Moon: The Cascading Falls of Luna.

Luna is a small moon-sized planetoid that unlike real life Earth contains vast amounts of water not just on its surface, but also within the planets mantle depths as well (although there is some volcanic activity and stone, but there's far more water on the surface and beneath it than Earth. The combination of volcanic activity and strong water presence caused the planet to essentially become a series of tall cliffs and precipices with water that surges in spiderwebbed and vein like aquifers that jut out all around the surface. There are some flatter areas at medium elevations on the planet's surface levels, but even these have waterfalls and fountains and springs and geysers and springs and such frequently appearing all around. When looked at as a whole. Luna is essentially a series of cascading waterfalls of random heights and depths that feed into rivers and caves and small oceans, where the water sinks deep into the planet only to be recycled by natural processes back upward into the planet's massive aquifer system.

The temperature is normally more tropical and lush arboreal foliage and ferns cover much of the surface, along with flowers and grasses of many types as well. Although there are patches of rock and cliffs and such here and there. Although there's normally a multiple waterfalls within sight almost anywhere one may look. But all the jutting spires and cliffs make for perfect perching spaces for the Lunarians and other flying species when they aren't soaring through the air.

There is an event that happened in this planetoid's past that changed it forever. The Lunarians call it the Moonfall, an event that was so dramatic that it became etched into their racial memory. But in the past, there was a swarm of silver-infused meteors that bombarded Luna. Thankfully they were relatively smaller so didn't destroy the planetoid, although it did massively alter ecosystems and kill some wildlife. But there was one meteor that was big. A giant crystalline thing about the size of a few city blocks on all sides interlaced with the most alchemically pure silver possible. And it glows with a soft pearly light and emitted an invisible field of radiation that would eventually give rise to the Lunarians. And within it, is a pulsing silvery humanoid-shaped light that the Lunarians would one day figure out was the sleeping form of Argentum, the First Moon. This crystal edifice is called the Moon-Core, and is a sacred and mystical site to the Lunarians.

People: The Lunarians (and Raptorans).

The Lunarians are not a god-people. Well, they are now technically but they weren't always. Then again, they weren't always as evolved and sapient as they are today either. Not before the Crystal Moon-Core plummeted onto Luna from the Void during the Moonfall, anyway.

You see...the species that would one day become the Lunarians was originally less-evolved creatures that were almost entirely animals, called the Raptoran. They were a race of bird-like mammals and were extremely bestial and primitive creatures, until the Moonfall happened. But then everything changed. The Presence of the First Moon affected Luna in deep and intricate ways, with one of them being that due to some odd and coincidental 1 in a million chance feature in their DNA, they began to spontaneously evolve rapidly due to the Moon-Core's Radiation. Every generation was very obviously more evolved than the preceding one until eventually the Lunarians of today came into being.

And you see...their intelligence also grew, from that of animal-like to full humanoid sentience. And these creatures, the Lunarians, figured out that it was the presence of the Moon-Core and the First Moon within it that caused them to change and evolve, for in the farthest reaches of Luna some of the original Raptorans still exist as they were out of range of the radiation. But even now, in the lifetimes of the Lunarians, those Raptorans that get with a 20 mile radius of the Moon-Core begin evolving over time until they eventually become full Lunarians too. So it's no mystery about what happened and how it happened. And at this Revelation, the Lunarians began to worship the First Moon that slept within the Moon-Core as the god it just happened to actually be. And their seers and witches had foretold that one day, the First Moon of moons would wake up from his sleep and walk the world aside mortals while himself remaining divine.

The Lunarians appear as humanoids with skin tones ranging from pale to soft blue, and every Lunarian has a pair of bird-like wings that they can use to fly. Their feathers can come in as many different types of color schemes as real life birds have, and no Lunarian's wings look 100% identical although general patterns and color schemes do run in families and change genetically over time. They have a more superstitious culture whose magical tradition can best be described as some practitioners being more shamanistic and others being more like witches (less in the satanic sense and more in a Celtic sense), and astrological bodies are important symbols with the Moon obviously holding special prestige and importance. They are beginning to discover the basics of science as well but as always are still evolving.

Raptorans and Lunarians have a special relationship to this day. The former are normally extremely willful animals, but are easily tamed by Lunarians who seem to share a sort of mild empathic connection to them. Sort of like man and dogs. Raptoran's do evolve into Lunarians when they are close enough to the Moon-Core, although this process does take multiple generations to happen but as Raptorans reproduce faster than Lunarians, this isn't as daunting as you'd think. Although if a partially evolved raptoran starts mating and living away from the proximity of the Moon-Core the evolution will eventually be lost and have to begin again in future generations. Although all full Lunarians breed true even away from the Moon-Core. Raptorans do find the Moon-Core and Argentum appealing, even fi they don't understand why. It's something on a deep genetic level.

One day, on a day that seemed like any other normal day on Luna, the tides suddenly surged. Surged like it was the night of a full moon. Except it was during the daytime, then any moons were not in the sky. Impossible as it sounded, this was what was happening!

The Giant Crystalline Moon-Core was pulsating in quick, bright flickers of silvery light. Far brighter and more dramatic than it normally did. And the shadowy figure that rested inside the giant crystal began to pulse and spasm and flex - like a butterfly preparing to burst from a cocoon.

After about an hour of this, the form within began to move toward the surface of one of the sides of the Moon-Core, not impeded by the solid crystal and silver at all. And after about a minute, the shadowy form emerged in a burst of silvery moonlight - during the day mind you - and was finally visible to any onlookers.

He was something like a man, with pale but vibrant and lively skin and silvery platinum hair. He didn't have wings, but he floated in the air in defiance of physics anyway and did so gracefully and effortlessly. His chiseled tone form was flawless and unblemished, and his eyes shone with curiosity, intelligence, and a bit of feistiness.

The First Moon - possibly the First True god besides Halley herself - had awoken.

He surveyed his surroundings as he floated about 30 feet in the air.

You were tackled to the ground by three silver-armored Lunari.

"Get down, your majesty!" A streaking bolt of comet-fire sailed through the same space you'd been floating in.

You were surrounded quickly by a group of other Lunari - helped to your feet, apologies given.

The enemy were beasts of black fog that moved like cats. Another of them belched comet-fire, which the gather Lunari repelled with a curious chant and their shields, causing the comet-fire to be absorbed. On a count of three, they released the energy back at the beasts, who were stunned. The Lunari charged forward, driving their silvery blades into the beasts, slaying them.

It had all taken about fifteen seconds. In death, the beasts were skinny creatures with pebbly skin. Several of the Lunari hefted the corpses onto their shoulders.

One of the Lunari approached you, and removed their helmet. "I am Quartermoon Nián Qīng Qiáng Dà." She fell to one knee, offering you her sword. "I have committed the crime of lèse-majesté, by accosting your person. I offer you my life as compensation, Firstmoon. My subordinates were only acting on my orders, please spare them."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:06, Thu 24 Jan 2019.

Argentum regarded them silently, and tolerated their being in his personal space. For now. They couldn't hurt him really even if they tried. Few things could.

He rolled his eyes though when Nian began to speak.

"And what good would it do to anyone if I killed you here, silly mortal. I did not allow you to bask in the radiance of my Moon-Core merely to kill you so casually. Live, and help defend your people." Argentum replied in a sort of neutral yet firm tone of voice.

"And tell me - what are these creatures that dare encroach so close to where I rest?"

She blushed deeply, her blueish cheeks becoming silvery.

"The Laoshu?" said Nian. "They are base vermin, common to these parts. Their meat is good for soup, and they often gather valuable meteoric ores in their nests and hide. They are unworthy of your consideration, and would surely pose no danger to the First Moon. We could not bare to see their base essence touch Your Majesty, is all."

The other Lunari whispered to themselves, commentary on her touching you without being slain on the spot. They concluded that Quartermoon Nian really was a true virgin, even at her age. How had she attained such a high position within the Lunari without the customary ritual sacrifice of her purity to a superior?

By your estimates, Nian was about 325 lunar cycles in age, or approximately 26 solar cycles.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:20, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

"Laoshu? Hmmm...I may have to hunt some for later and see how their souls work." he replied casually.

Argentum looked at the assembled Lunarians curiously. He began to hover off the ground by several inches, defying physics, as he flitted around Nian. He touched her armor, her weapon, and also took hold of her chin and face and inspected her as well as touched her wings, like a veterinarian inspecting an animal.

He then flitted over to the other soldiers and handled them the same way, not really asking and just going ahead and inspecting.

"Interesting. I had no idea you had all evolved so far. And you used some sort of magic before too I think, but the quality of your gear. Your intelligence. Your humanoid form, and wings. Your clearly worded speech. Even the amusing patriarchal arrogance of your menfolk. I am very pleased with what I'm seeing. I did not make a mistake in sharing my radiance after all." he said, clearly pleased.

"Come - take me to your nearest settlement. I wish to see what a Lunarian town or city looks like. I want to see how your social structure works. How your architecture has developed. The foods you cook. Your culture, craft, and art. Show it all to me! We can walk or fly...actually, I'd rather fly."

The nearest settlement was a few hour's flight away, called Uratama.

It was a city of slim towers and circular high walls, with an internal square-walled fort. It was evident that this was a planned city, as the population had not yet filled the buildings, and some space was still left within the walls; several buildings were under construction, Lunarians flitting about and working to assemble more towers.

"The Tianlan se de Tongzhi Zhe decided it would be fitting to construct a new city near your radiance. Previous Azure Rulers deemed this area holy ground and were loathe to settle within a certain radius of the moon-core. She did not share this opinion, and her word is law. Lucky that my patrol came by when it did, or you might have been unduly troubled."

Quartermoon Nian bowed. "How may I be of further service to you, Lord of Rippling Mind? I am afraid that this is a milltiary settlement, not a center of high culture. The Imperial Capital in several days flight from here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:18, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

"Don't worry about the settlement being this close to the moon-core. I don't mind." he replied.

Argentum considered.

"Hmmm...I suppose I will have to go visit the capital some time, although I think I'll explore around here a bit first. But tell me...why is this only a military settlement? What need is there of so much concentrated military force in the area?" he said.

"Pushing back the Stellan and Sola heretics like usual. This is sacred land, whoever controls it has the favor of the Moon. Building a city this close to the moon-core is an unprecendented step, but the Azure Ruler crushed a Stellan insurgency headquarters here; I guess that's why he decided it was fair game."

She took you to a canteen, exchanged a dark glass token for two glasses of a silvery fluid. "You partake of moonwater, right? It's said to be your blood when it's used for consecrating new temples in your name. Or perhaps it's your ambrosia of choice. Or perhaps it's horrid poison, like the Sola say. I just call it Lunahol. Only stiff drink you can get on military ration."

She was relaxing. "You're really not much like anybody's myths about you. You're male, for one thing. One thing everyone agreed on was you being a hermaphrodite."

He looked amused, and even chuckled when she mentioned speculation on his sex.

"Well I'm definitely not a hermaphrodite. You guys have gotten the lore all twisted up in a tangle, haven't you?" he replied with a chuckle.

"Well I'll set you straight. The moon is definitely a masculine symbol, although I can tell as the First Moon that many people on other worlds mistake it for a feminine one. I mean look at me...I'd know if I was a woman or a hermaphrodite. The Moon does have an ambiguous gender though in terms of symbolism. I myself am more masculine in gender but am bisexual in my orientation, but I also am prone to fits of passion and depth of thought and emotion (some like to call that brooding) more like a woman and the moon is accurately portrayed in those symbolism elements. But if anything, the sun and moon are both masculine while the earth is feminine. That I can tell you for a fact. I guess you could say I'm 75% masculine 25% feminine, and moons in general are too." he said.

"I came into being as a reflection to the first true sun, which is an extension of the Sun Dragon Tarek whom is male. Thus I am male too. but I don't wish to talk about him now. I find him...exasperating. I'm sure you've never experienced the feeling of hating someone while also not-hating them. Like anger and gratitude rolled up into one tight ball." he said as he took hold of the moonwater cup.

"Hmmm...it's definitely not my blood. But I'll be the judge on if it is a drink of choice or mere poison." he said as he took the cup and drank from it.

"And tell me about the Stellan and Sola. Who and/or what are they? And why the military and faction conflicts? Do you mortals really think you can gain my favor by merely controlling land? Like my favor is yours to take and not actually mine to give out as I please?"

OOC: Please in your next post give a description of how the moonwater tastes, any any special properties about it he is able to glean or on the contrary if it's just normal alcohol.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Sat 26 Jan 2019.

The moonwater was thicker than water, with a sharp, spicy burn - like a cross between vodka and biting a pepper. After you got used to to the bite, it had a savory aftertaste. It was something like a gin.

"It's made from ether and a few sacred herbs. You get a taste for it eventually, the longer you're in the service."

She drained her glass, got another. "Good to know the moon's a sword-bearer. We've already got enough issues with men thinking they're favored children."

She drained her glass, got another. Her cheeks were gaining a silvery tint.

"It's  . . .  to do with a royal debacle a few generations ago. Twin heirs, a boy and a girl. Lunari said the girl should it get it; stellari wanted joint rule; Sola kidnapped the boy and said he should rule, now he's a whole other rebel state and Stellari are being persecuted and removed from power in both states, making hideouts where they can . . ."

She drained her glass, got another. This one she was sipping.

"All anyone cares about  . . .  is purity. But the same institutions meant to . . .  safeguard or sanctify it . . . also commodify it. I'd be a halfmoon overnight if I yielded myself to my superior officer . . . given that I'm Argenti . . ."

Img: Quartermoon Nian, Shield-Maiden

Argentum winced a bit as he initially tried the Moonwater, although subtle use of his illusions made his face appear as if he were unfazed. Nian was right though - it got easier to cope with over time, and would probably go great on the rocks. He wasn't sure how he knew it would taste better with ice given he never had a chilled beverage before, but some things he simply...knew.

"Hmmm...the initial bite is a bit rough, but I really enjoy the savory aftertaste. I think the herbs used in it really help offset the base alcohol taste." he said.

"I promised you my judgement so here it is: Moonwater is definitely not my blood, although I am enjoying it in small quantities. A little bit is ok, but too much..." he said as he quickly snatched the cup from Nian's hands with inhuman serpent-like speed and held it in his own.
"...is indeed poison. Like most things, moderation is key. And you, little lady, have had enough for now." he said, bluntly but kindly.

He then looked intrigued.

"Hmmm...these social dynamics you mention are interesting. Tell me more about them. I have some questions." he asked.

"Are the Lunari, Stellari, and Sola all Lunarians? And how does each faction feel about me?"

"Tell me about your social hierarchies. You've mentioned phases of the moon and implied they are social ranks. So what is a halfmoon to a quarter moon? Like what are the ranks from least to greatest, and how do you gain and lose rank?"

"You and your men said that giving sexual favors is a means of advancement. Is this true across all three factions? Can you only do it once, or can you sleep your way up the chain multiple times? And there must be someone at the top that themselves didn't sleep their way up. Who was that initial person?"

"And what is an argenti? You said you're an argenti...what is that?"

She gave you a glare, but you'd made the right choice - her bluish cheeks were bright silver by now, as the drink took her.

She took in your questions as she slid lower in her chair, resting her chin on her arms on the bartop.

"Argenti are the second highest ethnocaste, below only the Palladia. My lineage goes back to the first Raptorans to become Lunarian, those from this area nearest your radiance. The effects of the radiance grow stronger as generation after generation is exposed to it. My blood is silver. The blood of the Palladia is white-silver, holding some of your radiance with it. Only those few who survived the initial shockwave of the moonfall are Palladia.

Given that, my purity and desirability as a dame is high. If I wanted to spend my life in luxury, my only obligation producing more Argenti, I could easily do so."

She reached for her drink, only it wasn't there. She sighed in defeat. "You're an asshole, Mr. Moon."

"I have a noble rank, yes. The least nobles are the New Moons, who serve as officers, scholars, and other working elite. I am a Quartermoon owing to my prowess in battle and success in command. As such, I may own land and raise commoners to nobility by taking them into my house as servants, and may form, outfit, and command my own military force."

She motioned to the bar, and by extension the city. "Technically, this is my city. I prefer to stay in the field, so I delegate the running of the city to people who enjoy sifting through paperwork and deciding the fates of petty criminals."

She closed her eyes. "I didn't take up a sword to win glory. I just wanted to protect people. Killing other Lunarians because of a political blood feud doesn't seem like something that should be rewarded. But here I am."

You had jostle her awake and remind her of your questions. "Oh, purity stuff. Right. Yes, if I went to the capital and slept with the chief magistrate or the field marshal or any other Half-Moon with a member of the priesthood officiating, I'd automatically become a Half-Moon myself. After that, I'd be considered tarnished, which is weirdly a thing of esteem; something about purity belonging only to the moon, and by rite of madness yada yada yada. You can only do it once, you can do regardless of your sex, and I think it's only among the Lunari but I'm not sure."

Argentum smirked at her.

"I, Little Nian, am most definitely an asshole." he said with a smirk as he took the cup of her Moonwater that he was holding in his hand, and right in front of her he drank it down in one go.

"When your cheeks start turning silver, it's no longer a sacred drink or even a past time drink, but a poison. Turns out...all the factions are right about it on some level." he said as he put the cup down.

He then gave her a mock curtsy that was purposefully a bit comical.

"Well this is your city then? Well I see I'm in esteemed company, Quartermoon Nian. Only the very best tour guides for the First Moon." he said with a smile.

"And Nian? Don't give yourself away just for the sake of status. Have more self respect for yourself. I didn't share my radiance to see you all become brood mares. Every Lunarian family line has the potential over generations of radiance exposure to improve their bloodline purity, after all. You should be intimate with people because it's fun and on your own terms and no other reason."

He considered.

"I would like to do some mon hunting, and then I think I want to go check out these three factions and their main capital or headquarter areas. I'd like to offer you and a small group of your men the opportunity to do this, although if you don't want to just point me in the right direction and I'll explore myself."

She narrowed her eyes. "Are you making light of me? I would never sleep with anyone."

Her eyes shifted, looking you up and down. "Except maybe you." She grinned. "So soft . . . but dignified . .  and cocky." She pouted. "Oh, I bet the priesthood would be mad if I fucked the moon. Something something besmirching your purity something something blasphemy."

She sighed, sleepy. She was taking quietly to herself. "Why'd they go and make the moon a twunk, then? It's like making a really good sword, but ooooh it's too pretty to fuck . . "

She was sauced. "I'll hunt with you. But you have to carry me home first, mmkay?" She murmured before passing out.

Argentum smirked.

"I make light of everybody, little Nian." he said as he let her continue speaking. The alcohol was talking now as much as she was, but he was enjoying the show.

However, when she started swerving on her seat he caught hold of her with the same snake-like quickness with he had taken her cup from her, and made sure she didn't fall and hurt herself.

He stood up, and with no trouble threw her unconscious form over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

He turned to the nearest group of Lunarians.

"You all! Tell me where the little Quartermoon's home is." he said, intending to take her back to her place so she could sleep off the alcohol.

The two soldiers that had originally accompanied her sighed in unison. "You can't miss it - she's got the mayoral estate to herself, rarely as she goes there. Her servants will know how to take care of her . . . this isn't the first time. We can accompany you if you wish, Light of the Night." said the right one, a male Lunarian of lesser birth than Nian.

The mayoral palace was something to see; a grand, five-story affair that doubled as the center of the city's administration. Nian's quarters were on the fifth floor, and the servants you could find repeated a directive that for purposes of purity none of them could touch Nian as they were of inferior ethnocaste. Argentum had to carry the noble warrior himself to her bed.

She woke slightly as she dropped her into the almost new sleeping quarters. "There's a man in the moon . .  he's got . . .  " she faded back into unconsciousness.

Argentum graciously carried Nian to bed and settled her down, ever the gentleman about it with her being drunk, and let her drift off to sleep. He exited her sleeping chamber, and went to find the soldiers.

"Well while she is asleep, I am going to go mon hunting for a bit. I want you to relay to her that she is to prepare herself and a small group of any needed personnel for a delegation to go visit the centers of power for the three Lunarian factions. And I realize you all are Lunari faction members, but when you go with me you'll be temporarily neutral. Make sure she understands that too. And tell her she is not allowed to drink alcohol again until we arrive at one of the faction destinations. I need her wits sharp and about her, unless she expects me to carry her everywhere. If she protests, tell her that I am an asshole after all - according to her words." he said with a smirk.

"Soldiers? Where is the nearest area of mon activity to this city?"

Your use of divine speech translates your use of the term 'mons', conveying the idea of magical or extraordinary beasts that were useful when domesticated or harvested for their souls.

The notion of soul-harvesting was new to the soldiers, but they knew of many such beings. The Yu Bai took the image of beautiful Lunarians in distress and lured soldiers and travelers to their deaths; the Ke Ai Da were adorable critters that took the appearance of animals but retained humanoid characteristics, and would provide wisdom if captured in return for their release, but cursed any who brought them harm; and Dadan Sai Hu, who were a race of nimble ashen-skinned Lunarians that originated from a tribe that had been exiled to the world's cold, frozen dark side. They were more bestial and reptilian than the Lunarians and frequently raided Lunarian settlements.

All of them and others could be found if one decided to wander about outside of the safety of the city, although which you'd get first would be practically random.

Argentum thanked the soldiers, and left the mansion. Once outside, he gracefully took to the air and began flying in a random direction - WEST. He was looking for mons.

With the walls of the city still visible in the distance, you came across a curious scene - two dead soldiers, three dead dark-skinned lunarians - Dadan Sai Hu by the subtle scale patterns on their skin - and four more Dadan Sai Hu surrounding a beautiful Lunarian woman, with the dressings of a member of the merchant class. Her dress was torn, and she was keeping the Dadan Sai Hu just barely at bay with blasts of moonlight from her palms. She had yellow eyes that shone like a cat's.

She saw you. "Please, sir! Help!" she yelled, without taking her eyes off the Dadan Sai Hu.

At least, that's what an ordinary man would have seen. There was no fooling the moon - all of the corpses, the Dadan Sai Hu, the blasts of moonlight - all of it was elaborate illusion.

She was one of the Yu Bai you had been told about, in all likelihood.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Fri 08 Feb 2019.

Argentum saw the lady in trouble in the distance, and he immediately sped off through the air toward her. She was a damsel in distress, and obviously a poor victim of those savage mean Dadans. It was only the right thing for him to save her.

Of course...he was smirking the entire time as he made his way through the air. Because he had his own trick to play as the hunter became the hunted.

[Private to GM: OOC: So he is activating his illusion major power, and his appearance is now way out of phase. Although he still appears normal - he is not being obvious with his illusion as as a major power I intend to fuck mess with her lol.

The main crux of my plan is that he has his sword out now ready to go, but doesn't appear to be armed to onlookers. And also, his position isn't where it appears to be but it's a very strong illusion so he appears to be where he is and is apparent to the 5 senses. More on his plot to come based on how the mon responds. :)]

"I'll save you!" he shouted as he made his way to the "victimized" woman.

Two of the Dadan Sai Hu, their axes swinging out to cut you down -  but your illusion was as real as hers, and she was not alerted when your illusory self took a wound but slew the two adversaries without much trouble. Her eyes widened with shook at your white blood - evidence that you were of the highest breeding, somehow even higher than Palladia.

"NO, you fool! I was too selfish! Fly from here - leave me to my fate! I can stomach to die with a good man who would have lived if only he had known better discretion!"

Was that fear in her eyes for you, or for herself? Had she figured out that you had figured her out?

The illusionary version of Argentum winced a bit from the pain as his arm bled.

"No my lady! I will not leave you here alone! For I shall slay the evil monster!" the man said.

And suddenly, a silver sword emerged from the front of the woman's chest as she was stabbed from behind by some unseen assailant. She had come like a fly into the First Moon's Web as he did to her what she would have tried to otherwise do to him.

From behind, his real self whispered into her ear.

"Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself. And of course I'm of higher breeding than Palladia. No mere Lunarian could compare to the original thing, little mon."

And then he ripped his blade out of her ruthlessly as he tried to end her and harvest her, but he wanted to make sure the mon realized before it died exactly what had happened.

It was done, and the look of true fear, surprise, and agony was a potent cocktail that would remain within your memory for savoring for some time. Her form collapsed into a small opal, no larger than a button, but subtle shifting colors underneath the moonlight. She was only a Tier 0 mon, but still, her soul could be used to imbue an ordinary weapon with the traits of deception and beauty.

+1 0-Opal - useful for distraction and deception.

OOC: So I cannot find any of the old rules about mythcrafting with mon gems and such, but I'd like to apply this to argentum's silver sword for now. How can I do that?

Just press the opal to the sword with your intention in mind; simple as that. Keep in mind that a Tier 0 Silver soul is enough for the slightest magic effect; Dabbler level in Dust terms.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:22, Tue 19 Feb 2019.

Something was better than nothing for now. And Argentum liked the idea of his sword taking on a beautiful yet deceitful aspect.

So he pressed the opal to it, and willed it to merge with his silver eversharp sword.

The opal slid smoothly into sword, splashing over it and coating it in white. It gained a new abilty - whenever you swung the sword, it sometimes turned invisible, sometimes, created an illusion of itself that was at a slightly different angle, sometimes did both, and sometimes did neither. It was a little off-putting to wield, but would be far more hellish to defend against.

Argentum swung his newly-imbued sword a bit, enjoying how its beautiful deception trait worked. It wasn't as potent as his own illusions, but he appreciated it none the less. And how he so relished hunting the hunter as well, and the look of fear on her face when she realized that there were things out in the world that could prey on even monsters.

Satisfied, he flicked the blood off his blade, sheathed it, and flew back to the city. He had a certain quartermoon noble to go fetch. It was time to organize a delegation for him to visit centers of power for each of the three factions - a chance to both further explore Luna but also see these different elements of his people. And if necessary, humble them with his hi-jinx.

Argentum's vision flickered briefly, and he saw something else - and then it flickered again, a few seconds later. Whenever he blinked, for that moment, Luna looked different - not a lush, tropical world of water and life, but a wasteland of icy dust and crystalline structures.

There was another realm that laid over Luna. Anul, the 'dark side' of Luna. Argentum felt that he could 'travel' there at whim, and that there may indeed be other layers to Luna. The First Moon was a place of illusions and deception, after all. Nothing was at it first seemed . . .

Except maybe Quartermoon Nian, who was frowning while picking at a hearty breakfast of oats and berries when you arrived - along with a side of some kind of fried meat. She looked incredibly unhappy, and you soon found out why.

"Thanks for getting me home. I'd tell you I'm not usually such a . . . lush . . . but lying isn't my style," she said. "I got orders while you're away, from pretty high up. I guess your return was noticed, and since you've taken a personal interest in me, or something, the Azure Ruler has decided to gift this city to you, and I've been assigned the duty of being your personal shieldmaiden, and my troops have been placed nominally under your command. Given that your rank is equal to the Azure Ruler's, as there is no formal rank higher, and given that by the rules of purity you can only directly serve if you're the caste directly beneath the person you're serving, I've been specially 'promoted' to Gibbous."

She sighed. "Which is the WORST. It's a ceremonial rank usually reserved for consorts of royals."

"It means nobody can even fucking sit where I've sat, or step foot in this house unless they're at least Half-Moon or granted a formal audience, for fear of impugning my purity. So I'm basically untouchable, and I can't legally eat or drink anywhere in this entire city."

She flopped back on the bed, groaning. "I just wanted to be a soldier. Do you see now why I drink? At this point, the number of people I can legally fuck can be counted on one hand and I'd still have my thumb to spare. I'm going to die a virgin."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:31, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

Argentum considered.

"Hmmm...well first of all, little Azure-Chan ought to realize that pure as her bloodline might be, I am the literal source of the purity of your entire race. And she is certainly not my equal in essence. So that makes me more pure than her, ranks be damned. I am the first moon, after all, and pure as she may be her ancestors at the end of the day were merely cute bird-like animals I took a liking to and shared my radiance with long ago." he said with an absolutely mischievously unreadable smile.

"So with that said...my presence here is meant to be exasperating and intriguing in equal measure, not a life-sentence. So I am granting you special permission to eat and drink wherever you'd like until further notice. I'm also allowing you to have audiences with whomever you'd like, and am essentially naming you governor of the city which essentially is returning it back to you. I claim the entirety of Luna as my own, so why do I care about the delineations of cities and borders? Anyone who has issue with what I've just said can take it up with me personally. Depending on my mood, they may not have a good time of it." he added, a silver glimmer in his eyes shining a moment before fading.

"Now enough silly politics. I want to see more of my cute Lunarians...and maybe some cute raptorans along the way. My initial request stands - you will ready a small group of soldiers and will escort me on my Lunarian delegation tour of fabulousness. And we'll eat publicly in a tavern or something in town on the way out - I love to both flout and besmirch my purity in equal measure after all." he added with a grin, then clapped his hands.

"Now chop-chop my cute quartermoon gibbous whatever the hell you are now. We've got a trip to prepare for. And try to stay at least mostly sober for a while, ok? I'm not carrying you home next time you pass out. Instead, I'll draw moustaces and stuff on your face while you sleep it off."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:54, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

"You're . . . either extremely godlike or not very. I've never met . . . something like you . . . and it is very difficult to not want to do as you tell me to do. Despite it being insane, illegal, and possibly treason,"

She clucked her tongue. "But . .  law itself doesn't exist. It's just . .  the power of normalcy . .  the need to have rules so things feel like they matter. I've staked my life, again and again, to defend royalist ideals, not because I believed in them, but because I believed order brought peace, and peace brought prosperity,"

"But if you're around, then you're power. Not power for order, and maybe not for peace . . . but I do feel you're a force for good, somehow, and that maybe prosperity for the many has fallen aside, in favor of preserving it for the few."

She picked up her sword from her bedside, and knelt, offering it you. "I pledge my blade to you, Firstmoon, and by my blade I stake my soul. I will darken the nights of your enemies, and brighten yours."

If you wish, you may acknowledge Nian's oath and make it a true, and name her your Aegis, or retain her as a mortal knight.

Argentum grinned at her then, a twinkle in his eye.

"Why...insanity and trespass ARE trademarks of the moon, are they not? So naturally I am inclined to trespass on boundaries and such." he said with a chuckle.

"I definitely don't claim to be power for peace nor necessarily good, although I didn't wake up to torment my favored children. For the most part, anyway." he said with a wink. "But I definitely intend to be a power. One that may eclipse suns and darken worlds one day...or not. I'm still deciding. Tarek for his presumption, Halley for being a useless twat who caved under pressure to make as much people happy as possible despite me being the sacrificial lamb of her ACT, and to an extent due to negligence even Myriad - the one being who could have interjected to Haley and Tarek's stupidity. If I will punish them or forgive...I haven't decided yet. My heart is...conflicted on many levels, and I need time to sort it out. And while I take time to sort my feelings, I intend to fully explore the world and beyond - I'm through moping and falling asleep in giant crystals and putting things off. I'm awake, and like you said - my power will follow."

He then looked at her seriously for a moment.

"That is a powerful and serious oath, Nian, even for my reckoning. I like you - you seem different in a good and intriguing way from the rest of the Lunarian's I've witness so far, over the ages. I could grant you the power to truly make your oath real, but little Nian...are you willing to commit to a master as mercurial and multi-faceted as I? I will warn you - you'll gain great power but surely endure great hardships in exchange - I'll be honest with you about that much." he said.

"Remember. every moon has a bright side...but also a dark side. My emotions vacillate between cold and controlled and surging tumult. I'm both king and selfish, both self-critical and arrogant. And at my truest form, I am beautiful and terrible to behold. I am the balm that heals in the night but also the bane that drives men and monsters alike mad. Are you prepared to stake your soul on being my blade-angel in glimmering darkness, even knowing that at my core I am beautiful and terrible in equal measure? Knowing that I will utterly subsume all of your earthly attachments and filial connections?"

"Well . . ." she said. "I wasn't really that certain, but after a speech that pretentious, somebody needs to take you down a peg." Faster than you expected from a mortal, she struck out like a snake and flicked your nose. "You need somebody around who accepts you for who you really are - an asshole and a miscreant - and keep your arrogance from growing into fatal hubris, especially now that you just mentioned the name of the fucking universe like it should have personally done you a solid and you resent it for leaving you out in the cold,"

She shook her head ruefully. "You're not a Moon without being tethered to something larger, something solid and enduring. I'll make sure you find that something."

"Better serving the fickle braggart who takes me home when I get plastered than serving the cold and senseless order that makes me drink," she said, "And I'm entirely over the entire concept of blood ties and blood caste and blood wars. 'Subsuming' all that sounds pretty relaxing."

"I'll say it again - I'll be the wolf that howls at your jokes, and the maiden that weeps on your deathbed. Or maybe I'll weep at your jokes and howl with laughter at your funeral. You'd be happy with either one, you crazy bastard," she said, grinning. "So, yeah, sign me up. I'll be the sword at your side, double edges and all."

Argentum smiled at her, clearly amused more than offended or anything like that.

"I like your spirit, little Nian. You're also physically of superior genetics to most of your kind, purity or otherwise. But it takes more than radiance purity and more than mere genes to be fit to bear my power. To become my angel of the night. You need an abnormally strong spirit too. My power would consume a normal Lunarian." he said.

"But you...I can tell you have the capability to handle my power and become my silver angel. And you're doing it knowing what you're getting into, so...well here we go!" he said as he suddenly held his hands out toward her. She started rising into the air on her own, gripped in the gravity of his power, as silvery glittering tendrils of power sprang up from the ground and stretched up to envelop her in a cocoon on glowing power.

"Little Nian...you'll understand my perspective soon, after you become my Aegis. How I truly am the First Moon, and how I was denied my rightful place in the celestial sphere as I was pushed out by Tarek's sun. I came to Luna not because I was sightseeing, but because I was homeless and drifting and this world caught my eye. Then. I rested while I watched you all grow." he muttered aloud to himself.

After some amount of time passed,, the silver cocoon disintegrated into gossamer dust and Nian decended harmlessly to the ground, changed.

Argentum makes Nian into his Aegis.

Her feet touched ground. She spread her fingers, then clenched them into a fist. "I don't feel that different. Did I mess up or something?"

She blinked, then again, slowly. Then her eyes fluttered, and she collapsed.

She groaned from the floor.

"What the hell . . . magic? . . . layers . . . provinces? Dragons . . . civil war . . . "

She mumbled on indistinctly, then sat up.

"I'm really feeling that hang over all of a sudden . . . so Luna is . . .  a Balanced Realm? And you're . . . a god. One god. There are others . . . not a lot, not like you . . . there's a valley?"

"Woah, woah. There are voices in my head. Forterra, Remad. Wait. I'm being welcomed?"

"My nightstand?"

She groaned again, as she crawled over to a two-drawer nightstand beside her bed, opened it and withdrew a small wooden box.

"Hey, moon-man. The women and . .  and one guy in my head say this is for you. A little weasel gave it to me awhile ago. I was drunk at the time, so I kinda discounted what I'd seen."

Inside the small wooden box was a rose-gold ring, and a small letter. An invitation to a party that you'd already missed, hosted by the avatar of the universe.

Argentum caught her with superhuman swiftness before she hit the ground unconscious, and he took her back to her bedroom once again to recover.

When she awoke, he chuckled at her.

"I told you becoming my aegis was no light or laughing matter. And that - while full of myself for sure on some level - I was not throwing some random petty tantrum before. My anger is all too real and all too justified. But I...haven't decided what to do about that yet, so won't discuss it much more for now. But I didn't expect you to fully get it then. Not as a mortal, anyway. You're now no longer mortal for as long as I wish you to remain my aegis. And you'll start to perceive and know things on a higher level than mere Lunarians are usually privy to. You're now much stronger than normal Lunarians too. But you're no longer a mere normal Lunaraian Little Nian, are you?" he said with a smile.

He looked at her curiously as she took the envelope out from the nightstand and handed it to him. An invitation long overdue.

"Oh curious." he said as he opened the letter and read it and took the ring from within.

"Hmmm...so Myriad made an avatar eh? I wonder if that avatar will be as ineffectual as the real thing? Couldn't do squat without her pet comet, who herself has the imagination and agency of a rock. I'm a far better celestial object than a dumb comet that can only barely think for herself. Maybe. But enough on that...I should see what it says and stop being bitchy. Moons can be that way sometimes you know. Even ones as manly as dignified as myself." he said with a soft sigh as he read the letter and inspected the ring to determine its properties.

She shook her head in your arms, then became violent, convulsing. "No! No. I won't. I won't be your Aegis. I want my mortality. I want normalcy. I don't want you. I don't want this. No!"

"You're so pretentious! So weak. Ignorant. Foolish . . ."

Those weren't the words of Nian at the end; that wasn't her vocabulary or her voice.

She was unconscious again, but with much shaking, she came to.

"I need . . . a drink . . ." she coughed. "Luna . . . doesn't like you. Hates you. Doesn't want anything to do with you." she coughed again. "You're an empty syllogism. Myriad . . .  Myriad is a Moon, too. There was never a need for a first moon . . . there's another Tree."

"Taeltresin . . ." she murmured. She was growing weaker again, her eyes dimming as her mortal body was unable to sustain being an Aegis.

Quartermoon Nian, Created Aegis of the False Moon: 0/2. Dying.

You did this to her.

 You cannot save her.

"Wait...what!?!" Argentum exclaimed in genuine surprise. Myriad was a moon? He knew many things with divine limited omniscience, but THAT was something that he didn't know. He remembered bits of Geogenesis. Watched as the Comet bore the trees power and spread it across the divine valley like she were a herald of Galactus. Made the valley. Especially when together they made the realm lower, the valley's ashen mirror, and also declared the first sun and moon to spring into being. For HIM to spring into being. And then, to his deepest horror, for them both to take it back and let the sun be made in Tarek's design...which was moonless!

But Myriad was supposed to be a tree, not "merely" a moon to some other tree. Then how could he be the moon to a moon? Perhaps when the comet uttered Myriad's core into being with myriad and for myriad, he was already an illusion for the short time he was the First Moon of the Valley.

Was he a living illusion? A sentient dream that flitted between the stars of a syllogism that could never sustain his existence? Perhaps that was the source of his mastery of illusion. He was the First Moon, but also the First Illusion! Yet...he tasted too much of Myriad's power and became real nonetheless. A living dream.

Taltresin! What role did that other tree play in all this?

Then she started convulsing more violently, and he didn't know why it was happening. His snapped out of his reverie, and was genuinely concerned.

"Oh no no no no! Little Nian this isn't supposed to be happening. I knew it would work my divine senses confirmed it so why....Nian hold on. Just stay with me, ok Nian! I will not let you die!" he said to her frantically.

Argentum reached out with his aura and attempted to dismiss Nian as his Aegis. To withdraw his power back to himself, and thus let her become mortal again. If it saved her life it would be worth her not being his Aegis. As he did so, he sent out tendrils of his influence to commune with whatever other underlying force was working through her.

"Who or what are you? I am rescinding her Aegis-hood, so she will be saved. But before I break the connection entirely, tell me...why do you try to sabotage my efforts?"

[Private to GM: He's using his Tides of Madness major power combined with just his own general divinity to attempt to sooth the turmoil inside Nian as well as that of the powers working through her right now, and at the same time is using his divine aura to rescind her Aegis-hood (like when galactus exiled silver surfer for a while lol except fully restoring her mortality). He'll allow enough connection for the powers working through her to communicate their side of things but if they do something that would harm her, he's cutting the connection to save her. ]

Argentum reached out to the force behind what was happening, and made contact.

angersorrowguiltjoyfear
an aegis defends the defenseless
I was an aegis for she who was made a blade
this one was too
born of resilience and refusal -
to become that tool of greater things -
but now an innocent
dying for your hubris

Nian died. Her pulse was gone, her eyes dull, her spirit departed.

she is one of mine
the void called for her as you
accepted her call
I intercede
to grant her wish
to stand apart
she too will be
dragon

Nian spirit was slammed back into her bird, and black tears spilled from her eyes, evaporating into dream-figments as they dripped from her high cheeks.

The Dreaming Dark was at play here -

- the mark of cosmos, a webbed constellation of lines and marks - in the shape of a world tree.

A world within a world within a world. The Nightmare within the Dream, the Dream within the Real.

You saw there, among the many Moons - Myriad's name for independent Realms, you knew from your invitation - there was Luna.

And Luna was attached to the Lower Ash, gnawed on by the Dragon Tarek.

a thin line - hair-thin - joined Luna to the Realm Nocturne as well.

As the Moon of Moons, Luna was a crossroads of waxing and waning influences. For now, it was aligned with the Dark.

Nian, Darkmoon Dragon: 10/10 HP
Fidelity: 2 / Lair: 1 / Majesty: 1 / Battle: 2 / Sorcery: 2
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:03, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

As Argentum finally began to see the truth beneath the truth, he made a "tch" sound as he sneered.

"Of course. Of fucking course Luna has to be connected to the Lower Ash, of all places. The Dreaming Dark I can handle. I can see that connection. But yet again Tarek and Myriad would deny me my space...even here, in the middle of nowhere, on Luna. To think...I thought I purposefully drifted all the way out here in the void, but the tuth is I probably washed up here from the Lower Ash. Didn't get as far away from my origins as I thought, huh?" he said, his eyes taking on a sort of manic fierceness that switched between ludicrous joy and anger. Like how sometimes, when things just suck you can't help but laugh at it all.

He maintained the connection to the Dreaming Dark. His power of madness, ironically, making her sane and calm enough to really truly converse.

Or perhaps that was all wishful thinking, and the truth is that Argentum was kin to the Dreaming Dark in a sort of way. And given both their backgrounds, in a way he was. They were both hyper lucid and crazy on a totally different level from everyone else save Mad gods themselves. And even then, they had their own barbs about them.

"Dreaming Dark...I never thought you'd speak to me directly. Even if you're not the usual public face of the tree, you're still a facet. I saw that much, before I was cast from the heavens as an illusion that wasn't needed. I don't even know what to make of you - especially what to make of your main self. How do you describe a feeling of love and hate and gratitude and rage all at once without canceling out, mixed in with equal parts self-pride and self-loathing? Although then again...Dreaming Dark, you of all people would probably understand my emotions, huh? Because like me, you're Dark but not black."

"Well...at least this is the first time you actually as myriad are paying any attention to my existence. Facet or no, I thought you'd never figure out who I was until I acted out so terribly it forced your attention. As much as a real yet fake first moon can act out, I suppose." he said.

His eyes stopped looking manic and became somber.

"Look Dreaming Dark...I'm not sure why my Aegis-transformation didn't work like it should have on her. I don't know if you fucked with me, or if you're here only because of my own stand-alone mistake. But that young woman wanted to be my aegis despite everything I told her about me. Please don't let my weird real-yet-dreamlike divinity cause her to lose her life over this."

The Dreaming Dark - what little you knew of it - was a deaf entity. Whether was the Dark itself, or merely an agent of it, you did not know.

What you did know was that Nian was awake. There were faint silver traceries of scales over her features, and when she spoke you could tell her teeth were different - catlike - but otherwise she seemed normal.

Her aura was pure gibberish though. She was reading as mortal, and as something similar but not as broad in scope as an aegis.

She coughed. "I'm pretty sure I just died a virgin," she said. "You really should have accepted me as a sacrifice. Not sure why I'm still around." She breathed in deeply, the coughed again - and a curl of metallic smoke blew out of her nostrils. "Whaa?"

Then, of course, she bit her tongue with her new teeth. She spat a bit of white blood - white like yours. "Fuck. Hell of an std." she paused. "Wait, I died a virgin . . .  so sacrificially transferred disease?"

She moved her jaw around, which clicked softly. She rolled out of your arms, and spread her weings - which flapped against the walls, as they'd doubled in wingspan. "Holy shit?" she said.

She drew her wings back into her - and they disappeared completely. Even her natural wings, were gone. Then she unfolded again, and they appeared like a flash of flowing moonlight taking shape. She retracted them again. "I'm something different, alright. Feels really, really good though. Like . . .  I don't know . .  you gave a really big and direct dose of the stuff that made us in Lunarians in the first place," she said. "It's like, is this our final form? Because if so, I gotta say, you are a badass creator god," she said.

Darkmoon Nian

Argentum sighed with relief when Nian began talking again, and also seemed coherent as well. And very alive. That was important too.

"I told you that you'd be far greater than any other Lunarian, and your pure blood is proof of that. You're not a god, but you are an enlightened being now and I've made you essentially demi-divine. If I'm a god, then you're like an angel now. Normal Lunarians will probably never evolve quiote as much as you did, but I will let you in on a secret and say that I'm not done with the Lunarians' evolution by far. We're only in the middle of a much greater plan. It's hard to explain...to normal people, but you will now understand the things I deal with that are outside of mortal perception." he replied.

"You're an aegis. But know that an Aegis is - normally - supposed to be a spiritual intermediary between their patron god and the land that god is tied to from their birth, although you're still more on the god's side rather than the land's. It's why you have access to waves of knowledge that don't come from either yourself or me. But...something bad happened during the process of my imbuing you and I'm only now starting to figure out why. It wasn't intended for you to almost die. I'm starting to see a lot of things I didn't realize until now. Or if I did, couldn't face the reality of until now. But I'm sorry you had to go through that and I'm so, so glad you're alive and Aegis-i-fied." he said with a frown.

"I'm sure you know this or are starting to know this now as you have enhanced knowledge like I do now (but yet different), but here's what I pieced together had happened. I am the First Moon, but yet I am the First False Moon. Because one of the most hidden secrets about Myriad that even I didn't know - I doubt even the Comet that Watches knew this at first - but it turns out that Myriad is not a normal world tree. She functions like one because she's an Arboreal tier being, but she's actually an Arboreal Moon of another world Tree called Taltresin. And apparently, this is part of the reason my aegis attempt got sabotaged." he said dourly.

"While you were out, a manifestation of the Dreaming Dark appeared to me. Most people don't know this, but D-D is actually a facet of Myriad herself. Don't share that flippantly - she went through some stuff and this deserves discretion. But basically, I thought she was the one sabotaging my aegis attempt. But I don't think so anymore. I think this is the first time the being who is the closest I have to a mother actually acknowledged me directly. And she helped me smoothen the aegis process so you'd live. People think the Dreaming Dark is evil, but that's false. It's just...complicated, but never evil." he said.

"But Luna hates me, it turns out. And that's what I think ultimately sabotaged this and nearly killed you. Because Luna isn't really my land. I've been infecting it with my radiance over time, and I rewrote your DNA and evolved you into Lunarians, but Luna was never my godrealm. I don't truly have one. I've simply claimed it. But the mixture of the fact that Myriad is the true First Moon and that I'm the False First Moon because of this Talresin stuff is why Luna hates me and copes with me because I'm too powerful for her to ignore or throw out. So I couldn't get you to interface with the land properly. I...I didn't realize Luna hated me so much. But it's because I'm a real False Moon." he said with a frown.

"So I think the Dreaming Dark interceded on the side of the land, and let you interface with the Nocturne or something instead. The land is a part of Myriad, so it makes sense that she could intercede with the interfacing. But it's the first time Myriad in one incarnation or the other gave me any positive attention. I may be...the black sheep of this entire reality, but I'm not an outsider like a Mad god. I am native to Myriad, which is why D-D helped me smooth this over and I'm grateful for it. But I'm grateful she let me still have you as my Aegis. As for Luna...I will continue to claim it with my radiance, and if it won't love me then it will learn to fear me but it will learn." he said with a cool tone.

"So suffice to say you're a little different than a normal aegis, but you're still my aegis - my Darkmoon angel."

She took all of what you had said - and it was quite a lot - and nodded. "Well. Alright. Me being whateverthefuckingthing aside, you wanted an an escort assembled."

And so it was done - a small company of 46 men was assembled, in groups of eight. "Combat effiency," she said. "Sergeant, four infantrymen, marksman, point, and a Piercer - a solider to trained in disbelief. Given the bevy of illusions on Luna, they're essential."

She was all business. If you knew anything about Nian, it was that she was very efficient at avoiding her own problems by solving other people's.

It would be a day's travel to reach the Sea of Serenity, and another day to along the coastline to reach the capital.

Argentum nodded, satisfied.

"I guess I'll leave wondering about my mother for later. I doubt my mother even has a unified view of me yet, but I suppose it  makes sense she reached out to me through the Dreaming Dark. That always was the part of my mother I identified with the most. I am, after all, a mixture of light and darkness, reality and illusion, and sanity and madness myself. I suppose I truly am her child when I put it that way." he said sincerely.

"And you're my Aegis - my beautiful, majestic Darkmoon Dragon Aegis. Your caste is between mine and the Queen's. I don't want you worrying about this - leave the identity crisis to me. You're just...even more special than I initially thought, thanks to mother bypassing Luna and letting you be my intermediary with the tree regardless. And I like special, if a bit transgressive, things. I have issues, but I can no longer fully resent her or think she hates me after what she did for us. As for Luna...the land may hate me, but my radiance will continue to conquer it and if it won't love me, then it will fear me but it will not ignore the Non-Myriad First Moon. And I won't let it stop me from being...well, me." he said.

"And with that said, I am most pleased with the entourage you've assembled. Just make sure your city properly has people assigned to look after it in your absence. As it is the city closest to my Moon-Crystal I am sure we'll be back here again at some point. But for now, I wish to tour Luna more and hunt and prey on those silly mon who reside here as we ultimately make our way to the capital. That will be the start of my grand Lunarian Awe-and-Exasperation tour and I want to see the centers of these three silly factions you told me about." he said with a smile, although in such a way that once again she'd be unsure if he was being dead serious, facetious and playful, or some sort of mix. Probably a mix given his temperament.

"And good call on including piercers. I may not be bothered by illusions, but I cannot be everywhere at once and the troops need some self-sufficiency against such things."

He then floated over to the assembled Lunarians.

"Listen up, my cute feathered friends. I am guessing Nian told you but if not, I will right now. But the purpose of this delegation is that I wish to tour and sight-see the civilization of my people and maybe conquer and subjugate more of Luna itself on the side. I have rested for a long time and will be staying awake indefinitely until further notice, and I wish to see more of how much you all have evolved. My radiance will continue to help you as a species surpass your Raptoran limits but I need to get a better basis for where my people are now currently. I will raise you above the rest of Luna's inhabitants over time as my superior and chosen people. But so far I find myself pleased with your growth."

"I also am aware of this faction war silliness, and am telling you now that I am not aligning with any one faction - you all are my cute feathered people and I grant my radiance to all of you, not just some of you. Mind you, I am sure there are those who will attempt to draw me into their politics...and for those people, I will make sure to exasperate them more than help. Even your queen will be pranked and humbled if she tries it. You all have been warned. Also, I am declaring that while you are acting members of my delegation that your obligations to your queen and faction are secondary to your membership in my delegation. This means that if we encounter other factions you will not automatically be hostile to them, because your obligation to me and your delegation membership takes precedence over the queen and her faction. I want to commune with all of my people, not just 1/3 of them."

He turned to Nian.

"Darkmoon? Let us depart if preparations are complete."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:38, Tue 09 Apr 2019.

There was murmuring and dissent at your words and Nian looked at you like you'd just told the army about your genital warts.

"There is no need to insult or belittle the Azure Ruler. I know who you are, but your identity *was* somewhat hush-hush until . . . well."

"It's nothing irreparable, but you have a reputation as a pure and just god who acts through the royal family. By belittling the Azure Ruler, as you just did . . . using an improper and gendered title in a formal address . . . the soldiers might begin to think you are not Argentum, but instead the powerful illusion of a mighty mon, which they have failed to disbelieve,"

"I understand your chaotic dumbass / hidden deity deal. But if you can't exercise a modicum of restraint, you're going to end up having to kill a lot more people than necessary."

That said, travel was swift. You made it to the coastline with a bit of earthshine left, enough to make setting up camp easy enough.

Darkmoon put on a hooded surcoat, standing at the entrance flap to the commander's tent as she flipped up the hood to guard against the ever-present rain. "I'm going down among the men to help assure them. I suggest you remain in your pavilion. Nobody here is qualified to serve you except me, so holler if need someone to hold your hair back."

And then she left, and you had little to do but twiddle your majestic thumbs.

Argentum scoffed at her.

"I AM a pure god. I uplifted you all from being mere animals into truly sentient people. But I was created from the mainlined power of Myriad herself during the Creation of the World. I watched from the Heavens before even Luna itself existed, and went to ground in Luna when the raptorans themselves were a young species." he said.

"And I AM a just god...but that doesn't mean I cater to your justice or the justice of mortals in general. The Moon will always humble the arrogant - that is my justice." he said, making sure the soldiers could hear him. "But don't think for a moment that my justice will always conveniently fit into the social boxes you all have constructed. I am not a divine genie here to cater to mortals, royalty or otherwise. However...know that I do love the Lunarians as my chosen people regardless, and if I need to serve or judge justice on your behalf know that I will do so. Even if I am an oddball moon." he said firmly.

"And know that any mon who dared masquerade as me will be on the receiving end of my justice."

He then smiled.

"Now don't worry about this - I am a god of justice in my own way, and that hasn't changed. But you need to know that I will do as I will even if sometimes I defy your conventions. Now go and comfort them men. Any who wish to leave the delegation are free to return to their homes. I don't have room for the weak or the faithless in my delegation. But send any who leave with rations enough to make it back to their homes."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:46, Tue 23 Apr 2019.

There was a somber look in Nian's eyes. "If you keep putting yourself above others, you'll be a lonely moon," said Nian. "You keep moving, saying you're free. But only still water casts a reflection. Do you refuse to be understood because you're afraid to understand?"

She shook herself. "Whatever. Just remember I serve the Azure Ruler as well as you. When I became a guard, I took an oath. I haven't forgotten it. Just because the rules are ridiculous doesn't mean they are without purpose. Just because I serve you doesn't mean I'll . . "

She sighed, and exited the tent.

The Darkmoon has lost a degree of her faith in your humanity.

The night passed peacefully along the shores of the twilit sea.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:19, Fri 26 Apr 2019.

Argentum looked at her firmly.

"You are welcome to have multiple masters and multiple loyalties. I left you with your free will because I wanted a dark angel, not a mindless robot. But just remember that in the end, I expect you to hold no master and hold no god above me." he said.

"As for me being lonely? I can feel your Heart Nian, and feel your faith in my humanity slipping away. Does that mean you are gaining faith in another way? Faith that I'm a divine monster? A freak? Something utterly inhuman? Perhaps you're right to doubt your expectations in me. Perhaps after my Lunarian civil tour, I will distance myself from the Lunarians for a while and be alone again, drinking their worship and fear alike from afar. Time will tell, my lovely Nian. Perhaps loneliness is what I deserved all along." he added, his face utterly unreadable like usual.

"Now go - you have a job to do with the soldiers and delegation. And do not return to my tent until morning. I wish to be alone with myself tonight, and will not look upon either you or any other Lunarians until morning. If any try to view me before then, I will not be found."

And with that, he vanished from her sight in a puff of fine silvery mist and his presence was no longer detectable in the tent.

-----------------------------------------

Argentum left his tent, totally out of visual phase and thus invisible although his power was enough to conceal him from all of their senses. He hid himself from even his aegis. He sped skyward into the dark night sky, and once he was thousands of feet up in the dark skies he gazed upward at the distant stars and nebulas and moons that were visible from Luna.

He wanted to go blow off some steam, so pinged outward with his mystical senses and scanned the area in a 20 mile radius for any mons. He felt the need to hunt. To embody the dark side of the moon, and show the monsters there were worse things out there in the night then themselves.

High above, Argentum felt better. A sense of . .  perspective.

He could see the curvature of the great sea where the many waters of the realm pooled deeply.

There were many mons within twenty miles, but there was a particularly powerful creature somewhere beneath the waves - no, several, but one large than rest, deep down and further out.

As well, there was a camp of twenty plus Mon to the east, higher up on the slope of a mountain.

Argentum needed to blow off steam and clear his head, not necessarily have an epic battle. YET, anyway.

Those big mon in the oceans are definitely on his radar, but he can prey on them later. For now, he turned his attention to the camp of mon on the slope of the mountains. He decided he would first invisibly scout them out, and then start picking them off 1 by 1. He was certainly strong enough to handle multiple foes at a time, but he enjoyed the hunt. The moon was a hunting symbol as well, after all.

Phasing out of sight, he sped off toward the mountain slope.