In ancient times, mankind was new and weak, and sought power. The old gods, the gods residing over nature, chose the most devout of mankind and made them an offer bound in blood. The gods would bestow upon their worshippers a Crystal, one created from their life force, and through that catalyst grant them the powers of nature in return for obedience.
The family of the Canine, most stalwart and loyal, granted their chosen a Topaz, and with it, domain over Earth. These servants could build walls, move mountains and rend the earth twain.
The family of the Feline, lithe and cunning hunters, granted their chosen a Ruby, and with it, control of great Fire. They brought warmth to a cold world, and the power of destruction and protection.
The family of the Amphibian, commanding the great oceans, granted their chosen a Sapphire, and with it, the ability to move Water. They brought life and vegetation, healing the dry land.
The family of the Avian, free and swift in the open sky, granted their chosen an Amethyst, and with it, control of the Wind. They powered a new age of industry, and brought the people of the world together.
The family of the Reptile, almighty rulers, granted their chosen an Emerald, and with it, the harnessing of Light. They brought order to the world, and erased the earth's wounds.
The family of the Wraith, drifting wanderers, granted their chosen an Opal, and with it, the manipulation of Shadow. They sheltered the weak and hid the vulnerable.
The family of the Feline, lithe and cunning hunters, granted their chosen a Ruby, and with it, control of great Fire. They brought warmth to a cold world, and the power of destruction and protection.
The family of the Amphibian, commanding the great oceans, granted their chosen a Sapphire, and with it, the ability to move Water. They brought life and vegetation, healing the dry land.
The family of the Avian, free and swift in the open sky, granted their chosen an Amethyst, and with it, control of the Wind. They powered a new age of industry, and brought the people of the world together.
The family of the Reptile, almighty rulers, granted their chosen an Emerald, and with it, the harnessing of Light. They brought order to the world, and erased the earth's wounds.
The family of the Wraith, drifting wanderers, granted their chosen an Opal, and with it, the manipulation of Shadow. They sheltered the weak and hid the vulnerable.
Since that time, the followers of the old gods grew greater and greater in number. Great cities grew to represent each faction, and the world was harmonious. But darkness grew in the heart of humanity; fear, jealousy, and avarice. Evil men and women sought to destroy or steal the Crystals to tip the balance of power. The great families organized militaries to protect themselves, and war ignited across the land.
In the chaos, the Emerald Throne was destroyed by an unknown force, and the Emerald Crystal disappeared.
The servants of the Emerald were decimated. Those who survived were not the same. Their bodies were plagued, infected by a black pestilence. They were overcome by an evil force, one that drove them to consume life, and those that resisted soon lost their sanity. The power of Light instead became disease, an infection which claimed anything it touched. Great black dragons took flight, scourging the land. In the resulting strife, the old gods left the world, and their servants were destroyed. The world grew silent.
Tens of thousands of years have passed. With the old gods gone, new gods sprang up like weeds, and the dark heart of humankind was never sated. The war of the past is all but forgotten. But in the beginning of the second millennium of the common era, the Black Emerald begins to stir, awakened from a long sleep.
SERVANTS
A dream has come to you. You are floating in a void, a dimension of nothing, not dark nor light. You have entered the realm of the Old Gods, the true Gods, something incomprehensible to mortals. Within the void, a beacon shines before you. It is your animal Guardian, and it is here to protect you, and teach you your fate.
You have been chosen to lead the war against corruption and join a great Family. But which Family has chosen you?
Are you the Canine, the defender? Can you grow fangs to crush rock, and thick hide to protect you? Can you take the form of the fox or the wolf, and control Earth at a stomp of your foot?
Are you the Feline, the hunter? Are your weapons razor-sharp claws? Can your eyes see through darkness? Can you become a panther or a tiger, and use Fire to render your foes to ash?
Are you the Amphibian, the lifebringer? Can you sprout blade-like fins from your forearms, and used webbed hands and feet to traverse the deep, and gills to breathe the ocean? Can you change the tide, move Water, and summon plants to do your bidding?
Are you the Avian, the traveller? Do wings grow from your back and carry you on the wind? Can you see for miles unhindered? Can you shred all before you with blades of Wind, and suck the breath from your foes?
Are you the Wraith, the wanderer? Can you take the form of a spirit, and possess the living to do your will? Can you cast Shadows to hide your friends, and illusions to torment your enemy?
Whatever has chosen you, you are commanded to obey the will of the Gods, to rise against an unknown enemy, wherever it may strike.
Name: Your given name.
Age: Your age.
Gender: Male, female, or anywhere in-between.
Guardian: Whom is your bonded Guardian spirit?
Family: Canine, Feline, Amphibian, Avian, or Wraith.
Appearance - Human: Your appearance as a standard human.
Appearance - Invoked: Your appearance as it changes when you Invoke the power of your Crystal - animal characteristics will appear, as will traces of your Family's element. Wraith Family members will become translucent.
Appearance - Shifted: Your appearance when you shapeshift into a member of your family, however many forms that may take. Wraith Family members can take the form of demons or the ghosts of the deceased.
Abilities: Abilities granted by your Crystal, depending on your element.
Personality: General description of attitudes and beliefs.
Biography: A brief past of your life before the summoning.
GUARDIANS
You were once a simple creature in the cycle of life. One day, you were ripped out of the cycle, pulled from this world by the familiar hand of your creator. But you were not returned to the planet. Your spirit was granted power by the Gods, and you ascended into a new being. A Guardian. You are sworn to protect your Crystal, but in order to harness your true strength, you must find a Servant, and form a bond. Whether you are a newborn Guardian, or an old one, scarred from the deaths of your past partners, you find a spirit in the void, a new bond for you to form.
Name: Your given name.
Gender: Male, female, or anywhere in-between.
Servant: Whom is your bonded human?
Family: Canine, Feline, Amphibian, Avian, or Wraith.
Appearance - Guardian: Your truest form.
Appearance - Shifted: Your appearance when you shapeshift to blend in, however many forms that may take. Wraith Family members can become invisible.
Abilities: Abilities granted by your Crystal, depending on your element.
Personality: General description of attitudes and beliefs.
Biography: A brief past of your life before the new bonding.
CHARACTER ROSTER
Unaffiliated
@AgentFallenSoul
Canine Family
Servant - Open - Guardian - @TheTwistedOne
Feline Family
@HaltingBlooper
Amphibian Family
Servant - @TheWizardLizard Guardian - @SupahCow090
Avian Family
Servant - (@Tancuras) Theo Asker - Guardian - (@DarkFey) Branwen
Wraith Family
@Bunnita
Servant - (@Blu) Noah Walker - Guardian - (@Phobos) Viole
Unaffiliated
@AgentFallenSoul
Canine Family
Servant - Open - Guardian - @TheTwistedOne
Feline Family
@HaltingBlooper
Amphibian Family
Servant - @TheWizardLizard Guardian - @SupahCow090
Avian Family
Servant - (@Tancuras) Theo Asker - Guardian - (@DarkFey) Branwen
Wraith Family
@Bunnita
Servant - (@Blu) Noah Walker - Guardian - (@Phobos) Viole