Hidden 1 yr ago 10 mos ago Post by Riven Wight
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Rogues and Rulers




In a world where myths rule, while humans exist only to serve and feed,
Who will stand?
In a world where even the Ruling Houses are at war,
Who will win?
In a world where life and death collide,
Who will remain?

Welcome to Neverterra
Hidden 1 yr ago 10 mos ago Post by Riven Wight
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Neverterra:
A Hopefully Somewhat Comprehensive Guide


Neverterra is a world filled with awe and wonder, magic and technology—as long as you aren’t a human.
Here, creatures known to us as only myths and legends rule. A world where humans are little more than pack animals, doomed to pay a “tax” of their own kind to the Noble and Ruling Houses consisting of monsters that need to feed on humans to survive.
Or simply for their entertainment, or cruel experiments and magics.
Here, humans are little more than weak, pathetic mice—pets, food, slaves, and laborers.

The Hierarchy

The leaders and governors of this world are known as Houses—the Ruling Houses, and the Noble Houses. Each of them consists of powerful supernaturals who use their strength and prowess to maintain some form of civility in their territories (for the Ruling Houses) and regions (for the Noble Houses).
While a majority of the Ruling Houses are ancient and have been the ruling families/bloodlines as far back as the original Uprising against humanity, there are a select few that have, in fact, changed hands from being challenged by those who proved to be stronger than them.
Each time a House changes hands, the name of the territory/region it had presided over also changes.
When it comes to the Houses, each one has a Head of House—the true ruler or noble. The family or bloodline of that Head of House (if any) are also considered and celebrated as royals or nobles, regardless of their overall strength or if they’re the next in line to take the throne.
Should a Noble or Ruling House’s Head of House die without a direct heir strong enough to take their place, or if someone stronger dethrones the Head of House, all those of the dethroned family lose their status entirely. This loss hits some harder than others—while some integrate back into typical society just fine, others degrade into absolute disgrace.
It also isn’t entirely unheard of for there to be internal wars among the individual Houses themselves, offspring/thralls fighting each other to prove their dominance over each other and even claim the title of Head of House for themselves—or claim the title of True Heir if they don’t dare take on the Head of House directly.

Ruling Houses –
With ten of them in total on the main/dominant continent, the Ruling Houses are exactly what they sound like; royals. None of the Ruling Houses share a race, each one representing the strongest of the strong in Neverterra.
These Houses oversee the countries themselves. Their word is law. While they rule each of their territories based on individual needs, they often come together to decide on overarching laws, and to be sure that peace between the different races and territories remains—and to make sure that humans forever remain in check.
Many of those of these houses are old enough to still remember the eras long past when supernatural beings were the ones kept in cages, when they were hunted.
While most of these Houses have been ruled by the same family/line for centuries, there are a select few whose standing have been a bit more tenuous than others, depending on how their strength and powers manifest.



Noble Houses –
The Noble Houses are powerful supernatural lines who are initially chosen by the Ruling Houses to govern the smaller cities and towns, and help the Ruling Houses maintain control. Each Noble House is subject to the laws laid by the Ruling Houses, and are required to report to their presiding Ruling House. While the laws for each of their regions must abide by the overall laws laid for the Ruling House’s territory, they do have the ability to lay their own laws as they deem necessary for the denizens of their regions, both human and supernatural alike.
It’s vastly their job to make sure that the human population is kept under control, and that the life ‘tax’ they require of the human inhabitants fits the necessary ratio to how many humans to supernaturals exist in the region.
How many Noble Houses each territory has varies based on the size of the territory, and the strength of the denizens of the region. A select few regions even have two presiding Noble Houses, resulting in regions with names that combine the surnames of both Houses.
While the Head of House in a Noble House can be dethroned, it isn’t as simple as just challenging them. As the Noble Houses are also voted and agreed upon by the various Ruling Houses, if someone wanted to challenge a Noble House, then the Ruling House of territory would have to be willing to allow the change.
After all, the Ruling Houses must be absolutely certain they can trust those of the Noble Houses to oversee their wishes and laws take proper effect.



Supernatural Denizens –
This consists of everything from magic-users to trolls, and everything between and beyond.
The supernatural peoples of each territory and region have their own varying hierarchy in the same sense as our modern society—the stronger the supernatural, the higher on the food chain they can climb. Who stands where, however, is constantly changing, and it’s rare to find a supernatural creature and their family (if they have any) living in poverty. They take care of their own…. Usually.
While skirmishes frequently arise, authorities are usually quick to put a stop to anything too rowdy or that disturbs other supernatural beings.

Humans –
Excluding rare half/mixed-breeds, humans are considered the lowest of the low. While you will occasionally find some living in the more supernatural-populated towns and working for supernatural beings, they’re more often found living in the slums of the cities. There are a select few human-only cities/towns in existence, but they’re still just as subject to the laws of the Ruling and Noble Houses as those living in more mixed-race cities.
Over the centuries, after so many deaths from attempted uprisings to take back what was once theirs, most humans have been complacent, too frozen in fear to do more than talk about fighting back.
Now, their numbers are kept in check. In order to help keep them in line, the Houses have created a deal where every region must offer up a ‘tax’ (often referred to as ‘offerings’) of a certain number of their humans to the Houses, be that for them to feed from them, use them as slaves, or anything else their imagination desires. When their local Noble and/or Royal House either don't need any new ones or otherwise don't consist of races that need to feed on humans ), it’s common for them to instead be passed on and bound to a different, well-respected supernatural being who does feed on or wishes to otherwise use/have a human fully bound to them.
These offerings/tax is enforced after each census.
As it is, with so many creatures who do feed on humans, the more desperate humans are known to take actual jobs where they’re paid for blood, marrow, emotions, or whatever else the hiring being needs. While dangerous (there's a good chance the human could die if their 'employer' loses control), it pays better than the hard-labor jobs that most humans take on.

Half-Breeds –
While it was long ago forbidden for supernatural creatures to wed and mate with humans, it does still happen from time to time. There typically isn’t much of a punishment laid out for breaking this law, as it’s quite rare for cross-breeds to survive beyond infancy. When they do, it’s quite common for them to be shunned or even hunted.
With the rare exception, they’re typically much too human for the supernatural communities to look at them as anything more than human or allow them to rise in the ranks, while many humans feel like they’re an abomination, a symbol of betrayal rather than of unity.

Regions and Territories

Neverterra is separated into two major divisions: Regions and territories. These work similarly to the medieval-style kingdoms (territories) and providences (regions).
While region typically has a vast spattering of different types of supernatural beings, it’s not uncommon for the majority of the population to match the race of the presiding Noble Houses.

Territories:
These are the larger sections of land that the Ruling Houses preside over. As there are ten Ruling Houses, so, too, are there ten territories. Each territory is named after the surname of their Ruling House.

Regions:
Regions typically consist of a single large city where the presiding Noble House dwell, and all smaller surrounding cities and towns. There are multiple regions in each territory.

Living Conditions and Technology

Both these aspects depend on where you are in the hierarchy, and how close you live to the royal cities.
The cities where the Ruling Houses live are filled with the finest of everything, their lives filled with an ingenious pairing of both magic and technology. The streets are well-kept, the houses things from storybooks, each city a hodgepodge of sights to cater to the various different races living there. The living conditions of all but those on the absolute outskirts of these cities would fall under “upper class.”
The other cities populated mostly by supernatural beings also have many fineries, though they tend to be more “middle class.”
Then, on the completely opposite of the spectrum, in the communities—rather, the slums where only humans live, they’re barely capable of scraping by. While their presiding Houses make sure they have just enough to live, wanting to be sure that they don’t lose a necessary source of food and labor, it’s usually the bare minimum. Humans are banned from having weapons. Even their kitchen knives are regulated. There can never be more than three children to a household. A census is taken every six months, ensuring that the human-to-supernatural population is within the ratio set by the Ruling Houses.
Regardless of where one lives, there’s one commonality; the exact technologies and magics used depends on what race is in the majority. The cities are careful to cater to the weaknesses and strengths of the various supernatural beings, such as limiting the use of iron or silver.
For what you can see residents dressed in, that varies as widely as the races who live in this world. Someone in medieval-like rags or finery is as commonly seen as someone in a modern-day tank-top or fancy suit.

A Brief History

Supernaturals have ruled this world for many generations, but such an arrangement wasn’t always so. Once, long ago, Neverterra wasn’t too far a cry from the little safe world we have come to know.
Humans thrived. Their technology was more advanced than even ours at the time. But there was one major difference; supernatural beings weren’t shoved into little boxes labeling them as myths and legends. No. Even then, they knew. And they were terrified and cruel.
Ignorant to the true numbers of supernatural beings living among them at the time, they kept the beings they found caged, treating them much the same way that supernatural beings now treat them. They were pets. Creatures to be milked for their magic, then tossed aside and killed.
In many ways, the cruelty of humans toward the supernatural surpassed the cruelties the supernatural has returned upon them.
Then came the Uprising.
Sick of seeing their own tortured and degraded, the supernatural community banded together—enemy races fighting alongside each other for the same cause—rose up against humanity, showing their true powers.
It didn’t take long for humanity to fall.
Now, generations later, only the most ancient of the supernatural races remember a time when humans ruled.
While some select—and forbidden—books still exist, books with stories where humans were weren’t subject to the tyrannies of the supernatural, most humans have long since forgotten what ‘freedom’ truly is.
Over the years, there have been many groups who have tried to overthrow the supernaturals, to reclaim the land and bring equality to humans and supernaturals alike. But none have ever succeeded. Alas, each time they have risen, their efforts have been met with agonizing death.
Now, hope is rare among humans. A majority have begun to slumber, to accept their fate for what it is.
Most.
But not all.
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Hidden 1 yr ago Post by Riven Wight
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@Arista

So, as you'll see, I did add more than what I'd ran by you in the PMs. I also plugged in a name for the world. Let me know if you're okay with the additions! If you aren't okay with something that I put, just let me know.

And, er, I apologize if it needs more editing to be easier to understand. I wanted to get this up here, but it's about four in the morning where I am, and I should probably get ready for bed. I'll try to get my character profile up tomorrow! Er... later today.
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@Arista

I don't want our actual casual conversation to get too buried before I get the gumption to respond to RL-based chatter. Otherwise, I'll completely forget it even exists. That's part of why I like having something more designated for questions and IC-based discussions. Some times I have the mental power to talk story, others RL chatter, but only have the mental capacity to do one. So, I'm moving your question/answer here!

So I have a question about the noble house that will help my guys house. How does naming the noble house work? Or the town they reside in?
Arista


I think that that that was somewhat covered in the initial posts, but remember that there's a difference between the Ruling Houses and Noble Houses. Ruling Houses are the overarching rulers (like the king/queen or president), while Noble Houses are more like Lords/Ladies or governors that work under the Ruling Houses.

The Houses are named after the surnames, along with the regions and territories (like countries for the Ruling Houses, and counties for the Noble Houses). Some have been the same as long as anyone can remember, while some have changed from the Ruling/Noble House getting swapped out. When the surname of a House changes, so too does the region or territory.

The royal city or any other towns are whatever you want. You could have it named after some ancient family dog or something, for all I care. Like, I mention Ironvale and Ragford in Nyx's profile. They have no real significance, just random names I thought sounded like they could be city names. In-story, it's whatever whoever founded the city or town (there is a difference! 🙂) decided to call it. Like the real-world Manitou Springs, Chicago, Austin, etc.
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@Riven Wight Now to write down an actual detailed list of possible countries for both or I'll get them so confused I'll wanna throw something lol

I'm excited!!!
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I have a spot for a list of the Houses as we establish them. The Nobles will probably be as needed, since they'r not important right now, and there are a lot more of them.

I have it written that there are ten main Ruling Houses, so ten territories each with their own royal city. What races do we want? These are my votes:

1. Elemental Mage (still going with that for your guy?)
2. Djinn
3. Werewolves
4. Vampires
5. Fae (if you're on board, theirs could be set up like their lore regarding who fully rules Faerie being passed between the Summer and Winter courts. That, or both Seelie and Unseelie have a representative)
6. Orcs/Giants
7. Let's leave a spot open for a world-specific race, shall we?
8. Warlocks
9. Some sort of reaper-like race.

I'd want to look up other creatures that actually feed on humans, too, beyond the classics. Thoughts? Suggestions?
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And dragons. We need a House ran by a draconic race. I'd be sad if we don't have a draconic race in a Ruling House.
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@Riven Wight Of course we're gonna have dragons! I'm kinda upset with myself sthat we didn't already have them in mind lol

I have a spot for a list of the Houses as we establish them. The Nobles will probably be as needed, since they'r not important right now, and there are a lot more of them.

I have it written that there are ten main Ruling Houses, so ten territories each with their own royal city. What races do we want? These are my votes:

1. Elemental Mage (still going with that for your guy?)
2. Djinn
3. Werewolves
4. Vampires
5. Fae (if you're on board, theirs could be set up like their lore regarding who fully rules Faerie being passed between the Summer and Winter courts. That, or both Seelie and Unseelie have a representative)
6. Orcs/Giants
7. Let's leave a spot open for a world-specific race, shall we?
8. Warlocks
9. Some sort of reaper-like race.

I'd want to look up other creatures that actually feed on humans, too, beyond the classics. Thoughts? Suggestions?


1 is still a yes for my guy! His WIP is almost done! Gonna send him through PM's if that's okay ^^ I like them! I was gonna say we could have Were-creatures which are mutated versions of a werewolf mixed with another species: like a were-coyote or were-jaguar but that's complex so ignore me! Lol I do like your list and honestly those would've been ones i wouldn't sent over if I suddenly wasn't so busy x.x I approve!
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No, no, I like where you're going with that, so how about we say werebeasts and call it a day? Not necessarily a wolf-mix, but that way it encompasses all the different types of werebeasts out there who may be stronger than werewolves.

Updated that info post to reflect this!

Send your profile however you want. You can do it there, or post it here in a hider before moving it to the Character tab. I'll look forward to reading it! No worries about being busy. I just happen to have the free time and mental capacity for this right now.
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<3 <3 <3

Yay~

He's about done, not 100% but I wanted you to have a look at him and tell me whats good or not or what needs editing ^^
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Alrighty! I'm sure it'll be great!

And now:

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Wanted to let you know that I updated the info section here again to reflect the profile info you sent me, and I tweaked my character sheet--not just her thief name, but her "On Census" name and other smaller details. Our talk about names made me think about it, and I doubt she'd use the same name when out in other cities staking out her next target as what she has on any official record, so that changed. She's still Nyx, she just wouldn't exist under Nyx Noven on paper anywhere.
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I'll check it out, but that makes sense. I'm working on his sheet now! :)
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I'm suddenly of the suspicion that neither of us actually ever sleeps.
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I do, but I'm also in a different timezone then most people. And I wake up at odd times only to fall asleep again haha.
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Here's the WIP for that second character. I haven't filled in all the sections for his powers, the weaknesses section needs work, and I haven't written up any bio for him yet. Might do a couple other minor tweaks, too, before putting him up in the Character tab. Let me know if you have any objections to him!



Calrin wants me to ask if he can call Viktor the "Blood Tempest," since Vik is a ruthless killer when it comes to rebels, and his powers and personality are very changeable and stormy.

Okay. He doesn't want me to ask. He's now angry and wants you to know, "SHE'S the one who wants to ask! Blasted human, know your place!"

Me: You're MY brain child! Hey, don't you--!
Rin: *Bursts into smoke and disappears.*
Me: ... I LIKE my nightmares! Remember that! Your tricks won't work on me!
Rin: *Nefarious disembodied chortling.*
Me: Oh, wonderful.
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Yay! A new friend! :D

Oh. I really like that!! It fits him really well.

Here's a question, if that's what he'll be called by him would I add that to Vik's sheet or not? And could I add that to his Reputation and On the Record info??

Oh he's adorable! I like him!

🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Glad you approve of the epithet! If Vik would rather something else, go for it, by the by. Was just an idea. (Don't mind me. They have sheets now, so they get to be referred to like they're real upon occasion.)

If you want Blood Tempest to have caught on with the people, then yeah, that would be a part of his reputation!
On-Record would be more that he's known to often work alongside Calrin. Rin would like to spread his epithets quietly, then watch them bloom on their own.

Glad you approve! We have two overly-serious characters. I figured someone to potentially add in some humor could be beneficial.

You'd mentioned them possibly being childhood friends in PMs, so what would you say to them being neighboring territories, and they spent a lot of time honing their fighting skills with each other? I'm thinking that anyone in the Ruling Houses would get trained in whatever magic they have along with in fighting skills from the moment they're capable of using their powers or a dagger, thanks to the competition factors.
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