The Story
The first to inhabit the land of Dravarn were the Ancients, an advanced race of beings who created the great magical barrier that separated Dravarn from the rest of the barbaric and monstrous world. They created mighty cities and worked great wonders, the Alfar originated during this time and were tolerated by these superior beings and even helped by them. The Ancients disappeared, around the same time that the gods arrived, though it is unknown if there was a direct link or war. The gods descended in a great citadel from the stars, and they varied in power and shape, though they came with one purpose: domination.
The Alfar quickly accepted the gods as their new rulers, and their civilisation flourished as they spread throughout the land. The barrier was destroyed after the gods began removing all traces of the Ancients, and destroyed the machine working to keep it running. Monsters flooded in, but the gods easily wiped out entire hordes of them and ravaged their lands, before erecting a new barrier that they constantly kept in check with their powers. This one them the love and respect of all Alfar but seven. These seven were very powerful and had been prominent throughout most of their races history, acting as chieftains and princes until the gods arrived and deposed them. They were, in order of age, Astrophel, Neculai, Nemehiah, Ciro, Seskel, Balthazar and Ezekiel and each had great reason to hate the gods.
Together they set out on a mission to find a weapon that could destroy the gods, and spent centuries searching for such a device yet they were unsuccessful. Astrophel delved deep into the earth, despite the warnings from his brethren and the gods, and was never heard from again. With the disappearance of their leader the Seven grew increasingly frustrated, believing that they had failed and would eventually fade into obscurity. They watched with disdain as the gods in their eyes became more tyrannical, and their race became mere servants.
Neculai discovered an affliction that had begun affecting his race. It travelled through bites and infected the blood of whoever was afflicted, turning them into mindless brutes which craved the blood of others, though they became extremely strong and their magical skills were greatly enhanced. Neculai at first resolved to remove the affliction, but it was Ciro who convinced him otherwise and promised that it could be harnessed to become the weapon they had been searching for. Despite years of testing they were unable to stop the subjects turning into vicious monsters, until Nemehiah found a way to stop the taint from reaching the soul which left the subject in control and not deformed.
Eager to find out if it had worked, Neculai and Ciro applied it to Ezekiel without him knowing. It worked, but it was not fully refined and ravaged Ezekiel, ripping through his body and deforming his perfect features, though it made him far stronger and magically attuned. Neculai refined the affliction even more, before submitting himself and the rest of his brothers to it. They found that they had become as powerful, if not more powerful, than the gods themselves, and set about working against them.
The gods eventually worked out what they were doing and attempted to stop them using force. Ciro had managed to convince most of the Alfar to rise up with them, and so the Divine war began. The war was brutal, and it damaged the lands irreparably. The Seven chose the strongest of their followers and turned them into vampires, though with each siring the powers grew weaker and the blood thinner. The Alfar who supported the gods were all but annihilated, while those who remained neutral retreated to Amand and stayed out of the war. Eventually the gods could not withstand the might of the Seven and resolved to leave the world. In their anger they laid down a divine curse upon the world, the Curse of Flesh, which affected all still living on the planet. It caused the vampires to eventually devolve, as the taint slowly seeped into their souls, it caused the Alfar who followed the vampires to devolve into men and the Alfar who stayed neutral to lose their extremely long lives and ancient powers.
The Alfar quickly accepted the gods as their new rulers, and their civilisation flourished as they spread throughout the land. The barrier was destroyed after the gods began removing all traces of the Ancients, and destroyed the machine working to keep it running. Monsters flooded in, but the gods easily wiped out entire hordes of them and ravaged their lands, before erecting a new barrier that they constantly kept in check with their powers. This one them the love and respect of all Alfar but seven. These seven were very powerful and had been prominent throughout most of their races history, acting as chieftains and princes until the gods arrived and deposed them. They were, in order of age, Astrophel, Neculai, Nemehiah, Ciro, Seskel, Balthazar and Ezekiel and each had great reason to hate the gods.
Together they set out on a mission to find a weapon that could destroy the gods, and spent centuries searching for such a device yet they were unsuccessful. Astrophel delved deep into the earth, despite the warnings from his brethren and the gods, and was never heard from again. With the disappearance of their leader the Seven grew increasingly frustrated, believing that they had failed and would eventually fade into obscurity. They watched with disdain as the gods in their eyes became more tyrannical, and their race became mere servants.
Neculai discovered an affliction that had begun affecting his race. It travelled through bites and infected the blood of whoever was afflicted, turning them into mindless brutes which craved the blood of others, though they became extremely strong and their magical skills were greatly enhanced. Neculai at first resolved to remove the affliction, but it was Ciro who convinced him otherwise and promised that it could be harnessed to become the weapon they had been searching for. Despite years of testing they were unable to stop the subjects turning into vicious monsters, until Nemehiah found a way to stop the taint from reaching the soul which left the subject in control and not deformed.
Eager to find out if it had worked, Neculai and Ciro applied it to Ezekiel without him knowing. It worked, but it was not fully refined and ravaged Ezekiel, ripping through his body and deforming his perfect features, though it made him far stronger and magically attuned. Neculai refined the affliction even more, before submitting himself and the rest of his brothers to it. They found that they had become as powerful, if not more powerful, than the gods themselves, and set about working against them.
The gods eventually worked out what they were doing and attempted to stop them using force. Ciro had managed to convince most of the Alfar to rise up with them, and so the Divine war began. The war was brutal, and it damaged the lands irreparably. The Seven chose the strongest of their followers and turned them into vampires, though with each siring the powers grew weaker and the blood thinner. The Alfar who supported the gods were all but annihilated, while those who remained neutral retreated to Amand and stayed out of the war. Eventually the gods could not withstand the might of the Seven and resolved to leave the world. In their anger they laid down a divine curse upon the world, the Curse of Flesh, which affected all still living on the planet. It caused the vampires to eventually devolve, as the taint slowly seeped into their souls, it caused the Alfar who followed the vampires to devolve into men and the Alfar who stayed neutral to lose their extremely long lives and ancient powers.
The Seven set themselves up as Kings of Dravarn, dividing it into six independent yet cooperative kingdoms with a council to meet in. This was ten thousand years ago, and after four thousand years war broke out between Balthazar and Seskel, one claims that thralls were stolen by the other while the other claims to have been insulted by the letter. Nemehiah believed that this deception was set up by Ciro, who attempted to mediate the conflict to his own advantage but misjudged the situation and turned Seskel and Balthazar against him as well. The war last for several years before Neculai forcibly ended it, the Bloodstrife began as the brothers begin distrusting each other.
After another two thousand years the Curse of Flesh began showing even in the Seven, who had kept themselves and their forms relatively clear of any grotesque deformities. It showed itself in the weakest, Ezekiel, and his gluttony and disgusting nature began twisting his soul. Nemehiah, Ciro and Neculai worked together to find a cure but were ultimately unsuccessful. Neculai blamed Nemehiah, for he was the least touched by the Curse, while Nemehiah blamed Ciro for sabotaging their efforts. Ciro hinted to Neculai that he knew of a cure and informed him of what he thought, but Neculai refused and returned to his kingdom.
Two thousand seven hundred years ago Balthazar attempted to expand his own realm, having ravaged his own through ill rule. He attacked Sseskel and faced him one on one, but neither could gain the upper hand. Neculai stepped in to keep order, but he managed to make it worse and cause alliances to form between them. After eight years the war had dragged on, laying waste to the eastern realms and ruining the land. The war eventually ended when Balthazar was slain by Neculai, and Seskel was brutally punished as well. Nemehiah argued with Neculai over his increasing despotism and they parted on bad terms.
After another two thousand years the Curse of Flesh began showing even in the Seven, who had kept themselves and their forms relatively clear of any grotesque deformities. It showed itself in the weakest, Ezekiel, and his gluttony and disgusting nature began twisting his soul. Nemehiah, Ciro and Neculai worked together to find a cure but were ultimately unsuccessful. Neculai blamed Nemehiah, for he was the least touched by the Curse, while Nemehiah blamed Ciro for sabotaging their efforts. Ciro hinted to Neculai that he knew of a cure and informed him of what he thought, but Neculai refused and returned to his kingdom.
Two thousand seven hundred years ago Balthazar attempted to expand his own realm, having ravaged his own through ill rule. He attacked Sseskel and faced him one on one, but neither could gain the upper hand. Neculai stepped in to keep order, but he managed to make it worse and cause alliances to form between them. After eight years the war had dragged on, laying waste to the eastern realms and ruining the land. The war eventually ended when Balthazar was slain by Neculai, and Seskel was brutally punished as well. Nemehiah argued with Neculai over his increasing despotism and they parted on bad terms.
One thousand nine hundred and seventy six years ago the Bloodstrife reached its greatest point of tension, as most of the Seven had shed their humanity and ascended. Nemehiah warned his brothers against their immoral actions, truthfully stating that it only made the Curse affect them more. Neculai in response banished Nemehiah from the council and replaced him with Ciro as his principal advisor. Nemehiah returned to Truthy and began gathering an army, while signing a secret deal with the Alfar of Amand.
Ciro was to be the worst influence on the council, as one thousand six hundred and seven four years ago, in the session known as the Crimson Diet, he convinced his brothers that to cure themselves they must feast upon Nemehiah. He made them believe that it would give them the strength to become gods, and in their anger, grief and foolishness they believed him and raised their armies. A year later the Alliance of Dawn rose up against them, an army of humans, vampires and alfar who followed the teachings of Nemehiah. They clashed with the Seven in the First Battle of Truthy. They inflicted a savage defeat upon them after Nemehiah used a forbidden weapon from the Divine war which led to the Seven and their minions retreating into the east.
Eventually the Seven, numbering only four at this point, disbanded and turned on each other despite Ciro’s attempts to keep it together. Neculai in his anger smashed the barrier that they had created and sustained together, and drained its power into himself. Hordes of monsters began pouring into Dravarn and some of the Seven subjugated them to serve in their armies. Around three years later Ciro and Neculai would attempt to return to the west together, in an alliance, but taunting from Nemehiah who had arrived to confront them caused a three way duel between them. This duel saw Ciro killed, Nemehiah badly wounded and Neculai forced to retreat. He pulled his forces out of the war and returned to the east to deal with Seskel while Ezekiel began subjugating the humans of the north and west.
Around fifteen hundred and forty years ago, Seskels massive horde of monsters was slowly destroyed by Neculai and his undead and vampiric horde. Seskel eventually fled beyond the barried with his remaining forces, into the east, and was never heard from again. One hundred years later and Ezekiel’s large empire of subjugated humans was slowly destroyed and assimilated by Neculai. Unwilling and unable to fight his elder brother, Ezekiel fled in the west with a large portion of his followers into the great jungles. Neculai began subjugating the remaining vampire and human nations in the east and north.
After a hundred years, around one thousand three hundred and sixty two years ago, Neculai finished assimilating and creating his undead horde and began marching east. The Alliance rallied together and began hastily erecting a number of forts just beyond the Trindy Vale. Twenty seven years later and the last of the forts was captured, reduced to ashes by an angry and delayed Neculai. Twenty five years later and Udwic was captured by Neculai after a ten year siege, he put all the people to death and reanimated them into his horde. A year later a huge army sent to recapture Udwic was utterly destroyed by Neculai, and sensing weakness he decided to ignore Amand and head straight for Truthy.
Two years later into the siege of Truthy and the Second Battle for Truthy began. Nemehiah drained one thousand of his strongest vampires, and over ten thousand humans and alfar to boost his own power, though it is unknown if the sacrifices were voluntary despite Nemehiah’s claims. Nemehiah lead a small and battered army against the undead horde, giving him the time to face Neculai. The greatest magical duel seen since the Divine war broke out and lasted up to three hours, until both Neculai and Nemehiah were completely spent. Neculai managed to cripple Nemehiah and gain the upper hand, but a large army from Amand descended upon his horde. In his weakened state he decided to flee, realising that there was the possibility of the combined human and alfar mages being able to bring him down. He retreated south with his army, beyond the barrier.
Around one thousand two hundred and ninety years ago the last remnants of the Seven’s armies were disposed of. The Alliance proclaimed victory and disbaned, while Nemehiah retreated to his citadel, completely drained from the war. Nemehiah became a hero to some, a villain to others and a bloodthirsty god to many. His efforts in rebuilding and maintaining the banner almost drove him insane, requiring his vast network of spies to capture powerful mages and vampires and have them fed to him, to give him the strength to keep up the barrier on his own. The Bloodstrife was declared as over, and the Dark Millenium began.
The past thousand years has not been kind on Dravarn. The wasteland decimated by the Divine war and the Bloodstrife has been growing. Without the ancients or gods to guide the world, or the Seven to act as their replacements, it had fallen into chaos. Alfar and Men war against each other and with themselves whilst Vampire clans fight for supremacy and thralls. In the east Seskel has returned with a horde of monsters to devour those styill living, while some whisper that Ciro has returned from the dead with Balthazar sure to follow him. The days ahead look dark, a weak and deformed Nemehiah looks hopeless to hold back the ensuing tide of blood, and there are few left who can stop the advance of tyrannical gods, vicious madmen and the monsters once called saviours.
Ciro was to be the worst influence on the council, as one thousand six hundred and seven four years ago, in the session known as the Crimson Diet, he convinced his brothers that to cure themselves they must feast upon Nemehiah. He made them believe that it would give them the strength to become gods, and in their anger, grief and foolishness they believed him and raised their armies. A year later the Alliance of Dawn rose up against them, an army of humans, vampires and alfar who followed the teachings of Nemehiah. They clashed with the Seven in the First Battle of Truthy. They inflicted a savage defeat upon them after Nemehiah used a forbidden weapon from the Divine war which led to the Seven and their minions retreating into the east.
Eventually the Seven, numbering only four at this point, disbanded and turned on each other despite Ciro’s attempts to keep it together. Neculai in his anger smashed the barrier that they had created and sustained together, and drained its power into himself. Hordes of monsters began pouring into Dravarn and some of the Seven subjugated them to serve in their armies. Around three years later Ciro and Neculai would attempt to return to the west together, in an alliance, but taunting from Nemehiah who had arrived to confront them caused a three way duel between them. This duel saw Ciro killed, Nemehiah badly wounded and Neculai forced to retreat. He pulled his forces out of the war and returned to the east to deal with Seskel while Ezekiel began subjugating the humans of the north and west.
Around fifteen hundred and forty years ago, Seskels massive horde of monsters was slowly destroyed by Neculai and his undead and vampiric horde. Seskel eventually fled beyond the barried with his remaining forces, into the east, and was never heard from again. One hundred years later and Ezekiel’s large empire of subjugated humans was slowly destroyed and assimilated by Neculai. Unwilling and unable to fight his elder brother, Ezekiel fled in the west with a large portion of his followers into the great jungles. Neculai began subjugating the remaining vampire and human nations in the east and north.
After a hundred years, around one thousand three hundred and sixty two years ago, Neculai finished assimilating and creating his undead horde and began marching east. The Alliance rallied together and began hastily erecting a number of forts just beyond the Trindy Vale. Twenty seven years later and the last of the forts was captured, reduced to ashes by an angry and delayed Neculai. Twenty five years later and Udwic was captured by Neculai after a ten year siege, he put all the people to death and reanimated them into his horde. A year later a huge army sent to recapture Udwic was utterly destroyed by Neculai, and sensing weakness he decided to ignore Amand and head straight for Truthy.
Two years later into the siege of Truthy and the Second Battle for Truthy began. Nemehiah drained one thousand of his strongest vampires, and over ten thousand humans and alfar to boost his own power, though it is unknown if the sacrifices were voluntary despite Nemehiah’s claims. Nemehiah lead a small and battered army against the undead horde, giving him the time to face Neculai. The greatest magical duel seen since the Divine war broke out and lasted up to three hours, until both Neculai and Nemehiah were completely spent. Neculai managed to cripple Nemehiah and gain the upper hand, but a large army from Amand descended upon his horde. In his weakened state he decided to flee, realising that there was the possibility of the combined human and alfar mages being able to bring him down. He retreated south with his army, beyond the barrier.
Around one thousand two hundred and ninety years ago the last remnants of the Seven’s armies were disposed of. The Alliance proclaimed victory and disbaned, while Nemehiah retreated to his citadel, completely drained from the war. Nemehiah became a hero to some, a villain to others and a bloodthirsty god to many. His efforts in rebuilding and maintaining the banner almost drove him insane, requiring his vast network of spies to capture powerful mages and vampires and have them fed to him, to give him the strength to keep up the barrier on his own. The Bloodstrife was declared as over, and the Dark Millenium began.
The past thousand years has not been kind on Dravarn. The wasteland decimated by the Divine war and the Bloodstrife has been growing. Without the ancients or gods to guide the world, or the Seven to act as their replacements, it had fallen into chaos. Alfar and Men war against each other and with themselves whilst Vampire clans fight for supremacy and thralls. In the east Seskel has returned with a horde of monsters to devour those styill living, while some whisper that Ciro has returned from the dead with Balthazar sure to follow him. The days ahead look dark, a weak and deformed Nemehiah looks hopeless to hold back the ensuing tide of blood, and there are few left who can stop the advance of tyrannical gods, vicious madmen and the monsters once called saviours.
The Setting
Dravarn
Dravarn, as you can tell from the map, is an extremely desolate world. The largest populations live near the two lakes, while the Vampire clans are strongest in the areas further from civilisation where they prey on nomadic peoples, merchants and travellers. There are no real dominating empires, as the people are too fractious to unify. What is beyond the edges of the land is unclear, but none who venture out ever return. It is said that the gods did not vanquish the monsters of the world, but instead put up a barrier around the lands of Dravarn to keep them out.
The Seven
Originally the greatest among the Alfar, one by one they fell into the darkness until only Nemehiah remained, with the fate of Astrophel being all but a mystery. They are listed in order of their power, with Astrophels power level being a mystery.
Neculai the Eternal
The most powerful and most depraved. Neculai was once the most noble of Astrophel's students, yet darkness took him as power corrupted him. His rule became ever more erratic, and he became convinced that he should be the only one in charge, culminating in his murder of Balthazar and Ciro. He fled to the south with his undead horde, and has been expanding it and his powers these past thousand years. Now he has heard of Seskel's return, and waits for the right time to strike.
Original Form – Cursed Form
Nemehiah the Great
One of the oldest and most powerful, yet now reduced to an old and weakened state. Nemehiah is viewed by some as a heroic saviour who fought against his evil kin. Others view him as an opportunistic god who craves the blood of mortals. Nemehiah cares little for what mortals say, in his eyes the lands of Dravarn are his to protect, and he is bound by this duty to protect them.
Original Form – Cursed Form
Ciro the Deceiver
"The most dangerous of my brothers, and the one who started us upon this damned road. His whispers have led us astray for millennia, and his web has us all caught up like flies. I thank my brother Neculai for ending this wretches life, but I fear the day that he will return and wreak havoc upon our world. Then you will understand true fear" - Nemehiah, On Ciro. Ciro was killed by Neculai during the Bloodstrife, but it is rumoured he has returned and takes many forms.
Original Form – Cursed Form - Deceiver Form
Seskel the Devourer
Seskel was always brutal, and even the gods feared to fight him in the Divine war. His kingdom was an orgy of chaos, and he enjoyed the hunt more than any of his brothers. When the Bloodstrife began he warred with Balthazar and succeeded in having his brother killed. He later devolved into a blood soaked monster bent only on devouring all life to make himself the strongest. He has returned from the east with a horde of monsters.
Original Form Cursed Form
Balthazar the Tyrant
Always a warmonger, the greatest warrior of the Seven against the gods. Balthazar had a great temper, but was noted by Nemehiah to be relatively sane compared to the others. He was slain by Neculai in the early Bloodstrife, sparing him from devolving even more. Rumour has it that several cults in the north are attempting to revive him, and that they are close to succeeding.
Original Form – Cursed Form
Ezekiel the Betrayed
The most tragic of the Seven, the youngest and the weakest. Ezekiel was wracked with constant pain by his affliction, and turned to eating and gorging himself on blood. His body began to reflect his soul as he became a monster. He was skilled at subjugating humans and making them worship him, and now rules a vast empire of humans beyond the barrier.
Original Form – Cursed Form
Astrophel the Enlightened
The eldest of the Seven, it is rumoured that he walked amongst the Ancients in their waning days and spoke out against the rule of the gods. He was ousted from his position of influence and exiled, only to return later and gather his students, the Seven, in an attempt to defeat the gods. He disappeared into the bowels of the earth, claiming that he knew where to find such a weapon, and never returned.
Original Form
Neculai the Eternal
The most powerful and most depraved. Neculai was once the most noble of Astrophel's students, yet darkness took him as power corrupted him. His rule became ever more erratic, and he became convinced that he should be the only one in charge, culminating in his murder of Balthazar and Ciro. He fled to the south with his undead horde, and has been expanding it and his powers these past thousand years. Now he has heard of Seskel's return, and waits for the right time to strike.
Original Form – Cursed Form
Nemehiah the Great
One of the oldest and most powerful, yet now reduced to an old and weakened state. Nemehiah is viewed by some as a heroic saviour who fought against his evil kin. Others view him as an opportunistic god who craves the blood of mortals. Nemehiah cares little for what mortals say, in his eyes the lands of Dravarn are his to protect, and he is bound by this duty to protect them.
Original Form – Cursed Form
Ciro the Deceiver
"The most dangerous of my brothers, and the one who started us upon this damned road. His whispers have led us astray for millennia, and his web has us all caught up like flies. I thank my brother Neculai for ending this wretches life, but I fear the day that he will return and wreak havoc upon our world. Then you will understand true fear" - Nemehiah, On Ciro. Ciro was killed by Neculai during the Bloodstrife, but it is rumoured he has returned and takes many forms.
Original Form – Cursed Form - Deceiver Form
Seskel the Devourer
Seskel was always brutal, and even the gods feared to fight him in the Divine war. His kingdom was an orgy of chaos, and he enjoyed the hunt more than any of his brothers. When the Bloodstrife began he warred with Balthazar and succeeded in having his brother killed. He later devolved into a blood soaked monster bent only on devouring all life to make himself the strongest. He has returned from the east with a horde of monsters.
Original Form Cursed Form
Balthazar the Tyrant
Always a warmonger, the greatest warrior of the Seven against the gods. Balthazar had a great temper, but was noted by Nemehiah to be relatively sane compared to the others. He was slain by Neculai in the early Bloodstrife, sparing him from devolving even more. Rumour has it that several cults in the north are attempting to revive him, and that they are close to succeeding.
Original Form – Cursed Form
Ezekiel the Betrayed
The most tragic of the Seven, the youngest and the weakest. Ezekiel was wracked with constant pain by his affliction, and turned to eating and gorging himself on blood. His body began to reflect his soul as he became a monster. He was skilled at subjugating humans and making them worship him, and now rules a vast empire of humans beyond the barrier.
Original Form – Cursed Form
Astrophel the Enlightened
The eldest of the Seven, it is rumoured that he walked amongst the Ancients in their waning days and spoke out against the rule of the gods. He was ousted from his position of influence and exiled, only to return later and gather his students, the Seven, in an attempt to defeat the gods. He disappeared into the bowels of the earth, claiming that he knew where to find such a weapon, and never returned.
Original Form
The Alfar
The Alfar are long lived beings, able to survive up to five hundred years, and are generally stronger than men with a greater understanding of magic. They have a heightened sense of emotion and understanding, and this links them to the Circle of Understanding, created by the gods, from the day of their birth. The Circle impacts heavily upon their personality and skills, though it is not the deciding factor due to the link being damaged by the Curse of Flesh.
Humans
Humans are short lived, usually living to eighty years though powerful mages among them can live to one hundred and fifty. They are generally weaker in stature and magical power than the Alfar, but make up for it in cunning, increased fertility and their freedom from the Circle of Understanding. They are far more numerous than the Alfar, though they lack the unity and wisdom that the Alfar possess.
Vampires
Vampires are strange creatures, not entirely native to the world as the original affliction was accidentally brought by the gods from another far off world. They have great strength and magical power, but must constantly sate their bloodlust and are weaker when exposed to sunlight, while younger generations cannot even withstand it. The older generation a vampire is the stronger it will be, with the rare second generation vampires being almost divine in power compared to the fifteenth generation vampires who are slightly stronger then the Alfar.
Vampires suffer the most from the Curse of Flesh, as it was designed to punish them the most. Over time they will become more and more monstrous; devolving in form, though the way they act has a lot to do with it. A vampire who does good deeds and does not give in to the inner beast will remain normal for longer, and their devolved form will be less monstrous. Truly vicious and evil vampires will being to reflect the taint in their souls, becoming the monsters of legends and growing in power but losing out to their bloodlust. Vampires are sterile and can only pass on the affliction
Vampires suffer the most from the Curse of Flesh, as it was designed to punish them the most. Over time they will become more and more monstrous; devolving in form, though the way they act has a lot to do with it. A vampire who does good deeds and does not give in to the inner beast will remain normal for longer, and their devolved form will be less monstrous. Truly vicious and evil vampires will being to reflect the taint in their souls, becoming the monsters of legends and growing in power but losing out to their bloodlust. Vampires are sterile and can only pass on the affliction
Magic and the Circle of Understanding
There are eight types of magic, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. A mage will typically only study one and become a master, as it is impossible to master more than one without tearing yourself apart from the conflicting magical powers. The eight schools are
The Circle of Understanding was created by the gods as an experiments, to try and order the chaotic and primitive Alfar. Though its power over them has lessened, it still influences their personality and skills to a large degree.
The Circle of Understanding was created by the gods as an experiments, to try and order the chaotic and primitive Alfar. Though its power over them has lessened, it still influences their personality and skills to a large degree.
Nations
The nations that inhabit Dravarn change almost yearly, with kingdoms and empires crumbling quickly. Only three survived since the six took power and they have since been reduced to city-states. They are Amand, the city of mercy, home to a large population of Alfar, Uswic, the city of illusions, home to a large population of men and Truthy, the city of citadels, the grandest city in all of Dravarn with a sizeable vampire and human population. The city of Truthy is ruled in name by Nemehiah, though he dwells from its greatest citadel which was constructed to house all of the Seven and doesn't actively take party in governing.
Technology
Once Dravarn was an extremely advanced land when the Seven first ruled, but due to the Bloodstrife it has regressed and technological pursuit has been forbidden by most conservative kings and lords wishing to keep their traditional power. Yet some have embraced it, especially those who hunt vampires. Such technology gives them an edge over their superior foe. It often take a steampunk appearance, and is extremely compatible with magic with the two working very well together.
The Cannon
A blunt, but extremely effective machine. It is able to tear apart most vampires in one hit, or smash apart a regiment. Yet it is expensive, takes time to set up and reload.
The Trebleon
A particularly savage device which spits a mixture of acids at the victim. The acids inside can be adjusted, and often divine water is placed inside by vampire hunters. Very expensive to make.
The Stake-gun
A simple device which uses steam to fire a stake at high speeds. This can easily penetrate a vampires ribcage and rupture their heart. Expensive to make and quite the effort to reload.
Repeating Crossbow
The favoured weapon of any vampire hunter. This ingenious contraption can fire hundreds of bolts at any foe extremely quickly, making it especially useful against fast or tough vampires. It is easy to reload, and is not very expensive to create.
The Cannon
A blunt, but extremely effective machine. It is able to tear apart most vampires in one hit, or smash apart a regiment. Yet it is expensive, takes time to set up and reload.
The Trebleon
A particularly savage device which spits a mixture of acids at the victim. The acids inside can be adjusted, and often divine water is placed inside by vampire hunters. Very expensive to make.
The Stake-gun
A simple device which uses steam to fire a stake at high speeds. This can easily penetrate a vampires ribcage and rupture their heart. Expensive to make and quite the effort to reload.
Repeating Crossbow
The favoured weapon of any vampire hunter. This ingenious contraption can fire hundreds of bolts at any foe extremely quickly, making it especially useful against fast or tough vampires. It is easy to reload, and is not very expensive to create.
Rules and Applications
The Ten Commandments (more like guidelines really)
1) Normal rules apply, such as no godmodding or meta-gaming.
2) Humans will be weaker than Alfar, and Alfar are weaker than Vampires, so remember to choose your fights carefully. That said, each race has its own special advantages and disadvantages, so they should balance out more or less.
3) I expect a really good app for 3rd/2nd generation Vampires, as they are really powerful.
4) I am open to people applying to be one of the original seven (minus Astrophel and Nemehiah), though if you are planning on it then I will require
5) You may apply as a nation or group, but I also want at least one character application tied to said nation or group.
6) You may have as many characters as you can handle, provided they don’t all share the same goals and personality.
7) You may pick Udwic, Amand or Truthy for your nation if you wish, they are the biggest cities in Dravarn.
8 ) From about the 6th generation a Vampire begins to take sun damage, though it is minor until about the 10th generation.
9) Reservations last up to a day for land, one week if you have a WIP app that is at least a quarter to halfway finished.
10) Listen to the OP and Co-Op
OP: Krugmar
Co-Op: Elerian
FAQ
These are questions straight from my Telegram box, and should help to explain parts of the world not shown in the OOC
Q: Are the remaining seven that have turned into monster have any semblance of sanity? And either way do they lead armies, or are they as powerful as an army on their own?
A: Hmm, a good question
Neculai the Eternal - Sanity is gone, obsessed with remaking the world in his image. Leads a massive army of the dead from the lands beyond the barrier and is powerful enough to obliterate an army with a single spell.
Nemehiah the Great - The most sane out of the Seven, though that isn't saying much. Leads a small cadre of vampires and humans dedicated to stopping the other Seven and the Gods. The weakest of all the Seven after having expended much of his power in the Bloodstrife.
Ciro the Deceiver - Arguably sane, though his need to deceive and plot makes him appear insane. Leads an army of agents working through the Kingdoms, but no real army of soldiers. Quite weak physically, but relatively strong magically.
Seskel the Devourer - Completely insane, obsessed with killing and draining blood of all mortals. Leads an army of grotesque monsters through a hole he ripped in the eastern barrier. Physically quite strong but magically incapable.
Balthazar the Tyrant - Relatively sane, though hell bent on dominating every kingdom and ruling the lands alone. He is currently dead, though is near to resurrecting. He is physically the strongest, though magically the weakest. He leads the Beluzti clan into battle.
Ezekiel the Betrayed - Completely insane, obsessed with gaining revenge on all living things. Leads an empire of deranged and deformed humans beyond the barrier, and is set to invade with them soon.
Astrophel the Forgotten - Completely unknown
So in conclusion, none really have any true humanity or sanity left. They are all very powerful, though it differs physically and magically. Neculai is the most powerful, only defeated due to the use of many divine artifacts which drove him away. His army is vast, and will only grow once he gains access to the ancient corpses left over from the two huge wars.
Q: I can understand that Nemehiah is drained, but can he not try and revive himself? I suppose the real question is what exactly does he do? From the sound of it he just hides away in his citadel all day. (On a side note what is the barrier? I can guess its like a wall of magic or something but what lies beyond the barrier?)
A: Nemehiah is the one sustaining the barrier, which was previously the work of the gods and before that isn't really known too well. A very advanced race before the Alfar created the barrier and something that sustained it, but the gods either destroyed, turned off or hid such a machine to make sure the Alfar depended upon them. As for what else he does, mainly create battle plans against his brothers and hire adventurers to find divine and vampiric artifacts dating back to the Divine war, and to find his lost brother Astrophel.
As for what lies beyond the barrier, great and colossal monsters, hordes of grotesque beasts, empires of corrupted men. Essentially it is hell on earth, and only the strongest would be able to survive, hence why some of the Seven have thrived in the area.
Q: In and of himself is nemehiah still powerful? So essentially the a realm of chaos not unlike the one from Warhammer?
A: Very powerful, imagine Vivec level of power in Morrowind. Weakened by his constant use of magic sustaining the Ghostfence, but blood difficult to defeat. Essentially yes
Q: Is he a match then for his brothers? And, as he is, is he in much of a state to fend them off? Also, are humans, even trained soldiers like the Iron Guard or the Legion, much of a fight for Vampires or those that are coming from the barrier?
A: Physically he is only a match for Ciro, since they are both weak in that regard. If he took his power off sustaining the barrier, he could probably regain his place as the second strongest at the cost of letting hordes of monsters through. With that said, magically he could take on Ciro even while sustaining the barrier, but would be no match for Neculai. If say, several thousand people sacrificed themselves to him through blood rituals, he would have the strength to fight Neculai.
Trained humans can fight up to 5th generation without needing additional help. Otherwise they will need artifacts, cannons, mass numbers, etc. As for the monsters, most of them are just grotesque beasts, shoot them with enough bolts or stab them enough and they die.
Q: Hmmm, I'm wondering why Nemehiah cares? Cannons? There be gunpowder?
A: He doesn't care because he is a good person, he cares because he genuinely believes he is now a god, and that it is his duty to protect his realm.
Magical steampunk cannons, stuff like this http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2 ... TRAUDO.jpg . Don't worry about it being too stacked, there are plenty of divine artifacts found in ruins which can bring down vampires.
Q: Are the remaining seven that have turned into monster have any semblance of sanity? And either way do they lead armies, or are they as powerful as an army on their own?
A: Hmm, a good question
Neculai the Eternal - Sanity is gone, obsessed with remaking the world in his image. Leads a massive army of the dead from the lands beyond the barrier and is powerful enough to obliterate an army with a single spell.
Nemehiah the Great - The most sane out of the Seven, though that isn't saying much. Leads a small cadre of vampires and humans dedicated to stopping the other Seven and the Gods. The weakest of all the Seven after having expended much of his power in the Bloodstrife.
Ciro the Deceiver - Arguably sane, though his need to deceive and plot makes him appear insane. Leads an army of agents working through the Kingdoms, but no real army of soldiers. Quite weak physically, but relatively strong magically.
Seskel the Devourer - Completely insane, obsessed with killing and draining blood of all mortals. Leads an army of grotesque monsters through a hole he ripped in the eastern barrier. Physically quite strong but magically incapable.
Balthazar the Tyrant - Relatively sane, though hell bent on dominating every kingdom and ruling the lands alone. He is currently dead, though is near to resurrecting. He is physically the strongest, though magically the weakest. He leads the Beluzti clan into battle.
Ezekiel the Betrayed - Completely insane, obsessed with gaining revenge on all living things. Leads an empire of deranged and deformed humans beyond the barrier, and is set to invade with them soon.
Astrophel the Forgotten - Completely unknown
So in conclusion, none really have any true humanity or sanity left. They are all very powerful, though it differs physically and magically. Neculai is the most powerful, only defeated due to the use of many divine artifacts which drove him away. His army is vast, and will only grow once he gains access to the ancient corpses left over from the two huge wars.
Q: I can understand that Nemehiah is drained, but can he not try and revive himself? I suppose the real question is what exactly does he do? From the sound of it he just hides away in his citadel all day. (On a side note what is the barrier? I can guess its like a wall of magic or something but what lies beyond the barrier?)
A: Nemehiah is the one sustaining the barrier, which was previously the work of the gods and before that isn't really known too well. A very advanced race before the Alfar created the barrier and something that sustained it, but the gods either destroyed, turned off or hid such a machine to make sure the Alfar depended upon them. As for what else he does, mainly create battle plans against his brothers and hire adventurers to find divine and vampiric artifacts dating back to the Divine war, and to find his lost brother Astrophel.
As for what lies beyond the barrier, great and colossal monsters, hordes of grotesque beasts, empires of corrupted men. Essentially it is hell on earth, and only the strongest would be able to survive, hence why some of the Seven have thrived in the area.
Q: In and of himself is nemehiah still powerful? So essentially the a realm of chaos not unlike the one from Warhammer?
A: Very powerful, imagine Vivec level of power in Morrowind. Weakened by his constant use of magic sustaining the Ghostfence, but blood difficult to defeat. Essentially yes
Q: Is he a match then for his brothers? And, as he is, is he in much of a state to fend them off? Also, are humans, even trained soldiers like the Iron Guard or the Legion, much of a fight for Vampires or those that are coming from the barrier?
A: Physically he is only a match for Ciro, since they are both weak in that regard. If he took his power off sustaining the barrier, he could probably regain his place as the second strongest at the cost of letting hordes of monsters through. With that said, magically he could take on Ciro even while sustaining the barrier, but would be no match for Neculai. If say, several thousand people sacrificed themselves to him through blood rituals, he would have the strength to fight Neculai.
Trained humans can fight up to 5th generation without needing additional help. Otherwise they will need artifacts, cannons, mass numbers, etc. As for the monsters, most of them are just grotesque beasts, shoot them with enough bolts or stab them enough and they die.
Q: Hmmm, I'm wondering why Nemehiah cares? Cannons? There be gunpowder?
A: He doesn't care because he is a good person, he cares because he genuinely believes he is now a god, and that it is his duty to protect his realm.
Magical steampunk cannons, stuff like this http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2 ... TRAUDO.jpg . Don't worry about it being too stacked, there are plenty of divine artifacts found in ruins which can bring down vampires.
Applications
Delete all Parentheses please, don’t hesitate to ask any questions or notify me if I have missed anything out.
- Code: Select all
[u]Vampire application[/u]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] (Picture preferred as I am lazy. If your vampire is old then they will be deformed, and if they are evil, monstrous)
[b]Personality:[/b] (Doesn’t have to be detailed, a few key words will suffice. If you wish to leave this blank and develop the personality throughout the story then feel free to do so)
[b]Magic School:[/b] (Look at the table above, say N/A if your character is not magical)
[b]Clan:[/b] (If you belong to one of the original clans, or a clan descended from one of them)
[b]Generation:[/b] (The lower the number the stronger you are)
[b]Biography:[/b] (The more detailed the better)
[b]Important Items:[/b] (Artifacts, special named sword or staff, etc.)
[b]RP Sample:[/b]
- Code: Select all
[u]Human Application[/u]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] (Picture preferred as I am lazy)
[b]Personality:[/b] (Doesn’t have to be detailed, a few key words will suffice. If you wish to leave this blank and develop the personality throughout the story then feel free to do so)
[b]Magic School:[/b] (Look at the table above, say N/A if your character is not magical)
[b]House:[/b] (Are you a part of a noble House?)
[b]Biography:[/b] (The more detailed the better)
[b]Important Items:[/b] (Artifacts, special named sword or staff, etc.)
[b]RP Sample:[/b]
- Code: Select all
[u]Alfar application[/u]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] (Picture preferred)
[b]Personality:[/b] (Doesn’t have to be detailed, a few key words will suffice. If you wish to leave this blank and develop the personality throughout the story then feel free to do so)
[b]Magic School: [/b](Look at the table above, say N/A if your character is not magical)
[b]Dynasty:[/b] (Are you a part of an ancient Alfar bloodline?)
[b]Circle of Understanding:[/b] (Choose one of the colours, then one of the subsections within that colour)
[b]Biography:[/b] (The more detailed the better)
[b]Important Items:[/b] (Artifacts, special named sword or staff, etc.)
[b]RP Sample:[/b]
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[u]Nation application[/u]
[b]Nation Name[/b]:
[b]Ruler:[/b]
[b]Government Type:[/b]:
[b]Government Hierarchy:[/b]
[b]Formation:[/b]
[b]Succession Laws:[/b]
[b]Gender Laws:[/b]
[b]Geographic territory:[/b]
[b]Population:[/b] (Keep it low, below one hundred thousand)
[b]Military Strength:[/b] (Keep it low as well)
[b]Military Info:[/b] (How technologically advanced are you, how trained are your soldiers, Note: This is pre-gunpowder but certain inventions like repeating crossbows exist)
[b]Currency:[/b]
[b]History:[/b]
[b]RP Sample:[/b]
- Code: Select all
[u]Group application[/u]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Leader[/b]: (You have to also have an application for the leader if you want to be accepted)
[b]Members:[/b] (How many people do you have, and how many of them are soldiers?)
[b]History:[/b]
[b]Type:[/b] (Is it a guild of mages, warriors, vampire hunters, vampire thralls, god worshippers etc.?)
[b]Land:[/b] (Does your group own land? Can be within a nations borders, such as a guild headquarters)
[b]Goals:[/b]
[b]RP Sample:[/b]
- Code: Select all
[u]Clan application[/u]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Leader:[/b] (You have to also have an application for the leader if you want to be accepted)
[b]Members:[/b] (How many people do you have, and how many of them are soldiers?)
[b]History:[/b]
[b]Lands:[/b] (Try to pick small lands if near the lakes, or large ones if in the desolation)
[b]Goals:[/b]
[b]Clan type[/b]: (Completely related bloodline or a union of several small clans?)
[b]Prime Sire:[/b] (Which of the Six original vampires is this clan descended from?)
[b]Curse of Flesh:[/b] (How does the Curse of Flesh particularly affect your clan?)
[b]RP Sample:[/b]
