OOC: Copied from Talon's Theogenesis: Tales of the Lost.

"Floating in the air, the entire structure gently sways and creaks. The floor is cherry wood whose finish has been worn away by countless footfalls. Swirling planks of bocote wood have been lain side by side to form the walls and, more impressively yet, pieced together in such a way that each whorl of the woods grain joins together with the neighboring plank turning that walls into something akin to one continuous oil painting. Benches of darker material have been placed before tables of riveted woorwood. Even the cups sitting on them are made of wood. There doesn't seem to be any metal or stonework anywhere to be seen.

The initial entry chamber seems to be a strange blend of a reception hall and the cargo hull of a ship, based upon the way the walls gently curve. But if it is a ship, it's a truly enormous one, the room could easily seat numbers in the hundreds. At one end of the hull stairs rise up to an upper floor. Should one climb them, they'll find themselves on the upper deck under open skies. Sparring rings have been chalked out onto the deck and shaded tables have been scattered about for what appears to be leisure.

Below deck at opposite end of the stairs rises up an imposing wall of ironwood with an ornate archway inlaid into it that appears to be a doorway of sorts, but offers no handle or keyhole.

Most of all, this dangling ship of the skies hangs above a narrow strip of land made up of yellowed grass, dead trees and gray ruins too distant to make out. On every other side are roiling mists that seem to press in upon the exposed surface. In the further distance, twisting, delicate braches rise up from the mists. Small, frail things that seem to struggle to keep themselves above the sea of fog.

As the first guests arrive soft music begins to place, first discordantly, but gradually finding its touch and becoming quite soothing. Gusting attendants of dust and smoke silently appear and usher in platters of food and goblets of drink of all sorts. Games of dice and tokens are stowed away in boxes on some tables along with decks of cards. This forgotten place is quite tranquil and soothing.

Rules of the Buoy

-God powers are suppressed
-Magics are suppressed
-Violence is prohibited by wards
-You start off inside the lower hull, with the drink and commodities.

This is a place where the gods come to meet and mingle.  This is where alliances are formed, and discussions can be held in an environment conducive to a civilized diplomacy. Mostly, this is a place where the gods can meet with other gods if they so desire."

Additions:

- ANY Player from either tree can post here; the buoy is transdimensional. Characters from Myriad will appear somehow more saturated/colorful in apperance that those of Taeltresin, and cast shadows that are a color that matches their speech color.
- ALL Player Characters start off being aware of the Buoy's existence in some fashion unless there is a roleplaying reason not to be.
- FORMER player characters that have become NPCs are also here, in order to preserve continuity.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:12, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

Lysandre, Komatas, and Skeles were in discussion.

"She wasn't just a spy. She was an assassin! I went to go help old Bezaleel, and suddenly I'm being carved up like a chocolate bar for a s'more! I got her good, though. She should be dead. I don't know, I was too busy having my beautiful, beautiful skull being used as a sippy cup."

"That was obviously a trap. Bezaleel isn't here, so she was lying to you." said Lysandre.

"Maybe he was trapped like I was! Maybe that's why the others vanished after the thingy!"

"I'd have known. When the mist dissipated, I looked for them. They've been gone for years, in all their realms."

"We've won. War comes with casualities. Maybe that - maybe that's what it took to defeat the Blight. To save the Tree." said Komatas.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:28, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

Reforming in the Bouy, the realm felt so distant like a memory. Stepping out of a shadow in the lobby. Bezaleel made his stealthy approach looking for the others inside. Maybe hoping to surprise them. If he overheard them talking, he would lie in wait, listening in on the conversation for a few minutes before stepping into the light making himself known to them.

"She's just appeared in my realm. Maybe she's come to finish me. Komatas, could you please help me? I'm worried for the Nullbies."

"Of course."

-

"It worked, I think! I hope some of my greatness rubbed off on her. And maybe some of your humility?" said Skeles.

"She was changed. The Divine Amalgimator did something. I'm not sure it wasn't just cosmetic, though."

"Well, I have Forgebane back. And she seemed contrite, climbing into what could have been a deathtrap to make it up to me. Maybe she's secretly a God of Chaos. Or Idiocy?"

Komatas laughed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:00, Tue 15 Jan 2019.

Stepping out, Bezaleel's scarf covered his lower face. Grabbing Komatas by the sides quickly and releasing her. "Boo" he said chillingly as he did.

Stepping to the side he sat in a chair. Kicking his feet onto the table and balancing back on two legs of the chair. "I can't really say I approve of what you did, though it wasn't my punishment to deliver. I did not condone her actions, I lost quite the cool over it and it woke me up. I apologize for her actions, and that she ployed you there under my name while I was in rest. She is not an idiot. Though she lacks wisdom. I am glad to see you well and active again friend. She is young, unsure, and somewhat lost in what to do and where to go." yawning he stretched his arms out.

"How have things been on the tree? As well I'm curious what it is you did to her, or experimented with on her.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Tue 15 Jan 2019.

Koma shrieked in surprise, which made Lys crack a smile.

"Bezaleel, you bastard. You're back. What happened? The blights' gone, but we have't seen any of you since. Is Anna okay? Theadeacus?"

"Yeah, I guess she was my . . . wake up call." Skeles said to Bezaleel. "I'm still mad about it, but not at you. There isn't really anything to be done; she risked her life for an experiment, and she has to live with what came out of it. So, I'll . . cool off eventually. I guess I should be a little grateful she got me out of stasis, somehow."

"The idea for the Amalgimator came about when we got to talking about trading powers. I thought, well, maybe we can make a machine to do that. And it worked, partially. She has some new powers that are lot like ones we had. What I didn't expect was for some of my progress towards the next rank to be drained. I guess it makes sense, nothing's free."

Bezaleel shook his head some. "A distasteful wake up indeed though. But let us leave that in the past for now."

Bezaleel shrugged some to Komatas's questions. "I couldn't really say what happened of them. We found the heart of Taeltresin and blight nawing on it. We were dealing with the blight when Anna followed the thread of fate after the source of the Blights leeching off the Tree and souls. She left the realm to where, I have no clue. Theadeacus and I finished dealing with the Blight left in the heart. We were both alive when it was over. We were in the valley as well too. Anna.. She spoke to us. Her words were broken and barely managed out. She said to me and Theadeacus, that she had enjoyed our time together. That she wished we could have more. Then said goodbye."

Bezaleel grew quite, looking down at the table infront of him. He peered as if looking through it, or not at it. His tail went from a slow sway to a stop. Not moving the chair any either. His aura darkened with his mood as the foggy shadow that hugged his being flowed evenly off his being since no movement was to be trailed. Speaking quietly under his scarf, his ears fell forward. "I...don't.. think she'll ever return." Bezaleel paused reflectively on the incident as he recalled it if it was yesterday.

"After that, I don't remember a thing. Just a dreamless empty rest. Eventually I awoke one with my entire realm still as if sleeping though. It was some time before I returned to being. It is probably the same for Theadeacus."

Looking up at the other gods, Bezaleel's irises tightened, "What happened to you three. You were all here yet gone. You could have.. Never mind, it doesn't matter." he trailed off. Deciding it best to not say anything further on that matter.

Turning his head at the map away from the others. Rocking the chair some as he sat, tail barely moving. "Swapping powers huh? Count me out of the idea. So it gifted her a partial amount of yours.. Interesting to say the least. Which ones?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Tue 15 Jan 2019.

Perhaps it was the scent of the man-thing and their fire.

Perhaps it was the hot flush of blood iron when he tore the throat from the buck.

Perhaps it was the lingering ghosts of the wolf dream.

Perhaps, but perhaps not.

It was the sound and scent that intruded first, the roasting meats and oiled wood, the sear and crackle, the creak and groan.

Slowly, Ulfur intruded upon the Buoy, awakening seated at a table by himself, shadows of cinnabar-and-blood pooling around him in the torchlight. Apparitions billowed in and out of the chamber, a strangely curved hall supported by beams and struts, unlike one that the Karuantii would build. At his table a great flagon of mead appeared, the sweetness of honey balanced by the clean cut of pine and juniper. He grasped it, one black-clawed and gray-furred hand finding it a comfortable size though it would dwarf a man-thing. Grasped it and took a swallow, wondering if he dreamt or slept, but strangely aware of himself carving the antlers from the buck in a twilit clearing all the same

Four pale and washed out figures sat at a table further into the hall, the tallest taking a seat with the other three who looked to have been there some time; he wondered who they were, sensed some kinship ... though it was clear they were not even Karuantii and so he held back.

For now, however, he sat and took a second swig of his flagon, waited for some of the roasted meat to appear at his table and wondering if simply willing it would ensure it happened. It seemed that kind of place

Perhaps, but perhaps not
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Tue 15 Jan 2019.

Theadeacus appeared in the main chamber of the Buoy, a billow of smoke and darkness that quickly took form. He looked around the chamber and saw familiar faces, some he had thought were lost to stasis forever. He smiled meekly and surprised tears even if his voice did not hide them effectively.

"You all live."

Theadeacus took a few steps forward, each one slow and deliberate as if treading too haphazardly might dispel the illusion before him.

"You are all truly still alive."

When he neared the table he rested his hand upon it, reaffirming the reality of the moment. He was overwhelmed briefly and was forced to close his eyes. His voice now wracked with emotions that he never let show.

"Thank the Tree.

Bezaleel didn't want to ruin Theadeacus's joyful reunion with the others. Especially with what he had just missed Bezaleel say about Anna.

Rocking the chair some quietly he moved two fingers from his forehead in a gesture of greeting at Deekin.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:23, Tue 15 Jan 2019.

"We're not sure. She got more from me than from Skeles, since the thing ran on divine power juice and he didn't supply much, having just been Aramanthed, poor boy."

"I've got it working again - or at least figured out how it works. Every time it's used, it needs an Essence, and fuel. I think it basically Mythcrafts? It like, turns the God into an artifact? With mortals it probably just needs souls, but it needed pure divine power to affect Gods."

Theadeacus entered, emoted.

Lysandre glided over to him, gently laid a fine hand on his shoulder. "What is lost can be found again, my dear brother. The blight . . . the tree was close to dead. Now new life is blooming. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you directly. I was . . . occupied with a Mad entity corrupting my realm. Corrupting me, if I had split myself at all - I wouldn't be here. It was invincible while the Blight lived - I believe my realm was closer to the tree's heart than others."

Draining his flagon, and with a bemused glint in his eyes, Ulfur stood. Dressed in his usual brigandine and blackened mail and girded with a hand-a-and-half sword across his back, he seemed a warrior, but the gnarled staff grasped in his off-hand - grasped in a steel gauntlet of overlapping plates, suggested something more than a simple armsman.

He placed his flagon carefully on the tabletop, turned towards the small crowd that were the only other occupants of the vast hall and began to make his way slowly towards them. When he was a polite distance he called out, thinking similar words in each of the realms, "Well met, strangers. I am Ulfur, Thane of the Forge of the Sea and the Ruins of Kailesh... If I may, I heard lots of talk of a Tree..."

Standing up from the chair, Bezaleel walked around the others and greeted Ulfur. "Hail, Ulfur. I am the Lightbane Bezaleel, God of Shadows, Darkness, and Undeath." walking up with his hands in his pockets, Bezaleel had a friendly demeanor.

Making it closer to him, he spoke again, "You must be young and new if you such a question. But it'd be rude to interrupt their reunion with such talk. Come come, I'll have a sit and drink with you. I'll give you the gist of things." Bezaleel put a hand on Ulfur's shoulder. Then walked past him to have a seat.

Bezaleel didn't quite get a strong gaze at Ulfur at first. But as he sat his perception began to take hold. Noticing the odd array of colors and saturation. Unnormal to that of Taeltresin. It almost reminded him of when he swallowed the mad's blood. His eyes tightened as he further inspected the being with crudeness. Darting from spot to spot across him. Then, he noticed his shadow.

Unsettled Bezaleel spoke with a low tone of voice. "I'm sorry. You said you are thane of the forge and sea correct?"

Bezaleel's ears shifted and he continued, "Are you not a god?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:26, Wed 16 Jan 2019.

Theadeacus was nodded amicably when Lysandre spoke. It had been quite some time since he had last spoken to her. She was the first to go into stasis and they didn't even have enough knowledge to reach her Realm, let alone free her from whatever bound her.

All the same his mood soured and darkened when an unfamiliar voice greeted him. He turned and with the full array of his divine, magical, and mundane senses began to scrutinize the new being. They were a god, at least he believed they were, but their essence was different. Not inherently wrong like the Blight and Mad had been but still different.

Then there was their simple appearance, too saturated with color. Even its shadow was unnatural, casting a color rather than pure darkness. Theadecaus readied his staff, knowing full well that its power was inert within the Buoy but maintaining the façade if only to comfort himself.

"Bezaleel."

Unheeding to Theadeacus' words he watched as the young and impulsive god brought a total stranger further into their midst.

"He cannot be one of us. His essence is...too dissimilar."

Bezaleel's eyes shifted to Theadeacus and back to Ulfur. So much for his more subtle approach of gathering information from him. "I noticed, Theadeacus. His being is wrong of Taeltresin. It is similar to the blight in that it is from outside of it."

Holding his Kusari-gama from his sash, Bezaleel spoke to Ulfur. "Why are you here, where are you from?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Wed 16 Jan 2019.

Even as the others felt their hackles rise, the shadows that Ulfur cast rippled and his over-saturated mien began to fade in its lustre. Blood red faded to shade, umbra chased cinnabar within him,  even as he seated himself. Of shadow, all that remained was black and grey, reflections of the Buoy's flickering torches. Dual images of the ... creature ... presented themselves: the horned wolfling warrior, lean and graceful; the rooted man, little more than half his height. Silver glimmering fur dappled into a coarse black thatch and a ruddy solid face, horns vanished in mist and shadow. Flickering, the wolf's hackles rose even as he faded from sight and the solidity of the man asserted itself with a sigh and a raised eyebrow.

He paused, cocked his head in a most canine gesture, and raised one finger, "So"

He paused again, the finger hesitation but finally reasserting itself, "So. Ahem. Let me begin again"

He thought about pausing a third time, but his voice carried on regardless, "Of course, I am ... A God, that is ... But I wasn't, not fully, not knowingly. I was a dream of a God, whose dream ... became a truth, I guess. But who remains a dream. Let me begin again, I said. Well-" and he turned his raised finger into a hand, offered in greeting "- well, I am Ulfur Tellurii, God of the Mountains, but I am Ulfur Karuantii, Dreamer of Beasts, Runes and Forges..."

Glancing at their readied weapons, or perhaps acknowledging them for the first time, he added, "You won't need those. Not here, certainly, but not with me regardless"

He smiled, hand outstretched, eyes moving between Bezaleel and Theadeacus.

Thedeacus narrowed his eyes at the shapeshifting god and moved his staff back but never released it, although that was not saying much.

"I am Thedeacus, God of Death. I'll say just this: if you are a friend then you will find yourself welcome among us and I hope that we may grow together in this new era. However if you are our enemy not even the power of the Buoy will allow you to escape me. I will hunt you down and take every life you have before I scour Taeltresin of even a memory of you."

With that Theadeacus accepted the offered hand.

Bezaleel didn't make much of a move. His eyes solid as peered at Ulfur.

The shifting of the unknown God and/or entity was somewhat unsettling. Still not as much so as his colored shadow.

Releasing the hilts of his weapons. They weighed on the sash once again.

Looking at Theadeacus and then back to Ulfur he spoke, "Don't let tall, dark, and brooding shake you too much. He's a good guy once you get used to him. Though, I doubt he'd get all of your lives. You look like intresting to eat I might hunt one myself if he goes after you." Bezaleel stuck his tongue out slightly. While he joked and poked fun, he was also serious.

Stretching his hand out he shook it as well.

"Dream of a god aye? Must be one nice dream that the darkness has a color. Must be comforting for those afraid of it.

Grasping the single proffered hand firmly, Ulfur was careful not to grasp too firmly; his eyes moved slowly between the two Gods, smile firmly in place though with some effort, "Death and Undeath. Well, that has to be ... burdensome? Weighty?"

Smile fading with their threats, his eyes took on some of the flintiness of the mountains - perhaps the grim hunter that was the wolf, "By my forge... well, that kind of talk might be considered rude, but ... well, I sense there is some history to why the warning is necessary? Perhaps you begin by telling me where this Taeltresin is, or what it is? And what this bloody Tree you were harping on about is..? What being a friend requires..? And then I might knowingly risk being eaten, or not."

He pursed his lips, "You might start with this lives business..."

Bezaleel kicked his feet up how he likes, continuing to talk to Ulfur. "I don't quite understand entirely. But it seems you've made home the tree. Welcome to Taeltresin. Home to many realms, worlds, gods, demons, and mortals alike. I don't find undeath to be so weighty. I got used to it."

Here is teeth were still itchy, as the problem hadn't been fixed yet. Picking up his pinky he clawed them between words, "Every god has four lives. Some taken by the mad, other gods, or creatures and mortals. There is a reason behind the threats. Many gods... Tend to only use others to their means. Some will eat you just because, others will find a reason to or make cause for one."

Moving his claw away, he made sure a plate of raw meats came his way. Taking a large vicious bite out of one. Chewing and swallowing he then spoke more, "The tree, is a world Tree. It exists in the nothing. Outside of the tree are thick mists, the blight and mad, and a very very large lack of rules. Taeltresin, holds your realm as a branch on this tree. Just like every other realm is a branch. There is an order of Gods who rule the tree. They are called the Pantheon. It be best to understand they rule for a reason, that if they cross you. You do not lash out. They will probably end up giving you quite some reasons for that. Many gods follow in line, most happy of their existence, order, and laws. Seeing them as protectors to fall under. Baaah!" Bezaleel made a vomit motion to put his point across.

Eatting more a goblet of spiced blood also made it to him. With satisfaction he drank from it as well.

Listening carefully, Ulfur summoned mead and seared venison in a reflection of Bezaleel's own wants; he found the taste of honey still remained from when ... he had been a Dream, though here and speaking to these others. He shrugged off the fractured memory, concentrated on the worlds this one spoke: Trees, Divines, Pantheon...

He sat upright, trying not to make it the sudden move it had begun as. Lent forward, "Take offence easily, this Pantheon of yours? If, say, they were to demand a tithe from your people and you were to ... cause a teeny tiny volcano to erupt in their midst"

He held his fingers a fraction of an inch apart, "Teeny, really"

Bezaleel raised an eyebrow, "Express your ignorance in not knowing who they were, apologize, and give the teeth. You can also refuse but I do not know what would happen."

Ulfur sighed, a frown setting in; he could be stubborn, as a mountain it was said. He forced a smile, turning the conversation instead, "And what of the Dream realm? Is that another tree or another set of branches or roots or what have you? How metaphorical is this Taelstrin?"

Theadeacus let Bezaleel take over the educational seminar and instead opted to recline into his seat. He studied the foreign god intently and stifled a smirk when he mentioned opening a volcano in the council chambers of the Pantheon. Oh how vexed Vex would be. Oh how very dead he would be.

A small part of him thought it might just be worth it to let him do it. But it was a small and juvenile part of himself.

Bezaleel tapped his chin, "Metaphorical? Ha, I suppose that depends who you are asking. Going to have to figure that one out yourself! This dream tree you speak about, I know nothing about. It very well may have it's entire set branches and roots. It may be an entire different tree from Taeltresin, or it's counter part even. Who knows." with that, Bezaleel continued to drink.

Ulfur took a further swig of his mead, muttering as he thought, "And what of you both? What brings you here, to this place of ... parley? You seem little in need of such questions as turn my head..."

"This is where we were drawn when we first awoke, during our first life, and it has remained a meeting place for us new gods. There are other meeting places but none as...secure as The Buoy."

He gestured to the map which doubled as the table, within the expansive and wonderous Valley Divine.

"This map shows another common locale for divinities, recently revealed from the mists which once consumed it and so many worlds. We have yet to explore its riches and wonders. Its perils are also unknown to us."

Bezaleel nodded as he yawned. Stretching back.

"Took a nice long nap we did.

Noticing the map for the first time - or perhaps realising it is a map of somewhere he might go - Ulfur grunted, even as he wondered if similar places existed within the Dream Tree, "Is this Valley Divine a place even a new Divine may visit? Do you need an invitation?"

He nearly missed the comment from Bezaleel, "Like the Old Man of the Mountains?"

"All are welcome in the Valley but beware the rule of the Pantheon. We have yet to come to terms with them. They see themselves as the legitimate rulers of Taelstrin and perhaps that was true sometime ago. Today, however, their numbers have dwindled and the gods who once followed them have passed into Final Death."

Theadeacus allowed a moment to pass before continuing.

"Be mindful that this when you deal with them. If you wish to curry favor with them I would suggest announcing your arrival. It may prove beneficial if you can navigate the political arena."

Bezaleel nodded in agreement with Theadeacus. Adding on to it some as well, "That or they might be inclined to eat you as they have done to others. Even without meeting you first."

Rocking the chair he balanced on, he continued, "Curry their favor if you'd wish as well. May hold you in their graces. They are old and powerful, if nothing else."

Smiling, perhaps wolfishly though perhaps that is simply an echo of his earlier appearance, Ulfur lent back, "Neither of you strikes me as those who would curry favour...?"

Bezaleel's eyes widden some and he laughs "That's where you'd be wrong. Who knows, maybe they aren't all bad, I'm still trying to figure that one out myself. I doubt they all are. Just a whole lot of differences between us and them. I'll leave it at that."

Ulfur considered their words carefully, his gaze thoughtful; once more he changed tack, "And this ... meeting place. What exists beyond its walls? Are its extents known?"

As Ulfur questioned the meeting place, the mists that once crowded around the Buoy fade and dissipate, leaving only a view into the starry night.

The buoy shifts and creaks - the old boards take on a new shine, the tables are polished, stone refaced.

When all is said and done, the Buoy is like new, free from the interference of the blight.

The main area of the buoy was changed the most; it was now more like a fancy bar or cafe, with Dondarrion in the booth.

The Forgotten Buoy

It began as a slight discoloration in the floor, then grew into a swirling pool of glimmering sand. The pointed tips of two fuzzy ears poked out, followed by more ear, then rapidly the rest of a woman of small stature.

Petra glanced around the Buoy with interest as the ephemeral sand faded to nothing beneath her feet. She noted her rosy colored shadow with some curiosity, then tapped a foot against the floor experimentally. She seemed unhappy, but resigned at the result.

With her initial exploration of the space complete, she wandered towards the others, stopping a polite distance away. "Hello everyone. I hope I am not intruding. My name is Petra of the Filfeex."

".... and who spruced up the place?", Ulfur added with a tone of ... resignation, perhaps at the shifting extents of his ignorance. Spotting the appearance of the newcomer, and in particular of her off-black shadow, he stood, carefully, and glanced at his own, curious whether it would show even a hint of cinnabar. Regardless he turned to the two others, close to him, "I think she's with me. In the other Tree, at least..."

As she approached he stepped forward, "Welcome to the Buoy, Petra of the Filfeex; I am Ulfur, sometimes called Tellurii, else Karauntii; sometimes I'm a lot more ... wolfish"

Bezaleel looked at the new godling coming into the Bouy. It wasn't as surprised about its change, but enjoyed the way it felt before. Maybe he was more of a tavern type of guy.

"If Anna saw her, I think I'd lose my nickname of ears. Greetings Petra, I am Bezaleel."

It seemed the Bouy was also welcoming more from the other tree. Curious.

Turning over to Theadeacus, he spoke again, "Hey, if you ever get the free time. I've been dealing with a goddess and now soon her allies. They are on a mission to slay death. I'm handling it right now, but I figure I might let you know. Incase I end up needing a hand, or you find it within your reason. If not that is fine."

CRACK!

A shimmering silver crack appears mid-air in the buoy's reception area, sending a small shudder through the wooden structure.

CRACK! ... CRACK! CRACK!

More thunderous hammerblows on the pane of the buoy's reality. The glassy tendrils spread into a spider's web of damage, some of the cracks widening and pouring out thick gray mists until with a final crack, the surface breaks entirely. The broken shards swirl and glitter along with the gray mists, becoming a mass so dense one could practically cut it with a knife.

A shadowy, feminine form appears in the depths, visible only by its silhouette. The figure raises her arms and makes a proclamation.

"Ahhh~! After ten thousand years I'm free! It's time to conquer Taeltresin!"

An awkward silence stretches out, before a quiet, girlish, half-suppressed giggle emanates from the fog cloud. "Eeeheehee... sorry, was that too much?"

The fog cloud dissipates, revealing a statuesque young woman with silvery-metallic skin, one multi-irised eye, and another like a swirling infinite void. She has shiny black hair highlighted by seven broad metallic-silver streaks that each fade into one of the seven colors of the rainbow near the roots. There is a line down the middle of her body, and the two halves seem subtly different in a way that is difficult to parse into words; perhaps it is how they seem to both reflect different realities. She is wearing an elaborate yukata with a tight chestpiece and festooned with white roses and thorned vines. While most of the mists have faded, some wisps of otherworldliness still swirl subtly around her, washing out and brightening colors at random intervals.

It's not the Anna they remember, but it is clearly Anna. As the others take in her appearance she moves one of the roses to cover her anomalous eye, wearing it like a pretty floral eyepatch.

Bezaleel's ears shifted back. The Bouy shifted and shuddered. He could feel it, the window of reality cracking. Stand up he backed away, grabbing his kusari-gama. He would flare up in dark fire but the rules wouldn't allow that.

Looking into the mists his eyes darted back and forth, ready for a beast from the blight. Maybe a mad God?

Then his nose twitched. An all too familiar smell greeted his nose. By the time he saw the silhouette he sheathed his weapons, walking towards the figure slowly. His tail swaying in long bouts.

Teased she did, the freaking butt. The mists trailed away as he finally made it to her. Outstretching a hand he went to slap her, instead breaking the silence, "No, no it wasn't too much. You had me worried. I thought you were gone, for good. I'd given up all hope after I talked to Charon about seeing you."

His eyes gave her a good run down. Inspecting her closely. "You look good though. I like the new clothes, glad you are getting into habit of wearing them more now." he teased.

Giving her a hug, he departed resuming a seat with the spiced blood. It seemed he wasn't going to ask any questions of Anathema.

Petra nodded to Ulfur and Bezaleel. "Different tree?" She looked over the others, noting their seeming lack of color in comparison to her apparent overabundance of the same. "Ah, I see. Yes, that would explain that."

Her eyes widened slightly at the sudden noise and thunder of the mysterious portal, but, sensing no shift in the Buoy's suppression, she simply watched with interest.

"This other tree seems very... tumultuous. It's incredible really. I only just recently became truly aware of the universe outside of my own realm, and now I find that there is another whole universe besides."

She looked to Ulfur again. "You say that you are from the same tree as I, yet you appear as they do? Am I correct in guessing that you have found a way to reach the other tree?"

Theadeacus shrugged at Ulfur's comment.

"I am actually fairly well received by the Pantheon. My actions during the Battle of Noor, my sacrifice during the birth of Ophelia, and my interactions with Vex and the other Pantheon members have placed me at least within neutral ground with them. That said I would not consider them friends, or perhaps even allies now that we have lost our common foe."

Then the Buoy began to change and Theadeacus watched silently. The room was odd to him. His world was largely devoid of music so it was a rarity to hear. He listened to it more than the others around, all but missed Petra's arrival, as he found that he quite enjoyed this genre of music. All the same he turned to the new arrival, less aggressively than with Ulfur.

"I suppose I should be preparing myself for more guests. Welcome to The Buoy and I suppose an additional welcome to Taelstrin."

Then he turned to Bezaleel, his eyebrow raised.

"Slay death? They do understand that death can never be slain correct? Even I, god of death, can not stay the hand of such a primordial force."

As he finished speaking the Buoy began to shake and spider-like cracks appeared in reality. Theadeacus readied his staff, intent to address whatever came. A silhouette appeared first and he built up a rallying cry within his chest, his wings flared to take flight and pass through the veil of reality to engage whatever foes would dare...

It was Anathema. His cry died with a spluttering exhale and a confused look upon his face. He looked to Bezaleel for confirmation but only found that he seemed unfazed.

"Wait. Anathema? How are you here? You died. I saw you sacrifice all of your lives to free Taelstrin from the Blight. You should have passed to the other side. And what is this of Charon? Bezaleel you have been back to the River Styx?"

Theadeacus got the sudden impression that his old friends were keeping secrets from him.

Looking at Theadeacus, it seemed his nose gave away the surprise for himself, but the look on Theadeacus was one he wouldn't forget.

Bezaleel spoke to Theadeacus, "Yes well, I didn't think it was worth mentioning. I killed Marilla, the Goddess of Antideath after getting her to agree in a deal with me. So I went visit her soul in the River Styx. I talked to Charon for some time, and when Marilla couldn't hold up her end of the deal and I couldn't visit or restore Anathema, I killed her again. She is trying to find a way to stay the hand of death in what ever way possible despite it being a law of existence in the tree. She launched an attack on the Heart of Taeltresin. I dealt with it promptly. Marilla is on her last and final life, and all of her allies are down one. Save for the one they abandoned." he promptly explained.

Scratching his ear he felt the need to hold back some information. Mainly that he didn't want to explain it or worried how they would act. After all, not knowing wouldn't hurt... For the most part... Gazing away he couldn't really look at any of the ones he knew, "I have accepted Ophelia as my consort and companion. I also... Am expecting two more children."

Rubbing the back of his head he laughed lightly, "So uh, what's been going on with you guys though!?"

Anna cocks her head as Bezaleel approaches. As he looks her up and down taking in her newer more mature appearance, she interrupts him by leaning forward and touching noses with him. "Boop."

She smiles at Theadeacus' alarm and subsequent bewilderment. "Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me," she totally fails to explain. She lets out a small giggle and folds her hands behind her back as she follows Bezaleel to the bar. "It's quite a good tale, actually. Well... maybe not good. It's some kind of tale!"

Anna pauses mid-step. "Oh, my! Lost-and-Found! Toaster boy! Komatoa! You're all back too! And... um, hm. I'm afraid I don't recognize the two of you." Her outstretched pointer finger flicks between Petra and Ulfur several times. "Ah well! Juice for everyone! This is a great time for living, for the war is over! Yes! Eee hee hee~!"

Anna downs a pint of grape juice in one go, listening to the other gods talk among themselves for a time. Despite her good cheer a moment ago she has a bit of a gloomy atmosphere hovering over her. Her mood just seems to darken further as Bezaleel lays down what has been happening with him.

"Well, it's good that you nipped that problem in the bud Bezzy!" Anna praises him, cheer returning in a flash. "And Golden Girl's your consort now? That's... huh. I guess she couldn't stay innocent forever. And congrats on the children! You've got me three-nothing now, haha~!"

"Me? Oh, y'know... reacquainting myself with Arthos, making up for lost time, trying to figure out what my purpose is now that the blight is gone..." She sighs. "But I'm glad you're living your lives to their fullest. That's very important to do."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Sun 27 Jan 2019.

Bezaleel's eyes grew wide as Anathema pressed her nose against him. There was a pause as he gazed at her for a moment. A soft smile grew on his face as he closed them, scratching his ear, "Boop!"

Listening to what the others had to say as he drank between his words.

Rubbing his head awkwardly he hadn't really known how to deal with the situation his words brought, it seems though that the last of his news was recepted better by Anathema.

Her cheer and praise returned a smile on his face. Putting his arm over her shoulder, he raised his goblet of spiced blood to her. "For you! It hasn't been the same without, you better make sure to live yours to the fullest. Or I'll have to raise hell next time!.. Well the war is over, for now. I doubt that they won't leave the tree alone. I think you'll discover your purpose soon. If not, you are always welcome to join me, things never tend to be dull!"

"Besides, can you imagine the things I'd think up and focus on with out your figure distracting me! Poor Taeltresin." he laughed some at his own joke, then drank another full goblet of blood. Acquiring more.

Ulfur shrugged in response to Petra's questions, wondering if he could brighten his colouration or shadow simply by willing it; he glanced expectantly at his shadow as he did, then met her gaze, "Reach? I exist in both trees and one is ... perhaps ... the Dream of the other, though which is real and which the dream is unknown. When I first appeared it was as you are, bright and swirling with colours, my shadow like liquid blood ... within a short time, I became more muted, faded... Like you, I am newly come to my divinity"

His smile brightened, "Besides, it is you who had made it to the other tree; this place is within a pocket Realm of Taelstrin, not Myriad!"

When the new Divine, Anathema, appeared and a torrent of memories spewed forth from both Bezaleel and Theadeacus, he lent it towards Petra, "Each of these Gods are ancient; I know not half of what they speak of. Be wary, friend"

He bowed, when the newest of them pointed a finger and her attention both at the two of them, "Welcome ... back, it seems, Lady Anathema. I am Ulfur, called Telluri within the Realms of Taelstrin and Karauntii within the Realms of Myriad"

Anna laughs with Bezaleel. "Absolutely, Bezzybutt! After I wrap up some unfinished business in my realm I would love to visit you in Erebus, see what you've been up to, take some readings, do some science, learn some fighting from your people! They were very impressive on Noor, I'm eager to see what they can teach me to do with a staff! And of course I want to say hi to my step-niece. Is she doing well?"

The silvery goddess then turns to Ulfur. "You're from another world tree?" She asks, visible eye widening in wonder. "That must have been a very harrowing trip! I'm so glad to hear there's universes beyond our own, it would have been terribly lonely if Taeltresin was the solitary beacon of light in the dark seas of the Beyond. How'd you make the journey? Did you kill any Mad on the way? Ohhhh, you just have to let me take some readings of you!"

Anna looks genuinely excited at the prospect, bouncing from her seat and using a twisted plantlike staff to balance herself. "There's an arena on the deck where all our powers and artifacts work. Please, come!" She looks around at the other gods, but especially Petra and Theadeacus. "It'll be my pleasure to explain everything soon. The blight, what happened to me, what's on the other side of the Styx... but look at me still talking when there's science to do!"

Anna practically skips to the stairway up, only briefly disoriented by the Buoy's apparent layout change while she was laid up.

Stoic underneath Anna’s bubbly assault, Ulfur shakes his head once at her request, before she has a chance to skip off, “Answer your questions I am happy to, but let us put aside science and experimentation. For one, I understand folks round here have a habit for eating one another”

Bezaleel got up with a pip in his step after Anathema. Drinking some more of the blood, bending his back he stretched until he could look at Ulfur, "I'm the one around here who eats people. ~nom nom"

He smiled big, then went back to standing correctly, continuing to walk forward. "I only eat people who cross someone here or myself. So no worries from us."

"Awwww~!" Anna pouts, leaning forward and thrusting out her free hand with the smallest finger extended. "It's totally safe and non-invasive. I pinky swear on it!"

She glances at Bezaleel. "I've seen Bezzy here try to eat his own scarf when he gets confused. It's really adorable. But I'm a good girl, I only eat things that can't do better than rudimentary algebra. It's unethical, and Taeltresin doesn't like it, and Bezzy's made himself sick eating things he probably shouldn't so many times frankly I'm a little scared to try it even on certain goddesses I could name who probably deserve it."

Anna is quiet for a moment, then speaks with uncharacteristic (based on the last minute or so, at least) level-headedness. "But, um, if you really don't want to, that's okay. I mean, you hardly know us."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:30, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

Ulfur smiled, remaining seated at his table, and then gestured to the empty seats - only one of which had been previously occupied by Bezaleel, "Please join me... the rest of you too. I am curious enough about this situation but, as you say, let us speak before we .. ahh, probe?"

His eyes hint a little at a smile and his expression is warm enough as he adds, "Besides, you're not bristling like these two were when I first arrived, somewhat taller and more wolflike with a crimson shadow!"

Bezaleel looked away slightly bashful, "I...didn't naw on my scarf on purpose! Plus those blight really do taste awful, even compared to the flesh of the dead. Bleeh." he put a finger to his mouth mocking throwing up.

Putting his hands in his pockets he turned around, looking at Ulfur, "Aren't keen on fighting are you? I find it can leave a nice first impression, especially compared to talking. I tend to put a foot in my own mouth, so I let my actions and fighting speak more for me. Besides, we have been talking, and can continue to do so."

Putting his hands behind his head he spoke, "I'm curious to what you can do as well. I'm sure it's mutual."

Bezaleel continued to talk, most of his face covered by his scarf still. "However, I do find your brightly colored shadow off-putting. Such a place like that wouldn't be keen of the dark. Very much like a dream indeed."

"Depending on whether this Realm is the Dream or the other", offers Ulfur is riposte, "I am a smith or a skald, coming to terms with my Divine nature; I can fight, and well enough, but when there is need rather than when there is none. If fighting is your talking, then let us fight, but let us make the knowing of one another a threefold thing. We speak, we fight, and, if this realm permits it, we provide a gift for one another... be it found, or made or uncovered. Otherwise let us simply talk... and eat and drink, for that is the nature of this place"

Bezaleel raised a brow, his vortex like eyes tightened in likeness of a camera shutter, "The only gift I can appropriately give is either knowledge, souls, or some of my people as a proxy to be welcomed there. If you are a smith, I imagine you can craft items better than I can smith with shadows. I doubt your people would find mine much of a home while alive though."

"Even with so few words, we learn much of one another", offered Ulfur, acknowledging Bezaleel's adeptness where he had claimed none, "I would be honoured to receive emissaries or expatriates from your people... Our peoples might learn much from one another"

Bezaleel nodded, "My people, are those who are undead. Resurrected in death or those who gave their lives in acceptance for shadow, partaking its power and expanded lifespan. I likewise would be honored to receive emissaries. I do not wish for it to last long however, I doubt the turning of your people having prolonged exposure there would bode well. Nor do I want us to mix the other up in our mortal affairs too much."

Nudging his head as if pointing him to come along, Bezaleel turned and continued to the arena. "This is a more friendly bout. I can heal you or myself, so do not worry about injuries. Just no cutting off extremities, we stop before lethal strikes. Sound good?

"Under those terms, fair enough", standing finally and following Bezaleel and Anathema to the arena with some trepidation; newborn into his power, he would face these ancients, and he wondered how their worldviews had fared in millennia as divine

Theadeacus was shocked and stunned by the revelations of his two allies. He had to sit down, his head resting in his hands. Somehow in the years that he was gone Bezaleel's Realm had not only birthed new gods but gods that were intent on destroying death, his domain and a fundamental force of reality. He had also lain with his daughter, Ophelia, and conceived two new gods. Then there was Anathema, who for all intents should be dead, breaking into the Buoy through a literal rift in space.

Theadeacus exhaled deeply. Then again. And once more before he was calm enough not to fly into a shouting tirade.

He looked to the pair, Anathema largely ignoring the implications of her very existence, and Bezaleel who was was either blissfully ignorant of what he had wrought upon the Tree or avoiding discussing it. He continued to watch them and silently made a resolution.

Anna steps aside as Bezaleel leads the outsider god to the arena himself. She wasn't really much of a fighter but it seemed a lot of gods were more accustomed to violence than she. She hangs back for a while and watches Theadeacus's efforts to avoid making a stress mess and chuckles softly. When it seemed he was calm she hobbled over and spoke quietly with him.

"I have a pretty good idea I know what you're thinkin'," she says reassuringly. "I mean, you're Deekin, the god of death! Trust me, it's not as bad as it sounds. I'll explain everything real soon, okay? No more secrets... well, a reduced number of secrets. A responsible quantity of unknowns!"

She offers a hand to him so that they could walk together to the arena, confident that his necrotic contact decay power ability is nullified in the buoy.

Bezaleel's gaze drifted from Theadeacus, turning infront of him. His shoulders lowered some and his tail didn't sway quite as much. Maybe it was a guilty consciousness, feeling more responsible than Anathema for how Theadeacus took it all.

After all, looking at what he said. He already knew the implications of his actions. Sighing Bezaleel waved a hand to the others as he guided Ulfur to the arena.

Standing in it, Bezaleel stretched and jumped around full of agility. Cracking his neck he grabbed his kusari-gama and took stance. "Ready when ever you are."

OOC: I'll leave Empress to dictate the fight and outcome of the actions we take.

"A dream? An interesting thought, though one with perhaps concerning implications. Never the less, from what I have seen thus far, I do not think it has any bearing on whether either tree is more 'real' than the other. The reality of a thing seems to have little to do with whence it came."

Petra turned to address Anathema directly. "Hello Lady Anathema, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. This 'science' you speak of is intriguing. Perhaps even more so than these gentlemen's impending duel, though only just."

Anathema curtsies as Petra finds an opportunity to greet her. "Haha, please no formality. Anna is just fine!" She chuckles happily. "Well, science isn't really all that different from just trying to figure out how the world works normally save for a little extra rigor in the statistics. But if you're as curious to know more about this other-trees business as I am then I'd be happy to have you on board!" She glances to the side. "Soon as the boys stop flexing, of course. Though I can see why that would be interesting too..."

Anna's visible eye flicks up to the light-shadowed goddess' ears. "Those're some very impressive flappers you have up there. Can you fly with those? It looks like you ought to be able to fly with those!" She has to resist giving them an investigatory stroke... or two...

As they walk to the arena together, Anna realizes Ulfur seems to be expecting to spar with her as well. "Ah, I am afraid I'll have to decline a match," she says, flapping a hand like she's trying to fan away the suggestion. "This dress is mortal-worked, we'd tear it to pieces. Plus, I'm not much of a fighter. You'd think the savior of the tree would be a total badass but it was just a fluke, anyone could've done it."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Wed 30 Jan 2019.

"N-no... I cannot fly." Petra eyed Anna curiously as her ears were accosted, though she did not pull away.

"I do find myself quite curious about the nature of the universe, both from curiosity and recent events. So I would be very happy to participate in any efforts to learn more."

She followed after the others towards the arena. "I agree that it can wait, however. I am curious about this duel as well."

Bezaleel looked up at Anathema as his ears twitched and one flopped foward, "Not anyone could have done it. Nor did anyone else. It was just you who did." he smiled up at her.

"Wear it with a bit pride my friend. Besides, it is pretty hot being a badass, I can feel the heat from here" he formed a fan of shadow and waved it at himself, winking at her teasingly.

The fan fell apart into emphereal shadow-stuff dripping to the ground as he released it. Looking back at Ulfur, still ready to start.

OOC: I'm here, I'm here.

The Arena was a powerfully magical area, now that the Buoy had been restored to its original condition. While by default it would serve as an ordinary room, it could also respond to the wishes of the combatants, becoming a pocket space a mile in radius with variable terrain in order to prevent collateral damage to the buoy.

As the challenger, Bezaleel had the right of choosing the terrain and time-of-day.

As the challenged, Ulfur had the right of choosing the weapons and abilities that could be used - major powers, minor powers, artifacts, magic of a specified level, and summons are the categories the arena understood.

Once those were agreed upon, the pocket space would be created and the battle would commence, being view able through a number of scrying fountains near the arena room.

The arena also understood betting and handicaps. Betting would be officiated through Dondarion, and viewing of the match within the pocket space. Souls, Essence, and Favors were the currencies that could be used as bets.

Odds stood at 2:1 in favor of Bezaleel with no handicaps in play and neutral terrain.

Bezaleel tapped his chin as he thought on what terrain. Figuring that Ulfur may use his picks to his advantage Bezaleel decided he would do the same.

Picking a dense overgrown forest at night with a low moon.

"No summoning", stated Ulfur to begin, not even sure what that might entail, and even as he watched the Buoy transform the space to a low-lit undergrowth, "No magic, no artifacts. Any powers..."

Laughing, he added one further clarification, "No eating one's opponent either"

Bezaleel smiled, rolling his shoulders, "Got it. No summoning, no artifacts, and no magic. Any powers. My kind of fight."

Giving a fanged smile, he pulled his scarf up. The shadows wrapping around Bezaleel as he fell into the brush.

Letting Bezaleel fade into the shadows, as he expected he might, Ulfur remained where he stood for a moment, his form rippling with damascene swirls. Idly, he wondered if he should have placed a bet before the contest begun, and if so, who on?

[Private to GM: Activate his Shroud defensive power immediately; if I can, have it take the form of damascene steel, so less visible]

First things first then, he considered, moving off into the brush himself even as he attempting to bring forth a trio of pyroclastic explosions to level the undergrowth in the direction Bezaleel had vanished; if his theories on his own magic and the suppression of the Buoy worked as he hoped, they would clear the cover and the magma that followed would ensure the rest caught flame and made for sufficient chaos that an ambush would be ... complicated

[Private to GM: Activate his Eruption offensive power, at least twice since he wants to test the recharge on it]

Now, the final test, was whether he might bring forth the Dream

[Private to GM: Attempt to Activate the Loup-Garou power of Ulfur Karauntii; expecting this to fail]

Bezaleel assumed his wraith form, flying high in the growth, taking a circled motion around to Ulfur. Ready to raise a wall of hardening shadows to hold off any ranged attacks and defend himself early.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Thu 31 Jan 2019.

Theadeacus recovered, slowly but surely, and turned his attention to the arena projections. He was surprised if he were to be honest. The terms of the fight have equalized the field of battle but Bezaleel wasn't known for dragging out fights; he'd expected Ulfur to be unconscious by now.

Perhaps there was more to this new god. Or maybe Bezaleel had changed.

OOC: Please post your actions in the thread I've created for this duel.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:20, Thu 31 Jan 2019.

Anna smiles at Bezzy's reassurances, giving him a quick peck on the cheek with her cool, shiny lips. "Good luck!" she says, waving enthusiastically as he steps into the arena grounds. She signals to the beacon that she wants to put a hundred souls on Bezaleel. She's not really a gambling person, but the odds seemed fair and Anna wanted to support her little brother.

She seats herself on a railing, crossing her legs and folding her hands demurely in her lap as she looks back to Petra. "Well, since you seem pretty new to this whole gods thing -- don't worry about that by the way, it took me quite a while too -- I guess I should start with what this Blight thing you're probably wondering what the butts we keep talking about is. It takes a bit of explanation so here's the one-oh-one!

We live on a vast world tree called Taeltresin. The tree is kind of a metaphor but it manifests as a tree in what we perceive to be reality. It has branches, and fruits, and seeds, and roots. On the world tree, our reality is. But there's a whole existence outside the world tree which we call the Beyond, where our reality isn't. Sometimes creatures from Beyond infiltrate the tree, causing sickness and corruption. No one I've spoken to knows why they do this, not even the Pantheon, but I've formed a few theories. The pantheon just says they're incomprehensible assholes, but I think that's quitter talk!

The Blight was a particularly bad infection. Instead of being like a virus, it was more like a parasite; it rooted deep into the tree, turning its own power against it, and so was able to spread faster, more insidiously, and more resiliently than ever before. The tree's greatest warriors and scholars didn't appreciate the difference until they had already lost. Innumerable realms went dark, corrupted or subsumed into the Beyond. Creatures from Beyond -- we call them the Mad -- prowled the branches of the tree as twisted abominations, only partially implemented into reality as we understand it. Taeltresin was in a bad state.

But just when all hope seemed lost, Taeltresin began to immunize. With the last of its energy it birthed several new gods and realms -- those you've met here in this drifting buoy -- who were resistant to the Blight. We reclaimed several key fonts of the tree's power, rescued the pantheon, and eventually defeated the center of the Blight's presence on the tree. There were several hard battles that I did my best to stay on the periphery of, but in the end circumstance conspired to see that I struck the final blow. The story of what happened when I did is something I want Bezzy to be here for, but the short version is... I absorbed the Blight. Part of it, anyway."

She coughs softly. "Near as I can tell, travel between trees is all but impossible. If you really are from another tree, you'll be the first I've ever heard of!"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:32, Fri 01 Feb 2019.

Petra listened to Anna's explanation with interest, her ears swaying to and fro as she nodded at the appropriate points.

"Perhaps... Perhaps the trees we perceive are merely branches of a yet greater tree? Perhaps I should pay Myriad a visit again and ask her..."

The talk of the blight was of particular interest, and concern. "This... 'blight'. Could you tell me how to look for it? I do not think Myriad suffers from such a thing, but you say that it was particularly insidious, so..." Petra shrugged.

"As for how you stopped it. You say you absorbed the blight? That sounds... dangerous, and costly. But I'm sure it was necessary. Hopefully it will be unique as well." She smiled.

"I suppose it's possible, but somehow I doubt it," Anna says offhandedly. "Such a model would raise more questions than it answers." She momentarily considers whether it is noteworthy that Petra can apparently converse with her tree whenever she likes, but on further thought she realizes it's not that dissimilar to what Taeltresin gods do in Noor all the time. She'll definitely want to make a stop there sometime.

"Look for oily gray mists," Anna suggests, "or creatures whose only purpose seems to be to mess with your realm in particular. Technically the mists are a symptom; they're not present in realms that have been completely corrupted. In Arthos, my viese -- a small, winged people -- were being systematically driven to extinction by a race of cat monsters. Made it a bit awkward when I first met Bezzy, haha! In any event though if Myriad were under attack there should be no doubt."

Anna shrugs dismissively at Petra's concerns. "I don't think anyone else would have thought twice about simply destroying it, but I was in a unique position and I took advantage of it. It's opened a lot of doors. I don't regret it."

"Ah, apologies, I misunderstood." Petra turned her eyes to the unfolding battle for a moment.

"This talk of dreams... It worries me. I don't fear that it might make Myriad less real, but if I, and Forterra, are a dream, it begs the question: who is the dreamer?" She hugged her arms over her stomach. "Forterra, my home, is an idyllic place. It's wars and conflicts are so far in the past that they are but a vague memory even to me. To dream of such a place so vividly that it becomes real... I fear that such a dreamer may be in the midst of terrible strife..." She fell silent for a moment.

"It worries me..."

The field returning to normal, Bezaleel stood over Ulfur's unconscious body. His wraith form's fire and shadow flickered around as his eyes tightened for a moment.

Landing on his feet he switched back to normal. His hand glowed with a dull grey light. Channeling the positive energy slowly to heal himself back to full health.

When he finished he crouched over on the side of Ulfur, and put his hand on his chest, beginning to heal him as well. Slapping Ulfur in the face a couple times to wake him up as he healed him. "Rise n shine magma boy. You lost, but you fought well. Maybe next time we'll do a straight fight instead of blowing yourself up?"

Standing up he offered a hand, as Ulfur went to take it he turned it ethereal so he would stumble down. Grabbing the back of his arm and helping him up before he completely fell. "Sorry, gotta have fun where I can take it." he smiled.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:13, Wed 13 Mar 2019.

Letting the healing energies suffuse him, Ulfur contemplated the fight and its outcome. He even let the Shadow God slap him around a bit as he did; they had earned that much - that and the prank where a man of the mountain would have let the solidity of their aid show the truth of their trust. But Bezaleel's nature was that of a fish, slippery and needing to be tickled to where you wanted them, so he took the pratfall with grace

When he stood, under his own power, he smiled to show no hard feeling, "I promise not to blow myself up, if you promise a stand-up fight, eh? No fighting from the shadows. With the shadows"

Nodding at the spectators, he hoped that even with his loss he had provided a sufficient demonstration that any incursion into his Realm would be costly. He had yet to have a feel for how internecine the struggles between any of them might become

Instead, he returned his attention to Bezaleel, "Now ... We have fought, we should speak ... of the rebel half-shade who made their way to my Realm, of incursions into your own and, in time, of gifts and emissaries"

Bezaleel put his hands behind his head, "That may be a lot to ask, I am the shadows after all." he stuck his tongue out as he joked. "A squared up, knock em down fight? I'm all for it next time."

Bezaleel's eyebrow raised as he was curious on the existence of a half-shade as well as the fact one got out. "Half-Shade? Invaded your realm? That does not sound good. I hope they did not cause you trouble. I assure you, I sent no such mortal or any out of my own realm. It is a haven for those who are forgotten and forsaken. Those who have lost their lives to find a second one in undeath or for others to be welcomed into the shadowy lands of the eternal night no matter there backgrounds. I leave most of my mortals to their own devices and means. I only see to the more important matters. The laws and rules of my land are made by those who inhabit it. They make their own lives in Erebus..."

"Tell me, is this half-shade still alive? I would wish to know how he went about leaving the realm exactly. It would be most troublesome if the mindless undead slipped from my grasp and ran about devouring what ever they wish. It should be quite hard for mortals to leave via the portals that naturally occur. They are typically one way."

Then Bezaleel's face and tone dropped as he moved to the other point of conversation Ulfur wanted to make. "Incursions into my own? I've but one notable incursion to happen. I have been promptly dealing with the source of that. If you wish to traverse my realm, or have some mortals with you or by themselves. I do not mind. I only ask that you be mindful of your place inside my realm as well as the order of things there. How ever if you have knowledge of a second incursion that has happened or will, I would be most appreciative to hear of it."

Laughing, Ulfur acknowledged the riposte about being the shadows, letting his mirth fade as the talk turned to more serious matters

"His name was Kral, called the Twice-Blessed. He was half-shade, half-Aso, though of your Realm I'm led to believe", and Ulfur's humour faded entirely, as he looked somewhat sheepish, "He was immolated. By me. I had had a bad morning... Perhaps his rebellion was in becoming ... less forsaken, redeemed? I would welcome such in my Realm, were they to ask"

Considering for a moment, Ulfur was careful with his words, "I have taken one under my protection, a pilgrim-hero raised to a demigod. She walks between the Realms, a herald for me now. Before, she gathered those unhappy with their circumstances. Waifs and strays. Her need was that I slumbered. Dreamt. Of the other tree, whose influence had my shadow crimson when I first came to the Buoy. Whilst I slept a Goddess harvested my Realm, my people. Gethu. Do you know of her? She claimed such richs under the name of the Pantheon; I must now seek an introduction to find out the truth of the matter, challenge it. But softly... I have taken one of her lives; I would claim a second, in bondage, not fire, for her to right the evils she has inflicted."

Pausing once more, his next words were soft to match Bezaleel's own, "Ah. You misunderstand. It has been suggested that I visit your Realm, entreat with you on behalf of those ... subjugated. Perhaps learn from you, much as we spoke about before we fought. Though it may be that others of the Pantheon, or claiming to act in their name, try to claim some tithe from you as they have me. Was that the invasion you faced?"

Bezaleel was now more curious, "Half-Aso? I feel like me and Theadeacus must have a discussion now. I am sorry to hear of his demise. He was not mine to call his fate upon. He was brought up while I slept. I would be careful in raising status upon those who you do not know have fealty to you or not. Or if it comes at a whim."

He waved his hand slightly, "Maybe she is just looking for others she can relate to, find a greater purpose in her actions and raise herself along with them. I know of no Gethu, as far as I know the Pantheon itself under Vex does not claim anyone's realms unless you would pose to agress them openly and have with violence and undermining. That is my assumption at least. A tithe however not an invasion. Has occurred. It is to bring back a fighting force of the Pantheon. Those who do not wish to be part of my realm and the fate they were given, I turn to the tithe and Pantheon to avoid my mortals being taken. I do not agree with it. Anathema herself over there had refused if once. You were sleeping and they had not known you. I imagine a tithe on the land was a natural thing for them to take. Tch." his voice sounded more and more aggitated when he spoke about it.

"You can talk to them in the valley divine. Have them returned to you most likely. I would suggest that you create new mortals to trade places with those you lost. That way you do not tip negatively on their scales. Associate with them if you feel like it. They are not exactly welcomed openly by us. If I were to give you my own opinion it would be indifferent. I am stilling sizing up each member and understanding them as different people. Until then, they are an ally when needed, to be kept at arms length. But not an enemy to made of."

Bezaleel rubbed his head some. "My apologies for being misunderstanding your meaning though. If you would like to come to my realm, you are welcome to. If you would want an introduction to the Pantheon, I can grant you one as well."

Waving a hand to follow him he walked to the map in the hub so they can traverse to the Valley of Banners.

Listening carefully to Bezaleel's words, Ulfur considered how he might respond. He pursed his lips, thoughtful, then nodded once, "Perhaps I might request an introduction, then. Clear up whatever misunderstanding has occurred. Ensure I understand the nature of the tithe required and it's purpose..."

Anna had been listening to the two fighty boiz chitchat, smiling genially and taking a backseat. She straightened up some at hearing her name. "Yes indeed! They were so cruel to my little brother, I couldn't trust their judgement anymore."

"Brother?", asked Ulfur, turning his body to include Anathema in the conversation, "I confess I know little of the Realms beyond my own, and then only these past days..."

"Well, not blood-brothers," Anna clarifies sheepishly. "Brother in arms. It was a rough war." She hops over and leans over Bezaleel from behind, wrapping her arms around his shoulders affectionately, flashing a V-sign at Ulfur with her more-visible hand.

"You prove my point", the Lord of the Mountains smiled, interpreting her gesture as a friendly one, "What war?"

Bezaleel's tail whipped about happily as Anathema embraced him, "Yes, indeed." he agreed as Anathema clarified.

Bezaleel picked up from what Anathema said about their judgment, "I was set up to be killed by the Pantheon after I was to create a child with my would be assassin. An amaranth permitted by their judgment. Theadeacus however, took my place upon his request to them...I can't say I've come close to forgiving them, but I know not all are at fault entirely. I am also to blame. My demeanor and faith of trust in them, mainly."

"The fact they also require a tithe of our mortals unannounced, then send them to wars of their own is also distasteful. One such war is one we fought along side each other in.

To answer your question, Ulfur. It was the Battle of Noor as well as the last attack to drive the blight out of Taeltresin in the realm supernatural and heart of the world tree.

This is the first we have seen everyone and Anathema since. As well as meet Petra and you."

Looking down he left a bit of a advice on the Pantheon, "Be warned though, to act out would be brash, that is coming from me at that. So I definitely do not suggest anything that would be unbecoming in the slightest. Most have poor attitudes. A few found me amusing that was about it. I can't really say what their attitude towards you will be considering the number of new gods and old ones coming about."

Rubbing his chin with his hand he continued, "Though, your demeanor is better than my own. So I think you would fair better than I."

Looking over his shoulder some at Anathema, he spoke. "Speaking of blood though, I discovered my mother's existence. That as well my predecessor was indeed my father. I would like to see if there was some way for you to help me remove the blight's influence over him.

I know of no one better than you to come to with this endeavor. Given your magic and knowledge. I would entrust it to you before I mess things up more." he rubbed the back of his head as he shyly admitted that.

"I'd be trusting you with his life as well as my own."

Anna disengages from Bezaleel and steps around to the side so the three gods are roughly evenly spaced.

"For my part I understand why the Pantheon wanted a tithe," Anna adds. "And an army, and even to amaranth one of us new growth gods. My main problem with the Pantheon is that they're just so- damn- conceited!" She punctuates each of those last words by slamming a fist into her palm, each hit producing a loud clink! from her metallic skin. "If they had just friggin' asked and explained the situation I'm sure any one of us would've been happy to offer ourselves up. I was actually very curious about the River Styx at the time and considering dying just to see what it was like! But noooo, they had to pull authority on us. They might be ancient and knowledgeable and powerful and knowledgeable about ancient power, but they're a bunch of butts. Never take orders from a butt."

Anna's quiet for a time, calming herself after her little outburst. When Bezaleel addresses her again she perks up, eyes widening.

"Oh, you found Diadea? Wonderful, I want to have words with that pretty little witch. The pantheon may have ordered it but she's the one who did the deed. Want me to destroy her entire realm for you?" There was no facetiousness in Anna's tone; she sounded for all the realms like she genuinely believed she could do it. Her destructive nature was waylaid by what came next, however.

"Me? You want me to try and exorcise your father? I... I'm not sure my modest abilities are up to the task, but I would be honored to try! It's the least I can do! I tentatively had a visit to Erebus penciled into my schedule after I took care of some issues in Arthos, but if it's time-critical I can pop on over shortly."

Bezaleel rubbed his head some, clarifying to Anathema shyly, "Ah no no, not Ophelia's mother... My own mother."

A fanged smile came across his face though, "As much as I would like that Anathema. I'm afraid doing so now, would further complicate things considering Ophelia. However, she will reap what she has sown."

Putting a hand on Anathema's shoulder, Bezaleel reassured her, "I'm sure they will be enlightening at the very least. It can't be any worse than what I would try, so there is that." He smiled lightly then put his hand back down to his pocket.

"Time sensitive it is not. I am currently speaking and seeing about business with a being pacted under my mother. I wish to see what it is she is doing in my realm. After that I plan to take care of Marilla as that is the most pressing thing. With those things done. I would be more than glad to have you here and see what can be done."

Absorbing everything that was said, Ulfur felt as if the road he had taken had been through foothills and the mists had finally cleared to reveal the true mountains. Patience and wariness were need, the snow-capped mountain not the one of flame and fertility and change. As they spoke, he nodded. Gleaned what he could

Anna blinks, replaying her eidetic memory over again. Opps. Anna blushes bright, luminescent cyan. "Right, sorry, guess I got carried away there..."

Nodding along as Bezaleel continues, Anna couldn't help but envy Bezaleel for having a whole family. She knew so little about her own, and what she did know terrified her.

"Yeah, the antideath thing sounds important," Anna confirms. "Please be careful, Bezzybro. Something about that whole story reeks. Anywhoodles, I'll keep you up to date on what's going on in my realm and when I'll be ready to transition over."

After remembering that Ulfur was busy getting overshadowed by the shadow god during her last explanation, Anna turns to Ulfur and repeats most of what she told Petra just a few moments ago (in message #75, to be specific).

At Anna's repeated explanation, Ulfur nodded thoughtfully once more; there was plenty of pitfalls and, it seemed, existential threats not only to those of his Realm, but the whole of Creation. Certainly a need to tread carefully

He turned to Bezaleel, "Best introduce me to this Pantheon then, so I might confirm this tithe..."

Bezaleel shrugged, "It may be better if you don't get one from me at all. I'm not sure what exactly my image is with them, but I'll do so."

Waving his hand he left the arena going to the upstairs room where the map was. Ready to throw another instance into the valley.

Anna waves a cheerful farewell as Bezaleel leaves her sight. "Good luck!" she calls. She's not quite ready to drop into the Tattered Valley yet... in fact, maybe best for the Pantheon to think she is dead for as long as possible. Instead she returns to the bar, helping herself to another fancy wineglass of grape juice. Under the counter her feet alternate happily tapping the footrest.

After a few seconds of drinking to herself and thinking, Anna spins around on her stool and looks to Theadeacus.

"Hey Deekin, I just remembered," she says. "Y'know those globs of essence I dropped when I died? Yeah, wasn't expecting to come back from that and I trusted you to be responsible with power more than anyone else. One of 'em was yours to begin with anyways -- I never actually got around to making the artifact I borrowed it to make -- but the other came from this big blight beast I killed. I'd like it back if you haven't used it already. I'll feel a little safer knowing I have a panic button in case something happens."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:52, Wed 20 Mar 2019.

Theadeacus moved to Anathema, producing the Essence from within himself.

"Here you are Anathema. I am glad that you returned for it. If something had happened I intended to use it for....less conservative purposes. Luckily there is no such need for those extremes."

He gave a slight smile but revealed no deeper meaning to his words. Nor would he.

Anna cups the preferred essence in her hands and absorbs it back into herself, sending ticklish motes of light up her tattoos that make her shiver pleasantly. "Thank you."

Anna looks into the bottom of her glass, absentmindedly swishing around the scant few purple drops still left there. "So I did promise that when this was all over I'd answer any questions you might have about what I've been up to," she says suddenly. She looks over with an inviting smile. "What did you want to know?"

Theadeacus considered Anathema's question and wanted to open up with 'tell me everything' but felt it was a little too much and had a sneaking suspicion that even if he did inquire about all of her...activities he wouldn't get a complete response.

Instead he looked at her and gave a faint smile.

"It's good to see you again Anathema, really. I had thought you were lost in the end. Let's start there: What really happened at the end of it all?"

"After I followed Fate's Thread into the Fallen Kingdoms?" Anna asks, striking a thoughtful pose. In truth she didn't need to consider the topic long, but didn't want to give away just how much she'd been dwelling on the issue.

"Well, the old needle led me straight to the heart of the Blight's presence on the tree. Gotta admit, I didn't think it'd be so easy. That's the artifacts of the Pantheon for 'ya I guess!" She chuckles some before continuing on. "The heart, then. I had some options. If we pooled our souls and broke down our artifacts into essence, we might have been able to cut the Blight off from the rest of the tree. That seemed like a temporary fix... even with the tree slowly developing immunity, having that thing hanging around like a tumor just didn't sound good to me. The alternative was to use that immunity that the tree invested in us, expending our lives to wipe the Blight out forever. I couldn't know how your battle with the feasters on the tree's heart was going, or whether you would be able to find your way to me without the Thread. Lysandre, Skeles, and Komatas were MIA or a statue, and thanks to the Pantheon you and Bezaleel had both died at least once apiece. I was the only one who could do it herself."

Anna let out a long sigh. "I defined my entire life around the Blight. My magic, my projects, my identity... when it was gone, I'd be adrift. I've never been to Eros but I could tell how much you care for your people, and Bezzy had his daughter to think about... I dunno... it just seemed like if we had to sacrifice our lives that I was the objectively correct choice. So I resigned myself to death, grabbed that infernal heart with all my divine essence, and tore the everloving crap out of it the whole way down to Styx with me. At some point, I must have... crossed essences with it? I didn't think it would matter, but as it turns out, my calculation of how many lives I would expend in the process was off by one."

She closed her eyes and bit her lip. Her next words are a little shaky. "I lived. That wasn't supposed to happen."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:59, Mon 22 Apr 2019.

Theadeacus contemplated what would be the best response before turning slightly and looking off into space.

"You're right Anathema. I do care about my people. Very deeply. I am their god which makes me responsible for their safety and their happiness."

He placed his hand on Anathema's shoulder, squeezing it slightly as if concerned she might disappear if he let go.

"But I care for you just as much. You are my friend and I love you. Please value your life more. I don't want to be here with you."

Anna gasped softly as she felt the squeeze on her shoulder. After a moment's hesitation she reaches up and gingerly puts a hand over Deekin's, rests her head on their joined digits and closes her eyes.

"At least it's over now," she muses softly. "There's peace on the tree. I am... eager, to see all that we've saved. I am sure there are many beautiful sights out there waiting to be discovered. I would love to see Eros."

Anna drums her fingers on Deekin's as her thoughts churn. A thought comes to her that makes her eyes snap open again. She raises her head and turns to face Deekin properly, looking him up and down appraisingly.

"Will you have a child with me?" she asks, abruptly. When she realizes what she's said her cheeks start to glow, but she doesn't try to redact the question.

Theadeacus was taken back by the sudden question, his hand loosing its grip and retreating slightly. The normally composed and emotionally conservative god blushed which on his pallor skin looked like aged bruises. Still his embarrassment faded soon after and he stammered into speech.

"That is...um. A most serious proposal Anathema. I must admit I have not given much thought to children since Bezaleel had his own daughter."

He was silent for a moment searching for an answer within himself.

"Why me?" was the question that escaped his lips.

"Surely there are more powerful gods to have a child with. Bezaleel himself has proven a capable warrior and Ulfur held his own in the duel."

Anna nods slightly with a faint acknowledging hum.

"I trust your judgement," she says, simply. "That is much more than I can say for most on this tree. I barely know Ulfur, I'm not a hundred percent on whether he is even real. Bezaleel... may be capable, but his capacity for poor decision making rivals my own at times."

She looks away. "Anyways, no need to answer right away! I need to make sure my condition won't cause any complications. No sense repeating that circus with Ophelia."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Wed 24 Apr 2019.

Theadeacus remembered what he had recently learned about Ophelia and Bezaleel and understood Anathema's apprehension all too well. Still he appreciated the compliment on his judgement. That said there was still a nagging piece of information.

"I thank you for your belief in my judgement and I hope that in light of that you will understand why I must ask you to inform me of something before we continue."

He looked Anathema squarely in her eyes.

"Why have you not spoken to me of this secret magic? I will not speak its name but I am aware of its existence and the being you have charged with guarding its secrets."

"Mhm?" Anna cocks her head at the Serious Eyes being directed at her.

She tilts her head the other way, casually scratching at her cheek with one nail. "You mean the Deep Magic of Taeltresin?" she asks, shrugging slightly with her shoulders. "I don't know... it didn't come up in conversation I guess. It is incredibly dangerous, capable of causing irreparable damage to the tree if mishandled. It was my intention to spread the viese throughout the world tree so that they could use Deep Magic to repair the Blight's damage. Little helper fairies, haha..."

She frowns, cocking her head one way and the other as she considers between the lines. "Its existence is not a secret, but I am trying to regulate its use to those I know can handle it..." She looks back to Deekin. "Is my guardian attacking you? I can call it off..."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Fri 26 Apr 2019.

Theadeacus' expression went flat.

"Anathema. You can't honestly think that I believe that. I still remember the day we gathered to form the new Pantheon and I was tasked with perfecting our magical knowledge. I find it difficult to believe that you simply failed to mention it, especially given your keen intellect."

Theadeacus sighed slightly.

"But I can understand your hesitation to share knowledge of such a potentially dangerous power with me, even if I am slightly wounded by the fact. All the same I am in no danger of our creature as of yet. We won't be engaging in that magic; not for any time into the forseeable future."

Gathering himself he spoke again.

"Now that we have resolved that I suppose I should give your proposal its due diligence in thought. We are headed into a dangerous time and a child could be a boon and burden. If we were to have them which world would they be raised on?"

Anathema expression now competes to express sheepishness and confusion. "W-well, I'm glad one of us remembers? Ahaha... ha... ahh..."

She genuinely didn't remember anything about forming any new Pantheon. She knew they were taking some measures of defense against the existing Pantheon should their admittedly poor judgement turn them into outright enemies but the idea of a new Pantheon was eluding her at the moment. If this was a plan they had formed together then nothing much must have come of it what with the Blight occupying a majority of their attention.

Anna shook those thoughts away. "It was not my intention to withhold Deep Magic from you," she says. "You are the only other god I'd trust with its secrets, so... just say the word."

Now that the conversation has moved on, Anna switches gears.

"What with my being on my last life and all, I would be much more comfortable knowing that if something happens to me that someone exists who could take care of Arthos when I am gone. I am intending to birth an heir so the obvious choice would be to raise her on Arthos, but... hm..." She pauses, striking a cute thoughtful pose with a finger on her cheek. "I am intending to embark on a (much belated) tour of the realms in the near future and may not return to my realm for quite some time. I have people I would trust with her care but I would feel much better with her in another god's custody. Being versed in another realm's culture could be beneficial in giving her another viewpoint, but could also backfire; as I understand it Eros has a fairly militaristic culture while Arthos is more a place of peaceful cooperation. So, given all the above, I think... hm..."

Anna sips her recently-refilled grape juice, a look of intense thought on her face. "Ideally, I think I would like her raised on Eros with someone from Arthos that I trust watching over her. I think I know just the right person for the job. If you decide you want to train in Deep Magic, you can bring her to Arthos with you while you study; my people have largely surpassed me so it would be better to learn from them. This all assuming of course that she is not born with a realm of her own to govern... I do not think that will be the case, but this is unexplored territory for both of us."

She cocks her head. "So those are my thoughts. What're yours?"

Theadeacus considered Anathema's response carefully and formulated his own.

"I believe that what you have proposed makes the most sense. A new divinity would find Eros most hospitable. The Aso are an advanced and orderly people who have demonstrated time and again their ability to repulse foreign invasions. I also believe that bringing the Arosian will prove to be a boon for not only the child but for both our peoples."

"As for there own realm, if it should exist, it should remain in our stewardship until such a time as they are ready to assume control. It would do that Realm no benefit to have their divinity repeat the actions of the previous generation of born gods."

He turned then to look at Anathema.

"I accept your offer Anathema. Let us have a child together."