[God Quest] devil town is colder in the summertime

there's an angel on your story and a demon in your bed
feels a bit surreal, feeling bad, don't feel it yet

At least it was Longheat for the trek out here — because the thought of arriving to the Black Lake shrine amongst the snow and cold sounded like the worst possible choice — this time, the butcher basks in the sun, wearing black and red to soak up as much of the bright sun as possible to take into the dark, enclosed shrine with him.

The crevice is easy to spot, between the gemstones that sparkle a deliciously stunning blood red for the entrance and the familiar worn path through the earth toward it. He comes with his cane in hand, clicking across the random rogue stones as he slips inside. His sharp toothed grin is on his face, tail waving contently behind him as he approaches the ruby, reaching out to prick his finger on the ruby that so many others have before him. With the combination of blood and a brief flare of his fire magic, the light inside the cavern flares as he spills his blood to his goddess.

“My beautiful, dark Lady, I have completed the shrine. I hope it is to your liking.” He bows halfway, a lock of dark hair falling from where it was tucked neatly behind his horn, blocks his gaze briefly before he straightens.

---

Shrine quest turn in!!

DYGRA SHRINE

• Complete threads at each of Dygra's existing shrines, leaving appropriate offerings for the goddess. (These threads should be completed in the board housing the shrine, rather than the shrine itself).
  ― what a lovely way to burn Obsidian Cathedral with Danta
  ― black and white Black Lake with Maea
  
• Complete a thread excavating a large piece of obsidian from The Climb.
  ― (SE) and oh my weary soul
  
• Complete a thread sculpting the obsidian in 2. into a suitable altar.
  ― white roses in the red dirt
  
• Complete a thread sating your bloodlust in the location where the shrine will be situated. Ensure that the ground is thoroughly saturated with blood.
  ― hold you to the light, let you shine
  
• Complete a thread consecrating the ground where the shrine will be situated in a way Dygra would approve of.
  ― count your blessings early
  
• Complete a PQ with fellow Ancients, preparing and assembling the shrine at your chosen location within the Hollowed Grounds.
  ― [PQ] welcome home, son
  

Astaroth

it's a roulette kinda deal, black and red is what you get

Dygra

The shrine all but thrums to life in response to the crimson spill of Astaroth's blood, the rubies thirsty for it; he may even feel a strange and phantom tug against the cut to his fingers, as if whatever essence of his goddess lives within the stone craves more of him. "It has been a very long time since something new broke free of the earth in my name." Dygra's voice purrs in a velvet echo all around the cavern, wrapping Asta in its sensual approval.

"I will not forget this, butcher." And though he might not feel this part, across the Hollowed Grounds and within the depths of the Temple, the slab of obsidian in its homage to entropy, the razor sharp rubies, the decorations - all shine with something sacred, a connection formed between the space and the goddess it represents. A shrine with a capital S, nestled in a place formerly used to worship other gods.

Dygra could not be more pleased.

---

Asta has completed his quest and a shrine for Dygra has been created in the Temple!

Table coding by Sky <3

there's an angel on your story and a demon in your bed
feels a bit surreal, feeling bad, don't feel it yet

There is that unique tug, a strange pull that almost screams more, and the butcher wants nothing more than to offer – allowing the still dripping crimson of his finger to continue to pour for her. The shrine he’s currently standing within, comes to life in such a spectacular sensation – as if he can feel it through each and every atom of his body – just as it had been when she’d saved him. “It is always an honor to create in your name.” He hums back, basking in the approval.

He'd craft for her whatever she desired, whether it be his typical ruby red sprees or something of this nature. His devotion is and always will be clear.

The sharp grin sparks to life to hear her utilize his moniker, and as he straightens and tucks that lock of fallen hair that had fallen into his face, he doesn’t have to feel it to know that she’s working her magic elsewhere. Pride emanates from the butcher, leaking into his accented voice as he speaks again. “Is there anything else you wish for that I can undertake for you?” Anything that she craved that he could provide?

Or would it be to simply live how he has been – walking that fine line of precise chaos?

Astaroth

it's a roulette kinda deal, black and red is what you get

Dygra

"To create, to destroy, to exist," Dygra agrees; change and chaos, disorder and instability - all are elements that reside within every Ancient, and Astaroth is certainly living up to expectations even having come into the fold later in life. 

"You are already undertaking it, sweet, dark child," she assures him, the shrine thrumming and pulsing with an inner glow that matches the cadence of the goddess's tone. "Go. Continue the work you have begun. Paint this region in the shades of my name, and do it with my blessing."

Table coding by Sky <3

there's an angel on your story and a demon in your bed
feels a bit surreal, feeling bad, don't feel it yet

It’s almost as if she recites the mantra that he has been living by all this time, and its with pride that loosens any tension that has formed in between his shoulders that the butcher stands in the shrine of his goddess with as close to glee as he can get. Because she knows, she’s seen him do as much, and as the shrine thrums and pulses and glows with the shift and dips of Dygra’s voice, if Astaroth wasn’t already so devoted to her he might have felt the need to claim his worship and adoration again and again.

“I shall make you proud.” Prouder, to be specific, but the idea is the same. In most instances he’s more than content being an arrogant, pompous prick, but in the face of his goddess he is nothing but humble. “Thank you.” He shifts to lean in and offer another bow, waiting until the goddess’ light fades but her approval still thrums through him before he steps away, feeling all that much more vibrant for it.

- FIN

Astaroth

it's a roulette kinda deal, black and red is what you get