World Testament of Arborole
From The Void
The world began on its own, a rock floating through the endless cosmos of the void, without meaning, and without life. From there, beget the first light, Calpricis came into being, with his radient flame and revealed the emptiness of the world. With his light came the knowledge of darkness, and as such, demons and dark creatures swooped upon the world to sieze it as their own.Calpricis fled the world and went to the void itself, unknowing on how he was to approach the world and save it. Before him appeared the visage of Adrados, goddess of the void. She saw his plight, and the plight of the world beneath him, and decided to help him in his quest to bring light to the world filled with darkness. She orated her knowledge of all things of the void, and spoke of the void in the world, that even though it had a great many things, balance was all but lost upon the world.
Calpricis pondered upon this. How would one bring balance to a world with no life upon it. He thought to himself for a day, when a glimmer appeared in the sky, melting at his mere presence. It was a comet, born of ice and dust. Since Calpricis was himself warm, he reached forth, grabbing the comet and flung it at the world. With its impact, the dark creatures of the world were vanquished, and the comet became its new protector. He did not recognize Calpricis as his father, for he knew of Cal as he started to burn to a crisp in his mere presence. This was Brugus, and from that point onwards they would be as brothers. Fighting for the heat and cold of the world. This fighting saw upon the world a balance restored, as the sweat from both gods brows began to flood the earth. This formed the oceans, and the wind of their battle scoured across the globe in mighty storms.
Adrados stopped the two from fighting, pointing out their creation, and forced both to concede victory against the forces of the world. Not longer after the fighting ceased, other creatures began to spring from ancient hovels, terrified of the darkness and all it wrought. The creatures aged so long that they themselves forgot their own name. It was Adrados that sat them down and took care upon, naming these creatures. This was the second day, the day of life.
On the third day, the three divines stood together, and admired the worlk of all before them. But not all was peaceful. From the depths of the world, the last remnants of those dark forces that Calpricis defeated with the help of his brother Brugus came a new god. He rose from his funeral pyre, lit with the blood of Calpricis himself as a beautiful god of the orcs. He desired nothing more than change, and combat for him and his brothers, even as he strained from the grasp of Tempri Ino himself in his rage and strength.
Calpricis accepted the fate, and allowed Ladisus the honor of fighting the Arborole as it stood. Calpricis did not last long, even a god as strong and bright as he is, Calpricis was nearly killed by a single blow. Tempri caught the god, and offered him the advice that he has no chance of winning against Ladisus in such a weakened state. The fight between him and his brother had left him tired, and as such, he required rest, or surely he would perish. Calpricis knew that if Ladisus was let free, with his destructive fists as strong as they were, he would surely destroy the balance of the world. Calpricis could never give up. He offered Brugus the leadership role, should he fall from battle against Ladisus, to which Jaqkimn accepted with honor.
Calpricis landed only a single blow with his morningstar "Sunset" which nearly destroyed the beauty of Ladisus without mercy. But the blow was not enough, for as fortold by Tempri, the second punch proved fatal, and gave Ladisus his first of many deaths. Only Tempri shed a tear for his new friend, and as Ladisus grew in rage, him and Jaqkimn raged in battle while the earth grew cold.
Calpricis found himself in the deep void beyond the mortal realm. There he gave no flame, and there he found the pits from whence the creatures of destruction reigned supreme. He found in one direction, the trumpeting of angels before him. On the other side, he felt the pull of evil, and his gaze turned to The Abyssal Realms. There he saw the demonic hordes getting ready to bring fight to the angels. After hearing their trumpets of peace, Calpricis turned to the abyss, and started his crusade against the evils of Zasslic.
During his time in the abyss, Calpricis came upon the tortured souls of angels, broken and battered into complete submission, and barely a fragment of their former self. Calpricis took pity on these tortured souls, and freed them from their bonds of servitude, offering them a place in the world. The angels he freed were grateful for the offer, but they could not go to the mortal realm without a body to inhabit. He understood the plight, and swore that they could join him once he found the way back to the mortal realm himself.
Calpricis gathered the angels, and tore through the abyss, freeing creature after creature. It was nearly another day that Calpricis was dead when he heard the screams of rage of Ladisus all the way from the mortal plane, and as such, he found his way back to the mortal world, inhabiting the body he had previously left. He came back to that Brugushad defeated Ladisus, bloodied, battered and bruised, but retained from pillars of ice forming at his hands and feet. Ladisus would not be bound forever however, and something needed to be done.
The Start of Life
Calpricis needed to act quickly. He gathered what he could find around him, and made a rough shape of different forms while he told Adrados of his journey into the abyss. He gathered the wind in his lungs, the stones of the earth around him, the fire in his spirit, and the sand which became glass in his hands wile he formed. Adrados carved a sygil into the heart of each shape, one that allowed the broken angels to come forth and take over these new bodies. They formed the first sentience of life on the world. First came the Elf, its spirit free and their life everlasting. They saw the entrapped Ladisus and laid claim. "I am Vivere, and I thank you for freeing me from the abyss. Magic shall solve your issue, and as such, I shall create a powerful curse to bind Ladisus to your will."The second creature he formed was from the stone, and together, he and Adrados formed the first dwarf. He saw the entrapped ladisus and laid claim. "I am Olänn, and I thank you for freeing me from the abyss. Through my honor, I will create a set of gauntlets that will prevent him from ever touching another weapon, I shall require a flame to start the forge, to bind ladisus to your will."
Ladisus agreed to Olänns request, and took a single gem, and had Adrados inscribe the rune of life upon it while he held it aloft. The gem was small, but formed yet another creature, the first Gnome. "I am Paratel and I must learn all there is to learn." Surprised at the new creature, the elf learned of this insolence and cast the first curse upon him. The intensity and passion of any gnome would always be second to none. However, a candle lit at both ends burns brightly, but without control, and their creations would be doomed to failure should that passion not be tempered. With that curse, Paratel stopped his research, and helped Olänn forge the gauntlets.
Ladisus saw what was going on and started to break free of his icy bonds as Brugus's power began to fade from Calpricis' heat. In a panic, Adrados cut the majestic last form in half when carving the sygil, forming the first Halfling. The halfling, small in stature, but bright in spirit saw what was happening and laid claim. "I am Taganum, and though my power may not be great, Ladisus has failed to notice me due to my stature. I shall place the gauntlets on his hands without him noticing a thing." Calpricis saw this in shock, "But small one, he killed me in but two punches, if he were to spot you, you would surely perish." "Perish I shall if that were the case, but should I succeed, I will have helped to bring life to this plane. A greater honor, I could never ask for." And so, the Taganum readied himself to grab the gauntlets when they were done.
the final creature was molded a second time, but with clay forming the missing half. This formed the first Human, and they saw what was transpiring, and laid claim. "I am Tutella, and what I see before me I can be sure will destroy the world if let lose. Instead, I offer this wisdom with your creations. Ladisus has his followers just as we will create our own. Let the god of destruction become the god of giving life instead. Make the gauntlets take away the pain he tries to cause, and gift it upon himself."
This inspiration was the balance between all things. Olänn became inspired, and forged the gloves till they were white hot with the innovation from Vivere took the inspiration and inscribed sygils of his curse upon the white hot iron before it cooled. Tutella grabbed what scrap remained of the gauntlets and stood before Ladisus, ready to beat him back as she used the scrap as a shield. Finally, as the great orc broke from his bonds, Taganum grabbed the gauntlets, still red hot and snuck to place them on Ladisus.
Tutella became the ultimate distraction of Ladisus' force, and with a single punch, he tore shards of metal off of her scrap, and tore out her eyes, which were flung into the void. From there she could not see, but refused to allow the god of orcs to advance. It was on his second punch that Ladisus threw his fist directly into one of the searing gauntlets before it hit Tutella. Though her eyes were gone, she was no longer harmed. The second punch from Ladisus to the newly discovered Taganum, but found his other hand seared into the gauntlet forever. Taganums burns were healed instantly, and replaced on the newly bloodied and burnt Ladisus. He screamed in rage, going throughout the world punching everything he could, and yet more and more of his body became covered with scars.
To each of the races that helped, Ladisus swore that he would uphold the world order, as would the others. With that, he called for a meeting between those who would join him throughout the world.
The First Season
This first meeting of the Arborole was the fifth day, when all who were in attendence sat and discussed the world, and what it meant for those who traverse its surface. Among the divine were Calpricis Aufor of the Sun, Adrados, Brugus, Taganum, Olänn, Paratel, Tutella and Vivere.From the call Clapricis set out for the meating, many came forth to heed the call. The animals of the world had banded together, and raised above them a singular spirit to call their leader. The great turtle Kararrua to speak on their behalf, and the behalf of magical creatures throughout the world. Destadova decended from the heavens to speak on behalf of the dragons. Then came Zasslic, wary of the gods plans, and wishing to ensure proper treatment for those in the afterlife trying to beat back the Demons into the abyss. The Morvit all made an appearance as well, as with Zasslic and the call of Demons before them, they were required to help make the transfer of souls.
With all parties gathered, the first season began. Back to his full strength, the world was warm, and all those in attendence could feel Calpricis' power. The first to speak was a new arrival, barging in on the gathering were a group of creatures that had formed when Calpricis' light first hit the earth. They were creatures of life. They gave themsleves the name "Vita" and they did not know of death. Calpricis brought life into this world, but his many conflicts turned into death. They required a place to call their own, away from all things.
Adrados understood their plight, and gave them a world between worlds, naming it Vitium after their own namesake. However, certain creatures that formed were unhappy with this new land, namely the creatures that had experienced death, and knew about it overall. They demanded a similar treatment. It was then that The Morvit together spoke up. They told of their own realm, a world between worlds that they preside in. They would welcome the Vita in their own home, but warned that they would be different creatures for doing so. They claimed that the Vita who lived in Ummortu alongside them would be called the Noxa, and be given their own purpose, ruling over all life once life was over. The Noxa agreed to these terms, and as such, the lands of life and death were formed.
It was than that Paratel spoke up. He inquired that the world was large, and filled with knowledge. There was much to learn, and even less time for mortals to learn it all. What should happen to that knowledge? Who will care for it? Adrados spoke. "I am the fount of the knowledge of all things of the void. I shall teach these mortals to speak, to write, and read. Should their eyes not know, their ears will. If their ears are unwilling, their hands will tell all." "But what of the knowledge of things not of the void? The world is vast and knowledge must be shared by all." "To that, you Paratel will be responsible, so long as you can keep your passion for knowledge in check." responded Calpricis. Excited about this new prospect, Paratel sat down to ponder the possibilities.
Taganum spoke next, and softly. "I wish only for land of which to find flowers, to live a peaceful life along the hills, and basking in the shade of trees, for me and my new kin." Between all in attendence, they decided that Paratel could gather whatever land he could to make trees and fields and grass that he could walk through in a single day, and so paratel traveled.
Tutella made her first attempt to speak, but was silenced by Adrados. "Your sacrifice to the world is well known. As such, your eyes shall raise to the heavens, to watch over us all, and give the reminder of your loss. That is my gift to you, now what is it that you seek?" Tutella spoke proudly. "It was not my wish to be granted such honor, but I will accept it with grattitude. My wish for my kind is in protection. We must protect each other to protect the world. Should any one fall, than all the world will suffer again.
Calpricis spoke to her words. "It is in the best interest that all things be protected. My fight with Brugus may have started the world, but as brothers, another fight will surely end it. So long as I may live, I will stay off the earth, and Brugus takes my place owning the land. This is my payment to him for taking him out of the sky. Brugus said nothing, but nothing was enough.
Destadova spoke next, his grand wings spreading wide enough to fill a country. "My people need their own home. We are not born from fire, nor water, nor earth. We came here in search of home, and home we will claim while we are here. Protecting our home is in our best interest, and if any here oppose our homes, we will fight to maintain it." Not understanding the great dragons true words, the other gods agreed without complaint, and Destadova flew off to tend to his flock.
Next to speak, Olänn started to stand and raise voice, but instead Vivere spoke above him. "My people have been here the longest and require homes of our own, we do not wish to sully ourselves beneath the earth, where the wind does not touch our brow."
Furious atthe interruption Olänn yelled out his demand. "Than my people shall inherit the earth, where the space to build is larger, and our laws are not set upon by fleeting fancy, but the strength of our unity!" The gods heard their outbursts, and in an attempt to quell them, informed them to leave as soon as they can, to lay their claims. Vivere went to the east, claiming the Great Forests of Vitium and expanding upon their life giving powers within. Olänn dug straight down, his temper hollowing out the massive tunnels of Grott. Following suit, Paratel began to follow his companion.
With most of the mortal races gone, save for Tutella, the The Morvit turned to those remaining. "And what of the matter of the soul?" says Tempri Ino. "Only we command those who have had life taken away. This has been since life was created, and as such, it is how it shall remain." Calpricis agreed with Tempri, having been the only one among them that had deceased, the rest of the gods looked at the god of the sun with awe.
"The souls of the dead have their purpose outside of the world. Should we interfere in their nature, we interfere with nature. That cannot be so." Zasslic spoke up to this tune. "It is indeed the purpose of souls to find their way to the afterlife. My brothers and sisters have been fighting back the demonic hordes since the beginning, and should we fail, they will find ways to bring back chaos and destruction upon the world. We want to keep this chaos at bay, and will require aid where possible." Knowing the trechery of the gods of sin, they were all uneasy to do so.
"Here is what we offer. In the realms of the after, there are angels sworn to protect law and order, outside of our domain. Should any creature who worships the gods, holds their teachings to heart, and is deemed worthy by you of joining you, than they shall join you in a world of each of your own creation. Should they fail, they will be sent to us, where we will correct them, ensure that they are worthy of joining the afterlife. Should they be unable to make those decisions of right and wrong, they will go into the afterlife of Kararrua, and live as animals deserving of eternal peace should."
Tutella is the one who speaks first. "No matter the creed or race, the choice on which divine's teachings must be made by the individual, not their race. I should not be mans first choice to pray too, when my duty is to protect. They should pray to others for good harvest, or fair wind before me." The other gods agreed to her demand, at which point Zasslic pulled out a large pamphlet of papers. "For all in attendence, sign on the line, and for those else who sign, their souls will follow this pact as well." And so, the The Pact Absolute was signed by all those attending.
With that, Zasslic the Seven also whisked away, attempting to get more creatures to sign the pact. It was then that Brugus finally spoke. When he was able to run through the world, he relished the chance of staying high in the sky, flying for eternity. He does not beleive he could sit forever, especially with the universe at his back. Kararrua offered a trade. "Every time you come to rule this season, you shall have me. I can entertain you a million times, and a million times more you shall have yourself be tired by an endless chase. Should you catch me, and kill me, I will be reborn again. Will this sate your wanderlust for a time?" Brugus agreed, and the winter pact was settled.
Finally, Adrados spoke her peace. Since Calpricis was to maintain his distance from the world, as the oldest among them all, she too would. But she offers a gift to Calpricis. The two of them arrived together, fought together, and he died to protect the world she looked after long before he arrived. As such, she offers him her eternal blessing of marriage, so that the sun, and the moon will both watch over the world forever. Calprecis agreed, and grabbed silver from the world and let it melt into the purest metal. Adrados took their hands together, and let the silver scatter to the winds, making a silver ring around Pondera.
To Be Continued
Type
Text, Religious
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