World Creation/Repository

[Vanq]

Tears of the Mihra (Adv RP) Information:

• Myths and Legends:
  Possibly relevant information and world flavor, take everything within with a grain of salt ICly


• Maps:
  World map available, city maps and/or "dungeon" maps may be posted as well, depending on the situation


• Empires, Kingdoms, and their Courts:
  General information regarding the political/geographic bodies on the continent. Filling in information regarding the rest of the world will be done via collaboration, keep in mind the general feel of the world.


• The Mihra:
  General information about the only recognized religion in Terlayne.

Character Sheets: I am looking for a different way to build this. While name/age/appearance/personality & bio have been a standard go to in most of my rp's (either gm'd or participated in), what I'm really looking for is a snap-shot of the character. Information here.

Blank Character Sheet

Appearance: Text or img. If an img, realistic vs. cartoon-y/anime. I personally prefer images, great for a quick reference and more likely to be remembered in my opinion.
Name:
Profession:
Talent: If applicable include the cost to the talent as well.
Personality: Fill in the details below using the options in the link given above. These are the terms that would most commonly (not always) be ascribed to the character. If one of the descriptors/synonyms sounds or feels better to use, please feel free to do so.

Overview:

• Primary Motivator:


• Emotional Disposition:


• Moodiness:

Core Traits:

• Outlook:


• Integrity:


• Impulsiveness:


• Boldness:


• Flexibility:


• Affinity:


• Comportment:


• Interactivity:


• Disclosure:


• Conformity:

Religion & Spirituality: Keep in mind the world and the ever presence of the Mihra/Order. Most citizens will be at the very least distrustful of anyone claiming to follow a religion other than the Mihra.

• Adherence:


• Tolerance:


• Expression of Beliefs:


• Attitude:

Minor Details: Choose 3-5 of the following.

• Quirks, Habits, and Oddities:


• Hobbies and Enjoyments:


• Favorite Topics of Conversation:

Background: Bring it all together, or start here and fill out the personality. 3-4 solid paragraphs to put the personality and character in context of their background. Include any significant past events, mysteries, and/or existing conflicts. Additionally, indicate what brought the character to Ylavin, our starting point.

GM PCs/NPCs:

Lelyanna

Appearance:

A woman just over thirty, almost always clad in the pale gray linen robes of her rank, her only adornment a silver necklace, the symbol for order embossed on a silver pendant.

Name: Lelyanna Bithalom
Profession: Val'Mihra, Mentor
Talent: Passive - Visual auras from others that correspond to emotions and feelings. The stronger the emotion, the more vibrant the color. The color defines the emotion only for that specific person. The cost varies depending on the situation - how many people there are, how strong the emotions are, how focused Lelyanna is on interpreting the aura. Lelyanna's own emotions begin to feed off of those surrounding her. If the emotions are strong enough and persistent enough, they can overtake her own completely at an exponential amount in comparison - extreme despair, rage, giddiness, etc. She has begun to notice a dulling of her own emotions as well, perhaps as an extension of the immediate cost to the Talent.
Personality:

Overview:

• Primary Motivator: Tranquility


• Emotional Disposition: Ashamed


• Moodiness: Labile

Core Traits:

• Outlook: Pessimistic


• Integrity: Conscientious


• Impulsiveness: Thougtful


• Boldness: Timid


• Flexibility: Adaptable


• Affinity: Empathic


• Comportment: Agreeable


• Interactivity: Reserved


• Disclosure: Evasive


• Conformity: Conventional

Religion & Spirituality: Mihra, Order

• Adherence: Orthodox Adherent


• Tolerance: Intolerant


• Expression of Beliefs: Occasional


• Attitude: Humble

Minor Details:

• Quirks, Habits, and Oddities: Needless apologizing, mumbling, humming, snoring


• Hobbies and Enjoyments: Horse riding, falconry, picnicking


• Favorite Topics of Conversation: the weather, Ylavin gossip

Background:

Lelyanna's childhood was far from idyllic. From a young age, she knew she was different, that she could see things that other people, normal people couldn't. Terrified of what that meant for her, she managed to hide it from her family until she was eight years old. The family dynamic had always had her at a disadvantage; the only child of her father's first and brief marriage, she had six younger siblings from his second wife. Once found out by the Mihra adviser her noble father kept at court as was expected, she was quickly sent off to Ylavin before news could spread that one of their blood was Talented. Though a lady by birth, her family clung tenuously to their title and land, barely more than paupers.

Her time in Ylavin as a Sul was marginally better. Never had she seen such a large number of people, never had she been so overwhelmed by the auras of her Talent. The Ral were interested in her, in what use she would be in the future once they learned how to teach her to better control the use of the Talent. Lelyanna took her vows later than most, nearly twenty-one before her mentors found her fit to don the robes of the Val. By that time she had found the ability to ignore the mundane flashes of color associated with a low level of emotion. In too large of a group, or around strong emotions, she could still succumb, but she had found her niche in mentoring the youngest of the Sul. As the years passed, she found herself working with those of the Sul who neared their own time to take their vows.

Two years ago, she met and began working with Sul Arriana. A waif of a girl, she had been older than Lelyanna when she came to Ylavin. The daughter of wanderers, she had fled the nomadic life and sought refuge as a Sul. It was only to Lelyanna that the full truth was revealed, that her parents had arranged for a marriage at the age of fourteen, a prospect the girl couldn't bare. Their time spent together morphed into something more, much to the fear and amazement of both women. Lelyanna was nearing thirty, and although marriage was allowed - even encouraged - for those who had taken vows, she had never considered it. The Mihra were also very clear on their views of a non-traditional relationship; should they be caught, Arriana would be exiled. What would happen to Lelyanna was less clear, as a Val with a Talent, she could not be set free to Terlayne. Tentatively and with much trepidation, their relationship bloomed regardless. Having never shaken the shame that accompanied having a Talent, the shame deepened, a self-loathing she tried to hide from her lover.

Now, Arriana's vows loom closer, and with it, the possibility or even likelihood that the women will be separated. Lelyanna was recently informed that her time of mentorship will come to a close, she is likely to be sent to one of the larger courts in the empire as part of an advisory delegation. She fears they have an idea of the sins committed, though without any substantial proof. It could just be paranoia, but both women have a sense that their lives will never be the same.

[Vanq]

Myths and Legends

How Magic Came To Be

In the beginning was darkness and the void. Nothingness but from which a spark erupted, creating those that would become the gods. Their names and identities shifted and morphed over the long millenia. So too, did their creations, the humans, who rose up to build great cities and civilizations.

The ancient empire, Pazhiq sought to prove their faith the greatest of those across any land. Their emperor, Qa’Noreen, subsisted on nought but honey and water for a year. Each day, he submitted himself to the will of the gods, that they should see his fervor and faith and bless him and his people beyond all others. At the end of the year, with his faith having stayed true even as his closest friends and allies turned on him and his empire beginning to crumble, the gods answered. Qa’Noreen, the first Diviner, the first of man to be gifted with magic.

Given power over the elements, over the bodies and minds of men and creature, Qa’Noreen used his power to vanquish those that had become his enemies. It seemed that a new era of peace and prosperity was to begin. Yet as his empire grew, so did his dissatisfation. Where once he proclaimed himself an instrument of the gods, he now himself as an equal. The gift that the gods had given had soured in the hands of mere mortals.

But rather than remove their gift from the world, the gods looked to teach both Qa’Noreen and humanity a lesson. The emperor’s daughter, Lasharae received the gods’ touch. The woman had become a priestess many years previous and had long felt ashamed by the monster her father had become. The gods had their champion, people flocked to Lasharae’s banner and open rebellion broke out. While men on both sides fought and died, father and daughter dueled for supremacy. The gods, however, had made it so neither had an advantage in power.

Unaware of this, Lasharae and Qa’Noreen battled for a week straight, neither sleeping nor eating. As their armies began to falter and their own strength drained, they each went for a killing blow. Each succeeded, and an explosion the likes of which had never been seen marked the location for all eternity. Bawara, as it was called in ancient days, where the mortal gods did battle and died. A crater still marks the location.

Magic did not die that day, however. Instead, it flourished. The explosion did not just kill, but sent the gods’ gift out in a wave, touching those with good hearts and true intentions. No man or woman could ever be as powerful or control so much as the first Diviners had. To use the powers, humanity would need to work together. The gods found this to be a grand joke, and left their creation to struggle on.

The 200 Year War

Little is known of the War itself, except for its ending the beginning of 500 years of relative peace and prosperity beneath the guiding hands of the Emperor and Mihra. What is known, is that before the Empire and before the War, there were no Mihra and many kingdoms claimed the land of Terlayne. Magic existed in ways no current Terlayners could dare imagine. Powerful mages rose up, without the deadly cost, without the limitations. Each kingdom handled magic and mages in their own way, some ruled by the mages, some subjugated them, others had something closer to a true alliance. The powers gained, it is said, came from ever increasing ties between the mages and the old gods. Varying from kingdom to kingdom, hundreds of gods were worshiped in these days.

Wars were common, and mages were used sparingly in offensive matters. Until the uprising, as some believe was the original catalyst. A small kingdom that foreswore all magic and its use. Those born with an innate talent were exiled, sometimes killed. At the same time, there was an increasing movement across kingdom borders from the mages themselves. They were better than those without their talents, they were more powerful, they should rule. That small kingdom was the first to fall of many. If all of mage-dom had accepted those beliefs, the world might have had a chance. But there were those who disagreed, or those who came to disagree with who would lead the mages in their utopia.

Cities were laid to waste, farmlands destroyed for generations to come, hundreds of thousands died in the battles, in the fallout, from disease and despair. The heightened lifestyle that magic had allowed for only brought the population lower when it was ripped out from under them. Nothing seemed able to end the vicious war. With each passing generation, rivalries and rebellions became more frequent in all sides. The world seemed set to rip itself asunder beneath the weight of death and destruction. Earthquakes rocked the earth, the shorelines were ravaged by intense storms, there were blizzards in the midst of heat waves. But no peace could be found, the war had gone too long, the destruction too much to set aside.

Until the Mihra arrived. The stories say they locked away the old gods, that the magic had been tainted and turned its users mad, like a contagion infecting even those without any ability. They cleansed magic, but not without severely limiting it and its users. With the madness wiped away, peace was possible. The earth quieted in response and time came to rebuild. The history of life before the war was gone, completely or near enough. The history of the war is told in stories, the veracity of the stories highly questionable. The Mihra are said to keep an old tome that includes the few remaining histories and an accounting of the war, but none outside of the highest ranks are said to know its contents.

[Vanq]

Maps

World Map

[Vanq]

Empires, Kingdoms, and their Courts

Empire of Terlayne

The Empire has existed for roughly five centuries. Born from the ashes of dead and dying kingdoms, with the aid of the Mihra it formed itself largely peacefully. The two hundred years' war had taken it's toll, entire generations had lived and died knowing only bloodshed and destruction. The peace that the Mihra and the first emperor, Bith'as, offered was not easily refused. Kingdoms weakened to near extinction submitted quickly. Of those who resisted, most were laid to complete ruin, others reluctantly bent their knees when it was clear it was that or certain death. The Bithom family, has ruled from Terlay without interruption since the last peace accord was signed.

Terlay inheritances are rarely messy affairs. The family tree is carefully maintained and updated, the order of inheritance clearly dictated. Family strife has touched successions from time to time, but the Mihra advisers have always been able to quell the angst before word could spread far or have armies raised. Twenty-three years ago, the old emperor passed and his second eldest son succeeded him. The eldest had long been presumed dead after a mission to cross the great ocean in search of other lands and peoples. A fool's mission and a worrisome one to all aware of it. Should the elder return, it would be the gravest danger to Terlay's ruling stability in many years. It has been nearly forty years since the day he left port with one hundred and fifty men. His brother, undisturbed in his reign, has finally begun to relax. At 67 himself, his elder brother would be nearly 75, a rare likelihood that he would return home now - or that even should he, that he would be able to muster an army to take what was his.

Terlay is the largest city of the empire. The outlying areas are fertile, hundreds of towns, villages, and hamlets feed the city and its population. It has thriving industries - textile, printing, jewelry - the artisan class does well for itself here and draws thousands of hopefuls from smaller cities and the rural areas. At it's heart, the imperial palace rises from a man-made hill. Walled off from the common city, the palace - a network of castles really - houses much of the imperial family, their retainers, and visiting dignitaries.

The Court:

• Emperor Lerrin, fourth of his name, Lord of Terlay, Protector of Terlayne, Order Blessed


• Empress Tanthia, Lady of Terlay, Princess of _______, Order Blessed


• Imperial Prince, Marric, Heir Apparent and his family: Marric's wife, one son and three daughters


• Lerrin IV's two other sons remain in Terlay with their families, as well as a scattering of extended family members not given small holds of their own to maintain


• Ral Dondillo, Mihra adviser to the court with a retinue of five Val'Mihra

Although the Terlayne Empire covers a vast continent, the peoples are not one assimilated culture. The client kingdoms pay their taxes and bend their knees, but beyond that, are largely left to their own devices to rule as they wish. The sole caveat being that Order must be followed. The kingdoms have retained their own customs and languages, although a common tongue exists and is used with frequency for the sake of trade, travel, and governance. Several outposts exist across the land, reminders of who the ultimate authority is, held by small battalions.

Ylavin

The capital city of the Mihra, and the second largest city in Terlayne. Whereas most cities, no matter the planning put into them, grow haphazardly, Ylavin is immaculate in its execution. At the direct center of the city rises a tall, slender tower of gleaming white. Concentric rings of roads emanate out of the central plaza, connected by the straightest roads found in the empire, like spokes on a wheel. Large as it may be, it is also widely regarded as the safest city in the land. Fear of sinning so closely to Mihra as well as rampant rumors on what sort of magic is done to violators keeps the petty, opportunistic criminals away. When crimes are committed, the city guards known as Vigilants, are swift to act and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Nestled in the foothills of the Azhorhai Mountains and fed by cool streams, it is a prime location. The city was nearly entirely built up by the Mihra centuries ago after the war had ended. A city did exist in this location previously, reminders of its existence can be found in the sewers beneath the streets or sometimes in a cellar. Little is known about the city or the kingdom it belonged to. It had been one of the early losses in the war, nearly 200 years before the Mihra claimed it for themselves.

The Court:

• Jhae Nerito:
  64 year old man, held the position of Jhae for 12 years. Elected by the Nhae from the rank of Ral, a position held for 24 years. It is said the Jhae has a Talent, an ability to shield physical blows at great detriment to his body. Rumors are that though his mind is as fit as in his youth, his body appears to be that of a man 30 years older - frail and decrepit.


• Nhae Melynea:
  59 year old woman, held the position of Nhae for 6 years, appointed by her fellows upon the passing of her predecessor, after 15 years as a Ral serving the emperor in Terlay. No Talent.


• Nhae Donovar:
  66 year old man, held the position of Nhae for 13 years. Previously lead the Mihra's efforts to purge any and all cults from the land. Oversaw at least a dozen small purges during his leadership. No Talent.


• Nhae Selles:
  52 year old man and youngest of the Nhae. Appointed less than a year ago and coming straight from the ranks of the Val, his appointment ruffled some feathers. Previously worked with Donovar as well as many years spent in the "court" of the desert nomads.


• Nhae Kaenna:
  76 year old woman, a member of the Nhae for 17 years. Frequently called to Terlay to speak for the Jhae. A distant cousin to the emperor. No Talent.


• Nhae Jaqarro:
  63 year old man, a member of the Nhae for 4 years. Previously a member of the Ral that oversaw recruitment of the Sul and a longtime mentor to the Val. A common background for one member of the Nhae to hold - a connection to who is joining their Order.


• Nhae Mylle:
  71 year old woman, a member of the Nhae for 9 years. Previously a member of the Ral that collected and organized information on all the current Mihra with Talents. Also possesses a Talent - the ability to sense a Talent in others, at cost to her own eyesight. Mylle lost all sense of sight a decade ago, her eyes then beginning to decay in their sockets until nothing remained and her Talent seemingly extinguished.


• Nhae Arnet:
  65 year old man, a member of the Nhae for 7 years. Previously a member of the Ral, Mihra head of the Ylavin city Vigilants. No Talent.

[Vanq]

The Mihra

Origins

Few outside of the Mihra know where they came from so many years ago. Stories and legends exist of a gallant people who arrived on these shores in the darkest hours when it seemed evil need only cast the final blow. From the east, some stories claim, others that they came from the south - forced out of their own lands. The Mihra themselves are quiet on the matter, whether it is because too many years have passed and they too have forgotten, or because it is just one more tightly held secret, is unknown except to those at the highest levels. If they ever were a different people, they have long since assimilated into the various cultures found in Terlayne.

Structure

• Jhae'Mihra
  
  The head of the Mihra, both spiritually and politically. The Jhae rarely travels outside of Ylavin, city of the Mihra. Few below the level of Nhae speak to or see the Jhae.


• Nhae'Mihra
  
  The ruling council of the Mihra. Consisting of 7 members, they are second only to the Jhae. They serve as the Jhae's advisers, as well as his (or her) eyes and ears on matters of the realm. The Nhae are the intermediaries between the head of the order and all those below - within the religious order and without. These are the individuals that go to the Emperor or influential client-kings when called up on. The Ral and some Val'Mihra serve this group.


• Ral'Mihra
  
  The Ral are individuals leading a specific study, or department, within the order.


• Val'Mihra
  
  The largest population of the Mihra. These are fully initiated members of the order - whatever their specialization or lack there of. Most of the Mihra ranks will reach no further than this level, as such, an unofficial hierarchy exists within the rank. Most Val spent anywhere from 5 to 10 years as a Sul before being allowed to take their vows and enter into service of the various Rals. Most Val are not found in Ylavin, but spread across all of Terlayne.


• Sul'Mihra
  
  The acolytes of the Mihra. Until they take their vows, they are known as the Sul and live heavily regulated lives. They come from all walks of life - street urchins to the daughters (and rarely, sons) of kings and emperors. It is rare for a Sul to leave the city unless it is to leave the Mihra - for good. Any who enter the order and leave before taking their vows are not allowed entry again. Once taking the vows, however, there is no turning back.

Beliefs

They are first and foremost, a religious organization. Though the manner of "worship" invades all aspects of daily life, regardless of status. It is well known that there is a Mihra in every court of the land, and oft said that it is the Mihra who make the decisions, not the rulers nor emperor.

In short, the Mihra embrace and worship all that is Order and cast off all that is is not. There is not so much a "god" of Order, no personification or bodily image of what is worshiped. Instead, it is an all-encompassing way of life. To worship anything else, any of the old ways or gods, is heresy and met with swift punishment and cleansing by the Mihra. It has been many years since the last large purge - although from time to time a cult must be taken care of. The Mihra have a tome that includes every sin against order - and is added to as needed. Although this tome is not used as the law of the land per se, it's influence in the political and judicial sphere cannot be denied. All in all, there are roughly 10,000 sins included, all succinctly described and defined in whatever degree warranted. Punishment for those in the ranks of the Mihra are detailed as well. These sins break down into three main types - sins against humanity (IE. theft, murder, assault...), sins against authority (IE. rebellion, treason, smuggling...), and moral sins (IE. slavery, homosexuality, consumption of banned substances...).

Talents

The Mihra are the only group to teach and cultivate, the use of Talents - of magic.In fact, it is only within the confines of the Mihra that those who possess a Talent can live freely. Talents are rare among the population, but the Mihra seek them out with fervor. Those who think to escape their grasp either live a life of constant running or are killed - either by the Mihra or by scared townsfolk. Magic and talents are poorly understood outside of the Order, a fact that they do little to dissuade. It is better to have a people fearful of those who can manipulate the numerous facets of reality. It is rare to find a group willing to hide the apostates, unless they too are members of a cult. Most who have Talents then, find themselves at Ylavin long before adulthood.

Talents typically present themselves around the age of 3, sometimes later, sometimes earlier depending on the Talent in question. Each person, at least as far back in recorded history as available, will have only one. Some range from the mundane - a perfect sense of direction, to the extreme - the manipulation of the mind or elements. Each person seems to be different in what they can do or how they do it. Much is not understood, even by the Mihra, as so much was lost following the events five centuries ago. What is known, or at least observed with great frequency, is that a Talent comes with a cost. The costs are as varied and unique as the Talents - some even deadly if the magic is misused. Study for those with Talents is far more rigorous than the talentless initiates, not only for the safety of that student, but for those around them as well.

[Dervish]

Consider me excited for this one. I missed it!

[Vanq]

Dervish said
Consider me excited for this one. I missed it!

Do you still have the write up you did for the kingdom your guy came from? I could totes include that if you wanted. :3

[Vanq]

Tears of the Mihra

Summary:

- Medieval fantasy world with low level of magic
- "Adventuring" style rp, a band of characters on an epic quest
- World created through collaboration, the big stuff is spelled out, up to us to add in the minor details as needed
- More than welcome to create (high level) the kingdom your character hails from - include a brief description, name of the capital city, and the main members of the court
- Background info

In Character Info:

For centuries, life in Terlayne was stable, peaceful, and prosperous. With the Emperor and the Mihra, there was no war between the kingdoms. The people, scarred by a past few knew of beyond the stories and legends, carried on into a new age.

Out of Character Info:

x

[Zacharius]

Cool story Bro.