The Faraway Land: Dragonbound (9 players interested as of 11/23/22)

[Thinslayer]

The Faraway Land

Dragonbound

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, the dark dragon Yddrog rebelled against his creator and patron demigodess, the Archon of Regret. With an endless army of monsters at his back and half the world at his feet, victory was nearly within his grasp - until the Archon revealed her Chosen Champions. Gifted with her power to respawn after death, they grew impossibly strong, and swept through his armies with terrifying ferocity. Using weapons created with Regret's own lifeblood, the Champions slew the dragon and banished his soul to the Afterworld, where he was expected to remain until the end of days.

He did not.

A thousand years hence, fanatical Dragon Cultists, worshippers of Yddrog, kidnapped one of Regret's descendants, the Princess of Aetherion, and sacrificed her in a blood ritual to return the dragon's soul to his body. Thus risen, he followed his old master's example and summoned immortal champions of his own to avenge himself: the Blood Lords, homonculi created with Yddrog's blood running through their veins and bound by blood to do their master's bidding.

You, players, are those Champions. But your loyalty to him is not wholly guaranteed, for one very good reason: you were once Regret's champions, the very ones who slew Yddrog. Your memories with her are lost, and your former bodies have long since turned to dust, but your patron's soul-bond remains strong, drawing you inexorably to your lady. You cannot serve both Yddrog and Regret, for if you fight against Yddrog, your bodies will suffer agony, while if you fight against Regret, your minds will suffer the torment of her namesake. So choose well whom you will serve, and sever your bond with the other if you can, for the time is coming when neither master shall long endure the other.
_____

Character Sheet

• Name: In Aetherion, where most of this story takes place, standard medieval fantasy names are common, but you may use any naming convention you wish.
• Appearance: Describe your character the way a historian might if they were interviewing your character or someone who knew them. Make sure to include details like their age, gender, All-Points Bulletin characteristics (eye color, hair color, etc.), and such like.
• Origin: Who was your character, originally? Before they became the Archon's Champion, were they a Royal Knight or Crown Prince with an axe to grind? A talented farmer who caught Regret's eye? A NEET from modern Japan who got isekai'd to this world? Tell us a little about who they are and where they're from.
• Stake: What's your stake in this adventure? Yeah, having your body and soul torn between two patrons is an unpleasant situation, but an easy way to avoid angering both is to just sit around doing nothing. We can't have that. So what was the straw that broke the camel's back? What got you on your feet and moving to choose one patron or the other? Is there a loved one you'd like to see again? A dream you wish to fulfill someday? Post your initial plans here, and we'll discuss them further via PM to tie them into the larger plot.
• Strengths: This can include skills, magic powers, special equipment, and whatnot. Your bodies will generally be around the peak of human ability, and you can spend Dragon Blood to cast magic spells. No need to cut yourself for that or anything; treat it like mana for roleplaying purposes. Your bodies will spend blood internally whenever you cast.
• Preferred Patron: Regret, Yddrog, both, or neither.

Note that all players possess an innate ability to respawn in a safe space of their choosing when they die, provided they have enough Immortal Blood in their veins to do so. While you'd normally have to wait about 1 month per pint to replenish it, you can replenish it more quickly by drawing from your patron. Naturally, you'd have to have a good relationship with your patron before they'd allow that. Your patron (Yddrog by default) also reserves the right to summon you to their side whenever they wish.
_____

Let's talk briefly about your two Archon masters and the player characters beneath them.

Regret: A warm and kind woman whose powerful lingering regrets earned her immortality. She loves humankind, for all their faults, and tirelessly seeks their betterment through benevolent leadership and innovation. Her strength is a gentle sort, the kind that can weather all the storms of life, but will not break under any force. Those who contract with her shall be granted the gift of her blood, through which they shall receive immortality.

Yddrog: A dragon Regret created to help her protect and rule the human race. Ironically, the creature himself proved unfit to rule, for his overwhelming power went to his head, and his arrogance at his superior position drove him to tyranny. Having fancied himself stronger than his mistress, he disregarded her advice as his creator and sought to kill her so he could seize her power for himself. A thousand years after his banishment, fanatical Dragon Cultists who worshipped Yddrog recovered all the pieces of his body and resurrected him with the blood of a princess. He is a ruthless yet charismatic leader, cruel to his enemies and generous to his allies, but never wholly trusting of anyone. He is especially merciless toward humans, effortlessly slaughtering men, women, and children alike with childish glee whenever opportunity permits. Monsters rarely fare any better at human hands, so they tend to gather at his side when given the choice. Those who possess his blood and serve him will gain supernatural strength and durability, along with ageless life, and may even gain draconic traits.

Homonculus: Artificial, perfected bodies based on their owners' idealized versions of themselves, designed (by Regret, mostly) to house immortal souls. They produce no waste, since their bodies process nutrients more completely and store the excess, and they do not hunger or thirst nearly as often. They also do not age, though they can still be destroyed easily by most other means. These abilities are also true of their former patron Regret.

Players will begin their adventures in the Underdark, a vast, underground labyrinth where the Dragon Cultists and their monster allies make their home. Constant raids from the Adventurer's Guild and the Knights of Aetherion, together with retaliatory strikes upon human settlements, will keep Yddrog's Champions very busy. Whenever you accomplish an objective, be it one thrust upon you by another or taken up by yourself, you will gain an experience point, which you can spend to either Raise or Strain your Bond with either one of your patrons. Raising bonds with both patrons will improve your powers from both, but will rapidly drive your character insane and kill them. Straining bonds with both patrons will eventually set you free from the both of them, but deprive you of both their powers and render you wholly mortal. Raising one bond and straining the other will improve your powers from your chosen patron and net you their unique Hidden Abilities.

Let me know if this story interests you!

[Thinslayer]

Made edits to clarify a few points.

The Dark Sages are human Dragon Cultists, fanatics who worship Yddrog and believe, as he does, that humanity is inferior to him and deserve to be totally enslaved to his rule.

The Chosen Champions, the players, belonged first to the Archon of Regret before succumbing to Yddrog a thousand years later. How this came to be will be left to the imagination for the time being. My current headcanon is that Regret did not grant them the ageless functions of her power, so they died of old age and were since resurrected with Yddrog.

The Princess of Aetherion is dead. She was sacrificed on an altar to bring the dragon back. This only worked because she was a direct descendant of Regret and possessed a small portion of her power. Her death is the incident that brought the rage of the Aetherion Kingdom down upon the monsters.

[DELETEDUSER007]

>Might be interested in this. Have an idea for a character that doesn't acknowledge either patron as gods, but beings that managed to luck or force their way into power, and beings who ultimately need to be removed for the sake of humanity.

>Of course to do this they'll join Yddrog. Because they aren't stupid enough to try and Punch Out Cthulhu. Not without some serious firepower or a plan naturally.

[Thinslayer]

Some lore on the hierarchy of existence:

Gods: Nigh-incomprehensible in both power and scope, gods are spirits that govern the very laws of the universe, closer in nature to ideas and concepts than sentient beings (though they are certainly sentient). The degree to which they meddle in mortal affairs is unknown, but magic appears to rely on them for its operation. Inanimate rocks possess no ears to hear, after all; it is the Divine that listens to your spells and bends the world to your will. Magic researchers devote much time and energy to figuring out what the gods will listen to and what they will not.

Demigods: Higher spiritual beings that borrow divine power and possess limited authority to wield it within their relevant spheres of influence. This category includes Angels, Demons, and the Ascended. Similar to the gods, they can delegate their limited divine authority to other people and thereby bend the world to a contractor's will. This is the primary way in which humans acquire magic power. Ascendancy to demigod status from mortality is the other way to do it, and to date, only 7 people in all of history have ever achieved it, with the Archon of Regret being one of them.

Contractors: Individuals who have formed bonds with a god or demigod to do their patron's will in exchange for power. Prophets, sages, mages, wizards, and warlocks all fall into this category. Yddrog is technically a Contractor (with Regret), but he's strong enough in his own right to bend the rules.

Mortals: Creatures that possess divine authority (or power) to manipulate the physical realm, be it creation or destruction, according to its natural laws. This is the power that demigods get in exchange; their authority is largely restricted to the spiritual realm, and it is through contracts with mortals that they can bypass this restriction to affect their agendas upon the world.

Monsters: Creatures that possess divine authority to destroy the physical realm according to its natural laws. They have no authority to create or build, no matter how intelligent they may be otherwise, and are thus physically incapable of it. Breeders of monster armies (like Yddrog) compensate for this weakness by hiring unscrupulous mortals to handle the creative work - or luring mortals to their doom to take their stuff, a common occurrence in dungeons.

[DELETEDUSER007]

>I am curious to know how the torment for champions manifests exactly if they choose to follow Yddrog. Is it just a strong sense of regret? An inability to kill other living things? Or is it something else entirely?

[Thinslayer]

@Zyx
Those closest to Regret eventually come to understand the depth to which she values human life. To her, everyone has a precious story to tell. Their hopes and dreams, struggles and joys, enemies and loved ones, everyone has a valuable role to play in the history of the world, and their lives are indispensable. To take one life is to destroy not only that life, but everything they ever wished for, the joys denied them, and the people who depend on them. So when her Champion perceives the world as she does, the weight of every life falls upon them whenever a life is taken, no matter whether the cause is just or unjust. It extends to all living things to some extent, but is primarily about people. The more lives are taken, the heavier those lives weigh upon your character, especially since those lives are not even being spent for a just cause, but for the twisted satisfaction of an evil dragon. However, if the bond with Regret is recovered, she will choose to bear the weight of responsibility for the lives within your sphere, helping to take the load of guilt off the character's mind. Yddrog will do no such thing for them, for he takes pleasure in the violation of human life.

Similarly, Yddrog owns the Dragon's Blood running through the Champion's veins. To disobey him is to violate the very blood in their body, bringing a very physical sense of revulsion to betraying the will of their patron. Worst case scenario, if Yddrog is particularly set on a certain order, the Champion may have to physically fight themselves to do anything other than their patron's will, causing physical damage to their body as their flesh tears itself apart trying to obey both the Champion and their patron simultaneously.

[DELETEDUSER007]

@Zyx
Those closest to Regret eventually come to understand the depth to which she values human life. To her, everyone has a precious story to tell. Their hopes and dreams, struggles and joys, enemies and loved ones, everyone has a valuable role to play in the history of the world, and their lives are indispensable. To take one life is to destroy not only that life, but everything they ever wished for, the joys denied them, and the people who depend on them. So when her Champion perceives the world as she does, the weight of every life falls upon them whenever a life is taken, no matter whether the cause is just or unjust. It extends to all living things to some extent, but is primarily about people. The more lives are taken, the heavier those lives weigh upon your character, especially since those lives are not even being spent for a just cause, but for the twisted satisfaction of an evil dragon. However, if the bond with Regret is recovered, she will choose to bear the weight of responsibility for the lives within your sphere, helping to take the load of guilt off the character's mind. Yddrog will do no such thing for them, for he takes pleasure in the violation of human life.

Similarly, Yddrog owns the Dragon's Blood running through the Champion's veins. To disobey him is to violate the very blood in their body, bringing a very physical sense of revulsion to betraying the will of their patron. Worst case scenario, if Yddrog is particularly set on a certain order, the Champion may have to physically fight themselves to do anything other than their patron's will, causing physical damage to their body as their flesh tears itself apart trying to obey both the Champion and their patron simultaneously.

@Thinslayer

>Well in that regard, since not every human possesses empathy or the same level of guilt in regards to certain actions, how would a more pragmatic person respond to Regret's ailment?

[Thinslayer]

>Well in that regard, since not every human possesses empathy or the same level of guilt in regards to certain actions, how would a more pragmatic person respond to Regret's ailment?

@Zyx

Pragmatists likely wouldn't suffer quite as much. Even Regret herself developed a degree of pragmatism about it over the centuries, having recognized that not everyone is in a position to make a decision beyond "kill or be killed." But unless the person is a psychopath, even pragmatists will feel mentally disturbed when they take a life, even one that deserves it. Their bond with Regret will amplify that a bit with the knowledge that, even if the Champion doesn't care so much about the life they've taken, their patron does, and grieving their patron is a difficult thing for them to swallow. So it'll still hurt. They'd have to strain the bond with Regret in order to reduce the load that places on their mind.

[DELETEDUSER007]

<Snipped quote by Zyx>

Pragmatists likely wouldn't suffer quite as much. Even Regret herself developed a degree of pragmatism about it over the centuries, having recognized that not everyone is in a position to make a decision beyond "kill or be killed." But unless the person is a psychopath, even pragmatists will feel mentally disturbed when they take a life, even one that deserves it. Their bond with Regret will amplify that a bit with the knowledge that, even if the Champion doesn't care so much about the life they've taken, their patron does, and grieving their patron is a difficult thing for them to swallow. So it'll still hurt. They'd have to strain the bond with Regret in order to reduce the load that places on their mind.

@Thinslayer

>Could the influence of either demigod be staved off with enough conviction in something?

[Thinslayer]

@Zyx
Absolutely! The mind is a powerful thing, and in this fantasy world, a strong enough conviction can bend the very laws of the universe to your will. Some have even ascended to demigodhood this way. So yes, a patron's influence can certainly be diminished with strong conviction.

Spoiler

Spoiler: That's how Regret ascended. She regretted her failures and powerlessness so strongly that it moved her god to strike a bargain with her. The details will have to wait for a Raise Bond event.

[DELETEDUSER007]

>Excellent.

_{>Let us have faith in the incandescent glory of mankind.}

>EDIT: Of course if my idea to play a die hard humanist doesn't pan out, I can always go for the good old chaotic evil, wants to transcend the filth of humanity style antagonist.

[Thinslayer]

@Zyx
Sounds like whatever character you're creating has a lot in common with Regret. Their main point of difference seems to be in the execution of justice, which is something she can come around on. Yddrog might come around too if you can persistently make a case for it for several years without incurring his displeasure. He can be persuaded to treat humans just as poorly as the rest of his monsters. :P

"Oh, fine, then humans can just be emergency food instead of regular food. I shall instruct my chefs to adjust my diet accordingly. Happy now?"

[DELETEDUSER007]

>@Thinslayer Well my primary character idea can be summed up in the following phrase: "If nature shouldst bear its fangs against us, we shall tame it. If the demigods shouldst deign to oppose us, we shalt break them, and if the gods themselves descend from on high to cage and ensnare us we shall tear them asunder and bend them to our will."

>In essence, this character is humanity first to a downright fanatical degree, and only serves the demigods and gods out of the logical conclusion that punching said beings in the face as a plain old mortal probably won't go too well. Otherwise yes, they'd be more than willing to unravel the very spirits of natural law and chaos themselves if it meant humanity was truly free.

>The other idea is, of course, just being the Forsaken. This character idea is basically: "Evil dragon daddy that wants to enslave the world and gives me cool inhuman shit for doing it? Sign me the fuck up!"

[Thinslayer]

@Zyx
Ooh. The first character idea is definitely a kindred spirit with Regret then. There are some differences, to be sure, but their zeal for humanity's betterment would be something they'd bond over, I imagine. That woman has definitely punched demigods in the face more than a few times over their treatment of people - well, back when she was a firebrand, anyway. She's mellowed out over the centuries.

The second character idea is in for a fun time too. Humans can be cruel, vindictive creatures, and both he and his master would get a real kick out of dishing it back to them. I can already see them evilly cackling together before Yddrog kicks YC in the shins for existing.

[DELETEDUSER007]

@Zyx
Ooh. The first character idea is definitely a kindred spirit with Regret then. There are some differences, to be sure, but their zeal for humanity's betterment would be something they'd bond over, I imagine. That woman has definitely punched demigods in the face more than a few times over their treatment of people - well, back when she was a firebrand, anyway. She's mellowed out over the centuries.

The second character idea is in for a fun time too. Humans can be cruel, vindictive creatures, and both he and his master would get a real kick out of dishing it back to them. I can already see them evilly cackling together before Yddrog kicks YC in the shins for existing.

@Thinslayer

>That is unless the evil character in question mutates themselves so horribly they no longer count as human. Or ascend out of sheer desire to not be human I assume. As for the first character, I'm also thinking that once all is said and done—assuming Yddrog doesn't win—they'll just strain their relationship with Regret entirely. Not out of spite or malice but just a belief that being a mortal with all that entails is the truest expression of humanity one can achieve.

>Granted, I've also got a third idea in mind for a character who's all survival of the fittest and simply sees serving Yddrog as a means to an end. That being becoming stronger/fitter to survive. But the primary humanist idea is what I'm most drawn to out of the three.

[Thinslayer]

Hm. Straining his bond with Regret would be unnecessary. She offers her powers to those who request it (if she feels they are worthy), and would gladly take her claim and powers back if you just ask. And if you want her immortality without having to engage in her political messy business, you can renegotiate the terms of the contract. In other words, service to her is entirely voluntary. Prospective contractors are usually the ones trying to enslave her, not the other way around. Immortality from a pretty girl who's nice to you is too attractive an offer for many to pass up.

[DELETEDUSER007]

>I see. Well still, at the end of it all they're hopefully purging all supernatural powers they once had and living as a normal human again. Also, I do have another question if you're not busy at the moment, and that's what the exact limitations of magic are beyond the whims of each spirit contracted. Like are there spirits of time that can ferry people into the past or future if you deal with them properly? Are there eldritch spirits who embody chaos or the void? So on and so forth.

[Thinslayer]

Yep, you've got the gist of it. There are numerous angels and demons available for contracting, many with unique and varied powers like the examples you mentioned. Funnily enough, you managed to hit on the exact two powers that have lore relevance to this story. One of the seven Ascended demigods possesses the power to reverse time by a limited amount, while it was a war against a Void demigod (shapeshifter type) that ultimately drove Regret to ascend. So yeah, there's absolutely all kinds of demigod spirits to contract with.

What makes Ascendants like Regret stand out from all the rest is that they are the only ones with mortal forms. As such, Regret is the only demigod you can contract with whom you can actually see in person with your own eyes.

[SilverPaw]

Colour me intrigued.

Do the patrons start to feel it when you reach a certain point of raising/straining their bond?

[Thinslayer]

@SilverPaw
They do. The bond goes both ways. Sometimes, your patron might even feel your own experiences better than you do yourself, especially if they're on the verge of possession. For Regret, she can read your emotional state through the bond, and it can affect her mood if she's not careful. It's part of the reason she likes to give her contractors attentive love and care, because she'll definitely feel it if they're suffering.