Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Azuresun on 08-09-2019, 18:04:46</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>08-09-2019, 18:04:46</strong>
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				<div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/S53Y4Ew.jpg)</div><br>The sun was just beginning to set, and there was the satisfaction of a job well done. Piled into carts, the sacks of fruit and bales of flax represented not just a good harvest, but also the possibility of a respite, the lifting of a weight that had been hovering over the farm for so long it was easy to forget it was there. This was what would allow the farm to pay off their debt to the Guild. It had been an effort not just from the family that lived there, but also from the nearby village. People out on the coast looked out for each other--after all, it was more than they had ever been able to expect from the rulers of the city.<br><br>It was a rare moment of respite after the frenzied activity of the past , a chance to simply sit down and enjoy the view. To one side, the sea stretched out, the pure blue marked with gold by the sunbeams passing across the water. Ships drift along in the distance, and to the other, the hills cupped the little valley like protective hands. Water gathered behind dams flowed from there to supply the farms, and they served as a barrier from the outside world.<br><br>The only thing remaining is to present the tribute to the caravan winding its way down the path, the tax collector from the Good Kings doing their circuit of the farms.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>08-09-2019, 18:32:06</strong>
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				Zavros Tellson sighed as he saw the caravan slowly winding its way towards the family farm. It should have been a sigh of contentment. The harvest had been phenomenally good - even enough extra for the Tellsons to live off of until the next planting season. All of their neighbors had pitched in to ensure that the tribute would be sufficient enough to tame even the deep hunger of the Guild and their masters with the courts of the Good Kings. Even his own efforts were bearing fruit as well!<br><br>The tall, broadly muscled youth leaned against one of the carts as they waited for the leg breakers to arrive. Fair brown hair rustled from the breeze flowing through the lands, and fair sunlight warmed the toughened skin that the smith's coveralls didn't obscure. There was no mistaking him, even from a distance - Zavros was a tall, broad young man. Even from a distance, the Guild merchants no doubt could see the muscular giant leaning casually along the tribute. <br><br>But almost everyone knew about Zavros anyway. Who could mistake the gentle giant for anyone else? <br><br>On his side was a simple smith's hammer. There were no details or inscriptions on it yet, but that was by purpose. It was a gift from his master, the local smith who had recognized the talent that the young man would not have come across himself. When he'd finally gained some renown of his own, when he'd fully graduated to a journeyman, perhaps he would then start to make his own marks - literally - on the hammer. But it was a gift, from master to apprentice. To mark it now would be disrespectful. And Zavros was anything but disrespectful. <br><br>What would be of more interest was the gleaming dagger that sat atop the pile. The community had all contributed to the pile, and his master was no different. Together, master and student had crafted a simple, yet beautiful dagger. Of keen edge, it was of good quality steel. The pommel was a small spherical sapphire, and the hilt was covered by soft, smooth leather. <br><br>Zavros had faith that this would be the last of it. But as his master always said, it was always better to have a little extra in case 'enough wasn't enough' anymore. <br><br>Oh how ironic that would turn out to be...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>10-09-2019, 00:17:48</strong>
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				Zavros could see the convoy approach. The soldiers--the mercenaries and bandits who passed for soldiers around here, at least--weren't terribly unusual company for a tax collector, even if they were seldom a welcome sight when they'd had too much to drink and started demanding entertainment. But the richly dressed, black-haired woman riding beside the Guilder was something else--though the signs of her elemental heritage weren't very strong, she was a Dragon-Blooded, one of the children of the Good Kings. Whatever she was here for, it couldn't be good.<br><br>"My name is Ganaki." said the Guilder, a robust middle-aged woman in austere grey robes. "This is the tribute you lawfully owe in payment of your debt? Men, check it! You realise if this is lacking, we will repossess your home and estate, of course."<br><br>"I am Suura. And of course he realises. He knows the rules, don't you?" said the Dragon-Blooded woman, glancing up the valley to look for something. She was smirking, as if privy to a joke that Zavros didn't know of. "All of this land is the property of my parents, you are merely allowed to remain here while you have worth to them. Isn't that generous?"<br><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Suura</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/yAbPv97m.jpg)</div></div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>10-09-2019, 18:12:02</strong>
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				Zavros barely paid attention to Ganaki. His eyes narrowed slightly at the arrival of a Dragonborn. <em>Something sure isn't right here,</em> he thought. The woman was beautiful, to be sure, one that the boys in town would have undoubtedly ogled all day, tell tall tales over how they'd bed her, and completely ignore everything else. But mother had learned him better than that - everyone had a face, and everyone had things hidden beneath. <br><br>And Suura wasn't even trying to hide the sinister smile. He didn't know what was going on, but Zavros already smelled a rat in this deal. <br><br>A deal that he still had to observe. He ignored her jibe, simply responding, "I do present this bounty as tribute." His way of speaking was always strange. Like any old boy of the coast, he'd speak in a strange slang and drawl that the city denizens could hardly understand. But when the situation called for it - another thing to thank mother for - he could speak very clearly, and all city-like. <br><br>As it was, he spoke with a moderately deep voice, carrying a decently pleasant baritone behind it. Standing up to his full height, Ganaki would have to look up - and strain her neck in doing so - to see his full height. He was calm, but he held a hand on his hammer's hilt. Even if they saw that as a threatening (or laughable) gesture, no smith would be parted from his hammer anymore than a guard from his sword. <br><br>"Everything is in order," Zavros continued, speaking again in the civilized tone of the city. "Inspect as you like. The Tellsons always been good for the harvest and the tribute." A prickling feeling was itching at the edge of his senses, as if something was telling him today was not going to be a normal tribute...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>10-09-2019, 22:52:22</strong>
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				Miram and Canar, Zavros' parents, watched uneasily from the house, trying to stay out of sight. They had picked up on the tension in the air, the sense of something not quite right.<br><br>"Such a lovely view this place has." said Suura, looking out over the view from the mountains to the sea. "I can see why he liked it so much...<em>what is taking so long?</em>"<br><br>"Making sure." said Ganaki sourly, walking back over from where the soldiers had taken custody of the wagon containing the tribute. "It adds up. They've paid what they owe, and some more on top."<br><br>"The lower-born.....only exceeding expectations when it's not convenient." said the Dragon-Blooded, with a little giggle. She extended a hand and began to whisper in Old Realm, the sorcerer's language. Incomprehensible characters formed in vapor over the palm of her hand, and then it took the form of a bird and flitted away towards the mountains. It was a near-miraculous act of sorcery by the stands of Zavros' home, where magic usually amounted to the village exorcist being called out to drive off a walking corpse that had wandered in from the sea, or the herbalist making a cure for an unpleasant rash, but she treated it as utterly casual.<br><br>Suura turned back to Zacros, and shrugged. The expression on her face was that of a cat who had something small and furry between its paws. "Well....you, it looks like this land and everything on it will remain yours, for as long as you live." she said. "Let's go."<br><br>She joined the soldiers and Guilders as they began to head back up the slope that led to Zavros' farm. And then, in the distance, from the direction of the mountains, a faint rumbling could be heard.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>11-09-2019, 18:01:45</strong>
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				Zavros's eyes widened as Suura conjured the strange bird from nothing. He yet couldn't turn his attention away from the beautiful dragonborn noblewoman. He knew that some nobles of the city could cast magic like that, yet to see it done so casually and without regard for what others might think of it...it was awe inspiring. It was scary, in its own way too - what else was she capable of?<br><br>And that smile on her face...something about this didn't suit right by Zavros. 'As long as you live.'<br><br>Zavros wasn't the sharpest blade in the rack, but even that sounded ominous to him. "Don't rush back on our accounts, milady," he said as she turned her caravan about, carrying away the biggest haul of money that the coast would ever see. All of their hard work...and they'd only ever be able to settle for scraps. <br><br>He didn't have long to dwell on it. As he turned to join his parents again, he heard the rumbling. "What in blazes?" he muttered. Warily, he hefted his hammer almost by reflex. That strange, piercing sensation in his head was growing stronger, almost like a light headache that threatened to be something worse. But the rumbling in the distance, where that bird had gone...<br><br>What in the hells was approaching?
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>12-09-2019, 00:41:43</strong>
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				Rain was unreliable along the coast. Reservoirs in the hills provided much of the water that the farms needed. There had been quite a bit of rain recently, and the nearest one, that supplied Zavros' farm was full. <br><br>A wall of water burst forth, funnelled by the dry riverbed it had once flown along towards Zaval's farm--he could see a tree torn forth and picked up in the torrent. Looking back up, he could see Ganaki's jaw hanging open in disbelief, and Suura with a hand across her mouth, letting out a high-pitched laugh.<br><br>He could flee, of course. There was probably enough time to get up the slope. But his parents were just behind him, looking in stunned horror at the onrushing flood.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>12-09-2019, 10:06:42</strong>
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				"I shoulda known." All traces of 'civilized' speech from Zavros faded, with the coastal accent and dialect coming back harsh and fast. No faster, sadly, than the abrupt rushing waters. There was nothing natural about this-!<br><br><em>That damned witch</em>. His father, grandfather, and all their fathers and grandfathers, all spent years of hard work and passion to make what was there. And now it was all going to be washed away? This ain't right!<br><br>Despite the rush of conflicting emotions swirling through his mind, his first priority were the ones he could save. "Ma! Pa! Move! Get moving!" he cried, trying to at least get them clambering up the hill...<br><br><em>How long before we can even think about rebuilding?</em> he thought in anguish as he tried to get his family to safety. <em>Before the next tribute? Not hardly!</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>12-09-2019, 12:30:30</strong>
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				"Zavros, get out of here! You don't--"<br><br>Canar's words were cut off as the wave hit, and he began to run, half-dragging his wife towards Zavros. Over their heads, the water was tearing up fences, trees and fields. The chickens in a pen squawked frantically, before being hit by the water and simply erased. As he reached his mothers' hand, Zavros had just enough time to see the house crumpling under the onslaught, like a toy being torn up by a bored child, and then it was upon them. It was like being hit by a wall, with no chance of resisting. They were simply picked up and thrown aside, and the world was suddenly water. The last thing Zavros saw was Suura, smiling from atop her horse as if she'd just heard a mildly amusing joke. And then there was only the crushing cold of water.<br><br><br>.....<br><br><br><em>There was warmth again.</em><br><br><div align="center"><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">The Forge</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/TIDc5VUl.jpg)</div></div></div><br><br><em>The mountain has been split in half, as though by the blow of a mighty axe, and the magma glows below like the blood of the earth. And atop this stream hovers something that should never fly. A solid structure of stone and metal hovers above the lava, sucking it upwards into what looks like nothing so much as a great blacksmith's forge. And though the heat should be unbearable, you stand there, along with two others.<br><br>One is a Dragon-Blooded, the coal-black tint to his skin and his blazing orange hair plainly stating his aspect and how he can endure such heat. Unlike the arrogance you have come to associate with the Dragon-Blooded, his attitude is respectful and that of an apprentice with a revered master. Another looks like a great armoured man, but a moment's inspection shows there is nobody inside that armour--it is a great machine of black iron, silently assisting you.<br><br>For even in this strange dying dream, you are working at the forge. Sparks fly as you work hammer blows upon a sword. But that feels like such an inadequate word to describe the creation of glowing metal that lies upon the forge, heated directly by the magma. It is formed from two vats of molten metal, one resembling deep gold that seems to glow from within, and proudly resists your attempts to shape it, yielding only with the most respectful handling. The other is a silvery metal that seems to twist under your efforts, playfully resisting any attempts to give it a form before it has had its fun. The sword they are producing is an object of pure beauty, the hilt shaped into the image of a great serpent coiled around the sun on one side, and a lion sitting atop a waxing moon on the other. The blade flows and ripples as the two metals flow together in a furious union, taking the shape of a long and straight blade.<br><br>"Behold!" says a female voice that could come from nobody except yourself. "A fitting gift for such a blessed wedding!"<br><br>"It is truly a mighty weapon!" says the Terrestrial, awestruck. "Master, I can barely--"<br><br>"A weapon? Yes, I suppose it is." says the voice of the master. "But it is so much more. To build without love, to put nothing of yourself into it....you will end up with a simple weapon or tool. But you will come to understand that if you put your own passion and soul into your works.....they will be more than creations, they will be miracles, eternal and enduring. That was how this Age came to be....and how it will be remade even if the world itself should collapse."<br><br>She--you--catch a glimpse of your face in the reflective metal of the forge, and for a moment, this smith from a time lost and unimaginable seems to speak to herself--or to you.<br><br><strong>"Do you understand what I am saying?"</strong><br></em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>12-09-2019, 18:11:59</strong>
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				'Where am I?'<br><br><em>That was all Zavros could ask himself just as the water erased everything his family had created, and had just crashed onto him. One moment he was seeing his family's work undone for naught. The next, he was standing atop an impossible structure. One that was enough for him to question his grasp on reality, or at least wonder if he hadn't just up and died thanks to the noble's efforts.<br><br>But whatever this image was...it spoke to him. At a deep, primal level, the message of the woman - or was it him? - resonated with him. Her every motion, careful, articulate, and</em> invested <em>in every swing. The magnificent weapon, crafted, as declared by her - his - own voice, out of passion and love. How the world would be remade with such passion-</em><br><br><strong>"I do understand."</strong><hr>With a start, Zavros was brought back to what might as well have been the bottom of the riverbed when he was younger. Except the contours were all wrong - he could see the large pieces of flotsam that were once his family's farm swirling about like a great, unnatural storm. He needed to get some air. He-<br><br>-wait.<br><br>He wasn't breathing. <br><br>He didn't need to. <br><br>Frantically, he looked about, trying to find where his parents were - if they were even still alive. He needed to reach out to them. Whatever gift, whatever phenomenon had manifested, all the smith boy could think about was trying to save his family, to try to find them. He needed so much to do any of this, not enough time to craft the tools to do it-<br><br>-unless he was truly desperate, or had godlike power...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>13-09-2019, 01:24:13</strong>
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				The initial furious surge of the water was done, as it escaped the channel and spread over what had been the fields of the farm. Above where Zavros was drifting in the water, he could see two other figures in the whirling currents, one feebly trying to kick for the surface and the other hanging limp in their arms. Despite the murk under the water, a golden light was beaming out through the gloom, showing him what he had been looking for.<br><br><br>......<br><br><br>"That was reckless." said Ganaki.<br><br>"But entertaining." said Suura, watching the waters subside. "Did you see his face?"<br><br>"What I mean is, it will make rebuilding much harder for that man you are so determined to impress." said the Guilder archly.<br><br>Suura snapped her fingers, and a roughly humanoid figure of metal-laced stone materialised besides her, a craggy face set into its chest.<br><br>"You are such a wet blanket sometimes--of <em>course</em> I thought of that! With this elemental, the dam can be repaired and the water drained in less than--wait." she said, squinting at the water. "Can you see something down there?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>13-09-2019, 09:13:18</strong>
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				Zavros couldn't explain anything of what was going on. That vision, the lack of needing to breathe at all...and that golden light. Its brilliant radiance cut through even the murky waters, all churned up by what had once been fertile, tilled soil and timbers from a farmhouse. And in the backdrop, he could see two struggling figures-<br><br>Zavros already was swimming towards them before he could even think of the action. And far from struggling against still-mighty currents, he was - to his own bemusement - plowing through the waters towards his parents. Not with any particular grace, but with enough strength that it wouldn't have mattered at all. <br><br>Grasping both of them in one arm, Zavros pushed himself towards the surface, not readily encumbered by the added weight of two grown adults as he broke towards the surface. The waters were receding - he could sense that much - but that didn't matter when his mother and father <em>needed air to breathe</em>. He just had to get to the surface, he just had to break the surface, let them both get at least a gasp of air now.<br><br>Not once did he get a chance to notice the strange, brilliant golden icon on display on his forehead.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>13-09-2019, 15:04:51</strong>
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				As they breached the surface, Zavros bumped up against the remaining wall of what had been the farmhouse a few minutes ago. The water was draining away, exposing patches of solid ground, scattered with rubble, flattened crops and dead animals. Zavros' mother was unconscious--hopefully--and his father was bent double and coughing. Zavros' hammer had also washed up here, lodged against the wall.<br><br>"What on earth are you?" demanded Suura, before looking at his face, and her eyes widening. "No, no, that's impossible! <em>Here?</em>"<br><br><br><em>OOC: CON check is passed.</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>13-09-2019, 18:14:45</strong>
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				Zavros ensured that his mother and father were at least safe. Kneeling down, he slapped his father on the back, encouraging him to cough up more water to clear his lungs. "You're okay, Pa," he whispered, not noticing that his voice had taken a slight echoing quality. "You're okay." He set his mother to more comfortable position - checking only to make sure she was breathing and at least safe before he stood up, his hand already reaching for the hammer. <br><br>Whatever his mother's state, he turned around, his eyes already narrowed as he approached the party headed by the scheming noble. "You destroyed my family's farm," he said levelly. He should have been mad, but he was feeling deathly calm. "You ruined our livelihood. You nearly killed my parents." He hefted his hammer, only wondering in an abstract sense why it felt so light compared to before. "Why? We gave you everything you demanded. <em>Why?</em>"<br><br>Even as he continued to approach Suura, his thoughts strayed to what he'd have to do to help to even start fixing everything she'd ruined...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>14-09-2019, 18:27:22</strong>
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				"What are you waiting for?" demanded Suura, sounding like she was on the verge of panic. "Kill it! Kill that monster!"<br><br>The solders fanned out before her with spears levelled, hesitating.<br><br><em>"I said kill him!</em> You too, you great idiot! Crush him!"<br><br>The earth elemental moved in behind the soldiers. In motion, it looked like a series of stone cubes, which simply rearranged themselves to propel it forward with a deep grinding sound.<br><br>Behind Zavros, his mother let out a groan and stirred, coughing. "Wh-what's happening?" she mumbled, coughing up more water and focusing her eyes on him. "This-is this a dream?"<br><br><br><em>OOC: Note that the elemental is close enough to a construct to get the full effect of your <strong>Hammerhand</strong> gift.<br><br>Earth Elemental: AC 5, Hit Dice 5, Saves 13+, Morale 9, Effort 2/2<br>Small Mob (trained soldiers): AC 6, Hit Dice 12, Saves 15+, Morale 9, Mob (takes full rolled damage from AOE attacks)<br></em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>15-09-2019, 07:56:33</strong>
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				<div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Combat</div><div class="spoiler_body">Armour Class: 2<br>Hit Points: 15<br>Effects: <br>Saves: <br>-Hardiness: 15-3-1=11<br>-Evasion: 15-1-1=13<br>-Spirit: 15-2-1=12</div></div><br><em>'Kill that monster!'</em><br><br>Zavros frowned. Readying his hammer, he strode forward, still not quite noticing the glow surrounding his person, or how the hammer felt feather-light in his hands. All he could see were the murderous noble's goons - and her summoned creature - charging towards him with the intent to kill him. <br><br>"The only monster I see is you," he growled, before he broke into a sprint. His target was the elemental, his mind already dismissing the spears of the soldiers. His hammer began to glow a soft blue light as he leaped into the air, intent on landing a blow on the damned thing before it could become more of a threat. <br><br><em>OOC: Zavros attacks the Earth Elemental, Hammerhand is in effect. Expended 1 Effort. Took me awhile to figure out how the dicebot here worked. :P<br><br>Zavros rolls: 1d20a9 Result: 19 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=139411)</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>15-09-2019, 17:00:51</strong>
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				As the great cubic construct raised a rocky hand to smash Zavros into paste, his hammer struck it right in the middle of the chest, leaving a ringing sound and sending vibrations through the massive form. It took another step forward, and simply fell to pieces, crumbling into rubble as it was simply disassembled, returning to its component elements.<br><br>The soldiers hesitated, but the furious presence of their master behind them spurred them forwards. After all, even if he was strong, he wasn't wearing any armour, and one good thrust could end this--and then the spearpoint simply glanced off Zavros' simple-looking clothes, as if they had been the finest armour.<br><br><em>But you will come to understand that if you put your own passion and soul into your works.....they will be more than creations, they will be miracles, eternal and enduring.</em><br><br>"What is taking you so long?! <em>Kill him!</em>" yelled Suura, her horse rearing as it picked up on the anger. The soldiers desperately swarmed Zavros, attacking from all sides and trying to bury him under a barrage of blows.<br><br><br><br><em>OOC: The attack roll hits (roll 19 + AC 3 + attack 4 = 27, exceeding the standard TN of 20). Because it's a construct (or close enough), the Hammerhand attack deals straight damage. In this case, 5 damage (4 + 1 STR modifier) is enough to destroy it.<br><br>The soldiers attack is (roll 12 + AC 2 +attack 2) 16, which isn't enough to hit. They also make an Overwhelm attack, and the Hardiness save is failed, so it deals 3 damage. This isn't straight damage, so it's compared to the damage chart and deals 1 hit point of damage.<br><br>Back to Zavros. Remember in addition to your actions, your Fray Die will deal 1d8 damage to lesser foes in your melee range (which all of these soldiers are).<br><br>Small Mob (trained soldiers): AC 6 (10+ for Zavros to hit them), Hit Dice 12, Saves 15+, Morale 9, Mob (takes full rolled damage from AOE attacks)</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>15-09-2019, 19:26:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Combat</div><div class="spoiler_body">Armour Class: 2<br>Hit Points: 14/15<br>Effects:<br>Saves:<br>-Hardiness: 15-3-1=11<br>-Evasion: 15-1-1=13<br>-Spirit: 15-2-1=12<br><br>Note: Hammerhand no longer activated<br></div></div><br>Zavros barely had the time to register his own surprise as his hammer soundly struck the elemental. For a moment, it felt as if it had been for naught, that it had been but a deflected, glancing blow. Yet the creature took a step forward before it simply collapsed onto itself. "Was...was that by my hands?" he whispered, looking at his hammer - and finally realizing that it was feeling far lighter than it should have normally. <br><br>Yet the soldiers were upon him, striking at him with their spears. All of which simply glanced off of his otherwise seemingly ordinary smith's overalls. <em>What is happening?</em> he wondered, flinching slightly only as one of the sharpened spears struck at his exposed hand. Aside from the small chainmail beneath his clothing, there shouldn't have been anything than-<br><br><em>Miracles...huh.</em> The words of himself - herself - someone, at any rate, came back to him. <em>It ain't much, but</em> I <em>made it, and made it to last.</em> Was this what was meant?<br><br>Zavros didn't want to kill the soldiers. He didn't need to give the noble any more reason to come after him. And deciding to try something, he raised his hammer, high into the sky. It glowed yet again, a violently pulsing blue halo around the hammer's head. "Back," he snarled, bringing the hammer down with all his might, "off!"<br><br><em>OOC: Zavros is attempting to subdue all of the soldiers nonlethally. Hammerhand is not in effect any longer, but he expends another effort to invoke a Miracle, with a blast effect. No dice roll to hit, but I do believe the soldiers get a chance to save due to wanting to do this nonlethally.<br><br>Miracle [Blast], 1d6 <br>Result: 3 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=139432)<br><br>Fray Dice, 1d8 <br>Result: 4 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=139433)</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>16-09-2019, 19:27:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The hammer struck the ground, and the muddy earth erupted out in a circle from Zavros, bowling over many of the nearby mercenaries and leaving others trapped, mired in sticky mud. They looked to their leader--but she was nowhere to be seen, having fled and leaving only the Guilder, lying on the ground stunned where her horse had reared and fled.<br><br>Discipline broke entirely, and the soldiers fell over themselves to get away from Zavros where he stood in his blazing column of light, falling over each other to try and get away. Most were able to get clear, though some others lay stunned and insensible amidst the wreckage. Miram and Canar were looking at the sight with their eyes wide, visibly trying to understand what had just happened.<br><br><br><em>OOC: 1 Effort is committed for the day to use Corona of Fury with a miracle. The mob fails the save and takes 3 damage, along with 4 damage from your Fray die. They fail the Morale check (their Morale is somewhat reduced, given what they've seen so far).</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>16-09-2019, 19:38:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was only after the soldiers had all broken and fled - at least the ones of sound mind enough to do so - that reality finally caught up to Zavros, almost tugging at his shoulders and politely asking him to <em>please stop and take a look around.</em> The column of light that enveloped the 'battlefield' that once held the site of the Tellson farmstead abruptly blinked out, as if a torch had been snuffed by a family about to sleep for the night. <br><br>He looked around. <em>Did...did I do all this?</em> The soldiers writhing in the mud that they were stuck in, the broken remains of the elemental that Suura had so casually summoned, the-<br><br>"Waitaminute." Looking around, Zavros realized that the damned noble who caused all of this mess to begin with had flown the coop. She was barely a distant speck in the distance as she fled - Zavros' heart sank as he realized she was no doubt about to report this to someone, or come back with even more men. And for all of the weird, amazing things he'd just done, he...he didn't know if he could fight even more people like this. <br><br>"M...Ma? Pa?" He turned around, and was visibly relieved to see that they were okay. Yet he felt...apprehension. Would they still see him as their son? Or some sort of demon? "You alright?" As he moved to make sure his parents were alright, he paused only to ensure that the soldiers still stuck in the mud could at least breathe, or could at least sit up comfortably (if still bound by the mud). He'd defeated them, he didn't need to have them die on him now. That just wasn't right. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>18-09-2019, 01:14:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zavros' parents looked upwards at him, eyes wide as they looked at the wreckage around them, and the sight of their son.<br><br>"Zavros?" asked his mother, her voice trembling. "You helped us, didn't you? W-what about that? D-does it hurt?"<br><br>Her hand brushed his forehead, from which a fading glow was still coming. If he glanced at a reflection in one of the dropped weapons, he would see a golden circle on his head, the top half filled in and the bottom half hollow.<br><br>"G-get away from me!" babbled the nearest soldiers, splashing back through the mud with her eyes wide. "Y--you're an Anathema! It's the mark of the Unclean! Oh Dragons, you're real! Don't kill me! D-don't turn me into anything, please--"<br><br>"Watch your tongue, young lady!" said Canar, standing up straight. "That's my son you're talking about!"<br><br>On the slope, Ganaki was watching wide-eyed, as she tried to hide behnd the cart full of tribute.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>18-09-2019, 18:07:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Does what hurt?" Zavros blinked, and if one were to ignore the shining golden icon on his forehead, he would still look every bit the humble, simple son of the man and woman before him. Yet the flashes of golden light reflected off of the puddles of water left behind, and with a start he gazed into it. "W-what the almighty is this?" He rubbed at the circle that softly glowed on his forehead. When it didn't go away, he just stared. He could at least understand why the soldiers and his parents were looking at him like he'd grown a third eye - it almost was one!<br><br>But he couldn't help but feel a great surge of relief. Relief that his parents weren't denying him, or his existence, like the soldiers were. No weirdo powers, no matter how great, were worth losing his parents' respect or affection for. "Just...just glad you're alright, in any case," he sighed, a small smile crossing his face. It washed away quickly as he glared down at the soldiers. "And not a peep outta you fellas," he grumbled, in what he hoped sounded vaguely threatening. "You tried to stab me! I just covered you in mud, that's all." <br><br>It was only because he was almost about to yell at the soldier that he spotted movement. The tribute - of course - had remained untouched, even if the snooty noblewoman had flown the coop without it. He could see the Guilder hiding behind it, hoping he wouldn't notice. <br><br>Too bad. <br><br>He strode towards the cart, not noticing - again - that his steps propelled him just a little quicker, a little farther, and perhaps left some imprints in the ground. "I'm not about to smush ya, if that's what you're worried about," he called out. "You might as well come on out, you know."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>18-09-2019, 23:31:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ganaki froze, turning around very slowly with her hands in the air. She looked like she was trying not to throw up and when she spoke, she sounded a bit like that as well.<br><br>"You've got to understand, breaking the dam had nothing to do with me!" she gabbled. "I mean, why would I advocate something like that, and damage good farmland? We've always been fair to you, haven't we? But these Dragon-Blooded, they're a law unto themselves! What's a helpless mortal like me meant to do against that sort of power? I was all for just taking your payment and considering the debt settled fair and square! I had no idea she was going to do....that! You can have it all back, of course, I mean this is a breach of contract and I can admit when we're at fault, I wouldn't be anything without my word and oh no oh no please don't kill me......"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>19-09-2019, 11:10:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"...look, miss, it's already been a long day, alright?" Sighing heavily, Zavros set his hammer down, leaning it against the cart to show that he had no intention of swinging it at her. Holding his hands up, they then rubbed against his forehead - unintentionally drawing yet more attention to it, the very thing that seemed to utterly terrify her and the soldiers. "Yeah, you've always done right by us - never cheated us, never swindled us. This-" <br><br>He waved an arm to what used to be farmland. "...just...this. Just...why? Why would she do somethin' like that?" Reaching up into the cart, he found what he was looking for instinctively - a sack of apples. Grabbing it, he idly tossed one to Ganaki as he bit into his own, realizing just how hungry he was. "We'll never get to grow these for years anymore," he added. "So what's her deal? Why'd she do this? And-"<br><br>A horrible thought crossed his mind. "-and...what's the chance she's gonna come on back here with more soldiers or something nastier than that block thing?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>19-09-2019, 23:27:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"S-Suura got a friend. A <em>Dynast</em>." said Ganaki. She took the apple and hesitantly bit into it, less out of hunger than a wish to be seen going along with everything Zavros had requested. "She wants to be in with House Peleps, she says a place like this is a waste of her potential. And the reason she was leaning on me to get you out of this farm was because he said he....liked the view here! She agreed to build him a holiday home!"<br><br>She looked around, trying not to meet Zavros' eyes.<br><br>"You'll be lucky if that's all she does. If she reports this to the Immaculates....they can't ignore something like this! Something like an Ana...like you, I mean. The Realm will send a Wyld Hunt out. A group of Immaculate monks and Dragon-Blooded trained to kill even beings as powerful as....as you!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>20-09-2019, 08:22:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				To someone who lived in the city, those names might have held more relevance, more meaning. But to a country coast boy like Zavros, his only reaction was to blink. "The...who with the what now?" he asked slowly. "I mean, they all <em>sound</em> nasty-like, but I haven't a clue about half of what you just said there, Miss Ganaki." But he understood enough to get the gist - the noblewoman, Suura, had friends in high places. And they'd gather up a posse of some kind to come kill him. <br><br>That sounded bad, yes.<br><br>"Well, I suppose I'd better get to...fixin' up what I can," he said sorrowfully. "At least so Ma and Pa have a roof over their heads..." Realizing that Ganaki was still scared witless by him, Zavros sighed. "Look. I don't think any of this here nastiness is any skin off your back. So...get going." Reaching up into the cart again, he handed her another small sack, this one of some more apples. "For the road," he said. "Though I'll be sayin' 'sorry' in advance that I won't be talking to you all anytime soon. On account of..." he waved a massive arm towards what used to be a solidly money-making farm to Ganaki and her ilk. "...that." <br><br>Grabbing hold of his hammer, he turned his back away from Ganaki and towards the bound soldiers. "And all of you!" Another arm hefted some cut lumber as well. He had things to do, yes, but he wasn't about to just leave the area without having some kind of shelter for his family. His eyes gazed upon the ruins of the elemental...<em>I wonder if I can do something with that...</em><br><br>Glaring at the soldiers, he said, "Here's the deal. You all are going to work] for the damage you and your boss had done to this here farm. You're going to help me put together some kinda shelter to even <em>start</em> to pay back what happened. I'll make sure you're fed, but if you want a roof over your heads, you're gonna <em>work</em> for it. Once we're done, you can go - without your weapons - in the morning." The symbol on his forehead seemed to shine ever slightly brighter as he laid down his conditions, the large smith's hammer slung casually over his shoulder. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>20-09-2019, 21:46:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ganaki loked round. Seeing that her horse was long gone, she picked up her muddy skirts and began to run along the coastal road.<br><br>"Is....is what she said true?" asked Canar.<br><br>Miram nodded, still coughing up the last traces of water where she had propped herself against a surviving wall. <br><br>"Reckon it is. Those funny Immaculate folks they've got in the city, they don't like people like you. Say you're demons and all...but a demon wouldn't have saved us. If she tells anyone what she saw....they'll take it real seriously."<br><br>The soldiers looked up as Zavros approached them and gave his offer.<br><br>"I'd rather die than--<em>ugh!</em>" the woman from earlier said, cut off be an elbow in her ribs.<br><br>"We'll do it!" said one of the other men hastily. "Whatever you want! We're real sorry about what happened to your home, mister! Just don't hurt us, okay? We weren't part of this! Whatever you want us to do. Lorna here don't know what she's talking about, she just listens to the Immaculate preachers too much!"<br><br>"You can't be serious--<em>oof!</em>"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>21-09-2019, 18:06:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, now ain't that just peachy," Zavros grumbled at the guards. Glaring from Lorna to the other fellow whose name he hadn't quite caught, he commanded, "Stay here. I'll be right back." He kept his word too - a few minutes later, he came back, pulling the cart back with him with all of the tribute they'd collected for the no-good Suura. Reaching into the cart, he pulled out a pair of shovels, and placed them at the guards' feet. Another moment later, his larger hands broke the mud restraining the two of them, allowing them to stand, shake themselves off, and recover some blood circulation. <br><br>"Here's the deal. You two-" he then pointed towards the debris. "-are gonna help clear that up. Put all that in a pile." Something about his voice seemed to echo, in time with how the golden half circle began to glow. <br><br><em>'If you put your own passion and soul into your works, they will be miracles, eternal and enduring.'</em><br><br>And Zavros was inspired. The more he looked at it, the less this seemed like a complete catastrophe. They certainly had a lot of rebuilding to do, but this just meant they had the chance to do things <em>right.</em> A well dug over there, to not have to rely on walking so far for water again. A shelter - a new house even! - built against that hill over there. Freshly dug fields right there, just with a plow or two. Hells, he could even take what was left of that rock monster, maybe see if he could remake it to help with planting and harvests-<br><br>And before he realized it, his hands, seemingly out of nothing, were already developing tools for just the jobs he was thinking of. At least for the guards, a set of crafted together wheelbarrows were already in place. "That aughta help you some," he said, not realizing that what he did was very likely considered to be unusual at least. "Well!" Clapping his hands together, Zavros hefted his hammer. "Let's get to sorting this mess out! Don't you worry, you'll get fed, but you gotta work to eat!" <br><br>For all of his strange new power, Zavros was still a simple, humble young man of his environment. And he was nowhere closer to home than what he was doing at that moment. Diligently working to dig a well - hopefully to strike at a spring source to provide clean, persistent water for his folks - as well as rebuilding the home, digging new fields, hopefully even putting the rock golem back together again, this was nothing new to the man. Well, weird powers aside. He even spent some time trying to get to know the two guards - at least when they weren't cowering away from him...<br><br><em>OOC: Zavros is going to invoke Ten Thousand Tools to put everything back together again, bit by bit. I chose the part about the wheelbarrows out of almost nothing as an example of this - and also probably freaking out the guards more.<br><br>Not sure how much Influence this is going to require to remain invested, but I'd imagine one to two points? Aside from rebuilding the farm in a day, he's also trying to see if he can put together the rock golem again to serve as a harvest golem basically. He intrinsically knows that he's not going to be there for the farm forever - so he's going to put the golem together, or at least try. That way, it can help out with the tougher chores, and serve as a bodyguard.<br><br>Zavros probably has no idea what he's doing there, but he's putting his heart into it, dangit. :P</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>21-09-2019, 23:45:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The miracle that unfolded was less flashy than the battle that had preceded it, and slower too, but no less remarkable. From a waterlogged expanse of destruction, a farm rose again. Fields were drained, the house was rebuilt more sturdy than before....and with some tinkering that made it seem <em>so obvious</em> how she had conjured and animated this thing, the golem rose to work tirelessly, hauling loads of stone to rebuild the walls and dig the irrigation channels. Months of work was condensed into hours. Tiny as it was, a part of Creation had become <em>better</em>.<br><br>As the sun began to set, and the soldiers were looking around at the stone construct tirelessly digging furrows in bemused surprise, Canar approached Zavros.<br><br>"I don't know how you did any of this...." he said hesitantly. "But this....this is how I know you're still our sun and to hell with what the Immaculates say about demons and shit.<br><br>"But what are you going to do when she....when they come back?"<br><br><br><em>OOC: The change affects a small area, so has a base cost of 1 Influence. Creating automaton servants like this is normally rated as an Impossible change (x4), but since you have the bits to hand and it's only one of them, I'll rate it as Improbable (x2). Nobody in the area is opposing the change, so there's no multiplier there. Total Influence cost is 2. The automaton will last until you withdraw the Influence (if you want to make it permanent, you can transfer it to the same cost in Dominion when you have enough saved).</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>22-09-2019, 07:25:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Godly powers or not, Zavros couldn't help it. He sat down, his hammer resting at his side, against a newly mortared and reinforced stone wall. His arm moved to wipe sweat off his brow, sweat that no longer seemed to appear. But that didn't matter - everything he'd done today felt like the gesture was justified anyhow. A peaceful smile was on his lips as he saw the fruits of his labors that day. <br><br>The farm was back. It was never going to be the same farm that his ancestors had built, but...that was okay. The farm that existed before was built with passion and heart, with the tools, labor and sweat they had at their disposal. What he'd done today was no different - he just had better tools and labor, that was all. Hell, he even figured out how the golem worked! It did feel a little weird - it was like he had to keep a fist clenched to keep the darned thing going - but he could figure that funny business out later. <br><br>For a few, uninterrupted moments, life was good. <br><br>"Pa..." He glanced at his father before slowly getting to his feet. "I...I don't think I can stay. Not like...this." Rubbing at the faintly glowing half circle on his forehead, he resolved to find some sort of bandanna or something to wrap around his head. "If I stay, I'm gonna draw more of them soldiers and...whoever else she's got with her. I don't want you involved in it none. I...I'd better beat feet, before they come back." <br><br>Sighing, he glanced at the farm, then at the golem. "I...made that golem better, I think. It'll help you out if bandits or whatnot come by looking for trouble. But in the morning, I'd better get going. Maybe get to town...figure somethin' out." He still felt at a loss. "...what do you reckon I <em>should</em> do? You think this looks funny, this feels funnier to me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>22-09-2019, 22:20:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It's not....it's not like we understand what's happening." said Canar, giving an incredulous look to where the construct was tirelessly plugging away, and where the farm had been restored. His wife gave a nervous-looking nod of agreement. "But if you feel like you've got to go to keep us safe....well, I don't want you to do that, but.....reckon you're right, don't want to be keeping you here if you've got dangerous people coming after you. We'll just say we didn't know anything, and you ran into the mountains. But listen, son--"<br><br>"--you can come back whenever you need to!" interrupted Maram, visibly trying to choke back tears. "Listen....I don't know if it'll help, but--I've heard things, when I went to town. There's other people who don't get on with the Realm or the Good Kings. They say slaves have been disappearing from the plantations and the markets in Hacre, and it's got the Good Kings scared. Whoever it is, maybe they could help you...if you can find them?"<br><br>"E...excuse me?" came a voice from off to one side. One of the mercenaries was approaching before his fellows, with what he probably intended to be a winning smile on his face. One of the others gave him a nudge forward.<br><br>"Um....sorry to interrupt...whatever you're talking about. Wh....what about us? We did what you asked, right? And we're not going to tell anyone--are you going to let us go? Or is there something else you want us to do--"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>23-09-2019, 10:04:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'm...I'm sorry." Zavros clenched his eyes shut and shook his head. "I'm sorry about all this, Ma, Pa...I don't even rightly know what's going on, but I'll-" He took one last look at the rebuilt farm. More than just his eyes, a certain glimmer of pride and hope surged through him at how what was once destroyed, was now rebuilt, and better for it. "-I'll come back when I can. If-when-this whole thing blows over. I'll find these folks in town, and...do what needs doing." <br><br>He had no better way to describe any of what was going on. 'Do what needs doing.' But what needed to be done? <br><br>"Hang on." Zavros held up a hand to forestall any further words from the soldiers. "Look...y'all did what I asked you to. If you want to leave, you're free to go. You held up your end of all this. But-" The symbol on his forehead began to glow once again, in what he hoped appeared somewhat menacing. "-you come back and cause trouble around these here parts, and especially if you cause trouble with this farm and its folks again...I'm coming after you."<br><br>He didn't have to do much to loom over them, he was already taller than most men and women before all this craziness happened. But loom he did anyway, a set glare in place of an otherwise gentle face. "Understand?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>24-09-2019, 00:42:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				They nodded frantically, backing away and making haste out, without bothering to pick up their weapons as they went.<br><br>"Maybe...." said Maram. "Maybe there's other people like you out there? I mean, you hear stories?"<br><br>"But it doesn't matter if there's not." said Canar gruffly. "You're going to do fine no matter what. Now you've done a hard day's work, and it's time to come in and get some supper."<br><br>"I don't know if we've got any food left. Or seeds." said his mother with an awkward laugh. "But we can get them from the folk in the village....if they'll believe what's happened."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>24-09-2019, 18:21:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zavros paused only to ensure that each soldier received a knapsack of some small foodstuffs as they left. He'd promised them they'd be fed, after all, and a few apples and potatoes here and there weren't too much to part with. Yet as he waited for them to leave, he turned back to his parents...<br><br>...only to realize that the grumbling of the stomach that he expected to hear wasn't there. <em>I don't need to breath OR eat?</em> he wondered. <em>First one's handy. Where's the fun in the second!?</em> But he reasoned that there wasn't any reason to <em>not</em> eat anything...and Ma's cooking was always the best, hands down. <br><br>"I'll take supper, Ma," he said gently. His voice hardened slightly. "Then I'll go into town, and look into these other folks. If there's others like me...well." He patted the hammer by his side. For such a humble thing, it was already proving its worth. His master had poured his passion into it, after all. "Maybe I can help make things better with 'em. I'll at least give it an honest go. All I can do, really."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>25-09-2019, 03:28:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Whatever's happened to you, son....maybe whoever did it thought we needed some help. And maybe it knew who to trust." said Maram with a smile, before shaking her head and becoming all business.<br><br>"Now then! Get some clean water, and see what food we've still got! There's not much that weren't damaged by the waters, but I'll do the best I can. No slacking off helping your dear old mother now just because you've got a bit of power!"<br><br><br>.....<br><br><br>It was good, simple cooking. Made you ready for anything, Zavros' mother had said. But as the sun was slipping below the horizon, and Zavros was setting off on the road, maybe he didn't appreciate just how broad <em>anything</em> could be.<br><br>The stars were becoming visible in the sky, with Luna's face hidden, and savants would have recognised Jupiter and Mars, the astrological embodiments of Secrets and War, passing close together. Coincidences could be a strange thing, but some in the know would have said there was no such thing.<br><br>In any case, as Zavros was walking along the beach, he spotted torchlight, and two people looking around the hull of a small ship that had been beached on the shore some months ago, with a gash in the hull that had been too expensive to repair. And for one of them, there was a strange sense of familiarity.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>25-09-2019, 18:14:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zavros noticed, still with shocked surprise, that he had not needed to stop along the road to take a breath. He had not needed to kneel, to wipe sweat off of his brow, or even take a sip from his waterskin - a small gift that his parents insisted that he take anyhow. Along with the small (for his size) satchel of food his mother prepared, he still held the trappings of a normal traveler. A normal traveler of unusual stature and size, but a normal traveler.<br><br>He was cautious nonetheless. Beneath his smith's frock, a simple white shirt, tanned leather pants, and a pair of reliable worn boots completed the image of a traveling journeyman smith who was looking to ply his trade. And in his defense, it wasn't even an exaggeration - under other circumstances, he would be. But it was the symbol on his forehead, thankfully dim and hardly noticeable at the moment, that changed things. <br><br>Zavros was oblivious to the aligning of the stars. He only paused on occasion to suck in a breath out of habit, and just admire the twinkling diamonds in the sky. What care, what effort the Ancients must have gone through to forge such things! And so many unique ones all at once! <em>I wonder if I can craft one someday,</em> he thought. A moment later, he had to check himself - he could create plenty of strange things <em>now.</em> He hadn't even started to try!<br><br>But as he approached the beach, he saw the beached vessel. His heart immediately sang at the possibility - he could probably fix it! Make it better, even! But...that was a fairly big gash. He could fix it, sure. Might take him a...he chuckled. It likely wouldn't take him as long as he feared it might. He didn't play by them old rules no more. Yet the pair of folks poking around the beached vessel - hardly looking any larger than a sloop - seemed...well. He didn't rightly know. Strange visions of a past him - her - someone, anyhow - seemed downright familiar to him. Why not a stranger? <br><br>He made his way through the sand, his feet effortlessly carrying him through despite the softer ground. Might as well find out what was what...it was all a whole new adventure for him, after all. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Prelude: Zavros</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>26-09-2019, 00:24:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>OOC: To Hungry Mouse's prelude thread (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=310396.0;all).</em>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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