Vox

Heavenly Steel // Black Peace

Someone asked more about gods work in Beinan, so here's something a bit more comprehensive! I'll be sure to add this into the first post as well.

Additionally, something which I'm not sure I made clear is that Aspected individuals are rarely created, but born already Aspected, oft from human families or Aspected individuals of the same patron.

Religion and Cosmology of Beinan

The world as envisioned by Beinan is separated into the Three Realms: the Heavens, the Earth, and the Underworld. Like the Earth, Beinan acknowledges that their concepts of the Heavens and the Underworld are but one part of the greater Cosmos as a whole, theirs but one nation in competition with the others.

The Heavens

The First Nation, and the one which all nations in Beinan and the Underworld model themselves after. Just like how the Imperial Court now presides over all Beinan, the Celestial Court presides over the Heavens themselves, and thus is a power above even the Imperial Court itself. Like the Imperial Court, those who directly rule in the Celestial Court itself remain aloof to their subjects below, even as they take on the awesome responsibility of protecting and providing for all who lie under their domain. The only communications that come from the Celestial Palace is relayed down to the Earth and Underworld by the Celestial Dragon, First Steward of the Heavens. With the Imperial Court modeling themselves as the representatives of the Celestial Court on Earth, and the Celestial Dragon granting his direct blessings to the Heavenly Emperor themself, the only time dragons should ever be displayed or used are to be in direct relation with the Imperial Family itself.

This causes dragon Aspected individuals to be in an odd spot, though many are given the option of being folded into the Imperial Family whether there is a direct blood relation or not, becoming new branch families.

The First Emperor was also previously known as the Heavenly Emperor, until the Heavenly Emperor on Earth claimed the title themself. While once sacrilegious, a lack of punishment from the Heavens and the completion of the Great Unification has quieted these concerns for now. There are some who even posit now that the Heavenly Emperor is a reincarnation of the First Emperor, or is the First Emperor themself, again with a lack of retaliation from the Heavens themselves.

Gods on Earth

Like the Imperial Court, the Celestial Court cannot hope to run the Heavens without its innumerable workers and bureaucrats which make up its inner workings. Granted domains and responsibilities of their own, many of them concerning the Earth below, gods and their representatives of all shapes and sizes come down to the Earth to conduct their work. With the Celestial Court's infinite responsibilities, there are as many gods as there are stars in the sky. Some may shine brighter than others, with Gods of War, Gods of Magic, Gods of Knowledge and so forth standing next to Gods of Grasshoppers, Gods of Reeds, and so on, none of them are any less important than the other in the eyes of the First Emperor.

It is commonly believed that the Celestial Court records the actions of every soul on Earth in order to determine whether they ascend to the Heavens and take their place in the Celestial Court, whether they are reincarnated anew onto the Earth, or whether the need to be unformed and remade in the Underworld.

Spirits on Earth

Spirits are a different classification of beings from gods. Whereas the gods come down from the Heavens themselves, spirits are creatures which come from the Earth and the Underworld. The manifestation of rivers, the souls of mountains, the beasts which hide themselves in the night and the winds which move the sky, they are the caretakers and wardens of their realms. The greater machinations of the Heavens often does not concern them, the lives and whims of the mortals which cross their path oft even less so.

The Underworld
A primordial abyss, the Underworld is where everything can be unmade, and where everything can be made anew. Like the Heavens and the Earth, the Underworld has its own court and systems. Even less than the Heavens however, the courts of the Underworld are even less concerned with the inane machinations of the Earth. Responsible for the care and guidance of new souls which are birthed from the Abyss, they are just as responsible for the souls which are cast back down from the Earth and Heavens, those who hold too much Evil at their core and must be remade under the harsh punishments enacted by the Underworld Courts. They are not a perfect system, but they are nevertheless the wardens which hold back the greatest Evils the Cosmos has birthed.

Heavenly Steel // Black Peace

Question!

Is the Chinese elements of the world just an inspiration or is it actually expected to be populated (at least almost) exclusively by Chinese or East Asian folks with East Asian appearance, traits and names (as you'd expect in medieval China)?

Also, do you mind recycling old roleplay sheets? I've made a couple of characters that are piling up dust and it's such a shame.

@Cohors

I'm not sure what you're exactly asking here? If you're asking if there's other ethnicities present in Beinan, then yes there are. Restrictions used to be pretty heavy before the Great Unification, but during the Black Peace restrictions have eased slightly. There are a few towns along the southern border and coast where foreigners usually come in and are allowed to freely tour and trade. Further passage in-land is restricted to those who have a special Imperial pass, however, usually only given to those with enough money or enough connections to secure one.

And you're more than welcome to bring in old sheets as long as they cover the same information that's asked for in the CS template above.

Heavenly Steel // Black Peace

Magic-heavy or magic-lite? I've got a couple of char concepts in mind, just need to know if fighter types will be useful

@Herald

The world was initially designed for a DnD game so take that as you will. That being said, most magic in this world in its current iteration is flashy and loud, requiring incantations and rituals where any disruption can be a point if failure, whereas a person with a big stick is always going to be useful.

Heavenly Steel // Black Peace

If anyone has questions do feel free to voice them here or in PMs!

Vox Modulator

Hinabi

Hear the dragons roar
A guide beating in your heart
Its rhythms pure and true

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DC: #DE9898 ___________________________________ P R O F I L E Age 23 Race Honfukun Sex ??? Height 5'9" Weight 167 lbs Level 1 Health Points 28 ___________________________________ I N V E N T O R Y Blacksmith's Hammers Tongs Rags Rope Tarp Bedroll Knife Flint ____________________________________ E Q U I P M E N T - Yari - Katana - Kusori gusoku; chainmail worn comfortably under everyday clothes ____________________________________ A T T R I B U T E S Might: 16 || 10 + 6 Dexterity: 11 || 10 + 1 Perception: 15 || 10 + 2 + 3 Wisdom: 12 || 10 + 2 Charisma: 10 || 10 Constitution: 14 || 10 + 1 + 3

____________________________________________________________________________ APPEARANCE Conventionally attractive underneath what seems to be a constant layer of world-weary dirt and grime, it all nonetheless pales to the soft smile Hinabi seems to hold forever on their face. A true wanderer, their attire is always ready and practical, which only serves to further highlight the moments of care they do put into their appearance. Neat hair, well tended eyebrows, clean horns - while one may never be able to exactly call them pristine, never are they ever too far away from being presentable. ____________________________________________________________________________ BACKSTORY The Honfukun are renowned throughout the lands as master artisans and crafters - few can deny that fact. After all, the levels of craftsmanship displayed by the goods continually exported from Karitu is testament to it, but even the most meticulously made goods pale in comparison to the sight of a true craftsman at work. No artisan across the Eternal Empire would turn away a Honfukun willing to further their craft, and there are many Honfukun willing to travel far and wide to tutor and be tutored in order to further perfect their crafts. Hinabi was born to one such pair. One father - a ransutor - was a potter. The other, a copper craftsman. The both of them had found each other on the road, and the both of them continued to travel together even after they had fallen in love. However, being a lone pair traveling on the road was not conducive in creating a safe environment for the raising of a child, but neither were they entirely willing to give up their itenerant life. As luck would have it, however, they were able to attach themselves to a wandering mercenary company who were more than willing to take them in, especially after showcasing how a potter could quickly translate their skills into that of an earthenworks engineer, and the skills of a copper craftsman turning into that of a general blacksmith who was more than willing to do his part in maintaining the arms and armor which were the livelihood of the company. And when there were no conflicts to be had, no wars to fight in, to battles to win, the two craftsmen were more than happy to teach the rough band of mercenaries new trade skills in which to hone their hands and minds, offering even greater opportunities for them all to sustain a living even during times of peace. And so it was under these unique circumstances under which Hinabi - and two of his other siblings - were raised and born. An odd upbringing, perhaps, but not one which Hinabi would have traded for the world as it allowed them to experience so much of the world around them. While the years of the mercenary company that had raised them were long gone before they had even reached the end of their teens, it was enough to fill their head with stories of grand tales and fearsome monsters, of places which had countless people for them to meet and an endless land for which they could spend forever discovering and rediscovering over and over again. It wasn't too much of a surprise then for their parents when Hinabi had declared their wish of striking their own path from their family, to take everything that their collective family had taught them and use them to make their own mark on the world. They had set out on that dream over half a decade ago now, and they have never regretted the decision since. ____________________________________________________________________________ PERSONALITY While Hinabi presents a calm and measured appearance on the surface, roaring currents of brash impulsiveness lay beneath their still waters. Always one to be the first in exploring the new, there is no stone they will leave unturned, no experience they will leave unshared - for better or for worse. ____________________________________________________________________________ MOTIVATION AND OUTLOOK An optimist by choice, Hinabi sees a harsh world around them and can only see opportunities lying in wait around every corner. While novelty has its excitements and mundanity has its comforts, Hinabi seeks t olive a life of contrasts, knowing the pleasures of delectable sweets only able to be truly appreciated after knowing the tastes of bitter melons. ____________________________________________________________________________ MISC ...

Nigeru, Hashiru

_Survive

The last bastion has fallen. The demons have won. The final heir of a dying lineage is on the lam. The only goal is to run.

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Hi! Thanks for clicking in. If you didn't already know, I have a personal interest check here which goes into more about me as a person and writer in case that's the sort of thing you'd like to know. Why did I post this idea separately here instead of there?

...

Well, your guess is as good as mine!

Regardless, if you're interested please do feel free to send me a PM!

Vox Box / Updated 10.08.22 / [ O P E N ]

_{Once more unto the breach}

A Life Renewed

A Life Renewed

[ Dark ] [ Melancholic ] [ Resurrection ] [ Second Chances ]

A life unjustly torn from the world finds itself returned once again with the aid of another. What purpose does their summoner hold, and what life will they live this second time around.

Heavenly Steel // Black Peace

I lied, keep applying!
First IC post to be posted Saturday, 10/22

Heavenly Steel - East Asian Dark Fantasy Adventure

@Dion
To answer your question...

@gorgenmast@Pagemaster@Jamesyco

Here's the link to the OOC! Thank you all for showing interest and waiting.

Heavenly Steel // Black Peace

H e a v e n l y S t e e l

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The Warring Lands are no more. Yu, Xiang, Zhuwei, Dongnu, and countless other little empires are no more. Forged from the crucibles of war, the great country of Beinan now stands above all others. United under one banner, unified under one vision, and led by their Heavenly Emperor blessed by the Celestial Heavens themselves, a Black Peace now descends upon the lands. It is a time of reconstruction, of renewal, of the rise of the new from the dead ashes of the old.

If only it was to last.

It has been ten years since the end of the Great Unification, and the pains of grudges of yesteryears are not so easily forgotten. Centuries of warfare had led to centuries of grievances between the states of Beinan, grudges which could no longer be swiftly satisfied with blood. And in the midst of it all, the savage Elves of the North have once again started raiding and reaving their way south into Beinan, killing with wanton slaughter as they harvest innocent souls for their dark needs. The Heavenly Emperor, in their divine wisdom, has turned Beinan's focus towards the Elves, bringing to bear the might of armies which had sharpened themselves in the unification of the Warring Lands, and now equipped with the finest arms and armor the world has ever seen.

Whether it will be enough to save the nascent nation from buckling underneath its own weight has still yet to be seen.

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Initial Hook

In the Heavenly Emperor's infinite wisdom, they have commissioned swathes of merchants in sending relief supplies to the beleaguered towns among the northern provinces. You are traveling in one such merchant caravan, headed to one such town by the name of Ssanjuu. A border city that is no stranger to the ravages of the Northern Elves, it is otherwise notable for being one of the many blacksmithing towns situated along the Arcane River which makes use of the water's unique properties in crafting fine arms and goods. Your reasons for joining the caravan are your own, and Ssanjuu is in no position to deny aid from any and all who are willing to give it.

Lore

Races

• Humans - The most common race and the one which receives the most attention from the gods, for better or worse
• Aspected - Humans which have been blessed, or cursed, by one of the many gods which live in the lands of Beinan. These folk often exhibit some sort of physical characteristic from their patron, whether it be something as innocuous as sharper teeth or tinged skin, or something as radical as a full transformation into something new and terrible which align with the visions of their patron. Most are born already Aspected, either from human families or Aspected lines from those who have the same patron
• Elves - Mysterious, carnivorous, and terrifying, elves are a different species entirely from humans and the Aspected, even if there are some visual similarities. Born from the pods of Great Trees which are connected the heartbeat of the world, they are genderless with no distinct sexual characteristics. While there are a few Great Trees littered throughout Beinan, co-existence has not always been easy with their human neighbors, and even less so with their Northern cousins always conducting vicious raids which scar many who have experienced those horrors.

The Great Unification

While the Warring Lands had been in conflict with each other for over five hundred years, it only took twenty for the Heavenly Emperor to bring them all to heel. Starting from the small empire of Fei, a once small state on the verge of being consumed by its neighbors in the never-ending exchange of power that plagued the Warring Lands, it was only by the Heavenly Emperor's boundless wit and charisma did they save the state of Fei from destruction. Allying themselves with what were once mortal enemies, the Heavenly Emperor proved that they were first and foremost a unifier of men. From there, the Heavenly Emperor's vision of a unified nation spread outward, folding in those who were wise enough to follow the Heavenly Emperor. Those who weren't were brought to heel first through fire and iron, and then later on through steel and powder.

Gender Roles in Beinan

While there have been recent attempts in bringing equality between the genders, it is a slow process. For centuries, it has been accepted that men are fierce and conquer, while women are wise and take care of home and hearth. Men would be soldier, hunters, and go out to be foreign merchants and diplomats. Women would be scribes, accountants, or handling the intricacies of internal trade and diplomacy. Those that do not fit this binary must be exceptional, such as the Heavenly Emperor, or face heavy discrimination and scrutiny. That, or they're dirty elves.

Magic in Beinan

Powerful warriors, reclusive scholars, wielders of awesome and terrifying power, magicians have always influenced the history of the world. However, during the Heavenly Emperor's rise a brutal system had been implemented to limit the wrath and destruction of these powerful individuals, a system which has now spread to all of Beinan.

All magical citizenry in Beinan must submit to receiving an Imperial Mark which tracks them at all times. An Imperial Mark can only be given after passing an Imperial Magical Exam conducted all throughout the land. Most are forced to attend and study in one of several Imperial Circles of Magi set up and maintained by the new Beinan government, though there have been tales of hermits and enlightened cultivators passing through their own study. However, there is an inherent risk in doing so as the citizenry in recent years have become especially frightened and fearful of these rogue individuals, and apostates are hunted down with impunity if they do not comply with these new Imperial mandates.

Religion and Cosmology of Beinan

The world as envisioned by Beinan is separated into the Three Realms: the Heavens, the Earth, and the Underworld. Like the Earth, Beinan acknowledges that their concepts of the Heavens and the Underworld are but one part of the greater Cosmos as a whole, theirs but one nation in competition with the others.

The Heavens

The First Nation, and the one which all nations in Beinan and the Underworld model themselves after. Just like how the Imperial Court now presides over all Beinan, the Celestial Court presides over the Heavens themselves, and thus is a power above even the Imperial Court itself. Like the Imperial Court, those who directly rule in the Celestial Court itself remain aloof to their subjects below, even as they take on the awesome responsibility of protecting and providing for all who lie under their domain. The only communications that come from the Celestial Palace is relayed down to the Earth and Underworld by the Celestial Dragon, First Steward of the Heavens. With the Imperial Court modeling themselves as the representatives of the Celestial Court on Earth, and the Celestial Dragon granting his direct blessings to the Heavenly Emperor themself, the only time dragons should ever be displayed or used are to be in direct relation with the Imperial Family itself.

This causes dragon Aspected individuals to be in an odd spot, though many are given the option of being folded into the Imperial Family whether there is a direct blood relation or not, becoming new branch families.

The First Emperor was also previously known as the Heavenly Emperor, until the Heavenly Emperor on Earth claimed the title themself. While once sacrilegious, a lack of punishment from the Heavens and the completion of the Great Unification has quieted these concerns for now. There are some who even posit now that the Heavenly Emperor is a reincarnation of the First Emperor, or is the First Emperor themself, again with a lack of retaliation from the Heavens themselves.

Gods on Earth

Like the Imperial Court, the Celestial Court cannot hope to run the Heavens without its innumerable workers and bureaucrats which make up its inner workings. Granted domains and responsibilities of their own, many of them concerning the Earth below, gods and their representatives of all shapes and sizes come down to the Earth to conduct their work. With the Celestial Court's infinite responsibilities, there are as many gods as there are stars in the sky. Some may shine brighter than others, with Gods of War, Gods of Magic, Gods of Knowledge and so forth standing next to Gods of Grasshoppers, Gods of Reeds, and so on, none of them are any less important than the other in the eyes of the First Emperor.

It is commonly believed that the Celestial Court records the actions of every soul on Earth in order to determine whether they ascend to the Heavens and take their place in the Celestial Court, whether they are reincarnated anew onto the Earth, or whether the need to be unformed and remade in the Underworld.

Spirits on Earth

Spirits are a different classification of beings from gods. Whereas the gods come down from the Heavens themselves, spirits are creatures which come from the Earth and the Underworld. The manifestation of rivers, the souls of mountains, the beasts which hide themselves in the night and the winds which move the sky, they are the caretakers and wardens of their realms. The greater machinations of the Heavens often does not concern them, the lives and whims of the mortals which cross their path oft even less so.

The Underworld

A primordial abyss, the Underworld is where everything can be unmade, and where everything can be made anew. Like the Heavens and the Earth, the Underworld has its own court and systems. Even less than the Heavens however, the courts of the Underworld are even less concerned with the inane machinations of the Earth. Responsible for the care and guidance of new souls which are birthed from the Abyss, they are just as responsible for the souls which are cast back down from the Earth and Heavens, those who hold too much Evil at their core and must be remade under the harsh punishments enacted by the Underworld Courts. They are not a perfect system, but they are nevertheless the wardens which hold back the greatest Evils the Cosmos has birthed.

Technology

The Warring Lands had seen both eras of Bronze and Iron, but under the Heavenly Emperor's divine direction, the Great Unification had signaled a new age of warfare of Gunpowder and Steel. At first arming only their most trusted cohorts, the secrets of steel-making has slowly started to disseminate throughout the population, and the deadly effectiveness displayed by the simple muskets the Heavenly Emperor's legions had made use of ensured its rapid research and adoption. Beyond that, the rice-cement has still proven to be the most steadfast ally of the growing nation, as it had been for its many forbearers, but the new proliferation of trade and ideas has seen a renaissance of melding the many disparate styles spread across Beinan into something unique and new.

Foreign Culture in Beinan

While there has always been an interest in far-off lands, the instability of the Warring Lands had made it difficult for any sort of reliable trade or exchange of ideas to flourish. Now however, under Beinan and the Heavenly Emperor's infinite wisdom, concerted effort has been made to court dignitaries and trade from all across the world to come and be awed by the beauty of a unified Beinan.

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CS

[COLOR=BFAFB2][CENTER][h1][COLOR=Silver]( your character's name )[/COLOR][/h1][/CENTER]
[table][row][/row][row][cell][IMG](your character art/face-claim)[/IMG]
[CENTER][SUB]________________________________________[/SUB][/CENTER][CENTER][SUB][COLOR=Silver][b]
(character full name)
[/b][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#807B84] (character gender) [/COLOR] | [COLOR=#807B84] (character occupation) [/COLOR] | [COLOR=#807B84] (character race) [/COLOR][/SUB][/CENTER][CENTER][SUP]_______________________________________________[/SUP][/CENTER]
[hider=// PERSONALITY][indent][SUB][b]P E R S O N A L I T Y[/b][/sub]

[sup][COLOR=SILVER][b]Character Trait[/b]
[COLOR=#807B84]Explain a bit about your character's personality.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SILVER][b]Character Trait[/b]
[COLOR=#807B84]Explain a bit about your character's personality.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SILVER][b]Character Trait[/b]
[COLOR=#807B84]Explain a bit about your character's personality.[/COLOR][/COLOR]
[/SUP][/indent][/hider]
[hider=// SKILLSET][indent][SUB][b]S K I L L S E T[/b][/sub]

[sup][COLOR=SILVER][b]Skill Trait[/b]
[COLOR=#807B84]Explain a bit about your character's skills and abilities.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SILVER][b]Skill Trait[/b]
[COLOR=#807B84]Explain a bit about your character's skills and abilities.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SILVER][b]Skill Trait[/b]
[COLOR=#807B84]Explain a bit about your character's skills and abilities.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[/SUP][/indent][/hider]
[/cell][cell][b]Physical Description[/b]
[color=#807B84][indent]What's their normal attire? Any identifying marks? Anything that might not be readily apparent from a glance at the image?
[/indent][/color]
[b]Motivation[/b]
[color=#807B84][indent] How did your character come to be today. What has happened to them, what drives them, why would they think syrup is baby food, etc.[/indent][/color]
[b]Other Information[/b]
[color=#807B84][indent] Anything else that might not have been covered above

[/indent][/color]
[/cell][/row][/table][/COLOR]