Jump to content

BZP'S GREAT GAME


Voltex

Recommended Posts

A perfect, poignant beginning to what I'm sure will be a spectacular season.

 

The game is afoot, my friends, and I fear most of us won't live to see the end of it. This is the Game of Thrones after all, and as I'm sure you all know by now, in the Game of Thrones, you Win or you Die.

Embers - a new Bionicle Epic - Coming 2024 

Class Is Out - A Farewell To Corpus Rahkshi - Chapters/Review

BZPRPG Characters - Minnorak, Kain, T'harrak, Savis, Vazaria, Lash

BZPRPG Mercenary Group - The Outsiders - Description - History - Base

Ghosts Of Bara Magna - Ash Tribe - Precipere - Kehla, Somok, Skrall, Gayle, Avinus, Zha'ar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

EPISODE ONE

“Dreams in the Dark”

 

-[A GAME OF HUNTERS]-

  • Rassilon, Juke, Jakura, Lein, Reisen and Sahmad met each other in the White Wolf Pub, in the abandoned city of Briar Patch.
  • After introducing themselves, the six began their journey to Shipwreck’s Cove, deciding to take the fastest route there by taking the route through Fort Madacus.
  • They encountered a group of Aodhiim soldiers camping out and attempted to rob them – but instead found themselves victim of a trap set by Keahi Coal, the captain of the soldiers. After clearing the air, Keahi and his soldiers escorted the group to Fort Madacus to meet their commander….
  • Once in Fort Madacus, the group learned that every soldier in Fort Madacus was a devout follower of the god Rollor, all wearing the god’s symbol and claiming that their mission was to restore balance to the world.
  • Finally, the group was taken to a run-down home; the dwelling of Commander Maglya Pyre.

 

-[A CLASH OF BROTHERS]-

  • Pulse, Voxumo, Pythia, Taktun, Onaku and Lucina all met each other in Lucina’s forge, in the city of Riverrage.
  • After introducing themselves, the six discussed how they should try to enter Ignika City and find the Tomb of Ekimu. They frequently got sidetracked into debates about how to deal with the various obstacles that might end up in their path – namely the Prophets of Ma – though Taktun mentioned that Lady Sylvia Rayne owed him a favor, which might be useful to them.
  • They decided to find a Protector named Anna, an infamous merchant, to see if they can join her caravan to Ignika City.
  • Unfortunately, Pulse said something that has now been forgotten; something that wrecked the minds of everyone present. The entire group has now been left with all memories barring their meeting in the forge and their dreams of Ignika City gone, with no clue as to whether they’ll return….

 

-[A STORM OF BLOOD]-

  • Anahhera, Burnmad, Triki, Kranan, Mashani, and Takua all met each other in Valmai, having been summoned there by Miserix.
  • Miserix explained their mission to them: to go to the Vakama Ruins and Burned Harbor Cornerstones, in the hopes of retrieving the artifacts powering them, and restoring balance to the island.
  • While Miserix went off on a mission of his own, the group headed east toward Vakama Ruins. On the verge of arriving, they ran into a group led by Efandril – all of whom were apparently on their way to Valmai. Takua and Triki shared every detail about their group’s task possible.
  • They then entered the Vakama Ruins, and the Cornerstone immediately began to impact their senses, its magic threatening to overload them….

 

-[A FEAST FOR TITANS]-

  • Ehks, Alix, Virndrung, Urot (and friend), Voltex and Pouks all met each other in Last Rest, drawn together by dreams of the Patrus Ruins.
  • After a brief discussion, they decided to make their way to the Cornerstone by travelling through the North, stopping by Stoneworth along the way, avoiding the pull of Grave’s Peak, but…
  • …upon finding the mining tunnels they intended to use to cross through the mountains, they found a sign warning them of ‘Blade Burrowers’. Nonetheless, they entered the tunnels.
  • Down in the dark, they found themselves directed and hunted by the Blade Burrowers. Though they nearly took the wrong path many times and came close to losing a few of their number, the group managed to survive, and came to a stop at a locked door.

 

-[A DANCE WITH TIME]-

  • Luci, Feli, Lurrun, Tijekti, and Photok – all prisoners of Aodhiim – were summoned by Efandril to share their dreams of the Ancient City with her, and to introduce themselves.
  • Efandril managed to make her offer worth the prisoners’ while; in exchange for assisting her in a journey to the Cornerstone, they would win their freedom… and perhaps any other treasures they might find along the way.
  • As they passed by the Vakama Ruins, they ran into a group led by Anahera. This other group included a Jungle Protector named Triki and Efandril’s closest advisor, Takua, both of whom shared their group’s mission to journey to the Vakama Ruins and Burned Harbor on behalf of Miserix to claim the artifacts powering them.
  • The group eventually made it to the gates of the Ancient City, and could already feel the Cornerstone below calling to them….

 

-[THE WATCHERS OF WINTER]-

  • Nato, Rilgivi, Isniel, Krosht, TL and Teridax met on Rilgivi’s ship in Gelu’s Harbor, introducing themselves.
  • While the others shopped for supplies, Nato & TL attempted to meet with Lady Taei Tivan, but were instead imprisoned ‘for their own good’ due to a suspected infection of magic by Captain Metus.
  • Rilgivi attempted to meet with Lady Tivan herself, but through her hostile actions and refusal to cooperate, was also placed in a cell.
  • Luckily for the group, Isniel was able to masquerade as a doctor with experience in the magical field, using Krosht as an employed sword and Teridax as an assistant. He pretended to cure Nato, TL, and Rilgivi, freeing them from prison (helped along by the overworked and overtired Metus).
  • The group then exited the Gelu’s Harbor prison, hoping to begin their journey to Grave’s Peak.
  • Upvote 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

shame, no deaths yet!

 

i demand bloodshed

You know what the easiest way to guarantee you get what you want is? By joining in. 

  • Upvote 2

u9et1dt.gif

Banner made by Onaku

BZPRPG CHARACTERS

Syvra-Tivanu

If you interact with one of my characters and I don't respond or acknowledge the interaction within a day, send me a PM. Odds are I missed or did not see the post.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

EPISODE TWO

“The Nature of Reality”

 

-[A GAME OF HUNTERS]-

  • In Fort Madacus, the group met with Commander Maglya Pyre. The Commander offered them shots of a mysterious liquid called “Essence of Annona”. While Juke and Rassilon’s bodies rejected the liquid – and Jakura remained partially immune to its effects – Sahmad, Reisen, and Lein experienced its full effects.
  • Those experiencing the effects of the Essence found that everything around them glowed, and their vision was strong enough to pierce through even the darkest of shadows. Some could now feel the magic around them, pulsing like a heartbeat, and that their strength was far beyond what it had been before.
  • With the Essence and a conversation, the Commander seemingly managed to convert Reisen, Sahmad and Lein to the beliefs of those in the Fort, and their mission: to unite the shards of the Kanohi Nuva, Mask of Ultimate Power, and bring them to Miserix to be re-forged, and re-balance Okoto. That desire to achieve balance at all costs slowly became the driving force behind their actions.
  • Joined by Keahi and a dozen soldiers, the group continued their journey to Shipwreck’s Cove.
  • As they arrived, they found two ships sailing in an endless circle, deep in the water. One matched Okoto’s style, though it was more advanced than any ship the group had seen – including Reisen, once a pirate. The other ship was more rundown and threatening in its construction.
  • With assistance from Keahi’s soldiers, the group built a raft and floated over to the ships, pulled along by the Cornerstone. They boarded the Okotoan vessel, named Last Odyssey, and met its captain, Anita Lasang… only for her to insist that Rassilon was the true captain of the vessel.
  • Anita tried and failed to convince Rassilon, Juke and Lein that they had once all sailed on the Last Odyssey. With no answers to give the confused group, she directed them toward the other vessel – the Lhikan, a ship from Destral that once belonged to a group called the Piraka.
  • The group, along with Keahi and Anita, used a lifeboat to sail over to the Lhikan. It was crewed by many different species, none native to Okoto – and captained by a massive figure with blue and gold armor named Ancient. He recognized Rassilon, Juke, and Lein as Anita had… but also Reisen.

 

-[A CLASH OF BROTHERS]-

  • After losing their memories, the group met with Anna outside of Riverrage. They found her without any additional protection – but she gave off the impression that she did not require it.
  • Their journey to Ignika City was unexpectedly uneventful, and through Taktun, they were granted entrance and taken to the humble home of Lady Sylvia Rayne. Leaving Anna behind, they sat with Sylvia and her wife, Lady Symphona Tyde, as well as several Prophets of Ma for dinner.
  • During the meal, Symphona revealed that the Prophets had expected the group to arrive for several days. Thanks to the favor owed to Taktun by Sylvia, the Prophets reluctantly agreed to let the group see the Tomb of Ekimu.
  • On the way to the Tomb, Voxumo learned a bit more about the Prophets, and Symphona warned the group of the Tomb’s Guardian – the undead Ekimu, resurrected by the Cornerstone’s magic. She also hinted at something else in the Cornerstone but insisted that it would be easier to show the group than to tell them.
  • Arriving at the Tomb, the group was shown Ekimu’s empty sarcophagus, and then taken down below, into a hall lit by a strange glowing white liquid in the walls… the heart of the Cornerstone.

 

-[A STORM OF BLOOD]-

  • Immediately upon entering Vakama City, the party found themselves separated. While Triki, Takua and Anahera remained together at the entrance to the city, the others were all scattered. Mashani was left in a maze of back alleys; Burnmad outside the old chambers of the Council of Fire; and Kranan trapped in a cell with only a Fire Protector named RG for company.
  • Triki was soon trapped inside a blacksmith’s shop, and then both muted and paralyzed. While trying to free him, Anahera and Takua spoke of Efandril, and Takua’s clear loyalty to her.
  • Burnmad found himself meeting with the Council of Fire – Dragonstar Ember, Sil Aodh, Smoke Monster Boscage, Chloe Saryian, RG II Coal, Unit Ember, and Toa Tahu. Attempting to flee the conflicting emotions, memories and thoughts the Council was bringing, Burnmad followed Smoke Monster down to the dungeons, to meet RG I.
  • Using Kranan’s sword, Burnmad stabbed Smoke Monster when the Jungle Protector attempted to murder him, before freeing Kranan and RG.
  • Back up above, Takua and Anahera reunited with Mashani, and continued their attempts to free Triki.
  • As they made their way back to the surface, RG asked Burnmad and Kranan about their mission in Vakama City; at the mention of Miserix, RG seemed to calm. He revealed himself to be the Guardian of the Cornerstone, as well as having magic at his disposal.
  • Although RG claimed that this Cornerstone hid nothing, Kranan suspected that the Guardian was actually trying to hide something from them; Vakama City might not hold a shard of the Kanohi Nuva, but perhaps it hid something else….

 

-[A FEAST FOR TITANS]-

  • The group managed to escape the Blade Burrower tunnels, and emerged to the night sky over Kamuk, with the Patrus Ruins below them. They slept for the night, only to wake up to the night sky again; time was not working as it should.
  • Arriving at the Cornerstone, they found the entire city locked in a moment in time, with many buildings half-collapsed, with rubble floating in the air. After a brief vision of a dying dragon, the group was separated.
  • Virndrung found himself in Ignika City, with Aodhiim banners flying overhead; Alix found himself lost in the dark; Urot found himself in an endless expanse, facing a twisted reflection of himself in the mirror; and Ehks found herself facing off with the Protector in Black.
  • While Alix was taunted by the voice of his father, Ehks was tormented with visions of her lost friend Velika and given the choice to trade one of her companions to bring him back. She refused, regaining her true memories; memories of a journey into the past with the Mask of Time, her role in the fate of Kulta, and the Great War. She fought through the illusion, and the Protector in Black vanished, allowing Ehks to save Alix.
  • Urot spoke with his twisted reflection – Toru Sevoi – who claimed to be their true persona. Wrestling control away from Urot, Toru awoke in the home of Velika. In the basement of Velika’s home, Toru found an ancient map (which he stole) and a wall of histories, displaying Velika’s apparent loyalty to Voltex, and mapping out a history of Okoto that conflicted with his and Urot’s memories, including events like a Long Night, and objects called Masks of Power. The histories did, however, claim that Toru served Kulta – leaving Toru to believe they were on the right track.
  • After speaking with his sister, Hahli Vatten, Virndrung managed to break himself out of the illusion. Awaking in the central bazaar of Fort Patrus, he soon found Pouks knocked out – and was then knocked out himself.
  • The rest of the group re-united (minus Voltex) and managed to find Pouks and Virndrung, and the one who attacked them – Voltex, hallucinating an attack of giant spiders. After breaking Voltex free, Voltex used magic to wake up those he had attacked, and they went to investigate a massive black creature at the other side of the city.
  • The creature turned out to be a massive Dragon, suffering from fatal wounds. A voice then spoke in their minds, congratulating them.

 

-[A DANCE WITH TIME]-

  • The group was scattered by the magic of the Cornerstone after entering the Ancient City. Lurrun was left with Photok by the gates; Efandril found herself in the forge of the Mask Makers; Tijekti found herself in a room with four walls and no doors or windows; Feli found herself in the central square of the city; and Luci found herself locked in a cell.
  • Lurrun and Photok encountered Nuhrii Coal and his soldiers while trying to find the others; the ensuing encounter ended with Photok being murdered, and the soldiers advancing on Lurrun.
  • Feli, after finding a better viewpoint, found the entire square filled with a massive crowd. Panicking, she tried to escape the crowd and came face-to-face with the King, Pulse Vatten. The guards tried to kill her, but a scream from Photok broke her free of the illusion – though a hint of the wound remained.
  • Feli managed to save Lurrun by killing Nuhrii and his soldiers, who all vanished into thin air (taking Feli’s arrows with them). Photok died in Lurrun’s arms, only to vanish as well; unsettled, the two Protectors searched for Efandril.
  • In the forge, Efandril found plans for several Masks of Power – the Mask of Control, Mask of Creation, Mask of Life, and Mask of Time. She took the plans for herself and then left for the throne room, where the throne of Okoto called to her….
  • Luci, stuck in her cell, met Trijhak the Mad. The Mad King had two of his Skull Warriors pull her from her cell and drag her away, where she was locked into a coffin and then abandoned.
  • Efandril found herself being named the Queen of Okoto by several familiar faces of her most loyal companions – Kapura Coal, Takua Pyre, Elittra Ember, and others – only for the sight of Kollorak, still wearing the form of Tahu, to appear. Kollorak’s taunts led to the illusion collapsing, and moments later, Efandril managed to break free completely when Lurrun and Feli appeared.
  • The three journeyed into the depths of the Catacombs, where they found an alive and well Photok trying to break through a wall to save Tijekti. After managing to free Tijekti and the guards that had accompanied them, they found Trijhak and his Skull Warriors. The Mad King promised to lead them to Luci, who remained trapped in the coffin, slowly losing her mind….

 

-[THE WATCHERS OF WINTER]-

  • On the way to Grave’s Peak, the group split up. While Nato and Isniel took the direct path, the rest braved the wilds, and encountered Kurahk. They managed to flee, though it felt like the Rahkshi had deliberately allowed them to escape….
  • Wasting no other time, they entered the Cornerstone, and found a world of nightmares: Dark Mirror.
  • After a disastrous first encounter with some guards who whipped Isniel into submission, the group learned that in this reality, Earth Protectors were seen as abominations, and Jungle Protectors as animals – and even the Stone Protectors were second class citizens at best.
  • The group was led to a “farm”, where the Protector in charge – an alternate Onaku Greavesy – took Isniel, TL, and Teridax. Wanting to learn about this world’s history, the others were directed to the city’s foremost historian – its Khan.
  • While the Ice Protectors were taken to the Khan, TL, Teridax and Isniel were assigned to ‘Delta Group’ in the farm, where they are worked to exhaustion by a trainer named Lester.
  • While waiting for the Khan, Rilgivi and Krosht read an account of this world’s history; a War for the Throne between Pulse Vatten and Voxumo Ash ended with both kings dead and the entire Jungle nation burned. In its aftermath the Jungle Protectors were enslaved, while Nato Greavesy, Burnmad Aodh, and Terrorsaur Rayne took control over Okoto – though Nato was apparently assassinated by a Protector named Kazi Nivis a few years later.
  • Nato, meanwhile, met the Khan – Sisyphus Glacies. The encounter led to Nato re-gaining all of his memories up until his execution of Sisyphus Glacies in the year 327 AE. The Khan, meanwhile, admitted to the killing of the Dark Mirror’s Nato, and showed Kazi being displayed for the public to witness.
  • Nato cut open the Khan’s throat, but Sisyphus was revived. In the fight that followed, Sisyphus revealed a strange command over both power and time before fleeing, leaving the Ice Protectors to try and find a way out before the guards could arrive to capture or kill them.
  • Back at the farm, TL and Isniel met Chloe Saryian and Tarduk Boscage, but were labelled as insane when they both, for some inane reason, decided to continuously insist that the history they remembered was entirely accurate. They were interrupted by the arrival of Lester, who spoke very briefly with Chloe and Tarduk in code about a king and a prisoner before retreating at the sight of TL, promising to return the next night.
  • Upvote 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ready for the adventure! And likely death. But at least it'll be a noble death. Hopefully. Probably not. Anyway, I'm super duber uber grateful to you for letting me join in on this, Voltex.

 

Player Name: TBK

 

Campaign: #4: A Feast for Titans

 

Character Name: Tabek Umrik

 

Gender, Age, Element: Male, 24, Stone

 

Personality: Despite what he would like to think, Tabek knows that others usually perceive him as a bit... odd. Upon first impression, one might go so far as to say that he comes off as haughty and brooding. In reality, conversation has never been his particular strength, and he is often just misunderstood. This might be the reason why he only keeps a select few companions, but those particular friends provide a true insight to his personality. He is indeed a loyal and caring fellow, willing to sacrifice nearly anything for his neighbor. Even so, his naive optimism can lead him to trusting strangers a little too quickly.

 

History: Tabek was born into and seemingly destined for the sensational trade of boat repair, a trade that his clan carried for generations. Not that he wanted it – in fact, he attempted a number of times to veer off and become a fine artist, to the humor of some. Unfortunately, amid the war-torn economy, each attempt ended only in failure and near starvation, forcing him to revert back into the family business. Nonetheless, he gazes past the hammer, the tar pitch, and the endless droll of monotony to a hope of making something of himself for the good of his people. And of course, he also looks beyond his relatives' pessimism. They would tell you that Tabek is the one who has seen the least loss and sorrow in the family, and they would not be wrong.

 

Greatest Fears: (1) Tabek has always been a thinker and a seeker for the truth behind every situation, every assumption, and perhaps life itself, if he could find it. On the flipside, his greatest nightmare is that everything is truly as it seems: Chaos. His life, the world, the wars, all of history, is for naught. He dreads he may never find out in time.

 

(2) His inward tendencies also don the impression of even-tempered coolness, but when he senses that he has lost control of a situation, the facade quickly crumbles to panic. And when he loses control of himself? It has happened only twice before, and he hopes for his own well-being to never sink to that point again... heaven forbid that it involve a matter of life and death. He fears this may fall upon him one day.

 

(3) Though his intentions are well-meant, he is afraid that his ventures will come to nothing, and his family will be the worse for it because he wasn't there to help them.

 

Greatest Dreams: (1) He often dreams of becoming a great artist, but he knows even this would ultimately fall short. As Tabek pursues the meaning behind life, so also he pursues a purpose for himself.

 

(2) He hopes to earn the favor of his clan by proving his worth one day.

 

(3) He also desires to one day find a means to provide a steady means of provisions and income to his clan, whose business is staggering under the post-war market.

 

Ultimate Power: Tabek would do all in his power to, broadly put, make things right again. To remove fear and conflict from Okoto. To restore sustenance to those in need like his own family. And perhaps even use the power of the mask to strain a glance at the powers orchestrating destiny, if only for his own comfort.

 

Strength: 2

Agility: 3

Intelligence: 4

Charisma: 1

Edited by TBK
  • Upvote 2

sig8.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ready for the adventure! And likely death. But at least it'll be a noble death. Hopefully. Probably not. Anyway, I'm super duber uber grateful to you for letting me join in on this, Voltex.

 

Player Name: TBK

 

Campaign: #4: A Feast for Titans

 

Character Name: Tabek Umrik

 

Gender, Age, Element: Male, 24, Stone

 

Personality: Despite what he would like to think, Tabek knows that others usually perceive him as a bit... odd. Upon first impression, one might go so far as to say that he comes off as haughty and brooding. In reality, conversation has never been his particular strength, and he is often just misunderstood. This might be the reason why he only keeps a select few companions, but those particular friends provide a true insight to his personality. He is indeed a loyal and caring fellow, willing to sacrifice nearly anything for his neighbor. Even so, his naive optimism can lead him to trusting strangers a little too quickly.

 

History: Tabek was born into and seemingly destined for the sensational trade of boat repair, a trade that his clan carried for generations. Not that he wanted it – in fact, he attempted a number of times to veer off and become a fine artist, to the humor of some. Unfortunately, amid the war-torn economy, each attempt ended only in failure and near starvation, forcing him to revert back into the family business. Nonetheless, he gazes past the hammer, the tar pitch, and the endless droll of monotony to a hope of making something of himself for the good of his people. And of course, he also looks beyond his relatives' pessimism. They would tell you that Tabek is the one who has seen the least loss and sorrow in the family, and they would not be wrong.

 

Greatest Fears: (1) Tabek has always been a thinker and a seeker for the truth behind every situation, every assumption, and perhaps life itself, if he could find it. On the flipside, his greatest nightmare is that everything is truly as it seems: Chaos. His life, the world, the wars, all of history, is for naught. He dreads he may never find out in time.

 

(2) His inward tendencies also don the impression of even-tempered coolness, but when he senses that he has lost control of a situation, the facade quickly crumbles to panic. And when he loses control of himself? It has happened only twice before, and he hopes for his own well-being to never sink to that point again... heaven forbid that it involve a matter of life and death. He fears this may fall upon him one day.

 

(3) Though his intentions are well-meant, he is afraid that his ventures will come to nothing, and his family will be the worse for it because he wasn't there to help them.

 

Greatest Dreams: (1) He often dreams of becoming a great artist, but he knows even this would ultimately fall short. As Tabek pursues the meaning behind life, so also he pursues a purpose for himself.

 

(2) He hopes to earn the favor of his clan by proving his worth one day.

 

(3) He also desires to one day find a means to provide a steady means of provisions and income to his clan, whose business is staggering under the post-war market.

 

Ultimate Power: Tabek would do all in his power to, broadly put, make things right again. To remove fear and conflict from Okoto. To restore sustenance to those in need like his own family. And perhaps even use the power of the mask to strain a glance at the powers orchestrating destiny, if only for his own comfort.

 

Strength: 2

Agility: 3

Intelligence: 3

Charisma: 1

 

Ready for the adventure! And likely death. But at least it'll be a noble death. Hopefully. Probably not. Anyway, I'm super duber uber grateful to you for letting me join in on this, Voltex.

 

Player Name: TBK

 

Campaign: #4: A Feast for Titans

 

Character Name: Tabek Umrik

 

Gender, Age, Element: Male, 24, Stone

 

Personality: Despite what he would like to think, Tabek knows that others usually perceive him as a bit... odd. Upon first impression, one might go so far as to say that he comes off as haughty and brooding. In reality, conversation has never been his particular strength, and he is often just misunderstood. This might be the reason why he only keeps a select few companions, but those particular friends provide a true insight to his personality. He is indeed a loyal and caring fellow, willing to sacrifice nearly anything for his neighbor. Even so, his naive optimism can lead him to trusting strangers a little too quickly.

 

History: Tabek was born into and seemingly destined for the sensational trade of boat repair, a trade that his clan carried for generations. Not that he wanted it – in fact, he attempted a number of times to veer off and become a fine artist, to the humor of some. Unfortunately, amid the war-torn economy, each attempt ended only in failure and near starvation, forcing him to revert back into the family business. Nonetheless, he gazes past the hammer, the tar pitch, and the endless droll of monotony to a hope of making something of himself for the good of his people. And of course, he also looks beyond his relatives' pessimism. They would tell you that Tabek is the one who has seen the least loss and sorrow in the family, and they would not be wrong.

 

Greatest Fears: (1) Tabek has always been a thinker and a seeker for the truth behind every situation, every assumption, and perhaps life itself, if he could find it. On the flipside, his greatest nightmare is that everything is truly as it seems: Chaos. His life, the world, the wars, all of history, is for naught. He dreads he may never find out in time.

 

(2) His inward tendencies also don the impression of even-tempered coolness, but when he senses that he has lost control of a situation, the facade quickly crumbles to panic. And when he loses control of himself? It has happened only twice before, and he hopes for his own well-being to never sink to that point again... heaven forbid that it involve a matter of life and death. He fears this may fall upon him one day.

 

(3) Though his intentions are well-meant, he is afraid that his ventures will come to nothing, and his family will be the worse for it because he wasn't there to help them.

 

Greatest Dreams: (1) He often dreams of becoming a great artist, but he knows even this would ultimately fall short. As Tabek pursues the meaning behind life, so also he pursues a purpose for himself.

 

(2) He hopes to earn the favor of his clan by proving his worth one day.

 

(3) He also desires to one day find a means to provide a steady means of provisions and income to his clan, whose business is staggering under the post-war market.

 

Ultimate Power: Tabek would do all in his power to, broadly put, make things right again. To remove fear and conflict from Okoto. To restore sustenance to those in need like his own family. And perhaps even use the power of the mask to strain a glance at the powers orchestrating destiny, if only for his own comfort.

 

Strength: 2

Agility: 3

Intelligence: 3

Charisma: 1

 

You're all good - just need to change your agility or intelligence to 4. Doesn't matter which.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

BEHIND THE THRONE

EPISODE ONE

“Too Many Meetings”

 

-[Eight Months Earlier]-

 

Voltex stepped through the door and into the board room. Down at the far end of a table long enough to hold at least one hundred people sat Ekimu and Makuta; the latter waved him down. Taking a deep breath to psyche himself up, Voltex made his way down the room. His footsteps echoed, the only sound to be heard above his own breathing.

I may have to start on that diet Voxumo recommended if I’m this out of breath from walking, he thought to himself.

“Take a seat,” Makuta said once he had reached the end of the table, gesturing to the chair across from him. Voltex sat, and Makuta leaned forward. “So. Welcome back.”

 

“Hahaha, yep, feels welcoming,” Voltex said, his weak chuckle giving away his nervousness as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I, uh, I realize that Mask Maker Productions has had a wildly successful year so far, but… do your new offices really need to be so intimidating?”

 

“They do, actually,” Makuta said. “Omega Turtle Productions tried to wrestle a couple upcoming projects from us, and then we had to deal with SPIRIT Studios trying to quadruple their budget for their Journey to One spoof. And those were just the two most noteworthy incidents, mind you.”
 

“…oh.”

 

“So,” Ekimu said, folding his hands together. “Season 3. You made it to the end, despite that unfortunate drama with Onaku toward the end.”

 

“Ah well, y’know, I can be pretty hard to work with,” Voltex said, shrugging. “I mean, Blade would tell you that. And Portalfig. And Xaeraz. And Chro. And TBK. And Ehks… huh.” He thought back over all of his projects throughout the years, and the epiphany hit him like a truck. “I should probably stop trying to partner up with people.”

 

“Regardless, everyone here was very happy with Season 3, all things considered,” Makuta interrupted before Voltex could fall into a tangent. “We could have done with the cliffhanger not copying that Avengers movie so much, but it got the fans talking. Everyone is hyped up for Season 4. So lay it on us!”

 

Voltex glanced between the two executives, eyebrows furrowed. “Lay what on you?”

 

“Your pitch,” Ekimu said slowly. “For Seeason 4.”

 

“Ah, yes. Right. Season 4. I totally have that planned. Yep.”

 

Makuta’s face fell into his hands, and he groaned. “You don’t have anything planned, do you?”

 

“…no,” Voltex admitted.

 

“And the cliffhanger to Season 3 was because you had run out of budget.”

 

“Well, not entirely. There were some contract issues with a few actors as well. You wouldn’t believe the alterations that Jed tried to ask for!”

 

Makuta rubbed his temples, glancing over to Ekimu beseechingly. The golden armored Mask Maker sighed before turning to Voltex. “You must have some ideas for what would happen after Season 3.”

 

Tapping his knuckles on the table, Voltex nodded. “A little bit. Obviously Miserix will be the main antagonist, and I plan to bring back a few deceased characters, to emphasise how drastically different this new reality Miserix has created is. But beyond that, there’s still a lot. I mean, I know the season was popular, but I need time to iron out all of the details. That’s how this usually works.”

 

“We know,” Ekimu said, gently reaching over to rest his hand over Voltex’s, preventing the tapping before Makuta (whose eye was twitching) could explode. “The successes we’re enjoying were rather unexpected, Season 3 expected. We’re just looking to capitalize on that success, and continue building the hype, so to speak.”

 

“Is there something else we could use?” Makuta asks. “We ran the Long Night limited series between Season 1 and Season 2, perhaps another like that?”

 

Voltex considered it for a moment before grinning. “That might be perfect, actually. I was hoping Rassilon could somehow return for the next season, and there’s bunch of backstory for Voltex, Sahmad and the other Matoran I could explore.” He paused, growing more serious. “I’m warning you now, though. I’ll need more time than usual to plan for the next season if we’re releasing something else in between.”

 

“That’s acceptable,” Ekimu said.

 

“You have two days to plan out the interlude,” Makuta said, pushing his chair back and standing. “Will that work?”

 

Voltex also stood and shook Makuta’s hand. “I’ll see you in two days.”

 

---

 

Two days later found Voltex practically vibrating with excitement as he dropped into his seat, sliding two massive folders to Ekimu and Makuta respectively. Both Mask Makers looked a little intimidated, but began to peruse the materials regardless, waving for Voltex to speak as they did so.

 

“Alright.” He leaned forward, still grinning. “Welcome to Last Odyssey. Protectors of Jungle all over Ithaca have been having strange dreams, and they decide to send the dreamers off on a voyage to learn what’s causing them. Leading the voyage are four Protectors: Rassilon, Juke, Seqala, and Valen, who have all also dreamed of a figure known as the Watcher. They’re also accompanied by Tex and Lewa, to give viewers a few more familiar faces to follow.”

 

Both Mask Makers nodded. It was Makuta who asked, “so what happens?”

 

“The primary point of Last Odyssey is to explore the history of the Matoran and how they tie into the Great War,” Voltex began. “The first stop of the voyage will be the home of the Matoran, where the group will meet the Titan Annona, as well as find the village where Voltex, Sahmad, and their friends all lived. While there, the group will dream of key moments in some of their backstories – Voltex, Velika, Sahmad, and Lein.”

 

“Why Lein?” Ekimu asked, frowning down at the folder. “Telluris is closer to Sahmad, correct?”

 

“He is, but Lein joins the crew later on,” Voltex said.

 

“Go on then.”

 

“They convince Annona to join them, and then sail for the new home of the Matoran – Destral,” Voltex continued, fighting not to bounce in his chair. “Destral is ruled by the Titans of Destruction; Teridax’s brothers and sisters, if you will. And it’s populated with several different species – but the crew will just visit the Matoran. While there, Valen perishes during a series of challenges known as the Gauntlet; but the rest complete it, and in doing so, win the respect of the Matoran. There’s a romantic connection between Juke and Telluris, but unfortunately, Telluris must remain behind to rule Destral; but Lein joins the crew here, as does another Matoran named Kirbraz, Toa Takanuva, and the Dark Titan Mutran.”

 

“Then they hit the shipwreck?” Makuta asked.

 

“Right. The Piraka from the Odyssey oneshot we did return here and join up with the crew after they’ve rescued Ancient,” Voltex said.

 

“I was wondering if you’d find a way to work him back in,” Ekimu murmured. “His appearance in Season 3 seemed rather disconnected… then they return to Okoto?”

 

“Right, and that’s where everything really goes wrong.” Voltex chuckled, and it soon devolved into a maniacal laugh, one perfected after years of practice killing his fans’ dreams. The two Mask Makers shared an exasperated look as they waited for him to calm down. It took a full minute before he caught the looks on their faces and stopped, rubbing his neck awkwardly. “Er, right. So they land on Okoto. They lose Reidak, Takanuva, Lewa, Tex, and Seqala to the dusting. Mutran kills Thok and Vezok before they can be dusted, and then teleports away with Zaktan, Avak and Hakann, while Ancient flees back to the ships. Annona sacrifices herself to save Kirbraz from the dusting, leaving Lein, Juke, and Rassilon alone to face off with Miserix – and the series ends there.”

 

“What a downer ending,” Makuta muttered. “The rest looks like it’s so lighthearted.”

 

“Yeah, can’t really be helped.”

 

“Consider it approved,” Ekimu said, slamming his folder shut. “Get to work.”

 

Voltex saluted. “Yes sir! Er, sirs.”

 

-[Two Months Earlier]-

 

“So?” Voltex asked, sliding into what he was rapidly beginning to think of as his seat at the way-too-long table. “How about those Last Odyssey reactions, huh?”

 

“They were really into Juke and Telluris,” Makuta said. “I wish we’d known, we could’ve capitalized on it.”

 

“It wasn’t just the burgeoning romance, it was everything Juke,” Ekimu corrected. “I’ll admit to swooning once or twice myself when he was onscreen.”

 

Makuta grunted. “The twist with Annona at the end, too. They were more shocked about that than they were about Seqala.”

 

Voltex shrugged.

 

“Onto Season 4 then,” Ekimu said, turning to Voltex. “Are you ready?”

 

Voltex blinked at him.

 

“You… are not ready.”

 

Voltex grinned weakly. “I may need a bit more time. Budgets, y’know. Also, I should warn you right now, it’s going to be big. Almost everyone is coming back in some manner.”

 

Makuta frowned. “How is that possible?”

 

Tapping the table, Voltex chuckled nervously. “I may be messing around with alternate universes this go-round. I’ve got a fancy naming scheme for all of them, too! All glass-related. Dark Mirror, Shattered Glass, Bright Crystal, Scattered Lens… I could go on!”

 

“Please don’t.”

 

It was Ekimu’s turn to rub his temples and sigh. “What are your budget expectations?”

 

“Well er… you remember the budget you gave me for Season 3?” Voltex asked.

 

“One hundred million,” Ekimu said, looking distinctly like he wanted to gouge his own eyes out. “You want more, I’m guessing. One fifty?”

 

“…two hundred. Maybe two fifty.”

 

Makuta’s face hit the table.

 

-[One Week Earlier]-

 

“…and so now we begin filming next week,” Voltex said, chugging the rest of his coffee and signalling the barista for a refill as he reclined in his seat.

 

Portalfig took a moment to examine his friend. The showrunner/director/writer’s eyes were bloodshot, and his fingers had the twitchiness of several days without sleep. His clothes were ruffled, and if he had to guess, Voltex hadn’t changed them for at least three days. The stress was clearly eating him alive.

 

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” he asked, leaning forward as the barista returned, pouring a generous helping of coffee into Voltex’s waiting mug. “Listen, the stress is clearly getting to you.”

 

“I’ll be fine,” Voltex said, waving one hand dismissively while using the other to pull out a flask and pouring what was, from the smell of it, something with far too much alcohol for nine in the morning into the mug. “I always get like this the week before filming. It’ll be better once we start production.”

 

“If you say so,” Portalfig said slowly, not believing a word of it. “I can come for moral support, you know. I’d love to cameo.”

 

“If I can work you in organically I’ll let you know, but it’s pretty stuffed already,” Voltex said, sipping at his death in a cup while his gaze flickered wildly around the coffee shop. “Budget, you know. Have to re-use a lot of the same actors and characters in the alternate universe bits to save cash and whatnot. I hope the fans can keep track with six different Onakus running about.”

 

“…right. But I mean, I can just-”

 

Voltex held up a hand, cutting Portalfig off. “Listen, this is starting to feel a lot like my meetings with Ekimu and Makuta. And I have to say, I’m not really a fan. They kicked me out of the last one because I tried to bench press the table.”

 

Portalfig paused. “Didn’t you say that table was like, a hundred feet long?”

 

His friend shrugged. “I was very drunk.”

 

“Soooooo,” Portalfig drew the word out as he hunted for a new topic, before the baristas could throw them out. “Er, what are you filming first?”

 

-[Production: Day One]-

 

“Alright Campaign One, listen up!” Voltex shouted. “We’re filming your meeting with Maglya today. You all know what’s happening!”

 

“I have a question,” Burnmad asked, raising his hand. “Does Reisen have to drink the Essence of Annona in this scene? It’s just… it’s kinda horrifying. That Miserix did this to Annona. And that we’re literally drinking her.”

 

“At least Reisen never knew her,” RG mumbled, looking even more green than he should. “She was basically Lein’s mom.”

 

“And Sahmad’s,” Sahmad said, shuddering and turning away to retch. “Ugh, oh god, I thought about it. I’m gonna be sick.”

 

“No can do, Sahmad!” Voltex said cheerfully, smacking him in the back and sending him sprawling into Jakura. “Alright, you all ready to go?”

 

The group reluctantly nodded and stepped into their positions. Voltex returned to his director chair, and nodded to Unit, who was manning the cameras. “Ready? Set! Action!

 

To Be Continued?

  • Upvote 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

EPISODE THREE

“All Our Sins Remembered”

 

-[A Game of Hunters]-

  • Aboard the Lhikan, the group met with Ancient. Like the crew of Last Odyssey, Ancient recognized Lein, Rassilon, and Juke; but he also remembered Reisen.
  • Although unable to restore what he called the groups ‘true memories’ to them, Ancient directed them to a location where he believed they might manifest – another of the Cornerstones, the Labyrinth of Control. He also informed the group that the Labyrinth might hold what they were seeking; a shard of the Kanohi Nuva, Mask of Ultimate Power.
  • On the voyage to the Labyrinth, Rassilon filled Ancient in on the Essence of Annona. Although Juke claimed it was merely a name, it had more meaning to Ancient and the crew of the Lhikan, who were horrified to hear of what Miserix had done to the Titan Annona.
  • The group was also informed of who Miserix was, learning that he was the Scourge of Reality, a mighty dragon created to restore balance to the world by destroying it.
  • After sailing for two days, the group arrived at the Labyrinth. Joined by Anita, Keahi, and eleven other crew members from both ships, the group entered the Cornerstone….

 

-[A Clash of Brothers]-

  • Accompanied by Symphona, the group entered the Tomb of Ekimu. They found the halls beneath the tomb lit by a strange glowing white liquid in the walls; when asked, Symphona simply referred to it as the divine grace of the goddess of creation, Ma.
  • One by one, the group found themselves separated from the rest by the Cornerstone. Taktun and Pythia both found themselves lost alone in the halls, while Voxumo and Onaku found Ekimu and Jed Corruich respectively, while Pulse and Lucina remained with the Prophets.
  • Voxumo regained his true memories from Ekimu, learning of his own demise at the hands of Jed and the orders of Pulse. They were soon joined by Pulse, who had been ordered to flee from the hostile Prophets by Lucina; Pulse regained his memories too, causing tensions to rise up between the two Protectors.
  • Left behind to battle the Prophets, Lucina was found and assisted by Taktun, while Symphona found Pythia, and began trying to twist Pythia’s perceptions against the rest of the group.
  • Onaku and Jed ventured into the heart of the Cornerstone, and found a large pool of the glowing white liquid, which Jed referred to as a Heart of Ma; the closest the goddess could come to taking a physical form in the world, and one of many denoting islands in her favor. Jed then assisted Onaku in regaining his memories. Like both Voxumo and Pulse, recovering his true memories was a traumatizing experience.
  • Onaku learned of Miserix, and then took a dip in the Heart of Ma. Submerged under the surface, Onaku felt power and energy rushing through his veins, as his body regained its youth. Once it spit him back out, his skin burned from the divine energy – and he felt the all-too-familiar ache of immortality in his chest.
  • Jed prevented Onaku from self-harming to test his immortality, and they were soon joined by Taktun and Lucina. Pulse, Voxumo and Ekimu debated the merits of Okoto’s kings, before also joining them.
  • With Pulse, Voxumo and Jed all reunited for the first time since the War for the Throne, tensions were high – and Pythia was still missing….

 

-[A Storm of Blood]-

  • Anahera recovered Triki from the trap in the blacksmith’s shop, though to the surprise of her, Takua and Mashani, Triki was… different. The Jungle Protector seemed to flip between a gentlemanly personality and a raging, ultra-violent personality on a whim, perhaps broken on some level by whatever he’d be forced to experience while trapped.
  • After a brief interrogation, Kranan managed to convince RG of his good intentions, and RG revealed what the Vakama Ruins were protecting – a shard of the Kanohi Ignika, Mask of Life.
  • RG gave the shard to Kranan, warning him that it could not end the dream like the Kanohi Nuva… but that it could be useful if the Kanohi Nuva were to fall into the wrong hands. With the shard given away, RG banished them back to the rest of the group, though he did not accompany them.
  • Uncertain how much to share with the rest of the group – and not entirely certain what the shard could do – Kranan fumbled his first interaction with Anahera, arousing the Water Protector’s suspicions.
  • With some difficulty, the group came together and agreed to move onto Burned Harbor. After some discussion, they decided to travel there by attempting to go through the outskirts of the Ancient City.

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • After speaking with the Guardian of the Cornerstone, the dead and dying dragon Axalara, several members of the group regained their memories. Ehks, Voltex, and Toru all regained their entire lives, while Virndrung remembered enough to be cognizant of the potential threat that Toru now posed to the group.
  • Elsewhere in Fort Patrus, a Stone Protector by the name of Tabek Umrik awoke. Having been en route to Valmai with several friends, he was drawn into the Cornerstone, and his friends lost their lives. Attracted by Axalara’s whispers in his mind, he began sneaking over to the group.
  • Still half-broken from losing his friends, Tabek found the group in chaos. He recognized Voltex, knocked unconscious from regaining over 1000 years of memory in an instant, and found Ehks and Toru both broken on some level by learning the truth of their pasts.
  • The group began to descend into chaos and infighting as Virndrung went after Toru, until Axalara intervened.
  • Axalara informed Ehks that she could speak with the Ice Protector through her spear, and then gifted the party with the legendary Kanohi Vahi, Mask of Time, which Ehks claimed. She then left the group with an ominous warning about a world of Shattered Glass.
  • The entire group knew where to head next. Ehks, Voltex, and Toru had a history with Kulta… and they knew where to find her. The time had come for them to travel to the Isle of the Dead.

 

-[A Dance with Time]-

  • With Luci still trapped, the group followed Trijhak the Mad to her. He led them to a large room full of coffins, and the two Skull Warriors with him attacked the group.
  • Efandril scuffled with Trijhak personally before freeing Luci, while Feli and the guards managed to slay both Skull Warriors.
  • With Luci freed, Efandril tried to kill Trijhak, but was tossed aside. When the Mad King tried to retaliate, he was slain by Luci.
  • As Trijhak and the Skull Warrior died, the entire Cornerstone shuddered around them as something intangible cascaded around the group. Efandril claimed the Ignika Shard that Trijhak had been wearing, and felt a small rush of power from it.
  • With the compulsion pulling them into the Cornerstone now gone, the group moved to return to the surface, only to be distracted trying to free the remaining prisoners. Unfortunately, they were all far too insane to be of any use to them.
  • Something approached.
  • By the time the group realized what was happening, it was already too late; they were in the grasp of a Nightmare.
  • Alien tendrils poked their way into the groups’ minds, poking and prodding. The air around them turned stifling, and when they attempted to flee, it was like swimming through mud. The hall of cells slowly transformed into a hellish tunnel of skin and blood and bone.
  • Shadows in the corner of their vision coalesced into a grotesque, writhing form; one that nobody in the group could bear to look at. The air began to roar dully, and the tunnel began to pulse. Feli managed to learn that the Nightmare couldn’t stand heat, but was unable to produce a flame to fully chase it off.
  • Efandril tried to use the Ignika Shard, but doing so only attracted the Nightmare’s attention, drawing it to the shard and the group, its anticipation filling the air… the anticipation of a new meal.

 

-[The Watchers of Winter]-

  • The group remained trapped in the Dark Mirror.
  • Working during Day 2, Isniel and TL were watched over by Lester as they worked the farm alongside Chloe, Tarduk, and others. TL foolishly focused his attention on Lester and even tried to engage with the Fire Protector, threatening to blow Lester’s cover.
  • TL and Isniel were then taken to one of the cages, and locked inside to fight each other by the guards. While they at first tried to pretend, the guards did not buy it, and the two were forced into an actual brawl for fear of facing even worse consequences if they did not.
  • Suffering a dislocated shoulder, Isniel was forced to take drastic measures when TL once again drew the suspicions of the guards toward Lester. Using a knife tossed in by the guards, Isniel stabbed TL in the shoulder, and began beating him bloody with his fists.
  • The two were saved a few moments later by the return of Onaku, who was furious with the guards for setting the two up in a cage match, worried that the damage the two had done to each other would give the farm a poor reputation for their service to visitors.
  • While Isniel was sent back to the food rows, Lester took TL to one of the doctors; thankfully, it seemed that being stabbed had finally taught TL to keep his mouth shut.
  • The night before, the other three had been abandoned in the office of Khan Sisyphus. Working together, Nato and Rilgivi managed to break the window, and the three used the cage holding Kazi to climb up to the roof.
  • After pulling Kazi up and freeing him, the half-starved and half-frozen Ice Protector began guiding them to his safehouse. Along the way, they learned that Ehksidian Glacies was the commander of the city guard, and that she was organizing the entire force to search for them.
  • They didn’t reach the safehouse until midnight. With Kazi having to be half-carried, they found themselves welcomed to the home of Elittra Ember. She gave them a quick tour, and admitted to killing the Dark Mirror’s version of Krosht. Elittra then left to go hunt down her contact, and fill them in.
  • Upvote 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

EPISODE FOUR

“From Shadows We Fall”

 

-[A Game of Hunters]-

  • The group entered the Labyrinth of Control, alongside Keahi, Anita, and several crew members from the Lhikan and Last Odyssey – only for everyone to be scattered immediately by the magic of the Cornerstone.
  • After wandering on their own through the Labyrinth, each group member found something. Lein found the Cornerstone’s Guardian, Kirbraz, who offered to give Lein her memories back. Lein, for some inane reason thinking that regaining her memories would be a bad thing, refused.
  • Rassilon reunited with Reisen, while Reisen reunited with Rassilon. Only, the two seemed to be having two different conversations….
  • Jakura found his long-dead brother Sil, alive and well. After a conversation that was at times more confusing than informative, Jakura decided that Sil must be from a different reality, one where Jakura had died and Sil had survived.
  • Juke found a massive serpent, and the corpses of Keahi, Anita, Lein, and crew members from both ships.
  • Lein and Kirbraz were interrupted by the arrival of a bloodied Juke, who carried with him a shard of the Kanohi Nuva.
  • Rassilon and Reisen were found by Sahmad, who spoke of Keahi being given the shard and regaining his memories. He was thrown off by Reisen, and the situation rapidly became hostile, until Sahmad forcefully teleported himself and Rassilon away; regaining his memories had returned to him his life as a Mask Maker.
  • Reisen and Rassilon were found by Sahmad, who treated Reisen with hostility. He and Rassilon then turned on Reisen before disappearing…
  • …only to seemingly reappear before him. Enraged by their apparent betrayal, Reisen killed Rassilon – only to realize that the Rassilon and Sahmad who had appeared were the same two he had been traveling with all along. In mourning now for their fallen friend, the two reunited with Keahi and Anita; Keahi tried to give the shard of the Kanohi Nuva to Reisen, but was unable to release it.
  • The entire group finally reunited in the center of the Labyrinth, but things became even more complicated than before as Jakura, Lein, Reisen, Sahmad, Juke, Keahi, Sil, Reisen, Sahmad, Rassilon, Juke, and Anita all stood off against each other.

 

-[A Clash of Brothers]-

  • Everyone except for Pythia and Symphona had found each other at the Heart of Ma, a pool of the goddess’ divine essence. They were joined by Jed Corruich and the Cornerstone’s Guardian, Ekimu.
  • Although tensions were high with Voxumo, Pulse and Onaku having regained their memories, the group was wise enough to push forward. Ekimu offered up the shard of the Kanohi Ignika that he was protecting, and Voxumo accepted the burden. They began planning to escape…
  • …only for Ekimu to be murdered by the Protector in Black, who was joined by several Prophets as Symphona returned with Pythia as her hostage. The Prophets soon killed Lucina and took all accept for Voxumo hostage.
  • The Protector in Black asked for an Accord; in exchange for the Ignika Shard, he would allow the group to walk free. After his attempts to avoid it failed, Voxumo accepted the Accord and handed the shard over.
  • The Protector in Black and the Prophets allowed the group to leave the Cornerstone, and they returned to the surface unchallenged. Once there, Onaku decided to abandon the group, and was last seen headed for the harbor.
  • The rest, at Voxumo’s urging, decided to seek out Agua Hielo’s criminal underbelly, with the hope that the criminals would be more likely to assist them against the Prophets.

 

-[A Storm of Blood]-

  • The group decided to make their way to Burned Harbor by travelling around the outskirts of the Ancient City. While perhaps a smarter idea than attempting to pass through Fort Madacus, it unfortunately ended with the group being pulled into the Cornerstone.
  • Okoto’s reality continues to crumble, and with the various legendary masks now leaving the Cornerstone, the walls between worlds are thinner than ever. As they entered the Ancient City, the group found themselves in one such world – the world of Scattered Crystals.
  • They found the Ancient City full of celebrating Protectors. They were met by this world’s version of Sil Aodh, who took them to a bar owned by his friend Vultraz. There he told them of the Second Long Night, a two year period in which Okoto – under the banner of King Pulse Vatten – fought against the Army of the Dead and emerged victorious.
  • Although Triki did his best to sow dissent (whether intentionally or not was unclear) and Burnmad was curious about the fate of Aodhiim in this world, the group was interrupted by screams, as a mysterious nightmare known as Irnakk arrived and began consuming victims. With Sil and Vultraz alongside, the group prepared to try and flee.

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • Despite knowing that travelling to Valmai would be the fastest route to the Isle of the Dead, their next destination and where they knew that Kulta would be found, the group instead…
  • …went in the opposite direction, deciding once again (against all advice of Pouks, the member of their party with the most experience in Kamuk) to try traveling through Kamuk.
  • After travelling through Kamuk, they approached a canyon, where they were cornered by a group of pirates led by Tronameg. The group agreed to join Tronameg’s crew and help him to steal back his ship from Makuta City, hoping that the pirate would then sail with them to the Isle of the Dead….

 

-[A Dance with Time]-

  • Thanks to more than a bit of luck, the group managed to escape the grasp of the nightmare Irnakk, and fled from the Ancient City with their shard in tow.
  • They travelled into Karamu, stopping at the White Wolf Pub in Briar Patch for a quick rest. Here, Efandril managed to convince the rest of the group to stick with her until Hinterhall.
  • Arriving at Hinterhall, they found a massive Dragon frozen alongside the rest of the city, towering over the Temple of Time. Its eyes seemed to follow the group from afar.
  • Lurrun was slain by an arrow trap as they made their way through the city, and Tijekti was seriously wounded, but the rest managed to escape injury. Taking care to avoid the various other traps in their path, the group came to the Purple Oasis, and saw movement inside.
  • Spotted at the open door, they were welcomed in by two Jungle Protectors….

 

-[The Watchers of Winter]-

  • At the home of Elittra, Nato and Kazi argued over the plan to get home. Kazi ended up retreating from the room, refusing to speak with Nato further. Rilgivi and Krosht were forced to try and turn Nato’s opinion around and convince him to join up with the Rebellion that Kazi had spoken of, as it would be their best chance at getting home.
  • Back at the farm, Isniel and TL survived another day of work. That night, Lester snuck them out into the city to meet with the Kingslayer, Jed Corruich. Jed told them of the Rebellion and of the plan to strike by the end of the week. The two agreed to help, and in return, Jed promised to help them find the shard hidden in a vault beneath the city, so that they could return home.
  • Finally convinced, Nato spoke again with Kazi. Although the two couldn’t come to terms, they did agree to work together for the time being.
  • Upon Elittra’s return, she took the four Ice Protectors to meet her King and Queen. She led them to the basement of a tavern, where they found Voxumo Ash and Efandril waiting for them – as well as several other familiar faces, some more surprising than others.
  • The meeting started off somewhat poorly, however, as the group learned that Nato’s attempts to kill Sisyphus Glacies had apparently backfired – the Khan had a secret alliance with the Rebellion, and in the aftermath of Nato’s attack, had backed out.
  • Upvote 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

GB3r26U.jpg

EPISODE FIVE

“Those Who Wander”

 

-[A Game of Hunters]-

  • The remainder of the group following the death of Rassilon found themselves in a standoff with their counterparts from another world, who were led by Sil.
  • In the battle that followed, Sil killed Keahi – but Juke managed to recover the Shard. Sil and the rest of the doppelgangers were slain, except for their own Juke, who managed to flee.
  • Defeated even in victory, the group exited the Labyrinth. Juke could feel the Shard he now carried pulling him toward Hinterhall. Sahmad, however, insisted on travelling further north to Grave’s Peak, intending to find Nato Greavesey and pay for the crimes he had committed against the North. Jakura decided to join him.
  • After boarding the Lhikan, the group sailed to Karamu. Once there, Sahmad and Jakura split from the rest of the group and travelled north.
  • Juke, Lein, and Reisen entered Hinterhall and discovered the frozen Dragon towering over the city. They made their way toward the Temple of Time, and encountered the Cornerstone’s Guardian, Umarak, along the way.
  • Sahmad and Jakura made it to Nokama’s Landing where they were joined by the merchant Anna. Together the three continued to Grave’s Peak, where a blizzard had begun. Outside the city, they found Kranan, and soon after Isniel, Krosht, and Teridax also arrived. Kranan held a Shard of the Ignika.

 

-[A Clash of Brothers]-

  • With Onaku having abandoned them, Lucina dead, and a Shard of the Ignika lost to the Protector in Black, the group headed to Nokama’s Landing with Anna, who told them of a contact within the criminal underworld.
  • There she introduced them to Gaius, who in turn put them in contact with Tharja, a Prophet of Ata. With the combined efforts of Gaius and Tharja, they were able to make it to Makuta City. They arrived in the dark of night, but the city was alive; the harbor was burning, and the city guard was active through the city.
  • The group snuck to the Temple of Ata, which stood over the Cornerstone. There they joined another group: Ehks, Virndrung, Toru/Urot, Alix, Tabek, Pouks and Voltex.
  • Voltex led everyone through the Temple of Ata to Makuta’s workshop, and from there, down to the Cornerstone – the Chasm of the Gods, where Voxumo’s group found a Heart of Ata waiting for them… as well as…
  • …the Protector in Black, who had used the Shard he stole to kill Makuta and claim a Shard of the Nuva. The Protector in Black was revealed to be Miserix as he returned the Ignika Shard to Voxumo.
  • In the moments that followed, both groups learned that Miserix was responsible for Okoto’s current condition, locked into the Dream… and then the battle began.
  • Miserix and the undead Makuta – powered by Dark Energy from the Heart of Ata – battled both groups. Both Ehks and Voxumo found themselves knocked into the Heart, though they managed to destroy Makuta and emerge mostly safe; Ehks thanks to Axalara sacrificing herself, and Voxumo thanks to the Ignika Shard.
  • Miserix knocked Urot unconscious and wounded Voltex enough to remove him from the fight before killing Pouks – but working together Pythia, Voxumo, Virndrung, Alix and Ehks were able to slay him; with Ehks, Alix and Voxumo landing the final blows.
  • Pythia immediately claimed the Nuva Shard, only to be attacked by Voxumo for it; she ended up diving into the Heart herself, committing suicide, only to emerge a moment later as Makuta had, undead and powered by Dark Energy. The others managed to slay her a final time, and Voxumo finally claimed a second Shard.
  • With no Guardian replacing Makuta, the Cornerstone became unstable, and they were all forced to flee. Up above they split up; Voxumo, Pulse and Tabek following the pull of Voxumo’s Shard to Hinterhall, while the rest journeyed to the Isle of the Dead.
  • Voxumo’s group found Zatth as they escaped Makuta City, and he joined them in their travels. They made their way through Stoneworth and then the Ancient City, where they encountered a different reality in which Pulse and Voxumo ruled together.
  • Reality was continuing to crumble, with different worlds colliding; they left the bright mirror behind, and arrived in Karamu.

 

-[A Storm of Blood]-

  • Alongside Sil and Vultraz, the group managed to escape Irnakk, and as they entered Agua Hielo, they left the world of Scattered Crystals behind.
  • In Burned Harbor, Anahera found herself haunted and taunted by whispers of her true memories. She and Kranan were split from the rest of the group; Anahera found herself in the docks, while Kranan met Mutran himself.
  • While Anahera spoke with Zaktan, Hakann and Avak, and Kranan spoke with Mutran, the rest of the group encountered Gavla Lurrun. Gavla warned them about Mutran and about Anahera before departing.
  • In the harbor, the three Piraka judged Anahera for crimes of a life she could not remember.
  • Mutran then split himself, appearing to Anahera and the rest of the group while continuing to speak with Kranan. He returned Kranan’s memories to him, and used Shadow Leeches to turn him from a Protector of Ice into a Protector of Shadow – and then sent him north to Grave’s Peak, to join Isniel and Teridax in their quest to the Citadel.
  • With Kranan gone, Mutran returned Anahera’s, Takua’s, and Mashani’s true memories to them, and teleported all of them onto the ship with himself and the Piraka. He offered the Shard of the Nuva under his guard to them….

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • After being captured by Tronameg and his pirates, the group reluctantly agreed to help them steal their ship back from Makuta City. Unfortunately, they alerted the city guard upon entry, and at the harbor, found Tronameg’s ship burning.
  • The pirates commandeered a different ship and betrayed the group, leaving them behind as they burned the harbor and the rest of the ships in their wake.
  • Hunted by the city guard, the group fled toward the Temple of Ata, hoping to lose the city guard by entering the Cornerstone. There they ran into Voxumo’s group – Voxumo, Pulse, Taktun, and Pythia.
  • The two groups entered into the Temple and then the Chasm of the Gods, where they fought a slew both the undead Makuta and Miserix, though Axalara sacrificed herself during the battle to save Ehks, and Pouks was killed by Miserix. Pythia also died trying to claim the Nuva Shard for herself, and after her death, Voxumo claimed it instead.
  • As the Cornerstone began to collapse, the two groups split; while Voxumo’s group (now consisting of just himself, Pulse and Tabek) headed for Hinterhall, Ehks’s group (now consisting of her, Toru/Urot, Virndrung, Alix, Taktun, and Voltex) decided to head for Aodhiim at last, and make their way to the Isle of the Dead.
  • They travelled through Kamuk, stumbling in and out of different worlds as reality continued to crumble around them. In the Ancient City they encountered a world three years behind them and very similar to their own, before returning to their own reality as they arrived in Aodhiim….

 

-[A Dance with Time]-

  • While Tijekti remained behind in the Purple Oasis with Tekulo and Nidhiki, the rest continued to explore the city. They made it all the way to the Temple of Time before being caught by the Hunter, where Photok died trying to escape.
  • The Hunter took the Ignika Shard from Efandril, and spoke with her and Luci at length. In the process, both Luci and Efandril regained their true memories, putting them further at odds… and yet at the same time, uniting them further against the Hunter.
  • While the Hunter was distracted, Feli escaped her cage and claimed the Ignika Shard for herself; in the process, Kollorak was able to make himself visible to her and Luci, using the Shard and the latent magic within the Cornerstone. Feli then fired an arrow into the back of the Hunter’s neck, knocking him out long enough for the group to enter the Temple of Time. Feli, too, recovered her true memories.
  • At first, the group travelled to the top of the Temple, encountering the Beacon; a beam of energy shooting up into the sky. Finding nothing else of import, however, they travelled into the Temple’s depths. They ignored the Temple’s controls, however – both not wanting to risk freeing the Dragon, Thornatus, frozen above and intent on finding the Shard.
  • And find it they did. They entered a system of natural tunnels directly beneath the Temple, and deep within, they found a gray pool with the Nuva Shard at its center – a Heart of Rollor.
  • After a warning from Kollorak about how the pool might perceive balance, Efandril stepped in, and vanished beneath its surface – and Kollorak vanished with her.
  • The two found themselves in an empty gray landscape, with no shading and no depth at all to be found; nothing to separate the ground they stood on from the sky above, or from any walls that might contain them. Kollorak was restored to his true form here; a massive dragon with shimmering blue scales. Their judgement awaited.

 

-[The Watchers of Winter]-

  • After meeting with the leaders of the Rebellion, Nato, Rilgivi, Krosht and Kazi split off with different Rebellion members to wait until the end of the week. Isniel, TL and Teridax continued their work at the farm.
  • When the end of the week arrived – and the other Leaders, Burnmad and Terrorsaur, with it – the Rebellion gathered in all of its might. TL, Isniel and Teridax reunited with Rilgivi and Krosht. They found the Rebellion full of familiar faces; Voxumo, Efandril, Jed, Teridax, Umarak, Sahmad, Ekimu, Anahera, Elittra, Lester, Chloe, and more.
  • Nato, however, had betrayed the Rebellion, seeking out Terrorsaur. There he learned of Voltex’s fate within the Dark Mirror – the Mask Maker had been fused with Kulta in a series of horrifying procedures and enslaved by the Leaders. Proving just how similar he was to his Dark Mirror counterpart, Nato had no issues with this.
  • During the battle, Terrorsaur gave Nato the tool necessary to open the Vault; Nato made his way down below, killing both Onaku and Sisyphus before…
  • …the others finally arrived, having destroyed most of Voltex’s Converted and carving out enough of the Leader’s forces that the Rebellion could potentially emerge victorious.
  • TL opened the Vault and claimed the Nuva Shard within, opening a portal to a gray landscape with a giant wall. Everyone stepped through, despite attempts to attack Nato.
  • At the wall, they encountered the Dark Mirror’s Watcher, who lectured the group and Nato about history, and their inability to work together. He then sent them back to their universe, but split them up: while Isniel, Krosht and Teridax landed outside Grave’s Peak and found Kranan, Jakura, Sahmad, and Anna waiting for them, Rilgivi, TL and Nato ended up in Briar Patch.
  • Nato attacked TL and did permanent damage to TL’s right shoulder, preventing the Jungle Protector from using that arm – but Rilgivi in turn stabbed her sword through Nato’s left knee…
  • Outside Grave’s Peak, a blizzard raged. The newly assembled group introduced themselves, and Teridax pushed for all of them to journey to the Citadel in Rollor’s Reach, guessing that another Shard would be found there.
Edited by Lucina
  • Upvote 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, the time has finally come. Nato the Traveler has breathed his last. It's a shame, I really thought I might be able to do what no one else had and keep a character alive through all four seasons, but all good things must come to an end. 

 

On the subject of endings, however, before the prologue was even posted, I'd already written up a post detailing what Nato would have done if he'd gotten his hands on the Mask of Ultimate Power in the end. I've tweaked it a little since then to better tie it together with his experiences over the course of this season, but the broad strokes remained unchanged.

 

So, for anyone who may be interested, here is what would've come to pass had Nato won the day.

 

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Nato held the Mask aloft, his fingertips stinging from the raw power coursing through the newly-reformed artefact. He stared into the Mask’s empty eyes, seeing within them all the possibilities and potential promised by the power the mask held. The power to rewrite reality, reverse the travesties of the past, reshape the future, remake history in his own image, and redeem his past failures. 
 
With this, he could finally free Okoto from the shackles of the gods’ influence, or become a god himself. He could rid the world of magic’s corruptive caress forever, or seize all of that power for himself. He could annihilate his enemies, bend them to his will, or erase them from existence entirely. 
 
As he donned the mask, Nato found himself torn by indecision. The two men he’d once been, their lives so filled with different sights and experiences, had contradictory intentions for what to do with the mask. The Nato of old Okoto, who’d lived for so many years longer, who’d walked the dark paths of the past, seen so many more lives lost or destroyed by the ravages of magic and the indifference of the gods, wanted to destroy the mask and the power it held, leaving Okoto as a land barren of magic, its people finally able to decide their own fates and futures, forever free of the manipulations of the ancient beings of old.  
 
The Nato of the dream world, however – who’d lived his life without the blessed blood of a Mask Maker coursing through his veins, who’d travelled between worlds instead of through time, who’d earned his place in the world through his own strengths and skills alone – he looked back at the memories of his other self, and saw Nato the Traveler for the hypocrite he was. He’d preached to all that would listen that magic was a corruptive, dangerous thing, yet he’d used it himself many times. The lives he’d saved, the victories he’d secured, none of them would’ve been possible without the aid of the magic he claimed to loathe so much. 
 
And thus, Nato understood the truth that his past self had refused to acknowledge. Magic wasn’t evil. It wasn’t the enemy. It was exactly what the Sisyphus of the mirror world had proclaimed it to be: a weapon to be wielded, a tool to be used, only as dangerous as the whims of whoever held it. The problems had always stemmed from those who exploited and abused that magic – the self-superior Mask Makers and their empowered descendants, the narrow-minded Titans, the weak-willed fools who’d allowed their souls to be consumed by the power they wielded, and all of the other apathetic entities who’d stood by and done nothing to prevent the disasters that unfolded due to the actions of their counterparts. 
 
The obvious solution was to do as the older Nato willed, to remove magic from the reach of any who could use or abuse its power… but the Nato of now hesitated. This was his second chance, an opportunity to be history in the making, as Axalara had promised. He needed to learn from the mistakes of his past, not simply embrace the whims of a scared, paranoid old man who’d failed time and time again to properly save Okoto. There was another way forward, another way to usher forth a new age for the island. 
 
And so, the Mask upon Nato’s face began to glow with energy, and the island around him was swept up in a maelstrom of change. All across the regions of Ice, Water, Jungle, Stone, and Fire, ruins reformed into stable cities, natural resources blossomed into abundance, and all those who had been slain over the course of the Great War – from the moment Baranus had first arrived on Okoto’s shores to the instant Nato had donned the Nuva – were restored to life. The once-powerful Titans, Toa, Mask Makers and other beings of magic – even the wyverns whose destiny had driven them to destroy the world – would find themselves similarly restored, awakening in the bodies of ordinary Protectors, unrecognisable as the beings they’d once been, given a blank slate that they could use to bring meaning to their lives through more humble means. 
 
However, they wouldn’t find themselves entirely powerless. Nor, indeed, would anyone on Okoto, ever again. As the waves of magic abated, (depositing Nato in his favourite chair in his office in the central spire of the citadel of Rollor’s Reach), the Mask of Ultimate Power dissolved into motes of illusory light, its formidable power dispelled into every living Protector on Okoto, imbuing their species with a miniscule fraction of its power. Not enough to remake reality or annihilate armies, but a small amount of elemental energy, that each individual could choose to use to craft objects of beauty or perform acts of brutality, to foster creation or wreak chaos, to enrich or ruin their lives – and those of others – as they saw fit. 
 
Magic was a tool, but it was no longer one that could only be wielded by ancient beings or a lucky few. No longer was it a mark of privilege or power. No longer was it something to be revered or reviled, fought over or feared from afar. Now it was in the hands of everyone. It was mundane. Ordinary. Everyone was equal. 
 
It wasn’t a perfect world. There would still be greedy people, and cruel people, and uncaring people, but in the same vein, there would still be kind people, hopeful people, and heroic people. In time, he knew, there would be atrocities and conflicts, but for now, the things that people had once fought over – water, food, resources, and magic – were distributed evenly across the island, enough for everyone… until they were inevitably squandered or destroyed by the greed or folly of the people who owned them. For now, however, things could be peaceful. For now, the regions of Okoto were stable. For now, everyone was equal.
 
Perfectly balanced.
 
As all things should be. 
  • Upvote 8

Embers - a new Bionicle Epic - Coming 2024 

Class Is Out - A Farewell To Corpus Rahkshi - Chapters/Review

BZPRPG Characters - Minnorak, Kain, T'harrak, Savis, Vazaria, Lash

BZPRPG Mercenary Group - The Outsiders - Description - History - Base

Ghosts Of Bara Magna - Ash Tribe - Precipere - Kehla, Somok, Skrall, Gayle, Avinus, Zha'ar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GB3r26U.jpg

EPISODE SIX

“Ashes”

 

-[A Game of Hunters]-

  • Having arrived in Hinterhall, the group encountered the Titan Umarak.
  • Umarak restored Reisen’s true memories to him, and warned them about Efandril and her companions, who had already descended beneath the Temple of Time.
  • The group agreed to try and stop the others from claiming the Shard beneath the Temple and descended below….

 

-[A Clash of Brothers]-

  • The group arrived at Briar Patch, where Voxumo used his Ignika Shard, sensing several living Protectors in the city.
  • They ran through the city to the White Wolf Pub, where they found Kazi still unconscious outside. Inside the inn, they found the dead body of Nato, with TL (wearing a Nuva Shard) and Rilgivi locked in combat. TL by this point had lost an arm in the fight, and was not long for the world.
  • Rilgivi managed to slash her sword through TL’s chest, but lost her arm to a blast of Dark Energy. While she was down, Voxumo tried to use his own Nuva Shard against TL, but found himself evenly matched…
  • …until Rilgivi impaled TL on her sword from behind, killing him, and claimed the Jungle Protector’s Shard for herself.
  • While Voxumo and Rilgivi duelled for the Shard, Pulse left the pub and started reviving Kazi. The two were joined by Zatth, and the three watched as the pub collapsed as Rilgivi caved the roof in.
  • Attempting to free herself from the rubble, Rilgivi used her Shard to blast the rubble in all directions; freeing herself, but also removing half of Tabek’s arm and killing Zatth.
  • Voxumo wasted no time in freeing himself. While Pulse tended to Tabek and Kazi, he slew Rilgivi, and claimed a second Nuva Shard for himself.
  • Voxumo healed Tabek as best he could before giving Pulse his Ignika Shard, knowing that it would not continue to obey his commands now that he had gathered another Nuva Shard.

 

-[A Storm of Blood]-

  • With Kranan missing, the remaining members of the group were gathered on the deck of the ship and confronted by Mutran.
  • Burnmad tried to lay claim to the Shard, but Mutran refused, admitting to a temptation to give it to Anahera instead, in the hopes that someone else would kill her to gain the Shard.
  • Unseen by the others, Takua fled the instant it became clear that Anahera was likely to get the Shard.
  • Anahera was given the Shard, though not without Burnmad trying to stop her. After lecturing Mashani on her refusal to get involved – and trying to lecture Triki, to little success – she appeared to forgive them.
  • Mutran offered to teleport the group to their next destination – Hinterhall – but the group ultimately refused, preferring to travel there themselves to avoid being transported into the middle of a situation that might get them killed.

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • The group had arrived in Aodhiim at last. They decided to head further south to Silodas, the nation’s capital, to try and find a ship that might take them to the Isle of the Dead.
  • In Silodas, they were led to the palace hall and greeted by Korgot Coal, leading in the absence of the Imperator. There Korgot showed them the bloodied and imprisoned Mopitus Mirep, Tronameg’s first mate; the pirates had sailed to Aodhiim and beaten them there.
  • After hearing that a Protector named Elittra had been waiting for them, the group was led to her domain – Koro Prison. It was a veritable fortress, with too many guards, checkpoints, and winding paths to count.
  • Deep within the prison, they entered Elittra’s office – a large chamber lined with cells full of prisoners, with a desk in its center here Elittra sat. She introduced herself, focusing on Ehks to an uncomfortable degree, and then led them deeper into the prison…
  • …and first stopping by a cell containing Piruk Lasang. He and Ehks reacquainted themselves, with Piruk explaining how he found himself in Aodhiim, having never succumbed to the Dream, as if someone or something else had revived him.
  • Elittra then led them to Tronameg – or what was left of him, at any rate.
  • Here, the truth of her intentions was revealed. Urot made the mistake of calling her out on her insanity, and in return, was the first to be chained – followed by Voltex, Virndrung, Taktun, and then Alix. They were prisoners of Aodhiim… or were they just prisoners of Elittra?

 

-[A Dance with Time]-

  • Efandril, having descended into the Heart of Rollor, witnessed visions of the thirteen Dragons and her own life, as she and Kollorak were judged.
  • Luci and Feli both followed her in, and witnessed visions of their own, as they were judged as well.
  • Luci was judged unworthy, and sent back to the shore – but the other two proceeded. While Efandril was judged unworthy on her own, Feli was given a choice; to either claim the Shard for herself, or to align with Efandril, and allow the Imperator to take it. Feli chose the latter, assisting Efandril out of the pool.
  • Efandril claimed the Shard, and as she did so, the cavern above them trembled. At the same time, another group of Protectors – Juke (with his own Shard), Reisen, and Lein – arrived.
  • The two groups introduced themselves once Efandril and Feli returned to shore, but above them, the cavern roof began to glow orange, melting into molten rock. The air around them began to heat. Tensions were high, but Efandril decided to delay a confrontation, instead moving to make her way back to the surface.
  • Up above, Tijekti opened the door to find Hinterhall in flames, and Thornatus now free. She tried to flee with Tekulo and Nidhiki in tow, but the Dragon cornered them, and all three burned.
  • Down below, Efandril used her Shard to erect cold shields of Dark Energy to deal with the heat, powering them with the life force of everyone with her – and herself. Luci, taking issue with this, attacked.
  • In the ensuing scuffle, Lein prevented Luci from killing Efandril, while Efandril’s final guard, Kellam, was forced to duel Reisen when the Protector of Water tried to strike as well. Efandril retaliated by striking Luci with Dark Energy, though Feli tried to hold her back.
  • Before the fight could become more deadly, the tunnel roof began to melt down onto the group. By mutual unspoken agreement, everyone halted hostilities and focused on fleeing back to the surface…
  • …where they found the city ablaze, much of it reduced to cinders, and Thornatus flying overhead. The Protectors of the city were scattered in terror; Juke nearly died trying to convince a few to flee.
  • Luci fled from the group back to the top of the Temple, but was unable to find something to control the beam with; she would have to return back below and risk drawing Efandril’s attention to access the technology within the Temple.
  • Down below, Efandril asked Kollorak about Thornatus, and was told of the Scourge of Fire’s destructive capabilities; the only way to defeat or destroy him would be to find a source of power just as strong as Thornatus.

 

-[The Watchers of Winter]-

  • Down in Briar Patch, before the arrival of Voxumo’s group, Nato was slain by TL and Rilgivi – but not before he managed to turn Rilgivi against TL, guaranteeing once more the Jungle Protector’s demise.
  • Up north, the ragtag team of Isniel, Krosht, Jakura, Kranan, Sahmad, Anna, and Teridax left Grave’s Peak behind, travelling to Rollor’s Reach.
  • They found the city abandoned. The Citadel was surrounded by magic, and when they entered the city, they found it full of magic as well. It sparked along buildings and streets, and even danced around each member of the group, as if curious.
  • The Citadel itself seemed to shift and sway, distorted. With no other options, the group entered, and found themselves in a gray landscape – one very familiar to Krosht, Isniel, and Teridax. But the Wall here was cracked and crumbling, in a tragic state of disrepair.
  • They were met by Metus and FF Crustallus, who led them into a settlement at the base of the Wall that fared little better than the Wall itself. There, the group found the Watcher awaiting their arrival.
  • Upvote 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

GB3r26U.jpg

EPISODE SEVEN

“The Monsters that Make Us”

 

-[A Storm of Blood]-

  • A day out from Hinterhall, the remaining members of the group – Anahera, Triki, Burnmad, and Mashani – make camp.
  • Feeling betrayed by the group’s reactions to her receiving the Nuva Shard from Mutran, Anahera set about preparing the famed tea of her family, House Abissm – a poisonous concoction that would kill all but the hardiest of individuals without an immediate antidote given.
  • Although Burnmad was suspicious of her, the others were not, allowing Anahera to set the trap with relative confidence and ease, having taken the antidote herself. She then handed out the cups.
  • Triki was foolish enough to drink his in a single gulp, and it did not take long for Mashani to finish hers; knowing he was caught in a trap, Burnmad sipped his more slowly, and did not finish.
  • Nothing is wrong, at first; and early in the morning, the group packs up camp and continues their journey…
  • …only for the symptoms to make themselves clear later that day. Both Triki and Mashani collapsed, convulsing, backs arched, with foaming lips and purple skin.
  • As the two died, Burnmad’s body fought against the poison. His muscles strained and he emptied his guts over and over again – but he survived.
  • Knowing he was too weak to challenge Anahera, Burnmad followed her to Hinterhall….

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • Prisoners of Elittra Ember, the group was separated. Alix was left in a communal area; Virndrung and Voltex were tossed into cells; Urot and Taktun were left to participate in Elittra’s next game; and Ehks was kept by Elittra’s side, to watch the game play out.
  • While Taktun, Urot, and Ehks tried to delay with Elittra, the others got to work. Virndrung met Jaller Aodh – the former commander of Fort Madacus – as well as Nikila Aodh, whom Voltex seemed to recognize. Alix, meanwhile, met the prisoners Vertak, Dreisen, and Mazeka.
  • After the introductions, Jaller told Virndrung and Voltex about another prisoner, Vultraz, who apparently had a plan in place to escape the prison.
  • Down in the communal area, Alix also learned about Vultraz. Alix also heard more details about the nearly insane plans that Vultraz had concocted and learned that Vultraz had recently been sentenced to solitary confinement.
  • Growing desperate, Ehks used the only tool that Elittra had left her – the Vahi. Its use killed the Toru personality within Urot, but was also enough to freeze Elittra within a single moment in time.
  • One of the guards moved to attack Ehks, only to be killed by their partner…
  • …who quickly revealed himself to be Vultraz, having escaped from solitary and infiltrated the guards of Koro Prison. Together, he and Ehks killed Elittra, and he led them toward the armory, to prepare for escape.
  • Down below, the prisoners were all gathered for their evening meal. Virndrung, Voltex and Alix were able to reunite. Not knowing if they could risk waiting for Ehks and the others, Alix and Virndrung started a riot within the dining hall.
  • Having raided the armory, Vultraz led the others toward the dining hall, knowing that they would need to arm the rest of the prisoners if they had any hope of escaping.
  • In the dining hall, despite getting in the first strike, the prisoners began to fall, overwhelmed by the guard’s superior armaments and positioning….

 

-[The Watchers of Winter]-

  • At the Wall Between Worlds, the group ascended the wall alongside the Watcher.
  • Up above, they witnessed that both sides of the Wall were in disrepair; with reality itself crumbling thanks to the work of Miserix, different worlds were colliding – and the Wall was breaking apart under the strain.
  • The Watcher and Teridax gave the group a history lesson, teaching them about Rollor’s thirteen Dragons, Ata’s thirteen Titans of Destruction… and Ma’s thirteen Titans of Creation, proving even Okoto’s oldest legends regarding the Titans to be incomplete at best.
  • The group witnessed the beginning of the Great War, with the death of the Dragon Kardas at the hands of Mutran, Sahmad and others, the Accord with Baranus, and then the attacks on Okoto by Axalara, Thornatus, Skopio, Baranus, and Kollorak. They also witnessed Miserix’s descent upon Okoto, and watched his Dream rewrite Okoto’s reality.
  • The Watcher revealed that just as Teridax led the Titans of Destruction, he led the Titans of Creation – but he was sentenced to serve on the Wall, and Teridax sentenced to eternity under Okoto, when they became as close as brothers.
  • The group was shown the death of Miserix at the hands of Voxumo, Pythia, Tabek, Virndrung, Pouks, Voltex, Taktun, Pulse, Alix, Urot, and Ehks.
  • They learned that the Dream could be destroyed and reality restored by re-forging the Kanohi Nuva, Mask of Ultimate Power… but also learned how the Shards and the completed Mask had corrupted the likes of Voxumo, Makuta, Pythia, TL, Pulse, Tekulo, Luroka, Portal, Nato, Rilgivi, Anahera, and Efandril throughout history.
  • They learned the Watcher’s name – Mata-Nui – before the Wall shuddered beneath them, breaking under the strain of another calamity striking Okoto.
  • Teridax and Mata-Nui remained behind to hold the Wall together long enough for reality to be restored, sending the group to the source of the latest calamity – Hinterhall

 

-[A Dream of Shadows]-

  • Voxumo, Pulse, Tabek, Kazi, Efandril, Luci, Feli, Juke, Reisen, Lein, Kellam, and Umarak had all gathered in Hinterhall, where the Dragon Thornatus once more flew free.
  • Luci managed to sneak back into the core of the Temple of Time, where – realizing that she couldn’t understand any of the instructions for the technology within – she started manipulating the controls at random.
  • Time broke apart.
  • Everyone in Hinterhall underwent a rapid, traumatic series of fatalities and modifications before returning to themselves, and Hinterhall suffered the same. A crater was left where the Temple of Time had stood, and above them, Thornatus was joined by the resurrected Axalara, and Kollorak regained his true form.
  • Shortly after this, the Watcher sent Kranan, Isniel, Jakura, Sahmad, Anna, and Krosht to Hinterhall. The group found themselves standing off against all the others, as Voxumo and Efandril pushed for everyone present to pick a side.
  • While Axalara and Umarak began to fight off Thornatus so that the Scourge of Fire could not burn everyone to a crisp, the Protectors down below began to pick their sides. Feli and Kellam sided with Efandril, while Pulse and Tabek supported Voxumo’s claim. The rest were paralyzed by indecision, torn between supporting Juke or supporting Voxumo.
  • Time continued to shift wildly as they fought; Hinterhall was returned to its former glory, only to shift to a burning jungle, then back to the past before Hinterhall had even been built – and then begin to burn again, thanks to Thornatus.
  • Efandril and Feli managed to repel attacks from Voxumo, Pulse, Luci and Tabek; Feli was able to claim the Ignika Shard that Pulse had worn. They were able to wound Luci, while Pulse and Tabek suffered grievous injuries from both Efandril and from the fires burning around them. Tabek sacrificed himself to try and buy Pulse time to escape.
  • Takua arrived in Hinterhall, with the intent of warning everyone about Anahera’s imminent arrival… but found himself distracted by the battle consuming the city.
  • Voxumo had a standoff with Kollorak, but managed to escape from the Dragon and continue hunting Efandril…
  • …only to be swept away by a tide of water, as Anahera announced her arrival, with the still weak Burnmad reluctant at her side.
  • Voxumo and Anahera both tried to use their shards to unleash devastating attacks on the other. Voxumo’s, unfortunately, failed – dealing only a minor wound to Anahera… but Anahera’s attack was even more successful than she had wished for.
  • Thanks to a ruptured artery, Voxumo collapsed, his thoughts fading away fast as he bled to death from an internal wound, suffering from a terrible stroke. He had just enough time to attempt one last maneuver with the power of the Shards he wore….
  • Upvote 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

GB3r26U.jpg

EPISODE EIGHT

“From a Spark, an Inferno”

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • The riot in Koro Prison continued to intensify as the prisoners were slowly but surely overtaken by the guards – until Ehks, Toru, and Taktun returned with Vultraz in tow. Arming the prisoners with stolen weapons, they were able to tip the scales.
  • As the alarm went up, the group followed Vultraz, fighting their way past several checkpoints to escape the prison. Many of the prisoners followed them, seeking the same escape… but at the final checkpoint, they found nothing…
  • …but dust.
  • Vultraz set off a cache of darkfire that he had hidden away, blowing a hole open to the outside world. The group broke through the final barriers and made their escape, sneaking back into Silodas to steal a ship.
  • Silodas was in chaos; with reality crumbling apart, the city was suffering a cataclysmic series of events. The ground was rupturing around them and buildings fell – and all around them, Protectors were turning to dust and crumbling in the wind. They saw this happen to Korgot, along with several of the other prisoners.
  • As the group sprinted the rest of the way, they witnessed buildings being decimated by the same force decimating Protectors – and in the harbor, many ships were suffering a similar fate. All except one: the Argo.
  • They scrambled aboard, and Voltex used his powers to force the Argo out to sea. As the group set sail for the Isle of the Dead, they all took a moment to rest, and prepare for what was still to come.
  • Kulta awaited them.

 

 

-[A Dream of Shadows]-

  • Dying, Voxumo attempted to keep both the Falcion and both of his Nuva Shards out of Anahera’s hands. While he failed to take the Falchion with him, in his last seconds, he did manage to teleport to Luci, leaving the Shards to her.
  • Anahera tried to claim the Falchion for herself, but was rejected by the sword – losing the use of one of her arms in the process.
  • Luci managed to beat Efandril to claiming both of Voxumo’s Shards.
  • With time and reality both collapsing, Rassilon and Rilgivi found themselves standing once more – a second chance to live.
  • Luci immediately tried to use her Shards to create darkfire for use against Efandril. The attack did not reach its target, and instead began to consume the jungle and everyone in it.
  • Takua fell to the darkfire, but not before trying to warn Efandril about Anahera.
  • Both Efandril and Luci tried to teleport to the location of other and failed. The cascading implosion of Dark Energy that followed rendered both unconscious, allowing them to manipulate the powers of Kollorak like Efandril had years before.
  • While Luci and Efandril fought, Feli and Kellam searched for Efandril. They were joined by Rilgivi, while Pulse and Anna went their own way, and found Anahera.
  • Efandril’s past experience made the difference. Using darkfire as her weapon, she burned Luci and claimed the Shards that had, only minutes before, belonged to Voxumo.
  • Feli, Rilgivi and Kellam arrived in the clearing as Luci’s corpse cooled – as did Juke, Rassilon, Isniel, Krosht, and Sahmad.
  • Elsewhere in the clearing with the Falchion, Reisen arrived alongside Lein, Jakura, and Kranan. The four of them joined up with Pulse, Anna and Burnmad, but wasted time arguing with Anahera over semantics.
  • Efandril, Feli and Kellam fought with Rilgivi, Isniel, Rassilon, Juke, and Krosht – and managed to defeat them. One by one their opponents fell; first Juke, then Krosht, then Rilgivi, then Isniel. Along the way, Efandril claimed the Shard that Juke wore, bringing her total to four.
  • Rassilon and Sahmad, the last ones standing, agreed to an Accord with Efandril. Rassilon handed the Ignika Shard he had taken from Krosht over to Feli, bringing her own total to three.
  • With the Accord in place, Feli healed Efandril and Sahmad; Efandril agreed to let Rassilon and Sahmad live, so long as they did not act against her own plans.
  • The Accord drew the attentions of Kollorak and Axalara – and Thornatus took advantage of their distraction, downing both of them once again.
  • Umarak was felled, and landed in the clearing with the Falchion – and was soon followed by Kazi, who had somehow wound up in the fight between the Dragons as well. While Anahera and the others debated how to help Umarak…
  • …Thornatus focused the entirety of his attentions on Efandril, Feli, Rassilon, Kellam, and Sahmad.
  • Upvote 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

GB3r26U.jpg

EPISODE NINE

“Sentinels of Darkened Skies”

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • Sailing on the Argo, the group arrived at the Isle of the Dead. There they found the resurrected Nato, Triki, Tabek, and TL waiting for them.
  • While Vultraz and the other prisoners remained aboard the Argo, the group joined with the resurrected Protectors.
  • The two groups filled each other in as much as they could, before setting off to meet Kulta… only to find themselves instead stepping into the world of Shattered Glass, where Kulta had risen and successfully defeated Okoto in a decades-long war that the remaining survivors had come to call the Long Farewell.
  • After being saved from some Undead by Vinheim, Valen and Irteza Shah, they were taken to the current home of the survivors, inside a mountain in the Barren. There among the faces of the survivors they found the likes of Jed, Tekulo, Velika, Efandril, and more.
  • From Efandril, they learned that the Nuva Shard they were seeking had indeed found its way into this world – much like the Shard from Grave’s Peak had slid into the Dark Mirror.
  • Tabek learned from Jed that the Shard was in the Ancient City, while Ehks learned from Velika that only someone from their universe could wield the Shard.
  • It was then that the Army of the Dead struck, led by the Skull Basher. Nato convinced Efandril to fully ally with them, promising the Shattered Glass survivors a new home back on their Okoto.
  • The attack was devastating; the newly revived TL was killed, many of the Shattered Glass survivors lost their lives: Kapura, RahiSpeak, Anahera, and Seqala all lost their lives, among others – and Velika sacrificed himself to blow up a cache of darkfire under the mountain, destroying many of the Dead… including the Skull Basher.
  • Separated from each other, the remaining survivors of both worlds began their trek to reunite at the Ancient City.

 

-[A Dream of Shadows]-

  • Anahera used her Nuva Shard to connect with Umarak and merge with him, reforming into an Abomination.
  • Efandril and Rassilon, having just made an Accord, now faced off with Thornatus alongside Feli, Kellam, and Sahmad.
  • Efandril used her Shards to cut off the Dragon’s wings, sending Thornatus plummeting to the Temple of Time.
  • Meanwhile, Reisen claimed the Falchion as he, Burnmad, Kranan, Jakura, Pulse, Anna and Kazi tried to fight the Abomination.
  • Feli tried to heal both Kollorak and Axalara, but was unable; luckily, Axalara was still in fighting condition, and agreed to work with them to kill Thornatus.
  • Working together, Efandril, Feli, Sahmad and Axalara used their powers to do just that; unfortunately, Kellam perished in the process.
  • The Abomination managed to absorb Anna, and nearly succeeded in driving Pulse to suicide before Kranan interrupted it. Using the distraction to their advantage, Burnmad and Reisen both struck – as did Pulse, with a vengeance. The three managed to strike the Abomination down.
  • The Shard that had belonged to Anahera toppled to the dirt, available to be claimed once more….
  • Upvote 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

GB3r26U.jpg

EPISODE TEN

“No Greater Good”

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • In the world of Shattered Glass, the group had been forced to split up with the world’s surviving natives, fleeing from Kulta’s forces toward the Ancient City.
  • Along the way, Ehks got to know the Efandril of Shattered Glass better, while Alix learned about his father from Bronze.
  • They managed to reunite at the Ancient City, where they learned of the deaths of Tabek and TL – as well as others from Shattered Glass.
  • Acting on intel from Jed and Velika, they started making their way to the Vaults, down in the Catacombs
  • …but it wasn’t long before the Dead found them again. They were surrounded outside of the entrance to the Catacombs, and one by one, the Shattered Glass survivors fell. By the time they made it to the Vault containing the Nuva Shard only Efandril, Jed, and Bronze remained.
  • The Kulta of Shattered Glass confronted them and attacked. She killed Bronze in seconds, and would have slain Jed, Nato, Alix, Taktun, and Ehks with little difficulty had Efandril not intervened. She freed them and stood against Kulta alongside Jed, buying the group just enough time to escape back to their world.
  • Nato claimed the Shard, opening the way back…
  • …to the Isle of the Dead, in front of the Temple of Histories. There they found many familiar faces; Isniel, Pouks, Vatten, and more. All of the dead. Toa Tahu led them into the Temple to meet Kulta.
  • Kulta questioned them about destiny, and revealed that when Ehks asked her to look to the Great War, it was the current events of the Dream that Kulta saw; with reality crumbling apart.
  • When asked, Kulta revealed the decisions Nato made in the Dark Mirror, shaking the trust that the others held for him. This also revealed the merged “Kultex” – an Abomination on par with what Anahera had so recently created.
  • She soon acquiesced to Nato’s demands to be shown Efandril’s path to the Shards. The journey that Efandril and Feli had taken was, for the most part, revealed to the group – centered around their acquisition of the five other Nuva Shards, and three pieces of the Ignika.
  • As the group decided what to do about Efandril, Kulta returned Taktun’s true memories to him, and revealed to Alix that his father was Quin Galum.
  • The group then exited the Temple, to await Efandril’s arrival.

 

-[A Dream of Shadows]-

  • Efandril and Feli stood off with Reisen, Kranan, Jakura, Burnmad, and Pulse. Sahmad and Rassilon soon returned, both reluctantly on Efandril’s side due to their Accord.
  • After a brief conversation, a scuffle occurred; Jakura and Burnmad were both downed, while Reisen joined Efandril at the bidding of Sahmad and Rassilon, who both hoped to avoid further death.
  • Efandril claimed the fifth Nuva Shard, and then used her powers to pull Kranan toward her, hoping to complete the Ignika…
  • …only for Feli to turn on her, believing that Efandril intended to kill Kranan.
  • The misunderstanding was soon cleared, and Feli accepted the final Ignika Shard, promising to stop Efandril if she went too far.
  • As the Ignika re-formed, the presence of Ma nearly drove Feli insane, while also rejuvenating all who were present.
  • Okoto began to crack apart around them; the world was beginning to die. Efandril, heeding the call to the Isle of the Dead, opened a portal of Dark Energy. Feli, Rassilon, Reisen, Burnmad, Kranan, Sahmad and Pulse all followed her through – but Jakura remained behind. Kazi, unseen, crumbled away.
  • On the Isle of the Dead, Efandril came face to face with Ehks, Nato, Toru, Alix, Virndrung, Triki, Taktun, and Voltex. She surprised them by opening with an attempt at negotiation.
  • Pulse entered the Temple of Histories to confront Kulta, but arrived just in time to witness Kulta crumble away.
  • Unseen in Hinterhall, the same happened to Kollorak…
  • …and everyone else watched as first Voltex, then Sahmad both faded as well.
  • Running out of time, Ehks and Nato gave in, conceding the final Shard to Efandril. As Rassilon, Burnmad, and Triki faded away, Efandril stabbed Nato and claimed the final Shard.
  • The Mask of Ultimate Power was finally repaired.
  • The world died.
  • Efandril, Feli, and Ehks found themselves in a throne room resembling the one in the Ancient City – but this one held three thrones. They stood before the gods; Rollor, Ma, and Ata.
  • The gods discussed the end of the world with them, and their plans to save it. Working with the gods, Feli saved her sister and Ehks brought the Protectors of Earth back from extinction, while Efandril earned immortality. But there was a cost to everything they did. Both Ehks and Feli were cursed to join Efandril in her immortality; certain regions of Okoto remained in ruins; and there were undoubtedly other costs that would be discovered in time.
  • The Ignika, Nuva, and Vahi were shattered once more, with their pieces scattered all over the world. If all three were once more reunited, the gods would speak to the Protectors once more, and their immortality would end.
  • The decision made, and the discussion finished, the gods bid the Protectors farewell, and departed.
  • The world began again.
  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

GB3r26U.jpg

EPISODE ELEVEN

“The Chosen Sparks”

 

-[A Game of Hunters]-

  • Juke, Reisen, Lein, Jakura and Sahmad found themselves back in the White Wolf Pub, in Briar Patch.
  • Sahmad and Reisen had re-gained their hand and leg respectively, and both had to adjust to it. Both also went straight for the alcohol; Reisen out of habit, and Sahmad out of a desire to forget.
  • Jakura, much like Sahmad, was lost in his regret.
  • Reisen tried to explain as much of what Efandril had done on the Isle as he could, but was unable to answer every question people had.
  • Sahmad quickly got too drunk to make proper sense of things, but Juke remained by his side regardless, convincing the Matoran to let Juke join him in his travels north.
  • Two months passed by.
  • Reisen had returned to Nokama’s Landing and re-discovered his life from before the Dream – a life he no longer felt any true connection to. He met Vultraz and Mazeka, who offered him a place on the Argo if he ever wished.
  • Juke and Sahmad traveled to Rollor’s Reach to meet with Nato. Sahmad apologized to Nato for his crimes before the Dream, and Nato in turn invited the two to share their experiences in the Great War with him. They accepted.

 

-[A Clash of Brothers]-

  • Voxumo, Pulse, Taktun, Tabek, and Anna found themselves in an inn halfway between Nokama’s Landing and Ignika.
  • The group briefly caught up with each other; though Anna was uncharacteristically silent, and Taktun seemed absorbed by despair.
  • Voxumo’s attention was caught by a Protector of Fire at the bar; he left the group to go speak with her.
  • The Protector introduced herself as part of a group seeking to destroy death – something that Voxumo found he could appreciate, having experienced it twice now (and knowing he could not expect to return from a third).
  • Slowly but surely, the Protector lured Voxumo in. He allowed it, finding that her own goals, for now, lined up with his quite well. He agreed to meet her in a more private location, and went to say his goodbyes.
  • Anna recognized the Protector of Fire, and was afraid of her – but Pulse, Tabek, and Taktun reluctantly agreed not to interfere. They loaned Voxumo a few weapons, and said goodbye to him.
  • With Voxumo gone, Anna explained that the Protector of Fire was called the Reaper; a member of a group known as the Iliad, who seek to destroy death. They had killed the entire crew of a ship Anna was traveling on, leaving Anna and her fellow companions to be stranded on Okoto before the Dream.
  • Voxumo met with the Reaper aboard the Empress – a ship from the nation of Ylisse, and the ship that Anna had been ousted from. The Reaper named herself as Narmoto, and Voxumo agreed to join the Iliad, to take control of their operations on Okoto. In turn, he took on a new title; the Spook.
  • Two months passed by.
  • Pulse, Tabek, Taktun and Anna traveled to Riverrage to meet with Jed. They discussed the possibility that Miserix might have been reborn, and where they all planned to go.
  • Voxumo had traveled to Kamuk, where he had begun his work for the Iliad. He had been joined by two of their associates; Kudrat and Hanaa. The Rahkshi Panrahk had also taken to him, and the pirate Tronameg had begun working for him as well.
  • Voxumo received a report from Hanaa on the various factions acting in Kamuk. It was a beautiful day.

 

-[A Storm of Blood]-

  • Burnmad, Nato, Isniel, Kranan, Triki, Kazi and Teridax found themselves outside of Rollor’s Reach, which had mostly returned to normal – though the Citadel remained corrupted.
  • The group all discussed their future plans; most planned to remain in Rollor’s Reach, accepting an offer from Nato. Nato himself planned to retire and become a historian.
  • Kazi bid them farewell, and ventured off, with the intent of exploring lands outside of Okoto.
  • Teridax told them of the Wall Between Worlds, and the careful maintenance it would need to prevent the Spirit Side from colliding with the Mortal Realm.
  • Two months passed by.
  • Burnmad, Jakura, Kranan, and Balta all met up in an inn on the outskirts of Rollor’s Reach. They discussed Efandril’s rise to power in Aodhiim.
  • Isniel and Triki visited the Wall Between Worlds with Teridax, where they also met Mata-Nui. They learned a bit more about the nature of its protections, and the threat that the Spirit Side posed, should the Wall fall.

 

-[A Feast for Titans]-

  • Alix, Virndrung, Toru, Rassilon, Voltex and Pouks remained on the Isle of the Dead.
  • Rassilon entered the Temple of Histories and met with Kulta, to ask her about the identity of his birth father. She did not answer his question entirely; she called his father a ‘Behemoth’, mentioning that he served someone known as the “Valkyrie”, and was a member of the Iliad.
  • They returned to the Argo, where they found Thok and Vezok revived. Vultraz invited them all onto the Argo for a ride back to Okoto, though Toru opted to remain in exile on the Isle.
  • Two months passed by.
  • Toru had remained in his exile on the Isle, though others had joined him. He spoke with both Onua and Tehutti, each tired of fighting. They had both journeyed to the Isle seeking a new purpose.
  • Alix traveled to Kamuk with Pouks, arriving at Makuta City in search of his father, Quin Galum.
  • Virndrung returned to Agua Hielo, hoping to re-gain his position as its ruler – but found himself challenged by Sylvia Rayne and her wife, Symphona Tyde.
  • Rassilon and Lein were in Arcadia. The city was alive with activity, with the Time Protectors, Earth Protectors, and more than a few Fire and Jungle Protectors having all migrated to Karamu.
  • Rassilon, Taei Tivan and Garan Qendroj agreed to split Karamu apart; Hinterhall would go to the Protectors of Time, and Arcadia would serve as a Jungle city, connecting the nation to Ithaca. The rest would be settled by the Protectors of Earth.
  • Sylvia and Symphona invited Virndrung to join them in ruling Agua Hielo, and help them in setting up a new system of governance that might last long after their deaths. He agreed.
  • In the Makuta City Prison, Pouks finally reunited with Quin… and Alix finally met his father.

 

-[A Dance with Time]-

  • Efandril, Feli, and Ehks found themselves in Silodas; Efandril had been restored to the form she had ascended to before the dream, as a Toa of Darkfire.
  • The Kanohi Nuva, Kanohi Vahi, and Kanohi Ignika had each been split into 20 shards as the gods had warned; 19 shards of each mask had been scattered across the world.
  • They were joined by Takua, who warned them of Kollorak’s approach.
  • Kollorak gifted Ehks her spear made from a tooth of Axalara – though Axalara’s fate remained unknown.
  • Two months passed by.
  • Ehks journeyed to Rollor’s Reach, where she reunited with Voltex. The two entered the Citadel and found Velika – but his death and resurrection had changed him, and his fear of death was clear. Velika was not the same Matoran they remembered. He considered death the last enemy to be destroyed….
  • Feli also journeyed north, though she went to Last Hearth, the home of House Sivr, to rescue her sister Xavi. She was joined by Jaller Aodh, Kellam, and Natasha Darkfire.
  • Lord Togrok and Lady Atluk of House Sivr refused Feli’s attempted peace offering and payment, and tried to kill her and her companions. In the fight that followed, House Sivr was wiped out and Last Hearth burned to the ground with darkfire.
  • House Sivr was rendered extinct, and their home left as little more than ashes; but the servants were taken back with them to Aodhiim, and Feli managed to reunite with her sister.
  • Efandril reflected on her journey, and how it had changed her. She also reflected on her plans, knowing with certainty that – though she had refused it in the short term – she would eventually rule over Okoto. She did, after all, have all the time in the world. She had won.
  • The Great Game was over.

 

-[Six Months Later]-

 

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and the waters were calm. A gentle breeze blew through the air, dancing along. The deck of the Odyssey creaked as crew members milled about; some pausing to gossip, some lounging silently, and others busy with various tasks.

 

A Protector in Black stood at the bow, leaning on the pulpit and gazing out to sea.

 

The deck creaked behind them as another approached; turning, the Protector in Black saw a Protector of Fire walking toward them, dragging a body behind them. They waited until the Protector of Fire had reached them before greeting them; “Reaper.”

 

The Reaper nodded to her, looking disgruntled as she threw the body forward. The corpse of Prince Chrom tumbled to the deck. “He didn’t talk.”

 

“I didn’t expect him to,” said the Protector in Black, staring down at the body. “He was always too stubborn for his own good. The Falchion remains lost, then.”

 

The Reaper sighed, nodding. “On Okoto, most likely. I can get word to Voxumo, get him to search…?”

 

“…have him do so,” the Protector in Black decided. “But tell him to leave it be, wherever he finds it. Any other news of Okoto?”

 

“He’s confirmed the existence of all three Hearts,” said the Reaper. “But Agua Hielo has buried the Heart of Ma, and placed it under heavy guard. And it’s likely the Tribe of Time has done the same with the Heart of Rollor.”

 

“We don’t need the Hearts,” the Protector in Black reminded her. “Death is the enemy. The first and the last… but if we are to achieve immortality, it will not be at the hands of the gods. They would not approve of our goals. If they wanted death to be destroyed, it would be gone. Bathing in their essences will do nothing for us.”

 

“What of Okoto, then? How does it factor in?”

 

“We keep tabs on it. Okoto is not where our endgame will be played. But like everywhere else… it’s best that we find its relics, and take them for ourselves. We will need any and all help we can find in the war to come – and more importantly, if we have the relics, our enemies don’t. Speaking of…” the Protector in Black looked back up at the Reaper. “Any news regarding the masks?”

 

“Only rumors,” said the Reaper. “Split into pieces, scattered across the world. Not sure how many.”

 

“Twenty, if the visions are true.”

 

“You trust him, then?” the Reaper asked, shifting in place. “The Wizard?”

 

The Protector in Black’s mouth twitched with her amusement. “Hardly. Vezon is a lunatic at best, and a moron at worst. But I trust our Sorceror; and when they both have the same visions….”

 

“I understand.” The Reaper remained silent for a moment, and the two both gazed out to sea before she spoke again. “There’s something else. Whispers.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“A Matoran, one who died when Miserix started the Dream. Velika.”

 

Her curiosity piqued, the Protector in Black leaned against the pulpit, turning toward the Reaper. “We’ve heard of him before, haven’t we? From Scodonius, before he tried to betray us.”

 

The Reaper nodded. “He was so loyal to Voltex before, and never left Okoto… but like I said, I’ve heard whispers. That he’s become frightened of death. So scared that he’s begun hunting for a way to delay it.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The Protector in Black turned her attention back to the sea. After several minutes of uncertain silence, the Reaper broke it. “Valkyrie?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Should we target him?”

 

“Let’s leave him be,” the Valkyrie murmured, slowly kneeling down and running her hand along the deck of the Odyssey. “We’re still missing a few of the original crew from this ship, are we not? Any significant leads on them?”

 

“A few,” said the Reaper. “Most of the survivors are together by now, gathering in Nokama’s Landing. I think they’re planning to head to Arcadia.”

 

“Well, we can’t have that. Have Voxumo arrange for a detour of their travels, to Burned Harbor. We can meet with them there, and continue our payment.”

 

“It’s a lot of work, for one ship,” the Reaper said.

 

The Valkyrie smiled. “The Odyssey is a special ship, wouldn’t you say? One worth the time spent.”

 

The Reaper glanced around, taking in the ship, and with some reluctance, nodded. “And the remaining crew members?”

 

“I have more than a few plans for them, don’t you worry. You should relax a bit, perhaps take in the sights,” the Valkyrie said, taking in a deep breath, allowing the scent of the salty sea air to flow through her. “It’s a beautiful day.”

 

The End.

  • Upvote 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

And here we stand, at our Journey's End. An island at peace, the Great War won. Life continues, and Okoto endures. 
 
It wasn't an ideal ending, nor necessarily a happy one. It was sad for some, and satisfactory for others. Not everyone got what they wanted. Not everyone lived to see Okoto saved. Not everyone came back. But the world was saved. Life goes on. Our universe has a future.
 
That has to be enough.
 
With this ending comes a new beginning. New heroes. New legends. New tragedies and triumphs. An infinity of possibilities. 
 
I was told, what feels like forever ago, that the gazes of the gods are upon us, and that we are all history in the making. That has never been truer than it has been today. No longer is Okoto threatened by the shadow of long-forgotten monsters. No longer is Okoto haunted by the ghosts of its past. Its people are free to pursue their own paths, to forge their own futures. 
 
Just as I've always wanted. 
 
Nato the Traveler 

  • Upvote 4

Embers - a new Bionicle Epic - Coming 2024 

Class Is Out - A Farewell To Corpus Rahkshi - Chapters/Review

BZPRPG Characters - Minnorak, Kain, T'harrak, Savis, Vazaria, Lash

BZPRPG Mercenary Group - The Outsiders - Description - History - Base

Ghosts Of Bara Magna - Ash Tribe - Precipere - Kehla, Somok, Skrall, Gayle, Avinus, Zha'ar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...