It’s about Noon now, the sun in the very middle of the sky.
the leader tries and organize everyone, saying that they should all decide together as there is strength in numbers. They are being faced with two dangerous options, and they need to figure out which one to choose. A group of maybe four hundred people separate themselves from the others, taking their own and others supplies and moving towards Savut. They’ve chosen Savut already, and are beckoning others to join them.
It’s about Noon now, the sun in the very middle of the sky.
the leader tries and organize everyone, saying that they should all decide together as there is strength in numbers. They are being faced with two dangerous options, and they need to figure out which one to choose. A group of maybe four hundred people separate themselves from the others, taking their own and others supplies and moving towards Savut. They’ve chosen Savut already, and are beckoning others to join them.
Savut smiles warmly, but there’s a dark air to that smile. Flowers of pink and cyan bloom along her body.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
It’s about Noon now, the sun in the very middle of the sky.
the leader tries and organize everyone, saying that they should all decide together as there is strength in numbers. They are being faced with two dangerous options, and they need to figure out which one to choose. A group of maybe four hundred people separate themselves from the others, taking their own and others supplies and moving towards Savut. They’ve chosen Savut already, and are beckoning others to join them.
Savut smiles warmly, but there’s a dark air to that smile. Flowers of pink and cyan bloom along her body.
The leader approaches her.
”what kinds of plants inhabit your area, and are any poisonous? Our people need flavorful food to Survive, as the former worshippers of Herionidus. It was once a blessing but now it seems it might become a curse.”
It’s about Noon now, the sun in the very middle of the sky.
the leader tries and organize everyone, saying that they should all decide together as there is strength in numbers. They are being faced with two dangerous options, and they need to figure out which one to choose. A group of maybe four hundred people separate themselves from the others, taking their own and others supplies and moving towards Savut. They’ve chosen Savut already, and are beckoning others to join them.
Savut smiles warmly, but there’s a dark air to that smile. Flowers of pink and cyan bloom along her body.
The leader approaches her.
”what kinds of plants inhabit your area, and are any poisonous? Our people need flavorful food to Survive, as the former worshippers of Herionidus. It was once a blessing but now it seems it might become a curse.”
“The herbs of my land can craft many flavourful spices. Though some plants carry the curse of poison, they are rare and do not hide their evil.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
It’s about Noon now, the sun in the very middle of the sky.
the leader tries and organize everyone, saying that they should all decide together as there is strength in numbers. They are being faced with two dangerous options, and they need to figure out which one to choose. A group of maybe four hundred people separate themselves from the others, taking their own and others supplies and moving towards Savut. They’ve chosen Savut already, and are beckoning others to join them.
Savut smiles warmly, but there’s a dark air to that smile. Flowers of pink and cyan bloom along her body.
The leader approaches her.
”what kinds of plants inhabit your area, and are any poisonous? Our people need flavorful food to Survive, as the former worshippers of Herionidus. It was once a blessing but now it seems it might become a curse.”
“The herbs of my land can craft many flavourful spices. Though some plants carry the curse of poison, they are rare and do not hide their evil.”
“Hmm… I shall inform the others about this.” She walks off. (Wanna do a timeskip to dusk?)
At the appointed time, Crotalus appears in a flash of daylight. "Well, now what have we here? Savut has shown her purty face now has she?"
“oh, hello Crotalus!” Says the leader.
”she was offering to take us to her domain, we’re trying to stay as a group so we’re trying to decide which one of you to follow.”
"Hahaha," He chuckles dryly. "Safety in numbers is wise. I suppose we should display what we each have to offer you so that you may make your own, informed decisions." He leans in close causing his shadow to fall upon you. His shadow is strangely cool, almost cold. "Remember though, Savut may say that my land is a harsh barren wasteland, and it is, but it is also a paradise with a bounty of beauty. She may not be able to see that because she believes something must be drowned to be beautiful. There may not be a lot of water in my country, but that only makes each oasis sweeter."
*I found a little snippet of a song that I thought fit with Herionidus quite well, and by extension, his vampires who still worship him despite his death*
Apparitions of eternal darkness Spiraling in circles through the night Creatures of beguiling blackness No more squinting in the light
Bats and owls and coiled sea dragons Crocodile and carrion beasts Swirling in the growing darkness Join us in the coming feast
Spectre wraith and apparition Spirit demon phantom shade Salamander serpents, dog-faced devils Dance and watch the dying sunlight fade
At the appointed time, Crotalus appears in a flash of daylight. "Well, now what have we here? Savut has shown her purty face now has she?"
“oh, hello Crotalus!” Says the leader.
”she was offering to take us to her domain, we’re trying to stay as a group so we’re trying to decide which one of you to follow.”
"Hahaha," He chuckles dryly. "Safety in numbers is wise. I suppose we should display what we each have to offer you so that you may make your own, informed decisions." He leans in close causing his shadow to fall upon you. His shadow is strangely cool, almost cold. "Remember though, Savut may say that my land is a harsh barren wasteland, and it is, but it is also a paradise with a bounty of beauty. She may not be able to see that because she believes something must be drowned to be beautiful. There may not be a lot of water in my country, but that only makes each oasis sweeter."
*i cannot believe i missed this completely, i am so sorry*
“You make a compelling argument, Crotalus, and I am not here to fight. The choice is your own. Just remember that in a place where even finding the simplest resources is a challenge, how can you ever grow as a people?” The Lady of the Swamp sinks somewhat into the river, her snakes swarming about her. “The choice is your own.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
At the appointed time, Crotalus appears in a flash of daylight. "Well, now what have we here? Savut has shown her purty face now has she?"
“oh, hello Crotalus!” Says the leader.
”she was offering to take us to her domain, we’re trying to stay as a group so we’re trying to decide which one of you to follow.”
"Hahaha," He chuckles dryly. "Safety in numbers is wise. I suppose we should display what we each have to offer you so that you may make your own, informed decisions." He leans in close causing his shadow to fall upon you. His shadow is strangely cool, almost cold. "Remember though, Savut may say that my land is a harsh barren wasteland, and it is, but it is also a paradise with a bounty of beauty. She may not be able to see that because she believes something must be drowned to be beautiful. There may not be a lot of water in my country, but that only makes each oasis sweeter."
*i cannot believe i missed this completely, i am so sorry*
“You make a compelling argument, Crotalus, and I am not here to fight. The choice is your own. Just remember that in a place where even finding the simplest resources is a challenge, how can you ever grow as a people?” The Lady of the Swamp sinks somewhat into the river, her snakes swarming about her. “The choice is your own.”
*No worries.*
"In my land, the fight for survival makes you grow as an individual which then corresponds to the growth of your people."
"While a good ol' fashion tussle would be fun, I haven't had the chance to whoop someone in a while, I allow it wouldn't be the wisest decision given the circumstances. For the good of these folks here, I suggest we have a little contest between ourselves. We'll each display what we have to offer to these people, perhaps through a gift. Then they'll be able to make an informed decision about which road to take. How does that sound?" As he speaks he makes small gestures with his hands causing waves of dry heat to wash over the people. At one point, a swarm of red ants pour out from his poncho and crawl across his sun bleached bones before disappearing inside the darkness of his eye sockets.
At the appointed time, Crotalus appears in a flash of daylight. "Well, now what have we here? Savut has shown her purty face now has she?"
“oh, hello Crotalus!” Says the leader.
”she was offering to take us to her domain, we’re trying to stay as a group so we’re trying to decide which one of you to follow.”
"Hahaha," He chuckles dryly. "Safety in numbers is wise. I suppose we should display what we each have to offer you so that you may make your own, informed decisions." He leans in close causing his shadow to fall upon you. His shadow is strangely cool, almost cold. "Remember though, Savut may say that my land is a harsh barren wasteland, and it is, but it is also a paradise with a bounty of beauty. She may not be able to see that because she believes something must be drowned to be beautiful. There may not be a lot of water in my country, but that only makes each oasis sweeter."
*i cannot believe i missed this completely, i am so sorry*
“You make a compelling argument, Crotalus, and I am not here to fight. The choice is your own. Just remember that in a place where even finding the simplest resources is a challenge, how can you ever grow as a people?” The Lady of the Swamp sinks somewhat into the river, her snakes swarming about her. “The choice is your own.”
*No worries.*
"In my land, the fight for survival makes you grow as an individual which then corresponds to the growth of your people."
"While a good ol' fashion tussle would be fun, I haven't had the chance to whoop someone in a while, I allow it wouldn't be the wisest decision given the circumstances. For the good of these folks here, I suggest we have a little contest between ourselves. We'll each display what we have to offer to these people, perhaps through a gift. Then they'll be able to make an informed decision about which road to take. How does that sound?" As he speaks he makes small gestures with his hands causing waves of dry heat to wash over the people. At one point, a swarm of red ants pour out from his poncho and crawl across his sun bleached bones before disappearing inside the darkness of his eye sockets.
*this is really reminding me of the story of the founding of Athens, when the settlers of the city had to choose between having Athena or Poseidon as their patron. Athena created the olive tree to impress the Athenian king Cecrops, and she was ultimately chosen over the sea god.*
“A fair proposition. I will create something beautiful and useful for these people. But would you like to present first or second?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
At the appointed time, Crotalus appears in a flash of daylight. "Well, now what have we here? Savut has shown her purty face now has she?"
“oh, hello Crotalus!” Says the leader.
”she was offering to take us to her domain, we’re trying to stay as a group so we’re trying to decide which one of you to follow.”
"Hahaha," He chuckles dryly. "Safety in numbers is wise. I suppose we should display what we each have to offer you so that you may make your own, informed decisions." He leans in close causing his shadow to fall upon you. His shadow is strangely cool, almost cold. "Remember though, Savut may say that my land is a harsh barren wasteland, and it is, but it is also a paradise with a bounty of beauty. She may not be able to see that because she believes something must be drowned to be beautiful. There may not be a lot of water in my country, but that only makes each oasis sweeter."
*i cannot believe i missed this completely, i am so sorry*
“You make a compelling argument, Crotalus, and I am not here to fight. The choice is your own. Just remember that in a place where even finding the simplest resources is a challenge, how can you ever grow as a people?” The Lady of the Swamp sinks somewhat into the river, her snakes swarming about her. “The choice is your own.”
*No worries.*
"In my land, the fight for survival makes you grow as an individual which then corresponds to the growth of your people."
"While a good ol' fashion tussle would be fun, I haven't had the chance to whoop someone in a while, I allow it wouldn't be the wisest decision given the circumstances. For the good of these folks here, I suggest we have a little contest between ourselves. We'll each display what we have to offer to these people, perhaps through a gift. Then they'll be able to make an informed decision about which road to take. How does that sound?" As he speaks he makes small gestures with his hands causing waves of dry heat to wash over the people. At one point, a swarm of red ants pour out from his poncho and crawl across his sun bleached bones before disappearing inside the darkness of his eye sockets.
*this is really reminding me of the story of the founding of Athens, when the settlers of the city had to choose between having Athena or Poseidon as their patron. Athena created the olive tree to impress the Athenian king Cecrops, and she was ultimately chosen over the sea god.*
“A fair proposition. I will create something beautiful and useful for these people. But would you like to present first or second?”
*Yup, Poseidon tried to give them horses but apparently they thought olives were cooler. That myth is where I'm drawing this from. I thought it would be fun to try to recreate it with our own characters.*
At the appointed time, Crotalus appears in a flash of daylight. "Well, now what have we here? Savut has shown her purty face now has she?"
“oh, hello Crotalus!” Says the leader.
”she was offering to take us to her domain, we’re trying to stay as a group so we’re trying to decide which one of you to follow.”
"Hahaha," He chuckles dryly. "Safety in numbers is wise. I suppose we should display what we each have to offer you so that you may make your own, informed decisions." He leans in close causing his shadow to fall upon you. His shadow is strangely cool, almost cold. "Remember though, Savut may say that my land is a harsh barren wasteland, and it is, but it is also a paradise with a bounty of beauty. She may not be able to see that because she believes something must be drowned to be beautiful. There may not be a lot of water in my country, but that only makes each oasis sweeter."
*i cannot believe i missed this completely, i am so sorry*
“You make a compelling argument, Crotalus, and I am not here to fight. The choice is your own. Just remember that in a place where even finding the simplest resources is a challenge, how can you ever grow as a people?” The Lady of the Swamp sinks somewhat into the river, her snakes swarming about her. “The choice is your own.”
*No worries.*
"In my land, the fight for survival makes you grow as an individual which then corresponds to the growth of your people."
"While a good ol' fashion tussle would be fun, I haven't had the chance to whoop someone in a while, I allow it wouldn't be the wisest decision given the circumstances. For the good of these folks here, I suggest we have a little contest between ourselves. We'll each display what we have to offer to these people, perhaps through a gift. Then they'll be able to make an informed decision about which road to take. How does that sound?" As he speaks he makes small gestures with his hands causing waves of dry heat to wash over the people. At one point, a swarm of red ants pour out from his poncho and crawl across his sun bleached bones before disappearing inside the darkness of his eye sockets.
*this is really reminding me of the story of the founding of Athens, when the settlers of the city had to choose between having Athena or Poseidon as their patron. Athena created the olive tree to impress the Athenian king Cecrops, and she was ultimately chosen over the sea god.*
“A fair proposition. I will create something beautiful and useful for these people. But would you like to present first or second?”
*Yup, Poseidon tried to give them horses but apparently they thought olives were cooler. That myth is where I'm drawing this from. I thought it would be fun to try to recreate it with our own characters.*
"Ladies first." He steps to the side and waits.
*awesome. though given Savut’s water domain and that Poseidon presented first, things might not go so well for her…*
“Very well…” The goddess emerges from the river, smiling upon the crowd. “I shall craft a creature to guide you in the world. A herald that can survive in any environment, be it sea, land, or sky… and one that always knows where it ventures. I call this creature…” She cups her hands and sinks them into the riverbed, pulling out two dozen bird eggs flecked with small yellow patches and placing them tenderly in the grass. “…the sun heron. This is my gift to you. Tend the eggs and they shall grow into the most loyal and mighty birds of the world.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
At the appointed time, Crotalus appears in a flash of daylight. "Well, now what have we here? Savut has shown her purty face now has she?"
“oh, hello Crotalus!” Says the leader.
”she was offering to take us to her domain, we’re trying to stay as a group so we’re trying to decide which one of you to follow.”
"Hahaha," He chuckles dryly. "Safety in numbers is wise. I suppose we should display what we each have to offer you so that you may make your own, informed decisions." He leans in close causing his shadow to fall upon you. His shadow is strangely cool, almost cold. "Remember though, Savut may say that my land is a harsh barren wasteland, and it is, but it is also a paradise with a bounty of beauty. She may not be able to see that because she believes something must be drowned to be beautiful. There may not be a lot of water in my country, but that only makes each oasis sweeter."
*i cannot believe i missed this completely, i am so sorry*
“You make a compelling argument, Crotalus, and I am not here to fight. The choice is your own. Just remember that in a place where even finding the simplest resources is a challenge, how can you ever grow as a people?” The Lady of the Swamp sinks somewhat into the river, her snakes swarming about her. “The choice is your own.”
*No worries.*
"In my land, the fight for survival makes you grow as an individual which then corresponds to the growth of your people."
"While a good ol' fashion tussle would be fun, I haven't had the chance to whoop someone in a while, I allow it wouldn't be the wisest decision given the circumstances. For the good of these folks here, I suggest we have a little contest between ourselves. We'll each display what we have to offer to these people, perhaps through a gift. Then they'll be able to make an informed decision about which road to take. How does that sound?" As he speaks he makes small gestures with his hands causing waves of dry heat to wash over the people. At one point, a swarm of red ants pour out from his poncho and crawl across his sun bleached bones before disappearing inside the darkness of his eye sockets.
*this is really reminding me of the story of the founding of Athens, when the settlers of the city had to choose between having Athena or Poseidon as their patron. Athena created the olive tree to impress the Athenian king Cecrops, and she was ultimately chosen over the sea god.*
“A fair proposition. I will create something beautiful and useful for these people. But would you like to present first or second?”
*Yup, Poseidon tried to give them horses but apparently they thought olives were cooler. That myth is where I'm drawing this from. I thought it would be fun to try to recreate it with our own characters.*
"Ladies first." He steps to the side and waits.
*awesome. though given Savut’s water domain and that Poseidon presented first, things might not go so well for her…*
“Very well…” The goddess emerges from the river, smiling upon the crowd. “I shall craft a creature to guide you in the world. A herald that can survive in any environment, be it sea, land, or sky… and one that always knows where it ventures. I call this creature…” She cups her hands and sinks them into the riverbed, pulling out two dozen bird eggs flecked with small yellow patches and placing them tenderly in the grass. “…the sun heron. This is my gift to you. Tend the eggs and they shall grow into the most loyal and mighty birds of the world.”
The leader and two of her guards take the eggs, while a few other guards try and find a safe place to put them. (They eventually settle on like a basket with tons of straw and hay in it or something.
”thank you, this is a wonderful gift.” The leader says.
“I am glad you approve. The herons can find any location beneath the sun, and are clever creatures that can be trained to hunt and fish in most environments.” Savut sinks back into the river, smirking at Crotalus and unfolding her dragonfly wings ever so slightly. “And what have you to present, Desert King?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
"Nice bird." Crotalus says as scab headed buzzards pinwheel above him silently. "I like birds to."
He then steps forward for his own presentation, the sand beneath his feet grittily greets his leather boots and his silver spurs flash in the sunlight. A skeletal hand draws a long rope out from his poncho. He loops it around in his hand and ties a knot to create a lasso. He twirls the lariat around and around as he speaks, "This here's my gift. It may be a simple knot, but y'all know simplicity is kind of my thang. Besides, its a symbol of more than what it first appears to be. Observe."
He turns the audience's attention towards the rushing river and you see that the waters are boiling and steam is rising into the air in large clouds. In an explosion of sizzling water, a monstrous, wild boar erupts from the river, sending sparks into the air as its black iron hooves gouge the earth. Bristly hair covers its steaming hide and massive mounds of muscle ripple across its beastly body. Razor sharp spines of hair rise up along its back and its eyes glow like embers drenched in blood. Humongous nostrils flare wildly and blow forth smoke and long, barbed tusks flash in the sunlight. The Hellhog snorts and roars and stamps its iron feet causing the earth to tremble in terror. Then it bares its tusks and charges in an earth shattering whirlwind.
Crotalus's lasso cracks and snaps and spins like a tornado and sand and dust fly around the Desert King, whipped up the the lariat. With expert precision he slings his lasso at the Hellhog, looping it around its snout, and yanks it to the ground so that the beast doesn't trample the onlookers. The Hellhog loses its footing because of the maneuver and slides across the ground, raising up a sandstorm. With wild thrashing, it rolls back to its feet and blasts blazing smoke out of its nostrils before charging once more. Thunder rumbles as the lasso is slung again, looping around the beats monstrous head and catching hold on its knotted neck. Lightning is torn into the sky by Crotalus's spurs as he leaps on top of the Hellhog's back and an earth shaking rodeo ensues.
The Hellhog bucks and broncos about with wrathful squeals but Crotalus holds fast to his rope and digs his spike tipped heels into its hide. Tornadoes and sandstorms are trampled under the rodeo, but eventually the massive beast begins to tire. As the Hellhog exhausts, Crotalus begins to swing around the titan's body, looping his lariat around it in more complicated knots until finally the great beast his hogtied on the ground, completely incapable of movement.
With the rope cinched tight in his hand, Crotalus stands erect on the mountainous form of the Hellhog. "If'n y'all come with me, you'll face all sorts of venomous, spike covered, wrathful beasts such as this, but I will give you dominion over them. With this lariat, you will tame the wildest critters to roam the land. The power to subdue and care for the land is a difficult task, but a worthy one. Y'all won't only live on the earth, y'all will be masters of it. And when your time has come to an end, you will come join me on the Haunted Mesa to tend the heavenly herds in peace. That is what I offer you today."
Muttering and whispers erupt in the crowd once again, and the leader is in deep thought. Some people are starting to gravitate Towards Crotalus, but it’s mostly undecided as of now.
"Sun's sinking." murmurs Crotalus with one bony elbow on a knee while the other leg hangs down over the steaming hide of the conquered Hellhog. The beast breathes laboriously, thoroughly exhausted after such a wild rodeo. A few of Crotalus's buzzards perch along his long horns while others continue to circle in the sky. The Desert Lord simply sits and waits.
It’s about Noon now, the sun in the very middle of the sky.
the leader tries and organize everyone, saying that they should all decide together as there is strength in numbers. They are being faced with two dangerous options, and they need to figure out which one to choose. A group of maybe four hundred people separate themselves from the others, taking their own and others supplies and moving towards Savut. They’ve chosen Savut already, and are beckoning others to join them.
Savut smiles warmly, but there’s a dark air to that smile. Flowers of pink and cyan bloom along her body.
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
The leader approaches her.
”what kinds of plants inhabit your area, and are any poisonous? Our people need flavorful food to Survive, as the former worshippers of Herionidus. It was once a blessing but now it seems it might become a curse.”
“The herbs of my land can craft many flavourful spices. Though some plants carry the curse of poison, they are rare and do not hide their evil.”
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
“Hmm… I shall inform the others about this.” She walks off. (Wanna do a timeskip to dusk?)
At the appointed time, Crotalus appears in a flash of daylight. "Well, now what have we here? Savut has shown her purty face now has she?"
“oh, hello Crotalus!” Says the leader.
”she was offering to take us to her domain, we’re trying to stay as a group so we’re tryinG to decide which one of you to follow.”
"Hahaha," He chuckles dryly. "Safety in numbers is wise. I suppose we should display what we each have to offer you so that you may make your own, informed decisions." He leans in close causing his shadow to fall upon you. His shadow is strangely cool, almost cold. "Remember though, Savut may say that my land is a harsh barren wasteland, and it is, but it is also a paradise with a bounty of beauty. She may not be able to see that because she believes something must be drowned to be beautiful. There may not be a lot of water in my country, but that only makes each oasis sweeter."
*I found a little snippet of a song that I thought fit with Herionidus quite well, and by extension, his vampires who still worship him despite his death*
Spiraling in circles through the night
Creatures of beguiling blackness
No more squinting in the light
Crocodile and carrion beasts
Swirling in the growing darkness
Join us in the coming feast
Spirit demon phantom shade
Salamander serpents, dog-faced devils
Dance and watch the dying sunlight fade
*i cannot believe i missed this completely, i am so sorry*
“You make a compelling argument, Crotalus, and I am not here to fight. The choice is your own. Just remember that in a place where even finding the simplest resources is a challenge, how can you ever grow as a people?” The Lady of the Swamp sinks somewhat into the river, her snakes swarming about her. “The choice is your own.”
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
*No worries.*
"In my land, the fight for survival makes you grow as an individual which then corresponds to the growth of your people."
"While a good ol' fashion tussle would be fun, I haven't had the chance to whoop someone in a while, I allow it wouldn't be the wisest decision given the circumstances. For the good of these folks here, I suggest we have a little contest between ourselves. We'll each display what we have to offer to these people, perhaps through a gift. Then they'll be able to make an informed decision about which road to take. How does that sound?" As he speaks he makes small gestures with his hands causing waves of dry heat to wash over the people. At one point, a swarm of red ants pour out from his poncho and crawl across his sun bleached bones before disappearing inside the darkness of his eye sockets.
*this is really reminding me of the story of the founding of Athens, when the settlers of the city had to choose between having Athena or Poseidon as their patron. Athena created the olive tree to impress the Athenian king Cecrops, and she was ultimately chosen over the sea god.*
“A fair proposition. I will create something beautiful and useful for these people. But would you like to present first or second?”
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
*Yup, Poseidon tried to give them horses but apparently they thought olives were cooler. That myth is where I'm drawing this from. I thought it would be fun to try to recreate it with our own characters.*
"Ladies first." He steps to the side and waits.
*awesome. though given Savut’s water domain and that Poseidon presented first, things might not go so well for her…*
“Very well…” The goddess emerges from the river, smiling upon the crowd. “I shall craft a creature to guide you in the world. A herald that can survive in any environment, be it sea, land, or sky… and one that always knows where it ventures. I call this creature…” She cups her hands and sinks them into the riverbed, pulling out two dozen bird eggs flecked with small yellow patches and placing them tenderly in the grass. “…the sun heron. This is my gift to you. Tend the eggs and they shall grow into the most loyal and mighty birds of the world.”
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
The leader and two of her guards take the eggs, while a few other guards try and find a safe place to put them. (They eventually settle on like a basket with tons of straw and hay in it or something.
”thank you, this is a wonderful gift.” The leader says.
*cut*
“I am glad you approve. The herons can find any location beneath the sun, and are clever creatures that can be trained to hunt and fish in most environments.” Savut sinks back into the river, smirking at Crotalus and unfolding her dragonfly wings ever so slightly. “And what have you to present, Desert King?”
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
"Nice bird." Crotalus says as scab headed buzzards pinwheel above him silently. "I like birds to."
He then steps forward for his own presentation, the sand beneath his feet grittily greets his leather boots and his silver spurs flash in the sunlight. A skeletal hand draws a long rope out from his poncho. He loops it around in his hand and ties a knot to create a lasso. He twirls the lariat around and around as he speaks, "This here's my gift. It may be a simple knot, but y'all know simplicity is kind of my thang. Besides, its a symbol of more than what it first appears to be. Observe."
He turns the audience's attention towards the rushing river and you see that the waters are boiling and steam is rising into the air in large clouds. In an explosion of sizzling water, a monstrous, wild boar erupts from the river, sending sparks into the air as its black iron hooves gouge the earth. Bristly hair covers its steaming hide and massive mounds of muscle ripple across its beastly body. Razor sharp spines of hair rise up along its back and its eyes glow like embers drenched in blood. Humongous nostrils flare wildly and blow forth smoke and long, barbed tusks flash in the sunlight. The Hellhog snorts and roars and stamps its iron feet causing the earth to tremble in terror. Then it bares its tusks and charges in an earth shattering whirlwind.
Crotalus's lasso cracks and snaps and spins like a tornado and sand and dust fly around the Desert King, whipped up the the lariat. With expert precision he slings his lasso at the Hellhog, looping it around its snout, and yanks it to the ground so that the beast doesn't trample the onlookers. The Hellhog loses its footing because of the maneuver and slides across the ground, raising up a sandstorm. With wild thrashing, it rolls back to its feet and blasts blazing smoke out of its nostrils before charging once more. Thunder rumbles as the lasso is slung again, looping around the beats monstrous head and catching hold on its knotted neck. Lightning is torn into the sky by Crotalus's spurs as he leaps on top of the Hellhog's back and an earth shaking rodeo ensues.
The Hellhog bucks and broncos about with wrathful squeals but Crotalus holds fast to his rope and digs his spike tipped heels into its hide. Tornadoes and sandstorms are trampled under the rodeo, but eventually the massive beast begins to tire. As the Hellhog exhausts, Crotalus begins to swing around the titan's body, looping his lariat around it in more complicated knots until finally the great beast his hogtied on the ground, completely incapable of movement.
With the rope cinched tight in his hand, Crotalus stands erect on the mountainous form of the Hellhog. "If'n y'all come with me, you'll face all sorts of venomous, spike covered, wrathful beasts such as this, but I will give you dominion over them. With this lariat, you will tame the wildest critters to roam the land. The power to subdue and care for the land is a difficult task, but a worthy one. Y'all won't only live on the earth, y'all will be masters of it. And when your time has come to an end, you will come join me on the Haunted Mesa to tend the heavenly herds in peace. That is what I offer you today."
Savut watches this coolly, and does not speak another word. She simply looks to the crowd, raising an eyebrow to indicate that it time to choose.
No news is good news…
I'll lay a white rose on the cold earth, knowing it that it has not claimed your soul.
Muttering and whispers erupt in the crowd once again, and the leader is in deep thought. Some people are starting to gravitate Towards Crotalus, but it’s mostly undecided as of now.
the sun is perhaps and hour from setting.
"Sun's sinking." murmurs Crotalus with one bony elbow on a knee while the other leg hangs down over the steaming hide of the conquered Hellhog. The beast breathes laboriously, thoroughly exhausted after such a wild rodeo. A few of Crotalus's buzzards perch along his long horns while others continue to circle in the sky. The Desert Lord simply sits and waits.