Discarded Threads of Fate

[Kender Bard]

Every story has multiple endings; but only one can be the true ending. Below are some possible alternative endings to large plot events in Naruta. There will usually only be one, but possibly more than one. And as Etaf can attest, one person can make all the difference at times. The below are only to be generalized scenarios. By all means, feel free to deviate in your own AU crack.

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The Clear War

The Clears were not defeated in the Clear War.

Once Ronduin was captured, rather than be defeated by the combined might of several nations, the Clears were able to hold Ronduin and throw back their enemies. Using the might of their entire captured nation and their abducted 3-signers, the Clears in charge of the war were able to press a counter attack and they took the majority of the enemy army that wasn't slain in the attack. Their strength increased, the steady and unstoppable roll of the war machine rolled over several armies and the strength of the group was added to steadily. Individuals in Lacuna, rather than strike out on their own, hastily send reinforcements to the five warlords of the Clears, helping them to keep their massive slave army under control.

Within three years, the war is over with the Clears as the victors. Lacuna is declared the center of the world and the seat of all power. A golden age flourishes while other nations fall into decay and ruin, power structures collapsing. Clears are dispatched to each major nation to assert control, rolling all of Naruta into one giant kingdom in which Clears are masters over all. All newborns are required (ordered) to be brought to the nearest Clear overlord or personal master for impressing and ensnaring. Through this means, a new generation of Elementals is raised under constant Clear ensnarement, fostering deep love and adoration in their masters. What rebellions there have been are slowly snuffed out until only the rumor of a shadowy rebel cause remains.

[Kender Bard]

The Dragon Blessings

The people fail the dragon tasks.

Unable to rise up to the demands placed upon them by the Elemental dragons, the creatures never leave. Feeling they must shepherd humanity, each dragon remains with their assigned nation. Dictates and laws on ethics and morality are laid down. Some of the nations acquiesce to their dragons, agreeing to live by the laws given to them. In these nations, the dragons become the highest authority, arbitrating in difficult disputes. Some become worshiped. In Humontis, worship of the dragons becomes the goal of the priests of the Earth Mother.

In other nations, presence of their dragon creates resentment. One nation attacks theirs, trying to drive off or kill the dictator dragon. This proves to be folly--the dragon easily wipes out the whole nation, though goes mad int he process, nesting int he ruins of the decimated country and attacking any who draw too near. Others learn from that mistake. No other dragons are harmed.

OR

Dragon curses.

The dragons become enraged with humanity through a variety of reasons and curse each major nation.

Winds: Must spend 1 hour in prayer each day to use their powers at all.
Ice - Forced to hibernate in the summer.
Water - Loss of healing water.
Beast - Lose sense of self/humanity each full moon, living like animals.
Earth - Turn to stone or trees with each new moon.
Fire - Once their powers are used, they cannot be 'turned off' or stopped until the individual is completely drained.
Storm - Unable to use powers when angry, upset, etc. Only when calm or happy.
Minds - All gain a boost in empathy and lose all ability to shield.
Clears - Loss of ensnaring ability.

[Kender Bard]

Mirza's War

Mirza's legacy lives on.

Although unable to inflict lasting damage, Mirza garners a great enough following to settle a small nation 9where Ekaitz would be, years later). One-signer babes are culled. Parents are given three strikes on this. The first child born with one sign is merely culled. The second one-signer is culled and the couple forbidden to breed. The third one-signer child is culled and the parents are executed. Couples who consistently bred two signers are encouraged to have multiple children and are given a high status.

Powerful two-signers are given offices of power within the little nation. Mirza's people continue to harry the world by kidnapping stray one-signers for killing or slavery and sometimes two-signers for 'refreshing the blood.'

[Kender Bard]

The Discovery of Contrasta
No discovery.

The ship carrying King Shadow, Queen Lay, Damien, and Heiress Ann sinks. Politics in Maelstrom, Talen'sul, and Naurorod are thrown into disarray. Contrasta is not discovered.

OR

Morilanta discovered before Anarlina

The expedition to Contrasta lands on Morilantan soil. The royal party is taken hostage. Attempts at conversion are made. Failing this, they are held at ransom to Anarlina, who pay to free them. Morilanta attempts to kill them during the exchange, kicking off war between the two nations again.

[Kender Bard]

The Sinking of Contrasta/The Black Wyrm

Contrasta does not sink.

No further explanation necessary.

[Kender Bard]

The War of Life and Death

Merciless Taed

Taed's undead army destroys Acoia. In response, Efil encourages her priests and followers to fight back against any and all undead or allies of them. They are bolstered by her angels. Taed counters by sending his own angels. Bodies not properly disposed of run the risk of rising again, undead and serving Taed. Vampirism spreads like a rampant disease. Efilian priests are granted the power of faith to destroy undead more easily. The war drags on with no end in sight.

[Kender Bard]

The Guild Wars

The Mercenaries side with the Guards.

Spurred on by the coin of the Guards, the mercenaries join forces to root out and destroy Thieves. Not as restrained by the law as the guards (and requested by them on the sly), the mercs of Ilyamen use brutal methods to smoke out and bring down Thieves. Now smaller in numbers, the Thieves strike at the Mercs with ferocity, creating a bloodbath on both sides. Ultimately, the mercenaries lose in this battle, but not without heavy violence and bloodshed and the death of many other Thieves. All of this forces Lord Aslan to crack down heavily, with guards and militia prowling the streets to quell the violence.

This cause resentment and dissidence in many, kicking off a minor class war. The Thieves fan the flames to provide distraction as they regroup, drawing new members into their fold from the rebelling lower classes. Eventually, the affair comes to a head with an attempted coup against Lord Aslan amidst the rioting. The coup fails. Outstanding radicals are publicly executed. Status quo returns steadily, though Thieves continue to be treated much more harshly... And the political climate of Ilyamen means that any who seem likely to start the bloody affair all over again tend to disappear in the night.

[Kender Bard]

Fall of the Forces

The Forces continue to gift, unchecked and unpunished

The Forces were allowed to lavishly spoil the world with increasingly powerful gifts, turning it from a friendly competition to hostilely aggressive warfare. Devout followers (and sometimes random individuals) were given gifts and blessings with instruction or encouragement to use the power on an enemy faction. War begins to brew in the heavens, played out on the mortal realm as if it were a great game board. The violence is compounded as blessed individuals sometimes went "rogue" from divine plans, either seeking to disrupt the warfare, making grabs at power, or any other personal agenda.

Eventually, the Forces tired of their fighting and realized too late that what was so easy to put into motion was much more difficult to halt. The Forces were forced to to intervene directly to bring mortal fighting to an end. Their 'game' cost a great deal of mortal life and changed the political landscape of several nations irrepairably.

OR

The Forces fail retrieval (or: Efil starts a trend)

Limited to mortal bodies and mortal powers, the Forces try but fail to recover their artifacts. they remain land bound for several years. During this time, most of the Forces develop various relationships to mortals. When Etaf finally calls them back to home, forgiven, the Forces protest. In order to compromise and keep the heavens from remaining empty, each Force is permitted to make a mortal avatar to live on in their place. These avatars respond differently to their situation. Efil's rebels against her, as does Soahc's. Thuoth's grows somewhat depressed at the loss of all knowledge and becomes a manically obsessive scholar. Worg's reacts similarly, shunning Worg as a perfect being in order to further grow a as a mortal. Taed's is the only one that seems to get along comfortably and still maintain a good relation with his divine source.