(INTRO)Ruaumoko's Elder App

Prologue: Obtaining the Blood of Palthus

Ruaumoko was frollicking about, proud that he'd finally completed his task at the Glaciums, and excited to have met another Cyclops. He'd gone into the Wychwood with his excitement, content with his actions. After about a few hours of just wandering about, enjoying the forest as a regular Cyclops, finally enjoying the silence and tranquility of boredom.

But after about two hours of boredom, Ruaumoko settled in for a nice nap, content with his deeds. Resting under a shady tree, Ruaumoko closed his eyes and for a nice rest. As his dreams began to unfold, Ruaumoko began to hear a familiar voice in his head. The voice beckoned to him like a mother to her child, but Ruaumoko could not put name to face. The voice was unique, yet familiar at the same time. It was then, that Ruaumoko got the signal of just who that voice was. The voice was of Palthus himself. The voice spoke to him in a strangle garbled manner, then faded out completely. The dream carried visions of Ruaumoko standing mountains above his fellow Cyclops bretheren as a true giant. He was not standing on anything but his own two legs. Had the people shrunk, or had Ruaumoko grew? Suddenly, a large rumbling was heard, then a soft "Thank You", whispered into his ear.

Ruaumoko awoke from the dream in a cold sweat, moments later. He laid on the floor, splayed about, when he spied something strange. Rising from the ground in front of Ruaumoko, bubbling upwards, was black sludge. Ruaumoko stood up, petrified of this new event. Inside the bubbling however, was something...shiny. Suddenly, the black sludge overflowed, then ceased in one grand motion, leaving two major items behind. The first was a shining blade, stuck in the ground, with gems covering it. The second, seemed to be a heavily armored chestpiece. Ruaumoko took both hurriedly, as he knew just what it meant. Palthus had blessed him for worshipping him so fervently. But some of the black sludge remained. Ruaumoko, curious, scooped up the rest, and placed it in a spare wineskin he had left from his supplies. Little did Ruaumoko know, this would be the start of something...big.
(Ruaumoko)

Ruaumoko took both pieces of Palthus' gift back to Danarium, stuffing the wineskin of sludge in his pocket. He eyed the gifts closely, until curiosity took the better of him and he really wondered if the chestpiece fit him. Palthus' gifts were always right, and that would be a true test. The chestpiece fitted with a cacophonous clank and cling of metal, but eventually, Ruaumoko got it on. The spacing on the sleeves and the underside were all even. The fit was perfect. Now the sword.

Ruaumoko hated swords with a passion, but the gems of the sword radiated with Ruaumoko's very core. Taking the sword in hand, Ruaumoko gripped the handle. The balance and weight were perfect. Not once did the blade even slip. The blade shone radiantly and finally Ruaumoko propped himself up, and swung the blade with all his might. The blade was so sharp, it seemed to cut  the very air it made contact with. Ruaumoko was pleased. Raising the blade, Ruaumoko pointed it at an invisible opponent, as if to begin a fencing match. Thrusting the blade, Ruaumoko was amazed at the speed and force of the strike. But that's not what stood out most. The earth under Ruaumoko's feet seemed to shift and sway with each strike and thrust. The gems of the blade shone in time with this, and that's when Ruaumoko knew.

This blade was covered in earth gems. The blade was now an extension of his earthen magics. This blade was MADE for Ruaumoko. Palthus' gifts were amazing, but Ruaumoko still couldn't find use for the sludge in his wineskin. Yet Ruaumoko could not bring himself to throw it away. It was a gift from Palthus and sure it had use. Ruaumoko decided to store it a bit better. Finding a potion bottle strewn across one of the ruined houses, Ruaumoko uncorked it and stored the black sludge. At least now it was presentable. But still, his new armor and sword beamed brightly, and Ruaumoko felt like a new man...er...Cyclops.
(Ruaumoko)
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Ruaumoko was stressed. For the first time, he could not just shrug off his problems, and now, because of his errors, the Isthmus might just suffer for his mistakes. Ruaumoko could not tell his people this, he simply didn't have the heart for it. At least they were making progress as a people. Ruaumoko needed to clear his head, for this was about to be a very stressful day for the Isthmus leader. Taking a walk outside the Isthmus, Ruaumoko took to a high perch in the desert to meditate over his people's coming problems.

Crossing his legs and sitting on the sands themselves, Ruaumoko closed his eye and cleared his mind, trying eagerly to un-wind from the day's proceedings. His people needed a proper Cyclops leader, and if Ruaumoko failed, the people would begin to side with their previous leader, Elder Akumo. Elder Akumo was a fascist, xenophobic old-timer, who liked being smarter than his people. Ruaumoko could not afford for them to revert back to their life of fear and ignorance. But how could Ruaumoko do this, for he was no Elder?

Ruaumoko decided that the only option for him to truly lead his people would be to become an Elder himself. But Elders cannot simply train for Eldership, they'd need the word of Palthus himself. Ruaumoko would have to EARN Palthus' favor. Ruaumoko had been utilized by him before, and so with the mass exodus a success, Ruaumoko felt that Palthus may just be watching over him at this time. Ruaumoko decided that the only way to truly see if Palthus would allow him Eldership, would be to speak directly to him. But how could he do this? Palthus was a GOD! Ruaumoko thought long and hard about how he'd solve THIS problem.
(Ruaumoko)

Ruaumoko tried concentrating on speaking with Palthus, but just couldn't muster up the focus to. Everytime he fell short, the bottle of Palthus Sludge would slosh about noisily in its bottle. Ruaumoko felt that the sloshing only served to put him further away from his goal of complete and utter inner peace so he could converse. It took a few more tries, and a few more failures for Ruaumoko to finally grow annoyed and break the bottle in rage.

It was then he snapped out of his meditation and looked at the mess. The sludge seemed to just sit there, like a syrup that had been spilled, neither moving to accomodate the space, or sloshing about on the sands like water once it made contact. It was just...still. Ruaumoko was confused, but suddenly the sun began shining brighter than ever. It got hot. REALLY hot. Ruaumoko began to sweat, his traditional Cyclops garb now uncomfortable and stuffy in the intense heat.

The sand grew hotter and hotter, beginning to blister skin as it raged with intense heat. Ruaumoko's thick skin was used to such heat, and as such remained intact under the harsh conditions. But the Palthus Sludge began to bubble...and broil. Soon steam began rising from the sludge as it began to dissipate. Poor Ruaumoko failed to realize one thing. This was the Blood of Palthus himself being burned. The steam began to grow worse, as it now became fumes under the intense heat. The fumes bellowed out from the small puddle that was the Blood of Palthus. Ruaumoko watched in awe, unknowingly breathing in the harsh fumes, as he sat, mouth agape, at what was unfolding in front of him.

It was then, he felt an enormous peace wash over him. Ruaumoko sat back, and meditated once more, drawing in a deep breath to calm himself, causing more fumes of Palthos Blood to rush into his lungs. Ruaumoko was now clear in mind, and his body was completely relaxed. Ruaumoko could feel himself growing closer to Palthus. With the Blood of Palthus acting as an incense, Ruaumoko could feel himself reaching a deeper understanding of what true meditation really was.
(Ruaumoko)

As the heat beared down on Ruaumoko, the Cyclops could not feel a thing, as his body appeared to have totally transcended this plane of existence. It would appear Ruaumoko has successfully astroprojected himself, and all it took was accidentally setting fire to his races most precious mineral. Ruaumoko felt himself knock on the door that served as an entrance to Palthus' plane of existence, then thrust the doors open.

Inside was pitch-black, but a bellowing voice from inside seemed to respond to Ruaumoko's presence.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion Cyclops boy! Can't you see I'm working here?!", spoke the voice, obviously more annoyed at Ruaumoko's presence than surprised he made it this far in the first place. Ruaumoko was startled at the mere volume of the voice emanating from seemingly everywhere and nowhere at once.

"Ruaumoko need to know, how become Elder! Want serve his people better!", screamed Ruaumoko, amazed his thoughts transcended into outward speech. Palthus' realm was a strange place.

"Oh! Ruaumoko! You're the one who led my people to exodus! But now it appears you're having trouble, as Danarium is having trouble letting go. Ruaumoko, you're doing a fine job, but I see you've taken the route to become closer to me spiritually, and become an Elder. I'm glad that you've used my blood to speak with me, but I'm afraid I can't just tell you how to become an Elder. That would be cheating you of truly learning of our culture and history. The only true way to become an Elder is to learn for yourself.", said the voice solemnly.

Ruaumoko was amazed. Not only did this voice know his name and history, but even knew Ruaumoko's inner feelings and his people's inner feelings. But he never answered the question. Ruaumoko tried to speak again, but suddenly, the doors slammed and Ruaumoko was sucked into the mortal plane once again. Looking down, Ruaumoko saw that the Palthus Blood had burned completely through. There was none left, and no trace of it ever being there. Ruaumoko needed guidance, and immediately sought Elder Managrene. But who was that voice?! Was that Palthus?!

Ruaumoko finally had time off, (albeit a rather bloody time off), and decided to finally consult with Elder Managrene on the strange visions he had during that hot desert day and his meditations. Ruaumoko entered Elder Managrene's hut unannounced, and found his elder meditating in the center, his eyes firmly closed. Ruaumoko must have caught him at a bad time, and proceeded to try and show himself out quietly.

"No, Ruaumoko. Stay. Have something on mind?", said Elder Managrene, his eyes still firmly closed and his form still mid-meditation. How did he know Ruaumoko was here?! But ignoring that, Ruaumoko had much more pressing issues on his mind. Ruaumoko tried his best to remember everything that happened from that day, and not wasting a moment, relaying everything he saw, felt and heard during his meditation.

Elder Managrene's eyes snapped open. Something in Ruaumoko's story had caught his attention. Elder Managrene, for the first time in the entire conversation, arose from his meditation. Elder Managrene dusted himself off and spoke.

"Ruaumoko is growing into good young man. But not worldly enough. Palthus Sludge? No, Ruaumoko. Ruaumoko has burned the Blood of Palthus. Accidentally but still. Blood of Palthus sacred to our people, is why Ruaumoko kept it. But when Blood of Palthus was burned, combined with meditation, Ruaumoko got a glimpse of Palthus himself. Ruaumoko very lucky for that. Has happened very few times to Elders. But means something. Means Ruaumoko has great destiny.", said Elder Managrene sternly, punctuating his speech with a hand on Ruaumoko's shoulder, a sign of approval and a sign he was proud to see Ruaumoko grow.

"So what will Ruaumoko do about great destiny?", asked Elder Managrene calmly. Ruaumoko thought long and hard. The co-leader of the Isthmus surely had a game plan, right? Suddenly, Ruaumoko remembered the Palthus Bone. Ruaumoko wanted to be chosen of Palthus, and become an Elder, an elder even better than Akumo.

(Ruaumoko)

Ruaumoko voiced his wishes to Elder Managrene. Elder Managrene's face went from calm, to very dire. Elder Managrene stepped away from the boy, the look of dire seriousness painted even stronger across his face as he walked away. Taking a vial of the same substance Ruaumoko had found, Elder Managrene pressed it deep into his palm, almost looking as if he was blessing it.

"Ruaumoko...serious about becoming an Elder?", said Elder Managrene solemnly. Ruaumoko nodded. Elder Managrene paced back and forth across the room, clearly indecisive about something very pressing in his head. Finally, he stopped pacing and spoke.

"Elder Managrene think Ruaumoko is...ready for path of Elder. But only because Palthus have spoken to Ruaumoko. Elder Managrene...however, cannot divulge path of Elder so easily. Will have to go by trials.", said Elder Managrene shakily, clearly unwilling to divulge this information. Elder Managrene stopped for a moment, before peering outside for any eavesdroppers that may be lurking about. Once clear, Elder Managrene dropped the curtains on the entrance to his hut, pulled Ruaumoko to once side, then began speaking in a hushed whisper.

"Trials will not be easy. Thirteen trials are required. All have to be alone for it to work. Ruaumoko must first accept this information and swear that all thirteen complete in future, before Elder Managrene can reveal them. Ruaumoko cannot divulge information to anyone. No one is to know. Is this OK for Ruaumoko?", spoke Elder Managrene, sweat visibly beading on his forehead, his eye sporting a fearful gaze. These trials must be quite difficult.

"DOES RUAUMOKO AGREE?!", shouted Elder Managrene shakily, clearly eager to get this over with and have Ruaumoko's response. He sighed once Ruaumoko nodded a bit too eagerly. The thirteen trials of an Elder would now begin.

"First trial...Find more Blood of Palthus. Sorry, but Elder Managrene cannot say anymore than that. Now begone!", said Elder Managrene, and with that, he shoved Ruaumoko out of his hut. Ruaumoko took of towards the gates, eager to get these trials over with. Unfortunately, Ruaumoko would learn just how taxing these trials could be.
(Ruaumoko)