[center][h1][color=6ecff6][i]“Magic.”[/i][/color][/h1] [img]http://i.imgur.com/A1s6KYq.png[/img][/center] When it is said, this word evokes the idea of illusions and parlor tricks. Perhaps it also evokes thoughts of unexplained phenomena in the days of yore. It might even evoke the idea of spirituality; surely invoking the miracles and powers of the unknown has a spiritual connotation. However, in our universe, magic is simply nothing more than our imaginations grasping at the answer for what we cannot comprehend. But consider for a moment a universe much akin to our own. A world interlaced with real magic; a universe where everything spiritual, everything religious could be explained by magic. This such universe is the universe where our Roleplay takes place. [center][h2]Enter the universe of Paragon’s End.[/h2][/center] Sorcery can be traced back as far as history has been written. Although the crucifixion of Jesus Christ sparked a major Magi movement, it was not until the early 4th century when Constantine the Great adopted Christianity into Rome that the most powerful Arcanocracy arose (government ruled through occult means). Although the Vatican is the largest Arcanocracy, every religion has their own forms of magic and theology. The occult and arcane are dismissed in popular opinion as myths and legends. Though unbeknownst to the general populace, the occult is very much a reality. The secrecy of arcana is intentional. Although everyone can eventually learn an aspect of arcana, not everyone is born with a sensitivity to the ebbs and flows of mana. Most people would have to dedicate their entire lives to even achieve a tenth of what a natural born Talent can achieve. There have been many hundreds of times in history where those who were Untalents rose up against Magi, even hunting them to extinction. The secrecy of arcana was necessary to preserve the lives of those with knowledge. This secrecy has created an underworld of societies; an entire web of sub-societies with their own politics, their own bartering, their own wars. This underworld is only known to those who are a part of it. And you, you are a part of it. [hr] [center][h3]Factions:[/h3][/center] There are five main factions to choose from when creating a character (although there are five as of now, you are not limited to these five and I am open to the idea of others if they are fleshed out enough) Also know that the setting of this RP is a setting requiring your character to devote themselves to something other than their origin faction (this is explained in THE STORY BEGINS). [center][h3][u][color=fff79a]Catholic Arcanocracy[/color][/u][/h3][/center] [hider] [img]http://i.imgur.com/cMhGRzE.png[/img] Catholicism is the single biggest faction in Paragon’s End. As stated earlier Talents only make up about 0.01% of the population, Catholicism has the largest amount of Talents at about 40% of the total number of talents (around 296000.) With the knowledge to sense Talents and locate them, Catholic scouts enlist Talent’s at young ages. Once enlisted, the Talents are taught the basics of arcana within the local Cathedral until they reach the proficiency level of Magi. Once they reach the proficiency level of Magi, they are able to embark upon missions for the Vatican. Catholic Magi think of magic as simply God’s miracles working through them. It is common amongst the Arch-Magi to think of any other magic usage outside of the church as heresy, that those who use magic who are not catholic use the power of Satan. Proficiency Level titles from least to greatest Novice Apprentice Anointed Magi Grand-Magi Arch-Magi Papal-Magi (of which there can only be one elected from the arch-magi after the death of the previous Papal-Magi) (Anyone can make only up to a Grand-Magi character. Arch-Magi are story relevant and to achieve Arch-Magi status is the highest regarded status aside from Papal-Magi which is not attained through power but through election) [/hider] [center][h3][u][color=a2d39c]Societas Academia[/color][/u][/h3][/center] [hider] [img]http://i.imgur.com/DrxtTlY.png[/img] Societas Academia is a religiously unaffiliated school of magic. The academia accepts both Talents and Untalents, and even has Untalents as some of its chief officers. Societas Academia has more Talents than Untalents. This has created a hierarchy amongst the student body wherein the Talents are popular and the Untalents are seen as social outcasts. Once a student has become a graduate, they can choose to either become a professor or an enlister. The professors teach the students, and the enlisters scout out potential candidates and enlist them at the school. Out of the 0.01% of Talents they have around 20% (148,000) of the Talents. They have different smaller institutions all across the world, but the largest main institution where they study aspect training is in Northern California hidden in the Redwood National Park. Proficiency level titles from least to greatest Primary schooler Secondary schooler Aspect trainee (once finished with secondary school, the student is allowed to choose one of four aspects to specialize in Scholar [this is a research role, mostly dominated by Untalents. They go on expeditions to find ancient knowledge all around the world. They right reports and create new spells and sub-aspects] Cleric [this is a medical role, they specialize in learning to heal all types of infirmities] Ruin Mage [this is a combat role, they specialize in learning destructive spells that cause devastation to their enemies] and Knight Mage [this is a combat role that specializes in using close quarters spells to gain the upper hand in melee combat] Even though a student can only specialize in one aspect, students are already expected to know enough general spells that would fall into each aspect before specializing. ) Graduate [Professor/Enlister] Dean (the dean is elected from professors and enlisters. The professor or enlister has to be older than thirty years old to qualify for election. Once the previous dean retires, or dies, an election takes place to vote in a new dean from the pool of middle aged applicants) [/hider] [center][h3][u][color=8493ca]Disciples of Salem[/color][/u][/h3][/center] [hider] [img]http://i.imgur.com/LVQi0JK.png[/img] While the Underworld does its best to hide itself from the world, not everyone that is not a Talent is clueless to the occult. The Disciples of Salem is an organization of Untalent witch hunters. They see Talents as abnormalities and have dedicated generations of effort into creating an art that can counter magic so they can hunt all Talents down and kill them. Instead of utilizing a large well of mana within themselves, they rely on manipulating the mana that nature provides. With the small amount of mana a normal person has, they can use that small amount of mana as a control point to manipulate the mana in nature itself. Most if not all of their spells (Disciples of Salem call them Arts) have to do with mana nullification and spell nullification. They are all trained in hand to hand combat, and are very dangerous to Talents. They’ve got about a hundred thousand members, and their membership is quickly growing. They have bases of operations spread out all across the united states and some in Europe, but the main base of operation is in Danvers Massachusetts (originally Salem.) Proficiency level titles from least to greatest. Initiate Fighter Scout Tracker Hunter Witch Hunter The leader of the Disciples is always chosen from the descendants and living relatives of Abigail Williams, who was the first to start developing the abilities needed to hunt Talents. The current leader is Will Snyder the great great great great great grandson of Abigail Williams. [/hider] [center][h3][u][color=ed1c24]Cult of the Enlightened[/color][/u][/h3][/center] [hider] [img]http://i.imgur.com/Yl3d3Nd.png[/img] The Cult of the Enlightened is a cult who believes in ferocious beasts of limitless power called The Old Ones. The cult’s entire purpose is to do the bidding of the Old Ones all in order to bring back The Old Ones from the realm they are contained in. Once the Old Ones are released they will bring genocide and enslavement upon the world. The cult does not have a hierarchy of proficiency; they see everyone who is a follower of the cult as equals. They have around 10% of the world population of Talents (around 74000) [/hider] [center][h3][u]Protestant Magi and Pagan Magi[/u][/h3][/center] [hider] [img]http://i.imgur.com/cBF93Mw.png[/img] The protestant and Pagan Magi make up the rest of the 30% of the population of Talents. Because they are so dispersed within their organization and beliefs, they are lumped together but not treated as a single entity. By themselves there are over 200 different subgroups with different beliefs. [/hider] [hr] [center][h3]Creating a Character[/h3][/center] In this universe there are two types of people, the Talents (those born with the natural ability and sensitivity to mana) and the normal Untalents (those without the natural ability and sensitivity to mana.) Everyone is born with a small amount of mana within them, but it takes a large natural amount of mana to be constituted as a Talent. Though there are those who devote themselves to the occult that are Untalents but it takes years of devotion to increase the amount of mana a person naturally holds. Only about 0.01% (around 740,000 people total) of people born are Talents. You can choose to have your character be from one of any of the factions. Just know that the setting of this RP is a setting requiring your character to devote themselves to something other than their origin faction. [h3]The Story Begins With...[/h3] 31 year old Felix Glasius has been with the Catholic church his whole life. Rising through the ranks of Magi at an early age, he became an Arch-magi after creating his own spell and fighting style, [b]Manaegis[/b]! Even though he dedicated his life to this organization, he began to have his doubts about their authenticity when, during a summit, a fellow Arch-mage Thadeus suggested they focus their efforts on finding ancient artifacts of power called Paragons to ensure Catholic supremacy. The motion was voted down by the Papal-magi, and Felix thought that had been the end of it. Four months later, the Papal-magi died, and Thadeus's brother Cornelius was voted in as Papal-magi. Thadeus brought the motion to secure the Paragons up once more at the summit after his brother was voted in. This time the vote was in favor of the conquest. Although, Felix had very bad feelings about the new mission, he continued his job as normal. One night, Felix had a dream, a dream of a great suffering that came from the Paragons. The dream showed Felix that the Vatican was not the only entity searching for the Paragons. In the dream a powerful voice told him that many forces of evil were attempting to gather the Paragons, and Felix needs to gather together a group of guardians to stop those who wished to bring the nine Paragons together. When he awoke, he was sitting at his desk in his room, with a pen in hand and parchment in front of him. The parchment had names, and the locations of the guardians he needed to gather together all written in his handwriting. This is where the story begins. Your character is one of the guardians that Felix wrote down during his vision. Are you ready to fight for the world? [hider=Rules] [center][h3][u]RULES[/u][/h3][/center] [list] [*] Grammar and typography are a must. If your post looks inadequate you will be warned. If your post continues to look inadequate you will be kicked. [*] Characters have to have a fleshed out character design, no gary/mary stu/sues (character depth), not overpowered, and can not be direct ripoffs of a already well established character in popular media. (Original) [*] [u][b]No God Modding![/b][/u] If you are writing a post that has a direct effect on another person's character, make sure they are okay with the effect and outcome. If you do not want to do this, leave you interactions with other player characters open ended. Collaboration is a major part of making an RP thrive, so talking and collaborating with other players outside of the RP to dictate the actions of your characters is highly encouraged. [*] Post length needs to be at least three sentences. It is deeply encouraged to write more well thought out posts with many words and paragraphs, but it is not mandated. Three sentences is the minimum amount a post should contain. I will make exceptions for certain posts if you absolutely cannot come up with something, but I am of the belief that three sentences is not difficult to write at all. [*] This RP has some religious influence in the lore, but I do not want to see any debates over religion here. This RP is purely fictional, so leave all prejudices behind. Don't do anything fourth wall breaking or passive aggressive about it either. [*] Be civil towards your fellow Role-players. You don't have to like each other, but you have to at least act like you respect each other. I do not want to see infighting of any kind. If I see infighting, it will result in a warning. Two warnings and you are out on the third. Don't be a jerk, just don't do it. [/list] [/hider] [hider=Character Sheet Skeleton] [h3][b]Name[/b][/h3] Sex Age [b]Appearance[/b] information related to appearance under the bolded Appearance header. [hider=Basic Appearance] Pictures related to appearance or more info related to appearance.[/hider] [hider=Abilities] Brief summary of abilities [/hider] [hider=Backstory] Backstory information[/hider] [hider=Personality] Personality information [/hider] (feel free to add whatever else you want to add.)[/hider]