He had expected a few questions, but what came forth was a deluge, and Jigano couldn’t stop the delighted laugh that filled the mental link when Cera finally stopped for breath. Times were dark, but not so dark that joy could not be found in kindred spirits! You need never apologize for questions with me, he assured Cera, amused but joyously so. Knowledge is my passion, and sharing it is my vocation. So, where to begin… the races and the gods were mentioned, I believe? Here there are four races of humankind, three branches springing from the same bole. Humans unmodified, magicless but always with a choice that they may make in their lives, are the roots from which the others have grown. They are called ‘Accepted’ here. Attuned are humans who have made a pledge to the Old Gods – or Outlanders whose spirits are animal-kin. They are given the ability to become one of Caido’s creatures at will, in tune with the natural world. ‘Ascended’ is the name for those who instead pledge their loyalty to the youngest god, who was once mortal but raised herself up to challenge the old ones and sparked a war three hundred years ago that ended with a magical barrier being raised around this place to contain her. The barrier only fell this past year, allowing us to meet with the Fae. They are their own people, short and winged, long-lived and versed in their own magic. Some humans are born with magic as well, but they are… not looked upon with favor by the gods, he temporized. They were involved in that old war, and the gods do not forget, even if they now blame a generation far removed from the sins of their ancestors.
The raven flew ahead again, croaking a laugh at Cera’s optimism. It should come to you naturally, he offered. Some shifts seem to come under pressure or danger, but for most if you find some time to sit and meditate upon the shape of your soul, you will find it. Whether wings or paws or scales. Or eventually all of the above!
Isuma was perfectly happy to ride in style and help their new friend fit in by ‘fixing’ his hair. And her preening did leave it smoother than it had been before her attentions were paid to it. Jigano merely turned around and bobbed his head in acknowledgment of Cera’s gratitude, pleased but waving it off as perfectly natural.
Yes, she is a companion, and our souls are linked, the raven confirmed, pleased that there were so many points of similarity between the two worlds. It would help the newcomer get used to Caido more quickly, he hoped, and ease some of the homesickness that many felt upon realizing that they couldn’t return from whence they came.
Some of Cera’s story sounded familiar, though, and the raven paused in their journey to look the young man over more closely. Rifts and false gods… are you from Helovia, by chance? What were the chances? The Northhaveners had arrived en masse, but the Helovians seemed to trickle in, one by one, with more arriving every seasons.
Another question had arisen, however, and he did his best to answer it, for it was an important one. There is a pantheon, he said cautiously. And then there is the Voice. Their war came at a great price to the mortals caught in between, and so it is not really feasible to follow them all. He hesitated, his last interaction with Safrin still weighing on him. It may not be right away, he said at last, slowly. But if you pray to them and seek their attentions, there will come a time where you may be asked to choose sides in this war that you have no stake in. And even among the Old Gods there are those that are jealous of their followers and prefer to be the sole focus of their worship above the rest of the pantheon, who they do not necessarily get along with even in the best of times. They bestow many blessings, the gods of this world, but they also bestow curses. It is… not wise to seek their company without a clear goal in mind, he finished, clear warning in his voice and the solemn blue eye he turned on Cera.
The raven flew ahead again, croaking a laugh at Cera’s optimism. It should come to you naturally, he offered. Some shifts seem to come under pressure or danger, but for most if you find some time to sit and meditate upon the shape of your soul, you will find it. Whether wings or paws or scales. Or eventually all of the above!
Isuma was perfectly happy to ride in style and help their new friend fit in by ‘fixing’ his hair. And her preening did leave it smoother than it had been before her attentions were paid to it. Jigano merely turned around and bobbed his head in acknowledgment of Cera’s gratitude, pleased but waving it off as perfectly natural.
Yes, she is a companion, and our souls are linked, the raven confirmed, pleased that there were so many points of similarity between the two worlds. It would help the newcomer get used to Caido more quickly, he hoped, and ease some of the homesickness that many felt upon realizing that they couldn’t return from whence they came.
Some of Cera’s story sounded familiar, though, and the raven paused in their journey to look the young man over more closely. Rifts and false gods… are you from Helovia, by chance? What were the chances? The Northhaveners had arrived en masse, but the Helovians seemed to trickle in, one by one, with more arriving every seasons.
Another question had arisen, however, and he did his best to answer it, for it was an important one. There is a pantheon, he said cautiously. And then there is the Voice. Their war came at a great price to the mortals caught in between, and so it is not really feasible to follow them all. He hesitated, his last interaction with Safrin still weighing on him. It may not be right away, he said at last, slowly. But if you pray to them and seek their attentions, there will come a time where you may be asked to choose sides in this war that you have no stake in. And even among the Old Gods there are those that are jealous of their followers and prefer to be the sole focus of their worship above the rest of the pantheon, who they do not necessarily get along with even in the best of times. They bestow many blessings, the gods of this world, but they also bestow curses. It is… not wise to seek their company without a clear goal in mind, he finished, clear warning in his voice and the solemn blue eye he turned on Cera.
