Knightfall's World of Kulan Campaign Development Thread (Last Update: Jul 16/03)

[Knightfall]

This was originally posted as my Divinity War Story Hour but since it is basically an old thread that won't have any other fiction added to it, I decided to ask the moderators to move the thread to the Plots & Places forum (Thanks P'Cat!). Detailed campaign information is to be posted here such as adventure locations and my campaign's current plot timeline. Note: There is alot of mythology and history detailed on this thread - once you start reading I'm sure you'll be intrigued. - KF72

This thread goes into the mythology, history, current campaign year, PC/NPC backgrounds, religions & temples, countries & cities and anything else regarding my World of Kulan campaign setting that I think is appropriate. (BTW, The creation myth, on the first page, is only for the continent of Harqual. The other continents of Harqual have different myths and Gods. World of Kulan is detailed more on my webpage .)

This first part starts with the creation myth and the gathering of the North Gods of Harqual. A story about the end of a godwar, against another group of Gods known as the Pantheon of Swords, I call the Divinity War comes after that. After that, the thread goes into the detailed history of the continent of Harqual. After that it becomes more chaotic, as I move from topic to topic.

This is a LIVE thread!

So without any further ado...

THE ERAS OF HARQUAL
This is the only place where I could possibly start. Before anything else about Kulan existed there was Harqual. Born out of barbaric beginnings, Harqual is a land rich with wild tracts of land, untamed peoples, and strange magical phenomena.

THE FIRST ERA

Out of the Mists
The first god to form on this great land was Cronn. Born out of the mists of the north, Cronn is the Great Lord of the People of the Northlands.

Another, Mirella, recorded his birth in the Book of Time. The goddess of time and history, Mirella has existed on Kulan before any other god or goddess, no matter what they claim.

Cronn instantly realised her power and knelt before her in the heavens. “Ask what you will of me, milady, I am your servant!”

She was touched by the barbarian god’s gesture but shook her head. “No great Cronn, your destiny is not with me but with the land that bore you. You are its master and slave, you must guard it for all time against those that would destroy it.”

With that she left him. So great was his sorrow that he could not serve the lady, tears streamed from his eyes to shatter the earth. Thus the first of Cronn's barbarian children were born. Cronn led his people into the wilds of the Northlands where they still exist today as they did thousands of years ago.

Mirella was also the goddess of all magic on Kulan at this time. But she did not have the desire to keep such a gift from others. She soon passed on her power to several other powers across Kulan, including Immotion. Immotion is one of the early children of Cronn. Or at least, she is a direct result of his birth.

It is known that Xuar, her brother, is her rival for the arcane. Xuar was jealous of her power and attacked her in rage when he found out that Mirella had gifted her with the power that he desired. He plunged a wood spear into her heart and drank her divine blood in order to steal some of her magic. Thus he holds power over the Necromantic Arts.

Cronn was enraged by Xuar’s actions and banished him from the Northlands. Thus is it that Necromancy is a taboo of all northern men.

Immotion’s encounter with her evil brother had left her in a broken state. She had not the power to heal her wound with sorcery and was on the brink of losing her immortality. Thus it was that a young tribesman, who loved her dearly, sought for a way to heal her. He begged great Cronn to raise part of the Northlands up high enough for him to touch the sun and use its light to keep her warm. Thus were the Greystones formed and so to the god of healing and the sun, Jalivier.

Cronn praised Jalivier for his wisdom and compassion and offered him anything he desired. “I have only one wish great Cronn, to be at Lady Immotion’s side for all eternity.” Cronn could see that his daughter was smitten with the young god and whole-heartedly agreed. “Let it be so!”

And with their joining came five children...Kuil, Larea, Ramara, Sanh and Tok. Kuil was the oldest and a master of stealth. He was destined at an early age to become the God of Rogues and Illusion. Larea came next and was born wild. She is the Goddess of the Hunt, Queen of the Wilderness. Ramara was the third child to bless Immotion and Jalivier and had a beauty beyond anything Cronn had ever seen. “Truly we are blessed to have such a child born amongst us.” She was made the Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Joy without a doubt. Sanh, the second youngest was wilder than even Larea. He had his father’s spirit from birth and strove to become as strong as Jalivier. And his father was proud, despite his chaotic nature. Sanh was appointed God of the Sky and Lord of Thunder.

And then there was Tok.

The Calling
Tok was one of the pantheon’s greatest tragedies. Tok was born as a mad, monstrous hound with huge tusks and six limbs. Xuar placed a horrid curse on Immotion during the birth and Tok was the result. Tok ravaged the Northlands for over a decade killing tribesmen and destroying the forests of his people. Worse, those he killed did not truly die but became horrid undead creatures that stalked the land beside him.

Cronn loathed the idea of killing one of his own for Tok was not evil, simply mad. He knew that Tok’s soul would evaporate into nothingness without some form of release from his madness. Instead, he called through the planes for a god that would cleanse his grandchild. Many came to help but none could end the creature’s pain.

Then came a strange god, named Issek, from an unknown, distant plane of existence. This god possessed power over those that must endure torture and hardship. Issek confronted Tok at the Long Divide without fear or malice. Tok charged towards Issek as if to slay the alien god but all Issek did was stare the creature down as it came closer. A sudden change came over Tok and he stopped abruptly. He tilted his head like a lost pup and blinked at the strange off world deity. Issek turned to Cronn and smiled. “He must come with me to my home in the planes and must never leave my side or he will revert to his madness.”

“So it must be.” Cronn was saddened to see his grandchild in such a state. “But you must come and visit us from time to time so that we may see him. He may be mad, but he is still family.” Issek agreed without pause and did indeed come to visit the pantheon every chance he could spare. Thus it was that a divine chair was set at Cronn’s Great Table for Issek, as the God of Tortured Souls.

This left Cronn with a dilemma. All the undead creatures that were made by his grandson had to be destroyed and set to rest yet they were still his people, even if corrupted by Necromancy. Thus it that Cronn again called through the planes for a god to cleanse their tainted souls. Many vile gods and goddesses answered his call and he was appalled by their bloodthirsty nature and sent them away.

Then came Hades. He was dark and foreboding, there was no doubt about that. But he possessed a certain peaceful and honorable quality that Cronn admired. “Your people are welcome in my realm if you choose. But you must understand that most of those that enter will simply fade away into the realm and cannot be raised.”

“Perfect.” Cronn was most pleased, as those that die should not be brought back to life by any means. Thus it was that Hades was given a seat at Cronn’s table and those of Cronn’s people that had died at the hands of Tok found eternal rest.

Thus it was that Cronn began The Calling. Issek and Hades were the first to answer the call, but they were not the last. Soon Cronn had dozen’s of desperate powers trying to escape death or increase their own power. The gods and goddesses that came to his summons overwhelmed Cronn.

He called out to Mirella and asked, “Great Lady, what am I to do! All seem eager to sit at my Great Table but I cannot choose between them!”

Mirella spoke to him. “Great Cronn, I am pleased by your humble wisdom. They can not all sit at your Table for their isn’t room. I suggest you choose those that are in need and noble of being.”

Thus these new gods and goddesses were given a seat at Cronn’s Great Table. Aegir, Anacoro, Bast, Cull, Daghdha, Damh, Inanna, Lokun, Rel, & Santè.

These gods brought with them a desire to truly be part of Cronn’s growing family and bore several other lesser gods and demigods as a sign of solidarity. Thus the Hall of the Northlands filled with the laughter of the Divine Children: Anon, Euphoria, Hansa, Hela, Jaeger, Mayela, Nessus, Sialic, Thorn, Truce, Tulle, & Zealot.

From the Unknown
It was around this time that a strange supernatural event shook the heavens. In the middle of a cold fall night a bright cosmic light flashed in the heavens.

This great supernatural event caused the night to become day for one evening. This event was soon followed by hundreds of meteors raining down to the earth for two solid days. On the third day, three bright meteorites streaked through the night sky and came down near one of the southern lakes. They hit the ground with such force that the tremors could be felt north of the Greystones.

Cronn instantly was concerned that this dark omen might mean hardship for his people. If only he had know the truth.

Fallen Avatars
The three meteorites were actually avatars of another planet in Kulanspace called Trel. Trel had been a small, arid world that suffered greatly due the influence of over two dozen dark gods. The people lived in horrid fear of their Dark Lords. The worst of these were Alhark, Mussin, Nether, & Vall. But of these four, Mussin was the most despicable and depraved.

The gods schemed and plotted against one another and took any chance to steal one another’s power. This went on for endless centuries with the Trelan people caught in the middle. However, it soon reached a boiling point over a century ago when a Spelljamming vessel made ‘first contact’ with the small world.

A wandering priest of Ptah, whose name is lost to history, and his small crew crashed landed on Trel. He was horrified by the way that the groundling gods treated their people! He instantly went underground in Trelan society and incited the good people that still remained to rebel. Within 50 years he had destroyed three of the smaller evil sects and was leading hundreds of thousands of Crusaders across the barren world against the evil masters of the world.

Ptah was overjoyed by the young priest’s drive and appeared to the man in a vision. He granted the priest limited divine power, making him a demigod-avatar of Ptah. The new fledgling power instantly appeared to his people and told them of his great gift from Ptah. His devoted followers praised him and Ptah with joy and reverence. The god swiftly gained power on Trel and destroyed dozens of lesser mad powers. In less than twenty years he had become an intermediate god and gaining.

Only eight evil powers remained and they were all hard pressed. Only Mussin and Nether saw the long-term prospect of remaining on Trel. Utter destruction. Nether wanted simply to flee into the planes but Mussin was too much a vengeful god and braggart just to leave the world to the enemy. If he could not have it, no one would.

Thus it is that Mussin set in motion the Dark Purge. He sought out four of the lesser dark gods and destroyed them, stealing their power. With Nether at his side he took as much divine power as he could. Then he entered the very core of the world to unleash the dark power he had stolen. In his rage, he destroyed several avatars of his remaining rivals and drew the new god into direct conflict.

They fought for a year and a day and the world suffered endless natural disasters; floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, waterspouts, hurricanes...

The people sought for any way to escape their dying world. Very few actually made it. In the end, Mussin broke the young god and the world exploded in a divine fire. Three gods survived the destruction of the world...Mussin, Nether, and another dark god named Zae. The same three that fell into the atmosphere of Kulan propelled by the shear force of the planet’s explosion.

Zae was a lesser power of little importance on his world and didn’t survive the impact. Mussin and Nether barely survived themselves. The two would have faded out of existence if not for the help of Xuar. He found the dark pair struggling to survive like mortals in the wilderness.

Mirella was instantly aware of the two but did not seek them out. She had hoped that they would simply fade away. But when Xuar made contact she had no choice but to confront them. They weren’t very pleased to meet her and sought to destroy her and steal her power. It was a pathetic attempt. “You are curs and twisted dogs but I cannot banish you. The alien nature in you limits my control over your power but don’t think for an instant I can’t destroy you if I must. I will be watching.”

 

[Knightfall]

The Second Era begins...

THE SECOND ERA

The Children of Tu
The end of the First Era came with the dawn of a new civilisation in the south. Before even Cronn walked the land of Harqual, there were the animals. Great cats stalked the southern plains and savage wolves hunted mastodons in the north. The most powerful of these races of animals were the tigers of The Storm Jungle. These beasts were larger and more intelligent than most of their wild cousins. Some believe that the Cat Lord himself had blessed them.

However, they reached their status, the tigers evolved into something more than just beasts. They gained a spark of intelligence. The first of their kind to achieve this state called himself Tu. This massive male was confident and proud of his enhanced abilities. He strove to dominate his entire race and make all the animals bow down to him. He would have succeeded, if not for Mirella.

The goddess appeared to him in all her divine power and he was in awe of her. “You have yet to prove yourself capable of wielding such power as that which you seek. You must encourage your people to grow strong in the mind as well as in the body. Only then will you understand that which you seek.”

“It will be so Great Mother, I swear it. My people will be the greatest on this world.” Mirella could not help but admire his pride and strength.

“Yes, but if you are to compete with the other intelligent races that have come before and to come still, you will need your own gift to bring to the world.” Thus it was that Mirella granted Tu the divine right over his people as their master and protector.

And thus the Children of Tu spread over the entire southern lands from The Storm Jungle to the Savanna of the Sun. But still Tu was not satisfied. “I must have it all!” But he could not yet challenge the people of Cronn for dominance of all of Harqual. “I must wait and allow my people to grow as the Great Mother suggested.”

The Challenge
The Second Era of Harqual brought great change to the face of the land. Contact was established with both Janardun and Margoth-Nal and magical flying ‘constructs’ appeared in the sky. These alien constructs brought the first of the Mei’neav or ‘new people’ to Kulan. Dwarves, elves, gnomes, halflings, and countless races of humanoids appeared every year.

At first, Cronn and his people welcomed the Mei’neav but soon they became concerned as more and more of the newcomers spread across the land. Not only that, the newcomers worshipped strange alien gods that appeared as omens and visions. Cronn had no control over these new gods and soon saw them as a threat to his people. “How can I respect those that will not even visit my Great Table. I beseech you, come and feast with me!”

The greatest of the Elven gods, Corellon, spoke for the Ne Mei‘neav or demihuman gods. “Great Cronn, it is not our way to appear directly upon the Mortal Plane. Such show of power is frowned upon amongst our kind and may leave us defenceless against our enemies.”

“What cowardice is this? You speak like a small child, afraid of his own shadow. Mighty Hades will sit at my table, why not you?”

“You uncouth barbarian! How dare you accuse me of cowardice, you have never left the Mortal Plane. I challenge you, Cronn, to face me in the planes for the honor of your people.”

“So shall it be! You choose the place, I’ll choose the challenge.”

“Done!”

And so Cronn went to the Outer Planes and faced Corellon on the Pillars of Koth in the deepest wilderness of the Beastlands.

“You choose well, Lord Corellon. Now lets see if you’re up to my challenge. Ours will not be a contest of battle. Ours will be a test of strength, honor, and trust.”

Corellon stared in shocked silence at Cronn. Had he underestimated this savage god? “What do you have in mind?”

“Each of us must bear the other’s divine weight on his back and jump from pillar to pillar until the last one is reached. The bearer must keep the other from falling at all cost, even at the risk of his immortality.”

“Hmm, you surprise me Cronn. But I am up for your challenge. I’ll even go first if you like?”

“Ha! So be it.”

Thus it was that Corellon bore Cronn’s divine weight as he jumped from pillar to pillar without a single misstep or pause. The elven god’s quick reflexes and sharp mind sought out the most direct path from one edge to the other. And thus it was that Cronn, when it was his turn for honor, carried the elven god without misstep or pause. Each had matched the other perfectly and both had convinced the other of his strength, honor, and trustworthiness.

“You have taught me a most valuable lesson this day, Great Cronn. My power flows not only from my people but from here on the Outer Planes as well. Yet you were willing to risk your divine power for the honor of your people without any such claim. I will be honored to sit at the Great Table and feast with you and your people. And I’m sure I can convince the others as well.”

The two sealed the friendship with divine blood, with the Warrior’s Greeting of Cronn’s people. A drop of this blood fell to the land of the Beastlands, mixing with its essence – creating the noble yet savage Seraph. Half elf and half barbarian!

Corellon greeted his new godchild with open arms. “ Welcome, we are your fathers, this place is your mother. Its creatures are your friends and allies. Come, meet both your families and we shall celebrate together in Arvandor."

“Yes,” Cronn beamed at his new son. “Truly, now the elves and my people are brothers in friendship and blood.”

Thus, it was that Corellon and Seraph the Bloodbrother were given a special place of honour at Cronn’s Great Table. And Corellon was true to his word and convinced the Great Gods of the dwarves (Moradin), gnomes (Garl), and halflings (Yondalla) to sit with Cronn and his kin at the Great Table. And all was well.
-----------------------------------

Next: the REAL storytelling begins...

 

[Knightfall]

The Second Era ends...

A Call to Council (Prelude to the Divinity War)
In the centuries that followed, Harqual grew in strength and civilisation came to the regions south of the Greystone Mountains. The Mei’neav spread out into the regions that matched their homelands on the countless worlds they travelled from. The dwarves spread throughout the mountain ranges, the elves settled in the Great Forest, and the halflings put down roots in the dales and the meadows in between. The many humanoid races set about carving out a place for themselves either alongside the rest of the Mei’neav or in competition with them. This left the wild coasts of the north, untamed savannas of the south, and the boiling deserts in between for the last of the Mei’neav – the ‘new’ humans.

Now these humans weren’t much different than Cronn’s people in appearance, except maybe their skin and hair color, but their habits and mannerisms were very different. Most spoke languages that were hard to understand, relying on magic for day to day life. Soon, these people were quarrelling amongst each other over land, of all things, and building large, fortified dwellings five times the size of a Northerner’s long house. They divided the land amongst themselves in things called kingdoms and pushed into the fringes of the lands of the other Mei’neav.

Such a thing was unacceptable to Cronn and he called together the members of the Great Table to set things right. He accused those that warred with each other of upsetting the Balance and demanded that the hostilities cease.

“Do not forget that you are here at my Table only by my grace and will. I will not tolerate the current behavior of those that look to you for guidance.”

Now most of the gods and goddesses of the Great Table understood Cronn’s words to be true, and were shamed by their petty quarrels, but a few remained defiant of the Lord of the North.

And Lokun was the most vocal of them. “Bah, why do we listen to such nonsense!”

“Choose your words carefully Lokun, this is a place of honor!” It was Hades dark voice that rose above the clamour of the Hall of the Northlands.

“Thank you Hades.” Cronn had rose from his seat and stared down the God of Mischief and Strife. “As for you Lokun, do not question the integrity or honor of my Hall again or…”

“Or you’ll what, Cronn.” This time it was Inanna. “Lokun has a point. Without strife or conflict where would he be? And what about me, hmm? Without conflict, what good is the Goddess of War?”

“What Cronn means is that there is a place and time for conflict and there is a place and time for respect.” Cronn could not help but grin at the words of his grandchild.

“Exactly Ramara, it is not honorable to war amongst each other. We are supposed to be allies, not enemies. How are we supposed to stand against those who would defile this place, not to mention protect the people we are sworn to protect? Every turn of the seasons, more and more of our people are lost to the temptations of Xuar and his followers. There is nothing gained by fighting amongst ourselves, but the losses could be staggering if Xuar has his way.”

“Yes, even now he tries to corrupt my people as well!” Cronn nodded in agreement with Corellon’s words. He could always count on the Elf Lord’s support.

Lokun rolls his eyes and props his feet up on the Great Table. “Bah, all you do is talk and debate while Xuar becomes stronger and stronger. Maybe I should go and see if he will let me into his alliance, hmm?”

Silence.

Cronn crossed the hall before Lokun could move and proceeded to kick the chair out from underneath the Trickster. “Do not joke about such things Lokun or I just might send you to him myself…head on a platter.”

Now Lokun is a vain god and took Cronn’s action and words as a threat to his dignity. Looking up at Cronn from the floor, his eyes burning red with anger, he vowed to all that he would break the Hall of the Northlands asunder when he returned. Then his Avatar blinked out of the Hall as he transferred that part of his mind back to Hougard.

“He always been a hot-head,” Aegir shook his head at the actions of his fellow Asgard. “I don’t know why Odin puts up with him.”

“Well, I’m not Odin and he is not welcome here ever again. I’ve had it with his whining and pathetic attempts to trick my people with his immature jokes. Do you here me Lokun, you bastard!”

“Calm yourself Father,” Seraph had never seen his barbarian half-father so upset. “You know how Lokun is, he’ll rant and rave, brooding for months in Winter’s Hall, then he’ll come back, pleading for your forgiveness.”

“Seraph’s right, “ This time it was Kuil’s turn to speak. “He may be a hot head like Aegir said but he’s no fool. If he tried to join the dark gods, Xuar would destroy him and take his power.”

“Even I hate to admit it, “ Cronn shook his head in disbelief at his own words. “He does have his uses. But if he wants to come back… when he comes back, I want a real apology.”

“Agreed, “ Moradin stood up and beseeched Cronn to sit down. “Now if we please get back to the matter at hand, I have some disturbing news for you my friend.”

“I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.” Cronn moved back down to the head of the Great Table and patted Tok on one of its heads as he sat down. The God Hound wagged its tails and curled up near Cronn’s feet. “So Moradin, my dwarven friend, what troubles you so?”

“My people have heard rumors that another dark god might be trying to gain power here on Harqual. It concerns me because I’ve heard of this god’s reputation. He lives and breathes hate, caring nothing for those that enter into his evil service. And his power is great, my friend. As great as yours or mine.”

“Hmm, so who is this dark god we must be wary of? And why haven’t I heard of him before this?”

“While both generous and wise my friend, you have a lot to learn about the universe and the gods in it. Not all are so visible as say the Olympians or the Asgard. Although I do believe that the Finns are related to the Asgard somehow, I’m not sure. Hmm, it could be worth looking into…”

“Moradin, I’m sure it is but could you please tell me who this defiler is.” After dealing with Lokun, the last thing Cronn wanted to talk about was the Asgard.

“He is known as Hiisi, Lord of Darkness.” Moradin said it without any change in his tone but the murmurs from the around the Table from the Old Gods present indicated to Cronn this was indeed serious.

Inanna stood with her hands on the table. “Moradin are you sure of this?”

“I am sure.” Always monotone, that's Moradin for you.

“Inanna, do you know this god?”

“Not personally, Lord Cronn… but I’ve heard of him. He is most vile and if he is trying to gain power here, it can’t be good. Not even I would want to face his Avatar in battle alone. It is said he can strip away a god's power just by touch, maybe even ones godsoul.”

“That doesn’t sound like something I want to go through.” Rel turned to Hades. “What say you Lord of the Dead, have you heard of this vile one?”

“Yes, I have,” Everyone held their breath, for when the Death God speaks all should listen. “He has no honor, no redeeming qualities, he cannot be bargained with, I assure you, and he will kill anyone that gets in his way. I know this for a fact, he’s killed dozens of gods, absorbing their power like Inanna said; he even killed a Olympian once.”

“Whoa, “ young Anon seemed shaken by the Death God’s words. “I didn’t think it was possible to kill an Olympian. I wrestled Hercules once and he whipped my butt and he’s not even a full-fledged god.”

“I only wish that were true, young one,” Hades looked at his adopted nephew. “No Anon, no god is indestructible.”

“Who was it?” Nessus, one of Cronn’s young grandchildren, sometimes had a tendency to speak without thinking.

“Nessus, it is not polite to ask that!” Rel chastised his young son. “I’m sorry Hades, he’s still very young.”

“No apology is necessary, my friend,” Hades smiled at the young godchild, a rarity for the Death God. “The boy meant no harm. It was an innocent question.” Hades looked around the table stopping at Aegir. The Old Man of the Sea had a grim look on his face. “Besides, Aegir and the other Old Gods here know who I’m talking about.”

“Aye, lad.“ The old sea god spoke up at the mention of his name. “Hiisi killed Achelous, the eldest son of my old friend Oceanus. I’d never seen him so sad as on that day.” Aegir looked up at Hades, a question on his mind. “How is that old Titan been lately, I haven’t heard from him in a long while?”

“He and Tethys are fine, I guess. It’s not like they come to Olympus very often and I hardly ever visit there myself.”

Hades felt a tug on his dark robes and looked down to see young Hela, one of Cronn’s youngest grandchildren, looking up at him with an inquisitive look on her face. “Uncle Hades, what’s a Titan?”

It was what the room needed to break the sour mood, as Hades laughed for one of the few times in his existence and picked up the little goddess and sat her on his knee. He looked over at Cronn who was trying very hard not to laugh. Then he noticed Hela was still waiting for her answer, kicking her feet back and forth in anticipation.

“Well you see little one, a Titan is sort of like an Olympian but much older. They have been around for so long that some would say they’re as old as time itself.”

“Oh, so there like my grandpa,” Hela pointed to Cronn. “Old, wise, and stronger than anyone else, is that right?”

Now the entire Hall filled with laughter and Hades shook his head. “Not exactly, little one.”

Hela scrunched up her face and shook her head. “I don’t understand, explain it to me again. I have all day.”

Hela’s mother, Larea, came across to Hades chair and picked up her daughter. “Come along dear, I’ll explain it to you after we are finished. You shouldn’t pester you elders at the Table, you know that.”

“Oh mother!” Hela’s face looked like she was being punished in Carceri!

“I’m sorry if she bothered you, Hades. I know you like to come here to relax, not be pestered with questions by little girls.”

“Oh but I am relaxed Larea,” Hades looked across the Table at Cronn. “My friend, have I told you how much I enjoy coming to visit with you and your family?”

“Several times.”

“Well I do! Mount Olympus is never like this. Zeus would never let children into his Temple like you do your Hall. It would drive him crazy!”

“Aye, Odin is the same way,” Aegir smiled. “Can you imagine Hades, dozens of godchildren running around Odin’s throne, Hlidskialf, while the All-Father holds council with the rest of the Asgard.”

All the Old Gods laughed at the thought of Odin losing his composure in such a situation.

“Speaking of children,” Cronn looked across the Hall and noticed that the younger children were getting fidgety, having to sit around and listen to all this talk. “Anyone who wants to go outside and play, is free to do so.”

“Yippee, “ Hela jumped out of her mother’s arms and headed for the door of the Hall, with Hansa, Nessus, Seraph, Sialic, Thorn and Tulle not far behind. Only Anon asked to be excused, not to play – to go and practise with his sword.

“I think I’ll go and watch the children, just to make sure they don’t run off.” Damh never did like meetings. “Euphoria, I would be honored if you joined me?”

Cronn smiled at his beautiful granddaughter as she turned red at the sylvan god’s obvious interest. She hesitated and Cronn decided it was best to push this relationship forward.

“Go on child, he won’t bite!”

“Grandfather, please,” Euphoria sat there with her mouth open in disbelief. “You’re embarrassing me!”

“Well if the lady isn’t interested, then I’ll have to sit and watch the children alone,” Damh sighed, shuffling his feet, and moped towards the door. “All alone…”

Regaining her dignity, Euphoria got up from the Table and came up beside the Sylvan. “I didn’t say that, now did I?”

He offered his arm and the two walked out of the Hall together, closing the great, heavy doors behind them with a resounding clank.

Inanna rolled her eyes and tapped her fingers on the Table “Well, its about time! I thought those two were never going to get together. All that mewing and shuffling about was starting to get on my nerves. You were right to push the matter forward Cronn."

“I think we were all getting tired of it,” Cronn smiled and poured himself some Ambrosia. “Hades, you will have to remind me to thank Dionysus for this wonderful Olympian drink. It’s fantastic.”

“Actually, it would be best to keep it quiet. Zeus would become incensed to learn that Dionysus had given you some of his personal stock.”

Cronn looked in his cup and then at Hades who was grinning at the thought of Zeus seeing a prime world pantheon drinking from one of his personal barrels of Ambrosia. “I believe you are right. That would not be good.”

Cronn picked up his cup, drank a little and then cleared his throat. “Now, can anyone else tell me anything more about this dark god Hiisi?” His tone clearly stated that the rest of this meeting would be highly serious.

“I’ll tell you this, if the Lord of Darkness has come to Harqual, it is with one goal above all others.” Corellon’s tone was just as serious as his blood brothers had been and he sat there with his head bent low.

Cronn took another drink, not want to let Zeus’s personal stock go to waste. “And what is that, my friend?”

Corellon looked up staring at his friend.

“I see, he’s come for me.” Cronn had never felt fear before but he was sure that’s what he was feeling now, from somewhere deep inside.

“What, you can’t be serious!” Jalivier stood up and shook his in disbelief. “Not even this Hiisi could be that bold. Father is a greater god, in the place of his power, Hiisi wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Jalivier calm yourself,” Cronn did not appreciate his son-in-law’s tone towards his elven friend. “Corellon is one of the Old Gods, if he think that this Hiisi is a serious threat to my life then I will listen. And so will everyone else at this Table, understood?”

Jalivier slumped down into his chair and closed his eyes. “Corellon, I am sorry. I know what you is say is true, it’s just I am worried. Not for myself, but for the children.” Jalivier opened his eyes and a look of terror spread across his face. “If this Hiisi can challenge Cronn on his own world without fear, then I shudder at the thought of what he would do if he got a hold of any of the children.”

All eyes strayed to the door.

Cronn turned to Issek. “You know I think it would be good for Tok to go outside for a while, don’t you agree?”

“Indeed,” Issek stood and called Tok from his place next to Cronn’s chair. The great God Hound bounded down towards the Lord of Tortured Soul and the two quickly headed outside to really watch the children.

“Now the question is, what do we do about this dark one?” Kuil looked at his grandfather with concern.

“What can we do,” Cronn took another drink of Ambrosia, staring down at the God of Rogues and Illusion. “But wait?”

The Hall became deathly quiet and no one said anything again about the matter, as the Pantheon of the North moved on to other concerns.

 

[Knightfall]

The Third Era begins...

THE THIRD ERA

The Divinity War
Hiisi had indeed come to steal Cronn’s godsoul and increase his own power as a result. To this end he joined forces with Mussin, Nether and Xuar to form a new dark pantheon that would become known to mortals as the Pantheon of Swords. He corrupted the hearts of men and turned brother against brother, father against son, and nation against nation. And war ravaged across the countryside and Cronn knew great sorrow as Hiisi’s evil spread.

The gods too, were not immune to the effects of the war, as Hiisi spawned his own twisted godlings and sent them against the Pantheon of the North. Thus it was that the Dark Children - Amand, Ces, Deltum, Emcey, Enduma, Shoku, Teve, Thera, Vespin, and Zell lead the charge against Cronn’s family and allies in what would become known as the Divinity War.

The two pantheons fought in the heavens, as war raged through the land below. Gods and mortals fell on both sides as the two wars, one of mortal against mortal… the other god versus god, lasted for centuries.

In the mortal world, a great dark kingdom rose and dominated all that stood in its way in the name of Hiisi, their dark patron. They spread as far south as the desert known as the Great Expanse and darkness ruled the land. The Ne Mei‘neav stood their ground against the dark hordes and prayed that their human allies would not give up the war and surrender to the minions of the Lord of Darkness.

To the Planes
Cronn’s power diminished over the decades, as Hiisi’s power grew stronger. One by one he watched as friends and his godchildren fell. Anacoro, Anon, Nessus, Santè, Sialic, Thorn, Tulle – all gone, taking only three of the Dark Children with them – Ces, Shoku, and Zell.

---------------

Cronn watched from Jalivier’s Citadel of Light in the Seven Heavens, as the war on the mortal plane raged on. He had become less jovial as the years past… more sad… more grim. The pantheon had lost the Hall of the Northlands early on in the war against the Pantheon of Swords. Hades had suggested that the Pantheon take the fight with the dark gods to the Outer Planes.

“If we go there, the dark gods will follow. Yes, the war between the mortals will continue but less damage will be done to the mortal world without us battling in the sky, godfire descending on the lands below.”

Cronn was loath to leave his people and let them fend for themselves against the dark followers of Hiisi. But he knew that Hiisi would follow him into the planes, afraid that his prize would escape him. Thus, the Divinity War shifted to the planes.

“Enough! I’ve seen enough,” Cronn smashed the mirror that showed his people suffering under tyranny. “Will this madness never end!”

Corellon looked at the broken mirror. Cronn had become more and more unstable in the last few decades. His pain was great; he truly did love his people, as much as he boasted. “It’s hard to watch, I know. But it is the way it has always been so, since time began.”

“I don’t care, it’s not my way!”

Corellon tried not to smile. Not at Cronn’s pain, but at the image in his mind of a neophyte elven god raging in pain at the site of his people being butchered by orcs and goblins. Forced to watch helplessly, while the Olympian Thunderer, Zeus, gave the same speech. It felt like only yesterday, but was in fact a long time ago. Cronn reminded him so much of himself at the beginning of his godhood.

“Well, maybe Jalivier will return from Baator with good news. There must always be hope.”

As if on cue in a great celestial play, Jalivier came through the giant oak doors of his Citadel. He was battered and bruised, but whole. He knelt in front of his Father and began to speak. “Great Cronn, we have won a great victory this day.”

“Stand Jalivier, and tell us of this great victory.” Cronn’s voice was slightly passive. Jalivier was the ultimate optimist and always said the same thing, no matter what the outcome was.

Jalivier stood, beaming with pride. “We took Gaoterlog.”

“Yes!” Cronn’s voice shook the heavens and his heart soared. Gaoterlog was Amand’s realm, Hiisi’s oldest godchild, in the third layer of the Nine Hells. “At last my child you are avenged!”

Cronn referred to Anon who had been killed by Amand at the beginning of the War. Corellon knew that Hiisi wouldn’t care about losing his godson, but he would care about losing the power that Amand wielded – a pantheon that loses its God of War usually does not survive long. “Indeed this is good news.”

Soon the Citadel was filling with other pantheon members as the news spread around the Outer Planes.

“My Lord,” Inanna appeared next to the Lord of the North and embraced him. “I came as soon as I heard. Is Hades here yet?”

“Here,” Hades appeared out of shadows. “I am happy for you, my friend. I respected your grandson very much and I am glad his godsoul is finally at rest.”

“Uncle! “ Hela appeared from her realm in Arborea. She was growing up so fast and had become very beautiful, so much so that the god Apollo petitioned Cronn to court the goddess. He had told the Olympian god that his granddaughter’s heart was her own and that if he wanted to court her that he’d have to ask her himself.

The Olympian did just that, after he recovered from the shock, and had begged Hela to be his consort. Being a strong willed goddess she played his strings for a while and he followed like a lovesick puppy. Of course, Ramara had helped Hela with that, yet Hela was so good at it that Zeus had originally thought that she must be the Goddess of Beauty and Love’s daughter. When he found out that Hela was in fact, the Hunting Princesses daughter he had exclaimed that Apollo was out of his mind with love for sure.

Hela glided on the marble floors like a ghost through the air. She hugged Cronn, Inanna and then her uncle. “I heard you were back, is it true… your army took Gaoterlog?”

“Yes child, Anon was avenged today.”

She became sad for a moment at the mention of her dead brother. Then Hela brightened up and ran back towards where she had first appeared. “I must tell mother, she will be so happy that Anon’s pain is finally over.” She vanished as quickly as she came, obviously on her way to her mother’s realm, Hunter’s Rest, in Elysium.

“Still the same impulsive girl, even after all these years.” Moradin had spoken the words. He and Garl entered the Citadel of Light, appearing near the oak doors. “Jalivier, I here you kicked some Sword tail today. Why didn’t you tell me you were going, I would have gone with you.”

“It never came up, I was gone so quickly this time that I didn’t even have time to bring Cull with me.”

“You laid siege to Gaoterlog without the God of Strategy. You did perform a miracle, didn’t you?” Moradin was inspired by his friend’s dedication to the cause.

“Ha, you could say that.” Jalivier had become aware that he was a mess and quick replenished his power so that his armor gleamed and his skin looked untarnished. No one said anything, allowing the Sun God his one vanity. “However, this battle might be won but the War is not. I lost some of my best followers today, celestial and mortal.”

The mood sobered a little and the Gods started to shift back to their own realms until only Cronn, Jalivier, Inanna, Hades, Corellon, Moradin, Garl, and Rel were left in the Citadel.

“I’m sure we can find the time to honor the dead,” Cronn put his hand on the Sun Gods shoulder. “But first we must be prepared for a counterattack from Hiisi’s brood. He won’t take this lightly and will probably send his troops into the Upper Planes to enact his revenge.”

“Demons and dark knights attacking the Upper Planes.” Hades words echoed through the Citadel. “The rest of the Olympians are not going to like that one bit, except maybe Ares. He’d love to test his troops in such a battle.”

“Do you think he would throw in with Hiisi?” Cronn didn’t like the idea of facing both the Lord of Darkness and the Unfortunate One.

“No, he’s not likely to trust Hiisi or any other god with an agenda. More than likely, he’d send his troops in on no one's side and simple fight for the love of it.”

“Ugh, Ares… no strategy, no honor, no brains.” Inanna stared at the ceiling shaking her head in disbelief. “How any war god could just throw away good troops, for no other reason than the love of blood, is beyond me.”

“Cronn looked at his beloved and smiled. “Not every war god has your good sense, my dear, or your beauty.”

“Flatterer.” Inanna and Cronn had originally joined together and beget children to solidify her joining the pantheon. Eventually, they became friends and now, had become much more than that. So much so that Inanna’s realm had shifted over the years, from Baator to Mechanus then from there to Arcadia.

She had then renamed it the Heart of Battle and left Enlil and the Sumerian Pantheon altogether, tired of being ignored by her former husband. Cronn was much more to her liking. He was passionate and treated her with the respect he knew she deserved. Of course, Enlil had been incensed. But Inanna did not care… she was in love. How could she deny her very nature? “I’d hardly call Ares a good comparison, my love.”

“How true, he’s not much to look at is he. Hades?”

“No comment.”

Cronn roared with laughter. “I guess your right. Zeus would probably hear about it if you degraded his son.”

“It’s not Zeus that concerns me.”

“Ah yes, I seem to remember hearing that Hera has quite the temper.”

“Again, no comment.” Hades let a small smile creep onto his face.

This time, they all laughed.

“You keep this up Hades and the Great Ring might learn you have a sense of humor.” Cronn was beside himself with mirth. Hades could always make him laugh and he really appreciated the Death God’s dry wit. “But let’s not forget why we’re here. Hades, do you think you can keep Ares and his troops out of the battle to come?”

“Definitely, he owes me a favor. I can’t say more than that.”

“Good enough,” Cronn was satisfied. He then turned to address the God of the Rakasta. “Rel how do your people fare in the southern lands of our home? And where is Euphoria, I haven’t seen her in over a cycle?”

The cat god held up his head with pride. “My people have held the followers of Hiisi to the northern side of the Expanse, Lord Cronn. The darkness will not spread to the southern lands, I assure you. But it is not Hiisi’s minions that I am worried about, it’s the blasted tabaxi!”

“The tabaxi… not again. I thought we settled this dispute. They can have the Storm Jungle and settle in the southern parts of the North but the southern lands are for your people. If only Tu would see reason, I don’t understand why he won’t speak with me regarding this matter.”

“No offence Great Lord but you are not a cat god.”

“Really, he doesn’t think I’m good enough for him? Is that it? Well you tell this cat god, no offence to you my friend…”

“None taken.”

“You tell Tu that if he makes trouble, I will personally skin his hide off his back.”

Rel bowed to his patron. “It will be a pleasure.” Rel straightened himself and smiled at Cronn. “And… Euphoria has been at the Seelie Court. Damh took her to introduce her to his queen. Titania absolutely adores her.”

Corellon smiled at the mention of his Sylvan friends. “Damh wishes to make Euphoria his bride in the Seelie Court. It’s getting serious.”

Cronn’s mood brightened at the mention of his granddaughter. “Ah yes, young love. It is wonderful to here of such bliss in such troubling times. Rel, you be sure to let Damh know that Titania and Oberon are welcome here anytime they want to visit.”

Yes, Great Cronn.” Rel lifted his arms as a signal that he was about to transfer his Avatar back to his realm, the Savanna of the Rain, in the Beastlands but Cronn raised his hand and spoke again.

“Just remember to tell Damh that Oberon’s little trickster friend Puck must be kept on a short leash if he comes along. I’ve heard too many tales to let him roam free around here. The last thing I need is for him and Lokun to get together and cause mischief.”

“I will.” Rel dropped down his arms to his side in a flourish transferring his Avatar to his realm.

“If you will excuse me Father, Mother,” Jalivier had become fond of Inanna and when she had left the Sumar Gods he had told her that he would be honored if she would let him address her as his Divine Mother. Inanna had agreed wholeheartedly and would have probably cried if she had been a mortal woman. “I must find Cull and prepare our defences for the battle to come.”

“Of course my son.” Cronn was happy that his godson and new wife had learned to respect and care about each other.

Jalivier bowed to them both and then turned and addressed Moradin and Garl. “I take you two are going to want to come too.”

“Ha, you just try and stop us, my boy!” Moradin rubbed his hands together and elbowed Garl. “We’d been wanting a crack at those Hiisi spawn for cycles. Ain’t that right Garl?”

“Damn, right! Those Hiisi bastards have been giving my people nothing but trouble since they showed up on Harqual. It’s time for some major payback.”

Jalivier turned to Corellon. “What about you Elf Lord, do you wish to join in on the strategy session?”

“Unfortunately, no,” Corellon looked at Cronn. “I have matters to attend to in Arvandor, if you will excuse me, my friend.”

Cronn nodded and Corellon’s Avatar vanished.

“Alright then,” Jalivier stepped to one side and beckoned for Moradin and Garl to proceed ahead of him. “Gentlemen, after you.”

Moradin and Garl tromped out the door with the clomping of their heavy boots resounding throughout the hall. Jalivier followed closely behind, telling them all about the taking of Gaoterlog, and how he had led the final onslaught himself. “It was glorious.”

Cronn watched them go and wished his godson would boast a little less about such things. Yes, the battle was a great victory but Hiisi’s forces are bound to pay it back in blood. Boasting too much can make one careless on the battlefield the next time round.

“I must go,” Hades walked back towards the shadows. “I must speak to Ares and cash-in that favor he owes me.”

After the Death God had gone, Inanna wrapped her hand in her husband's. Then the two gods wandered out of the Citadel of Light, seeking a quiet place to be alone.

 

[Knightfall]

The Nether Lands
Hiisi started to tear apart everything in sight when he learned that his son had let Jalivier defeat him. Amand hadn’t been Hiisi’s most intelligent godchild, but he was the strongest.

The Gods of Swords stood back as Hiisi continued to tear roots out of the earth ceiling and scream and rant about ‘that stupid bastard’ and ‘I should have killed him myself.’ There wasn’t any reasoning with him when he was like this. Of course, he was almost always like this.

The Goddess of Violence watched her Dark Father with scorn. He was wasting valuable time brooding over her no good brother. Amand was terrible as the God of War and she was positive that eventually Hiisi would grant her his place. There was no one else strong enough in the pantheon and if he did give it to someone else, she’d just kill the unfortunate godling and take it. Yes, Thera, Goddess of War and Violence! She liked that; the universe would tremble at the mere mention of her name!

The dark goddess smiled at the thought of the joy it would bring her to add Hiisi’s power to her own. Her Father wouldn’t be able to stop her. None of them would. Not even Mussin or Nether would stand against her after that. She’d have to kill them both eventually of course, just to consolidate her power in the pantheon.

The God of Decay would be the first to feel her wrath. Nether could wait. She might even be able to use him when the glorious day came. Yes, the God of Hate and Tyranny could be useful, as long as he remembered his place.

“Hiisi, darling.”

Thera looked over into the dark alcove where Hiisi’s black consort, Thera’s mother, sat. Hidden by the shadows she always remained distant from the rest of the pantheon. Thera hated her, of course Thera hated everyone but the cow will die a slow and painful death. Thera would drink her godsoul, slowly.

“Amand is gone. There’s no sense ranting about it. We must prepare to strike back a Cronn’s brood before they have a chance to prepare.”

Hiisi turned to look at the red eyes staring out from the darkness of the alcove. “I will decide when it is time to strike!” He continued to stare her down as he slowly moved towards her. “Do not forget your place!”

“My humblest apologies, dear one. You are right of course.”

Hiisi smiled believing he had won. He turned his head toward the rest of the pantheon. “Does anyone else wish to make a suggestion?”

His tone stated simply that the next god to suggest something would lose their godsoul. No one spoke, no one even moved. Not even Mussin would openly defy him when he was like this.

“Good,” Hiisi turned his back them all. “We will attack Cronn and his vile pantheon of weaklings but only after a little spying. I’m not going to just thunder into the Upper Planes without some sort of plan. Vespin!”

The God of Thieves and Assassins stepped forward and kneeled in front of Hiisi. “Yes Dark Father.”

Thera hated how submissive he was. He’d have to die as well.

“Send you best proxy spies into the Upper Planes and have them locate where each of Cronn’s brood is hiding. I want to know where they all are at every moment from now on. No more surprises. No more incidents like Gaoterlog, understood?”

“It will be as you command, Father.” Vespin immediately shifted his Avatar back to his own realm, eager to please his Lord.

“Teve, step forward.”

The Dark Warrior knelt in front of his father as Vespin had done before him.

Thera didn’t like the looks of this.

“I need a new War God,” In Thera’s mind Teve was already dead. “You will take Amand’s place on the field of battle.”

“I will make you proud Dark Father, I swear.”

Hiisi was proud of his choice, unlike Amand before him; Teve was totally loyal to him. He noticed that Thera was visibly upset. “I see you think I choose wrong, my dear. Do you wish to make a suggestion.”

Thera ground her teeth and turned away from he father. She made no sound.

“As I thought,” Hiisi grinned in triumph so that everyone could see. “Never forget your place Thera or I will pass your portfolio to another and demote you to the Goddess of Scullery Maids! Now get out of my sight!”

Thera was seething inside, humiliated. As she shifted to her realm in the Abyss she swore to herself that she’d make him pay for this.

Teve took his place amongst the dark gods. Hiisi continued.

“Druaga, I want an army of fiends! Hordes of them! I don’t care if you have to steal larvae from the Dark Eight themselves, I want an army not even the Old Gods would want to face!”

“It will be done, Dark One.” The God of Vile Summoning left his master’s realm to do as he was bid. Nothing would stand in his way.

“Emcey!”

The God of Lawbreakers took one step forward and bowed to his father. “I am at your service, Dark Father.”

“Always,” Hiisi was especially proud of this one. He was both loyal and yet loved to cause trouble. “Send whoever you can throughout the planes and have them the recruit the most vile revolutionaries and mercenaries they can find.”

“As you command father.” Emcey stepped into the darkness and vanished to his realm.

“Deltum, Enduma! Hiisi turned to his twin godsons. “I want you to go to Harqual and stir up trouble. I want Cronn’s people scurrying around confused like ants without a hill. Destruction and mayhem understood!”

The Gods of Disaster and Suffering smiled at each other and swore an oath to their Dark Father that when they were done, the lands of Cronn’s people would be unliveable. They then shifted out of their father’s realm to perform their evil work.

“Teve,” Hiisi addressed his godson again. “Prepare your followers for war!”

“Yes Dark Father.” Teve saluted and shifted to his realm in Baator.

All of his lesser gods now had something to do and Hiisi’s rage had subsided. Only the more powerful dark gods were left in his presence: Mussin, Nether, and Xuar. Ah Xuar, the only one of Cronn’s kin that he could stand. The Jealous Arcane, the greatest ally in his pantheon.

Of course, being the God of Jealousy and Forbidden Magic meant that Xuar would give anything to keep his place amongst the dark gods, even tolerating Hiisi himself. Yes, Xuar wanted his power, Hiisi knew that – they all did. But Xuar was so jealous of everyone else that he would do almost anything to please the Lord of Darkness.

It was this thought that gave Hiisi an idea. “Nether! One of my spies has told me that Cronn’s grandchild Euphoria is currently residing with Damh in the Seelie Court.”

“What do you want me to do?” Nether bared all his teeth and then licked his lips in anticipation.

“I want you to bring her here.” Hiisi looked at Xuar and saw his jealousy rise; he had wanted to take Euphoria for his own. “She is to be a prize for my consort to do with as she pleases.”

“Can I hurt her a little first?”

“Whatever you wish, just make sure her godsoul is still intact when she arrives.”

“It will be as you command Hiisi.” Without moving, Nether left to find the Seelie Court.

Hiisi noticed that the Jealous Arcane was fuming inside at what he was being denied. “As for you Xuar, I have no use for you at this time. I will call on you when I need you.”

“Yes Dark One,” Xuar felt as though someone had torn out his godsoul. What had he done to deserve this dishonor? He must try to make amends to his Lord. “I have something that I need to take care of anyway.”

A small smile crept over Hiisi’s face and he knew that Nether would never get a chance too bring Euphoria to him. Xuar would find her first and present her to Hiisi before Nether even knew he’d been duped. And Xuar would hurt her even more than Nether would. This was something that would not sit well with the God of Hate and Tyranny; more than likely he’ll take his frustration out on Damh or one of the other Sylvan Gods.

“Brilliant,” Mussin knew him so well. “Playing one against the other like that. I am glad that we are allies Hiisi, I hate to think what you’d do to me if we weren’t.”

“Yes Mussin be glad I tolerate your wagging tongue as well.”

Mussin’s eyes burned red with anger. “Do not forget Dark One that I am not one of your obedient children. We are allies; I am not your servant. Xuar might be loyal to you now, but Nether is totally loyal to me. If I told him what you just did, he’d swear revenge. Druaga would also follow me if I promised him the magic that Xuar wields. And your daughter would gladly betray you just for what you did here today.”

Hiisi locked eyes with the God of Decay. “Tell me why do I put up with you? At every moment you challenge my power and spit in my face in defiance when doing so. Why shouldn’t I just take your godsoul and be done with it?”

“You are welcome to try Hiisi. But never forget that without me you’ll never drink from Cronn’s godsoul and corrupt his brood. Never forget the secret I hold.”

With that, Mussin vanished from the Nether Lands leaving Hiisi alone with his consort. Hiisi immediately started ranting again and his consort left him to his tantrum.

 

[Knightfall]

Hunter’s Rest
Hela appeared in her mother’s realm and found her twin brother Hansa had already told their mother about the victory at Gaoterlog.

“No fair, I wanted to tell her.” Hela crossed her arms and began to pout.

“Hela dear, it doesn’t matter who told me. The joy we feel alone should be enough.” Larea had prayed for this day to come for longer than she could remember. Her godson was free of Hiisi’s evil godson, Amand. Free too finally rest. “I only wish Anacoro were here.”

Hela’s face became painfully sad at the mention of her father. She had watched in horror as Hiisi’s Dark Children had torn him apart. Losing both him and Anon had hurt so much, but not as much as it had hurt her mother.

Hunter’s Rest was a quiet sober place now, as her mother refused to stop grieving. Hela had hoped that the news of Gaoterlog would lift her spirits. But still she remained forlorn and despondent. The other gods of Elysium were starting to call her the Weeping Huntress, a title that Hela hated.

The three gods stood there in silence for what would have been hours for a mortal.

Only the arrival of the God of the Wilderness, Seraph, brought the grieving family back from their mourning. “Huntress, there is trouble brewing on Harqual.”

The Seelie Court (somewhere in the Beastlands)
“I absolutely love it here!” Euphoria was giddy as a mortal. Damh had introduced her the wonders of the Sylvan Court over a cycle ago and she had not left since. Titania had welcomed her with open arms and had called her lovely and charming. She was thrilled by Damh’s choice for a consort.

When Titania had first learned that Damh had fallen in love with a Barbarian Princess, she was mortified. She had envisioned some uncouth goddess that would have growled and spit at anyone who came near her. Not some beautiful little spring of a girl with laughter like sunshine and full of such happiness. Yes, Damh had chosen a fine goddess as his bride.

Titania watched as her knew step-goddaughter danced with a group of fairies and was amazed at her stamina. She was actually wearing them out. Little Kip, one of Titania’ s dearest pixies was leaning against a tree trying to catch his breath. The little pixie huffed and puffed a few times and he looked like he had just crossed the Great Ring in less than a single moon that mortals called a day.

Euphoria ran up to Kip and was bouncing up and down gleefully. “Again Kip, again!”

The little pixie’s eyes rolled back and he toppled over into a little heap, exhausted and quite unconscious. Titania started giggling at the sight. Even her dear Oberon was having trouble keeping his dignity.

Puck was literally roaring as the scene unfolded! “Ooh, hoo, hoo, he passed out!”

“Oh poor little Kip.” Euphoria sighed and went back to playing with the others, chasing the fairies through the trees and meadows of the Seelie Court.

Puck and Euphoria danced together for hours before Puck finally let someone else cut in. He ran up to Damh standing next to Oberon’s throne. “Damh, where did you find this enchanting young thing?”

“I told you, she’s part of the pantheon I joined.” Damh couldn’t understand why Puck couldn’t seem to remember anything he told him.

“Does she have a sister?” Puck was grinning from ear to ear.

“No,” Damh wasn’t surprised. Puck loved beautiful goddesses, not to mention mortals. “But she does have a cousin, Hela. Unfortunately she is already pledged to an Olympian, Apollo.”

Puck became sad for a second and then brightened almost as quickly. “It doesn’t matter, I’m having more fun since she’s been here then I've ever had before!” The Jester God of the Seelie Court was literally bouncing up and down with joy.

“Pace yourself Puck,” Oberon had never seen him like this – ever. “She’s going to wear you out like she did little Kip over there.”

Puck looked at Kip and started laughing. “She already did, I'm just starting to get my second wind.”

“Puck!” The Jester God turned to see Euphoria run up to him trailing exhausted fairies behind her. A few of the more worn out ones hit the ground and didn’t get up. “I’ll race you to the edge of the Seelie Court.”

Puck eyes budged out and he started laughing. “You're on, one, two…” Without saying three the Jester God took off on Euphoria, laughing the whole way.

“Why that little cheater, I’ll show him.” Before Puck was out of sight, Euphoria had passed him.

“Amazing,” Oberon shook his in disbelief. “I’ve never seen anyone outrun Puck before. I’m literally in awe of your consort Damh.”

Damh smiled to himself and felt his heart soar at the approval of his Lord. It was almost impossible to please Oberon in any way. “She has become everything to me. Titania my queen, I am planning to spend more time with her kin, if that’s alright?”

“Of course my son. Whatever makes you happy.”

Euphoria and Puck soon were matching each other’s stride, step for step laughing the whole way. They moved deeper and deeper into the woods of the Seelie Court losing fairy after fairy to exhaustion or to the occasional tree branch. They were alone as they passed through the barrier of where the Seelie Court ended and the Beastlands began Euphoria in the lead. The deities turned to face each other, both insisting that they won.

“No way, I beat you fair and square.” Euphoria was having the time of her existence.

“Ah come on, no one beats me in a race. I have a reputation to think of. What if Erevan finds out? He’ll never let me live it down.”

“To bad, you lost.”

“Oh all right, I’ll struggle by somehow.” The two started laughing and sauntered back towards the barrier of the Seelie Court.

The two had no idea the danger lurking beyond in the Beastlands. He came out of nowhere and slammed into Puck, sending the little Jester God flying.

“Well, well… two for the price of one. How fortunate for me.”

Puck watched in horror as the Xuar grabbed Euphoria by the throat and started pumping godfire into her. She screamed. Puck could feel his heart breaking. Normally, Puck would not challenge such a powerful god on his own. But there was no way he would just leave Euphoria. She was family now. No, more than that – she was becoming his friend.

“You let her go!” Oberon would be in shock if he had heard Puck's voice. He was mad, real mad. “Don’t think I can’t hurt you Xuar, I might not be a Greater God, but I’m still one of the Old Gods.”

“You’re going to be dead Old God faster than a mortal lives and dies.” Xuar tossed aside Euphoria and pounced on the Sylvan Demigod.

Puck knew he was no match for Xuar but had hoped that he could buy Euphoria some time to escape the Jealous Arcane. Instead she lay motionless on the ground, her power slipping away. Xuar pounded Puck into the ground once, twice, and then a third time. One more blow would kill him for sure but Xuar hesitated.

“Tell you what you old fairy, I’ll let you live. Just so you can suffer along with Damh at the loss of this little one. I’m sure he’ll forgive you but the question is, can you forgive yourself?” Xuar One grabbed the Goddess of Happiness by her long hair and held her up so that the broken Jester God could see her. Xuar cackled the whole time and then he shifted from the Beastlands, taking Euphoria with him.

Puck watched, helpless to do anything. He had never cried before in his existence but tears now streamed from his eyes. “Euphoria… no…” Puck choked the words out, rasping horribly. “Damh, I am so sorry.”

A few hours later, the fairies found him lying there his divine body and spirit broken.

 

[Knightfall]

The Citadel of Light
The Hunting Princess arrived with her children and Seraph to find Jalivier’s Citadel empty except for the God of Oaths and Contracts.

“Truce, where is everyone?”

The scholar god looked up from his desk. “They have gone to meet Hiisi’s army of fiends massing near the Oceanus’s edge in Lunia.”

“Already. Damn it Truce, why wasn’t I informed of this.”

“I am not the God of Messengers, Hansa - besides why don’t you ask your mother why.”

Hansa looked at his mother. She looked away in shame at what she had done. “Mother?”

Tears welled up in the goddess’s eyes. “I’ve lost a husband and my eldest godson, did you expect me to just stand idly by while my last remaining godson runs off to war with his grandfather?”

“I don’t believe it, you asked grandfather to leave me behind. How could you do that?”

“I- I’m sorry.”

Seraph stepped between the two looking at his cousin. “Let it go Hansa. There’s nothing you can do about it now. We must go to Harqual at once and deal with Deltum and Enduma. Only we two can stop them now.”

“Hmm, what’s this you say?” Truce looked up from his writing.

Hansa slammed his hands down on Truce’s desk. “Deltum and Enduma are causing havoc on Harqual. There are tornadoes and volcanic eruptions everywhere. The mortals, our friends, are dying Truce. If you spent more time fighting and less time looking at scrolls you might feel something for the pain they are going through.”

“Hansa!” Hela was shocked by her brother’s word. “It is not your place to say such things. Truce cares just as much as the rest of us.”

Truce had his head down with his arms over his head. Hansa’s words had hurt him. “How was I suppose to know that?” Truce was still very young and he sounded like he was weeping.

Hansa’s heart sunk. “I’m sorry cousin. Hela’s right, you care just as much as the rest of us. I am a fool.”

Truce looked up at his cousin, smiling with tears in his eyes. “It’s alright cousin, you simply care more than most. You are truly our grandfather’s grandson. I on the other hand-”

“Enough.” Seraph couldn’t stand much more of this. “Hansa you are not a fool and Truce you are not a coward. As we speak, mortals are dying. I am going to Harqual, alone if I must.”

Seraph walked away from the rest, one thought on his mind – the twin dark Gods. Hansa stepped in behind his uncle looking at his mother the whole way.

“Be careful.”

“I will mother, do not worry so. It’s just the dark twins. They may be evil but they're babies at heart.”

“I’m coming with you.” Everyone was shocked to see Truce get up from his desk and walk to where his cousin was standing. Truce never left his desk.

“Truce, you don’t have to do this.” Hansa was genuinely worried about his scholarly cousin.

“Don’t worry about me Hansa. I’m not going to fight. But I am going to help. The mortals that are suffering could use my help. I can heal those that need it. I can easy the minds of those I can’t. Ensuring them that they will find rest in Hade's Underworld.”

“Very well,” Hansa was still not sure but if anything did happen, Truce would know to shift back to the Outer Planes immediately.

“I’m coming too.”

Larea's heart sank at her daughter’s words. “Hela, no I won’t let you.”

“Mother, I am a complete goddess now! I don’t need your permission and Truce will need my help. I am going, period.”

The Huntress backed away in horror, the thought of losing both her remaining children too much to bear, shifting away without a word.

“Hela, for once I agree with mother. This is not a good idea.”

“You can’t protect me from the universe Hansa. Anon is gone, there was nothing you could do to save him.”

Hansa remembered it well. Amand had surprised them, attacking from out of nowhere. No honor, no remorse. Hansa had tried to warn his older brother but Amand cut his elder brother down before he could speak. Amand had just stood there laughing at him. Then he shifted away when Hansa challenged him, laughing. He could still hear it.

“Alright, but stay safe.”

“Excuse me, mortals are dying, mortals are dying!” Seraph was not a patient god. His heritage made sure of that. Quick to react and even quicker to temper, some said that Seraph was the Beastlands' incarnate.

The four barbarian gods shifted to the World of Kulan to meet their fate.

The Savanna of the Rain
Rel’s realm in the Beastlands was like ordered chaos surrounded by untamed wilderness. Rakasta, both living and petitioners, moved from camp to camp, hunting antelope and even wilder game. It was always thus, except for today. No, today Rel’s people mourned the loss of his beautiful daughter into the hands of Xuar.

The Seelie Court had come to Rel’s realm the instant Titania and Oberon had learned the horrible news. Damh told Rel what had happened, that Puck had tried to stop the Xuar from taking Euphoria.

Rel looked at Puck. Still battered and bruised, the little Sylvan had taken an awful beating. He looked terrible, but Rel could see that it was his heart that was hurting the most. They all felt this way; Euphoria had brought them all great joy. The pixies and sprites were weeping uncontrollably.

“There was nothing you could have done Puck. Xuar is very strong.”

Both Titania and Oberon were dressed all in black, and the Seelie Court would have depressed a fiend in its current state. Rel was devastated. First Nessus, then Thorn and now this. All his godchildren were gone. “Oh by the Old Gods, how am I going to tell Ramara?”

“She may still be alive Rel, you must not lose hope!” Damh knew that the chances were slim, but he had refused to believe his beloved was dead. “We must tell Cronn, he’ll figure a way to get her back. I refuse to give up and neither should you.”

Rel admired Damh’s strength of heart. But then, Damh hadn’t watched Mussin rot away Rel’s two godsons before his very eyes. But he refused to show weakness, as his people watched - he must remain dignified.

“Yes, there is always hope. Word has come to me that Cronn has gone to the shores of Oceanus in Lunia. Hiisi has acted quicker than we thought he would. You must go and tell him of this great tragedy. I must go to Arborea and tell Ramara.”

Without another word Rel shifted to Ramara’s realm too tell her of their daughter’s fate.

 

[Knightfall]

The Shores of Lunia
Cronn had hoped he would have more time to prepare. But when word spread that an army of fiends was gathering on the shores of Lunia, he knew that Hiisi had come. What he found was beyond anything he had imagined. Thousands upon thousands of tanar’ri, human mercenaries, dark priests, bloodthirsty humanoids, and vile necromancers stretched further than even he could see.

The sight of an army of such size visibly terrified the army of petitioners and celestials. Kuil and Sanh stood to either side of him. The God of the Sky spoke to his brother. “By the Old Gods, there are so many of them.”

“He has eyes Sanh you don’t have to point it out. The soldiers might here you and lose faith. You must remain strong at all times.”

“Yes Father,” Sanh had a tendency to speak without thinking. Or as mortals might say, he had a tendency stick his boot in his mouth.

Corellon had not arrived yet and Cronn wondered if his friend would risk his people in the onslaught that was soon to follow. Cronn wouldn’t hold a grudge against his friend if he didn’t show, knowing that he had a duty to his people before Cronn's pantheon. No, Cronn would not hold it against him. That was not his way.

Besides, Moradin and Garl were here. They had stuck to Jalivier like glue and promised their armies of petitioners and mortals to the fight. Both armies were risking a lot, the gnomes more than the dwarves. Petitioners in Garl’s army would fade away into nothing when destroyed. Those in Moradin’s army would simply dissolve and merge with Mount Celestia.

Even though the gnome army was small, most of those that once lived on Harqual were here. Of course, they didn’t remember that but something inside them told them this was important and so they had come. Garl never forced his petitioners to fight away from Bytopia.

Inanna rode a giant, ruddy celestial horse near the front of the gathering armies. As the Goddess of War in the pantheon it was her right to lead the first charge. He worried about her safety of course but she could always take care of herself. That’s what he loved about her.

Cronn had insisted that Issek stay in his realm with Tok. Cronn was afraid that if the God of Tortured Souls fell that Tok would return to madness and switch sides without realising he was doing it. Issek didn’t mind. Fighting a war against fiends isn’t what he does best anyway. He did send his proxy Aragol, however, with a little extra of Issek’s power to help ease the suffering of the mortals that would be wounded. Aragol carried a mortal-sized version of Issek’s special jug and would use it to give dying soldiers a chance at least.

Cronn looked across the field for one god in particular. Of course, Jalivier was holding strategy meeting with Cull, Moradin, and Garl. Cronn’s warrior daughter Mayela was praying with a group of mortals. He was proud of the Goddess of Nobility; she was ferocious in battle like her mother, yet had his strong unbreakable ideals.

He saw his godson Zealot, the God of Barbarian Rage who had more of his mother in him then he’d ever admit. Zealot was working his followers into a wild frenzy, getting the barbarian-priests ready to rage. None of them would attack until their god told them though. The first few of Hiisi’s soldiers on the front line were going to be in for a big surprise.

Even Lokun was preparing for battle. Not that he had brought an army with him. He wouldn’t risk his troops and probably would stay out of the main fray himself. But he would be useful all the same. He had a tendency to annoy off both gods and mortals and would lead fiends into ambushes and death traps. Yes, Lokun would enjoy himself today.

Of course, Hades wasn’t here yet as he was petitioning Zeus to let him raise an army of Olympian mortals to join the battle. Zeus won’t allow it, of course, but it didn’t hurt to ask. He’d say no and Hades would come by himself anyway. But probably not until more fiends had arrived from the Abyss.

Again Cronn scanned the army looking for his favorite godson. His other children knew he favoured the God of Honor. But then again, he was everyone’s favorite. His siblings adored him and his mother too. Inanna had heaped praise on her adopted godson, yet he always remained humble. Yes, Jaeger was a fine young god worth his power in love.

“Where is he?” It was not like him to not be here and Cronn worried that something might have happened to him. His attention was pulled back to his surrounding as Hiisi’s dark horde roared and surged forward. Inanna took the first line of celestials and mortals to meet them. The noise was louder that the surf pounding the shore of Lunia.

The final battle had begun.

Jaeger and the First One
Jaeger hadn’t believed Lokun’s stories about where he was now. Only when the Old Man in the Sea had told him that the place really existed had Jaeger hoped he was right. If he was wrong, it could cost him everything.

Lokun had told him of a place where Old Gods went to sleep, not to die but to sleep for an eternity. It was said that these Old Gods knew most of the secrets of the universe, if not all of them. However, no one had ever been there and came back to tell about it.

Yes, if he was here then Jaeger had to find him. It could save his pantheon, his entire world.

Jaeger had entered the Halls of Twilight, to find a god older than the Mirella, Zeus, Odin, or even the Titans themselves. He risked everything coming here.

He crept through the shadows, making sure not to wake the giant, sleeping Old Gods. Kuil would have been proud of him.

They were huge, these sleeping gods and they made no sound as they slept. Lokun didn't know how true the legend was to reality; the hall was as large any realm and nearly as crowded.

Several ancient reclusive gods were here as well. He had forgotten their names but recognised them from descriptions he had heard from such gods. Old Gods older than even the Chinese and Japanese Old Gods. Jaeger was in awe of their power and size. He felt like a mortal sneaking through a lair of giants.

He made his way past them, one by one, praying he wouldn’t accidentally bump into one of them. That would not be good. The Hall was actually a cavern and dozens of chambers branched off in every direction. He picked his way along one then the other, trying to find the place he sought.

They’d be fighting by now. Of that he was sure. His father would be wondering where he was. It would all be worth it if he was indeed here like Lokun said. He just had to convince the Old God to tell him what he needed to know.

Jaeger felt like he was running around in circles. “I could get lost in here.”

His words echoed through the cavern even though he had only whispered them. He clamped his mouth shut with his hands and knew what fear was like for a mortal. Yet, none of the Old Gods stirred. Don’t do that again he told himself and continued searching.

Just when he thought that Lokun might have been wrong, he came across it. A door as tall as a hundred Greater Gods and almost as wide. It was made out of wood, if you could call it that. It felt like steel or something similar but much older. ‘Great, just great, how am I supposed to get in?’ Jaeger thought the words but did not say them out loud.

Then he noticed a small opening near the middle of the door. 'It couldn’t be that easy could it?' Jaeger climbed up to a giant keyhole and found that he could walk through it without even having to bend over.

What he found was beyond his recognition. He came out into a room, not some monstrous cavern. But a small mortal proportioned room.

“Okay,” Jaeger looked around confused. The keyhole was the door. “This is so weird.”

“I don’t mind, it’s comfy.” Jaeger turned and looked to see where the voice came from. There wasn’t anyone there. “Down here you little whippersnapper.”

Jaeger looked towards the floor and standing there was – something. It didn’t look like anything he’d ever seen before. It had arms, legs, even a head but…

“Of course I have a head.” Jaeger hadn’t spoke out loud; it could read his mind.

“Yes, you’re right but it isn’t polite for you to point that out. I must say you godlings these days are a strange bunch. Now when I was a New God, things were different. Everything was a little less chaotic… no, no, I don’t mean like that. Chaos today isn’t even the same anymore. No, I can’t explain it to you.”

“Uh…”

“My you are a talkative one. You mind is so full of questions, questions, and more questions. Yes, I’m the one you seek but if you call me the First One again in your mind, I’ll bop you on the head. Hmm, that’s better. More polite.”

“Now what can I -“ The Old One stopped talking and looked at Jaeger. “Oh, you want to know about Ympyrä Ristiriita. You do realise what your asking, don’t you? You’re asking me to give away their secret. The power you seek could destroy them all if used by the wrong god. Why should I trust you?”

“I give you my word as the God of Honor that I will only use it against Hiisi. If I am lying, you would know.”

The Old God smiled. “You are a bright young boy. Yes, I can see that your heart is pure. Now, sit down over there young one and I will tell you what you wish to know.”

 

[Knightfall]

Love and Sorrow
While Cronn was wondering where Jaeger was and while Jaeger was in the Halls of Twilight, two goddesses sat in the Temple of Love on Arborea. Larea had come to find comfort with her sister, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. She was sure that her children would not come back from Kulan.

Ramara tried to comfort her, saying it would be all right. But she too felt an odd feeling of dread. Something was not right, she could feel it. Only when Rel appeared before them with a look so long that it could have gone around the Great Ring twice, did she know she was right.

“Rel, oh no, please no.”

“I’m sorry my love, Euphoria is gone.” Rel had only heard Damh’s words. He could not take them to heart. His daughter was gone. He would not try to give Ramara false hope.

“How?” Ramara was crying and Larea tried to comfort her sister like Ramara had done for her.

“Xuar took her.” Rel sat down beside his grieving wife and took her into his arms. “She was caught just outside the Seelie Court in the Beastlands. The fairy god Puck tried to save her but he was no match for Xuar.”

“Oh Ramara, I am so sorry.” Larea had never seen her like this. Even when her two godsons had been killed she had remained composed. But this was different, Nessus and Thorn had died in battle, Euphoria wasn’t a warrior.

The Love Goddess wept like a baby for her fallen child and the flowers around the Temple of Love withered and died as her realm felt her pain.

The Rage of the North God
The battle was not going well. Fiends and celestials fought against one another, as the Lord of the North waded through them. The Rage had not taken him yet as he waded through the onslaught of the vile hordes of Hiisi. The Lord of Darkness was nowhere in sight. Not that Cronn was surprised; Hiisi would never lead the first charge. He was too much of a coward.

Zealot was gone. He said the words again, not believing them.

Mussin, Emcey, and Teve had surrounded Inanna; Cronn had thought his wife would surely die. But then Zealot had come out of nowhere and taken Emcey from behind. The dark god screaming as his essence was destroyed. Teve had spit foul epithets at Cronn’s young godson and charged into him. The two grappled together rolling through battled between Hiisi’s dark horde and Jalivier’s soldiers of light.

Inanna had regained herself and Mussin retreated from her. He had known that going one on one with the Goddess of War would have got him killed. He sent fiends after her, of course, but he might as well been sending sheep to the slaughter. She cut them down one by one, trying to get to Zealot. She came upon them just as Teve put his sword through Zealot’s chest. Inanna’s scream echoed across the battlefield and Cronn knew Zealot was gone. She avenged her godson before Teve could move sending the dark god to join Emcey in oblivion.

And while Cronn grieved for his son he kept his mind on the battle at hand. There would be enough time to grieve later, if there was a later. The second wave of fiends came through the portal from the Abyss sooner than expected. Hiisi was putting everything on the line. Cronn was sure of one thing, a pantheon would fall this day.

Another portal opened and Cronn thought that the day was lost. Instead of fiends, the strangest army Cronn had ever seen poured from the portal. Fairies! Cronn was sure he was seeing things. But then Titania and Oberon came through the portal. Fiends all over the battlefield howled as Titania’s powerful magic ran through them. The fiends scattered and a legion of dwarven petitioners took advantage of the distraction pushing the fiends back. The Sylvan Queen and her Consort walked to Cronn. Their faces showed sadness and Cronn wondered what could have upset them so. Then Damh came between them and looked up at his barbarian friend with tears in his eyes. He handed the Lord of the North his granddaughter’s favorite shawl.

Cronn’s eyes grew wide as he felt the rage take hold of him. His cry of anguish thundered over the battlefield and the fiends knew intense fear. Inanna turned and saw a side of her husband that she had never seen before. He seemed larger now and his eyes glowed with godfire. He thundered into the heaviest fighting and slaughter dozens of fiend with blow after blow of his huge greataxe, North Rage. The celestials parted and let the Great Lord of the North take the battle to the dark ones.

Only when Inanna saw Damh kneeling on the battlefield clutching a shawl did she realise her husband’s pain. Euphoria was gone. Cronn had loved her like his own godchild, as he did the entire pantheon. This was different then losing Zealot though, he had been a warrior and knew the risks but Euphoria had only been a child – a joyful, beautiful, wonderful child. Inanna felt her heart sink as the realisation of what had happened. This was not right. Her temper started to take over and she rode into the fray to join her husband just as the third wave of fiends appeared from the Abyss.

The Northlands
Seraph led the three lesser gods through the Planes to the Prime Material. What they found was carnage beyond belief. Harqual was dying. Deltum and Enduma had done more damage then any of them had ever seen. Entire forests lay charred and broken, barbarian villages wiped out by disaster and floods. The land uprooted, laid to waste.

The four gods split up, as Truce and Hela went to help those they could, while Seraph and Hansa went to punish the dark duo for their crimes against the mortals.

Seraph and Hansa didn’t have to look too hard. The dark twins had moved further south to near the Greystone Mountains. The two dark twins had conjured dozens of tornadoes and the mortals were scattering in fear.

The rage took Seraph almost immediately and he smashed into Deltum, knocking him out of the sky. Several of the tornadoes dissipated, as a result, and the two gods tumbled to the earth. Enduma turned in time to meet Hansa and the God of Suffering and the God of Soldiers grappled in the sky while the mortals of Harqual looked on.

On the ground, Seraph had got the upper hand on Deltum and skewered the dark god with his spear sending him to non-existence in a flash of light. He looked up just in time to see Hansa and Enduma tumble down the mountains to the ground below. Seraph rushed to help his kin and found him down on the ground with Enduma about to take his essence. Seraph roared and Enduma looked up to see the Elf Barbarian God baring down on him. This allowed Hansa to kick the dark god off him.

Enduma saw that he was outmatched but still had enough power to shift back to the Outer Planes. He took to the skies and tried to out run the two gods. He didn’t even see it coming. A giant spear flashed through the air passing through the dark god like he was nothing but a nuisance. Neither Seraph nor Hansa had thrown it. They looked up in the sky to see a cat god hovering above them with the sun behind him.

“Rel?” Hansa wondered how the God of the Rakasta had learned about their plight.

“No, little god, I am not your grandfather’s pathetic servant. The God of the Tabaxi has come to claim the lands of Cronn.”

“Tu!” Seraph spat on the ground as Hansa said the name.

 

[Knightfall]

The Daughter of Violence
“Well, this development could be most useful.” Thera watched the battle on Harqual from the Pit of Violence on the 256th layer of the Abyss. She had not come when her father had ordered her to. He could burn in Hade’s Underworld for all she cared.

Several dark creatures slithered past her feet as she looked for the prize she sought. “Ah, there you are little one. You are going to regret leaving the safety of the Outer Planes.” Thera hated her more than any of them. She represented everything that Thera was not and she swore that she’d make the Goddess of Peace suffer. Thera drew her sword, Bloodhunter, and transferred her Avatar to the Prime Material Plane, arriving right behind the little goddess.

They were both there of course, her and the bookworm. The little Scholar God did even know what hit him. He was dead, his essence gone, before Thera had time to pull her sword out of him. She wouldn't consume such a weak, pathetic creature.

“Truce!” The Peace Goddess saw him evaporate but didn’t know what had killed him. She turned and looked in horror as the Goddess of Violence sheathed her sword.

“Hello Hela, do you want to come out and play?”

Half-dead mortals scrambled to protect their beloved goddess but Thera swatted them away like flies. She grabbed Hela by her hair and lifted her into the air with her. Hela screamed as the two floated over the Sword Gulf. “If you kill me my brother and Seraph will have your head.”

“Actually, your kin are a little busy right now. Tu should make short work of them.” Hela’s fear grew and she began to struggle, trying to break free. Thera tightened her grip and laughed as the Peace Goddess struggled. “You see little Hela, you are all alone now and I am going to make you suffer!”

The Goddess of Violence summoned the dark power passed down to her by Hiisi and began to draw out Hela's godsoul. The Peace Goddess tried to scream but her voice came out as a whimper. Her skin turned bone white and then her body faded from sight gone to oblivion. Thera held up the dead goddess’s godsoul, as a ball of pure godfire, in her hand in triumph.

“Here me, Mother of Kulan! I have destroyed this goddess to prove that one day I will rule your world and bring darkness to this land. I entomb her godsoul to the waters so that you may share her pain!”

Thera held the godsoul in both hands her eyes glowing with evil darkness. She willed the energy contained in the godfire to transfer from her hand to the waters of the Sword Gulf below. The energy spread out along the surface merging with the water, trapping Hela’s essence there, not really alive, yet not dead either.

The All-Mother watched helplessly as Thera tortured Cronn’s granddaughter. As Hiisi’s influence and evil had spread throughout the land, her power over the dark, alien gods he spawned began to wane. She needed all her energy just to contain the dark pantheon to Harqual. But if Cronn’s pantheon fell, there would be no stopping them. Mirella watched as Thera shifted back to the Outer Planes laughing the whole time.

The waves began to thrash against the shores of Harqual, as Hela tired to escape her watery prison. Thera had done her dark deed well; Mirella could feel the trapped goddesses' pain.

Tu the Cat God
The two pantheon gods knew that Tu was more then a match for them. They had a choice - leave the Northlands to him or go down fighting. “What do you think, Seraph?’

“I’m not going anywhere.”

The two gods rose into the air slowly, eyeing the cat god and keeping their distance from him. They moved to flank the Feline God but he backed away, evading them. “Ah, Cronn’s barbarian children. Now, to find out just how strong you really are.”

Tu raised his spear and two pantheon gods readied themselves to get out of the way. Tu did not see them smile.

“Look behind you.” Hansa mocked the cat god's pride.

“Oh please,” Tu started laughing at the two little barbarian gods’ supposed jest. He should have looked, as he brought his arm forward to strike a hand reached out grabbing the spear.

“Hello Tu, remember me.”

Rel pulled on the spear with all his might, flinging it and Tu over the range of the Greystone Mountains. Tu howled as he hit the hills on the other side.

“Ouch, that’s going to leave a mark.” Hansa was glad that Rel had arrived. Now maybe they had a chance. “I think the odds just got a little more even.”

“Rel, where did you come from? Not that I’m not glad to see you.”

“Larea told me what was going on here. Now, where are those two degenerates?”

“Probably lost in oblivion somewhere.”

“Well, you two have been busy. Cronn would be proud.”

“Well, Tu did help I guess.”

The three gods looked to see if Tu had regained his dignity. He was no where in sight.

“I don’t like this. Where is he?”

The vicious cat god appeared out of nowhere and nailed Hansa from behind. The blow sent the young god spiralling out of control to the ground. The force of the impact left a huge crater and no sign of the God of Soldiers.

“Hansa!” Seraph called out to the fallen god hoping to receive an answer. He didn’t get one.

“Damn it, how’d he get over here without being spotted.” Things had gone from not too bad to horrible in mere seconds.

Tu laughed at the duo’s plight. “Not so cocky now are you Rel?”

“Damn you to Baator Tu!” They weren’t Rel’s words. The rage had taken Seraph again and he attacked blindly without any sense or reasoning. Such was the power of the Barbarian Rage of the Pantheon.

“Seraph, no wait!” But Rel’s words fell on deaf ears. All he could do was back the Elf Barbarian God up and hope that they could hold out until Seraph’s rage ended.

Rel attacked Tu just as Seraph struck his first blow, his sword in one hand and his favourite weapon in the other, a Rakasta war claw he called Cat’s Paw. The three gods thundered through the sky. Tu used his spear like a staff, blocking blow after blow. Not even Rel’s sword could cut through it. The three gods fought across the mountains, striking at each other, looking for an opening. They passed over the Great Forest of Harqual, the Plains of the Long Divide, and the desert known as the Great Expanse.

Rel could tell that Seraph was tiring, as the rage left him and Tu was gaining the advantage. Rel moved in and blocked the other cat god’s obvious attempts to deliver the final deathblow to the Elf Barbarian. His attempt was weak and Tu slammed his fist across Rel’s face sending him to the savannas below. Rel’s Avatar exploded as it hit the ground and it took several moments for him to transfer another one to the mortal plane.

That was all Tu needed. He speared Seraph in the midsection, sending him to oblivion turning to face Rel’s new Avatar.

“No!” Rel was shaken by what had happened, he had made an oath to protect Cronn’s kin. It had meant so much to him now that all his own were gone.

“Two down, one to go.” Tu’s laughter could be heard as far away as the Cold Barrens in the Northlands.

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[KF - Break time... I'll let ya all catch up before posting the rest.]