Coloring in the map right now. Here's a peak. On the left is the practice map. The right is the final-ish map. Water has been colored in. Going to add mountains next and color in the land. I'll scan it afterwards. Make some copies for future adjustments. Add land names on my computer and begin work on the ooc.
Alright alright! Never would have guessed it from that avatar though... ;)
I'm working on a map right now. Once that's done I'll start working on the main thread. Hopefully it will be done by this week. Feel free to look through the prologue I typed up in my previous post. Let me know if you have suggestions or concerns.
Alright, So I typed up a prologue. You can review it below. It's quite long. Please make suggestions and comments. My biggest concern is the Emperor of Touch, who is mentioned briefly. The thing I wrote about him may turn people off despite the fact I emphasized that the man is horrible person even if his country doesn't realize it. I was simply looking for a reason for why The king in The Nation of Sight was certain his family would be killed if they lost the war. If you guys have other suggestions, I'm all for it.
Also back on the subject of magic. I may provide a few standard magic systems. One for each sense. People can use them or come up with their own system, but I may want to make all magic relate to the 5 senses in some way, even if it is abstractly. For example maybe you want to summon familiars. That's fine, but it should be triggered or have some connection in some way to one of the five senses.
Anyway, below is the prologue. The map is coming along slowly. I have an outline but haven't filled in everything yet. I'm doing it on paper, because I don't have a decent art editor on my computer.
Year 4256. 58 day of the month Auddium. Nation of Sight City of Irissia. Capital of the Nation of Sight. Early Evening.
The sun is beginning to set. As is the future of for the Nation of Sight. The war with the Nation of Touch has cost them greatly over the past few months. The once thriving city of Irissia is now quiet. Few ever come to visit anymore.
At the center of the city stands The Shining Palace. Envisioned by the Nation of Sight’s greatest artists and built by the Nation of Touch’s greatest craftsmen, The Shining Palace is the jewel of Irissia, even in these dark days. Its walls are made of solid Crystal Jade, a rare yet sturdy form of jade colored crystal which glows in the darkness and glitters in the light. Its walls are covered with intricate carvings of mythical heroes long forgotten. Its interior filled with tapestries and paintings encased in frames of gold. These were treasures from a time when the Nation of Sight flourished. No longer does it flourish. No longer.
Within the confines of The Shining Palace, the Crowned King Y’lleant Spaectrum walks the halls. Following closely behind him is his loyal advisor, Rictern, and a handful of guards. King Y’lleant stares ahead as he listens to the words of his advisor. They both had just been briefed on the latest status of the war. They've lost more ground and the Nation of Touch was just about on their doorstep.
“We cannot win this war, your Highness.” Rictern began. “Our troops are made up of painters, sculptors, dyers and potters. They are artists. Not soldiers.”
King Y’lleant nodded sullenly. He had this talk many times before.
“We must surrender my King. Your people are dying for you. They fight for a hopeless cause.”
“Our country is not a hopeless cause.” Y’lleant asserted sternly. “If we surrender. I am a dead man. My family will be slaughtered. And my wife… My precious Tallea, once again she will fall prey to her brother’s despicable… desires.” He said the last part quietly. There was no need for the guards to be spreading rumors about his wife. Even if they were true. Especially if they were true.
“You don’t know that for sure.” The king’s advisor responded. “This new Emperor of Touch, My Queen’s brother, his nation praises him as a man of the people. A great man. An honorable man who keeps his promises. You surrender with the proper terms he may let you live out your life as a city lord. Your children, his niece and nephew, left alive. Perhaps even he will leave The Queen alone. He has an Empress now. Surely that must sate his... his needs. We could end this peacefully.”
Y’lleant shook his head grimly. No matter how gracefully he surrendered. The Emperor of Touch would not allow him to live. Not this one. His father would, but not the son. Emperor Talissare was a man of the people, only from the outside. The man loved being adored. In truth, this was not the case. If a person slighted this man, even unintentionally, Talissare would find a way to utterly destroy that person.
King Y’lleant had learned about his cruelty the hard way as a youth. When Y’lleant visited the previous Emperor of Touch, with his father several years ago, Talissare had challenged him to a game of The Senses. Y’lleant’s future wife had been there then. Standing silently at his side, suffering her brother’s far too intimate touches and creepy lingering stares. The boy disgusted Y’lleant, but he said nothing.
That was the first time Y’lleant saw his future wife. Little did he know that his father and Talissare’s father were negotiating their marriage that very moment. She was a shy thing then, but once away from her brother’s grasp, she developed into a strong lady. His Queen. His entire world.
Y’lleant won that game, of The Senses, against Talissare as well as the next three that followed. Talissare didn’t take losing well. His sister made an off handed comment about how she never saw Talissare lose before. That earned her a backhand across the face from her brother. Talissare stared daggers at Y’lleant before composing himself. Later that night, he came to Y’lleant’s guest room, while Y’lleant slept, and beat Y’lleant till he blacked out. Talissare was punished severely for his actions, but Y’lleant had learned his lesson. Never cross the future Emperor of Talissare.
Unfortunately for Y’lleant, he was never able to act on that lesson. His arranged marriage to Tallea had sealed his fate. That was the real reason for this war with the Nation of Touch. No matter what the Emperor said. Y'lleant knew Talissare wanted his favorite plaything back. Y’lleant’s wife. Talissare's own sister. He truly was a disgusting man.
Did Y’lleant’s people deserve to die in order for Y'lleant's family to live and for his wife to be safe? No they did not. Rictern was right. Y’lleant should surrender his throne. Even if it meant the death of his family. That would be the morally correct thing to do for the people. However, depending on how this next meeting went, perhaps surrendering wouldn’t be necessary.
Rictern eyed the king expectantly. He was waiting for a response from Y’lleant. Y’lleant sighed. Ahead was the Y’lleant’s destination. The Palace wine cellar. An oak door guarded by four guards.
“Perhaps you’re right Rictern.” Rictern nodded appreciatively at Y’lleant’s comment. “However, I'm not yet ready to surrender. I will come to a decision depending how this meeting goes I will come to a decision.” Y’lleant stopped expectantly at the oak door to the cellar. The guards nodded and opened the door revealing a stairwell covered in darkness.
Rictern cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrow questioningly. “Meeting?” he asked. “I wasn’t informed that we had an appointment left today.”
“Consider yourself informed.” Y’lleant responded while grabbing a nearby torch and proceeding down the stairs. Rictern frowned for a split second before smothering it and following the king’s lead.
“Why are we meeting someone in a dank place like this?” Rictern asked quietly.
“Our guest prefers the darkness.” Y’lleant responded.
“And who is this guest exactly?” Rictern asked as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
A dry voice answered behind Rictern. “Someone who is right in the eyes of the lords most ancient. Someone with the vision to grant you victory in your country’s plight.”
Rictern jumped at the voice and spun. Y’lleant turned as well to face the one who spoke. The torchlight shined on a being who appeared to be covered black treelike bark. Around the man, if he could be called a man, light seemed to dim as if it were being obscured through a veil of thin cloth. He had no eyes. The man had long since ripped them from his eye sockets. Yet despite his inability to see, he stared right into Rictern’s eyes. Head slightly cocked to the side. Smiling as if he knew a funny secret.
Rictern’s eyes went wide with fear and concern. “One of The Sightless.” He said barely above a whisper. He was clearly unnerved.
The Sightless’s smile deepen further as if satisfied with unnerving Y’lleant’s advisor. Rictern turned to face Y’lleant with the speed of a flying arrow. “You allowed The Cult into the palace?!” Rictern accused.
Y’lleant’s face grew stern. “These are desperate times Rictern. In desperate times, a ruler must consider all his or her options.”
“Not if it involves the Cult of Insight!” Rictern retorted with a sneer. It was an uncommon expression for the man. “They are heathens who spurn teachings from The-Lord-Who-Senses-All!”
“Please,” The Sightless began with his dry voice, “there is plenty of room in this world for more gods than your own. Especially when your said god has been absent for ages.”
Rictern spun, disgust in his eyes. “You don’t know-”.
The Sightless cut him off. “I know far more than you could ever know. More importantly I know you. Loyal like a dog, aren’t you? So long as the price is right.”
Rictern blanched and fell silent. Y’lleant raised an eyebrow questioningly, glancing in Rictern’s direction. What did he mean? The Sightless smirked and turned his eyeless gaze upon Y’lleant.
“Your… Majesty,” The Sightless began, bowing ever so slightly. “My fellows call me Vetius. The most ancient of all Sightless. Thank you for finally allowing The Clan of Insight an-”
“The Cult.” Rictern interjected finding his voice again. The color had returned to his face. “The Cult of Insight.”
“Enough Rictern. Let Vetius speak.” Y’lleant commanded. Rictern grudgingly obliged.
“Thank you, your Majesty.” Vetius said smiling before turning his gaze to Rictern. “We actually prefer the name The Clan of Insight, Sir Rictern, but I am appreciative for your input.” Rictern twitched his eye but said nothing. Vetius turned his attention back to Y’lleant and continued. “As I was saying, thank you for finally allowing The Clan of Insight an audience with you. We’ve been wanting to meet with you ever since you took the throne. You are of great interest to us.”
“As was my father, and his father, and every other landowner in Saencila.” Y’lleant stated. “It doesn’t take much to get The Cult- I’m sorry- The Clan’s interest. The world is well aware that you wish to spread The Distortion across the land.” The Distortion was a bizarre natural occurrence that affects the land around The Cult’s ground of worship. It makes the sky dark during the day, turns the sun green, and changes the land in other ways. The Distortion was harmless, as far as anyone could tell, but it made the world feel… wrong. Y’lleant had never experienced The Distortion himself, but he heard stories about it. From his understanding, The Cult worshiped it.
“That’s… not… exactly correct… We seek to spread the Seeds of Insight to all who lack the true vision. To do so we require permission from the true ruler of the land. We are not able to spread it without consent.” Vetius corrected.
“And you wish to spread this ‘true vision’ through our lands.” Y’lleant said bluntly.
“That is our only desire, your Majesty. We simply wish to not have our faith oppressed.”
“Lies.” Rictern said. He was eyeing Vetius like a disease. “All lies.”
“Our faith, Sir Rictern, is no less of a lie than your own.” Rictern narrowed his eyes at Vetius’s comment. There was no trust in that gaze.
Y’lleant was silent for a long moment before speaking. “My country is at war with the Nation of Touch and we are losing. If we lose I will be dethroned and this land will become ruled by Emperor’s Talissare. The Clan of Insight occupies my Nation’s lands. If Talissare takes control, he will make sure to root out you and the rest of The Clan’s followers.”
“Yes. This has been foreseen by The Clan. Emperor Talissare has never tolerated our people. Although he may find it more… difficult than he expects to root us out.” Vetius responded with a knowing smirk. Y’lleant eyed The Sightless for a second wondering what the man wasn’t saying. Vetius then continued. “In any case, it is in our best interest to assist in your war. This war is not a lost cause. We have seen it. I have seen it.”
Y’lleant narrowed his eyes. “You speak of seeing things. Things that haven’t happened.”
“I do.” Vetius replied in his dry voice. “I see many things. Including those yet to come.”
“Your Majesty! You can’t possibly believe-” Rictern began in an urgent voice. Y’lleant silenced him with a hand
“Rictern. My family’s lives are at stake. I will do what I must. I will listen to who I must. Do you understand?” Y’lleant gazed in Rictern’s direction, meeting his eyes. The man grit his teeth but nodded. “Thank you, Rictern. No more interruptions.” Once again Y’lleant turned his attention back to Vetius. “Tell me about this true vision of yours. What The Clan calls Insight.”
“I can’t tell you.” Vetius said simply. “But… I can show you.”
Y’lleant eyed the man for a long moment. Hesitant. “Show me then.” He said finally.
A wicked grin crossed Vetius’s face. “Very well.” He said raising his arms.
Suddenly Vetius’s arm lashed out at Y’lleant, like vines in rapid growth. They wrapped around Y’lleant’s head. Fingers digging into the depths of Y’lleant’s mind. Y’lleant grappled the vine like arms and screamed out in pain. Vetius was digging, digging deep into his soul. He could feel something’s presence. Something gripping him in its grasp. Not Vetius. Something… something else… And then… Visions flashed before Y’lleant’s eyes. Knowledge, so much knowledge. Secrets, dark secrets. So much to digest. Too much to digest. Too much! But… it felt good. So good! This knowledge. He needed this knowledge! It was the secret to winning this war! He must have more! He needed more!
And then, it stopped. The world went back to normal. The euphoria dissipating leaving an itch that only more Insight could scratch.
“My King.” Rictern’s voice. The man was kneeling beside Y’lleant who was… on the ground? When? Rictern was holding the torch Y’lleant had. Y’lleant must have dropped it. There was a pool of blood on the floor. Y’lleant rubbed his eyes. They were bleeding.
“You Monster!” Rictern’s voice again. “Guards! Seize him! He attacked the King!” A shuffling of feet and the flickering of torchlight came from the cellar’s entrance.
“Silence, Rictern! Everyone, stand down!” Y’lleant shouted. The guards stopped already at the bottom of the stairs. “I’m alright.” Y’lleant said as he pulled himself to his feet. “I know what we must do.” Y’lleant whipped out a dagger he kept hidden at his side for protection and slashed Rictern across the throat. The man’s eyes went wide. Surprised. He made a gurgling sound, trying to say something, but no longer able to speak properly. Then he collapsed to the ground. Dead.
“Rictern was a traitor.” Y’lleant exclaimed. He knew that now. He had seen it from the Insight and knew it to be true. “He’s been spying on us and reporting to the Nation of Touch. He’s the reason our armies have been flanked battle after battle.” The guards stared daggers at the dead man. Many of their friends had been killed because of Rictern’s actions. “Send for our generals and weapon craftsmen. We will meet in the War Room. The Nation of Touch is building a new weapon. A weapon that will shoot giant metal fireworks. They will devastate our armies with these contraptions. So far they only have it in the planning stages, but now I know the secret to building them. We will build them for our armies, and with them, we will be victorious."
The guards looked slightly confused. A few looked in Vetius’s direction questioningly. But they said nothing. “Now go! And send for someone to clean up this traitor’s mess.” The guards nodded and left.
Y’lleant walked towards the stairwell. Feeling an itch that needed to be scratched. “Come with me, Vetius. I’ll be needing more Insight.”
Vetius Stayed put. “About allowing The Clan to spread our Seeds of Insight.”
“I’ll give you three towns.” Y’lleant responded. “Depending on how well the cult serves, I’ll allow for more.”
Vetius grinned and began following Y'lleant up the cellar's stairs. After years of trying, The Clan finally got a win. “My fellow clansmen will be happy to hear this. The Clan is yours, as is access to our Insight. You will need some time to recover from the last batch I showed you. A freshly exposed mind can only take so much.”
“Very well.” Y’lleant said grudgingly. “For now though, we will begin preparations to win this war. I’ll need you by my side so that you can help… explain to my Generals what you have shown me.”
“As you wish, your Majesty. I am your humble servant” Vetius said. Y’lleant wondered how much he could trust The Sightless. He would play along for now, but as soon as they became too dangerous he would rid himself of them. After so much struggling, he could finally see a future for his country. It was time to win this war.
Alright then. I'll pull something together over the next week. I'll compose a map and type up a prologue. I'll try to have things ready by next weekend at the latest.
Well regardless there doesn't appear to be much interest in this. I may just drop it for now and perhaps come back to it another time. I could just create an IC for it and see if anyone bites. But I mean... Nobody is really biting right now, soooo...
In your experience, do people tend to show interest for an actual IC rather than with the interest checks?
I suppose the term free-form structured magic system is very contradicting lol. What I mean is People could use whatever kind of magic they want, with the exception for game breaking magics, but they need to define a system for how it works and what the magic's source is. They need to layout the rules, the weaknesses and everything so that players can come up with strategies for how to deal with the magic.
In regards to the how much is too much topic. I was more so thinking how to define the limitations. Like how much magic can I use before I go insane? How does one measure it? .... You knooooooooooow.... I'm over thinking things aren't I?
That's a fun idea. Regulated magic, however begs the question of how much is too much? Any thoughts on that? Any thoughts on how it would work? What do you think of a free-form structured magic system?
Perhaps we could have a mix of Regulated Magic that runs the risk of corrupting (maybe it's activated with the use of one's senses and it's source is the Discarded?), and a mix of non corrupting magic with limitations. I like structured magic that requires a defined source of energy and will cause problems for those who don't manage it properly. Undefined magic makes abilities difficult to regulate in my opinion and that's what I would like to avoid.
The interest check. Where ideas go to die. lol. Well perhaps I'll omit the magic system for now. If there are other people who are interested, we can revisit that topic.
Edit: Just modified the OP to include The Five Nations and exclude the Magic system boundaries. I like the idea of having magic systems with boundaries, but we can discuss that topic if anyone else shows interest. Additionally I've added a section called adepts and modified the title for any potential RP to The Five Senses.
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