krysdecker.deviantart.com/art/Alleria… - the elven ranger captain
i.pinimg.com/736x/60/97/ae/6097ae9ac4… -the beasts of the scourge
storage.googleapis.com/spikeybits-sta… -alternative enemy force
i.pinimg.com/736x/31/03/b5/3103b51dd3… -coryani army captain
Humans and elves are not mortal enemies, but nor have they historically been on fantastic speaking terms. Their relationship since the first time these two races have met, perhaps some thousands of years of history, can be best described as ‘strained’.
There have been wars, skirmishes, disagreements of all kinds and levels of severity. And both races have very ingrained opinions and thoughts about the other.
Not all of that history is negative however as there are multiple examples of peaceful accords, trade agreements and even historical accounts of co-operation, possibly even shared cities. But these never seem to last longer than a few short centuries, the lifespan of an elf.
A prime example of this mutual dislike is between the predominantly human kingdom state of Coryan and their neighbors, the Sylvanari. A group of elves many humans might commonly refer to as ‘wood elves’. The frequency of disagreement between both kingdoms is almost legendary and can fill its own library wing on the subject.
But nothing unites rivals quite like a crisis. And it is a crisis indeed that befell the region where these two nations call home. A great and old scourge has come from the south lands, the neighbors immediately in its path were caught completely unawares and the refuges that streamed up from those now shattered kingdoms speak of death and destruction and terrible savagery.
Now the two bickering nations have been forced into co-operation if only for mutual survival. They have been forced to rely heavily on each other while they beseech any allies and friends they have abroad for any and all help with relief.
Most armies are still composed entirely of one race, but armies fighting alongside each other has become increasingly common. The crucible of war has had the side effect of planting the seeds for begrudging, but growing respect from both sides. As well as forcing more co-operation and conversation, at least at the officer level. Both sides trying their best to bury, or at least not bring up old grudges and bite their tongues instead of reverting back to habitual slurs and comments they might otherwise throw at each other.
This is the basic setup for the story I want to play. Between two military officers trying to do their best to stem the tide of invasion and work alongside historically touchy allies. I planned for them to be junior-mid level officers to give them a bit of authority and importance(and reason to interact on a regular basis), but not so high ranking as to remove them from the potential for actual combat and action altogether. Not fresh faced lieutenants, but not generals or lord commanders either.
I also figure that these characters have probably dealt with each other for a-while now. They know each other, have fought a few battles together and bled a bit and have the scars to show of it.
So the RP would actually start off with the seeds of our characters eventual affair having already been planted, the spark already lit so to speak. All it needs is time. And in the stress and heat of constant warfare for literal survival, well emotions will explode in funny ways. And few would fault two soldiers who face death on a weekly basis for giving into the moment and working out their stress in non regulation ways.
Obviously this is a basic outline and there is a lot to be worked out via pm and and some back and forth. In particular the nature of the enemy our character is fighting against needs to be worked out. I have two ideas I posted and honestly... I'm split on which one I prefer. The legion of the dead are classic as is the idea of a necromancer or lich rampage. But I also really like the idea of Draconian forces wreaking havoc and having sprung up straight out of myth and legend after who knows how long.
Various themes would be our own gradual overcoming of our more casual racism towards each others factions. Which would have already started to mend a little (not completely) as well as a nice build up of our characters attraction towards each other despite (or perhaps because of) the physical and behavior reasons that so often make both races turn their noses up at each other.
So ya, I have some character ideas posted as well and I am keen on both of them but am open to discussion if you have an image of your own. But the idea of her being an elf is pretty integral to the whole story so that's not really adjustable.
