[OOC] The Faraway Land: Arcane Adventures (Closed 9/30/18)

[Thinslayer]

I often find that the biggest writer's block comes from a lack of excitement about the RP - resolved by a gripping intro, in my experience. I think you'll like what I'm coming up with. Whatever you need, don't hesitate to ask, and I'll do what I can to make your job easier. ;)

[Lucius Cypher]

@Thinslayer

You have my axe. Call for me an I shall be there for you! I got lore out the wazzoo and ideas in the brainpan.

---

It’s fairly bare bones, but I have more details written up elsewhere.

Name: Goro “Apple”
Appearance:

Species: Orc
Origins: Ulayh
Skintone: Olive
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black
Notable Features: Missing Left Hand from mid-forelimb down. Currently replaced with a hook-hand.
Other Information: A former fisherman from the town of Ulayh. A prosperous but violent costal orc town. The oldest male member of his family after his father was killed during his one as a raider. Lost his hand during a violent storm. Had since then chosen to leave home to discover more about the sudden appearance of magic. Tough but swift. Swings a mean club. An excellent swimmer even without a hand. Has a sharp eye and a keen ear. Goggles are a momento from his father: they help him see things underwater as well as protect his eyes from glaring bright light.

[Thinslayer]

Some bits about orc culture, while we're on topic: Since they were descended from humans, orcs have all the same tendencies humans do. For one, orcs tend to be a highly religious lot, with beliefs ranging from worshiping the bloodthirsty Molgoth and his pantheon to faith in the Holy Mother. Unlike humans, however, with their capacity for nigh-limitless strength, one's place in society is determined by physical power and battle prowess. It's not that there aren't an assortment of brainy orcs, but they're looked down upon and seen as rather wimpy compared to practicing warriors. Incidentally, it's for this reason that farmers are high on the totem pole - having to till the clay earth with naught but their bare hands (and defend it from looters) has made them incredibly strong. A farmer who works hard enough to feed more than just himself is an orc to be respected.

As a rule of thumb, in orc society, Might Makes Right, and trial by combat is thus a popular method of resolving disputes. Additionally, any orc sentenced to a non-combat punishment may, at any time, invoke a Rite of Blood to force a duel to the death against the judge. Orcs rarely take advantage of it, since the judge got his place for a reason and is usually a difficult opponent, but sometimes death is preferable to the punishment, and a couple orcs in history even managed to survive the rite.

Since food is difficult to grow in most orc countries and orc appetites are ravenous, many have turned to cannibalism to solve their energy needs. Unfortunately, this trend is catching on, and already whole regions have devolved into gruesome, chaotic clan brawls. Since humans reproduce like rabbits (comparatively speaking), they're a popular target for those living close to human settlements.

[Lucius Cypher]

Aye, I actually intended ya try and address some of those things in that lore doc I sent ya, though with twists of sorts.

For starters the Ulayh Orcs utilize more of an ancestral worship instead of praying to deities of sorts, though they do have some ancient family memebers who have said to ascended to a godlike status. I’m expanding more on this as I can imagine it.

With Ulayh’s penchant for slave labor, the act of farming itself isn’t very well respected since in Ulayh it’s considered Slave work. Not helped by the ruling family purposely spreading this ideal in order to dehumanize (deorcitize?) their Slave population. Land-owners on the other hand are much more respected; since they have to be the ones to not only keep their slaves in line but also defend their lands from raiders, those who own the farms tend to be strong warriors themselves. Indeed, strong warriors tend to own their own land since the current king believes only they are capable of protecting it.

While Might-Makes-Right is still something supported in Ulayh, there’s a twist to it; the current king is trying to change the ancient customs so that you can’t sinply off a guy who disagrees with you, putting in more checks and balances. This he learned from their human allies. Of course this isn’t for any sense of justice or fairness either; this is just a ploy by the ruling class to consolidate power among himself and his allies. This way some upstart or ambitious warrior can’t just come in, challenge him in a fight, get lucky, and become the new king. Basically, they want to make Right-Makes-Might, where the mighty already rule.

Incidentally Ulayh has pride itself for not falling into cannibalism thanks to its prosperous crop growth, trade deals, and success in piracy and raiding. They like to lord over other orc clans who have turned to or had a history of cannibalism as being little more than beasts in the shape of men. Which of course is just another tool to make the general populace of Ulayh show extreme prejudice against slaves, who have turned to cannibalism since their masters would rarely give them enough food to survive. It’s not uncommon for “Slop”, which is the grey goo fed to slaves, being nothing more than the remains of their fellows stewed until it’s form is indistinguishable. Though sometimes it might just be the remains of other creatures, like animal bones, hooves, intestines, etc.

[Thinslayer]

Created a new NPC: Vali Melethainiel, the object of worship for believers in the Holy Mother. Notes about relevant religious practices are included in her character description.

[Lucius Cypher]

@Thinslayer

Btw boss, is my character good to go?

[Thinslayer]

@Lucius CypherYup, he's good to go! Post him in the Character tab.

[Thinslayer]

@geminironin@The Revenant@Nox Grimoire@Lucius Cypher@Nightknight@ReusableSword
The story has begun! I have made my first post in the IC tab. Whoever still wants to play and hasn't submitted a character sheet yet should do so ASAP.

[Nightknight]

@Thinslayer How many paragraphs/text do I need?

[Thinslayer]

As long as it's not a one-liner, anything's fine.

[Thinslayer]

Lore: The Five Towers

Many ages ago, back when the world was still young, the Ancients constructed five towers: one in the center of the continent, and one for each of the four corners of the land. Each tower rose so high, they were thought to have touched the clouds. Beneath their impossibly smooth, adamantine surface lies the power of a star, and in times of crisis, each tower can defend the continent with a vast, impenetrable shield and weapons of unimaginable destructive power. No one knows what the towers were constructed to fight against, and they have never been used since their creation.

Lore: The Dragon's Tooth

Hidden deep within a dormant volcano near Westhaven Tower, there lies a legendary sword rumored to be sharp enough to cut through diamond as if it were butter, yet utterly unbreakable with an edge that never dulls. Many have perished climbing up the treacherous mountain slopes, and those who survive perish still when the volcano makes her periodic eruptions. Hence, to date, no one has ever succeeded in obtaining the blade.

Some say it was placed there to serve as a test for prospective heroes who would dare wield its power, but a few sages believe it's more likely a sick joke by the gods to taunt gullible men into pointless deaths. With the advent of magic, it may now be possible for men to acquire the weapon. The only question is...should they?

[ReusableSword]

ill have a post up tomorrow.

[Nightknight]

I didn't want my post to be long, sort of like a brief introduction or warm-up, though I forgot to think of a gift for Winter. :( Oh well. I look forward to seeing what happens next. :)

[Thinslayer]

@Nightknight It's not mandatory to bring a gift, though bringing one definitely has its benefits, as Goro will eventually find out. ;-D

I'mma wait a little for @ReusableSword to reply before I make my next post.

[ReusableSword]

short but sweet

[Nightknight]

It seems we have our main party (for now). :)

[Thinslayer]

Made a small retcon: Winter removed the seeds from the slices before serving them.

[Nightknight]

I just realized I misspell Liliana's name in my last post. -_-

[Nightknight]

Not gonna lie, Liliana would be envious of Goro. :)

[Nightknight]

@Thinslayer I'm kind of torn between Option A and B. On one hand I like exporing, but on the other hand I like experimentation, both biologically and magically. Decisions decisions...