The World Spirit Of Gaia's Story

The planet by this point was mostly obscured with clouds and storms. The had rolled in starting from two places unseemingly connected; somewhere in the Weargtooth Mountains, as well as the Exalted Mountains. Before long Gaia transformed from a green globe to a gray one.

Lightning spidered across the planet to strike somewhere on Siv'en. It spidered again to strike, this time over in the Kadota Peaks. Again the lightning struck up in the Weargtooth Mountains. Purple sparks beneath the clouds sprung up for an instant over what was north Ellaria beneath the clouds.

A force grew stronger across Gaia, and as it did another force weakened. There was a quake - though barely able to be sensed, something deep beneath the ground stirred in Siv'en. The clouds there illuminated, sky breaking for a moment to reveal a valley bathed in light, before a great flash and the light dissipated, dark skies again closing in to obscure the view.

The dead star Eras shifted ever so slightly. Nobody but the greatest mappers of these stars, having had tracked them for a millennia or more, would notice anything irregular about the movement. It was slightly, oh so slightly, faster than usual. Eras's great mass moved fully into position, placing the great Soja directly between the dead star and the planet. With this stellar line formed, Eras' power could truly grow. The magical nature of the Chousin called to Eras, well within his grasp. He tested the waters, pulling power from the Chousin as he did the stones of the Iskjerne Viking settlers, of the Taiyou weapons, of the Whispering Woods and the Bez Daha Trees. He took a little sip, and liked what he tasted, and went to draw more.

Gaia called to the champions. Time was running out.

Eras finished his great move. In position, the dead star continued to drain life from the forces of spirit, magic, and power surrounding Gaia. The great alien structure was a main target for Eras. As he drew from the Taiyou ship, drew from the Viking's forged stones, drew from Gaia herself, and the sword far below, Eras grinned.

It was very faint, but a new light emerged in the sky. Not so much new as newly awakened.

There was a gasp, and The Steward flung himself there when he saw the state of the Mana Nexus. They had heard Gaia call to The Champions. They had trained their whole lives to heed this call. It had come not long ago and they had acted. Peace lasted, and Eras continued to slumber.

"She's grown too weak!" The Steward wailed from his hands and his knees. Their sparkling pools was faded, almost murky, and her what would be waters had receded.

The other kicked him in the side, "Rise, fool, and mourn when all is lost. We've yet a chance."

They peered into the pool. The first slowly drew himself to his feet. The second was deep in thought. If the Champions hadn't been formally called upon... Now was the time. The second turned to the man at her side. For a few moments they spoke of the call, of the best way to assemble, and they even began to bicker in regards to what exactly should be done about this.

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.

The pool quaked. The Stewards snapped their full attention to the Mana Nexus. Deep at the center, down in the farthest depths, was a dark smudge. It sent chills up their spine. The weakening was palpable.

Not an hour later they had all assembled. Roughly one hundred of The Stewards of Gaia together was an impressive sight. Roughly one hundred robes of different sew, a carnival of fabric and design. Each hailed from a different culture throughout the planet of Gaia. Some were even from closed societies, here being the only outside glimpse anyone would ever gleam.

Combining their power with the Mana Nexus, they cast a great projection. It would land on the Champions of Gaia in turn, the World Spirit of Gaia herself appearing to them. She was a leaf in a tree, a whisper on the wind, a falling rock, the pattern of the rain. If you were lucky enough, she appeared to you in a dream. No matter the approach, the message was clear.


A ripple of glitter undulated out across The Stewards, up and out and around and across the entire planet of Gaia. Almost invisible to the naked eye, but nonetheless a sign that Gaia wouldn't go down without a fight.

A ripple of glitter undulated across the entire planet of Gaia. Almost invisible to the naked eye, but nonetheless a sign that Gaia wouldn't go down without a fight. It came from somewhere deep within the Whispering Wood, on Siv'en.

A ripple of glitter undulated across the entire planet of Gaia. Almost invisible to the naked eye, but nonetheless a sign that Gaia wouldn't go down without a fight.

The World Spirit of Gaia herself appeared to the one. She was a leaf in a tree, a whisper on the wind, a falling rock, the pattern of the rain. If you were lucky enough, she appeared to you in a dream. No matter the approach, the message was clear. There were many in the Viking settlement who could have been chosen. There were many worthy of her blessing, yet there was only one here in the Kadota Peaks to receive it.

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 ripple of glitter undulated out across the entire planet of Gaia. Almost invisible to the naked eye, but nonetheless a sign that Gaia wouldn't go down without a fight.

The World Spirit of Gaia herself appearing to each Champion in turn. She was a leaf in a tree, a whisper on the wind, a falling rock, the pattern of the rain. If you were lucky enough, she appeared to you in a dream. No matter the approach, the message was clear.

The Champions of Gaia were called upon. Princess Yukiko and Sigurd Hring were called upon.

A sparkle twirled up their forms and ascended. The point of the blade and the crown flashed as they made contact.

A ripple of glitter undulated across the entire planet of Gaia. Almost invisible to the naked eye, it passed through budding Ettonia. Foundations began to be laid for a grand society, and there was a great clearing in the Quaking Oaks. The trees themselves whispered of what was happening.

A ripple of glitter undulated across the entire planet of Gaia. Almost invisible to the naked eye, but nonetheless a sign. The World Spirit of Gaia herself appearing to the Queen. She was a leaf in a tree, a whisper on the wind, a falling rock, the pattern of the rain. If you were lucky enough, she appeared to you in a dream. No matter the approach, the message was clear.

The Champions of Gaia were called upon.

The Queen was chosen.
Deep in the Quaking Oaks, a tree sang out. Mournful was the song which carried on the winds. There was a gift in the great oak not far from the Ettonian settlement. Through the night it sang to the Queen.

A ripple of glitter undulated across the entire planet of Gaia. It whispered across the valley and danced in the flames, twirling up the sword in a celebration of sparks. Almost invisible to the naked eye, but nonetheless a sign that Gaia wouldn't go down without a fight.

The King was not entertained on the dayof the Oracle's execution. The rains had yet to relent. He wanted it to be a somber affair, but this wasn't quite what he was talking about. The sky could have kept from weeping on this day. The King was about to take his power back. He would snap it from the neck of the woman, strangle it from her need be.

Many were in attendance, waiting for the Oracle to be brought up from the dungeon. They were going to hang her indoors. This was a first.

A cat slipped in with the mass of peasantry. This would be the first, and last, time many of them saw the inside walls of Norde Keep. It was for a morbid occasion and half of them weren't for it at all. They protested the King behind closed doors. To do so anywhere else would be suicide, if today wasn't example enough.

"All Rise!" Trumpeted fanfare announced the King's rise. The room quieted. King Paul Elupitser sat a little straighter. A long, uncomfortable smile swallowed the crowd. He looked specifically for the apple of his eye.

"Today the Truth will be revealed!" He bellowed, a bite to his words. Where was she?

"There is nothing to fear so long as I sit on the throne!"

Thunder clapped and lightning cracked above. A ripple of glitter undulated across the entire planet of Gaia. Almost invisible to the naked eye, but nonetheless a sign that Gaia wouldn't go down without a fight.

The World Spirit of Gaia herself appeared to the one. She was a leaf in a tree, a whisper on the wind, a falling rock, the pattern of the rain. If you were lucky enough, she appeared to you in a dream. No matter the approach, the message was clear. There were few worthy of her blessing, and there was only one here in Norde Keep would receive it. Malgerius would for a moment sparkle.

King Paul Elupitster narrowed his eyes. He, being one almost immune to Gaia's call, having had drank from the wines of Eras, didn't see the twinkle as it danced up Malgerius. For a moment the man stood larger than life- that was all the false King noticed.

Deep, deep below, the something shifted further. Far below the layers of soil built over the centuries there was more than a minor disturbance. While in the heavens the great evil against Gaia flexed power, below the earth of Gaia was that power's release. There were many tales of these mountains. Many still believed that they were created from creatures long ago. Many more shirked it as a story to tell around the fire. Society, especially Skyfall, had grown to forget the old ways.

It's hard to forget what you've always been. Thunder cracked in the sky.

There was a great crack. The side of the mountain split open, spurting dirt and rocks. Dust rose, and as it cleared the crack in the mountain opened like a maw, stone peeled away to reveal smooth obsidian. It curved, and twitched, and it would become more than obvious to the nord on the next ridge, that this wasn't just a crack with precious stone behind.

It was an eye.

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 clouded skies above pinked at the edges, a ripple of glitter cascading across Gaia. Barely visible, faster than a blink, it swept the Prairie as Gaia called for her Champions.

The faintest shimmer cascaded from the south, flicking out across the dunes and out to sea. It was almosy invisible to the naked eye.

Aquari on the wind would hear whispers. The prophecies of old were coming to pass. Gaia called the Champions to rise.

Another great rumble came from the south. It was short, but more troublesome than the others. The edges of the boiling sky pinkened.

Bjorg sighed as he opened the trunk hidden beneath his floorboards. His helmet stared up at him, and Bjorg looked through the empty eyes that had seen so much bloodshed. The ebony steel, elegantly fused with dragonborn, looked crimson-stained to his eyes.

But such was the price of freedom. Someone had to shed blood so that the hands of others remained clean. One lone nord bore the guilt for a thousand others.

A whisper caught his attention, and Bjorg clenched his fist and steeled his will. He turned to a nearby field where an empty patch of dirt sat desolate amidst a sea of grass. Nothing but dead earth, sapped of all life, had existed there since Bjorg had hidden that accursed blade.

He picked Wuuthrad off his mantle, swung his pack over his shoulder, and set out to the forsaken burial ground.

Sometime later, the jagged black longsword lay on the ground. The whispers were stronger now, and he could feel the daedric corruption - the hate and bloodlust - like a noxious fog that made his head swim.

“You all came to me, seeking either my soul or my flesh.” Bjorg snarled.

The whispers hissed.

“You came, but you fell at my feet by my blade. I ripped out your hearts as trophies, and still, you sought me. Still, you whispered from beyond the grave. By Talos, you’re still doing it.”

They laughed.

“Then I forged you into a weapon against your own kind. Forged by forgotten rituals using your accursed souls. I made you into a weapon for good, but even as I cut down every draugr, bandit, daedra, and dragon that dared threaten my people… Still, your silver tongues whispered at my heart. I couldn’t get rid of you though. I couldn’t risk someone else being tempted by you. I tamed you. I broke you. YOU. OBEY. ME!”

The daedra souls snarled in defiance, but Bjorg thundered with a voice that shook the mountain… and the whispered went quiet.

As the mountain grew silent, Bjorg reached down and picked up the Oblivion Blade. The metal felt light in his grip, but heavy on his heart. The whispers were still there, if not cowed, but Bjorg ignored them.

He sheathed the cursed sword and set out to the mysterious crack, wondering where destiny would take him next.

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.

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.

It would take a while to see it from down in Dorant Valley but a head would rise to breach the clouds on the horizon. It was made of stone, and there were great scraping noises as it rose. The being glanced down to the valley, but turned it's attention away from the sword and the creature to someone else.

There were faint whisperings deep in the waters of the grotto. This place was sacred. Despite Eras gaining so much influence across Gaia, here he still could not touch. It was a shame what had happened across the seas in Siv'en. Gaia had no choice but to flee here as there her pool was tainted. Eras seemed to have worked strategically, for now she was trapped in Ellaria.

"Worry not, they will heed the call..." Empyrea was not so sure. She meddled all she could. Any more and those who regulated beings such as herself may sweep in and...She shuddered to think of what would happen.

"They have been called. Now, we let everything fall where it shall," The World Spirit of Gaia sounded weak, but she knew too well of fate and what happens when you meddle beyond where you should. It's almost a sick joke. Whatever you try for fails. Gaia had learned this the hard way, the first time. After all, Eras rose for a reason, did he not?

"Sagittae and Atargatis, how did Eras get his power back from him?" Empyrea wondered. Tartarea spoke up. Nobody had noticed his presence arrive, but he wasn't happy.

"The stones have been removed from the tower, is how," He rumbled. From above, the pool would emit the sounds of crashing waves as the spirits of the seas on Gaia went back and forth, blaming each other for losing track. Had anyone alerted the dragons?

"Patience," Gaia whispered. Eras had been hard at work over the thousands of years since his power was so stripped. The pool pulsed as the powers shifted and some of it was returned to Gaia.

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.

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.

Much like the rest of northern Ellaria, ever since the arrival of the Soja, it had been night. So long as the great ship remained the darkness remained, although the clouds glowed eerily pink at the edges.

The small creature stood on his hind legs as inner structure reorganized to accommodate a biped. Though his feet still slapped on the stone ambled forward to better hear the voice. Spud's mind remembered every word his brain organic only by the design sensibilities of a machine. Glance north to look for pink slapped his webbed feet ever closer the small stubby arms swung at his sides. Transfixed then on the fire for a long moment scraping noises came from outside the valley.

He raised a hand and pointed to the large head his small mind finally making connections, "I hear you whisper lady! Adventure! Spud will need huge sword! Tainted. Eat the tainted!"

The ebon-skinned creature stood far closer to the flame than any living creature would prefer. The red glow to his tail leaving its own carbon marks on stone further revealed his tolerance. The all-black shining eyes peered straight up at the sky not sure how he would go about bathing in them. Spud needed a people. A smart people.

"A great threat to the grotto!" Gaia wailed as she felt the jotunn shift. She knew it wasn't what it seemed; they all did. As there was a great disruption in the Weargtooth Mountains, the pool began to whisper. The Bogscale began to gather at the edge. They heeded the call to action, but knew they had little power. The Reshar too understood, quizzically enough, and scattered to warn the Alneh.

The waters grew still as Tartarea leapt to action, channeling his flows to strengthen the waters of the grotto and beyond, the channel to the sea. The grotto must be protected!

The waters of the Hearthwater Channel, while appearing still, were undergoing extravagant change. Tartarea, the spirit of the sea chopping into the northern coast of Ellaria, had taken action against the threats to Lifegiver's Grotto. While the Alneh Sanctum proved slow to respond to the looming threat of Nightfall, the Bogmen prayed to the Gods for help. With each cloud-filled day and rain-filled night, with each distant strike of lightning, another had called for divine interference.

He couldn't do much, but the Lifegiver Grotto required protection.

From the west a great jotunn moved. The largest peak while standing, from here the great jotunn appeared as if one of the mountains had decided to come alive. It grew as it took a step closer, one great foot landing in the waters just north of the Hearthwater Channel.

Since the jotunn moved oh so slow, Tartarea was able to redirect the force of the landing of the step elsewhere with a great current as it descended through the waters. By the time the foot reached the bottom of the waters it was safely just beyond the mouth of the channel. Blocking it entirely, sure.

The waters in the channel surged up a few feet. Those unlucky enough to live near the water and prefer it dry suffered greatly. Many dwellings were forced underwater, and there was enough drownings to cause upset. The Alneh had not responded quick enough beyond the Razor Tiara to the giant in northern Ellaria. Despite the destruction, the Mother Tree remained unharmed. The Hearthwater Channel, while largely inconvenienced and semi-traumatized, had hopes to rebuild.