HAWTHORNE ACADEMY
 HAWTHORNE ACADEMY

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^{D I S C O R D}

This is a supernatural, school slice of life roleplay set within Hawthorne Academy in the highlands of Scotland. Players will control the supernatural students of this academy, immersing themselves in this dark academia setting. Most characters will be a vampire, werewolf or witch/wizard - but I am open to the existence of other supernaturals, so long as these are run by me and they fit within the grounded setting we're shooting for. Fundamentally, we want to collaboratively create a world and characters that we all enjoy.

Players will have the choice to investigate a growing number of supernatural murders and disappearances, or to focus more on the slice of life elements for their own characters.

Nevertheless, there will always be a plot in the background moving gradually forward - and it will have consequences for us all.

To emphasise, the focus of this roleplay is NOT on our supernatural powers. It is first and foremost a slice of life, and focused on storytelling and building character relationships.

History

“The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world that he did not exist.”

For as long as humans have existed, the supernaturals have lived alongside. They have been the shadows in the dark, the distant howls, the village mystics and more. Many human myths and godhoods are attributed to supernatural beings that once walked among them, posing as deities or divine beings to further their own wealth and power. Others were merely monsters, inspiring the frightening tales of bogeymen that persist to this day. Most fall broadly under three distinct species - Werewolves, Vampires, or those Witches and Wizards gifted with innate magical abilities. Other species do exist, such as the isolated Merfolk that live beneath the oceans, but these are far fewer in number. None know the true origin of supernaturals, and most tend to have their own theories.

In the earliest days of recorded history, there was no coexistence between supernaturals. Vampires fought among themselves and with others, Werewolves stalked the forests for prey, and the magical embedded themselves within primitive civilisations offering miracle cures and potions. This was to change at the Moot of the Star and Moon, taking place at what is now known as Stonehenge in human society, some 5000 years ago. This was a gathering of supernaturals from all corners of the known world, arranged by the powerful magic of ancient wizards. What was intended to be the beginning of peaceful coexistance, to learn and live alongside one another, descended into a terrible battle between Fang and Wolf - though none can be sure of which side was to blame. The ferocious fighting between Vampires and Werewolves has created a hatred and mistrust between both that exists still. Families on both sides still oft recall massacres and great misdeeds committed by the other.

There are no truly accurate records for how the war unfolded, only that it lasted for a thousand years until the establishment of the Academies when wizard-kind finally intervened with their powerful magic. The function of these Academies was twofold - to ensure supernatural cooperation by taking all supernatural children on their 18th birthday for a term of at least six years, to learn and live among one another. Additionally, they function as centres for supernatural law and enforcement - with each Academy being responsible for a region of the known world. Hawthorne Academy, nestled in the highlands of Scotland, was the first of these to be established and is considered the most influential and prestigious. It is responsible for all Europe.

All of this is now ancient memory, and the Academies have been a fact of life for supernaturals for thousands of years. No Vampires, even, are said to still live from the days of the terrible war.

But, recently, this ancient peace has been disturbed. Prominent supernaturals have vanished. Ancient tombs have been defiled, artefacts stolen. The cause? None can be sure, but there is unease among the Academies. Something terrible is to come.

Supernaturals

Vampires

"And everybody dreams about vampires; we grow up dreaming about them. They're the first and worst monster that lives under everybody's bed."

Vampire [+]

Vampires are among the most feared supernatural beings. They are apex predators, confident in their powers and strength. Ancient Vampire families trace back their lineages to the first days of Supernaturals, with the oldest families being considered the most prestigious - and many, it is said, consider themselves the rightful rulers of both supernatural and humankind. Many Vampire families have greath wealth, accumulated over the course of human history, though they tend to remain out of the spotlight and instead manipulate humankind from the shadows. They often live among humans in major cities.

They alone command the power of immortality, and generally cease to age around their twenty-fifth to thirtieth birthdays. Few vampires appear older than this, for the blood-sucking and turning of mortals has been forbidden since the establishment of the Academies. Instead, Vampires get sustenance from a blood-like cocktail created by the potionmasters and alchemists of the Academies. This has long been a cause for resentment toward wizardkind, and some Vampires are rumoured to secretly ignore this decree with the existence of underground cults that hunt mortals for blood.

In our universe, it is possible for Vampires to be born.

For the general vibe - think twilight vampires that don't sparkle.

🦇Have exceptional strength, speed, and agility.
🦇Excel at hunting and tracking their prey, with hightened senses.
🦇Known for their beauty and vanity - they often come from wealthy Vampire families.
🦇They are the largest and most elitist clique at Hawthorne Academy.
🦇Night vision.
🦇Have an aversion to light, but it is not lethal. They feel as though they are burning, become increasingly uncomfortable, etc. Hawthorne Academy is permanently clouded to accomodate this.
🦇Can only truly be killed by decapitation. Priests beware, for your holy water and stakes have no power here.
🦇Garlic makes them naueseous.
🦇Subspecies of Vampire can and do exist. If you wish to play one, run it by me.
🦇Hate Werewolves.

Werewolves

"Every time the moon shines, I come alive."

Werewolf [+]

The other apex predator. Rebels, agitators, and freedom-lovers. Werewolves are communal beings that hold family and friends close. Unlike Vampires, they tend to stray away from the busy urban cities and instead prefer quiet, rural environments such as villages and small towns. Being close to large swathes of open, empty nature (forests, hills, etc) allows them more peace of mind when the full moon arrives. Learning to control their urges during a full moon is the first true test for any Werewolf - and, in time, they can come to freely shapechange at will. Once they have learned to shapechange at will, they no longer rely on the full moon for the best of their powers - and it instead serves only to enhance their abilities. By the age of 18, most if not all Werewolves can shapechange at will. When they howl at the moon, Werewolves honour their families and ancestors that came before.

They are disillusioned with the Academies, which tend to underrepresent them with few Werewolf professors at Hawthorne Academy. They send their children as they are obligated to, but feel no great enthusiasm for Wizardkind and their rules.

Some view Lycanthrophy as a curse. Werewolves see this as their freedom.

Think Twilight Werewolves, or those in Wednesday. We're keepin' it simple.

🐾Ability to shapeshift into a Werewolf. Exceptional strength, speed and agility in this form - with hightened sense also. They retain some of this while in human form, but to a far lesser extent.
🐾Excel at tracking, and have unmatched stamina.
🐾Sharp claws that can cut through metal, a bite strong enough to crush rock.
🐾Fast-healing in both Werewolf and human form.
🐾Night vision.
🐾They are a large clique at Hawthorne Academy, and slightly more open-minded than Vampires to those not of their species.
🐾Hate Vampires.

🌕Blessed by the moon. All of their powers are greatly enhanced during a full moon.

Wizards/Witches

"There are thousands of good reasons why magic doesn't rule the world. They're called Witches and Wizards."

Wizards/Witches [+]

Of all the supernatural beings, it is the Witches and Wizards that vary most wildly in both personality and power. To become a master of the magical arts requires a lifetime of dedication and study that few possess the willpower for - though, for those who do, they may be able to call upon power both great and terrible. The channeling of magic requires a wand in all but exceptionally few cases, and those born with telekinetic powers are viewed with suspicion and concern. Most with such powers will eventually succumb to madness. Wands are deeply personal and created by each Witch/Wizard on their fifteenth birthday according to magical tradition. They will often reflect the personality of the holder.

The ability to control magic passes down through blood, and it is exceedingly rare for a child with no magical parentage to develop the ability. Often, these individuals can become responsible for great tragedies and freak accidents as they struggle to learn their powers. If discovered, they are brought to Academies and given a magical foster family. This remains an extremely rare occurance and the focus of continual study.

Wizards and Witches are the group most represented in Academies. They account for most senior Academy staff and professors, and thus set most of the supernatural laws. They believe themselves champions of progress and the guarantors of a better future for all supernaturals.

There are countless spells and schools of magic, all of which taught at the Hawthorne Academy. For simplicity, we will go down a route similar to the 'Harry Potter' style of magic - as this is familiar to all of us, and does not require hours of reading.

Among some in the magical community, there is a concern that the potency of magic has been fading over the centuries.

✨They can control Magic and learn spells. They require a wand for this.
✨The use of magic is physically draining, and can leave the caster exhausted.
✨Can specialise in magical schools such as; potions, curses, herbology, dueling.
✨They have no superhuman qualities, and possess the strength/speed/agility/stamina of an average human.
✨They are the most open-minded clique at Hawthorne Academy, and the most willing to accept outsiders.

Supernatural beings outside of these groups can exist, but they will be judged on a case by case basis. It is important that any supernatural species does not go against the 'grounded' setting we are creating. Most characters should belong to one of the above three.

As a final point to note, the focus of this roleplay is not on the powers, necessarily. Of course, they are a large part of our characters - but this is a slice of life, mystery investigation first and foremost. Our characters and their relationships come first, the powers second.

Hawthorne Academy is the oldest and most prestigious of all the Academies, raised by powerful magic of the ancient spellcasters. It is protected from humankind by a permanent charm, and is set in the highlands of Scotland. It is responsible for supernatural law across Europe. Students from across the continent of Europe (and often beyond) are all sent to Hawthorne Academy in search of the most accomplished education provided by supernatural kind.

It is a large academy in the gothic style, with many secrets. Hidden hallways, restricted libraries, deep-buried tombs. There is much to be discovered at Hawthorne Academy. In order to accomodate their large vampire body, the skies above the academy are permanently clouded to protect from sunlight.

Hawthorne Academy is also home to The Seekers, the equivalent to supernatural law enforcement. They investigate and trace rogue supernaturals who violate the laws of the Academy, and are distinguishable by their leather overcoats of a midnight black - collars always raised. They are rarely seen by students, and keep out from the day-to-day of the Academy.

While there is quite a number of dormitory halls, our students will belong to one of two. Nightshade Commons or Hemlock Hall.

Current teaching staff can be found on the Characters page.

This roleplay will include narrative events that players can opt to have their characters involved in. These will range from a calendar of school activities (the annual ball, competitions, etc) to investigations into disappearances, murders, and more. Some choices in these narrative events will have consequences, but these will all be discussed with players beforehand. At all times, the driving idea is to create collaborative, engaging story.

Players are free to choose which narrative events they involve their characters in as they appear. As such, it is possible to focus more on the school slice of life - but there will be a plot, always moving gradually forward, which will have impacts on all characters.

RPG rules should be followed at all times.

We are here to create a collaborative story that we all enjoy. No meta-gaming, god-modding, or 'trying to win' attitudes.

DISCORD is required for this roleplay to facilitate communication and planning. This is the link.