As with most vampires, Stacia is considered to be the pinnacle of beauty. In spite of her age, she remains incredibly beautiful and lively. She sports an ideal slim and curvaceous figure and her flawless, pale skin is pampered to perfection. Manicured and clean, her eyebrows and makeup are meant to enhance her looks with attention drawn to her dark blue eyes. Her fiery red hair stands out as a stark contrast, albeit she considers it a point of pride nowadays.
✦ Personality ✦
Since Stacia was decades old, she has always been a calm, collected young woman. She always looks to hold herself in the highest dignity and to always act with grace. That said, she is far from naïve--she is experienced, knowledgeable, and has no problem putting someone in their place if they are to underestimate her. While she is not the type of person to take up arms over every slight, she will not forget, and she will not have mercy on those who disrespect her. Those that do give her respect are often allies for life, and she is more than happy to support those that deserve it.
Her views on mages is very antiquated. She predates the Marivaldi love of mortals, but that isn't to say that she would treat them badly. On the contrary, she believes well-treated mages are more loyal. Still, while she gives them respect, there is a sense of infantilization. Mages are creatures that need to be taken care of to her. They're capable of great things, of course, but overall their short lifespan means they lack foresight, and they are often too impulsive for their own good.
While she has always been restrained, there is always an inner desire to better herself. If she was to become a bride, she would be the ideal bride. If she was to become a businesswoman, then she would know the ins and outs of that business. This adaptation was necessary as despite being an immortal being, the world around her was constantly changing. She firmly believed that as a result, the worst thing someone could do was remain stagnant. Those who desire to keep things as they were without proper reasons as to stay that way are often a disappointment to her.
✦ Background ✦
Stacia's life is far too long to properly speak of. While it is notable that she was born to Reginald Marivaldi and her mage mother, her youth was spent learning to be a proper lady so that one day her father could ensure that her hand would be one men would fight for. Granted, that was also several centuries ago, and the only times she speaks to her husband is for business purposes with little love lost between them. The most relevant event in her history is her father's death, which she would say is the point she left behind the idea of becoming like him. He was an honorable man, but stuck in his ways--she determined that the best way to spend eternity is to change with the world.
In the passing decades, Stacia taken on the role of observer in society. Granted, it was only temporary as her recent accomplishments include diving into the study of modern medicine and its benefits in comparison to life magic. The topic fascinated her enough to fund several hospitals, medicines, and a multitude of collecting data in order to bolster the legitimacy of the study. She has written several books to back up her research, waltzing into the medical field with sincere interest and determined to come out with results.
In terms of current events, she has expressed distaste in the current war that has driven back society. Her main concern stems from the power imbalance of the houses, as where once stood four houses on equal footing, one dictator now remains to tower over the other three. Stacia was responsible for holding the house together once their leader left for the rebellion, and to her surprise, her efforts were largely ignored once Immerila was placed as the new Head. The insult has not gone unnoticed, and Stacia replied in kind and refused to give up any of her fire and light mages in her employ as a result.
She found Ryner's decisions foolish, but she was a little surprised when the princess was staked. She finds the remnants of the rebellion honorable and put in an impossible place; with Benjamin Eve gone, she thinks the current leader has no choice but to continue despite being likely to lose the war. With that said, however, she is not entirely satisfied, her numerous concerns over the current state of vampiric politics giving her great pause...
Stacia's co-writer of her most recent research, Tatius has a brilliant mind for medicine. Since he was a child he studied the human body exclusively, wishing to become a surgeon from a young age. It was fitting that he would become a life mage as his entire life has revolved around healing and medicine. While a polite enough mage, Tatius is not as social as Stacia's other mages, though he is excellent at reading body language and typically adapts the conversation. In his free time, he is often burying his nose in some medical journal and constantly striving to improve his research.
Alexei Russo - Air mage | 26
Stacia's current right hand mage after her previous one passed. While he hasn't been in the position for long, he has long since gained Stacia's trust. That said, he is something of a wild card, his actions unpredictable and one can never be completely sure of his motives. That said, he is fiercely loyal to Stacia and follows orders without question, even if he does occasionally execute them his own way. He's different from her other mages in this way, but Stacia hardly bats an eye to his antics. Some believe that because his lineage can be traced back to being a direct descendant to Stacia's mother, she gives him more leeway.
Marianne Bella - Light mage | 21
The position of Stacia's favorite mage is one of little responsibility and is equivalent to becoming a pet of sorts as Stacia showers them with luxury and attention. They are always at her side, otherwise they are being pampered and waited on. Marianne is Stacia's current pet and is nearly always by her side as a result. She is bright, obedient, and sociable, though she is also very smug when it comes to dealing with the other mages under Stacia.
Diana is of average height and build and is usually seen with a warm, cheerful smile. Her fair skin and long, blonde hair speak to her noble origin, her outfits and accessories typically lavish. Her clear, blue eyes are round and curious for the most part, though she holds herself to be as graceful as possible at all times, whether it be with her mannerisms or her casting.
Her uniform is to standard with the exception of a skirt and tights replacing the standard slacks.
Personality:
Diana is described as a charming social butterfly to most who know her. She can strike up a conversation with just about anyone and is exceedingly polite and well-mannered. She likes to observe people and chooses her words carefully before speaking, although that doesn't mean she won't be blunt when necessary. Those who abuse their power or deride the weak are often quick to anger her, and she refuses to do nothing when someone is in need.She carries herself well and studies often, though she never seems satisfied with her accomplishments. Most have confused it for humility, but it's clear that there is more to it.
Background:
The region of Faron is known mostly for its farmlands. It is estimated that almost thirty five percent of Cresvald's food is grown there and has the most diverse supply. The former Prefect of Faron was a man named Hollis Simmons, a man who loved to flaunt his power. The confidence came from a lack of mages; the vast majority of Faron were farmers first and foremost, and most mages that were born in the territory typically ended up leaving. His treatment of the people seemingly went uninterrupted until one of his own battlemages challenged him to a duel. Said challenger was a young man named Calder, a brilliant elemental mage with humble origins who Hollis had taken under his wing. Hollis' overconfidence lead to his death, and Gathar Adeon, another noble, was elected to replace him.
Gathar adopted Calder into the Adeon family and eventually had his daughter marry him. Together, they had two children, Phoebus and Diana. Initially a quiet child, Diana grew up surrounded by people who were in awe of her father. While initially finding herself humbled and overjoyed, as the years went by, it was clear that people saw her more as an extension of her family--and what was worse, they had expectations of her. The days where she feared not going through noesis were probably some of her worst, as she feared failing to live up to the image people had of her.
Fortunately, the day came, and she was overjoyed to follow in her father's footsteps as she learned from a tutor her mother appointed for her. Calder was a talented elemental mage and it seemed Diana had similar preferences. The more she learned and grew her magic, the more the comparisons came, and slowly, the pressure started to build. Diana felt that her talent didn't quite match her father's and worked excessively to achieve better results. If she couldn't reach his expectations, then she was a disappointment. If it wasn't perfect, it was a failure. The consistent comparisons and praise stuck to her, often driving her to push herself despite her young age.
When the war came, Calder left his family behind and joined the battlefield. Most believed he would die a warrior's death, but instead he went from a local hero to one known throughout the country for his feats. Diana was overjoyed to have her father back, but his return made things worse. She never blamed her father--she often cried every night hoping he would come back to them--but beneath the desire to please everyone came resentment. It wasn't just the praise from the town, Calder was now known throughout the country.
Instead of acknowledging the immense pressure she felt, Diana thought that instead, she needed better instruction and to go outside of her comfort zone. After all, the tutor only knew so much, so a proper education was needed to fully unlock her potential. Her brother had left the year before to The Glynwood Institute For Thaumaturgical Studies, and Diana hoped she could follow his lead. Her request for a letter of recommendation was met with a little hesitance, but ultimately, she got it. She swore to herself that when she graduated, she would make her father and everyone else proud.
Attunement:
Ouranian
Aura:
Diana's Aura manifests as what she calls 'blossoms of nature': flowers constantly bloom before falling apart and flow around her, reforming into flowers before repeating the process. Said flowers vary, typically beginning with calla lilies and roses, and different varieties spring up as her magic grows. If one watches the flowers closely, they can see each flower is made up of a different elemental magic. Her aura has a calming effect similar to a lavender scent, though is entirely silent.
Magic:
Diana enjoys a variety of elemental magic, finding herself enjoying playing with the elements and conjuring them when needed. She often shapes them into different creatures and plants for different purposes: a bird made of wind to pick something up off the ground, a flaming butterfly to light up a lantern, water in the form of a giant lily-of-the-walley to gently drip down water around her, and a turtle made of earth for her to sit on are a few examples.
Arcane Items:
She wears a small bracelet that lights up in different colors. She also has an old staff passed down from generation to generation from her mother's side of the family.
Other:
Loves the outdoors
Her favorite tea is white tea
Has a bad habit of chewing her thumbnail when stressed
This FFXVI RP takes place centuries before the game's events. Any information here is taken from the game directly, and any discrepancies are my own changes. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. You don't need to have played the game to apply.
"May The Blessing Of The Crystal Go With You."
"It is those with power who must protect the fragility of peace." - Emperor Frederick II
The year is 497. Valisthea is experiencing an abundance of resources from its land, and after many years of fighting over the Drake's Tail Mothercrystal, the realms have come together to declare the Isles of Ark a neutral territory. And thus, the Crystalline Dominion came to be, a place representing the current peace of the realm. As a gesture of goodwill, the realms have sent forth their Dominants as representatives to join in the festivities. There will be wine to share, relations to form, and memories to make.
State of the World
Valisthea is experiencing a rare time of peace. The continents of Storm and Ash have come together to form the Crystalline Dominion, but this was at the price of heavy wars that have scarred their lands and people. Most of the rulers have looked inward to handle their internal affairs, focusing on rebuilding their realms and mending fences with their neighbors. There are few that haven't been affected by the wars and the continents sigh in relief, eager to embrace peace.
The exception to this is Haearann, as their lack of a Mothercrystal has left them with few blessings, and as a result they continue to raid the Storm continent. After the last clash of Garuda and Phoenix, however, they have been suspiciously quiet. There is a rumor they were approached by a Sanbrequois scholar on talks of negotiating trade, but few know the results of their meeting. Still, there is clearly trouble brewing, with astrologers seeing another struggle coming in the near future...
Eikons and Dominants
The Eikons are the most powerful and deadly creatures in Valisthea. Each resides within a Dominant—a single man or woman who is blessed with the ability to call upon their dread power. In some nations these Dominants are treated as royalty in admiration of this strength—in others they are bound in fear of it, and forced to serve as weapons of war. History records eight Eikons in total, each with a unique elemental affinity—one warden each of fire, water, thunder, ice, wind, earth, light, and darkness. Those who are destined to be Dominants cannot escape their fate, however cruel it may be.
Dominant of Phoenix, Warden of Fire: [OPEN] Dominant of Shiva, Warden of Ice: [OPEN] Dominant of Ramuh, Warden of Thunder: @Obscene Symphony Dominant of Garuda, Warden of Wind: @Scribe of Thoth Dominant of Titan, Warden of Earth: [OPEN] Dominant of Leviathan, Warden of Water: [OPEN] Dominant of Bahamut, Warden of Light: [OPEN] Dominant of Odin, Warden of Darkness: [OPEN]
The Realms of Valisthea
The Crystalline Dominion sits at the heart of Valisthea, built around the tallest of all the Mothercrystals, Drake's Tail. Many bloody battles were fought for control of this small plot of land due to its strategic importance, till the warring realms finally agreed to an armistice. As part of the peace treaty, the islands around Drake's Tail became an autonomous dominion led by a council of representatives from the surrounding nations—each realm enjoying equal claim to the Mothercrystal's blessing.
Dominant: The Warden of Water
Long ago, a group of small independent provinces in western Valisthea found strength in unity, and formed the Grand Duchy of Rosaria. Rosaria draws its aether from Drake's Breath, a Mothercrystal situated on a volcanic island off the coast. After years of relative prosperity, the duchy now finds itself in-between raids from both the Iron Kingdom and the Northern Territories. The Phoenix is always born into the duchy's bloodline, with the Phoenix ruling over Rosaria once they come of age.
Dominant: The Warden of Fire
A bitterly cold region in the northern reaches of the continent of Storm. Home to the Mothercrystal known as Drake's Eye, the Northern Territories are composed of a series of tribes. While there is some inner-conflict between some groups, the hierarchy is dependent on which tribe the Dominant of Shiva is born into. Their family is typically elevated and receive blessings from other tribes. That said, there is often some conflict that rises if the tribe in question doesn't have much power or isn't respected, and it is not unheard of to have smaller tribes assimilated into larger ones in order to better protect the Dominant before they come of age.
Dominant: The Warden of Ice
Sanbreque is the largest theocratic force in Valisthea. The Empire's holy capital Oriflamme is built around Drake's Head, the Mothercrystal that blesses the surrounding provinces with abundant aether. The people happily take advantage of this, living in comfort and security under the watchful gaze of the Holy Emperor, whom they worship as the living incarnation of the one true deity. The Empire is a democrative one, and the Emperor is voted in and serves until their death.
Dominant: Warden of Light
Veldermarke claims Northern Ash, the eastern half of Valisthea, as its dominion. The kingdom's control of the continent has oft been tested by the orcs and other beastmen who make their home there. Their current campaign has had their gaze cast to the south with the intention of conquering the entirety of the continent. While their military has oft been one of the greatest in the land, their recent trade points to a massive raid. As to what their goal is, few have ideas, and others believe Veldermarke's current Queen, Sigrid Veldersdottr, is searching for something.
Dominant: Warden of Thunder
Where Veldermarke is scarce, the beastmen are all too eager to claim territory. Their movements as of late have been somewhat haphazard, according to those familiar with their behavior. Their displeasure at being pushed back from Veldermarke's borders have caused them to lash out more than usual.
The Dhalmekian Republic is made up of five states, from which the members of its ruling parliament are drawn. Its Mothercrystal, Drake's Fang, is half-hidden in the heart of a mountain range—the republic's control over it, and its aether, securing the obedience of the large part of southern Valisthea. The Republic's parliament is composed of six ministers and a prime minister, and they are often joined by the Dominant.
Dominant: Warden of Earth
A small group of islands off the coast of Storm, the western half of Valisthea's twin realms. Here the Crystalline Orthodox, an extreme faith that worships crystals, reigns supreme, though their churches litter all of the Twins. The Iron Kingdom is currently campaigning to gain control of Drake's Breath, the Mothercrystal that sits at the heart of one of their islands—long a source of contention with neighboring Rosaria. While Haearann has a traditional monarchy, most are aware that the Patriarch holds the real power in the kingdom.
Dominant: Warden of Wind
Application Expectations: Please note that with the exception of Leviathan and Odin, each Dominant application is also responsible for their respective realm. Many of the Dominants hold relevant roles within their realms and tend to hold high positions. For example, if you plan on applying for the Dominant of Phoenix, you will need to also create the Archduke's family, and a small blurb depicting them is expected with the character sheet. The applications for Bahamut and Odin are going to be more judged than the others, while Leviathan has more freedom so long as they end up agreeing to protect the newly formed Crystalline Dominion.
As for the reserved Dominants, if you would like to challenge that and think you can make a better sheet than them, then go for it. :)
Please keep in mind that I won't be accepting any characters under the age of eighteen. Characters should have natural hair colors (a bright red is alright but no blues or pinks, for example). Bonus points if you can nab a picture of your ruler, too.
NAME FONT THING HERE
________________________________________
NAME GENDER | AGE | HOMELAND Dominant of EIKON HERE
_______________________________________________ Quote about your Eikon, you can google the eikonomachy quote from the game if you're stumped. ________________________________________
Weapon of Choice
Setting is pretty medieval.
Misc.
can put a theme or whatever trivial info here
use a list to make it nice and neat
:)
CHARACTER QUOTE
Appearance
Can describe your character here what pictures don't show
Personality
should be obvious
Biography
include where you were born, how awakening as a Dominant affected your life, and any current personal goals. If you weren't expected to be a Dominant, explain how you found out.
People of Note Table Patriarch of the Crystalline Orthodox High Priest of the Greagorian Church Emperor of Sanbreque some rando thats gonna keep the cast together some whacky dude scared of magic
NAME GENDER | AGE | HOMELAND Scion of ELEMENT HERE
_______________________________________________ Quote about your character from an outsider's POV. ________________________________________
CHARACTER QUOTE
Appearance
Can describe your character here what pictures don't show
Personality
should be obvious
Biography
include where you were born, your status (if you're a noble), how being a Scion has affected your life, and any current personal goals. If you weren't expected to be a Scion, explain how you found out.
Weapon of Choice
Setting is pretty modern but there be monsters on the road so what do you use to defend yourself?
_______________________________________________ "Wasn't that Duke Navarro's mistress? ________________________________________
"Please don't assume my soft way of speaking means I'm demure. Silk hides steel efficiently."
Minor Holy Sigil Location
Her charge has placed it on her forehead. She was not amused by this.
Appearance
At five feet seven inches, Bianca is slightly taller than average with round facial features. She's in tip-top physical shape and ensures she stays that way, putting a lot of effort into maintaining herself at her peak. She has let her brown, wavy hair grow long in her years of service, finding it compliments her green eyes. Her clothing varies but is always easy to move around in, and it's rumored she can sprint in high heels.
Personality
So long as she keeps her mouth closed, Bianca can be mistaken for a cold if somewhat distant person. In truth she is a friendly person, always open for conversation and can talk to just about anyone. She has no issues offering her opinion on a matter, and is generally open minded, making her easy to talk to. She is a kind person at her core, always willing to guide and quick to play peacemaker. She will never let you down, even the idea of disappointing someone makes her always put in her total effort. As a result she is quick to help out those in need. Still, she puts a lot of pressure on herself even if she is told to take it easy.
Polite and usually keeping a calm head, she seems out of place among the Templars, though she transforms somewhat when a battle is to be had. She tunes out all her doubts and manages to keep her head in the game at all times. Despite her warm and gentle nature, she seems to avoid opening up to people even though she likes it when people confide in her. Her tendency to keep people at a distance is somewhat contradictory, often confusing people, and she has a lot of trouble expressing her emotions. Should she be crossed, she keeps her gentle demeanor, though becomes passive aggressive and is exceedingly firm when she needs to be. She also has a surprising cynical view on things.
Biography
The second daughter and overall fourth of a Sir Agustin, Bianca lived a typical life. Her family had served Duchess Manuela Santiago for years, her mother and sister working as maids while her brothers and father served as his knights. She followed in her father's footsteps and became a page at a young age, having the desire and talent to become a knight. She squired under Sir Benjamin until she was a knight herself and was placed in charge of the duchess' oldest son, Diego. Despite her young age, she took her job seriously, especially after a monster attack robbed the House of Santiago of Manuela and put Diego in charge as he had no sisters. He stepped into the role of duke flawlessly and together with his wife ensured the continuation of his house. After his mother's death, Diego approached Bianca and asked her to help him personally with his duties. While she felt she wasn't qualified, she did her best, often representing Diego in certain matters. At some point she felt more like a secretary rather than a knight, but convinced herself it would be temporary. As thanks, she was often invited to family dinners, sometimes with Diego alone.
After about six months, Agustin ended up developing early on-set dementia, and Diego assured Bianca that he would pay for the best care in exchange for her continued service. She agreed and was beyond grateful, but she noticed the invitations to dinner increased, and she was surprised when she would show up and Diego would dine with her alone. He often claimed his wife was ill, and despite not wanting to assume the worst, accepted it after she confirmed it with his wife that she hadn't been feeling well and got her blessing to accompany him instead. Eventually, the dinners stopped, and she was relieved. Unfortunately, it was followed by a massive scandal that exposed Diego's crime of money laundering. What was worse was that he found a way to throw Bianca under the bus by insinuating she had been trading favors in exchange for the care of her father. Why he thought to drag her down with him, she had no idea, but word spread like wildfire and she found herself having to defend her position from everyone. Eventually, the queen ordered for his assets to be seized in order to repay his debts, and Diego was stripped of his title.
Now wayward and aimless, Bianca had no idea what to do with herself. Her siblings were able to find work elsewhere to support themselves, but she was denied every time due to the scandal despite it being a lie. It left her dejected, and eventually she turned to the church to offer her services. She was welcomed, and despite knowing she did nothing wrong, asked for forgiveness. She ended up taking a wrong turn one day and bore witness to a training regimen led by Templar Irina. She was entranced by the passion and effort, admiring the Templar, and ended up submitting an application the same day. While working for the church for the rest of her life protecting a Scion wasn't her first choice, watching the Templars train had lit up a small spark in her. To her absolute shock, it went through, and she found herself being trained by the same Templar she saw that day. Granted, it was a grueling experience that seemed better from the outside in, but Irina had beat out any doubts about her desire to be a knight. After around four years of training, she became a Templar, ready to serve.
Weapon of Choice
She isn't a fan of pistols and has one at her side just in case, but her eyes light up at the chance to use a shotgun.
High Prince Lucas Estora X Male | 24 | Estora Scion of Time
_______________________________________________ "For such a reserved prince, he's certainly...promiscuous." ________________________________________
"Unless you have something to offer me, get out of my face."
Holy Sigil Location
His holy sigil appears on his forehead.
Appearance
Tall, dark, and handsome, Lucas' genetics have determined to sculpt him into a fine image. His features are sharp, his green eyes piercing and looking as if they stare right through you. He keeps his body in good shape and makes sure to dress himself in the finest of the fine. He's long since given up on taming his dark hair, albeit some argue it gives him a rugged touch. For whatever reason, his classically handsome looks draw the eyes of everyone whether he wants it to or not--but if the rumors are true, he certainly doesn't try to hide himself.
Personality
Prince Lucas is about as cold as it gets. His rudeness is somewhat legendary among the royalty, and he famously walked away in the middle of a conversation with the princess of Rosaria, claiming he had been bored of the conversation. He's blunt and unapologetic, often throwing people off guard as he is usually seen as a stoic thing. He is quick to anger and quicker to snap at someone with a sardonic remark, and even those he is interested in aren't shielded from his remarks. He also constantly violates the idea of personal space, freely touching whoever he pleases, and has a contradictory charm to him when he does express an interest in someone. He's quite forward in that regard, his directness often working in his favor, though he's quick to cut people off once he's gotten what he wanted. Many wonder what's to become of him, but others have pointed out that despite outright burning bridges, people still come to him. Some blame the loss of his cousin on his attitude, but those in the know are aware that Lucas has always been like this.
Biography
Born the second son to the twin heirs of the throne, Lucas was often left to his own devices. His childhood was uneventful in that regard and he was left to do as he pleased. His brother, Arthur, was the golden child and overachiever, so Lucas let himself indulge in his interests. As he got older, that included indulging him in whoever he pleased, as many were all too happy to throw themselves at his feet.
As they were close in age, he was often made to get along with Theodore. The two often spoke of history and scripture, though Lucas thought Theodore's desire for peace later on in life was the stupidest thing he had ever heard. Theodore nonetheless entertained his cousin and they debated often. His disappearance was a shock to everyone, and his death ended up rocking the family. Even if he was from a branch family, Theodore was still an Estoran, and there was much criticism laid down at the church. On hearing that the Templar was still employed, Lucas was in disbelief.
However, a few months later, he was plagued by dreams of a figure made of light and a creature of darkness. They kept him up for weeks until his sigil showed up on his forehead, and those dreams turned into a sudden flash during the day. It was so bad it resulted in cutting him off mid-sentence, and he ended up on the floor muttering incomprehensible words. He shut himself in the royal library for a week after that incident, pouring over old literature to make sense of his situation. He emerged and refused to speak a word of it to anyone, and packed up and went to Veradis to await his induction and Templar.
Weapon of Choice
Lucas has been trained to use a longsword and a handgun. The idea of using either doesn't really cross his mind considering his status.
Has a surprisingly good relationship with the current Scion of Light, having met at his brother's wedding to her sister. Odd since he can't stand children.
Is the royal that has participated in the most fist fights.
Asher Everett Male | 22 | Veradis Templar of Earth
_______________________________________________ "That poor kid is in for a reality check." ________________________________________
"Templar Everett reporting for duty, sir--uh, ma'am! Sorry ma'am!"
Minor Holy Sigil Location
?
Appearance
Standing tall and rigid at five feet eleven inches, Asher packs a surprisingly athletic build despite his casual deposition. He has no real preference for his attire, but any article of clothing he owns is up to standards and free of any wrinkles, tears, or loose threads. He does his best to tame his hair, but has had little success.
Personality
Upbeat, cheerful, and overall friendly, Asher is a regular ball of sunshine and optimism. He looks to see the positive side of every situation he finds himself in and does his best to make others see his point of view. He isn't afraid to crack a joke when needed and often tries to lighten the mood when he deems it necessary. He comes off as a bit of an airhead, sometimes not understanding double-meanings and takes things at face value most of the time. Despite his inexperience, he is a stickler for the rules and follows all protocols to the letter. He doesn't let his lack of experience affect his confidence and is surprisingly decisive when needed, and he is self-assured when it comes to his own abilities.
Biography
x
Weapon of Choice
He carries a handgun with him at all times, though his gun of choice is a shotgun. He is trained with the use of a longsword and carries one with him, but admits he'll defer to his gun first. He has a sniper rifle custom made, but seems to get hung up on the idea of using it.
My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days--a time of peace, when the Avatar kept balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. But all that changed when the Earth Kingdom attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop the ruthless earthbenders. But when the world needed him most, he vanished.
Eighteen years have passed, and each nation has had trouble within its borders. The Earth Kingdom has taken advantage of the turmoil and continues its conquest. Among the chaos, the spirits still residing in our world have turned to attack people, and the entire world is now unbalanced. Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn and that the cycle is broken. Others believe that the Avatar has gone into hiding due to being born in the Earth Kingdom that's hunting them down.
But I haven't lost hope. I still believe that somehow the Avatar will return to save the world. We just have to find them first.
The coup that placed King Wei as the Earth Monarch bode ill for the world at large. While many were concerned, few would speak out as the previous King Xiong was an ineffective leader who was more interested in riches than helping his people. But it was out of the pole caps and into the volcano as King Wei proved to be a threat not just to the Earth Kingdom, but to the rest of the world. It began with high taxes and an unfound arrogance against those who were not native to the Earth Kingdom, and over the years said arrogance turned to tyranny. What was once a continent of peace and harmony turned into war and strife as people were forced out of their homes. Benders who refused allegiance were arrested and vanished from the public eye, with rumors surrounded forced manual labor circling heavily.
In an attempt to subdue any that would challenge them, the Earth Kingdom cut food trades with the other nations. As a result, a famine has spread throughout the Fire Nation, and while the Air Nomads have tried to compensate, it is not enough. With the Fire Nation weakened, the Earth kingdom made their first attempt to conquer. Their only saving grace was the interference of the Water Tribes, who sent their own people forward to stop the Earth Kingdom ships from ever touching Fire Nation soil. Even so, things cannot remain this way as the citizens are starving to death, long separated from those that once resided in the Earth Kingdom. The Water Tribes struggle to communicate with one another as the Earth Kingdom has interfered with any attempts at every turn, and the Air Nomads have chosen to protest peacefully, much to the ire of the other nations.
Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could hope to defeat King Wei. With the hopes of all nations on his shoulders, Avatar Korra sought to negotiate with the King. The latter refused, and according to rumors, a fight broke out between the two before the Avatar was forced out of the palace. Before the Avatar could take proper judgment, however, she passed. After twenty years, however, a new Avatar has yet to emerge. What is known is that the Avatar was born in the Earth Kingdom, but many feared they had already fallen into the Earth Kingdom's hands. As the years passed and no new Avatar emerged, the masses began to lose hope. Three days ago, however, several beams of light emerged from the temples around the world, signaling that the new Avatar had awakened. That was when The Rebellion was formed and sprung into action. While their numbers were scarce, they gathered who they could and sent them to the Earth Kingdom. Now, it is a race between the Rebellion and the Earth Kingdom to find the Avatar. Will the Rebellion find the Avatar in time, or will the Earth Kingdom gain the upper hand?
Spanning most of a continent as well as several subsidiary islands, the Earth Kingdom is the largest and most populated sovereignty in the world and encompasses much of the eastern hemisphere. The kingdom operates as a monarchy under the rule of a single Earth Monarch. It is home to most earthbenders and the people of the Earth Kingdom are proud and strong; they once adhered to a philosophy of peaceful coexistence and cooperation with the other nations of the world before King Wei's reign changed that to a philosophy of spreading their greatness to the rest of the world. Due to their manipulation of earth, earthbenders are virtually immovable, as reflected in the personality of many Earth Kingdom citizens. In general, Earth Kingdom culture is concerned with maintaining face: a person's good reputation and standing in the eyes of others. Respect for the family and one's ancestors is also a very common aspect of Earth Kingdom culture.
Earth Kingdom architecture varies by province. Like the other nations, it is based on its elemental color, in this case, green. The majority of the buildings are made of stone, wood, and plaster; these may be used in conjunction with one another or separately, depending on the available resources. Most buildings have sloping roofs covered with dark gray or green tiles; yellow tiles denote wealth and are used by aristocrats in Ba Sing Se. The Earth Kingdom insignia is often put on important buildings and fortresses as a symbol of the government. Roads vary considerably – in the country, they are usually made of well-worn dirt, while cities have well-made flagstone streets. Much of the Earth Kingdom's population traditionally live in small villages, and tiny settlements of ten or so inhabitants dot the landscape; larger towns, such as Chin Village and Jiaoling, are found more infrequently. Despite this ruralization, a significant portion of the Earth Kingdom's citizens actually live in its largest cities such as Omashu, Taku, Gaoling, and Ba Sing Se.
Even though many parts of the Earth Kingdom have been traditionally mistrustful of outsiders, the Earth Kingdom has a long history of migration. Many live mobile lives as nomads and outlaws, while mass migration of those seeking work or fleeing poverty and unrest has been a common occurrence. In addition, the Earth Kingdom has traditionally harbored populations of Fire Nation and Water Tribe descent. Such foreign migrants usually arrived as traders, workers, and colonists; until last year, they integrated peacefully into the native society. A majority of their villages have been ransacked and conquered as the years have passed, and many benders that lived in them disappeared. Families have trouble contacting their home lands and many are fearful for the fate of their loved ones. Nowadays, there is a fierce prejudice against any benders that aren't earthbenders, and Earth Kingdom soldiers are all too happy to arrest any benders they come across, leading many to go into hiding.
The Earth Kingdom's change in its view of the world has resulted in an unbalanced world. They recognize that despite being a smaller nation, the Fire Nation's military is not to be trifled with, and thus targeted them first in their war of conquest. It started off by slowly lessening how much food was traded while raising prices, and by the time anyone noticed it was far too late. Last year, the Earth Kingdom outright stopped trade and launched their first attack, sending a fleet of soldiers via ships. Recognizing the threat, the Fire Nation called on the other nations to help. The Water Tribes were successfully able to fend off the Earth Kingdom with their superior navy, but as retaliation, the Earth Kingdom has gone out of their way to interfere with any communications between the two sister tribes.
The Fire Nation is an absolute monarchy led by the Fire Lord and home to most firebenders. Geographically, the nation is located along the planet's equator in the western hemisphere and is composed of several islands simply called the Fire Islands. The Fire Nation is the second-largest nation in terms of area, following the Earth Kingdom, while its economy is the most powerful in the world; its strong industrial sector enabled the Fire Nation to create an extremely powerful military.
The dress code and symbols of the Fire Nation are modeled after fire, naturally. Like the other nations, it is based on its elemental color, in this case, red. The majority of the structures are made of stone. They also have red pagoda-style roofs favored by the country. Fire Nation symbols are often put on important or nice buildings for decoration and inside it was common for a picture of the Fire Lord to be kept in a prominent, visible place. The Fire Nation's worldview upholds that only unity, centralism and strict order can ensure stability and prosperity. This does not include restricting freedom and creativity, as these aspects of personal expression are critical to societal development and harmony; however, children do not gain this freedom until they have been taught how to improve the Fire Nation with their actions, and the honor it brings them. These ideas are instilled from an early age.
Fire Nation society places a great emphasis on respect and honor, especially toward the nobility and elders; the concept of the famed Agni Kai stems from these beliefs. Should one be honored enough to be in the presence of a member of the Royal Family, that person needs to prostrate themselves in respect or risk being challenged to an Agni Kai to avenge the disrespected Royal's honor. Upon coming into contact with an elder or superior, it is polite to bow down. Unlike in other parts of the world, this bow consists in placing a hand in a straight fashion with the other being fisted placed underneath it vertically. This represents the superior standing with one below him, bowing. Also when receiving an order in the Fire Nation by a superior it is common to not bow, but make the hand symbol. Bowing is required upon greeting to one, when something nice has happened, after business, and leaving.
The Fire Nation's response to the Earth Kingdom's attacks have been righteous fury; they remain grateful to the Water Tribes for defending them last year and have maintained strong ties to them. However, the same cannot be said for the Air Nomads; while the latter has made a valiant effort into keeping the Fire Nation fed, they refused the Fire Nation's petition for additional soldiers. This has greatly soured the relationship between the two nations as the Air Nomads' peaceful protests have accomplished little while the people of the Fire Nation continue to suffer in light of constantly needing to defend themselves while the Earth Kingdom has cut them off from the many Fire Nation citizens who lived in the Earth Kingdom.
Air Nomads is the collective term for the monastic order of men and women who practice the discipline of airbending and the pacifistic ethics of their theocratic society. They are wanderers by definition, but have four air temples, one located at each corner of the globe, found atop mountain ranges and under cliffs, in the northern Earth Kingdom and on three remote islands, all of which are hard for outsiders to reach. Unlike the other nations, those born to the Air Nomads are, without any seen exception, all benders due to the high level of spirituality of their people. They are a peaceful race who live in large temples and travel the world on flying bison. They are the most spiritual of all the cultures and lived in harmony with nature. Their culture values both altruism and detachment from wealth and worldly affairs, and their relationship with the other nations varies. They are also fun-loving and have a strong sense of humor.
The Air Nomads have the smallest population of the four nations in the world. They have a small economy, based entirely on limited agriculture, and the smallest population of all the nations. Due to the peaceful teachings of their leaders, the nature of the people is calm and tranquil, famously known as peaceful, egalitarian people who embrace a life of simplicity and environmental preservation. They traditionally live according to montastic customs, and the Northern and Southern Air Temples act as homes for Air Monks, while the Eastern and Western Air Temples act as homes for Air Nuns. However, this gender separation is not universally enforced and it is common for many to intermingle. All airbenders grow up to become monks and nuns unless they chose to leave the Air Nomad life behind or are exiled. When monks and nuns stop at villages across the world along their journeys from temple to temple, most peasants gladly provide them hospitality in exchange for help with chores, news, and entertaining stories from other parts of the world, or a promise to relay messages to distant relatives. Air Nomads are raised communally, and often have a main guardian who they are not related to, though they are aware of their blood relatives and often have close relationships with them. Masters of airbending are one of the most visually distinct as they are tattooed with blue arrows.
The Air Nomads have taken no strong stance against the Earth Kingdom's actions, resulting in a tense relationship between them and the Fire Nation in particular. While they have provided as much food and resources as they are able, it is unfortunately not enough. As the only nation without a formal military, they cannot offer soldiers, though fighting goes against their ways; an oath of nonaggression is often declared whenever a new airbender reaches the age of adulthood, swearing to adopt to the pacifistic ways and having direct combat be used solely as a last resort. This has been ill received by both the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes; the former is in disbelief that the Air Nomads would rather protest peacefully than take action, while the Water Tribes have repeatedly urged the Air Nomads to join them. Alas, their pleas have been ignored, though rumor has it that many monks and nuns are starting to doubt their inaction.
The people of the Water Tribe are generally peaceful, and strive to live in harmony with nature and the other nations of the world. Living in the harsh conditions of the poles and the swamp has made the people of the Water Tribes resilient to hardship and respectful of the world around them. There are two primary divisions of the Water Tribe, the Northern Tribe and the Southern Tribe, though both are at least de jure governed by the Northern chief. The Water Tribe is less powerful than both the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation, due to its geographical location and the small size of its population and economy. The economy is dependent on the ocean, given the country's location and lack of arable land, apparent manufacturing capacity or minable resources.
The appearance of the Water Tribe is based on its corresponding element, water. Each of the nations has its own elemental color, which in the case of the Water Tribes is blue. The Foggy Swamp Tribe is an exception, as they tend to wear green due to their affinity with plants. The Water Tribe is divided into three distinct groups, primarily based on their geography and affinity for waterbending. The Southern Tribe occupies the South Pole, the Northern Tribe occupies the North Pole, and the Foggy Swamp Tribe occupies a swamp in the Earth Kingdom. Family is hugely important to Water Tribe culture. All members of the Tribe recognized each other as kin to an extent, and it was traditional to name a child after a family member. The Northern and Southern Tribes have a positive relation to one another and it is not uncommon for families to travel to and fro, even if the journey is a long one. Generosity is also highly valued among the people of the Water Tribe, to the extent that the generosity of their traders was considered legendary in the other nations.
When the Fire Nation pleaded for help against the Earth Kingdom, they immediately sent forth their waterbenders and ships, successfully pushing away the Earth Kingdom navy. While the two tribes wish to join the defense of the Fire Nation in a more united fashion, continued interference with their communications has resulted in sabotaged operations. That said, both need no cooperation to rise to defend their shared neighbor. They have asked the Air Nomads to act as messengers, but even these take precious time and require a willing Nomad, something that is, tragically, rare these days. The Water Tribe thus has put all their energy into keeping the Earth Kingdom at bay by sea, resulting in many waterbenders constantly fighting in war.
Fire Lord Zhun Li is the current leader of the Fire Nation. He governs alongside the Fire Sages and noble clans. A man of few words, his rule has been challenged by the Earth Kingdom’s actions. While the famine has done much damage, he has ensured that the Fire Nation endures. He has taken great offense to the Earth Kingdom attacking but is grateful for what it has revealed when it came to the relationships between the nations. Finding an unlikely ally in the Water Tribe was a pleasant surprise while the Air Nomads have disappointed him. He is said to have great respect for both Chief Dentak and Kato.
Chief Dentak is the current leader of the Water Tribe, housed currently in the Northern Water Tribe. A boastful and courageous man, he is ignorant to most politics and often leaves politics to his council. While most feel he could do with a little more diplomacy, he has made it clear that actions, not words, are what solve problems. His earnest ways have easily won over his countrymen and it is why they follow his orders without question.
The Southern Water Tribe is currently being led by Kato after communications with their sister tribe have been sabotaged. Kato is much more cautious than Dentak but is just as brave, ensuring that the Water Tribe performs their duties of keeping the Earth Kingdom from taking to the seas. He is a passive man for the most part, but still acts when necessary. He is largely motivated by his wife, Kaea, who assists him in most things. Many state it is Kaea who really runs things but leaves the bigger decisions to her husband so as not to upset their sister tribe.
The Air Nomads have the Council of Elders to lead them. Each air temple has its own council of head abbots, head monks, or head nuns as the political and religious authority. The councils of each temple are composed in accordance with the primary gender residing in each respective temple. It is Head Sister Sangye of the Western Air Temple that has been sending as much food as possible to the Fire Nation, though her pleas for additional help from the other temples were met with silence. As a result, the Council has had many conflicting opinions; some say that Sangye should not have acted without consulting the other temples while others point out that the Air Nomads don’t have much to offer in the first place.
This roleplay is firmly in AU territory. The Hundred Year War was successfully mitigated by Avatar Roku and an era of peace followed through Avatar Aang's time. His successor, Avatar Korra, passed twenty years ago, but her successor has yet to be located. In the meantime, the Earth Kingdom has been left unchecked, upsetting the balance between nations. While some things have stayed the same, others have changed. We're looking for active, driven players to make a ragtag bunch of misfits--or if you're interested in other roles, there's no harm in asking! Players have the option to play whatever bender (or non-bender!) they please. If there are any questions, feel free to ask :)
The Black Eagles' Professor. A graduate of Adrestia's top magic college, Tomai made a small name for himself refining Crest-discovery devices for the masses. His knowledge is only second to his wit, and while he would much rather be alone studying, he assures his students that he keeps an open door policy. Oddly enough, he does not seem to worship Seiros, having little interest in the Goddess and her teachings.
The Blue Lions' Professor. A Knight of Seiros who is tasked with protecting the students, the only thing he likes more than a good fight is a beautiful person at his side. He's extremely easy going and loves to socialize, always up for a quick chat or spar even with a pile of paperwork waiting on his desk. Despite his flaws, he has a good sense of justice for all and became a professor to make a difference in the world.
The Golden Deer's Professor. Formerly a renowned socialite in Faerghus society, she is a charming woman with an apparent sweet-and-spicy deposition. It has some merit; she is as sweet as she is hot headed, quick to jump to someone's aide but just as fast to start up an argument. Either way she usually insists on keeping up the nicer side of her, perky and peppy most of the time. She cherishes her students and friends and seeks to keep everyone on good terms.
The Academy's nurse. She was formerly a cleric, having an extraordinary talent in healing from a young age. She has been with the church her whole life and yearns to explore Fódlan, but says she is needed at Garreg Mach. Not much is known about her otherwise as she has a tendency to keep people at arms' length.
The new Archbishop and Ascelpius' former apprentice, Ioannis has been with the church his whole life. He was abandoned as an infant on the church's steps and taken in, and at the age of five had heard a revelation from the Goddess. Despite his young age of only twelve summers, he is dedicated to the people and will do everything he can to help those in need.
B A S I C I N F O [Name]Yulia Ourani Vega [Callsign]Lyra [Gender]Female [Age]23 [Rank and Designation]Main Class [Place of Birth]Venus B-5
C O M B A T A B I L I T Y [Anti-Barrier Sword]No. 100 Vulcan [Anti-Barrier Quotient]25% [Physical Description] Insert Physical Description Here [Attributes] Insert Auxiliary Ability Aside From Hitting Things Here If Applicable
[Anomaly]Metallokinesis [Origin]Insert Progenitor/Off-shoot Name Here [Phenomena] Yulia's Anomaly manifests through the ability to control metal around her. [Limitation] Insert Description of Limit/Cost here
Profile
[Surface-level Impression] Her typical response consists of pointing a pair of finger guns at whoever spoke to her last. Yulia comes off as a relatively pleasant person to be around. She has a spacey, airheaded vibe and tends to respond to both good and bad news in the same way. Being unflappable can lead anyone to think she's got a decent head on her shoulders, especially as there is little that gets her to take any news seriously. Of course, her nonchalant attitude can come off as rude and she maintains the bare minimum of politeness. Those who have known her for a long time know this is attributed to a sincere lack of interest in...well, anything. She's sociable enough to know how to stay polite, but beyond that, it's hard to get her to care about anything. Even her love of rollerskating gets a slightly more interested response, but even that fades quickly as she ends the conversation by skating away and playfully firing a finger gun at the last person she speaks to.
[Personal History] -need OOC for some info-
Home World
[Planet Description] Venus B-5 is an idyllic planet famed for its lush landscapes, fertile soil, and abundant freshwater resources. As a result, the plant has become a wildly popular vacation destination that offers a serene escape. The planet has diverse terrains that include rolling hills and verdant valleys, their forests dense and supportive of a wide variety of flora and fauna. Said flora results in a uniquely diverse range from towering trees to delicate flowers. The wildlife is generally friendly, with exotic bird species boasting radiant plumage being the planet's signature species. There are several guided tours to allow visitors to experience the planet's natural beauty. Of course, all this is accomplished through the planet's strict conservation and preservation laws; said laws are notorious for having exceedingly harsh penalties and have even resulted in some outright bans from traveling to the planet.
[Culture] The culture of Venus B-5 is split into two parts: there is the culture surrounding the planet's tourism and there is the planet's views on Anomalies. The former works very much in a way that any visitor is king so long as the rules are followed. The natives take great pride in the beauty of their planet and are more than willing to accommodate visitors so long as the planet is respected. The natives are said to have a harmonious relationship with nature with an emphasis on environmental stewardship. The numerous cultural events showcasing local music, dance, and cuisine also emphasize hospitality, resulting in the planet's popularity.
On the other hand, the head of the Vega family has become well-known for the art of matchmaking. While typical tourists can come to find matches for future spouses, the Vega family specializes in putting together the children of warrior families to ensure they end up with powerful Anomalies. Few don't know the Vega name as a result, and it's common for families that may find their bloodline thinning to consult the Vega family for potential matches. The current head of the family, Nova, has taken to expanding her vast network and keeps track of Constellations to keep herself in the loop.
[Warrior Family] The Vega family presiding over Venus B-5 is famed for their matchmaking. While putting together Constellations and other Anomaly users comes off as somewhat impersonal, the current head, Nova, prides herself in producing some of the more powerful results among the current Constellations. Her children are no exception, with four of her five children already wed and with children of their own while she is currently searching for a match for her youngest daughter. Some feel that her matchmaking is a thinly veiled attempt at eugenics to 'create' better Constellations, but the results are difficult to argue with.
Notable Contacts
[Name] Nova Vega
[Relation to Subject] Mother
[Analysis] The current matriarch of the Vega family is a shrewd, calculating woman. She hardly ever raises her voice and speaks in a low tone, often forcing people to lean in to listen to her speak. Once a decision is made, she sticks with it and doesn't take any challenges to said decision lightly. Her age has given her both experience and knowledge, the latter of which she uses for her network; there are very few people that Nova doesn't know and anyone worth their salt is someone she makes sure to know all she can about. She has high expectations of her family, expecting them to fall in line with her word. While she is aware of her daughter's desire to rise in ranks, she thinks it's time for her to settle down.