[hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/xGKOQxW.jpg[/img][/center] [right][h3]Something Wicked This Way Comes[/h3][/right] [center][I][sub]A presence dark invades the fair, And gives the horses ample scare, For chaos reigns and panic numbs, When something wicked this way comes. So toll the bell and sound the drums, For something wicked this way comes.[/sub] Beastmen, once having lived in Nomadic tribes, brutish and unnatural creatures that resided in the deep forests, raiding and pillaging villages and towns, have been banded together by a Lord of the beasts. Shador, champion of the Beastmen, unified the raider tribes under one banner. Hagur-Ur, the northernmost part of the known lands, an already barren land became the makings of an empire, an empire ruled by beasts. However, the intent of this army was to reach far further than Hagur-Ur. The gnarled grasp of the North slowly reaches outside of its domain, clawing at the civilizations of Man and all non-beast. The Beastmen warbands attack with no warning, and villagers, merchants and travelers live in constant fear of ambush. They try to prepare themselves for such an event, and often desperately appeal to the nobles to scour North with their armies - however, at such a time of political upheaval with a pestilence spreading from the East and the dead inexplicably rising from their graves, the nobles have far more pressing concerns than the pleas of low-born villagers. Forced to fend for themselves, terrified villagers hack down great swathes of forests around their settlements, and the better off hire the services of mercenaries to protect them, barricading themselves indoors when they hear rumors of a marauding band within the area. The more isolated villages and farmsteads are most at risk from attack. Far from any and all aid, travelers frequently will discover buildings or entire villages raised to the ground, cattle and villager butchered alike, lying where they were cut down. Full of malevolence the Beastmen take particular pride in tearing down the carefully constructed and ordered structures of men. For the united tribes of Beastmen, the battles fought in the South as well as the chaos and senseless murder are part of a religious war, an effort to bring down the civilisation of man which offends the Beasts’ gods. They believe that after the taint of man has been wiped from existence, the Beastmen shall inherit.[/i][/center] Our tale begins in the township of Galloway at the dainty tavern, "The Retired Sword". Perhaps it was a promise of women, adventure, riches or just a chance to do good. The biggest adventure of their lives is about to begin. So toll the bell and sound the drums, [i]for something wicked this way comes...[/i] [hr] [h3]Locations[/h3] [i]*This list will be added to as the role-play progresses.[/i] [hider= Galloway (Starting Location)][center][img]http://orig10.deviantart.net/0c0d/f/2011/051/d/f/forest_town_by_xenomorph_designs-d3a0frb.jpg[/img][/center] [i]Situated next to the river Gallow, the walled township of Galloway is lead by Lord Ady Bolster a noble born into his position as were those who came before him. The Bolster family are and always have been an ally to the King but have not made themselves enemies to those who now oppose in the current political upheaval (like Eddard the Pale of Aurora's End). Staying in the good books of the King has lead to many benefits for Galloway, particularly now. The barracks outside of the North gate is garrison to over two-hundred state soldiers charged with the protection of the town and it's people. Galloway has a healthy economy which is mainly supported by hunting and leather working. But their biggest strength is elaborate beer brewing techniques. Galloway Ale is said to be some of the finest in the land and provides a meaty chunk of the townships treasury. The town has a generally pleasant feeling except for perhaps it's center, Executioner's Square. A large statue of the King sits in Executioner's square well as the Gallows and chopping block, not only reminding all who rules but giving an ominous feeling of death. The townsfolk of Galloway, while fearing attacks from Beastmen are confident in the troops garrisoned there and Lord Ady to be able to defend the town. They know their walls are strong and won't fall easily.[/i][/hider] [hider= Gallowglade Forest][center][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/13/9e/f1/139ef115fdd4c4a329db990308cc64d6.jpg[/img][/center] [I]Gallowglade Forest separates the settlements of Galloway and Aurora’s End. A dangerous trek if you happen to get lost, many travelers have fallen off the beaten path and found their deaths in the Gallowglade. It isn’t uncommon for adventurers to come across fallen corpses of those who came before them, often picked clean but not always. This has lead to some priceless finds for the lucky ones. The Gallowglade is a thick forest with an abundance of overgrowth, the same is true for wildlife from strange and wonderful flora to animals such as wild boar. During the summer months, hunters for miles and miles around flock to Gallowglade forest for it’s plentiful game.[/i][/hider] [hider= Aurora's End][Center][img]https://wallpapersinside.com/wallpapers/m/49/dark-fantasy-art-town-m48720.jpg[/img][/center] [I]Rooted on the light side of the woodlands, the town-stead of Aurora’s End is home to Eddard The Pale, his lordship residing over the town and surrounding area. Home to approximately five-hundred townsfolk, this does not include Eddard himself nor the two knight errant, three squires and contingency of thirty men-at-arms (or state soldiers depending from which part of the kingdom you hail from). While far from city status, Aurora’s End is a large town running alongside a branch of the river Barrow. It was not by accident that the town was built by a woods, as it has not only spiritual significance to the people of Aurora’s End, but is also a great source of income for the many skilled woodsmen and craftsmen who choose to take up home here. However, being next to the woodland also has it’s drawbacks in these uncertain times. Aurora’s End has been lucky to thus far escape the pestilence but it was not so lucky in evading the effects of political upheaval. Rumors, whether or not founded in truth, are quickly spreading and not everyone is convinced that Eddard and his men possess the strength in numbers to hold off an attack from a band of Beastmen. Maple and thatched rooftops scattered throughout and willow wood walls give the township itself an appearance suited to its location. The general atmosphere of the town is pleasant. The economy of Aurora’s End is neither bountiful or feeble, supported mostly by woodsmen and fishing their biggest economic strength comes from their intricate and somewhat unique fletching techniques. The most infamous street in Aurora’s End would be Terrier Walk, a place full of beggar’s and thieves and also the “Fletcher’s Arms”, a fairly reputable tavern at least among the locals.[/I][/hider] [hr] [h3]Concept Art[/h3] *Some art I found online that I feel fits the general theme and may get some of you in the mood or inspired for the role-play! [hider= Concept Art][hider=Beastmen][img]http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/118/298875-diablo33.jpg[/img] [img]http://pre10.deviantart.net/5889/th/pre/i/2015/080/4/5/beastman_warrior_by_chrzan666-d8miwpz.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=Undead][img]http://orig08.deviantart.net/2900/f/2013/246/8/a/037_skeletal_warriors_by_typhonart-d6kwpuh.png[/img][/hider] [hider= Villagers][img]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u500/smileyjaws94/9fe99b09-df58-4fc5-8bdf-5e05d925529f_zpsfmk6pgky.png[/img][/hider] [hider= Men-At-Arms][img]http://orig11.deviantart.net/2386/f/2012/197/f/4/city_guard_by_windmaker-d57hjsk.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider= City Guard][img]http://orig01.deviantart.net/a2c9/f/2012/197/f/f/city_guard_captain_by_windmaker-d57hk98.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider= Knight][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/60/20/13/60201347712075700bd3845d702e3e72.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider= Mercenaries][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9c/19/f6/9c19f673c5ad75352ab77fbfafa39661.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider= Town-steads][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d7/49/0d/d7490df158c4bbee79f2fb8029d38848.jpg[/img] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a6/f7/52/a6f752fd339a77d961ba928f7e263882.jpg[/img] [img]http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/src/134057016674.jpg[/img][/hider][/hider] [hr] So the above gives the idea (I hope!), ask any questions away I'll put up an OOC if we gather some traction here. Look forward to hearing from you.