Mae

RATTLECHOMP

Archie Flint

WHAT IS THE CHARACTER'S NAME?

Archie Flint

WHAT IS A STRANGER'S FIRST IMPRESSION UPON MEETING THEM?

Archie is the feeling of damp. He is cold wet clothes clinging to you on an even colder day, he is the weight of a lead balloon, he is air being sucked out of a room. As a kid Archie never understood why other children wouldn't play with him, it certainly wasn't lack of trying. But, over time, he adapted to the silent desperation and loneliness of that feeling of being other. It permeates him, from his overly lanky 6"7 form that seems all folded in on itself in all the wrong places, to his overly large clammy hands that he stuffs hastily into pockets. It's in his hoarse voice and the way his eyes never seem to quite lock onto you, but rather look through you. Archie is a giant packed in too small a suitcase, one who has learnt not to take up space.

WHAT IS THEIR PROFESSION AND HOW DO THEY FEEL ABOUT IT?

Archie's day job is working a warehouse, lifting heavy things, packing things, moving thing 1 to thing 2 and occasionally helping with deliveries. He generally keeps to himself, brings a packed lunch cut into delicate tiny triangles, and occasionally folds himself into shadowy corners when he's avoiding social interaction like a frightened prey animal.

When he can, Archie studies welding. He slowly pays for a semester at a time out of pocket, and practices at his little home on the edge of town. It's the carcass of a couple carriages of a steel train painstakingly converted into passable living accomodations. Strangely, Archie sleeps better surrounded by so much metal.

HOW HAS (NOT) BEING A HOWL AFFECTED THEIR LIFE?

Frankly, Archie has long resigned himself to the belief he has gone quite mad. He doesn't entirely believe in all this Howl business, or at least if Howls exist, he is certainly not one of them. Howls are probably the kind of heroes who people look up to, who do good deeds and protect the weak as easily as breathing. They probably have lots of muscles, and know how to make a quiche without burning it, and get on with other people. Archie is none of these things. Archie is a person who sees things that aren't there, even by Howl standards.

WHY ARE THEY IN OAKEN CITY?

Archie took a train to nowhere once. He just wanted out, and he wanted to sit for forever, and he wanted the world to just be quiet. He happened to step out in Oaken City to grab some food on his journey, and as soon as he left the station it hit him like a wall:

Oaken city was a place holding its breath.

Something here was frozen, something here was waiting, there was a Moment encapsulated here that hadn't happened yet. As he stood in the street, passers by swerving round him, that sense of anticipation permeated him. Archie would be there when the world breathed out.

DO THEY HAVE A HOWL ABILITY? WHAT IS IT?

Archie cannot see Rue. He can only see where they will go, usually, or sometimes have been. This is terribly unhelpful, as he doesn't know how to tell yet which is which. To him, it appears as a shimmering space in the air, a fractal kaleidoscope of angry broken glass shards undulating and skittering over each other like cannibalistic wasps. It comes as a prickly pain in the base of his skull when he stares at it too long, but he always has trouble ripping his eyes away. Some part of him wants to look.

Memories. Particularly if he's close to the Rue he cannot see, Archie is plagued by flashes of sense memories. It might be mother's voice calling to him, the feeling of turning a page of a much loved book, or the smell of flowers he received on his sweet 16. The memories do not belong to him. They are invaders.

The Little Hamlet

@Mae I see you lurking at my profile! I shall lurk you back, and yes I will post soon enough. 😂

@Dark Cloud

@Dark Cloud I've gotten into the habit of reading more RPs lately, since I am bound by the earthly laws of not being able to join every cool concept on the forum I want to :(

That being said I saw the WOTC conversation too which is a topic that's been on my mind alot lately. I gave them a tiny benefit of the doubt after the OGL debacle but with the Pinkerton situation I am boycotting them for life now >:(

The Little Hamlet

@Waywardawesome, add 'em up to your character sheet and jump in wherever! Things are still very much just getting started.

If you think of any hobbies you'd like him to have we can add them in as we go.

The Little Hamlet

@Enkryption I've also been at the mercy of the mobile site, which always makes me worry about how the indents ect. look on pc. I've always loved RPGuild though because alot of other RP sites have multiple colour schemes users can pick from, and I think having to work out code and colours on multiple devices/colour schemes would drive me quite mad.

That's so cool. I hope you've managed to rest up a bit since then. It's the kings coronation over here across the pond, but everyone gets a free day off work so that's pretty great.

[Domain] Closed

Please send interest over PMs, not in thread

After characters are decided, the next step is players picking a hex on the map which will be the seat of their Domain. I will then update the public map.

Further: since someone may ask, ranks are an indication of power. They go from SSS, SS, S, to A+, A, B+, B, C+, C ect to the lowest rank of F. It becomes harder to advance to each level the higher you go.

I will aim to start off characters at around C rank minimum as you are faction leaders, but race choice could affect it.

[Domain] Closed

Please send interest over PMs, not in thread

<sup>Forum Game Like ◈ Faction Based ◈ Fantasy Sandbox ◈ Simulationist

Dungeons, ruins and ancient relics litter the wilderness in the realm of Eidolon. Among the verdant growth of young trees, among the desecrated husks of lost eras, new powers are on the rise. You are among them, a fledgling Faction eeking out an existence in a world of magic and danger. Will you find your footing, reach your goals and become known to history? Or will you falter, splutter and fail before you are known to the world?</sup>

Concept

<sup>This is a weird idea I have wanted to attempt for a while. Primarily, you will submit your actions to the GM over PM. The GM will provide you consequences and ask for further decisions. Later, the GM shall create a post in the IC with a summary of rumours, mixed of both NPC factions and Players. At the start of the roleplay, you will not know who other characters are or where, and they will not know you. Only through vigilance and exploration will you become aware of other powers at work in the world.

As you can see, this roleplay is more like a forum game then a full fledged roleplay, designed to allow you to submit actions in between your other writing projects. There are game mechanics - minimum engagement is required and they will be explained as they are used.

PVP is not the aim of the RP, though a cinematic war or two could fit in nicely. Explore, build, recruit and claim territory to expand your Domain as you see fit. Loot dungeons for powerful artefacts to aid you in your goals. Stay out the lime light if you wish to be left alone.

Should two player factions happen to meet at the same location and time, a new PM will be created between multiple parties. The players and GM will create the IC rumour post together, depending on how visible the interaction was to get outside world.</sup>

Actions

<sup>This is primarily a sandbox roleplay, you will make your own goals to pursue. Rumours and quests can help direct your decisions, but at the end of the day you decide what your aims are. In order for the sandbox to function, time and distance are measured. Each hex on the map is equivalent to 12 miles, and crossing terrain takes time. As you explore, you may come across other players, previously unknown dungeons or monsters in the wilderness. While other factions may have heard some of the same rumours, everything you explore will be your own knowledge. No two players will have the same information as you will likely be pursing different goals and uncovering different secrets. Your information is valuable.

Below is a list of potential activities you may undertake:</sup>

• EXPLORE: Scout out the local environment, explore the wilderness or unexplored dungeons. Weigh the risks and rewards of delving into the untamed lands.
• CLEAR: fight local denizens or build a rapport with them, overcome traps and tribulations. Acquire treasure, gems, magical items and rare tomes. Bring them back to civilisation to upgrade your Rank.
• BUILD: Build up your Domain by obtaining land, prospect new mines and build fortifications. Construct libraries, dungeons and workshops to create new spells, new creatures, potions and magical items. Hire specialists to produce goods and mercenaries to fight in your military. Attract people who will live in your land and pay you tax.
• SCHEME: Listen closely to rumours to discover new delving locations and where powerful magical items might be kept, as well as what other players are up to. Pay close attention to trade requirements to complete lucrative mercantile ventures. Create a crime syndicate to spy, assassinate and undermine regimes to take over.
  Tamper With Mortality: should you wish, complete Apotheosis to ascend to Godhood. Do not do this.

Your Character

<sup>Your character is the face of your faction. You control your character and your faction at the same time.

You can be any kind of fantasy creature you like. You will be the ruler of your faction and go on excursions. Your faction will be comprised of some NPCs who can perform quests and missions for you, and others who live in your Domain without the ability to fight or explore, but may work the land or grant tax income. You can control your character, or if you prefer to control an NPC, your character can stay in your Domain and you can switch to a different viewpoint of a member of your faction.

I would like the majority of players to play new factions who start from scratch, but if you'd like to play as a human, you will be a vassal under the Kingdom - one growing into their own influence and renown.

Please take time to think about what style of faction you would like to play and what you would find the most fun, and then pick a race accordingly. While efforts are made to balance factions somewhat, your choice of race will inevitably affect the difficulty of the game. A sentient ratfolk will be a weaker fighter then a vampire king, and will need to rely on tackling lower rank dungeons, recruiting or intrigue tactics to progress. That being said, the vampire king is more likely to attract the ire of the local humans. Furthermore, a weakness to sunlight will not suddenly cease because it is an inconvenience to you as a player - more powerful creatures can be equally difficult. The world is a machination that will chug along, find solutions through the tools available IC.</sup>

The Map

Map, click picture to enlarge

<sup>During character creation, pick a hex on the map that will be the start of your Domain. Your local resources will have an affect on popular trade goods in your civilisation (if you are on the coast for example, you will have an abundance of fish). You are free to name or rename local landmarks as you see fit, such as rivers, mountains, forests, plains, ect.

The map is left deliberately unfinished - once player characters are created the human settlements and roads will be added back in, adjusted for player domains. If you wish to make travel less dangerous, you can clear monster lairs from the associated hexes. If you want travel to be faster, you can build new roads, utilise mounts or boats, or attempt to enslave a dragon.

Roads will not be visible on other player's maps until they have scouted or visited the area.

Finally some notes on the existing topography:
NE - The Blasted Lands: A strangely arid and rocky biome dotted with the occasional plateau.
E - The Dead Lands: A site of many a bloody battle, now a haunted burial ground littered with crypts to the long lost deceased. This place is forsaken by the living, but the undead thrive here.
S - The Thickets - a verdant jungle, some say forgotten beasts roam it's unforgiving depths.
SSW - Tanglewood - A haunted forest, rumoured to be filled with psiders.
SSW Swamp - An overgrown swamp, home of giant toads and supposedly stranger, scalier things.</sup>

The Little Hamlet

Honestly kinda glad to see a BBCode discussion because that stuff has always been pretty esoteric to me in terms of best practices. Also, feel free to replace the header with a prettier different one if you like, so long as the key info is on it.

@scrawls@Theyra I want to give Zrer and Bolo a chance to meet before the little girl [s]attacks[/] borrows a book.

Also kinda curious how the @The Irish Tree@OwO@Dark Cloud Ingrid / Cornelius / Wormwood situation at bridge will pan out.

<Snipped quote by Mae>

In keeping to the base of a DnD build, he'd have access to abilities that utilize Ki. This mostly gets implemented in techniques that buff or modify actions. Ki-enhanced strikes, the Flurry of Blows mentioned. The movement skills you mentioned and deflection also work.

Things that I eventually want to work him up to would be things like firing off a proverbial Hadouken, and extended buffing periods. But that would come later.

Just as an FYI, Rinan is his first name, Yung his family name; did that in a more Eastern style (because he's a monk).

@Wayward

@Waywardhere's a first pass at his skills, anything you want added/removed? Also what kind of hobbies does Rinan have?

Insightful is a mix of mana/ki detection and detecting ignoble magic - wind. He'll be able to detect subtle changes in air currents to detect secret entrances, the mana/ki detection allows him to know of creatures nearby, and he can hear things from further away as the noises are carried to him on the wind.

Graceful Fighting gives him a bonus to fighting when he has freedom of movement.

Probability Trance can only be done once a day and takes time. He will get a strong inclination towards an outcome of a specific actin taken or event that is upcoming.

Missile Rejection is a bit silly so feel free to remove it if you don't like it. Rinan has missile deflection which is pretty fullproof, but in the event he does get hit with a missile or allows himself to be hit, it does less damage. He can flex his body to 'reject' the embedded missiles and send them flying out his body at all angles.

Disengage is kind of like a reduced Misty Step in DND parlance. Rinan takes a few steps back so quickly it looks like he teleports, probably only Goh would see him move. I originally was going to mark it as a combat skill but the idea of Rinan noping out of a conversation this way was pretty fun.

Fear Resistance II
Disease Resistance I
Poison Resistance I
Paralysis Resistance I
Observant
Insightful
Martial Arts
Graceful Fighting
Meditation
Meditation: Probability Trance
Disengage
Flurry of Blows
Missile Deflection
Missile Rejection
Housekeeping
Wayfaring Hills

Marco Playdoh

►Items▃ Backpack Barrel Belladonna (1 lb) Blanket (wool, thick) Birthwort (1 lb) Candle (tallow, 1lb) Candle (wax, 1 lb) Chest (ironbound) Comfrey (1 GP) Crowbar Flask of Oil (common, 1 Pint) Flask of Oil (military, pint) Garlic (1 lb) Goldenrod (1 lb) Grappling Hook Hammer (small) Holy Symbol Holy Water (1 Pint) Ink (1 Oz) Iron Spikes (12) Lantern Lock Mirror (hand-sized, steel) Musical Instrument Pouch/Purse Pole, Wooden (10' Long) Ratings, Iron (1 Week) Rations, Standard (1 Week) Rope (50" length) Sack, small Sack, Large Spell Book (blank) Stakes (4) and a Mallet Tent Thieves Tools Tinderbox (flint and steel) Torches (6) Water/Wineskin Wolfsbane (1 lb) WoundWart (1lb) Metamphora Army Emblem, silver Army Emblem, Gold Flag, Pennant Flag, Banner Flag, Standard Board Game Dice Craftsman's Tools Crutch Earplugs Laborers Tools Musical Military Instrument Mess Kit Surgical Saw, Large Surgical Saw, Small Tent, Large - 8 Tent, Small - 2 Whistle	►Cost▃ 2 GP 3 SP 10 GP 2 GP 10 GP 2 SP 6 SP 22 GP 10 GP 1 GP 3 SP 2 GP 5 GP 10 GP 25 GP 2 GP 25 GP 25 GP 8 GP 1 GP 10 GP 20 GP 5 GP 25-100GP 5 SP 1 SP 4 GP 2 GP 1 GP 3 SP 8 SP 20 GP 3 GP 20 GP 25 GP 8 SP 1 SP 6 SP 10 GP 10 GP 60* GP 10 GP 100 GP 3 GP 12 GP 50 GP 5 GP 5 SP 25 GP 1 GP 1 SP 9 GP 25 GP 3 GP 10 GP 3 GP 20 GP 3 GP 1 GP	►Clothing▃ Belt / Sash (leather) Boots (leather, low) Boots (leather, high) Cassock (Cleric, Mage) Cloak (fur-lined, winter) Cloak (long, hooded) Dress (crafter, freeholder) Dress (armiger) Gown (lady in waiting, noble) Gown (Duchess, Royalty) Gloves Hat (armiger) Linen (cheap, 1 yard) Linen (fine, 1 yard) Robe (Cleric, Mage) Silk (1 Yard) Sandals, Shoes (leather) Tunic and trousers/pants (serf) Tunic and trousers/pants (crafter) Tunic and trousers/pants (armiger) Tunic and trousers/pants (noble) Wool (Cheap, 1 yard) Wool (fine, 1 yard)	►Cost▃ 4 SP 6 SP 3 GP 7 GP 15 GP 1 GP 4 GP 20GP 100 GP 1000 GP 4 SP 10 SP 1 GP 7 GP 6 GP 15 GP 4 SP 2 GP 4 GP ▃ 20 GP ▃ 100 GP ▃ 6 SP 6 GP
►Armour▃ Hide and Fur, AC 1 Leather Armour, AC 2 Ring/Scale Mail, AC 3 Chainmail, AC 4 Banded Plate AC 5 Plate Armour, AC 6 Shield, +1 AC Leather Barding AC 1 Scale Barding AC 2 Chain Barding AC 3 Lamellar Barding AC 4 Plate Barding AC 5 Helmet[ Mirrored Shield	►Cost▃ 10 GP 20 GP 30 GP 40 GP 50 GP 60 GP 10 GP 40 GP 75 GP 150 GP 300 GP 600 GP 15 GP 250 GP	►Weapons▃ ►Swords Dagger Silver Dagger Short Sword Sword Two-Handed Sword ►Axes Battle Axe, 1d6/1d8 Great Axe, 1d10 Hand Axe, 1d6 ►Bows and Crossbows Arbalest, 1d8 Crossbow, 1d6 Case of 20 Bolts Composite Bow Longbow Shortbow Quiver with 20 Bolts 1 Silver Tipped Arrow ►Flails, Hammers and Maces Club Flail Mace Morning Star (Two Handed) War Hammer ►Spears and Polearms Lance (mounted) Javelin Pole Arm Spear ►Other Weapons Bola Darts (5) Net Sling Sap Staff Whip ►Catapults and Ballistas Ballista (800 lbs) Ballista Shots Heavy Catapult (1800 lbs) Light Catapult (1,200 lbs) Catapult Shot (25 lbs) Catapult Shot, Pitch	►Cost▃ ▃ 3 GP 30 GP 7 GP 10 GP 15 GP ▃ 7 GP 10 GP 4 GP ▃ 50 GP 30 GP 2 GP 40 GP 7 GP 3 GP 1 GP 5 GP ▃ 1 GP 5 GP 5 GP 10 GP 5 GP ▃ 1 GP 1 GP 7 GP 3 GP ▃ 5 GP 2 GP 1 GP 2 GP 1 GP 1 GP 5 GP ▃ 80 GP 2 GP 200 GP 100 GP 5 GP 25 GP
►Transport▃ Camel Caparison (Warhorse) Cart (Small) Cart (Large) Donkey Mule Ox (2,000 lbs) Saddle and Tack (draft) Saddle and Tack (Warhorse) Saddlebags (Leather) Stabling (draft / riding, one night) Wagon ►Horses Heavy Draft Horse Heavy Warhorse Medium Draft Horse Medium Riding Horse Medium Warhorse Light Riding Horse Light Warhorse ►Maritime Transport Barge / Raft Boat (River) Boat (Sailing) Canoe Galley (Large) Galley (Small) Galley (War) Longship Sailing Ship (Large) Sailing Ship (Smal) Troop Transport (Large) Troop Transport (Small) Heavy Chariot Light Chariot Medium Chariot	►Cost▃ 100 GP 20 GP 25 GP 50 GP 8 GP 20 GP 40 GP 5 GP 10 GP 25 GP 5 SP 200 GP ▃ 40 GP 700 GP 30 GP 40 GP 250 GP 75 GP 150 GP ▃ * 4,000 GP 2,000 GP 40 GP 30k GP 10k GP 60k GP 15k GP 20k GP 10k GP 30k GP 15k GP 240 GP 120 GP 180 GP	►Other▃ ►Foodstuffs Ale, Beer (Cheap 3 pints) Ale, Beer (good, 1 pint) Bread, white (4 lbs) Bread. Wheat (8 LBS) Bread, coarse (12 lbs) Cheese (1 lb) Cinnamon, Clover (1 lb) Pepper, Sugar (1 lb) Dried Fruit (1 lb) Eggs (x12) Meal (Poor to Feast) Meat (beef, chicken, mutton, pork, 1 lb) Saffron (1 lb) Wine, Cheap, 1 pint Wine, Good, 1 Pint Wine, Rare, 1 Pint ►Livestock Chicken 3 lbs Cow, 550 lbs Dog (Hunting) Dog (War) Goat, 125 lbs Hawk (trained) Pig (125 lbs) Sheep (80 lbs)	►Cost▃ ▃ 1 CP 2 CP 1 SP 1 SP 1 SP 5 CP 3 GP 3 GP 1 SP 5 CP 1 CP - 10 GP 1 SP 15 GP 2 CP 1 SP 5 SP ▃ 1 SP 10 GP 10 GP 75 GP 3 GP 20 GP 3 GP 2 GP
►Lodging and Stronghold Structures▃ ►Lodging Cottage, wood Inn, 1 person, 1 night, slum Inn, 1 person, 1 night, average Inn, 1 person, 1 night, superb Hut, wattle Hut, wooden Townhouse, Stone ►Structure Barbican (gatehouse, 2 small towers, and a drawbridge) Battlement (100" long, crenellated parapets) Building, Stone Building, Wood Corridor, Dungeon Drawbridge, Wood (10" x 20") Gatehouse Keep, Square Moat, unfilled Moat, filled Palisade, wood Rampart, earthen Tower, small round Tower, medium round Tower, large round Tower, huge round Wall, stone castle (20" high, 100" long) Wall, stone castle (30" high, 100" long) Wall, stone castle (40" high, 100" long) Wall, stone castle (50" high, 100" long) Wall, stone castle (60" high, 100" long) Arrow Slit / Window Door, Wood Door, Reinforced Wood Door, Iron, Stone Door, secret Floor, roof, flagstone or tile Floor / roof, wood Shutter, window Shifting Wall Stairs, wooden Stairs, stone	►Cost▃ ▃ ▃ 300 GP 1 SP 5 SP 2 GP 25 GP 50 GP 1.2k GP ▃ 38k GP ▃ 500 GP ▃ 3k GP 1.5k GP 500 GP 250 GP 6.5k GP 75k GP 400 GP 800 GP 125 GP 2.5k GP 15k GP 22k GP 30k GP 54k GP 5k GP 7.5k GP 12.5k GP 17.5k GP 22.5k GP 10 GP 10 GP 20 GP 50 GP Varies 40 GP 10 GP 5 GP 1k GP 20 GP 60 GP	►Merchandise▃ ▃ grains, vegetables Fish, preserved Wood, common Animals Salt Beer, ale Lamp oil Textiles Hides, furs Tea, coffee Metals, common Meats, preserved Cloth Wine, spirits Pottery Tools Armour, weapons Dye, pigments Glassware Mounts ►Precious Merchandise Monster Parts Rare wood Rare fur Precious metals Ivory Spices Fine porcelain Rare books Silk Semiprecious stones Gems	►Base Price▃ 10 GP 50 GP 50 GP By Animal 100 GP 100 GP 100 GP 100 GP 150 GP 150 GP 200 GP 200 GP 200 GP 200 GP 200 GP 200 GP 225 GP 250 GP 400 GP By Animal ▃ 300 GP 500 GP 500 GP 600 GP 800 GP 800 GP 1,000 GP 1,000 GP 2,000 GP 1,000 GP 3,000 GP

The Little Hamlet

@Zeroth reading this I literally cackled.

@Enkryption no worries, take your time!

The Little Hamlet

@scrawls sounds like a plan :D

@Enkryption colour me intrigued! Looking forward to what you come up with.

@Mae Any restrictions on posts? I think I could write one more today/tomorrow.

@Timemaster

Nope, totally open posting at your leisure!

@Wayward sorry for the wait on the skills, I hope to have a complete list latest tomorrow. Yung has both intelligence and wisdom, do you want him to have any magic as well? I imagine his meditation might play into that. If you like dnd monk skills would you like missile deflection as well? And since he has max Dexterity and stealth capabilities, he might be able to do some movement things like running along walls /rooftops/rough terrain easy.

@OwO@Dark Cloud I cannot wait to see Wormwood's reaction to Terminator Ingrid emerging from the river xD