Save the world! ~ A fantasy rpg OOC ! open !

[Agta]

BE WARNED: There's a heck of a lot to read down there. No don't look down just yet! Ack, what did I tell you?! Pick your topic wisely, otherwise you might throw fits because of the sheer volume of text. I don't expect you to know it all.

This is a tale about a fantastic world. But it’s a world in peril. Paraphonia’s drum is faltering. It’s natural rhythm wavers. It is an universal truth. Sooth-sayers, scryers, shamans and their likes agree on one fact: the world as we know it is about to end. Tidal waves hit coastal townships, dormant vulcanoes erupt unannounced, and other stranger events plague Paraphonia’s lands. Still, the clearvoyant's visions and dreams also see a sliver of hope. With wisemen from every species, holy elders from every tribe and every drooling town-fool pointing in the same direction, surely hope can be found there.

All fingers point to the hidden temple of some fossilized, long gone cult. Now representatives of the world’s nations, nobles of it’s kingdoms and renowned heroes of all species converge on the location of this Temple of Pukar - as are less savoury types. You will be amongst them. You will be there when it is discovered how this magical world can be saved.

Already you’ve been convinced, tempted, blackmailed or forced to leave the comfort - or in most pc’s cases discomfort (what’s up with that anyhow?) - of your home. With others around you, you await what happens next. Orcs, dwarves, elves, humans, syrens; all have set aside their differences and come to this far away place to save their world, to save their lives.

A slow, ponderous drum sets the pace of this world. Roughly every fifteen minutes a deep, heavy bass shivers the world. Not everyone hears, or feels it, but it is the steady heartbeat of Paraphonia. Paraphonia is a world of diversity. High reaches claimed by winged elves, dark grottos with festive dwarves, deep seas harbouring alluring syrens, dark forests housing thumping orcs, and rolling savannas with trampling minotaurs, are all part of this.

The rhythm of the world is heard and felt by a lucky few. People who do hear the low, humming drum are the mages of Paraphonia - often named Ohren (hearers). Wielding instruments, they can use the world’s natural rhythm to do wondrous deeds. High level wielders don’t need the actual instrument in their hands. They can create a mental picture, which - when manipulated in the same way as an actual instrument - yields the same magical results.

Then there are those who feel the melody of Paraphonia. As the sense of touch is more physical than mere hearing, the - so called - Erphari (feelers) are the best martial artists of the world. The different fighting styles are based on dances. Some are wild and aggressive, some lightfooted and frivolous, but all lethal when executed in the right way.

As far as species go, they’re linked to certain - preferred - instruments. As the wordly rhythm governs Paraphonia, it’s magic shapes the people on her. This however doesn’t mean, a certain kind of magic is limited to the linked species.

Issagelos ~ Sky-Elves
This is the species of winged elves which lives in the high mountains of Paraphonia. Their wings are birdlike in appearance.

Physical characteristics

Life expectancy: 200 - 300 years.
Average height: 1.90 - 2.30 m. / 6’3” - 7’6”.
Average weight: 65 - 110 kg / 140 - 240 lbs.
Reigning skin tone: snow white - sandy yellow.
Reigning hair colour: bright blond - light brown.
Reigning eye colour: blue and green.
Defining features: feathered wings, pointed ears, slanted eyes, slender physique.

Description
With wings mindful of the great spans of eagles, they rather look like the archetypical angel. The width is of course larger than an eagle’s, as these aerial enhancements have to wing around the elf’s tall body. A rule of thumb is that the elf’s span equals the elf’s height. Any larger isn’t necessary as an Issagelo’s bones are hollow. It’s skeleton is covered in tight, cable like muscles and a bleak, colourless skin. Not many Sky-elves are obese, as the energy needed to send them airborne quickly burns most of their consumed calories. An elf at lunch is a mindblowing experience, as it stuffs away huge quantities of food at an astonishing speed. Only members of the Order - with their wings pinioned - amass a layer of fat.

As far as their facial features go, they always seem to wear a lofty, regal expression. The slanted eyes, and bleak skin tone are mainly to blame for this. Their faces always seem to express a sense of superiority. Which does concur with their ideas.

Behaviour
The Issagelos - or Sky-elves as other species call them - are a rather secretive lot. Their main cities are high up in the mountains of the world. It is very hard to reach any of their roosts. This isolation is purposefully chosen, as they move in a more moderate rate through life than most other species. With a life span of up to three hundred years, they outlive most of the ‘minor’ species around them.

This habit of dissociation makes them a tough people to be around. They tend to be self centered and aloof, oblivious to the world around them. If one encounters an Issagelo, it usually has chosen a high perch, satisfying itself by observing the world.

Form of Government
Queen Phenya-Arkela rules her people with a firm hand. Especially after the death of her late husband she frosted over. Although she’s only eighty years of age, she manages to keep her kingdom together. She is a determined young elf. Plain determination wouldn’t have been enough though to keep contenders at bay. With an uncanny control of the high arts of magic, she is a force to be reckoned with. Issagelos value a bright mind, a strategical mind above all, and Phenya-Arkela boasts such a rare thing. This makes her the highly respected leader of country and army.

Religion
The main religion amongst the Issagelos is the church of Egmenos. He is the deity of air, of reason, strategy and longevity, his sign is an intricately carved flute. The ultimate expression of allegiance to this lord is the pinioning of one’s wings. Pinioning is the act of surgically removing the pinion joint, the joint of the wing farthest from the body, to prevent flight. The Order of Egmenos - the largest religious faction - disfigures themself in this way. They reason that the exhilerating experience of flight only prevents them from gaining deep insights and true wisdom. As these lofty ideas appeal to most of the Sky-elves, the Order of Egmenos has grown out to a powerful faction in Issagelos society. Temples, schools, unversities and the Royal Military Academy are devoted to the God of Reason, and ruled by the Order.

In reaction to the dry, lifeless rule of reason some of the Issagelos turn towards another deity. Some of them, who feel the hot rush of blood from time to time, prefer to offer to Lagneya. She is the complete opposite of Egmenos. Lust, seduction and pleasure are her domain. The elves worshiping her, usually do this behind barred doors and closed shutters. Within the Issagelos society, Lagneya’s morales - or the lack thereof - are frowned upon. Not many of the elven will admit in public that they put lust before reason. Typically Lagneya’s shrines are small and intimate, with in it’s centre the relative crude panpipes.

Main city
Akross is the capital of the kingdom. This is where the Royal Palace - the Grand Guparion - towers over the already towering city. As stairs are no necessity in Akross most buildings boast at least five floors. The chief building material is wood. Because of their relative fragile nature, the Issagelos have developed a building tradition stooled on the usage of young sapplings and small to medium sized branches. An ingenious way of pinning and braiding them together results in an architecture reminiscent of the nests of birds. Except that eleborate and creative geometrical patterns adorn the houses.

Only four buildings in the whole of Akross are stone-built. The Grand Guparion, the Royal Military Academy - Strateios Akademeia, the Principal Library and Egmenoyon, the main church of Egmenos’ Order.

Military
As all the Sky-elves are equiped with wings, they tend to be a formidable force. The primary weapon of the army are bows. Bows in all kinds and sizes. The composite bow is the favorite amongst them all, because it’s relative small size. A few repeating crossbows are in use, but they can only be wielded by the more bulkier conscripts. When the bows advantage is exhausted, an Issagelos warrior tends to grab his short stabbing spear. It offers them the range to keep them out of harms way and the potential to inflict lethal wounds.

The species’ physical disadvantage is more than compensated by their innate magical nature. Most, up to 85 percent, of the Sky-elves can command some measure of magic. They’re especially adept at wind-instruments. Their main deity of course is the patron of this school, but their own intimate knowledge of air-flows, wind currents, whirls and swirls mainly explains their natural knack for it. A large portion of the standing army consists of well trained battlemages.

Issagelos' preferred magic
The winged Elves, themselves masters of winds and aircurrents, are the grand masters of wind-magic. With their intimate knowledge of the winds, they are also very adept at using the wind from their lungs to demand high magic from their flutes. Their - to other species - alien tunes resemble the elaborate twitters and songs of birds.

Konops ~ Dark Elves
This is the subspecies of winged elves who dwell near swamps, dark woods and moist jungles. Their wings are insectoid in appearance.

Physical characteristics

Life expectancy: 140 - 200 years.
Average height: 1.45 - 1.70 m. / 4’9” - 5’7”.
Average weight: 35 - 65 kg / 75 - 145 lbs.
Reigning skin tone: snow white - coal black.
Reigning hair colour: blond - deep black.
Reigning eye colour: green - brown.
Defining features: insectoid wings, big pointed ears, big round eyes, slender physique.

Description
Dark elves, getting their nickname from their preference for the darkness, look like their taller relatives, except that the wings sprouting from their backs are insectoid. This term encompasses a wide range of wing shapes. From the luscious, wild patterns of butterflies to the plain translucence of bees wings, and the scaly toughness of beetle wings almost anything is possible. Actually this species - or perhaps subspecies - is an anomaly.

One thing they have in common is the fact that all their wings come in quartets. Four of them flutter around on their backs. This does mean that the span is less than that of their angelic counterparts. They measure to about two-thirds of the elf’s body height, which improves the Konops maneuverability greatly. In accordance with the Issagelos, their bones are hollow as well, bound together by cable-like muscles.

With prominent round eyes, the dark elf usually wears an expression of innocence, like that of any big eyed baby. Paired up with their relative small size they come over as cute, naive creatures. This could be a serious misconception as there are rotten apples amongst them, like in any species.

Behaviour
Shy is how dark elves can be described. Of course their preference for darkness adds to this notion. Although they have an almost childlike curiosity, they tend to keep their distance. If their inquisitiveness is tickled enough, however, a Konop might flutter in and out to take a sneak peek.

When you enrage one, it’s unlikely to forgive and forget. They’re usually very vindictive and tenacious. It will trail you, waiting for the right moment to avenge any insult. Holding a grudge is something they’ve developed into an art. For this a whole set of rigid rituals exists in Konop society. Often their pride is the only thing they have, and they’ll defend it to the death, theirs or yours.

Form of Government
Non-existent. These elves live in small, hidden communities, with a village elder as leader. Usually male, he tends to be more of a wise man, than a political leader.

Religion
As the deity of night and darkness, Sundius is the god of choice amongst the Konops. He also champions stealth and deception, which are not widely known aspects of this god. Amongst the dark elves not a few follow the path of stealth and deception. Their build makes them particular suitable for a career as thief, or assassin.

Lukhni is another deity which takes a place of pride in the Konops’ villages. She is the godess of remembrance, of ritual and memory. With their lack of an extensive and concrete history, they value the nearby history even more. A lot of their daily routines are laid down in extensive - mostentimes tiresome - rituals. The simple act of greeting can be played out in several, stringent rites. In many a village the symbol of the godess Lukhni - the pine tree - has a proud place.

Military
As there isn’t a true Konop-nation, there is no need for a standing army. A lot of nations do use their unique skills however. Doing their dark jobs, they tend to wield all weapons at hand. They have a preference for dirks, throwing knives and foils or épées. Basically anything that can be used as a stabbing device.

Konops' preferred magic
These Elves are also masters of winds and aircurrents, and thus grand masters of wind-magic. With their intimate knowledge of the winds, they are also very adept at using the wind from their lungs to demand high magic from their flutes. Their - to other species - alien tunes resemble the elaborate twitters and tjirps of insects.

Polisongers ~ Dwarves
These dwarves live beneath the iron rich mountains of Gegeyos. War, singing, metalworking and ale are their thing.

Physical characteristics

Life expectancy: 100 - 140 years.
Average height: 1.20 - 1.65 m. / 3’11” - 5’5”.
Average weight: 75 - 140 kg / 165 - 310 lbs.
Reigning skin tone: snow white - caramel.
Reigning hair colour: strawberry red - pitch black.
Reigning eye colour: green and brown.
Defining features: loud, thundering voices, facial hair, massive, squarish physique.

Description
Typical of their species the Polisongers are not very tall. Still they usually present a pretty impressive sight, as they are, more often than not, as broad as they’re tall. They have to be tough basterds as they carve their existence from the sheer cliffs of solid rock.

Their faces are rugged and hairy. Although their work is grimy and dirty, they also value a looked after exterior. Moustaches and especially beards are a sign of maturity and deemed immensely attractive amongst the Polisongers. To thicken up the locks often decorative rings are looped around them. A well-off dwarf can tingle like a wind-chime in a hurricane when he passes by. As metalcraft has a high standing in Polisong society, the more decorative, or practical metal you wear, the higher your standing. An elaborate, golden ankle-bracelet is, in this regard, as highly regarded as a well made, steel breastplate.

Behaviour
Boisterous, that’s how the Polisonger can be summed up. Their voices are meant to bridge vast distances in the mines and mountains of their home. They easily toot out above any inn’s din. As fire is their element, they are easily offended, but also easily reconciled. Often a pewter of good ale, does the job. No well bred dwarf will avoid a party if it gets pushed under it’s nose.

They love to make music, to sing and dance. A band of Polisongers doing their merry thing, is an acquired taste though. Usually it’s a rough bash.

Form of Government
The Polisong society is based on their above normal appreciation of handcraft. Workmanship is the highest goal in their mind. Their community is mainly based on a intricate system of guilds. Every craft is organised in a guild, with an own system of training, teaching and advancement. In this system people with the greatest abilities float to the top naturally. They advance in the ranks of their guild and gain honour (and business).

The highest office is the rank of Guild-leader. A council of these leaders governs the Polisongers. Seven different Guild contribute to this governing organ. The weaponsmiths, armour smiths, minstrels, brewers, soap makers, and stonemasons have a governing guild in this dwarven community.

Religion
Main deity of the Polisongers is Grovsmed, god of fire, war, metalworking, love and song.
As the patron deity of these dwarves, this male God shows himself as an auburn haired, wild eyed, bearded warrior. Clad in a plain suit of armour, he usually wields a heavy warhammer. Grovsmed is symbolized by a blazing fire. He stands for the values most admired by the Polisonger society.

Main city
The one and only city of the Polisongers is Ljusskylt. It is a city of fire and joy. Singing is somewhat of a natural trait of the dwarves that dwell there, and the city buzzes with melodious voices. Many a bard has graduated from the local Vokalteries. A Vokaltery is a school for vocal training. There are many dotted around the musicians’ quarters of Ljusskylt. In tune with the songs tumbling through the streets are the hammerings of another important trade of the Polisongers; smithing.

The one well thought out feature of the city is the massive city wall curling tightly around it. Within the different quarters and streets ramble off in all directions. At illogical intervals a plaza unfolds itself. Some are completely dedicated to a trade. The main trades are the weapon- and armour-smiths, the Vokalteries, the ale breweries, the Tvalkopps (soap makers) and the stonemasons. Concentrated in their own quarters, they keep their secrets to themselves. The quality of their products is their pride and joy, and so the processes that create them are well guarded.

Ljusskylt is a city build on the high cliffs of the northern reaches. In the shadow of the mountains of everlasting ice, the Hojdd-Raddslas. A few well paved trade routes run along their length towards the two cave-cities of their brethren. Both the dark cities, Natarbatt and Stengard, lie in the Hojdd-Raddslas region They are built and inhabited by the Polisongers’ cousins, the Caerst.

Military
There is no official standing army amongst the Polisongers. With the wargod as their deity, the whole race takes the martial arts serious. As their a hotblooded race, they find themselves in a pickle often enough because of that. Some pickles are larger than others, and some can only be sorted with an axe, a sword or a good ol’ trashing. As smithing is one of their main crafts, most houses boast an intriguing assortment of weapons, and armour. Most of it well used and well cared for. Even the dwarven women don’t shy away from a tussle now and again. It is said to toughen one up. And so it does!

Caerst ~ Black Dwarves
The Caerst, also known as the black dwarves live in two hidden cities in the mountain reach of Hojdd-Raddslas. These cousins of the Polisongers are a more secretive race, their main trade is mining.

Physical characteristics

Life expectancy: 80 - 110 years.
Average height: 1.00 - 1.55 m. / 3’4” - 5’1”.
Average weight: 70 - 125 kg / 150 - 275 lbs.
Reigning skin tone: caramel - black.
Reigning hair colour: browns - black.
Reigning eye colour: bright blue and browns.
Defining features: facial hair, massive, squarish physique - even more so than their more light adoring brethren.

Description
Just like the Polisongers, the Caerst are not very tall. Still they present a pretty impressive sight, as they are, more often than not, as broad as they’re tall. They have to be tough basterds as they carve their existence out of the sheer cliffs.

Their faces are rugged and hairy. Although their work is grimy and dirty, they also value a looked after exterior. Moustaches and especially beards are a sign of maturity and deemed immensely attractive amongst the Caerst. To thicken up the locks decorative rings are looped around them. A well-off dwarf can tingle like a wind-chime in a hurricane when he passes by. The dark dwarves aren’t as able with the metal they wrestle from the earth, as their counterparts.

Amongst the Caerst a rich tradition of jewel making exists. Their preferred deity - Aroura - endows some rare gems with magical power. The gems are magically enhanced by Aroura’s sacred creatures: the Djavulsborn. These precious stones have a music of their own. Especially when set into a typical Caerst piece of armour. Actually armour might be a too big a word for it. Usually it is an intricate web of metal wire, copper, silver, gold or steel, inset with precious stones. Not all of the magical stones look like their worth something, but the fine tuning of the mess and the placement of the gems creates a rustle that - in tune with Paraphonia’s rhythm - forms a magical shell around it’s bearer. Such a piece of armour provides protection comparable to a sturdy, well made Polisonger piece.

Behaviour
The dark dwarves can be typified as the ‘strong’n’silent’ type. As loud as the Polisongers are, as soft spoken are the Caerst. Being loud, might attract the wrong kind of company in the tightness of a mine shaft. So, a heavy bass sure ain’t in demand down with the miner dwarves.

These people are happy, sitting around a warm, crackling hearth. A hefty ale, good company and a nice little tale to keep them entertained is heaven to them. With dark ice instead of fire running through their veins, they’re even tempered and hard to anger. But they tend to hold a grudge until as a Caest saying goes ‘until Aroura’s whiskers drop off’. Needless to say that the chance of that happening is rather slim indeed.

Form of Government
The Caerst society is based on a matriarchal system, driven by their beliefs. As their deity is a Godess - Aroura - the female is held in high regard among these cave dwellers. To such an extent that a triade of wise women holds reign. One represents the city of Natarbatt, one the township of Stengard, and the last one is Aroura’s high priestess amongst the dwarves. Together they decide what’s right, what’s wrong and what’s desirable.

Religion
Aroura is the lover of the God of Fire and War, Grovsmed. She is adored - above all other deities - by the dark dwarves. Lovingly she is described as a rat faced, full bosomed woman, with broad childbearing hips and a wild bush of soot black hair. A sharp toothed worm, a djavulsborn, symbolizes her reign.

Main city
Natarbatt can be christened the main city of the Caerst nation. It is slightly bigger than Stengard. Both are large cities lying spread-eagled beneath heavy stalactites. Without the need for elaborate city walls they can grow within the limits of the huge caves that house them. Only the entrances to the underground realm has to be guarded. This is effectively achieved by massive stone archways, with heavy metal doors - on the inside inlaid with magic imbued gems. Behind it a solid steel trellis slides down from above, as an added safety measure.

Used to mapping out their underground passages the Caerst love order, and a well thought up city plan is the result of this. From the centre of Stengardt, defined by a temple of Aroura, avenues radiate out. Between the spokes of this virtual wheel, different departments are ordened. Like in Polisonger society guilds have formed around the most common occupations. Although they are a lot less powerful than their compadres in Ljusskylt. Almost every occupation has a guild to call it’s own. There are the miners - also referred to as the dagmask, the tool makers, and the seed oil refiners (for lamps). Especially within the grander city of Natarbatt the guilds are split down the middle. On one side you have the ‘rough’ trades, on the other the ‘more civilized’ ones. The trades in the shortlist mentioned earlier are deemed to be the rough trades. The others, mostly doing the deeming, are the guilds of the gem refiners, the metal wire plaiters and the fungi masters.

Military
The hardy miners act as the standing army amongst the Caerst. With their intimate knowledge of the tunnels and burrows within the rock, they are a force to be reckoned with. Other nations enlist their help to act as sappers and tunneling experts. Within their own domain, they utilize guerilla tactics, weaving in and out of tunnels, striking from all sides. Every single one of them owns a gem enhanced suit of armour, which provides great maneuverability in the cramped spaces of the dwarven mine shafts.

Those gems I mentioned before
It this worm that provides the magical gems of the Caerst. With it’s dangerous maw it tunnels through the hard rock. As it forages, it also swallows the precious stones. The worm, called djavulsborn in the dwarven lingo, is a magical being - otherwise it wouldn’t be able to chew through tough granite and the like. When a gem has traversed the full width of the nine feet worm, it comes out at the other end within a slimy mess.

A dwarf has to be fleetfooted to retrieve a gem, because when the djavulsborn excrete the gems their covered in somekind of mucus, which turns into a biting acid after it comes into contact with oxygen. Only doubly hardened steel plyers can withstand the stuff, although it degenerates as well, over time.

Trummels ~ Orcs
These towering, green giants live in the forests and jungles of Paraphonia. The drum is their shamans’ weapon.

Physical characteristics

Life expectancy: 45 - 60 years.
Average height: 2.00 - 2.50 m. / 6’6” - 8’3”.
Average weight: 140 - 200 kg / 300 - 440 lbs.
Reigning skin tone: every shade of green.
Reigning hair colour: green, brown and black.
Reigning eye colour: brown, green and black.
Defining features: pointy dentistry with downward facing fangs, big bulk, green skin.

Description
The Trummels look pretty awe inspiring. With their great height and bulk, they upstage most other species. Only some of the tall winged elves can look eye to eye with these brutes. Beneath the tough green skin, bulking muscle ripples over a rough cut skeleton. This body is build for power, not for speed. Wading through a fast running river is no challenge to it.

An orc’s face looks as if it’s roughly hewn from a boulder. Severe, chiselled lines give the features an innate aggressive appearance. This stands in shrill contrast to the reality.

Behaviour
These green hued giants live in the deep forests of the world, preferring to keep to themselves. They content themselves with living in peace with their surroundings. Although they are fierce when defending their borders, their rights, or their honour. So, as their minds might seek balance, they still are highly inflammable.

Form of Government
The Trummel-tribes usually consist of an enlarged family group. Often governed by an elder, or a particular apt Ohren (mage). Annually these tribes travel to their traditional meeting grounds. Here’s where fresh blood for the family is courted and hopefully won over to marry into it. This is also the time when important matters are discussed. Young warriors test their skills against each other and a huge amount of food is consumed. There is no one leader, or government - as yet.

Community
Trummels live in small pallisaded towns. A tough wooden barrier circles the woven, mud slapped huts, they call their home. They are a people that gather and hunt.The two most valued carreer paths in the communtiy are that of the hunter and that of the shaman.

You might envision an orc hunter with a bow and arrow, and you would be completely wrong. With short stabbing spears as their weapon of choice they ambush whole herds of deer and the occassional boar family. Their bulk doesn’t suggest it, but with patience and a knack for total immobility they are the most effective hunters of their afforested surroundings.

Shamans are the magic wielders of the Trummels. They thump on their drums to create the magic they envision. The drum is the oldest instrument on Paraphonia. That’s why it’s also the most powerful. It’s resonance is closest to the sound of the planet itself, and from that derives force. Usually a drum covered in the hide of their totem has a place of pride in the village. The direct connection with skin and the magical vibrations of the world around them, calls forth the echoes of the animal’s ancestors.

Religion
Trommels - the orcs of this world - are the savages that live in the woodlands and jungles of Paraphonia. Their deity is Ixoxo and he ensures that their shamans keep his legacy alive. These Ohren of the clans, can even drum up spellbinding magic on their broad chests. As the drum-magic makes good use of the echoeing abilities of some tree species, these mages are renowned for contacting spirits of the death. The sound of a deceased creature tends to echo around in the world of Paraphonia, long after it has passed on. Catching these inaudible sounds and enhancing them, makes it possible to lay contact after their demise. Thus the shaman ensnares spirits to do their bidding.

All things martial
Rough, big-boned and muscular frames are most capable of graceless, effective pounding. The strongest species of all, a Trummel can hit anyone it encounters to a pulp. To this end, they swing around nasty looking clubs, big razorsharp axes and wide-swinging warhammers. Still, the stabbing spears trademark of the orc hunter keeps a prominent place in this wide arsenal.

The Trummels' magic of drums
The percussion-magic governs the movements of Paraphonia’s flora and fauna. Most Ohren cannot influence both, as the instrument of their choosing doesn’t appeal to both. Still, the enthralling rhythms can lure out the wildlife of a region, or let greenery snake out and snag a victim.

The Gaita ~ Syrens
Sweet water and salt water have no secrets for this species. With their strong eight-limbed bodies they propel themselves through the strongest of currents. When they hit the coast their lower bodies transform into a sturdy set of legs.

Physical characteristics

Life expectancy: 100 - 1400 years.
Average height: 1.90 - 2.30 m. / 6’3” - 7’6”.
Average weight: 60 - 90 kg / 140 - 240 lbs.
Reigning skin tone: snow white - sandy yellow.
Reigning hair colour: bright blond - light brown.
Reigning eye colour: blue and green.
Defining features: eight armed ‘legs’, high pitched voices.

Description
The story goes that this water-species is created in the image of their Godess. Fluyana is described as a beautiful woman, down to her waist at least. Beneath her middle she boasts the eight arms of an octopus. The Gaita look just like her, perhaps a tad less beautiful. Men and women alike have sensuous, tempting voices. Myths of sirens, seducing seamen to watery graves are based on this species love for singing. Able to span great lengths of water, their voices have an even greater range above water. So, unwanting, they can lure ships on treacherous rocks.

Behaviour
Cool and collected, is their average state of mind. Gaita are also known for their patience and tenacity. When they set their mind to a task, they’ll do anything to reach their goal.

Form of Government
Gaita are rare creatures. They tend to be solitary as well. Once a year they amass at the species’ mating grounds. After the women are succesfully impregnated, they leave and follow their own paths once again. Migratory as they are, the concept of communities and the need for a government are alien to them.

Religion
Fluyana is their godess. She looks the same as her followers. Besides the Gaita not many pray to her. Still, as she is the deity of fluidity and singing, some vocalists erect a shrine for her.

Military or the likes
The Gaita all have a measure of vocal magic. It tempts and seduces. In their shriller variations they wreak havoc on ships. Usually the male and female warriors are lightly armoured from neck to multi-armed abdomen. They don’t have a military force, as they don’t have anything to protect. Other species focus on capturing grounds, dry land. The bottom of seas and oceans doesn’t hold any appeal for them.

Character sheet

Name: be creative, perhaps use certain traits for the ‘namecalling’.

[picture] ~ Anything goes, be original and not too obvious when you rip-a-pic.

Species: All species are playable!
Gender: Only three choices, be comfortable with it.
Age: Again, anything goes. Be realistic if you chose species with non-human aging. And you cannot all be 17.
Occupation: Go wild!
Magick: Yes, or no - if so based on which instrument. Nothing of your liking? Come up with something and I'll think about it.

Description: I appreciate an additional description. Here you can write up, the overall impression of your character. If you like, add height, weight, and the usual facial expression. If I’d bump into your character what would he, she or it be wearing?

Personality: Why do you keep burping like that, explain the silly smile on your visage, does your drug-addiction interfere with your traits?

Education/Training: Did you get your swimming diploma, black belt in origami, learn how to speak swahili? You could add the proficiency of your magick here, as well.

Awesomest piece of gear: Here you describe that pretty pair of flipflops, that helps you wander the swamp, the magical needle that sows pretty much everything together, or the dented saxophone - off key and squealing like a pig, which is your valuable heirloom.

THERE IS MORE TO COME...sorry
You can create a cs if you want. I still hope there will be more interest. Tho' I'm not gonna hold my breath. On thursday I'll move this on.

[Vietmyke]

He-yo Agta, lol interested is I.

Winged elf perhaps, maybe

[Agta]

Kewl, i myself like the dark'uns!

[Agta]

Looking for players! Come in and be flabbergasted.

[MMGiru]

Hello!

Well... cheerfulness complete, I am quite interested. You've crafted a detailed, interesting world, as I'm sure you're aware.

I would most likely whip out one of the Trummel, but I would be most interested to see what "MORE TO COME" entails; particularly in regards to string instruments.

[Commian]

Yours to judge but I'm afraid I ran out of time towards the end (getting late and parents are here) if it is un-acceptable I shall create a character from the already specified races.

Name: ‘Number 5’ He also goes by a more human name of Fyr (Fee-er)

The one on the right.

Species: I suppose there is an indecision about this but… Homunculus. Hopefully I should be making the only one but you never know…
Gender: Strictly speaking none, but he chose to be masculine rather than neutral.
Age: 178 yrs old. But then again he spent fifty years of it as a Piccolo and a spark in the fire.
Occupation: Vagabond (No matter how well dressed he may seem to be) but takes part in researching the trails of magick.

Magick: Yes. Although seeming as he was originally created from an instrument he can use magick without requirement of said instrument. Although his power is very limited without his natural instrument of the Piccolo he can call upon the minor manipulation of flames (Without any instrument he needs an already existing source). It is possible for him to use other instruments to enhance his magic but it is not much better than him without an instrument. It merely means that he can summon the flame it does not give him any benefits to fire manipulation.

He sacrifices all other magic and has a distinct weakness for water, inane or magical, mere contact capable of causing burns and severe pain. He is immune to all forms of fire, intense heat or otherwise but cannot survive low temperatures (Cold winters).

Description: Standing at six inches dead and weighing around 5 ounces, his hair extends for perhaps another inch or so, this being of a flaming ginger colour, which seems to glow brightly when irritated and dim when asleep or in pain. His face is shaped in an unnatural triangle; a permanent sad smile is on his face concealing a lot of needle like teeth. The iris of his eyes is a blood red, stark in comparison with his white skin; there is virtually no colour in his cheeks or anywhere on his body for that matter, save when he is angered.

Normally he wears a stylised suit created from scraps of fine cloth, and sewn with small but expert hands, the collar of which is turned up past up to the tips of his pointed ears (see image). Though this may seem years in front of the fantasy setting it is the style of all the homunculus a suit stereotypical of the diminutive race. His body is built like a twig and seems to consist of little more than bone and skin.

Personality: A relatively secret creature the Homunculi have learnt not to reveal themselves or their powers to any race of Paraphonia. The collective group has so far travelled surprisingly far for their diminutive stature but Fyr was never one for the studious life. A chaotic trait in his personality born of his element fire, has meant that he has split from the group to seek adventure, whilst aware that he must keep the existence of the others a secret he can’t wait to be admired. He is headstrong and stubborn, and has a medium patience after being tempered for a century by his twelve others but when angered it can take a while to calm him down. Excitable and ever eager for an adventure he loves the spotlight but has a short attention span and hates leading others. He knows not of human morals but has a strong definition of right and wrong but is prone to pilfering items of fancy.

Education/Training: Having been created as a creature of magick, a magician making advances in both alchemy and steps towards insanity, took it upon himself to create, in secret, perfect constructs. The result of fifty years of research was the creation of the thirteen Homunculi each with an element bound in their bodies and some form of household item within them. Fyr was one of the lucky Homunculi being created from a wooden piccolo he could use magic from the very beginning, whilst capable of using the powers, he actually knew very little of how to control them and unfortunately the magician who had taken it upon himself to create such creatures had died in the magickal fallout caused when the Homunculi were born.

They spent the next ten years gleaning what they could from the homes of magicians, travelling vast areas in search of how to unlock their talents, and Fyr to learn how to tame it. Fyr was the last to learn what he needed as the element of fire proved to be a very difficult element to tame, the others meanwhile had already started their venture to try and discover the meanings of their existence. Left alone to learn the magick arts he left as soon as he was able, the host magicians never knowing he was there, stealing tomes by night he had learnt what he needed, or what he thought he needed. So we join him now IC after years of wandering.

Awesomest piece of gear: I’m going to leave this blank. Homunculi are partial to nothing but themselves, they are self-sufficient as they have no real need to drink or eat, though sleep still applies to them, which is not to say that drinking and eating are above them, it is just that their bodies don’t require the extra energy. The clothes they wear are created themselves, so pretty much the only item constantly with them is a small gold coin strapped to their back as universal currency and a small needle and thread in case the need for new clothes, or repairs, comes along.

[Agta]

The 'more' will be added tomorrow. I had an unexpected guest and didn't want to be a party pooper. So, tomorrow I'll add a human-ish species. And the magick-system, or at least a good start on it, will be made tomorrow.

Hope you'll stick around for it.

[Agta]

*le bump*

[Vietmyke]

Hmm, Ags, if you do add some stuff, can you be sure to tell us? I'm not sure if you have or not, and yeah, haha.

Charrie will be up momentarily btwubs

[Agta]

Hi Vietmyke, well interest is kinda low. Not many players have displayed interest in the OOC, so I'm sitting back. Did a lot of work already, don't wanna do it without enough interest to carry the rpg through.

I'm sure you'll understand. Still, think it's a great idea tho'. Perhaps, the advanced section is more appropriate? After all the world is pretty elaborate; might even scare people off.