@Savage are there ither countries where magic is used mire freely?
A big component in the universe, and specifically this RP, is in the chaotic, dark, and mysterious nature of magic. Magic is not something that even in the old tales and legends is wielded lightly. Even simple incantations can backfire into dire consequences, releasing horrible energies and creatures from alternate dimensions into the world. Many stories told among the peasantry feature wizards, warlocks, and witches that succumb to madness due to their fragile human minds being unable to comprehend the twisted cosmic horrors needed to harness magical powers.
As such, it is completely extinct in common society among the Star Kingdom. There are rumors of dark practices within the Valedean Empire, the folktales of Fae shamans and witches communing with spirits and demons, and barbarian tribes of far off locations that practice sinister rituals of sacrifice and zealous worship to their gods.
With that being said, creating a character that studies and practices magic in complete secrecy is not off the table. You must convince me that you understand the nature I am trying to portray, and are able to roleplay such knowledge accordingly. Magical abilities are only granted to a person by using their body as a conduit for entities from other realms of existence. A wizard calls upon certain beings and uses their power to enter the world in either a small trickle or a massive flood. This requires a person of incredible will to control, as they have to combat the forces they summon in order to only allow what they want to happen. An unskilled practitioner who cannot reign in the otherworldly entities will find themselves unable to siphon off the appropriate amount of power, resulting in uncontrollable reactions, insanity, or even possession.
All of this which I have just described is only known to those who go against Royal Decree and study magic extensively, or are members of other nations were the dangerous practice of magic is less controlled. To nearly everyone in the Star Kingdom, magic is simply the stuff of ghost stories and fairy-tales, and existence of anything outside of their own world of reality is completely unknown.
EDIT: I feel that this answer is something that a majority of people would like to know, and have added it to the original post to add more emphasis on the nature of magical forces. I have also included a few links at the bottom that I found useful when writing the history and background. Perhaps some of you may also find inspiration and use for them.
Awesome writing man-would love to toss my hat into this. Really diggin the upswing of lovecraftian horror in rps lately.
Edit-What would be the average life span of humans here if you don't mind me asking.
That is a very good question @T Risket. Being set in a pseudo-medieval time period humans typically live between 50-70 years of age. The spectrum is broad due to the fact that wealth and position will have a greater impact on your healthcare. Nobles and royalty can afford much better doctors and such, therefore living longer and healthier lives on average. Common folk struggle, relying on natural remedies and superstition to combat illness. As one can expect, this isn't as effective and most usually pass away from sickness in what today people would refer to as "middle aged."
Fae are not like elves in other fantasy stories. They do not live hundreds of years, or are even essentially immortal. The Fae live longer lives though, usually 80-90 years if they are left alone and well cared for. Sadly for them, this is not the case, and many Fae die well before their prime to diesease and violence.
Your travels, long and arduous, have finally led to their dire conclusion. Seated now within the dilapidated tavern, the floorboards warped and caked in mud, you quietly sip from a battered pewter mug filled with a foul tasting brew. The poorly kept hovel is nearly empty; few patrons from the village seeming to dare set foot outside their own doors. Your arrival was met with shifty glances, the faces of the townsfolk bearing the haggard expressions of those subject to daily horrors.
This is not a place that welcomes travelers, though your money is accepted with a greedy smile from the obese tavern keeper as he wipes grease upon his shirt. His grin is rife with teeth rotted and blackened, and you feel a sense of disgust and contempt. As you survey the down-trodden citizens of this forgotten hamlet, you reflect on the moments that bore your adventures here…
A whisper of rumor, the passing of moldy parchment from one hand to the next, the allure of riches and fame. All things tied to one another in an elaborate and unknowable ballet of fate or chance. Your reasons are your own, but one thing is certain: this will be no simple undertaking.
A request, seeking those who wish to carve for themselves a name among the rocks. A promise of gold, knowledge, and relics forgotten and buried. You know nothing of your employer; no name was given. Only that you were told to meet here, in a village long since condemned to the annals of history. The single road wound with sinister purpose as your mind seemed to recoil at the unsettling miasma that grew thicker as you neared the end of your journey. There was a sickness here, an antediluvian evil that plagued the minds and bodies of those too poor or stubborn to leave. Everywhere showed signs of madness and corruption. A single sign harbored the finality of your travels, a name scratched out and left with a dreadful premonition of things to come.
“Abandon All Hope, ye Who Enter Here”
You took a moment to take stock of your surroundings, waiting upon the hilltop. The town lay just below, the glow of lantern light in the grime crusted and cracked windows casting a ghostly pall over the pitted cobblestone streets. A great forest lay beyond, black trees twisted with malevolent agony as their limbs reached skyward like talons in the night. And as your gaze drifted further, the breath caught in your throat and a chill ran down your spine.
Atop the cliff, dominating the skyline like a vile overlord, lay what once must have been an impressive estate. Cloaked in shadow, the ominous structure exuded a purely evil aroma. It was not one you could place, but something that itched in the back of your mind and made your flesh crawl. All senses told you to turn back, leave this place and its people to their damnable fate. Yet you press on, spurred by the promises of the anonymous stranger…
OOC INFO
The story will center around a group of travelers, scholars, cutthroats, mercenaries, and any other character that may have a reason to take up the cryptic quest. At the moment I am looking to fill this with up to 6 people, though depending on the amount of interest I gather I may amend this number.
This will not be a light hearted and pleasurable affair. This RP will center around dark and mysterious themes influenced heavily by Lovecraftian horror, tragedy, struggle, and mortality. Your characters will be plagued with any kind of terror my mind can come up with, and every choice will leave lasting consequences upon the party.
Choice will play a big part in this game. At various points in the story you will be presented with decisions. These decisions will have outcomes known only to me, decided by a random roll. They can be good or bad, but expect as the adventure continues that more foul afflictions will be placed in the pool than benevolent ones.
For myself I will be playing the part of your mysterious employer, as well as that of Dungeon Master. I will control all NPC characters and events, and provide you with what I hope to be an intriguing if not chilling story which will put your characters and writing abilities to the test.
Your characters can die. Your abilities in combat and interactions can be hindered by disease, injury, and madness. The personality of the characters you choose to develop will be more important than most other RPs. Every character will be expected to have both boons and vices, at least in equal proportion. You will be expected to use these during the RP, both boosting the morale and abilities of your teammates, and hindering them with your dark secrets. You should expect that these will be used against you at some point within the game.
All rules within the Guild apply here. If I need to expand on this, I will. Given the dark and insidious nature of this RP it will probably teeter on the knifes edge of acceptability at times. For this reason, it will be an Advanced RP. While I want everyone to be creative and let their dark side out, please use your good sense when picking courses of action. If there is a question of the appropriateness of a post, do not hesitate to PM me and we can discuss it with one of the Mods if necessary. I have no desire to shock anyone to the point of offense.
For more information on the world that this RP will be set in, please see the hiders below. I have tried to illustrate a background for which you can create your characters and perhaps a universe that will spawn additional games in the future. If there are any questions regarding things I have not covered, feel free to bring it up in the OOC. I will do my best to answer them, and if it is something that a significant amount of people are curious about I will add additional elements to the post.
When you are complete with your sheets I would very much appreciate you send them to me in PM. I have seen many awkward interactions in OOC where a player and GM may not agree on the criticism. I do not want to bring that upon anyone.
Most importantly I want everyone to have fun. If your character meets an ill fate, do not fret. There are always more heroes eagerly waiting to explore the dark depths of sanity.
Set in a time period reminiscent of late medieval to early Renaissance Europe, The Nightmare of Dunwick Manor is based around gothic literature and themes. The entire story will take place within a small part of a region known as The Reyrweald within the world of Argas. The Reyrweald was once a heavily forested area that lay on the frontier of the Valedean Empire. A massive state that once dominated all of the continent of Argas, the Empire in the current era is a shadow of its former self. The Reyrweald was the subject of colonization and expansion prior to the Valedean Empire’s decline, and the Empire set out hundreds of colonists to settle and explore the mysterious woodland. The natives of the region were elves, known to the human settlers as the Fae. At first the interactions between man and elf were peaceful, and the early settlers garnered help and trade from the woodland tribes. As the Empire grew fatter on the raw materials coming out of their new colonies, they pushed further into Fae territory, sparking wars between the two races. More technologically advanced, and with superior numbers to the Fae, these conflicts were fairly one sided. Eventually the Fae would submit to Imperial rule.
Generations later, these colonists grew into impressive cities of their own, sprawling across the deforested countryside. They established their own governments and laws, built to represent their own interests instead of that of their patron Empire. As the Valedean Empire sagged under its own corruption and failing economy, it demanded more supplies and taxes from its colonies. The people of Reyrweald, growing sick of answering to a nation that lay across the mountain passes, rebelled. The uprising was the greatest conflict in the history of the Reyrweald, claiming thousands of lives from both sides. Allied with the Fae, who now served as serfs and servants to the self-appointed nobility of Reyrweald, they fought hard against the technologically advanced soldiers of the Empire. Despite having superior arms and training, the blue-blooded generals of Valedean were just as corrupt as their rulers, and their armies were prone to desertion. Each victory at the hands of the rebels brought lower morale and discipline to the Empires armies, and eventually the cost to maintain a guerrilla campaign within The Reyrweald was too much for the burdened Empire to handle. The Asterancy, or Star Accords in more modern terms, was signed between the Empire and its former colonies. This awarded the Reyrweald its independence, as long as trade between the two nations would continue, and embassies would be granted.
The Fae, eager to claim their share of the victory, petitioned for the freedom and equality of their people. The humans of the Reyrweald, now known as the Star Kingdom after the treaty, spat in their faces. Armed with stolen weapons from the Empire, as well as veteran soldiers that had deserted and fled to the fertile lands of The Reyrweald in hopes of a better life, the newly appointed King Forsyth was drunk on victory and power. In the wake of one war came another, as the Fae turned on their former allies in a brutal conflict later known as the Traitor’s War.
Depending on the histories one reads, it is unclear who started the first atrocities. What is equally known among all is that both Fae and Star Kingdom soldiers would mercilessly attack innocent villages and butcher men, women, and children alike. Great swaths of forest were burnt to the ground, and the Fae fought bravely against overwhelming odds. But they lost, slowly, and legends tell of mysticism and nightmarish creatures that joined the Fae in battle. After many years of bloodshed, the tribal leader that had united all elves finally approached the King. Chief Foararr shocked the Star Kingdom as he dropped to his knees and requested peace. King Forsyth granted this peace, but on the terms that Foararr himself sacrifice his life for it. To this day, the mummified head of the elven arch-traitor hangs from the gate of Asterwatch, and the remainder of his people live a poor life of slavery and oppression.
Several hundred years have passed since the birth of the Star Kingdom, and its prestige and wealth has grown to rival that of the Valedean Empire. Once small towns have become sprawling cities, and the crown jewel of Asterwatch, seat of the current ruler King Osfirth II, has expanded into a few dozen boroughs. Populations are either packed into densely populated cities, or out among the rolling hills of the countryside in smaller towns, villages, and hamlets. The days of war are long gone, and the scars of rebellion and the Traitor’s War have been reclaimed largely by the forces of nature. Still, a farmer may discover the rusted weapons and bones of soldiers while tilling his fields. Common folk are faced with the daily struggles of peasant life. They work hard to harvest their crops, tend their herds, and apply their trade among the vast city markets. The Fae, while still treated as second class citizens within the kingdom, have managed to secure some freedoms. Many are still kept as slaves or indentured servants, but some under the ownership of a caring master find freedom. These Free Elves are subject to increased taxes for their non-human birth, and usually treated with contempt. They keep to themselves in slum districts of the cities, or trying to find freedom from oppression roaming the countryside. Often the subject of pogroms and the object of anger from poor humans, the Fae have learned to keep to themselves and in isolation if possible.
The nobles, both minor counts and gentlemen, to the higher ranks of dukes and princes, squabble and quarrel endlessly. These rivalries are usually court based affairs, yet involve sinister political intrigue, assassination, and espionage in order to gain influence and power over their peers. Occasionally, small scale skirmishes will break out between nobles, who rely on their own supply of knights and men-at-arms supplemented with mercenaries in order to settle their disputes. These battles are localized, generally settled in a few skirmishes until the other side yields or in the rare cases completely wiped out. Some mercenary bands are renowned for forfeiting the field should a battle not be going their way, leaving honor and chivalry to the knights as they live to collect another paycheck somewhere else. Other bands are more valorous, and see the completion of a contract to be part of their duty. In either case, mercenary work is highly lucrative, as there is no shortage of power hungry nobles looking to put their disposable wealth to good use.
The Valedean Empire is struggling to survive. After the loss of its Reyrweald colonies, the Empire faced petitions and threats of more war from its other expansions. Seeing weakness, barbarian tribes from the far north pushed into Empire held lands and took back what once was theirs. Now the Empire is failing badly, its ruling class rife with corruption and selfish decadence. Its cities are patrolled more by gangs and criminal overlords than Imperial soldiers, and the people of the Empire live a daily life of hunger, extortion, and crime. Yet, like a persistent gnat that refuses to die, the Empire lives on. Rumors among the Star Kingdoms citizens tell of dark and unspeakable experiments within the Empire, and everyone fears one day when the Empire will regain its strength and return to take back its lost colony.
Magic in the Star Kingdom is shrouded in mystery and superstition. Fairytales and folklore tell of ancient times when gods and spirits roamed freely amongst the people and magic reigned. The Fae themselves are a deeply spiritual people, their ancestors praying to gods and goddesses of nature and primal forces. The stories of mystic nightmares conjured by the Fae in their final moments of the Traitor’s War are used more as threats from parents to keep their children out of trouble. Literature and history on the nature of magic is closely censured by the King, and those who study it are considered quirky and outlandish by their scholarly peers. Any foolish souls who go against the censures and publish works deemed unsuitable vanish in the night, taken by the Kings secret police. Even so, there are those who are fascinated by old tales, and devote their entire lives to uncovering proof and evidence of magic.
Magic is not something that even in the old tales and legends is wielded lightly. Even simple incantations can backfire with dire consequences, releasing horrible energies and creatures from alternate dimensions into the world. Many stories told among the peasantry feature wizards, warlocks, and witches that succumb to madness due to their fragile human minds being unable to comprehend the twisted cosmic horrors needed to harness magical powers. As such, it is completely extinct in common society among the Star Kingdom. There are rumors of dark practices within the Valedean Empire, the folktales of Fae shamans and witches communing with spirits and demons, and barbarian tribes of far off locations that practice sinister rituals of sacrifice and zealous worship to their gods.
Creating a character that studies and practices magic in complete secrecy is not off the table. You must convince me that you understand the nature I am trying to portray, and are able to roleplay such knowledge accordingly. Magical abilities are only granted to a person by using their body as a conduit for entities from other realms of existence. A wizard calls upon certain beings and uses their power to enter the world in either a small trickle or a massive flood. This requires a person of incredible will to control, as they have to combat the forces they summon in order to only allow what they want to happen. An unskilled practitioner who cannot reign in the otherworldly entities will find themselves unable to siphon off the appropriate amount of power, resulting in uncontrollable reactions, insanity, or even possession.
Only those who study magic extensively against Royal Decree or are members of other nations were the dangerous practice of magic is less controlled, know these aspects of magic. To nearly everyone in the Star Kingdom, magic is simply the stuff of ghost stories and fairy-tales, and existence of anything outside of their own world of reality is completely unknown.
Scientific discovery is held in high regard within the Star Kingdom. King Osfirth II himself is a renowned man of science, and he hands out patronages to professors of the various universities in order to continue their research and publish their findings. Both universities and guilds of various trades and expertise dominate the economic and scholarly pursuits. There have been several advancements since the early days of the kingdom. First, gunpowder is readily available. This is an ill-refined substance, subject to failure or spontaneous combustion when handled improperly. Still, the armies of the Star Kingdom are equipped not only with traditional medieval weaponry and armor, but specialized units of musket armed soldiers and artillery. Along with firearms, advances in metallurgy have yielded stronger and lighter steels for construction and tools. Pressurized water tanks allow for low-tech plumbing among the rich, as these devices are incredibly expensive. Sewers and catacombs increase the hygiene of the largest cities, and the great city of Asterwatch has a newly implemented gas pipeline that lights the wealthier boroughs street lanterns without the need for oil and fire.
Religion within the Star Kingdom is not held in high regard. King Osfirth II, like his father, favors reason and hard facts. As such, due to the decrees continued by his father, religion holds no place within the kingdom. Within the countryside, the poorer folk still live in shadowy superstition. Small cults of priests roam the outskirts of society, preaching the sermons of whichever god they have chosen to serve or create out of thin air. Some of the Fae still adhere to the religion of their ancestors, worshiping primal spirits and deities in secret. Their faith is highly feared by the less educated and ignorant, who believe the stories of ancient times and hold the elves in the same regard as witches and demon worshipers.
King Osfirth II: Current ruler of the Star Kingdom and patron of knowledge. He is no longer a young man, nearing his middle years after taking the throne from his father at the age of 17. He currently has no heirs, his wife barren, and there is much debate among the court over his successor should he pass suddenly.
Spy-Matron Glenda Aeflestead: An elderly woman that controls the Kings secret police: Renward Row. Her agents are everywhere, listening and reporting the comings and goings of various nobles and persons of interest. For herself she is quiet and reserved, favoring to hold her tongue and observe as opposed to direct action. Her words are held in high regard of the monarch, who like his father places great trust and responsibility in her.
Lord Segwich Romshire: Master Censure of the king, and the current administrator of the Royal Censure. Lord Romshire is a pitiful looking man, thin and gangly with a head bearing the signs of male patterned baldness. His eyes are small and his lips thin, and he usually speaks with the hint of a sneer in his voice. He delights in making life difficult for whomever he can, generally with copious amounts of paperwork required to secure patents and licenses from his office.
Grand Marshal Theodred Erikssen: Leader of both the Bright Guards and champion of King Osfirth II, Marshal Erikssen is a hard man that can trace his lineage back to the soldiers that fought in the war of independence from the Empire. While major wars have had no place among the people of Reyrweald for many centuries, Marshal Erikssen is a veteran of dozens of battles against bandits, rebellious peasants and Fae, and rouge mercenary groups. His tactical knowledge is second to none, and he personally tutors several children of the nobility for an incredibly high price.
Chancellor Richard Godfreid: Portly and stooped with age, Chancellor Godfreid is a kind man of incredible knowledge and prominence within the Star Kingdom. He holds the current position as dean of the Star College. Preferring to forgo his title, Chancellor Godfreid is known to most as Dr. Godfreid, Professor, or simply Richard to his friends and peers. Grey haired and bearded, Chancellor Godfreid feels great love for his students and all who seek the advancement of knowledge and education.
Guilds and Universities: The Star College is the premiere place for scholastic adventures within the kingdom. It libraries and research facilities are peerless, and the king himself studied there and holds an honorary professorship. His original dissertation on the political evolution of the Reyrweald is held in the library within a glass case. Other cities boast their own colleges and universities, each with their own levels of fame and contribution. There are numerous guilds that ply their specific trades through the kingdom. These range from blacksmiths and bards, to agriculture and labor unions.
Renward Row: The secret police and ever watchful hand of the King. These agents are shadowy persons who occupy all levels of both royal and common society. The fear of Renward Row is palpable amongst the ignorant, believing that these ‘boogie men’ will snatch them for even the faintest slight against their monarch. While mainly concerned with enforcing censures and culling rising dissent, the secret mission of Renward Row is to keep tabs on their neighbor. The Valedean Empire may be weak, but a beast is most dangerous when it is wounded and backed into a corner.
The Royal Army: Made up of gentleman knights, men-at-arms, and common militia, this is the strong arm of the Star Kingdom. Each noble is expected to produce a certain amount of knights and men to their particular lord when called upon. Thus, the Royal Army is actually hundreds of separate entities, only united under the King if he calls for all-out war. This has only happened once: during the Traitors War. Otherwise, these nobles utilize their forces in small scale skirmishes with their rivals.
The Watchmen: Royal Guards under the direct control of the King. The Watchmen are mostly common folk, patrolling the streets of Asterwatch for crime and keeping the peace.
The Bright Guard: The Bright Guard are the elite of the kingdom, and are given the best equipment and training available. This prestigious group is the Kings personal bodyguard, and maintain the castle of Asterwatch.
The Royal Censure: A group of bureaucrats that police all academic publishing and research within the kingdom. The red tape that these generally pompous individuals can heap upon a person is legendary. They see their service to the king as vital, protecting all of the inhabitants of the Star Kingdom from “unsavory practices.” Many a third or fourth high born son has found himself an apprentice here, as he will not inherit his father’s estates and must make a name for himself among the dreadful politics of the kingdom some other way.
Mercenary Bands: Roaming the countryside, usually under the employment of a lord looking to increase his strength or a local town with a bandit problem, the mercenary bands of the Star Kingdom come from all walks of life. Many members of the Fae find acceptance here, were admission is voluntary and skill with a blade and musket is held in higher regard than birth. These bands vary in disposition depending on their leaders. Some are cruel and little better than the raiders they fight. Others are noble in their pursuits, looking to make a more peaceful kingdom.
The Valedean Embassy: Filled with ambassadors and a few soldiers from the Valedean Empire, the Embassy in Asterwatch is regarded with suspicion from the nobility and commoners. While operating under the pretense of keeping good relations and trade agreements between the two nations, most within the Star Kingdoms harbor conspiracy theories that the Embassy is the headquarters for secret plots to undermine their former colony.
Human: Your typical run of the mill, average every day homo-sapiens. Their body types, hair and eye color, and skin tone vary greatly throughout the world. Due to the imperial nature of the colonial period of the Star Kingdoms past, there is a great amount of ethnic diversity. Heavily tanned folk of desert ancestry, the dark brown to black skin of those from far off jungles, and paler skin tones from northern descent all are seen and held in equal standing. Humans can own property, hold office, and perform any job provided they garner the proper licenses from the Royal Censure. The Star Kingdom is a slightly enlightened patriarchal society. While men are the first choice to inherit property and titles, there have been cases of a noble having no male heirs and his eldest daughter inherits his landholdings. Generally, this property is transferred to her husband when she marries, but there are a few strong willed women in the Star Kingdom who refuse marriage and maintain their own estates. Political offices are much the same way, save that these offices are appointments of the King. As such, should a woman make a significant impression on the King, she may be granted a higher position than her male peers. This happens only occasionally, but it is not unheard of. In the military only the nobility holds officer ranks. Common folk can rise to the level of Sergeant if they show their skill and ability to lead others. Life expectancy is between 50-70 years depending on one’s wealth and healthcare.
Fae: The Fae resemble elves of your typical fantasy stories. They have more angular features, almond shaped eyes, and long pointed ears. Unlike elves in other realms, they are not always slenderer than their human counterparts. Fae can be just as large and muscular as humans. Their skin tones are mostly heavily tanned due to their use as a labor force and second class employment opportunities, though some are paler if they are in service to a house. Usually this applies to female Fae, who work in households as maids and nurses, while the men work fields and other hard labor jobs. Their eyes are more bright and vibrant than that of humans, and can be a wide range of colors. Fae can live to be as old as 90, but usually die from violence, sickness, or exposure before then. Free Elves which have been granted their freedom from a kind lord or the King himself for dutiful service are subject to increased taxes, cannot own property, or hold any type of political office. They can serve in the military, though only as enlisted soldiers and never progress to a rank in which they are in charge of troops. This does not apply to Mercenary Bands, as they make their own rules and do not have to follow the military laws of the kingdom.
Halfbreeds: The spawn of human and Fae unions. Usually these are the bastard children of a lord “taking advantage” of his female servants or slaves. Very rarely, and always in secret as marriage between Fae and human is strictly outlawed, these are children born out of actual love and affection. Halfbreeds resemble a cross between the two races. They have less angular features, smaller points to their ears, and their eyes are slightly more rounded. They still have enough that makes them distinctly unhuman. All the laws that apply to Fae also apply to Halfbreeds, as they are seen as abominations by the Star Kingdom. Therefore, they find much more acceptance among the elves, though there are some Fae who see the Halfbreeds as aliens and shun them as well. They can live to be around 80.
1323 IE (Imperial Era): The Reyrweald colonies are founded.
1330 IE: First wars with the Fae begin with the colonists and Valedean Empire.
1337 IE: The Fae are pacified, the Reyrweald colonies beginning to grow and expand unhindered.
1452 IE: The Adamant Decree is published, declaring the independence of Reyrweald and its peoples from the Valedean Empire. War breaks out shortly after.
1460 FE (Free Era): The Asterancy is signed within Fort Forsyth, later to be renamed Asterwatch following the publication of the treaty. The Star Kingdom is born. The Traitors War begins the same year.
1471 FE: Eleven years of war and terrorism have finally come to a conclusion. The Fae are forced back into servitude. Chief Foararr is executed at a public beheading outside the gates of Asterwatch. All Fae are forced to be in attendance.
1642 FE: Dunwick Manor is purchased by Lord Roderic Montford. No further records can be found.
1671 FE: King Osfirth II replaces his father on the throne of the Star Kingdom on the 200th Anniversary of the Traitors War.
1699 FE: The current day.
Your adventure will begin within the forgotten and dilapidated hamlet of Roses. Once a prosperous farming community within the region of Moorlough, Roses is now not even mentioned on all but the oldest of maps. Settled near Kirklan Bay, the flood waters providing rich soil for agriculture, the small town is now surrounded by waterlogged fens as their levies cracked and the water retook most of the land. Backed by the Dubhwold Forest, now twisted with insidious looking trees that make a proper hiding place for bandits and cutthroats, the people of Roses live in constant fear under the shadow of Dunwick Manor. Once owned by a rich and prosperous gentleman, who was master of the surrounding acres, the house is now a sinister tyrant that plagues the minds and bodies of anything nearby. The great estate is set atop a cliff known as Shepherd’s Promontory, jutting out from the mainland into the bay. A single road winds down, through the forest at its feet, and into the village of Roses. No one who has ever ventured into that forest seeking the secrets within Dunwick Manor have ever returned, but terrible screams are often heard in the night from the trees. As far as the history of the region, all records of the master and whatever occurred within the house have been erased by Royal Censures. The only remaining document that has been found by scholars is a deed for the land signed over to Lord Roderic Montford. Further examination of this man will show a history that abruptly stops after his ownership of Dunwick Manor. Previously, he was a gentleman of decent standing that served in the military of a high lord, before applying himself to the Star College in Asterwatch. He graduated with honors and a Doctoral degree in physics and engineering, whereby he then used part of his inheritance to purchase the grounds. Local townsfolk are quite closed lipped; all questions about the estate or its master met with fearful glances toward the clifftop.
I will be using your individual Character Sheets as a guide to feel out your roleplaying style and skill. This RP will not be first-come first-served. Utilize your creativity and feel free to expand upon the world. If there is something that I feel does not sit within the setting, we will discuss it in PM when I review your sheet. If you have any questions, or want to run ideas by me prior to writing, I am always open to PM.
Name:
Age: (For the purposes of this RP, nothing younger than 18, nothing older than 60. Your age will place limitations on your abilities. Young characters may be fit but lack experience and skill, while older characters may be plagued by chronic illness or injury but have a wealth of knowledge at their disposal.)
Gender:
Race: (Fae, Human, or Halfbreed?)
Position and Trade: (What does your character do for a living? What level of society are they born to? Feel free to create guilds, colleges, organizations, or anything you may desire. Additionally, you may choose to make a character that already belongs to one of the groups I have created above. If you wish to make a character from the Embassy, Bright Guards, or Renward Row then you may want to bring it up in the OOC to avoid too many people working on the same character. These groups are small, and as such only one character belonging to each will be allowed if any at all.)
Appearance: (You may utilize a picture if you choose, however I myself am not a particular fan of them. I find it hard to always find a picture that will fit the setting. With that being said, if you do choose to utilize a picture, please make it is something appropriate. Text to accompany a picture is always welcome and encouraged.)
Personality/Vices/Boons: (This is where the magic happens. Add in any details about how your character interacts with others, their mental state, attitudes toward society, personal goals and ambitions. Of course, you should also list your boons and vices. Everyone is afraid of something, or has some dark secret they wish to keep buried. Additionally everyone has something useful they can offer the group, from skills to simple charisma. These must be at least in equal proportion, and I will require at least one of each. More are of course highly encouraged. If you wish to make a flawed character that is perfectly acceptable.)
History: (Give us a story about your characters past. What have they done with their lives? Here you can give reasons for their positive and negative attributes. You may use your world building skills here as well. You can create towns, cities, important events, or even famous people in your story. I have only outlined the atmosphere and history of the Star Kingdom. It is an evolving world that is open to more creation from the players.)
Weapons/Equipment/Supplies: (List whatever your character will have on their person or within their saddlebags when they arrive at the tavern in Roses. This should be in keeping with your character. An elderly professor would not typically be seen in a full raiment of plate mail and a great sword, nor would a common soldier typically have a copy of the Kings dissertation.)
The Contract: (The section will be you actually roleplaying out how your character heard about the request from the Employer. You can even go as far as to elaborate on the travels of your character on their way to Roses if you choose to do so, but it is not required. Be as creative as you like. It can be anything from a casual conversation over a tankard of ale, to eavesdropping on a pair of gossiping townsfolk, or even receiving a letter or being approached by someone if your character is sufficiently famous or noticeably skilled in certain areas. The primary purpose of this section is for me to get a feeling of your writing style, roleplaying abilities, and to see your character in action.)
I have decided to include some links that may be helpful when creating your characters. As for myself, I often have a very difficult time in naming people, places, and items. As I continue to research certain aspects of historical Renaissance and medieval Europe in hopes of inspiration this section may expand.
Helpful Wikipedia articles that may give you inspiration for naming characters and places based on Old Enlgish and Celtic root words can be found here and here.
A Wikipedia article on the ranks of European nobility can be found here.
A simple name generator for Gothic themed names can be found here.
Due to the amount of interest I have received, as well as my own ideas spiraling out of control and a desire to create this universe in more depth and detail, I have begun working on an OOC. Expect to see more from this RP shortly.
Always wanted something dark to play. Also this rp reminds me of darkest dungeon. Which is a good thing mind you.
I borrowed heavily from that game in the initial concepts of this RP. The first draft almost read like a clone before I reviewed it and realized that I had pretty much shamelessly copied nearly all of the aspects. Some further refinement is still needed but I'm gradually working up to a more original product. I really love the choice and consequence aspect of Darkest Dungeon; one of the primary things that I hope will make this game a bit different for you guys.
@NowIGiveUp and @Witch Cat, I am curious to what details you guys would be interested in? The world is still currently in the "alpha" stage, as I brainstorm and jot down notes throughout work when I should be productive. As far as magic goes it is going to be nearly nonexistent as far as character abilities go. Magic once played a more major role in this world, in very very ancient times. Now, it is myth and legend, replaced by scientific reasoning and discovery. Humanity puts their world into a context that their fragile minds can understand and make sense of. However, that is not to say magic does not exist. You may create a scholarly/scientific character that is fascinated by the pseudo-scientific arcane theories. Think of it like the cryptozoologists of today: always seeking answers to things that they hope are there, but never really coming up with hard facts and evidence.
Force Name: Shan’cova’vre (Army of Broken Heroes), previously the Shan’va’sin (Army of Great Ones)
Force Type: Tau Farsight Coalition
History: The Shan’va’sin began its dutiful service to Shas’o Shovah within the Enclaves as a peacekeeping and police force. They patrolled the sector of worlds under the watchful eye of Shas’o B’shase, better known as Commander Guidestar. Commander Guidestar led his forces with cunning and grace, displaying great interest in the training of young Fire Warriors and seeing them rise through the ranks to pilot suits of their own. His teachings help shape the Army into a force that stood for peace, looking to settle differences without the need of force if need be. One of his brightest pupils was Shas’el Mont’ray, a young and eager commander recently promoted to Cadre Command. The Great Ones moved throughout Enclave space, ensuring that peace was kept and that all were working toward the success of the whole. They did not support the ideals of the Greater Good, as few Farsight followers did these days, but simply wanted to promote their existence in the universe and secure their borders.
O’Shovah approached Guidestar with a very specific request. He asked that the Commander take his forces out of Enclave territory, and venture into the sectors of Imperial space in order to seek supplies and sympathizers. While the Enclaves were strong, they were isolated, and required the good will of those still supportive within the Tau Empire as well as other races if they were to expand and further secure their territory. While not typically given this type of mission, Guidestar gratefully accepted and assembled his Coalition and sailed into the void.
Their journey took them across many worlds, most left barren by aggressive xenos species or too heavily fortified to attack when diplomacy failed. They came across some secluded worlds, held by Eldar or far-flung Humans, in which they were able to trade resources for resupply or offer their services. Some deals were struck, and the terms of negotiations passed back to the Enclaves for the Water Caste to exploit. Tragedy befell the Great Ones when they were ambushed by an Feral Clan of Orks upon an unknown world. Vastly outnumbered, the Great Ones fell back into defensive lines. Their technology was far superior to the Orks, and they were killing the green beasts by the thousands but their numbers were insurmountable. Shas’O B’shase himself was killed during the conflict, and in the moment when the Tau were left leaderless and about to crumble Mont’ray himself stepped forward and took command when his peers hesitated. Rallying the Tau, Mont’ray pushed back against the Orks and obliterated their kind from the face of the planet in a daring and devastating string of counterattacks. His victory on this world was enough to secure him the position of Coalition Commander, despite his lack of rank for the position. In order to bring the army fully under his control, as well as honor the memory of his mentor and former commander, Mont’ray renamed the Great Ones the Broken Heroes. They took time to restock and repair, and then ventured out again from the planet, leaving behind a solitary monument to their fallen brothers in arms.
Now, the Broken Heroes have arrived in the Dauntless Sector. They know nothing of the growing conflict, and have arrived before the rest of the Imperial Army that has been sent to purge the secessionist forces from the area. Though they stand neutral at this time, they will not hesitate to throw their forces in with whichever side offers the most beneficial alliance for the Farsight Enclaves.
Headquarters: Fleet based.
Strength:
Troops, 12,000
Fire Warriors,8,500: Equipped with pulse rifles, carbines, blasters, and photon grenades. Wear standard Tau combat armor. Shas’ui are equipped with drone controllers in order to bring Shield Drones into battle to support.
Pathfinders,2,000: Equipped with pulse carbines, marker lights, photon grenades, railrifles, and ion rifles. Wear standard Tau recon armor.
Stealth Suits,1,500: An upgrade of the common XV15, the XV25 stealth suit is more heavily armored and able to carry heavier weapons such as a Fusion Blaster into battle, as well as one optional support system for team leaders.
Battlesuits:400 total
Crisis,200: Variety of weapon configurations and equipment. Anything available to a Tau Crisis suit can be found in numerous configurations. Cadre Commanders have access to more experimental weapons and equipment, while the lower ranking pilots typically outfit their suits in a way the supports the role of their team. This can be anything from an all-round team, or teams that sacrifice capabilities against a certain type of foe in order to excel in hunting down and destroying enemy vehicles, infantry, or other commanders.
Broadside,100: Equipped with heavier armor than a Crisis suit, wielding a Heavy Railrifle, or arm mounted Missile Pods as a primary weapon system. Shoulder armaments include smart missiles, seeker missiles, and twin linked plasma rifles. Can be outfitted with only one battlesuit support system.
Riptide, 50: The largest and most heavily armed and armored suits available to the Broken Heroes. The primary weapon can either be a Heavy Burst Cannon or Ion Accelerator. Always equipped with a Riptide shield generator. Secondary armaments include the possibility of twin-linked plasma rifles or fusion blasters, as well as missile pods. Contains an experimental Nova Reactor that can super charge its shields and weapon systems, however doing this releases deadly radiation that can seriously injure or kill the pilot after long periods of exposure.
Ghostkeel,25: A deadly spirit of death on the battlefield. Utilizing overlapping stealth fields from its own on-board stealth generator combined with the fields of its two Stealth Drones, the Ghostkeel can become neigh-invisible to enemy forces. Heavier armor allows the Ghostkeel pilot to go toe-to-toe with most enemy forces once it ambushes them from a hidden position. A vast array of electronic countermeasures within its Electronic Warfare Suit in its left hand wreck the firing solutions and targeting abilities of the enemy, making it very difficult to lock on and take down a Ghostkeel even when discovered. Its primary weapon can either be an anti-infantry Cyclic Ion Raker, or the anti-armor Fusion Collider. It can also mount twin linked fusion blasters, flamers, or burst cannons on its shoulders. Being new technology to the Empire that was procured secretly by Farsight sympathizers, the Broken Heroes can only field a few of these suits. Their pilots operate in lone wolf teams far behind enemy lines.
Stormsurge,25: A walking behemoth bristling with heavy weaponry, the Stormsurge is the Broken Heroes answer to the superheavy tanks and Titans of the universe. Primary armament can either be a Pulse Driver Cannon or Pulse A.R.C. cannon. Secondary armaments include massive Cluster Rocket Systems, and four Destroyer Missiles. Tertiary weaponry can be two Airbursting Fragmentation Projectors, two Smart Missile Systems, two Burst Cannons, or twin-linked Flamers. Being a new piece of Tau technology the Farsight Enclaves have managed to steal from the Empire, like that of the Ghostkeel, the Broken Heroes can only field these suits in small numbers.
Vehicles and Air Support,200 (Any vehicle can take a number of upgrades from the Tau Vehicle Upgrade list).
Devilfish,50: The standard Tau transport vehicle. A skimmer, like all Tau vehicles. Lightly armed with a Burst Cannon and a pair of Gun Drones that may be replaced with Smart Missile Pods in the need of more anti-vehicle weaponry. Able to carry a squad of 12 Fire Warriors.
Hammerhead,45: The main battle tank of the Tau. Primary armament can either be a Railgun or Ion Cannon, with secondary armaments of Burst Cannons or Smart Missile Pods. A chin mounted Markerlight receiver allows the Hammerhead to track and more accurately engage targets that are painted with a Markerlight.
Skyray,15: The Sky Ray carries six Seeker Missiles mounted in a 360° traversable turret. It also mounts a pair of networked Markerlights and a Target Lock support system, allowing the Sky Ray to aim and fire its own Seeker Missiles against two separate targets at once. Secondary armament is either a pair of independently-aimed burst cannons, a pair of Gun Drones or a Smart Missile System.
Piranha,20: A light attack skimmer that operates much like a Space Marine Land Speeder. Equipped with a chin mounted Burst Cannon or Fusion Blaster, as well as two Gun Drones. Can also attach Seeker Missiles to provide long range fire support against targets painted with a Markerlight. Typically operate in teams of 3-5.
Barracuda,15: The workhorse of the Tau’s atmospheric fighting power. A Barracuda is armed with a nose-mounted, pilot aimed Ion Cannon. This is the aircraft's primary weapon of use in dogfights, backed up by two drone controlled Burst Cannons in the wings. For ground attacks, it is primarily armed with wing mounted missile pods. When used in a ground attack role a Barracuda can carry additional armament of up to four Seeker missiles.
Razorshark Fighter,25: A smaller atmospheric strike fighter. Main armament is a 360 degree quad-ion turret, with a nose mounted Burst Cannon and Seeker Missiles. Much faster and more agile than the Sun Shark Bomber, which is built on the same chassis.
Sun Shark Bomber,30: Capable of blasting ground targets with its primary armament, the Pulse Bomb Generator, secondary systems include Interceptor Drones to intercept incoming enemy aircraft and Missile Pods to both protect from aircraft and provide supporting fire.
Miscellaneous: Various numbers of Water Caste diplomats, Earth Caste workers for repair and construction of fortifications, and Air Caste Pilots.
Tactics: The Broken Heroes prefer to adhere most to the doctrine of Mont’ka. They will study their forces with stealth suits and Pathfinder teams, looking for weak points and learning their enemies’ patterns. They then will utilize this knowledge to bring the crushing firepower of Tau upon their foes in devastating strikes of Battle suits and heavy weaponry. They favor strength and overwhelming destruction over more mobile forms of war. This is not to say that they simply stand still and allow the object of their wrath to come to them. Being Tau, which is an army specialized in the use of mobile skimmer-vehicles and jet-packed equipped Battlesuits, they still need to utilized the strengths of their equipment and training. They prefer to provide several bases of overlapping fire from their tanks, Broadsides, and Stormsurge suits, in order to soften the enemy before closing with speed and deploying their lighter forces to the areas that look like they are about to crack. The teachings of O’Shovah make the Broken Heroes an oddity among other Tau from the actual empire as well. They do not shy away from close combat, and their Battlesuit pilots are well equipped and trained to maneuver their suits in close proximity with the enemy.
Mortal enemy: Like nearly all of the Tau under the leadership of O’Shovah, the members of the Broken Heroes despise Orks more than any other. They are known to cooperate with nearly any other race, given that they are able to provide support to their own interests.
Name: Shas’el Mont’ray (Commander Warstrider)
Gender: Male
Race: Tau
Rank: Shas’el (Fire Caste Knight or Noble)
Personality: Commander Warstrider is an incredibly ambitious leader who does not hesitate to commit his forces to action that would give some Commanders pause. He is staunchly supportive of Commander Farsight, holding little respect for the Ethereal Council of the main Tau Empire and their shadowy teachings. He wishes above all else to be recognized for his successes in service to the Enclaves. He would rather die than allow his forces to return home empty handed. The situation in the Dauntless Sector provides Warstrider with a unique opportunity: possibly securing a powerful ally among the rouge Imperial Forces who control it currently, or boosting the relations between the Enclaves and the Imperium of Man by removing the secessionists. Either course of action will mean many battles and deaths among the Broken Heroes, but Warstrider is not afraid to make sacrifices for the betterment of his people.
Bio: Raised within the Enclaves a few generations after the separation from the Tau Empire, Warstrider has only known the freedom of no longer being under the strict rule of the Ethereals. He began as all Tau of the Fire Caste do, as a lowly Fire Warrior. He showed promise even in the early days, his eagerness and desire for advancement accelerating him through the ranks. He attended the schools established among the world of Vior’los, becoming one of the top students in his classes. Despite his strategic and tactical expertise, his teachers hesitated when it came time for graduation. Warstrider had shown that he was fully capable of taking Command, and it would be an incredible embarrassment and personal slight against the man should he be passed up. However, during training he had shown he was completely willing and unafraid to make sacrifices as long as it ensured victory. He had sent many Warriors and Battlesuits on suicidal missions during the simulated exercises in order to win. Whenever he lost a battle, he grew morose and angry, taking the loss incredibly personal and lacking the grace of his peers to accept defeat. These reservations made the instructors debate for long hours on where to place the soon to be Shas’el. Eventually they came to the consensus to assign the young and brash warrior under Shas’o B’shase, a calm and caring Commander who they believed would temper Mont’ray into a more flexible leader. Given command of a Cadre assigned the protection and peacekeeping, there would be little danger in giving Mont’ray the opportunity to waste the precious lives of Enclave warriors in needless conflict.
Shas’el Mont’ray was the first of the Cadre Commanders to take up the mantle of leadership when B’shase fell to the Ork hordes. Ever hungry for more power and responsibility, Mont’ray seized upon the opportunity to prove himself and rallied the Coalition forces to fight back and eradicate the xenos. Now, unwilling to return home with what he sees as a pyrrhic victory, Commander Warstrider pushes onward in search of more resources and potential allies that will aid in the Enclaves survival.
Equipment/weapons:
Dismounted: Standard Tau Combat armor, Pulse Carbine with Markerlight and Photon Grenade Launcher. Pulse Pistol as sidearm.
XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit: Based on the Enforcer Battlesuit chassis, which is a larger and taller version of the standard Crisis pattern. The Coldstar differs from the Enforcer suit in that it is equipped with aerodynamic fins along the Jetpack to enable quicker movement and mobility in combat. Unlike the other members of his army that bear the dark red and black coloration of the Enclave, Warstrider has fashioned his suit to be an inverse. The armor of his Battlesuit is primarily black, with dark red highlights along its surface. The “head” is bone white, with red markings signifying him as the Commander.
Battlesuit Gear: Cyclic Ion Blaster (right arm), Smart Missile Pod (left shoulder), Air Burst Fragmentation Projector (left arm), Holophoton Countermeasures, Drone Controller (two Shield Drones), Command and Control Node.
Name: Shas’vre Rra’ka (Shadowstrike)
Rank: Shas’vre
Equipment: Ghostkeel Battlesuit, with Fusion Collider and shoulder mounted Burst Cannons. Equipped with a Blacksun Filter.
Personality: Most renowned of the Stealth team forces, and unassigned mentor of Pathfinders, Shadowstrike excels in infiltration, reconnaissance, and assassination. Her ability to enter enemy formations undetected and report vital information has given the edge to the Broken Heroes on many occasions. During combat, she will maneuver her suit silently around the flanks, or even within the enemy, and unleash devastating attacks against enemy commanders, artillery pieces, or armored annoyances.
Name: Shas’vre R’oni (Longshield)
Rank: Shas’vre
Equipment: Broadside Battlesuit with Heavy Railrifle, Seeker Missile, and Target Array.
Personality: The youngest of the General Staff, Longshield earned his name by protecting the Broken Heroes through the strategic emplacement of his Broadside teams and Stormsurge suits to obliterate oncoming enemy forces with massive amounts of firepower. He is very pragmatic and calm, seeking only to do his part to achieve victory and not seeking any personal satisfaction or gain. His victory comes from seeing the might of the Tau protected under the watchful gaze of his fire support.
Name: Shas’el Ol’ta (Brightsoul)
Rank: Shas’el
Equipment: Hammerhead Gunship armed with a Railgun and two Smart Missile Pods. His tank is also equipped with a Disruption Pod and an Automated Repair System.
Personality: Working both in conjunction with both supporting and mobile elements, Brightsoul is the armored commander of the Broken Heroes. He utilizes his long range firepower to support the advance of infantry and battlesuits, as well as taking action in lightning fast tank blitzes to destroy enemy armored columns with a barrage of Railgun fire and Seeker Missiles. He is more aggressive, favoring combat over diplomacy, and fully supports his leader’s desires to continue their campaign further from Enclave territory.
Name: Kor’o Suam’sha’is (Admiral Firestorm)
Rank: Kor’O
Equipment: Pilot suit and Pulse pistol.
Personality: The overall commander of the Broken Heroes fleet, as well as its air support. Admiral Firestorm is soft spoken and cautious. She reserves the right, due to her rank, to veto decisions made by Warstrider, though her authority only governs that of her Caste. Thus, she knows, if she decides not to support an attack and fails to provide air support for the ground forces, then her choices will result in many more Tau casualties. She feels that she is in between a rock and a hard place, and therefore does her best to act as a voice of reason when dealing with the new hot blooded Commander.
Your travels, long and arduous, have finally led to their dire conclusion. Seated now within the dilapidated tavern, the floorboards warped and caked in mud, you quietly sip from a battered pewter mug filled with a foul tasting brew. The poorly kept hovel is nearly empty; few patrons from the village seeming to dare set foot outside their own doors. Your arrival was met with shifty glances, the faces of the townsfolk bearing the haggard expressions of those subject to daily terrors.
This is not a place that welcomes travelers, though your money is accepted with a greedy smile from the obese tavern keeper as he wipes grease upon his shirt. His grin is rife with teeth rotted and blackened, and you feel a sense of disgust and contempt. As you survey the down-trodden citizens of this forgotten hamlet, you reflect on the moments that bore your adventures here…
A whisper of rumor, the passing of moldy parchment from one hand to the next, the allure of riches and fame. All things tied to one another in an elaborate and unknowable ballet of fate or chance. Your reasons are your own, but one thing is certain: this will be no simple undertaking.
A request, seeking those who wish to carve for themselves a name among the rocks. A promise of gold, knowledge, and relics forgotten and buried. You know nothing of your employer; no name was given. Only that you were told to meet here, in a village long since condemned to the annals of history. The single road wound with sinister purpose as your mind seemed to recoil at the unsettling miasma that grew thicker as you neared the end of your journey. There was a sickness here, an antediluvian evil that plagued the minds and bodies of those too poor or stubborn to leave. Everywhere showed signs of madness and corruption. A single sign harbored the finality of your travels, a name scratched out and left with a dreadful premonition of things to come.
“Abandon All Hope, ye Who Enter Here”
You took a moment to take stock of your quest, waiting upon the hilltop. The town lay just below, the glow of lantern light in the grime crusted and cracked windows casting a ghostly pall over the pitted cobblestone streets. A great forest lay beyond, black trees twisted with malevolent agony as their limbs reached skyward like talons in the night. And as your gaze drifted further, the breath caught in your throat and a chill ran down your spine.
Atop the cliff, dominating the skyline like a vile overlord, lay what once must have been an impressive estate. Cloaked in shadow, the ominous structure exuded a purely evil aroma. It was not one you could place, but something that itched in the back of your mind and made your flesh crawl. All senses told you to turn back, leave this place and its people to their damnable fate. Yet you press on, spurred by the promises of the anonymous stranger…
OOC INFO
This RP will be set in a gothic, low-fantasy semi-medieval society. The story will center around a group of travelers, scholars, cutthroats, mercenaries, and any other character that may have a reason to take up the cryptic quest. At the moment I am looking to fill this with up to 6 people, though depending on the amount of interest I gather I may amend this number.
This will not be a light hearted and pleasurable affair. This RP will center around dark and mysterious themes influenced heavily by Lovecraftian horror, tragedy, struggle, and mortality. Your characters will be plagued with any kind of terror my mind can come up with, and every choice will leave lasting consequences upon the party.
Choice will play a big part in this game. At various points in the story you will be presented with decisions. These decisions will have outcomes known only to me, decided by a random roll. They can be good or bad, but expect as the adventure continues that more foul afflictions will be placed in the pool than benevolent ones.
For myself I will be playing the part of your mysterious employer, as well as that of Dungeon Master. I will control all NPC characters and events, and provide you with what I hope to be an intriguing if not chilling story which will put your characters and writing abilities to the test.
Your characters can die. Your abilities in combat and interactions can be hindered by disease, injury, and madness. I am still building a CS, but the personality of the characters you choose to develop will be more important than most other RPs. Every character will be expected to have both boons and vices, at least in equal proportion. You will be expected to use these during the RP, both boosting the morale and abilities of your teammates, and hindering them with your dark secrets. You should expect that these will be used against you at some point within the game.
All rules within the Guild apply here. If I need to expand on this, I will. Given the dark and insidious nature of this RP it will probably teeter on the knifes edge of acceptability at times. For this reason, it will be an Advanced RP. While I want everyone to be creative and let their dark side out, please use your good sense when picking courses of action. If there is a question of the appropriateness of a post, do not hesitate to PM myself and we can discuss it with one of the Mods if necessary. I have no desire to shock anyone to the point of offense.
Most importantly I want everyone to have fun. If your character meets an ill fate, do not fret. There are always more heroes eagerly waiting to explore the dark depths of sanity.
