The Millions-Upon-Millions
The Millions-Upon-Millions (The Many-Legged Worm, The Omnipede, formerly known as The Cycle) is the Twenty-First Hour of the Fansus, created by Will. Its aspects are Heart, Winter, and Grail. The Omnipede presides over life, death and rebirth; reincarnation and decomposition. It is nature embodied in a swarm of insects; consuming the Dead so that the living may thrive in their place. It is the Cycle that will not, will not, will not end.
| The Millions-Upon-Millions | |
|---|---|
 | |
| "We call upon the Millions-Upon-Millions, who feasted upon its own remains." | |
| Origin | Stone |
| Titles |
The Millions-Upon-Millions The Many-Legged Worm The Omnipede |
| Names |
Unas, the Gatekeeper Nito, the Mother of Lions |
| Aspects |
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| Date of arrival | Always And Never |
| Owner(s) | Will |
Its Tarot card is The World.
Contents
Description
History
Once there were the Gods-from-Stone. When they were slain, so too was the Millions-Upon-Millions. But as long as there is life, the Cycle continues anew. The Millions-Upon-Millions feasted on itself, and gave birth to itself. Thus it escaped Nowhere, and found itself trapped in a prison.
Appearance
True to its name, the Millions-Upon-Millions manifests as an unending swarm of scavengers, blanketing the floor of the Wood. It might also appear as a great millipede, its legs beyond counting or reason.
Principles
Grail, for blood and birth. Winter, for death and ultimate endings. Heart, so that the Cycle may never cease. The Many-Legged Worm stands alongside the Solemn and Abbess Sunset as an Hour associated with the Dead. The Millions-Upon-Millions takes the body, the Sun-Eyed Maiden the Soul, and at last the Gravedigger preserves the memories left behind.
Worship
Cult
To those aware only of the Millions-Upon-Millions's nature as a god of death, the myriad of cults devoted to it must seem strange indeed. They are for the most part cheerful places, with little of the grim solemnity often associated with chthonic cults. But the Many-Legged Worm is also a god of life and rebirth, and so its worshipers do not fear dying and do not overly mourn the departed.
Common rites include eating the dead, whether literally or symbolically; and self-cannibalism, also sometimes in symbol only.
Mark
- Temptation: X:
- Dedication: X:
- Ascension: X:
- Ascension: X:
- Ascension: X:
- Ascension: X:
Servants
Unas, the Gatekeeper
Those who wish to enter the dominion of the Many-Legged Worm must first pass Unas. Once a mighty king, he codified funerary rites and earned the favour of the Cycle. Now he is the implacable guardian of the Dead. Unas is Knock and Winter.
Nito, the Mother of Lions
The living may be able to defend themselves, and Abbess Sunset and Unas guard the Dead. But who defends those yet to be born? Nito is their protector. The sister of Unas and Queen in her own right, she earned the Cycle's favour with her mastery of life and birth. Nito is Heart and Edge.
Locations
The Fansus
The Ossuary
A prison within a prison. Guarded with the strongest wards and deadliest curses the Omnipede could create, the Ossuary is where those it judges to have zero worth or redeeming qualities are sealed away. Even the Gravedigger is forbidden from entering here, and those that do not heed the warnings carved into its walls will soon learn to regret it.
The Histories
FNORD
Items
Tools
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Ingredients
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Influences
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Books
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Rites
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About the Wassail
How They Feel
Who They Blame
What They Hide
Relationships
- The Piper:
- The Firstborn: "Arrogant child. You must learn your place, or suffer."
- The Weft: "..."
- The Distinguished: "Child of the river, your sacrifice will bring you honour and fortune. I will ensure it."
- The Prince Consort:
- The Warp: "..."
- The Hill Queen: "Stop being so selfish. And stop scaring the Gravedigger."
- The Captain: "Voyager, traveler, friend."
- The Instinct:
- The Solemn: "Oh best beloved of those I call my children , your service does you credit. Am I worthy of your respect?"
- Brother Grimalkin: "Don't play with your food. If not for your brother, my patience would have ended long ago."
- Abbess Sunset: "Daughter! Stern and just, you are someone to be treasured."
- The Skinner Box: "... no. You are worse than the Eye could ever be."
- The Cantharide: "You idiot..."
- The Stillwater: "Sends a shiver down my spines."
- The Heart-Felt Fantasy:
- The Gilded Insect: "Arsehole."
- The Mechanism: "What are you? You were never alive."
- The Dongolopticon: "Old friend. Your time came long ago. Come to me when you tire of your pleasures."
- The World-Carver: "Your artistry is to be respected, but you do it only for yourself."
- The Eye: "No."
- The Remnants: "End your stagnant cycle. And give me back my leg!"
- The Millions-Upon-Millions: See: The Cycle
- [[]]:
- The Blight Abiding: "I hate having to mind-wipe newborn souls. Stop making me do it."
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- The Stillborn: "Why can't people just stay dead?"