Soulcraft: Dragon Hunters Needed

[Eater of Dreams]

Here's a link to the RP: http://roleplayerguild.com/f9/soulcraft-58606/
And one for the OOC: http://roleplayerguild.com/f14/soulcraft-ooc-58182/

Dragon hunters needed:

Because of a plot development in Soulcraft, we're in need of some new blood. Specifically, I need three or four people to fill in the roles of the Fatali lyn Draka, a multi-cultural band of dragon hunters who travel the world. These roles may be temporary or permanent, depending on how things play out, and on the preference of the player.

Fatali lyn Draka

The Fatali are a cultist-like group that have been hunting dragons for as long as anyone can remember. Their shrouded origins date back at least a thousand years, and by this point they have become renowned dragonslayers. Utilizing the rare poison from the west, Dragonsbane, the Fatali excel at not only killing dragons, but capturing them alive. Some dragons hunt them out of wrath. Others fear them.

Many members of the Fatali are pariahs, people of differing races who for one reason or another do not mesh well with their own kind. They remain united despite whatever wars my split the relations between their races, considering themselves separate from world affairs.

Their true purpose is known only by Fatali leadership - they serve as a connection between the elves and the Spiderkin, maintaining the peace that keeps the monsters from hunting the elves into extinction. Only the trusted leaders know that the Fatali are at the beck of the elves, and every few decades are sent to hunt a dragon to bring to the Spiderkin. During the course of Soulcraft's development, this time has come.

This connection is a closely guarded secret. If the dragons knew of the connection between the elves and the Fatali, they may destroy the elves themselves as vengeance. This is why only the most trusted leadership within the Fatali are given this truth - usually they are elves who know it already.

Overview:

Soulcraft is a medium-fantasy advanced-level roleplay, taking place in the massive human nation of Argent, the small elven nation-state of Talon, and briefly the dwarf-held region of Nortfel. The plot follows several characters inadvertently thrown together as Culluket, the Soulcrafted human created by three powerful demons, tips delicate balances of the mortal world by rising back to power. The year is 285 Forsaken Era.

The name of the Era denotes the relatively recent disappearance of the gods, leaving the mortal world in the hands of their counterparts, demons. It's been 285 years since the death of the last known god, recorded by elven sages. The demons, now unopposed, are free to do as they will without the gods keeping them in check.

Soulcraft was the method by which gods created new souls - a practice even they haven't done for thousands of years since life began to propagate itself. With the gods dead, Soulcraft should have died with them. Mortals cannot Soulcraft, not in any mystical sense, and demons lack the ability to create any life at all, demonic or otherwise. However, it's rumored that should a demon learn how to Soulcraft, they can ascend into godhood. And Yag, the new Demon of Life, has discovered its secret.

The Plot

The plot can be separated into three different arcs: the paths of Culluket, Maia, and Non. It's quite a read, so I've made it as concise as possible. This is for reference, mainly. You're not required to read the entire thing, but it's a tool to help you.

The Path of Culluket.

Spoiler

A Talonian Ambassador is responsible for assassinating the Argentine King, sparking a war that would have meant bloody oblivion for the small elven nation-state. The true culprit was Culluket, a nearly immortal Soulcraft child with unusual power - this detail was learned by the young 17 year old heir to the throne who returned to the castle in time to halt the war after one chaotic battle. Culluket, inhabiting the body of the Argentine feudal lord Rowan Meredith, has disappeared. Wrestling the chaotic affairs of a nation in turmoil, the young King of Argent is now too occupied with restoring order to the massive and powerful country he rules.

Rowan's wife, Evelyn, recruits the imprisoned elven ambassador, Rilus Thuran, and her friend, the court magus Argus, to track down her husband's whereabouts. Each of them seek him out for their own reasons. Rilus wants to extract vengeance for the danger Talon was put in from Culluket's actions. Evelyn wants to find her husband and reunite with her stolen son, Jonah, to complete and repair her family. Argus, deeply in love with the married Evelyn Meredith, accompanies her out of devotion.

During their travels, Rilus is contacted by Yag, the Demon of Life, and one of Culluket's demonic fathers. He tries to convince Rilus to help him slay Culluket, who was wrongfully bestowed with powers no mortal should have, and unable to interfere directly with the mortal world. The elf refuses, leaving Yag frustrated and forced to find another means to claim Culluket's stolen power.

The party catches up with Rowan Meredith when they arrive in the city of Silverton, where Rowan is visiting Edward, a childhood friend, with the young King Fermane in tow. Feeling the loss of his mind to Culluket's invading presence, he desperately tries to cling to what little humanity he has left. However, Culluket's vassal, Non, has burned down Rowan's home and destroyed the his fiefdom, murdering everyone who'd resided there. Rowan slowly loses the battle for himself, realizing he has nothing left that made him who he was. Gradually, he gives in to Culluket, and even cooperates with him. Working in tandem, Rowan and Culluket combine their wills to erase the last of what defined Rowan Meredith: by murdering his wife.

Culluket and Rilus meet in the rainy streets of Silverton late at night and face off. Losing the last crumbs of himself, Rowan surrenders to Culluket's demonic power, nearly killing Rilus and slaughtering two bystanders. Edward is left to contemplate what has become of his old friend.

Culluket leaves Silverton behind as he ventures onward, now completely restored, to rebuild his collection of Marionettes, and retreat to his old home, the Scarlet Pavilion.

The Path of Maia, the half-dragon.

Spoiler

A successful treasure hunter named Maia enters a tavern in a small town near the capital of Argent. In need of protection, she hires two mercenary bodyguards - Silaris, a human woman, and Karx, a dwarven man who keeps company with a strange albino serval he calls Bats. Maia faces stiff competition with other raiders, who plunge the depths of the same ruins as her to find priceless treasures and age-old artifacts. The mercenaries will do well to protect her, or at least keep her enemies distracted while she makes off with her prize.

However, any plans to begin an expedition go awry as an odd-looking stranger enters the village - an albino boy wielding a large, ornate battle scythe. He stops briefly to inform her that her father, the great dragon Ilorxantarius, is being held prisoner in the lair of mythical creatures called Spiderkin. As mysteriously as the boy appeared, he leaves again suddenly, to pursue his own agendas.

Using directions he gave her, Maia leads her mercenaries and the white serval cat to an entrance of the enormous Spiderkin lair, Aranaea. Before entering, they're interrupted by a talking raven who gives no name. Coming to simply call him Raven, they accept his help, tentatively believing his claims that he can act as a guide in the cavernous home of these monsters.

After the ordeal of getting inside, Silaris is immediately killed by a Spiderkin guard. A strange elf named Neith comes to the rescue, firing arrows in its eyes. The party bests the blinded creature. Neith claims to be an escaped victim of the Spiderkin, who collect creatures of various magical natures to turn them into weapons. Still trapped within Aranaea however, he offers to assist them in their quest to free Ilorxantarius in exchange for the way out.

The dragon, however, was crucified to the floor. Its flowing, burning blood fueled the Spiderkin forges. Fighting their way through the cavern, Maia rushes to her father. She undergoes her draconic ascension as he bathes her in dragonsflame. Though it seems Ilor is about to die, Raven reveals himself to be the Demon of Flesh, forced to possess the body of a raven after a Soulcrafting attempt nearly destroyed him. Using his power, he mends the wounds of the dragon, which bursts free and decimates the Spiderkin.

Ilorxantarius bursts from the earth, bringing Maia, Neith, Raven, Bats, and Karx along with him. They appear in the middle of a battle between Talonian and Argentine forces. Right behind them, an innumerable mass of Spiderkin pour onto the surface, attacking everything in sight. The Argentine army is forced to fall back.

Landing a safe distance away, Ilorxantarius thanks the group for his rescue. He embraces his daughter and bids her farewell before flying off to return to his long abandoned lair. Karx, having seen quite enough of this, storms off and leaves Maia to her own devices. Bats, left abandoned, chooses to stay with the half-dragon who smells so fondly of cinnamon.

All seems well until the group is closed in on by Talonian forces, who immediately arrest Neith for unspecified, foul treason. Demanding to know the meaning of it all, Maia accompanies the Talonian scouting party to protect her newfound friend. The scouting party returns to Talondre, the only city within Talon, giving room and lodging to Maia and Wrath. Raven is captured and interrogated by the veteran General Sear, while Neith is taken to the First Priest of Talon.

Later, he meets with Maia, informing her that he's been pardoned. He, is actually a she, the TRUE ruler of Talon. He reveals that the elves have maintained a necessary peace with the Spiderkin by delivering a dragon for their forges every 40-50 years - whenever the previous dragon dies. Neith believes this tradition should see an end and has returned to Talondre to spread his message. Mortified and feeling betrayed, Maia turns her back on Neith and angrily storms off, staying with his niece Rynn until she decides what to do next.

Unbeknownst to Maia, Neith has been betrayed, and now sits in the Talondre prison with Raven, or Necri'sul, as the elves referred to him. He knows that Sear intends to capture Maia and Bats and deliver them to the Spiderkin in repayment for Neith's traitorous release of their dragon.

The Path of Non.

Spoiler

About twenty-five years prior, the possessed Rown Meredith was captured by the Spiderkin. His arm was severed, and its flesh was used in the forging of a battle scythe: Culluket's power retained within. Though Rowan eventually escaped, the scythe remained in possession of the Spiderkin for some time to come. The power, which belonged to the Demon of Control originally, was much too restless to stay contained, however. Over time, it became conscious, sentient, and ultimately materialized itself in flesh. The power took on the form of a boy of 17-18, Rowan's splitting image for his age, except that like Culluket, he was albino.

This incarnation of the scythe's power delivered it from Spiderkin servitude. It slaughtered dozens of their kind in an attempt to escape Aranaea. Heavily outnumbered thousands to one, however, it stood little chance of leaving on its own. That is until it ran into Ilorxantarius, the imprisoned dragon. Because of its fondness for humans, possibly honoring the memory of Maia's mother, Ilor created such a stir that it allowed the white haired boy to escape. Bearing a primitive sense of honor, the boy in return sought out Ilorxantarius' daughter, informing her of Ilor's whereabouts. When the great dragon was released from Aranaea, the white haired boy considered his debt repaid.

Connected in soul to Rowan Meredith, the white haired boy immediately set out for Manor Meredith, where he knew Rowan was going. Struggling with Culluket in his head and just having killed his good friend, the King, Rowan sought to kill himself to protect his family and the rest of the world from Culluket. The boy, a fragment of Rowan's inner will, set out to stop him.

The boy slaughtered everyone within Rowan's fiefdom, setting the buildings on fire. He then entered Manor Meredith, slaying all the staff and residents inside, including Rowan's senile mother. When Rowan arrived at the manor, it was only in time to see the white haired boy leap from a flaming window. The boy introduced himself as Rowan's servant, and the hand of Rowan's true desires. He claimed Rowan did not want to fight Culluket, and instead yearned to embrace him. By destroying everything that made Rowan who he was, he said he was freeing Rowan from his life and giving him the freedom of having nothing.

As such, the white haired boy named himself Non.

Rowan, in shock, denied it all and fled. The King of Argent had followed him foolishly, and he sought to bring Fermane back to his kingdom. Rowan passed through Silverton, where he and the King parted ways. It was there that Rowan lost he last few shreds of himself and gave in to Culluket almost completely. After nearly killing Rilus Thuran, Culluket stole off into the night.

Non then kidnapped Jonah Meredith, Rowan's son (though really Jonah is the bastard lovechild between Evelyn Meredith and the late King Salinder), and on the way also took a girl named Anjum. These children were to be Culluket's Marionettes - deadly dancer children whose minds are erased and made slaves to Culluket's whims. Culluket also collected a handful of children on the way. The two met briefly, then Non and Anjum were sent to Talon to fulfill a yet-to-be-revealed task.

Non is known to the Spiderkin as the Relic. He is their creation, so powerful that it defied the Spiderkin and sought its own path. Many Spiderkin are in reverence of this event, and seek to find Non and follow their weapon's new destiny. They believe it may bring them out of the darkness and help them realize a new clarity. In short: They believe Non is a god. The Spiderkin Queens have been struggling to keep order.

What You'll Be Doing:

Recently, the dragon Ilorxantarius was released from Aranaea, the Spiderkin forge lair. Elves have since been able to track his escape, relaying this information to the Fatali. The Fatali will have been ordered to recapture at least Ilorxantarius, unless they can secure another dragon. Any dragon used must be aged at least a thousand years for its blood to be viable for Spiderkin use - making Maia, the half-human daugher of Ilorxantarius, useless for that matter.

However, dragons are very clever and difficult to find. The Fatali may go years without finding a dragon, and they've been told that the Spiderkin need one now. Their best bet may be to capture Maia in order to lure Ilorxantarius out of hiding. Maia being a main protagonist of the story, this is why I need you.

--------------------------

The involvement of the Fatali will likely begin within one or two weeks, and may last as long as a month or so, depending on how it plays out. As mentioned before, your involvement in the RP may be temporary or permanent depending on how it all goes, and what your personal choice is.

Your character may have joined the Fatali for any number of reasons, but it's easy to imagine that the group is not looked upon fondly. They have a similar reputation as murderous raiders or pirates.

If you're interested, post below or contact me. I'll be requiring a writing sample before I consider letting you in. This will be in the form of a sample post in response to a piece of my writing, so that I can gauge your writing style, originality, and how you react to unexpected roleplayer action.

Quick Details:

Races:
As far as choosing your race, there is established lore for humans, elves, dragons, and dwarves. I'd recommend against choosing a dragon character, but knowing about their history may be part of your repertoire, considering your field of work.

I'll be adding information about the races later, possibly tomorrow. You're free to pick any race you like, even one of your own creation. Humans, elves, and dwarves are predominant, but they aren't the only sorts of intelligent beings. If you pick any of the former, I just want to inform you that there will probably be details you need to know about each.

Magic:
Soulcraft is a medium fantasy setting. We already have one mage in the cast, and I prefer to keep that number as low as possible. Magic is a highly powerful tool, wielded by few. It's very hard to normalize the level of power that magic is capable of, so unless you think you can pull it off tastefully, I'd advise against choosing a magic-caster character.

Demons and Soulcrafting:
If you wish for your character to have some connections to demons, or reverence for gods, I can fill you in on that front.

I'll add more information later. Don't feel as though you're coming into an RP that's too established to accomodate new characters. Mixing in new blood is half the fun.

[Ixisily]

This has definitely caught my eye-- I was referred here by Freyja, and although I do not normally involve myself in group role-play, it would serve to shave the rust off of my skills due to a long hiatus. I wouldn't mind applying for a part, whether it be permanent or not.

[yoshua171]

Well I saw the words "soulcraft" and dragon and immediately bounced over. I have not yet read the soul craft storyline or prompt as some put it, however I would be glad to if it is neccesary. Also as I have seen a bit of said group I would be willing to play the role of said "Dragon-hunter".

[Eater of Dreams]

This has definitely caught my eye-- I was referred here by Freyja, and although I do not normally involve myself in group role-play, it would serve to shave the rust off of my skills due to a long hiatus. I wouldn't mind applying for a part, whether it be permanent or not.

I'll have to thank Freyja for bringing it to your attention. I also generally avoid group roleplay, particularly when there's a lack of good direction. Most of my RP is done in private, usually with friends via instant messenger. However, I do enjoy sharing my ideas with a larger audience, and it has been nothing but rewarding.

Well, perhaps frustrating sometimes. But mostly rewarding.

As for reading the plot, the RP itself is 47 pages long. I would not expect anyone to read through it (hell, I wouldn't). The plot I wrote up in the first post is generally sufficient to explain what has gone on, though I'd be willing to go into detail about any parts if there are any questions.

--

How to get in:

I appreciate your interest, and I'd like to direct you and anyone else reading this to what I've posted below. I am very particular about the level of writing and roleplaying I let into Soulcraft. A few might recall that I cut out half the cast in the beginning to keep the story heading where I wanted it to go. So, although it might sound demanding of me, I'd ask that to be allowed in, you have to reply to a sample post.

You can respond to this post below however you like, invent whatever character might come to mind, or use an existing one. You might be there to help Raven, or you may be there to foil him and whoever his accomplice is. You can invent any NPCs if you want to make the scene work for you. I think I've built up enough scenery and given enough of the implied scenario to give you something to work with. Dialogue is encouraged - your character might have a few questions. Or he might outright attack the bird, who knows. Don't worry about breaking any continuity or violating lore, this scene is completely non-canon.

Please don't respond to the post in this thread, but send me your response in a PM (if you're new and can't send PMs yet, we can work out something else). I'll be looking at the content you choose to respond with, but mainly grammar and syntax.

If I approve or disapprove of the post, I'll let you know privately. Thank you.

--

Sample post:
Please send your response via PM.

"Ugh, what a headache," the bird muttered, irked. He'd found a suitable perch on the stump of a broken pillar, shouldering a stiff breeze as he looked about the dilapidated scenery. Elven ruins were nothing if not picturesque. Not sure why they'd insisted on building everything out of bloody marble, but there you have it. The linking archways had probably once existed as three concentric circles, heralding an altar in the center. He couldn't be certain what the place had been used for, secluded up in the mountains as it was, but half it had crumbled to the ground by now, anyway. The view was nice at least, past the rocky ledges that the ruins sat upon.

"Can't believe this bleeding chuff made me chase him all the way up here," Raven scoffed, laying one brown eye upon the twisted corpse that laid so ceremoniously upon the altar. Small trails of red trickled from his nose and mouth, but it was clearly the burns over his body that had brought on death. "Freezing my tailfeathers off. Look at that over there. Snow! Snow, in the mountains! For the love of Avernus, it's summer! Your world doesn't make any sodding sense."

Raven puffed out his feathers and shivered as another cold wind assaulted his frail form. Cursing under his breath, he opened his wings and moved a bit closer to the body. He wasn't sure why he was being so cautious. The elf was plainly dead, and hadn't moved for several glorious minutes. Blaggard had talked too much anyway, all full of pomp and fluff. Like all elves, really.

Perhaps it was more the altar itself that made him uneasy. Ancient elves weren't much for blood sacrifices, not if Raven remembered them right. He doubted a death on the altar would do anything. But, with his luck, as soon as he got close to the body, the entire mountain would shake as some horrible beast crawled itself out of the rocky depths and ate him whole. Or something. Fate was trying to catch him by surprise at every turn.

The dead fool WAS an elf however. If he knew some secret about the altar that Raven didn't…

Landing on the elf's chest, the bird examined the man's face, leaning over in his quizzical avian manner. After prodding him with his beak a few times, he turned. "Yep. He looks pretty dead to me. Now, grab his wretched dagger, and we'll start making our way back down. Once we get to Ilspeth and restore my true form, I'll make good on my promise to you. That agree with you?"

[Rayn Night]

0_0 ... Do I hear second chance here? If so, ad that I might put my word in, I would like to reintegrate the RP and do my part . I'll have a Private post up for ya when I come back from work. Hope I didn't screw to bad last time to immediately be rejected.

[Eater of Dreams]

We'll see. I haven't gotten very many responses yet.

[Ixisily]

I'm preparing my response as we speak-- I expect to send it soon.

[Gray]

Hmmmmm...They aren't posting here? How am I supposed to be rude and judgmental if I can't see their posts Eater? I was told there would be rude and judgemental!
*sob*

[Eater of Dreams]

Well, it's so I can gauge everyone's ideas to see what direction they take. If they see each other's posts, what they think up would be influenced by that. Also, I don't want to make this a virtual RP thread in the Interest Check section.

And who told you that? You can't listen to Raven, he's bitter about everything.

[Eater of Dreams]

So far, just one slot has been filled. I still have room for more.

Soulcraft is a long-lasting roleplay, 460+ posts strong, and has been going since July or August 2010, I can't quite remember. You'd be joining a plot well underway, but I can't imagine a better way to enrich it than by adding new members.