The Dead Cairn Chronicles [Interest Check]

[Saber]

Hi, there! I'm Saber! I intend to keep this Interest Check brief, because I have a bad tendency of dumping a lot of OOC information in these threads.

Speaking of which...OOC is up!

Flavor

"You wanted that much essence, for this?"

Death's query was placid, but tinged with disappointment. His voice a dry whisper in the dreamweave, emanating from an unseen crevasse. His lover smirked, tapping her fingers against her chin.

"Nycyd, my love, you do me a great dishonor. Have you ever known me to be wasteful?"

She sat on her throne of water and ivory, smiling through the shifting silver veil of her hair at the mortal tapestry below.

"No," he admitted, "but if not for them, then what?"

Cibest, goddess of the moon and keeper of secrets, offered him a wink before speaking.

"If it were the lives of those petty men I sought, they would have been delivered to you long ago. The Vyiren are merely a catalyst to set the world in motion," she stood, her gown of night and shimmering constellations twisting about her form, "and those who answer the clarion wailing of their bitter vengeance shall be instruments of my will. I shall sit silent all the while and they will find the truth of their folly...in their own time."

Setting: Mid-summer of the year 202 D.E (Dead Era). A half-destroyed Lerayis, roughly two hundred years after the death of the Gods. High fantasy along with some rather modern technology (trains and the like), with a cultural emphasis on despising magic and praising mortal strength. We'll be exploring ideas about fanaticism against the divine and the persecution of those born with a connection to the old Gods. This is a rather fleshed out world, presented in 'The Pyrrian Transcripts' (though it has been in development for quite some time) roleplay that was in its infancy just before the old guild went down. I will provide specific information when asked for it, though I plan to post a rather large amount of information in the OOC.

Plot: The staunch city of Merrifort sits on the southern skirt of the Godwastes, a bastion against the terrors that lurch out of the fetid wastelands to the north. While two members of Vigil's Council (the governing body of the largest religion in Lerayis) are visiting, the city is swarmed by creatures believed to be absent from the world. Vyiren, the shadow-servants of Cibest, goddess of the moon and secrets, swarm the city; slaughtering several innocents and claiming the lives of the visiting council members. Humanity sees this reemergence of the Vyiren and subsequent murder of the council members as the first strike in a new war against the remaining Gods. Vigil's remaining council members send out an order to several Mage Slayers and capable warriors to follow the Vyiren horde into the Godwastes and exact revenge for the Gods' slight against humanity. Those who have answered this call gather in Merrifort, three days after the murder of council members Atayr Quinn and Solen Bree, prepared to receive their orders.

I will go ahead and give a few bits of information...to whet your appetite, if I have such a power over you ;)

Information

The Dead Cairn: Forged when then blood of Vysold spilled onto Lerayis two hundred years ago, the Cairn stands as a staunch reminder of the maliciousness of the divine. It is a grotesque thing, jutting up like a broken bone from the rotten flesh of the land. Though it is generally avoided by those who would make their home in the Godwastes, there are some tainted with vile ambition; cruel beings that offer blood to the old stone. It is believed that this arcane growth is the source of all corruption in the Godwastes. While theories on the less obvious effects of the Cairn existing on the mortal tapestry are plentiful; it is whispered that all mages draw their power from this stone.

Godwastes: The expanse of scarred, fetid land that takes up the northern portion of what was formerly Lerayis. The earth there is cracked and deeply pitted, bearing little in the way of life. There are sparse, gray patches of grass that dot the landscape and an occassional petrified tree in the south; which is furthest from the point of the Gods' impact with the mortal tapestry. Heading north, the land becames ashen and unstable. Great chasms that belch poison line the Godwastes like old wounds. Posing the most peril, however, are the innumerable monstrosities that roam the land; be they aberrant creatures or humans twisted by the Dead Cairn's influence, they are a constant threat to those who dare to enter these pale and cursed lands.

Death Touched: What once were Immortals are now the Death Touched; those bound to servitude in the name of Nycyd, God of Death. Removed from the former perks that came with immortality, the Death Touched merely can not die; regardless of what wounds they suffer through and will continue fighting even after they have sustained enough damage to kill a mortal several times over. Yet, they must suffer through every wound. Since there are no healing magics left in the world, the Death Touched often resort to stitching themselves back together and waiting for their still living tissue to mend its self. The Death Touched are widely despised and reviled.

Mages: Those who draw their power from the Dead Cairn. Mages have always been distrusted in Lerayis, moreso in these turbulent times, for their unpredictable and nigh uncontrollable abilities. Once, there was an organization devoted to understanding and practicing magic; hidden away in a realm separate from the mortal tapestry, suspended in a realm of chaos. It was these mages of old that turned upon their Gods, bringing them forth into the mortal realm and laying them low.

Magic displaces time in a localized area, causing dysfunction in most complex machines. As such, mages are often discovered by their effects on their surroundings. Currently, mages are killed if discovered in a community. Be they formerly innocent or not, there is no greater sin than to offer a piece of yourself to the dead Gods.

Yildeanic Faith: Founded by Lady Yildeane, in the bygone ages of Lerayis' glory days. Originally a group devoted to enslaving Vysold, they were inevitably turned away from their founding goal through increasingly radical actions. Spurred by Yildeane's fear of losing the fervor of her followers, she began to warp their minds; turning those who followed her completely against the Gods. While the she succeeded in pushing them into the final stages of her plan, Yildeane was made a martyr by her cult; her blood offered as a catalyst for the most destructive spell ever wrought by mortal hands.

After the culling of the Gods and Yildeane's 'sacrifice', she was raised up as a hero to the people who survived. So widespread was her influence at the time of her death that what remained of Lerayis quickly adopted the worship of human qualities that she taught. Now, two hundred years after her death, Lady Yildeane is seen as a goddess to those who would follow her false faith. She is immortalized through the words she left behind and the golden images cast of her by the faithful. Every prayer spoken aloud in Lerayis is offered to Yildeane.

Currently, those who worship Yildeane are vast and varied; but all share a common hatred of magic and fierce sense of loyalty to humanity. These people are often strong of arm and sharp of mind, driven by strict tenants of self-discipline and an untarnished belief in mankind's continuing glory.

The Yildeanic Faith is a force of political and economic relevance within Lerayis, built atop the ruins of the city of Wyverncliff; a symbol of new growth from the decay of an old world. It is from the sprawling fortress of Vigil and its surrounding towers that Mage Slayers are sent into the world. Mage Slayer deployment and other important matters fall into the hands of the city-fortress' council; a reclusive and mysterious group of six that governs much of Vigil. They primarily survive by the income produced by a tax placed on the people that live within the city, though several wealthy benefactors often 'donate' to the church when they have need of discreet assassins.

Merrifort: Situated in basin of a large valley, on an island in the middle of the Merriweather Lake; Merrifort stands as staunch sentinel, reminiscent of the days of wanton bloodshed in Lerayis. A military outpost and stronghold, Merrifort is a bit removed from the implications of its name. Sitting atop an outcropping of stone, elevated above the muddy shores and large docks, the stronghold appears to be, at least partially, carved from the very rock of the island. Heavy towers rise above the bulk of Merrifort, where guards often keep watch on the distant Godwastes, encircling the sprawling city within. A quiet city, there are no trains or loud machinery; though there is an elevated platform near the easternmost tower to accommodate incoming zeppelins for trade and transport.

There is a relatively small population that actually lives on the island, though they often receive visitors for trade from sky or water. Zeppelins are seen drifting lazily over Merrifort during the summer seasons; leaving bloated and slower than they arrived; weighed down with supplies for the winter months. Fishermen or farmers from outlying, smaller villages in Euphius often take their small skiffs or canoes through the turbulent river that connects Merriweather Lake to the rest of Euphius to trade for goods and occasionally seek aid from the well trained Euphian Guard Corps of Merrifort.

Despite being so isolated, Merrifort has an extensive and vested interest in lumber and steel. Many of those who make their residence in Merrifort often spend their time harvesting one or the other, contracted by the city to engage in their labors for a fair price. The lands surrounding the valley in which Merriweather Lake sits have been almost completely stripped of trees, giving the land a harsh and battered look; with the towers of Merrifort overlooking much of the eastern part of Euphius. Zepplins are the main method of transportation for their goods, which are shipped out to several cities in exchange for food and other necessary goods. Merrifort houses, also, a derelict industrial weapon manufacturing facility. Rumor has it that the de facto leader of the city, Commander of the Euphian Guard Corps of Merrifort, Lord Orin Norath, has been seeking skilled laborers with a plan to reinstate the manufacturing of weapons in Merrifort.

Inside of the city is peaceful, with a low crime rate and friendly community. Dominating the plaza beneath Gryphon's Keep, the base of operations for the Guards, is an open air market, full of traders making stops before proceeding on to Vigil or Lightlea; making it a different scene every day, with a variety of different goods available to those with something to trade; though, solid coin always works as well. Beyond the market are various alleys and smaller open areas where tradesmen can be seen plying their craft. Most of the homes in Merrifort are low to the ground and constructed of stone, being partially underground and in orderly rows near the heart of the city; though it is not immediately obvious from the outside.

[Ashgan]

Yo Saber. Since you were wondering if you have the power to rouse my interest, well, I'm posting in your thread, so it's a good start. I have a couple (if I were to really sit down and think about it, probably actually a ton) of questions, if you'll indulge me.

First thing out of the way, how high fantasy is high fantasy for you? I get that you've got mages and gods and monsters, but high fantasy typically includes (arche)typical races like elves, dwarves and orcs. Will those be present here? So far you only mentioned, and put great emphasis on, humans, but what do I know? I'm personally not a fan of these Tolkienese (??) species as I've seen them one time too many, and while I may or may not be able to get over their presence if the package as a whole is compelling, it will have an impact on my interest in this.

I would like to know in general what some of your inspirations were for this, to help me to better position your setting.

Now your world is a very unexplored map for me, and I'm admittedly lost to some extent. There's a certain charm to that I admit, and I understand wanting to keep an IntChk brief, but you bring up plenty of names and expressions that have a lot of significance, while shedding very little light on them. As an example, the part about the Death Touched; they were former Immortals. That's cool and swell, but, what exactly is an Immortal? It's described in name only. I like the flavor of their description a lot, but I also don't really know where to place them or what to do with them.
I have a similar feeling of lacking a certain context with other parts of the information presented, like you were writing this post addressed at an audience perhaps already familiar with your setting to some extent, but you did say you were going to post a large amount of info in the OOC, so I'll just wait until then, I'm sure you'll cover all the holes.

Could you tell me perhaps a little more about technology in this world? For example, with trains around, are rifles/revolvers a thing? Have they already made traditional weaponry obsolete, if they exist? Just a general idea of what is possible in this world would be nice.

Since players are expected to be (amongst freelancers, I suppose) Mage Slayers, some more information on their ilk would also be appreciated. What their society is like, how they typically operate, and similar matters.

Lastly, and this is a more precise question, I have a rough concept in mind that I would be willing to try out, but I'll have to make sure it works within the setting. The idea I had was a character who is afflicted with some kind of long-term curse or disease, that manifests in some form of visible aesthetic on their body, most likely as a vile growth or deformation, and which is gradually spreading to infect more and more of their body. They might be looking for a cure, or some rare-to-find remedy that can temporarily abate the affliction's progress. Thing is, is such an affliction plausible? I would have to work together with you to work out a source for it that is appropriate to the setting, as it would have to be supernatural (and maybe unique?) in nature.

Thanks for bearing with me, Saber, hopefully I didn't ask too much ;P
I'll be looking forward to your reply! Thanks again.

[Saber]

Sup, Ashgan? It's a pleasure to meet you and an even greater pleasure to know that I've managed to get your interest!
Now, to address some things you asked about.

Ashgan said first thing out of the way, how high fantasy is high fantasy for you? I get that you've got mages and gods and monsters, but high fantasy typically includes (arche)typical races like elves, dwarves and orcs. Will those be present here? So far you only mentioned, and put great emphasis on, humans, but what do I know? I'm personally not a fan of these Tolkienese (??) species as I've seen them one time too many

Nope. Human is the only race. There was a short debate about this, when work first started on the setting, between myself and the co-creator/cartographer. Ultimately, the decision was reached that we would implement no races other than Human.

Ashgan said
I would like to know in general what some of your inspirations were for this, to help me to better position your setting.

The entire idea was inspired by Planescape: Torment. At least, it was in the beginning. After playing it for a short time, I realized that I had become enamored with the idea of a torturous immortality; more a curse than a blessing. From there, I posed my idea to my co-creator (Sicarius, for future reference) and we set to work building a world that has admittedly undergone many changes...and timelines.

Core influences on my side, though, are as follows; Arcanum of Steamwork and Magicka Obscura, various D&D campaigns I've been involved in, my vested interest in creating a 'fleshy' fantasy setting, some steampunk stuff, several anime and manga, several fantasy books.

Ashgan said Now your world is a very unexplored map for me, and I'm admittedly lost to some extent. There's a certain charm to that I admit, and I understand wanting to keep an IntChk brief, but you bring up plenty of names and expressions that have a lot of significance, while shedding very little light on them. As an example, the part about the Death Touched; they were former Immortals. That's cool and swell, but, what exactly is an Immortal? It's described in name only. I like the flavor of their description a lot, but I also don't really know where to place them or what to do with them.

The Immortals are those who have engaged in a contract with the Gods. The bargain is a harsh one, granting the mortal with a life that is nearly impossible to extinguish in exchange for the complete service of that mortal; allowing them their Passing, their true death, upon the completion of their terms. The reason an Immortal is chosen is rarely revealed directly, with the Gods providing little aid or insight beyond the abilities granted to them upon the enactment of their servitude. Many who accept this agreement often come to regret it, performing their tasks with deadly efficiency; seeking with a blackened fervor the Passing that had been promised to them.

Quick explanation.

Edit: My fault! There is a map, for the setting (though it is incomplete, as of now) that will be posted when it is finished.

The Death Touched will serve primarily as Nycyd's servants; most likely opposing the main group of characters. They will be enforcers of Death's will and probably a frequent threat (and perhaps allies, at times) to the player-characters. I don't expect anyone to want to play one, but if they do they're free to shoot me a message and we'll talk about what all goes into being Death Touched.

Ashgan said I have a similar feeling of lacking a certain context with other parts of the information presented, like you were writing this post addressed at an audience perhaps already familiar with your setting to some extent, but you did say you were going to post a large amount of info in the OOC, so I'll just wait until then, I'm sure you'll cover all the holes. Could you tell me perhaps a little more about technology in this world? For example, with trains around, are rifles/revolvers a thing? Have they already made traditional weaponry obsolete, if they exist?

While guns exist, they would be a rarity. A large portion of the cities that produced guns were destroyed, as they were in the northern part of Lerayis. However, I am willing to make exceptions for Mage Slayers. As they are provided for by Vigil, it would make sense for them to carry a rifle or pistol.

Most folk, however, carry simple weaponry.

Ashgan said What their society is like, how they typically operate, and similar matters.

Mage Slayers are generally chosen from the ranks of the Lerayissian military (whichever country they happen to be from, those'll be posted up later) and put through rigorous training. They operate in varying numbers, depending on their target and the suspected threat that it poses; though generally, they would be dispatched with their squad. Squads are composed of four members, though there is no appointed leader; as Vigil's Council expects their soldiers to enact quick action.

They're granted a certain amount of immunity to the law, when writs are handed down for the life of a mage. This means that they can carry out their executions in broad daylight, so long as they can prove that the order was from the council.

If that was too vague, lemme know and I'll provide some more information.

Ashgan said Lastly, and this is a more precise question, I have a rough concept in mind that I would be willing to try out, but I'll have to make sure it works within the setting. The idea I had was a character who is afflicted with some kind of long-term curse or disease, that manifests in some form of visible aesthetic on their body, most likely as a vile growth or deformation, and which is gradually spreading to infect more and more of their body. They might be looking for a cure, or some rare-to-find remedy that can temporarily abate the affliction's progress. Thing is, is such an affliction plausible? I would have to work together with you to work out a source for it that is appropriate to the setting, as it would have to be supernatural (and maybe unique?) in nature.Thanks for bearing with me, Saber, hopefully I didn't ask too much ;PI'll be looking forward to your reply! Thanks again.

Alright, I'll shoot you a PM and we'll see what we can get worked out.

Thanks,
Saber.

[Girlie Go Boom]

Likes it. Lots of info! Might as well show us charrie sheet. Nows! Thanks ya.

[Sicarius]

There's more info to come which will help in character creation. I am assuming the character sheets will not be posted until the In Character thread, however I leave that decision up to Saber. Even if the character sheets will not be posted now, I encourage discussing character ideas. Anyway, thank you for expressing interest and welcome.

[Saber]

What Sicarius said. ^^

Welcome and stuff. I'll be posting a CS in the OOC, once a couple more people have shown interest.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[PrinceOfQuills]

This definitely had my interest piqued.

Although I'm certain that my inquiries would be sated in the OOC, I just wanted to clarify some things more about mages.

How inherently evil, exactly, (if they always surface as such) are mages in this universe? How does a person become a mage, then? I mean, I know it is implied that they, in a sense, sold their souls to the dead Gods, but I just want to see it all more clearly.

[Saber]

Mages are not inherently evil. It's just that everyone (generally everyone, anyway) believes that they are due to their connection to the Gods. Mind you, this doesn't mean that they've traded their souls for this power or anything; it's more of an exchange of their own vital energy to enact some kind of change in the world. There's no real oath to be taken or contract to abide by.

More about mages and magic will be explained in the OOC. Waiting for, perhaps, one or two more people before I put it up.

All that aside...

Welcome.

[PrinceOfQuills]

I see, I see.

Well since the OOC is not yet up, I would like to discuss character ideas beforehand.

First off, what manifestations of being a mage exist (yes, I think you can figure out what this is leading to)?. I know it states that magic use causes some kinds of rift in the fabrics of time, thus causing nearby machines to be dysfunctional, however, these are effects perceived only when magic is actually used. What if, for instance, a certain mage has chosen not to perform spells in a certain scenario; is there then a passive manifestation of his magic use or does he appear simply as an ordinary person?

So yes, I think you've guessed it. My final question is, well, putting into assumption that the characters we create cannot be other than the dispatch of "Mage Slayers and capable warriors" sent by the Vigil's remaining council members, how plausible, if at all possible, is a Mage Slayer character who is a former mage having escaped prior detection?

Well actually, I plan on creating a character, not a Mage Slayer, but among the enlisted "capable warriors" who, unbeknownst to the faction she serves, is actually a mage, secretly planning to revolutionize the common perspective of mages by carving out a benevolent mark in the world herself and searching for like-minded men who believe that magic could be made useful to mankind (of course I'm speaking the stretch of time before she actually reveals her true self). However, as a woman presently of her own, she plans to play by the game of the council first, before carrying out her plans. Your thoughts?

[PrinceOfQuills]

And before I forget, is there a lingering prejudice (even to the slightest subliminal degree) against women? What is the level of feminism in this universe, if there is any?

[Girlie Go Boom]

Oooohhhh... good question!^^ I want my charrie to be all rebellious like if that's the case.

And! My charrie will either stabbity your charrie, POQ and eats their heart all up if they are a closet mage OR!!!! She will protect them if they're buds and part of some kinda' MageKillergroup cuz she's a closet mage lovin' type. Mage curious actually. She hunts and kills them cuz she can't stand herself, cuz she's all "what would it be like to be a mage? I wanna be one tooooo!!!" inside her head and heart.

~BOING!!!~ we should be part of a mageKillingGroup to start the RP right?! Yush. Cuz know what? We could totes have backstories with each other! I likes it! ;D Oh! And my charrie's moms is like all fundamental hate on all mages too. That makes my charrie all sads and pushes her to be more in the closet too!^^ POQ! Dun look for like-minded men! Look for Bunnita's charrie!!!!^^ Our charries should be buds. Yerse. Likes it. Totes.

[PrinceOfQuills]

That's very...enthusiastic of you. I don't know what totes means but from context clues I can, um, understand. A little. Anyway, pleased to meet you, Bunnita! You're certainly one of the most jovial ones :)

And I agree, if people wish to have intertwined backstories, now would be the ripe time. :D

[Girlie Go Boom]

Pleased to meetcha toooooo~~!!^^

And yush, this bunny does gets all sillies and hyperactivated at times, but when I do the IC stuffs, I am like so totally(TOTES!!!) serious, k? And I just gets all excited when an idea strikes me as urshums!!! Really! I can be all serious like.

K, so like here. Check out my latest charrie^^ Like, I'm thinking of doing a charrie similar with strong female personalite but not so dark and angry. More repressed. In anotehr RP, I tried a charrie and made them all angry, but it dint last too long. Sooooo... thinking that repressed is better.

Oh! And err'body here: Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~~!!!!! Thanks ya for the welcome, GMing peeps!!!! ;DDDD

But I'mma have to check up on this later cuz needs slleeps. Nows. K, so let me know what you thinks, right? RIGHT!!!! xDDD ~Later~~!!

[Saber]

PrinceOfQuills said
And before I forget, is there a lingering prejudice (even to the slightest subliminal degree) against women? What is the level of feminism in this universe, if there is any?

Not on a cultural level. Sure, some people may think less of women; but the truth is, they all worship what they know is a mortal woman and her teachings.

I'll shoot you a PM answering your other questions sometime later in the day.

Sorry for the belated response. I was without power for most of yesterday.

Bunnita: Hiya and no problem ;) You seem like an interesting sort. I'm curious to see how much different your in-character style is.

EDIT: Probably going to have the OOC up tomorrow.

[Saber]

Working on the OOC now. As I said before, it should be done tonight barring any interruptions. If it is not up tonight, I sincerely apologize; there's another series of storms moving through where I live and they may (according to what I saw on the news a short while ago) be worse than the previous set. Regardless of all that, the OOC will be going up in the near future.

I'd like to have another person or two, but the current number is certainly acceptable. I think there's a lot of potential in this thread, in terms of the players that have been gathered. I'm looking forward to writing with all of you.

Thanks for your interest,
Saber.

[babbysama]

This looks really interesting. I'm down, if there's anymore spots open. You got some good taste mane.

[Saber]

Thanks, babbysama. You are certainly welcome to join us! Shoot me a PM if you have any questions.

Your signature cracked me up, by the way.

EDIT: Decided to add this...just because.

Boneworms

Bone Worms: Strange serpentine creatures, believed to originate from the Underweave. In their smallest stages, the Bone Worms are no larger than a common spider. They are gray in coloration, with a translucent, moist membrane serving as their skin. Through the skin, one can see that these creatures possess no bones themselves, only a series of veins and a few brownish lumps that serve as their vital organs. Their heads are often grotesque imitations of a human's face, gelatinous and drooping, with mouths that are ever agape.

Though they possess no teeth, the Bone Worms are capable of vomiting an extremely potent acid to dissolve a hole the flesh of their foes. Yet it is not this caustic expulsion that most fear. Bone Worms earned their name from their penchant for assimilating and consuming bones...from the inside of their foe. They are renowned as burrowers and often attack the feet of their prey, or, barring that, they will attempt to enter through any uncovered part of the body. It is solely for this that the Bone Worms seem to exist. As their lifespans are naturally very long, some Bone Worms can grow to be as large as a house...and some, in the days of old, were rumored to have been taller than trees.

Aside from their capability for growth, Bone Worms are highly intelligent, though incapable of verbally communicating if they are young. These strange creatures can also use dark and vile magics; it is believed that this is how they assimilate new bones into their bodies, once they have reached maturity. Older Bone Worms have been known to, instead of absorbing the fallen, reanimate their prey as undead servants.

Through the assimilation of bones, Bone Worms become entirely different creatures; creating macabre shells from the remains of those they have slain. Often, the arrangement of the bones and the appearance of the Bone Worm will vary; ranging from fierce, giant monstrosities to the lithe and slick appearance of an undead dragon. They are given different names for their size, in different places, as they can be found throughout the world.

In the north, the larger Bone Worms are simply called 'Ogres'. In the Hattavori Desert, where they are more common, they larger ones are called 'Bone Goblins'

[babbysama]

Thanks! If I have any questions I will definitely shoot you a message.
Does anyone have any other character ideas? PrinceOfQuill's idea sounded great. I have a couple of things in mind, one of which is this archer/marksman type character from the steppes. I'd definitely like to see how magic works before that though.
Love the setting, been looking for something this rich and unique to roleplay in, and love Planescape, so this is a perfect fit!

[Saber]

I've decided on two characters. One is going to be a grizzled old Mage Slayer by the name of Morben Risaac (in his early thirties, so not really that old). He's going to have burns all over his face and a large majority of his upper body...and he is going to fucking hate mages. As a devout of Lady Yildeane's teachings and a rather accomplished killer, he's going to be something of a 'mad old dog' in the Mage Slayer organization. Chances are he's not going to have the tragic backstory you'd expect from a guy that looks like that; no murdered family or childhood injustice. He was driven by faith and barely survived a skirmish with a mage tribe that went beyond the boundaries of the Godwastes and attacked Merrifort about thirteen years before the events of this RP. Thinking he's going to have a ritual (nearly a fetish) of staring into a mage's eyes as they die.

The other is Nyrris Surris, an Untuillan mage that will be traveling in the company of a Death Touched (one of Sicarius' characters). She'll probably be running into the group after some time. You'll get more info on her once I get a CS and stuff up.

As for how magic works, I'll go ahead and shoot you a PM containing some information about it.

[PrinceOfQuills]

Hi babbysama! Welcome to the party :))) Why thank you for the compliment (I'm starting to blush). And yes, I agree with Saber. Your signature... :D

I think your idea of archer-from-the-steppes would work out really greatly. I don't know about you guys, but I've grown so accustomed to having the various niches in the party filled (the ever-protective sword-arm, the hawk-eyed archer, etc.). I mean, variety is one the best things ever in an RP. I would hate to see everyone acting as "the pompous knight" charging into battle with their identical swords and identical stances and identical warcries. So with everyone being archers or everyone being mages. Horrible.

Anyway, I think I'm settled in going for the character I described, and I would welcome anyone willing to aid her in her plight. However, for the sake of the RP, I think we should all consider that we were meant to be on the hunt for mages (our recruitment rests in this general idea in the first place), and at the same time, it's rare enough as it is to be pro-mage in this universe. What I'm basically saying is, if any wish to be pro-mage in the long run, they should logically be starting with the philosophy that mages are, beyond reasonable doubt, evil, or if not, these people could be relatively indifferent to them (many mercenary-like characters might lean on this ideology; i.e. they care not who to kill, etc.). A little drama and some heated rocky beginnings wouldn't hurt haha.

EDIT: I think this RP has the potential to be one of the very best, and I would really hate to see this die. In my long time as an RPer, I found this to be almost inevitable, save for a certain special few. And this certain few, I've found, had rules implementing that they would kill off the characters of those who fail to respond after a while without prior notice (or some would put them into an inactive spot, then eventually kill them off). I'm not saying anything; it's just that, I want everyone to know how horrible it feels when an RP you've really enjoyed suddenly dies, simply because one member didn't give a damn about it anymore. Just saying. Let's make this fun, guys :D

By the way, would there be a map to complement this RP? I plan on making my character originate from the forests or something similar, and I hate to be making up Forest A or Foothills B when they actually aren't existent or geographically accurate. Or at least, are there any forests/swamplands/places devoid of civilization nearby (by nearby I mean adequate distance so as not to be accidentally ventured upon) Merrifort? I mean, it would only be logical that a mage originated from outside the conventional civilizations.

EDIT 2: Oh wait, mage tribes have been mentioned.