GreivousKhan

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

Also for those who are wondering when the IC will be up. Tuesday on May will be the release date. Around the time exams should be ending for most.

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

@Abefroeman

An interesting character that, I leave it up to Dead how much like the blood kiss his coven is. Nice to see he has some loyal Exarch's though. My only grip is the De'Bois Family Armor would allow some normal spells before turning outward to draw on the winds of creation.

Aside from that, it looks like it's going in the right direction, I shall await finishing touches.

Also to everyone else let me know if you have finished your character and I can add you to the accepted characters list.

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

@GreivousKhan This looks to be very enthralling. I would like to join this, but I am not sure as how to proceed with character creation or claims. I see that there are three Archon's thus far that have land claims depicted in the attached political map in the first post. To my understanding of the written information provided, The Mother Night is the top of the power pyramid, followed by Archons, and then Exarchs. If the Empire is fully claimed, and the other regions not fully explained (i.e. Republic of Lesmiana, Atar, Hollow Moors, etc) what would you suggest is the best course of action to follow in the area of character creation? Is there no more room for Archons (Not sure if there is only a set amount), should I steer towards an Exarch then? Look forward to the privilege of being able to partake in your creation, and hope I didn't miss anything important.

@Abefroeman

Hello, Abefroeman! You're more than welcome to join. As for character creation, all three Archon slots were atm filled. There is no limit to Exarch spots, however, and as an Exarch you can decide which Archon you will directly serve in the hierarchy when deciding where to put your hold on the map in Empire land.

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

@DeadBeatWalking@Klomster@gorgenmast@Pepperm1nts@ArisenMoon@Taeryn@mifune

Just a kick shout-out to those who showed interest in the Int check.

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

Still open?

@Drunken Conquistador

We are indeed.

Black Sun (A Warhammer/ Game of Thrones /Crusader Kings Hybrid)

Here she blows.

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

Archon of Shadow

Kabius Grim

Theme

Titles

Archon of Shadow, Old Man Grim, The Elusive Shadow, The Unseen Hand, Master of Shadows

Race

Umbreal

Rivalries & Friendships

Kabius Grim has few friends to start with among the Archons or Exarchs. Longest standing comrades since the days following the Disjunction and during the early rise of the Empire, Iao and Kabius have a mutual level of respect if not friendship with one another. However, a lesser widely known fact is that the Archon of Shadow has long held a standing rivalry with Kuth the Archon of Blood. None are alive who can remember a time when the two were not at odds. In fact, it is likely that neither can recall exactly when their little shadow war started. Kabius has never trusted the Archon of Blood and might have moved to remove him long ago if but Mother Night had given the command.

However, for whatever reason, she has allowed things to continue as they have and has forbidden Kabius to move directly against Kuth. Kabius cannot fathom any reason for this but knows better than to question the will of Izalith. He has contented himself with a deadly game of political intrigue and double dealing. Seeking at every turn to undermine Kuth and hopefully place him in disfavor with Mother Night. He has studied the man for a century now and has come to realize that Kuth's true loyalties no doubt lay in his own thirst for power and his ambition. Still, despite his many centuries of experience in the art of subterfuge Kuth has proven his equal on more than one occasion. To this day Shoel remains the one region the Archon of Shadow has the least number of agents and thus it is his largest blind spot. A powerful blow to his ego and a strong fuel to his continued paranoia.


Appearance: Kibius stands at a solid five feet and nine inches while weighing roughly 180 pounds. His face is bold and severe, giving him an air of noble stature with a face that rarely smiles. This serious demeanor with his uncanny appearance gives him an intimidating presence despite his short height to other Archons. His figure being lean despite not being very tall (in fact, considered "small"), has a compact and strongly built body type with defined musculature. He is also possessed of a worn face that only shows a few signs of age, with high brows, and striking pure white eyes that glow with inhuman power. His skin his nearly obsidian black, with white tattoos in a bizarre zig-zag pattern on the left side of his neck. These arcane tattoos stretch across his whole body focused on his back and left arm. These often glow very faintly, and even more strangely they sometimes fade completely from sight.

Personality and Drive: Kabius is an astute man of refined tastes, who is possessed of a ruthlessly pragmatic mind. Always calm and in control, Kabius enjoys flaunting his unique position under Mother Night and is proud of the fact that from Archons to noble houses, all come to him for aid or knowledge. Even as they wisely mistrust him due to his position of spymaster and personal assassin too Izalith. In the Empire of Illyrica, intrigue and double-dealing are a way of life, and no one plays them better than Kabius. Kabius is only alive when he is with friends, and when he is taking risks. He has an "insatiable curiosity and a desire to know — everything." This curiosity makes him antsy when he remains stuck in one place too long and drives his quest for personal exploration.

He has a very charismatic personality, surprising to some who judge him at face value, and is always willing to talk his way out of situations rather than resort to force of arms. Moreover, talking is what Kabius does best. His words easily work past the handicap of his mistresses evil reputation, able to turn potential enemies into allies. He loves irony, sarcasm, and wit. He is a shrewd manipulator and a brilliant tactician who is seemingly often prepared for any imaginable or unimaginable circumstances. Kabius's lieutenant Electra Morou notes a profound understanding of Kabius's personality. She recognizes that his feigning of weakness and sometimes foolish-seeming attitude is an elegant facade, underneath which lay a frighteningly intelligent mind.

History: As one of the first Archons to join Izalith, alongside his counterpart the current Archon of War, much of Kabius's origins is shrouded in mystery. He is a man of few words at best and never speaks of himself. The truth of his beginnings starts some three centuries prior to the birth of Illyrica as it is in present day. It was in the dark and ruined world following the disjunction and the chaotic War in the Heavens that Kabius was born to a small community that had thus far survived the devastation. His people learned well to hide and remain out of sight of the maraderuing vilespawn that traveled openly in those days. His people were the remains of a long forgotten kingdom brought to dust by the hordes of the Ancient Ones.

They were the last of the Umberan’s of the Kingdom of Umbra, known as the Shadowlands. They were masters of illusion magic and sorcery that entrapped the mind. These arts were used by a small group of surviving sorceresses to avoid following the doom of their kingdom as a whole. Through a combination of cunning architecture and more magical means, this small community of settlements began to eke out a life of survival if not thriving in the new world born by the Disjunction. Here Kabius learned first hand of the dangers that stalked the lands, personally taught the arts of illusion magic by his mother. A powerful shadowbinder and the most gifted in the art among her fellow Umberans.

Kabius proved a fast study, born of both talent and a brilliant mind that was equal only to his vast curiosity. It was one fateful day that his village’s luck had run dry, and was finally found by a band of Vilespawn. Knowing their doom his mother quickly told her then young son to hide saying, “Hide as I have taught you and they shall never see you.”

So it was with fear and heartache that the young Kabius hide beneath a hidden cellar while the town fended for themselves. All night and a day he hid, fearing being caught and dragged from his hole at last. However, he was not found and he waited a day and a night in total, long after the sounds of slaughter had ended before he dared to exit his place of hiding. What he witnessed had him lose what little food remained in his stomach at the sight of the horrors visited upon his people. He saw the desecrated corpses of his father and two sisters. The bodies of his younger brother and mother were nowhere to be found, but so distraught was he could not summon the willpower to look for them, fearing what he might find.

He wondered into the wastes without purpose, perhaps hoping to die himself. He collapsed and came to find himself in the care of another group of Umberan’s who had happened upon him. As he was neutered back to health sorrow made way to hatred. It was at that time Kabius vowed to never again allow such a disaster happen again to his people. Strength resorted Kabius threw himself into the arts of magic and learned to wield the innate magic of his people. He soon grew into a talented young mage and set about his own personal war against the vilespawn. Over the years he hunted down roving groups of vilespawn. Killing larger groups one by one, mastering the art of deception and illusions. He slowly began to make a name for himself among his own people and beyond.

Many whispered of the shadow that stalked the lands killing any vilespawn it found. Even the vilespawn themselves began to know fear and only talked of this figure in hushed whispers. Soon others began to be inspired by these tales, and soon Kabius had started a small following. He decided to train these men and women willing to defend their people against the creatures who would see them destroyed. His shadow war against the beasts was, in fact, one of the driving forces that lead to many of the vilespawn breeds being pushed into the dark places of the world or in the west that remained beyond Kabius’s reach. It was not long before ‘Old Man Grim’ was something of a legend. It would be centuries of these shadow war before the efforts of Kabius had finally almost single-handedly thinned the numbers of vilespawn in the heartlands of east Nachesh. His reputation soon led him to soon be sought out by Izalith before she had gained the name Mother Night. She confided in him that all his efforts would soon be for naught. As the day was fast approaching for the first Long Night. When the prison of Azueral would block out the face of Kammeth and shadow the world in darkness. Bringing a new age of doom with the emboldening and empowering of all vilespawn.

So with the aid of the Archon of War Kabius acquired the relics of power needed by Izalith to summon a spell that would shield the world from Azueral’s power. He succeeded in the end and thus was born Mother Night. As a reward for his services, Kabius would enjoy a position as Mother Night's most trusted agent. Freed from the worries of administration and bureaucracy Kabius has played the role as assassin and spymaster to Mother Night since the birth of the empire. Many are the would be exarch or even Archon who has been laid low by his hand, oftentimes personally.

Armaments

Claw of Shades
A weapon of potent magic power that was once wielded by a powerful vilespawn lord known as a Harbinger. Kabius bested this creature and took the weapon for himself. It is a terrifying weapon that is dangerous not only to those it is used against but also to the wielder. The weapon harbors some of the essences of its master. Making it a sentient artifact with powers that allow it to create ash and smoke at will and cut through any mundane armor; strong of will and possessed of arrogance. The sword can also intrude on the bearer's thoughts, turning them in dark and violence-inclined directions. Anyone who touches the blade or the handle of this sword unprotected would need to compete with it in a battle of wills. Failure means it will burn the flesh and skin of the wielder's head away. This ability is rarely used by Kabius, as it would require prolonged contact with the victim. Without defeating the blade in a battle of wills, the only way a person can safely use this item is by covering their hand with an enchanted gauntlet. This would keep the hostile will at bay. Kabius has long since dominated the will of the sword, firmly establishing the position of master and servant. No mean feat in its own right and reveals a will unmatched by most beings save Archons and the rare Exarch. Upon being willed by its wielder, the sword can leave trails of ash in the air, creating temporary opaque walls to give an edge in battle. It can also produce a strange black glow to act as a light in the darkness — though only its wielder can see it. It also makes its wielder invisible to magical sight oft possessed by Vilespawn. The sword is also enchanted so that even a small nick or cut can eventually prove fatal, as the wound will fester and eventually poison the victim if not healed with magic or treated.

Shadows Bite
This obsidian dagger of pure ebony black is Kabius's signature weapon as an assassin. It is among his most recognized, and in fact most feared weapons in his arsenal. A gift offered to him by Mother Night herself the dagger’s power is a truly malice one indeed. Those pierced by this weapon have their life force slowly drained by the magic contained within. Slowly empowering the wielder, healing wounds, closing cuts, and even adding the victim's years and life force to his own.

Coat of Ethereal Wind
This silvery-gray coat seems to absorb light rather than be illuminated by it. An oddity of this long coat worn by Kabius is that it comes from an era long forgotten judging from its design. None are quite sure where he obtained it, but it is among his most trademark pieces of attire. It is also a rare item among relics, in that it was never enchanted with magic itself. But long association with the master of shadow has caused it to gain infamy in its own right. Granting it a few powers on its own without the aid of magic enchanting. Kabius is able to will the coat to part and transform into a pair of bat wings that allow him to fly. On command, the coat also makes its wearer ethereal, a power that can enact itself once a day when the wearer is in danger. The effect is dismissible. The cloak works for a total of up to 10 minutes per day.

Mount

This black steed of midnight black is a creature born from a nightmare. A gift given to a very rare and select few, a shadowmare is a sure sign of great favor from Mother Night. There is little known about these rare creatures for only a handful are said to exist. It is theorized shadowmare’s are originally normal horses that had been touched from Beyond and corrupted into the present form. Others believe they are in fact created purely from Izaliths magic though none can confirm. In any case, the one owned by the Archon of Shadow, called Masquerade, is a fine specimen indeed. Though he rarely rides the beast for he rarely has need of it. However, as a partly ethereal creature of shadow and night. It is capable of running over water, riding through nonliving objects, and is said to never tire. As it is fearless beast it is the perfect beast of war, and while the Archon of Shadow has little reason to ride along with the legions of Mother Night, Kabius is quite fond of it.

Discipline

Kibius Grim is the progenitor of the Shadow Dance art of magic that allows the manipulation and obfuscation of sight, deceiving the mind of others, or making them ignore what the user doesn't want to be seen. Shadowdancers use arcane magic to harness the power of shadow that stems from the Archon of Shadow. Always existing in the place where light and darkness met, shadowdancers were enigmatic and dangerous. Despite the connotations between darkness and evil, many shadowdancers toe the gray line. Shadowdancers need to drew upon the power of the shadows runs the risk of slowly losing themselves into what is called the 'fad.' In by which one who abuses this discipline slowly starts to lose parts of themselves to a creeping darkness. Still, this cost grants them the ability to hide that is extraordinarily potent. As a shadowdancer becomes more experienced, they can learn to command the shadows to do their bidding.

Abilities

Kabius is perhaps the greatest master of illusion and shadow magic to have lived. His powers to manipulate and summon spells of shadow and darkness allows him a degree of flexibility beyond mortal men. He is a tactical master, taking every advantage offered him and seeking to create more. His brilliant mind combined with centuries of experience makes him a truly deadly opponent. As he has spent years learning as much has possible of every Archon to the lowest noble with the aid of his vast spy network of shadowdancers. It is often said there is no whispered in shadows not soon learned by the Old man himself.

If ever in a conflict he relies on the obscuring power of shadows to conceal his approach. His mastery allows him to use them to move faster than a human possibly can, all without making a sound. Furthermore, over the centuries of service, Kabius has gained considerable experience in weaponry, allowing him to wield nearly any weapon with ease and lethal efficiency. That said, Kabius specializes in a two-weapon fighting style with the use of a dagger and a sword, with few able to equal him in martial skill save the current Archon of War. He generally wields his obsidian ebony dagger as a main-gauche in his left hand with the Claw of Shades in his right. However, his true power has always been in the gaining and selling of information. Due to his contacts, there are few events that can transpire within the Empire not soon learned by the Archon of Shadow.

The Shade Enclave

Shade Enclave

The Shade Enclave was officially formed three years after Mother Night began her rule, though the group has existed for far longer-- since the days following the War in Heaven. The organization specializes in the dangerous and secretive arts of stealth, murder, poison and assassination learned from the far western realms. The time spent exploring the shattered lands, avoiding and hunting vilespawn, served the followers of Kabius well, for the enclave had gained significant training in the arts of stealth and assassination in the harshest environment in the world.

The assassins of the Shade Enclave are rightly feared by all members of the empire. They come silently, dispense death with uncanny accuracy, and return to their dark tower with their foes none the wiser. Their methods are seemingly supernatural, and the shadows appear to cling to them like spider webs. Rarely are their faces shown, for they hide them behind cowls and masks. The Shade is not merely a den of assassins. Because of their stealth, their warriors are also prized as spies and scouts by the forces of Iao. The shades offer their services to the Warlord, providing skirmishers and light troops that can infiltrate the rear of an enemy’s line to scout enemy formations or to dispatch leaders, wizards, and other valuable assets.

The Enclave also maintains an influential cadre of informants from which they draw a great deal of useful information. The Enclave is shrouded in mystery, much more so than the followings of the other Archons. Little is known about the Enclave's inner workings, and this information is well-hidden from prying eyes and ears. Those who learn too much about the assassins have been known to wind up dead, or worse, which ensures that the Enclave will sustain its secrecy in the centuries to come.

Goals
Over the centuries the Enclave has achieved a unique place within the Empire, using their talents to cow and coral the lesser nobles and even exarchs to maintain the authority and influence of Mother Night. In truth, they act like the secret police force to the Archons, the metaphorical poisoned dagger in the hand of the ruling power. Their political reach has grown long, for they hold power to call any noble forward as a heretic or a traitor. Evidence of such crimes is easily manufactured, and in many cases, it need not be fabricated at all. It is for precisely this reason that the other noble houses, exarchs, and even Archons avoid angering the Shade Enclave, and indeed facilitate its investigations without objection. The fairly newly established order of the Justicar's may have been created to stem such abuses in the first place.

The Shadow Hands
The Shadow Hand are the direct pupils of Kabius himself and are some of the most skilled killers in Ethica. They are taught the arts of stealth, deception, and ambush. Their maneuvers allow a warrior to take on a shadowy aspect or to channel dark energy to sap an enemy’s strength. So little is known of the Hands that no one is even certain how many exits and what is fact or fiction. Though a popular belief is that to become a Hand, one must manage the nearly impossible task of sneaking into Archon of War's chamber and steal away one of the sleeping giant's hairs. None have been able to confirm or deny these rumors.

Military Capabilities:

Warcry: (Totally optional)

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

Character Sheet

Name: (The name of your Archon/Exarch. This character is your leader, and is going to be essential in the times to come)

Titles: (Self-given or earned. Fame is an essential part of an Archon/Exarch’s power these are often long-winded creative.)

Type: (What is your Champion? The choice is between either the more powerful and influential Archons or the still formidable Exarchs. Take note most players will play as Exarchs as there will only be a select few Archons. PM me if you are interested in an Archon spot. Otherwise, you're an Exarch.)

Rivals&Allies: (Given Archon/Exarch's long lives and time spent in the political sphere, you no doubt have a few enemies or those you dislike for one slight imagined or not. This is not always two-way and is optional though advised. Be Sure to added allies here and your exact reltions to them as well.)

Appearance: (Pretty self-explanatory. Pictures or Description. Both preferred)

Loyalty: (The Archon your Exarch serves.)

Personality and Drive: (What drives your leader to do what he does? What is his or hers ultimate goal?)

History: (A little something-something about the history of the Exarch/Archon. How have they gotten to the point they are at, and how did they become famed across the land? Some feats here are also advised, they can even be slightly exaggerated.)

Armaments: (These are a list of powerful magic relics that belong to your character. They can be a weapon, piece of armor, jewelry, etc that have some unique power. These are not just mere enchanted items, they have been given further power from the virtue that you wield them. Give each one a small bit of lore, how you got it, and most importantly what they do. Think the artifacts from D&D or most any item used by heroes in Warhammer.)

Abilities: (What powers does your Archon/Exarch have? This includes magic or anything of the sort. Exarch can be pretty damn powerful, Archons many times more so, so feel free to play around. I will be taking special notice of this category, however, so don't be a brat with this freedom.)

Hero Sheet

Name: (The name of your Hero. These characters are alternative POV's as well as trusted advisors, or generals. )

Type: (Are they a Mage? Warrior? Spy? etc)

Appearance: (Pretty self-explanatory. Pictures or Description. Both preferred)

Personality and Drive: (What drives your leader to do what he does? What is his or hers ultimate goal?)

Background: (You know what goes here. Be sure to add when they joined the services of your Exarch/Archon, along with their accomplishments in your service.)

Armaments: (Normally heroes will have basic or sometimes Enchanted items, however, if you have granted one a relic item from your allotment be sure to mention that here. Remember Exarch's only get three relic items to distribute.)

Skills: (What they are capable of, note these are skillful men and women but are nowhere near the power of an Exarch. Think more along the lines of badass normals.)

Holding

Holdings
Name: (What is the name of your holding?)
Type: (What is your holding? A fortress-city maybe? A major castle city fortification perhaps? A conjured tower of flames?! Tell me!!)
Culture: (What are the people like in your holding?)
Description: (Tell us all about your Holding. it's layout and design, it's function and capabilities. Everything. Damn it, everything.)
Laws: (What are the unique tenets or laws you have established in your province?)
Military: (What kind of system does your hold use to raise troops? What about their training? What kind of units could you call on? Remember this is grimdark high fantasy, So if you want pegasus knights or wyvern riders go for it.)

Faction

Faction
Name: (What is your Faction/Warband/Guild called?)
Size: (How many followers are considered a part of your faction/Guild? this usually varies between 100-5000. Remember, it's a faction, not a nation!)
Hierarchy and Culture: (What is life like within your faction?? How does one advance, and what ranks are there? What is their reason for following your Lord?)
Goals: (What are the main aims and goals of your faction?)
Specialization: (What do they specialize in, a merchant guild focus? Healers? Perhaps focus in magical studies? War?)
History: (Tell us of the founding of your Faction.)
Military Capabilities: (List all your unit types, and their capabilities along with arms and armor. This is mostly to help others grasp the feel of how your faction will fight - this category is not a power play, so don't be snobby.)
Warcry: (Totally optional)

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

In Game Lore

Magic

Magic, sometimes called valsul, or the Winds of Creation, in Ethica is a primal and often times unpredictable force broken down further in the Schools of Magic created by Archon’s new and old. Valsul is, in fact, the words of creation spoken by the Architect as he forged existence itself. No one knows why only Archons can learn new words of creation and thus create new magic spells. Legend tells us before the coming of the Disjunction and Azueral the Devourer that magic was free flowing and easily manipulated. When the Ancient One known as Azueral entered our plane he tainted the flows of magic and corrupted it. It drove people to madness, and this polluting of the life force of the world mutated creatures and brought forth the Vilespawn. After Azueral’s imprisonment by Kammeth after the War of Heavens. The flows of magic were mostly restored though it was forever scarred. Magic could once again be used and harnessed but now carried risk in their own right. The arts of magic can be broken down into several key Paths. It should be noted that the casting of magic regardless of source is not taxing in and of itself. Yet, the overuse of magic in a given area will deplete the available valsul there making further use of magic impossible until the Winds of Creation are given time to be restored. Note only Archons are not so limited as they alone uniquely ‘exude’ magic, for this reason, they need not wait as long as a normal mage (Months at a time often.) for the Winds of Creation in a given region to be restored naturally.

Because the winds are weaker in some regions of the world, many mages have opted to carry talismans or gems filled with mystical energy to use in emergencies. Some notes for Archon's and magic that you should know are that belief is the driving force of magic in the world of Ethica, particularly that of the most powerful kind. Archons are the result of widespread fame and belief in their power and ability. In essence, they are great by nurture, rather than nature.

While every guild or school of magic will ascribe different a name to the theory, all mages inevitably stumble upon an inescapable fact - only the Archons can summon magic into being, everyone else can only cast magic by invoking the sigil of an Archon that has come before. None know how the Archons do their magic (it seems to be different with each Archon) but theory suggests that once an Archon starts to invoke their powers, anyone else who comes after that Archon could (with the proper knowledge) tap into that power with the proper sigil and know-how. This is one reason many Archons have large groups of followers seeking to learn and benefit from their power. In this way, Archons are almost like minor gods. Fame fuels their rise to power as well as belief, thus it is not strange for an Archon to be (or wish to be) worshiped by more common mortals.

Casting
The casting of spells within Ethica often requires the mage to do, say, or use something in order for the spell to work. Spells may require a verbal, somatic, or material component or a magical focus. All spells of power require a verbal component to operate. Along with a magic circle written on the ground or on parchment. The flavour text for some spells and prayers should involve words, gestures or objects. Most rituals require material components, some rituals require foci and many spells and prayers benefit from magical implements.

SORCERY
Sorcery is a general term used to describe any supernatural effect. Included in sorcery are the three main categories of spellcasting: magic, prayer, and witchcraft. Nearly all spell-casters fall into one of these three categories. To call oneself a sorcerer is typically an act of obfuscation, whereby the spellcaster purposefully or ignorantly conceals the nature of his skills. ‘Sorcerer’ also connotes someone who mixes techniques. Witches never pray just as wizards would never sully themselves by dabbling in witchcraft. And above all, no priest worth his salt would endanger his position in his church by practicing anything other than prayer. Still, the blending of techniques is possible, and as witch blood spreads with each generation, potential witches/magi are often born who never conceive of the power that lives within them.

The Sources of Sorcery

DIVINE
Naturally, the gods, the reaming Keepers of the Architect, are perhaps the most visible and significant sources of magic. Priests invoke their deities through prayer, and in exchange for their piety and mortal service, the gods bestow some of their power. However, though the gods wield great power, they are still bound by the same rules governing magic. Just as mages have a difficult time controlling magic in certain places and at certain times, gods suffer the same limits when bestowing power to their mortal servants. These limitations suggest that though the gods can grant magical energy, they do not create it. In Ethica, there are many gods, with each society adapting deities to suit their needs, co-opting other gods for their own pantheons, or even altering the very nature of their gods’ personas to match cultural expectations. The relationship between a mortal and a god is particular to the parties involved— always personal, unique, and with worship performed in some unusual manner.

EXTERNAL
As opposed to receiving magical energy from the gods, many spellcasters create magical effects through the careful practice of specific magical formulae. As a cook refers to a recipe to create a meal, a mage uses a particular set of invocations, gestures, and props to produce the desired effect. This source of power derives from the words used in the manifestation of spells. Certain phrases, syllables, and utterances derive from a root language—the source of all speech; the very words used to spark the creation of the world by the Architect himself. A formulaic system would seem the best theory for defining the ultimate source of magical power were it not for witchcraft, which circumvents the necessity of learning specific magical recipes in favor of creating direct effects from the individual spellcaster’s will. Most Archons exbit the power of witchcraft, but are unique in that they are often not born with the magic in their blood. Thus it is never passed down to their hcildern by normal means.

INTERNAL
Of all the cultures mentioned in the anthologies of Ethica's past, it is perhaps the Archon's who are the most feared and reviled, for they eschew the traditional methods of manipulating magic in favor of drawing their power directly from themselves. They do not pray to gods. They do not pore over old tomes. They cast spells through force of will alone, channeling the latent energy within to create magic effects that alter reality in subtle (or not-so-subtle) ways. In addition to the notorious Archons of Izalith, other people naturally drawn to internal magical forms are the witches of Atar. Unlike the Archons, the witches of Atar propensity for sorcery more commonly emerges in women and often takes the form of the more destructive or necromantic tendencies of the valsul. The man and women of the Great Empire of Ethica have thus far discovered few among their number who naturally possess magic save for the Archon's themselves.

MANA
All three theories of magic fall under one general truism—sorcery requires mana to function. Those learned enough in the subject often call this force of magic valsul. Mana is a raw magical energy existing everywhere at some level, but not uniformly. Some areas are rich in magical energy while others are nearly barren, and some points in time are clearly more potent sources of this energy than are others.

THE EFFECTS OF MANA
Whenever a spell is cast, the spellcaster is manipulating mana—a magical field of energy that ebbs and flows in all places and through all things. A spell is nothing more than mana that has been changed and molded through particular techniques to achieve the desired effect. Thus, a mage who casts a fireball spell draws from the same energy that a god bestows on the priest who seeks to heal an injured comrade. Mana is not unlimited, however. In some places, magical energy is in great abundance, while in others, it is scarcely there at all. Furthermore, even places rich in magical energy do not remain so indefinitely. Excessive spellcasting drains free mana, depleting the resources to fuel future spells and rituals. Mana is generally equally distributed throughout an area. There may be pockets of low mana and high mana within a specific location, but overall (and for the sake of simplicity), consider each region to have a constant mana level throughout. The GM will set the level of mana in a region should the topic come up or magi are used offensively in a large engagement.

CHANGING MANA FIELDS
A single mana field covers the entire world, but there are varying intensities within that field. The total mana field is subdivided into smaller mana fields, each of which can be visualized as a square approximately 7 miles on a side. In areas where multiple fields have the same intensity, the transition from one field to the next is not noticeable. The natural tendency for a mana field is to be uniform in potency. When mana is used to cast a spell or ritual, it briefly depletes the area around the caster, but the surrounding mana rushes in to fill the vacuum. This continues until the mana field is drained. When a mana field is depleted in this way, it repairs itself by drawing on the adjacent fields, which spill into it to correct the damage done. The bordering fields are not affected unless there is a large disparity, such as when one field is two steps lower than all the fields around it. For example, a field and its eight surrounding fields are all at high mana. A nasty battle between mages and witches drains the primary field to normal mana. Because the disparity is just one step, the eight surrounding fields do not change in intensity. However, the battle continues, further draining the primary field to low mana. Now, because the disparity is two steps, all eight of the adjacent fields drop from high mana to normal mana. The sixteen fields beyond, which remain at high mana, don’t change. The war is particularly brutal, however, and drains all the mana in the field, reducing it to no mana. Now the eight fields surrounding it drop to low mana while the sixteen fields beyond drop to normal mana. The same holds true in reverse. As the field where the conflict was fought recovers naturally over time, it will increase to low mana. However, it will not affect the fields around it until the disparity is two steps. Thus, for the neighboring fields to recover to normal mana, the center field must be restored to high mana. It takes a significant amount of spellcasting to drain a field of its mana, and such events are usually of great significance. (in all GM's will often keep track of the uses of magic in an area)

THE PRICE
Every time someone cast a spell, the act of working with mana drains them. When casting a minor spell, the effects are minor, but casting spells or rituals of great mastery have severe side effects. This threat to a spellcaster is called “the price”. The more one taps into the valsul the greater the price and risk they take in the form of a miscast.

TECHNIQUES

In Ethica, there are three techniques for casting spells. Though other forms of magic exist, these three methods encompass nearly all spellcasting in this setting. Each method represents different ways in which spells and rituals take effect. The three types of spellcasting include magic, prayer, and witchcraft.

MAGIC
Magic is sorcery as practiced by mages. These spellcasters rely on strict formulae and a careful balance of material ingredients to produce the desired effect. A mage sees magic as something existing within things, released and controlled by the use of spells. Considering the complexities of this technique, it takes an individual with a logically ordered and intelligent mind to successfully manipulate magic.

PRAYER
Prayer is sorcery as practiced by paladins, clerics, priests, druids, and shamans. Unlike wizards, prayer-users rely on communication with an otherworldly being or source of magical energy. By communicating one’s wishes to the source, the source, in turn, creates the desired magical effect (or at least usually creates it). Prayer does not rely on complex formulae or practiced phrases to achieve results; rather, the spellcaster must know how to communicate his desires to the source in such a way as to achieve the desired end. Thus, wisdom, dedication, and piety are all traits required to succeed as a prayer-user.

WITCHCRAFT
The final sorcery technique is witchcraft, a much-reviled art employed by witches and warlocks, though secretly (and by most unknwongly) used by Archons, and made infamous by the Atar witches of the North. Where wizards draw magic from their environments and priests from their gods, witches and Archon's rely on the power within themselves. Witchcraft is more exclusive than magic and prayer, requiring a special touch of witchblood in the veins in order to unlock its dark arts or in the case of Archons the combined will and belief of many people. Those with supposed divine blood, such as Gallavan, also are counted among those able to use this style.

Realms of Nachesh

Nordheim

Since the campaign known as the Northern Conquests some 20 years ago. The tribes of the north along with the once mighty Nordheim kingdom have since fallen to the armies of Mother Night. Sparking the fedration of kingdoms to the south.

Aeslings
Oddly dark of skin and black of hair- Aeslings are probably the most brutal and bloodthirsty of the Northern Marches. Merciless, they kill for the love of killing. They were often at the forefront of the Southern Incursions, leading the way into the fat lands of the Empire pre-northern subjugation. They live in the plains between the high mountains inhabited by ice wolves in the valley east of the white plains and west of the border into Atar. Even though the Aeslings consider themselves superior to other tribes they have kept some trade relations with the Kurgan. Even isolated Aesling tribes engaged in raids by sailing through the river Noric. These days many outer layers still exist in the East mountains and engage in short sortie raids. Though it is only a matter of time before they fully submit or bend the knee. It's no surprise that the Aeslings worship the Dark Gods known as the Ancient Ones of the north more fervently than other tribes, and in their bloody pantheon the foremost god has always been Naargoth, the Bone Lord. Usually, Holymen among the Aeslings are called Bloodfathers; those that give blood to bloodthirsty Gods. These madmen possess potent blood magic and are among the most feared of the Nordheimers who wield foul magic. They are also among the few Nordheimer's who possess any mounted warriors. Though they tend to use these horses for fast hit and run raids rather than fighting atop their steeds. The Justicar's of Mother Nigh have been hard at work in the north finding and destroying any heathen sanctuaries they can find.

Graelings
Graelings are like the other Northern Tribes; they are aggressive, bloodthirsty and serve the Old Gods. Graelings do respect many of the other Gods as well, but the Old brother Gods Olric, and Ymir have always served the most important role in their society due to the tribe largely being made up of displaced peoples of other major religions of Ethica. The Graeling tribes were the first to be conquered when Illyrica marched north and were the quickest to fall after only a handful of skirmishes and a final bloody one-sided battle.

It should be noted the Graelings are made up of the first people to migrate into the northern areas of Nordheim. Possibly to escape the growing empire at the time. Sadly the eventually met the fate of the kingdoms they abandoned. They live on the southern river bed of just north of the Imperial heartlands, an area which is covered with deep forests before rising into the great mountain ranges to the far east. Graelings were famous and feared reavers before their subjugation. Their ships sailing to far away lands to pillage and obtain new slaves. They often had Aeslings and Vargs with them, who are their allies but did not have such large fleets.

The Vargs
The red-haired Vargs and their kingdom once stood in the isolated northeast and their mailed swordsmen, therefore, vented their warlike natures on their Aesling kin to the west, the savage Kurgan to the north, or less often upon the Empire to south. In order to survive in their cold lands, the Vargs have built a religion around battle and warfare. Aggression is worshiped, and the Varg are undoubtedly fierce warriors, chasing after life with intense enthusiasm, singing songs even as they die, swords in hand. As Nordheimr traits go, the Varg feast in a loud, boisterous fashion and often engage in ‘friendly’ brawls when drunk.

They are giant men (being from the cursed bloodline of half-giant kin) who value honor, loyalty, and reputation above all things, for their land is harsh and they are hardened by generations of living in near-arctic conditions and almost constant warfare with the Empire, the Bjornlings, and the Aesling. Their economy was based on limited farming and extensive hunting, as well as war. A well-known prey of the Vargmen are the mammoths native to the north. Vargmen are fond of the spear, axe, and sword. They use wooden shields covered in horsehide and wear horned helmets and scale mail shirts. It is said their king was forced to flee across the sea to the south with a fleet of their famed reaver longboats. The failing of his capture has been a sore point for the Archon of War.

Republic of Lesmiana

Republic of Lesmiana
The Republic of Lesmiana was forged from a federation of three powerful southern realms formed in response to the fall of the Kingdom of Nordheim to the north. The members of the federation are the city states of Charce along the eastern coast, the noble kingdom of Bretturean, and the great forest realm of Averon known widely as the Webwood. Now the enigmatic fey, the immortal knights of Bretturean, and the sorceress princelings must brave the storm that is the Empire.

The City States of Charce
The lands of Charce are ruled by a council of eight powerful mages known as Merchant Princes, each of whom specializes in a different school of magic. These Princes rule a city state each and has had a long history of rivalries and even wars that have been fought between the various slave armies of Charce. In the current age as a key member of Lesmiana, the city states have decided to not only merge their strengths together but have played a major role in arranging the alliance of southern realms. Though technically an oligarchy, Sea Lord Karadal serves as the representative of the interest of Charce. He is also coincidentally the most powerful mage in all of Charce.

The Kingdom of Bretturean
A little more than a century ago the lands that are now Bretturean were nothing more than a collection of tribes, that when not fighting among each other raided their neighbors. In ancient times a great hoard of Draor Chor Raiders swept through the land, conquering and plundering were and what they wished. A warrior of old and his companions sought to save their people from their oppressors. They set out to find a lost treasure from an ancient prophecy known only as White Lily Elixir. A flower that bloomed once every year, and existed high in the western mountains. Braving many trials until there stood only three, they eventually found this divine elixir. The nectar granted them each eternal life and extraordinary abilities. They became the first knights of the Lily. These days a single knight is chosen as king with every turning of the decade as chosen by the Council of the Round Table.

The Forest Realm of Averon
The Forest of Averon, or the Webwood, is a massive forest located South of the Empire. It is easily the largest and most important woodland in all of Ethica, home to the wildest of beast and monsters alike. Few who enter the Webwood alone ever leave it again, and to this day, only the fey of the forest know how to navigate the crisscrossing paths of the Webwood successfully.

A thick veil of mist always surrounds the woodlands season round, growing thicker in the winter months and lighter in the early summer time. Worse still, thick roots that grow from the unnaturally large trees have grown into and around neighboring trees to form tunnels and tangled masses of knots and barriers, making movement in a straight line from one point to the next nigh impossible. This in addition to the wood's natural thickness that dulls all but the sharpest of axes and preternaturally wet foliage due to the mist, and you have a forest you cannot so much as properly light a fire in let alone clear a pathway.

The forest of Averon is home to the Fey, the last vestiges of pure land that was scarcely touched during the disjunction. Though over the centuries of fighting off vilespawn and those who would seek to desecrate these holy lands, the dryads, and treekin of the forest have slowly become twisted and violent over time. Magic is, of course, thick in the Webwood and those druids counted among the fey-folk have learned to harness this untapped power. Those powerful enough even able to shape the very trees about them to hide their tracks or temporarily make new paths when needed. Beyond the mad fey and the eerie mist of the Webwood there lies within beasts never before seen by most mortal eyes. Vilespawn of Azueral dwells within fighting a ceaseless war with the fey, along with carnivorous plants, dire wolves, troll encampments, and even the odd gorecyclops make the Webwood easily the most dangerous place in Ethica. Some claim that to reach the heart of the forest is to find the largest tree in existence, named by fey-folk as Yasigar; some deem it a god, others claim its fruit grant immortality or indeed it is the heart of Ethica itself. Whether true or not, the dangerous beasts of this forbidden realm easily keep those curious away. To enter the Webwood is to enter another world entirely and - more than likely- forfeit your life.

Black Sun - Age of Wolves (Always Open)

Black Sun

A Dark Star
_{“That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die.””
Theme - "Mother Dear"}

Chat

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| OVERVIEW |

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Black Sun takes place on Ethica, a high fantasy world where technology is transitioning from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age with elements of 11th-century technology. The famed Mother Night known Izalith, a god-like being of immeasurable power, is close to completing her over a 100-year long campaign to conquer Nachesh and impose order, having already overtaken much of the land through force or intimidation. Beneath Izalith is the Archons, men and women imbued with strange and unique magical powers, made seemingly immortal by Izalith’s favor. Archons rule over regions, districts, armies, or individual groups on Izaliths’ behalf. Beneath Archons are the Exarchs, those beings capable of extraordinary feats, but lack the favor and longevity of a true Archon.

Archons, and to a slightly lesser extent Exarchs, are women and men who possess incredible powers. They are more than just skilled fighters or mages. Each Archon has unique abilities that set them above the rest of humanity. No one knows how the Archons obtain their powers, but they ultimately bow to Izaliths’ will.

The battle for supremacy of the continent takes place largely in western Nachesh. The lands of Nachesh having long since been split between the wasted ruined western lands. Birthplace of the Disjunction and the last bastion of utopia left to the mortals races along the western coasts. In these lands, often referred to colloquially as the Green Marches, is covered in great plains, rich meadows, vast steppes, thick oft huge forests, lush jungles, imposing mountains and fertile flatlands - as diverse in a landscape as it is in people. It has been a long-standing goal of Mother Night to impose her rule over all that remains of civilization. Citing a desire to unite all people under one banner and one rule so as to avoid the mistakes of ages past.

Each player's Exarch will be a count or vassal of a major province within the greater realm and jockey for position within the hierarchy, each swearing loyalty to an Archon. The spiritual and official ruler of the realm is Izalith, who stands as official Empress of Illyrica-- but leaves much of the administration and governing to the highest ranked of Exarch called Archons. Each Archon will have the choice of a given territory, which pretty much amounts to the rank of a king/queen. I plan to allow/have only three Archons at max. From there on players can choose to have small city-states within that Archons province. Archons can call other players(Exarchs) in their province to war and answering will be up to the players, or they could fight each other in smaller civil wars for territory.

Beyond that, at the start of the RP, the next Pontiff will soon be chosen from among the Exarchs, who is expected to lead the realm in Mother Night's stead once the Long Night comes. It is known those who become Pontiff's more often than not become Archons in their own right once the Long Night ends. Once more an Exarch chosen will obtain an incredible amount of political power within the capital for their Archon. It should be noted it is the Archons are the ones who choose who can be a candidate from their home province. Thus giving players an incentive to not only remain loyal but go out of their way to impress their own Archon. Meanwhile, an Archon will have to be incredibly careful who they nominate for the position.

Note: All current Archon positions are full, following players can take the position of an Exarch and decide which of the three Archons (Blood, Change, and War.) to serve directly under.

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| INFORMATION |

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Imperial Law concerns itself mostly with revenues, security from foreign and internal threats, the regulation of sorcery, and the rooting out of Azueral cults. The iron fist of Mother Night is imposed through the ‘Rite of Law’ that every man and woman in Illyrica must abide is well known and strictly enforced. Imperial courts exist in all the major cities of the Illyrica Empire, usually the capitals of the Grand Provinces of each Archon, with judges appointed by Mother Night to the office of the Imperial authority that resides over the case, leading to extended wrangling while the defendant or parties to a civil case swing in the wind.

Laws of the Empire

*may be subject to some change.*

‘Rite of Law’

Izaliths’ Peace: All who bow to me shall be under my aegis. Loyalty is freedom from hunger, hostility, and hopelessness.

• Izaliths’ Peace guarantees all willing supplicants under Mother Nights’ authority a place in her world. A corollary is that, “Your life is not yours to discard, the Mother has plans for you.”

Mother Night’s Right of Destruction: Only Izalith may destroy a loyal vassal. All will die; it is a question of when not if. Trust Mother Night with the measure of your skein, and it will be glorious from the first moment to the last.

• The law states that only Izalith can destroy her subjects. The right can be delegated, forming the basis of the chain of command. The higher one sits in the power structure, the more leeway they have, with Archons formally empowered with the right to destroy in Izalith’s name.

The Archon's Privilege: The Archons carry my will, each in their own custom, all for my glory. Serve the Archons as you would serve Mother Night, but serve the Mother first.

• A simple formulation that allows for decentralizing rule. Each Archon is granted authority to create and rule their own fiefdoms as they see fit, provided they follow Mother Nights’ basic law. Together with the Right of Destruction, the Privilege forms the basis of Archon authority. Exarch’s thus serve this law in obedience to their Archon.

Mother Night’s Right of Adjudication: If two sworn vassals shall come to an irreconcilable conflict, only Mother Night may adjudicate right from wrong, the living from the dead.

• The right of Adjudication is the foundation of the justice system in the Empire. Adjudication is the process of determining legal fault as per Izalith’s laws, basing on the enormous body of legal codes that underlie the Empire. As with the Right of Destruction, the Right of Adjudication is delegated to individual Archons who handle the enforcement of justice. The most significant of these Archons is Kabius, the Archon of Shadow, who further delegates investigation and settling minor disputes to the order of Justicars. While the execution of more worrisome individuals such as Rogue Exarchs is left to the Shadow Hands

The Law of Preservation: The Antediluvian ruins are forbidden, as are their contents and their denizens. Neither are any to consort with those beings from Beyond.

• The law is self-explanatory. The official wording expands on the topic: Do not remove the trappings of the Antediluvian ruins of old (possession shall be proof of trespass), nor evoke the imagery from within (endanger not your kin by tempting the Antediluvian ruins clockwork denizens or vilespawn inhabitants). Cross these ruins only where Izalith has sculpted the landscape to permit easy passage. In short: Owning any item of Antediluvian origin is considered trespass, regardless of how it came into your possession. Don't depict anything from the Antediluvians of old. Pass only where she has sculpted the landscape to permit traverse. It should be noted that there are a rare few exception to this rule such as the case of the Exarch of Metal Damocles.

The Magician’s Folly: Those who work the powers of magic must do so with Izaliths’ explicit blessing. If in the conduct of Mother Nights will, a mage inadvertently causes harm due to the unknowable perils of magic, the mage shall not be held liable if the magic was used for the glory of Mother Night.

• Practitioners of the arcane arts must be sanctioned by one of Izalith’s guilds, such as the Shadowdancers and the Stromist Vanguard. Rogue magicians with a tenuous grasp of unknown powers will not be tolerated. A sanctioned mage whose spellcasting causes damage to life or property is lawfully deemed innocent. As long as they practiced their art in the service of Izalith, all is forgiven. Members of schools absorbed by sanctioned guilds automatically become sanctioned members.

Quota and Sharing: The harvest blooms and blights by the will of Izalith. In times of lean, you will be fed. In times of wealth, you will feed others. To oppose this balance is to starve your neighbor, and such thieves shall forfeit their labors.

• This law is a sizable category unto itself, serving many needs at once - trade and tax being only two examples. The broadest intent of the law is to empower Izalith’s subjects to care for their neighbor and expect care in return.

Forbidden Knowledge: Izalith herself sets the standards of what can and cannot be known.

• These restrictions are rarely enforced unless it deals with contracts with the Ancient Ones, but they are worth taking into account. Before the coming of Izalith- during the ages of anarchy and discord - powerful knowledge in undeserving hands leveled empires without thought or mercy and ultimately gave birth to the Disjunction. Izalith has no desire to revisit those dark times.

The Mother’s Name is Not Yours to Use: Mother Night's name is not yours to give - whether to progeny, product, location or abstraction. Slander of Mother Night is punishable by death.

• There is only one Izalith, and her name is safeguarded. No one may say Izalith and have it obfuscated by a second meaning. Neither will her name be associated to trivialities. A gambler will not attribute his fortune to 'Izaliths' luck,' or his misfortune to ‘Izaliths’ scorn.' Such an association lowers Mother Night in the public estimate and is rightly considered slander most foul. Notably, any vow or expression made using Izalith’s’ name is a binding legal contract. Breaking such a vow is punishable by death.

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| MAPS & PLAYERS |

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Map!

Link version.

Terrain Map

Political Map
Claims

Player Roster

Players Accepted
Archon of Change= @Darkspleen
Archon of Blood= [@DeadCruiser]
Archon of War= @Goldeagle1221

@Vahir Exarch Lysvita
@Isotope Exarch Manuel Skleros
@Drunken Conquistador Manius Quinctilus Dolabella
@gorgenmast Exarch Vadigar
@Zendrelax Exarch Kalon
@CaptainBritton Exarch Sergius
@Abefroeman Exarch Margaux De'Bois

GM's @Goldeagle1221 & @GreivousKhan

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| LORE |

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Background

In the beginning, in the age of creation before time itself. There was only the Void, and within it the Architect, maker of all things, resided. As time passed the Architect began to long for another being of intelligence to commune with. Creatures of sentience and imaginative wonder. So he weaved from the essence of his power and fashioned the Ancient Ones. Beings of raw elemental energy, the mightiest of their kind born from cosmic force itself. The same power they fed on and were thus sustained. He created the First, the being who would watch over his brothers, for he was the mightiest and greatest of them.

As time went and passed, however, the Ancient ones grew more and more greedy, ever seeking and lusting for more power. They raged a war amongst each other. They would wage a war so fierce the very foundation of the cosmic space known as the void shook. They wrestled and fought each other for countless decades before they finally attempted the unthinkable. Seeking to steal for themselves the power of the Architect, many plotted to band together to overthrow the great being. The Architect saw through their trickery easily, and grieved by his own creations, left the Void and trapped the Ancient ones within it.

Beyond the reach of the ancient ones, Architect set to work once more. This time he would learn from his past mistakes in the creation of a new realm, the Prime Material Plane.

The Creation of Ethica

In the then empty void that would one day become the Material Plane, the Architect began his next great work. In the nothingness, he forged the realms, split into the outer plane and inner plane. The realm of gods and mortals respectively. In the inner plane was forged the world that would be known as Ethica. Upon its surface, he molded the continents, and from the world's depths came forth seas. The world was dark then and to remedy this the Architect saw fit to create the first and mightiest beings he would call The Keepers. Angelic beings tasked with the upholding the balance of the prime material world.

Archon Origins

No one knows how Archons or Exarchs gain their strength. Some Archons were born to power and privilege. Others were beggars in the street before their powers manifested. The only common thread among Archons is that they serve Izalith save the rogue ones of other lands. Few Archons have appeared in the latter decades of Mother Nights rule. If one believes the legends of the time before Izalith, new Archons and Exarch's arose every few decades. These new exarchs or Archons would challenge the current Archon of their powers for dominance.

While all Archons possess magical powers, there is no other common thread between these women and men. An Archon might be made of fire, capable of conjuring storms, or able to heal with a touch - the only defining trait of an Archon is that this magic power originates from within. It is unclear how Archons come into their powers, but it is generally understood that most grow into or develop magical power throughout their lives as they cultivate fame, with only a few notable exceptions having shown powers seemingly from birth. Another known fact is no matter the number of children, an Exarch or Archon has yet to be heard of born from another Archon. Even when two archons conceive a child.

One thing that is clear for Archon's and magic that one should beware of is that belief is a strong driving force of magic in the world of Ethica, particularly that of the most powerful kind. Archons are the result of widespread fame and belief in their power and ability. In essence, they are great by nurture, rather than nature.

While every guild or school of magic will ascribe different a name to the theory, all mages inevitably stumble upon an inescapable fact - only the Archons can summon magic into being, everyone else can only cast magic by invoking the sigil of an Archon that has come before. As for whatever reason only Archons 'know' or learn new words of creation as they come to power. None know how the Archons come to this knowledge or do their magic (it seems to be different with each Archon) but theory suggests that once an Archon starts to invoke their powers, anyone else who comes after that Archon could (with the proper knowledge) tap into that power with the proper sigil and know-how. Much in the same way one might invoke the power of a deity. This is one reason many Archons have large groups of followers seeking to learn and benefit from their power. In this way, Archons are almost like minor gods. Fame fuels their rise to power as well as belief, thus it is not strange for an Archon to be (or wish to be) worshiped by more common mortals. Mother Night herself is subject to a large cult following that has no official say in politics but does command some power.

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| RULES & GUIDELINES |

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"Advanced roleplaying should focus on developing interesting and complex characters that become part of plot-lines which catch the imagination and inspire the writer behind them to exercise creativity. It is mature, humorous, imaginative, tragic, terrifying, passionate, and rife with descriptive language and characters with real personality and relatable cares. Quality posting is far better than needless novels, yet one should never neglect detail when one feels the need. However, while word and paragraph requirements ought to be unnecessary, single paragraphs cannot contain enough detail to suffice."

I. The most important thing is to respect and follow the rules of our host site, which is not in question. The themes of this RP are undoubtedly mature but we need to understand what we can and cannot write blatantly. Prose has many techniques referential and subtle where we can show the idea without outright being overtly over the line. If there’s sexual content there is always “fade to black”, if it is a particularly dark and questionable scene it can be referenced or hinted at instead of shown.

II. Respect fellow role-players. This is a collaborative project in nature so we shan’t dismiss or patronize those we should be working together with—lighthearted humor is fine but remembers not to insult outright or start flame-wars; generally you know the drill so don’t be a dick and things should be kosher.

III. No meta-gaming—in Game of Thrones Robb Stark wasn’t prepared for the Red Wedding, so by good logic, you shouldn’t be as well. The characters can’t know things outside of their timeframe, knowledge, and so on.

IV. A Black Sun is a Grimdark, High Fantasy World, and by extension of that, this includes tropes of the medium. This is not limited to but includes magic, fantasy monsters, heroic adventurers, ancient artifacts, and everything in-between. As a good base of reference, it is a hybrid of ideas presented in the work of Warhammer Fantasy, Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, and Steven Erikson. This is not an RP for those who want hyper-realism or fantasy-touched "hard" medieval settings, nor super fantastical no rules magic, but a grittier dark world of hardship where beings of power take what they will from those beneath them.

V. Characters can and will die in this role-play. This means if five armed swordsmen surround an unarmed hero there will be certainly a terrible end. Even Archons can and likely will find themselves in dangerous or compromised positions. Although, this is not to say GM’s or other players can kill others outright and without consultation—the characters in your faction are your de facto legacy characters and you have a say in plot progression but do remember this is a game of collaboration.

VI. Post length should fit the scene progression; also defer to the quote at the top of the page regarding “advanced role-playing standards”.

VII. Also a major rule...HAVE FUN!!! This rule will be enforced with crossbowmen.

VIII. In the case of players who drop, grow completely inactive, and other situations that hold up the RP the GM's will take exclusive control of these characters and factions so the RP can continue to progress. If for whatever reason you believe you cannot or will not be able to post please make the GM's aware.

IX. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or need to contact a GM for any reason, we ask that you add both to your pm or we will rewrite your pm to fit this format. To reiterate, all pm threads to the gms for gm reasons must include Goldeagle1221, and Grievous Khan in the thread. This will normally include late additions to the lore, or concerns involving other players.

X. Players will be allowed only one Archon/Exarch. Heroes are a different matter.