Ulmo
There were some among the Archaic Gods that said that the god of the seas would not be able to abide with peace for long. To be fair to them, he hadn't exactly behaved as a peaceful or tranquil deity and he still did not as many a sailor or mariner could attest. Nonetheless, since the war's end, Ulmo had been content to pursue his own interests without provoking his fellow deities. He found that he had enjoyed teaching mortals about the sea and he had laughed with delight when he saw the humans' first boat centuries ago. And he grew proud of the humans who chose him for their patron deity, gifting his Avatars with near-immortality and creating a paradise for them in the afterlife. A few even understood the sea. It simply was. It was dangerous, untamed, as was he and mortalkind, oddly enough. He approved.
At the moment, he stood on the pearly white beaches of the Isles of the Blessed even as a ball of light appeared. He recognized it as a creation of Luman's. He had respected the elder deity even as he roared in rebellion, demanding his rightful freedom.
“Something is coming. Be prepared.”
The sea god raised an eyebrow at this.
"Interesting... What will you do, young Caspian? Before, I could guide you, but now, something new is coming. Something, I feel, that neither of us have seen before."
Caspian
Atalantae's docks and markets were bustling with crowds and goods as it nearly always was. It was said in the city that as long as good and people flowed through the docks and marketplaces, the city was alive. Caspian had long since grown used to the smell of spices in the air and the sun shining on its great white walls, looking as though the gods themselves had chiseled them, but that never stopped him from marveling at is size, the sheer life emanating from the city as the wind blew the smell of the sea and spices down the streets and crowd thrummed with a thousand voices bartering over the price of goods or the mariners. Today, he stood at the docks and he smiled as he saw a convoy of longboats edge into view. He admired the longboats. The craftsmanship was clearly the equal of Avuvian shipcraft despite their small size. He knew from experience that they could easily navigate rivers and lakes inland, giving their raiders the ability to strike deeper into enemy territory than one might expect.
The Akros Ekklesia had been in an uproar when he had proposed that they host a delegation from the Shattershield clan. Their peoples had a checkered past and currently, the Frostborn were warring over who among them should become the new king. Could they be trusted? Would this be seen as the Avuvians taking a position in a local civil war? In the end, Caspian's will had prevailed over those of the Ekklesia. Trade and diplomacy were important if trade routes to the North were to be maintained. Besides, he was curious about the new Avatar of the war gods. He could not suspend trade, however.
Beside him stood Themis, the Confederation's Chief Diplomat, the Sýmvoulos , and the rest of the Ekklesia who had deigned to attend along with a few military and naval officers and important merchants. Behind them, the guards were clearing a path in the streets to allow the Frostborn delegation to accompany them to the upper levels of the city. As the boats neared, heralds blew a response in their own horns.
"Your curiosity has led you to take a risk," Themis whispered. Caspian frowned but was relieved as she continued, "But I sense no deception in them."
"Interesting... What will you do, young Caspian? Before, I could guide you, but now, something new is coming. Something, I feel, that neither of us have seen before."
"Well, that is helpful," Caspian thought sarcastically even as he stood to receive the Avatar of Asger and Tryne, his long gold hair and armor glinting in the sun. He hated it when Ulmo was vague.