first epoch Genesis of Creation

[The Stranger]

Iam turned to witness the approach of the cloud creature named Yalmekug, but only heard the creature introduce itself as a member of the Tolig who serve the gods. He brought a hand to his chin and began to ponder this creature and the supposed servants they mentioned. Them as well as the god they introduced, but he was quickly distracted by the answers his curiosity so desperately sought out and he quickly looked back to Veshwoon as Veshwoon answered his questions. Recieving the answers was immensely satisfying.

 

"I see. They exist to serve your grand purpose. Thank you for answering those questions, Veshwoon," Iam first says with relief. He might have gone positively mad if Veshwoon had decided to keep that knowledge from him. 

 

Iam started to think of the answer to Veshwoon's question but saw as Veshwoon continued to create creatures. He watched with curiosity.

 

"I have the power to assign my own purpose. It is a power called free will," Iam answers, but he is clearly distracted as he speaks. Iam shared some of Takayaane's insights. Particularly the pity portion.

 

He had noticed that one of the crystalline insects had clung onto his body. It has been slowly making its way up to his head and it had just now reached his face. It crawled along the mirrored surface, attracted by the movement of its own reflection. He did not flinch or pull back in disgust, nor did he particularly welcome this creature and this creature was not truly interested in Iam or bold enough to approach a god. It was merely ignorant that this thing it was crawling on was a demigod.

 

Iam focused on this tiny insect. He watched as it slowly came to investigate what it was curious about. He watched as the insect slowly, gradually became less ignorant. It crawled along his face, poking at the moving thing. The moving thing poked back perfectly. When the insect moved the moving thing moved too. It tested this over and over, gathering more and more data each time. It began to understand that this was not another creature. It was something else. It moved like it moved and only when it moved. Perfectly, as if dancing. The first dance of the universe. Iam watched as this tiny ignorant creature learned and came to understand, growing that much wiser than all of its other counterparts.

 

Then it was eaten by a flying beast of flesh, feather and fang. Plucked right off of Iam's face. Iam watched as what little mind the crystal insect had was silenced. All of that ignorance. All of that curiosity. All of that experimentation. All of that newfound knowledge and wisdom. All now gone. Food for the flying thing. It wasn't even hungry. Just eating in case, it couldn't find food later.

 

"..." he had no more words for Veshwoon. No more questions. So, Iam turns his back on Veshwoon. His curiosity had been sated. Now he wished he hadn't been cursed with this knowledge.

 

He started to walk away from the others, not seeming to care much about the emotions or curiosity of Takayaane interacting with their own reflection. He was too distracted by the loss of that little dancer.

 

He only stopped for Yalmekug of the Flying Flatulence. 

 

"You are meant to serve the gods? And how would you do that? We demigods hold most of the power of the universe. Wouldn't it be more efficient for us to serve you? A task that would take one of these little creatures a lifetime of work could be done in a blink of the mirror for me. A true god or a true king should be a servant of his people. A president is a civil servant. Perhaps the most important one, but a servant nonetheless," he gestures to one of the goblins that happened to wander nearby when he mentions the little creatures. He then goes on to speak of concepts and titles that have yet to fully be realized in this reality, but he spoke with such stillness of breath that he must have been absolutely certain that he was correct.

 

He then watched as another flying thing ate another insect and another creature then that flying thing got caught by a tentacle tree that was growing nearby.

 

"If you truly wish to please me, then heed my will, Tolig. I may not have the right to say this to you, but..." despite these words, Iam now speaks with such conviction that his voice carries outward and resonates throughout the first world and all of reality so that all Tolig can hear his next words clearly.

 

---

 

"Grow strong."

 

"Be happy."

 

---

 

Iam burdens the Tolig with these two directives, but he does not grant them any power to achieve it. It is a test to see what they can do on their own. How capable and competent can they really be if they can't live by these commandments. How can they ever hope to be useful to Iam and the other gods if they fail this ordeal? It is no easy task that he assigns them. To force a smile is not enough to be happy. To be truly happy means they must achieve true enlightenment and he will not teach them how to do that.

With that, Iam goes off on his own. He doesn't wait. He is far too excited to begin his own work. To do fulfill the purpose he has assigned himself. He leaps with great strength that carries him away from the others so that he might find the peace he needs to focus.

 

 

Edited November 25, 2022 by The Stranger (see edit history)

[Avaday Daydream]

Yalmekug looked at Iam for several seconds, then spoke.

"It is our desire to serve." he declared, his words pulsing with a hint of divine power that imparted a vast amount of information into the short phrase.

A gardener tending to their plants. A parent watching over their children. A priest giving moral instruction to their congregation. Iam's own words, altered, 'a true god is a servant of his people'...

 

"There are many things you can do. Many you cannot." Yalmekug spoke again, before his eyes flickered downwards and he snapped his cloudy fingers.

Suddenly, the gods began falling?...No, there was ground beneath them that was rising, a floating island that had been shaped by the other giants and was now being lifted up and held by the biggest Tolig.

AP usage

2 AP, Toil (Terraforming): Create Land; the Tolig create The Starting Island, an immense floating island for the gods to convene upon and possibly practice creation.

The island unlanded under the gathered gods with a quiet 'thump'; thoughtfully, some ogre had set out a large flat boulder to serve as a meeting table, with piled up...piles, of plucked grass and leaves to serve as seats.

"I know, it's not much yet, we're working on it." A small goblin with a pair of antennae squeaked, having come up with the island, "Feel free to make yourself comfortable though." 

Then he jolted slightly, "Oh, I'm Puchig by the way! What Ya...something-ending-with-g was saying, if you had to do everything yourself, you wouldn't have the time or energy to make what you want. So, let us help you!"

 

Around the new island, various goblins and ogres were poking and prodding at Veshwoon's and Takayaane's leafy and grassy creations, some experimenting with bits of fire and melted ice and other things to see what made them grow, others pulling them out of the ground and trying to shape and weave them into things. A little way up (now there was an 'up'), a small group clinging to an asteroid were doing very educated scientific research in the form of banging rocks together.

 

[Anthr4xus]

Veshwoon perceived Iam moving away as quickly as he had approached.  Veshwoon thought to Veshwoon's self of what an odd individual to share reality that was.  Turning it's focus to Takayanne, Veshwoon said, "Does Takayanne know of Iam?  He is not a creation of mine, but the others Veshwoon makes because this is what Veshwoon does.  You made the larger plants and the woodeaters.  Why did you make those?"

 

As Veshwoon speaks, clouds of spores and molds puffed and scattered from the mass of tentacles, pseudopods and other limbs.  They drifted softly on the winds of the air, settling and bonding with whatever they landed upon, be it land, plant, or creature.  The only entities that seemed immune to this bonding touch were the demigods, the Starkin, and the Godkin.  These sessile symbiotic and parasitic molds and even more varied fungi, yeasts, and similar oddities began a slow spread across reality, often causing mutations and changes in the other life it bonded with, for good or ill.

 

AP spend

Create Basic Life (molds, fungi, yeasts and similar stange semi-animal/semi-plants) - 0 AP - Creation (Environments)

 

[Kaiju Cuddlebug]

Well, this meeting was going poorly. First Iam and their mask inspire Takayaane to have a brief existential crisis, then Iam leaves without addressing Takayaane, and now Veshwoon dodges Takayaane's question. The newest...stuff spewing from Veshwoon wasn't inspiring confidence, though Takayaane didn't have enough information on what it even was.

---

"Veshwoon, I asked first. What are you doing?"

---

For emphasis, Takayaane steps forward. Takayaane stands with Veshwoon in easy reach as the Starting Island rises around the two Gods.

 

(Takayaane gives Puchig a smile as thanks, regretful the situation is too rapid for full compliments. Takayaane makes a mental note to speak to Puchig later.)

[Anthr4xus]

Veshwoon says, "As Veshwoon said, Veshwoon is doing what Veshwoon does.  Veshwoon exists and creates things.  Much as the Tolig build and shape things.  Veshwoon exists in this Reality, like you, the Tolig and Iam.  Veshwoon cannot do otherwise.  Can you to other than what you do?" 

 

As they speak, Veshwoon spares some of his attention  for the work the Tolig were doing.  They were industrious and creative. Perhaps something could be done to assist them.  Normally the creation of living things occured just by Veshwoon existing.  There was no thought put to it other than just the need for there to be more than there was a moment ago.  Veshwoon considered the purpose behind Takayaane's questions.  Could Veshwoon put purpose to creation?  An intriguing thought.  Perhaps worth exploring.

 

Veshwoon dedicated some of Veshwoon's focus on Veshwoon, on the endless creation that was as much a part of Veshwoon as the name itself.  Veshwoon pictured a form, long and serpentine, able to bend around corners and fit into tight spaces.  Veshwoon concentrated and imposed Veshwoon's will on that spark of creation.  A cascade of pink wriggling things: worms of sizes ranging from inches to feet.  The writhing rain dropped to the ground of the island below.  Veshwoon focused more, making them bigger, stronger, and longer.  The rain developed a shower of color as wormy flesh became scaly and the rain became a storm of snakes.  Finally Veshwoon focused the creation into utility and the serpents became malleable, able to spread themselves thin or bunch up thick, exude a sticky adhesive that would harden to a stone like consistency. Another slight variation and there were thick black asps that spit an acidic venom capable of dissolving the glue the serpents created.  The symmetry was pleasing to Veshwoon, one to do and one that undid. These creatures were effective hunters in their own right, but could also be used by the Tolig or others to adhere things together or break things apart.

 

Veshwoon turned some of Veshwoon's attention back to Takayaane and said, "Takayaane has done a new thing, you have inspired Veshwoon.  Veshwoon can direct the offspring of Veshwoon towards a goal.  This is not a thing Veshwoon was aware could be done before.  Thank you for this."

 

He spoke to towards the Tolig, at least those still nearby, "Tolig, please make use of these creatures in your toiling.  Veshwoon made them to your purpose."

 

AP Spend

Create Basic Life (Worms of all sizes) - 0 AP - Creation (Environment)

Create Basic Life (Snakes and Serpents of all sizes) - 0 AP - Creation (Environment)

Create Monstrous Life {Glue Garter Snakes} - 1 AP - Creation (Monsters)

Create Monstrous Life {Acid Asps} - 1 AP - Creation (Monsters)

 

Creation (Monsters) - 6/10; Creation (Environment) - 6/10

 

Edited November 25, 2022 by Anthr4xus
missed a personal pronoun (see edit history)

[Avaday Daydream]

Puchig's eyes widened slightly, as he picked up one of the Glue Garter Snakes and held it gently.

"Oooh..." he let out, giving the snake a little squeeze and causing it to squirt a small glob of sticky stuff, "Thank you, master Veshwoon. I can already think of a good use for this creature."

So saying, the little antenna'd goblin wandered over to stand under the rocky asteroid nearby, where the other tolig had rather quickly deduced how to smooth out rocks to form passable bricks, and were now dropping rectangular chunks towards the Starting Island whilst humming an oddly jaunty tune. 

 

A somewhat squished Puchig wandered away a few seconds later, only to return with a significantly larger ogre to collect the falling bricks.

AP usage

1 AP; Toil (Construction): Create Mundane Concept of Masonry, shaping stones and setting them into place.

 

[Kaiju Cuddlebug]

Veshwoon wasn't controlling their creation? But then, what Veshwoon created, what even was it? And if something horrible was created, would Veshwoon be able to stop?

 

Does Takayaane need to kill Veshwoon? Is that even possible?

 

No. Veshwoon had just given grace to the Tolig. Veshwoon, the conscious Veshwoon, was caring. And if a consciousness such as Veshwoon was better off dead, well, let Veshwoon create an apocalyptic abomination. Existence would need the do-over.

 

---

"Don't thank me. I apologize. I didn't know."

---

Takayaane turned to thank Puchig, but it seems the little goblin was already back to work.

---

"The Tolig seem set in following our command. So I suppose we have to figure out what our commands should be."

 

"I'm afraid I'm gifted with power but not insight. I can't and don't speak for you, but I would need some means of obtaining perspective. Informed life able to share their thoughts, most likely. And a means for them to be protected against whatever could possibly exist. Or as much protection as possible, at the very least. As much strength as possible."

---

 

...Veshwoon asked if Takayaane could "do other than what you do". Takayaane thinks back to the strings in Iam's reflection. Could they be cut?

Edited November 25, 2022 by Kaiju Cuddlebug (see edit history)

[Anthr4xus]

"Veshwoon is uncertain if Veshwoon has insight, although that feels like it may be something Veshwoon created in Veshwoon's self," Veshwoon said in a thousand overlapping voices and cries.  Even with the thunderous volume and cacaphonous chorus, was there some hint of humor there?  It was difficult for even gods to tell. "Perhaps Veshwoon and you and some of the Tolig should find Iam.  He seems the thoughtful and inquisitive type.  Perhaps he is sure of having this insight."

 

As Veshwoon spoke, Veshwoon's focus split between the conversation with Takayaane and the continuing construction of the Tolig. They were creative and quick, but even with their numbers it seemed like it would take them forever to shape the stones into something interesting.  They seemed happy to receive the first living tools that Veshwoon had provided.  Perhaps there was something more that Veshwoon could do for them.  Veshwoon recalled the crystalline insects it had borne before and had a thought.  The rain of snakes tapered off, only to be replaced by another expulsion of small things.  Perhaps more mold or fungal spores?  No, this cloud is made of small near-insects drifting on narrow threads extruded from themselves.  Gradually the cloud thickened as the small arachnids gradually became larger and larger, some even sized to rival the Ogre Tolig.  These were far to heavy to drift like their cousins, and instead descended from Veshwoon on ladders of a silk like webbing that began to harden into something akin to steel over time.  

 

Veshwoon  spoke again to Takayaane, "With these, more material will be born into the world for the Tolig to use.  Perhaps a bridge could be built across the vastness to connect here with where Iam has gone. Veshwoon feels that providing a means of connection between the places of the world is needed.  Something to fill the empty spaces."

 

AP Spend

Create Basic Life (Spiders) - 0 AP - Creation (Environments)

Create Monstrous Life (Ironweb Spiders) - 1 AP - Creation (Monsters)

Create Monstrous Life (Gargantuan Ironweb Spiders) - 1 AP - Creation (Monsters)

 

Creation (Monsters): 8/10; Creation (Environments): 6/10 

 

[Kaiju Cuddlebug]

Veshwoon's aesthetic impressed Takayaane. Horrific in a way, but awe-inspiring. And Veshwoon's help for the Tolig seemed to show restraint. Veshwoon was a horror, but a kind horror. The forces of chaos should be scared.

---

"That would indeed be useful. And it's good to see you use your power, rather than your power manifest without you. You're a kind god."

---

Takayaane wondered what they themselves could do for the Tolig. They had plenty of tools to make their jobs easier, thanks to Veshwoon. What else did the Tolig enjoy besides serving the Gods, if anything? It was hard to tell. Puchig was humming a song. Perhaps music? What music did the Tolig enjoy, if they even enjoyed the same songs?

 

Takayaane was starting to realize he was the God of Caution. No, that wouldn't fit. Uh..."The Forebearing Beast". Yeah, that'll do. Like a hunting monster preparing to strike. Much cooler.

[Kaiju Cuddlebug]

---

"So where do you think Iam wandered off to? If they had plans to raise a world, I'm not seeing any. Unless Iam plans to use the chunks of barren rock."

---

 

Takayaane bellowed a sigh. Surely this whole godly power thing would be enough for Takayaane win a game of hide and seek. Then again, Iam was a God too. Takayaane didn't want to be rude, but if Iam isn't coming back...

 

Takayaane takes a thunderous breath of air through their nostrils. Odd. No scent. Is Iam that far away already?

 

---

"Excuse me a moment."

---

Takayaane stands and turns away. Takayaane makes sure no Tolig are in the way, politely asking those in front to get clear. Then Takayaane inhales. And keeps inhaling. Air becomes wind. The winds become a gale. Takayaane vents air coming into their snout out their mouth. The air tastes delicious.

 

Finally, after quite the sample of air, a tiny aroma of the missing divine touches Takayaane's nose. Iam smells tired already.

 

Takayaane turns towards Iam's location.

---

"Iam smells like they're up to something. Perhaps we could wrangle them to this table together for some consultation? The Tolig made Iam a seat, after all."

---

Show this

Reveal (1 AP): Iam, Power (Strength)

 

[Avaday Daydream]

~tink~♪

Izig the goblin (another one!) tilted his head, then smacked the webbing made by the ironweb spiders again. ~tink~♪

Then Rattag the ogre smacked one of the larger chunks of metal webbing made by the bigger spiders. ~clong!~♪

A goblin up on the asteroid smacked two rocks together with a quiet crack, one gave a few experimental claps, a storm giant crackled on cue and let out a quiet chuckle on key...

 

Izig grinned, then started tapping his piece of steel web rhythmically...

AP Usage

1 AP; Toil (Toolmaking): Create Mundane Concept of music!

Also, 1 AP; Toil (Toolmaking): Create Mundane Concept of weaving.

Also also, 1 AP; Toil (Toolmaking): Create Mundane Concept of firemaking.

The whole island echoed with primitive but aesthetically pleasing sound, as the torig buzzed around with renewed energy. Even the big Torig was bobbing slightly, though he kept the island he was holding still.

Puchig and his ogre companion were laying down walls and paving stones at an accelerated rhythm, and another couple of goblins had gotten the hang of weaving sticks and leaves together and were now gently wafting Veshwoon and Takayaane with homemade fans.

A little away from the two gods, a fiery giant and some ogres had made a small bonfire and were now experimentally setting things on fire, watching what burnt, what didn't, and what smelled nice when burnt.

And a little further away from that, a small crowd were watching the distant skies intently, quietly whispering among themselves, discussing something they could see, or feel, off in that far distance.

 

When Takayaane took his deep whiff, seeking Iam's scent, some of the smaller goblins from that sky-watching crowd took notice and wandered over to him.

"Master Takayaane, we feel...a premonition, of sorts." one of them spoke, before bowing, "I am Nivarg, and I believe master Iam has created beings in his own image...we are undecided whether his leaving represents a desire for privacy, or if we should go and tend to him and his creations."

Behind him, a couple of the tolig seem to have taken matters into their own hands; a larger giant had just picked up a tiny goblin and yeeted it in the vague direction Iam had left in, the goblin's excited squealing fading as it slowly shrank into the distance.

AP usage

2 AP; Godlings (Goblins): Create sub-race; air goblins (also known as sylphs or imps), tiny super-fast tolig specialised in speed.

 

[Kaiju Cuddlebug]

Iam, what do you think you're doing...

 

---

"Thank you, Nivarg. I'm not sure either, but if Iam is making life in his own image, he might be seeking to divorce themselves from the other divine. Whatever Iam's aims, he feels righteous in them. Which worries me."

 

"We should go, Veshwoon. Nivarg, the Tolig are welcome to join us as well. And tell your fellows to be gentle with one another, I can hear screaming."

---

[The Stranger]

When Takayaane searched for Iam's scent, he learned of his location but not what he was doing or what was around him. Unbeknownst to most of the distant demigods, Iam was deep in the heart of the Weare Theocracy's first settlement. It was in the same direction he had left in, and the same direction that the flying goblin was traveling. 

 

The Weare Theocracy's policies of ethics dictate that acceptance, tolerance, and nonviolence are ideals that should be maintained. The goblin would be well welcomed by the godkin. 

Edited November 26, 2022 by The Stranger (see edit history)

[Avaday Daydream]

Nivarg nodded before he quietly whispered to another goblin, "Please tell those ogres to nix the gladiatorial combat practice, it does not seem to be something Takayaane would enjoy."

Puchig, meanwhile, looked a bit downcast, "You're leaving already? But the temple's coming along so well."  

Indeed, the temple the tolig had been building was really starting to take shape, with thick mortared walls, pillars, archways, the beginnings of a roof, and the meeting table had been reshaped to actually look like a table.

After looking down for a few seconds, though, Puchig perked up, looking at the big Tolig who was holding the entire Starting Island, "Actually...nothing's stopping us from bringing the island along. How about it, masters?"

 

Off in the distance, a number of things were happening; some of the tolig had donned grass skirts and were making up silly dances, others were using spare ironweb spiders and glue garter snakes to make cages and cubbyholes for some of Veshwoon's creations to shelter in, some were being launched giant-style at asteroids in the distance, and some were just lazing about.

 

[Anthr4xus]

Veshwoon considered the Tolig's question.  Perhaps it would be worthwhile to find Iam.  Doubtless the innovative immortal had been done something of interest.  Perhaps even something, like Takayaane's suggestion, that could provide Veshwoon with new inspiration.  Or, like the Tolig's question for that matter. This concept of worth and purpose to creation was something else to consider.  Veshwoon created, as Veshwoon had told Takayaane.  But Veshwoon has also shown that creation can be directed and controlled to a function.  The Tolig showed that this was true even for existent creations with their shaping and crafting.  Could that kind of change be applied even to a being such as Veshwoon?  It must, as Veshwoon has already shown, and the implications of that were concerning and deserved further consideration.

 

But first the Tolig, at least Puchig, should be answered.  In the overlapping voice of a hundred mouths and other speaking orifices, Veshwoon said, "This is true Puchig. So we should." Veshwoon considered Veshwoon's earlier creations, as the Tolig manipulated and experimented with the Glue Garters.  Perhaps a variation on theme could again provide a useful creation.  The shower of spiders slowed, being replaced by snakes and serpents, however these variants had various combinations of wings, legs and limbs.  With shrieks and cries these reptilian monstrosities took to the air or clambered away over the surface of the Island.  These creatures again became larger and larger as the torrent of creation continued.  A deluge of dragon-like creatures in a variety of colors and scales thinned and slowed, until six large scaled eggs each the size of a Tolig giant dropped to the ground with a flat thud.  Immediately they began to shake and stir, cracking open to reveal six enormous serpents with two sets of wings and two sets of legs along the length of it's enormous body. Their scales where chromatic and shifted in color as they moved.  As these great creatures slithered, squirmed, and clawed against each other they continued to grow and stretch.  They devoured a few of the spiders and other creatures that moved about the island to fuel their growth, but quickly found a means to tap into a new ceaseless well of power: Source Energy.  While these great creatures were a part of the Web of Life, they were not wholly of it, acting as some form of bridge between Source Energy and the mortal living world.

 

As these grand ophidian monstrosities continued to expand Veshwoon spoke to one of Veshwoon's creations for the first time in the world.  In a voice of a thousand hisses, snaps and serpentine sounds Veshwoon said, "Welcome to creation, spawn of Veshwoon.  All things need a name, yet I grant you two.  As a group you shall be known as the Scale Celestial.  Individually you shall be known as Above, Below, Far, Near, Stillness and Motion." As they were named, they ceased their growth and took to the air.  Veshwoon said, "I give you purview to move the masses of reality.  Listen to the skills of the Tolig, the wisdom of Takayaane, and the will of Veshwoon.  Though you do not yet know him, listen also to the vision of Iam.  Iam has travelled in that direction, so before you go on your own way, help the Tolig in moving this island to find where Iam has gone."  At Veshwoon's direction, the Scale Celestial flew around the island.  Motion, the largest of the six, if only by a bit, flew underneath the giant that held the island and in a voice that  rumbled like distant thunder it spoke to the Giant, "Well met Giant, I am to help ye move thy burden.  Hold fast and I shall move thee while mine siblings help move the mass."  The rest of the Scale Celestial found good places to grip the island with their claws.  Above and Below even gathered up some of the other chunks of stone, fire and ice that some of the Tolig were frolicing on and brought them along as well.

 

As one, the Starting Island, most of the Tolig, Takayaane, the Scale Celestial, and Veshwoon began to drift through the etheric air, pursuing the absent member of the godly quartet. A rough trail of dragon-kin offshoots leaving the island, by wing or leap, left some temporary sign of where the island and the rest were headed.

 

AP Spend

Create Monstrous Life (Wyverns) - 1 AP - Creation (Monsters)

Create Monstrous Life (Land Drakes) - 1 AP - Creation (Monsters)

Veshwoon attains initial mastery of Creation (Monsters)

Create Mythic Life (The Scale Celestial) - 3 AP - Creation (Monsters)

Create Monstrous Life (Hydras) - 0 AP - Creation (Monsters)

Create Monstrous Life (Lesser Drakes) - 0 AP - Creation (Monsters)

Create Monstrous Life (Greater Drakes) - 0 AP - Creation (Monsters)

 

Progress: Creation (Monsters) 13/10 AP, Creation (Environments) 6/10 AP