"Is this everything, Rojaahn?" asked Karastak as he opened a large bag containing eight transparent crystals within. Each contained a soft blue light, which allowed others to note that such a thing held a spell of transference within. However, to himself, these were simple beacons which would allow those under his employ to journey to wherever they would be activated. Thus sending them out to scout around the area for a more suitable habitat for all under his employ.
"Yes, Master," bobbed the metallic Bear Beastman, who rubbed his four clawed hands together as though washing them under an invisible faucet, "Everything is within working order, as well."
"Very good. I will also be sure to send back more subjects, and anything of interest to yourself, as well."
"Ah," the Beastman's eyes widened greatly at this, then bowed low, "Thank you, my Lord God. Thank you."
"It is fine. It is fine," waved the Fallen God, desiring the other to stand tall once more.
For the world around them was starting to stir, as the day star was just starting to rise, casting shadows all over the valley they occupied. Whereas the rest of the residents soon began to appear with grogginess about their features. Though, a few dozen have returned from their before dawn hunt, bringing with them several large carcasses of deer, goat, and bear. Of which would be skinned, their pelts and hides tanned or cured, and their meat portioned out for a morning meal.
The only ones not at all tired, however, were the Undying, Brutus, and Karastak. For they are, were, and forever shall be, a part of the Undead. Whereas the Humans themselves, except for the Mage, did not receive as much sleep as they would have enjoyed. For the constant scratching outside where they slept, and the staring of the Undead, caused them to rest only a few hours as opposed to sleeping. Of which the one called Melephas was able to achieve, and yawned and stretched as he exited the building.
"Morning," he groaned slowly, as the gasses between his bones were released, causing a popping sound to ensue.
"How can you sleep with those eyes staring at you like that?" grumbled Aclara, who frightfully accepted a somewhat clean rag and bucket of wash water from Sia in order to wash her face.
"Sleep?" the Mage showed a look of perplexed surprise, "Weren't you able to log off and have your character sleep?" Both the Templar and Cleric stared at him with mouths agape, whilst he just shook his head slowly before accepting a small portion of half scorched, half raw chunk of unknown meat from a snarling Goblin. Of which appeared to want nothing more than to skewer the Human before it, but could nothing beyond handing over the meat and watch as it was devoured by the Apathetic male.
"Well, whatever," he muttered slowly, wiping his mouth and chin free of blood and juices with the right sleeve of his robe. Which, in turn, he raised his voice towards the one in the faded blue robe, "We going, or what?"
"Yes," droned Karastak, as Brutus appeared before him in a matching, faded blue robe. Gone were his metallic features, bones, and four arms, in their place was something which resembled a normal Human male. Of whom had a rounded sort of head with short cropped silver hair. The features of his face looked much like an Elf's, with a haughty expression forever plastered upon it. Of which were complimented with his pointed ears, and doe shaped eyes with the colours within being the same as his God's.
"I am ready for the journey, my Lord God," he bowed before the other with a smile, as he was able to find a use for such an illusion after so long of constructing it carefully.
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"I can see that," Karastak's eyes travelled up and down the Lich's illusory body, and smirked as it shivered from doing so. However, it then travelled away, and searched out for another, "Sia."
"I am here, Lord," she appeared in an instant, startling a few who were milling about in search of sustenance.
"You will be in charge whilst I am away, understand?"
"Perfectly, my Lord," her body bent forward in elegance, which caused Brutus to fume for some odd reason, "None will be allowed entrance into the territory, and live."
"Good. Good," he grinned in a broad manner, and waved the Humans over so that they may begin their exploration together, "<
*
The Hub World of Azzarath, the central place connecting all worlds within the Pantheon of Azzarath together, was a white space containing many portals all along its walls. Each and every one of these portals contained a letter grade above themselves in order to depict their difficulty. Such as an A to Z, with A being the lowest, and Z being the highest grade possible. As well as numbers which dictate that such quests and needs would take cycles to complete, even if they skipped over several steps of the process.
Due to such a ranking, many were able to carefully gauge their strengths and test such a thing upon the various worlds below.
In the centre of this World were many traders of nearly every sort. From foods to trinkets, weapons and armours to potions, the selling of mounts to the selling of a variety of pets. All of this and more were sold, and as such, they were quite loud in hawking their wares. As such, a bubble of Perceived Silence was erected around the lot of them. Which meant that they could be seen shouting and conversing with others, but not heard until one stepped within such a space.
However, the group themselves were upon the entrance to such a place, and had to step off a large circular slab of enchanted stone. Which they were directed by an overly large. and block shaped, golem with the inscription of, "Hi. My name is Thing," carved in the centre of its chest.
Once they removed themselves from such a slab, did the party enter the World, and moved off to the side where an odd stand was in front of them. "Come on," shouted the Cleric with joy, as she waved at the rest with her hand. As they did so, they were met with something which appeared to be vaguely familiar to the Fallen God. Of which came more into focus as he directed his attention upon the memory.
This led to him to recall a few Adventuring "Heroes" which were summoned into his world by the remaining Humans. Of whom sent such people to their doom, but not before he was able to gain their knowledge about the worlds outside their domain. "Curious," he mused to himself, which garnered the attention of Brutus, but waved the thought away soon after, "It is nothing."
Upon coming closer, they heard the mutterings of the Humans who were trying to decide which world's problem they should tackle first. Of which there were many, but they were sorely limited due to their strength. Whereas Karastak's was on par with that of a Minour God at this point, but he did not feel the need to speak aloud such a thing to them. For all they knew, he was at least twice as strong, perhaps thrice, as they were. Especially when he was able to command such Undead.
"We should try for a D or E ranked world," mused Aclara, as she tapped her fingers upon a glass covering. Which then revealed a series of twenty worlds with either a white or red coloured D or E upon the world.
"Why not an F?" chimed in the Mage, whose hands were behind his head as he shifted from one foot to the next. To which Dashall slapped him upside the head, causing Melephas to stumble a little forward. "Hey," he grumbled loudly, "What was that for?"
"Do you want to fight a horde of Undead?" growled the Templar, and was immediately interrupted by Karastak.
"What's this about the Undead?" His eyes, along with Brutus's, shone with great interest as they leaned forward in order to stare upon the odd structure before them. Whereupon his fingers to brush aside the worlds marked with a D or E in order for those with a white F, a red F, and a red F+ to appear upon the surface.
"Hmm," he hummed softly as words appeared next to each world, telling them what is to be expected within each. It was here, after browsing such worlds, that he came upon one that appeared to be promising within his eyes. "Onul'raan," his voice rumbled softly, full of great expectancy, "Wait for me. For I shall be there soon."