AmongHeroes

Pieces of 8--The Maidens of Asteroth [Dark Fantasy Adventure]

@Hour Error-I like Sal. You're welcome to go ahead and post her in the Character section.

@Clumsywordsmith-Thanks for posting Nestor!

I'm waiting on a couple more CS's, but I've started on the opening post nonetheless. I'm stoked to write with you all.

Pieces of 8--The Maidens of Asteroth [Dark Fantasy Adventure]

♤ MALE INCUBUS DEMON // 175 YEARS OF AGE ♤

As a demon of desire, Atticus is able to change his appearance on a whim, though he prefers to maintain a likeness of a dapper Irishman with a full beard. He cannot control his eye color, which is a deep crimson. His human build is slim but athletic, and he stands about six feet tall. Across his arms, shoulders, and back is a massive tattoo depicting an epic battle between angels and demons. The tattoo itself has magical properties, and the image shifts depending on his mood or disposition. In rare occasions when he’s been particularly happy, the tattoo has been known to depict the angels and demons at peace, partying and sharing drinks like old friends.

In his demonic form, Atticus grows marginally in size, his skin becomes an inky black color, curling horns like that of a rams sprout from his forehead, and he grows large bat-like wings and a long, reptilian, prehensile tail.

POWERS & TRAITS // ♤
Atticus’ main power comes from his ability for magical persuasion. When he desires, he can use his voice to compel an individual to do just about anything, even when the action is to their detriment. His other prominent power stems from his demonic nature, which lends him the ability to take massive amounts of physical abuse before his tangible body “dies.” If this occurs, Atticus soul would merely return to hell, and he would have the opportunity to return to the world via another means.

His lesser abilities come from his natural thirst for knowledge, and his love of ancient history. He is a well-read demon, and has a weakness for old texts and classic literature.

BACKGROUND // ♤
Atticus is the progeny of a succubus and an Irish immigrant. He was born into the world in 1842, during the Atlantic crossing to America. His first true memory was that of his mother devouring the soul of his unsuspecting father in a New York sewer, and her subsequently deserting him in the Irish slum of the Five Points. Though he was only weeks old when he was abandoned, he appeared to be a mature toddler, and he was taken in by one of the many Catholic orphanages in the area.

It became quickly apparent to the nuns and priests that Atticus was no average boy. After several instances where he mysteriously influenced the actions of the other orphans, the clergy became convinced that he was possessed. During the next several years, Atticus was subjected to innumerable exorcism attempts, and moved all across New York as the religious leaders in the area were dumbfounded by their continual failure in healing the demonic boy’s evil flaws. Wholly terrified and confused by his supernatural nature, and the continual abuse from his caretakers, Atticus escaped the clutches of the church in 1847.

Though only five years of age, his body had matured to that of a young adults, and his mind had far surpassed even that. He adapted quickly to the reality of his powers, and he was soon making a comfortable living stealing, extorting, and black mailing his way through New York’s underbelly. It was also during this formative period of his youth that he discovered his strong desire and ability to seduce women. It was through these traits, and exhaustive research, that Atticus at last was able to glean the truth about his demonic nature.

Following the eruption of America into civil war, Atticus joined the 69th New York Infantry Brigade, a unit made up of Irish immigrants that would fight with distinction throughout the war. His inexplicable ability to avoid injury during each of the Fighting 69th’s harrowing battles did not go unnoticed, and eventually the scrutiny of the Union brass grew strong enough that Atticus at last abandoned his unit at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. From that point, Atticus roamed the South, further quenching his thirst for knowledge, while at the same time searching for a means to give his incredible life some meaning.

It was in Charlotte, South Carolina, that Atticus at last found what would define his existence to the present day. At a local saloon he met with a strange man with a thick English accent, a bowler hat, and a full beard that turned out to be none other than the famed werewolf, Reginald Hoyle. Seeing the drive and inherent ability in the young demon, Hoyle offered Atticus a job with his company, and Atticus was quick to accept. Through the following months, Hoyle personally introduced Atticus to the intricacies of the Veiled World, and the shadowy work of the Bain & Hoyle Company.

Atticus took to his newfound life with alacrity, and after many years of field work, he soon found himself rising through the ranks of the company until at last he was offered the position of Director of Operations for B&H’s Boston Branch Office. He served in that capacity since the early 1950’s until after the recent events of the thwarted Ragnarok three years ago.

Since that time, Atticus has been on indefinite paid sabbatical from B&H, with his current whereabouts unknown.

Pieces of 8--The Maidens of Asteroth [Dark Fantasy Adventure]

Pieces of 8--The Maidens of Asteroth [Dark Fantasy Adventure]

@ElRey814 No worries. I'll just have your pay reduced throughout the RP lol.

Pieces of 8--The Maidens of Asteroth [Dark Fantasy Adventure]

Sorry I've been away. Real life just sometimes kicks your ass...

At any rate, thank you all for getting to work on some great characters. However, I'd really appreciate it if the CS's were submitted to me first before you post them. I am totally fine with general discussion of your character, and what you intend to pursue, in the OOC.

I'll have my own character up soon. Hope you all are having a great day!

Pieces of 8--The Maidens of Asteroth [Dark Fantasy Adventure]

I'm super excited that all of you are excited! Makes me proud, for sure. If you sent me a PM today, I'll get back to you as soon as I can--work killed me, and I'm exhausted. I want to give you all the time a reply deserves, so I'll save them for tomorrow. Catch you all later!

Pieces of 8--The Maidens of Asteroth [Dark Fantasy Adventure]

Sounds like we've got some solid characters being forged. I'll get mine up probably tomorrow.

Pieces of 8: The Maidens of Asteroth (DARK/MODERN FANTASY ADVENTURE)

@Hour Error@Rockette@ElRey814@Clumsywordsmith@Blitzy

The OOC is up! Head on over and check it out here!

Pieces of 8--The Maidens of Asteroth [Dark Fantasy Adventure]

IN EVERY ANGEL, A DEMON HIDES // AND IN EVERY DEMON, AN ANGEL STRIDES

T H E M E

Like a low hanging blanket of smoke, the sky hung above the dingy, monochrome city streets. The half gloom of evening coated with the darkened clouds gave an effect of artificial night that made lethargy seem to waft in the air.

The stark, bright cone of artificial blue-white from the detective's flashlight shone in rude contrast to the world around it. Clutched in the man's hand, and aimed down towards where the ruddy pavement met with the chipped brick of a wall, the light illuminated a scene of crimson gore and pale flesh.

"What the hell are those markings?" A policeman said, his face twisting with equal parts morbid curiosity and horror.

On the body--or what was left of it--an intricate, yet brutally animalistic pattern had been carved. The fact that the wounds had not bled meant that they had been completed postmortem. This fact did nothing however to detract from the state of pure agony the dead woman's face had masked itself into upon her passing.

The detective with the flashlight knelt, his mouth yet sealed to the question posited by the policeman. As he drew nearer the body, his nose was assaulted by the metallic smell of congealed blood.

He had seen this before, not long after he had first joined the force. The intricate amalgamation of drawn, puckered skin aligned with a precise and malicious ability with a blade. And, he knew now, as he had learned then, that the police were to be mere spectators to a horror that had only just reached it's inception.

---

THE WORLD YOU KNOW // ♤

EXPAND

You are an entity of the modern Veiled World; the shadowy reflection of the mortal realm that humans only perceive in their dreams and in the haze of their subconscious. With every manner of creature, from every culture, and every dark corner of the globe, it is a varied and vast realm. In this world--just as in the mortal one--there is business, entertainment, vice, crime, judgment, joy, and sadness.

You are in the employ of the venerated Bain & Hoyle Investigation and Recovery Company. The wheels of fate are turning, and there is much to do. It's time to get to work.

THE CURRENT STATE OF THINGS // ♤

EXPAND

It has been three years since a team from the Bain & Hoyle Investigation and Recovery Co. thwarted the god-wolf Fenris, and stopped the events of Ragnarok. The Veiled World balances in a shaky peace, with the once powerful werewolf clans and vampire covens both shadows of their former selves. Power rests close to the diverse citizenry of the Veiled World, and the innumerable factions represented across the globe find a strange harmony in their equal self-interest.

In Hell, however, it is a different story.

Tensions run high between Lucifer and his dukes. A failed coup during the events of Ragnarok has left the hierarchy of Hell in shambles, with those loyal to Lucifer barely managing to maintain their grasp onto power. In an attempt to build more control over the demonic legions, Lucifer has ordered his loyal lords to begin incursions into the earthly realms. These incursions by the lords and their trusted demons are intended to secure sources of vital ethereal magic, and channel them into Hell for Lucifer’s personal use. If these missions succeed, the rebellious dukes would have no choice but to subjugate themselves once again to the awesome might of the Dark Lord.

Whispers of the turmoil within Hell have wafted to the Veiled World, but they are broken and unsubstantiated rumors. Reports of strange disappearances and brutal rights have increased across the globe, or at least they have anecdotally. For the most part, those in the mortal realm and the Veiled World alike, go about their lives with little concern for what is transpiring below.

IMPORTANT FACTIONS // ♤
-The Lupus Naturae: The governing body of all the werewolf clans. Throughout history they have often been at war with their vampiric counterparts, but have recently enjoyed a shaky peace between the two sides. Though the undeniable leaders of werewolf society, some werewolf clans have not viewed the reign of the Lupus Naturae as legitimate or just. Since its inception, several acts of genocide against rogue clans have been carried out, in an effort to solidify the Lupus Naturae against any firm claim of a rival clan organization.

The most notable of these acts was carried out in the early sixteenth century when the Lupus Naturae hunted down a clan from the highlands of Ireland known as the Teachglach Mac Tíre. To this day there is only two known survivors of that clan, one of them being the werewolf cofounder of the Bain & Hoyle Company, Reginald Hoyle.

-The Court of Cain: The Court of Cain is a group of vampire lords tasked with maintaining the order, the preeminence, and the continued secrecy from humanity or vampire society. The Court was formed by Cain, the father of all vampires, following the mass genocide perpetrated by his first daughter, Decima. After exiling Decima, Cain ordered that the magic inherent in vampiric blood be split amongst eight separate objects, and then distributed for safe keeping to eight of Cain’s most trusted lords. These objects came to be known as the Pieces of 8.

The Pieces maintained their safety and secrecy until the year 2013, when Decima escaped her imprisonment, and began systematically gathering the Pieces in an attempt to absorb all their power. It was only through the daring exploits of a team from Bain & Hoyle that Decima’s plot was thwarted. Reeling from their near destruction, the Court of Cain is now a weakened and disorganized entity, with several smaller factions of vampires trying to rise up to take its place.

THE BAIN & HOYLE COMPANY // ♤

EXPAND

The history of the Bain & Hoyle Company traces its roots to the year 1522, when the vampire Archibald Bain, and his close werewolf friend, Reginald Hoyle, aided the Ottoman Empire in expelling the Knights Hospitaller during the second Siege of Rhodes. With their success and proven skill, the unlikely pair decided to pursue their penchant for subversive and clandestine action full time. After several years of operating with wild success on their own, Bain and Hoyle saw the lucrative nature of their venture, and decided to charter a company to expand their reach to a global scale. It was on September 18th, 1594, that the Bain & Hoyle Investigation and Recovery Company was officially founded with its first public office in London.

Since that time the company developed into the Veiled World’s premier private intelligence and clandestine firm, with offices opening in nearly every major country across the globe. From recovery of antiquities to corporate espionage, the Bain & Hoyle Company operates like a shadow’s shadow, and all the while raking in huge profit margins for their premium service and success rate. Its operators are as varied and unique as the clients the company represents, and its ranks contain the most diverse cadre of supernatural beings anywhere in the Veiled World.

CHARACTER CREATION // ♤

EXPAND

Your character may be any manner of supernatural or mystical being. Let your imagination run wild, and have fun in the search for that unique individual. However, there has to be some limitation when you are creating your character, so here are a few notes that will be important for the process.

1. The Rule of Common Sense: This is just what it sounds like. To be fair to both your fellow players and the GM alike, use your head when creating your character. Obviously if you’re wanting to play as Whatshername: Goddess of Death and God-moding, then there is going to be an immediate issue. Your character can be a powerful being, don’t get me wrong, but let’s be reasonable. It wouldn’t make a lot of sense for Zeus to suddenly want to come work for the Bain & Hoyle Company would it?

2. You may only play as ONE character. I had some issues with this in the past, so just up front, everybody gets just the one. Now, your character can have like a pet, or some kind of magical sidekick or something, but let me be clear that these ancillary beings will be just that—ancillary. No operating your personal dire wolf as an individual character.

3. When it comes to your character’s abilities and traits, again I want them to be fun and unique, but remember the Rule of Common Sense. Stories are made better when characters have flaws and weaknesses.

SUBMIT YOUR CHARACTER TO ME VIA PM FOR ACCEPTANCE

Character Sheet
-Name:
-Gender:
-Type: A succinct classification of your character, i.e. werewolf, vampire, etc.
-Appearance: This can be how your character appears naturally, and perhaps how they appear in the presence of humans, or whatever you feel is important to your character. Pictures are very much welcome.
-Age: Both apparent and actual age, if applicable.
-Powers/Traits:
-Background: An explanation of why and how they came to be in the service of the Bain & Hoyle Company, and anything else important or fun you would like to write up about your character. This doesn’t have to be long or all-encompassing; I leave the level of detail up to you.

Pieces of 8: The Maidens of Asteroth (DARK/MODERN FANTASY ADVENTURE)

@ElRey814@Rockette-Awesome! All the best peeps are here. I'll get that OOC up ASAP.