| AETHERBLOOD |

[Epoch]

Sometime in midst of the holy crusades and rampant conflicts, a solstice falls upon an unremarkable day. Unremarkable except for what takes place roughly one week before and one week after the longest day of the year. A concerning rumor spreads; no Nephilim awaken their aether during this time period and those that had already unlocked it, felt some oddities in summoning it.

Though the validity of these claims are called into question, what is not are transient visions afflicting those of the Faith. Priests and priestesses of renown find themselves with peculiar dreams, some shared, some unique.


Tremendous typhoons blow about Meranthe's coasts, exceeding anything in recent years. None of those undertaking Nautical Sainthood during the two weeks return alive.

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[OOC: Send a Forum PM (or if you must, DM me at epochall) with proof of faith priest/radiant if you wish to receive vision. Also what faith you worship.
With a short scene/emote, Spiritmancers and Fortuna Users can also discover something.
Creative takes without these skillsets are welcomed but don't expect a reply.]

[Epoch]

Several years pass since the night of storms and the RISE Tournament in Realm Ten. The warning given at the faithful meeting only comes true now; acolytes, priestesses and priests vanish as if into thin air. They don't emerge until days or weeks later. Hemera Valmonte's short disappearance appears to be in some way linked, as does the year long disappearance of Rebecca Woodes.

Around the time of these kidnappings, people across Meranthe have been forced to pray. Sometimes being held at swordpoint. The most recent encounter when a defiant lapine was burned within Delphina.

[Epoch]

Ever since the fall of Emperor Amphal Aeschylus and Emperor Joseph Aetius after him, worship of the Pantheon began in steady growth. Over a millennia the three kingdoms of the Holy Lands dedicate themselves to a particular deity; Vdalion with Ymir, Delphina with Nemea and Aphros with Athelios.

...

It is now 2091AC and the year long season of fall approaches its end. One year after the dastardly attack of Sheol upon Delphina and its people. Their cursed attempt at crushing the people's belief fails. The majority of non-magi are protected and the ancient runeoaks had formed barriers that shield structures. Euphaedra follows and those wraiths and witches, cambions and demons are put to the ceremonial blade for their unholy bloodshed.

And as everything comes to a head, a string of fate lingers unseen. The First Pylaen Crusade where the Constant's light struck. The visions of the faithful that led to the discovery in Delphina's outskirts. The terrific thunderstorm that presages RISE. The abduction of thousands of Aphros' citizens from Unreality. What were previously thought to be unrelated events form the beginnings of a tale and link themselves under one common and prevalent theme: religion.

For over a decade the people of Meranthe had been made to pray to the Ten Primordials that gave the realm Order. Faith is shepherded through festivals and praise, collected by the Mikos family within the grove of Nemea's forests. Though as Autumn ends, the great white oak with a crown of red sheds its bloodied leaves and the culmination of faith manifest leaves the borders of Delphina.