rabidbacon

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

Words forthcoming, thank you for your patience!

Regalia

Here's my character, version 2!
Edit: Whoops broke the code for a moment there lmao

Aethalos Vephariel, the Drowned Knight

^{_{s o u n d t r a c k}}

★

_{P R E S E N C E}

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Having lived a decade of her life serving as Knight-Penitent for the pious nation of Cetra, every gesture Aethalos makes radiates discipline and efficiency, and every word she utters is as stoic as she can keep it. Observing her mannerisms, one is struck by the impression that the articulations of these movements somewhat impeded by an invisible weight - the weight of arms and armor. While these honorable burdens are no longer attached to her, the habitual movements are difficult to unlearn. These restrictions lend her gait a vibrant sort of valiance, and coupled with impeccable posture, one is struck with the impression of authority and order. To strangers and wrongdoers, her presence in a room often leaves it feeling cold, as if an interrogation were about to take place.

Her strong physique is forged in the fires of zealous duty, for those called to serve Ultima are expected to reflect her perfection. In contrast to the form, however, the skin that covers it is marked with scars and inked lines of prayers to Ultima. These marked portions upon Aethalos' limbs indicate where the armor once latched on to her, delivering stimulants and other such mood-altering substances whenever it was deemed necessary. Her right arm ends in a stump at the wrist, supplemented by a cybernetic hand covered with artificial skin; by sight, it is indistinguishable from a hand of flesh, but touch reveals the truth. To avoid undue attention and invasive questions, Aethalos chooses to keep them covered when she can. Her outfit of choice is a dark suit that contrasts her fair features; it satisfies her need for a uniform while still maintaining a relatively civilian look.

Despite the distance Aethalos' demeanor and appearance creates, her blue eyes reveal a depth of warmth to them, each gaze speaking volumes more than what her lips could express in words. It is, in a sense, the only chink in her facade of intimidation - these days, she has been advised by PR to wear a pale set of contacts to maintain her image in the public eye. Within the confines of her living space, however, she takes to wearing a pair of dark browline glasses. They are a novelty to her, and she takes some pleasure in flouting an imperfection, after spending her life within a citadel that made no room for such human frailties.

Those that manage to make it past Aethalos' icy impressions will be surprised to find a thoughtful individual, always ready to help at a moment's notice. She remembers details about people's likes and dislikes, however trivial, and the information is utilized to make sure those she cares about are as comfortable as they can be in any given situation. She is very much the type to open doors, hold umbrellas, cook meals and watch over the sick - even if she is sick herself. It brings chivalry to mind, though such a value is far more commonly found in wishful movies than in the realities of who the Knight-Penitents are. Perhaps that is why she left, and in such a hurry, too.

_{C H R O N I C L E}

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Many criminals fall into the life because of circumstance, but Aethalos Vephariel proved to be an exception. Born to the slums of Cetra, surrounded by its vices and sins, all she wanted was to be good. She turned away from her parents and their folly, even as it hurt, for it was the only way to reach the heights of Malkuth and seek Ultima's glory. Once she had touched upon a fraction of her perfection, then she could return and save them. Thus thought the young girl, pouring her heart and soul into that fragile dream, nourishing it with the faith that only the young can have.

Eventually, this bore fruit, and she was recruited into the righteous fellowship of the Knight-Penitents, on account of her unceasing efforts on study, as well as her services to the dingy community she lived in. She caught the eye of a Knight-Captain, recognizing in her an unshakeable will, and a painful need to be a part of something, anything, that helped others in their strife. And so, on the twenty-first year of her life, Aethalos was barded. Her pristine body was prepared for service, trained and hardened in the rigors of combat, her will fortified by hardship and pain. Finally, the sacred marks were written with steel and ink, prayers indicating where Ultima permitted blessings through science, granting her Knight-Penitents the courage to overcome all evil.

For years, Aethalos would serve, and serve well. She started at the lowest of the low, for even the Knight-Penitents acknowledged that all were cut from a different cloth. Given her parentage and their lack of repute, Aethalos was akin to a muddied rag, more than ready to be washed in the light of service, but still filthy all the same. Little did she know that it would not be the radiance of faith that would cleanse her, but the warmth of blood.

In the beginning, it was the blood of sinners, of those who turned into beasts from their obsessions, their imperfections and their faithless devotion to the impermanence of human passions. She slaughtered them all, burned them down with holy flame, and rejoiced with her fellows in the disposal of all that dare to spit upon Cetra's glory and Ultima's radiance. Even on the day that she lost her hand in a desperate battle, she felt no true pain, only bliss. There was nothing she would not give; in Ultima's service, even her life was forfeit.

Yet, one fateful day, Aethalos' armor failed. It was in the aftermath of a raid, where dozens of immigrant families were killed, for the sin of hiding one rebel, alleged to have committed an act of vandalism and heresy. As her eyes roved over the lifeless bodies, she waited for the bite of the needle to kill the sickening weight she felt in her gut, but it never came, and since that day, the weight only grew. It was a sin of the highest order to doubt, Aethalos knew, but her mind was full of unspeakable thoughts and unending questions. Turning to wine helped some, but it was never enough. She feared that Ultima herself could sense her uncleanliness, and she threw herself further into work, striking more fear into the hearts of those she broke. In their eyes, though, she saw an abomination, and with horror, she recognized that it was herself. Ultima's hold on Aethalos broke on that very moment. Soon after, she began to dig, deeper and deeper, into the filth and the lies that governed the orders given to the Knight-Penitents. Yet she was not brash; she took pains to prepare herself, choosing one particularly egregious case of cruelty, and decided to use that moment to strike back.

On the day that a young family was scheduled to be pulled apart, limb by limb, in the squalid square of Klymenos, Aethalos planned a daring escape that doubled as a statement against the citadel's cruelty. With her knowledge of the guards, the streets and the sewers, she got them as far as the final gate, where all they had to do was climb. Yet Aethalos had forgotten a crucial fact - not everyone was strong. As they all struggled up the wall, the rest of the Knights caught up with them, and the family was torn to pieces before her very eyes. She was sentenced to death on the very same day, and it came to no surprise to her that the most disgraceful death had been chosen as her final fate. Like waste, she was to be thrown into the boiling seas, forgotten, unwanted.

As they pushed her, and as she fell, Aethalos felt relief. Finally, here, the weight in her chest matched the weight of her fall. It was the feeling of redemption, of a balance being righted in the world, for all that she had done. But just as the peace of oblivion as about to be granted to the tired, faithless Aethalos, a sheen overcame her, and she found herself transformed. In the drowned knight's place was a massive serpent, rising up into the skies. In its wake, a storm fell upon the great Malkuth, flooding it, as if the waters yearned to wash away all the blood that had been spilled for its sake.

When Aethalos awoke, she found herself in Votara, surrounded by curious people dressed in white. They accepted her with open arms, told her all was well, and that she was blessed. But they did not know the truth; she was a curse. The guilt still remains. She attempts to assuage it through a newfound duty to those in Votara, but her mind still lingers in the rat-ridden slums of Cetra, yearning to save those she had failed and left behind.

_{H O M E}

---

Votara is a country that takes pride in its ability to create electricity from the blessings of Ramuh and Garuda. This manifests in architecture that melds wind turbines and lightning rods with artful engineering. Tall skyscrapers that reach even the stratosphere are commonplace within the nation, their shapes resembling winding spires that suggest the movement of the breeze against steel. Cults dedicated to the deities of the wind and electricity are commonplace within the nation, and many of them are forward-thinkers, melding advancement with expressions of their faith. The topmost levels of these structures are almost always reserved for the use of their practices and gatherings.

These steel structures act as a contrast to the natural borders of the land, where tall, rocky mountains line the border between Votara and Glasia, their ridges shaped over time by the violent gusts of wind that result in occasional tornadoes in that area. Cults of both Ramuh and Garuda are known to chase storms in hopes of receiving a message in the form of an omen. Those that are injured in such endeavors have their treatments sponsored by their respective cults, and it has become something of a controversy, as the storm chasers' activities have encouraged extremist groups to believe that lightning can, indeed, be caught in a bottle.

The capital of Votara is called the Harbor of Winds, where numerous wind turbines are arranged in an artful manner to depict a scene reminiscent of ancient windmills. Within these buildings are massive shopping arcades, offices and even some living spaces for government employees. It is in one of these windmills that Aethalos resides. The blades of these windmills are also covered in photovoltaic cells, to further maximize all sources of natural energy and minimize the electricity costs of the residents of Votara.

While the nation has a neutral stance, as a whole, with regards to political matters, it has ongoing tensions with Cetra due to the latter's aggressively theocratic stance. The border between the countries are well-fortified on both sides, though Votara takes pains to make sure this fact is not so readily apparent. It maintains friendly relations with Glasia and Tresau, and provides aid to Estren by selling their excess energy to the nation at a favorable rate in exchange for certain ores and other such trade treaties.

_{T R I V I A}

---

Likes:

• Strong liquor
• Rain and everything about it - sound, smell, sensations
• Physical activity
• Routine
• Being on time
• Feeding strays
• Imperfection in art

Dislikes:

• Liars
• Too much noise
• Excessive cruelty
• Wastefulness
• People who keep touching her right hand "just to see what it feels like"
• Wrinkled clothes

Miscellaneous:

• Aethalos keeps an anonymous ASMR social media account, where she showcases sounds of different instruments that can be played by the rain.
• Ever since she has taken to wearing the suits designed by then unknown designer John Nasios, the latter's services have become sought after by many famous political personalities since then who wish to project an austere image or associate themselves with an air of mystery.
• A particularly memorable project assigned to Aethalos once was to encourage the elderly to maintain their physical fitness. Though people doubted that she was the right pick for the job, image-wise, she was surprisingly patient with those in attendance, despite being strict with their regimen.
• The sales of umbrellas have risen ever since Aethalos has resided in Votara. Some people say that she has been sponsored by the manufacturers of such products, but in truth, Aethalos simply enjoys the rain and uses her abilities to soothe herself on occassion.

_{S O C I A L}

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• Cassiel - Aethalos was one of his tutors in combat, on account of her expertise with the ceremonial crossblade. It was expected of Ultima's Regalia to embody excellence and competence in all things, and she did not hesitate to beat the lessons into him if needed, for his own good - though that was rarely necessary, as he was a quick learner. Over time, the two have developed an easy, competitive rapport on the training grounds, with Aethalos possessing a commendable level of competence and an unusual lack of fear that Cassiel did not easily find in the sycophants that surrounded him. During her service as Knight-Penitent, she looked up to him as a symbol of their nation's power and Ultima's superiority, but after the events that led up to her rebellion, she has now come to see Cassiel as a protector of lies. Yet at the same time, she understands that he may be in the dark about Cetra's evils, just as she was, not so long ago, and for better or worse, she still remembers the glory of Malkuth and the cold, fearsome beauty of Cetra's golden gates. She sees both the salvation and doom of Cetra in him.

It Came From the Sky

@BunniesOfDoom Yes! Sorry for the wait.

Regalia

@Sylvan Sorry to see you go, but all the best!

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

Posting within 48 hours!

Regalia

<Snipped quote by rabidbacon>
We were planning to have Cetra have an extremely well-maintained border.... rigorous seas, and a big wall along the border. Kinda can envision a North/South Korea type of divide there.

@Tlaloc

Whoah... ok. I now have this sudden idea where maybe... I could take a page from N. Korea defectors.

Considering having my Regalia working for your theocratic Templar force to clean up some secrets but eventually she couldn't take it anymore and she went to the other side (Votara). Was almost killed in the escape, but that's when the Dominant came to her.

Again, just spitballing here, open to ideas or reverting to others if you're not into it.

Regalia

<Snipped quote by rabidbacon>

So it's funny you should mention that, and I'd be happy to work with you as well, but I have also already been writing Votara as having the Regalias of Ramuh (Lighting) and Garuda (Wind) working together, with the Regalia of Garuda an NPC unless they get nabbed by a player later. I'll send you a DM and we can put our heads together on this one!

@Sylvan

Sounds great, looking forward to it! Though, are we permitted to do something like this, @Mirandae? I worry that having all three in one nation might run counter to something you had planned.

Though! If Votara is some sort of border / buffer standing against @Tlaloc's prosperous theocratic nation, maybe it makes sense to have them there? Perhaps my Regalia is also harvested for resources alongside being used as some sort of soldier-y person (as she is a criminal and may have less rights than your usual upstanding citizen).

Just brainstorming, very open to suggestions!

Regalia

<Snipped quote by rabidbacon>

I'm currently writing up Votara for my character

@Sylvan

Would you like to collaborate? It might be interesting if a nation has 2 Regalias in its clutches.

Also, I like how your Regalia is into disaster cleanup - would you like a relation/connection? One angle I ca
see here is that my character is forced to work alongside yours as a form of community service, and Leviathan being all about water, it sounds like it works well hand in hand.

Regalia

Is anyone considering Votara or Dalmasca? Am considering changing my character's home to a place with more rivers.

The Sweetest Con [ rabidbacon and sweetestsins ]

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"I look just about like everyone else," he hissed back, though he made an effort to step deeper into the shadows at her observation. Cullen watched her work -or rather, he struggled to do so, as he could barely see her- and gained a new respect for all Leliana's agents. The speed at which they disappeared into darkness like they were made of it was astounding. "Multiplying...? So the previous gathering was much smaller than this, I take it."

It was difficult to hold his tongue throughout the proceedings, hearing all the complaints hefted upon the Inquisition's vulnerabilities and shortcomings. The worst of it was that they weren't wrong in their suffering. He racked his mind for ways to solve the problems without aggravating the situation by rationing, and the only solution that came to mind was to simply find ways to get more of the lyrium, even if it meant expending a few forces to secure it. He had considered putting together a group to raid some of the Circle towers for stores, but given the carnage that Templars have dealt, the veil was no doubt thin in those places. Demons were all but a guaranteed presence there, making whatever efforts at reconnaissance there a costly gamble.

He waited and looked around, not at all pleased with the boldness of those who had gathered. He had to wonder if the same was happening to the few Templars who worked beneath the Inquisition's banner. His eyes tried to identify those whose hoods fell as they made their impassioned cries; were they healers? Or those who worked to support field agents in combat and defenses? Perhaps their services could be turned away from the arcane as they managed this tricky situation. That's all this was, he reminded himself. The situation was the problem, and not the people.

As soon as the gathering dissipated, Cullen would follow Hyacinth away from the crowd, but not without looking over his shoulder. Was he really that out of place?

"Do you know any of them?" he asked the elf, fatigue etched all over his face. "I'd like to find the ringleader of this... this gathering. There's always a leader in these things, and once we get them to stop, the rest should fall into place. The last thing we need right now is our own agents raiding the Inquisition's supply lines." He sighed, crossing his arms. "But this is hardly the place nor the time to discuss. And I suspect you'll have to report to Leliana before anything else. Tell her what you heard today, exactly as you heard them. It should make sure we're on the same page, when I suggest the raids on enemy supply lines."

It was a desperate effort, to be sure, but these were desperate times. They had to use all that they had, and unfortunately, those happened to be the lives of the very agents of the Inquisition.

"I intend to oversee the first one, personally." His hand instinctively went for the dagger at his belt as he said the words. "I will show them that we are doing all we can."

---

---

"Well, that was frightfully quick," whispered Alba, as she awoke to the sound of people coming down to open her cell door. "This must mean something very good, or this is the end of the line for me." The pirate eyed each of her imprisoned crew as she passed them, and she mouthed a farewell to all, with a grin. "Addio! Take care of the ship for me, Giuseppe. And you, Alessandra... make certain the sails are repaired. Marco! Do not forget to - agh!" A well placed hit to the ribs silenced the captain, and she was forced to make the rest of the walk to the court with a gag.

Her eyes adjusted to the strange warmth of the hall's abundant sunlight, after hours in the cell, and as soon as they caught sight of the Inquisitor and her advisors, they widened with fascination. Here were the very people who held her life in their hands; Alba wondered why they seemed so much smaller than she thought they would look. Ophelia herself was dwarfed by the ugly throne she sat upon; far better for her bottom to be seated on something more regal than this, thought the pirate. Finally, her gag was removed, and as soon as it was done, the pirate immediately spat on the ground, leaving spatters of blood upon the stone floor. A palpable ripple of disapproval moved through those present.

"This is Alba Selvaggio of Rialto, present here for associations to murder, coercion and the threat of violence," announced a graceful voice, one whose sounds were familiar to the pirate's ears - a fellow Antivan. "She has claims that she and her crew are innocent, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise. It did not take much time to find out that this woman is the leader of a crew of raiders; I have some old records from my associates that happen to mention her... particularly, as a great leveler of any merchant company's balance sheets. In a word, she is a pirate, Inquisitor."

Alba licked her lips, giving the people before her a bloody grin. Unlike most who appeared before the Inquisition's judgment, the captain stood tall, as if calmly awaiting for death was a common affair. Despite her apparent disdain for the proceedings, she still held her tongue and had enough tact to let the Inquisitor speak first.