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9 yrs ago
Comic Con for the day, woo!
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9 yrs ago
cComic
9 yrs ago
Can't afford to be neutral on a moving train
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9 yrs ago
8 months? I don't feel like I received enough warning at how quickly time flies the older one gets. Poking around, taking a look.
1 like
9 yrs ago
Work isn't cooperating with giving me time, working on catching up.

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HeySeuss said
7/11 sheets in. I want a headcount to see who else is in this besides people that have submitted.


I'm aiming to finish my sheet up this week. Might not get done until Saturday.
Aw...Sevari :(
Poor, poor Zaveed.
Rena was bored.

Somehow, after barely escaping Cyrodiil and being on the run for weeks, the young woman was bored to tears. She took it out on her aunt, the only person she knew in the huge wave of refugees that had fled to Hammerfall. Her aunt, bless her heart, had tried being curt, mean, apathetic, and even nice. She knew that the screaming and yelling wasn't actually about being bored, but born of fear and anxiety. In the end though, she too was at her breaking point after dealing with her niece.

Flushed with anger after their most recent spat, Rena had run off, donned in her bits of armor that she refused to take off unless she was going to bed. Sometimes she even kept them on while she slept. Her dagger was safely tucked away in her boots, hidden by the long dress. Her belongings, bits of food and a few necessities were tightly secured to her body, warned by her aunt that there were desperate people all around them. Desperate people who wouldn't feel much remorse over stealing things from the little Imperial.

Something was going on, Rena realized as she bumped into a fellow Imperial. Snapped out of her silent stewing, she looked up to see a small crowd forming around two men in armor. Rena couldn't hear them over the din of the camp. She drew closer, intrigued, her heart leaping to life and crawling up her throat. What was going on?

"Who are they?" She tapped the nearest person on their shoulder, a Breton by the looks of it, face creased with worry.

"They're asking for volunteers. Now shush girl." Rena felt a light slap on her hand and pulled it away, brow furrowed.

"Volunteers for what? Who are they?" She was more agitated this time, her foot tapping with impatience.

"For the insurgency girl. Use your ears. They're recruiting to fight the Dwemer." The Breton took a good look at Rena before spitting to the side. "Fools I say. No use fighting those monsters." He added quietly, glancing around him as if he was suddenly self-conscious of his feelings on the matter. He moved off quickly, without looking back.

Rena's face lit up and she pushed herself forward, towards the two men. Her aunt had been wrong to leave the Heroes. Rena hadn't been able to stay with them then, but she could do something now. She had to. She couldn't stay here waiting. Waiting to...No, she had to join them. Maybe she could meet the Heroes again! And even if not, well she could become a hero herself and then she'd definitely get to meet them again.

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" A few eyes were drawn to her. "I'll join. I'll go with you." Rena waved her arm at the recruiters, she pulled herself straight, shoulders back, her feet positioned in what she assumed was a good heroic, fighter's pose.

"You look a little young..." Reluctant words from the recruiters, but there was something else there. Desperation maybe. "Can you fight?"

"I have been with the Heroes themselves, I'll have you know. I can fight just fine." She purposely left out that she hadn't actually fought at all. She may have been forced to hunt from time to time, and had to defend herself several times from those who thought she would be an easy target, but all out battle? They didn't need to know that.

Those near her began to mutter, some calling her out on bullshitting them.

"I was with them in the Imperial City when the Dwemer attacked. We escaped together, but..." Her lip began to quiver. "We got separated afterwards.” Her chin jutted out with resolution. “I want to fight."

"What about your parents? Family?"

Rena shook her head and lied with tears forming in her eyes as if on cue. "I'm alone, sir."

"Very well. Anyone else going to follow to this girl's..." He paused, and held out his hand to her. "What's your name?"

Rena took his hand and moved to stand beside him, whispering her answer, a smile spread broadly across her lips.

"Who's going to follow brave Rena's example? If a young woman is prepared to defend our lands, who of you is too cowardly to do the same?!"

It was a good attempt by the recruiters, and they did get more volunteers moving forward. Rena didn't really care though. She was in, she was going to be away from her aunt, and she was going to be just like her idols. If only she knew where they had gone.

That answer came several hours later, once she had arrived at the makeshift insurgency camp. She was sent to a tent and told to make herself ready, for what she wasn’t exactly sure. But the woman with a bedroll next to her, a steely eyed middle aged Redguard, had news that made Rena want to dance.

“They’re here? Really? All of them?!” Rena’s pitch edged ever upward. She had to find them, and quickly.

“Where you going with all your stuff?” The older woman asked skeptically.

“I’m going for a walk.” She tried to respond with as little emotion as she could. From the woman’s response, even Rena knew she had failed quite miserably.

That didn’t matter though, because she was off running just a moment later. Dust kicked up behind her as her legs took her past the women’s tent, her head whipping back and forth as she looked for any sign of the Heroes. Past a tavern, a brothel-an establishment that actually made Rena pause and wonder if any who she sought would be inside there. She had written a story like that once, about how she had become a dancer and how the Heroes had all visited her establishment and been completely and utterly taken with her. Each one outbidding the other for her services...She blushed as she recalled the story, and took off once more without peeking inside.

Rena stopped only when she realized she had come to an edge of the camp, beyond her was the forest they were encamped in. She turned back, heading towards the men’s side of the camp and ran along behind it, eyes looking at each campfire for a familiar face.

She stopped cold in her tracks. Breathing heavy from the exertion of her run, and from the sudden excitement that sent her heart thrumming even harder.

“Zaveed! Zaveeeeeeed!” She ran the few remaining feet towards the fire that she had spotted him at. He was all alone, all the better for her, “Zaveed, I’ve found you! You remember me? Rena? You saved my life! Of course you remember me. Oh thank the Eight, I’ve found you again.” The words came spewing out of her mouth, tumbling over each other, a gurgle of emotion. She stood before him, jittery with the excitement, her eyes gleaming in the light of the fire.
One...Two...Three...Fo--- OW MY ANKLE OH GOD
Dervish said
Consider me excited for this one. I missed it!




Do you still have the write up you did for the kingdom your guy came from? I could totes include that if you wanted. :3
The Mihra


Origins
Few outside of the Mihra know where they came from so many years ago. Stories and legends exist of a gallant people who arrived on these shores in the darkest hours when it seemed evil need only cast the final blow. From the east, some stories claim, others that they came from the south - forced out of their own lands. The Mihra themselves are quiet on the matter, whether it is because too many years have passed and they too have forgotten, or because it is just one more tightly held secret, is unknown except to those at the highest levels. If they ever were a different people, they have long since assimilated into the various cultures found in Terlayne.


Structure
  • Jhae'Mihra
    The head of the Mihra, both spiritually and politically. The Jhae rarely travels outside of Ylavin, city of the Mihra. Few below the level of Nhae speak to or see the Jhae.

  • Nhae'Mihra
    The ruling council of the Mihra. Consisting of 7 members, they are second only to the Jhae. They serve as the Jhae's advisers, as well as his (or her) eyes and ears on matters of the realm. The Nhae are the intermediaries between the head of the order and all those below - within the religious order and without. These are the individuals that go to the Emperor or influential client-kings when called up on. The Ral and some Val'Mihra serve this group.

  • Ral'Mihra
    The Ral are individuals leading a specific study, or department, within the order.

  • Val'Mihra
    The largest population of the Mihra. These are fully initiated members of the order - whatever their specialization or lack there of. Most of the Mihra ranks will reach no further than this level, as such, an unofficial hierarchy exists within the rank. Most Val spent anywhere from 5 to 10 years as a Sul before being allowed to take their vows and enter into service of the various Rals. Most Val are not found in Ylavin, but spread across all of Terlayne.

  • Sul'Mihra
    The acolytes of the Mihra. Until they take their vows, they are known as the Sul and live heavily regulated lives. They come from all walks of life - street urchins to the daughters (and rarely, sons) of kings and emperors. It is rare for a Sul to leave the city unless it is to leave the Mihra - for good. Any who enter the order and leave before taking their vows are not allowed entry again. Once taking the vows, however, there is no turning back.


Beliefs
They are first and foremost, a religious organization. Though the manner of "worship" invades all aspects of daily life, regardless of status. It is well known that there is a Mihra in every court of the land, and oft said that it is the Mihra who make the decisions, not the rulers nor emperor.

In short, the Mihra embrace and worship all that is Order and cast off all that is is not. There is not so much a "god" of Order, no personification or bodily image of what is worshiped. Instead, it is an all-encompassing way of life. To worship anything else, any of the old ways or gods, is heresy and met with swift punishment and cleansing by the Mihra. It has been many years since the last large purge - although from time to time a cult must be taken care of. The Mihra have a tome that includes every sin against order - and is added to as needed. Although this tome is not used as the law of the land per se, it's influence in the political and judicial sphere cannot be denied. All in all, there are roughly 10,000 sins included, all succinctly described and defined in whatever degree warranted. Punishment for those in the ranks of the Mihra are detailed as well. These sins break down into three main types - sins against humanity (IE. theft, murder, assault...), sins against authority (IE. rebellion, treason, smuggling...), and moral sins (IE. slavery, homosexuality, consumption of banned substances...).


Talents
The Mihra are the only group to teach and cultivate, the use of Talents - of magic.In fact, it is only within the confines of the Mihra that those who possess a Talent can live freely. Talents are rare among the population, but the Mihra seek them out with fervor. Those who think to escape their grasp either live a life of constant running or are killed - either by the Mihra or by scared townsfolk. Magic and talents are poorly understood outside of the Order, a fact that they do little to dissuade. It is better to have a people fearful of those who can manipulate the numerous facets of reality. It is rare to find a group willing to hide the apostates, unless they too are members of a cult. Most who have Talents then, find themselves at Ylavin long before adulthood.

Talents typically present themselves around the age of 3, sometimes later, sometimes earlier depending on the Talent in question. Each person, at least as far back in recorded history as available, will have only one. Some range from the mundane - a perfect sense of direction, to the extreme - the manipulation of the mind or elements. Each person seems to be different in what they can do or how they do it. Much is not understood, even by the Mihra, as so much was lost following the events five centuries ago. What is known, or at least observed with great frequency, is that a Talent comes with a cost. The costs are as varied and unique as the Talents - some even deadly if the magic is misused. Study for those with Talents is far more rigorous than the talentless initiates, not only for the safety of that student, but for those around them as well.
Empires, Kingdoms, and their Courts


Empire of Terlayne
The Empire has existed for roughly five centuries. Born from the ashes of dead and dying kingdoms, with the aid of the Mihra it formed itself largely peacefully. The two hundred years' war had taken it's toll, entire generations had lived and died knowing only bloodshed and destruction. The peace that the Mihra and the first emperor, Bith'as, offered was not easily refused. Kingdoms weakened to near extinction submitted quickly. Of those who resisted, most were laid to complete ruin, others reluctantly bent their knees when it was clear it was that or certain death. The Bithom family, has ruled from Terlay without interruption since the last peace accord was signed.

Terlay inheritances are rarely messy affairs. The family tree is carefully maintained and updated, the order of inheritance clearly dictated. Family strife has touched successions from time to time, but the Mihra advisers have always been able to quell the angst before word could spread far or have armies raised. Twenty-three years ago, the old emperor passed and his second eldest son succeeded him. The eldest had long been presumed dead after a mission to cross the great ocean in search of other lands and peoples. A fool's mission and a worrisome one to all aware of it. Should the elder return, it would be the gravest danger to Terlay's ruling stability in many years. It has been nearly forty years since the day he left port with one hundred and fifty men. His brother, undisturbed in his reign, has finally begun to relax. At 67 himself, his elder brother would be nearly 75, a rare likelihood that he would return home now - or that even should he, that he would be able to muster an army to take what was his.

Terlay is the largest city of the empire. The outlying areas are fertile, hundreds of towns, villages, and hamlets feed the city and its population. It has thriving industries - textile, printing, jewelry - the artisan class does well for itself here and draws thousands of hopefuls from smaller cities and the rural areas. At it's heart, the imperial palace rises from a man-made hill. Walled off from the common city, the palace - a network of castles really - houses much of the imperial family, their retainers, and visiting dignitaries.

The Court:

  • Emperor Lerrin, fourth of his name, Lord of Terlay, Protector of Terlayne, Order Blessed

  • Empress Tanthia, Lady of Terlay, Princess of _______, Order Blessed

  • Imperial Prince, Marric, Heir Apparent and his family: Marric's wife, one son and three daughters

  • Lerrin IV's two other sons remain in Terlay with their families, as well as a scattering of extended family members not given small holds of their own to maintain

  • Ral Dondillo, Mihra adviser to the court with a retinue of five Val'Mihra


Although the Terlayne Empire covers a vast continent, the peoples are not one assimilated culture. The client kingdoms pay their taxes and bend their knees, but beyond that, are largely left to their own devices to rule as they wish. The sole caveat being that Order must be followed. The kingdoms have retained their own customs and languages, although a common tongue exists and is used with frequency for the sake of trade, travel, and governance. Several outposts exist across the land, reminders of who the ultimate authority is, held by small battalions.


Ylavin
The capital city of the Mihra, and the second largest city in Terlayne. Whereas most cities, no matter the planning put into them, grow haphazardly, Ylavin is immaculate in its execution. At the direct center of the city rises a tall, slender tower of gleaming white. Concentric rings of roads emanate out of the central plaza, connected by the straightest roads found in the empire, like spokes on a wheel. Large as it may be, it is also widely regarded as the safest city in the land. Fear of sinning so closely to Mihra as well as rampant rumors on what sort of magic is done to violators keeps the petty, opportunistic criminals away. When crimes are committed, the city guards known as Vigilants, are swift to act and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Nestled in the foothills of the Azhorhai Mountains and fed by cool streams, it is a prime location. The city was nearly entirely built up by the Mihra centuries ago after the war had ended. A city did exist in this location previously, reminders of its existence can be found in the sewers beneath the streets or sometimes in a cellar. Little is known about the city or the kingdom it belonged to. It had been one of the early losses in the war, nearly 200 years before the Mihra claimed it for themselves.

The Court:
  • Jhae Nerito:
    64 year old man, held the position of Jhae for 12 years. Elected by the Nhae from the rank of Ral, a position held for 24 years. It is said the Jhae has a Talent, an ability to shield physical blows at great detriment to his body. Rumors are that though his mind is as fit as in his youth, his body appears to be that of a man 30 years older - frail and decrepit.

  • Nhae Melynea:
    59 year old woman, held the position of Nhae for 6 years, appointed by her fellows upon the passing of her predecessor, after 15 years as a Ral serving the emperor in Terlay. No Talent.

  • Nhae Donovar:
    66 year old man, held the position of Nhae for 13 years. Previously lead the Mihra's efforts to purge any and all cults from the land. Oversaw at least a dozen small purges during his leadership. No Talent.

  • Nhae Selles:
    52 year old man and youngest of the Nhae. Appointed less than a year ago and coming straight from the ranks of the Val, his appointment ruffled some feathers. Previously worked with Donovar as well as many years spent in the "court" of the desert nomads.

  • Nhae Kaenna:
    76 year old woman, a member of the Nhae for 17 years. Frequently called to Terlay to speak for the Jhae. A distant cousin to the emperor. No Talent.

  • Nhae Jaqarro:
    63 year old man, a member of the Nhae for 4 years. Previously a member of the Ral that oversaw recruitment of the Sul and a longtime mentor to the Val. A common background for one member of the Nhae to hold - a connection to who is joining their Order.

  • Nhae Mylle:
    71 year old woman, a member of the Nhae for 9 years. Previously a member of the Ral that collected and organized information on all the current Mihra with Talents. Also possesses a Talent - the ability to sense a Talent in others, at cost to her own eyesight. Mylle lost all sense of sight a decade ago, her eyes then beginning to decay in their sockets until nothing remained and her Talent seemingly extinguished.

  • Nhae Arnet:
    65 year old man, a member of the Nhae for 7 years. Previously a member of the Ral, Mihra head of the Ylavin city Vigilants. No Talent.
Myths and Legends


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