Technology and Magic
If you've read my tag behind the title, you'd have guessed that this is a fantasy-with-steampunk-elements RP. Therefore, it has fantasy/steampunk tech. So that means airships and steam and magics galore! A large amount of the technology in this RP will be 'explained' by a large mixture of magic with steam technology (Also to be known as Magitechnology). Any overly intricate/advanced/somewhat unfeasible piece of technology? - Magitechnology.
As far as weapons and combat goes, there will be a good mix of melee weapons, firearms, and melee-firearm contraptions, as well as magically enchanted items. I'll get into a list of the more common armaments you'll see below:
Magic in Aesteria is different than magic in other fantasy realms. Whether or not anyone is inherently talented in magic, no one can simply 'pick up' magic. You can't just stare at a little grimoire all day and then all of a sudden be able to cast a fireball and burn down villages, no, it doesn't work like that. In Aesteria, all magic is governed by the use of summoned spirits.
Summon spirits typically aren't like your fancy and powerful Final Fantasy Summons. There are tens of hundreds of thousands of spirits all over Aesteria, each with their own element and classification, just waiting for you to nab them. It is only with the help of these summoned spirits that you are able to cast any sort of magic whatsoever.
Spirits generally fit into one of three categories:
One of the most commonplace firearms in Aesteria. The steam rifle come in different variants, as they are produced by many different groups, whether they be Varisie Arms Company or the Westhof Trade Caravan. For the most part, the steam rifle is relatively the same, a breach loaded rifle utilizing a small steam cartridge. For the most part, the Steam Rifle must be reloaded after every shot, though several more expensive variants of the rifle come with 2-4 round magazines. These magazines typically stick off to the side, so not to interfere with the rifle's sights. Most variants come with an optic, each of varying magnification and reticules. It isn't uncommon for cheaper sights to be weak telescopes with a dot in the center. A steam rifle can typically fire 100-300 rounds before replacing steam cartridges, depending on the potency of the weapon.
A seven-barreled rifle used commonly by Varisie shock troopers, this weapon is considerably less common than its single barreled counterpart. As a result, it is considerably more expensive. A round disk, similar to a large, flattened revolver cylinder is slid into the rear of the weapon, this cylinder houses the 7 rounds, as well as pre-loaded steam combustives for each round. In order to fit the rounds into the cylinder, the ammunition used by the revolving musket is of smaller caliber than the ones usually fired by steam rifles. Ammunition is also considerably more expensive.The cocking hammer must be pulled back every time before firing the weapon. The weapon is considerably less accurate than the steam rifle and lacks the ability to place any optics. A side sight is able to be mounted, but it does little more than show the operator the general direction in which it is aimed.
An intricate revolver weapon designed by an inventor from the Western City states, this weapon is unique in that it fires crossbow bolts instead of more contemporary bullet cartridges. Using a steam cartridge to provide power, the Bolt Revolver can fire 20 crossbow bolts from a reloadable cylinder. While not as powerful as contemporary firearms, and lacking the ability to pierce armor, the weapon can be loaded with magically enchanted or specially crafted bolts, and is considerably quieter than other firearms.
The first truly 'automatic' weapon created by steam technology, the steam repeater fires at a whopping 120 rounds per minute, and features a 30 round magazine firing small caliber ammunition. A steam cartridge is placed into the stock of the weapon, and pulling the trigger causes steam to rotate gatling styled barrels inside the weapon and fire its payload. Since the weapon uses steam both to rotate the barrels and fire the weapon, steam is used extremely fast, making it a fairly costly weapon. The steam cartridge on a repeater typically has to be replaced after every other magazine, increasing the cost of firing the weapon. The repeater also fires very low caliber ammunition and is incapable of piercing plate armor, making it a poor choice for a battlefield. On the other hand, its relatively higher rate of fire, and small size makes it ideal for airship crews, who typically don't wear unwieldy plate armor.
The revolver blade is exactly what it sounds like, a revolver, with a blade. Capable of being used as both a shortsword, and a one-handed carbine-revolver, the revolver blade is a versatile weapon often used by mercenaries. It comes in different variants, of differing blade lengths and revolver calibers. As a rule of thumb, the larger the blade, the more difficult it is to aim, the higher the caliber, the less balanced the sword is.
There are also all your typical melee weapons, and revolver-melee variants. Firearms for the most part, if not single fire rifles, are revolvers, the above are examples of the tech you can expect. If you want to make your own weapons and gear you can, but know that I will scrutinize it, and if I feel it doesn't fit or is too much, I will not hesitate to tell you so.
These spirits are the most common, and are often the smallest, weakest, and least intelligent, though this isn't always the case. They are relatively easy to obtain and summon and generally do not require a major pact to use. Several lesser summoners have found themselves destroyed by simple spirits due to their lack of knowledge of summoning and their inability to control the mischievous spirits. Simple spirits can be found in many places all over the world. Commanding simple spirits allow summoners to do things like fireballs or lighningbolts. A competent summoner can control several simple spirits with ease.
These spirits are generally humanoid in appearance and are by far the most intelligent of spirits. They are moderately to very powerful, and are quite cunning, some more malevolent than others. Pacts to enlist Humanoid spirits are generally more complex and often require a valuable artifact or offering. Humanoid spirits can occasionally be found outside of the Aest Wetlands. Humanoid spirits allow summoners to perform more complex feats of magic, such as coating a body part in a cloak of fire, manipulating a stream of water, or concentrating electricity into an object or person. Many Humanoid spirits can also fight alongside their summoners. Only a powerful summoner can create a pact with more than one humanoid. To command more than one in battle or to use magic is a rare feat.
These spirits are massive compared to Simple and Humanoid spirits, often dozens of times larger than a human. While for the most part not as intelligent as Humanoid spirits, several Older Gargantuan spirits can be considerably more cunning and wise than humanoids. Pacts to enlist Gargantuans almost always consist of a blood pact, and are never found outside of the Wetlands. Even within the Aest Wetlands, Gargantuans are difficult to come by and even more difficult to subdue. Gargantuan spirits lack the finesse of most Humanoid spirits, instead relying on brute force of magic, creating raging firestorms and tsunamis with ease. Gargantuans can join summoners in battle and are very difficult if not impossible to defeat. Only a truly powerful summoner can create a pact with a Gargantuan. To create a pact with more than one has never been heard of.
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Welcome to Meduzart! A prominent city in the confederacy of western City-States. Meduzart is commonly called the Adventurer's Hangout, as it houses the founding branch of the Adventurer's Guild, commonly referred to as, 'The Guild'. The Adventurer's guild is the West's largest source of paramilitary mercenaries and couriers, as the Guild is a collection of small bands of mercenaries, errand runners, explorers, summoners, and mechanics. When people need something done, they usually come to a Guild house to get it done, provided they have the coin. Meduzart, the hometown of the Adventurer's Guild is known for having some of the most reliable adventurers in the West. We shall, or most of us shall play as members of this hardy guild, whether or not we are in the same band, or know/of eachother is up to us.
A strange air has taken over the Varisie Empire recently. While always arrogant and pompous, the Varisie have never been outright violent, so the Varisie's sudden expeditions into Western territory has taken the City-States aback. With formidable technology, and an organized force, the Varisie had already taken by force the north eastern City States before the remaining states could begin to muster a defense. Without giving a reason, and ignoring all diplomats, the Varisie began a steady advance into the western territories before the Confederacy could force the Varisie to a halt, at the expense of grievous losses. The Varisie have for the moment stopped their advance, consolidating their position on their captured city states, still ignoring all diplomats and messengers from the western cities.
One day, a pair of youngsters, one male, one female, burst into the main hall of Meduzart's Guildhouse. With a sum of coin unexpected of their age, the two have requested a group of adventurers to take them to the City-State of New Eden. The only problem is, New Eden is the heart of the Varisie operations in the western regions. The pair avoid all questions regarding their reasons for making such a foolhardy adventure, and request only the bravest and most willing Guildsmen accompany them. And this is where we come into the picture.
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Concept:
As members of the Adventurer's Guild, we the players will undertake this adventure to guide these young people to the City of New Eden, facing whatever troubles we will along the way. There will be a good amount of in-city adventures and combat, as well as airship travel and land travel. As we travel with these youngsters, we will eventually discover the 'Arks' and their true powers. I'll accept a group of 4 or 5 players at the most. Players are limited to one character per. Due to the small amount of spots, this will not be first come, first served.
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Character Skeleton
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The Varisie Riflemen make up the core of the Varisie armed forces, they are found in all aspects of the Varisie military, land and air. They are commonly fielded with heavy clockwork armor and high-powered steam rifles. Several veteran riflemen use 4-round magazines, and officers favor the use of revolver-melee weapons. Varisie Riflemen occasionally carry the fearsome revolving musket.
The Inquisitors make up the strong arm of the Church of Aer. The Church of Aer strongly disapproves of the use of summoning spirits, and requires all Summoners to register themselves into the Church's Summoner Registry, where they must indicate the amount and types of Spirits they control, and agree to being monitored. The Church employs Inquisitors to hunt down rogue summoners and summoners who they believe are a threat to mankind and the church. Ironically, all Inquisitors are summoners of considerable talent, making them fearsome enemies. Along with summoned spirits, Inquisitors use scaled down, specialized steam rifles and chain-bladed sabers. They are recognized by their black garb and brass masks, as well as their baldric and red arm bands bearing the mark of the church. Their armor and mask are commonly enchanted and are highly resistant to both firearms and melee weapons.
