Kairos & Laylandra's Story

The Enchanted Forest was a picture of tranquility. The sun gently washed over the field surrounding the Great Oak and fantastical birds fluttered overhead whistling charming songs. Kneeling in the tall grass below them were dozens of fairies, listening to the words of Lydio the Wise, the most respected shaman in the forest. Among this congregation were the two queens of the Fairy Courts and all their closest advisors. Although the monarchs sat next to each other as a sign of unity, nearly every fairy watching them could feel the distance between the matriarchs. Lydio, however, seemed unbothered.

The great horned fairy sat with his legs crossed and a wooden bowl of cream with one hand, while he gestured with the other. “The Faces of the Oakborn are many and none of them are like the other. Some are kind, some are cruel, some are civilized, and some are savage. However, at the end of the day, they are all the same god.” He paused, taking a swig of cream and gulping loudly, causing the Unseelie Queen’s features to harden with impatience.

“They are much like us,” He continued. “Although we come in many shapes and sizes, we all fit together to make a whole. Seelie or Unseelie, it matters not.”

Freya could hear her sister, Sprigga, as she struggled to stifle her laughter in the row behind. The Seelie Queen looked at the grass below her, embarrassed, and sighed as quietly as she could.

Lydio shook his head, his antlers nearly knocking a bird from the air. “You may laugh, but we are all the children of the Oakborn. Our ancestors rose from the same pool and we all come to the same tree to pray. In uncertain times, we must remember that far more unites us than divides us.” He lifted his bowl in the air and smiled at the queens before him. “Do you agree, Your Majesties?”

Freya looked up and smiled as genuinely as she could. She looked over to see unconcealed distaste in Leannan’s dark eyes. “Of course.” The corners of Unseelie Queen’s mouth twisted as she spoke, pulling her lips into an unnatural grin. Freya nodded in agreement, taking her rival’s cold, smooth hand into her own. “Yes.” she said. “Far more unites us.”

Grandmother watched from the window of her cottage, a look of worry on her face. The roots of the Great Oak were restless, constantly whispering to all the Faces of the Oakborn and they knew for certain that war was coming to the Enchanted Forest. However, they spoke of far greater dangers that threatened not only the Fae Folk, but all creation in Pandeum. Grandmother would have to let others keep an eye on this matter.

She turned to a simple wooden table in the middle of a bare room, four fantastic beings seated around it, waiting for her to speak. They were the Kings of the Wild, the proudest and most powerful of the Oakborn Faces. They were forces of nature and rulers of a plentiful realm, but at this moment they looked terribly frightened.

“I’m not sure what it means.” Grandmother’s voice was raspy and tired as she took a chair and slowly sat in it, her body groaning like the Great Oak’s limbs on a windy day. “All we can do is tell the Gods what we know and allow them to prepare.”

The Raven shook her head. “But we don’t even know what’s coming. How will any of us prepare?”

Grandmother patted the Raven’s hand from across the table. “Relax, dear. We will figure this all out.”

The Snow King nervously scratched the shape of a snowflake into the table with claw like nails as he looked over to Grandmother. “But what if our plan doesn’t work?”

Grandmother shrugged. “Then it all ends.” She slowly stood up again and looked out the window to watch as the fairies disbanded and went back to their respective courts. “Well, children, I believe it’s time to go. The Gods hate to be left waiting.”

She clapped three times and by the last echo of the last clap, they were in the great hall of the Other Place, seated at a large round table filled with the gods of Pandeum.

Grandmother stood to address the pantheon, a warm smile on her face. “Greetings brothers and sisters.” She did not yell, yet her voice echoed across the hall so every deity could hear her. “I have called you because the Faces of the Oakborn believe the threat that shattered our mind so long ago is on the horizon.” She paused to look at the Kings. They wore strong faces now, unwilling to let the “true gods” see them cower or worry. They were such prideful creatures. “We have little information about the threat, other than the fact that it is real and it is imminent.”

“We believe that there may be someone with answers.” The Green Woman spoke, sending butterflies fluttering around her. “The true Oakborn may know enough to help us and the mortals defeat whatever great terror will be unleashed on the world.”

Grandmother nodded. “We will attempt to repair what damage has been done to our mind and hopefully it will be enough to awaken the Oakborn. For now, go home and do as you will. Indulge in your petty wars and torrid affairs, but keep in mind that we all may only have a limited time left in these worlds."

“Greetings brothers and sisters. I have called you because the Faces of the Oakborn believe the threat that shattered our mind so long ago is on the horizon. We have little information about the threat, other than the fact that it is real and it is imminent.”

“We believe that there may be someone with answers. The true Oakborn may know enough to help us and the mortals defeat whatever great terror will be unleashed on the world."

"We will attempt to repair what damage has been done to our mind and hopefully it will be enough to awaken the Oakborn. For now, go home and do as you will. Indulge in your petty wars and torrid affairs, but keep in mind that we all may only have a limited time left in these worlds."


A man sat at one of the chairs of the round table. He wore a strange mask upon his face. One half of the mask was golden and made to represent the visage of the sun. The other half of the mask was silvery and modeled after the face of the man in the moon. Upon his body he wore a massive black hooded cloak which enshrouded all but his mask. The trim of the cloak were colors of orange and deep red tinged at the base with a hint of sky blue, the colors of both sunset and sunrise.

Deep within the eye sockets of the mask blazed two burning eyes of phantasmal purple flame, an expression of psionic energy deep within the darkness of it's almost endless emptiness. Underneath the hood a faint shadow of what could be considered a head laid within but such could only be discerned through glimpses as the cloak seemed to move to obscure any glimpse of the form which existed within.


"That of many faces, the Oakborn, may be of many bodies but all share the same dream. Different sides to the dreaming yet all the same dream, no?"

The voice was not natural nor was the sound by which he was heard. His voice seemed distant yet all too close as though it were in each deity's own head. Naturally this was because the speaker was not speaking through vibrations of the air but directly into the minds of all attendees. This created the illusion of speech whilst betraying the very notion of speaking. It was much like the man himself, present yet not actually there.

"I haven't brought those who walk with me but we exist in a similar symbiosis. As it has come to be understood I, Mask of Many Masks, serve to speak for the minds of the Dream Walkers. In turn we act in The Watcher of The Lines's place as it desired. As of those who walk the dream we humbly respect each deity's authority but our kind have always shown fondness towards the Oakborn and towards nature in general for they are united even despite his state of fracture."


The Mask of Many Masks's eyes scanned across the faces of each deity as if to evaluate their expressions before finally setting his blazing gaze on The Great Grandmother herself.

"It is brought to attention that at one stage of history several faces of yours were destroyed. Should the Oakborn come back together would it have an answer that none of the other living faces hold? Would it possess an answer that might of been lost with the departure of the fallen faces?"

The blazing purple fires within his mask closed, vanishing from sight. The Mask of Many Masks seemed to meditate for a moment. He was consulting the other Dream Walkers briefly before opening his eyes, meeting the eyes of the Grandmother once more.


"We do heed your warning in our considerations. We ask questions only out of respect for your warnings. We would assist to see the mending of your mind accelerated if only to grant more time to prepare regardless of whether the Oakborn has the answers to this foreseen threat or not. Our only caveat is that the role we play in your future does not contravene our role as minders of the dreaming. The permission to lend our expertise to your cause of course lays with your general approval. Our desire is not to combat all faces should they all refuse our aid. We do understand if your opinions are... divided as to your choices."

With that said the Mask of Many Masks lifted it's unseeable hands from it's lap and placed them together, palm to palm, while the sleeves mingled in effort to ever conceal what lay beneath.

The Sunbearer

Kassius steepled his fingers, attempting to be serous or at the very least look serious. To tell the truth, the Oakborn intimidated him. He could distantly remember a time when the Oakborn was not the way they were. There was a time when he a strong and wise deity. He used to come to him for advice when he was young. Then he saw something in the future and he became like this. Now, he felt like the Oakborn knew something he could never comprehend and it made him want to run or blow up something with the power of a thousand sons. He sighed as he couldn't take anymore contemplation. At LiesseiL's words, he nodded.

"We'd definitely want to see you whole again. That's for sure. Except for Pichard," he noted pointedly he could not stand the mad god.

As he spoke, he could not help but glance over at Ai with a small smile, dire warnings already forgotten. He was not one for depression and she was always a pleasing sight to see. He smiled winningly at Grandmother, once again in high spirits.

"Well, hopefully there'll be more torrid affairs and less petty wars, Grandmother. A life spent in the light of pleasure is a life well-spent. I should have Cyrus make that a part of my canon. The Festival of the Sun approaches after all and my people throw such fine festivities. I do feel like going. It's just not quite the same in my domain. Dead souls are just not as full of fire as the living."

The Senate

"And Senator Sforza's family has foreclosed on yet another acre of land. Dozens of families left homeless or forced to become his tenants..." a heavy-set robed man stated, attracting scattered applause and boos from the assembly before him. An older man answered his accusation, his face red in indignation.

"Perhaps Senator Nikoulas will feed them. Gods know, he eats enough to feed a village even before his wife left him for a base-born gladiator," he snarked, causing the room to erupt in laughter and shouts as indignation. Nikoulas had already crossed the room to grab the older man even as Crassus Orsini, Consul of Solaras, raised his hands to signal guards armed with clubs to intervened lest the Senate erupt into chaos. Again.

"We will have order!" the old man shouted angrily, "The Sforzas cannot be censured as they broke no law."

"The tax system is unsustainable regardless. It makes little sense for Libertii and Khorikos to be so burdened while Sforzas ilk takes advantage of rewards for service done centuries ago," Senator Nikoulas announced, once again receiving a mix of applause and boos, "Lord Cyrus agrees, surely? With true reform, we can pay for the heavy cavalry our legions sorely need."

From his place in the corner, Cyrus mutely nodded. He had forged the legions of the Republic into Pandeum's most feared land-based armies. With numbers and strict mechanical precision their infantry was hailed as among the best in the world and their archers, blessed by Kassius, were reputed to never miss, though this was an exaggeration of course. Combined with an engineering corps that adapted readily to new circumstances, the legions had every advantage save one.

Their heavy cavalry, the equites still consisted of Nobilitas and Mercators who could afford to maintain their own equipment and animals. He had compensated for this lack with light cavalry and was experimenting with horse archers, but the army needed more equites. The selfishness and infighting of the politicians always irked him, but today, he had chosen to attend a Senate meeting for once to nip this problem in the bud. However, this was not to be.

"That is a noble goal. However, the Festival of the Sun approaches. Today, we must prepare. The people expect the festivities to be appropriately grand and the expected grain to be available..."

And with that, along with petty squabbling and rivalries, true reform was put on the backburner for all Solarans loved the festivities. Cyrus would need to find another way to fund the expansion of the equites and as he left he frowned.

Damn them all to the Underworld. I will find a way.

While many of the others had simply taken their places within the chamber; Anwen instead sat on a chair which floated above the smooth floor with her knees pulled up close against her body while she glanced feverishly between each of those present. On the whole there weren’t many that she trusted and even fewer that she would openly approach, least of all in such a confined space. Perhaps were they in the endless void far above the war-torn world she would be at peace with the others, less unnerved by such close proximity.

The flickering shards of light which adorned her head shifted in time with her thoughts, mirroring the light in the room as much as they cast their own for each was but the pale reflection of a true star

As each of the gods spoke back in forth, listening and advising eachother as well as musing on the warning of their host she instead tried to make herself less of a presence here so as to avoid the discussion. However as the words of each god echoed from the walls she began to quietly sing to herself, a sweet and calming tune to be lost among the words of her fellows but a sound that would linger in the quiet moments to come once they had all went their separate ways. The song itself was heard across the lands of Pandeum as Bards began to sing to their patrons of the tune that filled their hearts with sorrow.

Do you ever think of me, In the quiet, in the crowd?


Laylandra lounged in one of the beautifully carved thrones, her delicate fingers creating faint sparks as she lightly traced them up and down the armrests. It was rare that they all gathered like this as while she looked forward to understanding the purpose of this gathering the wait for it to begin was bothersome to her for her mind was lost to other things that she wished to return.

At last the one to have summoned them spoke their peace and offered them council should they take it or not. When the multi-faceted deity had finished her warning the storm queen couldn’t help but cast uncertain glances towards the split stone of the throne on her right. No matter how far apart they could be the two were always entwined; even now she felt the sorrow and pain her twin had endured for her and how much it mirrored that of the Oakborn. So she too, understood their suffering as he did.

”Petty though the wars may be the storm will endure; the storm shall not cease its thunder. Knowledge will endure madness for even fractured the concept can still exist, simply awaiting those who can piece it back together. If we are indeed threatened then you shall not stand alone, united once we were though fractured we are now the concept is not beyond our reach. Beyond us all.”

As she finished she shook her head gingerly and firmly rested her hand against the rough stone of Kairos’ broken seat, her mind wandering to wherever he might be.


While the others gathered around to listen to the warning of the Oakborn, Kairos was instead overseeing a storm as it gathered around the snow-covered peaks of a range of mountains in the northern half of the main continent. His eyes glowed brightly while his fingers danced among the darkening clouds; causing sparks of multi-coloured lightning to flash across the sky. As the clouds began to expand outwards across the horizon the deity closed his eyes and simply let himself fall, carrying the storm on his shoulders as it billowed outwards like a cloak.

At first he soared gently in freefall his silhouette appeared momentarily at the heart of the storm with each crack of lightning across the sky. However as his momentum slowed he at last opened his eyes and brought his hands forward to guide the storm down towards the lush lowlands, rain and wind carried in their wake as electric pillars burst down between the crisscrossed fields and luscious farmsteads.

By now the storm had begun in earnest, and Kairos was lost within the turbulent sea of rolling cloud.

Throneroom of the Other Place

Grandmother nodded as she listened to the gods, a small smile resting on her lips. “Thank you, my brothers and sisters. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.” She paused for a moment. “In truth, we have no idea whether or not the Oakborn will remember what it saw if we are successful in awakening it. We are unsure if awakening it is still a possibility after all this time.”

The Stag, who had remained uncharacteristically quiet, looked up from his goblet of wine and whipped head head towards Kasius, nearly knocking the Raven over with his massive antlers. He grinned at the Sun God as he mentioned a festival. “Ah, perhaps I’ll make an appearance as well. I’ll be discreet about it, of course.”

“Yes discretion has always been your strong suit.” the Winter King said cooly, his features hard and cold.

The Stag paid his fellow king no mind. “The Solarans have always been such a merry folk and they make fine wine...well fine for humans, that is.”

Grandmother smiled to herself and sat down in her throne, which was little more than a simple rocking chair with small patches of moss growing on its edges. “Thank you again, Masks of Masks.” Her lips did not move, but the rasp of her voice rang in the masked figure’s head. “You and your fellow Dream Walkers will be crucial allies as we try to piece ourselves together.” She then looked towards Laylandra. The goddess could prove effective as well. Approaching with both magical and psychic means, the Faces might have a chance of achieving their goal.

“We will find a few willing Faces,” She continued speaking to the Mask. “And then we’ll allow the Dream Walkers to do their work.” She smiled. “Thank you again. If you or your people need anything from us, just let us know.”

The Unseelie Court

“Mother, how long must we suffer that old fool?”
“I’d love to mount his head on our wall! It’ll look lovely over the throne.”

Leanan sat quietly in her throne as her daughters, Panic and Spite, sorted through the remains of a human adventurer who dared to venture into the Dark Forest. They cackled and jeered as they played with his innards, only breaking from their fun to complain to their mother.

“Patience, girls.” The Unseelie Queen slowly turned her head towards her daughters. She watched them with cold emotionless eyes. “Lydio will be dealt with, as will the rest of our enemies.”

“Especially the Seelie Bitch Queen, right, Mother?” Panic asked eagerly, squeezing the lung she had in her hands with excitement. Blood flowed onto the dark stone floor beneath her. “And her terrible sisters as well?”
“Yes, my dear.” The faintest smile tugged at Leannan’s mouth. “Every single one of them. The Shaman, Queen Freya and all her knights, Lady Rosestone, Lord Darkstar, Sprigga, and everyone who has supported them.”

Panic and Spite squealed with joy as Commander Dullahan, a large fairy man with white hair and charred spikes growing from his skin, silently entered the room.

“Go play with your corpse elsewhere.” Leannan said abruptly, waving her hand to dismiss them. The two scurried out, giggling as they dragged their toy behind them. The queen looked back to Dullahan, a vague impression of interest flickering across her face. “What news do you bring?”

“We still don’t have enough support from the Unseelie lords and ladies. Many of them believe that your plans for expansion and the intended destruction of the Seelie Court are foolish.” Dullahan spoke plainly with even less emotion than his queen. “I believe that Lord Redcap said ‘Conquest is a game of humans and lesser beings’.”

Leannan’s features hardened. The air felt empty as a moment of silence passed between the two. “We will be able to proceed with what we have.” Dullahan eyes widened slightly with mild surprise. “May I ask how?”

“We have half of the most skilled Fae warriors in the world, several lords to supply us, and support from the First Mother.”

Dullahan’s brow furrowed. “Yes, my queen, but the Seelie have just as many skilled warriors and all their lords will come to Freya’s aid if you move against her. And the First Mother-” He stopped himself.

Leannan tilted her head. “Yes? Speak plainly.”

“The First Mother has nothing to offer us.” Dullahan shook his head. “She has no land, no resources, and no army.” He appeared calm, but his heart sped up ever so slightly. “All she owns is a crumbling temple and empty promises.”

He felt a sharp pain in the depths of his skull. He grunted at the initial pain. He breathed slowly and grit his teeth, attempting to contain himself. Dullahan looked to his queen, her searing dark eyes locked onto his. “Forgive me, my queen.”

“I enjoy you Dullahan,” Leannan leaned back in her chair. “But you will not speak ill of my Savior.” He slowly nodded, attempting to ignore the feeling of tearing in his head. She looked away from him, releasing him from her spell. “However, you are correct. We are in need of more support. Talks with the Goblins are going well, however I have yet to seal the pact. Set up a meeting with their king.” She waved her hand, dismissing him. “That is all.”

Throne Room of the Other Place

((Collab between Seveneleven and TheCrimsonLady))

Anansi sat weaving white webs into angular spirals, idly watching as her twin brother grew more and more impatient. Her pale green eyes flicking over to her twin every so after and he shifted and fidgeted. The polar opposite of her twin, she sat straight, almost curiously, while weaving her webs, her smallest fingers poking and pulling thread to and fro, while also listening to the Green Woman as she spoke.
“Greetings brothers and sisters. I have called you because the Faces of the Oakborn believe the threat that shattered our mind so long ago is on the horizon. We have little information about the threat, other than the fact that it is real and it is imminent.”

“We believe that there may be someone with answers. The true Oakborn may know enough to help us and the mortals defeat whatever great terror will be unleashed on the world."

"We will attempt to repair what damage has been done to our mind and hopefully it will be enough to awaken the Oakborn. For now, go home and do as you will. Indulge in your petty wars and torrid affairs, but keep in mind that we all may only have a limited time left in these worlds."

The darker twin rocked her foot, that was crossed over her copper skin legs, draped with black silk, embellished with a gold band that sat lovingly on her curvy hips, abdomen bare, a golden brazier keeping her modest, that ringed every so often with beads as she moved. Hanging from her arms, was cuffed with a black silk as well and atop her head, sat a regal crown, angular and rounded at all the same much like the webs she weaves, marking her as the Spider Goddess she was.

____________

"Boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boooooooorrrrrrriiiiiiinnnnnngggg! Board, board, boredom, such a bore....dull, listless, lifeless, uninteresting, mundane, humdrum, tedious, monotonous, unexciting, wearisome, tiresome, enervating, uninvolving, unvarying, flat, dreary, unimaginative, uneventful, uninspiring, insipid, absolutely pedestrian, Gods! Yes I invoked myself in vain."

"Well, it's official. I've become bored of even saying the word. Trust me I even tried saying it in many different ways and yet it does not alleviate this absolutely numbing feeling in my head." Palchard spoke aloud so all could hear. Palchard, the God of Mischief, dressed as a demented jester, his garb was adorned with various stripes and diamonds following a distinct asymmetrical pattern. Even his colors follow a certain scheme of red and black alternating between each shape and line. The Mad God sat lazily in his chair inside the Hall with his boots on the table and his body completely slouched. Every bit as disrespectful as one could imagine, his disinterest and continued efforts to entertain himself could be grating to some. At least it seemed to bother Kassius, which he felt a nice ping of satisfaction over that fact.

Sitting next to him was his dear, sweet sister as he lazily turned his head to look at her. He merely grinned that toothy grin that seemed to stretch from ear to ear. "Hello my sweet...are we also having a most miserable time?" He cooed. "You know, I've been thinking Sis? Why are we stuck inside an old, rotting tree that's inside another, even older, rotting tree or what ever the Hell this place is? I've never understood the Oakborn, the hunk of wood has more voices in it's head than I do." He laughed aloud suddenly. He then stared around at any of the Gods who could be eyeing him with confusion. "Sorry, inside joke, HA! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!" He then continued to chuckle to himself.

___________

It was an odd thing, listening to this, the Oakborn having been seemly attacked by some unknown force. This intrigued her but she didn't show it.
"We'd definitely want to see you whole again. That's for sure. Except for Palchard," The Laughter god teased and Anansi clicked her teeth. She didn't care whether the Oakborn was whole again, she was curious as to how it got that way in the first place.
"Well, it's official. I've become bored of even saying the word. Trust me I even tried saying it in many different ways and yet it does not alleviate this absolutely numbing feeling in my head." Her paler twin said and Anansi merely arched a brow, not looking up from her work. "Then stop saying it." came her simple reply. She turned to her brother, brushing her midnight hair over her shoulder, after setting down her weaving, into her lap, she sighed as he turned to her, grinning his toothy sneer.
"Hello my sweet...are we also having a most miserable time?" He said, and she merely cocked her head.

"Of your doing, Brother..." The Spider Goddess murmured. "You know, I've been thinking Sis?"

"That is never good." She grumbled as he went on. "Why are we stuck inside an old, rotting tree that's inside another, even older, rotting tree or what ever the Hell this place is? I've never understood the Oakborn, the hunk of wood has more voices in its head than I do." He said and she merely pursed her lips. Palchard laughed suddenly calling her from her thoughts. "Sorry, inside joke, HA! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!" He guffawed and Anansi, de

"Hush now, brother," She said, he was just about the only one who could draw chuckle from her. "One of ours has been injured, are you not -at the very least- entertained by this, A God, hurt? Do you not find intrigue in this?" She said and leaned into him. her full lips curling into a dark smile, as the Mistress of Lies gaze upon her twin. "What can harm a god but another god, which begs another question..." hissed the Storyteller, leaving him hanging on the answer a moment before she whispered, into his ear. "Who among is not what he seems?" She leaned back, letting that simmer, hoping that her twin would be interesting in who might be the deceiver. That was his area of expertise.

_______________

Palchard shifted his eyes over to Anansi as he smirked. "Oh, you are ever so cheeky aren't you?" He chuckled. He then found himself gazing at the other Gods who seem to be giving their support to the Oakborn's full recovery...well, at least from the ones that could attend. He looked over to the representative of LiesseiL, this began to irk the Mad God. "Hm, why do I have to attend this...rousing reunion, when the masked wonder doesn't!? What makes him so special? And this whole one mind many body excuse is just that...an excuse." He thought bitterly to himself. Finding the echoing of the proxy's voice in his head adding further agitation.

"Then of course Kassius must open his big, fat mouth, cocky little fly he'll get his someday." Still, Palchard just merely grinned at the Sunbearer showing no ill will towards him. "Why yes, of course, an improvement I say! I mean really, it's quite the fulfilling sensation to listen to a being that can carry on an argument with themself!" Palchard spoke whilst having chuckle. It was then his attention went back to Anansi who had some interesting words to speak.

"Hush now, brother," She said, he was just about the only one who could draw chuckle from her. "One of ours has been injured, are you not -at the very least- entertained by this, A God, hurt? Do you not find intrigue in this?"

"Mild intrigue I suppose." He said nonchalantly. "And of course another God's pain is another God's treasure." He chuckled. "What can harm a god but another god, which begs another question..." hissed the Storyteller, leaving him hanging on the answer a moment before she whispered, into his ear. "Who among is not what he seems?" It was then Palchard leaned in closer to his sister as he looked over to her.

"An interesting proposition my dear. Of course my first guess would be myself, but, then again I don't recall shattering any psyches that weren't a mortal's." He mused as he looked around the room. "I was pondering this earlier but it is rather peculiar LiessieL himself would not come to this...party, despite how much fun we are all having. But, no, he sends one of his little faceless minions to come in his stead and expects us all to be satisfied with that. Such poor taste that is." He speculated. He then looked over at Kassius, the drunk of a God, he didn't see much potential out of him to do this sort of thing. He then looked over Laylandra, while he didn't expect her to have done the action, it does raise the question however as to where Kairos is?

"Yet another God who decided he was too good to come, look over next to Laylandra." Palchard spoke pointing at Kairos's empty seat. "This one didn't even have the courtesy to insult us with a substitute, instead he doesn't have a presence here altogether! Of course I guess he expects his Twin to do all the work... a shame siblings don't get along famously like ourselves?" He trailed off almost sing-songly. "Still mighty suspicious and the Storm God is rather...capricious." He added. He looked over to Houdan who seemed rather intensely invested in what the Oakborn is saying. Houdan does have the strength and the mind for such an act he supposes. Yet it seems farfetched.

He then looked over to Krieg. Yes, the only other God he believes that would have the audacity to do such a thing. He does have the motive of being quite bitter over his lessened state of being. Perhaps he was so angry he decided to split the Nature Deity's consciousness into many little ones? "Well we have the God of War here, he certainly has his reasons for doing such a thing...I mean just look at him!" He said pointing at Krieg. "Then there's you. What have you been up to little Sis?" He snickered at her.

__________

Anansi gave her brother a fang-toothed smirk. "I am the Narrator, Brother, not a Character." She told him simply. She'd honestly hoped this would keep his mind occupied not his mouth, but at least he was no longer complaining, though she knew that wouldn't last. "You've mentioned near everyone, everyone but the love goddess, but she'd sooner bed the Oakborn than harm it." She said, her eyes moving to the goddess who was idly playing with her Avatar's hair, looking nearly as bored as her mad brother. "Are you going to investigate this matter?" She asked him. "Since it was on your mind." She added as one of her ilk crawled from her dark locks and up and over her shoulder. She looked over, smiled softly, before scooping the eight-legged creature into her palm and set it upon the table. "I could aid you in this, it would be a good story to tell."

____________

Palchard laughed aloud at Anansi's retort, "Fair enough...though I wouldn't put it past you. Quite the fable it would be, the Spider frightens the Tree so much it split it's bark many-fold!" He snickered. He arched an eyebrow once Anansi decided to mention the Goddess of Love, including her among a list of suspects in this scheme. "Oh please, I figured she wasn't even worth an honorable mention." Palchard groaned as he waved off the notion with his hand.

Palchard then rested his elbows on the table instead of his boots as he laid his chin down upon his open palm. Already he was losing interest once more in these matters. Though he would applaud whoever confesses to the crime and declare them his new best friend but since he was not the one to do it, he found it hard to even care.

"Are you going to investigate this matter?" She asked him. "Since it was on your mind." She added as one of her ilk crawled from her dark locks and up and over her shoulder. She looked over, smiled softly, before scooping the eight-legged creature into her palm and set it upon the table. "I could aid you in this, it would be a good story to tell."

Palchard lifted his head at this proposal as he looked over to Anansi and grinned. "Hehe, sticking our noses where they don't belong?" He then laughed, "What good are our noses if we cannot do that very thing?" He chuckled. "Fine...an inquisition is far more entertaining than a council meeting anyway." He said with a smile as he stood up. He then clapped his hands together drawing the attention of the other Gods to himself. "Well thank you for my daily dosage of doom and gloom! I'll be sure to watch for any suspicious characters while I'm away!" He addressed the Oakborn in a very sing-songly manner. "But for now, I shall take you up upon your offer and indulge in my assortment of torrid affairs and petty wars! Besides, I fear the world has grown rather dull in my absence!" He continued to hum as he turned on his heels in a very comical fashion. "Shall we take our leave, dear Sis? After all, you have people to scare and I have people to deceive." He then laughed a rather sinister laugh as made his way towards the exit.

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Anansi watched her brother raise and make a grand show of his exit, and she merely chuckled in response. "Very true." She said, and rose, in a more graceful manner then her twin, scooped up her spider before sauntering behind her brother without a mention or acknowledgement to the others. There was really no need for it and Anansi was never one to waste a word.

Krieg was not pleased one bit by the news that the Oakborn had summoned him for. It was vague and incoherent. In the time that they had been waiting he could have razed a city or watch a battle between his worshipers and heathen barbarians within the high mountains of Orgot. Yet here he was listening to the ramblings of what was left of the old fool he would have broken himself.

He glanced at Houdan for a moment. His servants had recently entered Shadolbha in his hopes to steal a secret so grand it had been rumored to grant any wish. The wish, of course, would be to restore Krieg to his former glory, flesh and all. Yet it had been some time since his servants had contacted him, which made him concerned that they many have been caught. In that case, although the god of strength would be wary, there would still be hope. His compassion could easily outway his wisdom, given a certain scenario.

"Why are even here?" He asked aloud to the others in the chamber. "[b]This crone speaks of what is impossible. Some of us are tied to the very laws of nature in this world. Violence, light, cruelty, and darkness. Do any of you think a foe could use those elements to kill the very entities that represent them? The world order had been well established centuries ago. Why would it possibly change now?[b]" Frankly Krieg was tired of meeting for trivial matters such as this.

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Goddess of Love, Lust and Sexuality
Theme: Fairy Glade

Interacting with: Avatar Ashika, Kassuis, Krieg

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Sitting with her young Avatar, playing in her long brown locks, The Love Goddess listened to her brothers and sisters speak. Ai barely registered what they were saying, none of it concerned her but she figured she'd at least be polite. The Oakborn had been hurt and the old woman thought to warn the others, it was kind thing to do, though Ai's attention was torn between her Avatar and Kassius who always seemed to have a smile for her in which she would happily return.
"My Goddess, do you think we should worry?" Ashika asked not moving her head but looking up with her eyes at the Goddess.
"Not even a little bit." Ai said softly to the girl, while Krieg blew a fit. Ai sighed. The Lie Twins had already gone off on their own, though the Spider Goddess lingered a bit, in the shadows, clearly not trying to hid but not wishing to be visible either and only a handful of them wanted to be there int he first place, some of the gods hadn't even been arsed to show. It was impossibly rude, now Krieg had something to say.

"This crone speaks of what is impossible. Some of us are tied to the very laws of nature in this world. Violence, light, cruelty, and darkness. Do any of you think a foe could use those elements to kill the very entities that represent them? The world order had been well established centuries ago. Why would it possibly change now?"


"Oh Come now, brother, there's no need for such harshness." She told him, flirting with her eyes, though her interest in the conquest was low on the list. The conquest at the top of that list had been smiling at her since the start of this thing and she had to admit that she wanted it to be over so that she might conquer.

She toss a flirty grin in the Laughter God's direction before looking toward Krieg. "The Oakborn has been hurt, perhaps he just wants comfort, and to warn the rest of us?" She offered with a shrug as she braided Ashika's hair. "T'was a kind gesture, in my opinion." She said and prepared for one if not all of them to tell her no one asked nor care for her opinion, they rarely did, but she was used to it.

"Oh, I am happy you love my people's wild side as much as I do! You are welcome to come my friend!" Kassius laughed, ignoring the Winter King's comments. The Stag was his favorite aspect of the Oakborn. Sure, he could run a little wild, but everything worked out in the end. As he was about to speak further, he paused, disconcerted. He thought he heard a tune, a lament of time long forgotten and sorrow he could not comprehend.

The moment passed however as he caught the look the Love Goddess was giving him. It was the look of a jungle cat eying a tasty snack and the Sun God would only be too happy to be the helpless prey caught in her claws. He spared a glance at his companion, suddenly less interested in a night on the town with a drinking buddy. Still, he laughed merrily and slapped his back.

"Just be responsible, my friend, as dull as that might be. Cyrus would not speak to me for a decade if he had to deal with a demigod running around."

As he listened to Ai's words, he nodded in agreement and approached her, bending down to kiss her hand, heedless of Krieg's ranting, "Agreed. We should not forget that the Oakborn is our dear friend and was wise before I could talk!"

His paused, remembering those years so long ago. He had not changed, but so much else had. He suppressed a sigh, but shot a smile at Ai nonetheless, one different from his usually carefree grins. It was a small, grateful one conveying a maturity that seldom manifested in him.

"We cannot forget the bonds that tie us. Or the joys that come with the present." He announced. He nodded at the Avatar beside Ai Perhaps she would be a welcome presence among his people. They could use a bit more love.

Throne Room of the Other Place

Houdan sat in the Hall lost in pensive thought. He took note of how the other Gods felt and he wasn't surprised the reactions would be mixed as they are. He was intensely invested in the warnings of the Oakborn and despite the Deity's current state Houdan trusts in the wisdom the Grandmother is trying to impart. He felt a certain kinship with that particularly Face of the Oakborn, perhaps because they seem similar in many ways. In fact some of the Young Gods have affectionately called him the Grandfather, which the God of Strength found amusing. While Houdan wished to keep this meeting civil some of the more rebellious youth intend to raise some dissent.

He looked towards Palchard and found his blatant disregard for anything the Oakborn says as utterly rude. Still there is a reason he is called the Mad God and madness is not very privy to wisdom were it may concern. Still he took off in a relatively quick fashion, as he did not care to stick around further and ask questions or even offer some aid. He also found his side conversation with Anansi whilst the Oakborn spoke to be also in poor taste. Then harsh words came from the God of War, Krieg. Houdan looked towards the wispy form of the War God. Before coming here he had been made aware by his servants in Shadolbha that some poor fools have attempted to invade the Realm of Harmony. Their aim was apparently the Zen Monastery and the secrets it contained behind it's walls.

Worst of all it was said to have been servants of Krieg himself. Houdan looked at the God of War with an angered stare, he felt it rather audacious for Krieg to attempt such a thing and then present himself before his very eyes as if nothing had happen. He wasn't entirely sure if Krieg was daring to challenge him out in the open. Houdan wouldn't think it wise, yes, before the war he would have been concerned, a fight between the God of War and the God of Strength would be a particularly devastating one. Yet in Krieg's current shape of being he did not expect he would out right challenge him in physical combat. If he did Houdan was certain he could over come him if need be.

This matter is an issue for another time, however, for now Houdan would not act upon Krieg's transgressions, not until this business is settled. Still, that does not mean Houdan would let this slide, he shall keep on eye on him for further actions he may take against him. The God of Wisdom then looked over to the Oakborn and voiced his own concerns, "Grandmother, if I may? I too shall lend whatever aid that is required of me. Whether it be my wisdom or my strength you, for any reason, may call upon me when needed." He said. "Furthermore, what has happened does not mean the same will always happen. Nature does change...sometimes in the most unexpected of ways. I advise none of us let our guards down...if the threat is eminent then what crime that was done to the Oakborn could easily be done on to us." Houdan spoke, his voice resolute, strong, yet caring at the same time.

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Earthrend, Capital of Zoadia, Throne Room of the Goblin King

On the world of Pandeum sat a barren land ravaged by the throes of industry and mayhem, sat the Goblin Kingdom of Zoadia. In the heart of Goblin Country was the capital of Earthrend, like the name suggests, the very land was torn asunder and like a great pustulent boil it has burrowed and embedded itself deeply. Smoke rises from the various foundries and factories creating a black cloud of pollution that hangs over the city threatening to blotch out the sky. The echoes of miserable shouts and screams could be heard deep beneath the city within miles and miles of underground mines. There the laborious slave force was in full effect as chained Humans and other denizens of Pandeum are forced to toil away for unspeakable hours.

Cruel Hobgoblin and Goblin slave drivers force them to work until they are no longer of use. While the Goblins do enjoy overworking their slaves to the point of death, it seemed their work day had alas finished. "Awlright, git on yeh mewlin' buggers! Yeh lucky ya survived the day! Git home to yer stinkin' shacks yeh bunch of pissants!" Shouted the Goblin Foreman. Soon the drivers were whipping and kicking the weakened workers shoving them out by the tens of hundreds. High above them however, sat the royal keep of the Goblin King, the vile and despotic Gulbrand, Avatar of the God of Cruelty himself! Deep within it's gilded halls sat the tyrannical ruler upon his throne. In his presence was the Chief of the Slave Trade, a Goblin named Greken. "Good evenin' yer Majesty. It is a honor to be within yer presence oh great and terrible King of Goblins!" Greken proclaimed.

"I trust the latest shipment of slaves was to yer likin'?" Greken asked. Gulbrand sat on his throne paying more attention to his pet Barghest, Meathook than the Goblin Slaver in front of him. Meathook growled at Greken as the little Goblin tensed up as the lupine fiend bared it's deadly fangs. "Yes, yes they were quite alright, a most lucrative selection this time." The Goblin King spoke, sounding as refined as any Monarch should be. "Aye! I see m'King has quite the eye for wares? Yes theys are quite the strong lot, all of 'em! We got them not too far off from the Wolflunds! Of course m'sire, we didn't enter their lunds, just pick'em off the outskirts ye see?" Greken explained.

"The Empire of the Wolf? None of them were Lycans I take it? I would hate to see my subjects killed in the middle of the night by maulings all on the count of one stupid Slaver." Gulbrand calmly spoke. Meathook was practically salivating at the thought of attacking the Goblin and eating his flesh. "Why, no...eh, of course not yer Grace! These be some outcasts that did not accept the Bite! Bunch of ingrates, they are! Deserved to be captured and placed into labour, they is!" Greken reassured. "Well, then pray for your sake they are just that...ingrates. Lest you be mauled several times over for every Goblin found dead in the streets at the hands of your slaves." Gulbrand threatened ever so slightly. Meathook snarled. "Yes...uh, right you would be, sire. I...shall take me leave then, I will." Greken finished obviously shaken. He then quickly left the Throne Room with his fellow Slavers seeking to leave the Capital as soon as possible.

"Greetings, sire." Spoke Kob, Gulbrand's personal Adviser. "Oh, Kob, what news have you?" Gulbrand his demeanor noticeably more friendly than earlier. "Well sire, talks with the Unseelie continues." Kob responds. "Oh? And what do the Fae want this time?" Gulbrand asks. "Well they seek an ally for some war of their's and they have chosen us to be that ally." Kob answers. "Really? And why should I help the Unseelie? Or any Paleskin for that matter?" Gulbrand questions. "I'm not sure, sire. We have no love for the Paleskins either and I dare say they could care less for our own. Still the Unseelie Queen herself has asked for an audience with you mi King." Gulbrand mulled Kob's words over in his head and after awhile he responded. "So, one of the Paleskin Queens wishes to have an audience with me? Very well, I'll see what the Fae Filth want with me...go and respond to their request, that the Goblin King shall receive her! I only ask when and where?" Gulbrand commanded. "Of course right away mi King." Kob bowed as he ran off to give the word.

Gulbrand stood up and paced about his Great Hall. "Hmph, Fae Filth. Of all the people I despise, none so more than those wretched Paleskins! They believe themselves fairest of all creations and therefore spit upon all others! I cannot stand their smug sense of self-assurance! They'll soon be begging me to end them once my great war begins." Gulbrand said to himself. Meathook growled as another Barghest entered the room, it was Mangore followed by his owner, Krillock the Red. "Bloody, Paleskins, they don't know how good they got it." The Hobgoblin sneered. "Ah, Krillock, how good it is to see one of my top Warchiefs. Tell me why are you here?" He asked. "I've come asking for more gold. I intend to march on the bloody Pinkskins of Solara...they're about to have their little festivals soon. Now's a good a time as any to harass them." Krillock laughed with savage glee. "Hmph, Pinkskins, yet another nuisance that earns my ire...still, I am not one to forward gold without any results to support this transaction." Gulbrand responded. "Well, I have sent envoys to speak with the Orcs! I have a feelin' they'll agree to side with me." Krillock answered. "Perhaps...the Orcs have been good to us in the past...fine, if you have their support I shall agree to lend you more gold." Gulbrand finished.

"Good, mi King...I shall conquer more of their lunds in you're name!" Krillock saluted as he marched out of the throne room. "MANGORE! COME!" He shouted as the two barghests spent the time growling at each other. Mangore quickly followed after it's master leaving Gulbrand alone to ponder the future of the Goblins in Pandeum.

The Oakborn
The Otherplace

Grandmother’s face hardened. Her eyes became like steel as she listened to several gods mock the threat that they were called to discuss. They acted as if the Oakborn was nothing. As if it had not vigilantly watched the world for danger. As if they had not all come to it at one point or another for counsel or a favor. Her jaw tensed, her eyes narrowed, and the air around her went cold. The Raven, Snow King, and Green Woman took note of this change in mood and sat back in their chairs to avoid the carnage to come. The Stag, however, paid no mind and continued to laugh with Cassius. “Well, my friend, I already have quite a few of those running around! Perhaps your kingdom needs a few Changelings! Perhaps some Oakborn blood could bring some more life to the Solaran cities!”

Grandmother stood up and the Stag immediately silenced himself. “Whoever believes that this does not concern them is a fool.” The rasp in her voice scratched at the air with restrained rage. Her eyes ran over the forms of Krieg and Palchard, two extremely vexing individuals. “Need I remind you that the Oakborn was a god in its prime when it was assualted?” She saw Palchard and his sister, Anansi move towards the exit. With a wave of her hand, the great wooden doors slammed shut. Oh course she knew that closing the siblings in would not prevent them from leaving, but she never wasted a chance to be theatric.

“Has it been so long that you don’t recall?” Her voice boomed throughout the room, echoing off the walls. “We were more powerful than all of you.” Grandmother shook her head and laughed. “And you have the audacity to mock such grave danger? Do you believe you would fare better than us against this threat?” Her eyes shot to the war god, Krieg. “What room do you have to speak, Warmonger? You’re too busy wasting away to stand a chance against whatever waits on the horizon.” She spat her words towards the corpselike body of the dark one. “The rules of this world have never been set in stone. Things are the way they are because we, as the gods, have willed it. But, as the Watchers of the World, we can tell you that there is nothing stopping our dynasy from being toppled by something stronger.”

She looked towards Palchard with cold anger in her eyes. “And I won’t even waste my breath on you. You will simply brush off what I say with a joke and tumble out of here like a common street performer, unfazed and ignorant to the meaning of my words.” The Grandmother sat back down in her chair, as if the passion fueling her speech had exhausted her. She watched the trickster god, still seething with anger. Perhaps the mysterious force would take that troublesome deity off her hands. She sighed and the doors opened once more. “I am tired of your disrespect. Leave this ‘old rotting tree’ before I have to suffer another moment of your company.” She glanced at Anansi, but said nothing to her. The spider goddess had done nothing to offend the Grandmother, but she was wary of the storyteller. Although she was nowhere near as irritating as her brother, she was a dangerous being all the same.

She took a breath as she addressed the table once more. “I thank you all who have offered your support.” She looked to Houdan and smiled, bunching up the crows feet by her eyes. “Thank you, Enlightened One. Your Wisdom and Strength will be greatly appreciated in the coming trials.” The Grandmother smiled at Ai. “Thank you as well, my lovely. I know these matters don’t interest you, but it is kind that you entertain an old woman. You must come over to my cottage for tea some time.”

The Raven rubbed her temples and shook her head. “Well, I suppose that was an unexpected turn in the meeting. Grandmother, you really must work on that temper of yours.” The older face chuckled. “My temper is fine just the way it is.” The Raven shrugged, smirking. She told no one of the whispers in her mind, the voices of the Great Oak’s roots. They pleaded desperately with her as they repeated the same phrase over and over again.

'The Beast is awakening. The God Eater Cometh. The Beast is awakening. The God Eater Cometh. The Beast is Awakening. The God Eater Cometh.'