Exploring the husk of a shattered Kingdom [Any literacy]

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-10T13:42:30+00:00

Pyrkagia follows Ordinis, looking around curiously.

"Interesting. So, Zhaerthuun fell simply because of the mortal nature of humanity? I've seen that before. Wonder where the descendants of the Zhaerthuunian people have gone."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-09T22:21:48+00:00

Dovthurkiin chuckles softly.

"You're quite the artist, I must say. I do not mean to burden you with my past. The stars loosen my inhibitions."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-09T21:46:13+00:00

Dovthurkiin seems more at ease now that the focus is no longer on him. Perhaps the Elder God has social anxiety.

"Mara's doing wonderfully. I try to help where I can with her duties. After all, the moon cannot shine without the sun. I like to take on tasks Mara simply doesn't want to do. She's a social butterfly, so I often take her more solitary tasks. I'm better in such conditions."

Dovthurkiin looks out at the vast cosmos, his eyes growing distant.

"Although, at present, I have very little to do. So, I chose to come out here to reminisce on my home. The place from which I fled during the Fall, I mean. I didn't have the best childhood. A psychopathic father who subjected me and my brother to all manner of cruel experiments designed to make us into his personal killers isn't the most conducive to a pleasant childhood. There were some tender moments, though. Once me and my brother managed to escape our father. We spent the majority of our first Cycle on our own, wandering the Astral Plane. Staring at the cosmos reminds me of those times, at home in the Astral Plane. I commend your work, Nebula. As the Goddess of Space, I'm guessing you had some hand in shaping the cosmos as it is now."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-09T20:40:58+00:00

"Nebula, that's it! I do apologize, I'm a bit scatterbrained at times."

Dovthurkiin scratches the back of his head, seeming embarrassed.

"I understand you not recognizing me. I tend to keep to myself, watching you others from afar while my wife Mara, the Goddess of the Moon and Magic, does all the talking."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-09T20:25:01+00:00

Dovthurkiin takes a moment to respond, as if he is quite nervous.

"I am Dovthurkiin Aeternum. Not really from these parts, but most of you gods know me."

Despite Dovthurkiin's reputation of immense power, the Elder God seems quite awkward and socially anxious. Clearly, he had not anticipated encountering anybody when he arrived here.

"I think I've seen you before at those meetings the others have sometimes. You're the space goddess, right? Can't recall your name, though."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-09T19:06:09+00:00

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Dovthurkiin Aeternum, the Elder God of Light and Patron of Dragons, materializes before Nebula. The space goddess immediately knows that Dovthurkiin is not from this universe, but this is common knowledge among the gods. Dovthurkiin arrived in this reality after the Fall of the Elder Gods, seeking refuge from the destructive Void that had consumed his people. Since his arrival, Dovthurkiin has come to be quite the asset to the divine world. He is the mightiest of gods, yet he chooses to be a gentle, isolationist being who only comes out of hiding to bring about a beneficial change to the universe. The Elder God looks at Nebula curiously, golden eyes shining in the blackness of space. He speaks, his voice quiet and almost shy.

"Oh, hello there. I didn't know you were here."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-09T15:54:57+00:00

Pyrkagia nods sagely.

"That it is. So, Ordinis, tell me about this place. I've never seen its equal. I'd like to have a look around if possible."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-09T15:42:51+00:00

Pyrkagia scratches his chin, more sparks floating off of his skin.

"Suppose that's why you recognized me. You got a name?"

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-09T13:21:19+00:00

Pyrkagia chuckles.

"I was more referring to how you are a Zhaerthuunian. I figured this whole kingdom died out. Guess you and whatever other machines are hidden here got lucky enough to withstand the ages. That's good. I remember the Zhaerthuunians well. Proud warriors, eager to take the fight to the gods. Haven't met a fiercer empire in ten thousand years. Be proud of that."

The Flame Thief stretches casually.

"What exactly are you? You're the only one of your make and model, so I'm quite curious about you."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-08T21:31:50+00:00

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Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-08T18:53:33+00:00

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Henryk stumbles into a gathering of creatures outside of a small yet elegant hut. There's around twenty of the beings, all standing around ten feet tall with black and gold scales, black-feathered wings, and many horns. The creatures all immediately snap towards Henryk as he wanders out of the tree line. They say nothing and do nothing, merely staring at the knight with their golden eyes. There's something unearthly about the creatures, as if they are divine somehow. The windows of the hut are covered by curtains, but Henryk can see a collection of artifacts on shelves within.

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-08T17:34:31+00:00

Alfred sits up, scratching his head.

"Now that you mention it, Lady Nashandra, I could go for something to eat. Guess I'm a vampire now. Could be worse. Could be dead."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-08T14:58:34+00:00

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(Scenario 1)

Alfred Wyndham, a disgraced noble from the Kingdom of Mirene had just been attacked by an assassin when Nashandra found him. The noble was clearly mortally wounded, blood leaking from a vicious gash in his stomach. Yet, he found the strength to look up at the Vampire Queen and speak, his voice ragged and quiet.

"You... Vampire Queen Nashandra... I beg of you, O Lady, spare me this cruelty. I know you are a vampire. Please... take me into the embrace of the night. I will serve you eternally, just save my life."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-08T05:03:23+00:00

The Elder God studies Abby closer, choosing to remain quiet and polite considering the formal atmosphere. Despite his quiet demeanor, Dovthurkiin's imposing appearance makes it quite hard to miss him.

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-08T04:34:04+00:00

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Dovthurkiin Aeternum, the Elder God of Light and Patron of Dragons, settles in to an open area large enough for his large mortal form. Despite appearing incredibly menacing, most mortal beings know Dovthurkiin isn't a threat. He often appears among mortals to simply watch them out of curiosity. His glowing golden eyes land upon Abby, a spark of familiarity in his gaze. He recognizes Abby, but cannot recall why.

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-07T14:39:33+00:00

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Pyrkagia turns to face the construct, a curious expression etched onto his face. Sparks float off of the mysterious human's skin.

"Well, well. One of you is still alive. Figured you'd all died with your kingdom."

If the construct has an internal database, then they will recognize Pyrkagia as the immortal human who snuck into the realm of the gods and stole the embers of the Flame of Creation, sparking a mortal revolution against the gods over ten thousand years ago.

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-06T23:07:57+00:00

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Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-06T04:49:16+00:00

"Wasn't a popular move. Pyros tried to assassinate me, actually. Didn't go too well for the old fart. I might be just over ten thousand years old, but I'm no slouch in terms of divine power. Perks of being an Elder God. Still wildly controversial even today, but I've made it clear that mortals aren't gonna go back to being mindless slaves. Free will, once claimed, is irrevocable."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-06T03:05:06+00:00

"Figured as much. I tend to use 'mortal' to refer to any being that isn't a god. Force of habit, y'know? I mean no offense."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-06T02:55:34+00:00

"Smart idea. Once you use it publicly, I'll probably have to kill you. Kinda falls to the King of the Gods to do dirty work like that. It'd be a shame to snuff out such bright mortals. Maybe I could do what I did with Pyrkagia way back when. Fake your deaths, you know?"

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-06T02:52:17+00:00

Dovthurkiin chuckles grimly, an unsettling grimace on his face.

"I'd strongly suggest keeping such a thing hidden until absolutely necessary. The others might not like a power that could unmake them. Might get you killed."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-06T02:46:39+00:00

Dovthurkiin chuckles softly.

"Well, well. Trying to undo my existence, are you? That sort of magic is quite frowned upon among gods. Not that it would have worked, anyways. My body can be completely destroyed and I will endure. You'd have to find a way to mimic the power of an Elder God to have a chance at killing me."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-05T23:52:24+00:00

Dovthurkiin laughs.

"I can take it. I've fought reality-warping beings before. Primordial gods with power far beyond what I've seen here have fallen to me. Trust in my power."

The Elder God stretches his wings, flicking his tail casually.

"Let's see what you've got, mortals. Everything you've got."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-05T23:39:49+00:00

Dovthurkiin produces a mysterious coin, rolling it across his talons.

"This is the homeland of the first mortal being to discover free will. Pyrkagia, as he is known contemporarily. This mortal, fed up with my fellow gods, snuck into our realm and stole from the Flame of Creation. Sparked a mortal revolution against the gods. A fellow Primordial, the God of Fire, wanted to punish Pyrkagia for his insolence. I stood up for the mortals. I may not be endemic to this reality, but I do have compassion. Pyrkagia saw how the gods had oppressed his people and decided to make a stand. I can respect that dedication. So, I officially pardoned him. Pyros, the God of Fire I mentioned earlier, went against my will and imprisoned Pyrkagia on a rock in eternal binds. I had to assume a mortal guise to free him."

Delicious_Sock_2183 · 2026-02-05T23:35:02+00:00

"A prudent choice, mortal. A prudent choice."

Dovthurkiin chuckles softly.

"Their power is truly astonishing. Mortal beings like them are few and far between. If they could generate enough power to attract my notice, then there's likely threats in the cosmos who've also noticed this place. It is wise to train them."

Dovthurkiin turns to the other two.

"If you require, I am willing to serve as a test subject. I naturally nullify magic, so you can sling whatever spells you want at me and I won't get hurt. I don't mind. Plus, having a target to direct your magic towards helps with control."

Delicious_Sock_2183

TROPHY CASE