hobbygamers ~ View topic

We keep this thread open for any IC or wacky flavor text or ideas that come up for potential discussion. In-universe perspective stuff that might help people get their ideas floating. Everyone feel free to try to cook up something that might fit the setting we're working in, and let's see what we can incorporate.

Here's one, a short bit on the Sinagthari. (Disclaimer, this was written months ago with the Wild Sun concept being the dominant idea then)

Oblation

“And so, the Betrayers cloaked their treachery under the name of Liberator, and turned against the Gods who created them! Woe unto us, mortal-kind, sons and daughters of the Faithful who must suffer for the sins of the Faithless!”

The High Lightbringer’s sermon droned onwards as Sivar continued the Glorious Ascent. Sivar adjusted his armor buckles and helmet strap. It would not, after all, be advisable for a warrior of the Sinaghari to arrive at the pinnacle of the Steps of Ascension looking like some shabby wildling. It might make it difficult for the priests to properly identify the oblate, he thought wryly.

“And the Betrayers stood before our master, Sinaghari the Daystar. The Shining Lord, in His Mercy, sought to bring back the Betrayers into the fold of the Gods, but these ‘Liberators’, envious of the Daystar’s glory, refused him. Terrible was the battle that followed, and many of the Daystar’s servants fell at his side. Though thousands were slain by the consuming fires of His wrath, the wickedness of these faithless Liberators prevailed. The Shining Lord fell, and the radiance of the Daystar, once warm, comforting, and measured, blazed like the wildfire searing the land. Woe unto the children of Sinaghari, who could not defend their God at Kal Dathra, on the last day of the Godfall War, the day when all gods died!”

Above, the sun pulsed and throbbed in the sullen red sky, as if in remembrance of the fallen god. There was a flash of blinding light, and a pillar of elemental fire lanced downwards from the sun. By the angle, I’d say it’ll strike near Jorat. Serves the Faithless scum of that city right. Still, that’s a bad sign. The Time of Skyfire comes too soon. Sivar did a quick estimate, counting the number of steps he had taken since beginning today’s Glorious Ascent. A hundred oblates, at best. Too few, too few by far. The warrior idly cuffed the back of his oblate’s head to bring him back in line.

“But we did not give in to despair! We, the Faithful of Sinaghari, shall be triumphant! We bear His Heart of Fire, the mightiest of the Godstones. By its power, by our faith, and by our works, by the power of our offerings, He shall return!”

The Lightbringer’s voice was drowned out by a long, shrill shriek. Excellent. That one had good, strong lungs. Hope that also came with a good, strong, heart.

The highest steps were slick with blood by the time Sivar approached the pinnacle of the Ascent. He was the last to present his oblate to the Lightbringer, befitting his position as Strike Commander of the raids that had netted these oblates. The oblate made one final bid at freedom, and Sivar irritably clobbered the bound captive back into place. From wildling prince to blubbering twit, how the mighty hath fallen. Faithless wretch, let’s hope your blood isn’t as weak as your courage. The Lightbringer’s litanies began to wind down as Sivar manhandled the oblate onto the altar. The warrior held the sacrifice down as Aysa, the Mistress of Offerings cut open the oblate’s chest and poured out his heartsfire upon the Godstone. Sivar let go of the prisoner then and admired the measured grace with which Aysa finished the sacrifice, as she stood there coated in such blood as would make the finest of Sivar’s warriors envious. Aysa and the Lightbringer finished the ritual and a lance of energy streaked sunward. Above, the angry red glow subsided, without being totally suppressed. It will have to do, for now.

Aysa turned to Sivar. “Find more sacrifices Sivar, or His rage will kill us all.”

In the Filipino thread, I had some random flavor idea. Not sure if I should repost, though.

The daystar brightens once more, bathing us all in it's warm light. I vaguely remember Archmagus' words regarding Sinag. He has seen it, he said, seen how humans are slaughtered to appease the dead god.

I care not for the untimely deaths of people I hardly know. My sister is in that wood, and to it I must go. I ready my wand, and take one concerned look at the godstone upon its tip. Diwata dislike anything connected to the divine.

But what is a godstone, truly? Many believe they are the bones of the long dead immortals, or the hardened blood of them, and that they are by extension, unnatural.

I place my Arcane Implement into my backpack. I can cast my spells well enough without it. Nevertheless, it would be nice to have it in person.

Just to be sure.

My College hypothesizes that mortal survival throughout the thousand-year darkness was only possible the unknowing manipulation of the godstones. Surely, if it has been around for that long, then reality must have accepted it as part of reality now.

I'm thinking too much again. I should focus myself, for the thin trees, nowhere abundant, come into view. Strange how so few of them could wall the diwata's territory so effectively.

I hesitate, mere feet from entering. No one who has ventured in have ever left, and they are there somewhere, wailing in agony through the blanket of dark.

My sister is in there.

No one has left. But not one was a wizard.

I take the first step.

You know, there's a Bonethrall location to be made out of this article. It's fascinating. Evocative. Creepy.

Georgia Guidestones