Ni'thorne's Story

Eras felt a tingle as a sliver of Gaia's strength was ripped back. Yet the being was far preoccupied with his eye close on a bay in a land far away to realize the strength of the Champion here in the Exalted Mountains. Gaia had chosen well. A being not only able to resist the great dark forces of the realms, but have command of them. The Oblivion Blade shimmered as Gaia blessed Bjorg, a Champion of Gaia.

The sound of stone scraping stone echoed through the mountains as the Colossi turned head, lifted shoulder, and officially began to rise. The mountains almost seemed to vibrate as slowly the head of the Colossi rose to the horizon. Obsidian eyes caught the pink light of the clouds, surveying the mountains as still the Colossi upwards did rise. Long arms extended to support the Colossi as for the first time in Ages he stood up. His hands were still firmly planted beneath the earth. Where they were, the ground rippled and cracked. The Colossi tested out his fingers as the top of his head breached the pinked clouds, which sat on his brow above those dark eyes.

The Skyfall Crypts rattled far below, the bones of the ancients coming to life to whisper about the end of times coming again, about all the Champions through the ages rising to meet Eras and do battle for the future of Gaia. Eras glanced his attention over to Siv'en, where his greatest Colossi continued as expected, and turned his attention back to Iskjerne Bay, across the seas and half a world away.

Many of the floating mountains dipped down closer to Gaia. A subtle glitter undulated across the mountains, the call of Gaia. Barely noticeable to the naked eye, but nonetheless the Spirit of the Realm calling for the Champions to rise. In the mountains, to the east, there was a crack as Ni'Thorne woke up.

The sound of stone scraping stone echoed through the mountains as the Colossi turned head, lifted shoulder, and officially began to rise. The mountains almost seemed to vibrate as slowly the head of the Colossi rose to the horizon. Obsidian eyes caught the pink light of the clouds, surveying the mountains as still the Colossi upwards did rise. Long arms extended to support the Colossi as for the first time in Ages he stood up. His hands were still firmly planted beneath the earth. Where they were, the ground rippled and cracked. The Colossi tested out his fingers as the top of his head breached the pinked clouds, which sat on his brow above those dark eyes.


There he stood east in the horizon. His brow passed through the crowds, though his obsidian eyes surveyed the Exalted Mountains. He glanced over to where he knew Draachstill was, swept his gaze from there to the burning fire in Dorant Valley. There, the Colossi frowned. A pulse of Gaia's magic grew stronger somewhere in the mountains to the east as well. The floating mountains hovered a little higher again as Gaia's blessing was accepted to the east.Ni'Thorne focused his attention entirely on that spot, where a Nord had noticed the Colossi in return. Turning, the western mountains would see the remaining foundation of a town on the back of his left shoulder, dust rushing through the mountains as Ni'Thorne moved.

The Champions of Gaia

A band of adventurers that were chosen for a quest that started out for mere stones through deceit. Nightfall is coming to Gaia with the Second Rising of Eras. The Champions will either plunge the world into darkness or bath it in everlasting light.

A subtle glitter undulated across the mountains, the call of Gaia. Barely noticeable to the naked eye, but nonetheless the Spirit of the Realm calling for the Champions to rise. Were there any in Skyfall Citadel who would heed the call?

The faint sound of stone scraping stone bounced off the walls of Skyfall Citadel. The mountains almost seemed to vibrate as slowly the head of the Colossi rose to the horizon off in the distance. Obsidian eyes caught the pink light of the clouds, surveying the mountains as still the Colossi upwards did rise. Soon he was visible from the citadel. Long arms extended to support the Colossi as for the first time in Ages he stood up. His hands were still firmly planted beneath the earth. The top of his head breached the pinked clouds still dumping rain here in the Skyfall Citadel, which sat on his brow above those dark eyes.

There he stood in the horizon. His brow passed through the clouds, though his obsidian eyes surveyed the Exalted Mountains. He glanced over far to the east, swept his gaze from there to Valley of Dorant, a strange place of recent history that was a popular destination for those who liked to go hiking and never again return. There, the Colossi frowned. A pulse of Gaia's magic grew stronger somewhere in the mountains as well. The floating mountains hovered a little higher again as Gaia's blessing was accepted elsewhere in the mountains. The head hovering over the horizon focused it's attention to that spot. The remaining foundation of a town on the back of his left shoulder was made visible as the Colossi turned, dust rushing through the mountains as Ni'Thorne moved.

The walls of the citadel protected the main city from these dusts, but those living on the outskirts rushed the gates in a panic.It wasn't much longer before the alarm was sound.

Meanwhile, in Norde Keep, the Oracle of Skyfall was to be put on trial. A false king had risen to the throne in the turmoil from years past, managing to slip through the ranks. He remained one of the most feared and hated individuals, his heart set on a lady he couldn't have. He did not believe the legends, felt Eras would never come back and Gaia was a fairy tale you told children so they didn't believe people like He could exist. As the corruption in Skyfall grew stronger, so did Eras, feeding off of their evil ways.

"A greater storm is coming!" Shouted an elf to the dwarven smith running for cover into the nearest tavern with her. Those who had not made it to the Norde Keep to witness the trial weren't about to leave while an alarm was being rung to keep them safe. What was happening, anyhow? You couldn't see the horizon from most points in Skyfall Citadel, but those who did would have fear struck deep into their hearts. Those who did would surely denounce the king.

The Champions of Gaia

A band of adventurers that were chosen for a quest that started out for mere stones through deceit. Nightfall is coming to Gaia with the Second Rising of Eras. The Champions will either plunge the world into darkness or bath it in everlasting light.

A subtle glitter undulated across the Kingdom of Skyfall, the call of Gaia. Barely noticeable to the naked eye, but nonetheless the Spirit of the Realm calling for the Champions to rise. Were there any in The Kingdom of Skyfall who would heed the call?

The faint sound of stone scraping stone echoed through The Exalted Mountains. The mountains almost seemed to vibrate as slowly the head of the Colossi rose to the horizon off in the distance. Soon he was visible from the Skyfall Citadel. The top of his head breached the pinked clouds still dumping rain here in the Skyfall Citadel, which sat on his brow above those dark eyes.

There he stood in the horizon. A pulse of Gaia's magic grew stronger somewhere in the mountains as well. The floating mountains hovered a little higher again as Gaia's blessing was accepted elsewhere in the mountains. The head hovering over the horizon focused it's attention to that spot. The remaining foundation of a town on the back of his left shoulder was made visible as the Colossi turned, dust rushing through the mountains as Ni'Thorne moved.

The walls of the citadel protected the main city from these dusts, but those living on the outskirts rushed the gates in a panic. It wasn't much longer before the alarm was sound. The alarm sounded as far as down into the Golden Vale, citizenry of Skyfall reaching a level of panic as lightning storms continued to ravage the lands. Meanwhile, in Norde Keep, the Oracle of Skyfall was to be put on trial. As the corruption in Skyfall grew stronger, so did Eras, feeding off of their evil ways.

The great rains continued, pouring into the mines. If they didn't act soon there would be a flood! The Exalted mountains rumbled as not too far off a great Colossi stirred.

The Champions of Gaia

A band of adventurers that were chosen for a quest that started out for mere stones through deceit. Nightfall is coming to Gaia with the Second Rising of Eras. The Champions will either plunge the world into darkness or bath it in everlasting light.

A subtle glitter undulated across the mountains, the call of Gaia. Barely noticeable to the naked eye, but nonetheless the Spirit of the Realm calling for the Champions to rise.

The sound of stone scraping stone echoed down into the mines. The mountains almost seemed to vibrate as slowly the head of the Colossi rose to the horizon off in the distance. Obsidian eyes caught the pink light of the clouds, surveying the mountains as still the Colossi upwards did rise. Soon he was visible from the citadel. Long arms extended to support the Colossi as for the first time in Ages he stood up. His hands were still firmly planted beneath the earth. It would take a while to see it from down in the Capwell Mines but a head would rise to breach the clouds on the horizon.

There he stood. He glanced over far to the east, swept his gaze from there to Valley of Dorant, a strange place of recent history that was a popular destination for those who liked to go hiking and never again return. There, the Colossi frowned. A pulse of Gaia's magic grew stronger somewhere in the mountains as well. The floating mountains hovered a little higher again as Gaia's blessing was accepted elsewhere in the mountains. The head hovering over the horizon focused it's attention to that spot. The remaining foundation of a town on the back of his left shoulder was made visible as the Colossi turned, dust rushing through the mountains as Ni'Thorne moved. The Capwell Mines were thankfully exempt, the cloud wooshing over them and passing the downward spiral by.

The Last Forge

Home of the Realm Forgers, referred to simply as The Forge. The entrance is a giant door guard by Gollums deeply hidden and expertly carved. Please knock.

From the start of the very earth's trembling; the few remaining Realm Forgers had begun their last motions in a plan long in the making, the ancient people built this last forge after the forming of these mountains all those millennia ago. Kardel ushered the last of the Forge masters deep into the underground, away from the body of the colossi.

Riak watched as his father and his people abandoned the last forge, his goal elsewhere, he would do battle as the previous Thane had done, the 14ft tall giantlike being bounded through the tunnels and veins that wormed throughout the Colossi, carrying a bundle of Pitons a foot long and at least 4inches thick. he would use these magic imbued pitons to destroy a leg at least, once embedded in the rock with a whispered command phrase the Pitons would explode with the power of a megatonne bomb.

the Thane would breach the surface at the waist, standing on a ledge that had eroded into the body of the giant monster in its slumber.

"Never did we think this day would come... and for that, we were ill-prepared." unhooking a pair of gauntlets and a pair of metal frames to be worn over his boots, the spiked items would allow him some manner of safety as he began the climb towards the heart.

The sound of glass shattering echoed throughout the Crystal Tower.

The Stone of Spirit, placed here long ago, had shattered. Something that would have been thought impossible by Those Who No Longer Roam. In the ages since they wandered Gaia much had changed. External forces came into play, and so the native forces of Gaia were weakened. In their weakened state, Eras flexed his power. A colossus officially woke up. Hoargraskr laughed; let Nightfall begin.

While the Stone of Earth remained in it's safe spot, it hummed. Far off in the Exalted Mountains, Ni'Thorne began to stir. Though the mind of the great Colossus was still trapped here, it seemed Eras himself was channeling power to puppeteer the Earthen beast. As grateful as Ni'Thorne was for being brought to life, part of Ni'Thorne resented Eras for being the cause of his entrapment.

Of similar opinion, Maelstr stirred.

Eras focused the entirety of his concentration for the moment onto Ni'thorne. Though the great beast of earth seemed to be alive, it was not. Though to the beings on Gaia the Colossi had awoken, it had only done so half-wise. Being such, Ni'thorne moved at a pace unusual to that of his past.

This is not to say the pace seemed any slower. A great creature made of mountain growing skywards at any rate at all could be considered rapid, as these things simply didn't used to happen. But Ni'thorne was brought to turmoil. To rise in such an embarrassing fashion, pathetic. Far away in the center of a lake, in a room in a tower, a stone buzzed like a nest of hornets.

Because of the disconnect from mind and body, because of the pure effort and output of mana it took Eras to control Ni'thorne, Riak went entirely unnoticed by both Destroyers. Neither the growing star in the sky nor the angered Colossus on Gaia took note of the parasitic Realm Forger. The Realm Forgers had been there for so long, they had truly become a part of Ni'thorne. The same sparkle which had danced up the Oblivion Blade came round to Riak as well. It spiraled up his leg to his crown- the blessing of Gaia. Another Champion had been chosen.

Eras (through Ni'thorne) saw Bjorn, a prick of a heat signature in the distance. The Colossus oh so slowly focused his black eyes on the nord. They were like dead stars themselves set in a squared stone skull. A disturbed group of griffons circled ahead. Black lines faded into the horizon as all the birds fled the Exalted Mountains.

Gaia was shroud in clouds. They were pink, especially so at the edges, from the light of the dead star coming alive again. Every now and again a dragon poked through. None of them were prepared for the sight that met their eyes above the clouds.

Eras burned brighter than he had in thousands of years. Hovering above the continent Ellaria, casting a shadow across the most of the northern continent, the Soja loomed. Eras continued to draw power from the Soja to the best of his abilities, while far below on a continent across the seas he puppeteer'd a Colossus- much to it's dismay. The brow of the Colossus, named Ni'Thorne, poked through the clouds into the stratosphere.

Below the Soja the head of Asvith Thrym poked through, the slightest bit taller than Ni'Thorne so that it's eyes came into the stratosphere as well. The clouds pooled to close the gap created as he took a step and his head moved from where it originally came through to another northern region more east.

Through the clouds above Siv'en burst a figure armored in light, and what a curious sight awaited he!

Sheodin appeared in a flash of light and crack of thunder. He floated on ethereal winds high above the landscape, and he was clad in a suit of plate that glowed like moonlight. Arcs of electricity danced between the adamantine plates as raw arcane energy flowed from the archmage in waves. His eyes shone like twin stars burning with eldritch power, and his unflinching gaze narrowed upon the titan before him.

He clenched Stormquake in his gauntlet, and the sky growled in anticipation. Dark clouds materialized like vultures, forming a semicircle around him and the Colossus’s head. Lightning flashed, and one could almost see the silhouettes of great eagles dancing amidst the tempest - echoes of long forgotten spirits of storm and wind.

Then the archmage Spoke, lacing his words with magic and authority, and the storm mimicked his voice with a symphony thunder, rain, and wind.

“You will not pass, titan of earth. Name thyself, and state thy discourse.”

Though his head was in a storm, Ni'thorne was little impacted. It upset the Colossus to not be able to take a swat at the glowing mosquito dancing about his head, or to try to wave away the darkened clouds.

Instead the great hand of Ni'Thorne reached to puncture the clouds, up towards the atmosphere, up towards something looming too far to reach.

Eras grew angrier as he realized Ni'Thorne would be unable to reach the Soja, and so he pulled at the ship all the mightier, blocking communicative channels and causing other minor malfunctions.

The great Soja, in the grasp of Eras, was provoked to move away by another God. Eras rumbled, but did not fret. He himself was too far gone in self absorption to recognize, despite any signs, that the forces surrounding Gaia were beginning to band against him. Those sworn to Eras would rather die than acknowledge any other as a savior, accept assistance from foreign entities, admit weakness. Those sworn to Eras knew that they were better guide by him through darkness than left blinded by the devious lights of the heavens-no matter what the lights said they intended.

The hyperspace of the Soja powered up. He noticed something as the winged figure appeared. While he was still tethered to the Soja, he could no longer drain it's power. It was as mortals would put it, like having your boot stuck in the mud. A very tightly laced boot. He was still tethered, however, so Eras moved to give his attention to King Neodin Shadowslayer, for a moment giving rest to his focus of draining power from the Soja.

What Eras didn't notice was another figure, made of starlight, forming next to Mikhael. Atargatis joined his celestial power with Mikhaels, aiding in the push of the Soja. He remained silent, caring little for who and what the children of the realms chose to give power to. Atargatis would be a star until the day his dance with Sagittae ended. Hopefully not at the hands of Eras.

The nebula of light, however, stretching out between he and Gaia, made it a little harder for Eras to strengthen his grip. This new God was strong- loved by their people and already embraced by Sagittae and Atargatis. This furied Eras even further. The great hand of the colossus below shifted in it's reach. Now it extend towards King Neodin. Up, up, up through the atmosphere the great hand of Ni'Thorne extended, casting a great shadow across the Exalted Mountains and the great valley at it's feet. The Kingdom of Skyfall was plunged into a strange twilight. Despite all working against him Eras had cause to smile. Gaia had fallen into a deep slumber.

The rains came to a sudden cease. Across the entire continent of Siv'en the beating of the water slowed. Though the sky was still pink, there was even more light in it now, and it was a hair less ominous to those paying close enough attention to that sort of thing. In Ellaria a Champion called out across the lands. Eras, far too distracted above the brightened sky, took no notice to the Children of Gaia awakening in her honor. He was impatient as Ni'Thorne moved too slow, shifting his attention to Asvith Thrym. Eras called out to the great creature, urging him to make a grab for the Soja, as it was much closer to Asvith than most others.

The clouds across Siv'en grew brighter, before suddenly a great shadow was cast from the Exalted Mountains through the Golden Vale. Ni'Thorne, colossus made of mountain, reached his arm through the clouds into the atmosphere high above. A dust began to rise as his feet shifted.

More notably the great rains stopped.

Ni'Thorne's great arm extended still into the skies, which had brightened where a shadow was not being cast across the mountains. Ni'Thorne was not happy as he was being asked to grasp a figure enveloped in celestial flames high in the atmosphere. Despite being made of mountain, he was not fully invincible.

Ni'Thorne almost wavered in his allegiance towards Eras. Floating mountains and boulders began to glide though the peaks. They joined up with Ni'Thorne, adding to his bulk and strength. One great piece crushed a part of the town on his shoulder - those within earshot could hear as some of those unlucky enough to survive the foundation of their lives being thrust into the atmosphere, plunged and perished.

So. He wasn't just a tool, and if he was, he could consider himself taken care of to some degree. Still Ni'thorne had upset. He chose instead to focus on his given task at hand- grabbing for the flamed one.

"C'mon!" Cendor didn't have time to wait for Echo-Wolf and hoped he followed suit. The young dragon took off towards the Whispering Woods, dodging rains and lightningbolts as they struck. Somewhere along the line he must have made a detour for the worst as suddenly Cendor found himself at the edge of the great Atargatis Lake.

"Hyperdrive stands ready!" The Bridge officer called out.

"Sir! I'm getting increased readouts across the board! Something's pushing us away!" Another officer called out.

Hiroki breathed a sigh of relief.

The shrill whine of the hyperdrive continued to fill the superstructure of the Soja, and in sheer defiance of Eras, Hiroki called out.

"Execute Hyperspace jump!"



Lines filled the display screens of the Soja, and Hiroki braced himself. The ship lurched forward with all it's might, and in an instant, it wrenched itself free from Eras' grasp.

Punching through the clouds and towards the skies beyond, a great fist ascending from Ellaria. The clouds puffed out as they were breached by Asvith giving those above a glimpse of what was happening below.

A cold bay was alight with activity. Bloodstained snow and many people moved like ants below. In the mountains there were other movements and a few great beasts.

The great fist of Asvith Thrymm was just a moment too late. As it reached the place where the Soja was, suddenly the Soja was no longer there.

”Cease.” Sheodin roared as he called a lightning bolt onto Ni’Thorne’s outstretched hand.

“Why reach for a tiny pinprick of light, far out of your reach, when a perfectly suitable target is right here?” Sheodin taunted, arms spread wide.

“Who do you serve, titan of earth, and what does your master promise you? How has he fulfilled those promises?”

Sheodin glanced towards the horizon where a massive maelstrom churned like a stirring cauldron. He felt the raw elemental power, the blinding inferno of magical energy, even from here. The archmage turned his attention back to Ni’Thorne and prepared a quick teleport should the titan attack.

He hoped he could distract him long enough for the plan to work...

Riak, swung wildly as the titan thrashed about, reaching high into the heavens for whatever yet still eluded it, the rubble of the village had begun falling by and past Riak now, he solemnly watched the carnage that had befallen those poor bystanders above; come crashing down from the sky above.

with a heavy sigh, Riak checked his position, he was far up, just under where the lowest rib would sit, so he would take the hammer at his belt and another of his dwindling supply of magicked pitons and strike it into the rock. "by the might of my forebearers, those that yet live, Ni'thorne return to the bowls of darkness!"

Riak roared as brought the hammer against the piton once more.

The strike echoing through the mountain range followed by 178 explosions from the other pitons that Riak had been hammering into the leg over the length of his climb of the titan, those explosions the power of a single megatonne bomb each, Riak had to be quick hooking the hammer into its loop on the belt he began running around the stomach of the great titan and dived into a cubby hole as the last, the piton just exploded like the rest.

the intention was to blow the leg clean off if not explode it from the inside through all the tunnels his people had long ago dugout in their mining explorations.

"how volatile did father make these things?!" Riak grabbed his climbing gear spiked into the rock and hung on for dear life.

Roughly one hundred and fifty thousand kilometers beyond the magical, and whimsical atmosphere of the planet Gaia, there was a flicker of light, that flicker of light culminated into a brilliant flash that skimmed roughly thirty kilometers to reveal the sudden existence of a strange, bulbous alien ship that was roughly thirty kilometers in length.

"Jump complete, Chairman." Lieutenant Dajic reported, while hunched over the tactical console, a three-dimensional hologram of Gaia, and it's giants and collossi flickering into view before him.

"I'm detecting large amounts of magical interference, in addition to two class three leviathan lifeforms." The Lieutenant reported as he manipulated the large holographic display in front of him. "These entities will need to be neutralized before we can settle into engagement orbit."


"Right." Gina said, leaning on her console. "Calibrate shields for antimana, target turbodisruptor banks alpha, through epsilon for the first class three life-form." She said, highlighting the holographic outlet of Ni'thorne.

"Alert!" Lieutenant Dajic called out. "Second Class three life-form has been neutralized."

Gina grit her teeth, but was relieved there would be one less entity to fight.

"Right, bring us about! Initialize salvo fire!"

The Reverence II slowly banked onto it's side, positioning itself parallel to the planet's surface. Hundreds of massive turbodisruptor batteries swiveled to life.

The Aschen ship was starting to garner a targeting solution at extreme range.

The World Spirit of Gaia called out to the forces of favor in her newly awakened state. Though she was still weak, her allies were not. Sagittae and Atargatis, too, felt the appearance of the large vessel. There was no time for argument between the celestial beings as to the intentions of the great craft.

It was far simpler to ask.

Before anyone would move another muscle, as the word "Initialize" died on the lips of Gina, a blue light appeared on the hologram of Gaia. It flashed once, obscuring the hologram, and instead presenting the vague form of what might have been a man. The lights in the vessel seemed to dim, time seemed to move differently. Slower.



Far below the World Spirit of Gaia called to the spirits of the seas, who lent their energies to the greater magical barriers of Gaia protecting the planet from technological and electronical advancements and influences. In doing so they, too, were weakened. Across Gaia the seas grew less stable. In some places they stormed. In others, they grew flat.

Below the dusts of ages settled around the newly risen Mount Thrym. Luck would have it that the thick vegetation and undulating lands would protect many from the outward blast caused by the impact of the fallen Thrym. However, none would fail to note the stench. It was stronger in some places, and in others it seemed to be the lingering of a nightmare.

Gina narrowed her eyes at the hologram, as the lights dimmed, she reached for the disruptor pistol holstered at her side.

"EVE, I want full diagnostics on the communication systems, and by the gods get that frakking Antimana shield up!" The Chairman barked as she focused her attention on the vague shape before her.

"Is it suffering or salvation you seek to grant upon the Children of Gaia?"

Gina considered her response briefly, she didn't want to get embroiled in a war, but it seemed she was offered little choice.

"Your children of Gaia attacked our allies, I have been sent to make them answer for this."

EVE began to run diagnostics, checking the ship's systems for anomalies.

Tactical began to calibrate the ship's weapons, ascertaining targeting parameters, focusing his attention on the Colossi roaming the planet, while also highlighting the Iskjerne Bay region. He began to run diagnostics on weapon systems.

Atargatis continued to obscure the maps of Gaia, slipping his celestial self into the mainframe and obscuring every read of the planet below. He cared not for political reason. It's not that he had an opinion. Alliances and affairs of mortals really were of no care or concern to Atargatis and most celestial bodies - unless, of course, they interfered with aspects of existence. Those who seek to harm the Children of Gaia, no matter the cause, align themselves against Gaia and with Eras. The empowering of Eras was in no was to be facilitated, and thus any enemies of Gaia must be stopped.

Time continued to slow surrounding the ship. The occupants might not have noticed, but they were moving significantly slower than anything else in this part of space.



It seemed the people here had no true quarrel with the Children of Gaia. It didn't take the celestial being more than a moment to assemble the pieces. It seemed this was all birth from a miscommunication far below. A miscommunication spanning two generations, and escalating wildly out of control. A miscommunication that, if these people were allowed to progress as they willed, would result in the death of at least one Champion of Gaia. A death of a Champion was, again, an act against Gaia- an act of empowerment towards Eras. All because of a miscommunication; a culture gap, so to speak. Such a petty mortal thing.