Once upon a time the world was a fair place full of magic and wonder. Sorcerers pondered the mysteries of mana in their high towers while alchemists unraveled the secrets of science in underground laboratories. Artisans crafted masterpieces that would last throughout the ages and people rejoiced in the freedom and cultural diversity of their societies. It was an age of discovery and unprecedented prosperity, whose marvels we shall never see the likes of again.

Because the world has moved on.

The only things that remain of that world are ruins and broken baubles, glimpses of what once was and could still have been, had it not been for the disaster. We don’t know much about what actually happened, but what we do know is that it wiped out our glorious ancestors and their civilization in an instant. One moment they were there, and the next they were gone.

Without the might and order imposed by the ancients, barbarian warlords and raiders began seeping into the once civilized lands from the wilderness surrounding them. The world was plunged into chaos as warring tribes struggled for dominance in the ruins of the past. Horrors long forgotten crept out of the dark places of the world, spreading terror in their wake. The once peaceful land became untamed and unforgiving.

This is the reality of things, a thousand years after the apocalypse. It is an age of blood and strife, and age of fire and smoke. This is the Age of Iron.

---

This here is a game about the dangerous lives of a group of adventurers in a world where everything has gone to shit. The setting is post-ap fantasy steampunk. Think Morrowind meets Conan the Barbarian, only civilization has ended. We will quest through the badlands, explore ruins of the past and battle all sorts of crazy people and beasts. This is a high-pace adult game with a clear focus on style, action, grit and a bit (a lot) of fun.

Apart from being awesome, the game is also about creativity and cooperation. When creating your character and playing the game, you will get the chance to flesh out the lore of the world in the process. Do you have a cool idea for a place that the group could discover? Make it happen. Do you have another cool idea about the place your character is from? Make it real. I will provide the base from which we together will make our world. I will also oversee the process so that things stay cool. Odd is cool but silly is not. Keep with the style.

When writing a post in this game, you do it like you were describing a sequence from a movie. You focus on what it looks and sounds like. No internal monologues. No three-paragraph intermissions with the private thoughts of your hero. Show, don’t tell. If your character is angry, keep us guessing until we can see it. If your character is slicing an orc in half, tell us all about the gory details but save us the inner struggle.

What you need to know for starters is that your characters story begins in the wilderness of Koraha. It is a great, big steppe ruled by many warring clans of Taniwahns. The Taniwahns are big, bad humanoids with a foul temper and a taste for smashing things to a pulp. Where you came from and how you got here is your business. But you’re here now. Apart from being vast and devoid of nice things, Koraha is the home of some seriously impressive ancient architecture. Here are the skybridges, stretching from one end of the plains to the other, one hundred paces up in the air, supported by great pillars and arches, constructed by some kind of nigh-indestructible stone. Who put them there and why is long forgotten. It is said they originate in ruins high up in the mountains on the edges of the steppe.

Magic is a thing. It originates from a kind of mystical energy known commonly as mana. A sorcerer can use this mana as a powersource for casting spells. The ancients had awesome magicians capable of amazing feats, like calling down thunderbolts from the sky or levitating. They were in control of the magical forces. Magi in the post apocalypse can be just as potent, only... they're more unstable. Advanced attempts end in the mage going *BOOM* more often than not. I'm picturing magic as something extremely dangerous that warps reality in disturbing ways when unchecked. Harnessing it promises great rewards, sure... but it's very risky and the cost can be terrible.

Alchemy is also a thing. If you're acquainted with the Dwemer of Morrowind, you know what I'm talking about. If not, it's basically a more steampunkish form of science. Big brass pipes and automatons, but with a medieval twist to it. It was all probably functional in the time of the ancients, but a thousand years of decay has left everything a bit rusted and odd.

I’m not going to provide a character sheet, because I trust you know how to make one yourself. Pictures are not mandatory, but appreciated.

Questions and comments below.

Heyo, just tell me if this needs anything else:

Name: Gavin MacAlistair
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Race: Human



Occupation: Though he calls himself an archaeologist, he's actually a treasure hunter of dubious morality.

Weapon of Choice: An alchemically-augmented straight sabre named Rose that he has a habit of talking to overly affectionately, and a few small alchemical devices that may or may not be functional and may or may not explode. Frequently.

Personality: Gavin isn't...all there. He's a bit of a wildcard, always showing up where he isn't wanted. A few too many encounters with wild magic in his earlier, saner days of treasure hunting have left him with a multitude of screws loose. He has a habit of laughing hysterically, seemingly finding funny things that really shouldn't be funny at all.

He's not all insanity, though. Beneath his layers of psychosis, he's still a person, and a highly nervous and sensitive one. Somewhere deep down he craves socialization, and he's quite extroverted when not either laughing insanely or babbling incomprehensibly about ancient alchemy like a lunatic. Sadly, he does those most of the time.

Bio: Gavin has been on his own almost since birth. His parents, raiders and bandits, had no time for a child. They left him deep in the ruins of an ancient alchemical laboratory. By a stroke of luck, there were still some ancient, nonperishable foodstuffs squirreled away down there, and through some miracle, he survived.

Growing up as he did surrounded by the relics out the past, he gained an interest for then bordering on obsession. As soon as he was old enough to safely leave his ruins, he began to explore others that he found through word of mouth and trial and error. Somewhere along the way he picked up Rose, using it to defend himself in his delving.

Of course, these ruins were seldom without some magical defenses that had gone slightly haywire. After living through many of these traps, his mind was affected. He's absolutely brilliant, but completely insane, and he only seems to care about finding more relics.

@Lemons Looks cool, accepted :) No need to change or add anything at this point. I'll let you know if something comes to my mind.

@Duck Just noting that I am here, I will get on with the character in a bit

@tal0n Still waiting for you, bud.

Seems awesome! Always been fan of Morrowind myself. Eh so! I'm newbie in here so please, feel free to kick me in the head if I do something wrong.



Name: Alexander Godfrey.
Age: 32
Race: Human.

Occupation: (Self proclaimed?) Aristocrat of ancient bloodline. Aspiring industrialist and businessman.

Weapon of choice: Cadre of hired thugs and knuckledusters between him. He is not a fighter but if cornered, he will attempt to defend himself and fend off attacker with his sword. Decorated with ivory handle and encrusted gold and jewel decorations. Hardly meant for any real combat.

Personality: Smug, holier than thou, elitist and aristocratic. Everything we love to hate about corrupt nobles. He boasts about his skills with sword, his wealth, the women he beds. But if placed in a situation that would turn against him, he either tries to flee or pay off the attacker. His most dangerous assets are not his weapons or hired thugs. But rather his silver tongue. Superstitious and to be honest, afraid of wild magic.

He sees himself first and foremost as an aristocrat. And especially in these troubled times ought to have standards! There has to be an order! There are common men who serve, and those who lord over them. Job of an aristocrat, is to stay an aristocrat.

Bio: Born to those who attempted to make a fortune out of the disasters that faced others. His parents were both aristocrats, merchants dealing in metal, slaves and weaponry. Slowly they managed to grow their fortunes even further. And when they passed away, everything was left to Alexander as their only son and sole heir. Spoiled child, who had been taught that the world was his plaything. Had grown up equally ruthless and haughty as his parents. And was ready to offer his goods and favor to those who proved themselves worthy. Always eager to indulge fellow aristocrat to his hospitality or grant his favor to those willing to deal with him, low-born if they may be. After all, it harsh world out there.

@HerrasKissa Looks great, accepted! As a sidenote, though, I'd just like you to picture the world as in a more helpless state than it might come off as when reading your character. The aristocracy might not be as 19th century-ish. But you don't need to change anything, I like the picture you've painted just fine.

I'd like to wait for a few more characters before we launch, if that's ok with everyone. Hell, if you've got any friends on the site, invite them over!

Figured. I tried to make that kind of a robber baron type feel. Anyways, feels good to be accepted and can't wait to get started!

Even though our current characters are great, we're going to need more players to get this started. Anyone know someone on the site that'd be interested?

Doesn't look like we'll be taking off anytime soon. This thread is closed.