Thrall of Kings OOC

[Tytus]

Currently Closed. Sorry!
[IC]

Thrall of Kings

• Willet by kassarock •
• Alariel Elaran by The Blue Sylph •
• Melluch Starbringer by Chelubai •
• Scilicet Periurus by GreenGoat •
• Captain Terence Iron-Bound by Lum •
• Charon by Callthecops •
• Iadia Winters by Lydyn •

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.


Character Sheet

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.

[Chelubai]

*puts my hand in*
Just read on intchk

[Tytus]

Hop on in. (:
There's more people than I expected so I probably won't accept everyone like I planned. But that's assuming everyone posts a sheet.

[kassarock]

Name: Willet

Age: 29

Sex: Male

Race: Human

Appearance: Willet is a small man. Not standing much over 5 foot 7 inches, but what he lacks in height in makes up for in brawn, he is of strong sturdy stock, with a broad chest and thick arms. He is tanned and has fairly weather beaten skin for his age, indicating a life spent mostly outdoors. His hands are especially worn, covered in hard skin and calluses. His face is relatively attractive, though not exactly handsome. He keeps his hair reddish-brown short and sports a similar coloured beard that he crops closely too. His face is board and lends itself to a smile of good strong white teeth, with a broken, bent looking nose above them. His eyes are a green-y hazel.

His clothing consists of leather and hide mainly, hardy and pragmatic, in mostly hues of green or brown. Over this he wears a long green wool cloak with a hood, very useful for blending into a wooded area. The piece of clothing most important to Willet is his boots, good boots are essential if you live an outdoor life. He normally carries a leather pack on his back, along with his composite bow and a quiver of arrows. On either side of his belt hang a wood axe, and a dirk.

Personality: Willet is quiet but friendly, a tough looking man with a relatively soft heart, especially for the poor and children. He doesn’t like cheating, lying, stealing or killing and has a particular dislike to those who make money off of other’s misfortune. But neither is he idealistic, he most definitely understands that you do what you have to do to survive. He likes company, but believes that towns are corrosive to people and bring out the worst. He would much rather have company with honest working men and women than with a high lord or a king.

Magic/Abilities: He has a natural affinity to the forest, years of spending time there have taught him its ways, and years of listening to it have taught him its tongue. Whilst this might not constitute as true conversation with the forest, it grants significant advantages when it comes to encountering dangerous animals or demons, or navigating a dense and unfamiliar wood.

Weakness(es): Willet is a simple man. He cannot read or write his own name and is poor at anything academic. In combat, he is not the most skilful either, his melee tactics are poor and he is unsuited to fighting in open areas.

Background/History: Willet was born outside of a town, and he will die outside of a town. His parents were some of the few people to forsake the relative safety of a community to live their lives in the wilds. They led simple lives, partly maintaining a small hold, partly hunting and cutting lumber to sell to the local villages. They had only one child, Willet, and for twelve peaceful years life was good. Occasionally there would be a threat from the wilds, but Willet’s father knew the forest even better than Willet does now, so they were safe enough. But of course, in this world peace like that cannot last for long.

But it was not beasts or demons that shattered this peace, it was sickness. Willet’s father got seriously ill and quickly, had they been in a town they might have got a doctor, but it over half a day’s walk to the nearest village, almost a full day to the nearest doctor. He died shivering and vomiting in his own bed. After that, living in the wilds couldn’t go on, without Willet’s father they had no protection. And so they forced to move into a town, they couldn’t sell a property out there in the wilds, so they were poor, poorer than dirt. For another two years they tried to get by in a little back water town, hunting, fishing, begging, anything. Willet’s mother deprived herself of food for his sake, she grew weaker and weaker, until she caught a fever and died too. After that, Willet decided there was nothing left for him in towns, so he returned to the peaceful place he liked best, the wilds.

It was tough, but he had learned enough from his father, and what was left he managed to pick up from himself. He has a meagre existence hunting and trapping, living a nomadic lifestyle on his own. He is currently visiting Bitewind to sell his current haul of furs and to pick up some supplies, before he intends to return to the wilds.

Additional/Miscellaneous: Willet has killed very few people in his life, and only when he has been attacked first and forced to. He will always, always err on the side of mercy.

[Chelubai]

Name: Melluch Starbringer
Age: 19???
Sex: Male (?)
Race: Human

Appearance: Melluch on first impression appears strikingly young an innocent, but if one were to take more than a glance it becomes evident he is not that young. His face is slender yet round, seemingly cut from stone. His skin is fair as well as heavily scarred, silver lines creating a sort of haneous spiderweb (that to some is a small thing of beauty.) His nose is small yet unbroken, overheating a thin set of pale lips. Hanging like icicles are two silver-blue eyes that seem to shine if you stare into them, yet look no more abnormal than the next persons when simply glancing.

He is short and lithe, much like a cat. His shoulders are not wide like most men but are fairly narrow, yet are set strong and square. The rest of his torso is thin and muscled sparingly, with a small chest and waist. His legs are equally as thin and wrangled with the same silvery scars on his face, but are much more like ribbons in appearance.

He wears a ragged outfit of a cloth undershirt, leather breastplate, and leather pants. He normally doesn't clothe his feet unless needed, in which they are set in a well worn pair of leather sandals. His outfit a mixing of black, brown, and ruddy brown. He almost never wears anything less, in fact, really never does. He also wears a sapphire earring in his left ear, complimenting the shining eyes, and a pair of leather wrist/ankle guards.

Personality: Melluch is very secretive at first, but later turns to be loud and boisterous, but not out of context. he tends to stay in the shadows, or clothed in crowds of commoners. He is not seen when he does not want to be seen, as well as DEMANDS attention when he wants to be seen, but not by an iron will. When being less introverted he acts somewhat childish, innocent and loud, but not without a tint of melancholy. He is snide, snarky, and dry-humored, often getting on others nerves. When staying introverted he is quiet, reserved, and extremely modest. He will often back away from a group or crowd to go out by himself unnoticed, feeling extremely individualistic.

He has been known to have his fierce moments, becoming the epitome of blind rage. Striking, slashing, kicking, and anything else will do when he's mad, and are often delivered with as much pinpoint accuracy of a hawk. In these moments he is oblivious to everything, and a tad too stubborn, being one to ignore others coo-ing or other attempts at soothing him; he soothes himself.

Magic/Abilities: Contrary to his personality, Melluch is a passionate dancer and musician, and oddly at that. He can be found (rarely) playing a stolen fiddle, lute, or wind instrument for extra money, raking in more than most. When he dances it is often alone, and away from others, but will sometime give someone a special treat for befriending him. He has a knack for using these skills to entrance and captivate people, as well as nature, weaving an unspoken form of magic to control things (rarely sentient) to do his will.

He is also very skilled with knives of all types: butcher, throwing, carving, etc. He often carries several hidden in a piece of clothing, utilizing secret pockets and slots.

>Weakness(es): Blind rage, which to some may be considered a strength also. In return for his increased ferocity he loses all sense of his surroundings and is easily taken advantage of this way. He also tends to be somewhat innocent/ignorant in certain situations.

Background/History: Ever since Melluch has lived in Bitewind he has been on the run from bartenders, bakers, guards, and all manners of store owners for his sticky fingers. He rarely does get caught though, so he hasn't accumulated that many pursuers. He is fairly poor, living in no house but rather empty buildings. Being poor, he roams the streets looking for friends and fun, but is often to shy or chaste to actually get what he wants. In spite of this, he keeps himself busy running errands for elderly women and stealing food for homeless orphans (which is a reason he has enemies).

Nobody really knows how he got to Bitewind, no one ever hearing of his parents, or his birth. But he knows. He's been there his whole life, yet he just arrived there a couple of years ago. When somebody asks him, if they ask him, how long he's lived in Bitewind he'll say "As long as I've lived, but even longer than that too" and wink, disappearing out of nervousness. A few people have become very curious of this saying, such as the bartenders he hasn't pissed off, but they never get an answer, as he disappears when the question is brought up or even hinted at.

There is a few speculations though, some that he's not really there, and rather a ghost, which would explain how he could disappear at the drop of a hat. Some suggest he changed his name and his appearance somehow, thus 'Melluch' hasn't lived as long as the actual person. Some even suggest he killed a resident of Bitewind and took their role, so he was always "living" there. The wildest thought, however, is that it's a combination of all the above.

Additional/Miscellaneous: Very secretive history for this character, can you get it from 'em?

- - - Updated - - -

Heh... can't wait :P

[Person9701]

Name: Victor Ravenheart Age: 24 Sex: Male Race: Human

Appearance: Victor stands above average human. Being dressed in plate armor gives him rather impressive outlook, even if he's armor is very tarnished and there are several leather straps holding together loose plates. Victor tends to wear his helmet everywhere, even in searing heat. He has gray eyes and his medium length hair are black as the night itself. His eyes have fiery gaze, the very same gaze that most warriors share. He speaks in rather low toned and silent voice, but it appears to be mostly commanding in it's tone. Longsword he wields has emblem on it's hilt - a black raven. Victor's shield has many sword marks and appears to be used in many battles. He generally appears to be shady and thoughtful in his appearance. An uninviting aura surrounds him.

Personality: Victor is rather silent, but when needed, he can be very manipulative. He uses coercion to achieve what he wants from the weaker and charm to plead himself to the mighty. He has short temper, and he has gotten in many troubles because of it. He dislikes knight and paladin personality types, as he believes that weak are there to be exploited and he also believes that weak allow themselves to be exploited. His work as mercenary has given him rather professional attitude when dealing with adventures and singing contracts - highest bidder wins. Sometimes he is called blackheart by fellow mercenaries because of his cruelty. He was born in noble house, and thus, believes himself to be noble in exile. Victor rarely trusts anyone and has barely any friends. Victor considers friends to be persons who share very similar attitudes and ways to operate as he does.

Magic/Abilities: Victor is skilled bladesman. He can use both one handed longsword and two handed greatsword and he likes using bastard sword too. As much as he is skilled with blade, he is also skilled with shield and knows how to put it too good use and he has some experience with heavy armor. Victor has very little knowledge of magic - he sometimes casts a fireball in a combat, but it only happens if Victor is very immersed in combat and his adrenaline is rushing high. Otherwise he hasn't practiced magic and believes that this spontaneous use is useful when it happens, but he could go off without it.

Weakness(es): Victor is only skilled with blades. That means he doesn't know how to fight with axes, spears and other weapons that warriors use. He is very limited to blades. His short temper can sabotage any manipulation attempt of his. Having friends in dangerous world is very good, but he rarely had any and doesn't have plans to get some allies.

Background/History: Victor was born at Castle Ravenrock, a castle located in thick forest clad mountainous region. House Ravenheart has always been known as a famous house, both known for it's riches and it's success in wars. They were also known for cruel acts and tendency to repeat them. His father was current leader of House Ravenheart and his mother was from another noble house that was perishing by the time of Victor's birth. House Ravenheart had many problems themselves. First of all, they had lost some of their villages and their castle estate was threatened by wild clans of orcs who roamed the dense forests. They were also losing a political fight as local overlord had refused to receive loan from Ravenheart's in exchange of favorable terms for them. Instead he had favored an local Baron who had recently usurped his title. In these turbulent times Victor's family had decided not grant Victor education in city because they feared that he could be kidnapped, and being only child to his father, he was rightful heir to his house.
As Victor grew older his noble snoobish attitude became more and more visible. He harassed many of castle's servants and would often play cruel pranks on some of father's advisors. His father didn't have time care anyway and Victor's mother had recently passed away. House Ravenheart was going deeper and deeper in debt. They were threatened by all sides and it was very evident amongst the house. Many fled to northern estates, while some sailed seas to establish themselves in exotic lands. When Victor reached his 15th birthday, he had already been well tutored in the ways of warrior. His bladesmaster was the one of the rare persons that Victor held as friend. He would often share hunts with his bladesmaster.
House Ravenheart could no longer sustain itself at the Castle Ravenrock. Debt was ever larger and a newly self proclaimed king had decided to add Ravenrock to his kingdom. This king had hired the local orcs to storm the castle and they were given siege equipment. Castle was captured in a short night. Victor and his trusted bladesmaster had managed to escape the castle using an old sewer that lead them to a small river. Blademaster warned that his house will be persecuted and he also told that they will flee to south.
Victor was 20 years old. He made his living by working as a sellsword. He was sometimes contracted by a local noble, sometimes by a warlord. Usually mocked for his title, he grew grim attitude. In his dreams, he wished that he could restore his houses honor, but he had no means. Firm belief was the only thing that kept his dream alive. Years passed and on motives only known to Victor himself, he had traveled to Bitewind.

Additional/Miscellaneous: Victor will probably betray you at some point in this RP.

I hope that someone makes evil character too. Someone mentioned being a necromancer, didn't he?

[Tytus]

All seems good so far guys!

@Person,
Well, necromancy doesn't always entitle being evil. But rather than start out as such, I'm sure plenty of characters' dispositions will change over the course of the RP. Also, plenty characters will be untrustworthy and suspicious, but these do not necessitate being "evil".

Once all the sheets are in, I'll add a character list to the main post, and we'll be good to go hopefully.

[Lydyn]

Think there might be another slot? If not, that's cool, I'll mosey along... =P

[Tytus]

Feel free to post a CS. It's not first come first serve or anything, simply me picking out of the large handful who expressed interest!(: I like to have extra people anyway, since some people from the interest check may lose interest, and many may drop within a week of this starting.

[cider]

Name: Donathan Vale.
Age: 51.
Sex: Male.
Race: Human.

Appearance: Donathan is as pale as he is bald. That, together with his utterly intense light blue eyes and complete lack of wrinkles despite his age make him look very unnatural to the common man. While he at six feet and one hundred and sixty pounds is of rather average size, he has certainly been taking more care of his body than most men his age. He is fit and lean, and his muscles are in near-perfect condition. He has no markings of any kind on his body, be they tattoos or scars, nor does he have piercings. He wears exquisite robes in everyday life, and light leather armor when fighting. That is, of course, assuming the fight does not involve open battle, in which case only a madman or barbarian use light armor.

Personality: Very well-educated and intelligent. Vale knows how to handle himself amongst nobility, but mix poorly with common folk as he thinks little of them and their ways. He does, however, have great patience and rarely lets emotion control him, though he certainly don't bother with false pleasantries unless necessity demands it. Donathan has no need of attention nor social niceties and does not concider himself to have friends, but rather people he respects. He cares little of other people's opinions and consider himself to be above others. Not because he deem them unintelligent or uncapable, but because he truly believes he is a greater man. Some of the, in other's eyes, redeeming qualities Donathan have are determination and fearlessness, attributes that together with his skill makes him sought-after in his field.

Magic/Abilities: Uses various spells, potions and plants prior to combat to enhance his own physical prowess, making his reactions faster, aim better and body stronger as well as enchanting his gear, making his sword sharper and armor more durable. He can not, however, use this magic to enhance others. Presumably it has something to do with his selfish personality, though magic is indeed an unpredictable field. Donathan also dabbles in fields like mysticism and illusion. Though this magic has little to do with combat, it is certainly both powerful and helpful in other ways. It is rumored Donathan have used this kind of magic to erase his wrinkles, change colors on fabric, persuade others, make himself invisible and even to make people forget who they are. They are, however, only rumors and little does anyone know about Donathan's true capabilities. In truth, Vale probably don't even fully understands them himself. As Vale grows older, it is evident that he gets more and more powerful in these fields, while his combat skills slowly diminish. His training and very extensive experience in armed combat has made him proficient with use of common noble weapons such as swords and maces, but (not considering Vale's magic) he stands no chance against, for example, a well-trained knight. He is surprisingly (though not if you know his trade) swift and light-footed and excel at duelling, but is not nearly as proficient in open battle.
Weakness(es): Age has been taking its turn on Vale, and while his magical aptitude may continue to improve, he is not quite the stellar fighter he once was. The fact that it is primarily his magic that makes him such a dangerous foe also means that were he to fight a skilled opponent without proper preparation, his chances of winning would lower drastically. Also, the potions and plants he's always used have less effect on him now than before. Donathan also has a tendency not to underestimate his opponents, but overestimate himself.

Background/History: Donathan Vale was born in a tiny coastal village far from Bitewind. His mother was a dressmaker, while his father was a fisherman. This much is known about Vale's origins, but little else as the village was raided and demolished by orcs long ago, leaving only one survivor - ten-year-old Donathan Vale - and no records. Not once has Vale, at least publically, made a single comment about the village nor anyone that lived in it, apart from stating his parents occupation. Also, Donathan is not his birth name, and Vale is not his father's name. For whatever reason, the orcs did, unlike the other villagers, not kill Donathan that day, but brought him with them when they left the village. It wasn't before long that Donathan was sold to a rich mage named Lamond Vale, who raised the boy and gave him his new name. Again, little is known about what happened during these years as Lamond died just before Donathan turned eighteen.

Donathan inherited Lamonds fortune, and used it to move to a fine home in Bitewind. He enlisted in the Wall Watch, presumably because he wanted to learn combat as he had no appearent need to enlist, and served with the Watch for a good few years before leaving. Instead he was hired by a group of mercenaries, where he quickly rose to the top after proving himself in various battles. Little did the magic-hating mercenaries know about 'Donathans preparations for battle'... While Donathan ruled the mercenary group without interruption from then on, it was obvious Donathan was not cut out for leadership - he simply did not care enough about the men he commanded, not to mention that his scholarly upbringing rendered him socially awkward in the group. Eventually, the group dissipated and Vale has not taken up command since.

He went back to his home in Bitewind, but kept working as a killer for hire. Instead of working for merchants and warlords spread across the lands, however, he from then on only worked for Bitewind nobles. Not before long it grew evident that nobles required a more subtle touch to their affairs, and Donathan's working methods changed accordingly. It is well-known that Donathan for the last twenty years have worked as something between an assassin and a court mage, or perhaps a fair bit of both, but little is known of what exactly he has done in the last two decades. Vale has a stellar reputation among most nobles since he refuses to be hired to damage other nobles in Bitewind (it would diminish his clientele), but is disliked, feared and sometimes hated by commoners.

Additional/Miscellaneous: First mage I've ever done in an RP. I tend to stay away from magic as I normally find it fairly, well, lame, and so you will not see any physical video game magic around this guy, assuming I can convincingly use magic in a more 'subtle' way. Otherwise you may yet see fireballs and lightning shooting through his fingertips! But probably not. I intend to elaborate on Donathan's youth and such in the RP.

EDIT: Finished the CS now. I think.