Thrall of Kings

[Tytus]

[Fantasy]

Intro

"Tell me," I said at last, "Why does he want to die? He must want to die. He's killing himself. Why?"
He looked at me in surprise. He licked his lips. "He don't want to die. He wants to live. More 'n we do. Don't nobody want to die, ever."

It made made me wonder. He was out there, steel as his only companion, killing creatures swiftly, like they were allergic to his blade. But there was nothing. And when he killed the beasts, he simply turned them into nothing as well. All around - nothing. How was this helping humanity, like he thought? Was it not just adding to the emptiness of the world? You couldn't kill those...things with compassion, that was sure. But why instigate more deaths? Let them take what they will - don't make them hunger for more. Humanity was powerless enough as it was.

No. He said.

We are at war, child. And in war the only crime is to lose.


Premise

In a world whose name has been lost with its peace, humanity has decayed. Sacred and ancient texts have since been burned to forgotten-ness, and few now lay covered in dirt and ash with its skeletal proprietors. Civilization still exists, but is fragmented across the world. It now consists of scattered villages and towns, broken down fortresses and scarred Waystones, with few cities. The world, while its original name is lost, is now called Alenta by its people. Alenta is dark, unexplored. Unknown. Creatures stalk the world; many of the common beasts and demons have common names. However, as you go further out, there are many more undocumented species, and the less information available until you eventually end up discovering new monsters- though, living long enough to spread word of their existence is rare. Common animals still exist, though they adhere to no strict habitats, and simply live where they might survive. Mammoths and other large creatures congregate deep within Alenta, protected by the Giants and Colossi it lives near. While many have given up hope on turning the tides against the creatures, people have come to terms with their predicament and even the smallest village or town has guards and patrols posted. People may live in fear, and they may long for something better, but they have accepted their situation. They are contented.

Story

Well, that's the world of Alenta! The story would take place in one of the few remaining cities, Bitewind.

Bitewind is large, especially in comparison to the many villages and towns over yonder. However, there is no "government" other than a young man named Tyrr who helped greatly in both making the city, and establishing the walls which keep it from being overrun (in fact, he is known for a great many things- also putting together the original Wall-Watchers). He is no king- if compared to modern days, he would be like a governor. He was forced to his "throne" but serves the people amicably. Because of Bitewind's importance to the world and its people, it is one of the few areas where trade exists. Trade caravans only travel to each of the few large cities, stopping only at the towns that are on their path. Many caravans need guards to defend against monsters and other threats, which makes Caravan Guards a profitable job, though you most likely would not find many willing in this city.

The story, as said, takes place in Bitewind. The characters will, for some reason or another, begin/arrive here. Later in the day, more commotion than Bitewind would have ever seen washes over the city. At least half of the Wall-Watchers flock toward the city's half-destroyed temple, where a man is being arrested, for almost the first time in ten of the city's years. The characters hear something in there head. Words are spoken inside of their minds, the same to all of them. Help me. After the source of the voice is realized to be the captured man, it is too late, and he is brought deep into the dungeons.

Soon, the characters would embark on a journey that is seemingly suicide. Along the way they will explore the unexplored world of Alenta, find ancient scrolls who hold ancient secrets, and slay creatures as small as a fox to enemies as big as a twenty foot, bloodthirsty colossus. They will be pushed to limits, betrayed, and hurt. But mostly, they will try to brave, understand, and survive a world that they know so little about.

Magic - Abilities

This is fantasy. There will be mind-blowing things to face, and unnaturally powerful foes to conquer. Or lose to. Either way, defense is necessary for the aspiring neophyte adventurer who wants to survive Alenta. Or the RP.

Magic, really does not require much explanation. There are surely plenty of ruins that hold magical secrets splashed across the lands, teaching at least a modicum amount of knowledge of the arts, but to achieve powers beyond these basics, other than rarer ruins, you would need to learn from a Master. So, just get creative with it. What's fair is common-sense. I wouldn't suggest dimension-altering, reality-shattering type abilities because, other than it being unfair, you'll have enough of that with your later enemies in the RP. And I mean..noone likes a copycat. (;

Of course, magic isn't needed. There are plenty of warriors who are born with abilities akin to magic, but yet unexplainable by magical principles (for you sword-wielding badasses). They are known as Blessed. And if anyone would want to be a natural Magus, who actually does follow the laws and principles and bleh, I'd be happy to write something out for you. But I don't see there being many of you.


Anyway, it goes without saying that in this world, there are adventurers, legends, etc - but not many. They are few and far between. Most people will think you crazy for wanting to leave your home, or pretty much do anything like sneak into a dungeon and save a mysterious stranger who did not even say please. So... be realistic !

Name: Self-explanatory. Should be, at least..
Age: Whatever works, though a team of ninety year old warriors discovering the world's secrets sounds more like a Bingo party to me.
Sex: Only two options here, guys.
Race: Humans pretty much outnumber most others, but you aren't limited to them.

Appearance: Descriptions are preferred, but pictures are okay in addition
Personality: To me, the most important part

Magic/Abilities: Get creative. Your characters are supposed to grow. Adapt. So keep in mind his/her limits, while also leaving room for him/her to push past them.
Weakness(es): This isn't really important, but it helps me come up with ways for the enemies to provide more of a challenge, so at least one here would be nice.

Background/History: Describe their role, their backstory, how they got their abilities, etc. I'm not really fussy about this, I'm one of those people that like to reveal their history during the RP for character development, but give me some information here.
Additional/Miscellaneous: Anything.. ya know. Additional. Or miscellaneous.

[Ainmire]

Interested.

[Tytus]

Glad to hear!

[Hank]

Count me in. What's your stance on necromancy?

[kassarock]

Expressing some cautious interest, i'm not fully sure yet.

Though I should warn you that I am an incredibly slow poster, I rarely do so more than once a week.

[SailorKat]

I love a good dark fantasy. Light fantasy has its place, but sometimes I need grit. Interested. Are the people just humans, or is there some racial variety?

[Tytus]

@Hank,
Necromancy's always great, I say. Curiously, do you have plans for divination or combat-purposes? Or even something different?

@Kassarock,
I certainly don't mind. But, in fear of stifling other RPers' progress, would creating an antagonist fit your situation better?

@SailorKat,
Humans are the main race, but not the only ones. Generally speaking, other races are based on location. Since humans greatly overpower the others in numbers, they tend to live together and not among humans (of course, some do). Because of this, lizard-like people, as an example, might be called "Desert Folk" if their home was the desert. So even if one was within Bitewind, he would be referred to racially as "Desert Folk".
Also, good to see ya again!

[Hank]

@Hank,
Necromancy's always great, I say. Curiously, do you have plans for divination or combat-purposes? Or even something different?

Communication with the deceased, demons and underworld gods (theurgy), resurrecting the dead, longevity, manipulation of life force or other vital energies... you know, the works. Not all of it at once, obviously, but I haven't narrowed it down yet.

EDIT: I think I'm going to drop zombies and focus on communication with under-worldly entities to obtain information and make use of demonic powers in combat. Striking deals with the devil, if you will.

[Tytus]

I like that. It may even sew some distrust among the others, too, which is a bonus to me.

Also, I've added a CS for anyone who may want to do it..now. Or at least do some planning. I'd like around 4-6 people, but whatever you guys think is good is fine to me.

[cider]

Very interested!