Post by Starling on Aug 3, 2010 23:26:22 GMT -5
ENTER
Hands clasp stone stair-rails saturated with moisture and mildew, made smooth by millions of hands before yours. Your weary legs grow weaker with each step, yet you persist, deeper and deeper into the abyss until your sickly body is claimed by the darkness that swells like the tides of an ocean. Suddenly, a buzzard descends from the blackness above you and lands upon your shoulder. It speaks into your mind.
“Just a bit further, child.”
You peer at this mysterious creature, studying it with reserved curiosity.
“Keep your eyes ahead, the stairs are steep and worn,”
it coos.
You turn your attention ahead to find that you are reaching a long, stone bridge over a perpetual black chasm. Upon the other side of the bridge lie great stone buildings. Lanterns flicker in the distance, beckoning like faraway stars.
“Wh-what is this? Where am I?”
you ask the buzzard.
“Welcome to the City of the Dead, child. I am your spirit guide, your protector.”
Before you can open your mouth to speak, pain flickers across your body like lightening. You feel the bones of your spine growing, piercing through all layers of your skin as your skin closes over the new protrusions. Your dull, mortal incisors sharpen to points that rest over your pallid lips. The onyx abyss before you suddenly becomes lighter.
The buzzard cackles.
“And you have now resumed your true form.”
----------------------
Welcome to Civitas Mortuus, City of the Dead. You have arrived here, naturally, by dying on Earth. Your death wasn't the end of your soul's eternal journey, and your fleshly birth was by no means the beginning. Your life on Earth was but one stop on your path. Until you reincarnate, ascend or descend into another level of existance, or become one with the Supreme Being, you are stuck in Civitas Mortuus. While you're here, you may as well enjoy your stay; you at least have the companionship of your spirit guide, who takes the form of an animal and follows you as you engage in city life. You may also gain fragments of memories from your past lives and eventually regain all knowledge of your soul's journey, from creation onward. Furthermore, you may have the luxury of meeting those who have shared lives with you. However, don't be alarmed if they look different than they did when you knew them. Residents of Civitas Mortuus take on their true forms upon reaching the bridge to the City. Those of naturally dark alignment may grow spines and threatening appendages, while those with naturally light energy may bear elegant markings. Those who are naturally neutral often possess a wide variety of adornments. Neither polar alignment is theoretically better than the other; both light and darkness are necessary parts of existence. However, some zealous residents of Civitas Mortuus may tell you otherwise. Factions have arisen in the City of the years, and individuals carrying the banners for light or dark superiority make it a significantly more hostile place to live. To avoid trouble and punishment, you may choose to stay neutral within the conflict and hold your friends close. You may also choose to join the conflict and fight for the power of your alignment.
Hands clasp stone stair-rails saturated with moisture and mildew, made smooth by millions of hands before yours. Your weary legs grow weaker with each step, yet you persist, deeper and deeper into the abyss until your sickly body is claimed by the darkness that swells like the tides of an ocean. Suddenly, a buzzard descends from the blackness above you and lands upon your shoulder. It speaks into your mind.
“Just a bit further, child.”
You peer at this mysterious creature, studying it with reserved curiosity.
“Keep your eyes ahead, the stairs are steep and worn,”
it coos.
You turn your attention ahead to find that you are reaching a long, stone bridge over a perpetual black chasm. Upon the other side of the bridge lie great stone buildings. Lanterns flicker in the distance, beckoning like faraway stars.
“Wh-what is this? Where am I?”
you ask the buzzard.
“Welcome to the City of the Dead, child. I am your spirit guide, your protector.”
Before you can open your mouth to speak, pain flickers across your body like lightening. You feel the bones of your spine growing, piercing through all layers of your skin as your skin closes over the new protrusions. Your dull, mortal incisors sharpen to points that rest over your pallid lips. The onyx abyss before you suddenly becomes lighter.
The buzzard cackles.
“And you have now resumed your true form.”
----------------------
Welcome to Civitas Mortuus, City of the Dead. You have arrived here, naturally, by dying on Earth. Your death wasn't the end of your soul's eternal journey, and your fleshly birth was by no means the beginning. Your life on Earth was but one stop on your path. Until you reincarnate, ascend or descend into another level of existance, or become one with the Supreme Being, you are stuck in Civitas Mortuus. While you're here, you may as well enjoy your stay; you at least have the companionship of your spirit guide, who takes the form of an animal and follows you as you engage in city life. You may also gain fragments of memories from your past lives and eventually regain all knowledge of your soul's journey, from creation onward. Furthermore, you may have the luxury of meeting those who have shared lives with you. However, don't be alarmed if they look different than they did when you knew them. Residents of Civitas Mortuus take on their true forms upon reaching the bridge to the City. Those of naturally dark alignment may grow spines and threatening appendages, while those with naturally light energy may bear elegant markings. Those who are naturally neutral often possess a wide variety of adornments. Neither polar alignment is theoretically better than the other; both light and darkness are necessary parts of existence. However, some zealous residents of Civitas Mortuus may tell you otherwise. Factions have arisen in the City of the years, and individuals carrying the banners for light or dark superiority make it a significantly more hostile place to live. To avoid trouble and punishment, you may choose to stay neutral within the conflict and hold your friends close. You may also choose to join the conflict and fight for the power of your alignment.