[9.0 Antag] - Epilogue, Aevos - End

[squakhawk 14040]

 

 

 

 

"Petulant children. You walk this earth as if it were destined for you. A world that cannot be shared. A world which you rob from me, then deny I walk alongside you."

 

"I will not forgive you, when I rise again. As I withdraw now, to my broken prison and destroyed shackles, I will remember your terror. Your aggression. Your hypocrisy."

 

"While I gather my might, you and your misguided dragonspawn will only face more and more foe. You will wreak destruction wherever you go. You will bring ruin, almost like The Ruiner defeated your progeny all those years ago."

 

"Ironic."

 

-The final words of Orsathiael, Daemon of Rulership and Control, before his defeat.

 

As Aevos held, and The Descendants stood bloodied, bruised, but alive - The Storm fell. The howling gale which ensorcelled the continent's coasts fell, as the distant seas became visible oncemore. The brackish waters of The Bitter Sea lapped upon the beaches of the east as freedom became tangible for the descendants.

 

In the far north, where Ailmere lay in ruin, blood of black and crimson stained the snow in the battlefield where gods, men, and dragonkin fought. All for freedom, each vying for control over their own fate in the days which were to follow. To do more than survive, to live. As The Twinflame Brotherhood spoke of their upheld pact, they encouraged the descendants to look outward. To the seas which they could now explore, to lands which they could settle anew.

 

Aevos was ravaged by the decades of war against god and fellow descendant alike. A land brutalized by a century of conflict and bloodshed from the heavens and earth. Although Orsathiael was defeated, he would no doubt rise again. Even at his lowest, just having broken from his chains, was he nearly able to defeat Sordran and Aruzond - and surely, would he suffer not another defeat at Descendant hands. Although Aevos was inhabitable, for a time, it would be certain he would rise again in the coming decades.

 

It was a time for good feelings. For prosperity. Peace. A time where descendants could brave the seas anew and seek a new home.

 

 

 

❈ Sordran clutched his head as he sat within his study between space and time, head clutched in the unlit space as he loomed over the tabletop. His library was quiet, the hearth unlit as he breathed quietly among the dark. His mind raced as cuts raked across his pale skin, scarred over as unsightly blemishes no glamour could cover. 

 

“I could hear even a mouse across the library right now. Don't try to hide. And don't dare turn on the lights. The thoughts are bad enough.”

 

✹ There was a violent shriek, and in a plume of smoke, the silhouette of the aged, old wizard manifested across the table. Aruzond plucked a book from the shelf, and started to dust it off -- dust blew off, bursting into the clouds.

 

“Are you going to sit here in sorrow? You know, self-pitying is beneath us -- you can blame nobody but yourself for allowing that to occur.”

 

 

❈ Eryndor groaned as Thalandir spoke, each word a stabbing dagger to his senses as he tried his best to recover from nearly being defiled by The Cursefury's corruption.

 

“I could have been corrupted, were we there a moment longer. If I did not do what I had done. Every few decades we hear of this - our sister arisen again, only to be ripped apart like a dog once enough time has passed. I had hoped The Betrayer's consumption of her spirit would bring her body peace. And yet only does Seraphire continue to rise and fall again and again. I tore the throat of our noble sister with my teeth not because I was brave, nor because I had to. I did it because I was afraid of what would happen if I didn't”

 

✹ Fwip, the pages of the book turned, and his blanched, lurid nails raked across each word written inside of the tome. Aruzond read it calmly, despite hearing the words of his brother, and his features remained estranged, without pity, no remorse, or anything further.

 

“If you had been corrupted, brother, I would have been forced to end you then and there. Yet despite it all, you made the right decision -- it is the folly of our kin, but the design itself is natural. We are what our father envisioned us to be; pure vessels, untouched, a creation that seeps itself with a sup of milk. And it can taste good, but it could also turn rotten and sour. I know you did not kill our sister before of bravery, you were never the courageous sort.”

 

 

❈ The Blinding Flame rose, as he took a few steps towards one of the bookshelves among the dark. Each step upon the stone floor overwhelming as he grunted in pain. He didn't even seek to view a book, nor attain more comfort in standing - it was just as if he were trying to get any distance from his brother beside. 

 

“...We will have to put a stop to her, eventually. But we've done the unthinkable, the more you think about it. Bested a deity - even if he were practically nascent, and practically unscathed by the end. Although the two of us had done well . . . what of our siblings elsewhere? Aedrex, Neridraza, even The Wildwatcher. I know they cower - but perhaps with this show of force, maybe . .”

 

 

✹ As the booked turned, the pages crumpled, albeit, Aruzond ensured the tome was given its utmost care and respect. However he had claimed the book, he would return it to the shelf in the same quality. 

 

“You think too much, it is a travesty in its own right. We have done the unthinkable, but it was not to prove a point -- it was an act of desperation, we did it for us, and for them, those descendants we care 'fondly' of. And of our cowardly siblings? It is too early to say; focus on our victory, we have to plan the great migration thoroughly. For now, take this time to ponder on everything we have done. It might do you better, Sordran, to remember it all.”

 

 

❈ Sordran looked to his brother knowingly.

 

“You're right. At least for now, we can breathe. And I can best this affliction . . I know it is not true corruption. It is not defilement like Mordring or Seraphire. Maybe even a symptom of cognizant mortality, that you and I still hold intact. I will just have to move forward. They know the descendants will not have learned a thing of their trifling, nor their meddling, neither their senseless bloodshed against one another. But maybe that is what must be so beloved of them. At least they have bought another generation the prosperity to live again. I do not imagine they will be so lucky again.”

 

✹ Aruzond's bones popped, and with the graystaff in his grasp, he started to wander slowly. 

 

“Yes, I would fix that affliction as soon as possible, before it turns into something more. It is in the nature of the descendant to see, to deal with, and to move on to their own worries. It is a very mortal concept, something I quite enjoy. The little things, the bigger things, it never seems to upset them; they continue onwards, and their story continues. You should learn from them, to be honest. Let them squabble, it is in the nature of their providence, it is as creation has ordained them, free to decide when they act, how they act, as they want to act. ”

 

 

❈ Sordran waved at Aruzond dismissively, as his hands shielded over his eyes. A clutching at the migraine.

 

“..Grant me peace, for now. We have earned so, I think. Even if Orsathiael is bound to return... I'd like to enjoy the days following I bought myself free of your rumblings.”

 

 ✹ The world started to twist, each shelf in the library triangulated outwards; it felt as though the world shifted beneath their very boots, mirroring every slow movement. Aruzond's body started to fade, bursting into plumes of smoke, and a voice ushered then. 

 

“Knowledge begets wisdom, brother.”

 

 

❈ The glamoured elf smiles to himself briefly, a reminiscence of memory as he lived within the moment. 

 

“We'd make our father proud today, I'd like to think.”

 

Spoiler

 

Thank you guys for attending the 9.0 Antag, The Mountain. In total, there were 123 events, attended by 3350 (nonunique) players.  There was an average of 1.3 events per day, with an average of 32.9 players per event. The finale alone held 265 players at its peak, with only [1] (lol) crash.

 

I want to thank @RaiderBlue, @BobBox, @Trey, and @Werew0lffor being incredible regional leads.

I want to thank @Benleftand @Islamadonadditionally for being consultants to the above with the design and plot of the Antag.

 

I want to thank @Aehkaj, @amongus, @Dr Random K., @rigorous, @Shorsand, @Gaja, @HenryCore, @KidKrinkles, @Pallodium, @Sarven, @Coronate, @TheWhiteWolf, @wowj, @TheCaptain, @Destructokeith, @HugoAntero, @Songwitch, @Lenny, @Miniguy15736, @Petsch2k, @Spoopy_Duck, and @Suzziefor being incredible ET throughout the eventline, and providing such a fun experience for all players involved. You guys are the ones who are able to make this happen - I both literally and figuratively could not have done it without you, nor could we come close to achieving it without your active and engaging help.

 

 

Here is the anonymous feedback form for the eventline if you wish to give your thoughts, comments, suggestions, or a simple star rating.

https://forms.gle/XZEk9CnjS2mRPJ3B6

 

 

We will be moving to transition map within the next week (If all goes to plan), and vaults will remain open until closed on the 15th. Prebuilds will remain available until further notice, but with certainty will be shut down by transition map start.

 

During prebuild, we will be shifting around a lot of maplore and worldlore pieces as some are shelved and re-added. This will include a new Botany post as well as a brand new Bestiary for the newmap. Alongside these, the old maplore will be phased to a shelved area, and new maplore will be posted throughout transitionmap as a teaser. We will be moving legacy’d world lore pieces to a new subforum under accepted lore that better reflects their status. 

 

We too will be posting pieces for entities both met and not (Such as Seraphire, who's story is yet to be finished..) and updating lorepieces where appropriate, such as Orsathiael, Aruzond, Sordran, and Palmreading.

 

Palmreading is currently in discussion as to what we should do with it, we have ideas but did not have enough time to have them written for publication before the finale. These will be announced and posted within the next week or so.

 

During transition map, PK/DC clauses will be universally disabled (unless a player consents to so), other than the suicide-PK clause. Upon entry to new map, people with Kloning or Machine spirits (or where else applicable) have [1] Cost-Free revival build/item, where applicable. For creatures such as Azdrazi or Soul-Trees which are costless, there will be a [1] week No-PK clause upon entry to newmap as revival placements get signed.

 

If you have any further questions or just want some thoughts, I encourage you ask them below and I will answer them to the best of my ability.

 

 

I'm looking forward to vaults, to newmap, and most importantly, a break for me and the wonderful event team who forged this story. I hope you guys are excited for this next chapter too.

 

Catch you later,

Squak

[esotericas 2674]

ok so when are u fixing vaults

[wowj 9760]

The only loyal Palm-Reader wept as his boss disappeared.

[Crevel 7557]

Never attended any of these events but good job. On an unrelated note, I sure hope that recent rollback tickets are done before vaults close. It isn't like there are people with missing items out there or anything like that... 

[squakhawk 14040]

1 minute ago, esotericas said:

ok so when are u fixing vaults

 

*weeps as orange team wounds me again and again

1 minute ago, Crevel said:

Never attended any of these events but good job. On an unrelated note, I sure hope that recent rollback tickets are done before vaults close. It isn't like there are people with missing items out there or anything like that... 

 see above

[DizzyGrey 1229]

I made an SREQ a bit ago questioning how to log moving a MArt with a physical build to the new map and was informed it would be addressed in a post following the final antag event. Is that going to be addressed in a seperate post and if not what do?

[Gamma 812]

break block place block

[Spoopy_Duck 3218]

Let's just say this really is an age to be a dragon

[lemonke 6014]

I want to thank @KidKrinklesfor the dragonbones he gave me and @squakhawkfor letting him give me 12 dragon bones!

[iSmooch 132]

Broken blades littered the ground. Flames and blood painted the battle ground - the ruins of a now fallen god-like power - stretching the shadows of the corpses of giants, exaggerating even more the existence of such beasts.

 

The sky still stained from the aerial battle amongst dragons and gods, deciding descendant-kind's fate. Darren collapsed in the snow. He could hear the men around him, celebrating. More and more as they all realize the outcome. Darren took a moment in the snow, clutching his last remaining javelin, his single crumb of food sharing the space with lint in his pocket, to reflect how close this battle was. His eyes close, he recalls the walls of giants moving onto the group. Wave after wave of pikemen and vanguards. Witches and Elementals spewing spells and chaos. He remembers moments where he only saw enemy, and no ally. He never stopped swinging. His armor, a new color of a mixture of blood and dirt of the scene around him, worn and dented but not broken.

 

Darren opens his eyes again. He drew a deep breath, and pulled himself to his feet. Victory. The Mountain was defeated. Darren turned toward the celebrating soldiers. With a smile his gaze met the horizon, the sun breaking over the mountains. Over which a new world challenged them all with adventure, one without The Mountain raining pain onto the world. This was a challenge Darren was ready to meet. Darren finally made his way to join the rest of the celebrating defense.