On the Trader's Road

[Foxes]

On the Origin of Adventures

The Trader’s Road is the greatest work of the Empire, a long, winding stone road that stretches from Crownharbor in the north to Elegian in the south. It is one of the many marvels of this wonderful world, but more than any other this particular marvel serves a practical purpose. It links the world together. Cities, major trading hubs, and lordly houses are nestled along the leagues and leagues of the road. Traders from far and wide travel the road, carrying their wares along its stretches and bringing them for sale in the many markets across the Four Corners of the World. Tinkers, too, travel the road, as do vagabonds, minstrels, performing troupes, and even the occasional lordling or two.

Between the cities, towns, and holdfasts along the road are smaller, more isolated locales. These are small waypoints on the great map of the world, taverns and inns where travelers can stay the night with the comfort of the beating heart of a hearth and a warm bed. The Grey Swan is one of these, located south of a mountain and north of a bend of a great river. The Trader’s Road runs, despite these obstacles, over the river and through the mountain, and on the northern side of the bridge that crossed the river lays the Grey Swan.

It is not a particularly crowded or bustling tavern, certainly notj the kind where one expects to find any adventures. Those sorts of things, adventures, are more commonly stumbled upon in villages unwittingly hiding some ancient artifact, or on farms in the countryside with destiny-oriented youths, or in the dungeons of castles with secret hideaways and passages in the last place anyone would think to check. But on one auspicious night (or early afternoon, really), the Grey Swan will host, despite expectations to the contrary, a meeting and intertwining of the fates of the sort that so frequently finds itself both the cause and end of adventures of the most fantastic nature.

And it starts with an elf named Kaive Cirdoril.

We won't be using character sheets. Instead, a paragraph sized blurb about your character will suffice.

Kaive Cirdoril, a dark skinned Isiladori elf hailing from an elven city-state to the far south, is employed by the Count of Tothlerin, an elven lord of a mountain castle a dozen or two leagues away. Five feet, five inches in height (five-six on a good day) and adorned with rings, earrings, and a ghostly white tattoo or two, Kaive Cirdoril is not a typical example of the Isiladori race. He is quite a character, a quick-witted, whip-tongued elf with a penchant for tobacco, rum, and prostitutes. Now, while the image established by this description does not lend itself to professionalism, Kaive is actually a professional soldier. Once a mercenary, Kaive now serves as an agent in the Count of Tothlerin's personal army, and he finds himself at the Grey Swan for the purpose of business, not pleasure.

Inspired, in part, by this piece of art.

There are numerous races. Elves, divided into at least the two categories of Athelidori and Isilidori, men, and dwarves are the most common and widespread, though they are far from alone.

There are numerous currency systems, the most prevalent of which is the King's Coin of the Kingdom of Artegia. There is also an Empire of some sort or another, referenced to by its monetary system.

The lands around the Grey Swan are ruled over by independent lords of various titles.

There is a Kingdom of Carthan adjacent to a frozen region known as the Kralkatorin.

There is a port city called Jadehaven.

There is a Count of Tothlerin, and presumably a place called Tothlerin of which he is the Count.

[CommunistZed]

No information about the world, races, etc?

[Foxes]

No information about the world, races, etc?

That's kind of the point. It wouldn't be much of a sandbox make-it-up-as-we-go adventure if I did all the world building.

Regardless, I'm not recruiting publicly.

[Hank]

Maphrodite is a human murderer, rapist, thief, illegal trafficker in sentient races and bounty hunter. Born in the woodlands of Carthan, a petty human kingdom near the icy border of the Kralkatorin (ancient word for 'endless frost-field'), the boy got into mischief and trouble immediately. Blame was placed on Maphrodite's parents, featuring an abusive father and negligent mother, but nobody dared take young Maph (as he was called) away from them. Nor did they like interacting with the boy in general, as he was impossible to deal with. When he was 16 years old he dealt with the problem himself by killing his parents and burning them publicly on a pyre in the middle of town. He declared his utter distaste and hatred for everyone, sold his parents' belongings and set off with a decent amount of gold in his pocket. In the years that followed he got himself shin-deep in all sorts of the most illegal activities, including smuggling prepubescent elven girls into the port city of Jadehaven to be sold into slavery and prostitution -- but not before he tried them out himself. Were he not meticulously thorough in killing almost everyone he dealt with, he would've certainly earned a reputation for being dishonest. Instead, Maphrodite didn't earn a reputation at all and simply made due with his smarts and brutal cunning. And as such his travels have taken him to the Grey Swan, his pockets full of coin stolen from a young noble lady he raped and beat to death two days earlier, looking for work, alcohol and good food.

As for his appearance, he's roughly six feet tall, mildly tanned and built like a whip. His hair is messy and dark and his deep-set, bloodshot eyes equally so. With a little grooming he could pass for a decent citizen.

[Foxes]

Well I'm not entirely sure what else I was expecting, but I definitely was not going for a gang of villainous rogues with this. Just keep in mind that we're not playing the bad guys if you continue with the character.

[Seravee]

Emer is a Selkie. Few believe that her race actually exists, and she is fine to let them believe that. Those who do not know of her race are no threat to her. Unfortunately, all it took was one believer to make her the way she is now. Now the woman is stranded in her human form, though that is not to say that her love of the sea or her desire to return there have faded. Luckily, most people would not pick her out of a crowd. Other than her unique eyes, nothing about her appearance is exceptionally memorable. When in animal form, Emer is a fairly accurate portrayal of what most people picture when they think of a seal. Her smooth skin is a light shade of gray, appearing almost white at times, and her back is dotted with small darker patches. She is on the smaller side, though her hazel eyes are unusually large. After transforming into a human, Emer remains small for a woman her age, standing only five foot, two inches tall. Her skin is quite pale, and appears even paler against her dark brown hair which falls to the middle of her back in soft waves. Her body is curvaceous while still remaining proportional, and she has accumulated a bit of muscle from her time spent in the water. Her face is heart-shaped, and accented by many brown freckles. Her lips, a pink as pale as her skin, appear to be frozen in a slight pout as her bottom lip is just a bit larger. Her eyes remain those of her seal form. Generally the young woman is clad in dresses or loose skirts, almost always in blues, white, grays, black and greens. Emer’s personality changes just as her appearance does, normally depending on who is in her company. She will be the first to greet a newcomer, but will draw away before getting to know him/her. She will laugh at jokes, but rarely tells her own. Though she does not mind listening to others problems, she will never share her own. She hardly complains, or offers her opinion at all. She is pleasant enough to be with, and can be an excellent friend, but she always appears to be a bit disconnected with the rest of the world. She is often caught staring out the window longingly, as though waiting for someone or something. She is also occasionally wracked with great guilt, and when this happens (generally when she is especially exhausted), she behaves as a woman who is punishing herself. She pulls away from those around her and locks herself away, refusing food or drink. This can last anywhere from an hour to a day or two. When she finally emerges, she remains in a dreamy state, but she is much more sociable. It is this guilt that it is her motivation, and it is what keeps her wandering.

[Card VII]

Catullus is a cantankerous, grouchy, and moody old hermit. He is renowned for his bitter, spiteful nature that is coupled with a strange affinity for helping people. His wisdom is often given by way of biting sarcasm, but it has a peculiar way of bringing good fortune to those that it is given to. Catullus grew up in a far off land of intrigue and antiquity. It is said that it is a land of ash and soot, with gnarled pine trees that stretch their prickly appendages towards the flat, apathetic overcast sky. He carries with him a staff to support his hunched and crooked frame and attached to the tip of this staff is what appears to be a small, cast iron bird cage. How or why is particularly unknown, but on his shoulders most often rests a sparrow that seems to never fly, and it irritates Catullus to no end. He has a reputation as a miserly, unpleasant old man who shows no warmth to anybody. However, he also has a reputation for being a very capable wizard. His skills as a wizard are not often shown, and some even question them. Wizard or not, what is true is that he has a very firm understanding of the geography of the land, its people, and a great deal of hidden wisdom about many other things. Getting him to actually share it with you is the difficulty.

Using a character from some of my own worldbuilding, if you don't mind.

[Foxes]

Fantastic.

With that recruitment is closed, quite permanently, and the IC thread is up. We're waiting on one more character, but post at will. I doubt we'll get too far before she stops by and graces us with her virtual presence.

- - - Updated - - -

IC is here

I also have a system in mind for the Artegian system of currency.

There are two copper ha' pennies in a copper penny, ten copper pennies in a silver signet, twenty silver signets in a silver talent, and ten silver talents in a gold noble. Most goods can be paid for in pennies and signets, and talents are the largest denomination typically used by those outside the nobility.

I figured we should get currency out of the way as soon as possible, and I'd rather not simplify it to something as droll as the typical "gold coin."

[Giannine]

Aaerin Helebord grew up in Elegian the daughter of a carpenter, a simple trade that should have left her family (mother, father, younger brother Arduin) living comfortably. However, her father destroyed that comfort on drink, salacious company and gambling before disappearing during her adolescence. Disgusted by the sinful ways of her father and the company he kept, Aaerin turned her attention and affection to Luhare, Elegian goddess of nature. After spending years at the Temple of Luhare in Elegian, she has been initiated as a Dedicate of Luhare, an accomplishment for the 19-year-old damsel. Standing at five-foot-four, her long auburn tresses are kept loose in accordance with Luharian tradition that prevents her from spoiling her body with things like pomade, dye or haircuts. With doe-brown eyes, she assesses the ways of others, keeping counsel with only herself. Though she cannot wield a sword or dagger, she can use a longbow (crafted by hand) and slingshot, which she carries on her person when in the city.

As part of her dedicate training, Aaerin is traveling the realm in order to enlighten others in the way of Luhare, though she has her doubts about the path she is currently on.

[Foxes]

Looks fantastic, Gia. Alright, that's everyone.