[indent][indent][indent]Magic is not about conjuring or creating things which were never there. The mage does not manifest fire from nothing. The song for the flame has existed for millennia, its notes form the fabric of everything there ever was and ever will be. The mage simply listens and plays the tune[/indent][/indent][/indent] [right][i]Rylus Drake Teachings of the Arcane. Vol. 1, Pg 6[/i][/right] [hr] [center][h1][color=#E42217] Introduction [/color][/h1][/center] [indent]They call Dalvastre the Empire’s second city. Whilst its size certainly corroborates this claim, one might find cause to argue with the use of the word ‘city’. From afar, with its foundries belching smog into the air and the spires of its churches and keep stabbing skyward like broken limbs, Dalvastre takes on the form of some colossal, fallen creature, with the grey mask of death and the stiffness of rigor mortis. It is a hub of industry for the Vel M’ahrian Empire. Almost all of its weapons and armour is created here, the ore-rich veins beneath the city proving too much of a temptation for House Vel M’ahr to resist. Dalvastre drags the very core of the earth to the surface, strips away all that was natural and hammers it into swords, shields and trebuchets. It is not a city; it is a hulking, grey machine of war.[/indent] [right][i]Yan Pelith The Ascension of House Vel M’ahr, Pg 237[/i][/right] [hr] [center] [h3][i][color=#E42217]Royal Decree[/color][/i][/h3] [i]By the command of Emperor Gabriel Vel M'ahr II, ruler of this empire, it is hereby Royally decreed that all users of the hostile arcane arts, including, but not limited to elemental manipulation, divination, telepathic manipulation and/or suggestion and necromancy, except in instances of state- sanctioned practice, shall submit themselves to the state for summary registration, identification and, where deemed necessary by the aforementioned, ablation of such conduits responsible for the individuals’ abilities. An individual’s failure or refusal to submit themselves for and any all mandatory censuses and/or examinations or neglect to identify themselves upon entry to any governed settlement will be regarded as an act of conspiracy to commit civil unrest, heresy or treason which is punishable by imprisonment for life. Practice of any of the arcane arts within governed realms will be treated as an act of high treason for which the punishment is death.[/i] [/center] [right][i][indent][indent]Emperor Gabriel Vel M'ahr II[/indent][/indent][/i][/right] [hr] [indent]"I have never seen more wretched souls than those of Vel M'ahrian Empire's Ablated mages. I have travelled to many lands and seen all manner or odd and, at times, unsettling local traditions, but the way those people are robbed of what was such a crucial part of them, turns my stomach. One has trouble picturing them as sentient beings any more as they shamble around in shackles, moaning and shrieking, pulling at the chains held by their Imperial handlers.[/indent] [indent]Nearly all I have seen have been malnourished and pale, one can only imagine the awful conditions in which they must be kept. The obsidian needle, driven into their right eyes, renders them partially blind and robs them of the arcane power they once possessed. I have no idea of the life expectancy of an Ablated but I know one thing for sure, there is not enough pity in all the world that can undo the torture those people have endured."[/indent] [right][i]Rylus Drake Teachings of the Arcane. Vol. 1, Pg 239[/i][/right] [hr] [center][h1][color=#E42217][b] Lore [/b][/color][/h1][/center] [h3][color=steelblue][b] Gods [/b][/color][/h3] [hider=She of the Veils] One of the pantheon of Gods. Although not exactly a god of death, she stands as more of a guardian of the dead, a protector of those who have passed. She is often depicted faceless, with multiple arms - although the exact number differs depending on depiction - each holding a veil. It is this aspect of her mythology that has lead to the prominence of placing of veils over the faces of the deceased in many of the World's burial ceremonies and rituals.[/hider] [hider=He of Banners] Often depicted on horseback, he is a God of battle and death in combat. He is viewed a benevolent and is worshipped by armies throughout the World. He is synonymous with honour, courage and righteousness through glorious conflict. In addition to often been shown mounted, he is rarely depicted without his long bow. The mythology surrounding him is that he was such a skilled archer that he could fire and arrow into the heavens that would never fall to earth. He is the patron of soliders.[/hider] [hider=She who Nurtures] She is also known as Mother of All, depending on where her worshippers come from. She is the patron of children and new life, and is often depicted seated and pregnant. She is seen as one of the most powerful gods as she is seen to oversee the circle of all life from human down to insect and plant. She has been bastardised by a small sect of necromancers who worship her, misguidedly believing that she has a hand in their work to reanimate the dead.[/hider] [hider=She of the Void] Also known as The Seamstress, she is the goddess of magic and the arcane. Heralded as the patron of mystics, she is frequently depicted either seated or kneeling, holding a scroll and a lit torch. Before the segregation os the mages, numerous shrines and churches were dedicated to the worship of The Seamstress and the web of magic for which she is believed to be the creator and maintainer. [/hider] [hr] [center][h1][color=#E42217][b] Character Sheet [/b][/color][/h1][/center] I'm not a huge fan of character sheets for several reasons, the main of which is that I feel it stifles a certain degree of creativity when it comes to the real task of depicting and developing your character in your posts. I feel there is far more to gain by workshopping your character within the RP and the posts you write about them. That said, I concede that it is common practice to write one so below is a vague outline if it helps you to solidify your character or as a point of reference for others. [hider=Character Sheet][b][color=steelblue] Character Sheet [/color][/b] [b] Name:[/b](Fairly self-explanatory) [b] Race:[/b](TBC) [b] Gender:[/b](I am more than happy for you to be as fluid as you like as long as the character is still relatable) [b] Age:[/b] [b] Brief History:[/b](Any relevant facts and lore regarding your character's history. Who are they? Where have they been? What brought them here?) [b] Additional Info:[/b](Anything else you feel you'd like to add eg. gear, political/social allegiances) [/hider] I am happy for you not to fill one out if you prefer not to, just write a post in the characters tab with a rough outline (however suits your style best) or PM me with any details you think are pertinent. Just please ensure you read up on any lore etc I've gotten round to posting before jumping in with your albeit wonderfully crafted giant mecha werewolf from the future. Cheers