
The scene cuts to a woman, clad in armor fitted with bones, some coming from the creatures that plague the darkness while others came from their fellow ‘man’. However, wearing such bones was low concern for her one bit, especially with what she was doing at the current moment. For she was punching away at a figure that was kneeling on the floor… being one of ‘many lessons’ that she had taught this ungrateful child by this point. “Tell me… did you truly even care about protecting the entirety of the tribe? Or were you… too distracted to simply notice or care…” as she raised a hooved foot into the air, slamming it right onto one of the legs of the young adult. Of course, she made real sure to control her force, not that she would’ve felt guilt if she actually did something [Remorseless]… in fact, in her mind, nothing short of disfiguring them for another time would serve well as a lesson for their failure, but merely because she didn’t want her son to be unable to attend the hunts that she had in mind in just a bit. She merely saw him as nothing more than a ‘resource’, a useful one at that, but one that she was fine with giving up if it furthered her interested. She raised her monsterous hooved foot up and off their knee before kicking it into the side of the adult, leaving them on their back on the floor.
The young adult grunted slightly in pain… one of many ‘punishments’ that his mother have done on the daily whenever he made even the slightest mistake. And yet, he knew why… he was imperfect. Everything he did had some ounce of imperfection to it. Even his ‘face’ and soul was imperfect, his face too ‘disfigured’ to be shown to others… and the fact that he could never be able to achieve this ‘calm’ that his mother had often spoke so highly about. And it made him feel disgusted about such. He wanted to be better than this, he truly did. To live like some ‘beast’, a wretched being… he wanted to improve himself, to become better. How was he going to be the Hope that helps to save this tribe if he is plagued with failures. “I’m… I’m s-sorry-“ His voice came out shaky, as if unused to speaking, the deadwood mask he was wearing hiding most of his current expressions. But one glance through the eye holes of his mask would show.. disgust… not aimed at anyone in particular, but instead, at his soul.
The, woman, went ahead to stomp down onto their stomach, starting to lean down to bring her face closer. Despite her apparent disapproval and disappointment… she showed no emotion one bit, no hint of anger, no hint of disgust, not even joy or anything like that… just an entirely straight face [Calm]… and that’s just how the way she would want it. “Many… many of our brethren had been slain out there, picked off and into the dark during the GREAT HUNT. Many of our blood… now lost. But… it has provided us with an opportunity. Those ores we have discovered outside thanks to your aid are quite useful. If anything… you have prove your worth for the moment. But just remember, your only purpose is to ensure the tribe survives as well as follow every single word I see. After all, mother knows what’s best.” [Oppressive]. Hegallia then looked at one of the wounds she had caused onto his body earlier, moving a hand over to coat it in blood from the decently sized (but relatively non-lethal) cut. She inspected the blood now staining her hand… ah, blood… the sacred liquid of life. Without such, a human may as well be nothing more than a drain sack. And yet, she couldn’t help but enjoy seeing it flow… such delicate beings they were. Despite how strong and intelligent they may be… at the end of the day, they are nothing more than ‘prey’ within the endless sea of darkness, predators waiting for them to slip and devour them once they get a chance. But… it matters not where the blood flows after all. Whether it’s her own body, her fellow tribe members, monsters… all she wanted was to see it flow. Hegallia went right ahead to lick the blood off her hand, savoring its taste [Perverted] (in the form of blood) as she stepped off Hegallia, allowing him to recollect himself at the moment. “You shall hunt alongside the rest of the tribe first thing in the morning. Not one hint of weakness must come from you… do you understand?” But she didn’t stay around for a response, knowing that whatever she says… Hellion will have no choice but to follow. After all, she had guided the tribe so far… who else would accept them at this point or turn to when she brought them salvation?
Actions:
1. Collaborative Action, with Nightstalkers (Heterological), and Xelthas (Mechking) A GREAT HUNT! The tribes move stealthily in the darkness, tracking down animals and avoiding the most troublesome nightmares. They seek to gain meat, hide, and bone, but also attempt to catch and domesticate useful beasts for a permanent source of food. Xelthas in particular sets up traps and ambushes, helped by the Nightstalkers' tracking ancestry and the Weavers Hunter ancestry. The Nightstalkers in particular raze as they go, acquiring small material gains, and use their knowledge of plants to find any herbs along the way.
2. The Search for precious ores: Hegallia and Hellion alongside a few tribes members head off to find stone and metals that they can utilize sometime later in the future, finding some success when it comes to it…
Sephirah Clan - Turn 2
"I shall finish what you have started, brother." Adam Sephirah (omitting "III" moving forward for convenience) muttered as he watched the dissolving corpse of the previous Supreme Shaman. The Sacrarium accepted the offering, consuming the body of Shaman Gloom Sephirah and empowering itself with it. As soon as his body completely disappeared, the four shadowbone pillars of the Sacrarium began to emit light which signaled the start of the Baptism.
Supreme Shaman Adam Sephirah turned around and looked at the shamans lined up before him, awaiting the start of the much-anticipated event.
"MY FELLOW SHAMANS" The voice of Adam echoed, "Today marks the day of our rebirth! Our ascension to a higher form! The return of our once lost powers." [Fanatical x2] [Overambitious] [Skewed Priorities]
The Shamans raised their staff in response, cheering with utter fanaticism. Adam smiled at the sight before continuing,
"Many people have started to underestimate us. Thought of us as weak. Some, like the Vivaldi Clan even think they could bully us into surrendering our heirloom - The Wardforge, because of some mere rumor. While some even...." The Shamans felt an intense, dark, and heavy aura blanket the surrounding. The weaker ones started to sweat. "SOME EVEN DARED TO MEDDLE IN OUR INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND ASSASSINATED OUR SUPREME SHAMAN."
"I know many of you had complaints about Supreme Shaman Gloom, but it was OUR internal affair. The internal affairs of the Neutral Sephirah Clan, so HOW DARE outsiders meddle and even killed our leader. MARK MY WORDS, WE. WILL. HAVE. OUR. VENGEANCE." [Vindictive] [Fanaticism]
The Shamans raised their staves to cheer again in utter fanaticism, but this time also mixed with anger. Anger at those who dared to trample on the dignity of the highly respected clan of enchanters.
Adam moved to end his speech, "NOW. AFTER THIS DAY. THOSE WHO UNDERESTIMATED US WILL REGRET THEIR ACTIONS. WE WILL BEGIN THE BAPTISM! WE WILL BE BORN ANEW, MY BROTHERS! WE WILL BE AS POWERFUL IF NOT, MORE POWERFUL THAN THE SHAMANS FROM THE TIME OF THE CRESH. WE WILL ASCEND!"
Order 1: Begin [The Baptism]
All 50 shamans will begin [The Baptism] hosted on the [Sacrarium].
- The Argead ( Heyitsjiwon
) with their [Mindscreen x2] Ancestry, as part of a commerce action will assist in protecting the [Mind] of the Shamans.
- The Seimari ( Cosmo
)with their [Healing] Ancestry, as part of a commerce action will assist in protecting the [Body] of the Shamans.
- The Shamans will consume Necris Darkwood Beer mixed with 2 units of Funky Tea. The Seimari, as part of a commerce action, has pledged assistance in mixing both drinks for some [Ritual Drink] that will help the body and minds of the shamans. Descriptions for both will be below:
Necris Darkwood Beer - Has light healing properties, DELICIOUS, intoxicating. (luxury good)
Funky Tea - Causes lucid dreams and are an exotic good. it's hard to make a lot though
Then there was neither death nor immortality
nor was there then the torch of night and day.
The One breathed windlessly and self-sustaining.
There was that One then, and there was no other.
-
Six matches, five between beasts, and the last between a man and a woman on those bloodied arena sands of champions. The betrothal announced, what remained for Arianrhod to broker alliance with the Argead was to organize the Wedding of Hopes itself. No matter what horror and god won the 1st Pankration Tournament, a total of seven tribes had come to bear witness, the largest gathering of native and foreign peoples since the Storyteller first touched his quill to paper.
Perhaps even more would come to see the ceremony. The high sage collective might have dampened the mood with the gambling fiasco, but she wouldn't allow their greed to define how the displaced tribes were regarded as they settled in strange lands in spite of monsters. Ambitions soared now, but the Ciun knew that in the coming future, greater things would emerge from the darkness that all will have to rise to face together, or be utterly subsumed by.
Besides that, incremental changes were improving the quality of life of her family. The defeat of the Rhunk by Lleu won him a measure of fear and respect, the water catch up on his back has kept the thirst of the Ciun in check, and soon, even a forge of their own would not be out of their reach any longer.
Orders
1. (Main Action) Chase after the Abyss Heart and the Landlocked with the Sanguine Clutch to parley with them.
2. (Co-op Action) Ordain the union of Lysander and Ceridwen.
Hope Perks: Passionate, Good Judge of Character
Hope Quirks: Audacious x2.
MISC ACTION: As part of commerce action to repay debts, construct a FARM and repair the Towers with tools from the Vivaldi/Xygaras.
Co-Op action 1: A new home. Applicable - Dependable x2, Good Listener x2 (boosts listening to others and thus cooperation), Driven - monster can FLY and is capable of water manipulation, improves its ability to look for things. Lore, Creatures, People, Monsters 5. Reckless
Settle the TWO TOWERS along with the Vivaldi ( Trektek
) and Xygaras (Auriel Maza
) tribes- while the other tribes are constructing buildings while settling, the Yanmen will focus on searching the structure and its immediate environs for any hidden monsters, resources, or secrets (such as investigating the signs of digging in the courtyard, possibly with the Water Elemental helping dig with water manipulation), comprehensively exploring their new home. The Yanmen will eventually occupy the COURTYARD between the towers, leaving each tower to other tribes. One of the things they will be looking for are 'Hidden Chambers' - tapping on the walls to Listen for any hollow walls indicating hidden rooms to be explored.
(Vivaldi and Xygaras are building Forge, Library, and Mana battery as part of their settling action, presumably in the Towers)
Co-Op action 2: Sallying Out. Applicable - Dependable x2, Good Listener x2 (boosts listening to others and thus cooperation), Driven - monster can FLY and is capable of water manipulation, improves its ability to look for things. Lore, Creatures, People, Monsters 5. OVERLY COMPETITIVE. RECKLESS
The Yanmen will explore the Cage along with the Urjagar (Abstracty
). While the Urjagar will be settling the Cage, the Yanmen will be there to help obtain resources from the big pile of gems/stone/metals, and helping seek out/deal with any monsters or hidden secrets that might be hidden within the Cage and its environs. Perhaps there won't be anything... Or perhaps not!
There is joy in the Yanmen tribe- great joy indeed! For it was a battle victorious- even if it ended messily. ESPECIALLY given that they showed up those Inaris. [Overly Competitive] They boast and joke and revel [Hedonistic, Tactless], while the fallen rest upon their shields. They had died in duty and died well, and there was no other way the Yanmen wished to go. Spears rattle against shields, and even the usually-quiet Drulyan rejoices. He had acquitted himself well in the battle- dessicated the Bunyip, rendering it ever the more vulnerable to being slain. And the Bunyip had been no small beast. It had been the kind of creature that would be Dreaded, that Drulyan would have fled from in the days before the tribe.
It was a good feeling. A rush.
The Chief sits, his chest bandaged as he grins and watches over his tribe. They had lost members, yes. But the tribe was strong. For those who made of war their life, battle was walking with death. To die is no object. To die well in the shield-wall the goal. [Dependable x2, Driven]
And now, they would have a home alongside other tribes of like mind. Soon, the Chief thinks, will be time for a great celebration. Far greater yet.
Credit: Allpoetry.Com @ Midian (2004) And behold I shall be a blight upon the land,
and everything I touch shall wither,
and die.
...
I shall trod upon mankind,
as if they were mere ants.
...
And I shall be terrible to behold,
in my grand and evil ways.
Look upon my countenance and despair.
For I am as far beyond you,
As you are beyond fungus.
...
Fear shall be my sword.
Pain shall be my scepter.
Tyranny shall be my crown.
And my throne built of the broken corpses of the weak.
Crushed in the grasp of my iron fist.
The world shall end in blood and flames,
as my shadow rises to devour all men.
...
The sun shall be swallowed by the night.
and darkness shall reign,
For all eternity
.. . . . .... . !!
Ballon shifted. Awareness came. As always, he was the first to wake. What had he been dreaming about? Unknown, barely recalled words echoed in his mindseye. The Sixth Sense gave odd dreams always, and he could never predict what unknown feelings, words, images would come the next sleep he experienced. Ballon brushed off the feelings. Various forms slept in groups in the dim world that was their home. He sat up, stretched rigorously for many minutes, and twisted his neck about with a satisfied grunt. He picked up his lantern and went to the peak for his meditation, and to [Quirk: Oppressively] survey the people that belonged to him.
The meager settlement began to stir at about the same time. No stars or sun woke them, because there of course were none and none knew what they were. Dillo-Vermin woke the settlement instead. As they had lived for so long in the perpetual night, they had all but lost their non-functional eyes. Deep within their little minds their instincts cried for sustenance, and so they woke to make and take their waters, then began weh-weh'ing for their breakfast from inside their bone enclosures. Human masters would soon come to disperse a breakfast of ground fungi and bugmeal from the compost pits. Later on, the nightsoil, scraps, foamy spittle, shell sheddings, and any other biological waste would be scooped and sent back to the pits to be mixed with the settlements accrued wastes. The vermin did not know it, but their tall masters already delighted in the little power they held over other beings instead of other beings holding such power over them. Ballon watched from atop Hillhome's peak third level and knew his peoples mistaken thoughts, just as he knew his own mistaken thoughts which always wrestled with his wisdom. The greatest irony, thought Ballon, was that most were too primitive to recognize the irony of their own status as prey animals in an enclosure. That great irony weighed on his thoughts constantly and modified his [Quirk: Schemes], for he was a scheming man through and through. Wisdom and quirks wrestled, just the same as his wisdom did with mistakes. He was a schemer, and he was oppressive, but each had once been called benefits he felt. To allow freedom, expression, flourishing, meant death as he knew the Grease-Eaters knew. To foresee the future and know the probabilities of the past and not scheme would be unnatural. But for the time, the dangers outside Hillhomes walls weighed down more firmly on the side of the scale opposite personal benefit, and he knew he would enrich himself with tribute and slaves if only he could keep his wisdom and be patient.
He adjusted the hood of his special lantern and let more light spill out. It was time to wake the tribe. His flashcube lantern was allowed to shine more brightly within the safety of Hillhome, behind the safety of walls and the dangling veil of Barrage-monsters blessed tendrils. While the world was dark, the tribe were still human, and their circadian rhythm's agreed with the light. Vigilance was needed to not illuminate TOO brightly, for fear of attracting true terrors of the dark which the Barrages could not intercept. It illuminated the second level of the settlement decently, one might say like a moon-tower (if they knew what a moon-tower was), and Ballon could see the Two Looms twinishly entangled bodies sitting up on a stick-and-grass cot. Far-Loom and Close-Loom watched him back immediately, and then began their own morning stretches in perfect synch without saying a word to the other. Later, they would eat together which would involve feeding and grooming the other. It was a fascinating eternal ritual that almost evoked tenderness to the eyes of the regular tribespeople throughout the years. Closeness was a comfort to the twins and since they were young they had always slept side by side. Closeness gave them a great feeling of security and kept poor dreams at bay, but soon duty would call Far-Loom. Perhaps that is why they had seemed to clutch each other more while they had slept; knowing what would come.
As the light continued to spill out of the flashcube, Concordites crawled out from their poor stick shelters built on the ruins of Hillhome's old residences. A few enterprising warriors already had conferred with Ballon and tried their hands at what could best be described at an early attempt at a Sioux native tipi, with a few scraps of leather laid on the peak of a pyramid of sticks and branches. It made little difference against the rain. Although dillo shells were too small to be used as armor plates, they had found a different purpose as little cups and scrapers. Freshly slaughtered meat bled warm thin blood into a multitude of shells, and one after another the tribespeople temporarily looked like ghouls as they contentedly lapped clotting animal blood from their unshaven faces. Red globules of tooth fungus secretions joined the real blood to add to the effect, and yet the tribespeople still sometimes resorted to poor greasewater. Ballon was a schemer and oppressive, but he had too few resources to oppress or scheme over. Unlike the stout Sunborne who purged with fire, or the martial Idafaoda, or the Sikander Troupe who had proxies to send against foes, the Concordites were primarily seers. They had survived by sensing, feeling, fleeing, before the foreboding shadow of something terrible stretched out to touch them. Ballon stroked his chin, as his first real scheme came to fruition, in how his people might survive the long dark.
His thoughts turned inward towards past events. 'Lord' Gloom. The undead Atropal. He shifted uncomfortably on the grass at the memory of holding the mummified placenta-egg of the unborn thing. Infant screams of indignant rage had floated into his mind at the first touch, either in the past or yet to come if the future generations would truly see it rise from its caul. Unknown hands beyond his comprehension had remotely squeezed the life from whatever the thing had been. Why? He wondered, what if it did rise? Would it seek revenge against the one who had damned it to this Dark World, or would it be a reflection of the environment it had been born into? Could compassion come from its suffering alongside men?
He looked down at the insignificant forms of his tribespeople, many tending their equally insignificant livestock without regard to insignificant life. No, he felt in his mindseye, the thing should stay entombed. He twisted his body to look down the less inhabited side of Hillhome, to the resting place of Thonk the Horror ant. Sprinklings of fungi had been left around its egg. Slime secreted by the puapas shell broke down the nutrients into a thin green slime, which let the nutrients in for the squirming fetal form of their future God-Hope-Horror. It grew, and if it did not reach monstrous proportions then it would be a queen and its spawn would spread across the Dark World and sow unending fields of fungus, which would make Hillhome's own tracts of food fungi look like specks.
But that was too far into the future to know at all. All he knew was that if he did not die, his sons-sons-sons would make sons and speak to it on behalf of his ghost. More current events were predictable, and he crossed his legs to let himself slide deeper into his own mind. A trance came over him. Breathing exercises slowed his heart and mind. A tree of many possible feelings came to him, which his mind deciphered indecipherably.
... ... ...... ?? ? ...
Life-Death. Light-Dark. What would happen had happened already. His experience was quite hard to put to words, as always. After feeding and grooming the Loom's had come back to watch him side by side, though he did not see it. 'Feeling' of the possibilities, altered his potential future actions and thus the potential future possibilities. In turn, that changed the Loom's potential future actions. He knew they would watch. Simply put, the Sixth Sense was an all-together weird extra sense.
A cold breeze went by. He considered.
A conclusion came to him. Before he could call, the Loom's were walking up to the peak, for they knew the conclusion as well. Close-Loom held Far-Loom's hand in a sisterly fashion. Although they would soon surpass him in prognostication, he could tell before they could that his conclusion would lead to argument.
Free action: GM approved: Used 6th sense to monitor health of various factions.
Stonewood: With what basic tools they have from trade with the Half-Bows, plus the woodaxe, Ballon and the tribe cut down the Stonewood. (Self-Sufficient x2) (Resourceful)
Strained Action: Building. Their only close neighbor, the Idafaoda, could not cooperate after negotiation. They try to construct: Housing, A well/town center, and a gatehouse with two towers. Ballon is unsure if the gatehouse and towers include repairing the circular "mid-to-low" half ruined wall that encircles Hillhome from when it was just a ruin. (Self-Sufficient x2) (Resourceful) (Lore (All) (10)) (Heuistic Action)