Difference between revisions of "Gods and Devas"

Revision as of 13:38, 12 February 2013

Gods in Exile

As the Primordial War raged on, the Solar Exalted struck down Primordial after Primordial, but it meant little, as they'd rise again in a similar domain. Some they weren't able to even affect in this way, including Theion, and these had uninterrupted trains of thoughts. So, they began to realize this wasn't a rebellion of humanity, they were merely the tools. The puppets, to the gods pulling the strings. Cut the wires, and they'll fall back limp.

And so, the recently allied Unconquered Sun was forced to start ratting out the gods who had a hand in the rebellion. The other Incarnae realized that was doubly working against them, and approached Autochthon asking him to harbor them until they could try again. The Divine Ministers debated accepting loss or running, with Ku's fear of what the Primordials would do to their traitor brother, already no favorite, if he stayed convincing the others. So Autochthon brought the Incarnae and Exalted, who brought as many of their allies as they could, and they made haste to flee. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Until recently. The Void has always been a threat within Autochthon, or at least a nuisance after the Deliberative started handling. But lately, it's become an issue again, even beyond the rise of Apostates. And the reason became clear - gods denied their domain began to help gremlins, as they and Voidbringer cults would provide them direct worship for their actions. It was tempting, a god wants nothing more than to expand their campaign.

So now, the Deliberative is trying to reintegrate the worship of gods into Autochthonian society, so gods work toward the goal and feel rewarded. Several members bemoan the loss of Essence for Exalted, and more still are hesitant that corruption will spread through their work in their efforts to hold power over their peers. Sidereals have been briefed to keep an eye out for manipulation and the Void Hunt is always watching as well, but still some bold and cunning gods try to play the system - and may yet succeed.

Notable Gods

Common Gods

Bloody Hands and Disease Gods

• At an all-time high during the retreat of the Gunstar, but a few dozen of these realized they'd hold no power if humanity was all gone. And so they boarded the Gunstar, only to find their domain quickly crippled by the full might of the Solar Deliberative. So they've waited for a chance to increase their power again. And that time is now.

City Gods

• Gods close to humanity, few made it to the end of the war, as their domains were destroyed and their unashamed favoritism put them at odds with any Primordial loyalists. Those who boarded the Gunstar helped humanity get back on its feet - only to find that Alchemicals completely outdate them in the best of situations. Nowadays, they are given the chance to help maintain towns, but few of the few choose to do so, as it's more work than their old domains for less worship. Still, work is work, and some are genuinely compassionate to humanity.

Masks

• Created by Primordials to maintain worship among humanity by the Primordials, they are one of the gods who most fervently embraced the raising of humanity. A few dozen of these made it onto the Gunstar, and sufficed staying in Hadal. However, the Exalted realized they were wasting talent, and spread them through the Eight Nations, an act that greatly enthused the Masks as they experience new facets of culture they never had. The Masks love interacting with mortals and integrating worship into mortal acts, so they quickly became well-accepted, leading to both the divide and solution the gods currently had. Masks don't even care about worship (though many still get it), a simple discussion about art or understanding a unique craft is far more exciting for them - something which makes them function much differently than other gods given free reign.

Unique Gods

Amoth City-Smiter

• Heavily influential at the end of the Primordial War, but without inhabitants ruins are just ruins. Following onto the Gunstar, he quickly found himself frustrated with how durable the Alchemical cities were. Towns and catastrophes gave him some pushing power, but he had the world once, and he wants it again. When the gremlins got semi-intelligent messengers in the Apostates, he quickly approached them and offered his power and pull in exchange for worship, and enjoys finding weak spots for the gremlins to give him more strength, and in turn grant the gremlins more. It's the perfect plan.

Burning Feather

• Goddess of Intoxicants, she's never held much power on the Gunstar, as the masses at large live in too much drudgery to even engage in such a pasttime. But she gets by, Sovan officials allow some hallucigens to slip by, there are those in hospitals that begged for her touch even before the lift, and anyone who ever gets too hopped up on kaf often achieves a lot through her blessing before coming down hard. With faction lines being drawn, Burning Feather hitches to the Bronze faction, as in peace time people are more able to indulge some pleasures - and she sees so many of the Gunstar need an outlet as things are.

Bright Sanguine Saber

• Saber remembers the hypocracy of the Primordials, the way they would betray their own beliefs. And so, Saber struck out with vengeance - the best she could with the geas, that is, training and prepping the Exalted host. And then the Unconquered Sun defected, and she was forced to follow humanity onto the Gunstar or be destroyed. And she promises she will have her vengeance for that, too. One of the most capable combative minds on the Gunstar, shortly after the ban was lifted, Bright has step up the training regime of the Dragon-Blooded to a ferocity beyond what the Deliberative was possible and then some. She revealed flaws in strategies and weapons, the betrayals of the self. The Gold Faction was more sure than ever they would take back the Spiral their next encounter with the Primordials. For Saber, there was never a question - she was the god of Betrayal AND Vengeance, and she would make sure the Unconquered Sun knew of both her domains.

Flashing Peak

• Legends of the Spiral is numerous and contradictory, but one common element is a grand mountain in the center, always visible on the horizon, dwarfing entire nations in its shadow. And Flashing Peak was the god of this mountain. Skeptical of the Incarnae's plan originally, upon seeing the Exalted in action she knew they would be lifted up. And so, when they failed, she followed them, sure this would not be the end. But the Gunstar ripped at a heart in a weird way - there was no prominent landmark. The Pole of Crystal sat in the middle, but it is actually more hidden from the Eight Nations than visible. For years she pushed the Deliberative to make one, something to inspire the Deliberative as one. The Deliberative of course declined due to the lack of necessity, but said they sympathized, even as she anxiously fretted over having no domain.
• Finally, when the ban was lifted, she ran through the nations trying to find any landmarks, and became enamored with the light obelisk in Jast-Qune and Wisant in particular. In short order, her time and appreciation associated her with it, and she gained a metallic sheen and glows at various luminosities depending on the time of day, a feature which drew more attention and more worship. She became calm and motherly, and became more and more like the obelisks, and is now worshiped a good deal in those two nations. She hopes to expand her domain to all Eight Nations to lift up their spirits, and so she again she requests a central monument - this time a massive light obelisk from the Pole of Crystal. She carries much clout among the Populat now so it's tough to deny her, but the Deliberative's main concerns lie deeper. She is a fluid blend of orichalcum and moonsilver now, and glows faintly to brightly depending on the time of day - effectively, she is close to a representation of both the Unconquered Sun and Luna, the absentee Incarnae. Many are worried about her gaining too much power and eclipsing them, but a few are curious if she can soon act as an interim Incarnae in their place.

Grala

• Goddess of the Hunt, she too contributed before the ban was lifted, as the Void Hunt often employed her expertise in their chases. But some of the Deliberative fear her, for foremost among the gods, her aesthetics have changed to fit the alien world they now live in. It is an unconscious choice, of course, she simply pulls imagery from apex predators, but the result has left her a mixture of man and machine in looks, imagery shared with the gremlins. Worse yet, no one knows that she has in fact blessed a few Apostates who have called out for her, for it is in her nature to not deny the thrill of a good hunt. Though she is currently still loyal to humanity among anything else, she has stated she does not care about the factions, she is just waiting for her next hunt; not unlike the way a junkie waits for his next fix. Some fear she is becoming too obsessed with power, others fear that perhaps even the gods not of Autochthon can succumb to Gremlin Syndrome - which immediately leads to worries beyond that.

Hran-Tzu

• God of Decay, the Raven King. Though seemingly against his domain, Hran-Tzu blessed the restoration of Autochthonia (not that it would have mattered much if he didn't), for decay brings new life, but the Void is a rot that persists forever. Since then, even before the ban was lifted, Hran-Tzu has given advice to the Harvesters to optimize the use of bodies and broken objects. He has always despised the Void and rooted for the Void Hunt, and since the lifting of the ban has worked close to Grala to ensure they succeed in their efforts. But Hran-Tzu worries - like her, he has taken mechanical qualities into his form - rusted parts, broken gears, thousands of tiny vestigial parts that would do nothing, but now do nothing in his theme. But unlike her, he has not become addicted to the hunts. He wonders if she has succumbed to Gremlin Syndrome, and worries about what that means for himself. As the God of Decay and standing in staunch opposition, does he by some small chance enjoy immunity? Or will his staring into the abyss soon create a reflection within himself?

Hu Dai Liang

• Sometimes, the streets of Hadal fall silent as the sound of three feet stepping in time with each other. For sometimes, in the tense moments before a battle is imminent, Mars, Bright Sanguine Saber, and Hu Dai Liang, Goddess of Soldiers, work together to guide the Exalted in their battles - often personally. But most of the time, they are not required to work together, and each polishes their own domain as they wish. And each pines for Narikon, de facto leader of the Deliberative, in their own way. Hu Dai Liang works tirelessly to provide the Deliberative soldiers weapons and experience they need to perform at their peak efficiency, as that is her job, and she hopes that perhaps that will draw his approval.

Itzcalimon

• God of Blackmail, when he appeared to board the Gunstar it was clear much of the Deliberative was hesitant to let him aboard - but none dared express it, less every secret of theirs be known for the time within Autochthonia. And so, begrudgingly, he was let on, and the same thing continues every generation - people are uncomfortable with his presence, but not to the extent to lose their own reputation stating it. Before the ban, like many others, he was still active in his domain when requested - and some speculate the ban was lifted due to something he knows. But none suspect his own dirty secret - during the war, the Ebon Dragon had him in his sights, and spared him - under oaths of loyalty. Itzcalimon knows that he will be called on at some point to fulfill these oaths.

Livilla

• Goddess of Prostitution, she's recently hitched her wagon to the Bronze Faction knowing that a return to the Spiral is too risky, she might lose all her potential worshipers. Venus and Burning Feather are a bit reluctant to have her aboard, but they can't afford to turn away any allies. Plus, she's got a much more severe personality than those two, and willing to do things they're better off not even worrying about.

Luraname

• When the Unconquered Sun approached the fleeing Gunstar, Luna started to leap in its defense. Autochthon made a request directly to her, and so Luna left one aspect behind to work with him and Gaia on the task. As Luna evaded the Unconquered Sun, the trio worked fervently, creating a God of Chance. Luna and Gaia jointly whispered something in his ear, before the aspect merged back with the rest of herself. And yet the Unconquered Sun now struck harder, intending to destroy all aspects of Luna. Gaia leapt to her defense, leaving Luraname parentless in the Gunstar. Despite having no progenitor to pay mind to him, Luraname flourishes, for chance is one the greatest tools the Exalted have in their battle, whether they know it or not. And deep within him, he knows there is a seed of destiny planted by his mothers, that will blossom forth when the time is right.

Lytek

• God of Exaltation, involve the process of reincarnation. The Titanics are unusual to him, they seem to be vaguely related to Solar souls, but unfortunately he can't get a hand on their souls. A new type of Exalt might provide a similar wealth of knowledge, should it reveal itself on the Gunstar.

Madame Marthesine

• Goddess of Lost Things, she was faced with the choice of getting on the Gunstar or becoming lost - and like, my most gods, she has little interest of becoming part of her own domain. Madame Marthesine has a collection of terrifyingly powerful weapons created only through the full power of the Incarnae - but she's only willing to give them up for something of equal value, no easy feat. It doesn't help that she was easily able to get greedy mortals to bring her rare and interesting Autochthonian items in exchange for some things she no longer needed. After the ban was lifted, she found herself in a new position - heavily worshiped, as life is hectic and the Reaches are harsh, and so people call to her for guidance. But beyond that, people had began to generalize her domain and pray to her when spiritually lost to, a common affliction to those on the Gunstar. She finds herself changing to fit this new role, and part of her wants to horde these emotions as anything else, but there is a change stirring in her.

Nara-O

• God of Withheld Secrets, Nara-O knows anything a person finds too personal to share with someone else - so he is quite knowledgeable on the Gunstar. There is a bit of unease around him, but he has been a valuable ally on the Gunstar, after a young Chosen of Secrets devised a clever system - the god is willing to give up a secret for having one all to himself, in a way. If Nara-O consents, the one requesting a secret comes, and Nara-O shares it, losing it from his domain. But in exchange, Nara-O takes a secret from their mind, and transfers it to the Sidereal, who is bound not to speak them, ensuring these stay in his domain for a long time to come. What interesting facts there are out there in the Gunstar, he hopes to never lose some of them. Why, did you know that the child of Sondok walks among the Dragon-Blooded? Of course you don't, only Nara-O and his assistant do, and he has no intention of letting anyone else on it.

The Rat Avatar

• Cheese please.

Ruvia

• The God of Roads, now the God of Intercity Travel(?), pilot of the Golden Baroque. When the Gunstar first fled to among the stars, he brought much of the current bureaucracy with him on the ship. Now, the ship is used for Sidereals and major gods to travel between nations, as Gates of Auspicious Passage consume many resources the host can spend elsewhere, while the Golden Baroque is powered by faith, a refillable resource. The Golden Baroque rarely actually stops in its travels, instead pneumatic tubes with trams pilots by previous road gods shoot out and connect to the place, then disconnect from the Baroque and stay in the city until it swings back by. The trams and the service of the road gods is allocated to the city until then, so a visit from Hadal is often a nice temporary boon in more ways than one.

Ryzala

• Once, the Goddess of Paperwork Ryzala was an imposing mantis-like woman, with four arms handling all the paperwork in heaven. She laughs at her past inefficiency, but progress has to start somewhere. Nowadays, as the Goddess of Industry, she is more a monument in the Palace of the Maidens than a figurehead, pulling heavy inspiration from the marvels of technology and efficiency within the Alchemical cities. But she is still heavily involved in processing all work within the Palace, as incoming visitors must enter her booming halls, interact with her interfaces, and use her automated paths to get to where they want to go. She is capable of handling all this and more, becoming one of the most powerful and well-known gods. If necessary, she can produce and interact through a mechanical facsimile of her previous form, and still directly manifest many of her wonders, but nowadays she finds it a constraining activity that she only reserves for the highest officials.

Scarazan

• The Goddess of Divine Reallocation, Scarazan is one of the most feared gods - but only among other gods. Allowing to indulge in one's domain again was the carrot, but she is the stick - overstep the boundaries grossly enough, and a god meets with her starmetal hammer, the previous god of the position when the Primordials first found out about the rebellion and promoted her. Some speculate that she is still loyal to the Primordials, but those gods captured who assist Titanics are swiftly and joyfully converted to artifacts as others, even if in their betrayal they've picked up some Theion to taint, making such artifacts glow an almost radioactive green.
• No, the simple truth seems to be that she hates all gods equally, and relishes to reduce them before her. This is supported in that she is aware that other gods wince when she bangs her hammer, and so does it whenever making a point to another god, interrogating another god, or really just whenever she wants to. Outside of a few samples, the Deliberative is unsure what to do with the corrupted starmetal samples, so they leave them with her. And so she plays up her ferocity, wearing robes and trinkets made of the stuff, as well as a few experimental ideas such as converting them in similar ways to demon tattoos. This only adds to her alien feel among the gods, and should any see her coming only the most powerful of other gods don't immediately clear out of her way in fearful respect, and even those often cede to her will when she engages in her fearsome intimidation techniques.

Shining Barrator

• Once, Shining Barrator was chief among the Celestial Lions, tantamount to the police chief of Yu-Shan. Now, in these strange times, he gets to wear such a mantle again. However, he has new allies that inspire his faith, the Sidereals of the Palace of the Maidens and the Lunars of the Void Hunt. He works closely with both, monitoring the activities of gods to make sure the Exalted know when one is overstepping their boundaries, letting them decide the appropriate action - he has been impressed with the innovations that have happened through some of the cases, even as they ultimately break the original, if outdated, laws of Yu-Shan. Barrator has grown close to many of the Sidereals and Lunars he routinely works with, drawing mannerisms from their collective type when approaching one or the other. But the Solars in the Deliberative worry - Barrator pays them little respect for their unwillingness to get involved in such matters, and worse yet (as if that wasn't enough!), he is changing to become more human, a downgrade from his incorruptible stance. There are concerns that with the disregard to law, even for the betterment of the people, in combination with this will lead him to accept bribery as an acceptable form of it, if not turn him into a totally lawless beast.

Translucent Alabaster

• Originally the Goddess of Porcelain, like so many of the gods who made it aboard the Gunstar, her domain quickly shifted and she received an increase in rank and domain in the process. She has since expanded to the expansive domain of Beauty, and found favor among Venus. And as others, her demeanor changed, but far more forgiving than any other. A picture frame hangs around her waist, while her left arm is sleek mechanical slender, tipped in perfectly crafted jewels. She even has a finest crafted cake as her right shoulder. But beauty holds no loyalties, and she has been known to remark on the patterns of SWLIHN or the reflections of Szoreny, and there are concerns that she finds the Primordial Spiral more compelling than the promise of the Solars brings. For in all their preparations in war, few match the innate beauty found the power of many Titanics. And yet though Venus favors her, it is not clear if she will pick her side in the civil war - for she sometimes remarks on the beauty of wicked things, from the clash of blades to an ironic end.

Uvanavu

• God of Health, he worked closely with the blooming Alchemical cities in the early years to make sure they were providing adequately or above for their inhabitants, and staunch opponent of the Void, pushing heavily for the forces to increase and remove that immediately. Like a few select others, his services were usually called on even before they were allowed to interact with the population again. Whenever an Alchemical city had a new problem due to an unusual domain, he was called on to help design the appropriate Municipal charm. And now, he stands tall, with both a powerful domain and a prayer source maintaining him. But he does not let it go to his head, he is still foremost concerned with his duties, so he still assists cities with any living issues and he works closely with the Void Hunt to make sure the Void never troubles his domain.

Verumpira

• When the Exalted counted the gods among them upon the Gunstar, they were surprised to count a new one among them - at least, none of the Exalted knew of him, and none of the gods confirmed knowing him. The Maidens fielded the question to Jupiter, and the result of that inquiry wound up to be her usual smile. Verumpira was under heavy suspicion, but suspicion alone is not guilt. So the god was heavily monitored, only it was found one day he had slipped through all the security out of the Palace of the Maidens in one of the nations. The Void Hunt quickly mobilized, only to find him speaking to an akuma in an alley, who was brokering information out in exchange for survival.
• And so time and time again, he found the weakest point within the Titanic's forces which the Void Hunt had not yet uncovered, and collapsed the whole attack. Many times he was able to barter even further spying out of them, and famously convinced one Titanic to surrender - after she had beaten and was ready to kill a Void Hunt. He is a war hero among the gods, but still members of the Deliberative wonder his domain. Some speculate it is Regret, explaining the secret nature and his capacity to find those hidden in the opposition that are willing to stop. Some think it is Persuasion, and that he could only hit weaker links originally because of his own personal strength. A few

Wayang

• God of Silence, finding no reprieve in Autochthonia. Even in the Palace of the Maidens, industry echoes as the gods pull inspiration from the people of their domains, and Ryzala fully embraced the aesthetics. The Void interests him, however, as a purely academic purview. He has approached some Exalted that shared his interest and delved into secret experiments to test its nature. Ultimately, what he has learned scares him, as it seems those attuned with the Void still suffered a cacophony of sounds - but it is the sound of Autochthon after he dies. He still explores it, hoping to learn more about its qualities. But now, there is suspicion of Voidbringers in the Palace of the Maidens. And he can't be sure he's not to blame.

Wun Ja

• In legends, there a paradise beyond paradise, beyond the Spiral was the city of the gods, Yu-Shan. Many young Exalts assume it was just like the Palace of the Maidens. Wun Ja weeps at this assumption, but still works tireless to improve the infrastructure of the Gunstar. And after four thousand plus years, it's looking pretty good. Now, she becomes a bit hesitant to return to the Spiral, and possibly undo everything she has worked for all this time.

Xaos

• God of Things Undiscovered, Nara-O's top man for reconnaissance. And the time has come once again. Flashes of information have been pouring through Nara-O's domain, so shortly that they're clearly being immediately shared with at least one other person to deny him. Nara-O is not happy about this, and plans to find the culprits and punish them in any way he can. Nara-O tried to record a single detail about the information, and gave it to Xaos to start his investigation: The word 'Wyldstorm.'

Yo-Ping

• God of Peace, who has pushed the Exalted to give up this crusade since life has become stable within. At first he was largely ignored, but in time he was able to reach into the hearts of some, and it seemed like his goal might be slowly attainable. When Venus approached him and said she supported him, he felt it was closer than ever - but then was mortified when Mars began to set up a counter-faction to stay the course. For Yo-Ping can bring the gods to diplomacy, he can stop the Exalted from fighting long enough to entertain compromise, but it is outside of his scope of power to prevent the Incarnae from engaging in war.

The Forbidden Gods

Others entities embodied concepts the Exalted consid-ered too abhorrent or dangerous for Creation. These are the Unwholesome. Sometimes these purviews were truly wicked and twisted things, such as Han-Tha’s cannibalistic, corruptive need to see Creation rot, or the purview of Ithmit-Laia, the goddess of dreams that kill those who dream them, a phenomenon that Creation has not seen since her banishment. Other Unwholesome were gods of races that rose in support of the Primordials, and place-deities of locations utterly befouled or destroyed by the Primordials—such as the gods of all the things and concepts the Primordial that is now called She Who Lives in Her Name destroyed in her final spasm of rage.

Devas in Exile

When the Exalted host gathered for their exodus, they were surprised to find a Third Circle deva of the Ebon Dragon, Erembour, and a host of her offspring already waiting for her. The forces of the other Primordials nipping at their heels, the host could defeat her but not with time to escape. And her forces rushed forth - countless beasts that were once men, with equally countless First Circle devas - but not at the Exalted, instead at their pursuers. She requested safe harbor for her assistance, and the host did not have to barter.

And so, she and a few of her Second Circle devas sit in the Palace of the Maidens, along with a rare few other rebel devas from various other Primordials. These are not even given the same freedom as gods, monitored and generally forbidden to indulge in their domains at all.

Notable Devas

Aetamos

• Second Circle of Erembour and Brother of Brass and Iron, Aetamos is one of the few devas to find trust on the Gunstar - for ever the smooth talker, Aetamos has gone into Wyldstorms and bartered with raksha. He brings back information the Deliberative benefits from heavily, where there are resources in the system, or new and inventive uses. But over time, he seems to have changed slightly, pulling mannerisms from them. The Deliberative's trust begins to wane again, as what if he becomes too sympathetic to their cause.

Alveua

• Second Circle of Erembour and The Keeper of the Forge of Night, Alveua is dying a spiritual death. The suspicion is bad enough, but worse yet is denied her heart's passion - forging incredible wonders using mortals as materials. Oh sure, around every hundred years an Exalt will go behind the back of the Deliberative to allow to craft SOMEthing, but only about one in five of those involve the critical component. Far more often, an elderly member of the Tripartite will approach her, to be made immortal for family or organization members, the details never concern her so long as she gets to use a mortal. But it is not enough. She does not get to act nearly as often as Scarazan, even though uses more common resources too. The Apostates tempt her, so willing to throw away lives, that they surely would not mind missing a few. But she does harmony, in her own way, which they oppose, and so few of them seem to appreciate craftmanship that she's not sure she can willingly give up her working to such philistines.

Erembour

• Erembour is That Which Calls to the Shadows, a third Circle deva of the Ebon Dragon, a seductive beast remembered for converting much of mortal armies back against themselves as inhuman beasts early in the war. Yet her involvement stopped when the Unconquered Sun surrendered to Theion, though it hardly mannered. She made a great sacrifice to convince the Exalted to let her on the Gunstar, and another great sacrifice in hanging up her horn and creating her children, only allowed to play in her own soundproof room. She is fine with this, but she wishes she could harbor the trust to finally have a meaningful impact. She is not so short-sighted so as to doom the Gunstar, ruining her long-term opposition of Ligier and the Unconquered Sun. After that, it depends on her mood, but nevertheless they should not be so concerned right now.

Granalkin

• Archer of the Silver Pass, Granalkin was a Third Circle soul of Mardukth. Upon seeing the Lunar Exalted, he refused to fight them, and the Unconquered Sun was able to displace as a god when Luna approached him with the option. For that, Granalkin was thankful to the Unconquered Sun. But when he wounded Luna, everything he felt for the Unconquered Sun turn into hate beyond hate. Since that day, Granalkin has pushed for two widely unpopular campaigns - directly searching for Gnosis, and directly defeating the Unconquered Sun. The Deliberative express sympathy, but simply can't do it - at least without dooming themselves to fall to the Infernal forces in the process. So Granalkin hunts for allies, in the Palace of the Maidens, in Hadal, and beyond.
• Once being a Third Circle soul, Granalkin willingly gave up the immunity granted against the Incarnae by his geas to join their side. But deep within his nature, he is still a soul of Mardukth, and through this ancient connection, he knows that since they have left the Spiral, Mardutkh was slain. He is unsure to share this information, in part because he has no ideas what it means for him. Stranger still, far off in the Reaches, much too far for him to ever pinpoint, he knows he feels two souls of Mardukth as well. He is curious what this means, and what it means for him, but again, his fear outweighs his curiosity in revealing the information to the Deliberative.