Fall from Divine Intervention II: Mercenary for the Gods

[Algeroth]

OO is okay for you Nantosuelta? For some reason, I don't think drowning your troops to make zombies, slavery, and making loonies out of people are Nantosuelta's thing

Educate youself.

 

[thomas.berubeg]

As was his habit, Tasunk rode out early everymorning. As he rode over the hills outside of The Capital, the sun rose and shone into his eyes. He reigned in his horse and stayed, his vision fixed into the blinding brightnes.
a voice rang through his ears.Tasunke the enlightened will be your name. you will lead a people at the forefront of civilization, a great people, if only you do as I, tasunk, tell thee. Find the Mirror of heaven for me

Spoiler for gods eyes only :

Someone please add a lighbringer for tasunke and move the mirror of heaven (or add it) close to where the Hippus are

thanks

 

[Dumanios]

I added TB's changes to the game

 

[PaulusIII]

Seems like most of the gods have done their edits, except Tasunke D ) who wanted to do one but didn't do so yet. Once he has done his edits and if no others want the save, I'll play the set.

 

[PaulusIII]

Uh... just took a look at the save. And I don't know whether this was your intent, gods...

Spoiler :

Why is the Mirror of Heaven literally on my doorstep? If I need to find it for a quest you should at least make that more difficult.

 

[Algeroth]

Ok, MoH moved to more appropiate position. You could reach it now but you should find it first.

 

[Verdian]

Message for Esus (not for mortal eyes, gods feel free)

Spoiler :

Your Renegade Hippi seem to have been killed. You may wish to create more, or just accept that the Calabim or Illians probably killed them. That could make for a fun quest, too. Those two civs may not have known they were renegade.

Message for Cernunnos (not for mortal eyes, gods feel free)

Spoiler :

I outlined my plot on page three of this thread. I would love to have an ally, though. I would like the Ljos to help out the Hippus as long as Paulus acts appropriately. I may be playing as Thessa for a bit, too. If Paulus does indeed complete my quest, I am going to give him an attitude bonus with the Ljos.

Feel free to help nudge the Ljos into trying to get to ships, as if the Svart make first contact, my quest is going to go a lot differently.

Let me know if you need any help, too. Right now the only thing I am really worried about is that gods are giving Paulus lots of help without him doing anything to earn it, so my quests may not seem worth doing...

 

[Ribusprissin]

k, made some changes

 

[Verdian]

Could you perhaps let the other gods know what you changed, Ribusprissin, so we do not interfere with it?

 

[Ribusprissin]

how do you make spoiler tags?

 

[Verdian]

When creating a new thread, there is a "spoiler" button up near the top, to the far right of bold, italic, font, ect. If you are editing a thread and want to add them, click "edit" and then "Go Advanced" to get to a window that looks like the normal new thread screen.

Or you can type in [ spoiler] [ /spoiler], minus the spaces, with the text you want hidden in between them. Just don't forget the slash!

 

[Ribusprissin]

changes:

Spoiler :

added pigs near calabim

 

[Diamondeye]

Tasunke stood on the fortifications of his Palace, and he had long since spotted the single rider heading towards the Hippus city. The man rode all the way up to the Palace square, took forth a sack and emptied on the cobblestones. Tasunke heard the screams as nearby people realized what the bag had contained; half a dozen decapitated heads.

As he came down from the fortifications and got a closer look, he could see that the heads had belonged to Hippus men - but not anyone in his service. He remained silent as the rider was dragged forth. His pale skin witnessed his Calabim heritage. The man was smiling... How should he react to this?

 

[thomas.berubeg]

I have some time, therefor I am taking the save.

 

[thomas.berubeg]

Here... this goes with the story above.

Spoiler for god's eyes :

created a new landmass and civ to protect the Mirror of heaven.

 

[Lade]

could anyone tell me about a thread that tells details about Camulos? I searched aqnd nothing came up of intrest

 

[Seon]

If you go to Random stories thread, there are some stories about Camulos's vault. And from what I know, the demons who live in the vault and the vault itself reflect on the god's nature, so check it out

Edit: we all know he loooooves fighting

 

[Tasunke]

Tasunke (heh) was taking a stroll through the grazing pastures when pieces of dust and pollen started swirling around him. At first he thought it was a normal breeze and then the wind really picked up and he was knocked over into the grass. A bright light molded into a small lizard which dropped down beside him. He sat and watched as the lizard crawled up onto a rock and began speaking to him.

I am the voice of Tali. I believe that you could be my champion in this world. First, you must
prove your dedication to the way of the wind. Their is a small child who worhipped me adamantly
every day since he could think and speak for himself. This child is weak but has been given my
blessing. You shall nurture and protect this "windwaker", and he has the potential to draw the true
power from the Rod of Winds. Find my tower, and this will lead you to the Rod's location.

If however the Wind Waker dies, I will be very dissapointed, and the winds shall not favor you.

for mortals

Spoiler :

Equip the Wind Waker with the Rod of Winds.

for godly eyes only

Spoiler :

I added a Tali's Tower to the south of the Illians, and a Isle of Winds to the west of the tower. Also, on the far eastern continent, I added a demon beastmaster with animal AI named Servant of Tali. Both the Isle of Winds and the Servant of Tali have a rod of winds, but the Isle only has a few wolves guarding it and dont worry, I wont make Wind Waker too powerful until Tasunke has tamed a few "rogue" servants

 

[Verdian]

Here is a brief description of each of the gods, as well as their followers. This is taken from Nikis-Knight's players guide.

The Good Gods

Spoiler :

Amathaon
God of Creation. His domain is that of novel concepts and ideas, and his Archangel is Maponos the Young. Amathaon doesn’t have a large priesthood, but is revered by artists, architects, inventors, and others who seek his inspiration. They are known as The Architects.

Followers of Amathaon celebrate new life, but less so for its own sake as for the creation of a new personality capable of novel thoughts and ideas. While sages will tend to follow Oghma, teachers will revere Amathaon. Unlike Nantosuelta, Amathaon isn’t concerned with perfect things, but with novel things that fill in a distinct niche in the world. Those who revere him are expected to be pushing themselves in new ways. They prize free exchange of ideas and being open and honest, especially with themselves. There is sometimes tension between Amathaon’s church and that of Kilmorph, who teaches holding fast to what is has proven good over the generations.

Sucellus
God of Life. Sucellus was formerly the god of nature. He was chosen to battle Mulcarn single handedly when Mulcarn broke the compact, in order to prevent a full scale renewal of the Gods' War. When Sucellus was dead he traveled the underworld with Arawn and convinced him to allow him to return to creation with the power of Life. This allowed him to be resurrected and to revitalize the world. In the process, he changed from a neutral god to a good god.
Basium was the Archangel of Life under Arawn, but he rebelled with the signing of the compact to continue waging war against the demons of the evil gods wherever they would go.

Sucellus’ church is known as the Unblemished. Among them are the most powerful healers and scholars of medicine. They teach a reverence for all life, especially young, but are not strictly pacifists.

Lugus
God of Sun. Lugus’ Archangel is Baelious, or Fortune. His domain is light, revelation, and redemption.

Lugus is worshiped widely, especially among the Malakim. His followers are known as the Empyrean. They emphasize mercy and consensus. Lugus’ followers sometimes have trouble discerning the details of his revelations; he communicates more in overwhelming insights, rather than carefully spelled out instructions as Sabathiel gives in Junil’s name, and the Empyrean prophets are usually more mystical in outlook than those of the other good gods. This influences their councils, as one vision may be given to all the temple priests, but they must discuss and contemplate it to understand beyond the immediate implications.

Lugus despises vampires, as the first vampires slew an early prophet of his to gain her powers. He is the enemy of deceptions and lies, and Esus followers must sue every trick they have to avoid being found and revealed by Empyrean priests. But few enemies of truth and light will not be given a second chance by the Empyrean. Redemption isn’t an easy path to walk, and full trust is not given easily, but some of the most ardent supporters of Lugus come from those once enthralled by his adversaries.

Junil
God of Law. Junil’s domain is that of loyalty, obedience, and justice. His Archangel is Sabathiel who is said to lead the Bannor Empire from a sealed vault between Junil’s heaven and Erebus.

The church of Junil is widespread in the Bannor Empire, and has branches in many nations. It is known as The Order, and emphasizes justice and discipline. Junil is the most rigid in his interpretation of the Compact. In fact, he has never set foot upon or spoken to a mortal in Erebus since the end of the godswar, and it was only once the Bannor people had become trapped in Agares’ Hell that he sent his Archangel Sabathiel to intervene on their behalf. When Sabathiel followed them back through the portal to Erebus, Junil intervened and created a vault just adjacent to Erebus for his servant to advise his people from, keeping their voices from impacting creation directly. If not for the devotion of their priesthood, who meet with Sabathiel in this vault, the commands of Junil would have no way to spread into the world.

Junil and his followers are relentless in preaching justice—a proper consequence for every action, be it reward or punishment—not because they lack compassion, but because they see law as the glue that allows a society of any size to function, and any special dispensation abrogating that law as a step towards entropy and chaos, in which man perpetually must be on guard against each other. In this way the order sees itself as allowing civilization to stand in a world where trust, hope, and foresight are broken beyond repair.

Nantosuelta
Goddess of Enchantment. Her domain is that of bringing out the truest essence of things and people. Her archangel is Splendor is always clad in blue and yellow, and typically carries a golden lantern. He pursues his own agenda and is rarely on missions for Nantosuelta. Unlike the other Angels who have split from their lords Nantosuelta has no problem with his independence. Nantosuelta was the good goddess Kylorin betrayed Ceridwen to follow. Nantosuelta is said to be the lover of Sucellus and she was the one who helped make sure all the pieces were gathered in place so that the Godslayer could be reforged, as well as gathering his body so he could be reborn after being slain by Mulcarn.

Nantosuelta is worshipped in many lands, often alongside Kilmorph among craftsmen and alongside Oghma among wizards and alongside Lugus among the Empyrean, due to her focus in perfection.

Sirona
Goddess of spirit and wisdom. Her Archangel is Pelian the Suffering.

Where Oghma’s followers seek information for its own sake and Lugus’ followers eliminate secrets which cause discord in communities, Sirona’s preserve ancient knowledge to bring to those who would need it most. Sirona has many different orders that cooperate to ease the suffering of broken people and spread wisdom. There are the Sisters of Sirona, priestesses who tend to widows and orphans and the Order of the Elohim, a monastic order that guards sacred sites and provides healing, among others.

Sirona is a gentle and empathic goddess, and even among her own followers she tries to convince rather than command. Her priests are dedicated to leading by example, and even cities or provinces run by despots have let in organizations of her followers to minister to their people, only to later have their army converted and desert rather than conqueror.

The Neutral Gods

Spoiler :

Cernunnos
God of nature. He was formerly the Archangel of this sphere, but was promoted after Sucellus was killed by Mulcarn. He is known as the Great Horned One, and is revered by elves and satyrs especially.

His religion, the fellowship of the leaves, is widespread in human lands as well, though very diverse, with no unified creed save reverence and study of the natural world. Some sects are tender and caring, some devious and vicious. For example, the Fellowship in Elohim lands works to guide and protect alongside the monks who tend to the sacred sites in the world, while the Fellowship among the Calabim is a group of savage hunters who run down their own people in the dense tangle of woods around their cities. Neither group would care much for the other, but both would recognize the aspect of nature the other was emulating and would accept them as fellow priests.

Kilmorph
Goddess of Earth. Her Archangel is Goibniu. Her domain is stability, though not the stasis of Mulcarn, but a nurturing stability found in soil or a healthy tradition passed on generation to generation. Kilmorph created the Dwarves, when she gave life to the creations of an unjustly imprisoned sculptor. They revere her the most, but many human lands follow the teachings of her priests, scriptures known as the Runes of Kilmorph. It stresses fidelity to tradition, hard work and excellence in craft, and steadfast honesty, but is usually unconcerned with those outside the particular community or nation.

Dagda
God of Balance/Force. His Archangel was Cassiel, who grew disillusioned with the level of manipulation that the Compact allowed. He abandoned Dagda and travels creation trying to protect humanity from the wars of the gods.

It was Dagda who convinced the gods to cooperate on the creation of Erebus, rather filling the cosmos with worlds designed and created independently, and Dagda who brought them to the table to discuss a cease-fire. He is the most trusted among the gods, seemingly without an agenda of his own. He regrets Cassiel’s desertion, but did not disagree on principle. The compact didn’t go as far as he wished, but he knows that it is the strongest code that would be likely to be followed, Mulcarn’s breaking of it not withstanding.

Good gods, wishing to see evil’s influence minimized, often resent Dagda’s support of evil underdogs, of keeping balance in the affairs of men as well as the universe. Dagda realizes that evil gods have influence beyond their conscious actions and the work of their followers; they have twisted their domains, corrupting the divine spark inside man himself slightly. Evil nations and religions are required as an example for good ones to recoil away from, lest they in their power slide into the same position.

Oghma
God of metamagic and knowledge. Her Archangel is Embarr, imagination. Her domain emphasizes esoteric knowledge and study. Her church focuses little on behavioral codes and more on research methodology and assistance, but they stress honesty, though not complete openness.

Oghma doesn’t grant inspiration the way that Amathaon does, new concepts or approaches to problems. He rewards careful research and synthesis, collaboration, and dedication with insightful connections that advance a field of knowledge further as a whole, rather than showing off the work of a particular genius.

Tali
Goddess of Air. Her Archangel is Leucetious (Bringer of Storms). Tali is impulsive and often wild.

Her church is the Foxmen. They favor self-sufficiency, though not to the extent of the agnostic Grigori. They seek to push the bounds of human experience not in search of philosophical enrichment, but out of an impulsive joy of life.

Arawn
God of Death. Until the Age of Rebirth he presided over the Life and Death spheres and was uncontested in his realms. Even now he ignores creation and consumes himself only with tending souls of those who have died or who have not yet been born. Gyra is his Archangel, the twin of Basium who was another of Arawn’s Archangels when he had both spheres. Both were created in same instant by Arawn to guard over his two dominions at the time. Basium was directed to guard the gateway through which all life comes into creation, and Gyra the gateway that souls take passing between creation and the netherworld. The twins were given different gifts and it is said that Arawn removed all compassion from Basium, as he never wanted any soul to return to the source of life no matter the cause. That compassion was instead gifted to Gyra and stories abound of the living entering the netherworld or souls returning for poetic causes.

There are many who worship Arawn, but since he pays them no heed until they die, and grants no special favors then, an organized priesthood has never developed.

Danalin
God of Water. Archangel is Condatis. Danalin was formerly a peaceful patron of sailors and farmers, but recently, since late in the Age of Magic, the seas have been largely unresponsive to the cries of his priests, and have brought froth great beasts.

Danalin is worshipped by two groups; the Undertow, who worship Danalin’s new more violent side through the intermediaries of the great undersea kraken. They have strange dreams in their sea-water filled temples, and search these prophecies for hidden meanings. Another group is called the Children of Condatis, who petition his archangel and seek the tranquility Danalin is alleged to have provided in ancient times. These groups are very much in conflict, with the Undertow in ascendancy since early in the Age of Rebirth. They are able to draw more power, and some suspect that Danalin has followed Bhall and fallen into Agares’ cohort, leaving the seas to be forever in the grip of the tempest.

The Evil Gods

Spoiler :

Bhall
Goddess of Fire. Bhall was the most recent god to fall to evil at the end of the age of magic. Her domain is that of rapid change and passionate emotions, epitomized by fire. Her fall twisted her closest followers, of which there were many throughout Patria battling wicked mages, into orcs and goblins. Her Archangel, Brigit the Shining, remained holy and lead a small group against Bhall when Bhall fell. Bhall couldn't bring herself to kill her most beautiful creation. Instead she trapped Brigit within the northern wastes, far from where any creature of fire could reach her. The strange colors in the northern sky are said to be the reflection of Birgits light.

Bhall is little worshipped outside the orc lands. Her worshipers are known as the Ember Legion, and have been known to sacrifice people by burning them alive.

Aeron
God of Body. Aeron’s domain is strength, rage, and desires of the flesh. His Archangel was Odio, who refused the truce of the Compact, and so was trapped in the earth by Kilmorph.

Aeron is worshipped widely in highly sexualized cults, and in much more secretive guilds of assassins known as Aeron’s Bounty.

Mammon
God of mind. Mammon’s domain is foresight and greed. His Archangel is Hastur, lord of nightmares.

Mammon is worshiped by merchants and corrupt rulers, but has few priests or church. He wishes to encourage selfishness, not community. Still, a few gather in his name to plot and scheme under the name Stewards of Inequity. Many commercial guilds are infiltrated by these merchant priests, who use underhanded tactics to drive away competition, often employing thugs and assassins. After a few years, the cartels tend to turn on themselves in bloody feuds, with survivors fleeing to start the destructive process elsewhere.

There is no formal ordination for priests of Mammon; after a particularly selfish and short-sighted act, he may bestow his blessing upon a chosen instrument of avarice, usually via material gainst that come at great cost to close friends or family, such as an opportunity to sell a son or daughter into slavery. Once the man or woman has started down this path they find it very hard to turn away, and the blessing Mammon sends their way ensure that. Followers of Mammon will often donate to other evil gods’ temples for protection after being hunted for cheating or swindling.

Camulos
God of Chaos. Archangel is Wrath. His domain is war and discord, formerly peace.

His church is the Harbingers, which only promote from battle hardened warriors who have lost body parts in battle. His worshippers are scarce in peacetime, but most armies will have soldiers muttering prayers to him before battles. Camulos is seemingly a simple god with simple goals, similar to a those of a small child—build things up just to watch them collapse spectacularly.

Cerdiwen
Goddess of dimensions and connections between people. The gods has agreed not to teach man how to use magic. That was to be the province of the gods alone. And through all of the Age of Dragons that was true. But the defining moment of the Age of Magic was when she broke that and taught Kylorin how to use magic. Cerdiwen alone has no heaven or vault, but exists in the spaces between worlds with her angels. Her Archangel is Kanna, Mistress of Pain.

Her worshippers are known as the Emyrs, who focus on manipulating others and fomenting petty misery.

Esus
God of Shadow and deception, formerly of trust. Archangel is Iaegus. Esus’ vault is a shadowy copy of Erebus known also as the Shadowfell. Those trying to escape the lower hells often get trapped here, and broken down by its cruel lies.

Esus has no temples and no known priests. It is unknown if he has spoken or acted on Erebus since the Compact whatsoever, but the Council of Esus acts in his name; it is a shadowy organization of the ambitious and the shameful who seek a cover of darkness to their actions. They employ assassins and often work with Aeron’s bounty.

Agares
God of Entropy. The former god of hope is now the lord of entropy and despair. His Archangel is Hyborem, a dark copy of Cernunnos from a time when he attacked Agares directly as an Archangel.

Agares is worshipped by the Ashen Veil, a secretive and somewhat rare cult. The initiate seeks power, more quickly than through the council, and of course with fewer restrictions than any good religion. Later, they have gotten their power, taken their revenge, but it is quickly coming time to pay the piper, and lest they be taken by the demons they bargained with, they need to find others to fill the ranks. Finally, the very upper echelon serve the same cause as their god—corrupting the world. So they seek to justify themselves by damning the rest of creation.

Needless to say, they aren’t very nice to be around, feeling no remorse for any sort of cruelty or coercion; but this isn’t to say that they can’t work together towards their goals, even civilly. Most do not pursue cruelty for its own sake, though it would certainly not offend them if their peers were.

Mulcarn
God of Winter. His domain was stasis and cold. He was slain at the close of the Age of Ice by the Godslayer weapon. His Archangel is Taranis the Unchanging, who was also slain in the Age of Ice by one of Kylorin’s children.

Mulcarn’s worshipers were known as the White Hand. They emphasized stasis, abhorring technology. There are a few such still around the lands of the old Illian empire, but they have no divine powers.

 

[PaulusIII]

Right, all the gods seem to have finished. Got it for tomorrow. I'd best start on some parts of the update today, that way I can keep my update delay in check a bit.