[h3][center]~The Coalmire Scholars~[/center][/h3] [hider=Your friendly totally not psychotic Doctor] [h1][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Arabella Ambrose[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/EH7mwvA.jpg[/img][/center] [h3][color=8493ca][center]"Care to join me for some wine? Tsk, don't give me that look. It's not poisoned and you...maybe won't wake up butt naked on an operating table. Depends on how far you want to take this little chance meeting, heh. Wink wink, nudge nudge."[/center][/color][/h3] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Character Summary[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Arabella Ambrose [b][color=6ecff6]Aliases:[/color][/b] Bella Clearstone, Belladona Stoneworth, Abigail Rivers - she's used many an alias over the few short years she's been active, and only one or two more than once. [b][color=6ecff6]Titles:[/color][/b] Doctor Ambrose, Star Touched, Child of the Stars [b][color=6ecff6]Age:[/color][/b] 25 [b][color=6ecff6]Place of Origin:[/color][/b] Coalmire [b][color=6ecff6]Kingdom:[/color][/b] Coalmire & Werneath Institute [b][color=6ecff6]Gender:[/color][/b] Female [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Physical Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Eyes:[/color][/b] Violet, a color commonly seen in Coalmire. [b][color=6ecff6]Hair:[/color][/b] Black [b][color=6ecff6]Day To Day Attire:[/color][/b] In her usual attire, Arabella prefers fancy, high class suits and clothing. Typically a high collar blue suit that would denote someone of some wealth. It's somewhat tight fitting, with gold trimmings and a bag hanging from her hip. Usually, a blue top hat with a white flower inlaid in it can be seen atop her head. Her brown leather boots are surprisingly durable and light, specifically made to aid in comfort and silence whilst moving. She always can be seen wearing white gloves. [b][color=6ecff6]Strengths:[/color][/b] - Academically Learned - Agile - Always Optimistic [b][color=6ecff6]Weaknesses:[/color][/b] - Mentally unsound - Selfish [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Psychological Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [i][color=6ecff6][center]Upbeat * Driven * Fickle * Resourceful[/center][/color][/i] [b][color=6ecff6]Sexuality:[/color][/b] Bisexual, finds a lot of...things attractive. [b][color=6ecff6]Relationship Status:[/color][/b] She has a little black book of lovers she keeps into contact with. [b][color=6ecff6]Personality:[/color][/b] As far as Arabella goes, she's somewhat of an...eccentric. Arabella is by far, friendly. A bit overly so, some might say. Indeed, she's quick to give people her affections in the way of hugs, compliments, and otherwise just general somewhat overly friendly personal space invading behavior. Obviously, this sort of thing can be a major put off to most people, but she doesn't seem to care one way or another. Indeed, she seems to take a small bit of delight in making people just a tad bit uncomfortable in such a manner. Aside from that, she tends to speak fairly formally, as evidence by her impressive academic abilities and Education. She is a pleasure seeker, first and foremost. She doesn't care where this pleasure comes from. A hedonist through and through, as most people in Coalmire are. She also has a bit of a selfish streak in her, and has a tendency only to care for herself and her own desires and urges, whatever those may be. She doesn't have a very large list of things she'd never do, and once she decides she wants to do something, she will definitely attempt to do it regardless of the danger or harm involved - that's part of the thrill, after all. It's unfortunate its the result of a less than friendly or...morally correct work space that has given her some odd tendencies. Due to certain happenings in her life, she has a few odd quirks. She can often be found talking to herself, even having full, seemingly coherent conversations. Other times, she suggests that there are unseen things moving around people, and sometimes she'll seem to know something about something she really shouldn't. She has little regard for human life, ever since her mom died she's distanced herself a bit from other people, though won't intentionally or go out of her way to harm anyone - but if they happen to get in her way or something, she won't hesitate to stage a little 'accident' for them. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Skills[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [color=6ecff6][i][center]A listing of skills, such as horseback riding or cooking. Levels include novice (1 pt), apprentice (2 pt), journeyman (3 pt), expert (4 pt), master (5 pt). Each character can spend 21 points & only two skills can be mastered. If your character knows magic, it counts as a skill.[/center][/i][/color] [list] [*][b][color=6ecff6]Esoteric Medicinae (Master):[/color][/b] Esoteric Medicine. Born in Coalmire as one of Amator's Lariviere's many illegitimate children, Arabella has had a somewhat charmed life in her home town. She was blessed at an early age with great intelligence and learning environment. Most notably, as a Doctor of Coalmire she is a skilled physician in the medical field and with chemicals. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Casus disciplinam (Master):[/color][/b] Espionage Training. The act of using spies and subterfuge to do gain an edge of an enemy. Like most doctors of the various Coalmire institutions, Arabella is trained in the art of espionage. While technically a 'Master' of this field, this is more of a general skill set defined by her practice and chosen profession. However, Arabella is a master of none when it comes to this skill set. Sure, she can pick locks, move silently - but she's only average when compared to other, masters of their field. Lock picking, safe cracking. Effectively only 'Journeyman' in terms of skill when compared to others. [*][b][color=6ecff6]Charisma (Expert):[/color][/b]She has received some basic speech training and can fairly easily talk with people, and seems to have a bit of a charm around her. Perhaps not the best smooth talker out there, but can talk her way out of a number of things and knows how to get lost in a crowd or convince someone she was 'just out for an evening stroll' [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Marksmanship (Journeyman):[/color][/b] Likewise, she received training in how to both fire a rifle accurately as well as maintain them. While not one of the best, she has training with rifles and handguns of all sorts and can use them fairly adeptly. Aside from her cane-rifle she has a tendency to carry a fairly high powered pistol or two on her, along with some ammo [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Self Defense (Journeyman):[/color][/b] Of course, she wouldn't be a very good spy and infiltrator without some sort of self defense technique. While she isn't the best, any doctor from Coalmire knows how to defend themselves with hand to hand combat and bladed weapons. In her case, this would happen to be her cane-rifle, though she knows how to fight in more unconventional methods and while she isn't the most physically strongest person alive she's a fairly resourceful sort. It should be noted she's not built or equipped for drawn out fights. While she can hold her own against a single opponent of similar or high skill easily enough as she's not afraid of fighting dirty, she's not built for protracted battles and typically is ill suited to handle anything other than a single opponent directly.. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Lorem Magia(Novice):[/color][/b] Like any respected Cylnath scholar, she has knowledge of magical things. Of course, they currently don't do anything but she has knowledge of magic circles, rituals, and other such things. At the moment she doesn't do much with this, but Coalmire is a veritable bastion of occult practices and things. As such, she has basic knowledge of how magic works and how to use it. In theory, of course. She likes to pass off her 'magic' as card tricks and pulling things out of her hat. [*][b][color=6ecff6]Sewing (Novice):[/color][/b] A basic proficiency in sewing. Repairing and making small articles of clothing. She's far from an expert, but she picked up a few things from her mom. Useful when making disguises. [/list] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Magic[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [color=6ecff6][i][center]A listing of favorite or unique spells, if any. Maximum of four.[/center][/i][/color] [list] [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Spell:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Spell:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Spell:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Spell:[/color][/b] Description [/list] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]History[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Parents:[/color][/b] Amator Lariviere (Deceased) and Isolde Ambrose (Deceased) [b][color=6ecff6]Siblings:[/color][/b] Notable half-siblings Cordella Porter (Half-sister, High Deacon of Coalmire), Charlotte LaChance (Half-Sister, Fellow Doctor) [b][color=6ecff6]Childhood:[/color][/b] Arabella's own childhood and history is shrouded in as much mystery as her current life. She doesn't really speak of it much, and she doesn't really go around telling people who her father was. Arabella's Childhood was...colorful, to put in a positive light. Coalmire is a relatively peaceful place during the day to be sure, but at night hedonistic acts are always about, though often in secret behind closed doors. It can be rather bad place to raise a child, honestly. Even more so if your one of the ones that live on the Lower Levels with the Canals - which is where most of the homeless and less well off live. As well, its where the majority of the Scholars find desperate souls willing to partake in experiments at the promise of money or being given an affordable living space. As for Arabella, she was one of these such children. She didn't know her father that well growing up - she only met him a handful of times and all those times he was rather...distant. Instead, for the first years of her life she lived with her mother. A seamstress by the name of Isobel, who after gave birth to Arabella left a comfortable life in the upper layers of the city and started again in the Canals. She never told Arabella why, but she said the upper layers just weren't a good place to raise a child. Now that she's older, she suspects her mother didn't want her getting involved with the Scholars, though hindsight is 20/20. None of the Scholars can exactly tell you when or where Arabella simply showed up on their doorstep, wanting to be taught how to be a doctor, but when she was seven years old she made the trip to the Clock tower herself and demanded to be made one. After a few initial tests to determine her 'aptitude' it was discovered she was a blood relative of Amator's, and given the privilege of getting one of the best education and treatments possible for those of Coalmire. Most of her childhood was spent reading, writing, and learning various academic pursuits, though mostly and focusing on involving Biology, Chemistry, and medical practices. It's reported she quickly took to the practices, and was a savant in her field, even more so than most of her siblings were. Her life continued following a strict regiment of academic study and physical fitness for most of her early childhood. After she was eighteen however, she was sent to High Mountain, where her actual 'Doctor' training began, in their branch of the Werneath Institute. Here she was taught how to fight physically, maintain and use various guns, as well as further her medical skills by putting them into actual practice on the people of High Mountain. It was her first time doing actual work on people, but with a steady hand and remembering her training she was a natural. It was a few months after she began practicing there as an apprentice there was an accident where a girl by the name of Melni was injured - it wasn't pretty, but Arabella managed to patch her up with minimal scarring and without much of an issue. Perhaps this was also a case of love at first sight for Arabella, too. Whatever the case after the incident Arabella kept hanging around Melni, and spent most of her free time when she wasn't working, training or carousing in typical Coalmire fashion bothering the other girl. The two have remained fast friends, since then and Arabella gets most of her gun work and gadgets built by the girl - for a price, of course. [b][color=6ecff6]Adulthood:[/color][/b] As far as her life goes after graduated, she was given a proper medical license and a place to practice in Eagrose in the main Werneath institute, as well as opening her own small clinic in High Mountain. She often travels between the two cities and staying two weeks or so each month. It's a well paying job, though of course she doesn't do it solely for the money. She does in fact like to help people and simply enjoys healing them. Of course, sometimes the good doctor disappears for a few weeks or a month or so. On 'Vacation' and whatnot, visiting other cities in empires and other things. It's merely a cover of course. She does a lot of spy and espionage work for Coalmire, making sure its potential enemies are kept in check through subterfuge, as well as backing its allies in some manner and other such practices. [b][color=6ecff6]Special Moments:[/color][/b] The first time she met her father when she was ten. She had been invited to meet him at a fancy dinner, made with freshly caught fish and other meat from animals from the swamp and some fruits from their fields. It was a...stiff affair. Atamor wasn't much of a talker, though Arabella did learn a few things from him in the coming days. When she finally graduated from Werneath and became a fully fledged 'Doctor'. It was a fun little affair for those who did graduate. A feast and a little night of revelry in true Coalmire style. The death of her mother by illness, as she was the entire reason she wanted to become someone who could heal people. The event impacted Arabella greatly, though most of the time she doesn't linger on it. [b][color=6ecff6]Current Events:[/color][/b] Currently is in High Mountain, paying a visit to her favorite little gunsmith. She will, however, be heading to Grusk soon to see what all the fuss is over their military. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Relations[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [color=6ecff6][center]* ☠ Enemy * ⚜ Unfriendly * ☯ Neutral * ☮ Friends * ღ Ally * ♥ Crush/Significant Other * [/center][/color] [list] [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Cordella Porter ღ☮:[/color][/b] High deacon of Coalmire and current head of the Cylnath Scholars. A friendly, energetic girl that likes sweets. Can often be found shirking duty. Cares greatly for the residents of Coalmire. Supposedly. She oversees all the Scholars do, more or less - which means she has to at least, on some occasion, approved something that was likely less than reputable. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Charlotte LaChance ღ☮:[/color][/b] Fellow doctor, trained together and on occasion end up working together though Charlotte is not fond of Coalmire or the institute for various reasons, believing them to be corrupt organizations. They didn't know they were half-siblings when they met which led to...an interesting situation. A specialist in chemistry. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Melni Ophel ♥:[/color][/b] Gunsmith and Engineer at High Mountain, that Arabella met when she was in training in the High Mountain Institute. Now, it might be a bit of a one sided love on Arabella's end, but out of all her travels she still vists Melni the most. She often has Melni handle and clean her guns. Arabella often visits frequently when she's not busy, just for giggles. Often by way of coming in through a second story window - which usually results in her getting shot at. Played by - [@Pyromania99] [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [/list] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Extras (Optional)[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Character Quote:[/color][/b] [color=8493ca]"I'm a doctor. I cure people of sickness. Sometimes the only cure to their sickness is death. And let me tell you...I am extremely good at that. Now hold still, darling. The little black ones are hungry. Tearing at your flesh so eagerly, like viscous little piranhas of the swamp. Shh, shh, don't worry. I'm a doctor, as I said. It won't...hurt...a bit!"[/color] [b][color=6ecff6]Theme Song:[/color][/b] ~WOOOORKING ON IIIIT~ [b][color=6ecff6]Aura Color:[/color][/b] Deep, dark blue speckled with white [b][color=6ecff6]Scent:[/color][/b] Salty scent of the sea, mixed with a sharp chemical smell. [b][color=6ecff6]Anything Else:[/color][/b] Has amassed a small fortune. Coalmire pays their doctors well, as does the doctor gig. [b][color=6ecff6]Typical Inventory - Note gadgets are either given from the Institute or she has someone else makes them:[/color][/b] [i]To be added to and adjusted as the RP progresses[/i] [list] [*]Cane-Rifle: A top of the line item made from heavy metal, disguised as a mere walking cane it is a rare weapon that can fire two shots before needing to be reloaded, and is often her 'trump card' as most fire arms these days still need to be reloaded after firing even once. Most wouldn't be aware that it can fire again without the need to do so. This is done simply by a mechanism that 'rotates' the chamber the projectile rests in. She does not use it much. It lacks a bit of power, and is best used at close to mid range due to accuracy constraints. The butt of it works as a fairly effective bludgeoning tool, and she is surprisingly trained fairly well in the sue of self defense with it. (Easily concealed in public) [*]Poison Darts x10: Small darts designed to be tossed from mid range towards an enemy. Sharp and able to pierce most standard clothing worn at this time and able to deliver a dose of a toxin of some sort. However, not very sturdy and prone to breaking easily and works best on an unknowing target. Usually kept in her purse. (Easily concealed in public) [*]Grenades x2: Typically, Arabella carries a few grenades on her. Not of the explosive kind mind you. More of the subterfuge kind. Usually, either an obscuring smoke grenade, a grenade designed to produce a sound to distract or alert, or a corrosive, deadly gas grenade. (Does not carry in public) [*]Pistol: A simple flintlock pistol of some power. One shot, hopefully one kill. Simple and effective, and comes with a rudimentary scope on it to assist in aiming. Surprisingly effective at long range and carries a few extra bullets to reload with. (does not carry in public) [*]Medical Syringes x10: Filled with a number of different toxic chemicals designed for various uses. Some simply to knock out, others a more specialized purpose. Several are highly lethal and would kill a man nigh instantly. Difficult to use in a direct fight, but not impossible if she could get close enough. Only used when she's on the job. Typically, this is most doctors method of taking out foes silently. (Does not carry in public) [*]Shrapnel Spring x2 - A deadly little clockwork trap that can very effectively kill or cripple a pursuer or foe. Place it on a surface and and the trap unleashes numerous pieces of sharp, metal shrapnel at foes that tear and cut flesh. One armed, a timer will count down until a spring activates and flings its deadly shrapnel in every direction. (only carries one in public) [*]Medical mask x1 - a mask developed by the doctors of Coalmire. Officially, it's a mask to be worn during surgery in order to help protect the wearer from breathing in harmful bacteria and bodily fluids. Unofficially, it also works pretty well at protecting the wearers face and eyes from gaseous chemicals as well as covering their identity. (To be worn only on the job) [*] Lockpicks x5 - a simple tool, usually kept in her bag. Used for picking most easy to access locks. [/list] [/hider] [hider=Archdeacon Cordella Porter of Coalmire] [h1][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Cordella Porter[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1] [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/39/a8/57/39a8570a2eae69970c14311532f92de3.jpg[/img][/center] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Character Summary[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Cordella Crowley Porter [b][color=6ecff6]Aliases:[/color][/b] N/A [b][color=6ecff6]Titles:[/color][/b] Arch Deacon of Coalmire, 'Blessed of the Stars' [b][color=6ecff6]Age:[/color][/b] Appears to be young, though never gives her actual age to people. [b][color=6ecff6]Place of Origin:[/color][/b] Coalmire [b][color=6ecff6]Kingdom:[/color][/b] Coalmire [b][color=6ecff6]Gender:[/color][/b] Female [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Physical Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Eyes:[/color][/b] Brown [b][color=6ecff6]Hair:[/color][/b] Blond [b][color=6ecff6]Day To Day Attire:[/color][/b] Typically, Cordella can be seen wearing a variety of dresses ranging from gothic styles to more flamboyant suits. As fickle and free-spirited as she is, she doesn't particularly have one way she prefers to dress and tends to change on whatever she's feeling at that moment. If she feels the urge, she'll walk around in just her undergarments if it takes her fancy. Cordella herself stands at a short five foot four, and supports a slender frame and pale skin. In all, she's a rather unassuming and not too intimidating woman upon first glances. [b][color=6ecff6]Strengths:[/color][/b] Calm intuitive Intelligent [b][color=6ecff6]Weaknesses:[/color][/b] Physically weak Holds grudges [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Psychological Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [i][color=6ecff6][center]Whimsical * Jovial * Childlike * Unforgiving[/center][/color][/i] [b][color=6ecff6]Sexuality:[/color][/b] Bisexual [b][color=6ecff6]Relationship Status:[/color][/b] Single [b][color=6ecff6]Personality:[/color][/b] If there is one thing most would agree upon about the current Archdeacon of Coalmire, is that she's as fickle as the sea itself. One moment she might fancy white flowers and order her servants to fill the halls with them, and then the next she'll find them distasteful and want them all thrown out. It's fairly hard to predict what she will do in her day to day life, making her guards and the other scholars of Cylnath quite troubled at times. She's a fairly friendly and upbeat woman who has a childlike curiosity about a lot of things, and like most people of Coalmire likes experiencing new things and will never say no to trying something at least once. One should note however, that she will put the advancement of Cylnath and the city of Coalmire above all else. Those who betray her - or the city - will find themselves on the receiving end of their infamous doctors. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Extras (Optional)[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Character Quote:[/color][/b] [color=silver]"They say genius and insanity are two sides of the same coin. I wonder which side we're on, my dear Scholars? It's difficult to tell at times, isn't it?"[/color] [b][color=6ecff6]Theme Song:[/color][/b] What would be playing when they walk up if we were in a movie? [b][color=6ecff6]Aura Color:[/color][/b] Murky white [b][color=6ecff6]Scent:[/color][/b] Moonlit flowers and Paint. [b][color=6ecff6]Anything Else:[/color][/b] [/hider] [h3][center]~The City of Coalmire and the Werneath Institute~[/center][/h3] [hider=The Werneath Institute] [b] [center]"Men are capable of so much more than they think - they just need to look harder...and keep their minds open and realize that not everything in this world can be understood or explained by humans."[/center][/b] - Osgood Glass, founder of the Institute [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/50/d1/0e50d11f93cbc916fd007319252bd81a.png[/img][/center] Located near the edge of Eagrose, the Werneath Institute is looked upon with favor and accolades. Formed some odd years ago from a group of scholars from Coalmire who sought a new environment to start practicing in, and to bring their revolutionary medicines and practices to other people. After a few months of suspicion, they finally convinced the government to allow them to set up a medical school after their craft was able to cure a deadly sickness. Now, It is the foremost collage in Eagrose - where one can go to learn practically anything. From engineering, medical studies, to more labor and trade related professions. Many of the elite send their sons and daughters to the prestigious school to better themselves and learn. The scholars, professors, and those who work here pride themselves at being the absolute best in their field. Additionally, the Institute also doubles as both a hospital and place of medical practice. It is here that most doctors in Eagrose go to learn, practice, and otherwise learn their trade of healing people and keeping them alive. It is one of the only place in Eagrose not held back by the past - and constantly strives for bettering their healing techniques through technology and other means by combining a mix of medicine and technology to ensure people are kept healthy and alive. It is currently headed by Osgood's successor, Zophar Legget. [/hider] [hider=City state of Coalmire and the Cylnath Scholars] [i]"The swamps of Coalmire? Bah...something eerie about those swamps, lad. Don't linger there and no matter what don't leave the road. More people go missing around there than anywhere else in the known world."[/i] [img]http://www.artofmtg.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Swamp-MtG-Art.jpg[/img] Situated next to the ocean in a swampy wetland, the city-state of Coalmire is one of the younger 'Nations' to crop up in recent history. Used to be a part of a larger nation but after a rebellion led by the current ruling class, it's maintained a tenuous independence from its former parent country. This, in part, is because the city itself is well - has practically zero strategic resources, as well, the area surrounding the city is nothing but swamps and rumored to be home to all kinds of supernatural things. Hauntings, disappearances, etc. Indeed, the swamp itself is incredibly difficult to navigate unless you know how. Thick vegetation that can block out a good bit of sunlight, bogs one can get stuck in...it's more than a little difficult for anyone to navigate without the aid of locals or knowing the path. [hr] [i]"Been to the city proper. Let me tell you one thing, lad. You go there, get your business done and get out. That place...something be strange about it, I assure ye."[/i] The city of Coalmire itself is a bit of a layered city. Land was difficult to build upon, as the mud and mire of the swamp meant it was difficult to build solid foundations near the coal. Eventually they decided that if they couldn't built outwards, they'd build upwards. It took a good bit of manpower as well as time to actually achieve making a suitable foundation for most of the city, building large metal support beams into the more stable ground deep beneath the water and thick soil. The lower streets aren't streets at all - but rather canals of water that people use either bridges or boats to build across. Any roads in the city are typically in fact, peoples roofs. It makes for quite an amusing, and somewhat odd sight for any outsiders. Once done, the people started building their homes and business up, while the miners built down under the city. The largest part of the city is the massive clocktower that is the center of the city, and the head of the current ruling class of scholars known locally as the 'Cylnath Scholars'. The clocktower is the most notable feature of the city, aside from its canals. The city itself is only moderately industrialized, and most industrialization is kept to the upper parts of the city on the opposite end of the Clocktower. [hr] [i]"Aye, started out as a coal gem mining operation. Poor fools though...the coal dried up faster than I do on a summer day, haha! Still, did well for themselves...but the guys who run the place? The Academy or whatever they call themselves? I don't trust them."[/i] The history of Coalmire started out as a small Coal-gem mining town upon the coast, the swampy lands supposedly holding an abundance of the valuable resource. Miners and those who wanted to get rich quick upon the resource rushed there, promises of wealth and fortune driving them. A 'Coal Rush' as it was labeled. Unfortunately, the Coal was not nearly as abundant as people believed and only within a year the resources had dried up. This led to many problems, especially for the people living there. At the time, leaving the swamp would have been difficult and expensive. Many of course, looked to the government for help, and despite some supposed rescue attempts being made in the swamp the government said multiple parties and efforts had simply gotten lost in the area, never to be heard from again. Of course, the people didn't believe this and unrest grew among the populace. It was then a young and charismatic scholar and occultist by the name of Amator Laruentius Lariviere came to power. Amator was able to make himself the defacto leader of the populace, setting himself up as the leader of Coalmire. He convinced people to keep digging at the promise of a long buried, ancient treasure resting deep beneath the swampy earth. Records after this are a bit unclear. It's said that they did, indeed, find something and that because of it Lariviere had unprecedented influence among the city and it's populace. It's also said that the mining was just a convenient way to keep people busy while he worked on furthering his own power by creating a group of elite scholars within the city before wrenching power and declaring independence Whatever the case is, after a year or so Lariviere had made Coalmire into a fairly self-sufficient city state, only having to import Coal at times to run things. He and a select few scholars established an occult school and place of learning while mining operations were still under way. The city grew as their research into the occult and other sciences, such as chemistry, grew. Amator eventually died of old age, leaving behind a large number of illegitimate children, and is currently headed by one of his older children, Cordella Porter. [hr] [i]"Friendly enough, lad. Just don't take a drink from anyone claiming to be a doctor. Might wake up naked on an operating table missing a liver, haha!"[/i] The people of Coalmire are an oddly happy bunch. Rumors of the Scholars using various drugs and other techniques to make that happen are rampant outside of the city, though they strongly deny it and in truth they do nothing of the sort. Such a thing would detract from the overall quality of their own populace, and the scholars want nothing if only the insight and abilities of their own people expanded. They value knowledge and the use of it above all. While during the day they attend various jobs and live a fairly normal life like any would expect, at night things are quite lively. Balls, feasts, and other such happenings are a regular occurrence for the people of Coalmire, often lasting well into the night. The people are fairly friendly and jovial, and even towards outsiders who visit they treat with hospitality. The only place that isn't, is the enigmatic upper portions of the city where the Scholars stay and conduct their occult experiments. [hr] [i]"You go there and meet anyone from Coalmire that calls themselves 'Doctor' you can be sure of two things Lad. They're some of the best physicians in the field...and they've probably killed more people than you can call your acquaintance. But I'm just a drunk beggar, what do I know?"[/i] One of the most sought after people in Coalmire, are their doctors. Using advance medical techniques involving Chemistry, technology from the Werneath institute, and other somewhat...esoteric practices, rather than technologically advanced ones, they are rumored to be able a number of diseases and ailments that would otherwise be extremely difficult to treat. However - it is also heavily rumored that anyone with the title of 'Doctor' in Coalmire is far more than a simple physician. Many are rumored to double as both spies and assassins, though of course such claims are denied strongly by most of them. As far as their military goes, they are protected by the swamps on one front, and the sea on the other. The swamps themselves are as previously stated, difficult for a large army to travel through. There are a number of dangerous wild animals and bogs in the area. Likewise, Coalmire has seen to set up various traps to hinder invaders progress, and the swamps are typically watched by a group of trained scholars and soldiers from Cylnath. As for more actual military, they have a few airships but their army is by far, not large or extremely powerful. Even so, they know how to win wars, strategically at least. Cut off their supply lines. Poison their soldiers. Guerrilla warfare. When dealing with naval enemies they have a few shoreline defenses - but their spies could easily slip aboard a ship unseen and plant explosives and other such things, winning battles before they even began. [/hider]