Elementals 3: The White Rose (OOC, FANTASY, OPEN)

[Lazarian]

There seems to have been a miscommunication here. I was under the impression that the group was walking and talking, so Gwen's rant halted their progress. She's, therefore, not walking away; she's merely resuming the previous pace.

Well, she can always walk back.

[Hanafuridake]

Having watched Silence (excellent movie) I wonder if there would have been Gallian missionaries who tried to convert Tsubaki to the Helreskaffen Church. It would have been amusing for them to try and explain that, no, Pryastar is neither a woman nor a sphere of hot plasma that the world revolves around.

Probably. The Galllian Empire had Yuelkelu as a protectorate in the ancient days, because of course you protect the tropical island paradise from the ravages of hellspawn, and assuming Tsubaki is somewhere near Yuelkelu missionaries would have canoed their way over eventually.

It would make for a tense and interesting relationship should Fumi ever come across the Helreskaffen Church, since her ancestors would have heavily persecuted the missionaries and tried to force them to recant their beliefs meaning the Church wouldn't be too pleased to meet the legitimate heir of the shōguns as a result. Although now I'm tempted to make an annoying bubbly missionary who follows Fumi around and tries to get her to accept Pryastar.

[Olthar]

There seems to have been a miscommunication here. I was under the impression that the group was walking and talking, so Gwen's rant halted their progress. She's, therefore, not walking away; she's merely resuming the previous pace.

Well, she can always walk back.

No, that's dumb. She's not randomly walking away just to turn around and head back.

[Constaniana]

Probably. The Galllian Empire had Yuelkelu as a protectorate in the ancient days, because of course you protect the tropical island paradise from the ravages of hellspawn, and assuming Tsubaki is somewhere near Yuelkelu missionaries would have canoed their way over eventually.

It would make for a tense and interesting relationship should Fumi ever come across the Helreskaffen Church, since her ancestors would have heavily persecuted the missionaries and tried to force them to recant their beliefs meaning the Church wouldn't be too pleased to meet the legitimate heir of the shōguns as a result. Although now I'm tempted to make an annoying bubbly missionary who follows Fumi around and tries to get her to accept Pryastar.

Or if Pryastar shows up for a chat.

[Hanafuridake]

It would make for a tense and interesting relationship should Fumi ever come across the Helreskaffen Church, since her ancestors would have heavily persecuted the missionaries and tried to force them to recant their beliefs meaning the Church wouldn't be too pleased to meet the legitimate heir of the shōguns as a result. Although now I'm tempted to make an annoying bubbly missionary who follows Fumi around and tries to get her to accept Pryastar.

Or if Pryastar shows up for a chat.

I imagine he wouldn't be too happy about him being depicted as a lusty lesbian.

Though then again, considering he's paired with Froentsia, that might explain why he's not complained yet.

[Lazarian]

No, that's dumb. She's not randomly walking away

Turning away from Katya, she resumed walking back to the tavern, intentionally not giving the girl an opportunity to respond.

[Olthar]

No, that's dumb. She's not randomly walking away

Turning away from Katya, she resumed walking back to the tavern, intentionally not giving the girl an opportunity to respond.

There seems to have been a miscommunication here. I was under the impression that the group was walking and talking, so Gwen's rant halted their progress. She's, therefore, not walking away; she's merely resuming the previous pace.

[Lazarian]

EDIT: Kass solved the issue, so everything's good!

[Kassaran]

So begins the argument of "who has the better idea", let the fish-slapping begin.

[Hanafuridake]

So begins the argument of "who has the better idea", let the fish-slapping begin.

There are more important rivalries which demand attention.

Like chest rivalries.

[Constaniana]

So begins the argument of "who has the better idea", let the fish-slapping begin.

There are more important rivalries which demand attention.

Like chest rivalries.

Heilaga and Alselia have all you flat peasants beat.

[Kassaran]

There are more important rivalries which demand attention.

Like chest rivalries.

Heilaga and Alselia have all you flat peasants beat.

Oshit
You brought Heilaga into the fight. That's hardly fair at all Const.

[Lazarian]

So begins the argument of "who has the better idea", let the fish-slapping begin.

There are more important rivalries which demand attention.

Like chest rivalries.

I think Lisoette's crushing that one. Or, more appropriately, smothering out the competition.

Also, Big Boi deserves a real character application. I meant for him to be a minor character, but I like him as much as Katya if not more.

Name: Alexei Petrov
Sex: Male
Age: 43
Appearance:

Alexei has a large scar over his left eye, and a cleft in his nose (from battlefield injuries.) Also is reaaaaaaally scratched up under that breastplate. We're talkin' all kinds of scars here. Approx 6'5, 210 pounds. A big fella.
Skills: Quite proficient with a polearm, decent swordsman, can lift heavy things, drink quite a bit, and is a surprisingly good cook.
Personality: Alexei is a giant with a cheerful disposition, an enthusiastic personality, and a booming voice. Boisterous, friendly, and loud, he’s the first into a bar and the last one out of it. However, he is extremely loyal to his Baron, and beyond that, his baron’s daughter. Him and Katya are surprisingly close friends, despite their differences. He has a strong sense of justice, and a tendency to want to protect and guide the helpless.
Weaknesses: He has a slight limp from an old battlefield injury, and he’s getting a little older. Also, he's a completely normal man in the midst of a bunch of Elementals. Additionally, he can't read. He's illiterate as hell.
Equipment, if any: Alexei has a halberd, a battleaxe, shortsword, and kite shield, along with a battered breastplate and dented helm. He also has a few changes of clothing, and assorted cooking utensils and pots and pans.
Bio: Alexei was born in the small city of Kronstadt (approximately 10,000) in the one of the Northern provinces of Garmiccia. The town was located in the highlands, a hilly tundra, and was largely known for the above average height of most of its inhabitants. There are rumors of a race of giants that crossbred with the humans up north in the ancient times, but this is largely regarded as hearsay and rumors. He grew up in a stable home, his father being a retired sergeant and his mother a butcher. The oldest of seven sons, he joined up with a company that traveled through at 17, as was custom for men who came of age in the town. Through a combination of determination, skill, and sheer effort, he rose up through the ranks quickly, and by 25, was a captain of the detachment. He spent the majority of his younger years fighting in the many skirmishes and raids between the Garmaccian Empire and the Yelhenneins. However, one day, his company and another Garmiccian company joined up for a raid, and upon conquering the city, started to argue and feud over which company deserved the plunder from the city. Neither brigade desired for Garmiccian steel to take Garmiccian blood, and so a trial of champions was proposed to decide the conflict. That was a fateful day for Alexei, as he found himself in combat with Nikolai Kuznetsov, a minor spellborn noble. Shockingly, the spellborn swore not to use his powers in the duel, and faced Alexei head on in combat without using his blessings a single time. After a humiliating defeat, his life was spared by Nikolai's, and Alexei knelt and swore fealty to his new master (and soon, friend). After Nikolai rose from Captain to Colonel to Baron over the years, Alexei rose up with him, ending up as a commander of a company, which was a prestigious honor. However, after the death of the Baron's wife and son, their relationship grew rather strained. The glory of their campaigns ended, and he found himself unmarried, childless, and watching a great man start to dissolve. He was Katya’s swordsmanship tutor in her later years, so unlike the other two men at arms, he’s at least somewhat of a friend.

[Rupudska]

thatsthejoke.jpg

>facepalm

To me, he comes off as Chaotic Evil masquerading as Chaotic Neutral because the DM won't allow evil characters.

Hmm. Here's what I think the party looks like so far.

Katya: True Neutral
Alexei: Lawful Neutral
Gwendolynn "Gwen": True Neutral? Neutral Good?
Fumiko: Lawful Neutral
Eric Lumen: Chaotic Good
Belle Lame: Lawful Good
Aerion d'Autriche: Chaotic Neutral/Evil
Erosen "Ero-San": Chaotic Good
Catrin Eberhardt: True Neutral
Tristan Frost: Lawful Good
Lisoette: Chaotic Good

Catrin is actually Chaotic Good, but so close to Neutral it depends on the time of day. She just hasn't had a chance to tap into her true Chaotic nature.

She's also probably the bustiest girl here, not that that matters when she's 50% spider.

[Ameriganastan]

There are more important rivalries which demand attention.

Like chest rivalries.

I think Lisoette's crushing that one. Or, more appropriately, smothering out the competition.

Also, Big Boi deserves a real character application. I meant for him to be a minor character, but I like him as much as Katya if not more.

Name: Alexei Petrov
Sex: Male
Age: 43
Appearance:

Alexei has a large scar over his left eye, and a cleft in his nose (from battlefield injuries.) Also is reaaaaaaally scratched up under that breastplate. We're talkin' all kinds of scars here. Approx 6'5, 210 pounds. A big fella.
Skills: Quite proficient with a polearm, decent swordsman, can lift heavy things, drink quite a bit, and is a surprisingly good cook.
Personality: Alexei is a giant with a cheerful disposition, an enthusiastic personality, and a booming voice. Boisterous, friendly, and loud, he’s the first into a bar and the last one out of it. However, he is extremely loyal to his Baron, and beyond that, his baron’s daughter. Him and Katya are surprisingly close friends, despite their differences. He has a strong sense of justice, and a tendency to want to protect and guide the helpless.
Weaknesses: He has a slight limp from an old battlefield injury, and he’s getting a little older. Also, he's a completely normal man in the midst of a bunch of Elementals. Additionally, he can't read. He's illiterate as hell.
Equipment, if any: Alexei has a halberd, a battleaxe, shortsword, and kite shield, along with a battered breastplate and dented helm. He also has a few changes of clothing, and assorted cooking utensils and pots and pans.
Bio: Alexei was born in the small city of Kronstadt (approximately 10,000) in the one of the Northern provinces of Garmiccia. The town was located in the highlands, a hilly tundra, and was largely known for the above average height of most of its inhabitants. There are rumors of a race of giants that crossbred with the humans up north in the ancient times, but this is largely regarded as hearsay and rumors. He grew up in a stable home, his father being a retired sergeant and his mother a butcher. The oldest of seven sons, he joined up with a company that traveled through at 17, as was custom for men who came of age in the town. Through a combination of determination, skill, and sheer effort, he rose up through the ranks quickly, and by 25, was a captain of the detachment. He spent the majority of his younger years fighting in the many skirmishes and raids between the Garmaccian Empire and the Yelhenneins. However, one day, his company and another Garmiccian company joined up for a raid, and upon conquering the city, started to argue and feud over which company deserved the plunder from the city. Neither brigade desired for Garmiccian steel to take Garmiccian blood, and so a trial of champions was proposed to decide the conflict. That was a fateful day for Alexei, as he found himself in combat with Nikolai Kuznetsov, a minor spellborn noble. Shockingly, the spellborn swore not to use his powers in the duel, and faced Alexei head on in combat without using his blessings a single time. After a humiliating defeat, his life was spared by Nikolai's, and Alexei knelt and swore fealty to his new master (and soon, friend). After Nikolai rose from Captain to Colonel to Baron over the years, Alexei rose up with him, ending up as a commander of a company, which was a prestigious honor. However, after the death of the Baron's wife and son, their relationship grew rather strained. The glory of their campaigns ended, and he found himself unmarried, childless, and watching a great man start to dissolve. He was Katya’s swordsmanship tutor in her later years, so unlike the other two men at arms, he’s at least somewhat of a friend.

I would avoid messing with that guy...

[Constaniana]

If you squint at Tenmota, it looks like Tenaembra.

[Lazarian]

If you squint at Tenmota, it looks like Tenaembra.

Throw it in Google Translate for a fun surprise. I'm creative.

[Constaniana]

If you squint at Tenmota, it looks like Tenaembra.

Throw it in Google Translate for a fun surprise. I'm creative.

"Also a point" in Japanese?

[Lazarian]

Throw it in Google Translate for a fun surprise. I'm creative.

"Also a point" in Japanese?

Nah, for Russian. Also it's Temnota (that'll probably skew your result).

[Constaniana]

"Also a point" in Japanese?

Nah, for Russian. Also it's Temnota (that'll probably skew your result).

Ahhhhhhhhh. I see you used the same technique I did with names.

[Reverend Norv]

Rup invited me, and I'm willing to take a stab at it, but that's a lot of lore to wade through. Since it's always hard to enter an established continuity as a newcomer, can I pepper y'all with questions?

EDIT: for a start, while I'm starting to make sense of the history and religion, can someone explain technology to me? I've seen references both to knights and to ironclad warships.

And second, what exactly is the connection between family descent, title of nobility, and magical ability? Are there non-noble Elementals? Are there Elementals without any family history of magical ability?

[Lazarian]

Rup invited me, and I'm willing to take a stab at it, but that's a lot of lore to wade through. Since it's always hard to enter an established continuity as a newcomer, can I pepper y'all with questions?

EDIT: for a start, while I'm starting to make sense of the history and religion, can someone explain technology to me? I've seen references both to knights and to ironclad warships.

And second, what exactly is the connection between family descent, title of nobility, and magical ability? Are there non-noble Elementals? Are there Elementals without any family history of magical ability?

Welcome to the party!

As far as I can tell, technology can be whatever you want it to be, up until say 1800. It varies a lot based on the country/continent - for example, Gallia seems to be more technologically advanced than Elcrescia. Garmiccia, for example, is majority medieval era (halberds and cavalry) with the exception of their navy, which was pretty much stolen technological development from Gallia. I feel like ironclad warships are probably magitech moreso than actual "steam engines and coal", though. Muskets exist, but they aren't popular, and they're a recent development. Meanwhile, Tsubaki (islands near Yuelkelu) seems to be "early Japan" and Sahranjja seems to be parallel to the Ottoman Empire. Basically, it's anything cool, post-Rome and pre-muskets.

I'm sure Const will probably deliver a better/more accurate explanation, seeing as, well, he makes the rules here.

As for magical ability and family descent, Const explained it to me as "Elemental Magic is passed through blood, and thus it remains largely in noble families", but that rule certainly isn't hard and fast. For example, Aerion was just the son of peasants who happened to end up lucky. Perhaps there's a connection between strength of magic and strength of bloodline?

[Hanafuridake]

Rup invited me, and I'm willing to take a stab at it, but that's a lot of lore to wade through. Since it's always hard to enter an established continuity as a newcomer, can I pepper y'all with questions?

EDIT: for a start, while I'm starting to make sense of the history and religion, can someone explain technology to me? I've seen references both to knights and to ironclad warships.

And second, what exactly is the connection between family descent, title of nobility, and magical ability? Are there non-noble Elementals? Are there Elementals without any family history of magical ability?

A wild Norv appeared!

[Rupudska]

My understanding is that most nobles are Elementals, but not all Elementals are nobles.

[Constaniana]

Rup invited me, and I'm willing to take a stab at it, but that's a lot of lore to wade through. Since it's always hard to enter an established continuity as a newcomer, can I pepper y'all with questions?

EDIT: for a start, while I'm starting to make sense of the history and religion, can someone explain technology to me? I've seen references both to knights and to ironclad warships.

And second, what exactly is the connection between family descent, title of nobility, and magical ability? Are there non-noble Elementals? Are there Elementals without any family history of magical ability?

Welcome! Technology, at least in Galllia where the story is set, is generally 1840's/50's, but with stunted firearms technology due to its relative newness and scarcity. At this point knights are transitioning more towards early cuirassiers, the kind that had the really thick armour to try stopping musket balls. Telegraphs and steam engines are newfangled things from within the past two decades; steamships have boomed as a result of the Wide Northern War. Telegraphs and railway lines are hindered by the difficulty of maintaining infrastructure in a world where the beasts of the wilderness are much tougher to fight off than in ours.

Back in the Galllian Empire all Elementals were made nobility of some sort, and would generally keep their breeding amongst themselves to maintain and improve magical strength in the bloodline. After most of them died in the great war with Hell that became rather tricky, and so regular humans made up more and more of noble families. Nowadays there are noble families without any known magical talent, and new Elementals can be created by their gods to replenish their numbers.

Rup invited me, and I'm willing to take a stab at it, but that's a lot of lore to wade through. Since it's always hard to enter an established continuity as a newcomer, can I pepper y'all with questions?

EDIT: for a start, while I'm starting to make sense of the history and religion, can someone explain technology to me? I've seen references both to knights and to ironclad warships.

And second, what exactly is the connection between family descent, title of nobility, and magical ability? Are there non-noble Elementals? Are there Elementals without any family history of magical ability?

Welcome to the party!

As far as I can tell, technology can be whatever you want it to be, up until say 1800. It varies a lot based on the country/continent - for example, Gallia seems to be more technologically advanced than Elcrescia. I feel like ironclad warships are probably magitech moreso than actual "steam engines and coal", though. Muskets exist, but they aren't popular, and they're a recent development.

As for magical ability and family descent, Const explained it to me as "Elemental Magic is passed through blood, and thus it remains largely in noble families", but that rule certainly isn't hard and fast. For example, Aerion was just the son of peasants who happened to end up lucky. Perhaps there's a connection between strength of magic and strength of bloodline?

Ironclads are using steam and coal. Magitek is perceived as fanciful stories about the prowess and technological supremacy of the much more magically attuned Galllian Empire.