[OOC] Knights & Nightmares: A Classic Dark Fantasy Adventure

[Dolerman]

The Intro & What To Expect

The meat and potatoes to any good RP is dedicated players, interesting characters and an active plot. this shouldn't be hard to achieve at all. So I propose to keep things nice and simple (at least to start with).

First, clear choices in a 'Choose your own adventure' style will be given at the end of most of the narrator's posts. You will still have a free agency within the posts to act and say whatever you wish, but to keep the story focused I will employ this technique.

Second, there wont be any long waiting period to start or prologues to pour over. You will have a world, and a starting location and you will figure out the world and the plot from the IC as you play it. Choices and survival will be difficult and combat will challenge you as a character and a player.

Third, we only need two players to get started, the rest will join the party 'fellowship style' as the story advances. The writing level will be low-advanced. Let's have some fun!

(Click the image for theme music)

The Fantasy World of Terraixa

A traditional sword, sorcery and savior setting where I base all my high fantasy stories and characters.

The 4 Provinces Of Terraxia

Alvion

Welcome to the lands of Alvion, the 1st of the main provinces, you can find this area of land in the north east part of the world. The Alvion Kingdom is a living example of a fairy tale royal city. The Country has mainly forrests and plains and the neighboring towns monstly deal in horses and tools. The very mixed community are moderately intergrated with each other. Although elves prefer to live in forest towns and the majority of dwarves live underground. Halflings seem to live quite closely with humans, and even the demon folk are generally left to their own business.
Population: 50% Humans 20% Elves 10% Dwarves 10% Halflings 5% Demonfolk, 5% Other

Roh

To the south of Alvion the landmass is connected to a harsh desert area known as the domain of Roh, the sun has scorched most of the land into endless miles of desert and savannah the Royal City of Roh is run by the beautiful council, a group of 6 beautiful women said to be over 1000 years old but never age. The Country has very few natural resources so makes most of its income through trading exotic spices, cusines,tourism and assasins. Human's make up the vast majority of the land and there are some tensions between those and the Demonfolk who are known to be murderers and thieves, the other small pockets of races keep to themselves and dont have established communities.
Population: 70% Humans, 5% Dwarves, 20% Demonfolk, 3% Elves, 2% Other

Ispar

Across The Grand Ocean Past the Bishop and Knight Isles in the North East is the ice capped region of Ispar. This nation takes pride in it's highly developed democracy, technology and education, the people of this nation are also very studious and well versed in magic, which contrast to the large burly Dwarves and Human lumberjacks who harvest the Frostwood, some of the finest timber to survive in such a cold country. The reigon is home to many mountains, ice caves, and frozen rivers, the main city of Ispar is controlled by the Greater Ispar Government. The diverse racial makeup of land is very well integrated and all beings live together in the advanced cities.
Population 30% Dwarves, 30% Human, 35% Elves, 5% Other

Naveroth

Population: Humans 75%, Elves 15%, Demonfolk 9%, 1% other
Finally in the south west of the world you will find the Gothic Empire of Naveroth, a very ancient and secluded nation made up of swamps, and very urban towns with stone pavements. The Naveroth main city, is home to the Empress and very little is known about her beyond her solitude, independence and authority over her people. The few large business chains in the land specialise in weapons and the notorious bio-pit is home to some of the most dangerous creatures who are thought to be bred and mutated by Naveroth's highly developed but unethical science community. The City's are almost all Human and the Elves have been driven out to live in small towns in the middle of the swamps. Segregation and Racism is a huge issue here.

Costa (other)

The Costa Islands are dotted around the south cost of Roh, where the weather is more tropical than desert-like, although technically owned by the Roh council the Costa is generally seen as 'free islands' where most of the tourists come to relax and Inns and markets flourish at this beautiful resort land. There is no real ruler but the very rich Halfling produce merchants have a lot of control of what goes on and generally keep order.
Population: Always changing but the main inhabitants are currently humans and halflings.

Bishop and Knight Isles(other)

Population: No offical demographics, but home to many demonfolk.
These very small islands in the centre of the map fall under two different controllers, the Knight Islands Port towns are run by pirates and organised criminals from around the world, and the Bishop Isles are run by insane cults and mystics. The Islands are generally considered dangerous places to be and the 4 kingdoms have largely turned a blind eye to the dealings of the two communities mainly because they are contained in centre of the world map where they are surrouned and generally inactive globally. The Pirates sell stolen goods and train deadly mercenaries while, the mystics of bishop will sometimes part with their ancient artifacts for the right price. Tensions are obviously very high and the communities are unstable at best.

Races & Places

Races & Variants

Humans:
The sons and daughters of the ancient 'gatherers' have established themselves in this world as a fascinating and diverse people. Over the last 500 years or so, they have become the most populous race on terraxia by a small margin. They also have more religions than any other race, which has lead to isolation and tribalism in some cases. Known as the most effective politicians.

Elves:
Also known as 'Province Elves' to describe the basic and non variant versions of elves. These usually are seen in cities living alongside humans and city dwarves in relative peace. Because of lack of exposure to magic and natural energies, they have a shorter lifespan than wood elves and dark elves but are somewhat hardier too. Agile and quick witted, they make excellent hunters. Thier variants are Dark Elves and Wood Elves.

Dwarves:
Known as 'City Dwarves' to describe the folk who live among other races in large cities. They are few in number but have very established cultures and traditions. Also living shorter lives than their other variants, but enjoy a less rigid lifestyle and are amazing merchants and builders. Their Variants are Chaos Dwarves and Mountain Dwarves.

Demonfolk:
are essentially low powered demons who roam the mortal world, their demon blood is heavily diluted with human and dark elven blood but they have demonic markers such as dark blue/grey skin and red/yellow eyes. Sometimes tails or horns too. They are said to all be the descendent of one demon family who escaped from the underworld , others claim they are just mutant dark elves whose radical appearance can be explained with inbreeding.

Places Of Interest

(WIP)

Character Sheet

Name: (Full Please)
Age: 15-70
Height:
Weight:
Class: (knight, wizard, thief. assasin, beserker, etc)
Race:(Dwarf, Human, Elf, Halfling,)
Weapons & Equipment: (details but fairly brief)
Skills and Abilities: (expertise, techniques, and magic go here)
Bio: (must be AT LEAST on paragraph long, please use the small amount of lore that I have provided in the lands and intro to help shape your background and backstory)

Combat

Combat follows the Arena-style method of engagement. You declare attacks but you cannot auto hit. You can attempt to dodge/block/defend but the circumstances of the attempt must be reasonable or your action will be overruled by the GMs (If you get shot at by a hail of arrows, don't attempt to Neo-dodge the projectiles or you will just get torn up).

However where this differs from Arena is that all of your encounters will be PvE (unless you and your team want to have a scuffle). So while you cant auto hit us (the GMs) we can Auto-hit you if we feel necessary. We also calculate how much damage you suffer and and how much inflict. Instances where you can auto-hit the enemy is against 'horde' type enemies like mindless zombies ,low level bandits/gangsters or stationary defense towers if they are part of a siege.

Please note YOU CAN DIE in this game, this is part survival and although GMs wont kill you for something minor 'like oops you stepped into a pit'. We will announce deaths if we feel you fail a combat encounter bad enough to warrant death being necessary. If you die your character will not come back, but you as the player will be given a grace period we you can 're-join' the waiting line with another reserve character later in the story. So write well, think logically and you will most likely live to see another page of IC posts.

[ShwiggityShwah]

Pox

Name: Pox, Surgeon Prince of the Apothecaries



"Wait, don't let the mask fool you! I'm actually really nice! Really! I can prove it!

Age: 20

Height: 5'10

Weight: 212 lbs
167 lbs Without Gear

Class: Wizard (See below)

Race: Human

Weapons & Equipment:
Apothecary Encounter Suit - This is the uniform of a true Apothecary of the Guild. These enchanted leathers riddled with attachments, hinges, and tubes allow for its wearing to work in any fundamentally toxic environment, rending them immune to the effects of gas, spores, and other foulness. Additionally, the suit actually pierces the wearers skin with tubes that circulate the blood through various enchantments and filters, which flushes the system constantly, rending the wearer immune to hostile poisons and diseases. Indeed certain entrance ports allow the wearer to freely inject other drugs for enhancement and healing, but other methods simply fail. Most amazingly is that the suit repairs itself after damage, though this is mostly for the convenience and safety of their wards. The bird mask is part of the suit and can be opened slightly for eating purposes.
The Apothecary's Martial Arms - Apothecaries are expected to get into dangerous situations, and sometimes the best way to keep their clients from harm is to remove it. Darts (12), Simple fire (2), smoke (5), or choking (2) Grenades, and Knives (4) are their main defenses. Light, fast, and capable of being poisoned if need be (Currently has about 12 doses of a paralytic venom). Pox himself keeps a crossbow (15 Bolts) as well, for long distance problems.
Field Surgeon Pack - Sutures, Bandages, Scalpels, Salves, Disinfectants, and Leeches. Everything the bleeding body needs!
Alchemists Kit - For all your chemistry and potion making needs.
Camping Gear - Lanterns, rope, tent, and a bed sack. Its a real wonder how he's able to move around.

Skills and Abilities:
Pox's expertise is specifically in the realms of the medical arts. Healing Magic, Enhancement Drugs, Curing Potions, Medical Devices and Techniques, all are taught, practiced, refined, and utilized. Indeed, the Apothecary Guilds believes itself the pinnacle of modern doctoring. Having a brilliant natural and progressive mind himself, Pox is essentially a poster boy to this ideal.

Pox's magic is centered almost exclusively into the purview of Life, Enchantment, Entropy, and Death as the spells that deal with biology and chemistry touch on these magical disciplines. He can heal at a distance, curing light wounds and drawing poison from a victims pores, but actually potions and medical techniques are necessary for more mortal injuries, with magic coming to help the wound heal quicker once the victim is stabilized. Indeed, he is more likely to use alchemy and his mind for problem solving than any simple trick. Indeed he is actually quite brilliant when it simply pertains to factual knowledge. He has always been curious, and always eager to see how things work which has served him well in the past.

He also knows a useful arcana spell of telekinesis. Without a nurse to aid him, he sometimes needs to do several small things at once. There are no excuses for being too slow and not having help when lives are on the line.

Despite all this, Pox is no warrior. He received training to be a combat medic, but in terms of raw skill he'd rather not hurt anyone if he didn't have to. His tactics would be setting off a smoke bomb and legging it to a more advantageous position, maybe cursing an aggressor with coughing fits in the process. Pox knows of particularly damaging curses and afflictions he can wrought on an enemy's body, but again, last resorts and sticks to strictly non-lethal options. A sleeping, vomiting, or paralyzed enemy is a defeated enemy.

Additionally as actual, formal training, Pox is expected to lead the Apothecaries one day when he comes of age, and part of his job functions are to act as mediators to nobility. Pox is expected to uphold any culture mannerisms and social protocols. Despite his monstrous attire, he can kneel and flatter, and rub elbows with the upper echelons of society. In fact, Pox enjoys this facet of his life the most, as he's a regular social butterfly.

Bio:
The academies of Ispar in the icy North have a very rich variety of backgrounds and histories. Many of whom take pride in such things that their legends are known throughout. This is not always the case. The Apothecaries, the Vultures, as they are known stand for all the world to see, not on a great history, but on a great contradiction. They are terrifying images of plague and death, with rumors abound of what they hide behind their bird like masks and what goes on in their charnal houses, but they always come bearing the greatest of gifts. A life saved, and pain spared. For this reason, they are accepted, even sought after, but always kept at arms length, and the Apothecary like it no other way.

Apothecaries exist as researchers, provisioners of magical substances, undertakers, and most importantly, hired doctors for the wealthy, and quarantiners for outbreaks of plague and disease. Their skills are second to none and many a noble felt the assassins touch but walked the next day, with nary a worry save the Apothecary's growing bill. They are open, but secretive, dodging questions and neither accepting nor rejecting any accusation against them. The imagination can be a powerful deterrent. They have grown in such power that they have their own code and structure of social order. This is where Pox comes in.

Born within the Guild, he was trained from a young age to become an Apothecary, and due to his particular talent and eagerness to please his parents, was chosen to become heir to the Guild, a position always reserved for the most capable of their number. The Guild could not ask for a better student. He would never ask more than once for anything he didn't want to do, and he would never make the same mistake twice, under the consequence of traumatizing pain. Such was the effectiveness under the tutelage of the Guilds Master Chirurgeon Typhon. For the Guild, there was no such thing as special treatment, even for nobles; only special training.

Through grit, intellect, and various chemical enhancements (and dependencies) he managed to live up to the lofty expectations of his family and guild, with the forgivable side effect of OCD, Neurosis, and potentially self harming phobias when when it came to the details and success. The ends always justified the means afterall, and the Apothecaries always did have a results first mentality. And with that, his final test had just begun, a decade long quest as a fully fledged Apothecary out in the field. He was expected to gain clients, acquire fame, favors and fortune, uncover arcane secrets, and come home to take his mantle as leader of the Guild with years of experience under his belt.

However while he is only two years into his task, the Apothecaries would be remiss to find out just how unlike them Pox really is. Out from under their cruel thumb, Pox had learned just how effective a caring bit of bedside compassion could work more wonders than any draught or pancea. Pox learned to love people. Helping them, healing them, always willing to surround himself with those that may look upon him with fear and always trying to show them that there is nothing to fear. Still, he is an Apothecary, and thus still has a task to do and secrets to keep, thus as eccentric and opens he seems, Pox will avoid things about himself or his Guild, dodging the question or coming up with an explanation that seems a little too practiced to be taken at face value. There is no way he could abandon his own family... could he? The more he speaks, he teaches, he discovers, he becomes painfully more aware of just how isolated he is from the rest of the world, a world he can only see through lenses, and touch through thick leathers. His own kind only wants expectations from him, and the rest of the world wants him far far away. What is the poor prince to do?

Keep smiling. Everything will be okay if he just keeps working at it... Just keep smiling.

[Dolerman]

@ShwiggityShwah this is great, post him in the characters tab he's approved, we can start the story right away.

[Dolerman]

Also keep an eye on the 'Races & Places' hider in the 1st post, I will be updating it to include new info that gets revealed in the story.

@Nieszka@Assallya

[ShwiggityShwah]

I gave some of the NPCs names, my character is quite polite and tries to use peoples names so sorry if that kinda mucks things up.

[Assallya]

I'll be reprising my namesake. Unfortunately, my friends just called up and asked me to see Ready Player One... But he had a pokebattle to get to so we have to leave now now now.

[Dolerman]

I'll be reprising my namesake. Unfortunately, my friends just called up and asked me to see Ready Player One... But he had a pokebattle to get to so we have to leave now now now.

@Assallya

Damn that sounds like a cool life. I miss my teenage years :(

[Assallya]

*lol *

We're over forty. Pokemon hunting is much easier with a car... Which is why I don't bother playing.

What I miss is tabletop role playing during summer vacation. You needed multiple players to take on the role of GM if you want to play eight hours a day.

[Dolerman]

@Assallya Still an awesome life, games and movies keep you young.

What sort of character will you be going for?

[Dolerman]

@ShwiggityShwah I also added combat rules to the first post, give them a read over before you make your next decision.

[ShwiggityShwah]

@ShwiggityShwah I also added combat rules to the first post, give them a read over before you make your next decision.

@Dynamo Frokane

Could I get a shot at diplomacy? ^^

[Dolerman]

@ShwiggityShwah I dont fancy your chances much, but you can try haha

[Vox]

_{Caoimhe of Alvion
Alvion Elf ◆ 26 ◆ Ranger}

Appearance

Standing at an even 6'2" and weighing in at around 180lbs, Caoimhe keeps herself lean, sinewy, and fit, well used to long nights and long travels.

Equipment

_{◇ Recurve Bow A simple bow scarred by history and adorned with personal trinkets
◇ Arrows x20
◇ Battle Axe A plain axe, well used and well maintained
◇ Dagger For Emergency Use Only
◇ Armor Each scratch and dent tells a tale
◇ Half-Plate
◇ Chainmail
◇ Gambeson
◇ Travel Cloak A mottled olive-green cloak, worn and dusted
◇ Essential Traveling Gear What every adventurer leaves home with
◇ Backpack
◇ Bedroll
◇ Mess Kit
◇ Waterskin
◇ Tinderbox
◇ Silk Rope 50ft
◇ Journal Half written with rough details about an elven woman's journeys
◇ Stationary What every aspiring writer needs
◇ Quill
◇ Inkwell
◇ Charcoal
◇ Lute A stringed instrument to warm the soul
◇ Emerald Necklace An ordinary gemstone wrapped and hung on a leather cord}

Abilities

_{◇ Archer While by no means the best shot in the land, constant practice keeps Caoimhe well above regular rank and file archers. Like any good bowman, she prefers to be allowed to plant her feet and lead her targets right and proper, but life had dictated she also learn how to fire in any number of odd positions and stances
◇ Woodswoman An axe is a versatile weapon, and while she's no stranger in using it in a melee, Caoimhe is more used to splitting logs rather than splitting heads
◇ Tracker A lifetime of hunting has taught her well in navigating the wilds, though she's proficient enough in navigating urban and social settings to find whoever she needs to
◇ Alchemist Though really more of an herbalist, Caoimhe knows enough to make basic poultices, poisons, and minor alchemical items like smokesticks and fire flasks}

Background

Caoimhe came from a loving family who were a longstanding line of woodcarvers, and was the youngest of four. They based themselves near the border of Alvion and Roh and made good money selling their "exotic products" to Rohish merchants, though they subsidized part of their living through hunting local game which Caoimhe happily helped with.

Yet later in her life, she felt aimless and discontent. Wanderlust made its way into her heart, and with her parents' blessing she began traveling the lands, focused on finding new experiences wherever she went. She hunted new game, tasted wild foods, and dabbled in a wide variety of professions.

One such journey in Rohish lands lead her to fall in love with a Rohish girl, and like any young love it was intense, fiery, passionate. The girl pulled Caoimhe into a small revolutionary movement intent on bringing new change to their government, ultimately overthrowing the Rule of the Six, and was filled with young, dumb idealists; Caoimhe was no exception. Though they lasted longer than most and actually attained a sizable following, the moment they began their public attacks meant they were no longer a nuisance, but a threat to the Six. The movement quickly died, many of its members dead or fled into the wind, and Caoimhe found herself on the road once more.

Relationships

_{◆ Glasan of Alvion, Father and Woodcarver
◆ Cailin of Alvion, Mother and Hunter
◆ Eibhear of Alvion, Eldest son and Woodcarver
◆ Maewyn and Gwyndoline of Alvion, Twin Daughters and Hunters
◆ Zubaida of Roh, Lost Lover and Fiery Revolutionary}

[Nieszka]

Val

The minstrel boy to the war has gone, 
In the ranks of death you'll find him; 
His father's sword he hath girded on, 
And his wild harp slung behind him.
— Thomas Moore, "The Minstrel Boy"

Name: Valyrra Fable (“And now that you have my full name, kindly forget it. Its just Val, thankyouverymuch.”)
Age: 23
Height: 5’4
Weight: 120
Class: Warrior Poet
Race: Elf (Or mostly. Her father was only half.)
Weapons & Equipment:

Sword and Dagger: A serviceable matched pair. The sword is a one handed, double-edged arming sword too long for Val’s height, but well balanced with a wicked point and a blood groove carved down the center. The dagger is a little more than half the sword’s length, but wickedly sharp. Both have simple, leather wrapped hilts.

Lute: A well-loved if some what scratched and worn instrument. It is an unadorned, fretless guitar-like instrument with a curved back and gut strings. For all its unimpressive appearance, it has a sweet sound, its strings dutifully waxed and tuned.

Clothing: Worn but well kept knee-high boots, scuffed leather armor, and a thick brown cloak

Various and Sundries: Flint, stone, a little dried meat and hard biscuit, extra lute strings (lovingly coiled in their own hard leather case), a bit of rope and wire for snares, a dented flask for spirits, and a water sack.

Skills and Abilities:

Swordswoman: Val fights like a dervish, sword in her right hand and dagger in her left, reliant on her agility and quick wits to keep her alive against stronger, better armed opponents. Years of living off her abilities as a fighter have made her a skilled, if not elegant, swordswoman but she’ll still stoop to underhanded tricks if given half a chance.

Minstrel: Val has a warm, husky voice and long, agile fingers excellent for plucking out rollicking tunes on her lute. She’s paid for many a night in an inn with her music and often entertains herself on the road with the little ditties she makes up as she goes.

Survivor: Val might have never been much for studying, but the school of hard knocks is a demanding teacher. Since leaving home at the ripe old age of 17, she’s learned a number of skills essential to survival. She can hang a snare, skin and gut most anything, tell poisonous berries and mushrooms from good, and tell what water is to drink and what ought to just be left alone to list a few. In short, she possesses what skills any solitary wanderer would need to last more than a few months on the road.

Bio:

Valyrra Fable was an accident, the by-blow of a half-elf merchant deep in his cups and a beautiful young elven barmaid still naive enough to be impressed by sweet words and trinkets. The unlikely pair married after the barmaid, Eloise, began to show and told Aaron Fable that she’d tell every merchant in Alvion who’s it was if he didn’t marry her, see if she wouldn’t.

Despite this rough start, Val’s early life wasn’t unhappy. She was a wild child, spoiled by her father and more likely to run off and beg old soldiers for war stories and fencing lessons than sit and learn her sums, though she did let her mother teach her to sing and play the lute. By the time she was 17, it was plain that out of some mixture of laziness and wild nature that she’d never make a merchant, so her father gave up trying to make an apprentice out of his only child and instead started to look for a likely man to marry her and take over the family business.

As this suited Val’s idea of a good time not at all, she ran away from home and has since been making a living off a mixture of sellsword and minstrel work, going wherever her wanderlust tells her. Its a rough life, but a free one, and Val would always rather be footsore than beholden to anyone.

[Nieszka]

Well, @Vox, it seems we had similar ideas on a few fronts....

[Vox]

Haha, looks like it. Hopefully I won't step on too many toes, but I'm always willing to switch things up if need be.

[Nieszka]

Same here haha. :) I say we wait for our illustrious GM to weigh in.

[Dolerman]

@Vox@Nieszka

Well this is interesting, I guess technically there is no reason why we cant have two female wood elves, but for the sake of variety Id prefer if it wasnt the case.

However since Nieszka stated her ideas in the interest check and in PMs to me, her elf has priority as 'the original' so Vox would be the one to change the character if thats where we want to go with it. What do you guys think?

[Vox]

Technically Caoimhe is a provincial elf, but I'm willing to switch things up a bit, I'd just need another day or two to craft another character.

EDIT: Perfectly alright with changing, and I get @Nieszka has priority

[Dolerman]

@Vox yes forgive me, I noticed that after a re-read.

I think your character is good though, you only have to change her if Nies feels they are too similar.

Maybe a change in weapons? It would hep set them apart if they werent both swordswomen.

@Nieszka I didnt see your animal speaking abilities in your CS, are you deciding to not go ahead with that?