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Description

When the Church of Divine Wealth began to crumble, and war within its ranks broke out, it was the beginning of madness for the land. An age of prosperity had come to an end, and the consequences of countless actions in the sake of taking and keeping were now coming to light. Dwindling resources, drained lands and systems meant to bring peace and plenty now turned against all. The internal war spilled out onto the lands, destroying the defenses and laws that kept order, and ringing the dinner bell for all the carnivores and scavengers to come to feed. Violence and insanity are commonplace now, and those who survive the endless torment struggle to keep alive and hopeful. From the ashes and chaos has arisen many a monstrosity, like the Arimakki who run rampant in the lands. Another horror that has revealed itself claws its way back from the cycle. One whose very presence terrifies those who still cling to their faith.

It was around when the madness started that these creatures came to light. Horribly mangled things, bodies an amalgamation of dripping flesh and useless limbs. They were patchworks of life, chewed up and spat out into some unholy wad of tortured meat. It comes to no surprise that they have been dubbed the Grotesques, for their very appearance invokes disgust in the masses. They are things that are reborn from the cycle, but have come back all wrong. Whatever process that was meant to take one's fluids and reshape it into a new form for their new life has been corrupted. The sculptor has gone blind and sick, and these mangled creatures are the artwork that comes from their hands now. These are souls born as horrid amalgamations now, bodies slapped together with numerous other fluids from other sources, creating something unholy and unwanted. The Grotesques are truly vile, and it seems even they are repulsed by their own forms. Their flesh is soggy and soft, their limbs struggling to support their forms. Teeth, claw and horn may be upon them for protection, but there is no telling if they are even in places for one to properly use them. Just by looking at a Grotesque, you will see something that struggles to live, their movements clumsy and tired, their breathing labored and wet. They are in misery and pain, and this terrible state has driven many to anger and mindless violence. Crazed malformed beasts that lash out at those who dare get close.

Some would say that they are creatures that beg for death, but sadly it seems it cannot be an escape for them anymore. For many, death is like a long slumber, where you are returned to the cycle and returned some time later in a new form and life. Those who suffer in this war may even pray for it, as they hope they may die and reawaken in a better age. The Grotesques get no such comfort, as it seems their affliction is a permanent one. Those who perish as a Grotesque return as one, there is no escaping it. These are tormented souls, through and through, doomed to be demons and monstrosities who haunt this world.

To the Church, the Grotesque are abominations to be slain and burned, their vile forms utterly destroyed. They point to these wicked creatures and preach of how these horrors are embodiments of sin and failure. This is a punishment from the world itself, condemning humanity for its cruelty and failures. Those whose fluids are steeped in sin and sent back to the cycle will be punished with this pathetic form, and brought back to terrorize the rest of humanity. These creatures are born from man's crimes and violence, and the Church is quick to see them cleansed. Most folk agree with the Church, as they despise these wretched creatures, and kill them whenever they show their ugly faces. Destroy the monsters and burn the sin, that is the only way for humanity to be absolved of their faults.

Yet, if one were to pause in their execution, and seek these creatures with the intention of peace, they may find something different beneath that malformed flesh. While some may have been driven mad by their failed resurrection, others still cling to some kind of mind and wit. Despite their looks, they still live lives and seek existence, as Grotesques band together to form communities. Even in their horrid shape, they find a way forward, a way to continue on. Things are not perfect, but they try to eek out some kind of life from all the madness. If the hunters were not so quick in their killings, so deaf to the words of their "enemy," they would find plenty of Grotesques pleading for mercy and their lives. So many who flee instead of fight, who cower in fear despite their status as "demons." Man isn't the only creature in this world that seeks to survive the madness, but they may be uncaring to the plights of those who are unlike them.

It is strange, how the Church claims that the Grotesques are punishments against humanity for its violence and hatred, and yet their path for absolution is carved with cruelty. Would not compassion be the way forward, would kindness not be the answer to the creatures born from anger? Who looks down upon the weak and helpless, and finds purpose in punishing them for it? But alas, it is an age of war and madness, and there are many who dare not think too hard on their own actions...

Description

When the Church of Divine Wealth began to crumble, and war within its ranks broke out, it was the beginning of madness for the land. An age of prosperity had come to an end, and the consequences of countless actions in the sake of taking and keeping were now coming to light. Dwindling resources, drained lands and systems meant to bring peace and plenty now turned against all. The internal war spilled out onto the lands, destroying the defenses and laws that kept order, and ringing the dinner bell for all the carnivores and scavengers to come to feed. Violence and insanity are commonplace now, and those who survive the endless torment struggle to keep alive and hopeful. From the ashes and chaos has arisen many a monstrosity, like the Arimakki who run rampant in the lands. Another horror that has revealed itself claws its way back from the cycle. One whose very presence terrifies those who still cling to their faith.

It was around when the madness started that these creatures came to light. Horribly mangled things, bodies an amalgamation of dripping flesh and useless limbs. They were patchworks of life, chewed up and spat out into some unholy wad of tortured meat. It comes to no surprise that they have been dubbed the Grotesques, for their very appearance invokes disgust in the masses. They are things that are reborn from the cycle, but have come back all wrong. Whatever process that was meant to take one's fluids and reshape it into a new form for their new life has been corrupted. The sculptor has gone blind and sick, and these mangled creatures are the artwork that comes from their hands now. These are souls born as horrid amalgamations now, bodies slapped together with numerous other fluids from other sources, creating something unholy and unwanted. The Grotesques are truly vile, and it seems even they are repulsed by their own forms. Their flesh is soggy and soft, their limbs struggling to support their forms. Teeth, claw and horn may be upon them for protection, but there is no telling if they are even in places for one to properly use them. Just by looking at a Grotesque, you will see something that struggles to live, their movements clumsy and tired, their breathing labored and wet. They are in misery and pain, and this terrible state has driven many to anger and mindless violence. Crazed malformed beasts that lash out at those who dare get close.

Some would say that they are creatures that beg for death, but sadly it seems it cannot be an escape for them anymore. For many, death is like a long slumber, where you are returned to the cycle and returned some time later in a new form and life. Those who suffer in this war may even pray for it, as they hope they may die and reawaken in a better age. The Grotesques get no such comfort, as it seems their affliction is a permanent one. Those who perish as a Grotesque return as one, there is no escaping it. These are tormented souls, through and through, doomed to be demons and monstrosities who haunt this world.

To the Church, the Grotesque are abominations to be slain and burned, their vile forms utterly destroyed. They point to these wicked creatures and preach of how these horrors are embodiments of sin and failure. This is a punishment from the world itself, condemning humanity for its cruelty and failures. Those whose fluids are steeped in sin and sent back to the cycle will be punished with this pathetic form, and brought back to terrorize the rest of humanity. These creatures are born from man's crimes and violence, and the Church is quick to see them cleansed. Most folk agree with the Church, as they despise these wretched creatures, and kill them whenever they show their ugly faces. Destroy the monsters and burn the sin, that is the only way for humanity to be absolved of their faults.

Yet, if one were to pause in their execution, and seek these creatures with the intention of peace, they may find something different beneath that malformed flesh. While some may have been driven mad by their failed resurrection, others still cling to some kind of mind and wit. Despite their looks, they still live lives and seek existence, as Grotesques band together to form communities. Even in their horrid shape, they find a way forward, a way to continue on. Things are not perfect, but they try to eek out some kind of life from all the madness. If the hunters were not so quick in their killings, so deaf to the words of their "enemy," they would find plenty of Grotesques pleading for mercy and their lives. So many who flee instead of fight, who cower in fear despite their status as "demons." Man isn't the only creature in this world that seeks to survive the madness, but they may be uncaring to the plights of those who are unlike them.

It is strange, how the Church claims that the Grotesques are punishments against humanity for its violence and hatred, and yet their path for absolution is carved with cruelty. Would not compassion be the way forward, would kindness not be the answer to the creatures born from anger? Who looks down upon the weak and helpless, and finds purpose in punishing them for it? But alas, it is an age of war and madness, and there are many who dare not think too hard on their own actions...