[center][h1][i]K i n g s [color=dc143c]g l a i v e[/color][/i][/h1][/center] [center][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/Icmastic/Ff13-falcie3_zpsvzwxu3y8.jpg[/IMG][/center] [center][h3][i][sub]An Original Roleplay By[/sub][/i][/h3][/center][center][h3][i][sub]icmasticc[/sub][/i][/h3][/center][hr][center][h3][i][sub]This is a [color=dc143c]fantasy[/color] based on [color=dc143c]reality[/color] . . . [/sub][/i][/h3][/center] [hr] [indent][h3][sub][i][color=dc143c]P[/color] r e m i s e[/i][/sub][/h3][/indent] [indent][indent][i]Vanity was their greatest sin.[/i] When humanity first arrived on the vibrant planet Azalea their beginnings mirrored those of the first civilized pioneers on Earth. Through unyielding perseverance and the ever-flowing passage of time, the humans managed to settle the harsh yet beautiful alien world. Passing years saw cities sprout into the sky and smaller towns and villages dot the landscape all over. The bravest of society ventured farther into the unknown lands and eventually society began to look very much like it did on the now destroyed Earth. When life settled into a familiar beat and routine, the attacks began. All manner of alien beast and flora called Azalea home, but it was the giant beasts that proved to be hostile even when unprovoked. Seemingly offended by the presence of a new species threatening to take over, these giant entities - they were dubbed "Behemoths" by the populace - stormed into human cities and settlements all over the world and ravaged as much as they possibly could. Using a combination of their superior size and strength along with the yet fully understood force called magic, these clearly intelligent beings struck fear and awe into the hearts of all who witnessed their rampages. It was fortunate however that the attacks had not started until years after humanity was fully settled on the planet because while the greatest minds of the population put the finishing touches on secret weapons that could combat these beings, the relatively recently formed armies of multiple cities came together to fight back against their enemies. After countless skirmishes and battles strewn all over, humankind stood on the brink of extinction just as the [i]Idol project[/i] was finished and activated. The Idols were giant, humanoid creations fusing man-made technology and android bodies with the unlimited potential of magical energies that granted them sentience and free will. The Idols were the result of mankind's selfish desire to create beings in their own image and ancient texts unearthed during the construction of cities. Once operational, the Idols - which rivaled the size of the Behemoths - came together and fought against the Behemoths in what would come to be known as the Great War. Though long and arduous, mankind's creations were partially victorious - they could not destroy the Behemoths completely, but they were able to banish them to different parts of the planet, sealed and put into a magically induced dormancy. Celebrations were short-lived however; the Idols were privy to their own uncanny ability to wield magic to its fullest potential and quickly made the decision to rule over their creators as gods. While a part of humanity were understandably opposed, most were grateful enough that they felt no qualms about trading worship and reverence for everlasting protection. Thus, the Idols split the planet amongst themselves and ascended to the heavens in order to serve as gods who observed, but never interfered. It was vanity that began the Idol project, but it would be vanity that ultimately resulted in future events. Vanity was their greatest sin and humanity would learn this lesson the hard way.[/indent][/indent][indent][h3][i][sub][color=dc143c]P[/color] l o t [/sub][/i][/h3][/indent] [indent][indent]Ten thousand years ago, the historians say something called The Great War took place where gods created by men and angry beings known as Behemoths battled over the fate of humanity. Most do not believe in such stories. Life on Azalea drones on with regularity and, for the most part, it is a peaceful life. Governments preside over major cities and towns and villages with no desire to dabble in politics eke out a living in a way that makes sense to them. The two largest, and wealthiest, kingdoms - Algareth and Ivalice - live in an eternal rivalry always seeking to outdo the other in one area or another. As of late, relations have grown increasingly hostile and though all out war has not broken out yet, a series of seemingly unrelated incidents seesaw back and forth between the economical and political giants. Citizens are uneasy, but each nation assures their population that amicable settlements are coming. In a bid at bringing about a peace treaty once and for all, the president of Algareth decides to meet the ruler of Ivalice in her own territory to hash out differences and come to some sort of resolution. For such a tense situation, the president of Algareth employs his Royal Guard for protection. However, in secret, he also calls forth an elite unit shrouded in mystery and legend - the Kingsglaive. The Kingsglaive are a small group of highly trained, branded warriors able to harness magical energy and whose existence is only known to the president himself. They carry out the most covert operations in times when plausible deniability is necessary, but in a manner in which their actions can never quite be confirmed. This story begins with the Kingsglaive and chronicles the tale of the group as they navigate increasingly dangerous odds beginning with political intrigue and eventually spiraling into a plot much bigger and more comprehensive than ever imagined.[/indent][/indent] [hider=The World][indent][h3][i][sub][color=dc143c]T[/color] h e [color=dc143c]W[/color] o r l d [/sub][/i][/h3][/indent] [indent][indent]The planet of Azalea is a lush, colorful, and vibrant world. The landscape is washed in what seems to be over-saturated colors spanning the entire rainbow spectrum and the palette is suitably alien when compared to a place like Earth. Mountains, hills, thick forests, and large meadows dominate the terrain with impressive variety though the lands outside of cities are also filled with the native creatures and predatory plant life Azalea is known for. On this world however, trees and plants are much larger than the average and the beasts are of a far more fantastical nature with some growing to unnatural sizes and others utilizing supernatural defense mechanisms when under threat. The cities - better known as kingdoms - are sprawling metropolises with skyscrapers stretching to the skies and interconnected roads carrying throngs of traffic to and fro to various definitions. The different kingdoms each employ different methods of governing their respective societies. Some choose the traditional form of government with a congress and president while others stick to the tried and true monarchy of times of old with kings and queens and emperors. Each kingdom is largely independent of one another save for trade and commerce. This independence leads to vastly different standards and qualities of living from kingdom to kingdom. What each has in common however is the gods in which they serve. Though the Idols have not been seen in years - and many believe them to be a mere myth anyways - religion is strongly centered around them and each region is believed to be under the protection and service of a particular Idol. The two largest superpowers, Algareth and Ivalice, both believe they are under the protection of Bahamut and Ramuh respectively.[/indent][/indent][/hider] [hider=Technology][indent][h3][sub][i][color=dc143c]T[/color] e c h n o l o g y [/i][/sub][/h3][/indent] [indent][indent]In the world of [i]Kingsglaive[/i], the setting is a mixture of fantasy and reality. This notion extends to the technological level of the world as well. Cars and motor vehicles still drive on paved roads adhering to lanes and traffic lights while at the same time airships employing advanced technology to stay afloat hover in the skies. Cities are split into levels though the height does not indicate socioeconomic status; Rather, the more prosperous cities have leveled tiers simply to accommodate the growing populations while less wealthy cities keep to the ground and can suffer from overcrowding. Weapons have advanced, but those advancements are only available to law enforcement personnel. Average citizens have access to what is now considered primitive weaponry such as guns using ammo with gunpowder. Advanced melee weaponry is the choice of a standard military or army due to the fact that it is easier to dispatch hostile beasts with such - and of course the average citizen has no chance against trained individuals.[/indent][/indent][/hider] [hider=Magic][indent][h3][sub][i][color=dc143c]M[/color] a g i c [/i][/sub][/h3][/indent] [indent][indent]Though magic exists in the world, it is a bit of a mystery. It exists in the atmosphere of the planet and is able to be harnessed through technological means for different purposes, but it is not able to be wielded in the way a traditional mage would. The various militaries of the world condense the volatile energies into crystal form and encase them in spherical enclosures that can then be used as grenade-like weapons substituting fragments for elemental explosions. Magic can also power ranged weaponry through the use of crystallized ammunition though these crystals are in limited supply and must be made in factories much like primitive ammunition of Earth. Beyond these more grounded methods of use however lies a more fantastical option rooted in myth. It is said that if one pledges their loyalty to a god directly, that god will then brand their new servant giving them the ability to absorb magical energies within their own body and manipulate it for their own uses. No one has ever been able to confirm this however as it not currently known how to meet a god [i]directly[/i]. It is rumored that the Algareth president's legendary Kingsglaive is composed of branded individuals, but that cannot be confirmed either since it is not currently known if they truly exist. A branded individual can supposedly conjure up spells only referenced in ancient texts though their abilities come with a significant price. That price is not specifically explained or detailed in any known text, legend, or myth.[/indent][/indent][/hider] [hider=Combat][indent][h3][i][sub][color=dc143c]C[/color] o m b a t [/sub][/i][/h3][/indent] [indent][indent]Combat in this RP works quite simply. While HP is used to indicate the vitality of the main cast, all the players are responsible for is writing the scene. Battles are heavily inspired by fantasy action so fast paced, unrealistic kinds of fighting is fine; think Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts. Players can write combat scenes as they will and I, as the GM, will use a system to determine hits and damage. Due to the nature of the roleplay, players will have the opportunity to fully control enemies at points though the GM will always control the boss type enemies. Combat in this RP is meant to be more fun than an exercise in statistics. Though it is moderated to provide some strategy during tougher fights, I want players to be engaged and fully immersed in the scene they're writing. This system aims to reflect that.[/indent][/indent][/hider][hr] Welcome to my humble interest check! This roleplay, while original in its narrative, is derivative of properties and genres I'm interested in and hope you will be as well. For the RP, I'm only looking for [b][i][u]FIVE PEOPLE[/u][/i][/b] besides myself. The cast will play members of the Kingsglaive as they work their way through a plot filled with intrigue, mystery, action, and character development. Said plot will also delve into dark and gritty themes at times so an element of maturity will permeate the roleplay as well. This will be a small group as I pointed out previously so it will not be first come first served, rather I will choose the cast based on the character sheet submissions and who looks to fit the cast the best while also being active. As this is just an interest check however, no commitment is required at the moment; I simply want to see who else would be interested in joining this kind of game. This roleplay will also allow players to contribute in a significant way. The setting is an entire planet and the cast will travel extensively. I encourage players to create their own locations and cultures along with their characters. Since the purpose of RP is to write a collaborative story in the first place, I feel that creating the world together can only be a positive experience. I do have some predetermined locations and cultures in mind for the narrative obviously, but, as I said, I encourage players to be creative with their character submissions by including locations and cultures they would like featured in the game itself. Character sheets and Rules will be covered in a potential OOC should this gain enough interest. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me and I'll do my best to answer in a satisfactory manner. For now, who would be interested in this?