techalaniani. [cw: dr...ugs...]

[fursuit]

[ It’s about two weeks after the chaos that’s hit Highstorm and Springstar both. The dust has had time to settle and people have started to pick themselves back up. And in that busy time, the Shard-Bearers of Kenos are touched by someone new. It’s a mind that gives the impression of vastness in the way that other gods and similarly supernatural creatures have. There’s dark, fragrant smoke of copal, and the humid heat of a rainforest. It probably feels faintly familiar to some, since there’s just a hint of that warmth that feels similar to a certain sun god(dess)…

But as it focuses, that warmth seems to be coming from a campfire, perhaps oddly. The logs around it offer you a “seat”, whether proverbial or not, and it’s only if you take one that the speak themselves will come into more focus. But the introduction that comes with it is much cooler (in both senses of the word) than the bubbly Quetzalcoatl. ]

Yo.

[ …Is that how the newest god is greeting the masses? Yep. Apparently so. ]

I talked to enough people when Kenos was jerking me around [ no, that was me, the player, ] that Communion is just more efficient. So, for those I’ve met and for those I haven’t, consider this a more formal greeting. You’ve removed my brother Quetzalcoatl and allowed me to descend in his stead.

[ And even though he’s identified Quetzalcoatl as his brother… The smirk in that statement is unmistakable. He’s pleased that Quetzalcoatl is dead. For those that know the mythology of the Aztec pantheon even faintly, this wouldn’t be a surprise at all, since Quetzalcoatl only has one enemy that would be glad to see the feathered serpent fall. ]

Name’s Tezcatlipoca. Tloque nahuaque. [ The Nahuatl is spoken with a sense of power that’s subtle, but still raw, even though there’s no one that would understand it. Still, it conveys the idea well enough—this is no minor god of that pantheon. ] If you know me, great, and if you don’t, well. Met your god Set one of the times I was stoppin’ by, and our whole deal is similar enough. I am conflict, so in the spirit of fairness, I’ve thrown my lot in with Zenith. Can’t have two gods that oversee war and conflict on the same side, yeah?

[ There’s humor in his tone that makes it seem like it’s a joke, but… No. It’s not. That’s a pretty significant part of his rationale for picking Zenith. Thanks Set!/Don’t worry about. ]

Anyways. All that formal shit aside, easy one to follow it all up. Ain’t often that I got a human body to enjoy getting fucked up. So, if you’ve got a preference for weed, hit me up. Workin’ on somethin’ artisanal there, but I wanna know the poisons of preference for the locals. Let me know what you get fucked up on, and I might even make it worth your while.

[ …So. You know. That’s one way to introduce yourself. ]

Comments

[fursuit]

Easy. We make sure that it's always happening. Make sure it's as big and showy as possible, 'cause if it ain't got casualties, it ain't a real war.

[ His words are smooth and vicious, but there's not a sadistic enjoyment backing them. His actual position is more balanced than that, since conflict is a catalyst for change. It's the only one, he'd argue. But he's not the sort to frame things that way. He leans into the viciousness, because that too begets conflict. ]

You might get a different answer from Set, of course. We oversee similar enough things, but the cultures we're from are pretty damn different. Different viewpoints and all that.

[eightfoldfiend]

All cultures have different values in war, but they come down to human greed. One population covets what another has.

[Territory, resources, even political rights in some cases.]

A tragic cycle, they say, but I don't mind it all! I find the carnage thrilling.

[Across the Communion something animalistic surges behind his words. He doesn't love carnage just because it excites him. He feeds on it.]

So if you need it, I am happy to help as long as I get to watch the chaos you make.

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca doesn't totally agree, but he's not going to get into the diner points of Aztec culture or other surrounding city-states. It doesn't matter for many reasons, but the most important is that the rest of what Yuber says is more interesting anyways. ]

Ha, that so?

[ The grin is easy to hear in his words. Someone that loves killing for the sake of it isn't his first choice for a warrior, but they have their place. They're probably the best at feeding into the conflict that he craves, really. ]

Feelin's mutual, buddy. If you're out there chasin' carnage, then you've got my blessing. So to speak, anyways. I don't hand 'em out casually, but who knows! You make this a decent battlefield, and of course I have to acknowledge ya properly.

cw: idk but it's kinda gross

[eightfoldfiend]

I don't require a blessing; all I need is a battle.

[Yuber's presence ripples with silent laughter.]

The more destruction, the better. Conflict is sweetest when it is filled with the screams of the dying.

[He pauses, imagining a blood-soaked battlefield with the same pleasure someone would imagine a juicy meal. Across the Communion there is an impression of a flickering, hungry flame.]

...Perhaps one day you and Set will fight to the death. Two war gods locked in battle would be exquisite.

[fursuit]

Yeah, I get your vibe, killer. I'll say don't worry about that. If I've got anything to say for it, we'll be makin' sure that happens. Ain't proper otherwise.

[ ...And technically. They already have, but Set totally cheated, at least so far as Tezcatlipoca is concerned. Barreling into him full speed before he could don the armor that protects this mortal body is unfair! ]

So, yeah, me and Set will have a mostly serious go of it eventually. Not fully, since we got the respect to not go crushing each others' Shards, but that's less mercy and more... Professional understanding. But it's good enough, so far as a fight to the death goes.

[eightfoldfiend]

A professional understanding?

[He thinks.]

...Wouldn't it make more sense to eliminate an enemy god completely?

[His tone is more curious than accusatory. While he loves crushing his enemies he can think of a few reasons he'd want to preserve their souls, not all of which involve black magic.]

[fursuit]

For all of you? Sure. Go to town on crushing him if you feel like it, but I'd prefer you didn't. It's a better conflict if you've got someone equally qualified to instigate it on the other side, right? It'd be like takin' away the best part of the show and then having to deal with all the leftovers after.

[ It'd be boring to kill the best one! Then, what, he's left with just mortals? That has an appeal, but it's not nearly as good. God logic at work. ]

...Besides, there's a decent chance I wouldn't be able to. Kinda sworn to look after souls, so crushin' 'em is pretty solidly against that whole idea.

[eightfoldfiend]

Why would a war god be tasked with protecting souls?

[Another curl of curiosity.]

I have never heard of such a thing.

[fursuit]

Well, ain't a war god, for one. Conflict god. War is my little brother's domain. But there's a big overlap for sure, so pretty common misconception.

[ Why, though... He's not sure he can answer that. It's a philosophical question on the level of "what's the purpose of life?" because for him, it simply is and always has been. It's a compulsion, or a decree from the World itself. ]

Ain't like I oversee all souls, but enough of 'em. Those that struggle, those that fight, they're the souls under my dominion. So, when their life comes to an end, I give 'em a little resting place so that they can unburden the troubles of their life. They don't need 'em in the afterlife. So, it's important to shed 'em.

[eightfoldfiend]

You walk among the souls of the dead?

Hah...

So do I. They can be noisy, can't they?

What is this afterlife you give them?

[fursuit]

Oi.

[ Calling them "noisy" does get Tezcatlipoca to get serious, since now the vibe isn't something he appreciates. It's the duty he takes most seriously. Or did, technically speaking. ]

These aren't just souls of the dead. They're people that died while fighting. Warriors. I won't tolerate disrespect of them.

[ That casual air dropped from his words quickly, and it shows that he means it. But as easily as putting a cigarette back in his mouth, he continues more casually again. ]

...It's a journey. The souls gotta figure out where they're goin' themselves. There are many paradises and many torments in Mictlán. They have to find their own way to where they belong.

[redsoil]

[ Yuber's attitude is like a siren's call, and now that Set's not either a) trapped in a hamster ball, b) shooting off weapons at Highstorm or c) reviving under the Tree of Life, he can come fully appreciate this guy. All bright, toothy smile and slithering attention that looms up behind him like a dune shifting, steady and impossible to stop until it has risen like a tidal wave. ]

To be honest, I already got Tezcatlipoca once, do not worry. He snapped like a femur between a beast's teeth.

[ It wasn't so much a fight, really. Set just got REALLY EXCITED and thought he was as durable as Quetzalcoatl. ]

What drives you, then? Little carnage-seeker, what sort of conviction do you have motivating your actions?

[fursuit]

[ TCH!!!!!! ]

[redsoil]

[ ]

[eightfoldfiend]

Did he crumble so easily? How disappointing. Can you even call someone like that a god?

[Yuber's Communion turns to meet Set's, glowing with the same intrigue he'd had when feeling Tezcatlipoca's presence.

Two war gods. This will be fun.

The impression of the dancing flame shifts into a burning star blocking out something unspeakably ancient and vast.]

As for my motivation, it's very simple!

I enjoy chaos.

War is the handmaiden of my existence.

I hope you two don't bore me.

[redsoil]

Watch your tongue, carnage-seeker. We are not here to serve you in any capacity.

[ Let alone as entertainment, how insulting! Even if he fights in the Coliseum, it's to be inspirational and feared. To impress upon the world of Springstar who and what he is. Still, the mention of chaos stirs him, keeps him smiling as he

boops Yuber on his Communion!nose. ]

Fair warning, then. Do not Harmonize too deeply with Zenith, if you choose them — they are a faction whose power will corrupt you with tranquility and calm. Ill-fitting for your tastes.

[eightfoldfiend]

[There is a sense of indignant recoiling, like a cat flattening its ears.]

Such corruption can be balanced, can it not?

Or are you trying to coax me over to Meridian? It won't work, you know. I know my world is gone and even if it isn't, well, it wasn't worth preserving.

[redsoil]

If you want to join Meridian, you will. But, I have no desire to rekindle your world whether you do or do not. It can stay dead. What will be affected is your suffering — it will be as intense as your resistance.

[ He beams, a predatory animal that seems utterly unbothered by where Zenith-aligned want to die. It can be in Kenos, or it can be in the world he will condemn them too. ]

But no, that corruption cannot be resisted. It will take everything you are from you in exchange for power. I have seen it — in fact, one of the Oracles appears to be the result of embracing Zenith entirely. It is just a friendly warning. I would hate a man as vivacious as you to be brainwashed into passivity.

[eightfoldfiend]

[The star burning in the void slowly begins to cool. Yuber tries to hide his wariness but he's never been good at concealing his emotions.]

...What happened to this Oracle?

[redsoil]

I only know of the alleged fate of the Iconoclast. A Shard-Bearer and king who sought to return to his homeland, who embraced Zenith far enough that it twisted his yearning toward satisfying that wish through the lens of another.

[ He states this as fact, not opinion. ]

Meridian Shard-Bearers have been founded twisted into monsters. At least one Zenite is an Oracle. Be circumspect about the depths you would like to go, is all I am saying.

[fursuit]

[ TCHES EVEN MORE ]

Ah, fuck you. [ It's completely flat and toothless, this is just a casual statement... ] Ain't my fault I get stuck with a mortal body 'cause of technicalities. You see how you do with Set snapping your spine into lots of little pieces and get back to me.

[eightfoldfiend]

My body isn't mortal.

[Said as a fact, not a brag.]

I'll be fine.

[fursuit]

[ Yeah... He's personally going to point Set at this guy like a gun now. Petty. ]

Yeah, we'll see about that. Guy hits like a fuckin' truck.

[eightfoldfiend]

I am war and chaos itself!

[This statement is possibly factual.]

I can withstand a blow from a god.

[This statement is likely not factual, I'm afraid.]

In fact, I look forward to seeing what he is capable of. Mortal prey can be so dull.

[redsoil]

[ SNFF SNFF SNFF

SMELLS LIKE FUN ]