Deep within the forests and in the far reaches of the world, there were creatures that defied the laws of traditional biological classification. These beings were known as intelligent beasts, and they possessed a unique blend of animalistic traits and advanced cognitive abilities.

The Icebird, griffins, and even some unicorns are among the most famous of these creatures, and their intelligence levels surpassed that of any known animal species. They displayed remarkable reasoning, communication, and problem-solving skills, yet their social structures remained rudimentary, with pack behaviour and reliance on instinctual behaviour.

In stark contrast to the intelligent beasts, the "civilized" races of the world, such as elves, dwarves, and humans, had developed complex societies, cultures, and social structures. These humanoid beings possessed advanced technology, magic, and knowledge, and their societies were governed by complex systems of laws.

The relationship between the two groups was often fraught with tension, with the "civilized" races viewing the intelligent beasts as little more than primitive animals. However, some among the "civilized" recognized the intelligence and potential of the beasts and formed alliances with them.

These alliances were tenuous, as the two groups were vastly different in their social organization and behaviour. Nonetheless, they managed to coexist, with the intelligent beasts serving as companions, mounts, and guardians to the "civilized" races.

In this world of magic and wonder, the existence of these intelligent beasts posed a significant challenge to traditional biological classifications. The complex cognitive abilities of these creatures begged the question: What exactly constitutes intelligence, and how does it differ from mere animalistic behaviour?

Thus, the coexistence of these two groups opened up new avenues for scientific inquiry, challenging traditional notions of intelligence and the nature of being.

~An excerpt from CIVILIZED by Professor A. R. Elwynn.

World Location: A Mid-trunk Bough > Bashiri's Inner World

AVATAR CREATION
1513 IF 5600:00

As the gentle breeze caressed his face, Bashiri couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. With his head held high and a regal demeanour, he gracefully turned and disappeared into the verdant shadows of the towering trees that surrounded him. The rustling of leaves echoed his every step as his luxurious golden robes swayed in the wind, adding a touch of majesty to his already commanding presence. Despite the apparent ease with which he accomplished his task, Bashiri's immense power and capabilities were unimaginable to most. As he walked deeper into the forest, Bashiri knew that his work was far from done, and he relished the opportunity to continue on his path of greatness.

As Bashiri walked towards the trunk of the Tree of Creation, his golden robes fluttered in the wind behind him, and the world seemed to warp and change in his wake. He was a being of immense power, a god among gods, and with every step he took, space and time seemed to bend and twist to his will.

As Bashiri made his way towards the majestic trunk of the Tree of Creation, his every movement was a sight to behold. His golden robes flowed behind him in a mesmerizing dance, a shimmering trail that caught the light and dazzled the eyes of those who dared to look upon him. It was as if he was a force of nature within his own world, a being beyond mortal comprehension, with a power that eclipsed the gods themselves.

As he strode forward with purpose, the very fabric of reality seemed to bend and twist to his will. Space and time warped in his wake, creating ripples that spread outwards into the expanse of his inner world. It was a testament to his incredible strength and boundless potential, a testament that few could ever hope to match.

Bashiri's every step was like a thunderous drumbeat, heralding his arrival and signalling his mastery over all things. He was a being of unimaginable power, a deity in his own right, and his world trembled beneath his feet. For as long as he lived, his legend would endure, a testament to the unbridled might and limitless potential of the truly extraordinary.

As he walked, Bashiri couldn't help but think about what he had just done to the eggs. By placing his hand on the largest one, he had injected some of his aether into it, giving it a blessing that would last for generations. It was a powerful act, and one that would make all who hatched from those eggs and every descendant who followed know innately that he was the creator god, and they would worship and revere him for all time.

With each step, Bashiri couldn't help but think about what he had just completed. By placing his hand upon the largest egg, he had imbued it with some of his aether, infusing it with a divine blessing that would reverberate throughout the ages. It was an act of immense power and anointing, one that would forever mark him as the creator god, the bringer of life and the sustainer of all that existed.

As he walked, Bashiri knew that every generation that hatched from those blessed eggs and all their descendants would be touched by his divine grace, instinctively knowing that he was the source of their being and the one they must always revere and worship. And as he walked into the distance, his golden robes fluttering behind him, he knew that his legacy would endure for all eternity.

But Bashiri knew that he couldn't leave his work to chance. He had to set up an avatar to collect any faith that was given to the beings he had created and store it until he could use it. He didn't want his work to go to waste, and he knew that this was the best way to ensure that it didn't.

As Bashiri approached the towering trunk of the Tree of Creation, he couldn't help but marvel at its sheer size and majesty. The ancient bark seemed to stretch endlessly towards the heavens, as if reaching out to the gods themselves. Yet, despite its impressive stature, Bashiri seemed to dwarf it with his mere presence.

With each step he took, his golden robes fluttered in the breeze, as if signalling to the world that a being of immense power had arrived. The very air around him seemed to ripple and shift, as though struggling to contain the overwhelming aura that surrounded him.

As he surveyed the world around him, Bashiri couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. Despite having created this world, he always loved to appreciate the sheer beauty and complexity of it all. And standing there, at the base of the Tree of Creation, he knew that this was the perfect place to set up his avatar.

As he gazed up at the towering trunk, Bashiri felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. This world was his, and he was its god. And with his avatars, he would be able to reap benefits from it for generations to come.

With a flick of his wrist, Bashiri summoned his aether, and reality bent to his will. The air around him shimmered and crackled with raw energy as he effortlessly channelled his immense power.

The ground beneath his feet trembled as he unleashed a wave of force that sent shockwaves rippling through the very fabric of the universe. It was as though the laws of nature themselves were mere suggestions to him, easily bent and twisted to his whims.

With a satisfied smile, Bashiri gazed out at the transformed tree trunk, suffused with a radiant glow. The sun seemed to shine brighter than ever before, as though it were basking in the warm embrace of his aether. It was a reminder to all who witnessed it of his incomparable power, a testament to the depths of his godly abilities.

NEW CREATURES HATCHING
1513 IF 5600:00 > 1512 IF 5601:00

Niloggver and Elyon stood in awe as they looked at the twelve opaque green eggs in front of them. The eggs were about the size of a human and had intricate patterns etched on their surface. Niloggver turned to Elyon and explained to her how to inject her aether into the eggs. He showed her where to place her hands and how to focus her energy so that it would flow into the eggs. Elyon watched carefully, absorbing every detail of the process.

When Niloggver was finished, he stepped back and gestured for Elyon to take her turn. Elyon hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit nervous about injecting her own aether into the eggs. But she trusted Niloggver and knew that this was an important task. She placed her hands on the first egg and focused her energy, just as Niloggver had shown her. She felt a tingling sensation in her palms as her aether flowed into the egg.

Niloggver and Elyon continued to work their way through the eggs, injecting their aether into each one. As they worked, they noticed that the eggs began to vibrate slightly. It was a subtle movement at first, but it grew more intense with each passing moment. Niloggver and Elyon stepped back, watching in anticipation as the eggs started to crack apart.

Niloggver and Elyon stared in awe as the eggs slowly cracked apart, revealing the creatures that were hidden within. The first egg, the largest of the twelve, was the first to hatch. As the egg split apart, a female head emerged from within, followed by a pair of shoulders and a torso. The creature stood tall and imposing, with a muscular and athletic build that exuded power and strength. Its skin was tough and durable, providing protection against physical attacks.

The creature's sharp, angular features and piercing gaze lent it an otherworldly and intimidating presence. Two short, slightly curved but straight horns protruded from its forehead, giving it an even more fearsome and imposing appearance. The creature's most striking feature was its pointed ears, which were long and tapered, giving it an elf-like appearance. Its eyes were large and intense, seeming to glow with an inner fire, reflecting its deep connection to the aether. Elyon stepped back and watched in awe as the creature began to explore its surroundings.

Niloggver, having fulfilled his role in the hatching process, took flight and quickly flew off into the distance, leaving Elyon alone with the newly-hatched creatures. As he flew away, he called back to Elyon, "I'll leave the rest to you!"

As Niloggver's laughter faded into the distance, Elyon finally had a chance to observe these new creations up close.

Elyon watched as the rest of the eggs cracked open, revealing more of the creatures. Each one had its own unique features, such as hair and eye colour and slightly different proportions. Elyon marvelled at the beauty and complexity of the creatures. She knew that they would need her help and guidance as they navigated this new world, and she was ready to provide it.

The creatures were breathtakingly beautiful, with an imposing presence that commanded respect and awe. Despite their fearsome appearance, they possessed a grace and elegance that belied their raw power. Their movements were fluid and graceful, and they seemed to glide effortlessly across the terrain.

Elyon was struck by the sheer magnitude of what Niloggver had created. These creatures were intelligent life forms, like Elyon and Niloggver, with incredible potential for her lands.

Elyon stood at the edge of the clearing, watching as the newborn creatures stretched their limbs and took their first tentative steps. The clearing was a small oasis in the midst of a vast and untamed wilderness, and Elyon knew that these creatures would need all the help they could get to survive and thrive in this new world.

As she looked on, Elyon felt a sense of wonder and excitement coursing through her. She had always been fascinated by the process of creation, and watching these creatures come to life was a profound and exhilarating experience.

But even as she felt the thrill of creation, Elyon couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern. These creatures were vulnerable, tiny things that could be crushed by a misstep or swallowed by a predator. They would need guidance and protection if they were to have any chance of surviving in this harsh and unforgiving world.

Taking a deep breath, Elyon stepped forward, her feet sinking into the soft soil of the clearing. She looked around, taking in the trees and rocks, the streams and the flowers, and with a burst of energy from the Tree of Creation, she transformed the eggshells into twelve separate sets of clothes and tools, each one customized to the creature it gave birth to.

Elyon's eyes sparkled with delight as she examined the clothes and tools. The weapons were sleek and deadly, designed to fit comfortably in the creatures' hands. The clothes were made from a special fabric that stretched and adjusted to their powerful frames, providing protection and warmth as needed.

As she worked, Elyon could feel the eyes of the creatures watching her. They seemed curious and eager to learn, and she knew that it was time to take the next step.

With a gentle call that echoed in the minds of the creatures, Elyon beckoned them to come closer. One by one, they approached her, their movements graceful and fluid. Elyon smiled, feeling a sense of pride as she began to inject basic knowledge into their minds using her aether.

Elyon felt a sense of responsibility as she infused the creatures with knowledge that would help them survive and thrive in their new environment. She carefully used her aether to impart valuable skills and techniques that would enable the creatures to find food and shelter, using the natural resources around them. Elyon knew that the harsh, unforgiving world they found themselves in required a high level of adaptability and resourcefulness, so she made sure to teach them basic aether cultivation techniques.

As the creatures absorbed the knowledge, Elyon could see the glint of understanding in their eyes. She knew that she was making a real difference, empowering them to live independently and flourish in their new surroundings. She also taught them how to hunt, giving them the skills and techniques needed to capture prey, and how to do so in a way that respected the balance of nature.

But perhaps the most important gift that Elyon gave to the creatures was the ability to communicate. She shared with them a common language, so that they could better understand one another and work together towards common goals. This allowed them to share knowledge and ideas, and to form communities and alliances, forging a bond of camaraderie and trust that would help them navigate the challenges of this new world.

Elyon took great care to ensure that the knowledge she imparted was tailored to the unique needs and abilities of each creature. She knew that they were all different, with their own strengths and weaknesses, and she made sure to empower them in ways that would bring out their full potential.

As she finished imparting her knowledge, Elyon looked out at the creatures with pride and satisfaction. She knew that they were now equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to not only survive, but to thrive and flourish in their new world.

Elyon watched as the creatures put on their newly created clothes and picked up their weapons and tools. They seemed to sense the power and potential within themselves, and Elyon felt a surge of hope and joy in her heart.

As each creature donned their custom-fitted clothes and gripped their newly forged weapons and tools, Elyon couldn't help but marvel at the way they seemed to come alive before her very eyes. It was as if each one was awakening to their own unique potential, and she knew that they were destined for greatness.

She watched as they tested the weight and balance of their weapons, their movements fluid and graceful. They seemed to have an innate understanding of how to wield them, as if they were an extension of their own bodies. Elyon felt a deep sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that she had given them the means to defend themselves and thrive in this new world.

As Elyon soared through the air, the wind whistled past her ears and the sun shone brightly on her face. She looked down at the creatures below, now equipped with the knowledge and tools to thrive in their new environment. They looked up at her with wonder and gratitude, their eyes reflecting the light of the Tree of Creation.

Elyon felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, knowing that her work had helped to shape the future of this world. She had given these creatures a fighting chance, and now it was up to them to make the most of their newfound knowledge and strength.

As she reached the top of the tree, Elyon perched on one of its highest branches, looking out over the horizon. From up here, she could see for miles in every direction, and she knew that her creations would spread out and explore the world she had helped to create.

As she gazed out over the landscape, Elyon felt a sense of peace and contentment. She had fulfilled her duty as a creator, and now it was time to rest and observe as her creations thrived and grew. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, and let out a contented sigh. It was good to be alive, and even better to be a part of something so beautiful and magical.

In the days and months to come Elyon would see them using the knowledge she had given them to forage for food and find shelter. She will sometimes watch as they used their newfound hunting skills to take down prey and their cultivation techniques to gather aether and strength themselves. The sight will be a beautiful sight to behold, and will watch over them as they work on their path to becoming a thriving community.

As the creatures communicate with one another, Elyon will feel her heart swell with joy. The language she had shared with them flowed effortlessly from their tongues, and she will see that they were beginning to form bonds and connections with one another. It will be a powerful moment for her even though she already knew that she had given them the greatest gift of all: the ability to connect and understand one another.

In those first days and years, as she watches them go about their business, Elyon will feel a sense of peace settle over her. She'll know that she did everything in her power to help them thrive, and she trusts that they would continue to grow and evolve in this new world.

But this is a story for another time and maybe best told from another perspective.