New Athenia bustled with activity. Down in the marketplace children played carefree with their newly modified Wrist Cannon's program to shoot holographic fireworks into the air high above the residence of the island. At the Docks airships could be seen returning from their expeditions, crews unloading and finding their families to join in the festivities. Even the Mages generally confined to their Studies by the Order were allowed on this day to roam the streets doing as they please.
Two men sat in the Principale’s Chambers overlooking the entire Island. One dressed in a traditional Mages robe only bleached stark white the cuffs dyed a deep red. A weathered scar ran across his forehead and down over his left eye which bore an eye patch. His black hair falling to his shoulders neatly kept. He paced in front of the window nervously glancing at his companion doubtfully from time to time.
The other man stood quietly looking at the view of the island. He wore a nanocomposites suit under a worn-out black duster. Each of the shoulders of the duster held five stars along with many medals hanging from the chest piece of his midnight black armor. His face would have been handsome if not for its severe scarring and the contrast of his olive skin and bright white hair and eyes.
“Callus,” he began turning to the Mage who was now looking to the door expectedly. “do you think were even human anymore?”
Callus turned his attention to the Commander, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “The scientist in me would say no, our DNA and that of our ancestors is far too different. The philosopher in me would argue that our culture is what it means to be human. And from that, I think we are not far off.” he said smile dropping from his face as a door to the chamber opened. The commander turned around and the two men bowed customarily as the Principale entered the room.
The girl being escorted by an entire troop of soldiers and the Palace of servants looked to be no older than 16, she wore no jewelry but a silver band around her head, her blonde curls falling down her shoulders. A dress which seemed to be made of real gold shimmered in the low light of the chamber casting prismatic rays of light around the room.
She sat on her throne and looked to the Commander impatiently “Commander Ambrose as I live and breathe,” her eyes darted to the Mage and back to the Commander. “I trust this meeting must be of the utmost importance? As I could see no other logical reason why you would call a summons on today of all days.”
The commander smiled glancing around the chambers. “My dear Julia, I of all people know what today truly means to you. Now,” he continued the Principale’s face growing red, though her demeanor still seemed composed. “If I'm not mistaken my letter asked for a private summons. Half of the Court was not invited.”
“Sir!” Callus protested but it was too late. The room fell quiet as the Principale stood from her throne. The Commander pulled out a metallic black orb and dropped it on the floor. It rolled around for a minute and stopped at his side as if willed to do so.
“Is that?” The Principale said in shock. She quickly sat down as if the weight of the entire Island had pushed her into her seat.
The chamber filled with murmurs as the Commander nodded and picked up the small orb. With a snap of her fingers, all grew silent again, and the women and men she had entered with began to file out of the room.
Callus looked to Ambrose with eyebrows raised then quickly followed the others towards the exit.
“It's been … almost 200 years.” The Principale spoke, almost all authority dissolving from her voice. A tear rolled down her cheek. “I thought you would have given up.”
Ambrose took her hand in his “Would you make me a liar?” He said with a smile.
“But you said if the first key made us this way, any others might just ruin it. I don't... you shouldn't …”
Ambrose burst into laughter, the Principale’s face growing red again. “Gods, no.” He said. “One curse is good enough for as many lifetimes as this one-”
“It was a gift Ambrose, how many times-”
“Regardless we will not be the heroes of this story, I have a team in mind. Not all professionals, but neither were we. They have no idea I've chosen them and will be made aware of the dangers and ‘Gifts’ in store.”
“I still don't understand we all stopped looking when you gave up. Why now?” The Principale looked out over the city at the fireworks.
“Maybe I got bored? Maybe I'm tired, I honestly don't know. But we did some amazing things didn't we? Molded this island into a Utopia separated from the constant Wars between the islands out there. Don't you think it's time someone else took over? Don't you want to finally rest?”
“That is all I ever wanted but there are only five of us left. Now more than ever the island needs us. It's not like there are any to take our place …” she stopped finally grasping his plan.
“I will be leaving in a week, if you have anyone you want to send, let me know.” Ambrose kissed the Principale lightly on the head and walked out of the chamber.
FOR RP: You will be one of the members of Commander Ambrose's crew on a secret mission to find a long-lost treasure. The world in which your character will live in is one of isolation. They will have lived on New Athenia or another Island and been chosen by Commander Ambrose for a particular skill set.
The use of magic is allowed and your character is not required to be a Mage to use Magic. Mages undergo extensive study of magic and if one wishes to be a mage, must be on assignment from the order, rouge, or of a different teaching then that of New Athenia (meaning they either came from or moved to another island to learn the magics of another people.)
Technology is highly advanced and I am open to any adaptations or changes you may want to add. Things like Bionics and Genetic Modification are used highly within the culture of new athenia. It is not required but will be very odd if a character did not have either bionics or some form of genetic modification. When it comes to guns and Firepower the imagination really is the limit.
This is still in pretty early stages so if you have any questions or anything you'd like to add to the story, feel free to discuss it with me and if anyone is interested I also need a CoGm. But let's focus on interest first.