Had some time, so I scribbled together a vague approximation of where everything is, nation-wise, on the map. The stuff that isn't on the map, such as Brelannia, Mae's far off country/town, and the rest, aren't there cause there weren't any directions mentioned in their descriptions, as far as I could tell. Also this isn't to scale at all lmao.
With ornate clothes of eccentric design, Locke stands out among humans. Him being 6'3" doesn't help either. His features could accurately be described as sharp, whether it be his eyes, mouth, or nose. His pale blonde hair is roughly style and his glowing yellow eyes are almost otherworldly. His physique is surprisingly rugged underneath all of his clothes, but more suited to endurance rather than actual strength. Notably, deep scars are apparent on the left side of his face, a consequence of Locke's pursuit of magic. His right arm is also affected, with strange and ornate tattoos seeped into his skin.
Personality
Misanthropic to a fault, Locke is a prideful and arrogant man. He isn't the friendliest person around, but that doesn't mean he's unsociable. Rather, he holds a general disdain for the follies of man. A general disdain for injustice fills him, but he lacks the empathy to assist those affected and instead focuses on the powers that be.
At times, he can be a ruthless pragmatist—the needs of the many overriding the needs of the few—but often acts in his own self-interest. He's willing to use others to get to his goals, but he is a man of his word. He doesn't stab people in the back. More in the front, really.
At his core, he's looking for "a priceless heirloom, stolen from his family".
History
The great mountain that the free city of Kinoch could, compared to the rest of Oublioth, be a utopia. Naturally fortified against invasion as a result of a treacherous climb, the city and its knowledge are isolated from the rest of the world. This isolation brought forth great discovery and research. Magic is used as a commonplace tool in the city and those unable to use it still reap the benefits of the infrastructure the magic brings. Philosophy and art are common among the people of Kinoch. However, this isolation had resulted in the people and culture of Kinoch becoming rather eccentric. A prideful arrogance fills each citizen.
Locke was no different. Raised in such a place, he gained peculiar tastes and the same sense of arrogance that they all had. However, Locke was not born an important man. No, he couldn't control nor even fathom the magic that was so important to the city's culture. Because of his, the young summoner delved into research. For years, he studied the nature of magic, his people, and his lineage. The results of his findings disturbed him; the mana once held in his bloodline was stolen away. Long before he was born, his ancestor's mana was brutally torn away from him and held in an ancient artifact. Though the details were sparse, he knew that the artifact was held below, somewhere in the vast expanse of the continent.
His pursuit of magic also lead to an important discovery: the implantation of mana via contract. Of course, his bloodline held no mana. If he could get a greater being to use him as a conduit, that would mean that he could have access to magic. His research had left clues on the whereabouts of such ancient beings. The young Locke left the safe confines of his city to delve into a distant forest—no easy feat for a scholar—and performed an esoteric ritual. What appeared before him was an otherworldly being, not ripped into existence but coming willingly. Perhaps it was his brazen attitude, the spirit's general boredom, or a meaningless whim. He knew what Locke wanted and extended his hand.
But sacrifice was required. Contracts weren't free.
Locke knew this and grabbed the spirit's hand.
Instantly, the power surged through his veins. His flesh was torn, his arm afflicted, and his eyes taken and replaced. His suffering lasted some time before he had awoken. He had done it; a contract was formed and he could use magic.
With it, he entered one of the lesser human settlements and began his career as an adventurer. After all, there was no better job to look for what he came for. Months later and his talents were undoubtable.
He would restore glory back to his bloodline.
Summoner || 20
Offensive support
Stats
STR: F VIT: C DEX: D INT: B WIS: C CHA: C
Immunities
Blind
Resistances
Dark
Weaknesses
Holy, getting stabbed
Equipment
• Golden Silk Suit • Festival Mask • Traveling Rags • Traveler's Pack - Rope, food, camping kit, blankets, meal kit, etc. • Mage's Lantern • Familial Insignia Stamp • Strange coin - Can snap into eighths and recombine into a full coin.
Skills & Spells
• Summon Elemental Fairy - Does what it says on the box. More than one out causes considerable self-damage. Fairy is ephemeral; Locke is not. • Fire - This fairy casts a variety of damaging fire spells, dealing quick bursts of unpredictable damage. • Light - This fairy focuses on bestowing buffs on allies and blinds enemies • Venom - This fairy envenoms weapons and launches toxic projectiles. • Black Fog - Creates a visually impenetrable fog that causes languidness to those within. • Dark Binding - Launches a binding rope forward, wrapping what it touches to prevent movement. Has the strength of rope. • Croak - Fires a corrupt blast of cursed energy, silencing one's ability to speak if it hits the head. Stops spells and abilities that require a verbal component. • Corrupt Ground - Fouls the land, killing some non-magical plant life and weakening those standing in it. • Fairy Eyes - Allows the wielder to see past magic. Harder to see magic, especially magic that moves quickly, but impossible to be blinded.
@OwO Overall Locke seems fine, however, i can't accept him just yet.
The sumamry-like parts of his equipment and skills are not in line with how the CS is supposed to be laid out. Please don't lump everything together, seperate each thing and describe them appropriately, like everyone else.
Once you've done that, let me know, I'll look it over and then I can give you the green light. ^^
@ZEDDOILO This is going to make me look like a real dick, but I'm sad to say that we're currently not accepting any new sheets. We're actually over the initial limit I set for this roleplay, by quite a lot. If you want, I can put you on the waitlist and I'll contact you whenever/if-ever there's a spot open (if Asuras doesn't want it). But for now, I'm sad to say that recruitment is closed. :(
Overall Locke seems fine, however, i can't accept him just yet.
The sumamry-like parts of his equipment and skills are not in line with how the CS is supposed to be laid out. Please don't lump everything together, seperate each thing and describe them appropriately, like everyone else.
Once you've done that, let me know, I'll look it over and then I can give you the green light. ^^
Out of curiosity, Xaltwind, when do you think the first IC will be up? I assume definitely not immediately (you said you're writing up your own character still). A week, two?
This is just curiosity so I know how frequently to check in a given day!
@Reia Either later today (Sunday, since it's 12:55 AM here atm) after I wake up from sleeping, or on Monday sometime after I get home from work. At the latest, Tuesday or Wednesday if all else fails.
Well, since nobody's done so, does anyone in particular want to set up a Discord? Else I can put one together tomorrow. It'd be for collab purposes / game chat.
I've fleshed out Ciel's backstory and hometown more and have added/taken out a few bits and pieces in general. Please have a read and see if there's anything that needs to be changed:
(Also how the heck do people resize images, mine are huge :v)
Name: Ciel Lalune Age: 18 Gender: M Race: Human "From that day in the cave I swore to try to become a better person... I'm still trying."
Ciel's malnutrition at birth made him look much younger and much shorter than his age, and other's attitude to treat him like a child annoys him. Ciel still hopes that drinking enough milk will make him grow taller and look more imposing. Alas... Ciel's preferred attire is usually tough leather and nearly fully covers him from head to toe, although most of the times he just wears whatever is given to him, which is just plain cloth.
Personality
Defeatist and shy, Ciel has a strict line between his friends and his enemies, acting quiet and aloof towards those he does not know. Unless Ciel has an especially strong stance in terms of morality or decision making, Ciel will act conflict avoidant in terms of decision making. He has trouble speaking and will stutter a lot, which is partially why he stays silent for most of the time. However, this does not mean that Ciel is not expressive or cold, as Ciel will do his best to help others he views as friends. Ciel is easily flustered and although he will appreciate compliments, doesn't actually know how to handle attention. Ciel is industrious and gets restless if there isn't anything to do, even if it is menial tasks. Most of the time, this means scouting nearby places or eavesdropping on others to see if he can help them without being noticed.
However, Ciel is surprisingly vengeful and will viciously hunt down all those who betrayed him, the Crown and the Lalunes alike, and especially those who came from his original town of Naravini. When enraged, Ciel's usually calm disposition will turn into a clinical cruelty, aiming to tear enemies apart both emotionally and physically. Personal morality mostly hinges upon trying to find the best for the people he has decided to care about, even if it means he has to do morally questionable actions to reach that end. Ciel is painfully aware of his amorality, and beats himself up over his need for vengence; but in the spur of the moment, he can't help but let his suppressed temper rise.
Ciel longs to feel like a part of a group, even if he tries to convince himself that he's better off alone. He has a complex about his skin condition that makes him difficult to feel tactile sensations and pain in general, and will pretend that he is able to feel things more than he really can. Ciel is good at keeping up appearances and insist everything is fine, but deep inside he knows that something fundamental died within him.
Ciel's hobbies usually involve going up to the highest vantage point and gazing out at the landscape or the stars. He's heard that apparently the stars were supposed to represent tales of epic battles and flawless heroes, but has never gotten a chance to hear them. Perhaps out here Ciel would be able to find someone who does know.
History
Naravini was a sprawling economic powerhouse during its prime. The city itself grew initially over a cave system within a frigid sea crag as a measure of safety from bandits. When trade started to flow through from West to East, the city's tight control over the few safe roads that passed through the surrounding mountain ranges became powerful economic assets. Along with the merchants and annual fairs, mercenary security troupes formed to accompany those who sought safety from the inevitable bandits that patrolled the old roads. But as travellers started to search easier ways to pass through the mountain ranges, Naravini's economic center was threatened.
The lord of Naravini, Baron Teshmire, came up with a 'solution'. In secret, he hired the most dubious troupe of Naravini, a family-run guild of the Lalunes. With a wealth of hush money, he ordered them to strike down every adventuring party that ventured the mountains. As the legend of the ghosts of the 'haunted' mountains grew, so did Naravini's wealth and Teshmire's greed. The Lalunes became a staple for Teshmire's operations, some of which included abduction of children to indoctirnate them at a young age. With a shadowy force to enforce his might, Teshmire ruled over Naravini unopposed.
But sure enough, the Lalunes could not stop the adventurers from progressing entirely - and soon a breakthrough was found that allowed safe passage across the previously uncrossable mountains and crags. With power slipping away and vengence on his heel, Teshmire's growing paranoia made him take the rest of his still-vast reserves of wealth and flee deep into the Naravini cave systems, never to be found. The Lalunes, now without a sponsor, warped into an autonomous criminal group of contract killers.
Naravini fell into disrepair and in place of merchants and seafarers, pirates and bandits seeking refuge from prosecution within the sea fortress-like city of Naravini filled the streets. Even the most foolish adventurers seeking to find 'the lost gold of Naravini' came to fear the madness of the rotting city. When it became clear that the once proud city of Naravini was turning into a haven of criminals, the Crown sent a force of elite magi and knights to crack down. Although it initially seemed like the Crown would take the city through sheer might, the criminal underworld mainly spearheaded by the Lalunes used the city's labryrinthine caverns and streets to their advantage. The city became stagnated in a gruelling quagmire - fights between the Crown forces and gangs were constant, and every day seemed like a miracle that the city remained somehow standing.
Ciel was born into one of the most turbulent times of port city of Naravini, stuck between the war between the Crown and the criminal underbelly. Perhaps had he been born into a kinder environment, his natural talent for arcane magic and curiosity could have been fostered; but instead, it became a curse that painted him as a candidate for the Lalunes. Abandoned at birth due to the dire cirumstances, he was inducted into the Lalunes as a responsive measure against the arcane attacks of the Crown magi.
Dropped into a world of desperate competition but naturally disposed to concede than fight, Ciel grew up being content with the smallest share and instead seeking affirmation and belonging. Ciel was blindly loyal to the guild, throwing himself into the most dangerous attacks against the Crown forces in service of a guild that had apparently saved him from the streets. He didn't care how cruel or how degenerate his actions were, as long as there was a clear distinction of 'us' and 'them'.
However, when his group was ambushed during an attack against a Crown stakeout, he was trapped within a cave and blockaded by the Crown forces. At first he awaited rescue as he had ensured a message was relayed back to the Lalunes. But when a message of a blank note was returned to him, it became apparent that the Lalunes had abandoned him. Ciel realized that the Lalunes were never the saviors that he had fantasized, nor was he any better for serving them. Ciel was just a pawn and a disposable blade now past its usefulness.
Heartbroken and betrayed, Ciel quietly allowed himself to be captured by the Crown forces. The judge took pity on Ciel and instead of an execution sent him to nearby quiet cities to serve his peonage. Recently released early for his good behavior, Ciel doesn't quite know what to do. Ciel was aware of his past crimes and was aware that he can't ever go back. Naravini was still in gridlock and there was little Ciel could do to exact vengence on anyone either. Ciel has been serving menial jobs in local military troupes, as well as help out local farmers in penance. But the walls of Naravini were always in the back of his mind, daring him to enter again.
Stats: Strength (STR): D Vitality (VIT): C Dexterity (DEX): B Intellect (INT): B Wisdom (WIS): E Charisma (CHA): F
Resistances: - Pain, especially tactile senses - Minor Cold - Minor Darkness (nightvision to a limited extent, can't see past artificial darkness)
Equipment Fey & Fel: Twin daggers Ciel received from a local blacksmith when he helped them get rid of bats from a cave. They're plain daggers with casting ambers in their hilt, doubling as arcane tools. Aside from occassional rust and wear, the blade is relatively well-kept.
Minor Herbalist Kit: Tools and small bandages to allow basic salves and poutices to be made from scavenged herbs. The toolkit itself is mostly improvised from various tools from other kits.
Shortbow w/ Arrows: A plain wooden shortbow with a handful of arrows for long range combat.
Lalune guild badge: A small copper badge with a flying owl. Has no uses since Ciel was effectively disavowed by the guild, but he has since kept it for sentimentality purposes.
Blank messaging paper: A grubby, little scrap of paper used by Lalunes to message each other. Similarily kept for sentimentality purposes, in spite rather than fondness.
Skills & Spells Mark: Single out a target and set a corrupting Mark on them. Gain armor penetration and critical hit multiplier against a Marked target. Marks persist until the marked target disengages, either the user or the target is defeated. A maximum of 3 Marks can be maintained. This skill has a Mana cost.
Vanish: Disappear from detection with a camoflaging spell. This can be used out of combat to increase stealth effectivity, disappearing nearly entirely from visual detection for the user only. This can be used in combat to disengage an enemy and escape combat. Fails against enemies with high detection skills, and is ineffective against arcane or thermal detection. This skill has a Mana cost and Cooldown.
Execute: Attack with the intent to kill, targeting existing wounds to ensure a kill. Deal bonus damage against opponents under 50% HP, scaling with critical hit multiplier. If used against a Marked target, consume the Mark to recover large amount of stamina, and immediately reset cooldown of Vanish. This skill has a Cooldown.
Silence: Within a small field, suppress hostile magic. Completely negates effects of weak magic, but has reduced effectivity against magic stronger than the user. The user may completely concentrate on Silence to increase effectivity at the cost of continuous Mana drain and inability to react to incoming attacks. This skill has a Mana cost and Cooldown.
Hidden Fangs (passive) : The user deals bonus damage when attacking from stealth or when using concealed weapons against unaware targets. Against Marked targets, deal additional armour piercing damage and recover mana.
Dynamism (passive): The user is especially focused against their Marked targets, and gains increased dodge chance against attacks from Marked targets. Becomes more effective over time, but is reset when attacking unmarked targets or when focus is disturbed via status effects.
@Click This Well now, there's someone I didn't expect to see. How the heck are ya, ya old goaat? ^^ You're very free to submit a CS, provided your old bones can keep up with the post-once-a-week rule.
Good to see you're still around. :D
Been pretty good. Seems my old reputation precedes me, heh. It shouldn't be a problem now.
I was wondering how workable a character with a necromancer class would be with this setting. It wasn't my original concept going into this, but a couple images I came across searching for a faceclaim made the idea a bit tempting.