Worlds Apart [Interest Check]

[Redward]

Convening

Their meeting ground was the Crystalline Garden. All around the gathered foes, shifting uneasily and eyeing one another with palpable tension, stood the Semblance Caretakers. In contrast to the Enlightened's glowing wings, halos and metal curves, and the Unfettered's lavish adornments, red eyes and shadowy aura, the Caretakers seemed both humble and ominous in their brown robes and featureless pearl masks. Surris, Avatar of the Veiled Council and prime servitor of the Enlightened One, stood proud; her gently pulsating purple wings folded behind her, their light muted by a darkened mood. Opposite her stood Vagorrez, King of Obsidian Fangs, his tattered crimson cloak gently rustling with the breeze; his hand was on the vicious sword at his hip, his barbed tail clicking against the ground behind him.

Surris crossed her arms, her exposed joints sliding without sound to allow the motion, looking over the Unfettered gathered before her. "The Veiled Council says this is your doing, King Vagorrez," the King of Obsidian Fangs let his lips part, revealing his jagged namesake, but did not interrupt, "and they demand the return of the Semblance." Her hips shifted with the same fluid, mechanical grace and her wings dimmed slightly; becoming nearly transparent. "But I do not believe that such is the case. Something far larger is afoot," The Avatar turned her head to observe the Caretakers, the purple light within the recesses of her feminine visage focusing on them for a brief moment. They had said nothing since the arrival of both parties. It was not uncommon for the Caretakers to remain silent, but something about their numbers, their focus, was curious.

"Strange day," the Fanged King rumbled, "when Surris of the Searing Light thinks that someone other than an Unfettered is at fault." The behemoth allowed himself a thunderous chuckle, his scaled shoulders rolling and bits of armor scraping together at his chest. "Strange, indeed, but fortunate. The Unfettered Lords have come to the same conclusion." A clawed digit pointed to the curvaceous Saint-Knight. "And we believe that the traitor is known to us both. It has been some time since the Nomad Serpent graced our realm...but this atrocity speaks much to its promise from long ago."

"'This world is mine, and I will do with it as I see fit', the Serpent said," this voice was gentle and distorted by the small echo signature of a Caretaker. The speaker moved forward from the small throng, bowing to the Saint-Knight and Fanged King in turn, its brown robe rustling against the ground. "I recall well when it roamed our world. The catastrophes that followed in its wake. As, I am sure, do you all. I am Semblance Caretaker Nirvu, and it is I who sent summons to the both of you." The gathered forces remained silent, as was customary when a Caretaker addressed someone. "It seems that its banishment has ended...and that its revenge is at hand." Caretaker Nirvu turned its self toward the golden path that spread deep into the Crystalline Garden.

"Allow me to show you the Semblances that have been taken."

So, that's the flavor intro for Worlds Apart; an RP that I intend to focus heavily on character-driven storytelling and the exploration of not only your character as a Player, but the worlds that you will inevitably effect. As you can tell, Masks are a large theme in this particular setting. Though, I should clarify that the 'setting' is possessed of a stark duality. We, as Players, will begin in the Real World; on the precipice of fall, year 2043, in a city called Lightbridge.

However, that is not where we will stay. We will return, of course, from the realm of Enlightened and Unfettered; but we will never be the same. Our characters will each be gifted a Mask...or a Semblance, by a strange source. This, of course, will all be discussed if there is sufficient interest.

For now the basics are as follows:

We will be playing Human characters, initially. Once the world opens up, I'll allow Enlightened or Unfettered characters.

Semblances/Masks are composed of the essence of a fallen entity from another world.

Wearing a Semblance allows the absorption of that essence.

Players will be moving between Lightbridge and the other world.

Once Players return, the first time, the Semblance becomes a part of them; altering their appearance in the other world, granting them abilities (over time) in their own world.

The Semblance, once absorbed, will begin having an effect on your character's personality.

This idea is heavily inspired by Persona, Disgaea and a few other things. I intend to get real heavy on the story, but I still want the focus to be mostly on the characters and their experiences with the things that will transpire. I'm looking for three or four people who are serious and committed to posting. I know this is in Casual, since it has been a while since I've written anything; but I expect three to four solid paragraphs from those interested.

I'm willing to answer questions and the like. Either through this thread or via PM.

Thanks for reading!

The OOC Thread is up!

Also, here is the Discord Server!

[jdh97]

I haven't played the inspirations, but I am interested. I do have a question though, what is this significance of this "Wearing a Semblance allows the absorption of that essence." ?

[Redward]

I haven't played the inspirations, but I am interested. I do have a question though, what is this significance of this "Wearing a Semblance allows the absorption of that essence." ?

@jdh97

Thank you very much for your interest!

To answer your question;

The Semblance is the essence of a fallen entity, be they Enlightened or Unfettered, gathered by the Semblance Caretakers and forged into a Semblance/Mask. It's the literal crystallization of a Fallen (I may start using that term for those who become a Semblance) into a tangible form. The Semblances are interred in the Crystalline Garden to protect them from being used in just such a way. Any entity that is not an Enlightened or Unfettered that chooses to wear a Semblance forms a bond with the essence it is composed of. The 'host', once this bond is formed, begins leeching away at the Semblance and drawing it into themselves; whether they intend to or not.

The significance of this is that it imbues the 'host' with the abilities that the Fallen once possessed. Normally, those abilities would only be usable in the 'other world' (Irriss, for those curious); in this case, though, the absorption of the Semblance will have a profound influence on the Player's Character. Which will begin with their arrival in Irriss.

While wearing the Mask in Irriss, the Character will be given a different appearance; one that is a mesh of the Fallen's and their own psyche. This will last until they return to Lightbridge, where the Semblance will be completely absorbed; essentially merging with the Character's soul. This is where the Character's changes will begin.

I'll be leaving the design of the Semblance and the Fallen it was forged from to the Player. So, how the effects will come about will be up to the Player.

I hope that was an adequate response. If more information is needed, I will provide it!

[2plus2isnot5]

This seems pretty cool - I'm fairly new to rp though, if that's okay?

[Redward]

This seems pretty cool - I'm fairly new to rp though, if that's okay?

@2plus2isnot5

Certainly! Thank you for your interest!

If you need any assistance, or have questions pertaining to RPing; please don't hesitate to contact me. I wouldn't at all mind working with you, if you think you need it.

[Scarescrow]

Haven't play those game yet so I think I'm going blind, but I have some questions. What is the difference between the Enlightened and Unfettered? And do you already create essences for us or do we create our own?

[Redward]

Haven't play those game yet so I think I'm going blind, but I have some questions. What is the difference between the Enlightened and Unfettered? And do you already create essences for us or do we create our own?

@Scarescrow

It's not necessary to have played the inspirations, I merely cited them so people might have a better understanding of the tone and style I'm altering to suit this idea.

The Enlightened essentially represent 'Order', being similar to the idea of 'Angels'; albeit somewhat mechanical in this setting. The Unfettered are the forces of 'Chaos', akin to 'Monsters' or 'Devils'; they are more organic and varied in their apperance.

I will be leaving the design and abilities of the Semblance given to the Player Character to the Player.

Thank you for your interest! I apologize for the short response, I am on my phone at the moment. The Enlightened and Unfettered will be explored more in-character. If more information is needed (so long as it does not reach into 'spoiler territory'), I will do my best to provide it!

[Fourze]

This seems pretty interesting

[Redward]

This seems pretty interesting

@Fourze

Thank you! I hope that means that you're interested in joining up! If so, that means that we only need to gather two or so more people to get things (at least on the OOC and IC side of things) rolling!

[Letter Bee]

I am interested.

[Scarescrow]

I'm interest

[MechonRaptor]

I love Persona, and the questions I thought about have seemed to be answered so far. And so, you have my definite interest at the moment!

[Redward]

@Letter Bee

Thank you for your interest!

@Scarescrow

And thank you, as well!

@MechonRaptor

Sorry for having to edit you in, since the Mention might not go through; but thank you for your interest as well! I, too, have a deep love for Persona (and SMT as a whole), so I hope you'll find yourself liking the setting and themes!

Given the amount of people that have expressed interest, thusfar, and my experiences with disappearances of such interest in the past; instead of calling it 'good', here, and starting on the OOC I am going to give it the rest of the night to see who else decides to give this little idea a shot!

That's not to say that I won't begin working on the OOC (which will have another Flavor Intro, this time focused on Lightbridge) and some pertinent information for the Players.

[Letter Bee]

@Redward, Do you have a Discord?

[Redward]

@Letter Bee

I do! Feel free to add me. Redward#1719

I will probably set up a server for the RP when the OOC is up.

[Letter Bee]

@Letter Bee

I do! Feel free to add me. Redward#1719

I will probably set up a server for the RP when the OOC is up.

@Redward

Friended.

[TaroAndSelia]

I will set down my interest here. I work to be on daily (except Sunday and probably the weekend of August 18-20). I'll probably bring together a sheet for a girl with an Unfettered Semblance.

Great job with the teaser, by the way; your descriptions are riveting.

[Redward]

@TaroAndSelia

Thanks for your interest! And for the compliment; I really appreciate it.

I'm curious to see what you come up with!

[Etranger]

I'm sold. I do have one question; where in the world is Lightbridge meant to be?

[Redward]

@Etranger

Thanks for your interest!

As far as Lightbridge goes, I figured I would just set it on a man-made island, a ways west of the Hawaiian Islands. Of course, that's just off the top of my head. It's meant to be something of a melting-pot, so I figure that kind of location would work.

Also, this seems like a fair amount of people. I'm still a bit weary of disappearances, so I'll leave 'recruitment' open until sometime tomorrow.

Edit: Decided to make a Discord Server for Worlds Apart.

I'll also be putting the link in the intro post.