ORIGIN

Decided it's been long enough, so here's an Aether Clan founding thread! Everyone who was interested in the Aether Clan is welcome to join. They'll be claiming territory in Cetus. Right now there is no end date to this first round - I'll start a new round when most characters who were interested have posted.

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The lights were still out. And while Ghanyarah thought that might have been an omen - maybe a message of bad will from the Divine, maybe a sign that now wasn’t the right time - he couldn’t think of a better time to come together than one where they all faced equal adversity. The darkness was home to monsters and mysteries alike; Gembounds were frightened of the shadows, they were confused, they didn’t know where to go. At least, that was what he felt. Some could see, but most? They didn’t have that luxury. So Ghanyarah would provide them with a shining light, a beacon of hope and safety and love. He wanted to show everyone that he was here to start something big, something important. Something good.

He had gone to everyone he already presented the idea to and told them when and where to meet him. It would be easy to find - he asked the bear, Leon, to create a fire that would cast light on the surrounding forest. They could control the fire with their fire and water combined, so Ghanyarah had no fear there. Besides, the fire could offer warmth just as well. It was a waypoint marking the center of their home, the foundations upon which he intended to build this clan: the tree, his tree, with its drawings and sentiments. His home that he would open up to anyone else.

To prepare, Ghanyarah had cleared much of the area surrounding the tree. A lot of it was left barren, with only swamp grasses layering the ground. Pits where he excavated trees were filled with mud and dirt and debris. Those fallen trees were used to construct dens among the trees surrounding the clearing, arranged as shelters or dug underneath. In the center of the clearing, another small pit was dug and lined with rocks. Twigs and dry foliage were packed into the fire pit, and now he sat with Leon, waiting for the bear to ignite the fire and light up the Aether Clan’s symbol of utmost unity. A grin was firmly drawn upon his maw. Ghanyarah was ready for this, the next step towards growth and realization, ready to fall into this role he’d built for himself.

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@Odin @Leon @Makyna @Othello @Equinox @Vega @Septiezal @Cuanakrys @Morthos @Kyorai @Lituus @Eleanor @Chou @Aries @Arkrael & anyone else that’s interested! Everyone welcome!!

Leon’s body still ached with pain from his fight with Baratheon, but he was healing. The fur was growing back where some of it had been burnt or torn away. The gaping wounds in his skin were closing into scar tissue. His eye, which seemed to have sustained the most damage from his fight, was blurry and he couldn’t see very well - but at least it didn’t hurt anymore. He and Makyna hadn’t taken immediately to moving their den to Cetus, but with Ghanyarah’s promise of safety and kinship, they relented. Pisces was a place too heavy with memories now, too lonely. He knew exactly where Bevy’s grave was and even if he didn’t turn to look at it every time he walked past, he could still feel it tugging at him. The shattered chrysali of their children remained in their old den, each one echoing a body that should have been there. At least, though, they kept shards from them.

There were plenty of flowers and nice plants, though, here in Cetus. He imagined that Makyna might like living in a place so much more alive and green, even if they couldn’t see it in the dark.

He sat with Ghanyarah in front of the tree. Much as his body still stung, he tried to help the reptile the best he could. Moving trees was no easy feat, nor was controlling his fire. He’d been skeptical when Ghanyarah encouraged him to set the ground on fire, even though he assured him that his water could subdue it should it get out of hand. So on Ghanyarah’s cue, the bear spat a small mouthful of blazing fire at the pit, watching the fire take to the tinders and envelope them in bright, orange flame. Light suddenly filled the clearing, painting the trees in a dim orange glow.

Leon meandered back into the brush, pulling out more and more branches and twigs from a pile they set aside to dry. He knew Ghanyarah would want this fire bigger, warmer, bright enough to encompass their new clan camp - Leon would just have to control it carefully. He arranged the pile of debris next to him and slowly fed it into the fire, building it as they waited.