Fantasy/Adventure Roleplay

[tobiax]

So, I'm looking to revive a long-gone RP, involving elemental cultures, their leaders, armies, and creatures.
The elements are Fire, Earth, Plains, Forest, Water, Wind, Light, and Dark (as mainstays).

Above is a map of where the RP will take place. It's not exact, like the coastline, but it's close enough. It's a medieval like setting with a heavy fantasy element.

As I mentioned, you can play basically anyone, but I should elaborate.
Generally the first character of any element should be the Lord. That doesn't mean if it doesn't already have a Lord player don't pick it, but rather if there's a totally empty element you want to play, consider playing the lord. Lords are, well, exactly what they sound like, essentially the leaders of each area. Their power is fairly absolute in their respected areas, only mitigated by the Council of Lords, consisting of Elders and the Lords themselves. Because of this, you can basically flesh out governing methods and customs yourself (As not all have been defined fully) or defer to me for advise if you must.
If you want to play a non-noble character you can. That's fine. I won't stop you. Commoner places would be easy, but uneventful. Military positions like soldiers, mages, ect, would be eventful, but basically you'd have to feed heavily off of the posts of who ever is playing the respective lord character, and if you end up in a specific unit that needs to go somewhere, well... you'd have to go too. Some areas have their own rich or nobility, and playing as those offers somewhat of a middle ground. You have some freedoms, but obligations the others won't, and you might be able to command a small portion of armed forces if the element which your player is has a lord player who allows that.
This means that Lord characters have a bit of sway over other characters, but not HOW they deal with things, just WHAT they have to deal with sometimes. And don't think these characters will go unmitigated. That's what the Council is for.

Also, mixed races are possible, but not many exist, and it depends on timeline events, which need to be approved beforehand obviously. If you're curious, ask. I'm sure I can give greater detail, and if you want to take some liberties, I'll be reasonable and fair.

Each culture inhabits one specific part of the island, shaping their way of life, with what creatures they interact, and the way the human( type)s appear and behave.

Fire

The lands of fire are arid and mountainous. This makes it prime habitat for Dragons and dwarves, but also goblin-kind and a mysterious humanoid race with magical inclination commonly referred to as Fire Elves, Dracokin, or Dracans. This particular race is hard to classify, as an individual may have a varied amount of dragon like features and magical influence. Because of their limited resources, personal possession is held in high regard in this highly militaristic society. They are very skilled at building and can be quite intelligent, although it is rarely for the good of all. Due to their inclination towards technical process, they often try and harvest the forest for fuel.

Earth

The lands of earth are dusty and punishing on the surface, covered with mysterious ruins. However, the people do not live on the surface, but underground in caves. The people revere animals like the Cave Lion and Bear, and dwell in mineral rich grounds. Their skin is patterned and shaped to blend in with various minerals, and they rarely speak without mentioning some form of stone or another unless matters are rather grave. Due to a dispute with the damming of the river, they hold disdain for those who dwell in the water.

Plains

The Plains are the lands of humans. Under stormy skies, they learned to harness the power of lightning in powerful magic. They value order and structure, as is evident in their structured buildings and heavily enforced class system. They take pride in their metalwork, and are diverse, if ununified, but take great pride in their ingenuity. They revere the swiftness of the gryphon, even if plains gryphons are only magical constructs and not true animals. Their magical variety is low, but what they do have is strong, even if it takes a while to prepare at times.

Forest

The Forest is home to a great number of creatures, all of whom live naturally. They do their best to preserve their home, and take great measures of trade and craft to make sure it stays the way it is. Due to this, poverty and crime are essentially absent among the elves, and the other beings with whom they have made peace. With their ability to manipulate live wood, they have no need to disturb the land to make home. Deep mysterious energy lives deep in the forest, and the inhabitants do their best to live in harmony with it.

Water

Beneath the sea in a fortress upon the back of a giant crab, live a populace of aquatic humans and other such merfolk. They make their work in the rivers and tides of their land, with enchantment flowing through every aspect of their lives. Swiftly adaptable, yet forceful when they need to be, the people of the water are nothing to be trifled with, even though they have the potential to be very kindly.

Wind

The culture of the wind is a peculiar thing. It changes like the breeze, with an odd, unstable core of liberal-art. Due to their land being mostly made of crumbling mountains, they live on peak homes or in villages suspended in the clouds. Whether by being fae, having wings, or wind magic, most here can fly, and various large birds, such as eagles, being strongly revered. With their mutable philosophy, they are often at odds with the structured ways of the Plains.

Light

The people of light value purity and would rather protect themselves by distracting or redirecting aggressors rather than fight them head on if at all possible. They hold in their hands the holiest power, and have the balance of the island ever on their mind.

Dark

In the treacherous wetlands to the west, Marsh Striders and Swamp Walkers scrape together their meager living from amongst the undead infested bogs and lifeless swamp forests. Their language is smooth and soft, making it easy to believe, and thus easy for its users to lie. However, those who dwell in these dark lands are not well trusted by the rest in the island.

Each culture answers to a greater power by way of the Council of Lords. When matters arise, the Lords of each Realm gather in the Tower of Unity to discuss the correct course of actions. For a matter to be fully addressed which would result in punitive or military action by the Council as a whole, at least three parties must be able to confirm the matter.

EmptyCS

Name:
Gender:
Realm:
Position:
Appearance:
Description: (History, Bio, Personality... that kind of stuff.)
Equipment: (Armor, weapons, tools, things they carry and such.)
Skills: (Magic, combat techniques if any, building or making/fixing things,)

So, who's interested?

[tobiax]

Bump.

[Rultaos]

Perhaps if you put more details and explanation as to what this RP is about instead of just "It's about cultures built around elements. Oh and it's medieval, fantasy, with armies and monsters"

Explain what these cultures are. Are they advanced or primitive? How do you display politics in your RP (since there are armies and leaders)? What are the defining characteristics of each element, and how do the people under respective elements behave?

You can't expect people to declare interest over something they don't know that much about. I'm not bashing you or anything. I'm just saying that some more information about the RP is needed for people to decide if it's interesting or not. Fantasy and Elements are so common and cliche that you need to put an original spin on it so it doesn't get boring, fast.

[tobiax]

Okay, I get it, I was just tired when I made this and most of that is sort of... ethereal, in my mind. I was intending on either having that be answered on a per-question basis or in the OOC.
I appreciate the help/advise, but I'm not entirely sure how to define these things.

[tobiax]

Bump.

[Emma]

I would love to be apart of creating one of the races and then playing in the RP

Here is a race I have been working on the last three days!

Dragoth

The Dragoth Species/Race

-- Physical Characteristics --

Other then the following, Dragoth are Human in appearance.

Hair - Colors range from white to light blonde, and light shades of blue, gray, green, purple, and pink. Very rarely light reds. Never black or brown.

Eyes - Come in all colors of the rainbow. Many have vertical slit pupils, or no pupils at all. Heterochromia is not very rare to see in the Dragoth race.

Skin - Skin colors range from white, Ivory, pale, alabaster, peaches, light tans, and in some of the old noble families darker beige. Under moonlight Dragoth people have a slight glow to there skin. On nights of the new moon (no Moon in sky) Dragoth skin glows silvery, and a pattern of scales appears, until the sun breaks the horizon.

Blood - Dragoth Blood is blue in color and also is the most deadly poison in the world.

Half-Dragoth -- One parent of Dragoth race, and the other not, equals half-bloods. They are born sterile, and appearance wise look completely human, with few Dragoth traits. They can speak dragon like the Dragoths, but no other magical like things are inherited. There blood is purple in color and has healing properties when drank, and is used as an antidote to all poisons.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
- Basic Info -

Dragoths are not affected by any poisons.

Typical life span is to age 120 - 130 years old. When bound to a dragon add 400 years.

They are only race that can understand and speak to dragons (this is done telepathically)

The Dragoth people can form a sacred bond with a dragon, if the dragon chooses so. With this bond their life span become much longer and the ageing process slows dramatically.

They are cold blooded in the same way as reptiles so they live in the desert heat rather easily.

They are known for being fast, agile, very flexible, with quike reflexes and abilities to see in the dark.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
- Magic -

There are many different abilities unique to the Dragoth Race, though out of the list of abilities, each dragoth person only has up to Two of them. Some magic and abilities are as follows:

- Chameleon Camouflage
- Control and manipulation of fire/lava/heat
- High Stamina
- Summoning of snakes that can be made to attack.
- Omnilingualism: Can speak, write, understand and communicate in any language.
- Retractable fangs that secrete a venom that can be deadly to some, but mainly just paralyzes the victim for a number of hours.
- Rapid Healing
- Dream walking: user is capable of entering the dreams of others.
- Limb Regrowth
- Pain Immunity
- Shapshifting into a lizard/snake/falcon/hawk/frog
- Elasticity: to stretch, deform, expand, or contract one's body into any form imaginable.
- Hair Manipulation: user has complete control over their own hair, allowing them to freely alter, grow out, chance texture, color, etc. They hair can be made to be whip-like and used as a weapon.
- Enhanced Senses

All Dragoth have the abilities of casting magic (Like a Witch with spells and potions). Some are stronger then others. Plam, crystal ball, and tarot card reading, is a big part of their native culture. Magic Potion brewing, spell casting, curses, hexes, scrying, and Divination among other magics is a daily part of their lives.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
* Modern Dragoths live mainly all around the Desert and Jungle areas alongside the other races, and follow the typical human cultural and Traditions. So the following does not apply to them very much.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
* Native Dragoth's are nomadic and follow their ancient ways, and traditions of the Dragoth people.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-Dress - Traditional Dragoth clothing is a mix of Egyptian, Grecian, and Asian style. Beading and embroidery are a big part of the typical female clothes.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-Foods -

Animal Foods - Javelina, dove, quail, snake, weasel, Deer, Tortoise, Hare, Addax, Bighorn Sheep, Ostrich, and Emu meat. All bird eggs, and Goats milk.

Fruits - Pomegranates, Prickly Pear, ground cherry, rock fig, dates, Pitaya, acai, wild grapes, Lime, kiwano, marula, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples, mangoes, and Jujubes.

Vegetables - Cactus, Corn, Jalapeno, Bell Pepper, onions, Chile Pepper, Habanero, tomatoes, wild plants, potato, olives, carrot, and Garlic.

Bread - Is made from ground corn/nuts. tortilla, Corn meal breads,

Other - Wild almonds, Sunflower seeds, Wattleseeds, coffee, chocolate, honey, ginger, mushrooms, nut butters, mint, lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, and other desert/jungle growing herbs. Poison plants & animals are very typical foods eaten by the native Dragoth.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-Nomadic Living-

Dragoth people are nomadic and typically move locations every 2-5 years. Living and roaming all around the Calliope Desert, and jungle areas. Some tribes move seasonally, and spend the cooler winter months in the north volcano mountains.

Housing - The housing the Dragoth people live in is called a yurt, and is built off the entrance of there caravans.

A yurt - is a portable, bent dwelling structure. The frame consists of one or more expanding lattice wall-sections, a door-frame, bent roof poles and a crown. The self-supporting wood frame is covered with pieces of woven grass/straw fabric, animal hied, and a felt like fabric made from sheep and goat fur, after all that it is then covered with canvas, for water proofing. The frame is held together with one or more ropes or ribbons. The structure is kept under compression by the weight of the covers, sometimes supplemented by a heavy weight hung from the center of the roof. A yurt is designed to be dismantled and the parts carried compactly on camels, yaks, or atop caravans, to be rebuilt on another site. Complete construction takes around 2-4 hours.

The Caravan - Every family has a caravan that is lived in while traveling and moving to a new site. When they settle in a place, they build their yurt (hut/tent) around the entrance of the caravan.

Yurt Interior - Like this
1. expanding lattice wall-sections
2. bent roof poles and a crown.
3. Smoke hole. Smoke from the fire comes out through the opening. During monsoon season it is covered to prevent rain from coming in.
4. (there is no #4 in pic, but bare with me) The walls normally are decorated with intricately woven tapestries from ceiling to floor. The dirt floor, normally is covered in animal hides and large straw woven rugs.
5. Fire pit. A dug out hole in the ground lined with rocks. The fire pit is used for cooking and heat.
6. Support poles, they have hooks on them for hanging blankets and wet clothes.
7. Oven, and burners. Made of metal it is used for cooking.
8. Clay bowls, pots, and stone slabs are put atop the oven for cooking, boiling water, and warming food.
9. Clay/wood pitcher. Holds the fresh drinking water for the day
10. Table and chairs - Used for eating meals together, playing card games, doing crafts, and so on.
11. The frame is held together with one or more ropes or ribbons.
12. A heavy weight hung from the center of the roof.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-Traditions, Ceremonies, Religion, and beliefs -

Coming of Age traditions and ceremonies -

Age of Maturity is considered age 15. It is a time when a Teen is considered spiritually and physically mature. The youth is then responsible for stating on his or her own behalf whether or not he or she wishes to remain a member of the Native Dragoth community. If the choose not to they are still welcomed as family and such but are not apart of the Ceremonies and other spiritual things. If they choose yes which is the typical answer: On their 15th birthday, the child undergos a ceremony called Masha, where they are initiated into the Tribe as an adult. They adopt a traditional Dragoth name which is added onto their Birth name. example: John Smith, Becomes, John William Smith. This name is only used in ceremonies, spells, and when inside the temples, and is typically only told to close family members, spouses, and infants.

The ritual for the young Dragoth male involves shaving his head, and for the young dragoth Female to receive there first haircut. Both genders take off their Nicco, an amulet worn to mark and protect underage youth, which one then burns in dedication to the gods, they then bath in the sacred hot spring, that the Dragoth Temple is built around. They dress in the traditional formal garment, and walk the spiral staircase to the top of the temple with, chosen family members and priestess/priest behind them holding candles. Ones at the top they pray to the Gods for an hour or more, and then they ring the bell to signify they are no longer a child. They leave the temple, The family and friends gather for a celebration feast and dance that last all night. They are given a small blessed stone called a Caffa, it is used like a worry/pray stone, and is kept in they pocket/bag from then on.

Marriage traditions and ceremony -

Native Dragoth brides pick not one wedding dress, but three. First, the bride wears a simple white gown for the ceremony and vows in the temple. Next, the bride swaps into a traditional dragoth wedding Gown, an embroidered, slim-fitting frock that's usually dyed a Dark Blue for during the festivities, dances, and feast. Blue is a strong, lucky color in Dragoth culture. Finally, the bride ducks out of the Festival at midnight to change into a third dress, this one is a short casual two colored dress made by the grooms mother, grandmothers, sister and other relatives. Each of the two colors represent the birth stone color of the bride and groom.

Grooms have also have three outfits for the wedding. Starting with the simple white ceremony outfit, that is wore into the temple for the ceremony and vows with his bride. Next he changes into the traditional wedding robe, and boots for the festivities, dances, and feast. Lastly at midnight he changes into a tunic and cape, in the colors of his and his wifes birth stones. This outfit is made by his bride's mother, sister, grandmothers, and other relatives.

The Vow Ceremony is held in the temple. The groom and the bride each walk down separate paths that form into one, where they clasp hands and walk to the alter together as family and friends stand on both sides of the path, holding flowers/candles, and humming the marriage song. When the couple reaches the alter they kneel down in front of the high priestess who then places her hands on each of their heads. The humming stops, and the priestess begins chanting the scared marriage prayer to the gods, and then she goes on to give the couple their unique blessing (fertility, longevity, protection, luck, prosperity, happiness, harmony, friendship, vitality, honesty, hope, etc...). Then the priestess ask them to rise to their feet, which they do, and she ties a rope around their grasp hands. She then pours pomegranate wine over their bound hands, and asked the bride to say her Vows, and then the Groom. They then kiss, and all of the family members and friends cheer, and whistle. The newlyweds then each take apart the bound rope around their hands, and kiss again. More cheering. The bride and groom followed by there closest relative leave the temple and head to the village center were the wedding festivities, dances, and feast is held. The newlyweds then separate to change into the second outfits, joining everyone in the celebration feast, they sit next to one another. After the feast there is dancing, and such to be had. this goes on until midnight, when the newlyweds then separate again to change into the last outfit. The music and dancing slows, and lanterns are lit and left to float into the night sky. family, Relatives, and good friends, give gifts, and blessings to the couple as the leave to their homes. The couple then spends there first night together in their new home.

- Funerals -

After the death of a Native Dragoth the funeral begins, the body is laid out in the temple on woven blankets made from dried vines and left for two day and two nights, for people to mourn and pray over. In the morning on the third day, the body is cradled in the woven blanket and carried by four priest to the spiritual ground behind the temple. Family and Friends dress in black and grays as they follow behind. The priests place the blanket & body in the large hallowed stone table full of dry woods and herbs. The spouse/parents/next of kin have sew together the deceased old clothes into a quilt which is stuffed with dry grass and leaves. The quilt is placed over the body by the family. The priest and priestess chant the departing prayer as they poor blessed oil over the body. The body is then cremated, the oils and herbs turning the flame blue. After, the ashes are collected and mixed with clay, and are made into beads, then painted by family members and hung in a tree, or cactus.

- Temple -

Priest & Priestess - They live in the temple and dedicate their lives to the gods. They hold/preside all of the ceremonies in the temple. Are keeper of the Dragoth ancient artifacts, sacred items, Historic scrolls, forbidden spells, and written prophecies. The spend most of their day praying, blessing, and making fancy bound books for the Dragoth people to write family trees, stories, Information, legends, and history in. They wear plain white robes though many embroider on them.

Dragons - are considered to be earthly gods, and are sacred beasts. Dragoth people believe that dragons are there ancient ancestors. The Dragoth people can form a sacred bond with a dragon, if the dragon chooses so. With this bond their life span become much longer and the ageing process slows dramatically.

Afterlife - Dragoth believe that when they die their soul goes to live with the gods in the sky Kingdom, unless the gods decided they are not ready, then they are instead reborn.

Temple - There are three Dragoth temples Two located in the Calliope desert, and the last one in Volcanic land of the north. They are large, tall, made from stone, and always built aound a hot spring. The Nomadic Dragoth always live with in a three days or less journey from a temple.

Second Name - When adopting their second name during the Masha, they are always traditional Dragoth names. (Spanish and french names/words = Dragoth Names)

[tobiax]

Wow. That is detailed... However... they're really similar to Dracans/DracoKin/Fire Elves. They could work, but there's this thing where all half-"breeds" are fertile, and a few other things, such as where they sort of elementally cross, don't exactly mesh. If you're willing to either tweak them a bit, (which will need to happen anyway, as their magic and such doesn't seem strictly Fire) or have whoever ends up being a Dragoth come from a distant continent to the west. There are a few other things that could need changing, but I don't remember exactly.

[tobiax]

Finished details about the Realms.

[tobiax]

Bump.

[tobiax]

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[tobiax]

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[tobiax]

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[tobiax]

...

[Ollumhammersong]

May I make a suggestion? I toyed with the idea of joining this. But as was said earlier there really isn't to much information. A lot is left really vague and that is what kept me from throwing myself into this. Try just expanding on each region somewhat. Go into politics and military, culture, lifestyles. or if you want to leave that up to the players say so. but there needs to be more to go off of.

[tobiax]

Okay, yeah, the vague stuff is because that stuff's not really defined. Or I forgot... Not sure how to define a "politics" though.
Usually players have filled in the blanks themselves...

[Ollumhammersong]

you cant rely on players to do the work creating the world. If you have taken the time to provide options, define races, etc. you really do need to go the rest of the way. Your the DM. You create this world. The players ask for changes, variances and other things. But you make the world. Despite what people think. Players want something structured to go into. Because if its structured it shows the DM has a firm idea of what he wants. And that is a sign that maybe this will last and not just waste my time with an application that will go nowhere.
and what do you mean 'A politics" just tell us how each nation is privately run. Council of elders, do some have kings, emperor's chairmen? military states? I don't know. Have some fun with it.

[tobiax]

I did neglect to mention some things I realize. (Massive oversight on my part. I was also using this to catch the interest of people who played this on old-guild, and I guess I forgot to include some things. Also it was late when I started this.) Also, Not DM. I'm not here to Plot-Railroad anyone.(Not that that's all a DM does, but I won't be some enigmatic force the players need to appease in any way, I'll be playing a character myself.) I'll provide events, but no one needs to do anything, but then there will be consequences.
Thanks for helping me realize what I missed.
I've edited the original post, so hopefully it's more helpful now.

[Ollumhammersong]

If I may say. Having read this through before. And reading it through again after this edit. The only difference I can tell is that you put everything in hiders. There has been no added information. you are still offering the same product. It just looks fancier now. But the level of substance has remained. And its the lack of substance that is what people are talking about. Hiders are cool and i'm not trying to sound like a complete and utter douche. But i'm also trying to help. I see three or four added sentences to various factions. these just spell obvious aminosity towards elemental opposites, but don't really add any depth or the world. You need more fluff to grab people attentions.

[tobiax]

Read above and below the hiders.

[Ollumhammersong]

still. no extra fluff in those that wasn't already there. Now its just explaining that we can be commoners ro nobles. I get that your leaving the majority of details for the players to figure out themselves. And im sure there are people who are willing to put together an entire nation and civilization. Hell I've done it once or twice.

Good luck, I hope this kicks off.