[OOC] Five of the Sky

[Ersa93]

(AKA I Wanna Get Off Mercurius' Wild Ride)

Brief overview:

A normal high school girl, a mysterious item/place that transports her to a completely different world where she learns that she has been chosen to bear a great power that could either save the local kingdom from their enemies or destroy the entire world. She meets those destined to protect her, goes on a quest, faces enemies who use dastardly tactics, learns about herself, and oftentimes finds love. Sometimes things end happily. Sometimes the protectors meet their deaths in brutal ways. Sometimes the girl returns home, unable to be with her love for the rest of her life. And sometimes, the girl meets with a dreadful fate.

And so it's gone in the world of Relgas as long as anyone can remember it. When the stars align, two of the Four Elemental Embodiments, must grant a portion of their powers to two opposing sides of a human conflict. The other two can either abstain from granting a human their power, or choose to do so, just a much smaller portion. This time, it is the Lord of the Skies, Mercurius' turn. He is still haunted by the unfortunate fate of his last chosen one and is determine to not let it happen again. His options are limited since direct divine intervention is not allowed. But Mercurius is known for being the most capricious and flexible of the Embodiments. He figures that if he can't intervention once he chooses his bearer, he'll just have to change up what kind of bearer he chooses. After all, there's plenty of other women who fit the requirements that aren't high schoolers.

A young college student from another world who was a tourist stopping by an old well while visiting a friend in Japan over the summer between semesters should do nicely.

Rules/Guidelines

What this isn't:
-A modern person brings a gun into a a pre-industrial setting and dominates every fight
-A mean spirited parody of the genre or its characters
-An edgy retelling/subversion of the genre
-A modern person fixes all the problems of said setting
-A completely meta adventure. There will probably be some lampshading, but it won't be a constant thing.
-A romance with the protagonist. Probably breaking a cardinal rule of the genre, but I think other types of relationships would be more interesting to explore.
-A power fantasy

What this is:
-A fun romp in a setting typical to the genre. There will be tweaks, of course, but everything should still feel familiar
-A focus on the synergy and relationships of the main characters; no one just fades into the background after their discovery episode
-Facing opponents who aren't 100% evil (the "opposing" group is a typical portal genre style protagonist group who has been told that you are the baddies)

Kinds of players I'm looking for:
-A small group of no more than four
-18+ (more for comfort reasons than anything else)
-Communicative: It's all right if small talk isn't your thing, just be willing to discuss things like plots and characters and keep others in the loop if replies are going to be held up for a while on your end
-Willingness to play NPCs (ie the "opposing" group. I don't mind playing the NPCs myself, but trying to keep up with at least six NPCs might be a bit much for my abilities). The technicalities of this can be discussed if anyone has a better solution.
-All the usual RP courtesy things

The World of Relgas

The land of Relgas is split up into four regions: North, East, South, and West. Each region has and Element Embodiment associated with it. While there is a cultural similarity that runs through all the regions, they can vary in things such as government set-up and laws along with variations on certain traditions.

The ones most involved in this scenario:

The Eastern Region:
This region is known for its might winds thanks to bordering warm ocean waters. The inhabitants harness this wind as a source of power to run various things (though nothing has been industrialized yet) such as mills to turn its plentiful wheat crop into flour, which is sold both locally and abroad. The region is the least united in terms of government. There is a seat of government in the most populated city of the region, Decurius, but the majority of the population is spread throughout the region, each with their own leader and additional laws besides the overall laws of the region. These leaders then in turn vote for a "king" to be the head and representative of the region, mostly in dealing with other regions or leading the region in times of war. Other regions view such a set up as too chaotic, and it is oftentimes said that anyone from the East is unreliable since it's hard to predict what they will feel like doing at the moment, a trait they share with their Embodiment, Mercurius. They are currently coming into conflict with the Southern Region.

The Southern Region:
This regions is known for its wetlands and torrential rainfall. The inhabitants have learned to use the water to advance their irrigation techniques and to cut and shape things that would otherwise be impossible to do so quickly, making them the primary provider of already shaped building materials such as stones. They are also known for their medicines and purifying techniques, some of which other places have adopted in order to have cleaner water. The bulk in the population of the region lies in Anap, the seat of the government. It is a huge city broken into several districts that have appointed governors reporting to one ruler whose rule is absolute. The recent dynasty has outlasted any of its predecessors by a large margin, making others wonder if the ruling family is somehow doing something to keep themselves in that position when even the successful ones died out by then. It is oftentimes said that someone from the South can shape anyone or anything into what they want with merely a word or a single action, so anything they say or do should come under scrutiny, much like their Embodiment, Appaanii. They are currently coming into conflict with the Eastern Region.

The Western Region: TBD if it comes into play

The Northern Region: TBD if it comes into play

The Elemental Embodiments

These are the very broad characteristics associated with them. The actual Embodiments themselves will eventually have NPC pages.
Mercurius
Associated Element: Air
Associated Direction: East
Associated Season: Spring
Associated Animal: Birds, especially raptors/other bird of prey
Associated Strength: Flexibility
Associated Flaw: Flighty
Status: Associated region is in conflict with Apaanii's region

Terriku
Associated Element: Earth
Associated Direction: West
Associated Season: Fall
Associated Animal: Beasts of burden, especially oxen
Associated Strength: Steadfastness
Associated Flaw: Obstinate
Status: Neutral

Apaanii
Associated Element: Water
Associated Direction: South
Associated Season: Summer
Associated Animal: Cetacea, such as Porpoises/Whales
Associated Strength: Cultivation
Associated Flaw: Manipulation
Status: Associated region is in conflict with Mercurius' region

Gahl
Associated Element: Fire
Associated Direction: North
Associated Season: Winter
Associated Animal: Reptiles, especially lizards
Associated Strength: Creativeness
Associated Weakness: Recklessness
Status: Neutral

The Chosen One

Name: Cassidy “Cassie” O’Shea

Gender: Female

Age: 19

General Physical Description: Medium-length blond hair, green eyes, average build, 5’4”; currently wearing jeans, canvas shoes, a plain T-shirt, and a denim jacket

Role: Mercurius’ Chosen One

Abilities/Formal Knowledge:
-Being an architecture student, she is good at math, especially geometry.
-Technical drawing: while by no means an artist (bad things happen when she attempts to draw people), she can usually draw instructions clearly enough
-Navigation: It is hard for her to get lost and she is handy with maps and other navigation devices

Personality:
Positive:
-Rational: She likes thinking through and knowing as many facts as she can before making decisions
-Straightforward: Cassie will not tip-toe around a subject and doesn’t beat around the bush. She wants to go from point A to point B and nothing more.
-Down-to-earth: Has no real ego to speak of, doesn’t want her presence to be a big deal

Negative:
-Closed-off: Cassie doesn’t make friends easily and is not very open. She does become more open with time, but it takes a while. But once she lets someone in, they’re in deep.
-Impatient: She doesn’t like waiting around and will often get agitated if something that needs to be done isn’t done.
-Unadventurous: She has things she likes to stick to. It’s hard to get her to deviate from plans or for her to seek out new things on her own.

Public Knowledge:
Hailing from Arkansas, Cassie is currently on summer break. She was invited to Japan by her best friend who she went to school with when they were younger and kept in contact with even after they moved back. The fact that she agreed to visit, much less even considered going on an international trip, was a big step for her. She’s known for being invisible in social situations and hard to have small talk with, though most will agree that she’s perfectly polite, just quiet and distant. The few friends she has knows she does care deeply about things certain things, she just isn’t the most expressive person.

[EchoWolff]

@Ersa93 Small question, are there any distinctive 'races' of people within Relgas?

[Ersa93]

I haven't established any such. Are we talking like DnD type of 'races'?

[EchoWolff]

Yes, or anything similar that I could include to my character idea

[Ersa93]

I was planning on them being all human, but I think we can toy with some non-human ideas. The Embodiments have been known to take on the forms of other things, including humans, so there might be a small population of people that are descendant from such unions.

[EchoWolff]

Good to know, thank you!

[Sylvan]

@Ersa93 Wanted to run something by you first, real quick. Basic idea is a family that serves whoever the current King of the Eastern Region is, who carries a blessing of Mercurius in their bloodline (though it doesn't always manifest). That power being the ability to control their body and manipulate it to their desire, reflective of flexibility. Basically shapeshifting taken to the extreme, things like enhancing your abilities (strength, speed, etc) temporarily, or hardening yourself to take a hit, or shaping your arm into a blade, etc. How does this sound, or should I go back to the drawing board?

[Ersa93]

@Sylvan
Maybe just the ability to do one of those things? Mercurius is also the Embodiment of air, so perhaps they could have an air-based ability that mimics something you listed above.

[Sylvan]

@Sylvan
Maybe just the ability to do one of those things? Mercurius is also the Embodiment of air, so perhaps they could have an air-based ability that mimics something you listed above.

@Ersa93

Fair. Sorry, that was written while half asleep. I think I'll switch it up to Air power, I have some thoughts on how to write that more fittingly anyways

[Ti]

Character Draft for Review:

Yusuke

Info

Name: Yusuke Sakamoto
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Role: Field Medic

General Physical Description:

Dark hair, blue eyes, pale skin. Yusuke embodies the adage "healthy body, healthy mind" with his commitment to both physical and intellectual pursuits. Clad in a modest scholarly cloak that veils his physique, and often seen with glasses perched upon his nose as he delves into his medical research, Yusuke's outward appearance belies the strength and athleticism that lie beneath. His unassuming demeanour conceals a body honed by the demands of rescue missions on the battlefields, where he deftly navigates the chaos of combat to retrieve and heal injured soldiers. Though his scholarly pursuits may keep him indoors, his time on the front lines has sculpted him into a capable and agile rescuer.

Abilities/Formal Knowledge:

Healing (Others):
Yusuke possesses the gift of healing, allowing him to direct restorative energy to mend injuries and heal wounds. However, the effectiveness of this ability is directly proportional to the severity of the injury, requiring varying levels of focus to achieve complete healing.

Medical Expertise:
Beyond the inherent healing power, Yusuke's mastery extends to an intimate understanding of the human body, enabling him to facilitate swift recoveries and manage chronic conditions. He supplements his healing abilities with knowledge of medications and herbology, ensuring comprehensive care for those in need.

Vigor (Self):
In addition to healing others, Yusuke can channel healing energy inward to alleviate physical strain, tiredness, and fatigue. This empowers him to surpass the limits of ordinary individuals, allowing him to undertake daring missions and risk entering perilous situations to save lives. Yusuke maintains peak physical condition through rigorous daily training, maximizing his potential to aid others.

Combat:
While Yusuke's primary focus lies in rescue and healing, he is proficient in defensive combat techniques. This skill enables him to evade, deflect, or counter enemy attacks, providing crucial protection for himself and others in dangerous situations. Though his priority remains on saving lives, Yusuke's combat training ensures he can effectively defend against threats that hinder his life-saving efforts.

Personality:

Compassionate: Yusuke's commitment to healing and saving lives reflects his deep compassion for others.

Resilient: Yusuke's disciplined lifestyle and rigorous training demonstrate his resilience and determination. He perseveres through challenges and setbacks.

Altruistic: Yusuke's selfless actions shows he prioritizes the well-being of others above his own comfort and safety, willingly risking his life to protect and heal those in need.

Perfectionist: Yusuke's dedication to his work leads to perfectionist tendencies, causing him to be overly critical of his own performance or the outcomes of his treatments. He can struggle with feelings of inadequacy if he perceives himself as falling short of his high standards.

Overly Serious: Yusuke's solemn demeanour and intense focus on his duties can sometimes come across as overly serious. He finds it challenging to relax and enjoy leisure activities, prioritizing his responsibilities.

Self-Sacrificing: He has tendency to neglect his own needs and well-being in favour of others. He can struggle to establish healthy boundaries or prioritize self-care, putting himself at risk of burnout or exhaustion.

Public Knowledge:

Born and raised in the Eastern Kingdom, it's widely known that Yusuke is a highly skilled field medic, renowned for his ability to provide life-saving medical care on the front lines of battle. His reputation as a courageous and capable healer precedes him, earning him the respect and admiration of soldiers and civilians alike. They would recount stories about him risking his own safety to rescue wounded comrades, or tirelessly tending to the injured under fire.

[Ersa93]

Sorry for delay, folks. Had an unexpected illness.

[Ersa93]

Hi everyone, I'm better know and am hoping to get back into this. Sorry for all the delays.

[EchoWolff]

Don't worry, it's all good!

[Ersa93]

Just updating y'all to say that this is still on. I hope to have the character info for the college student up this week.

[Ersa93]

A million years later...

I hope to get to this soon. Thank you for your patience and sorry for the wait. My mind's been vegging out majorly after work and time keeps getting away from me.

[Ersa93]

Updated with info about the one from another world. Sorry it took so long.

[Ersa93]

Sorry for the absence. It's been a rough patch for me, but hopefully I can get the ball rolling soon. I'm thinking about just starting with those already approved if everyone is on board and just hope I can pick up a fourth player soon.