Young Gods (Read OCC and be aproved before joining)

[Morgoth]

For a moment, Urhtralis's face was indeed a mask of rage, but then he relaxed, loosening up, smiling. "You are right. I thank you for your wisdom. Forgive my past stupidity", he whispered to the ceiling, knowing she would hear him. Grinning, he stepped outside, throwing an arm about Alar's shoulders. "Alar, I may have gone about this the wrong way. I'm sorry for past transgressions, but I seem to have lost myself. Let me prove to you that I am worhty of you, and not you of me. Let me help the city, lift the spirits of the people. Let me inspire with culture the architects and scribes. Let ideas fill the minds of clerics, ideas on how assist me in my task. Let me help", he said. "You, Alar, will be my High Priest, will be the center of the center of culture. I will write this evening my ways in a mighty volume which shall describe my goals, my powers, and the ways to further those powers. You and your people willing, we, together, mortal and divine, will transform this small city into an unrivaled power, one that uses diplomacy, not war, to defeat its enemies", he said, filling Alar's mind with visions of greatness and glory.
Alar smiled, turning to Urhtralis. "Forgiven and forgotten. Let this be history and let myself be given to you. In return, let yourself be given to the city. I sense that you speak the truth. Assist us and we shall assist you in any way", said Alar. "Very well. May peace and fortune smile upon you", said Urthralis, turning to go back to his temple, where he opened up a heavy book, empty, and began to write. And so was born the saying of his temple.

 

[SwampThing]

Copypuppy had heard the children talking about Little People lately. People who looked like animals, and moved things around. Sometimes, he thought he heard laughter over his shoulder, but when he turned, there was never anyone there.

But Copypuppy was getting to old to take such stories seriously. He was 14 now, and had to help his mother feed the little ones. He could try this once, today, and then he would have to go work on the docks. Sometimes it worked when the children were all playing together behind the dye works. The others always laughed, anyway. But doing it in the square, for an audience of adults, this was something different.

The boy set up in front of the Orn's Boat inn, drawing his juggling balls from his ragged, patched cloak. As he began to juggle, a few of the merchents paused to look, but none of them dropped even a copper bit in his hat.

Sweating, and thinking of a boring life working on the docks, Copypuppy glanced across the square at a curious little shrine, a pillar set about with bowls and pegs and alcoves. A few beggars were camped out around it, and small charms and trinkets had been placed in some of the lower nooks, the ones children could reach. But Copypuppy was staring at the tiny figure. A woman in a yellow tunic, with the head of a bird.

Stunned, the boy lost control of his juggling balls, which flew into the air. One landed on the thatched roof of the inn, and began rolling towards the street. One landed on a loose board of a farmer's cart, catapaulting a wicker cage of chickens off the cart and into the crowd. The basket broke, and chickens went scurrying in all directions, fat merchents tripping over them and cursing.

Young Copypuppy was aghast at the trouble he'd caused. He ran into the crowd, chasing vainly after the straying chickens, tumbling over falling merchents, and sending feathers flying. He got a hold of one bird, and was trying to wrestle it into the broken cage, when another attacked him. It sat on his head, pecking at him. The crowd all laughed at his antics, except the farmer, climbing down from his cart.

"You there! Boy!" the farmer yelled at him. "Trying to steal some chickens, eh? Stop thief!"

Meanwhile, the third juggling ball, taking it's time spinning in the air, fell towards an open carriage, where a merchant's family were riding, dressed in their finest clothes. The ball landed deep in the cleavage of the merchent's eldest daughter. The girl laughed out loud, and unlaced her dress a little to see what had fallen into it. The driver of the carriage, peering back to see what the laughter was about, gaped at the sight of the girl unlacing her bodice, and ran his carriage right into the sailmaker's shop.

A bundle of sailcloth fell from the stack in front of the shop, bounced in the street, and unraveled in the air, draping itself neatly over poor Copypuppy and the wayward chickens. The boy struggled out from underneath it, but the chickens remained trapped. The crowd around Copypuppy were all holding their sides with laughter, when the irate farmer grabbed the boy by the arm.

"Sneaky little thief! I'll teach you to -"

The third juggling ball finished it's lazy roll along the roof of the inn, and fell right on the farmer's head. Stunned, he let go of the boy long enough for Copypuppy to scramble away, and some of the passersby to intervene.

"Come on Georg! Boy was trying to help! And look, your chickens are all wrapped up nicely, so no harm done, right?"

"Come on boy, come to the inn with us, and tell us how you came by such luck."

So Copypuppy found himself standing on a table in the Orn's Boat, with an audience growing as quickly as the pile of coins in his hat, making up stories of the strange, Small Goddess.
_________________

Once the merchant's carriage was righted again, the youngest daughter asked her sister what had dropped in her dress.

"Look," said the elder girl, showing her sister a spotted red mushroom. "A bird must have dropped it."

They both looked to the sky when they heard the mockingbird call, and laughed as it went overhead.

 

[kamalw1]

The next morning, Droom and some of his followers walked into the temple of Kane and saw the God sitting on the throne, a wolf laying at his feet. Kane watched as they approached and knelt before him. "What would you have us do, oh Lord?"

Kane guestured for them to stand. "First, I would like for you to gather your best carpenters and masons so that they can build up this temple. Next, I am going to tell you how to worship me and spread my name. When not in battle, I want your people to be constantly training, becoming better warriors. Send your to fighters in here, and I will teach them new fighting techniques, so that they may teach others. Also, when in battle, I would have you put the symbol of the wolf on your shields, underneath your clan crest. That way, all shall know that you are my followers." Kane then beckoned for Droom to come closer. "Now, as for you, Droom, I want you to send an envoy to the city of Bahaus. There, in that city, dwells a blacksmith who is making weapons of a new metal. Make peace with him, so that you may conquer others." With that, Droom bowed to Kane and left the temple, issuing orders so that everyhing could be accomplished.

 

[Morgoth]

Urthralis came to Alar as promised. He set the massive book into Alar's hands, smiling. "This book has taken most of my night from me. I thank you for your patience. However, I have one request. Please assist me in building up my temple. I have given all designs and ideas within this book. If you could confer this to the architects, I will agree to do those who build my temple any one favor. I must take my leave now. I will go out amongst the people, assisting in any way possibly. Before I go, though, I'd just like to say that if anyone needs any help, at all, please, refer them to my temple", said Urthralis. He smiled, then turned and walked into the city. As he walked through the people, he asked questions, finding problems. The easy ones he solved instantly. The harder ones he promised to think on. The hardest one he vowed to return and fix the next day. He sighed, contemplating these troubles in his temple. his hardest by far would be to heal a girl with plague. This would require the assistance of another god.

 

[IDreamofBunnies]

"...and that is why, just as we care for our tools we must care for our bodies, are they not the greatest of all machines? To let them decay is an insult to the Eternal Gear and the Earth Mother. Inefficiency will be the providence of the rim meat, those unworthy of the grace and glory of the great Gear."

The assembled Machine Priests listened and took notes while listening to Karlot's lecture, the assembly had worked on formulating a regime of diet, exercise, and hygeine that would be part of the rituals of the Eternal Gear. Now they were creating standardized lectures that would form the basis of Gear doctrine, from these carefully formulated lectures the individual priests could adapt them to fit his audience.

Meanwhile work on the grand machine temple was going well, with the help of the Gear himself it could have been faster but he saw it fit to allow the mortals to work on it on their own, their spiritual needs met by his priests. The men working on the temple were living the life so to speak, their every action on this great project was in accordance to doctrine and they found themselves finding great respect for the Eternal Gear. Where the Earth Mother, the Moon, and the Sun gave them the basics they needed to live, the Eternal Gear gave them a reason to live, a great cause to which their skills were suited and favored.

And then there were the priests who had join the caravan, as the month drew to a close they reached Thalia, and while the Guild merchants set up a shop, the Machine Priests built a shrine to their god. Their travels had been harsh and perilous, prompting the Gear himself to inspire a mason's guild councilman to suggest the creation of a paved road between Bahaus and Thalia.

 

[poohlive]

The evening light came peeking in through the trees into the temple. Nothing much could be seen, but to the old man that mattered none. He gave a bit of a laugh as he sat down, his old bones needing a rest from the journey.
"It happened when I was much younger. A caravan accident. I hit the ground pretty hard, but I appeared fine, except, I couldn't see."
Enden understood, "You wish me to return that which you lost."
"I will pay you."
Enden agreed, "Yes, you will."
The old man took out a meager sack of coins, "It's not much, but I was wondering..."
"Money? No, there are better payments."
"Oh?"
"Faith."
The old man gave a great nod," Yes, Faith is above money to a God, I would imagine. You want my faith?"
"More than that. I need a priest. A high priest, one to tell the people of my true beliefs and how I can help them if they choose to follow my way of life. Will you do that?"
"In return for my sight?"
"Yes, and youth, and the prosperity of golden age. You will be treated with many gifts, all of them balanced by the work you do for me. The more work, the greater gifts. It is equality."
"Yes, yes, I agree."
The boy piped up, "I wish to be a priest too."
Ended eyed the boy for a moment. A small weed of a man, not even recognized as such yet. He didn't look a day over 12, althought he was almost 15 at the time.
"You have my acceptance."
A bright light came from his back, inside a quiver that only a second ago did not exist. He unstrapped his bow, took out the arrow of piercing light, and aimed straight at the old man.
"I call upon the power of: Karma!"
He shot the arrow, it knocked the old man back, light filling up inside him. Both boys rushed to his aid, but Enden just put his bow behind his back, as if nothing had happened.
"Are you all right?"
The old man grabbed both of the boys, getting up.
"All right? All right! I can see! I CAN SEE!!! WHOO HOO!!!!"
Enden smiled, seeing how little gifts for the people can work so well.
"Karma is not done. Your sight is temporary. Be my priest, or you will lose it by morning."
"Yes, Enden. My god, you have my word."
Enden nodded, "Good."
The boys ran out, as the old man went further into the temple, to ready himself and the building for its first and most impotant priest.
Cedric, the elder.
Enden walked out into the city. Justice would be found tonight, if he had anything to do with it.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Alyiss

As Alyiss and Xia made their way through the darking city shop keepers closed their windows turning busy bulavards into faceless alleys. Sailers and fishermen came in from the sea and lamps appeared in the windows of inns, taverns, and whorehouses.

Xia walked timidly. She'd never been outside after dark in her memory. At the orphanage she'd be sitting down now and eating a watery stew before getting the younger children settled for bed.

Alyiss walked boldly. In a square bounded by Inns there was a funny little shrine that looked more like a packrats nest. Into it's offering bowl Alyiss dropped one of her tokens and a seedcake she'd saved from her dessert.

"What is that?" Xia asked.

"A shrine to a fellow goddess." Alyiss smiled. "Do you know what a calling card is?" Xia should her head no. "Let's just say then that I was paying my respects."

When they got to the temple a woman sat huddled on the front step before the closed gates. Alyiss reconzied her as the woman she'd warned not to go home.

Dressed poorly, rack thin and with hollows under her eyes the woman looked up at their approach. "I had no where else to go." She said.


Alyiss laid her hand on the woman's shoulder. "There is always somewhere to go; life is a journey and there are many quests during that journey."

She opened the gate and let them both in. Her deilveries were waiting.

She turned to her new handmaidans. "There are a few things I can't stand and one of them is dirt and pests. These are bathing tubs.." She nodded towards the row of six gleaming copper tubs. Fill two of them with as hot of water as you can stand and undress and wash all the flith you can off you. Wash your hair and bodies with soap. Do not put on your old clothes, they are infested. Put on instead the robes I've bought for you."

Both Xia and the newcomer were in shock.

"But mistress," Xia said carefully. "Everyone knows that bathing causes ill humors which cuase sickness...."

The older woman nodded, clutching her rags about her tightly. "And it's a sin to bare your body."

Alyiss stood up straight...and found herself growing to the height of her stature in the temple, and glowing with an bright light. Her voice, when she spoke, was booming. "Do not presume to tell me what is a sin, or what everyone knows. Bathe and enter, or do not, and leave my sight and never return."

She turned from them and left them.

Xia looked at the woman, and the woman looked at Xia. Shyly, and not looking at each other again, they began to heat water.

 

[SwampThing]

The merchent party from Bauhaus were enjoying a warm welcome in Thalia. The city seemed full of mirth. Children chased each other through the streets, and here and there townspeople would break out laughing for no reason at all but the joy of being alive, or something ridiculous they had just discovered in their pockets.

A small group of smiling local merchants came to visit the Bauhausians at their inn. A few of them carried pouches full of small stones. At least, they had been filled with small stones when the boy Copypuppy gave them to the merchents. But there was no telling what you might pull out of those sacs.

"I am Laroo," one of the party introoduced himself. "I have been most impressed with those goods of Bauhausian craft I have seen about the market since your arrival. And this talk of a paved road! Splendid! Far more useful than a shaved toad. But for the time being, we haven't got either, and travelling the desert is dangerous. Dessert is dangerous also, according to my wife, but that's another matter.

"My point is, lads, you seem a well-equipped company. We'd love to send a caravan out to Bauhaus to bring our spices, foodstuffs and raw cloth for your worked metals and so on. I propose that we join you on your way back, that we may share protection of each other's bodyguards, and company of each other's camp for the journey. What say you?"
_______________________

At the temple of Alyiss, the two women bathed themselves in awkward silence, broken only by the laughter of a mockingbird. When they looked up, the bird was gone, but a small paper boat floated in the tub with them.

"Hello." Pippit said to the Lady of Quests. "Thanks for the seedcake. It was goonda." she laughed. "I see you've got a problem with your friends' ticks and fleas. I myself find them quite delicious, strangely enough."

"Hey, I'm off with some of my buddies to Bauhaus. Just for laughs. I thought you might want to send someone along. You know, on a journey. I'll tell you what. You want to send someone, I'll guarantee their protection, if you'll look after my wee little shrine here while I'm gone."

 

[Lady_Siren]

Ellesime rose when the woman entered timidly. She smiled warmly motioning the woman closer "Drusilla welcome" she said her voice melodic. The woman frowned "how is that you know my name?" Ellesime merely shrugged "I know many things. I am Ellesime, goddess of Love, passion and of course beauty. You are a kindred spirit my dear. You are destined to spread my word." Drusilla shook her head "Me kindred to a goddess? I think not. I am merely a spinster. I know nothing of spreading words." Ellesime shook her head "You are much more then a spinster. You are my future high priestess and I will not accept no for an answer!" Ellesime touched Drusilla lightly on the cheek soothing her. "Your job is simple. I wish for you to recruite fourteen more priestesses. I understand that will take time. These priestesses will then begin spreading word of my arrival. I will of course make myself known the the villagers, show them why they should turn to me." Drusilla boldly met Ellesime's eye "Forgive me M'lady but why should they or I turn to you?" Ellesime was not offended by Drusilla's boldness but delighted. "This is the reason you will be my high preistess your spirit and passion is so strong. As for why you should turn to me.. Turn to me because I promise prosperity and safetly. I promise preservation of your culture and your ways. And I promise great wealth and happiness in your future. The more who worship me the more I shall be able to do for Silveria." Drusilla was smileing, somehow she believed this goddess and knew that is was her destiny to make this all happen. She nodded her head held high "I will begin first thing tomorrow!" Drusilla smiled "Excellent, now if you will excuse me I must attend to an important matter." Drusilla nodded and left the temple heading for home. She would move into the temple tomorrow as well. Feeling good about her progress Ellesime decided to try her influence in the dreams of a queen. Closing her eyes she sent her spirit out and into Queen Gabriela's dreams. She appeared to her as a figure surrounded by flames and her voice was beautiful yell filled with authority. "Gabriela queen of Silveria I am your future. I am to one who will bring your kingdom to glory and bring happiness to all it's inhabitants. Tomorrow come to my temple and I shall show you Silveria's future, I shall show you the power of a true goddess!" Gabriela stared in shock at the woman yet felt her power and believed her words. Without another word Ellesime returned to her temple her work done. If Gabriela didn't come she would try a different route. Until then she would rest, tomorrow would be a very long day.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Alyiss

"Welcome, Pippit." Alyiss smiled and poured herself a glass of wine and thumble full for the small goddess.

"That's the domain of the Eternal Gear, is it not?" Alyiss sipped her wine thoughtfully. "I can't spare my new recurits, they need training...but I have the feeling I should have someone to go along with you by seven bells." She winks.

Pippit gave her mocking bird laugh. When the lady of quests says there will be a travler, there will be a travler.

 

[poohlive]

Enden walked throughout the night, making right what once was wrong. Justice reigned supreme in the small town, and it pleased him greatly. Old women felt safer to go outside with their wares. Young men held themselves in the presence of others. Children who had once before bullyied the young ones, now bit their tongue and just made stupid little faces.
Not many had Faith in him yet, he could tell, but that did not bother him. A new god would take time to join the hearts of the people. For now, they knew of his work, and believe enough to bide their actions.
By morning, the city came bustling with life again, and rumors began to spread like wildfire. A group of kids, whom even Enden suspected were the three boys who beat Kevin earlier, had gone out last night and cut three marks into several houses doors. The men and women who woke up to that scary omen, had either cried or fainted.
Enden found it rather funny, but used a bit of Karma to erase the ill facades of his work. The three doors that had been marked by his Cougar, however, still stayed. They bore into the wood like a burn, promising to stay there forever.
Both households agreed to get new doors.
"Good morning," Cedric walked out of the temple, a happy smile on his face that seemed to match the sun's own bright glow, "How did your night go?"
"Long, but profitable. I was able to do some good. How was everything here?"
"Oh, good. Very good. We didn't get many people, three to be exact. Two old woman and a young man. That was all, but they prayed, offered something, and went off. It's beginning."
Enden nodded, "That is three more than last night."
"A good way to think of it."
"Take Kevin out today, the Marketplace. Buy some supplies for the temple, and talk to the foreigners who come. They could e able to send my message further."
"Yes, an excellent suggestion sir. I prepare as we speak."
Enden came into his temple, seeking rest for a few hours.

 

[kamalw1]

Droom gathered his most trusted advisors and told them that they would be a diplomatic envoy sent to the city of Bauhaus. before they were to leave, they went to Kane's temple and prayed that everything would go well. When they were done praying, Kane appeared on his throne to speak to them. "First, take along some soldiers to guard you. The wilderness between here and Bauhaus is dangerous. Next, when you arrive in Bauhaus, stop at the temple of their God, Eternal Gear, as a sign of respect and leave whatever offerings you can. This will hopefully open up the door to negotiations for their new metal-working techniques to be either learned or bought. Now go in peace." The envoy turned and exited the temple, going to make the final preperations for travelling to Bauhaus.

 

[Morgoth]

Urthralis came to Alar's chambers in the noon, moving swiftly. "Alar, the other gods are strengthening. I can feel it. To gain power for myself, I must expand. Send an envoy to Bahaus. Make an offering at the Temple of the Eternal Gear. The envoy must secure bronze. Not only is it a metal capable of better arms and armor, it is also one of beauty and is much more superior to clay and mud. If bronze is so secured, the artisans will be able to create beautiful masterpieces. Meanwhile, I will teach them the art of canvas and oil. However, I must leave you now. I must cure a child of plague. Good eve, Alar. Please, follow my guidance", said Urthralis, disappearing. He appeared in the Courtyard, and walked through it until he found a particularly secluded spot. A thin, cracking voice broke out from a pile of rags. "What does Relationships want with Disease? Yes, it is interesting", said Yoth, God of Disease, rising up. Urthralis steeled his stomach as Yoth turned, revealing his eyes, one dribbling with pus, the other rolling and sty infected. "Yes, uh, I come to ask you of a favor. I need you to cure a child of plague. More than that, I need you to make my city immune to major epidemics", said Urthralis cautiously. "Very well, but what does Disease get in return?" queried the God. "I'll have a temple built for you", said Urthralis confidently. Yoth laughed loudly, but then nodded. "Yes, I need this. Go, with a touch you will be able to cure the child. The enchantment has already been placed on the city", said Yoth. Urthralis appeared in his temple, walking to the plagued child's house. He stepped into her room, and with a touch, the girl awoke. The parents thanked him ceaselessly, but he dismissed it, asking only for their worship. They agreed instantly, promising to tell others of this miracel. Urhtralis gave a mental thanks to Yoth, then set about to planning of Yoth's new temple.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

“Chance of a Lifetime Job:

Creative people wanted for perm. Placement overseas. Must have management potential. No exp. nec in any given field, but be passionate about area of potential placement. Outstanding benefits, unbelievable advancement ops,
total control over your team. Equal OP employer.”

I looked at the flyer in my hand, & then at the door. It was the right address, but I was a little surprised to see that I was the only person in the waiting room. A very cute redhead was polishing her nails when I stepped in, but immediately stopped and greeted me.
“Hello Mr. Donovan, Mr. Reed has been waiting for you. Go right in please.”
I went in & had quite possibly the strangest conversation of my life. A God. What is stranger is that I believe this guy. I went to the door leading to the street, and passed through it & into a blinding white light.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Alyiss

At dawn Xia and Farrel, as it turned out the other woman's name to be, awoke in their cells to singing.

Alyiss was in the kitchen area sliceing fresh fruit.

"Hello Ladies!" She smiled brightly. " I hope you slept well, wash your hands and faces and we'll eat before our guest arrives."

"But," Xia looked at Farrel. "We just washed last night."

"You must wash before eating food, and after you void your bladder or bowels. It's one of the rules here." Alyiss said firmly.

The two of them looked at each other and then used the basin. "Who is our guest?" Farrel asked.

"I don't know his name yet." Alyiss said thoughtfully as she set the fruit on the table with some flat bread and cheese. "But, he's going to be a hero on a quest. A quest I set him on for my own reasons, but I'm sure he'll enjoy the beneifts."

"Are you really," Farrel looked embarassed. "A goddess? Most goddess' don't sit down and eat breakfast."

"Or make it." Xia added.

Alyiss sat down. "I am a goddess, but I'm new to it. Maybe other gods do things differently, but I want to take things slow and do them right. I may fail." She looked at them. "I don't know what will happen to you if I do, I'll be honest. But, I can only try my best. That is my destiny."

 

[Lady_Siren]

Ellesime stood as Gabriela entered her temple the next morning. She smiled warmly motioning for the queen to approach. Gabriela moved close unafraid of the goddess. Ellesime nodded admiring her courage. "You are a strong queen Gabriela and you can accomplish great things for your people." Gabriela nodded "But you can accomplish much greater things with my help." Gabriela spoke up "Who exactly are you?" "I am the goddess of love, passion and beauty and with these gifts your city will prosper and grow." Gabriela looks skeptical "What do I have to do for this to happen?" Ellesime shrugged "Merely spread my word to your people. I will of course make appearances and prove to them the truth in my words. But with you under my wing I can really begin to help your city." Gabriela finally began to warm up a little "What will you do for my city to make it great?" "You city is on the coast of a great body of water, that should be used not only for fishing but transportation and water. First you must send a caravan to Bahaus. There you will find the temple of the Eternal Gear. Pay homage and tribute to this god. He will in turn help your people discover metals to furthur art, daily life and even defenses. Meanwhile my high priestess and you will spread my word across the masses and fourteen new priestesses shall be recruited to my temple." Gabriela nodded completely convinced up the goddessed sincerity. "I will begin right away." "one more thin Gabriela I wish for you to begin work on a new temple for me. Nothing extraordinarily grand just a little larger so that I will have room for my priestesses. Also tell any who are severily sick or injured to come to my temple and I will do all that I can." Gabriela nodded once more. "Thank you Gabriela, You will make a great queen for this city." "I will return tomorrow to let you know my progress" she said then turned leaving with a smile on her face. It was so nice to finally be accepted and soon she would be loved as well.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Alyiss

It was both a good morning, and a fustrateing morning. Both women were quick, alert, and happy to find themselves in this new life; even if much of it confused them...but neither of them could write. And a quick mental review of the written langague common in Thalia showed it to be a cumbersume mess of heirogylics mixed with picographs.

She'd have to go back to the courtyard and see who she could find to clue her in on the rules of createing a written language.

At six bells a firm knock came from the front gate as Xia and Fallan cleaned out the tubs. Both of them were surprized at the amount of dirt and grime that had come from their bodies. They had never realized before how much had built up in just living an ordinary life.

A tall youth stood at the front gate. "Hail!" He said in the easy going manner of people whom have had life go right for them all their lives. "I've come to see Alyiss."

"Certainly." Xia moved back to let him into the inner courtyard where Farral was filling a tub with hot water. "You must...Before you can enter the temple..."

Xia found her face turning red and her tougue in knots. He was a good looking figure of young manhood, and she was a young girl one day out of the orphanage.

Farral saw her distress and came to her rescue. "Xia, why don't you prepare the temple, and I will prepare our guest."

Xia nodded gratefully and scurried away.

"What must I do?" Hoark asked, for that was his name. He was the younger son of a shipwright who had heard on the docks that a woman named Alyiss could see a persons path with true sight. A seer of some sort. So he'd come to find out what she had to say about his path. "Kill a bull? Bring tribute?"

"You must remove all your cloths, and get into that tub, and wash with soap til all the grime and vermin are removed from your body. Then dress in a clean robe to enter the temple."

"You are joking, right?" he asked, his face set in amused disbeleif.

"No." She replied firmly. She'd been a fishermongers daughter, and the wife of a fisherman. She'd grown up in two rooms with twelve people and had a husband who didn't always bring home a catch and had sent her out to whore for food money. Her great sin, the one that her husband was prepared to kill her for, was taking an herb which prevented her from getting pregent. She didn't want to bring a life into the life she hated.

So, when Hoark looked into her eyes he saw a woman who was deadly ernest and would brook no quibbleing.

"Fine." He said, walking to the tub and taking off his clothes as he went. "Are you going to stand there and watch me?"

"No." She smiled ruefully. "I have other duties I need attend. Knock on the inner door when you are totally clean, and do not put on your old clothes til you leave the temple."

Hoark eased himself into the tub and sniffed the harsh soap. It smelled like tar and lye.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

In the Courtyard.............

The Sun, the Moon, and the Earth were having tea in the courtyard when word reached them that Yoth had gained the promise of another temple built for him by another god in Urthralis' own city.

"Gin." Ri laid down her cards. "That is sure to have interesting long term effects."

Earth snorted. "Affects and infects as well as effects. That's two temples for Yoth, twenty more followers and he'll have a major power."

"You owe me....sixteen kisses!" Ri tallied up the score.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Carradan

I stepped out of a alcove carved into a marble wall, and into a garden. Birds I didn’t recognize were singing, and there were plants both normal and ones I had never seen before. The entire place radiated a sense of...tranquility. AS I walked in I saw three figures playing cards. Two I couldn't quite make out, but the third was a lovely woman clad and colored entirely in moon-kissed silver. She looked at me and frowned, making a "tisk" sound with her tongue.
"See here Carradan, you have centuries to go before denim and those other cloths are invented, let alone zippers. Now change and get to work, you have a lot of catching up to do." She stood, tapping her foot impatiently. I looked down at my jeans and chambray shirt, and smiled sheepishly.
"Yes Mommy"

My form twisted and changed, and before the Father and Mother now stood Death, his three faces seeing everything, and knowing that all this was finite, and would one day pass.
I must go now Mother. I have a Kingdom to create.
I bowed and then stepped back into my alcove, and dissapeared.

 

[poohlive]

Bobby thought he was the fucking shit. Ever since he grew up in a slightly bigger house with slightly richer toys than most of his friiends, he just assumed that he was the man with the plan. Everyone looked up to him, and he liked that.
He liked that very much.
What he didn't like, was Jared.
Jared was a boy, just as old as him, just as tall, just as handsome, and who lived just a few houses down. They were very similar, both in popularity and mindset.
But Jared was poor, and Bobby was rich.
Bobby hated Jared with every fiber of his body. It came like a rage when they were both twelve, at Bobby's birthday party. All of the neighborhood had been invited, including Jared's family. Jared had gotten him two large brown toads.
In the city here, near a large river that eventually dumped into the ocean, toads were pretty common. Large brown toads, however, were a bit rare. It would take a boy at least two days to catch them. In childhood terms, that's four years.
Bobby looked at the present with wild and passionate eyes. He had always wanted brown toads, something to put in his sister's bed before she slept, or to keep in his pocket and run around everywhere with. A brown toad could be a child's best friend, and you know it.
Bobby loved the present, but at the same time he hated Jared. He had been trying to catch a brown toad for himself for millions of years now (a week to you and me non-child like people). He would wade out into the swamps, with some of his more common play clothes, and search for hours.
Bobby, apart from being rich though, was also impatient. He never got a toad.
Jared caught two.
From that day on, Bobby hated Jared. Everything Jared did, Bobby hated it. Everything Jared said, Bobby hated.
That is what drove Bobby out here tonight. In the middle of the night, with a long hunting knife, chiseling three long scratch marks into the side of Jared's house. They were both grown by now, eager and waiting to get out of their parents house.
Jared's father died long ago in a caravan drive to Thalia, his mother was now Jared's sole responsibilty, and Jared took good care of her.
Bobby envied Jared for having his father gone. Jared's father was a menace, drunk half the time, spitting out slurs that were barely recognizable, and every once in a while taking his mother at some opportune place in the house... with or without her permission.
Yes, Bobby hated Jared for having a better family too.
He dug the three scratch marks into Jared's perfect little door, the sign of Judgement. The sign that Jared was going to die, or worse, what happened to those other little shits could happen to him. Bobby would love the day when he saw Jared's face covered in slash marks.
It would make him so happy.
He left, and by morning, most of the people in the neighborhood had seen the marks. When his mother came out to fetch the morning water, she screamed her head off at the sight of them. This woke Jared up, runnign outside with a dagger in his hand, and no shirt on.
Several women took notice.
"What did you do?" Her mother looked in shock from the sign of death, to her sweet and innocent son.
"What did you do?" She began to cry on the streeth, spilling the bucket of cool morning water.
"Mother, I did nothing. This isn't..."
"Go, go now!" Jared shook his head, but she slapped him hard across the face. It was the first time she had hit him since he was but a child, "Go to his temple, beg forgiveness."
Jared thought to argue again, knowing for certain he had done no wrong, but her sweet voice and the tears streaming down her eyes made him think otherwise.
"All right mom," He said, going back inside, "I'll go."
He got dressed, had a meager breakfast of cold cheese and hard bread, and set off to the temple, in order to redeem himself for something he hadn't done.
Enden gave a small smile, knowing he would come.

 

[kamalw1]

After travelling for a couple of weeks, the diplomatic envoy from Eboneya arrived in the city of Bahaus. They went to the home of the leader of Bahaus and spoke to him. "We would like to meet the maker of this new metal-working process. Hopefully our two cities can come to some sort of compromise as to teaching our weaponsmiths this technique. We have also been instructed to pay respects to the God Eternal Gear. Any instructions you have for leaving offerings to him would be greatly apreciated."

 

[IDreamofBunnies]

The assembled guild councilmen thanked the envoy for their visit and dismissed them while they considered what they had said, it was an hour or two later when the envoy was called back in.

The head councilman folded his hands together and started calmly, " Bronze, the metal that you seek is a creation of the Church of the Eternal Gear's Chief Artificier and its secret is not ours to distribute. The Sacred Machineworks of the Eternal Gear has not yet been completed however the Sacred Shrine of the Forge is where most applicants leave tributes to our city's official patron. You will need to speak to Chief Artificier Smith on this subject further. We have already dispatched a message to him to expect a visit from you. We also informed him of your desire to instruct your weaponsmiths in the secrets of our great and powerful bronze."

Of course the message had really gone something like...

To the esteemed Chief Artificier Smith,

A foreign envoy wishes to know the secrets of bronze for the sake of weaponry, as this is a possible threat to Bahaus' wealth and security we ask that you drive a hard bargain in favor of our glorious machine blessed city."

Respectfully,

Augustus Stonemason, 1st Seat of the Bahaus Guild Council

Meanwhile in the city of Thalia where an annointed anvil had just been placed on an alter, the shrine to the Eternal Gear was finished. The head machine priest, Desmond en Bahaus wiped the sweat from his brow and clapped his dirty hands together.

"Praise be to The Gear, we have finished this holy task. Let us clean our hands of this sacred dust of industry and prepare for the work ahead."

What he handn't noticed were the bits of soot, scrap metal, and junk rolling out of the shrine and into the alleyway between the shrine and the Bahaus Guild Store. The bits of junk piled together and swirled about until the shining form of the Eternal Gear was manifest. He extended a clockwork hand and pulled his red cape from nothingness and draped it about himself, concealing his mechanical nature. He walked with perfect steps to the temple of Alyiss. He required the assistance of this goddess, or at least her permission as his response to the demand for bronze would certainly impede in her domain.

 

[Lady_Siren]

The caravan from Silveria reached Bahaus in record time. The leader of the caravan entered the home of Bahaus's leader. She bowed respectively. "My lord I seek the oppurtunity to speak with you on the matter of your greater knowledge in metal works. My queen wishes to make a bargain that will benifit both our cities." When she spoke her voice held a slight lilting accent characteristic of Silverians. "I have also been instructed to pay tribute to the Eternal Gear. Where shall we leave our offerings?"

Meanwhile in Silveria

Drusilla smiled at Gabriela and Ellesime as they beheld the new temple. It was beautiful, in the walls were carved murals of the goddesses totem animal and her symbol along with other pictures. Already six new priestesses had been recruited and and now there was room for them all. Also the sick and injured had come just as Ellesime requested and she was able to help them a great deal furthuring her case with the people. Many now came up to her and asked for her blessing promising their worship. Everything was working out great!

 

[kamalw1]

As Kane sat in his temple in Eboneya waiting for word from te envoy in Bahaus, he thought to himself that it ws time for his name to spread farther. He sent for Droom with the message that he had a great task for him. When Droom arrived, he knelt in front of Kane before being guestured back up to is feet. "Droom, it is time for you to perform your first major task in my name. I am sure that you are aware of the city to the north of here by the name of Besaid. I want you to gather 5,000 of your best soldiers and conquer that city in my name. Your people have been training for a week, so they should be ready. Make the necessary preparations to commence this mission within the next few days. Once Besaid is defeated, you will appoint a governor for that city and have them build a temple there for me. When this task is done, you will be rewarded. Now go." Kane watched as Droom left the temple in a hurry and then closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was in his alcove in the Courtyard of the Gods. He left a message for Carradan to meet him in the Courtyard.

 

[poohlive]

In the market place, the caravan's ran smooth. Shops of all sorts sprang up alongside the huge wheel rutted roads, people trying to sell everything from cloth to fish.
Kevin and Cedric, both equal in the sight of Enden, bargained with many people that day, and talked and talked endlessly about many things. Politics, money, entertainment, even religion as it came up.
Cedric was honest and open about his God, the one who gave him sight once more, but did not force anyone or convince them he was the God to obey.
People, however, did come out with the understanding of Enden. Some offered a few coins, others prayed for lost or hurt family members. Some laughed, eyeing bronze statues or red rose flower petals. But the idea stuck through them all.
When Cedric and Kevin, an old man and a young boy, both came back. They had pockets filled with coins, and many stories to tell.
Bobby stood in the front of the temple, speaking with Enden.
"Ahh, good, here they are. I thought you'd come here soon."
The coins were distributed in the appropriate bowls, and then a feast was prepared. Something warm and grande for all of his new followers, in which a dozen or so decided to show up.
Enden sat at the head of the table, happily eating and drinking his fill.
"There is talk from some of the marketers of an upcoming war. Besaid is supposed to be attacked within a week."
Enden nodded, thinking someone like this was bound to happen.
"Some of the people are not happy. They say they will go to war, fight for their independence."
Thinking for a moment, Enden's words came out cold, but true, "Then they will die."
"Some think, if you helped them, they wouldn't die."
"Why would I help them?"
"So no blood is lost. So innocent people won't die."
Enden closed his eyes, calling upon the gift of sight. It worked for all of those around the room. They saw the truth behind it all. Of the God of War, and his plans for the beseige upon the city.
"The God of War is powerful," Enden spoke again, "He will not give up so easy."
"Is he more powerful than you?"
"In a fight yes. I stand for truth, and justice, he stands for chaos and war. He will win in a fight."
"This isn't about fighting, this is about what's right."
"Bobby."
The man stood up, as if he were just asked to defend his very life now. Enden looked at the man, who had in the course of just one day, become a loyal follower to his group now.
"Go to Besaid, right now. Get a horse, and go as fast as you can. Speak with the people, and see if they want to fight against the God of War or not. Tell them if they wish to fight for justice, and truth, I will help them however I can."
Bobby didn't even bother to wipe his mouth, he ran out of the throne, scooping up a handfull of coins for a horse and some food.
When he got outside, a single Cougar stood by his side, and ran with him. They both went side by side into the night.
"Can you help them?"
Enden didn't feel hungry anymore, "I don't know... I can try."