EncyclopAtys - User contributions [en]

Slow Movement

2023-12-05T14:00:14Z

Jadeyn:

{{Trad
|DE=
|EN=Slow Movement
|ES=
|FR=Déplacement ralenti
|RU=
}}
{{SpellInfoBox
|image=Slowmove-link.jpg
|tooltip=Slow, move!
|type=
|domain=Forest
|skill=Offensive Affliction
|lvl=12
|}}
Slow Movement is an affliction; a negative status effect that disables the target.

It is also known as Snare.

===Effect===
A creature under the effect of Slow Movement will simply move slower than usual while under the effect. The degree to which they are slowed varies based on what kind of Slow Movement is used.

===Slow Movement as spell===
Players are able to inflict Slow Movement on a target using the Slow Movement spell from the [[Magic#Offensive_Affliction|Offensive Affliction]] [[Magic]] skill. This spell is first available at level 12 magic. Like with all affliction spells, a link must be maintained to keep the target slowed. This slows movement speed by about 20%.

Players can increase their chances of resisting a Slow Movement Affliction spell by wearing [[jewelry]] that raises their Forest resistance.

===Slow Movement by critical===
Another way to inflict Slow Movement on a target is by inflicting a critical hit on the target's legs with either a [[melee]] or a [[ranged]] weapon. This Slow Movement lasts a few seconds for every hit.

The Slow Movement caused by a critical hit to the legs is not a magical effect and thus Forest resistance will not help resist it. Creatures that are immune to Slow Movement spells similarly are not immune to this effect.

===Enemies using Slow Movement===
Since homin mages are capable of casting Slow Movement affliction spells, it may be used against you in [[PvP]], though it's not very popular there.

All creatures using [[melee]] or [[ranged]] attacks have a small chance to land a critical hit to your legs and thus inflict a short Slow Movement.

[[Najab]]s can inflict yet another type of Slow Movement on their enemies with their spit attack. This also is not a magical effect and thus able to bypass both Forest resistance and Slow Movement immunity.

===Creatures immune to Slow Movement===
The following creatures are immune to the Slow Movement spell: [[Arana]], [[Arma]], [[Capryni]], [[Gubani]], [[Igara]], [[Jugula]], [[Messab]], [[Najab]], [[Ocyx]], [[Raspal]], [[Torbak]], [[Varinx]], [[Yelk]], [[Kincher]], [[Kipesta]], [[Kizarak]], [[Frahar]].

Slow Movement immunity only applies to the Offensive Affliction spell; not to Slow Movement caused by critical hits or the [[Najab]] special ability.

[[Category:Magic]]

Gingo

2023-10-17T10:29:24Z

Jadeyn:

{{Trad
|DE=Gingo
|EN=Gingo
|ES=Gingo
|FR=Gingo
|RU=
}}[[de:Gingo]]
[[fr:Gingo]]
{{MobInfoBox
|image={{PAGENAME}}.jpg
|name={{PAGENAME}}
|king=Animal
|species=Carnivore
|locale=Forest, Desert and Jungle
|aggro=Yes
|damage=Slash
|}}
A frenetic canine-like animal with a mane and strong shoulders that are higher than its hind quarters, powerful jaws and strong teeth. Gingos live in packs of up to five individuals and feed on carrion left over by predators. They are known for their shrill cackle which resembles maniacal laughter.<ref>http://atys.ryzom.com/projects/puben/wiki/L_Animals</ref>

==Main Details==
* Natural immunity to [[Fear]] and [[Slow Attack]].
* Moderately resistant to [[Cold]] and [[Rot]] magic.
* Partially resistant to slash damage.
* A threatened gingo can kick up dust in order to blind its prey.

==Valued Resources==
Gingos, when killed, can be quartered for:
* [[Bone]]s
* [[Claw]]s
* [[Fang]]s
* [[Leather]]
* [[Ligament]]s

==Exceptional Specimens==
===Freneq===
*Level: 160
*Type: Named
*Grade of Materials: Excellent
*Location: [[Haven of Purity]]

===Ginkin===
*Level: 220
*Type: Boss
*Grade of Materials: Supreme
*Location: [[Upper Bog]]

===Maniah===
*Level: 210
*Type: Named
*Grade of Materials: Excellent
*Location: [[Grove of Umbra]]

===Skoff===
*Level: 110
*Type: Named
*Grade of Materials: Excellent
*Location: [[Fleeting Garden]]

===Torrius===
*Level: 160
*Type: Named
*Grade of Materials: Excellent
*Location: [[Knoll of Dissent]]

==Hierarchy of Species==
{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" style="text-align:center;" class="sortable"
|-bgcolor="#eeeeee" style="color:black;"
!Level
!Name
|-
| 195 || Huge Gingo
|-
| 185 || Fearsome Gingo
|-
| 175 || Raging Gingo
|-
| 166 || Preying Gingo
|-
| 153 || Prowling Gingo
|-
| 143 || Hunting Gingo
|-
| 133 || Marauding Gingo
|-
| 123 || Roaring Gingo
|-
| 109 || Menacing Gingo
|-
| 97 || Dangerous Gingo
|-
| 82 || Malicious Gingo
|-
| 72 || Scary Gingo
|-
| 59 || Baying Gingo
|-
| 46 || Scowling Gingo
|-
| 35 || Growling Gingo
|-
| 24 || Puny Gingo
|-
| 23 || Vigorous Gingo
|-
| 15 || Weeny Gingo
|}

==References==
<references/>
{{clear}}{{last version link|Gingo}}
{{Portal|Fauna}}
[[Category:Carnivores]]

Special command

2023-08-06T10:16:40Z

Jadeyn: /* Online Status */

<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE = Chatbefehle |DEs= 4
|EN = Special command |ENs= 0
|ES = Comandos especiales |ESs= 3
|FR = Commandes spéciales |FRs= 0
|RU = Специальные команды |RUs=
|H =
|palette=
|ref=
|com=
}}</noinclude>
See [[Chat]] and [[Chat/RC FAQ|RC FAQ]] about the external Ryzom Rocket Chat.
==Emotes==
These are the prepared texts that are displayed in the Surroundings channel, along with the gestures.

Please note that no matter on which channel you write them, the emotes and the command/em are directly and always sent to the Around channel. It is impossible to use these commands on other channels.

More on the [[Emote]] page.

==Player information==
*'''/time''' ''Displays your current local time and UTC time in the Around chat.''
*'''/version''' ''Displays your Ryzom client version.''
*'''/where''' ''Displays your current location as a floating message at the top of the screen as well as in System Info.''
*'''/playedTime''' "Displays the number of days for which you've played, in the Around chat."
*'''/who''' ''Displays the names of all the players in a region, sorted by account age. List is displayed in System Info.''
*'''/who gm''' ''Displays all the CSR and GM presently online. Note that CSR and GM have a special flag they can activate to hide their online presence, even from this command. List is displayed in System Info.''

== Online Status ==
This Function is to set the Output in your Friends or Guildmember Chat if you are come ON- /Offline.
*'''/a showOnline 1''' Only Friends and Guildmembers can see that you are come ON- /Offline.
*'''/a showOnline 2''' Just Guildmembers can see that you come ON- /Offline.
*'''/a showOnline 0''' Everyone can see it. (Default)
(No message in system info and must relogin)

==Guild Commands==
*'''/guildinvite <playername>''' : Invites a player to your guild. ''Can only be used by officers, high officers and the guild leader''
*'''/guildmotd <message>''' : Updates the guild message of the day. ''Can only be used by officers, high officers and the guild leader.'' Example : <code>/guildmotd Today, Bolobi hunt !</code>: displays at connection time, in the guld channel, the message ''"Today, Bolobi hunt !"''
*'''/guildmotd ?''' : Displays the guild's message of the day.

==League Commands==
*'''/league <leaguename>''' ''Creates a league with the given name and brings your team into the league. Can only be used by team leader.''
*'''/leagueinvite <playername>''' ''Invites a player's team into your league. Invitation will go to the player's team's leader''
*'''/leaguequit''' ''Quits your league, quits your team from the league if you are team leader.
*'''/leaguekick <playername>''' ''Kick a person or team (if the person is team leader) out of your league''

==Miscellaneous==
*'''/afk <autoresponse>''' ''Activates the afk tag so that other players can see you are away from your terminal. The message is optional and is displayed when a player sends you a tell. This is just a visual indicator, and will not protect you from attacks by flora, fauna or other players.''
*'''/assist''' or '''/as''' ''Targets the target of the targeted entity (typically: for a offensive mage on the tank, the healer of a driller).''
*'''/self''' ''Target yourself.''
*'''/brutalQuit''' ''Instantaneously quits the game client.''
*'''/chatLog''' ''Creates a chatlog in the save folder located in Ryzom's main directory.''
*'''/follow''' ''Follows the targeted entity.''
*'''/ignore <playername>''' ''Adds a player to your ignore list''
*'''/invite <playername>''' ''Invites a player to your team. Can only be used by the team leader or by someone who is not teamed (then a team is created).''
*'''/mount''' ''Mounts your mektoub mount. You must be near your mount and it must be outside of the stable.And /unmount too :)''
*'''/random <lowest_number> <highest_number>''' ''Draws a random number between the first and last provided. The result is displayed in the Around chat and visible to everyone else nearby.
** If only one number is provided, the other limit is set to 1.
** Limits for this draw: [-32767, 32767]''
**'''/random <nombre1> <nombre2> hide''' : as before, but the result is only displayed in Sys info (and does not appear in the around channel).
*'''/skiptutorial''' ''Skips the tutorial on Silan.''
*'''/sleep <number>''' ''Puts the game client to sleep for the specified amount of seconds. You cannot do anything in this time.''
*'''/tar <name>''' ''Finds the nearest entity whose name contains the given string (/tar or /target). Use single or double quotes for exact matching (e.g. NPC with two names).
** With the '''quiet''' option (as for ex '''''/tar <name>|quiet=true'''''), it won't display the message '' '''entity not found''' ''
** '''/tarq <name>''' abbreviated version of the command '''''/target_quiet''''' or '''''/tar <name>|quiet=true'''''
** If no quotes are used, /tar will look for all words in the string, and match any! See more info in the forums: [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/29692/1&post195145=en#1 Patch 3.5.0 - 2019-05-18]''
*'''/lmtar <name>''' '' Add target closest landmark
*'''/unmount''' ''Dismounts your mektoub mount.''
* '''/a roomInvite <name>''' Invite a friend in your apartment
*'''/chat''' ''Keeps focus on chat, [Enter] doesn't quit chat''
*'''/go''' ''Opens the WebIG'' (= '''SHIFT+W''')
* '''/appzone XXX''' open the app, replacing XXX by the app's ID
* [[File:BarreWebapp.png|thumb|right|Webapps main: Achievements, ... Support]]'''/appzone hide''' Hide the [[Webapps main|webapps]] toolbar

* '''/version''' displays the current version of the client (can be useful in case of a bug).

=== Some new commands ===
* [[Patch 00813|Patch 00813, in March 2020]]: New '''<nowiki>/showHideUserLandMark</nowiki>''' command to hide markers on map (more on the FAQ Map [[Use the map]]).
==== tar improvement ====
From [[Patch 2019#Patch JY 2603]].

* <code>/tar yubo</code> : target the closest entity whose name contains the word yubo
* <code>/tar abcd yubo</code> : target the closest entity whose name contains both abcd and yubo
* The order is not important, /tar would have been enough.
* <code>/tar "ora"</code> target the closest entity whose name ''begins'' with ora
* some pre-existing [[Macros]] will have to be corrected, notably by using quotation marks for short names (such as ora), but pre-existing macros using quotation marks will continue to work as before.

*'''/setuiscale <ScaleFactor>''' ''Set user interface scale factor from 0.8 to 2.0''

===Outfit Commands===
Since patch [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/32338/1&post207296=fr#1 916-921 (2022-09-23)] a graphical interface has been added (with [[Pockets]]).
[[File:FR I groupes 2022-09-24.png|thumb|right|I, groups]]
*'''/createGroup <OutfitGroupName> <true>''' ''creates a group of items, an outfit from the items the character currently wears, when "true" optional parameter is specified, empty slots are unequipped"
*'''/moveGroup <OutfitGroupName> <pet_animal1> or <player_room>''' ''moves the outfit to pet_animal1 or player_room''
*'''/equipGroup <OutfitGroupName>''' ''equips the item group''
*'''/deleteGroup <OutfitGroupName>''' ''deletes the item group''
*'''/naked''' ''to remove all equipments'' ([[Pockets]] too), and '''/nude''' ''to remove all equipments''without changing the [[Pockets]]
*'''/listGroup''' ''Lists all currently saved goups ''
'''
NOTES''':
* /equipGroup can be used from a [[Macros|MACRO]]
* /moveGroup can be used from a [[Macros|MACRO]], or by a right click on the item in inventory.
[https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/26843/1 For further reading on groups].


=== Automatic translations (or not) ===
*'''/s >''' to speak in Around '''without''' automatic translation;
*'''/a setDontTranslateLangs codelang|codelang''' disables machine translation on some language pairs. For example '''/a setDontTranslateLangs us|fr''' disables the automatic translation into French of sentences sent by an American client.

See [[DeepL]] for more information.

=== ESC to quit ===
ESC show a menu, to quit, or use an other toon (on same account) - 2 buttons have been added, to open the configuration and shortcuts (K). Added with [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/32338/207296 patch 916-921 (2022/09/23)]

==The channels==
In [[Patch_2019#JY_2603_patch|2019]] (JA 2603 patch), the team began by testing the [[DeepL]] automatic translation on the channel Around and on some [[RC]] channels <ref>Using Rocket Chat via your browser, you have access to the in-game channels, including /tel and many others... The teams use it, the wiki project has its channel, accessible to all, at https://chat.ryzom.com/channel/pj-ryzom_wiki</ref>. In September 2022, many channels are translated, both in-game and on RC <ref>All major updates to the Ryzom client is published on the wiki under the
[[:Category:Updates]]</ref>.

* right click on an older message copy it, then just paste (by CTRL+V).
* To navigate through the history of a channel, use the arrows on the keyboard ↑ and ↓

===Around===
[[File:FR 2019-10-05 22-58-42 Avendale dialog.png|320px|right|A flag to show Deepl translated (here, from English to French)]]Messages sent normally in the around channel have a 25m range.
*'''/s'''
*'''/say'''

These commands will make your messages have a 50m range and will appear red (by default) for you.
*'''/sh'''
*'''/shout'''
*'''/y'''
*'''/yell'''

[[Emote]]s are [https://fr.wiki.ryzom.com/wiki/Fichier:EN_Around_emote_bilangual_ex_2019-06-15.png translated] too.

<div style="margin:0em; padding:1em 2em;border: thin inset #{{ColorAtys|type=dark|group=HRP}};background:#{{ColorAtys|type=light|group=HRP}};color:#{{ColorAtys|type=fg|group=HRP}};">
With [[Patch 2019|JA 2603 patch]] (in 2019/08), '''all text in Around is translated''' using [https://www.deepl.com/translator Deepl].

The image above is an example, a flag indicates that Deepl has translated (here from English to French) - excerpt from the album [[:atys:Category:Kami blast|Kami blast]].

* The sentences in surroundings channel prefixed by '''"<code>></code>"''' won't be translated.
* To disable translation :
*:/a setDontTranslateLangs separated by pipe character
*:Example: /a setDontTranslateLangs us|fr
More info on the forum: https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/30307/7
</div>

===Guild===
With these commands a message is sent to the guild channel, visible to all who are in the same guild as you.
*'''/g'''
*'''/gu'''
*'''/guild'''

===Region===
These commands send a message visible to all who are in the same region as you at the time.
*'''/r'''
*'''/re'''
*'''/region'''

===Team/Party===
With these commands a message is sent to the Team channel and is visible to those currently in your party.
*'''/p'''
*'''/party'''
*'''/te'''
*'''/team'''

===Universe channel and universe by languages===
These send a message to the universe channel, which is visible to everyone online at that moment.
*'''/u'''
*'''/universe'''

There are also "per language" universe channels. To join and leave them, use the following command:
* '''/a connectLangChannel fr'''
* '''/a connectLangChannel en'''
* '''/a connectLangChannel de'''
* '''/a connectLangChannel es'''
* '''/a connectLangChannel ru'''

===Dynamic Channels===
A player can have up to 5 dynamic channels: One faction channel, one racial channel, two custom channels and possibly an event channel too.

However, it's also possible to have no dynamic channels at all. And usually players are prohibited from talking in event channels. So depending on which dynamic channels you have, these commands might not work.
*'''/0''' ''Talk in the player's 1st dynamic chat channel. The first dynamic channel is usually the faction channel.''
*'''/1''' ''Talk in the player's 2nd dynamic chat channel. The second dynamic channel is usually the racial channel.''
*'''/2''' ''Talk in the player's 3rd dynamic chat channel. Could be a custom channel or an event channel.''
*'''/3''' ''Talk in the player's 4th dynamic chat channel. Could be a custom channel or an event channel.''
*'''/4''' ''Talk in the player's 5th dynamic chat channel. You'll never have this many dynamic channels unless there's an event channel active.''

To record your dynamic channels, see [[Patch 2019/JY 2603 Documentation]].

===Custom channels===
You can create your own channels as well, or join those created by others. A player can be connected to at most 2 custom channels at a time.
*'''/channel <channelname>''' ''Join the channel with the given name, or create it if doesn't exist already.''
*'''/channel <channelname> <password>''' ''Join or create a channel with password protection.''
*'''/channel <channelname> *''' ''Leave the channel with the given name.''
*'''/0, /1, /2, /3 <message>''': to speak in custom channels.

[[Chat/RC FAQ|RC FAQ]] can have custom channels too (as much more features - [[RC]] is for Ryzom Rocket Chat, the external chat).

===Private messages===
*'''/t <playername> <message>''' ''Send a whisper to a player (if the player is in game)''
*'''/tell <playername> <message>''' ''Send a whisper to a player''

==Developer and GM Commands==
Developers, GMs, [[CSR]] and the events team have special commands that they can use for debugging, support, and for hosting live events. You can read external [https://raw.githubusercontent.com/osgcc/ryzom/master/ryzom/server/data_shard/client_commands_privileges.txt list of required privileges for client commands] or [https://ryzomcore.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/RC/pages/19365937/Shard+Commands Shard commands] list

==Obsolete Commands==
*'''/supportChat''' ''Opens the support channel tab.''
*'''/a summonPet <number>''' ''Summons one of your pets to your current location. See [[Game updates/20041208|Patch 27]].''
*'''/ah show inv_guild''' ''Shows guild inventory. Works outside guild hall. Can get or put dappers, but cannot take out or put in items.''
*'''/ah show_hide inv_guild to toggle''' ''Hides guild inventory.''
*'''/ah show inv_room''' ''Shows the inventory of your apartment. Works outside apartment. Cannot take out or put in items.
*'''/ah show_hide inv_room to toggle''' ''Hides the inventory of your apartment.''
*'''/flush''' ''Manually saves your character.''
*'''/tell <playername>(<server>) <message>''' ''Send a whisper to a player on another server.''

==See also==
*[[Emote]]
* translation links: [[DeepL]]

<noinclude>
{{Portal|Gameplay}}
[[Category:Commands]][[Category:Starting Out]][[Category:Glossary|Commands]]
[[de:Chatbefehle]] [[en:Special command]] [[es:Comandos especiales]] [[fr:Commandes spéciales]] [[ru:Специальные команды]]</noinclude>

Chapter I·V - The Seed of Doubt

2023-04-03T09:56:26Z

Jadeyn:

{{NavChap|[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter VI - The Awakening]]}}
<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE=Kapitel V - Die Saat des Zweifels|DEs=2
|EN=Chapter V - The Seed of Doubt|ENs=4
|ES=
|FR=Chapitre V - La graine du doute|FRs=0
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{{Clear}}
<center><big><big><big><big>'''V - The Seed of Doubt'''</big></big></big></big></center> 

<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2474'''</big></big></center>
{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|
Pü was finally free. Free to go home to his loved ones. Unfortunately, the fight had not left him unharmed, and a resurgence of pain shattered these positive thoughts. The young Zorai sat up and examined himself: his legs and pelvis were blistered, his skin was superficially slashed in many places, and a third of his right hand had been severed, deprived of a part of his little finger and of his ring finger. It was while looking at his mutilations that he realized that his fire spell had completely cauterized his stump. In addition, four of his ribs were broken. But in the end, all things considered, he was doing pretty well. And above all, his present pain was nothing compared to what he had experienced a few months ago, during the growth of his mask.

:''"'Ma-Duk offers us the ultimate pain so that no pain in the world can ever reach his soldiers.'"

As he struggled to his feet, he heard a voice. Pü reflexively tried to draw his absent weapons and got into a fighting stance, looking around for his new opponent. No one. The voice became clearer: Matéis. Pü understood that it came from the general, and that this one had thus survived. This did not surprise him much, however: he had aimed at the motor area of the Matis's brain, not to kill him, but to damage his motor system and thus prevent him from extracting the blade that prevented regeneration. Taking the life of a homin was difficult. And when it was impossible to kill his opponent with one blow, it then became essential to try to reach his regenerative abilities. So, if the Matis had survived, he was unable to regenerate his brain, and was therefore doomed to death. Nevertheless, Pü cautiously moved towards him. For this homin was by far the toughest opponent he had ever faced, except perhaps his uncle and father. As he passed into his field of vision, '''the Matis, who was looking at the daylight, the dagger still stuck in his skull, put the gaze on him'''. Blood ran down his face. He articulated with difficulty.
[[file:The Matis.png|right|400px|alt=… the Matis, who was looking at the daylight…|the Matis, who was looking at the daylight]]
:''"My boy, your last stunt was impressive,"'' he said, coughing. ''"I have never fought an opponent as agile as you."

Pü weighed him coldly without answering. He was congratulating him? He would definitely not forget this opponent anytime soon.

:''"Ah, by the way… Forgive me about what I said about your mother and your people. If I cannot condone your customs, I did not mean my insults. Zorais are not savages, just as Trykers are not slaves. And if you are indeed indoctrinated, so are we. I simply wanted to provoke you… which worked out rather well."

Pü couldn't believe it. He had single-handedly decimated half of his squad and would soon kill him. And yet, the general regretted his words and apologized.

:''"My boy, my seconds are short. Before I go, I would like you to grant two of my requests. You have won this duel, you are not compelled to accept. However, I ask you to listen to your heart."

Although his mother had told him about the code of honor of Matia officers, this was the first time Pü had observed its application. None of Matia's soldiers he had faced before had ever behaved in this way. The Zorai relaxed and knelt before the Matis.

:''"Tell me, I'm listening."

:''"Firstly, I would like you to spare and secure Sivaldo, the gunner you knocked out. He is a brave soldier, like many others, and he is also my nephew. But most of all, his soul is particularly beautiful. For too many decades the Matis have spread hate, and suffered it in return. Our people need boys like him. Earlier, you offered me to run away, leaving him to you. If you need one life only, you've already got mine."

:''"I accept,"'' said Pü, who would have spared the soldier anyway.

:''"Thank you very much,"'' said the general, smiling faintly. ''"Finally, I would like you to let me sing for my wife and daughter. They are what I hold dearest in Matia. They have since forever been my reason to fight. It is for them above all that I train soldiers and protect the Kingdom."

Tears began to flow and mingle with the blood as he stared back at the day star.

:''"If you accept, I will be a fulfilled homin. Died in a magnificent fight under Jena's gaze, in honour of the hominas in my life."

Pü looked discreetly in the direction of where he had caught sight of the Kami. It was no longer there. Deep down, he knew it was wrong to let an enemy utter a pagan chant. But by mentioning his wife and daughter, the general had touched him. How could he not grant his last request? Pü laid a hand on his shoulder.

:''"I am listening to you."

:''"I knew you would accept,"'' sighed the Matis before clearing his throat. ''"Close your eyes, let your mind go, and hear the song of the Forest. I am going to accompany it with my voice."

Losing all notion of caution, Pü obeyed him. It was true that in many ways the forests of Matia were full of wonders, which once the eyes were closed, were expressed as much in its fragrant scents as in the soothing rustle of its trees. The silence fell. The general waited for the wind to rise and began his song.
<poem>
''The Mother, I prayed to and fought for Her,
''Who as a child lulled me with sweet litanies.
''But at the hour of death, my little one and my dear one,
''To your sweetness I have returned.

''The Karan I served, and I stood up for him
''Who early rewarded my thirst for the best.
''But it is you, wife and daughter forever in my heart,
''Who unsparingly gave me the best.

''The Karavan I feared, and on their behalf acted,
''So much power did their black machines display.
''But it is fear of losing you that makes me despair,
''In the last hour that sees life flee from the body.

''The Forest I loved, and for Matia often,
''Left the artifices of a stiff Court.
''But if by some miracle another day were given me,
''It is with you both that I would spend my time.

''May Jena forgive me and her clerics curse me,
''May [[Aniro III|Aniro]] disown me and flatterers rejoice,
''May Atys swallow me up and forget me forever,
''I die full of you, my child, my sweet.
</poem>
Pü opened his eyes again, totally disoriented. His mask was streaming with tears and his heart was racing. He was dizzy and choked noisily. What was happening to him? Was he compensating for all the tension he had built up over those last few weeks? Partly, but not only. That song had completely upset him. It echoed so many things in him: his love for Ma-Duk, which although sincere, would never surpass the love he felt for his brother and especially for his mother; the extreme loyalty he showed to his tribe, whose customs he yet silently cursed; the fear of disappointing his father, whom he knew could deny him; and finally, the fear he felt towards the Kamis, who deprived their followers of freedom under the guise of grand designs. This stranger was in truth so little different from him. He was his mirror, and he had just taken his life. Pü clenched his trembling fists and tried to regulate his breathing. One night his mother had told him about a psychosomatic illness that could cause such symptoms in those who exposed themselves to powerful works of art. This song was one of them. It would scar him for life, he knew. Noticing his agitation, the general called out to him. His diction was getting slower and slower.

:''"Get a grip, boy, you have to learn to deal with your emotions. You are heading down so dark a road, one that you have been forced to take, and one that will bring you many difficulties."

For the first time since the beginning of the discussion, the Matis gave him a grave look.

:''"I have seen you fight, I have seen the way you do it and how you hold yourself doing it. You may well be an exceptional fighter, but you hate to kill. You are not one of those who get drunk on the blood of their victims. Every time you take a life, it is as if you were killing yourself. You are young, you can still take your destiny in hand and journey towards a happier tomorrow."

If only he knew, thought Pü, recalling Grandmother Bä-Bä's predictions.

:''"Come on…. I've made this moment too long…. It's time for me to join my ancestors,"'' he stammered, slumping onto the Zorai.

:''"Wait, tell me your name! And those of your daughter and your wife!"

:''"I am Sirgio di Rolo…. My wife's name is Virinia…. And our beautiful little girl… Trini…."

Pü held the general's shoulders, and laid him on the ground. He was dead. He closed his eyes and gently dislodged the murderous dagger.

:''"Sirgio di Rolo, I promise you to pray every morning for the coming year for the salvation of your daughter. I also commit to bind my soul to yours during my Return Ceremony. I hope you will give me the strength to pursue my destiny."

With these words, the child opened the small satchel that hung on his left thigh. It contained two thin, long instruments which he carefully retrieved. The first was a stem of [[taleng]], twenty centimeters long and one centimeter in diameter, one end of which had been cut to a point. The Taleng, characterized by its green stems formed by a fast-growing, lignified hollow thatch, was found in abundance in the Jungle. The Zorais commonly used it as a material for crafting utensils. The second tool, also made from taleng, was a set of thin, long pliers. Pü stepped over the general's chest and lifted the dead man’s head with his left hand. With his nigh amputated hand, he laboriously pushed the rod into the Matis's right nostril until he could no longer advance it. Then, with a well-aimed palm strike, he perforated his skull. Blood began to flow around and inside the rigid rod, and the child closed his eyes. Although he knew roughly its location, if he wanted to detect his target accurately, he had to silence his other senses. It took him only a few seconds then to discern the imperceptible echo pulsing from within the Matis' skull, reverberating subtly in the surrounding spirit particles. '''Meditative, Pü gradually pushed the tube into the Matis' brain'''. Finally, as the Taleng rod reached its destination, he opened his eyes again. Letting the general's head rest on the ground, he took up the thin pliers with his able hand and slipped them into the nasal tube. Although he had to concentrate again to make sure he didn't overshoot his target, a pulsation that was much more prominent than the others confirmed his success. Carefully, he pulled the pliers back and a small, surprisingly firm piece of flesh emerged from the tube, clamped between the prongs. Pü looked at the cocoon of flesh to make sure it wasn't damaged. Inside it was the seed of life, said to be the seat of the human soul. The soul of Sirgio di Rolo. Pü had already been able to observe this fragile treasure, which really looked like a small grayish seed, only slightly longer than a few millimeters. Sirgio di Rolo was well and truly dead, yet he could still make out the echo of his seed of life. Pü had wondered a lot about this echo during his exile. He had even wondered if it could be a signal. A signal from the soul. But a signal to whom? To Ma-Duk, inevitably.
[[file:Meditative.png|right|400px|alt=… Meditative, Pü gradually pushed…|Meditative, Pü gradually pushed]]
Javings taking off from the underbrush startled the child who instantly came to his senses. Opening one of the small pockets on his belt, he delicately placed his macabre trophy in it. He then repeated the operation on the other three corpses, taking care to place the pieces of flesh in separate pockets. Lastly, he moved on to Sivaldo, the unconscious artilleryman whom the general had asked him to spare. Like the other soldiers, he must have been about his brother's age. No doubt this Matis was probably considered by his people to be a model of beauty. He was tall and well-built, with long, bright blond braided hair. The harmonious features of his face seemed to have been drawn by hand, and when Pü lifted his eyelids to check his condition, he discovered irises refracting the light like crystal . Unfortunately for the Matis, a long, deep gash now ran across his face. Even if the Zorai would be able to close the wound, he would not be able to completely erase the mark caused by the impact of the shield. He was indeed too weak, and had to conserve enough energy to heal his own wounds.

Once the Matis was treated, he walked to the bush where he had hidden his cubic basket. Pü gently extracted it out of the leaves and placed it on the ground. Satisfied with the location, he cautiously opened the lid, as if it sheltered a treasure. The basket contained an amber cube perfectly embedded in the wicker receptacle, which itself seemed to contain several dozen shapes. He meticulously retrieved one of the pieces of flesh that he had stored in the pockets of his belt, and placed it on the only visible face of the cube. He then had only to imprint his will on the Sap that irrigated it, while pronouncing the famous Stance of Daïsha, so that the bloody mass sinks into the amber altered by the enchantment and freezes there. The use of amber cubes as a storage system had been invented, more than a century earlier, by the famous Hari Daïsha. Now widespread in the Jungle, it was used to preserve objects, but also to store knowledge, magically. Pü repeated the procedure hree times and took care to finish with the general's fragment. He carved the amber over the position of the latter so that he could easily distinguish it from the other pieces of flesh. When he closed the lid of the basket, he let out a sincere sigh of relief. For the first time in weeks, his next day would not be soiled with blood. After that, he patiently watched over the body of the survivor while waiting for reinforcements to arrive. He took advantage of this moment of respite to rest and dress his wounds. Although he repaired his broken ribs and closed his wounds, he gave up trying to regenerate his missing fingers: the mutilation left in evidence ensured him that this day would remain forever engraved in his memory. And when he heard the tumult of the Matis riders echoing in the distance, he disappeared into the darkness of the centuries old trees.
{{Couillard}}
The journey back home took several weeks, but it was smooth. Pü left the endless forests of the Kingdom of Matia and headed south, passing through the Zachini Scars, those dangerous and immense chasms that separated the forested highlands from the lush wet plains, and finally reached the Jungle, his homeland. He had no trouble crossing the Great Wall, which isolated the Zorai Theocracy from the rest of the world, and dodging the border guards, who seemed to rely a little too much on the gigantism of the wall. True, the Bulwark was imposing. But, having climbed it several times, the young homin had a good idea of its condition: unfortunately, the lack of maintenance was seriously felt in some places. One day, enemies of the Zorai Theocracy would topple the wall before Min-Cho or the Council of Elders would know. The child hoped that when the time came, the Zorais would be ready to face the invaders. During his entire return journey, Pü had been plagued by conflicting feelings. Ever since he had been forced to leave his village, his desire to return there as soon as possible had never left him. But if he had hoped to resume a normal life once he returned, he now could not help remembering the last words of Sirgio di Rolo:

:"You are young, you can still take your destiny in hand and journey towards a happier tomorrow."

Was he really able to regain control of his destiny? Could he stand up to the violent customs of his tribe? Would he be able to prevent his brother from leading the bloody conquest that was destined for him? So many questions that had tormented him since his leaving the Kingdom of Matia.

The amber star almost disappearing behind the north-western horizon heralded the dawn when Pü finally reached his destination. It had been many days now since he had passed the Ti-ain River and the Zoran capital, to continue south through the thick jungle. The second star, the day star, was just beginning to recover its brilliance, and swept its faint rays across the panorama that lay before him.
The child was taken aback by the sight. After living for several months in the heart of bewitching multicolored forests, he had forgotten the coldness of his world. At the top of the hill, the gigantic dead stump that housed his village stood eerily on the bark covered with stunted and blackened vegetation. The ancestors said that the stump was once the most imposing tree in the land, and that it contained exceptionally rare raw materials. Of course, the Karavan had tried to seize them, and the Kamis had violently opposed it. In a desperate assault, the Karavan agents had deployed a fire-breathing infernal machine. But not just any fire. It was a much more voracious and tenacious fire than usual, which had ravaged a good part of the region before tearing through the ground and continuing its course into the Prime Roots. It is said that even today the fire is still working silently in the depths of the Bark.

The child climbed the hill towards the disturbing tear that served as an entrance. No sooner had the guards recognized him than they bowed deferentially. Pü entered the stump and zipped without missing a beat to Grandmother Bä-Bä's hut. He moved by habit in the tortuous alleys of this strange multi-storey village, and instinctively dodged the roots that intertwined under his feet. The disappointment born from the comparison of the grayish landscape with the hearty forests of Matia had been quickly forgotten, leaving room for memories. He was born here. During his run, he came across several Zorais, who, once their surprise was over, all inclined their heads in a sign of respect. Pü returned their greetings, but avoided talking to them. In any case, he knew that all would soon know of his return. When he got within a stone's throw of Grandmother Bä-Bä's house, his nose pricked up and he saw purple fumes coming from the hut, a sign that the village oldest homina was preparing a concoction. He pushed open the first curtains, and before he had even fully entered the dwelling, the old homina called out to him:

:''"I was waiting for you my child, put the amber cube on the altar."

Pü passed the last cloth and saw Grandmother Bä-Bä, standing on a stool and bent in half over a large stockpot. Seeing her like that, crumpled, skeletal and twisted, Pü wondered at what age death became tired of waiting, and gave up trying to intervene. He walked to the altar and put down his basket. The ancestor was stirring a strange smelling mixture with a large wooden spoon.

:''"I'm just finishing concocting the drink for your Return Ceremony. Now go find your mother. She misses you terribly."

Pü obeyed and headed for the exit. However, he couldn't resist asking her a question.

"Grandmother, how did you know I was arriving?

Grandmother Bä-Bä clicked her tongue and Pü tensed up instantly. When he was younger, this characteristic sound was often accompanied by a cane stroke. The child's fingers hurt just thinking about it. With a sound, she had just reminded him that she was still the highest authority in the village, and that he should not disobey her.

:''"Go, I tell you! And if you want an advice, avoid mentioning precisely how the last encounter you made in the Kingdom of Matia ended, and the doubts you're facing since. The village might not appreciate it, and especially not your father."

Pü pushed aside the curtains that obscured the entrance like an automaton, disturbed both by the accuracy of Grandmother Bä-Bä's knowledge and by the idea that his father might learn the truth about the episode mentioned. However, the reason she had warned him was that she did not intend to reveal it to the Black Mask. Was she on his side? Pü didn't have time to worry any longer. No sooner had he stepped outside than he realized that half the village, including his family, was waiting for him outside the hut.
[[file:His father.png|right|400px|alt=… His father congratulated him…|His father congratulated him]]
The reunion went as he had imagined. '''His father congratulated him only briefly, but his gaze was filled with pride'''. His brother slapped him hard on the shoulder to show his affection, and then asked him how many victims he had made. For the future Black Mask, that was what mattered most. He was disappointed to learn that his cadet had only been satisfied with the hundred and fifty-one asked, while he himself had made almost twice that number in his time. As for his mother, she collapsed in his arms. Or Pü collapsed into hers. He had to make a considerable effort not to burst into tears in front of the crowd, and had to wait until he was face-to-face with her to let go completely. If his mother comforted him for a long time by covering him with caresses and soft words, she reprimanded him when she realized that he had voluntarily omitted to regenerate his cut fingers. Looï was a great healer, but once a certain period of scarring had passed, some wounds became permanent.

The very evening, the Return Ceremony took place. The entire tribe gathered in the Ceremonial Square where a drink was distributed to each villager, newborns included. It contained an alcoholic mixture of sap in which a cocoon of flesh had been dissolved. The Zorais placed in concentric circles and waited for Grandmother Bä-Bä to arrive, accompanied as always by Pü's mother. Although accustomed to the various rituals that often took place within the community, all held their breath when she raised her arm. The lights of the dwellings overlooking the square flew into her closed palm, and a small sphere of light emerged when she opened her hand. The star flew up to the totem pole and flared, before entering the mouth of a mask. The orifices of the other faces then lit up instantly. The old lady let go of Looï's arm, which had been her support until then, and recovered the bowl she was holding out to her with a trembling movement. She stepped forward to the totem pole.

:''"My sons, my daughters, we are gathered tonight to celebrate the return of Pü Fu-tao to us!"'' the old homina shouted in a strangely amplified voice. ''"The young boy has returned stronger from his exile in pagan lands, and in possession of the one hundred and fifty-one requested seeds of life! The Great Progenitor salutes his effort. But that is not all! Ma-Duk also entrusted me with something. We are now certain that the Sacred War will begin soon, and that it will be led by our children! Within a few years, we will set out. Guided by the Sacred Warrior, we will march across the world, hunting down the minions of the Karavan relentlessly!"

Pü stared at the beverage filling his bowl, as if mesmerized. The color of the liquid oscillated between purple and black, and small particles of reddish flesh floated on the surface. And then the grayish seed of Sirgio di Rolo emerged. So Ma-Duk had spoken to Grandmother Bä-Bä to tell her that the Sacred War would soon take place? Pü shuddered. He who had spent his return trip dreaming of another future, had just been coldly caught up in reality.

:''"Now drink the offering of Pü!"'' resumed Looï. ''"Feed on the essence of the Karavan's minions! They will give you the strength to accomplish the divine calling in which we must all participate before long! And if the Great Progenitor wills it, they will then be absolved of their sins!"

The Zorais drank the viscous liquid in one gulp and the parents took care of the youngests' dose. Pü swallowed the horrible mixture without reluctance, still lost in his thoughts. As his people began to sing in chorus the first liturgical songs of the evening, Pü looked sadly at the one he had just found, and might lose again in a few years. He hummed another tune.
<poem>
''May Jena forgive me and his clerics curse me,
''May [[Aniro III|Aniro]] disown me and flatterers rejoice,
''May Atys swallow me up and forget me forever,
''I die full of you, my child, my friend.
</poem>
A few more years of enjoying his presence. Then there would be only war, pain, blood and death. The death of others, his own, but maybe also his mother's. Whatever happened, Ma-Duk had to know: he would fight this battle for her first and foremost. Her life was more important than all the Kamis combined. And, much as Sirgio di Rolo, his last words would be dedicated to her.

}}
{{NavChap|[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter VI - The Awakening]]}}
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War]]

Chapter I·V - The Seed of Doubt

2023-02-27T09:09:51Z

Jadeyn:

{{NavChap|[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter VI - The Awakening]]}}
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<center><big><big><big><big>'''V - The Seed of Doubt'''</big></big></big></big></center> 

<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2474'''</big></big></center>
{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|
Pü was finally free. Free to go home to his loved ones. Unfortunately, the fight had not left him unharmed, and a resurgence of pain shattered these positive thoughts. The young Zorai sat up and examined himself: his legs and pelvis were blistered, his skin was superficially slashed in many places, and a third of his right hand had been severed, deprived of a part of his little finger and of his ring finger. It was while looking at his mutilations that he realized that his fire spell had completely cauterized his stump. In addition, four of his ribs were broken. But in the end, all things considered, he was doing pretty well. And above all, his present pain was nothing compared to what he had experienced a few months ago, during the growth of his mask.

:''"'Ma-Duk offers us the ultimate pain so that no pain in the world can ever reach his soldiers.'"

As he struggled to his feet, he heard a voice. Pü reflexively tried to draw his absent weapons and got into a fighting stance, looking around for his new opponent. No one. The voice became clearer: Matéis. Pü understood that it came from the general, and that this one had thus survived. This did not surprise him much, however: he had aimed at the motor area of the Matis's brain, not to kill him, but to damage his motor system and thus prevent him from extracting the blade that prevented regeneration. Taking the life of a homin was difficult. And when it was impossible to kill his opponent with one blow, it then became essential to try to reach his regenerative abilities. So, if the Matis had survived, he was unable to regenerate his brain, and was therefore doomed to death. Nevertheless, Pü cautiously moved towards him. For this homin was by far the toughest opponent he had ever faced, except perhaps his uncle and father. As he passed into his field of vision, '''the Matis, who was looking at the daylight, the dagger still stuck in his skull, put the gaze on him'''. Blood ran down his face. He articulated with difficulty.
[[file:The Matis.png|right|400px|alt=… the Matis, who was looking at the daylight…|the Matis, who was looking at the daylight]]
:''"My boy, your last stunt was impressive,"'' he said, coughing. ''"I have never fought an opponent as agile as you."

Pü weighed him coldly without answering. He was congratulating him? He would definitely not forget this opponent anytime soon.

:''"Ah, by the way… Forgive me about what I said about your mother and your people. If I cannot condone your customs, I did not mean my insults. Zorais are not savages, just as Trykers are not slaves. And if you are indeed indoctrinated, so are we. I simply wanted to provoke you… which worked out rather well."

Pü couldn't believe it. He had single-handedly decimated half of his squad and would soon kill him. And yet, the general regretted his words and apologized.

:''"My boy, my seconds are short. Before I go, I would like you to grant two of my requests. You have won this duel, you are not compelled to accept. However, I ask you to listen to your heart."

Although his mother had told him about the code of honor of Matia officers, this was the first time Pü had observed its application. None of Matia's soldiers he had faced before had ever behaved in this way. The Zorai relaxed and knelt before the Matis.

:''"Tell me, I'm listening."

:''"Firstly, I would like you to spare and secure Sivaldo, the gunner you knocked out. He is a brave soldier, like many others, and he is also my nephew. But most of all, his soul is particularly beautiful. For too many decades the Matis have spread hate, and suffered it in return. Our people need boys like him. Earlier, you offered me to run away, leaving him to you. If you need one life only, you've already got mine."

:''"I accept,"'' said Pü, who would have spared the soldier anyway.

:''"Thank you very much,"'' said the general, smiling faintly. ''"Finally, I would like you to let me sing for my wife and daughter. They are what I hold dearest in Matia. They have since forever been my reason to fight. It is for them above all that I train soldiers and protect the Kingdom."

Tears began to flow and mingle with the blood as he stared back at the day star.

:''"If you accept, I will be a fulfilled homin. Died in a magnificent fight under Jena's gaze, in honour of the hominas in my life."

Pü looked discreetly in the direction of where he had caught sight of the Kami. It was no longer there. Deep down, he knew it was wrong to let an enemy utter a pagan chant. But by mentioning his wife and daughter, the general had touched him. How could he not grant his last request? Pü knelt down beside him and laid a hand on his shoulder.

:''"I am listening to you."

:''"I knew you would accept,"'' sighed the Matis before clearing his throat. ''"Close your eyes, let your mind go, and hear the song of the Forest. I am going to accompany it with my voice."

Losing all notion of caution, Pü obeyed him. It was true that in many ways the forests of Matia were full of wonders, which once the eyes were closed, were expressed as much in its fragrant scents as in the soothing rustle of its trees. The silence fell. The general waited for the wind to rise and began his song.
<poem>
''The Mother, I prayed to and fought for Her,
''Who as a child lulled me with sweet litanies.
''But at the hour of death, my little one and my dear one,
''To your sweetness I have returned.

''The Karan I served, and I stood up for him
''Who early rewarded my thirst for the best.
''But it is you, wife and daughter forever in my heart,
''Who unsparingly gave me the best.

''The Karavan I feared, and on their behalf acted,
''So much power did their black machines display.
''But it is fear of losing you that makes me despair,
''In the last hour that sees life flee from the body.

''The Forest I loved, and for Matia often,
''Left the artifices of a stiff Court.
''But if by some miracle another day were given me,
''It is with you both that I would spend my time.

''May Jena forgive me and her clerics curse me,
''May [[Aniro III|Aniro]] disown me and flatterers rejoice,
''May Atys swallow me up and forget me forever,
''I die full of you, my child, my sweet.
</poem>
Pü opened his eyes again, totally disoriented. His mask was streaming with tears and his heart was racing. He was dizzy and choked noisily. What was happening to him? Was he compensating for all the tension he had built up over those last few weeks? Partly, but not only. That song had completely upset him. It echoed so many things in him: his love for Ma-Duk, which although sincere, would never surpass the love he felt for his brother and especially for his mother; the extreme loyalty he showed to his tribe, whose customs he yet silently cursed; the fear of disappointing his father, whom he knew could deny him; and finally, the fear he felt towards the Kamis, who deprived their followers of freedom under the guise of grand designs. This stranger was in truth so little different from him. He was his mirror, and he had just taken his life. Pü clenched his trembling fists and tried to regulate his breathing. One night his mother had told him about a psychosomatic illness that could cause such symptoms in those who exposed themselves to powerful works of art. This song was one of them. It would scar him for life, he knew. Noticing his agitation, the general called out to him. His diction was getting slower and slower.

:''"Get a grip, boy, you have to learn to deal with your emotions. You are heading down so dark a road, one that you have been forced to take, and one that will bring you many difficulties."

For the first time since the beginning of the discussion, the Matis gave him a grave look.

:''"I have seen you fight, I have seen the way you do it and how you hold yourself doing it. You may well be an exceptional fighter, but you hate to kill. You are not one of those who get drunk on the blood of their victims. Every time you take a life, it is as if you were killing yourself. You are young, you can still take your destiny in hand and journey towards a happier tomorrow."

If only he knew, thought Pü, recalling Grandmother Bä-Bä's predictions.

:''"Come on…. I've made this moment too long…. It's time for me to join my ancestors,"'' he stammered, slumping onto the Zorai.

:''"Wait, tell me your name! And those of your daughter and your wife!"

:''"I am Sirgio di Rolo…. My wife's name is Virinia…. And our beautiful little girl… Trini…."

Pü held the general's shoulders, and laid him on the ground. He was dead. He closed his eyes and gently dislodged the murderous dagger.

:''"Sirgio di Rolo, I promise you to pray every morning for the coming year for the salvation of your daughter. I also commit to bind my soul to yours during my Return Ceremony. I hope you will give me the strength to pursue my destiny."

With these words, the child opened the small satchel that hung on his left thigh. It contained two thin, long instruments which he carefully retrieved. The first was a stem of [[taleng]], twenty centimeters long and one centimeter in diameter, one end of which had been cut to a point. The Taleng, characterized by its green stems formed by a fast-growing, lignified hollow thatch, was found in abundance in the Jungle. The Zorais commonly used it as a material for crafting utensils. The second tool, also made from taleng, was a set of thin, long pliers. Pü stepped over the general's chest and lifted the dead man’s head with his left hand. With his nigh amputated hand, he laboriously pushed the rod into the Matis's right nostril until he could no longer advance it. Then, with a well-aimed palm strike, he perforated his skull. Blood began to flow around and inside the rigid rod, and the child closed his eyes. Although he knew roughly its location, if he wanted to detect his target accurately, he had to silence his other senses. It took him only a few seconds then to discern the imperceptible echo pulsing from within the Matis' skull, reverberating subtly in the surrounding spirit particles. '''Meditative, Pü gradually pushed the tube into the Matis' brain'''. Finally, as the Taleng rod reached its destination, he opened his eyes again. Letting the general's head rest on the ground, he took up the thin pliers with his able hand and slipped them into the nasal tube. Although he had to concentrate again to make sure he didn't overshoot his target, a pulsation that was much more prominent than the others confirmed his success. Carefully, he pulled the pliers back and a small, surprisingly firm piece of flesh emerged from the tube, clamped between the prongs. Pü looked at the cocoon of flesh to make sure it wasn't damaged. Inside it was the seed of life, said to be the seat of the human soul. The soul of Sirgio di Rolo. Pü had already been able to observe this fragile treasure, which really looked like a small grayish seed, only slightly longer than a few millimeters. Sirgio di Rolo was well and truly dead, yet he could still make out the echo of his seed of life. Pü had wondered a lot about this echo during his exile. He had even wondered if it could be a signal. A signal from the soul. But a signal to whom? To Ma-Duk, inevitably.
[[file:Meditative.png|right|400px|alt=… Meditative, Pü gradually pushed…|Meditative, Pü gradually pushed]]
Javings taking off from the underbrush startled the child who instantly came to his senses. Opening one of the small pockets on his belt, he delicately placed his macabre trophy in it. He then repeated the operation on the other three corpses, taking care to place the pieces of flesh in separate pockets. Lastly, he moved on to Sivaldo, the unconscious artilleryman whom the general had asked him to spare. Like the other soldiers, he must have been about his brother's age. No doubt this Matis was probably considered by his people to be a model of beauty. He was tall and well-built, with long, bright blond braided hair. The harmonious features of his face seemed to have been drawn by hand, and when Pü lifted his eyelids to check his condition, he discovered irises refracting the light like crystal . Unfortunately for the Matis, a long, deep gash now ran across his face. Even if the Zorai would be able to close the wound, he would not be able to completely erase the mark caused by the impact of the shield. He was indeed too weak, and had to conserve enough energy to heal his own wounds.

Once the Matis was treated, he walked to the bush where he had hidden his cubic basket. Pü gently extracted it out of the leaves and placed it on the ground. Satisfied with the location, he cautiously opened the lid, as if it sheltered a treasure. The basket contained an amber cube perfectly embedded in the wicker receptacle, which itself seemed to contain several dozen shapes. He meticulously retrieved one of the pieces of flesh that he had stored in the pockets of his belt, and placed it on the only visible face of the cube. He then had only to imprint his will on the Sap that irrigated it, while pronouncing the famous Stance of Daïsha, so that the bloody mass sinks into the amber altered by the enchantment and freezes there. The use of amber cubes as a storage system had been invented, more than a century earlier, by the famous Hari Daïsha. Now widespread in the Jungle, it was used to preserve objects, but also to store knowledge, magically. Pü repeated the procedure hree times and took care to finish with the general's fragment. He carved the amber over the position of the latter so that he could easily distinguish it from the other pieces of flesh. When he closed the lid of the basket, he let out a sincere sigh of relief. For the first time in weeks, his next day would not be soiled with blood. After that, he patiently watched over the body of the survivor while waiting for reinforcements to arrive. He took advantage of this moment of respite to rest and dress his wounds. Although he repaired his broken ribs and closed his wounds, he gave up trying to regenerate his missing fingers: the mutilation left in evidence ensured him that this day would remain forever engraved in his memory. And when he heard the tumult of the Matis riders echoing in the distance, he disappeared into the darkness of the centuries old trees.
{{Couillard}}
The journey back home took several weeks, but it was smooth. Pü left the endless forests of the Kingdom of Matia and headed south, passing through the Zachini Scars, those dangerous and immense chasms that separated the forested highlands from the lush wet plains, and finally reached the Jungle, his homeland. He had no trouble crossing the Great Wall, which isolated the Zorai Theocracy from the rest of the world, and dodging the border guards, who seemed to rely a little too much on the gigantism of the wall. True, the Bulwark was imposing. But, having climbed it several times, the young homin had a good idea of its condition: unfortunately, the lack of maintenance was seriously felt in some places. One day, enemies of the Zorai Theocracy would topple the wall before Min-Cho or the Council of Elders would know. The child hoped that when the time came, the Zorais would be ready to face the invaders. During his entire return journey, Pü had been plagued by conflicting feelings. Ever since he had been forced to leave his village, his desire to return there as soon as possible had never left him. But if he had hoped to resume a normal life once he returned, he now could not help remembering the last words of Sirgio di Rolo:

:"You are young, you can still take your destiny in hand and journey towards a happier tomorrow."

Was he really able to regain control of his destiny? Could he stand up to the violent customs of his tribe? Would he be able to prevent his brother from leading the bloody conquest that was destined for him? So many questions that had tormented him since his leaving the Kingdom of Matia.

The amber star almost disappearing behind the north-western horizon heralded the dawn when Pü finally reached his destination. It had been many days now since he had passed the Ti-ain River and the Zoran capital, to continue south through the thick jungle. The second star, the day star, was just beginning to recover its brilliance, and swept its faint rays across the panorama that lay before him.
The child was taken aback by the sight. After living for several months in the heart of bewitching multicolored forests, he had forgotten the coldness of his world. At the top of the hill, the gigantic dead stump that housed his village stood eerily on the bark covered with stunted and blackened vegetation. The ancestors said that the stump was once the most imposing tree in the land, and that it contained exceptionally rare raw materials. Of course, the Karavan had tried to seize them, and the Kamis had violently opposed it. In a desperate assault, the Karavan agents had deployed a fire-breathing infernal machine. But not just any fire. It was a much more voracious and tenacious fire than usual, which had ravaged a good part of the region before tearing through the ground and continuing its course into the Prime Roots. It is said that even today the fire is still working silently in the depths of the Bark.

The child climbed the hill towards the disturbing tear that served as an entrance. No sooner had the guards recognized him than they bowed deferentially. Pü entered the stump and zipped without missing a beat to Grandmother Bä-Bä's hut. He moved by habit in the tortuous alleys of this strange multi-storey village, and instinctively dodged the roots that intertwined under his feet. The disappointment born from the comparison of the grayish landscape with the hearty forests of Matia had been quickly forgotten, leaving room for memories. He was born here. During his run, he came across several Zorais, who, once their surprise was over, all inclined their heads in a sign of respect. Pü returned their greetings, but avoided talking to them. In any case, he knew that all would soon know of his return. When he got within a stone's throw of Grandmother Bä-Bä's house, his nose pricked up and he saw purple fumes coming from the hut, a sign that the village oldest homina was preparing a concoction. He pushed open the first curtains, and before he had even fully entered the dwelling, the old homina called out to him:

:''"I was waiting for you my child, put the amber cube on the altar."

Pü passed the last cloth and saw Grandmother Bä-Bä, standing on a stool and bent in half over a large stockpot. Seeing her like that, crumpled, skeletal and twisted, Pü wondered at what age death became tired of waiting, and gave up trying to intervene. He walked to the altar and put down his basket. The ancestor was stirring a strange smelling mixture with a large wooden spoon.

:''"I'm just finishing concocting the drink for your Return Ceremony. Now go find your mother. She misses you terribly."

Pü obeyed and headed for the exit. However, he couldn't resist asking her a question.

"Grandmother, how did you know I was arriving?

Grandmother Bä-Bä clicked her tongue and Pü tensed up instantly. When he was younger, this characteristic sound was often accompanied by a cane stroke. The child's fingers hurt just thinking about it. With a sound, she had just reminded him that she was still the highest authority in the village, and that he should not disobey her.

:''"Go, I tell you! And if you want an advice, avoid mentioning precisely how the last encounter you made in the Kingdom of Matia ended, and the doubts you're facing since. The village might not appreciate it, and especially not your father."

Pü pushed aside the curtains that obscured the entrance like an automaton, disturbed both by the accuracy of Grandmother Bä-Bä's knowledge and by the idea that his father might learn the truth about the episode mentioned. However, the reason she had warned him was that she did not intend to reveal it to the Black Mask. Was she on his side? Pü didn't have time to worry any longer. No sooner had he stepped outside than he realized that half the village, including his family, was waiting for him outside the hut.
[[file:His father.png|right|400px|alt=… His father congratulated him…|His father congratulated him]]
The reunion went as he had imagined. '''His father congratulated him only briefly, but his gaze was filled with pride'''. His brother slapped him hard on the shoulder to show his affection, and then asked him how many victims he had made. For the future Black Mask, that was what mattered most. He was disappointed to learn that his cadet had only been satisfied with the hundred and fifty-one asked, while he himself had made almost twice that number in his time. As for his mother, she collapsed in his arms. Or Pü collapsed into hers. He had to make a considerable effort not to burst into tears in front of the crowd, and had to wait until he was face-to-face with her to let go completely. If his mother comforted him for a long time by covering him with caresses and soft words, she reprimanded him when she realized that he had voluntarily omitted to regenerate his cut fingers. Looï was a great healer, but once a certain period of scarring had passed, some wounds became permanent.

The very evening, the Return Ceremony took place. The entire tribe gathered in the Ceremonial Square where a drink was distributed to each villager, newborns included. It contained an alcoholic mixture of sap in which a cocoon of flesh had been dissolved. The Zorais placed in concentric circles and waited for Grandmother Bä-Bä to arrive, accompanied as always by Pü's mother. Although accustomed to the various rituals that often took place within the community, all held their breath when she raised her arm. The lights of the dwellings overlooking the square flew into her closed palm, and a small sphere of light emerged when she opened her hand. The star flew up to the totem pole and flared, before entering the mouth of a mask. The orifices of the other faces then lit up instantly. The old lady let go of Looï's arm, which had been her support until then, and recovered the bowl she was holding out to her with a trembling movement. She stepped forward to the totem pole.

:''"My sons, my daughters, we are gathered tonight to celebrate the return of Pü Fu-tao to us!"'' the old homina shouted in a strangely amplified voice. ''"The young boy has returned stronger from his exile in pagan lands, and in possession of the one hundred and fifty-one requested seeds of life! The Great Progenitor salutes his effort. But that is not all! Ma-Duk also entrusted me with something. We are now certain that the Sacred War will begin soon, and that it will be led by our children! Within a few years, we will set out. Guided by the Sacred Warrior, we will march across the world, hunting down the minions of the Karavan relentlessly!"

Pü stared at the beverage filling his bowl, as if mesmerized. The color of the liquid oscillated between purple and black, and small particles of reddish flesh floated on the surface. And then the grayish seed of Sirgio di Rolo emerged. So Ma-Duk had spoken to Grandmother Bä-Bä to tell her that the Sacred War would soon take place? Pü shuddered. He who had spent his return trip dreaming of another future, had just been coldly caught up in reality.

:''"Now drink the offering of Pü!"'' resumed Looï. ''"Feed on the essence of the Karavan's minions! They will give you the strength to accomplish the divine calling in which we must all participate before long! And if the Great Progenitor wills it, they will then be absolved of their sins!"

The Zorais drank the viscous liquid in one gulp and the parents took care of the youngests' dose. Pü swallowed the horrible mixture without reluctance, still lost in his thoughts. As his people began to sing in chorus the first liturgical songs of the evening, Pü looked sadly at the one he had just found, and might lose again in a few years. He hummed another tune.
<poem>
''May Jena forgive me and his clerics curse me,
''May [[Aniro III|Aniro]] disown me and flatterers rejoice,
''May Atys swallow me up and forget me forever,
''I die full of you, my child, my friend.
</poem>
A few more years of enjoying his presence. Then there would be only war, pain, blood and death. The death of others, his own, but maybe also his mother's. Whatever happened, Ma-Duk had to know: he would fight this battle for her first and foremost. Her life was more important than all the Kamis combined. And, much as Sirgio di Rolo, his last words would be dedicated to her.

}}
{{NavChap|[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter VI - The Awakening]]}}
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War]]

Momo

2023-01-22T15:18:51Z

Jadeyn:

{{Trad
|DE=Momo
|EN=Momo
|ES=Momo
|FR=Momos
|RU=Момо
|H=1
|palette=matis
}}{{clear}}</noinclude>
[[File:Momos.png|200px|thumb|Momo|right ]]

A now extinct primitive race that dwelled in the forest.

==History==
<poem> It was under [[Zachini]] rule that the [[Momo|momos]], primitive tribes, were hunted to extermination under the pretext that the inferior creatures menaced the living space of the [[Matis]] people.
Some old Matis say that the Momos were then recognised by everyone in the Kingdom as distant ancestors and that this very thought disgusted the king of that time. They lived in the lush forests of Atys.</poem>
<noinclude> {{clear}}{{Portal|Races|Matis}}
[[Category:Primitives]]{{Last version link|Momo}}</noinclude>

Tribes of Atys

2023-01-17T08:11:23Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE = Stammesübersicht |DEs= 4
|EN = Tribes of Atys |ENs= 4
|ES = Tribus de Atys |ESs= 5
|FR = Vue d'ensemble des Tribus |FRs=4
|RU = Обзор племен |RUs= 5
|H =
}}</noinclude>

This is a detailed index of all tribes on Atys by continent. For the simple alphabetic listing of all tribes, see [[:Category:Tribes]].

For a guide on tribe fame, see [[tribe fame]]. And [[Bandit Groups of Atys|here is the bandits list]].
=By Main Region=
==Tribes of Aeden Aqueous==
The lakelands of Aeden Aqueous have the least number of tribes of any of the major continents of the New Lands. Almost every region is home to only one tribe, who thus have their region all to themselves. This keeps the politics mostly simple, and the Tryker federation has few enemy tribes to deal with. The [[Slavers]] and the [[Lagoon Brothers]] still give them trouble however, preying on Tryker in the regions that connect the lakelands to the other continents. The safer regions are home to the [[Corsairs]] and the [[Silt Sculptors]], tribes of Tryker that remain close allies to the federation. And in the corners of Aeden Aqueous reside a few peaceful tribes who are tolerated by the Tryker government and prefer to be left alone; the [[Smugglers]], the [[Beachcombers]], and the tribe of intelligent Cutes known as the [[Cuzans]].

{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" border="0"
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Corsairs]] || races=[[Tryker]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Liberty Lake]] || image=corsairscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Corsairs%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Silt Sculptors]] || races=[[Tryker]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Winds of Muse]] || image=siltsculptorscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Silt%20Sculptors%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Smugglers]] || races=[[Fyros]], [[Matis]], [[Tryker]] || cult=[[Marauder]] || location=[[Fount]] || image=smugglerscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Smugglers%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Beachcombers]] || races=[[Tryker]], [[Zoraï]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Enchanted Isle]] || image=beachcomberscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Beachcombers%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Slavers]] || races=[[Fyros]], [[Matis]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Bounty Beaches]] || image=slaverscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Slavers%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Lagoon Brothers]] || races=[[Tryker]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Lagoons of Loria]] || image=lagoonbrotherscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Lagoon%20Brothers%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Cuzans]] || races=[[Cute]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Lagoons of Loria]] || image=cuzanscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Cuzans}}
|}

{{Trad|EN=Tribes_of_Atys#Tribes_of_the_Burning_Desert|FR=Catégorie:Tribus Désert}}

==Tribes of the Burning Desert==
The Burning Desert is relatively sparsely populated with tribes. Except for the Scorched Corridor, each region only has one tribe settled in it, thus most tribes have complete hegemony over their region. The nature of these tribes depends on how far you are from Pyr. In the regions surrounding the Fyros capital the tribes are peaceful and either staunch or at least uneasy allies of the Fyros. The [[Leviers]], [[Water Breakers]], [[Frahar Hunters]], [[Barkers]], and [[Watchers]] will all offer their camps as sanctuaries to most travellers. Further out into the desert however, settle the tribes that are outright hostile to the Fyros empire. The [[Dune Riders]] and the [[Renegades]] are Fyros outcasts that will attack fellow Fyros on sight, while the [[Lawless]] and the [[Scorchers]] are little better than common bandits and attack any homins regardless of race. In the furthest corner of the Desert, the intelligent Frahar tribe known as the [[Fraiders]] tries to carve out a peaceful co-existence with homins amongst the savagery.

{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" border="0"
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Leviers]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Imperial Dunes]] || image=levierscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Leviers%20Tribe}}
|{{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Water Breakers]] || races=[[Fyros]], [[Matis]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Oflovak's Oasis]] || image=waterbreakerscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Water%20Breakers%20Tribe}}
|-
|{{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Frahar Hunters]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Frahar Towers]] || image=fraharhunterscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Frahar%20Hunters}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Barkers]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Sawdust Mines]] || image=barkerscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Barkers%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Renegades]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Dunes of Exile]] || image=renegadescamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Renegades%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Dune Riders]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Savage Dunes]] || image=duneriderscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Dune%20Riders%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Lawless]] || races=All || cult=[[Marauder]] || location=[[Outlaw Canyon]] || image=lawlesscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Lawless%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Watchers]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Scorched Corridor]] || image=watcherscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Watchers%20Kami}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Scorchers]] || races=All || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Scorched Corridor]] || image=scorcherscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Scorchers%20Karavan}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Fraiders]] || races=[[Frahar]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Scorched Corridor]] || image=fraiderscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Fraiders%20Tribe}}
|}

==Tribes of the Verdant Heights==
The Verdant Heights are a hotbed of tribe activity and conflict. Beneath the trees of the forests you'll find more tribes than on any other continent in the New Lands, and also more tribal hostility than anywhere else. The Matis government has to manage a constant carefully balanced political game to keep all the hostile tribes at bay, but luckily for them they also have several allied tribes assisting them in this matter. Though the region containing the Matis cities is safe and only populated by the peaceful [[Green Seed]], enemy tribes await the Matis right over the region borders in either direction.

The northern Verdant Heights are where the tribes opposing the Matis kingdom fight against the tribes allied with the Matis. [[First Deserters]] against [[Matisian Border Guards]], [[Woven Bridles]] against [[The Arid Matis]], and [[Ancient Dryads]] against the [[Sap Slaves]]. Only the tribe of the [[Oasis Diggers]], in the far northwestern corner of the Verdant Heights, stays out of all the fighting and coexists peacefully with the Matis and the other tribes.

The southern Verdant Heights, while not so directly in conflict, are still home to various dangerous tribes, most of whom oppose the Matis. The [[Siblings of the Weeds]] only oppose them peacefully, but the [[Sacred Sap]], the [[Ecowarriors]] and the [[Slash and Burn]] are all known to attack Matis on sight. The only tribe allied to the Matis, the [[Darkening Sap]] in the far southeastern corner of the Verdant Heights, are dangerous fanatics who are known to attack non-Matis instead.

{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" border="0"
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Green Seed]] || races=[[Matis]], [[Tryker]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Majestic Garden]] || image=greenseedcamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Green%20Seed%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Siblings of the Weeds]] || races=[[Zoraï]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Fleeting Garden]] || image=siblingsoftheweedscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Siblings%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Sacred Sap]] || races=[[Zoraï]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Fleeting Garden]] || image=sacredsapcamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Sacred%20Sap%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Matisian Border Guards]] || races=[[Matis]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Knoll of Dissent]] || image=borderguardscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Border%20Guards%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[First Deserters]] || races=[[Matis]] || cult=[[Marauder]] || location=[[Knoll of Dissent]] || image=firstdeserterscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;First%20Deserter%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[The Arid Matis]] || races=[[Matis]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Hidden Source]] || image=aridmatiscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Arid%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Oasis Diggers]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Hidden Source]] || image=oasisdiggerscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Oasis%20Diggers%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Woven Bridles]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Hidden Source]] || image=wovenbridlescamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Woven%20Bridles%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Ecowarriors]] || races=[[Tryker]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Upper Bog]] || image=ecowarriorscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Ecowarriors%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=The [[Slash and Burn]] || races=All || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Upper Bog]] || image=slashandburncamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;The%20Slash%20And%20Burn%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Darkening Sap]] || races=[[Matis]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Heretics Hovel]] || image=darkeningsapcamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Darkening%2Sap%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Sap Slaves]] || races=[[Matis]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Grove of Confusion]] || image=sapslavescamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Sap%20Slaves%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Ancient Dryads]] || races=All || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Grove of Confusion]] || image=ancientdryadscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Ancient%20Dryads}}
|}

==Tribes of the Witherings==
The Witherings have a moderate population of tribes. Most regions of the jungle are home to two tribes having to share the region, but unlike in the Verdant Heights, most of these tribes manage to indeed share the region peacefully, and none of these tribes are directly at war with eachother. There is still a stark contrast between the central region and the outlying regions though. The central regions are home to the [[Icon Worshippers]], [[Hamazans of the Dead Seed]], [[Shadow Runners]], [[Tutors]] and the [[Company of the Eternal Tree]]. Tribes that, although greatly varying in their goals and means, at least all follow the Kami and are on speaking terms with the Zoraï . The outlying regions however, harbor mostly tribes who follow the Karavan, many of which also study the Goo. The [[Antikamis]], [[Goo Heads]], [[Black Circle]] and [[Master of the Goo]] are all made up of sinister fanatics who are outright hostile to the Zoraï nation, and indeed no other government has to fend off so many dangerous tribes as the Zoraï one. Lastly, the intelligent Gibbaï of the [[Gibads]] tribe also hide deep in the jungle, living there peacefully unless provoked.

{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" border="0"
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Icon Worshippers]] || races=[[Zoraï]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Cities of Intuition]] || image=iconworshipperscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Icon%20Worshippers}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Hamazans of the Dead Seed]] || races=[[Matis]] (female) || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Maiden Grove]] || image=hamazanscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Hamamzans%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Shadow Runners]] || races=[[Tryker]] (male) || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Maiden Grove]] || image=shadowrunnerscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Shadow%20Runners%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Company of the Eternal Tree]] || races=All || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Haven of Purity]] || image=companytreecamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Company%20Tree}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Tutors]] || races=All || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Haven of Purity]] || image=tutorscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Tutors%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Goo Heads]] || races=All || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Knot of Dementia]] || image=gooheadscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Goo%20Heads%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Antikamis]] || races=[[Zoraï]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Grove of Umbra]] || image=antikamiscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Antikamis%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Black Circle]] || races=All || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Grove of Umbra]] || image=blackcirclecamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Black%20Circle%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Master of the Goo]] || races=[[Zoraï]] || cult=[[Marauder]] || location=[[Void]] || image=masterofthegoocamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Master%20Goo%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Gibads]] || races=[[Gibbaï]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Void]] || image=gibads.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Gibads%20Tribe}}
|}

==Tribes of Nexus==
Nexus, the high forested plateau at the center of the New Lands, is also the heart of the factional conflict between the homin followers of the [[Higher Powers]]. The Karavan loyalists of [[The Kuild]] and the Kami loyalists of the [[Company of the Eternal Tree]], the two tribes most favored by their respective Higher Powers, have established camps on opposite sides of Destiny's End and vie for control of the resource-rich region. It is perhaps an uneven struggle, as The Kuild also has to contend with the [[Recoverers]], a tribe of Zoraï Kami-worshippers who have also set up camp in the region.

{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" border="0"
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Kuilde]] || races=All || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Nexus]] || image=kuildcamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Kuild%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Company of the Eternal Tree]] || races=All || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Nexus]] || image=companytreenexuscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Company%20Tree}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Recoverers]] || races=[[Zoraï]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Nexus]] || image=recovererscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Recoverers%20Tribe}}
|}

==Tribes of the Prime Roots==
Even the dangerous underground halls of the Prime Roots are inhabited by numerous tribes, though you'll not find more than one per region. A tribe would have to have a very good reason indeed to want to settle in this remote place, and most that do either want to get away from all civilisation, or have something specific to look for down there. Whichever it is, there are some tribes in the Prime Roots that don't want surface dwellers meddling in their affairs, so most homins would do best to avoid the camps of the [[Cholorogoos]], [[Sap Gleaners]] or [[Cockroaches]]. Fortunately most tribes do still welcome visitors, and the camps of the [[Night Turners]], [[Kitin Gatherers]], [[Keepers]] and [[Firebrands]] make welcome sanctuaries in their respective parts of the Prime Roots. And a few tribes, like the [[Pyromancers]] and the [[Root Tappers]], even still manage to uphold alliances with some of the surface nations while living down under.
{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" border="0"
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Night Turners]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Windy Gate]] || image=nightturnerscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Night%20Turners%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Cholorogoos]] || races=[[Tryker]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Gate of Obscurity]] || image=chlorogooscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Cholorogoos%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Kitin Gatherers]] || races=All || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Elusive Forest]] || image=kitingathererscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Kitin%20Gatherers%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Pyromancers]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Trench of Trials]] || image=pyromancerscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Pyromancers%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Sap Gleaners]] || races=[[Zoraï]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Abyss of Ichor]] || image=sapgleanerscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Gleaners%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Root Tappers]] || races=[[Fyros]], [[Tryker]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Under Spring]] || image=roottapperscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Root%20Tappers%20Tribe}}
|-
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Keepers]] || races=All || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Land of Continuity]] || image=keeperscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Keepers%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Cockroaches]] || races=[[Tryker]] || cult=[[Kami]] || location=[[Sunken City]] || image=cockroachescamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Cockroaches%20Tribe}}
| {{Infobox Tribe || Tribename=[[Firebrands]] || races=[[Fyros]] || cult=[[Karavan]] || location=[[Forbidden Depths]] || image=firebrandscamp.jpg || maplink=http://ballisticmystix.net/?p=map;keywords;Firebrands%20Tribe}}
|}
=By Allegeance=
[[:Category:Primitive Tribes]] (3)
[[:Category:Kami Tribes‎]] (28)
[[:Category:Karavan Tribes‎]] (22)
[[:Category:Marauder Tribes]] (1)
[[:Category:Ranger Tribes‎]] (0)

<noinclude> 
 
{{clear}}
----
<references/>
----
{{Portal|Tribe}}
[[Category:Inhabitants]] [[Category:Tribes]]
[[de:Stammesübersicht]] [[en:Tribes of Atys]] [[es:Visión general de las tribus]] [[fr:Vue d'ensemble des Tribus]] [[ru:Обзор племен]]{{last version link|Tribes of Atys}}</noinclude>

Vortex

2023-01-03T16:41:22Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE = Vortex |DEs= 4
|EN = Vortex |ENs= 4
|ES = Vórtice |ESs= 4
|FR = Vortex |FRs= 0
|RU = Вортекс |RUs= 1
|H = 1
|palette=
|ref=
|com=
}}</noinclude>
;[[Vortex]] :A vortex (also known as "portal") is a pathway connecting two [[region]]s, sometimes over long distances. They have been created by the [[Karavan]] and/or the [[Kami]]s[missing reference].
 
*Any [[homin]] can use a [[vortex]]. Animals seem very reluctant to go through them, but the pets follow their masters.
*The most recent [[vortex]] has been linking the [[Dunes of Exile]] to the [[Knot of Dementia]] since [[2527]].

<noinclude>[[Category:Glossary]] [[Category:Geography]] [[Category:Atys]]
[[de:Vortex]] [[en:Vortex]] [[es:Vórtice]] [[fr:Vortex]] [[ru:Вортекс]]</noinclude>

The New Beginning

2022-12-27T10:33:20Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Lore Officielle}}
{{Trad
|DE=Geschichte#Der_Neubeginn_(2483_-_2525)
|EN=The New Beginning
|ES=Nuevo Comienzo
|FR=Nouveau Commencement
|RU=
}}</noinclude>[[File:Illustration nouveau commencement.jpg|frame|center]]
 
 
<noinclude><center>'''<big><big><big>The New Beginning</big></big></big>'''</center>
<center><big>''History of Atys, from the return from the Prime Roots in 2483 to 2525''</big></center> 
 </noinclude>

<poem> Up until the dark days of the exile, the homin peoples had always lived separately. The collapse brought them together. The refugees of the [[Prime Roots]] had no other choice but to learn to tolerate one another and live together. They made ready their return to the surface and declared the [[Edict of the Four Peoples]]. This agreement foresaw a sharing of the new lands according to the territorial preference of each race. In 2483, when they finally returned to the surface, the [[Zoraï|Zoraïs]] regained possession of the jungle, whilst the [[Matis]] took the forests, the [[Fyros]] took the deserts and the [[Trykers]] took the lakes.

The exile lasted two years, this being the time it took for the [[Kami|Kamis]] and the [[Karavan]] to push the [[Kitin|Kitins]] back down to the depths of [[Atys]]. The Guardians of the Karavan remained in close contact with the homins during this period. As soon as the four races had completed their ascent to the surface, the Karavan took great care to seal the passageways that lead to the [[Prime Roots]] and prevented anyone else from using them.

For the civilizations, everything had to be rebuilt from scratch. They spent the next three generations laying the foundations of new Homin empires. The [[Fyros]], under the command of [[Leanon]], sister of the late emperor [[Cerakos II]], the Zoraïs guided by [[Hoï-Cho]], the [[Trykers]] under the leadership of [[Rigan Mac'Darrell]], and the [[Matis]] lead by [[Yasson]], all began the arduous task. They took over and secured new territories, built towns and began to re-establish trade routes.</poem>
 
 
{{Couillard2}}
 
 
<poem> According to the legend, the [[Matis]] capital was built on the exact spot where the arrow of [[Yasson|King Yasson]] landed, in [[Majestic Garden]]. The capital bears the name of his son, [[Yrkanis]], born in the [[Prime Roots]] in 2482. The [[Zoraï|Zoraïs]] built [[Zora]] in memory of those who fell during the [[kitin]] attack. The [[Tryker|Trykers]] explored the continent of [[Aeden Aqueous]] and laid the first foundations of [[Fairhaven]] in an area particularly rich in resources. The city of [[Pyr]], capital city of the [[Fyros]] people, was constructed behind the site where the embalmed body of [[Cerakos II]] was burned. The funeral pyre thus became the great door to the city.

Very quickly, the refugees began to throng the ancient lands, swelling the ranks of the survivors. Training camps were set up to welcome them and provide training. Great warriors of all races came together under the banner of the [[Guild:Force of Fraternity|Guild of the Force of Fraternity]]. They too had taken the route of the exodus to rejoin their people and teach them new methods of combat. Each race cherishes the names of these heroes: Kalus Hym the Fyros, Leng Cheng-Ho the Zoraï, Matini Roqvini the Matis and Bremmen Dingle the Tryker. All died gloriously, sacrificing their lives for their people and their leader.

When word came in 2490 that the Kitins had begun to re-appear on homin lands, the [[Guild:Force of Fraternity|Force of Fraternity]] set off to meet them head on. A Pact of Mutual Assistance was signed by [[Hoï-Cho]], [[Rigan Mac'Darell]], [[Leanon]] and [[Yasson]].

But the homin alliance proved to be short-lived. The lines of discord began to multiply, beginning when each race allied itself with the Kamis and the Karavan and when the ambitions of the leaders began to diverge. The Matis, and to a lesser extent the Trykers, took a resolute stance and joined the Karavan, whilst the Fyros turned towards the Kamis. The [[Zorai|Zoraïs]] had escaped the influence of the Karavan as soon as they resurfaced from the Prime Roots and it was during this time that the Kamis arranged a meeting between the leader [[Hoï-Cho]] and [[Ma-Duk]], whom they revered as the veritable Lord of the Kamis. At this time, the [[Guild of Elia]]s appeared. It was a secret society made up of individuals from many races, whose stated goal was to spread the name of [[Elias Tryton]]. Its methods and group ethos are still rather unclear. Considered as a sect by the Karavan, the Guild continued nevertheless to win widespread support.

Once again, trade exchanges between the races proved to be the factor that unleashed further wars. The [[Fyros]] and the [[Trykers]] signed a trade agreement which lead the [[Matis]] to revoke the Edict of Four Peoples. The following year (2499), the Matis invaded Tryker lands - it was the beginning of the Autumn War in [[Lagoons of Loria]].

The Tryker resistance took the form of a guerilla movement lead by [[Still Wyler]]. He was soon joined by the Fyros, who joined their allies by passing through Zoraïs lands. The Fyros were lead by Dexton, son of the deceased emperor, Cerakos II. Dexton showed great bravery in battle, but was eventually captured by the Matis. [[Mabreka|Mabreka Cheng-Ho]], son of the great Zoraï warrior [[Leng Cheng-Ho]], who gave his life to save the Matis prince [[Yrkanis (king)|Yrkanis]] from the Kitins, negotiated [[Dexton|Dexton's]] freedom for a sum of 1,000,000 [[Dapper|dappers]]. [[Yasson|King Yasson]] accepted the offer against the advice of his younger half-brother Jinovitch and a contingent of the royal court. Jinovitch saw only weakness in the moderation shown by the king. Despite these tensions, the leaders of the four peoples signed a new peace agreement in 2501 and the Lagoons of Loria were thereafter considered neutral territory.</poem>
 
 
{{Couillard2}}
 
 
<poem> Over the course of the two years following the signing of the treaty, the leadership of all four peoples changed hands. [[Dexton]] succeeded [[Leanon]] as king, while [[Beadley Nimby]] emerged as the head of the [[Trykers]] in a struggle with [[Still Wyler]]. [[Hoï-Ch]]o died heirless, thus ending the [[Cho]] dynasty. Despite the widespread popularity of [[Mabreka]], the old and wise [[Fung-Tun]] took over the leadership of the [[Zorai|Zoraïs]] and banished his opponent to exile. Mabreka took refuge among the [[Fyros]] in the city of [[Pyr]]. Fung-Tun reinstated the worship of [[Jena]] and, under the pretext of fighting the [[Goo]], reintroduced slavery.

Unrest was most felt among the [[Matis]], the most ambitious and scheming people of [[Atys]]. [[Jinovitch]] poisoned the king, took the crown, pursued the multiracial guilds and tracked down anyone who opposed the [[Karavan]]. The new dictator also renamed the capital [[Yrkani]]s, calling it Jino instead. From then on, Matis interests would be defended with arrogance.

With this tyrant seizing power, trade routes once again became a major source of tension. A surcharge was imposed on any Fyros goods traveling through Matis territories. The Fyros decided to travel through Zoraï territory instead in order to continue trading, but some of the traders provoked a fire, which lead the Zoraïs to close the trade route.

The lessons of the past taught Jinovitch that, even with the support of the Karavan, the Matis would find it difficult to oppose a Tryker/Fyros alliance. Jinovitch hatched a plan therefore to drive a wedge between the two sides. He proposed a lowering of taxes on goods to the Trykers, who in return would agree to follow the teachings of the Karavan more closely. The offer was accepted immediately by Beadley Nimby. To the heretic Fyros however, he would offer only war.

This campaign would prove fatal to the ambitions of Jinovitch however, who lost an entire battalion in the attack on [[Sawdust Mines]]. The Fyros were able to count on a formidable ally among their ranks - Mabreka. He fought alongside Dexton and then returned to a hero's welcome in his home country. He became leader of his people following the deposing of Fung-Tun, who had been struck down by the Goo. The New Zoraï leader revived the former Cho dynasty and reinstated the worship of [[Ma-Duk]]. As soon as he came to power, under the name of Mabreka-Cho, he signed a pact of alliance with the Fyros in case of Matis attack. The pact also authorized the Fyros to once again make use of the trade routes that pass through the jungle lands.

For his part, prince Yrkanis took advantage of the defeat inflicted on the Matis to attempt to topple the throne, but without success. Yrkanis was then arrested and put in prison. He barely escaped an assassination attempt and fled with his cohorts through the [[Prime Roots]]. While Jinovitch passed him off as dead, Yrkanis found safe asylum with the Trykers and then the Zoraïs until 2512.

In the same year, [[Jinovitch]] launched a campaign against [[Lagoons of Loria]], which were immediately renamed Jino Waters. Prince Yrkanis and his followers then allied themselves to the newly elected Tryker leader, [[Still Wyler]]. Many Matis soldiers rallied to their cause. On the way to Tryker front, King Jinovitch died horrible death in the jaws of kitin scouts which his soldiers left him to charge alone. .

[[Yrkanis (king)|Yrkanis]] took over from him and Lagoons of Loria were retroceded to the Trykers. A peace treaty was signed between the homin peoples, followed by a free trade agreement and the ratification of the [[Homin Rights Act]], an anti-slavery text introduced by the Trykers. A new era of peace had begun.</poem>
 
 
{{Couillard2}}
 
 
<poem> Parallel to this, the [[Zorai|Zoraïs]] and the [[Fyros]] launched themselves in an all-out offensive against the [[Kitin|Kitins]], who had reappeared in [[Knot of Dementia]] and [[Dunes of Exile]]. Another enemy soon proved to be more and more of a threat - 2519 was the year of the [[Goo]]. The diseased sap was spreading, infecting beast and soil alike. It seemed that the destructive fire might be capable of bringing an end to the scourge for good. It was then that another ghost emerged - the discovery of ruins in the [[Prime Roots]], which threatened to rouse the curiosity of the Fyros.

In the year [[2525]], the four homin civilizations were continuing their efforts to reconquer [[Atys]] and recover the glories of the past. The earlier upheavals in history had shown how fragile and dangerous alliances among Homins truly were. It remains to be seen whether the refugees will be able to display enough courage to meet the challenges that will decide the future of their people. Are they capable of putting their differences aside and wipe out the Goo for good? Can they defeat the Kitins? Can they unearth the lost secrets of the great homin empires of the past and discover the reasons that might explain the differences between the [[Kami|Kamis]] and the [[Karavan]]?
The history of Atys is at the dawn of a new era.</poem>
 
 
{{Couillard2}}
 
 
{{Portal|Chronicles}}
[[Category:History before 2525]]

Atysmas

2022-12-02T19:34:22Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Stub}}{{Trad
|DE= Segensfest |DEs=1
|EN=Atysmas |ENs=4
|ES=Atysmas |ESs=1
|FR=Atysoel |FRs=4
|RU= Атиство |RUs= 5
|H=1
}}{{Clear}}</noinclude>[[File:Village Atysoël.jpg|500px|right|Anlor Winn's moon]]__TOC__

[[Atysmas]] is an OOC event that takes place yearly around Christmas period, there are events and various games.

At the [[Guild:Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani|Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani]]'s [[Wheel of fortune|wheel]], you can win during Atysmas special gifts. Some of these gifts like weapons, keep their appearance only during this special period.

==Events & Games==
;List of events<ref>[https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/31305/1 OFFICIAL NEWS » Atysmas 2020]</ref>::
:— Advent calendar
:— A shower of gifts
:— The Atysmas Trees of the Grinch
:— Atysmas Jigsaw Puzzles
:— Yubohoho
:— Rudolf
:— Mr Snow's perfect gifts
:— The Magic Flute
:— Oh, Atysmas Tree!
:— Atysmas storytelling assembly

== Items==

{| class="wikitable "
|+ Event armors and weapons
|-
! Event !! Description !! icon !! sheet
|-
| rowspan="8" |Atysmas || Candy Cane Stick
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=ic_candy_stick.sitem}} || ic_candy_stick.sitem
|-
| Gingerbread
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=xmas_gingerbread.sitem}} || xmas_gingerbread.sitem
|-
| Ginger Yubo
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=xmas_gingeryubo.sitem}} || xmas_gingeryubo.sitem
|-
| Candy stick
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=ic_candy_stick.sitem}} || ic_candy_stick.sitem
|-
| Ice stick
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=ic_ice_stick.sitem}} || ic_ice_stick.sitem
|-
| Star stick
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=ic_star_stick.sitem}} || ic_star_stick.sitem
|-
| Sheet Music
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=event_sheet_music.sitem}} || event_sheet_music.sitem
|-
| Wheel Token
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=wheel_token_atysmas.sitem}} || wheel_token_atysmas.sitem
|-
| rowspan="4" | Atys games || Rendor Steak
|{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=steak_rendor_1.sitem|q=1}} || steak_rendor_1.sitem
|-
| Rendor Steak
|{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=steak_rendor_2.sitem}} || steak_rendor_2.sitem
|-
| Rendor Steak
|{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=steak_rendor_3.sitem}} || steak_rendor_3.sitem
|-
| Rendor Steak
|{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=steak_rendor_4.sitem}} || steak_rendor_4.sitem
|}

== Images ==
See [[:atys:Category:Atysmas|Category Atysmas on common]].

{{Clear}}

== Notes and links ==
This page is about Atysoël (or Atysmas), which is a dynamic, periodic event.
On dynamic events in general, go to [[Dynamic Event]].

More on [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/30148/1&post198097=en#1 Forum Events] in 2019.

<gallery heights=50 px >
Atysmas Token.jpg|Token
Boomsplash.jpg|Boomsplash
Hatymas.jpg|Hatymas
Atysmin.jpg|Atysmin
</gallery>

[[File:Atysmas puzzle 2020-12-29.png|thumb|center|Puzzle image, Atysoel 2020/2021]]

=Notes and references =
Images on common [[:atys:Category:Atysmas]]

On the official forum
* [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic%2Fview%2F30149%2F1&lang=en OFFICIAL NEWS 2019]
* in Event [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=post/view/198097 Detailed program]
* [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=post/view/198189 Fortunate Gubani Wheel] or all you want to know about how boomsplashs protect Hatysman, Hatysman protect Atysmin.
* [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/29268 Atysmas Events 2018]

<noinclude>
{{Reflist}}{{Portal|Animation|Gameplay}}
[[Category:Glossary]] [[Category:Atysmas]]
{{last version link|Atysmas}}</noinclude>

Atysmas

2022-12-02T19:33:30Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Stub}}{{Trad
|DE= Segensfest |DEs=1
|EN=Atysmas |ENs=4
|ES=Atysmas |ESs=1
|FR=Atysoel |FRs=4
|RU= Атиство |RUs= 5
|H=1
}}{{Clear}}</noinclude>[[File:Village Atysoël.jpg|500px|right|Anlor Winn's moon]]__TOC__

[[Atysmas]] is an OOC event that takes place yearly around Christmas period, there are events and various games.

At the [[Guild:Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani|Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani]]'s [[Wheel of fortune|wheel]], you can win during Atysmas special gifts. Some of these gifts like weapons, keep their look only during this special period.

==Events & Games==
;List of events<ref>[https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/31305/1 OFFICIAL NEWS » Atysmas 2020]</ref>::
:— Advent calendar
:— A shower of gifts
:— The Atysmas Trees of the Grinch
:— Atysmas Jigsaw Puzzles
:— Yubohoho
:— Rudolf
:— Mr Snow's perfect gifts
:— The Magic Flute
:— Oh, Atysmas Tree!
:— Atysmas storytelling assembly

== Items==

{| class="wikitable "
|+ Event armors and weapons
|-
! Event !! Description !! icon !! sheet
|-
| rowspan="8" |Atysmas || Candy Cane Stick
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=ic_candy_stick.sitem}} || ic_candy_stick.sitem
|-
| Gingerbread
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=xmas_gingerbread.sitem}} || xmas_gingerbread.sitem
|-
| Ginger Yubo
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=xmas_gingeryubo.sitem}} || xmas_gingeryubo.sitem
|-
| Candy stick
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=ic_candy_stick.sitem}} || ic_candy_stick.sitem
|-
| Ice stick
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=ic_ice_stick.sitem}} || ic_ice_stick.sitem
|-
| Star stick
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=ic_star_stick.sitem}} || ic_star_stick.sitem
|-
| Sheet Music
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=event_sheet_music.sitem}} || event_sheet_music.sitem
|-
| Wheel Token
| {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=wheel_token_atysmas.sitem}} || wheel_token_atysmas.sitem
|-
| rowspan="4" | Atys games || Rendor Steak
|{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=steak_rendor_1.sitem|q=1}} || steak_rendor_1.sitem
|-
| Rendor Steak
|{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=steak_rendor_2.sitem}} || steak_rendor_2.sitem
|-
| Rendor Steak
|{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=steak_rendor_3.sitem}} || steak_rendor_3.sitem
|-
| Rendor Steak
|{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=steak_rendor_4.sitem}} || steak_rendor_4.sitem
|}

== Images ==
See [[:atys:Category:Atysmas|Category Atysmas on common]].

{{Clear}}

== Notes and links ==
This page is about Atysoël (or Atysmas), which is a dynamic, periodic event.
On dynamic events in general, go to [[Dynamic Event]].

More on [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/30148/1&post198097=en#1 Forum Events] in 2019.

<gallery heights=50 px >
Atysmas Token.jpg|Token
Boomsplash.jpg|Boomsplash
Hatymas.jpg|Hatymas
Atysmin.jpg|Atysmin
</gallery>

[[File:Atysmas puzzle 2020-12-29.png|thumb|center|Puzzle image, Atysoel 2020/2021]]

=Notes and references =
Images on common [[:atys:Category:Atysmas]]

On the official forum
* [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic%2Fview%2F30149%2F1&lang=en OFFICIAL NEWS 2019]
* in Event [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=post/view/198097 Detailed program]
* [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=post/view/198189 Fortunate Gubani Wheel] or all you want to know about how boomsplashs protect Hatysman, Hatysman protect Atysmin.
* [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/29268 Atysmas Events 2018]

<noinclude>
{{Reflist}}{{Portal|Animation|Gameplay}}
[[Category:Glossary]] [[Category:Atysmas]]
{{last version link|Atysmas}}</noinclude>

Dapper

2022-12-02T18:57:35Z

Jadeyn:

{{Trad
|DE=Dapper
|EN=Dapper
|ES=Dapper
|FR=Dapper
|RU=}}
[[File:Dapper.png|cadre|left|Dapper Icon]]
'''Dapper''' (plural: ''dappers'') is the universal currency of [[Atys]].

==History==
In earlier times, all the races had a bartering system for trading goods, the [[Tryker]]s of the Old Lands were the first to notice that this system could be unfair through intimidation. They soon developed a monetary system based on dappers. Dappers quickly spread to the other lands and became a universal currency and is still widely used in the New Lands.

Dappers were originally made from pearls bound in a sap-based substance. The presence of counterfeit dappers soon began to flood the markets though and the homin high authorities decided to make use of magic during the minting process, which made it much harder to counterfeit dappers.<ref>Encylopedia:Trykers and lake materials</ref>

==Uses==
Dappers are used for a wide variety of things, such as buying armour, weapons, food, [[mektoub]]s, [[teleporter pact]]s, etc. Many players also sell their crafts for dappers, though the more traditional bartering system is often used during these trades. While Dappers consist of [[Sap]], they are also used to recharge weapons with Sap. Every use of Sap Recharge spell costs you also some money, one dapper for each point of Sap.

==References==
<references/>
{{Portal|Gameplay}}
[[Category:Glossary]]

Chapter I·IV - Sylvan Exile

2022-08-27T12:38:21Z

Jadeyn:

{{NavChap|[[Chapter III - Dying to Be Reborn]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter V - The Seed of Doubt]]}}
<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE=Kapitel IV - Sylvan Exil|DEs=2
|EN=Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile|ENs=4
|ES=
|FR=Chapitre IV - Exil sylvestre|FRs=0
|RU=
|H=1
|palette=}}</noinclude>
{{Clear}}
<center><big><big><big><big>'''IV - Sylvan Exile'''</big></big></big></big></center> 

<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2474'''</big></big></center>
{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|
[[file:Pu unrolled.png|right|400px|alt=… Pü was silently unrolling…|Pü was silently unrolling]]
Perched on a high branch of a large sylvan tree, '''Pü was silently unrolling his daily prayer'''. Above him, even closer, far above the jungle, in its zenith, the day star was about to reach its full brilliance, and despite the thick leafy layer that separated him from the sky, its light managed to warm the young Zoraï's bluish skin. He had learned to ignore Jena's astral imprint however, striving to remember the cold echoes of the abyssal pits that dotted his village beneath the bark, Which allowed Ma-Duk to watch over him and his family from the heart of Atys. In any case, he had no choice: the heights were by far the most suitable place for meditation. On the ground, predators and patrolling soldiers were a constant disturbance, threatening his peace and preventing him from engaging in peaceful activities.

Thousands of miles away, his tribesmen were probably also finishing their prayers. Despite the distance and loneliness, Pü had tried to keep the same rhythm as before he left.
At the first light of dawn, the village would awake and prepared for the routine work necessary for the smooth running of the community: maintenance, crafts, hunting, cooking, various meetings, welcoming the few emissaries and traders, etc. The goal was to make a complete and accurate assessment of the situation and then to complete as many tasks as possible before the start of the long morning litany. The ceremony would be led by Looï, Pü‘s mother and would end with a collective meal in the heart of the refectory, a meal in which the whole tribe participated. After lunch, the Zoraïs would train in the arts of combat for several hours. The teachings, intended for all, without distinction of age or gender, were very varied: hand-to-hand melee weapons, shooting weapons, magic. Indeed, the tribe was above all a clan of warriors, who sooner or later would participate in the advent of the Sacred War. Once the training was over, the families would gather for a meal again and engage in various personal activities before going to bed. Pü had always attended evening classes with his mother, who taught him homin history, international relations, mastery of other languages and science. From time to time, he was accompanied by his older brother Niï. But most of the time, Niï took other private classes with their father, the Black Mask.

The child was jolted out of his memories by a loud sound breaking the harmony of the trees' song. Above the treetops, the muffled roar of a Karavan flying machine shook the air and frightened away the javings. Strange creatures with jagged, greenish wings, whose long, black, shiny, barbed tongue was used to pierce their prey. Quickly rising to his feet, Pü checked the strength of his lifeline and began to climb the last few meters of the large trunk that separated him from unobstructed daylight. As his frail body pulled itself out of the ocean of leaves, he was forced to squint behind his mask, so blinding was the daylight. Not far from him, the infernal machine was losing altitude. The strange black matter that composed its hull reflected the bright astral glow of Jena, as if to taunt him. Despite this, Pü was able to identify the device. It was one of those small transporters that the Karavan usually used to harvest the resources gathered by its human slaves. Strangely, it seemed to come straight from one of the immense celestial roots that made up the [[Canopy]], that as yet unexplored part of the Bark. The word by which its inhabitants commonly referred to Atys, their world of living wood, composed solely of ever-growing plant matter. Its opulent valleys and lush hills were formed by colossal roots, on which the homins had established their civilizations. The water that filled the deep root cracks gave life to its lakes, lagoons and oceans. The most inclined roots formed its mountains and extended towards the sky in a slow and inexorable rise. Certain thermal anomalies even caused the drying and slow burning of the root mat, giving rise to deserts. And deeper under the Bark were the Prime Roots, the most mysterious ecosystem of Atys after the one that was supposed to exist in the Canopy. They formed an immense labyrinth made of verdant and humid caverns, plunging into the bowels of the plant world right down to its Heart.

Pü watched the Karavan machine dive at full speed. It was a safe bet that, as usual, a rendezvous point had been agreed upon between the Karavan and its minions, and that a convoy was on its way to deliver tribute. The young Zorai felt his heart racing. Four. He was only four short. Four, and he could finally go home to get back to his loved ones. This was the perfect opportunity. He had to intercept the convoy before it reached the Karavan agents. Pü escaped from the naked day by dropping a few feet, and landed on the branch on which he had left his belongings. He gathered them up and packed them hastily, except for a cubic wicker basket, which he handled with care. This basket contained the fruit of many months of effort. He would never forgive himself for losing it or threatening its integrity. Sure he had not forgotten anything, he checked his harness one last time and dived. Pü sank into the green abyss at a rapid pace, moving deftly between the branches, and unhooking his lifeline from the pins he had planted during his ascent with an expert hand. He crossed for long seconds the multicolored strata of this continental forest of a thousand seasons, and ended up landing with grace on its leafy ground. Given the direction taken by the flying machine, it would probably land in a clearing located further north.

With convoys most often departing from Matia, the capital of the eponymous kingdom, it was a safe bet that the one hoped-for would take the wide, homin-made trail that cut through the forest to the west. Pü was both impressed and terrified by the powers of the botanists of the Matis people. He had seen with his own eyes the colossal root wall of Matia and the immense tree-clad complexes that stretched as far as the eye could see beyond the enclosure, and had been overwhelmed by such excess. But by doing so, and by trying to bend nature to their will, the Matis people were trying to upset the design of the Kamis, and by extension, that of Ma-Duk. The Great Progenitor watches behind every piece of matter in Atys. Altering nature is tantamount to travesty of his Great Work. Of course, like the mastery of magnetism and writing to the Zorais, the secrets of manipulating living matter, and in particular that of plants, had been transmitted to the Matis by the Karavan.

During his long months of exile to the Kingdom of Matia, Pü had come to understand how attractive the pagan customs of the Karavan indoctrinated peoples could be. He had been ashamed of these thoughts. But it had also given him a better understanding of the whole dangerousness of these demons from the heavens. The young Zorai wasted no time. Slipping and jumping over the roots and outgrowths of the sylvan, he covered the last few miles separating him from the path in no time. The few gingos who tried to pursue him during his crossing had no choice but to give up, so deftly did he maneuver in the dense tangle of these woods free of all matisse oppression. Arriving at the edge of the path, he hid behind a wide shrub, watching for the arrival of the convoy. Just as he was preparing to give up and to look elsewhere for any trace of the Matis, he heard in the distance the regular noise of hoofs.

Pü swallowed. His heart rate was slowly starting to pick up. Never. Never would he get used to this sensation. His brother had however assured him that he would get a kick out of his first time and that the sensations he would feel would mark him for life. On the one hand, his brother had not been entirely wrong.

A young Zorai, who had been exiled as soon as he was eleven years old, his small hands covered in blood, kneeling alone in front of the still warm corpse of his first victim.

This image had haunted Pü for long weeks, day and night, threatening to make him lose his mind. But this coming last ordeal also announced the end of his painful exile. Soon, he would be back in his country, in his stump, and could hug his mother again. This cheerful thought comforted him and helped him regain his senses. The convoy was now emerging over a low rise in the path. It was soon within observation range. In its center a sturdy, heavily laden cart was pulled by two [[mektoub]]s, placid pachyderms with nimble feet and over two meters in height, brown fur with gray stripes, but most recognizable by their long, powerful trunks and earless heads. It was driven by a Tryker, like many of those that Pü had so far come across. Indeed, it was not uncommon to find Trykers far to the east of their floating cities, doing thankless and poorly paid work in Matis land. Their curiosity and love of freedom made them excellent explorers and inventors, but their small size, childlike appearance and, above all, their peaceful and good-natured character had unfortunately led them to be enslaved by the Matis on several occasions over the past centuries. And, as Pü had learned from his mother's lessons, it was during the epilogue of the "War of the Aqueduct", only forty years before, that the Trykers had last suffered such slavery.

In 2435, intrigued by the discovery, to the west of their desert, of ruins buried under the bark, Fyros miners struck a vein of acid that set the entire region around the imperial city of Coriolis ablaze. The fire, which lasted several weeks, spread to the border of the Kingdom and cut the gigantic aqueduct the Matis despised. The aqueduct which linked the Desert to the Lakes region run by the Trykoth Federation, the ally of the Fyros Empire. Then the war in which the alliance and the Kingdom had been bogged down for almost a century and a half took a new turn. For the Emperor was forced to withdraw his troops from the Lakes, sending hem to fight the fire that threatened his people and deprived them of water. Thereupon, taking advantage of the opportunity, the Matis army invaded the Lakes region, enslaved the Tryker people and took back the city of Karavia, which the Empire had stolen from them almost a century earlier. Karavia; the 'Holy City', reputedly built on the very spot where Zachini, on the coast of the Kingdom he later founded, had first met the Karavan and the goddess Jena. Karavia; the 'Unholy City', for Pü and his tribe, the most evil place to be found on the Bark… It was within its walls, however, that the treaty was signed the following year, which put an end to the War of the Aqueduct and freed the Trykers from the Matis yoke. But this last episode had left definite traces in the unconscious of the people of the lakes, and many Trykers had remained in the Forest as servants… like the driver of the cart, obviously dedicated to the service of the dozing Matis on the bench beside him.

Pü, at the sight of the latter, immediately identified the man as a cleric of the Church of the Light, a so-called ”Herena”. The Matis was indeed dressed in his ecclesiastical garments: a white amber crown and a long toga consisting of several large capes made of coloured feathers and decorated with braids of amber jewellery. The Church of Light, founded around the cult of Jena and placed under the aegis of the Karavan, was today all-powerful in the Kingdom of Matia, and particularly in the precincts of Karavia, retroceded to the Kingdom by the treaty named after it. It was under its influence that so many homins had been convinced of the demonic nature of the Kamis…

Higher up on the cart, perched on its tarped load, a Matis armed with a fast firing gun stood, watching the surrounding woods. He was not helmeted and wore the ordinary garb of regular army soldiers: a soft, tough cactus-skin suit topped with pieces of white wooden armor. Another appeared to be sitting in the back of the vehicle. The Matis were a naturally slender people, with emaciated features and pearly skin. Aesthetes, refined and ambitious by culture, they kept reminding other peoples of their superiority, even unconsciously. Surrounding the cart, five knights served as escort. They were proudly mounted on [[capryni]]s, slender quadrupedes with thick, light colored skin striped in some places with blue, that wore a single antler and presented a long snout adorned with a singular goatee. '''All the soldiers were equipped with armor of strong white wood''' engraved with purple patterns, bulging at the torso and tightened at the waist. The pauldrons of the armor, as rounded as they were wide, gave the soldiers an imperious look. But the most astonishing thing was their helmet, made up of an ivory mask with an azure blue jewel on the forehead, and a solid and imposing headdress, itself adorned with white amber, and whose ends made of chitin fell down to the level of the ears, thus giving them the appearance of horns. One of the soldiers stood out from the others because of the fine decorations and engravings that studded his armor and helmet. The Matis was undoubtedly a senior officer of the Royal Army, sent with the Herena to represent the King to the Karavan.
[[file:All the soldiers.png|right|400px|alt=… All the soldiers were equipped…|All the soldiers were equipped]]
The child carefully arranged his basket in the center of the shrub and waited a few more seconds for the convoy to advance. When it was about fifty meters from his position, Pü calmly emerged from his hiding place and planted himself in the center of the road. Spotting him without delay, the look-out on top of the load sounded the alarm and the convoy came to a halt. The unexpected halt had the effect of abruptly waking the Herena from his slumber and he almost fell off the cart.

:''"Who are you? State your identity!"'' the look-out exclaimed in a powerful yet melodious tone.

In response, Pü moved forward a few feet, as the riders lined up their mounts and stood in front of the cart. The Zorai cleared his throat and voiced his best mateis. His mother had taught him the languages of the other peoples, with an emphasis on mateis, the one most used for international relations.

:''"I am an apostle of the Kamis, sent to the pagan lands to reveal to the misguided the existence of the Great Progenitor, and to offer to certain chosen ones the Eternal Forgiveness. Children of the Bark, be happy to learn that by my doing, your sins have already been washed away. Before long, your souls will be purified and offered to the Black Warriors of Ma-Duk. Through them, you will contribute to their fight for the preservation of Atys. And if Ma-Duk wills it, you will witness the Sacred War and the coming of the Happy Days."

Despite all his good will, the young homin did not manage to infuse any passion into his sermon. After so many months of morbid speeches, this ritual had become as tiresome as it was painful. Pü knew it, madness was waiting. The voices in his head were making themselves more and more present, and he was developing new behavioral troubles week after week. How many of his brothers and sisters had lost their footing while in exile? Many had never returned. Before he left, he had long judged them harshly, but now he understood. His vision blurred as a powerful headache began to manifest itself. He had to concentrate for a long time to extinguish the first mental murmurs. During these long seconds of absence, the Herena had joined the lookout on the top of the cart. Holding on to the soldier rudely in order not to fall, he shouted to the youth on the road before them.

:''"Ma-Duk? The Great Progenitor? What on Atys are you talking about! If we knew that savages of your kind worshipped the Kamis demons, we thought you had the presence of mind not to question the existence of our Mother, Jena! Does your infamy know no bounds? General, seize this heretic at once!"

Pü took again few steps forward, while massaging his mask.

:''"Be assured, then, that hidden in the heart of Zoran and behind their Great Wall, Min-Cho, his Council of Elders, and the entire Zorai Theocracy still worship your usurping goddess, he said wearily. Decades ago, the Kamis chose to reveal the existence of Ma-Duk to my tribe. Today, unfortunately, we are the only ones who recognize his nature as the Supreme Kami. But other apostles are working within the Jungle. One day, our Zorai brothers will understand the extent of the lies they have been fed since childhood, and if Ma-Duk wills, they will be forgiven for their sins."

The cleric's face turned red as he nearly fell over from his wild gestures, which tangled the multiple capes of his outfit. Fortunately for him, the lookout was doing his best to prevent the Herena from humiliating himself by falling.

:''"Stop your infamies, savage! No forgiveness for your race of degenerates worshipping the Demons! Your skeletal faces are abominations, an offense to the Karavan! You deserve to be exterminated like all the primitives who defile Atys with their presence! Catch that savage for me without delay, that is an order!"

High perched on his capryni, the Matis general tried to intervene to calm the growing tension. It was without counting on the ardor of one of the knights, who obeyed the exhortation of the priest by dashing at full speed. Pü shook his mask to clear his last headaches and concentrated fully on the situation. From now on, everything was going to go very quickly. He had to silence his inner questions.
Already, the knight had crossed half the distance that separated him from the Zoraï. He held in his right hand a long hollow spear that ended in a braided amber collar. Near the horizontal bar, a handle allowed him to quickly loosen or compress the ring that ended it. This ingenious weapon was generally used to catch the future mounts of the Matis by the throat, when they were still in the wild, but was also adequate to immobilize and subdue homins without hurting them.

Pü's body was swaying slightly. It took him a few more seconds to synchronize the beating of his limbs with the gallop of the mount. When he was about ten meters away, the rider activated the mechanism of his weapon and brandished it, without slowing speed. The noose opened wide enough to encircle the masked head of the Zorai. No question, he knew how to use his weapon. But that was not taking into account the agility of a young homin. As the soldier split the air on his right to seize his prey by the throat, Pü voluntarily dove in the direction of the attack while dodging it. Passing between the weapon and the capryni, he managed to catch the strap on the animal's side before even hitting the ground. Firmly gripping, he pulled as hard as he could, not to destabilize the speeding beast, but to throw his light child's body over the animal. He swung up and narrowly landed on the capryni's hindquarters, just as the rider glanced back to see what had happened to the Zorai. As the knight met Pü's gaze, who was balancing on the animal only by the strength of his thighs, his prey, now executioner, quickly put his hands around his neck and broke it with a sharp twist. The Matis' weapon slipped from his right hand and broke on the ground. If Pü could not ensure his death, his paralysis was guaranteed. He let the armored body slump over him so it would not fall, retrieved the reins held by its left hand, slowed the pace and turned back. Back to his starting point, where he stopped his run and jumped to the ground to the left of the animal. The soldier's body collapsed heavily to the right. The helmet came off under the impact, allowing the Zorai to observe his inert face. '''The knight was a homina, and by that token, perhaps a mother'''. For a split second, Pü saw the mask of his mother superimposed on the face of the corpse. He closed his eyes. Three. He was only three short.
[[file:The knight.png|right|400px|alt=… The knight was a homina…|The knight was a homina]]
At the top of the cart, the cleric's face had changed from a reddish complexion to a much more livid white than usual. As for the soldiers, none of them reacted, shocked as they were by the violence of the scene they had just witnessed. Only the general had kept his composure. He moved his mount forward a few steps and turned back to the convoy.

:''"Giero, ride as fast as your capryni can towards the nearest outpost! Brief the intendant on the situation and send us reinforcements. Do not underestimate the threat. Be'Maty, get to the outpost too! You won't be able to keep up with Giero because of the cargo, but your mektoubs are strong, so don't spare them. As soon as he has delivered his message, Giero will join you on the road. Vicho, stay in the cart! You will protect the cargo and the Herena with your life until Giero returns. Zani, Lichnini, Sivaldo, with me! Do not intervene until I give you the order."

The general's confident tone helped the soldiers to wake up from their stupor. All compiled without saying a word. The sentry jumped out of the cart and cocked his gun, the Matis sitting at the back of the vehicle replaced him at the top of the cart, which began to maneuver to turn around. Only the cleric, who was just coming to his senses, showed the intention of protesting. But the stern look the general gave him dissuaded him, and his chalky pallor deepened. Usually, Pü left no survivors, for only the absence of witnesses ensured that he could continue to operate safely in these lands. Besides, he usually avoided attacking the regular army, whose every missing soldier was investigated, and preferred to attack the tribes of fanatics or the groups of bandits that dotted the kingdom. But this time, everything was different. When the first would speak, he would already be on his way back. He watched his four future opponents carefully, as one of the riders flung himself at full speed towards the southwest, followed by the cart. He had to avoid facing them all together. He waited a few seconds, enough time for the messenger to disappear down the road and then started to move slowly. At the first step, the general shouted.

:''"Do not move on any further! For being guilty of the crime of voluntary manslaughter of a soldier of the Kingdom of Matia, you must appear before the royal justice. As our law requires, you will have the right to defend yourself during your trial. Now, cooperate, or we will be obliged to apprehend you by force."

Pü raised his hands to feign submission and continued to walk forward. He knew the Matis would not be fooled, but he had to gain a few yards. Right now, the greatest threat was the gunner. He had to eliminate him first. However, he should not underestimate the high ranking officer. Under normal circumstances, he would have been dealing with a simple squad leader, not an experienced homin of war.

:''"I will not repeat myself, freeze!"'' shouted the general again.

The Zorai would probably not manage to take another step before the general sounded the assault. He put his right hand behind his back and rested it on the small round shield that hung there. He had no right to make a mistake. If he missed now, the following would be much more uncertain. He closed his eyes again and let his senses fully open to the world. The direction and strength of the wind, the humidity of the air: important parameters to take into account to make the perfect throw. Reopening his eyelids, he turned his gaze to the gunman. The soldier was too far away to be sure but the position of his arms indicated that he was ready to fire. Pü took a deep breath and sprang into action. Faster than ever, he unhooked his shield and drew his arms back like a rope. It took him less than a second to validate his trajectory and propel his buckler. The projectile flew to the left of the path, giving the illusion of a missed throw. Pü took advantage of the general lack of understanding to dash off in the other direction. As expected, the gunner was ordered to intervene and engaged his weapon. '''With both feet firmly planted on the bark, he began to shoot at the Zorai, laying on heavy fire'''. But the recoil of the weapon made it difficult to aim, giving Pü a few seconds before the shots hit. The child wiggled and jumped skillfully, trying to make it harder for the gunner to fire, as his shots became more and more accurate. At that moment, the Matis probably thought they were going to prevail. That was not counting on the skillful curve that the shield's trajectory took. Skimming past the trees that marked the edge of the road, the shield deflected toward the shooter who was now positioned with his back to it. No one noticed the maneuver except the general, who was more astute than the rest of his squad and saw the deadly projectile as it was about to strike the back of the gunner's skull. He shouted something and jumped from his capryni. Quickly getting up, he ran towards the soldier. In response to his superior's shout, the latter had just turned towards the flying menace. Not seeing him react, the general tried to tackle him, but only succeeded in shoving him. The shield split deeply into the face of the dazed Matis who spun around and collapsed heavily on the ground.
[[file:With both feet.png|right|400px|alt=… With both feet firmly planted…|With both feet firmly planted]]
Pü stopped and caught his breath. If the gunner was not dead, he had at least passed out, and therefore was no longer a threat for the moment. While the general lingered at the side of the unfortunate, the young Zorai mistakenly thought he would have time to consider his next move. But the two riders had a different take on that, and urged each other to attack.

:''"General, stay with Sivaldo, we are dealing with the masked primitive!"'' shouted the first.

:''"Yes general! So far, his cowardly techniques have only worked because we were not prepared for them,"'' added the second. ''"Let us avenge Tinailli's death! We promise you to honor him!"

The general protested, but the two riders flung themselves at full speed toward the Zorai, who did not seem to mind. The last few dozen meters that separated them were swallowed up in a few seconds. But remembering the death of their first comrade, the Matis did not make the mistake of charging the young warrior. They stopped before they reached his level, jumped off their mounts and moved forward to catch him in a pincer movement. Judging by their respective behavior, the two Matis must have been inexperienced soldiers. Blinded by hatred and the desire for revenge, they did not know yet that they had just thrown themselves into the jaws of the gingo. In the distance, the general had just reached his capryni to join in urgency the two imprudents. Alone against two, the young warrior had all his chances. He had to finish it as soon as possible before the only really experienced soldier of the squad joined them. The Matis who had positioned himself at his back held a heavy, nicely ornamented amber sword in both hands, while the one facing him was armed with a long pike crowned with braided amber. Pü would have liked to read his face, but the imposing horned helmet he wore prevented him from doing so. Soon the Matis drew closer. Logically, the soldier in front of him would launch the first attack, giving the one behind him the opportunity to use a blind spot to attack. That's exactly what happened. The pikeman shouted and pierced the air with a precise thrust, hoping to impale the Zorai with a single blow. Without even moving his feet, Pü sent his right hand into contact with the spike while pivoting and shifting his pelvis to the opposite side. The vembrance on his forearm scraped loudly at the multiple sharp points. Abruptly twisting his wrist, he grabbed the long handle of the weapon. Instead of pushing back the offensive, he encouraged the movement, and used the momentum of the Matis to destabilize him while preserving the impetus of his assault. Deviating slightly the direction of the attack, and always without taking off the feet of the ground, he curved his back behind, and dodged the horizontal blow that the swordsman tried to strike him. He then had only to make the pike maintain its velocity so that its deadly points pierced the left thigh of the unfortunate swordsman, who collapsed in the shock, screaming. Carried away by the uncontrolled movement of his weapon, the first assailant almost fell on top of the injured man. Pü seized the opportunity and helped him. Drawing his dagger with his free hand as the soldier dropped the weapon firmly embedded in his comrade's flesh, he took a step back to regain his balance and with a precise blow drove his blade into the neck under the pikeman's helmet. A long spray of blood spurted out as he pulled his dagger from his opponent's carotid artery. As expected, the soldier panicked and quickly removed his helmet to compress and heal his throat with the powers of Sap before his brain stopped getting blood. Leaving him no time to act, Pü grabbed the Matis' brown hair and delivered several sharp cuts to his throat with his dagger. When the soldier's head finally separated from the rest of his body, it collapsed onto the pike, which sank even deeper into the bloody wound of the man on the ground. Pü glanced back: the general would soon be here. He put away the blood-stained dagger, dropped his victim's head, and approached the badly wounded soldier who, now trapped under his comrade's heavy, still throbbing armor, was no longer able to extract the pike to magically heal his leg. The homin took off his helmet and started to moan. He must have been Niï's age, about ten years older than Pü.

:''"Please, don't kill me!"

Pü sincerely pitied him. He hated to kill. And especially when his opponents were not prepared for it. But now he had no choice. He was almost there, he couldn't give it all up now. The young Zoraï cleared his head again and ignored the Matis' complaint. He moved closer to him, placed his left foot gently on his neck, and crushed it with his heel. Picking up the sword of the now paralyzed man, he stabbed him in the throat, thus preventing any regeneration. One. He only needed one more. If the fallen gunner was still alive, the homin who was going to face him now would surely not let him approach the wounded man without a fight. The general, who had indeed climbed back onto his mount to bridge the distance between himself and the Zorai, before jumping off a second time, was now heading towards the warrior with unerring steps. Stopping a few meters fromPü, he took off his helmet. For the first time in a long while Pü was startled. For a moment, the child thought he saw his father's mask. The Matis was in his prime, as indicated by the few wrinkles that disturbed the harmony of his facial features and the faint shine of his long ebon hair. But above all, it was the assurance and intensity of his gaze that reminded the boy of his father. Those piercing blue eyes were those of a determined man, ready to give everything to accomplish his will. Pü took a step back.

:''"It is not necessary for us to fight,"'' he said in a troubled voice. ''"I have accomplished my mission. Leave the gunner to me and go home. Please take my advice, and join your family."

The general placed his helmet at his feet and drew a long, wide, finely decorated sword. He gave him a icy look.

:''"I'm not going to be able to grant your request, boy. You have just killed three of my knights. Karan Domini, King and High Priest of the Kingdom of Matia, must know why the Zorai Theocracy trains child soldiers for assassination missions."

:''"I tell you again: my tribe and I do not depend on the Zorai Theocracy. Please, move away!"'' replied Pü, stepping back a second time.

The Matis stepped forward with determination.

:''"Were you forced to kill? If it's normal for a boy your age to learn fighting skills, you shouldn't have to spill blood so young. And certainly not under these conditions. A boy your age spends time with his friends, his brothers, his sisters, his father and mother."

Listening to the words of the officer, and on the mention of his relatives, the young Zoraï was seized by a fit of rage.

:''"Don't talk about my family! Run away, while there is still time!"

A cold smile appeared then on the general's face.

:''"I seem to have struck a chord. Could it be your parents who sent you so far from the Jungle to commit these murders? A mother is supposed to teach her children love, not death!"

A violent headache pierced the child's skull.

:''"'''I forbid you to talk about my mother!'''"
[[file:I forbid you.png|right|400px|alt=… I forbid you to talk…|I forbid you to talk]]
At his departure, she had cried. And though she had urged him not to kill for his own pleasure, she had still asked him to do it for Ma-Duk. Pü sincerely loved Ma-Duk, as much as he hated Jena. The Kamis protected Atys, while the Karavan destroyed it by plundering its resources. But was there no way to prove one's love for Ma-Duk other than by shedding blood? By her words, and her status as High Priestess, his mother approved the barbaric customs of their ancestors. Worse, she passed them on with fervor. But he, who until a few months ago drank every word his mother said, was now vomiting them. How much longer would he be able to feign his attachment to his tribe's values? And if Ma-Duk, aware of this last thought, was already considering that he was no longer faithful to him, could he ever become the Shadow of the Black Mask? Would his father execute him when Grandmother Bä-Bä told him the news? Would his brother and mother let him? Pü was reaching his limits, his brain was boiling. Feeling the Zorai flinch, the Matis pushed him further still.

:''"So the Herena was right: you are only animals! The homins of your people impregnate their hominas and turn them into egg-laying mothers, just good for producing child soldiers to be sacrificed on the altar of your hateful beliefs!"

With these words, Pü drew his dagger and short sword and ran at the Matis, screaming. He had given him the opportunity to flee and the man had not taken it. If he wished to die, then Pü would help him, as simply as he had his soldiers. It would only take a few seconds. It would all be over soon. He would no longer have to endure this pain. At least that's what he imagined in his fury. The general's sword lit up and the young warrior was seized at the ankles before he even understood his opponent maneuver. The experience of the Matis had spoken, and the pride of the Zorai was going to cost him dearly. He had underestimated his opponent and rushed in blindly, without anticipating the use of a magical hobbling enchantment. Grasping oots had sprung up from the bark and were completely preventing him from moving. Given the momentum of his run, Pü had nearly stumbled forward, and it was only just that he had managed to keep himself standing. Panic-stricken, he tried to extricate himself from the magical trap by slashing with his weapons the hard vines that were slithering up his calves, forgetting the spells caster. Suddenly, while all his attention was focused on his legs, the sky darkened. His blood ran cold as he reflexively raised his head. Above him, the imposing armor of the Matis blocked the light of day: he had taken advantage of the Zoraï's panic to force him into close combat. The backlight intensified the Soldiers' ferocious look, freezing Pü. The General raised his great sword in a downward position. His white armor lit up as the light filtered in from the change in stance, and Pü had to look away to avoid being blinded.

:''"Give up!"'' said the Matis with a solemn air. ''"The blow I'm going to deal you will inflict a critical wound. If you move, it could be your death. I will keep you alive until reinforcements arrive. Then we'll take you to Matia!"

Even if the general seemed confident in his ability to bring him alive to the Matis king, Pü would rather die a thousand deaths than become a captive of the Karavan's minions. He tried to struggle again, but the roots were now hugging his waist and beginning to creep up his belly. This was how his short life was coming to an end. At last, Grandmother Bä-Bä was wrong. He who had grown up with the idea of becoming the Shadow of the Black Mask and dying among his own people protecting his brother, was going to die alone and far from home, with Jena's dazzling astral imprint as his last sight. How ironic. As the young Zorai turned his mask to the left so that he would not have to endure the mocking reflection of the cuirass any longer, he saw a strange light source beyond the edge of the road, under the shade of the tall sylvan trees. Concentrating, he could clearly discern two spheres of identical size. They were of a dazzling whiteness and were glowing all the more brightly because they were surrounded by darkness. No, it wasn't just the darkness... Pü made out a small black figure in the shadows. His blood went icy cold again. There were not spheres, these were eyes. The eyes of the Black Kami who had appeared to him twice until then. He was here. Ma-Duk was looking at him.

No, he could not give up. He was a Black Warrior of Ma-Duk, forged by the best fighters of the Jungle and blessed by the Kamis. As long as he could fight, he would not give up. Invigorated, his body reacted instinctively as the general brought his weapon down on him to pierce his left collarbone. He sent his right arm into contact with the massive blade to protect himself, and if his short sword did not succeed in blocking the blow, it nevertheless allowed him to deflect the attack, at the cost of a part of his hand, which was sliced to pieces. The state of extreme tension in which the young warrior found himself had the positive effect of making him completely ignore the pain. The sword scuffed him and planted itself heavily in the ground. Taking advantage of the second's respite he was given, Pü dropped the dagger he held in his left hand and manipulated the surrounding Sap to draw a spell with both hands. His pair of magic amplifiers hanging from his belt, now entangled with the roots, he was unable to use them. But for what he intended to do, a crude spell should suffice. So '''he didn't hesitate, and set his body on fire to escape from his wooden prison'''. He managed to free himself from the partially burned roots just as the general snatched his sword from the ground. As he launched his second attack, Pü narrowly avoided it with a roll. The Matis followed up with a series of slashes and jabs, which the young warrior dodged with various acrobatics. Disarmed, he was not able to parry the attacks. He may be more skilful than the general and not encumbered with heavy armour, yet the grown man seemed much more enduring and had not yet suffered any injuries. Even more worryingly, his blows were becoming more and more precise. For the first time in his life, Pü was fighting a master of arms in a fight to the death. The experience of the Matis was showing, and it took him only a short time to start anticipating the movements of the young warrior.
[[file:Not hesitate.png|right|400px|alt=… he didn't hesitate…|he didn't hesitate]]
The seconds ticked by and Pü was quickly running out of steam. Several times, the soldier managed to graze him, slashing his childlike body with the tip of his sword. Pü regularly called upon the powers of the Sap to heal his wounds and partially regenerate his stamina, but at this rate he would soon reach his limits. He would have liked to be able to go behind the Matis' back, to try and break his neck, as he knew so well how to but the Matis would not let him have any respite. Without a weapon, he had no way to get out of this hopeless situation. While he was looking for a way out, he caught sight of a dagger hanging from the soldier's waist, hidden behind the ceremonial cloth adorning his belt. How could he not have seen that before? Pü cursed himself and devised a plan of action between two rolls and three contortions. He was going to risk it all. Out of breath, the Zorai waited for the perfect moment to act. Suddenly, he who was until then only backing away from the Matis's attacks, took advantage of a wide strike to roll forward and pass under the sharp blade. His movement just finished, he pushed as hard as he could to his legs, and leapt upon the left side of the soldier. If the Matis was disconcerted by the direction of the dodge, he reacted very quickly and landed a violent side kick on the young warrior. The child's body crunched under the soldier's heavy boot and crashed to the ground a few steps away. Pü struggled to his feet and spat blood. His opponent had just broken several of his ribs. But behind his mask, the young warrior was smiling: his good hand was now armed. Although different from the daggers he was accustomed to handling, that of the Matis would do the job perfectly. The young homin took a deep breath and raised his mask towards the general. This one had turned around and was about to make a breakthrough with his sword to return to close combat.

:''"Give up, boy!"'' he said as he charged.

Again, Pü would have only one chance. And so far, luck had often smiled upon him. Finally, maybe the Black Kami was actually watching over him. As the soldier rushed toward him, sword pointing forward, Pü waited for the right moment and threw the dagger in the air, far above him. As soon as he had done so, he infused all the Sap he could into his legs and made his thighs swell like never before. Drawing on the limit of what he could endure, he lifted a cloud of sawdust and leapt into the air with a superhomin jump.

Totally surprised by the nature of the attack and partially blinded by the cloud of debris, the Matis mistakenly believed that the Zoraï was simply trying to flee. He understood too late the reality of the situation when he felt his sword suddenly become heavy toward the point. Pü had just landed on the flat of the blade and was dashing like a tightrope walker in the direction of its bearer. Already very unbalanced, the Matis tried in vain to straighten up, right at the moment as Pü used the weapon for support for more acrobatics. This time the young warrior landed on the older one's shoulders, and propelled himself once more towards the sky, forcing the Matis to one knee. Pü must have been about four meters from the ground, and was flying over the cloud of dust that was beginning to dissipate. He only had to reach out with his good arm to grab the very dagger he had thrown away a few seconds before. Spreading his legs and looking down as gravity began to take effect, he laid eyes on the general's face. The man had lost his terrifying posture and was now staring with eyes wide open. Pü read admiration there. The child executed another perfect throw and the dagger went straight into the skull of the Matis.

Still in the air, the Zorai tried to catch himself properly, but his broken ribs prevented him from doing so. He collapsed heavily onto his good side, not far from the body of the general, who was frozen on his knees in a strange position. His head was hanging back, facing the sun, his long ebony hair swaying gently in the wind. Pü stretched out on his back and spread his arms. Over. His ordeal was over. He had won.

}}
{{NavChap|[[Chapter III - Dying to Be Reborn]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter V - The Seed of Doubt]]}}
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[[Category:The Sacred War]]

Chapter I·III - Dying to Be Reborn

2022-08-10T17:16:13Z

Jadeyn:

{{NavChap|[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]}}
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<center><big><big><big><big>'''III - Dying to Be Reborn'''</big></big></big></big></center> 

<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2474'''</big></big></center>
{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|

Lost in the heart of the Fyros Desert, Pü ran at full speed across the night-cooled sawdust, fleeing for his life. While it was easy to defeat the [[gingo]]s, the long-snouted canines that hunted in packs in the heart of the jungle, they were no match for the gigantic feline that was chasing him now. But then again, he had never faced anything like the gigantic feline that was chasing him. Feeling its foul breath coming closer, he ventured to glance back. It was then that he saw the black [[varinx]] pounce on him, its mouth wide open. The Zorai dodged its attack with an expert roll and readied his spear. The carnivore had already repositioned and was about to pounce again with its agile legs. As it leapt, Pü tried to impale it with his spear. But with a deft claw, the beast smashed the weapon aside and it stuck in the loose ground. The child tried again to dodge the attack, without success. The enormous jaw of the beast closed with violence on his naked head. It shook him like a rag doll, while he struggled and screamed in fear of death, feeling the predator's teeth crushing his skull.
{{Couillard}}

[[file:The bite of.png|right|400px|alt=… the bite of…|the bite of the icy water]]

:''"Pü, wake up, you must fight!"

The young Zorai emerged from his nightmare. He straightened up and his mother was holding him by the shoulders. Although he regularly fought a black varinx in his dreams, he had never lost the duel before. Covered in sweat, he instinctively brought his hand to his forehead. A small, rigid growth was puncturing his skull. His seed of life was about to grow. While all homins had a seed of life buried in their skulls, only the Zorais' one was doomed to grow like this, until it covered their faces with the mask that marked their passage to adulthood. Pü, only eleven years old, turned out to be an extremely precocious child, and to his great regret, even more than his brother. In secret, he had prayed to the Kamis for a long time, hoping to obtain his mask only after his twelfth birthday, the age at which Niï's had grown. He did not want to draw attention to himself, and even less to weaken the brotherly relationship. Because Pü measured how much this relation had already degraded since, four years ago, he had torn a bell off his elder brother in mock combat at barely seven years old. From that day on, Niï began to neglect him and to spend more and more time training with their father. Previously moderate, he had also gradually become more radical, following in the footsteps of the Black Mask. Thus, it was no longer a question of converting the miscreants: only the sacrificial execution could make them expiate their sins.

But what could the child, about to become an adult, do about that? If the Kamis wanted his mask to grow a year before his brother's, then it must be so. Besides, it would have been a lie to pretend that he himself was not looking forward to this day: Pü had always been anxious about growing up. Nevertheless, the pain that was currently splitting his skull was far more terrible than he had expected. Enough to make him regret having wanted this moment so much. The boy pushed his mother away and got up hastily. Staggering, he helped himself to the wall to reach the drapes at his room's entrance and reach the central room.
His father and brother, already awake, were changing into their ceremonial outfit. Pü saw the confidence they had in him in their eyes. He had to face up, as they had done in their time. Yet, and he felt it again as he looked at his father's black mask, he would never be the equal of his first son in his eyes. He was doomed to grow up in his brother's shadow, which suited him completely. Pü knew the merit there was to occupy the position of second in command, and never had he envied his older brother. The future role he would have to play beside him was fundamental. Yes, he would become the Shadow of the future Black Mask, and he should be proud of it. For just as silence only exists in the face of noise, light is nothing without shadow. Pü fixedated for a few seconds on the tattooed mask of Niï. Concentrating hard to drive out the pain, he tried to regulate his step. Unfortunately a sudden sharp pain erupted in his skull. Pü collapsed against the family table and slipped to the hard ground.

:''"Niï, help your brother up!" shouted his mother, before her husband interrupted her.

:''"Don't do anything, Niï! Pü must pass the test alone, and you know that better than anyone else, Looï. No help, no matter how small, must be given to him."

His wife was about to reply when the young Zorai stood up.

:''"Father is right, I must do it alone. Have faith in me, everyone, I will do our name honor."

Pü said these few words with gritted teeth, squinting to control himself. He left the hut without looking at his family and picked up the sacred basin on the ground. Which was emptied and filled with water every evening in anticipation of the great moment. Undressing completely, he knelt down and poured the contents of the well over his head, as the tradition asked.
Under normal circumstances, '''the bite of the icy water''' would probably have seemed painful to him. But as the burn of the seed inside his skull bruised his face, the sensation of the icy liquid was almost life-saving. Naked as a newborn and washed of his impurities, he was now ready to be reborn during the ritual. But he still had to survive until then. Still kneeling, the young Zorai opened a small chest put next to the now empty basin. It contained two tools that were essential to the sprouting ceremony: a ceremonial dagger and a whistler-stick. Pü put the whistler-stick in his mouth and struggled to his feet. Finally, with the dagger in his hand, he headed for the deeper place in the village: the Ceremonial Square.

With each of the child's exhalations, the whistle emitted a melodious and strangely evanescent chant that everyone within the stump knew. Whistler-sticks were sacred objects, carved from the femurs of the tribe's ancestors. Their singing allowed the villagers to know that one of their own was coming of age, but also to communicate with the Kamis, who seemed to be able to hear them everywhere. More practically, the whistle also prevented the nascent mask from covering the Zorai's mouth, or even seeping into it, at the risk of killing him. Stumbling along the walls and holding on to a fence to progress, Pü advanced laboriously. His affliction prevented him from truly controlling his steps, between the moving slats of the suspended bridges and the winding alleys it was a torturous march. Fortunately, he knew every corner of the village, and instinctively avoided the roots that sometimes intertwined under his feet. He could have moved around with his eyes closed. Guided by the slopes, the characteristic smell of each hut, the nightly cries of the izams nesting in the wooden niches of the bark ceiling. The bewitching echo coming from the abyssal wells that sank beneath the bark. Usually he cherished these night walks but today the path seemed infinitely long, punctuated by pulses of pain that started in his skull and nearly split his whole being.
A particularly severe pulse shot through his body and his legs gave out beneath him as he was climbing down a hollowed-out staircase that led to a middle landing in the village. He fell down the steep slope, tearing some roots from the hard wood in the process and crashed to the ground. As he fell, the dagger and whistler-stick slipped from his grasp and clattered to the floor a few feet away from him. Slumped on the cold carpet of lichens, he thought his head would explode, and put a fist in his mouth freed from the whistle to stifle his howls. Luckily, he was still alone, and no one was in situation to discover the pitiful state he was in.

[[file:What miserable.jpg|left|400px|alt=What miserable image was he giving to Ma-Duk?|What miserable image was he giving to Ma-Duk?]]
Nearly driven mad by the pain, Pü was feeling the joints of his jaw distend, some of his teeth loosen, and the skin on his cheeks crack as he managed to force his entire fist into his mouth. With his free hand, he pulled out a clump of blue hair, bleeding. His eyes rolled backwards as he convulsed on the floor. He could feel the bone tearing at his flesh and merging with his forehead. How could he bear such pain? It was inconceivable, there was no chance of him surviving this. Letting baleful thoughts darken his reason, he was about to give up. It was then that it appeared in front of him, between two spasms, out of nothingness, a Black Kami suddenly was leaning over his body. The protective spirit of Atys, whom Pü assumed had answered the call of the whistle, was in every way similar to the one that had appeared to him four years ago in his mother's workshop. Over the past few years, his mother's religious teachings had paid off. Pü had become a devout practitioner, who was feeling a deep and sincere love for Ma-Duk and the Kamis and profound gratitude to them.
A few months ago, his mother had revealed to him that she and his father had found it very difficult to conceive him, and that everything had changed after Looï had gone to meet the Kamis. A few days later, she got pregnant. So Pü was, more than anyone else, grateful to the Kamis. The child looked at the creature, its arm pointing in the direction of Ceremonial Square and then at its eyes. Its large white eyes. Big white eyes that, empty four years before, were now filled with shame for him. '''What miserable image was he giving to Ma-Duk?''' He was besmirching the name of his ancestors. The normally calm young Zorai felt a fierce anger towards himself. He furiously tore his fist from his throat, knocking out a few teeth and expelling bile in the process. Crawling piteously, he managed to retrieve his dagger and whistle-stick, and when he stood up, the Kami was gone. Had he dreamed it, or was it a warning from the Great Progenitor? Ma-Duk's gaze was on him now, he could feel it. He spat out bile and blood, bit into the whistle, and resumed his descent.

Pü had almost reached his destination when he saw the first glimmers of light between the huts, now well above him. Finally, with great difficulty, he climbed down a ladder reaching the deepest part of the village. Here the light was scarcer, and the cold of the deep caves was rising to the surface. The Ceremonial Square was a large circular pit about twenty-five meters in diameter, five meters deep, and the bottom was covered with bark chips. Apart from the gigantic totem pole that occupied the center, it was completely empty. The structure was an impressive wooden pylon completely covered with Zoraïs masks tattooed with various pictograms. These tattoos represented the merit of the Zorai. The more a mask was tattooed, the more deserving the Zorai was. The ultimate tattoo consisted of complete covering in ink, the origin of the so revered Black Mask. Moreover, only those tribesmen who had respected the precepts of the Black Cult of Ma-Duk all their lives could hope to appear on the totem pole at their death. '''Surviving the growth of the mask alone, was one of these precepts'''. With trembling legs, Pü knelt halfway between the ladder and the totem pole and stabbed his dagger into the ground. His vision blurred by pain, he lingered on each of the faces, invoking the names of his heroes, and seeking in their deadened gaze a way to lessen his torment. He had already repeated his prayer a great many times when the first member of the tribe joined him in the square, as the sharp growth was beginning to pass his eyebrows. Blinded by the cephalgias and the drops of acidic sweat that beaded in his eyes, the young Zorai did not succeed in making out the newcomer. He had to wait for him to speak.

:''"Don't be the cause of another dishonor, son. I have trained you every day since you could hold a dagger. I have not only taught you how to fight."

It was Ke'val, his uncle, whose presence blessed the child. He had managed to get to the square before all others and had given his advice in a low voice, so as not to risk being overheard. The young Zoraï had to overcome this ordeal alone. For the tribe, accepting whatever help was offered was considered an act of weakness. Which would prevent him from becoming a Black Warrior of Ma-Duk forever. And from one day joining the eternal totem of faces. For the other Zoraïs in the country, facing the growth of the mask without resorting to anesthetic concoctions was pure madness. Understanding what his uncle was getting at, Pü sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes.

:"Black Warriors absorb their suffering and open themselves to pain."

:"Like bone, the spirit becomes stronger when broken."

:"Ma-Duk offers us the ultimate pain so that no pain in the world can ever reach his soldiers."

The young Zorai muttered these mantras over and over as he focused on his life seed, the heart of his torment. As his uncle had taught him in the past, he stopped trying to fight anymore, letting the waves of pain spread from his forehead to the extremities of his body. Was this the secret? Accepting pain as a friend? To become one with it? Yes, this was it. Dying to be reborn. Pü firmed his bearings and plant his fingers into the ground to keep himself upright. Opening his eyes one more, he lingered one last time at the faces of his forefathers, as the emerging mask began to obstruct his vision.

:''"Don't help me flee my pain, offer me yours. I will cherish it."

At these words, his ancestors came to life. Wooden bodies wriggled out of their totemic prison. One after the other, they fell to the ground like disjointed puppets, and once straightened, they charged at him, screaming. Pü spread his arms. One by one, the apparitions plunged into his forehead. Letting the pain consume him, the child lost all concept of reality. And as his eyes were about to be plunged into darkness, perhaps permanently, he thought he saw the large white eyes of the Black Kami atop the totem pole. As his dwindling vision recognized pride in them he fell into a deep trance.

[[file:Surviving alone.jpg|right|400px|alt=Surviving alone the growth of the mask was one of these precepts|Surviving alone the growth of the mask was one of these precepts]]
Around him, his entire tribe was beginning to arrive from the heights of the village, descending the stairs and ladders in religious silence. They gradually placed themselves in a semicircle on the half of the square opposite from where Pü was kneeling. The last to arrive was Grandmother Bä-Bä, helped by Looï. The old woman was the only one allowed to join the semicircle where Pü was. She stood between the little being and the big totem pole and raised a withered hand. It contained her famous set of orange dice, which she used regularly to catalyze her power and accurately predict the tribe's future. At a gesture, the few lights still present at the level of the heights of the village flew into her palm, which became the only source of light. A small phosphorescent ball now floated above her palm. The Zoraïs, although accustomed to it, never got tired of this bewitching spectacle. A few long seconds passed, silently, then the witch blew on the small star which lit up red and flew to the totem. Upon contact with the ball of light, the edifice instantly burst into flames and the empty orifices of the masks lit up. Grandmother Bä-Bä then began the ritual that each of those present had experienced as a child. She chanted dark incantations for the next few hours, waving her hands moving in complicated, mysterious gestures, while her children hummed liturgical songs in chorus. Deep in the darkness, somewhere in the huge stump, shadows danced in to their rhythm. Further into the jungle, emanating from the gigantic dead sky-tree, one could catch sight of a reddish glow illuminating the sky, and guess at sinister whispers above the wind's low mourn. The Cursed Stump, definitely, lived up to its name for the ignorant. The hypnotic ritual seemed to never stop and none of the Zorais would have risked interrupting it. Tirelessly they stared at the young child who, still in a trance, occasionally broke the monotony of the ceremony with his muffled cries. They thought they would lose him for good an hour after the ritual began, when, barely conscious, Pü tore the dagger from the ground and split his mask in a line from one eye to the other. But the youngest of Sang and Looï Fu-Tao held on. Everyone there in the pit knew what he was going through. They too had experienced it. All of them had been forced to dive into the abyss. And they had all come out of it greater.

A shrieking twilight abyss was sparkling before Pü's eyes. Again, the Black Kami emerged from nothingness. With its great white eyes, it stared at the child, then plunged. Pü had no choice but to follow it, sucked in by a force beyond himself. With enormous speed in the bubbling vacuum, a development and an acceleration of the vague tonal system announced a paroxysm to come, indescribable and orgasmic. The speed quickly became vertiginous. Unable to breathe, so powerful was the force that pushed him, Pü felt the air flaying his skin and infiltrate his body to down to his bones. It was unspeakable Pain. He was liquefying, crushed by the endless increase in pressure. Gradually, he lost all consistency. It was then that, reduced to the state of a simple primordial soup, he finally felt it within him. The monstrous explosion of the liturgical chants of his ancestors, which condesed in their immaculate sonority all the primitive effervescence of the Great Progenitor, he who broods behind each fragment of matter. This resonance which springs up in rhythmic reverberations and penetrated attenuated in all the levels of being carries everywhere on Atys a terrible significance. Ma-Duk spoke to him, and the Kami took Pü to meet him in the glittering heart of the world. But all this disappeared in an instant.
{{Couillard}}
Pü woke up, sweating, panting, his senses confused. He did not know where he was, nor why his body was suffering such affliction. Around him, strange misty shapes were slowly approaching. Instinctively, he grabbed for the weapon at his belt, but could not find it. He moved into a defensive position as his senses slowly regained their place. A body emerged from the fog, and Pü managed to make out its face. He would never tire of his mother's beauty. Deeply hurt, he was about to throw himself into her arms, hoping to find appeasement. But she stopped him and spoke in a voice that struggled to veil her emotion.

:''"Pü Fu-Tao, you have completed your passage to adulthood with success. But this ordeal was only the first. Let us know, do you wish to become a Black Warrior of Ma-Duk?"

The young Zorai, who had finally regained his senses, ran his hands over his new face for the first time. It was firm, bony and warm. In spite of the still sharp pain, he was amazed to be able to follow every lesser swirl of it with his fingers. This face was much more sensitive than his old one. Sensing that his answer was overdue and reading the emotional disorder in his mother's eyes, he stated without surprise:

:''"Yes, I do."

:''"Then accept your new equipment,"'' his mother replied.

Uncle Ke'val came and laid a suit of soft wooden braided straw armor at his feet, which Pü immediately put on. He also gave him a knapsack, a small, sturdy shield, a finely chiseled short sword and dagger, and a fine pair of magic amplifiers, looking like large, ornate gloves. In essence, like everything coming from Atys, homins were made up of spiritual particles, and irrigated by a primordial energy called Sap. Each homin was also able, instinctively, to imprint his will to the Sap that permeated him, in order to manipulate the spiritual particles that made him up, or those of the environment. Thus, he could modify their aspect, their nature, or their behavior. It was magic. Unfortunately, it required a high degree of mastery and consumed a lot of life energy. The amplifiers, because of their composition of conductive elements and catalysts of Sap, were invented in order to overcome the homin limitation, and thus enabled hominkind to practice magic more widely. Pü stared for an instant at the present he was given, then shifted his gaze to his uncle's mask. He read pride there. A year earlier, Shengi, his own son, had failed the mask growing ordeal. Seeing him mad in pain, Grandmother Bä-Bä had to intervene and interrupt the ceremony. By this failure, his cousin had denied himself a glorious future. Pü was particularly sad to learn of his mysterious disappearance some time later. Had he fled? Had someone gotten rid of him? The answer to these questions remained taboo. Putting these painful thoughts out of his mind, he quickly and silently dressed and piked up the items, then turned his gaze back to his mother.

:''"Here is an amber cube, take good care of it. The tribe is currently composed of one hundred and forty-eight souls, and three births are to be expected in the next few months. You will thus have to donate us one hundred and fifty-one offerings. You may go."

:''"Thank you, Mom,"'' he replied, his voice trembling.

Unable to resist, Pü started a hugging motion. He had to embrace his mother. But, appearing from nowhere, his father interfered by catching his wrist.

:''"This is a bad idea Pü. Your mother's reassurance will not soothe you. You have to overcome these trials alone."'' he said curtly, before being interrupted sternly by his wife.

:''"Sang Fu-Tao! The day you succeed in preventing me from embracing one of my sons has not yet arrived! So step aside!"

The Black Mask gave his wife a cold look, but obeyed her without a word as letting go of his son's wrist. Looï threw herself into Pü's arms and he held her as tightly as he could. His mask brushed against his mother's, and the contact, though imperceptible, gave him sensations unknown until then.

:''"This mask and these horns suit you so well, my son, she murmured. I have faith in you, we all have faith in you, you will return to us victorious, I have seen it. But I beg you Pü, I ask you one sole thing: what you about to do, do it only for Ma-Duk, and never for your own pleasure. Never forget. You can become a great warrior and still be my beloved treasure."

Shaken by these new sensations, her words, and especially the excruciating thought of abandoning her for so long, Pü loosened his grip and ran without a word to one of the ladders of the main square. He met the eyes of several villagers, including his brother. Curiously, he did not succeed in deciphering his look. It seemed strangely empty. Pü climbed the different levels of the city in haste, without ever turning around. If he saw his mother's face again now, he might not be able to leave. Finally, he crossed the large and disturbing breach that served as the entrance to the village and passed the edge of the jungle. Forgetting for the first time his physical pain, he hurried without stopping, illuminated through the tops of the tall trees by the light of Jena's cursed star. He didn't even know where he was going, devastated as he was by this last moment with his mother. Reaching the edge of his limits, he collapsed on the wet leafy ground and started to scream in pain. His father knew. This special moment of tenderness was a bad idea, he had been right. The pain, that wasn't his mask, it was his heart.
}}
{{NavChap|[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]}}
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War]]

Chapter I·III - Dying to Be Reborn

2022-08-10T17:15:23Z

Jadeyn:

{{NavChap|[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]}}
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|EN=Chapter III - Dying to Be Reborn|ENs=4
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<center><big><big><big><big>'''III - Dying to Be Reborn'''</big></big></big></big></center> 

<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2474'''</big></big></center>
{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|

Lost in the heart of the Fyros Desert, Pü ran at full speed across the night-cooled sawdust, fleeing for his life. While it was easy to defeat the [[gingo]]s, the long-snouted canines that hunted in packs in the heart of the jungle, they were no match for the gigantic feline that was chasing him now. But then again, he had never faced anything like the gigantic feline that was chasing him. Feeling its foul breath coming closer, he ventured to glance back. It was then that he saw the black [[varinx]] pounce on him, its mouth wide open. The Zorai dodged its attack with an expert roll and readied his spear. The carnivore had already repositioned and was about to pounce again with its agile legs. As it leapt, Pü tried to impale it with his spear. But with a deft claw, the beast smashed the weapon aside and it stuck in the loose ground. The child tried again to dodge the attack, without success. The enormous jaw of the beast closed with violence on his naked head. It shook him like a rag doll, while he struggled and screamed in fear of death, feeling the predator's teeth crushing his skull.
{{Couillard}}

[[file:The bite of.png|right|400px|alt=… the bite of…|the bite of the icy water]]

:''"Pü, wake up, you must fight!"

The young Zorai emerged from his nightmare. He straightened up and his mother was holding him by the shoulders. Although he regularly fought a black varinx in his dreams, he had never lost the duel before. Covered in sweat, he instinctively brought his hand to his forehead. A small, rigid growth was puncturing his skull. His seed of life was about to grow. While all homins had a seed of life buried in their skulls, only the Zorais' one was doomed to grow like this, until it covered their faces with the mask that marked their passage to adulthood. Pü, only eleven years old, turned out to be an extremely precocious child, and to his great regret, even more than his brother. In secret, he had prayed to the Kamis for a long time, hoping to obtain his mask only after his twelfth birthday, the age at which Niï's had grown. He did not want to draw attention to himself, and even less to weaken the brotherly relationship. Because Pü measured how much this relation had already degraded since, four years ago, he had torn a bell off his elder brother in mock combat at barely seven years old. From that day on, Niï began to neglect him and to spend more and more time training with their father. Previously moderate, he had also gradually become more radical, following in the footsteps of the Black Mask. Thus, it was no longer a question of converting the miscreants: only the sacrificial execution could make them expiate their sins.

But what could the child, about to become an adult, do about that? If the Kamis wanted his mask to grow a year before his brother's, then it must be so. Besides, it would have been a lie to pretend that he himself was not looking forward to this day: Pü had always been anxious about growing up. Nevertheless, the pain that was currently splitting his skull was far more terrible than he had expected. Enough to make him regret having wanted this moment so much. The boy pushed his mother away and got up hastily. Staggering, he helped himself to the wall to reach the drapes at his room's entrance and reach the central room.
His father and brother, already awake, were changing into their ceremonial outfit. Pü saw the confidence they had in him in their eyes. He had to face up, as they had done in their time. Yet, and he felt it again as he looked at his father's black mask, he would never be the equal of his first son in his eyes. He was doomed to grow up in his brother's shadow, which suited him completely. Pü knew the merit there was to occupy the position of second in command, and never had he envied his older brother. The future role he would have to play beside him was fundamental. Yes, he would become the Shadow of the future Black Mask, and he should be proud of it. For just as silence only exists in the face of noise, light is nothing without shadow. Pü fixedated for a few seconds on the tattooed mask of Niï. Concentrating hard to drive out the pain, he tried to regulate his step. Unfortunately a sudden sharp pain erupted in his skull. Pü collapsed against the family table and slipped to the hard ground.

:''"Niï, help your brother up!" shouted his mother, before her husband interrupted her.

:''"Don't do anything, Niï! Pü must pass the test alone, and you know that better than anyone else, Looï. No help, no matter how small, must be given to him."

His wife was about to reply when the young Zorai stood up.

:''"Father is right, I must do it alone. Have faith in me, everyone, I will do our name honor."

Pü said these few words with gritted teeth, squinting to control himself. He left the hut without looking at his family and picked up the sacred basin on the ground. Which was emptied and filled with water every evening in anticipation of the great moment. Undressing completely, he knelt down and poured the contents of the well over his head, as the tradition asked.
Under normal circumstances, '''the bite of the icy water''' would probably have seemed painful to him. But as the burn of the seed inside his skull bruised his face, the sensation of the icy liquid was almost life-saving. Naked as a newborn and washed of his impurities, he was now ready to be reborn during the ritual. But he still had to survive until then. Still kneeling, the young Zorai opened a small chest put next to the now empty basin. It contained two tools that were essential to the sprouting ceremony: a ceremonial dagger and a whistler-stick. Pü put the whistler-stick in his mouth and struggled to his feet. Finally, with the dagger in his hand, he headed for the deeper place in the village: the Ceremonial Square.

With each of the child's exhalations, the whistle emitted a melodious and strangely evanescent chant that everyone within the stump knew. Whistler-sticks were sacred objects, carved from the femurs of the tribe's ancestors. Their singing allowed the villagers to know that one of their own was coming of age, but also to communicate with the Kamis, who seemed to be able to hear them everywhere. More practically, the whistle also prevented the nascent mask from covering the Zorai's mouth, or even seeping into it, at the risk of killing him. Stumbling along the walls and holding on to a fence to progress, Pü advanced laboriously. His affliction prevented him from truly controlling his steps, between the moving slats of the suspended bridges and the winding alleys it was a torturous march. Fortunately, he knew every corner of the village, and instinctively avoided the roots that sometimes intertwined under his feet. He could have moved around with his eyes closed. Guided by the slopes, the characteristic smell of each hut, the nightly cries of the izams nesting in the wooden niches of the bark ceiling. The bewitching echo coming from the abyssal wells that sank beneath the bark. Usually he cherished these night walks but today the path seemed infinitely long, punctuated by pulses of pain that started in his skull and nearly split his whole being.
A particularly severe pulse shot through his body and his legs gave out beneath him as he was climbing down a hollowed-out staircase that led to a middle landing in the village. He fell down the steep slope, tearing some roots from the hard wood in the process and crashed to the ground. As he fell, the dagger and whistler-stick slipped from his grasp and clattered to the floor a few feet away from him. Slumped on the cold carpet of lichens, he thought his head would explode, and put a fist in his mouth freed from the whistle to stifle his howls. Luckily, he was still alone, and no one was in situation to discover the pitiful state he was in.

[[file:What miserable.jpg|left|400px|alt=What miserable image was he giving to Ma-Duk?|What miserable image was he giving to Ma-Duk?]]
Nearly driven mad by the pain, Pü was feeling the joints of his jaw distend, some of his teeth loosen, and the skin on his cheeks crack as he managed to force his entire fist into his mouth. With his free hand, he pulled out a clump of blue hair, bleeding. His eyes rolled backwards as he convulsed on the floor. He could feel the bone tearing at his flesh and merging with his forehead. How could he bear such pain? It was inconceivable, there was no chance of him surviving this. Letting baleful thoughts darken his reason, he was about to give up. It was then that it appeared in front of him, between two spasms, out of nothingness, a Black Kami suddenly was leaning over his body. The protective spirit of Atys, whom Pü assumed had answered the call of the whistle, was in every way similar to the one that had appeared to him four years ago in his mother's workshop. Over the past few years, his mother's religious teachings had paid off. Pü had become a devout practitioner, who was feeling a deep and sincere love for Ma-Duk and the Kamis and profound gratitude to them.
A few months ago, his mother had revealed to him that she and his father had found it very difficult to conceive him, and that everything had changed after Looï had gone to meet the Kamis. A few days later, she got pregnant. So Pü was, more than anyone else, grateful to the Kamis. The child looked at the creature, its arm pointing in the direction of Ceremonial Square and then at its eyes. Its large white eyes. Big white eyes that, empty four years before, were now filled with shame for him. '''What miserable image was he giving to Ma-Duk?''' He was besmirching the name of his ancestors. The normally calm young Zorai felt a fierce anger towards himself. He furiously tore his fist from his throat, knocking out a few teeth and expelling bile in the process. Crawling piteously, he managed to retrieve his dagger and whistle-stick, and when he stood up, the Kami was gone. Had he dreamed it, or was it a warning from the Great Progenitor? Ma-Duk's gaze was on him now, he could feel it. He spat out bile and blood, bit into the whistle, and resumed his descent.

Pü had almost reached his destination when he saw the first glimmers of light between the huts, now well above him. Finally, with great difficulty, he climbed down a ladder reaching the deepest part of the village. Here the light was scarcer, and the cold of the deep caves was rising to the surface. The Ceremonial Square was a large circular pit about twenty-five meters in diameter, five meters deep, and the bottom was covered with bark chips. Apart from the gigantic totem pole that occupied the center, it was completely empty. The structure was an impressive wooden pylon completely covered with Zoraïs masks tattooed with various pictograms. These tattoos represented the merit of the Zorai. The more a mask was tattooed, the more deserving the Zorai was. The ultimate tattoo consisted of complete covering in ink, the origin of the so revered Black Mask. Moreover, only those tribesmen who had respected the precepts of the Black Cult of Ma-Duk all their lives could hope to appear on the totem pole at their death. '''Surviving the growth of the mask alone, was one of these precepts'''. With trembling legs, Pü knelt halfway between the ladder and the totem pole and stabbed his dagger into the ground. His vision blurred by pain, he lingered on each of the faces, invoking the names of his heroes, and seeking in their deadened gaze a way to lessen his torment. He had already repeated his prayer a great many times when the first member of the tribe joined him in the square, as the sharp growth was beginning to pass his eyebrows. Blinded by the cephalgias and the drops of acidic sweat that beaded in his eyes, the young Zorai did not succeed in making out the newcomer. He had to wait for him to speak.

:''"Don't be the cause of another dishonor, son. I have trained you every day since you could hold a dagger. I have not only taught you how to fight."

It was Ke'val, his uncle, whose presence blessed the child. He had managed to get to the square before all others and had given his advice in a low voice, so as not to risk being overheard. The young Zoraï had to overcome this ordeal alone. For the tribe, accepting whatever help was offered was considered an act of weakness. Which would prevent him from becoming a Black Warrior of Ma-Duk forever. And from one day joining the eternal totem of faces. For the other Zoraïs in the country, facing the growth of the mask without resorting to anesthetic concoctions was pure madness. Understanding what his uncle was getting at, Pü sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes.

:"Black Warriors absorb their suffering and open themselves to pain."

:"Like bone, the spirit becomes stronger when broken."

:"Ma-Duk offers us the ultimate pain so that no pain in the world can ever reach his soldiers."

The young Zorai muttered these mantras over and over as he focused on his life seed, the heart of his torment. As his uncle had taught him in the past, he stopped trying to fight anymore, letting the waves of pain spread from his forehead to the extremities of his body. Was this the secret? Accepting pain as a friend? To become one with it? Yes, this was it. Dying to be reborn. Pü firmed his bearings and plant his fingers into the ground to keep himself upright. Opening his eyes one more, he lingered one last time at the faces of his forefathers, as the emerging mask began to obstruct his vision.

:''"Don't help me flee my pain, offer me yours. I will cherish it."

At these words, his ancestors came to life. Wooden bodies wriggled out of their totemic prison. One after the other, they fell to the ground like disjointed puppets, and once straightened, they charged at him, screaming. Pü spread his arms. One by one, the apparitions plunged into his forehead. Letting the pain consume him, the child lost all concept of reality. And as his eyes were about to be plunged into darkness, perhaps permanently, he thought he saw the large white eyes of the Black Kami atop the totem pole. As his dwindling vision recognized pride in them he fell into a deep trance.

[[file:Surviving alone.jpg|right|400px|alt=Surviving alone the growth of the mask was one of these precepts|Surviving alone the growth of the mask was one of these precepts]]
Around him, his entire tribe was beginning to arrive from the heights of the village, descending the stairs and ladders in religious silence. They gradually placed themselves in a semicircle on the half of the square opposite from where Pü was kneeling. The last to arrive was Grandmother Bä-Bä, helped by Looï. The old woman was the only one allowed to join the semicircle where Pü was. She stood between the little being and the big totem pole and raised a withered hand. It contained her famous set of orange dice, which she used regularly to catalyze her power and accurately predict the tribe's future. At a gesture, the few lights still present at the level of the heights of the village flew into her palm, which became the only source of light. A small phosphorescent ball now floated above her palm. The Zoraïs, although accustomed to it, never got tired of this bewitching spectacle. A few long seconds passed, silently, then the witch blew on the small star which lit up red and flew to the totem. Upon contact with the ball of light, the edifice instantly burst into flames and the empty orifices of the masks lit up. Grandmother Bä-Bä then began the ritual that each of those present had experienced as a child. She chanted dark incantations for the next few hours, waving her hands moving in complicated, mysterious gestures, while her children hummed liturgical songs in chorus. Deep in the darkness, somewhere in the huge stump, shadows danced in to their rhythm. Further into the jungle, emanating from the gigantic dead sky-tree, one could catch sight of a reddish glow illuminating the sky, and guess at sinister whispers above the wind's low mourn. The Cursed Stump, definitely, lived up to its name for the ignorant. The hypnotic ritual seemed to never stop and none of the Zorais would have risked interrupting it. Tirelessly they stared at the young child who, still in a trance, occasionally broke the monotony of the ceremony with his muffled cries. They thought they would lose him for good an hour after the ritual began, when, barely conscious, Pü tore the dagger from the ground and split his mask in a line from one eye to the other. But the youngest of Sang and Looï Fu-Tao held on. Everyone there in the pit knew what he was going through. They too had experienced it. All of them had been forced to dive into the abyss. And they had all come out of it greater.

A shrieking twilight abyss was sparkling before Pü's eyes. Again, the Black Kami emerged from nothingness. With its great white eyes, it stared at the child, then plunged. Pü had no choice but to follow it, sucked in by a force beyond himself. With enormous speed in the bubbling vacuum, a development and an acceleration of the vague tonal system announced a paroxysm to come, indescribable and orgasmic. The speed quickly became vertiginous. Unable to breathe, so powerful was the force that pushed him, Pü felt the air flaying his skin and infiltrate his body to down to his bones. It was unspeakable Pain. He was liquefying, crushed by the endless increase in pressure. Gradually, he lost all consistency. It was then that, reduced to the state of a simple primordial soup, he finally felt it within him. The monstrous explosion of the liturgical chants of his ancestors, which condesed in their immaculate sonority all the primitive effervescence of the Great Progenitor, he who broods behind each fragment of matter. This resonance which springs up in rhythmic reverberations and penetrated attenuated in all the levels of being carries everywhere on Atys a terrible significance. Ma-Duk spoke to him, and the Kami took Pü to meet him in the glittering heart of the world. But all this disappeared in an instant.
{{Couillard}}
Pü woke up, sweating, panting, his senses confused. He did not know where he was, nor why his body was suffering such affliction. Around him, strange misty shapes were slowly approaching. Instinctively, he grabbed for the weapon at his belt, but could not find it. He moved into a defensive position as his senses slowly regained their place. A body emerged from the fog, and Pü managed to make out its face. He would never tire of his mother's beauty. Deeply hurt, he was about to throw himself into her arms, hoping to find appeasement. But she stopped him and spoke in a voice that struggled to veil her emotion.

:''"Pü Fu-Tao, you have completed your passage to adulthood with success. But this ordeal was only the first. Let us know, do you wish to become a Black Warrior of Ma-Duk?"

The young Zorai, who had finally regained his senses, ran his hands over his new face for the first time. It was firm, bony and warm. In spite of the still sharp pain, he was amazed to be able to follow every lesser swirl of it with his fingers. This face was much more sensitive than his old one. Sensing that his answer was overdue and reading the emotional disorder in his mother's eyes, he stated without surprise:

:''"Yes, I do."

:''"Then accept your new equipment,"'' his mother replied.

Uncle Ke'val came and laid a suit of soft wooden braided straw armor at his feet, which Pü immediately put on. He also gave him a knapsack, a small, sturdy shield, a finely chiseled short sword and dagger, and a fine pair of magic amplifiers, looking like large, ornate gloves. In essence, like everything coming from Atys, homins were made up of spiritual particles, and irrigated by a primordial energy called Sap. Each homin was also able, instinctively, to imprint his will to the Sap that permeated him, in order to manipulate the spiritual particles that made him up, or those of the environment. Thus, he could modify their aspect, their nature, or their behavior. It was magic. Unfortunately, it required a high degree of mastery and consumed a lot of life energy. The amplifiers, because of their composition of conductive elements and catalysts of Sap, were invented in order to overcome the homin limitation, and thus enabled hominkind to practice magic more widely. Pü stared for an instant at the present he was given, then shifted his gaze to his uncle's mask. He read pride there. A year earlier, Shengi, his own son, had failed the mask growing ordeal. Seeing him mad in pain, Grandmother Bä-Bä had to intervene and interrupt the ceremony. By this failure, his cousin had denied himself a glorious future. Pü was particularly sad to learn of his mysterious disappearance some time later. Had he fled? Had someone gotten rid of him? The answer to these questions remained taboo. Putting these painful thoughts out of his mind, he quickly and silently dressed and piked up the items, then turned his gaze back to his mother.

:''"Here is an amber cube, take good care of it. The tribe is currently composed of one hundred and forty-eight souls, and three births are to be expected in the next few months. You will thus have to donate us one hundred and fifty-one offerings. You may go."

:''"Thank you, Mom,"'' he replied, his voice trembling.

Unable to resist, Pü started a hugging motion. He had to embrace his mother. But, appearing from nowhere, his father interfered by catching his wrist.

:''"This is a bad idea Pü. Your mother's reassurance will not soothe you. You have to overcome these trials alone."'' he said curtly, before being interrupted sternly by his wife.

:''"Sang Fu-Tao! The day you succeed in preventing me from embracing one of my sons has not yet arrived! So step aside!"

The Black Mask gave his wife a cold look, but obeyed her without a word as letting go of his son's wrist. Looï threw herself into Pü's arms and he held her as tightly as he could. His mask brushed against his mother's, and the contact, though imperceptible, gave him sensations unknown until then.

:''"This mask and these horns suit you so well, my son, she murmured. I have faith in you, we all have faith in you, you will return to us victorious, I have seen it. But I beg you Pü, I ask you one sole thing: what you about to do, do it only for Ma-Duk, and never for your own pleasure. Never forget. You can become a great warrior and still be my beloved treasure."

Shaken by these new sensations, her words, and especially the excruciating thought of abandoning her for so long, Pü loosened his grip and ran without a word to one of the ladders of the main square. He met the eyes of several villagers, including his brother. Curiously, he did not succeed in deciphering his look. It seemed strangely empty. Pü climbed the different levels of the city in haste, without ever turning around. If he saw his mother's face again now, he might not be able to leave. Finally, he crossed the large and disturbing breach that served as the entrance to the village and passed the edge of the jungle. Forgetting for the first time his physical pain, he hurried without stopping, illuminated through the tops of the tall trees by the light of Jena's cursed star. He didn't even know where he was going, devastated as he was by this last moment with his mother. Reaching the edge of his limits, he collapsed on the wet leafy ground and started to scream in pain. His father knew. This special moment of tenderness was a bad idea, he had been right. The pain, that wasn't his mask, it was his heart.
}}
{{NavChap|[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]}}
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War]]

Chapter I·II - Brotherhood

2022-07-11T07:57:06Z

Jadeyn:

{{NavChap|[[Chapter I - A Fate Paved with Glory]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter III - Dying to Be Reborn]]}}
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<center><big><big><big><big>'''II - Brotherhood'''</big></big></big></big></center> 

<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2470'''</big></big></center>

{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator''|
When Niï pushed through the curtains of the hut, he was assailed by the tempting smell of dinner. While it had been agreed upon earlier that he would prepare the evening meal, his mother had already returned from her diplomatic mission, and was working on it in his place. Kneeling over a small amber stockpot, she was seasoning the cold soup it contained with various aromatic herbs. Looï glanced at her eldest son, making sure he hadn't forgotten to leave his equipment outside. Within the family household, the rules were strict, and Looï saw to it they were respected by all. Dressed in a simple woven loincloth, Niï greeted his mother. At twenty years old, the Zoraï had a body of chiseled muscles, whose blue skin, clear and smooth, reflected his youth.

:''"Ah Nii, there you are. The meeting with the neighboring tribe ended earlier than expected. Can you come and help me, please?"

The young homin bowed respectfully in response and came to sit cross-legged in front of a log on which many fruits had been arranged. He picked up a knife and began to gently cut the colorful dishes. Looï was still seasoning the contents of the stockpot.

:''"Did your training go well?"'' she asked her son.

:''"Yes, and even better than expected. Guess what happened!"

Looï abandoned her soup for a few moments and turned to her assistant.

:''"Um, you finally defeated Uncle Ke'val in a duel?"

:''"No, better yet!"

Looï regarded him intently a few seconds, trying to read through his tattooed mask. To no avail.

:''"I give up. Come on, tell me."

Niï put his knife on the log and stood up. Standing in profile, he pointed to his hip with an index finger.

:''"Pü managed to catch my bell! You should have seen him, he was outstanding. Just when I thought he was at the end of his rope, he kicked up a cloud of dust and leaped as if he was about to cast a shock wave. I was partially blinded and readied myself to to withstand the spell, I didn't realize that this leap was a decoy: Pü didn't send a shockwave. Instead taking advantage my distraction, he rooted my ankles. Surprised, I lost my balance and barely had time to free myself from the restraint when he was already on me, bell in hand. He told me he had totally improvised, it was amazing! He's just seven years old, can you imagine?"

The ladle fell from Looï's hand to the ground. She stared at her son without saying a word.

:''"Mom, are you alright?"

:''"Yes, yes... Forgive me. Indeed, it's a great achievement."

:''"You're worried about father, right?"'' answered Niï, sitting down again abruptly.

:''" Niï... You know your father. Above all, don't take into account what he will say tonight", she said in a compassionate tone.

At that ver moment, the homin in question, as if obeying an invocation, passed through the drapes of the hut. The muscular Zorai's eyes, hidden behind an impressive mask, entirely tattooed with black, swept the room. Seeing that his eldest had already arrived, Sang stopped short. He stared at his son coldly for a few seconds, then his gaze shifted to his wife.

:''"We were right, Looï. I spent my day tracking down the Karavan agents, and I can confirm that they have set up camp in the west, on the border of the Purple Marshes. They are conducting experiments on the evil that is rampant there, I am sure of it!"

At the mention of the Purple Marshes, Looi's body tensed. This diseased area of the Jungle was plagued by some mysterious form of pollution or sickness, able to contaminate living things and seemingly consuming Atys as it progressed.

Sang continued, his tone as angry as ever.

:''"These demons from the heavens are truly the embodiment of evil! I curse the Theocracy for getting friendly with them. Besides, maybe they are in cahoots, and allow them to conduct their dark experiments?"

Looï put the pieces Niï had just finished cutting into a bowl containing dried fruit and stood up.

:''"I don't think so, Sang. The Theocracy is greedy and corrupt, but not so greedy as to encourage the Karavan to conduct experiments in the Purple Marshes. The Kamis would never forgive Min-Cho. Tomorrow, a diplomatic meeting between the various Jungle tribes and the Theocracy will be held in Zoran. I will try to find out more."

Sang muttered a few words at the mention of Min-Cho, the so-called Great Sage, then grabbed a water skin and drank. Looï continued, ignoring her husband's annoyance.

:''"By the way, I received important news this afternoon, by [[izam]], from the [[Fyros]] Empire. News with a strong international impact…. Sang, are you listening to me?"

Indeed the Black Mask was not listening to his wife, but was staring intently at his son. Once he had quenched his thirst, he walked towards him.

:''"We need to talk, Niï. I have heard that Pü has defeated you."

:''"Father, I…"

:''"Niï, you are twelve years his senior! You are destined to become my successor, the future Black Mask! It is unthinkable that…"

Looï stept into her husband's field of vision, ladle in hand.

:''"Sang, not here. Not at mealtime. By the way, Niï, please go get your brother. He's in my workshop."

With his mask down and his fists clenched, the young adult headed for the exit of the hut. As he passed the drapes, his mother was still staring intently at his father, pointing at his chest with the cooking utensil. The atmosphere seemed extremely tense. Outside, the fireflies that populated the stump of the sky-tree had awakened, bathing the surroundings of the hut in pockets of moving light. Full of anger, Niï grabbed the short sword he had put in the rack when he arrived, and threw it away. The weapon went to plant itself in a thick arched root which was used as a portal for the homins, and as a perch for the izams. The red and white winged messengers flew away now in the direction of the bark ceiling bark, while screeching their mocking and shrill cries.
{{Couillard}}
Bending over a basin of water, Pü was admiring his reflection. True, his face did not yet have the bony mask characteristic of those of his people, but with his face covered with paint, he found himself particularly beautiful. Indeed, the young Zorai had painted his entire face white and reproduced the black esoteric symbols tattooed on the masks of his elders. Would he look like this when he became an adult after growing his mask? He wondered. Around his neck, several necklaces much too big for him were tangled. It was the same for the bracelets that he was forced to hold in his hands, for they were too large for his wrists. Just as he was, finally, about to crown his frizzy blue hair with a magnificent diadem, he heard a cracking sound at his back. Instinctively, Pü rolled to the side and put himself in a defensive posture: although still a child, he was a born warrior, already conditioned by several years of intensive training. Scanning the small room, he frowned. Except for the many tools and jewelry that were stored there, it was empty of any presence. Thinking he had been dreaming, he turned back to the water basin, and like a startled animal, jumped back: a Kami now stood in front of the container and also seemed to be contemplating his reflection.

This was the first time Pü had met a guardian spirit of Atys. Just like in the descriptions he had been given of the Kamis populating the Jungle, this one had taken on the appearance of a black ball of fur, barely a meter tall. Slightly paunchy and endowed with two short clawed legs. It held the edges of the container with arms that seemed to long for its body. Curious, the young Zorai moved forward a step. Then the creature's small head turned toward him, and Pü could see its two large, entirely white eyes. Its empty gaze was mesmerizing. At once distressing and comforting. At once foreign and familiar. Pü swallowed, unable to fathom his own emotions. As if intrigued by the little homin, the Kami cocked his head to the side. It pointed a claw in Püs direction. The boy swallowed a second time.

:''"He… Hello Kami. My name is Pü Fu-Tao. D... Do you have a name?"

The Kami pointed his claw in his direction once more.

:''"Uh… Can you speak? I've been told that Kamis can speak."

The Kami put its claw on his furry head, before pointing it again in Pü's direction. The child's face lit up.

:''"Ah, you want Mom's tiara?"'' he said, walking towards him with the amber crown in his hand. ''"She made it, like all the jewelry you can see here! This is her workshop, and mom is a master jeweler. She makes incredible adornments that protect the tribe's warriors with magic!"

The Kami, whose claw was still pointed in Pü's direction, laid his gaze on the diadem.

:''"Do you want it? I can give it to you. I think Mom would be very happy to give a gift to a Kami!"

Pü handed the ornament to the Kami, who caught it within its long arms. The creature stared at the marvelous piece for a few seconds, then pressed it abruptly against his chest.
At that moment, someone came into the workshop. Pü turned to the drapes, and as he made out his brother's mask, something rolled across the floor: the Kami had vanished as suddenly as he had appeared a few dozen seconds earlier, leaving its gift behind.

Seeing his brother's get-up, Niï sighed.

"Pü, wash your face and put away Mom's jewelry, please. It's time for dinner."

Obediently, Pü took a deep breath and dipped his face into the basin. Emerging from the water, he placed the jewelry he was wearing on his mother's workbench. Finally, he bent down to pick up the diadem.

:''"Niï, a Kami was there in the workshop. I think he wanted Mom's diadem. He held it really tight."

:''"What?"'' her brother replied doubtfully.

:''"I promise you, there was a Kami, right here! All hairy, all black. With two big white eyes. It appeared all of a sudden and disappeared again when you arrived."

Niï knelt down in front of his little brother.

:''"If that's true, then you're probably very special, Pü. I myself have only seen a Kami once on a mission and only from a distance."

Niï's voice changed, taking on a much bleaker tone.

:''"Well no, not probably, that's a sure thing, you are very special, little brother."

Dropping the diadem on the workbench, Pü walked towards the workshop exit, his still naked face lit up with a smile.

:''"We are both very special, Niï! You will be the Black Mask, and I will become your Shadow!"

Niï sighed and agreed. He got up and followed his younger brother.

:''"Pü, can you not talk at the table about the training this afternoon?"'' asked Niï, as they walked towards the main hut.

:''"Uh…. Yes, if you want. Why?"

:''"Father is angry. Not at you, but at me…."

:''"But why?"

:''"It's complicated…. I'll explain it to you, some other day."

Pü grumbled.

:''"He's angry all the time…."

And indeed, Sang Fu-Tao was angry. As promised, Pü did not mention the bell. In fact, no one uttered a word and the family enjoyed their soup in silence. The atmosphere was much heavier than usual. Tense, and not knowing why his father was angry, Pü tried to lighten the mood with what he imagined was good news. He spoke in a hesitant voice.

:''"Ah, by the way, earlier when... when I was in the workshop, before Niï came to get me, a Kami appeared. He wanted your diadem, Mom!"

At these words, his father nearly chocked on his meal.

:''"What did you say, Pü? A Kami appeared to you in your mother's workshop?"

The young Zorai smiled happily at his father and nodded, too young to understand that he had just sealed the fate of the dinner. Sang replied without delay.

:''"Pü, this is no time for fun. Stop telling nonsense and focus on your bowl."

A veil of sorrow instantly covered the child's face.

:''"But…. I…. I'm not telling nonsense….

:''"Pü, please eat. And in silence."

The boy glanced sadly at his mother, convinced that she would take his defense without hesitation. But, to his surprise, it was his older brother who did so in an angry rush. Usually, Niï did not oppose his father, with whom he was rarely in disagreement. But this time, exasperated by the unjust reprimand of the Black Mask, he did not succeed in containing his anger. His brother slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly.

::''"Don't call Pü a liar!"

Sang nearly chocked a second time. Rising to his feet, he gave his eldest son a frosty look.

:''"I beg your pardon, Niï?"

:''"You…. You heard me right! If Pü said he saw a Kami, then he saw one! Pü is not a liar."

:''"You let Pü catch your bell and now you cover his lies? What are you playing at?"'' replied the Black Mask with a deceptively calm air.

Niï exploded with anger.

:''"I didn't let him take the bell, he just did extremely well! It's time you accepted that sometimes things don't go your way! You're just a Black Mask, you don't have Grandma Bä-Bä's gifts of prescience!"

Sang abruptly stood, pushing over his stool and walked toward his son. Immediately the High Priestess also got to her feet, the air in the hut crackling with energy. Around her, the air began to vibrate and the light was strangely distorted: Looï was giving off an overwhelming aura.

:''""That's enough!"'' she shouted in an amplified voice.

Instinctively, Sang and Niï let themselves fall to the ground.

:''"Sang, Pü does not lie! I felt the presence of a Kami nearby earlier, so he confirms my intuition. Do not forget, you are not only the Black Mask, you are also the father of these children! Niï, respect your father, and do not blaspheme! The Black Mask and Granny Bä-Bä each play their own role. Your comparison is dishonorable! Now, let's finish dinner, and in silence, please."

The two Zorais sat back down without saying a word. Pü was staring at his mother, his eyes shining with admiration. She smiled at him. In accordance with her orders, and despite the palpable tension, the rest of the meal went on calmly. When all four had finished their bowl of fruit and the table was cleared, Sang got up and headed for the exit of the hut.

:''"Niï, get your equipment and meet me at the dojo,"'' said his father calmly.

Niï stood up and glanced at her brother and mother. Both of them sent him an encouraging smile.

:''"Yes father, I'll follow you."

Sang and his eldest came out of the hut and the atmosphere was instantly appeased. Pü ran for refuge into the arms of his mother, still sitting at the wooden table.

:''"You're so strong, Mom! Tell me, are you stronger than father?"

Looï hugged her son and let out a laugh.

:''"That depends, Pü. Your father is a much better warrior than I am. I'm no match for him in hand-to-hand combat. But like Grandmother Bä-Bä, I have been blessed by the Kami. My mastery of magic is far superior to that of any of you."

:''"I want to be blessed by the Kamis too!"'' replied Pü, returning her embrace.

Looï guffawed again.

:''"It is not something we choose, Pü. It is the Kamis that choose us. By the way, can you tell me more about the Kami you met?"

:''"He was all hairy, all black, and had big white eyes. He pointed at me with his claw several times in a row, I did not understand why at first. Then I realized that he wanted your diadem, so I gave it to him! But he disappeared and dropped when Niï arrived…."

Pensive, Looï passed a hand behind her son's neck and tenderly stroked his skull.

:''"I see, that's interesting. Hold on to that memory Pü, it's not every day that a Kami comes to meet a homin. Especially one so young."

Looï stood up, forcing her youngest son down from her knees.

:''"Pü, can you wait for me outside for your evening classes? As you will see, the program of the day has changed."

Pü agreed and got out the hut.
{{Couillard}}
Sitting on the edge of the large root on which the family hut was built, Pü watched the other dwellings of the village, located on either side of the stumps heights, lit by the tireless dance of the fireflies. Several stories below his feet, he could see the thatched roof of the dojo, where his father was probably in the middle of training his brother. He hoped that both of them had calmed down. Pü had a very close relationship with his older brother, who constantly showed him love, but who could also show authority when necessary. He was his best friend as well as confidant.

As agreed, his mother didn't delay in joined him for his evening classes. She sat down next to him.

:''"So, as I was saying earlier, I've decided to change today's schedule. Originally, I was going to give you an in-depth botany class, but some fresh and important news came to me from the Fyros Empire earlier this afternoon. They concern imperial policy. So I thought it would be more relevant to take the time to discuss them. Is that okay with you?"

Pü nodded and snuggled up to his mother. He loved these moments with her. In all intimacy, without anyone to disturb them. He loved listening to her voice, and making her proud, reciting her lessons to perfection. As the future Shadow of the Black Mask, Pü needed to know more than anyone else about the history of Atys, for him to properly appreciate the relationships between its nations, and thus advise his brother as best he could when leading the Sacred War. So today, the botany class had turned into a discussion session on current events in the Fyros Empire, whose territory located in the far northern deserts had always fascinated Pü. Accustomed to lush jungles, the young Zorai had always wondered how it was possible to live in such lands. But the hostile climate they suffered was a good match for his idea of the Fyros. That people of proud and courageous warriors whose ardent temperament drove them to incessantly advance. In fact, even the physical appearance of the Fyros exuded harshness: stocky bodies, bulging muscles, swarthy skin. Born warriors. While the hawkish attitude of Püs tribe made it almost unique among the various tribes of the Jungle, it was its common denominator with those of the Desert.

:''"Well.I would not teach you anything by reminding you that the current Emperor of the Fyros is Thesop, the youngest son of Abylus the Learned. For if Pyto, his eldest son, succeeded him at his death, as the imperial tradition wants, the reign of the latter was very short. As you know, two years after his accession to the throne he was assassinated by his younger brother Thesop."

As Looï had expected, Pü's face suddenly darkened. He tightened his embrace and buried his face in his mother's chest. A muffled voice came out there.

:''"Mom, I still don't understand why Thesop killed his big brother. It makes me sad."

Looï caressed her son's bare back affectionately.

:''"I told you before, Pü: it's the call of power. Some people will do anything to get more power. Even kill loved ones."

:''"I do not understand mom and that frightens me.”
Lamented Pü, the face still buried between the breasts of his mother. One day Niï will be the Sacred Warrior, the most powerful homin of Atys. Do you think that I too will want to take his place? I love Niï very much, I don't want that to happen…."

The Zoraï grabbed her son by the shoulders and helped him to straighten up. Pü was surprised by her gaze. It was strangely mystical, as if she was trying to probe his soul. Her voice had changed, too.

:''"Pü, do you desire power?"

At these words, the expression on the little homin's face changed dramatically. It was rare to see such determination in a child's eyes.

:''"No! I am not interested in power! All I want is to grow up fast to protect you and Niï!"

Looï rested her bony forehead against her son's, breaking eye contact.

:''"So don't worry Pü, don't worry. Everything will be fine. Everything will happen as Grandmother Bä-Bä predicted…."

Pü nodded his head up and down.

:''"Well. As you know, the beginning of Thesop's reign was marked by fierce repression and a true demon hunt. The imperial generals, very loyal to Emperor Pyto, have never forgiven his brother. This is probably why the assassination of Thesop, the fratricide but a week ago, was not followed by any funeral ceremony. It is even said that the Fyros people have been celebrating for several nights now the coronation of his successor, who is none other than the son of the lamented Pyto, the now Emperor Krospas…. These are the news that reached me from the Desert this afternoon, and that I wanted to tell you about."

Pü's face illuminated.

:''"Wow! Pyto has been avenged! Any idea who the assassin is?"

:''"Not that I know of, no. Although he was murdered in public, on the Agora of Fyre…."

:''"Do you think this will change things a lot?"

:''"For the Fyros populating the cities of the Empire, yes, a lot. Very few Fyros were supporting Thesop. For the Kingdom of Matia, the Trykoth Federation, and the Zoraï Theocracy, I can't say yet. All will depend on the international policy of Emperor Krospas. For us, however, this does not change a thing: the Fyros are indeed on good terms with the Kamis and on the outs with the Karavan, but they remain for the most part miscreants who do not know about the existence of Ma-Duk, the Supreme Kami. Sooner or later we will have to convert them to the True Faith."

Pü nodded weakly, when a voice intruded upon their lesson. It belonged to Ke'val, his father's brother. The brother of the Black Mask, then. His brother and his Shadow, whom Pü should one day succeed.

:''"Looï, Pü, I hope I'm not disturbing you."

:''"No Ke'val, I was discussing with Pü the assassination of Emperor Thesop, we were just finishing up,"'' said Looï as she stood up.

Pü stood up in turn. His uncle looked a lot like his father, right down to the horns of his mask. Only the lack of tattoos on his mask enabled people to tell the two homins apart. Pü was very fond of his uncle, who was his referent master instructor. He trained with him almost every day. Like his father, Ke'val was very strict. But in contrast to the former, he knew how to express compliments. Thinking back on the conversation he had just had with his mother, Pü couldn't help but wonder if Ke'val had ever wished to take the Black Mask's place. The thought terrified him. Very fortunately, his uncle did not give him the opportunity to wander any longer in his thoughts.

:''"Pü, I wanted to congratulate you. Shengi told me of your prowess at the dojo."

Shengi, Ke'val's son, had thus told him about the bell. Pü got along very well with his cousin, with whom he loved to spend time. The child blushed again and bowed his head.

:''"Thanks Uncle Ke'val."

The Black Masks Shadow ruffled his nephew's hair affectionately.

:''"You are truly exceptional. I am impatient to see you grow up. I am impatient to see Grandmother Bä-Bä's predictions come true. You too, Looï, aren't you?"

Looï took a step back. Pü raised his head, looking at his uncle and then his mother, not understanding the latter's reaction. Grandmother Bä-Bä's predictions. Yes, one day he and Niï would succeed his father and uncle to lead the Sacred War. In order to make the Happy Days happen. This was what everyone within the tribe was waiting for. So why, at this very moment, did the child detect concern behind his mother's mask?

Again, an unanswered question. Definitely, Pü was eager to grow up.
}}
{{NavChap|[[Chapter I - A Fate Paved with Glory]]|[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter III - Dying to Be Reborn]]}}
 
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War]]

Chapter I·I - A Fate Paved with Glory

2022-07-02T21:33:50Z

Jadeyn:

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<center><big><big><big><big>'''I - A Fate Paved with Glory'''</big></big></big></big></center> 
<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2464'''</big></big></center>

{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|
The toddler opened his eyes and gurgled. Waving his chubby little arms, he searched with his clumsy fingertips for the rag doll that had been sharing his nights since he was born. Not finding it, he squirmed to extract himself from his cocoon of sheets, and grabbed the protective bars of his little crib to stand up tall. Like on so many mornings before, he found the doll lying on the floor, gazing up at him with a disappointed look. Unhappy to have been inadvertently pushed from the warm and cozy nest thy shared. He was struggling to join her, trying some clumsy acrobatics, when the drape of the room he was in opened. Each morning he beheld the same apparition. He never got tired of his mother's incredible beauty. Totally forgetting his doll, he flapped his arms, laughing, eager to again be with the one who was torn from him every night by his father. Behind her tattooed mask, the [[Zorai]] gave him a smile and murmured some words. Even though he didn't understand her words, her voice was the most beautiful melody he knew.

:''"Good morning, my darling. Another restless night, I see."

She approached the crib, picked up the doll then held out her arms to him. The boy, who was already stomping his linens with impatience, mimicked her gesture and squealed with delight when his mother grabbed him by the waist and held him aloft. She twirled him through the air for a few seconds then put her bony forehead against his still pristine one, finally lowering him down to her heart where she held him tight.

:''"Today is a great day for you Pü. Mom believes in you. Like your brother, the destiny awaiting you is paved with glory."

The toddler immediately calmed down at the touch of his mother's mask and blue skin. She tasted so good. She smelled so good. She was so soft. Opening his mouth, he ran his tongue over the warm flesh to catch the sweet scent of his mother's sweat. While heading towards the main room of the house, the Zorai extracted one of her voluptuous breasts from her tunic made of soft fibers, which she gently presented to her son. The little boy did not need any encouragement. He grabbed the soft curve with both hands, while his mouth latched onto the dark patch of skin which nourished him every day.

The dwelling of Pü and his family consisted of a large circular hut, which contained the main room, and two smaller huts flanking the large one, which housed the parent's room in which Pü slept and his older brother's room. The foundation of these accommodations had mainly been constructed of soft woods, vines and various large leaves selected for their waterproofing abilities. After Grandmother Bä-Bä's, this dwelling was the most imposing in the tribe. In the center of the main room was the family table, on which a vast amount of varied food rested. Around the table, Pü's father and brother were eating in silence. Pü stared at the two [[homins]] in succession, still sucking on his mother's breast.
[[file:His big black.png|right|400px|alt=His big black mask was scaring him...|His big black mask was scaring him...]]
He guessed a smile under the mouth slit of his brother's [[The Zorai Mask|mask]]. He wasn't yet used to seeing him like this. Until recently, the older boy's face had been naked still and regularly displayed peculiar grimaces that had no other purpose than to make his little brother laugh. But when the boy grew to be twelve years old, a horned mask had grown too. Pü loved his big brother Niï very much. He tickled Pü, played with him, and showed him incredible acrobatic choreographies which plunged the little Zoraï in a state of overexcitement and which had a knack for annoying their mother.

His father did not look at him and kept eating in silence. Pü didn't know what to think of him. '''His big black mask was scaring him''', and he didn't remember ever having guessed a smile behind it. Moreover, he had already seen him behaving harshly with his brother, lounging at he boy violently with sharp objects that Niï nevertheless managed to dodge. He had also on several occasions caught him abusing his mother in the parental bed. Firmly seizing her hair, grabbing her wrists, crushing her with his powerful musculature, and even giving her at times slaps on the lower part of the body, while she muffled her screams in the cushions.

Yet neither his brother nor his mother seemed to resent the big Zorai. His brother seemed to keep regarding his father up as a role model, and his mother always ended their nightly brawls with tender strokes that Pü was jealous of, looking at them from his crib. He definitely did not understand. And warily, he preferred his father to continue to ignore him, while his mother and brother were busy bringing him love and laughter.

Lunch continued in silence until his father spoke up.

:''"Niï, quickly finish lunch and go prepare our formal wear, please. Meanwhile, your mother will dress Pü for the ceremony. Also, make sure our weapons are properly oiled."

The young Zorai grabbed a last handful of dried fruit in a hurry, stood up, and bowed to his father.

:''"I readied our weapons last night before bedtime, Father. And I'll get our outfits ready straightaway."

His Father answered him by slightly inclining his head, then refocused on the contents of his plate. At the same time, his mother got up and took Pü off her breast. The little one, already full, did not flinch but continued to cling to her exposed flesh to maintain contact. She proceeded to change his night soiled swaddling for a prettily braided panty. About ten minutes passed and the family was ready to leave.
{{Couillard}}
Pü squinted as his mother came out of the hut. Despite his tribe having settled in the gigantic stump of a felled sky-tree, the bark ceiling, badly damaged, let in a few rays of sunshine in at certain times of the day. One of which had just found the eye of the little Zorai, who took refuge between his mother's breasts. In the absence of true celestial light, the community had taken to illuminating its dwelling with lamps containing fireflies.
Although some might have described the atmosphere as gloomy, Pü loved it when his mother took him for a walk through the sloping and winding streets or on the suspension bridges that connected the different levels of the small city. The village, much higher than it was wide, was built vertically. The dwellings were located on the heights, while the lower levels were reserved for communal areas, such as stores, places of worship, the dojo, and the dining hall. Pü loved the dining hall. The other Zorais were very kind to him and he had tasted nice, new food there. Yet this time, the toddler sensed that the walk was anything but ordinary. Other members of the tribe were present in great numbers, forming a path from the family hut to the village heights. All wore their black ceremonial dress, consisting of a loincloth of vegetal fibers, a wide belt of braided straw but especially recognizable by the imposing white amber lens that adorned each of their solar plexuses. As the family moved forward, led by Pü's mother, the people bowed deferentially and joined the group. The toddler, full and lulled by his mother's walk, dozed off into a light sleep. As this scene suggested, his family was no ordinary family.

Looï Fu-Tao, Pü's mother, worked outside the village as a diplomat. She was In charge of maintaining relations with the Zorai Theocracy, the political regime that had governed the country for almost three centuries, whose headquarters were located in [[Zoran]], its capital. For some forty years, the Great Sage [[Min-Cho]] had been the highest homin authority in the Theocracy, who, assisted by the Council of Sages, ruled the [[Jungle]], the native country of the Zorai people. While the Sages hoped that the members of the "Cursed Strain Tribe" – as they liked to name it – would eventually accept the authority of the Theocracy, nothing helped. It had been several generations since the tribe had seceded, and things didn't look like they were about to change. But Looï was not only a diplomat. In the village, she was first and foremost the High Priestess of the Black Cult of [[Ma-Duk]], the depository of religious authority.
[[file:Sang Fu-Tao was.png|left|400px|alt=Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask|Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask]]
Her husband '''Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask''', the First Warrior, military chief of the tribe. A few months after his birth, Niï, their eldest son, had been promised a great destiny by Grandmother Bä-Bä, the witch and seer of the village. According to the prophecy, Niï Fu-Tao would someday succeed his father as the Black Mask, and above all, would become the Sacred Warrior. Elected by Ma-Duk the Great Genitor, Niï Fu-Tao would be brought to tour the world, converting the lost to the True Faith, subduing the atheists and exterminating the heretics. For the Zorai Theocracy, this prophecy was precisely falling under heresy.

For the conflict that opposed the tribe to the rest of the country was first of all religious. Indeed, all Zorais worshipped the [[Kami|Kamis]], mysterious spiritual entities that protected the [[ecosystems]]. Able to change their appearance at will and to travel without physical constraint, these divine guardians permanently ensured that no one compromised the fragile balance of [[Atys]], the plant world where all were coexisting. Although discreet, they shared close relations with the homins, as long as those showed respect for nature. Among the different homin peoples, the Zorais were by far the most receptive to the magic of the Kamis. Already provided with a large size and a blue skin, which distinguished them from the rest of the hominity, a bony and horned mask grew on their face, down from their forehead, during their adolescence. This mask represented the true soul of its wearer and testified to the unique link he had with the Kamis. However, if every Zorai worshiped the Kamis, not everyone agreed on the identity of the Supreme Kami. For the majority of Zorais, the Kamis served [[Jena]], the Goddess of the Day Star and the Mother of Hominity. For the dissident tribe, Jena was an usurping goddess from the sky, alien to Atys and intending evil. According to them, the one and only Supreme Kami was Ma-Duk, meaning "Great Mask" in the Zorai language. He was the Great Genitor, asleep in the depths of Atys. A god that no one recognized but them.

But the discordance did not end there. The Zorai Theocracy, which had become particularly isolationist in the last century, had built the Great Wall, a gigantic edifice protecting the borders of the Jungle from all foreign contact. However, this Great Wall had never prevented the Theocracy from maintaining relations with the [[Karavan]], a strange group of hominoids dressed from head to toe in amazing black armor and using prodigious instruments. These peculiar entities, whose true nature no one knew, lived in the skies of Atys. Equipped with a technology unknown to all, and traveling with curious vehicles capable of overcoming gravity, they crisscrossed the sky to spread the word and serve the interests of the goddess Jena. In exchange for their loyalty, the Karavan had given the Zorais the secrets of magnetism and electrostatic properties, and had also taught them to write. The Kamis abhorred the Karavan, and did not hesitate to make this known to the homins, but this never prevented the Council of Elders from accepting their gifts and to use Karavan knowledge to levitate the buildings of Zoran to this day. For the dissident tribe, as an apostle of Jena abhorred by the Kamis, the Karavan had to be seen as a serious threat and fought accordingly.

These theological divergences heated the minds of the Great Sage Min-Cho and his advisors, who were unable to accept any ideological criticism and made the dissident tribe want to wage holy war. But rather than attacking the tribe head-on, fearing the prowess of its soldiers and the mysterious powers of Grandmother Bä-Bä, the Zorai Theocracy made the tribe pass for a common pagan sect in the eyes of peoples of the Jungle. This had worked quite well up to this point.

For Pü Fu-Tao, the youngest child, who had just been awakened by the distant echo of a bird call, none of this held any interest yet. However, with his big black eyes, he gazed at the villagers with astonishment, aware that today something seemed different. Perhaps he knew, deep down, that something important was about to happen. When, recognizing the alleys between the huts, he understood that they were going to Grandmother Bä-Bä's house, his heart began to race. He did not like the old woman. Her gaunt mask frightened him, her odor stung his nose, and he had heard some associated her presence with illness.
Grandmother Bä-Bä was in fact also the village healer, whom people went to see to find solutions to their problems. Although the Fu-Tao couple represented the authority within the tribe, everyone knew that Grandmother Bä-Bä was actually the central pillar of the community. It was said that she was older than the oldest Zorai in the country and that she had helped deliver every member of the tribe.

When the column of people arrived at Grandmother Bä-Bä's huge hut at the highest point of the village, Pü, feeling tears welling up, clutched his mother's robe tightly. Looï put her forehead against his, which had the effect of reassuring him, and advanced towards the big hut, her son in her arms. The boy had just enough time to glance behind him to see his brother waving to him, before heavy curtains obstructed his vision and the characteristic smell of the dwelling reached his nose. In the back of the main room, Grandmother Bä-Bä was working over an amber stockpot. Despite her highly advanced age, she was surprisingly lively and agile, quickly pulling out various plants and roots from the multitude of pockets that made up her apron. Nothing suggested such vitality, however, as her livid, bony, dry body was crossed with deep wrinkles. Grandmother Bä-Bä was constantly postponing death, and everyone knew that she owed this to the powers granted to her by the Kamis.

:''"Come closer my daughter.”, she said in a cavernous voice, without looking at her guests. “Set your son on the altar, I will be ready soon."

Obediently, Looï walked over to a beautiful carved stump. When she gently placed her son on the firm surface, breaking the mother's touch, he started to cry.

:''"Don't comfort him, my daughter. Tears feed the predictions."

The young Zorai did not understand. No matter how much he called for her, his mother did not react, staring at him with a strange look on her masked face, bending over him. As Pü reached out, trying to grab his mother's long tresses, the old woman's hideous mask cut off eye contact. His tears redoubled.

:''"Hold him tight, and don't panic like you did with your first son. Everything will go well."

Grandmother Bä-Bä pulled a dagger with a finely engraved black blade from her apron and gently grabbed the young Zorai's hand. At the touch of the cracked skin, Pü shivered and began to struggle. Unfortunately for him, his mother would not let him, and held him tight. What had he done wrong? Why did he have to go through all this? As he felt like it could not get any worse, thIngs got much darker. The old lady put the blunt side of the weapon on his palm and closed his little fingers around the blade,one after the other. Then, all at once, she squeezed quickly and firmly.
Electrified by the pain, Pü started to scream, while his mother looked at him with a deadened air. All the while holding him immobile.
He loved her so much and had always thought that she loved him too. But now she left him at the mercy of this witch, and took part in his abuse! What was happening?

:''"Its almost over. I just have to collect the precious liquid. Don't try to calm him down, pain will strengthen the blood."

The old woman placed the dagger on the altar and retrieved a small leather purse from her apron. One by one, she took out seven strange orange dice, which she wet on the bloody blade. Once the last relic was blessed with blood, she softly sang a few ritualistic words. The strange, dark symbols engraved on the dice's amber faces seemed to absorb all light in the hut. The amber around them coming to fiery life.
Pü stopped crying, hypnotized by the terrifying spectacle unfolding before his eyes. The witch threw the dice with great force and without hesitation upon the altar. They did not stop rolling around the smooth surface, their orange glow and black shadows painting moving scenes onto the walls of the hut. Like living frescoes that told a story.

Pü beheld a circle of homins and Kamis, dancing on the circular walls of the hut. He could almost hear them singing.
Suddenly the Kamis turned into gigantic maws and devoured a large part of the homins, who were trying in vain to fight back.
The scene then focused on the survivors of the macabre dance, who, led by a Zorai, climbed a mountain of corpses. Although the slope became steeper with each step, new homins joined the group and supported their climb.
Finally, once he had reached the top, the warrior brandished his sword towards the sky and shattered the star that was sitting there. At the same time, the dice stopped moving and gave the light back to the hut.

Grandmother Bä-Bä took a long look at Looï without uttering a word. The Zorai Priestess bent over her son and gently took hold of him.
Pü, whose mind seemed to dwell on distant happenings, regained contact with reality the moment his mother held him to her chest. His trial was over, she still loved him.
He fell asleep on the spot.
[[file:Carefully avoided meeting.png|right|400px|alt=carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband|carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband]]
:''"You know what you have to tell them, my daughter,"'' the old homina finally said without taking her eyes off Looï.

Taking a few steps forward, she placed a finger on the child's mutilated hand. The wound closed immediately.

:''"From now on, your son's future, and perhaps the future of all hominkind, depends on your lie. It is a necessary evil. Never forget."

:''"I know, Grandmother… Thank you for everything,"'' she whispered, her voice trembling.

Feverishly, Looï kissed her son on the cheek, and walked towards the exit of the hut, clutching him to her heart. In his sleep, Pü could feel its strong beat.
Pushing aside the curtains as she stepped forward, she faced her people. Each member of the tribe stared at her with a heavy gaze, waiting for the verdict. She '''carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband''', and above all, that of her first son. Clearing her throat a little, she then spoke up.

:''"Grandmother Bä-Bä has thrown the dice! Today I have the great honor of announcing the predictions she made on the occasion of the first birthday of my second son, Pü Fu-Tao.
While Niï, the future Black Mask, will become the Sacred Warrior, going all the way to heaven to destroy the Karavan and Jena, Pü will assist him throughout his journey! He will be his Shadow, who will advise him at every moment and will not hesitate to sacrifice his life to protect him! Praise be to my sons! Praise be to Ma-Duk! Tonight we will hold a feast to the glory of the Sacred War and the coming of the Happy Days!"

An unrivaled cheer ran through the assembly. Waking up with a start, Pü swept the crowd with his gaze. Which stopped sharply on his father's black mask. The little Zorai opened his eyes wide in amazement; for the first time, he saw a smile on his fathers face.
}}

{{NavChap|[[The Sacred War]] |[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]}}
 
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War|Ch 1]]

Chapter I·I - A Fate Paved with Glory

2022-06-29T19:52:43Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE=Kapitel I - Ein Schicksal gepflastert mit Ruhm|DEs=2
|EN=Chapter I - A Fate Paved with Glory|ENs=4
|ES=
|FR=Chapitre I - Un destin pavé de gloire|FRs=0
|RU=Глава I - Судьба, вымощенная славой|RUs=2
|H=1
|palette=}}</noinclude>
{{Clear}}
<center><big><big><big><big>'''I - A Fate Paved with Glory'''</big></big></big></big></center> 
<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2464'''</big></big></center>

{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|
The toddler opened his eyes and gurgled. Waving his chubby little arms, he searched with his clumsy fingertips for the rag doll that had been sharing his nights since he was born. Not finding it, he squirmed to extract himself from his cocoon of sheets, and grabbed the protective bars of his little crib to stand up tall. Like on so many mornings before, he found the doll lying on the floor, gazing up at him with a disappointed look. Unhappy to have been inadvertently pushed from the warm and cozy nest thy shared. He was struggling to join her, trying some clumsy acrobatics, when the drape of the room he was in opened. Each morning he beheld the same apparition. He never got tired of his mother's incredible beauty. Totally forgetting his doll, he flapped his arms, laughing, eager to again be with the one who was torn from him every night by his father. Behind her tattooed mask, the [[Zorai]] gave him a smile and murmured some words. Even though he didn't understand her words, her voice was the most beautiful melody he knew.

:''"Good morning, my darling. Another restless night, I see."

She approached the crib, picked up the doll then held out her arms to him. The boy, who was already stomping his linens with impatience, mimicked her gesture and squealed with delight when his mother grabbed him by the waist and held him aloft. She twirled him through the air for a few seconds then put her bony forehead against his still pristine one, finally lowering him down to her heart where she held him tight.

:''"Today is a great day for you Pü. Mom believes in you. Like your brother, the destiny awaiting you is paved with glory."

The toddler immediately calmed down at the touch of his mother's mask and blue skin. She tasted so good. She smelled so good. She was so soft. Opening his mouth, he ran his tongue over the warm flesh to catch the sweet scent of his mother's sweat. While heading towards the main room of the house, the Zorai extracted one of her voluptuous breasts from her tunic made of soft fibers, which she gently presented to her son. The little boy did not need any encouragement. He grabbed the soft curve with both hands, while his mouth latched onto the dark patch of skin which nourished him every day.

The dwelling of Pü and his family consisted of a large circular hut, which contained the main room, and two smaller huts flanking the large one, which housed the parent's room in which Pü slept and his older brother's room. The foundation of these accommodations had mainly been constructed of soft woods, vines and various large leaves selected for their waterproofing abilities. After Grandmother Bä-Bä's, this dwelling was the most imposing in the tribe. In the center of the main room was the family table, on which a vast amount of varied food rested. Around the table, Pü's father and brother were eating in silence. Pü stared at the two [[homins]] in succession, still sucking on his mother's breast.
[[file:His big black.png|right|400px|alt=His big black mask was scaring him...|His big black mask was scaring him...]]
He guessed a smile under the mouth slit of his brother's [[The Zorai Mask|mask]]. He wasn't yet used to seeing him like this. Until recently, the older boy's face had been naked still and regularly displayed peculiar grimaces that had no other purpose than to make his little brother laugh. But when the boy grew to be twelve years old, a horned mask had grown too. Pü loved his big brother Niï very much. He tickled Pü, played with him, and showed him incredible acrobatic choreographies which plunged the little Zoraï in a state of overexcitement and which had a knack for annoying their mother.

His father did not look at him and kept eating in silence. Pü didn't know what to think of him. '''His big black mask was scaring him''', and he didn't remember ever having guessed a smile behind it. Moreover, he had already seen him behaving harshly with his brother, lounging at he boy violently with sharp objects that Niï nevertheless managed to dodge. He had also on several occasions caught him abusing his mother in the parental bed. Firmly seizing her hair, grabbing her wrists, crushing her with his powerful musculature, and even giving her at times slaps on the lower part of the body, while she muffled her screams in the cushions.

Yet neither his brother nor his mother seemed to resent the big Zorai. His brother seemed to keep regarding his father up as a role model, and his mother always ended their nightly brawls with tender strokes that Pü was jealous of, looking at them from his crib. He definitely did not understand. And warily, he preferred his father to continue to ignore him, while his mother and brother were busy bringing him love and laughter.

Lunch continued in silence until his father spoke up.

:''"Niï, quickly finish lunch and go prepare our formal wear, please. Meanwhile, your mother will dress Pü for the ceremony. Also, make sure our weapons are properly oiled."

The young Zorai grabbed a last handful of dried fruit in a hurry, stood up, and bowed to his father.

:''"I readied our weapons last night before bedtime, Father. And I'll get our outfits ready straightaway."

His Father answered him by slightly inclining his head, then refocused on the contents of his plate. At the same time, his mother got up and took Pü off her breast. The little one, already full, did not flinch but continued to cling to her exposed flesh to maintain contact. She proceeded to change his night soiled swaddling for a prettily braided panty. About ten minutes passed and the family was ready to leave.
{{Couillard}}
Pü squinted as his mother came out of the hut. Despite his tribe having settled in the gigantic stump of a felled sky-tree, the bark ceiling, badly damaged, let in a few rays of sunshine in at certain times of the day. One of which had just found the eye of the little Zorai, who took refuge between his mother's breasts. In the absence of true celestial light, the community had taken to illuminating its dwelling with lamps containing fireflies.
Although some might have described the atmosphere as gloomy, Pü loved it when his mother took him for a walk through the sloping and winding streets or on the suspension bridges that connected the different levels of the small city. The village, much higher than it was wide, was built vertically. The dwellings were located on the heights, while the lower levels were reserved for communal areas, such as stores, places of worship, the dojo, and the dining hall. Pü loved the dining hall. The other Zorais were very kind to him and he had tasted nice food there. Yet this time, the toddler sensed that the walk was anything but ordinary. Other members of the tribe were present in great numbers, forming a path from the family hut to the village heights. All wore their black ceremonial dress, consisting of a loincloth of vegetal fibers, a wide belt of braided straw but especially recognizable by the imposing white amber lens that adorned each of their solar plexuses. As the family moved forward, led by Pü's mother, the people bowed deferentially and joined the group. The toddler, full and lulled by his mother's walk, dozed off into a light sleep. As this scene suggested, his family was no ordinary family.

Looï Fu-Tao, Pü's mother, worked outside the village as a diplomat. She was In charge of maintaining relations with the Zorai Theocracy, the political regime that had governed the country for almost three centuries, whose headquarters were located in [[Zoran]], its capital. For some forty years, the Great Sage [[Min-Cho]] had been the highest homin authority in the Theocracy, who, assisted by the Council of Sages, ruled the [[Jungle]], the native country of the Zorai people. While the Sages hoped that the members of the "Cursed Strain Tribe" – as they liked to name it – would eventually accept the authority of the Theocracy, nothing helped. It had been several generations since the tribe had seceded, and things didn't look like they were about to change. But Looï was not only a diplomat. In the village, she was first and foremost the High Priestess of the Black Cult of [[Ma-Duk]], the depository of religious authority.
[[file:Sang Fu-Tao was.png|left|400px|alt=Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask|Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask]]
Her husband '''Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask''', the First Warrior, military chief of the tribe. A few months after his birth, Niï, their eldest son, had been promised a great destiny by Grandmother Bä-Bä, the witch and seer of the village. According to the prophecy, Niï Fu-Tao would someday succeed his father as the Black Mask, and above all, would become the Sacred Warrior. Elected by Ma-Duk the Great Genitor, Niï Fu-Tao would be brought to tour the world, converting the lost to the True Faith, subduing the atheists and exterminating the heretics. For the Zorai Theocracy, this prophecy was precisely falling under heresy.

For the conflict that opposed the tribe to the rest of the country was first of all religious. Indeed, all Zorais worshipped the [[Kami|Kamis]], mysterious spiritual entities that protected the [[ecosystems]]. Able to change their appearance at will and to travel without physical constraint, these divine guardians permanently ensured that no one compromised the fragile balance of [[Atys]], the plant world where all were coexisting. Although discreet, they shared close relations with the homins, as long as those showed respect for nature. Among the different homin peoples, the Zorais were by far the most receptive to the magic of the Kamis. Already provided with a large size and a blue skin, which distinguished them from the rest of the hominity, a bony and horned mask grew on their face, down from their forehead, during their adolescence. This mask represented the true soul of its wearer and testified to the unique link he had with the Kamis. However, if every Zorai worshiped the Kamis, not everyone agreed on the identity of the Supreme Kami. For the majority of Zorais, the Kamis served [[Jena]], the Goddess of the Day Star and the Mother of Hominity. For the dissident tribe, Jena was an usurping goddess from the sky, alien to Atys and intending evil. According to them, the one and only Supreme Kami was Ma-Duk, meaning "Great Mask" in the Zorai language. He was the Great Genitor, asleep in the depths of Atys. A god that no one recognized but them.

But the discordance did not end there. The Zorai Theocracy, which had become particularly isolationist in the last century, had built the Great Wall, a gigantic edifice protecting the borders of the Jungle from all foreign contact. However, this Great Wall had never prevented the Theocracy from maintaining relations with the [[Karavan]], a strange group of hominoids dressed from head to toe in amazing black armor and using prodigious instruments. These peculiar entities, whose true nature no one knew, lived in the skies of Atys. Equipped with a technology unknown to all, and traveling with curious vehicles capable of overcoming gravity, they crisscrossed the sky to spread the word and serve the interests of the goddess Jena. In exchange for their loyalty, the Karavan had given the Zorais the secrets of magnetism and electrostatic properties, and had also taught them to write. The Kamis abhorred the Karavan, and did not hesitate to make this known to the homins, but this never prevented the Council of Elders from accepting their gifts and to use Karavan knowledge to levitate the buildings of Zoran to this day. For the dissident tribe, as an apostle of Jena abhorred by the Kamis, the Karavan had to be seen as a serious threat and fought accordingly.

These theological divergences heated the minds of the Great Sage Min-Cho and his advisors, who were unable to accept any ideological criticism and made the dissident tribe want to wage holy war. But rather than attacking the tribe head-on, fearing the prowess of its soldiers and the mysterious powers of Grandmother Bä-Bä, the Zorai Theocracy made the tribe pass for a common pagan sect in the eyes of peoples of the Jungle. This had worked quite well up to this point.

For Pü Fu-Tao, the youngest child, who had just been awakened by the distant echo of a bird call, none of this held any interest yet. However, with his big black eyes, he gazed at the villagers with astonishment, aware that today something seemed different. Perhaps he knew, deep down, that something important was about to happen. When, recognizing the alleys between the huts, he understood that they were going to Grandmother Bä-Bä's house, his heart began to race. He did not like the old woman. Her gaunt mask frightened him, her odor stung his nose, and he had heard some associated her presence with illness.
Grandmother Bä-Bä was in fact also the village healer, whom people went to see to find solutions to their problems. Although the Fu-Tao couple represented the authority within the tribe, everyone knew that Grandmother Bä-Bä was actually the central pillar of the community. It was said that she was older than the oldest Zorai in the country and that she had helped deliver every member of the tribe.

When the column of people arrived at Grandmother Bä-Bä's huge hut at the highest point of the village, Pü, feeling tears welling up, clutched his mother's robe tightly. Looï put her forehead against his, which had the effect of reassuring him, and advanced towards the big hut, her son in her arms. The boy had just enough time to glance behind him to see his brother waving to him, before heavy curtains obstructed his vision and the characteristic smell of the dwelling reached his nose. In the back of the main room, Grandmother Bä-Bä was working over an amber stockpot. Despite her highly advanced age, she was surprisingly lively and agile, quickly pulling out various plants and roots from the multitude of pockets that made up her apron. Nothing suggested such vitality, however, as her livid, bony, dry body was crossed with deep wrinkles. Grandmother Bä-Bä was constantly postponing death, and everyone knew that she owed this to the powers granted to her by the Kamis.

:''"Come closer my daughter.”, she said in a cavernous voice, without looking at her guests. “Set your son on the altar, I will be ready soon."

Obediently, Looï walked over to a beautiful carved stump. When she gently placed her son on the firm surface, breaking the mother's touch, he started to cry.

:''"Don't comfort him, my daughter. Tears feed the predictions."

The young Zorai did not understand. No matter how much he called for her, his mother did not react, staring at him with a strange look on her masked face, bending over him. As Pü reached out, trying to grab his mother's long tresses, the old woman's hideous mask cut off eye contact. His tears redoubled.

:''"Hold him tight, and don't panic like you did with your first son. Everything will go well."

Grandmother Bä-Bä pulled a dagger with a finely engraved black blade from her apron and gently grabbed the young Zorai's hand. At the touch of the cracked skin, Pü shivered and began to struggle. Unfortunately for him, his mother would not let him, and held him tight. What had he done wrong? Why did he have to go through all this? As he felt like it could not get any worse, thIngs got much darker. The old lady put the blunt side of the weapon on his palm and closed his little fingers around the blade,one after the other. Then, all at once, she squeezed quickly and firmly.
Electrified by the pain, Pü started to scream, while his mother looked at him with a deadened air. All the while holding him immobile.
He loved her so much and had always thought that she loved him too. But now she left him at the mercy of this witch, and took part in his abuse! What was happening?

:''"Its almost over. I just have to collect the precious liquid. Don't try to calm him down, pain will strengthen the blood."

The old woman placed the dagger on the altar and retrieved a small leather purse from her apron. One by one, she took out seven strange orange dice, which she wet on the bloody blade. Once the last relic was blessed with blood, she softly sang a few ritualistic words. The strange, dark symbols engraved on the dice's amber faces seemed to absorb all light in the hut. The amber around them coming to fiery life.
Pü stopped crying, hypnotized by the terrifying spectacle unfolding before his eyes. The witch threw the dice with great force and without hesitation upon the altar. They did not stop rolling around the smooth surface, their orange glow and black shadows painting moving scenes onto the walls of the hut. Like living frescoes that told a story.

Pü beheld a circle of homins and Kamis, dancing on the circular walls of the hut. He could almost hear them singing.
Suddenly the Kamis turned into gigantic maws and devoured a large part of the homins, who were trying in vain to fight back.
The scene then focused on the survivors of the macabre dance, who, led by a Zorai, climbed a mountain of corpses. Although the slope became steeper with each step, new homins joined the group and supported their climb.
Finally, once he had reached the top, the warrior brandished his sword towards the sky and shattered the star that was sitting there. At the same time, the dice stopped moving and gave the light back to the hut.

Grandmother Bä-Bä took a long look at Looï without uttering a word. The Zorai Priestess bent over her son and gently took hold of him.
Pü, whose mind seemed to dwell on distant happenings, regained contact with reality the moment his mother held him to her chest. His trial was over, she still loved him.
He fell asleep on the spot.
[[file:Carefully avoided meeting.png|right|400px|alt=carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband|carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband]]
:''"You know what you have to tell them, my daughter,"'' the old homina finally said without taking her eyes off Looï.

Taking a few steps forward, she placed a finger on the child's mutilated hand. The wound closed immediately.

:''"From now on, your son's future, and perhaps the future of all hominkind, depends on your lie. It is a necessary evil. Never forget."

:''"I know, Grandmother… Thank you for everything,"'' she whispered, her voice trembling.

Feverishly, Looï kissed her son on the cheek, and walked towards the exit of the hut, clutching him to her heart. In his sleep, Pü could feel its strong beat.
Pushing aside the curtains as she stepped forward, she faced her people. Each member of the tribe stared at her with a heavy gaze, waiting for the verdict. She '''carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband''', and above all, that of her first son. Clearing her throat a little, she then spoke up.

:''"Grandmother Bä-Bä has thrown the dice! Today I have the great honor of announcing the predictions she made on the occasion of the first birthday of my second son, Pü Fu-Tao.
While Niï, the future Black Mask, will become the Sacred Warrior, going all the way to heaven to destroy the Karavan and Jena, Pü will assist him throughout his journey! He will be his Shadow, who will advise him at every moment and will not hesitate to sacrifice his life to protect him! Praise be to my sons! Praise be to Ma-Duk! Tonight we will hold a feast to the glory of the Sacred War and the coming of the Happy Days!"

An unrivaled cheer ran through the assembly. Waking up with a start, Pü swept the crowd with his gaze. Which stopped sharply on his father's black mask. The little Zorai opened his eyes wide in amazement; for the first time, he saw a smile on his fathers face.
}}

{{NavChap|[[The Sacred War]] |[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]}}
 
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War|Ch 1]]

Chapter I·I - A Fate Paved with Glory

2022-06-29T12:54:19Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE=
|EN=Chapter I - A Fate Paved with Glory|ENs=4
|ES=
|FR=Chapitre I - Un destin pavé de gloire|FRs=0
|RU=Глава I - Судьба, вымощенная славой|RUs=2
|H=1
|palette=}}</noinclude>
{{Clear}}
<center><big><big><big><big>'''I - A Fate Paved with Glory'''</big></big></big></big></center> 
<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2464'''</big></big></center>

{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|
The toddler opened his eyes and gurgled. Waving his chubby little arms, he searched with his clumsy fingertips for the rag doll that had been sharing his nights since he was born. Not finding it, he squirmed to extract himself from his cocoon of sheets, and grabbed the protective bars of his little crib to stand up tall. Like on so many mornings before, he found the doll lying on the floor, gazing up at him with a disappointed look. Unhappy to have been inadvertently pushed from the warm and cozy nest thy shared. He was struggling to join her, trying some clumsy acrobatics, when the drape of the room he was in opened. Each morning he beheld the same apparition. He never got tired of his mother's incredible beauty. Totally forgetting his doll, he flapped his arms, laughing, eager to again be with the one who was torn from him every night by his father. Behind her tattooed mask, the [[Zorai]] gave him a smile and murmured some words. Even though he didn't understand her words, her voice was the most beautiful melody he knew.

:''"Good morning, my darling. Another restless night, I see."

She approached the crib, picked up the doll then held out her arms to him. The boy, who was already stomping his linens with impatience, mimicked her gesture and squealed with delight when his mother grabbed him by the waist and held him aloft. She twirled him through the air for a few seconds then put her bony forehead against his still pristine one, finally lowering him down to her heart where she held him tight.

:''"Today is a great day for you Pü. Mom believes in you. Like your brother, the destiny awaiting you is paved with glory."

The toddler immediately calmed down at the touch of his mother's mask and blue skin. She tasted so good. She smelled so good. She was so soft. Opening his mouth, he ran his tongue over the warm flesh to catch the sweet scent of his mother's sweat. While heading towards the main room of the house, the Zorai extracted one of her voluptuous breasts from her tunic made of soft fibers, which she gently presented to her son. The little boy did not need any encouragement. He grabbed the soft curve with both hands, while his mouth latched onto the dark patch of skin which nourished him every day.

The dwelling of Pü and his family consisted of a large circular hut, which contained the main room, and two smaller huts flanking the large one, which housed the parent's room in which Pü slept and his older brother's room. The foundation of these accommodations had mainly been constructed of soft woods, vines and various large leaves selected for their waterproofing abilities. After Grandmother Bä-Bä's, this dwelling was the most imposing in the tribe. In the center of the main room was the family table, on which a vast amount of varied food rested. Around the table, Pü's father and brother were eating in silence. Pü stared at the two [[homins]] in succession, still sucking on his mother's breast.
[[file:His big black.png|right|400px|alt=His big black mask was scaring him...|His big black mask was scaring him...]]
He guessed a smile under the mouth slit of his brother's [[The Zorai Mask|mask]]. He wasn't yet used to seeing him like this. Until recently, the older boy's face had been naked still and regularly displayed peculiar grimaces that had no other purpose than to make his little brother laugh. But when the boy grew to be twelve years old, a horned mask had grown too. Pü loved his big brother Niï very much. He tickled Pü, played with him, and showed him incredible acrobatic choreographies which plunged the little Zoraï in a state of overexcitement and which had a knack for annoying their mother.

His father did not look at him and kept eating in silence. Pü didn't know what to think of him. '''His big black mask was scaring him''', and he didn't remember ever having guessed a smile behind it. Moreover, he had already seen him behaving harshly with his brother, lounging at he boy violently with sharp objects that Niï nevertheless managed to dodge. He had also on several occasions caught him abusing his mother in the parental bed. Firmly seizing her hair, grabbing her wrists, crushing her with his powerful musculature, and even giving her at times slaps on the lower part of the body, while she muffled her screams in the cushions.

Yet neither his brother nor his mother seemed to resent the big Zorai. His brother seemed to keep regarding his father up as a role model, and his mother always ended their nightly brawls with tender strokes that Pü was jealous of, looking at them from his crib. He definitely did not understand. And warily, he preferred his father to continue to ignore him, while his mother and brother were busy bringing him love and laughter.

Lunch continued in silence until his father spoke up.

:''"Niï, quickly finish lunch and go prepare our formal wear, please. Meanwhile, your mother will dress Pü for the ceremony. Also, make sure our weapons are properly oiled."

The young Zorai grabbed a last handful of dried fruit in a hurry, stood up, and bowed to his father.

:''"I readied our weapons last night before bedtime, Father. And I'll get our outfits ready straightaway."

His Father answered him by slightly inclining his head, then refocused on the contents of his plate. At the same time, his mother got up and took Pü off her breast. The little one, already full, did not flinch but continued to cling to her exposed flesh to maintain contact. She proceeded to change his night soiled swaddling for a prettily braided panty. About ten minutes passed and the family was ready to leave.
{{Couillard}}
Pü squinted as his mother came out of the hut. Despite his tribe having settled in the gigantic stump of a felled sky-tree, the bark ceiling, badly damaged, let in a few rays of sunshine in at certain times of the day. One of which had just found the eye of the little Zorai, who took refuge between his mother's breasts. In the absence of true celestial light, the community had taken to illuminating its dwelling with lamps containing fireflies.
Although some might have described the atmosphere as gloomy, Pü loved it when his mother took him for a walk through the sloping and winding streets or on the suspension bridges that connected the different levels of the small city. The village, much higher than it was wide, was built vertically. The dwellings were located on the heights, while the lower levels were reserved for communal areas, such as stores, places of worship, the dojo, and the dining hall. Pü loved the dining hall. The other Zorais were very kind to him and he had tasted nice food there. Yet this time, the toddler sensed that the walk was anything but ordinary. Other members of the tribe were present in great numbers, forming a path from the family hut to the village heights. All wore their black ceremonial dress, consisting of a loincloth of vegetal fibers, a wide belt of braided straw but especially recognizable by the imposing white amber lens that adorned each of their solar plexuses. As the family moved forward, led by Pü's mother, the people bowed deferentially and joined the group. The toddler, full and lulled by his mother's walk, dozed off into a light sleep. As this scene suggested, his family was no ordinary family.

Looï Fu-Tao, Pü's mother, worked outside the village as a diplomat. She was In charge of maintaining relations with the Zorai Theocracy, the political regime that had governed the country for almost three centuries, whose headquarters were located in [[Zoran]], its capital. For some forty years, the Great Sage [[Min-Cho]] had been the highest homin authority in the Theocracy, who, assisted by the Council of Sages, ruled the [[Jungle]], the native country of the Zorai people. While the Sages hoped that the members of the "Cursed Strain Tribe" – as they liked to name it – would eventually accept the authority of the Theocracy, nothing helped. It had been several generations since the tribe had seceded, and things didn't look like they were about to change. But Looï was not only a diplomat. In the village, she was first and foremost the High Priestess of the Black Cult of [[Ma-Duk]], the depository of religious authority.
[[file:Sang Fu-Tao was.png|left|400px|alt=Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask|Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask]]
Her husband '''Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask''', the First Warrior, military chief of the tribe. A few months after his birth, Niï, their eldest son, had been promised a great destiny by Grandmother Bä-Bä, the witch and seer of the village. According to the prophecy, Niï Fu-Tao would someday succeed his father as the Black Mask, and above all, would become the Sacred Warrior. Elected by Ma-Duk the Great Genitor, Niï Fu-Tao would be brought to tour the world, converting the lost to the True Faith, subduing the atheists and exterminating the heretics. For the Zorai Theocracy, this prophecy was precisely falling under heresy.

For the conflict that opposed the tribe to the rest of the country was first of all religious. Indeed, all Zorais worshipped the [[Kami|Kamis]], mysterious spiritual entities that protected the [[ecosystems]]. Able to change their appearance at will and to travel without physical constraint, these divine guardians permanently ensured that no one compromised the fragile balance of [[Atys]], the plant world where all were coexisting. Although discreet, they shared close relations with the homins, as long as those showed respect for nature. Among the different homin peoples, the Zorais were by far the most receptive to the magic of the Kamis. Already provided with a large size and a blue skin, which distinguished them from the rest of the hominity, a bony and horned mask grew on their face, down from their forehead, during their adolescence. This mask represented the true soul of its wearer and testified to the unique link he had with the Kamis. However, if every Zorai worshiped the Kamis, not everyone agreed on the identity of the Supreme Kami. For the majority of Zorais, the Kamis served [[Jena]], the Goddess of the Day Star and the Mother of Hominity. For the dissident tribe, Jena was an usurping goddess from the sky, alien to Atys and intending evil. According to them, the one and only Supreme Kami was Ma-Duk, meaning "Great Mask" in the Zorai language. He was the Great Genitor, asleep in the depths of Atys. A god that no one recognized but them.

But the discordance did not end there. The Zorai Theocracy, which had become particularly isolationist in the last century, had built the Great Wall, a gigantic edifice protecting the borders of the Jungle from all foreign contact. However, this Great Wall had never prevented the Theocracy from maintaining relations with the [[Karavan]], a strange group of hominoids dressed from head to toe in amazing black armor and using prodigious instruments. These peculiar entities, whose true nature no one knew, lived in the skies of Atys. Equipped with a technology unknown to all, and traveling with curious vehicles capable of overcoming gravity, they crisscrossed the sky to spread the word and serve the interests of the goddess Jena. In exchange for their loyalty, the Karavan had given the Zorais the secrets of magnetism and electrostatic properties, and had also taught them to write. The Kamis abhorred the Karavan, and did not hesitate to make this known to the homins, but this never prevented the Council of Elders from accepting their gifts and to use Karavan knowledge to levitate the buildings of Zoran to this day. For the dissident tribe, as an apostle of Jena abhorred by the Kamis, the Karavan had to be seen as a serious threat and fought accordingly.

These theological divergences heated the minds of the Great Sage Min-Cho and his advisors, who were unable to accept any ideological criticism and made the dissident tribe want to wage holy war. But rather than attacking the tribe head-on, fearing the prowess of its soldiers and the mysterious powers of Grandmother Bä-Bä, the Zorai Theocracy made the tribe pass for a common pagan sect in the eyes of peoples of the Jungle. This had worked quite well up to this point.

For Pü Fu-Tao, the youngest child, who had just been awakened by the distant echo of a bird call, none of this held any interest yet. However, with his big black eyes, he gazed at the villagers with astonishment, aware that today something seemed different. Perhaps he knew, deep down, that something important was about to happen. When, recognizing the alleys between the huts, he understood that they were going to Grandmother Bä-Bä's house, his heart began to race. He did not like the old woman. Her gaunt mask frightened him, her odor stung his nose, and he had heard some associated her presence with illness.
Grandmother Bä-Bä was in fact also the village healer, whom people went to see to find solutions to their problems. Although the Fu-Tao couple represented the authority within the tribe, everyone knew that Grandmother Bä-Bä was actually the central pillar of the community. It was said that she was older than the oldest Zorai in the country and that she had helped deliver every member of the tribe.

When the column of people arrived at Grandmother Bä-Bä's huge hut at the highest point of the village, Pü, feeling tears welling up, clutched his mother's robe tightly. Looï put her forehead against his, which had the effect of reassuring him, and advanced towards the big hut, her son in her arms. The boy had just enough time to glance behind him to see his brother waving to him, before heavy curtains obstructed his vision and the characteristic smell of the dwelling reached his nose. In the back of the main room, Grandmother Bä-Bä was working over an amber stockpot. Despite her highly advanced age, she was surprisingly lively and agile, quickly pulling out various plants and roots from the multitude of pockets that made up her apron. Nothing suggested such vitality, however, as her livid, bony, dry body was crossed with deep wrinkles. Grandmother Bä-Bä was constantly postponing death, and everyone knew that she owed this to the powers granted to her by the Kamis.

:''"Come closer my daughter.”, she said in a cavernous voice, without looking at her guests. “Set your son on the altar, I will be ready soon."

Obediently, Looï walked over to a beautiful carved stump. When she gently placed her son on the firm surface, breaking the mother's touch, he started to cry.

:''"Don't comfort him, my daughter. Tears feed the predictions."

The young Zorai did not understand. No matter how much he called for her, his mother did not react, staring at him with a strange look on her masked face, bending over him. As Pü reached out, trying to grab his mother's long tresses, the old woman's hideous mask cut off eye contact. His tears redoubled.

:''"Hold him tight, and don't panic like you did with your first son. Everything will go well."

Grandmother Bä-Bä pulled a dagger with a finely engraved black blade from her apron and gently grabbed the young Zorai's hand. At the touch of the cracked skin, Pü shivered and began to struggle. Unfortunately for him, his mother would not let him, and held him tight. What had he done wrong? Why did he have to go through all this? As he felt like it could not get any worse, thIngs got much darker. The old lady put the blunt side of the weapon on his palm and closed his little fingers around the blade,one after the other. Then, all at once, she squeezed quickly and firmly.
Electrified by the pain, Pü started to scream, while his mother looked at him with a deadened air. All the while holding him immobile.
He loved her so much and had always thought that she loved him too. But now she left him at the mercy of this witch, and took part in his abuse! What was happening?

:''"Its almost over. I just have to collect the precious liquid. Don't try to calm him down, pain will strengthen the blood."

The old woman placed the dagger on the altar and retrieved a small leather purse from her apron. One by one, she took out seven strange orange dice, which she wet on the bloody blade. Once the last relic was blessed with blood, she softly sang a few ritualistic words. The strange, dark symbols engraved on the dice's amber faces seemed to absorb all light in the hut. The amber around them coming to fiery life.
Pü stopped crying, hypnotized by the terrifying spectacle unfolding before his eyes. The witch threw the dice with great force and without hesitation upon the altar. They did not stop rolling around the smooth surface, their orange glow and black shadows painting moving scenes onto the walls of the hut. Like living frescoes that told a story.

Pü beheld a circle of homins and Kamis, dancing on the circular walls of the hut. He could almost hear them singing.
Suddenly the Kamis turned into gigantic maws and devoured a large part of the homins, who were trying in vain to fight back.
The scene then focused on the survivors of the macabre dance, who, led by a Zorai, climbed a mountain of corpses. Although the slope became steeper with each step, new homins joined the group and supported their climb.
Finally, once he had reached the top, the warrior brandished his sword towards the sky and shattered the star that was sitting there. At the same time, the dice stopped moving and gave the light back to the hut.

Grandmother Bä-Bä took a long look at Looï without uttering a word. The Zorai Priestess bent over her son and gently took hold of him.
Pü, whose mind seemed to dwell on distant happenings, regained contact with reality the moment his mother held him to her chest. His trial was over, she still loved him.
He fell asleep on the spot.
[[file:Carefully avoided meeting.png|right|400px|alt=carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband|carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband]]
:''"You know what you have to tell them, my daughter,"'' the old homina finally said without taking her eyes off Looï.

Taking a few steps forward, she placed a finger on the child's mutilated hand. The wound closed immediately.

:''"From now on, your son's future, and perhaps the future of all hominkind, depends on your lie. It is a necessary evil. Never forget."

:''"I know, Grandmother… Thank you for everything,"'' she whispered, her voice trembling.

Feverishly, Looï kissed her son on the cheek, and walked towards the exit of the hut, clutching him to her heart. In his sleep, Pü could feel its strong beat.
Pushing aside the curtains as she stepped forward, she faced her people. Each member of the tribe stared at her with a heavy gaze, waiting for the verdict. She '''carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband''', and above all, that of her first son. Clearing her throat a little, she then spoke up.

:''"Grandmother Bä-Bä has thrown the dice! Today I have the great honor of announcing the predictions she made on the occasion of the first birthday of my second son, Pü Fu-Tao.
While Niï, the future Black Mask, will become the Sacred Warrior, going all the way to heaven to destroy the Karavan and Jena, Pü will assist him throughout his journey! He will be his Shadow, who will advise him at every moment and will not hesitate to sacrifice his life to protect him! Praise be to my sons! Praise be to Ma-Duk! Tonight we will hold a feast to the glory of the Sacred War and the coming of the Happy Days!"

An unrivaled cheer ran through the assembly. Waking up with a start, Pü swept the crowd with his gaze. Which stopped sharply on his father's black mask. The little Zorai opened his eyes wide in amazement; for the first time, he saw a smile on his fathers face.
}}

{{NavChap|[[The Sacred War]] |[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]}}
 
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War|Ch 1]]

Chapter I·I - A Fate Paved with Glory

2022-06-29T08:31:29Z

Jadeyn:

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<center><big><big><big><big>'''I - A Fate Paved with Glory'''</big></big></big></big></center> 
<center><big><big>'''Jena Year 2464'''</big></big></center>

{{Quotation|''Belenor Nebius, narrator'' • ''Cheng Lai'SuKi, illustrator''|
The toddler opened his eyes and gurgled. Waving his chubby little arms, he searched with his clumsy fingertips for the rag doll that had been sharing his nights since he was born. Not finding it, he squirmed to extract himself from his cocoon of sheets, and grabbed the protective bars of his little crib to stand up tall. Like on so many mornings before, he found the doll lying on the floor, gazing up at him with a disappointed look. Unhappy to have been inadvertently pushed from the warm and cozy nest thy shared. He was struggling to join her, trying some clumsy acrobatics, when the drape of the room he was in opened. Each morning he beheld the same apparition. He never got tired of his mother's incredible beauty. Totally forgetting his doll, he flapped his arms, laughing, eager to again be with the one who was torn from him every night by his father. Behind her tattooed mask, the [[Zorai]] gave him a smile and murmured some words. Even though he didn't understand her words, her voice was the most beautiful melody he knew.

:''"Good morning, my darling. Another restless night, I see."

She approached the crib, picked up the doll then held out her arms to him. The boy, who was already stomping his linens with impatience, mimicked her gesture and squealed with delight when his mother grabbed him by the waist and held him aloft. She twirled him through the air for a few seconds then put her bony forehead against his still pristine one, finally lowering him down to her heart where she held him tight.

:''"Today is a great day for you Pü. Mom believes in you. Like your brother, the destiny awaiting you is paved with glory."

The toddler immediately calmed down at the touch of his mother's mask and blue skin. She tasted so good. She smelled so good. She was so soft. Opening his mouth, he ran his tongue over the warm flesh to catch the sweet scent of his mother's sweat. While heading towards the main room of the house, the Zorai extracted one of her voluptuous breasts from her tunic made of soft fibers, which she gently presented to her son. The little boy did not need any encouragement. He grabbed the soft curve with both hands, while his mouth latched onto the dark patch of skin which nourished him every day.

The dwelling of Pü and his family consisted of a large circular hut, which contained the main room, and two smaller huts flanking the large one, which housed the parent's room in which Pü slept and his older brother's room. The foundation of these accommodations had mainly been constructed of soft woods, vines and various large leaves selected for their waterproofing abilities. After Grandmother Bä-Bä's, this dwelling was the most imposing in the tribe. In the center of the main room was the family table, on which a vast amount of varied food rested. Around the table, Pü's father and brother were eating in silence. Pü stared at the two [[homins]] in succession, still sucking on his mother's breast.
[[file:His big black.png|right|400px|alt=His big black mask was scaring him...|His big black mask was scaring him...]]
He guessed a smile under the mouth slit of his brother's [[The Zorai Mask|mask]]. He wasn't yet used to seeing him like this. Until recently, the older boy's face had been naked still and regularly displayed peculiar grimaces that had no other purpose than to make his little brother laugh. But when the boy grew to be twelve years old, a horned mask had grown too. Pü loved his big brother Niï very much. He tickled Pü, played with him, and showed him incredible acrobatic choreographies which plunged the little Zoraï in a state of overexcitement and which had a knack for annoying their mother.

His father did not look at him and kept eating in silence. Pü didn't know what to think of him. '''His big black mask was scaring him''', and he didn't remember ever having guessed a smile behind it. Moreover, he had already seen him behaving harshly with his brother, lounging at he boy violently with sharp objects that Niï nevertheless managed to dodge. He had also on several occasions caught him abusing his mother in the parental bed. Firmly seizing her hair, grabbing her wrists, crushing her with his powerful musculature, and even giving her at times slaps on the lower part of the body, while she muffled her screams in the cushions.

Yet neither his brother nor his mother seemed to resent the big Zorai. His brother seemed to keep regarding his father up as a role model, and his mother always ended their nightly brawls with tender strokes that Pü was jealous of, looking at them from his crib. He definitely did not understand. And warily, he preferred his father to continue to ignore him, while his mother and brother were busy bringing him love and laughter.

Lunch continued in silence until his father spoke up.

:''"Niï, quickly finish lunch and go prepare our formal wear, please. Meanwhile, your mother will dress Pü for the ceremony. Also, make sure our weapons are properly oiled."

The young Zorai grabbed a last handful of dried fruit in a hurry, stood up, and bowed to his father.

:''"I readied our weapons last night before bedtime, Father. And I'll get our outfits ready straightaway."

His Father answered him by slightly inclining his head, then refocused on the contents of his plate. At the same time, his mother got up and took Pü off her breast. The little one, already full, did not flinch but continued to cling to her exposed flesh to maintain contact. She proceeded to change his night soiled swaddling for a prettily braided panty. About ten minutes passed and the family was ready to leave.
{{Couillard}}
Pü squinted as his mother came out of the hut. Despite his tribe having settled in the gigantic stump of a felled sky-tree, the bark ceiling, badly damaged, let in a few rays of sunshine in at certain times of the day. One of which had just found the eye of the little Zorai, who took refuge between his mother's breasts. In the absence of true celestial light, the community had taken to illuminating its dwelling with lamps containing fireflies.
Although some might have described the atmosphere as gloomy, Pü loved it when his mother took him for a walk through the sloping and winding streets or on the suspension bridges that connected the different levels of the small city. The village, much higher than it was wide, was built vertically. The dwellings were located on the heights, while the lower levels were reserved for communal areas, such as stores, places of worship, the dojo, and the dining hall. Pü loved the dining hall. The other Zorais were very kind to him and he had tasted nice food there. Yet this time, the toddler sensed that the walk was anything but ordinary. Other members of the tribe were present in great numbers, forming a path from the family hut to the village heights. All wore their black ceremonial dress, consisting of a loincloth of vegetal fibers, a wide belt of braided straw but especially recognizable by the imposing white amber lens that adorned each of their solar plexuses. As the family moved forward, led by Pü's mother, the people bowed deferentially and joined the group. The toddler, full and lulled by his mother's walk, dozed off into a light sleep. As this scene suggested, his family was no ordinary family.

Looï Fu-Tao, Pü's mother, worked outside the village as a diplomat. She was In charge of maintaining relations with the Zorai Theocracy, the political regime that had governed the country for almost three centuries, whose headquarters were located in [[Zoran]], its capital. For some forty years, the Great Sage [[Min-Cho]] had been the highest homin authority in the Theocracy, who, assisted by the Council of Sages, ruled the [[Jungle]], the native country of the Zorai people. While the Sages hoped that the members of the "Cursed Strain Tribe" – as they liked to name it – would eventually accept the authority of the Theocracy, nothing helped. It had been several generations since the tribe had seceded, and things didn't look like they were about to change. But Looï was not only a diplomat. In the village, she was first and foremost the High Priestess of the Black Cult of [[Ma-Duk]], the depository of religious authority.
[[file:Sang Fu-Tao was.png|left|400px|alt=Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask|Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask]]
Her husband '''Sang Fu-Tao was the Black Mask''', the First Warrior, military chief of the tribe. A few months after his birth, Niï, their eldest son, had been promised a great destiny by Grandmother Bä-Bä, the witch and seer of the village. According to the prophecy, Niï Fu-Tao would someday succeed his father as the Black Mask, and above all, would become the Sacred Warrior. Elected by Ma-Duk the Great Genitor, Niï Fu-Tao would be brought to tour the world, converting the lost to the True Faith, subduing the atheists and exterminating the heretics. For the Zorai Theocracy, this prophecy was precisely falling under heresy.

For the conflict that opposed the tribe to the rest of the country was first of all religious. Indeed, all Zorais worshipped the [[Kami|Kamis]], mysterious spiritual entities that protected the [[ecosystems]]. Able to change their appearance at will and to travel without physical constraint, these divine guardians permanently ensured that no one compromised the fragile balance of [[Atys]], the plant world where all were coexisting. Although discreet, they shared close relations with the homins, as long as those showed respect for nature. Among the different homin peoples, the Zorais were by far the most receptive to the magic of the Kamis. Already provided with a large size and a blue skin, which distinguished them from the rest of the hominity, a bony and horned mask grew on their face, down from their forehead, during their adolescence. This mask represented the true soul of its wearer and testified to the unique link he had with the Kamis. However, if every Zorai worshiped the Kamis, not everyone agreed on the identity of the Supreme Kami. For the majority of Zorais, the Kamis served [[Jena]], the Goddess of the Day Star and the Mother of Hominity. For the dissident tribe, Jena was an usurping goddess from the sky, alien to Atys and intending evil. According to them, the one and only Supreme Kami was Ma-Duk, meaning "Great Mask" in the Zorai language. He was the Great Genitor, asleep in the depths of Atys. A god that no one recognized but them.

But the discordance did not end there. The Zorai Theocracy, which had become particularly isolationist in the last century, had built the Great Wall, a gigantic edifice protecting the borders of the Jungle from all foreign contact. However, this Great Wall had never prevented the Theocracy from maintaining relations with the [[Karavan]], a strange group of hominoids dressed from head to toe in amazing black armor and using prodigious instruments. These peculiar entities, whose true nature no one knew, lived in the skies of Atys. Equipped with a technology unknown to all, and traveling with curious vehicles capable of overcoming gravity, they crisscrossed the sky to spread the word and serve the interests of the goddess Jena. In exchange for their loyalty, the Karavan had given the Zorais the secrets of magnetism and electrostatic properties, and had also taught them to write. The Kamis abhorred the Karavan, and did not hesitate to make this known to the homins, but this never prevented the Council of Elders from accepting their gifts and to use Karavan knowledge to levitate the buildings of Zoran to this day. For the dissident tribe, as an apostle of Jena abhorred by the Kamis, the Karavan had to be seen as a serious threat and fought accordingly.

These theological divergences heated the minds of the Great Sage Min-Cho and his advisors, who were unable to accept any ideological criticism and made the dissident tribe want to wage holy war. But rather than attacking the tribe head-on, fearing the prowess of its soldiers and the mysterious powers of Grandmother Bä-Bä, the Zorai Theocracy made the tribe pass for a common pagan sect in the eyes of peoples of the Jungle. This had worked quite well up to this point.

For Pü Fu-Tao, the youngest child, who had just been awakened by the distant echo of a bird call, none of this held any interest yet. However, with his big black eyes, he gazed at the villagers with astonishment, aware that today something seemed different. Perhaps he knew, deep down, that something important was about to happen. When, recognizing the alleys between the huts, he understood that they were going to Grandmother Bä-Bä's house, his heart began to race. He did not like the old woman. Her gaunt mask frightened him, her odor stung his nose, and he had heard some associated her presence with illness.
Grandmother Bä-Bä was in fact also the village healer, whom people went to see to find solutions to their problems. Although the Fu-Tao couple represented the authority within the tribe, everyone knew that Grandmother Bä-Bä was actually the central pillar of the community. It was said that she was older than the oldest Zorai in the country and that she had helped deliver every member of the tribe.

When the column of people arrived at Grandmother Bä-Bä's huge hut at the highest point of the village, Pü, feeling tears welling up, clutched his mother's robe tightly. Looï put her forehead against his, which had the effect of reassuring him, and advanced towards the big hut, her son in her arms. The boy had just enough time to glance behind him to see his brother waving to him, before heavy curtains obstructed his vision and the characteristic smell of the dwelling reached his nose. In the back of the main room, Grandmother Bä-Bä was working over an amber stockpot. Despite her highly advanced age, she was surprisingly lively and agile, quickly pulling out various plants and roots from the multitude of pockets that made up her apron. Nothing suggested such vitality, however, as her livid, bony, dry body was crossed with deep wrinkles. Grandmother Bä-Bä was constantly postponing death, and everyone knew that she owed this to the powers granted to her by the Kamis.

:''"Come closer my daughter.”, she said in a cavernous voice, without looking at her guests. “Set your son on the altar, I will be ready soon."

Obediently, Looï walked over to a beautiful carved stump. When she gently placed her son on the firm surface, breaking the mother's touch, he started to cry.

:''"Don't comfort him, my daughter. Tears feed the predictions."

The young Zorai did not understand. No matter how much he called for her, his mother did not react, staring at him with a strange look on her masked face, bending over him. As Pü reached out, trying to grab his mother's long tresses, the old woman's hideous mask cut off eye contact. His tears redoubled.

:''"Hold him tight, and don't panic like you did with your first son. Everything will go well."

Grandmother Bä-Bä pulled a dagger with a finely engraved black blade from her apron and gently grabbed the young Zorai's hand. At the touch of the cracked skin, Pü shivered and began to struggle. Unfortunately for him, his mother would not let him, and held him tight. What had he done wrong? Why did he have to go through all this? As he felt like it could not get any worse, thIngs got much darker. The old lady put the blunt side of the weapon on his palm and closed his little fingers around the blade,one after the other. Then, all at once, she squeezed quickly and firmly.
Electrified by the pain, Pü started to scream, while his mother looked at him with a deadened air. All the while holding him immobile.
He loved her so much and had always thought that she loved him too. But now she left him at the mercy of this witch, and took part in his abuse! What was happening?

:''"Its almost over. I just have to collect the precious liquid. Don't try to calm him down, pain will strengthen the blood."

The old woman placed the dagger on the altar and retrieved a small leather purse from her apron. One by one, she took out seven strange orange dice, which she wet on the bloody blade. Once the last relic was blessed with blood, she softly sang a few ritualistic words. The strange, dark symbols engraved on the dice's amber faces seemed to absorb all light in the hut. The amber around them coming to fiery life.
Pü stopped crying, hypnotized by the terrifying spectacle unfolding before his eyes. The witch threw the dice with great force and without hesitation upon the altar. They did not stop rolling around the smooth surface, their orange glow and black shadows painting moving scenes onto the walls of the hut. Like living frescoes that told a story.

Pü beheld a circle of homins and Kamis, dancing on the circular walls of the hut. He could almost hear them singing.
Suddenly the Kamis turned into gigantic maws and devoured a large part of the homins, who were trying in vain to fight back.
The scene then focused on the survivors of the macabre dance, who, led by a Zorai, climbed a mountain of corpses. Although the slope became steeper with each step, new homins joined the group and supported their climb.
Finally, once he had reached the top, the warrior brandished his sword towards the sky and shattered the star that was sitting there. At the same time, the dice stopped moving and gave the light back to the hut.

Grandmother Bä-Bä took a long look at Looï without uttering a word. The Zorai Priestess bent over her son and gently took hold of him.
Pü, whose mind seemed to dwell on distant happenings, regained contact with reality the moment his mother held him to her chest. His trial was over, she still loved him.
He fell asleep on the spot.
[[file:Carefully avoided meeting.png|right|400px|alt=carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband|carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband]]
:''"You know what you have to tell them, my daughter,"'' the old homina finally said without taking her eyes off Looï.

Taking a few steps forward, she placed a finger on the child's mutilated hand. The wound closed immediately.

:''"From now on, your son's future, and perhaps the future of all hominkind, depends on your lie. It is a necessary evil. Never forget."

:''"I know, Grandmother… Thank you for everything,"'' she whispered, her voice trembling.

Feverishly, Looï kissed her son on the cheek, and walked towards the exit of the hut, clutching him to her heart. In his sleep, Pü could feel its strong beat.
Pushing aside the curtains as she stepped forward, she faced her people. Each member of the tribe stared at her with a heavy gaze, waiting for the verdict. She '''carefully avoided meeting the gaze of her husband''', and above all, that of her first son. Clearing her throat a little, she then spoke up.

:''"Grandmother Bä-Bä has thrown the dice! Today I have the great honor of announcing the predictions she made on the occasion of the first birthday of my second son, Pü Fu-Tao.
While Niï, the future Black Mask, will become the Sacred Warrior, going all the way to heaven to destroy the Karavan and Jena, Pü will assist him throughout his journey! He will be his Shadow, who will advise him at every moment and will not hesitate to sacrifice his life to protect him! Praise be to my sons! Praise be to Ma-Duk! Tonight we will hold a feast to the glory of the Sacred War and the coming of the Happy Days!"

An unrivaled cheer ran through the assembly. Waking up with a start, Pü swept the crowd with his gaze. Which stopped sharply on his father's black mask. The little Zorai opened his eyes wide in amazement; for the first time, he saw a smile on his fathers face.
}}

{{NavChap|[[The Sacred War]] |[[The Sacred War#Table of contents|Table of contents]]|[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]}}
 
{{Portal|The Great Library|Zoraï}}
[[Category:The Sacred War|Ch 1]]

The Sacred War

2022-06-29T06:54:41Z

Jadeyn:

__NOTOC__
__NOEDITSECTION__
<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE=Der Heilige Krieg|DEs=2
|EN=The Sacred War|ENs=4
|ES=
|FR=La Guerre Sacrée|FRs=0
|RU=Священная Война|RUs=2
|H=1
|palette=}}</noinclude>
=='''Preface'''==
{{Quotation|''Cheng Lai’Suki''|
I introduce myself, Cheng Lai'Suki, translator and restorer of this book. A few years ago, when my friend Vao and I were crossing the [[Witherings]] on our way to [[Aeden Aqueous]], a lucky fall led us to discover a hideout tucked away in an air pocket between two thick roots. The place was very roughly furnished with shelves, a desk and a small bed. Several objects were also strewn about the floor, including many books. Among these, one particularly intrigued me: ''The Sacred War'', by Belenor Nebius. It was an old and battered collection, written in the ancient [[Zorai]] dialect<ref>The texts narrating this discovery are available on the [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28654/ ROLEPLAY forum]</ref>. We also found a dagger with a finely chiseled black blade, and a set of seven orange dice, with between four and twenty sides that were not numbered, but engraved with fine intersecting lines.

For the next few months, I studied the book. It told a story from another time. It was a story set in the [[Old Lands]] more than a hundred years ago, after the kitins' [[Great Swarming]] had ravaged them and forced the people who lived there to flee to the lands we now occupy. This story was the story of the Black Mask, who in the wake of the devastation and his encounter with the Great Progenitor, gathered survivors and began the Sacred War against the [[Karavan]] and its minions.

Although I have never been able to authenticate the historical content of this story, the author of the story has been answering questions that obsessed us, me and so many others since our childhood. Unfortunately, as you know, today's civilizations have little knowledge of the Old Lands, most of the information about them having been lost during the Great Swarm. Every document from that time is therefore a valuable source of knowledge. However, this epic tale, because of its setting, could just as well be a fictionalized account. After all, how can one take seriously the story of a black-masked Zorai, who traveled for a time in the company of the terrible [[Marauders]], and who, invested with [[Kami|kamic]] powers, exterminated the faithful and the agents of the Karavan still present on these lands ravaged by the kitins?

No matter, such is the answer. Themes such as family, relation to faith, free will, and the search for our origins have moved me deeply in the story of the Sacred War. I am glad to have found this book, and I hope that by sealing its contents in an amber cube and depositing it in the Temple of Knowledge, many people will will be caught up by Belenor Nebius' tale, as I was. If it is possible that some decide to make this heretical text disappear, know that I remain in possession of the original manuscript.

I dedicate this work of restoration to the Sages, who will forever delude themselves, and to the disbanded guild of the ''Rôdeurs d'[[Atys]]'', which I know to have been linked to this story in some way.}}

=='''Table of contents'''==
:<big><big>'''Volume I - Crossed Destinies'''</big></big>

::<big>'''''The child soldier'''''</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter I - A Fate Paved with Glory]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter III - Dying to Be Reborn]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter V - The Seed of Doubt]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter VI - The Awakening]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter VII - Slaying and Polishing]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter VIII - Lies]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter IX - Solitude]]</big>

::<big>'''''The children of the Empire'''''</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter X - Heroes]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XI - The Generation of Miracles]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XII - Family]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XIII - The Desert of a Hundred Perils]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XIV - Savagery]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XV - Powers]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XVI - Civilizations]]</big>

:<big><big>'''Volume II'''</big></big>
:<big><big>(to come)</big></big>

=='''Acknowledgements''' (non diegetic)<ref>See also post at the [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=post/view/206739 OFFICIAL NEWS forum].</ref>==

{{Quotation|''The author''|
Thank you so much to all of you who reviewed the proofs of this first book: Nolwen, Anaïs, Catherine, Nilstilar, Drumel, Namcha, Tamarea. Thanks to your advice and encouragement, I have been able to turn a hobby into something more. Big thanks to Tamarea, and especially to Nilstilar, passionate advisor and proofreader, who helped me enrich my writing style and pushed me to never give up. Thanks to Winch Gate, of course, without whom this book could never have ended up in your hands. Finally, thanks to Nicolas for introducing me to Ryzom, thanks to the players I've met over the years, and thanks to the Rangers of Atys, whose legends and myths inspired this story. I am thinking in particular of Kalchek, whom I never had the chance to meet, and of Damakian and Kalbatcha, who managed to pass on the flame to me. "Never forget", they kept saying. Know that I have never forgotten.
So once again, thank you all. I could never have made it without you.}}
 
----
<references/>
----
 
{{Portal|The Great Library}}
[[Category:Literature]][[Category:History]]

The Sacred War

2022-06-28T23:45:06Z

Jadeyn:

__NOTOC__
__NOEDITSECTION__
<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE=Der heilige Krieg|DEs=2
|EN=The Sacred War|ENs=4
|ES=
|FR=La Guerre Sacrée|FRs=0
|RU=Священная война|RUs=2
|H=1
|palette=}}</noinclude>
=='''Preface'''==
{{Quotation|''Cheng Lai’Suki''|
I introduce myself, Cheng Lai'Suki, translator and restorer of this book. A few years ago, when my friend Vao and I were crossing the [[Witherings]] on our way to [[Aeden Aqueous]], a lucky fall led us to discover a hideout tucked away in an air pocket between two thick roots. The place was very roughly furnished with shelves, a desk and a small bed. Several objects were also strewn about the floor, including many books. Among these, one particularly intrigued me: ''The Sacred War'', by Belenor Nebius. It was an old and battered collection, written in the ancient [[Zorai]] dialect<ref>The texts narrating this discovery are available on the [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28654/ ROLEPLAY forum]</ref>. We also found a dagger with a finely chiseled black blade, and a set of seven orange dice, with between four and twenty sides that were not numbered, but engraved with fine intersecting lines.

For the next few months, I studied the book. It told a story from another time. It was a story set in the [[Old Lands]] more than a hundred years ago, after the kitins' [[Great Swarming]] had ravaged them and forced the people who lived there to flee to the lands we now occupy. This story was the story of the Black Mask, who in the wake of the devastation and his encounter with the Great Progenitor, gathered survivors and began the Sacred War against the [[Karavan]] and its minions.

Although I have never been able to authenticate the historical content of this story, the author of the story has been answering questions that obsessed us, me and so many others since our childhood. Unfortunately, as you know, today's civilizations have little knowledge of the Old Lands, most of the information about them having been lost during the Great Swarm. Every document from that time is therefore a valuable source of knowledge. However, this epic tale, because of its setting, could just as well be a fictionalized account. After all, how can one take seriously the story of a black-masked Zorai, who traveled for a time in the company of the terrible [[Marauders]], and who, invested with [[Kami|kamic]] powers, exterminated the faithful and the agents of the Karavan still present on these lands ravaged by the kitins?

No matter, such is the answer. Themes such as family, relation to faith, free will, and the search for our origins have moved me deeply in the story of the Sacred War. I am glad to have found this book, and I hope that by sealing its contents in an amber cube and depositing it in the Temple of Knowledge, many people will will be caught up by Belenor Nebius' tale, as I was. If it is possible that some decide to make this heretical text disappear, know that I remain in possession of the original manuscript.

I dedicate this work of restoration to the Sages, who will forever delude themselves, and to the disbanded guild of the ''Rôdeurs d'[[Atys]]'', which I know to have been linked to this story in some way.}}

=='''Table of contents'''==
:<big><big>'''Volume I - Crossed Destinies'''</big></big>

::<big>'''''The child soldier'''''</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter I - A Fate Paved with Glory]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter II - Brotherhood]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter III - Dying to Be Reborn]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter IV - Sylvan Exile]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter V - The Seed of Doubt]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter VI - The Awakening]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter VII - Slaying and Polishing]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter VIII - Lies]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter IX - Solitude]]</big>

::<big>'''''The children of the Empire'''''</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter X - Heroes]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XI - The Generation of Miracles]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XII - Family]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XIII - The Desert of a Hundred Perils]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XIV - Savagery]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XV - Powers]]</big>
:::<big>[[Chapter XVI - Civilizations]]</big>

:<big><big>'''Volume II'''</big></big>
:<big><big>(to come)</big></big>

=='''Acknowledgements''' (non diegetic)<ref>See also post at the [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=post/view/206739 OFFICIAL NEWS forum].</ref>==

{{Quotation|''The author''|
Thank you so much to all of you who reviewed the proofs of this first book: Nolwen, Anaïs, Catherine, Nilstilar, Drumel, Namcha, Tamarea. Thanks to your advice and encouragement, I have been able to turn a hobby into something more. Big thanks to Tamarea, and especially to Nilstilar, passionate advisor and proofreader, who helped me enrich my writing style and pushed me to never give up. Thanks to Winch Gate, of course, without whom this book could never have ended up in your hands. Finally, thanks to Nicolas for introducing me to Ryzom, thanks to the players I've met over the years, and thanks to the Rangers of Atys, whose legends and myths inspired this story. I am thinking in particular of Kalchek, whom I never had the chance to meet, and of Damakian and Kalbatcha, who managed to pass on the flame to me. "Never forget", they kept saying. Know that I have never forgotten.
So once again, thank you all. I could never have made it without you.}}
 
----
<references/>
----
 
{{Portal|The Great Library}}
[[Category:Literature]][[Category:History]]

The Sacred War

2022-06-28T23:42:22Z

Jadeyn:

Wheel of fortune

2022-04-15T17:55:20Z

Jadeyn:

{{Tabs
|bord=2px solid #{{ColorAtys|type=dark|group=OOC}}
|bg_frame=#{{ColorAtys|type=bg|group=OOC}}
|round=5em
|align_tab=center

|Tab-1={{3DText|text={{PAGENAME}}}}
|URL-1={{PAGENAME}}
|Pic-1=Dummy.png
||bg_Tab-1=#{{ColorAtys|type=bg|group=OOC}}

|Tab-2={{3DText|text=Prizes}}
|URL-2={{PAGENAME}}/prizes
|border=2px solid #636
|bg_Tab-2=#{{ColorAtys|type=light|group=OOC}}

}}</noinclude>
{{Trad 
|DE= Glücksrad |DEs= 4
|EN= Wheel of fortune |ENs=4
|ES= Rueda de la Fortuna |ESs=1
|FR= Roue de la Fortune |FRs=0
|RU= Колесо Фортуны |RUs=0
|H=1
|palette=tryker}}

[[Image:Jackpot.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Wheel of Fortune, before 2018]]__TOC__
<big>'''The [[Wheel of fortune]] is a game of the [[Guild:Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani |Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani]]'''</big>

''We want to use our fine and choice tokens. But how do we do that?''

== Locations of the Wheels ==
=== In capital cities ===
*Pyr (Desert / Fyros): in the bar, near the hammam
* Zora (Jungle / Zorai): in a small building northeast of Goo-Chase (near the coaches)
* Yrkanis (Forest / Matis): between the stable and the trainers (Zachini), not far from the New Horizons
* FairHaven (Lakes / Tryker): at the bar (1st roundabout when entering through the main door, Fork of the Good Market)
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| <img src="https://api.bmsite.net/maps/static?center=18685,-24515&zoom=11&language=en&markers=icon:lm_marker|color:0x00FFFF|label:Brotherhood%20of%20the%20Fortunate%20Gubani|18690,-24485&maptype=atys&mapmode=world&size=256x256" width="256">
| <img src="https://api.bmsite.net/maps/static?center=4735,-3271&zoom=11&language=en&markers=icon:lm_marker|color:0x00FFFF|label:B.%20Fortunate%20Gubani|4769,-3255&maptype=atys&mapmode=world&size=256x256" width="256" >
|-
| Pyr || Yrkanis
|-
| <img src="https://api.bmsite.net/maps/static?center=8673,-2913&zoom=10&language=en&markers=icon:lm_marker|color:0x00FFFF|label:Brotherhood%20of%20the%20Fortunate%20Gubani|8765,-2876&maptype=atys&mapmode=world&size=256x256" width="256" >
| <img src="https://api.bmsite.net/maps/static?center=17202,-32939&zoom=10&language=en&markers=icon:lm_marker|color:0x00FFFF|label:Brotherhood%20of%20the%20Fortunate%20Gubani|17169,-32941&maptype=atys&mapmode=world&size=256x256" width="256" >
|-
|Zora || Fairhaven
|}

==== In camps ====

* Marauders: in Marauder camp, in [[Hidden Source]], next to the "apartment and guild" tower

* Rangers: in [[Almati Wood]], south of the Ranger camp.

== Get tokens ==

==== How to get tokens ====

* Attending events
* Buying 500 basic or 20 fine tokens per day from the Tryker employee of the [[Guild:Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani|Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani]], guardian of the wheel.
* Choose tokens as an additional reward for [[Daily missions#Additional Rewards|daily missions]].

==== Prizes ====

* with the basics and fine: flowers, potions, generic choice materials, fireworks, wigs, items for apartment, stuffed animals...

* what is won with the choice (or better) tokens : the same gifts as with the basics and fine and items to assemble even larger and prettier.

''To find out more, look at the pay tab.''

== Tools ==
[[File:I 4spe.png|thumb|left|New tokens in the new toolbar]]
[[File:Gainchoix.png|thumb|right|Choice Token Rewards]]

'''The new special toolbar of the inventory''' has 4 tools (icons) : Miscellaneous, Tokens, Elements to assemble, Tokens for mini-games.

''ex: New tokens in the new toolbar shows the content of the 2nd icon. It contains 733 choice tokens and 18 excellent ones''

'''In the special inventory''', right-click on the tokens (basic, fine, choice,...) then Show rewards to see the list of the selected token's gifts (and their rarities).

''Ex: "Rewards of choice tokens" shows the gifts of choice tokens''

== How to play ==
[[file:Roue.jpg | thumb | left | size | alt=Roue| New wheel ]]

1. Watch how many tokens you have available in each type of token (<big>❶</big>)

2. Choose which type of tokens you use (<big>⓿</big>) by clicking on the token icon.

3. Choose the number of chips to bet from the drop-down menu from 1 to 5 (<big>❷</big>)

4. Choose the number of turns of your throw from 1 to 10 (<big>❸</big>)

5. Watch for the % success of your throw (<big>❺</big>) which depends on the number of chips bet

6. Launch the wheel (<big>❹</big>)

7a. You lose. Too bad...... Restart the wheel (<big>❹</big>)

7b. You win "yeeahhhh"

- or a simple window opens and you accept your winnings.

- either you have a double window and you have the choice between taking chips or winnings

8. To close the wheel, click on the cross (<big>❻</big>)

9. To change tokens, click on the tokens (<big>⓿</big>) and choose another token style.

{{clear}}

'''Remarks'''

* You can convert the old tokens to the agent of [[Guild:Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani|Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani]]

*If you are stuck in front of a wheel because it does not close: either you move away, or you click on the wheel again as if you wanted to play and it was not open, or you reboot 😊

*Be careful sometimes the wheel changes your chips automatically so be careful if you adjust your bets according to the types of chips.

''Source https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28904/1#1''

== Games in games ==

==== Pay2win ====

It's a kind of scratch and scratch game. To play it, it's very simple:
[[file:Pay2win jetons.jpg | thumb |left | | | Special bag, bymgo tokens tab ]]
[[file:Pay2win.jpg | thumb |right | | | | Pay2Win ]]
 
:# In the special bag, click on the 4th tab of the special bag, the token logo for mini games, 
:# Find the Pay2Win token and right click on it , 
:# A window opens, click on a box (<big>⓿</big>), 
:# Paf ! you win from 1 to 100 choice tokens (<big>❶</big>) 
:# click on the cross to close the game (<big>❷</big>). 

{{clear}}

==== Bymgo ====

It's a lottery box to fill with bymgo chips. Filling it out couldn't be easier:
[[file:Carton bymgo.jpg | thumb |left | | | Bymgo sheet ]]

:# Open the bymgo cardboard box, 
:# Click on a bymgo token, 
:#:— either it is on the card and it validates the box; the box becomes greyed out (<big>⓿</big>), 
:#:— or it is not there and you have a message warning you that it is not active, 
:# If you fill in a line, you win 25 choice chips and sometimes 5 xl chips; the bets won are greyed out (<big>❸</big>), 
:# If you fill in a 2nd line, you get 50 choice chips and maybe 10xl (<big>❷</big>), 
:# If you have filled your cardboard, you will receive 100 choice tokens and maybe 20 xl, 
:# The filled card, you must change it; the red line at the bottom indicates it (<big>❶</big>). 

{{clear}}

''Tips :''
''It must be understood that the chips you can win are only valid if you are up to date in your bymgo card, so no red line at the bottom (1).''
''If you fill in the card, but the red line is there, you will only receive the choice chips. So be strategic or careful, it's up to you.''

''Source: https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28904/4#4''

== The wheel during events ==

==== Atysmas ====
[[file:Token atysmas.png|Atysmas tokens]]
During Atysmas, you can win Atysmas [[token]]s. At the wheel, [[Atysoel|Atysmas]] [[token]]s are played like any other.

You will find in your special bag the objects to assemble (here, from left to right: BoomSplash, Hatysmas, Atysmin) 
<div align=center>[[file:Boomsplash.jpg|40px|Boomsplash]] [[file:Hatymas.jpg|40px|Hatysmas]] [[file:Atysmin.jpg|40px|Atysmin]] </div>

[[file:Attaque du grinch.jpg|vignette|left|||Attack of the Grinch]] When you want to assemble his elements, you'll have the naughty grinch who'll try to steal your winnings

You will have to choose between doing nothing or defending your winnings with a protective action

Example on the picture, the maximum protection is 3 boomsplash (24 elements = 1 boomsplash).

If the protection works, you keep our gain. If, unfortunately, the grinch dodges, you lose your winnings ☹ <ref> '''Spoilers''':
*The protections goes in this order: boomsplash protects Hatysman, Hatysman protects Atysmin
* 1 boomsplash= 24 unassembled pieces of boomsplash ; 2 boomsplash = 48 pieces ; 3 boomsplahs = 72 pieces</ref>

{{clear}}

''Source: https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=post/view/192009''

[[File:Anlor Winn moon.jpg|500px|right|Anlor Winn's moon]]

==== Anlor Winn ====
[[File:Token anlor.png|40px|left|alt=Anlor Winn token]]During [[Anlor Winn]] event, we win Anlor tokens.

'''Be careful,''' the wheel doesn't work the same way at all 😉
* the wheel can only turn one turn (and no more than 10)
* the more chips you bet, the less chance you have of winning: 1 token = 50% and 5 chips = 10%.

The goal is to lose to raise a "fear counter" (the sentence appears on the screen indicating your % fear)

The more the fear counter is, the better the reward will be:
*Less than 25% = basic objects (fireworks, catalyzers, flowers, generic materials...)
*From 25 to 75% = apartment decoration object
*Above 75% = new items (weapons with anlor winn effect, pumpkin head,......)

''Source: https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/29107/2#2''

== Links ==
[https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28904/1#1 Some help, on the Forum (September 2018)]

== Events ==

Sunday, September 2, 2018 evening''': official opening, in [[Almati Wood]]. Cf https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28899/190290

{{Portal Gameplay}} [[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[fr:Roue de la Fortune]]

Crafting/Outpost Products

2022-03-30T14:52:43Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE= Handwerk/Außenpostenprodukte |DEs=4
|EN= Crafting/Outpost Products |ENs=4
|ES= Artesanía/Productos de los puestos de avanzada|ESs=1
|FR= Artisanat/Produits d'Avant-postes |FRs=4
|RU= Ремесла/продукты заставы |RUs=4
|H=1}}{{Clear}}
{|  style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; border-collapse:collapse;"
|-
| __TOC__
|}</noinclude>

Active outposts on Atys can produce specific materials and consumables that are the main focus of the wars between the [[Guilds]]. (see [[Outposts/HRP]] for the course of the wars in question). A guild that controls an outpost can build a drill there, at its own expense, to produce these materials and consumables, which are quite useful for its members to improve their characteristics and, above all, those of the items they make.*$

== Outpost machines ==
There are three types of drills: those whose designs were offered to the [[homins]] by the [[Higher Powers]] shortly after the [[Monument's War]] and those designed by the [[Marauders]] in [[2612]]. Namely: the [[Big Trepan]] of the [[Karavan]], the [[Tree-bore]] of the [[Kamis]] and the [[Aklareen]] of the Marauders.

The quality of the materials and consumables produced at an outpost is equal to the level of the region where it is located (''i.e.'' the maximum quality of the materials that can be harvested in that region). Thus, an outpost located in a region of level 50 will produce materials and consumables of quality 50, and an outpost located in a region of level 250 will produce materials and consumables of quality 250. As, however, extraction sometimes goes better than expected or, on the contrary, partially fails, outposts generate, from time to time and over a short period of time, products of higher or lower quality than this nominal quality.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Faction
! scope="col" | Kami
! scope="col" | Karavan
! scope="col" | Marauders
|-
! scope="row"| Foreuse
| [[File:Tree-Bore.jpg|250px|thumb|center|Tree-bore]] || [[File:Big Trepan.jpg|250px|thumb|center|Big Trepan]] || [[File:Aklareen.jpg|250px|thumb|center|Aklareen]]
|-
! scope="row"| Master
| Tree-bore Crafter || Big Trepan Crafters || Aklareen'h Crafter
|-
! scope="row"| products are
| Purified || Modified || Refined
|-
! scope="row"| Object's suffix
| -Duk || -Jen || -mar
|}

==Materials==
Any active outpost is likely to produce materials that are specific to it but can be used by any craftsman (as are those extracted with a pickaxe by homins). These materials can be very rare (i.e. extracted on the outpost in very small quantities). Their use requires the purchase of special plans from particular trainers in order to be used. When used by a craftsman, all of them have a beneficial effect on the characteristics of his products, but each one only produces this effect on a particular type of object (see table below).

* Materials produced by [[Kami|Kami-owned]] OPs are "purified",
: those coming from [[Karavan|Karavan-owned]] OPs are "modified".
: and the Marauders' Aklareen'h extract ''refined'' materials.
There is no practical difference, other than that items crafted with modified mats give off blue sparkles, and purified mats gold sparkles.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Description !! class="unsortable"|Icon !! Usage !! Effet !! Avant-postes
|-
| Armilo Lichen || {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0743dxacc01.sitem}}{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0747dxacc01.sitem}} || [[Crafting/Patterns/Tools|Tools]] || '''10%''' chances of increasing or adding to the player stat bonus on a crafted item (see below). || [[Psykopla Knoll Trading Post]] (Q50), [[Sai-Shun Stronghold]] (Q100), [[Wooky Workshop]] (Q150), [[Graveyard Gate Research Centre]] (Q200), [[Woodburn Magic Pole]] (Q250).
|-
| Cheng Root || {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0750dxacc01.sitem}}{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0754dxacc01.sitem}} || [[Crafting/Patterns/Magic amplifiers|Amplifiers]] || '''20%''' chances that the time credit on a spell will not be used, as long as the spell is cast within 10 seconds of the previous spell. || [[Fearing Fen Farm]] (Q200), [[Zo-Kian Ruins Workshop]] (Q250)
|-
| Egiros Pollen || {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0752dxacc01.sitem}}{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0756dxacc01.sitem}} || [[Crafting/Patterns/Tools|Picks]] || '''5%''' chances per action of doubling the number of materials dug. As such, they are in high demand. || [[Malmont Farm]] (Q200), [[Whirling Stronghold]] (Q250)
|-
| Greslin Filament ||{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0744dxacc01.sitem}}{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0748dxacc01.sitem}} || [[Crafting/Patterns/Tools|Picks]] || '''5%''' chances of prospecting a node which cannot explode or gas.
|| [[Greenvale Trade Post]] (Q50), [[West Blackburn Border Post]] (Q100), [[Fount Porch Trade Post]] (Q150), [[Berello Gorge Border Post]] (Q200), [[Lost Valley Stronghold]] (Q250)
|-
| Maga Creeper ||{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0742dxacc01.sitem}}{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0746dxacc01.sitem}} || [[Crafting/Patterns/Magic amplifiers|Amplifiers]] || '''20%''' chance of "Divine Intervention" when casting a spell, which results in the spell credits - including HP and sap - not being paid. However, it is not entirely effective; the range credit cannot be neutralised by maga amps, as divine intervention occurs when the spell is cast, and if the target is out of range, the spell cannot be cast. Time credits, too, are not affected; divine intervention occurs at the ''end'' of the cast. || [[Qai-Du Workshop]] (Q50), [[Finders Farm]] (Q100), [[Demons Crossroads Diplomatic Outpost]] (Q150), [[Southend Dune Farm]] (Q200), [[Loria Stronghold]] (Q250).
|-
| Rubbarn Gum || {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0751dxacc01.sitem}}{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0755dxacc01.sitem}} || [[Crafting/Patterns/Tools|Tools]] || '''5%''' chances of a 20% boost to all item stats. || [[Great Outback Workshop]] (Q200), [[Ginti Workshop]] (Q250).
|-
| Tekorn Bramble ||{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0741dxacc01.sitem}}{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0745dxacc01.sitem}}|| Weapons || '''+10%''' chances of a critical hit. || [[Blackburn Trade Post]] (Q50), [[Windway Workshop]] (Q100), [[Hightowers Farm]] (Q150), [[Gu-Qin Workshop]] (Q200), [[Westgrove Stronghold]] (Q250).
|-
| Vedice Sap || {{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0749dxacc01.sitem}}{{APIitemIcon|sheetid=m0753dxacc01.sitem}}|| Weapons || '''5%''' de chances of using a "vampire" effect, restoring the wielder all of the damage they do on that hit as HP. || [[Twintops Workshop]] (Q200), [[Woodburn Stronghold]] (Q250).
|}

====Armilo Lichen====
[[Image:Mp lichen.png|right]]
Utilisé pour la fabrication d'outils de craft, généralement pour les armures ou les bijoux.

Armilo tools have '''10%''' chances to give an additional bonus to the crafted item :
* Life/stamina/sap/focus bonus on [[Jewellery|jewellery]] and light [[Armour|armour]];
* Life/stamina or sap bonus on medium armour;
* Life or stamina bonus on heavy armour, [[Shields|Shields]], melee or shooting weapons;
* Life or sap bonus on amplifiers.
This can, however, be a mixed blessing; you cannot control or predict which stat is boosted, so it is common when using armilo to get a stamina boost when crafting focus boosted gear, or a focus boost when crafting HP gear.
Bonus amount depends on the crafted item quality, according to the following formula :
<pre>
Armilo Bonus == 15 + ( Ql / 10 )
</pre>
On a 250 quality item, armilo bonus will be 15+(250/10)= 40.

== Flowers ==
Flowers are consumable items which increase a player's stats for a while. The length of time the increase lasts, and the amount of the increase, is dependant on the quality and the origin of the flower.
Outpost flowers give a one hour bonus (IRL), while flowers obtained via the [[Wheel of fortune]] or some missions or events usually last less. The bonus is lost if the homin uses an invulnerability power or falls into a coma.

{| style="float:left; margin-right: 25px;"
|+'''Outpost Flowers types'''
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:Flower_con.png]] || '''Constitution''' || [[Psykopla Knoll Trading Post]] (Q50) [[Malmont Farm]] (Q200) [[Twintops Workshop]] (Q200).
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:Flower_met.png]] || '''Metabolism''' || [[Windway Workshop]] (Q100), [[Fearing Fen Farm]] (Q200) [[Great Outback Workshop]] (Q200).
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:Flower_str.png]] || '''Strength''' || [[Greenvale Trade Post]] (Q50) [[Wooky Workshop]] (Q150) [[Gu-Qin Workshop]] (Q200) [[Woodburn Stronghold]] (Q250)
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:Flower_bal.png]] || '''Balance''' || [[West Blackburn Border Post]] (Q100) [[Graveyard Gate Research Centre]] (Q200) [[Westgrove Stronghold]] (Q250) 
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:Flower_int.png]] || '''Intelligence''' || [[Blackburn Trade Post]] (Q50) [[Fount Porch Trade Post]] (Q150) [[Berello Gorge Border Post]] (Q200) 
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:Flower_wis.png]] || '''Wisdom''' || [[Sai-Shun Stronghold]] (Q100) [[Demons Crossroads Diplomatic Outpost]] (Q150) [[Southend Dune Farm]] (Q200) [[Loria Stronghold]] (Q250) [[Zo-Kian Ruins Workshop]] (Q250)
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:Flower_dex.png]] || '''Dexterity''' || [[Qai-Du Workshop]] (Q50) [[Hightowers Farm]] (Q150) [[Ginti Workshop]] (Q250) [[Whirling Stronghold]] (Q250)
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:Flower_wil.png]] || '''Will''' || [[Finders Farm]] (Q100) [[Lost Valley Stronghold]] (Q250) [[Woodburn Magic Pole]] (Q250)
|}
{|
|+'''Bonus effect & duration'''
|-
! Quality !! Bonus !! Duration
|-
| q50 || +5 || 1 hour
|-
| q100 || +10 || 1 hour
|-
| q150 || +15 || 1 hour
|-
| q200 || +20 || 1 hour
|-
| q250 || +25 || 1 hour
|}{{Clear}}

== Catalyzers ==
[[File:Ico cataliseur xp.png|right]]
Experience catalyzers - or “cats” - are consumable items, usually traded in stacks of 999, which double the xp you receive while they are activated. Cats come in the same quality as the OP they are produced by, and will only work for skills lower than their quality. For instance, q100 cats will not work for any skill higher than lvl 100.

<noinclude> {{Reflist|subpages=}}{{Portal| Gameplay | Craft}}
[[Category:Crafting & Harvesting]]
[[de: Handwerk/Außenpostenprodukte]] [[en: Crafting/Outpost Products]] [[es: Artesanía/Productos de los puestos de avanzada]] [[fr:Produits d'Avant-postes]] [[ru: Ремесла/продукты заставы]]{{last version link|Crafting/Outpost Products}}</noinclude>

Wheel of fortune

2022-03-25T01:23:04Z

Jadeyn:

{{Tabs
|bord=2px solid #{{ColorAtys|type=dark|group=OOC}}
|bg_frame=#{{ColorAtys|type=bg|group=OOC}}
|round=5em
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|Tab-1={{3DText|text={{PAGENAME}}}}
|URL-1={{PAGENAME}}
|Pic-1=Dummy.png
||bg_Tab-1=#{{ColorAtys|type=bg|group=OOC}}

|Tab-2={{3DText|text=Prizes}}
|URL-2={{PAGENAME}}/prizes
|border=2px solid #636
|bg_Tab-2=#{{ColorAtys|type=light|group=OOC}}

}}</noinclude>


{{Trad
|DE= Glücksrad |DEs= 4
|EN= Wheel of fortune |ENs=4
|ES= Rueda de la Fortuna |ESs=1
|FR= Roue de la Fortune |FRs=0
|RU= Колесо Фортуны |RUs=0
|H=1
|palette=tryker}}

[[Image:Jackpot.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Wheel of Fortune, before 2018]]__TOC__
<big>'''The [[Wheel of fortune]] is a game of the [[Guild:Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani |Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani]]'''</big>

''We want to use our fine and choice tokens. But how do we do that?''

== Locations of the Wheels ==
=== In capital cities ===
*Pyr (Desert / Fyros): in the bar, near the hammam
* Zora (Jungle / Zorai): in a small building northeast of Goo-Chase (near the coaches)
* Yrkanis (Forest / Matis): between the stable and the trainers (Zachini), not far from the New Horizons
* FairHaven (Lakes / Tryker): at the bar (1st roundabout when entering through the main door, Fork of the Good Market)
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| <img src="https://api.bmsite.net/maps/static?center=18685,-24515&zoom=11&language=en&markers=icon:lm_marker|color:0x00FFFF|label:Brotherhood%20of%20the%20Fortunate%20Gubani|18690,-24485&maptype=atys&mapmode=world&size=256x256" width="256">
| <img src="https://api.bmsite.net/maps/static?center=4735,-3271&zoom=11&language=en&markers=icon:lm_marker|color:0x00FFFF|label:B.%20Fortunate%20Gubani|4769,-3255&maptype=atys&mapmode=world&size=256x256" width="256" >
|-
| Pyr || Yrkanis
|-
| <img src="https://api.bmsite.net/maps/static?center=8673,-2913&zoom=10&language=en&markers=icon:lm_marker|color:0x00FFFF|label:Brotherhood%20of%20the%20Fortunate%20Gubani|8765,-2876&maptype=atys&mapmode=world&size=256x256" width="256" >
| <img src="https://api.bmsite.net/maps/static?center=17202,-32939&zoom=10&language=en&markers=icon:lm_marker|color:0x00FFFF|label:Brotherhood%20of%20the%20Fortunate%20Gubani|17169,-32941&maptype=atys&mapmode=world&size=256x256" width="256" >
|-
|Zora || Fairhaven
|}

==== In camps ====

* Marauders: in Marauder camp, in [[Hidden Source]], next to the "apartment and guild" tower

* Rangers: in [[Almati Wood]], south of the Ranger camp.

== Get tokens ==

==== How to get tokens ====

* Attending events
* Buying 500 basic or 20 fine tokens per day from the Tryker employee of the [[Guild:Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani|Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani]], guardian of the wheel.
* Choose tokens as an additional reward for [[Daily missions#Additional Rewards|daily missions]].

==== Prizes ====

* with the basics and fine: flowers, potions, generic choice materials, fireworks, wigs, items for apartment, stuffed animals, [[zig]], [[mount]] parts...

* what is won with the choice (or better) tokens : the same gifts as with the basics and fine and items to assemble even larger and prettier.

*''To find out more, look at the prizes tab.''

== Tools ==
[[File:I 4spe.png|thumb|left|New tokens in the new toolbar]]
[[File:Gainchoix.png|thumb|right|Choice Token Rewards]]

'''The new special toolbar of the inventory''' has 4 tools (icons) : Miscellaneous, Tokens, Elements to assemble, Tokens for mini-games.

''ex: New tokens in the new toolbar shows the content of the 2nd icon. It contains 733 choice tokens and 18 excellent ones''

'''In the special inventory''', right-click on the tokens (basic, fine, choice,...) then Show rewards to see the list of the selected token's gifts (and their rarities).

''Ex: "Rewards of choice tokens" shows the gifts of choice tokens''

== How to play ==
[[file:Roue.jpg | thumb | left | size | alt=Roue| New wheel ]]

1. Watch how many tokens you have available in each type of token (<big>❶</big>)

2. Choose which type of tokens you use (<big>⓿</big>) by clicking on the token icon.

3. Choose the number of chips to bet from the drop-down menu from 1 to 5 (<big>❷</big>)

4. Choose the number of turns of your throw from 1 to 10 (<big>❸</big>)

5. Watch for the % success of your throw (<big>❺</big>) which depends on the number of chips bet

6. Launch the wheel (<big>❹</big>)

7a. You lose. Too bad...... Restart the wheel (<big>❹</big>)

7b. You win "yeeahhhh"

- or a simple window opens and you accept your winnings.

- either you have a double window and you have the choice between taking chips or winnings

8. To close the wheel, click on the cross (<big>❻</big>)

9. To change tokens, click on the tokens (<big>⓿</big>) and choose another token style.

{{clear}}

'''Remarks'''

* You can convert the old tokens to the agent of [[Guild:Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani|Brotherhood of the Fortunate Gubani]]

*If you are stuck in front of a wheel because it does not close: either you move away, or you click on the wheel again as if you wanted to play and it was not open, or you reboot 😊

*Be careful sometimes the wheel changes your chips automatically so be careful if you adjust your bets according to the types of chips.

''Source https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28904/1#1''

== Games in games ==

==== Pay2win ====

It's a kind of scratch and scratch game. To play it, it's very simple:
[[file:Pay2win jetons.jpg | thumb |left | | | Special bag, bymgo tokens tab ]]
[[file:Pay2win.jpg | thumb |right | | | | Pay2Win ]]
 
:# In the special bag, click on the 4th tab of the special bag, the token logo for mini games, 
:# Find the Pay2Win token and right click on it , 
:# A window opens, click on a box (<big>⓿</big>), 
:# Paf ! you win from 1 to 100 choice tokens (<big>❶</big>) 
:# click on the cross to close the game (<big>❷</big>). 

{{clear}}

==== Bymgo ====

It's a lottery box to fill with bymgo chips. Filling it out couldn't be easier:
[[file:Carton bymgo.jpg | thumb |left | | | Bymgo sheet ]]

:# Open the bymgo cardboard box, 
:# Click on a bymgo token, 
:#:— either it is on the card and it validates the box; the box becomes greyed out (<big>⓿</big>), 
:#:— or it is not there and you have a message warning you that it is not active, 
:# If you fill in a line, you win 25 choice chips and sometimes 5 xl chips; the bets won are greyed out (<big>❸</big>), 
:# If you fill in a 2nd line, you get 50 choice chips and maybe 10xl (<big>❷</big>), 
:# If you have filled your cardboard, you will receive 100 choice tokens and maybe 20 xl, 
:# The filled card, you must change it; the red line at the bottom indicates it (<big>❶</big>). 

{{clear}}

''Tips :''
''It must be understood that the chips you can win are only valid if you are up to date in your bymgo card, so no red line at the bottom (1).''
''If you fill in the card, but the red line is there, you will only receive the choice chips. So be strategic or careful, it's up to you.''

''Source: https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28904/4#4''

== The wheel during events ==

==== Atysmas ====
[[file:Token atysmas.png|Atysmas tokens]]
During Atysmas, you can win Atysmas [[token]]s. At the wheel, [[Atysoel|Atysmas]] [[token]]s are played like any other.

You will find in your special bag the objects to assemble (here, from left to right: BoomSplash, Hatysmas, Atysmin) 
<div align=center>[[file:Boomsplash.jpg|40px|Boomsplash]] [[file:Hatymas.jpg|40px|Hatysmas]] [[file:Atysmin.jpg|40px|Atysmin]] </div>

[[file:Attaque du grinch.jpg|vignette|left|||Attack of the Grinch]] When you want to assemble his elements, you'll have the naughty grinch who'll try to steal your winnings

You will have to choose between doing nothing or defending your winnings with a protective action

Example on the picture, the maximum protection is 3 boomsplash (24 elements = 1 boomsplash).

If the protection works, you keep our gain. If, unfortunately, the grinch dodges, you lose your winnings ☹ <ref> '''Spoilers''':
*The protections goes in this order: boomsplash protects Hatysman, Hatysman protects Atysmin
* 1 boomsplash= 24 unassembled pieces of boomsplash ; 2 boomsplash = 48 pieces ; 3 boomsplahs = 72 pieces</ref>

{{clear}}

''Source: https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=post/view/192009''

[[File:Anlor Winn moon.jpg|500px|right|Anlor Winn's moon]]

==== Anlor Winn ====
[[File:Token anlor.png|40px|left|alt=Anlor Winn token]]During [[Anlor Winn]] event, we win Anlor tokens.

'''Be careful,''' the wheel doesn't work the same way at all 😉
* the wheel can only turn one turn (and no more than 10)
* the more chips you bet, the less chance you have of winning: 1 token = 50% and 5 chips = 10%.

The goal is to lose to raise a "fear counter" (the sentence appears on the screen indicating your % fear)

The more the fear counter is, the better the reward will be:
*Less than 25% = basic objects (fireworks, catalyzers, flowers, generic materials...)
*From 25 to 75% = apartment decoration object
*Above 75% = new items (weapons with anlor winn effect, pumpkin head,......)

''Source: https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/29107/2#2''

== Links ==
[https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28904/1#1 Some help, on the Forum (September 2018)]

== Events ==

Sunday, September 2, 2018 evening''': official opening, in [[Almati Wood]]. Cf https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/28899/190290

{{Portal Gameplay}} [[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[fr:Roue de la Fortune]]

Special command

2022-03-25T01:14:43Z

Jadeyn:

<noinclude>{{Trad
|DE = Chatbefehle |DEs= 3
|EN = Special command |ENs= 0
|ES = Comandos especiales |ESs= 3
|FR = Commandes spéciales |FRs= 0
|RU = Специальные команды |RUs= 0
|H =
|palette=
|ref=
|com=
}}</noinclude>
See [[Chat]] and [[Chat/RC FAQ|RC FAQ]] about the external Ryzom Rocket Chat.
==Emotes==

See the [[Emote]] page.

==Player information==
*'''/time''' ''Displays your current local time and UTC time in the around chat.''
*'''/version''' ''Displayes your Ryzom client version.''
*'''/where''' ''Displays your current location as a floating message at the top of the screen as well as in System Info.''
*'''/who''' ''Displays the names of all the players in a region, sorted by account age. List is displayed in System Info.''
*'''/who gm''' ''Displays all the CSR and GM presently online. Note that CSR and GM have a special flag they can activate to hide their online presence, even from this command. List is displayed in System Info.''

== Online Status ==
This Function is to set the Output in your Friends or Guildmember Chat if you are come ON- /Offline.
*'''/a showOnline 1''' Only Friends and Guildmembers can see that you are come ON- /Offline.
*'''/a showOnline 2''' Just Guildmembers can see that you come ON- /Offline.
*'''/a showOnline 0''' Everyone can see it. (Default)

==Guild Commands==
*'''/guildinvite <playername>''' : Invites a player to your guild. ''Can only be used by officers, high officers and the guild leader''
*'''/guildmotd <message>''' : Updates the guild message of the day. ''Can only be used by officers, high officers and the guild leader.'' Example : <code>/guildmotd Today, Bolobi hunt !</code>: displays at connection time, in the guld channel, the message ''"Today, Bolobi hunt !"''
*'''/guildmotd ?''' : Displays the guild's message of the day.

==League Commands==
*'''/league <leaguename>''' ''Creates a league with the given name and brings your team into the league. Can only be used by team leader.''
*'''/leagueinvite <playername>''' ''Invites a player's team into your league. Invitation will go to the player's team's leader''
*'''/leaguequit''' ''Quits your league, quits your team from the league if you are team leader.
*'''/leaguekick <playername>''' ''Kick a person or team (if the person is team leader) out of your league''

==Miscellaneous==
*'''/afk <autoresponse>''' ''Activates the afk tag so that other players can see you are away from your terminal. The message is optional and is displayed when a player sends you a tell. This is just a visual indicator, and will not protect you from attacks by flora, fauna or other players.''
*'''/assist''' or '''/as''' ''Targets the target of the targeted entity.''
*'''/self''' ''Target yourself.''
*'''/brutalQuit''' ''Instantaneously quits the game client.''
*'''/chatLog''' ''Creates a chatlog in the save folder located in Ryzom's main directory.''
*'''/follow''' ''Follows the targeted entity.''
*'''/ignore <playername>''' ''Adds a player to your ignore list''
*'''/invite <playername>''' ''Invites a player to your team. Can only be used by the team leader or by someone who is not teamed.''
*'''/mount''' ''Mounts your mektoub mount. You must be near your mount and it must be outside of the stable.''
*'''/random <lowest_number> <highest_number>''' ''Draws a random number between the first and last provided. If only one number is provided, the other limit is set to 1. The result is displayed in the Around chat and visible to everyone else nearby. Limits for this draw: [-32767, 32767]''
*'''/sleep <number>''' ''Puts the game client to sleep for the specified amount of seconds. You cannot do anything in this time.''
*'''/tar <name>''' ''Finds the nearest entity whose name contains the given string. Use single or double quotes for exact matching (e.g. NPC with two names). If no quotes are used, /tar will look for all words in the string, and match any! See more info in the forums: [https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/29692/1&post195145=en#1 Patch 3.5.0 - 2019-05-18]''
* '''new:''' '''/lmtar <name>''' '' Add target closest landmark
*'''/target <name>''' ''Same as /tar''
*'''/tarq <name>''' ''Same as /tar, but it doesn't show the "entity not found" message in the sysinfo window''
*'''/target_quiet <name>''' ''Same as /tarq''
*'''/unmount''' ''Dismounts your mektoub mount.''
*'''/chat''' ''Keeps focus on chat, [Enter] doesn't quit chat''
*'''/go''' ''Opens the WebIG'' (= '''SHIFT+W''')
* [[File:BarreWebapp.png|thumb|right|Webapps main: Achievements, ... Support]]'''/appzone hide''' Hide the [[Webapps main|webapps]] toolbar

=== Some new commands ===
* [[Patch 00813|March 2020]]: New '''<nowiki>/showHideUserLandMark</nowiki>''' command to hide markers on map (more on the FAQ Map [[Use the map]]).

==Chat commands==
'''New''' (In Game only): right click on an older message copy it, then just paste (by CTRL+V).

===Around===
[[File:FR 2019-10-05 22-58-42 Avendale dialog.png|320px|right|A flag to show Deepl translated (here, from English to French)]]Messages sent normally in the around channel have a 25m range.
*'''/s'''
*'''/say'''

These commands will make your messages have a 50m range and will appear red (by default) for you.
*'''/sh'''
*'''/shout'''
*'''/y'''
*'''/yell'''

<div style="margin:0em; padding:1em 2em;border: thin inset #{{ColorAtys|type=dark|group=HRP}};background:#{{ColorAtys|type=light|group=HRP}};color:#{{ColorAtys|type=fg|group=HRP}};">
With [[Patch 2019|JA 2603 patch]] (in 2019/08), '''all text in Around is translated''' using [https://www.deepl.com/translator Deepl].

The image above is an example, a flag indicates that Deepl has translated (here from English to French) - excerpt from the album [[:atys:Category:Kami blast|Kami blast]].

* The sentences in surroundings channel prefixed by '''"<code>></code>"''' won't be translated.
* To disable translation :
*:/a setDontTranslateLangs separated by pipe character
*:Example: /a setDontTranslateLangs us|fr
More info on the forum: https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/30307/7
</div>

===Guild===
With these commands a message is sent to the guild channel, visible to all who are in the same guild as you.
*'''/g'''
*'''/gu'''
*'''/guild'''

===Region===
These commands send a message visible to all who are in the same region as you at the time.
*'''/r'''
*'''/re'''
*'''/region'''

===Team/Party===
With these commands a message is sent to the Team channel and is visible to those currently in your party.
*'''/p'''
*'''/party'''
*'''/te'''
*'''/team'''

===Universe channel===
These send a message to the universe channel, which is visible to everyone online at that moment.
*'''/u'''
*'''/universe'''

Missing English (or German...) uni ? '''/a connectLangChannel en'''

===Dynamic Channels===
A player can have up to 5 dynamic channels: One faction channel, one racial channel, two custom channels and possibly an event channel too.

However, it's also possible to have no dynamic channels at all. And usually players are prohibited from talking in event channels. So depending on which dynamic channels you have, these commands might not work.
*'''/0''' ''Talk in the player's 1st dynamic chat channel. The first dynamic channel is usually the faction channel.''
*'''/1''' ''Talk in the player's 2nd dynamic chat channel. The second dynamic channel is usually the racial channel.''
*'''/2''' ''Talk in the player's 3rd dynamic chat channel. Could be a custom channel or an event channel.''
*'''/3''' ''Talk in the player's 4th dynamic chat channel. Could be a custom channel or an event channel.''
*'''/4''' ''Talk in the player's 5th dynamic chat channel. You'll never have this many dynamic channels unless there's an event channel active.''

===Custom channels===
You can create your own channels as well, or join those created by others. A player can be connected to at most 2 custom channels at a time.
*'''/channel <channelname>''' ''Join the channel with the given name, or create it if doesn't exist already.''
*'''/channel <channelname> <password>''' ''Join or create a channel with password protection.''
*'''/channel <channelname> *''' ''Leave the channel with the given name.''

[[Chat/RC FAQ|RC FAQ]] can have custom channels too (as much more features - [[RC]] is for Ryzom Rocket Chat, the external chat).

===Private messages===
*'''/t <playername> <message>''' ''Send a whisper to a player''
*'''/tell <playername> <message>''' ''Send a whisper to a player''
*'''/tell <playername>(<server>) <message>''' ''Send a whisper to a player on another server.''

==Outfit Commands==
*'''/createGroup <OutfitGroupName> <true>''' ''creates a group of items, an outfit from the items the character currently wears, when "true" optional parameter is specified, empty slots are unequipped"
*'''/moveGroup <OutfitGroupName> <pet_animal1> or <player_room>''' ''moves the outfit to pet_animal1 or player_room''
*'''/equipGroup <OutfitGroupName>''' ''equips the item group''
*'''/deleteGroup <OutfitGroupName>''' ''deletes the item group''
*'''/naked''' ''to remove all equipments''
*'''/listGroup''' ''Lists all currently saved goups ''
'''
NOTES''':
* /equipGroup can be used from a [[Macros|MACRO]]
* /moveGroup can be used from a [[Macros|MACRO]], or by a right click on the item in inventory.
[https://app.ryzom.com/app_forum/index.php?page=topic/view/26843/1 For further reading on groups].


==Other commands==
*'''/setuiscale <ScaleFactor>''' ''Set user interface scale factor from 0.8 to 2.0''

==Developer and GM Commands==
Developers, GMs, [[CSR]] and the events team have special commands that they can use for debugging, support, and for hosting live events. You can read external [https://raw.githubusercontent.com/osgcc/ryzom/master/ryzom/server/data_shard/client_commands_privileges.txt list of required privileges for client commands] or [https://ryzomcore.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/RC/pages/19365937/Shard+Commands Shard commands] list

==Obsolete Commands==
*'''/supportChat''' ''Opens the support channel tab.''
*'''/a summonPet <number>''' ''Summons one of your pets to your current location. See [[Game updates/20041208|Patch 27]].''
*'''/ah show inv_guild''' ''Shows guild inventory. Works outside guild hall. Can get or put dappers, but cannot take out or put in items.''
*'''/ah show_hide inv_guild to toggle''' ''Hides guild inventory.''
*'''/ah show inv_room''' ''Shows the inventory of your apartment. Works outside apartment. Cannot take out or put in items.
*'''/ah show_hide inv_room to toggle''' ''Hides the inventory of your apartment.''
*'''/flush''' ''Manually saves your character.''

==See also==
*[[Emote]]
* translation links: [[DeepL]]

<noinclude>
{{Portal|Gameplay}}
[[Category:Commands]][[Category:Starting Out]][[Category:Glossary|Commands]]
[[de:Chatbefehle]] [[en:Special command]] [[es:Comandos especiales]] [[fr:Commandes spéciales]] [[ru:Специальные команды]]</noinclude>