Near the edge of the Kingdom of Entomos lies a large ant city, "Heidek," Run by Duke Myrma. She was a crafty woman, though not without empathy, and had an excellent idea. The Spider Laws forced everyone to start eating the same food, which would surely lead to shortages if they didn't branch out. Spiders had already started demonstrating their ability to take down the large beasts that occasionally wandered into the land, what was to say others couldn't do the same? She sent out a message to the neighboring fiefs that she was looking for bugs willing to venture out and slay these monsters, be they simple ant, exotic mantis, or even a spider. Of course, such alliance is tenuous at best, and there are murmurs of something greater happening around the kingdom...
Setting
In the backyard of some random human lies the kingdom of Entomos, where 8 species of sentient arthropods coexist, trading, fighting, making magical potions, that kind of thing. Each of the 8 races has it's own fief, culture, and people that all intermingle, though the bond between some species is more tenuous than others. There is the underground ant empire, the Great Hive bee city, the Rolling City of roaches, and much more. These differing peoples will come together to slay monsters, be it for Chips (small shards of metal, the currency of Entomos), glory, kindness, or just to experience the journey of a lifetime. After a few missions though, things come apart, spiraling out of control into a civil war that could change the very fabric of Entomos!
Races
A very social species, the most numerous in Entomos. The central Formicadae ant empire is the most far reaching, it's queen having been the main orchestrator for the Spider Laws. Ants mostly live in underground cities, dotted around their capital. Each city has a duke, who commands the ants under in her fief and routinely gathers all the males for mating, though occasionally during this season A small congregation of ants will break off from the city to live nomadically as traders or mercenaries. Ants are a secular people, focusing their efforts on the expansion of their empire and development of new technologies, though there is a definite worship for their past queens. [Their names are generally Germanic]
Bees, while similar are much more organized than Ants at their core. Castes are rigidly defined in the Greater Hive, an ever expanding city with the Queen Anthophila at it's center. Highly fertile females reproduce and command under her, while occasionally creating art in their downtime are at the top. Below them less fertile or non-fertile females design, care for the young, forage, and trade. Below even them are the males, whom are used exclusively for manual labor, like farming and building, and as warriors. Some bees are not so appreciative of this dynamic and split off from the main hive to form small, more equal villages. These small communes are decidedly not under Anthophila's protection, and it's a marvel if they last more than a year. Still, due to their closeness, these drifters are often taken in by Ant fiefs.[Their names are generally Greek]
Hated by most races in Entomos due to their likelihood to become murderers and bandits, Wasps are loners by nature, a majority having no actual state to call their own. They often build their homes in villages with other bugs, acting as a mercenary or sheriff, or in places secluded, but near natural resources or trade routes. There is one fiefdom of Wasps, led by Queen Vespidae. They've had a storied history as warriors, first conquering the ants and bees, losing it all, disbanding, and finally warring against the spiders, before the Spider Laws. Now, those under Queen Vespidae make their wage as simple hunters and carpenters, though they do seem to have a natural knack for architecture.[Their names are generally Roman]
Roaches are a nomadic people, who place a big emphasis on family. To them, everyone is equal, and none of their tribes exhibit any form of leadership, instead all roaches come together to make decisions democratically. As such, most Roach tribes aren't that large, though there is the famous "Rolling City" where hundreds of roaches have banded together with movable structures and decide where to go and who to make trade agreements with through ballots. Roaches are very secluded though, and have no interest in interacting with other races except when very beneficial or necessary. Roaches do not leave their tribes often, but it is not entirely unheard of. [Their names are generally Native American]
The stoic, warrior people of Entomos, Beetles base a lot on strength. Fighting competitions in Beetle villages are common, and they make the best blacksmiths in the land. These people value unity within a family, calmness, ceremony, and prowess on the battlefield above all. Though they aren't too fond of other races in Entomos, this is mostly due to simple cultural differences and if an outsider was to blend in, they'd be accepted. Their young routinely go on warrior pilgrimages at their Warrior King Rokurou's behest. [Beetle names are generally japanese.]
Most would call Butterflies and Moths lazy. They often bask in the sun and Wasps regard them as "too lax to chew their food." Butterflies and Moths, though, say they have an appreciation for the finer things in life. They are very focused on the arts, especially dancing, and praising their God, The Light. They do so through luminescent alchemical concoctions that can predict the future, dance, and feeding wood, food, and flowers to flame. Their leader is Pope Clement, both their king and ultimate religious leader. More ambitious Moths and Butterflies masquerade as spies, disguising themselves as Wasps, Bees, Beetles and Mantises to gather information, sabotage, or even murder. Don't let the species stereotypes fool, Moths and Butterflies can be forces to reckon with... When they aren't busy writing the next great romance. [Their names are generally European]
The Mantises are a ruthless race. They have no issue killing or eating their own in dire situations, and as such their relations with other races are casually sociopathic at best. They follow laws mostly out of paranoia of the consequences, but if there's a guarantee that they'll get off scot free, they will kill. Oddly though, they're very honorbound, and don't often lie or cheat. To them, since survival is everything, they're pioneers of alchemy almost on par with the Moths/Butterflies, though their alchemy is more utilitarian, focusing on restorative effects and tools of war. [Their names are generally Chinese]
The spiders used to be the bane of all bugs. They were intelligent trap makers, generals, and often larger than the other sentient species in Entomos. But once the other races of Entomos banded together, their fate was sealed. The spiders banded together into colonies, but still weren't able to overpower every insect in Entomos. Sergeant Major Edwards was forced to surrender and in doing so, signed away the Spiders' rights to eat any sentient life in Entomos, these treaties nicknamed the Spider Laws. Now the spiders put their skills to use catching larger prey, or foraging for fungi, plants, and the small number of non sentient insects, biding their time, waiting for their chance to reclaim their spot as the kings of food chain. [Their names are generally American]
Magic & Technology
Magic is handled through Alchemy; Diluting, mixing, heating, cooling, or otherwise changing around substances. This results in concoctions that can be applied in numerous ways for various effects. Oils that electrify weapons, salves that instantly heal wounds, and potions that allow one to predict the future are all some of the most common effects. Some of the greatest alchemists have even devised potions with permanent effects, like the ability to shoot flame, but these secrets are well guarded. Technology is around Late Middle Ages, with the cannon and handcannon being common, though lances, crossbows, metal armor and the such are still being used a lot as well.
[h1][b][i][color=][center]Character Name[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1] [center][img]Character Image[/img][/center] [h1][color=][center]Character Summary[/center][/color][/h1] [b]]Name:[/b](Full Name And/Or Aliases) [b]Age:[/b](Not in years, simply Young, Maturity, Middle Aged, or Old) [b]Race:[/b]( Ants, Bees, Wasps, Roaches, Beetles, Moths, Butterflies, Mantises and Spiders are all great choices!) [b]Gender:[/b](Male, Female, or Androgynous) [b]Class/Job:[/b](A simple descriptor of your role in the party. Warrior, Alchemist, Blacksmith, etc.) [b]Appearance:[/b](If you can't find a good image, just describe how your character looks. Or, if there are any differences between the image and how you want them to actually look, note them here.) [h3][color=]Belongings[/color][h3][list] [*](Include all weapons, alchemical ingredients, pre-made concoctions, armor, Chips, all that jazz.) [/list] [h3][color=]Skills and Abilities[/color][h3][list] [*](Are you good at fighting? Dancing? Alchemy? Blacksmithing? Tell us!) [/list] [sup]Personal Quote[/sup] [h3][color=]Personality[/color][/h3] (Does your character like to read? Are they an oathbound warrior? What's their opinion on sugar water?) [h3][color=]History[/color][/h3] (If you're a Spider who loves ants, an atheist moth, or the world's nicest wasp, tell us how that happened.)
Name:Yasuo Masaaki Age:Maturity Race: Beetles (ladybug) Gender: Male Class/Job:Jack of all trades. Although officially he's ensigned as a warrior to serve the beetle king Rokurou, Masaaki hasn't let that stop him from venturing into other fields that interest him. He's picked up some decent alchemy from venturing traders, making him somewhat decent at making explosives to throw at the enemy. He is, however, almost brilliant at concocting healing potions and the like.
Belongings
One vial of enchanted moss and beech bark powder each, thyme leaf shreds in a drawstring pouch and a hawthrone leaf salve
2 ready to use flasks of healing potions.
A spike coated with fire ant venom, a shield, some explosive material and a standard issue of a knight's sword.
A handful of chips
Skills and Abilities
Making healing potions. They work wonders for flesh wounds and the sort, but are not miraculous enough to provide critical care.
Making explosives that can be thrown at the opposing party.
Wrestling
Swordplay
Poetry. Masaaki is no full-fledged poet but he does like dabbling in haikus and the like every now and then.
Talking. Masaaki's an expert conversationalist.
Relax.Things have a way of working themselves out, whether you worry about them or not.
Personality
Masaaki has a cheerful personality. He always has a grin etched on his face regardless of how he may be feeling. Masaaki's not particularly courageous, but because he knows how to shape his actions according to the battlefield, he's a competent soldier. Masaaki's rather amiable and prefers to get along with others rather than bear hatred for anyone.He's not judgemental or biased against any other races and prefers to judge individuals for their own actions rather than their stereotypes. Whenever there's a traveller around, Masaaki's the first to get to know them. He's the guy that never shuts up, which may be irritating at times for others. It does however, also mean that he's always up for a conversation, ready to both lend an open ear and offer comforting words when needed. He is however, awfully lazy and his lack of drive has resulted in him missing out on one too many opportunities. Though he's not naive, he's a bit of a softie and tends to get hurt easily. He also has an unhealthy level of aversion towards any sort of confrontation off the battlefield, preferring to laugh it off rather than face anyone who upsets him.
History
Masaaki had a lukewarm childhood with neither any tragedies nor any breathtaking experiences to account for. He was raised by a single mother, but his three elder brothers filled in the gap left by the absence of a father figure. After nurturing three sons to grow up to be responsible individuals and excellent warriors, Masaaki's mom had been rather lax in his upbringing. He had enjoyed a more lenient curfew and had much lower expectations imposed on him, both of which were a luxury his older brothers could not have afforded when their mother was alone. His brothers do taunt him every now and then to get his act together, but his mother has a soft spot for her youngest, encouraging him to develop finer tastes and "follow his feelings" rather than become yet another stoic beetle warrior.He hasn't been on his pilgrimage either, much to the disappointment of his brothers.
I'm just keeping this here since it matches the 'feel' I'm trying to go for this character
Character Summary
Name: Michel Millesoeufs Age: Young Race: Butterfly Gender: Male Class/Job: Charmer Appearance:
Despite the gaudy, obviously-male wing patterning, Michel appears androgynous and feminine in a way similar to how caterpillars, being sexually underdeveloped, are indistinguishable regarding gender. Michel is small in stature and is pudgy in a cute, prepubescent, immature way. Michel takes good care of his appearance, using light make-up. People tend to feel protective or possessive towards Michel. Michel tends to wear clothes that are commonly worn by butterfly females as part of his particular persona as a catamite.
Belongings
Pheromones/Perfumes/Fragrances
Sedatives/Tranquilizers/Non-lethal poisons
Alchemical stimulants and depressants
A bottle of alchemical fire oil
Firedancer's sash
Self-defense shears
Catamite Certificate
Skills and Abilities
Acting/Firedancing/Singing
Good memory
Charm/Persuasion
Sex!
A decent throwing arm
Math/Literature/History
Alchemy
"Did you think all butterflies were nobles? I may be cute, but I'm not exactly what you'd call 'high-born'."
Personality
Michel has learned to overcome life's disappointments with a faux-cheery disposition and a sense of jaded resignation. He usually comes off as friendly and tends to flip between a happy, clumsy innocence and a submissive seductive playfulness. He deals with life as a pragmatist, seeking rational, achievable goals and doesn't try to reach beyond his station. He seems, for the most part, content with his lot in life.
History
Michel was raised in an orphanage that fell under the patronage of one Dr. Thaddeus Tonnere, a noble, alchemist, and trafficker. Michel's life became one of regimentation: strict diet, strict study, strict training. After all, he was being raised to be a catamite, a special class of boy-entertainers/consorts that were all the rage among the social elite. As a caterpillar, there was nothing to be done about his physique and appearance, so he was given lessons in intellectual subjects, since nobles wanted their precocious boy-toys to have at least enough intelligence to impress others and to follow a conversation or be receptive if their masters engaged in deep emotional outpourings. He was also trained in alchemy; catamites who could concoct and serve up pleasure drugs to their masters were worth much more than those who could not. Besides, Dr. Tonnere was something of a spymaster, so some of their training tended towards using their arts to serve that purpose. Michel's diet not only accelerated his onset of metamorphosis, but also made it so that his adult form kept certain physically young traits. Once he emerged as an 'adult butterfly' the physical and sexual training began. Upon completion, Michel attended parties and balls, going from client to client, doing a little snooping and drugging when ordered. For the most part, he lived an opulent and pampered life.
Name:Septima-Fleur Pecta, Seventh Offspring of Matrone Fleur Under Atlas Age:Maturity Race: Moth Gender:Female Class/Job: Poet, Wrestler, Artist, Athlete.
Belongings
One gram of chalk
Seven days' worth of hand-packed Moth rations
Three milliliters of imported vespid juices
Thirty Chips, in a coinpurse
Vellum, ink, other writing supplies
Carving knife, forged in Bee territory
Official seal of the Society of Atlas
Skills and Abilities
Reigning champion of the semiannual Tournament of Roots, in wrestling, the hammer-throw, and the Four-Species Triathlon
Third place runner-up of the alternatingly semiannual Tournament of Buds, in Lepidopteran Insult-Poetry, dance, and floristry
Studied under the legendary gentlemoth-adventurer Attacus, whose controversial statements on Wasp society encouraged an underground movement of exceptionally physical Moths and Butterflies. To graduate from Attacus's tutelage, all students must be able to wrestle a fully-matured Beetle into submission and, immediately thereafter, compose a poem to Attacus's satisfaction on the effect of physique on the mind.
Through constant training and an excellent diet, Pecta has attained a level of strength unseen among Moths and extraordinarily rare among Spiders and Beetles. Pecta is capable of shattering chitin and bending steel with her bare hands, and uses her finely-trained wrestling skills to twist enemies into submission.
Being a Moth, Pecta has a certain finesse to her flying, focusing on inscrutable drops and upswings that sync with the movements of the wind, allowing her to maintain a constant speed and confuse her chasers.
"It is every Moth's prerogative to ensure their growth in all respects; we shall live only to live more!
Personality
Pecta is unusually blunt for a Moth, and doesn't even attempt to show any tact at times. Pecta is extremely eager to showcase her physical and artistic prowess, and refuses to shy away from nearly any challenge she faces. Unfortunately, this has caused her to become foolhardy and outright confrontational, leading her into danger more times than she can count.
History
The brood of Matrone Fleur, fathered by Attacus, were notorious among the clerics presiding over her great birthing and subsequent funeral for having an unusual waspishness to them. Going with a common trend at the time, Attacus gave each of his twenty offspring the same name, differentiated by a number appended with their broodmother's name. Their father numbered them using Wasp-language, and fed them on sweet nectar infused with the same juices Wasps nursed their grubs with. As the brood developed, their growth was extraordinary.
Every Pecta, from Primus-Fleur to Dodecanus-Fleur, was raised in the same way: education of the rich history of their fief and neighbors in the daytime, and brutal physical training in the night. Septima-Fleur took well to the strain of their night training, and grew to tower over most of her siblings.
When each of Attacus's offspring had passed their final test and came of age, they were given a stipend of money, an official seal bearing their father's heraldry, and firm orders to go out and do something. Primus-Fleur went off as a mercenary, Secundus-Fleur a percussionist minstrel, Tertia-Fleur a royal guard, and so on. Septima-Fleur, unsure of her true calling, simply wandered off, returning every year only to compete in the Moths' many tourneys for glory, money, and smug satisfaction.
Name: Zak Edwards aka: Nephila, Golden One, Banana Boy, Golden Prince, Son of The Red Silk Age: Young Race: Spiders Gender: Male Class/Job: Assassin Appearance: Zak is a smaller spider due to his age. He just recently molted into his youth and gained his colors. His skin is a pale white and his hair is a grey, six of his golden eyes sit on his face while the other two are on the crown of his head. His abdomen and his legs are covered in hairs and are the blackest black, covered in golden spots all over that glow in the moonlight. Even his hairs could be gold-ish in some lights.
"Its never to late to change, we just need to be given the chance to show that we are all not that bad."
Personality
Unlike most of his kind Zak is a nice guy. Even though he was trained to take the lives of others, by cold blooded killers, he himself sees value in life. Zak is considered too kind by most, when they meet him they immediately think that he is either plotting something or attempting to kill them. But let it be known, his smiles are genuine and if he offers you a hand its most likely to help (unless your his enemy). Zak, even though he is good mannered, he is not a fool or one to be taken advantage of, he can be your best friend or you worst nightmare and all with a smile.
History
Zak was born into a clan that was supposed to have been disbanded after the Spider Laws came into affect. This clan was known as the "Silk Weavers", know for producing great assassins, spy's and for gathering information. The Silk Weavers, during the Spider Wars, was headed by none other than Sergeant Major Edwards. The clan itself "disbanded" and became one of the foremost luxury silk producers in Entomos. The specialize in making silken produces of the highest quality and color.
What many don't is that the clan simply took up this facade in order to continue training their young for the future and they fights that may come. Zak was one of many in his brood, his mother was a assassin known as the Scarlet Seamstress (due to the color of her silk she left behind), and she took to the hidden tradition of training her young in not only alchemy but in the techniques of the clan. She was one of the daughters of Sergeant Major Edwards and was trained by him.
Zak was especially rare due to the golden color of his silk so his mom took good care of his training and growth. But he was not like his people or his brothers and sisters, he did not hate any of the other species and was always kind soul, it saddened his mother that a child with skill and talent like his does not have the desire to use such skills. So after he finished his training his mother sent him away to learn of the brutality his people face and not to come back until he has learned it.
Zak now travel Entomos in search of the "brutality" his mother spoke of, taking a job here and there to end the life of some villain, nothing too big just enough to help him get by.
Name: Mrs. Li Age: Middle Aged Race: Chinese Mantis Gender: Female Class/Job: Widow
Belongings
The full estates and manor of her late husband, Mr. Li Chen, and all associated enterprises
Li Chen's journal of alchemical formulae, kept on her person at all times
A sample kit of her late husband's more popular wares
Skills and Abilities
Mrs. Li is a capable housewife and highborn lady in all respects, from entertaining company to cleaning up when said entertaining goes horribly, inevitably wrong.
Mrs. Li is possessed of all the abilities common to her kind- flight, camouflage, razor-sharp sickle arms, the ability to rotate her head 180 degrees, etc.
Though considered a clumsy and an untalented fighter for her kind, the aftereffects of her husband's alchemical experimentation has gifted Mrs. Li with prodigious- some would even say freakish- size, strength, and appetite. She has also developed a tendency to spit corrosive acid when under duress, a fact which she finds extremely embarrassing.
Mrs. Li is possessed of some minimal knowledge of alchemy due to her upbringing, though she still can't make heads or tails of her husband's more complex formulae. Li Ju's real talent lies with her deceptively sharp business acumen and experience in dealing with the noble houses.
Mrs. Li knows her manor and the surrounding lands like the back of her claw, along with all it's myriad secret rooms and passages.
"It gets so lonely at night, up here in the manor..."
Personality
Mrs. Ju was often noted for being a perfect match with her late husband up until his death: Remarkably well-mannered, exceedingly helpful, and monstrously absentminded. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Li attempts to ward off loneliness with company, inviting all manner and class of arthropod into her manor for lunch. Unusually for a mantis, Li Ju prefers not to dirty her hands, considering violence boorish and unbecoming of a lady.
History
Li Ju (Originally Tang Ju) hails from the noble house of Tenodera. The 14th daughter of her brood, she likely would have languished her whole life as a minor court official had she not been the nymph-hood sweetheart (and occasional test subject) of the renowned alchemist Li Chen. Chosen as the famously-chaste apothecary's mate only a week or so into full adulthood, what followed was a whirlwind romance filled with passion, excitement, and highly unethical mantid experimentation.
All dreams, however, must come to an end, and so too did Mrs. Li's husband. He was found messily decapitated in his study one summer night, the remains of his head having vanished without a trace. The door, though locked, showed no signs of forced entry, and the only other person with a key had been Mrs. Li herself- who confirmed that none could have possibly entered her husband's study without her knowledge, due to the layout of the manor. In absence of any clue to the murderer's identity, it was deemed a freak accident; the case remains unsolved to this day.
Mrs. Li was, of course, inconsolable over the entire matter. To cope with her grief, she threw herself into work, seizing full control over her husband's estates to protect them from the notoriously-ruthless noble houses. In doing so, the late Mr. Li's business enterprises have seen a remarkable rise in profits. Surprising, to be sure, considering the poor woman's reputation for absentmindedness.
Name: Alcyone Anthophila, going by Athena Eleutheria Age: young Race: Bee Gender:Female Class/Job:Swashbuckler Appearance: left: Athena, right: Alcyone. She is noticeably larger than the average bee as a result of her royal upbringing.
Buckler, a small shield strapped to an arm, used for parrying.
A Sling, a simple weapon used to hurl stones at high speeds
Javelin/Spear
Dagger
leather armor
a small backpack and various sheaths/holsters for her weapons.
a map of the area
a spyglass
a diary
some jars of honey
100 Chips, spread out around her pockets and backpack person
Skills and Abilities
Training in a large number of weapons, though little practical experience with combat other than sparing
Quad wielding
Military tactics
Diplomacy
A well rounded general education
Nimble flyer
”I could not stay, for there are so many worlds left to see”
Personality
A highly determined young woman struck with wanderlust, Athena is an inquisitive explorer who is somewhat directionless at the moment. Well educated but lacking in practical experience she might come of to the more rugged and experienced individuals, though her training in diplomacy and politics means she manages to not be easily fooled as her sheltered upbringing might suggest.
She is an avid reader and takes a lot of enjoyment from skillful combat. Despite her training she has never killed someone before and finds the prospect of doing so disquieting, if fighting a person she aims to disarm or wound rather than murder them.
History
One of the princesses born to Queen Anthophila of the main hive, she was born along with her many sisters on midsummer's day. Alcyone spent her childhood living the charmed life of luxury in the royal palace and in travel to other hives attached to the royal court. She spent much of her spare time reading tales of dashing rogues and daring knights as well as about the other peoples and places found beyond the hives.
She received extensive training in oratory, history, diplomacy, leadership, military tactics the arts and the sciences as well as limited self defence training. All in preparation for her becoming one of her mother's many lieutenants. She did not seem to take well to education, often noted by her tutors to be caught daydreaming or gazing out of the windows at the land below the great hive.
As the time for her to take on her duties of leadership and motherhood grew close she began to chafe against her gilded cage. This was not unexpected, however unlike others who locked themselves in their rooms to brood or compose melodramatic paintings and poetry she threw herself into martial training, skipping other classes to take unofficial training in swordsmanship and other military arts with the royal guard.
The night before she and her sisters were supposed to choose husbands arrived she slipped out of a side door of the palace, left open by a sympathetic(and well bribed) guard, into the dark streets of the hive in disguise. Taking the name Athena Eleutheria, she intends to see the world and become a hero like the ones she has read about.
Does anyone feel up for being Michel's client/business partner? It would probably be something along the lines of Michel using his skills to pay for safe passage/escort/transportation to Heidek. Not limited to sex and companionship, Michel is educated and can teach reading and writing to the illiterate, or use his alchemical skill to a limited capacity.
I also want to point out that Michel is more courtesan than prostitute. Catamites are afforded a certain degree of social standing, as well as some diplomatic immunity. Traveling with a catamite is viewed as an honor and a convenience. (With GM's permission, of course). They usually don't carry much money, tending to pay with services, and travel with their certificate which grants them entry into most places.
There's the, ah, obvious, as well as more mundane duties. Acting as a negotiator, helping keep track of plans and winnings, training, carrying supplies, assisting in administering justice, and some diplomacy in both "gunboat" and "legitimate" flavors.
There's the, ah, obvious, as well as more mundane duties. Acting as a negotiator, helping keep track of plans and winnings, training, carrying supplies, assisting in administering justice, and some diplomacy in both "gunboat" and "legitimate" flavors.
Awesome. I guess I just wasn't sure if Michel was Pecta's 'type'.
Super sorry folks! I got really sick on saturday and wasn't able to make any posts until now. I'll get started on the first IC post right away. Also, since two people didn't join, @Azazaa@Jerkchicken you guys can make characters now.
