[center][h1][color=00a99d]Crystalline[/color][/h1][/center]
[center][img]http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19a0pqo7f9rzdgif/ku-xlarge.gif[/img][/center]

[color=00a99d]
[center][i]Just because we were once one House does not mean we have mercy for one another.​[/i][/center]

Many years ago, a large and powerful family ruled over the whole of Japan. This family was called House Sorrilith, whose origins branch back to medieval times in Europe. They were strong and fierce, hunting down their enemies both in broad daylight and the cover of darkness, using both conventional weapons and magic alike. Several people hailed them as heroes, deeming that they were the ones who purged the streets of scum and villainy. 

House Sorrilith liked to believe that they were a stable family, but such a large number of people making up its ranks meant that it was bound to suffer from internal conflicts. Some members believed that House Sorrilith was not doing enough to protect their people while others stated that their methods were too brutal and merciless. Conflict turned into severe confrontations and distrust, and soon enough, House Sorrilith underwent a massive civil war. After five years of fighting and many mages dying, the confrontations died down. The House was left in shambles-- eventually, it faded away, leaving behind only its legacy and legend.

The mages who survived the war formed two separate houses: Alicornia, named after the mythological winged unicorn of peace and tranquility, and Gryphes, dubbed after the bestial half-bird, half-large cat creature of legend. House Alicornia vows to follow the footsteps of House Sorrilith; they promise to only hunt the wrong-doers and evil that plagues Japan. House Gryphes, however, is much more violent when it comes to their work, and often innocent bystanders get caught up in their jobs. 

House Gryphes and House Alicornia have clashed for thirty years now, fighting each other on the street and sabotaging their ranks. The people of House Alicornia believe that House Gryphes should be destroyed, as they are violent and distrustful, while House Gryphes believe that House Alicornia is weak and should be pushed aside. However, one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, especially when mostly everyone is fighting for the same cause...​

[center][h2]Houses[/h2][/center][/color]
[center][color=0072bc][h3]House Alicornia[/h3][/color]
[i][color=0072bc]"Like a drop of dawn in the darkest of nights."[/color][/i][/center]

[center][hider=Description][color=0072bc]It can be argued that House Alicornia isn't a true mafia; they are more like calm vigilantes, watching from alleyways and keeping note of the wrong-doers of Kurohama City. This could be further from the truth-- mess with one Alicornia member and you mess with the horde. The boss of the Alicornia is known to be strict and merciless when it comes to delivering punishments, no matter if it's on their own members or not. Out of the two Houses that make their home in Kurohama, House Alicornia is the one that mostly resembles the once grand House Sorrilith.[/color][/hider][/center]

[center][hider=Specialization][h3][color=0072bc]C o n j u r a t i o n[/color][/h3]
[color=0072bc]One may not take House Alicornia's choice of specialization seriously, but in reality, it can cause several issues in and out of combat. Alicornia members are the best at conjuring illusions, whether confusing or severely frightening, creating barriers and protective fields, and even familiars. They also study restoration magic, which includes healing. It appears that they once dabbled in necromancy, but no longer do so. [/color][/hider][/center]

[center][color=ed1c24][h3]House Gryphes[/h3]
[i]"The definition of justice is often corroded and misunderstood."[/i][/color][/center]

[center][hider=Description][color=ed1c24]It is wise not to mess with House Gryphes. They are the ones that actually resemble a mafia family to anyone who sees them, and thus many avoid them completely. They have no mercy, and will hunt down and kill or cripple without a second thought. However, the House is surprisingly tight-knit, and its members care for one another as if they were blood family. Most of the time.[/color][/hider][/center]

[center][hider=Specialization][color=ed1c24][h3]D e s t r u c t i o n[/h3]
Destruction spells usually involve various types of elemental magic; they are ones that can singe and burn, can freeze and electrocute and slice people into pieces with wind. Mages that are proficient in destruction spells are highly dangerous, mostly because they can fry you where you stand. House Gryphes also focuses on alteration magic-- in other words, they can easily alter the environment to their preference. Yet, they can't necessarily make mountains rise and magma emerge from the cracks in the sidewalks, of course.[/color][/hider][/center]

[center][h2][color=00a99d]Ranks in the Houses[/color][/h2][/center]

[color=00a99d]There are many Houses scattered throughout the world, but all of them have the same ranking system as the others. At the head of the House rests the boss, or the one that is in command of everything that the House does. The boss is almost always male, and when it is female, they usually aren't respected. Just under the boss lies the lieutenant, which can usually be any gender. The lieutenant is in charge of the House when the boss is not present or busy. [/color]

[center][h2][color=00a99d]About Mages, Houses, and Crystals[/color][/h2][/center]

[color=00a99d]As stated before, there are many Houses scattered all over the world. Their size and strength varies greatly, but they certainly are present on the globe. Each House's members are adept at one kind of magic, varying from Shapeshifting to Destruction to Conjuration and so forth. The members are not restricted to that type of magic, though.

Each House is made up of mostly mages, magic users that do not require the use of a staff, tome, or wand to channel their magic. Normal humans are able to join families as well, but many of them do not know the danger that they are getting themselves into. A person can only become a mage if they have mageblood, or are a part of a mage's lineage. This means that a "normal" person can be a mage and not know it until they actually discover their magic powers. Surprisingly, the world's population knows about the existence of mages and magic. 

Even though mages don't require the use of staves, wands, or tomes, they do need another type of item in order to channel their magic. This item is called a Crystal. These strange stones are used to focus and/amplify magical spells. A mage is usually not without their Crystal, and if they are, they are relatively defenseless if they don't have any other type of weapon. Crystals often change color when they are used by a mage, and that one color usually identifies the person that uses the Crystal. For instance, a mage might be associated with the color blue because of their Crystals. Clear-colored Crystals (Blank Crystals) are Crystals that have not been used by any mage and thus anyone can use it. 

The reason why many mages outside of the Houses do not recognize they are mages are because they cannot find or acquire a Blank Crystal. Houses, on the other hand, always have enough Crystals for their mages. No one knows the origin of Crystals or how people produce them.[/color]

[center][h2][color=00a99d]Rules[/color][/h2][/center]

[color=00a99d]- Basic RPG rules apply.
- I'd like this to be a little more than PG-13, especially when it comes to romance and violence. However, if you want to RP smut or extreme gore, please take it to PMs.
- Be literate. I expect you to not write like a cat walked over your keyboard or have to read one liners. A paragraph per character at least.
- I expect people to be active and volunteering in plot discussions. If you have to leave the RP, please state so.
- If you have any major plot ideas, please discuss things with me first.
- Don't make your character overpowered or a Mary-Sue/Gary-Stu.
- Fill out all parts of the form.
- Add a themesong or catchphrase in the "other" part of your form. 
- You may format the form however you'd like, and add things as well!
- Have fun![/color]

[center][h2][color=00a99d]Character Sheet[/color][/h2][/center]

[quote][code][b]Username:[/b]
[b]Name:[/b] [Remember this takes place in Japan!]
[b]Age:[/b] [20+]
[b]Gender:[/b] 
[b]Crystal Color:[/b] [You may add a link to the color if you so like.]
[b]Allegiance:[/b]
[b]Rank:[/b] [Add N/A if your character isn't a boss or lieutenant.]
[b]Skills:[/b] [What non-combative things is your character good at?]
[b]Abilities:[/b] [What kind of magic are they able to cast (including familiars, etc)?]
[b]Weapons:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] [Link to anime pictures only, please.]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]History:[/b]
[b]Other:[/b][/code][/quote]