GODS OF BRAXLAN
“All was darkness,” said the oldest of the priests, “and without shape, or size.” Added another cowled figure. Prince Rane nudged his brother in the ribs – “I love this part.” A stern hushing came from his elderly mother, the Queen of Highgard. It was at her insistence that the family attend the end of the year festival ceremony, in which the great God’s War was remembered; such that the terrible suffering might not be forgotten. But Rane enjoyed it. Especially the parts where Tymenie ran around on stage naked.
“And lo – a form took shape. But the merest hint of existence. Then a spark. In that instant the spark ignited the cosmos!” Shouted the old priest. As he did, Halfing magic light up the domed ceiling of Saint Jakar’s cathedral. The crowd let out an appreciative ooh. The children in the audience had suddenly all focused their short attentions of the millions of suddenly glowing stars above their heads. “And of these stars, Brax choose ours to be blessed with his eternal presence.”
Out of the centre of the glowing mass of the universe strode a priest dressed in the armour of Brax. He was magnificent, and played this year by Yerris Hadry – the Kings personal champion. Princess Jennia giggled uncontrollably. She always did when Sir Hadry was in her presence. As one the crowd made the sign of Brax, an open loop in front of their chests. Brax walked forward, held aloft by several thin wires, curtesty of the third Dwarf Baron of Hargaban Dor.
Suddenly the room darkened, and glamour spells rolled thunder around the room. Stepping from the heart of what appeared to be a black hole. It was Kruul. His face masked in a black hood. Flames danced about his feet, and his long clawed hands reached out for Brax’s heart. But Brax drew his mighty two handed sword and struck at the dark god. Kruul was struck in the chest, and stumbled backwards. But he did not die.
Indeed, he fell into darkness, but the red glow of his eyes was still visible to the members of the congregation who cared to look for them.
“And so Brax began to forge the peoples of Braxlan. First the Elves, of which he used some of the remaining stars for.”
Stepping forth Galia – goddess of women, children, and home – and played by Esmel the chief chef of the Royal kitchens. Galia was beautiful to behold. “I wonder how much magic they’re using for that illusion.” Rane chuckled to his father. King Gram Thedain couldn’t help but smile at his son’s joke. Esmel had once, two hundred pounds ago, been a beauty. Now however she seemed perfect for Galia – a massive motherly figure bathed in soft ethereal light. She also happened to be very, very, pregnant. And elvish. This particular interpretation of her form was unique to the Humans of Brax. The Elvish interpretation relying more on stark beauty than ample buxomness.
“Galia and Brax wed, and gave birth to Prior and Efias. Brothers they sought out the Wisdom of the universe, and ensured Justice prevailed. Their sister Tymenie can later, beloved of all the great gods.” The priest was slowly being surrounded by the two men who were to play Prior Fel, and Efias Bay. Rane had never understood just why it was that of all the gods, only Prior and Efias had second names. Still religion often confused him.
“But all was not well in the universe. Whilst Brax and his family explored the heavens and rejoiced in its splendor, Kruul was recovering from his wound.” Slowly Kruul rose up from the darkness and stepped back into the cacophony of stars.”Brax had warned his children not to stray too far, for there are darker dangers than mere gods in the heavens. Behold the face of oblivion!” Screamed the priests in unison. Suddenly in the middle of the alter the twisted, rotting face of Geshool appeared. It was horrific, and several women screamed in fear. The great, bloated tongue lolled from side to side, licking dead souls from disfigured lips. Just as quickly as it appeared, every single person in the room made the holy sign. Even the children.
“But Brax continued to use his new found wisdom to make creatures for Braxlan. He used the iron to cast the dwarves, and wood to carve the Halflings. Finally he used the very earth of Braxlan to mould man.” It never occurred to Rane before but the stories never told of where the other creatures came from. His dog Jussa for example. What was it made of? And had dogs been around before or after man? “Kruul knew that if he was going to defeat Brax he would need an army. And what better place to recruit from than the very beings that Brax had made himself!” Kruul stalked forward from the shadows towards the brightly glowing sphere that represented Braxlan. Carefully he pulled a youth from the surface.
“Repht was but a moral man like yourselves! But he was tempted by the hooded lord. Kruul, fell in love with the moral man, and bade him join him in his quest to destroy Brax. With promises of power Repht fell into Kruul’s charms.” Rane sighed when the player of Repht look his clothes off and embraced Kruul. He could swear he knew who the actor was… but he wasn’t sure. “Then from the foulest depths crept a loathsome, hideous being. Rakwen Khadra, the Raven Queen! A large, black lump of fat stumbled forward, feathers loosely sticking to her. Rakwen seduced Kruul and stole some of his power. With this she created for herself many new forms. In another dazzling display of illusionary magic the dark fat creature melted away, leaving behind the beautiful, but deadly, Icilca. Her body was dark blue, almost purple, and her white hair was shocking against it.
“Behold, Icilca the dark mistress. But Icilca betrayed Rakwen, and split from her body. The two immediately began fighting for dominance, but neither was able to best the other!” The two women fought wildly, screaming and clawing at one another without one landing a blow, or gaining advantage.
“It so happened that the very rocks, the waters, and the airs of Braxlan grew old and wise. And thus from the airs strode Yawnikai! Master of the elements.” The room light up in bright red light as a satyre clopped onto stage. But he was on fire! Then suddenly he burst into smoke, and then froze solid. It began to snow inside the cathedral. Children opened their mouths, catching the magical flakes as they fell.
“Behold Sharndralis – Keeper of the Planes!” Shouted another voice. Out of the very wall a head appeared. It was neither human nor monster, but subtly plain of detail. “Behold Churlin!” Rejoined another priest. The doors to the cathedral exploded open, and a great torrent of water burst in. Raging against the pews, it seemed to be magically held in place so that none of the five thousand nobles got a drop of water on them.
Churlin was naked, but made entirely out of water. Swimming in the waters that surrounded him, a careful observer might notice the fin of a sharp, or the tail of a whale. “And finally see Athlas! Lord of the forests! Keeper of Nature.”
Athlas was male, but had the horns of a deer sticking out of his scraggly hair. Wolves bounded about him, yipping and barking with delight. “And so the heavens seemed complete. Except for one. Death could not come to Braxlan, Brax had forbidden it. Sadly Kruul knew a secret and ancient spell that allowed Kayden to gain entrance. She swept in with her twin sister Fash as soon as Kruul opened the gates. Brax wept when he saw the sisters of death and destiny killing his creations. But he feared more the future. Up until now, Braxlan had been free from the oblivion lord – Geshool!” Again the entire cathedral made the sign of pretection.
“For now that death occurred, Geshool was free to enter the world and begin corrupting it, like he had so many others.” For that Brax wanted to punish Kruul. More so than ever before. With his family behind him, he attacked the dark lord in his evil fortress. The battle was mighty, and both sides became desperate for help. Kruul was the first to ask it from his minions on Braxlan. Tymenie then asked her priestess’s to fight back against Kruul’s Braxian allies.” The bright starts faded and a large flat map of Braxlan unfurled in the middle of the room. Rane whistled. The church had spared no expense in this years display.
“And so the great God’s War began, four hundred and fifty years ago to this day. It ripped apart the world. Millions died. Brax, seeing this, and seeing how busy Kayden was, felt pity for his people. Seizing Kruul around the waist he hurled them both into the Nazkadan Tarkad!” The actors began to ‘fall’ into a pit of pure darkness. “To this day, Brax and Kruul wrestle for control.” Ran turned to his sister. “Didn’t you go to that Nazkadan? What was it like?”
“Shshsshshshsh.” She snapped.
“But the war is far from over! We, as Brax’s loyal servants, as minions of the one who is good, wise, and above all, master of the heavens, must remain ever vigilant against the remaining forces of darkness! Repht, Kruul’s lover, leads armies today against the druids in the south, and Icilca encourages her Drow and Ithilid fools to rise up against us, and Rakwen is always seeking to seduce those unwary enough to avoid her gambling tricks.”
The priests gathered in the middle of the stage, flanked on either side by the actors who had played the gods whilst the cathedral thundered applause. It was truly a spectacular performance, one to be remembered for a generation. “Hey? What about Tymenie sleeping with Athlas and running naked in the forest?” Rane demanded. He’d suddenly realized that he’d missed his favorite bit.
“It was cut in favour of time – besides, who cares about Gule? He’s only a demi-god.” His sister said smugly. “Gule! Gule built the great artifact that made the Grattan Rift! He helped the dwarves change it to seal the drow in the Below! That’s important stuff!” Rane argued. Besides, in order to get to Gule, Tymenie typically had to get naked to sleep with Athlas. “Guess he must have been down-graded. Shame. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and compliment Brax on an excellent performance.” His sister said, with a dreamy look in her eyes. Rane sneered at her as she skipped away to look for the kings champion. Religious festivals… why’d they always have to leave out the good bits?
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