A stone disc hangs suspended impossibly in the air. It has no walls and its ceiling is a similar stone that floats a dozen feet overhead. The floor beneath you is etched in swirls and loops that intricately weave through one another. It would be a distractingly busy display if the etchings weren't so subtle. The disc itself appears to be marble and this room only has two notable features. Walking to the edge pf the disc one can look over the side, or fall over as there is no wall or railing, below you can see a churning morass of smoke, fire and solid substances. Above this tumultous pit is darkness. Though not compete darkness. Motes of light hang there, different colors, different intensities. It is like a night sky, but with only a scattering of stars. The other feature of this room are stone steps at the middle that lead up to the disc above.

Climbing those stairs leads to a larger platform. It is not barren like the one below. On one side is a lounge where a half dozen seats of marble are carved from the floor itself and ring a table. On the far side of the room is what looks like a bar. Behind it stands, or hangs?, a many limbed being who seems to be more a translucent green shimmer than a proper being. It nimbly plucks glasses and bottles from the shelves behind it while other arms wipe the counters, all of its many arms working in unison. There are no walls on this floor either giving the place an open, airy atmosphere. Another set of stone stairs sit in the middle of this room, they lead up to yet another floor overhead.

On this third floor the only feature to be found is a gateway that rises up on the far side. Unlike the marble that composes the three floors below it. Growing out of the marble is jasper, the red stone seems to have grown a natural archway. All three of these discs rotate, it is a very gentle rotation and hardly noticeable while you stand there, but the uppermost and lowermost discs both turn clockwise while the middle disc rotates counterclockwise.

Rules of the Astral Lounge
-God powers are suppressed
-Magics are suppressed
-Violence is prohibited by wards

There are others already here. Four to be precise. Two figures seated at the marble chairs are speaking, arguing, and becoming increasingly heated moment by moment. Why is anyone's guess, they look like they have more in common than not as both wear suits of armor and bear weapons, a third individual, reclining in his seat and wearing a brilliant red robe, is watching the fight with no small degree of amusement. The last person, a figure whose gender and features seem to shift from moment to moment, is trying to speak above the argument and seems to be trying to intervene, but to little avail.

There was the sensation, the impression, of something vast moving through the air which suddenly came alive with stars and glowing galaxies that moved, forming the outline of a massive dragon that looked like the Heavens themselves had come to life and flew. There was a flash of silver as stardust suddenly rained down upon the platform. Out of shadow, out of argent light, stepped a woman.

She is tall and, willowy: an elfin woman with night-black hair and eyes that shine with stars. She is beautiful in a haunting, supernatural manner and moves with a natural grace as she steps on the platform and looks around, curiosity writ large in her face as she studied the other beings present, curious as to the one who invited her.

Pulled to being from across the stretches of the world tree and its realms, a single drop of blood fell onto the intricately etched stone floor. The single drop of blood expanded and multiplied as it began to flood and filled out the entire design of the floor with a deep scarlet red. Suddenly all of the vermillion fluids rushed together, clinging and making the form of a being as it then molded and compacted making layer upon layer of Serek's being. From bone to tissue, blood vessels, nerves, muscles and organs, then finally flesh, fur, and feathers all eirely stitched together.

The half-crow/half-goat humanoid was dressed in loosely dark fabrics and a large shroud, all beginning to soak up the flowing blood that dripped from their sutures. Turning their beak around, they looked at the others who came to form and being alongside him. Giving a silent nod of understanding that they all most likely came here for the same reason he did.

Curiousity took over Serek as he inspected the platform discs and their edges. Taking in the outside view of the realm and later of existence they now resided in. Going up the stairs to the second level, Serek's beak cocked to the side at the sight of the multilimbed bartender. Slowing walking out of some level of caution, he inspected yet other beings who sat on the marble chairs of this platform.

Walking up to the four figures, Serek had no desire to intervene in the growing dispute between the armored beings as the one who was already trying could not. So how could he if they were not willing to listen. Instead his hooved steps clacked on the floor towards the amused red-robed figure. "Greetings, my name is Serek Eztli. If I may ask, what has caused this argument?" As he spoke, he also tried to listen in some out of a level of curiosity.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Sun 19 June 2022.

At roughly the same time as the others were beginning to appear, be they from drops of blood or as incarnated astral dragon-things, there was another incarnation of the divine suddenly occurring! This one, however, was a sudden swirling of flower petals of an indeterminate type. They kind of looked like rose petals, and kind of like sakura petals, but bot actually either.

The gathering swirl of petals floated through the air slowly, but suddenly speeding up until it was more like a miniature petal whirlwind that suddenly condensed and formed into a humanoid mass. The mass condensed and congealed even further, turning into divine flesh as an unnaturally regal man emerged forth as the petals scattered through the air in a gentle burst before fading away.

The man, whose eyes glowed with a soft pearly light for a moment before they dimmed, looked around. He looked disdainfully at the group of four gods who were sitting upstairs and were involved with the argument. However, to the congealed blood and the womanized astral dragons...to those divinities the regal man looked on with a much softer, more curious gaze as he sized up the people there and his surroundings at large.

"So who would be so rude as to request an audience with me unannounced and uninvited?" the regal man asked aloud, apparently to no one in particular and yet to everyone in particular.

"How very uncouth, and potentially deserving of censure, but I can shall it slide for the invitation was a gentle one and I will acknowledge thy intention. But why bother only to summon me into the fray of bickering, amusement, and bemusement? I have better things to do. So speak." the regal man suddenly added. His tone wasn't particular mean or anything, and despite the words being used there was something distinctly pleasant about it even though it was filled with chasetisement. There was something pure and sacred and untouchable about the man, and his words rang out with intense charisma despite the dampening effects of the place.

Typh appeared in the place without much in the way of fanfare. A single pearl dropped in from the void and in a single moment grew into the form of a man. He was tall with olive skin streaked with glittering whorls of silver and gold with self-same eyes and long black hair that fell around his head in loose curls. In one hand he carried a stave of pure white whose apex bore a bird and he was clothed in only the vaguest suggestion of a tunic. It's fabrics near gossamer where their meager cloth bothered at all.

He took in his surroundings and gave a pleasant smile to all in attendance. One man, regal in bearing and seemingly possessed of a commanding voice was demanding answers as to his summons. Typh honored him with the slightest inclination his head but did not elect to speak. He had nothing to add to the situation and simply awaited the answer himself.

Instead he moved to where one of the other beings had taken up a seat to watch the heated debate between the armored figured. They had the right of it. When entertainment was present on simply enjoyed.

The figure trying to placate the argument between the two armored beings turned at the arrival of others. "Welcome, brothers and sisters-" they started to say with a warm sweep of their arms, but were interrupted by the shouting of those behind them. "Oh dear, this wasn't how it was supposed to be at all." the figured said in a harried murmur.

Then the god who had arrived and was dripping blood (Which seemed to be vanishing off the stonework and quickly as it fell) asked what had caused the argument. The gender-fluid god opened their mouth to answer, but was interrupted. One of the armored figures, a figure in hulking spiked armor bearing a blade as thick as ones leg on their back turned and, replied in a voice with only the faintest touch of femininity. "I am Graug, the God of War and-"

"And I am Lenacles, the God of War." said the other armored figured. This one was more lithe than the other, their armor less a fortress and more a vault, with carefully placed armor plates for protection, but which did not encase the whole frame. It showed a feminine physique beneath the metal layers. Across her back she wore a long silvered spear.

The announcement hung there in the air. Everyone assembled could see the issue immediately. There was only supposed to be one god of a domain. It was the natural order of things. They knew this just as they had known their own names when they'd been born. For there to be two gods, both claiming the same domain...

"You can see why this might be a reason for consternation," said the figure who had greeted them. "Allow me to properly bid you welcome, I am Nytal, God of Mingling. This is my Astral Lounge, here I thought I might welcome my brothers and sisters to get to know them better. This is... not how I imagined our meeting going." Those last words were nearly drowned out as the argument renewed.

"A puny thing like you is no God of War, come, fight me, my blade will show you who makes real war. I can take you apart piece by piece, I can take apart any of these gods. That is the power of war!" Graug declared with a roar and pulled the massive blade from his hip to sweep it about the room, more an extension of his statement than a threat given the constraints of this place.

Hidden behind a smooth mask of platinum and silver Lenacles's face was hidden, but her response masked none of her scorn. "You lack the art for true war. Do you think you actually grasp the subtleties of troop placement, or managing supply lines, of the importance of drills and formations? You're just a brute with a stick."

The reclining man in the brilliant red robe turned to Typh and commented, "It seems our World Tree hedged its bets. It created some redundancies. Do you suspect we all have twins out there waiting to steal our divine mantles?" The thought did not seem to concern the man. Above a carefully trimmed goatee he gave a wide toothy smile. If this idea was true it was hard to see how the god was smiling. Nothing was more sacrosanct than a gods domain. The notion that there was another god out there who also claimed it, claimed it and perhaps truly had a rightful claim, was a chilling one in a cosmos where self-actualization and purpose were driving factors.

Typh favored the red robed man with a polite inclination of his head and continued with his perpetual slight smile as he spoke.

"Perhaps so. There is a certain....balance to redundancy. Although I would not wish it for myself."

He then turned his focus to the pair of bickering divinities.

"Of course I foresee that these two are not so alike as they may claim."

Serek gazed at the welcoming god, giving a nod and gracious bow as he stepped a leg back. When his question was answered, came with it a silence that was palpable and understood across the room. Inspecting each of the two gods of war, Graug and Lenacles, he began to pick differences between the two. As if not only comparing them but making a study of his own for later.

Looking then to the god who welcomed them and introduced themselves as well as proclaiming what this place was. It drew some ire from Serek to see her words drowned out for the restart of their argument. Despite understanding, he ignored it for now and waited to reply to Nytal, "I thank you Nytal for the invitation and warm welcome, I apologize for arriving untimely and my sympathies for the current situation. Your Astral Lounge is a wondrous curiousity, I must say I enjoy the concept and its appearance despite it not going to idea. Though such is the way of chaos and imperfection."

Pulling back his shroud some, the blood dripping being cleared their gargled throat to speak more proclaiming and to cut out the growing argument , "I am Serek Eztli, God of Blood. My domain is what you spill Lenacles, Graug. What you feud over, spurs your adrenaline as it burns hot and boils in the heat of battle. The domain of the viscous vitality that flows through all life for all."

Looking directly at Graug and Lenacles, Serek spoke again, "What would the domain of war be without rivals to fight and compete against on equal footing. Who better for that test of mettle between siblings than those who would be equals in domain. Any other foe it wouldn't be a war it'd be a slaughter or game. Those with differences to overcome and fight through are you. Have you not considered you each representate different versions and containments of war. We are not without our faults, we are not all encompassing. We all hold our own ideas and sanctity of our domains, but are you two not proof of my words? That existence is fickle as it is compassionate. I do not ask you two to not wage battle and war between eachother as your blood fued would entertain me so as it does not involve me, as well it is each your very birthrights. However could you imagine a battlefield led by not one, but two gods of war who were tested true by eachother? Who would stand up to such an uphill battle fated against them by hardened forged gods of war?" Shaking his head for a second, "Surely not I. While we are all brothers and sisters in divine blood and rite, you two are twins destined to clash and grow, yet should anyone challenge you two together... Well, I'd be at a loss for words. If anyone were to have as many similarities as there were differences I am sure it would be you two. As you each carry war in your very blood."

Star cocked a brow as she watched the argument, the second joining the first when she heard the reason behind said argument. She'd never considered such a thing as there being more than one God who held the same mantle. She found the idea...troubling. If these two were any indication of things to come that likely meant others who bore matching mantles would come seeking the destruction of their rival.

She growled softly at the thought of war coming to her world and people. She would have to make preparations...

She turned to look at Nytal, inclining her head in greeting. "I am Annastarria, God of Eternity," she said, her words seeming to fill the air before she spoke and lingering like musical notes after she finished. "Thank you for the invitation. We are well-met."

She stopped speaking as her sibling spoke and nodded. "Well spoken, Serek Eztli. The conflict between these two would seem to never ending and thus speaks to the nature of Eternity which is mine. I am Annastarria, God of Eternity. It would appear each of us complements the others in some manner."

Graug waved a dismissive hand gauntlet at the end of Serek's speech. "Pah, words words words. There can only be one God of War." The helmet turned back towards Lenacles. "Come any time, bring your armies or come alone, either way, I'll show you who the real God of War is." The hulking figure challenged, then winked out as though they'd never been there.

Lenacles sighed, the sound echoing slightly in her helmet. "I apologize for that outburst. Nytal, you have my warm regards for your gracious hospitality." Turning to address Serek and Annastarria Lenacles bowed. "I am afraid in this matter though Graug and I are of one mind. Such an insult, in both words and mere existence, will not stand. I will answer her challenge and this matter will be settled. Good day, my kin." With that, Lenacles also vanished, presumably to go make battle with Graug in distant vistas.

Nytal was shaking their head, but the God of Mingling quickly straightened their face and turned to the remaining guests. "Well!" They started brightly, "Let's get things back on track! As I said previously, welcome to the Astral Lounge!" With an expansive wave of their arms, Nytal made it clear they meant the whole platform. "I found a bit of lingering Essence in my home world you see and I thought to myself 'Nytal, what better way to spend this then a place where you can meet your siblings?' and here we are!" Motioning for the others to follow, the host walked to the far edge of the platform and motioned to the view of the blackness and its mote of light beyond and the fiery pit below.

"I fashioned this place to be a sort of viewing platform you see, a way to see our new world tree, at least an abtraction of it. Those lights you see? Representations of worlds," there were made dozen glowing out there, "The number has already doubled from when I created this place," Nytal shared happily. "Down there is some remaining chaos left over from creation. Beautiful too in its own way," Nytal added, pointing at the dull glow of fire and slurry of elements running through it far below them.

"Make yourselves comfortable! The bar serves ambrosia and the Lounge is open, well, forever."

The Prince of Blossoms looked on at the squabbling with controlled distaste. With disdain covered by a veneer of civility. That was what separated royalty from the common rabble, after all. It was always carrying oneself with noble dignity no matter what.

"Really? THIS is what you are arguing about?" the regal man asked, suddenly and with surprise in his voice.

"Really? When the answer is so obvious. So painfully obvious. It's that you two aren't actually gods of war at all. Not in the way you're thinking, anyway. Yes you both embody the spirit of armed conflict, which many refer to as war. But those things don't encompass either of you properly, now do they? It's almost a disservice, really, to let this argument go on." he said.

"I am The Prince of Blossoms, the son of the World Tree. And if the blood lord's domain is the end result of war then my domain is related to beginnings. Of virility and rulership that then spark into war which then leads into rivers of blood." he continued.

"And the answer to the argument is this: Graug is the god of Combat. Of the aspect of war that embodies the blood and sweat and strife and brutality of the battlefield. Hence, the god of combat. And you, Lenacles, are the god of Tactics. The god of the organizational and strategic elements of war.  The planning and troop placement as well as things like compacts, treaties, and so on that are governed in wartime. You are the elegant, cerebral aspect of war before the very physical final moment where you plunge your spear through the heart of your cornered opponent."

Serek had nothing to say in response to the Prince of Blossoms. To some extent he agreed with them, yet only so far. Their affinities within their domains were different, even he could tell that. Yet Serek found that he had no place even as a divine to say exactly how and what a divinity represented. Shaking his head sadly as both the gods of war left. Holding to his own ideas, Serek found their settlement to that there can be only one, distasteful. "If there could only be one, then why is it we see two gods of war..." Sighing himself, there was a soft caw at the end of the sound. Shaking his head, the god of blood let go of those thoughts as they no longer pertained to him or concerned him. Now only warey that if another deity held his domain they would not see eye to eye and feel the same as Lenacles and Graug.

Listening to Nytal, Serek nodded his head along understandingly as they worked through their thought process. "A wise decision and use for essence considering. I thank you for your generosity and extending it to me as well all other divine. A realm welcome to us all as well a glorious viewing place of the tree and its birthed braches of siblings, quite the strong testament to time. "

Then he cocked his head again curiously, "Ambrosia?" It would have to be something to try as Serek traversed to the bartender and asked for one. His being only used to flesh and blood.

"I believe your words fall on dead ears, Prince of Blossoms, for the are Gods of War and thus conflict is in their very nature. Diplomacy and compromise are not their way. Their way is the way of passion and violence."

She smiled at Nytal.

"Thank you, Brother. I would try Ambrosia, if you would be so kind. Perhaps our other Brothers and Sisters would join us in drink and conversation."

The Prince sighed softly.

"That is a shame. They don't see each other for both their similarities and their differences, and the end result will be much strife and needless bloodshed. But if that is what they wish then so be it." he replied to the others.

He then turned his head to their host.

"Nytal, was it? I suppose it was...kind? Civil? Well...let's just say I acknowledge it was well-meaning of you to create this lounge with the essence you found. Although I certainly would have appreciated a more proper introduction. Then again, I suppose I'm just being uptight and leaning on un-needed propriety. I live in a jungle with some waterfalls and ponds. It's not like there's a mailbox you can just put a letter in or something. Although that's an idea for your lounge by the way. Some sort od safe space neutral message board and mail room or something, but that's beside the point. Yet, anyway. So I suppose I'll leave it at that, and say 'well met' to you instead." the Prince said, his tone shifting from that of chastisement to one of more pure civility.

"Might I ask you to kindly explain to us what Ambrosia is?"

The God of Mingling glowed in the appreciation of the other gods, despite how luke warm some of it was. "Oh think nothing of it, nothing of it at all! It's simply a pleasure getting to meet all of you!" The god said and gave a low bow. Tucking a curl of long hair behind one ear, Nytal motioned to the bar where the many limbed bartender hung. "Ambrosia is simply divine! Pun intended, a sweet nectar of the gods!" Those who were bold enough to take Nytal at his word would find the bartender was quick to procure a glass and fill it with crystalline fluid with a faint blue tint. The taste of it was exceptional, if the gods tried to compare their experiences they found the perception differed slightly from god to god, but all of them found it be an exquisitely refreshing experience.

Nytal cocked their head as thought listening to something, then added "Matters require my attention, the work of a god is never done and all that! Make yourselves at home. I'm sure I won't be long." With that Nytal vanished.

Pulling at his beak, seemed to be a smile at Nytal from Serek as he listened and watched their modesty. Though ever curious, Serek took to the Ambrosia given to them by the bartender an extension of Nytal's gracious hospitality. It came from life somewhere, Serek purposed, relying on his body to cleanse any negatives should there be any. Though an ignorant and comforting a thought as it was. Pouring it down, it was a wondrous taste. Like a sweet nectar that for him was similar to the taste of the best and purest life-blood's. Yet it held a taste akin to the rippest fruits to offer. A wonderous curiosity indeed.

Looking to Nytal again, Serek nodded as he watched them disappear. Turning to the others still present, the God of Blood spoke, "Say, would any of you be willing to make an exchange with me. I am in dire need of new wild life within my realm. I am unsure if yours will adapt, but any would be welcome for cultivation. I seemed to have drifted off for far too long, and well. When I awoke, they were all gone. From the biggest and most terrible predators to smallest and meakest of preys. I would even come hunt and collect them myself if necessary. In return I can offer the finest of blood-steel materials. From weapons and tools to jewelry, cutlery, and dishes."

The Prince of Blossoms turned Serek.

"Blood Lord. I may have a solution for you, as it sounds like you have accidentally allowed your people to grow and blossom too rapidly, and too unhindered. And that they are swiftly becoming out of balance with your realm and the land." he said.

"You want more animals, but what about plantlife and flora instead? Things that could help the native wildlife of your realm grow and prosper faster, but also act as a supplementary food source for your people? If you combine this with teachings of temperance and balance then I believe your people can be saved. And it is within my power to assist you with this in exchange for simply your sincerity and goodwill going forward."

He then suddenly sneered. Although it didn't seem to be AT the Blood god or the others there. But it was a moment of sharp agitation.

"Tsk. I take back what I said about those war gods. There really can only be one, unless one or both acknowledge they have different domains than war. And if not...then I respect their desire to fight it out at this point. I even sympathize at this point. It seems they are not the only ones who are suffering from another trying to usurp their domain!"

Over on the marble seats, the last of the original gods in attendance still reclined. He'd been content to watch quietly, but now that there was a lull in the conversation he gave a great stretch and rose up from his seat and then smoothed the creases from his brilliant red robes. "It is distressing to learn we're not as special and unique as we like to think isn't it? Do you suppose this is how mortals feel all the time? I at least had the forewarning from birth that I had a rival. I am Jannik, God of Fire, by the way."

Jannik radiated warmth, both a tangible heat like a cozy fire in the woods, but also a warmth of spirit, the sort that drew strangers around a hearth. "For while I was being born I felt them. The primordial fires of creation. And my! How unpleasant to know, even before one is born, that there is another with an older claim than you! That is why, just like our warring sisters, I plan to do something about it." Jannik announced to the other assembled newborn gods. "I'm going to go kill the Primordial Fire. Who would like to join me?"