A Time Of The Sword Is Nigh (A Fantasy RP (OOC Always Open))

[The Hoosier Alliance]

Are we allowed to app for two characters? Might app as Fredrick's sister, an aspiring free mage. How does one become Marked by the Stranger? How would she be "chosen" by him?

Also, added Castan Mare to Fredrick's spoken language, since I just saw the "if you wander, you basically need to know some of it" bit.

[The Twelve Isles]

Are we allowed to app for two characters? Might app as Fredrick's sister, an aspiring free mage. How does one become Marked by the Stranger? How would she be "chosen" by him?

Also, added Castan Mare to Fredrick's spoken language, since I just saw the "if you wander, you basically need to know some of it" bit.

You can have up to three characters. And to be Marked, the Stranger just sorta has to decide you're interesting. He then visits you in a dream, and places the mark on you, and when you wake up it will be there.

However, you do not need to be Marked to practice magic. If you arent Marked you can still get a connection rune from someone who is, giving you connection to the Aether through them. If you got for a Connection Rune, it best to have multiple, so that if someone dies who you are connected to your own connection is not cut off.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

I saw the connection rune thing, but thought it’d be cooler if she was Marked. If I do app for her, would it be ok for her to be Marked?

[The Twelve Isles]

I saw the connection rune thing, but thought it’d be cooler if she was Marked. If I do app for her, would it be ok for her to be Marked?

Thats totally fine.

[Saint Ryvern]

Looks like a lot of fun. Right now, I'm leaning towards applying as some breakaway religious figure, but as I dive into more of the lore that may change.

[The Imperial Warglorian Empire]

God, that's a lot of bloody lore...

[Tysklandia]

DRAFT...

《◊ Character Basics ◊》

Thomas was 19 when he traveled to High Keep, sponsored by one of the venerable members of the order to take the black. None had heard of him before he walked those halls, but their were those that heard rumor that his sponsor had been travelling with a young boy for years before.
And to those who ask, thomas his past is a boring affair.

Born the fourth son of a farmer, no land or inheritance would be his and no coin would be to spare to fund an apprenticeship that would give him a proper future.
His attempts to find employment elsewhere cut short by one beast or another, at which point he was saved by his sponsor. Thomas knew no better way to thank his savior, than to become his servant and eventually his apprentice.
A simple story perhaps, maybe a bit too simple. But that is how Thomas tells it and none see many reason to doubt it, others see no issue in letting the man have his secrets.

In the years since he took the black, his mentor has long since past, a victim to the slowing reflexes that come with age. Thomas still travels the same hinterland roads and forgotten forest paths that his mentor used to travel, taking his "watch" as it were.
To his brothers in black, Thomas is a strange one, A man of simple dedication and focus to his chosen craft. Whereas he is seen as a trustworthy man and not overtly bad company, he has always preferred to travel alone. And for more than half a decade, Thomas has traveled the kingdoms, cities and principalities of Aetha alone, visiting High keep only to spend the coldest of the winter months their.

The rest of the time, the order hears little of him, but rumor. But even so, Thomas has brought his fair share of trophies to High Keep every winter and his efforts seem to be held in good regard so far.

Character App
Name: Thomas Waudman
Nickname/Alias: The Hunter
Gender: Male
Age/Birthdate:26
Race: Human
Moral Alignment: neutral-good
Height: (1.94m)
Weight: -bulky-
Unique Traits: Eye patch on the left eye
Any Illnesses: -
Appearance:
+A fair complexion, thick unruly dark blond hair and blue eyes.
+A stern face, often marred with annoyance or a somewhat transparant look of disinterest.
+ A rather large posture compared to his region and most around him. Both in height and bulk.
+ Various slashing scars on the chest, legs, arms, neck and one nasty scar on the left eye.
Personality: On the surface, Thomas acts Aloof, sarcastic and often bitter in his disappointment with the world as he sees it.
But when he finds examples of goodness, injustice and true innocence in the people he encounters, he finds it difficult not to attempt to help, often to the extent of endangering himself and his companions.

Occupation: Wanderer, mercenary, Black Cloak

《◊ Background ◊》

- Mother/Father Names: -
- Siblings/Other Relatives: -
- Noble?: No
- Nation Of Origin: Nordaline
- Languages Spoken: Nordaltace, Altacian and a sliver of Petzyana
- Biography: -

《◊ Affiliation/ Additional Info ◊》

- Affiliation: The Black Cloaks
- Specialties:
+ Hunter of beasts, monsters and blight spawn
+ Expert Swordsman and Martial fighter
+ A man of large stature, great endurance and strength
- Magi?: Yes, Via Connection rune to Kasha
- Schools Of Magic:
+Novice Elementalist
+Novice Enchanter
- Owned Equipment:
+A pair of horses of mixed breed, one for riding, one for baggage. Added with saddles and assorted goods associated with care.
+A brigandine and assorted plate armor for the chest legs, arms, shoulders, mired with dents and deep scratches.
+ Bevor and Sallet helmet
+A thick gambason and chainmail, worn with the years of use and repaired often.
+A set of strong-made black garments, cloak and metal-reinforced boots
+A set of "normal" clothes and undergarments + Various normal traveling and camping equipment
+A long SteelZweihander blade with worn hilt and showing signs of age. (Enchanted by Kasha Skrobiana with various runes to increase it's strength and durability beyond what it's mangled state would suggest.)
+A Steel longsword and dagger
+A Silver Longsword and Dagger
+A Kite Shield (Enchanted by Kasha Skrobiana to be more resilient towards magic damage, deflecting or nullifying it in whole, or in part, depending on the intensity of the spell.)
+A crossbow with an assorted collection of bolts (hunting and war-bolts in steel and Silver)
+Various Alchemy tools, to brew poultices, acids and crafts to be used in his hunts.
+A handful of well crafted, but worn armorer's and scharpening tools.

《◊ Optional Info ◊》

- Strengths:
+A exceptionally skilled fighter, skilled with most martial weapons and a neat aim with the crossbow.
+A large and strong man, years on the road, continious training and a heavy diet have made Thomas into somewhat of a walking tank.
+After years of living on the road, bushcraft and other general skills of those who wish to survive in the wilderness of nature and man-made society alike.
+A skilled tracker of man and beast alike
- Weaknesses:
+A novice with the magic craft, to the point where he dislikes using it at all.
+A wound on his left eye has left it sensitive to sunlight, causing headaches and making long range archery near-impossible.
+Many of his weapons and personal belongings have special meaning to thomas, to the point were he will put himself in danger to retrieve them.
- Fears:
+ Becoming too much alike the monsters he hunts, supernatural or man alike.
- Dreams:
+ Mirror the life of his mentor, fight the beasts and spawn of the blight that walk the world and perhaps, like the man who saved him, pass the torch on to another before he meets his end.
+ Ever since Thomas has been traveling with his current companion, Thomas has been feeling conflicted... Suppressing dreams and hopes of another type of life entirely.

- Personal Beliefs: -
- Anything Else: -

《◊ Character Basics ◊》

Kasha has been traveling with Thomas for over a year now, after Thomas wandered into a remote village, gravely wounded after a hunt. Their he found a young woman, caring for the sick and elderly with poultice and entertaining the young with spell and trinkets.

Thomas still remembers the first look she gave him. As she looked upon the tall, dark clad man, covered in the foul smell of death and blood, her eyes screamed hatred and promised something ill... But once one of the children spoke of his contract, to hunt a foul beast that had terrorized them for over a fortnight, it was as if night turned into day in an instant. She nursed him to health with great care and during his lengthy recovery, she was chipper, dragging old war stories out of the normally stoic man with effective tactics of endless annoyment and beggary. And when it came time for him to move on, it seemed the woman had decided, entirely on her own accord and without consulting thomas, that she would be joining him on his travels. A decision the black cloak did not agree with, but one he was, as he would soon realise, powerless to stop.

Even if her outward act seemed childish and beyond naive, Thomas eventually realized their was somewhat beyond Kasha's outwards veneer. Her attempts to drown herself in overplayed ballads tales of great heroes, the slaying of terrible monsters and whatever story she managed to drag out of him, seemed as if it was an act. More to convince herself than it was a true belief in those tales.

Many attempts to ditch the "crazy woman", as Thomas quickly coined her, failed horribly as the man quickly realized the magi's adapt skill at illusion, trickery and general magic's fouled any of his attempts to slip away from her.
Now, so many months later, their strange dysfunctional relationship continues. With Thomas traveling from place to place, upholding the vows and responsibilities of his order and Kasha following along, endlessly chipper about her "grand adventure" and the two of them being "valiant knights, protecting the common folk". But beyond this veneer and game of words, is a capable and intelligent woman, something Thomas realized quickly... She seems to always the first to spot something out of place, swift to respond to danger and incredibly adapt at defending herself with spell and illusion... But even with the two continuing their strange, somewhat involuntary partnership, Thomas still has many questions about the somewhat mysterious magi.

Her lack of connection or communication to any college seems to cement her as a Free mage, but of her past, she refuses to talk.
Even so, it is clear that Kasha has a college education in both writing, reading, language and spellcraft. But Thomas dares not ask, but he does understand, that if this is true, it could be dangerous... The inquisition often needs but a single excuse...
The one and only time, Thomas dared press her on it, he swore he had come within an inch of death, he dared not press her further. Such was her rage...
Rage all but forgotten by the next day. The unspoken rule between the two of them quickly became that neither enjoyed talking about their past and neither would ask.

Character App
Name:Kasha Skrobiana
Nickname/Alias: -None as of yet-
Gender: Female
Age/Birthdate: 23
Race: Human
Moral Alignment: Neutral-good
Height: (1.64m)
Weight: -Average-
Unique Traits:
Any Illnesses:
Appearance: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/18/5c/99/185c99ea386831942d2bb451a0fdfda8.jpg

Personality: Kasha often makes great attempts to see the best in people and the world around her, even if this often has her disappointed or leaves her hurt when she is often and inevitably dissapointed. She is, often to a fault and in detriment to herself, idealistic in her fanatical belief of the goodness in man or moreso, she WANTS to believe this, lest the truth of the world be too painful to see.
She has a deep desire to travel, to learn and to experience the world, living by the notion that life can be fleeting and she must make efforts to enjoy the time she has, to have adventure and to improve the lives of those she meets.

Occupation: Wanderer, mercenary (and by her own claim: Valiant Hero)

《◊ Background ◊》

- Mother/Father Names: -
- Siblings/Other Relatives: -
- Noble?: No
- Nation Of Origin: Pescala
- Languages Spoken: Petzyana(primary), Nordalinian, Altacian, Kriglinder and a host of basic phrases in some other languages, which she sometimes confuses with one another.
- Biography:

《◊ Affiliation/ Additional Info ◊》

- Affiliation: Free magi
- Specialties:
+ Talented mage
+ A Quick study
+ A good grasp on magical theory, to the point where she can effectively dismantle spells, enchantments and wards and, with practice, replicate them.
- Magi?: Yes, by Mark
- Schools Of Magic:
+Skilled at Aetheriomancy
+Skilled Elementalist
+Mediocre Evocator
+Mediocre Summoner
+Mediocre Enchanter
+Novice Sealer
- Owned Equipment:
+A handful sets of traveling clothes
+A proper Gamabason, aided by leather guards for arms and legs
+A Longsword and a dagger
+Various tools for magecraft, sealing, summoning and Alchemy
+A horse of mixed breed for riding with saddles and assorted goods for care
+Various tools and equipment for traveling and camping
+Various tools for an aspiring doctor/healer

《◊ Optional Info ◊》

- Strengths: A mage of various skills and abilities, A Jack of many trades, but master of none.
- Weaknesses:
+ She is somewhat mediocre with a blade, knowing only enough to defend herself amicably.
+ She has seen some beasts in the months she has traveled with Thomas, but many are still little more than legend to her and many of them will still be able to instill fear into her.
+ Idealistic and sometimes easy to "trap" into action. Violence towards women is a tender issue and can easily spark reckless behaviour.
- Fears: To die alone or to be taken advantage off.
- Dreams: To see much of the world, to learn what knowledge and history that she can and perhaps, one day, if her wanderlust is ever sated, to have a family.
- Personal Beliefs:
- Anything Else: (Optional)

[Kelmet]

I'm back, can I get an update on were we are at now?

[The Twelve Isles]

I'm back, can I get an update on were we are at now?

I'm finished with the OOC, except for a few minor things, and I'm working on finishing up the IC right now. It should be done tonight. And from there, we're ready to roll.

[The Twelve Isles]

Looks like a lot of fun. Right now, I'm leaning towards applying as some breakaway religious figure, but as I dive into more of the lore that may change.

A breakaway religious figure could be pretty cool. Religion is a pretty big part of the world and will play a pretty big part of the central conflict, so you could have an interesting impact if you went down that route.

God, that's a lot of bloody lore...

I dont fuck around my guy.

But the things you only really need to read through are the OP, the nations and the factions. From there, everything else is just to help fill out the world, but you can still be a part of things without them.

[Saint Ryvern]

Looks like a lot of fun. Right now, I'm leaning towards applying as some breakaway religious figure, but as I dive into more of the lore that may change.

A breakaway religious figure could be pretty cool. Religion is a pretty big part of the world and will play a pretty big part of the central conflict, so you could have an interesting impact if you went down that route.

I'm thinking about the religion--and I'm still working through all the lore--but would it work to have my breakaway figure attempt to change the perception of the Stranger? Instead of viewing the Stranger as an antagonist and opposite of the All Father, view them as another side of the same coin, one being with two different personas. The All Father who rights and corrects our course, remaining a stalwart and detached parent that gives out discipline, while the Stranger is the parent who gives blessings out to the children, though oftentimes these gifts are corrupted (not because of the Stranger's actual nature, but because of the impure nature of creation). My character would have somehow experienced the Aether and would develop breakthroughs and teachings because of that experience.

[The Twelve Isles]

A breakaway religious figure could be pretty cool. Religion is a pretty big part of the world and will play a pretty big part of the central conflict, so you could have an interesting impact if you went down that route.

I'm thinking about the religion--and I'm still working through all the lore--but would it work to have my breakaway figure attempt to change the perception of the Stranger? Instead of viewing the Stranger as an antagonist and opposite of the All Father, view them as another side of the same coin, one being with two different personas. The All Father who rights and corrects our course, remaining a stalwart and detached parent that gives out discipline, while the Stranger is the parent who gives blessings out to the children, though oftentimes these gifts are corrupted (not because of the Stranger's actual nature, but because of the impure nature of creation). My character would have somehow experienced the Aether and would develop breakthroughs and teachings because of that experience.

That could definitely work. A lot of my idea with the religion, especially the Church Of The All Father because they are the religion which will have the most effect on the plot itself, is that they may or may not have an incomplete truth. They have managed to understand some aspects of the otherworldly aspects of this universe, but they also may not understand everything. And then, leaving who's right and who's wrong about the All Father, Stranger and all of the religious dogma to the people to decide.

So having a character who is a sort of dissident, while still preaching the same basic principles, sorta like Martin Luther, could have a big impact on the story because it would bring that conflict about weather the Church actually understands the religion they are preaching to the forefront.

[Saint Ryvern]

That could definitely work. A lot of my idea with the religion, especially the Church Of The All Father because they are the religion which will have the most effect on the plot itself, is that they may or may not have an incomplete truth. They have managed to understand some aspects of the otherworldly aspects of this universe, but they also may not understand everything. And then, leaving who's right and who's wrong about the All Father, Stranger and all of the religious dogma to the people to decide.

So having a character who is a sort of dissident, while still preaching the same basic principles, sorta like Martin Luther, could have a big impact on the story because it would bring that conflict about weather the Church actually understands the religion they are preaching to the forefront.

Luther is the model I'm following and keeping in mind. Though my character will have some combat training (self-taught and by some of his followers) and less constipated than him. I'm likely going to apply for two characters. I have no real ideas for the second one yet, but he'll be someone who latched onto the religious dissident's ideas early on and now follows him. As the roleplay develops he'll separate from the dissident though (physically, not religiously), giving me another avenue for activity.

I'm glad you're open to the idea too. I didn't want to step on any toes with the lore you've taken so much time to create.

[The Twelve Isles]

That could definitely work. A lot of my idea with the religion, especially the Church Of The All Father because they are the religion which will have the most effect on the plot itself, is that they may or may not have an incomplete truth. They have managed to understand some aspects of the otherworldly aspects of this universe, but they also may not understand everything. And then, leaving who's right and who's wrong about the All Father, Stranger and all of the religious dogma to the people to decide.

So having a character who is a sort of dissident, while still preaching the same basic principles, sorta like Martin Luther, could have a big impact on the story because it would bring that conflict about weather the Church actually understands the religion they are preaching to the forefront.

Luther is the model I'm following and keeping in mind. Though my character will have some combat training (self-taught and by some of his followers) and less constipated than him. I'm likely going to apply for two characters. I have no real ideas for the second one yet, but he'll be someone who latched onto the religious dissident's ideas early on and now follows him. As the roleplay develops he'll separate from the dissident though (physically, not religiously), giving me another avenue for activity.

I'm glad you're open to the idea too. I didn't want to step on any toes with the lore you've taken so much time to create.

Hey, no worries at all man. The RP is meant to be about a big shift in the world itself, so figures who can bring about radical change would fit right in with the overarching story.

[Kelmet]

Should I make a app?

[Saint Ryvern]

Should I make a app?

What kind of character are you considering?

[Dragos Bee]

Should I make a app?

Hello, Kelmet!

[The Twelve Isles]

Should I make a app?

If you want to. The IC is being worked on right now, I'm hoping to be finished soon so now's as good a time as any.

[Nea Videssos]

Hmm... well, I've currently got two ideas, one of which might be more reasonable than the other:
Character idea one: A scholarly Ael/Elf mage from the Offwyr caste, with perhaps a bit of an obssession with ancient Elven civilisation/heritage and magic. Has a certain bias regarding humans due to their distruction of said civilisation. Might possibly have some ties/involvement with the Last Light.
Character idea two: Bit more complicated, possibly someone that's essentially a muddled fragment of a spirit possessing the body of a mortal mage (possibly awoken from being trapped in some old ruins), with said fragment of a spirit having been sealed away and weakened for so long that it has trouble distinguishing its own memories from that of its host body. An idea for what he could be doing after having awoken, is possibly trying to set up some sort of cult for himself, to get his bearings and acrue power and knowledge.

[Union Princes]

Im either thinking of a mercenary company or a rival knight order

[The Twelve Isles]

Hmm... well, I've currently got two ideas, one of which might be more reasonable than the other:
Character idea one: A scholarly Ael/Elf mage from the Offwyr caste, with perhaps a bit of an obssession with ancient Elven civilisation/heritage and magic. Has a certain bias regarding humans due to their distruction of said civilisation. Might possibly have some ties/involvement with the Last Light.
Character idea two: Bit more complicated, possibly someone that's essentially a muddled fragment of a spirit possessing the body of a mortal mage (possibly awoken from being trapped in some old ruins), with said fragment of a spirit having been sealed away and weakened for so long that it has trouble distinguishing its own memories from that of its host body. An idea for what he could be doing after having awoken, is possibly trying to set up some sort of cult for himself, to get his bearings and acrue power and knowledge.

Hmm, I like both of these ideas. However, the second one, though definitely feasible, would probably require a lot more work to make fit. The biggest reason is because Spirits cannot be sealed in the mortal world, though they can enter Aetha whenever they please. They can however be permanently sealed back into the Aether by a mage in Aetha, being trapped in a single spot and bound to a mortals will. If it had had this happen to it, it could feasibly result in the same confusion and uncertainty about who or what it is. In order to access it however would require a mage dream walking in the Aether and stumbling upon the Spirit, breaking the seal in some way or another.

The first one I also really like, especially because Aelmen culture and their ancient civilization (not to mention the many many other civilizations which have come and gone even before the Aelmen) will play a role in the plot. So having a character who is well versed in their history and stories could be very beneficial, especially to whoever gets him or her on their side.

Im either thinking of a mercenary company or a rival knight order

I like both ideas. Why not combine them? A rival knightly order who, unlike the Red Hand fighting for justice and protecting the Small Folk, the rival order is unscrupulous and fights for the highest bidder. Sorta like a version of the Companions from Skyrim, but with a morality leaning much more into shades of grey rather than just being all about glory.

[The Twelve Isles]

IC is up everyone.

[Dragos Bee]

Apologies, but I may not have the time to do more than spectate for now.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

I will get a post up either late tonight or sometime tomorrow. It looks fantastic!

[Nea Videssos]

Hmm... well, I've currently got two ideas, one of which might be more reasonable than the other:
Character idea one: A scholarly Ael/Elf mage from the Offwyr caste, with perhaps a bit of an obssession with ancient Elven civilisation/heritage and magic. Has a certain bias regarding humans due to their distruction of said civilisation. Might possibly have some ties/involvement with the Last Light.
Character idea two: Bit more complicated, possibly someone that's essentially a muddled fragment of a spirit possessing the body of a mortal mage (possibly awoken from being trapped in some old ruins), with said fragment of a spirit having been sealed away and weakened for so long that it has trouble distinguishing its own memories from that of its host body. An idea for what he could be doing after having awoken, is possibly trying to set up some sort of cult for himself, to get his bearings and acrue power and knowledge.

Hmm, I like both of these ideas. However, the second one, though definitely feasible, would probably require a lot more work to make fit. The biggest reason is because Spirits cannot be sealed in the mortal world, though they can enter Aetha whenever they please. They can however be permanently sealed back into the Aether by a mage in Aetha, being trapped in a single spot and bound to a mortals will. If it had had this happen to it, it could feasibly result in the same confusion and uncertainty about who or what it is. In order to access it however would require a mage dream walking in the Aether and stumbling upon the Spirit, breaking the seal in some way or another.

The first one I also really like, especially because Aelmen culture and their ancient civilization (not to mention the many many other civilizations which have come and gone even before the Aelmen) will play a role in the plot. So having a character who is well versed in their history and stories could be very beneficial, especially to whoever gets him or her on their side.

How could a spirit end up possessing/taking over a mage from being trapped in the Aether? Presumably it's a bit similar to possession in Dragon Age? Also, any particular naming conventions regarding spirits?
Could that binding/sealed state for the spirit in the Aether last beyond the death of the original mage that set it up? Then perhaps some time later (be it decades or centuries) a mage stumbles across the trapped spirit, and somehow ends up getting possessed by it after destroying the seal.

Perhaps the mage in question is particularly vulnerable to possession for some reason, while the trapped spirit has weakened over time (or was perhaps injured in some past conflict before having been sealed, and lacked the opportunity to recover - possibly caused by/exacerbated some magical poison), and then the somewhat-amnesiac spirit emerges into the mortal world in the body of the mage. I imagine the dissonance between Aether (with its nonlinear time and dreamlike shennanigans, presumably being quite like the Fade) and the more stable Aetha probably wouldn't help the confusion endured by a spirit whose memories and perception are already somewhat muddled.

Just some ideas, anyway. As for the other character idea, how long do Elves life in this setting?