The town of Hemsted was close to the edge of the mountainous borders of Oriaet. Oriaet itself was surrounded by much more powerful neighboring kingdoms. Keeping Oriaet landlocked save for a single river that ran along the border of two other kingdoms. Which acted as the lifeblood of the capital city towards the southeast.
The Oriaetian cauldron was rich in natural resources which was really the only boon it could rely on. Lumbar, mines, and pelts were the main resources. Amelia had filled Nyxeria in on much of the details, but the main problem was the surrounding kingdoms only kept Oriaet around because they had highly defensible fortresses on all the passes through the mountains and the cost to benefit ratio was simply not good enough to justify an invasion.
This gave Nyxeria a perfect platform for spreading her father’s name, but it also meant that if the other deities noticed her efforts early they could manipulate those other nations to south and east of her to wipe her efforts out.
Then again since she was getting started sooner than the others it was likely that she would be able to spread her father’s new personal creations far and wide, but how that will work is still not entirely clear until she could commune with her father again.
Walking confidently into the modest temple she looked at the statue of Orria that overlooked the pews and other statues of other deities honored in the Kingdom.
Pfft
Nyxeria let out a mocking huff. Orria was by far one of the most popular deities among the core creator deities. Even if she defiled hundreds of temples in this Kingdom she wouldn’t really notice. The Realm of Ibbariea was massive and Orriaet was a very small human kingdom of hundreds as far as she was tracking. Not even including non-human nations and races. Most the deities didn’t have the willpower or desire to micromanage their faithful. A minor deity would likely care, but thankfully Oriaet didn’t have a minor deity they focused on at least in any meaningful way.
Her leather boots tapped on the ground as she approached the statue nightmare lifted her up so her face was next to the statue. “You stupid bitch caused this to happen. I’m sure it was you who wanted to push my father out and as a result I’m stuck here.” Nyxeria whispered into the stone ear.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
Taking a step back she caressed the face of the statue leaving an inky black substance that began to spread on its surface. “So I will take one of your Kingdoms from you and spoil your stupid coup attempt.”
As the surface was covered it began to eat away at the material only to replace it with a black stone that was previously white showing a hooded figure with a cloak of raven feathers the rest of the body obscured. It was a fairly close resemblance and gave a mix of feelings when looking at it.
The rest of the pantheon she looked at and decided against replacing. Forcing them to only worship one god rarely turned out positive for a group. She could think of a few races that regressed immensely and became enemies of all for it. Goblins being the most despised of all worshiping that fiendish little imp Grakcal. Nyxeria had to give him the bare modicum of respect since she wasn’t a full deity herself, but her father didn’t have much positive to say about him and he didn’t really mind most deities.
Goblins were not pleasant creatures; likely ninety-five percent or more of them were vile nasty creatures with little redeeming qualities.
Stepping away she turned around to see a middle aged woman with two young children clinging to her.
“How may I help you mortal? If you are coming for Orria’s help…she is currently indisposed.” Nyxeria gestured to her work.
Getting on her knees slowly the woman bowed down her knees wobbling as she bowed. “Dark lady Nyxeria! I have come not for Orria’s blessing, but for any deities' blessing. My body is broken and my husband died hunting two years ago. We cannot feed ourselves if I cannot work.”
Nyxeria smiled “What would you give to Sitar if he were to grant healing for your ailment?”
“Everything Dark Lady!” the middle aged woman said with deep sincerity even Nyxeria could sense it. Desperation was a strong motivator.
“Very well.” taking just a fraction of the essence she had left from transforming Amelia and her children. She flicked three orbs of ink which hit their foreheads. “Go sleep and when you awaken you will be able to walk and your children will have vitality. Remember to give prayers to Sitar. It is through him that you will be healed.”
Nyxeria nodded as they left, having thanked her many times over. This would go a long way in winning over the residents. It also planted the seeds of their eventual transformations. The next step was to prepare for the arrival of Oriaet’s nobility. Maybe even the King himself.