<em>The <strong>Badlands</strong> and <strong>Coiled Groves</strong> were untouched by the first coming of the Gods. The natives there continued in their ways, blissfully or perhaps piteously unaware that elsewhere, the Gods had arrived on this world!<br/><br/>In the land of the <strong>Shimmerfangs</strong> Huehehahol successfully plucks the prismatic eyes from the ruby-hellhounds and finds a pair of the low peoples that hide from the beasts. They were hiding in a crevice, waiting for the bright of day when their eyes were a match for the rainbow glimmers of the hellhounds. When they saw the four legged god approaching they tried to flee, but already trapped they could not resist as Huehehahol blessed them.<br/><br/>They were stunned for a moment, and then suddenly they started to laugh. <br/><br/>"I see!" The man said. "I see!" The woman agreed. "We get it!" They both begun to chuckle harder, falling to the ground. When they were able to stand again they glanced about with their three eyes, seeing so much for the first time. "We can hide form the hounds! Craft traps to injure them! Perhaps even hunt them?"<br/><br/>They glanced at their savior, who had given them not only sight but also in-sight and smiled at his old grey form. <br/><br/>"I am called Troika, great Ha..haha.hehehe..." The man laughed, clearing his throat. <br/><br/>The woman tried, "And I am Trois, Huheeheeheahaaa" The two burst into laughter and had to compose themselves. <br/><br/>"Huehehahol!" They said together. "We see you! We know you! How may we serve you, great one?" <br/><br/>In the <strong>Desert of Glass</strong> Undar's touch, assisted by a helpful spirit, caused the ground to rumble. Although he had tried to bring more, his efforts were partially successful. Geysers burst through the desert at a few locations. <br/><br/>The nomads who found this water flowing from the ground were stunned. The water that burst from the earth was not corrupted by being held in the mind-altering glass and was safe to drink. The nomads began to shape the glass they found into chalices to gather up the safe water, rejoicing in their discovery. Small settlements of sedentary peoples began to form around the geysers, peaceful for the time being. <br/><br/>"What miracle has caused this?" They wondered outloud. "How can we repay you?" They called to the skies. Would there be an answer? <br/><br/>But as the people settled another change came over them. With more time to contemplate the earth around them they began to understand what the earth that was untouched by the altered glass could be used for, and how the earth welcomed their dead. The power that came with this they realized was in their grasps as a people. Over time they began to learn to cast simple magics, cleansing patches of earth, shaping the glass shards that stuck out from the desert, and even simple attempts to purify water. Those who understood this power greater than others became the first shamans of the world, leaders of their tribes. <br/><br/>The desert nomads began to imagine that there were gods, and in their ignorance assumed that the same one had provided them the blessing of the geysers and the blessing of magic. With some ability to understand the spirit realms the shamans began to chant to the great "Vinyundar" dancing in praise of their name and thanking them for their magical and aquatic blessings.  <br/><br/>Meanwhile in the <strong>Vines of Destiny</strong> much occurred! <br/><br/>The fae began to dream. They saw a place deep within the sylvan groves of the forests and began to move there, drawn by an inexorable purpose they could not explain. There the vines did not grow and the entrances were hidden by thickets and heavy forest. They found abundant fruits and water and cleared their mind of the influence of the grapes. And when they arrived at the center they found the goddess that awaited them.<br/><br/>"Tiāncái!" They exclaimed, knowing her name from the dream that had been sent. "You are real!" They could not believe their luck, the few that had tried to tell themselves this must be a different form of grape-wine dream felt relief at seeing their goddess made whole. Free of the grapes, the fae were weakened in strength and mystical power, but were much clearer of mind. With access to the nutrients and safety of Elysium they would grow, but how would their goddess mold them?<br/><br/>But outside of Elysium things became quite different. The fae that did not answer the call, or who were distracted along the way, although fewer in numbers than those that traveled to Elysium, were greatly influenced by the now blood-red wine. They grinned cruelly as their features sharpened and their temperaments darkened. They left their hidden groves to interact openly with the humans.<br/><br/>They were cruel, vicious, and loved to inflict pain and torment upon their now hapless captives. Rather than resist and fight, the humans, also touched by the altered wine, sought to avoid pain through serving the fae and helping them in their quest to manipulate, use, and debase. The blood fae, taking the name of the new wine, scattered into small courts, each ruling a throng of groveling human subjects, all of whom would gladly stab each other in the back for the favor of their lord or lady. <br/><br/>When the blood fae lifted their stone chalices, filled with wine both colored and flavored with the dark red juices of the humans they ruled over, they had no name to thank for their new power. So they praised themselves. </em><br/><br/>Undar (with a boost from a spirit) creates a few scattered geysers in the Desert! The people there have begun to settle around the geysers.<br/><br/>Vinayaka has awakened the power of magic within the nomads! While rare, certain shamans have shown potential and are learning to cast simple magics of the earth and water.<br/><br/>Huehehahol has done very well and created two blessed beings, Trois and Troika. They have sight and insight and wish to know how to serve their savior!<br/><br/>Tiāncái has created a safe haven for just over half of her people in the thick heart of the Vines. They are free of the influence of the Vines and for now at least, are safely hidden there.<br/><br/>Marux has corrupted the vines. The slight minority of fae that did not venture to Elysium have begun to lord over the humans in a cruel and sadistic fashion, becoming primitive despots over an increasingly manipulative and violent people.<br/><br/>Time for the second round of actions! :)