THIS WILL REMAIN OPEN TO NEW PLAYERS INDEFINITELY

Roleplay Thread

So what I'm thinking here is the usual; a big bad, a group of people attempting to stop said big bad. However, I'd like to tackle things in a more mature fashion. Themes of death, love, sex, poverty, racism and others will be included. It may seem like standard fantasy fair but I'm aiming for the same tone as the Witcher setting. Anyone interested?

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The limited formatting features, meaning a lack of things like coloring, font, size etc make all this info harder to lay out and organise. I'll do my best for now but once the forum is fully functional again I'll be sprucing up this post and any further information.




Pantheon Of Nine

Farriga

Farriga is regarded as the All-mother of Enduwin. While each deity was made equal, Farriga assumed a motherly and caring position for them all. She made the first ultimate sacrifice and committed herself to protecting Enduwin. She now resides as much in the oceans as she does in Neyav, beyond the thought of most who now roam Enduwin. She is the embodiment of nurturing and healing, and is treasured amongst clerics and field doctors specifically.

Naduir

The Goddess of Enduwin’s life and nature, Naduir is the progenitor of all life on Enduwin. It is her gift which allows a little bit of divine essence to linger in what are the remains of her brother. Life wasn't her idea, but it was her doing. She is the Nine which has the deepest connection to life and is the one whom observes it with the most tentative gaze.

Lasair

God of Fire and rejuvenation, Lasair is the most powerful of the Gods, from a raw power point. Responsible for gifting Awth-gnúth and War to life he is revered by travelling merchants and soldiers especially. Lasair believed conflict was a natural part of evolution and progress. The God of flames was the only one brave enough to forge land in the encircling ocean. While the others spread the coasts of Enduwin, Lasair travelled far out across his All Mother, and with some of Trayig's remains forge a new land in fire. Much smaller than Enduwin, Bolecawn, provided a place of solitude for the god to think his own thoughts when needed. The island of fire, is still there today. A towering rock of volcanic activity. Lasair left much of his essence to life.

Gweeha

Gweeha is the meditator among the other deities. When arguments arise, her subtle airs and graces calm the situation. Capable of the softest of breezes and the strongest of storms. Along with Lasair, Gweeha left much of her essence with the life of Enduwin and its magic users. The goddess of wind still carved large tracts of land. Immensely flat land, where the whispers of her winds are still heard.

Solas

Solas is considered by most to be the All Father of Enduwin. While initially no different to any of the others. Solas established himself as a firm leader and knowledgeable consult. His saving of Farriga cemented his position as head of the group. Like The All-Mother, the All Father committed himself more to the void than to Enduwin itself. Enough of him resides in Neyav for him to function but most of him hangs in the void about Enduwin, casting brilliant light upon his beloved land for as long as possible. Every day however, Solas needs to rest and as he does plunges the land below into darkness until he rises again. Of all the deities, he is the one most guilt ridden by what happened with Dúv.

Dúv

The betrayed and the betrayer. Known by many names, Dúv is most likely the most known of all deities, because he is the most feared. Children are told cautionary tales of being locked in Dúv's Tower at the heart of Ifreann if they don't do what their told. Realistically, most people believe that if they lead a bad life, the Ifreann is where they will end up. Dúv himself is immobile locked at the pinnacle of the tower. His mind races, delirious from aeons of isolation and self-torture. Loathing and spite fume from the locked God. At the base of the tower many of the denizens of Ifreann have constructed a town and a port. Many attempt to sail across the Sea of Death, thinking it is the Encircling Ocean and will carry them back to Enduwin. Many others worship the God that they now conclusively know exists, and are locked away with.

Tintrayach

Tintrayach is one of the lesser known Gods. This is rather ironic, considering he is one of the most active in Enduwin. Only a small portion of Tintrayach passed to Neyav, most remained in the skies of Enduwin, controlling and manipulating the climate to keep things stable. For this, his siblings passed some of their essence onto him. One of his most known activities in stirring up storms in the Encircling Ocean to deter any pirate ships travelling too close to Enduwin, and preventing mistaken travelers from venturing too far out to open sea.

Oiyaer

Oiyaer, is probably one of the most respected deities in everyday life. High in the northern reaches of Enduwin, boreal forest gives way to sweeping tundra and at the end of these white vistas is a solid wall of ice. Oiyaer is the Goddess of ice and snow and the Gatekeeper. Beyond the wall, the impassable barrier made of her essence lies the way to Neyav. Only ice separates the two planes of existence but the wall is a kilometre in height, scraping the sky. This unbreakable curtain, The Gate, has attracted more settlement than one would think a barren tundra would beckon.

Trayig

Trayig, is much like Farriga, in that no clear indication remains of what he may have looked like. The god of the Desert, Trayig is the spring of all life, the well form which nature sprung. Life was his idea. Without his entire commitment to Enduwin, life would not have been created the way it was nor diversified into the multitude of species seen today. His essence lives on in every life that exists in Enduwin. Only a small portion of the great god remains in Neyav. A desert is all the remains of the initial sand which Trayig committed to life.

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Geography


The Plains of Origin: White

Considered some of the most holy ground in Enduwin, to the faithful, The Plains of Origin are the original mass of Enduwin. There is little undulation in these grasslands and other than the desert they are the flattest part of Enduwin. The Plains have often served as a battle ground where tribes and nations from across Enduwin would meet in conflict. Despite the history of bloodshed, the Plains of Origin are still revered by many and are a symbol of the Pantheon to the legions of adherents.

Foraiysh Woods: Light Green

These woods are most of what Naduir left to Enduwin. The thick tree brush makes up much of central and mid-east Enduwin. Within these forests lies a bountiful variety of life. The woods are becoming a source of fuel and material as great nations rise up in Enduwin. Although certainly not in danger of disappearing, the woods are slowly shrinking.

DuFair: Dark Green

Although technically a part of the woods. DuFair is a distinct region in itself. As part of Naduir's essence it is rich in vegetation. The land gets its distinction as being the only region of land that was committed to by Farriga before the Encircling Ocean. Lasair also had a hand in this region's creation. This mix of Deities causes the thickest vegetation growth in all of Enduwin. Intense heat coupled with torrential downpours promotes growth of towering trees and ensnaring vines. Only the most adaptable live is to be found in the depths of DuFair.

Encircling Ocean: Dark Blue

The great protector, the never ending mistress of water. The Encircling Ocean is Farriga made corporal. Waters lap gently on the shores of Enduwin but further out to sea, the waters are ferocious. Great waves and relentless swell represent Farriga's endless battle with the void. Tintrayach causes minor storms closer to land to deter any would be explorers getting caught up in this monumental struggle.

Fuaere: Light Blue

Fuaere marks the boundary of greenery and ice. The southern parts have more foliage than snow whereas further north, the trees are scattered. Fuaere is said to be where Solas rests at night. During the long hours of darkness, a multicoloured luminescence appears in the skies above Fuaere. This phenomenon is said to be Solas recovering and gathering strength to bring the coming day. Fuaere features a larger variety of life than one would expect in a boreal climate.

Uacteir Balla: Blue


Home of Oiyaer and the Gate, the frozen wasteland of Uacteir Balla is the least densely populated area of Enduwin. The area however, is the modern site of most pilgrimage. The Gate is the divide between Enduwin and Neyav, between mortal and God. Uacteir Balla is home to only a few scattered towns and cities which are built vertically up upon breaks in the ice.

Zephyr Plains: Orange

Vast tracts of land carved out by Gweeha. These blank lands had sand and grass carried from the south and north, respectively by their creator. A mix of tall grasses and sandy soil, these plains take their name from the breeze of Gweeha which still blows there today, continually. While climatically nearly as hot DuFair and The Soul, Zephyr is much cooler thanks to this breeze. Wildlife here is ruthless, an exhibition of eat or be eaten.

Trayig's Soul: Brown

The Soul was a once flat uniform layer of pure sand. Over millennia and use it has worn down, not least by the creation of life. Often referred to as the Cradle, even those non-believers agree that this is where life began. Stretching from the equator to the souther coast, Trayig's Soul is still a large part of Enduwin's landscape. It is lower set than much of Enduwin and the surrounding savannahs and forests feature steep inclines into the desert. Large outcrops of rock are now exposed, due to the erosion and use of soul sand.

Ju'ra: Purple

Said to mean 'tear' in an ancient dialect, Ju'ra is the name given to the collection of islands off the West coast of Enduwin. Formed from the weeping of Tintrayach as Dúv was locked away. The storm god was upset at what things had come to pass and how one their own had acted so foul. The islands are inhabited today, and feature some of the rarest resources in Enduwin.

Bolecawn: Red

Known to many simply as the island of fire, Bolecawn is dotted with several active volcanoes. The climate itself isn't overtly hot but the presence of the volcanoes, secondary vents and geysers certainly make the island feel like a furnace. Treacherous to say the least, only the most hardened explorers venture to Lasair's haven. Often, though, those that do take the risk, are rewarded with the rich mineral deposits that the island has to offer.

Olc Cairn - The Black Mountains: Black

A mark of pure rage left on the land. The Olc Cairn, the black mountains, are the only thing which Dúv left behind. As the betrayer was banished to Ifreann he rent the land around him and heaved it up at his siblings. Scarring the land, Dúv's work remained as the other deities left. These mountains are the most inhospitable part of Enduwin, a physical representation of hate. Devoid of soil and with almost no flat land, Olc Cairn is a permanent mark on the face Enduwin. Still, that hasn't stopped some settling there.
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On The Topic Of Magic

Arcania For The Mundane by Gregarious Fogs said
When quizzed on the matter of magic, most people will respond with some wish-wash such as 'Lucas down the square can make vegetables grow bigger'. When pressed further they will usually, most of them, not the dim ones mind, get to crux of the matter, the actual question. And they'll answer, they'll tell act as if I'm an idiot for asking such a seemingly obvious question. The sand of course I'm told! Yet when I ask how, what, when all I'm told is to quiet myself. It's the sand of Trayig.

However, in the past two decades of my life I have devoted countless hours, all of them in fact, to getting a deeper understanding of magic, not least of which my own. Indeed, as the common folk proclaim, it is the sand of Trayig. Or rather it was. The magical ability displayed by living beings is as a result of the original beings having been made out the very essence of the god. They were imbued with great power, sharing the power of Trayig. However, that power hasn't grown in the untold years since. Nor has it itself waned. Yet, with each successive generation, with more members of a race, the amount of magic in a single member of the race is diluted. The same power that the first men had still exists today but is spread across all men. Importantly too, the spread is not even. Best described like the waves of the ocean lapping on the shores of the Soul itself, the pattern of the distribution of magic seems to have crests and troughs, but mostly a calm steadiness.

In my own studies I have accounted for a thousand people. Nine hundred and seventy two of these displayed what I am terming 'mundane' ability. Simple things often mistakable for parlor tricks seem to be in the repertoire of most people even if they don't know or need to use them.

Of the remaining twenty eight that I have examined, twenty three exhibited well above average ability. Basic pyromancy, cloaking, water walking and enchantment were all easily accessible by these individuals. Interestingly, all of these individuals had also at some stage connected with another deity other than Trayig. They certainly were not the servants of the gods or even know to them that much. They had just reached out or been reached by a deity, by one of a vast variety of methods it seems. It usually an accidental connection due to the sand acting as a conduit. Whether they would have been as powerful without this or the new connection simply enhanced the power they had from Trayig remains unclear. I have as of yet found no correlation between heritage and magic and it would seem the continued distribution is random, or else the pattern is too large for me to understand with only a thousand subjects from a single time.

The five left unaccounted for provided some very troubling information. It would seem that these five, from the thousand, were completely devoid of any magical ability, innate, latent or otherwise. These people exhibited severe learning issues and primal behavior. Two of them, after the study, became completely unhinged.

The conclusion I have drawn from this is very very worrying. Life is magic. We only have life because of magic and when we are born we inherit a piece of that magic. It would seem that the continued dilution of sand has lead to individuals being born without any magic at all and thus almost no connection to life. The worrying part is that populations are constantly increasing and the dilution is continuing. It may be hundreds if not thousands of years, but it seems it is only a matter of time before magic starts to die and along with it, life.

Gregarious Fogs was murdered shortly after writing this, the introduction to his life's work, for being a nosey busy body who asked too many questions.

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Character Sheet

Essential Information
Name/Aliases:
Sex:
Age:
Appearance:
Personality:
History:

Optional Information
Equipment:
Faction (If any):
Marital Status:
Magic (Mundane or Arcane):
Skills:

Faction/Organization Sheet

Essential Information
Name:
Location:
Purpose:
History:

Optional Information
Key Members:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Ranks:
Rules/Laws:

These are just the sheets I came up with. If there's other things you want to include or a different format you wish to use then feel free.

Forgive me for seeming so ignorant but what type of characters are we going to play exactly? how do the gods effect the characters other than Dúv obviously breaking free?

Zran said
Forgive me for seeming so ingnorant but what type of characters are we going to play exactly? how do the gods effect the characters other than Dúv obviously breaking free?

Ssshhhhh. That's suppose to be a secret, So basically the Gods would be trying to help, they would be the ones responsible for kickstarting our little adventure, I mean, if there's enough interest I'm up for people playing as the gods whilst also having a mortal character, but they will be limited in the extent of what they can actually do.

Info on the world; i have a map, with geographical areas defined but I want people to be free to create nations, yes nations, on the map if they wish. This can be as much worldbuilding as it is a Character RP, if people want both. If people just want a story driven experience without the need to create background I have plenty ideas myself, but I often find people enjoy adding to the world too. It is not going to be a nation roleplay persay but adding factions, nations or organisations is totally ok. As are new races, I'm up for anything as long as you just run it by me :)

And to answer your actual question Zran, any kind you want. If you want a dwarven gigolo go for it. If you want to create a new race to play as, go for it. Wizened wizard, pregnant mother, fisherman, royal knight. Whatever you see fit.
I'm a pretty open GM

This does sound pretty cool but I would like to know a bit more about what we would actually be doing before I commit. If your intending it to be similar to Greek Mythology in terms of the tasks and relationships between gods/characters then I'm definitely in.

Do dragons, or other mighty, magical beasts have a place in this setting? I am plotting out a hopefully draconic character (though rest assured, I have balance issues well in mind), and I was considering that they would have their own legends and pantheon, or at least their own interpretation of the creation legend.

This is tl;dr for me this early in the morning, but I promise I'll read it all at some point today!

Sounds super interesting though, right up my street.

@everblight Like i said, the gods will be interacting with each other a lot in Neyav, and to a degree with the mortals on Enduwin. If there is sufficient interest then people can play as the gods if they like, that could be a cool inclusion.

@Dead Cruiser honestly, I meant what I said, I want players to be able to contribute to the world building. If you have an idea for fitting them into the mythos then just shoot! I'll love it or murder you so it's win win !
Seriously though I'm for anything as long as we hit that more adult fantasy tone. That doesn't mean bewbs, it means mature themes and actual character interaction. If you want to make a dragon you are more than welcome, could be a great inclusion. As for the creation legend, consider what I posted to be the commonly accepted translation/interpretation/rewrite of the story. It is in fact close to the truth. I want to emphasize the gods are real beings. I am not saying they are gods as we know, but are worshiped as such by many of the races of Enduwin, Maybe your dragons could be powerful enough to know they aren't gods and could be atheistic maybe? Or if you think they have a separate interpretation/religion then go ahead and let me hear that too!

@Nightbringer No problem dude, thanks for the interest.

@All I'll get around to adding the geography of Enduwin today, a bit more general info on things like tech level and magic and feel free to pitch anything to me, nations, races, trees, characters, rocks or anything you can think of!

Alright, I'm pretty excited for this now. Should be an interesting collaborative creation at the very least.

I'll come up with something fun for the dragons before long; wouldn't want to waste all of this creative freedom. Already have some ideas about the draconic version of the creation myth bubbling. Something along the lines of dragons being lesser gods trapped in physical forms by some manner of trickery. Nothing less would suit their infamous pride, I figure.

Though if anything, more information on the planes of existence would be helpful.

Dead Cruiser said
Alright, I'm pretty excited for this now. Should be an interesting collaborative creation at the very least.I'll come up with something fun for the dragons before long; wouldn't want to waste all of this creative freedom. Already have some ideas about the draconic version of the creation myth bubbling. Something along the lines of dragons being lesser gods trapped in physical forms by some manner of trickery. Nothing less would suit their infamous pride, I figure.Though if anything, more information on the planes of existence would be helpful.

Ok so are you talking classical beast dragons or humanoids?

Basically, Enduwin is the world of mortals. Neyav is the land of the gods created by them for themselves and Ifreann isn't hell, more a personal correctional facility for the fickle gods. Others obviously exist but haven't and may not be discussed. Is there something specific you wanted to know?

Beast-shaped but sapient dragons. You know, the usual Tolkienesque variety.

And I was only in need of a quick outline on what had already been established. The dragons' lore and legends are not the most important aspects, as many are more scientifically-minded, and many more simply don't care.

Dead Cruiser said
Beast-shaped but sapient dragons. You know, the usual Tolkienesque variety. And I was only in need of a quick outline on what had already been established. The dragons' lore and legends are not the most important aspects, as many are more scientifically-minded, and many more simply don't care.

Just the kind I like.
If you want we could work something out to make them a part of the lore. Maybe start at what they are now and work back. Like why are they so nonchalant and wise? Maybe they were the first creatures created from the sand and see themselves above all others?

This seems really interesting. I have a race in mind for this, actually. Ever heard of the viera, from Final Fantasy? It would be great if we could incorporate them in Enduwin, since they're made from the forests themselves.

As in, the Forest of Genesis was forged from the combined essence of Naduir and Trayig, creating a misty, green vista of swirling, intricate branches and giant, thick purple trees. It was out of this splendor that the viera, a race of clawed human-animal hybrids, were created. They're possibly the most in-tune with the gods out of all the races, due to being made from Naduir, who is the creator of Life itself.

[Server error; double-post. Ignore this.]

Titania said
This seems really interesting. I have a race in mind for this, actually. Ever heard of the viera, from Final Fantasy? It would be great if we could incorporate them in Enduwin, since they're made from the forests themselves.As in, the Forest of Genesis was forged from the combined essence of Naduir and Trayig, creating a misty, green vista of swirling, intricate branches and giant, thick purple trees. It was out of this splendor that the viera, a race of clawed human-animal hybrids, were created. They're possibly the most in-tune with the gods out of all the races, due to being made from Naduir, who is the creator of Life itself.

Yeah I'm all for this! But as the theme is mature don't expect dwarves not to make crude comments about the Viera's skimpiness!

The Forest of Genesis is a cool name but I actually have all the regions mapped and named. I'll put that up soon. The forest of genesis could be like the true name of the area maybe? Or the colloquial name. We'll figure it out. :D

The geography like most things is open to player interpretation/manipulation but I do want to just set a foundation for it first. Without color coding though, it's going to be annoying.

Darkmatter said
Yeah I'm all for this! But as the theme is mature don't expect dwarves not to make crude comments about the Viera's skimpiness! The Forest of Genesis is a cool name but I actually have all the regions mapped and named. I'll put that up soon. The forest of genesis could be like the true name of the area maybe? Or the colloquial name. We'll figure it out. :DThe geography like most things is open to player interpretation/manipulation but I do want to just set a foundation for it first. Without color coding though, it's going to be annoying.

I didn't expect anything less.

Sure, I don't mind. It could be a colloquial name for the humans, while the viera could call it something else.

I'm heading home in a bit, will reach in eight hours. Maybe I could draw up a color-coded map once I get my hands on my laptop? I'm rather good at PS.

Titania said
I didn't expect anything less.Sure, I don't mind. It could be a colloquial name for the humans, while the viera could call it something else.I'm heading home in a bit, will reach in eight hours. Maybe I could draw up a color-coded map once I get my hands on my laptop? I'm rather good at PS.

I'll send you the color coded one i have, along with the legend and names. If you could do up instead a regular map with the names instead of colors and legend that would be super! I'd be grateful forever.

Darkmatter said
I'll send you the color coded one i have, along with the legend and names. If you could do up instead a regular map with the names instead of colors and legend that would be super! I'd be grateful forever.

No problem. I enjoy this sort of work!

Titania said
No problem. I enjoy this sort of work!

I'll add it to the first post in a couple minutes :D

Darkmatter said
Just the kind I like.If you want we could work something out to make them a part of the lore. Maybe start at what they are now and work back. Like why are they so nonchalant and wise? Maybe they were the first creatures created from the sand and see themselves above all others?

Part of my idea is that the majority of them aren't particularly wise. They may think themselves to be, but they're mostly petulant and childish, content to laze about on their hordes, threaten lesser creatures into servitude, and throw destructive tantrums when things don't go their way.

Part of it is dependent on how magic will fit into the setting, but I have a "two sides to the story" idea for the dragons' origins. The "mortal" legend (ie, the one you wrote up above) could have them as the first predators the gods shaped, born to cull the herd. However, they were made too aggressive, and bit at the hands and feet of the gods. The divine ichor they tasted gave them their intelligence and affinity with magic. Seeing this as an incredible mistake, the gods took careful effort to make the rest of their creations more even-tempered.

Then, the draconic interpretation goes something like this. Dragons were originally the gods' divine servitors, particularly those of Solaris (who perhaps goes by another name in the dragon language), and knew themselves as the Children of the Sun. They were angelic creatures, and the only beings aside from the gods that knew the secret of magic. However, following a mortal stealing the secret from the realm of the gods, they were challenged by the mortal mages to see who would be better fit to serve at the gods' sides through a show of magic. The mortals created fire as a likeness to Solaris. The dragons, seeking to do better, each created a great orb of divine fire in Neyav, and they are today known as stars. However, Solaris only took notice of the dragons' efforts (as the mortals' fire was too below his vision to notice) and was enraged at their attempt to "replace" him, and so cast them out of Neyav, binding them to physical bodies in Enduwin.

Just some rough ideas, here. If you'd like to continue this, maybe we could take the discussion to a private conversation; I wouldn't want to clog up your Interest Check.

Ok, I just PM'd you. There's no notification system at the moment so you'll only know you have a reply when you notice the number go up