OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
December 7th, 5:00am - The Sinnenodel Dorm
The night before Varis’ soiree was a hectic nightmare. He swore that everything that could go wrong did. Art he was having delivered specifically for the event was delayed, the crystal blood glasses he demanded come from his personal collection were the wrong ones, the Academy still hadn’t delivered the extra chair and side table (he blamed Ryner through and through), the boy’s clothes had to have been sent back because they were slightly off and they were supposed to come in literally hours before the party now, and he couldn’t find the damn ring he wanted to wear for the evening. He’d already written the school and excused Aaron and himself from Friday’s courses―excluding Treaty Law because that blind Noila wasn’t undoing all the hard work he’d done so far―so they could spend the entire night and early morning getting everything set up as they rolled in.
And he was glad he did because of course the Academy’s hired idiots almost ran the boy’s bathroom door through one of his original Nianarh paintings. He’d never been so close to killing someone in his life. Then, because Malek was indisposed handling another order of business, the shipping company that overnighted the proper crystal blood glasses was two seconds away from tossing his package on the doorstep but thankfully, he moved faster than a butterfingered mortal and he’d sent the moron back to his truck in tears. Getting the boy to look presentable was an ordeal in and of itself. It wasn’t the clothes. No, black made him almost look like a proper show mage but it was the accessories and the hair and the make up. He thought the boy could handle it himself but after a quick look at the end, Varis had to redo everything. Fixing the tie clip, fixing the watch on the boy’s wrist, completely redoing his face, the tie was sloppy, etc. It was never ending and it resulted in a session just like the night of his Lady’s visit: fully involved in every step.
But finally, finally, everything was done. Each chair had a portrait of a notable member of their house behind them from his own collection: Tennra Eve caught in the passion of her writing, Perion Astorio decapitating the traitor Donovan on the battlefield, Ralmevik Marivaldi dictating to a mage at a desk, Lady Sinnenodel because that was the only Sinnenodel worth of display in his presence, and Eris walking through the gates of Varis’ castle from a picture he liked on the security cameras Malek insisted they install. The Eve, Astorio, and Marivaldi pictures were selected just to irritate his guests. Tennra writing Varis’ favorite book on the natural inferiority of mages and humans, Perion to remind Victor what his Lord does to fake Astorios, and Ralmevik for the obvious sadistic fun. Eris’portriat had been made as a present to the actor several years ago but Varis had liked it enough that he kept it himself. And of course, Lady Sinnenodel above the seat of honor as the most important of the lot. Not that it would stay that way but he’d let her enjoy her ivory tower for now.
The sitting room was outfitted with dark leather chairs and rich cloth draped over the side tables with gold embroidery along the edges. He decided to keep with a simpler, older look, adding in an antique record player in the corner with an pleasant orchestration on the record, perfect for adding just a touch of background noise. Modern sound quality was fantastic and usually preferred for formal gathering when live music wasn’t an option but every one of these vampires were about his age. He specifically chose music from their childhood years, wanting to add just a touch of warm nostalgia to the room. The boy would have to crank it every record but that was the price you paid for ambiance.
And it would be good practice. Depending on how things worked out, Varis may well be destined to suffer through the boy’s presence as a show mage for the rest of his pathetically short life. He’d need to learn how to balance when to be seen and when to fade into the background. It would probably take a decade of work before he was capable of being able to do that without magic but Varis was very much a proponent of using whatever tool necessary to get the job done so he couldn’t fault the boy for that. Yet.
He’d figure out a way.
By the time Varis was satisfied with all his fussing, it was just about time for guests to arrive. He gave himself and Aaron one last look over. Both of them were dressed in matching suits, monochrome black for the most part and a rougher shirt to depth to the outfit. Aaron had a few gold accessories―a gold stud and chain ear cuff in place of the usual Sinnenodel crest, a gold ring, and a tie clip―but his hair offset the outfit well enough. Which he managed to tame into purposefully disheveled and left the ear with the earring visible. Not that it would help with his cardboard personality but every little bit helped, he supposed.
“Listen closely, boy. Tonight is your chance to prove that you aren’t as incompitent as I believe. It’s your first run as a proper, mostly proper, show mage and I will be taking notes.”Varis explained as he adjusted Aaron’s tie for the fifth time that night. “You know your job. Answer the door, invite vampires into the parlor, show the mages to the living room, and then retire for two minutes to organize the mages for their performances. Eve, Marivaldi, Eris, Astorio, you―that’s the order. Then, crank the phonograph and ready the blood. The colored crystal is for the cleanser, the clear for the tastings, and do not forget the tags I had you write out. I haven’t thought of a punishment yet but I can guarantee you, it’ll make everything else seem down right pleasant.” Varis went over the night for the millionth time this week as he fiddled with this and that on the boy. While Varis was, begrudgingly, sure he wouldn’t mess up on the technical details, Varis was more concerned about the role he needed the boy to play.
“And for the love of our Lady, do not put on that damn cut out smile you wear when you’re uncomfortable. A court mask is all fine and dandy but tonight your job is to be sweet. Charming. Interesting. Give them a real smile, figure out what they want to see, and be that. I want them head over heels for you in those brief moments.” Varis demanded, finally satisfied with Aaron’s appearance. It would be a touch of overkill, he knew, but he needed that sympathy for the boy at its height. He had a goal tonight and he needed as much ill will as he could get to make it all fall together. Flaunting the boy in the mage sympathists face would go a long way.
Which is exactly why they matched. Varis wore the same style suit, the same style tie, the same style shirt, but he boasted less gold. The only accessory they shared was the tie clip, a break for the eye, but Varis had even worn an earring on the same ear as Aaron: a diamond shaped onyx teardrop instead. If everything worked out, the big bad Sinnenodel would be exactly where he needed to be. He pulled out his pocket watch, the only silver on his person, and popped it open. Five minutes.
“Questions now or keep your tongue in your head.” Varis snapped the watch shut and tucked it away again.
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
Height: 5'4" || Eye Color: Green
Name
Clarissa von Edmund
Age
18 Born the 21st day of the Great Tree Moon, 1477
Country of Origin
Leicester Alliance
Social Standing
Noble: House Edmund
Crest
Crest of Maurice (Crest of the Beast)
Starting Class
Monk
Weapon of Choice
White Magic (Sword secondary)
Strengths
Faith and Authority
Weaknesses
Lance and Axe
Personality
Bold and impulsive, Clarissa Edmund is an aggressively outspoken proponent of her beliefs. The first to disregard the pretense of deliberation, Clarissa refuses empty flattery and circular arguing in favor of constructive criticism advancing her agenda. Her stance on issues is rarely unknown and she operates without the veneer of secrecy her political peers are so well known for. It’s her opinion that transparency is the fundamental value of trust and that only those with ill intention gain anything from secrecy. As such, she throws herself entirely into whatever she considers worthwhile, sure in her steps and steadfast in her convictions, and rarely double guesses her decisions.
Unlike her mother who draws on the serenity of Seiros, Clarissa’s faith only fans the flames of her passion. She speaks glowingly of the establishment anytime the subject comes up, fully committed to the Church’s message of peace, forgiveness, and charity, and is quick to turn against those who speak ill of it. The Alliance’s neutrality with the Church has always bothered her—after all, Fodlan only stayed together thanks to the guidance of Archbishop Rhea—and she fully plans to support an expansion of the Church's influence in the Alliance.
Unlike her mother who draws on the serenity of Seiros, Clarissa’s faith only fans the flames of her passion. She speaks glowingly of the establishment anytime the subject comes up, fully committed to the Church’s message of peace, forgiveness, and charity, and is quick to turn against those who speak ill of it. The Alliance’s neutrality with the Church has always bothered her—after all, Fodlan only stayed together thanks to the guidance of Archbishop Rhea—and she fully plans to support an expansion of the Church's influence in the Alliance.
History
The first born daughter of Beaufort and Odette Edmund, Clarissa Edmund seemed destined to be cut from the same cloth as her father: energetic, loud, and brash even as a baby. She spent her life proving everyone right. She spent her early years at her father’s knee, adopting his love for horseback riding, sailing, and swordplay during their outings and picking up the nuances of Edmund oration in the process. Each evening after lessons, the pair would slip away to Clarissa’s favorite spot in the family estate that overlooked the harbor and would talk about her studies and the world at large over a pot of mint tea.
Her mother however, maintained an incredibly strict lifestyle for Clarissa when she wasn’t with her father. Born with a minor Crest of the Beast, Odette wept when she learned Clarissa inherited a Major Crest. Marianne Edmund’s adoption tainted the family line with the cursed Crest and her influence still shaped how the family handled the Crest three hundred years later. Odette limited her interaction with anyone outside of the core staff and immediate family and immersed Clarissa in Church activity. She believed that only faith and piety could combat the Crest’s malignant effects. She kept the truth of the Crest away from Clarissa as long as she could and it worked for a while.
However, the birth of her younger brother afforded her an opportunity to escape her mother’s limitations. With Beaufort as her ally, Clarissa won independent outings to the Church for a weekly social gathering of children her age with the condition that a trusted family friend, Bishop Jehan, would act as her chaperone. The man had the patience of Saint Cethleann herself and handled her million questions with ease. Her social group consisted mostly of the children of wealthy merchants and she quickly established her reputation as a leader, taking responsibility for the group and their activities. She molded the group in the image of Odette’s charity work and focused primarily on assisting those without money by fixing garments and blankets for free. While she didn’t particularly care for the work, it was something she hadn’t been allowed to do before and she quite liked having friends.
She was content with her life and limited interactions until her 11th year, after the disastrous mock battle between House Gloucester and House Ordelia. Her father explained why the House had lost their seat: The House was on its last legs and survived solely on the support from others in the Alliance. As unfortunate as it was, a House needed to be powerful in its own right to sit at the table. The unease at the decision still festered inside her and unable to find the words to express why, she lashed out at her family, at her father for a horrible decision and at her mother for her absurd restrictions.
A screaming match with her mother revealed the true nature of her Crest. Clarissa fled after that, running to the only place she considered safe anymore and broke down in tears in front of Jehan. It took several long, awkward, and emotional conversations with the Bishop but eventually she found what had been unsettling her about the issue. The curse her family supposedly bore was a punishment for those who had no hand, no voice, in the decision their ancestor made, just like Duke Ordiela’s family had no choice in his decision to murder a fellow Lord. Her questions bordered on heretical, demanding why the Goddess would punish innocents for the acts of others. The bishop came up with an elegant solution: a Major Crest manifesting in her must mean the Goddess has given her the chance to redeem her bloodline. Clarissa clung desperately to that and shortly before her 13th birthday, she stepped out of her turmoil a new person.
Gone was the girl who would quietly accept her fate. Instead, Clarissa Edmund walked out as the heiress apparent of the Margravate of Edmund and she made sure it was known. It caused friction with her mother but Clarissa swept past that with her new found confidence. She reclaimed her social group that had been abandoned at the revelation of her curse, grew it, and began doubling down on her lessons. She accompanied her father to the Roundtable and took notes and developed questions for them to discuss later at their nightly meetings. She even attended a recent Roundtable on her own when he fell ill; she established her reputation quickly when one of them tried to exploit her age and she flew into an impassioned speech on the importance of change and progress and warned against letting hard fought wisdom turn to stagnation. After that she knew her next course of action clearly: Leading the Leicester Alliance. Her father supported her aspirations and enrolled her in Garrag Mach’s Officers Academy with the goal to strengthen the support she’d need to make the claim.
Her mother however, maintained an incredibly strict lifestyle for Clarissa when she wasn’t with her father. Born with a minor Crest of the Beast, Odette wept when she learned Clarissa inherited a Major Crest. Marianne Edmund’s adoption tainted the family line with the cursed Crest and her influence still shaped how the family handled the Crest three hundred years later. Odette limited her interaction with anyone outside of the core staff and immediate family and immersed Clarissa in Church activity. She believed that only faith and piety could combat the Crest’s malignant effects. She kept the truth of the Crest away from Clarissa as long as she could and it worked for a while.
However, the birth of her younger brother afforded her an opportunity to escape her mother’s limitations. With Beaufort as her ally, Clarissa won independent outings to the Church for a weekly social gathering of children her age with the condition that a trusted family friend, Bishop Jehan, would act as her chaperone. The man had the patience of Saint Cethleann herself and handled her million questions with ease. Her social group consisted mostly of the children of wealthy merchants and she quickly established her reputation as a leader, taking responsibility for the group and their activities. She molded the group in the image of Odette’s charity work and focused primarily on assisting those without money by fixing garments and blankets for free. While she didn’t particularly care for the work, it was something she hadn’t been allowed to do before and she quite liked having friends.
She was content with her life and limited interactions until her 11th year, after the disastrous mock battle between House Gloucester and House Ordelia. Her father explained why the House had lost their seat: The House was on its last legs and survived solely on the support from others in the Alliance. As unfortunate as it was, a House needed to be powerful in its own right to sit at the table. The unease at the decision still festered inside her and unable to find the words to express why, she lashed out at her family, at her father for a horrible decision and at her mother for her absurd restrictions.
A screaming match with her mother revealed the true nature of her Crest. Clarissa fled after that, running to the only place she considered safe anymore and broke down in tears in front of Jehan. It took several long, awkward, and emotional conversations with the Bishop but eventually she found what had been unsettling her about the issue. The curse her family supposedly bore was a punishment for those who had no hand, no voice, in the decision their ancestor made, just like Duke Ordiela’s family had no choice in his decision to murder a fellow Lord. Her questions bordered on heretical, demanding why the Goddess would punish innocents for the acts of others. The bishop came up with an elegant solution: a Major Crest manifesting in her must mean the Goddess has given her the chance to redeem her bloodline. Clarissa clung desperately to that and shortly before her 13th birthday, she stepped out of her turmoil a new person.
Gone was the girl who would quietly accept her fate. Instead, Clarissa Edmund walked out as the heiress apparent of the Margravate of Edmund and she made sure it was known. It caused friction with her mother but Clarissa swept past that with her new found confidence. She reclaimed her social group that had been abandoned at the revelation of her curse, grew it, and began doubling down on her lessons. She accompanied her father to the Roundtable and took notes and developed questions for them to discuss later at their nightly meetings. She even attended a recent Roundtable on her own when he fell ill; she established her reputation quickly when one of them tried to exploit her age and she flew into an impassioned speech on the importance of change and progress and warned against letting hard fought wisdom turn to stagnation. After that she knew her next course of action clearly: Leading the Leicester Alliance. Her father supported her aspirations and enrolled her in Garrag Mach’s Officers Academy with the goal to strengthen the support she’d need to make the claim.
Trivia
Since it’s invitation to join the Roundtable of the Alliance after House Daphnel’s tragic inner conflict depriving them of their historic strength, House Edmund capitalized on and expanded its fair and equal trade policies that cemented the region’s economic success and bolstered the House’s influential voice. The growth of these policies demanded a rigorous focus on industrial growth and the development of skilled artisans and as such, House Edmund’s armed forces are significantly smaller than most of the other Houses of the alliances. Their contributions to the Alliance revolve heavily around the House’s financial resources, including funding the maintenance and improvement of Fodlan’s Locket, and levying the economic well being of the maritime routes connecting the Alliance to the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. Their economic strength and stability are the result of an aggressive continuation of the fair trade policies they adapted early on in the Alliance’s days.Their policies focus on growing the means of production; ranging from incentivizing apprenticeships to both increase the labor pool and reduce poverty to subsidizing the cost to gather raw product.
Stemming from their economic progressivism (not to mention their lack of military might), the Margrave Edmund is always known as a skilled orator and the current one is no exception. Beaufort Edmund is a passionate voice at the Roundtables, often the first to push for the expansion of their own trade policies into other parts of the Alliance, and emphasizes the importance that the other Houses follow in House Edmund’s footsteps to expand the Alliance’s economic influence in the Empire. His passion for the well being of the citizens of the Alliance is apparent every time he brings a new social issue to the table, from the stagnation of the lower class to the archaic view that nobles are somehow purer or better than those who support them, and he is quick to rise against House Gloucester’s self absorbed, entitled, and snobbish beliefs.
His wife, Odette Edmund, is almost the complete opposite of her husband. She holds herself well and often comes off as aloof and cool but in reality is just introverted and quiet. Odette is a devoted member of the Eastern Church of Seiros, regularly using Edmund resources to promote its teachings through charity and community enhancement. The Church was an important ally to the House Edmund ever since the adoption of Marianne Edmund but Odette has greatly improved their relationship and the House is a regular contributor to the Eastern Church. The Margrave dotes on her whenever they are together and it isn’t uncommon to see them laughing quietly together as they walk the grounds of their home.
Stemming from their economic progressivism (not to mention their lack of military might), the Margrave Edmund is always known as a skilled orator and the current one is no exception. Beaufort Edmund is a passionate voice at the Roundtables, often the first to push for the expansion of their own trade policies into other parts of the Alliance, and emphasizes the importance that the other Houses follow in House Edmund’s footsteps to expand the Alliance’s economic influence in the Empire. His passion for the well being of the citizens of the Alliance is apparent every time he brings a new social issue to the table, from the stagnation of the lower class to the archaic view that nobles are somehow purer or better than those who support them, and he is quick to rise against House Gloucester’s self absorbed, entitled, and snobbish beliefs.
His wife, Odette Edmund, is almost the complete opposite of her husband. She holds herself well and often comes off as aloof and cool but in reality is just introverted and quiet. Odette is a devoted member of the Eastern Church of Seiros, regularly using Edmund resources to promote its teachings through charity and community enhancement. The Church was an important ally to the House Edmund ever since the adoption of Marianne Edmund but Odette has greatly improved their relationship and the House is a regular contributor to the Eastern Church. The Margrave dotes on her whenever they are together and it isn’t uncommon to see them laughing quietly together as they walk the grounds of their home.
Favorite Food: Two-fish Sauté
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
Daniel Elliot Kingston
Character Summary
Name:Danny Kingston
Superhero Name: HotShot
Age: 17
Birthday: July 19th, 2021
Birth Place: Genosha
Pronouns: He/Him
Gender: Male
Species: Mutant
Recommender: Maximillian Gray, X-Men
Languages: English, French
Appearance
Height: 5’ 8”
Weight: 140
Build: Wiry
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown (regularly dyes it black)
Skin Tone: White
Tattoos/Scars/Piercings: None
Personal Style: Danni's style is anything and everything. Some days he feels grunge, some days he feels punk, and others he feels artsy; when he's feeling bold, he'll mix and match without a care. He loves fashion and trendsetting is as fashionable as you can get. He's comfortable in anything, skirts, shirts, jackets, heels, sneakers, boots--his motto is "When I wear it, I'll fucking rock it!"
Psychology
Extroverted * Impulsive * Optimistic * Vain * Energetic * Dependant
Sexuality: Demi-sexual
Relationship Status: Single
Alignment: Chaotic good
Personality: A difficult one to stay mad at for long, Danni is a highly energetic, fun loving, touchy feely golden retriever. He makes friends as easily as he breathes, and he attaches quickly and deeply with little more than a few days' time. He bounces rather than walks, sings rather than talks, and finds something to enjoy in every situation. He can make sunshine out of rain clouds and always has a shoulder to lean on, a hand to hold, and a conversation to ease away the sting of all the unpleasantness life brings. He's silly and ditzy, seemingly directionless at times, but he cares deeply for those around him.
Of course, he isn't all fun and games. Danni's emotional state can fluctuate wildly, especially when he feels like he isn't being included or appreciated. He is used to being able to command all the attention at home, doted on left and right by his parents and family, but handles rejection, real or perceived, very poorly. He's the waterworks kind of kid, rather than the feet stomping, ground pounding kind, and he'll start sniffling if he even gets an inkling someone might tell him no. He is demanding of people's time, rarely pausing to consider that maybe not everyone likes a gangly teenager in their lap yapping away at a mile an hour, and rarely respects people's personal boundaries, always pushing, pushing, pushing until something snaps.
Habits:
- Sings things he could just say when excited.
- Dances to the music in his head while walking or standing.
- Chews on pens and pencils (or anything in his hand really.)
- Fiddles with his locket when anxious.
Hobbies:
- Cooking
- Watching musicals
- Running KingstonsKitchen
- Dancing
- Gossiping
Fears:
- Snakes
- Abandonment
- Small, enclosed spaces
Likes:
- Fashion
- Coffee
- Magic Tricks
- Musical Theater
- Explosions
- Social Media
Dislikes:
- Snakes
- Being ignored
- Suspense movies
- Insects
- Silence
- The X-Men
Cards On The Table
Powers:
- Pyrokinesis (Generation, Manipulation)
General World Skills:
- Acting
- Photography
- Sleight of Hand
- Dancing
- Cooking
- Fashion Sense
Combat Skills:
- Hand to Hand Combat
- Tag, You're it!
- HotShot (small, concentrated burst of finger from his finger tips.)
Coursework:
- Traditional - put down 4 class suggestions
- 1 - Stage Craft?
- 2 - Script Analysis?
- 3 - Psychology?
- 4 - Art History?
- Superheroics - put down 4 class suggestions
- 1- Crisis & Disaster Management?
- 2 - Crime Scene Investigation?
- 3 - Subdual Combat?
- 4 - Elemental Manipulation?
Medical Issues/Injuries:
- ADHD
Possessions: Limited to the spots provided. This is generally the list of items that you own, just list your character’s possessions. For items kept in the dorm, put a *. Students are allowed pets.
- Backpack - wallet (state ID, debit card, crumpled mess of receipts), EZ Fire Spray, burn cream, lip balm, sun screen, notebooks, various colored gel pens, sticks of gum, glow in the dark Halloween stickers, playing cards, a side pocket of bang snaps, phone
- DSLR Camera*
- Skin Care Kit*
- Box of condoms*
- Individual Photos of James, Casper, Jack, Max, Ben, Sunshine, Marrow, and Mamie Elli in picture frames*
- Box of Bang Snaps*
- Laptop*
- Ringlight*
History
- James Kingston (Father) - Pops
- Casper Kingston (Father) - Papa
- Jacques Theriot (Uncle) - Uncle J
- Éliette Theriot (Grandmother) - Mamie Elie
- Lavinia (Cousin) - Vinnie
- Maximillian Gray (Godfather) - Maxie
- Ben Havgrees (Godfather) - Benjie
- Dorian Gray (Sibling) - Dee (Hauntling when Danny's being a little shit)
- Sunshine - Auntie S
- Marrow - Auntie M
How did you discover your powers: One fateful night all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. At least, that’s how it should have been. Instead, 12 year old Danni Kingston was creeping through his home, double socked and all in black. Surrounded by glittering baubles he and his parents picked out and strung up while dancing to every Christmas song known to man, why was Danni, a long time resident of the Kingston household, creeping through his family’s home like a common burglar, phone in hand and already recording, at 2am on Christmas?
He’s out to prove Santa is real.
There were always presents under the tree from Santa and Danni knew all sorts of people who could do cool shit. Maxie could teleport and Papa could kiki with ghosts and Pops started someone’s heart just by laying his hands on her shoulders and all sorts of other cool shit! Why couldn’t there be a mutant that moves really fast and likes to give toys? He’d show that bitch he’s real and make her say sorry for calling his Pops a liar.
He froze when he heard the faintest creak coming from around the corner and strange shuffling noises. He stifled a giggle but couldn’t help the pleased jig and all but skipped to the corner. Sure, the noises were a little weird now, like something clicked and then another nose that sounded like shampoo coming out of a bottle and a weird groan but maybe Santa used hair products or something. Moving that fast probably gave you a cowlick between every house!
Danny leapt around the corner, camera up and recording, but instead of a jolly, white haired bear in his living room, all he found was Papa and Pops wrestling. Naked. With Pop’s hand over Papa’s mouth and moving funny. Danni frowned at the sight. It took a brief second or two to process, and then it hit him.
He didn’t realize he was screaming until, in a flurry of limbs, Pops managed to snag a blanket and cover them. He didn’t realize something was burning until the smoke alarms went off. He didn’t realize it was his phone until he felt his palms start to blister. He dropped it and stared at the pile of melted plastic. Then at his hands because they were still on fire.
What happened that night was a desperate attempt to find clothing, burned eyes as Danny tried to cover them when Papa stood up in his birthday suit, and expensive damages as James chased a panicked Danny around the house to try and put him out. Danny fondly remembered it as F-Day: Fucking, Fucked, and Fires!
General History: The adopted son of James and Casper Kingston, Danny was never a child without love. Although born in Genosha, his earliest memories are of New Orleans after James and Casper moved there following the collapse of Genosha. Pops worked at an auto shop, the strong order of oil caked into Danny’s early memories, and baby Danny was always dazzled and amazed at the outfits his Pape put on and the glitter, shimmer, and glamor of his shows. He remembers sometimes when Papa would be him because Pops had a guest at home and he always terrorized the backstage areas if they had one, wearing Papa’s feather boas and shoes even if they were too big. And when Pops would come pick him up, the half hearted scolding was seconds before the fond sigh, the quiet click of the camera, and a kiss on the forehead.
Although he was an only child, and he made sure to milk that he was with, Dorian was such a constant presence in his life, he felt like a sibling rather than just a friend. They’d watch Saturday morning cartoons, playing superheroes as their favorite show, She-ra and the Princess of Power, played in the background. When Danny whined at his parents to put him in dance classes so he could be a performer like Papa, his first solo performance was danced to the theme song and he demanded Dorian be there.
Of course, Danny was an impulsive wreck, moving through interests like clothes. One week it was painting, the next it was roller skating, and the cycle continued until he stumbled into cooking. The truth of the matter was, his family wasn’t known for their cooking skills. Pops had picked some up to feed the family and Papa wasn’t allowed in the kitchen unsupervised after the cupcake incident but sometimes Danny was craving a specific food and when he was, everything else was terrible and deserved to be trashed because it wasn’t the food so he decided he learn how to do it himself. As is expected when a 10 year old decides to cook without consulting his parents, the end result was an absolute mess but Danny had a blast through the entire process, even when half of it ended up on the wall. He was then also promptly banned from being in the kitchen unsupervised but got that lifted as he grew into the art.
Before his mutation presented itself, he planned to become a chef with his own shows and restaurants. He started his own Instagram, KingstonsKitchen, and grew it into a tiktok and has a decent following that he likes to randomly pop on live with. He also posts random updates about his day under #shitIdo for easy filtering because he likes to and he finds it fun to include more people in his life (hear about how awesome and pretty he is).
Although he knew his family was wary about the x-men, he was always a little jealous when Dorian talked about his time there. He got to go to a hero school and Danny was stuck in normal New Orleans. They’d had dreams of being superheroes together when they were kids but between Danny’s struggle to stick with his interests, Pop’s general disapproval of superheroes, and a million flashier, easier things to get into, the interest faded until F-Day. His powers presented before Dorian’s and the old dream of theirs seemed realistic again. Sure he teased Dorian about getting powers first and sure he had to twist Pop’s arm to get him to agree (James barely lasted a day of tears and the cold shoulder before he relented) but with their approval, Dorian and Danny headed to Avenger’s Academy, bright eyed and bushy tailed, together.
Yes, it was hard and yes, it was a culture shock and yes, he called his parents sobbing to come pick him up because he missed home more than he could count on one hand, but now, he's fully committed to rocking this Superhero thing. Superheroics are super interesting, the normal classes are bearable, and getting to set things on fire and looking fly as fuck doing it was right up his alley. Kicking butt in the Contest of Champions and taking top spot would just be the perfect thing to take home to Pops and show him this was exactly where Danny was supposed to be..
Proposed Arc:
- Danny’s view of heroes is heavily shaped by cartoons and childhood fantasies, heavily highlighting the amazing deeds and rewards of heroism but leaving out the cost of those things. Even his family’s stories end well, resurrecting everyone and finding everyone a home. As he goes through the RP and encounters more, I want to see him realize not everything ends in a neat little bow but it doesn’t mean it ends poorly.
- Danny’s self worth is entirely based on the people around him. It’s one of the reasons why he takes rejection so hard. I want to see him grow out of that and realize that he doesn’t have to rely on everyone else to define who he is.
- Although Danny is panromantic and polyamorous, he refuses to date after two failed relationships that he broke off when his partner showed signs of being sexually attracted to him. He is afraid that when someone realizes he doesn’t experience sexual attraction (to his knowledge), they’ll dump him so he just doesn’t try anymore. Part of his growth in this I want to be that he grows comfortable enough with his sexuality to be as loud with it as he is with the rest of his personality and being willing to tell his family who although are very loving, are well known for being active and he doesn’t think he could live through that rejection.
- Santa Claus - the kid deserves to meet him after that.
Extras
Character Quote: "Ride or die, baby! Yolo!"
Theme Song: Warriors
Anything Else:
- Part of the Culinary Club, mostly so he can continue running his social media while at school.
- Runs an Instagram and Tiktok called KingstonsKitchen.
- James and Casper's Carnival date
- Spider Man (Miles Morales)
*By submitting this CS in its completion I am stating I have read all the rules for this Rp and am agreeing to follow them to the fullest with respect and courtesy. I acknowledge that I can and will be removed from the RP without warning if I break a rule or cause problems with my fellow Rpers or the GM.
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
Coming Home, Going Home
Crash! Bang! Clang!
Maddie groaned into her pillow before peering irritably at her phone. 7:12pm. Who the fuck on this campus had the balls to make this kind of ruckus in the noble area of the dorms? The guaranteed silence was the greatest perk of living there and now some dumbass woke her up before the sun was away. Hopefully, they would also wake up Count Sinnenodel because the sooner this jackass’ hide was flayed, the fucking better. Ugh, but it was still daylight so even if they did, the snake couldn’t come out to do it. She buried herself deeper into her duvet and slammed the pillow over her head.
The noise stopped after that, a guard or something probably shooing off whoever was attempting to sabotage the nobles’ sleep schedule, and she dozed off again. She’d never have gotten this kind of sleep at home with her siblings and her parents and her uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents. It was always a noisey mess. Maybe that’s why she took to the Academy so fast. It was quiet and no one there to break down the door when she over―
“How long are you going to sleep, you lazy daughter?” The door slammed open and Maria Vasquez came storming in, yanking back the covers and prying Maddie’s pillow out of her hands. Maddie scrambled to get them back, confused, but just sighed as she slumped down onto her bed again. “I know you’re about to wake up anyways. The whole family is here and we made all your favorites.” Her mother continued, pushing aside the blackout curtains. Those hadn’t been in her room before and Maddie was grateful they’d given her some. Her mom turned and looked at Maddie, smiling.
“I’m just so happy to have you home.” Maria sighed, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s forehead. “It’s like my heart is whole again. Now, come downstairs and help me set the table.” Her mother swept out of the room just as quickly as she’d entered. Trust her mom to tell her she missed her and then start assigning chores all in one breath. Maddie laughed and pushed herself up.
Her room changed since she’d left for the Royal Academy. Before her sister shared the room with her but now Adrina’s side sat empty. She could see where poster a and pictures had hung for years, the sections just a bit lighter than the rest of the wall, and while they had discussed the change while she was here last, it didn’t change the fact it was weird. It made sense of course and she appreciated the privacy and personal space but eighteen years of shared room experience screamed at how different this was.
Maddie rolled out of bed and stretched, meandering around and shrugging herself into the first things she found. A pair of jeans and an old faded out t-shirt, perfect. Her mom could gripe at her all she wanted but Maddie was tired and it was just the family. Usually now, she’d secure her focus but she wasn’t going to class, she wasn’t practicing, and she wasn’t around Ari if she needed her magic for some reason or another. Should she bother? The other mages in the family did but they had normal foci; just wands they’d grown attached to. Hers was a knife and her family sometimes forgot the difference between everyone’s stuff, especially the little ones. She didn’t want one of them trying to grab it and play with it but at the same time, leaving the key to her magic laying around, out of arm’s reach, made her feel uneasy. She had magic now and the idea of not being able to call on it when she needed to was unsettling beyond belief. It was hard to imagine she’d lived an entire life without it.
She strapped the knife in place on her side. Maybe she’d get something that she could hide it in; Amaris might have someone at her home that she could talk to about it because now that she thought about it, carrying a chef’s knife around on her hip was kind of weird. Great, now she felt self conscious. She shoved her phone in her pocket and left those thoughts stewing in the room while she headed out. Her room was the last one upstairs, directly across from her mom’s crafts room and next to her oldest sister’s room. Well, her second oldest since the other one moved when she got married. That’s probably where Andrina stayed now. Family photos still lined the walls, in between the garish wall decorations her parents loved, and she ran her hand along the worn railing of the stairs as she went down.
Maddie couldn’t help but stifle the giggle at the discolored carpet on the fifth stair, when her and her sister decided running with paint was a great idea. Or at the slight bend in the banister where she’d gotten her knee stuck between the railings and her abuelo used butter after she’d nearly dislocated it trying to struggle out. She didn’t know how she’d survived her childhood without more injuries but they really did get into a lot of shenanigans.
“Aunty Maddie!” A screaming child slammed into her as she stepped off the stairs, nearly knocking her back onto them as they wrapped their arms and legs around her. Her nephew beamed up at her and she laughed as she picked him up, situating him on her other hip. Natallie, her eldest sister, followed behind him, wrapping them both in a hug and giving her a peck on the cheek.
“He’s been talking nonstop about how excited he is to see his favorite aunt again.” Natalie laughed, gently taking him from her. “Aunt Maddie’s tired, Alex. Don’t go bothering her so quickly!”
“He isn’t a problem, Nat. He is so big now though. I can’t believe he’s only six.” Maddie gave her sister a look that Nat clearly ignored and continued talking. Something about how Josue’s promotion and how they purchased a house. But Maddie was just so confused why Nat took Alex from her. Nat had dumped him on her at every opportunity for two years but Maddie was fine with that. She loved playing with her nephew, even if he was an energetic little monster, but before she had a chance to say anything, Nat was off to talk with Uncle Hector, taking Alex with her.
Maddie shrugged it off as one of those maternal instinct things magazines were always spouting. Getting her own space, wanting family time and all that. She caught a flash of red and black in the living room and followed it out to the back patio. Andrina dropped into a patio chair, clearly still stuck in the goth phase mom hated if the black and red band t-shirt was anything to go by, and picked up a can of beer out of the several scattered across the table. Their Aunt Veronica was across from Andrina and waved as Maddie stepped out into the night air.
“I see the princess finally decided to wake up.” Andrina giggled, waving Maddie to sit down. Veronica swatted at Andrina’s shoulder despite her own laughter. “Come on, pull up a chair, grab a beer, we won’t tell!”
“No, I’d rather not.” Maddie snorted as she sat in a chair, kicking the one next to her out and propping her feet up on it. “What’s going on?”
“Andrina was just telling me about your pa--”
“So sis, sister, Maddie, Mads!” Andrina interrupted loudly, slapping her hands on the table. “How’ve you been and all that? It’s been great here, with my own room and everything! Only took Nat gettin’ preggers and hitched but hey, improvements all around!” Maddie stared at her sister. What the fuck was that? She exchanged a confused look with Veronica and decided it wasn't worth it. She must be drunker than Maddie thought.
“Uh, yeah. I mean, I’m glad I don’t have to see your shitty posters anymore. As much as I love seeing bone thin, half naked guys screaming into a mic with more eyeliner than I’ve ever owned on, I’ll pass. I have better taste.” Maddie said dryly above Andrina’s outraged shrieking. Why had she missed this again. “What have you been up to? Finally dump that jackass or are you still on and off again?”
“We’re taking a break.” Adrina shrugged. “Whatever, he’ll come crawling back again soon enough. It’s all good.”
“And what about you? Any special someone in your life?” Veronica asked as she took a swig. “Remember, you can get with someone with lots of money now.”
“No, no one like that.” Maddie laughed. She had so many other things to deal with right now, romance was at the bottom of the list. “And besides, the Countess is technically supposed to take care of most of my financial needs. She’s been understanding so far; I doubt I’ll get into a situation where I’m leaning on a significant other desperately.”
“You never know. Those vampires are sneaky creatures. We’ve all heard the horror stories.” Veronica shrugged and Maddie frowned. Marivaldi aside, Ari had been nothing but kind and understanding this whole time. She was a stark contrast to their neighbor, the literally the heir of the snakes himself, and she was warning her against Ari? Maddie was going to reply but Andrina stood suddenly, knocking the chair back (Maddie found the source of the noises earlier apparently, drunk ass bitch).
“Oh look, we probably need to help mom set the table! Let’s go!” Andrina gave a fake laugh and grabbed Maddie before pulling her inside away from Veronica. Maddie yanked her arm away from her sister as soon as they got inside and gaped at Andrina.
“What the fuck?” was all she got out, gesturing to the entirety of outside.
“Look, we all know how your kind gets about your vamps.” Andrina whispered, eyeing Alex playing on the other side of the room. He’d stopped, his Lord Pieron action figure frozen in midswing, and turned a curious look to the sisters. “And that’s fine. It’s totally fine, we get it. You serve them, you are loyal to them, but your kind can get a little… defensive about it. I’m just trying to keep you from getting upset about it, that’s all.”
Maddie stared at her sister. Defensive? Sure, she was going to dispute her Aunt’s concerns but she wouldn’t have gotten upset about it. First Nat and now Andrina acting weird as shit. Maddie didn’t even know how to respond to that but the opportunity was taken away when she felt a tug at her focus. Her hand snatched around the offender and she looked down to see Alex with his hand wrapped around the hilt, his wrist in her grip. She laughed at the guilty look.
“Why do you have a knife? Mommy says you can't carry knives.” He pointed out. But before Maddie could respond, Andrina had him in her arms.
“You can’t touch that, Alex! Never touch your Aunt’s knife, understood?” Andrina snapped at him. “Now go find, mommy okay? Dinner is probably going to be done soon so Aunt Maddie and I are going to go help grandma okay?” Alex nodded and rushed off, excited to finally eat. Andrina didn’t meet Maddie’s gaze as she too hurried off, bounding up the stairs instead of into the kitchen.
Maddie was just so confused so instead of dealing with that mess, she made her way to the kitchen. She took a deep breath and let out a pleased hum. The intoxicating aroma of her mother’s carne asada enveloped her and she never wanted to leave this kitchen again. It was an easy recipe but it was just so good, she couldn’t help but love it. Her mother really did mean all her favorites because this was literally in every single one of them.
“My love! Come here!” Her father bellowed, wrapping her in a hug and lifting. She smacked his back repeatedly as he crushed the air of her and when he put her down, she took a deep breath as he laughed. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to meet you when you came home but business at the restaurants has been good and I couldn’t get away but you are a sight for sore eyes! I have missed you every day!”
“I missed you too. I’m glad the restaurants are doing well! I was afraid you’d tank without my free labor when I left.” Maddie joked as she grabbed the silverware. She ducked her dad’s half hearted attempt to swat her and she headed into the dining room and started setting the table.
The issue didn’t occur to her until she finished setting the table actually. Her mom said the whole family was here and while they did splurge on a large dining room table because of how often they had company, it wasn’t enough for everyone. Normally if it was everyone, they’d just lay everything out buffet style and people could grab what they wanted and wander the house but this meant there were at most twelve of them and four of them were the people who lived here. Nat, Alex, and Josue made seven and Uncle Hector and Veronica made nine. There were way more than that.
They were probably just coming after dinner, just in time for desert. Maddie shook her head. Typical of them, dip in for the good stuff and dip out just as fast. Her contemplations were cut short as her mom yelled through the house that dinner was ready. She shrugged and headed into the kitchen to help bring out food.
They settled down and conversation flowed, spanish and english in equal measure, and Maddie relaxed, the earlier tension at her observations easing away. It was nice being somewhere that she didn’t have to consider how her actions would affect another; she could just relax. Dinner was amazing and she almost cried as she shoved all the familiar foods in her face as fast as she could, choking at one point and drawing a laugh out of everyone at the table. Not that she cared, as she laughed along with them, and everything was okay.
Until Maddie was seeing her uncle and aunt and sister off for the night and Andrina was passed out on the living room couch. She settled in to clean up after dinner with her parents, her dad joining them after she finally got Andrina upstairs. He returned grumbling to Maddie’s laughter and got put on dish drying duty. Late night music played, a mix of slow dance songs and easy listening music, and Maddie felt the concerns of the night collapse over her. She shouldn’t ask; she could already tell she wouldn’t like the answer but she needed to know why everyone was so weird.
“It was nice seeing everyone again. Nat is doing great and Alex is so big. Andrina is ‘drina. Glad to know that hasn’t changed.” Maddie stared, focusing on the plate she was cleaning. Behind her, her parents shared a tense look. “But it was weird. Nat took Alex from me really quick and Andrina thought I was going to get into a fight over my vampire and she yelled at Alex for touching my focus. And then it was basically only the immediate family and Uncle Hector and Aunt Veronica? Why didn’t anyone else show up?”
There were a few beats of silence as they continued working. Her dad sighed and put down the glasses he’d been putting away. The radio was deafening.
“My love, you know how the family is. It’ll just take a little bit for them to adjust.” He spoke softly. “You’re involved with some pretty powerful vampires now and you can do incredible things, Maddie, that they just don’t understand. They’re just a little spooked. They just have to remember that beyond all that, you’re still their family. They’ll come around.”
Maddie felt numb as her dad explained why her family avoided coming to see her. All the aunts and uncles that she’d shared birthdays and holidays with, that had been there for her her whole life, scared of her? Her own sisters all acting like she’d suddenly changed into some new person, ready to defend her vampire at the drop of a hat or freak out at her nephew, the nephew she helped raise and love, because he did something silly? Maddie scrubbed the plate a little harder than necessary, swallowing back the frustration and the hurt at the thoughts. Her parents put down what they were doing, wrapping her in an embrace, and she forced herself to relax into it.
It felt like she was losing home.
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
Dates: Dates: December 7th - December 21st
A Secret Forged in Life Magic
The faint buzz of her phone and the soft light of her lock screen proudly displaying whatever notification roused her from the doze she’d just slipped into. She’d just been zoning out and she felt herself grow calmer, heavier, and her eyelids had just shut when her phone yanked her out of it and she blinked against the light. She debated ignoring it but she was up and she didn’t really have a reason to so she flailed in her phone’s general direction until she managed to grab it and yanked it off its charger. Too much effort to roll over. It took her eyes a few moments to adjust to the light, always keeping the brightness at full because it was easier now that she really was nocturnal.
> Hey, are you up?
> I’m sorry to bother you, but I could really use your help.
Well, that was strange. A text message from Aaron during daylight hours? A knot formed in Maddie’s stomach. It must be serious if he felt it couldn’t wait. She should let Ari know but she’d taken to bed a while ago already and she wasn’t sure how the Countess would feel about being distrubed so early in the day. She struggled out of the cocoon of covers and sat up, swinging her feet off the bed before responding.
> Yeah, sure.
> What’s up?
There was a long moment of what looked like indecisive typing before the next message finally sent.
> Can you meet me on the edge of the woods behind the dorms?
Warning bells rang loud and clear in Maddie’s head. Edge of the woods, huh? This had Do Not Get Involved written all over it and Maddie was so tempted to listen. Getting a vague request for help during the day, weird. Getting asked to go into the woods where the vampires wouldn’t be able to tell what they were doing? Shady as fuck. Maddie groaned, already knowing she’d lost this debate as soon as he asked for help because Aaron was not the help needing kind of guy but it didn’t mean she had to like it. This sounded complicated and she really didn’t like complicated.
> Yeah, give me ten. Gotta get dressed.
Maddie threw on the first things she found, jeans and a shirt and a jacket because winter sucked, toed on her boots, grabbed her focus and keys, and slipped out back as quietly as possible. Maddie scanned the treeline and found Aaron at the edge. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he was skulking around out there. She sighed, shoving her hands in her pocket like him because it was fucking cold, and trudged out across the frozen grounds to meet him. Hopefully, today wouldn’t get any weirder.
Aaron wasn’t too comfortable with the situation either, looking around nervously for a campus patrol or weird daytime walker or anyone else who might see him out when he wasn’t supposed to be. He hadn’t really thought this through, but at least Maddie agreed to come, so it probably wasn’t the end of the world. Still, he didn’t want to stay out in the open—literally in broad daylight—any longer than he needed to, so when he saw Maddie emerge from around the dorms, he quirked his head for her to follow.
He brought the two of them into the shade of a large spruce a little bit behind the treeline, close enough to see the dorms but deep enough that anyone looking from the paths probably wouldn’t notice them. Giving Maddie a grateful, if a little pained, look, he cut right to the chase, glancing around one more time before pulling his hands from his pockets, holding them out with palms down for Maddie to see.
In sharp contrast to Aaron’s usual, put-together style, his hands were a mess: blood, both dried and fresh, was smeared all over them, still seeping slowly from nasty gouges over each of his first three knuckle joints. The skin was torn and ragged, and upon closer examination, little bits of stained tree bark could be seen stuck inside the wounds.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” Aaron said quietly, opting not to linger on the obvious. His hands looked painful, but he seemed more bothered by his request than his injuries. “Do you think there’s anything you can do?”
Maddie didn’t say anything as Aaron led her a little further into the trees. Apparently she didn’t know better; this was definitely skulking shit. She hadn’t thought Aaron capable of it honestly. She looked over her shoulder, making sure no one was watching as the pair stepped out of sight, because they really didn’t need anyone spreading any weird stuff about the two of them considering some of the things she heard that already spread about Aaron.
Aaron was on edge as he spared her a pained smile and revealed his hands. Maddie gasped quietly and gently too one, ignoring the bite of the morning chill. They were a mess. Gross and dirty and bloody and Maddie realized why he came to her. He’d mentioned how his outlets were all physical on their Titan viewing night and Count Sinnenodel must have taken them all from him and so he turned to punching trees where no one would see. Her heart broke a little.
“Fuck, Aaron.” She muttered, not even bothering to keep up the nice pretense she had while in view of the vampires. She pulled out her knife and held the tip above the wounds. She felt the familiar rush as the green mist floated down the edge of the blade and drifted over the wounds. Life magic for her was a thrill; the same feeling she got when she rode a rollercoaster with a long drop or when a Titan match went down to the last second and you jumped up as the timer buzzed, screaming and yelling. It felt like she was experiencing every positive emotion at once and all heightened to the extreme; overwhelming joy, happiness, exuberance, and it was all she could do not to smile. She’d been told that was poor bedside manner.
Usually, the wounds would start knitting themselves together as her magic settled in but she felt something heavy against her magic. It wasn’t much more than usual but it felt like she was moving in standing water rather than an empty field. She wasn’t sure what that feeling was but she poured more magic into it and watched as the wounds closed, the bits of wood stuck to the newly healed skin. She repeated the process on the other hand and when she was finally done, slid the knife back into its sheath.
She tucked her hands back into her pockets and let out a long sigh. “I don’t know what to say here, Aaron. I can’t say anything about this you don’t already know.”
Aaron visibly relaxed as Maddie’s magic set in, some of his tension melting away as the familiar warmth of life magic flowed over him. If the procedure took any longer than normal, he didn't notice; it was kinda bad, he'd admit, but he was paying more attention to that little shot of vitality than how long it lasted.
He sighed as Maddie finished, flexing his newly-healed fingers and peeling off bits of tree bark stuck to his skin. “Thank you,” he said, momentarily ignoring Maddie’s disapproval.
Crouching down, he scooped up a handful of snow and rubbed his knuckles with it, scrubbing the blood off his hands as best he could before it started itching. “I won't make a habit of this, I promise,” he assured her, kicking some fresh snow over the pink stain at his feet. “I would appreciate it if you could keep this under your hat, though.”
As the rush of life magic wore off, a bit of worry started creeping back in, Aaron remembering how this must have looked. “Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not a violent person,” he insisted, “I just couldn't sleep and the arena is closed during the day and--well, you know.” He stopped himself from saying anything further, knowing that every extra detail he gave was just another loose thread to be tied up. He liked Maddie, and respected her, but the two of them were more alike than was convenient; especially with her mistress, he couldn't expect her to actively protect him if someone started prying. It wasn't like some big huge scandal—he just didn't need any extra scorn from Varis right now and the infirmary would have put the injury in his records—but among nobles, the gravity of the incident mattered little. Their arrangement for his stress management sessions was strained enough with the Countess without meeting behind their vampires’ backs.
“Thank you,” he repeated, giving Maddie a grateful look. “Sorry for getting you out of bed. And good job, by the way.” He held one hand up to show Maddie, the skin as good as new, if a little stained. “I'm impressed; the best I can do is some shoddy little illusions.”
She appreciated his restraint. They had a mutual understanding; they kept their vampires’ business out of their conversations, regardless of the situation. He was loyal to a fault and she wasn’t willing to cross the person in charge of the rest of her life no matter how kind they were. She nodded when he asked her to keep it quiet; she wasn’t about to go blab to the rest of the mages. That would only make everything more complicated and that, at least, was something she could control.
“Well then you’re lightyears ahead of me; I can’t make any illusions.” She joked. “And you’re welcome. I’m just glad you stopped when you did. Any more damage and I’d have had to turn you away. I’m only going to ask one question and then that’ll be that. Do you feel better?”
Aaron chuckled along with Maddie, nodding at her admittedly logical warning. Of course, she had a way of getting to the heart of things while staying on the surface; her question was expertly crafted, and it was easy to tell she'd grown up under Sinnenodel influence. She wasn't talking about his hands, she was talking about the underlying issue she didn't want to know about in the first place. It was touching, in a way.
“I do, thank you,” Aaron answered honestly; even now, a bit of much-welcomed fatigue crept into his voice. He tilted his head toward the dorms. “I owe you one.”
"I only helped my friend out. You don't owe me anything." Maddie waved it off. She pulled her coat a little tighter around herself. "I think I'm ready to head back inside. Get some sleep Aaron. Sweet dreams." She waved, offered him one last smile, and hurried on her way, thoughts now only of a warm bed and sleep.
Dates: December 22nd - January 5
Coming Home, Going Home
Crash! Bang! Clang!
Maddie groaned into her pillow before peering irritably at her phone. 7:12pm. Who the fuck on this campus had the balls to make this kind of ruckus in the noble area of the dorms? The guaranteed silence was the greatest perk of living there and now some dumbass woke her up before the sun was away. Hopefully, they would also wake up Count Sinnenodel because the sooner this jackass’ hide was flayed, the fucking better. Ugh, but it was still daylight so even if they did, the snake couldn’t come out to do it. She buried herself deeper into her duvet and slammed the pillow over her head.
The noise stopped after that, a guard or something probably shooing off whoever was attempting to sabotage the nobles’ sleep schedule, and she dozed off again. She’d never have gotten this kind of sleep at home with her siblings and her parents and her uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents. It was always a noisey mess. Maybe that’s why she took to the Academy so fast. It was quiet and no one there to break down the door when she over―
“How long are you going to sleep, you lazy daughter?” The door slammed open and Maria Vasquez came storming in, yanking back the covers and prying Maddie’s pillow out of her hands. Maddie scrambled to get them back, confused, but just sighed as she slumped down onto her bed again. “I know you’re about to wake up anyways. The whole family is here and we made all your favorites.” Her mother continued, pushing aside the blackout curtains. Those hadn’t been in her room before and Maddie was grateful they’d given her some. Her mom turned and looked at Maddie, smiling.
“I’m just so happy to have you home.” Maria sighed, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s forehead. “It’s like my heart is whole again. Now, come downstairs and help me set the table.” Her mother swept out of the room just as quickly as she’d entered. Trust her mom to tell her she missed her and then start assigning chores all in one breath. Maddie laughed and pushed herself up.
Her room changed since she’d left for the Royal Academy. Before her sister shared the room with her but now Adrina’s side sat empty. She could see where poster a and pictures had hung for years, the sections just a bit lighter than the rest of the wall, and while they had discussed the change while she was here last, it didn’t change the fact it was weird. It made sense of course and she appreciated the privacy and personal space but eighteen years of shared room experience screamed at how different this was.
Maddie rolled out of bed and stretched, meandering around and shrugging herself into the first things she found. A pair of jeans and an old faded out t-shirt, perfect. Her mom could gripe at her all she wanted but Maddie was tired and it was just the family. Usually now, she’d secure her focus but she wasn’t going to class, she wasn’t practicing, and she wasn’t around Ari if she needed her magic for some reason or another. Should she bother? The other mages in the family did but they had normal foci; just wands they’d grown attached to. Hers was a knife and her family sometimes forgot the difference between everyone’s stuff, especially the little ones. She didn’t want one of them trying to grab it and play with it but at the same time, leaving the key to her magic laying around, out of arm’s reach, made her feel uneasy. She had magic now and the idea of not being able to call on it when she needed to was unsettling beyond belief. It was hard to imagine she’d lived an entire life without it.
She strapped the knife in place on her side. Maybe she’d get something that she could hide it in; Amaris might have someone at her home that she could talk to about it because now that she thought about it, carrying a chef’s knife around on her hip was kind of weird. Great, now she felt self conscious. She shoved her phone in her pocket and left those thoughts stewing in the room while she headed out. Her room was the last one upstairs, directly across from her mom’s crafts room and next to her oldest sister’s room. Well, her second oldest since the other one moved when she got married. That’s probably where Andrina stayed now. Family photos still lined the walls, in between the garish wall decorations her parents loved, and she ran her hand along the worn railing of the stairs as she went down.
Maddie couldn’t help but stifle the giggle at the discolored carpet on the fifth stair, when her and her sister decided running with paint was a great idea. Or at the slight bend in the banister where she’d gotten her knee stuck between the railings and her abuelo used butter after she’d nearly dislocated it trying to struggle out. She didn’t know how she’d survived her childhood without more injuries but they really did get into a lot of shenanigans.
“Aunty Maddie!” A screaming child slammed into her as she stepped off the stairs, nearly knocking her back onto them as they wrapped their arms and legs around her. Her nephew beamed up at her and she laughed as she picked him up, situating him on her other hip. Natallie, her eldest sister, followed behind him, wrapping them both in a hug and giving her a peck on the cheek.
“He’s been talking nonstop about how excited he is to see his favorite aunt again.” Natalie laughed, gently taking him from her. “Aunt Maddie’s tired, Alex. Don’t go bothering her so quickly!”
“He isn’t a problem, Nat. He is so big now though. I can’t believe he’s only six.” Maddie gave her sister a look that Nat clearly ignored and continued talking. Something about how Josue’s promotion and how they purchased a house. But Maddie was just so confused why Nat took Alex from her. Nat had dumped him on her at every opportunity for two years but Maddie was fine with that. She loved playing with her nephew, even if he was an energetic little monster, but before she had a chance to say anything, Nat was off to talk with Uncle Hector, taking Alex with her.
Maddie shrugged it off as one of those maternal instinct things magazines were always spouting. Getting her own space, wanting family time and all that. She caught a flash of red and black in the living room and followed it out to the back patio. Andrina dropped into a patio chair, clearly still stuck in the goth phase mom hated if the black and red band t-shirt was anything to go by, and picked up a can of beer out of the several scattered across the table. Their Aunt Veronica was across from Andrina and waved as Maddie stepped out into the night air.
“I see the princess finally decided to wake up.” Andrina giggled, waving Maddie to sit down. Veronica swatted at Andrina’s shoulder despite her own laughter. “Come on, pull up a chair, grab a beer, we won’t tell!”
“No, I’d rather not.” Maddie snorted as she sat in a chair, kicking the one next to her out and propping her feet up on it. “What’s going on?”
“Andrina was just telling me about your pa--”
“So sis, sister, Maddie, Mads!” Andrina interrupted loudly, slapping her hands on the table. “How’ve you been and all that? It’s been great here, with my own room and everything! Only took Nat gettin’ preggers and hitched but hey, improvements all around!” Maddie stared at her sister. What the fuck was that? She exchanged a confused look with Veronica and decided it wasn't worth it. She must be drunker than Maddie thought.
“Uh, yeah. I mean, I’m glad I don’t have to see your shitty posters anymore. As much as I love seeing bone thin, half naked guys screaming into a mic with more eyeliner than I’ve ever owned on, I’ll pass. I have better taste.” Maddie said dryly above Andrina’s outraged shrieking. Why had she missed this again. “What have you been up to? Finally dump that jackass or are you still on and off again?”
“We’re taking a break.” Adrina shrugged. “Whatever, he’ll come crawling back again soon enough. It’s all good.”
“And what about you? Any special someone in your life?” Veronica asked as she took a swig. “Remember, you can get with someone with lots of money now.”
“No, no one like that.” Maddie laughed. She had so many other things to deal with right now, romance was at the bottom of the list. “And besides, the Countess is technically supposed to take care of most of my financial needs. She’s been understanding so far; I doubt I’ll get into a situation where I’m leaning on a significant other desperately.”
“You never know. Those vampires are sneaky creatures. We’ve all heard the horror stories.” Veronica shrugged and Maddie frowned. Marivaldi aside, Ari had been nothing but kind and understanding this whole time. She was a stark contrast to their neighbor, the literally the heir of the snakes himself, and she was warning her against Ari? Maddie was going to reply but Andrina stood suddenly, knocking the chair back (Maddie found the source of the noises earlier apparently, drunk ass bitch).
“Oh look, we probably need to help mom set the table! Let’s go!” Andrina gave a fake laugh and grabbed Maddie before pulling her inside away from Veronica. Maddie yanked her arm away from her sister as soon as they got inside and gaped at Andrina.
“What the fuck?” was all she got out, gesturing to the entirety of outside.
“Look, we all know how your kind gets about your vamps.” Andrina whispered, eyeing Alex playing on the other side of the room. He’d stopped, his Lord Pieron action figure frozen in midswing, and turned a curious look to the sisters. “And that’s fine. It’s totally fine, we get it. You serve them, you are loyal to them, but your kind can get a little… defensive about it. I’m just trying to keep you from getting upset about it, that’s all.”
Maddie stared at her sister. Defensive? Sure, she was going to dispute her Aunt’s concerns but she wouldn’t have gotten upset about it. First Nat and now Andrina acting weird as shit. Maddie didn’t even know how to respond to that but the opportunity was taken away when she felt a tug at her focus. Her hand snatched around the offender and she looked down to see Alex with his hand wrapped around the hilt, his wrist in her grip. She laughed at the guilty look.
“Why do you have a knife? Mommy says you can't carry knives.” He pointed out. But before Maddie could respond, Andrina had him in her arms.
“You can’t touch that, Alex! Never touch your Aunt’s knife, understood?” Andrina snapped at him. “Now go find, mommy okay? Dinner is probably going to be done soon so Aunt Maddie and I are going to go help grandma okay?” Alex nodded and rushed off, excited to finally eat. Andrina didn’t meet Maddie’s gaze as she too hurried off, bounding up the stairs instead of into the kitchen.
Maddie was just so confused so instead of dealing with that mess, she made her way to the kitchen. She took a deep breath and let out a pleased hum. The intoxicating aroma of her mother’s carne asada enveloped her and she never wanted to leave this kitchen again. It was an easy recipe but it was just so good, she couldn’t help but love it. Her mother really did mean all her favorites because this was literally in every single one of them.
“My love! Come here!” Her father bellowed, wrapping her in a hug and lifting. She smacked his back repeatedly as he crushed the air of her and when he put her down, she took a deep breath as he laughed. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to meet you when you came home but business at the restaurants has been good and I couldn’t get away but you are a sight for sore eyes! I have missed you every day!”
“I missed you too. I’m glad the restaurants are doing well! I was afraid you’d tank without my free labor when I left.” Maddie joked as she grabbed the silverware. She ducked her dad’s half hearted attempt to swat her and she headed into the dining room and started setting the table.
The issue didn’t occur to her until she finished setting the table actually. Her mom said the whole family was here and while they did splurge on a large dining room table because of how often they had company, it wasn’t enough for everyone. Normally if it was everyone, they’d just lay everything out buffet style and people could grab what they wanted and wander the house but this meant there were at most twelve of them and four of them were the people who lived here. Nat, Alex, and Josue made seven and Uncle Hector and Veronica made nine. There were way more than that.
They were probably just coming after dinner, just in time for desert. Maddie shook her head. Typical of them, dip in for the good stuff and dip out just as fast. Her contemplations were cut short as her mom yelled through the house that dinner was ready. She shrugged and headed into the kitchen to help bring out food.
They settled down and conversation flowed, spanish and english in equal measure, and Maddie relaxed, the earlier tension at her observations easing away. It was nice being somewhere that she didn’t have to consider how her actions would affect another; she could just relax. Dinner was amazing and she almost cried as she shoved all the familiar foods in her face as fast as she could, choking at one point and drawing a laugh out of everyone at the table. Not that she cared, as she laughed along with them, and everything was okay.
Until Maddie was seeing her uncle and aunt and sister off for the night and Andrina was passed out on the living room couch. She settled in to clean up after dinner with her parents, her dad joining them after she finally got Andrina upstairs. He returned grumbling to Maddie’s laughter and got put on dish drying duty. Late night music played, a mix of slow dance songs and easy listening music, and Maddie felt the concerns of the night collapse over her. She shouldn’t ask; she could already tell she wouldn’t like the answer but she needed to know why everyone was so weird.
“It was nice seeing everyone again. Nat is doing great and Alex is so big. Andrina is ‘drina. Glad to know that hasn’t changed.” Maddie stared, focusing on the plate she was cleaning. Behind her, her parents shared a tense look. “But it was weird. Nat took Alex from me really quick and Andrina thought I was going to get into a fight over my vampire and she yelled at Alex for touching my focus. And then it was basically only the immediate family and Uncle Hector and Aunt Veronica? Why didn’t anyone else show up?”
There were a few beats of silence as they continued working. Her dad sighed and put down the glasses he’d been putting away. The radio was deafening.
“My love, you know how the family is. It’ll just take a little bit for them to adjust.” He spoke softly. “You’re involved with some pretty powerful vampires now and you can do incredible things, Maddie, that they just don’t understand. They’re just a little spooked. They just have to remember that beyond all that, you’re still their family. They’ll come around.”
Maddie felt numb as her dad explained why her family avoided coming to see her. All the aunts and uncles that she’d shared birthdays and holidays with, that had been there for her her whole life, scared of her? Her own sisters all acting like she’d suddenly changed into some new person, ready to defend her vampire at the drop of a hat or freak out at her nephew, the nephew she helped raise and love, because he did something silly? Maddie scrubbed the plate a little harder than necessary, swallowing back the frustration and the hurt at the thoughts. Her parents put down what they were doing, wrapping her in an embrace, and she forced herself to relax into it.
It felt like she was losing her home.
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
Dates: December 22nd - January 5
The Isty Bitsy… Snake?
Varis glided silently across the lawn. He’d triple checked the guard schedule; they were in the middle of a shift change and they were conveniently lax in maintaining a patrol on the periphery of the estate during that time. It afforded Varis a little more than four minutes. His stopwatch was running, not that he needed to check it to see the numbers distinctly in his mind, but he wasn’t concerned. He’d run this scenario a hundred times and it would take him just over three minutes to get to where he needed to be if everything went smoothly. He couldn’t help but sneer in contempt at this duchess and her laziness. He would never tolerate this kind of security breach in his own household. Everyone knew the consequences; if they were lucky, they’d be sold off to one of the Astorio arenas as dog chow.
He stopped just underneath the terrace that jutted out of the duchess’ castle like an ugly, malformed ear. Whoever designed this building must have been on some kind of hallucinogenic because only someone with no sense of perspective could have come up with this. It looked like a twenty-year-old fledgling threw paint against the wall and said it was art. Why this vampire hadn’t fixed it all already was beyond him. If he was the one who needed some low grade vampire to guard a life-changing secret, he would have taken one look at this place and decided that it was better off razed and redone with something better than two-hundred year old locks.
Varis rolled his neck as he considered the height. This was the tricky part. He’d gotten rusty over the years and this would be his first time scaling something this high up, not to mention outside. He’d brought three bottles of blood just in case he needed a refresher on the way up; he’d spent the past two nights poring over his plan and decided he should only need one by the time he hit the balcony and one more on the way back down so naturally he brought one more just in case. The extra weight shouldn’t drastically alter his performance but he’d have to stay focused the entire time. He checked to make sure the bag was shut tightly, zipped, clipped, and tied off just in case. The last thing he needed was something slipping out and clattering down on the ground below him. Satisfied, he hoisted the straps a little higher on his shoulders and closed his eyes.
He never enjoyed this. Whatever old vampire came up with this must have been out of their mind to even consider it but considering how instrumental it had been to several of his plans, he probably shouldn’t complain. He could feel his blood writhing and shifting, like it was a living creature rather than a food source, as he concentrated on it. It rose to meet him, eager to move, and he shivered at the sensation of his skin bloating and deflating as his blood shifted and sloshed until it was whirling, faster and faster, against his stomach and chest. Disgusting.
He took one step, and then another, and then another until he was fully on the wall and walking up it. He kept focused on putting one foot in front of another and not the occasional slip of the foot and brief moments of terror before he wrangled his blood back into behaving. Varis remembered the brutal war over the damn scroll holding the technique. Some silly, backwater Duke thought he had a chance against Varis. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the thought. Of course, he didn’t realize it would take a decade to even master this degree of competency or even that it would come in stages; it was supposedly a flying technique. Although it could be he was too young but this was useful enough and that’s all he cared about at the moment.
Remembering the scroll made him remember Malek’s naive grandchild who nearly cost him the scroll and his next step didn’t move him at all. Instead, Varis clapped a hand over his mouth as he almost screamed as he slid halfway down the wall. He growled in frustration and focused again, grumbling as he continued his ascent. Too bad he sold the child; should have saved him as a stress reliever because he was certainly going to need something after this.
He pulled himself up and over the balcony, collapsing onto the stone floor as he stared at the night sky. He hated to admit it but that wasn’t his best performance. He was rustier than he thought. Varis groaned and unzipped the bag, pulling out a bottle of blood, and unscrewing the cap so he could chug it down. He wasn’t really certain what the mechanics behind the blood techniques were but they were exhausting and that was probably the most unsettling thing of all. Varis rarely felt exhausted or drained from physical activity because he rarely did physical activity but this persisted deep in his bones and he did not appreciate it. How the Astorios dealt with this on a regular basis was beyond him; it felt like everything inside of him wanted to come up and then some.
Eventually, Varis got to his feet. The next line of defense was just a locked glass door. A beautiful and ornate glass door, but a few hundred years out of date with a lock to match. Child’s play really. Varis skulked across the landing and knelt so the lock was just above eye level. He nodded a few times and dug around in his bag until he felt the familiar cloth, pulling out a roll and unfurling it on the ground in front of him. Several pockets filled with various picks and tools greeted him and he picked them out and compared them to the lock until he found the ones he wanted. It took barely any time, the old lock clicking open with ease, and Varis packed everything up in a flash and slipped inside before anyone noticed.
The halls were just as expected, large draping tapestries of various conflicts the Astorios believed they dominated. The particular attention to detail of the gorey mess of battle made Varis roll his eyes as he slipped from one corner to another as quietly as possible. He checked his watch. If his informant was honest, he had a little under eight minutes to find the room and get inside. He frowned. He was behind and that was a problem. Security for the room he needed was a bit more complex and those two minutes he lost in the climb were going to be sorely missed. He pressed on nonetheless.
Door 8622 was all on its lonesome in a tiny dead-end side hall. With how it was set up, Varis thought it would have been better protected but not even a single camera could be found. Had there been, it would have been a problem because there wasn’t a tapestry or art piece or furniture for him to at least try and hide behind. He moved quickly and quietly to the door, blinked at it, and sighed. Instead of the easy pin pad and door key combination lock he expected, a shiny new, steel reinforced deadbolt mocked him in the faint light. The damn vampire probably knew and fed him shitty intel to get him caught. The cylinders were probably pick resistant chambers too if they’d installed reinforced steel guards on the damn thing.
Varis mouthed every explicative he knew, repeatedly, as he settled in to try and pick the locks. The clock was down to three minutes and Varis could feel the tension pressing down on him. If he got caught, his little distraction wouldn’t be a lie anymore. This was breaking and entering Lord Pieron’s private record rooms and Varis had seen how the Astorios handle their private affairs. If he could sweat, he probably would be. His hands trembled as he picked up his picks, checking each other against the lock to see what would fit. He took a steadying breath and started.
Voices started carrying down the hall, their footsteps getting louder. Varis muttered a curse when he slipped on a pin and the whole damn thing reset. A voice laughed, just around the corner.
He managed it just in time, slipping off the lock, pulling the dead bolt, and all but throwing himself inside just to hastily shut it behind him. Hopefully, it was such an out of the way location that they’d just glance, see the door shut, and move on. The footsteps stopped.
Varis closed his eyes.
And then they continued, unhurried and unrushed, another soft laugh ringing out into the still air and Varis slumped to the ground. Ryner owed him. The favors she traded did not equal the stress he was going through. Still, he pulled himself to his feet and gave the room a better look now that the constant threat of Lord Pieron’s axe wasn’t quite as imminent. Varis could feel his blood pressure rising.
Filing cabinets. So. Many. Filing cabinets. They hadn’t had the common decency to modernize their systems at all? Varis groaned, hand hand running down his face. How in the ever living fuck was he supposed to find something in here? There had to be forty fucking filing cabinets and none of them had labels! Not a single one! The little slots, the little metal frames meant for labels? All empty. It was everything Varis could do not to slam his head repeatedly into a wall.
So he opened the nearest few, hoping at least the file names would help. They did seem to be organized alphabetically so Varis started rifling, looking for a project named Midnight Genesis. What that meant, he didn’t know, but it was a stupid name. Pulling open cabinet after cabinet, he found the M’s scattered across two and quickly discovered that the Astorios were incredibly unimaginative. There were seven projects just labelled “Marn 1-7” and at least six midnights with different adjectives. Hopefully, they all had some connection but still. They had the entire language to work with and they repeated themselves constantly. That and family member names. Over and over again. A bunch of barbarians, honestly.
It took him long enough but finally he found the Midnight Genesis file. He plucked that right out and stashed it away, planning on reading it once he made his escape. He closed the cabinet and zipped shut his bag, intent on quitting this horrifically inefficient place, when another idea struck him. He had a lovely little Astorio as his new neighbor. Maybe there was something on Victor here he could leverage against him. Varis grinned wickedly.
Now, it wouldn’t be under Victor Astorio because if he knew old vampires, they would slight him even here. No, no. Victor’s family were honorary Astorios, gifted the name for services in the war, but he sincerely doubted they’d be under their new name. What was that name? Varis snapped as he thought, the name on the tip of his tongue. Strigois. That’s right. Varis skipped right over to where the S section should be and poured through it eagerly.
And find something he did. Several somethings. He giggled like a child on their birthday as he lifted them out and into his bag. Perfect. There would be something there he could use to keep the Astorio under his thumb. He bid the room adieu, locked it again, and slipped out the same way he came in, little more than a shadow on the wall, and just as ignored.
Except he missed the prickle on the back of his neck as he slipped back into the forest as a heavyset woman watched from the balcony, expressionless.
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
James & Casper
Location: Casper and James’ room
Skills: Summoning: Ben
When James pulled away from the kisses, Casper had thought it was time to get undressed. He clearly had read things wrong though, when his boyfriend looked more upset and emotional than horny. Casper stared into James' brown eyes, memorizing the way they reflected the light. He put his arms around James, holding him tightly, trying to communicate to him that he was safe - that nothing bad was going to happen to them - that despite everything horrible and fucked up in the world, they were the one thing that could outlast anything.
Casper's own eyes were glistening and as James explained that he loved him, he couldn't help but cry. It wasn't that no one had ever told him that before - his maman had all the time - but knowing that James, sweet, special, perfect James could love a piece of sexy trash like him... "Babes, you complete me," Casper said, his voice shaky as he blinked back the tears, but they didn't stop. "You're the first relationship I've ever had that wasn't just because I was tired of couch surfing and wanted a real bed for a few weeks. You're beautiful and amazing and perfect - like Hercules in the Disney movie," Casper confessed, pressing a kiss to James' forehead. "We don't have to stay here. We can leave, take Jackie and everyone to New Orleans, Maman won't mind... I love you so much, and when I think about it, it's like my heart stops beating... And I know what that feels like, because I OD'd once and my heart stopped in the ambulance on the way to the hospital."
As soon as Casper's tears started, James felt his eyes watering. He couldn't help the laughter that escaped along side them and buried his face in Casper's shoulder. Only this man could make an OD story fit into something so heartfelt and genuine but that was another thing he loved about Casper. Running away from it all sounded amazing;getting everyone far away from the danger where they didn't have to worry about the Hellfire club or the X-Men and their insane demands or a fucking bomb was a dream come true. James wanted it so badly, so so badly, he could already imagine him and Casper in their own home with a little one running around and Jack and Sunshine and Max and everyone else cooing over their kid. But he couldn't right now.
"You can't imagine how badly I want that. How badly I'd love to whisk you and everyone away so nothing bad could happen." James whispered between giving Casper long, gentle kisses. "But I can't. You know these idiots won't run away from this. They'll go running straight into this mess with death on their heels and I would feel so guilty if I wasn't there with them. I have to help with this but after, I want to leave with you. We'll take whoever wants to come, I'll leave notes on how to maintain the place, and we start a new life. We make a home together, start a family together, grow old together, because you're it for me. Sound like a plan?"
Casper nodded - James was heroic and selfless. It was one of the things he loved about him. He was one of the few people he'd ever met with powers who really truly cared about whether others lived or died, human or mutant - he was more Captain America-y than Captain America. "I'll follow you to the front lines, babes - you know I will," Casper said, his voice cracking slightly. "Just promise me we'll come back in one piece. I... I lost Ben a long time ago and he became a complete and total nag as a ghost, I don't want that to happen to you too," Casper sniffled. "I don't want you to feel cold and be filled with holes."
"Hey!" Ben protested.
James' heartbroken a little when Casper's voice cracked. This man had been through so much and here James was, asking him to wait just a little longer. "I promise, babes. We'll make it back together and we'll live happily ever after." He hoped to God he could keep that promise but in that moment, he knew he'd do everything he could to keep Casper happy. Even if he had to pull himself together piece by piece, he'd do it for this man. "At least you don't have to worry about hole. Turns out I'm bulletproo--" A yawn cut James off and he relaxed into Casper's hold. Now that all his emotions were out for Casper to see, the need for sleep was catching up to him.
"Cuddle times?" James suggested with another yawn.
Casper cheered up slightly - not because of James' announcement that he was bulletproof, but more of the way he yawned like a kitten and then relaxed. As much as he liked to see James' muscles tensed, he preferred him like this - loose and relaxed. "If that's what the doctor orders, then cuddle times it is," Casper said, before picking up James. In what would be a surprise to no one, Casper's little noodle arms could barely pick up a medium sized dog, so a full grown man was a bit out of range. James slipped from his grip, only to be caught...
...by Ben! Ben was outlined in an eerie blue glow, the same eerie blue emanating from Casper's eyes. "Hey James," Ben said casually.
James yelped at the unexpected movement, scrambling to hold onto Casper even as his boyfriend wobbled with him. Casper had not attempted this and James,had he some warning, would have suggested against it but instead he shut his eyes and braced for the inevitable impact with the floor. He kept his eyes shut for a few moments but the pain never came so he slowly peaked one eye open, confused.
James jolted a little at the sight of Ben. Ben just showing up sometimes was still a foriegn experience, mostly because he’d only ever seen it happen once when Ben decided to slap the shit out of Casper. “Hey, man. Thanks for the save!” He laughed, righting himself and planting his feet firmly on the ground. “You two been practicing in secret or have you just figured out how to do it without Casper jumping out of his body?”
"Hey Ben, how about you put my boyfriend down, because I'm not in control of making you a real boy?" Casper suggested nervously. His arms were shaking, not from fear, but from stress. His eyes still had that strange blue glow to them as Ben easily set James down on the bed. Even in death, he was way stronger than Casper ever could have been. He didn't even have to cheat and use the tentacles to grab things.
"It's not me," Ben said, holding his hands up like proclaiming innocence.
"...Huh, maybe the old man was right," Casper thought for a moment, getting a bit of a hollow, chilly look on his face. "He always said I'd never scratched the surface of what I'm capable of... Anyways, Ben, go shoo, I want to snuggle and/or bone my boyfriend now."
"Seriously? You two need to go deal with the bomb - or at least warn everyone what's going to happen!"
"Neither of you are in control of this?" James asked after Ben plopped him on the bed. He sat up and waved Ben concerns off. "We had a whole team there who heard about it. No one will do anything until Veil returns anyways and I'm running on fumes after today. As it is right now, I'm not sure I can close a paper cut, much less a lost limb. Fuck, I couldn't even heal a bullet hole. If I'm going to be of any use, I have to get some rest dude." James sighed and gave Casper a worried
Based on what he saw in the van, it must be an instinctual response to Casper's emotions. Ben did appear helping James. Maybe because Casper was afraid of him falling, he manifested Ben to keep it from happening. "Are you able to shut it off? I don't want you popping out of your body and getting stuck again."
Ben sighed, before nodding. "Yeah, you do look like shit," he agreed. Every instinct in his body was telling him that it was time to rush off and save the day - but that was the problem with being dead. You couldn't change. You stayed exactly as you were when you were alive, even if it meant making the same mistakes over and over again, the very ones that got you killed.
"I don't think so?" Casper said, shrugging. "Maybe you're the one doing this, James? You're bullet proof, maybe you also can coax dead nags out of the void and into the real world too now," Casper suggested. "Or maybe it is me and I just never knew that I could do some cool shit because I've been too high usually to notice or too scared of ghosts, which is kinda funny given that my name is Casper, like Casper the friendly ghost, and my best friend is a ghost, so you'd think I wouldn't be scared of them but I swear most of them act like that girl from the Ring and freak me the fuck out...."
"Trust me, I feel like it too." James chuckled at Ben's blunt observation. If he looked even half the way he felt he did, he probably looked like death reheated a few times. "Honey, it's okay you're scared of ghosts. They're fuckonf creepy, no offense Ben you're chill, but how about you come over here and we just relax for a bit until you calm down? I don't think my bulletproofness has anything to do with your glowing eyes. I think it might just be a reaction you have when you're having a really strong feeling about something and you manifest Ben so he can help you out so if I'm right, I just got to distract you a little until it disappears and I can think of at least one good way we can get distracted." He held his hand out for Casper to join him.
"Wait, my eyes are glowing???" Casper exclaimed. "Please tell me they're not red. All the crazy evil people have glowing red eyes. Like I half expect Max's to start glowing red the next time he goes on a murder spree," Casper rambled. Ben was more or less standing to the side, rolling his eyes.
"They're blue, relax," Ben informed him.
"Oh... Good? Does it look cool? Or bad? Is it glowing glowing or are they just a weird shade? Does it look like I have pink eye, but blue?" he asked, before remembering what James had suggested and he sat down on the bed, before lying down and spooning James, holding him in his arms.
“They look cool babes, cooler than cool. Ice cold even.” James giggled, sighing appreciatively as Casper snuggled up behind him. He melted into the warmth behind him. He stifled a yawn and felt his eyes begin to droop. It’d been a long day and he was ready for it to be over soon. “Love you, Casper.” James whispered before dozing off, safe in his boyfriend’s arms.
"Ice, ice, baby," Casper mumbled into James' neck. "I love you more."
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
| ... | Soft Haven NPCs |
|---|---|
 ......................................................................... | Duke Patrin Gerrick - 45 Human Patrin Gerrick was a childhood friend of the Lord Randel Soft Step and attended the Wilree Royal Academy together. A lifetime of friendship kept them in close contact even as Gerrick traveled beyond the borders of Finnagund and when the previosu Duke of Soft Haven died without an heir, Randel reached out to his old friend and gave him the position. Duke Gerrick has held the position for twenty years, under which he has increased taxes even as the city's traffic has fallen. He is unwilling to separate himself from the lavish lifestyle he had grown accustomed to, making him incredibly unpopular as the people's money is used to fund lavish parties rather than fix the crumbling town. |
 ......................................................................... | Dutchess Carlin Gerrick Human - 43 Carlin Gerrick is the daughter of a wealthy merchant Patrin befriended during his time traveling. She'd turned him down five years before he was granted the title of Duke, uninterested in leaving Buscon's social elite behind for a new country, but her family forced her to accept his offer two years after he became Duke, earning a significant advantage in Red fern purchases as a result. Since then, Carlin maintains a frosty demeanor with him, even after the birth of their son, and maintains a close circle of social elite in the city that she often turns against each other for her own amusement. |
 ......................................................................... | Duke James Gerrick Human - 13 James Gerrick is the child of Patrin and Carlin. The couple tried for years to no avail but just before they were to take in a Soft Step child as a ward and heir, Carlin suddenly became pregnant. Their midwife called it a miracle of Melanar since it had been five years of failed attempts, even with Agitha's magical assistance, and James Gerrick was born into the world. James has grown up doted on by father and mother, the only thing they can find common ground on, turning him into a spoiled, selfish brat with the ego the size of the city. While any number of people would love to put him in his place, Dutchess Gerrick has demanded the head of the last person to look at her beloved son wrong and the only thing that stopped the execution was Lord Randel's upcoming visit. |
 ......................................................................... | Agitha Hawthorne Halfling - 126 Animas (Mental) Aetherborn Abnormality - ???? Agitha Hawthorne, owner of the only guild certified apothecary in Soft Haven, is a 3 foot tall bundle of spite and passion, well known for her stubbornness and pride. Her shop, Hawthorne Apothecary, is often a gossip spot as Agitha is a notorious meddler and loves knowing everything going on in the town. The woman is a master alchemist and is well respected, or feared in some cases, in the community. Even the Duke is wary of her bad side. |
 ......................................................................... | Bruno Hawthorne Tainted - 13 Bruno Hawthorne is the Tainted ward and apprentice of Agitha Hawthorne. She found him barely six years old, abandoned soaked and shivering outside the Treant and she took the boy in with no hesitation. Since then, he's grown into a tall, lanky, shy child with a natural talent for alchemy. Most of the town ignores him, Agitha's presence protecting him from the vast abuses the occasional Tainted traveler suffers. Unfortunately, the children of town, including James Gerrick, have no such reservations and take delight in tormenting him when he is running errands for Agitha. |
 ......................................................................... | Esvele Nathandam Elf - 39 The Captain of the Soft Haven guard, Esvelee has spent 20 years in service to the Soft Steps. A commander in the Soft Step army, Lord Randel rewarded her with the position four ears ago after she saved him for an assassination attack. Although she was frustrated with the decision at first, the increased wages, generous accommodations, and stable lifestyle soon won her over. She takes her job seriously and has whipped the once laid back town guard into an efficient crime fighting force. |
| ... | Bounty House Members |
|---|---|
 ......................................................................... | Lord Malcer Mystralath Human - 34 Primordial (Fire) Aetherborn Abnormality - ???? A member of one of the leading noble families of Finnagund and a powerful aetherborn in his own right, Lord Malcer Mystralath is known as an wandering eccentric obsessed with covering himself, which many believe is to hide an horrific abnormality. His interests change with the seasons but when something does catch his interest, he pours all his money and time into it until it bores him and he leaves whatever project he was working on to fend for itself. In an unprecedented move, he established the Soft Haven Bounty House which raised a number of questions among the nobility and citizenry alike. |
 ......................................................................... | Aleka Doneka House FacilitatorThe Soft Haven House Facilitator sent from Veraz Althma to assist Lord Malcer in it's establishment. Like all Verazians, Aleka is calm, collected, and logical, fully devoted to his purpose and the Verazian God, Althma. |
 ......................................................................... | Aeowyn Silventria Halfling - 36 Genesian (Alteration) Aetherborn Abnormality - ???? Despite her rough appearance, Aeowyn comes from an upper class family in Dranir who control several mines across the country. She's quick fingered, sharp tongued, and once she's judged you, getting off her bad side can prove to be an exercise in futility. As a halfling, she lacks phsyical strength and reach but her creative applications of Genesian magic leave her enemies at the mercy of their own belongings |
 ......................................................................... | Carric Liadon Half Elf - 35 Primordial (Water) Aetherborn Abnormality - ??? A charismatic merchant, Carric owns four shipping vessels and co-works a large caravan with the Silventrias. His laid back and playful attitude hides a sharp intellect and he can be usually found gossiping with whichever poor soul caught his attention at the moment. At the House, his usual victim is Aleka. |
 ......................................................................... | Katya Krystal Half Orc/Half Giant- 47 Kayta previously served the Silventrias as a caravan guard captain before she left to assist in the Gnomian Revolution. She was named a hero of the revolution and earned the her title, Butcher of Aetherborn, after she killed the Silver Coffer's ten aetherborn single handedly in a battle that lasted an hour, thus turning the tide of the war. Afterwards, Carric extended an invitation to join him and Aeowyn in traveling the world and ever the restless soul, she agreed. |
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Achronum The Pyro
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Nearly two millennia ago, the Othardian Accords were forged in the blood of rulers of the new nations. These three nations, Finnagund, Reflin, and Dranir, bonded over the mutual loathing of their vicious overlords, the Dragons. They rose against their oppressors, reclaimed their lands and wealth, and slaughtered every last dragon without sympathy or remorse like the beasts had done to them for centuries.
Not all who served the dragons were as pleased with this betrayal. The various giant, orc, goblin, and fey clans that willingly served the dragons swore oaths of retaliation as the world in which they once flourished was burned to the ground. Another century of bloodshed found the loyal servants of the dragons forced into hiding amongst mountain and forest and man alike and peace was found, for a while.
Now a millennia and a half after the final fires of the Great War settled, Dranir has invoked it once more. The blizzard that has always writhed above the distant Silver Mountain is growing and the Giants have mobilized in its wake. Grand Marshal Rhogar of Reflin and King Ulfgard the Second of Finnagund have sent a significant portion of their militaries in response, with Queen Mara of Finnagund leading their forces personally. With the threat of a second Great War looming on the horizon and a significant portion of each nation's troops indisposed, they find themselves awash in rising dangers of their own.
In order to combat this, Veraz Althma has offered to help facilitate a solution: Bounty Houses. Replicating a system it uses in its own country, Veraz Althma has sent a number of diplomats and administrators to establish job houses that are made to facilitate posting and hiring mercenary work, ranging from temporary farm hands to fool hardy adventurers willing to brave dangerous situations for coin. In a strange turn of events, Lord Malcer Mystralath, one of the Mystralath’s most powerful Aetherborn, funded a new Bounty House less than an hour east of Soft Haven despite having no apparent connection to the area.
The Shattering of Aegis follows the story of individuals drawn to the Soft Haven Bounty House for various reasons. This could range from simply wanting money to having nowhere else to go to wanting to get on a noble’s good side. The only requirement is at the beginning, your character has a reason to head there. The RP easily has the potential to outgrow it if you all discover the right secrets and plots scattered through the world! So make sure you think about short and long term goals for your character as you continue through this post.
Othard and the Realm
Othard is one of the three major continents of the world and comprises three nations: Finnagund, Relfin, and Dranir.
The nation of Finnagund is fully composed of gentle rolling plains, heavy patches of forest, and quiet streams and rivers that wind their way slowly through the country. It contains the largest quantity of usable farmland, including the only area in which Red Fern can be safely grown, and was created when the five nomadic tribes banded together to protect themselves from raids originating from the other two countries.
Finnagund is ruled by the Evanwood monarchy and the four noble families: The Wilrees, The Soft Steps, The Broken Boulders, and the Mystralath. The country’s capital, Wilree, is named after the noble family as a symbol of respect for being the first ones to support the Evanwoods.
Unlike its neighbor, Relfin can be a difficult place to survive. While it does have some fertile land, much of it is rocky and sparse with regular heavy storms making farming difficult. That doesn’t stop its people from surviving however. While those near the Relfin/Finnagund border do manage to make a good living off the land, most of the nation survives by the grace of the sea. They have a powerful navy and in order to strengthen their economic position, have developed the strongest ties to Veraz and the Suelene Isles of all the Othardian Nations.
Relfin is ruled by the Council of Guilds, a collection of the six major trade guilds headed by the Grand Marshal of Relfin. The Grand Marshall is selected by their predecessor and is the leader of the Reflin Military. The current Grand Marshall, Rhogar Sadaar, is brutal and direct, well known for shutting down the Guilds’ and citizens’ bullshit with a bad attitude and harsh words.
Dranir is a nation whose people live high above the cloud line or deep in the heart of mountains as giants have claimed the lands in between. They are rich in mineral wealth, abundant with ore, and some of the most skilled and ingenious craftsmen on the continent. The entire nation is almost completely composed of mountains with small valleys dotting the areas in between. The Gods’ Peak, located directly in the middle of the nation, is the tallest mountain in the world. Few have made it up but those who have found they can no longer speak and remember only hazy images of their time at the top.
Originally, Dranir was ruled in an iron fist by a monarchy that seriously favored a traditionalist faction known as the Silver Coffers. Just recently, the country suffered a civil war that lasted a few decades, a movement known as the Gnomian Revolution, that created a parliament and prime minister. Prime Minister Elden Dimira is an older affluent gnome who has won the heart of the country as a leader of the late revolution.
The Red Waste is a sprawling desert named after the color of its sand. Comprising the southern quarter of Othard, this desert is home to only one town on the very edge of the Finnagund border. Tink is a town of wanders, exiles, and Tainted and is the last supply stop for all expeditions into the wastes. Most people the Gods smote this land for unholy against and filled with plague so that none could live there again.
The truth of the matter is that the aether in the Red Wastes is impossibly thin and in some places, completely gone. These dead patches cause living creatures to become sick and exhausted as their aether drains into the empty space, not stopping until the creature dies or leaves the area. While scholars once believed these were static phenomena, they’ve since learned that these dead zones move and with so little data on their movement, scholars have no way to tell if there is a predictable pattern or not, leading many to have abandoned planned excursions.
The most recent discovery was 50 years ago. The Royal Academy’s expedition team discovered a round door consisting of concentric circles with intricately carved ruins on the surface. Scholars theorized these were an ancient language and spent decades attempting to decipher it. While they still haven’t, they’ve learned the name of the place from other recovered documents: The Temple of the Consort.
Finnagund
The nation of Finnagund is fully composed of gentle rolling plains, heavy patches of forest, and quiet streams and rivers that wind their way slowly through the country. It contains the largest quantity of usable farmland, including the only area in which Red Fern can be safely grown, and was created when the five nomadic tribes banded together to protect themselves from raids originating from the other two countries.
Finnagund is ruled by the Evanwood monarchy and the four noble families: The Wilrees, The Soft Steps, The Broken Boulders, and the Mystralath. The country’s capital, Wilree, is named after the noble family as a symbol of respect for being the first ones to support the Evanwoods.
Relfin
Unlike its neighbor, Relfin can be a difficult place to survive. While it does have some fertile land, much of it is rocky and sparse with regular heavy storms making farming difficult. That doesn’t stop its people from surviving however. While those near the Relfin/Finnagund border do manage to make a good living off the land, most of the nation survives by the grace of the sea. They have a powerful navy and in order to strengthen their economic position, have developed the strongest ties to Veraz and the Suelene Isles of all the Othardian Nations.
Relfin is ruled by the Council of Guilds, a collection of the six major trade guilds headed by the Grand Marshal of Relfin. The Grand Marshall is selected by their predecessor and is the leader of the Reflin Military. The current Grand Marshall, Rhogar Sadaar, is brutal and direct, well known for shutting down the Guilds’ and citizens’ bullshit with a bad attitude and harsh words.
Dranir
Dranir is a nation whose people live high above the cloud line or deep in the heart of mountains as giants have claimed the lands in between. They are rich in mineral wealth, abundant with ore, and some of the most skilled and ingenious craftsmen on the continent. The entire nation is almost completely composed of mountains with small valleys dotting the areas in between. The Gods’ Peak, located directly in the middle of the nation, is the tallest mountain in the world. Few have made it up but those who have found they can no longer speak and remember only hazy images of their time at the top.
Originally, Dranir was ruled in an iron fist by a monarchy that seriously favored a traditionalist faction known as the Silver Coffers. Just recently, the country suffered a civil war that lasted a few decades, a movement known as the Gnomian Revolution, that created a parliament and prime minister. Prime Minister Elden Dimira is an older affluent gnome who has won the heart of the country as a leader of the late revolution.
The Red Wastes
The Red Waste is a sprawling desert named after the color of its sand. Comprising the southern quarter of Othard, this desert is home to only one town on the very edge of the Finnagund border. Tink is a town of wanders, exiles, and Tainted and is the last supply stop for all expeditions into the wastes. Most people the Gods smote this land for unholy against and filled with plague so that none could live there again.
The truth of the matter is that the aether in the Red Wastes is impossibly thin and in some places, completely gone. These dead patches cause living creatures to become sick and exhausted as their aether drains into the empty space, not stopping until the creature dies or leaves the area. While scholars once believed these were static phenomena, they’ve since learned that these dead zones move and with so little data on their movement, scholars have no way to tell if there is a predictable pattern or not, leading many to have abandoned planned excursions.
The most recent discovery was 50 years ago. The Royal Academy’s expedition team discovered a round door consisting of concentric circles with intricately carved ruins on the surface. Scholars theorized these were an ancient language and spent decades attempting to decipher it. While they still haven’t, they’ve learned the name of the place from other recovered documents: The Temple of the Consort.
Gods of Othard
Othard has one unified religion throughout the continent, ruled over by a Pantheon of six deities.
Lady Azaiza, known as The Fated Empress, is the leader of the pantheon and sits on a throne of bones and souls, where she dictates and weaves the fate of the world. Her commands are resolute and those who go against the order she creates are heathens and traitors, damned to join her throne of failures for eternity. She is depicted as a human woman, dressed in robes of red and black, holding a golden crow on her hand. Any individual in a position of high power maintains regular offerings to her shrines and often have one in their personal homes.
Melanar and Zunbil are twin deities, expressions of the natural cycles Lady Azaiza created. Melanar is the Goddess of the Wilds, of the untamed seas, lands, and skies and is depicted as a young elven woman with wild hair and animal features. Zunbil is the God of the Sun, tasked with maintaining community among the mortals, agriculture, and medicine and is depicted as an elven silhouette of golden light. Hunters, healers, farmers, and travelers often keep their holy symbols on them and make regular offerings at shrines.
Selene is Goddess of the Moon. She is depicted as an older woman, given the task of guiding the poor and downtrodden to more promising fates. Her worshippers are usually those who feel the world has failed them or have come across a particularly vicious bout of bad luck. Many families hang her symbol, a crescent moon with a single line down its center, in their doorways to ward off bad luck.
Philothosis is the God of Knowledge and the Arts. Unlike the others who are depicted in a single form, Philothosis is depicted as a cloud of masks and his shape changes depending on what mask he is portrayed as wearing. Most importantly, Philosthosis preaches learning and growing with restraint.
Iriganis the God of the Afterlife. Irigan is depicted as a heavy dwarf, his beard reaching down to the floor in careful geometric braids and a small pair of glasses that he peers through to judge your soul. If he judges you in accordance with your Fate, you pass onto the celestial plane where mortal concerns are stripped away and you are blissfully unaware of the world and its passing. If he finds you failing your fate, you are shattered with his hammer and forced to suffer in the Empress’s throne, doomed to strain to carry the weight of the universe until the end of time.
Lady Azaiza, known as The Fated Empress, is the leader of the pantheon and sits on a throne of bones and souls, where she dictates and weaves the fate of the world. Her commands are resolute and those who go against the order she creates are heathens and traitors, damned to join her throne of failures for eternity. She is depicted as a human woman, dressed in robes of red and black, holding a golden crow on her hand. Any individual in a position of high power maintains regular offerings to her shrines and often have one in their personal homes.
Melanar and Zunbil are twin deities, expressions of the natural cycles Lady Azaiza created. Melanar is the Goddess of the Wilds, of the untamed seas, lands, and skies and is depicted as a young elven woman with wild hair and animal features. Zunbil is the God of the Sun, tasked with maintaining community among the mortals, agriculture, and medicine and is depicted as an elven silhouette of golden light. Hunters, healers, farmers, and travelers often keep their holy symbols on them and make regular offerings at shrines.
Selene is Goddess of the Moon. She is depicted as an older woman, given the task of guiding the poor and downtrodden to more promising fates. Her worshippers are usually those who feel the world has failed them or have come across a particularly vicious bout of bad luck. Many families hang her symbol, a crescent moon with a single line down its center, in their doorways to ward off bad luck.
Philothosis is the God of Knowledge and the Arts. Unlike the others who are depicted in a single form, Philothosis is depicted as a cloud of masks and his shape changes depending on what mask he is portrayed as wearing. Most importantly, Philosthosis preaches learning and growing with restraint.
Iriganis the God of the Afterlife. Irigan is depicted as a heavy dwarf, his beard reaching down to the floor in careful geometric braids and a small pair of glasses that he peers through to judge your soul. If he judges you in accordance with your Fate, you pass onto the celestial plane where mortal concerns are stripped away and you are blissfully unaware of the world and its passing. If he finds you failing your fate, you are shattered with his hammer and forced to suffer in the Empress’s throne, doomed to strain to carry the weight of the universe until the end of time.
Demon Lords of Othard
As with all things good and bright, so too must there be darkness. The Gods’ shadows envy their power, prestige, and love and ever seek to undermine The Fated Empress’ will so they may instead govern over the domains of the mortal races. When The Fated Empress wove the other Gods into existence, so did she inadvertently create the three Demon Lords.
Umbraxakar, the Demon Lord of the Slaughter, takes the form of a towering dragon with noxious black mist shifting around its rotting flesh, its six eyes vacant and oozing putrid bile. It's said it knows whose souls are naught but cruelty and violence and whispers dark promises in exchange for brutal blood sacrifices.
Rakas, the Demon Lord of Avarice, takes the form of a beautiful elf woman with the horns of a ram, the tail of a scorpion, and six arms, draped in golden finery. They make bargains with those greedy for more in life that seem an equal exchange on the surface but all who fall for their tricks find their happiness short lived.
Misophaes, the Demon Lord of Pestilence, Famine, and Despair, takes the form of a pile of oozing goo in which the unfortunate souls stupid enough to interfere with it’s endless hunger forever burn in its acidic body. Unlike its compatriots, Misophaes simply wants to consume the world, not rule it and isn’t known to deal with the mortal races.
Umbraxakar, the Demon Lord of the Slaughter, takes the form of a towering dragon with noxious black mist shifting around its rotting flesh, its six eyes vacant and oozing putrid bile. It's said it knows whose souls are naught but cruelty and violence and whispers dark promises in exchange for brutal blood sacrifices.
Rakas, the Demon Lord of Avarice, takes the form of a beautiful elf woman with the horns of a ram, the tail of a scorpion, and six arms, draped in golden finery. They make bargains with those greedy for more in life that seem an equal exchange on the surface but all who fall for their tricks find their happiness short lived.
Misophaes, the Demon Lord of Pestilence, Famine, and Despair, takes the form of a pile of oozing goo in which the unfortunate souls stupid enough to interfere with it’s endless hunger forever burn in its acidic body. Unlike its compatriots, Misophaes simply wants to consume the world, not rule it and isn’t known to deal with the mortal races.
Magic in Othard
Magic is a natural phenomena that has proven a difficult subject to study, let alone master. While it has always been present through the world’s tumultuous history, cultural differences proved insurmountable until the formal establishment of the three kingdoms of Othard and formal institutions dedicated to delving into the secrets of magic the more traditional methods were incapable of reaching. Through dedicated work and an incredible number of unfortunate mishaps, these three institutions discovered a number of things about magic.
Aether is an intangible, invisible energy source that overlays the world in its entirety. Unfortunately, attempts to develop instruments to measure aether have consistently ended in failure but wielders of the mysterious energy agree that aether, while not accessible by all living organisms, is an energy source that is somehow directly correlated to the density of living organisms in any particular location. The most popular theory is that living organisms are drawn to places of high aetheric density, such as Wilree, the capital of Finnagund, the deepest part of the Serpentine Forest, and the top of the Gods’ peak in Dranir. Unfortunately without better instruments, exploring this idea has been difficult at best.
As mentioned previously, not all living organisms can manipulate Aether. The process of manipulating it takes determination, focus, and a certain natural quirk that can’t be taught. These people have come to be known as the Aetherborn, comprising about 15% of the world’s population at any given time. Experts aren’t sure what circumstances cause a child to become Aetherborn but the phenomena surpasses class, race, creed, and nationality.
However, all Aetherborn display an unusual physical trait that marks them as an Aetherborn from early on. Most Aetherborn display small differences, like unusual or impossible eye and/or hair color, but there have been a notable few that stick out among the rest. The founder of the Wilree Royal Academy, Princess Imris Evanwood, had translucent eyelids and was incapable of moving her eyes, forced to turn her entire head if she wanted to see anything in her peripherals. Torfin Glassmail boasted a pockmarked body from birth, the scars glowing red in the dark.
All three capitals boast highly advanced centers of magical study: The Wilree Royal Academy in Finnagund, the Mage’s Consortium in Reflin, and The Ruby Forge in Dranir. These three places of study are difficult to gain entrance to and usually require incredible sums and the right connections to enter. As a result, many Aetherborn instead apprentice to other aetherborn or simply experiment on their own, which significantly increases the risk of injury or death.
Manipulating Aether, or casting magic, is a deeply intuitive and personal process. There aren’t structured rules and regulations on how to cast magic, no specific incantations or spell matrices to memorize. Aetherborn cast magic through sheer determination, focus, and purpose alone. In order to achieve a given effect, an Aetherborn must consider the three W’s of casting.
First, the Will. Aether is a difficult energy to manipulate, prone to strange fluctuations and flares, so an Aetherborn must be 100% committed to the casting of a particular spell, remain focused on the outcome of that spell, and see it through in its entirety. Failure in this area can end as simply as nothing happening but will more often than not cause something called a Mishap, an effect different from the desired outcome. Mishaps show a wide range of variety and can range from something as simple as missing your intended target to something complex as sending half your brian to a random part of the world. Casting a spell should not be taken lightly as any break in concentration or determination can result in disastrous consequences for the Aetherborn and those around them.
Secondly, the Word. This is the only part of a casting that isn’t absolutely necessary; although, it is ill advised for anyone other than a master to do so. The Word serves as a way to help concentrate on the outcome and reduce the chances of a Mishap. It’s entirely personal and even though two Aetherborn may cast a similar spell, what they say as part of the Word may be entirely different! It doesn’t have to be a single word either; a phrase, a song, a joke can be used just as well so long as it keeps you focused on the end result.
Thirdly, the Wave. When casting a spell, an Aetherborn draws Aether directly into themselves and then out, serving as a refining tool for the raw energy. In order to stabilize and finish the spell, an Aetherborn must physically manipulate the Aether as it passes from them. Gestures don’t have to be complex- these can range from the flick of the wrist to send a gust of wind into a ship’s sails or an outstretched hand to block an incoming attack. The more skilled with aether, the more subtle the Wave becomes, until a twitch of the fingers is all an Aetherborn needs. However, be warned- if an Aetherborn’s hands are restrained, they’ll find themselves struggling to safely cast a spell.
Originally, it was believed that an Aetherborn could manipulate Aether into whatever form they wished but as Aether and the Aetherborn became the subject of academy study, it was determined that how an Aetherborn manipulate Aether is entirely predetermined in the same way that that they are chose to manipulate Aether in the first place. There is no known reason why some Aetherborn can produce some effects that others can’t but they have managed to place them into three classifications: Primordial, Genesian, and Animas. It is important to note that manipulating Aether in any manner is physically and mentally demanding.
Primordial Aetherborn are those with the ability to manipulate one of the four primordial elements: Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. The reason behind this alignment still eludes aetheric scholars today but they can confirm that all Primordial Aetherborn do not draw on their own aether to do so. Primordial aetherborn convert ambient aether into elemental effect, either channeling it through existing material or drawing it directly from the aether itself. As a result there is some important distinctions between these Aetherborn:
Since these aetherborn do not manipulate their own aether, they do not suffer the effect known as Aetheric Exhaustion (although manipulating aether is still a physically and mentally demanding task). Aetheric Exhaustion refers to a point at which an individual has depleted their own aether completely and suffers severe headaches, disorientation, and may even collapse unconscious. However, Primordial Aetherborn run the risk of another phenomenon known as Resonance. Resonance is a point at which a Primordial Aetherborn loses control over their ability to convert aether into elements and finds spontaneous, explosive events occurring around them without guidance. A sudden flood, a gout of fire, a dust storm or earthquake, and a sudden blast of wind are all examples of what can happen during a Resonance event. Resonance events occur most often when:
It is important to note that because Aetherborn are not naturally protected from the effects of their abilities, Resonance can often be fatal.
Genesian Aetherborn are those that can manipulate their own aether into objects and energy in two ways: Alteration or Creation. An Alteration aetherborn infuses their own aether into objects through touch, changing their properties and exerting control over them, allowing them to move even if they normally couldn’t under the command of the Aetherborn. Creation Aetherborn weave their aether into complex arrays, creating aetheric constructs of weapons, creatures, and items to help them in their tasks.These aetheric constructs behave just as if they were regular versions of themselves, except under the command of the Aetherborn. Genesian Aetherborn are prone to Aetheric Exhaustion simply because of the intense aetheric demands placed on them by their abilities.
Animas Aetherborn are those who can exert a limited amount of control over another living person’s aether in the following categories: Mental or Physical. Mental Aetherborn change the way their targets perceive and interact with the world, making them see, hear, or feel things that aren’t actually there, changing and overlaying memories, and even changing their opinions on subject matter. Physical Aetherborn manipulate the body of living creatures, capable of healing, harming, or even exerting some degree of control over their actions. Many of their abilities overlap; however, the method by which the effects occur are vastly different.
It is important to note that the two different Animas Aetherborn suffer the opposite challenges. Living creatures have natural resistance to these Aetherborn based on the amount of natural aether they have. The higher the aetheric density, the more resistant they are to Mental Aetherborn and the less resistant they are to Physical aetherborn, and vice versa. For example:
Creatures resistant to physical aetherborn (excluding aetherborn of that race) will find that magical healing from a physical aetherborn is often not enough simply because they do not have enough aether to fully heal.
While Physical Aetherborn healing is advantageous, it does rely on the living creature’s aether and so pushes them towards aetheric exhaustion.
Aetherborn have the inherent ability to sense the available aether for them to manipulate. Since each aetherborn category manipulates a different source, their ability to perceive aether is different as well.
Aetheric items are tools and other inanimate objects specially treated to act as aetheric conduit to produce wondrous effects. The process of creating an aetheric item is long and tedious, requiring meticulous planning and execution. Even developing the process was dangerous, many aetherborn suffering intense Mishaps just from touching early prototypes. Today, the process has been stabilized and many are working on streamlining development.
Aetheric items channel an individual’s aether in order to activate their effect, meaning that while this means anyone can use aetheric items, they do contribute to aetheric exhaustion. Modern day aether smiths are attempting to develop aetheric items capable of drawing on ambient aether instead but most attempts have been unsuccessful.
Aether is the energy of Magic
Aether is an intangible, invisible energy source that overlays the world in its entirety. Unfortunately, attempts to develop instruments to measure aether have consistently ended in failure but wielders of the mysterious energy agree that aether, while not accessible by all living organisms, is an energy source that is somehow directly correlated to the density of living organisms in any particular location. The most popular theory is that living organisms are drawn to places of high aetheric density, such as Wilree, the capital of Finnagund, the deepest part of the Serpentine Forest, and the top of the Gods’ peak in Dranir. Unfortunately without better instruments, exploring this idea has been difficult at best.
Only the Aetherborn can manipulate Aether
As mentioned previously, not all living organisms can manipulate Aether. The process of manipulating it takes determination, focus, and a certain natural quirk that can’t be taught. These people have come to be known as the Aetherborn, comprising about 15% of the world’s population at any given time. Experts aren’t sure what circumstances cause a child to become Aetherborn but the phenomena surpasses class, race, creed, and nationality.
However, all Aetherborn display an unusual physical trait that marks them as an Aetherborn from early on. Most Aetherborn display small differences, like unusual or impossible eye and/or hair color, but there have been a notable few that stick out among the rest. The founder of the Wilree Royal Academy, Princess Imris Evanwood, had translucent eyelids and was incapable of moving her eyes, forced to turn her entire head if she wanted to see anything in her peripherals. Torfin Glassmail boasted a pockmarked body from birth, the scars glowing red in the dark.
All three capitals boast highly advanced centers of magical study: The Wilree Royal Academy in Finnagund, the Mage’s Consortium in Reflin, and The Ruby Forge in Dranir. These three places of study are difficult to gain entrance to and usually require incredible sums and the right connections to enter. As a result, many Aetherborn instead apprentice to other aetherborn or simply experiment on their own, which significantly increases the risk of injury or death.
The Will, the Word, and the Wave
Manipulating Aether, or casting magic, is a deeply intuitive and personal process. There aren’t structured rules and regulations on how to cast magic, no specific incantations or spell matrices to memorize. Aetherborn cast magic through sheer determination, focus, and purpose alone. In order to achieve a given effect, an Aetherborn must consider the three W’s of casting.
First, the Will. Aether is a difficult energy to manipulate, prone to strange fluctuations and flares, so an Aetherborn must be 100% committed to the casting of a particular spell, remain focused on the outcome of that spell, and see it through in its entirety. Failure in this area can end as simply as nothing happening but will more often than not cause something called a Mishap, an effect different from the desired outcome. Mishaps show a wide range of variety and can range from something as simple as missing your intended target to something complex as sending half your brian to a random part of the world. Casting a spell should not be taken lightly as any break in concentration or determination can result in disastrous consequences for the Aetherborn and those around them.
Secondly, the Word. This is the only part of a casting that isn’t absolutely necessary; although, it is ill advised for anyone other than a master to do so. The Word serves as a way to help concentrate on the outcome and reduce the chances of a Mishap. It’s entirely personal and even though two Aetherborn may cast a similar spell, what they say as part of the Word may be entirely different! It doesn’t have to be a single word either; a phrase, a song, a joke can be used just as well so long as it keeps you focused on the end result.
Thirdly, the Wave. When casting a spell, an Aetherborn draws Aether directly into themselves and then out, serving as a refining tool for the raw energy. In order to stabilize and finish the spell, an Aetherborn must physically manipulate the Aether as it passes from them. Gestures don’t have to be complex- these can range from the flick of the wrist to send a gust of wind into a ship’s sails or an outstretched hand to block an incoming attack. The more skilled with aether, the more subtle the Wave becomes, until a twitch of the fingers is all an Aetherborn needs. However, be warned- if an Aetherborn’s hands are restrained, they’ll find themselves struggling to safely cast a spell.
The Types of Aetherborn
Originally, it was believed that an Aetherborn could manipulate Aether into whatever form they wished but as Aether and the Aetherborn became the subject of academy study, it was determined that how an Aetherborn manipulate Aether is entirely predetermined in the same way that that they are chose to manipulate Aether in the first place. There is no known reason why some Aetherborn can produce some effects that others can’t but they have managed to place them into three classifications: Primordial, Genesian, and Animas. It is important to note that manipulating Aether in any manner is physically and mentally demanding.
Primordial Aetherborn are those with the ability to manipulate one of the four primordial elements: Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. The reason behind this alignment still eludes aetheric scholars today but they can confirm that all Primordial Aetherborn do not draw on their own aether to do so. Primordial aetherborn convert ambient aether into elemental effect, either channeling it through existing material or drawing it directly from the aether itself. As a result there is some important distinctions between these Aetherborn:
- Fire Aetherborns are capable of producing flame using aether as all the necessary components of fire. This occurs by actively aggravating the aether until it finally burns or combusts, depending on the intended purpose, and is a relatively fast process. As a result, Fire Aetherborn may find it difficult or even impossible to harness their ability in places with low aetheric density and even when they do, find their fire smaller and less destructive.
... - Water and Earth Aetherborns use a system similar to Genesian Aetherborn to create new sources of their elemental affinity but unlike them, this change is permanent. As such, the time it takes to create this material is significantly longer and much more physically and mentally demanding.
... - Air Aetherborns have their element around them at all times and nearly never need to create it, though follow the same trend as Water and Earth Aetherborns. However, Air Aetherborns are capable of producing lightning by creating a localized, severe aetheric imbalance between two points. Producing this is no easy task and even those considered masters of the technique sometimes find themselves overwhelmed by the discharge of a failed attempt.
Since these aetherborn do not manipulate their own aether, they do not suffer the effect known as Aetheric Exhaustion (although manipulating aether is still a physically and mentally demanding task). Aetheric Exhaustion refers to a point at which an individual has depleted their own aether completely and suffers severe headaches, disorientation, and may even collapse unconscious. However, Primordial Aetherborn run the risk of another phenomenon known as Resonance. Resonance is a point at which a Primordial Aetherborn loses control over their ability to convert aether into elements and finds spontaneous, explosive events occurring around them without guidance. A sudden flood, a gout of fire, a dust storm or earthquake, and a sudden blast of wind are all examples of what can happen during a Resonance event. Resonance events occur most often when:
- A Primordial Aetherborn is experiencing a heighten emotion of any kind,
... - A Primordial Aetherborn has manipulated large quantities of aether over a short period of time,
... - A Primordial Aetherborn is physically exhausted and mentally exhausted.
It is important to note that because Aetherborn are not naturally protected from the effects of their abilities, Resonance can often be fatal.
Genesian Aetherborn are those that can manipulate their own aether into objects and energy in two ways: Alteration or Creation. An Alteration aetherborn infuses their own aether into objects through touch, changing their properties and exerting control over them, allowing them to move even if they normally couldn’t under the command of the Aetherborn. Creation Aetherborn weave their aether into complex arrays, creating aetheric constructs of weapons, creatures, and items to help them in their tasks.These aetheric constructs behave just as if they were regular versions of themselves, except under the command of the Aetherborn. Genesian Aetherborn are prone to Aetheric Exhaustion simply because of the intense aetheric demands placed on them by their abilities.
Animas Aetherborn are those who can exert a limited amount of control over another living person’s aether in the following categories: Mental or Physical. Mental Aetherborn change the way their targets perceive and interact with the world, making them see, hear, or feel things that aren’t actually there, changing and overlaying memories, and even changing their opinions on subject matter. Physical Aetherborn manipulate the body of living creatures, capable of healing, harming, or even exerting some degree of control over their actions. Many of their abilities overlap; however, the method by which the effects occur are vastly different.
It is important to note that the two different Animas Aetherborn suffer the opposite challenges. Living creatures have natural resistance to these Aetherborn based on the amount of natural aether they have. The higher the aetheric density, the more resistant they are to Mental Aetherborn and the less resistant they are to Physical aetherborn, and vice versa. For example:
- The Children of the Wilds and Magical Creatures have high aetheric densities, making them more susceptible to Physical Aetherborn but resistant to Mental Aetherborn.
... - The Children of the Land and most normal creatures have low aetheric densities, making them more susceptible to Mental Aetherborn but resistant to Physical Aetherborn.
... - Aetherborn all have higher aetheric densities compared to their racial tendencies but in comparison to other aetherborn, follow the same trends.
Creatures resistant to physical aetherborn (excluding aetherborn of that race) will find that magical healing from a physical aetherborn is often not enough simply because they do not have enough aether to fully heal.
While Physical Aetherborn healing is advantageous, it does rely on the living creature’s aether and so pushes them towards aetheric exhaustion.
Aetheric Awareness
Aetherborn have the inherent ability to sense the available aether for them to manipulate. Since each aetherborn category manipulates a different source, their ability to perceive aether is different as well.
- Primordial Aetherborn manipulate ambient aether and thus, are able to tell the aether density of the area they are in to some degree. Areas with a high aetheric density will be easier for a primordial aetherborn to function versus an area with low aetheric density, where a the same aetherborn may exhibit fatigue, headaches, and bouts of dizziness until they can acclimate to the density changes. In areas of extremely high aetheric density, these aetherborn may find themselves giddy, unusually energetic, and prone to Resonance. In areas with extremely low to no aetheric density, Primordial aetherborn will find themselves struggling to sleep, suffering from vicious migraines, and even falling unconscious for long periods of time.
... - Genesian Aetherborn have an innate sense of their own aether reserves, similar to how someone is aware of how much energy they have. As such, they are aware when they are manipulating their aether versus someone else doing so. It's important to note that while they have an understanding of how much aether they have, a genesian aetherborn doesn't instinctively know how much aether they need to infuse or create something without trial and error.
... - Animas aetherborn have an instinctive understanding of the aetheric density of others around them. Much like ambient sound, the awareness of others is always present and while it can be ignored, it can't be turned off. Those with unusual aetheric high densities create an intense pressure in the back of an Animas minds and those with incredibly low aetheric densities may not even register to the Animas Aetherborn.
Aetheric Items
Aetheric items are tools and other inanimate objects specially treated to act as aetheric conduit to produce wondrous effects. The process of creating an aetheric item is long and tedious, requiring meticulous planning and execution. Even developing the process was dangerous, many aetherborn suffering intense Mishaps just from touching early prototypes. Today, the process has been stabilized and many are working on streamlining development.
Aetheric items channel an individual’s aether in order to activate their effect, meaning that while this means anyone can use aetheric items, they do contribute to aetheric exhaustion. Modern day aether smiths are attempting to develop aetheric items capable of drawing on ambient aether instead but most attempts have been unsuccessful.
The Races of Othard
Othardian races are split into two categories: Children of the Sun and Children of the Wilds. This stems from the belief that some were given form and life through the power of The Wild Maiden, the Children of the Wilds, and the rest were created by The Golden Grace, the Children of the Sun. While overall, the distinction isn’t necessarily important, it has been noted that the Children of the Wilds are more likely to manifest Aetherborn. The difference isn’t significant enough to calculate but it’s theorized the closer connection to the natural world innate in the Children of the Wilds help manifest the necessary conditions to produce Aetherborn.
Another important note is the longevity of the races. For my own sanity, all the races have the same base lifespan that vary based on the availability of care they can receive. For example, a generally healthy individual with limited access to reasonable care could live to be 50, while that same person with access to good or better care could live to 70, and those with access to magical care up to 100. Aetherborn, however, are capable of living twice as long with ease so long as their magic doesn’t get them killed.
Originating from the Suelene Isles, the elves are naturally long and lithe with sharp, distinct features, typically ranging in height from 5'5 to 6'5' and gravitate towards lighter fabrics and clothing with natural designs. Coloration of their eyes, hair, and skin range from human tones to various hues to blue and green. Their ears are a dead giveaway for the elves, tampering into a fine point.
The Dwarves are strong and stout people, skilled in the manipulation of earth, metal, and fire and as equally passionate about their art as they are determined. They typically reach no taller than 5' with stocky, wide builds and heavily favor intricate geometric designs on their works and clothing. Their skin coloration varies as greatly as any other race but their hair is a matter of pride. Men and women alike go through great lengths to maintain facial and head hair and regularly dye them in explosions of color that accentuate the intricate braiding they are fond of. Their hair is so important that one of the steps of being exiled from Dranir is having all of your hair shaved off in public.
Gnomes are cunning, precarious creatures, their short stature aiding in their proclivity for pranking their friends and family. They range from 2.5’ - 3’ tall with a wide array of builds across the race. They always have disproportionately large eyes, usually a strikingly strange and bold coloration, and tiny noses but otherwise have as much variation as any other race. Their clothes are often decorated with stripes and spots of natural tones on tunics and blouses and soft, light leather breeches or skirts.
Humans are in-between of all the races, average in height and display. They’re aggressively curious and their natural inclination to learn about those different from themselves is why they’ve risen to the top in many countries. Their skin varies from ghost white and night black, with green, blue, brown, and black eyes. Humans have the tendency to mix and match clothes of the other races, blending together their favorite parts of everything and mashing them into a motley collection to varying degrees of success.
Halflings are similar to dwarves in height and similar to elves in build. Short and whippy, the Halflings are born friendly, mostly. Their communities are often open doors and very involved in each other's lives. They favor functional, muted clothing, sturdy and durable without much of the elegance of the other races. They often boast gold, blue, or green eyes and bold, large facial features.
Once upon a time, these damned souls were known as the Illarin. Gentle, soft spoken folk with wings of golden feathers, it was said these were the beloved of all the Gods. But in the war with the dragons, they turned against their kin and sided with the monsters. As punishment, The Fated Empress struck their souls with the Taint to forever mark them as traitors to all living creatures.
Or so the story goes. Whether or not that's true, the Tainted have long suffered as a result. Skin colors ranging from pitch black, red, violet, blue, and green, eyes missing pupils, tails that often move unintentionally when emotional, and horns of various shapes mark these creatures as Tainted. Even when mingling with the other races, the Tainted blood still manifests all these signs, only borrowing the slightest among from the other parent.
Warning: Playing a Tainted will have RP consequences. Please be aware, you may face unjustified discrimination and violence depending on your actions and location.
Another important note is the longevity of the races. For my own sanity, all the races have the same base lifespan that vary based on the availability of care they can receive. For example, a generally healthy individual with limited access to reasonable care could live to be 50, while that same person with access to good or better care could live to 70, and those with access to magical care up to 100. Aetherborn, however, are capable of living twice as long with ease so long as their magic doesn’t get them killed.
Children of the Wilds
The Elves
Originating from the Suelene Isles, the elves are naturally long and lithe with sharp, distinct features, typically ranging in height from 5'5 to 6'5' and gravitate towards lighter fabrics and clothing with natural designs. Coloration of their eyes, hair, and skin range from human tones to various hues to blue and green. Their ears are a dead giveaway for the elves, tampering into a fine point.
Dwarves
The Dwarves are strong and stout people, skilled in the manipulation of earth, metal, and fire and as equally passionate about their art as they are determined. They typically reach no taller than 5' with stocky, wide builds and heavily favor intricate geometric designs on their works and clothing. Their skin coloration varies as greatly as any other race but their hair is a matter of pride. Men and women alike go through great lengths to maintain facial and head hair and regularly dye them in explosions of color that accentuate the intricate braiding they are fond of. Their hair is so important that one of the steps of being exiled from Dranir is having all of your hair shaved off in public.
Gnomes
Gnomes are cunning, precarious creatures, their short stature aiding in their proclivity for pranking their friends and family. They range from 2.5’ - 3’ tall with a wide array of builds across the race. They always have disproportionately large eyes, usually a strikingly strange and bold coloration, and tiny noses but otherwise have as much variation as any other race. Their clothes are often decorated with stripes and spots of natural tones on tunics and blouses and soft, light leather breeches or skirts.
Children of the Sun
Humans
Humans are in-between of all the races, average in height and display. They’re aggressively curious and their natural inclination to learn about those different from themselves is why they’ve risen to the top in many countries. Their skin varies from ghost white and night black, with green, blue, brown, and black eyes. Humans have the tendency to mix and match clothes of the other races, blending together their favorite parts of everything and mashing them into a motley collection to varying degrees of success.
Halflings
Halflings are similar to dwarves in height and similar to elves in build. Short and whippy, the Halflings are born friendly, mostly. Their communities are often open doors and very involved in each other's lives. They favor functional, muted clothing, sturdy and durable without much of the elegance of the other races. They often boast gold, blue, or green eyes and bold, large facial features.
The Tainted
Once upon a time, these damned souls were known as the Illarin. Gentle, soft spoken folk with wings of golden feathers, it was said these were the beloved of all the Gods. But in the war with the dragons, they turned against their kin and sided with the monsters. As punishment, The Fated Empress struck their souls with the Taint to forever mark them as traitors to all living creatures.
Or so the story goes. Whether or not that's true, the Tainted have long suffered as a result. Skin colors ranging from pitch black, red, violet, blue, and green, eyes missing pupils, tails that often move unintentionally when emotional, and horns of various shapes mark these creatures as Tainted. Even when mingling with the other races, the Tainted blood still manifests all these signs, only borrowing the slightest among from the other parent.
Warning: Playing a Tainted will have RP consequences. Please be aware, you may face unjustified discrimination and violence depending on your actions and location.
Foriegn Realms
Veraz Althma
A large continent two weeks and a half west off the coast of Dranir, Veraz Althma is a strange and secretive land. Started by a group of Aetherborn exiled for prophesying a false god nearly a millennia ago, these self proclaimed sages subjugated the natives of the land and established a country entirely dedicated to the one true god, Althma.
Veraz Althma has maintained a strict closed border policy, raiding the Isles and the northern shores of Zal’hira rather than engage in trade with Othard. As a result, their naval technology rapidly grew to rival Reflin’s and they’ve actively engaged in piracy against Othardian ships. All attempts at diplomacy over the years have ended in complete silence, at best.
Only in the past two centuries has Veraz Althma changed their stance. While their borders are still completely sealed against outsiders, Veraz Althma actively engaged in diplomatic conversation and within the past century, has been sending diplomats to each of the three nations. There has been some growth and exchange of techniques and goods, but relations are still a little stilted.
A major part of those struggling relations is the Verazians themselves. All Verazians who have come to Othard share the same peculiarities. Each one speaks in subdued, monotone voices, their facial expressions appear stilted and forced, and sarcasm and humor only serve to confuse them. There is a strange sense of wrongness that has most people on edge around them.
The Suelene Isles
The Suelene Isles are a chain of 15 islands of various sizes that stretch from the southern coast of Othard to the southern coast of Zal’hira. While these islands are populated by various tribal nations, they’ve come together in recent decades in an attempt to fight back against the Reflin and Verazian raiding on their people and natural resources. It’s theorized that many of the Fey driven from Othard found sanctuary in the isles many years ago.
Zal’hira
Next to nothing is known about this land. Reflin and Dranir have both launched voyages in recent years but none have returned. The Royal Academy and the Council of Guilds are currently funding a massive construction project that would push the limits of naval technology in an attempt to reach its distant shores but it is unlikely to be complete in any reasonable amount of time.
As it stands, the only information we have on Zal’hira is from what little the Verazians have shared: it is inhabited by savage elves and its aetheric density swings wildly between extremes, making it difficult to survive.
General World Info
Currency
You will have to pay attention to how much money you have!
20 Copper = 10 Silver = 1 Gold
1 Copper Trade Bar = 500 Copper
1 Silver Trade Bar = 250 Silver
1 Gold Trade Bar = 100 Gold
Calendar
All Months have 30 days.
Months are tracked in Waxing, Full, and Waning Moons (i.e. March 2nd would be The 2nd Waxing Spring Moon)
Spring Moon - March, April, May
Summer Moon - June, July, August
Autumn Moon - September, October, November
Winter Moon - December, January, February
Years are tracked in B.A. (Before Accords) and P.A. (Post Accords). The current year is 1698 P.A.
RP Guidelines
- 1 - Posting happens every two weeks at minimum. Please post by the 10th day after the post to give me a little time to adjust a post to everyone. (If I post on the 1st, please post no later than the 10th so I can have 4 days to write a full inclusive update). If y’all post sooner, I’ll update sooner.
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2 - Life happens. We’re pretty chill so just let everyone know when you can’t post so we can plan around it!
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3 - As this is one of my RPs, there will be dark themes present in the RP. If there is anything that makes you distinctly uncomfortable, please let me know so I can make sure to avoid it.
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4 - Don’t be a dick. You’re an aetherborn, not a god despite what your and other characters might think!
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5 - If you want to do something in the RP and you don’t know if your character can do that, if you want to add a background detail that wasn’t brought up in your backstory, or anything else that you aren’t confident about, talk to me. I like talking about my world and I love world building so I’m always down but if you don’t, I will find you and I will strip all the copper from your home.
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6 - Have fun and be creative!
Trainerblue192
Member
Seen
6 days ago
Dorian Stephen Gray
Character Summary
Name: Dorian Stephen Gray
Superhero Name: Poltergeist
Age: 17
Birthday: September 13, 2021
Birth Place: Unknown
Gender: Male
Species: Mutant
Recommender: Maximillian Gray (though he petitioned others to do so as well)
Languages: English, Latin, Korean, Sanskrit*
Appearance
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 170lbs
Build: Slim
Eyes: Green
Hair: Brunette
Skin Tone: Caucasian
Tattoos/Scars/Piercings: Left Ear Pierced
Personal Style: Dorians style is comfortable, relaxed, and cozy. He's typically found wearing jeans from all shapes and colors, though a skinny fit with stretch is his go to pair. He loves jackets and sweaters that are one size too big so that he could get swallowed up inside of them. Between Casper, Max, and Danni, he's the most average looking of the bunch. Even if all of his clothing is designer and expensive, it appears to be just your everyday average wear. He does have a separate set of clothes for when he's streaming, opting for more pastel looks to appeal to a soft boi gamer audience.
Psychology
Jovial * Prankster * Kind * Jealous * Caring * Obnoxious
Sexuality: Gay
Relationship Status: Single
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Personality: Dorian tries to be the life of the party. Alongside his best friend Danni, he never wants to let a moment die, trying to keep up the momentum and live life to the fullest. Ofcourse, all of that is pretty easy when your father has the ability to create things on a whim and your uncles command death and life respectively. Dorians never needed to consider any consequences because as far as he has been concerned there never were any. It's this sort of mindset that has lead to his more reckless behavior and allowed him to become quite the devious Prankster. After all within his first year at AA, Dorian spent a massive amount of time out in the field. Not caring for the physical education portion of his lectures, he decided to toss bird feed into the field and blow a whistle every day to call upon some pigeons. After a months of preparation when it came to the annual track meet, the coach blew the whistle only to have an insurmountable amount of pigeons flock down towards the fields and create utter chaos.
Dorian isn't all pranks and chaos however. He cares deeply for his friends and would do anything he can to help them. After all if he's learned anything from bith TV and real life, it's that the bonds you form along the way are what end up mattering the most in the end. He values loyalty and comradery amongst all else, and believes that friends shouldn't keep things from each other because it's the easiest way to allow a wedge to tear them apart. Though he's very doubtful that anything could ever tear him and his bestie apart.
Habits: Biting his lower lip, chewing on his sleeves or other things.
Hobbies: Gaming, Foodie, Traveling, Pranking
Fears:
- Bees
- Losing Danni
- Selene
Likes:
- Horror
- Reading
- Coffee
- Tea
- Gaming
- K-Pop
Dislikes:
- Liars
- Punishment
- Maths
- English
- Running
- Football
Cards On The Table
Powers:
- Astral Projection
- Possession
General World Skills:
- Hackey Sack
- Can tie a cherry stem with his tongue
- 3 years of Sanskrit
- Perception
- Hiding
- Pranking
Combat Skills:
- Possession Combat
- Sword Fighting
- Tag Your It
- Peek-a-Boo*
Coursework:
- Traditional -
- 1 - Acting
- 2 - Film Editing
- 3- Art History
- 4 - Introduction to Classics
- Superheroics -
- 1- Crisis and Disaster Management
- 2- Subdual Combat
- 3- Astral Techniques
- 4- Hand to Hand Combat
Medical Issues/Injuries:
- N/A
Possessions: Limited to the spots provided. This is generally the list of items that you own, just list your characters possessions. For items kept in the dorm, put a *. Students are allowed pets.
- Backpack -
- Steam Deck
- Galaxy Z Flip Phone
- Magic Sword
- EZ Fire Spray
- Sanskrit translation book
- Jurassic Park Novel
- Cherry Bombs
- Gaming setup for streaming*
History
- Maxamillian Gray
- Ben Hargreeves
- Danni Kingston
- James Kingston
- Casper Kingston
How did you discover your powers: One night, on a cold September evening, just as the candles had finished blowing out and the birthday cake was eaten, Danni and Dorian went upstairs to play. The grown-ups all sat downstairs drinking their coffee and talking amongst themselves, but those two troublemakers raced up to Dannis room to play with Dorian's new toys. It was his thirteenth year, and they'd gifted him a toy sword. So naturally the boys played Superhero as they'd done many times before. Danni was chasing Dorian across the room, rowdy and noisy as ever, when Dorian jumped up atop the bed in an attempt to escape his best friend's grasp. His landing, however, left much to be desired. The sheets slid from underneath him, causing him to slip and fall backwards towards the wooden floors of their abode.
In a panic Dorian managed a feat he hadn't even known he could do. He went ghost for the first time in his life. Phasing into his Astral Self and becoming invisible to the naked eye. Danni immediately began to shriek and scream while Dorian constantly yelled back. He kept trying to tell him he was right there but Danni couldn't hear him. He did the only thing he could think to do and tried to grab Dannis arms to shake some sense into him. But once he held on he felt a strange tugging sensation. He blinked his eyes and when he opened them and looked into the mirror he saw Danni. Dorian shrieked even louder, scaring himself out of Dannis body and landing soundly onto the floor back into his corporeal form.
Of Course with all this pandemonium, Dad, Appa, Casper, and James, all came rushing upstairs to see what was the matter. And unfortunately for Dorian who was still in a state of shock, Danni spoke first. Telling them that Dorian was just inside of him. Dorian had never been afraid of James, up until that point. He thought he was about to be murdered on his thirteenth birthday, but as panic set in, so too did his powers again, phasing beneath the floorboards and gently floating down to the bottom landing. They quickly realized what it was Danni had meant, and any other ill thoughts were quickly washed away.
General History:
Life wasn't exactly normal for Dorian, especially towards the beginning. It's hard to recall his earliest memories, but if he thinks hard on them he always remembers a silhouetted man holding him and singing to him as an odd colored light surrounded them both. Later on in his years Dorian would learn that those earliest memories were of Max, his dad, using his magic to make his way home after grueling missions just to be able to put him to bed and say goodnight. While Max was away on missions his Appa, Ben, would always make sure to stay as present within his life as possible. The house they lived in was always warm and lively, and Appa made sure that Dorian felt as though he belonged.
Appa, ofcourse, was the stricter of the two. Always trying to teach him life lessons while his Dad simply wanted to have fun and enjoy what little time he had with his kid. At an early age Appa tried getting him to play a sport, to be normal whatever that meant. He rolled his eyes at the idea of football, didn't much care for track, tennis, or even soccer. But if he had to pick one he'd settled for baseball. The uniforms were cute enough, and it didn't involve as much running. So he was fine with it. The real joy came from seeing his parents' face light up everytime he hit the field. Win or lose they always supported him.
Years would pass and he lived next door to the Kingston's, knowing them as his second family and viewing Danni as his own brother. When he reached 7 years of age, Dorian was invited to come back with his Dad to Xavier's School. Ben wasn't exactly fond of the idea. No, to say that would be a massive understatement. The night the idea was brought up, Dorian was supposed to be asleep in his room. But as kids tended to do, he wasn't where he was supposed to be. He snuck out of his room, wanting to see if he could sleep with his dads, but as he rounded the corner towards their room he heard yelling. Muffled by the thick wooden doors of their home, but it was clear the subject matter was him and the school. Tears welled in his eyes as he quickly and quietly made his way back towards his room.
He had no powers to speak of and his Dad was still busy with the X-Men, but here he could learn, start school, and be closer to Max. Ben and Uncle Casper, had told him stories of this place, of his father Xavier and how horrible the man was. Dorian wasn't sure what to do. The following weeks were quiet in the household, facades placed before him as they pretended to be fine. Finally he spoke up. He wanted to be at Xaviers. He's spent so much time around other normal kids, he wanted to be around mutants for a change, even if the idea scared him a little.
When they arrived Dorian clung to his dad's pant leg as he entered, prompting Max to pick him up and carry him on his shoulders as they made their way through the expanse of a mansion.
It was different for Dorian, children and mutants running all around him and learning to control their powers while he was merely here to learn the basics. It was about this time that Dorian had begun to romanticize heroism and sword fighting. He waited for the day that they would visit the Kingston's each week, the adults getting together to talk about whatever it was they spoke of and him and Danni could sit in front of the television and watch their weekly show of She-Ra. It lit a fire in him and made him understand why his father did what he did even if it was with the X-Men. To be a hero, to save the world, and to know that even they have flaws and can be anyone, it spoke to Dorian in a way that he hardly understood. How any ordinary person could be a hero. So he studied the sword, he mimicked fighting techniques off the show, and most importantly he had his best friend and brother alongside him to fight crime with. It was just like the theme song said 'with mighty sword and flame we'll never fail you when you call our name.'
That was when another one of Appas life lessons came in. One day, after years at the academy, he had decided to take him somewhere private. Somewhere personal to him. It was his very own grave. There was a bit of heaviness to Dorian's chest, the idea that he was staring at the grave of his own Appa who stood right beside him. He wanted him to promise that he would be careful, to be safe. He needed to see just how dangerous being a hero truly was. And while Dorian had agreed to it, he didn't fully understand at that age, nor does he now. After all, Appa died before the Mutant Circuit, before his family was capable of bringing others back to life. To him, much like any other kid his age, he was invincible. But he'd never tell his parents that.
Dorian learned, and grew, spending most of his time at Xavier's and until he hit the age of 13. Life got a little weird there, he developed powers, found out he had the x-gene, and scared the crap out of his parents. That was the first time that Max had taken him and Ben to an old library, asked Doctor Strange and Wong for access to books on Astral Projection, and spent a majority of his time learning and teaching Dorian about his powers, the dangers, and ways to control them. Strange was...well strange. It was like Dorian's father was a different person around him, and it showed him a new side of his father he never got to see. But his childhood wasn't all study and practice, there were days, sometimes weeks, that Max would have off and even if he looked tired he would always come with a surprise. Family trips to Disney with the Mutant Underground, and those his father had met along the way of his life, impromptu vacations to Italy, Spain, Rome and more even as James protested.
Dorian was never a kid with wants. When your father has the power of magic, and can take you across the planet in less than a second of time then the world is quite literally your oyster. He always loved the trips with just the three of them, four if they could convince the Kingston's to allow Danni to come with. Dorian had heard tales of Max's...mishaps in his younger years, but that seemed so far ago and it always made him chuckle to see them all flustered with his dad's random worldwide trips. Sometimes they would just pop in with me, barely tell Uncle James, leave with Danni, then return less than a minute later having asked us to get the most touristy clothes we could find while gone. When we'd pop back to the Kingston's place we'd have large sunglasses, a splotch of sunscreen on our nose, and bright noisy clothes, it was one of the times Dorian could hear his father just laugh at the chaos and look on their faces. Sadly those Vacations would have to wait till summer once he turned 14, but it was a happy kind of sad.
Though Dorian couldn't see his family as often, he still had Danni. They got accepted to Avengers Academy (AA if you were one of the cool kids) and it was everything that they had worked for. Dee and Danni taking on the world and becoming heroes! There were...a few incidents where dad had to come in. Apparently the school didn't like it when someone possessed the lockers doors and flung them all open to scare other students. Or when someone snuck out of their room because it was too quiet. Really most of Dorians pranks were frowned upon, but someone had to livin' up the place, and a few of those pranks were just great pogger moments. Now its Junior year and its time to see what more they could learn about heroism and combat!
Proposed Arc:
- Much of Dorians ideology has been shaped by the stories hes seen and heard throughout his life. Glorifying the idea of heroism while ignoring all the risks it can bring. Currently he belives thats being a hero simply means punching the bad guys, but id love to see him realize his Appas lesson when he tried getting him to volunteer. Heros come from more than just fighting, its about helping those in need.
- Dorian currently lives in the shadow of his father. Whether for good or bad. Because of this he hasnt fully considered life beyond heroics nor has he cared to carry a career. Id like to see him find himself and figure out what it is that hes truly passionate about outside of the idea of famed heorics.
Extras
Character Quote:
“Monsters are real, ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” -Stephen King, The Shining
Theme Song: Warriors
Anything Else:
Runs a Twitch Channel under the name Ghost
Max sets shit on fire
Billy Kaplan (Wiccan)
*By submitting this CS in its completion I am stating I have read all the rules for this Rp and am agreeing to follow them to the fullest with respect and courtesy. I acknowledge that I can and will be removed from the RP without warning if I break a rule or cause problems with my fellow Rpers or the GM.
You will record your thoughts and opinions on other characters. There are no PC relationship requirements to begin with, however it is likely that some of your characters grew up seeing each other fairly often.
If you are playing a legacy, you are required to include a relation for their parent/relative - (i.e., if Guin Stark were in this RP, she would need to have a relation section for Tony).
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
Relations
Daniel Elliot Kingston
"Ride or die, baby! YOLO!"
⟢ 🎆Respects ⟡ 🌓Neutral ⟡ 👋Acquaintance ⟡ 🙇It's Complicated ⟣
⟢ 💛Friend ⟡ 💙Good Friends ⟡ 💜Best Friends ⟡ ❣️Ex-Friends ⟡ 😈Frienemy ⟣ ✨Roommate
⟢ 💘Crush⟡ 💓Loves ⟡ 💗Couple ⟡ 💕Basically Family ⟡ 💞Family ⟡ 💔Ex-Lovers ⟣
⟢ ♨️Tense ⟡ 💀Dislikes ⟡ 😡Hates ⟡ 👿Enemy ⟡ 👹Absolutely Loathes ⟣
💕April Flynn💕
"Heeey, bestie!!!"
- Slipped into Danni and Dee's friendship like she'd always been there.
- Always down to spill the tea.
- Cuddle buddies!!!!
🌓Percy Novikov🌓
"Kinda sounds like Novikova but without an a. You think... Nah, just a common last name!"
- Doesn't know him and doesn't realize this is Diana's brother
🌓Diana Novikova🌓
"She said her parents know Pops... Is that a code for something?."
- She's... fine.
💛Madalyne Crane💛
"Such a sweetheart. Gotta protect the precious bean!"
- Likes to bring her to things cause she's just nice and she needs some exposure
💕Dorian Gray💕
"My favorite little hauntling!"
- Has basically been with him since birth
- Allows Dorian to possess him whenever he wants but will continue to make jokes about it as payment
- Would burn someone alive for him without batting an eye
💜Sabine Bassard💜
"I loving vibing with a bad bitch with moves that hot!"
- Got off to a bit of a rocky start.
- Loves dancing and doing fashion photo shoots with her. If superheroing doesn't work out, they'll be a dance duo!
- Had some hesitation about her because of her power but threw that away along with his first year report cards.
🌓Victoria van Dyne🌓
"Who? Oh, her! Idk man, just let the girlie vibe."
- She's just not into (the royal) you
🌓Zelda Flynn🌓
"Uh, April's little sister? Pfft, she's like a toddler or something."
- Only knows about her through April.
🌓Zarina Raynordattir 🌓
"Sounds fake but okay."
Symbol Rory Serrano-Moore Symbol
"Overall Thoughts On The Character"
- Just write notes here
- You can even include links to posts that you think are milestones in their relationship
- Or leave this blank if there is nothing you want to put!
👋Teddy Thompson👋
"He's huuuuge. And so cuddly looking. Get that man in a cuddle pile stat!"
- Definitely noticed him day 1.
- Will die if he doesn't get to squish the beans
- lol a bear who goes bear
♨️Leah Jordan♨️
"Someone needs to get dicked down, jeez."
- Has a hard time handling her
- She doesn't have walls; she has landmines
🌓Ardere Terrene🌓
"À tes souhaits."
💛Phan Le Chi Mai💛
"Are you serious? Omg. Omg! Mai, MAI YOU WONT BELIVE THIS!!!!"
- Spilling tea, throwing shade
- These two create horrible Chaotic energy feedback loops together
🌓Andy Gallio-Lensherr🌓
"And she is..."
💞James Kingston💞
"Pops is responsible and dependable and everything I'm not so I just leave it all to him! Sometimes I can hear his voice in the back of my head when I'm doing a stupid and then I just miss home."
- James Kingstons's original CS
- James Kingston, Danny's dad (Pops), was a construction worker in his Uncle's company before being chased into the arms of the Mutant Underground by Purifiers. He used his healing mutation and his engineering skills to support and improve the living conditions before the events of the x-cutuoner drove him to Genosha with his unconscious teammates, struggling for months to develop his powers enough to wake them. He had a brief stint as one of the leaders of their new home Genosha but after the events that left Selene trapped, James decided to bring his family to New Orleans, where he runs an underground clinic where he offers his services to mutants and humans regardless of their affiliations.
- Loving and loyal, there is little to nothing James wouldn't do for his family, including a long list of violence. Although he tried to share his patience and discipline, Danny instead learned that family came first and the world deserved to burn if it came between them. Much like his Papa, Danny adores James and its a not so secret secret he's a bit of a daddy's boy.
💞Casper Kingston💞
"Papa is the chillest, funnest parent I know! He's so fun and cool and taught me to dance and act and sing. Teaming up on Pops with him is one of my favorite things to do!"
- Casper Kingston's original CS
- Casper goes by Papa
- The son of Renegade and Charles Xavier, Casper's abusive childhood drove him to fear his abilities and landed him in the arms of every illegal substance known to man in order to escape. He lived a life devoid of responsibility and care, along with his dead friend Ben, until he reunited with his half brother Jack and stumbled into the Underground, where Casper almost died if Jack hadn't brought him to the Underground. Although many people ignored Casper as nothing more than a druggy, he proved he was intelligent and observant, putting the perfect touch of humor to keep spirits up and distract the team from the worst of the situation when things seems dire. He sobered up after starting to date James and although his quirky personality was off-putting to many, it was endearing just the same! Casper used his unqiue powers to communicate and conjurer spirits to possess a powerful telepath that attacked Genosha and used his powers of the souls of the dead to lead the team to victory in the final battle of Genosha, freeing souls devoured by the quickly ascending Selene. Now, he lives in New Orleans, surrounded by his family, and now performs as Robyn Caskets, a drag queen in the New Orleans scene.
- Danny adores his Papa and clearly picked up on a significant amount of his character. Father and son live life as if it was the last day, impulsiveness and energy in equal measures. Casper is the parent who typically won't say no and so Casper is always the first one he runs to when he wants something but also the one he runs to when he wants to show off something he's proud of. Papa is the fun one, the exciting one, and is the one you cuddle up to when you have a terrible idea that just sounds too good not to try.
OP
Achronum The Pyro
Member
Seen
14 hrs ago
31 years ago, Princess Ryner set into motion a convoluted series of events meant to overthrow the Moonlight Council and eliminate all vampires permanently. It nearly succeeded but a critical part of her plan, Aaron Starag, turned against her and sided with the Sinnenodel led traditionalist faction. As such, she was forced to create Dawn Rising, a rebellion group that fractured the noble families, weakened the faith in the Moonlight Council, and energized a new generation of vampires and mages looking to make their marks on the world. The Council found themselves nearly dismantled and forced the hidden First vampires to reveal themselves.
Unfortunately, the return of the Lycans and the interference of the First disrupted the rebellion’s well laid traps and ultimately led to its failure. With the return of Bierro Eve, Sybil Sinnenodel launched a vicious attack on the Noila household that she later blamed on Ryner and leaned on the Miasma crisis that she played a major role in manufacturing in order to secure leadership of the remaining members of the Moonlight Council. Her changes didn’t stop there as she restructured the entirety of the government and thus, the Empire of the Dreaming Court was born with her as Empress.
Now, Dawn Rising is on its last legs. Shoved into a corner far on the edge of the world, the headquarters of the rebellion is well hidden from the seemingly omniscient Empress Sinnenodel and it’s minor factions scattered through the world have found themselves with a moment to catch their breath as the Empress and her forces reconsider how to best deal with the threat they pose. New supplies are flowing and there has been a rally of forces to their banners as the quality of life of mages and humans all begin to slip further and further from Treaty times.
The Empire of the Dreaming Court
Headed by the Empress Sybil Sinnenodel, the Empire is a true paradise for vampires. Most restrictions, including hunting humans, have vanished from law and punishment for most infractions against mages and humans are all but gone. Direct violence is highly improper, and maiming mages is still illegal simply because Sinnenodel tradition frowns upon acts of violence, but anything short of that isn’t directly outlawed. Laws for education and medical care of mages are still in effect but all human regulations are gone and many vampires have simply stopped supplying any at all.
The Dreaming Court itself is split into three tiers: The Empress, The Magistrates, and the Heralds. The Empress is of course, Sybil Sinnenodel who lounges upon a throne of silver and bones, bleached to catch the moonlight through large windows in her throne room. The Magistrates are the head of each family. Lady Immerila Marivaldi, Magistrate of Magic and Technology, has full jurisdiction over the development of new magical techniques, new technological innovations, and the blending of the two disciplines. Lord Bierro Eve, Magistrate of Information, is the Empress’s spymaster and is the overseer of all forms of communication through the Empire. Lord Pieron Astorio, Magistrate of War, is the general of the military forces of the Empire. Beneath them are the Heralds of the Court, led by Aaron Starag, who act as the voice of the Empress when she and her successor are otherwise preoccupied with other business.
Mages under the new regime have experienced some decline in quality of life but many aspects have stayed the same. There are fewer protections against physical injury and none against mental injury, although laws of possession and trade of mages have basically remained the same. The Empire has since instituted a requirement that all mages are documented with two generations removed included in the national register and fire and light mages are confiscated at the time of determination. It was highly recommended that those who were in possession of these affinities prior to the Mage Terrorist Reduction Proclamation voluntarily turn over their mages but the Empire has yet to demand it of them.
In addition to claiming all fire and light mages, the Mage Terrorist Reduction Proclamation grants the Empire authority to seize any and all mages who present prior to an Awakening ritual. These mages are indoctrinated into the inquisitor program, developing highly dangerous and powerful mages to serve at the behest of their vampiric masters as assassins, elite soldiers, and powerful bodyguards for the members of the Courts. Led by Grand inquisitors Maxwell Aldermann and Eloise Silva, Inquisitors who survived the brutal seven year training period came out the otherside powerful, cunning, and aggressive, far more powerful than other mages their age. Even some vampires fear the inquisitor program and have petitioned the Empress to discontinue and eliminate those trained in such ways.
This isn’t without due cause. Most Inquisitors are only held together through fear and a healthy dose of mental magic. A tiny lapse in control or destabilization of the mind magic matrix inside has led to large scale consequences. The Conflagration of Tinani Fortress is one such example. A stroke of luck for a desperate Dawn Rising member in the early days of the program led to an Inquisitor immediately succumbing to resonance and turning a sprawling fortress into a crater, killing everyone inside. Dawn Rising has yet to figure out how the now dead mage did it but the death of 15 vampires and 120 mages was enough to make vampires nervous.
The Six Tomes
As part of the rise of the Empire, Empress Sinnenodel officially unveiled The Six Tomes: strange institutions incorporating ruins of ages past that became the headquarters of the various departments of the Empire. These are run by a vampiric Warden and a mage Sage.
The First Tome oversees the governance of the Empire and focuses on keeping the gears of government running. It also controls the coin of the Empire. Warden: Zarina Sinnenodel, Sage: Nelkhan Mostriad.
The Second Tome oversees magical research and development, providing development and testing facilities to the top vampiric and mage researchers in the empire. Warden: Immerila Marivaldi; Sage: Madylnn Vazquez.
The Third Tome oversees education and controls the dissemination of academic knowledge. Most of it’s space is dedicated to massive, well secured vaults that act as private libraries for the Empress and those in her favor. Warden: Nintrella Sinnenodel; Sage: Derek Dickson.
The Fourth Tome oversees communication and censorship in the empire. This Tome has the most active employees and all forms of communication are expected to run through it. Warden: Eris Samuel; Sage: Valerie Devi.
Although it is known they exist, the operations of the Fifth and Sixth Tomes are confidential and details on them, including their Wardens and Sages, have not been made public.
The Marivaldis
Although a significant portion of the Marivaldis defected, a handful of families remained loyal to the Council rather than their Lord. Those families have been granted status above the others who have returned and their influence and lands grew as the previous members were stripped of their estates, mages, and money. It is easy to see who was part of the Empire since its conception; returning Marivaldis were made to take a branding as part of their identity for one century as a mark of their shame and proof of their penance in the face of the Empress’s mercy.
Of course, not all is well within the family. With so many Marivaldis loyal to her, it was a shock to find the Empress elevate Immerila to Lady Marivaldi despite her lack of involvement in the situation. There are rumors and whispers that suggest she is the plaything of the Empress and she’ll be discarded soon enough while others suggest she used strange knowledge learned on her travels to bewitch the Empress. In any case, Immerila has proved to be a difficult opponent in both the audience hall and on the battlefield, unafraid to show off her unnatural magic to cow her family into submission. There is a burning resentment from some but it isn’t powerful enough to overcome the fear and the truth that the family is flourishing under her direction.
Eves
Of all the families, the Eves handled the schism in their ranks the best. The conflict and chaos had already existed, hidden beneath a thin veneer of direction, and the rebellion simply allowed them to discard the falsehood. The traditionalist faction was already posed to support the Council and the modernists were already ready to turn their backs so everything fell into place surprisingly quickly for the struggling family. This family found an eager delight in killing their dishonorable members, taking out years of pent up aggression on the opposite side of themselves, and found themselves with fewer members than any other family early in the war.
With the return of Beirro, the family snapped back into shape in a startling amount of time. Beirro hunted his family in the Dawn Rising and the Empire in equal measures, quickly and efficiently killing those he found lacking. Rumors have it he spared a number of Dawn Rising members despite being enemies and when he went hunting for a specific person, there was never collateral damage. Beirro makes most of the vampires outside the Eves nervous as they can never be sure they understand his motives and those who feel the same in the family have learned to keep their mouths shut and their reactions muted.
Astorios
The Astorios thrived in this wartime world. Violence had always been the family’s calling card and the 5 long centuries of peace wore heavily on the Astorios. With the younger generation unable to truly experience the glory of death defying risks, many of the others believed them soft and weak, leaving the younger Astorios unable to advance within the family. The family turned to illegal fighting rings and underground fight clubs to sate the itch that ran in their veins and it did the trick… for a while.
Behind the scenes of combat, Lord Peiron granted his family “permission” to defect. Even if Peiron was no longer interested in joining the fight directly, he of all the family could feel the pull to war and he challenged them to prove themselves on the field of war so that they could move through the family, earn their status, and come out stronger for the experience. He hasn’t even kept it quiet; though he doesn’t flaunt that he is actively ignoring his defectors, he has said that if the Empire can’t handle a few young vampires, then the Empire shouldn’t exist at all.
Not everyone is satisfied with this nonchalant attitude though. Rumors have it the Inquisitors are planning a move to bring the Lord of the Astorios to heel and others are actively killing defectors before they manage to make it to Dawn Rising territory.
Dawn Rising
The rebellion group Dawn Rising has managed to stay a thorn in the Empire’s side despite having been brought to its knees. Once a sprawling rebellion with 26 territories under its control and the power to rival any noble family independently, Dawn Rising has been reduced to a headquarters, two storehouses, and four relay stations with barely 160 members. Pitched battles against Empire forces have been reduced to strategic, guerilla tactic assaults against weak points in the Empire’s defense in hopes they can gain some sort of foothold. Unfortunately, they’ve failed to gain any sort of ground in years and they fight tooth and nail for what little they still control.
Tasked with running Dawn Rising once her vampire partner was killed, Lilie Dionne maintains her council of advisors, Quartermaster Joshua Abian and War Master Vivian Talimara, at an ancient fortress deep within the Noila ancestral territory after reaching out to potential allies in hope for additional assistance. Vintri Noila was the only one to respond and offered his home as a base of operations even though it’s quite out of the way. In order to maintain their secrecy, few and far between know how to actually access it. Even those who teleport between the relay points and headquarters teleport to a remote location and are teleported there by an authorized agent.
The four remaining relay stations, Caeli, Illitas, Aegis, and Malvov, serve as the primary base of operations and housing for the vast majority of the members of Dawn Rising, acting as launching pads for strike operations and safe houses for the injured, weary, and freed. Each is operated by a Station Commander and maintained by a Station Supplier and Head Technician. Relay stations are intended to house up to 100 people and are either disguised as normal buildings, are built as an underground network, or a mix of both. Wards and protective spells litter the area around them in order to keep passing curiosities from discovering their network.
However, the major concern right now is supplies. Food, medicine, and clothing are in high demand all across the resistance and every day people get a little bit more desperate. Thankfully, a turn in Illitas’s luck has allowed them to strike a telling blow against the Empire in their area, recovering farms that were once under the rebellion’s control and opening up some of their old secret routes that became too dangerous with Empire occupation. It greatly boosted morale at the promise for the future but doesn’t solve the problem in the short term.
The Social Dynamic of Dawn Rising
In the early days of Dawn Rising, Ryner made it clear that leadership was based on ability, not class, age, or any other determining factor. They were the underdogs. Dawn Rising didn’t have the luxury of putting inefficient leaders in positions simply to soothe egos. A number of mages outranked vampires immediately and while it ruffled more than a few feathers, the desperation and importance of the task at hand put the conflict on hold.
In the meantime, the ever looming question of feeding had to be answered fast. It was counterproductive to have all mages feeding vampires directly so Dawn Rising required mages to donate a bottle of blood to their relay station. This allowed the stations to maintain a rotation of members who were on active duty, keeping those who donated blood recently out of front line conflict while recovering.
Now, there are rumors vampires in the rebellion aren’t quite as satisfied with this arraignment as they seemed to be. With new blood entering, there are some in the stations questioning if Lilie is strong enough to keep these new vampires in line.
Magic
Magic has largely remained unchanged, typically presenting at 18 through the Awakening ritual and being ushered into a mage institution where they are sold off at the institution’s will, and is split into two categories: Affinity and Arcane.
Affinity magic is the mage’s natural magical ability. Affinities express themselves as a fundamental force or element of nature: fire, water, earth, air, gravity, lava, etc. they are further broken down into Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Conditional affinities that change how casting and interactions between mage and magic work. These are magics that need nothing more than some concentration and the will to make it happen.
Arcane magic is magic that is stripped of affinities and used to form new spells to an end affinity magic may not be able to reach. They require a pattern and an incantation to strip and structure the mage’s magic to the spell, creating effects that range from darkvision to shield to color changing charms to telepathy. Arcane magic is generally more versatile than Affinity magic at the cost of separating yourself from your magic. For this reason, Primary affinities with a close, intimate connection to their magic often find themselves struggling to use arcane magic and develop their skills with it much slower than other grades of Affinities.
Miasma
Although there have been a number of breakthroughs in magical research by the Empire, it can all be traced back to a single source: Miasma. Composed of a gaseous, sweet altered aether, the Empire manufactured Miasma to counter the Lycan threat. Aggressively toxic to the lycan system, it was deployed over a significant portion of battlefields in order to use its beneficial side effect. Mages who fought in the Miasma fields found their ability to cast affinity magic much greater and, through a little bit of finessing, could blend their affinity and arcane magic together in ways never done before.
However, the skirmishes with Dawn Rising became more and more dangerous to the Empire’s vampiric forces and they developed a second strain of Miasma that was a hard, large pill. This was a concentrated dose of Miasma that would allow them to keep the advantage for themselves, rather than allowing Dawn Rising to turn their advantage against them. And although Dawn rising attempted to get their hands on the product, it wasn’t nearly enough to even the playing field.
However, the side effects of the original strain soon started showing. Vampires became erratic and violent, entering horrible feeding frenzies in which they couldn’t differentiate between friend or foe and just consumed wholeheartedly. Mages began to experience severe disruptions in their magic, to the point that they would experience dissonance even when they weren’t casting. The second strand showed the same effects but faster and worse. As mages became ticking time bombs and vampires struggled to keep their composure, Miasma was decreed illegal and its production stopped.
However, the truth was miasma was continued to be produced behind the scenes. Dawn Rising has managed to dismantle a number of these facilities but with their members spread so thin, it was impossible to get a real count on how many factories are still in production.
Where Our Story Begins
One of the least besieged relay stations, Caeli was built beneath a two-storied bakery that operated during the early years of the war. The owners have since died and the bakery shut down, leaving the additional space for Dawn Rising to occupy. No one has been in a rush to reoccupy the building, the little town it once served all abandoned, mostly in part to the Miasma Dead Zone barely two miles down the road.
Relay Station Caeil once boasted a group of 90 but now clung to its existence with only 28 members. With its severely depleted numbers, the relay station leadership has pulled back from most operations, focusing on reconnaissance. It’s in part of their efforts that Relay Station Illitas was able to overcome the Empire in their territory, strategies fueled by Caeli intel, and this has not gone unnoticed.
Caeli now finds itself in a precarious situation. Empire forces have established a citadel in Caeli’s territory, but all intel indicates Caeli’s location hasn’t been compromised. Although many at the station have voiced their interest in relocating, Commander Ryan Agreve has instead sent for assistance from Headquarters. The Commander has yet to reveal his position to the members of the relay station and everyone is waiting with bated breath, even as new blood enters the scene.
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