Prologue
A loud pop echoed in the hearth room, breaking the long silence... although the faces lit by the dancing flames hardly took note of it. A man shifted in an oversize bearskin chair, a plume of smoke billowing from his bearded face and his fingers tapping a soft rhythm on the ornately carved pipe. Next to him, poised quietly with a book on a sofa, were two young girls, both young enough to carry the large bows in their hair without seeming out of place... and at his feet, a young boy lay on his belly before the flames scribbling and doodling with a fluffy white quill.
"Hey Da..." The boy started, his round face still downward, green eyes focused on the lizard like figure that was slowly coming to life on his page. "... Loras said the Dragon Moon is nearly upon us...."
A soft cough of surprise announced the boy's father's attention returning to the hear and now. His own green eyes narrowed, first upon the boy's golden head, but then slowly scanning the faces of the younger girls next to him. The girls were lost, as the furrows in their dark brows announced... but it was the youngest in the room that voiced it.
"What is a Dragon Moon?" she asked, her voice like a little bell.
This was not a conversation he was wanting to have. His head pounded from a sleepless night and too little ale with dinner. Letting the pipe fall to his lap, the man sighed. "Loras is right. The Dragon Moon shall dawn with the summer." Pursing his lips slightly, he looked over each girl. The governess would be teaching them soon about the going ons so he need not go into depth. Or so he hoped.
"You know that each of the ten kingdoms have a great door, yes?" The girls nodded, their golden curls bouncing beneath the ribbon. "When our two moons rise and fall together, these doors glow like the moons themselves... and dragons, those with riders and those without, from all over Evolin fly into the light beyond."
"But why?!" One of the girls interrupted, her sister 'awing' audibly at the idea of the great door that shadowed the nearby castle glowing like the moon.
"To have sex." The boy immaturely interjected.
"To lay eggs." Their father correctly quickly. "Men and women from every kingdom will travel as well... great festivals and religious ceremonies will occur in the land beyond. It is the only time these doors open... and the only time that all of Evolin is truly at peace... and the only time a rider can be chosen."
The heavy oak door was flung open. "Sir, the King has called for you. It's the Ragnog." A voice called from the doorway, a leather saddle under his arm.
The father nodded and stood up. "Boy, take care of your sisters... and don't scare them about the Dragon Moon." He scolded the boy, playfully kicking his boot as he passed. Cupping the face of each girl and kissing them on the forehead in turn, he smiled. "Ms Northrack can answer any further questions you have on the matter. Sleep well my beauties, I will be home for supper tomorrow."
And with that, the dragon rider marched quickly out of the room and to the dragon's keep.
Our Story
Welcome to Dragon Moons! If you have made it this far, I have managed to at least confuse you to the point of wanting some kind of clarification. Our game takes place in the fantasy world of Evolin. This is definitely medieval in nature, although I am not opposed to the dawn of something beyond that if worked into the plot. There is magic in Evolin, but it naturalistic in nature and takes an entire lifetime to master (although anyone can devote their life to it! Think of it more like science than magic). But, above all else, there are dragons!
In Evolin, the kingdoms are great distances apart. There is little to no traveling between them without the help of dragons... or the Great Gates... which is why the dragon moon is so important. The land of light is (unbeknownst to anyone in Evolin) actually an entirely different planet. Each gate (or portal) grants access to this planet every 40 years, in which the dragons will reproduce and men and women will be 'bonded' to younglings. The gates stay open for an entire year (which is how long the twin moons of Evolin rise and fall as one) and only the Priests of the Moons stay behind.
Our story takes place almost one year before the next Dragon Moon and on the precipice of a world war. A new source of Dragon's Blood (a type of ore that is greatly sought after for weapons) has been discovered in the Shadowlands (a volcanic chain of mountains)... the homeland of the Ragnog... a warlike tribal people whose fearsome riders have raided every kingdom of Evolin as far back as history can remember. This, paired with rivalries, broken promises among the rulers, and age old insults/boarder wars/racism, means that the grand hall (the banquet hall in the Land of Light in which all the leaders dine together) will be electric. Whether by religious views or tradition, there has always been peace during the Dragon Moon. (But maybe not any more, dun dun dunnn....)
Other than that, I am allowing our plot to be player driven (and GM steered).
Character Creation
How it works:
-Each ruler (save for the chiefs/elders of the Ragnog) will get to form their own culture in their lands. Anyone playing a character after a kingdom has been created should work side by side with the creator.
-Any character that is a dragon rider should create a separate character sheet for their dragons. You are welcome to have another writer play as your dragon, but I do not encourage it. (All rulers and nobility are riders... by 'bonding' with a dragon, you can go from low birth to nobility.)
RACES:
-Human
----You know what a human is... In Evolin, they are no different. They outnumber all other races and have been known to butt heads with the elves throughout most of known history.
-Elf
----We are talking your traditional, Lord of the Rings type elf. There are no divisions (high, wood, etc), however looks do tend to be regional. Each elven kingdom developed will need to address this in their creation.
-Dwarf
----The Dwarves have long been conquered and enslaved by most kingdoms. There is rumor of a hidden Dwarven kingdom, but one has yet to make itself known. Again, typical Lord of the Rings type of dwarves.
-Ragnog
----These tribal like beings (think native american) are only found within the Shadowlands. They appear as tall elves with white or grey skin and black hair. Like all other huminoid races, their eyes can be blue, green, brown or a mix... but a golden brown (almost yellow!) is most common. They are extremely strong and are renown warriors with lifespans similar to that of Humans. Men and women are trained from an early age in war and hand to hand combat as well as aerial tactics... and they are the only race unaffected by the mind meld of 'bonding' with dragons. Each tribe has their own black tattoo, the ink made from the volcanic ash that falls constantly from their skies.
Playable Characters
The Shadowlands
A mountainous land riddled with volcanic activity. Only the Ragnog live here. (Resources: Dragon's Blood and other ores)
-The elders (1 played character, however there will be more NPCed).
-Chiefs (up to 2, more NPCed)
-Warriors/Riders
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The Grasslands
A vast sea of tall, green prairie grasses (which produce a cotton like blossom in the summer). There are very little trees, although they do exist along the handful of rivers that cut through the heart of the plains. Most of this region's water is below ground. (Resources: Meats from large game, leather, cotton, textiles)
-OPEN-
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The Coast
This area is rocky and rainy. It is very reminiscent of the coasts of France and the UK. There are large areas of flat, grassland... however most of the rocky hills and cliffs melt into jagged, uninhabitable mountains. (Resources: Produce, livestock, some seafood)
-OPEN-
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The Islands
A large chain of islands of various sizes, surrounded by coral reef and rocky sandbars that ensnare even the most seasoned of sailors. Beyond that is nothing but endless sea. (Resources: Tropical Produce, Coral, seafood)
-OPEN-
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The North
These parts are just what you'd think of, snow and ice with a rather cool and slushy summer. There are some mountains, but for the most part the northern lands are a flat tundra. The southern edges melt into a dense piney forest which eventually turn into the Woodlands. (Resources: Ice Diamonds (used for weapons and finery, but very rare), Dragon's Blood (old vein near exhaust), animal fur, pine)
-RESERVED-
***Human Only***
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The Woodlands
Made up of a dense forest (some pine (towards the north), but mostly oaks and maples), small lakes, spingfed rivers, and babbling brooks. There are many secrets in the woods, including the enclave of the magicians. (Resources: Wood, Game meats and pelts, magical exports)
-OPEN-
***Elves only, save for Enclave of Magicians. It is it's own entity.***
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The South
Like The North, the South is snow bound for most of the year... except this polar kingdom has a longer thaw season and is home to a rockier sort of land. It is a large island, with rocky cliffs and floating icebergs in the cold seasons. (Resources: Gold, Iron, and metal workings of all kinds)
-OPEN-
***Humans Only***
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The Desert--The Gobazi Wastes
A seemingly never ending sea of shifting sands and jagged rocks. Survival here requires knowledge of the location of fertile oasis. There are no seasons here... only a dry season and a fleeting rainy season. The dry heat of the desert is only rivaled by that of the bitter cold of the desert nights. (Resources: Ore, Glass, Exotic Fruits, and Flowers (used for potions))
The Gobazi Wastes are ruled by a royal family, however, some would argue that it is the nomadic Sheiks that truly rule the land. The Gobazi are tent people, living in the unlivable by moving from oasis to oasis. There is only one true city in the desert (The Holy City of Agmar) which is built around a giant spring in the middle of the sands. Each sandstone building has it's own access to the crystalline waters and the palace even has an atrium featuring the exotic water lilies and other oasis plants that grow only within the springs of the desert.
The Royal Family and the Sheiks of the Desert traditionally color their hair the same color as their eyes using a thick paste-dye made from crushing various flowers. They will match their adornments and paint their family's crest upon their body in the same nature.
The Gobazi are known to be hot-tempered and as unpredictable as the shifting sands, which may be why their history is riddled with wars amongst the Sheiks. However, there is a softer side to these desert people; their religion. There is only The Creator, a single god who has not been present in the world since he created it. The Holy City was built to honor the god's creations and to thank him for the water in which he deemed to leave for their thirst in the sands. From there, each desert tribe believes something a little different... some even believing that the abomination, the Elves, chased away The Creator with there arrival to his perfect world, thus breeding elf hate withing the kingdom.
The Royal Family and the Sheiks of the Desert traditionally color their hair the same color as their eyes using a thick paste-dye made from crushing various flowers. They will match their adornments and paint their family's crest upon their body in the same nature.
The Gobazi are known to be hot-tempered and as unpredictable as the shifting sands, which may be why their history is riddled with wars amongst the Sheiks. However, there is a softer side to these desert people; their religion. There is only The Creator, a single god who has not been present in the world since he created it. The Holy City was built to honor the god's creations and to thank him for the water in which he deemed to leave for their thirst in the sands. From there, each desert tribe believes something a little different... some even believing that the abomination, the Elves, chased away The Creator with there arrival to his perfect world, thus breeding elf hate withing the kingdom.
Characters
-Jassard Iv, Sultan (NPC)
-Sifora, Emira (Trout The Dog)
Available Roles
-Royal Family
-Sheiks (serves also as generals)
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The Lakes
Nestled between uninhabitable mountain peaks, a large family of lakes supply life to the region. There are two almost sea like lakes with smaller fingerlings... all of which are fed by the mountain springs. There are woodlands and riverlands sprinkled throughout this enormous valley and the planets only silkworm population can be found shadowing the smallest of this region's lakes. (Resources: Wood, freshwater fish, silk, small game and pelts)
-Open-
***Elves Only***
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The Swamps
Bogs and floodplains make up the swamps. Located on the southeast edge of the coastal regions and north of the desert, this land is dangerous at every turn. The venomous wildlife and unpredictable ground makes this an unforgiving land for anyone born outside of it's damp borders. (Resources: Poisons, Rice, Bricks/Clay)
-OPEN-
Dragons in Evolin
As stated above, this world revolves around Dragons. Each kingdom has their own religious stories or traditional lore about where the dragons came from, what the land of light is, and why there are gates throughout the land. Evolin is a massive planet and the only way to get from one kingdom to the other is by flight (unless, of course, you wish to start as a child and grow old on your way there).
There are six different types of dragons.
-Blue: Smallest in size, only dragon able to float on the water like a duck.
-Green: Second largest. Known as the smartest of the dragons.
-Red: The largest of all dragons. Strong, but slow.
-Gold: Medium build, but breaths the hottest breath.
-Black: Size varies. It is silent upon the air.
-White: The long wingspan makes this lean dragon the fastest breed.
Each type of dragon can be found in any region of Evolin, but no matter who the rider is, the type of dragon determines it's place in society (i.e. A Blue would most likely not be part of the heavy cavalry nor would it be used to haul large loads). All dragons are born in the Land of Light during the dragon moon. During bonding, a hatching will 'choose' it's rider. The new rider will then bring their companion back to Evolin and raise it from there. There are firelizards that live naturally in Evolin, however they are not sentient and only grow to the size of a large dog. These firelizards are used like domestic animals and in some regions as pets.
Dragons are intelligent creatures with their own code of honor, even though they may ride to war against their kind, off the battlefield two 'enemies' may lounge and speak as friends. No dragon can enter Evolin without bonding... and once their rider has passed away, they return to the land of light for good upon the next dragon moon.
Bonding
No one knows why or how the imprint works. As hatchlings, a Dragon may choose it's rider... creating a sympathetic connection between the two. Emotions are shared (although they are amplified towards the rider and minimized towards the dragon) and a one way telepathy is created (from dragon to rider). So, when the rider is upset, their dragon will feel such emotions... or when the dragons take flight in their breeding rituals, the two riders feel a irresistible attraction to eachother (which can lead to the Dragonborn... a title for the bastard children caused by the dragon moon. It is considered a blessing in most cultures). The sex of a dragon must match that of the rider, however age, race, and kingdom have no lines in a dragon's eyes.
Character Sheet--Must be PMed to LeiaHair for approval before posting!!!
Name:
Age and Sex:
Race and Region:
Title: (i.e. King, General, Tribal Elder)
Physical Description: *Pics are okay, but only paired with typed descriptions*
Bio: *This must be a detailed character history.*
Region Info: *This is only if you are applying as the region's leader*
***Remember, you must fill out a second character sheet for your dragon***
Rules
*All characters must get GM approval
*No Godmoding or any other such nonsense. This is the only warning.
*Please use the GM's posting format (see first IC post for example) when posting.
*It is required to inform (either by PM or OOC chat) of extended leaves. Otherwise it may result in loss of your character.
*All players must follow the RP Guild's TOS.
*Please keep all posts tasteful. Violence, cursing, and sex must be story appropriate and part of a character and/or plot line.
*Death is for real. By joining this RP, you accept that your actions could very well lead your character to their demise. However, this does not mean you must leave as a writer! You are welcome to create a new character!
*Posting length: I have no rules on this. If you feel a short, well written, post fits the current story that is fine. I also encourage you to reach out via PMs or even IMs (like skype or AIM (does that still exsist?) to create a joint post. However, I do require an attempt at proper grammar and will not accept illogical B.S. Remember, we are writing this story as a team... it is not just about your character.
*Lastly, this is for fun. OOC should be respectful and IC should not reflect any OOC conflict. Relax and just write a great story!!!
If you have any questions or ideas, do not hesitate to send me a PM!!! I am not going to require a set amount of activity, however I do ask that you attempt to be active within the story... and I will not hesitate to write out or NPC characters if there is a lack of activity from any one writer.
