DruSM157

In Search of Gaea: A Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

Holy geez! I just started this topic up last night and I'm seeing so many CS's getting hammered out! Thank you all so much for your interest in this rp!

In Search of Gaea: A Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

I'm very happy to see so many people interested in the roleplay! If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me! I'll do my best to answer everything in due time, but for now, I must sleep, because I've got to teach a bunch of rowdy 9th graders in the morning!

In Search of Gaea: A Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

This is exquisite. I am highly interested in this, as I have an adoration for waterworlds and seafaring fantasy. Should you have room for another person, I will gladly join up.

@Fading Memory

Right now all slots are open! I'm shooting for a smaller group, but I'm a fan of quality. If I get a lot of really good character sheets, I'll consider stretching it if the plot will allow it.

In Search of Gaea: A Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

Hello! If you have room available, I'd like to try and join this. I do have a question, though. After looking at the character you set up, I got an idea and want to know if it is possible and how it could work. Since he was born without any sort of aether, could someone end up in a situation completely opposite where they are pretty much made of the stuff?

@May96

I could see that as a possibility, but there would be terrible downsides. With so much Aether (possibly both sun and moon aether) they would be extremely volatile. Without proper control, they could kill themselves in an instant. In fact, that idea is so interesting now i'm gonna make some notes about several people in the city of Aurorus : )

In Search of Gaea: A Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

M a r l o w e

“I just want to know what’s beyond that horizon.”

image

Name
Marlowe Vallis
Age
19
Gender
Male
Home Sea
The Southern Sea
Aether Sign
None
Aether Abilities
None

Personality
Marlowe toes the line between naïve and ignorant many times due to his entire life being spent on the small Windward Island. That naivete tends to get him into more trouble than not, as that small-mindedness is buffeted by a brash and headstrong attitude. Marlowe has garnered a name in the Windward Island community as a bit of a dunderhead and is constantly in trouble with Chief Talu due to his adventurous spirit.

Beyond his more obviously childish qualities, Marlowe is a kindhearted individual. He’s apt to stop and see why a child is crying and then dash headlong into danger to help, beyond considering the danger. He also suffers from an extreme wanderlust, dreaming of what lies beyond the Southern Seas and dreams of seeing the world. That kind heart is only one side of the coin however. Marlowe does have a brash temper, only spurred on by his impulsive attitude. Speaking ill of his mother, his father or the Chief has sent him into a blind rage before, leading to of course, more problems.

While Marlowe does seem to have strings of bad luck following him, he does keep an upbeat attitude and a positive outlook on the future, even in dangerous situations.

History
It is said that those children born under the dead light of an eclipse will be doomed to a cursed life, for they exist outside of the natural order of the sun and moon...

Marlowe was one of the few born without an Aether sign, due to his birth during an Eclipse. According to legend, his body is unable to use aether at all. This also branded him an unlucky child only made worse by the constant onset of tragedies that befell him at a young age. Marlowe’s father was a Diver from the far seas, settling down in Windward island and marrying his mother. Growing up, Marlowe occasionally saw his father between jobs for the Diver’s guild, until his eighth birthday where a member of his father’s team returned with his father’s sword: the only memento of a fallen diver.

Shortly after his father’s death, Marlowe’s own mother fell ill and died, leaving Marlowe an orphan, passed around different families of the island until it was decreed that he was the Chief’s problem much to Talu Wayfinder’s chagrin. Marlowe has since grown up as the chief’s aide, helper, and constant annoyance. This isn't to say that Talu hates Marlowe, but rather wishes the boy could become more mature and take his place as a true man of the island instead of a childish man with dreams of grandeur. Whilst Divers who don't use aether are not unheard of, there have never been any famous Divers who bear the birth of a cursed eclipse.

Having heard stories of his father’s adventures from other sailors around the island and constantly shirking his duties to practice with the blade, Marlowe’s dreams are simply to escape the small confines of Windward Island and see the world beyond the Southern Sea’s relative safety. Marlowe's main "crew" are the younger children of the island, who find it fun to watch Marlowe practice and attempt to learn how to use his blade.

His relationship with Marea is a strange one as well. Having become used to his life in isolation as a single child and orphan, upon her arrival he found himself now with a new "family" member. Of course, her calm attitude and helpful skills have endeared her to Chief Talu, whilst Marlowe's own foolish antics continue to infuriate the Chief.

Gear
Fisherman’s Blade: An odd blade, roughly three feet long with a hooked tip, almost like a harpoon. The blade slices through the water as easily as air and was his father’s trusty blade on many voyages. Strangely, Marlowe has never seen any other Divers or fishermen use such a weapon. The tip itself seems to be impractical as it would apparently "hook" into the hide of a beast it was stabbed into.

Shell Necklace: A memento of his mother’s, it’s said to give good luck. It doesn’t seem to work for Marlowe.

Other Notes
-Marlowe is an excellent swimmer even for the island’s standards. He possesses great skill and has spent time training in underwater fighting. Though he lacks a rebreather than all Diver’s have, he can stay underwater for nearly six minutes with little issue.
-Marlowe is semi-literate, able to read the common language but can barely write.
-Marlowe has an almost perfect mental image of the surrounding island seas in the Southern Sea.

theme music I guess?

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GM's note: It's still a bit WIP, but here's how a basic profile should look.

In Search of Gaea: A Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

Character Roster

Marlowe Vallis -@DruSM157

Marina Sorellia Watercrest -@Inkarnate

Solia -@McMolly

Terhikki Vepsäläinen -@Fading Memory

Marea -@May96

Eliza Rebargo -@AGenericUser

Evander -@SunsetWanderer

In Search of Gaea: a Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

Oh, look at me. I have finally made the OOC topic. Please move any questions, discussions or character ideas there now! Thank you for your support and interest everyone!

https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/171545-in-search-of-gaea-a-seafaring-fantasy-adventure/ooc

In Search of Gaea: A Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

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In Search of Gaea: A Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

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A long, long time ago, mankind lived on the land. Mankind built great cities which climbed to the heavens. Mankind was beholden to the earth and sky, but they could not control the mother sea. Man grew greedy and coveted more and more until he was finally punished for his greed. The mother sea took the land and sky from man and brought all life back to her bosom. The technology and power mankind held before was lost, but mankind survived. People were forced to live in harmony with mother ocean, and while many built villages on the small islands remaining, some took out and built great floating cities.

The Imperial City of Galma is one such place. In 1652 AF, Crown Emperor Gaius Starwind set the world ablaze with adventure, promising untold imperial riches to those who could find the lost city of Gaea, the old capital city of mankind, long lost and buried under mother ocean’s waves.

Hello! Welcome to In Search of Gaea! This rp is based off of many fantasy stories and games that deal with a more beautiful post-apocalypse: the waterworld theme! Of course, we won't have any Kevin Costner walking around with gills or any Dennis Hoppers with eyepatches in this RP. I mean...maybe. But this is more inspired by JRPGs and anime than by famous Hollywood flops. Go ahead and click on the hider to get an info dump on the world and how it works!

World Info

The World
This is the world of Aruth, a world almost entirely submerged in an endless ocean, named by the people “The Mother Ocean” for all life came from her and all life shall eventually return to her. People live in either small villages, large man-made floating cities, or constantly traveling in their ships across the endless Mother Ocean. One major difference of the Mother Ocean is of her “Water Boundaries” which divide much of the world. Different sections of the Mother Ocean are blocked off by giant waterfalls and are impossible unless the proper routes are followed or if you find an Aether Canal, which can raise or lower your ship into the new waters.

Flora and fauna have changed with the world as well. Floating forests, new creatures, and giant beasts all roam this changed world alongside humanity.

While “countries” are few and far between due to the lack of enough land to connect people together, several governing bodies are recognized through the world. These bodies are separated by the Water Boundaries that divide the Mother Ocean into seven “Seas”

The South Sea


A large archipelago of small islands in the southern seas of the Mother Ocean. This tropical area is home to many small villages, farms and small barge colonies. The Free Islands are in the most shallow part of the Mother Ocean, and the safest waters in the Mother Ocean. Each island village is run by a chief, and all the chiefs on the South Islands meet at the Chief-Moot every full moon to discuss politics in the islands.

The Imperial Sea


The most populated seas, commanded by the Crown Emperor Gaius Starwind, these seas are a huge military might in the Mother Ocean. The capital city is Galma, an incredible man-made floating city that is said to be built upon a great ancient city. The empire is constantly warring with the other seas, always vying for more power.

The Frozen Sea

The frozen northlands, these seas are home to a giant glacial continent where many people live. These waters are known for their extreme dangers, both from beasts and the climate, and many well-respected Divers have hailed from the Frozen Capital of Windkeep.

The Dragon Sea

A dangerous sea of storms and monsters to the far east, those who hail from the small islands of the Dragon Sea are well-known artisans, warriors, and merchants. The capital city is Xian, home of an imperial dynasty amid a thin archipelago of islands.

The Sea of Stars


The westernmost sea, this sea is home to ancient floating shell colonies where people float on the backs of giant ancient creatures. Legends state that it is from these cephalopods that mankind learned how to wield the magic of the aether. The city of Aurorus lies on the shell of an ancient sea creature and is the location of the Aetherium, the greatest academy for Aether magic in the Mother Ocean.

The Lost Sea


The tallest sea in the Mother Ocean and one covered in thick, deadly fog. Many adventurers do not return from the lost sea, though old divers tell of ancient treasures and rich cities that lie hidden under its deadly waters. There are no known settlements, though some tell stories of pirate bases hidden in the dangerous mists.

The Sea of Ancients


The second highest sea and one home to researchers of ancient machina, the Sea of Ancients is a dangerous but lucrative place and the home of the Diver’s Guild, the foremost adventurer’s guild in the Mother Ocean.

Aether
In the time after the Mother Ocean took back the world, people learned a new power connected to this changed world: Aether. Those who wield aether are either tied to the Sun, using magic based on the ocean winds, or to the Moon, using the magic of the seas themselves. Aether is also used in forging Aetheric Weapons, which have elemental properties and are useful for fighting some of the deadlier monsters of the deep. Many ships have an Aether Engine, which is all but required in the deepest waters to keep moving in places with no wind but also to protect the ship from giant beasts. Aether magic is based on the two elements of wind and water, but these have sub-variations as well (i.e. ice and lightning).

Using Aether can be a valuable tool. For example, Moon Aethers can use water to heal wounds, wind aether users can use the winds to cleave through enemies. But these powers are limited, due to the human body being a fragile thing. Aether is limited, and the more a person uses their power, the weaker they grow. Use it too much, and you could become comatose.

Divers
Divers are the adventurers of the world. Divers travel in parties via ships, helping others, searching for treasure, and the greatest Divers search for the lost city of Gaea, the ancient capital. The Diver’s Guild is in the city of Forres, in the Sea of Ancients, though smaller Diver’s Guilds are found throughout the seven seas. The Guild Master of the Divers is a famous adventurer known as Jerrah Shieldshell, a powerful warrior and wielder of Aether.

True Divers take on any task, whether it is to investigate an anomaly in the seas, take down a great leviathan or to simply help deliver cargo. Divers carry various sets of gear, but all carry a rebreather to allow them to spend long stretches of time underwater, and usually some kind of weapon.

Ships
Ship vary in different makes from wooden sailing ships to ironclads, but all good Diver ships have an aether engine. An aether engine varies in sizes, but they all help protect the ships from the dangerous leviathans lurking in the Mother Sea. Some engines can hide a ship, while others can protect a ship. All aether engines use refined aetherite, the same material in creating aether weapons.

Rules and Overview
I'm looking for a smaller cast for this roleplay, aiming for around 5 or 6 characters that we can keep in a tight group for this adventure. While having tons of characters exploring the world can be fun, i'd like to keep the story going with these characters set towards an end goal. The story begins on Windward Island, a small island in the Southern Seas.

As for rules, as always all guild rules apply. But I do have my own specific rules that I care about:

-Please keep the power levels relatively low/medium. While this is a heavily anime inspired rp, I would like there to be a gradual growth in power instead of beginning the story blasting monsters away with laser spears. I'm a firm believer in strong characterization and character growth, and I would really like it if we could all grow as the story goes on instead of having an anime strength measuring contest.

-Please put some effort in your posts. This is high-casual, and while a paragraph post is fine I know that introducing characters, exploring their inner thoughts or simple action moments can give more insight to your character and make the fellow writers and anyone reading the RP care about them more.

-Post time. I'll be upfront: i'm a high school teacher and my weekdays are usually packed. But I do try to devote some time each weak to RP. As long as everyone is posting within a week, or giving the other writers a heads up on an absence, i'll be happy.

-Respect. I don't like drama. I don't like arguements. I have enough trouble dealing with people in my real life social circles to deal with it on the guild. If you have a problem and it will cause an issue with another writer, don't bring it to me and don't bring it into the RP or i'll kick your butt to the curb.

Finally, the CS:

CS

N a m e

“Character Quote”

image

Name

Age

Gender

Home Sea

Aether Sign

Aether Abilities
If any

Personality

History

Gear

Thank you for checking out my RP! If you are interested in the RP, please feel free to ask anything of me and i'll try and answer you as quick as I can. I really just want this RP to be an enjoyable story. Thank you!

In Search of Gaea: a Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

Heya Drew, I've been lurking over the past day _{as gowi caught me doing} and this looks really neat!

If there's room for another, I'd love to throw in some tentative interest.

@SunsetWanderer

There's always more welcome! I haven't even started checking CS's yet. I'll try to have an OOC and a CS ready to rock and roll asap. I've been on the road a lot this past weekend, and I crashed when I got home, so now it's time to blast anime music and get to finishing up this stuff!

In Search of Gaea: a Seafaring Fantasy Adventure

So in this world, is it in anyway post apocalyptic like Waterword.
Is there slavery? Are there food and fresh water shortages? Are there people fighting over what little fertile land there is? I'm assuming because of the medieval tag that there are no guns, or electricity? Is there a religion, or any kind of cult within this world? Is the majority of civilization living life in the slums kind of way, while those with power are...not?

Personally I am a fan of the movie Waterworld, and like the basic concept of it. Though it was in need of some heavy edits, and more realistic ideas. The Anime Gargantia on the verdurous planet is the only waterworld esqe anime I've seen...

I have some characters that I previously made for a few other adventure RP, and one that was made specifically for a water world RP. I would love to use one of them again, of course once they are edited to fit this RP.

@Emma

I put the medieval tech mainly because it will be more fantasy fare, though I suppose steampunk may have been a better tag. Swords and sorcery are more common due to ancient technology being “lost” but it has been 1600 or so years since this catastrophe and researchers and scientists are finding new ways to adapt ancient technology with the new world.

The big difference with waterworld and this rp is that it’s not simply a sci-fi “flooded world” story. The world is magically changed, with giant waterfalls separating the shallow seas from deeper seas. Almost as if the planets plates are shifted up at places. Also, there IS land, but it’s just not a lot of land. The story begins in the southern seas where there are many small islands; but that’s the issue: there’s not a LOT of land.

Pirates, slavery, all the nasty bad stuff does exist. And if people want to pitch evil cults for the world I’m down to work that into the lore as well.