Invader Len

Wreak Havoc in Astaria

Got a post up! I hope I got the foxes and letter and portal thing right. If not, I'm happy to edit it! I didn't know what to put in the letter so I just winged it. ^^;

Wreak Havoc in Astaria

Ithiel

Depleted. Drained. Worn Out. Wearied. Dead. How bemusing was it that one of the synonyms for exhausted was dead? He certainly felt dead. Who knew traveling on foot was so difficult? He'd been out of Mizora for a week now and only just made it past the border and to his first human village. He'd eaten through all the food he'd packed with him already, and his attempts at hunting had only turned up a few lizards and a bird nest. All of which tasted horrible when set on fire.

He had known that it wasn't going to be easy, this quest for knowledge, but he hadn't expected it to be so very uncomfortable! The air at night was cold, the rain was wet AND cold, there were far too many insects to convince him he wasn't really dead and in hell, and at one point a bird had defecated on his cloak. The roads were muddy and slippery, things smelled awful, and he hadn't even met anyone to talk to until the village. Traveling, he learned, was exceedingly boring work after the first 4-5 hours.

But now he was in a village! A real human village! Full of real, living, breathing humans! He'd never seen real humans outside of picture books or meat markets, where they were more likely than not in... pieces. But no, these ones were intact! And from his way to the edge of town to the shabby tavern and inn, quite skittish. The guard at the bridge paled and hid when the wind blew his hood back. Perhaps he was shy? Interesting, but not enough so to deter the exhausted Rakshasa from seeking out a soft bed and hot meal.

He'd found the tavern quickly enough, and a few pieces of gold were all it took to get a room and a bowl of soup and half a loaf of bread. It was hardly a feast, but after scorched lizards and eggshells (How was he supposed to know you had to peel the eggs first??), it was enough. Afterwards, he'd fallen deeply asleep on the first bed he'd had in a week, only to be awoken by the faint scent of melons.

Blearily opening his eyes, he took in the room around him. He'd slept so long the sun was now awake, as evidenced by the bright beams trickling between the cracks in the curtains. His wet clothes had dried, tomes and staff on the floor beside his low cot, and there was a black fox staring him in the face.

Ithiel blinked hard. Yes, that was most definitely a fox. Albeit... quite different from the red or mottled ones he'd spied in the woods. It almost didn't seem quite real, as if conjured by his own imagination, but nope. It was there. Curious, he reached out a hand to pet it, touching its head gently. It didn't seem to mind. In fact, it seemed quite pleased, dropping the small envelope in its mouth to give a big happy pant of enthusiasm. Huh, how come he hadn't noticed the letter? Clearly he was still tired.

Picking up the letter, Ithiel sat upright on the bed, examining it as he started getting dressed. It had his name on it. Strange, he couldn't remember telling the tavern keeper his name, or rather anyone since he left Mizora. He'd heard humans used birds to send messages to one another, perhaps one of his friends or family had sent him a letter? He turned to the fox, wondering if perhaps it had any answers.
"Did my family send you? Jahaziel, perhaps? Or Asher? Couldn't be Mary, she'd be happy I'm gone. Mom or dad, maybe?" he asked. The fox had no answers, instead hopping onto the still-warm spot he'd been sleeping in, and curled up in it. Well, he probably should have expected that.

Turning his attention back to the letter, he tore open the seal, reading its contents.
"Dear sir, I hope this letter finds you in good health, blah blah blabbity blah... Castle Havoc? Never heard of that place. But, if it's a castle it has to be better than here, right? Claudius... Maybe a human monarch or something..." he paused, turning and looking back to the fox. Did human kings employ strange foxes?
"Well, I don't see why not. They've already gone through the trouble of inviting me. It would be terribly rude not to at least show up."

Making his decision, he fastened his cloak and pack, grabbing all that he owned, before turning back to the sleepy animal.
"Alright, I'm ready to go. Now, what to do with you... I suppose I could just follow you back to your home, logically that would be the residence of the sender of this letter. Alright, little fox-thing, let's go. We probably have a lot of walking to do, don't we?" he asked, not expecting a response. As if understanding him, the fox stood up, hopped from the bed, and uttered a small, high-pitched howl. And then the unthinkable happened.

Some... Thing appeared! Right there, in the middle of the room! A black vortex, woven from shadows, the size of a door yet impossibly thin! Ithiel staggered back in an undignified manner, letting out a surprised squeak. A portal! Oh gods, this wasn't like the one in the sky was it? He fumbled for his staff, bracing himself for a abysmal monster to come crawling out of it... But nothing. It was quiet. The world was quiet. The fox looked at him curiously, then walked right on through, melting into the blackness.

Ithiel took his time getting up, his heart beating much faster than he'd like. This... Was this how he was expected to travel? Step into the gaping maw of darkness? What if it was an elaborate trap? A ruse? What if there was nothing on the other side and he was trapped in a world of pitch black void? The thought was daunting, to say the least, but... What if there was something? Whoever had sent him the letter could have killed him in his sleep, but didn't. And, though the portal before him was certainly... Unnerving... He'd be a liar if he said he wasn't in the least bit interested in what was beyond it.

"Well... It beats walking." he muttered to himself, steeling his nerves and stepping through into the unknown.

Wreak Havoc in Astaria

Character Sheet

Name: Ithiel Ralte (Ith-ii-el Ral-té)

Actual Appearance

Appearance:
5'10, not including horns. Has white tattoos and stripes covering his body. His tusks are still growing and only visible when he grits his teeth. He's very short and physically weak for a Rakshasa, and is not yet considered an adult by their standards.

Age:
20

Species:
Rakshasa

Strengths:

• Silver Spoon: Ithiel comes from a very wealthy Rakshasa family of high standing. As the youngest son, he has been spoiled by his parents and never wanted for much of anything. He carries a lot of coin and valuables on him, and his knowledge of noble etiquette serves him well in high circles. However, his lack of self-awareness and tendency to overspend makes him an obvious target for pick-pockets, cutpurses, and other unscrupulous thieves.
• Smarty-Pants: Thanks to his station, Ithiel was afforded the best education a Rakshasa child could hope for. Well versed in physics, history, literature, the earthly sciences and his fair share of magic, Ithiel has always been a wannabe scholar, and continues his studies and observations even on his travels. His oblivious questioning annoys a great many of his study subjects.
• Master of Illusions: Illusion-based shapeshifting is a Rakshasa’s greatest strength. With the right spell, a terrifying ogre can transform into a beautiful maiden or helpless child, perfect for luring in their next meal. Rakshasa can also become near-invisible, cloud themselves in mist or smoke, appear to be as large as houses, fake their deaths and use trickery to escape nasty situations. However convincing the illusion may be, however, it is still an illusion, and Ithiel is still the same in terms of strength, speed, and physical capability beneath it all.
• *Insert Fire-based Pun Here*: Fire magic is a favorite of Ithiel’s, a strong combat-based magic usable in almost any terrain. Fireballs, fiery blasts, and scorching flames are all covered. However, his fire obeys the laws of physics and will not be very effective in rainy or wet conditions. Be careful near gunpowder or dry grass.
• That Grows Back, Right?: Part of the Rakshasa's adaptation to war-centered life is their quick healing and naturally sturdy nature. Human illnesses rarely faze them, flesh wounds heal in a matter of days to weeks unaided by magic, and their tusks, fangs, claws and horns all regrow if damaged. The horns of Rakshasa prove to be great medicine, however, may the gods pity the fool that tries to harvest them for profit.

Flaws/Weakness:

• Runt of the Litter: Ithiel is quite short for a Rakshasa his age, only standing 5’10. His muscle strength and endurance are also both quite lacking, making him quite frail in comparison to others of his kind, or even a strong human. He avoids physical combat whenever possible. Rakshasa also aren't considered adults until they've grown a second head or second pair of arms, so Ithiel, a late bloomer, is still legally a juvenile.
• Bad Reputation: Well known for their warmongering attitudes, terrible visage, brutal violence and cannibalism, Rakshasa are more abhorred and hated than loved by other races, and not without good reason. The stories of Ithiel’s people, both false rumor and harrowing truth, earn him a fair level of fear and disgust from outsiders.
• Tomebound: Magic is a hard thing for Rakshasa to control, and they require the use of magical tomes, staves, wands or charms to amplify their prowess. If stripped of such tools, the most a Rakshasa can do is cast minor illusion spells and perhaps enough fire to light a match. Ithiel is not proficient in physical weaponry, and relies heavily on his magic to protect himself in combat.
• Greenhorn: Having been sheltered for most of his life by his family, and still not being seen as a fully-fledged adult in Rakshasa society, Ithiel is highly inexperienced in actual combat and in terms of common sense. He has met very few people who are not Rakshasa, and is largely oblivious to others perception of him. He knows near nothing of other cultures and has a tendency to rub others the wrong way with annoying questions and insensitive statements.
• Night Owl: A Rakshasa's magic is always stronger when the sun goes down, and they are more active during the night. Adapting to the diurnal lifestyle of outsiders frequently leaves Ithiel cranky, tired, and less perceptive than more bright-eyed companions. While not powerless in the daytime, his stamina does take a hit as he is used to napping throughout the day, preferably on plush pillows.

Personality:
A pain in the hind end would be a good first impression of Ithiel. Coming off as rude, blunt, cold and superior, he wouldn't make quick friends even if he wasn't a member of a terrifying reclusive cannibalistic race. Much of his standoffishness, however, is more the cause of his culture and upbringing than genuine malice towards other races. He has little experience in interacting with "low-born" folk, and while he has never personally eaten a human, his view towards them is more that they are animals with sentience. Naturally inquisitive, he seeks to widen his knowledge and study other people, in hopes such knowledge may benefit his people. He is very loyal to family, friends, and his people, and will put a trusted ally's life above his own. While not a pacifist, he is less hot-headed than many of his relatives, and recognizes the benefits of diplomacy and compromise. That doesn't mean he won't set you on fire if you really get on his nerves, though. Rakshasa proverbs generally go; "If there's a problem, kill it."

Bio:
Ithiel was born in the Rakshasa city of Mizora, the largest Rakshasa city in the world. Set in a dense bamboo forest and wrapped with layers of ancient illusion spells, Mizora managed to weather the initial opening of the sky fairly well for the first decade, and Ithiel grew up in the lap of luxury. Born to a high caste in a noble Rakshasa family, Ithiel's parents and relatives were scholars, priests, politicians and generals. The youngest of three sons, he was pampered as a baby and given all the benefits wealth and status could provide. Food was plentiful, trade flourished, and the Rakshasa took great sport in hunting the new monsters that stalked the land, eager to gain trophies and glory.

After the first decade, however, the prosperity had begun to wear off. Even more hardened veterans were growing weary of fighting, bloodlust having long worn off. Prey was becoming more scarce, not merely for the lower castes that fed on human and elvish travelers, but the great boars and peccary that higher castes delighted in were becoming rarer and rarer. And what was more, the illusion spells that had hidden their cities and settlements were no longer fooling the new waves of monsters, who were now directly attacking the Rakshasa. Ithiel's own aunt and uncle were both killed defending Mizora, leaving the family shocked and shattered and their only daughter orphaned. Even the ruling castes were not immune to loss.

As Ithiel matured, he began to see the impact of the long devastation on his own people. Mizora might be a safe haven for now, but with food becoming scarcer and more and more refugees arriving on their doorstep, he knew it was only a matter of time before the city fell. Desperate to help his people, he first attempted to enlist as a soldier, against his parents wishes. However, his puny stature and legal minor status put swift end to that endeavor. Unwilling to give up, he decided to venture forth into the world, in hopes that perhaps other races and other lands had found success in fending off the blighted monsters. Traveling by night and sleeping by day isn't a really great way to meet other travelers, however, particularly when you have no map and no idea where you are going. His efforts had been largely fruitless until, while staying at an inn owned by a particularly shady tavern keeper, he received an invitation to Castle Havoc. With no other leads nor any reason not to trust a mysterious letter, it would be rude to at least not RSVP, and he set off at once... After a moderately timed nap, of course.

Extra:

Ithiel's Khakkhara Staff

Ithiel uses a staff and carries two tomes for spells, one containing runes and incantations for fire magic, the other for illusion magic.

Wreak Havoc in Astaria

@VerusEbullio Alright, thank you! I'll move my CS over to the character tab then! :D

Wreak Havoc in Astaria

Character Sheet

Name: Ithiel Ralte (Ith-ii-el Ral-té)

Actual Appearance

Appearance:
5'10, not including horns. Has white tattoos and stripes covering his body. His tusks are still growing and only visible when he grits his teeth. He's very short and physically weak for a Rakshasa, and is not yet considered an adult by their standards.

Age:
20

Species:
Rakshasa

Strengths:

• Silver Spoon: Ithiel comes from a very wealthy Rakshasa family of high standing. As the youngest son, he has been spoiled by his parents and never wanted for much of anything. He carries a lot of coin and valuables on him, and his knowledge of noble etiquette serves him well in high circles. However, his lack of self-awareness and tendency to overspend makes him an obvious target for pick-pockets, cutpurses, and other unscrupulous thieves.
• Smarty-Pants: Thanks to his station, Ithiel was afforded the best education a Rakshasa child could hope for. Well versed in physics, history, literature, the earthly sciences and his fair share of magic, Ithiel has always been a wannabe scholar, and continues his studies and observations even on his travels. His oblivious questioning annoys a great many of his study subjects.
• Master of Illusions: Illusion-based shapeshifting is a Rakshasa’s greatest strength. With the right spell, a terrifying ogre can transform into a beautiful maiden or helpless child, perfect for luring in their next meal. Rakshasa can also become near-invisible, cloud themselves in mist or smoke, appear to be as large as houses, fake their deaths and use trickery to escape nasty situations. However convincing the illusion may be, however, it is still an illusion, and Ithiel is still the same in terms of strength, speed, and physical capability beneath it all.
• *Insert Fire-based Pun Here*: Fire magic is a favorite of Ithiel’s, a strong combat-based magic usable in almost any terrain. Fireballs, fiery blasts, and scorching flames are all covered. However, his fire obeys the laws of physics and will not be very effective in rainy or wet conditions. Be careful near gunpowder or dry grass.
• That Grows Back, Right?: Part of the Rakshasa's adaptation to war-centered life is their quick healing and naturally sturdy nature. Human illnesses rarely faze them, flesh wounds heal in a matter of days to weeks unaided by magic, and their tusks, fangs, claws and horns all regrow if damaged. The horns of Rakshasa prove to be great medicine, however, may the gods pity the fool that tries to harvest them for profit.

Flaws/Weakness:

• Runt of the Litter: Ithiel is quite short for a Rakshasa his age, only standing 5’10. His muscle strength and endurance are also both quite lacking, making him quite frail in comparison to others of his kind, or even a strong human. He avoids physical combat whenever possible. Rakshasa also aren't considered adults until they've grown a second head or second pair of arms, so Ithiel, a late bloomer, is still legally a juvenile.
• Bad Reputation: Well known for their warmongering attitudes, terrible visage, brutal violence and cannibalism, Rakshasa are more abhorred and hated than loved by other races, and not without good reason. The stories of Ithiel’s people, both false rumor and harrowing truth, earn him a fair level of fear and disgust from outsiders.
• Tomebound: Magic is a hard thing for Rakshasa to control, and they require the use of magical tomes, staves, wands or charms to amplify their prowess. If stripped of such tools, the most a Rakshasa can do is cast minor illusion spells and perhaps enough fire to light a match. Ithiel is not proficient in physical weaponry, and relies heavily on his magic to protect himself in combat.
• Greenhorn: Having been sheltered for most of his life by his family, and still not being seen as a fully-fledged adult in Rakshasa society, Ithiel is highly inexperienced in actual combat and in terms of common sense. He has met very few people who are not Rakshasa, and is largely oblivious to others perception of him. He knows near nothing of other cultures and has a tendency to rub others the wrong way with annoying questions and insensitive statements.
• Night Owl: A Rakshasa's magic is always stronger when the sun goes down, and they are more active during the night. Adapting to the diurnal lifestyle of outsiders frequently leaves Ithiel cranky, tired, and less perceptive than more bright-eyed companions. While not powerless in the daytime, his stamina does take a hit as he is used to napping throughout the day, preferably on plush pillows.

Personality:
A pain in the hind end would be a good first impression of Ithiel. Coming off as rude, blunt, cold and superior, he wouldn't make quick friends even if he wasn't a member of a terrifying reclusive cannibalistic race. Much of his standoffishness, however, is more the cause of his culture and upbringing than genuine malice towards other races. He has little experience in interacting with "low-born" folk, and while he has never personally eaten a human, his view towards them is more that they are animals with sentience. Naturally inquisitive, he seeks to widen his knowledge and study other people, in hopes such knowledge may benefit his people. He is very loyal to family, friends, and his people, and will put a trusted ally's life above his own. While not a pacifist, he is less hot-headed than many of his relatives, and recognizes the benefits of diplomacy and compromise. That doesn't mean he won't set you on fire if you really get on his nerves, though. Rakshasa proverbs generally go; "If there's a problem, kill it."

Bio:
Ithiel was born in the Rakshasa city of Mizora, the largest Rakshasa city in the world. Set in a dense bamboo forest and wrapped with layers of ancient illusion spells, Mizora managed to weather the initial opening of the sky fairly well for the first decade, and Ithiel grew up in the lap of luxury. Born to a high caste in a noble Rakshasa family, Ithiel's parents and relatives were scholars, priests, politicians and generals. The youngest of three sons, he was pampered as a baby and given all the benefits wealth and status could provide. Food was plentiful, trade flourished, and the Rakshasa took great sport in hunting the new monsters that stalked the land, eager to gain trophies and glory.

After the first decade, however, the prosperity had begun to wear off. Even more hardened veterans were growing weary of fighting, bloodlust having long worn off. Prey was becoming more scarce, not merely for the lower castes that fed on human and elvish travelers, but the great boars and peccary that higher castes delighted in were becoming rarer and rarer. And what was more, the illusion spells that had hidden their cities and settlements were no longer fooling the new waves of monsters, who were now directly attacking the Rakshasa. Ithiel's own aunt and uncle were both killed defending Mizora, leaving the family shocked and shattered and their only daughter orphaned. Even the ruling castes were not immune to loss.

As Ithiel matured, he began to see the impact of the long devastation on his own people. Mizora might be a safe haven for now, but with food becoming scarcer and more and more refugees arriving on their doorstep, he knew it was only a matter of time before the city fell. Desperate to help his people, he first attempted to enlist as a soldier, against his parents wishes. However, his puny stature and legal minor status put swift end to that endeavor. Unwilling to give up, he decided to venture forth into the world, in hopes that perhaps other races and other lands had found success in fending off the blighted monsters. Traveling by night and sleeping by day isn't a really great way to meet other travelers, however, particularly when you have no map and no idea where you are going. His efforts had been largely fruitless until, while staying at an inn owned by a particularly shady tavern keeper, he received an invitation to Castle Havoc. With no other leads nor any reason not to trust a mysterious letter, it would be rude to at least not RSVP, and he set off at once... After a moderately timed nap, of course.

Extra:

Ithiel's Khakkhara Staff

Ithiel uses a staff and carries two tomes for spells, one containing runes and incantations for fire magic, the other for illusion magic.

Here we go! Let me know if there's anything that needs to change!

Wreak Havoc in Astaria

@VerusEbullio Alright, will do! I'll have my CS up later today!

Wreak Havoc in Astaria

@VerusEbullio Ah, thank you. I didn't have anything really divine or god-like in mind for a Rakshasa character. In mythical texts the more powerful ones can be like demi-gods, but culturally they're more like forest ogres with magical abilities that can use illusions to give the appearance of shapeshifting.

I was interested in making one as a mage-like character relying on tomes and staves and such to cast spells. I was imagining my character relying largely on illusion magic with one combative type of magic that they are relatively proficient with. I largely was interested in them for aesthetic and cultural purposes but I thought they might be less OP than a tiefling-like character.

If it would do any help, I could PM you about parameters I'd have in mind for them? They're really just kinda like forest-dwelling orcs that figured out how to use magic. Like, as a tool to better lure in people to eat and wage war and stuff. Fun magic.

Wreak Havoc in Astaria

This seems really cool. @VerusEbullio A question about races, is this limited to western fantasy races only or would something like a Rakshasa/Asura/Deva/Yaksha be permissible?

City of Werewolves- Interest Check

I think you're acting really childishly entitled. You aren't owed anyone's attention or participation. And throwing a tantrum on a public forum over feeling neglected is only going to make people avoid you. People have pointed out to you the things you need to fix, but instead of taking their criticisms and advice to heart, you're dragging other people into the spotlight to shame them and bemoaning how no one replies to you.

So here's your reply. Suck it up. Not everything is going to go your way all the time, and taking your anger and frustration out on other people is incredibly immature and toxic behavior. Would you want to RP with someone who is passive aggressive, whines about how no one pays attention to them, and publicly shames their past partners for not living up to their standards? I sure wouldn't, so you think long and hard about how your behavior on a public forum reflects on your character as a person.

As Peridot and others have said, the problem is you. Your RPs are very niche and aren't going to attract a lot of people who aren't interested in them. That's just a fact. You also take the main character/most powerful role available for yourself, leaving everyone else to merely occupy side roles created only to support you. That's not going to net you a lot of players or partners. Try to take the perspective of an outsider, looking at an RP where they'd be stuck in a lesser role. Not super interesting or motivating.

Your next problem is where you're placing your RPs. You keep putting them in Advanced/Casual when they should be in Free. You're going to get a lot more people interested in free, because free is where a lot more people float around and hang out. People in Advanced/Casual are looking for more fleshed out plots, worldbuilding, and more direction from the GM. Replies are also going to take a much longer time, because of the scale of how much different people write. Some people write replies ever week, some every three weeks. If you want faster replies, you're better off going to a Free section anyways, as that seems to be where your writing level is at.

Finally, just stop bumping and blaming the world whenever someone drops or you don't get the interest you want. You come off as bitter and hostile, and a lot of people are put off by the pressure of having someone constantly bump them. Stop blaming others and take some responsibility for your own actions. And do not @ your past partners as examples of how they've wronged you, because more people will avoid you in fear of becoming the next person you drag out to the stockades.

City of Werewolves- Interest Check

Stuff like that happens man. Sometimes people drop. Sorry you got ghosted but blaming everyone doesn't really help your problems. And calling out specific people for it is kind of a mean thing to do. :/ Like, you don't know what happens with other players. Sometimes, life is too much trouble. Sometimes they lose interest. Hanging onto that kind of bitterness only harms you in the long run.