Pantheons+Yun+Natural Era

These Gods lived out their days on the very land where we live and grow. Every aspect of the land, from the mountains to the valleys to great grass expanse, were all influenced by the actions of these Gods. It is because of their deeds that we have the Red Basin, Moon Gate Plateau, and still wonder if the First Urn exists.

 

Now, we see that some of the symbols and artwork start to change in the following carvings. Does anyone know why? No? Well, from this point on, the Gods changed dramatically. The Lokida refer to this event as “the Contest”, but the origins of this transformation event are not well known. It took many ages before these events were even recorded on the Grand Burial Mound, and so over time many Keepers have come and gone. I have discussed this matter at length with the high elders, and we believe that this change in artwork, tone, and style is also supposed to represent an ushering of a new age in our world. While many of the symbols used to represent Gods like Ola and Jurava are still present, they are attributed to creatures we know today such as birds and wolves. It is said in other cultures that “the Contest” is a game of sorts played by the Gods, and this change in form is them starting from scratch. Just like how all of you will have to prove your skills to the high elders one day to earn your role in the tribe, so too did the Gods have to fight and learn to become who they are. Let us learn about this new age together.

 

PART I: ATAGUAE & OLA

 

A young horse is seen alone in a field, looking around for his parents. The herd has quickly traversed the plains on a search for new grasses to feed on. Unfortunately, lack of rain has made a great deal of the grassland yellow and dry. The young horse appears nervous but continues to search the plains for decent sustenance. These lands can be unforgiving to the inexperienced. Although there is little to obstruct one’s view of incoming predators, it also means that predators can spot prey a great distance away. This is especially true of the Savannah Hookclaws, whose keen senses of sight and hearing are extremely beneficial in an ecosystem such as this one.

It looks like a small pack of Hookclaws have the colt in their sights. They spread out and circle the colt, staying low among the tall grasses. The horse senses danger but does not know where to turn. The Hookclaws, ever the strategists, begin to tighten the circle around their prey.

Oh! It looks like an interesting looking draconoid has entered the picture! While clearly of draconic origin, this creature is sporting a vibrant plume of crimson and saffron feathers. Unlike its dragon brethren, this creature seems to have evolved for flying across great distances with ease, as it does not bear the front claws of other dragons and sports an impressive wingspan. It bears more of a resemblance to birds, yet still retains a large number of its draconic abilities. In addition, it does not look to be fully mature yet, but already has the gumption to take on this advanced team of Hookclaws. The winged creature lets out a menacing shout before unleashing a focused torrent of flame on one of the Hookclaws. The nearby grass erupts in tall spires of fire. The colt is terrified and runs in the opposite direction. Fortunately, the Hookclaws in that area scattered the moment the prairie caught fire.

Given the drought, a fire this time of year can last for days. However, it appears the nearby area is mostly dirt and sand, which will impede the wildfire’s progress. Furthermore, a small clay valley is nearby with a river running through it. This will provide an immediate stop to the fire and is a much-needed source of water. It looks like our colt friend has stumbled across this basin as well. It appears nervous, and rightfully so after that near-ambush. It waits for everything to seem calm before going to take a drink from the river. The flapping of wings signifies that perhaps our feathered friend is also nearby. The colt stops drinking and looks skyward to see the fiery one descend into the basin. It lands a short ways away upriver near, what appears to be, a poorly constructed nest. The bird goes to land on the nest, only to find shards of eggshells scattered in and out of the nest. The colt can only stare as the bird frantically cries out for its kin. This continues until the sun descends on the plains, and the bird rests on its nest for the night. The colt lays down a short distance away, but the savannah nights are notorious for their harsh temperatures. Coupled with the natural winds that glide throughout the basin, the colt is shivering. It wakes up in the night and, spotting the bird from before, slowly makes its way towards the aerial savior. The colt remains cautious, as it has seen the destructive power the bird contains. After every couple of steps, the horse halts, waiting for any sign of movement or disturbance. Once satisfied, it continues its progress. Eventually, the horse appears satisfied and lays down once again to rest. This time, much closer to the bird. Given its affinity for fire, the colt most likely sensed the heat the bird was giving off and wanted to have some of that warmth for itself.

The morning sun starts to warm up the grasslands. A decent swath of the landscape is ashen, but this will make way for an abundance of healthy grasses and shrubs to spring forth. In the basin, the bird awakens first to see the colt peacefully sleeping nearby. Shaking sleep off, the winged creature leaps to the skies in search of a meal. The bird’s ascension awakens the horse, who now looks around the basin, once again, alone. Taking a drink from the river, the colt appears to be stronger than it was mere days ago.  

Sometime later, the winged creature returns with breakfast. A variety of small game are grasped in the bird’s talons. Not surprisingly, some of it is cooked. The bird drops the meat in front of it and begins gorging. The colt, having not eaten for a few days, is clearly in need of sustenance. However, red meat is not typically on its menu. Cautiously, the young horse moves towards the meal and sniffs before going back to the river for more water. Perhaps it won’t be today, but if the colt is unable to find enough leafy growth to sustain itself, drastic measures may have to be taken.

 

Throughout the years, the bird takes care of the colt, making sure it remains alive and well. The colt grows up into a stunning regal being. Between the change and diet and the mystical powers of the river basin, the horse slowly gains more power and ultimately becomes an equine-based Rythmamthyr. The bird and the horse watch over each other, with the bird soaring among the clouds while the horse gallops over miles of grasslands with tall grasses waving in the wind.

 

PART II: JURAVA

Here we see a Wolf Rythmamthyr roaming the savannah in search of its next meal. This Rythmamthyr appears to have been eating quite well in this wilderness, considering its size and strength. Interestingly, we usually see Rythmamthyr of this type run and hunt together. It is uncommon to see one alone, especially for long periods of time. In addition, this biome is not the native home of wolves or Rythmamthyr which have ascended from them. It is even more curious why this creature is out here in the grasslands.

Something seems to have piqued the wolf’s interest. Ears perked, it moves quietly through the lengthy grasses. Up ahead, a small band of Sabertooth Tigers appear to have surrounded a pack of wild dogs. The dogs are clustered together in the middle of the circle, teeth bared and growling menacingly. The tigers do not appear fazed in the slightest. In fact, they appear to be communicating to each other through a series of grunts and whistles as if to figure out the next phase of some plan or just to devise how to approach the situation.

Before the big cats have time to decide, the wolf Rythmamthyr makes his move. The Sabertooth tigers must look tasty to the Rythmamthyr after so much time traversing the vast grasslands. With a growl that is more like a roar, the wolf leaps at the nearest cat, it’s maw dripping with hungry instinct. It rips into the tiger’s flesh, crimson liquid oozing from its wounds. The other tigers panic and rush to aid their comrade. The commotion only serves to ignite the wild dogs. Soon, the scene is a cacophony of teeth serating skin punctuated by growls. Tooth and claw collide with blood and bone.

As quickly as the mayhem started, the battle has concluded. The Rythmamthyr, coupled with the rage of the wild dogs on his side, is too much for the small pack of tigers to deal with. All of the canines now feast ravenously on their meat. His maw stained the color of victory, the wolf Rythmamthyr leaves the scene and continues onward. Moments later, his ears perk up again. Could it be more danger, or perhaps the scent of new prey has caught the wind? The grass rustles nearby as the wild dogs appear next to the Rythmamthyr. The wolf stares at the small pack before continuing. The dogs follow their new alpha leader.

 

Becoming a pack leader only serves to strengthen Jurava, as he now has beings that basically worship him. On top of getting stronger through Rythmamthyr methods, liberating others and/or growing his pack size can make him stronger as well.

 

PART III: YATCHU

 

There is an interesting sight at the edge of the Red Basin. A juvenile baboon appears to have found a nest of delicious looking insects burrowed in various holes throughout a nearby rock. The insects dart in and out as the monkey attempts to catch them, but they immediately scurry into another hole. The baboon alternated between trying to scoop the morsels out with his tongue or fingers, but this proves to be a fruitless gesture. Frustrated, the ape slams his fists into the riverside, splashing water and causing a great amount of moist clay shrapnel to fly. He pulls his hands out of the nearby clay, feeling how the material sticks to his fingertips and palms. Curiously, the ape licks his clay-covered hand. This was not the best experiment, and the baboon soon realizes that this clay is not food.

However, he does notice small pebbles and stray grasses stay on his hand when the clay engulfs it. Turning towards the rock, the ape waits until the insects crawl out of their holes, and wipes his clay hand over the surface. Many of the insects scatter in time, but the few that are not as lucky squirm within the confines of the clay. Elated, the monkey hollers with joy before picking the tasty morsels from his hand. He tries this method a few more times before his prey grows wise to his plans. They retreat to the safety of the rock holes and crevices. Still hungry, the monkey must come up with another method of extraction. His fingers are not long enough to reach the deepest parts of the rock, as he learned before. Climbing out of the basin, the monkey pulls a long dry blade of grass out and carries it down into the basin. The grass is tan and stiff from lack of moisture. Poking and prodding the grass into the rock proves successful, but not at a pace that the monkey is comfortable with. Grabbing a handful of clay, the baboon splatters some on the blade of grass before another insertion. Sure enough, numerous bugs wriggle around and in the clay. The baboon hollers again as dinnertime proves to be a mighty success. Between as many insects as he can eat and endless water from the nearby river of the basin, this baboon has had one triumphant evening.

 

Yatchu’s nature story is similar to the others in the fact that it stems from the Red Basin and utilizes the magical properties of the water and/or creatures living there to enhance our target animals into eventual Rythmamthyr. However, the monkey’s innate intellect and curiosity is amplified by the Basin’s powers, and from this Yatchu can make more and more tools to ensure his survival and make living among the grasslands easier.