[OOC] A Patchwork World [Worldbuilding and Exploration]

[yoshua171]

I have added the Discord chat link for this RP to the OP. Note that individuals will be unable to post anything in the chat until given membership within them by a moderator. At present time the moderators are myself and Celaira. In the future Ganryu will also be a moderator.

Lore Announcement

Notable pieces of lore/lore ideas that have been semi finalized or are sure to show up in the core lore at some point in the future are as follows:

Haramon, a god of balance is a mediator between two "factions" of divine entities known individualls as the Gods and Archdemons. The Former are a pantheon of beings with largely positive or creative intentions for reality. They wish to expand upon and reinforce their creations, rather than the opposite. While some are malevolent, none are overtly "Wrong," or disharmonic. All bring something to reality, rather than take away from it. Their enemy and antithesis are the Archdemons, beings who bring nothing but the force of entropy to bear upon reality, rending what they can and doing their utmost to unmake what the Gods have wrought.

Races that will be for sure established are as follows:

Humans(duh), Fae(various sorts), Skinwalkers, Dragons, Angels, and Demons.

The last two are of particular note as are Skinwalkers.

Skinwalkers were the progeny of human/demon intermingling which eventually began breeding with other Skinwalkers, something which was brought about by divine interference of a subtle sort. As such Skinwalkers are allowed to alter their shape by killing others, more often animals than sentient beings, and then donning their skin/hide. This affords them the full spectrum, or dulled versions at least, of the abilities of the beings whose skin they wear. The average skinwalker is capable of wearing three(3) skins, but particularly powerful ones may possess up to eight(8).

Angels and Demons are the progeny/spawn of Gods and Archdemons respectively. They either come about as a direct creation of a God/Archdemon or when a mortal being gains either exceptional positive or negative karma. Either upon agreement/deal with a God or Archdemon or upon their death the mortal in question will be reborn as an Angel or Demon of power comparable to the amount of negative or positive karma they obtained in their mortal life.

It should be noted that most Demons seek to transcend mortality and either uproot their Archdemon sires to become Archdemons themselves or simply become an Archdemon by gaining a fairly tremendous amount of sway in the world, spreading their "wrongness," throughout.

Conversely Angels either uphold the order of their Sires/Parents or attempt to garner the favor of both their betters(the gods) and/or humans so as to eventually be worshipped and become a god themselves.

Side note: The Gods and Archdemons are in a sort of conflict, one might compare this conflict, at present, as a "Cold war."

[Celaira]

Magical backlash and fallout were added to the lore thread by Yoshua earlier today.

[yoshua171]

Aaaalright people. A new section has been added to the lore thread. It is called "Notable Figures," and has to do with just that. I have added one entry into it for the moment. If you would like to make a notable figure just follow the same format as a character concept (or go more indepth, either works) and send it to me. We'll go through the reviewing process then I'll add it to the post ^_^

Edit: I also added "Urthyr, Archdemon of Fate," to the Divine Equation. Almost forgot to hence it being an edit. Sorry about that haha.

[yoshua171]

Announcement

---

Alright everyone, I have set up a good deal of stuff in the Patch Tome. Approved lore may now be posted in the Tome. The mechanics of magic and mana have been largely explained. I am still working on the Primordials and the creation of the world. Furthermore I intend to define what Gods, Archdemons, and the Neutralities are so everyone is informed and aware. Beyond that I have some other lore entries I need to work on, but they are not as pivotal as the aforementioned.

Though Angels and Demons ought to be defined sooner than later. All in good time, as they say.

[solokolos]

I am very interested.

[yoshua171]

Welcome :D

[Eklispe]

I am very interested, but more interested then merely very or very, as shown by the fact that the word very is both initialized and bolded. _{I'm not stalking anyone it just looked cool I promise}

[yoshua171]

Welcome on board @Eklispe :)

PM incoming.

[BingTheWing]

I'm still here, though I'm kinda busy and have limited WiFi. I'll be coming up with a character soon!

[Celaira]

@BingTheWing Can't wait to see it!

[yoshua171]

Fyi, added a new CC to my character hider in the storage ^_^

[yoshua171]

Announcement

---

Alright, so after long consideration as to how to start the IC Celaira and I came to the conclusion that it is fine for anyone to post. What the first post is does not matter too much in this case as people will be starting in different locations (with some overlap, which is fine/wonderful). I will respond by controlling NPCs and helping shape interactions, giving people stuff to do or supporting the activities their characters choose to pursue.

So anyone with an accepted CC may post whenever they see fit. I will respond as time allows.

---

Furthermore, I will continue to flesh out various aspects of the lore. Currently I have the following lore entries on my table:

The Primordials(creation of souls), The Great Fracture(Historic entry), Realms Beyond(The Fade, Pendulum, The Vast Abstraction, The Great Beyond), The Birth of Haramon(Historic entry), The Four Neutralities(Chronosia, Akasha, and Vurin'al), Fae, Dragons, Humans(vaguely), Demons, and Angels.

The above are the major entries I have yet to do. Below are the less necessary ones:

Contract Magic, Implements, Familiars, Demesne, Traelyn(Archdemon), Dichónoia(Greater Demon) and the Scéal-rugadh(Type of Fae).

---

If you're wondering, yes I am insane for having that much to do xD

Also, I am willing to work together on "Contract Magic, The Great Beyond, Dragons, and Fae," though I will likely be more in the mind of brainstorming ideas, and then picking ones to piece together into something cohesive. Celaira also has her hands in "Dragons and Fae," though the latter more than the former. Those entries that I have not mentioned as cooperative pieces I am working alongside our other wonderful GM, Celaira, to complete ^_^

The only reason those others are not something I'm opening up for public discourse is due to the fact that they are, each in their own way, core elements of the world. Please note that in the future entire realms will be available for construction, complete with their own races, countries, gods, creation stories, etc etc so trust me anyone who wants to do what Celaira and I are doing to set the framework of the world will get their chance to do so...given time, and provided they are patient. Similarly, anyone is allowed to create Archdemons and Gods--though controlling them is something I am going to limit to players who prefer to make Lore.

Tuujaimaa is one such individual, as he has chosen to help in the creation of lore, only playing NPCs and enriching the world rather than create any serious characters.

[Ganryu]

Lore Submission- Race

Dureva

Name: Dureva/ Beastkin

History

Power has been a goal of men since time immemorial, no matter what corruption may come upon them. The dureva, also known as beastmen, are the result of men being cursed for their ancestors' pursuit of power. This began roughly 5,000 years a go, a man named Balaclava sought to increase his magic beyond what the gods had granted him, and had several followers who followed him. Each were incredibly powerful, pushing the boundaries of what a human mage could do, and yet that wasn't enough. Dissolution however, killed many in their cult as they tried harder and harder to break the limits of man's Elan. Eventually, they converged on what was the strongest concentration of mana on Bayera at the time, where the air around them buzzed with energy and glowed like thousands of fireflies. It was here that one final effort was made to break their limits, beginning by filling their bodies with vast amounts of mana, to brace against the backlash, and in the interest of retaining some. As their collectibe power peaked, the cult converged their energies and synchonized good and bad karma in a buildup to prevent the backlash from having an effect.

However, the sheer scale of their efforts attracted the notice of Gods and Archdemons alike. Seizing the opportunity to assert their place in the world further, the Archdemons harvested the power, tainting it with "Wrongness" as they did so, thus affecting the world as a result. The sudden change in the mana's karmic state thus altered the landscape around them, forming the Bahrain Deadlands. Understandably upset with the foolhardy humans, the Gods themselves acted in the interest of ceasing further spread of the taint. So, rather than killing the cultists, they cursed them so that the once powerful mages would never again wield magic, as their Sway was rendered null. However, perhaps worse was that their bodies would depend on mana, forcing them to be near it for the rest of their lives. The curse would spread to their offspring as well, perpetuating the cycle.

Thus rendered unable to impression mana, it would instead leave impressions upon them, changing their bodies to suit their enviroments, giving them beast-like attributes. Some grew additional limbs or appendages such as wings or fins while others still grew fur, spines, or scales. The lucky ones managed to retain a fairly human appearance, while the unfortunate came to be regarded as monsters. As time went on, their dependence on mana only grew, infusing their bodies with that which surrounded them, so that eventually mana became their blood...their life in a way that it simply could not be for another. No longer human, their former kin shunned them and so were shunned in turn creating a rift between the two. They cursed men became known as Dureva as time passed, but while some forgot what they once were, all knew that to attempt to disrupt the natural order...one would be punished.

Culture

For thousands of years, the dureva were forced to follow where mana lead, living only where it was thickest thus making them a nomadic people. As a result of this and the circumstances of their creation, their culture gradually changed from that of humans to something else entirely. They came to resent the gods and chose to worship nature instead, as it was the only thing that truly supported them. So it was that "From the Gods" became a phrase of contempt, likening things to the curse that had been laid upon them. Magic, which they could not use, became an evil, and disruptive, thing in their eyes, with mages often thought of as unnecessary nuisances. Being nomadic, their ability to manufacture suffered and so technology lost favor. As time went on the dureva took to seeing technology as a hindrance or an outright threat to nature, causing them to shun it. All these factors seperated them further from man, and the group became hostile towards man as a result. Treating most of mankind with disdain they took to calling them 'humes,' as a way of insulting them.

As they developed as a people, their worship of nature led them to take care of those places that they settled, even if only a time. They became guardians of the lands they tread upon, repelling those who would harm what they considered holy ground. Yet, perhaps because of their aggression towards others, the dureva have never been particularly prosperous, their numbers remaining small throughout history.

Nonetheless, the dureva make due, traveling in groups called clans, for safety and comaraderie alike. Each clan competing for optimal locations, though never warring amongst one another in earnest.

With their bestial attributes defining them, dureva have come to naming their own, in some manner, after the beasts they resemble.

Despite the efforts of their elders to engrain the traditions of their kind, there are some dureva who would rather live among others. While once this was impossible, in more recent times the discovery of 'nature gems', items which can absorb ambient mana and grant it to their holder, some dureva have chosen to travel beyond their normal routes and join the ranks of humanity. Nonetheless, areas bereft of mana are something that every dureva dreads as should their crystal fail, their life will be soon in ending. Still, with the elders holding to tradition, many dureva have taken to shunning these gems calling them a trap laid by the divine, items which can only be 'from the gods' put in place to trick them once again.

Perhaps they are right.

Mana

The dureva, with mana literally running through their veins, have a large Elan, the mana of their souls being denser than most. However, part of their curse makes this completely useless, as they are entirely unable to influence mana. This is not however due to a lack of Sway, but instead because its flow has been inverted causing them to absorb mana, rather than exude it. Similarly this is why mana influences their person more intimately than it would a human affecting them when near. As with all races, some dureva have a more powerful sway, causing them to draw more mana into themselves, though it makes them more susceptable to it as well. This is just another reason that dureva hate spellcasters, as their influence can literally hurt them just due to proximity--though it is hardly ever fatal.

Race Abilities

Despite being without Magic, the dureva are far from weak. Drawing strength from the mana that flows through their veins, thus infusing their bodies with natural strength and resilience, though what form these things takes differs with the bestial traits they possess. Due to the sheer amount of mana in their bodies their muscles are energized, making them potentially terrifying adversaries in physical combat. Additionally, this mana is utilized to accentuate and strengthen their bestial attributes, allowing, say, a bird dureva to fly.

While unable to properly use magic, there are a small number of dureva, called Whisperers, who are so intune with nature that they are able to communicate with it. Two branches of Whisperers exist, Beast Whisperers and and Floral Whisperers. They are highly prized by the dureva, and some others, due to their rarity. Whenever a new Whisperer is discovered, the entire clan will host a grand banquet, festivities included, to celebrate their good fortune.

Whisperers, while unable to use mana themselves, are able to feel the mana coming from nature, and communicate with it. They are the closest thing the dureva have to spellcasters as their skills allow them to commune with nature and then use their inherent connection to influence it.

A Beast Whisperer may command beasts as allies, gathering information or fighting alongside them. Floral Whisperer however, can persuade plants to speed their growth or even coax them to grow a certain way. Each species, be it flora or fauna, has a different 'feel', and so a whisperer must listen to learn this feeling.

[Celaira]

Yosh and I will have a post up in a couple days. Sorry for the delay! @solokolos Is there anything in particular you want addressed by the response to you?

[solokolos]

Refining of the general world around him would be nice, the activity of the streets, standard attire, and the works would be very useful @Celaira. Oh and don't worry about the wait, I really don't mind~

[Ganryu]

Arieh

Concept:

A lion dureva from the a nomadic clan to the East, blessed with mostly human appearance, save for a mane through his shoulders, and fangs. Arieh is very conservative in his beliefs, and dislikes dealing with humes. The reason he is in Olias is his child, who was much more liberal than him, disappeared, prompting Arieh to search the world over for them. Originally a hunter for his clan, he explored and explored their nomadic route, and yet could not find them. It was then with bitter distain, he realized, out of curiosity, the unknown of the hume villages had lured them.

With a heavy heart, Arieh went against the elders, and left the clan. After the death of his wife, he had only two things left, traditions, and what was left of his family, and he had to choose. Picking up a nature gem, he made his way to Olias. However, human villages proved much different than the clan, and Arieh had trouble adjusting. With no money, no one cared about his plight. Eventually, his work as a monster hunter turned out to be the key to him gaining money. With his natural strength, fighting monsters seemed almost easier than dealing with humans. Arieh continues his search, hunting monsters to fund his expeditions, and to to create a reward for any news on what has become of his child.

(Child is vague as possible, to leave open for other people to mess with.)

Equipment:

Nature Gem- Needed for a Dureva to dwell away from their nomadic routes.

'Bane of Atlas'- A club carried by Arieh, weighing a thousand pounds. Forged from an extremely dense material, Arieh managed to order it from a smith in order to hunt monsters. Though it was created by magic, Arieh pretends to be ignorant of that fact. It's easy to disgruntle him by pointing out no dureva could have created such a club.

Abilities:

T-5

Extreme Strength- All the mana flowing through Arieh's veins is used to augment his strength many times over. With it, Arieh can bend steel, and swing his club around as if it were a stick. The result is Arieh's blows are comparable to a bazooka going off.

Roar- Strengthening his vocal cords, Arieh is able to unleash an immense roar, comparable to a dragons. This does little more than intimidate, but it does that well.

[yoshua171]

Damn Ganryu and his dastardliness. Get that character in the bin. I am accepting it and the Dureva since no one has offered any criticism for the latter and the former is perfectly fine.

[Eklispe]

Sorry for being slow. I did make a character but accidentally lost it. I'll get him up again today or tommorow. T.T

[Rumplestiltskin]

Whew. Got my Player Profile up. =) Hope you all give it a read and enjoy. If you have any questions, just hollah~

Now to work on my character, the Dovetail Demon race, and the One he becomes (in my Player Profile, any mention of Ioi will refer to this character I'm going to work on in Patchwork, only it'll be from the very, VERY beginning, when Ioi was a youngster).

[Eklispe]

Boop. I did a thing. Was it a good thing or a terribleokay thing?

Character Concepts

Name

Jarvan Gearshield

Species

Human

Appearance

Basic concept

A mercenary with all the tools and skills to do the job but an aversion to killing. I believe skills, training, and equipment put him at the higher end of T2

Basic story

Jarvan was born to your average underworld family in Vaemia. From birth he was raised to be a tool for his family, specifically a tool to take care of any rivals or troublesome people. His work started early and his proved himself to be quite effective in what he did. Save for the fact that he managed to avoid killing his targets, unless specifically stated. To further support this preference of his Jarvan deviated from the more lethal tools he was given to do his job and handmade most of his equipment in a small workshop, paid for with his parent's considerable funds.

His reasons were valid and things always turned out to the family's advantage because of Jarvan's skill in handling these matters but this possibility of morality in their child worried his parents. Before the issue could be addressed however his parents were marked and attacked, much like how they how done to countless others. Engine failure is a little more significant when your flying thousands of feet up and ground and for some reason all the emergency measures, both from the city and the vehicle, seem to fail. Jarvan was more distraught by the fact that his funds were reduced and his income had vanished than his parent's deaths. Using the skills and small reputation he had he made work for himself as a mercenary in the seedy underbelly of the city.

Location

Vaemia

Equipment

Logic: A small hand gun that fires bullets that dissolve on impact, releasing a powerful burst of toxins that paralyze most enemies within seconds. Can also fire lethal rounds but the rounds must be handcrafted by Jarvan because of the gun's design, thus he uses them infrequently.
Reason: A shortsword that is made out of a very expensive anti-magic material, allowing it to cut through most lesser forms of magic, a rune on the hilt also glows when in the presence of magic.
Ghost Cloak: A long black cloak that runs on a mix of the user's magic and batteries held in a pack at the wearer's waist. The small magic compentent simply slowly drains the user's energy and makes them less noticeable, but by no means invisible. The batteries can either electrify the cloak, allowing it to fully empty its batteries to release enough voltage to paralyze anyone who touches it for several seconds, or turn on a stealth mode of sorts. The stealth mode hides the wearer's body heat and creates distortions that made it hard to see the exact location of the wearer.
Radiation Pen: A small laser-light pen that marks whatever it shines upon with a distinct radioactive signature.
Vari-Goggles: A very expensive pair of googles that can switch through night and thermal vision, as well as track anything that has been marked with his pen.
Earbuds: Small, hard to notice objects inserted in both ears and controlled by a small remote, they can enhance the user's hearing slightly as well as focus it in a specific direction. Can also be used to ignore people.
Flash-Bangs: Several grenade like objects that emit a disorienting flash of light and noise upon hard impacts after activation. Vari-Goggles and earbuds automatically shield from this effect.
WIP