Redward

Worlds Apart [Interest Check]

I haven't played the inspirations, but I am interested. I do have a question though, what is this significance of this "Wearing a Semblance allows the absorption of that essence." ?

@jdh97

Thank you very much for your interest!

To answer your question;

The Semblance is the essence of a fallen entity, be they Enlightened or Unfettered, gathered by the Semblance Caretakers and forged into a Semblance/Mask. It's the literal crystallization of a Fallen (I may start using that term for those who become a Semblance) into a tangible form. The Semblances are interred in the Crystalline Garden to protect them from being used in just such a way. Any entity that is not an Enlightened or Unfettered that chooses to wear a Semblance forms a bond with the essence it is composed of. The 'host', once this bond is formed, begins leeching away at the Semblance and drawing it into themselves; whether they intend to or not.

The significance of this is that it imbues the 'host' with the abilities that the Fallen once possessed. Normally, those abilities would only be usable in the 'other world' (Irriss, for those curious); in this case, though, the absorption of the Semblance will have a profound influence on the Player's Character. Which will begin with their arrival in Irriss.

While wearing the Mask in Irriss, the Character will be given a different appearance; one that is a mesh of the Fallen's and their own psyche. This will last until they return to Lightbridge, where the Semblance will be completely absorbed; essentially merging with the Character's soul. This is where the Character's changes will begin.

I'll be leaving the design of the Semblance and the Fallen it was forged from to the Player. So, how the effects will come about will be up to the Player.

I hope that was an adequate response. If more information is needed, I will provide it!

Worlds Apart [Interest Check]

Convening

Their meeting ground was the Crystalline Garden. All around the gathered foes, shifting uneasily and eyeing one another with palpable tension, stood the Semblance Caretakers. In contrast to the Enlightened's glowing wings, halos and metal curves, and the Unfettered's lavish adornments, red eyes and shadowy aura, the Caretakers seemed both humble and ominous in their brown robes and featureless pearl masks. Surris, Avatar of the Veiled Council and prime servitor of the Enlightened One, stood proud; her gently pulsating purple wings folded behind her, their light muted by a darkened mood. Opposite her stood Vagorrez, King of Obsidian Fangs, his tattered crimson cloak gently rustling with the breeze; his hand was on the vicious sword at his hip, his barbed tail clicking against the ground behind him.

Surris crossed her arms, her exposed joints sliding without sound to allow the motion, looking over the Unfettered gathered before her. "The Veiled Council says this is your doing, King Vagorrez," the King of Obsidian Fangs let his lips part, revealing his jagged namesake, but did not interrupt, "and they demand the return of the Semblance." Her hips shifted with the same fluid, mechanical grace and her wings dimmed slightly; becoming nearly transparent. "But I do not believe that such is the case. Something far larger is afoot," The Avatar turned her head to observe the Caretakers, the purple light within the recesses of her feminine visage focusing on them for a brief moment. They had said nothing since the arrival of both parties. It was not uncommon for the Caretakers to remain silent, but something about their numbers, their focus, was curious.

"Strange day," the Fanged King rumbled, "when Surris of the Searing Light thinks that someone other than an Unfettered is at fault." The behemoth allowed himself a thunderous chuckle, his scaled shoulders rolling and bits of armor scraping together at his chest. "Strange, indeed, but fortunate. The Unfettered Lords have come to the same conclusion." A clawed digit pointed to the curvaceous Saint-Knight. "And we believe that the traitor is known to us both. It has been some time since the Nomad Serpent graced our realm...but this atrocity speaks much to its promise from long ago."

"'This world is mine, and I will do with it as I see fit', the Serpent said," this voice was gentle and distorted by the small echo signature of a Caretaker. The speaker moved forward from the small throng, bowing to the Saint-Knight and Fanged King in turn, its brown robe rustling against the ground. "I recall well when it roamed our world. The catastrophes that followed in its wake. As, I am sure, do you all. I am Semblance Caretaker Nirvu, and it is I who sent summons to the both of you." The gathered forces remained silent, as was customary when a Caretaker addressed someone. "It seems that its banishment has ended...and that its revenge is at hand." Caretaker Nirvu turned its self toward the golden path that spread deep into the Crystalline Garden.

"Allow me to show you the Semblances that have been taken."

So, that's the flavor intro for Worlds Apart; an RP that I intend to focus heavily on character-driven storytelling and the exploration of not only your character as a Player, but the worlds that you will inevitably effect. As you can tell, Masks are a large theme in this particular setting. Though, I should clarify that the 'setting' is possessed of a stark duality. We, as Players, will begin in the Real World; on the precipice of fall, year 2043, in a city called Lightbridge.

However, that is not where we will stay. We will return, of course, from the realm of Enlightened and Unfettered; but we will never be the same. Our characters will each be gifted a Mask...or a Semblance, by a strange source. This, of course, will all be discussed if there is sufficient interest.

For now the basics are as follows:

We will be playing Human characters, initially. Once the world opens up, I'll allow Enlightened or Unfettered characters.

Semblances/Masks are composed of the essence of a fallen entity from another world.

Wearing a Semblance allows the absorption of that essence.

Players will be moving between Lightbridge and the other world.

Once Players return, the first time, the Semblance becomes a part of them; altering their appearance in the other world, granting them abilities (over time) in their own world.

The Semblance, once absorbed, will begin having an effect on your character's personality.

This idea is heavily inspired by Persona, Disgaea and a few other things. I intend to get real heavy on the story, but I still want the focus to be mostly on the characters and their experiences with the things that will transpire. I'm looking for three or four people who are serious and committed to posting. I know this is in Casual, since it has been a while since I've written anything; but I expect three to four solid paragraphs from those interested.

I'm willing to answer questions and the like. Either through this thread or via PM.

Thanks for reading!

The OOC Thread is up!

Also, here is the Discord Server!

The Circle Complete [Arc 1, Interest Check]

Thank you, Oni, for relaying that bit of information. So you all know, he'll be acting as my CO-GM through the course of this thread. On the topic of Elemental Guardians being slain. It is possible. Doing so would cause an event that would send devastation throughout Irriss. If an Elemental Guardian is slain, the core of their essence is returned to the Dreaming God to be recycled/reborn into a similar, if not identical, deity. The catastrophe of this matter would be that their Elemental Sphere would have its energy siphoned to the point of the Guardian's death; and along with it, the energy of the Servient Magi in their service. This energy would crystallize, creating a gleaming tower of condensed, tangible magic.

The Blind Goddess and Dreaming God, however, cannot suffer a fate like this. They're simply beyond being destroyed.

Welcome, btw, to those who've posted recently. ^^

New concepts that you guys might enjoy. First, since the Magi are so potent; I figured it'd be prudent to introduce other character 'categories' that would allow for those without a Sway or Ascendancy to contend with beings of such a caliber. "Auspices" will be the second form of gift granted to those without Magical capabilities. Auspices are gifts from the Blind Goddess and the Dreaming God. While Auspices aren't as versatile as Magic; they are considerably potent in their own right. Not everyone that is unable to utilize Magic will have an Auspice. The third is "Magitech" which will be provided to the world of Irriss, in a way, by a group foreign to the world (marooned there, if you will). I'll explain a bit more about these concepts in the morning.

The Circle Complete [Arc 1, Interest Check]

Hey, everyone, just stopping in to let you know that the going will be kinda slow for me the next few days. I've had a rather unexpected upset in my personal life and it's...gonna take me a little bit to get over it. I apologize that this is going to have an effect on the arrival speed of the OOC and IC threads, as well as the addition of new information. I'm sorry...

I'll edit this in a second to respond to prior posts.

Welcome everyone and thank you (hiya, Oni~) for your interest. I like the banner a lot, @Harbringer. Thank you ^^

@lydyn I have no problem with you playing a cat-person. You're free to either make a race or come up with a reason your character would be cursed/blessed/transmogrified into such a form. ^^

I'll be back later to give a more thorough reading over previous posts. I apologize if I've missed anything important. Thank you all for your interest...and I hope I can count on your patience in the coming days.

Edit

I think I'm going to be playing a Sway Magi; most likely a Scryer. I have an interesting idea for her payment to Taifia.

The Circle Complete [Arc 1, Interest Check]

Ignore this. I suck. Lol.

The Circle Complete [Arc 1, Interest Check]

Oh, wow! I didn't expect so many people to drop in like this! Welcome, everyone, and thank you! I'm really looking forward to this~

Now, enough gushing. I have work to do. I'm going to begin fleshing out orders within the Irriss. If anyone has suggestions or wants to throw some ideas out there; feel free to PM me, or start a discussion right up in here.

Today's Priorities

Foremost;
I am going to finish the descriptions for Eldra and Viaak.

Next up;
The Fettered Knights are going to get a detailing. The Attenian Veil Knights (new concept) will be introduced and detailed. The Demense will be expanded on, a little.

Might also add a 'Today's Priorities' section to the opening post, to let people know what's on my agenda.

Also, @Bunnita, I agree completely about skipping awkward introductions/group building. For the sake of fluidity and ease, I think it'd be best to have this group have functioned together for some time; having completed several assignments and the like as a unit.

Redward's Box. [1x1/Small Group Interest Check]

Quick CS

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Appearance:
Abilities:
Weaponry:

Figure this'll be simple enough for a CS, since you and I are often in contact. ~<3 Here's the first character and the man caught in the loop. The tough-talking, anti-social, secretly soft-hearted doucher you'll come to know and love a little.

Aito

Name: Aito Agato
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Appearance:
Abilities: None that are immediately apparent. Will develop data-manipulation and resonance capabilities in later stages of his growth.
Weaponry: None, yet.

Redward's Box. [1x1/Small Group Interest Check]

Hahaha, alright. I'll get us set up here in a few ^_^

Redward's Box. [1x1/Small Group Interest Check]

Bump. More ideas comin' soon!

The Circle Complete [Arc 1, Interest Check]

Thank you, both, for your expressed interest!

In response to what you said, @Bunnita.

I was rather keen on the idea of having the starting group all beginning together, united through previous bonds of camaraderie or brought together by an existing power (I was thinking the Essian Emperor and Empress). Not everyone has to be a Servient Magi, but, they seemed to be something I focused heavily on during my first run of notes for this setting. I was planning to introduce the idea of Fettered Knights of the Essian Domain; essentially former criminals or those with debts to the Essian Empire. So, I'd like a variety of characters to be made. Of course, the options are practically limitless; as I'm expecting people to introduce their own concepts and such.

I'm completely open to working these ideas in together. Maybe by having an entourage of Magi sent with Fettered Knights and whatever other factions/affiliations are introduced to investigate the Dreamlands and a particular anomaly therewithin.

Thanks again, for both the welcome and your interest! I'll be adding some more info later in the day, I'm thinking.