Interlude: Adventures in the Cosmos
General Summary
Old Rover, Old Rover... or Revor'dlo?
Rani and Declan revisit the Élet Wildlife and Nature Sanctuary. In the center, there is a statue of a motherly halfling woman with a placard that reads: Wisteria Rose. Although the statue of her is of stone, it seems that real flowers have been magically enchanted to remain in bloom, despite the winter weather: bluebells (humility), Goldenrod (encouragement, good fortune), Iris (hope, wisdom, valor, trust), and pink roses (happiness). Drawing closer to the statue, Declan didn't notice anything, but Rani heard the oddess arrangement of sounds... which she quickly translated:
Old Rover shall bring the flower over if only one might speak his true name.
Trying to ascertain who or what Rover might be, an attendant approached them, offering assistance as they clearly seemed to be from out of town. Oh, Old Rover? The attendant described Rover as a fox-like creature made of stone with a tail of winding roots and brambles. Flowers tend to spring up from him. He has a nasty habit of wandering off though and it's only a 5% chance that he's actually in his pen. The attendant doesn't seem to concerned. It keeps tourists coming back to the Sanctuary!
Declan looks over the pen and isn't quite sure how this creature managed to escape the dome surrounding its pen. Odd, however, that certain features of its tank seems to have been turned around? Reversed? There's a sense of backwardness. Do you think if we walk backwards and speak backwards Rover will come out? Or is his true name... Revor'dlo? Traveling out of the Sanctuary, Rani begins to call out in backward talk. Declan just managed to notice a stone on the top of a building... move? After speaking immaculately to Old Rover in reverse, the creature puffs out its chest. A crack in the center splits and open to reveal a floral hairpin within. With a reverse nod, Rover ran off... backwards. Is this what it's like to talk like a Sim?
Declan looks over the pen and isn't quite sure how this creature managed to escape the dome surrounding its pen. Odd, however, that certain features of its tank seems to have been turned around? Reversed? There's a sense of backwardness. Do you think if we walk backwards and speak backwards Rover will come out? Or is his true name... Revor'dlo? Traveling out of the Sanctuary, Rani begins to call out in backward talk. Declan just managed to notice a stone on the top of a building... move? After speaking immaculately to Old Rover in reverse, the creature puffs out its chest. A crack in the center splits and open to reveal a floral hairpin within. With a reverse nod, Rover ran off... backwards. Is this what it's like to talk like a Sim?
To the Cosmos and Back Again
With the hairpin in hand, Rani and Declan offered it to the fountain ouroborous. One blink and both found themselves standing amidst the cosmos. It's almost like floating, except there is still the sensation of somethin solid beneath one's feet. A large gate, seemingly composed of shards of pure light blocks the path forward, barely distinguishable from the swirling galaxies beyond. There is a distinct gap in the gate... in the shape of a familiar staff. Huh, there's no... exit. Rani and Declan manage to will their way back to the fountain of Eredet.
Beelining it to get the conversation with Aepius over with, Rani ends up pressing up on the elevator. Let's talk to Valdove first. Rani explained the need for the ring in the museum below. After staring – blank faced and neutral – at them for a long moment, the High Lord agreed. After a somewhat lengthy conversation with the curator, which included snippets such as "vacation home", "ocean view", and "money", the High Lord offered the moonstone ring. With a quick thanks, the duo continued along their initial path downward.
While waiting, the duo discussed the nature of The Void. What if The Void is just... a gigantic bag of holding with a really terrifying opening? A vacuum of holding? The Bag of Devouring implies stomach acid and teeth so it can't be that.
Aepius is more than happy to see the members of The Deep End. Rani is quick to say they need the Staff. Aepius offers it with very little fight or debate. He, however, had one request: let me know if they are a disappointment to you. Declan began to sweat as he watched Rani go to the door, staff blatantly in hand. She does put it in the Bag of Holding before parading back to the fountain.
Beelining it to get the conversation with Aepius over with, Rani ends up pressing up on the elevator. Let's talk to Valdove first. Rani explained the need for the ring in the museum below. After staring – blank faced and neutral – at them for a long moment, the High Lord agreed. After a somewhat lengthy conversation with the curator, which included snippets such as "vacation home", "ocean view", and "money", the High Lord offered the moonstone ring. With a quick thanks, the duo continued along their initial path downward.
While waiting, the duo discussed the nature of The Void. What if The Void is just... a gigantic bag of holding with a really terrifying opening? A vacuum of holding? The Bag of Devouring implies stomach acid and teeth so it can't be that.
Aepius is more than happy to see the members of The Deep End. Rani is quick to say they need the Staff. Aepius offers it with very little fight or debate. He, however, had one request: let me know if they are a disappointment to you. Declan began to sweat as he watched Rani go to the door, staff blatantly in hand. She does put it in the Bag of Holding before parading back to the fountain.
The One... and Only
Standing before the gates of light once more, Rani offered the Staff. Her map began to glow with light. Taking a closer look at it, the image of the continent had become blurry and words began to appear.It was The One who created this world and all who inhabit it. It was The One who raised the pantheon from mortality to divinity. If one should fall, perhaps The One would raise another. Perhaps you can ask. That is all I can gift you.And then the map began to... zoom out?
So... we're just the pillow to the megabed? Declan thinks the continent is more like hte nightstand. With that thought, both continued through the gate and down the path, arriving at four gates. Each asked for a key to be presented in exchange for a boon. Offering Ghidoran's ring, it dissolved and the Gate of Night opened, revealing a beacon of moonlight. As the light pulsed, it transformed into a brilliant glowing dagger. Rani hesistated in taking it, but ultimately tucked it into the bag of holding. None of us use a dagger anyway!
At the end of the solidifed path of cosmos is an impressive gate. From the decorative lines, a silhouette emerged. After speaking in an unknown language, the being found the common tongue, greeting them. It has been some time since mortals arrived here! What is your name? The creature paused. I am Adjacent... I am The One's Adjacent. What do you do here? I assist the Creator. Now, would you like to speak to The One? That is why you came here yes?
The One is an otherworldly being with an imposing aura that is only amplified by their sheer size. It became quickly apparent to both that The One is not an inherent liar, they merely loath boredom. They mentioned that a silver-haired woman proved to be an entertaining player. Never before has a Destruction deity been so involved in a Game. They are amused. Rani asked: Did you bring it here? No. The One said that the Void was invited here. By whom? I suspec you already know the answer. They who invited it have already paid the price.
The One provided an explanation about the rules of their game. The gods as you know them are more akin to their land spirits, bound to their respective regions. Once, they were mortal, like you. They were not destined for immortality until I elevated them to such... under the condition that they continue to transcend and resist their innate flaws. The One provided the list of flaws... almost trailing off. Declan asked if gods just die if that occurs. The One responded: not necessarily. If you are curious, chip away at Tel'Rhea. You may just find the answer you seek. Regardless, The One is confident you will learn soon enough, either by turning to the past, viewing the present... or perhaps at a point in the future.
Were you responsible for The Purge? The One does not hesistate in responding yes. The Between deity existed near the rules of the game. The One thought it would be far more entertaining to inflict some measure of rules on them... to force them to squirm within the cofines of the game. it has proven to be fruitful. Declan asked how The One felt about him breaking the rules? The One did not seemed bothered in the slightest. Rather, The One looks forward to the entertainment it could potentially provide. Will you do mad? Will Therarask go mad watching your mind warp as it bears the weight of immortality? Declan is glad he can be an entertaining boy.
Can you give us anything helpful? The One pauses. I will give you what I promised Grand Priest Ihyesult. The One moved for the first time, reaching behind to grab the ouroboros and ripping out one of its fangs before hurling it back into the cosmos. The One offered the fang to Rani. By the way, are those keys... do they recharge? No. Has anyone been here recently? Not since I removed the temple from your plane. You are the first in 2,000 years. And you will not be able to return here.
Did you put the Barrier in place? The One responded that they did not. That was the gods. However, they did believe that it would be far more entertaining if the pantheon... conveniently forgot why it was in place. It has proven to be a fruitful decision. Rani inquired about memories – How is the Lady of Dread distorting memories? Could you restore them? The One responded that their method of memory adjustments is far different than the woman Rani desires to kill. It would be entertaining... The One amended their previous statement. The fang may also, instead, be used to restore memories. Rani asked if there is another way for Rani to restore them (in her lifetime)? The One responded yes.
Is Dysis still playing? The One was entertained by Dysis. You will find out if she is still playing, per se. The One offered an explanation of Greater Deities: Creation, Between, and Destruction. They don't seem to talk much and there are more than you can possibly fathom (so 4 for Declan). Declan asked about how The One felt about the situation with Atu? The One is amused. The Gate was a new addition to this game. Perhaps they will add more in the future. Rani inquired after The Order. The One confirmed their are six leaders, but was quite vague about any information. The One looks forward to the conflict and hopes it is incredibly entertaining. However, The One did say that the Descendants of Fortune are not the entirety of the Bhediya. Is it literal? Or is it merely a name of what the associated people want to be?
Will you return? The One says no. The One explains that they are a being of Cycles. They create, they exist among their creations, they watch... and then they begin again. Rani, in the most polite way possible, says she's perfectly fine not seeing The One again. The One doesn't seem offended. Entertain me enough that you and your descendants do not see me. And the duo blinked, standing in front of the Fountain of Eredet.
Will you balance the pantheon... or perhaps do something else? The power of The One is your... in a small dose.
At the end of the solidifed path of cosmos is an impressive gate. From the decorative lines, a silhouette emerged. After speaking in an unknown language, the being found the common tongue, greeting them. It has been some time since mortals arrived here! What is your name? The creature paused. I am Adjacent... I am The One's Adjacent. What do you do here? I assist the Creator. Now, would you like to speak to The One? That is why you came here yes?
The One is an otherworldly being with an imposing aura that is only amplified by their sheer size. It became quickly apparent to both that The One is not an inherent liar, they merely loath boredom. They mentioned that a silver-haired woman proved to be an entertaining player. Never before has a Destruction deity been so involved in a Game. They are amused. Rani asked: Did you bring it here? No. The One said that the Void was invited here. By whom? I suspec you already know the answer. They who invited it have already paid the price.
The One provided an explanation about the rules of their game. The gods as you know them are more akin to their land spirits, bound to their respective regions. Once, they were mortal, like you. They were not destined for immortality until I elevated them to such... under the condition that they continue to transcend and resist their innate flaws. The One provided the list of flaws... almost trailing off. Declan asked if gods just die if that occurs. The One responded: not necessarily. If you are curious, chip away at Tel'Rhea. You may just find the answer you seek. Regardless, The One is confident you will learn soon enough, either by turning to the past, viewing the present... or perhaps at a point in the future.
Were you responsible for The Purge? The One does not hesistate in responding yes. The Between deity existed near the rules of the game. The One thought it would be far more entertaining to inflict some measure of rules on them... to force them to squirm within the cofines of the game. it has proven to be fruitful. Declan asked how The One felt about him breaking the rules? The One did not seemed bothered in the slightest. Rather, The One looks forward to the entertainment it could potentially provide. Will you do mad? Will Therarask go mad watching your mind warp as it bears the weight of immortality? Declan is glad he can be an entertaining boy.
Can you give us anything helpful? The One pauses. I will give you what I promised Grand Priest Ihyesult. The One moved for the first time, reaching behind to grab the ouroboros and ripping out one of its fangs before hurling it back into the cosmos. The One offered the fang to Rani. By the way, are those keys... do they recharge? No. Has anyone been here recently? Not since I removed the temple from your plane. You are the first in 2,000 years. And you will not be able to return here.
Did you put the Barrier in place? The One responded that they did not. That was the gods. However, they did believe that it would be far more entertaining if the pantheon... conveniently forgot why it was in place. It has proven to be a fruitful decision. Rani inquired about memories – How is the Lady of Dread distorting memories? Could you restore them? The One responded that their method of memory adjustments is far different than the woman Rani desires to kill. It would be entertaining... The One amended their previous statement. The fang may also, instead, be used to restore memories. Rani asked if there is another way for Rani to restore them (in her lifetime)? The One responded yes.
Is Dysis still playing? The One was entertained by Dysis. You will find out if she is still playing, per se. The One offered an explanation of Greater Deities: Creation, Between, and Destruction. They don't seem to talk much and there are more than you can possibly fathom (so 4 for Declan). Declan asked about how The One felt about the situation with Atu? The One is amused. The Gate was a new addition to this game. Perhaps they will add more in the future. Rani inquired after The Order. The One confirmed their are six leaders, but was quite vague about any information. The One looks forward to the conflict and hopes it is incredibly entertaining. However, The One did say that the Descendants of Fortune are not the entirety of the Bhediya. Is it literal? Or is it merely a name of what the associated people want to be?
Will you return? The One says no. The One explains that they are a being of Cycles. They create, they exist among their creations, they watch... and then they begin again. Rani, in the most polite way possible, says she's perfectly fine not seeing The One again. The One doesn't seem offended. Entertain me enough that you and your descendants do not see me. And the duo blinked, standing in front of the Fountain of Eredet.
Will you balance the pantheon... or perhaps do something else? The power of The One is your... in a small dose.
Report Date
28 Oct 2023
Primary Location
Related Characters
Old Rover
The Flaws of the Pantheon
The One, when asked about the rules, provided the following list of flaws for all of the gods... or was it all of them?- Caliban – Cowardice
- Varoona – A petulant child
- Carmenthia – Disregard for others
- Ragna – Cruelty and bloodlust
- Therarask – Obsessive and possessive
- Ah'Shal – Envious
- Oshozi – Withdrawn, reticent
- Tel'Rhea – Self-entitled, self-righteous
- Nacheevi – Controlling
- Lark – Absent-minded, abstract
- Elis – Judgemental, close-minded
- Judas – Overconfident, too curious
- And– Oh, that, I believe, are all the gods you know.
The Fang of the Ouroboros
If you wish to replace the fallen god, select your tribute. They must consume this at the site of the fallen god's death. Or if you wish, use this to draw the blood of the god you wish to replace. And have your chosen replacement consume it in the heart of their domain.
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