The Chosens of Mystal. (Draw RP experimental)

[GreenGoat]

Gentlemen.... I bring you~~!

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Now with IC link.

What to expect, AKA dafuq is this?

This is an RP where you focus less on words, and more into pictures. This is essentially a comic style RP, まんが　if you want to be fussy about it. For those who deigns not to make a comic can make a series of pictures with writings underneath, or other alternatives, as long as you DRAW a picture from it.

Oh and to those people who ses RPG is for writings only, I see no rules that says we cant do these sorts of RP. If there is one, call up the mods to confirm it with me and I will delete it myself, and drown myself in more coffee. @.@

Settings?

TO be revealed in depth later. For now, this RP will take place in a fantasy universe, coz everybody loves that, and apparently the easiest to draw stuff for. Some fluff for the setting:

It was that day again, the day of the Dark Clouds.

Once more sacrifices have to be made, and memorials carved for those who went before them. Those who were Chosen bid farewell to their loved ones, tears were shed and last minute preparations would be made. Those who were not Chosen by their own will had a glassy look in their eyes, sedated to be forcefully sacrificed.

The Dark Clouds signaled the day the portal opened, bringing along death and destruction if not for the sacrifices made each year.

Those who were Chosen by their own will hoped to bring this terror to an end, to destroy the Dark Clouds so it may rise never. Those who were taken against their will hoped simply to survive or to escape their fate as sacrifices to this portal. And so it goes for as long as everyone remembered, the sacrifices, the grieving mothers; no one expected the Chosen to actually succeed and stop the Dark Clouds.

And this year, you are one of the Chosen, willingly or otherwise.

Revealed through RP

Ceremony of the Chosen, The - Being a Chosen means being a sacrifice for the good of the village. One can be Chosen by one's free will or by a vote from the villagers, should the elder feel the sacrifices are lacking. One is Chosen from the beginning of the year, to prepare for the Dark Clouds by the time of fall. However, there had been cases of Chosens from outside the village. Once Chosen, you are granted special privileges, such as increased discounts, free food, special lodgings, and a companion, male or female, until the time of the Sacrifice. Those who were unwillingly chosen have the same privileges, but they are banned from exiting the village to prevent them running off. Some Chosen use this time to train, acting on the belief that Dark Clouds may be stopped once they are sacrificed, some use it to have as much fun as possible, some use it to pray among other things.

The sacrificial ceremony itself is pretty simple. All the chosen will be gathered at the top of the mountain, standing in a circular ancient ruins where a depression in the middle hovers a large round glowing ball of greenish light, seemingly transparent but also opaque at the same time. After the blessings, the Chosens are allowed a last goodbye, and will touch the ball of light, disappearing once the Chosen's hand is fully immersed. Those of the Chosen who are unwilling are simply thrown into the ball to make life simple for everyone.

Dark Clouds - It is an ominously Dark Cloud that appears around the mountain once the time of Sacrifice had come once again. While the Clouds themselves are dangerous by themselves, generating a miasma of death, awakening foul creatures in the woods, and other fearsome effects the villagers had no desire to find out, it is said that a huge catastrophe will happen if the Dark Clouds should be left alone.

Mystal - The village where everyone will start in. It was founded by a bunch of refugee's escaping the war a few hundred years back, where they lived in uneasy peace with a then unknown tribe. After years passed, they integrated with the tribe and became the Mystal village. After traders found the village, they had started trading with the outside world, growing rapidly in technology, and soon catching up with the outside world. Mystal village, though technically a town by now, became known for hardy people, and for their delicious mountain goats.


Portal, The - It lies at the top of the mountain, in an old ruin hedged by stone pillars. No one knew how old it was, nor who made it. The Portal itself is a huge ball of greenish light, around 2m in diameter.

Fundamentals of Magic

Magic is divided into 7 levels. However, there are actually 8 levels of magic masteries in reality when you include cantrips, the weakest of all magics. Mages/clerics/warlocks/whatever else that utilizes magic are First Level when they can utilize cantrips only, Second Levels when they can utilize the Level One Magics, and so on and so forth. Magic are categorized based on their Incantation length and complexity.

Cantrips are usually wordless, and can be cast by simply focusing and shaping mana. However, cantrips are rarely powerful and/or impressive, effects ranging from a simple freezing of a glass of water, lighting a campfire, or closing minor wounds.

Level One magics are usually more powerful than cantrips, requiring one verse of incantation to cast. Level Two magics requires two verses to cast, Level Three requires three, and so on. Needless to say, Level Seven Magics are hard to pull off, but has the ability to destroy whole cities and other abilities bordering on impossible. Consequentially, 8th level magicians are extremely rare and far in between.

For comparison, most of the world's most powerful and famous magicians are of the 4th levels, with a few in the 5th level. Most common magicians are of the 2nd or third level.

However, a magician's Level does not mean s/he will always lose to a higher level magician, for mastery of a lower level spell may imbue it with a special ability depending on the mage's traits. One can also learn to Shorten a verse, or even eliminate it entirely, to cast spells faster. However, a Full Verse Magic will always be stronger than a Short or No Verse Magic, with the exception of magicians who have both the power and knowledge to do so.

For obvious reasons, mages of the 4th and upper levels are not allowed to be created for now.

Also, this is my first time GMing anything, so please tell me if Im doing something wrong. >.>
Also, before applying, please be sure that you have time to spare, that you can be committed to an RP, and that you can roleplay coherently and draw recognizable characters. Can't have stick men running around now, can we?

Rules and important stuff.

1.Standard forum rules of course. I expect this to be rather obvious, but wanted to point it out nonetheless, and be Capt. Obvious for a mo.

2.Standard Advanced forum rules also apply where applicable.This also includes, but not limited to, those minimum paragraph requirements, during those certain situations where you need to write for your pictures.

3. Will have a posting requirement of at least once per week. I know some people have lives and all, but at least gimme a PM or a post here in the OOC. It wouldn't consume much of your time to just jump on and post something. lol

3a.Will need to post at least one page of manga drawing collab or otherwise, several sequential pictures with at least a paragraph of writing, or an illustration of one of your character's actions with the normal Advanced requirement of a minimum of two paragraph of writing. This is so, happy draw lucky people can draw more with the manga, or those with less experience drawing comics can do several illustrations with at least a paragraph of words. Or those who are rushed/less inclined to draw/whatever else excuses you can dig up can draw one pic, and write up the standard minimum of two paragraphs.

4. No OOC in the IC. May be a no brainer for most, but there are some people who does that. >.>

5. Be coherent. I do not want a post that requires a Ph.D in archeology, forensics, and anthropology to decipher. That means not mangling your grammer till English becomes Klingon.

6. No hentai/ or obviously adult sort of pictures allowed. But a little bit of ecchi is ok. Just... just use your common sense with this.

Will add more as soon as I remember more or my befuddled head can think clearly. Please add 'Violin Playing Donkey' with green color at the bottom of your cs if you read this.


CS Sheet & Chars

Since we will be using mostly hand drawn pics, which are supposed to tell a thousand words or something like that, CSes do not need to be as detailed as normal. Instead we will be relying on those manga/anime techniques of showing backstory and other things. Personality should get obvious as we RP.

Name: Pls no names that requires you to twist your tongue in horrible ways to pronounce. Torturing people is bad.
Age: 15- 40
Race: Normal fantasy races. Elves, dwarves, humans etc etc in their typical forms. Other races may or may not be accepted depending on how you present them to me.
Specialty: Archer, Magician, Warrior or whatever else your char do, or is titled. Could even be a magical hobo master if you so choose.
Appearance: Insert a little description as well as a picture. Pictures must be handrawn.
Personality: Self explanatory. Short descript will do.
Biography:No need to write a book and publish it for this one. Short descript will do.
Others: Anything else, like equipments, items, spare clothes, whatever else you want to add.

Example:


Name: Kaymn Incea
Age: 22
Race: Human
Specialty: Martial Artist
Appearance:

Second and better picture. Linked coz I think it might be a bit big.

She stands at about 5'7", with blonde hair, and green eyes. Her top is made out of a stretchy tough material, of the same greyish color, and her gloves and thigh high stockings are made of the same material, but with a darker color leaning towards black. Her shorts are simple tan shorts made out of a coarse and tough material. Wears boots.

Personality: Lighthearted and cheerful, she is optimistic and and direct. While she can be intelligent at times, she had spent most of her time practicing under her master, and thus had not much materials to read or honed her mind. Most of the time, she will simply plow through whatever problems there is, often choosing the direct method for anything.

Biography:Born in the village, she is a Mystal through and through, tough, hardy, and strong, the epitome of the Mystal man. Of course, she was teased when she was younger by the other kids because of this, so she settled it by punching the kids through the nearest wall. Like a Mystal man would do. So of course she was berated, and was taken to the old man Guru to teach her to control her strength. She grew up watching the others flirt, attend school and generally have a normal life, as she herself trained rigorously under her old master. Of course, she had witnessed the Ceremony many times. It was saddening to find many familiar faces, some willing and a few struggling and crying, go through that light, and never be seen again.
It was quite disheartening of course, but she told herself it was normal, as her own Guru told her it was wise to keep training. He had hopes that she would be among those of his pupils to become teachers, and teach martial arts to the future generations.
One day however, her father volunteered himself for the Ceremony, a man of about 34 years old. She had begged him not to go, but he gave that brilliant smile and spoke his last words to her.

"Don't worry, I will certainly end this."

"Then pay your debts before you go" She retorted.

That was about a year ago. She had wanted to believe him, but the Dark Clouds showed signs of returning. This time, she would be the one of the chosen, and finish her father's job.

That worthless bastard.

Others: A small pouch for her to keep small items in.

Name: Mordem Vega
Age: 24
Race: Human
Specialty: Mage, sort of.
Appearance:

As a result of his illness, his hair has turned white, and he's deathly pale. His clothes are dirty, as he's been living on the street for years.

Personality: Mordem isn't a very happy man. In fact, he's pretty moody most of the time the time, due to his constant pain. Ever since he was thrown out on the street, he's been keeping to himself, so he is kind of socially awkward, and has issues with trusting people emotionally. Still, he has his moments.

Biography:

"I'm dying. Got me one of them nasty officials telling me I've got only a few years left to rot in this poor excuse of a life. Fine by me. I've had worse."

Mordem is terminally ill. None of the people around him know that the cause of this is the continued strain of the raw unrefined magical force he was born a conduit for. He's not a mage, not by a long shot. While the rest of those born with an affinity for magic studied for years to hone their skills in the arcane arts, Mordem was able to use tap into the sources of power right away. It would actually be more correct to say that, in contrast to the average mage, that draws mana from the world around him, Mordem is a conduit. His body itself is a channeling device. He lacks the precision and skill a normal mage has, and can not cast any actual spells. Instead, he unleashes waves of pure eldritch energy of immense power. He's not able to adjust the strength of these blasts, it's all or nothing. Every time he allows his body to let out some of the constant pressure that pushes on his body, he comes one step closer to death, as his body is far from strong enough to withstand it. He's in constant pain, as a result of keeping the vast powers at bay. One could compare the feeling to having a constant need to pee.

When he was younger, he would often lose control in times of stress, when he slept, when he went to the toilet, and just about any other situation and state of mind that distracted him enough to cause him to let go, even for a split-second. First, their house got blown up, then, their neighbours who took them in, a few months later. When a third house went up in smoke, Mordem, at the age of twelve, was forced to live on the street, where he's been begging, drinking, and generally suffering by himself ever since. Nowadays he's got enough control to function normally without too much trouble, but people still won't approach him or give him a place to stay.

Mordem doesn't actually use magic in combat, since using it at all cuts his life a lot shorter. Instead, he's taught himself how to fight with his fists, and whatever he can get his hands on. He's not good at it, at all, but his physical strength is usually enough to compensate for a lack of skill.

Word about his illness has gotten round, and it has been decided that he's going to be amongst this years sacrifices, since he's going to die anyway.

Others: He doesn't own anything other than the clothes on his body. Maybe a few copper coins in his pocket.

---

Name: Mi'Shyne - 'Mish'
Age: (60) Looks to be late teens.
Race: Mixed blood. Looks mostly Elf.
Specialty: Shadow Magic
Appearance:

Just under five feet tall. Chin length black hair, big green eyes, smiling lips, small pointy ears, light brown skin, toned if a bit under nourished body.
Torn top, torn cloak, torn fingerless gloves, wearing her best pants that has only one hole at the knee patched. Best items she owns are her mother's scarf and boots.
Carries a pair of knives, and 'extra dark and deep' pouches filled with ropes and thievery items.

Personality: Not used to nice people, but still sweet and giving. Quick to smile, quick to cry, a bit shy and subconsciously moves away from crowds and will often find herself by herself. Will tend to defer to whoever is in charge, not fearful nor spineless, but has her lower Caste drilled into her. She is the muddiest of blood. No pedigree at all and so she is part of the Dirt, the lowest of the Caste and treated just like dirt. Not exactly the brightest torch out there, but she is actually very brave, daring and constantly taking risks; toss in a bit of dumb luck and that is how she survived living in the City of Toroden. That and she follows her dream of becoming a heroine some day.

Biography: Born and raised on the tough streets of the Toroden. Mother was a whore. Father was some guard or thief or any old person who could afford her that night. Orphaned so raised by her mentors to become a street rat, survivor, and spell caster. Part local hero, part outlaw, always on the run and always looking to be wanted. Driven to be something someday.

Hail to you. My name is Mi'Shyne. But you can can call me Mish... if you like. That's what everybody calls me in the 'Den. Yeah, that's right... hahahah... I'm from the slum district of Toroden. I know, so hard to believe right? Little me. After all those years, you could imagine the constables faces when they finally caught the 'The Ghost of the Pugskin Towers District...' and you could imagine what they did to me... but its okay. I mean, I helped feed our part of the ghetto. I helped get them real clothes. And I helped get them medicine they needed. I hope they are all going to be okay now without me. But they are proud of me, that's what they all would have said. I'm sure of it. Really. I know my friends would have told me that. If they were still alive... there is a price to pay apparently when you aid an outlaw. They paid it and their families blamed me. But I'm sure deep in their hearts they are proud of me. And besides, things are going to get better. Cuz I'm here in the Village of the Portal now. And I'm going to save this land.

Oh aye, those are my boots. They gave them to me when I volunteered to be one of the Chosen. That's right. I volunteered. The Chosen folk with fancy boots that they send from the 'Den are criminals, you know. They would never send anyone more valuable than refuse, they told me. And besides, I didn't like prison. No. They kept hurting me there. Bad. So aye, I volunteered to get the 'Boots' and walked on over here. They are so pretty. And they fit like proper shoes too! Best gift for a proper hero of Toroden, they told me. And when I passed the slums, they gave me Mama's scarf. Yes they did. It really is hers and they gave it to me. They did...! And it is so beautiful. And it smells of Rising Poppies. That's what I think she smells like too. I never knew Mama. But I knew Papa. They are all the same. I saw his face everywhere in the 'Den. They all looked at me like I was for sale; like my body was meat to purchase. But I know my Mama was beautiful. I just know it. Just look at her scarf. Oh, Mama... it's all I have to remember her...

So being part Elf makes me magical. That's what Vandaxi says. She's the one who helped me cast and manipulate shadows. I'm pretty good now too. I can pull and shape dark without getting nose bleeds anymore. I can't move too fast in the shadows during the day or else I'll be seen. But hey, I finally learned how to move in there... at night, I'm like a ghost-- 'The Ghost of the Pugskin Towers District! Hahahahah! I get it now. Now I know why they called me that when they couldn't figure out who was stealing...! 'Do anything to get away, take what you need another day...' that's what Omonen used to say. He was the one that taught me how to be a proper thief. He said I was even more nimble and athletic than he ever was. I can't fight better than him... but then again he wasn't a very good fighter. That's how he got himself killed. He tried to stick up for me and fought Edgun the Hammer, one of the 'Weapons of the Dark Crown' gang.

So I had to teach myself how to fight... actually how to never ever get hit... then to run and to strike at a distance. I'm pretty good at running too. And I chuck stuff... and my pouches are deeper than others. Vandaxi taught me how to increase the darkness space inside pouches. And now she taught me how to toss daggers made of shadow... and make them real enough to hurt. She said one day, I need to be strong enough to make them real enough to kill. I said, I can't kill anyone! She said: 'There must be always be death taken to give life... remember that always then go save the world.' I don't know what that means exactly, but when they took Vandaxi away, I know that she had meant to give all those shiny coins, rings, bracelets, necklaces and countless other shiny things I gave her and Omonen; they would givie it all to the rest of our people so they could afford nice things. And before they beat her into unconsciousness, I know she was going to say that she loved me. Just know it.


I'll save her one day. Aye. My name is Mi'Shyne and I shall save you all.

Name: Shosha Ryoho
Age: 28
Race: Human
Specialty: Healing Magic and Remedy Charms.
Appearance:

Spoiler

Stands 5'7" tall. Long white hair tied into a ponytail, which is resting on her left shoulder. Purple eyes, pale skin from the result of being a shut-in. Her mahogany colored kimono top is tightly wrapped around the upper waist by a black belt, and wears a white skirt. Her wooden Japanese-style sandals appear worn out and chipped at several areas. Inside the two golden pieces of cloth she tied on her wrists, there is a small inked symbol in the inverse side of the cloth, which is a remedy charm she had implanted there herself.
Personality: A humble and kind individual. It is expected of her because of her current occupation, but doesn't mind the expectations. She has a strict habit of making sure everything is in "order," from her patient's health to the neatness of her own medical supplies. Organization always seemed to be some obsession she had, but it was actually more than just an obsession. When going through medical remedies, she prefers to use the old-fashioned magic and charms than just using the new advancing of scientific remedies, as she says that it is "downright fascinating and more beautiful than those icky metal things." The only thing that she doesn't not have great control over, is being left in the dust, meaning being outdone by someone else on her own game. It's truly frustrating for her, having to find new ways of magical remedies to get even with that person.
Biography: Born and raised in the village, Shosha had been always fascinated by anything related to magic, even if her parents forbid it. Through all of the things that restricted her from involving herself into magic more and more when she was 14, Shosha got clever and snuck out at night to find out more about magic, and how she could use it herself when she grows up. While she secretly trained herself into magic, she notices a strange silence she gets from both her parents. One night, both of her parents became missing from the household, and the next day the news was brought up to Shosha.
"Oh...hi mister, is there something the matter?" I smiled happily towards the man who had a blank face.
"It sounds like you never really knew..." the man spoke under his breath.
"Huh? Did I miss something! Like a special ritual of some kind," I spoke with a naïve voice, but my eagerness dropped as he put his hand on my shoulder.
"Your parents kept it a secret from you, it's no wonder you weren't there to say your final farewell to them..." the man tried to speak gently towards me.
"Huh? Farewell?...." I was simple-minded to even know what he meant.
"Shosha...your parents were sacrifices...and they never told you..." the man finally revealed the truth.
It was then that Shosha realized what it meant, that her parents willingly kept the truth of being sacrifices away from her, so that she wouldn't feel bad. However, it hurt more to hear it now then the chance of hearing it before hand. Then she decided to train herself more in magic, building up a drive of motivation to learn healing magic. She wanted to do something with her life that was meaningful. So, 14 years later, she is still training herself in magic, but improving each day. Unaware to her senses, she would have the chance to join her parents through a sacrifice...

Wets-His-Blade

Name: Caitlyn Day
Age: 21
Race: Mostly human. No clue what goes on further back in that family tree though - some weird shit rumors circulated among her relatives.
Specialty: Hair magic. Basically, she controls it to the point where she can make it grow insanely fast and insanely long, have it magically flow around to carry stuff(including her!), or just turn it into helpful/deadly things. Setting it on fire and then wrapping it around the things she is supposed to kill is an all time favorite one.
Appearance: Standing at seven feet and with hair so brilliantly red it's almost a miracle it doesn't glow in the dark, Cait stands out whether she likes it or not. She carry a blue jacket with a fur-laced hood around, tied around her waist whenever she isn't using it. A large scar run from her left eyebrow, over her nose, and down her cheek and collarbone, continuing down her side to her hip in a consecutive line that looks like it must've hurt like a fuck. Her hair, when she isn't somehow messing around with it by magic, reach her past her butt and is so inhumanely fine that Lóreal would kill for her secret. It never seem to get dirty, either, but she cannot change its color, not by magic or by traditional dye.

Personality: Cait is a confident and somewhat cocky young woman who seem to be quite fond of near-death experiences. She love high speeds, dangerous animals, heights, gambling and a good fight any day - basically anything that involves a bit of risk. This can make her quite... violent at times, and it's debatable whether she is entirely sane.
When she isn't trying to kick your ass, however, she is a friendly enough person. She have a soft spot for kids and for parental figures, due to holding family ties in high regard. She is also an animal lover, with the one and - even to her totally unexplainable - exception of reindeer. She loathes the bastards for some odd reason.

And perhaps a bit too temperamental... while she is exceedingly skilled at keeping calm in the face of danger, other types of stress may very well drive her over some sort of edge somewhere.

Biography: Born in a mountain village far away from Mystal, Caitlyn grew up in a large family where she was child number seven out of a total of nine. Their mother was a skilled magician and taught them the basics from the very beginning. Cait had a knack for it - or at least, for killing things with it. It was a good thing considering - their home was a place infested with demons and dragons constantly trying to eat their livestock. And them for that matter.
When she was eighteen years old, the Day clan was forced to leave their home, as the influence of monsters grew despite their efforts to keep them down. They journeyed for a few weeks, searching for a safer home. However, Cait lost them during a raid assault that left her unconscious among the smoke and corpses of the village they were currently staying in. As she never found any their corpses she assume them to still be alive somewhere, but having no idea where the hell they went she continued to search at random. Eventually, by sheer luck, she ran into a cousin with whom she joined forces. Piper was a merchant and the occasional mercenary, and they earned their traveling funds by taking down pesky monsters, saving random princesses from dragons, and in Caits case as a hairdresser.

They came to Mystal a little over a year ago where they had one huge fight about whether they should continue looking for Caits family at all. Piper presumed them to be dead, while Cait absolutely refused to accept that possibility. They agreed that Cait would keep looking on her own for a while, and they promised to meet up again in Mistal in a year.
A year passed and, like she had promised, Cait came back to the village at the decided date. However, she returned only to learn that Piper had gone through the portal during last years Ritual and, in a fit of rage, stormed in after the stupid bastard.

None as of yet in this OOC

[inDefiance]

Very well then. It truly is a copy/paste.

Judging by the CS Fie assumes that we are regular human types?

[GreenGoat]

Whoah, thanks for that. Forgot to put that in. Never GMed anything before lol.

[inDefiance]

Well I do appreciate the fact that you are at least trying to get this going. Fie's boy Gado is actually a GM for a RP that Fie is in so perhaps he may be able to help out with some advice if he does end up joining.

[GreenGoat]

Speaking of GMing, I could use a CoGM. Also, will post my Char soon as an example.

[Gado]

I think a bit more explanation about the setting is in order. Not much, as I understand you want to progress the plot along as we go, but a bit more, so that we have more to work with when creating our characters.

So, basically;

- More information on what it's like to be a sacrifice, willing or otherwise, and how the sacrifice itself works (method, ritual, etc)

- More information on why the dark clouds are bad. It's obviously quite horrendous since people sacrifice each other to prevent it, but it would be great to know in what way. What is it people think will come out of the portal?


I could coGM, if there's need for it.

[inDefiance]

-GreenGoat- Very well then. Cannot wait to see it. Fie shall be working on her character later. Probably post one tomorrow.

-Gado- Lovely to see you in here, my dear. What are you thinking of RPing?

[Gado]

-Fie- I'm thinking I'm up for something awesome. Don't know what that is yet though. Need more information, yo.

[inDefiance]

-Gado- Fuck. Yeah. Love ya' boy. And actually Fie is thinking about playing a cute little shit shadow-mage-thief type. And not angry and not so badass and actually nice for once. Fuckin' hell. Should be interesting, no doubt...

-EDIT- -GreenGoat- and Fie STRONGLY suggests that you add 'ladies' to your greeting to only gentlemen at the top of your original post. Hell, if Fie had her way it would read "Bitches and gentlemales, I bring you..." at the intro...

[GreenGoat]

I'd love for you to be the CoGM, and I updated the Lore tab. CHeck it. ^^;