[OOC] Windfall ☄ A Character-driven Fantasy

[Yankee]

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It was a warm night when the Cervid star shower lit up the dark. Bright, heavenly bodies moved swiftly across the sky and signaled the passing of spring into summer for the people of Sedaia. For many, from the highest of noblemen to the most humble of peasants, summer was a pleasant and peaceful season. With the transition from winter well over and the year's crops planted, Sedians from all walks of life used the time to perfect their craft, enjoy themselves, or go traveling. The capital of Haydrin's Seat was a particularly popular destination as the country prepared for it's annual Celebration of Kings.

And you too are about to undertake your own journey...

...but it may not be pleasant or peaceful.

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How the RP Works

The drive of the RP will be in seeing through each individual character's story. Set in the fictional, fantasy world of Sedaia, characters will undertake a journey - meeting and bonding with other player characters along the way, each chasing their own goals. The path each character takes will cross, wind, and run parallel to other character's in unexpected ways.

When a player creates a character, they should be sure to give their character a concrete driving force for their adventure. Do you want to play a bounty hunter chasing her most valuable target yet? A father on the road to find his missing daughter? A merchant out to find the thing that will put his rival out of business for good? A courier tasked with delivering a message of grave importance? There are many possibilities, the most important thing is to create a character you will have fun playing, and whose story you can get invested in.

So how will each character's story play out? Every player in the RP has a say in how each character's story goes. This will be accomplished through gratuitous use of Discord channels. Let's take Player A as an example:

Example

EXAMPLE:
Player A's character is Grunhilda, a young woman looking forward to her marriage in a few week's time. She'd only know her fiance for a short time, but they both seemed to spark an instant connection. Her groom was very specific about the details of the wedding: including that both man and future-wife make their way separately to the base of Mt. Baben for the ceremony. This is where Grunhilda's story begins, on the road to said mountain.

Now, the rest of the RP's participants come in. In a separate Discord channel designed for each character (that excludes said character's player), everyone will pitch ideas about the future of Grunhilda's story.

So let's see. Player A mentioned in Grunhilda's backstory that she and her fiance haven't known each other for that long. Someone suggests maybe she doesn't know him as well as she thinks, and the fiance is a bad dude. Another suggests that when Grunhilda arrives, no one is there at all but there are signs of a struggle. The group together decides they want to go with the "fiance was secretly a bad guy" route. So, why was he a bad guy? One person suggest he belongs to a cult and they plan to sacrifice her. Yet another wonders if we could bring the plot back to Grunhilda herself, maybe she has some secret lineage the fiance wants to cash in on. Checking Grunhilda's CS again, Player A actually mentions that they don't want anything TOO dark for their character. So, tied up to be a ritual sacrifice for an evil cult is ruled out.

Now that we have a rough idea for Grunhilda's story, I will implement it into the RP as the GM. Grunhilda makes it to the meeting point. Her fiance is there, with his gang of bandits. Turns out Grunhilda is part of a once missing branch of an ancient king's family, and there's a reward for anyone that turns members of this family over to the current royal family.

With the story given a skeleton, the RP continues on as normal. Where does it go from there? If she has already met up with other player characters, will they help her escape or will they turn her in themselves? Once she escapes, what will she do with this new information? And most importantly, how does this story connect to others'? Perhaps Player B was actually playing a secret member of this family, seeking their long lost sister. Perhaps Player C's character is looking to start a country-wide coup, and has now found someone they can put on the throne in place of the current monarch. Only time will tell!

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The Setting: Sedaia

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Besides the basic regions of the country, most of the setting is purposefully left vague. This is so the whole group can world build together, and so we can fit as many player ideas as possible into the setting. It is my firm belief that the setting is secondary to the character's struggles in a story, so basically it's not that important. The groundwork is laid down, and below I've included basic info blurbs about reach region so that people can get a feel for them. Everyone is encouraged to add bits and pieces to the world, either in a character sheet or as we go such as when a character mentions an area in passing, but it's not mandatory - if you prefer not to wing it, no worries. There are a few things that are concrete from the beginning though:

Ruling Family
Sedaia is a kingdom. In ancient times it was founded by Haydrin the Godking, and it's purported that the royal family is descended from Haydrin himself. There are no appointed governors, the king oversees all areas of the country from the capital of Haydrin's Seat. Although many feel that the royal family is out of touch with the areas beyond the Midlands, the country has been relatively peaceful and prosperous for generations.

Religion
For many in Sedaia, religion plays a major part in their lives - but for just as many, it doesn’t. The ancient belief that Tazia, The Sun, and Palir, The Moon, celestial deities, created this world together and continue to peacefully watch over it to this day is the most common belief system in the country. These mysterious Gods have no physical presence in the world if they even exist at all, so the threat of divine retribution is low. Even so, some still pray to these Gods for acceptance and guidance in their lives. Whether one believes in Gods or not, nearly all Sedians believe in the existence of the Afterrealm beyond the stars, where souls go when they die.

A little more information on Sedian Gods

Tazia: The Sun
In the daylight hours the power of Tazia is strongest. She is associated with pain and healing, war and peace, liberty and obligation. She is called on for all things needing the sun's blessing: good crop yields, fair skies, safe travels. She is most commonly depicted as a dark skinned woman, sometimes with hair the color of fire.

Palir: The Moon
In the moonlight hours Palir watches over the world. He is associated with truth and falsehoods, danger and safety, hesitation and faith. He is called on for all things needing the moon’s blessing: fertility, strong friendships, delaying bad news. He is most commonly depicted as a pale skinned man, sometimes with glowing white eyes.

Mati & Vesi: Dusk & Dawn
Twin deities that peek into the world when neither Tazia nor Palir is watching. Mati is the masculine spirit of dawn, associated with life. Vesi is the feminine spirit of dusk, associated with death. Together they take departed souls to the Afterrealm. They are usually depicted as a young brother and sister pair, dressed in vibrant colors.

The Afterrealm
When a living thing dies, it’s spirit is released into the air to freely roam the world until sunrise or sunset, depending on when they died. At that time, Mati, of Dawn, or Vesi, of Dusk, sweeps all ghosts up and into the Afterrealm. The Afterrealm is a separate world for spirits located somewhere among the stars, and these stars serve as markers or road maps for Mati and Vesi as they travel to and from it. The Afterrealm is neither a reward nor a punishment, it is merely the dwelling place for departed souls.

Haydrin, the God-king
Scholars disagree on whether Haydrin was a God turned man, or a man turned God. Either way, while Tazia and Palir are responsible for the creation of the physical world, Haydrin is responsible for creating the nation of Sedaia. He is the most celebrated deity in the country, with an annual festival held on the purported day of his birth. The city from where he allegedly ruled his country still stands to this day. Unlike the other Gods, he is called on for any occasion and general blessings.

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The lands of Sedaia

The Highlands	Running across the North of Sedaia, the Highlands protect the rest of the country from the worst of the bitter cold winds of the Snowlands. The area is characterized by its many hillsides and rolling mountain ranges, but it is by no means unlivable. Deposits of various minerals and ore make for lucrative business - but for those less inclined to spend their time toiling in mines, many kinds of livestock thrive on the grassy knolls. The largest settlement in the Highlands is Hillside, tucked in the area between the Tide and Scrublands, and it is where the majority of trade between the Highlands and the other regions happens. General climate: Harsh winters, cool summers. Strong winds at high altitude. Seldom rains. Major trades: mining, hunting, ranching, iron and jewel artisanry. Major landmarks: Mt. Baben Example town names: Hillside, Windbreak, Stonecover, Crystal Bluff
The Midlands	Sitting at the heart of Sedaia and nestled between the Lowlands and the Scrublands, the Midlands enjoy moderate temperatures and beautiful landscapes. The Midlands are home to the country’s capital of Haydrin’s Seat, a vast castle town. Owning property in the Midlands is an expensive prospect, but for those living in the area there is no finer place to make a homestead in the whole of Sedaia. Every summer the region comes alive with the Celebration of Kings, a country-wide holiday. General climate: Mild winters and summers. Temperate. Sees rain, snow, and sun when in season. Major trades: Merchant and peddler, farming and ranching, servant, artisanry of all kinds. Major landmarks: Haydrin's Seat, The God-King's Cathedral Example town names: Riverburg, Sun Flat, Plainstead, Livirbury
The Lowlands	Where frost from the Snowlands melts into fresh water and runs down towards the Eastern coast, that is where one can find Sedaia's Lowlands. Although the Northern area of the Lowlands bordering the Indiga Great Swamp are generally considered uninhabitable due to the difficulty in developing, further South the floodplains give way to warmer diverse forests, growing thicker the further South one goes. Naturally the Lowlands are the wettest areas in Sedaia, with heavy rainfall not uncommon. A dense thicket separates the Midlands from the Croplands, but attempts to clear the area have been unsuccessful. General climate: Cold winters, mild summers. Heavy rainfall, high humidity. Major trades: Logging and lumber, hunting, fishing, wood artisanry, seafaring Major landmarks: Indiga Great Swamp Example town names: North Sog, Hoofsink, Wetrock, Coldshore
The Scrublands	A warm area that cuts straight through the country's middle. Many merchants and vagrants stake their claim in the Scrublands; it's position and the mostly flat, easily traversed land of the region makes it Sedaia's central traveling hub. People and goods move through the area throughout the year, carving well worn paths. Heavily populated, it brings in all types of citizenry - including unscrupulous bandits, although bands such as these see much less success these days thanks to the effort of honest folk. There are several major communities where the Scrublands connect with the other regions, all named similarly: Highland Pass, Tideland Pass, etc. General climate: In the North, cold winters and mild summers. In the South, mild winters and hot summers. Major trades: Merchant and peddler, travel and transportation service, ranching, protection service Major landmarks: ??? Example town names: Midland Pass, High Wind Crossing, Grasstred, Brookstop
The Croplands	Rich soil, plenty of sun, and fertile rivers make the Croplands the perfect area for raising ranches and farms. Naturally, food and livestock are the region's main exports. Although there are rural living areas, the majority of the area's land is devoted to food production. From small independent ranches to sprawling serfdom estates, one can always find work on the farms in the Croplands. The Southern border of the region is heavily guarded by both career and volunteer soldiers, preventing trespass from monsters and outsiders alike. General climate: Warm winters, hot summers. Low winds, average rainfall. Major trades: Farming and ranching, logging and lumber, transportation service, protection service Major landmarks: ??? Example town names: Lakeview, Cape Trellis, Tideham, Vegewick
The Snowlands	Although the lower areas of the Snowlands do experience mild springs, it's Northern edges are almost constantly covered in a layer of ice. The high altitude and cold climate make it hard for people to grow their own food, but most get by with the native flora and fauna of the region that can't be found anywhere else in Sedaia. Heavy animals with thick, warm coats provide food, clothing and trade goods. Plants well adapted to the freezing temperatures and low light make for tasty dishes and rare ingredients. The major city of Frostwatch sits in the area's Eastern side, ready to warn the rest of Sedaia when the winter comes. General climate: Extreme winters, cool summers. Wind and ice abound, rarely ever rains. Major trades: Furs and hunting, masonry, alchemy, Major landmarks: Palir's Icelake Example town names: Frostwatch, Galehome, East Snowdrift, Eaglenest
The Scorchlands	Similar to the Croplands, the Scorchlands are home to nutrient rich soil and sands fed by the Western Sea. A lack of regular rainfall makes the area suitable for much different vegetation than it's neighbor though. Hot desert dunes make up most of the Southern portion, leading up to dry savanna in the North. Long days give the citizens ample time to produce exquisite goods, rare gems found in the earth and unique animals whose hair is woven into clothes and blankets. Long nights give the citizenry time to reflect and grow close to nature, developing new medicines and magics. If one can get past the high temperature and unstable topography, the Scorchlands are said to be a wonderful place to live. General climate: Warm winters, extreme summers. Mostly dry with warm humid winds blowing in from the West. Major trades: Textile, gem and jewel artisanry, merchant, herding and farming, alchemy Major landmarks: ??? Example town names: Oasis, Sandfall, Duneshade, Dusty Spring
The Tidelands	The quintessential oceanic region, the Tidelands and its people are intrinsically to the Western Sea. The region is cracked in half by the ocean's waters, making for two distinct areas: a warmer South and more temperate North. Despite the division, citizens of the Tidelands frequently travel its coasts and rivers making for a community with common interests and economy. Much of its population is centered around its water sources, and the seafaring folk take great pride in their coastal culture. General climate: mild winters, hot summers. Cool and warm breezes sometimes create magnificent storms. Major trades: Merchant and peddler, fishing, seafaring, aquaculture, transportation service Major landmarks: ??? Example town names: Diana's Rest, Sandhill, Westshine, Seacrest

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Magic and Monsters

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Mana

You know what mana is. It is an invisible, colorless, odorless, tasteless, soundless essence that exists in the world in the same way that many other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, etc. exist in the world. Every creature in Sedaia has a sixth sense in addition to their other five senses: commonly called "mana sense." It is useful for gauging how much mana remains inside one’s own body, and sensing very mana dense areas in nature. Mana can be used by the body, again in the same way that natural elements can be broken down and used by it. Mana can be expended to cast magic, and it replenishes naturally over time, although one can become fatigued by using too much at once.

Every living thing has the ability to utilize mana, from the most regal of human beings to the lowliest weed in a swamp. Magic is a common part of people's everyday lives, although of course some are better at using it than others. Those who dedicate their lives to the study and development of magic can become powerful mages, but others such as simple farmers or laborers may only use their own magic for small things like lighting a lantern. Plants that excel at using mana have unique properties to them, and can be used as food or medicine in the same vein that non magical plants can, bestowing unique effects. Animals that excel at using mana can quickly become dangerous beasts, and entire species that have high magical aptitude are commonly referred to as "monsters."

Magic

While other creatures become monsters, when humans have high magic potential they become mages. To date, there are three disciplines of magic. Elemental magic, Arcane magic, and Blood magic.

Elemental Magic
The most common of magic in Sedaia. Humans can find it difficult to work with something they can only vaguely sense, so in order to better use mana they use it only as a catalyst to manipulate the more familiar. Like it's name suggests, elemental magic involves the summoning and control of classical elements: fire, wind, water, and lightning. This is achieved by actively transforming mana into these elements. Most common folk in Sedaia are attuned to only one single element, but it is not impossible to learn and master more. Although most only use their magic to supplement their daily lives, dedicated mages can find work in various occupations. A mage may endeavor to discover new types of mana control at a college, work as a magic tutor to those less gifted in using mana, or may even be employed in more physically demanding jobs - for example, a wealthy ship's captain might hire a trio of wind, water, and lightning mages to keep his vessel as safe as possible while at sea.

Arcane Magic
This discipline of magic is the most difficult to learn, and there are extremely few masters of the arcane. Where elemental magic turns mana into elements, arcane magic alters the mana itself to grant properties to it without changing it from it's original state. It requires precision and in-depth knowledge and understanding of mana to pull off. When common mages visualize mana as fire, and thus transform it directly into fire, an arcane mage may be able to heat up the mana itself, making a hot spot. It can give mana a physical presence, either by making it visible or otherwise known to the other senses besides mana sense, without transforming it into another state of matter. Other uses include imbuing mana with energy, such as consecrating a specific area with "holy" attributes. The lost art of imbuing mana into objects, giving it attributes and shape and forcing into a vessel in order to be used later, is called enchantment - and it is considered the ultimate use of arcane magic. Scholars strive to recover this lost art. Mana stones, precious gems or minerals imbued with magic, are remnants of an age where enchantment was common, and the few left unspent in the world fetch exorbitant prices.

Blood Magic
Blood magic is the easiest form of magic to learn – but also the most dangerous. Because of this devastating combo, blood magic in all its forms is forbidden by law in Sedaia. Like elemental magic, it involves using mana as a mere catalyst. Because mana courses through the blood of all living things, using blood as a physical vessel for mana makes casting magic using a blood catalyst relatively simple. Through this method blood can be transformed into elements, a once common and harmless practice, but blood magic can also be used for much more. Curses and hexes, dangerous spells now more or less lost to time, originated in this discipline. It can twist the flesh of living beings, altering their body to both positive and negative effects. Blood magic can leave permanent, lasting damage on individuals and sometimes entire bloodlines. This kind of magic can also be used in heinous rituals to raise the dead, resulting in shambling corpses. Although most that secretly practice blood magic will never even think to use it for dark purposes, the threat exists - and so it is unlikely it will ever be legal to practice again.

Monsters

Plants and animals that have the ability to use magic become creatures known as monsters. Monsters can be individuals, like a local dog that awakened to it's potential and transformed into a deadly frost wielding hound. They can also be entire species, such as devastating plant-like abominations that can be found deep in several forests throughout Sedaia. It's safe to say that many classic fantasy monsters can be found in the setting, for example: cockatrices, chimeras, manticores, dragons and wyverns, gryphons, basilisks, phoenixes, leviathans, and more.

Magical illness, though uncommon, also exists in Sedaia. From plagues that affect one's ability to manipulate mana to diseases that physically alter the body such as lycanthrophy, contracting any magical illness is grave news. No one quite knows how such sickness came to be, though the prevailing theory are curses so strong they take a life of their own.

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RULES

● Follow RPG rules
● Follow the character guidelines (below)
● Please PM or post your sheet in the OOC to be approved before moving to the Characters tab
● The bulk of the setting is collaborative but ask first to make sure your idea jives.
● I may decline someone's participation in the RP if I sense they will make trouble.
● More rules will be added as needed

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Character Guidelines

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These will be reposted in the character tab for quick reference, along with a character sheet. There are a few rules and guidelines I'd like everyone to follow when they create their character. Make sure you read over this section and the character sheet before working on a concept.

First, characters can be from any social standing, any profession, and any skill level. I only ask that characters be at minimum sixteen years old, no younger than that. So long as your character has a solid reason for both traveling and doing so in a group then they will be welcome.

Second, please do not make a bigoted character. When I say bigoted I mean racist, homophobic, etc. People deal with that enough in real life. There are no fantasy races in this setting, so your character will be human. Humans are flawed creatures and they can have their prejudices, I only ask that they aren't based on another character's skin color, gender identity or sexual preference.

Third, you can play around with the character sheet, add colors and make it fancier if you want, but please... please please please do not embed an image larger than 500x500. For reference the image placeholder in the CS is this exact size. Feel free to link a larger image in the "appearance" section, but otherwise keep the image at the top of your CS to 500x500 or smaller. Thank you.

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Other Information

Link to Discord Server

Pixel art source

[Yankee]

Announcements

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7.21.20 - Windfall's OOC has launched! Thank you for the support!
7.22.20 - the Discord server has been made public, see above post for a link!

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Windfall has a waiting list!

• _@Luminosity
• _{@ShwiggityShwah}
• _@Dezuel

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FAQ and etc. will be hosted in this post.

[stone]

Eliza Chayre

Eliza Chayre

Elizabethany Chayre ● 27 ● she/her

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^Appearance:

Eliza is taller than most men, standing at around 181cm. She has long, wavy red hair that she usually braids. Her expression is usually a stern frown or a grimace of disapproval.

Eliza always carries around her weapon of choice, whether it be a mace, axe, or halberd. She is almost always in armor as well.

^Reputation:

Eliza embodies the statement "holier-than-thou." Others around her will never be able to reach the level of purity and goodness that she holds within her soul. Why bother taking criminals to prison when the agent of god's will can send them to the Afterrealms?

^{Reason for Traveling:}

Eliza's temple in the Midlands likes to send her on extremely difficult missions that take a long time. Currently, she is pursuing a lead on a holy artifact that can supposedly cure any affliction.

^Meta:

I think the primary thing I'm looking for is a chance to do good action writing, which I don't get nearly enough practice on. I need some spicy opportunities for combat–whether they're strategic battles or rowdy brawls doesn't matter. I want to be able to show that Eliza is a capable warrior and paladin–but not much else. Badass moments are perfect for setting up the first part of that.

In terms of character progression/goals, I think Eliza should move towards becoming more self-aware of her shortcomings. HOW she is made aware of them is totally open–it can be the joys of companionship, the depths of despair, betrayal, injury, whatever. She obviously wants to get the artifact as soon as possible, but I am okay with her quest taking a backseat to other characters' storylines.

^Skills:

• Skilled with most martial weapons - prefers heavy ones like axes, morningstars, or halberds
• Arcane magic practitioner - can charge her weapon strikes with divine energy and make things glow with holy light
• Trained in horseback riding, small-scale tactics, and medicine

^Extra:

Art Source

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Yankee]

Wow, new record @stone. For any wondering, Stone is one of the people that expressed interest in the idea privately, along with @Aviaire. With those two, and the eight from the interest check, that's pretty much my limit for players.

As mentioned I'll be happy to answer questions or clarify things as needed. Thanks once again everyone for your interest!

[ERode]

Gonna take a shot every time a fantasy religion is centered on celestial ovjects.

[stone]

Gonna take a shot every time a fantasy religion is centered on celestial ovjects.

@ERode

don't do it rode you're gonna end up killing yourself

[ERode]

How's technology here? Do they have firearms or modern-esque medical procedures figured out?

[Chuuya]

Hi, I'm Hyde and I'm here to probably watch this Roleplay.

[Yankee]

How's technology here? Do they have firearms or modern-esque medical procedures figured out?

@ERode

It is intended as a more traditional medieval fantasy.

[ERode]

So bleeding people with leeches?

[Yankee]

Pretty much. Rudimentary stitches, amputations, blood letting, herbal remedies and salves, that kind of thing. "Healing magic" is not really a thing, but it is supposedly possible. That said, many things about the setting are malleable, as it is only a backdrop for your character's stories.

[Psyker Landshark]

Is there an aristocracy outside of the ruling family, or something like an upper caste of knights and administrators?

[Yankee]

I'd say so, wealthy and/or storied families that have histories of serving the royal family directly as advisors or other key roles, plus those employed to protect them.

As a quick note, I'm off for now but if any other questions come in I'll be glad to talk about them tomorrow!

[ShwiggityShwah]

A comment said the limit was reached.

Let me know if a spot opens. Cheers on this.

[Psyker Landshark]

CS should be done by tomorrow.

[Yankee]

@stone Eliza looks good. A paladin chasing a rumored artifact is a classic goal with potential. I'd only make a mention of where she is starting from. The Midlands perhaps? Otherwise, I'd say she is approved.

Edit: @PrankFox's character has also been approved via PM.

A comment said the limit was reached.

Let me know if a spot opens. Cheers on this.

@ShwiggityShwah

Will do, thank you!

[Anza]

I did a sheet!

Talanashta Wranvyre

Tala

Talanashta Wranvyre ● 35 ● She/her

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^Appearance:

Long-haired woman with a very eccentric dress sense. Wears lots of bells that make little jingling noises wherever she goes. Is rarely seen far from her golden-feathered pet bird, Wicket.

^Reputation:

An extremely powerful mage, here meaning ‘someone who was so isolated and friendless for so long that she had nothing better to do than study magic for unhealthy amounts of time.’ She seems nice enough, a kind and optimistic person who likes to dote on others and is starving for any form of positive interaction, but she’s also awkward, overbearing, extremely gullible, and has a bad sense of social boundaries. She does get along extremely well with animals, though, especially her bird. It’s a shame that her bird doesn’t seem to get along with anyone else…

^{Reason for Traveling:}

Talanashta (but she likes to be called Tala) was living out a quiet life as a mage and naturalist in a lonely tower near a tiny village when one day a passing caravan of traders decided to stop nearby for the night. This didn’t happen often, and there was a reason it did now: while legitimate merchants favored larger and more well-paved roads, this lot were smugglers dealing in several illegal goods, taking a quiet route to avoid drawing suspicion. Part of their cargo was a collection of several rare and exotic animals and monsters, kept in cages to be sold on the black market as pets, and amongst them huddled a tiny prison housing a sick, shivering ball of feathers no longer than a thumb.

Long story short, the curious Tala ended up investigating, and, well, may have kind of liberated the entire menagerie and caused an incident that ended with a troop of imperial soldiers being called in to deal with all the monsters on the loose… Point was, by the time all that had died down, she’d nursed the tiny bird back to health and named him Wicket and decided that maybe she could keep him for a while.

There was a small problem with this. While Wicket was a very good bird and would definitely never do anything wrong, he was kind of a predator and did start exterminating the local avian population as soon as he was old enough to fly and oh gods did he just shoot fire from his nostrils?! Despite having spent years observing the local wildlife, Tala had never seen anything like him, and had no idea what he might look like as an adult. He grew quite slowly, but he also didn’t seem to ever stop getting larger, and after a year and a half of dealing with a steadily more rambunctious bird Tala decided that she probably couldn’t keep him forever. It was time to go out into the world and find out where he’d really come from, and then release him into the wilds to be with the rest of his kind, or at least somewhere he wouldn’t end up harming or being hunted by humans.

Having trained him as best she could not to ever breathe fire in public, Tala packed her bags, bought a map, and set out into the wider world, where she promptly ended up getting completely lost.

^Skills:

She can cook! Kind of an essential skill for living on one’s own. All her specialties are vegetarian, but they do taste quite good, and she also knows some handy herbal remedies for common ailments.

She can name the plants and animals! Or at least most of them. Except the one she really needs to right now. But anyway, uhhh, she knows many birds and has read many natural history books, so yes please ask her anything about nature if you need her to not stop talking for the next hour or so.

She’s a really good mage! Like, really good. Pretty much entirely stuck to wind element, but when it comes to blowing things she can’t be beat! no wait that came out wrong Her mastery is such that she can effect large-scale changes in the weather given time (about half an hour) and even fly through the air for short intervals with her voluminous sleeves. The bells she carries aren’t anything special on their own, but the sounds they make fall easily within her purview, giving her a catalyst noise that she can alter and amplify to sound like pretty much anything she likes. Though none of her skills are specialized for combat, her raw power and versatility still make her a force to be reckoned with in that respect.

Her bird will murder you! You think Wicket’s just some puffed-up little hawk? Think again. This bad boy can do over 300 kph in the air, and has talons so strong they can rip through plate armor like paper if he hits you at full velocity. Mess with the big W, and I guarantee you he will rip your face off and charbroil your ass, or just shit on your favorite possessions the moment you leave them unattended.

^Meta:

As you can probably tell already, Tala’s best suited for light and/or comedic stories. Ideally she’ll have plenty of opportunities to be an absolute dork and screw things up without doing so much harm that she can’t desperately try and fix everything afterwards. I’m hoping that her quest will bring her more in touch with the natural and supernatural side of Sedaia, with the magic and monsters and hidden wonders that few or no living humans have ever gazed upon before. Exploration is good, as is lore and history and anything that gets us deeper into the less-trodden details of the setting and its flora/fauna, all the parts that exist outside of or on the edges of human knowledge and influence.

Otherwise… I don’t actually mind dark stuff? And not everything can be sunshine and roses. So please feel free to drop the hammer on her at least once or twice along the line, if it fits the occasion. I’d actually prefer a sad or bittersweet ending if we reach that point, though animal stories can be easily mined for pathos so let’s try not to get too cliché in that regard. Romance is also super fun, so if anyone makes characters of a similar age then prepare to have them crushed on by goofy bird lady.

^Extra:

Art source.

[Cu Chulainn]

<sub>Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn
And I dream of what I need

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light
He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
Larger than life</sub>

Hero (Murderer)

Scourge of the Great Swamp

Derrick Lowborn ● 24 ● He/Him

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^Appearance:

5'8, slender but athletic build, dark brown hair, pale skin, and sullen amber eyes. Wears a mixed set of armor emphasizing mobility and an assortment of dark, natural colors, perfect for skulking around wooded lands and underbrush as well as protecting against the rain. Also carries an assortment of different smaller weapons such as a hatchet, an arming sword, and a light pick. He most notably sports a black mask when hunting, made to protect himself from fungal spores and other inhaled threats common to his homeland. Image for reference. Dos.

^Reputation:

A roaming, "ranger"-type mercenary. When one would ask about the "Scourge of the Great Swamp," one would receive a variety of different accounts, many of which are heavily exaggerated. One common theme is that he is a monster slayer of no small renown, a local legend to those living in the more remote regions of the Lowlands and a folk tale to others nearby. All of these accounts are unreliable, however, as he leaves just as fast as he arrives. Those who have traveled with him would describe him as rather reserved and quiet, a soft-spoken expert when consulted in matters he specializes in, and turning into "something else" in the throes of battle.

^{Reason for Traveling:}

Simply put, Derrick wishes to become a hero. His mother, a powerful and infamous enchantress, had raised him for such a purpose, sending him off as soon as he came of age, having ingrained the young man with that aimless goal in mind. However, Derrick's opinion of "becoming a hero" is incomplete, as he believes this equates to seeking out stronger monsters and slaying them in battle. His current goals are to find such a monster, having grown unsatisfied with the "smaller" threats he normally faces.

^Skills:

As expected of someone raised in the wilder regions of the Lowlands, Derrick is a skilled survivalist, with proficiency in hunting, tracking, gathering, and other skills expected of a Ranger. Derrick is also gifted in more clandestine acts, taking advantage of his smaller frame and his conformity with the woodlands of his home to hone his skills at hiding and moving silently. Derrick is also a skilled trapper, able to make rudimentary snares out of sticks and vines alone, and more deadly traps if given the proper time and resources. Due to being raised in the Indiga Great Swamp, he has a familiarity with many of its flora and fauna, taught to him by his mother.

That said, while Derrick is trained in many practical skills, his weakness is in magic, as he is incapable of using his mana or casting any spells due to a curse placed on him at a young age. To compensate, Derrick has honed his skills with weapons to a degree that rivals that of a trained knight, specializing in smaller arms to complement his role as a skirmisher. However, when compared to a warrior that has received formal training, Derrick's fighting style seems to be more vicious and destructive in nature. While a knight of similar skill would fight in order to "defeat" their opponent, Derrick fights in order to "annihilate" his opponent. In other words, a professional slaughterer. This method of combat shines fully when up against supernatural beings.

^Meta:

For Derrick, I was looking to do something of a deconstruction of a folk hero, as well as the classic Hero's Journey story, using elements from different classic legends (such as being raised by a powerful magic being, slaying monsters, etc.) and hopefully turning all of it over its head. The conclusion was an aloof young man who was raised with high expectations in mind and doing his best to accomplish them without really knowing the meaning behind them. That said, I do have a desire for Derrick to grow out his shell and hopefully learn that there is more to being a hero than slaying every single monster he comes across. Hopefully in the end, Derrick would have received proper rehabilitation from his dubious upbringing. Of course, I'm a fan of tragic endings as much as I am of happy ones, so we'll see what the story has in store in the future~

There are other, more secretive elements to Derrick's growth I already discussed with Yankee previously for the sake of narrative such as the curse that doesn't allow him to cast spells, but I can say that they may involve Derrick's witchy mother making an appearance, among other things. Hopefully the twists and turns I have planned aren't too obvious from the get-go... And of course, I do also want to have cool monster fights every now and then, as expected from those who know me.

^Extra:

Art Source

[Dezuel]

I would like to show my interest in this.

[ERode]

Nea

Nea Honeyforge ● 16 ● She

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^Appearance:

Nea stands at 4'11 with the stocky, rounded build of someone who still hasn't fully grown out of childhood yet. Though her hands are callused from long hours in the kitchen and her attire is such that no one could mistake her for anything more than a servant, Nea's sleek hair and pale complexion are her self-declared charm points and she's stupidly confident that she'll grow up to be a jaw-dropping beauty come two or three more years.

^Reputation:

Nea's position as apprentice maid in the summer estate of Lord Mildred Karstein down in the Croplands precludes basically any personal reputation she may have. As with any maid in the service of an aristocrat, she can be expected to be quiet, hard-working, and punctual, though some leniency should be given owing to her age and nature as an apprentice.

^{Reason for Traveling:}

A letter from her village in the Highlands bade her to come back, with no further clarifications or instructions. After stressing about it for a couple days, Nea asked for leave from the butler, and as Lord Karstein was unlikely to be expected to return to the estate in the next half year, he allowed it, sending the girl off with some extra wages to help with travel expenses. It's unlikely to be enough for the whole trip though.

^Skills:

Having worked at the estate of an affluent lord for the last two years, Nea has become proficient in performing a variety of menial tasks and has trained herself to wake up at the crack of dawn, regardless of when she had slept the night before. It's unlikely that she would ever encounter something she didn't know how to clean, and Nea is especially skilled at butchering animals and cutting vegetables; it's why she had been primarily working the kitchen for the last four months.

Though an inexperienced traveller in that she doesn't spend her life on the road, Nea possesses the sturdiness of any commoner who lived their formulative years in the Highlands, and, in preparation for roadside dangers, has pounded a dozen or two nails through the business end of her travelling stick. Whether she possesses the will to swing it though with full intent of maiming another human being's face, however, is still up for debate.

^Meta:

Nea exists so I can practice writing volatile emotions. She's not a trained badass and she's not smart and she's not going to keep her cool in situations that her job hasn't prepared for her, so hopefully there will be plenty of situations where she wonders what the hell's going on. This, obviously, may exclude her from participating in combat scenes, especially near the start of the RP. I'm not sure where her character arc will go otherwise, but there are two things I'd like to clear up.

Once she reaches her village in the Highlands, Nea will leave the party permanently, no matter whether the situation at the village is tragic (oh no, everyone's dead) or immensely stupid (parents literally just wanted to see her again). As such, I'm open to any plot hijinks, so long as it doesn't take the note of something like "your parents were in another castle, so travel more with us". Partings are also things that I never get to write in RPs.