[OOC] The Blighted Kingdom

[Liseran Thistle]

[GreivousKhan]

@Mistress DizzyDon't worry, I'm not even sure my idea will be accepted yet. XD

[Mistress Dizzy]

Thanks guys. I'm half-done with a mage in training. Where are you all finding images?

[Searat]

Google

[Liseran Thistle]

@Mistress Dizzy

I spent like half an hour just searching for "fantasy boy adventurer."

[Liseran Thistle]

@Mistress Dizzy

You'd be surprised how little art there is of actual little boys in a fantasy setting. Like...almost none. Either that, or I was literally just being too drowned in hot anime guys in templar armor images to see them.

[Liseran Thistle]

Well goodnight, I'm done posting for the day.

[GreivousKhan]

@Roman How long has this plague been going on for btw?

Thanks guys. I'm half-done with a mage in training. Where are you all finding images?

@Mistress Dizzy

Pinterest is pretty good.

[Searat]

@Roman
For how many months/years has the stone blight been present in the realm?

[Mistress Dizzy]

@Liseran Thistle my character is black. I might wind up using a character maker or something.

[Opposition]

I'm definitely interested in drafting up a concept, but I am a bit confused in terms of the breadth of what 'magick' consists of in terms of what a character could do. If such an idea like a magical character is allowed, I'd love to create something.

[NoriWasHere]

If you guys are still open, i will be preparing a CS for this awesome looking RP :D

[GreivousKhan]

@Mistress Dizzy Good freaking luck finding a black portrait. If ya'll think finding 'boy adventurer' picture is hard...

[Searat]

G A I U S "T H E H O U N D"

^{"Violence is not the only answer...but it makes a difference."}

^{G a i u s B r a d f o r d ♦ 3 2 ♦ M a l e ♦ C h a o t i c G o o d}

Ω O R I G I N S:

I was the eldest in his family. Although poor, we lived a quiet and happy life in the small town located near the border between the kingdom of Mornfell and Ferros. Fallwatch mainly exported lumber and similar products to the kingdom of Mornfell but ,every odd generation or so, the town also produced individuals fit enough to be part of the guard. Those fit individuals came from well off families in the town and very rarely came from a poor background. In the small mill town of Fallwatch not a single soul; not my father, not my mother, not my brothers, not even I expected to be anything more than the son of a poor lumberjack. Though, things changed when the local guard came to the town to gather fresh recruits and saw me cut down a tree a span wide in two strikes of my ax. My family was so proud of me when they found out and even encouraged me to leave as soon as possible. With a foolish looking grin on my face I prepared my belongings and said my goodbyes and farewells before leaving the them and the town the next morning. That...that was the last time I ever saw my family.
Let's get back to topic. After my training was complete, I spent the rest of my youth serving under the local baron's guard. Work was boring but it did pay better than chopping wood back in town, and that made me happy. It was routine for me to send a part of my pay and a letter to my family every month. Though after the stone blight hit, they suddenly stopped. I didn't know what happened to them, so I took a leave and came to visit Fallwatch. My whole town was burned down. The burnt remnants were barely even visible when I arrived. My heart sank and I ran to my home...not even my baby brother survived. With a heavy heart I sat there alone in the cold for what felt like hours before I left to go back.
It took me months to discover what had happened. The baron had ordered the burning down my town along with some other towns he had suspicion of being infected with the stone blight. When I confronted him, he claimed it for the sake of quarantine and I should have known. Talking down to me as if I were a child, thinking that I am some faceless fool. It infuriated me. Quarantines were to isolate and identify the sickness, this was just a meaningless slaughter of innocent life. I had the evidence to condemn the baron for his actions...but I knew the court will favor him. He knew it too. Later that night I sent the evidence to the proper authorities and I tried to kill the baron for what he had done. Even if I failed to kill him that night, his reputation would be besmirched and force him into hiding. I rallied my comrades for a coup against the bastard, but I had not anticipated the number of guards loyal to him alone. We got into a fierce battle and the baron did manage to escape. It was rotten luck for him that I'm decent pursuer and I tracked him down in a fortnight.
Not much is left to be said. As soon as that whole issue with me killing a minor noble, albeit a deserving one, was brought to public notice I was deemed a criminal and forced to adventuring and some mercenary work for a livelihood. I know that there were alternative options to how I could have handled the whole situation, but a mace to the skull solved the issue faster than any legal court could have.

Ω A B I L I T I E S / S K I L L S:

//ABILITIES:

◼ Strong as a Bear | Gaius may not be the smartest or fastest, but his strength is beyond an average man's. If he hits you, you will not be getting up any time soon.

◼ Tough as Nails | Gaius' body has grown very durable throughout his life. It would take more than a couple of good hits to take him down.

//SKILLS:

◼ Unstoppable Force | Gaius utilizes a straightforward means of fighting. Rather than using a traditional set up of sword and shield, he prefers to grasp weapons with both his hands to cut, smash, or cleave through obstacles and opponents alike.

◼ Like a Hunting Hound | During his training in the guard, he was one of the best guards in regards to tracking down individuals. This skill helped him greatly when mercenary contracts needed him to seek out individuals.

//LIMITATIONS:

◼ Evil is Evil | Even if he is no longer part of the guard and a criminal himself, he retains little patience towards crimes or malicious acts.

◼ Not very Bright | He learned numerous things during his time in training and is no imbicile. Though he still has significant difficulty comprehending complex ideas or operating complex machines/devices.

//WEAKNESSES:

◼ Agile as a Bear| His size and weight combined with equipment make it very difficult to move very quickly and perform other acts of agility.

◼ Infamous| Gaius is still a criminal and is wanted for the murder of the baron. A number of guards and law enforcement are actively searching for him.

Ω N O T E S:

◼ Any further notes your character may require.
Equipment:

Full Armor

Weapon

[GreivousKhan]

Professor Cipherous

^{"I hope you're not down with the sickness..."}

^{Darth Cipherous ♦ A G E: 31 ♦ S E X: Female ♦ A L I G N M E N T: Lawful Neutral}

Ω O R I G I N S:

Darth Cipherous was born in the esteemed city of Ravenmire, which marked her among the few in the kingdom with access to a proper education. Her parent's had humble origins as commoners, though her father was a cobbler of some talent. Curious even from a young age, Darth appeared to be taken with the stories and tales from other lands. Taught to read by her mother, Darth explored the tomes and books she managed to get her hands throughout most of her youth. While many children played outside Darth preferred to instead stay indoors with her head in a book. Her interest coupled with an active imagination and an astoundingly mature disposition made it clear Darth seemed blessed with a towering intellect. This sadly left her with few friends as none of the children of her neighborhood matched her own maturity- with many of them finding her aloof and strange making her the but of many jokes.

Darth was fortunate enough, however, to early in her life to benefit from the aid of a traveling scholar- who, lacking enough coin, decided to repay Darths father by tutoring his daughter while he stayed in the city. Seeing her potential- this same scholar, named Bertulf Scully, offered to sponsor Darth for a place in the esteemed college of Ravensworth. Seeing this as a blessing, Darth's parents agreed, fulfilling a long time dream of hers. At the age of sixteen, she was enrolled after proving her abilities through an arduous exam that she passed with near perfection. This impressed the Rectors of the university enough that she was one of the youngest novitiates to be taken in.

It was a long four years of hard work and study before Darth finally graduated, at which point she decided to stay on -- joining the ranks of the Ravensworth institute. Her intelligence and ambition soon saw her attain the coveted position of a preceptor within the institute. The rank proving she had mastered three fields of expertise within the college. After ten years working within the institute, exploring afield as often as she could to learn first hand of the history of each city within the kingdom, news of the dreaded new plague began to spread like wildfire. Though over the centuries the institute had become familiar with studying and treating new sicknesses, it became apparent this new strain was unlike anything they had ever encountered.

Darth's talents soon saw her superiors placing her at the forefront of finding a cure. Darth herself wished nothing more than learning all she could after hearing of the severity of the disease. Thus, Darth willingly joined the fourth talon of Ravensworth, the Sanguine Shroud. Known widely as plague doctors- and officially in their institute as Harbingers- with expertise in bloodletting, and magick treatment, these scourge hunters achieved their dread infamy in the infancy of their founding for disposing of victims, and even potential victims, before signs of sickness could manifest themselves. Though their methods over the decades have become much less extreme many still remember those dark days. Their beaked masks and black robes have since now become synonymous with fear, for many of these men and women know no mercy. The shroud investigators soon became less known as physicians and more so as executioners.

Darth herself has worked tirelessly to improve the credibility of Ravenworths Harbingers. Darth has made little headway in finding a cure, however, but the recent call by High Lord Jocun has given her hope all the same. She offers her skills in the hopes of finally ending this nightmare.

Ω A B I L I T I E S / S K I L L S:

//ABILITIES:

◼ Idyllic Precpetion| Darth was blessed with an incredible mind that has served her quite well in her chosen profession. Her unmatched memory and intelligence are among the reasons she has remained top of her field. Her attention to detail often means she can recall anything she has learned of or come across in almost perfect detail.

◼ Black Blood Ministation | Harbingers of the Sanguine Shroud are all subjected to an experimental blood ministration that is both equal parts alchemical solution and arcane ritual. Black blood is an unusual concoction fashioned from the blood samples of survivors of past afflictions known to Ravensworth and stored in the college. This infusion effectively renders the recipient all but immune to most known diseases, along with many forms of venom or poisons, but at a great cost. This, of course, has long been proven to be worthless against the new stone flesh plague.

//SKILLS:

◼ Hippocratic Oath| Darth is foremost an academic and a doctor, but years of research has left her with a generous amount of knowledge in alchemy as well as history. This means she knows how to create- and possesses many- healing tonics, toxins, and poisons. Dr. Cipherous can thus make use of many experimental remedies and risky healing practices to mend or even cure her companions' of mundane ailments and restore their vigor. She also employs her talent for healing to do harm if the situation calls for it.

◼ Healer and Executioner| Though not skilled with, sickle, blade or bow, Darth was taught the Shourds execution techniques to 'pacify' sickened patients to grant them a merciful painless death. This includes the use of potent poisons or, in desperate situations, the bladed cane whip she carries.

//LIMITATIONS:

◼ Who Likes Needles?| Due to the widespread fear, superstitions, and rumors of the preventive doctors of Ravensworth due to an unsavory past-- many have come to fear the arrival of a Harbinger. A few desperate souls may even attack a lone Harbinger outright before accepting their help through this is usually rare.

◼ No Hiding It| Thanks to ancient oaths and more than a few local laws, allegiance to Ravensworth fabled fourth talon must always be visible. This effectively means no agent of the Sanguine Shroud can obfuscate who they are. Thus the robes and beaked mask must always be worn when working on behalf of the Sanguine Shroud. The enforcement of this rule is to grant a measure of protection to their agents from infection, as much as to abide by current laws.

//WEAKNESSES:

◼ Bookworm| Years spent studying tombs, scrolls and countless books, along with the occasional experiment has left Darth with no time for much physical exercise. She is typically weaker than most individuals she comes across, and her slight frame does nothing to aid in this regard.

◼ The Price of Health| The seemingly miraculous black blood ministration grants one an incredibly robust immune system, but this comes at a terrible cost. Firstly the process effectively causes the user to develop a mild form of aplastic anemia. They will produce little to no blood on their own, and must actively acquire regular infusions of healthy treated blood to remain functioning. To compound things further, one soon becomes addicted to the process of blood infusion. If no injection is maintained at least once a week, the individual will degrade rapidly in health. Growing weaker, and more feral with time. The one upside to this unseemly mutation is that the user of black blood can receive any blood for transfusion, what the college has come to call a 'universal recipient'. If not for this one fact black blood might never have been used as it is now.

Ω N O T E S:

◼ Dr. Cipherous is garbed in the cloak of dark black and cowl that, with her beaked mask, covers her entire head and face. The beaked mask carries some herbs, spices, and is blended to create a special incense. The perfume like substance serves the main purpose as a means of masking the scent of rotting corpses. Though it also serves the dual purpose of preventing any noxious gases, she may use to affect her. She also carries satchels that hold countless, ingredients, herbs, vials, tonics, and one bag houses her alchemist’s supplies.

Examples include a Moor’s Head, four alembics, a retort, the classic Mortar, and Pestle, a stirring rod, and a dozen empty flask. Finally, she carries a tome strapped to her side that houses recipes for countless things- from poisons, anti-venoms, or healing tonics. She also has a journal with her to document anything exciting or valuable she may come across.

Appearance: When not wearing her signature mask, Darth is not too different from most who live in the central homelands. Her complexion is rather pale from lack of sun, and her eyes are exceptionally dark from her black blood ministration. She has raven black hair and a gauntness to her features that hint at her unnatural condition.

Gear
Bladed Cane: A common piece of gear for Sanguine Shrouded agents acting as harbingers is a walking cane which is seen as both a badge of office and serves the more practical use to examine and direct patients without the need to make direct contact with the patient. As with nearly all equipment employed by Shroud, the cane serves the dual purpose as an execution weapon for those who have caught the stone blight. In extreme cases, the one might use the hidden blade feature of the cane to defend one's self as it is sufficiently deadly as a rigid bladed cane, that can serve as a bladed whip when its blade is split into over a dozen razor-sharp segments. The top of the cane is fashioned to resemble a raven's head.

[Liseran Thistle]

I edited mine a little because I noticed everyone gave their skills cool nicknames. I hope that's okay.

[Roman]

@Roman How long has this plague been going on for btw?

@GreivousKhan

@Roman
For how many months/years has the stone blight been present in the realm?

@Searat

Undecided on a definite timescale but minimum a year.

I'm definitely interested in drafting up a concept, but I am a bit confused in terms of the breadth of what 'magick' consists of in terms of what a character could do. If such an idea like a magical character is allowed, I'd love to create something.

@OppositionJ

Safest bet is to draw up your sheet and i'll discuss anything that's out of line with you to find a happy medium.

I edited mine a little because I noticed everyone gave their skills cool nicknames. I hope that's okay.

@Liseran Thistle

I was at work all day and honestly this gave me a chuckle out of how sheerly...cute? It was? That might not be the right word.

As for everyone who have submitted sheets; thank you! I will get to reading and reviewing them in the next few days.

[GreivousKhan]

Hmm, a year, shorter than the Black Plague so far then.

@Roman Specifically let me know if it's ok to have created the Ravensworth College and if you need any details on Ravenmire, there is some obvious grimdark inspiration there that could make for an interesting adventure spot at some point if you want it.

[Liseran Thistle]

oh great, its is cool. I thought there was some unspoken rule about not changing your posts or something.

[Liseran Thistle]

Today I drew a tiny picture of Lowe, its sort of just my own interpretation of what I think he looks like, not the pic I posted in my cs. I've been thinking about showing it to you guys, but I don't know if it would work or not.