VitaVitaAR

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-Inspired Anime Fantasy RP

@Rin: Accepted.

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-Inspired Anime Fantasy RP

Characters:

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-inspired Anime Fantasy RP Interest Check

@Psyker Landshark@AzureKnight@Rin@Raineh Daze: Went ahead and put up the OOC!

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-Inspired Anime Fantasy RP

The Blades of Iron Roses unfold like so many petals, cutting down wickedness as they go.

But long before their time, another story unraveled. A conflict of nations, motivated by grievances both imagined and real, stirred by recent catastrophes, by sordid pasts.

And perhaps by other, more shadowy things.

Velt and Ithillin stand as two of the largest nations on the continent. And right now, they're at one another's throats. Longstanding border disputes since the fall of Talderia itself have been reawakened, and while warfare has not been declared it would be foolish to deny the existence of skirmishing along their borders. The current situation is not helped by the ascent of Prince Rathellion le Morvenaux to Ithillin's throne. Asserting that the death of his father was through "unnatural means"(though admitting to a lack of proof), the new King has pursued an aggressive diplomatic strategy clearly aimed at squeezing steep concessions from Velt.

Or perhaps simply to make an excuse for open war. Certainly, among the nobles of the borderlands, there are some who believe that war has already begun.

It simply hasn't been declared yet.

It is in this time of strife that the Hraesleg Lions have risen.

A trusted family by Velt's royalty with a longstanding history of military service, the Hraesleg family has always maintained a considerable standing personal military. And in this time of strife, they have only grown more powerful. Known as the Hraesleg Lions, or Velt's Fangs, they have been given considerable authority in the borderlands, to strike down bandits, monsters, and even Ithillin's soldiers should the need arise.

And rising among the Hraesleg Lions is the force led by their youngest daughter. Initially given a smaller force and a less dangerous area to oversee, the Steel Princess's aggressive recruitment policy and pursuit of any and all threats to Velt's citizens has caused her and her forces to appear as a slowly-rising star.

And yet, perhaps there are some who believe the Hraesleg Lions are growing too powerful.

And some who believe they should be the first sacrifice in a new war.

---

Here's some information crucial to the setting:

Races(Humans should be the majority, but I will permit other races as well):

• Humans: Straightforward and coming in many varieties. Humans in Velt are ruled by the King and Queen of Velt, residing in the capital city of Meridan.
• Elves: Elves, too, come in several varieties.
  
  • High Elves: There are a handful of High Elven settlements beyond Lethienvel, but they are few and far between. Rarely, a High Elf from beyond the veil will venture into the rest of the world. High Elves boast perhaps the greatest proficiency with magic among their kind. An extremely rare sight.
  • Dark Elves: From the Far North, Dark Elves are mysterious folk who dwell so far to the North that the sun rarely pierces the snowstorms. Another rare sight in Velt. Dark Elves are highly proficient assassins and are skilled in the art of stealth and infiltration. Notable for their purple-grey skintone.
  • Wood Elves: The most common variant of Elven kind in Velt, and the youngest, Wood Elves dwell in forest cities and towns. They are fond of solitude, but gracious hosts to visitors who arrive with their permission. Few intruders, however, return alive. Wood elves are known for their skill in archery and hunting. There is some number of Wood Elven settlements in Velt and Ithillin, but finding them is a difficult task.
  • Desert Elves: The elves of the eastern continent, specifically the Near East. Unfamiliar to most of the people native to Velt, they are nearly as rare a sight as High Elves from beyond Lethienvel. They are notable physically for their dark, tan skin.
• Dwarves: Short, bearded folk dwelling in their deep mines and working metal, dwarves have a reputation for honesty, loyalty, and being the most stubborn people you could possibly meet. Dwarves often build vast kingdoms within mountains across the land. The dwarven capital is to the north of Velt and Ithillin, in the great Grey Mountains, home to their most vast halls and the Deep King. Dwarven metalworking is the best by far in the land, but they lack magical capabilities entirely. They are one of the more common nonhuman races in Velt due to the settlement of Draz'khzidra in Mount Cahladren to the North.
• Nem: A diminutive race from the deserts of the southern continent, the Nem resemble small humans, commonly reaching heights of around 3'4-3'5. They are universally pale in skintone, with red or yellow eyes and black hair. Nem males cannot grow facial hair, and as a whole they are small and agile but lacking in physical strength. They are also known for being skilled archers over short range, and wielding a variety of curved swords. Their language lacks an equivalent to the letter "B", and some Nem have trouble pronouncing it as a result. They are nocturnal and possess excellent night vision, but during the day their vision is slightly worse than a human's. They also easily burn in the sun and must wear covering clothing to move during the day. Most Nem live in their desert homes, but there are a few found in Velt as well. They have an extremely low alcohol tolerance. Nem worship a night goddess known as Ila-Nem.
• The Hundi: The Hundi are a near-human race. On average they are around the average human height, or slightly shorter. What physically sets them apart from humanity is their soft, furred, dog-like ears and tails. Loyal, proud, and honorable, the Hundi are said to be incapable of lying. On every Hundi's sixteenth birthday, they are sent on a journey to practice their highly-valued combat skills and learn about the world first-hand. An unusual custom of the race is their unique marriage rights. An opponent who defeats a Hundi on their coming of age journey in an honorable duel immediately gains the position of that Hundi's fiancee, to be married as soon as possible. Confusion over this practice has resulted in many difficult situations for non-hundi. Hundi are most common in Ithillin, but many enter Velt as part of their mandatory quests, or as wanderers or the occasional sellsword.
• Ingvarr: A hardy race from the north, living in Barukstaed and even further. Bearing horns upon their heads and physical strength far beyond what their stature would suggest, Ingvarr are known as fierce warriors and share much in common culturally with the humans of the north. They pay some respects to other deities, but primarily worship their own set of gods, once again shared by many of the humans dwelling in the north as well. Fierce combatants with an honor code and a passion for battle, their culture passes down many elaborate sagas of battle.
• Fairy: The most commonly-seen variety of fae, also known as Aessyr, Fairies resemble female, human-like children. With the exception of the fact that human children tend not to be six inches tall at most, winged, and wearing clothing made from flowers. Fairies possess translucent insect-like wings, and all fairies are female. They tend to possess a childish immaturity, but they are in fact adults. Fairies tend to be inquisitive and curious, as it benefits such a small race of beings to investigate their surroundings thoroughly. Their curiosity extends to when they meet new people, as well. Fairies are mostly harmless, the worst they seem to be able to bring themselves to do being mischevious pranks upon other, larger races. However, harming or killing a fairy will bring the anger of other fairies upon the perpetrator, and they carry a large amount of sharp objects and know how to aim for the eyes and throat far too well. Fairies cannot die of old age, and only violence or disease can kill a fairy. A common sight in any forests. While Aessyr are the most commonly-seen type of fae, there are many other types of fae both dangerous and otherwise.
• Lamia: One of the monstrous races, and an extremely uncommon sight outside of the wilds, lamias are human until you reach their thighs. For, from the thighs down, a lamia possesses a strong, thick snake tail instead of legs. Lamia are carnivorous and possess sharpened teeth, though no lamia dwelling in Velt is venomous. There are various races of lamia across the lands, though only one dwells in Velt. A lamia's tail is incredibly strong and remarkably dangerous.
• Harpies: A mountain-dwelling monstrous race, harpies are an unusual race of beings in that they are entirely female, relying on the males of other races for reproduction. In place of arms they have a pair of wings, and therefore lack hands and cannot create clothing or tools easily. Harpies dwelling in towns or cities often live with a roommate of another race in order to be dressed properly. A harpy's bird-like feet are highly dexterous and possess sharp claws, and their wings are strong enough to easily break a man's arm. They are light due to their hollow bones and highly cold-resistant. On average they are somewhat shorter than human females. Some harpies are employed as couriers.
• Demon Ancestry: The blood of demons is potent. While children are rarely born from the union of a demon and a mortal, when they are they are possessed of great magical potential. Due to their nature as the children of demons, they are frequently viewed with mistrust and suspicion, and many will attempt to hide their demonic features in order to escape persecution. Most demonic children are born with one or more horns of varying length. I will only accept one character with Demon Ancestry.
• Orcs and Goblins: A pair of closely-related races, Orcs are on average a head taller than a human man, and are very burly and powerful. Goblins are far smaller and are wiry and thin. They usually possess sickly green or grey skin, and are violent barbarians who pillage and steal from others. Orcs are generally found roving in warbands, while Goblins often hide in deep, dank caves. Both Orcs and Goblins are known to eat the flesh of other races. Orcs often ride boars, often given aggression-boosting herbs.Not playable, even if you ask.
• Trolls: A presumed relation to Orcs and Goblins, Trolls are tall, muscular, and dim-witted beasts. Eating anything they can get their hands on, trolls are more monsters than they are sapient beings. Orcs often use them as attack dogs of a sort, filling them with aggression-boosting herbs. Not playable, even if you ask.
• Mindless Undead: Undead reanimated by a source that does not retain their mind. These undead can be revived at any point after death, and unlike sapient undead their bodies are not preserved. Rotting corpses or skeletal warriors, mindless undead crave flesh and will attempt to consume it even though they are incapable of digesting it. With the aid of guiding intelligence, such as a necromancer, mindless undead can wield weaponry. Necromancy can also raise mindless undead. They may also occur in places of great violence or magical disturbance. While a bite from a mindless undead can cause unpleasant infection, they are usually no great threat to a prepared warrior. Mindless Undead are considered an abomination by the Dual Church of Reon and Mayon, and are exterminated whenever possible. Not playable, even if you ask.
• Giants: A race of huge humanoids, often ranging from seventeen to twenty-five feet tall in height. They resemble, quite simply, enormous humans of either gender. They are extremely strong and physically capable, but few giants ever posses the capability of performing magic. Velt's Giants live in small settlements resembling human villages, but there are giants with a more tribal civilization further south. In spite of the size difference, half-giants are possible. They tend to be around ten feet tall and have immense strength.

Locations:

• Velt: The country of Velt, northwest of Thaln, is a vast land composed largely of plains and forests, with a few notable mountain ranges(such as the Northern mountain of Cahladren, home to the dwarven city of Draz'khzidra). The River Nirinel runs through the heart of Velt, and the Veltan capital of Meridan is situated on its Southwestern bank. While in the past it has been Ithillin's ally, both nations have spent just as much time as rivals, though it has rarely escalated beyond border conflicts. At least, until now. Much of Velt's lands are forested, with rockier and more harsh terrain further to the north.
• Ithillin: The land to the east of Velt on its border, ruled by newly-ascended king Rathellion le Morvenaux of Calthir. Similar to Velt in climate and geography, though lacking in the mountainous regions to the North, Ithillin has at times been a friend but just as often a rival to its neighbor. A rivalry that now threatens to boil over and spread far beyond border skirmishes. The country's capital is Calthir, situated to the northwest. Deep in the southeast their lies the Black Pit, all that remains of Talderia.
• Talderia: Once the capital of the great Empire that ruled the continent, Talderia is now a black ruin filled with abominations, deep within a pit in the Southeast of Ithillin. In spite of its ruin, much of Talderia's legacy lives on in the fortresses and cities they left behind, and their influence on the cultures and languages of the human nations. The black pit, however, is home only to monsters and undead. The last Prince of Talderia, Erion, founded the fortresses of Caron Lyn and Erhan Lyn to form the Pitwatch and prevent the abominations within from surging out and threatening the lands. Recently, however, Erhan Lyn was sieged by a particularly powerful and coordinated force from within the pit, forcing it to be abandoned and collapsed to avoid its capture. King Rathellion has asserted there may have been outside interference that lead to its fall, though it is currently unclear.
  Thaln: A small nation to the south of Velt and Ithillin. Currently, it is engaged in a bloody conflict of its own, strife between its nobility erupting into multiple clashes between their forces. Even the crown struggles to contain the violence.
  Chauntressy: A nation to Ithillin's south. Known for a warm climate and a bustling trade industry. Nominally, they are Ithillin's ally, but it's no secret they would prefer a strong economy to violence.
  Estival: A large country to the north. Cooler then its southern neighbors, but not nearly as frigid as the furthest north. Largely uninvolved in any conflicts for the time being, it popularized the old Talderian concept of the Adventurer's Guild, where skilled individuals are paid to clear old ruins or pursue threats out of the scope of the soldiery, among other tasks.
• The Veil of Tears/Lethienvel: The famed, or perhaps infamous, rushing wall of water dividing the western land of the High Elves and the lands east of them. There are gate-ways between them, though the water. There is no visible source, and yet somehow it appears to flow. Though somehow, it is difficult to tell if the water flows up or down. Its infamy stems from a tragic event in the history of the High Elves, one that caused great damage to the world itself. The tragedy and regret from this incident gave the location its name, and to this day many High Elves still have reluctance to cross the Veil.
• Orodagor: In the land Northeast of Ithillin lies the shattered remains of a relic of a long-passed age. Orodagor, the Black Fortress, was a stronghold for the armies of Hidroroth of the Dark. Hidroroth, the poison existence born from the utter fall to evil of one of the world's deities, sought to paint the world in shadows an consume all life in a shroud of darkness. He was slain, ultimately, in the Battle of Inmoorn, thousands of years ago, his spirit left to the judgement of the Gods. Orodagor was one of the remnants of this long-passed age, abandoned for centuries. However, around two-hundred years ago, a new figure appeared and made her stronghold here. The Witch-Queen of Orodagor, as she came to be known, all the lands around it by raising a coven of powerful witches. Though she was defeated, and seemingly slain, many of those taught by her escaped. Those versed in magic who were educated outside of official schooling or tutors are thus mistrusted as witches, and in some places such a sentence leads to death.

Other:

• The Church of Reon/The Church of Mayon: The largest religion among humans in Thaln, this dualistic religion worships both the Sun Goddess Reon and the Moon Goddess Mayon. Both Goddesses, it is said, cannot be separated from one another. Reon's symbol is a highly-stylized lily, and Mayon's is a similarly-stylized rose. Chapels to the goddesses are paired, and adherents focus on either one or the other. Paladins of both goddesses are a common sight, with Reonite paladins often being highly aggressive combatants while Mayonite paladins are sometimes viewed as more defensive. The religion is deeply anti-slavery, and Reonite paladins are often deployed to break slavery rings and free those being sold through them. Worship for either sect features the sacrifice of lilies for Reon and roses for Mayon.
  
  • Reon: The sun goddess Reon is believed to have the form of a beautiful maiden. While unimpressive in stature in spite of her nature as a deity, it is said that the goddess possesses a fiery nature. She is described as having fair skin, flowing, long blonde hair, and alert blue eyes. She is clad in red and gold robes. Reon is said to have a palace on the surface of the Sun, a paradise that all her worshippers go to after death. Naturally, the aspect most strongly symbolizing her is fire. Lilies are even burned to be sacrificed to her. The weaponry of Reonite Paladins is often enchanted so that it is capable of in some way channeling this divine fire. Reonite Paladins are highly aggressive fighters, their purpose being to destroy evil.
  • Mayon: The moon goddess Mayon also takes the form of a beautiful maiden. She is taller than Reon, with shorter, black hair and somewhat darker skin. Her eyes are a soft shade of amber. She wears robes of blue and white, and like her counterpart possesses a palace, though naturally hers is situated on the moon. The aspect that most strongly symbolizes her is water, for water is directly effected by the phases of the moon. Paladins of Mayon often, but not always, seen as more defensive then those of Reon. Roses a cast into the water as a sacrifice to the Moon Goddess.
• Magic: Many races possess a natural internal source of mana. However, not everyone has enough to achieve the status of a mage. Magi are practioners of magic educated by a tutor or by a Mage's College, honing their skills in order to cast a variety of spells. Spells require some concentration and the ability to cast, using chants ranging of at least one word. Stronger spells require more words and therefore take more time to cast. Running low on mana is dangerous as it may strain the caster's body, causing them to lose consciousness or worse. Magic users educated outside of the accepted systems are known as witches, and are viewed as extremely suspicious at best and imprisoned or even executed at worst.

---

Just going to quickly jot down a few things here: This RP takes place 700 years prior to my other current RP in the same setting, but you don't need to be familiar with that one to join! In terms of influences it's inspired by Fire Emblem, so that might give you a bit of an idea of what to expect but it's not strictly emulating any one of the games in particular. Players will take the role of the Hraesleg Lions, under the Steel Princess Velvetica Hraesleg.

Additionally, for the sake of maintaining a consistent pace, we will be enforcing a strict posting schedule for this RP. Players must post at least once a week, barring outside circumstances interfering, and inform myself or one of my fellow GMs if they are unable to make it. Players who do not post at least once a week may face removal from the RP after two weeks.

Also, my co-GM @Raineh Daze is going to be helping me out.

---

Bios:

• Name:
• Age:
• Gender:
• Race: (Humans are the most common race in Velt and thus in the Hraesleg Lions, but other races are allowed in smaller numbers)
• Appearance:
• Personality:
• Brief Backstory:
• Equipment:
• Skills:

@Psyker Landshark@AzureKnight@Rin@Raineh Daze

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-inspired Anime Fantasy RP Interest Check

@AzureKnight: Alright, discussing that a bit more is a good idea.

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-inspired Anime Fantasy RP Interest Check

Will probably be shifting this over to an OOC later today!

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-inspired Anime Fantasy RP Interest Check

The Blades of Iron Roses unfold like so many petals, cutting down wickedness as they go.

But long before their time, another story unraveled. A conflict of nations, motivated by grievances both imagined and real, stirred by recent catastrophes, by sordid pasts.

And perhaps by other, more shadowy things.

Velt and Ithillin stand as two of the largest nations on the continent. And right now, they're at one another's throats. Longstanding border disputes since the fall of Talderia itself have been reawakened, and while warfare has not been declared it would be foolish to deny the existence of skirmishing along their borders. The current situation is not helped by the ascent of Prince Rathellion le Morvenaux to Ithillin's throne. Asserting that the death of his father was through "unnatural means"(though admitting to a lack of proof), the new King has pursued an aggressive diplomatic strategy clearly aimed at squeezing steep concessions from Velt.

Or perhaps simply to make an excuse for open war. Certainly, among the nobles of the borderlands, there are some who believe that war has already begun.

It simply hasn't been declared yet.

It is in this time of strife that the Hraesleg Lions have risen.

A trusted family by Velt's royalty with a longstanding history of military service, the Hraesleg family has always maintained a considerable standing personal military. And in this time of strife, they have only grown more powerful. Known as the Hraesleg Lions, or Velt's Fangs, they have been given considerable authority in the borderlands, to strike down bandits, monsters, and even Ithillin's soldiers should the need arise.

And rising among the Hraesleg Lions is the force led by their youngest daughter. Initially given a smaller force and a less dangerous area to oversee, the Steel Princess's aggressive recruitment policy and pursuit of any and all threats to Velt's citizens has caused her and her forces to appear as a slowly-rising star.

And yet, perhaps there are some who believe the Hraesleg Lions are growing too powerful.

And some who believe they should be the first sacrifice in a new war.

---

Here's some information crucial to the setting:

Races(Humans should be the majority, but I will permit other races as well):

• Humans: Straightforward and coming in many varieties. Humans in Velt are ruled by the King and Queen of Velt, residing in the capital city of Meridan.
• Elves: Elves, too, come in several varieties.
  
  • High Elves: There are a handful of High Elven settlements beyond Lethienvel, but they are few and far between. Rarely, a High Elf from beyond the veil will venture into the rest of the world. High Elves boast perhaps the greatest proficiency with magic among their kind. An extremely rare sight.
  • Dark Elves: From the Far North, Dark Elves are mysterious folk who dwell so far to the North that the sun rarely pierces the snowstorms. Another rare sight in Velt. Dark Elves are highly proficient assassins and are skilled in the art of stealth and infiltration. Notable for their purple-grey skintone.
  • Wood Elves: The most common variant of Elven kind in Velt, and the youngest, Wood Elves dwell in forest cities and towns. They are fond of solitude, but gracious hosts to visitors who arrive with their permission. Few intruders, however, return alive. Wood elves are known for their skill in archery and hunting. There is some number of Wood Elven settlements in Velt and Ithillin, but finding them is a difficult task.
  • Desert Elves: The elves of the eastern continent, specifically the Near East. Unfamiliar to most of the people native to Velt, they are nearly as rare a sight as High Elves from beyond Lethienvel. They are notable physically for their dark, tan skin.
• Dwarves: Short, bearded folk dwelling in their deep mines and working metal, dwarves have a reputation for honesty, loyalty, and being the most stubborn people you could possibly meet. Dwarves often build vast kingdoms within mountains across the land. The dwarven capital is to the north of Velt and Ithillin, in the great Grey Mountains, home to their most vast halls and the Deep King. Dwarven metalworking is the best by far in the land, but they lack magical capabilities entirely. They are one of the more common nonhuman races in Velt due to the settlement of Draz'khzidra in Mount Cahladren to the North.
• Nem: A diminutive race from the deserts of the southern continent, the Nem resemble small humans, commonly reaching heights of around 3'4-3'5. They are universally pale in skintone, with red or yellow eyes and black hair. Nem males cannot grow facial hair, and as a whole they are small and agile but lacking in physical strength. They are also known for being skilled archers over short range, and wielding a variety of curved swords. Their language lacks an equivalent to the letter "B", and some Nem have trouble pronouncing it as a result. They are nocturnal and possess excellent night vision, but during the day their vision is slightly worse than a human's. They also easily burn in the sun and must wear covering clothing to move during the day. Most Nem live in their desert homes, but there are a few found in Velt as well. They have an extremely low alcohol tolerance. Nem worship a night goddess known as Ila-Nem.
• The Hundi: The Hundi are a near-human race. On average they are around the average human height, or slightly shorter. What physically sets them apart from humanity is their soft, furred, dog-like ears and tails. Loyal, proud, and honorable, the Hundi are said to be incapable of lying. On every Hundi's sixteenth birthday, they are sent on a journey to practice their highly-valued combat skills and learn about the world first-hand. An unusual custom of the race is their unique marriage rights. An opponent who defeats a Hundi on their coming of age journey in an honorable duel immediately gains the position of that Hundi's fiancee, to be married as soon as possible. Confusion over this practice has resulted in many difficult situations for non-hundi. Hundi are most common in Ithillin, but many enter Velt as part of their mandatory quests, or as wanderers or the occasional sellsword.
• Ingvarr: A hardy race from the north, living in Barukstaed and even further. Bearing horns upon their heads and physical strength far beyond what their stature would suggest, Ingvarr are known as fierce warriors and share much in common culturally with the humans of the north. They pay some respects to other deities, but primarily worship their own set of gods, once again shared by many of the humans dwelling in the north as well. Fierce combatants with an honor code and a passion for battle, their culture passes down many elaborate sagas of battle.
• Fairy: The most commonly-seen variety of fae, also known as Aessyr, Fairies resemble female, human-like children. With the exception of the fact that human children tend not to be six inches tall at most, winged, and wearing clothing made from flowers. Fairies possess translucent insect-like wings, and all fairies are female. They tend to possess a childish immaturity, but they are in fact adults. Fairies tend to be inquisitive and curious, as it benefits such a small race of beings to investigate their surroundings thoroughly. Their curiosity extends to when they meet new people, as well. Fairies are mostly harmless, the worst they seem to be able to bring themselves to do being mischevious pranks upon other, larger races. However, harming or killing a fairy will bring the anger of other fairies upon the perpetrator, and they carry a large amount of sharp objects and know how to aim for the eyes and throat far too well. Fairies cannot die of old age, and only violence or disease can kill a fairy. A common sight in any forests. While Aessyr are the most commonly-seen type of fae, there are many other types of fae both dangerous and otherwise.
• Lamia: One of the monstrous races, and an extremely uncommon sight outside of the wilds, lamias are human until you reach their thighs. For, from the thighs down, a lamia possesses a strong, thick snake tail instead of legs. Lamia are carnivorous and possess sharpened teeth, though no lamia dwelling in Velt is venomous. There are various races of lamia across the lands, though only one dwells in Velt. A lamia's tail is incredibly strong and remarkably dangerous.
• Harpies: A mountain-dwelling monstrous race, harpies are an unusual race of beings in that they are entirely female, relying on the males of other races for reproduction. In place of arms they have a pair of wings, and therefore lack hands and cannot create clothing or tools easily. Harpies dwelling in towns or cities often live with a roommate of another race in order to be dressed properly. A harpy's bird-like feet are highly dexterous and possess sharp claws, and their wings are strong enough to easily break a man's arm. They are light due to their hollow bones and highly cold-resistant. On average they are somewhat shorter than human females. Some harpies are employed as couriers.
• Demon Ancestry: The blood of demons is potent. While children are rarely born from the union of a demon and a mortal, when they are they are possessed of great magical potential. Due to their nature as the children of demons, they are frequently viewed with mistrust and suspicion, and many will attempt to hide their demonic features in order to escape persecution. Most demonic children are born with one or more horns of varying length. I will only accept one character with Demon Ancestry.
• Orcs and Goblins: A pair of closely-related races, Orcs are on average a head taller than a human man, and are very burly and powerful. Goblins are far smaller and are wiry and thin. They usually possess sickly green or grey skin, and are violent barbarians who pillage and steal from others. Orcs are generally found roving in warbands, while Goblins often hide in deep, dank caves. Both Orcs and Goblins are known to eat the flesh of other races. Orcs often ride boars, often given aggression-boosting herbs.Not playable, even if you ask.
• Trolls: A presumed relation to Orcs and Goblins, Trolls are tall, muscular, and dim-witted beasts. Eating anything they can get their hands on, trolls are more monsters than they are sapient beings. Orcs often use them as attack dogs of a sort, filling them with aggression-boosting herbs. Not playable, even if you ask.
• Mindless Undead: Undead reanimated by a source that does not retain their mind. These undead can be revived at any point after death, and unlike sapient undead their bodies are not preserved. Rotting corpses or skeletal warriors, mindless undead crave flesh and will attempt to consume it even though they are incapable of digesting it. With the aid of guiding intelligence, such as a necromancer, mindless undead can wield weaponry. Necromancy can also raise mindless undead. They may also occur in places of great violence or magical disturbance. While a bite from a mindless undead can cause unpleasant infection, they are usually no great threat to a prepared warrior. Mindless Undead are considered an abomination by the Dual Church of Reon and Mayon, and are exterminated whenever possible. Not playable, even if you ask.
• Giants: A race of huge humanoids, often ranging from seventeen to twenty-five feet tall in height. They resemble, quite simply, enormous humans of either gender. They are extremely strong and physically capable, but few giants ever posses the capability of performing magic. Velt's Giants live in small settlements resembling human villages, but there are giants with a more tribal civilization further south. In spite of the size difference, half-giants are possible. They tend to be around ten feet tall and have immense strength.

Locations:

• Velt: The country of Velt, northwest of Thaln, is a vast land composed largely of plains and forests, with a few notable mountain ranges(such as the Northern mountain of Cahladren, home to the dwarven city of Draz'khzidra). The River Nirinel runs through the heart of Velt, and the Veltan capital of Meridan is situated on its Southwestern bank. While in the past it has been Ithillin's ally, both nations have spent just as much time as rivals, though it has rarely escalated beyond border conflicts. At least, until now. Much of Velt's lands are forested, with rockier and more harsh terrain further to the north.
• Ithillin: The land to the east of Velt on its border, ruled by newly-ascended king Rathellion le Morvenaux of Calthir. Similar to Velt in climate and geography, though lacking in the mountainous regions to the North, Ithillin has at times been a friend but just as often a rival to its neighbor. A rivalry that now threatens to boil over and spread far beyond border skirmishes. The country's capital is Calthir, situated to the northwest. Deep in the southeast their lies the Black Pit, all that remains of Talderia.
• Talderia: Once the capital of the great Empire that ruled the continent, Talderia is now a black ruin filled with abominations, deep within a pit in the Southeast of Ithillin. In spite of its ruin, much of Talderia's legacy lives on in the fortresses and cities they left behind, and their influence on the cultures and languages of the human nations. The black pit, however, is home only to monsters and undead. The last Prince of Talderia, Erion, founded the fortresses of Caron Lyn and Erhan Lyn to form the Pitwatch and prevent the abominations within from surging out and threatening the lands. Recently, however, Erhan Lyn was sieged by a particularly powerful and coordinated force from within the pit, forcing it to be abandoned and collapsed to avoid its capture. King Rathellion has asserted there may have been outside interference that lead to its fall, though it is currently unclear.
  Thaln: A small nation to the south of Velt and Ithillin. Currently, it is engaged in a bloody conflict of its own, strife between its nobility erupting into multiple clashes between their forces. Even the crown struggles to contain the violence.
  Chauntressy: A nation to Ithillin's south. Known for a warm climate and a bustling trade industry. Nominally, they are Ithillin's ally, but it's no secret they would prefer a strong economy to violence.
  Estival: A large country to the north. Cooler then its southern neighbors, but not nearly as frigid as the furthest north. Largely uninvolved in any conflicts for the time being, it popularized the old Talderian concept of the Adventurer's Guild, where skilled individuals are paid to clear old ruins or pursue threats out of the scope of the soldiery, among other tasks.
• The Veil of Tears/Lethienvel: The famed, or perhaps infamous, rushing wall of water dividing the western land of the High Elves and the lands east of them. There are gate-ways between them, though the water. There is no visible source, and yet somehow it appears to flow. Though somehow, it is difficult to tell if the water flows up or down. Its infamy stems from a tragic event in the history of the High Elves, one that caused great damage to the world itself. The tragedy and regret from this incident gave the location its name, and to this day many High Elves still have reluctance to cross the Veil.
• Orodagor: In the land Northeast of Ithillin lies the shattered remains of a relic of a long-passed age. Orodagor, the Black Fortress, was a stronghold for the armies of Hidroroth of the Dark. Hidroroth, the poison existence born from the utter fall to evil of one of the world's deities, sought to paint the world in shadows an consume all life in a shroud of darkness. He was slain, ultimately, in the Battle of Inmoorn, thousands of years ago, his spirit left to the judgement of the Gods. Orodagor was one of the remnants of this long-passed age, abandoned for centuries. However, around two-hundred years ago, a new figure appeared and made her stronghold here. The Witch-Queen of Orodagor, as she came to be known, all the lands around it by raising a coven of powerful witches. Though she was defeated, and seemingly slain, many of those taught by her escaped. Those versed in magic who were educated outside of official schooling or tutors are thus mistrusted as witches, and in some places such a sentence leads to death.

Other:

• The Church of Reon/The Church of Mayon: The largest religion among humans in Thaln, this dualistic religion worships both the Sun Goddess Reon and the Moon Goddess Mayon. Both Goddesses, it is said, cannot be separated from one another. Reon's symbol is a highly-stylized lily, and Mayon's is a similarly-stylized rose. Chapels to the goddesses are paired, and adherents focus on either one or the other. Paladins of both goddesses are a common sight, with Reonite paladins often being highly aggressive combatants while Mayonite paladins are sometimes viewed as more defensive. The religion is deeply anti-slavery, and Reonite paladins are often deployed to break slavery rings and free those being sold through them. Worship for either sect features the sacrifice of lilies for Reon and roses for Mayon.
  
  • Reon: The sun goddess Reon is believed to have the form of a beautiful maiden. While unimpressive in stature in spite of her nature as a deity, it is said that the goddess possesses a fiery nature. She is described as having fair skin, flowing, long blonde hair, and alert blue eyes. She is clad in red and gold robes. Reon is said to have a palace on the surface of the Sun, a paradise that all her worshippers go to after death. Naturally, the aspect most strongly symbolizing her is fire. Lilies are even burned to be sacrificed to her. The weaponry of Reonite Paladins is often enchanted so that it is capable of in some way channeling this divine fire. Reonite Paladins are highly aggressive fighters, their purpose being to destroy evil.
  • Mayon: The moon goddess Mayon also takes the form of a beautiful maiden. She is taller than Reon, with shorter, black hair and somewhat darker skin. Her eyes are a soft shade of amber. She wears robes of blue and white, and like her counterpart possesses a palace, though naturally hers is situated on the moon. The aspect that most strongly symbolizes her is water, for water is directly effected by the phases of the moon. Paladins of Mayon often, but not always, seen as more defensive then those of Reon. Roses a cast into the water as a sacrifice to the Moon Goddess.
• Magic: Many races possess a natural internal source of mana. However, not everyone has enough to achieve the status of a mage. Magi are practioners of magic educated by a tutor or by a Mage's College, honing their skills in order to cast a variety of spells. Spells require some concentration and the ability to cast, using chants ranging of at least one word. Stronger spells require more words and therefore take more time to cast. Running low on mana is dangerous as it may strain the caster's body, causing them to lose consciousness or worse. Magic users educated outside of the accepted systems are known as witches, and are viewed as extremely suspicious at best and imprisoned or even executed at worst.

---

Just going to quickly jot down a few things here: This RP takes place 700 years prior to my other current RP in the same setting, but you don't need to be familiar with that one to join! In terms of influences it's inspired by Fire Emblem, so that might give you a bit of an idea of what to expect but it's not strictly emulating any one of the games in particular. Players will take the role of the Hraesleg Lions, under the Steel Princess Velvetica Hraesleg.

Additionally, for the sake of maintaining a consistent pace, we will be enforcing a strict posting schedule for this RP. Players must post at least once a week, barring outside circumstances interfering, and inform myself or one of my fellow GMs if they are unable to make it. Players who do not post at least once a week may face removal from the RP after two weeks.

Also, my co-GM @Raineh Daze is going to be helping me out.

---

Bios:

• Name:
• Age:
• Gender:
• Race: (Humans are the most common race in Velt and thus in the Hraesleg Lions, but other races are allowed in smaller numbers)
• Appearance:
• Personality:
• Brief Backstory:
• Equipment:
• Skills:

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

With the skeletons largely knocked to the ground, disabled or destroyed for the most part, the moment to focus on the great undead was at hand. Fanilly had judged it the greatest threat in the room, even more dangerous then the living conspirator beyond it. As the arrows were loosed, she was already moving alongside Gerard, to reach the monstrosity and do as much damage as possible to it before it could make a move.

The air-coated arrow struck the creature in its shoulder just as it prepared to swing. Immediately its arm twisted a skin tore and flesh ripped, pressurized wind erupting through its corrupted anatomy to rip through its decayed flesh. The sheer force of its descending arm falling to the side caused the head of its hammer to pulverize a wayward skeleton, crushing it into the stone floor even as the limb was nearly entirely severed.

When it attempted to move its arm once more, the last remaining strands of tissue snapped, and it fell free entirely.

And the arrows to its legs, two, caused it to stumble, stagger, briefly hitting one knee as it was disrupted. It made no sound, even when Lein's arrow struck it in its unseen face, but even if was incapable of feeling pain it was clear that its movement was at least briefly ceased.

As such, it was unable to do much to halt Gerard's attack, and the sound of the mace striking it in the leg was that of an ugly crack, as bone almost certainly shattered, flesh smoldering from the divine weapon's impact.

It was strong, but slow and mindless. Fanilly had judged their opponent correctly! This monster would go down swiftly, and then they'd be able to advance to the final level!

The Knight-Captain sprinted forward as the undead creature raised its remaining hand, her blade cleaving through the stale air and biting into its wrist. The arc of her swing parted flesh and slipped through bone, and in a flash, trailing foul green and black fluids, the creature's hand went sailing through the air.

With all its offensive options taken from it, surely there was little more threat it posed.

Fanilly drew her sword back.

"We-ah?!"

Something suddenly erupted from the stump of the undead's arm, wrapping around her wrist. It was followed by more of its kind, like so many red worms, swiftly attempting to encase the girl's sword arm.

"Wh-wha?!"

For a few moments, Fanilly couldn't help but panic. The red tendrils, what appeared to be the monster's weaponized muscular tissue, were encasing her arm swiftly, traveling towards her shoulder and attempting to reach her face. Her heart hammering, her eyes widening, for that moment her composure had entirely shattered as she desperately attempted to tug herself free.

It was trying to reach into her head and kill her, it was running across her and trying to find any space it would be able to tear her open and kill her. It was trying. It was so close. She wasn't able to cut it. She couldn't-

Fanilly's body tensed as she slammed one foot back, bracing herself, as she positioned her body as far back as possible to make room for a clean blow to cut through the muscle tissue tendrils.

An order wasn't needed here.

Needless to say, she was still afraid, but even without waiting for her knights she was reaching with her still-free arm for the dagger on her waist. The faster she was free the faster she was away from it the faster they'd be able to kill it...!

From the the monster's ruined shoulder, more of the red tendrils emerged, coiling through the air in a sickly crimson mass.

With this in mind, it was likely a decisive blow was required to end the beast.

Either the head, or destroying as much of the torso as possible.

@Rune_Alchemist@VahkiDane@HereComesTheSnow@Raineh Daze

---

When Fionn came in direct contact with the wicked spirit, anywhere his skin touched it was struck with a sensation not unlike burning. But it wasn't the warm fire of Reon, scouring wickedness and evil from the world.

It was cold. A burning, furious cold, an absence of light and life. Not the soothing coolness of Mayon's waters, or the chill of her ice as it sealed away darkness.

It was a howling darkness, the dead of winter when nothing stirs.

But even this creature was not immune to harm.

First the blade to its throat, which did not kill it but caused it to writhe, disrupting its attempts to claw through Fionn in order to reach its true target. Then the second blade, the dagger to its abdomen, causing a dark mist to emerge from the injury around the blade as it let out another shriek.

But the final blow was Nicomede's weaponization of the remaining holy water. Its entire existence a wicked thing, and with the fires of Reon already licking its spiritual body, the holy water suddenly coating it before freezing inwards and piercing its body caused it to let out a truly unearthly sound, one that was more akin to the howling of wind or the rattling of dead branches then anything produced by a living thing.

"D-Dame Tyaethe..."

Elisandre was still hugging her younger sister close, covering her eyes as the vampire paladin caught the both of them. The warmth of her body was in sharp contrast to the almost palpable frigidity of the thing as it fell to the ground, spasming, twitching, a blue flame now beginning to spread from the center of its body as it started to break apart.

The Princess looked away, unable to watch any longer.

"... Well, it scarcely looks as if my assistance was required," a new voice spoke.

It belonged to a young man, clad in purple and black robes, one hand with its fingers wrapped around a smooth dark grey staff. It was tipped with a spherical purple gem. His features were perhaps best described as beautiful rather then handsome, and he wore his dark purple hair long and straight.

Some would perhaps recognize him as the court mage, Arken Heartwood. His family was of some reknown, son the court mage and daughter having made some name for herself even though she was still a student.

He was accompanied by the Crown Knight who had been sent to fetch him, eyes lingering on the spasming shape of the wicked spirit's dwindling corporeal form.

He approached without hesitation, kneeling beside it.

"Hmm... Interesting. A wicked spirit, certainly, but..." he commented to himself as he examined what little remained of it.

@Krayzikk@The Otter@Psyker Landshark@Raineh Daze

The Maids Guide to Demon Hunting

• Name: "Elizstrazia"
• Gender: "Female. Are you blind or something?"
• Race: "Scale Demon. Isn't that hilarious? A scale demon, working with you maids? It makes me want to laugh so hard I throw up!"
• Photo ID: "Feel free to show me your admiration." (Note: Elizstrazia stands at around 134 cm. Drawing attention to her height is not advisable.)
• Relevant Abilities: "I'm a scale demon, so it's only natural I'm faster and stronger then any of you. I can tear a man's throat out with my bare hands! Do you want to see it? And that's without even putting any effort in! Naturally, I'm good at preserving my beauty with barriers. But don't go thinking I'll extend them to anyone else. If they really want my protection, I suppose they'll just have to stand behind me. That's where they belong, anyway. Cooking? Cleaning? What do you take me for?" (Note: Elizstrazia's skills as a maid are woeful. So many glasses broken. Do not expect anything but the bare minimum.)
• Tell us about yourself: "Hmph. Do you need anything else? Shouldn't you be happy that I'm cooperating with you in the first place? Just point me at them. I'll rip them apart. That's what you want, isn't it? I'll tear them apart and remain an unchanging beauty. I'll be the diamond outshining all these other common jewels and covered in blood. And I'll show them. They'll get what's coming." (Note: Elizstrazia shows a particular propensity for violence in combat. In spite of her pride in her appearance, she's not above even using her teeth in battle. She should operate effectively in most combat scenarios. However, be aware she expresses clear signs of suffering from severe claustrophobia, especially when alone.)
• Work history: "... This is my first job. Is that what you want? That's all you're getting. Just give me something to kill already." (Note: When Elizstrazia first arrived, she was severely malnourished, resulting is listlessness and physical fragility. She was also suffering from multiple injuries, chiefly to her hands, arms, legs, and feet. She reacted violently to initial attempts to treat her, but eventually did not struggle any further. It is perhaps only due to her fragile state she did not take any lives. Her physical recovery has been remarkable.)
• Tools you are skilled with: "I won't pick up a broom, if that's what you're asking. Hmph." (Note: Elizstrazia insists she will only use a weapon "when it's back". She will not take up any other weapons nor use any cleaning tools given to her, and instead fights entirely barehanded.)
• Occult Knowledge: "What? You have to ask? Are you some kind of idiot? Are you stupid? You have to be. Fine. I'll answer. Time. I'm a scale demon, it's only natural I can touch time itself. Do you know what happens when you make someone's liver touch its future self? Reality itself can't handle it. It tries to! It tries so hard to reconcile what just happened. A little too hard for the rest of their body! All their guts come spilling out all over the floor! Ah, but that's not all I can do! Hit somebody and draw out the pain, slow down their perception of time so they feel it for that much longer! I can delay injuries, or make them worse faster. And I can show you a lot more too..." (Note: Elizstrazia exhibits a usage of time manipulation she refers to as "Time Crush". By coming into contact with an object, or the particles in the air, she can force them to interact with multiple versions of themselves from the immediate past and present. This results in an explosive interaction as reality attempts to reconcile the coexistence of multiple versions of the same object. At its smallest scale she most commonly utilizes it on internal organs in an opponent, but it can extend to roughly half the size of a city block at the cost of a great deal of her own energy. An excellent counter to Blood Demons.)

The Maids Guide to Demon Hunting

• Name: "Elizstrazia"
• Gender: "Female. Are you blind or something?"
• Race: "Scale Demon. Isn't that hilarious? A scale demon, working with you maids? It makes me want to laugh so hard I throw up!"
• Photo ID: "Feel free to show me your admiration." (Note: Elizstrazia stands at around 134 cm. Drawing attention to her height is not advisable.)
• Relevant Abilities: "I'm a scale demon, so it's only natural I'm faster and stronger then any of you. I can tear a man's throat out with my bare hands! Do you want to see it? And that's without even putting any effort in! Naturally, I'm good at preserving my beauty with barriers. But don't go thinking I'll extend them to anyone else. If they really want my protection, I suppose they'll just have to stand behind me. That's where they belong, anyway. Cooking? Cleaning? What do you take me for?" (Note: Elizstrazia's skills as a maid are woeful. So many glasses broken. Do not expect anything but the bare minimum.)
• Tell us about yourself: "Hmph. Do you need anything else? Shouldn't you be happy that I'm cooperating with you in the first place? Just point me at them. I'll rip them apart. That's what you want, isn't it? I'll tear them apart and remain an unchanging beauty. I'll be the diamond outshining all these other common jewels and covered in blood. And I'll show them. They'll get what's coming." (Note: Elizstrazia shows a particular propensity for violence in combat. In spite of her pride in her appearance, she's not above even using her teeth in battle. She should operate effectively in most combat scenarios. However, be aware she expresses clear signs of suffering from severe claustrophobia, especially when alone.)
• Work history: "... This is my first job. Is that what you want? That's all you're getting. Just give me something to kill already." (Note: When Elizstrazia first arrived, she was severely malnourished, resulting is listlessness and physical fragility. She was also suffering from multiple injuries, chiefly to her hands, arms, legs, and feet. She reacted violently to initial attempts to treat her, but eventually did not struggle any further. It is perhaps only due to her fragile state she did not take any lives. Her physical recovery has been remarkable.)
• Tools you are skilled with: "I won't pick up a broom, if that's what you're asking. Hmph." (Note: Elizstrazia insists she will only use a weapon "when it's back". She will not take up any other weapons nor use any cleaning tools given to her, and instead fights entirely barehanded.)
• Occult Knowledge: "What? You have to ask? Are you some kind of idiot? Are you stupid? You have to be. Fine. I'll answer. Time. I'm a scale demon, it's only natural I can touch time itself. Do you know what happens when you make someone's liver touch its future self? Reality itself can't handle it. It tries to! It tries so hard to reconcile what just happened. A little too hard for the rest of their body! All their guts come spilling out all over the floor! Ah, but that's not all I can do! Hit somebody and draw out the pain, slow down their perception of time so they feel it for that much longer! I can delay injuries, or make them worse faster. And I can show you a lot more too..." (Note: Elizstrazia exhibits a usage of time manipulation she refers to as "Time Crush". By coming into contact with an object, or the particles in the air, she can force them to interact with multiple versions of themselves from the immediate past and present. This results in an explosive interaction as reality attempts to reconcile the coexistence of multiple versions of the same object. At its smallest scale she most commonly utilizes it on internal organs in an opponent, but it can extend to roughly half the size of a city block at the cost of a great deal of her own energy. An excellent counter to Blood Demons.)