[OOC] Grimoiric Heart

IMPORTANT LINKS

— Interest Check

^{A MAGICAL GIRL ADVENTURE}

Long ago upon the Age of Tales, magic still reigned over the world. In its very real and very physical grasp, miracles were performed and spiraling feats that spun forth stories were commonplace from all the land over. It was within these very stories in which true magic was held and stored, passed down along the centuries and holding within them a special power of their own. This was the advent of Magical Girls, those gifted with the power to unlock the magic in the stories hidden in plain sight all around them.

Fairly maidens chosen by forces beyond to bring about hope and justice among the world, Magical Girls have been among the shadows long throughout history, waging an endless war against those who seek chaos. Their enemies have remained even now as the Pageless, creatures from a different beyond who seek to consume all the stories of the world. Cloaked in darkness and negativity, it is only by the power of stories and the Magical Girls who wield them to keep back darkness at its bay.

As history progressed, so too have the methods of the Magical Girls. Friendship and loyalty have remained staple keys of their power, fueling the Grimoires that hold their story magic together. It wasn’t long before all the world over united in their war against the Pageless; and thus, the Grand Ministry was born. Located at the heart of modern innovation and historical narrative, the Grand Ministry continues to watch over the world in plain view within the heart of England. It has been this way for some time and shall continue to be this way for all of time to pass….

And yet, there is whisper of a great catastrophe coming to the world. The end of all stories beckons its reach as the Pageless grow stronger, wilder, and more erratic. Something is coming, something beyond the Grand Ministry’s sight. Perhaps then, the world’s stories truly aren’t enough to vanquish its erasure after all. Only time can tell.

^SETTING

Welcome to Marrywell Academy. Located deep in the bode of England's most prestigious city of London, Marrywell Academy boasts itself as the most astute all-female education center in the world. It is here where only the best of the best and the brightest of minds are gathered to shape the future. While naysayers may look upon the castle-like grand walls and think only of normal boarding schools, Marrywell Academy's feats and reputation put all doubts to ease. Indeed, it is here where a girl's future is made into reality with a strong and positive career meant to launch them forward. At least, that's what the public believes.

In truth, the walls of Marrywell Academy serve as a fortress and base of operations for all the Magical Girls of the world. Hidden in plain sight, the school doubles as the heart of the Grand Ministry, the global organization of Magical Girls who watch and protect the world from the very shadows they face. It is here where your journey begins; or perhaps it's already started quite a while ago, having been a seasoned Magical Girl yourself. The choice is yours, your magic and Grimoire yours to decide what to do with. Regardless of your first impressions, one thing is constant.

The Pageless are growing restless. For the first time in years, the Pageless grow bold in their mark and more daring in their pursuit both for humans and the very stories that give a Magical Girl her power; the Grimoires. To what end is their hunt and their goals? That darkest mystery is for you to decide. Make friends, study hard, gather together, and combat back the darkness into the recesses where all stories come from. And, above all else in your endeavors, trust in the Grand Ministry.

^TERMINOLOGY

Throughout the RP, many terms and wording have become common place among the daily lives of Magical Girls. To truly excel in one's studies and ventures, it is best to familiarize with the locale and language.

Terminology

The Grand Ministry

Most Magical Girls cannot recall when the Grand Ministry was formed, but those scholars among them dictate it was when humanity's survival was put into question and the darkest day in history eclipsed the sky itself. Whether that be hyperbole or fact, the Grand Ministry is very much a reality today for many Magical Girls. Through them, all Magical Girls are given a magical rank determined from their Grimoire as a mass means of classification for logistical use. While most Magical Girls flourish and enjoy the friendship and teamwork that the Grand Ministry encourages, there are those who'd rather work alone and hold less than savory views on the organization. At the very top, manning the Grand Ministry, is the Architect and her close kept friends.

Fable Rank

The Fable rank among Magical Girls encompasses those Grimoires who possesses stories that have become exactly that among mankind. Fables and fairy tales are those that have prevailed among human psyche, usually holding morals to learn and lessons to impart upon their retelling. Despite being the weakest rank in power and magic, do not be fooled. A Magical Girl with a Fable ranked Grimoire can still prevail as a champion of light against any Pageless.

Legend Rank

The Legend rank among Magical Girls is the second step in magical power and authority in the Grand Ministry. Legends are beyond fables; where fables may leave a lasting impression and only hold so much recent presence within history, legends are older. As a result they are far more powerful in their making and their use. Legends encompass tales that have influenced a region or more of the world and lays ripples in history.

Myth Rank

The Myth rank among Magical Girls is the final and most powerful ranking administered by the Grand Ministry. It is also the rarest. Myths are greater in scope to legends and beyond simple fables. They represent whole concepts of history in the world and may influence not one, but several regions of locations across the globe. Those Magical Girls among the legend rank, few as they are, hold stories that have shaped the fundamentals of this world.

Alters

Alters are a rare anomaly among Magical Girls. They are Magical Girls whose Grimoires tell differing alterations of their tales and stories compared to the original. This may include details being twisted from the original story, alternative interpretations of a tale's narrative and characters, or darker connotations of a story's end known as "bad endings". As of now, the Grand Ministry is unsure of how Altered Grimoires come to be, let alone come into the hands of Magical Girls; so rare are they. Although the Grand Ministry has made tireless efforts to cooperate with them, most Alters choose to work outside the Grand Ministry's scope or by themselves.

Pageless

The Pageless can be described as primordial creatures borne out of the shadows of history. All stories cast a shadow, and from the darkness of their tales come the Pageless. Naturally, they are mindless and driven by instinctual survival. They seek out all means to fulfill their hunger, targeting the humans of the world and feasting upon their life force, their very stories. But above all else, the Pageless seek out the grandest of stories, the Grimoires of Magical Girls. Mindless as they are, when united they can become a dangerous threat to any Magical Girl. Be wary of them and vanquish without remorse for their evil ways.

The Book of Omen

The Book of Omen is at best a rumor among Magical Girls and at worse the ultimate prize for all Pageless to obtain. Legend goes the book is the guide to all Grimoires and the blueprints for their design. It supposedly has the power to grant one visions of the future and that it is this very tome that is held by the highest of the Grand Ministry. Some darker readings of the myth say it tells of a great calamity that will ruin the world in future time but much like the rest, there can be no verification.

^{CHARACTER SHEET}

Name: Self explanatory.
Age: Self explanatory.
Nationality: Marrywell Academy is a global school and front for the Grand Ministry, welcoming Magical Girls from all corners of the world. Where do you hail from?
Appearance: Self explanatory, both for transformed states and regular clothes.
Description: A brief description of your character. This can include bits of personality, backstory, likes and dislikes, etc. Above all else, describe how they became a Magical Girl and their thoughts on the Grand Ministry.
Grimoire: Every Magical Girl begins her story with one unique Grimoire, a mystical story book that somehow found its way into her possession.
• Title: One defining trait of all Grimoires is that they are copies of fairytales and other stories of our world. They are similar enough that you can use them as the basis for the naming and powers granted by the books.
• Classification: Under the Grand Ministry's ranks for all Magical Girls, what classification does your Grimoire fall under. This determines the level of your power, rank, and experience among other Magical Girls.
• Description: A brief description of the contents of your Grimoire regarding the tale it embodies.
• Abilities: What kind of powers, weapons, gear, etc does the Grimoire grant to your character?
Misc: Trivia, theme songs, or anything else not covered above should go here.

[TheWendil]

Reserved.

[KoL]

Good, good.

[Izurich]

@TheWendil Up for review! I may have taken too many liberties with the lore, but I can say that I'm pretty pleased with how the CS turns out.

Regardless, tell me if there's anything I should edit!

Lucette Delacroix | Lumière

LUMIÈRE

96 y/o | Female | 152cm (5'0")

Theme

FULL NAME:

Lucette Delacroix

NATIONALITY:

French

APPEARANCE:

Visual References

Wings

Uniform

Lucette as a person is a French girl who has the physical appearance of a girl in her mid-teens despite being born a decade before the second World War. Like most - if not all - Magical Girls, her Grimoire keeps her body as youthful as the moment she was infused by its power. The magical girl has short shoulder-length white hair, light blue eyes, slim build, and pale complexion.

As Lumiere, Lucette is clad in a pure white dress resembling a bridal's gown with gold accents. A veiled golden crown encircles her head without actually touching it, it floats through arcane power instead. Similarly, a pair of golden wings float behind her back. Lumiere's wings are peculiar in that they don't take the form of traditional feathery avian wings, but instead eight separate pieces of floating golden obelisks. These 'wings' can be commanded at will by Lucette as if they're parts of her body. When not used for a particular task, they float behind her in twin formations of four pieces each, resembling a more traditional depiction of angelic wings.

As herself, Lucette prefers a comfortable outfit that doesn't stand out, thus they change along with the decades. Currently, she can most often be seen wearing a British schoolgirl's uniform to match her cover as a 'student' of Marrywell Academy.

GRIMOIRE:

Title: Sefirot/Sephirot, Kabbalistic Celestial Host

Classification: Myth

Description

The Kabbalah, an ancient set of traditions, beliefs, and philosophies said to both predate and inspire the Torah, the Holy Book of Judaism, which in turn eventually gives birth to Christianity and Islam, all together forming the main three branches of the Abrahamic religions.

This ancient concept's particular incarnation as the Grimoire "Sefirot" focuses on the Celestial Hosts; Yahweh's guardians, warriors, and messengers, who are colloquially known collectively as 'angels'. Its bearer gains the ability to assume the form of a Seraph, multi-winged holy beings tasked to glorify His name. In Lucette's hands, it allows her to transform into Lumiere, the seraphic magical girl sworn to protect His creations from the Pageless, demons of shadows intent of devouring all and covering the world in darkness. For as long there's something worth protecting in this world, then so will her light shine forevermore.

Sefirot's power can be classified as no less than Myth rank, befitting a Grimoire embodying the concept of angels, a myth that's known throughout most of the civilized world, spread through each corners of the Earth, even to countries that never had a particularly strong Abrahamic influence. As it stands today, everyone and their mother knows what an 'angel' is and their depiction in literature, art, and media ranging from ancient texts to modern-day novels, movies, and games can't be disputed.

Abilities

Sefirot is a powerful Grimoire, one of the world's strongest in fact due to the myth it embodies. Its bearer can assume the form of an angelic guardian, a shining beacon of God's light to bring hope to the helpless and banish the forces of evil.

Its current bearer, Lumiere, is granted various abilities all adhering to this theme. Aside from the usual superhuman strength, agility, and endurance that most magical girls possess when transformed, Lumiere is capable of free flight by herself, but she can boost her speed by dedicating her wing-obelisks to the task, more pieces equal more speed. Speaking of wings, Lumiere possesses eight separate obelisks which she can wield for various purposes: offense, defense, and utility.

For offense, each piece can fire golden beams to sear her enemies into ash, brandishes scythe-shaped beam-blades to slice and dice targets, and emits arcane explosions to decimate groups of Pageless.

For defense, they can project semi-transparent barriers to shield someone or something from harm or heal wounds.

For utility, they boost Lumiere's flight speed or shape two portals that she can use to transport herself (and only herself) from one to the other. Regarding the latter, each portal requires exactly 4 wings to form, thus portalling means her wings are all busy and therefore can't be used for anything else.

One thing to mention for all of these uses is that Lumiere is able to dedicate any number of wings from one all the way to eight with each added piece boosting the potency of their task. For example, a single wing can fire a golden beam at the width of a human fist, but all eight combined can form a wave motion gun akin to a certain animated series of a white-clad brunette magical girl that befriends people via pink beams.

While Sefirot isn't sentient in the way humans are, it's clear that the Grimoire seems to have a mind of its own. It can't move or speak, but it seems to respond to Lucette's thoughts, words, and actions. In particular, Sefirot is adamant in its chosen bearer's adherence to its purpose, protecting humanity from existential threats, the Pageless being a prominent example. It can outright refuse to allow its power to be used 'irresponsibly', for better or worse. As such, Sefirot's bearer may be granted by power that eclipses most magical girls, but it also entails all the responsibilities that it demands from her.

BIOGRAPHY:

Personality

As it's common with veteran magical girls possessing decades of experience, Lucette's behavior utterly betrays her apparent age. She's an old soul with the body of a teenager and it's something that quickly becomes obvious when she's speaking to a fellow magical girl, to others not in the know, she tries her best to act her 'age' for subtlety's sake, but an observant person - magical girl or no - can eventually sense that something isn't quite right.

Ever since she stumbled upon Sefirot, an event that saved her life, she believes that she was chosen by Jehovah, God, to protect humanity as one of His angels. She believes that she's only doing what's best for the people, but possessing such inhuman power can get into her head even if she doesn't realize it. Although Sefirot's semi-sentient nature keeps her in check, Lucette occasionally displays signs of a person with god complex, a well-meaning one, but complex nonetheless.

Nevertheless, in the end, she's definitely someone you can rely upon whether as a comrade, mentor, or just a shoulder to cry on, and an irreplaceable asset to the Marrywell Academy.

History

One of the veteran Magical Girls in active service, Lucette's history traces back to France in the middle of the 20th century, a most tumultuous era for mankind, the era that saw numerous armed conflicts on a global scale, including two world wars.

Lucette was just a young French girl born in the 1920s and she grew up in a world still reeling from the aftermath of the first world war. Born to a baker father and housewife mother, both devout Catholics, she was raised in a religious environment. Perhaps if destiny had decided otherwise, she'd have grown up to be a baker herself, married a handsome childhood friend of hers, bore healthy children, and passed away peacefully with her extended family beside her deathbed, perhaps that would've been the kinder fate, but alas...

Fascists from the neighboring Germany and Italy and all the way across the world in Japan decided that the world should bend their knees to them, thus sparking the second world war, a mere short two decades after the first one. France thought that the Maginot Line would be able to keep the Germans at bay, but little did they know that the Germans had learned from their last defeat, their forces stormed through the Ardennes Forest and caught the French off guard, thus setting into motion of the country's eventual downfall.

Lucette's home village was among those ravaged by the horrors of war, she was still in the tender age of 15 when German forces arrived to clash with the ill-prepared French army. To say the ensuing battle was one-sided would be an understatement. Lucette, her family, and other villagers took shelter within the town's church, hoping, praying to God that they would deliver them from this calamity, and then... something answered, but whatever it was, it certainly was not God's work.

Perhaps attracted by all the death and destruction in the area, dark creatures emerged from the shadows, abominations of the natural order, ones only known as 'Pageless'. The demons ravaged through the battlefield, holding no allegiance but to themselves as they ripped and tore through both German and French soldiers, sowing complete chaos to both sides as the creatures devoured the humans for their life force. Obviously, any villagers they found weren't treated any different, meat is meat after all.

Lucette watched with her own eyes how a pack of black wolf-like creatures with exposed ribs and jagged fangs broke into the church and pounced on the townsfolk, one by one in quick succession. In panic, her mother tried to hide her only daughter in the Church's confessional even as her husband was torn to pieces behind her. However, something snapped in Lucette as she refused to hide just to watch her mother die, the young girl grabbed a bible in her desperate search for a weapon, bolted out of the confessional, and dauntlessly leapt between her mother and a skeletal wolf to smack its ugly mug!

That was when it happened... the 'bible' wasn't just a Holy Book, but a Grimoire instead. It shone in a bright golden light, a blinding light that dazed the monsters and enveloped Lucette, its Bearer. In an instant, Lucette Delacroix the village girl was no more and in her place, Lumiere, Guardian of the Lord, descended from the heavens to protect His faithful. Not knowing what exactly happened, Lumiere merely followed her instincts as she burned each and every monster around her, avenging her father and saving her mother.

Now, decades later, even long after her mother had passed away from old age, Lucette remained, though a woman in her 90s, the same burning desire to protect her loved ones back in that church endured.

[TheWendil]

@Izurich

I see we have our first senpai archetype to lead the others. Reading it over, she's approved from me and @KoL. You can place her in the Character Tab.

[Lonewolf685]

Got my CS approved over PM, so just sending straight to that tab.

[Izurich]

Got my CS approved over PM, so just sending straight to that tab.

@Lonewolf685

I’ve been thinking of changing the “Celestial Host” in my CS to something else, another term that fits more thematically yet has the same meaning, but I’m on the fence about it.

However, after reading Roma’s CS, it gave me enough push to decide on changing mine because she also has a “Celestial Host” and changing mine will avoid potential confusion. Win-win!

Therefore, I’ll be switching the word “Celestial” in Lumière’s CS into “Malakhim” which means Messenger/Angel in Hebrew.

[TheWendil]

Sure that works. In hindsight there would be similar terminology between legends and what not so that’s fine by me.

[Izurich]

Sure that works. In hindsight there would be similar terminology between legends and what not so that’s fine by me.

@TheWendil

Yeah~ but in this particular case, I was already thinking of switching the term since "Celestial" is thematically more fitting for East Asian legends; Jade Emperor, Celestial Army, Moon Rabbits, all that jazz. I just needed a little push and Roma gave me that push.

[The 42nd Gecko]

I am really not sold on my magical girl name yet, but here's what I've got so far.

Bonnie Chance | Lilac Shimmer

LILAC SHIMMER

19 y/o | Female | 154cm (5'0.5")

Theme

Not yet, I hope so tho.

FULL NAME:

Bonnie Chance

NATIONALITY:

Canadian

APPEARANCE:

Visual References

Casual Wear

Uniform

Part Timer

Bonnie is a French Canadian oft bearing a smile on her lips and a spring in her step, as long as there hasn't been a long night slaying pageless on a school night. She's a tiny bit short, but otherwise limber and athletic, and insists her next growth spurt is right around the corner, regardless of what any senior magical girls tell her. Her pride and joy is taking great care of her extravagant hair and hairstyle, which nicely frames her pale skin and sparkling lilac-pink eyes.

Lilac Shimmer strides on the battlefield garbed in radiant attire. The striking white core of her outfit serves to accept the colors of Joyeuse and live up to her name, shimmering finer than silk in the aurora of Joyeuse's power. And, one cannot forget Joyeuse himself, a kingly companion, a fine stout medieval longsword, no flippant rapier, crowned with a hilt of royal gold. In her hands the blade seems large enough to be wielded two handed, and at times she will, but as a Magical Girl she can nonetheless wield it with deadly ease in a single hand.

Inside school, Bonnie's outfit is not exactly kept to an exactingly formal standard. Comfort is more important for those mid-class naps. Outside of school or work, Bonnie tends towards tomboyish outfits, though one might occasionally find her aiming for a cute or elegant appeal instead of a handsome one. Relatively common is a mix and match, with a rather boyish top combined with a skirt. The exception to the rule is her extravagant work uniform.

GRIMOIRE:

Title: La Chanson de Roland

Classification: Fable

Description

The Song of Roland is an epic poem of medieval France, celebrating deeds of honor, kingship, battle and crusade. Dating back to the 11th century, it is a tale of some longevity, being quite popular in medieval France. It is a tale of court and crusade, justice and treachery.

In Bonnie's hands, the Grimoire grants her the sword of Charlemange. As for the reason the Song of Roland grants her Charlemange's blade, she's not sure, though Charles is prominently featured. Perhaps it has something to do with a right to rule? But if so, what does a mere magical girl rule? Bonnie does not yet understand the significance, still puzzling as to the deeper meanings.

While the Song of Roland is a historically important tale, oft credited with aiding the rise of French national sentiment, it certainly doesn't have worldwide reach. Durandal the blade of Roland is probably more famous than Roland or his song, simply for appearing as a legendary weapon in games. But it is little more than a name to most. How many do you know that actually read the Song of Roland? And perhaps more importantly, the modern world has little positive regard for crusades and wars of religion these days. As such, the Song of Roland is currently classified as Fable rank.

Abilities

The Song of Roland's priamry ability is to summon for Lilac Shimmer the legendary sword of Charlemange, Joyeuse, a powerful longsword of shifting colors. While later legends might ascribe to it the power of Longinus, Joyeuse is not as mythical as that weapon. It is nonetheless peerless to any mortal blade and possesses a curious power.

While drawn, Joyeuse may be used to create colorful displays of vibrant, joyful even, lights. This power seems to act naturally when Lilac is enjoying the thrill of battle resulting in the battlefield being lit up like a festival.

Finally, as a melee type magical girl, Lilac Shimmer indeed possesses the typical physical suite of enhancements assumed of that type.

BIOGRAPHY:

Personality

Bonnie can be described as typically enthusiastic and bombastic, but still trying to find her place in the world. She will oft make bold declarative statements of truth, but internally doubt as to whether they really are so. If she's willing to share her doubts with you, it's a strong sign of her trust that she doesn't make for many.

Bonnie has a rather direct and immediate approach to most problem solving. Pageless? Transform, pronounce judgment, and strike! Need money? Go around and see who's hiring. Schoolwork? Ah, who cares, just write something down, a guess is better than a blank sheet. She tends towards decisively doing the most obvious solution, even if perhaps a bit more care should be taken to determine the proper solution.

The exception to this habit is relational issues, that instead have her shaking in her boots and taking no action at all or reacting defensively. The loss of her Magical Girl Team, not to Pageless, but simply drifting apart, has shattered her confidence in that regard.

Overall, she's still young, even if not quite as young as she looks, and puts up a brave front to try and hide a teeming mass of insecurities.

History

Bonnie's own story is not all that unbelievable or out of the ordinary. A bright young girl of 19 years, traveling to a university abroad to study. The subject of her study, being a magical girl, may certainly be out of the norm, but as a whole her past is not what troubles her, but the future.

Bonnie Chance was born an only child to French Canadians, not in Quebec, but in London. London Ontario that is. Bonnie still keeps in contact with her parents regularly, for as much they know, she is enjoying a full ride scholarship in a prestigious far off academy. Bonnie keeps back ups of every single message they share with each other across the pond, dreading the day when she has to break ties with them. A magical girls lot is not a mortals lot, and eventually the two worlds must shift apart.

Bonnie became a magical girl three years ago, while attending a camp in the woods. Tales and chocolates exchanged by firelight, interrupted by an eerie howl came from the darkness. The chaperone told them to stay as he would check it out, and they huddled close whispering whether it was beast or prank. A scream issued from where their chaperone investigated. The others fled in panic to their cabins, but something different steeled Bonnie. Grabbing a stout stick and the flashlight app on her phone, she set forth into the darkness.

What she found was one of the Pageless, this one a twisted beast both moose and man the size of a van and crowned in gore soaked horns. An impossible beast a thousand times her match. Yet she could not help but charge. From her lips spilled forth not a battle cry, but a song, a poem, in flowing words she knew not. Something French. The stick in her hands was not a stick anymore, but a glorious blade, and Lilac Shimmer cleaved the beast in twain.

But Bonnie was not alone that night, multiple Pageless had attacked different campers, and more than one Magical Girl was born that night, defending the woods. In the months after, they formed a small Magical Girl team, defending London and the surrounding area against the Pageless. Eventually, however, this team came to an end. Not because of the Pageless, but ironically, joining a 'greater' team. Eventually they were recruited into the Grand Ministry, and, amid that larger team, lost their smaller identity.

Having lost that solidarity of the smaller team in which she was a prominent member, Bonnie now finds herself questioning her place in the vast Grand Ministry.

ODDS AND ENDS:

Trivia

She doesn't know much of French culture, beyond some fragmented snippets of language and here and there. She knows enough to get the joke in her name, for example. She's been struggling to try and read her Grimoire in its original text, but so far has resorted to reading English translations. Given the French origins of her tale, she's a little disappointed Marrywell is in Britain as opposed to France.

Story Beats

Here are some places I'd love to see her story go. If you've got an idea for any of them, hit me up.

The Grand Ministry: Bonnie has mixed feelings. She's happy with the opportunity to study in Marrywell and the support they can offer her, but struggles with how she's effectively lost her smaller team as the former members seek position within the Grand Ministry.

The Song of Roland: Bonnie struggles to understand the moral she should take from the tale. It's not exactly time to reconquer Spain from the muslims, so the meaning must be something else.

The Nature of a King: Bonnie feels a desire to live up to the legend of Charlemange.. But it's not right for a magical girl to go around conquering countries right?

Two Worlds: Bonnie is putting off facing the fact that being a magical girl will eventually result in her walking very different paths to her parents.

The King's Court: Bereft of her former teammates, Bonnie feels alone in a crowd. She's worried it's her own fault for the group splitting up, and that if she was of greater charisma she could have kept them together.

[TheWendil]

With the size we have and the people I know working on their CSes in the background, I'm allowing people to have 2 characters if they want for now.

[LukasVolkov]

May I throw my hat into this?

[TheWendil]

May I throw my hat into this?

@LukasVolkov

Sure. Welcome aboard.

[LukasVolkov]

So quick question so I'm clear. Any story, myth, or fable will work for this yeah?

[TheWendil]

Generally speaking yes, so long as it's nothing too crazy. I trust everyone has restraint for that. However, they must be the original versions of the tale; as an example, you can use the original Beauty and the Beast fable but not its Disney interpretation, for the most part unless it's an Alter. These are few and far between so I suppose I should ask, was there anything in specific you had in mind?

[LukasVolkov]

At the moment not really. Maybe the Count of Monte Cristo because its my favorite book but I was also thinking the Odyssey but trying to work out how either of those would work for a grimoir. Still thinking on the specifics

[Izurich]

I am really not sold on my magical girl name yet, but here's what I've got so far.

@The 42nd Gecko

Oooooh! I’m really liking what I’ve read~ I can see fun stories made between our PCs.

I hope you get accepted!

With the size we have and the people I know working on their CSes in the background, I'm allowing people to have 2 characters if they want for now.

@TheWendil

I’m also helping a friend work on their CS, so add one more to the list of WIPs.

As for 2 main characters, my personal procedure on that is to ICly progress with my 1st main first then see if I feel like a 2nd main is necessary. I’m already comfortable controlling NPCs (Whether regular or throwaway) by default anyway.

[The 42nd Gecko]

<Snipped quote by The 42nd Gecko>

Oooooh! I’m really liking what I’ve read~ I can see fun stories made between our PCs.

I hope you get accepted!

@Izurich

Thanks! I'm excited to interact with your character as well. :)

[Villamvihar]

Here I go! Backstory is still in the works, but it should be nothing too out of the ordinary.

Wilhelmina Anholts - Captain Goodhope

Wilhelmina Anholts - Captain Goodhope

---

General Details

Age: 16

Nationality: Dutch

Personality: A kind, warm girl raised by a loving family, Wilhelmina is easy to get along with. Despite her youth, she tends to take life in stride and with a certain sort of warmth. Make no mistake though: While she is an optimist who always gives people a chance, she is by no means naive. Should someone try to exploit her repeatedly, they will soon find themselves lacking her assistance along with her presence. She is also a voracious reader, a lover of stories who always has a book at hand.

On the flipside, Wilhelmina is very inexperienced. With only a year under her belt as a Grimoire Wielder, not to mention her peaceful upbringing, she finds the more frightening aspects of the Magical Girl World - such as the Pageless - difficult to stomach. She wears her heart on her sleeve, making her easy to read and manipulate to an extent. She also tells the truth most of the time, even when keeping her mouth shut or lying would serve her far better.

Opinion on the Ministry: Despite her bearing an Altered Legend, Wilhelmina find the Ministry useful and she willingly cooperates with it. In fact, she is enrolled as a full student, one of the few of her kind to do so. She views it as an essential instution of support and is quite starry-eyed about it given her positive experinces so far. If only she did not have to fight the Pageless! But everything comes at a price, right?

History

The Netherlands is a nation with a proud naval history, which Wilhelmina's father seemed keen on maintaining. Having served as a sailor for nearly a decade before he found his wife, one of Wilhelmina's fondest memories is her sitting on her father's lap and listening to the stories of the sea. From the brave Odysseus who took twenty years to journey home through the legendary journey to Columbus and even the tale of the Flying Dutchman when she grew older, Wilhelmina loved them all. She also loved her fairy tales of course and her parents shared the duty of storyteller, alternating every other day.

Needless to say, she grew up in a loving household. Surrounded by older and younger siblings alike, she found herself supported where it counted and gently guided where she had to be. While her upbringing was by no means flawless, her parents gave it their all when it came to their children and it showed brilliantly with all of them. In the case of Wilhelmina, their care mainifested as excellence in all things literature, whether it be prose or poetry. Her successes came one after another; she even got accepted to a prestigious high school in a relatively remote location.

Saying her tearful goodbyes to her parents, Wilhelmina set out to live in the dormitories and immerse herself in the school's grand library. She set her sight on becoming a librarian, a professor of literature or perhaps even a great author herself, but fate would have other friends for her. For shortly after she set foot in the library she so wished to see, the Pageless struck.

Uncaring, unfeeling, horrible monstrosities, they started to devouring the library like a swarm of locusts. Ripping out page after page, destroying tome after tome, they cackled and danced as they destroyed humanity's greatest works while Wilhelmina stood, frozen in terror at their sight. This could not be happening, she thought. Why were they so cruel, she asked. Why did they not leave her beloved stories alone? It was unacceptable. She could not bear it. She wanted to defend these stories, to make sure they get passed on, just as her father passed his stories onto her and she would be willing to pay any price for that.

But nothing happened. All hope seemed to be lost as the Pageless flooded the premises until...

A brilliant pillar of light. Eight wings of gold. The choir of angels.

Magical Girl Lumiére had arrived. And as that dazzling figure fought against the relentless tide, something clicked within Wilhelmina's mind: she realised that no matter how deep the storm, no matter how dark the clouds... hope waited for her at the end. As though hearing this thought, her Grimoire Manifested in her hands, transforming her in a blinding show of light and colours. Her heart throbbing in her chest, the newly-born Magical Girl overcame her fear to stand beside Lumiére. With the older girl's experience and the younger girl's support, they managed to defeat the Pageless menace.

After that, Lumiére invited Wilhelmina into the Ministry, promising an explanation for everything that happened so far. Confused, lost and honestly curious, Wilhelmina accepted and she got moved to Britain under the guise of a scholarship; not a surprise given her general performance in the literary arts. This was one year ago and since then, she served as one of the Ministry's many Magical Girls.

Grimoire

Title: The Flying Dutchman's Kindness

Classification: Altered Legend

Description: The Flying Dutchman was a common tale amongst the sailors of the seventeenth century, with as many versions as the number of mouths that retold it. However, two elements remain consistent between all versions: the existence of a ghost ship cursed to forever wander the sea and the Cape of Good Hope being the place responsible for its tragedy.

In the most popular version, the Flying Dutchman is a vessel which got embroiled in a storm near the Cape of Good Hope. The captain swore that he would make it home "even if he had to sail until Judgement Day" and the Devil took him at his word. He cursed the captain to forever wander the seas along with his crew. However, an angel appeared before him, revealing how he might save his crew along with himself: Every seven years, the waves would bring him to shore. There, he would have to find a wife who remains true to him no matter the cost.

When he finally finds a hope for his salvation, the captain learns that the woman whose hand he sought in marriage, had been promised to another man. Succumbing to despair, he interprets this as a sign his curse would never end, so he and his crew return to his ship to sail the seas forevermore. But as Flying Dutchman leaves the harbour, his chosen wife swears eternal loyalty to him as she casts herself into the sea. Thus, the captain's redemption is earned: the Flying Dutchman, her crew and his wife ascend to heaven as one.

The Grimoire tells a much different story.

As written in The Flying Dutchman's Kindness, the captain is approached by one of his sailors, who has learned that his mother had been stricken with illness. Touched by the sailor's tale, the captain vows to make it home as soon as possible. He is even willing to brave the dangers posed by the Cape of Good Hope, which is also known as the Cape of Storms.

The other sailors are all too happy to get home again and merry tales fill the ship's hull as they leave port. They sail the seas with high hopes, however, they are struck by a terrible storm at the Cape of Good Hope - the very thing they wished to avoid. As the ship rolls, creaks and starts to shatter, the captain prays to God and His angels for salvation.

In his sincere prayer, he professes his foolishness and begs for the life of his sailors as he names all the prices he is willing to pay for their safety. An angel soaring in the heavens hears his prayer and just as the storm is about to rip the vessel into tiny pieces, just as a hope seems lost, the angel rescues them by lifting the ship out of water before delivering it to safe shores.

The angel delivers the price of his intervention: For seven hundred and seventy-seven years, the captain will have to wander the sea, saving seven sailors every day without fail. Humbled by the angel's appearance, the captain accepts the deal and swears an oath to live by it no matter the cost. The angel then ascends back to heaven as the storm dies down and the captain makes his way home - but he makes sure to fulfill his promise to the angel.

Since that day, he and his crew have saved countless sailors. Appearing as the faint light in the distance, they have guided many a ship to safety. They took mercy on the shipwrecked, rescued those trapped on uninhabited islands... even today, they continue to help the unfortunates of the world. For the captain shall never forget the kindness of God, nor will he ever forget his oath. He will faithfully accomplish his duty until his debt is repaid, whereupon he will take his rightful place by God's eternal throne.

Abilities

Captain's Prayer: Locking her hands together and uttering a prayer to the Lord Himself, Wilhelmina calls upon His aid just as the captain did in her Grimoire's Legend. Unlike the Grimoire, however, the aid comes not in the form of an angel, but in the form of a blessing that she may convey to any ally or herself. Capable of healing all wounds and ailments, whether they be physical, mental or spiritual, its potency is only limited by how much magic she pours into it.

Captain's Oath: Whenever one of Wilhelmina's allies swears to accomplish a goal, she can choose to bestow a blessing on them by calling upon the captain's goodwill and determination. In turn, the captain smiles upon them, granting a pinch of good luck, an increase of skill and a general increase in power to the person in question. The blessing lasts for as long as Wilhelmina maintains it and she may bestow it to a maximum of three people at this time, with each blessing taking a toll on her magic reserves.

The Flying Dutchman's Crew: Much like the blessed captain of her Grimoire, Wilhelmina does not act alone. She is capable of summoning a maximum of five spectral sailors, all dressed in fine livery and appearing almost completely human. Veterans of countless years, they follow her commands to the best of their abilities, which are beyond that of any mortal man. Should the need arise, they can also summon magical muskets into their hand to deal with Wilhelmina's enemies.

Misc

Captain Goodhope's Theme:

[KoL]

@The 42nd Gecko
Your character seems pretty fine for me. It's funny that I'm actually one of those that read a (translated and abridged) version of the Song of Roland, so at least I know she's pretty fine.

@Villamvihar
While I like the idea of your character being essentially a bard, I think her power set is a little too all over the place. I don't know what to suggest for sure, so I'll wait for @TheWendil's input, but I think she can benefit of a little more focus.

[TheWendil]

@The 42nd Gecko

Like KoL said, she's good to go barring the small parts you're missing. She's fine by me, especially in noting those story beats to use for her future development. Once you add her theme, you can place her in the Character Tab.

@Villamvihar

I enjoy the alternative retelling of the Legend so that's fine. However, I do agree with KoL that it seems like her magic is a bit too sporadic in following the Dutchman theme. One work around this is maybe giving her 2-3 core powers of her Grimoire for now and slowly gain the other abilities as she grows/the RP goes on, especially if she's only been a Magical Girl for a year.