( video )

[heelies]

[The video feed begins on a close view of a face, revealing a stern set of eyes and a curve of nose but little more. Then the picture shakes as a new perspective is gained. The man who comes into view posesses a princely bearing and wears well the mantle of importance. His voice belongs to one who is accustomed to being listened to.]

I am told that this is the way that men call others to counsel in this land, and so as strange as it seems to me to address those whom I see not, I shall follow the local custom. I am Achilles, son of Peleus — Peleus who rules the fertile plains of Phthia, and who claims for his own worthy father Aeacus, judge of the House of Hades. New as I am to this land, which is farther from my dear native land than even the windy plains of Ilios, I bear many questions, but the first in my heart is this.

What deathless gods watch over the city of Lunatia? I have seen no temples built to honor Zeus who bears the aegis, nor bright-eyed Athena, nor Phoebus Apollo. Where are the priests who aid in the rituals of sacrifice, the seers who interpret the will of the gods in bird-signs? Surely, a city so rich as this, with precious silver trimming its houses, and all manner of riches I have never before seen — surely its people have the benison of the gods. Yet I see no practices that would suggest such reverence. Tell me, therefore, the ways to honor these gods who to me are so mysterious.

Comments

[hagrides]

I could, if I chose to. But I do not. You have more to fear from a goddess's sweet dreams than you have to fear from the realm of nightmare.

[thedarkbond]

There was a festival recently where the Queen told everyone about it...it sounds like most Prismals at least know the legend, but you might have to go to the Lunar Scientia to find out more. They seem to be the ones who mostly do all the knowledge-dealing here.

[heelies]

As clear as a war cry I hear the ire in your voice when you speak this name. Who is this being who has might and cunning enough to steal the throne upon which sits a king of gods?

[heelies]

In your land do there dwell laughter-loving goddesses who beguile men with their charms? How true that fair features often conceal troubles unending, as it was with white-armed Helen, whose beauty and treachery are one and the same — whose visage launched the thousand ships gathered by the sons of Atreus.

[heelies]

Very well, then there shall I go for the answers I seek.

Then it must be that you have not been long in this land, but even so you might tell me more of these blessings that the moon-loving goddesses bestow. How might they show their favor?

[hagrides]

...I don't recall ever hearing the Radiance laugh. She's more the type to spread an all-consuming plague through dream.

[ciao]

[ the very same my friend, a truly tragic loss ]

I'm afraid that Rome is no longer around in this day and age, he fell when I was still very young. Now there is just Italia, the home of myself and my older brother Roma. It's not quite the same as it was during those old days, but we're doing well with what we have.

Ah, well I'm sure others have explained things such as physical traits--I have done a fair amount of studying on these gods, moonblessings and traits. It's very interesting to say the least.

Sanguis is associated with creatures that were swift and showed no fear, so because of this people that fall under this moonblessing tend to have features and/or characteristics associated with wolves, koi fish and snakes. Stories go that these creatures served as defenders for Sanguis because of their love of the scent of blood as well as combat. People with this moonblessing tend to be violent, aggressive, possessive and territorial. They also have a very sensitive sense of smell, as well as violence, blood and a way to fulfill their sexual appetite. It also seems as though physical strength is increased as well as being able to conjure some fire magic.

Cordis seems to be a little more forest based, the animals associated with this one are ones that were already found in their domain. Offerings of berries, feathers and gems were made by a fox, an owl and a cat. People with the Cordis moonblessing tend to be rather amorous, giddy, self-indulgent, and mischievous. They tend to give off pheromones in order to attract those around them as well as having a fast metabolism that burns off chroma very quickly, so they will want to indulge in a lot of food and even in some cases a lot of moonlacing. Increased speed and agility seems to be the gift bestowed upon them as well as some ice magic.

Iris is very much terra based, gathering the rabbit for for its gentleness, the jellyfish for its free-willed nature, and the deer for its temperance. Those of the Iris moonblessed have the traits of being affectionate, gentle, protective, generous. They can be in a state of... umm... heat as well as experiencing a higher tolerance for pain. Their abilities include an accelerated regeneration, and minor electric-based magic.

The story has continued to say that, "One day, a great rupturing occurred. The balance between all three gods was disrupted and the beasts who were once at home in their domains found themselves upheaved to the domains of other gods.

And so they began their journey to return to their rightful domains, yet to return there, they would have to pass through foreign lands and pay tribute to gods they bore no loyalty to for safe passage."

But I haven't been able to collect more details on this, I have some tidbits I've written down that I've collected from festivals. If you'd like, I could provide you with a copy.

Ah, the dragons seemed to be having trouble with nurturing their unhatched young apparently. We were asked to provide help since the chroma we produce seems to be very powerful to them. After hatching we learned where they came from and of their domain in the mountains known as Lyestellus Kingdom. The dragons are able to take humanoid form, which was very interesting. They gave us some tea and fruit that allowed us some dragon traits for a short period. It was... interesting.

[thedarkbond]

I came with the first group of Moonblessed, so I've been here about as long as any of the ones brought here can be...which means I know a bit about moonblessings, at least. They're not quite the same from person to person, but each moon seems to have a sort of...pool or group of changes that you can end up dealing with if you're under that moon. Some are physical and those are usually animal features, and some are mental, like Sanguis people getting aggressive.

[eddas]

He is my lord Odin's brother, banished for his treachery but now returned. Odin sleeps, gaining power for our coming trials, and has declared his own blood regent. I cannot help but wonder if I would have been summoned here if it were not so.

And what of you, son of Peleus? What court have you left?

[heelies]

True it is that the gods speak through the dreams that visit us in slumber, and sometimes these dreams reveal truths, and sometimes they are naught but lies. However, never have I heard of a pestilence that might be carried upon the soft mists of dreams!

[distort]

[ SIGH, some people just don't appreciate a good mocking. ]

Ask for a history lesson from someone with more patience to spare.

[hagrides]

Consider yourself fortunate. The kingdom that earned her wrath and garnered her plague has been brought to ruin.

[heelies]

Then these sister goddesses purpose to make wild beasts of men! To me this seems a curse more so than a blessing, just as when the gods rob men of their wits. What a man does in such a state, he may later come to regret once it passes as smoke when a fire burns to its end.

[heelies]

It bodes ill when one such as he rules — a devious-minded king whose loyalty is reserved for himself only, and honors no alliances born of blood or guest-friendship. May your lord Odin soon wake and reclaim his rightful place.

As for me, it is my noble father's house to which I devote my highest loyalty, although some ten years have passed since I set sail from fertile Phthia in the fifty beaked ships Peleus granted me. There in the dear native land I left behind, my noble father grows frail with old age waiting for a son who shall never be allowed safe return.

[heelies]

You do wear thin mine own patience! Such insolence I have never known from the gentler sex.

[mischiefandice]

[The feed Achilles gets in answer is a video too, but it's just a little too dark to clearly make out Loki's features. The light coming from the device he's using to film himself intermittently catches his eyes or his teeth, giving the sharp lines of his face an eerie look.

Is he doing this purpose to make a dramatic entrance? Quite possibly.

When he speaks up, the tone of his voice is low, and almost dismissive]

I believe a better question would be, are they gods at all? The Prismals revere many and have plenty of stories to tell about the various divinities supposedly ruling this realm. They will tell you if you ask, but what do they know? Mortals are so easy to fool.

[A grin, then, wide and toothy.]

I went to Earth once, told a few stories, played a few pranks. They have been calling me the God of mischief for centuries, now.

[Not that he hated that, mind you. It just goes to show how easy it is, to make primitive being revere you as a God.]

[eddas]

No land can long survive the rule of cowards, who depend on the swords of others and offer none of their own steel. But my oaths must be stronger than his cowardice, else still more will be lost.

Ten years is a long time in the reckoning of Midgard, yes?

[thedarkbond]

Mmm, the locals call them blessings but I've seen a lot of the Moonblessed complain about them...I wouldn't say it's as bad as the things that happen in those stories, but some people don't like it. And it really depends on the person how bad it gets, too, not everyone is affected the same way or even the same from month to month.

[heelies]

Your answers do aid my understanding of the realm in which I lately find myself, and for this I thank you. How strange it all sounds to me, yet you have given me no reason to disbelieve you, nor have you any reason to deceive me in this. I shall accept what further details you are willing to share — although I must confess that I know not my letters so well.

[What up, I'm Achilles, I'm 28 and I never fucking learned how to read.]

Will you tell me, Venezia Italia, which goddess has bestowed her blessing upon you? Moreover, your name is one and the same with that of your dear native land — then do you wield the scepter over this land as king?

[heelies]

So it is when one of the deathless gods is slighted. Is there no way to supplicate this Radiance?

[heelies]

[Achilles' features twist in bemusement as he considers all this.]

You speak as if you count yourself not among mortal men, yet you speak too as if you stand not among the deathless gods. Then what manner of being are you, who stand shadowed in such mystery?

Moreover, if they are not goddesses who guard the three sister moons that rule this land, then what are they? Your speech lacks reason, stranger.

[heelies]

Indeed, a king who commands from the rear while greater men bear the brunt of enemy spears and arrows, a king who gives not in equal measure to what he receives from the warriors he leads — he is no king at all. He is a sheep who believes himself fit to direct wolves.

Maiden goddess, how easy it is for mortals to forget that to the deathless gods time is not so precious. Yet I of all men should not forget. Mine own mother, silver-footed Thetis, daughter of Nereus, has so often lamented the day she was given unto a mortal king's marriage bed and thus made to bear a son who shall one day go down to the house of death. Ten years is indeed a long time by the measure of our short lives. In this time I have not once laid eyes upon my noble father, nor upon my son, my Neoptolemus, who was scarce more than a babe when for Troy I set sail.

[heelies]

You do arouse my curiosity, stranger. What manner of stories have you heard?

[hagrides]

Not in the slightest. She holds grudges longer than a kingdom's rise and fall. Even another god would have no power to sway her.

[thedarkbond]

You mean the stories I'm comparing against or what I've heard from people here? My world has a lot of legends that I could talk about. Including yours, though it's a few thousand years old by the time I'm from.